: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))","Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/United_States_presidential_election (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b943b9d80>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))","Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Harry_S._Truman (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9404ce20>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))","Margaret Truman Mary Margaret Truman Daniel(February 17, 1924 – January 29, 2008) was an American classicalsoprano, actress, journalist, radio and television personality, writer, and New York socialite. She was the only child of PresidentHarry S. Trumanand First LadyBess Truman. While her father was president during the years 1945 to 1953, Margaret regularly accompanied him on campaign trips, such as the 1948 countrywidewhistle-stopcampaign lasting several weeks. She also appeared at important White House and political events during those years, being a favorite with the media. After graduating fromGeorge Washington Universityin 1946, she embarked on a career as acoloratura soprano, beginning with a concert appearance with theDetroit Symphony Orchestrain 1947. She appeared in concerts with orchestras throughout the United States and in recitals throughout the U.S. through 1956. She made recordings forRCA Victor, and made television appearances on programs likeWhat's My Line?andThe Bell Telephone Hour. In 1957, one year after her marriage, Truman abandoned her singing career to pursue a career as a journalist and radio personality, when she became the co-host of the programWeekdaywithMike Wallace. She also wrote articles as an independent journalist, for a variety of publications in the 1960s and 1970s. She later became the successful author of a series of murder mysteries, and a number of works on U.S. First Ladies and First Families, including well-received biographies of her father, PresidentHarry S. Trumanand motherBess Truman. She was married to journalistClifton Daniel, managing editor ofThe New York Times. The couple had four sons, and were prominent New York socialites who often hosted events for the New York elite. Early life Mary Margaret was born at 219 North Delaware Street inIndependence, Missouri, on February 17, 1924,and was christened Mary Margaret Truman (for her aunt Mary Jane Truman and maternal grandmother Margaret Gates Wallace), but was called Margaret from early childhood. She took voice and piano lessons as a child (at the encouragement of her father, who famously played piano) and attended public school in Independence until her father's1934 electionto theUnited States Senate, after which her education was split between public schools in Independence andGunston Hall School, a private school for girls in Washington, D.C. In 1942, she matriculated atGeorge Washington University, where she was a member ofPi Beta Phi,and earned aBachelor of Artsdegree inhistoryandinternational relationsin 1946.In June 1944, she christened the battleshipUSSMissouriatBrooklyn Navy Yard, and spoke again in 1986 at the ship's recommissioning. She studied singing withEstelle Liebling, the voice teacher ofBeverly Sills, in New York City. On April 12, 1945, PresidentFranklin D. Rooseveltdied. His Vice President Harry Truman assumed the presidency when Margaret was 21. Career Singing When Truman was 16 years old, she began taking voice lessons in Independence from Mrs. Thomas J. Strickler, a family friend. After classical vocal training, Truman's singing career began with a debut radio recital in March 1947, followed shortly thereafter with her professional concert debut with theDetroit Symphony Orchestra. She sang professionally for the next decade, appearing with major American orchestras and giving several national concert tours.Some of her credits include concert appearances with theLos Angeles Philharmonicat theHollywood Bowl, theNational Symphony Orchestra, theNBC Symphony Orchestra, thePittsburgh Symphony, thePhiladelphia Orchestra, and theSaint Louis Symphonyamong others. While she never performed in staged operas, she did perform opera arias in concert. Her performances were mainly of both sacred and secular art songs,lieder, and works from the concert soprano repertoire. In 1951 and 1952,RCA Victorissued two albums by Truman, one of classical selections, the other of American art songs.She also made recordings of German lieder forNBC. A 1951Time Magazinecoverfeatured Truman with a single musical note floating by her head. She performed on stage, radio, and television through 1956. At the beginning of her career, critical reviews of Truman's singing were positive, polite or diplomatic in tone, with some later reviewers speculating that negative opinions were held back out of deference for her father as a current sitting United States President.This practice was broken in 1950 whenWashington Postmusic criticPaul Humewrote that Truman was \"extremely attractive on the stage... cannot sing very well. She is flat a good deal of the time. And still cannot sing with anything approaching professional finish.\" The review angered President Truman (who was dealing that same day with the sudden death of his childhood friend and White House Press SecretaryCharlie Ross), who wrote to Hume, \"Some day I hope to meet you. When that happens you'll need a new nose, a lot of beefsteak for black eyes, and perhaps a supporter below!\"Hume wanted to publish the letter, butWashington PostpublisherPhilip Grahamvetoed the idea. However, Hume showed the letter to a number of his colleagues, includingMilton Berliner, music critic of the rivalWashington Times Herald, which published a story. ThePostwas then forced to acknowledge the letter, which drew international headlines, becoming a minor scandal for the Truman administration. Reviewers after that felt more free to be honest in their reviews of her performances, with mixed criticism for her singing thereafter. Acting, radio, and journalism Truman's professional acting debut occurred April 26, 1951. She co-starred withJames Stewartin the \"Jackpot\" episode ofScreen Directors PlayhouseonNBCradio.On March 17, 1952, Truman was guest soloist onThe Railroad Hourin a presentation of the operettaSari. Truman also performed on the NBC Radio programThe Big Show. There she met writerGoodman Ace, who gave her advice and pointers; Ace became a lifelong friend, advising Truman even afterThe Big Show.She became part of the team ofNBC Radio'sWeekdayshow that premiered in 1955, shortly after itsMonitorprogram made its debut.Paired withMike Wallace, she presented news and interviews aimed at a female listening audience. She appeared several times as a panelist (and twice as a mystery guest) on the game showWhat's My Line?and guest-starredmore than once onNBC'sTheMartha RayeShow. In 1957, she sang and played piano onThe Gisele MacKenzie Show. Writing Truman's full-length biography of her father, published shortly before his 1972 death, was critically acclaimed. She also wrote a personal biography of her mother and histories of theWhite Houseand its inhabitants (includingfirst ladiesandpets). Truman published regularly into her eighties. Novels From 1980 to 2011, 25 books in the Capital Crimes series of murder mysteries, most set in and around Washington, D.C., were published under Margaret Truman's name. ProfessionalghostwriterDonald Bain(1935–2017) acknowledged in the March 14, 2014, issue ofPublishers Weeklythat he had written \"27 novels in the Margaret Truman Capital Crimes series (mostly bylined by Truman, my close collaborator – my name is on only the most recent entries, released after her death).\" In 2000, another ghostwriter, William Harrington, had claimed in a self-written obituary before his apparent suicide that Margaret Truman and others were his clients. Institutions She served on the board of directors for theHarry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museumand the Board of Governors of theRoosevelt Institute, and served as a Trustee for her alma mater. Personal life On April 21, 1956, Truman marriedClifton Daniel, a reporter forThe New York Timesand later its managing editor, atTrinity Episcopal Churchin Independence; he died in 2000. They had four sons: Popular culture Italian dress designerMicol Fontana, who designed Truman’s wedding gown, was invited to be a surprise guest on the TV showWhat's My Line?in New York City, just six days before the Truman/Daniel wedding on April 21, 1956, in Independence, Missouri. Later years and death In later life, Truman lived in herPark Avenuehome.She died on January 29, 2008, in Chicago (to which she was relocating to be closer to her son Clifton). She was said to have been suffering from \"a simple infection\" and had been breathing with the assistance of a respirator.Her ashes and those of her husband were interred in Independence in her parents' burial plot on the grounds of the Truman Library. Bibliography Non-fiction Fiction The Capital Crimes series: As of 2021, six further novels in the series had been published under Truman's name as \"with Donald Bain\" or \"with John Land.\" References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/World_War_II (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b943b87c0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\",\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/United_States_presidential_election (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b943b9d80>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\",\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Harry_S._Truman (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9404ce20>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\",\n \"Margaret Truman Mary Margaret Truman Daniel(February 17, 1924 – January 29, 2008) was an American classicalsoprano, actress, journalist, radio and television personality, writer, and New York socialite. She was the only child of PresidentHarry S. Trumanand First LadyBess Truman. While her father was president during the years 1945 to 1953, Margaret regularly accompanied him on campaign trips, such as the 1948 countrywidewhistle-stopcampaign lasting several weeks. She also appeared at important White House and political events during those years, being a favorite with the media. After graduating fromGeorge Washington Universityin 1946, she embarked on a career as acoloratura soprano, beginning with a concert appearance with theDetroit Symphony Orchestrain 1947. She appeared in concerts with orchestras throughout the United States and in recitals throughout the U.S. through 1956. She made recordings forRCA Victor, and made television appearances on programs likeWhat's My Line?andThe Bell Telephone Hour. In 1957, one year after her marriage, Truman abandoned her singing career to pursue a career as a journalist and radio personality, when she became the co-host of the programWeekdaywithMike Wallace. She also wrote articles as an independent journalist, for a variety of publications in the 1960s and 1970s. She later became the successful author of a series of murder mysteries, and a number of works on U.S. First Ladies and First Families, including well-received biographies of her father, PresidentHarry S. Trumanand motherBess Truman. She was married to journalistClifton Daniel, managing editor ofThe New York Times. The couple had four sons, and were prominent New York socialites who often hosted events for the New York elite. Early life Mary Margaret was born at 219 North Delaware Street inIndependence, Missouri, on February 17, 1924,and was christened Mary Margaret Truman (for her aunt Mary Jane Truman and maternal grandmother Margaret Gates Wallace), but was called Margaret from early childhood. She took voice and piano lessons as a child (at the encouragement of her father, who famously played piano) and attended public school in Independence until her father's1934 electionto theUnited States Senate, after which her education was split between public schools in Independence andGunston Hall School, a private school for girls in Washington, D.C. In 1942, she matriculated atGeorge Washington University, where she was a member ofPi Beta Phi,and earned aBachelor of Artsdegree inhistoryandinternational relationsin 1946.In June 1944, she christened the battleshipUSSMissouriatBrooklyn Navy Yard, and spoke again in 1986 at the ship's recommissioning. She studied singing withEstelle Liebling, the voice teacher ofBeverly Sills, in New York City. On April 12, 1945, PresidentFranklin D. Rooseveltdied. His Vice President Harry Truman assumed the presidency when Margaret was 21. Career Singing When Truman was 16 years old, she began taking voice lessons in Independence from Mrs. Thomas J. Strickler, a family friend. After classical vocal training, Truman's singing career began with a debut radio recital in March 1947, followed shortly thereafter with her professional concert debut with theDetroit Symphony Orchestra. She sang professionally for the next decade, appearing with major American orchestras and giving several national concert tours.Some of her credits include concert appearances with theLos Angeles Philharmonicat theHollywood Bowl, theNational Symphony Orchestra, theNBC Symphony Orchestra, thePittsburgh Symphony, thePhiladelphia Orchestra, and theSaint Louis Symphonyamong others. While she never performed in staged operas, she did perform opera arias in concert. Her performances were mainly of both sacred and secular art songs,lieder, and works from the concert soprano repertoire. In 1951 and 1952,RCA Victorissued two albums by Truman, one of classical selections, the other of American art songs.She also made recordings of German lieder forNBC. A 1951Time Magazinecoverfeatured Truman with a single musical note floating by her head. She performed on stage, radio, and television through 1956. At the beginning of her career, critical reviews of Truman's singing were positive, polite or diplomatic in tone, with some later reviewers speculating that negative opinions were held back out of deference for her father as a current sitting United States President.This practice was broken in 1950 whenWashington Postmusic criticPaul Humewrote that Truman was \\\"extremely attractive on the stage... cannot sing very well. She is flat a good deal of the time. And still cannot sing with anything approaching professional finish.\\\" The review angered President Truman (who was dealing that same day with the sudden death of his childhood friend and White House Press SecretaryCharlie Ross), who wrote to Hume, \\\"Some day I hope to meet you. When that happens you'll need a new nose, a lot of beefsteak for black eyes, and perhaps a supporter below!\\\"Hume wanted to publish the letter, butWashington PostpublisherPhilip Grahamvetoed the idea. However, Hume showed the letter to a number of his colleagues, includingMilton Berliner, music critic of the rivalWashington Times Herald, which published a story. ThePostwas then forced to acknowledge the letter, which drew international headlines, becoming a minor scandal for the Truman administration. Reviewers after that felt more free to be honest in their reviews of her performances, with mixed criticism for her singing thereafter. Acting, radio, and journalism Truman's professional acting debut occurred April 26, 1951. She co-starred withJames Stewartin the \\\"Jackpot\\\" episode ofScreen Directors PlayhouseonNBCradio.On March 17, 1952, Truman was guest soloist onThe Railroad Hourin a presentation of the operettaSari. Truman also performed on the NBC Radio programThe Big Show. There she met writerGoodman Ace, who gave her advice and pointers; Ace became a lifelong friend, advising Truman even afterThe Big Show.She became part of the team ofNBC Radio'sWeekdayshow that premiered in 1955, shortly after itsMonitorprogram made its debut.Paired withMike Wallace, she presented news and interviews aimed at a female listening audience. She appeared several times as a panelist (and twice as a mystery guest) on the game showWhat's My Line?and guest-starredmore than once onNBC'sTheMartha RayeShow. In 1957, she sang and played piano onThe Gisele MacKenzie Show. Writing Truman's full-length biography of her father, published shortly before his 1972 death, was critically acclaimed. She also wrote a personal biography of her mother and histories of theWhite Houseand its inhabitants (includingfirst ladiesandpets). Truman published regularly into her eighties. Novels From 1980 to 2011, 25 books in the Capital Crimes series of murder mysteries, most set in and around Washington, D.C., were published under Margaret Truman's name. ProfessionalghostwriterDonald Bain(1935–2017) acknowledged in the March 14, 2014, issue ofPublishers Weeklythat he had written \\\"27 novels in the Margaret Truman Capital Crimes series (mostly bylined by Truman, my close collaborator – my name is on only the most recent entries, released after her death).\\\" In 2000, another ghostwriter, William Harrington, had claimed in a self-written obituary before his apparent suicide that Margaret Truman and others were his clients. Institutions She served on the board of directors for theHarry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museumand the Board of Governors of theRoosevelt Institute, and served as a Trustee for her alma mater. Personal life On April 21, 1956, Truman marriedClifton Daniel, a reporter forThe New York Timesand later its managing editor, atTrinity Episcopal Churchin Independence; he died in 2000. They had four sons: Popular culture Italian dress designerMicol Fontana, who designed Truman’s wedding gown, was invited to be a surprise guest on the TV showWhat's My Line?in New York City, just six days before the Truman/Daniel wedding on April 21, 1956, in Independence, Missouri. Later years and death In later life, Truman lived in herPark Avenuehome.She died on January 29, 2008, in Chicago (to which she was relocating to be closer to her son Clifton). She was said to have been suffering from \\\"a simple infection\\\" and had been breathing with the assistance of a respirator.Her ashes and those of her husband were interred in Independence in her parents' burial plot on the grounds of the Truman Library. Bibliography Non-fiction Fiction The Capital Crimes series: As of 2021, six further novels in the series had been published under Truman's name as \\\"with Donald Bain\\\" or \\\"with John Land.\\\" References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/World_War_II (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b943b87c0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))","Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/United_States_presidential_election (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b943b9d80>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))","Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Harry_S._Truman (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9404ce20>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))","Margaret Truman Mary Margaret Truman Daniel(February 17, 1924 – January 29, 2008) was an American classicalsoprano, actress, journalist, radio and television personality, writer, and New York socialite. She was the only child of PresidentHarry S. Trumanand First LadyBess Truman. While her father was president during the years 1945 to 1953, Margaret regularly accompanied him on campaign trips, such as the 1948 countrywidewhistle-stopcampaign lasting several weeks. She also appeared at important White House and political events during those years, being a favorite with the media. After graduating fromGeorge Washington Universityin 1946, she embarked on a career as acoloratura soprano, beginning with a concert appearance with theDetroit Symphony Orchestrain 1947. She appeared in concerts with orchestras throughout the United States and in recitals throughout the U.S. through 1956. She made recordings forRCA Victor, and made television appearances on programs likeWhat's My Line?andThe Bell Telephone Hour. In","Telephone Hour. In 1957, one year after her marriage, Truman abandoned her singing career to pursue a career as a journalist and radio personality, when she became the co-host of the programWeekdaywithMike Wallace. She also wrote articles as an independent journalist, for a variety of publications in the 1960s and 1970s. She later became the successful author of a series of murder mysteries, and a number of works on U.S. First Ladies and First Families, including well-received biographies of her father, PresidentHarry S. Trumanand motherBess Truman. She was married to journalistClifton Daniel, managing editor ofThe New York Times. The couple had four sons, and were prominent New York socialites who often hosted events for the New York elite. Early life Mary Margaret was born at 219 North Delaware Street inIndependence, Missouri, on February 17, 1924,and was christened Mary Margaret Truman (for her aunt Mary Jane Truman and maternal grandmother Margaret Gates Wallace), but was called Margaret from early","Margaret from early childhood. She took voice and piano lessons as a child (at the encouragement of her father, who famously played piano) and attended public school in Independence until her father's1934 electionto theUnited States Senate, after which her education was split between public schools in Independence andGunston Hall School, a private school for girls in Washington, D.C. In 1942, she matriculated atGeorge Washington University, where she was a member ofPi Beta Phi,and earned aBachelor of Artsdegree inhistoryandinternational relationsin 1946.In June 1944, she christened the battleshipUSSMissouriatBrooklyn Navy Yard, and spoke again in 1986 at the ship's recommissioning. She studied singing withEstelle Liebling, the voice teacher ofBeverly Sills, in New York City. On April 12, 1945, PresidentFranklin D. Rooseveltdied. His Vice President Harry Truman assumed the presidency when Margaret was 21. Career Singing When Truman was 16 years old, she began taking voice lessons in Independence from Mrs.","from Mrs. Thomas J. Strickler, a family friend. After classical vocal training, Truman's singing career began with a debut radio recital in March 1947, followed shortly thereafter with her professional concert debut with theDetroit Symphony Orchestra. She sang professionally for the next decade, appearing with major American orchestras and giving several national concert tours.Some of her credits include concert appearances with theLos Angeles Philharmonicat theHollywood Bowl, theNational Symphony Orchestra, theNBC Symphony Orchestra, thePittsburgh Symphony, thePhiladelphia Orchestra, and theSaint Louis Symphonyamong others. While she never performed in staged operas, she did perform opera arias in concert. Her performances were mainly of both sacred and secular art songs,lieder, and works from the concert soprano repertoire. In 1951 and 1952,RCA Victorissued two albums by Truman, one of classical selections, the other of American art songs.She also made recordings of German lieder forNBC. A 1951Time","forNBC. A 1951Time Magazinecoverfeatured Truman with a single musical note floating by her head. She performed on stage, radio, and television through 1956. At the beginning of her career, critical reviews of Truman's singing were positive, polite or diplomatic in tone, with some later reviewers speculating that negative opinions were held back out of deference for her father as a current sitting United States President.This practice was broken in 1950 whenWashington Postmusic criticPaul Humewrote that Truman was \"extremely attractive on the stage... cannot sing very well. She is flat a good deal of the time. And still cannot sing with anything approaching professional finish.\" The review angered President Truman (who was dealing that same day with the sudden death of his childhood friend and White House Press SecretaryCharlie Ross), who wrote to Hume, \"Some day I hope to meet you. When that happens you'll need a new nose, a lot of beefsteak for black eyes, and perhaps a supporter below!\"Hume wanted to","wanted to publish the letter, butWashington PostpublisherPhilip Grahamvetoed the idea. However, Hume showed the letter to a number of his colleagues, includingMilton Berliner, music critic of the rivalWashington Times Herald, which published a story. ThePostwas then forced to acknowledge the letter, which drew international headlines, becoming a minor scandal for the Truman administration. Reviewers after that felt more free to be honest in their reviews of her performances, with mixed criticism for her singing thereafter. Acting, radio, and journalism Truman's professional acting debut occurred April 26, 1951. She co-starred withJames Stewartin the \"Jackpot\" episode ofScreen Directors PlayhouseonNBCradio.On March 17, 1952, Truman was guest soloist onThe Railroad Hourin a presentation of the operettaSari. Truman also performed on the NBC Radio programThe Big Show. There she met writerGoodman Ace, who gave her advice and pointers; Ace became a lifelong friend, advising Truman even afterThe Big Show.She became","Big Show.She became part of the team ofNBC Radio'sWeekdayshow that premiered in 1955, shortly after itsMonitorprogram made its debut.Paired withMike Wallace, she presented news and interviews aimed at a female listening audience. She appeared several times as a panelist (and twice as a mystery guest) on the game showWhat's My Line?and guest-starredmore than once onNBC'sTheMartha RayeShow. In 1957, she sang and played piano onThe Gisele MacKenzie Show. Writing Truman's full-length biography of her father, published shortly before his 1972 death, was critically acclaimed. She also wrote a personal biography of her mother and histories of theWhite Houseand its inhabitants (includingfirst ladiesandpets). Truman published regularly into her eighties. Novels From 1980 to 2011, 25 books in the Capital Crimes series of murder mysteries, most set in and around Washington, D.C., were published under Margaret Truman's name. ProfessionalghostwriterDonald Bain(1935–2017) acknowledged in the March 14, 2014, issue","14, 2014, issue ofPublishers Weeklythat he had written \"27 novels in the Margaret Truman Capital Crimes series (mostly bylined by Truman, my close collaborator – my name is on only the most recent entries, released after her death).\" In 2000, another ghostwriter, William Harrington, had claimed in a self-written obituary before his apparent suicide that Margaret Truman and others were his clients. Institutions She served on the board of directors for theHarry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museumand the Board of Governors of theRoosevelt Institute, and served as a Trustee for her alma mater. Personal life On April 21, 1956, Truman marriedClifton Daniel, a reporter forThe New York Timesand later its managing editor, atTrinity Episcopal Churchin Independence; he died in 2000. They had four sons: Popular culture Italian dress designerMicol Fontana, who designed Truman’s wedding gown, was invited to be a surprise guest on the TV showWhat's My Line?in New York City, just six days before the Truman/Daniel","the Truman/Daniel wedding on April 21, 1956, in Independence, Missouri. Later years and death In later life, Truman lived in herPark Avenuehome.She died on January 29, 2008, in Chicago (to which she was relocating to be closer to her son Clifton). She was said to have been suffering from \"a simple infection\" and had been breathing with the assistance of a respirator.Her ashes and those of her husband were interred in Independence in her parents' burial plot on the grounds of the Truman Library. Bibliography Non-fiction Fiction The Capital Crimes series: As of 2021, six further novels in the series had been published under Truman's name as \"with Donald Bain\" or \"with John Land.\" References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/World_War_II (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b943b87c0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\",\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/United_States_presidential_election (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b943b9d80>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\",\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Harry_S._Truman (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9404ce20>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\",\n \"Margaret Truman Mary Margaret Truman Daniel(February 17, 1924 – January 29, 2008) was an American classicalsoprano, actress, journalist, radio and television personality, writer, and New York socialite. She was the only child of PresidentHarry S. Trumanand First LadyBess Truman. While her father was president during the years 1945 to 1953, Margaret regularly accompanied him on campaign trips, such as the 1948 countrywidewhistle-stopcampaign lasting several weeks. She also appeared at important White House and political events during those years, being a favorite with the media. After graduating fromGeorge Washington Universityin 1946, she embarked on a career as acoloratura soprano, beginning with a concert appearance with theDetroit Symphony Orchestrain 1947. She appeared in concerts with orchestras throughout the United States and in recitals throughout the U.S. through 1956. She made recordings forRCA Victor, and made television appearances on programs likeWhat's My Line?andThe Bell Telephone Hour. In\",\n \"Telephone Hour. In 1957, one year after her marriage, Truman abandoned her singing career to pursue a career as a journalist and radio personality, when she became the co-host of the programWeekdaywithMike Wallace. She also wrote articles as an independent journalist, for a variety of publications in the 1960s and 1970s. She later became the successful author of a series of murder mysteries, and a number of works on U.S. First Ladies and First Families, including well-received biographies of her father, PresidentHarry S. Trumanand motherBess Truman. She was married to journalistClifton Daniel, managing editor ofThe New York Times. The couple had four sons, and were prominent New York socialites who often hosted events for the New York elite. Early life Mary Margaret was born at 219 North Delaware Street inIndependence, Missouri, on February 17, 1924,and was christened Mary Margaret Truman (for her aunt Mary Jane Truman and maternal grandmother Margaret Gates Wallace), but was called Margaret from early\",\n \"Margaret from early childhood. She took voice and piano lessons as a child (at the encouragement of her father, who famously played piano) and attended public school in Independence until her father's1934 electionto theUnited States Senate, after which her education was split between public schools in Independence andGunston Hall School, a private school for girls in Washington, D.C. In 1942, she matriculated atGeorge Washington University, where she was a member ofPi Beta Phi,and earned aBachelor of Artsdegree inhistoryandinternational relationsin 1946.In June 1944, she christened the battleshipUSSMissouriatBrooklyn Navy Yard, and spoke again in 1986 at the ship's recommissioning. She studied singing withEstelle Liebling, the voice teacher ofBeverly Sills, in New York City. On April 12, 1945, PresidentFranklin D. Rooseveltdied. His Vice President Harry Truman assumed the presidency when Margaret was 21. Career Singing When Truman was 16 years old, she began taking voice lessons in Independence from Mrs.\",\n \"from Mrs. Thomas J. Strickler, a family friend. After classical vocal training, Truman's singing career began with a debut radio recital in March 1947, followed shortly thereafter with her professional concert debut with theDetroit Symphony Orchestra. She sang professionally for the next decade, appearing with major American orchestras and giving several national concert tours.Some of her credits include concert appearances with theLos Angeles Philharmonicat theHollywood Bowl, theNational Symphony Orchestra, theNBC Symphony Orchestra, thePittsburgh Symphony, thePhiladelphia Orchestra, and theSaint Louis Symphonyamong others. While she never performed in staged operas, she did perform opera arias in concert. Her performances were mainly of both sacred and secular art songs,lieder, and works from the concert soprano repertoire. In 1951 and 1952,RCA Victorissued two albums by Truman, one of classical selections, the other of American art songs.She also made recordings of German lieder forNBC. A 1951Time\",\n \"forNBC. A 1951Time Magazinecoverfeatured Truman with a single musical note floating by her head. She performed on stage, radio, and television through 1956. At the beginning of her career, critical reviews of Truman's singing were positive, polite or diplomatic in tone, with some later reviewers speculating that negative opinions were held back out of deference for her father as a current sitting United States President.This practice was broken in 1950 whenWashington Postmusic criticPaul Humewrote that Truman was \\\"extremely attractive on the stage... cannot sing very well. She is flat a good deal of the time. And still cannot sing with anything approaching professional finish.\\\" The review angered President Truman (who was dealing that same day with the sudden death of his childhood friend and White House Press SecretaryCharlie Ross), who wrote to Hume, \\\"Some day I hope to meet you. When that happens you'll need a new nose, a lot of beefsteak for black eyes, and perhaps a supporter below!\\\"Hume wanted to\",\n \"wanted to publish the letter, butWashington PostpublisherPhilip Grahamvetoed the idea. However, Hume showed the letter to a number of his colleagues, includingMilton Berliner, music critic of the rivalWashington Times Herald, which published a story. ThePostwas then forced to acknowledge the letter, which drew international headlines, becoming a minor scandal for the Truman administration. Reviewers after that felt more free to be honest in their reviews of her performances, with mixed criticism for her singing thereafter. Acting, radio, and journalism Truman's professional acting debut occurred April 26, 1951. She co-starred withJames Stewartin the \\\"Jackpot\\\" episode ofScreen Directors PlayhouseonNBCradio.On March 17, 1952, Truman was guest soloist onThe Railroad Hourin a presentation of the operettaSari. Truman also performed on the NBC Radio programThe Big Show. There she met writerGoodman Ace, who gave her advice and pointers; Ace became a lifelong friend, advising Truman even afterThe Big Show.She became\",\n \"Big Show.She became part of the team ofNBC Radio'sWeekdayshow that premiered in 1955, shortly after itsMonitorprogram made its debut.Paired withMike Wallace, she presented news and interviews aimed at a female listening audience. She appeared several times as a panelist (and twice as a mystery guest) on the game showWhat's My Line?and guest-starredmore than once onNBC'sTheMartha RayeShow. In 1957, she sang and played piano onThe Gisele MacKenzie Show. Writing Truman's full-length biography of her father, published shortly before his 1972 death, was critically acclaimed. She also wrote a personal biography of her mother and histories of theWhite Houseand its inhabitants (includingfirst ladiesandpets). Truman published regularly into her eighties. Novels From 1980 to 2011, 25 books in the Capital Crimes series of murder mysteries, most set in and around Washington, D.C., were published under Margaret Truman's name. ProfessionalghostwriterDonald Bain(1935–2017) acknowledged in the March 14, 2014, issue\",\n \"14, 2014, issue ofPublishers Weeklythat he had written \\\"27 novels in the Margaret Truman Capital Crimes series (mostly bylined by Truman, my close collaborator – my name is on only the most recent entries, released after her death).\\\" In 2000, another ghostwriter, William Harrington, had claimed in a self-written obituary before his apparent suicide that Margaret Truman and others were his clients. Institutions She served on the board of directors for theHarry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museumand the Board of Governors of theRoosevelt Institute, and served as a Trustee for her alma mater. Personal life On April 21, 1956, Truman marriedClifton Daniel, a reporter forThe New York Timesand later its managing editor, atTrinity Episcopal Churchin Independence; he died in 2000. They had four sons: Popular culture Italian dress designerMicol Fontana, who designed Truman’s wedding gown, was invited to be a surprise guest on the TV showWhat's My Line?in New York City, just six days before the Truman/Daniel\",\n \"the Truman/Daniel wedding on April 21, 1956, in Independence, Missouri. Later years and death In later life, Truman lived in herPark Avenuehome.She died on January 29, 2008, in Chicago (to which she was relocating to be closer to her son Clifton). She was said to have been suffering from \\\"a simple infection\\\" and had been breathing with the assistance of a respirator.Her ashes and those of her husband were interred in Independence in her parents' burial plot on the grounds of the Truman Library. Bibliography Non-fiction Fiction The Capital Crimes series: As of 2021, six further novels in the series had been published under Truman's name as \\\"with Donald Bain\\\" or \\\"with John Land.\\\" References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":255,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"What is the name of the 2nd track on the album by Corinne Bailey Rae that came out 10 years before her album The Heart Speaks in Whispers?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Enchantment"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_discography"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_(album)"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_discography', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_(album)']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_discography","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_(album"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_discography\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_(album\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Corinne Bailey Rae discography English singer and songwriterCorinne Bailey Raehas released fourstudio albums, onelive album, fourextended plays, 13singles(including five as a featured artist), onepromotional singleand 13music videos. Rae released hereponymous debut albumin February 2006. It debuted atop theUK Albums Chart,while reaching the top five in Ireland and the United States,and the top 10 in Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland.Corinne Bailey Raewas certified triple platinum by theBritish Phonographic Industry(BPI) and platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA),selling over four million copies worldwide.The album spawned four singles, including \"Put Your Records On\", which peaked at number two on theUK Singles Chart. Rae's second studio album,The Sea, was released in January 2010, reaching number five on the UK Albums Chart, number seven on the USBillboard200and number 13 on theCanadian Albums Chart.It was later certified gold by the BPI.The album was promoted by three singles: \"I'd Do It All Again\", \"Paris Nights/New York Mornings\" and \"Closer\". In May 2016, Rae released her third studio album,The Heart Speaks in Whispers, which peaked at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart. Albums Studio albums Live albums Extended plays Singles As lead artist As featured artist Promotional singles Other charted songs Guest appearances Music videos Notes References External links","Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_(album"],"string":"[\n \"Corinne Bailey Rae discography English singer and songwriterCorinne Bailey Raehas released fourstudio albums, onelive album, fourextended plays, 13singles(including five as a featured artist), onepromotional singleand 13music videos. Rae released hereponymous debut albumin February 2006. It debuted atop theUK Albums Chart,while reaching the top five in Ireland and the United States,and the top 10 in Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland.Corinne Bailey Raewas certified triple platinum by theBritish Phonographic Industry(BPI) and platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA),selling over four million copies worldwide.The album spawned four singles, including \\\"Put Your Records On\\\", which peaked at number two on theUK Singles Chart. Rae's second studio album,The Sea, was released in January 2010, reaching number five on the UK Albums Chart, number seven on the USBillboard200and number 13 on theCanadian Albums Chart.It was later certified gold by the BPI.The album was promoted by three singles: \\\"I'd Do It All Again\\\", \\\"Paris Nights/New York Mornings\\\" and \\\"Closer\\\". In May 2016, Rae released her third studio album,The Heart Speaks in Whispers, which peaked at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart. Albums Studio albums Live albums Extended plays Singles As lead artist As featured artist Promotional singles Other charted songs Guest appearances Music videos Notes References External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_(album\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Corinne Bailey Rae discography English singer and songwriterCorinne Bailey Raehas released fourstudio albums, onelive album, fourextended plays, 13singles(including five as a featured artist), onepromotional singleand 13music videos. Rae released hereponymous debut albumin February 2006. It debuted atop theUK Albums Chart,while reaching the top five in Ireland and the United States,and the top 10 in Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland.Corinne Bailey Raewas certified triple platinum by theBritish Phonographic Industry(BPI) and platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA),selling over four million copies worldwide.The album spawned four singles, including \"Put Your Records On\", which peaked at number two on theUK Singles Chart. Rae's second studio album,The Sea, was released in January 2010, reaching number five on the UK Albums Chart, number seven on the USBillboard200and number 13 on theCanadian Albums Chart.It was later certified gold by the BPI.The album was promoted by three singles: \"I'd","three singles: \"I'd Do It All Again\", \"Paris Nights/New York Mornings\" and \"Closer\". In May 2016, Rae released her third studio album,The Heart Speaks in Whispers, which peaked at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart. Albums Studio albums Live albums Extended plays Singles As lead artist As featured artist Promotional singles Other charted songs Guest appearances Music videos Notes References External links","Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_(album"],"string":"[\n \"Corinne Bailey Rae discography English singer and songwriterCorinne Bailey Raehas released fourstudio albums, onelive album, fourextended plays, 13singles(including five as a featured artist), onepromotional singleand 13music videos. Rae released hereponymous debut albumin February 2006. It debuted atop theUK Albums Chart,while reaching the top five in Ireland and the United States,and the top 10 in Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland.Corinne Bailey Raewas certified triple platinum by theBritish Phonographic Industry(BPI) and platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA),selling over four million copies worldwide.The album spawned four singles, including \\\"Put Your Records On\\\", which peaked at number two on theUK Singles Chart. Rae's second studio album,The Sea, was released in January 2010, reaching number five on the UK Albums Chart, number seven on the USBillboard200and number 13 on theCanadian Albums Chart.It was later certified gold by the BPI.The album was promoted by three singles: \\\"I'd\",\n \"three singles: \\\"I'd Do It All Again\\\", \\\"Paris Nights/New York Mornings\\\" and \\\"Closer\\\". In May 2016, Rae released her third studio album,The Heart Speaks in Whispers, which peaked at number 14 on the UK Albums Chart. Albums Studio albums Live albums Extended plays Singles As lead artist As featured artist Promotional singles Other charted songs Guest appearances Music videos Notes References External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_(album\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":256,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"How many times in total did the Argentina women's field hockey team and the Uruguay women's field hockey team enter the Pan American Games and the Olympic Games from 2000 to 2020?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"15"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Pan_American_Games"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Summer_Olympics"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Pan_American_Games', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Summer_Olympics']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Pan_American_Games","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Summer_Olympics"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Pan_American_Games\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Summer_Olympics\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Field hockey at the Pan American Games The winner of the field hockey event of thePan American Gamesqualifies for theSummer Olympicsin the following year. Women's field hockey was introduced at the1987 edition, and has served as the Olympics qualifying event since 1999. Men's tournament Results Summary Team appearances Women's tournament Results Summary Team appearances Medal table Total Men Women See also External links","Field hockey at the Summer Olympics Field hockeymade itsdebutat theModern Olympic Gamesas a men's competition in the1908 GamesinLondon. It was removed from the Olympic schedule of theSummer Olympic Gamesfor the1924 Paris Gamesand was reintroduced in the1928 Amsterdam Games. The Women's field hockey wasintroducedinto the Olympic programme at the1980 Moscow Olympics. TheInternational Hockey Federation(FIH) was founded in 1924 and governs the hockey events. Until the 1988 Olympics, the tournament was invitational but a qualification system was introduced since the1992 Barcelona Olympics. The last edition atPariswas the 25th occurrence of themen's eventand 12th consecutive occurrence ofwomen's eventin the Olympics. India holds the record for the most appearances in the Olympic men's competitions (22) while Australia and Netherlands hold the same record in women's competitions (11). India leads the medal tally for the men's events with 13 medals while the Netherlands heads the women's events with 10 medals. Great Britainwon the first two editions of the men's event in1908and1920.Indiawon the gold medal in seven out of eight Olympics from1928to1964withPakistanwinning three gold and silver medals each between the 1956 and1984 Games. The matches are played onartificial turfsince1976. Since the late 1980s, European nations have dominated the hockey events withGermanyandNetherlandshaving won three gold medals each in the men's event. In the women's event,NetherlandsandAustraliahave been dominant, having won five and three gold medals respectively since its introduction in 1980. History Field hockeywas introduced at theModern Olympic Gamesas a men's competition at the1908 GamesinLondon.Great Britainwon the first two editions in1908(asEngland) and1920.It was removed from the Olympic schedule of theSummer Olympic Gamesfor the1924 Paris Gamesbecause of the lack of an international sporting structure. TheInternational Hockey Federation(FIH) was founded in Paris that year as a response to the same.Men's field hockey was added to the Olympics for the next Olympic Games in1928 Gamesheld atAmsterdam. Starting in1928,Indiawon the gold medal in seven out of eight Olympics till1964including six consecutive gold medals from the1928 Olympicsto1956.Pakistanwon its first gold medal in1960and won three gold and silver medals each in a run lasting from 1956 to1984.West Germanywon the gold medal in the1972 Munich Olympics, for the first gold medal by a non-Asian country since 1928. Olympic field hockey games were first played onartificial turfat the1976 Montreal Gamesand was won byNew Zealand.The domination of both the Asian countries came to an end in the late 1980s with India winning its last gold medal in the competition in1980and Pakistan in 1984. Though the International Federation of Women’s Hockey Associations (IFWHA) was founded way back in 1927,Women's field hockeymade its debut at theSummer Olympicsonly at the1980 Moscow Olympicsand was won byZimbabwe. On 23 April 1983, women’s hockey programme was taken over by FIH and the IFWHA was dissolved.Great Britain won its first gold medal in themen's eventsince 1920 in the1988 Seoul Olympics. Until the 1988 Olympics, the tournament was invitational but FIH introduced a qualification system starting from the1992 Barcelona Olympics. Since the 1990s, European countries have been dominant in the men's sport with the only exceptions being the wins byAustraliain2004andArgentinain2016. BothGermanyandNetherlandshave won three gold medals each, with the only other European winner beingBelgiumin2020.In the women's events,NetherlandsandAustraliahave been dominant, having won five and three gold medals respectively since its introduction to the Olympic programme in1980. The only other winners of the women's event wereSpainin1992,Germanyin2004, andGreat Britainin2016. The last edition of both themen'sandwomen's eventswere held as a part of the2024 Paris Olympicswith Netherlands winning both the events.India holds the record for the most appearances in the Olympic men's competitions (22) andSpainhas appeared in the most Olympic men's competitions (19) without winning the men's gold medal with the best place finishes being the silver medal won in1980,1996, and2008.Australia and Netherlands hold the record for the most appearances in the Olympic women's competitions (11).India leads the medal tally for the men's events with 13 medals including eight gold medals. Netherlands heads the women's events with 10 medals including five gold medals and also leads the overall medal tally with 20 medals (eight gold, six silver and six bronze). Men Results Medal table Top four statistics Team appearances Since the debut of the hockey programme in 1908, 45 teams have competed in at least one Olympic Games. Debut of teams Women Results Medal table Top four statistics Team appearances Since its debut at the 1980 Games, 23 teams have competed in at least one Olympic Games. Debut of teams Overall medal table Source: Olympic records Men Women See also Notes References"],"string":"[\n \"Field hockey at the Pan American Games The winner of the field hockey event of thePan American Gamesqualifies for theSummer Olympicsin the following year. Women's field hockey was introduced at the1987 edition, and has served as the Olympics qualifying event since 1999. Men's tournament Results Summary Team appearances Women's tournament Results Summary Team appearances Medal table Total Men Women See also External links\",\n \"Field hockey at the Summer Olympics Field hockeymade itsdebutat theModern Olympic Gamesas a men's competition in the1908 GamesinLondon. It was removed from the Olympic schedule of theSummer Olympic Gamesfor the1924 Paris Gamesand was reintroduced in the1928 Amsterdam Games. The Women's field hockey wasintroducedinto the Olympic programme at the1980 Moscow Olympics. TheInternational Hockey Federation(FIH) was founded in 1924 and governs the hockey events. Until the 1988 Olympics, the tournament was invitational but a qualification system was introduced since the1992 Barcelona Olympics. The last edition atPariswas the 25th occurrence of themen's eventand 12th consecutive occurrence ofwomen's eventin the Olympics. India holds the record for the most appearances in the Olympic men's competitions (22) while Australia and Netherlands hold the same record in women's competitions (11). India leads the medal tally for the men's events with 13 medals while the Netherlands heads the women's events with 10 medals. Great Britainwon the first two editions of the men's event in1908and1920.Indiawon the gold medal in seven out of eight Olympics from1928to1964withPakistanwinning three gold and silver medals each between the 1956 and1984 Games. The matches are played onartificial turfsince1976. Since the late 1980s, European nations have dominated the hockey events withGermanyandNetherlandshaving won three gold medals each in the men's event. In the women's event,NetherlandsandAustraliahave been dominant, having won five and three gold medals respectively since its introduction in 1980. History Field hockeywas introduced at theModern Olympic Gamesas a men's competition at the1908 GamesinLondon.Great Britainwon the first two editions in1908(asEngland) and1920.It was removed from the Olympic schedule of theSummer Olympic Gamesfor the1924 Paris Gamesbecause of the lack of an international sporting structure. TheInternational Hockey Federation(FIH) was founded in Paris that year as a response to the same.Men's field hockey was added to the Olympics for the next Olympic Games in1928 Gamesheld atAmsterdam. Starting in1928,Indiawon the gold medal in seven out of eight Olympics till1964including six consecutive gold medals from the1928 Olympicsto1956.Pakistanwon its first gold medal in1960and won three gold and silver medals each in a run lasting from 1956 to1984.West Germanywon the gold medal in the1972 Munich Olympics, for the first gold medal by a non-Asian country since 1928. Olympic field hockey games were first played onartificial turfat the1976 Montreal Gamesand was won byNew Zealand.The domination of both the Asian countries came to an end in the late 1980s with India winning its last gold medal in the competition in1980and Pakistan in 1984. Though the International Federation of Women’s Hockey Associations (IFWHA) was founded way back in 1927,Women's field hockeymade its debut at theSummer Olympicsonly at the1980 Moscow Olympicsand was won byZimbabwe. On 23 April 1983, women’s hockey programme was taken over by FIH and the IFWHA was dissolved.Great Britain won its first gold medal in themen's eventsince 1920 in the1988 Seoul Olympics. Until the 1988 Olympics, the tournament was invitational but FIH introduced a qualification system starting from the1992 Barcelona Olympics. Since the 1990s, European countries have been dominant in the men's sport with the only exceptions being the wins byAustraliain2004andArgentinain2016. BothGermanyandNetherlandshave won three gold medals each, with the only other European winner beingBelgiumin2020.In the women's events,NetherlandsandAustraliahave been dominant, having won five and three gold medals respectively since its introduction to the Olympic programme in1980. The only other winners of the women's event wereSpainin1992,Germanyin2004, andGreat Britainin2016. The last edition of both themen'sandwomen's eventswere held as a part of the2024 Paris Olympicswith Netherlands winning both the events.India holds the record for the most appearances in the Olympic men's competitions (22) andSpainhas appeared in the most Olympic men's competitions (19) without winning the men's gold medal with the best place finishes being the silver medal won in1980,1996, and2008.Australia and Netherlands hold the record for the most appearances in the Olympic women's competitions (11).India leads the medal tally for the men's events with 13 medals including eight gold medals. Netherlands heads the women's events with 10 medals including five gold medals and also leads the overall medal tally with 20 medals (eight gold, six silver and six bronze). Men Results Medal table Top four statistics Team appearances Since the debut of the hockey programme in 1908, 45 teams have competed in at least one Olympic Games. Debut of teams Women Results Medal table Top four statistics Team appearances Since its debut at the 1980 Games, 23 teams have competed in at least one Olympic Games. Debut of teams Overall medal table Source: Olympic records Men Women See also Notes References\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Field hockey at the Pan American Games The winner of the field hockey event of thePan American Gamesqualifies for theSummer Olympicsin the following year. Women's field hockey was introduced at the1987 edition, and has served as the Olympics qualifying event since 1999. Men's tournament Results Summary Team appearances Women's tournament Results Summary Team appearances Medal table Total Men Women See also External links","Field hockey at the Summer Olympics Field hockeymade itsdebutat theModern Olympic Gamesas a men's competition in the1908 GamesinLondon. It was removed from the Olympic schedule of theSummer Olympic Gamesfor the1924 Paris Gamesand was reintroduced in the1928 Amsterdam Games. The Women's field hockey wasintroducedinto the Olympic programme at the1980 Moscow Olympics. TheInternational Hockey Federation(FIH) was founded in 1924 and governs the hockey events. Until the 1988 Olympics, the tournament was invitational but a qualification system was introduced since the1992 Barcelona Olympics. The last edition atPariswas the 25th occurrence of themen's eventand 12th consecutive occurrence ofwomen's eventin the Olympics. India holds the record for the most appearances in the Olympic men's competitions (22) while Australia and Netherlands hold the same record in women's competitions (11). India leads the medal tally for the men's events with 13 medals while the Netherlands heads the women's events with 10 medals. Great","10 medals. Great Britainwon the first two editions of the men's event in1908and1920.Indiawon the gold medal in seven out of eight Olympics from1928to1964withPakistanwinning three gold and silver medals each between the 1956 and1984 Games. The matches are played onartificial turfsince1976. Since the late 1980s, European nations have dominated the hockey events withGermanyandNetherlandshaving won three gold medals each in the men's event. In the women's event,NetherlandsandAustraliahave been dominant, having won five and three gold medals respectively since its introduction in 1980. History Field hockeywas introduced at theModern Olympic Gamesas a men's competition at the1908 GamesinLondon.Great Britainwon the first two editions in1908(asEngland) and1920.It was removed from the Olympic schedule of theSummer Olympic Gamesfor the1924 Paris Gamesbecause of the lack of an international sporting structure. TheInternational Hockey Federation(FIH) was founded in Paris that year as a response to the same.Men's field","same.Men's field hockey was added to the Olympics for the next Olympic Games in1928 Gamesheld atAmsterdam. Starting in1928,Indiawon the gold medal in seven out of eight Olympics till1964including six consecutive gold medals from the1928 Olympicsto1956.Pakistanwon its first gold medal in1960and won three gold and silver medals each in a run lasting from 1956 to1984.West Germanywon the gold medal in the1972 Munich Olympics, for the first gold medal by a non-Asian country since 1928. Olympic field hockey games were first played onartificial turfat the1976 Montreal Gamesand was won byNew Zealand.The domination of both the Asian countries came to an end in the late 1980s with India winning its last gold medal in the competition in1980and Pakistan in 1984. Though the International Federation of Women’s Hockey Associations (IFWHA) was founded way back in 1927,Women's field hockeymade its debut at theSummer Olympicsonly at the1980 Moscow Olympicsand was won byZimbabwe. On 23 April 1983, women’s hockey programme was","programme was taken over by FIH and the IFWHA was dissolved.Great Britain won its first gold medal in themen's eventsince 1920 in the1988 Seoul Olympics. Until the 1988 Olympics, the tournament was invitational but FIH introduced a qualification system starting from the1992 Barcelona Olympics. Since the 1990s, European countries have been dominant in the men's sport with the only exceptions being the wins byAustraliain2004andArgentinain2016. BothGermanyandNetherlandshave won three gold medals each, with the only other European winner beingBelgiumin2020.In the women's events,NetherlandsandAustraliahave been dominant, having won five and three gold medals respectively since its introduction to the Olympic programme in1980. The only other winners of the women's event wereSpainin1992,Germanyin2004, andGreat Britainin2016. The last edition of both themen'sandwomen's eventswere held as a part of the2024 Paris Olympicswith Netherlands winning both the events.India holds the record for the most appearances in the","appearances in the Olympic men's competitions (22) andSpainhas appeared in the most Olympic men's competitions (19) without winning the men's gold medal with the best place finishes being the silver medal won in1980,1996, and2008.Australia and Netherlands hold the record for the most appearances in the Olympic women's competitions (11).India leads the medal tally for the men's events with 13 medals including eight gold medals. Netherlands heads the women's events with 10 medals including five gold medals and also leads the overall medal tally with 20 medals (eight gold, six silver and six bronze). Men Results Medal table Top four statistics Team appearances Since the debut of the hockey programme in 1908, 45 teams have competed in at least one Olympic Games. Debut of teams Women Results Medal table Top four statistics Team appearances Since its debut at the 1980 Games, 23 teams have competed in at least one Olympic Games. Debut of teams Overall medal table Source: Olympic records Men Women See also Notes","See also Notes References"],"string":"[\n \"Field hockey at the Pan American Games The winner of the field hockey event of thePan American Gamesqualifies for theSummer Olympicsin the following year. Women's field hockey was introduced at the1987 edition, and has served as the Olympics qualifying event since 1999. Men's tournament Results Summary Team appearances Women's tournament Results Summary Team appearances Medal table Total Men Women See also External links\",\n \"Field hockey at the Summer Olympics Field hockeymade itsdebutat theModern Olympic Gamesas a men's competition in the1908 GamesinLondon. It was removed from the Olympic schedule of theSummer Olympic Gamesfor the1924 Paris Gamesand was reintroduced in the1928 Amsterdam Games. The Women's field hockey wasintroducedinto the Olympic programme at the1980 Moscow Olympics. TheInternational Hockey Federation(FIH) was founded in 1924 and governs the hockey events. Until the 1988 Olympics, the tournament was invitational but a qualification system was introduced since the1992 Barcelona Olympics. The last edition atPariswas the 25th occurrence of themen's eventand 12th consecutive occurrence ofwomen's eventin the Olympics. India holds the record for the most appearances in the Olympic men's competitions (22) while Australia and Netherlands hold the same record in women's competitions (11). India leads the medal tally for the men's events with 13 medals while the Netherlands heads the women's events with 10 medals. Great\",\n \"10 medals. Great Britainwon the first two editions of the men's event in1908and1920.Indiawon the gold medal in seven out of eight Olympics from1928to1964withPakistanwinning three gold and silver medals each between the 1956 and1984 Games. The matches are played onartificial turfsince1976. Since the late 1980s, European nations have dominated the hockey events withGermanyandNetherlandshaving won three gold medals each in the men's event. In the women's event,NetherlandsandAustraliahave been dominant, having won five and three gold medals respectively since its introduction in 1980. History Field hockeywas introduced at theModern Olympic Gamesas a men's competition at the1908 GamesinLondon.Great Britainwon the first two editions in1908(asEngland) and1920.It was removed from the Olympic schedule of theSummer Olympic Gamesfor the1924 Paris Gamesbecause of the lack of an international sporting structure. TheInternational Hockey Federation(FIH) was founded in Paris that year as a response to the same.Men's field\",\n \"same.Men's field hockey was added to the Olympics for the next Olympic Games in1928 Gamesheld atAmsterdam. Starting in1928,Indiawon the gold medal in seven out of eight Olympics till1964including six consecutive gold medals from the1928 Olympicsto1956.Pakistanwon its first gold medal in1960and won three gold and silver medals each in a run lasting from 1956 to1984.West Germanywon the gold medal in the1972 Munich Olympics, for the first gold medal by a non-Asian country since 1928. Olympic field hockey games were first played onartificial turfat the1976 Montreal Gamesand was won byNew Zealand.The domination of both the Asian countries came to an end in the late 1980s with India winning its last gold medal in the competition in1980and Pakistan in 1984. Though the International Federation of Women’s Hockey Associations (IFWHA) was founded way back in 1927,Women's field hockeymade its debut at theSummer Olympicsonly at the1980 Moscow Olympicsand was won byZimbabwe. On 23 April 1983, women’s hockey programme was\",\n \"programme was taken over by FIH and the IFWHA was dissolved.Great Britain won its first gold medal in themen's eventsince 1920 in the1988 Seoul Olympics. Until the 1988 Olympics, the tournament was invitational but FIH introduced a qualification system starting from the1992 Barcelona Olympics. Since the 1990s, European countries have been dominant in the men's sport with the only exceptions being the wins byAustraliain2004andArgentinain2016. BothGermanyandNetherlandshave won three gold medals each, with the only other European winner beingBelgiumin2020.In the women's events,NetherlandsandAustraliahave been dominant, having won five and three gold medals respectively since its introduction to the Olympic programme in1980. The only other winners of the women's event wereSpainin1992,Germanyin2004, andGreat Britainin2016. The last edition of both themen'sandwomen's eventswere held as a part of the2024 Paris Olympicswith Netherlands winning both the events.India holds the record for the most appearances in the\",\n \"appearances in the Olympic men's competitions (22) andSpainhas appeared in the most Olympic men's competitions (19) without winning the men's gold medal with the best place finishes being the silver medal won in1980,1996, and2008.Australia and Netherlands hold the record for the most appearances in the Olympic women's competitions (11).India leads the medal tally for the men's events with 13 medals including eight gold medals. Netherlands heads the women's events with 10 medals including five gold medals and also leads the overall medal tally with 20 medals (eight gold, six silver and six bronze). Men Results Medal table Top four statistics Team appearances Since the debut of the hockey programme in 1908, 45 teams have competed in at least one Olympic Games. Debut of teams Women Results Medal table Top four statistics Team appearances Since its debut at the 1980 Games, 23 teams have competed in at least one Olympic Games. Debut of teams Overall medal table Source: Olympic records Men Women See also Notes\",\n \"See also Notes References\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":257,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"How many years was the first vessel Stephen Etnier commanded constructed after the novel that first inspired him to pursue painting was published?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"7"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Etnier"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_and_Sixpence"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Mizpah"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Etnier', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_and_Sixpence', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Mizpah']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Etnier","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_and_Sixpence","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Mizpah"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Etnier\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_and_Sixpence\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Mizpah\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Stephen Etnier Stephen Morgan Etnier(September 11, 1903 – November 7, 1984) was an Americanrealistpainter, painting for six decades. His work is distinguished by a mixture of realism andluminism, favoring industrial and working scenes, but always imbued with atmospheric light. Geographically, his career spanned the length of the eastern Atlantic and beyond. Childhood and education Stephen Etnier was born in September, 1903 inYork, Pennsylvania. From 1915 to 1922 he attended the Haverford and Hill schools in Pennsylvania and Roxbury Tutoring School in Connecticut. He matriculated intoYale Universityclass of 1926, transferring to Yale Art School in December 1922. Re-entering Yale University in 1923 he was later dismissed for poor grades. He enteredHaverford Collegein 1924 and transferred to thePennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied for four years. From 1925 through 1929 he studied and apprenticed under the artists Henry Breckinridge,Rockwell Kentand John Carroll. Early career Drawing inspiration fromThe Moon and Sixpence,Somerset Maugham'snovel based on the life of the painterPaul Gauguin, Etnier pursued painting, launching his career with a solo exhibition at Dudensing Galleries, New York City in 1931. He soon moved to New York's Milch Gallery, where he would remain until the 1960s. Etnier's early work of 1930s and 1940s provides a record of his life at the time. His work shows street scenes in his home state of Pennsylvania, waterfronts from his travels to Haiti and the Bahamas, (and made while sailing the Eastern Seaboard aboard his 70-foot sailboat,Morgana), aerial perspectives created as he learned to fly, and dramatic Maine landscapes, painted while he renovated a stately 1862 home, \"Gilbert Head\". Gilbert Head was on Long Island, Maine at the opening of theKennebec Riverand across fromFort Pophamand Popham Beach. Etnier and his wife Betsy lived on theMorganafor two years while they renovated the house. Her account of these years,On Gilbert Head, was published in 1937. In 1938 he executed the mural \"Waiting for the Mail,\" installed at theU.S. Post OfficeinSpring Valley, New York, and listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1988.In 1940 he painted a second mural, \"Mail for New England\" at theBoston, MA. Everett Branch Post Office. In 2010 this mural was restored and reinstalled at the Clarendon Street Post Office in Boston. Military service In 1941, at the age of thirty-eight, Etnier suspended his painting career to serve in theUnited States Navy. In May 1942, Etnier was commissioned as a lieutenant and assigned as commanding officer of theUSSMizpah, a North Atlantic convoy escort ship. In 1944, he was reassigned to the USSTourmalinein Boston, and later to theUSSGeneral Omar Bundyin San Francisco. He completed his tour of duty in 1945. Later career Etnier purchased land inSouth Harpswell, Maine in 1948 to build \"Old Cove\", his dream house and studio. Designed in collaboration with Portland, Maine architect James Saunders, the home featured a porch cantilevered over the ocean, north-facing windows for his studio, and a living room overlooking the ocean and framed byMondrian-inspired window frames. Named for the private cove it overlooked, the home served as the foundation for a productive and increasingly serene period in Etnier's career. Old Cove was sold to new owners in 2014 and subsequently demolished. The 1950s and 1960s mark a maturing, accomplished style in Etnier's work. Although still traveling south most winters in his boat, his life took a more domestic turn as he re-adopted Maine as his permanent home and married his fourth wife, Samuella \"Brownie\" Brown Rose. They were married for thirty-three years and had two sons. During those years, he painted daily, exhibited widely and enjoyed popular support, artistic awards and media attention. Etnier's work became more architectural, marked by stark geometry, light and shadow, impressionistic figures and accents of color and modern culture. He adopted an artist's discipline of rising early and painting each morning (learned first from Rockwell Kent ), seeking to capture the essence of Maine waterfronts and landscapes and the effects of light. The study of sunlight and water fascinated Etnier until the end of his career. On November 7, 1984, Stephen Etnier died at Old Cove, comforted by his two sons. Exhibitions and awards Etnier exhibited frequently in galleries in Pennsylvania, Maine, New York and Dallas. His work appears in the permanent collections of theMetropolitan Museum of Art,Boston Museum of Fine Artsand other museums across the United States. Acclaim includes his election as an academician by the National Academy of Design and a retrospective exhibit at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine in 1953; receipt of the Saltus Award by the National Academy of Design in 1955; a solo exhibition at York Junior College in York, Pennsylvania and the Samuel F. B. Morse gold medal from the National Academy of Design in 1964; and a solo exhibition at the Bristol Art Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island in 1965. In 1969, Etnier was awarded honorary doctorates of fine arts from Bates College and Bowdoin College in Maine. In that year, he also began his association with Midtown Gallery in New York City. Posthumous retrospective exhibitions were mounted at thePortland Museum of Artin 1998 and at the Historical Society ofYork Countyin 1989. Marriages and children Stephen Etnier married Mathilde Gray, the daughter of John Lathrop Gray, Sr. and Harriet Hamilton Tyng of Greenwich, Connecticut in 1926.They had two daughters; Suzanne Mathilde Etnier, born July 6, 1927, and Penelope Royall Etnier born July 17, 1929. He married Elizabeth Morgan Jay of Westbury, New York in 1933. They had two daughters: Stephanie Jay Etnier was born September 8, 1936, and Elizabeth Victoria Etnier was born May 1, 1940. Etnier's third wife was Jane Walden Pearce, who died soon after they were married in 1948. He married Samuella \"Brownie\" Brown Rose in 1950. They had two sons; John Stephen Etnier, born August 26, 1953, and David Morrison Etnier, born August 29, 1955.Etnier's fifth and final marriage came in the last months of his life: he married Marcia Hall of Harpswell in 1983. They later divorced. References Notes Sources External links","The Moon and Sixpence The Moon and Sixpenceis a novel byW. Somerset Maugham, first published on 15 April 1919. It is told in episodic form by a first-person narrator providing a series of glimpses into the mind and soul of the central character, Charles Strickland, a middle-aged English stockbroker, who abandons his wife and children abruptly to pursue his desire to become an artist. The story is, in part, based on the life of the painterPaul Gauguin. Plot summary The book is written largely from the point of view of the narrator, a young, aspiring writer and playwright in London. Certain chapters entirely comprise accounts of events by other characters, which the narrator recalls from memory, selectively editing or elaborating on certain aspects of dialogue, particularly Strickland's, because Strickland is said by the narrator to have a very poor ability to express himself in words. The narrator first develops an acquaintance with Strickland's wife at literary parties and later meets Strickland himself, who appears to be an unremarkable businessman with no interest in his wife's literary or artistic tastes. Strickland is a well-off, middle-class stockbroker in London, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Early in the novel, he leaves his wife and children and goes to Paris. The narrator enters directly into the story at that point, when he is asked by Mrs Strickland to go to Paris and talk with her husband. He lives a destitute but defiantly contented life there as a painter, lodging in run-down hotels and falling prey to both illness and hunger. Strickland, in his drive to express through his art what appears to continually possess and compel him on the inside, cares nothing for physical discomfort and is indifferent to his surroundings. He is helped and supported by a commercially successful but hackneyed Dutch painter, Dirk Stroeve, coincidentally, also an old friend of the narrator, who recognises Strickland's genius as a painter. After helping Strickland recover from a life-threatening illness, Stroeve is repaid by having his wife, Blanche, abandon him for Strickland. Strickland later discards the wife, because all he really wanted from Blanche was for her to be a model to paint, not a serious companion. It is hinted in the novel that he indicated that to her, but she took the risk anyway. Blanche then dies by suicide. She is another human casualty in Strickland's single-minded pursuit of art and beauty, the first casualties being his own established life, and those of his wife and children. After the Paris episode, the story continues inTahiti. Strickland has already died, and the narrator attempts to piece together his life there from recollections of others. He finds that Strickland had taken up with a native woman, had two children by her (one of whom died), and started painting prolifically. We learn that Strickland had settled for a short while in the French port ofMarseillebefore traveling to Tahiti, where he lived for a few years before dying ofleprosy. Strickland left behind numerous paintings, but hismagnum opus, which he painted on the walls of his hut before losing his sight to leprosy, was burnt by his wife after his death, as per his dying orders. Inspiration The Moon and Sixpenceis not, of course, a life of Paul Gauguin in the form of fiction. It is founded on what I had heard about him, but I used only the main facts of his story and for the rest trusted to such gifts of invention as I was fortunate enough to possess. The life of the French artistPaul Gauguinis the inspiration for the story, but the character of Strickland as a solitary,sociopathic, and destructive genius is more related to a mythological version of Gauguin's life, which the artist himself developed and promoted, than the actual course of his life. The real Gauguin was a participant in the artistic developments in France in the 1880s, exhibiting his work regularly with theImpressionists, and being a friend and collaborator with many artists. Gauguin did work as a stockbroker, did leave his wife and family to devote his life to art, and did leave Europe for Tahiti to pursue his career. However, none of that happened in the brutal way of the novel's character. Maugham took inspiration from the published writings about Gauguin available at the time, as well as personal experience living among the artistic community in Paris in 1904, and a visit to Tahiti in 1914. Strickland is created as an extreme version of the \"modern artist as 'genius'\", who is indifferent and frequently hostile to the people around him. Writing in 1953, Maugham described the idea for the book as arising during a year that he spent living in Paris in 1904: \"...I met men who had known him and worked with him at Pont-Aven. I heard much about him. It occurred to me that there was in what I was told the subject of a novel.\" The idea remained in his mind for ten years, until a visit to Tahiti in 1914, where Maugham was able to meet people who had known Gauguin, inspired him to start writing.The critic Amy Dickson examines the relationship between Gauguin and Strickland. She contrasts the novel's description of Strickland, \"his faults are accepted as the necessary complement of his merits... but one thing can never be doubtful, and that is that he had genius\", with Gauguin's description of himself: \"I am an artist and you are right, you're not mad, I am a great artist and I know it. It's because I know it that I have endured such sufferings. To have done otherwise I would consider myself a brigand—which is what many people think I am.\" Dickson sums up the novel as follows: \"Maugham was fascinated by the impact of the arrival ofmodernismfrom Europe on an insular British consciousness and the emergence of the cult of the modernist artist-genius—The Moon and Sixpenceis at once a satire of Edwardian mores and a Gauguin biography.\" About the title According to some sources, the title, the meaning of which is not explicitly revealed in the book, was taken from a review inThe Times Literary Supplementof Maugham's novelOf Human Bondage, in which the novel'sprotagonist, Philip Carey, is described as being \"so busy yearning for the moon that he never saw the sixpence at his feet.\"According to a 1956 letter from Maugham, \"If you look on the ground in search of a sixpence, you don't look up, and so miss the moon.\" Maugham's title echoes the description of Gauguin by his contemporary biographer, Meier-Graefe (1908): \"He may be charged with having always wanted something else.\" Adaptations The book was made into a stage play in 1925 at theNew Theatre, withHenry Ainleyas Strickland andEileen Sharpas Ata. Afilm of the same namedirected and written byAlbert Lewin, was released in 1942, starringGeorge Sandersas Charles Strickland. The novel served as the basis for a 1957 opera, also titledThe Moon and Sixpence, byJohn Gardnerto a libretto by Patrick Terry which premiered atSadlers Wells. S Lee Pogostin adapted it for American TV in 1959. That production,The Moon and Sixpence(1959), starredLaurence Olivier, withHume CronynandJessica Tandyin supporting roles. In popular culture Ray Noble's dance band hit \"We've Got the Moon and Sixpence\" (1932), sung byAl Bowlly, takes its name from the book. The Moon and Sixpenceis central to the protagonist's solving the mystery in theHoward PeasenovelThe Ship Without a Crew(1934). The book was mentioned inAgatha Christie's mystery (Hercule Poirotseries) novelFive Little Pigs(1942), when Poirot asks one of the suspects (Angela Warren) if she read the book at the time the crime was committed. The victim in the case is a married artist infatuated with a younger woman he yearns to paint, and for whom he may or may not be about to abandon his wife. It was mentioned in the James Jones novelFrom Here to Eternity(1951), in a conversation between Sergeant Warden and Corporal Mazzioli. Jack Kerouacmentions the book in his novellaThe Subterraneans(1958). In the opening scene ofFrançois Truffaut's filmFahrenheit 451(1966), an adaptation ofRay Bradbury's 1953novel of the same name, several firemen are preparing books for burning. In the crowd of onlookers is a little boy who picks up one of the books and thumbs through it before his father takes it from him and throws it on the pile with the rest. That book isThe Moon and Sixpence. It is also mentioned frequently in twoStephen Kingnovels:Bag of Bones(1998); and, in passing,Finders Keepers(2015). See also Notes External links","USSMizpah USSMizpah(PY-29)was aUnited States Navypatrol yacht. Constructed in 1926, the vessel was constructed as thepleasure yachtSavarona. In 1929 it was renamedAllegroand thenMizpahfor use on theGreat Lakes. The vessel was acquired by the United States Navy in 1942 and converted to a warship andcommissionedthe same year.Mizpahserved as aconvoyescort along the United States East Coast before becoming aschool shipin 1944. Following the end of the war, the vessel returned to private operation in 1946 until 1967 whenMizpahwas laid up with a brokencrankshaftatTampa, Florida. An attempt to save the ship proved futile andMizpahwasscuttledoff the coast of Florida as anartificial reefin 1968. The wreck is now a populardive site. Service history The 185-foot (56 m) ship was berthed in 1926 from the parts of an abandoned newdestroyer, as thepleasure yachtSavanarolaby theNewport News Shipbuilding and Drydock CompanyofNewport News, Virginia.The yacht, originally constructed for the United States Navy but due to naval treaties was prevented from being completed. The still unbuilt vessel was sold to Mrs. Cadwalader ofPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania. After completion the vessel was given the nameSequoiabefore being sold to James Elverson who renamed itAllegro.In 1929 it was sold toEugene F. McDonaldofPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, founder and president of theZenith Radio Corporation,who used it both as aChicagoresidence and a floating laboratory on which to test his electronics company's new products. One of the largest yachts on theGreat Lakesin its Jazz Age heyday, the ship was renamedMizpahin 1929. United States Navy service Mizpahwas acquired by theUnited States Navyon 16 March 1942 and converted to a warship atSturgeon Bay Shipbuilding Company,Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, with LieutenantStephen M. Etnierin command. It wascommissionedUSSMizpah(PY-29) on 26 October 1942.Mizpahdeparted Sturgeon Bay on 16 November 1942 for service as aconvoyescort along the eastern coast of the United States betweenNew York CityandKey West, Floridauntil July 1944. From August 1944 until April 1945,Mizpahserved as a navigationschool shipfrom the Amphibious Training Base atLittle Creek, Virginia, training officers to sail amphibious vessels in theChesapeake Bayregion. Mizpahunderwent conversion to aflagshipatBoston, Massachusetts and was employed as such by Destroyer Force,Atlantic Fleet.Mizpahbecame the flagship of Rear AdmiralOliver M. HustvedtatPortland, Maine, on 28 May 1945 under the command of Lt. Stephen M. Etnier. Hustvedt was succeeded by Rear AdmiralFrank E. Beatty, Jr., on 4 September 1945. In mid-October, 1945, Lt. Etnier was succeeded by Lieutenant D. Dudley Bloom, who sailedMizpahfrom Portland, Maine, south toCharleston, South Carolina, arriving on 10 December 1945. She wasdecommissionedon 16 January 1946 and transferred to the United States War Shipping Administration (WSA) on 25 September 1946 for disposal. Final years The WSA then sold her to a private Honduran corporation for transporting bananas out of South America. While sailing toTampa, Florida, the vessel was caught in a storm, suffered a brokencrankshaft, and was laid up in Tampa for repair. At that time, Eugene Kinney,McDonald's nephew and Zenith Corporation vice president who had grown up onMizpahand served as a naval officer in theSouth PacificduringWorld War II, learned of her plight and purchased her. FindingMizpahirreparably damaged, however, Kinneyscuttledher off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida, on 9 April 1968,along with another ship,USSPC-1174, to serve as anartificialreef to preventbeach erosion. Sitting in 90–110 feet (27–34 m) of waterwith her hatches left ajar,Mizpahis now one of the chief attractions of an offshore scuba diving area known as \"The Mizpah Corridor\". Citations Sources External links Cave dive sites:"],"string":"[\n \"Stephen Etnier Stephen Morgan Etnier(September 11, 1903 – November 7, 1984) was an Americanrealistpainter, painting for six decades. His work is distinguished by a mixture of realism andluminism, favoring industrial and working scenes, but always imbued with atmospheric light. Geographically, his career spanned the length of the eastern Atlantic and beyond. Childhood and education Stephen Etnier was born in September, 1903 inYork, Pennsylvania. From 1915 to 1922 he attended the Haverford and Hill schools in Pennsylvania and Roxbury Tutoring School in Connecticut. He matriculated intoYale Universityclass of 1926, transferring to Yale Art School in December 1922. Re-entering Yale University in 1923 he was later dismissed for poor grades. He enteredHaverford Collegein 1924 and transferred to thePennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied for four years. From 1925 through 1929 he studied and apprenticed under the artists Henry Breckinridge,Rockwell Kentand John Carroll. Early career Drawing inspiration fromThe Moon and Sixpence,Somerset Maugham'snovel based on the life of the painterPaul Gauguin, Etnier pursued painting, launching his career with a solo exhibition at Dudensing Galleries, New York City in 1931. He soon moved to New York's Milch Gallery, where he would remain until the 1960s. Etnier's early work of 1930s and 1940s provides a record of his life at the time. His work shows street scenes in his home state of Pennsylvania, waterfronts from his travels to Haiti and the Bahamas, (and made while sailing the Eastern Seaboard aboard his 70-foot sailboat,Morgana), aerial perspectives created as he learned to fly, and dramatic Maine landscapes, painted while he renovated a stately 1862 home, \\\"Gilbert Head\\\". Gilbert Head was on Long Island, Maine at the opening of theKennebec Riverand across fromFort Pophamand Popham Beach. Etnier and his wife Betsy lived on theMorganafor two years while they renovated the house. Her account of these years,On Gilbert Head, was published in 1937. In 1938 he executed the mural \\\"Waiting for the Mail,\\\" installed at theU.S. Post OfficeinSpring Valley, New York, and listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1988.In 1940 he painted a second mural, \\\"Mail for New England\\\" at theBoston, MA. Everett Branch Post Office. In 2010 this mural was restored and reinstalled at the Clarendon Street Post Office in Boston. Military service In 1941, at the age of thirty-eight, Etnier suspended his painting career to serve in theUnited States Navy. In May 1942, Etnier was commissioned as a lieutenant and assigned as commanding officer of theUSSMizpah, a North Atlantic convoy escort ship. In 1944, he was reassigned to the USSTourmalinein Boston, and later to theUSSGeneral Omar Bundyin San Francisco. He completed his tour of duty in 1945. Later career Etnier purchased land inSouth Harpswell, Maine in 1948 to build \\\"Old Cove\\\", his dream house and studio. Designed in collaboration with Portland, Maine architect James Saunders, the home featured a porch cantilevered over the ocean, north-facing windows for his studio, and a living room overlooking the ocean and framed byMondrian-inspired window frames. Named for the private cove it overlooked, the home served as the foundation for a productive and increasingly serene period in Etnier's career. Old Cove was sold to new owners in 2014 and subsequently demolished. The 1950s and 1960s mark a maturing, accomplished style in Etnier's work. Although still traveling south most winters in his boat, his life took a more domestic turn as he re-adopted Maine as his permanent home and married his fourth wife, Samuella \\\"Brownie\\\" Brown Rose. They were married for thirty-three years and had two sons. During those years, he painted daily, exhibited widely and enjoyed popular support, artistic awards and media attention. Etnier's work became more architectural, marked by stark geometry, light and shadow, impressionistic figures and accents of color and modern culture. He adopted an artist's discipline of rising early and painting each morning (learned first from Rockwell Kent ), seeking to capture the essence of Maine waterfronts and landscapes and the effects of light. The study of sunlight and water fascinated Etnier until the end of his career. On November 7, 1984, Stephen Etnier died at Old Cove, comforted by his two sons. Exhibitions and awards Etnier exhibited frequently in galleries in Pennsylvania, Maine, New York and Dallas. His work appears in the permanent collections of theMetropolitan Museum of Art,Boston Museum of Fine Artsand other museums across the United States. Acclaim includes his election as an academician by the National Academy of Design and a retrospective exhibit at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine in 1953; receipt of the Saltus Award by the National Academy of Design in 1955; a solo exhibition at York Junior College in York, Pennsylvania and the Samuel F. B. Morse gold medal from the National Academy of Design in 1964; and a solo exhibition at the Bristol Art Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island in 1965. In 1969, Etnier was awarded honorary doctorates of fine arts from Bates College and Bowdoin College in Maine. In that year, he also began his association with Midtown Gallery in New York City. Posthumous retrospective exhibitions were mounted at thePortland Museum of Artin 1998 and at the Historical Society ofYork Countyin 1989. Marriages and children Stephen Etnier married Mathilde Gray, the daughter of John Lathrop Gray, Sr. and Harriet Hamilton Tyng of Greenwich, Connecticut in 1926.They had two daughters; Suzanne Mathilde Etnier, born July 6, 1927, and Penelope Royall Etnier born July 17, 1929. He married Elizabeth Morgan Jay of Westbury, New York in 1933. They had two daughters: Stephanie Jay Etnier was born September 8, 1936, and Elizabeth Victoria Etnier was born May 1, 1940. Etnier's third wife was Jane Walden Pearce, who died soon after they were married in 1948. He married Samuella \\\"Brownie\\\" Brown Rose in 1950. They had two sons; John Stephen Etnier, born August 26, 1953, and David Morrison Etnier, born August 29, 1955.Etnier's fifth and final marriage came in the last months of his life: he married Marcia Hall of Harpswell in 1983. They later divorced. References Notes Sources External links\",\n \"The Moon and Sixpence The Moon and Sixpenceis a novel byW. Somerset Maugham, first published on 15 April 1919. It is told in episodic form by a first-person narrator providing a series of glimpses into the mind and soul of the central character, Charles Strickland, a middle-aged English stockbroker, who abandons his wife and children abruptly to pursue his desire to become an artist. The story is, in part, based on the life of the painterPaul Gauguin. Plot summary The book is written largely from the point of view of the narrator, a young, aspiring writer and playwright in London. Certain chapters entirely comprise accounts of events by other characters, which the narrator recalls from memory, selectively editing or elaborating on certain aspects of dialogue, particularly Strickland's, because Strickland is said by the narrator to have a very poor ability to express himself in words. The narrator first develops an acquaintance with Strickland's wife at literary parties and later meets Strickland himself, who appears to be an unremarkable businessman with no interest in his wife's literary or artistic tastes. Strickland is a well-off, middle-class stockbroker in London, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Early in the novel, he leaves his wife and children and goes to Paris. The narrator enters directly into the story at that point, when he is asked by Mrs Strickland to go to Paris and talk with her husband. He lives a destitute but defiantly contented life there as a painter, lodging in run-down hotels and falling prey to both illness and hunger. Strickland, in his drive to express through his art what appears to continually possess and compel him on the inside, cares nothing for physical discomfort and is indifferent to his surroundings. He is helped and supported by a commercially successful but hackneyed Dutch painter, Dirk Stroeve, coincidentally, also an old friend of the narrator, who recognises Strickland's genius as a painter. After helping Strickland recover from a life-threatening illness, Stroeve is repaid by having his wife, Blanche, abandon him for Strickland. Strickland later discards the wife, because all he really wanted from Blanche was for her to be a model to paint, not a serious companion. It is hinted in the novel that he indicated that to her, but she took the risk anyway. Blanche then dies by suicide. She is another human casualty in Strickland's single-minded pursuit of art and beauty, the first casualties being his own established life, and those of his wife and children. After the Paris episode, the story continues inTahiti. Strickland has already died, and the narrator attempts to piece together his life there from recollections of others. He finds that Strickland had taken up with a native woman, had two children by her (one of whom died), and started painting prolifically. We learn that Strickland had settled for a short while in the French port ofMarseillebefore traveling to Tahiti, where he lived for a few years before dying ofleprosy. Strickland left behind numerous paintings, but hismagnum opus, which he painted on the walls of his hut before losing his sight to leprosy, was burnt by his wife after his death, as per his dying orders. Inspiration The Moon and Sixpenceis not, of course, a life of Paul Gauguin in the form of fiction. It is founded on what I had heard about him, but I used only the main facts of his story and for the rest trusted to such gifts of invention as I was fortunate enough to possess. The life of the French artistPaul Gauguinis the inspiration for the story, but the character of Strickland as a solitary,sociopathic, and destructive genius is more related to a mythological version of Gauguin's life, which the artist himself developed and promoted, than the actual course of his life. The real Gauguin was a participant in the artistic developments in France in the 1880s, exhibiting his work regularly with theImpressionists, and being a friend and collaborator with many artists. Gauguin did work as a stockbroker, did leave his wife and family to devote his life to art, and did leave Europe for Tahiti to pursue his career. However, none of that happened in the brutal way of the novel's character. Maugham took inspiration from the published writings about Gauguin available at the time, as well as personal experience living among the artistic community in Paris in 1904, and a visit to Tahiti in 1914. Strickland is created as an extreme version of the \\\"modern artist as 'genius'\\\", who is indifferent and frequently hostile to the people around him. Writing in 1953, Maugham described the idea for the book as arising during a year that he spent living in Paris in 1904: \\\"...I met men who had known him and worked with him at Pont-Aven. I heard much about him. It occurred to me that there was in what I was told the subject of a novel.\\\" The idea remained in his mind for ten years, until a visit to Tahiti in 1914, where Maugham was able to meet people who had known Gauguin, inspired him to start writing.The critic Amy Dickson examines the relationship between Gauguin and Strickland. She contrasts the novel's description of Strickland, \\\"his faults are accepted as the necessary complement of his merits... but one thing can never be doubtful, and that is that he had genius\\\", with Gauguin's description of himself: \\\"I am an artist and you are right, you're not mad, I am a great artist and I know it. It's because I know it that I have endured such sufferings. To have done otherwise I would consider myself a brigand—which is what many people think I am.\\\" Dickson sums up the novel as follows: \\\"Maugham was fascinated by the impact of the arrival ofmodernismfrom Europe on an insular British consciousness and the emergence of the cult of the modernist artist-genius—The Moon and Sixpenceis at once a satire of Edwardian mores and a Gauguin biography.\\\" About the title According to some sources, the title, the meaning of which is not explicitly revealed in the book, was taken from a review inThe Times Literary Supplementof Maugham's novelOf Human Bondage, in which the novel'sprotagonist, Philip Carey, is described as being \\\"so busy yearning for the moon that he never saw the sixpence at his feet.\\\"According to a 1956 letter from Maugham, \\\"If you look on the ground in search of a sixpence, you don't look up, and so miss the moon.\\\" Maugham's title echoes the description of Gauguin by his contemporary biographer, Meier-Graefe (1908): \\\"He may be charged with having always wanted something else.\\\" Adaptations The book was made into a stage play in 1925 at theNew Theatre, withHenry Ainleyas Strickland andEileen Sharpas Ata. Afilm of the same namedirected and written byAlbert Lewin, was released in 1942, starringGeorge Sandersas Charles Strickland. The novel served as the basis for a 1957 opera, also titledThe Moon and Sixpence, byJohn Gardnerto a libretto by Patrick Terry which premiered atSadlers Wells. S Lee Pogostin adapted it for American TV in 1959. That production,The Moon and Sixpence(1959), starredLaurence Olivier, withHume CronynandJessica Tandyin supporting roles. In popular culture Ray Noble's dance band hit \\\"We've Got the Moon and Sixpence\\\" (1932), sung byAl Bowlly, takes its name from the book. The Moon and Sixpenceis central to the protagonist's solving the mystery in theHoward PeasenovelThe Ship Without a Crew(1934). The book was mentioned inAgatha Christie's mystery (Hercule Poirotseries) novelFive Little Pigs(1942), when Poirot asks one of the suspects (Angela Warren) if she read the book at the time the crime was committed. The victim in the case is a married artist infatuated with a younger woman he yearns to paint, and for whom he may or may not be about to abandon his wife. It was mentioned in the James Jones novelFrom Here to Eternity(1951), in a conversation between Sergeant Warden and Corporal Mazzioli. Jack Kerouacmentions the book in his novellaThe Subterraneans(1958). In the opening scene ofFrançois Truffaut's filmFahrenheit 451(1966), an adaptation ofRay Bradbury's 1953novel of the same name, several firemen are preparing books for burning. In the crowd of onlookers is a little boy who picks up one of the books and thumbs through it before his father takes it from him and throws it on the pile with the rest. That book isThe Moon and Sixpence. It is also mentioned frequently in twoStephen Kingnovels:Bag of Bones(1998); and, in passing,Finders Keepers(2015). See also Notes External links\",\n \"USSMizpah USSMizpah(PY-29)was aUnited States Navypatrol yacht. Constructed in 1926, the vessel was constructed as thepleasure yachtSavarona. In 1929 it was renamedAllegroand thenMizpahfor use on theGreat Lakes. The vessel was acquired by the United States Navy in 1942 and converted to a warship andcommissionedthe same year.Mizpahserved as aconvoyescort along the United States East Coast before becoming aschool shipin 1944. Following the end of the war, the vessel returned to private operation in 1946 until 1967 whenMizpahwas laid up with a brokencrankshaftatTampa, Florida. An attempt to save the ship proved futile andMizpahwasscuttledoff the coast of Florida as anartificial reefin 1968. The wreck is now a populardive site. Service history The 185-foot (56 m) ship was berthed in 1926 from the parts of an abandoned newdestroyer, as thepleasure yachtSavanarolaby theNewport News Shipbuilding and Drydock CompanyofNewport News, Virginia.The yacht, originally constructed for the United States Navy but due to naval treaties was prevented from being completed. The still unbuilt vessel was sold to Mrs. Cadwalader ofPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania. After completion the vessel was given the nameSequoiabefore being sold to James Elverson who renamed itAllegro.In 1929 it was sold toEugene F. McDonaldofPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, founder and president of theZenith Radio Corporation,who used it both as aChicagoresidence and a floating laboratory on which to test his electronics company's new products. One of the largest yachts on theGreat Lakesin its Jazz Age heyday, the ship was renamedMizpahin 1929. United States Navy service Mizpahwas acquired by theUnited States Navyon 16 March 1942 and converted to a warship atSturgeon Bay Shipbuilding Company,Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, with LieutenantStephen M. Etnierin command. It wascommissionedUSSMizpah(PY-29) on 26 October 1942.Mizpahdeparted Sturgeon Bay on 16 November 1942 for service as aconvoyescort along the eastern coast of the United States betweenNew York CityandKey West, Floridauntil July 1944. From August 1944 until April 1945,Mizpahserved as a navigationschool shipfrom the Amphibious Training Base atLittle Creek, Virginia, training officers to sail amphibious vessels in theChesapeake Bayregion. Mizpahunderwent conversion to aflagshipatBoston, Massachusetts and was employed as such by Destroyer Force,Atlantic Fleet.Mizpahbecame the flagship of Rear AdmiralOliver M. HustvedtatPortland, Maine, on 28 May 1945 under the command of Lt. Stephen M. Etnier. Hustvedt was succeeded by Rear AdmiralFrank E. Beatty, Jr., on 4 September 1945. In mid-October, 1945, Lt. Etnier was succeeded by Lieutenant D. Dudley Bloom, who sailedMizpahfrom Portland, Maine, south toCharleston, South Carolina, arriving on 10 December 1945. She wasdecommissionedon 16 January 1946 and transferred to the United States War Shipping Administration (WSA) on 25 September 1946 for disposal. Final years The WSA then sold her to a private Honduran corporation for transporting bananas out of South America. While sailing toTampa, Florida, the vessel was caught in a storm, suffered a brokencrankshaft, and was laid up in Tampa for repair. At that time, Eugene Kinney,McDonald's nephew and Zenith Corporation vice president who had grown up onMizpahand served as a naval officer in theSouth PacificduringWorld War II, learned of her plight and purchased her. FindingMizpahirreparably damaged, however, Kinneyscuttledher off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida, on 9 April 1968,along with another ship,USSPC-1174, to serve as anartificialreef to preventbeach erosion. Sitting in 90–110 feet (27–34 m) of waterwith her hatches left ajar,Mizpahis now one of the chief attractions of an offshore scuba diving area known as \\\"The Mizpah Corridor\\\". Citations Sources External links Cave dive sites:\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Stephen Etnier Stephen Morgan Etnier(September 11, 1903 – November 7, 1984) was an Americanrealistpainter, painting for six decades. His work is distinguished by a mixture of realism andluminism, favoring industrial and working scenes, but always imbued with atmospheric light. Geographically, his career spanned the length of the eastern Atlantic and beyond. Childhood and education Stephen Etnier was born in September, 1903 inYork, Pennsylvania. From 1915 to 1922 he attended the Haverford and Hill schools in Pennsylvania and Roxbury Tutoring School in Connecticut. He matriculated intoYale Universityclass of 1926, transferring to Yale Art School in December 1922. Re-entering Yale University in 1923 he was later dismissed for poor grades. He enteredHaverford Collegein 1924 and transferred to thePennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied for four years. From 1925 through 1929 he studied and apprenticed under the artists Henry Breckinridge,Rockwell Kentand John Carroll. Early career Drawing inspiration","Drawing inspiration fromThe Moon and Sixpence,Somerset Maugham'snovel based on the life of the painterPaul Gauguin, Etnier pursued painting, launching his career with a solo exhibition at Dudensing Galleries, New York City in 1931. He soon moved to New York's Milch Gallery, where he would remain until the 1960s. Etnier's early work of 1930s and 1940s provides a record of his life at the time. His work shows street scenes in his home state of Pennsylvania, waterfronts from his travels to Haiti and the Bahamas, (and made while sailing the Eastern Seaboard aboard his 70-foot sailboat,Morgana), aerial perspectives created as he learned to fly, and dramatic Maine landscapes, painted while he renovated a stately 1862 home, \"Gilbert Head\". Gilbert Head was on Long Island, Maine at the opening of theKennebec Riverand across fromFort Pophamand Popham Beach. Etnier and his wife Betsy lived on theMorganafor two years while they renovated the house. Her account of these years,On Gilbert Head, was published in 1937. In","in 1937. In 1938 he executed the mural \"Waiting for the Mail,\" installed at theU.S. Post OfficeinSpring Valley, New York, and listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1988.In 1940 he painted a second mural, \"Mail for New England\" at theBoston, MA. Everett Branch Post Office. In 2010 this mural was restored and reinstalled at the Clarendon Street Post Office in Boston. Military service In 1941, at the age of thirty-eight, Etnier suspended his painting career to serve in theUnited States Navy. In May 1942, Etnier was commissioned as a lieutenant and assigned as commanding officer of theUSSMizpah, a North Atlantic convoy escort ship. In 1944, he was reassigned to the USSTourmalinein Boston, and later to theUSSGeneral Omar Bundyin San Francisco. He completed his tour of duty in 1945. Later career Etnier purchased land inSouth Harpswell, Maine in 1948 to build \"Old Cove\", his dream house and studio. Designed in collaboration with Portland, Maine architect James Saunders, the home featured a porch","featured a porch cantilevered over the ocean, north-facing windows for his studio, and a living room overlooking the ocean and framed byMondrian-inspired window frames. Named for the private cove it overlooked, the home served as the foundation for a productive and increasingly serene period in Etnier's career. Old Cove was sold to new owners in 2014 and subsequently demolished. The 1950s and 1960s mark a maturing, accomplished style in Etnier's work. Although still traveling south most winters in his boat, his life took a more domestic turn as he re-adopted Maine as his permanent home and married his fourth wife, Samuella \"Brownie\" Brown Rose. They were married for thirty-three years and had two sons. During those years, he painted daily, exhibited widely and enjoyed popular support, artistic awards and media attention. Etnier's work became more architectural, marked by stark geometry, light and shadow, impressionistic figures and accents of color and modern culture. He adopted an artist's discipline of","discipline of rising early and painting each morning (learned first from Rockwell Kent ), seeking to capture the essence of Maine waterfronts and landscapes and the effects of light. The study of sunlight and water fascinated Etnier until the end of his career. On November 7, 1984, Stephen Etnier died at Old Cove, comforted by his two sons. Exhibitions and awards Etnier exhibited frequently in galleries in Pennsylvania, Maine, New York and Dallas. His work appears in the permanent collections of theMetropolitan Museum of Art,Boston Museum of Fine Artsand other museums across the United States. Acclaim includes his election as an academician by the National Academy of Design and a retrospective exhibit at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine in 1953; receipt of the Saltus Award by the National Academy of Design in 1955; a solo exhibition at York Junior College in York, Pennsylvania and the Samuel F. B. Morse gold medal from the National Academy of Design in 1964; and a solo exhibition at the Bristol Art","at the Bristol Art Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island in 1965. In 1969, Etnier was awarded honorary doctorates of fine arts from Bates College and Bowdoin College in Maine. In that year, he also began his association with Midtown Gallery in New York City. Posthumous retrospective exhibitions were mounted at thePortland Museum of Artin 1998 and at the Historical Society ofYork Countyin 1989. Marriages and children Stephen Etnier married Mathilde Gray, the daughter of John Lathrop Gray, Sr. and Harriet Hamilton Tyng of Greenwich, Connecticut in 1926.They had two daughters; Suzanne Mathilde Etnier, born July 6, 1927, and Penelope Royall Etnier born July 17, 1929. He married Elizabeth Morgan Jay of Westbury, New York in 1933. They had two daughters: Stephanie Jay Etnier was born September 8, 1936, and Elizabeth Victoria Etnier was born May 1, 1940. Etnier's third wife was Jane Walden Pearce, who died soon after they were married in 1948. He married Samuella \"Brownie\" Brown Rose in 1950. They had two sons; John","had two sons; John Stephen Etnier, born August 26, 1953, and David Morrison Etnier, born August 29, 1955.Etnier's fifth and final marriage came in the last months of his life: he married Marcia Hall of Harpswell in 1983. They later divorced. References Notes Sources External links","The Moon and Sixpence The Moon and Sixpenceis a novel byW. Somerset Maugham, first published on 15 April 1919. It is told in episodic form by a first-person narrator providing a series of glimpses into the mind and soul of the central character, Charles Strickland, a middle-aged English stockbroker, who abandons his wife and children abruptly to pursue his desire to become an artist. The story is, in part, based on the life of the painterPaul Gauguin. Plot summary The book is written largely from the point of view of the narrator, a young, aspiring writer and playwright in London. Certain chapters entirely comprise accounts of events by other characters, which the narrator recalls from memory, selectively editing or elaborating on certain aspects of dialogue, particularly Strickland's, because Strickland is said by the narrator to have a very poor ability to express himself in words. The narrator first develops an acquaintance with Strickland's wife at literary parties and later meets Strickland himself, who","himself, who appears to be an unremarkable businessman with no interest in his wife's literary or artistic tastes. Strickland is a well-off, middle-class stockbroker in London, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Early in the novel, he leaves his wife and children and goes to Paris. The narrator enters directly into the story at that point, when he is asked by Mrs Strickland to go to Paris and talk with her husband. He lives a destitute but defiantly contented life there as a painter, lodging in run-down hotels and falling prey to both illness and hunger. Strickland, in his drive to express through his art what appears to continually possess and compel him on the inside, cares nothing for physical discomfort and is indifferent to his surroundings. He is helped and supported by a commercially successful but hackneyed Dutch painter, Dirk Stroeve, coincidentally, also an old friend of the narrator, who recognises Strickland's genius as a painter. After helping Strickland recover from a","recover from a life-threatening illness, Stroeve is repaid by having his wife, Blanche, abandon him for Strickland. Strickland later discards the wife, because all he really wanted from Blanche was for her to be a model to paint, not a serious companion. It is hinted in the novel that he indicated that to her, but she took the risk anyway. Blanche then dies by suicide. She is another human casualty in Strickland's single-minded pursuit of art and beauty, the first casualties being his own established life, and those of his wife and children. After the Paris episode, the story continues inTahiti. Strickland has already died, and the narrator attempts to piece together his life there from recollections of others. He finds that Strickland had taken up with a native woman, had two children by her (one of whom died), and started painting prolifically. We learn that Strickland had settled for a short while in the French port ofMarseillebefore traveling to Tahiti, where he lived for a few years before dying","years before dying ofleprosy. Strickland left behind numerous paintings, but hismagnum opus, which he painted on the walls of his hut before losing his sight to leprosy, was burnt by his wife after his death, as per his dying orders. Inspiration The Moon and Sixpenceis not, of course, a life of Paul Gauguin in the form of fiction. It is founded on what I had heard about him, but I used only the main facts of his story and for the rest trusted to such gifts of invention as I was fortunate enough to possess. The life of the French artistPaul Gauguinis the inspiration for the story, but the character of Strickland as a solitary,sociopathic, and destructive genius is more related to a mythological version of Gauguin's life, which the artist himself developed and promoted, than the actual course of his life. The real Gauguin was a participant in the artistic developments in France in the 1880s, exhibiting his work regularly with theImpressionists, and being a friend and collaborator with many artists. Gauguin did","Gauguin did work as a stockbroker, did leave his wife and family to devote his life to art, and did leave Europe for Tahiti to pursue his career. However, none of that happened in the brutal way of the novel's character. Maugham took inspiration from the published writings about Gauguin available at the time, as well as personal experience living among the artistic community in Paris in 1904, and a visit to Tahiti in 1914. Strickland is created as an extreme version of the \"modern artist as 'genius'\", who is indifferent and frequently hostile to the people around him. Writing in 1953, Maugham described the idea for the book as arising during a year that he spent living in Paris in 1904: \"...I met men who had known him and worked with him at Pont-Aven. I heard much about him. It occurred to me that there was in what I was told the subject of a novel.\" The idea remained in his mind for ten years, until a visit to Tahiti in 1914, where Maugham was able to meet people who had known Gauguin, inspired him to start","him to start writing.The critic Amy Dickson examines the relationship between Gauguin and Strickland. She contrasts the novel's description of Strickland, \"his faults are accepted as the necessary complement of his merits... but one thing can never be doubtful, and that is that he had genius\", with Gauguin's description of himself: \"I am an artist and you are right, you're not mad, I am a great artist and I know it. It's because I know it that I have endured such sufferings. To have done otherwise I would consider myself a brigand—which is what many people think I am.\" Dickson sums up the novel as follows: \"Maugham was fascinated by the impact of the arrival ofmodernismfrom Europe on an insular British consciousness and the emergence of the cult of the modernist artist-genius—The Moon and Sixpenceis at once a satire of Edwardian mores and a Gauguin biography.\" About the title According to some sources, the title, the meaning of which is not explicitly revealed in the book, was taken from a review inThe Times","review inThe Times Literary Supplementof Maugham's novelOf Human Bondage, in which the novel'sprotagonist, Philip Carey, is described as being \"so busy yearning for the moon that he never saw the sixpence at his feet.\"According to a 1956 letter from Maugham, \"If you look on the ground in search of a sixpence, you don't look up, and so miss the moon.\" Maugham's title echoes the description of Gauguin by his contemporary biographer, Meier-Graefe (1908): \"He may be charged with having always wanted something else.\" Adaptations The book was made into a stage play in 1925 at theNew Theatre, withHenry Ainleyas Strickland andEileen Sharpas Ata. Afilm of the same namedirected and written byAlbert Lewin, was released in 1942, starringGeorge Sandersas Charles Strickland. The novel served as the basis for a 1957 opera, also titledThe Moon and Sixpence, byJohn Gardnerto a libretto by Patrick Terry which premiered atSadlers Wells. S Lee Pogostin adapted it for American TV in 1959. That production,The Moon and","Moon and Sixpence(1959), starredLaurence Olivier, withHume CronynandJessica Tandyin supporting roles. In popular culture Ray Noble's dance band hit \"We've Got the Moon and Sixpence\" (1932), sung byAl Bowlly, takes its name from the book. The Moon and Sixpenceis central to the protagonist's solving the mystery in theHoward PeasenovelThe Ship Without a Crew(1934). The book was mentioned inAgatha Christie's mystery (Hercule Poirotseries) novelFive Little Pigs(1942), when Poirot asks one of the suspects (Angela Warren) if she read the book at the time the crime was committed. The victim in the case is a married artist infatuated with a younger woman he yearns to paint, and for whom he may or may not be about to abandon his wife. It was mentioned in the James Jones novelFrom Here to Eternity(1951), in a conversation between Sergeant Warden and Corporal Mazzioli. Jack Kerouacmentions the book in his novellaThe Subterraneans(1958). In the opening scene ofFrançois Truffaut's filmFahrenheit 451(1966), an adaptation","an adaptation ofRay Bradbury's 1953novel of the same name, several firemen are preparing books for burning. In the crowd of onlookers is a little boy who picks up one of the books and thumbs through it before his father takes it from him and throws it on the pile with the rest. That book isThe Moon and Sixpence. It is also mentioned frequently in twoStephen Kingnovels:Bag of Bones(1998); and, in passing,Finders Keepers(2015). See also Notes External links","USSMizpah USSMizpah(PY-29)was aUnited States Navypatrol yacht. Constructed in 1926, the vessel was constructed as thepleasure yachtSavarona. In 1929 it was renamedAllegroand thenMizpahfor use on theGreat Lakes. The vessel was acquired by the United States Navy in 1942 and converted to a warship andcommissionedthe same year.Mizpahserved as aconvoyescort along the United States East Coast before becoming aschool shipin 1944. Following the end of the war, the vessel returned to private operation in 1946 until 1967 whenMizpahwas laid up with a brokencrankshaftatTampa, Florida. An attempt to save the ship proved futile andMizpahwasscuttledoff the coast of Florida as anartificial reefin 1968. The wreck is now a populardive site. Service history The 185-foot (56 m) ship was berthed in 1926 from the parts of an abandoned newdestroyer, as thepleasure yachtSavanarolaby theNewport News Shipbuilding and Drydock CompanyofNewport News, Virginia.The yacht, originally constructed for the United States Navy but due to naval","but due to naval treaties was prevented from being completed. The still unbuilt vessel was sold to Mrs. Cadwalader ofPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania. After completion the vessel was given the nameSequoiabefore being sold to James Elverson who renamed itAllegro.In 1929 it was sold toEugene F. McDonaldofPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, founder and president of theZenith Radio Corporation,who used it both as aChicagoresidence and a floating laboratory on which to test his electronics company's new products. One of the largest yachts on theGreat Lakesin its Jazz Age heyday, the ship was renamedMizpahin 1929. United States Navy service Mizpahwas acquired by theUnited States Navyon 16 March 1942 and converted to a warship atSturgeon Bay Shipbuilding Company,Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, with LieutenantStephen M. Etnierin command. It wascommissionedUSSMizpah(PY-29) on 26 October 1942.Mizpahdeparted Sturgeon Bay on 16 November 1942 for service as aconvoyescort along the eastern coast of the United States betweenNew York CityandKey","York CityandKey West, Floridauntil July 1944. From August 1944 until April 1945,Mizpahserved as a navigationschool shipfrom the Amphibious Training Base atLittle Creek, Virginia, training officers to sail amphibious vessels in theChesapeake Bayregion. Mizpahunderwent conversion to aflagshipatBoston, Massachusetts and was employed as such by Destroyer Force,Atlantic Fleet.Mizpahbecame the flagship of Rear AdmiralOliver M. HustvedtatPortland, Maine, on 28 May 1945 under the command of Lt. Stephen M. Etnier. Hustvedt was succeeded by Rear AdmiralFrank E. Beatty, Jr., on 4 September 1945. In mid-October, 1945, Lt. Etnier was succeeded by Lieutenant D. Dudley Bloom, who sailedMizpahfrom Portland, Maine, south toCharleston, South Carolina, arriving on 10 December 1945. She wasdecommissionedon 16 January 1946 and transferred to the United States War Shipping Administration (WSA) on 25 September 1946 for disposal. Final years The WSA then sold her to a private Honduran corporation for transporting bananas out of","bananas out of South America. While sailing toTampa, Florida, the vessel was caught in a storm, suffered a brokencrankshaft, and was laid up in Tampa for repair. At that time, Eugene Kinney,McDonald's nephew and Zenith Corporation vice president who had grown up onMizpahand served as a naval officer in theSouth PacificduringWorld War II, learned of her plight and purchased her. FindingMizpahirreparably damaged, however, Kinneyscuttledher off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida, on 9 April 1968,along with another ship,USSPC-1174, to serve as anartificialreef to preventbeach erosion. Sitting in 90–110 feet (27–34 m) of waterwith her hatches left ajar,Mizpahis now one of the chief attractions of an offshore scuba diving area known as \"The Mizpah Corridor\". Citations Sources External links Cave dive sites:"],"string":"[\n \"Stephen Etnier Stephen Morgan Etnier(September 11, 1903 – November 7, 1984) was an Americanrealistpainter, painting for six decades. His work is distinguished by a mixture of realism andluminism, favoring industrial and working scenes, but always imbued with atmospheric light. Geographically, his career spanned the length of the eastern Atlantic and beyond. Childhood and education Stephen Etnier was born in September, 1903 inYork, Pennsylvania. From 1915 to 1922 he attended the Haverford and Hill schools in Pennsylvania and Roxbury Tutoring School in Connecticut. He matriculated intoYale Universityclass of 1926, transferring to Yale Art School in December 1922. Re-entering Yale University in 1923 he was later dismissed for poor grades. He enteredHaverford Collegein 1924 and transferred to thePennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts, where he studied for four years. From 1925 through 1929 he studied and apprenticed under the artists Henry Breckinridge,Rockwell Kentand John Carroll. Early career Drawing inspiration\",\n \"Drawing inspiration fromThe Moon and Sixpence,Somerset Maugham'snovel based on the life of the painterPaul Gauguin, Etnier pursued painting, launching his career with a solo exhibition at Dudensing Galleries, New York City in 1931. He soon moved to New York's Milch Gallery, where he would remain until the 1960s. Etnier's early work of 1930s and 1940s provides a record of his life at the time. His work shows street scenes in his home state of Pennsylvania, waterfronts from his travels to Haiti and the Bahamas, (and made while sailing the Eastern Seaboard aboard his 70-foot sailboat,Morgana), aerial perspectives created as he learned to fly, and dramatic Maine landscapes, painted while he renovated a stately 1862 home, \\\"Gilbert Head\\\". Gilbert Head was on Long Island, Maine at the opening of theKennebec Riverand across fromFort Pophamand Popham Beach. Etnier and his wife Betsy lived on theMorganafor two years while they renovated the house. Her account of these years,On Gilbert Head, was published in 1937. In\",\n \"in 1937. In 1938 he executed the mural \\\"Waiting for the Mail,\\\" installed at theU.S. Post OfficeinSpring Valley, New York, and listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1988.In 1940 he painted a second mural, \\\"Mail for New England\\\" at theBoston, MA. Everett Branch Post Office. In 2010 this mural was restored and reinstalled at the Clarendon Street Post Office in Boston. Military service In 1941, at the age of thirty-eight, Etnier suspended his painting career to serve in theUnited States Navy. In May 1942, Etnier was commissioned as a lieutenant and assigned as commanding officer of theUSSMizpah, a North Atlantic convoy escort ship. In 1944, he was reassigned to the USSTourmalinein Boston, and later to theUSSGeneral Omar Bundyin San Francisco. He completed his tour of duty in 1945. Later career Etnier purchased land inSouth Harpswell, Maine in 1948 to build \\\"Old Cove\\\", his dream house and studio. Designed in collaboration with Portland, Maine architect James Saunders, the home featured a porch\",\n \"featured a porch cantilevered over the ocean, north-facing windows for his studio, and a living room overlooking the ocean and framed byMondrian-inspired window frames. Named for the private cove it overlooked, the home served as the foundation for a productive and increasingly serene period in Etnier's career. Old Cove was sold to new owners in 2014 and subsequently demolished. The 1950s and 1960s mark a maturing, accomplished style in Etnier's work. Although still traveling south most winters in his boat, his life took a more domestic turn as he re-adopted Maine as his permanent home and married his fourth wife, Samuella \\\"Brownie\\\" Brown Rose. They were married for thirty-three years and had two sons. During those years, he painted daily, exhibited widely and enjoyed popular support, artistic awards and media attention. Etnier's work became more architectural, marked by stark geometry, light and shadow, impressionistic figures and accents of color and modern culture. He adopted an artist's discipline of\",\n \"discipline of rising early and painting each morning (learned first from Rockwell Kent ), seeking to capture the essence of Maine waterfronts and landscapes and the effects of light. The study of sunlight and water fascinated Etnier until the end of his career. On November 7, 1984, Stephen Etnier died at Old Cove, comforted by his two sons. Exhibitions and awards Etnier exhibited frequently in galleries in Pennsylvania, Maine, New York and Dallas. His work appears in the permanent collections of theMetropolitan Museum of Art,Boston Museum of Fine Artsand other museums across the United States. Acclaim includes his election as an academician by the National Academy of Design and a retrospective exhibit at the Farnsworth Museum in Rockland, Maine in 1953; receipt of the Saltus Award by the National Academy of Design in 1955; a solo exhibition at York Junior College in York, Pennsylvania and the Samuel F. B. Morse gold medal from the National Academy of Design in 1964; and a solo exhibition at the Bristol Art\",\n \"at the Bristol Art Museum in Bristol, Rhode Island in 1965. In 1969, Etnier was awarded honorary doctorates of fine arts from Bates College and Bowdoin College in Maine. In that year, he also began his association with Midtown Gallery in New York City. Posthumous retrospective exhibitions were mounted at thePortland Museum of Artin 1998 and at the Historical Society ofYork Countyin 1989. Marriages and children Stephen Etnier married Mathilde Gray, the daughter of John Lathrop Gray, Sr. and Harriet Hamilton Tyng of Greenwich, Connecticut in 1926.They had two daughters; Suzanne Mathilde Etnier, born July 6, 1927, and Penelope Royall Etnier born July 17, 1929. He married Elizabeth Morgan Jay of Westbury, New York in 1933. They had two daughters: Stephanie Jay Etnier was born September 8, 1936, and Elizabeth Victoria Etnier was born May 1, 1940. Etnier's third wife was Jane Walden Pearce, who died soon after they were married in 1948. He married Samuella \\\"Brownie\\\" Brown Rose in 1950. They had two sons; John\",\n \"had two sons; John Stephen Etnier, born August 26, 1953, and David Morrison Etnier, born August 29, 1955.Etnier's fifth and final marriage came in the last months of his life: he married Marcia Hall of Harpswell in 1983. They later divorced. References Notes Sources External links\",\n \"The Moon and Sixpence The Moon and Sixpenceis a novel byW. Somerset Maugham, first published on 15 April 1919. It is told in episodic form by a first-person narrator providing a series of glimpses into the mind and soul of the central character, Charles Strickland, a middle-aged English stockbroker, who abandons his wife and children abruptly to pursue his desire to become an artist. The story is, in part, based on the life of the painterPaul Gauguin. Plot summary The book is written largely from the point of view of the narrator, a young, aspiring writer and playwright in London. Certain chapters entirely comprise accounts of events by other characters, which the narrator recalls from memory, selectively editing or elaborating on certain aspects of dialogue, particularly Strickland's, because Strickland is said by the narrator to have a very poor ability to express himself in words. The narrator first develops an acquaintance with Strickland's wife at literary parties and later meets Strickland himself, who\",\n \"himself, who appears to be an unremarkable businessman with no interest in his wife's literary or artistic tastes. Strickland is a well-off, middle-class stockbroker in London, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Early in the novel, he leaves his wife and children and goes to Paris. The narrator enters directly into the story at that point, when he is asked by Mrs Strickland to go to Paris and talk with her husband. He lives a destitute but defiantly contented life there as a painter, lodging in run-down hotels and falling prey to both illness and hunger. Strickland, in his drive to express through his art what appears to continually possess and compel him on the inside, cares nothing for physical discomfort and is indifferent to his surroundings. He is helped and supported by a commercially successful but hackneyed Dutch painter, Dirk Stroeve, coincidentally, also an old friend of the narrator, who recognises Strickland's genius as a painter. After helping Strickland recover from a\",\n \"recover from a life-threatening illness, Stroeve is repaid by having his wife, Blanche, abandon him for Strickland. Strickland later discards the wife, because all he really wanted from Blanche was for her to be a model to paint, not a serious companion. It is hinted in the novel that he indicated that to her, but she took the risk anyway. Blanche then dies by suicide. She is another human casualty in Strickland's single-minded pursuit of art and beauty, the first casualties being his own established life, and those of his wife and children. After the Paris episode, the story continues inTahiti. Strickland has already died, and the narrator attempts to piece together his life there from recollections of others. He finds that Strickland had taken up with a native woman, had two children by her (one of whom died), and started painting prolifically. We learn that Strickland had settled for a short while in the French port ofMarseillebefore traveling to Tahiti, where he lived for a few years before dying\",\n \"years before dying ofleprosy. Strickland left behind numerous paintings, but hismagnum opus, which he painted on the walls of his hut before losing his sight to leprosy, was burnt by his wife after his death, as per his dying orders. Inspiration The Moon and Sixpenceis not, of course, a life of Paul Gauguin in the form of fiction. It is founded on what I had heard about him, but I used only the main facts of his story and for the rest trusted to such gifts of invention as I was fortunate enough to possess. The life of the French artistPaul Gauguinis the inspiration for the story, but the character of Strickland as a solitary,sociopathic, and destructive genius is more related to a mythological version of Gauguin's life, which the artist himself developed and promoted, than the actual course of his life. The real Gauguin was a participant in the artistic developments in France in the 1880s, exhibiting his work regularly with theImpressionists, and being a friend and collaborator with many artists. Gauguin did\",\n \"Gauguin did work as a stockbroker, did leave his wife and family to devote his life to art, and did leave Europe for Tahiti to pursue his career. However, none of that happened in the brutal way of the novel's character. Maugham took inspiration from the published writings about Gauguin available at the time, as well as personal experience living among the artistic community in Paris in 1904, and a visit to Tahiti in 1914. Strickland is created as an extreme version of the \\\"modern artist as 'genius'\\\", who is indifferent and frequently hostile to the people around him. Writing in 1953, Maugham described the idea for the book as arising during a year that he spent living in Paris in 1904: \\\"...I met men who had known him and worked with him at Pont-Aven. I heard much about him. It occurred to me that there was in what I was told the subject of a novel.\\\" The idea remained in his mind for ten years, until a visit to Tahiti in 1914, where Maugham was able to meet people who had known Gauguin, inspired him to start\",\n \"him to start writing.The critic Amy Dickson examines the relationship between Gauguin and Strickland. She contrasts the novel's description of Strickland, \\\"his faults are accepted as the necessary complement of his merits... but one thing can never be doubtful, and that is that he had genius\\\", with Gauguin's description of himself: \\\"I am an artist and you are right, you're not mad, I am a great artist and I know it. It's because I know it that I have endured such sufferings. To have done otherwise I would consider myself a brigand—which is what many people think I am.\\\" Dickson sums up the novel as follows: \\\"Maugham was fascinated by the impact of the arrival ofmodernismfrom Europe on an insular British consciousness and the emergence of the cult of the modernist artist-genius—The Moon and Sixpenceis at once a satire of Edwardian mores and a Gauguin biography.\\\" About the title According to some sources, the title, the meaning of which is not explicitly revealed in the book, was taken from a review inThe Times\",\n \"review inThe Times Literary Supplementof Maugham's novelOf Human Bondage, in which the novel'sprotagonist, Philip Carey, is described as being \\\"so busy yearning for the moon that he never saw the sixpence at his feet.\\\"According to a 1956 letter from Maugham, \\\"If you look on the ground in search of a sixpence, you don't look up, and so miss the moon.\\\" Maugham's title echoes the description of Gauguin by his contemporary biographer, Meier-Graefe (1908): \\\"He may be charged with having always wanted something else.\\\" Adaptations The book was made into a stage play in 1925 at theNew Theatre, withHenry Ainleyas Strickland andEileen Sharpas Ata. Afilm of the same namedirected and written byAlbert Lewin, was released in 1942, starringGeorge Sandersas Charles Strickland. The novel served as the basis for a 1957 opera, also titledThe Moon and Sixpence, byJohn Gardnerto a libretto by Patrick Terry which premiered atSadlers Wells. S Lee Pogostin adapted it for American TV in 1959. That production,The Moon and\",\n \"Moon and Sixpence(1959), starredLaurence Olivier, withHume CronynandJessica Tandyin supporting roles. In popular culture Ray Noble's dance band hit \\\"We've Got the Moon and Sixpence\\\" (1932), sung byAl Bowlly, takes its name from the book. The Moon and Sixpenceis central to the protagonist's solving the mystery in theHoward PeasenovelThe Ship Without a Crew(1934). The book was mentioned inAgatha Christie's mystery (Hercule Poirotseries) novelFive Little Pigs(1942), when Poirot asks one of the suspects (Angela Warren) if she read the book at the time the crime was committed. The victim in the case is a married artist infatuated with a younger woman he yearns to paint, and for whom he may or may not be about to abandon his wife. It was mentioned in the James Jones novelFrom Here to Eternity(1951), in a conversation between Sergeant Warden and Corporal Mazzioli. Jack Kerouacmentions the book in his novellaThe Subterraneans(1958). In the opening scene ofFrançois Truffaut's filmFahrenheit 451(1966), an adaptation\",\n \"an adaptation ofRay Bradbury's 1953novel of the same name, several firemen are preparing books for burning. In the crowd of onlookers is a little boy who picks up one of the books and thumbs through it before his father takes it from him and throws it on the pile with the rest. That book isThe Moon and Sixpence. It is also mentioned frequently in twoStephen Kingnovels:Bag of Bones(1998); and, in passing,Finders Keepers(2015). See also Notes External links\",\n \"USSMizpah USSMizpah(PY-29)was aUnited States Navypatrol yacht. Constructed in 1926, the vessel was constructed as thepleasure yachtSavarona. In 1929 it was renamedAllegroand thenMizpahfor use on theGreat Lakes. The vessel was acquired by the United States Navy in 1942 and converted to a warship andcommissionedthe same year.Mizpahserved as aconvoyescort along the United States East Coast before becoming aschool shipin 1944. Following the end of the war, the vessel returned to private operation in 1946 until 1967 whenMizpahwas laid up with a brokencrankshaftatTampa, Florida. An attempt to save the ship proved futile andMizpahwasscuttledoff the coast of Florida as anartificial reefin 1968. The wreck is now a populardive site. Service history The 185-foot (56 m) ship was berthed in 1926 from the parts of an abandoned newdestroyer, as thepleasure yachtSavanarolaby theNewport News Shipbuilding and Drydock CompanyofNewport News, Virginia.The yacht, originally constructed for the United States Navy but due to naval\",\n \"but due to naval treaties was prevented from being completed. The still unbuilt vessel was sold to Mrs. Cadwalader ofPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania. After completion the vessel was given the nameSequoiabefore being sold to James Elverson who renamed itAllegro.In 1929 it was sold toEugene F. McDonaldofPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, founder and president of theZenith Radio Corporation,who used it both as aChicagoresidence and a floating laboratory on which to test his electronics company's new products. One of the largest yachts on theGreat Lakesin its Jazz Age heyday, the ship was renamedMizpahin 1929. United States Navy service Mizpahwas acquired by theUnited States Navyon 16 March 1942 and converted to a warship atSturgeon Bay Shipbuilding Company,Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, with LieutenantStephen M. Etnierin command. It wascommissionedUSSMizpah(PY-29) on 26 October 1942.Mizpahdeparted Sturgeon Bay on 16 November 1942 for service as aconvoyescort along the eastern coast of the United States betweenNew York CityandKey\",\n \"York CityandKey West, Floridauntil July 1944. From August 1944 until April 1945,Mizpahserved as a navigationschool shipfrom the Amphibious Training Base atLittle Creek, Virginia, training officers to sail amphibious vessels in theChesapeake Bayregion. Mizpahunderwent conversion to aflagshipatBoston, Massachusetts and was employed as such by Destroyer Force,Atlantic Fleet.Mizpahbecame the flagship of Rear AdmiralOliver M. HustvedtatPortland, Maine, on 28 May 1945 under the command of Lt. Stephen M. Etnier. Hustvedt was succeeded by Rear AdmiralFrank E. Beatty, Jr., on 4 September 1945. In mid-October, 1945, Lt. Etnier was succeeded by Lieutenant D. Dudley Bloom, who sailedMizpahfrom Portland, Maine, south toCharleston, South Carolina, arriving on 10 December 1945. She wasdecommissionedon 16 January 1946 and transferred to the United States War Shipping Administration (WSA) on 25 September 1946 for disposal. Final years The WSA then sold her to a private Honduran corporation for transporting bananas out of\",\n \"bananas out of South America. While sailing toTampa, Florida, the vessel was caught in a storm, suffered a brokencrankshaft, and was laid up in Tampa for repair. At that time, Eugene Kinney,McDonald's nephew and Zenith Corporation vice president who had grown up onMizpahand served as a naval officer in theSouth PacificduringWorld War II, learned of her plight and purchased her. FindingMizpahirreparably damaged, however, Kinneyscuttledher off the coast of Palm Beach, Florida, on 9 April 1968,along with another ship,USSPC-1174, to serve as anartificialreef to preventbeach erosion. Sitting in 90–110 feet (27–34 m) of waterwith her hatches left ajar,Mizpahis now one of the chief attractions of an offshore scuba diving area known as \\\"The Mizpah Corridor\\\". Citations Sources External links Cave dive sites:\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":258,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"How many calories are in 7 oz. of the fruit given as a present in the musical that won Best Revival of a Musical at the 52nd Annual Tony Awards?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"100 calories"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Tony_Awards"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical)"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapple"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Tony_Awards', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapple']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Tony_Awards","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapple"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Tony_Awards\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapple\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["52nd Tony Awards The52nd Annual Tony Awardsceremony was held on June 7, 1998, atRadio City Music Halland was broadcast byCBStelevision. A documentaries segment was telecast onPBStelevision. The ceremony was hosted byRosie O'Donnell, who hosted a total of three times (1997, 1998, and 2000). This ceremony is notable for its Best Direction of a Play and Best Direction of a Musical winners both being female, the first time a female has won either award.The writer of the Best Play winner was also female, the second female winner of the award. Ragtimehad 13 nominations, the most of the night, andRagtime,The Beauty Queen of LeenaneandCabareteach won four Tonys. Eligibility Shows that opened on Broadway during the 1997–1998 season before April 30, 1998 are eligible. The ceremony The opening number was \"Broadway Divas\", withRosie O'Donnelland theChicagodancers introducing:Patti LuPone(\"Don't Cry for Me Argentina\" fromEvita);Jennifer Holliday(\"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going\" fromDreamgirls); andBetty Buckley(\"Memory\" fromCats). Musicals represented: Winners and nominees Winners are in bold Special awards Multiple nominations and awards These productions had multiple nominations: The following productions received multiple awards. See also References External links","Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical","Pineapple Thepineapple(Ananas comosus) is atropical plantwith an edible fruit; it is the most economically significant plant in the familyBromeliaceae. The pineapple is indigenous toSouth America, where it has been cultivated for many centuries. The introduction of the pineapple plant toEuropein the17th centurymade it a significant cultural icon of luxury. Since the 1820s, pineapple has been commercially grown in greenhouses and many tropical plantations. Pineapples grow as a small shrub; the individual flowers of the unpollinated plant fuse to form amultiple fruit. The plant normally propagates from theoffsetproduced at the top of the fruitor from a side shoot, and typically matures within a year. Description The pineapple is aherbaceousperennial, which grows to 1.0 to 1.5 m (3 ft 3 in to 4 ft 11 in) tall on average, although sometimes it can be taller. The plant has a short, stocky stem with tough, waxy leaves. When creating its fruit, it usually produces up to 200 flowers, although some large-fruitedcultivarscan exceed this. Once it flowers, the individual fruits of the flowers join together to create amultiple fruit. After the first fruit is produced, side shoots (called 'suckers' by commercial growers) are produced in the leaf axils of the main stem. These suckers may be removed for propagation, or left to produce additional fruits on the original plant.Commercially, suckers that appear around the base are cultivated. It has 30 or more narrow, fleshy, trough-shaped leaves that are30 to 100 cm (1 to3+1⁄2ft) long, surrounding a thickstem; the leaves have sharp spines along the margins. In the first year of growth, the axis lengthens and thickens, bearing numerous leaves in close spirals. After 12 to 20 months, the stem grows into a spike-likeinflorescenceup to 15 cm (6 in) long with over 100 spirally arranged, trimerous flowers, each subtended by a bract. In the wild, pineapples are pollinated primarily byhummingbirds.Certain wild pineapples areforagedand pollinated at night bybats.Under cultivation, because seed development diminishes fruit quality, pollination is performed by hand, and seeds are retained only forbreeding.InHawaii, where pineapples were cultivated andcannedindustrially throughout the 20th century,importation of hummingbirds was prohibited. The ovaries develop intoberries, which coalesce into a large, compact, multiple fruit. The fruit of a pineapple is usually arranged in two interlockinghelices, often with 8 in one direction and 13 in the other, each being aFibonacci number. The pineapple carries outCAM photosynthesis,fixing carbon dioxide at night and storing it as the acidmalate, then releasing it during the day aiding photosynthesis. Taxonomy The pineapple comprises five botanical varieties, formerly regarded as separate species.The genomes of three varieties, including the wild progenitor varietybracteatus, have been sequenced. History Etymology The first reference in English to the pineapple fruit was the 1568 translation from the French ofAndré Thevet'sThe New Found World, or Antarctikewhere he refers to aHoyriri, a fruit cultivated and eaten by theTupinambá people, living near modernRio de Janeiro, and now believed to be a pineapple.Later in the same English translation, he describes the same fruit as a \"Nana made in the manner of a Pine apple\", where he used anotherTupiwordnanas, meaning 'excellent fruit'.This usage was adopted by many European languages and led to the plant's scientificbinomialAnanas comosus, wherecomosus'tufted' refers to the stem of the plant. Purchas, writing in English in 1613, referred to the fruit asAnanas, but theOxford English Dictionary'sfirst record of the wordpineappleitself by an English writer is by Mandeville in 1714. Precolonial cultivation The wild plant originates from theParaná–Paraguay Riverdrainages between southernBrazilandParaguay.Little is known about its domestication, but it spread as a crop throughout South America. Archaeological evidence of use is found as far back as 1200–800 BC (3200–2800 BP) in Peruand 200 BC – 700 AD (2200–1300 BP) in Mexico,where it was cultivated by theMayasand theAztecs.By the late 1400s, cropped pineapple was widely distributed and astaple foodof Native Americans. The first European to encounter the pineapple wasChristopher Columbus, inGuadeloupeon 4 November 1493.The Portuguese took the fruit from Brazil and introduced it intoIndiaby 1550.The 'Red Spanish' cultivar was also introduced by the Spanish from Latin America to thePhilippines, and it was grown to producepiñafibers that would then be used to produce textiles from at least the 17th century. Columbus brought the plant back to Spain and called itpiña de Indes, meaning \"pine of the Indians\". The pineapple was documented in Peter Martyr'sDecades of the New World(1516) andAntonio Pigafetta'sRelazione del primo viaggio intorno al mondo(1524–1525), and the first known illustration was inOviedo'sHistoria General de Las Indias(1535). Old World introduction While the pineapple fascinated Europeans as a fruit of colonialism,it was not successfully cultivated in Europe untilPieter de la Court(1664–1739) developedgreenhousehorticulture near Leiden.Pineapple plants were distributed from the Netherlands to English gardeners in 1719 and French ones in 1730.In England, the first pineapple was grown atDorney Court,Dorneyin Buckinghamshire, and a huge \"pineapple stove\" to heat the plants was built at theChelsea Physic Gardenin 1723.In France, KingLouis XVwas presented with a pineapple that had been grown atVersaillesin 1733. In Russia,Peter the Greatimported de la Court's method intoSt. Petersburgin the 1720s; in 1730, twenty pineapple saplings were transported from there to a greenhouse atEmpress Anna's new Moscow palace. Because of the expense of direct import and the enormous cost in equipment and labour required to grow them in a temperate climate, in greenhouses called \"pineries\",pineapple became a symbol of wealth. They were initially used mainly for display at dinner parties, rather than being eaten, and were used again and again until they began to rot.In the second half of the 18th century, the production of the fruit on British estates became the subject of great rivalry between wealthy aristocrats.John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, built a hothouse on his estate surmounted by a huge stonecupola14 metres tall in the shape of the fruit; it is known as theDunmore Pineapple.In architecture, pineapple figures became decorative elements symbolizing hospitality. Since the 19th century: mass commercialization Many different varieties, mostly from the Antilles, were tried for European glasshouse cultivation. The most significant cultivar was \"Smooth Cayenne\", first imported to France in 1820, then subsequently re-exported to theUnited Kingdomin 1835, and then from UK, the cultivation spread viaHawaiito Australia and Africa. The \"Smooth Cayenne\" cultivar (and sub-selections or clones of the \"Smooth Cayenne\") make up for the majority of world pineapple production today.Jams and sweets based on pineapple were imported to Europe from the West Indies, Brazil, and Mexico from an early date. By the early 19th century, fresh pineapples were transported direct from the West Indies in large enough quantities to reduce European prices.Later pineapple production was dominated by the Azores for Europe, and Florida and the Caribbean for North America, because of the short trade routes. The Spanish had introduced the pineapple into Hawaii in the 18th centurywhere it is known as thehala kahiki(\"foreignhala\"),but the first commercial plantation was established in 1886. The most famous investor wasJames Dole, who moved to Hawaii in 1899and started a 24-hectare (60-acre) pineapple plantation in 1900 which would grow into theDole Food Company.Dole andDel Montebegan growing pineapples on the island ofOahuin 1901 and 1917, respectively, and theMaui Pineapple Companybegan cultivation onMauiin 1909.James Dole began the commercial processing of pineapple, and Dole employee Henry Ginaca invented an automatic peeling and coring machine in 1911. Hawaiian production started to decline from the 1970s because of competition and the shift to refrigerated sea transport. Dole ceased its cannery operations inHonoluluin 1991, and in 2008, Del Monte terminated its pineapple-growing operations in Hawaii.In 2009, the Maui Pineapple Company reduced its operations to supply pineapples only locally on Maui,and by 2013, only theDole Plantationon Oahu grew pineapples in a volume of about 0.1 percent of the world's production.Despite this decline, the pineapple is sometimes used as a symbol of Hawaii.Further, foods with pineapple in them are sometimes known as \"Hawaiian\" for this reason alone. In the Philippines, \"Smooth Cayenne\" was introduced in the early 1900s by theUS Bureau of Agricultureduring theAmerican colonial period. Dole and Del Monte established plantations in the island ofMindanaoin the 1920s; in the provinces ofCotabatoandBukidnon, respectively.Large scale canning had started in Southeast Asia, including in the Philippines, from 1920. This trade was severely damaged byWorld War II, and Hawaii dominated the international trade until the 1960s. The Philippines remain one of the top exporters of pineapples in the world. The Del Monte plantations are now locally managed, after Del Monte Pacific Ltd., a Filipino company, completed the purchase of Del Monte Foods in 2014. Composition Nutrition Raw pineapple pulp is 86% water, 13%carbohydrates, 0.5%protein, and contains negligiblefat(table). In a 100-gram reference amount, raw pineapple supplies 209 kilojoules (50 kilocalories) offood energy, and is a rich source ofmanganese(40%Daily Value, DV) andvitamin C(53% DV), but otherwise contains nomicronutrientsin significant amounts (table). Phytochemistry Pineapple fruits and peels contain diversephytochemicals, among which arepolyphenols, includinggallic acid,syringic acid,vanillin,ferulic acid,sinapic acid,coumaric acid,chlorogenic acid,epicatechin, andarbutin. Present in all parts of the pineapple plant,bromelainis a mixture ofproteolyticenzymes. It is present in stem, fruit, crown, core, leaves of pineapple itself.Bromelain is under preliminary research for treatment of a variety of clinical disorders, but has not been adequately defined for its effects in the human body.Bromelain may be unsafe for some users, such as inpregnancy,allergies, oranticoagulationtherapy. Having sufficient bromelain content, raw pineapple juice may be useful as a meatmarinadeandtenderizer.Although pineapple enzymes can interfere with the preparation of some foods or manufactured products, such asgelatin-based desserts orgelcapsules,their proteolytic activity responsible for such properties may be degraded during cooking andcanning. The quantity of bromelain in a typical serving of pineapple fruit is probably not significant, but specificextractioncan yield sufficient quantities fordomesticand industrial processing. Varieties Cultivars Manycultivarsare known.The leaves of the commonly grown \"Smooth Cayenne\" cultivar and its various clones are smooth,and it is the most commonly grown worldwide. Many cultivars have become distributed from its origins inParaguayand the southern part ofBrazil, and later improved stocks were introduced into the Americas, the Azores, Africa, India, Malaysia and Australia.Varieties include: In the US, in 1986, the Pineapple Research Institute was dissolved and its assets divided between Del Monte andMaui Land and Pineapple. Del Monte took cultivar '73–114', dubbed 'MD-2', to its plantations in Costa Rica, found it to be well-suited to growing there, and launched it publicly in 1996 as 'Gold Extra Sweet', while Del Monte also began marketing '73–50', dubbed 'CO-2', as 'Del Monte Gold'.The Maui Pineapple Company began growing variety 73-50 in 1988 and named it Maui Gold.The successor company to MPC, the Hali'imaile Pineapple Company continues to grow Maui Gold on the slopes ofHaleakala. Production In 2022, world production of pineapples was 29 milliontonnes, led byIndonesia, thePhilippines, andCosta Rica, each producing about 3 million tonnes. Uses Culinary The flesh and juice of the pineapple are used in cuisines around the world. In many tropical countries, pineapple is prepared and sold on roadsides as a snack. It is sold whole or in halves with a stick inserted. Whole, cored slices with acherryin the middle are a common garnish on hams in the West. Chunks of pineapple are used in desserts such as fruit salad, as well as in some savory dishes, including theHawaiian pizza, or as a grilled ring on ahamburger. Traditional dishes that use pineapple includehamonado,afritada,kaeng som pla, andHawaiian haystack. Crushed pineapple is used in yogurt, jam, sweets, and ice cream. The juice of the pineapple is served as a beverage, and it is also the main ingredient incocktailssuch as thepiña coladaand in the drinktepache. In thePhilippines, a traditional jelly-like dessert callednata de piñahas also been produced since the 18th century. It is made by fermenting pineapple juice with the bacteriaKomagataeibacter xylinus. Pineapple vinegar is an ingredient found in bothHonduranandFilipino cuisine, where it is produced locally.InMexico, it is usually made with peels from the whole fruit, rather than the juice; however, inTaiwanese cuisine, it is often produced by blending pineapple juice with grain vinegar. TheEuropean Unionconsumed 50% of the global total for pineapple juice in 2012–2016. TheNetherlandswas the largest importer of pineapple juice inEurope.Thailand,Costa Ricaand theNetherlandsare the major suppliers to the European Union market in 2012–2016.Countries consuming the most pineapple juice in 2017 wereThailand,Indonesiaand thePhilippines, having combined consumption of 47% of the world total. The consumption of pineapple juice inChinaandIndiais low compared to their populations. Textiles The 'Red Spanish' cultivar of pineapples were once extensively cultivated in thePhilippines. The long leaves of the cultivar were the source of traditionalpiñafibers, an adaptation of the native weaving traditions with fibers extracted fromabacá. These were woven into lustrous lace-likenipisfabrics usually decorated with intricate floral embroidery known ascaladoandsombrado. The fabric was a luxury export from the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period and gained favor among European aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries. Domestically, they were used to make the traditionalbarong tagalog,baro't saya, andtraje de mestizaclothing of the Filipino upper class, as well as women'skerchiefs(pañuelo). They were favored for their light and breezy quality, which was ideal in the hot tropical climate of the islands. The industry was destroyed in theSecond World Warand is only starting to be revived. Houseplant The varietyA. comosus'Variegatus' is occasionally grown as a houseplant. It needs direct sunlight and thrives at temperatures of 18 to 24 °C (64 to 75 °F), with a minimum winter temperature of 16 °C (61 °F). It should be kept humid, but the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. It has almost no resting period but should be repotted each spring until the container reaches 20 centimeters (8 in). Cultivation In commercial farming, flowering can be induced artificially, and the early harvesting of the main fruit can encourage the development of a second crop of smaller fruits. Once removed during cleaning, the top of the pineapple can be planted in soil and a new plant will grow. Slips and suckers are planted commercially. Storage and transport Some buyers prefer green fruit, others ripened or off-green. A plant growth regulator,Ethephon, is typically sprayed onto the fruit one week before harvest, developingethylene, which turns the fruit golden yellow. After cleaning and slicing, a pineapple is typically canned in sugar syrup with added preservative.A pineapple never becomes any riper than it was when harvested since it is anon-climacteric fruit. Ethical and environmental concerns Like mostmodern fruit production, pineapple plantations are highly industrialized operations. In Costa Rica particularly, the pineapple industry uses large amounts of insecticides to protect the crop, which have caused health problems in many workers. These workers often receive little compensation, and are mostly poor migrants, oftenNicaraguan. Workers' wages also decrease every time prices are lowered overseas. In 2016, the government declared that it would be trying to improve the situation, with the help of various other groups. Historically, tropical fruit agriculture, such as for pineapples, has been concentrated in so-called \"banana republics\". Illegal drug trade Export pineapples from Costa Rica to Europe are often used as a cover fornarcotrafficking, and containers are impounded routinely in both locations. Expansion into protected areas In Costa Rica, pineapple cultivation has expanded into theMaquenque,Corredor Fronterizo,Barra del ColoradoandCaño Negrowildlife refuges, all located in the north of the country. As those are protected areas and not national parks, limited and restricted sustainable activities are allowed, however pineapple plantations are industrial operations and many of these do not have the proper license to operate in the protected areas, or were started before either the designation of the area, recent regulations or the creation of the environmental regulatory agency (Setena) in 1996. The agency has registers for around 358.5 ha (1.384 sq mi) of pineapple plantations operating within protected areas, but satellite imagery from 2018 reports around 1,659 ha (6.41 sq mi). Pests and diseases Pineapples are subject to a variety of diseases, the most serious of which is wilt disease vectored bymealybugstypically found on the surface of pineapples, but possibly in the closed blossom cups.Other diseases include citruspink disease, bacterial heart rot,anthracnose,fungal heart rot, root rot, black rot, butt rot, fruitlet core rot, and yellow spot virus.Pineapple pink disease (not citrus pink disease) is characterized by the fruit developing a brownish to black discoloration when heated during the canning process. The causal agents of pink disease are the bacteriaAcetobacter aceti,Gluconobacter oxydans,PantoeacitreaandTatumella ptyseos. Some pests that commonly affect pineapple plants are scales,thrips, mites, mealybugs, ants, andsymphylids. Heart-rot is the most serious disease affecting pineapple plants. The disease is caused byPhytophthora cinnamomiandP. parasitica, fungi that often affect pineapples grown in wet conditions. Since it is difficult to treat, it is advisable to guard against infection by planting resistant cultivars where these are available; allsuckersthat are required for propagation should be dipped in a fungicide, since the fungus enters through the wounds. See also References Bibliography External links"],"string":"[\n \"52nd Tony Awards The52nd Annual Tony Awardsceremony was held on June 7, 1998, atRadio City Music Halland was broadcast byCBStelevision. A documentaries segment was telecast onPBStelevision. The ceremony was hosted byRosie O'Donnell, who hosted a total of three times (1997, 1998, and 2000). This ceremony is notable for its Best Direction of a Play and Best Direction of a Musical winners both being female, the first time a female has won either award.The writer of the Best Play winner was also female, the second female winner of the award. Ragtimehad 13 nominations, the most of the night, andRagtime,The Beauty Queen of LeenaneandCabareteach won four Tonys. Eligibility Shows that opened on Broadway during the 1997–1998 season before April 30, 1998 are eligible. The ceremony The opening number was \\\"Broadway Divas\\\", withRosie O'Donnelland theChicagodancers introducing:Patti LuPone(\\\"Don't Cry for Me Argentina\\\" fromEvita);Jennifer Holliday(\\\"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going\\\" fromDreamgirls); andBetty Buckley(\\\"Memory\\\" fromCats). Musicals represented: Winners and nominees Winners are in bold Special awards Multiple nominations and awards These productions had multiple nominations: The following productions received multiple awards. See also References External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical\",\n \"Pineapple Thepineapple(Ananas comosus) is atropical plantwith an edible fruit; it is the most economically significant plant in the familyBromeliaceae. The pineapple is indigenous toSouth America, where it has been cultivated for many centuries. The introduction of the pineapple plant toEuropein the17th centurymade it a significant cultural icon of luxury. Since the 1820s, pineapple has been commercially grown in greenhouses and many tropical plantations. Pineapples grow as a small shrub; the individual flowers of the unpollinated plant fuse to form amultiple fruit. The plant normally propagates from theoffsetproduced at the top of the fruitor from a side shoot, and typically matures within a year. Description The pineapple is aherbaceousperennial, which grows to 1.0 to 1.5 m (3 ft 3 in to 4 ft 11 in) tall on average, although sometimes it can be taller. The plant has a short, stocky stem with tough, waxy leaves. When creating its fruit, it usually produces up to 200 flowers, although some large-fruitedcultivarscan exceed this. Once it flowers, the individual fruits of the flowers join together to create amultiple fruit. After the first fruit is produced, side shoots (called 'suckers' by commercial growers) are produced in the leaf axils of the main stem. These suckers may be removed for propagation, or left to produce additional fruits on the original plant.Commercially, suckers that appear around the base are cultivated. It has 30 or more narrow, fleshy, trough-shaped leaves that are30 to 100 cm (1 to3+1⁄2ft) long, surrounding a thickstem; the leaves have sharp spines along the margins. In the first year of growth, the axis lengthens and thickens, bearing numerous leaves in close spirals. After 12 to 20 months, the stem grows into a spike-likeinflorescenceup to 15 cm (6 in) long with over 100 spirally arranged, trimerous flowers, each subtended by a bract. In the wild, pineapples are pollinated primarily byhummingbirds.Certain wild pineapples areforagedand pollinated at night bybats.Under cultivation, because seed development diminishes fruit quality, pollination is performed by hand, and seeds are retained only forbreeding.InHawaii, where pineapples were cultivated andcannedindustrially throughout the 20th century,importation of hummingbirds was prohibited. The ovaries develop intoberries, which coalesce into a large, compact, multiple fruit. The fruit of a pineapple is usually arranged in two interlockinghelices, often with 8 in one direction and 13 in the other, each being aFibonacci number. The pineapple carries outCAM photosynthesis,fixing carbon dioxide at night and storing it as the acidmalate, then releasing it during the day aiding photosynthesis. Taxonomy The pineapple comprises five botanical varieties, formerly regarded as separate species.The genomes of three varieties, including the wild progenitor varietybracteatus, have been sequenced. History Etymology The first reference in English to the pineapple fruit was the 1568 translation from the French ofAndré Thevet'sThe New Found World, or Antarctikewhere he refers to aHoyriri, a fruit cultivated and eaten by theTupinambá people, living near modernRio de Janeiro, and now believed to be a pineapple.Later in the same English translation, he describes the same fruit as a \\\"Nana made in the manner of a Pine apple\\\", where he used anotherTupiwordnanas, meaning 'excellent fruit'.This usage was adopted by many European languages and led to the plant's scientificbinomialAnanas comosus, wherecomosus'tufted' refers to the stem of the plant. Purchas, writing in English in 1613, referred to the fruit asAnanas, but theOxford English Dictionary'sfirst record of the wordpineappleitself by an English writer is by Mandeville in 1714. Precolonial cultivation The wild plant originates from theParaná–Paraguay Riverdrainages between southernBrazilandParaguay.Little is known about its domestication, but it spread as a crop throughout South America. Archaeological evidence of use is found as far back as 1200–800 BC (3200–2800 BP) in Peruand 200 BC – 700 AD (2200–1300 BP) in Mexico,where it was cultivated by theMayasand theAztecs.By the late 1400s, cropped pineapple was widely distributed and astaple foodof Native Americans. The first European to encounter the pineapple wasChristopher Columbus, inGuadeloupeon 4 November 1493.The Portuguese took the fruit from Brazil and introduced it intoIndiaby 1550.The 'Red Spanish' cultivar was also introduced by the Spanish from Latin America to thePhilippines, and it was grown to producepiñafibers that would then be used to produce textiles from at least the 17th century. Columbus brought the plant back to Spain and called itpiña de Indes, meaning \\\"pine of the Indians\\\". The pineapple was documented in Peter Martyr'sDecades of the New World(1516) andAntonio Pigafetta'sRelazione del primo viaggio intorno al mondo(1524–1525), and the first known illustration was inOviedo'sHistoria General de Las Indias(1535). Old World introduction While the pineapple fascinated Europeans as a fruit of colonialism,it was not successfully cultivated in Europe untilPieter de la Court(1664–1739) developedgreenhousehorticulture near Leiden.Pineapple plants were distributed from the Netherlands to English gardeners in 1719 and French ones in 1730.In England, the first pineapple was grown atDorney Court,Dorneyin Buckinghamshire, and a huge \\\"pineapple stove\\\" to heat the plants was built at theChelsea Physic Gardenin 1723.In France, KingLouis XVwas presented with a pineapple that had been grown atVersaillesin 1733. In Russia,Peter the Greatimported de la Court's method intoSt. Petersburgin the 1720s; in 1730, twenty pineapple saplings were transported from there to a greenhouse atEmpress Anna's new Moscow palace. Because of the expense of direct import and the enormous cost in equipment and labour required to grow them in a temperate climate, in greenhouses called \\\"pineries\\\",pineapple became a symbol of wealth. They were initially used mainly for display at dinner parties, rather than being eaten, and were used again and again until they began to rot.In the second half of the 18th century, the production of the fruit on British estates became the subject of great rivalry between wealthy aristocrats.John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, built a hothouse on his estate surmounted by a huge stonecupola14 metres tall in the shape of the fruit; it is known as theDunmore Pineapple.In architecture, pineapple figures became decorative elements symbolizing hospitality. Since the 19th century: mass commercialization Many different varieties, mostly from the Antilles, were tried for European glasshouse cultivation. The most significant cultivar was \\\"Smooth Cayenne\\\", first imported to France in 1820, then subsequently re-exported to theUnited Kingdomin 1835, and then from UK, the cultivation spread viaHawaiito Australia and Africa. The \\\"Smooth Cayenne\\\" cultivar (and sub-selections or clones of the \\\"Smooth Cayenne\\\") make up for the majority of world pineapple production today.Jams and sweets based on pineapple were imported to Europe from the West Indies, Brazil, and Mexico from an early date. By the early 19th century, fresh pineapples were transported direct from the West Indies in large enough quantities to reduce European prices.Later pineapple production was dominated by the Azores for Europe, and Florida and the Caribbean for North America, because of the short trade routes. The Spanish had introduced the pineapple into Hawaii in the 18th centurywhere it is known as thehala kahiki(\\\"foreignhala\\\"),but the first commercial plantation was established in 1886. The most famous investor wasJames Dole, who moved to Hawaii in 1899and started a 24-hectare (60-acre) pineapple plantation in 1900 which would grow into theDole Food Company.Dole andDel Montebegan growing pineapples on the island ofOahuin 1901 and 1917, respectively, and theMaui Pineapple Companybegan cultivation onMauiin 1909.James Dole began the commercial processing of pineapple, and Dole employee Henry Ginaca invented an automatic peeling and coring machine in 1911. Hawaiian production started to decline from the 1970s because of competition and the shift to refrigerated sea transport. Dole ceased its cannery operations inHonoluluin 1991, and in 2008, Del Monte terminated its pineapple-growing operations in Hawaii.In 2009, the Maui Pineapple Company reduced its operations to supply pineapples only locally on Maui,and by 2013, only theDole Plantationon Oahu grew pineapples in a volume of about 0.1 percent of the world's production.Despite this decline, the pineapple is sometimes used as a symbol of Hawaii.Further, foods with pineapple in them are sometimes known as \\\"Hawaiian\\\" for this reason alone. In the Philippines, \\\"Smooth Cayenne\\\" was introduced in the early 1900s by theUS Bureau of Agricultureduring theAmerican colonial period. Dole and Del Monte established plantations in the island ofMindanaoin the 1920s; in the provinces ofCotabatoandBukidnon, respectively.Large scale canning had started in Southeast Asia, including in the Philippines, from 1920. This trade was severely damaged byWorld War II, and Hawaii dominated the international trade until the 1960s. The Philippines remain one of the top exporters of pineapples in the world. The Del Monte plantations are now locally managed, after Del Monte Pacific Ltd., a Filipino company, completed the purchase of Del Monte Foods in 2014. Composition Nutrition Raw pineapple pulp is 86% water, 13%carbohydrates, 0.5%protein, and contains negligiblefat(table). In a 100-gram reference amount, raw pineapple supplies 209 kilojoules (50 kilocalories) offood energy, and is a rich source ofmanganese(40%Daily Value, DV) andvitamin C(53% DV), but otherwise contains nomicronutrientsin significant amounts (table). Phytochemistry Pineapple fruits and peels contain diversephytochemicals, among which arepolyphenols, includinggallic acid,syringic acid,vanillin,ferulic acid,sinapic acid,coumaric acid,chlorogenic acid,epicatechin, andarbutin. Present in all parts of the pineapple plant,bromelainis a mixture ofproteolyticenzymes. It is present in stem, fruit, crown, core, leaves of pineapple itself.Bromelain is under preliminary research for treatment of a variety of clinical disorders, but has not been adequately defined for its effects in the human body.Bromelain may be unsafe for some users, such as inpregnancy,allergies, oranticoagulationtherapy. Having sufficient bromelain content, raw pineapple juice may be useful as a meatmarinadeandtenderizer.Although pineapple enzymes can interfere with the preparation of some foods or manufactured products, such asgelatin-based desserts orgelcapsules,their proteolytic activity responsible for such properties may be degraded during cooking andcanning. The quantity of bromelain in a typical serving of pineapple fruit is probably not significant, but specificextractioncan yield sufficient quantities fordomesticand industrial processing. Varieties Cultivars Manycultivarsare known.The leaves of the commonly grown \\\"Smooth Cayenne\\\" cultivar and its various clones are smooth,and it is the most commonly grown worldwide. Many cultivars have become distributed from its origins inParaguayand the southern part ofBrazil, and later improved stocks were introduced into the Americas, the Azores, Africa, India, Malaysia and Australia.Varieties include: In the US, in 1986, the Pineapple Research Institute was dissolved and its assets divided between Del Monte andMaui Land and Pineapple. Del Monte took cultivar '73–114', dubbed 'MD-2', to its plantations in Costa Rica, found it to be well-suited to growing there, and launched it publicly in 1996 as 'Gold Extra Sweet', while Del Monte also began marketing '73–50', dubbed 'CO-2', as 'Del Monte Gold'.The Maui Pineapple Company began growing variety 73-50 in 1988 and named it Maui Gold.The successor company to MPC, the Hali'imaile Pineapple Company continues to grow Maui Gold on the slopes ofHaleakala. Production In 2022, world production of pineapples was 29 milliontonnes, led byIndonesia, thePhilippines, andCosta Rica, each producing about 3 million tonnes. Uses Culinary The flesh and juice of the pineapple are used in cuisines around the world. In many tropical countries, pineapple is prepared and sold on roadsides as a snack. It is sold whole or in halves with a stick inserted. Whole, cored slices with acherryin the middle are a common garnish on hams in the West. Chunks of pineapple are used in desserts such as fruit salad, as well as in some savory dishes, including theHawaiian pizza, or as a grilled ring on ahamburger. Traditional dishes that use pineapple includehamonado,afritada,kaeng som pla, andHawaiian haystack. Crushed pineapple is used in yogurt, jam, sweets, and ice cream. The juice of the pineapple is served as a beverage, and it is also the main ingredient incocktailssuch as thepiña coladaand in the drinktepache. In thePhilippines, a traditional jelly-like dessert callednata de piñahas also been produced since the 18th century. It is made by fermenting pineapple juice with the bacteriaKomagataeibacter xylinus. Pineapple vinegar is an ingredient found in bothHonduranandFilipino cuisine, where it is produced locally.InMexico, it is usually made with peels from the whole fruit, rather than the juice; however, inTaiwanese cuisine, it is often produced by blending pineapple juice with grain vinegar. TheEuropean Unionconsumed 50% of the global total for pineapple juice in 2012–2016. TheNetherlandswas the largest importer of pineapple juice inEurope.Thailand,Costa Ricaand theNetherlandsare the major suppliers to the European Union market in 2012–2016.Countries consuming the most pineapple juice in 2017 wereThailand,Indonesiaand thePhilippines, having combined consumption of 47% of the world total. The consumption of pineapple juice inChinaandIndiais low compared to their populations. Textiles The 'Red Spanish' cultivar of pineapples were once extensively cultivated in thePhilippines. The long leaves of the cultivar were the source of traditionalpiñafibers, an adaptation of the native weaving traditions with fibers extracted fromabacá. These were woven into lustrous lace-likenipisfabrics usually decorated with intricate floral embroidery known ascaladoandsombrado. The fabric was a luxury export from the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period and gained favor among European aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries. Domestically, they were used to make the traditionalbarong tagalog,baro't saya, andtraje de mestizaclothing of the Filipino upper class, as well as women'skerchiefs(pañuelo). They were favored for their light and breezy quality, which was ideal in the hot tropical climate of the islands. The industry was destroyed in theSecond World Warand is only starting to be revived. Houseplant The varietyA. comosus'Variegatus' is occasionally grown as a houseplant. It needs direct sunlight and thrives at temperatures of 18 to 24 °C (64 to 75 °F), with a minimum winter temperature of 16 °C (61 °F). It should be kept humid, but the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. It has almost no resting period but should be repotted each spring until the container reaches 20 centimeters (8 in). Cultivation In commercial farming, flowering can be induced artificially, and the early harvesting of the main fruit can encourage the development of a second crop of smaller fruits. Once removed during cleaning, the top of the pineapple can be planted in soil and a new plant will grow. Slips and suckers are planted commercially. Storage and transport Some buyers prefer green fruit, others ripened or off-green. A plant growth regulator,Ethephon, is typically sprayed onto the fruit one week before harvest, developingethylene, which turns the fruit golden yellow. After cleaning and slicing, a pineapple is typically canned in sugar syrup with added preservative.A pineapple never becomes any riper than it was when harvested since it is anon-climacteric fruit. Ethical and environmental concerns Like mostmodern fruit production, pineapple plantations are highly industrialized operations. In Costa Rica particularly, the pineapple industry uses large amounts of insecticides to protect the crop, which have caused health problems in many workers. These workers often receive little compensation, and are mostly poor migrants, oftenNicaraguan. Workers' wages also decrease every time prices are lowered overseas. In 2016, the government declared that it would be trying to improve the situation, with the help of various other groups. Historically, tropical fruit agriculture, such as for pineapples, has been concentrated in so-called \\\"banana republics\\\". Illegal drug trade Export pineapples from Costa Rica to Europe are often used as a cover fornarcotrafficking, and containers are impounded routinely in both locations. Expansion into protected areas In Costa Rica, pineapple cultivation has expanded into theMaquenque,Corredor Fronterizo,Barra del ColoradoandCaño Negrowildlife refuges, all located in the north of the country. As those are protected areas and not national parks, limited and restricted sustainable activities are allowed, however pineapple plantations are industrial operations and many of these do not have the proper license to operate in the protected areas, or were started before either the designation of the area, recent regulations or the creation of the environmental regulatory agency (Setena) in 1996. The agency has registers for around 358.5 ha (1.384 sq mi) of pineapple plantations operating within protected areas, but satellite imagery from 2018 reports around 1,659 ha (6.41 sq mi). Pests and diseases Pineapples are subject to a variety of diseases, the most serious of which is wilt disease vectored bymealybugstypically found on the surface of pineapples, but possibly in the closed blossom cups.Other diseases include citruspink disease, bacterial heart rot,anthracnose,fungal heart rot, root rot, black rot, butt rot, fruitlet core rot, and yellow spot virus.Pineapple pink disease (not citrus pink disease) is characterized by the fruit developing a brownish to black discoloration when heated during the canning process. The causal agents of pink disease are the bacteriaAcetobacter aceti,Gluconobacter oxydans,PantoeacitreaandTatumella ptyseos. Some pests that commonly affect pineapple plants are scales,thrips, mites, mealybugs, ants, andsymphylids. Heart-rot is the most serious disease affecting pineapple plants. The disease is caused byPhytophthora cinnamomiandP. parasitica, fungi that often affect pineapples grown in wet conditions. Since it is difficult to treat, it is advisable to guard against infection by planting resistant cultivars where these are available; allsuckersthat are required for propagation should be dipped in a fungicide, since the fungus enters through the wounds. See also References Bibliography External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["52nd Tony Awards The52nd Annual Tony Awardsceremony was held on June 7, 1998, atRadio City Music Halland was broadcast byCBStelevision. A documentaries segment was telecast onPBStelevision. The ceremony was hosted byRosie O'Donnell, who hosted a total of three times (1997, 1998, and 2000). This ceremony is notable for its Best Direction of a Play and Best Direction of a Musical winners both being female, the first time a female has won either award.The writer of the Best Play winner was also female, the second female winner of the award. Ragtimehad 13 nominations, the most of the night, andRagtime,The Beauty Queen of LeenaneandCabareteach won four Tonys. Eligibility Shows that opened on Broadway during the 1997–1998 season before April 30, 1998 are eligible. The ceremony The opening number was \"Broadway Divas\", withRosie O'Donnelland theChicagodancers introducing:Patti LuPone(\"Don't Cry for Me Argentina\" fromEvita);Jennifer Holliday(\"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going\" fromDreamgirls); andBetty","andBetty Buckley(\"Memory\" fromCats). Musicals represented: Winners and nominees Winners are in bold Special awards Multiple nominations and awards These productions had multiple nominations: The following productions received multiple awards. See also References External links","Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical","Pineapple Thepineapple(Ananas comosus) is atropical plantwith an edible fruit; it is the most economically significant plant in the familyBromeliaceae. The pineapple is indigenous toSouth America, where it has been cultivated for many centuries. The introduction of the pineapple plant toEuropein the17th centurymade it a significant cultural icon of luxury. Since the 1820s, pineapple has been commercially grown in greenhouses and many tropical plantations. Pineapples grow as a small shrub; the individual flowers of the unpollinated plant fuse to form amultiple fruit. The plant normally propagates from theoffsetproduced at the top of the fruitor from a side shoot, and typically matures within a year. Description The pineapple is aherbaceousperennial, which grows to 1.0 to 1.5 m (3 ft 3 in to 4 ft 11 in) tall on average, although sometimes it can be taller. The plant has a short, stocky stem with tough, waxy leaves. When creating its fruit, it usually produces up to 200 flowers, although some","although some large-fruitedcultivarscan exceed this. Once it flowers, the individual fruits of the flowers join together to create amultiple fruit. After the first fruit is produced, side shoots (called 'suckers' by commercial growers) are produced in the leaf axils of the main stem. These suckers may be removed for propagation, or left to produce additional fruits on the original plant.Commercially, suckers that appear around the base are cultivated. It has 30 or more narrow, fleshy, trough-shaped leaves that are30 to 100 cm (1 to3+1⁄2ft) long, surrounding a thickstem; the leaves have sharp spines along the margins. In the first year of growth, the axis lengthens and thickens, bearing numerous leaves in close spirals. After 12 to 20 months, the stem grows into a spike-likeinflorescenceup to 15 cm (6 in) long with over 100 spirally arranged, trimerous flowers, each subtended by a bract. In the wild, pineapples are pollinated primarily byhummingbirds.Certain wild pineapples areforagedand pollinated at night","pollinated at night bybats.Under cultivation, because seed development diminishes fruit quality, pollination is performed by hand, and seeds are retained only forbreeding.InHawaii, where pineapples were cultivated andcannedindustrially throughout the 20th century,importation of hummingbirds was prohibited. The ovaries develop intoberries, which coalesce into a large, compact, multiple fruit. The fruit of a pineapple is usually arranged in two interlockinghelices, often with 8 in one direction and 13 in the other, each being aFibonacci number. The pineapple carries outCAM photosynthesis,fixing carbon dioxide at night and storing it as the acidmalate, then releasing it during the day aiding photosynthesis. Taxonomy The pineapple comprises five botanical varieties, formerly regarded as separate species.The genomes of three varieties, including the wild progenitor varietybracteatus, have been sequenced. History Etymology The first reference in English to the pineapple fruit was the 1568 translation from the","from the French ofAndré Thevet'sThe New Found World, or Antarctikewhere he refers to aHoyriri, a fruit cultivated and eaten by theTupinambá people, living near modernRio de Janeiro, and now believed to be a pineapple.Later in the same English translation, he describes the same fruit as a \"Nana made in the manner of a Pine apple\", where he used anotherTupiwordnanas, meaning 'excellent fruit'.This usage was adopted by many European languages and led to the plant's scientificbinomialAnanas comosus, wherecomosus'tufted' refers to the stem of the plant. Purchas, writing in English in 1613, referred to the fruit asAnanas, but theOxford English Dictionary'sfirst record of the wordpineappleitself by an English writer is by Mandeville in 1714. Precolonial cultivation The wild plant originates from theParaná–Paraguay Riverdrainages between southernBrazilandParaguay.Little is known about its domestication, but it spread as a crop throughout South America. Archaeological evidence of use is found as far back as 1200–800","back as 1200–800 BC (3200–2800 BP) in Peruand 200 BC – 700 AD (2200–1300 BP) in Mexico,where it was cultivated by theMayasand theAztecs.By the late 1400s, cropped pineapple was widely distributed and astaple foodof Native Americans. The first European to encounter the pineapple wasChristopher Columbus, inGuadeloupeon 4 November 1493.The Portuguese took the fruit from Brazil and introduced it intoIndiaby 1550.The 'Red Spanish' cultivar was also introduced by the Spanish from Latin America to thePhilippines, and it was grown to producepiñafibers that would then be used to produce textiles from at least the 17th century. Columbus brought the plant back to Spain and called itpiña de Indes, meaning \"pine of the Indians\". The pineapple was documented in Peter Martyr'sDecades of the New World(1516) andAntonio Pigafetta'sRelazione del primo viaggio intorno al mondo(1524–1525), and the first known illustration was inOviedo'sHistoria General de Las Indias(1535). Old World introduction While the pineapple fascinated","fascinated Europeans as a fruit of colonialism,it was not successfully cultivated in Europe untilPieter de la Court(1664–1739) developedgreenhousehorticulture near Leiden.Pineapple plants were distributed from the Netherlands to English gardeners in 1719 and French ones in 1730.In England, the first pineapple was grown atDorney Court,Dorneyin Buckinghamshire, and a huge \"pineapple stove\" to heat the plants was built at theChelsea Physic Gardenin 1723.In France, KingLouis XVwas presented with a pineapple that had been grown atVersaillesin 1733. In Russia,Peter the Greatimported de la Court's method intoSt. Petersburgin the 1720s; in 1730, twenty pineapple saplings were transported from there to a greenhouse atEmpress Anna's new Moscow palace. Because of the expense of direct import and the enormous cost in equipment and labour required to grow them in a temperate climate, in greenhouses called \"pineries\",pineapple became a symbol of wealth. They were initially used mainly for display at dinner parties, rather","parties, rather than being eaten, and were used again and again until they began to rot.In the second half of the 18th century, the production of the fruit on British estates became the subject of great rivalry between wealthy aristocrats.John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, built a hothouse on his estate surmounted by a huge stonecupola14 metres tall in the shape of the fruit; it is known as theDunmore Pineapple.In architecture, pineapple figures became decorative elements symbolizing hospitality. Since the 19th century: mass commercialization Many different varieties, mostly from the Antilles, were tried for European glasshouse cultivation. The most significant cultivar was \"Smooth Cayenne\", first imported to France in 1820, then subsequently re-exported to theUnited Kingdomin 1835, and then from UK, the cultivation spread viaHawaiito Australia and Africa. The \"Smooth Cayenne\" cultivar (and sub-selections or clones of the \"Smooth Cayenne\") make up for the majority of world pineapple production today.Jams and","today.Jams and sweets based on pineapple were imported to Europe from the West Indies, Brazil, and Mexico from an early date. By the early 19th century, fresh pineapples were transported direct from the West Indies in large enough quantities to reduce European prices.Later pineapple production was dominated by the Azores for Europe, and Florida and the Caribbean for North America, because of the short trade routes. The Spanish had introduced the pineapple into Hawaii in the 18th centurywhere it is known as thehala kahiki(\"foreignhala\"),but the first commercial plantation was established in 1886. The most famous investor wasJames Dole, who moved to Hawaii in 1899and started a 24-hectare (60-acre) pineapple plantation in 1900 which would grow into theDole Food Company.Dole andDel Montebegan growing pineapples on the island ofOahuin 1901 and 1917, respectively, and theMaui Pineapple Companybegan cultivation onMauiin 1909.James Dole began the commercial processing of pineapple, and Dole employee Henry Ginaca","Henry Ginaca invented an automatic peeling and coring machine in 1911. Hawaiian production started to decline from the 1970s because of competition and the shift to refrigerated sea transport. Dole ceased its cannery operations inHonoluluin 1991, and in 2008, Del Monte terminated its pineapple-growing operations in Hawaii.In 2009, the Maui Pineapple Company reduced its operations to supply pineapples only locally on Maui,and by 2013, only theDole Plantationon Oahu grew pineapples in a volume of about 0.1 percent of the world's production.Despite this decline, the pineapple is sometimes used as a symbol of Hawaii.Further, foods with pineapple in them are sometimes known as \"Hawaiian\" for this reason alone. In the Philippines, \"Smooth Cayenne\" was introduced in the early 1900s by theUS Bureau of Agricultureduring theAmerican colonial period. Dole and Del Monte established plantations in the island ofMindanaoin the 1920s; in the provinces ofCotabatoandBukidnon, respectively.Large scale canning had started in","had started in Southeast Asia, including in the Philippines, from 1920. This trade was severely damaged byWorld War II, and Hawaii dominated the international trade until the 1960s. The Philippines remain one of the top exporters of pineapples in the world. The Del Monte plantations are now locally managed, after Del Monte Pacific Ltd., a Filipino company, completed the purchase of Del Monte Foods in 2014. Composition Nutrition Raw pineapple pulp is 86% water, 13%carbohydrates, 0.5%protein, and contains negligiblefat(table). In a 100-gram reference amount, raw pineapple supplies 209 kilojoules (50 kilocalories) offood energy, and is a rich source ofmanganese(40%Daily Value, DV) andvitamin C(53% DV), but otherwise contains nomicronutrientsin significant amounts (table). Phytochemistry Pineapple fruits and peels contain diversephytochemicals, among which arepolyphenols, includinggallic acid,syringic acid,vanillin,ferulic acid,sinapic acid,coumaric acid,chlorogenic acid,epicatechin, andarbutin. Present in all","Present in all parts of the pineapple plant,bromelainis a mixture ofproteolyticenzymes. It is present in stem, fruit, crown, core, leaves of pineapple itself.Bromelain is under preliminary research for treatment of a variety of clinical disorders, but has not been adequately defined for its effects in the human body.Bromelain may be unsafe for some users, such as inpregnancy,allergies, oranticoagulationtherapy. Having sufficient bromelain content, raw pineapple juice may be useful as a meatmarinadeandtenderizer.Although pineapple enzymes can interfere with the preparation of some foods or manufactured products, such asgelatin-based desserts orgelcapsules,their proteolytic activity responsible for such properties may be degraded during cooking andcanning. The quantity of bromelain in a typical serving of pineapple fruit is probably not significant, but specificextractioncan yield sufficient quantities fordomesticand industrial processing. Varieties Cultivars Manycultivarsare known.The leaves of the commonly","of the commonly grown \"Smooth Cayenne\" cultivar and its various clones are smooth,and it is the most commonly grown worldwide. Many cultivars have become distributed from its origins inParaguayand the southern part ofBrazil, and later improved stocks were introduced into the Americas, the Azores, Africa, India, Malaysia and Australia.Varieties include: In the US, in 1986, the Pineapple Research Institute was dissolved and its assets divided between Del Monte andMaui Land and Pineapple. Del Monte took cultivar '73–114', dubbed 'MD-2', to its plantations in Costa Rica, found it to be well-suited to growing there, and launched it publicly in 1996 as 'Gold Extra Sweet', while Del Monte also began marketing '73–50', dubbed 'CO-2', as 'Del Monte Gold'.The Maui Pineapple Company began growing variety 73-50 in 1988 and named it Maui Gold.The successor company to MPC, the Hali'imaile Pineapple Company continues to grow Maui Gold on the slopes ofHaleakala. Production In 2022, world production of pineapples was 29","pineapples was 29 milliontonnes, led byIndonesia, thePhilippines, andCosta Rica, each producing about 3 million tonnes. Uses Culinary The flesh and juice of the pineapple are used in cuisines around the world. In many tropical countries, pineapple is prepared and sold on roadsides as a snack. It is sold whole or in halves with a stick inserted. Whole, cored slices with acherryin the middle are a common garnish on hams in the West. Chunks of pineapple are used in desserts such as fruit salad, as well as in some savory dishes, including theHawaiian pizza, or as a grilled ring on ahamburger. Traditional dishes that use pineapple includehamonado,afritada,kaeng som pla, andHawaiian haystack. Crushed pineapple is used in yogurt, jam, sweets, and ice cream. The juice of the pineapple is served as a beverage, and it is also the main ingredient incocktailssuch as thepiña coladaand in the drinktepache. In thePhilippines, a traditional jelly-like dessert callednata de piñahas also been produced since the 18th century.","the 18th century. It is made by fermenting pineapple juice with the bacteriaKomagataeibacter xylinus. Pineapple vinegar is an ingredient found in bothHonduranandFilipino cuisine, where it is produced locally.InMexico, it is usually made with peels from the whole fruit, rather than the juice; however, inTaiwanese cuisine, it is often produced by blending pineapple juice with grain vinegar. TheEuropean Unionconsumed 50% of the global total for pineapple juice in 2012–2016. TheNetherlandswas the largest importer of pineapple juice inEurope.Thailand,Costa Ricaand theNetherlandsare the major suppliers to the European Union market in 2012–2016.Countries consuming the most pineapple juice in 2017 wereThailand,Indonesiaand thePhilippines, having combined consumption of 47% of the world total. The consumption of pineapple juice inChinaandIndiais low compared to their populations. Textiles The 'Red Spanish' cultivar of pineapples were once extensively cultivated in thePhilippines. The long leaves of the cultivar were","the cultivar were the source of traditionalpiñafibers, an adaptation of the native weaving traditions with fibers extracted fromabacá. These were woven into lustrous lace-likenipisfabrics usually decorated with intricate floral embroidery known ascaladoandsombrado. The fabric was a luxury export from the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period and gained favor among European aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries. Domestically, they were used to make the traditionalbarong tagalog,baro't saya, andtraje de mestizaclothing of the Filipino upper class, as well as women'skerchiefs(pañuelo). They were favored for their light and breezy quality, which was ideal in the hot tropical climate of the islands. The industry was destroyed in theSecond World Warand is only starting to be revived. Houseplant The varietyA. comosus'Variegatus' is occasionally grown as a houseplant. It needs direct sunlight and thrives at temperatures of 18 to 24 °C (64 to 75 °F), with a minimum winter temperature of 16 °C (61 °F).","of 16 °C (61 °F). It should be kept humid, but the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. It has almost no resting period but should be repotted each spring until the container reaches 20 centimeters (8 in). Cultivation In commercial farming, flowering can be induced artificially, and the early harvesting of the main fruit can encourage the development of a second crop of smaller fruits. Once removed during cleaning, the top of the pineapple can be planted in soil and a new plant will grow. Slips and suckers are planted commercially. Storage and transport Some buyers prefer green fruit, others ripened or off-green. A plant growth regulator,Ethephon, is typically sprayed onto the fruit one week before harvest, developingethylene, which turns the fruit golden yellow. After cleaning and slicing, a pineapple is typically canned in sugar syrup with added preservative.A pineapple never becomes any riper than it was when harvested since it is anon-climacteric fruit. Ethical and environmental concerns","concerns Like mostmodern fruit production, pineapple plantations are highly industrialized operations. In Costa Rica particularly, the pineapple industry uses large amounts of insecticides to protect the crop, which have caused health problems in many workers. These workers often receive little compensation, and are mostly poor migrants, oftenNicaraguan. Workers' wages also decrease every time prices are lowered overseas. In 2016, the government declared that it would be trying to improve the situation, with the help of various other groups. Historically, tropical fruit agriculture, such as for pineapples, has been concentrated in so-called \"banana republics\". Illegal drug trade Export pineapples from Costa Rica to Europe are often used as a cover fornarcotrafficking, and containers are impounded routinely in both locations. Expansion into protected areas In Costa Rica, pineapple cultivation has expanded into theMaquenque,Corredor Fronterizo,Barra del ColoradoandCaño Negrowildlife refuges, all located in the","all located in the north of the country. As those are protected areas and not national parks, limited and restricted sustainable activities are allowed, however pineapple plantations are industrial operations and many of these do not have the proper license to operate in the protected areas, or were started before either the designation of the area, recent regulations or the creation of the environmental regulatory agency (Setena) in 1996. The agency has registers for around 358.5 ha (1.384 sq mi) of pineapple plantations operating within protected areas, but satellite imagery from 2018 reports around 1,659 ha (6.41 sq mi). Pests and diseases Pineapples are subject to a variety of diseases, the most serious of which is wilt disease vectored bymealybugstypically found on the surface of pineapples, but possibly in the closed blossom cups.Other diseases include citruspink disease, bacterial heart rot,anthracnose,fungal heart rot, root rot, black rot, butt rot, fruitlet core rot, and yellow spot virus.Pineapple","virus.Pineapple pink disease (not citrus pink disease) is characterized by the fruit developing a brownish to black discoloration when heated during the canning process. The causal agents of pink disease are the bacteriaAcetobacter aceti,Gluconobacter oxydans,PantoeacitreaandTatumella ptyseos. Some pests that commonly affect pineapple plants are scales,thrips, mites, mealybugs, ants, andsymphylids. Heart-rot is the most serious disease affecting pineapple plants. The disease is caused byPhytophthora cinnamomiandP. parasitica, fungi that often affect pineapples grown in wet conditions. Since it is difficult to treat, it is advisable to guard against infection by planting resistant cultivars where these are available; allsuckersthat are required for propagation should be dipped in a fungicide, since the fungus enters through the wounds. See also References Bibliography External links"],"string":"[\n \"52nd Tony Awards The52nd Annual Tony Awardsceremony was held on June 7, 1998, atRadio City Music Halland was broadcast byCBStelevision. A documentaries segment was telecast onPBStelevision. The ceremony was hosted byRosie O'Donnell, who hosted a total of three times (1997, 1998, and 2000). This ceremony is notable for its Best Direction of a Play and Best Direction of a Musical winners both being female, the first time a female has won either award.The writer of the Best Play winner was also female, the second female winner of the award. Ragtimehad 13 nominations, the most of the night, andRagtime,The Beauty Queen of LeenaneandCabareteach won four Tonys. Eligibility Shows that opened on Broadway during the 1997–1998 season before April 30, 1998 are eligible. The ceremony The opening number was \\\"Broadway Divas\\\", withRosie O'Donnelland theChicagodancers introducing:Patti LuPone(\\\"Don't Cry for Me Argentina\\\" fromEvita);Jennifer Holliday(\\\"And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going\\\" fromDreamgirls); andBetty\",\n \"andBetty Buckley(\\\"Memory\\\" fromCats). Musicals represented: Winners and nominees Winners are in bold Special awards Multiple nominations and awards These productions had multiple nominations: The following productions received multiple awards. See also References External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical\",\n \"Pineapple Thepineapple(Ananas comosus) is atropical plantwith an edible fruit; it is the most economically significant plant in the familyBromeliaceae. The pineapple is indigenous toSouth America, where it has been cultivated for many centuries. The introduction of the pineapple plant toEuropein the17th centurymade it a significant cultural icon of luxury. Since the 1820s, pineapple has been commercially grown in greenhouses and many tropical plantations. Pineapples grow as a small shrub; the individual flowers of the unpollinated plant fuse to form amultiple fruit. The plant normally propagates from theoffsetproduced at the top of the fruitor from a side shoot, and typically matures within a year. Description The pineapple is aherbaceousperennial, which grows to 1.0 to 1.5 m (3 ft 3 in to 4 ft 11 in) tall on average, although sometimes it can be taller. The plant has a short, stocky stem with tough, waxy leaves. When creating its fruit, it usually produces up to 200 flowers, although some\",\n \"although some large-fruitedcultivarscan exceed this. Once it flowers, the individual fruits of the flowers join together to create amultiple fruit. After the first fruit is produced, side shoots (called 'suckers' by commercial growers) are produced in the leaf axils of the main stem. These suckers may be removed for propagation, or left to produce additional fruits on the original plant.Commercially, suckers that appear around the base are cultivated. It has 30 or more narrow, fleshy, trough-shaped leaves that are30 to 100 cm (1 to3+1⁄2ft) long, surrounding a thickstem; the leaves have sharp spines along the margins. In the first year of growth, the axis lengthens and thickens, bearing numerous leaves in close spirals. After 12 to 20 months, the stem grows into a spike-likeinflorescenceup to 15 cm (6 in) long with over 100 spirally arranged, trimerous flowers, each subtended by a bract. In the wild, pineapples are pollinated primarily byhummingbirds.Certain wild pineapples areforagedand pollinated at night\",\n \"pollinated at night bybats.Under cultivation, because seed development diminishes fruit quality, pollination is performed by hand, and seeds are retained only forbreeding.InHawaii, where pineapples were cultivated andcannedindustrially throughout the 20th century,importation of hummingbirds was prohibited. The ovaries develop intoberries, which coalesce into a large, compact, multiple fruit. The fruit of a pineapple is usually arranged in two interlockinghelices, often with 8 in one direction and 13 in the other, each being aFibonacci number. The pineapple carries outCAM photosynthesis,fixing carbon dioxide at night and storing it as the acidmalate, then releasing it during the day aiding photosynthesis. Taxonomy The pineapple comprises five botanical varieties, formerly regarded as separate species.The genomes of three varieties, including the wild progenitor varietybracteatus, have been sequenced. History Etymology The first reference in English to the pineapple fruit was the 1568 translation from the\",\n \"from the French ofAndré Thevet'sThe New Found World, or Antarctikewhere he refers to aHoyriri, a fruit cultivated and eaten by theTupinambá people, living near modernRio de Janeiro, and now believed to be a pineapple.Later in the same English translation, he describes the same fruit as a \\\"Nana made in the manner of a Pine apple\\\", where he used anotherTupiwordnanas, meaning 'excellent fruit'.This usage was adopted by many European languages and led to the plant's scientificbinomialAnanas comosus, wherecomosus'tufted' refers to the stem of the plant. Purchas, writing in English in 1613, referred to the fruit asAnanas, but theOxford English Dictionary'sfirst record of the wordpineappleitself by an English writer is by Mandeville in 1714. Precolonial cultivation The wild plant originates from theParaná–Paraguay Riverdrainages between southernBrazilandParaguay.Little is known about its domestication, but it spread as a crop throughout South America. Archaeological evidence of use is found as far back as 1200–800\",\n \"back as 1200–800 BC (3200–2800 BP) in Peruand 200 BC – 700 AD (2200–1300 BP) in Mexico,where it was cultivated by theMayasand theAztecs.By the late 1400s, cropped pineapple was widely distributed and astaple foodof Native Americans. The first European to encounter the pineapple wasChristopher Columbus, inGuadeloupeon 4 November 1493.The Portuguese took the fruit from Brazil and introduced it intoIndiaby 1550.The 'Red Spanish' cultivar was also introduced by the Spanish from Latin America to thePhilippines, and it was grown to producepiñafibers that would then be used to produce textiles from at least the 17th century. Columbus brought the plant back to Spain and called itpiña de Indes, meaning \\\"pine of the Indians\\\". The pineapple was documented in Peter Martyr'sDecades of the New World(1516) andAntonio Pigafetta'sRelazione del primo viaggio intorno al mondo(1524–1525), and the first known illustration was inOviedo'sHistoria General de Las Indias(1535). Old World introduction While the pineapple fascinated\",\n \"fascinated Europeans as a fruit of colonialism,it was not successfully cultivated in Europe untilPieter de la Court(1664–1739) developedgreenhousehorticulture near Leiden.Pineapple plants were distributed from the Netherlands to English gardeners in 1719 and French ones in 1730.In England, the first pineapple was grown atDorney Court,Dorneyin Buckinghamshire, and a huge \\\"pineapple stove\\\" to heat the plants was built at theChelsea Physic Gardenin 1723.In France, KingLouis XVwas presented with a pineapple that had been grown atVersaillesin 1733. In Russia,Peter the Greatimported de la Court's method intoSt. Petersburgin the 1720s; in 1730, twenty pineapple saplings were transported from there to a greenhouse atEmpress Anna's new Moscow palace. Because of the expense of direct import and the enormous cost in equipment and labour required to grow them in a temperate climate, in greenhouses called \\\"pineries\\\",pineapple became a symbol of wealth. They were initially used mainly for display at dinner parties, rather\",\n \"parties, rather than being eaten, and were used again and again until they began to rot.In the second half of the 18th century, the production of the fruit on British estates became the subject of great rivalry between wealthy aristocrats.John Murray, 4th Earl of Dunmore, built a hothouse on his estate surmounted by a huge stonecupola14 metres tall in the shape of the fruit; it is known as theDunmore Pineapple.In architecture, pineapple figures became decorative elements symbolizing hospitality. Since the 19th century: mass commercialization Many different varieties, mostly from the Antilles, were tried for European glasshouse cultivation. The most significant cultivar was \\\"Smooth Cayenne\\\", first imported to France in 1820, then subsequently re-exported to theUnited Kingdomin 1835, and then from UK, the cultivation spread viaHawaiito Australia and Africa. The \\\"Smooth Cayenne\\\" cultivar (and sub-selections or clones of the \\\"Smooth Cayenne\\\") make up for the majority of world pineapple production today.Jams and\",\n \"today.Jams and sweets based on pineapple were imported to Europe from the West Indies, Brazil, and Mexico from an early date. By the early 19th century, fresh pineapples were transported direct from the West Indies in large enough quantities to reduce European prices.Later pineapple production was dominated by the Azores for Europe, and Florida and the Caribbean for North America, because of the short trade routes. The Spanish had introduced the pineapple into Hawaii in the 18th centurywhere it is known as thehala kahiki(\\\"foreignhala\\\"),but the first commercial plantation was established in 1886. The most famous investor wasJames Dole, who moved to Hawaii in 1899and started a 24-hectare (60-acre) pineapple plantation in 1900 which would grow into theDole Food Company.Dole andDel Montebegan growing pineapples on the island ofOahuin 1901 and 1917, respectively, and theMaui Pineapple Companybegan cultivation onMauiin 1909.James Dole began the commercial processing of pineapple, and Dole employee Henry Ginaca\",\n \"Henry Ginaca invented an automatic peeling and coring machine in 1911. Hawaiian production started to decline from the 1970s because of competition and the shift to refrigerated sea transport. Dole ceased its cannery operations inHonoluluin 1991, and in 2008, Del Monte terminated its pineapple-growing operations in Hawaii.In 2009, the Maui Pineapple Company reduced its operations to supply pineapples only locally on Maui,and by 2013, only theDole Plantationon Oahu grew pineapples in a volume of about 0.1 percent of the world's production.Despite this decline, the pineapple is sometimes used as a symbol of Hawaii.Further, foods with pineapple in them are sometimes known as \\\"Hawaiian\\\" for this reason alone. In the Philippines, \\\"Smooth Cayenne\\\" was introduced in the early 1900s by theUS Bureau of Agricultureduring theAmerican colonial period. Dole and Del Monte established plantations in the island ofMindanaoin the 1920s; in the provinces ofCotabatoandBukidnon, respectively.Large scale canning had started in\",\n \"had started in Southeast Asia, including in the Philippines, from 1920. This trade was severely damaged byWorld War II, and Hawaii dominated the international trade until the 1960s. The Philippines remain one of the top exporters of pineapples in the world. The Del Monte plantations are now locally managed, after Del Monte Pacific Ltd., a Filipino company, completed the purchase of Del Monte Foods in 2014. Composition Nutrition Raw pineapple pulp is 86% water, 13%carbohydrates, 0.5%protein, and contains negligiblefat(table). In a 100-gram reference amount, raw pineapple supplies 209 kilojoules (50 kilocalories) offood energy, and is a rich source ofmanganese(40%Daily Value, DV) andvitamin C(53% DV), but otherwise contains nomicronutrientsin significant amounts (table). Phytochemistry Pineapple fruits and peels contain diversephytochemicals, among which arepolyphenols, includinggallic acid,syringic acid,vanillin,ferulic acid,sinapic acid,coumaric acid,chlorogenic acid,epicatechin, andarbutin. Present in all\",\n \"Present in all parts of the pineapple plant,bromelainis a mixture ofproteolyticenzymes. It is present in stem, fruit, crown, core, leaves of pineapple itself.Bromelain is under preliminary research for treatment of a variety of clinical disorders, but has not been adequately defined for its effects in the human body.Bromelain may be unsafe for some users, such as inpregnancy,allergies, oranticoagulationtherapy. Having sufficient bromelain content, raw pineapple juice may be useful as a meatmarinadeandtenderizer.Although pineapple enzymes can interfere with the preparation of some foods or manufactured products, such asgelatin-based desserts orgelcapsules,their proteolytic activity responsible for such properties may be degraded during cooking andcanning. The quantity of bromelain in a typical serving of pineapple fruit is probably not significant, but specificextractioncan yield sufficient quantities fordomesticand industrial processing. Varieties Cultivars Manycultivarsare known.The leaves of the commonly\",\n \"of the commonly grown \\\"Smooth Cayenne\\\" cultivar and its various clones are smooth,and it is the most commonly grown worldwide. Many cultivars have become distributed from its origins inParaguayand the southern part ofBrazil, and later improved stocks were introduced into the Americas, the Azores, Africa, India, Malaysia and Australia.Varieties include: In the US, in 1986, the Pineapple Research Institute was dissolved and its assets divided between Del Monte andMaui Land and Pineapple. Del Monte took cultivar '73–114', dubbed 'MD-2', to its plantations in Costa Rica, found it to be well-suited to growing there, and launched it publicly in 1996 as 'Gold Extra Sweet', while Del Monte also began marketing '73–50', dubbed 'CO-2', as 'Del Monte Gold'.The Maui Pineapple Company began growing variety 73-50 in 1988 and named it Maui Gold.The successor company to MPC, the Hali'imaile Pineapple Company continues to grow Maui Gold on the slopes ofHaleakala. Production In 2022, world production of pineapples was 29\",\n \"pineapples was 29 milliontonnes, led byIndonesia, thePhilippines, andCosta Rica, each producing about 3 million tonnes. Uses Culinary The flesh and juice of the pineapple are used in cuisines around the world. In many tropical countries, pineapple is prepared and sold on roadsides as a snack. It is sold whole or in halves with a stick inserted. Whole, cored slices with acherryin the middle are a common garnish on hams in the West. Chunks of pineapple are used in desserts such as fruit salad, as well as in some savory dishes, including theHawaiian pizza, or as a grilled ring on ahamburger. Traditional dishes that use pineapple includehamonado,afritada,kaeng som pla, andHawaiian haystack. Crushed pineapple is used in yogurt, jam, sweets, and ice cream. The juice of the pineapple is served as a beverage, and it is also the main ingredient incocktailssuch as thepiña coladaand in the drinktepache. In thePhilippines, a traditional jelly-like dessert callednata de piñahas also been produced since the 18th century.\",\n \"the 18th century. It is made by fermenting pineapple juice with the bacteriaKomagataeibacter xylinus. Pineapple vinegar is an ingredient found in bothHonduranandFilipino cuisine, where it is produced locally.InMexico, it is usually made with peels from the whole fruit, rather than the juice; however, inTaiwanese cuisine, it is often produced by blending pineapple juice with grain vinegar. TheEuropean Unionconsumed 50% of the global total for pineapple juice in 2012–2016. TheNetherlandswas the largest importer of pineapple juice inEurope.Thailand,Costa Ricaand theNetherlandsare the major suppliers to the European Union market in 2012–2016.Countries consuming the most pineapple juice in 2017 wereThailand,Indonesiaand thePhilippines, having combined consumption of 47% of the world total. The consumption of pineapple juice inChinaandIndiais low compared to their populations. Textiles The 'Red Spanish' cultivar of pineapples were once extensively cultivated in thePhilippines. The long leaves of the cultivar were\",\n \"the cultivar were the source of traditionalpiñafibers, an adaptation of the native weaving traditions with fibers extracted fromabacá. These were woven into lustrous lace-likenipisfabrics usually decorated with intricate floral embroidery known ascaladoandsombrado. The fabric was a luxury export from the Philippines during the Spanish colonial period and gained favor among European aristocracy in the 18th and 19th centuries. Domestically, they were used to make the traditionalbarong tagalog,baro't saya, andtraje de mestizaclothing of the Filipino upper class, as well as women'skerchiefs(pañuelo). They were favored for their light and breezy quality, which was ideal in the hot tropical climate of the islands. The industry was destroyed in theSecond World Warand is only starting to be revived. Houseplant The varietyA. comosus'Variegatus' is occasionally grown as a houseplant. It needs direct sunlight and thrives at temperatures of 18 to 24 °C (64 to 75 °F), with a minimum winter temperature of 16 °C (61 °F).\",\n \"of 16 °C (61 °F). It should be kept humid, but the soil should be allowed to dry out between waterings. It has almost no resting period but should be repotted each spring until the container reaches 20 centimeters (8 in). Cultivation In commercial farming, flowering can be induced artificially, and the early harvesting of the main fruit can encourage the development of a second crop of smaller fruits. Once removed during cleaning, the top of the pineapple can be planted in soil and a new plant will grow. Slips and suckers are planted commercially. Storage and transport Some buyers prefer green fruit, others ripened or off-green. A plant growth regulator,Ethephon, is typically sprayed onto the fruit one week before harvest, developingethylene, which turns the fruit golden yellow. After cleaning and slicing, a pineapple is typically canned in sugar syrup with added preservative.A pineapple never becomes any riper than it was when harvested since it is anon-climacteric fruit. Ethical and environmental concerns\",\n \"concerns Like mostmodern fruit production, pineapple plantations are highly industrialized operations. In Costa Rica particularly, the pineapple industry uses large amounts of insecticides to protect the crop, which have caused health problems in many workers. These workers often receive little compensation, and are mostly poor migrants, oftenNicaraguan. Workers' wages also decrease every time prices are lowered overseas. In 2016, the government declared that it would be trying to improve the situation, with the help of various other groups. Historically, tropical fruit agriculture, such as for pineapples, has been concentrated in so-called \\\"banana republics\\\". Illegal drug trade Export pineapples from Costa Rica to Europe are often used as a cover fornarcotrafficking, and containers are impounded routinely in both locations. Expansion into protected areas In Costa Rica, pineapple cultivation has expanded into theMaquenque,Corredor Fronterizo,Barra del ColoradoandCaño Negrowildlife refuges, all located in the\",\n \"all located in the north of the country. As those are protected areas and not national parks, limited and restricted sustainable activities are allowed, however pineapple plantations are industrial operations and many of these do not have the proper license to operate in the protected areas, or were started before either the designation of the area, recent regulations or the creation of the environmental regulatory agency (Setena) in 1996. The agency has registers for around 358.5 ha (1.384 sq mi) of pineapple plantations operating within protected areas, but satellite imagery from 2018 reports around 1,659 ha (6.41 sq mi). Pests and diseases Pineapples are subject to a variety of diseases, the most serious of which is wilt disease vectored bymealybugstypically found on the surface of pineapples, but possibly in the closed blossom cups.Other diseases include citruspink disease, bacterial heart rot,anthracnose,fungal heart rot, root rot, black rot, butt rot, fruitlet core rot, and yellow spot virus.Pineapple\",\n \"virus.Pineapple pink disease (not citrus pink disease) is characterized by the fruit developing a brownish to black discoloration when heated during the canning process. The causal agents of pink disease are the bacteriaAcetobacter aceti,Gluconobacter oxydans,PantoeacitreaandTatumella ptyseos. Some pests that commonly affect pineapple plants are scales,thrips, mites, mealybugs, ants, andsymphylids. Heart-rot is the most serious disease affecting pineapple plants. The disease is caused byPhytophthora cinnamomiandP. parasitica, fungi that often affect pineapples grown in wet conditions. Since it is difficult to treat, it is advisable to guard against infection by planting resistant cultivars where these are available; allsuckersthat are required for propagation should be dipped in a fungicide, since the fungus enters through the wounds. See also References Bibliography External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":259,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"What was the population of the province which the town Robat-e Morad is located, in 2016?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"1,429,475"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robat-e_Morad"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markazi_province"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robat-e_Morad', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markazi_province']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robat-e_Morad","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markazi_province"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robat-e_Morad\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markazi_province\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Robat-e Morad Robat-e Morad(Persian:رباطمراد)is a village in, and the capital of,Galehzan Rural Districtof theCentral DistrictofKhomeyn County,Markaziprovince,Iran. Demographics Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, the village's population was 1,738 in 555 households.The following census in 2011 counted 1,688 people in 607 households.The 2016 census measured the population of the village as 1,415 people in 532 households. It was the most populous village in its rural district. See also Iran portal Notes References ThisKhomeyn Countylocation article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.","Markazi province Markazi province(Persian:استان مرکزی)is one of the 31provincesofIran. Its capital is the city ofArak.The present borders of the province date to 1977, when the province was split into the current Markazi andTehranprovinces, with portions being annexed byIsfahan,Semnan, andZanjanprovinces. In 2014, the province was placed inRegion 4. History Markazi Province was part of theMedian Empirein the first millennium BC, which included all of the central and western parts of modern-dayIran. The region is considered to be one of the ancient settlements on theIranian plateau. Numerous remaining ruins testify to the antiquity of this area. In the early centuries of Islam, the name of the area was changed toJibalorKuhestan. By the early 10th century,Khorhehhad become a famous city of Jibal province, followed byTafreshandKhomein. In recent times, the expansion of the North-South railroad (commonly known as thePersian Corridor) and the establishment of major industries have helped boost development in the area. Demographics Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, the province's population was 1,326,826 in 364,155 households.The following census in 2011 counted 1,413,959 people in 426,613 households.The 2016 census measured the population of the province as 1,429,475 in 455,866 households.Persiansmake up the majority of the province,but there are significant minorities ofAzerbaijanis,Kurds,Lurs, etc. Administrative divisions The population history and structural changes of Markazi Province's administrative divisions over three consecutive censuses are shown in the following table. Cities According to the 2016 census, 1,099,764 people (over 76% of the population of Markazi Province) live in the following cities: Colleges and universities Notable people Many figures in Iranian history trace their origins to this province. namely:Mirza Abu'l-Qasem Qa'em-Maqam,Abbas Eqbal Ashtiani,Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Kabir,Mirza Bozorg Qa'em-Maqam,Mahmoud Hessabi,Ayatollah Khomeini,Ayatollah Araki, and many others. Gallery See also Media related toMarkazi Provinceat Wikimedia Commons Notes References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Robat-e Morad Robat-e Morad(Persian:رباطمراد)is a village in, and the capital of,Galehzan Rural Districtof theCentral DistrictofKhomeyn County,Markaziprovince,Iran. Demographics Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, the village's population was 1,738 in 555 households.The following census in 2011 counted 1,688 people in 607 households.The 2016 census measured the population of the village as 1,415 people in 532 households. It was the most populous village in its rural district. See also Iran portal Notes References ThisKhomeyn Countylocation article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.\",\n \"Markazi province Markazi province(Persian:استان مرکزی)is one of the 31provincesofIran. Its capital is the city ofArak.The present borders of the province date to 1977, when the province was split into the current Markazi andTehranprovinces, with portions being annexed byIsfahan,Semnan, andZanjanprovinces. In 2014, the province was placed inRegion 4. History Markazi Province was part of theMedian Empirein the first millennium BC, which included all of the central and western parts of modern-dayIran. The region is considered to be one of the ancient settlements on theIranian plateau. Numerous remaining ruins testify to the antiquity of this area. In the early centuries of Islam, the name of the area was changed toJibalorKuhestan. By the early 10th century,Khorhehhad become a famous city of Jibal province, followed byTafreshandKhomein. In recent times, the expansion of the North-South railroad (commonly known as thePersian Corridor) and the establishment of major industries have helped boost development in the area. Demographics Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, the province's population was 1,326,826 in 364,155 households.The following census in 2011 counted 1,413,959 people in 426,613 households.The 2016 census measured the population of the province as 1,429,475 in 455,866 households.Persiansmake up the majority of the province,but there are significant minorities ofAzerbaijanis,Kurds,Lurs, etc. Administrative divisions The population history and structural changes of Markazi Province's administrative divisions over three consecutive censuses are shown in the following table. Cities According to the 2016 census, 1,099,764 people (over 76% of the population of Markazi Province) live in the following cities: Colleges and universities Notable people Many figures in Iranian history trace their origins to this province. namely:Mirza Abu'l-Qasem Qa'em-Maqam,Abbas Eqbal Ashtiani,Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Kabir,Mirza Bozorg Qa'em-Maqam,Mahmoud Hessabi,Ayatollah Khomeini,Ayatollah Araki, and many others. Gallery See also Media related toMarkazi Provinceat Wikimedia Commons Notes References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Robat-e Morad Robat-e Morad(Persian:رباطمراد)is a village in, and the capital of,Galehzan Rural Districtof theCentral DistrictofKhomeyn County,Markaziprovince,Iran. Demographics Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, the village's population was 1,738 in 555 households.The following census in 2011 counted 1,688 people in 607 households.The 2016 census measured the population of the village as 1,415 people in 532 households. It was the most populous village in its rural district. See also Iran portal Notes References ThisKhomeyn Countylocation article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.","Markazi province Markazi province(Persian:استان مرکزی)is one of the 31provincesofIran. Its capital is the city ofArak.The present borders of the province date to 1977, when the province was split into the current Markazi andTehranprovinces, with portions being annexed byIsfahan,Semnan, andZanjanprovinces. In 2014, the province was placed inRegion 4. History Markazi Province was part of theMedian Empirein the first millennium BC, which included all of the central and western parts of modern-dayIran. The region is considered to be one of the ancient settlements on theIranian plateau. Numerous remaining ruins testify to the antiquity of this area. In the early centuries of Islam, the name of the area was changed toJibalorKuhestan. By the early 10th century,Khorhehhad become a famous city of Jibal province, followed byTafreshandKhomein. In recent times, the expansion of the North-South railroad (commonly known as thePersian Corridor) and the establishment of major industries have helped boost development in the","development in the area. Demographics Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, the province's population was 1,326,826 in 364,155 households.The following census in 2011 counted 1,413,959 people in 426,613 households.The 2016 census measured the population of the province as 1,429,475 in 455,866 households.Persiansmake up the majority of the province,but there are significant minorities ofAzerbaijanis,Kurds,Lurs, etc. Administrative divisions The population history and structural changes of Markazi Province's administrative divisions over three consecutive censuses are shown in the following table. Cities According to the 2016 census, 1,099,764 people (over 76% of the population of Markazi Province) live in the following cities: Colleges and universities Notable people Many figures in Iranian history trace their origins to this province. namely:Mirza Abu'l-Qasem Qa'em-Maqam,Abbas Eqbal Ashtiani,Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Kabir,Mirza Bozorg Qa'em-Maqam,Mahmoud Hessabi,Ayatollah Khomeini,Ayatollah Araki,","Araki, and many others. Gallery See also Media related toMarkazi Provinceat Wikimedia Commons Notes References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Robat-e Morad Robat-e Morad(Persian:رباطمراد)is a village in, and the capital of,Galehzan Rural Districtof theCentral DistrictofKhomeyn County,Markaziprovince,Iran. Demographics Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, the village's population was 1,738 in 555 households.The following census in 2011 counted 1,688 people in 607 households.The 2016 census measured the population of the village as 1,415 people in 532 households. It was the most populous village in its rural district. See also Iran portal Notes References ThisKhomeyn Countylocation article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.\",\n \"Markazi province Markazi province(Persian:استان مرکزی)is one of the 31provincesofIran. Its capital is the city ofArak.The present borders of the province date to 1977, when the province was split into the current Markazi andTehranprovinces, with portions being annexed byIsfahan,Semnan, andZanjanprovinces. In 2014, the province was placed inRegion 4. History Markazi Province was part of theMedian Empirein the first millennium BC, which included all of the central and western parts of modern-dayIran. The region is considered to be one of the ancient settlements on theIranian plateau. Numerous remaining ruins testify to the antiquity of this area. In the early centuries of Islam, the name of the area was changed toJibalorKuhestan. By the early 10th century,Khorhehhad become a famous city of Jibal province, followed byTafreshandKhomein. In recent times, the expansion of the North-South railroad (commonly known as thePersian Corridor) and the establishment of major industries have helped boost development in the\",\n \"development in the area. Demographics Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, the province's population was 1,326,826 in 364,155 households.The following census in 2011 counted 1,413,959 people in 426,613 households.The 2016 census measured the population of the province as 1,429,475 in 455,866 households.Persiansmake up the majority of the province,but there are significant minorities ofAzerbaijanis,Kurds,Lurs, etc. Administrative divisions The population history and structural changes of Markazi Province's administrative divisions over three consecutive censuses are shown in the following table. Cities According to the 2016 census, 1,099,764 people (over 76% of the population of Markazi Province) live in the following cities: Colleges and universities Notable people Many figures in Iranian history trace their origins to this province. namely:Mirza Abu'l-Qasem Qa'em-Maqam,Abbas Eqbal Ashtiani,Mirza Taqi Khan Amir Kabir,Mirza Bozorg Qa'em-Maqam,Mahmoud Hessabi,Ayatollah Khomeini,Ayatollah Araki,\",\n \"Araki, and many others. Gallery See also Media related toMarkazi Provinceat Wikimedia Commons Notes References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":260,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Which of these statements is true as of August 3rd, 2024? a) 221 Eos is roughly double the diameter of 1844 Susilva. b) 1844 Susilva is roughly double the diameter of 221 Eos. c) 221 Eos's diameter is roughly 150% of the diameter of 1844 Susilva. d) 1844 Susilva's diameter is roughly 20% the diameter of 221 Eos. "},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"d) 1844 Susilva's diameter is roughly 20% the diameter of 221 Eos."},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1844_Susilva"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/221_Eos"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1844_Susilva', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/221_Eos']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1844_Susilva","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/221_Eos"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1844_Susilva\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/221_Eos\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["1844 Susilva 1844 Susilva, provisional designation1972 UB, is a stony Eoanasteroidfrom the outer region of theasteroid belt, approximately 22 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 30 October 1972, by Swiss astronomerPaul WildatZimmerwald Observatorynear Bern, Switzerland, and later named after a schoolfriend of the discoverer. Classification and orbit Susilvais a member of theEos family, a collisional group of more than 4,000 asteroids, which are well known for mostly being ofsilicaceouscomposition. It orbits the Sun in theoutermain-belt at a distance of 2.9–3.2AUonce every 5 years and 3 months (1,912 days). Its orbit has aneccentricityof 0.05 and aninclinationof 12°with respect to theecliptic.First identified as1943 EUatTurku Observatory,Susilva's first used observation was taken atUccle Observatoryin 1953, extending the body'sobservation arcby 19 years prior to its official discovery observation. Physical characteristics According to the survey carried out by NASA'sWide-field Infrared Survey Explorerwith its subsequentNEOWISEmission, the asteroid measures between 19.0 and 26.8 kilometers in diameter, and its surface has analbedoof 0.118 to 0.236.TheCollaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Linkassumes an albedo of 0.14, taken from221 Eos, the family's largest member and namesake – and calculates a diameter of 22.4 kilometers based on an absolutemagnitudeof 11.0.Susilva'srotation periodhas not yet been measured. Naming The discoverer named a pair of asteroids after two of his former schoolmates, Susi and Helen, both from the small village ofWald, Zürichin Switzerland. This one was dedicated to Susi Petit–Pierre, while the subsequently numbered asteroid,1845 Helewalda, was given to Helen Gachnang.The officialnaming citationwas published by theMinor Planet Centeron 18 April 1977 (M.P.C.4156). References External links","221 Eos 221 Eosis a largemain-beltasteroidthat was discovered by Austrian astronomerJohann Palisaon January 18, 1882, inVienna. In 1884, it was named afterEos, theGreekgoddess of the dawn, to honour the opening of a newobservatorythat was hoped to bring about a new dawn for Viennese astronomy. The asteroid is orbiting theSunwith asemimajor axisof3.01AU, aperiodof 5.22 years, and aneccentricityof 0.1. Theorbital planeis inclined by 10.9° to theplane of the ecliptic. It has a mean cross-section of 104 km,and is spinning with arotation periodof 10.4 hours. Based upon its spectral characteristics, this object is classified as aK-type asteroid. The orbital properties show it to be a member of the extensiveEos asteroid family, which is named after it.The spectral properties of the asteroid suggest it may have come from apartially differentiatedparent body. References External links This article about an asteroid native to theasteroid beltis astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it."],"string":"[\n \"1844 Susilva 1844 Susilva, provisional designation1972 UB, is a stony Eoanasteroidfrom the outer region of theasteroid belt, approximately 22 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 30 October 1972, by Swiss astronomerPaul WildatZimmerwald Observatorynear Bern, Switzerland, and later named after a schoolfriend of the discoverer. Classification and orbit Susilvais a member of theEos family, a collisional group of more than 4,000 asteroids, which are well known for mostly being ofsilicaceouscomposition. It orbits the Sun in theoutermain-belt at a distance of 2.9–3.2AUonce every 5 years and 3 months (1,912 days). Its orbit has aneccentricityof 0.05 and aninclinationof 12°with respect to theecliptic.First identified as1943 EUatTurku Observatory,Susilva's first used observation was taken atUccle Observatoryin 1953, extending the body'sobservation arcby 19 years prior to its official discovery observation. Physical characteristics According to the survey carried out by NASA'sWide-field Infrared Survey Explorerwith its subsequentNEOWISEmission, the asteroid measures between 19.0 and 26.8 kilometers in diameter, and its surface has analbedoof 0.118 to 0.236.TheCollaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Linkassumes an albedo of 0.14, taken from221 Eos, the family's largest member and namesake – and calculates a diameter of 22.4 kilometers based on an absolutemagnitudeof 11.0.Susilva'srotation periodhas not yet been measured. Naming The discoverer named a pair of asteroids after two of his former schoolmates, Susi and Helen, both from the small village ofWald, Zürichin Switzerland. This one was dedicated to Susi Petit–Pierre, while the subsequently numbered asteroid,1845 Helewalda, was given to Helen Gachnang.The officialnaming citationwas published by theMinor Planet Centeron 18 April 1977 (M.P.C.4156). References External links\",\n \"221 Eos 221 Eosis a largemain-beltasteroidthat was discovered by Austrian astronomerJohann Palisaon January 18, 1882, inVienna. In 1884, it was named afterEos, theGreekgoddess of the dawn, to honour the opening of a newobservatorythat was hoped to bring about a new dawn for Viennese astronomy. The asteroid is orbiting theSunwith asemimajor axisof3.01AU, aperiodof 5.22 years, and aneccentricityof 0.1. Theorbital planeis inclined by 10.9° to theplane of the ecliptic. It has a mean cross-section of 104 km,and is spinning with arotation periodof 10.4 hours. Based upon its spectral characteristics, this object is classified as aK-type asteroid. The orbital properties show it to be a member of the extensiveEos asteroid family, which is named after it.The spectral properties of the asteroid suggest it may have come from apartially differentiatedparent body. References External links This article about an asteroid native to theasteroid beltis astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["1844 Susilva 1844 Susilva, provisional designation1972 UB, is a stony Eoanasteroidfrom the outer region of theasteroid belt, approximately 22 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 30 October 1972, by Swiss astronomerPaul WildatZimmerwald Observatorynear Bern, Switzerland, and later named after a schoolfriend of the discoverer. Classification and orbit Susilvais a member of theEos family, a collisional group of more than 4,000 asteroids, which are well known for mostly being ofsilicaceouscomposition. It orbits the Sun in theoutermain-belt at a distance of 2.9–3.2AUonce every 5 years and 3 months (1,912 days). Its orbit has aneccentricityof 0.05 and aninclinationof 12°with respect to theecliptic.First identified as1943 EUatTurku Observatory,Susilva's first used observation was taken atUccle Observatoryin 1953, extending the body'sobservation arcby 19 years prior to its official discovery observation. Physical characteristics According to the survey carried out by NASA'sWide-field Infrared Survey","Infrared Survey Explorerwith its subsequentNEOWISEmission, the asteroid measures between 19.0 and 26.8 kilometers in diameter, and its surface has analbedoof 0.118 to 0.236.TheCollaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Linkassumes an albedo of 0.14, taken from221 Eos, the family's largest member and namesake – and calculates a diameter of 22.4 kilometers based on an absolutemagnitudeof 11.0.Susilva'srotation periodhas not yet been measured. Naming The discoverer named a pair of asteroids after two of his former schoolmates, Susi and Helen, both from the small village ofWald, Zürichin Switzerland. This one was dedicated to Susi Petit–Pierre, while the subsequently numbered asteroid,1845 Helewalda, was given to Helen Gachnang.The officialnaming citationwas published by theMinor Planet Centeron 18 April 1977 (M.P.C.4156). References External links","221 Eos 221 Eosis a largemain-beltasteroidthat was discovered by Austrian astronomerJohann Palisaon January 18, 1882, inVienna. In 1884, it was named afterEos, theGreekgoddess of the dawn, to honour the opening of a newobservatorythat was hoped to bring about a new dawn for Viennese astronomy. The asteroid is orbiting theSunwith asemimajor axisof3.01AU, aperiodof 5.22 years, and aneccentricityof 0.1. Theorbital planeis inclined by 10.9° to theplane of the ecliptic. It has a mean cross-section of 104 km,and is spinning with arotation periodof 10.4 hours. Based upon its spectral characteristics, this object is classified as aK-type asteroid. The orbital properties show it to be a member of the extensiveEos asteroid family, which is named after it.The spectral properties of the asteroid suggest it may have come from apartially differentiatedparent body. References External links This article about an asteroid native to theasteroid beltis astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it."],"string":"[\n \"1844 Susilva 1844 Susilva, provisional designation1972 UB, is a stony Eoanasteroidfrom the outer region of theasteroid belt, approximately 22 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 30 October 1972, by Swiss astronomerPaul WildatZimmerwald Observatorynear Bern, Switzerland, and later named after a schoolfriend of the discoverer. Classification and orbit Susilvais a member of theEos family, a collisional group of more than 4,000 asteroids, which are well known for mostly being ofsilicaceouscomposition. It orbits the Sun in theoutermain-belt at a distance of 2.9–3.2AUonce every 5 years and 3 months (1,912 days). Its orbit has aneccentricityof 0.05 and aninclinationof 12°with respect to theecliptic.First identified as1943 EUatTurku Observatory,Susilva's first used observation was taken atUccle Observatoryin 1953, extending the body'sobservation arcby 19 years prior to its official discovery observation. Physical characteristics According to the survey carried out by NASA'sWide-field Infrared Survey\",\n \"Infrared Survey Explorerwith its subsequentNEOWISEmission, the asteroid measures between 19.0 and 26.8 kilometers in diameter, and its surface has analbedoof 0.118 to 0.236.TheCollaborative Asteroid Lightcurve Linkassumes an albedo of 0.14, taken from221 Eos, the family's largest member and namesake – and calculates a diameter of 22.4 kilometers based on an absolutemagnitudeof 11.0.Susilva'srotation periodhas not yet been measured. Naming The discoverer named a pair of asteroids after two of his former schoolmates, Susi and Helen, both from the small village ofWald, Zürichin Switzerland. This one was dedicated to Susi Petit–Pierre, while the subsequently numbered asteroid,1845 Helewalda, was given to Helen Gachnang.The officialnaming citationwas published by theMinor Planet Centeron 18 April 1977 (M.P.C.4156). References External links\",\n \"221 Eos 221 Eosis a largemain-beltasteroidthat was discovered by Austrian astronomerJohann Palisaon January 18, 1882, inVienna. In 1884, it was named afterEos, theGreekgoddess of the dawn, to honour the opening of a newobservatorythat was hoped to bring about a new dawn for Viennese astronomy. The asteroid is orbiting theSunwith asemimajor axisof3.01AU, aperiodof 5.22 years, and aneccentricityof 0.1. Theorbital planeis inclined by 10.9° to theplane of the ecliptic. It has a mean cross-section of 104 km,and is spinning with arotation periodof 10.4 hours. Based upon its spectral characteristics, this object is classified as aK-type asteroid. The orbital properties show it to be a member of the extensiveEos asteroid family, which is named after it.The spectral properties of the asteroid suggest it may have come from apartially differentiatedparent body. References External links This article about an asteroid native to theasteroid beltis astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":261,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"In 1966, the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge became part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). What is another natural site with water added during that year, also located in California?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Lake Merritt"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Mission_Dam"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecos_National_Historical_Park"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden_Pond"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_Island_Historic_District"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Bishop%27s_House"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Burbank_Home_and_Gardens"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Mission_Dam', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecos_National_Historical_Park', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden_Pond', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_Island_Historic_District', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Bishop%27s_House', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Burbank_Home_and_Gardens']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Mission_Dam","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecos_National_Historical_Park","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden_Pond","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_Island_Historic_District","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Bishop%27s_House","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Burbank_Home_and_Gardens"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Mission_Dam\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecos_National_Historical_Park\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden_Pond\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_Island_Historic_District\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Bishop%27s_House\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Burbank_Home_and_Gardens\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Old Mission Dam Old Mission Damis a historic water impoundment structure inMission Trails Regional ParkinSan Diego, California. It was built in 1803 to impound theSan Diego Riverto provide water forirrigationof the fields associated withMission San Diego de Alcalá, the first Spanish mission in what is now the US state of California. It was the first major colonial-era irrigation project on the Pacific coast of the United States.The surviving remnant of the dam was designated aNational Historic Landmarkin 1963. Description and history Old Mission Dam is located about 5 miles (8.0 km) northeast of the site ofMission San Diego de Alcalá, in the hills northeast of San Diego. It spans theSan Diego River, which was historically a seasonal body of water which dried out in the summer. The dam is built out of stone and cement, and was 220 ft long (67 m), 13 ft wide (4.0 m) at its base and 12 ft high (3.7 m) as originally built. The dam created a body of water behind it, which would undergo controlled releases when the river otherwise ran dry. A tile channel to the mission fields was also built, in order to minimize water loss in the sandy soil, but only fragments of this work still survive. Mission San Diego de Alcalá was founded in 1769 by FatherJunipero Serra, and was moved to its present surviving site in 1774. By 1800, the mission was a thriving community with 1,500 Christianized Native Americans. The mission suffered three years of drought in 1800-1802, which likely prompted construction of the irrigation project. The works probably reached their greatest extent in 1817, including the tiled aqueduct and other features lost to time and vandalism. The dam and aqueduct were reported to be in ruins in 1867, but the dam was repaired in 1874 and again put to use for a time. The dam is now part ofMission Trails Regional Park, the largest municipal park in California. Old Mission Dam is also a registered state historic landmark. See also References","Pecos National Historical Park Pecos National Historical Parkis a United StatesNational Historical ParkinSan Miguel County, New Mexico. The park, operated by theNational Park Service, encompasses thousands of acres of landscape infused with historical elements from prehistoric archaeological ruins to 19th-century ranches, to a battlefield of theAmerican Civil War. Its largest single feature isPecos Puebloalso known asCicuye Pueblo, a Native American community abandoned in historic times. First a state monument in 1935, it was madePecos National Monumentin 1965, and greatly enlarged and renamed in 1990. Two sites within the park, the pueblo and theGlorieta Pass Battlefield, areNational Historic Landmarks. Features Pecos National Historical Park's main unit is located in western San Miguel County,about 17 miles (27 km) east ofSanta Feand just south ofPecos. Pecos Pueblo The main unit of the park preserves the ruins of PecosPueblo, known historically as Cicuye (sometimes spelled Ciquique), the \"village of 500 warriors\".The first Pecos pueblo was one of two dozen rock-and-mud villages built in the valley around AD 1100 in the prehistoricPueblo II Era. Within 350 years thePueblo IV EraPecos village had grown to house more than 2,000 people in its five-storied complex. The people who lived at Cicuye/Pecos Pueblo spoke theTowa language.The Pecos people enjoyed a rich culture with inventive architecture and beautiful crafts. They also possessed an elaborate religious life, evidenced by the remains of over 20 ceremonial subterranean kivas. Some of the kivas have diameters as large as 40 feet and are 10 feet deep,accessed by wooden ladders. Farming was a main part of their diet and staple crops included the usual beans, corn, and squash. Their location, power and ability to supply goods made the Pecos a major trade center in the eastern part of the Puebloan territory, connecting the Pueblos to the Plains cultures such as the Comanche.There are seven distinct periods of their occupancy beginning with the Preceramic Period (11,500 B.C.E. - 600 C.E.)Ancestral PuebloanPaleo-Indians. Emigration of Pecos people to other areas, encroachment of Hispanic settlers in the area, outbreaks ofsmallpox, and problems withPlains Indianscaused the site to decline. The last 17 (or 20) inhabitants abandoned Pecos Pueblo in 1838, moving to theJemez Pueblo, the only other Pueblo which spoke the Towa language. The historical Pecos people produced, used or traded seven types of ceramic ware during their occupancy of the area. These are known as Rio Grande Greyware (plain and corrugated), Pajarito White Ware,Rio Grande Glaze Ware, Historic polychromes, Historic plain ware, White Mountain Red Ware, and Plains Apache Ware. Many of these were decorated with black, red or polychrome designs. Spanish mission The main unit of the park also protects the remains ofMission Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Porciúncula de los Pecos, aSpanish missionnear the pueblo built in the early 17th century. A 1.25-mile (2 km) self-guiding trail begins at the nearby visitor center and winds through the ruins of Pecos Pueblo and the mission church. Pecos was visited by expeditionaries withFrancisco Vásquez de Coronadoin 1540. The Spanish mission church was built in 1619. A traditionalkivawas built in front of the church during thePueblo Revoltin 1680 as a rejection of the Christian religion brought by Spanish colonists. However, when the Spanish returned in 1692, the Pecos community stayed on friendly terms with them, and a new, smaller church was built in 1717. Forked Lightning Ranch Another part of the park is the Forked Lightning Ranch, a cattle ranch established in the 1920s byTex Austin, a famous producer ofrodeos. It was headquartered at the Kozlowski's Stage Stop and Tavern, a stagecoach stop on the Santa Fe Trail that had also served as a Union forces encampment before the Battle of Glorieta Pass. It was only a cattle ranch for a time before Austin converted it into adude ranchwhich he promoted to Easterners. The main ranch was designed byJohn Gaw Meemin thePueblo Revival styleof architecture. Austin's heavily mortgaged endeavour failed, closing in 1933. In 1936 the ranch again became a working cattle ranch, and in 1941 it was purchased byBuddy Fogelson, a Texas oilman who married actressGreer Garson. After her husband died, Garson sold her share of the park in 1991 to a conservation group, which donated it to the Park Service. Old Santa Fe Trail Portions of the historicSanta Fe Trailrun through all units of the park. This rutted wagon trail was one of the major routes by which the American Southwest grew in the 19th century. Glorieta Pass Battlefield TheBattle of Glorieta Passwas fought March 26–28, 1862 in the mountain pass west of Pecos Pueblo, along the route of the Old Santa Fe Trail. Confederate forces were en route to take Union-controlledFort Union, and were fought to a standoff by militia raised in the New Mexico and Colorado Territories. Although parts of the battlefield have been compromised by highway construction, two sections of the battlefield have been preserved by the Park Service on either side of the pass. Public access to these units is limited by the National Park Service. Administrative history Pecos Pueblo and an area of 341 acres (138 ha) was acquired by the state and preserved as a state monument in 1935. In 1965, PresidentLyndon Johnsonestablished Pecos National Monument over the same area, and control was turned over the Park Service. In 1990 the main unit of the park was expanded to more than 6,000 acres (24 km2), including a large area of ranchland and archaeologically sensitive landscapes.The two units of the Glorieta Pass Battlefield were formally added to the park in 1993. Climate According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, the area has anoceanic climate, abbreviated \"Cfb\" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded was 100 °F (37.8 °C) on June 26, 1994 and July 18, 2023, while the coldest temperature recorded was −29 °F (−33.9 °C) on February 1, 1951. See also References External links","Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Walden_Pond (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b95138e50>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))","Seal Island Historic District TheSeal Island Historic Districtis aNational Historic Landmark Districtlocated on the islands ofSt. GeorgeandSt. Paulin thePribilof Islandsin theBering SeaofAlaska. These islands are home tonorthern fur sealherds which were actively hunted by indigenous populations and later by many nationalities. These islands of the Pribilofs are also the southern end of the range of thepolar bear, (Ursus maritimus) TheNorth Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911signed by the United Kingdom, Japan, Russia and the United States limited hunting of the seals on these islands; this international treaty was one of the first conservation treaties, and set the stage for subsequent treaties. History The Pribilof Islands were discovered by Russian fur hunters in 1786, and in the following years a number of small villages for hunting and processing seals were established, including ones at the sites of the present-daySt. GeorgeandSt. Paul. After theRussian American Companywas granted an exclusive monopoly on fur in the area, these villages were largely consolidated. The Company continued to exploit the seal population until the area wassold to the United Statesin 1867. The area was then administered by the United States government, with leases authorizing private companies to exploit the herd. By the early 20th century, the seal population had fallen dramatically, from an estimated millions to under 300,000. Due to the lucrative nature of the industry, the Kingdoms of Russia, Japan, United Kingdom, and the United States agreed to a moratorium on seal fishing in theNorth Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911. The seal population had significantly recovered by the 1920s, and was around 1.5 million in 1952. The Convention expired in 1985, bringing an effective end to the seal hunting industry. The area is now part of theAlaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, and the herd is generally subject only to subsistence hunting by the nativeAleutpopulation.Although no longer commercially hunted, the seal population has been decreasing recently, possibly due to huge amounts of debris that has washed up on the islands. Landmark areas Three areas of Saint Paul and Saint George were designated aNational Historic Landmark Districtin 1962, and listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1966. On Saint George, the district includes a strip of land on the north shore, encompassing historic elements of the city of St. George, and extending east to a rookery and historic kill site area. On Saint Paul, the historic portion of the main city are included in the district, as is most of the northeastern triangular peninsula ending at North Point, where major rookeries are located. About 10% of the land area of Saint Paul Island is included in the district. In both cities, historic structures include industrial processing facilities as well as worker housing. The Russian Orthodox churches in the two communities,Sts. Peter and Paul Churchin St. Paul andSt. George the Great Martyr Orthodox Churchin St. George, also contribute to the area's historic significance and are separately listed on the National Register. The rookery area on St. George includes the remains of one of the early Russian-built villages, Staraya Atil. On Saint Paul the district includes nine separate rookery areas and five historic village sites. See also References","Russian Bishop's House TheRussian Bishop's House(Russian:Русский Архиерейский Дом), once theRussian Mission Orphanage(Russian:Российская Миссия Орфанадж), is a historic house museum andNational Historic Landmarkat Lincoln and Monastery Streets inSitka, Alaska. Built in 1841–43, this log structure is one of the oldest surviving buildings ofRussian America, and was one of the centerpieces of theRussian Orthodoxchurch's efforts to spread its influence among the natives of Alaska. It was the home and administrative center ofIvan Veniaminov, the first Bishop of Alaska, later canonized asInnocent of Alaska. The house is now a unit ofSitka National Historical Park, and is administered by theNational Park Service. Description The Russian Bishop's House is a two-story log structure, measuring about 42 by 63 feet (13 m × 19 m). It is divided into nine bays, each measuring about 7 feet (2.1 m) (onesazhen) square, and covered by a hip roof. The east and west ends of the building are further extended by shed-roof \"galleries\" that are 14 feet (4.3 m) wide, which historically provided space for stairwells, storage, latrines, and entrances. The exterior has undergone a number of alterations since construction. The south facade was sheathed in clapboarding c. 1851, and the galleries were roofed in metal around that time. In 1887 the galleries were sheathed in board-and-batten siding. The interior was repeatedly altered over the decades, and underwent a major restoration once the property was acquired by theNational Park Service1973. Secondary buildings The property on which the Bishop's House stands includes two secondary buildings associated with the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church. East of the main house stands the Old School, a two-story wood-frame structure built in 1897 to provide a kindergarten and girls' school. House 105 is a1+1⁄2-story wood-frame structure which stands facing Monastery Street. It was originally on a separate parcel of land, and was apparently moved to its present location in the 1950s. History The Russian Bishop's House was built between 1841 and 1843 by Finnish laborers brought in by theRussian American Company, to provide housing for ReverendIvan Veniaminov, who had been appointed the first Bishop of Alaska by the Russian Orthodox Church. From his seat in Sitka, Veniaminov oversaw the spread of Orthodox missionary and educational work to the indigenous peoples of southern Alaska, nearly doubling the number of Orthodox worshippers in the region between 1841 and 1860. Missionary efforts were continued after the United Statespurchased Alaskain 1867 and were only significantly cut back after funding cuts in the wake of theRussian Revolutionin 1917. The seat of the Russian diocese was relocated toSan Franciscoin 1872, and the Bishop's House was repurposed to provide housing quarters for priests. Its first floor also served as an inn for a time. In 1903 a bishop was once again assigned to a district with its seat at Sitka. For most of the 20th century, the upper floors housed a chapel and the quarters of the bishop, while the ground floor was used in a variety of ways. In the 1920s it housed a printing operation that produced, in addition to church publications, theSitka Sunand theSitka Tribune. The Old School was used as a church school building until 1922, and as a public school thereafter. House 105, while not of architectural note, was used as a church rental property for many years, and is one of the oldest buildings in Sitka. The property was designated aNational Historic Landmarkin 1962, and was listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesas the \"Russian Mission Orphanage\" in 1966, reflecting its major function at that time. The National Register designation was altered to \"Russian Bishop's House\" in 1980. The Russian Bishop's House is now owned and managed by theNational Park Serviceas a unit ofSitka National Historical Park. It is open to the public on ranger-guided tours. See also References","Luther Burbank Home and Gardens Luther Burbank Home and Gardensis a city park containing the former home, greenhouse, gardens, and grave of noted AmericanhorticulturistLuther Burbank(1849-1926). It is located at the intersection of Santa Rosa Avenue and Sonoma Avenue inSanta Rosa, California, in theUnited States. The park is open daily without charge; a fee is charged for guided tours. It is designated as aNational Historic Landmarkas well as aCalifornia Historical Landmark (#234). History Burbank lived in Santa Rosa for more than 50 years, and performed the bulk of his life's work at this location. From 1884 to 1906 he lived in this park'sGreek Revivalhouse; he then moved across Tupper street to a house that no longer exists.After Burbank's death in 1926, his widow Elizabeth moved back to the house, where she remained until her death in 1977. Burbank, a native ofMassachusetts, was a nationally known figure who was responsible for creating many new varieties of plants. He is credited with introducing more than 250 new varieties offruit, including a large number ofplumvarieties that are widely used in agriculture. A portion of the property was declared aNational Historic Landmarkin 1964.The site is included in the officialSanta Rosa historic landmarksand the Sonoma County Historical Society list of landmarks. Gardens The gardens include many of Burbank's horticultural introductions, with collections ofcactus,fruittrees, ornamentalgrasses, medicinalherbs,roses, andwalnuts. Most plants are labeled with botanic and common names. The garden's greenhouse was designed and built by Burbank in 1889; Burbank's grave is nearby, underneath aCedar of Lebanon. See also References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Old Mission Dam Old Mission Damis a historic water impoundment structure inMission Trails Regional ParkinSan Diego, California. It was built in 1803 to impound theSan Diego Riverto provide water forirrigationof the fields associated withMission San Diego de Alcalá, the first Spanish mission in what is now the US state of California. It was the first major colonial-era irrigation project on the Pacific coast of the United States.The surviving remnant of the dam was designated aNational Historic Landmarkin 1963. Description and history Old Mission Dam is located about 5 miles (8.0 km) northeast of the site ofMission San Diego de Alcalá, in the hills northeast of San Diego. It spans theSan Diego River, which was historically a seasonal body of water which dried out in the summer. The dam is built out of stone and cement, and was 220 ft long (67 m), 13 ft wide (4.0 m) at its base and 12 ft high (3.7 m) as originally built. The dam created a body of water behind it, which would undergo controlled releases when the river otherwise ran dry. A tile channel to the mission fields was also built, in order to minimize water loss in the sandy soil, but only fragments of this work still survive. Mission San Diego de Alcalá was founded in 1769 by FatherJunipero Serra, and was moved to its present surviving site in 1774. By 1800, the mission was a thriving community with 1,500 Christianized Native Americans. The mission suffered three years of drought in 1800-1802, which likely prompted construction of the irrigation project. The works probably reached their greatest extent in 1817, including the tiled aqueduct and other features lost to time and vandalism. The dam and aqueduct were reported to be in ruins in 1867, but the dam was repaired in 1874 and again put to use for a time. The dam is now part ofMission Trails Regional Park, the largest municipal park in California. Old Mission Dam is also a registered state historic landmark. See also References\",\n \"Pecos National Historical Park Pecos National Historical Parkis a United StatesNational Historical ParkinSan Miguel County, New Mexico. The park, operated by theNational Park Service, encompasses thousands of acres of landscape infused with historical elements from prehistoric archaeological ruins to 19th-century ranches, to a battlefield of theAmerican Civil War. Its largest single feature isPecos Puebloalso known asCicuye Pueblo, a Native American community abandoned in historic times. First a state monument in 1935, it was madePecos National Monumentin 1965, and greatly enlarged and renamed in 1990. Two sites within the park, the pueblo and theGlorieta Pass Battlefield, areNational Historic Landmarks. Features Pecos National Historical Park's main unit is located in western San Miguel County,about 17 miles (27 km) east ofSanta Feand just south ofPecos. Pecos Pueblo The main unit of the park preserves the ruins of PecosPueblo, known historically as Cicuye (sometimes spelled Ciquique), the \\\"village of 500 warriors\\\".The first Pecos pueblo was one of two dozen rock-and-mud villages built in the valley around AD 1100 in the prehistoricPueblo II Era. Within 350 years thePueblo IV EraPecos village had grown to house more than 2,000 people in its five-storied complex. The people who lived at Cicuye/Pecos Pueblo spoke theTowa language.The Pecos people enjoyed a rich culture with inventive architecture and beautiful crafts. They also possessed an elaborate religious life, evidenced by the remains of over 20 ceremonial subterranean kivas. Some of the kivas have diameters as large as 40 feet and are 10 feet deep,accessed by wooden ladders. Farming was a main part of their diet and staple crops included the usual beans, corn, and squash. Their location, power and ability to supply goods made the Pecos a major trade center in the eastern part of the Puebloan territory, connecting the Pueblos to the Plains cultures such as the Comanche.There are seven distinct periods of their occupancy beginning with the Preceramic Period (11,500 B.C.E. - 600 C.E.)Ancestral PuebloanPaleo-Indians. Emigration of Pecos people to other areas, encroachment of Hispanic settlers in the area, outbreaks ofsmallpox, and problems withPlains Indianscaused the site to decline. The last 17 (or 20) inhabitants abandoned Pecos Pueblo in 1838, moving to theJemez Pueblo, the only other Pueblo which spoke the Towa language. The historical Pecos people produced, used or traded seven types of ceramic ware during their occupancy of the area. These are known as Rio Grande Greyware (plain and corrugated), Pajarito White Ware,Rio Grande Glaze Ware, Historic polychromes, Historic plain ware, White Mountain Red Ware, and Plains Apache Ware. Many of these were decorated with black, red or polychrome designs. Spanish mission The main unit of the park also protects the remains ofMission Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Porciúncula de los Pecos, aSpanish missionnear the pueblo built in the early 17th century. A 1.25-mile (2 km) self-guiding trail begins at the nearby visitor center and winds through the ruins of Pecos Pueblo and the mission church. Pecos was visited by expeditionaries withFrancisco Vásquez de Coronadoin 1540. The Spanish mission church was built in 1619. A traditionalkivawas built in front of the church during thePueblo Revoltin 1680 as a rejection of the Christian religion brought by Spanish colonists. However, when the Spanish returned in 1692, the Pecos community stayed on friendly terms with them, and a new, smaller church was built in 1717. Forked Lightning Ranch Another part of the park is the Forked Lightning Ranch, a cattle ranch established in the 1920s byTex Austin, a famous producer ofrodeos. It was headquartered at the Kozlowski's Stage Stop and Tavern, a stagecoach stop on the Santa Fe Trail that had also served as a Union forces encampment before the Battle of Glorieta Pass. It was only a cattle ranch for a time before Austin converted it into adude ranchwhich he promoted to Easterners. The main ranch was designed byJohn Gaw Meemin thePueblo Revival styleof architecture. Austin's heavily mortgaged endeavour failed, closing in 1933. In 1936 the ranch again became a working cattle ranch, and in 1941 it was purchased byBuddy Fogelson, a Texas oilman who married actressGreer Garson. After her husband died, Garson sold her share of the park in 1991 to a conservation group, which donated it to the Park Service. Old Santa Fe Trail Portions of the historicSanta Fe Trailrun through all units of the park. This rutted wagon trail was one of the major routes by which the American Southwest grew in the 19th century. Glorieta Pass Battlefield TheBattle of Glorieta Passwas fought March 26–28, 1862 in the mountain pass west of Pecos Pueblo, along the route of the Old Santa Fe Trail. Confederate forces were en route to take Union-controlledFort Union, and were fought to a standoff by militia raised in the New Mexico and Colorado Territories. Although parts of the battlefield have been compromised by highway construction, two sections of the battlefield have been preserved by the Park Service on either side of the pass. Public access to these units is limited by the National Park Service. Administrative history Pecos Pueblo and an area of 341 acres (138 ha) was acquired by the state and preserved as a state monument in 1935. In 1965, PresidentLyndon Johnsonestablished Pecos National Monument over the same area, and control was turned over the Park Service. In 1990 the main unit of the park was expanded to more than 6,000 acres (24 km2), including a large area of ranchland and archaeologically sensitive landscapes.The two units of the Glorieta Pass Battlefield were formally added to the park in 1993. Climate According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, the area has anoceanic climate, abbreviated \\\"Cfb\\\" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded was 100 °F (37.8 °C) on June 26, 1994 and July 18, 2023, while the coldest temperature recorded was −29 °F (−33.9 °C) on February 1, 1951. See also References External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Walden_Pond (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b95138e50>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\",\n \"Seal Island Historic District TheSeal Island Historic Districtis aNational Historic Landmark Districtlocated on the islands ofSt. GeorgeandSt. Paulin thePribilof Islandsin theBering SeaofAlaska. These islands are home tonorthern fur sealherds which were actively hunted by indigenous populations and later by many nationalities. These islands of the Pribilofs are also the southern end of the range of thepolar bear, (Ursus maritimus) TheNorth Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911signed by the United Kingdom, Japan, Russia and the United States limited hunting of the seals on these islands; this international treaty was one of the first conservation treaties, and set the stage for subsequent treaties. History The Pribilof Islands were discovered by Russian fur hunters in 1786, and in the following years a number of small villages for hunting and processing seals were established, including ones at the sites of the present-daySt. GeorgeandSt. Paul. After theRussian American Companywas granted an exclusive monopoly on fur in the area, these villages were largely consolidated. The Company continued to exploit the seal population until the area wassold to the United Statesin 1867. The area was then administered by the United States government, with leases authorizing private companies to exploit the herd. By the early 20th century, the seal population had fallen dramatically, from an estimated millions to under 300,000. Due to the lucrative nature of the industry, the Kingdoms of Russia, Japan, United Kingdom, and the United States agreed to a moratorium on seal fishing in theNorth Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911. The seal population had significantly recovered by the 1920s, and was around 1.5 million in 1952. The Convention expired in 1985, bringing an effective end to the seal hunting industry. The area is now part of theAlaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, and the herd is generally subject only to subsistence hunting by the nativeAleutpopulation.Although no longer commercially hunted, the seal population has been decreasing recently, possibly due to huge amounts of debris that has washed up on the islands. Landmark areas Three areas of Saint Paul and Saint George were designated aNational Historic Landmark Districtin 1962, and listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1966. On Saint George, the district includes a strip of land on the north shore, encompassing historic elements of the city of St. George, and extending east to a rookery and historic kill site area. On Saint Paul, the historic portion of the main city are included in the district, as is most of the northeastern triangular peninsula ending at North Point, where major rookeries are located. About 10% of the land area of Saint Paul Island is included in the district. In both cities, historic structures include industrial processing facilities as well as worker housing. The Russian Orthodox churches in the two communities,Sts. Peter and Paul Churchin St. Paul andSt. George the Great Martyr Orthodox Churchin St. George, also contribute to the area's historic significance and are separately listed on the National Register. The rookery area on St. George includes the remains of one of the early Russian-built villages, Staraya Atil. On Saint Paul the district includes nine separate rookery areas and five historic village sites. See also References\",\n \"Russian Bishop's House TheRussian Bishop's House(Russian:Русский Архиерейский Дом), once theRussian Mission Orphanage(Russian:Российская Миссия Орфанадж), is a historic house museum andNational Historic Landmarkat Lincoln and Monastery Streets inSitka, Alaska. Built in 1841–43, this log structure is one of the oldest surviving buildings ofRussian America, and was one of the centerpieces of theRussian Orthodoxchurch's efforts to spread its influence among the natives of Alaska. It was the home and administrative center ofIvan Veniaminov, the first Bishop of Alaska, later canonized asInnocent of Alaska. The house is now a unit ofSitka National Historical Park, and is administered by theNational Park Service. Description The Russian Bishop's House is a two-story log structure, measuring about 42 by 63 feet (13 m × 19 m). It is divided into nine bays, each measuring about 7 feet (2.1 m) (onesazhen) square, and covered by a hip roof. The east and west ends of the building are further extended by shed-roof \\\"galleries\\\" that are 14 feet (4.3 m) wide, which historically provided space for stairwells, storage, latrines, and entrances. The exterior has undergone a number of alterations since construction. The south facade was sheathed in clapboarding c. 1851, and the galleries were roofed in metal around that time. In 1887 the galleries were sheathed in board-and-batten siding. The interior was repeatedly altered over the decades, and underwent a major restoration once the property was acquired by theNational Park Service1973. Secondary buildings The property on which the Bishop's House stands includes two secondary buildings associated with the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church. East of the main house stands the Old School, a two-story wood-frame structure built in 1897 to provide a kindergarten and girls' school. House 105 is a1+1⁄2-story wood-frame structure which stands facing Monastery Street. It was originally on a separate parcel of land, and was apparently moved to its present location in the 1950s. History The Russian Bishop's House was built between 1841 and 1843 by Finnish laborers brought in by theRussian American Company, to provide housing for ReverendIvan Veniaminov, who had been appointed the first Bishop of Alaska by the Russian Orthodox Church. From his seat in Sitka, Veniaminov oversaw the spread of Orthodox missionary and educational work to the indigenous peoples of southern Alaska, nearly doubling the number of Orthodox worshippers in the region between 1841 and 1860. Missionary efforts were continued after the United Statespurchased Alaskain 1867 and were only significantly cut back after funding cuts in the wake of theRussian Revolutionin 1917. The seat of the Russian diocese was relocated toSan Franciscoin 1872, and the Bishop's House was repurposed to provide housing quarters for priests. Its first floor also served as an inn for a time. In 1903 a bishop was once again assigned to a district with its seat at Sitka. For most of the 20th century, the upper floors housed a chapel and the quarters of the bishop, while the ground floor was used in a variety of ways. In the 1920s it housed a printing operation that produced, in addition to church publications, theSitka Sunand theSitka Tribune. The Old School was used as a church school building until 1922, and as a public school thereafter. House 105, while not of architectural note, was used as a church rental property for many years, and is one of the oldest buildings in Sitka. The property was designated aNational Historic Landmarkin 1962, and was listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesas the \\\"Russian Mission Orphanage\\\" in 1966, reflecting its major function at that time. The National Register designation was altered to \\\"Russian Bishop's House\\\" in 1980. The Russian Bishop's House is now owned and managed by theNational Park Serviceas a unit ofSitka National Historical Park. It is open to the public on ranger-guided tours. See also References\",\n \"Luther Burbank Home and Gardens Luther Burbank Home and Gardensis a city park containing the former home, greenhouse, gardens, and grave of noted AmericanhorticulturistLuther Burbank(1849-1926). It is located at the intersection of Santa Rosa Avenue and Sonoma Avenue inSanta Rosa, California, in theUnited States. The park is open daily without charge; a fee is charged for guided tours. It is designated as aNational Historic Landmarkas well as aCalifornia Historical Landmark (#234). History Burbank lived in Santa Rosa for more than 50 years, and performed the bulk of his life's work at this location. From 1884 to 1906 he lived in this park'sGreek Revivalhouse; he then moved across Tupper street to a house that no longer exists.After Burbank's death in 1926, his widow Elizabeth moved back to the house, where she remained until her death in 1977. Burbank, a native ofMassachusetts, was a nationally known figure who was responsible for creating many new varieties of plants. He is credited with introducing more than 250 new varieties offruit, including a large number ofplumvarieties that are widely used in agriculture. A portion of the property was declared aNational Historic Landmarkin 1964.The site is included in the officialSanta Rosa historic landmarksand the Sonoma County Historical Society list of landmarks. Gardens The gardens include many of Burbank's horticultural introductions, with collections ofcactus,fruittrees, ornamentalgrasses, medicinalherbs,roses, andwalnuts. Most plants are labeled with botanic and common names. The garden's greenhouse was designed and built by Burbank in 1889; Burbank's grave is nearby, underneath aCedar of Lebanon. See also References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Old Mission Dam Old Mission Damis a historic water impoundment structure inMission Trails Regional ParkinSan Diego, California. It was built in 1803 to impound theSan Diego Riverto provide water forirrigationof the fields associated withMission San Diego de Alcalá, the first Spanish mission in what is now the US state of California. It was the first major colonial-era irrigation project on the Pacific coast of the United States.The surviving remnant of the dam was designated aNational Historic Landmarkin 1963. Description and history Old Mission Dam is located about 5 miles (8.0 km) northeast of the site ofMission San Diego de Alcalá, in the hills northeast of San Diego. It spans theSan Diego River, which was historically a seasonal body of water which dried out in the summer. The dam is built out of stone and cement, and was 220 ft long (67 m), 13 ft wide (4.0 m) at its base and 12 ft high (3.7 m) as originally built. The dam created a body of water behind it, which would undergo controlled releases when the","releases when the river otherwise ran dry. A tile channel to the mission fields was also built, in order to minimize water loss in the sandy soil, but only fragments of this work still survive. Mission San Diego de Alcalá was founded in 1769 by FatherJunipero Serra, and was moved to its present surviving site in 1774. By 1800, the mission was a thriving community with 1,500 Christianized Native Americans. The mission suffered three years of drought in 1800-1802, which likely prompted construction of the irrigation project. The works probably reached their greatest extent in 1817, including the tiled aqueduct and other features lost to time and vandalism. The dam and aqueduct were reported to be in ruins in 1867, but the dam was repaired in 1874 and again put to use for a time. The dam is now part ofMission Trails Regional Park, the largest municipal park in California. Old Mission Dam is also a registered state historic landmark. See also References","Pecos National Historical Park Pecos National Historical Parkis a United StatesNational Historical ParkinSan Miguel County, New Mexico. The park, operated by theNational Park Service, encompasses thousands of acres of landscape infused with historical elements from prehistoric archaeological ruins to 19th-century ranches, to a battlefield of theAmerican Civil War. Its largest single feature isPecos Puebloalso known asCicuye Pueblo, a Native American community abandoned in historic times. First a state monument in 1935, it was madePecos National Monumentin 1965, and greatly enlarged and renamed in 1990. Two sites within the park, the pueblo and theGlorieta Pass Battlefield, areNational Historic Landmarks. Features Pecos National Historical Park's main unit is located in western San Miguel County,about 17 miles (27 km) east ofSanta Feand just south ofPecos. Pecos Pueblo The main unit of the park preserves the ruins of PecosPueblo, known historically as Cicuye (sometimes spelled Ciquique), the \"village of 500","the \"village of 500 warriors\".The first Pecos pueblo was one of two dozen rock-and-mud villages built in the valley around AD 1100 in the prehistoricPueblo II Era. Within 350 years thePueblo IV EraPecos village had grown to house more than 2,000 people in its five-storied complex. The people who lived at Cicuye/Pecos Pueblo spoke theTowa language.The Pecos people enjoyed a rich culture with inventive architecture and beautiful crafts. They also possessed an elaborate religious life, evidenced by the remains of over 20 ceremonial subterranean kivas. Some of the kivas have diameters as large as 40 feet and are 10 feet deep,accessed by wooden ladders. Farming was a main part of their diet and staple crops included the usual beans, corn, and squash. Their location, power and ability to supply goods made the Pecos a major trade center in the eastern part of the Puebloan territory, connecting the Pueblos to the Plains cultures such as the Comanche.There are seven distinct periods of their occupancy beginning with","beginning with the Preceramic Period (11,500 B.C.E. - 600 C.E.)Ancestral PuebloanPaleo-Indians. Emigration of Pecos people to other areas, encroachment of Hispanic settlers in the area, outbreaks ofsmallpox, and problems withPlains Indianscaused the site to decline. The last 17 (or 20) inhabitants abandoned Pecos Pueblo in 1838, moving to theJemez Pueblo, the only other Pueblo which spoke the Towa language. The historical Pecos people produced, used or traded seven types of ceramic ware during their occupancy of the area. These are known as Rio Grande Greyware (plain and corrugated), Pajarito White Ware,Rio Grande Glaze Ware, Historic polychromes, Historic plain ware, White Mountain Red Ware, and Plains Apache Ware. Many of these were decorated with black, red or polychrome designs. Spanish mission The main unit of the park also protects the remains ofMission Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Porciúncula de los Pecos, aSpanish missionnear the pueblo built in the early 17th century. A 1.25-mile (2 km)","A 1.25-mile (2 km) self-guiding trail begins at the nearby visitor center and winds through the ruins of Pecos Pueblo and the mission church. Pecos was visited by expeditionaries withFrancisco Vásquez de Coronadoin 1540. The Spanish mission church was built in 1619. A traditionalkivawas built in front of the church during thePueblo Revoltin 1680 as a rejection of the Christian religion brought by Spanish colonists. However, when the Spanish returned in 1692, the Pecos community stayed on friendly terms with them, and a new, smaller church was built in 1717. Forked Lightning Ranch Another part of the park is the Forked Lightning Ranch, a cattle ranch established in the 1920s byTex Austin, a famous producer ofrodeos. It was headquartered at the Kozlowski's Stage Stop and Tavern, a stagecoach stop on the Santa Fe Trail that had also served as a Union forces encampment before the Battle of Glorieta Pass. It was only a cattle ranch for a time before Austin converted it into adude ranchwhich he promoted to","he promoted to Easterners. The main ranch was designed byJohn Gaw Meemin thePueblo Revival styleof architecture. Austin's heavily mortgaged endeavour failed, closing in 1933. In 1936 the ranch again became a working cattle ranch, and in 1941 it was purchased byBuddy Fogelson, a Texas oilman who married actressGreer Garson. After her husband died, Garson sold her share of the park in 1991 to a conservation group, which donated it to the Park Service. Old Santa Fe Trail Portions of the historicSanta Fe Trailrun through all units of the park. This rutted wagon trail was one of the major routes by which the American Southwest grew in the 19th century. Glorieta Pass Battlefield TheBattle of Glorieta Passwas fought March 26–28, 1862 in the mountain pass west of Pecos Pueblo, along the route of the Old Santa Fe Trail. Confederate forces were en route to take Union-controlledFort Union, and were fought to a standoff by militia raised in the New Mexico and Colorado Territories. Although parts of the battlefield have","battlefield have been compromised by highway construction, two sections of the battlefield have been preserved by the Park Service on either side of the pass. Public access to these units is limited by the National Park Service. Administrative history Pecos Pueblo and an area of 341 acres (138 ha) was acquired by the state and preserved as a state monument in 1935. In 1965, PresidentLyndon Johnsonestablished Pecos National Monument over the same area, and control was turned over the Park Service. In 1990 the main unit of the park was expanded to more than 6,000 acres (24 km2), including a large area of ranchland and archaeologically sensitive landscapes.The two units of the Glorieta Pass Battlefield were formally added to the park in 1993. Climate According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, the area has anoceanic climate, abbreviated \"Cfb\" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded was 100 °F (37.8 °C) on June 26, 1994 and July 18, 2023, while the coldest temperature recorded was −29 °F","recorded was −29 °F (−33.9 °C) on February 1, 1951. See also References External links","Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Walden_Pond (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b95138e50>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))","Seal Island Historic District TheSeal Island Historic Districtis aNational Historic Landmark Districtlocated on the islands ofSt. GeorgeandSt. Paulin thePribilof Islandsin theBering SeaofAlaska. These islands are home tonorthern fur sealherds which were actively hunted by indigenous populations and later by many nationalities. These islands of the Pribilofs are also the southern end of the range of thepolar bear, (Ursus maritimus) TheNorth Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911signed by the United Kingdom, Japan, Russia and the United States limited hunting of the seals on these islands; this international treaty was one of the first conservation treaties, and set the stage for subsequent treaties. History The Pribilof Islands were discovered by Russian fur hunters in 1786, and in the following years a number of small villages for hunting and processing seals were established, including ones at the sites of the present-daySt. GeorgeandSt. Paul. After theRussian American Companywas granted an exclusive monopoly","exclusive monopoly on fur in the area, these villages were largely consolidated. The Company continued to exploit the seal population until the area wassold to the United Statesin 1867. The area was then administered by the United States government, with leases authorizing private companies to exploit the herd. By the early 20th century, the seal population had fallen dramatically, from an estimated millions to under 300,000. Due to the lucrative nature of the industry, the Kingdoms of Russia, Japan, United Kingdom, and the United States agreed to a moratorium on seal fishing in theNorth Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911. The seal population had significantly recovered by the 1920s, and was around 1.5 million in 1952. The Convention expired in 1985, bringing an effective end to the seal hunting industry. The area is now part of theAlaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, and the herd is generally subject only to subsistence hunting by the nativeAleutpopulation.Although no longer commercially hunted, the","hunted, the seal population has been decreasing recently, possibly due to huge amounts of debris that has washed up on the islands. Landmark areas Three areas of Saint Paul and Saint George were designated aNational Historic Landmark Districtin 1962, and listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1966. On Saint George, the district includes a strip of land on the north shore, encompassing historic elements of the city of St. George, and extending east to a rookery and historic kill site area. On Saint Paul, the historic portion of the main city are included in the district, as is most of the northeastern triangular peninsula ending at North Point, where major rookeries are located. About 10% of the land area of Saint Paul Island is included in the district. In both cities, historic structures include industrial processing facilities as well as worker housing. The Russian Orthodox churches in the two communities,Sts. Peter and Paul Churchin St. Paul andSt. George the Great Martyr Orthodox Churchin","Orthodox Churchin St. George, also contribute to the area's historic significance and are separately listed on the National Register. The rookery area on St. George includes the remains of one of the early Russian-built villages, Staraya Atil. On Saint Paul the district includes nine separate rookery areas and five historic village sites. See also References","Russian Bishop's House TheRussian Bishop's House(Russian:Русский Архиерейский Дом), once theRussian Mission Orphanage(Russian:Российская Миссия Орфанадж), is a historic house museum andNational Historic Landmarkat Lincoln and Monastery Streets inSitka, Alaska. Built in 1841–43, this log structure is one of the oldest surviving buildings ofRussian America, and was one of the centerpieces of theRussian Orthodoxchurch's efforts to spread its influence among the natives of Alaska. It was the home and administrative center ofIvan Veniaminov, the first Bishop of Alaska, later canonized asInnocent of Alaska. The house is now a unit ofSitka National Historical Park, and is administered by theNational Park Service. Description The Russian Bishop's House is a two-story log structure, measuring about 42 by 63 feet (13 m × 19 m). It is divided into nine bays, each measuring about 7 feet (2.1 m) (onesazhen) square, and covered by a hip roof. The east and west ends of the building are further extended by shed-roof","by shed-roof \"galleries\" that are 14 feet (4.3 m) wide, which historically provided space for stairwells, storage, latrines, and entrances. The exterior has undergone a number of alterations since construction. The south facade was sheathed in clapboarding c. 1851, and the galleries were roofed in metal around that time. In 1887 the galleries were sheathed in board-and-batten siding. The interior was repeatedly altered over the decades, and underwent a major restoration once the property was acquired by theNational Park Service1973. Secondary buildings The property on which the Bishop's House stands includes two secondary buildings associated with the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church. East of the main house stands the Old School, a two-story wood-frame structure built in 1897 to provide a kindergarten and girls' school. House 105 is a1+1⁄2-story wood-frame structure which stands facing Monastery Street. It was originally on a separate parcel of land, and was apparently moved to its present location","present location in the 1950s. History The Russian Bishop's House was built between 1841 and 1843 by Finnish laborers brought in by theRussian American Company, to provide housing for ReverendIvan Veniaminov, who had been appointed the first Bishop of Alaska by the Russian Orthodox Church. From his seat in Sitka, Veniaminov oversaw the spread of Orthodox missionary and educational work to the indigenous peoples of southern Alaska, nearly doubling the number of Orthodox worshippers in the region between 1841 and 1860. Missionary efforts were continued after the United Statespurchased Alaskain 1867 and were only significantly cut back after funding cuts in the wake of theRussian Revolutionin 1917. The seat of the Russian diocese was relocated toSan Franciscoin 1872, and the Bishop's House was repurposed to provide housing quarters for priests. Its first floor also served as an inn for a time. In 1903 a bishop was once again assigned to a district with its seat at Sitka. For most of the 20th century, the upper","century, the upper floors housed a chapel and the quarters of the bishop, while the ground floor was used in a variety of ways. In the 1920s it housed a printing operation that produced, in addition to church publications, theSitka Sunand theSitka Tribune. The Old School was used as a church school building until 1922, and as a public school thereafter. House 105, while not of architectural note, was used as a church rental property for many years, and is one of the oldest buildings in Sitka. The property was designated aNational Historic Landmarkin 1962, and was listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesas the \"Russian Mission Orphanage\" in 1966, reflecting its major function at that time. The National Register designation was altered to \"Russian Bishop's House\" in 1980. The Russian Bishop's House is now owned and managed by theNational Park Serviceas a unit ofSitka National Historical Park. It is open to the public on ranger-guided tours. See also References","Luther Burbank Home and Gardens Luther Burbank Home and Gardensis a city park containing the former home, greenhouse, gardens, and grave of noted AmericanhorticulturistLuther Burbank(1849-1926). It is located at the intersection of Santa Rosa Avenue and Sonoma Avenue inSanta Rosa, California, in theUnited States. The park is open daily without charge; a fee is charged for guided tours. It is designated as aNational Historic Landmarkas well as aCalifornia Historical Landmark (#234). History Burbank lived in Santa Rosa for more than 50 years, and performed the bulk of his life's work at this location. From 1884 to 1906 he lived in this park'sGreek Revivalhouse; he then moved across Tupper street to a house that no longer exists.After Burbank's death in 1926, his widow Elizabeth moved back to the house, where she remained until her death in 1977. Burbank, a native ofMassachusetts, was a nationally known figure who was responsible for creating many new varieties of plants. He is credited with introducing more","introducing more than 250 new varieties offruit, including a large number ofplumvarieties that are widely used in agriculture. A portion of the property was declared aNational Historic Landmarkin 1964.The site is included in the officialSanta Rosa historic landmarksand the Sonoma County Historical Society list of landmarks. Gardens The gardens include many of Burbank's horticultural introductions, with collections ofcactus,fruittrees, ornamentalgrasses, medicinalherbs,roses, andwalnuts. Most plants are labeled with botanic and common names. The garden's greenhouse was designed and built by Burbank in 1889; Burbank's grave is nearby, underneath aCedar of Lebanon. See also References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Old Mission Dam Old Mission Damis a historic water impoundment structure inMission Trails Regional ParkinSan Diego, California. It was built in 1803 to impound theSan Diego Riverto provide water forirrigationof the fields associated withMission San Diego de Alcalá, the first Spanish mission in what is now the US state of California. It was the first major colonial-era irrigation project on the Pacific coast of the United States.The surviving remnant of the dam was designated aNational Historic Landmarkin 1963. Description and history Old Mission Dam is located about 5 miles (8.0 km) northeast of the site ofMission San Diego de Alcalá, in the hills northeast of San Diego. It spans theSan Diego River, which was historically a seasonal body of water which dried out in the summer. The dam is built out of stone and cement, and was 220 ft long (67 m), 13 ft wide (4.0 m) at its base and 12 ft high (3.7 m) as originally built. The dam created a body of water behind it, which would undergo controlled releases when the\",\n \"releases when the river otherwise ran dry. A tile channel to the mission fields was also built, in order to minimize water loss in the sandy soil, but only fragments of this work still survive. Mission San Diego de Alcalá was founded in 1769 by FatherJunipero Serra, and was moved to its present surviving site in 1774. By 1800, the mission was a thriving community with 1,500 Christianized Native Americans. The mission suffered three years of drought in 1800-1802, which likely prompted construction of the irrigation project. The works probably reached their greatest extent in 1817, including the tiled aqueduct and other features lost to time and vandalism. The dam and aqueduct were reported to be in ruins in 1867, but the dam was repaired in 1874 and again put to use for a time. The dam is now part ofMission Trails Regional Park, the largest municipal park in California. Old Mission Dam is also a registered state historic landmark. See also References\",\n \"Pecos National Historical Park Pecos National Historical Parkis a United StatesNational Historical ParkinSan Miguel County, New Mexico. The park, operated by theNational Park Service, encompasses thousands of acres of landscape infused with historical elements from prehistoric archaeological ruins to 19th-century ranches, to a battlefield of theAmerican Civil War. Its largest single feature isPecos Puebloalso known asCicuye Pueblo, a Native American community abandoned in historic times. First a state monument in 1935, it was madePecos National Monumentin 1965, and greatly enlarged and renamed in 1990. Two sites within the park, the pueblo and theGlorieta Pass Battlefield, areNational Historic Landmarks. Features Pecos National Historical Park's main unit is located in western San Miguel County,about 17 miles (27 km) east ofSanta Feand just south ofPecos. Pecos Pueblo The main unit of the park preserves the ruins of PecosPueblo, known historically as Cicuye (sometimes spelled Ciquique), the \\\"village of 500\",\n \"the \\\"village of 500 warriors\\\".The first Pecos pueblo was one of two dozen rock-and-mud villages built in the valley around AD 1100 in the prehistoricPueblo II Era. Within 350 years thePueblo IV EraPecos village had grown to house more than 2,000 people in its five-storied complex. The people who lived at Cicuye/Pecos Pueblo spoke theTowa language.The Pecos people enjoyed a rich culture with inventive architecture and beautiful crafts. They also possessed an elaborate religious life, evidenced by the remains of over 20 ceremonial subterranean kivas. Some of the kivas have diameters as large as 40 feet and are 10 feet deep,accessed by wooden ladders. Farming was a main part of their diet and staple crops included the usual beans, corn, and squash. Their location, power and ability to supply goods made the Pecos a major trade center in the eastern part of the Puebloan territory, connecting the Pueblos to the Plains cultures such as the Comanche.There are seven distinct periods of their occupancy beginning with\",\n \"beginning with the Preceramic Period (11,500 B.C.E. - 600 C.E.)Ancestral PuebloanPaleo-Indians. Emigration of Pecos people to other areas, encroachment of Hispanic settlers in the area, outbreaks ofsmallpox, and problems withPlains Indianscaused the site to decline. The last 17 (or 20) inhabitants abandoned Pecos Pueblo in 1838, moving to theJemez Pueblo, the only other Pueblo which spoke the Towa language. The historical Pecos people produced, used or traded seven types of ceramic ware during their occupancy of the area. These are known as Rio Grande Greyware (plain and corrugated), Pajarito White Ware,Rio Grande Glaze Ware, Historic polychromes, Historic plain ware, White Mountain Red Ware, and Plains Apache Ware. Many of these were decorated with black, red or polychrome designs. Spanish mission The main unit of the park also protects the remains ofMission Nuestra Señora de los Ángeles de Porciúncula de los Pecos, aSpanish missionnear the pueblo built in the early 17th century. A 1.25-mile (2 km)\",\n \"A 1.25-mile (2 km) self-guiding trail begins at the nearby visitor center and winds through the ruins of Pecos Pueblo and the mission church. Pecos was visited by expeditionaries withFrancisco Vásquez de Coronadoin 1540. The Spanish mission church was built in 1619. A traditionalkivawas built in front of the church during thePueblo Revoltin 1680 as a rejection of the Christian religion brought by Spanish colonists. However, when the Spanish returned in 1692, the Pecos community stayed on friendly terms with them, and a new, smaller church was built in 1717. Forked Lightning Ranch Another part of the park is the Forked Lightning Ranch, a cattle ranch established in the 1920s byTex Austin, a famous producer ofrodeos. It was headquartered at the Kozlowski's Stage Stop and Tavern, a stagecoach stop on the Santa Fe Trail that had also served as a Union forces encampment before the Battle of Glorieta Pass. It was only a cattle ranch for a time before Austin converted it into adude ranchwhich he promoted to\",\n \"he promoted to Easterners. The main ranch was designed byJohn Gaw Meemin thePueblo Revival styleof architecture. Austin's heavily mortgaged endeavour failed, closing in 1933. In 1936 the ranch again became a working cattle ranch, and in 1941 it was purchased byBuddy Fogelson, a Texas oilman who married actressGreer Garson. After her husband died, Garson sold her share of the park in 1991 to a conservation group, which donated it to the Park Service. Old Santa Fe Trail Portions of the historicSanta Fe Trailrun through all units of the park. This rutted wagon trail was one of the major routes by which the American Southwest grew in the 19th century. Glorieta Pass Battlefield TheBattle of Glorieta Passwas fought March 26–28, 1862 in the mountain pass west of Pecos Pueblo, along the route of the Old Santa Fe Trail. Confederate forces were en route to take Union-controlledFort Union, and were fought to a standoff by militia raised in the New Mexico and Colorado Territories. Although parts of the battlefield have\",\n \"battlefield have been compromised by highway construction, two sections of the battlefield have been preserved by the Park Service on either side of the pass. Public access to these units is limited by the National Park Service. Administrative history Pecos Pueblo and an area of 341 acres (138 ha) was acquired by the state and preserved as a state monument in 1935. In 1965, PresidentLyndon Johnsonestablished Pecos National Monument over the same area, and control was turned over the Park Service. In 1990 the main unit of the park was expanded to more than 6,000 acres (24 km2), including a large area of ranchland and archaeologically sensitive landscapes.The two units of the Glorieta Pass Battlefield were formally added to the park in 1993. Climate According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, the area has anoceanic climate, abbreviated \\\"Cfb\\\" on climate maps. The hottest temperature recorded was 100 °F (37.8 °C) on June 26, 1994 and July 18, 2023, while the coldest temperature recorded was −29 °F\",\n \"recorded was −29 °F (−33.9 °C) on February 1, 1951. See also References External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Walden_Pond (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b95138e50>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\",\n \"Seal Island Historic District TheSeal Island Historic Districtis aNational Historic Landmark Districtlocated on the islands ofSt. GeorgeandSt. Paulin thePribilof Islandsin theBering SeaofAlaska. These islands are home tonorthern fur sealherds which were actively hunted by indigenous populations and later by many nationalities. These islands of the Pribilofs are also the southern end of the range of thepolar bear, (Ursus maritimus) TheNorth Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911signed by the United Kingdom, Japan, Russia and the United States limited hunting of the seals on these islands; this international treaty was one of the first conservation treaties, and set the stage for subsequent treaties. History The Pribilof Islands were discovered by Russian fur hunters in 1786, and in the following years a number of small villages for hunting and processing seals were established, including ones at the sites of the present-daySt. GeorgeandSt. Paul. After theRussian American Companywas granted an exclusive monopoly\",\n \"exclusive monopoly on fur in the area, these villages were largely consolidated. The Company continued to exploit the seal population until the area wassold to the United Statesin 1867. The area was then administered by the United States government, with leases authorizing private companies to exploit the herd. By the early 20th century, the seal population had fallen dramatically, from an estimated millions to under 300,000. Due to the lucrative nature of the industry, the Kingdoms of Russia, Japan, United Kingdom, and the United States agreed to a moratorium on seal fishing in theNorth Pacific Fur Seal Convention of 1911. The seal population had significantly recovered by the 1920s, and was around 1.5 million in 1952. The Convention expired in 1985, bringing an effective end to the seal hunting industry. The area is now part of theAlaska Maritime National Wildlife Refuge, and the herd is generally subject only to subsistence hunting by the nativeAleutpopulation.Although no longer commercially hunted, the\",\n \"hunted, the seal population has been decreasing recently, possibly due to huge amounts of debris that has washed up on the islands. Landmark areas Three areas of Saint Paul and Saint George were designated aNational Historic Landmark Districtin 1962, and listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1966. On Saint George, the district includes a strip of land on the north shore, encompassing historic elements of the city of St. George, and extending east to a rookery and historic kill site area. On Saint Paul, the historic portion of the main city are included in the district, as is most of the northeastern triangular peninsula ending at North Point, where major rookeries are located. About 10% of the land area of Saint Paul Island is included in the district. In both cities, historic structures include industrial processing facilities as well as worker housing. The Russian Orthodox churches in the two communities,Sts. Peter and Paul Churchin St. Paul andSt. George the Great Martyr Orthodox Churchin\",\n \"Orthodox Churchin St. George, also contribute to the area's historic significance and are separately listed on the National Register. The rookery area on St. George includes the remains of one of the early Russian-built villages, Staraya Atil. On Saint Paul the district includes nine separate rookery areas and five historic village sites. See also References\",\n \"Russian Bishop's House TheRussian Bishop's House(Russian:Русский Архиерейский Дом), once theRussian Mission Orphanage(Russian:Российская Миссия Орфанадж), is a historic house museum andNational Historic Landmarkat Lincoln and Monastery Streets inSitka, Alaska. Built in 1841–43, this log structure is one of the oldest surviving buildings ofRussian America, and was one of the centerpieces of theRussian Orthodoxchurch's efforts to spread its influence among the natives of Alaska. It was the home and administrative center ofIvan Veniaminov, the first Bishop of Alaska, later canonized asInnocent of Alaska. The house is now a unit ofSitka National Historical Park, and is administered by theNational Park Service. Description The Russian Bishop's House is a two-story log structure, measuring about 42 by 63 feet (13 m × 19 m). It is divided into nine bays, each measuring about 7 feet (2.1 m) (onesazhen) square, and covered by a hip roof. The east and west ends of the building are further extended by shed-roof\",\n \"by shed-roof \\\"galleries\\\" that are 14 feet (4.3 m) wide, which historically provided space for stairwells, storage, latrines, and entrances. The exterior has undergone a number of alterations since construction. The south facade was sheathed in clapboarding c. 1851, and the galleries were roofed in metal around that time. In 1887 the galleries were sheathed in board-and-batten siding. The interior was repeatedly altered over the decades, and underwent a major restoration once the property was acquired by theNational Park Service1973. Secondary buildings The property on which the Bishop's House stands includes two secondary buildings associated with the activities of the Russian Orthodox Church. East of the main house stands the Old School, a two-story wood-frame structure built in 1897 to provide a kindergarten and girls' school. House 105 is a1+1⁄2-story wood-frame structure which stands facing Monastery Street. It was originally on a separate parcel of land, and was apparently moved to its present location\",\n \"present location in the 1950s. History The Russian Bishop's House was built between 1841 and 1843 by Finnish laborers brought in by theRussian American Company, to provide housing for ReverendIvan Veniaminov, who had been appointed the first Bishop of Alaska by the Russian Orthodox Church. From his seat in Sitka, Veniaminov oversaw the spread of Orthodox missionary and educational work to the indigenous peoples of southern Alaska, nearly doubling the number of Orthodox worshippers in the region between 1841 and 1860. Missionary efforts were continued after the United Statespurchased Alaskain 1867 and were only significantly cut back after funding cuts in the wake of theRussian Revolutionin 1917. The seat of the Russian diocese was relocated toSan Franciscoin 1872, and the Bishop's House was repurposed to provide housing quarters for priests. Its first floor also served as an inn for a time. In 1903 a bishop was once again assigned to a district with its seat at Sitka. For most of the 20th century, the upper\",\n \"century, the upper floors housed a chapel and the quarters of the bishop, while the ground floor was used in a variety of ways. In the 1920s it housed a printing operation that produced, in addition to church publications, theSitka Sunand theSitka Tribune. The Old School was used as a church school building until 1922, and as a public school thereafter. House 105, while not of architectural note, was used as a church rental property for many years, and is one of the oldest buildings in Sitka. The property was designated aNational Historic Landmarkin 1962, and was listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesas the \\\"Russian Mission Orphanage\\\" in 1966, reflecting its major function at that time. The National Register designation was altered to \\\"Russian Bishop's House\\\" in 1980. The Russian Bishop's House is now owned and managed by theNational Park Serviceas a unit ofSitka National Historical Park. It is open to the public on ranger-guided tours. See also References\",\n \"Luther Burbank Home and Gardens Luther Burbank Home and Gardensis a city park containing the former home, greenhouse, gardens, and grave of noted AmericanhorticulturistLuther Burbank(1849-1926). It is located at the intersection of Santa Rosa Avenue and Sonoma Avenue inSanta Rosa, California, in theUnited States. The park is open daily without charge; a fee is charged for guided tours. It is designated as aNational Historic Landmarkas well as aCalifornia Historical Landmark (#234). History Burbank lived in Santa Rosa for more than 50 years, and performed the bulk of his life's work at this location. From 1884 to 1906 he lived in this park'sGreek Revivalhouse; he then moved across Tupper street to a house that no longer exists.After Burbank's death in 1926, his widow Elizabeth moved back to the house, where she remained until her death in 1977. Burbank, a native ofMassachusetts, was a nationally known figure who was responsible for creating many new varieties of plants. He is credited with introducing more\",\n \"introducing more than 250 new varieties offruit, including a large number ofplumvarieties that are widely used in agriculture. A portion of the property was declared aNational Historic Landmarkin 1964.The site is included in the officialSanta Rosa historic landmarksand the Sonoma County Historical Society list of landmarks. Gardens The gardens include many of Burbank's horticultural introductions, with collections ofcactus,fruittrees, ornamentalgrasses, medicinalherbs,roses, andwalnuts. Most plants are labeled with botanic and common names. The garden's greenhouse was designed and built by Burbank in 1889; Burbank's grave is nearby, underneath aCedar of Lebanon. See also References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":262,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"I lost a final against Greg Rusedski on grass, who won his 4th career singles title on grass against a player that once defeated me in the opening round of the US Open. I achieved my highest ranking in singles on what date?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"10 July 2000"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Rusedski"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karol_Kučera"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_US_Open_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_singles"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Popp"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Rusedski', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karol_Kučera', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_US_Open_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_singles', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Popp']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Rusedski","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karol_Kučera","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_US_Open_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_singles","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Popp"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Rusedski\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karol_Kučera\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_US_Open_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_singles\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Popp\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Greg Rusedski Gregory Rusedski(born 6 September 1973) is a British former professionaltennisplayer. He was the British No. 1 in 1997, 1999 and 2006, and reached theATPranking of world No. 4 for periods from 6 October 1997 to 12 October 1997 and from 25 May 1998 to 21 June 1998. In 1997, he was theUS Openfinalist, which led to him receiving theBBC Sports Personality of the Year Awardand the ITV Sports Champion of the Year Award. Also, he scored 30 wins and 13 losses with theGreat Britain Davis Cup team. Personal life Rusedski was born inMontreal, Quebec, to a British mother and a father of Polish and Ukrainian descent.He was a very promising junior player in Canada in the 1980s, and subsequently caused some anger in Canada when he decided to adopt British citizenship and play for Great Britain in 1995.Rusedski made the decision for \"lifestyle reasons\", noting that his girlfriend — who later became his wife — lived in Britain. Rusedski has been with his wife Lucy Connor since 1991, they met while he was competing in a junior tournament where she was a ball girl.They married in a Catholic ceremony atDouai Abbeyin West Berkshire in December 1999.They have two children: a daughter born in 2006,and a son born in 2009. Career Rusedski's first career singles tournament title was at theHall of Fame Championshipin Newport, Rhode Island in 1993. He opted to compete for the United Kingdom rather than Canada from 22 May 1995 onwards, a decision which was received poorly by Canadian fans; it was reported that he was given a \"traitor's reception\" by the crowd when he competed in his first Canadian Open after the switch. Rusedski reached the singles final of theUS Openin 1997, where he lost toPat Rafterin four sets (shortly thereafter reaching his career high rank of world No. 4). He also won theBBC Sports Personality of the Year Awardand the ITV Sports Champion of the Year Award. In 1998,Tim Henmaneclipsed Rusedski as the UK number one tennis player. Rusedski, however, won theGrand Slam Cupin 1999. In the1999 US Open, Rusedski reached the fourth round where he was eliminated 5–7, 0–6, 7–6 (7–3), 6–4, 6–4, byTodd Martin; Rusedski had a two-sets-to-none advantage and was serving for the match in the third set, then in the fifth set he was up 4–1, but lost 20 of the final 21 points including a stretch of 18 consecutive points. In the2002 US Open, after losing toPete Samprasin the third round in a grueling five-set match, Rusedski described Sampras as \"a half-step slow\" and predicted that Sampras would lose his fourth-round match to young German starTommy Haas.Sampras, however, went on to win the tournament. AtWimbledon in 2003, Rusedski was playing in a second-round match againstAndy Roddick. Roddick had won the first two sets, but Rusedski was 5–2 up in the third set. During a point on Roddick's service game, a member of the crowd loudly called one of Roddick's shots long, causing Rusedski to stop playing the point as he believed it was a line judge. The umpire ruled that the ball was good and that, as Roddick's next shot landed in court, Roddick was awarded the point. Rusedski, believing the point should have been replayed, launched into a long and expletive-riddled tirade at the umpire and, never regaining his composure, went on to lose the next five games without reply to concede the match. Rusedski apologized after the match, and Roddick reached the semifinals. Rusedski tested positive fornandrolonein January 2004, but he was cleared of the charges in a hearing on 10 March 2004. Rusedski was defeated in the second round ofWimbledonin 2005 byJoachim Johanssonof Sweden. Later that year, he defended his title at the Hall of Fame Championship, defeatingVince Spadeain the final. This was the first time he had successfully defended a title and the third time he had won the championship. He then reached the semifinals at both theRCA Championshipsin Indianapolis, losing toTaylor Dent, and theCanada Masterstournament in Montreal, losing toAndre Agassi. Towards the end of 2005, Rusedski's ranking had risen to the high 30s. A defeat for Rusedski in the first round of the Challenger event inDnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, left him ranked 38th, just one place short of regaining the UK top spot. Rusedski reclaimed the UK number-one spot on 15 May 2006, overtakingAndy Murrayby getting to the third round of theRome Masters. He lost the top UK ranking again after a first-round exit at Wimbledon. On 7 April 2007, Rusedski officially retired from tennis after partnering withJamie Murrayto a doubles victory over the Netherlands in aDavis Cupmatch, a result which gave Great Britain a winning 3–0 lead in the tie. He announced his retirement immediately after the win during a live interview withSue Barkeron BBC Television.Rusedski has stayed involved with professional tennis in his retirement, and currently works for theLawn Tennis Associationas a talent and performance ambassador.Rusedski held the record for fastest serve at 149 miles per hour until Andy Roddick broke it. On 24 January 2009, Rusedski confirmed he had been seeking a return to professional tennis. However, Davis Cup captain John Lloyd turned down his offer to compete in the Davis Cup, and Rusedski was unable to obtain any wild-card tournament entries.Because of this, Rusedski quickly retracted his announcement and is still retired. Rusedski vs. Henman Rusedski was often overshadowed in the British press by Henman, especially atWimbledon.They were generally closely matched over their careers; both reached a highest world ranking of 4. Rusedski won 15 singles titles compared to Henman's eleven, and also reached the final of theUS Openin 1997, whereas Henman never made it past the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament. However, Henman reached six Grand Slam semifinals and an additional four quarterfinals, whereas Rusedski reached two Grand Slam quarterfinals in total: at the US Open where he reached the final, and at Wimbledon the same year. Neither Rusedski nor Henman ever reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Henman reached the semifinals of the French Open, while Rusedski never made it past the fourth round at that tournament. His Davis Cup singles record was considerably poorer than Henman's. In Great Britain's two key Davis Cup ties in the World Group knockout stage, Rusedski lost all four singles rubbers, despite home advantage (against the US in 1999 and Sweden in 2002). However, as a doubles partnership, Rusedski and Henman won several Davis Cup matches, as well as other tournaments. Rusedski's final match at a Grand Slam was against Henman, at the 2006 US Open. Henman won 7–6, 6–2, 6–3. Over their careers, in head-to-head encounters, Henman won 8–2. Media career Rusedski has an active media career, having written columns forThe Sun,The Daily MirrorandThe Daily Telegraph.He also works for the television channel British Eurosport providing analysis during the stations' coverage of the Australian Open. He provided commentary and analysis for Sky Sports for their coverage of the US Open and ATP World Tour Events, and for the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon.He has done some acting, appearing in an episode ofAgatha Christie's Marpleas a tennis player.In 2008, he appeared as a contestant on the reality TV showsDancing on IceandBeat the Star. He has appeared in \"Dictionary Corner\" on the Channel 4 game showCountdown. Grand Slam tournament finals Singles: 1 (0–1) Other significant finals Grand Slam Cup Singles: 1 (1–0) Masters Series Singles: 2 (1–1) Career finals Singles: 27 (15 titles, 12 runners-up) Doubles: 5 (3 titles, 2 runner-ups) Singles performance timeline 1This event was held inStockholmthrough 1994,Essenin 1995, andStuttgartfrom 1996 through 2001. 2Rusedski was granted British citizenship in May 1995, and competed for Great Britain from 22 May 1995 onwards. Top 10 wins References External links","Karol Kučera Karol Kučera(born 4 March 1974) is a Slovaktenniscoach and former professional player. He achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 6 in September 1998, reaching the semifinals of theAustralian Openthe same year. In 2020, Kučera was elected an MP of theNational Council of Slovakiarepresenting theOrdinary People and Independent Personalitiesmovement, along with fellow former tennis playersJán KrošlákandRomana Tabak. Tennis career Kučera turned professional in 1992. He was a member of theCzechoslovakianGalea Cup teams in 1991 and 1992 and the 1992 European championship squad. In 1993 he qualified for his firstGrand SlamatRoland Garros. In 1995 when Kučera won his first ATP title inRosmalen. In 1996 he played in theSummer OlympicsinAtlantawhere he lost to eventual gold medalistAndre Agassi. A year later he won his second ATP title inOstravadefeatingMagnus Norman. He was runner-up in two other tournaments inNottinghamon grass toGreg RusedskiandStuttgartOutdoor toÁlex Corretjaon clay. Kučera's best year was in 1998, where he finished the year in the top 10, ranked World No. 8, which qualified him in theATP Tour World ChampionshipinHannover. During the year Kučera won 2 titles inSydneydefeatingTim HenmanandNew HavendefeatingGoran Ivanišević. He reached another two finals, losing toGustavo Kuertenin Stuttgart Outdoor and toWorld No. 1Pete SamprasinVienna. Overall in 1998, Kučera compiled a career high 53 match victories and earning $1,402,557. Kučera achieved his best Grand Slam result in 1998 reaching the semi-finals ofAustralian Openwhere on his way he defeatedSergi Bruguera,Daniel Vacek,Daniel Nestor,Richard Frombergand defending champion Pete Sampras in the quarter-finals, losing to eventual championPetr Kordain 4 sets. Later the same year he reached the quarterfinals of the US Open. In 1999, Kučera won his fifth ATP title inBaseldefeatingTim Henmanin the final. After 1999, Kučera struggled with form due to a right wrist and arm injury. After some injury plagued years, Kučera found some form again in 2003 when he finished in the top 50 for the first time since 1999. During the year he won his sixth and final tour title inCopenhagendefeatingOlivier Rochusin the final. Later, Kučera was one of the contributing members on theSlovakianteam which reached the final of theDavis Cupin 2005, eventually losing toCroatia2–3. He announced his retirement after the final. Style of play Miloslav Mečířknown as the \"Big Cat\" was Kučera's coach from 1997 to 2001. Kučera was nicknamed the \"Little Cat\" because of his deceptive style of play and his fluid movement around the court resembling his coach. Kučera was also coached for a time byNovak Djokovic's coach Marian Vajda. Career finals Singles 12 (6–6) Doubles: 4 (0–4) Singles performance timeline 1This event was held in Stockholm through 1994, Essen in 1995, and Stuttgart from 1996 through 2001. Top 10 wins References External links","2003 US Open – Men's singles Andy RoddickdefeatedJuan Carlos Ferreroin the final, 6–3, 7–6(7–2), 6–3 to win the men's singles tennis title at the 2003 US Open. It was his first and onlymajortitle. Roddick remains the most recent American to win a major men's singles title. Roddicksaved a match pointen route to the title, in the semifinals againstDavid Nalbandian. He also completed the \"Summer Slam,\" having wonMasterstitles inCanadaandCincinnatiin the lead-up to the US Open. Pete Sampraswas the reigning champion, but he retired from professional tennis in August 2003. This tournament marked the first US Open main draw appearance for future four-time championRafael Nadal, as well as the first major main draw appearance for future world No. 4 andWimbledonfinalistTomáš Berdych. It also marked the final major appearances for former major championsMichael ChangandYevgeny Kafelnikov. Seeds Qualifying Draw Key Finals Top half Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Bottom half Section 5 Section 6 Section 7 Section 8 External links","Alexander Popp Alexander Popp(born 4 November 1976) is a former German professionaltennisplayer.He reached the quarterfinals ofWimbledonin2000and2003. Personal life Popp was born inHeidelbergto parents Rainer and Jennifer, and started playing tennis at the age of 8. He was coached by Helmut Luthy, from 1994 until retirement.He holds aBritishpassport through his mother, who was born inWolverhampton. Tennis career Popp turned professional in 1997 at the age of 21. Popp's career highlights are making the quarterfinals of Wimbledon (by far his most successful tournament) in2000(defeatingGustavo KuertenandMichael Changen route), and in2003(defeatingJiří Novák). He also reached the fourth round in2004, losing to the eventual runner-up in each of these three runs (Patrick Rafter,Mark PhilippoussisandAndy Roddickrespectively), and the third round in2005. Popp also reached the final ofNewport in 2004and achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 74. In doubles, Popp made the final ofNewportin 2002 (partneringJürgen Melzer) and the semifinals of theHo Chi Minh Citychampionships in 2005 (partneringJiří Vaněk). ATP career finals Singles: 1 (1 runner-up) Doubles: 1 (1 runner-up) ATP Challenger and ITF Futures finals Singles: 16 (13–3) Doubles: 2 (2–0) Performance timeline Singles References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Greg Rusedski Gregory Rusedski(born 6 September 1973) is a British former professionaltennisplayer. He was the British No. 1 in 1997, 1999 and 2006, and reached theATPranking of world No. 4 for periods from 6 October 1997 to 12 October 1997 and from 25 May 1998 to 21 June 1998. In 1997, he was theUS Openfinalist, which led to him receiving theBBC Sports Personality of the Year Awardand the ITV Sports Champion of the Year Award. Also, he scored 30 wins and 13 losses with theGreat Britain Davis Cup team. Personal life Rusedski was born inMontreal, Quebec, to a British mother and a father of Polish and Ukrainian descent.He was a very promising junior player in Canada in the 1980s, and subsequently caused some anger in Canada when he decided to adopt British citizenship and play for Great Britain in 1995.Rusedski made the decision for \\\"lifestyle reasons\\\", noting that his girlfriend — who later became his wife — lived in Britain. Rusedski has been with his wife Lucy Connor since 1991, they met while he was competing in a junior tournament where she was a ball girl.They married in a Catholic ceremony atDouai Abbeyin West Berkshire in December 1999.They have two children: a daughter born in 2006,and a son born in 2009. Career Rusedski's first career singles tournament title was at theHall of Fame Championshipin Newport, Rhode Island in 1993. He opted to compete for the United Kingdom rather than Canada from 22 May 1995 onwards, a decision which was received poorly by Canadian fans; it was reported that he was given a \\\"traitor's reception\\\" by the crowd when he competed in his first Canadian Open after the switch. Rusedski reached the singles final of theUS Openin 1997, where he lost toPat Rafterin four sets (shortly thereafter reaching his career high rank of world No. 4). He also won theBBC Sports Personality of the Year Awardand the ITV Sports Champion of the Year Award. In 1998,Tim Henmaneclipsed Rusedski as the UK number one tennis player. Rusedski, however, won theGrand Slam Cupin 1999. In the1999 US Open, Rusedski reached the fourth round where he was eliminated 5–7, 0–6, 7–6 (7–3), 6–4, 6–4, byTodd Martin; Rusedski had a two-sets-to-none advantage and was serving for the match in the third set, then in the fifth set he was up 4–1, but lost 20 of the final 21 points including a stretch of 18 consecutive points. In the2002 US Open, after losing toPete Samprasin the third round in a grueling five-set match, Rusedski described Sampras as \\\"a half-step slow\\\" and predicted that Sampras would lose his fourth-round match to young German starTommy Haas.Sampras, however, went on to win the tournament. AtWimbledon in 2003, Rusedski was playing in a second-round match againstAndy Roddick. Roddick had won the first two sets, but Rusedski was 5–2 up in the third set. During a point on Roddick's service game, a member of the crowd loudly called one of Roddick's shots long, causing Rusedski to stop playing the point as he believed it was a line judge. The umpire ruled that the ball was good and that, as Roddick's next shot landed in court, Roddick was awarded the point. Rusedski, believing the point should have been replayed, launched into a long and expletive-riddled tirade at the umpire and, never regaining his composure, went on to lose the next five games without reply to concede the match. Rusedski apologized after the match, and Roddick reached the semifinals. Rusedski tested positive fornandrolonein January 2004, but he was cleared of the charges in a hearing on 10 March 2004. Rusedski was defeated in the second round ofWimbledonin 2005 byJoachim Johanssonof Sweden. Later that year, he defended his title at the Hall of Fame Championship, defeatingVince Spadeain the final. This was the first time he had successfully defended a title and the third time he had won the championship. He then reached the semifinals at both theRCA Championshipsin Indianapolis, losing toTaylor Dent, and theCanada Masterstournament in Montreal, losing toAndre Agassi. Towards the end of 2005, Rusedski's ranking had risen to the high 30s. A defeat for Rusedski in the first round of the Challenger event inDnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, left him ranked 38th, just one place short of regaining the UK top spot. Rusedski reclaimed the UK number-one spot on 15 May 2006, overtakingAndy Murrayby getting to the third round of theRome Masters. He lost the top UK ranking again after a first-round exit at Wimbledon. On 7 April 2007, Rusedski officially retired from tennis after partnering withJamie Murrayto a doubles victory over the Netherlands in aDavis Cupmatch, a result which gave Great Britain a winning 3–0 lead in the tie. He announced his retirement immediately after the win during a live interview withSue Barkeron BBC Television.Rusedski has stayed involved with professional tennis in his retirement, and currently works for theLawn Tennis Associationas a talent and performance ambassador.Rusedski held the record for fastest serve at 149 miles per hour until Andy Roddick broke it. On 24 January 2009, Rusedski confirmed he had been seeking a return to professional tennis. However, Davis Cup captain John Lloyd turned down his offer to compete in the Davis Cup, and Rusedski was unable to obtain any wild-card tournament entries.Because of this, Rusedski quickly retracted his announcement and is still retired. Rusedski vs. Henman Rusedski was often overshadowed in the British press by Henman, especially atWimbledon.They were generally closely matched over their careers; both reached a highest world ranking of 4. Rusedski won 15 singles titles compared to Henman's eleven, and also reached the final of theUS Openin 1997, whereas Henman never made it past the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament. However, Henman reached six Grand Slam semifinals and an additional four quarterfinals, whereas Rusedski reached two Grand Slam quarterfinals in total: at the US Open where he reached the final, and at Wimbledon the same year. Neither Rusedski nor Henman ever reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Henman reached the semifinals of the French Open, while Rusedski never made it past the fourth round at that tournament. His Davis Cup singles record was considerably poorer than Henman's. In Great Britain's two key Davis Cup ties in the World Group knockout stage, Rusedski lost all four singles rubbers, despite home advantage (against the US in 1999 and Sweden in 2002). However, as a doubles partnership, Rusedski and Henman won several Davis Cup matches, as well as other tournaments. Rusedski's final match at a Grand Slam was against Henman, at the 2006 US Open. Henman won 7–6, 6–2, 6–3. Over their careers, in head-to-head encounters, Henman won 8–2. Media career Rusedski has an active media career, having written columns forThe Sun,The Daily MirrorandThe Daily Telegraph.He also works for the television channel British Eurosport providing analysis during the stations' coverage of the Australian Open. He provided commentary and analysis for Sky Sports for their coverage of the US Open and ATP World Tour Events, and for the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon.He has done some acting, appearing in an episode ofAgatha Christie's Marpleas a tennis player.In 2008, he appeared as a contestant on the reality TV showsDancing on IceandBeat the Star. He has appeared in \\\"Dictionary Corner\\\" on the Channel 4 game showCountdown. Grand Slam tournament finals Singles: 1 (0–1) Other significant finals Grand Slam Cup Singles: 1 (1–0) Masters Series Singles: 2 (1–1) Career finals Singles: 27 (15 titles, 12 runners-up) Doubles: 5 (3 titles, 2 runner-ups) Singles performance timeline 1This event was held inStockholmthrough 1994,Essenin 1995, andStuttgartfrom 1996 through 2001. 2Rusedski was granted British citizenship in May 1995, and competed for Great Britain from 22 May 1995 onwards. Top 10 wins References External links\",\n \"Karol Kučera Karol Kučera(born 4 March 1974) is a Slovaktenniscoach and former professional player. He achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 6 in September 1998, reaching the semifinals of theAustralian Openthe same year. In 2020, Kučera was elected an MP of theNational Council of Slovakiarepresenting theOrdinary People and Independent Personalitiesmovement, along with fellow former tennis playersJán KrošlákandRomana Tabak. Tennis career Kučera turned professional in 1992. He was a member of theCzechoslovakianGalea Cup teams in 1991 and 1992 and the 1992 European championship squad. In 1993 he qualified for his firstGrand SlamatRoland Garros. In 1995 when Kučera won his first ATP title inRosmalen. In 1996 he played in theSummer OlympicsinAtlantawhere he lost to eventual gold medalistAndre Agassi. A year later he won his second ATP title inOstravadefeatingMagnus Norman. He was runner-up in two other tournaments inNottinghamon grass toGreg RusedskiandStuttgartOutdoor toÁlex Corretjaon clay. Kučera's best year was in 1998, where he finished the year in the top 10, ranked World No. 8, which qualified him in theATP Tour World ChampionshipinHannover. During the year Kučera won 2 titles inSydneydefeatingTim HenmanandNew HavendefeatingGoran Ivanišević. He reached another two finals, losing toGustavo Kuertenin Stuttgart Outdoor and toWorld No. 1Pete SamprasinVienna. Overall in 1998, Kučera compiled a career high 53 match victories and earning $1,402,557. Kučera achieved his best Grand Slam result in 1998 reaching the semi-finals ofAustralian Openwhere on his way he defeatedSergi Bruguera,Daniel Vacek,Daniel Nestor,Richard Frombergand defending champion Pete Sampras in the quarter-finals, losing to eventual championPetr Kordain 4 sets. Later the same year he reached the quarterfinals of the US Open. In 1999, Kučera won his fifth ATP title inBaseldefeatingTim Henmanin the final. After 1999, Kučera struggled with form due to a right wrist and arm injury. After some injury plagued years, Kučera found some form again in 2003 when he finished in the top 50 for the first time since 1999. During the year he won his sixth and final tour title inCopenhagendefeatingOlivier Rochusin the final. Later, Kučera was one of the contributing members on theSlovakianteam which reached the final of theDavis Cupin 2005, eventually losing toCroatia2–3. He announced his retirement after the final. Style of play Miloslav Mečířknown as the \\\"Big Cat\\\" was Kučera's coach from 1997 to 2001. Kučera was nicknamed the \\\"Little Cat\\\" because of his deceptive style of play and his fluid movement around the court resembling his coach. Kučera was also coached for a time byNovak Djokovic's coach Marian Vajda. Career finals Singles 12 (6–6) Doubles: 4 (0–4) Singles performance timeline 1This event was held in Stockholm through 1994, Essen in 1995, and Stuttgart from 1996 through 2001. Top 10 wins References External links\",\n \"2003 US Open – Men's singles Andy RoddickdefeatedJuan Carlos Ferreroin the final, 6–3, 7–6(7–2), 6–3 to win the men's singles tennis title at the 2003 US Open. It was his first and onlymajortitle. Roddick remains the most recent American to win a major men's singles title. Roddicksaved a match pointen route to the title, in the semifinals againstDavid Nalbandian. He also completed the \\\"Summer Slam,\\\" having wonMasterstitles inCanadaandCincinnatiin the lead-up to the US Open. Pete Sampraswas the reigning champion, but he retired from professional tennis in August 2003. This tournament marked the first US Open main draw appearance for future four-time championRafael Nadal, as well as the first major main draw appearance for future world No. 4 andWimbledonfinalistTomáš Berdych. It also marked the final major appearances for former major championsMichael ChangandYevgeny Kafelnikov. Seeds Qualifying Draw Key Finals Top half Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Bottom half Section 5 Section 6 Section 7 Section 8 External links\",\n \"Alexander Popp Alexander Popp(born 4 November 1976) is a former German professionaltennisplayer.He reached the quarterfinals ofWimbledonin2000and2003. Personal life Popp was born inHeidelbergto parents Rainer and Jennifer, and started playing tennis at the age of 8. He was coached by Helmut Luthy, from 1994 until retirement.He holds aBritishpassport through his mother, who was born inWolverhampton. Tennis career Popp turned professional in 1997 at the age of 21. Popp's career highlights are making the quarterfinals of Wimbledon (by far his most successful tournament) in2000(defeatingGustavo KuertenandMichael Changen route), and in2003(defeatingJiří Novák). He also reached the fourth round in2004, losing to the eventual runner-up in each of these three runs (Patrick Rafter,Mark PhilippoussisandAndy Roddickrespectively), and the third round in2005. Popp also reached the final ofNewport in 2004and achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 74. In doubles, Popp made the final ofNewportin 2002 (partneringJürgen Melzer) and the semifinals of theHo Chi Minh Citychampionships in 2005 (partneringJiří Vaněk). ATP career finals Singles: 1 (1 runner-up) Doubles: 1 (1 runner-up) ATP Challenger and ITF Futures finals Singles: 16 (13–3) Doubles: 2 (2–0) Performance timeline Singles References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Greg Rusedski Gregory Rusedski(born 6 September 1973) is a British former professionaltennisplayer. He was the British No. 1 in 1997, 1999 and 2006, and reached theATPranking of world No. 4 for periods from 6 October 1997 to 12 October 1997 and from 25 May 1998 to 21 June 1998. In 1997, he was theUS Openfinalist, which led to him receiving theBBC Sports Personality of the Year Awardand the ITV Sports Champion of the Year Award. Also, he scored 30 wins and 13 losses with theGreat Britain Davis Cup team. Personal life Rusedski was born inMontreal, Quebec, to a British mother and a father of Polish and Ukrainian descent.He was a very promising junior player in Canada in the 1980s, and subsequently caused some anger in Canada when he decided to adopt British citizenship and play for Great Britain in 1995.Rusedski made the decision for \"lifestyle reasons\", noting that his girlfriend — who later became his wife — lived in Britain. Rusedski has been with his wife Lucy Connor since 1991, they met while he was","met while he was competing in a junior tournament where she was a ball girl.They married in a Catholic ceremony atDouai Abbeyin West Berkshire in December 1999.They have two children: a daughter born in 2006,and a son born in 2009. Career Rusedski's first career singles tournament title was at theHall of Fame Championshipin Newport, Rhode Island in 1993. He opted to compete for the United Kingdom rather than Canada from 22 May 1995 onwards, a decision which was received poorly by Canadian fans; it was reported that he was given a \"traitor's reception\" by the crowd when he competed in his first Canadian Open after the switch. Rusedski reached the singles final of theUS Openin 1997, where he lost toPat Rafterin four sets (shortly thereafter reaching his career high rank of world No. 4). He also won theBBC Sports Personality of the Year Awardand the ITV Sports Champion of the Year Award. In 1998,Tim Henmaneclipsed Rusedski as the UK number one tennis player. Rusedski, however, won theGrand Slam Cupin 1999. In","Slam Cupin 1999. In the1999 US Open, Rusedski reached the fourth round where he was eliminated 5–7, 0–6, 7–6 (7–3), 6–4, 6–4, byTodd Martin; Rusedski had a two-sets-to-none advantage and was serving for the match in the third set, then in the fifth set he was up 4–1, but lost 20 of the final 21 points including a stretch of 18 consecutive points. In the2002 US Open, after losing toPete Samprasin the third round in a grueling five-set match, Rusedski described Sampras as \"a half-step slow\" and predicted that Sampras would lose his fourth-round match to young German starTommy Haas.Sampras, however, went on to win the tournament. AtWimbledon in 2003, Rusedski was playing in a second-round match againstAndy Roddick. Roddick had won the first two sets, but Rusedski was 5–2 up in the third set. During a point on Roddick's service game, a member of the crowd loudly called one of Roddick's shots long, causing Rusedski to stop playing the point as he believed it was a line judge. The umpire ruled that the ball was","that the ball was good and that, as Roddick's next shot landed in court, Roddick was awarded the point. Rusedski, believing the point should have been replayed, launched into a long and expletive-riddled tirade at the umpire and, never regaining his composure, went on to lose the next five games without reply to concede the match. Rusedski apologized after the match, and Roddick reached the semifinals. Rusedski tested positive fornandrolonein January 2004, but he was cleared of the charges in a hearing on 10 March 2004. Rusedski was defeated in the second round ofWimbledonin 2005 byJoachim Johanssonof Sweden. Later that year, he defended his title at the Hall of Fame Championship, defeatingVince Spadeain the final. This was the first time he had successfully defended a title and the third time he had won the championship. He then reached the semifinals at both theRCA Championshipsin Indianapolis, losing toTaylor Dent, and theCanada Masterstournament in Montreal, losing toAndre Agassi. Towards the end of","Towards the end of 2005, Rusedski's ranking had risen to the high 30s. A defeat for Rusedski in the first round of the Challenger event inDnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, left him ranked 38th, just one place short of regaining the UK top spot. Rusedski reclaimed the UK number-one spot on 15 May 2006, overtakingAndy Murrayby getting to the third round of theRome Masters. He lost the top UK ranking again after a first-round exit at Wimbledon. On 7 April 2007, Rusedski officially retired from tennis after partnering withJamie Murrayto a doubles victory over the Netherlands in aDavis Cupmatch, a result which gave Great Britain a winning 3–0 lead in the tie. He announced his retirement immediately after the win during a live interview withSue Barkeron BBC Television.Rusedski has stayed involved with professional tennis in his retirement, and currently works for theLawn Tennis Associationas a talent and performance ambassador.Rusedski held the record for fastest serve at 149 miles per hour until Andy Roddick broke it. On","broke it. On 24 January 2009, Rusedski confirmed he had been seeking a return to professional tennis. However, Davis Cup captain John Lloyd turned down his offer to compete in the Davis Cup, and Rusedski was unable to obtain any wild-card tournament entries.Because of this, Rusedski quickly retracted his announcement and is still retired. Rusedski vs. Henman Rusedski was often overshadowed in the British press by Henman, especially atWimbledon.They were generally closely matched over their careers; both reached a highest world ranking of 4. Rusedski won 15 singles titles compared to Henman's eleven, and also reached the final of theUS Openin 1997, whereas Henman never made it past the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament. However, Henman reached six Grand Slam semifinals and an additional four quarterfinals, whereas Rusedski reached two Grand Slam quarterfinals in total: at the US Open where he reached the final, and at Wimbledon the same year. Neither Rusedski nor Henman ever reached the quarterfinals of","quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Henman reached the semifinals of the French Open, while Rusedski never made it past the fourth round at that tournament. His Davis Cup singles record was considerably poorer than Henman's. In Great Britain's two key Davis Cup ties in the World Group knockout stage, Rusedski lost all four singles rubbers, despite home advantage (against the US in 1999 and Sweden in 2002). However, as a doubles partnership, Rusedski and Henman won several Davis Cup matches, as well as other tournaments. Rusedski's final match at a Grand Slam was against Henman, at the 2006 US Open. Henman won 7–6, 6–2, 6–3. Over their careers, in head-to-head encounters, Henman won 8–2. Media career Rusedski has an active media career, having written columns forThe Sun,The Daily MirrorandThe Daily Telegraph.He also works for the television channel British Eurosport providing analysis during the stations' coverage of the Australian Open. He provided commentary and analysis for Sky Sports for their coverage","for their coverage of the US Open and ATP World Tour Events, and for the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon.He has done some acting, appearing in an episode ofAgatha Christie's Marpleas a tennis player.In 2008, he appeared as a contestant on the reality TV showsDancing on IceandBeat the Star. He has appeared in \"Dictionary Corner\" on the Channel 4 game showCountdown. Grand Slam tournament finals Singles: 1 (0–1) Other significant finals Grand Slam Cup Singles: 1 (1–0) Masters Series Singles: 2 (1–1) Career finals Singles: 27 (15 titles, 12 runners-up) Doubles: 5 (3 titles, 2 runner-ups) Singles performance timeline 1This event was held inStockholmthrough 1994,Essenin 1995, andStuttgartfrom 1996 through 2001. 2Rusedski was granted British citizenship in May 1995, and competed for Great Britain from 22 May 1995 onwards. Top 10 wins References External links","Karol Kučera Karol Kučera(born 4 March 1974) is a Slovaktenniscoach and former professional player. He achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 6 in September 1998, reaching the semifinals of theAustralian Openthe same year. In 2020, Kučera was elected an MP of theNational Council of Slovakiarepresenting theOrdinary People and Independent Personalitiesmovement, along with fellow former tennis playersJán KrošlákandRomana Tabak. Tennis career Kučera turned professional in 1992. He was a member of theCzechoslovakianGalea Cup teams in 1991 and 1992 and the 1992 European championship squad. In 1993 he qualified for his firstGrand SlamatRoland Garros. In 1995 when Kučera won his first ATP title inRosmalen. In 1996 he played in theSummer OlympicsinAtlantawhere he lost to eventual gold medalistAndre Agassi. A year later he won his second ATP title inOstravadefeatingMagnus Norman. He was runner-up in two other tournaments inNottinghamon grass toGreg RusedskiandStuttgartOutdoor toÁlex Corretjaon clay.","Corretjaon clay. Kučera's best year was in 1998, where he finished the year in the top 10, ranked World No. 8, which qualified him in theATP Tour World ChampionshipinHannover. During the year Kučera won 2 titles inSydneydefeatingTim HenmanandNew HavendefeatingGoran Ivanišević. He reached another two finals, losing toGustavo Kuertenin Stuttgart Outdoor and toWorld No. 1Pete SamprasinVienna. Overall in 1998, Kučera compiled a career high 53 match victories and earning $1,402,557. Kučera achieved his best Grand Slam result in 1998 reaching the semi-finals ofAustralian Openwhere on his way he defeatedSergi Bruguera,Daniel Vacek,Daniel Nestor,Richard Frombergand defending champion Pete Sampras in the quarter-finals, losing to eventual championPetr Kordain 4 sets. Later the same year he reached the quarterfinals of the US Open. In 1999, Kučera won his fifth ATP title inBaseldefeatingTim Henmanin the final. After 1999, Kučera struggled with form due to a right wrist and arm injury. After some injury plagued years,","plagued years, Kučera found some form again in 2003 when he finished in the top 50 for the first time since 1999. During the year he won his sixth and final tour title inCopenhagendefeatingOlivier Rochusin the final. Later, Kučera was one of the contributing members on theSlovakianteam which reached the final of theDavis Cupin 2005, eventually losing toCroatia2–3. He announced his retirement after the final. Style of play Miloslav Mečířknown as the \"Big Cat\" was Kučera's coach from 1997 to 2001. Kučera was nicknamed the \"Little Cat\" because of his deceptive style of play and his fluid movement around the court resembling his coach. Kučera was also coached for a time byNovak Djokovic's coach Marian Vajda. Career finals Singles 12 (6–6) Doubles: 4 (0–4) Singles performance timeline 1This event was held in Stockholm through 1994, Essen in 1995, and Stuttgart from 1996 through 2001. Top 10 wins References External links","2003 US Open – Men's singles Andy RoddickdefeatedJuan Carlos Ferreroin the final, 6–3, 7–6(7–2), 6–3 to win the men's singles tennis title at the 2003 US Open. It was his first and onlymajortitle. Roddick remains the most recent American to win a major men's singles title. Roddicksaved a match pointen route to the title, in the semifinals againstDavid Nalbandian. He also completed the \"Summer Slam,\" having wonMasterstitles inCanadaandCincinnatiin the lead-up to the US Open. Pete Sampraswas the reigning champion, but he retired from professional tennis in August 2003. This tournament marked the first US Open main draw appearance for future four-time championRafael Nadal, as well as the first major main draw appearance for future world No. 4 andWimbledonfinalistTomáš Berdych. It also marked the final major appearances for former major championsMichael ChangandYevgeny Kafelnikov. Seeds Qualifying Draw Key Finals Top half Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Bottom half Section 5 Section 6 Section 7 Section 8","Section 7 Section 8 External links","Alexander Popp Alexander Popp(born 4 November 1976) is a former German professionaltennisplayer.He reached the quarterfinals ofWimbledonin2000and2003. Personal life Popp was born inHeidelbergto parents Rainer and Jennifer, and started playing tennis at the age of 8. He was coached by Helmut Luthy, from 1994 until retirement.He holds aBritishpassport through his mother, who was born inWolverhampton. Tennis career Popp turned professional in 1997 at the age of 21. Popp's career highlights are making the quarterfinals of Wimbledon (by far his most successful tournament) in2000(defeatingGustavo KuertenandMichael Changen route), and in2003(defeatingJiří Novák). He also reached the fourth round in2004, losing to the eventual runner-up in each of these three runs (Patrick Rafter,Mark PhilippoussisandAndy Roddickrespectively), and the third round in2005. Popp also reached the final ofNewport in 2004and achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 74. In doubles, Popp made the final ofNewportin 2002","ofNewportin 2002 (partneringJürgen Melzer) and the semifinals of theHo Chi Minh Citychampionships in 2005 (partneringJiří Vaněk). ATP career finals Singles: 1 (1 runner-up) Doubles: 1 (1 runner-up) ATP Challenger and ITF Futures finals Singles: 16 (13–3) Doubles: 2 (2–0) Performance timeline Singles References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Greg Rusedski Gregory Rusedski(born 6 September 1973) is a British former professionaltennisplayer. He was the British No. 1 in 1997, 1999 and 2006, and reached theATPranking of world No. 4 for periods from 6 October 1997 to 12 October 1997 and from 25 May 1998 to 21 June 1998. In 1997, he was theUS Openfinalist, which led to him receiving theBBC Sports Personality of the Year Awardand the ITV Sports Champion of the Year Award. Also, he scored 30 wins and 13 losses with theGreat Britain Davis Cup team. Personal life Rusedski was born inMontreal, Quebec, to a British mother and a father of Polish and Ukrainian descent.He was a very promising junior player in Canada in the 1980s, and subsequently caused some anger in Canada when he decided to adopt British citizenship and play for Great Britain in 1995.Rusedski made the decision for \\\"lifestyle reasons\\\", noting that his girlfriend — who later became his wife — lived in Britain. Rusedski has been with his wife Lucy Connor since 1991, they met while he was\",\n \"met while he was competing in a junior tournament where she was a ball girl.They married in a Catholic ceremony atDouai Abbeyin West Berkshire in December 1999.They have two children: a daughter born in 2006,and a son born in 2009. Career Rusedski's first career singles tournament title was at theHall of Fame Championshipin Newport, Rhode Island in 1993. He opted to compete for the United Kingdom rather than Canada from 22 May 1995 onwards, a decision which was received poorly by Canadian fans; it was reported that he was given a \\\"traitor's reception\\\" by the crowd when he competed in his first Canadian Open after the switch. Rusedski reached the singles final of theUS Openin 1997, where he lost toPat Rafterin four sets (shortly thereafter reaching his career high rank of world No. 4). He also won theBBC Sports Personality of the Year Awardand the ITV Sports Champion of the Year Award. In 1998,Tim Henmaneclipsed Rusedski as the UK number one tennis player. Rusedski, however, won theGrand Slam Cupin 1999. In\",\n \"Slam Cupin 1999. In the1999 US Open, Rusedski reached the fourth round where he was eliminated 5–7, 0–6, 7–6 (7–3), 6–4, 6–4, byTodd Martin; Rusedski had a two-sets-to-none advantage and was serving for the match in the third set, then in the fifth set he was up 4–1, but lost 20 of the final 21 points including a stretch of 18 consecutive points. In the2002 US Open, after losing toPete Samprasin the third round in a grueling five-set match, Rusedski described Sampras as \\\"a half-step slow\\\" and predicted that Sampras would lose his fourth-round match to young German starTommy Haas.Sampras, however, went on to win the tournament. AtWimbledon in 2003, Rusedski was playing in a second-round match againstAndy Roddick. Roddick had won the first two sets, but Rusedski was 5–2 up in the third set. During a point on Roddick's service game, a member of the crowd loudly called one of Roddick's shots long, causing Rusedski to stop playing the point as he believed it was a line judge. The umpire ruled that the ball was\",\n \"that the ball was good and that, as Roddick's next shot landed in court, Roddick was awarded the point. Rusedski, believing the point should have been replayed, launched into a long and expletive-riddled tirade at the umpire and, never regaining his composure, went on to lose the next five games without reply to concede the match. Rusedski apologized after the match, and Roddick reached the semifinals. Rusedski tested positive fornandrolonein January 2004, but he was cleared of the charges in a hearing on 10 March 2004. Rusedski was defeated in the second round ofWimbledonin 2005 byJoachim Johanssonof Sweden. Later that year, he defended his title at the Hall of Fame Championship, defeatingVince Spadeain the final. This was the first time he had successfully defended a title and the third time he had won the championship. He then reached the semifinals at both theRCA Championshipsin Indianapolis, losing toTaylor Dent, and theCanada Masterstournament in Montreal, losing toAndre Agassi. Towards the end of\",\n \"Towards the end of 2005, Rusedski's ranking had risen to the high 30s. A defeat for Rusedski in the first round of the Challenger event inDnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, left him ranked 38th, just one place short of regaining the UK top spot. Rusedski reclaimed the UK number-one spot on 15 May 2006, overtakingAndy Murrayby getting to the third round of theRome Masters. He lost the top UK ranking again after a first-round exit at Wimbledon. On 7 April 2007, Rusedski officially retired from tennis after partnering withJamie Murrayto a doubles victory over the Netherlands in aDavis Cupmatch, a result which gave Great Britain a winning 3–0 lead in the tie. He announced his retirement immediately after the win during a live interview withSue Barkeron BBC Television.Rusedski has stayed involved with professional tennis in his retirement, and currently works for theLawn Tennis Associationas a talent and performance ambassador.Rusedski held the record for fastest serve at 149 miles per hour until Andy Roddick broke it. On\",\n \"broke it. On 24 January 2009, Rusedski confirmed he had been seeking a return to professional tennis. However, Davis Cup captain John Lloyd turned down his offer to compete in the Davis Cup, and Rusedski was unable to obtain any wild-card tournament entries.Because of this, Rusedski quickly retracted his announcement and is still retired. Rusedski vs. Henman Rusedski was often overshadowed in the British press by Henman, especially atWimbledon.They were generally closely matched over their careers; both reached a highest world ranking of 4. Rusedski won 15 singles titles compared to Henman's eleven, and also reached the final of theUS Openin 1997, whereas Henman never made it past the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament. However, Henman reached six Grand Slam semifinals and an additional four quarterfinals, whereas Rusedski reached two Grand Slam quarterfinals in total: at the US Open where he reached the final, and at Wimbledon the same year. Neither Rusedski nor Henman ever reached the quarterfinals of\",\n \"quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Henman reached the semifinals of the French Open, while Rusedski never made it past the fourth round at that tournament. His Davis Cup singles record was considerably poorer than Henman's. In Great Britain's two key Davis Cup ties in the World Group knockout stage, Rusedski lost all four singles rubbers, despite home advantage (against the US in 1999 and Sweden in 2002). However, as a doubles partnership, Rusedski and Henman won several Davis Cup matches, as well as other tournaments. Rusedski's final match at a Grand Slam was against Henman, at the 2006 US Open. Henman won 7–6, 6–2, 6–3. Over their careers, in head-to-head encounters, Henman won 8–2. Media career Rusedski has an active media career, having written columns forThe Sun,The Daily MirrorandThe Daily Telegraph.He also works for the television channel British Eurosport providing analysis during the stations' coverage of the Australian Open. He provided commentary and analysis for Sky Sports for their coverage\",\n \"for their coverage of the US Open and ATP World Tour Events, and for the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon.He has done some acting, appearing in an episode ofAgatha Christie's Marpleas a tennis player.In 2008, he appeared as a contestant on the reality TV showsDancing on IceandBeat the Star. He has appeared in \\\"Dictionary Corner\\\" on the Channel 4 game showCountdown. Grand Slam tournament finals Singles: 1 (0–1) Other significant finals Grand Slam Cup Singles: 1 (1–0) Masters Series Singles: 2 (1–1) Career finals Singles: 27 (15 titles, 12 runners-up) Doubles: 5 (3 titles, 2 runner-ups) Singles performance timeline 1This event was held inStockholmthrough 1994,Essenin 1995, andStuttgartfrom 1996 through 2001. 2Rusedski was granted British citizenship in May 1995, and competed for Great Britain from 22 May 1995 onwards. Top 10 wins References External links\",\n \"Karol Kučera Karol Kučera(born 4 March 1974) is a Slovaktenniscoach and former professional player. He achieved a career-high singles ranking of world No. 6 in September 1998, reaching the semifinals of theAustralian Openthe same year. In 2020, Kučera was elected an MP of theNational Council of Slovakiarepresenting theOrdinary People and Independent Personalitiesmovement, along with fellow former tennis playersJán KrošlákandRomana Tabak. Tennis career Kučera turned professional in 1992. He was a member of theCzechoslovakianGalea Cup teams in 1991 and 1992 and the 1992 European championship squad. In 1993 he qualified for his firstGrand SlamatRoland Garros. In 1995 when Kučera won his first ATP title inRosmalen. In 1996 he played in theSummer OlympicsinAtlantawhere he lost to eventual gold medalistAndre Agassi. A year later he won his second ATP title inOstravadefeatingMagnus Norman. He was runner-up in two other tournaments inNottinghamon grass toGreg RusedskiandStuttgartOutdoor toÁlex Corretjaon clay.\",\n \"Corretjaon clay. Kučera's best year was in 1998, where he finished the year in the top 10, ranked World No. 8, which qualified him in theATP Tour World ChampionshipinHannover. During the year Kučera won 2 titles inSydneydefeatingTim HenmanandNew HavendefeatingGoran Ivanišević. He reached another two finals, losing toGustavo Kuertenin Stuttgart Outdoor and toWorld No. 1Pete SamprasinVienna. Overall in 1998, Kučera compiled a career high 53 match victories and earning $1,402,557. Kučera achieved his best Grand Slam result in 1998 reaching the semi-finals ofAustralian Openwhere on his way he defeatedSergi Bruguera,Daniel Vacek,Daniel Nestor,Richard Frombergand defending champion Pete Sampras in the quarter-finals, losing to eventual championPetr Kordain 4 sets. Later the same year he reached the quarterfinals of the US Open. In 1999, Kučera won his fifth ATP title inBaseldefeatingTim Henmanin the final. After 1999, Kučera struggled with form due to a right wrist and arm injury. After some injury plagued years,\",\n \"plagued years, Kučera found some form again in 2003 when he finished in the top 50 for the first time since 1999. During the year he won his sixth and final tour title inCopenhagendefeatingOlivier Rochusin the final. Later, Kučera was one of the contributing members on theSlovakianteam which reached the final of theDavis Cupin 2005, eventually losing toCroatia2–3. He announced his retirement after the final. Style of play Miloslav Mečířknown as the \\\"Big Cat\\\" was Kučera's coach from 1997 to 2001. Kučera was nicknamed the \\\"Little Cat\\\" because of his deceptive style of play and his fluid movement around the court resembling his coach. Kučera was also coached for a time byNovak Djokovic's coach Marian Vajda. Career finals Singles 12 (6–6) Doubles: 4 (0–4) Singles performance timeline 1This event was held in Stockholm through 1994, Essen in 1995, and Stuttgart from 1996 through 2001. Top 10 wins References External links\",\n \"2003 US Open – Men's singles Andy RoddickdefeatedJuan Carlos Ferreroin the final, 6–3, 7–6(7–2), 6–3 to win the men's singles tennis title at the 2003 US Open. It was his first and onlymajortitle. Roddick remains the most recent American to win a major men's singles title. Roddicksaved a match pointen route to the title, in the semifinals againstDavid Nalbandian. He also completed the \\\"Summer Slam,\\\" having wonMasterstitles inCanadaandCincinnatiin the lead-up to the US Open. Pete Sampraswas the reigning champion, but he retired from professional tennis in August 2003. This tournament marked the first US Open main draw appearance for future four-time championRafael Nadal, as well as the first major main draw appearance for future world No. 4 andWimbledonfinalistTomáš Berdych. It also marked the final major appearances for former major championsMichael ChangandYevgeny Kafelnikov. Seeds Qualifying Draw Key Finals Top half Section 1 Section 2 Section 3 Section 4 Bottom half Section 5 Section 6 Section 7 Section 8\",\n \"Section 7 Section 8 External links\",\n \"Alexander Popp Alexander Popp(born 4 November 1976) is a former German professionaltennisplayer.He reached the quarterfinals ofWimbledonin2000and2003. Personal life Popp was born inHeidelbergto parents Rainer and Jennifer, and started playing tennis at the age of 8. He was coached by Helmut Luthy, from 1994 until retirement.He holds aBritishpassport through his mother, who was born inWolverhampton. Tennis career Popp turned professional in 1997 at the age of 21. Popp's career highlights are making the quarterfinals of Wimbledon (by far his most successful tournament) in2000(defeatingGustavo KuertenandMichael Changen route), and in2003(defeatingJiří Novák). He also reached the fourth round in2004, losing to the eventual runner-up in each of these three runs (Patrick Rafter,Mark PhilippoussisandAndy Roddickrespectively), and the third round in2005. Popp also reached the final ofNewport in 2004and achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 74. In doubles, Popp made the final ofNewportin 2002\",\n \"ofNewportin 2002 (partneringJürgen Melzer) and the semifinals of theHo Chi Minh Citychampionships in 2005 (partneringJiří Vaněk). ATP career finals Singles: 1 (1 runner-up) Doubles: 1 (1 runner-up) ATP Challenger and ITF Futures finals Singles: 16 (13–3) Doubles: 2 (2–0) Performance timeline Singles References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":263,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"How many more votes did the Conservatives receive in the Highlands and Islands region in the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary Elections than in 2016?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"16,086"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Scottish_Parliament_election"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Scottish_Parliament_election"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Scottish_Parliament_election', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Scottish_Parliament_election']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Scottish_Parliament_election","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Scottish_Parliament_election"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Scottish_Parliament_election\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Scottish_Parliament_election\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["2021 Scottish Parliament election Nicola SturgeonSNP Nicola SturgeonSNP The2021 Scottish Parliament electiontook place on 11 May 2021,under the provisions of theScotland Act 1998. All 129Members of the Scottish Parliamentwere elected in the sixthelectionsince the parliament was re-established in 1999. The election was held alongside theSenedd electionin Wales,English local elections,London Assemblyandmayoral electionand theHartlepool by-election. The election campaign started on 25 March 2021 during theCOVID-19 pandemic in Scotland. Parliament was officiallydissolvedon 5 May, the day before the election.The main parties fielding candidates were: theScottish National Party(SNP), led byFirst MinisterNicola Sturgeon; theScottish Conservatives, led byDouglas Ross;Scottish Labour, led byAnas Sarwar; theScottish Liberal Democrats, led byWillie Rennie, and theScottish Greens, jointly ledPatrick HarvieandLorna Slater. Of those five parties, three had changed their leader since the2016 election. Newer parties set up since the 2016 election included:Reform UK Scotland, led byMichelle Ballantyne; theAlba Party, led by former First Minister and SNP leaderAlex Salmond; andAll for Unity, led byGeorge Galloway. These parties only competed for seats on theregional lists. They all failed to win any seats. The election resulted in the SNP winning a fourth consecutive term in government. They won 64 seats, a net increase of one. The SNP gainedEdinburgh Central,Ayr, andEast Lothian, as well as winning the largest share of the popular vote and the largest number of constituency seats in any Scottish Parliament election (62).The Greens won eight seats, their best result to date at a Scottish Parliament election, while the Conservatives retained second place with 31 seats. Labour had its worst-ever result with 22 seats, and the lowest share of the vote in both constituency and list votes for either Westminster or Holyrood since 1910. The Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) also had their worst showing at a Holyrood election to date, winning only four seats. The SNP and the Greens, both of which supportScottish independence, won 72 of the 129 seats in the parliament. Unionist parties (that is, those against independence) achieved a small majority of votes in constituency contests, whilst pro-independence parties achieved a small majority in the regional lists.The turnout was 63.5%, which is the highest ever at a Scottish Parliament election. Following the election, thethird Sturgeon governmentwas formed. It initially consisted of just the SNP, but later included Slater and Harvie of the Scottish Greens as junior ministers after the two parties negotiated apower-sharing agreement. Background Electoral events 2016 Scottish Parliament election At the2016 election, the rulingScottish National Party(SNP) lost itsparliamentary majoritybut was able to continue governing underNicola Sturgeonas aminorityadministration.At the same election, theConservativesovertookLabourto place second, whilst theGreensovertook theLiberal Democratsto place fourth.No representatives of minor parties were elected to the Parliament. Other elections Four further elections affecting Scotland took place between the 2016 and 2021 Scottish Parliament elections: Leadership changes Three parties underwent leadership changes during the parliamentary term leading up to the election. In August 2017,Kezia Dugdaleresigned as leader of Scottish Labour and wasreplacedbyRichard Leonard.In January 2021, less than four months before the election, Leonard resigned.Anas Sarwarwon the subsequentleadership election. In August 2019,Lorna SlaterandPatrick Harviebecameco-leadersof theScottish Greens. Also in August 2019,Ruth Davidsonresigned as leader of the Scottish Conservatives and wassucceededbyJackson Carlaw.Carlaw resigned as leader in July 2020,withDouglas Rosswinning the subsequentleadership electionunopposed. Expansion of the electorate This is the first election after the passage of the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Act, which extended thefranchiseto those serving prison sentences of 12 months or less.In 2005, the United Kingdom was found in breach of Protocol 1, Article 3 of theEuropean Convention on Human Rightsin regards of prisoner voting rights in theEuropean Court of Human Rightsas a result ofHirst v United Kingdom (No 2); the Act brings Scotland in line with the court ruling. This act also allows all foreign nationals resident in Scotland to vote and all those withindefinite leave to remainor equivalent status, includingpre–settled statusin the United Kingdom, to stand as candidates.A BBC News report in April 2021 said that there were around 55,000 foreign nationals who had been given the right to vote as a result of these changes, including 20,000 refugees. Date Under theScotland Act 1998, an ordinary general election to the Scottish Parliament would normally have been held on the first Thursday in May four years after the2016 election, i.e. in May 2020.This would have clashed with the proposed date of a UK general election, although this became a moot point when a snap UK general election was held inJune 2017(a further UK general election was held inDecember 2019).In November 2015, the Scottish Government published a Scottish Elections (Dates) Bill, which proposed to extend the term of the Parliament to five years.That Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 25 February 2016 and received Royal Assent on 30 March 2016, setting the new date for the election as 6 May 2021. The Scottish Elections (Dates) Act did not affect the legal possibilities for the Parliament to be dissolved earlier, those being; Nevertheless, no extraordinary general elections have been held to date. Any extraordinary general election would be in addition to the ordinary general elections, unless held less than six months before the due date of an ordinary general election, in which case it would supplant it.This would not affect the year in which the subsequent ordinary general election would be held. On 16 November 2020, the Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill was introduced.This draft legislation stated that while the next election was intended to be held on 6 May 2021, thePresiding Officerwould gain the power to postpone the election by up to six months if the spread ofCOVID-19made that date impractical.The bill also proposed to change the date of dissolution to the day before the election, meaning that the Parliament could be recalled during the election period.The bill was enacted and receivedRoyal Assenton 29 January 2021.Parliament was in fact recalled on 12 April, to allow MSPs to mark the death ofPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Retiring MSPs James Dornanannounced in February 2020 his intention to retire at the next Holyrood election,but reversed this decision some months later. Parties The SNP, Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats fielded candidates in all 73 constituencies and all eight of the regional ballots.Five other parties contested both all eight regions and at least one constituency: the Scottish Greens (12 constituencies) theScottish Libertarian Party(9), theScottish Family Party(7),UKIP(5) and the Freedom Alliance (4). Four parties –Abolish the Scottish Parliament Party,Alba Party,All for Unity, andReform UK– stood in all eight electoral regions, but did not contest any constituencies. Six other parties contested some of the regions and at least one constituency:TUSC(3 regions and 3 constituencies), Restore Scotland (2 regions, 4 constituencies),Scotia Future(2 of each), theCommunist Party of Britain(2 regions and 1 constituency), theReclaim Party(1 of each) and the Vanguard Party (also 1 of each). Five other parties –Independent Green Voice(5 regions),Renew(5), theSocial Democratic Party(2),Women's Equality(2) andAnimal Welfare(1) – contested some of the regions, but not any constituencies. TheScottish Socialist Party, which participated in the last election as part of the electoral allianceRISE – Scotland's Left Alliance, opted not to participate in this election, for the first time since its inception. List of parties contesting all regional ballots Election system, seats and regions The total number ofMembers of the Scottish Parliament(MSPs) elected to the Parliament is 129. The Scottish Parliament uses anadditional member system(AMS), designed to produce approximateproportional representationfor each region. There are 8 regions, each sub-divided into smaller constituencies. There is a total of 73constituencies. Each constituency elects one MSP by theplurality(first past the post) system of election. Each region elects 7 additional MSPs using anadditional membersystem. A modifiedD'Hondt methodusing the constituency resultsis used to elect these additional MSPs. The boundaries of the 73 constituencies last changed as of the2011 Scottish Parliament election, as did the configuration of the electoral regions used to elect \"list\" members of the Scottish Parliament.These revisions were the outcome of the First Periodical Review of theScottish Parliament's constituencies and regionsconducted by theBoundary Commission for Scotland; the Review was announced on 3 July 2007 and the Commission published its final report on 26 May 2010. The Scottish Parliament constituencies have not been coterminous withScottish Westminster constituenciessince the2005 general election, when the 72 former UK Parliament constituencies were replaced with a new set of 59, generally larger, constituencies (seeScottish Parliament (Constituencies) Act 2004). The size difference between Westminster and Holyrood boundaries was due to diverge further upon the implementation of theSixth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which has not been voted upon by Parliament. The2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituenciesfor a UK total of 650 MPs commenced in England in 2021 and will complete for the UK by 2023. Campaign The election campaign started on 25 March 2021.The Scottish Conservatives launched their campaign the same day, with a focus on promoting Scotland's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. On 26 March 2021, theAlba Partywas publicly launched by formerFirst Minister of Scotlandand SNP leader,Alex Salmond.The party announced plans to standlist-only candidates. Two sitting SNP MPs later defected to the Alba party.TheAction for Independenceparty, which had intended to pursue a similar list-only strategy, announced they would stand down their candidates in favour of Alba.Sturgeon said she would refuse to have any dealings with Salmond unless he apologises to the women who had accused him of harassment. BBC Scotlandannounced that it would broadcast two debates between the main parties' leaders; the first was aired on 30 March 2021 and was moderated by the corporation's Scotland editorSarah Smith.The debate included key questions from the audience on theCOVID-19 recovery,climate change, and asecond referendumonScottish independence. The second BBC debate was held on 4 May 2021 and was moderated by BBC Scotland's political editorGlenn Campbell. Commercial broadcasterSTVheld their leaders' debate on 13 April, moderated by their political editorColin Mackay.NUS Scotlandheld a debate on specifically on student issues which was moderated by NUS Scotland president, Matt Crilly on 20 April which featured the three main party leaders. On 1 April,Planet Radioannounced that theirClyde 2station would be hosting a Leaders Phone-In with the main parties' leaders every Sunday before the election.Douglas Rosswas the first to be interviewed on 4 April,withWillie Renniefollowing on 18 April. WhilstNicola Sturgeonwas set to be interviewed on 11 April, campaigning was delayed following the death ofPrince Philipand her phone-in was instead held on 22 April.Patrick Harviefollowed on 25 April; andAnas Sarwarhad the final phone-in on 2 May. Following Prince Philip's death on 9 April, the SNP, Conservatives, Labour, Greens and Liberal Democrats said they would suspend election campaigning until further notice.After discussion between the parties, they agreed to resume campaigning after a special parliamentary session on 12 April to make tributes and to pause activities again on the day of the funeral (17 April). Election debates Opinion polling Graph of opinion poll results prior to the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. Trendlines are 30-day moving averages. SNP –Scottish National PartyConservative –Scottish ConservativesLabour –Scottish LabourLib Dem –Scottish Liberal DemocratsGreen –Scottish GreensUKIP –UK Independence PartyReform –Reform UKSSP –Scottish Socialist PartyAlba –Alba PartyAFU –All for Unity Target seats Below are listed all the constituencies which required aswingof less than 5% from the 2016 result to change hands. The most marginal opportunity for theGreenswas inGlasgow Kelvin, which they needed a 7.1% swing to gain. TheLiberal Democrats' best bet wasCaithness, Sutherland and Ross, which required a 6.1% swing. The SNP ended up holding both of these constituencies. SNP targets Conservative targets Labour targets Results Overall Votes summary Central Scotland Glasgow Highlands and Islands Lothian Mid Scotland and Fife North East Scotland South Scotland West Scotland Constituency seat changes compared to 2016 MSPs who lost their seats Analysis The SNP won 64 seats, falling one seat short of an overall majority.Some commentators put this down to unionistsvoting tacticallyfor Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem candidates.According to psephologistJohn Curtice, \"Denying the SNP an overall majority was, indeed, a collective effort – at least on the part of Unionist voters, who on the constituency ballot demonstrated a remarkable willingness to back whichever pro-Union party appeared to be best placed locally to defeat the SNP. These patterns had a decisive impact on the outcome.\"This was apparent in seats likeDumbarton, where incumbent Labour MSPJackie Bailliesaw her 0.3% majority increased to 3.9%, whilst both the Conservative and Lib Dem vote share decreased. InThe National,Emer O'Toolequestioned whether social media adverts with \"a lack of transparency over funding\" may have cost the SNP key seats as well.The day before the election,The Guardianreported that anti-independence groups and campaigners had \"spent tens of thousands of pounds in the past week\", including onFacebookadverts, calling for tactical voting to prevent the SNP getting a majority.One of these groups was Scotland Matters, whose founder, ProfessorHugh Penningtonsaid, \"Across the country as a whole, tactical voting is obviously one of the ways forward to basically harm the SNP, not to put too fine a point on it.\" Additionally, the Greens claimed that they may have been deprived of two seats because ofIndependent Green Voice(IGV), a far-right party which has nothing to do with the Scottish Greens (who support Scottish independence). IGV received nearly 10,000 votes, including 2,210 inGlasgow(where the Greens were 1,000 short of gaining a seat) and 1,690 inSouth Scotland(where the Greens fell 100 short). This potentially prevented pro-independence parties from having a 19-seat majority instead of 15 seats. TheScottish and Welsh Election Studies 2021, revealed on 13 June, found that around a third of Scottish voters who decided to vote differently in the run-up to the election did so to stop another party, and that 90% of those who did this did so in a bid to prevent the SNP winning the seat. Rob Johns, Professor in Politics at theUniversity of Essex, said: \"e found a lot more switching than we had expected. The polls had suggested that not much was changing and obviously the overall election result was almost eerily similar to 2016. That can mean that nobody has changed their mind or it can mean lots of people have changed their mind – but these have cancelled out as people have moved in opposing directions. We found there was quite a lot more of that than we had expected.\" Voter demographics Data fromSavanta ComRes: Campaign spending Aftermath Nicola Sturgeonwas nominated asFirst Ministerby a vote of the parliament on 18 May 2021.Hercabinetwas approved by the parliament two days later and thus theThird Sturgeon government, aminority government, was formed. On 3 August 2021, it was reported that a co-operation agreement between the SNP and the Greens was \"on the brink of being finalised\" and could see Green MSPs take ministerial positions in government.On 19 August, the power-sharing agreement between the two parties was announced.Under the terms of the agreement, the Greens have two MSPs appointed as junior ministers in the government who are invited to attend cabinet meetings when their portfolios are being discussed. The Greens signed up to the bulk of the SNP's policies, but in areas of disagreement such as international relations and fee-paying schools the two parties are free to publicly disagree.The agreement states that the Greens support the government onvotes of confidenceandsupply. A deal that would seePatrick HarvieandLorna Slatermade ministers was revealed on 26 August, subject to being voted upon by Green Party members.Two days later, members of both parties overwhelmingly voted in favour of the deal. See also Other elections in the UK which were held on the same day: Footnotes References External links","2016 Scottish Parliament election Nicola SturgeonSNP Nicola SturgeonSNP The2016 Scottish parliament electionwas held on Thursday, 5 May 2016to elect 129 members to theScottish Parliament. It was the fifthelection heldsince the devolved parliament was established in 1999. It was the first parliamentary election in Scotland in which 16 and 17 year olds were eligible to vote, under the provisions of the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act.It was also the first time the three largest parties were led by women. Parliament went into dissolution on 24 March 2016, allowing the official period of campaigning to get underway. Five parties had MSPs in the previous parliament:Scottish National Party(SNP) led byFirst MinisterNicola Sturgeon,Scottish Labourled byKezia Dugdale,Scottish Conservativesled byRuth Davidson,Scottish Liberal Democratsled byWillie Rennie,Scottish Greens, led by their co-convenersPatrick HarvieandMaggie Chapman. Of those five parties, four changed their leader since the2011 election. During the campaign, a series of televised debates took place, including party leaders of the elected parties.BBC Scotlandheld the first leaders' debate on 24 March,STVbroadcast the next on 29 March, and BBC Scotland hosted the final debate on 1 May. The election resulted in ahung parliamentwith the Scottish National Party winning a third term in government, but falling two seats short of securing a second consecutive overall majority.The Conservatives saw a significant increase in support and replaced the Labour Party as the second-largest party and main opposition in the Scottish Parliament. This was the first time that Labour had finished in third place at a Scottish election in 98 years.The Scottish Greens won six seats on the regional list and overtook the Liberal Democrats, who remained on five seats. Although the SNP had lost their majority, it was still by far the largest single party in the Scottish Parliament, with more than double the seats of the Conservatives. Accordingly, Sturgeon announced she would form aminority SNP government. She was voted in for a second term as First Minister on 17 May. Date Under theScotland Act 1998, an ordinary election to the Scottish Parliament would normally have been held on the first Thursday in May four years after the2011 election, i.e. in May 2015.In May 2010, thenew UK Governmentstated in itscoalition agreementthat thenext general electionwould also be held in May 2015.This proposal was criticised by the Scottish National Party and Labour, as it had been recommended after the2007 electionthat elections with different voting systems should be held on separate days: a recommendation which all of the political parties had then accepted.In response to this criticism, Deputy Prime MinisterNick Cleggoffered the right to vary the date of the Scottish Parliament election by a year either way.All the main political parties then stated their support for delaying the election by a year.TheFixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, a statute of the UK Parliament, moved the date of the Scottish Parliament election to 5 May 2016. The date of the poll may be varied by up to one month either way by themonarch, on the proposal of thePresiding Officer. If Parliament itself resolves that it should be dissolved, with at least two-thirds of theMembers(i.e. 86 Members) voting in favour, the Presiding Officer proposes a date for an extraordinary election and the Parliament is dissolved by the monarch byroyal proclamation. It does not necessarily require a two-thirds majority to precipitate an extraordinary election, because under the Scotland Act Parliament is also dissolved if it fails to nominate one of its members to beFirst Ministerwithin certain time limits, irrespective of whether at the beginning or in the middle of a parliamentary term. Therefore, if the First Minister resigned, Parliament would then have 28 days to elect a successor (s46(2)b and s46(3)a). If no new First Minister was elected then the Presiding Officer would ask for Parliament to be dissolved under s3(1)a. This process could also be triggered if the First Minister lost avote of confidenceby asimple majority(i.e. more than 50%), as they must then resign (Scotland Act 1998 s45(2)). To date the Parliament has never held a vote of no confidence in a First Minister. No extraordinary elections have been held to date. Any extraordinary elections would be in addition to ordinary elections, unless held less than six months before the due date of an ordinary election, in which case they supplant it. The subsequent ordinary election reverts to the first Thursday in May, a multiple of four years after 1999. It was envisaged that the election would still have taken place as scheduled if Scotland had voted in favour ofindependencein 2014. Retiring MSPs Deselected MSPs Changes to the SNP's selection procedures the previous year in order to ensure gender balance of candidates meant that any incumbent constituency MSP who chose to retire would have their replacement selected from anall-woman shortlist. The only ways for a new male candidate to receive a constituency nomination would be to stand in a constituency currently held by an opposition MSP or to run a de-selection campaign against a sitting MSP. For that reason there were far more challenges than normal within the SNP, but only two were successful: Election system, seats, and regions The total number ofMembers of the Scottish Parliament(MSPs) elected to the Parliament is 129. The First Periodical Review of theScottish Parliament's constituencies and regionsby theBoundary Commission for Scotland, was announced on 3 July 2007. The Commission published its provisional proposals for the regional boundaries in 2009. The Scottish Parliament uses anAdditional Members System, designed to produce approximateproportional representationfor each region. There are 8 regions, each sub-divided into smaller constituencies. There are a total of 73constituencies. Each constituency elects one MSP by theplurality(first past the post) system of election. Each region elects 7 additional MSPs using anadditional membersystem. A modifiedD'Hondt method, using the constituency results, is used to elect these additional MSPs. The Scottish Parliament constituencies have not been coterminous withScottish Westminster constituenciessince the2005 general election, when the 72 former UK Parliament constituencies were replaced with a new set of 59, generally larger, constituencies (seeScottish Parliament (Constituencies) Act 2004). The boundaries used for the Scottish Parliament elections were then revised for the 2011 election. The Boundary Commission also recommended changes to the electoral regions used to elect \"list\" members of the Scottish Parliament,which were also implemented in 2011. Campaign On 29 February 2016,BBC Scotland'sScotland 2016current affairs programme held a debate focusing on education featuring theEducation MinisterAngela Constanceand three party leaders:Kezia Dugdale,Ruth DavidsonandWillie Rennie. On 24 March 2016,BBC Scotlandheld a debate inGlasgowwhich was televised that featured Dugdale, Davidson, Rennie,Nicola Sturgeon,Patrick HarvieandDavid Coburn. On 29 March 2016,STVhosted a televised leaders' debate, featuring the five leaders of the parties which held seats in the last Parliament. From 5–26 April 2016,Scotland 2016also held a series of weekly subject debates on Tuesday nights. The subjects were Tax, Health, Energy & Environment, and Housing.Of these, six parties (SNP,Labour,ConservativesandLiberal Democrats, theScottish GreensandUKIP) were invited to the Tax debate. Parties contesting the election The official nomination period closed on 1 April 2016, lists of candidates were then published by local councils once the applications had been processed. In March 2015, the Scottish Greens balloted their members to select candidates for their regional lists.The SNP released their regional candidate list in October 2015.The Conservative regional candidate list followed in December.In January 2016,RISE – Scotland's Left Allianceannounced list candidates for all regions except the North East.Labour had announced a new selection process for regional candidates in November 2013,then revealed their full list of regional candidates in February 2016.UKIP's regional candidates were picked by their executive committee, prompting one prospective candidate to resign his party membership. Contesting constituency and regional ballot The SNP, the Scottish Labour, the Scottish Conservatives and the Scottish Liberal Democrats fielded candidates in all 73 constituencies. Contesting regional ballot only Contesting constituency ballot only Opinion polling The chart shows the relative state of the parties since polling began from 2012, until the date of the election. The constituency vote is shown as semi-transparent lines, while the regional vote is shown in full lines. Result Votes summary Central Scotland Glasgow Highlands and Islands Lothian Margo MacDonaldhad been elected on the Lothian regional list in 2011, as an Independent; she died in 2014. Mid Scotland and Fife North East Scotland South Scotland West Scotland Target seats Below are listed all the constituencies which required aswingof less than 5% from the 2011 result to change hands. SNP targets Labour targets Conservative targets Liberal Democrat targets Incumbents defeated (stood forNorth East Scotland) * Formerly SNP See also Other elections in the UK being held on the same day UK parliamentary by-elections References External links Party manifestos"],"string":"[\n \"2021 Scottish Parliament election Nicola SturgeonSNP Nicola SturgeonSNP The2021 Scottish Parliament electiontook place on 11 May 2021,under the provisions of theScotland Act 1998. All 129Members of the Scottish Parliamentwere elected in the sixthelectionsince the parliament was re-established in 1999. The election was held alongside theSenedd electionin Wales,English local elections,London Assemblyandmayoral electionand theHartlepool by-election. The election campaign started on 25 March 2021 during theCOVID-19 pandemic in Scotland. Parliament was officiallydissolvedon 5 May, the day before the election.The main parties fielding candidates were: theScottish National Party(SNP), led byFirst MinisterNicola Sturgeon; theScottish Conservatives, led byDouglas Ross;Scottish Labour, led byAnas Sarwar; theScottish Liberal Democrats, led byWillie Rennie, and theScottish Greens, jointly ledPatrick HarvieandLorna Slater. Of those five parties, three had changed their leader since the2016 election. Newer parties set up since the 2016 election included:Reform UK Scotland, led byMichelle Ballantyne; theAlba Party, led by former First Minister and SNP leaderAlex Salmond; andAll for Unity, led byGeorge Galloway. These parties only competed for seats on theregional lists. They all failed to win any seats. The election resulted in the SNP winning a fourth consecutive term in government. They won 64 seats, a net increase of one. The SNP gainedEdinburgh Central,Ayr, andEast Lothian, as well as winning the largest share of the popular vote and the largest number of constituency seats in any Scottish Parliament election (62).The Greens won eight seats, their best result to date at a Scottish Parliament election, while the Conservatives retained second place with 31 seats. Labour had its worst-ever result with 22 seats, and the lowest share of the vote in both constituency and list votes for either Westminster or Holyrood since 1910. The Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) also had their worst showing at a Holyrood election to date, winning only four seats. The SNP and the Greens, both of which supportScottish independence, won 72 of the 129 seats in the parliament. Unionist parties (that is, those against independence) achieved a small majority of votes in constituency contests, whilst pro-independence parties achieved a small majority in the regional lists.The turnout was 63.5%, which is the highest ever at a Scottish Parliament election. Following the election, thethird Sturgeon governmentwas formed. It initially consisted of just the SNP, but later included Slater and Harvie of the Scottish Greens as junior ministers after the two parties negotiated apower-sharing agreement. Background Electoral events 2016 Scottish Parliament election At the2016 election, the rulingScottish National Party(SNP) lost itsparliamentary majoritybut was able to continue governing underNicola Sturgeonas aminorityadministration.At the same election, theConservativesovertookLabourto place second, whilst theGreensovertook theLiberal Democratsto place fourth.No representatives of minor parties were elected to the Parliament. Other elections Four further elections affecting Scotland took place between the 2016 and 2021 Scottish Parliament elections: Leadership changes Three parties underwent leadership changes during the parliamentary term leading up to the election. In August 2017,Kezia Dugdaleresigned as leader of Scottish Labour and wasreplacedbyRichard Leonard.In January 2021, less than four months before the election, Leonard resigned.Anas Sarwarwon the subsequentleadership election. In August 2019,Lorna SlaterandPatrick Harviebecameco-leadersof theScottish Greens. Also in August 2019,Ruth Davidsonresigned as leader of the Scottish Conservatives and wassucceededbyJackson Carlaw.Carlaw resigned as leader in July 2020,withDouglas Rosswinning the subsequentleadership electionunopposed. Expansion of the electorate This is the first election after the passage of the Scottish Elections (Franchise and Representation) Act, which extended thefranchiseto those serving prison sentences of 12 months or less.In 2005, the United Kingdom was found in breach of Protocol 1, Article 3 of theEuropean Convention on Human Rightsin regards of prisoner voting rights in theEuropean Court of Human Rightsas a result ofHirst v United Kingdom (No 2); the Act brings Scotland in line with the court ruling. This act also allows all foreign nationals resident in Scotland to vote and all those withindefinite leave to remainor equivalent status, includingpre–settled statusin the United Kingdom, to stand as candidates.A BBC News report in April 2021 said that there were around 55,000 foreign nationals who had been given the right to vote as a result of these changes, including 20,000 refugees. Date Under theScotland Act 1998, an ordinary general election to the Scottish Parliament would normally have been held on the first Thursday in May four years after the2016 election, i.e. in May 2020.This would have clashed with the proposed date of a UK general election, although this became a moot point when a snap UK general election was held inJune 2017(a further UK general election was held inDecember 2019).In November 2015, the Scottish Government published a Scottish Elections (Dates) Bill, which proposed to extend the term of the Parliament to five years.That Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 25 February 2016 and received Royal Assent on 30 March 2016, setting the new date for the election as 6 May 2021. The Scottish Elections (Dates) Act did not affect the legal possibilities for the Parliament to be dissolved earlier, those being; Nevertheless, no extraordinary general elections have been held to date. Any extraordinary general election would be in addition to the ordinary general elections, unless held less than six months before the due date of an ordinary general election, in which case it would supplant it.This would not affect the year in which the subsequent ordinary general election would be held. On 16 November 2020, the Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill was introduced.This draft legislation stated that while the next election was intended to be held on 6 May 2021, thePresiding Officerwould gain the power to postpone the election by up to six months if the spread ofCOVID-19made that date impractical.The bill also proposed to change the date of dissolution to the day before the election, meaning that the Parliament could be recalled during the election period.The bill was enacted and receivedRoyal Assenton 29 January 2021.Parliament was in fact recalled on 12 April, to allow MSPs to mark the death ofPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Retiring MSPs James Dornanannounced in February 2020 his intention to retire at the next Holyrood election,but reversed this decision some months later. Parties The SNP, Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats fielded candidates in all 73 constituencies and all eight of the regional ballots.Five other parties contested both all eight regions and at least one constituency: the Scottish Greens (12 constituencies) theScottish Libertarian Party(9), theScottish Family Party(7),UKIP(5) and the Freedom Alliance (4). Four parties –Abolish the Scottish Parliament Party,Alba Party,All for Unity, andReform UK– stood in all eight electoral regions, but did not contest any constituencies. Six other parties contested some of the regions and at least one constituency:TUSC(3 regions and 3 constituencies), Restore Scotland (2 regions, 4 constituencies),Scotia Future(2 of each), theCommunist Party of Britain(2 regions and 1 constituency), theReclaim Party(1 of each) and the Vanguard Party (also 1 of each). Five other parties –Independent Green Voice(5 regions),Renew(5), theSocial Democratic Party(2),Women's Equality(2) andAnimal Welfare(1) – contested some of the regions, but not any constituencies. TheScottish Socialist Party, which participated in the last election as part of the electoral allianceRISE – Scotland's Left Alliance, opted not to participate in this election, for the first time since its inception. List of parties contesting all regional ballots Election system, seats and regions The total number ofMembers of the Scottish Parliament(MSPs) elected to the Parliament is 129. The Scottish Parliament uses anadditional member system(AMS), designed to produce approximateproportional representationfor each region. There are 8 regions, each sub-divided into smaller constituencies. There is a total of 73constituencies. Each constituency elects one MSP by theplurality(first past the post) system of election. Each region elects 7 additional MSPs using anadditional membersystem. A modifiedD'Hondt methodusing the constituency resultsis used to elect these additional MSPs. The boundaries of the 73 constituencies last changed as of the2011 Scottish Parliament election, as did the configuration of the electoral regions used to elect \\\"list\\\" members of the Scottish Parliament.These revisions were the outcome of the First Periodical Review of theScottish Parliament's constituencies and regionsconducted by theBoundary Commission for Scotland; the Review was announced on 3 July 2007 and the Commission published its final report on 26 May 2010. The Scottish Parliament constituencies have not been coterminous withScottish Westminster constituenciessince the2005 general election, when the 72 former UK Parliament constituencies were replaced with a new set of 59, generally larger, constituencies (seeScottish Parliament (Constituencies) Act 2004). The size difference between Westminster and Holyrood boundaries was due to diverge further upon the implementation of theSixth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which has not been voted upon by Parliament. The2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituenciesfor a UK total of 650 MPs commenced in England in 2021 and will complete for the UK by 2023. Campaign The election campaign started on 25 March 2021.The Scottish Conservatives launched their campaign the same day, with a focus on promoting Scotland's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. On 26 March 2021, theAlba Partywas publicly launched by formerFirst Minister of Scotlandand SNP leader,Alex Salmond.The party announced plans to standlist-only candidates. Two sitting SNP MPs later defected to the Alba party.TheAction for Independenceparty, which had intended to pursue a similar list-only strategy, announced they would stand down their candidates in favour of Alba.Sturgeon said she would refuse to have any dealings with Salmond unless he apologises to the women who had accused him of harassment. BBC Scotlandannounced that it would broadcast two debates between the main parties' leaders; the first was aired on 30 March 2021 and was moderated by the corporation's Scotland editorSarah Smith.The debate included key questions from the audience on theCOVID-19 recovery,climate change, and asecond referendumonScottish independence. The second BBC debate was held on 4 May 2021 and was moderated by BBC Scotland's political editorGlenn Campbell. Commercial broadcasterSTVheld their leaders' debate on 13 April, moderated by their political editorColin Mackay.NUS Scotlandheld a debate on specifically on student issues which was moderated by NUS Scotland president, Matt Crilly on 20 April which featured the three main party leaders. On 1 April,Planet Radioannounced that theirClyde 2station would be hosting a Leaders Phone-In with the main parties' leaders every Sunday before the election.Douglas Rosswas the first to be interviewed on 4 April,withWillie Renniefollowing on 18 April. WhilstNicola Sturgeonwas set to be interviewed on 11 April, campaigning was delayed following the death ofPrince Philipand her phone-in was instead held on 22 April.Patrick Harviefollowed on 25 April; andAnas Sarwarhad the final phone-in on 2 May. Following Prince Philip's death on 9 April, the SNP, Conservatives, Labour, Greens and Liberal Democrats said they would suspend election campaigning until further notice.After discussion between the parties, they agreed to resume campaigning after a special parliamentary session on 12 April to make tributes and to pause activities again on the day of the funeral (17 April). Election debates Opinion polling Graph of opinion poll results prior to the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. Trendlines are 30-day moving averages. SNP –Scottish National PartyConservative –Scottish ConservativesLabour –Scottish LabourLib Dem –Scottish Liberal DemocratsGreen –Scottish GreensUKIP –UK Independence PartyReform –Reform UKSSP –Scottish Socialist PartyAlba –Alba PartyAFU –All for Unity Target seats Below are listed all the constituencies which required aswingof less than 5% from the 2016 result to change hands. The most marginal opportunity for theGreenswas inGlasgow Kelvin, which they needed a 7.1% swing to gain. TheLiberal Democrats' best bet wasCaithness, Sutherland and Ross, which required a 6.1% swing. The SNP ended up holding both of these constituencies. SNP targets Conservative targets Labour targets Results Overall Votes summary Central Scotland Glasgow Highlands and Islands Lothian Mid Scotland and Fife North East Scotland South Scotland West Scotland Constituency seat changes compared to 2016 MSPs who lost their seats Analysis The SNP won 64 seats, falling one seat short of an overall majority.Some commentators put this down to unionistsvoting tacticallyfor Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem candidates.According to psephologistJohn Curtice, \\\"Denying the SNP an overall majority was, indeed, a collective effort – at least on the part of Unionist voters, who on the constituency ballot demonstrated a remarkable willingness to back whichever pro-Union party appeared to be best placed locally to defeat the SNP. These patterns had a decisive impact on the outcome.\\\"This was apparent in seats likeDumbarton, where incumbent Labour MSPJackie Bailliesaw her 0.3% majority increased to 3.9%, whilst both the Conservative and Lib Dem vote share decreased. InThe National,Emer O'Toolequestioned whether social media adverts with \\\"a lack of transparency over funding\\\" may have cost the SNP key seats as well.The day before the election,The Guardianreported that anti-independence groups and campaigners had \\\"spent tens of thousands of pounds in the past week\\\", including onFacebookadverts, calling for tactical voting to prevent the SNP getting a majority.One of these groups was Scotland Matters, whose founder, ProfessorHugh Penningtonsaid, \\\"Across the country as a whole, tactical voting is obviously one of the ways forward to basically harm the SNP, not to put too fine a point on it.\\\" Additionally, the Greens claimed that they may have been deprived of two seats because ofIndependent Green Voice(IGV), a far-right party which has nothing to do with the Scottish Greens (who support Scottish independence). IGV received nearly 10,000 votes, including 2,210 inGlasgow(where the Greens were 1,000 short of gaining a seat) and 1,690 inSouth Scotland(where the Greens fell 100 short). This potentially prevented pro-independence parties from having a 19-seat majority instead of 15 seats. TheScottish and Welsh Election Studies 2021, revealed on 13 June, found that around a third of Scottish voters who decided to vote differently in the run-up to the election did so to stop another party, and that 90% of those who did this did so in a bid to prevent the SNP winning the seat. Rob Johns, Professor in Politics at theUniversity of Essex, said: \\\"e found a lot more switching than we had expected. The polls had suggested that not much was changing and obviously the overall election result was almost eerily similar to 2016. That can mean that nobody has changed their mind or it can mean lots of people have changed their mind – but these have cancelled out as people have moved in opposing directions. We found there was quite a lot more of that than we had expected.\\\" Voter demographics Data fromSavanta ComRes: Campaign spending Aftermath Nicola Sturgeonwas nominated asFirst Ministerby a vote of the parliament on 18 May 2021.Hercabinetwas approved by the parliament two days later and thus theThird Sturgeon government, aminority government, was formed. On 3 August 2021, it was reported that a co-operation agreement between the SNP and the Greens was \\\"on the brink of being finalised\\\" and could see Green MSPs take ministerial positions in government.On 19 August, the power-sharing agreement between the two parties was announced.Under the terms of the agreement, the Greens have two MSPs appointed as junior ministers in the government who are invited to attend cabinet meetings when their portfolios are being discussed. The Greens signed up to the bulk of the SNP's policies, but in areas of disagreement such as international relations and fee-paying schools the two parties are free to publicly disagree.The agreement states that the Greens support the government onvotes of confidenceandsupply. A deal that would seePatrick HarvieandLorna Slatermade ministers was revealed on 26 August, subject to being voted upon by Green Party members.Two days later, members of both parties overwhelmingly voted in favour of the deal. See also Other elections in the UK which were held on the same day: Footnotes References External links\",\n \"2016 Scottish Parliament election Nicola SturgeonSNP Nicola SturgeonSNP The2016 Scottish parliament electionwas held on Thursday, 5 May 2016to elect 129 members to theScottish Parliament. It was the fifthelection heldsince the devolved parliament was established in 1999. It was the first parliamentary election in Scotland in which 16 and 17 year olds were eligible to vote, under the provisions of the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act.It was also the first time the three largest parties were led by women. Parliament went into dissolution on 24 March 2016, allowing the official period of campaigning to get underway. Five parties had MSPs in the previous parliament:Scottish National Party(SNP) led byFirst MinisterNicola Sturgeon,Scottish Labourled byKezia Dugdale,Scottish Conservativesled byRuth Davidson,Scottish Liberal Democratsled byWillie Rennie,Scottish Greens, led by their co-convenersPatrick HarvieandMaggie Chapman. Of those five parties, four changed their leader since the2011 election. During the campaign, a series of televised debates took place, including party leaders of the elected parties.BBC Scotlandheld the first leaders' debate on 24 March,STVbroadcast the next on 29 March, and BBC Scotland hosted the final debate on 1 May. The election resulted in ahung parliamentwith the Scottish National Party winning a third term in government, but falling two seats short of securing a second consecutive overall majority.The Conservatives saw a significant increase in support and replaced the Labour Party as the second-largest party and main opposition in the Scottish Parliament. This was the first time that Labour had finished in third place at a Scottish election in 98 years.The Scottish Greens won six seats on the regional list and overtook the Liberal Democrats, who remained on five seats. Although the SNP had lost their majority, it was still by far the largest single party in the Scottish Parliament, with more than double the seats of the Conservatives. Accordingly, Sturgeon announced she would form aminority SNP government. She was voted in for a second term as First Minister on 17 May. Date Under theScotland Act 1998, an ordinary election to the Scottish Parliament would normally have been held on the first Thursday in May four years after the2011 election, i.e. in May 2015.In May 2010, thenew UK Governmentstated in itscoalition agreementthat thenext general electionwould also be held in May 2015.This proposal was criticised by the Scottish National Party and Labour, as it had been recommended after the2007 electionthat elections with different voting systems should be held on separate days: a recommendation which all of the political parties had then accepted.In response to this criticism, Deputy Prime MinisterNick Cleggoffered the right to vary the date of the Scottish Parliament election by a year either way.All the main political parties then stated their support for delaying the election by a year.TheFixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, a statute of the UK Parliament, moved the date of the Scottish Parliament election to 5 May 2016. The date of the poll may be varied by up to one month either way by themonarch, on the proposal of thePresiding Officer. If Parliament itself resolves that it should be dissolved, with at least two-thirds of theMembers(i.e. 86 Members) voting in favour, the Presiding Officer proposes a date for an extraordinary election and the Parliament is dissolved by the monarch byroyal proclamation. It does not necessarily require a two-thirds majority to precipitate an extraordinary election, because under the Scotland Act Parliament is also dissolved if it fails to nominate one of its members to beFirst Ministerwithin certain time limits, irrespective of whether at the beginning or in the middle of a parliamentary term. Therefore, if the First Minister resigned, Parliament would then have 28 days to elect a successor (s46(2)b and s46(3)a). If no new First Minister was elected then the Presiding Officer would ask for Parliament to be dissolved under s3(1)a. This process could also be triggered if the First Minister lost avote of confidenceby asimple majority(i.e. more than 50%), as they must then resign (Scotland Act 1998 s45(2)). To date the Parliament has never held a vote of no confidence in a First Minister. No extraordinary elections have been held to date. Any extraordinary elections would be in addition to ordinary elections, unless held less than six months before the due date of an ordinary election, in which case they supplant it. The subsequent ordinary election reverts to the first Thursday in May, a multiple of four years after 1999. It was envisaged that the election would still have taken place as scheduled if Scotland had voted in favour ofindependencein 2014. Retiring MSPs Deselected MSPs Changes to the SNP's selection procedures the previous year in order to ensure gender balance of candidates meant that any incumbent constituency MSP who chose to retire would have their replacement selected from anall-woman shortlist. The only ways for a new male candidate to receive a constituency nomination would be to stand in a constituency currently held by an opposition MSP or to run a de-selection campaign against a sitting MSP. For that reason there were far more challenges than normal within the SNP, but only two were successful: Election system, seats, and regions The total number ofMembers of the Scottish Parliament(MSPs) elected to the Parliament is 129. The First Periodical Review of theScottish Parliament's constituencies and regionsby theBoundary Commission for Scotland, was announced on 3 July 2007. The Commission published its provisional proposals for the regional boundaries in 2009. The Scottish Parliament uses anAdditional Members System, designed to produce approximateproportional representationfor each region. There are 8 regions, each sub-divided into smaller constituencies. There are a total of 73constituencies. Each constituency elects one MSP by theplurality(first past the post) system of election. Each region elects 7 additional MSPs using anadditional membersystem. A modifiedD'Hondt method, using the constituency results, is used to elect these additional MSPs. The Scottish Parliament constituencies have not been coterminous withScottish Westminster constituenciessince the2005 general election, when the 72 former UK Parliament constituencies were replaced with a new set of 59, generally larger, constituencies (seeScottish Parliament (Constituencies) Act 2004). The boundaries used for the Scottish Parliament elections were then revised for the 2011 election. The Boundary Commission also recommended changes to the electoral regions used to elect \\\"list\\\" members of the Scottish Parliament,which were also implemented in 2011. Campaign On 29 February 2016,BBC Scotland'sScotland 2016current affairs programme held a debate focusing on education featuring theEducation MinisterAngela Constanceand three party leaders:Kezia Dugdale,Ruth DavidsonandWillie Rennie. On 24 March 2016,BBC Scotlandheld a debate inGlasgowwhich was televised that featured Dugdale, Davidson, Rennie,Nicola Sturgeon,Patrick HarvieandDavid Coburn. On 29 March 2016,STVhosted a televised leaders' debate, featuring the five leaders of the parties which held seats in the last Parliament. From 5–26 April 2016,Scotland 2016also held a series of weekly subject debates on Tuesday nights. The subjects were Tax, Health, Energy & Environment, and Housing.Of these, six parties (SNP,Labour,ConservativesandLiberal Democrats, theScottish GreensandUKIP) were invited to the Tax debate. Parties contesting the election The official nomination period closed on 1 April 2016, lists of candidates were then published by local councils once the applications had been processed. In March 2015, the Scottish Greens balloted their members to select candidates for their regional lists.The SNP released their regional candidate list in October 2015.The Conservative regional candidate list followed in December.In January 2016,RISE – Scotland's Left Allianceannounced list candidates for all regions except the North East.Labour had announced a new selection process for regional candidates in November 2013,then revealed their full list of regional candidates in February 2016.UKIP's regional candidates were picked by their executive committee, prompting one prospective candidate to resign his party membership. Contesting constituency and regional ballot The SNP, the Scottish Labour, the Scottish Conservatives and the Scottish Liberal Democrats fielded candidates in all 73 constituencies. Contesting regional ballot only Contesting constituency ballot only Opinion polling The chart shows the relative state of the parties since polling began from 2012, until the date of the election. The constituency vote is shown as semi-transparent lines, while the regional vote is shown in full lines. Result Votes summary Central Scotland Glasgow Highlands and Islands Lothian Margo MacDonaldhad been elected on the Lothian regional list in 2011, as an Independent; she died in 2014. Mid Scotland and Fife North East Scotland South Scotland West Scotland Target seats Below are listed all the constituencies which required aswingof less than 5% from the 2011 result to change hands. SNP targets Labour targets Conservative targets Liberal Democrat targets Incumbents defeated (stood forNorth East Scotland) * Formerly SNP See also Other elections in the UK being held on the same day UK parliamentary by-elections References External links Party manifestos\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["2021 Scottish Parliament election Nicola SturgeonSNP Nicola SturgeonSNP The2021 Scottish Parliament electiontook place on 11 May 2021,under the provisions of theScotland Act 1998. All 129Members of the Scottish Parliamentwere elected in the sixthelectionsince the parliament was re-established in 1999. The election was held alongside theSenedd electionin Wales,English local elections,London Assemblyandmayoral electionand theHartlepool by-election. The election campaign started on 25 March 2021 during theCOVID-19 pandemic in Scotland. Parliament was officiallydissolvedon 5 May, the day before the election.The main parties fielding candidates were: theScottish National Party(SNP), led byFirst MinisterNicola Sturgeon; theScottish Conservatives, led byDouglas Ross;Scottish Labour, led byAnas Sarwar; theScottish Liberal Democrats, led byWillie Rennie, and theScottish Greens, jointly ledPatrick HarvieandLorna Slater. Of those five parties, three had changed their leader since the2016 election. Newer parties set up","parties set up since the 2016 election included:Reform UK Scotland, led byMichelle Ballantyne; theAlba Party, led by former First Minister and SNP leaderAlex Salmond; andAll for Unity, led byGeorge Galloway. These parties only competed for seats on theregional lists. They all failed to win any seats. The election resulted in the SNP winning a fourth consecutive term in government. They won 64 seats, a net increase of one. The SNP gainedEdinburgh Central,Ayr, andEast Lothian, as well as winning the largest share of the popular vote and the largest number of constituency seats in any Scottish Parliament election (62).The Greens won eight seats, their best result to date at a Scottish Parliament election, while the Conservatives retained second place with 31 seats. Labour had its worst-ever result with 22 seats, and the lowest share of the vote in both constituency and list votes for either Westminster or Holyrood since 1910. The Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) also had their worst showing at a Holyrood election","a Holyrood election to date, winning only four seats. The SNP and the Greens, both of which supportScottish independence, won 72 of the 129 seats in the parliament. Unionist parties (that is, those against independence) achieved a small majority of votes in constituency contests, whilst pro-independence parties achieved a small majority in the regional lists.The turnout was 63.5%, which is the highest ever at a Scottish Parliament election. Following the election, thethird Sturgeon governmentwas formed. It initially consisted of just the SNP, but later included Slater and Harvie of the Scottish Greens as junior ministers after the two parties negotiated apower-sharing agreement. Background Electoral events 2016 Scottish Parliament election At the2016 election, the rulingScottish National Party(SNP) lost itsparliamentary majoritybut was able to continue governing underNicola Sturgeonas aminorityadministration.At the same election, theConservativesovertookLabourto place second, whilst theGreensovertook","theGreensovertook theLiberal Democratsto place fourth.No representatives of minor parties were elected to the Parliament. Other elections Four further elections affecting Scotland took place between the 2016 and 2021 Scottish Parliament elections: Leadership changes Three parties underwent leadership changes during the parliamentary term leading up to the election. In August 2017,Kezia Dugdaleresigned as leader of Scottish Labour and wasreplacedbyRichard Leonard.In January 2021, less than four months before the election, Leonard resigned.Anas Sarwarwon the subsequentleadership election. In August 2019,Lorna SlaterandPatrick Harviebecameco-leadersof theScottish Greens. Also in August 2019,Ruth Davidsonresigned as leader of the Scottish Conservatives and wassucceededbyJackson Carlaw.Carlaw resigned as leader in July 2020,withDouglas Rosswinning the subsequentleadership electionunopposed. Expansion of the electorate This is the first election after the passage of the Scottish Elections (Franchise and","(Franchise and Representation) Act, which extended thefranchiseto those serving prison sentences of 12 months or less.In 2005, the United Kingdom was found in breach of Protocol 1, Article 3 of theEuropean Convention on Human Rightsin regards of prisoner voting rights in theEuropean Court of Human Rightsas a result ofHirst v United Kingdom (No 2); the Act brings Scotland in line with the court ruling. This act also allows all foreign nationals resident in Scotland to vote and all those withindefinite leave to remainor equivalent status, includingpre–settled statusin the United Kingdom, to stand as candidates.A BBC News report in April 2021 said that there were around 55,000 foreign nationals who had been given the right to vote as a result of these changes, including 20,000 refugees. Date Under theScotland Act 1998, an ordinary general election to the Scottish Parliament would normally have been held on the first Thursday in May four years after the2016 election, i.e. in May 2020.This would have clashed with","have clashed with the proposed date of a UK general election, although this became a moot point when a snap UK general election was held inJune 2017(a further UK general election was held inDecember 2019).In November 2015, the Scottish Government published a Scottish Elections (Dates) Bill, which proposed to extend the term of the Parliament to five years.That Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 25 February 2016 and received Royal Assent on 30 March 2016, setting the new date for the election as 6 May 2021. The Scottish Elections (Dates) Act did not affect the legal possibilities for the Parliament to be dissolved earlier, those being; Nevertheless, no extraordinary general elections have been held to date. Any extraordinary general election would be in addition to the ordinary general elections, unless held less than six months before the due date of an ordinary general election, in which case it would supplant it.This would not affect the year in which the subsequent ordinary general election","general election would be held. On 16 November 2020, the Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill was introduced.This draft legislation stated that while the next election was intended to be held on 6 May 2021, thePresiding Officerwould gain the power to postpone the election by up to six months if the spread ofCOVID-19made that date impractical.The bill also proposed to change the date of dissolution to the day before the election, meaning that the Parliament could be recalled during the election period.The bill was enacted and receivedRoyal Assenton 29 January 2021.Parliament was in fact recalled on 12 April, to allow MSPs to mark the death ofPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Retiring MSPs James Dornanannounced in February 2020 his intention to retire at the next Holyrood election,but reversed this decision some months later. Parties The SNP, Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats fielded candidates in all 73 constituencies and all eight of the regional ballots.Five other parties contested both","contested both all eight regions and at least one constituency: the Scottish Greens (12 constituencies) theScottish Libertarian Party(9), theScottish Family Party(7),UKIP(5) and the Freedom Alliance (4). Four parties –Abolish the Scottish Parliament Party,Alba Party,All for Unity, andReform UK– stood in all eight electoral regions, but did not contest any constituencies. Six other parties contested some of the regions and at least one constituency:TUSC(3 regions and 3 constituencies), Restore Scotland (2 regions, 4 constituencies),Scotia Future(2 of each), theCommunist Party of Britain(2 regions and 1 constituency), theReclaim Party(1 of each) and the Vanguard Party (also 1 of each). Five other parties –Independent Green Voice(5 regions),Renew(5), theSocial Democratic Party(2),Women's Equality(2) andAnimal Welfare(1) – contested some of the regions, but not any constituencies. TheScottish Socialist Party, which participated in the last election as part of the electoral allianceRISE – Scotland's Left","– Scotland's Left Alliance, opted not to participate in this election, for the first time since its inception. List of parties contesting all regional ballots Election system, seats and regions The total number ofMembers of the Scottish Parliament(MSPs) elected to the Parliament is 129. The Scottish Parliament uses anadditional member system(AMS), designed to produce approximateproportional representationfor each region. There are 8 regions, each sub-divided into smaller constituencies. There is a total of 73constituencies. Each constituency elects one MSP by theplurality(first past the post) system of election. Each region elects 7 additional MSPs using anadditional membersystem. A modifiedD'Hondt methodusing the constituency resultsis used to elect these additional MSPs. The boundaries of the 73 constituencies last changed as of the2011 Scottish Parliament election, as did the configuration of the electoral regions used to elect \"list\" members of the Scottish Parliament.These revisions were the outcome of","were the outcome of the First Periodical Review of theScottish Parliament's constituencies and regionsconducted by theBoundary Commission for Scotland; the Review was announced on 3 July 2007 and the Commission published its final report on 26 May 2010. The Scottish Parliament constituencies have not been coterminous withScottish Westminster constituenciessince the2005 general election, when the 72 former UK Parliament constituencies were replaced with a new set of 59, generally larger, constituencies (seeScottish Parliament (Constituencies) Act 2004). The size difference between Westminster and Holyrood boundaries was due to diverge further upon the implementation of theSixth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which has not been voted upon by Parliament. The2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituenciesfor a UK total of 650 MPs commenced in England in 2021 and will complete for the UK by 2023. Campaign The election campaign started on 25 March 2021.The Scottish Conservatives launched their","launched their campaign the same day, with a focus on promoting Scotland's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. On 26 March 2021, theAlba Partywas publicly launched by formerFirst Minister of Scotlandand SNP leader,Alex Salmond.The party announced plans to standlist-only candidates. Two sitting SNP MPs later defected to the Alba party.TheAction for Independenceparty, which had intended to pursue a similar list-only strategy, announced they would stand down their candidates in favour of Alba.Sturgeon said she would refuse to have any dealings with Salmond unless he apologises to the women who had accused him of harassment. BBC Scotlandannounced that it would broadcast two debates between the main parties' leaders; the first was aired on 30 March 2021 and was moderated by the corporation's Scotland editorSarah Smith.The debate included key questions from the audience on theCOVID-19 recovery,climate change, and asecond referendumonScottish independence. The second BBC debate was held on 4 May 2021 and was","4 May 2021 and was moderated by BBC Scotland's political editorGlenn Campbell. Commercial broadcasterSTVheld their leaders' debate on 13 April, moderated by their political editorColin Mackay.NUS Scotlandheld a debate on specifically on student issues which was moderated by NUS Scotland president, Matt Crilly on 20 April which featured the three main party leaders. On 1 April,Planet Radioannounced that theirClyde 2station would be hosting a Leaders Phone-In with the main parties' leaders every Sunday before the election.Douglas Rosswas the first to be interviewed on 4 April,withWillie Renniefollowing on 18 April. WhilstNicola Sturgeonwas set to be interviewed on 11 April, campaigning was delayed following the death ofPrince Philipand her phone-in was instead held on 22 April.Patrick Harviefollowed on 25 April; andAnas Sarwarhad the final phone-in on 2 May. Following Prince Philip's death on 9 April, the SNP, Conservatives, Labour, Greens and Liberal Democrats said they would suspend election campaigning","campaigning until further notice.After discussion between the parties, they agreed to resume campaigning after a special parliamentary session on 12 April to make tributes and to pause activities again on the day of the funeral (17 April). Election debates Opinion polling Graph of opinion poll results prior to the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. Trendlines are 30-day moving averages. SNP –Scottish National PartyConservative –Scottish ConservativesLabour –Scottish LabourLib Dem –Scottish Liberal DemocratsGreen –Scottish GreensUKIP –UK Independence PartyReform –Reform UKSSP –Scottish Socialist PartyAlba –Alba PartyAFU –All for Unity Target seats Below are listed all the constituencies which required aswingof less than 5% from the 2016 result to change hands. The most marginal opportunity for theGreenswas inGlasgow Kelvin, which they needed a 7.1% swing to gain. TheLiberal Democrats' best bet wasCaithness, Sutherland and Ross, which required a 6.1% swing. The SNP ended up holding both of these","both of these constituencies. SNP targets Conservative targets Labour targets Results Overall Votes summary Central Scotland Glasgow Highlands and Islands Lothian Mid Scotland and Fife North East Scotland South Scotland West Scotland Constituency seat changes compared to 2016 MSPs who lost their seats Analysis The SNP won 64 seats, falling one seat short of an overall majority.Some commentators put this down to unionistsvoting tacticallyfor Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem candidates.According to psephologistJohn Curtice, \"Denying the SNP an overall majority was, indeed, a collective effort – at least on the part of Unionist voters, who on the constituency ballot demonstrated a remarkable willingness to back whichever pro-Union party appeared to be best placed locally to defeat the SNP. These patterns had a decisive impact on the outcome.\"This was apparent in seats likeDumbarton, where incumbent Labour MSPJackie Bailliesaw her 0.3% majority increased to 3.9%, whilst both the Conservative and Lib Dem vote","and Lib Dem vote share decreased. InThe National,Emer O'Toolequestioned whether social media adverts with \"a lack of transparency over funding\" may have cost the SNP key seats as well.The day before the election,The Guardianreported that anti-independence groups and campaigners had \"spent tens of thousands of pounds in the past week\", including onFacebookadverts, calling for tactical voting to prevent the SNP getting a majority.One of these groups was Scotland Matters, whose founder, ProfessorHugh Penningtonsaid, \"Across the country as a whole, tactical voting is obviously one of the ways forward to basically harm the SNP, not to put too fine a point on it.\" Additionally, the Greens claimed that they may have been deprived of two seats because ofIndependent Green Voice(IGV), a far-right party which has nothing to do with the Scottish Greens (who support Scottish independence). IGV received nearly 10,000 votes, including 2,210 inGlasgow(where the Greens were 1,000 short of gaining a seat) and 1,690 inSouth","and 1,690 inSouth Scotland(where the Greens fell 100 short). This potentially prevented pro-independence parties from having a 19-seat majority instead of 15 seats. TheScottish and Welsh Election Studies 2021, revealed on 13 June, found that around a third of Scottish voters who decided to vote differently in the run-up to the election did so to stop another party, and that 90% of those who did this did so in a bid to prevent the SNP winning the seat. Rob Johns, Professor in Politics at theUniversity of Essex, said: \"e found a lot more switching than we had expected. The polls had suggested that not much was changing and obviously the overall election result was almost eerily similar to 2016. That can mean that nobody has changed their mind or it can mean lots of people have changed their mind – but these have cancelled out as people have moved in opposing directions. We found there was quite a lot more of that than we had expected.\" Voter demographics Data fromSavanta ComRes: Campaign spending Aftermath","spending Aftermath Nicola Sturgeonwas nominated asFirst Ministerby a vote of the parliament on 18 May 2021.Hercabinetwas approved by the parliament two days later and thus theThird Sturgeon government, aminority government, was formed. On 3 August 2021, it was reported that a co-operation agreement between the SNP and the Greens was \"on the brink of being finalised\" and could see Green MSPs take ministerial positions in government.On 19 August, the power-sharing agreement between the two parties was announced.Under the terms of the agreement, the Greens have two MSPs appointed as junior ministers in the government who are invited to attend cabinet meetings when their portfolios are being discussed. The Greens signed up to the bulk of the SNP's policies, but in areas of disagreement such as international relations and fee-paying schools the two parties are free to publicly disagree.The agreement states that the Greens support the government onvotes of confidenceandsupply. A deal that would seePatrick","would seePatrick HarvieandLorna Slatermade ministers was revealed on 26 August, subject to being voted upon by Green Party members.Two days later, members of both parties overwhelmingly voted in favour of the deal. See also Other elections in the UK which were held on the same day: Footnotes References External links","2016 Scottish Parliament election Nicola SturgeonSNP Nicola SturgeonSNP The2016 Scottish parliament electionwas held on Thursday, 5 May 2016to elect 129 members to theScottish Parliament. It was the fifthelection heldsince the devolved parliament was established in 1999. It was the first parliamentary election in Scotland in which 16 and 17 year olds were eligible to vote, under the provisions of the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act.It was also the first time the three largest parties were led by women. Parliament went into dissolution on 24 March 2016, allowing the official period of campaigning to get underway. Five parties had MSPs in the previous parliament:Scottish National Party(SNP) led byFirst MinisterNicola Sturgeon,Scottish Labourled byKezia Dugdale,Scottish Conservativesled byRuth Davidson,Scottish Liberal Democratsled byWillie Rennie,Scottish Greens, led by their co-convenersPatrick HarvieandMaggie Chapman. Of those five parties, four changed their leader since the2011 election.","the2011 election. During the campaign, a series of televised debates took place, including party leaders of the elected parties.BBC Scotlandheld the first leaders' debate on 24 March,STVbroadcast the next on 29 March, and BBC Scotland hosted the final debate on 1 May. The election resulted in ahung parliamentwith the Scottish National Party winning a third term in government, but falling two seats short of securing a second consecutive overall majority.The Conservatives saw a significant increase in support and replaced the Labour Party as the second-largest party and main opposition in the Scottish Parliament. This was the first time that Labour had finished in third place at a Scottish election in 98 years.The Scottish Greens won six seats on the regional list and overtook the Liberal Democrats, who remained on five seats. Although the SNP had lost their majority, it was still by far the largest single party in the Scottish Parliament, with more than double the seats of the Conservatives. Accordingly,","Accordingly, Sturgeon announced she would form aminority SNP government. She was voted in for a second term as First Minister on 17 May. Date Under theScotland Act 1998, an ordinary election to the Scottish Parliament would normally have been held on the first Thursday in May four years after the2011 election, i.e. in May 2015.In May 2010, thenew UK Governmentstated in itscoalition agreementthat thenext general electionwould also be held in May 2015.This proposal was criticised by the Scottish National Party and Labour, as it had been recommended after the2007 electionthat elections with different voting systems should be held on separate days: a recommendation which all of the political parties had then accepted.In response to this criticism, Deputy Prime MinisterNick Cleggoffered the right to vary the date of the Scottish Parliament election by a year either way.All the main political parties then stated their support for delaying the election by a year.TheFixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, a statute of the","a statute of the UK Parliament, moved the date of the Scottish Parliament election to 5 May 2016. The date of the poll may be varied by up to one month either way by themonarch, on the proposal of thePresiding Officer. If Parliament itself resolves that it should be dissolved, with at least two-thirds of theMembers(i.e. 86 Members) voting in favour, the Presiding Officer proposes a date for an extraordinary election and the Parliament is dissolved by the monarch byroyal proclamation. It does not necessarily require a two-thirds majority to precipitate an extraordinary election, because under the Scotland Act Parliament is also dissolved if it fails to nominate one of its members to beFirst Ministerwithin certain time limits, irrespective of whether at the beginning or in the middle of a parliamentary term. Therefore, if the First Minister resigned, Parliament would then have 28 days to elect a successor (s46(2)b and s46(3)a). If no new First Minister was elected then the Presiding Officer would ask for","would ask for Parliament to be dissolved under s3(1)a. This process could also be triggered if the First Minister lost avote of confidenceby asimple majority(i.e. more than 50%), as they must then resign (Scotland Act 1998 s45(2)). To date the Parliament has never held a vote of no confidence in a First Minister. No extraordinary elections have been held to date. Any extraordinary elections would be in addition to ordinary elections, unless held less than six months before the due date of an ordinary election, in which case they supplant it. The subsequent ordinary election reverts to the first Thursday in May, a multiple of four years after 1999. It was envisaged that the election would still have taken place as scheduled if Scotland had voted in favour ofindependencein 2014. Retiring MSPs Deselected MSPs Changes to the SNP's selection procedures the previous year in order to ensure gender balance of candidates meant that any incumbent constituency MSP who chose to retire would have their replacement","their replacement selected from anall-woman shortlist. The only ways for a new male candidate to receive a constituency nomination would be to stand in a constituency currently held by an opposition MSP or to run a de-selection campaign against a sitting MSP. For that reason there were far more challenges than normal within the SNP, but only two were successful: Election system, seats, and regions The total number ofMembers of the Scottish Parliament(MSPs) elected to the Parliament is 129. The First Periodical Review of theScottish Parliament's constituencies and regionsby theBoundary Commission for Scotland, was announced on 3 July 2007. The Commission published its provisional proposals for the regional boundaries in 2009. The Scottish Parliament uses anAdditional Members System, designed to produce approximateproportional representationfor each region. There are 8 regions, each sub-divided into smaller constituencies. There are a total of 73constituencies. Each constituency elects one MSP by","elects one MSP by theplurality(first past the post) system of election. Each region elects 7 additional MSPs using anadditional membersystem. A modifiedD'Hondt method, using the constituency results, is used to elect these additional MSPs. The Scottish Parliament constituencies have not been coterminous withScottish Westminster constituenciessince the2005 general election, when the 72 former UK Parliament constituencies were replaced with a new set of 59, generally larger, constituencies (seeScottish Parliament (Constituencies) Act 2004). The boundaries used for the Scottish Parliament elections were then revised for the 2011 election. The Boundary Commission also recommended changes to the electoral regions used to elect \"list\" members of the Scottish Parliament,which were also implemented in 2011. Campaign On 29 February 2016,BBC Scotland'sScotland 2016current affairs programme held a debate focusing on education featuring theEducation MinisterAngela Constanceand three party leaders:Kezia Dugdale,Ruth","Dugdale,Ruth DavidsonandWillie Rennie. On 24 March 2016,BBC Scotlandheld a debate inGlasgowwhich was televised that featured Dugdale, Davidson, Rennie,Nicola Sturgeon,Patrick HarvieandDavid Coburn. On 29 March 2016,STVhosted a televised leaders' debate, featuring the five leaders of the parties which held seats in the last Parliament. From 5–26 April 2016,Scotland 2016also held a series of weekly subject debates on Tuesday nights. The subjects were Tax, Health, Energy & Environment, and Housing.Of these, six parties (SNP,Labour,ConservativesandLiberal Democrats, theScottish GreensandUKIP) were invited to the Tax debate. Parties contesting the election The official nomination period closed on 1 April 2016, lists of candidates were then published by local councils once the applications had been processed. In March 2015, the Scottish Greens balloted their members to select candidates for their regional lists.The SNP released their regional candidate list in October 2015.The Conservative regional candidate list","candidate list followed in December.In January 2016,RISE – Scotland's Left Allianceannounced list candidates for all regions except the North East.Labour had announced a new selection process for regional candidates in November 2013,then revealed their full list of regional candidates in February 2016.UKIP's regional candidates were picked by their executive committee, prompting one prospective candidate to resign his party membership. Contesting constituency and regional ballot The SNP, the Scottish Labour, the Scottish Conservatives and the Scottish Liberal Democrats fielded candidates in all 73 constituencies. Contesting regional ballot only Contesting constituency ballot only Opinion polling The chart shows the relative state of the parties since polling began from 2012, until the date of the election. The constituency vote is shown as semi-transparent lines, while the regional vote is shown in full lines. Result Votes summary Central Scotland Glasgow Highlands and Islands Lothian Margo MacDonaldhad been","MacDonaldhad been elected on the Lothian regional list in 2011, as an Independent; she died in 2014. Mid Scotland and Fife North East Scotland South Scotland West Scotland Target seats Below are listed all the constituencies which required aswingof less than 5% from the 2011 result to change hands. SNP targets Labour targets Conservative targets Liberal Democrat targets Incumbents defeated (stood forNorth East Scotland) * Formerly SNP See also Other elections in the UK being held on the same day UK parliamentary by-elections References External links Party manifestos"],"string":"[\n \"2021 Scottish Parliament election Nicola SturgeonSNP Nicola SturgeonSNP The2021 Scottish Parliament electiontook place on 11 May 2021,under the provisions of theScotland Act 1998. All 129Members of the Scottish Parliamentwere elected in the sixthelectionsince the parliament was re-established in 1999. The election was held alongside theSenedd electionin Wales,English local elections,London Assemblyandmayoral electionand theHartlepool by-election. The election campaign started on 25 March 2021 during theCOVID-19 pandemic in Scotland. Parliament was officiallydissolvedon 5 May, the day before the election.The main parties fielding candidates were: theScottish National Party(SNP), led byFirst MinisterNicola Sturgeon; theScottish Conservatives, led byDouglas Ross;Scottish Labour, led byAnas Sarwar; theScottish Liberal Democrats, led byWillie Rennie, and theScottish Greens, jointly ledPatrick HarvieandLorna Slater. Of those five parties, three had changed their leader since the2016 election. Newer parties set up\",\n \"parties set up since the 2016 election included:Reform UK Scotland, led byMichelle Ballantyne; theAlba Party, led by former First Minister and SNP leaderAlex Salmond; andAll for Unity, led byGeorge Galloway. These parties only competed for seats on theregional lists. They all failed to win any seats. The election resulted in the SNP winning a fourth consecutive term in government. They won 64 seats, a net increase of one. The SNP gainedEdinburgh Central,Ayr, andEast Lothian, as well as winning the largest share of the popular vote and the largest number of constituency seats in any Scottish Parliament election (62).The Greens won eight seats, their best result to date at a Scottish Parliament election, while the Conservatives retained second place with 31 seats. Labour had its worst-ever result with 22 seats, and the lowest share of the vote in both constituency and list votes for either Westminster or Holyrood since 1910. The Liberal Democrats (Lib Dems) also had their worst showing at a Holyrood election\",\n \"a Holyrood election to date, winning only four seats. The SNP and the Greens, both of which supportScottish independence, won 72 of the 129 seats in the parliament. Unionist parties (that is, those against independence) achieved a small majority of votes in constituency contests, whilst pro-independence parties achieved a small majority in the regional lists.The turnout was 63.5%, which is the highest ever at a Scottish Parliament election. Following the election, thethird Sturgeon governmentwas formed. It initially consisted of just the SNP, but later included Slater and Harvie of the Scottish Greens as junior ministers after the two parties negotiated apower-sharing agreement. Background Electoral events 2016 Scottish Parliament election At the2016 election, the rulingScottish National Party(SNP) lost itsparliamentary majoritybut was able to continue governing underNicola Sturgeonas aminorityadministration.At the same election, theConservativesovertookLabourto place second, whilst theGreensovertook\",\n \"theGreensovertook theLiberal Democratsto place fourth.No representatives of minor parties were elected to the Parliament. Other elections Four further elections affecting Scotland took place between the 2016 and 2021 Scottish Parliament elections: Leadership changes Three parties underwent leadership changes during the parliamentary term leading up to the election. In August 2017,Kezia Dugdaleresigned as leader of Scottish Labour and wasreplacedbyRichard Leonard.In January 2021, less than four months before the election, Leonard resigned.Anas Sarwarwon the subsequentleadership election. In August 2019,Lorna SlaterandPatrick Harviebecameco-leadersof theScottish Greens. Also in August 2019,Ruth Davidsonresigned as leader of the Scottish Conservatives and wassucceededbyJackson Carlaw.Carlaw resigned as leader in July 2020,withDouglas Rosswinning the subsequentleadership electionunopposed. Expansion of the electorate This is the first election after the passage of the Scottish Elections (Franchise and\",\n \"(Franchise and Representation) Act, which extended thefranchiseto those serving prison sentences of 12 months or less.In 2005, the United Kingdom was found in breach of Protocol 1, Article 3 of theEuropean Convention on Human Rightsin regards of prisoner voting rights in theEuropean Court of Human Rightsas a result ofHirst v United Kingdom (No 2); the Act brings Scotland in line with the court ruling. This act also allows all foreign nationals resident in Scotland to vote and all those withindefinite leave to remainor equivalent status, includingpre–settled statusin the United Kingdom, to stand as candidates.A BBC News report in April 2021 said that there were around 55,000 foreign nationals who had been given the right to vote as a result of these changes, including 20,000 refugees. Date Under theScotland Act 1998, an ordinary general election to the Scottish Parliament would normally have been held on the first Thursday in May four years after the2016 election, i.e. in May 2020.This would have clashed with\",\n \"have clashed with the proposed date of a UK general election, although this became a moot point when a snap UK general election was held inJune 2017(a further UK general election was held inDecember 2019).In November 2015, the Scottish Government published a Scottish Elections (Dates) Bill, which proposed to extend the term of the Parliament to five years.That Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament on 25 February 2016 and received Royal Assent on 30 March 2016, setting the new date for the election as 6 May 2021. The Scottish Elections (Dates) Act did not affect the legal possibilities for the Parliament to be dissolved earlier, those being; Nevertheless, no extraordinary general elections have been held to date. Any extraordinary general election would be in addition to the ordinary general elections, unless held less than six months before the due date of an ordinary general election, in which case it would supplant it.This would not affect the year in which the subsequent ordinary general election\",\n \"general election would be held. On 16 November 2020, the Scottish General Election (Coronavirus) Bill was introduced.This draft legislation stated that while the next election was intended to be held on 6 May 2021, thePresiding Officerwould gain the power to postpone the election by up to six months if the spread ofCOVID-19made that date impractical.The bill also proposed to change the date of dissolution to the day before the election, meaning that the Parliament could be recalled during the election period.The bill was enacted and receivedRoyal Assenton 29 January 2021.Parliament was in fact recalled on 12 April, to allow MSPs to mark the death ofPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Retiring MSPs James Dornanannounced in February 2020 his intention to retire at the next Holyrood election,but reversed this decision some months later. Parties The SNP, Conservatives, Labour and Liberal Democrats fielded candidates in all 73 constituencies and all eight of the regional ballots.Five other parties contested both\",\n \"contested both all eight regions and at least one constituency: the Scottish Greens (12 constituencies) theScottish Libertarian Party(9), theScottish Family Party(7),UKIP(5) and the Freedom Alliance (4). Four parties –Abolish the Scottish Parliament Party,Alba Party,All for Unity, andReform UK– stood in all eight electoral regions, but did not contest any constituencies. Six other parties contested some of the regions and at least one constituency:TUSC(3 regions and 3 constituencies), Restore Scotland (2 regions, 4 constituencies),Scotia Future(2 of each), theCommunist Party of Britain(2 regions and 1 constituency), theReclaim Party(1 of each) and the Vanguard Party (also 1 of each). Five other parties –Independent Green Voice(5 regions),Renew(5), theSocial Democratic Party(2),Women's Equality(2) andAnimal Welfare(1) – contested some of the regions, but not any constituencies. TheScottish Socialist Party, which participated in the last election as part of the electoral allianceRISE – Scotland's Left\",\n \"– Scotland's Left Alliance, opted not to participate in this election, for the first time since its inception. List of parties contesting all regional ballots Election system, seats and regions The total number ofMembers of the Scottish Parliament(MSPs) elected to the Parliament is 129. The Scottish Parliament uses anadditional member system(AMS), designed to produce approximateproportional representationfor each region. There are 8 regions, each sub-divided into smaller constituencies. There is a total of 73constituencies. Each constituency elects one MSP by theplurality(first past the post) system of election. Each region elects 7 additional MSPs using anadditional membersystem. A modifiedD'Hondt methodusing the constituency resultsis used to elect these additional MSPs. The boundaries of the 73 constituencies last changed as of the2011 Scottish Parliament election, as did the configuration of the electoral regions used to elect \\\"list\\\" members of the Scottish Parliament.These revisions were the outcome of\",\n \"were the outcome of the First Periodical Review of theScottish Parliament's constituencies and regionsconducted by theBoundary Commission for Scotland; the Review was announced on 3 July 2007 and the Commission published its final report on 26 May 2010. The Scottish Parliament constituencies have not been coterminous withScottish Westminster constituenciessince the2005 general election, when the 72 former UK Parliament constituencies were replaced with a new set of 59, generally larger, constituencies (seeScottish Parliament (Constituencies) Act 2004). The size difference between Westminster and Holyrood boundaries was due to diverge further upon the implementation of theSixth Periodic Review of Westminster constituencies, which has not been voted upon by Parliament. The2023 Periodic Review of Westminster constituenciesfor a UK total of 650 MPs commenced in England in 2021 and will complete for the UK by 2023. Campaign The election campaign started on 25 March 2021.The Scottish Conservatives launched their\",\n \"launched their campaign the same day, with a focus on promoting Scotland's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. On 26 March 2021, theAlba Partywas publicly launched by formerFirst Minister of Scotlandand SNP leader,Alex Salmond.The party announced plans to standlist-only candidates. Two sitting SNP MPs later defected to the Alba party.TheAction for Independenceparty, which had intended to pursue a similar list-only strategy, announced they would stand down their candidates in favour of Alba.Sturgeon said she would refuse to have any dealings with Salmond unless he apologises to the women who had accused him of harassment. BBC Scotlandannounced that it would broadcast two debates between the main parties' leaders; the first was aired on 30 March 2021 and was moderated by the corporation's Scotland editorSarah Smith.The debate included key questions from the audience on theCOVID-19 recovery,climate change, and asecond referendumonScottish independence. The second BBC debate was held on 4 May 2021 and was\",\n \"4 May 2021 and was moderated by BBC Scotland's political editorGlenn Campbell. Commercial broadcasterSTVheld their leaders' debate on 13 April, moderated by their political editorColin Mackay.NUS Scotlandheld a debate on specifically on student issues which was moderated by NUS Scotland president, Matt Crilly on 20 April which featured the three main party leaders. On 1 April,Planet Radioannounced that theirClyde 2station would be hosting a Leaders Phone-In with the main parties' leaders every Sunday before the election.Douglas Rosswas the first to be interviewed on 4 April,withWillie Renniefollowing on 18 April. WhilstNicola Sturgeonwas set to be interviewed on 11 April, campaigning was delayed following the death ofPrince Philipand her phone-in was instead held on 22 April.Patrick Harviefollowed on 25 April; andAnas Sarwarhad the final phone-in on 2 May. Following Prince Philip's death on 9 April, the SNP, Conservatives, Labour, Greens and Liberal Democrats said they would suspend election campaigning\",\n \"campaigning until further notice.After discussion between the parties, they agreed to resume campaigning after a special parliamentary session on 12 April to make tributes and to pause activities again on the day of the funeral (17 April). Election debates Opinion polling Graph of opinion poll results prior to the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. Trendlines are 30-day moving averages. SNP –Scottish National PartyConservative –Scottish ConservativesLabour –Scottish LabourLib Dem –Scottish Liberal DemocratsGreen –Scottish GreensUKIP –UK Independence PartyReform –Reform UKSSP –Scottish Socialist PartyAlba –Alba PartyAFU –All for Unity Target seats Below are listed all the constituencies which required aswingof less than 5% from the 2016 result to change hands. The most marginal opportunity for theGreenswas inGlasgow Kelvin, which they needed a 7.1% swing to gain. TheLiberal Democrats' best bet wasCaithness, Sutherland and Ross, which required a 6.1% swing. The SNP ended up holding both of these\",\n \"both of these constituencies. SNP targets Conservative targets Labour targets Results Overall Votes summary Central Scotland Glasgow Highlands and Islands Lothian Mid Scotland and Fife North East Scotland South Scotland West Scotland Constituency seat changes compared to 2016 MSPs who lost their seats Analysis The SNP won 64 seats, falling one seat short of an overall majority.Some commentators put this down to unionistsvoting tacticallyfor Conservative, Labour and Lib Dem candidates.According to psephologistJohn Curtice, \\\"Denying the SNP an overall majority was, indeed, a collective effort – at least on the part of Unionist voters, who on the constituency ballot demonstrated a remarkable willingness to back whichever pro-Union party appeared to be best placed locally to defeat the SNP. These patterns had a decisive impact on the outcome.\\\"This was apparent in seats likeDumbarton, where incumbent Labour MSPJackie Bailliesaw her 0.3% majority increased to 3.9%, whilst both the Conservative and Lib Dem vote\",\n \"and Lib Dem vote share decreased. InThe National,Emer O'Toolequestioned whether social media adverts with \\\"a lack of transparency over funding\\\" may have cost the SNP key seats as well.The day before the election,The Guardianreported that anti-independence groups and campaigners had \\\"spent tens of thousands of pounds in the past week\\\", including onFacebookadverts, calling for tactical voting to prevent the SNP getting a majority.One of these groups was Scotland Matters, whose founder, ProfessorHugh Penningtonsaid, \\\"Across the country as a whole, tactical voting is obviously one of the ways forward to basically harm the SNP, not to put too fine a point on it.\\\" Additionally, the Greens claimed that they may have been deprived of two seats because ofIndependent Green Voice(IGV), a far-right party which has nothing to do with the Scottish Greens (who support Scottish independence). IGV received nearly 10,000 votes, including 2,210 inGlasgow(where the Greens were 1,000 short of gaining a seat) and 1,690 inSouth\",\n \"and 1,690 inSouth Scotland(where the Greens fell 100 short). This potentially prevented pro-independence parties from having a 19-seat majority instead of 15 seats. TheScottish and Welsh Election Studies 2021, revealed on 13 June, found that around a third of Scottish voters who decided to vote differently in the run-up to the election did so to stop another party, and that 90% of those who did this did so in a bid to prevent the SNP winning the seat. Rob Johns, Professor in Politics at theUniversity of Essex, said: \\\"e found a lot more switching than we had expected. The polls had suggested that not much was changing and obviously the overall election result was almost eerily similar to 2016. That can mean that nobody has changed their mind or it can mean lots of people have changed their mind – but these have cancelled out as people have moved in opposing directions. We found there was quite a lot more of that than we had expected.\\\" Voter demographics Data fromSavanta ComRes: Campaign spending Aftermath\",\n \"spending Aftermath Nicola Sturgeonwas nominated asFirst Ministerby a vote of the parliament on 18 May 2021.Hercabinetwas approved by the parliament two days later and thus theThird Sturgeon government, aminority government, was formed. On 3 August 2021, it was reported that a co-operation agreement between the SNP and the Greens was \\\"on the brink of being finalised\\\" and could see Green MSPs take ministerial positions in government.On 19 August, the power-sharing agreement between the two parties was announced.Under the terms of the agreement, the Greens have two MSPs appointed as junior ministers in the government who are invited to attend cabinet meetings when their portfolios are being discussed. The Greens signed up to the bulk of the SNP's policies, but in areas of disagreement such as international relations and fee-paying schools the two parties are free to publicly disagree.The agreement states that the Greens support the government onvotes of confidenceandsupply. A deal that would seePatrick\",\n \"would seePatrick HarvieandLorna Slatermade ministers was revealed on 26 August, subject to being voted upon by Green Party members.Two days later, members of both parties overwhelmingly voted in favour of the deal. See also Other elections in the UK which were held on the same day: Footnotes References External links\",\n \"2016 Scottish Parliament election Nicola SturgeonSNP Nicola SturgeonSNP The2016 Scottish parliament electionwas held on Thursday, 5 May 2016to elect 129 members to theScottish Parliament. It was the fifthelection heldsince the devolved parliament was established in 1999. It was the first parliamentary election in Scotland in which 16 and 17 year olds were eligible to vote, under the provisions of the Scottish Elections (Reduction of Voting Age) Act.It was also the first time the three largest parties were led by women. Parliament went into dissolution on 24 March 2016, allowing the official period of campaigning to get underway. Five parties had MSPs in the previous parliament:Scottish National Party(SNP) led byFirst MinisterNicola Sturgeon,Scottish Labourled byKezia Dugdale,Scottish Conservativesled byRuth Davidson,Scottish Liberal Democratsled byWillie Rennie,Scottish Greens, led by their co-convenersPatrick HarvieandMaggie Chapman. Of those five parties, four changed their leader since the2011 election.\",\n \"the2011 election. During the campaign, a series of televised debates took place, including party leaders of the elected parties.BBC Scotlandheld the first leaders' debate on 24 March,STVbroadcast the next on 29 March, and BBC Scotland hosted the final debate on 1 May. The election resulted in ahung parliamentwith the Scottish National Party winning a third term in government, but falling two seats short of securing a second consecutive overall majority.The Conservatives saw a significant increase in support and replaced the Labour Party as the second-largest party and main opposition in the Scottish Parliament. This was the first time that Labour had finished in third place at a Scottish election in 98 years.The Scottish Greens won six seats on the regional list and overtook the Liberal Democrats, who remained on five seats. Although the SNP had lost their majority, it was still by far the largest single party in the Scottish Parliament, with more than double the seats of the Conservatives. Accordingly,\",\n \"Accordingly, Sturgeon announced she would form aminority SNP government. She was voted in for a second term as First Minister on 17 May. Date Under theScotland Act 1998, an ordinary election to the Scottish Parliament would normally have been held on the first Thursday in May four years after the2011 election, i.e. in May 2015.In May 2010, thenew UK Governmentstated in itscoalition agreementthat thenext general electionwould also be held in May 2015.This proposal was criticised by the Scottish National Party and Labour, as it had been recommended after the2007 electionthat elections with different voting systems should be held on separate days: a recommendation which all of the political parties had then accepted.In response to this criticism, Deputy Prime MinisterNick Cleggoffered the right to vary the date of the Scottish Parliament election by a year either way.All the main political parties then stated their support for delaying the election by a year.TheFixed-term Parliaments Act 2011, a statute of the\",\n \"a statute of the UK Parliament, moved the date of the Scottish Parliament election to 5 May 2016. The date of the poll may be varied by up to one month either way by themonarch, on the proposal of thePresiding Officer. If Parliament itself resolves that it should be dissolved, with at least two-thirds of theMembers(i.e. 86 Members) voting in favour, the Presiding Officer proposes a date for an extraordinary election and the Parliament is dissolved by the monarch byroyal proclamation. It does not necessarily require a two-thirds majority to precipitate an extraordinary election, because under the Scotland Act Parliament is also dissolved if it fails to nominate one of its members to beFirst Ministerwithin certain time limits, irrespective of whether at the beginning or in the middle of a parliamentary term. Therefore, if the First Minister resigned, Parliament would then have 28 days to elect a successor (s46(2)b and s46(3)a). If no new First Minister was elected then the Presiding Officer would ask for\",\n \"would ask for Parliament to be dissolved under s3(1)a. This process could also be triggered if the First Minister lost avote of confidenceby asimple majority(i.e. more than 50%), as they must then resign (Scotland Act 1998 s45(2)). To date the Parliament has never held a vote of no confidence in a First Minister. No extraordinary elections have been held to date. Any extraordinary elections would be in addition to ordinary elections, unless held less than six months before the due date of an ordinary election, in which case they supplant it. The subsequent ordinary election reverts to the first Thursday in May, a multiple of four years after 1999. It was envisaged that the election would still have taken place as scheduled if Scotland had voted in favour ofindependencein 2014. Retiring MSPs Deselected MSPs Changes to the SNP's selection procedures the previous year in order to ensure gender balance of candidates meant that any incumbent constituency MSP who chose to retire would have their replacement\",\n \"their replacement selected from anall-woman shortlist. The only ways for a new male candidate to receive a constituency nomination would be to stand in a constituency currently held by an opposition MSP or to run a de-selection campaign against a sitting MSP. For that reason there were far more challenges than normal within the SNP, but only two were successful: Election system, seats, and regions The total number ofMembers of the Scottish Parliament(MSPs) elected to the Parliament is 129. The First Periodical Review of theScottish Parliament's constituencies and regionsby theBoundary Commission for Scotland, was announced on 3 July 2007. The Commission published its provisional proposals for the regional boundaries in 2009. The Scottish Parliament uses anAdditional Members System, designed to produce approximateproportional representationfor each region. There are 8 regions, each sub-divided into smaller constituencies. There are a total of 73constituencies. Each constituency elects one MSP by\",\n \"elects one MSP by theplurality(first past the post) system of election. Each region elects 7 additional MSPs using anadditional membersystem. A modifiedD'Hondt method, using the constituency results, is used to elect these additional MSPs. The Scottish Parliament constituencies have not been coterminous withScottish Westminster constituenciessince the2005 general election, when the 72 former UK Parliament constituencies were replaced with a new set of 59, generally larger, constituencies (seeScottish Parliament (Constituencies) Act 2004). The boundaries used for the Scottish Parliament elections were then revised for the 2011 election. The Boundary Commission also recommended changes to the electoral regions used to elect \\\"list\\\" members of the Scottish Parliament,which were also implemented in 2011. Campaign On 29 February 2016,BBC Scotland'sScotland 2016current affairs programme held a debate focusing on education featuring theEducation MinisterAngela Constanceand three party leaders:Kezia Dugdale,Ruth\",\n \"Dugdale,Ruth DavidsonandWillie Rennie. On 24 March 2016,BBC Scotlandheld a debate inGlasgowwhich was televised that featured Dugdale, Davidson, Rennie,Nicola Sturgeon,Patrick HarvieandDavid Coburn. On 29 March 2016,STVhosted a televised leaders' debate, featuring the five leaders of the parties which held seats in the last Parliament. From 5–26 April 2016,Scotland 2016also held a series of weekly subject debates on Tuesday nights. The subjects were Tax, Health, Energy & Environment, and Housing.Of these, six parties (SNP,Labour,ConservativesandLiberal Democrats, theScottish GreensandUKIP) were invited to the Tax debate. Parties contesting the election The official nomination period closed on 1 April 2016, lists of candidates were then published by local councils once the applications had been processed. In March 2015, the Scottish Greens balloted their members to select candidates for their regional lists.The SNP released their regional candidate list in October 2015.The Conservative regional candidate list\",\n \"candidate list followed in December.In January 2016,RISE – Scotland's Left Allianceannounced list candidates for all regions except the North East.Labour had announced a new selection process for regional candidates in November 2013,then revealed their full list of regional candidates in February 2016.UKIP's regional candidates were picked by their executive committee, prompting one prospective candidate to resign his party membership. Contesting constituency and regional ballot The SNP, the Scottish Labour, the Scottish Conservatives and the Scottish Liberal Democrats fielded candidates in all 73 constituencies. Contesting regional ballot only Contesting constituency ballot only Opinion polling The chart shows the relative state of the parties since polling began from 2012, until the date of the election. The constituency vote is shown as semi-transparent lines, while the regional vote is shown in full lines. Result Votes summary Central Scotland Glasgow Highlands and Islands Lothian Margo MacDonaldhad been\",\n \"MacDonaldhad been elected on the Lothian regional list in 2011, as an Independent; she died in 2014. Mid Scotland and Fife North East Scotland South Scotland West Scotland Target seats Below are listed all the constituencies which required aswingof less than 5% from the 2011 result to change hands. SNP targets Labour targets Conservative targets Liberal Democrat targets Incumbents defeated (stood forNorth East Scotland) * Formerly SNP See also Other elections in the UK being held on the same day UK parliamentary by-elections References External links Party manifestos\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":264,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"What is the other name, beginning and ending with the letter \"d\", for the substance, often deployed by means of artillery shells, which was also instrumental in developing a treatment for a condition that dogs of the same breed as Mayor Max II are unusually prone to?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Distilled mustard"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor_Max_II"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever#Health"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemangiosarcoma#Treatments"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemotherapy#History"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_gas"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor_Max_II', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever#Health', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemangiosarcoma#Treatments', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemotherapy#History', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_gas']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor_Max_II","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever#Health","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemangiosarcoma#Treatments","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemotherapy#History","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_gas"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor_Max_II\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever#Health\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemangiosarcoma#Treatments\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemotherapy#History\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_gas\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Mayor Max II Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II(May 6, 2013 – July 30, 2022) was agolden retrieverdog who served as the second unofficial mayor of Idyllwild, part of thecensus-designated placeofIdyllwild–Pine Cove, California. His deputy mayors, Mitzi and Mikey, were his cousins.After his death Mayor Max II was succeeded by his cousin Max III, who was sworn in on December 10, 2022. Mayorality In 2012, the non-profit organization Idyllwild Animal Rescue Friends (ARF) hosted an \"election\" for mayor of Idyllwild (which, as part of an unincorporated community, has no local government) as part of a fundraising event for the organization. Fourteen dogs and two cats ran, and Max, aGolden Retriever, was elected as Idyllwild's first mayor. On April 2, 2013, Mayor Max died, and Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II, another Golden Retriever, arrived in Idyllwild on July 21 to complete the remainder of the term.In March 2014, as the end of Max's term approached, ARF solicited the town's interest in holding another election. The people overwhelmingly pled for Mayor Max's continuation in perpetuity. Mayor Max was recognized by theCounty of Riverside, California.The Mayor's duties included visiting with locals and out-of-town visitors, attending business grand openings and other town functions, participating in the town's two annual parades, and promoting Idyllwild.Max's popularity had spread the world over, and he has represented the town through appearances on news programs, talk shows, advertisements, billboards, and a game show. Death Mayor Max died in the city ofTemeculaon July 30, 2022, after suffering a brief medical issue.He was succeeded byMayor Max III, who formally took office on December 10, 2022. See also References External links","Golden Retriever TheGolden Retrieveris a Scottishbreedofretrieverdog of medium size. It is characterised by a gentle and affectionate nature and a striking golden coat. It is a working dog, and registration is subject to successful completion of a working trial.It is commonly kept as apetand is among the most frequently registered breeds in several Western countries; some may compete indog showsorobedience trials, or work as aguide dog. The Golden Retriever was bred bySir Dudley Marjoribanksat his Scottish estateGuisachanin the late nineteenth century. Hecross-bredFlat-coated RetrieverswithTweed Water Spaniels, with some further infusions ofRed Setter,Labrador RetrieverandBloodhound. It was recognised by theKennel Clubin 1913, and during theinterwar periodspread to many parts of the world. History The Golden Retriever was developed in Scotland in the nineteenth century bySir Dudley Marjoribanks(later to becomeBaron Tweedmouth) fromFlat-coated Retrieversjudiciously crossed withTweed Water Spanielsand some other British dog breeds.Prior to the 1952 publication of the very detailed stud book which had been meticulously maintained by Marjoribanks, a number of romantic tales were published about the origins of the breed. In the 1860s Marjoribanks set out to create what to his mind was the ultimate breed of retriever at his Scottish estateGuisachan.He started by acquiring a yellow-coloured Flat-coated Retriever dog called Nous;Nous had beenwhelpedin June 1864 and was the only yellow pup in an otherwise all black-colouredlitter.Whilst uncommon, occasionally liver, brown, golden or yellow-coloured purebred Flat-coated Retriever pups are whelped to matings of two black parents.It is the pedigree of Nous that was the source for the romantic tales of the heritage of the Golden Retriever.One early account claimed Nous was purchased from a Russian circus trainer inBrighton, another claimed he was bought from a cobbler, and yet another claimed a gypsy.The stud book states that Nous was a Flat-coated Retriever bred byLord Chichesteron hisStanmer Parkestate near Brighton. In 1868 Nous was mated to a Tweed Water Spaniel bitch named Belle, who is recorded in the stud book as being whelped in 1863 and being of \"Ladykirk breeding\".The litter from this mating consisted of four yellow pups, Primrose, Ada, Cowslip and Crocus.The best bitch from this litter, Cowslip, was mated to a Tweed Water Spaniel called Tweed with the mating producing a bitch pup called Topsy.Cowslip was subsequently mated to aRed Settercalled Sampson; that mating produced a dog pup called Jack.Topsy was mated with a black Flat-coated Retriever called Sambo and a bitch pup from that litter, Zoe, was mated back to Jack and two pups from that mating were retained, a dog called Nous II and a bitch called Gill.Gill was mated to a blackLabrador Retrievercalled Tracer, and a bitch pup from that mating, Queenie, was mated back to Nous II; all Golden Retrievers descend from this mating.The progeny from these various matings varied in colour from pure black to light cream, but it was the golden-coloured ones that were retained and mated to each other, forming the foundation stock of the Golden Retriever breed.Marjoribanks is also known to have used a sandy-colouredBloodhoundand another Labrador in subsequent years of the breeding programme. In 1952 Marjoribanks's great-nephew,Giles Fox-Strangways, 6th Earl of Ilchester, teamed up with Elma Stonex and together they studied Marjoribanks's stud book.In 1960 their research was published, presenting all of the evidence required to counter all tales of Russian ancestry.The stud book, which covers the period from 1868 to 1890, is preserved in the library ofthe Kennel ClubinLondon.In the early days Golden Retrievers were called the 'Flat-coated Retriever, Golden',Initially the Golden Retriever was considered a colour variety of the former breed.In 1903the Kennel Clubrecorded the first examples, listing them in the same register as Flat-coats.In 1904 a Golden Retriever won afield trialand in 1908 the first examples were exhibited atconformation shows.In 1911 a breed club was formed for the breed in England, the Golden Retriever Club, and they were given a new name, the 'Yellow or Golden Retriever'; from this point they were increasingly seen as a separate breed from the Flat-coated Retriever.It was not until 1913 that the Kennel Club began recording them on a separate breed register from the Flat-coated Retriever and in 1920 the 'Yellow or' was dropped from the breed name and they were officially called the 'Golden Retriever'. One early twentieth century enthusiast of the breed, Winifred Charlesworth, was instrumental in the establishment of the breed club as well as its separate Kennel Club recognition.It was she who drew up the first breed standard, which was adopted by the Kennel Club and with only minor amendments and remains largely unchanged.She bred and exhibited the first Golden RetrieverShow Champion, was a strong advocate for maintaining the working instincts of the breed, and she is credited with popularising it at field trials and introducing it to shooting sportsmen. In the years after theFirst World Warits popularity increased markedly and in the 1920s and 1930s it spread through much of the Western world.TheCanadian Kennel Clubrecognised the breed in 1927, theAmerican Kennel Clubin 1932; the first examples were registered in France in 1934 and Australia in 1937.The worldwide popularity of the breed meant it did not suffer the misfortunes many British dog breeds did during theSecond World Wardue to British wartime restrictions on the breeding of larger dogs, with ample quality breeding stock available globally to ensure none of its characteristics were lost. Since the 1940s its popularity has continued to grow, and it has become one of the most recognised and most frequently registered dog breeds in the Western world. Description Appearance The Golden Retriever is a powerfully built, medium-sized breed of dog; according to the Kennel Clubbreed standard, dogs stand from 56 to 61 centimetres (22 to 24 in) and bitches from 51 to 56 centimetres (20 to 22 in).Healthy adult examples typically weigh between 25 and 34 kilograms (55 and 75 lb). The Golden Retriever has a broad head with a well-definedstop, with dark eyes set well apart, a wide and powerful muzzle, a large black nose, dark-pigmented and slightly droopingflews, and ears of moderate size set high and hanging with a slight fold.The neck is muscular and fairly long with loose-fitting skin, the shoulders well laid-back and long-bladed, and the body deep through the chest with well-sprung ribs.The back is usually level fromwitherstocroupand the long, straight tail is usually carried flat, roughly in line with the back.The forelegs are straight with good bone, the hind legs are powerful with well bentstiflesand muscular thighs, and the feet are cat-like. Thedouble coatis a recognisable and striking feature:the outer coat is long, flat or wavy and has good feathering on the forelegs, while the undercoat is dense and provides weather resistance.The coat can be any shade of cream, yellow or gold; the coat typically becomes paler with age.The Kennel Club breed standard prohibits red or mahogany-coloured coats, but a few white hairs on the chest are permitted.Originally only yellow or golden coloured examples were permitted, this excluded many outstanding cream coloured dogs; to overcome this in 1936 the Kennel Club's standard was amended to include the cream colour.The cream colour, which in more modern times can be almost white, has become the dominant colour and is particularly favoured byconformation showexhibitors.Golden Retrievers that are bred forconformation showstend to have longer and finer coats than those bred for working as gundogs. The Kennel Club breed standard is accepted by everykennel clubin the world except those of Canada and the United States.Breed standards in North America call for a slightly taller dogand the cream colour is not permitted. Temperament The Golden Retriever is considered an intelligent, gentle natured and very affectionate breed of dog.As is typical withretrieverbreeds, the breed is generally calm and biddable, being very easy to train and extremely keen to please their master.The breed is known to make excellent pets and family dogs, being generally extremely tolerant of children and keen to accompany any member of the family in a range of activities.Due to their affable natures, the breed is often completely devoid of guarding instincts.However, there have also been reports of some very aggressive Golden Retrievers in certain lineages. It has been suggested that these variations in aggression are partially caused by genetic factors. The breed usually retains many of their gundog traits and instincts including an excellent sense of smell and a strong instinct to retrieve; even among those not trained as gundogs it is typical for Golden Retrievers to present their owners with toys or other objects.Compared to other retriever breeds the Golden Retriever is typically quite slow to mature. Use The Golden Retriever is one of the most commonly kept breeds ofcompanion dogin the Western world, and is often among the top ten dog breeds by number of registrations in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada.It is a frequent competitor atdog shows; separate show lines of the breed have been developed.The dogs can be trained asguide dogsandtherapy dogs,and may compete inobedience trialsand otherdog sports. The Golden Retriever is still used as agundogby sportsmen, both as a hunting companion in the field and for competing infield trials.It is used more for retrieval of land-based gamebirds such asgrouseandpartridgethan for wildfowl hunting.Those used as gundogs are usually from working lines specifically bred for field use; dogs from pet or show lines are rarely suitable.A Golden Retriever with a traditional dense double coat is well suited to working in cold and wet conditions, as the coat provides water resistance and insulation.Compared to other retriever breeds, the Golden Retriever is not a strong swimmer; its long coat causes it to sit low in the water when swimming. The Golden Retriever is much less commonly used by sportsmen as a hunting companion than theLabrador Retriever.One reason is that the breed is generally quite slow to mature, particularly compared to the Labrador; often when a Golden Retriever is still in basic training a Labrador of the same age has already completed a season of hunting.Another is its long coat, which requires more maintenance and grooming than that of the Labrador, particularly after working in muddy conditions or close cover, as their long hair is more prone to picking up dirt and burrs.More Golden Retrievers are bred as pets or for the show ring than for hunting, so it can be hard for sportsmen to find pups bred from proven working lines. Health A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.2 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 forcrossbreeds.A 2024 Italian study found a life expectancy of 10 years for the breed compared to 10 years overall.A 2005 Swedish study found 22% of Golden Retrievers died by the age of 10, less than the overall rate of 35% of dogs dying by the age of 10. The breed is unusually prone to cancer, with one United States study finding cancer to be the cause of death in approximately 50% of the population, the second highest in the study. Several European studies found a much lower prevalence (20–39%), which may reflect the significant genetic divergence between the American and European populations. They are especially prone tohemangiosarcomaandlymphoma, with an estimated lifetime risk of one in five for the former and one in eight for the latter. The high prevalence of cancer deaths among Golden Retrievers may partly represent a lack of other congenital diseases.One UK study found the risk ofmetastaticneoplasiain the breed to be 4.86 times higher than other dogs. The Golden Retriever has a genetic predisposition toprimary hypothyroidism; a review of 5 different studies found Golden Retrievers to make up 17% of cases. Notable Golden Retrievers Explanatory notes References Further reading","Hemangiosarcoma Hemangiosarcomais a rapidly growing, highly invasive variety ofcancerthat occurs almost exclusively in dogs, and only rarely in cats, horses, mice,or humans (vinyl chloridetoxicity). It is asarcomaarising from the lining of blood vessels; that is, blood-filled channels and spaces are commonly observed microscopically. A frequent cause of death is the rupturing of this tumor, causing the patient to rapidly bleed to death. The term \"angiosarcoma\", when used without a modifier, usually refers to hemangiosarcoma.However,glomangiosarcoma(8710/3) andlymphangiosarcoma(9170/3) are distinct conditions (in humans). Dogs Hemangiosarcoma is quite common indogs, and more so in certain breeds includingGerman ShepherdsandGolden Retrievers.It also occurs incats, but much more rarely. Dogs with hemangiosarcoma rarely show clinical signs until the tumor has become very large and hasmetastasized. Typically, clinical signs are due tohypovolemiaafter the tumor ruptures, causing extensive bleeding. Owners of the affected dogs often discover that the dog has hemangiosarcoma only after the dog collapses. The tumor most often appears on thespleen, rightheartbase, orliver, although varieties also appear on or under the skin or in other locations. It is the most common tumor of the heart, and occurs in theright atriumorright auricular appendage. Here it can cause right-sidedheart failure,arrhythmias,pericardial effusion, andcardiac tamponade. Hemangiosarcoma of the spleen orliveris the most common tumor to causehemorrhagein theabdomen.Hemorrhage secondary to splenic and hepatic tumors can also cause ventriculararrhythmias. Hemangiosarcoma of theskinusually appears as a small red or bluish-black lump. It can also occur under the skin. It is suspected that in the skin, hemangiosarcoma is caused bysunexposure.Occasionally, hemangiosarcoma of the skin can be a metastasis from visceral hemangiosarcoma. Other sites the tumor may occur includebone,kidneys, thebladder,muscle, themouth, and thecentral nervous system. Clinical features Presenting complaints and clinical signs are usually related to the site of origin of the primary tumor or to the presence of metastases, spontaneous tumor rupture, coagulopathies, or cardiac arrhythmias. More than 50% of patients are presented because of acute collapse after spontaneous rupture of the primary tumor or its metastases. Some episodes of collapse are a result of ventricular arrhythmias, which are relatively common in dogs with splenic or cardiac HSA. Most common clinical signs of visceral hemangiosarcoma include loss of appetite,arrhythmias, weight loss, weakness, lethargy, collapse, palemucous membranes, and/or sudden death. An enlarged abdomen is often seen due to hemorrhage. Metastasis is most commonly to the liver,omentum,lungs, orbrain. A retrospective study published in 1999 by Ware, et al., found a five times greater risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma in spayed vs. intact female dogs and a 2.4 times greater risk of hemangiosarcoma in neutered dogs as compared to intact males.The validity of this study is in dispute. Clinicopathologic findings Hemangiosarcoma can cause a wide variety of hematologic and hemostatic abnormalities, includinganemia, thrombocytopenia(lowplateletcount),disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC); presence of nRBC, schistocytes, and acanthocytes in the blood smear; and leukocytosis with neutrophilia, left shift, and monocytosis. Diagnosis A definitive diagnosis requires biopsy and histopathology. Cytologic aspirates may be inconclusive with studies reporting various specificity, and negative results may not correlate with absence of disease, as one study concludes \"cytological diagnosis of splenic neoplasia is reliable, but a negative result cannot be used to exclude the possibility of splenic neoplasia.\"This is because of frequent blood contamination and poor exfoliation.Surgical biopsy is the typical approach in veterinary medicine. Imaging modalities may include one ore more of ultrasound, CT, MRIand FDG-PET/CT.FGD-PET/CT may show some benefit over traditional CT for staging and detection of metastasis. Symptoms Dogs rarely show symptoms of hemangiosarcoma until after the tumor ruptures, causing extensive bleeding. Then symptoms can include short-term lethargy, loss of appetite, enlarged abdomen, weakness in the back legs, paled colored tongue and gums, rapid heart rate, and a weak pulse. Treatments Treatment includeschemotherapyand, where practical, removal of the tumor with the affected organ, such as with asplenectomy. Splenectomy alone gives an average survival time of 1–3 months. The addition ofchemotherapy, primarily comprising the drugdoxorubicin, alone or in combination with other drugs, can increase the average survival time by 2–4 months beyond splenectomy alone. A 2012 paper published the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School, in dogs treated with a compound derived from theCoriolus versicolor(commonly known as \"Turkey Tail\") mushroom showed a favorable response to the agent compared to historical controls of dogs treated with splenectomy and Doxorubicin .:.A controlled, randomized study in 101 dogs was later conducted by the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School which showed that the Coriolus versicolor mushroom did not have the same outcome noted in the 2012 paper with 15 dogs. In the 2022 paper by Gednet et al. dogs treated with splenectomy followed by Doxorubicin did better then dogs treated with splenectomy and mushroom agent. Combination of Doxorubicin with the Turkey Tail mushroom also did not improve survival when compared to Doxorubicin alone. However, as noted in the 2012 study, the Turkey Tail mushroom extract did not cause any systemic adverse reactions, even when combined with Doxorubicin.:. Immune therapy based on cultivation of tumor tissue is being developed for dogs.A preventive vaccine based on several proteins commonly found in dog cancers, including hemangiosarcomas, is also being developed. In the skin, it can be cured in most cases with complete surgical removal as long as there is not visceral involvement.Median survival times for stage I is 780 days, where more advanced stages can range from 172 to 307 days. References External links","Chemotherapy Chemotherapy(often abbreviatedchemo, sometimesCTXandCTx) is the type ofcancer treatmentthat uses one or more anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapeutic agentsoralkylating agents) in a standardregimen. Chemotherapy may be given with acurativeintent (which almost always involves combinations of drugs), or it may aim only to prolong life or toreduce symptoms(palliativechemotherapy). Chemotherapy is one of the major categories of the medical discipline specifically devoted topharmacotherapyforcancer, which is calledmedical oncology. The termchemotherapynow means the non-specific use of intracellularpoisonsto inhibitmitosis(cell division) or to induceDNA damage(so thatDNA repaircan augment chemotherapy).This meaning excludes the more-selective agents that block extracellular signals (signal transduction). Therapies with specific molecular or genetic targets, which inhibit growth-promoting signals from classic endocrine hormones (primarilyestrogensfor breast cancer andandrogensfor prostate cancer), are now calledhormonal therapies. Other inhibitions of growth-signals, such as those associated withreceptor tyrosine kinases, aretargeted therapy. The use of drugs (whether chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or targeted therapy) issystemic therapyfor cancer: they are introduced into the blood stream (the system) and therefore can treat cancer anywhere in the body. Systemic therapy is often used with other,local therapy(treatments that work only where they are applied), such asradiation,surgery, andhyperthermia. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents arecytotoxicby means of interfering with cell division (mitosis) but cancer cells vary widely in their susceptibility to these agents. To a large extent, chemotherapy can be thought of as a way to damage or stress cells, which may then lead to cell death ifapoptosisis initiated. Many of the side effects of chemotherapy can be traced to damage to normal cells that divide rapidly and are thus sensitive to anti-mitotic drugs: cells in thebone marrow,digestive tractandhair follicles. This results in the most common side-effects of chemotherapy:myelosuppression(decreased production of blood cells, hence that alsoimmunosuppression),mucositis(inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract), andalopecia(hair loss). Because of the effect on immune cells (especially lymphocytes), chemotherapy drugs often find use in a host of diseases that result from harmful overactivity of the immune system against self (so-calledautoimmunity). These includerheumatoid arthritis,systemic lupus erythematosus,multiple sclerosis,vasculitisand many others. Treatment strategies There are a number of strategies in the administration of chemotherapeutic drugs used today. Chemotherapy may be given with acurativeintent or it may aim to prolong life or topalliate symptoms. Allchemotherapy regimensrequire that the recipient be capable of undergoing the treatment.Performance statusis often used as a measure to determine whether a person can receive chemotherapy, or whether dose reduction is required. Because only a fraction of the cells in a tumor die with each treatment (fractional kill), repeated doses must be administered to continue to reduce the size of the tumor.Current chemotherapy regimens apply drug treatment in cycles, with the frequency and duration of treatments limited by toxicity. Effectiveness The effectiveness of chemotherapy depends on the type of cancer and the stage. The overall effectiveness ranges from being curative for some cancers, such as someleukemias,to being ineffective, such as in somebrain tumors,to being needless in others, like mostnon-melanoma skin cancers. Dosage Dosage of chemotherapy can be difficult: If the dose is too low, it will be ineffective against the tumor, whereas, at excessive doses, the toxicity (side-effects) will be intolerable to the person receiving it.The standard method of determining chemotherapy dosage is based on calculatedbody surface area(BSA). The BSA is usually calculated with a mathematical formula or anomogram, using the recipient's weight and height, rather than by direct measurement of body area. This formula was originally derived in a 1916 study and attempted to translate medicinal doses established with laboratory animals to equivalent doses for humans.The study only included nine human subjects.When chemotherapy was introduced in the 1950s, the BSA formula was adopted as the official standard for chemotherapy dosing for lack of a better option. The validity of this method in calculating uniform doses has been questioned because the formula only takes into account the individual's weight and height. Drug absorption and clearance are influenced by multiple factors, including age, sex, metabolism, disease state, organ function, drug-to-drug interactions, genetics, and obesity, which have major impacts on the actual concentration of the drug in the person's bloodstream.As a result, there is high variability in the systemic chemotherapy drug concentration in people dosed by BSA, and this variability has been demonstrated to be more than ten-fold for many drugs.In other words, if two people receive the same dose of a given drug based on BSA, the concentration of that drug in the bloodstream of one person may be 10 times higher or lower compared to that of the other person.This variability is typical with many chemotherapy drugs dosed by BSA, and, as shown below, was demonstrated in a study of 14 common chemotherapy drugs. The result of this pharmacokinetic variability among people is that many people do not receive the right dose to achieve optimal treatment effectiveness with minimized toxic side effects. Some people are overdosed while others are underdosed.For example, in a randomized clinical trial, investigators found 85% of metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) did not receive the optimal therapeutic dose when dosed by the BSA standard—68% were underdosed and 17% were overdosed. There has been controversy over the use of BSA to calculate chemotherapy doses for people who areobese.Because of their higher BSA, clinicians often arbitrarily reduce the dose prescribed by the BSA formula for fear ofoverdosing.In many cases, this can result in sub-optimal treatment. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that when chemotherapy dosing is individualized to achieve optimal systemic drug exposure, treatment outcomes are improved and toxic side effects are reduced.In the 5-FU clinical study cited above, people whose dose was adjusted to achieve a pre-determined target exposure realized an 84% improvement in treatment response rate and a six-month improvement in overall survival (OS) compared with those dosed by BSA. In the same study, investigators compared the incidence of common 5-FU-associated grade 3/4 toxicities between the dose-adjusted people and people dosed per BSA.The incidence of debilitating grades of diarrhea was reduced from 18% in the BSA-dosed group to 4% in the dose-adjusted group and serious hematologic side effects were eliminated.Because of the reduced toxicity, dose-adjusted patients were able to be treated for longer periods of time.BSA-dosed people were treated for a total of 680 months while people in the dose-adjusted group were treated for a total of 791 months.Completing the course of treatment is an important factor in achieving better treatment outcomes. Similar results were found in a study involving people with colorectal cancer who have been treated with the popularFOLFOXregimen.The incidence of serious diarrhea was reduced from 12% in the BSA-dosed group of patients to 1.7% in the dose-adjusted group, and the incidence of severe mucositis was reduced from 15% to 0.8%. The FOLFOX study also demonstrated an improvement in treatment outcomes.Positive response increased from 46% in the BSA-dosed group to 70% in the dose-adjusted group. Median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) both improved by six months in the dose adjusted group. One approach that can help clinicians individualize chemotherapy dosing is to measure the drug levels in blood plasma over time and adjust dose according to a formula or algorithm to achieve optimal exposure. With an established target exposure for optimized treatment effectiveness with minimized toxicities, dosing can be personalized to achieve target exposure and optimal results for each person. Such an algorithm was used in the clinical trials cited above and resulted in significantly improved treatment outcomes. Oncologists are already individualizing dosing of some cancer drugs based on exposure.Carboplatin: 4andbusulfandosing rely upon results from blood tests to calculate the optimal dose for each person. Simple blood tests are also available for dose optimization ofmethotrexate,5-FU,paclitaxel, anddocetaxel. The serum albumin level immediately prior to chemotherapy administration is an independent prognostic predictor of survival in various cancer types. Types Alkylating agents Alkylating agents are the oldest group of chemotherapeutics in use today. Originally derived frommustard gasused inWorld War I, there are now many types of alkylating agents in use.They are so named because of their ability toalkylatemany molecules, includingproteins,RNAandDNA. This ability to bindcovalentlyto DNA via theiralkyl groupis the primary cause for their anti-cancer effects.DNA is made of two strands and the molecules may either bind twice to one strand of DNA (intrastrand crosslink) or may bind once to both strands (interstrand crosslink). If the cell tries to replicate crosslinked DNA duringcell division, or tries to repair it, the DNA strands can break. This leads to a form of programmed cell death calledapoptosis.Alkylating agents will work at any point in the cell cycle and thus are known as cell cycle-independent drugs. For this reason, the effect on the cell is dose dependent; the fraction of cells that die is directly proportional to the dose of drug. The subtypes of alkylating agents are thenitrogen mustards,nitrosoureas,tetrazines,aziridines,cisplatinsand derivatives, and non-classical alkylating agents. Nitrogen mustards includemechlorethamine,cyclophosphamide,melphalan,chlorambucil,ifosfamideandbusulfan. Nitrosoureas includeN-Nitroso-N-methylurea(MNU),carmustine(BCNU),lomustine(CCNU) andsemustine(MeCCNU),fotemustineandstreptozotocin. Tetrazines includedacarbazine,mitozolomideandtemozolomide. Aziridines includethiotepa,mytomycinand diaziquone (AZQ). Cisplatin and derivatives includecisplatin,carboplatinandoxaliplatin.They impair cell function by formingcovalent bondswith theamino,carboxyl,sulfhydryl, andphosphate groupsin biologically important molecules.Non-classical alkylating agents includeprocarbazineand hexamethylmelamine. Antimetabolites Anti-metabolitesare a group of molecules that impede DNA and RNA synthesis. Many of them have a similar structure to the building blocks of DNA and RNA. The building blocks arenucleotides; a molecule comprising anucleobase, a sugar and aphosphate group. The nucleobases are divided intopurines(guanineandadenine) andpyrimidines(cytosine,thymineanduracil). Anti-metabolites resemble either nucleobases or nucleosides (a nucleotide without the phosphate group), but have alteredchemical groups.These drugs exert their effect by either blocking the enzymes required for DNA synthesis or becoming incorporated into DNA or RNA. By inhibiting the enzymes involved in DNA synthesis, they prevent mitosis because the DNA cannot duplicate itself. Also, after misincorporation of the molecules into DNA,DNA damagecan occur and programmed cell death (apoptosis) is induced. Unlike alkylating agents, anti-metabolites are cell cycle dependent. This means that they only work during a specific part of the cell cycle, in this caseS-phase(the DNA synthesis phase). For this reason, at a certain dose, the effect plateaus and proportionally no more cell death occurs with increased doses. Subtypes of the anti-metabolites are theanti-folates, fluoropyrimidines, deoxynucleoside analogues andthiopurines. The anti-folates includemethotrexateandpemetrexed. Methotrexate inhibitsdihydrofolate reductase(DHFR), an enzyme that regeneratestetrahydrofolatefromdihydrofolate. When the enzyme is inhibited by methotrexate, the cellular levels of folate coenzymes diminish. These are required forthymidylateand purine production, which are both essential for DNA synthesis and cell division.: 55–59: 11Pemetrexed is another anti-metabolite that affects purine and pyrimidine production, and therefore also inhibits DNA synthesis. It primarily inhibits the enzymethymidylate synthase, but also has effects on DHFR, aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase andglycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase.The fluoropyrimidines includefluorouracilandcapecitabine. Fluorouracil is a nucleobase analogue that is metabolised in cells to form at least two active products; 5-fluourouridine monophosphate (FUMP) and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate (fdUMP). FUMP becomes incorporated into RNA and fdUMP inhibits the enzyme thymidylate synthase; both of which lead to cell death.: 11Capecitabine is aprodrugof 5-fluorouracil that is broken down in cells to produce the active drug.The deoxynucleoside analogues includecytarabine,gemcitabine,decitabine,azacitidine,fludarabine,nelarabine,cladribine,clofarabine, andpentostatin. The thiopurines includethioguanineandmercaptopurine. Anti-microtubule agents Anti-microtubule agentsareplant-derived chemicals that block cell division by preventingmicrotubulefunction. Microtubules are an important cellular structure composed of two proteins,α-tubulinandβ-tubulin. They are hollow, rod-shaped structures that are required for cell division, among other cellular functions.Microtubules are dynamic structures, which means that they are permanently in a state of assembly and disassembly.Vincaalkaloidsandtaxanesare the two main groups of anti-microtubule agents, and although both of these groups of drugs cause microtubule dysfunction, their mechanisms of action are completely opposite:Vincaalkaloids prevent the assembly of microtubules, whereas taxanes prevent their disassembly. By doing so, they can inducemitotic catastrophein the cancer cells.Following this, cell cycle arrest occurs, which induces programmed cell death (apoptosis).These drugs can also affectblood vessel growth, an essential process that tumours utilise in order to grow and metastasise. Vincaalkaloids are derived from theMadagascar periwinkle,Catharanthus roseus,formerly known asVinca rosea. They bind to specific sites on tubulin, inhibiting the assembly of tubulin into microtubules. The originalvincaalkaloids arenatural productsthat includevincristineandvinblastine.Following the success of these drugs, semi-syntheticvincaalkaloids were produced:vinorelbine(used in the treatment ofnon-small-cell lung cancer),vindesine, andvinflunine.These drugs arecell cycle-specific. They bind to the tubulin molecules inS-phaseand prevent proper microtubule formation required forM-phase. Taxanes are natural and semi-synthetic drugs. The first drug of their class,paclitaxel, was originally extracted fromTaxus brevifolia, the Pacific yew. Now this drug and another in this class,docetaxel, are produced semi-synthetically from a chemical found in the bark of another yew tree,Taxus baccata. Podophyllotoxinis an antineoplasticlignanobtained primarily from theAmerican mayapple(Podophyllum peltatum) andHimalayan mayapple(Sinopodophyllum hexandrum). It has anti-microtubule activity, and its mechanism is similar to that ofvincaalkaloids in that they bind to tubulin, inhibiting microtubule formation. Podophyllotoxin is used to produce two other drugs with different mechanisms of action:etoposideandteniposide. Topoisomerase inhibitors Topoisomerase inhibitors are drugs that affect the activity of two enzymes:topoisomerase Iandtopoisomerase II. When the DNA double-strand helix is unwound, during DNA replication ortranscription, for example, the adjacent unopened DNA winds tighter (supercoils), like opening the middle of a twisted rope. The stress caused by this effect is in part aided by the topoisomerase enzymes. They produce single- or double-strand breaks into DNA, reducing the tension in the DNA strand. This allows the normal unwinding of DNA to occur duringreplicationor transcription. Inhibition of topoisomerase I or II interferes with both of these processes. Two topoisomerase I inhibitors,irinotecanandtopotecan, are semi-synthetically derived fromcamptothecin, which is obtained from the Chinese ornamental treeCamptotheca acuminata.Drugs that target topoisomerase II can be divided into two groups. The topoisomerase II poisons cause increased levels enzymes bound to DNA. This prevents DNA replication and transcription, causes DNA strand breaks, and leads to programmed cell death (apoptosis). These agents includeetoposide,doxorubicin,mitoxantroneandteniposide. The second group, catalytic inhibitors, are drugs that block the activity of topoisomerase II, and therefore prevent DNA synthesis and translation because the DNA cannot unwind properly. This group includesnovobiocin, merbarone, andaclarubicin, which also have other significant mechanisms of action. Cytotoxic antibiotics The cytotoxicantibioticsare a varied group of drugs that have various mechanisms of action. The common theme that they share in their chemotherapy indication is that they interruptcell division. The most important subgroup is theanthracyclinesand thebleomycins; other prominent examples includemitomycin Candactinomycin. Among the anthracyclines,doxorubicinanddaunorubicinwere the first, and were obtained from thebacteriumStreptomyces peucetius.Derivatives of these compounds includeepirubicinandidarubicin. Other clinically used drugs in the anthracycline group arepirarubicin,aclarubicin, andmitoxantrone.The mechanisms of anthracyclines includeDNA intercalation(molecules insert between the two strands of DNA), generation of highly reactivefree radicalsthat damage intercellular molecules and topoisomerase inhibition. Actinomycin is a complex molecule that intercalates DNA and preventsRNA synthesis. Bleomycin, aglycopeptideisolated fromStreptomyces verticillus, also intercalates DNA, but producesfree radicalsthat damage DNA. This occurs when bleomycin binds to ametal ion, becomeschemically reducedand reacts withoxygen.: 87 Mitomycin is a cytotoxic antibiotic with the ability to alkylate DNA. Delivery Most chemotherapy isdeliveredintravenously, although a number of agents can be administered orally (e.g.,melphalan,busulfan,capecitabine). According to a recent (2016) systematic review, oral therapies present additional challenges for patients and care teams to maintain and support adherence to treatment plans. There are many intravenous methods of drug delivery, known as vascular access devices. These include thewinged infusion device,peripheral venous catheter, midline catheter,peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC),central venous catheterandimplantable port. The devices have different applications regarding duration of chemotherapy treatment, method of delivery and types of chemotherapeutic agent.: 94–95 Depending on the person, the cancer, the stage of cancer, the type of chemotherapy, and the dosage, intravenous chemotherapy may be given on either aninpatientor anoutpatientbasis. For continuous, frequent or prolonged intravenous chemotherapy administration, various systems may be surgically inserted into the vasculature to maintain access.: 113–118Commonly used systems are theHickman line, thePort-a-Cath, and thePICC line. These have a lower infection risk, are much less prone tophlebitisorextravasation, and eliminate the need for repeated insertion of peripheral cannulae. Isolated limb perfusion(often used inmelanoma),or isolated infusion of chemotherapy into the liveror the lung have been used to treat some tumors. The main purpose of these approaches is to deliver a very high dose of chemotherapy to tumor sites without causing overwhelming systemic damage.These approaches can help control solitary or limited metastases, but they are by definition not systemic, and, therefore, do not treat distributed metastases ormicrometastases. Topical chemotherapies, such as5-fluorouracil, are used to treat some cases ofnon-melanoma skin cancer. If the cancer hascentral nervous systeminvolvement, or with meningeal disease,intrathecalchemotherapy may be administered. Adverse effects Chemotherapeutic techniques have a range of side effects that depend on the type of medications used. The most common medications affect mainly thefast-dividing cellsof the body, such as blood cells and the cells lining the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Chemotherapy-related toxicities can occur acutely after administration, within hours or days, or chronically, from weeks to years.: 265 Immunosuppression and myelosuppression Virtually all chemotherapeutic regimens can cause depression of theimmune system, often by paralysing thebone marrowand leading to a decrease ofwhite blood cells,red blood cells, andplatelets.Anemiaandthrombocytopeniamay requireblood transfusion.Neutropenia(a decrease of theneutrophil granulocytecount below 0.5 x 109/litre) can be improved with syntheticG-CSF(granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, e.g.,filgrastim,lenograstim,efbemalenograstim alfa). In very severemyelosuppression, which occurs in some regimens, almost all the bone marrowstem cells(cells that producewhiteandred blood cells) are destroyed, meaningallogenicorautologousbone marrow cell transplantsare necessary. (In autologous BMTs, cells are removed from the person before the treatment, multiplied and then re-injected afterward; inallogenicBMTs, the source is a donor.) However, some people still develop diseases because of this interference with bone marrow. Although people receiving chemotherapy are encouraged to wash their hands, avoid sick people, and take other infection-reducing steps, about 85% of infections are due to naturally occurring microorganisms in the person's owngastrointestinal tract(includingoral cavity) and skin.: 130This may manifest as systemic infections, such assepsis, or as localized outbreaks, such asHerpes simplex,shingles, or other members of theHerpesviridea.The risk of illness and death can be reduced by taking common antibiotics such asquinolonesortrimethoprim/sulfamethoxazolebefore any fever or sign of infection appears.Quinolones show effective prophylaxis mainly with hematological cancer.However, in general, for every five people who are immunosuppressed following chemotherapy who take an antibiotic, one fever can be prevented; for every 34 who take an antibiotic, one death can be prevented.Sometimes, chemotherapy treatments are postponed because the immune system is suppressed to a critically low level. InJapan, the government has approved the use of somemedicinal mushroomslikeTrametes versicolor, to counteract depression of the immune system in people undergoing chemotherapy. Trilaciclibis an inhibitor ofcyclin-dependent kinase4/6 approved for the prevention of myelosuppression caused by chemotherapy. The drug is given before chemotherapy to protect bone marrow function. Neutropenic enterocolitis Due to immune system suppression,neutropenic enterocolitis(typhlitis) is a \"life-threatening gastrointestinal complication of chemotherapy.\"Typhlitisis an intestinal infection which may manifest itself through symptoms includingnausea,vomiting,diarrhea, adistended abdomen,fever,chills, orabdominal painand tenderness. Typhlitisis amedical emergency. It has a very poorprognosisand is often fatal unless promptly recognized and aggressively treated.Successful treatment hinges on early diagnosis provided by a high index of suspicion and the use of CT scanning, nonoperative treatment for uncomplicated cases, and sometimes elective righthemicolectomyto prevent recurrence. Gastrointestinal distress Nausea,vomiting,anorexia,diarrhea, abdominal cramps, andconstipationare common side-effects of chemotherapeutic medications that kill fast-dividing cells.Malnutritionanddehydrationcan result when the recipient does not eat or drink enough, or when the person vomits frequently, because of gastrointestinal damage. This can result in rapid weight loss, or occasionally in weight gain, if the person eats too much in an effort to allay nausea or heartburn. Weight gain can also be caused by some steroid medications. These side-effects can frequently be reduced or eliminated withantiemeticdrugs. Low-certainty evidence also suggests that probiotics may have a preventative and treatment effect of diarrhoea related to chemotherapy alone and with radiotherapy.However, a high index of suspicion is appropriate, since diarrhoea and bloating are also symptoms oftyphlitis, a very serious and potentially life-threateningmedical emergencythat requires immediate treatment. Anemia Anemiacan be a combined outcome caused by myelosuppressive chemotherapy, and possible cancer-related causes such asbleeding,blood celldestruction (hemolysis), hereditary disease, kidney dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies oranemia of chronic disease. Treatments to mitigate anemia include hormones to boost blood production (erythropoietin),iron supplements, andblood transfusions.Myelosuppressive therapy can cause a tendency to bleed easily, leading to anemia. Medications that kill rapidly dividing cells or blood cells can reduce the number ofplateletsin the blood, which can result inbruisesandbleeding. Extremely low platelet counts may be temporarily boosted throughplatelet transfusionsand new drugs to increase platelet counts during chemotherapy are being developed.Sometimes, chemotherapy treatments are postponed to allow platelet counts to recover. Fatiguemay be a consequence of the cancer or its treatment, and can last for months to years after treatment. One physiological cause of fatigue is anemia, which can be caused by chemotherapy,surgery,radiotherapy, primary and metastatic disease or nutritional depletion.Aerobic exercisehas been found to be beneficial in reducing fatigue in people withsolid tumours. Nausea and vomiting Nauseaandvomitingare two of the most feared cancer treatment-related side-effects for people with cancer and their families. In 1983, Coates et al. found that people receiving chemotherapy ranked nausea and vomiting as the first and second most severe side-effects, respectively.Up to 20% of people receiving highly emetogenic agents in this era postponed, or even refused potentially curative treatments.Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are common with many treatments and some forms of cancer. Since the 1990s, several novel classes ofantiemeticshave been developed and commercialized, becoming a nearly universal standard in chemotherapy regimens, and helping to successfully manage these symptoms in many people. Effective mediation of these unpleasant and sometimes debilitating symptoms results in increased quality of life for the recipient and more efficient treatment cycles, due to less stoppage of treatment due to better tolerance and better overall health. Hair loss Hair loss(alopecia) can be caused by chemotherapy that kills rapidly dividing cells; other medications may cause hair to thin. These are most often temporary effects: hair usually starts to regrow a few weeks after the last treatment, but sometimes with a change in color, texture, thickness or style. Sometimes hair has a tendency to curl after regrowth, resulting in \"chemo curls.\" Severe hair loss occurs most often with drugs such asdoxorubicin,daunorubicin,paclitaxel,docetaxel,cyclophosphamide,ifosfamideandetoposide. Permanent thinning or hair loss can result from some standard chemotherapy regimens. Chemotherapy induced hair loss occurs by a non-androgenic mechanism, and can manifest asalopecia totalis, telogen effluvium, or less oftenalopecia areata.It is usually associated with systemic treatment due to the high mitotic rate of hair follicles, and more reversible than androgenic hair loss,although permanent cases can occur.Chemotherapy induces hair loss in women more often than men. Scalp coolingoffers a means of preventing both permanent and temporary hair loss; however, concerns about this method have been raised. Secondary neoplasm Development of secondary neoplasia after successful chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment can occur. The most commonsecondary neoplasmis secondary acute myeloid leukemia, which develops primarily after treatment with alkylating agents or topoisomerase inhibitors.Survivors ofchildhood cancerare more than 13 times as likely to get asecondary neoplasmduring the 30 years after treatment than the general population.Not all of this increase can be attributed to chemotherapy. Infertility Some types of chemotherapy are gonadotoxic and may causeinfertility.Chemotherapies with high risk include procarbazine and other alkylating drugs such as cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, busulfan, melphalan, chlorambucil, and chlormethine.Drugs with medium risk include doxorubicin and platinum analogs such as cisplatin and carboplatin.On the other hand, therapies with low risk of gonadotoxicity include plant derivatives such as vincristine and vinblastine,antibioticssuch as bleomycin and dactinomycin, and antimetabolites such as methotrexate, mercaptopurine, and 5-fluorouracil. Female infertilityby chemotherapy appears to be secondary topremature ovarian failureby loss ofprimordial follicles.This loss is not necessarily a direct effect of the chemotherapeutic agents, but could be due to an increased rate of growth initiation to replace damaged developing follicles. People may choose between several methods offertility preservationprior to chemotherapy, includingcryopreservationof semen, ovarian tissue, oocytes, or embryos.As more than half of cancer patients are elderly, this adverse effect is only relevant for a minority of patients. A study in France between 1999 and 2011 came to the result that embryo freezing before administration of gonadotoxic agents to females caused a delay of treatment in 34% of cases, and a live birth in 27% of surviving cases who wanted to become pregnant, with the follow-up time varying between 1 and 13 years. Potential protective or attenuating agents includeGnRH analogs, where several studies have shown a protective effectin vivoin humans, but some studies show no such effect.Sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P) has shown similar effect, but its mechanism of inhibiting thesphingomyelin apoptotic pathwaymay also interfere with theapoptosisaction of chemotherapy drugs. In chemotherapy as aconditioning regimenin hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a study of people conditioned with cyclophosphamide alone for severe aplastic anemia came to the result that ovarian recovery occurred in all women younger than 26 years at time of transplantation, but only in five of 16 women older than 26 years. Teratogenicity Chemotherapy isteratogenicduringpregnancy, especially during thefirst trimester, to the extent thatabortionusually is recommended if pregnancy in this period is found during chemotherapy.Second- and third-trimester exposure does not usually increase the teratogenic risk and adverse effects on cognitive development, but it may increase the risk of variouscomplications of pregnancyand fetal myelosuppression. Female patients of reproductive potential should use effectivecontraceptionduring chemotherapy and for a few months after the last dose (e.g. 6 month fordoxorubicin). In males previously having undergone chemotherapy or radiotherapy, there appears to be no increase in genetic defects or congenital malformations in their children conceived after therapy.The use ofassisted reproductive technologiesandmicromanipulation techniquesmight increase this risk.In females previously having undergone chemotherapy, miscarriage and congenital malformations are not increased in subsequent conceptions.However, whenin vitro fertilizationandembryo cryopreservationis practised between or shortly after treatment, possible genetic risks to the growing oocytes exist, and hence it has been recommended that the babies be screened. Peripheral neuropathy Between 30 and 40 percent of people undergoing chemotherapy experiencechemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy(CIPN), a progressive, enduring, and often irreversible condition, causing pain, tingling, numbness and sensitivity to cold, beginning in the hands and feet and sometimes progressing to the arms and legs.Chemotherapy drugs associated with CIPN includethalidomide,epothilones,vincaalkaloids, taxanes,proteasome inhibitors, and the platinum-based drugs.Whether CIPN arises, and to what degree, is determined by the choice of drug, duration of use, the total amount consumed and whether the person already hasperipheral neuropathy. Though the symptoms are mainly sensory, in some casesmotor nervesand theautonomic nervous systemare affected.CIPN often follows the first chemotherapy dose and increases in severity as treatment continues, but this progression usually levels off at completion of treatment. The platinum-based drugs are the exception; with these drugs, sensation may continue to deteriorate for several months after the end of treatment.Some CIPN appears to be irreversible.Pain can often be managed with drug or other treatment but the numbness is usually resistant to treatment. Cognitive impairment Some people receiving chemotherapy report fatigue or non-specific neurocognitive problems, such as an inability to concentrate; this is sometimes calledpost-chemotherapy cognitive impairment, referred to as \"chemo brain\" in popular and social media. Tumor lysis syndrome In particularly large tumors and cancers with highwhite cell counts, such aslymphomas,teratomas, and someleukemias, some people developtumor lysis syndrome. The rapid breakdown of cancer cells causes the release of chemicals from the inside of the cells. Following this, high levels ofuric acid,potassiumandphosphateare found in the blood. High levels of phosphate induce secondary hypoparathyroidism, resulting in low levels of calcium in the blood.This causes kidney damage and the high levels of potassium can causecardiac arrhythmia. Although prophylaxis is available and is often initiated in people with large tumors, this is a dangerous side-effect that can lead to death if left untreated.: 202 Organ damage Cardiotoxicity(heart damage) is especially prominent with the use ofanthracyclinedrugs (doxorubicin,epirubicin,idarubicin, andliposomal doxorubicin). The cause of this is most likely due to the production offree radicalsin the cell and subsequentDNA damage. Other chemotherapeutic agents that cause cardiotoxicity, but at a lower incidence, arecyclophosphamide,docetaxelandclofarabine. Hepatotoxicity(liver damage) can be caused by many cytotoxic drugs. The susceptibility of an individual to liver damage can be altered by other factors such as the cancer itself,viral hepatitis,immunosuppressionandnutritional deficiency. The liver damage can consist of damage to liver cells,hepatic sinusoidal syndrome(obstruction of the veins in the liver),cholestasis(where bile does not flow from the liver to the intestine) andliver fibrosis. Nephrotoxicity(kidney damage) can be caused bytumor lysis syndromeand also due direct effects of drug clearance by the kidneys. Different drugs will affect different parts of the kidney and the toxicity may beasymptomatic(only seen on blood or urine tests) or may causeacute kidney injury. Ototoxicity(damage to the inner ear) is a common side effect of platinum based drugs that can produce symptoms such as dizziness andvertigo.Children treated with platinum analogues have been found to be at risk for developing hearing loss. Other side-effects Less common side-effects include red skin (erythema), dry skin, damaged fingernails, a dry mouth (xerostomia),water retention, andsexual impotence. Some medications can triggerallergicorpseudoallergicreactions. Specific chemotherapeutic agents are associated with organ-specific toxicities, includingcardiovascular disease(e.g.,doxorubicin),interstitial lung disease(e.g.,bleomycin) and occasionallysecondary neoplasm(e.g.,MOPPtherapy for Hodgkin's disease). Hand-foot syndromeis another side effect to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Nutritional problems are also frequently seen in cancer patients at diagnosis and through chemotherapy treatment. Research suggests that in children and young people undergoing cancer treatment,parenteral nutritionmay help with this leading to weight gain and increased calorie and protein intake, when compared to enteral nutrition. Limitations Chemotherapy does not always work, and even when it is useful, it may not completely destroy the cancer. People frequently fail to understand its limitations. In one study of people who had been newly diagnosed with incurable,stage 4 cancer, more than two-thirds of people with lung cancer and more than four-fifths of people with colorectal cancer still believed that chemotherapy was likely to cure their cancer. Theblood–brain barrierposes an obstacle to delivery of chemotherapy to thebrain. This is because the brain has an extensive system in place to protect it from harmful chemicals. Drug transporters can pump out drugs from the brain and brain's blood vessel cells into thecerebrospinal fluidand blood circulation. These transporters pump out most chemotherapy drugs, which reduces their efficacy for treatment of brain tumors. Only smalllipophilicalkylating agentssuch aslomustineortemozolomideare able to cross this blood–brain barrier. Blood vesselsin tumors are very different from those seen in normal tissues. As a tumor grows, tumor cells furthest away from the blood vessels become low in oxygen (hypoxic). To counteract this they then signal for new blood vessels to grow. The newly formed tumor vasculature is poorly formed and does not deliver an adequate blood supply to all areas of the tumor. This leads to issues with drug delivery because many drugs will be delivered to the tumor by thecirculatory system. Resistance Resistanceis a major cause of treatment failure in chemotherapeutic drugs. There are a few possible causes of resistance in cancer, one of which is the presence of small pumps on the surface of cancer cells that actively move chemotherapy from inside the cell to the outside. Cancer cells produce high amounts of these pumps, known asp-glycoprotein, in order to protect themselves from chemotherapeutics. Research on p-glycoprotein and other such chemotherapy efflux pumps is currently ongoing. Medications to inhibit the function of p-glycoprotein are undergoing investigation, but due to toxicities and interactions with anti-cancer drugs their development has been difficult.Another mechanism of resistance isgene amplification, a process in which multiple copies of a gene are produced by cancer cells. This overcomes the effect of drugs that reduce the expression of genes involved in replication. With more copies of the gene, the drug can not prevent all expression of the gene and therefore the cell can restore its proliferative ability. Cancer cells can also cause defects in the cellular pathways ofapoptosis(programmed cell death). As most chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells in this manner, defective apoptosis allows survival of these cells, making them resistant. Many chemotherapy drugs also cause DNA damage, which can be repaired byenzymesin the cell that carry outDNA repair. Upregulation of these genes can overcome the DNA damage and prevent the induction of apoptosis. Mutations in genes that produce drug target proteins, such astubulin, can occur which prevent the drugs from binding to the protein, leading to resistance to these types of drugs.Drugs used in chemotherapy can induce cell stress, which can kill a cancer cell; however, under certain conditions, cells stress can induce changes in gene expression that enables resistance to several types of drugs.Inlung cancer, the transcription factorNFκBis thought to play a role in resistance to chemotherapy, via inflammatory pathways. Cytotoxics and targeted therapies Targeted therapiesare a relatively new class of cancer drugs that can overcome many of the issues seen with the use of cytotoxics. They are divided into two groups: small molecule and antibodies. The massive toxicity seen with the use of cytotoxics is due to the lack of cell specificity of the drugs. They will kill any rapidly dividing cell, tumor or normal. Targeted therapies are designed to affect cellular proteins or processes that are utilised by the cancer cells.This allows a high dose to cancer tissues with a relatively low dose to other tissues. Although theside effectsare often less severe than that seen of cytotoxic chemotherapeutics, life-threatening effects can occur. Initially, the targeted therapeutics were supposed to be solely selective for one protein. Now it is clear that there is often a range of protein targets that the drug can bind. An example target for targeted therapy is the BCR-ABL1 protein produced from thePhiladelphia chromosome, a genetic lesion found commonly inchronic myelogenous leukemiaand in some patients withacute lymphoblastic leukemia. Thisfusion proteinhas enzyme activity that can be inhibited byimatinib, asmall moleculedrug. Mechanism of action Canceris the uncontrolled growth ofcellscoupled withmalignantbehaviour: invasion andmetastasis(among other features).It is caused by the interaction betweengeneticsusceptibility and environmental factors.These factors lead to accumulations ofgenetic mutationsinoncogenes(genes that control the growth rate of cells) andtumor suppressor genes(genes that help to prevent cancer), which gives cancer cells their malignant characteristics, such as uncontrolled growth.: 93–94 In the broad sense, most chemotherapeutic drugs work by impairingmitosis(cell division), effectively targetingfast-dividing cells. As these drugs cause damage to cells, they are termedcytotoxic. They prevent mitosis by various mechanisms including damaging DNA and inhibition of the cellular machinery involved in cell division.One theory as to why these drugs kill cancer cells is that they induce a programmed form of cell death known asapoptosis. As chemotherapy affects cell division, tumors with highgrowth rates(such asacute myelogenous leukemiaand the aggressivelymphomas, includingHodgkin's disease) are more sensitive to chemotherapy, as a larger proportion of the targeted cells are undergoingcell divisionat any time. Malignancies with slower growth rates, such as indolent lymphomas, tend to respond to chemotherapy much more modestly.Heterogeneic tumoursmay also display varying sensitivities to chemotherapy agents, depending on the subclonal populations within the tumor. Cells from theimmune systemalso make crucial contributions to the antitumor effects of chemotherapy.For example, the chemotherapeutic drugsoxaliplatinandcyclophosphamidecan cause tumor cells to die in a way that is detectable by the immune system (calledimmunogenic cell death), which mobilizes immune cells with antitumor functions.Chemotherapeutic drugs that cause cancer immunogenic tumor cell death can make unresponsive tumors sensitive toimmune checkpointtherapy. Other uses Some chemotherapy drugs are used in diseases other than cancer, such as in autoimmune disorders,and noncancerousplasma cell dyscrasia. In some cases they are often used at lower doses, which means that the side effects are minimized,while in other cases doses similar to ones used to treat cancer are used.Methotrexateis used in the treatment ofrheumatoid arthritis(RA),psoriasis,ankylosing spondylitisandmultiple sclerosis.The anti-inflammatory response seen in RA is thought to be due to increases inadenosine, which causesimmunosuppression; effects on immuno-regulatorycyclooxygenase-2 enzyme pathways; reduction in pro-inflammatorycytokines; and anti-proliferative properties.Although methotrexate is used to treat both multiple sclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis, its efficacy in these diseases is still uncertain.Cyclophosphamideis sometimes used to treatlupus nephritis, a common symptom ofsystemic lupus erythematosus.Dexamethasonealong with eitherbortezomibormelphalanis commonly used as a treatment forAL amyloidosis. Recently, bortezomid in combination withcyclophosphamideand dexamethasone has also shown promise as a treatment for AL amyloidosis. Other drugs used to treatmyelomasuch aslenalidomidehave shown promise in treating AL amyloidosis. Chemotherapy drugs are also used inconditioning regimensprior to bone marrow transplant (hematopoietic stem cell transplant). Conditioning regimens are used to suppress the recipient's immune system in order to allow a transplant to engraft. Cyclophosphamide is a common cytotoxic drug used in this manner and is often used in conjunction withtotal body irradiation. Chemotherapeutic drugs may be used at high doses to permanently remove the recipient's bone marrow cells (myeloablative conditioning) or at lower doses that will prevent permanent bone marrow loss (non-myeloablative and reduced intensity conditioning).When used in non-cancer setting, the treatment is still called \"chemotherapy\", and is often done in the same treatment centers used for people with cancer. Occupational exposure and safe handling In the 1970s, antineoplastic (chemotherapy) drugs were identified as hazardous, and theAmerican Society of Health-System Pharmacists(ASHP) has since then introduced the concept ofhazardous drugsafter publishing a recommendation in 1983 regarding handling hazardous drugs. The adaptation of federal regulations came when the U.S.Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) first released its guidelines in 1986 and then updated them in 1996, 1999, and, most recently, 2006. TheNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) has been conducting an assessment in the workplace since then regarding these drugs. Occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs has been linked to multiple health effects, including infertility and possible carcinogenic effects. A few cases have been reported by the NIOSH alert report, such as one in which a female pharmacist was diagnosed with papillary transitional cell carcinoma. Twelve years before the pharmacist was diagnosed with the condition, she had worked for 20 months in a hospital where she was responsible for preparing multiple antineoplastic drugs.The pharmacist did not have any other risk factor for cancer, and therefore, her cancer was attributed to the exposure to the antineoplastic drugs, although a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established in the literature. Another case happened when a malfunction in biosafety cabinetry is believed to have exposed nursing personnel to antineoplastic drugs. Investigations revealed evidence of genotoxic biomarkers two and nine months after that exposure. Routes of exposure Antineoplastic drugs are usually given throughintravenous,intramuscular,intrathecal, orsubcutaneousadministration. In most cases, before the medication is administered to the patient, it needs to be prepared and handled by several workers. Any worker who is involved in handling, preparing, or administering the drugs, or with cleaning objects that have come into contact with antineoplastic drugs, is potentially exposed to hazardous drugs.Health care workers are exposed to drugs in different circumstances, such as when pharmacists and pharmacy technicians prepare and handle antineoplastic drugs and when nurses and physicians administer the drugs to patients. Additionally, those who are responsible for disposing antineoplastic drugs in health care facilities are also at risk of exposure. Dermal exposure is thought to be the main route of exposure due to the fact that significant amounts of the antineoplastic agents have been found in the gloves worn by healthcare workers who prepare, handle, and administer the agents. Another noteworthy route of exposure is inhalation of the drugs' vapors. Multiple studies have investigated inhalation as a route of exposure, and although air sampling has not shown any dangerous levels, it is still a potential route of exposure. Ingestion by hand to mouth is a route of exposure that is less likely compared to others because of the enforced hygienic standard in the health institutions. However, it is still a potential route, especially in the workplace, outside of a health institute. One can also be exposed to these hazardous drugs through injection byneedle sticks. Research conducted in this area has established that occupational exposure occurs by examining evidence in multiple urine samples from health care workers. Hazards Hazardous drugs expose health care workers to serious health risks. Many studies show that antineoplastic drugs could have many side effects on the reproductive system, such as fetal loss, congenital malformation, and infertility. Health care workers who are exposed to antineoplastic drugs on many occasions have adverse reproductive outcomes such as spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and congenital malformations. Moreover, studies have shown that exposure to these drugs leads to menstrual cycle irregularities. Antineoplastic drugs may also increase the risk of learning disabilities among children of health care workers who are exposed to these hazardous substances. Moreover, these drugs havecarcinogeniceffects. In the past five decades, multiple studies have shown the carcinogenic effects of exposure to antineoplastic drugs. Similarly, there have been research studies that linked alkylating agents with humans developing leukemias. Studies have reported elevated risk of breast cancer, nonmelanoma skin cancer, and cancer of the rectum among nurses who are exposed to these drugs. Other investigations revealed that there is a potentialgenotoxiceffect from anti-neoplastic drugs to workers in health care settings. Safe handling in health care settings As of 2018, there were nooccupational exposure limitsset for antineoplastic drugs, i.e., OSHA or theAmerican Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH) have not set workplace safety guidelines. Preparation NIOSH recommends using aventilated cabinetthat is designed to decrease worker exposure. Additionally, it recommends training of all staff, the use of cabinets, implementing an initial evaluation of the technique of the safety program, and wearing protective gloves and gowns when opening drug packaging, handling vials, or labeling. When wearingpersonal protective equipment, one should inspect gloves for physical defects before use and always wear double gloves and protective gowns. Health care workers are also required to wash their hands with water and soap before and after working with antineoplastic drugs, change gloves every 30 minutes or whenever punctured, and discard them immediately in a chemotherapy waste container. The gowns used should be disposable gowns made of polyethylene-coated polypropylene. When wearing gowns, individuals should make sure that the gowns are closed and have long sleeves. When preparation is done, the final product should be completely sealed in a plastic bag. The health care worker should also wipe all waste containers inside the ventilated cabinet before removing them from the cabinet. Finally, workers should remove all protective wear and put them in a bag for their disposal inside the ventilated cabinet. Administration Drugs should only be administered using protective medical devices such as needle lists and closed systems and techniques such as priming of IV tubing by pharmacy personnel inside a ventilated cabinet. Workers should always wear personal protective equipment such as double gloves, goggles, and protective gowns when opening the outer bag and assembling the delivery system to deliver the drug to the patient, and when disposing of all material used in the administration of the drugs. Hospital workers should never remove tubing from an IV bag that contains an antineoplastic drug, and when disconnecting the tubing in the system, they should make sure the tubing has been thoroughly flushed. After removing the IV bag, the workers should place it together with other disposable items directly in the yellow chemotherapy waste container with the lid closed. Protective equipment should be removed and put into a disposable chemotherapy waste container. After this has been done, one should double bag the chemotherapy waste before or after removing one's inner gloves. Moreover, one must always wash one's hands with soap and water before leaving the drug administration site. Employee training All employees whose jobs in health care facilities expose them to hazardous drugs must receive training. Training should include shipping and receiving personnel, housekeepers, pharmacists, assistants, and all individuals involved in the transportation and storage of antineoplastic drugs. These individuals should receive information and training to inform them of the hazards of the drugs present in their areas of work. They should be informed and trained on operations and procedures in their work areas where they can encounter hazards, different methods used to detect the presence of hazardous drugs and how the hazards are released, and the physical and health hazards of the drugs, including their reproductive and carcinogenic hazard potential. Additionally, they should be informed and trained on the measures they should take to avoid and protect themselves from these hazards. This information ought to be provided when health care workers come into contact with the drugs, that is, perform the initial assignment in a work area with hazardous drugs. Moreover, training should also be provided when new hazards emerge as well as when new drugs, procedures, or equipment are introduced. Housekeeping and waste disposal When performing cleaning and decontaminating the work area where antineoplastic drugs are used, one should make sure that there is sufficient ventilation to prevent the buildup of airborne drug concentrations. When cleaning the work surface, hospital workers should use deactivation and cleaning agents before and after each activity as well as at the end of their shifts. Cleaning should always be done using double protective gloves and disposable gowns. After employees finish up cleaning, they should dispose of the items used in the activity in a yellow chemotherapy waste container while still wearing protective gloves. After removing the gloves, they should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water. Anything that comes into contact or has a trace of the antineoplastic drugs, such as needles, empty vials, syringes, gowns, and gloves, should be put in the chemotherapy waste container. Spill control A written policy needs to be in place in case of a spill of antineoplastic products. The policy should address the possibility of various sizes of spills as well as the procedure and personal protective equipment required for each size. A trained worker should handle a large spill and always dispose of all cleanup materials in the chemical waste container according to EPA regulations, not in a yellow chemotherapy waste container. Occupational monitoring Amedical surveillanceprogram must be established. In case of exposure, occupational health professionals need to ask for a detailed history and do a thorough physical exam. They should test the urine of the potentially exposed worker by doing aurine dipstickor microscopic examination, mainly looking for blood, as several antineoplastic drugs are known to cause bladder damage. Urinary mutagenicity is a marker of exposure to antineoplastic drugs that was first used by Falck and colleagues in 1979 and uses bacterial mutagenicity assays. Apart from being nonspecific, the test can be influenced by extraneous factors such as dietary intake and smoking and is, therefore, used sparingly. However, the test played a significant role in changing the use of horizontal flow cabinets to vertical flow biological safety cabinets during the preparation of antineoplastic drugs because the former exposed health care workers to high levels of drugs. This changed the handling of drugs and effectively reduced workers' exposure to antineoplastic drugs. Biomarkers of exposure to antineoplastic drugs commonly include urinaryplatinum,methotrexate, urinarycyclophosphamideandifosfamide, and urinary metabolite of5-fluorouracil. In addition to this, there are other drugs used to measure the drugs directly in the urine, although they are rarely used. A measurement of these drugs directly in one's urine is a sign of high exposure levels and that an uptake of the drugs is happening either through inhalation or dermally. Available agents There is an extensivelist of antineoplastic agents. Several classification schemes have been used to subdivide the medicines used for cancer into several different types. History The first use ofsmall-molecule drugsto treat cancer was in the early 20th century, although the specific chemicals first used were not originally intended for that purpose.Mustard gaswas used as achemical warfareagent duringWorld War Iand was discovered to be a potent suppressor ofhematopoiesis(blood production).A similar family of compounds known asnitrogen mustardswere studied further duringWorld War IIat theYale School of Medicine.It was reasoned that an agent that damaged the rapidly growing white blood cells might have a similar effect on cancer.Therefore, in December 1942, several people with advancedlymphomas(cancers of the lymphatic system and lymph nodes) were given the drug by vein, rather than by breathing the irritating gas.Their improvement, although temporary, was remarkable.Concurrently, during a military operation in World War II, following a Germanair raidon the Italian harbour ofBari, several hundred people were accidentally exposed to mustard gas, which had been transported there by theAllied forcesto prepare for possible retaliation in the event of German use of chemical warfare. The survivors were later found to have very low white blood cell counts.After WWII was over and the reports declassified, the experiences converged and led researchers to look for other substances that might have similar effects against cancer. The first chemotherapy drug to be developed from this line of research wasmustine. Since then, many other drugs have been developed to treat cancer, and drug development has exploded into a multibillion-dollar industry, although the principles and limitations of chemotherapy discovered by the early researchers still apply. The termchemotherapy The wordchemotherapywithout a modifier usually refers to cancer treatment, but its historical meaning was broader. The term was coined in the early 1900s byPaul Ehrlichas meaning any use of chemicals to treat any disease (chemo-+-therapy), such as the use ofantibiotics(antibacterial chemotherapy).Ehrlich was not optimistic that effective chemotherapy drugs would be found for the treatment of cancer.The first modern chemotherapeutic agent wasarsphenamine, an arsenic compound discovered in 1907 and used to treatsyphilis.This was later followed bysulfonamides(sulfa drugs) andpenicillin. In today'susage, thesense\"any treatment of disease with drugs\" is often expressed with the wordpharmacotherapy. In terms of metaphorical language, 'chemotherapy' can be paralleled with the idea of a 'storm', as both can cause distress but afterwards may have a healing/cleaning effect. Research Targeted delivery vehicles Specially targeted delivery vehicles aim to increase effective levels of chemotherapy for tumor cells while reducing effective levels for other cells. This should result in an increased tumor kill or reduced toxicity or both. Antibody-drug conjugates Antibody-drug conjugates(ADCs) comprise anantibody, drug and a linker between them. The antibody will be targeted at a preferentially expressed protein in the tumour cells (known as atumor antigen) or on cells that the tumor can utilise, such as blood vesselendothelial cells. They bind to the tumor antigen and are internalised, where the linker releases the drug into the cell. These specially targeted delivery vehicles vary in their stability, selectivity, and choice of target, but, in essence, they all aim to increase the maximum effective dose that can be delivered to the tumor cells.Reduced systemic toxicity means that they can also be used in people who are sicker and that they can carry new chemotherapeutic agents that would have been far too toxic to deliver via traditional systemic approaches. The first approved drug of this type wasgemtuzumab ozogamicin(Mylotarg), released byWyeth(nowPfizer). The drug was approved to treatacute myeloid leukemia.Two other drugs,trastuzumab emtansineandbrentuximab vedotin, are both in late clinical trials, and the latter has been granted accelerated approval for the treatment ofrefractoryHodgkin's lymphomaand systemicanaplastic large cell lymphoma. Nanoparticles Nanoparticlesare 1–1000nanometer(nm) sized particles that can promote tumor selectivity and aid in delivering low-solubilitydrugs. Nanoparticles can be targeted passively or actively. Passive targeting exploits the difference between tumor blood vessels and normal blood vessels. Blood vessels in tumors are \"leaky\" because they have gaps from 200 to 2000 nm, which allow nanoparticles to escape into the tumor. Active targeting uses biological molecules (antibodies,proteins,DNAandreceptor ligands) to preferentially target the nanoparticles to the tumor cells. There are many types of nanoparticle delivery systems, such assilica,polymers,liposomesand magnetic particles. Nanoparticles made of magnetic material can also be used to concentrate agents at tumor sites using an externally applied magnetic field.They have emerged as a useful vehicle inmagnetic drug deliveryfor poorly soluble agents such aspaclitaxel. Electrochemotherapy Electrochemotherapy is the combined treatment in which injection of a chemotherapeutic drug is followed by application of high-voltage electric pulses locally to the tumor. The treatment enables the chemotherapeutic drugs, which otherwise cannot or hardly go through the membrane of cells (such as bleomycin and cisplatin), to enter the cancer cells. Hence, greater effectiveness of antitumor treatment is achieved. Clinical electrochemotherapy has been successfully used for treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors irrespective of their histological origin.The method has been reported as safe, simple and highly effective in all reports on clinical use of electrochemotherapy. According to the ESOPE project (European Standard Operating Procedures of Electrochemotherapy), the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for electrochemotherapy were prepared, based on the experience of the leading European cancer centres on electrochemotherapy.Recently, new electrochemotherapy modalities have been developed for treatment of internal tumors using surgical procedures, endoscopic routes or percutaneous approaches to gain access to the treatment area. Hyperthermia therapy Hyperthermia therapyis heat treatment for cancer that can be a powerful tool when used in combination with chemotherapy (thermochemotherapy) or radiation for the control of a variety of cancers. The heat can be applied locally to the tumor site, which will dilate blood vessels to the tumor, allowing more chemotherapeutic medication to enter the tumor. Additionally, the tumor cell membrane will become more porous, further allowing more of the chemotherapeutic medicine to enter the tumor cell. Hyperthermia has also been shown to help prevent or reverse \"chemo-resistance.\" Chemotherapy resistance sometimes develops over time as the tumors adapt and can overcome the toxicity of the chemo medication. \"Overcoming chemoresistance has been extensively studied within the past, especially using CDDP-resistant cells. In regard to the potential benefit that drug-resistant cells can be recruited for effective therapy by combining chemotherapy with hyperthermia, it was important to show that chemoresistance against several anticancer drugs (e.g. mitomycin C, anthracyclines, BCNU, melphalan) including CDDP could be reversed at least partially by the addition of heat. Other animals Chemotherapy is used in veterinary medicine similar to how it is used in human medicine. See also References External links","Mustard gas Mustard gasorsulfur mustardare names commonly used for theorganosulfurchemical compoundbis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide, which has the chemical structure S(CH2CH2Cl)2, as well as other species. In the wider sense, compounds with the substituents−SCH2CH2X or −N(CH2CH2X)2are known assulfur mustardsornitrogen mustards, respectively, where X = Cl or Br. Such compounds are potentalkylating agents, making mustard gas acutely and severely toxic.Mustard gas is acarcinogen.There is no preventative agent against mustard gas, with protection depending entirely on skin and airways protection, and noantidoteexists for mustard poisoning. Also known as mustard agents, this family of compounds comprises infamouscytotoxinsandblister agentswith a long history of use aschemical weapons.The namemustard gasis technically incorrect; the substances, whendispersed, are often not gases but a fine mist of liquid droplets that can be readily absorbed through the skin and by inhalation.The skin can be affected by contact with either the liquid or vapor. The rate of penetration into skin is proportional to dose, temperature and humidity. Sulfur mustards are viscous liquids at room temperature and have an odor resemblingmustard plants,garlic, orhorseradish, hence the name.When pure, they are colorless, but when used in impure forms, such as in warfare, they are usuallyyellow-brown. Mustard gases formblisterson exposed skin and in the lungs, often resulting in prolonged illness ending in death. History as chemical weapons Sulfur mustard is a type of chemical warfare agent.As a chemical weapon, mustard gas was first used inWorld War I, and has been used in several armed conflicts since then, including theIran–Iraq War, resulting in more than 100,000 casualties.Sulfur-based andnitrogen-basedmustard agents are regulated underSchedule 1of the 1993Chemical Weapons Convention, as substances with few uses other than inchemical warfare.Mustard agents can be deployed by means ofartillery shells,aerial bombs,rockets, or by spraying from aircraft. Adverse health effects Mustard gases have powerfulblisteringeffects on victims. They are alsocarcinogenicandmutagenicalkylating agents.Their highlipophilicityaccelerates their absorption into the body.Because mustard agents often do not elicit immediate symptoms, contaminated areas may appear normal.Within 24 hours of exposure, victims experience intenseitchingand skin irritation. If this irritation goes untreated, blisters filled withpuscan form wherever the agent contacted the skin.Aschemical burns, these are severely debilitating. If the victim's eyes were exposed, then they become sore, starting withconjunctivitis(also known as pink eye), after which the eyelids swell, resulting in temporary blindness. Extreme ocular exposure to mustard gas vapors may result incorneal ulceration, anterior chamber scarring, andneovascularization.In these severe and infrequent cases,corneal transplantationhas been used as a treatment option.Miosis, when the pupil constricts more than usual, may also occur, which may be the result of the cholinomimetic activity of mustard.If inhaled in high concentrations, mustard agents cause bleeding and blistering within therespiratory system, damagingmucous membranesand causingpulmonary edema.Depending on the level of contamination, mustard agent burns can vary betweenfirstandsecond degree burns. They can also be as severe, disfiguring, and dangerous asthird degree burns. Some 80% of sulfur mustard in contact with the skin evaporates, while 10% stays in the skin and 10% is absorbed and circulated in the blood. The carcinogenic and mutagenic effects of exposure to mustard gas increase the risk of developingcancerlater in life.In a study of patients 25 years after wartime exposure to chemical weaponry, c-DNA microarray profiling indicated that 122 genes were significantly mutated in the lungs and airways of mustard gas victims. Those genes all correspond to functions commonly affected by mustard gas exposure, includingapoptosis, inflammation, and stress responses.The long-term ocular complications include burning, tearing, itching,photophobia,presbyopia, pain, and foreign-body sensations. Medical management In a rinse-wipe-rinse sequence, skin is decontaminated of mustard gas by washing with liquid soap and water, or an absorbent powder.The eyes should be thoroughly rinsed using saline or clean water. A topical analgesic is used to relieve skin pain during decontamination. The blistering effects of mustard gas can be neutralized by decontamination solutions such as \"DS2\" (2%NaOH, 70%diethylenetriamine, 28%2-methoxyethanol).For skin lesions, topical treatments, such ascalamine lotion, steroids, and oralantihistaminesare used to relieve itching.Larger blisters are irrigated repeatedly with saline or soapy water, then treated with an antibiotic and petroleum gauze. Mustard agent burns do not heal quickly and (as with other types of burns) present a risk ofsepsiscaused bypathogenssuch asStaphylococcus aureusandPseudomonas aeruginosa. The mechanisms behind mustard gas's effect on endothelial cells are still being studied, but recent studies have shown that high levels of exposure can induce high rates of bothnecrosisandapoptosis. In vitro tests have shown that at low concentrations of mustard gas, where apoptosis is the predominant result of exposure, pretreatment with 50 mMN-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC) was able to decrease the rate of apoptosis. NAC protectsactinfilaments from reorganization by mustard gas, demonstrating that actin filaments play a large role in the severe burns observed in victims. A British nurse treating soldiers with mustard agent burns duringWorld War Icommented: They cannot be bandaged or touched. We cover them with a tent of propped-up sheets. Gas burns must be agonizing because usually the other cases do not complain, even with the worst wounds, but gas cases are invariably beyond endurance and they cannot help crying out. Mechanism of cellular toxicity Sulfur mustards readily eliminatechlorideions by intramolecularnucleophilic substitutionto form cyclicsulfoniumions. These very reactive intermediates tend to permanentlyalkylatenucleotidesinDNAstrands, which can prevent cellular division, leading toprogrammed cell death.Alternatively, if cell death is not immediate, the damaged DNA can lead to the development of cancer.Oxidative stresswould be another pathology involved in mustard gas toxicity. In the wider sense, compounds with the structural element BC2H4X, where X is anyleaving groupand B is aLewis base, are known asmustards.Such compounds can form cyclic\"onium\" ions(sulfonium,ammonium, etc.) that are goodalkylating agents. Other such compounds are bis(2-haloethyl)ethers (oxygen mustards), the (2-haloethyl)amines (nitrogen mustards), andsesquimustard, which has two α-chloroethyl thioether groups (ClC2H4S−) connected by an ethylene bridge (−C2H4−).These compounds have a similar ability to alkylate DNA, but their physical properties vary. Formulations In its history, various types and mixtures of mustard gas have been employed. These include: Commonly-stockpiled mustard agents (class) History Development Mustard gases were possibly developed as early as 1822 byCésar-Mansuète Despretz(1798–1863).Despretz described the reaction ofsulfur dichlorideandethylenebut never made mention of any irritating properties of the reaction product. In 1854, another French chemist, Alfred Riche (1829–1908), repeated this procedure, also without describing any adverse physiological properties. In 1860, the British scientistFrederick Guthriesynthesized and characterized the mustard agent compound and noted its irritating properties, especially in tasting.Also in 1860, chemistAlbert Niemann, known as a pioneer incocainechemistry, repeated the reaction, and recorded blister-forming properties. In 1886,Viktor Meyerpublished a paper describing a synthesis that produced good yields. He combined2-chloroethanolwithaqueouspotassium sulfide, and then treated the resultingthiodiglycolwithphosphorus trichloride. The purity of this compound was much higher and consequently the adverse health effects upon exposure were much more severe. These symptoms presented themselves in his assistant, and in order to rule out the possibility that his assistant was suffering from a mental illness (psychosomatic symptoms), Meyer had this compound tested on laboratoryrabbits, most of which died. In 1913, the English chemistHans Thacher Clarke(known for theEschweiler-Clarke reaction) replaced the phosphorus trichloride withhydrochloric acidin Meyer's formulation while working withEmil FischerinBerlin. Clarke was hospitalized for two months for burns after one of his flasks broke. According to Meyer, Fischer's report on this accident to theGerman Chemical Societysent theGerman Empireon the road to chemical weapons. Mustard gas can have the effect of turning a patient's skin different colors, including shades of red, orange, pink, and in unusual cases, blue. TheGerman EmpireduringWorld War Irelied on the Meyer-Clarke method because2-chloroethanolwas readily available from the German dye industry of that time. Use Mustard gas was firstused in World War Iby the German army against British and Canadian soldiers nearYpres, Belgium, on July 12, 1917.Later also against theFrench Second Army.Yperiteis \"a name used by the French, because the compound was first used at Ypres.\"The Allies did not use mustard gas until November 1917 atCambrai, France, after the armies had captured a stockpile of German mustard shells. It took the British more than a year to develop their own mustard agent weapon, with production of the chemicals centred onAvonmouth Docks(the only option available to the British was the Despretz–Niemann–Guthrie process).This was used first in September 1918 during the breaking of theHindenburg Line. Mustard gas was originally assigned the name LOST, after the scientists Wilhelm Lommel andWilhelm Steinkopf, who developed a method of large-scale production for theImperial German Armyin 1916. Mustard gas was dispersed as anaerosolin a mixture with other chemicals, giving it a yellow-brown color. Mustard agent has also been dispersed in such munitions asaerial bombs,land mines,mortar rounds,artillery shells, androckets.Exposure to mustard agent was lethal in about 1% of cases. Its effectiveness was as anincapacitating agent. The early countermeasures against mustard agent were relatively ineffective, since a soldier wearing agas maskwas not protected against absorbing it through his skin and being blistered. A common countermeasure was using a urine-soaked mask or facecloth to prevent or reduce injury, a readily available remedy attested by soldiers in documentaries (e.g.They Shall Not Grow Oldin 2018) and others (such as forward aid nurses) interviewed between 1947 and 1981 by the British Broadcasting Corporation for various World War One history programs; however, the effectiveness of this measure is unclear. Mustard gas can remain in the ground for weeks, and it continues to cause ill effects. If mustard agent contaminates one's clothing and equipment while cold, then other people with whom they share an enclosed space could become poisoned as contaminated items warm up enough material to become an airborne toxic agent. An example of this was depicted in a British and Canadian documentary about life in the trenches, particularly once the \"sousterrain\" (subways and berthing areas underground) were completed in Belgium and France. Towards the end of World War I, mustard agent was used in high concentrations as anarea-denial weaponthat forced troops to abandon heavily contaminated areas. Since World War I, mustard gas has been used in several wars and other conflicts, usually against people who cannot retaliate in kind: The use of toxic gases or other chemicals, including mustard gas, during warfare is known aschemical warfare, and this kind of warfare was prohibited by theGeneva Protocol of 1925, and also by the laterChemical Weapons Convention of 1993. The latter agreement also prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and sale of such weapons. In September 2012, a US official stated that the rebel militant groupISISwas manufacturing and using mustard gas in Syria and Iraq, which was allegedly confirmed by the group's head of chemical weapons development, Sleiman Daoud al-Afari, who has since been captured. Development of the first chemotherapy drug As early as 1919 it was known that mustard agent was a suppressor ofhematopoiesis.In addition, autopsies performed on 75 soldiers who had died of mustard agent duringWorld War Iwere done by researchers from theUniversity of Pennsylvaniawho reported decreased counts ofwhite blood cells.This led the American Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) to finance the biology and chemistry departments atYale Universityto conduct research on the use of chemical warfare during World War II. As a part of this effort, the group investigatednitrogen mustardas a therapy forHodgkin's lymphomaand other types oflymphomaandleukemia, and this compound was tried out on its first human patient in December 1942. The results of this study were not published until 1946, when they were declassified.In a parallel track, after theair raid on Bariin December 1943, the doctors of the U.S. Army noted that white blood cell counts were reduced in their patients. Some years after World War II was over, the incident in Bari and the work of the Yale University group with nitrogen mustard converged, and this prompted a search for other similarchemical compounds. Due to its use in previous studies, the nitrogen mustard called \"HN2\" became the first cancerchemotherapydrug,chlormethine(also known as mechlorethamine, mustine) to be used. Chlormethine and other mustard gas molecules are still used to this day as an chemotherapy agent albeit they have largely been replaced with more safe chemotherapy drugs likecisplatinandcarboplatin. Disposal In the United States, storage and incineration of mustard gas and other chemical weapons were carried out by the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency.Disposal projects at the two remaining American chemical weapons sites were carried out nearRichmond, Kentucky, andPueblo, Colorado. Although not yet declassified,toxicology specialists who dealt with the accidental puncturing of World War I gas stockpiles add that Air Force bases in Colorado have been made available to assist veterans of the 2003 American war with Iraq in which many Marines were exposed to gas as caches of up to 25,000 lb (11,000 kg).The United Nations definition of a weapon of mass destruction for mustard gas is 30,000 lb (14,000 kg), typically the Marines and other coalition allies discovered caches of 25,000 pounds (11,000 kg) located across a road from 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) caches as multiple memoirs attest. These were discovered by the assistance of host country allies, or through leaks affecting personnel in an area with a weapon and gas cache called anASP. New detection techniques are being developed in order to detect the presence of mustard gas and its metabolites. The technology is portable and detects small quantities of the hazardous waste and its oxidized products, which are notorious for harming unsuspecting civilians. Theimmunochromatographicassay would eliminate the need for expensive, time-consuming lab tests and enable easy-to-read tests to protect civilians from sulfur-mustard dumping sites. In 1946, 10,000 drums of mustard gas (2,800 tonnes) stored at the production facility of Stormont Chemicals inCornwall, Ontario, Canada, were loaded onto 187 boxcars for the 900 miles (1,400 km) journey to be buried at sea on board a 400 foot (120 m) long barge 40 miles (64 km) south ofSable Island, southeast ofHalifax, at a depth of 600 fathoms (1,100 m). The dump location is 42 degrees, 50 minutes north by 60 degrees, 12 minutes west. A large British stockpile of old mustard agent that had been made and stored since World War I atM. S. Factory, ValleynearRhydymwyninFlintshire, Wales, was destroyed in 1958. Most of the mustard gas found in Germany afterWorld War IIwas dumped into theBaltic Sea. Between 1966 and 2002, fishermen have found about 700 chemical weapons in the region ofBornholm, most of which contain mustard gas. One of the more frequently dumped weapons was \"Sprühbüchse 37\" (SprüBü37, Spray Can 37, 1937 being the year of its fielding with the German Army). These weapons contain mustard gas mixed with athickener, which gives it a tar-like viscosity. When the content of the SprüBü37 comes in contact with water, only the mustard gas in the outer layers of the lumps of viscous mustardhydrolyzes, leaving behind amber-colored residues that still contain most of the active mustard gas. On mechanically breaking these lumps (e.g., with the drag board of a fishing net or by the human hand) the enclosed mustard gas is still as active as it had been at the time the weapon was dumped. These lumps, when washed ashore, can be mistaken for amber, which can lead to severe health problems.Artillery shellscontaining mustard gas and other toxic ammunition from World War I (as well as conventional explosives) can still be found in France and Belgium. These were formerly disposed of by explosion undersea, but since the current environmental regulations prohibit this, theFrench governmentis building an automated factory to dispose of the accumulation of chemical shells. In 1972, theU.S. Congressbanned the practice of disposing of chemical weapons into the ocean by the United States. 29,000 tons of nerve and mustard agents had already been dumped into the ocean off the United States by theU.S. Army. According to a report created in 1998 by William Brankowitz, a deputy project manager in theU.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency, the army created at least 26 chemical weapons dumping sites in the ocean offshore from at least 11 states on both theEast Coastand theWest Coast(inOperation CHASE,Operation Geranium, etc.). In addition, due to poor recordkeeping, about one-half of the sites have only their rough locations known. In June 1997, India declared its stock of chemical weapons of 1,044 tonnes (1,151 short tons) of mustard gas.By the end of 2006, India had destroyed more than 75 percent of its chemical weapons/material stockpile and was granted extension for destroying the remaining stocks by April 2009 and was expected to achieve 100 percent destruction within that time frame.India informed the United Nations in May 2009 that it had destroyed its stockpile of chemical weapons in compliance with the international Chemical Weapons Convention. With this India has become the third country after South Korea and Albania to do so.This was cross-checked by inspectors of the United Nations. Producing or stockpiling mustard gas is prohibited by theChemical Weapons Convention. When the convention entered force in 1997, the parties declared worldwide stockpiles of 17,440 tonnes of mustard gas. As of December 2015, 86% of these stockpiles had been destroyed. A significant portion of the United States' mustard agentstockpilewas stored at the Edgewood Area ofAberdeen Proving GroundinMaryland. Approximately 1,621 tons of mustard agents were stored in one-ton containers on the base under heavy guard. A chemical neutralization plant was built on the proving ground and neutralized the last of this stockpile in February 2005. This stockpile had priority because of the potential for quick reduction of risk to the community. The nearest schools were fitted with overpressurization machinery to protect the students and faculty in the event of a catastrophic explosion and fire at the site. These projects, as well as planning, equipment, and training assistance, were provided to the surrounding community as a part of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP), a joint program of the Army and theFederal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA).Unexploded shells containing mustard gases and other chemical agents are still present in several test ranges in proximity to schools in the Edgewood area, but the smaller amounts of poison gas (4 to 14 pounds (1.8 to 6.4 kg)) present considerably lower risks. These remnants are being detected and excavated systematically for disposal. The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency oversaw disposal of several other chemical weapons stockpiles located across the United States in compliance with international chemical weapons treaties. These include the complete incineration of the chemical weapons stockpiled inAlabama,Arkansas,Indiana, andOregon. Earlier, this agency had also completed destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile located onJohnston Atolllocated south ofHawaiiin thePacific Ocean.The largest mustard agent stockpile, at approximately 6,200short tons, was stored at theDeseret Chemical Depotin northernUtah. The incineration of this stockpile began in 2006. In May 2011, the last of the mustard agents in the stockpile were incinerated at the Deseret Chemical Depot, and the last artillery shells containing mustard gas were incinerated in January 2012. In 2008, many emptyaerial bombsthat contained mustard gas were found in an excavation at theMarrangaroo Army Basejust west of Sydney, Australia.In 2009, a mining survey nearChinchilla, Queensland, uncovered 144 105-millimeterhowitzershells, some containing \"Mustard H\", that had been buried by the U.S. Army during World War II. In 2014, a collection of 200 bombs was found near theFlemishvillages ofPassendaleandMoorslede. The majority of the bombs were filled with mustard agents. The bombs were left over from the German army and were meant to be used in theBattle of Passchendaelein World War I. It was the largest collection of chemical weapons ever found in Belgium. A large amount of chemical weapons, including mustard gas, was found in a neighborhood ofWashington, D.C.The cleanup was completed in 2021. Post-war accidental exposure In 2002, an archaeologist at the Presidio Trust archaeology lab in San Francisco was exposed to mustard gas, which had been dug up at thePresidio of San Francisco, a former military base. In 2010, a clamming boat pulled up some oldartilleryshells of World War I from theAtlantic Oceansouth ofLong Island, New York. Multiple fishermen suffered from blistering and respiratory irritation severe enough to require hospitalization. WWII-era tests on men From 1943 to 1944, mustard agent experiments were performed on Australian service volunteers in tropicalQueensland, Australia, byRoyal Australian Engineers,British Armyand American experimenters, resulting in some severe injuries. One test site, theBrook Islands National Park, was chosen to simulate Pacific islands held by theImperial Japanese Army.These experiments were the subject of the documentary filmKeen as Mustard. The United States tested sulfur mustards and other chemical agents includingnitrogen mustardsandlewisiteon up to 60,000 servicemen during and after WWII. The experiments were classified secret and as withAgent Orange, claims for medical care and compensation were routinely denied, even after the WWII-era tests were declassified in 1993. TheDepartment of Veterans Affairsstated that it would contact 4,000 surviving test subjects but failed to do so, eventually only contacting 600. Skin cancer, severe eczema, leukemia, and chronic breathing problems plagued the test subjects, some of whom were as young as 19 at the time of the tests, until their deaths, but even those who had previously filed claims with the VA went without compensation. African American servicemenwere tested alongside white men in separate trials to determine whether their skin color would afford them a degree of immunity to the agents, andNiseiservicemen, some of whom had joined after their release fromJapanese American Internment Campswere tested to determine susceptibility ofJapanese military personnelto these agents. These tests also includedPuerto Ricansubjects. Detection in biological fluids Concentrations of thiodiglycol in urine have been used to confirm a diagnosis of chemical poisoning in hospitalized victims. The presence in urine of 1,1'-sulfonylbismethylthioethane (SBMTE), a conjugation product with glutathione, is considered a more specific marker, since this metabolite is not found in specimens from unexposed persons. In one case, intact mustard gas was detected in postmortem fluids and tissues of a man who died one week post-exposure. See also References Notes Further reading External links"],"string":"[\n \"Mayor Max II Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II(May 6, 2013 – July 30, 2022) was agolden retrieverdog who served as the second unofficial mayor of Idyllwild, part of thecensus-designated placeofIdyllwild–Pine Cove, California. His deputy mayors, Mitzi and Mikey, were his cousins.After his death Mayor Max II was succeeded by his cousin Max III, who was sworn in on December 10, 2022. Mayorality In 2012, the non-profit organization Idyllwild Animal Rescue Friends (ARF) hosted an \\\"election\\\" for mayor of Idyllwild (which, as part of an unincorporated community, has no local government) as part of a fundraising event for the organization. Fourteen dogs and two cats ran, and Max, aGolden Retriever, was elected as Idyllwild's first mayor. On April 2, 2013, Mayor Max died, and Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II, another Golden Retriever, arrived in Idyllwild on July 21 to complete the remainder of the term.In March 2014, as the end of Max's term approached, ARF solicited the town's interest in holding another election. The people overwhelmingly pled for Mayor Max's continuation in perpetuity. Mayor Max was recognized by theCounty of Riverside, California.The Mayor's duties included visiting with locals and out-of-town visitors, attending business grand openings and other town functions, participating in the town's two annual parades, and promoting Idyllwild.Max's popularity had spread the world over, and he has represented the town through appearances on news programs, talk shows, advertisements, billboards, and a game show. Death Mayor Max died in the city ofTemeculaon July 30, 2022, after suffering a brief medical issue.He was succeeded byMayor Max III, who formally took office on December 10, 2022. See also References External links\",\n \"Golden Retriever TheGolden Retrieveris a Scottishbreedofretrieverdog of medium size. It is characterised by a gentle and affectionate nature and a striking golden coat. It is a working dog, and registration is subject to successful completion of a working trial.It is commonly kept as apetand is among the most frequently registered breeds in several Western countries; some may compete indog showsorobedience trials, or work as aguide dog. The Golden Retriever was bred bySir Dudley Marjoribanksat his Scottish estateGuisachanin the late nineteenth century. Hecross-bredFlat-coated RetrieverswithTweed Water Spaniels, with some further infusions ofRed Setter,Labrador RetrieverandBloodhound. It was recognised by theKennel Clubin 1913, and during theinterwar periodspread to many parts of the world. History The Golden Retriever was developed in Scotland in the nineteenth century bySir Dudley Marjoribanks(later to becomeBaron Tweedmouth) fromFlat-coated Retrieversjudiciously crossed withTweed Water Spanielsand some other British dog breeds.Prior to the 1952 publication of the very detailed stud book which had been meticulously maintained by Marjoribanks, a number of romantic tales were published about the origins of the breed. In the 1860s Marjoribanks set out to create what to his mind was the ultimate breed of retriever at his Scottish estateGuisachan.He started by acquiring a yellow-coloured Flat-coated Retriever dog called Nous;Nous had beenwhelpedin June 1864 and was the only yellow pup in an otherwise all black-colouredlitter.Whilst uncommon, occasionally liver, brown, golden or yellow-coloured purebred Flat-coated Retriever pups are whelped to matings of two black parents.It is the pedigree of Nous that was the source for the romantic tales of the heritage of the Golden Retriever.One early account claimed Nous was purchased from a Russian circus trainer inBrighton, another claimed he was bought from a cobbler, and yet another claimed a gypsy.The stud book states that Nous was a Flat-coated Retriever bred byLord Chichesteron hisStanmer Parkestate near Brighton. In 1868 Nous was mated to a Tweed Water Spaniel bitch named Belle, who is recorded in the stud book as being whelped in 1863 and being of \\\"Ladykirk breeding\\\".The litter from this mating consisted of four yellow pups, Primrose, Ada, Cowslip and Crocus.The best bitch from this litter, Cowslip, was mated to a Tweed Water Spaniel called Tweed with the mating producing a bitch pup called Topsy.Cowslip was subsequently mated to aRed Settercalled Sampson; that mating produced a dog pup called Jack.Topsy was mated with a black Flat-coated Retriever called Sambo and a bitch pup from that litter, Zoe, was mated back to Jack and two pups from that mating were retained, a dog called Nous II and a bitch called Gill.Gill was mated to a blackLabrador Retrievercalled Tracer, and a bitch pup from that mating, Queenie, was mated back to Nous II; all Golden Retrievers descend from this mating.The progeny from these various matings varied in colour from pure black to light cream, but it was the golden-coloured ones that were retained and mated to each other, forming the foundation stock of the Golden Retriever breed.Marjoribanks is also known to have used a sandy-colouredBloodhoundand another Labrador in subsequent years of the breeding programme. In 1952 Marjoribanks's great-nephew,Giles Fox-Strangways, 6th Earl of Ilchester, teamed up with Elma Stonex and together they studied Marjoribanks's stud book.In 1960 their research was published, presenting all of the evidence required to counter all tales of Russian ancestry.The stud book, which covers the period from 1868 to 1890, is preserved in the library ofthe Kennel ClubinLondon.In the early days Golden Retrievers were called the 'Flat-coated Retriever, Golden',Initially the Golden Retriever was considered a colour variety of the former breed.In 1903the Kennel Clubrecorded the first examples, listing them in the same register as Flat-coats.In 1904 a Golden Retriever won afield trialand in 1908 the first examples were exhibited atconformation shows.In 1911 a breed club was formed for the breed in England, the Golden Retriever Club, and they were given a new name, the 'Yellow or Golden Retriever'; from this point they were increasingly seen as a separate breed from the Flat-coated Retriever.It was not until 1913 that the Kennel Club began recording them on a separate breed register from the Flat-coated Retriever and in 1920 the 'Yellow or' was dropped from the breed name and they were officially called the 'Golden Retriever'. One early twentieth century enthusiast of the breed, Winifred Charlesworth, was instrumental in the establishment of the breed club as well as its separate Kennel Club recognition.It was she who drew up the first breed standard, which was adopted by the Kennel Club and with only minor amendments and remains largely unchanged.She bred and exhibited the first Golden RetrieverShow Champion, was a strong advocate for maintaining the working instincts of the breed, and she is credited with popularising it at field trials and introducing it to shooting sportsmen. In the years after theFirst World Warits popularity increased markedly and in the 1920s and 1930s it spread through much of the Western world.TheCanadian Kennel Clubrecognised the breed in 1927, theAmerican Kennel Clubin 1932; the first examples were registered in France in 1934 and Australia in 1937.The worldwide popularity of the breed meant it did not suffer the misfortunes many British dog breeds did during theSecond World Wardue to British wartime restrictions on the breeding of larger dogs, with ample quality breeding stock available globally to ensure none of its characteristics were lost. Since the 1940s its popularity has continued to grow, and it has become one of the most recognised and most frequently registered dog breeds in the Western world. Description Appearance The Golden Retriever is a powerfully built, medium-sized breed of dog; according to the Kennel Clubbreed standard, dogs stand from 56 to 61 centimetres (22 to 24 in) and bitches from 51 to 56 centimetres (20 to 22 in).Healthy adult examples typically weigh between 25 and 34 kilograms (55 and 75 lb). The Golden Retriever has a broad head with a well-definedstop, with dark eyes set well apart, a wide and powerful muzzle, a large black nose, dark-pigmented and slightly droopingflews, and ears of moderate size set high and hanging with a slight fold.The neck is muscular and fairly long with loose-fitting skin, the shoulders well laid-back and long-bladed, and the body deep through the chest with well-sprung ribs.The back is usually level fromwitherstocroupand the long, straight tail is usually carried flat, roughly in line with the back.The forelegs are straight with good bone, the hind legs are powerful with well bentstiflesand muscular thighs, and the feet are cat-like. Thedouble coatis a recognisable and striking feature:the outer coat is long, flat or wavy and has good feathering on the forelegs, while the undercoat is dense and provides weather resistance.The coat can be any shade of cream, yellow or gold; the coat typically becomes paler with age.The Kennel Club breed standard prohibits red or mahogany-coloured coats, but a few white hairs on the chest are permitted.Originally only yellow or golden coloured examples were permitted, this excluded many outstanding cream coloured dogs; to overcome this in 1936 the Kennel Club's standard was amended to include the cream colour.The cream colour, which in more modern times can be almost white, has become the dominant colour and is particularly favoured byconformation showexhibitors.Golden Retrievers that are bred forconformation showstend to have longer and finer coats than those bred for working as gundogs. The Kennel Club breed standard is accepted by everykennel clubin the world except those of Canada and the United States.Breed standards in North America call for a slightly taller dogand the cream colour is not permitted. Temperament The Golden Retriever is considered an intelligent, gentle natured and very affectionate breed of dog.As is typical withretrieverbreeds, the breed is generally calm and biddable, being very easy to train and extremely keen to please their master.The breed is known to make excellent pets and family dogs, being generally extremely tolerant of children and keen to accompany any member of the family in a range of activities.Due to their affable natures, the breed is often completely devoid of guarding instincts.However, there have also been reports of some very aggressive Golden Retrievers in certain lineages. It has been suggested that these variations in aggression are partially caused by genetic factors. The breed usually retains many of their gundog traits and instincts including an excellent sense of smell and a strong instinct to retrieve; even among those not trained as gundogs it is typical for Golden Retrievers to present their owners with toys or other objects.Compared to other retriever breeds the Golden Retriever is typically quite slow to mature. Use The Golden Retriever is one of the most commonly kept breeds ofcompanion dogin the Western world, and is often among the top ten dog breeds by number of registrations in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada.It is a frequent competitor atdog shows; separate show lines of the breed have been developed.The dogs can be trained asguide dogsandtherapy dogs,and may compete inobedience trialsand otherdog sports. The Golden Retriever is still used as agundogby sportsmen, both as a hunting companion in the field and for competing infield trials.It is used more for retrieval of land-based gamebirds such asgrouseandpartridgethan for wildfowl hunting.Those used as gundogs are usually from working lines specifically bred for field use; dogs from pet or show lines are rarely suitable.A Golden Retriever with a traditional dense double coat is well suited to working in cold and wet conditions, as the coat provides water resistance and insulation.Compared to other retriever breeds, the Golden Retriever is not a strong swimmer; its long coat causes it to sit low in the water when swimming. The Golden Retriever is much less commonly used by sportsmen as a hunting companion than theLabrador Retriever.One reason is that the breed is generally quite slow to mature, particularly compared to the Labrador; often when a Golden Retriever is still in basic training a Labrador of the same age has already completed a season of hunting.Another is its long coat, which requires more maintenance and grooming than that of the Labrador, particularly after working in muddy conditions or close cover, as their long hair is more prone to picking up dirt and burrs.More Golden Retrievers are bred as pets or for the show ring than for hunting, so it can be hard for sportsmen to find pups bred from proven working lines. Health A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.2 years for the breed compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 forcrossbreeds.A 2024 Italian study found a life expectancy of 10 years for the breed compared to 10 years overall.A 2005 Swedish study found 22% of Golden Retrievers died by the age of 10, less than the overall rate of 35% of dogs dying by the age of 10. The breed is unusually prone to cancer, with one United States study finding cancer to be the cause of death in approximately 50% of the population, the second highest in the study. Several European studies found a much lower prevalence (20–39%), which may reflect the significant genetic divergence between the American and European populations. They are especially prone tohemangiosarcomaandlymphoma, with an estimated lifetime risk of one in five for the former and one in eight for the latter. The high prevalence of cancer deaths among Golden Retrievers may partly represent a lack of other congenital diseases.One UK study found the risk ofmetastaticneoplasiain the breed to be 4.86 times higher than other dogs. The Golden Retriever has a genetic predisposition toprimary hypothyroidism; a review of 5 different studies found Golden Retrievers to make up 17% of cases. Notable Golden Retrievers Explanatory notes References Further reading\",\n \"Hemangiosarcoma Hemangiosarcomais a rapidly growing, highly invasive variety ofcancerthat occurs almost exclusively in dogs, and only rarely in cats, horses, mice,or humans (vinyl chloridetoxicity). It is asarcomaarising from the lining of blood vessels; that is, blood-filled channels and spaces are commonly observed microscopically. A frequent cause of death is the rupturing of this tumor, causing the patient to rapidly bleed to death. The term \\\"angiosarcoma\\\", when used without a modifier, usually refers to hemangiosarcoma.However,glomangiosarcoma(8710/3) andlymphangiosarcoma(9170/3) are distinct conditions (in humans). Dogs Hemangiosarcoma is quite common indogs, and more so in certain breeds includingGerman ShepherdsandGolden Retrievers.It also occurs incats, but much more rarely. Dogs with hemangiosarcoma rarely show clinical signs until the tumor has become very large and hasmetastasized. Typically, clinical signs are due tohypovolemiaafter the tumor ruptures, causing extensive bleeding. Owners of the affected dogs often discover that the dog has hemangiosarcoma only after the dog collapses. The tumor most often appears on thespleen, rightheartbase, orliver, although varieties also appear on or under the skin or in other locations. It is the most common tumor of the heart, and occurs in theright atriumorright auricular appendage. Here it can cause right-sidedheart failure,arrhythmias,pericardial effusion, andcardiac tamponade. Hemangiosarcoma of the spleen orliveris the most common tumor to causehemorrhagein theabdomen.Hemorrhage secondary to splenic and hepatic tumors can also cause ventriculararrhythmias. Hemangiosarcoma of theskinusually appears as a small red or bluish-black lump. It can also occur under the skin. It is suspected that in the skin, hemangiosarcoma is caused bysunexposure.Occasionally, hemangiosarcoma of the skin can be a metastasis from visceral hemangiosarcoma. Other sites the tumor may occur includebone,kidneys, thebladder,muscle, themouth, and thecentral nervous system. Clinical features Presenting complaints and clinical signs are usually related to the site of origin of the primary tumor or to the presence of metastases, spontaneous tumor rupture, coagulopathies, or cardiac arrhythmias. More than 50% of patients are presented because of acute collapse after spontaneous rupture of the primary tumor or its metastases. Some episodes of collapse are a result of ventricular arrhythmias, which are relatively common in dogs with splenic or cardiac HSA. Most common clinical signs of visceral hemangiosarcoma include loss of appetite,arrhythmias, weight loss, weakness, lethargy, collapse, palemucous membranes, and/or sudden death. An enlarged abdomen is often seen due to hemorrhage. Metastasis is most commonly to the liver,omentum,lungs, orbrain. A retrospective study published in 1999 by Ware, et al., found a five times greater risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma in spayed vs. intact female dogs and a 2.4 times greater risk of hemangiosarcoma in neutered dogs as compared to intact males.The validity of this study is in dispute. Clinicopathologic findings Hemangiosarcoma can cause a wide variety of hematologic and hemostatic abnormalities, includinganemia, thrombocytopenia(lowplateletcount),disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC); presence of nRBC, schistocytes, and acanthocytes in the blood smear; and leukocytosis with neutrophilia, left shift, and monocytosis. Diagnosis A definitive diagnosis requires biopsy and histopathology. Cytologic aspirates may be inconclusive with studies reporting various specificity, and negative results may not correlate with absence of disease, as one study concludes \\\"cytological diagnosis of splenic neoplasia is reliable, but a negative result cannot be used to exclude the possibility of splenic neoplasia.\\\"This is because of frequent blood contamination and poor exfoliation.Surgical biopsy is the typical approach in veterinary medicine. Imaging modalities may include one ore more of ultrasound, CT, MRIand FDG-PET/CT.FGD-PET/CT may show some benefit over traditional CT for staging and detection of metastasis. Symptoms Dogs rarely show symptoms of hemangiosarcoma until after the tumor ruptures, causing extensive bleeding. Then symptoms can include short-term lethargy, loss of appetite, enlarged abdomen, weakness in the back legs, paled colored tongue and gums, rapid heart rate, and a weak pulse. Treatments Treatment includeschemotherapyand, where practical, removal of the tumor with the affected organ, such as with asplenectomy. Splenectomy alone gives an average survival time of 1–3 months. The addition ofchemotherapy, primarily comprising the drugdoxorubicin, alone or in combination with other drugs, can increase the average survival time by 2–4 months beyond splenectomy alone. A 2012 paper published the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School, in dogs treated with a compound derived from theCoriolus versicolor(commonly known as \\\"Turkey Tail\\\") mushroom showed a favorable response to the agent compared to historical controls of dogs treated with splenectomy and Doxorubicin .:.A controlled, randomized study in 101 dogs was later conducted by the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School which showed that the Coriolus versicolor mushroom did not have the same outcome noted in the 2012 paper with 15 dogs. In the 2022 paper by Gednet et al. dogs treated with splenectomy followed by Doxorubicin did better then dogs treated with splenectomy and mushroom agent. Combination of Doxorubicin with the Turkey Tail mushroom also did not improve survival when compared to Doxorubicin alone. However, as noted in the 2012 study, the Turkey Tail mushroom extract did not cause any systemic adverse reactions, even when combined with Doxorubicin.:. Immune therapy based on cultivation of tumor tissue is being developed for dogs.A preventive vaccine based on several proteins commonly found in dog cancers, including hemangiosarcomas, is also being developed. In the skin, it can be cured in most cases with complete surgical removal as long as there is not visceral involvement.Median survival times for stage I is 780 days, where more advanced stages can range from 172 to 307 days. References External links\",\n \"Chemotherapy Chemotherapy(often abbreviatedchemo, sometimesCTXandCTx) is the type ofcancer treatmentthat uses one or more anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapeutic agentsoralkylating agents) in a standardregimen. Chemotherapy may be given with acurativeintent (which almost always involves combinations of drugs), or it may aim only to prolong life or toreduce symptoms(palliativechemotherapy). Chemotherapy is one of the major categories of the medical discipline specifically devoted topharmacotherapyforcancer, which is calledmedical oncology. The termchemotherapynow means the non-specific use of intracellularpoisonsto inhibitmitosis(cell division) or to induceDNA damage(so thatDNA repaircan augment chemotherapy).This meaning excludes the more-selective agents that block extracellular signals (signal transduction). Therapies with specific molecular or genetic targets, which inhibit growth-promoting signals from classic endocrine hormones (primarilyestrogensfor breast cancer andandrogensfor prostate cancer), are now calledhormonal therapies. Other inhibitions of growth-signals, such as those associated withreceptor tyrosine kinases, aretargeted therapy. The use of drugs (whether chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or targeted therapy) issystemic therapyfor cancer: they are introduced into the blood stream (the system) and therefore can treat cancer anywhere in the body. Systemic therapy is often used with other,local therapy(treatments that work only where they are applied), such asradiation,surgery, andhyperthermia. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents arecytotoxicby means of interfering with cell division (mitosis) but cancer cells vary widely in their susceptibility to these agents. To a large extent, chemotherapy can be thought of as a way to damage or stress cells, which may then lead to cell death ifapoptosisis initiated. Many of the side effects of chemotherapy can be traced to damage to normal cells that divide rapidly and are thus sensitive to anti-mitotic drugs: cells in thebone marrow,digestive tractandhair follicles. This results in the most common side-effects of chemotherapy:myelosuppression(decreased production of blood cells, hence that alsoimmunosuppression),mucositis(inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract), andalopecia(hair loss). Because of the effect on immune cells (especially lymphocytes), chemotherapy drugs often find use in a host of diseases that result from harmful overactivity of the immune system against self (so-calledautoimmunity). These includerheumatoid arthritis,systemic lupus erythematosus,multiple sclerosis,vasculitisand many others. Treatment strategies There are a number of strategies in the administration of chemotherapeutic drugs used today. Chemotherapy may be given with acurativeintent or it may aim to prolong life or topalliate symptoms. Allchemotherapy regimensrequire that the recipient be capable of undergoing the treatment.Performance statusis often used as a measure to determine whether a person can receive chemotherapy, or whether dose reduction is required. Because only a fraction of the cells in a tumor die with each treatment (fractional kill), repeated doses must be administered to continue to reduce the size of the tumor.Current chemotherapy regimens apply drug treatment in cycles, with the frequency and duration of treatments limited by toxicity. Effectiveness The effectiveness of chemotherapy depends on the type of cancer and the stage. The overall effectiveness ranges from being curative for some cancers, such as someleukemias,to being ineffective, such as in somebrain tumors,to being needless in others, like mostnon-melanoma skin cancers. Dosage Dosage of chemotherapy can be difficult: If the dose is too low, it will be ineffective against the tumor, whereas, at excessive doses, the toxicity (side-effects) will be intolerable to the person receiving it.The standard method of determining chemotherapy dosage is based on calculatedbody surface area(BSA). The BSA is usually calculated with a mathematical formula or anomogram, using the recipient's weight and height, rather than by direct measurement of body area. This formula was originally derived in a 1916 study and attempted to translate medicinal doses established with laboratory animals to equivalent doses for humans.The study only included nine human subjects.When chemotherapy was introduced in the 1950s, the BSA formula was adopted as the official standard for chemotherapy dosing for lack of a better option. The validity of this method in calculating uniform doses has been questioned because the formula only takes into account the individual's weight and height. Drug absorption and clearance are influenced by multiple factors, including age, sex, metabolism, disease state, organ function, drug-to-drug interactions, genetics, and obesity, which have major impacts on the actual concentration of the drug in the person's bloodstream.As a result, there is high variability in the systemic chemotherapy drug concentration in people dosed by BSA, and this variability has been demonstrated to be more than ten-fold for many drugs.In other words, if two people receive the same dose of a given drug based on BSA, the concentration of that drug in the bloodstream of one person may be 10 times higher or lower compared to that of the other person.This variability is typical with many chemotherapy drugs dosed by BSA, and, as shown below, was demonstrated in a study of 14 common chemotherapy drugs. The result of this pharmacokinetic variability among people is that many people do not receive the right dose to achieve optimal treatment effectiveness with minimized toxic side effects. Some people are overdosed while others are underdosed.For example, in a randomized clinical trial, investigators found 85% of metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) did not receive the optimal therapeutic dose when dosed by the BSA standard—68% were underdosed and 17% were overdosed. There has been controversy over the use of BSA to calculate chemotherapy doses for people who areobese.Because of their higher BSA, clinicians often arbitrarily reduce the dose prescribed by the BSA formula for fear ofoverdosing.In many cases, this can result in sub-optimal treatment. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that when chemotherapy dosing is individualized to achieve optimal systemic drug exposure, treatment outcomes are improved and toxic side effects are reduced.In the 5-FU clinical study cited above, people whose dose was adjusted to achieve a pre-determined target exposure realized an 84% improvement in treatment response rate and a six-month improvement in overall survival (OS) compared with those dosed by BSA. In the same study, investigators compared the incidence of common 5-FU-associated grade 3/4 toxicities between the dose-adjusted people and people dosed per BSA.The incidence of debilitating grades of diarrhea was reduced from 18% in the BSA-dosed group to 4% in the dose-adjusted group and serious hematologic side effects were eliminated.Because of the reduced toxicity, dose-adjusted patients were able to be treated for longer periods of time.BSA-dosed people were treated for a total of 680 months while people in the dose-adjusted group were treated for a total of 791 months.Completing the course of treatment is an important factor in achieving better treatment outcomes. Similar results were found in a study involving people with colorectal cancer who have been treated with the popularFOLFOXregimen.The incidence of serious diarrhea was reduced from 12% in the BSA-dosed group of patients to 1.7% in the dose-adjusted group, and the incidence of severe mucositis was reduced from 15% to 0.8%. The FOLFOX study also demonstrated an improvement in treatment outcomes.Positive response increased from 46% in the BSA-dosed group to 70% in the dose-adjusted group. Median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) both improved by six months in the dose adjusted group. One approach that can help clinicians individualize chemotherapy dosing is to measure the drug levels in blood plasma over time and adjust dose according to a formula or algorithm to achieve optimal exposure. With an established target exposure for optimized treatment effectiveness with minimized toxicities, dosing can be personalized to achieve target exposure and optimal results for each person. Such an algorithm was used in the clinical trials cited above and resulted in significantly improved treatment outcomes. Oncologists are already individualizing dosing of some cancer drugs based on exposure.Carboplatin: 4andbusulfandosing rely upon results from blood tests to calculate the optimal dose for each person. Simple blood tests are also available for dose optimization ofmethotrexate,5-FU,paclitaxel, anddocetaxel. The serum albumin level immediately prior to chemotherapy administration is an independent prognostic predictor of survival in various cancer types. Types Alkylating agents Alkylating agents are the oldest group of chemotherapeutics in use today. Originally derived frommustard gasused inWorld War I, there are now many types of alkylating agents in use.They are so named because of their ability toalkylatemany molecules, includingproteins,RNAandDNA. This ability to bindcovalentlyto DNA via theiralkyl groupis the primary cause for their anti-cancer effects.DNA is made of two strands and the molecules may either bind twice to one strand of DNA (intrastrand crosslink) or may bind once to both strands (interstrand crosslink). If the cell tries to replicate crosslinked DNA duringcell division, or tries to repair it, the DNA strands can break. This leads to a form of programmed cell death calledapoptosis.Alkylating agents will work at any point in the cell cycle and thus are known as cell cycle-independent drugs. For this reason, the effect on the cell is dose dependent; the fraction of cells that die is directly proportional to the dose of drug. The subtypes of alkylating agents are thenitrogen mustards,nitrosoureas,tetrazines,aziridines,cisplatinsand derivatives, and non-classical alkylating agents. Nitrogen mustards includemechlorethamine,cyclophosphamide,melphalan,chlorambucil,ifosfamideandbusulfan. Nitrosoureas includeN-Nitroso-N-methylurea(MNU),carmustine(BCNU),lomustine(CCNU) andsemustine(MeCCNU),fotemustineandstreptozotocin. Tetrazines includedacarbazine,mitozolomideandtemozolomide. Aziridines includethiotepa,mytomycinand diaziquone (AZQ). Cisplatin and derivatives includecisplatin,carboplatinandoxaliplatin.They impair cell function by formingcovalent bondswith theamino,carboxyl,sulfhydryl, andphosphate groupsin biologically important molecules.Non-classical alkylating agents includeprocarbazineand hexamethylmelamine. Antimetabolites Anti-metabolitesare a group of molecules that impede DNA and RNA synthesis. Many of them have a similar structure to the building blocks of DNA and RNA. The building blocks arenucleotides; a molecule comprising anucleobase, a sugar and aphosphate group. The nucleobases are divided intopurines(guanineandadenine) andpyrimidines(cytosine,thymineanduracil). Anti-metabolites resemble either nucleobases or nucleosides (a nucleotide without the phosphate group), but have alteredchemical groups.These drugs exert their effect by either blocking the enzymes required for DNA synthesis or becoming incorporated into DNA or RNA. By inhibiting the enzymes involved in DNA synthesis, they prevent mitosis because the DNA cannot duplicate itself. Also, after misincorporation of the molecules into DNA,DNA damagecan occur and programmed cell death (apoptosis) is induced. Unlike alkylating agents, anti-metabolites are cell cycle dependent. This means that they only work during a specific part of the cell cycle, in this caseS-phase(the DNA synthesis phase). For this reason, at a certain dose, the effect plateaus and proportionally no more cell death occurs with increased doses. Subtypes of the anti-metabolites are theanti-folates, fluoropyrimidines, deoxynucleoside analogues andthiopurines. The anti-folates includemethotrexateandpemetrexed. Methotrexate inhibitsdihydrofolate reductase(DHFR), an enzyme that regeneratestetrahydrofolatefromdihydrofolate. When the enzyme is inhibited by methotrexate, the cellular levels of folate coenzymes diminish. These are required forthymidylateand purine production, which are both essential for DNA synthesis and cell division.: 55–59: 11Pemetrexed is another anti-metabolite that affects purine and pyrimidine production, and therefore also inhibits DNA synthesis. It primarily inhibits the enzymethymidylate synthase, but also has effects on DHFR, aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase andglycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase.The fluoropyrimidines includefluorouracilandcapecitabine. Fluorouracil is a nucleobase analogue that is metabolised in cells to form at least two active products; 5-fluourouridine monophosphate (FUMP) and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate (fdUMP). FUMP becomes incorporated into RNA and fdUMP inhibits the enzyme thymidylate synthase; both of which lead to cell death.: 11Capecitabine is aprodrugof 5-fluorouracil that is broken down in cells to produce the active drug.The deoxynucleoside analogues includecytarabine,gemcitabine,decitabine,azacitidine,fludarabine,nelarabine,cladribine,clofarabine, andpentostatin. The thiopurines includethioguanineandmercaptopurine. Anti-microtubule agents Anti-microtubule agentsareplant-derived chemicals that block cell division by preventingmicrotubulefunction. Microtubules are an important cellular structure composed of two proteins,α-tubulinandβ-tubulin. They are hollow, rod-shaped structures that are required for cell division, among other cellular functions.Microtubules are dynamic structures, which means that they are permanently in a state of assembly and disassembly.Vincaalkaloidsandtaxanesare the two main groups of anti-microtubule agents, and although both of these groups of drugs cause microtubule dysfunction, their mechanisms of action are completely opposite:Vincaalkaloids prevent the assembly of microtubules, whereas taxanes prevent their disassembly. By doing so, they can inducemitotic catastrophein the cancer cells.Following this, cell cycle arrest occurs, which induces programmed cell death (apoptosis).These drugs can also affectblood vessel growth, an essential process that tumours utilise in order to grow and metastasise. Vincaalkaloids are derived from theMadagascar periwinkle,Catharanthus roseus,formerly known asVinca rosea. They bind to specific sites on tubulin, inhibiting the assembly of tubulin into microtubules. The originalvincaalkaloids arenatural productsthat includevincristineandvinblastine.Following the success of these drugs, semi-syntheticvincaalkaloids were produced:vinorelbine(used in the treatment ofnon-small-cell lung cancer),vindesine, andvinflunine.These drugs arecell cycle-specific. They bind to the tubulin molecules inS-phaseand prevent proper microtubule formation required forM-phase. Taxanes are natural and semi-synthetic drugs. The first drug of their class,paclitaxel, was originally extracted fromTaxus brevifolia, the Pacific yew. Now this drug and another in this class,docetaxel, are produced semi-synthetically from a chemical found in the bark of another yew tree,Taxus baccata. Podophyllotoxinis an antineoplasticlignanobtained primarily from theAmerican mayapple(Podophyllum peltatum) andHimalayan mayapple(Sinopodophyllum hexandrum). It has anti-microtubule activity, and its mechanism is similar to that ofvincaalkaloids in that they bind to tubulin, inhibiting microtubule formation. Podophyllotoxin is used to produce two other drugs with different mechanisms of action:etoposideandteniposide. Topoisomerase inhibitors Topoisomerase inhibitors are drugs that affect the activity of two enzymes:topoisomerase Iandtopoisomerase II. When the DNA double-strand helix is unwound, during DNA replication ortranscription, for example, the adjacent unopened DNA winds tighter (supercoils), like opening the middle of a twisted rope. The stress caused by this effect is in part aided by the topoisomerase enzymes. They produce single- or double-strand breaks into DNA, reducing the tension in the DNA strand. This allows the normal unwinding of DNA to occur duringreplicationor transcription. Inhibition of topoisomerase I or II interferes with both of these processes. Two topoisomerase I inhibitors,irinotecanandtopotecan, are semi-synthetically derived fromcamptothecin, which is obtained from the Chinese ornamental treeCamptotheca acuminata.Drugs that target topoisomerase II can be divided into two groups. The topoisomerase II poisons cause increased levels enzymes bound to DNA. This prevents DNA replication and transcription, causes DNA strand breaks, and leads to programmed cell death (apoptosis). These agents includeetoposide,doxorubicin,mitoxantroneandteniposide. The second group, catalytic inhibitors, are drugs that block the activity of topoisomerase II, and therefore prevent DNA synthesis and translation because the DNA cannot unwind properly. This group includesnovobiocin, merbarone, andaclarubicin, which also have other significant mechanisms of action. Cytotoxic antibiotics The cytotoxicantibioticsare a varied group of drugs that have various mechanisms of action. The common theme that they share in their chemotherapy indication is that they interruptcell division. The most important subgroup is theanthracyclinesand thebleomycins; other prominent examples includemitomycin Candactinomycin. Among the anthracyclines,doxorubicinanddaunorubicinwere the first, and were obtained from thebacteriumStreptomyces peucetius.Derivatives of these compounds includeepirubicinandidarubicin. Other clinically used drugs in the anthracycline group arepirarubicin,aclarubicin, andmitoxantrone.The mechanisms of anthracyclines includeDNA intercalation(molecules insert between the two strands of DNA), generation of highly reactivefree radicalsthat damage intercellular molecules and topoisomerase inhibition. Actinomycin is a complex molecule that intercalates DNA and preventsRNA synthesis. Bleomycin, aglycopeptideisolated fromStreptomyces verticillus, also intercalates DNA, but producesfree radicalsthat damage DNA. This occurs when bleomycin binds to ametal ion, becomeschemically reducedand reacts withoxygen.: 87 Mitomycin is a cytotoxic antibiotic with the ability to alkylate DNA. Delivery Most chemotherapy isdeliveredintravenously, although a number of agents can be administered orally (e.g.,melphalan,busulfan,capecitabine). According to a recent (2016) systematic review, oral therapies present additional challenges for patients and care teams to maintain and support adherence to treatment plans. There are many intravenous methods of drug delivery, known as vascular access devices. These include thewinged infusion device,peripheral venous catheter, midline catheter,peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC),central venous catheterandimplantable port. The devices have different applications regarding duration of chemotherapy treatment, method of delivery and types of chemotherapeutic agent.: 94–95 Depending on the person, the cancer, the stage of cancer, the type of chemotherapy, and the dosage, intravenous chemotherapy may be given on either aninpatientor anoutpatientbasis. For continuous, frequent or prolonged intravenous chemotherapy administration, various systems may be surgically inserted into the vasculature to maintain access.: 113–118Commonly used systems are theHickman line, thePort-a-Cath, and thePICC line. These have a lower infection risk, are much less prone tophlebitisorextravasation, and eliminate the need for repeated insertion of peripheral cannulae. Isolated limb perfusion(often used inmelanoma),or isolated infusion of chemotherapy into the liveror the lung have been used to treat some tumors. The main purpose of these approaches is to deliver a very high dose of chemotherapy to tumor sites without causing overwhelming systemic damage.These approaches can help control solitary or limited metastases, but they are by definition not systemic, and, therefore, do not treat distributed metastases ormicrometastases. Topical chemotherapies, such as5-fluorouracil, are used to treat some cases ofnon-melanoma skin cancer. If the cancer hascentral nervous systeminvolvement, or with meningeal disease,intrathecalchemotherapy may be administered. Adverse effects Chemotherapeutic techniques have a range of side effects that depend on the type of medications used. The most common medications affect mainly thefast-dividing cellsof the body, such as blood cells and the cells lining the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Chemotherapy-related toxicities can occur acutely after administration, within hours or days, or chronically, from weeks to years.: 265 Immunosuppression and myelosuppression Virtually all chemotherapeutic regimens can cause depression of theimmune system, often by paralysing thebone marrowand leading to a decrease ofwhite blood cells,red blood cells, andplatelets.Anemiaandthrombocytopeniamay requireblood transfusion.Neutropenia(a decrease of theneutrophil granulocytecount below 0.5 x 109/litre) can be improved with syntheticG-CSF(granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, e.g.,filgrastim,lenograstim,efbemalenograstim alfa). In very severemyelosuppression, which occurs in some regimens, almost all the bone marrowstem cells(cells that producewhiteandred blood cells) are destroyed, meaningallogenicorautologousbone marrow cell transplantsare necessary. (In autologous BMTs, cells are removed from the person before the treatment, multiplied and then re-injected afterward; inallogenicBMTs, the source is a donor.) However, some people still develop diseases because of this interference with bone marrow. Although people receiving chemotherapy are encouraged to wash their hands, avoid sick people, and take other infection-reducing steps, about 85% of infections are due to naturally occurring microorganisms in the person's owngastrointestinal tract(includingoral cavity) and skin.: 130This may manifest as systemic infections, such assepsis, or as localized outbreaks, such asHerpes simplex,shingles, or other members of theHerpesviridea.The risk of illness and death can be reduced by taking common antibiotics such asquinolonesortrimethoprim/sulfamethoxazolebefore any fever or sign of infection appears.Quinolones show effective prophylaxis mainly with hematological cancer.However, in general, for every five people who are immunosuppressed following chemotherapy who take an antibiotic, one fever can be prevented; for every 34 who take an antibiotic, one death can be prevented.Sometimes, chemotherapy treatments are postponed because the immune system is suppressed to a critically low level. InJapan, the government has approved the use of somemedicinal mushroomslikeTrametes versicolor, to counteract depression of the immune system in people undergoing chemotherapy. Trilaciclibis an inhibitor ofcyclin-dependent kinase4/6 approved for the prevention of myelosuppression caused by chemotherapy. The drug is given before chemotherapy to protect bone marrow function. Neutropenic enterocolitis Due to immune system suppression,neutropenic enterocolitis(typhlitis) is a \\\"life-threatening gastrointestinal complication of chemotherapy.\\\"Typhlitisis an intestinal infection which may manifest itself through symptoms includingnausea,vomiting,diarrhea, adistended abdomen,fever,chills, orabdominal painand tenderness. Typhlitisis amedical emergency. It has a very poorprognosisand is often fatal unless promptly recognized and aggressively treated.Successful treatment hinges on early diagnosis provided by a high index of suspicion and the use of CT scanning, nonoperative treatment for uncomplicated cases, and sometimes elective righthemicolectomyto prevent recurrence. Gastrointestinal distress Nausea,vomiting,anorexia,diarrhea, abdominal cramps, andconstipationare common side-effects of chemotherapeutic medications that kill fast-dividing cells.Malnutritionanddehydrationcan result when the recipient does not eat or drink enough, or when the person vomits frequently, because of gastrointestinal damage. This can result in rapid weight loss, or occasionally in weight gain, if the person eats too much in an effort to allay nausea or heartburn. Weight gain can also be caused by some steroid medications. These side-effects can frequently be reduced or eliminated withantiemeticdrugs. Low-certainty evidence also suggests that probiotics may have a preventative and treatment effect of diarrhoea related to chemotherapy alone and with radiotherapy.However, a high index of suspicion is appropriate, since diarrhoea and bloating are also symptoms oftyphlitis, a very serious and potentially life-threateningmedical emergencythat requires immediate treatment. Anemia Anemiacan be a combined outcome caused by myelosuppressive chemotherapy, and possible cancer-related causes such asbleeding,blood celldestruction (hemolysis), hereditary disease, kidney dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies oranemia of chronic disease. Treatments to mitigate anemia include hormones to boost blood production (erythropoietin),iron supplements, andblood transfusions.Myelosuppressive therapy can cause a tendency to bleed easily, leading to anemia. Medications that kill rapidly dividing cells or blood cells can reduce the number ofplateletsin the blood, which can result inbruisesandbleeding. Extremely low platelet counts may be temporarily boosted throughplatelet transfusionsand new drugs to increase platelet counts during chemotherapy are being developed.Sometimes, chemotherapy treatments are postponed to allow platelet counts to recover. Fatiguemay be a consequence of the cancer or its treatment, and can last for months to years after treatment. One physiological cause of fatigue is anemia, which can be caused by chemotherapy,surgery,radiotherapy, primary and metastatic disease or nutritional depletion.Aerobic exercisehas been found to be beneficial in reducing fatigue in people withsolid tumours. Nausea and vomiting Nauseaandvomitingare two of the most feared cancer treatment-related side-effects for people with cancer and their families. In 1983, Coates et al. found that people receiving chemotherapy ranked nausea and vomiting as the first and second most severe side-effects, respectively.Up to 20% of people receiving highly emetogenic agents in this era postponed, or even refused potentially curative treatments.Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are common with many treatments and some forms of cancer. Since the 1990s, several novel classes ofantiemeticshave been developed and commercialized, becoming a nearly universal standard in chemotherapy regimens, and helping to successfully manage these symptoms in many people. Effective mediation of these unpleasant and sometimes debilitating symptoms results in increased quality of life for the recipient and more efficient treatment cycles, due to less stoppage of treatment due to better tolerance and better overall health. Hair loss Hair loss(alopecia) can be caused by chemotherapy that kills rapidly dividing cells; other medications may cause hair to thin. These are most often temporary effects: hair usually starts to regrow a few weeks after the last treatment, but sometimes with a change in color, texture, thickness or style. Sometimes hair has a tendency to curl after regrowth, resulting in \\\"chemo curls.\\\" Severe hair loss occurs most often with drugs such asdoxorubicin,daunorubicin,paclitaxel,docetaxel,cyclophosphamide,ifosfamideandetoposide. Permanent thinning or hair loss can result from some standard chemotherapy regimens. Chemotherapy induced hair loss occurs by a non-androgenic mechanism, and can manifest asalopecia totalis, telogen effluvium, or less oftenalopecia areata.It is usually associated with systemic treatment due to the high mitotic rate of hair follicles, and more reversible than androgenic hair loss,although permanent cases can occur.Chemotherapy induces hair loss in women more often than men. Scalp coolingoffers a means of preventing both permanent and temporary hair loss; however, concerns about this method have been raised. Secondary neoplasm Development of secondary neoplasia after successful chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment can occur. The most commonsecondary neoplasmis secondary acute myeloid leukemia, which develops primarily after treatment with alkylating agents or topoisomerase inhibitors.Survivors ofchildhood cancerare more than 13 times as likely to get asecondary neoplasmduring the 30 years after treatment than the general population.Not all of this increase can be attributed to chemotherapy. Infertility Some types of chemotherapy are gonadotoxic and may causeinfertility.Chemotherapies with high risk include procarbazine and other alkylating drugs such as cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, busulfan, melphalan, chlorambucil, and chlormethine.Drugs with medium risk include doxorubicin and platinum analogs such as cisplatin and carboplatin.On the other hand, therapies with low risk of gonadotoxicity include plant derivatives such as vincristine and vinblastine,antibioticssuch as bleomycin and dactinomycin, and antimetabolites such as methotrexate, mercaptopurine, and 5-fluorouracil. Female infertilityby chemotherapy appears to be secondary topremature ovarian failureby loss ofprimordial follicles.This loss is not necessarily a direct effect of the chemotherapeutic agents, but could be due to an increased rate of growth initiation to replace damaged developing follicles. People may choose between several methods offertility preservationprior to chemotherapy, includingcryopreservationof semen, ovarian tissue, oocytes, or embryos.As more than half of cancer patients are elderly, this adverse effect is only relevant for a minority of patients. A study in France between 1999 and 2011 came to the result that embryo freezing before administration of gonadotoxic agents to females caused a delay of treatment in 34% of cases, and a live birth in 27% of surviving cases who wanted to become pregnant, with the follow-up time varying between 1 and 13 years. Potential protective or attenuating agents includeGnRH analogs, where several studies have shown a protective effectin vivoin humans, but some studies show no such effect.Sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P) has shown similar effect, but its mechanism of inhibiting thesphingomyelin apoptotic pathwaymay also interfere with theapoptosisaction of chemotherapy drugs. In chemotherapy as aconditioning regimenin hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a study of people conditioned with cyclophosphamide alone for severe aplastic anemia came to the result that ovarian recovery occurred in all women younger than 26 years at time of transplantation, but only in five of 16 women older than 26 years. Teratogenicity Chemotherapy isteratogenicduringpregnancy, especially during thefirst trimester, to the extent thatabortionusually is recommended if pregnancy in this period is found during chemotherapy.Second- and third-trimester exposure does not usually increase the teratogenic risk and adverse effects on cognitive development, but it may increase the risk of variouscomplications of pregnancyand fetal myelosuppression. Female patients of reproductive potential should use effectivecontraceptionduring chemotherapy and for a few months after the last dose (e.g. 6 month fordoxorubicin). In males previously having undergone chemotherapy or radiotherapy, there appears to be no increase in genetic defects or congenital malformations in their children conceived after therapy.The use ofassisted reproductive technologiesandmicromanipulation techniquesmight increase this risk.In females previously having undergone chemotherapy, miscarriage and congenital malformations are not increased in subsequent conceptions.However, whenin vitro fertilizationandembryo cryopreservationis practised between or shortly after treatment, possible genetic risks to the growing oocytes exist, and hence it has been recommended that the babies be screened. Peripheral neuropathy Between 30 and 40 percent of people undergoing chemotherapy experiencechemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy(CIPN), a progressive, enduring, and often irreversible condition, causing pain, tingling, numbness and sensitivity to cold, beginning in the hands and feet and sometimes progressing to the arms and legs.Chemotherapy drugs associated with CIPN includethalidomide,epothilones,vincaalkaloids, taxanes,proteasome inhibitors, and the platinum-based drugs.Whether CIPN arises, and to what degree, is determined by the choice of drug, duration of use, the total amount consumed and whether the person already hasperipheral neuropathy. Though the symptoms are mainly sensory, in some casesmotor nervesand theautonomic nervous systemare affected.CIPN often follows the first chemotherapy dose and increases in severity as treatment continues, but this progression usually levels off at completion of treatment. The platinum-based drugs are the exception; with these drugs, sensation may continue to deteriorate for several months after the end of treatment.Some CIPN appears to be irreversible.Pain can often be managed with drug or other treatment but the numbness is usually resistant to treatment. Cognitive impairment Some people receiving chemotherapy report fatigue or non-specific neurocognitive problems, such as an inability to concentrate; this is sometimes calledpost-chemotherapy cognitive impairment, referred to as \\\"chemo brain\\\" in popular and social media. Tumor lysis syndrome In particularly large tumors and cancers with highwhite cell counts, such aslymphomas,teratomas, and someleukemias, some people developtumor lysis syndrome. The rapid breakdown of cancer cells causes the release of chemicals from the inside of the cells. Following this, high levels ofuric acid,potassiumandphosphateare found in the blood. High levels of phosphate induce secondary hypoparathyroidism, resulting in low levels of calcium in the blood.This causes kidney damage and the high levels of potassium can causecardiac arrhythmia. Although prophylaxis is available and is often initiated in people with large tumors, this is a dangerous side-effect that can lead to death if left untreated.: 202 Organ damage Cardiotoxicity(heart damage) is especially prominent with the use ofanthracyclinedrugs (doxorubicin,epirubicin,idarubicin, andliposomal doxorubicin). The cause of this is most likely due to the production offree radicalsin the cell and subsequentDNA damage. Other chemotherapeutic agents that cause cardiotoxicity, but at a lower incidence, arecyclophosphamide,docetaxelandclofarabine. Hepatotoxicity(liver damage) can be caused by many cytotoxic drugs. The susceptibility of an individual to liver damage can be altered by other factors such as the cancer itself,viral hepatitis,immunosuppressionandnutritional deficiency. The liver damage can consist of damage to liver cells,hepatic sinusoidal syndrome(obstruction of the veins in the liver),cholestasis(where bile does not flow from the liver to the intestine) andliver fibrosis. Nephrotoxicity(kidney damage) can be caused bytumor lysis syndromeand also due direct effects of drug clearance by the kidneys. Different drugs will affect different parts of the kidney and the toxicity may beasymptomatic(only seen on blood or urine tests) or may causeacute kidney injury. Ototoxicity(damage to the inner ear) is a common side effect of platinum based drugs that can produce symptoms such as dizziness andvertigo.Children treated with platinum analogues have been found to be at risk for developing hearing loss. Other side-effects Less common side-effects include red skin (erythema), dry skin, damaged fingernails, a dry mouth (xerostomia),water retention, andsexual impotence. Some medications can triggerallergicorpseudoallergicreactions. Specific chemotherapeutic agents are associated with organ-specific toxicities, includingcardiovascular disease(e.g.,doxorubicin),interstitial lung disease(e.g.,bleomycin) and occasionallysecondary neoplasm(e.g.,MOPPtherapy for Hodgkin's disease). Hand-foot syndromeis another side effect to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Nutritional problems are also frequently seen in cancer patients at diagnosis and through chemotherapy treatment. Research suggests that in children and young people undergoing cancer treatment,parenteral nutritionmay help with this leading to weight gain and increased calorie and protein intake, when compared to enteral nutrition. Limitations Chemotherapy does not always work, and even when it is useful, it may not completely destroy the cancer. People frequently fail to understand its limitations. In one study of people who had been newly diagnosed with incurable,stage 4 cancer, more than two-thirds of people with lung cancer and more than four-fifths of people with colorectal cancer still believed that chemotherapy was likely to cure their cancer. Theblood–brain barrierposes an obstacle to delivery of chemotherapy to thebrain. This is because the brain has an extensive system in place to protect it from harmful chemicals. Drug transporters can pump out drugs from the brain and brain's blood vessel cells into thecerebrospinal fluidand blood circulation. These transporters pump out most chemotherapy drugs, which reduces their efficacy for treatment of brain tumors. Only smalllipophilicalkylating agentssuch aslomustineortemozolomideare able to cross this blood–brain barrier. Blood vesselsin tumors are very different from those seen in normal tissues. As a tumor grows, tumor cells furthest away from the blood vessels become low in oxygen (hypoxic). To counteract this they then signal for new blood vessels to grow. The newly formed tumor vasculature is poorly formed and does not deliver an adequate blood supply to all areas of the tumor. This leads to issues with drug delivery because many drugs will be delivered to the tumor by thecirculatory system. Resistance Resistanceis a major cause of treatment failure in chemotherapeutic drugs. There are a few possible causes of resistance in cancer, one of which is the presence of small pumps on the surface of cancer cells that actively move chemotherapy from inside the cell to the outside. Cancer cells produce high amounts of these pumps, known asp-glycoprotein, in order to protect themselves from chemotherapeutics. Research on p-glycoprotein and other such chemotherapy efflux pumps is currently ongoing. Medications to inhibit the function of p-glycoprotein are undergoing investigation, but due to toxicities and interactions with anti-cancer drugs their development has been difficult.Another mechanism of resistance isgene amplification, a process in which multiple copies of a gene are produced by cancer cells. This overcomes the effect of drugs that reduce the expression of genes involved in replication. With more copies of the gene, the drug can not prevent all expression of the gene and therefore the cell can restore its proliferative ability. Cancer cells can also cause defects in the cellular pathways ofapoptosis(programmed cell death). As most chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells in this manner, defective apoptosis allows survival of these cells, making them resistant. Many chemotherapy drugs also cause DNA damage, which can be repaired byenzymesin the cell that carry outDNA repair. Upregulation of these genes can overcome the DNA damage and prevent the induction of apoptosis. Mutations in genes that produce drug target proteins, such astubulin, can occur which prevent the drugs from binding to the protein, leading to resistance to these types of drugs.Drugs used in chemotherapy can induce cell stress, which can kill a cancer cell; however, under certain conditions, cells stress can induce changes in gene expression that enables resistance to several types of drugs.Inlung cancer, the transcription factorNFκBis thought to play a role in resistance to chemotherapy, via inflammatory pathways. Cytotoxics and targeted therapies Targeted therapiesare a relatively new class of cancer drugs that can overcome many of the issues seen with the use of cytotoxics. They are divided into two groups: small molecule and antibodies. The massive toxicity seen with the use of cytotoxics is due to the lack of cell specificity of the drugs. They will kill any rapidly dividing cell, tumor or normal. Targeted therapies are designed to affect cellular proteins or processes that are utilised by the cancer cells.This allows a high dose to cancer tissues with a relatively low dose to other tissues. Although theside effectsare often less severe than that seen of cytotoxic chemotherapeutics, life-threatening effects can occur. Initially, the targeted therapeutics were supposed to be solely selective for one protein. Now it is clear that there is often a range of protein targets that the drug can bind. An example target for targeted therapy is the BCR-ABL1 protein produced from thePhiladelphia chromosome, a genetic lesion found commonly inchronic myelogenous leukemiaand in some patients withacute lymphoblastic leukemia. Thisfusion proteinhas enzyme activity that can be inhibited byimatinib, asmall moleculedrug. Mechanism of action Canceris the uncontrolled growth ofcellscoupled withmalignantbehaviour: invasion andmetastasis(among other features).It is caused by the interaction betweengeneticsusceptibility and environmental factors.These factors lead to accumulations ofgenetic mutationsinoncogenes(genes that control the growth rate of cells) andtumor suppressor genes(genes that help to prevent cancer), which gives cancer cells their malignant characteristics, such as uncontrolled growth.: 93–94 In the broad sense, most chemotherapeutic drugs work by impairingmitosis(cell division), effectively targetingfast-dividing cells. As these drugs cause damage to cells, they are termedcytotoxic. They prevent mitosis by various mechanisms including damaging DNA and inhibition of the cellular machinery involved in cell division.One theory as to why these drugs kill cancer cells is that they induce a programmed form of cell death known asapoptosis. As chemotherapy affects cell division, tumors with highgrowth rates(such asacute myelogenous leukemiaand the aggressivelymphomas, includingHodgkin's disease) are more sensitive to chemotherapy, as a larger proportion of the targeted cells are undergoingcell divisionat any time. Malignancies with slower growth rates, such as indolent lymphomas, tend to respond to chemotherapy much more modestly.Heterogeneic tumoursmay also display varying sensitivities to chemotherapy agents, depending on the subclonal populations within the tumor. Cells from theimmune systemalso make crucial contributions to the antitumor effects of chemotherapy.For example, the chemotherapeutic drugsoxaliplatinandcyclophosphamidecan cause tumor cells to die in a way that is detectable by the immune system (calledimmunogenic cell death), which mobilizes immune cells with antitumor functions.Chemotherapeutic drugs that cause cancer immunogenic tumor cell death can make unresponsive tumors sensitive toimmune checkpointtherapy. Other uses Some chemotherapy drugs are used in diseases other than cancer, such as in autoimmune disorders,and noncancerousplasma cell dyscrasia. In some cases they are often used at lower doses, which means that the side effects are minimized,while in other cases doses similar to ones used to treat cancer are used.Methotrexateis used in the treatment ofrheumatoid arthritis(RA),psoriasis,ankylosing spondylitisandmultiple sclerosis.The anti-inflammatory response seen in RA is thought to be due to increases inadenosine, which causesimmunosuppression; effects on immuno-regulatorycyclooxygenase-2 enzyme pathways; reduction in pro-inflammatorycytokines; and anti-proliferative properties.Although methotrexate is used to treat both multiple sclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis, its efficacy in these diseases is still uncertain.Cyclophosphamideis sometimes used to treatlupus nephritis, a common symptom ofsystemic lupus erythematosus.Dexamethasonealong with eitherbortezomibormelphalanis commonly used as a treatment forAL amyloidosis. Recently, bortezomid in combination withcyclophosphamideand dexamethasone has also shown promise as a treatment for AL amyloidosis. Other drugs used to treatmyelomasuch aslenalidomidehave shown promise in treating AL amyloidosis. Chemotherapy drugs are also used inconditioning regimensprior to bone marrow transplant (hematopoietic stem cell transplant). Conditioning regimens are used to suppress the recipient's immune system in order to allow a transplant to engraft. Cyclophosphamide is a common cytotoxic drug used in this manner and is often used in conjunction withtotal body irradiation. Chemotherapeutic drugs may be used at high doses to permanently remove the recipient's bone marrow cells (myeloablative conditioning) or at lower doses that will prevent permanent bone marrow loss (non-myeloablative and reduced intensity conditioning).When used in non-cancer setting, the treatment is still called \\\"chemotherapy\\\", and is often done in the same treatment centers used for people with cancer. Occupational exposure and safe handling In the 1970s, antineoplastic (chemotherapy) drugs were identified as hazardous, and theAmerican Society of Health-System Pharmacists(ASHP) has since then introduced the concept ofhazardous drugsafter publishing a recommendation in 1983 regarding handling hazardous drugs. The adaptation of federal regulations came when the U.S.Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) first released its guidelines in 1986 and then updated them in 1996, 1999, and, most recently, 2006. TheNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) has been conducting an assessment in the workplace since then regarding these drugs. Occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs has been linked to multiple health effects, including infertility and possible carcinogenic effects. A few cases have been reported by the NIOSH alert report, such as one in which a female pharmacist was diagnosed with papillary transitional cell carcinoma. Twelve years before the pharmacist was diagnosed with the condition, she had worked for 20 months in a hospital where she was responsible for preparing multiple antineoplastic drugs.The pharmacist did not have any other risk factor for cancer, and therefore, her cancer was attributed to the exposure to the antineoplastic drugs, although a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established in the literature. Another case happened when a malfunction in biosafety cabinetry is believed to have exposed nursing personnel to antineoplastic drugs. Investigations revealed evidence of genotoxic biomarkers two and nine months after that exposure. Routes of exposure Antineoplastic drugs are usually given throughintravenous,intramuscular,intrathecal, orsubcutaneousadministration. In most cases, before the medication is administered to the patient, it needs to be prepared and handled by several workers. Any worker who is involved in handling, preparing, or administering the drugs, or with cleaning objects that have come into contact with antineoplastic drugs, is potentially exposed to hazardous drugs.Health care workers are exposed to drugs in different circumstances, such as when pharmacists and pharmacy technicians prepare and handle antineoplastic drugs and when nurses and physicians administer the drugs to patients. Additionally, those who are responsible for disposing antineoplastic drugs in health care facilities are also at risk of exposure. Dermal exposure is thought to be the main route of exposure due to the fact that significant amounts of the antineoplastic agents have been found in the gloves worn by healthcare workers who prepare, handle, and administer the agents. Another noteworthy route of exposure is inhalation of the drugs' vapors. Multiple studies have investigated inhalation as a route of exposure, and although air sampling has not shown any dangerous levels, it is still a potential route of exposure. Ingestion by hand to mouth is a route of exposure that is less likely compared to others because of the enforced hygienic standard in the health institutions. However, it is still a potential route, especially in the workplace, outside of a health institute. One can also be exposed to these hazardous drugs through injection byneedle sticks. Research conducted in this area has established that occupational exposure occurs by examining evidence in multiple urine samples from health care workers. Hazards Hazardous drugs expose health care workers to serious health risks. Many studies show that antineoplastic drugs could have many side effects on the reproductive system, such as fetal loss, congenital malformation, and infertility. Health care workers who are exposed to antineoplastic drugs on many occasions have adverse reproductive outcomes such as spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and congenital malformations. Moreover, studies have shown that exposure to these drugs leads to menstrual cycle irregularities. Antineoplastic drugs may also increase the risk of learning disabilities among children of health care workers who are exposed to these hazardous substances. Moreover, these drugs havecarcinogeniceffects. In the past five decades, multiple studies have shown the carcinogenic effects of exposure to antineoplastic drugs. Similarly, there have been research studies that linked alkylating agents with humans developing leukemias. Studies have reported elevated risk of breast cancer, nonmelanoma skin cancer, and cancer of the rectum among nurses who are exposed to these drugs. Other investigations revealed that there is a potentialgenotoxiceffect from anti-neoplastic drugs to workers in health care settings. Safe handling in health care settings As of 2018, there were nooccupational exposure limitsset for antineoplastic drugs, i.e., OSHA or theAmerican Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH) have not set workplace safety guidelines. Preparation NIOSH recommends using aventilated cabinetthat is designed to decrease worker exposure. Additionally, it recommends training of all staff, the use of cabinets, implementing an initial evaluation of the technique of the safety program, and wearing protective gloves and gowns when opening drug packaging, handling vials, or labeling. When wearingpersonal protective equipment, one should inspect gloves for physical defects before use and always wear double gloves and protective gowns. Health care workers are also required to wash their hands with water and soap before and after working with antineoplastic drugs, change gloves every 30 minutes or whenever punctured, and discard them immediately in a chemotherapy waste container. The gowns used should be disposable gowns made of polyethylene-coated polypropylene. When wearing gowns, individuals should make sure that the gowns are closed and have long sleeves. When preparation is done, the final product should be completely sealed in a plastic bag. The health care worker should also wipe all waste containers inside the ventilated cabinet before removing them from the cabinet. Finally, workers should remove all protective wear and put them in a bag for their disposal inside the ventilated cabinet. Administration Drugs should only be administered using protective medical devices such as needle lists and closed systems and techniques such as priming of IV tubing by pharmacy personnel inside a ventilated cabinet. Workers should always wear personal protective equipment such as double gloves, goggles, and protective gowns when opening the outer bag and assembling the delivery system to deliver the drug to the patient, and when disposing of all material used in the administration of the drugs. Hospital workers should never remove tubing from an IV bag that contains an antineoplastic drug, and when disconnecting the tubing in the system, they should make sure the tubing has been thoroughly flushed. After removing the IV bag, the workers should place it together with other disposable items directly in the yellow chemotherapy waste container with the lid closed. Protective equipment should be removed and put into a disposable chemotherapy waste container. After this has been done, one should double bag the chemotherapy waste before or after removing one's inner gloves. Moreover, one must always wash one's hands with soap and water before leaving the drug administration site. Employee training All employees whose jobs in health care facilities expose them to hazardous drugs must receive training. Training should include shipping and receiving personnel, housekeepers, pharmacists, assistants, and all individuals involved in the transportation and storage of antineoplastic drugs. These individuals should receive information and training to inform them of the hazards of the drugs present in their areas of work. They should be informed and trained on operations and procedures in their work areas where they can encounter hazards, different methods used to detect the presence of hazardous drugs and how the hazards are released, and the physical and health hazards of the drugs, including their reproductive and carcinogenic hazard potential. Additionally, they should be informed and trained on the measures they should take to avoid and protect themselves from these hazards. This information ought to be provided when health care workers come into contact with the drugs, that is, perform the initial assignment in a work area with hazardous drugs. Moreover, training should also be provided when new hazards emerge as well as when new drugs, procedures, or equipment are introduced. Housekeeping and waste disposal When performing cleaning and decontaminating the work area where antineoplastic drugs are used, one should make sure that there is sufficient ventilation to prevent the buildup of airborne drug concentrations. When cleaning the work surface, hospital workers should use deactivation and cleaning agents before and after each activity as well as at the end of their shifts. Cleaning should always be done using double protective gloves and disposable gowns. After employees finish up cleaning, they should dispose of the items used in the activity in a yellow chemotherapy waste container while still wearing protective gloves. After removing the gloves, they should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water. Anything that comes into contact or has a trace of the antineoplastic drugs, such as needles, empty vials, syringes, gowns, and gloves, should be put in the chemotherapy waste container. Spill control A written policy needs to be in place in case of a spill of antineoplastic products. The policy should address the possibility of various sizes of spills as well as the procedure and personal protective equipment required for each size. A trained worker should handle a large spill and always dispose of all cleanup materials in the chemical waste container according to EPA regulations, not in a yellow chemotherapy waste container. Occupational monitoring Amedical surveillanceprogram must be established. In case of exposure, occupational health professionals need to ask for a detailed history and do a thorough physical exam. They should test the urine of the potentially exposed worker by doing aurine dipstickor microscopic examination, mainly looking for blood, as several antineoplastic drugs are known to cause bladder damage. Urinary mutagenicity is a marker of exposure to antineoplastic drugs that was first used by Falck and colleagues in 1979 and uses bacterial mutagenicity assays. Apart from being nonspecific, the test can be influenced by extraneous factors such as dietary intake and smoking and is, therefore, used sparingly. However, the test played a significant role in changing the use of horizontal flow cabinets to vertical flow biological safety cabinets during the preparation of antineoplastic drugs because the former exposed health care workers to high levels of drugs. This changed the handling of drugs and effectively reduced workers' exposure to antineoplastic drugs. Biomarkers of exposure to antineoplastic drugs commonly include urinaryplatinum,methotrexate, urinarycyclophosphamideandifosfamide, and urinary metabolite of5-fluorouracil. In addition to this, there are other drugs used to measure the drugs directly in the urine, although they are rarely used. A measurement of these drugs directly in one's urine is a sign of high exposure levels and that an uptake of the drugs is happening either through inhalation or dermally. Available agents There is an extensivelist of antineoplastic agents. Several classification schemes have been used to subdivide the medicines used for cancer into several different types. History The first use ofsmall-molecule drugsto treat cancer was in the early 20th century, although the specific chemicals first used were not originally intended for that purpose.Mustard gaswas used as achemical warfareagent duringWorld War Iand was discovered to be a potent suppressor ofhematopoiesis(blood production).A similar family of compounds known asnitrogen mustardswere studied further duringWorld War IIat theYale School of Medicine.It was reasoned that an agent that damaged the rapidly growing white blood cells might have a similar effect on cancer.Therefore, in December 1942, several people with advancedlymphomas(cancers of the lymphatic system and lymph nodes) were given the drug by vein, rather than by breathing the irritating gas.Their improvement, although temporary, was remarkable.Concurrently, during a military operation in World War II, following a Germanair raidon the Italian harbour ofBari, several hundred people were accidentally exposed to mustard gas, which had been transported there by theAllied forcesto prepare for possible retaliation in the event of German use of chemical warfare. The survivors were later found to have very low white blood cell counts.After WWII was over and the reports declassified, the experiences converged and led researchers to look for other substances that might have similar effects against cancer. The first chemotherapy drug to be developed from this line of research wasmustine. Since then, many other drugs have been developed to treat cancer, and drug development has exploded into a multibillion-dollar industry, although the principles and limitations of chemotherapy discovered by the early researchers still apply. The termchemotherapy The wordchemotherapywithout a modifier usually refers to cancer treatment, but its historical meaning was broader. The term was coined in the early 1900s byPaul Ehrlichas meaning any use of chemicals to treat any disease (chemo-+-therapy), such as the use ofantibiotics(antibacterial chemotherapy).Ehrlich was not optimistic that effective chemotherapy drugs would be found for the treatment of cancer.The first modern chemotherapeutic agent wasarsphenamine, an arsenic compound discovered in 1907 and used to treatsyphilis.This was later followed bysulfonamides(sulfa drugs) andpenicillin. In today'susage, thesense\\\"any treatment of disease with drugs\\\" is often expressed with the wordpharmacotherapy. In terms of metaphorical language, 'chemotherapy' can be paralleled with the idea of a 'storm', as both can cause distress but afterwards may have a healing/cleaning effect. Research Targeted delivery vehicles Specially targeted delivery vehicles aim to increase effective levels of chemotherapy for tumor cells while reducing effective levels for other cells. This should result in an increased tumor kill or reduced toxicity or both. Antibody-drug conjugates Antibody-drug conjugates(ADCs) comprise anantibody, drug and a linker between them. The antibody will be targeted at a preferentially expressed protein in the tumour cells (known as atumor antigen) or on cells that the tumor can utilise, such as blood vesselendothelial cells. They bind to the tumor antigen and are internalised, where the linker releases the drug into the cell. These specially targeted delivery vehicles vary in their stability, selectivity, and choice of target, but, in essence, they all aim to increase the maximum effective dose that can be delivered to the tumor cells.Reduced systemic toxicity means that they can also be used in people who are sicker and that they can carry new chemotherapeutic agents that would have been far too toxic to deliver via traditional systemic approaches. The first approved drug of this type wasgemtuzumab ozogamicin(Mylotarg), released byWyeth(nowPfizer). The drug was approved to treatacute myeloid leukemia.Two other drugs,trastuzumab emtansineandbrentuximab vedotin, are both in late clinical trials, and the latter has been granted accelerated approval for the treatment ofrefractoryHodgkin's lymphomaand systemicanaplastic large cell lymphoma. Nanoparticles Nanoparticlesare 1–1000nanometer(nm) sized particles that can promote tumor selectivity and aid in delivering low-solubilitydrugs. Nanoparticles can be targeted passively or actively. Passive targeting exploits the difference between tumor blood vessels and normal blood vessels. Blood vessels in tumors are \\\"leaky\\\" because they have gaps from 200 to 2000 nm, which allow nanoparticles to escape into the tumor. Active targeting uses biological molecules (antibodies,proteins,DNAandreceptor ligands) to preferentially target the nanoparticles to the tumor cells. There are many types of nanoparticle delivery systems, such assilica,polymers,liposomesand magnetic particles. Nanoparticles made of magnetic material can also be used to concentrate agents at tumor sites using an externally applied magnetic field.They have emerged as a useful vehicle inmagnetic drug deliveryfor poorly soluble agents such aspaclitaxel. Electrochemotherapy Electrochemotherapy is the combined treatment in which injection of a chemotherapeutic drug is followed by application of high-voltage electric pulses locally to the tumor. The treatment enables the chemotherapeutic drugs, which otherwise cannot or hardly go through the membrane of cells (such as bleomycin and cisplatin), to enter the cancer cells. Hence, greater effectiveness of antitumor treatment is achieved. Clinical electrochemotherapy has been successfully used for treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors irrespective of their histological origin.The method has been reported as safe, simple and highly effective in all reports on clinical use of electrochemotherapy. According to the ESOPE project (European Standard Operating Procedures of Electrochemotherapy), the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for electrochemotherapy were prepared, based on the experience of the leading European cancer centres on electrochemotherapy.Recently, new electrochemotherapy modalities have been developed for treatment of internal tumors using surgical procedures, endoscopic routes or percutaneous approaches to gain access to the treatment area. Hyperthermia therapy Hyperthermia therapyis heat treatment for cancer that can be a powerful tool when used in combination with chemotherapy (thermochemotherapy) or radiation for the control of a variety of cancers. The heat can be applied locally to the tumor site, which will dilate blood vessels to the tumor, allowing more chemotherapeutic medication to enter the tumor. Additionally, the tumor cell membrane will become more porous, further allowing more of the chemotherapeutic medicine to enter the tumor cell. Hyperthermia has also been shown to help prevent or reverse \\\"chemo-resistance.\\\" Chemotherapy resistance sometimes develops over time as the tumors adapt and can overcome the toxicity of the chemo medication. \\\"Overcoming chemoresistance has been extensively studied within the past, especially using CDDP-resistant cells. In regard to the potential benefit that drug-resistant cells can be recruited for effective therapy by combining chemotherapy with hyperthermia, it was important to show that chemoresistance against several anticancer drugs (e.g. mitomycin C, anthracyclines, BCNU, melphalan) including CDDP could be reversed at least partially by the addition of heat. Other animals Chemotherapy is used in veterinary medicine similar to how it is used in human medicine. See also References External links\",\n \"Mustard gas Mustard gasorsulfur mustardare names commonly used for theorganosulfurchemical compoundbis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide, which has the chemical structure S(CH2CH2Cl)2, as well as other species. In the wider sense, compounds with the substituents−SCH2CH2X or −N(CH2CH2X)2are known assulfur mustardsornitrogen mustards, respectively, where X = Cl or Br. Such compounds are potentalkylating agents, making mustard gas acutely and severely toxic.Mustard gas is acarcinogen.There is no preventative agent against mustard gas, with protection depending entirely on skin and airways protection, and noantidoteexists for mustard poisoning. Also known as mustard agents, this family of compounds comprises infamouscytotoxinsandblister agentswith a long history of use aschemical weapons.The namemustard gasis technically incorrect; the substances, whendispersed, are often not gases but a fine mist of liquid droplets that can be readily absorbed through the skin and by inhalation.The skin can be affected by contact with either the liquid or vapor. The rate of penetration into skin is proportional to dose, temperature and humidity. Sulfur mustards are viscous liquids at room temperature and have an odor resemblingmustard plants,garlic, orhorseradish, hence the name.When pure, they are colorless, but when used in impure forms, such as in warfare, they are usuallyyellow-brown. Mustard gases formblisterson exposed skin and in the lungs, often resulting in prolonged illness ending in death. History as chemical weapons Sulfur mustard is a type of chemical warfare agent.As a chemical weapon, mustard gas was first used inWorld War I, and has been used in several armed conflicts since then, including theIran–Iraq War, resulting in more than 100,000 casualties.Sulfur-based andnitrogen-basedmustard agents are regulated underSchedule 1of the 1993Chemical Weapons Convention, as substances with few uses other than inchemical warfare.Mustard agents can be deployed by means ofartillery shells,aerial bombs,rockets, or by spraying from aircraft. Adverse health effects Mustard gases have powerfulblisteringeffects on victims. They are alsocarcinogenicandmutagenicalkylating agents.Their highlipophilicityaccelerates their absorption into the body.Because mustard agents often do not elicit immediate symptoms, contaminated areas may appear normal.Within 24 hours of exposure, victims experience intenseitchingand skin irritation. If this irritation goes untreated, blisters filled withpuscan form wherever the agent contacted the skin.Aschemical burns, these are severely debilitating. If the victim's eyes were exposed, then they become sore, starting withconjunctivitis(also known as pink eye), after which the eyelids swell, resulting in temporary blindness. Extreme ocular exposure to mustard gas vapors may result incorneal ulceration, anterior chamber scarring, andneovascularization.In these severe and infrequent cases,corneal transplantationhas been used as a treatment option.Miosis, when the pupil constricts more than usual, may also occur, which may be the result of the cholinomimetic activity of mustard.If inhaled in high concentrations, mustard agents cause bleeding and blistering within therespiratory system, damagingmucous membranesand causingpulmonary edema.Depending on the level of contamination, mustard agent burns can vary betweenfirstandsecond degree burns. They can also be as severe, disfiguring, and dangerous asthird degree burns. Some 80% of sulfur mustard in contact with the skin evaporates, while 10% stays in the skin and 10% is absorbed and circulated in the blood. The carcinogenic and mutagenic effects of exposure to mustard gas increase the risk of developingcancerlater in life.In a study of patients 25 years after wartime exposure to chemical weaponry, c-DNA microarray profiling indicated that 122 genes were significantly mutated in the lungs and airways of mustard gas victims. Those genes all correspond to functions commonly affected by mustard gas exposure, includingapoptosis, inflammation, and stress responses.The long-term ocular complications include burning, tearing, itching,photophobia,presbyopia, pain, and foreign-body sensations. Medical management In a rinse-wipe-rinse sequence, skin is decontaminated of mustard gas by washing with liquid soap and water, or an absorbent powder.The eyes should be thoroughly rinsed using saline or clean water. A topical analgesic is used to relieve skin pain during decontamination. The blistering effects of mustard gas can be neutralized by decontamination solutions such as \\\"DS2\\\" (2%NaOH, 70%diethylenetriamine, 28%2-methoxyethanol).For skin lesions, topical treatments, such ascalamine lotion, steroids, and oralantihistaminesare used to relieve itching.Larger blisters are irrigated repeatedly with saline or soapy water, then treated with an antibiotic and petroleum gauze. Mustard agent burns do not heal quickly and (as with other types of burns) present a risk ofsepsiscaused bypathogenssuch asStaphylococcus aureusandPseudomonas aeruginosa. The mechanisms behind mustard gas's effect on endothelial cells are still being studied, but recent studies have shown that high levels of exposure can induce high rates of bothnecrosisandapoptosis. In vitro tests have shown that at low concentrations of mustard gas, where apoptosis is the predominant result of exposure, pretreatment with 50 mMN-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC) was able to decrease the rate of apoptosis. NAC protectsactinfilaments from reorganization by mustard gas, demonstrating that actin filaments play a large role in the severe burns observed in victims. A British nurse treating soldiers with mustard agent burns duringWorld War Icommented: They cannot be bandaged or touched. We cover them with a tent of propped-up sheets. Gas burns must be agonizing because usually the other cases do not complain, even with the worst wounds, but gas cases are invariably beyond endurance and they cannot help crying out. Mechanism of cellular toxicity Sulfur mustards readily eliminatechlorideions by intramolecularnucleophilic substitutionto form cyclicsulfoniumions. These very reactive intermediates tend to permanentlyalkylatenucleotidesinDNAstrands, which can prevent cellular division, leading toprogrammed cell death.Alternatively, if cell death is not immediate, the damaged DNA can lead to the development of cancer.Oxidative stresswould be another pathology involved in mustard gas toxicity. In the wider sense, compounds with the structural element BC2H4X, where X is anyleaving groupand B is aLewis base, are known asmustards.Such compounds can form cyclic\\\"onium\\\" ions(sulfonium,ammonium, etc.) that are goodalkylating agents. Other such compounds are bis(2-haloethyl)ethers (oxygen mustards), the (2-haloethyl)amines (nitrogen mustards), andsesquimustard, which has two α-chloroethyl thioether groups (ClC2H4S−) connected by an ethylene bridge (−C2H4−).These compounds have a similar ability to alkylate DNA, but their physical properties vary. Formulations In its history, various types and mixtures of mustard gas have been employed. These include: Commonly-stockpiled mustard agents (class) History Development Mustard gases were possibly developed as early as 1822 byCésar-Mansuète Despretz(1798–1863).Despretz described the reaction ofsulfur dichlorideandethylenebut never made mention of any irritating properties of the reaction product. In 1854, another French chemist, Alfred Riche (1829–1908), repeated this procedure, also without describing any adverse physiological properties. In 1860, the British scientistFrederick Guthriesynthesized and characterized the mustard agent compound and noted its irritating properties, especially in tasting.Also in 1860, chemistAlbert Niemann, known as a pioneer incocainechemistry, repeated the reaction, and recorded blister-forming properties. In 1886,Viktor Meyerpublished a paper describing a synthesis that produced good yields. He combined2-chloroethanolwithaqueouspotassium sulfide, and then treated the resultingthiodiglycolwithphosphorus trichloride. The purity of this compound was much higher and consequently the adverse health effects upon exposure were much more severe. These symptoms presented themselves in his assistant, and in order to rule out the possibility that his assistant was suffering from a mental illness (psychosomatic symptoms), Meyer had this compound tested on laboratoryrabbits, most of which died. In 1913, the English chemistHans Thacher Clarke(known for theEschweiler-Clarke reaction) replaced the phosphorus trichloride withhydrochloric acidin Meyer's formulation while working withEmil FischerinBerlin. Clarke was hospitalized for two months for burns after one of his flasks broke. According to Meyer, Fischer's report on this accident to theGerman Chemical Societysent theGerman Empireon the road to chemical weapons. Mustard gas can have the effect of turning a patient's skin different colors, including shades of red, orange, pink, and in unusual cases, blue. TheGerman EmpireduringWorld War Irelied on the Meyer-Clarke method because2-chloroethanolwas readily available from the German dye industry of that time. Use Mustard gas was firstused in World War Iby the German army against British and Canadian soldiers nearYpres, Belgium, on July 12, 1917.Later also against theFrench Second Army.Yperiteis \\\"a name used by the French, because the compound was first used at Ypres.\\\"The Allies did not use mustard gas until November 1917 atCambrai, France, after the armies had captured a stockpile of German mustard shells. It took the British more than a year to develop their own mustard agent weapon, with production of the chemicals centred onAvonmouth Docks(the only option available to the British was the Despretz–Niemann–Guthrie process).This was used first in September 1918 during the breaking of theHindenburg Line. Mustard gas was originally assigned the name LOST, after the scientists Wilhelm Lommel andWilhelm Steinkopf, who developed a method of large-scale production for theImperial German Armyin 1916. Mustard gas was dispersed as anaerosolin a mixture with other chemicals, giving it a yellow-brown color. Mustard agent has also been dispersed in such munitions asaerial bombs,land mines,mortar rounds,artillery shells, androckets.Exposure to mustard agent was lethal in about 1% of cases. Its effectiveness was as anincapacitating agent. The early countermeasures against mustard agent were relatively ineffective, since a soldier wearing agas maskwas not protected against absorbing it through his skin and being blistered. A common countermeasure was using a urine-soaked mask or facecloth to prevent or reduce injury, a readily available remedy attested by soldiers in documentaries (e.g.They Shall Not Grow Oldin 2018) and others (such as forward aid nurses) interviewed between 1947 and 1981 by the British Broadcasting Corporation for various World War One history programs; however, the effectiveness of this measure is unclear. Mustard gas can remain in the ground for weeks, and it continues to cause ill effects. If mustard agent contaminates one's clothing and equipment while cold, then other people with whom they share an enclosed space could become poisoned as contaminated items warm up enough material to become an airborne toxic agent. An example of this was depicted in a British and Canadian documentary about life in the trenches, particularly once the \\\"sousterrain\\\" (subways and berthing areas underground) were completed in Belgium and France. Towards the end of World War I, mustard agent was used in high concentrations as anarea-denial weaponthat forced troops to abandon heavily contaminated areas. Since World War I, mustard gas has been used in several wars and other conflicts, usually against people who cannot retaliate in kind: The use of toxic gases or other chemicals, including mustard gas, during warfare is known aschemical warfare, and this kind of warfare was prohibited by theGeneva Protocol of 1925, and also by the laterChemical Weapons Convention of 1993. The latter agreement also prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and sale of such weapons. In September 2012, a US official stated that the rebel militant groupISISwas manufacturing and using mustard gas in Syria and Iraq, which was allegedly confirmed by the group's head of chemical weapons development, Sleiman Daoud al-Afari, who has since been captured. Development of the first chemotherapy drug As early as 1919 it was known that mustard agent was a suppressor ofhematopoiesis.In addition, autopsies performed on 75 soldiers who had died of mustard agent duringWorld War Iwere done by researchers from theUniversity of Pennsylvaniawho reported decreased counts ofwhite blood cells.This led the American Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) to finance the biology and chemistry departments atYale Universityto conduct research on the use of chemical warfare during World War II. As a part of this effort, the group investigatednitrogen mustardas a therapy forHodgkin's lymphomaand other types oflymphomaandleukemia, and this compound was tried out on its first human patient in December 1942. The results of this study were not published until 1946, when they were declassified.In a parallel track, after theair raid on Bariin December 1943, the doctors of the U.S. Army noted that white blood cell counts were reduced in their patients. Some years after World War II was over, the incident in Bari and the work of the Yale University group with nitrogen mustard converged, and this prompted a search for other similarchemical compounds. Due to its use in previous studies, the nitrogen mustard called \\\"HN2\\\" became the first cancerchemotherapydrug,chlormethine(also known as mechlorethamine, mustine) to be used. Chlormethine and other mustard gas molecules are still used to this day as an chemotherapy agent albeit they have largely been replaced with more safe chemotherapy drugs likecisplatinandcarboplatin. Disposal In the United States, storage and incineration of mustard gas and other chemical weapons were carried out by the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency.Disposal projects at the two remaining American chemical weapons sites were carried out nearRichmond, Kentucky, andPueblo, Colorado. Although not yet declassified,toxicology specialists who dealt with the accidental puncturing of World War I gas stockpiles add that Air Force bases in Colorado have been made available to assist veterans of the 2003 American war with Iraq in which many Marines were exposed to gas as caches of up to 25,000 lb (11,000 kg).The United Nations definition of a weapon of mass destruction for mustard gas is 30,000 lb (14,000 kg), typically the Marines and other coalition allies discovered caches of 25,000 pounds (11,000 kg) located across a road from 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) caches as multiple memoirs attest. These were discovered by the assistance of host country allies, or through leaks affecting personnel in an area with a weapon and gas cache called anASP. New detection techniques are being developed in order to detect the presence of mustard gas and its metabolites. The technology is portable and detects small quantities of the hazardous waste and its oxidized products, which are notorious for harming unsuspecting civilians. Theimmunochromatographicassay would eliminate the need for expensive, time-consuming lab tests and enable easy-to-read tests to protect civilians from sulfur-mustard dumping sites. In 1946, 10,000 drums of mustard gas (2,800 tonnes) stored at the production facility of Stormont Chemicals inCornwall, Ontario, Canada, were loaded onto 187 boxcars for the 900 miles (1,400 km) journey to be buried at sea on board a 400 foot (120 m) long barge 40 miles (64 km) south ofSable Island, southeast ofHalifax, at a depth of 600 fathoms (1,100 m). The dump location is 42 degrees, 50 minutes north by 60 degrees, 12 minutes west. A large British stockpile of old mustard agent that had been made and stored since World War I atM. S. Factory, ValleynearRhydymwyninFlintshire, Wales, was destroyed in 1958. Most of the mustard gas found in Germany afterWorld War IIwas dumped into theBaltic Sea. Between 1966 and 2002, fishermen have found about 700 chemical weapons in the region ofBornholm, most of which contain mustard gas. One of the more frequently dumped weapons was \\\"Sprühbüchse 37\\\" (SprüBü37, Spray Can 37, 1937 being the year of its fielding with the German Army). These weapons contain mustard gas mixed with athickener, which gives it a tar-like viscosity. When the content of the SprüBü37 comes in contact with water, only the mustard gas in the outer layers of the lumps of viscous mustardhydrolyzes, leaving behind amber-colored residues that still contain most of the active mustard gas. On mechanically breaking these lumps (e.g., with the drag board of a fishing net or by the human hand) the enclosed mustard gas is still as active as it had been at the time the weapon was dumped. These lumps, when washed ashore, can be mistaken for amber, which can lead to severe health problems.Artillery shellscontaining mustard gas and other toxic ammunition from World War I (as well as conventional explosives) can still be found in France and Belgium. These were formerly disposed of by explosion undersea, but since the current environmental regulations prohibit this, theFrench governmentis building an automated factory to dispose of the accumulation of chemical shells. In 1972, theU.S. Congressbanned the practice of disposing of chemical weapons into the ocean by the United States. 29,000 tons of nerve and mustard agents had already been dumped into the ocean off the United States by theU.S. Army. According to a report created in 1998 by William Brankowitz, a deputy project manager in theU.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency, the army created at least 26 chemical weapons dumping sites in the ocean offshore from at least 11 states on both theEast Coastand theWest Coast(inOperation CHASE,Operation Geranium, etc.). In addition, due to poor recordkeeping, about one-half of the sites have only their rough locations known. In June 1997, India declared its stock of chemical weapons of 1,044 tonnes (1,151 short tons) of mustard gas.By the end of 2006, India had destroyed more than 75 percent of its chemical weapons/material stockpile and was granted extension for destroying the remaining stocks by April 2009 and was expected to achieve 100 percent destruction within that time frame.India informed the United Nations in May 2009 that it had destroyed its stockpile of chemical weapons in compliance with the international Chemical Weapons Convention. With this India has become the third country after South Korea and Albania to do so.This was cross-checked by inspectors of the United Nations. Producing or stockpiling mustard gas is prohibited by theChemical Weapons Convention. When the convention entered force in 1997, the parties declared worldwide stockpiles of 17,440 tonnes of mustard gas. As of December 2015, 86% of these stockpiles had been destroyed. A significant portion of the United States' mustard agentstockpilewas stored at the Edgewood Area ofAberdeen Proving GroundinMaryland. Approximately 1,621 tons of mustard agents were stored in one-ton containers on the base under heavy guard. A chemical neutralization plant was built on the proving ground and neutralized the last of this stockpile in February 2005. This stockpile had priority because of the potential for quick reduction of risk to the community. The nearest schools were fitted with overpressurization machinery to protect the students and faculty in the event of a catastrophic explosion and fire at the site. These projects, as well as planning, equipment, and training assistance, were provided to the surrounding community as a part of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP), a joint program of the Army and theFederal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA).Unexploded shells containing mustard gases and other chemical agents are still present in several test ranges in proximity to schools in the Edgewood area, but the smaller amounts of poison gas (4 to 14 pounds (1.8 to 6.4 kg)) present considerably lower risks. These remnants are being detected and excavated systematically for disposal. The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency oversaw disposal of several other chemical weapons stockpiles located across the United States in compliance with international chemical weapons treaties. These include the complete incineration of the chemical weapons stockpiled inAlabama,Arkansas,Indiana, andOregon. Earlier, this agency had also completed destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile located onJohnston Atolllocated south ofHawaiiin thePacific Ocean.The largest mustard agent stockpile, at approximately 6,200short tons, was stored at theDeseret Chemical Depotin northernUtah. The incineration of this stockpile began in 2006. In May 2011, the last of the mustard agents in the stockpile were incinerated at the Deseret Chemical Depot, and the last artillery shells containing mustard gas were incinerated in January 2012. In 2008, many emptyaerial bombsthat contained mustard gas were found in an excavation at theMarrangaroo Army Basejust west of Sydney, Australia.In 2009, a mining survey nearChinchilla, Queensland, uncovered 144 105-millimeterhowitzershells, some containing \\\"Mustard H\\\", that had been buried by the U.S. Army during World War II. In 2014, a collection of 200 bombs was found near theFlemishvillages ofPassendaleandMoorslede. The majority of the bombs were filled with mustard agents. The bombs were left over from the German army and were meant to be used in theBattle of Passchendaelein World War I. It was the largest collection of chemical weapons ever found in Belgium. A large amount of chemical weapons, including mustard gas, was found in a neighborhood ofWashington, D.C.The cleanup was completed in 2021. Post-war accidental exposure In 2002, an archaeologist at the Presidio Trust archaeology lab in San Francisco was exposed to mustard gas, which had been dug up at thePresidio of San Francisco, a former military base. In 2010, a clamming boat pulled up some oldartilleryshells of World War I from theAtlantic Oceansouth ofLong Island, New York. Multiple fishermen suffered from blistering and respiratory irritation severe enough to require hospitalization. WWII-era tests on men From 1943 to 1944, mustard agent experiments were performed on Australian service volunteers in tropicalQueensland, Australia, byRoyal Australian Engineers,British Armyand American experimenters, resulting in some severe injuries. One test site, theBrook Islands National Park, was chosen to simulate Pacific islands held by theImperial Japanese Army.These experiments were the subject of the documentary filmKeen as Mustard. The United States tested sulfur mustards and other chemical agents includingnitrogen mustardsandlewisiteon up to 60,000 servicemen during and after WWII. The experiments were classified secret and as withAgent Orange, claims for medical care and compensation were routinely denied, even after the WWII-era tests were declassified in 1993. TheDepartment of Veterans Affairsstated that it would contact 4,000 surviving test subjects but failed to do so, eventually only contacting 600. Skin cancer, severe eczema, leukemia, and chronic breathing problems plagued the test subjects, some of whom were as young as 19 at the time of the tests, until their deaths, but even those who had previously filed claims with the VA went without compensation. African American servicemenwere tested alongside white men in separate trials to determine whether their skin color would afford them a degree of immunity to the agents, andNiseiservicemen, some of whom had joined after their release fromJapanese American Internment Campswere tested to determine susceptibility ofJapanese military personnelto these agents. These tests also includedPuerto Ricansubjects. Detection in biological fluids Concentrations of thiodiglycol in urine have been used to confirm a diagnosis of chemical poisoning in hospitalized victims. The presence in urine of 1,1'-sulfonylbismethylthioethane (SBMTE), a conjugation product with glutathione, is considered a more specific marker, since this metabolite is not found in specimens from unexposed persons. In one case, intact mustard gas was detected in postmortem fluids and tissues of a man who died one week post-exposure. See also References Notes Further reading External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Mayor Max II Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II(May 6, 2013 – July 30, 2022) was agolden retrieverdog who served as the second unofficial mayor of Idyllwild, part of thecensus-designated placeofIdyllwild–Pine Cove, California. His deputy mayors, Mitzi and Mikey, were his cousins.After his death Mayor Max II was succeeded by his cousin Max III, who was sworn in on December 10, 2022. Mayorality In 2012, the non-profit organization Idyllwild Animal Rescue Friends (ARF) hosted an \"election\" for mayor of Idyllwild (which, as part of an unincorporated community, has no local government) as part of a fundraising event for the organization. Fourteen dogs and two cats ran, and Max, aGolden Retriever, was elected as Idyllwild's first mayor. On April 2, 2013, Mayor Max died, and Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II, another Golden Retriever, arrived in Idyllwild on July 21 to complete the remainder of the term.In March 2014, as the end of Max's term approached, ARF solicited the town's interest in holding another election. The","election. The people overwhelmingly pled for Mayor Max's continuation in perpetuity. Mayor Max was recognized by theCounty of Riverside, California.The Mayor's duties included visiting with locals and out-of-town visitors, attending business grand openings and other town functions, participating in the town's two annual parades, and promoting Idyllwild.Max's popularity had spread the world over, and he has represented the town through appearances on news programs, talk shows, advertisements, billboards, and a game show. Death Mayor Max died in the city ofTemeculaon July 30, 2022, after suffering a brief medical issue.He was succeeded byMayor Max III, who formally took office on December 10, 2022. See also References External links","Golden Retriever TheGolden Retrieveris a Scottishbreedofretrieverdog of medium size. It is characterised by a gentle and affectionate nature and a striking golden coat. It is a working dog, and registration is subject to successful completion of a working trial.It is commonly kept as apetand is among the most frequently registered breeds in several Western countries; some may compete indog showsorobedience trials, or work as aguide dog. The Golden Retriever was bred bySir Dudley Marjoribanksat his Scottish estateGuisachanin the late nineteenth century. Hecross-bredFlat-coated RetrieverswithTweed Water Spaniels, with some further infusions ofRed Setter,Labrador RetrieverandBloodhound. It was recognised by theKennel Clubin 1913, and during theinterwar periodspread to many parts of the world. History The Golden Retriever was developed in Scotland in the nineteenth century bySir Dudley Marjoribanks(later to becomeBaron Tweedmouth) fromFlat-coated Retrieversjudiciously crossed withTweed Water Spanielsand some","Spanielsand some other British dog breeds.Prior to the 1952 publication of the very detailed stud book which had been meticulously maintained by Marjoribanks, a number of romantic tales were published about the origins of the breed. In the 1860s Marjoribanks set out to create what to his mind was the ultimate breed of retriever at his Scottish estateGuisachan.He started by acquiring a yellow-coloured Flat-coated Retriever dog called Nous;Nous had beenwhelpedin June 1864 and was the only yellow pup in an otherwise all black-colouredlitter.Whilst uncommon, occasionally liver, brown, golden or yellow-coloured purebred Flat-coated Retriever pups are whelped to matings of two black parents.It is the pedigree of Nous that was the source for the romantic tales of the heritage of the Golden Retriever.One early account claimed Nous was purchased from a Russian circus trainer inBrighton, another claimed he was bought from a cobbler, and yet another claimed a gypsy.The stud book states that Nous was a Flat-coated","was a Flat-coated Retriever bred byLord Chichesteron hisStanmer Parkestate near Brighton. In 1868 Nous was mated to a Tweed Water Spaniel bitch named Belle, who is recorded in the stud book as being whelped in 1863 and being of \"Ladykirk breeding\".The litter from this mating consisted of four yellow pups, Primrose, Ada, Cowslip and Crocus.The best bitch from this litter, Cowslip, was mated to a Tweed Water Spaniel called Tweed with the mating producing a bitch pup called Topsy.Cowslip was subsequently mated to aRed Settercalled Sampson; that mating produced a dog pup called Jack.Topsy was mated with a black Flat-coated Retriever called Sambo and a bitch pup from that litter, Zoe, was mated back to Jack and two pups from that mating were retained, a dog called Nous II and a bitch called Gill.Gill was mated to a blackLabrador Retrievercalled Tracer, and a bitch pup from that mating, Queenie, was mated back to Nous II; all Golden Retrievers descend from this mating.The progeny from these various matings varied","matings varied in colour from pure black to light cream, but it was the golden-coloured ones that were retained and mated to each other, forming the foundation stock of the Golden Retriever breed.Marjoribanks is also known to have used a sandy-colouredBloodhoundand another Labrador in subsequent years of the breeding programme. In 1952 Marjoribanks's great-nephew,Giles Fox-Strangways, 6th Earl of Ilchester, teamed up with Elma Stonex and together they studied Marjoribanks's stud book.In 1960 their research was published, presenting all of the evidence required to counter all tales of Russian ancestry.The stud book, which covers the period from 1868 to 1890, is preserved in the library ofthe Kennel ClubinLondon.In the early days Golden Retrievers were called the 'Flat-coated Retriever, Golden',Initially the Golden Retriever was considered a colour variety of the former breed.In 1903the Kennel Clubrecorded the first examples, listing them in the same register as Flat-coats.In 1904 a Golden Retriever won afield","won afield trialand in 1908 the first examples were exhibited atconformation shows.In 1911 a breed club was formed for the breed in England, the Golden Retriever Club, and they were given a new name, the 'Yellow or Golden Retriever'; from this point they were increasingly seen as a separate breed from the Flat-coated Retriever.It was not until 1913 that the Kennel Club began recording them on a separate breed register from the Flat-coated Retriever and in 1920 the 'Yellow or' was dropped from the breed name and they were officially called the 'Golden Retriever'. One early twentieth century enthusiast of the breed, Winifred Charlesworth, was instrumental in the establishment of the breed club as well as its separate Kennel Club recognition.It was she who drew up the first breed standard, which was adopted by the Kennel Club and with only minor amendments and remains largely unchanged.She bred and exhibited the first Golden RetrieverShow Champion, was a strong advocate for maintaining the working instincts of","instincts of the breed, and she is credited with popularising it at field trials and introducing it to shooting sportsmen. In the years after theFirst World Warits popularity increased markedly and in the 1920s and 1930s it spread through much of the Western world.TheCanadian Kennel Clubrecognised the breed in 1927, theAmerican Kennel Clubin 1932; the first examples were registered in France in 1934 and Australia in 1937.The worldwide popularity of the breed meant it did not suffer the misfortunes many British dog breeds did during theSecond World Wardue to British wartime restrictions on the breeding of larger dogs, with ample quality breeding stock available globally to ensure none of its characteristics were lost. Since the 1940s its popularity has continued to grow, and it has become one of the most recognised and most frequently registered dog breeds in the Western world. Description Appearance The Golden Retriever is a powerfully built, medium-sized breed of dog; according to the Kennel Clubbreed","Kennel Clubbreed standard, dogs stand from 56 to 61 centimetres (22 to 24 in) and bitches from 51 to 56 centimetres (20 to 22 in).Healthy adult examples typically weigh between 25 and 34 kilograms (55 and 75 lb). The Golden Retriever has a broad head with a well-definedstop, with dark eyes set well apart, a wide and powerful muzzle, a large black nose, dark-pigmented and slightly droopingflews, and ears of moderate size set high and hanging with a slight fold.The neck is muscular and fairly long with loose-fitting skin, the shoulders well laid-back and long-bladed, and the body deep through the chest with well-sprung ribs.The back is usually level fromwitherstocroupand the long, straight tail is usually carried flat, roughly in line with the back.The forelegs are straight with good bone, the hind legs are powerful with well bentstiflesand muscular thighs, and the feet are cat-like. Thedouble coatis a recognisable and striking feature:the outer coat is long, flat or wavy and has good feathering on the","feathering on the forelegs, while the undercoat is dense and provides weather resistance.The coat can be any shade of cream, yellow or gold; the coat typically becomes paler with age.The Kennel Club breed standard prohibits red or mahogany-coloured coats, but a few white hairs on the chest are permitted.Originally only yellow or golden coloured examples were permitted, this excluded many outstanding cream coloured dogs; to overcome this in 1936 the Kennel Club's standard was amended to include the cream colour.The cream colour, which in more modern times can be almost white, has become the dominant colour and is particularly favoured byconformation showexhibitors.Golden Retrievers that are bred forconformation showstend to have longer and finer coats than those bred for working as gundogs. The Kennel Club breed standard is accepted by everykennel clubin the world except those of Canada and the United States.Breed standards in North America call for a slightly taller dogand the cream colour is not permitted.","is not permitted. Temperament The Golden Retriever is considered an intelligent, gentle natured and very affectionate breed of dog.As is typical withretrieverbreeds, the breed is generally calm and biddable, being very easy to train and extremely keen to please their master.The breed is known to make excellent pets and family dogs, being generally extremely tolerant of children and keen to accompany any member of the family in a range of activities.Due to their affable natures, the breed is often completely devoid of guarding instincts.However, there have also been reports of some very aggressive Golden Retrievers in certain lineages. It has been suggested that these variations in aggression are partially caused by genetic factors. The breed usually retains many of their gundog traits and instincts including an excellent sense of smell and a strong instinct to retrieve; even among those not trained as gundogs it is typical for Golden Retrievers to present their owners with toys or other objects.Compared to","objects.Compared to other retriever breeds the Golden Retriever is typically quite slow to mature. Use The Golden Retriever is one of the most commonly kept breeds ofcompanion dogin the Western world, and is often among the top ten dog breeds by number of registrations in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada.It is a frequent competitor atdog shows; separate show lines of the breed have been developed.The dogs can be trained asguide dogsandtherapy dogs,and may compete inobedience trialsand otherdog sports. The Golden Retriever is still used as agundogby sportsmen, both as a hunting companion in the field and for competing infield trials.It is used more for retrieval of land-based gamebirds such asgrouseandpartridgethan for wildfowl hunting.Those used as gundogs are usually from working lines specifically bred for field use; dogs from pet or show lines are rarely suitable.A Golden Retriever with a traditional dense double coat is well suited to working in cold and wet conditions, as the","conditions, as the coat provides water resistance and insulation.Compared to other retriever breeds, the Golden Retriever is not a strong swimmer; its long coat causes it to sit low in the water when swimming. The Golden Retriever is much less commonly used by sportsmen as a hunting companion than theLabrador Retriever.One reason is that the breed is generally quite slow to mature, particularly compared to the Labrador; often when a Golden Retriever is still in basic training a Labrador of the same age has already completed a season of hunting.Another is its long coat, which requires more maintenance and grooming than that of the Labrador, particularly after working in muddy conditions or close cover, as their long hair is more prone to picking up dirt and burrs.More Golden Retrievers are bred as pets or for the show ring than for hunting, so it can be hard for sportsmen to find pups bred from proven working lines. Health A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.2 years for the breed compared to an","compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 forcrossbreeds.A 2024 Italian study found a life expectancy of 10 years for the breed compared to 10 years overall.A 2005 Swedish study found 22% of Golden Retrievers died by the age of 10, less than the overall rate of 35% of dogs dying by the age of 10. The breed is unusually prone to cancer, with one United States study finding cancer to be the cause of death in approximately 50% of the population, the second highest in the study. Several European studies found a much lower prevalence (20–39%), which may reflect the significant genetic divergence between the American and European populations. They are especially prone tohemangiosarcomaandlymphoma, with an estimated lifetime risk of one in five for the former and one in eight for the latter. The high prevalence of cancer deaths among Golden Retrievers may partly represent a lack of other congenital diseases.One UK study found the risk ofmetastaticneoplasiain the breed to be 4.86 times higher than other","higher than other dogs. The Golden Retriever has a genetic predisposition toprimary hypothyroidism; a review of 5 different studies found Golden Retrievers to make up 17% of cases. Notable Golden Retrievers Explanatory notes References Further reading","Hemangiosarcoma Hemangiosarcomais a rapidly growing, highly invasive variety ofcancerthat occurs almost exclusively in dogs, and only rarely in cats, horses, mice,or humans (vinyl chloridetoxicity). It is asarcomaarising from the lining of blood vessels; that is, blood-filled channels and spaces are commonly observed microscopically. A frequent cause of death is the rupturing of this tumor, causing the patient to rapidly bleed to death. The term \"angiosarcoma\", when used without a modifier, usually refers to hemangiosarcoma.However,glomangiosarcoma(8710/3) andlymphangiosarcoma(9170/3) are distinct conditions (in humans). Dogs Hemangiosarcoma is quite common indogs, and more so in certain breeds includingGerman ShepherdsandGolden Retrievers.It also occurs incats, but much more rarely. Dogs with hemangiosarcoma rarely show clinical signs until the tumor has become very large and hasmetastasized. Typically, clinical signs are due tohypovolemiaafter the tumor ruptures, causing extensive bleeding. Owners of the","Owners of the affected dogs often discover that the dog has hemangiosarcoma only after the dog collapses. The tumor most often appears on thespleen, rightheartbase, orliver, although varieties also appear on or under the skin or in other locations. It is the most common tumor of the heart, and occurs in theright atriumorright auricular appendage. Here it can cause right-sidedheart failure,arrhythmias,pericardial effusion, andcardiac tamponade. Hemangiosarcoma of the spleen orliveris the most common tumor to causehemorrhagein theabdomen.Hemorrhage secondary to splenic and hepatic tumors can also cause ventriculararrhythmias. Hemangiosarcoma of theskinusually appears as a small red or bluish-black lump. It can also occur under the skin. It is suspected that in the skin, hemangiosarcoma is caused bysunexposure.Occasionally, hemangiosarcoma of the skin can be a metastasis from visceral hemangiosarcoma. Other sites the tumor may occur includebone,kidneys, thebladder,muscle, themouth, and thecentral nervous","thecentral nervous system. Clinical features Presenting complaints and clinical signs are usually related to the site of origin of the primary tumor or to the presence of metastases, spontaneous tumor rupture, coagulopathies, or cardiac arrhythmias. More than 50% of patients are presented because of acute collapse after spontaneous rupture of the primary tumor or its metastases. Some episodes of collapse are a result of ventricular arrhythmias, which are relatively common in dogs with splenic or cardiac HSA. Most common clinical signs of visceral hemangiosarcoma include loss of appetite,arrhythmias, weight loss, weakness, lethargy, collapse, palemucous membranes, and/or sudden death. An enlarged abdomen is often seen due to hemorrhage. Metastasis is most commonly to the liver,omentum,lungs, orbrain. A retrospective study published in 1999 by Ware, et al., found a five times greater risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma in spayed vs. intact female dogs and a 2.4 times greater risk of hemangiosarcoma in neutered","in neutered dogs as compared to intact males.The validity of this study is in dispute. Clinicopathologic findings Hemangiosarcoma can cause a wide variety of hematologic and hemostatic abnormalities, includinganemia, thrombocytopenia(lowplateletcount),disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC); presence of nRBC, schistocytes, and acanthocytes in the blood smear; and leukocytosis with neutrophilia, left shift, and monocytosis. Diagnosis A definitive diagnosis requires biopsy and histopathology. Cytologic aspirates may be inconclusive with studies reporting various specificity, and negative results may not correlate with absence of disease, as one study concludes \"cytological diagnosis of splenic neoplasia is reliable, but a negative result cannot be used to exclude the possibility of splenic neoplasia.\"This is because of frequent blood contamination and poor exfoliation.Surgical biopsy is the typical approach in veterinary medicine. Imaging modalities may include one ore more of ultrasound, CT, MRIand","CT, MRIand FDG-PET/CT.FGD-PET/CT may show some benefit over traditional CT for staging and detection of metastasis. Symptoms Dogs rarely show symptoms of hemangiosarcoma until after the tumor ruptures, causing extensive bleeding. Then symptoms can include short-term lethargy, loss of appetite, enlarged abdomen, weakness in the back legs, paled colored tongue and gums, rapid heart rate, and a weak pulse. Treatments Treatment includeschemotherapyand, where practical, removal of the tumor with the affected organ, such as with asplenectomy. Splenectomy alone gives an average survival time of 1–3 months. The addition ofchemotherapy, primarily comprising the drugdoxorubicin, alone or in combination with other drugs, can increase the average survival time by 2–4 months beyond splenectomy alone. A 2012 paper published the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School, in dogs treated with a compound derived from theCoriolus versicolor(commonly known as \"Turkey Tail\") mushroom showed a favorable response to the agent","to the agent compared to historical controls of dogs treated with splenectomy and Doxorubicin .:.A controlled, randomized study in 101 dogs was later conducted by the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School which showed that the Coriolus versicolor mushroom did not have the same outcome noted in the 2012 paper with 15 dogs. In the 2022 paper by Gednet et al. dogs treated with splenectomy followed by Doxorubicin did better then dogs treated with splenectomy and mushroom agent. Combination of Doxorubicin with the Turkey Tail mushroom also did not improve survival when compared to Doxorubicin alone. However, as noted in the 2012 study, the Turkey Tail mushroom extract did not cause any systemic adverse reactions, even when combined with Doxorubicin.:. Immune therapy based on cultivation of tumor tissue is being developed for dogs.A preventive vaccine based on several proteins commonly found in dog cancers, including hemangiosarcomas, is also being developed. In the skin, it can be cured in most cases with","in most cases with complete surgical removal as long as there is not visceral involvement.Median survival times for stage I is 780 days, where more advanced stages can range from 172 to 307 days. References External links","Chemotherapy Chemotherapy(often abbreviatedchemo, sometimesCTXandCTx) is the type ofcancer treatmentthat uses one or more anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapeutic agentsoralkylating agents) in a standardregimen. Chemotherapy may be given with acurativeintent (which almost always involves combinations of drugs), or it may aim only to prolong life or toreduce symptoms(palliativechemotherapy). Chemotherapy is one of the major categories of the medical discipline specifically devoted topharmacotherapyforcancer, which is calledmedical oncology. The termchemotherapynow means the non-specific use of intracellularpoisonsto inhibitmitosis(cell division) or to induceDNA damage(so thatDNA repaircan augment chemotherapy).This meaning excludes the more-selective agents that block extracellular signals (signal transduction). Therapies with specific molecular or genetic targets, which inhibit growth-promoting signals from classic endocrine hormones (primarilyestrogensfor breast cancer andandrogensfor prostate cancer), are now","cancer), are now calledhormonal therapies. Other inhibitions of growth-signals, such as those associated withreceptor tyrosine kinases, aretargeted therapy. The use of drugs (whether chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or targeted therapy) issystemic therapyfor cancer: they are introduced into the blood stream (the system) and therefore can treat cancer anywhere in the body. Systemic therapy is often used with other,local therapy(treatments that work only where they are applied), such asradiation,surgery, andhyperthermia. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents arecytotoxicby means of interfering with cell division (mitosis) but cancer cells vary widely in their susceptibility to these agents. To a large extent, chemotherapy can be thought of as a way to damage or stress cells, which may then lead to cell death ifapoptosisis initiated. Many of the side effects of chemotherapy can be traced to damage to normal cells that divide rapidly and are thus sensitive to anti-mitotic drugs: cells in thebone marrow,digestive","marrow,digestive tractandhair follicles. This results in the most common side-effects of chemotherapy:myelosuppression(decreased production of blood cells, hence that alsoimmunosuppression),mucositis(inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract), andalopecia(hair loss). Because of the effect on immune cells (especially lymphocytes), chemotherapy drugs often find use in a host of diseases that result from harmful overactivity of the immune system against self (so-calledautoimmunity). These includerheumatoid arthritis,systemic lupus erythematosus,multiple sclerosis,vasculitisand many others. Treatment strategies There are a number of strategies in the administration of chemotherapeutic drugs used today. Chemotherapy may be given with acurativeintent or it may aim to prolong life or topalliate symptoms. Allchemotherapy regimensrequire that the recipient be capable of undergoing the treatment.Performance statusis often used as a measure to determine whether a person can receive chemotherapy, or whether dose","or whether dose reduction is required. Because only a fraction of the cells in a tumor die with each treatment (fractional kill), repeated doses must be administered to continue to reduce the size of the tumor.Current chemotherapy regimens apply drug treatment in cycles, with the frequency and duration of treatments limited by toxicity. Effectiveness The effectiveness of chemotherapy depends on the type of cancer and the stage. The overall effectiveness ranges from being curative for some cancers, such as someleukemias,to being ineffective, such as in somebrain tumors,to being needless in others, like mostnon-melanoma skin cancers. Dosage Dosage of chemotherapy can be difficult: If the dose is too low, it will be ineffective against the tumor, whereas, at excessive doses, the toxicity (side-effects) will be intolerable to the person receiving it.The standard method of determining chemotherapy dosage is based on calculatedbody surface area(BSA). The BSA is usually calculated with a mathematical formula or","formula or anomogram, using the recipient's weight and height, rather than by direct measurement of body area. This formula was originally derived in a 1916 study and attempted to translate medicinal doses established with laboratory animals to equivalent doses for humans.The study only included nine human subjects.When chemotherapy was introduced in the 1950s, the BSA formula was adopted as the official standard for chemotherapy dosing for lack of a better option. The validity of this method in calculating uniform doses has been questioned because the formula only takes into account the individual's weight and height. Drug absorption and clearance are influenced by multiple factors, including age, sex, metabolism, disease state, organ function, drug-to-drug interactions, genetics, and obesity, which have major impacts on the actual concentration of the drug in the person's bloodstream.As a result, there is high variability in the systemic chemotherapy drug concentration in people dosed by BSA, and this","by BSA, and this variability has been demonstrated to be more than ten-fold for many drugs.In other words, if two people receive the same dose of a given drug based on BSA, the concentration of that drug in the bloodstream of one person may be 10 times higher or lower compared to that of the other person.This variability is typical with many chemotherapy drugs dosed by BSA, and, as shown below, was demonstrated in a study of 14 common chemotherapy drugs. The result of this pharmacokinetic variability among people is that many people do not receive the right dose to achieve optimal treatment effectiveness with minimized toxic side effects. Some people are overdosed while others are underdosed.For example, in a randomized clinical trial, investigators found 85% of metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) did not receive the optimal therapeutic dose when dosed by the BSA standard—68% were underdosed and 17% were overdosed. There has been controversy over the use of BSA to","the use of BSA to calculate chemotherapy doses for people who areobese.Because of their higher BSA, clinicians often arbitrarily reduce the dose prescribed by the BSA formula for fear ofoverdosing.In many cases, this can result in sub-optimal treatment. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that when chemotherapy dosing is individualized to achieve optimal systemic drug exposure, treatment outcomes are improved and toxic side effects are reduced.In the 5-FU clinical study cited above, people whose dose was adjusted to achieve a pre-determined target exposure realized an 84% improvement in treatment response rate and a six-month improvement in overall survival (OS) compared with those dosed by BSA. In the same study, investigators compared the incidence of common 5-FU-associated grade 3/4 toxicities between the dose-adjusted people and people dosed per BSA.The incidence of debilitating grades of diarrhea was reduced from 18% in the BSA-dosed group to 4% in the dose-adjusted group and serious hematologic","serious hematologic side effects were eliminated.Because of the reduced toxicity, dose-adjusted patients were able to be treated for longer periods of time.BSA-dosed people were treated for a total of 680 months while people in the dose-adjusted group were treated for a total of 791 months.Completing the course of treatment is an important factor in achieving better treatment outcomes. Similar results were found in a study involving people with colorectal cancer who have been treated with the popularFOLFOXregimen.The incidence of serious diarrhea was reduced from 12% in the BSA-dosed group of patients to 1.7% in the dose-adjusted group, and the incidence of severe mucositis was reduced from 15% to 0.8%. The FOLFOX study also demonstrated an improvement in treatment outcomes.Positive response increased from 46% in the BSA-dosed group to 70% in the dose-adjusted group. Median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) both improved by six months in the dose adjusted group. One approach that can","approach that can help clinicians individualize chemotherapy dosing is to measure the drug levels in blood plasma over time and adjust dose according to a formula or algorithm to achieve optimal exposure. With an established target exposure for optimized treatment effectiveness with minimized toxicities, dosing can be personalized to achieve target exposure and optimal results for each person. Such an algorithm was used in the clinical trials cited above and resulted in significantly improved treatment outcomes. Oncologists are already individualizing dosing of some cancer drugs based on exposure.Carboplatin: 4andbusulfandosing rely upon results from blood tests to calculate the optimal dose for each person. Simple blood tests are also available for dose optimization ofmethotrexate,5-FU,paclitaxel, anddocetaxel. The serum albumin level immediately prior to chemotherapy administration is an independent prognostic predictor of survival in various cancer types. Types Alkylating agents Alkylating agents are the","agents are the oldest group of chemotherapeutics in use today. Originally derived frommustard gasused inWorld War I, there are now many types of alkylating agents in use.They are so named because of their ability toalkylatemany molecules, includingproteins,RNAandDNA. This ability to bindcovalentlyto DNA via theiralkyl groupis the primary cause for their anti-cancer effects.DNA is made of two strands and the molecules may either bind twice to one strand of DNA (intrastrand crosslink) or may bind once to both strands (interstrand crosslink). If the cell tries to replicate crosslinked DNA duringcell division, or tries to repair it, the DNA strands can break. This leads to a form of programmed cell death calledapoptosis.Alkylating agents will work at any point in the cell cycle and thus are known as cell cycle-independent drugs. For this reason, the effect on the cell is dose dependent; the fraction of cells that die is directly proportional to the dose of drug. The subtypes of alkylating agents are thenitrogen","are thenitrogen mustards,nitrosoureas,tetrazines,aziridines,cisplatinsand derivatives, and non-classical alkylating agents. Nitrogen mustards includemechlorethamine,cyclophosphamide,melphalan,chlorambucil,ifosfamideandbusulfan. Nitrosoureas includeN-Nitroso-N-methylurea(MNU),carmustine(BCNU),lomustine(CCNU) andsemustine(MeCCNU),fotemustineandstreptozotocin. Tetrazines includedacarbazine,mitozolomideandtemozolomide. Aziridines includethiotepa,mytomycinand diaziquone (AZQ). Cisplatin and derivatives includecisplatin,carboplatinandoxaliplatin.They impair cell function by formingcovalent bondswith theamino,carboxyl,sulfhydryl, andphosphate groupsin biologically important molecules.Non-classical alkylating agents includeprocarbazineand hexamethylmelamine. Antimetabolites Anti-metabolitesare a group of molecules that impede DNA and RNA synthesis. Many of them have a similar structure to the building blocks of DNA and RNA. The building blocks arenucleotides; a molecule comprising anucleobase, a sugar and aphosphate","and aphosphate group. The nucleobases are divided intopurines(guanineandadenine) andpyrimidines(cytosine,thymineanduracil). Anti-metabolites resemble either nucleobases or nucleosides (a nucleotide without the phosphate group), but have alteredchemical groups.These drugs exert their effect by either blocking the enzymes required for DNA synthesis or becoming incorporated into DNA or RNA. By inhibiting the enzymes involved in DNA synthesis, they prevent mitosis because the DNA cannot duplicate itself. Also, after misincorporation of the molecules into DNA,DNA damagecan occur and programmed cell death (apoptosis) is induced. Unlike alkylating agents, anti-metabolites are cell cycle dependent. This means that they only work during a specific part of the cell cycle, in this caseS-phase(the DNA synthesis phase). For this reason, at a certain dose, the effect plateaus and proportionally no more cell death occurs with increased doses. Subtypes of the anti-metabolites are theanti-folates, fluoropyrimidines,","fluoropyrimidines, deoxynucleoside analogues andthiopurines. The anti-folates includemethotrexateandpemetrexed. Methotrexate inhibitsdihydrofolate reductase(DHFR), an enzyme that regeneratestetrahydrofolatefromdihydrofolate. When the enzyme is inhibited by methotrexate, the cellular levels of folate coenzymes diminish. These are required forthymidylateand purine production, which are both essential for DNA synthesis and cell division.: 55–59: 11Pemetrexed is another anti-metabolite that affects purine and pyrimidine production, and therefore also inhibits DNA synthesis. It primarily inhibits the enzymethymidylate synthase, but also has effects on DHFR, aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase andglycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase.The fluoropyrimidines includefluorouracilandcapecitabine. Fluorouracil is a nucleobase analogue that is metabolised in cells to form at least two active products; 5-fluourouridine monophosphate (FUMP) and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate (fdUMP).","(fdUMP). FUMP becomes incorporated into RNA and fdUMP inhibits the enzyme thymidylate synthase; both of which lead to cell death.: 11Capecitabine is aprodrugof 5-fluorouracil that is broken down in cells to produce the active drug.The deoxynucleoside analogues includecytarabine,gemcitabine,decitabine,azacitidine,fludarabine,nelarabine,cladribine,clofarabine, andpentostatin. The thiopurines includethioguanineandmercaptopurine. Anti-microtubule agents Anti-microtubule agentsareplant-derived chemicals that block cell division by preventingmicrotubulefunction. Microtubules are an important cellular structure composed of two proteins,α-tubulinandβ-tubulin. They are hollow, rod-shaped structures that are required for cell division, among other cellular functions.Microtubules are dynamic structures, which means that they are permanently in a state of assembly and disassembly.Vincaalkaloidsandtaxanesare the two main groups of anti-microtubule agents, and although both of these groups of drugs cause microtubule","cause microtubule dysfunction, their mechanisms of action are completely opposite:Vincaalkaloids prevent the assembly of microtubules, whereas taxanes prevent their disassembly. By doing so, they can inducemitotic catastrophein the cancer cells.Following this, cell cycle arrest occurs, which induces programmed cell death (apoptosis).These drugs can also affectblood vessel growth, an essential process that tumours utilise in order to grow and metastasise. Vincaalkaloids are derived from theMadagascar periwinkle,Catharanthus roseus,formerly known asVinca rosea. They bind to specific sites on tubulin, inhibiting the assembly of tubulin into microtubules. The originalvincaalkaloids arenatural productsthat includevincristineandvinblastine.Following the success of these drugs, semi-syntheticvincaalkaloids were produced:vinorelbine(used in the treatment ofnon-small-cell lung cancer),vindesine, andvinflunine.These drugs arecell cycle-specific. They bind to the tubulin molecules inS-phaseand prevent proper","prevent proper microtubule formation required forM-phase. Taxanes are natural and semi-synthetic drugs. The first drug of their class,paclitaxel, was originally extracted fromTaxus brevifolia, the Pacific yew. Now this drug and another in this class,docetaxel, are produced semi-synthetically from a chemical found in the bark of another yew tree,Taxus baccata. Podophyllotoxinis an antineoplasticlignanobtained primarily from theAmerican mayapple(Podophyllum peltatum) andHimalayan mayapple(Sinopodophyllum hexandrum). It has anti-microtubule activity, and its mechanism is similar to that ofvincaalkaloids in that they bind to tubulin, inhibiting microtubule formation. Podophyllotoxin is used to produce two other drugs with different mechanisms of action:etoposideandteniposide. Topoisomerase inhibitors Topoisomerase inhibitors are drugs that affect the activity of two enzymes:topoisomerase Iandtopoisomerase II. When the DNA double-strand helix is unwound, during DNA replication ortranscription, for example, the","for example, the adjacent unopened DNA winds tighter (supercoils), like opening the middle of a twisted rope. The stress caused by this effect is in part aided by the topoisomerase enzymes. They produce single- or double-strand breaks into DNA, reducing the tension in the DNA strand. This allows the normal unwinding of DNA to occur duringreplicationor transcription. Inhibition of topoisomerase I or II interferes with both of these processes. Two topoisomerase I inhibitors,irinotecanandtopotecan, are semi-synthetically derived fromcamptothecin, which is obtained from the Chinese ornamental treeCamptotheca acuminata.Drugs that target topoisomerase II can be divided into two groups. The topoisomerase II poisons cause increased levels enzymes bound to DNA. This prevents DNA replication and transcription, causes DNA strand breaks, and leads to programmed cell death (apoptosis). These agents includeetoposide,doxorubicin,mitoxantroneandteniposide. The second group, catalytic inhibitors, are drugs that block the","that block the activity of topoisomerase II, and therefore prevent DNA synthesis and translation because the DNA cannot unwind properly. This group includesnovobiocin, merbarone, andaclarubicin, which also have other significant mechanisms of action. Cytotoxic antibiotics The cytotoxicantibioticsare a varied group of drugs that have various mechanisms of action. The common theme that they share in their chemotherapy indication is that they interruptcell division. The most important subgroup is theanthracyclinesand thebleomycins; other prominent examples includemitomycin Candactinomycin. Among the anthracyclines,doxorubicinanddaunorubicinwere the first, and were obtained from thebacteriumStreptomyces peucetius.Derivatives of these compounds includeepirubicinandidarubicin. Other clinically used drugs in the anthracycline group arepirarubicin,aclarubicin, andmitoxantrone.The mechanisms of anthracyclines includeDNA intercalation(molecules insert between the two strands of DNA), generation of highly reactivefree","highly reactivefree radicalsthat damage intercellular molecules and topoisomerase inhibition. Actinomycin is a complex molecule that intercalates DNA and preventsRNA synthesis. Bleomycin, aglycopeptideisolated fromStreptomyces verticillus, also intercalates DNA, but producesfree radicalsthat damage DNA. This occurs when bleomycin binds to ametal ion, becomeschemically reducedand reacts withoxygen.: 87 Mitomycin is a cytotoxic antibiotic with the ability to alkylate DNA. Delivery Most chemotherapy isdeliveredintravenously, although a number of agents can be administered orally (e.g.,melphalan,busulfan,capecitabine). According to a recent (2016) systematic review, oral therapies present additional challenges for patients and care teams to maintain and support adherence to treatment plans. There are many intravenous methods of drug delivery, known as vascular access devices. These include thewinged infusion device,peripheral venous catheter, midline catheter,peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC),central","venous catheterandimplantable port. The devices have different applications regarding duration of chemotherapy treatment, method of delivery and types of chemotherapeutic agent.: 94–95 Depending on the person, the cancer, the stage of cancer, the type of chemotherapy, and the dosage, intravenous chemotherapy may be given on either aninpatientor anoutpatientbasis. For continuous, frequent or prolonged intravenous chemotherapy administration, various systems may be surgically inserted into the vasculature to maintain access.: 113–118Commonly used systems are theHickman line, thePort-a-Cath, and thePICC line. These have a lower infection risk, are much less prone tophlebitisorextravasation, and eliminate the need for repeated insertion of peripheral cannulae. Isolated limb perfusion(often used inmelanoma),or isolated infusion of chemotherapy into the liveror the lung have been used to treat some tumors. The main purpose of these approaches is to deliver a very high dose of chemotherapy to tumor sites without","tumor sites without causing overwhelming systemic damage.These approaches can help control solitary or limited metastases, but they are by definition not systemic, and, therefore, do not treat distributed metastases ormicrometastases. Topical chemotherapies, such as5-fluorouracil, are used to treat some cases ofnon-melanoma skin cancer. If the cancer hascentral nervous systeminvolvement, or with meningeal disease,intrathecalchemotherapy may be administered. Adverse effects Chemotherapeutic techniques have a range of side effects that depend on the type of medications used. The most common medications affect mainly thefast-dividing cellsof the body, such as blood cells and the cells lining the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Chemotherapy-related toxicities can occur acutely after administration, within hours or days, or chronically, from weeks to years.: 265 Immunosuppression and myelosuppression Virtually all chemotherapeutic regimens can cause depression of theimmune system, often by paralysing thebone","paralysing thebone marrowand leading to a decrease ofwhite blood cells,red blood cells, andplatelets.Anemiaandthrombocytopeniamay requireblood transfusion.Neutropenia(a decrease of theneutrophil granulocytecount below 0.5 x 109/litre) can be improved with syntheticG-CSF(granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, e.g.,filgrastim,lenograstim,efbemalenograstim alfa). In very severemyelosuppression, which occurs in some regimens, almost all the bone marrowstem cells(cells that producewhiteandred blood cells) are destroyed, meaningallogenicorautologousbone marrow cell transplantsare necessary. (In autologous BMTs, cells are removed from the person before the treatment, multiplied and then re-injected afterward; inallogenicBMTs, the source is a donor.) However, some people still develop diseases because of this interference with bone marrow. Although people receiving chemotherapy are encouraged to wash their hands, avoid sick people, and take other infection-reducing steps, about 85% of infections are due to naturally","due to naturally occurring microorganisms in the person's owngastrointestinal tract(includingoral cavity) and skin.: 130This may manifest as systemic infections, such assepsis, or as localized outbreaks, such asHerpes simplex,shingles, or other members of theHerpesviridea.The risk of illness and death can be reduced by taking common antibiotics such asquinolonesortrimethoprim/sulfamethoxazolebefore any fever or sign of infection appears.Quinolones show effective prophylaxis mainly with hematological cancer.However, in general, for every five people who are immunosuppressed following chemotherapy who take an antibiotic, one fever can be prevented; for every 34 who take an antibiotic, one death can be prevented.Sometimes, chemotherapy treatments are postponed because the immune system is suppressed to a critically low level. InJapan, the government has approved the use of somemedicinal mushroomslikeTrametes versicolor, to counteract depression of the immune system in people undergoing chemotherapy.","chemotherapy. Trilaciclibis an inhibitor ofcyclin-dependent kinase4/6 approved for the prevention of myelosuppression caused by chemotherapy. The drug is given before chemotherapy to protect bone marrow function. Neutropenic enterocolitis Due to immune system suppression,neutropenic enterocolitis(typhlitis) is a \"life-threatening gastrointestinal complication of chemotherapy.\"Typhlitisis an intestinal infection which may manifest itself through symptoms includingnausea,vomiting,diarrhea, adistended abdomen,fever,chills, orabdominal painand tenderness. Typhlitisis amedical emergency. It has a very poorprognosisand is often fatal unless promptly recognized and aggressively treated.Successful treatment hinges on early diagnosis provided by a high index of suspicion and the use of CT scanning, nonoperative treatment for uncomplicated cases, and sometimes elective righthemicolectomyto prevent recurrence. Gastrointestinal distress Nausea,vomiting,anorexia,diarrhea, abdominal cramps, andconstipationare common","common side-effects of chemotherapeutic medications that kill fast-dividing cells.Malnutritionanddehydrationcan result when the recipient does not eat or drink enough, or when the person vomits frequently, because of gastrointestinal damage. This can result in rapid weight loss, or occasionally in weight gain, if the person eats too much in an effort to allay nausea or heartburn. Weight gain can also be caused by some steroid medications. These side-effects can frequently be reduced or eliminated withantiemeticdrugs. Low-certainty evidence also suggests that probiotics may have a preventative and treatment effect of diarrhoea related to chemotherapy alone and with radiotherapy.However, a high index of suspicion is appropriate, since diarrhoea and bloating are also symptoms oftyphlitis, a very serious and potentially life-threateningmedical emergencythat requires immediate treatment. Anemia Anemiacan be a combined outcome caused by myelosuppressive chemotherapy, and possible cancer-related causes such","causes such asbleeding,blood celldestruction (hemolysis), hereditary disease, kidney dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies oranemia of chronic disease. Treatments to mitigate anemia include hormones to boost blood production (erythropoietin),iron supplements, andblood transfusions.Myelosuppressive therapy can cause a tendency to bleed easily, leading to anemia. Medications that kill rapidly dividing cells or blood cells can reduce the number ofplateletsin the blood, which can result inbruisesandbleeding. Extremely low platelet counts may be temporarily boosted throughplatelet transfusionsand new drugs to increase platelet counts during chemotherapy are being developed.Sometimes, chemotherapy treatments are postponed to allow platelet counts to recover. Fatiguemay be a consequence of the cancer or its treatment, and can last for months to years after treatment. One physiological cause of fatigue is anemia, which can be caused by chemotherapy,surgery,radiotherapy, primary and metastatic disease or nutritional","or nutritional depletion.Aerobic exercisehas been found to be beneficial in reducing fatigue in people withsolid tumours. Nausea and vomiting Nauseaandvomitingare two of the most feared cancer treatment-related side-effects for people with cancer and their families. In 1983, Coates et al. found that people receiving chemotherapy ranked nausea and vomiting as the first and second most severe side-effects, respectively.Up to 20% of people receiving highly emetogenic agents in this era postponed, or even refused potentially curative treatments.Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are common with many treatments and some forms of cancer. Since the 1990s, several novel classes ofantiemeticshave been developed and commercialized, becoming a nearly universal standard in chemotherapy regimens, and helping to successfully manage these symptoms in many people. Effective mediation of these unpleasant and sometimes debilitating symptoms results in increased quality of life for the recipient and more efficient","and more efficient treatment cycles, due to less stoppage of treatment due to better tolerance and better overall health. Hair loss Hair loss(alopecia) can be caused by chemotherapy that kills rapidly dividing cells; other medications may cause hair to thin. These are most often temporary effects: hair usually starts to regrow a few weeks after the last treatment, but sometimes with a change in color, texture, thickness or style. Sometimes hair has a tendency to curl after regrowth, resulting in \"chemo curls.\" Severe hair loss occurs most often with drugs such asdoxorubicin,daunorubicin,paclitaxel,docetaxel,cyclophosphamide,ifosfamideandetoposide. Permanent thinning or hair loss can result from some standard chemotherapy regimens. Chemotherapy induced hair loss occurs by a non-androgenic mechanism, and can manifest asalopecia totalis, telogen effluvium, or less oftenalopecia areata.It is usually associated with systemic treatment due to the high mitotic rate of hair follicles, and more reversible than","reversible than androgenic hair loss,although permanent cases can occur.Chemotherapy induces hair loss in women more often than men. Scalp coolingoffers a means of preventing both permanent and temporary hair loss; however, concerns about this method have been raised. Secondary neoplasm Development of secondary neoplasia after successful chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment can occur. The most commonsecondary neoplasmis secondary acute myeloid leukemia, which develops primarily after treatment with alkylating agents or topoisomerase inhibitors.Survivors ofchildhood cancerare more than 13 times as likely to get asecondary neoplasmduring the 30 years after treatment than the general population.Not all of this increase can be attributed to chemotherapy. Infertility Some types of chemotherapy are gonadotoxic and may causeinfertility.Chemotherapies with high risk include procarbazine and other alkylating drugs such as cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, busulfan, melphalan, chlorambucil, and chlormethine.Drugs with","with medium risk include doxorubicin and platinum analogs such as cisplatin and carboplatin.On the other hand, therapies with low risk of gonadotoxicity include plant derivatives such as vincristine and vinblastine,antibioticssuch as bleomycin and dactinomycin, and antimetabolites such as methotrexate, mercaptopurine, and 5-fluorouracil. Female infertilityby chemotherapy appears to be secondary topremature ovarian failureby loss ofprimordial follicles.This loss is not necessarily a direct effect of the chemotherapeutic agents, but could be due to an increased rate of growth initiation to replace damaged developing follicles. People may choose between several methods offertility preservationprior to chemotherapy, includingcryopreservationof semen, ovarian tissue, oocytes, or embryos.As more than half of cancer patients are elderly, this adverse effect is only relevant for a minority of patients. A study in France between 1999 and 2011 came to the result that embryo freezing before administration of","administration of gonadotoxic agents to females caused a delay of treatment in 34% of cases, and a live birth in 27% of surviving cases who wanted to become pregnant, with the follow-up time varying between 1 and 13 years. Potential protective or attenuating agents includeGnRH analogs, where several studies have shown a protective effectin vivoin humans, but some studies show no such effect.Sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P) has shown similar effect, but its mechanism of inhibiting thesphingomyelin apoptotic pathwaymay also interfere with theapoptosisaction of chemotherapy drugs. In chemotherapy as aconditioning regimenin hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a study of people conditioned with cyclophosphamide alone for severe aplastic anemia came to the result that ovarian recovery occurred in all women younger than 26 years at time of transplantation, but only in five of 16 women older than 26 years. Teratogenicity Chemotherapy isteratogenicduringpregnancy, especially during thefirst trimester, to the extent","to the extent thatabortionusually is recommended if pregnancy in this period is found during chemotherapy.Second- and third-trimester exposure does not usually increase the teratogenic risk and adverse effects on cognitive development, but it may increase the risk of variouscomplications of pregnancyand fetal myelosuppression. Female patients of reproductive potential should use effectivecontraceptionduring chemotherapy and for a few months after the last dose (e.g. 6 month fordoxorubicin). In males previously having undergone chemotherapy or radiotherapy, there appears to be no increase in genetic defects or congenital malformations in their children conceived after therapy.The use ofassisted reproductive technologiesandmicromanipulation techniquesmight increase this risk.In females previously having undergone chemotherapy, miscarriage and congenital malformations are not increased in subsequent conceptions.However, whenin vitro fertilizationandembryo cryopreservationis practised between or shortly after","or shortly after treatment, possible genetic risks to the growing oocytes exist, and hence it has been recommended that the babies be screened. Peripheral neuropathy Between 30 and 40 percent of people undergoing chemotherapy experiencechemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy(CIPN), a progressive, enduring, and often irreversible condition, causing pain, tingling, numbness and sensitivity to cold, beginning in the hands and feet and sometimes progressing to the arms and legs.Chemotherapy drugs associated with CIPN includethalidomide,epothilones,vincaalkaloids, taxanes,proteasome inhibitors, and the platinum-based drugs.Whether CIPN arises, and to what degree, is determined by the choice of drug, duration of use, the total amount consumed and whether the person already hasperipheral neuropathy. Though the symptoms are mainly sensory, in some casesmotor nervesand theautonomic nervous systemare affected.CIPN often follows the first chemotherapy dose and increases in severity as treatment continues, but this","continues, but this progression usually levels off at completion of treatment. The platinum-based drugs are the exception; with these drugs, sensation may continue to deteriorate for several months after the end of treatment.Some CIPN appears to be irreversible.Pain can often be managed with drug or other treatment but the numbness is usually resistant to treatment. Cognitive impairment Some people receiving chemotherapy report fatigue or non-specific neurocognitive problems, such as an inability to concentrate; this is sometimes calledpost-chemotherapy cognitive impairment, referred to as \"chemo brain\" in popular and social media. Tumor lysis syndrome In particularly large tumors and cancers with highwhite cell counts, such aslymphomas,teratomas, and someleukemias, some people developtumor lysis syndrome. The rapid breakdown of cancer cells causes the release of chemicals from the inside of the cells. Following this, high levels ofuric acid,potassiumandphosphateare found in the blood. High levels of","High levels of phosphate induce secondary hypoparathyroidism, resulting in low levels of calcium in the blood.This causes kidney damage and the high levels of potassium can causecardiac arrhythmia. Although prophylaxis is available and is often initiated in people with large tumors, this is a dangerous side-effect that can lead to death if left untreated.: 202 Organ damage Cardiotoxicity(heart damage) is especially prominent with the use ofanthracyclinedrugs (doxorubicin,epirubicin,idarubicin, andliposomal doxorubicin). The cause of this is most likely due to the production offree radicalsin the cell and subsequentDNA damage. Other chemotherapeutic agents that cause cardiotoxicity, but at a lower incidence, arecyclophosphamide,docetaxelandclofarabine. Hepatotoxicity(liver damage) can be caused by many cytotoxic drugs. The susceptibility of an individual to liver damage can be altered by other factors such as the cancer itself,viral hepatitis,immunosuppressionandnutritional deficiency. The liver damage can","liver damage can consist of damage to liver cells,hepatic sinusoidal syndrome(obstruction of the veins in the liver),cholestasis(where bile does not flow from the liver to the intestine) andliver fibrosis. Nephrotoxicity(kidney damage) can be caused bytumor lysis syndromeand also due direct effects of drug clearance by the kidneys. Different drugs will affect different parts of the kidney and the toxicity may beasymptomatic(only seen on blood or urine tests) or may causeacute kidney injury. Ototoxicity(damage to the inner ear) is a common side effect of platinum based drugs that can produce symptoms such as dizziness andvertigo.Children treated with platinum analogues have been found to be at risk for developing hearing loss. Other side-effects Less common side-effects include red skin (erythema), dry skin, damaged fingernails, a dry mouth (xerostomia),water retention, andsexual impotence. Some medications can triggerallergicorpseudoallergicreactions. Specific chemotherapeutic agents are associated with","are associated with organ-specific toxicities, includingcardiovascular disease(e.g.,doxorubicin),interstitial lung disease(e.g.,bleomycin) and occasionallysecondary neoplasm(e.g.,MOPPtherapy for Hodgkin's disease). Hand-foot syndromeis another side effect to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Nutritional problems are also frequently seen in cancer patients at diagnosis and through chemotherapy treatment. Research suggests that in children and young people undergoing cancer treatment,parenteral nutritionmay help with this leading to weight gain and increased calorie and protein intake, when compared to enteral nutrition. Limitations Chemotherapy does not always work, and even when it is useful, it may not completely destroy the cancer. People frequently fail to understand its limitations. In one study of people who had been newly diagnosed with incurable,stage 4 cancer, more than two-thirds of people with lung cancer and more than four-fifths of people with colorectal cancer still believed that chemotherapy was likely","was likely to cure their cancer. Theblood–brain barrierposes an obstacle to delivery of chemotherapy to thebrain. This is because the brain has an extensive system in place to protect it from harmful chemicals. Drug transporters can pump out drugs from the brain and brain's blood vessel cells into thecerebrospinal fluidand blood circulation. These transporters pump out most chemotherapy drugs, which reduces their efficacy for treatment of brain tumors. Only smalllipophilicalkylating agentssuch aslomustineortemozolomideare able to cross this blood–brain barrier. Blood vesselsin tumors are very different from those seen in normal tissues. As a tumor grows, tumor cells furthest away from the blood vessels become low in oxygen (hypoxic). To counteract this they then signal for new blood vessels to grow. The newly formed tumor vasculature is poorly formed and does not deliver an adequate blood supply to all areas of the tumor. This leads to issues with drug delivery because many drugs will be delivered to the","be delivered to the tumor by thecirculatory system. Resistance Resistanceis a major cause of treatment failure in chemotherapeutic drugs. There are a few possible causes of resistance in cancer, one of which is the presence of small pumps on the surface of cancer cells that actively move chemotherapy from inside the cell to the outside. Cancer cells produce high amounts of these pumps, known asp-glycoprotein, in order to protect themselves from chemotherapeutics. Research on p-glycoprotein and other such chemotherapy efflux pumps is currently ongoing. Medications to inhibit the function of p-glycoprotein are undergoing investigation, but due to toxicities and interactions with anti-cancer drugs their development has been difficult.Another mechanism of resistance isgene amplification, a process in which multiple copies of a gene are produced by cancer cells. This overcomes the effect of drugs that reduce the expression of genes involved in replication. With more copies of the gene, the drug can not prevent","can not prevent all expression of the gene and therefore the cell can restore its proliferative ability. Cancer cells can also cause defects in the cellular pathways ofapoptosis(programmed cell death). As most chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells in this manner, defective apoptosis allows survival of these cells, making them resistant. Many chemotherapy drugs also cause DNA damage, which can be repaired byenzymesin the cell that carry outDNA repair. Upregulation of these genes can overcome the DNA damage and prevent the induction of apoptosis. Mutations in genes that produce drug target proteins, such astubulin, can occur which prevent the drugs from binding to the protein, leading to resistance to these types of drugs.Drugs used in chemotherapy can induce cell stress, which can kill a cancer cell; however, under certain conditions, cells stress can induce changes in gene expression that enables resistance to several types of drugs.Inlung cancer, the transcription factorNFκBis thought to play a role in","to play a role in resistance to chemotherapy, via inflammatory pathways. Cytotoxics and targeted therapies Targeted therapiesare a relatively new class of cancer drugs that can overcome many of the issues seen with the use of cytotoxics. They are divided into two groups: small molecule and antibodies. The massive toxicity seen with the use of cytotoxics is due to the lack of cell specificity of the drugs. They will kill any rapidly dividing cell, tumor or normal. Targeted therapies are designed to affect cellular proteins or processes that are utilised by the cancer cells.This allows a high dose to cancer tissues with a relatively low dose to other tissues. Although theside effectsare often less severe than that seen of cytotoxic chemotherapeutics, life-threatening effects can occur. Initially, the targeted therapeutics were supposed to be solely selective for one protein. Now it is clear that there is often a range of protein targets that the drug can bind. An example target for targeted therapy is the","therapy is the BCR-ABL1 protein produced from thePhiladelphia chromosome, a genetic lesion found commonly inchronic myelogenous leukemiaand in some patients withacute lymphoblastic leukemia. Thisfusion proteinhas enzyme activity that can be inhibited byimatinib, asmall moleculedrug. Mechanism of action Canceris the uncontrolled growth ofcellscoupled withmalignantbehaviour: invasion andmetastasis(among other features).It is caused by the interaction betweengeneticsusceptibility and environmental factors.These factors lead to accumulations ofgenetic mutationsinoncogenes(genes that control the growth rate of cells) andtumor suppressor genes(genes that help to prevent cancer), which gives cancer cells their malignant characteristics, such as uncontrolled growth.: 93–94 In the broad sense, most chemotherapeutic drugs work by impairingmitosis(cell division), effectively targetingfast-dividing cells. As these drugs cause damage to cells, they are termedcytotoxic. They prevent mitosis by various mechanisms including","including damaging DNA and inhibition of the cellular machinery involved in cell division.One theory as to why these drugs kill cancer cells is that they induce a programmed form of cell death known asapoptosis. As chemotherapy affects cell division, tumors with highgrowth rates(such asacute myelogenous leukemiaand the aggressivelymphomas, includingHodgkin's disease) are more sensitive to chemotherapy, as a larger proportion of the targeted cells are undergoingcell divisionat any time. Malignancies with slower growth rates, such as indolent lymphomas, tend to respond to chemotherapy much more modestly.Heterogeneic tumoursmay also display varying sensitivities to chemotherapy agents, depending on the subclonal populations within the tumor. Cells from theimmune systemalso make crucial contributions to the antitumor effects of chemotherapy.For example, the chemotherapeutic drugsoxaliplatinandcyclophosphamidecan cause tumor cells to die in a way that is detectable by the immune system (calledimmunogenic cell","cell death), which mobilizes immune cells with antitumor functions.Chemotherapeutic drugs that cause cancer immunogenic tumor cell death can make unresponsive tumors sensitive toimmune checkpointtherapy. Other uses Some chemotherapy drugs are used in diseases other than cancer, such as in autoimmune disorders,and noncancerousplasma cell dyscrasia. In some cases they are often used at lower doses, which means that the side effects are minimized,while in other cases doses similar to ones used to treat cancer are used.Methotrexateis used in the treatment ofrheumatoid arthritis(RA),psoriasis,ankylosing spondylitisandmultiple sclerosis.The anti-inflammatory response seen in RA is thought to be due to increases inadenosine, which causesimmunosuppression; effects on immuno-regulatorycyclooxygenase-2 enzyme pathways; reduction in pro-inflammatorycytokines; and anti-proliferative properties.Although methotrexate is used to treat both multiple sclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis, its efficacy in these diseases is","these diseases is still uncertain.Cyclophosphamideis sometimes used to treatlupus nephritis, a common symptom ofsystemic lupus erythematosus.Dexamethasonealong with eitherbortezomibormelphalanis commonly used as a treatment forAL amyloidosis. Recently, bortezomid in combination withcyclophosphamideand dexamethasone has also shown promise as a treatment for AL amyloidosis. Other drugs used to treatmyelomasuch aslenalidomidehave shown promise in treating AL amyloidosis. Chemotherapy drugs are also used inconditioning regimensprior to bone marrow transplant (hematopoietic stem cell transplant). Conditioning regimens are used to suppress the recipient's immune system in order to allow a transplant to engraft. Cyclophosphamide is a common cytotoxic drug used in this manner and is often used in conjunction withtotal body irradiation. Chemotherapeutic drugs may be used at high doses to permanently remove the recipient's bone marrow cells (myeloablative conditioning) or at lower doses that will prevent permanent","prevent permanent bone marrow loss (non-myeloablative and reduced intensity conditioning).When used in non-cancer setting, the treatment is still called \"chemotherapy\", and is often done in the same treatment centers used for people with cancer. Occupational exposure and safe handling In the 1970s, antineoplastic (chemotherapy) drugs were identified as hazardous, and theAmerican Society of Health-System Pharmacists(ASHP) has since then introduced the concept ofhazardous drugsafter publishing a recommendation in 1983 regarding handling hazardous drugs. The adaptation of federal regulations came when the U.S.Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) first released its guidelines in 1986 and then updated them in 1996, 1999, and, most recently, 2006. TheNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) has been conducting an assessment in the workplace since then regarding these drugs. Occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs has been linked to multiple health effects, including","effects, including infertility and possible carcinogenic effects. A few cases have been reported by the NIOSH alert report, such as one in which a female pharmacist was diagnosed with papillary transitional cell carcinoma. Twelve years before the pharmacist was diagnosed with the condition, she had worked for 20 months in a hospital where she was responsible for preparing multiple antineoplastic drugs.The pharmacist did not have any other risk factor for cancer, and therefore, her cancer was attributed to the exposure to the antineoplastic drugs, although a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established in the literature. Another case happened when a malfunction in biosafety cabinetry is believed to have exposed nursing personnel to antineoplastic drugs. Investigations revealed evidence of genotoxic biomarkers two and nine months after that exposure. Routes of exposure Antineoplastic drugs are usually given throughintravenous,intramuscular,intrathecal, orsubcutaneousadministration. In most cases,","In most cases, before the medication is administered to the patient, it needs to be prepared and handled by several workers. Any worker who is involved in handling, preparing, or administering the drugs, or with cleaning objects that have come into contact with antineoplastic drugs, is potentially exposed to hazardous drugs.Health care workers are exposed to drugs in different circumstances, such as when pharmacists and pharmacy technicians prepare and handle antineoplastic drugs and when nurses and physicians administer the drugs to patients. Additionally, those who are responsible for disposing antineoplastic drugs in health care facilities are also at risk of exposure. Dermal exposure is thought to be the main route of exposure due to the fact that significant amounts of the antineoplastic agents have been found in the gloves worn by healthcare workers who prepare, handle, and administer the agents. Another noteworthy route of exposure is inhalation of the drugs' vapors. Multiple studies have investigated","have investigated inhalation as a route of exposure, and although air sampling has not shown any dangerous levels, it is still a potential route of exposure. Ingestion by hand to mouth is a route of exposure that is less likely compared to others because of the enforced hygienic standard in the health institutions. However, it is still a potential route, especially in the workplace, outside of a health institute. One can also be exposed to these hazardous drugs through injection byneedle sticks. Research conducted in this area has established that occupational exposure occurs by examining evidence in multiple urine samples from health care workers. Hazards Hazardous drugs expose health care workers to serious health risks. Many studies show that antineoplastic drugs could have many side effects on the reproductive system, such as fetal loss, congenital malformation, and infertility. Health care workers who are exposed to antineoplastic drugs on many occasions have adverse reproductive outcomes such as","outcomes such as spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and congenital malformations. Moreover, studies have shown that exposure to these drugs leads to menstrual cycle irregularities. Antineoplastic drugs may also increase the risk of learning disabilities among children of health care workers who are exposed to these hazardous substances. Moreover, these drugs havecarcinogeniceffects. In the past five decades, multiple studies have shown the carcinogenic effects of exposure to antineoplastic drugs. Similarly, there have been research studies that linked alkylating agents with humans developing leukemias. Studies have reported elevated risk of breast cancer, nonmelanoma skin cancer, and cancer of the rectum among nurses who are exposed to these drugs. Other investigations revealed that there is a potentialgenotoxiceffect from anti-neoplastic drugs to workers in health care settings. Safe handling in health care settings As of 2018, there were nooccupational exposure limitsset for antineoplastic drugs, i.e.,","drugs, i.e., OSHA or theAmerican Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH) have not set workplace safety guidelines. Preparation NIOSH recommends using aventilated cabinetthat is designed to decrease worker exposure. Additionally, it recommends training of all staff, the use of cabinets, implementing an initial evaluation of the technique of the safety program, and wearing protective gloves and gowns when opening drug packaging, handling vials, or labeling. When wearingpersonal protective equipment, one should inspect gloves for physical defects before use and always wear double gloves and protective gowns. Health care workers are also required to wash their hands with water and soap before and after working with antineoplastic drugs, change gloves every 30 minutes or whenever punctured, and discard them immediately in a chemotherapy waste container. The gowns used should be disposable gowns made of polyethylene-coated polypropylene. When wearing gowns, individuals should make sure that the","make sure that the gowns are closed and have long sleeves. When preparation is done, the final product should be completely sealed in a plastic bag. The health care worker should also wipe all waste containers inside the ventilated cabinet before removing them from the cabinet. Finally, workers should remove all protective wear and put them in a bag for their disposal inside the ventilated cabinet. Administration Drugs should only be administered using protective medical devices such as needle lists and closed systems and techniques such as priming of IV tubing by pharmacy personnel inside a ventilated cabinet. Workers should always wear personal protective equipment such as double gloves, goggles, and protective gowns when opening the outer bag and assembling the delivery system to deliver the drug to the patient, and when disposing of all material used in the administration of the drugs. Hospital workers should never remove tubing from an IV bag that contains an antineoplastic drug, and when disconnecting","when disconnecting the tubing in the system, they should make sure the tubing has been thoroughly flushed. After removing the IV bag, the workers should place it together with other disposable items directly in the yellow chemotherapy waste container with the lid closed. Protective equipment should be removed and put into a disposable chemotherapy waste container. After this has been done, one should double bag the chemotherapy waste before or after removing one's inner gloves. Moreover, one must always wash one's hands with soap and water before leaving the drug administration site. Employee training All employees whose jobs in health care facilities expose them to hazardous drugs must receive training. Training should include shipping and receiving personnel, housekeepers, pharmacists, assistants, and all individuals involved in the transportation and storage of antineoplastic drugs. These individuals should receive information and training to inform them of the hazards of the drugs present in their areas","in their areas of work. They should be informed and trained on operations and procedures in their work areas where they can encounter hazards, different methods used to detect the presence of hazardous drugs and how the hazards are released, and the physical and health hazards of the drugs, including their reproductive and carcinogenic hazard potential. Additionally, they should be informed and trained on the measures they should take to avoid and protect themselves from these hazards. This information ought to be provided when health care workers come into contact with the drugs, that is, perform the initial assignment in a work area with hazardous drugs. Moreover, training should also be provided when new hazards emerge as well as when new drugs, procedures, or equipment are introduced. Housekeeping and waste disposal When performing cleaning and decontaminating the work area where antineoplastic drugs are used, one should make sure that there is sufficient ventilation to prevent the buildup of airborne","buildup of airborne drug concentrations. When cleaning the work surface, hospital workers should use deactivation and cleaning agents before and after each activity as well as at the end of their shifts. Cleaning should always be done using double protective gloves and disposable gowns. After employees finish up cleaning, they should dispose of the items used in the activity in a yellow chemotherapy waste container while still wearing protective gloves. After removing the gloves, they should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water. Anything that comes into contact or has a trace of the antineoplastic drugs, such as needles, empty vials, syringes, gowns, and gloves, should be put in the chemotherapy waste container. Spill control A written policy needs to be in place in case of a spill of antineoplastic products. The policy should address the possibility of various sizes of spills as well as the procedure and personal protective equipment required for each size. A trained worker should handle a large","handle a large spill and always dispose of all cleanup materials in the chemical waste container according to EPA regulations, not in a yellow chemotherapy waste container. Occupational monitoring Amedical surveillanceprogram must be established. In case of exposure, occupational health professionals need to ask for a detailed history and do a thorough physical exam. They should test the urine of the potentially exposed worker by doing aurine dipstickor microscopic examination, mainly looking for blood, as several antineoplastic drugs are known to cause bladder damage. Urinary mutagenicity is a marker of exposure to antineoplastic drugs that was first used by Falck and colleagues in 1979 and uses bacterial mutagenicity assays. Apart from being nonspecific, the test can be influenced by extraneous factors such as dietary intake and smoking and is, therefore, used sparingly. However, the test played a significant role in changing the use of horizontal flow cabinets to vertical flow biological safety cabinets","safety cabinets during the preparation of antineoplastic drugs because the former exposed health care workers to high levels of drugs. This changed the handling of drugs and effectively reduced workers' exposure to antineoplastic drugs. Biomarkers of exposure to antineoplastic drugs commonly include urinaryplatinum,methotrexate, urinarycyclophosphamideandifosfamide, and urinary metabolite of5-fluorouracil. In addition to this, there are other drugs used to measure the drugs directly in the urine, although they are rarely used. A measurement of these drugs directly in one's urine is a sign of high exposure levels and that an uptake of the drugs is happening either through inhalation or dermally. Available agents There is an extensivelist of antineoplastic agents. Several classification schemes have been used to subdivide the medicines used for cancer into several different types. History The first use ofsmall-molecule drugsto treat cancer was in the early 20th century, although the specific chemicals first","chemicals first used were not originally intended for that purpose.Mustard gaswas used as achemical warfareagent duringWorld War Iand was discovered to be a potent suppressor ofhematopoiesis(blood production).A similar family of compounds known asnitrogen mustardswere studied further duringWorld War IIat theYale School of Medicine.It was reasoned that an agent that damaged the rapidly growing white blood cells might have a similar effect on cancer.Therefore, in December 1942, several people with advancedlymphomas(cancers of the lymphatic system and lymph nodes) were given the drug by vein, rather than by breathing the irritating gas.Their improvement, although temporary, was remarkable.Concurrently, during a military operation in World War II, following a Germanair raidon the Italian harbour ofBari, several hundred people were accidentally exposed to mustard gas, which had been transported there by theAllied forcesto prepare for possible retaliation in the event of German use of chemical warfare. The","warfare. The survivors were later found to have very low white blood cell counts.After WWII was over and the reports declassified, the experiences converged and led researchers to look for other substances that might have similar effects against cancer. The first chemotherapy drug to be developed from this line of research wasmustine. Since then, many other drugs have been developed to treat cancer, and drug development has exploded into a multibillion-dollar industry, although the principles and limitations of chemotherapy discovered by the early researchers still apply. The termchemotherapy The wordchemotherapywithout a modifier usually refers to cancer treatment, but its historical meaning was broader. The term was coined in the early 1900s byPaul Ehrlichas meaning any use of chemicals to treat any disease (chemo-+-therapy), such as the use ofantibiotics(antibacterial chemotherapy).Ehrlich was not optimistic that effective chemotherapy drugs would be found for the treatment of cancer.The first modern","first modern chemotherapeutic agent wasarsphenamine, an arsenic compound discovered in 1907 and used to treatsyphilis.This was later followed bysulfonamides(sulfa drugs) andpenicillin. In today'susage, thesense\"any treatment of disease with drugs\" is often expressed with the wordpharmacotherapy. In terms of metaphorical language, 'chemotherapy' can be paralleled with the idea of a 'storm', as both can cause distress but afterwards may have a healing/cleaning effect. Research Targeted delivery vehicles Specially targeted delivery vehicles aim to increase effective levels of chemotherapy for tumor cells while reducing effective levels for other cells. This should result in an increased tumor kill or reduced toxicity or both. Antibody-drug conjugates Antibody-drug conjugates(ADCs) comprise anantibody, drug and a linker between them. The antibody will be targeted at a preferentially expressed protein in the tumour cells (known as atumor antigen) or on cells that the tumor can utilise, such as blood","such as blood vesselendothelial cells. They bind to the tumor antigen and are internalised, where the linker releases the drug into the cell. These specially targeted delivery vehicles vary in their stability, selectivity, and choice of target, but, in essence, they all aim to increase the maximum effective dose that can be delivered to the tumor cells.Reduced systemic toxicity means that they can also be used in people who are sicker and that they can carry new chemotherapeutic agents that would have been far too toxic to deliver via traditional systemic approaches. The first approved drug of this type wasgemtuzumab ozogamicin(Mylotarg), released byWyeth(nowPfizer). The drug was approved to treatacute myeloid leukemia.Two other drugs,trastuzumab emtansineandbrentuximab vedotin, are both in late clinical trials, and the latter has been granted accelerated approval for the treatment ofrefractoryHodgkin's lymphomaand systemicanaplastic large cell lymphoma. Nanoparticles Nanoparticlesare 1–1000nanometer(nm)","1–1000nanometer(nm) sized particles that can promote tumor selectivity and aid in delivering low-solubilitydrugs. Nanoparticles can be targeted passively or actively. Passive targeting exploits the difference between tumor blood vessels and normal blood vessels. Blood vessels in tumors are \"leaky\" because they have gaps from 200 to 2000 nm, which allow nanoparticles to escape into the tumor. Active targeting uses biological molecules (antibodies,proteins,DNAandreceptor ligands) to preferentially target the nanoparticles to the tumor cells. There are many types of nanoparticle delivery systems, such assilica,polymers,liposomesand magnetic particles. Nanoparticles made of magnetic material can also be used to concentrate agents at tumor sites using an externally applied magnetic field.They have emerged as a useful vehicle inmagnetic drug deliveryfor poorly soluble agents such aspaclitaxel. Electrochemotherapy Electrochemotherapy is the combined treatment in which injection of a chemotherapeutic drug is","drug is followed by application of high-voltage electric pulses locally to the tumor. The treatment enables the chemotherapeutic drugs, which otherwise cannot or hardly go through the membrane of cells (such as bleomycin and cisplatin), to enter the cancer cells. Hence, greater effectiveness of antitumor treatment is achieved. Clinical electrochemotherapy has been successfully used for treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors irrespective of their histological origin.The method has been reported as safe, simple and highly effective in all reports on clinical use of electrochemotherapy. According to the ESOPE project (European Standard Operating Procedures of Electrochemotherapy), the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for electrochemotherapy were prepared, based on the experience of the leading European cancer centres on electrochemotherapy.Recently, new electrochemotherapy modalities have been developed for treatment of internal tumors using surgical procedures, endoscopic routes or percutaneous","or percutaneous approaches to gain access to the treatment area. Hyperthermia therapy Hyperthermia therapyis heat treatment for cancer that can be a powerful tool when used in combination with chemotherapy (thermochemotherapy) or radiation for the control of a variety of cancers. The heat can be applied locally to the tumor site, which will dilate blood vessels to the tumor, allowing more chemotherapeutic medication to enter the tumor. Additionally, the tumor cell membrane will become more porous, further allowing more of the chemotherapeutic medicine to enter the tumor cell. Hyperthermia has also been shown to help prevent or reverse \"chemo-resistance.\" Chemotherapy resistance sometimes develops over time as the tumors adapt and can overcome the toxicity of the chemo medication. \"Overcoming chemoresistance has been extensively studied within the past, especially using CDDP-resistant cells. In regard to the potential benefit that drug-resistant cells can be recruited for effective therapy by combining","by combining chemotherapy with hyperthermia, it was important to show that chemoresistance against several anticancer drugs (e.g. mitomycin C, anthracyclines, BCNU, melphalan) including CDDP could be reversed at least partially by the addition of heat. Other animals Chemotherapy is used in veterinary medicine similar to how it is used in human medicine. See also References External links","Mustard gas Mustard gasorsulfur mustardare names commonly used for theorganosulfurchemical compoundbis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide, which has the chemical structure S(CH2CH2Cl)2, as well as other species. In the wider sense, compounds with the substituents−SCH2CH2X or −N(CH2CH2X)2are known assulfur mustardsornitrogen mustards, respectively, where X = Cl or Br. Such compounds are potentalkylating agents, making mustard gas acutely and severely toxic.Mustard gas is acarcinogen.There is no preventative agent against mustard gas, with protection depending entirely on skin and airways protection, and noantidoteexists for mustard poisoning. Also known as mustard agents, this family of compounds comprises infamouscytotoxinsandblister agentswith a long history of use aschemical weapons.The namemustard gasis technically incorrect; the substances, whendispersed, are often not gases but a fine mist of liquid droplets that can be readily absorbed through the skin and by inhalation.The skin can be affected by contact with","by contact with either the liquid or vapor. The rate of penetration into skin is proportional to dose, temperature and humidity. Sulfur mustards are viscous liquids at room temperature and have an odor resemblingmustard plants,garlic, orhorseradish, hence the name.When pure, they are colorless, but when used in impure forms, such as in warfare, they are usuallyyellow-brown. Mustard gases formblisterson exposed skin and in the lungs, often resulting in prolonged illness ending in death. History as chemical weapons Sulfur mustard is a type of chemical warfare agent.As a chemical weapon, mustard gas was first used inWorld War I, and has been used in several armed conflicts since then, including theIran–Iraq War, resulting in more than 100,000 casualties.Sulfur-based andnitrogen-basedmustard agents are regulated underSchedule 1of the 1993Chemical Weapons Convention, as substances with few uses other than inchemical warfare.Mustard agents can be deployed by means ofartillery shells,aerial bombs,rockets, or by","or by spraying from aircraft. Adverse health effects Mustard gases have powerfulblisteringeffects on victims. They are alsocarcinogenicandmutagenicalkylating agents.Their highlipophilicityaccelerates their absorption into the body.Because mustard agents often do not elicit immediate symptoms, contaminated areas may appear normal.Within 24 hours of exposure, victims experience intenseitchingand skin irritation. If this irritation goes untreated, blisters filled withpuscan form wherever the agent contacted the skin.Aschemical burns, these are severely debilitating. If the victim's eyes were exposed, then they become sore, starting withconjunctivitis(also known as pink eye), after which the eyelids swell, resulting in temporary blindness. Extreme ocular exposure to mustard gas vapors may result incorneal ulceration, anterior chamber scarring, andneovascularization.In these severe and infrequent cases,corneal transplantationhas been used as a treatment option.Miosis, when the pupil constricts more than usual,","more than usual, may also occur, which may be the result of the cholinomimetic activity of mustard.If inhaled in high concentrations, mustard agents cause bleeding and blistering within therespiratory system, damagingmucous membranesand causingpulmonary edema.Depending on the level of contamination, mustard agent burns can vary betweenfirstandsecond degree burns. They can also be as severe, disfiguring, and dangerous asthird degree burns. Some 80% of sulfur mustard in contact with the skin evaporates, while 10% stays in the skin and 10% is absorbed and circulated in the blood. The carcinogenic and mutagenic effects of exposure to mustard gas increase the risk of developingcancerlater in life.In a study of patients 25 years after wartime exposure to chemical weaponry, c-DNA microarray profiling indicated that 122 genes were significantly mutated in the lungs and airways of mustard gas victims. Those genes all correspond to functions commonly affected by mustard gas exposure, includingapoptosis, inflammation,","inflammation, and stress responses.The long-term ocular complications include burning, tearing, itching,photophobia,presbyopia, pain, and foreign-body sensations. Medical management In a rinse-wipe-rinse sequence, skin is decontaminated of mustard gas by washing with liquid soap and water, or an absorbent powder.The eyes should be thoroughly rinsed using saline or clean water. A topical analgesic is used to relieve skin pain during decontamination. The blistering effects of mustard gas can be neutralized by decontamination solutions such as \"DS2\" (2%NaOH, 70%diethylenetriamine, 28%2-methoxyethanol).For skin lesions, topical treatments, such ascalamine lotion, steroids, and oralantihistaminesare used to relieve itching.Larger blisters are irrigated repeatedly with saline or soapy water, then treated with an antibiotic and petroleum gauze. Mustard agent burns do not heal quickly and (as with other types of burns) present a risk ofsepsiscaused bypathogenssuch asStaphylococcus aureusandPseudomonas aeruginosa.","aeruginosa. The mechanisms behind mustard gas's effect on endothelial cells are still being studied, but recent studies have shown that high levels of exposure can induce high rates of bothnecrosisandapoptosis. In vitro tests have shown that at low concentrations of mustard gas, where apoptosis is the predominant result of exposure, pretreatment with 50 mMN-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC) was able to decrease the rate of apoptosis. NAC protectsactinfilaments from reorganization by mustard gas, demonstrating that actin filaments play a large role in the severe burns observed in victims. A British nurse treating soldiers with mustard agent burns duringWorld War Icommented: They cannot be bandaged or touched. We cover them with a tent of propped-up sheets. Gas burns must be agonizing because usually the other cases do not complain, even with the worst wounds, but gas cases are invariably beyond endurance and they cannot help crying out. Mechanism of cellular toxicity Sulfur mustards readily eliminatechlorideions by","by intramolecularnucleophilic substitutionto form cyclicsulfoniumions. These very reactive intermediates tend to permanentlyalkylatenucleotidesinDNAstrands, which can prevent cellular division, leading toprogrammed cell death.Alternatively, if cell death is not immediate, the damaged DNA can lead to the development of cancer.Oxidative stresswould be another pathology involved in mustard gas toxicity. In the wider sense, compounds with the structural element BC2H4X, where X is anyleaving groupand B is aLewis base, are known asmustards.Such compounds can form cyclic\"onium\" ions(sulfonium,ammonium, etc.) that are goodalkylating agents. Other such compounds are bis(2-haloethyl)ethers (oxygen mustards), the (2-haloethyl)amines (nitrogen mustards), andsesquimustard, which has two α-chloroethyl thioether groups (ClC2H4S−) connected by an ethylene bridge (−C2H4−).These compounds have a similar ability to alkylate DNA, but their physical properties vary. Formulations In its history, various types and mixtures of","and mixtures of mustard gas have been employed. These include: Commonly-stockpiled mustard agents (class) History Development Mustard gases were possibly developed as early as 1822 byCésar-Mansuète Despretz(1798–1863).Despretz described the reaction ofsulfur dichlorideandethylenebut never made mention of any irritating properties of the reaction product. In 1854, another French chemist, Alfred Riche (1829–1908), repeated this procedure, also without describing any adverse physiological properties. In 1860, the British scientistFrederick Guthriesynthesized and characterized the mustard agent compound and noted its irritating properties, especially in tasting.Also in 1860, chemistAlbert Niemann, known as a pioneer incocainechemistry, repeated the reaction, and recorded blister-forming properties. In 1886,Viktor Meyerpublished a paper describing a synthesis that produced good yields. He combined2-chloroethanolwithaqueouspotassium sulfide, and then treated the resultingthiodiglycolwithphosphorus trichloride. The","trichloride. The purity of this compound was much higher and consequently the adverse health effects upon exposure were much more severe. These symptoms presented themselves in his assistant, and in order to rule out the possibility that his assistant was suffering from a mental illness (psychosomatic symptoms), Meyer had this compound tested on laboratoryrabbits, most of which died. In 1913, the English chemistHans Thacher Clarke(known for theEschweiler-Clarke reaction) replaced the phosphorus trichloride withhydrochloric acidin Meyer's formulation while working withEmil FischerinBerlin. Clarke was hospitalized for two months for burns after one of his flasks broke. According to Meyer, Fischer's report on this accident to theGerman Chemical Societysent theGerman Empireon the road to chemical weapons. Mustard gas can have the effect of turning a patient's skin different colors, including shades of red, orange, pink, and in unusual cases, blue. TheGerman EmpireduringWorld War Irelied on the Meyer-Clarke","on the Meyer-Clarke method because2-chloroethanolwas readily available from the German dye industry of that time. Use Mustard gas was firstused in World War Iby the German army against British and Canadian soldiers nearYpres, Belgium, on July 12, 1917.Later also against theFrench Second Army.Yperiteis \"a name used by the French, because the compound was first used at Ypres.\"The Allies did not use mustard gas until November 1917 atCambrai, France, after the armies had captured a stockpile of German mustard shells. It took the British more than a year to develop their own mustard agent weapon, with production of the chemicals centred onAvonmouth Docks(the only option available to the British was the Despretz–Niemann–Guthrie process).This was used first in September 1918 during the breaking of theHindenburg Line. Mustard gas was originally assigned the name LOST, after the scientists Wilhelm Lommel andWilhelm Steinkopf, who developed a method of large-scale production for theImperial German Armyin 1916. Mustard","1916. Mustard gas was dispersed as anaerosolin a mixture with other chemicals, giving it a yellow-brown color. Mustard agent has also been dispersed in such munitions asaerial bombs,land mines,mortar rounds,artillery shells, androckets.Exposure to mustard agent was lethal in about 1% of cases. Its effectiveness was as anincapacitating agent. The early countermeasures against mustard agent were relatively ineffective, since a soldier wearing agas maskwas not protected against absorbing it through his skin and being blistered. A common countermeasure was using a urine-soaked mask or facecloth to prevent or reduce injury, a readily available remedy attested by soldiers in documentaries (e.g.They Shall Not Grow Oldin 2018) and others (such as forward aid nurses) interviewed between 1947 and 1981 by the British Broadcasting Corporation for various World War One history programs; however, the effectiveness of this measure is unclear. Mustard gas can remain in the ground for weeks, and it continues to cause ill","to cause ill effects. If mustard agent contaminates one's clothing and equipment while cold, then other people with whom they share an enclosed space could become poisoned as contaminated items warm up enough material to become an airborne toxic agent. An example of this was depicted in a British and Canadian documentary about life in the trenches, particularly once the \"sousterrain\" (subways and berthing areas underground) were completed in Belgium and France. Towards the end of World War I, mustard agent was used in high concentrations as anarea-denial weaponthat forced troops to abandon heavily contaminated areas. Since World War I, mustard gas has been used in several wars and other conflicts, usually against people who cannot retaliate in kind: The use of toxic gases or other chemicals, including mustard gas, during warfare is known aschemical warfare, and this kind of warfare was prohibited by theGeneva Protocol of 1925, and also by the laterChemical Weapons Convention of 1993. The latter agreement","latter agreement also prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and sale of such weapons. In September 2012, a US official stated that the rebel militant groupISISwas manufacturing and using mustard gas in Syria and Iraq, which was allegedly confirmed by the group's head of chemical weapons development, Sleiman Daoud al-Afari, who has since been captured. Development of the first chemotherapy drug As early as 1919 it was known that mustard agent was a suppressor ofhematopoiesis.In addition, autopsies performed on 75 soldiers who had died of mustard agent duringWorld War Iwere done by researchers from theUniversity of Pennsylvaniawho reported decreased counts ofwhite blood cells.This led the American Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) to finance the biology and chemistry departments atYale Universityto conduct research on the use of chemical warfare during World War II. As a part of this effort, the group investigatednitrogen mustardas a therapy forHodgkin's lymphomaand other types","other types oflymphomaandleukemia, and this compound was tried out on its first human patient in December 1942. The results of this study were not published until 1946, when they were declassified.In a parallel track, after theair raid on Bariin December 1943, the doctors of the U.S. Army noted that white blood cell counts were reduced in their patients. Some years after World War II was over, the incident in Bari and the work of the Yale University group with nitrogen mustard converged, and this prompted a search for other similarchemical compounds. Due to its use in previous studies, the nitrogen mustard called \"HN2\" became the first cancerchemotherapydrug,chlormethine(also known as mechlorethamine, mustine) to be used. Chlormethine and other mustard gas molecules are still used to this day as an chemotherapy agent albeit they have largely been replaced with more safe chemotherapy drugs likecisplatinandcarboplatin. Disposal In the United States, storage and incineration of mustard gas and other chemical","and other chemical weapons were carried out by the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency.Disposal projects at the two remaining American chemical weapons sites were carried out nearRichmond, Kentucky, andPueblo, Colorado. Although not yet declassified,toxicology specialists who dealt with the accidental puncturing of World War I gas stockpiles add that Air Force bases in Colorado have been made available to assist veterans of the 2003 American war with Iraq in which many Marines were exposed to gas as caches of up to 25,000 lb (11,000 kg).The United Nations definition of a weapon of mass destruction for mustard gas is 30,000 lb (14,000 kg), typically the Marines and other coalition allies discovered caches of 25,000 pounds (11,000 kg) located across a road from 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) caches as multiple memoirs attest. These were discovered by the assistance of host country allies, or through leaks affecting personnel in an area with a weapon and gas cache called anASP. New detection techniques are being","are being developed in order to detect the presence of mustard gas and its metabolites. The technology is portable and detects small quantities of the hazardous waste and its oxidized products, which are notorious for harming unsuspecting civilians. Theimmunochromatographicassay would eliminate the need for expensive, time-consuming lab tests and enable easy-to-read tests to protect civilians from sulfur-mustard dumping sites. In 1946, 10,000 drums of mustard gas (2,800 tonnes) stored at the production facility of Stormont Chemicals inCornwall, Ontario, Canada, were loaded onto 187 boxcars for the 900 miles (1,400 km) journey to be buried at sea on board a 400 foot (120 m) long barge 40 miles (64 km) south ofSable Island, southeast ofHalifax, at a depth of 600 fathoms (1,100 m). The dump location is 42 degrees, 50 minutes north by 60 degrees, 12 minutes west. A large British stockpile of old mustard agent that had been made and stored since World War I atM. S. Factory, ValleynearRhydymwyninFlintshire, Wales,","Wales, was destroyed in 1958. Most of the mustard gas found in Germany afterWorld War IIwas dumped into theBaltic Sea. Between 1966 and 2002, fishermen have found about 700 chemical weapons in the region ofBornholm, most of which contain mustard gas. One of the more frequently dumped weapons was \"Sprühbüchse 37\" (SprüBü37, Spray Can 37, 1937 being the year of its fielding with the German Army). These weapons contain mustard gas mixed with athickener, which gives it a tar-like viscosity. When the content of the SprüBü37 comes in contact with water, only the mustard gas in the outer layers of the lumps of viscous mustardhydrolyzes, leaving behind amber-colored residues that still contain most of the active mustard gas. On mechanically breaking these lumps (e.g., with the drag board of a fishing net or by the human hand) the enclosed mustard gas is still as active as it had been at the time the weapon was dumped. These lumps, when washed ashore, can be mistaken for amber, which can lead to severe health","to severe health problems.Artillery shellscontaining mustard gas and other toxic ammunition from World War I (as well as conventional explosives) can still be found in France and Belgium. These were formerly disposed of by explosion undersea, but since the current environmental regulations prohibit this, theFrench governmentis building an automated factory to dispose of the accumulation of chemical shells. In 1972, theU.S. Congressbanned the practice of disposing of chemical weapons into the ocean by the United States. 29,000 tons of nerve and mustard agents had already been dumped into the ocean off the United States by theU.S. Army. According to a report created in 1998 by William Brankowitz, a deputy project manager in theU.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency, the army created at least 26 chemical weapons dumping sites in the ocean offshore from at least 11 states on both theEast Coastand theWest Coast(inOperation CHASE,Operation Geranium, etc.). In addition, due to poor recordkeeping, about one-half of the","one-half of the sites have only their rough locations known. In June 1997, India declared its stock of chemical weapons of 1,044 tonnes (1,151 short tons) of mustard gas.By the end of 2006, India had destroyed more than 75 percent of its chemical weapons/material stockpile and was granted extension for destroying the remaining stocks by April 2009 and was expected to achieve 100 percent destruction within that time frame.India informed the United Nations in May 2009 that it had destroyed its stockpile of chemical weapons in compliance with the international Chemical Weapons Convention. With this India has become the third country after South Korea and Albania to do so.This was cross-checked by inspectors of the United Nations. Producing or stockpiling mustard gas is prohibited by theChemical Weapons Convention. When the convention entered force in 1997, the parties declared worldwide stockpiles of 17,440 tonnes of mustard gas. As of December 2015, 86% of these stockpiles had been destroyed. A significant","A significant portion of the United States' mustard agentstockpilewas stored at the Edgewood Area ofAberdeen Proving GroundinMaryland. Approximately 1,621 tons of mustard agents were stored in one-ton containers on the base under heavy guard. A chemical neutralization plant was built on the proving ground and neutralized the last of this stockpile in February 2005. This stockpile had priority because of the potential for quick reduction of risk to the community. The nearest schools were fitted with overpressurization machinery to protect the students and faculty in the event of a catastrophic explosion and fire at the site. These projects, as well as planning, equipment, and training assistance, were provided to the surrounding community as a part of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP), a joint program of the Army and theFederal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA).Unexploded shells containing mustard gases and other chemical agents are still present in several test ranges in proximity","ranges in proximity to schools in the Edgewood area, but the smaller amounts of poison gas (4 to 14 pounds (1.8 to 6.4 kg)) present considerably lower risks. These remnants are being detected and excavated systematically for disposal. The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency oversaw disposal of several other chemical weapons stockpiles located across the United States in compliance with international chemical weapons treaties. These include the complete incineration of the chemical weapons stockpiled inAlabama,Arkansas,Indiana, andOregon. Earlier, this agency had also completed destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile located onJohnston Atolllocated south ofHawaiiin thePacific Ocean.The largest mustard agent stockpile, at approximately 6,200short tons, was stored at theDeseret Chemical Depotin northernUtah. The incineration of this stockpile began in 2006. In May 2011, the last of the mustard agents in the stockpile were incinerated at the Deseret Chemical Depot, and the last artillery shells containing","shells containing mustard gas were incinerated in January 2012. In 2008, many emptyaerial bombsthat contained mustard gas were found in an excavation at theMarrangaroo Army Basejust west of Sydney, Australia.In 2009, a mining survey nearChinchilla, Queensland, uncovered 144 105-millimeterhowitzershells, some containing \"Mustard H\", that had been buried by the U.S. Army during World War II. In 2014, a collection of 200 bombs was found near theFlemishvillages ofPassendaleandMoorslede. The majority of the bombs were filled with mustard agents. The bombs were left over from the German army and were meant to be used in theBattle of Passchendaelein World War I. It was the largest collection of chemical weapons ever found in Belgium. A large amount of chemical weapons, including mustard gas, was found in a neighborhood ofWashington, D.C.The cleanup was completed in 2021. Post-war accidental exposure In 2002, an archaeologist at the Presidio Trust archaeology lab in San Francisco was exposed to mustard gas, which","mustard gas, which had been dug up at thePresidio of San Francisco, a former military base. In 2010, a clamming boat pulled up some oldartilleryshells of World War I from theAtlantic Oceansouth ofLong Island, New York. Multiple fishermen suffered from blistering and respiratory irritation severe enough to require hospitalization. WWII-era tests on men From 1943 to 1944, mustard agent experiments were performed on Australian service volunteers in tropicalQueensland, Australia, byRoyal Australian Engineers,British Armyand American experimenters, resulting in some severe injuries. One test site, theBrook Islands National Park, was chosen to simulate Pacific islands held by theImperial Japanese Army.These experiments were the subject of the documentary filmKeen as Mustard. The United States tested sulfur mustards and other chemical agents includingnitrogen mustardsandlewisiteon up to 60,000 servicemen during and after WWII. The experiments were classified secret and as withAgent Orange, claims for medical care","for medical care and compensation were routinely denied, even after the WWII-era tests were declassified in 1993. TheDepartment of Veterans Affairsstated that it would contact 4,000 surviving test subjects but failed to do so, eventually only contacting 600. Skin cancer, severe eczema, leukemia, and chronic breathing problems plagued the test subjects, some of whom were as young as 19 at the time of the tests, until their deaths, but even those who had previously filed claims with the VA went without compensation. African American servicemenwere tested alongside white men in separate trials to determine whether their skin color would afford them a degree of immunity to the agents, andNiseiservicemen, some of whom had joined after their release fromJapanese American Internment Campswere tested to determine susceptibility ofJapanese military personnelto these agents. These tests also includedPuerto Ricansubjects. Detection in biological fluids Concentrations of thiodiglycol in urine have been used to confirm a","used to confirm a diagnosis of chemical poisoning in hospitalized victims. The presence in urine of 1,1'-sulfonylbismethylthioethane (SBMTE), a conjugation product with glutathione, is considered a more specific marker, since this metabolite is not found in specimens from unexposed persons. In one case, intact mustard gas was detected in postmortem fluids and tissues of a man who died one week post-exposure. See also References Notes Further reading External links"],"string":"[\n \"Mayor Max II Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II(May 6, 2013 – July 30, 2022) was agolden retrieverdog who served as the second unofficial mayor of Idyllwild, part of thecensus-designated placeofIdyllwild–Pine Cove, California. His deputy mayors, Mitzi and Mikey, were his cousins.After his death Mayor Max II was succeeded by his cousin Max III, who was sworn in on December 10, 2022. Mayorality In 2012, the non-profit organization Idyllwild Animal Rescue Friends (ARF) hosted an \\\"election\\\" for mayor of Idyllwild (which, as part of an unincorporated community, has no local government) as part of a fundraising event for the organization. Fourteen dogs and two cats ran, and Max, aGolden Retriever, was elected as Idyllwild's first mayor. On April 2, 2013, Mayor Max died, and Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II, another Golden Retriever, arrived in Idyllwild on July 21 to complete the remainder of the term.In March 2014, as the end of Max's term approached, ARF solicited the town's interest in holding another election. The\",\n \"election. The people overwhelmingly pled for Mayor Max's continuation in perpetuity. Mayor Max was recognized by theCounty of Riverside, California.The Mayor's duties included visiting with locals and out-of-town visitors, attending business grand openings and other town functions, participating in the town's two annual parades, and promoting Idyllwild.Max's popularity had spread the world over, and he has represented the town through appearances on news programs, talk shows, advertisements, billboards, and a game show. Death Mayor Max died in the city ofTemeculaon July 30, 2022, after suffering a brief medical issue.He was succeeded byMayor Max III, who formally took office on December 10, 2022. See also References External links\",\n \"Golden Retriever TheGolden Retrieveris a Scottishbreedofretrieverdog of medium size. It is characterised by a gentle and affectionate nature and a striking golden coat. It is a working dog, and registration is subject to successful completion of a working trial.It is commonly kept as apetand is among the most frequently registered breeds in several Western countries; some may compete indog showsorobedience trials, or work as aguide dog. The Golden Retriever was bred bySir Dudley Marjoribanksat his Scottish estateGuisachanin the late nineteenth century. Hecross-bredFlat-coated RetrieverswithTweed Water Spaniels, with some further infusions ofRed Setter,Labrador RetrieverandBloodhound. It was recognised by theKennel Clubin 1913, and during theinterwar periodspread to many parts of the world. History The Golden Retriever was developed in Scotland in the nineteenth century bySir Dudley Marjoribanks(later to becomeBaron Tweedmouth) fromFlat-coated Retrieversjudiciously crossed withTweed Water Spanielsand some\",\n \"Spanielsand some other British dog breeds.Prior to the 1952 publication of the very detailed stud book which had been meticulously maintained by Marjoribanks, a number of romantic tales were published about the origins of the breed. In the 1860s Marjoribanks set out to create what to his mind was the ultimate breed of retriever at his Scottish estateGuisachan.He started by acquiring a yellow-coloured Flat-coated Retriever dog called Nous;Nous had beenwhelpedin June 1864 and was the only yellow pup in an otherwise all black-colouredlitter.Whilst uncommon, occasionally liver, brown, golden or yellow-coloured purebred Flat-coated Retriever pups are whelped to matings of two black parents.It is the pedigree of Nous that was the source for the romantic tales of the heritage of the Golden Retriever.One early account claimed Nous was purchased from a Russian circus trainer inBrighton, another claimed he was bought from a cobbler, and yet another claimed a gypsy.The stud book states that Nous was a Flat-coated\",\n \"was a Flat-coated Retriever bred byLord Chichesteron hisStanmer Parkestate near Brighton. In 1868 Nous was mated to a Tweed Water Spaniel bitch named Belle, who is recorded in the stud book as being whelped in 1863 and being of \\\"Ladykirk breeding\\\".The litter from this mating consisted of four yellow pups, Primrose, Ada, Cowslip and Crocus.The best bitch from this litter, Cowslip, was mated to a Tweed Water Spaniel called Tweed with the mating producing a bitch pup called Topsy.Cowslip was subsequently mated to aRed Settercalled Sampson; that mating produced a dog pup called Jack.Topsy was mated with a black Flat-coated Retriever called Sambo and a bitch pup from that litter, Zoe, was mated back to Jack and two pups from that mating were retained, a dog called Nous II and a bitch called Gill.Gill was mated to a blackLabrador Retrievercalled Tracer, and a bitch pup from that mating, Queenie, was mated back to Nous II; all Golden Retrievers descend from this mating.The progeny from these various matings varied\",\n \"matings varied in colour from pure black to light cream, but it was the golden-coloured ones that were retained and mated to each other, forming the foundation stock of the Golden Retriever breed.Marjoribanks is also known to have used a sandy-colouredBloodhoundand another Labrador in subsequent years of the breeding programme. In 1952 Marjoribanks's great-nephew,Giles Fox-Strangways, 6th Earl of Ilchester, teamed up with Elma Stonex and together they studied Marjoribanks's stud book.In 1960 their research was published, presenting all of the evidence required to counter all tales of Russian ancestry.The stud book, which covers the period from 1868 to 1890, is preserved in the library ofthe Kennel ClubinLondon.In the early days Golden Retrievers were called the 'Flat-coated Retriever, Golden',Initially the Golden Retriever was considered a colour variety of the former breed.In 1903the Kennel Clubrecorded the first examples, listing them in the same register as Flat-coats.In 1904 a Golden Retriever won afield\",\n \"won afield trialand in 1908 the first examples were exhibited atconformation shows.In 1911 a breed club was formed for the breed in England, the Golden Retriever Club, and they were given a new name, the 'Yellow or Golden Retriever'; from this point they were increasingly seen as a separate breed from the Flat-coated Retriever.It was not until 1913 that the Kennel Club began recording them on a separate breed register from the Flat-coated Retriever and in 1920 the 'Yellow or' was dropped from the breed name and they were officially called the 'Golden Retriever'. One early twentieth century enthusiast of the breed, Winifred Charlesworth, was instrumental in the establishment of the breed club as well as its separate Kennel Club recognition.It was she who drew up the first breed standard, which was adopted by the Kennel Club and with only minor amendments and remains largely unchanged.She bred and exhibited the first Golden RetrieverShow Champion, was a strong advocate for maintaining the working instincts of\",\n \"instincts of the breed, and she is credited with popularising it at field trials and introducing it to shooting sportsmen. In the years after theFirst World Warits popularity increased markedly and in the 1920s and 1930s it spread through much of the Western world.TheCanadian Kennel Clubrecognised the breed in 1927, theAmerican Kennel Clubin 1932; the first examples were registered in France in 1934 and Australia in 1937.The worldwide popularity of the breed meant it did not suffer the misfortunes many British dog breeds did during theSecond World Wardue to British wartime restrictions on the breeding of larger dogs, with ample quality breeding stock available globally to ensure none of its characteristics were lost. Since the 1940s its popularity has continued to grow, and it has become one of the most recognised and most frequently registered dog breeds in the Western world. Description Appearance The Golden Retriever is a powerfully built, medium-sized breed of dog; according to the Kennel Clubbreed\",\n \"Kennel Clubbreed standard, dogs stand from 56 to 61 centimetres (22 to 24 in) and bitches from 51 to 56 centimetres (20 to 22 in).Healthy adult examples typically weigh between 25 and 34 kilograms (55 and 75 lb). The Golden Retriever has a broad head with a well-definedstop, with dark eyes set well apart, a wide and powerful muzzle, a large black nose, dark-pigmented and slightly droopingflews, and ears of moderate size set high and hanging with a slight fold.The neck is muscular and fairly long with loose-fitting skin, the shoulders well laid-back and long-bladed, and the body deep through the chest with well-sprung ribs.The back is usually level fromwitherstocroupand the long, straight tail is usually carried flat, roughly in line with the back.The forelegs are straight with good bone, the hind legs are powerful with well bentstiflesand muscular thighs, and the feet are cat-like. Thedouble coatis a recognisable and striking feature:the outer coat is long, flat or wavy and has good feathering on the\",\n \"feathering on the forelegs, while the undercoat is dense and provides weather resistance.The coat can be any shade of cream, yellow or gold; the coat typically becomes paler with age.The Kennel Club breed standard prohibits red or mahogany-coloured coats, but a few white hairs on the chest are permitted.Originally only yellow or golden coloured examples were permitted, this excluded many outstanding cream coloured dogs; to overcome this in 1936 the Kennel Club's standard was amended to include the cream colour.The cream colour, which in more modern times can be almost white, has become the dominant colour and is particularly favoured byconformation showexhibitors.Golden Retrievers that are bred forconformation showstend to have longer and finer coats than those bred for working as gundogs. The Kennel Club breed standard is accepted by everykennel clubin the world except those of Canada and the United States.Breed standards in North America call for a slightly taller dogand the cream colour is not permitted.\",\n \"is not permitted. Temperament The Golden Retriever is considered an intelligent, gentle natured and very affectionate breed of dog.As is typical withretrieverbreeds, the breed is generally calm and biddable, being very easy to train and extremely keen to please their master.The breed is known to make excellent pets and family dogs, being generally extremely tolerant of children and keen to accompany any member of the family in a range of activities.Due to their affable natures, the breed is often completely devoid of guarding instincts.However, there have also been reports of some very aggressive Golden Retrievers in certain lineages. It has been suggested that these variations in aggression are partially caused by genetic factors. The breed usually retains many of their gundog traits and instincts including an excellent sense of smell and a strong instinct to retrieve; even among those not trained as gundogs it is typical for Golden Retrievers to present their owners with toys or other objects.Compared to\",\n \"objects.Compared to other retriever breeds the Golden Retriever is typically quite slow to mature. Use The Golden Retriever is one of the most commonly kept breeds ofcompanion dogin the Western world, and is often among the top ten dog breeds by number of registrations in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada.It is a frequent competitor atdog shows; separate show lines of the breed have been developed.The dogs can be trained asguide dogsandtherapy dogs,and may compete inobedience trialsand otherdog sports. The Golden Retriever is still used as agundogby sportsmen, both as a hunting companion in the field and for competing infield trials.It is used more for retrieval of land-based gamebirds such asgrouseandpartridgethan for wildfowl hunting.Those used as gundogs are usually from working lines specifically bred for field use; dogs from pet or show lines are rarely suitable.A Golden Retriever with a traditional dense double coat is well suited to working in cold and wet conditions, as the\",\n \"conditions, as the coat provides water resistance and insulation.Compared to other retriever breeds, the Golden Retriever is not a strong swimmer; its long coat causes it to sit low in the water when swimming. The Golden Retriever is much less commonly used by sportsmen as a hunting companion than theLabrador Retriever.One reason is that the breed is generally quite slow to mature, particularly compared to the Labrador; often when a Golden Retriever is still in basic training a Labrador of the same age has already completed a season of hunting.Another is its long coat, which requires more maintenance and grooming than that of the Labrador, particularly after working in muddy conditions or close cover, as their long hair is more prone to picking up dirt and burrs.More Golden Retrievers are bred as pets or for the show ring than for hunting, so it can be hard for sportsmen to find pups bred from proven working lines. Health A 2024 UK study found a life expectancy of 13.2 years for the breed compared to an\",\n \"compared to an average of 12.7 for purebreeds and 12 forcrossbreeds.A 2024 Italian study found a life expectancy of 10 years for the breed compared to 10 years overall.A 2005 Swedish study found 22% of Golden Retrievers died by the age of 10, less than the overall rate of 35% of dogs dying by the age of 10. The breed is unusually prone to cancer, with one United States study finding cancer to be the cause of death in approximately 50% of the population, the second highest in the study. Several European studies found a much lower prevalence (20–39%), which may reflect the significant genetic divergence between the American and European populations. They are especially prone tohemangiosarcomaandlymphoma, with an estimated lifetime risk of one in five for the former and one in eight for the latter. The high prevalence of cancer deaths among Golden Retrievers may partly represent a lack of other congenital diseases.One UK study found the risk ofmetastaticneoplasiain the breed to be 4.86 times higher than other\",\n \"higher than other dogs. The Golden Retriever has a genetic predisposition toprimary hypothyroidism; a review of 5 different studies found Golden Retrievers to make up 17% of cases. Notable Golden Retrievers Explanatory notes References Further reading\",\n \"Hemangiosarcoma Hemangiosarcomais a rapidly growing, highly invasive variety ofcancerthat occurs almost exclusively in dogs, and only rarely in cats, horses, mice,or humans (vinyl chloridetoxicity). It is asarcomaarising from the lining of blood vessels; that is, blood-filled channels and spaces are commonly observed microscopically. A frequent cause of death is the rupturing of this tumor, causing the patient to rapidly bleed to death. The term \\\"angiosarcoma\\\", when used without a modifier, usually refers to hemangiosarcoma.However,glomangiosarcoma(8710/3) andlymphangiosarcoma(9170/3) are distinct conditions (in humans). Dogs Hemangiosarcoma is quite common indogs, and more so in certain breeds includingGerman ShepherdsandGolden Retrievers.It also occurs incats, but much more rarely. Dogs with hemangiosarcoma rarely show clinical signs until the tumor has become very large and hasmetastasized. Typically, clinical signs are due tohypovolemiaafter the tumor ruptures, causing extensive bleeding. Owners of the\",\n \"Owners of the affected dogs often discover that the dog has hemangiosarcoma only after the dog collapses. The tumor most often appears on thespleen, rightheartbase, orliver, although varieties also appear on or under the skin or in other locations. It is the most common tumor of the heart, and occurs in theright atriumorright auricular appendage. Here it can cause right-sidedheart failure,arrhythmias,pericardial effusion, andcardiac tamponade. Hemangiosarcoma of the spleen orliveris the most common tumor to causehemorrhagein theabdomen.Hemorrhage secondary to splenic and hepatic tumors can also cause ventriculararrhythmias. Hemangiosarcoma of theskinusually appears as a small red or bluish-black lump. It can also occur under the skin. It is suspected that in the skin, hemangiosarcoma is caused bysunexposure.Occasionally, hemangiosarcoma of the skin can be a metastasis from visceral hemangiosarcoma. Other sites the tumor may occur includebone,kidneys, thebladder,muscle, themouth, and thecentral nervous\",\n \"thecentral nervous system. Clinical features Presenting complaints and clinical signs are usually related to the site of origin of the primary tumor or to the presence of metastases, spontaneous tumor rupture, coagulopathies, or cardiac arrhythmias. More than 50% of patients are presented because of acute collapse after spontaneous rupture of the primary tumor or its metastases. Some episodes of collapse are a result of ventricular arrhythmias, which are relatively common in dogs with splenic or cardiac HSA. Most common clinical signs of visceral hemangiosarcoma include loss of appetite,arrhythmias, weight loss, weakness, lethargy, collapse, palemucous membranes, and/or sudden death. An enlarged abdomen is often seen due to hemorrhage. Metastasis is most commonly to the liver,omentum,lungs, orbrain. A retrospective study published in 1999 by Ware, et al., found a five times greater risk of cardiac hemangiosarcoma in spayed vs. intact female dogs and a 2.4 times greater risk of hemangiosarcoma in neutered\",\n \"in neutered dogs as compared to intact males.The validity of this study is in dispute. Clinicopathologic findings Hemangiosarcoma can cause a wide variety of hematologic and hemostatic abnormalities, includinganemia, thrombocytopenia(lowplateletcount),disseminated intravascular coagulation(DIC); presence of nRBC, schistocytes, and acanthocytes in the blood smear; and leukocytosis with neutrophilia, left shift, and monocytosis. Diagnosis A definitive diagnosis requires biopsy and histopathology. Cytologic aspirates may be inconclusive with studies reporting various specificity, and negative results may not correlate with absence of disease, as one study concludes \\\"cytological diagnosis of splenic neoplasia is reliable, but a negative result cannot be used to exclude the possibility of splenic neoplasia.\\\"This is because of frequent blood contamination and poor exfoliation.Surgical biopsy is the typical approach in veterinary medicine. Imaging modalities may include one ore more of ultrasound, CT, MRIand\",\n \"CT, MRIand FDG-PET/CT.FGD-PET/CT may show some benefit over traditional CT for staging and detection of metastasis. Symptoms Dogs rarely show symptoms of hemangiosarcoma until after the tumor ruptures, causing extensive bleeding. Then symptoms can include short-term lethargy, loss of appetite, enlarged abdomen, weakness in the back legs, paled colored tongue and gums, rapid heart rate, and a weak pulse. Treatments Treatment includeschemotherapyand, where practical, removal of the tumor with the affected organ, such as with asplenectomy. Splenectomy alone gives an average survival time of 1–3 months. The addition ofchemotherapy, primarily comprising the drugdoxorubicin, alone or in combination with other drugs, can increase the average survival time by 2–4 months beyond splenectomy alone. A 2012 paper published the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School, in dogs treated with a compound derived from theCoriolus versicolor(commonly known as \\\"Turkey Tail\\\") mushroom showed a favorable response to the agent\",\n \"to the agent compared to historical controls of dogs treated with splenectomy and Doxorubicin .:.A controlled, randomized study in 101 dogs was later conducted by the University of Pennsylvania Veterinary School which showed that the Coriolus versicolor mushroom did not have the same outcome noted in the 2012 paper with 15 dogs. In the 2022 paper by Gednet et al. dogs treated with splenectomy followed by Doxorubicin did better then dogs treated with splenectomy and mushroom agent. Combination of Doxorubicin with the Turkey Tail mushroom also did not improve survival when compared to Doxorubicin alone. However, as noted in the 2012 study, the Turkey Tail mushroom extract did not cause any systemic adverse reactions, even when combined with Doxorubicin.:. Immune therapy based on cultivation of tumor tissue is being developed for dogs.A preventive vaccine based on several proteins commonly found in dog cancers, including hemangiosarcomas, is also being developed. In the skin, it can be cured in most cases with\",\n \"in most cases with complete surgical removal as long as there is not visceral involvement.Median survival times for stage I is 780 days, where more advanced stages can range from 172 to 307 days. References External links\",\n \"Chemotherapy Chemotherapy(often abbreviatedchemo, sometimesCTXandCTx) is the type ofcancer treatmentthat uses one or more anti-cancer drugs (chemotherapeutic agentsoralkylating agents) in a standardregimen. Chemotherapy may be given with acurativeintent (which almost always involves combinations of drugs), or it may aim only to prolong life or toreduce symptoms(palliativechemotherapy). Chemotherapy is one of the major categories of the medical discipline specifically devoted topharmacotherapyforcancer, which is calledmedical oncology. The termchemotherapynow means the non-specific use of intracellularpoisonsto inhibitmitosis(cell division) or to induceDNA damage(so thatDNA repaircan augment chemotherapy).This meaning excludes the more-selective agents that block extracellular signals (signal transduction). Therapies with specific molecular or genetic targets, which inhibit growth-promoting signals from classic endocrine hormones (primarilyestrogensfor breast cancer andandrogensfor prostate cancer), are now\",\n \"cancer), are now calledhormonal therapies. Other inhibitions of growth-signals, such as those associated withreceptor tyrosine kinases, aretargeted therapy. The use of drugs (whether chemotherapy, hormonal therapy, or targeted therapy) issystemic therapyfor cancer: they are introduced into the blood stream (the system) and therefore can treat cancer anywhere in the body. Systemic therapy is often used with other,local therapy(treatments that work only where they are applied), such asradiation,surgery, andhyperthermia. Traditional chemotherapeutic agents arecytotoxicby means of interfering with cell division (mitosis) but cancer cells vary widely in their susceptibility to these agents. To a large extent, chemotherapy can be thought of as a way to damage or stress cells, which may then lead to cell death ifapoptosisis initiated. Many of the side effects of chemotherapy can be traced to damage to normal cells that divide rapidly and are thus sensitive to anti-mitotic drugs: cells in thebone marrow,digestive\",\n \"marrow,digestive tractandhair follicles. This results in the most common side-effects of chemotherapy:myelosuppression(decreased production of blood cells, hence that alsoimmunosuppression),mucositis(inflammation of the lining of the digestive tract), andalopecia(hair loss). Because of the effect on immune cells (especially lymphocytes), chemotherapy drugs often find use in a host of diseases that result from harmful overactivity of the immune system against self (so-calledautoimmunity). These includerheumatoid arthritis,systemic lupus erythematosus,multiple sclerosis,vasculitisand many others. Treatment strategies There are a number of strategies in the administration of chemotherapeutic drugs used today. Chemotherapy may be given with acurativeintent or it may aim to prolong life or topalliate symptoms. Allchemotherapy regimensrequire that the recipient be capable of undergoing the treatment.Performance statusis often used as a measure to determine whether a person can receive chemotherapy, or whether dose\",\n \"or whether dose reduction is required. Because only a fraction of the cells in a tumor die with each treatment (fractional kill), repeated doses must be administered to continue to reduce the size of the tumor.Current chemotherapy regimens apply drug treatment in cycles, with the frequency and duration of treatments limited by toxicity. Effectiveness The effectiveness of chemotherapy depends on the type of cancer and the stage. The overall effectiveness ranges from being curative for some cancers, such as someleukemias,to being ineffective, such as in somebrain tumors,to being needless in others, like mostnon-melanoma skin cancers. Dosage Dosage of chemotherapy can be difficult: If the dose is too low, it will be ineffective against the tumor, whereas, at excessive doses, the toxicity (side-effects) will be intolerable to the person receiving it.The standard method of determining chemotherapy dosage is based on calculatedbody surface area(BSA). The BSA is usually calculated with a mathematical formula or\",\n \"formula or anomogram, using the recipient's weight and height, rather than by direct measurement of body area. This formula was originally derived in a 1916 study and attempted to translate medicinal doses established with laboratory animals to equivalent doses for humans.The study only included nine human subjects.When chemotherapy was introduced in the 1950s, the BSA formula was adopted as the official standard for chemotherapy dosing for lack of a better option. The validity of this method in calculating uniform doses has been questioned because the formula only takes into account the individual's weight and height. Drug absorption and clearance are influenced by multiple factors, including age, sex, metabolism, disease state, organ function, drug-to-drug interactions, genetics, and obesity, which have major impacts on the actual concentration of the drug in the person's bloodstream.As a result, there is high variability in the systemic chemotherapy drug concentration in people dosed by BSA, and this\",\n \"by BSA, and this variability has been demonstrated to be more than ten-fold for many drugs.In other words, if two people receive the same dose of a given drug based on BSA, the concentration of that drug in the bloodstream of one person may be 10 times higher or lower compared to that of the other person.This variability is typical with many chemotherapy drugs dosed by BSA, and, as shown below, was demonstrated in a study of 14 common chemotherapy drugs. The result of this pharmacokinetic variability among people is that many people do not receive the right dose to achieve optimal treatment effectiveness with minimized toxic side effects. Some people are overdosed while others are underdosed.For example, in a randomized clinical trial, investigators found 85% of metastatic colorectal cancer patients treated with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) did not receive the optimal therapeutic dose when dosed by the BSA standard—68% were underdosed and 17% were overdosed. There has been controversy over the use of BSA to\",\n \"the use of BSA to calculate chemotherapy doses for people who areobese.Because of their higher BSA, clinicians often arbitrarily reduce the dose prescribed by the BSA formula for fear ofoverdosing.In many cases, this can result in sub-optimal treatment. Several clinical studies have demonstrated that when chemotherapy dosing is individualized to achieve optimal systemic drug exposure, treatment outcomes are improved and toxic side effects are reduced.In the 5-FU clinical study cited above, people whose dose was adjusted to achieve a pre-determined target exposure realized an 84% improvement in treatment response rate and a six-month improvement in overall survival (OS) compared with those dosed by BSA. In the same study, investigators compared the incidence of common 5-FU-associated grade 3/4 toxicities between the dose-adjusted people and people dosed per BSA.The incidence of debilitating grades of diarrhea was reduced from 18% in the BSA-dosed group to 4% in the dose-adjusted group and serious hematologic\",\n \"serious hematologic side effects were eliminated.Because of the reduced toxicity, dose-adjusted patients were able to be treated for longer periods of time.BSA-dosed people were treated for a total of 680 months while people in the dose-adjusted group were treated for a total of 791 months.Completing the course of treatment is an important factor in achieving better treatment outcomes. Similar results were found in a study involving people with colorectal cancer who have been treated with the popularFOLFOXregimen.The incidence of serious diarrhea was reduced from 12% in the BSA-dosed group of patients to 1.7% in the dose-adjusted group, and the incidence of severe mucositis was reduced from 15% to 0.8%. The FOLFOX study also demonstrated an improvement in treatment outcomes.Positive response increased from 46% in the BSA-dosed group to 70% in the dose-adjusted group. Median progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) both improved by six months in the dose adjusted group. One approach that can\",\n \"approach that can help clinicians individualize chemotherapy dosing is to measure the drug levels in blood plasma over time and adjust dose according to a formula or algorithm to achieve optimal exposure. With an established target exposure for optimized treatment effectiveness with minimized toxicities, dosing can be personalized to achieve target exposure and optimal results for each person. Such an algorithm was used in the clinical trials cited above and resulted in significantly improved treatment outcomes. Oncologists are already individualizing dosing of some cancer drugs based on exposure.Carboplatin: 4andbusulfandosing rely upon results from blood tests to calculate the optimal dose for each person. Simple blood tests are also available for dose optimization ofmethotrexate,5-FU,paclitaxel, anddocetaxel. The serum albumin level immediately prior to chemotherapy administration is an independent prognostic predictor of survival in various cancer types. Types Alkylating agents Alkylating agents are the\",\n \"agents are the oldest group of chemotherapeutics in use today. Originally derived frommustard gasused inWorld War I, there are now many types of alkylating agents in use.They are so named because of their ability toalkylatemany molecules, includingproteins,RNAandDNA. This ability to bindcovalentlyto DNA via theiralkyl groupis the primary cause for their anti-cancer effects.DNA is made of two strands and the molecules may either bind twice to one strand of DNA (intrastrand crosslink) or may bind once to both strands (interstrand crosslink). If the cell tries to replicate crosslinked DNA duringcell division, or tries to repair it, the DNA strands can break. This leads to a form of programmed cell death calledapoptosis.Alkylating agents will work at any point in the cell cycle and thus are known as cell cycle-independent drugs. For this reason, the effect on the cell is dose dependent; the fraction of cells that die is directly proportional to the dose of drug. The subtypes of alkylating agents are thenitrogen\",\n \"are thenitrogen mustards,nitrosoureas,tetrazines,aziridines,cisplatinsand derivatives, and non-classical alkylating agents. Nitrogen mustards includemechlorethamine,cyclophosphamide,melphalan,chlorambucil,ifosfamideandbusulfan. Nitrosoureas includeN-Nitroso-N-methylurea(MNU),carmustine(BCNU),lomustine(CCNU) andsemustine(MeCCNU),fotemustineandstreptozotocin. Tetrazines includedacarbazine,mitozolomideandtemozolomide. Aziridines includethiotepa,mytomycinand diaziquone (AZQ). Cisplatin and derivatives includecisplatin,carboplatinandoxaliplatin.They impair cell function by formingcovalent bondswith theamino,carboxyl,sulfhydryl, andphosphate groupsin biologically important molecules.Non-classical alkylating agents includeprocarbazineand hexamethylmelamine. Antimetabolites Anti-metabolitesare a group of molecules that impede DNA and RNA synthesis. Many of them have a similar structure to the building blocks of DNA and RNA. The building blocks arenucleotides; a molecule comprising anucleobase, a sugar and aphosphate\",\n \"and aphosphate group. The nucleobases are divided intopurines(guanineandadenine) andpyrimidines(cytosine,thymineanduracil). Anti-metabolites resemble either nucleobases or nucleosides (a nucleotide without the phosphate group), but have alteredchemical groups.These drugs exert their effect by either blocking the enzymes required for DNA synthesis or becoming incorporated into DNA or RNA. By inhibiting the enzymes involved in DNA synthesis, they prevent mitosis because the DNA cannot duplicate itself. Also, after misincorporation of the molecules into DNA,DNA damagecan occur and programmed cell death (apoptosis) is induced. Unlike alkylating agents, anti-metabolites are cell cycle dependent. This means that they only work during a specific part of the cell cycle, in this caseS-phase(the DNA synthesis phase). For this reason, at a certain dose, the effect plateaus and proportionally no more cell death occurs with increased doses. Subtypes of the anti-metabolites are theanti-folates, fluoropyrimidines,\",\n \"fluoropyrimidines, deoxynucleoside analogues andthiopurines. The anti-folates includemethotrexateandpemetrexed. Methotrexate inhibitsdihydrofolate reductase(DHFR), an enzyme that regeneratestetrahydrofolatefromdihydrofolate. When the enzyme is inhibited by methotrexate, the cellular levels of folate coenzymes diminish. These are required forthymidylateand purine production, which are both essential for DNA synthesis and cell division.: 55–59: 11Pemetrexed is another anti-metabolite that affects purine and pyrimidine production, and therefore also inhibits DNA synthesis. It primarily inhibits the enzymethymidylate synthase, but also has effects on DHFR, aminoimidazole carboxamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase andglycinamide ribonucleotide formyltransferase.The fluoropyrimidines includefluorouracilandcapecitabine. Fluorouracil is a nucleobase analogue that is metabolised in cells to form at least two active products; 5-fluourouridine monophosphate (FUMP) and 5-fluoro-2'-deoxyuridine 5'-phosphate (fdUMP).\",\n \"(fdUMP). FUMP becomes incorporated into RNA and fdUMP inhibits the enzyme thymidylate synthase; both of which lead to cell death.: 11Capecitabine is aprodrugof 5-fluorouracil that is broken down in cells to produce the active drug.The deoxynucleoside analogues includecytarabine,gemcitabine,decitabine,azacitidine,fludarabine,nelarabine,cladribine,clofarabine, andpentostatin. The thiopurines includethioguanineandmercaptopurine. Anti-microtubule agents Anti-microtubule agentsareplant-derived chemicals that block cell division by preventingmicrotubulefunction. Microtubules are an important cellular structure composed of two proteins,α-tubulinandβ-tubulin. They are hollow, rod-shaped structures that are required for cell division, among other cellular functions.Microtubules are dynamic structures, which means that they are permanently in a state of assembly and disassembly.Vincaalkaloidsandtaxanesare the two main groups of anti-microtubule agents, and although both of these groups of drugs cause microtubule\",\n \"cause microtubule dysfunction, their mechanisms of action are completely opposite:Vincaalkaloids prevent the assembly of microtubules, whereas taxanes prevent their disassembly. By doing so, they can inducemitotic catastrophein the cancer cells.Following this, cell cycle arrest occurs, which induces programmed cell death (apoptosis).These drugs can also affectblood vessel growth, an essential process that tumours utilise in order to grow and metastasise. Vincaalkaloids are derived from theMadagascar periwinkle,Catharanthus roseus,formerly known asVinca rosea. They bind to specific sites on tubulin, inhibiting the assembly of tubulin into microtubules. The originalvincaalkaloids arenatural productsthat includevincristineandvinblastine.Following the success of these drugs, semi-syntheticvincaalkaloids were produced:vinorelbine(used in the treatment ofnon-small-cell lung cancer),vindesine, andvinflunine.These drugs arecell cycle-specific. They bind to the tubulin molecules inS-phaseand prevent proper\",\n \"prevent proper microtubule formation required forM-phase. Taxanes are natural and semi-synthetic drugs. The first drug of their class,paclitaxel, was originally extracted fromTaxus brevifolia, the Pacific yew. Now this drug and another in this class,docetaxel, are produced semi-synthetically from a chemical found in the bark of another yew tree,Taxus baccata. Podophyllotoxinis an antineoplasticlignanobtained primarily from theAmerican mayapple(Podophyllum peltatum) andHimalayan mayapple(Sinopodophyllum hexandrum). It has anti-microtubule activity, and its mechanism is similar to that ofvincaalkaloids in that they bind to tubulin, inhibiting microtubule formation. Podophyllotoxin is used to produce two other drugs with different mechanisms of action:etoposideandteniposide. Topoisomerase inhibitors Topoisomerase inhibitors are drugs that affect the activity of two enzymes:topoisomerase Iandtopoisomerase II. When the DNA double-strand helix is unwound, during DNA replication ortranscription, for example, the\",\n \"for example, the adjacent unopened DNA winds tighter (supercoils), like opening the middle of a twisted rope. The stress caused by this effect is in part aided by the topoisomerase enzymes. They produce single- or double-strand breaks into DNA, reducing the tension in the DNA strand. This allows the normal unwinding of DNA to occur duringreplicationor transcription. Inhibition of topoisomerase I or II interferes with both of these processes. Two topoisomerase I inhibitors,irinotecanandtopotecan, are semi-synthetically derived fromcamptothecin, which is obtained from the Chinese ornamental treeCamptotheca acuminata.Drugs that target topoisomerase II can be divided into two groups. The topoisomerase II poisons cause increased levels enzymes bound to DNA. This prevents DNA replication and transcription, causes DNA strand breaks, and leads to programmed cell death (apoptosis). These agents includeetoposide,doxorubicin,mitoxantroneandteniposide. The second group, catalytic inhibitors, are drugs that block the\",\n \"that block the activity of topoisomerase II, and therefore prevent DNA synthesis and translation because the DNA cannot unwind properly. This group includesnovobiocin, merbarone, andaclarubicin, which also have other significant mechanisms of action. Cytotoxic antibiotics The cytotoxicantibioticsare a varied group of drugs that have various mechanisms of action. The common theme that they share in their chemotherapy indication is that they interruptcell division. The most important subgroup is theanthracyclinesand thebleomycins; other prominent examples includemitomycin Candactinomycin. Among the anthracyclines,doxorubicinanddaunorubicinwere the first, and were obtained from thebacteriumStreptomyces peucetius.Derivatives of these compounds includeepirubicinandidarubicin. Other clinically used drugs in the anthracycline group arepirarubicin,aclarubicin, andmitoxantrone.The mechanisms of anthracyclines includeDNA intercalation(molecules insert between the two strands of DNA), generation of highly reactivefree\",\n \"highly reactivefree radicalsthat damage intercellular molecules and topoisomerase inhibition. Actinomycin is a complex molecule that intercalates DNA and preventsRNA synthesis. Bleomycin, aglycopeptideisolated fromStreptomyces verticillus, also intercalates DNA, but producesfree radicalsthat damage DNA. This occurs when bleomycin binds to ametal ion, becomeschemically reducedand reacts withoxygen.: 87 Mitomycin is a cytotoxic antibiotic with the ability to alkylate DNA. Delivery Most chemotherapy isdeliveredintravenously, although a number of agents can be administered orally (e.g.,melphalan,busulfan,capecitabine). According to a recent (2016) systematic review, oral therapies present additional challenges for patients and care teams to maintain and support adherence to treatment plans. There are many intravenous methods of drug delivery, known as vascular access devices. These include thewinged infusion device,peripheral venous catheter, midline catheter,peripherally inserted central catheter(PICC),central\",\n \"venous catheterandimplantable port. The devices have different applications regarding duration of chemotherapy treatment, method of delivery and types of chemotherapeutic agent.: 94–95 Depending on the person, the cancer, the stage of cancer, the type of chemotherapy, and the dosage, intravenous chemotherapy may be given on either aninpatientor anoutpatientbasis. For continuous, frequent or prolonged intravenous chemotherapy administration, various systems may be surgically inserted into the vasculature to maintain access.: 113–118Commonly used systems are theHickman line, thePort-a-Cath, and thePICC line. These have a lower infection risk, are much less prone tophlebitisorextravasation, and eliminate the need for repeated insertion of peripheral cannulae. Isolated limb perfusion(often used inmelanoma),or isolated infusion of chemotherapy into the liveror the lung have been used to treat some tumors. The main purpose of these approaches is to deliver a very high dose of chemotherapy to tumor sites without\",\n \"tumor sites without causing overwhelming systemic damage.These approaches can help control solitary or limited metastases, but they are by definition not systemic, and, therefore, do not treat distributed metastases ormicrometastases. Topical chemotherapies, such as5-fluorouracil, are used to treat some cases ofnon-melanoma skin cancer. If the cancer hascentral nervous systeminvolvement, or with meningeal disease,intrathecalchemotherapy may be administered. Adverse effects Chemotherapeutic techniques have a range of side effects that depend on the type of medications used. The most common medications affect mainly thefast-dividing cellsof the body, such as blood cells and the cells lining the mouth, stomach, and intestines. Chemotherapy-related toxicities can occur acutely after administration, within hours or days, or chronically, from weeks to years.: 265 Immunosuppression and myelosuppression Virtually all chemotherapeutic regimens can cause depression of theimmune system, often by paralysing thebone\",\n \"paralysing thebone marrowand leading to a decrease ofwhite blood cells,red blood cells, andplatelets.Anemiaandthrombocytopeniamay requireblood transfusion.Neutropenia(a decrease of theneutrophil granulocytecount below 0.5 x 109/litre) can be improved with syntheticG-CSF(granulocyte-colony-stimulating factor, e.g.,filgrastim,lenograstim,efbemalenograstim alfa). In very severemyelosuppression, which occurs in some regimens, almost all the bone marrowstem cells(cells that producewhiteandred blood cells) are destroyed, meaningallogenicorautologousbone marrow cell transplantsare necessary. (In autologous BMTs, cells are removed from the person before the treatment, multiplied and then re-injected afterward; inallogenicBMTs, the source is a donor.) However, some people still develop diseases because of this interference with bone marrow. Although people receiving chemotherapy are encouraged to wash their hands, avoid sick people, and take other infection-reducing steps, about 85% of infections are due to naturally\",\n \"due to naturally occurring microorganisms in the person's owngastrointestinal tract(includingoral cavity) and skin.: 130This may manifest as systemic infections, such assepsis, or as localized outbreaks, such asHerpes simplex,shingles, or other members of theHerpesviridea.The risk of illness and death can be reduced by taking common antibiotics such asquinolonesortrimethoprim/sulfamethoxazolebefore any fever or sign of infection appears.Quinolones show effective prophylaxis mainly with hematological cancer.However, in general, for every five people who are immunosuppressed following chemotherapy who take an antibiotic, one fever can be prevented; for every 34 who take an antibiotic, one death can be prevented.Sometimes, chemotherapy treatments are postponed because the immune system is suppressed to a critically low level. InJapan, the government has approved the use of somemedicinal mushroomslikeTrametes versicolor, to counteract depression of the immune system in people undergoing chemotherapy.\",\n \"chemotherapy. Trilaciclibis an inhibitor ofcyclin-dependent kinase4/6 approved for the prevention of myelosuppression caused by chemotherapy. The drug is given before chemotherapy to protect bone marrow function. Neutropenic enterocolitis Due to immune system suppression,neutropenic enterocolitis(typhlitis) is a \\\"life-threatening gastrointestinal complication of chemotherapy.\\\"Typhlitisis an intestinal infection which may manifest itself through symptoms includingnausea,vomiting,diarrhea, adistended abdomen,fever,chills, orabdominal painand tenderness. Typhlitisis amedical emergency. It has a very poorprognosisand is often fatal unless promptly recognized and aggressively treated.Successful treatment hinges on early diagnosis provided by a high index of suspicion and the use of CT scanning, nonoperative treatment for uncomplicated cases, and sometimes elective righthemicolectomyto prevent recurrence. Gastrointestinal distress Nausea,vomiting,anorexia,diarrhea, abdominal cramps, andconstipationare common\",\n \"common side-effects of chemotherapeutic medications that kill fast-dividing cells.Malnutritionanddehydrationcan result when the recipient does not eat or drink enough, or when the person vomits frequently, because of gastrointestinal damage. This can result in rapid weight loss, or occasionally in weight gain, if the person eats too much in an effort to allay nausea or heartburn. Weight gain can also be caused by some steroid medications. These side-effects can frequently be reduced or eliminated withantiemeticdrugs. Low-certainty evidence also suggests that probiotics may have a preventative and treatment effect of diarrhoea related to chemotherapy alone and with radiotherapy.However, a high index of suspicion is appropriate, since diarrhoea and bloating are also symptoms oftyphlitis, a very serious and potentially life-threateningmedical emergencythat requires immediate treatment. Anemia Anemiacan be a combined outcome caused by myelosuppressive chemotherapy, and possible cancer-related causes such\",\n \"causes such asbleeding,blood celldestruction (hemolysis), hereditary disease, kidney dysfunction, nutritional deficiencies oranemia of chronic disease. Treatments to mitigate anemia include hormones to boost blood production (erythropoietin),iron supplements, andblood transfusions.Myelosuppressive therapy can cause a tendency to bleed easily, leading to anemia. Medications that kill rapidly dividing cells or blood cells can reduce the number ofplateletsin the blood, which can result inbruisesandbleeding. Extremely low platelet counts may be temporarily boosted throughplatelet transfusionsand new drugs to increase platelet counts during chemotherapy are being developed.Sometimes, chemotherapy treatments are postponed to allow platelet counts to recover. Fatiguemay be a consequence of the cancer or its treatment, and can last for months to years after treatment. One physiological cause of fatigue is anemia, which can be caused by chemotherapy,surgery,radiotherapy, primary and metastatic disease or nutritional\",\n \"or nutritional depletion.Aerobic exercisehas been found to be beneficial in reducing fatigue in people withsolid tumours. Nausea and vomiting Nauseaandvomitingare two of the most feared cancer treatment-related side-effects for people with cancer and their families. In 1983, Coates et al. found that people receiving chemotherapy ranked nausea and vomiting as the first and second most severe side-effects, respectively.Up to 20% of people receiving highly emetogenic agents in this era postponed, or even refused potentially curative treatments.Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) are common with many treatments and some forms of cancer. Since the 1990s, several novel classes ofantiemeticshave been developed and commercialized, becoming a nearly universal standard in chemotherapy regimens, and helping to successfully manage these symptoms in many people. Effective mediation of these unpleasant and sometimes debilitating symptoms results in increased quality of life for the recipient and more efficient\",\n \"and more efficient treatment cycles, due to less stoppage of treatment due to better tolerance and better overall health. Hair loss Hair loss(alopecia) can be caused by chemotherapy that kills rapidly dividing cells; other medications may cause hair to thin. These are most often temporary effects: hair usually starts to regrow a few weeks after the last treatment, but sometimes with a change in color, texture, thickness or style. Sometimes hair has a tendency to curl after regrowth, resulting in \\\"chemo curls.\\\" Severe hair loss occurs most often with drugs such asdoxorubicin,daunorubicin,paclitaxel,docetaxel,cyclophosphamide,ifosfamideandetoposide. Permanent thinning or hair loss can result from some standard chemotherapy regimens. Chemotherapy induced hair loss occurs by a non-androgenic mechanism, and can manifest asalopecia totalis, telogen effluvium, or less oftenalopecia areata.It is usually associated with systemic treatment due to the high mitotic rate of hair follicles, and more reversible than\",\n \"reversible than androgenic hair loss,although permanent cases can occur.Chemotherapy induces hair loss in women more often than men. Scalp coolingoffers a means of preventing both permanent and temporary hair loss; however, concerns about this method have been raised. Secondary neoplasm Development of secondary neoplasia after successful chemotherapy or radiotherapy treatment can occur. The most commonsecondary neoplasmis secondary acute myeloid leukemia, which develops primarily after treatment with alkylating agents or topoisomerase inhibitors.Survivors ofchildhood cancerare more than 13 times as likely to get asecondary neoplasmduring the 30 years after treatment than the general population.Not all of this increase can be attributed to chemotherapy. Infertility Some types of chemotherapy are gonadotoxic and may causeinfertility.Chemotherapies with high risk include procarbazine and other alkylating drugs such as cyclophosphamide, ifosfamide, busulfan, melphalan, chlorambucil, and chlormethine.Drugs with\",\n \"with medium risk include doxorubicin and platinum analogs such as cisplatin and carboplatin.On the other hand, therapies with low risk of gonadotoxicity include plant derivatives such as vincristine and vinblastine,antibioticssuch as bleomycin and dactinomycin, and antimetabolites such as methotrexate, mercaptopurine, and 5-fluorouracil. Female infertilityby chemotherapy appears to be secondary topremature ovarian failureby loss ofprimordial follicles.This loss is not necessarily a direct effect of the chemotherapeutic agents, but could be due to an increased rate of growth initiation to replace damaged developing follicles. People may choose between several methods offertility preservationprior to chemotherapy, includingcryopreservationof semen, ovarian tissue, oocytes, or embryos.As more than half of cancer patients are elderly, this adverse effect is only relevant for a minority of patients. A study in France between 1999 and 2011 came to the result that embryo freezing before administration of\",\n \"administration of gonadotoxic agents to females caused a delay of treatment in 34% of cases, and a live birth in 27% of surviving cases who wanted to become pregnant, with the follow-up time varying between 1 and 13 years. Potential protective or attenuating agents includeGnRH analogs, where several studies have shown a protective effectin vivoin humans, but some studies show no such effect.Sphingosine-1-phosphate(S1P) has shown similar effect, but its mechanism of inhibiting thesphingomyelin apoptotic pathwaymay also interfere with theapoptosisaction of chemotherapy drugs. In chemotherapy as aconditioning regimenin hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, a study of people conditioned with cyclophosphamide alone for severe aplastic anemia came to the result that ovarian recovery occurred in all women younger than 26 years at time of transplantation, but only in five of 16 women older than 26 years. Teratogenicity Chemotherapy isteratogenicduringpregnancy, especially during thefirst trimester, to the extent\",\n \"to the extent thatabortionusually is recommended if pregnancy in this period is found during chemotherapy.Second- and third-trimester exposure does not usually increase the teratogenic risk and adverse effects on cognitive development, but it may increase the risk of variouscomplications of pregnancyand fetal myelosuppression. Female patients of reproductive potential should use effectivecontraceptionduring chemotherapy and for a few months after the last dose (e.g. 6 month fordoxorubicin). In males previously having undergone chemotherapy or radiotherapy, there appears to be no increase in genetic defects or congenital malformations in their children conceived after therapy.The use ofassisted reproductive technologiesandmicromanipulation techniquesmight increase this risk.In females previously having undergone chemotherapy, miscarriage and congenital malformations are not increased in subsequent conceptions.However, whenin vitro fertilizationandembryo cryopreservationis practised between or shortly after\",\n \"or shortly after treatment, possible genetic risks to the growing oocytes exist, and hence it has been recommended that the babies be screened. Peripheral neuropathy Between 30 and 40 percent of people undergoing chemotherapy experiencechemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy(CIPN), a progressive, enduring, and often irreversible condition, causing pain, tingling, numbness and sensitivity to cold, beginning in the hands and feet and sometimes progressing to the arms and legs.Chemotherapy drugs associated with CIPN includethalidomide,epothilones,vincaalkaloids, taxanes,proteasome inhibitors, and the platinum-based drugs.Whether CIPN arises, and to what degree, is determined by the choice of drug, duration of use, the total amount consumed and whether the person already hasperipheral neuropathy. Though the symptoms are mainly sensory, in some casesmotor nervesand theautonomic nervous systemare affected.CIPN often follows the first chemotherapy dose and increases in severity as treatment continues, but this\",\n \"continues, but this progression usually levels off at completion of treatment. The platinum-based drugs are the exception; with these drugs, sensation may continue to deteriorate for several months after the end of treatment.Some CIPN appears to be irreversible.Pain can often be managed with drug or other treatment but the numbness is usually resistant to treatment. Cognitive impairment Some people receiving chemotherapy report fatigue or non-specific neurocognitive problems, such as an inability to concentrate; this is sometimes calledpost-chemotherapy cognitive impairment, referred to as \\\"chemo brain\\\" in popular and social media. Tumor lysis syndrome In particularly large tumors and cancers with highwhite cell counts, such aslymphomas,teratomas, and someleukemias, some people developtumor lysis syndrome. The rapid breakdown of cancer cells causes the release of chemicals from the inside of the cells. Following this, high levels ofuric acid,potassiumandphosphateare found in the blood. High levels of\",\n \"High levels of phosphate induce secondary hypoparathyroidism, resulting in low levels of calcium in the blood.This causes kidney damage and the high levels of potassium can causecardiac arrhythmia. Although prophylaxis is available and is often initiated in people with large tumors, this is a dangerous side-effect that can lead to death if left untreated.: 202 Organ damage Cardiotoxicity(heart damage) is especially prominent with the use ofanthracyclinedrugs (doxorubicin,epirubicin,idarubicin, andliposomal doxorubicin). The cause of this is most likely due to the production offree radicalsin the cell and subsequentDNA damage. Other chemotherapeutic agents that cause cardiotoxicity, but at a lower incidence, arecyclophosphamide,docetaxelandclofarabine. Hepatotoxicity(liver damage) can be caused by many cytotoxic drugs. The susceptibility of an individual to liver damage can be altered by other factors such as the cancer itself,viral hepatitis,immunosuppressionandnutritional deficiency. The liver damage can\",\n \"liver damage can consist of damage to liver cells,hepatic sinusoidal syndrome(obstruction of the veins in the liver),cholestasis(where bile does not flow from the liver to the intestine) andliver fibrosis. Nephrotoxicity(kidney damage) can be caused bytumor lysis syndromeand also due direct effects of drug clearance by the kidneys. Different drugs will affect different parts of the kidney and the toxicity may beasymptomatic(only seen on blood or urine tests) or may causeacute kidney injury. Ototoxicity(damage to the inner ear) is a common side effect of platinum based drugs that can produce symptoms such as dizziness andvertigo.Children treated with platinum analogues have been found to be at risk for developing hearing loss. Other side-effects Less common side-effects include red skin (erythema), dry skin, damaged fingernails, a dry mouth (xerostomia),water retention, andsexual impotence. Some medications can triggerallergicorpseudoallergicreactions. Specific chemotherapeutic agents are associated with\",\n \"are associated with organ-specific toxicities, includingcardiovascular disease(e.g.,doxorubicin),interstitial lung disease(e.g.,bleomycin) and occasionallysecondary neoplasm(e.g.,MOPPtherapy for Hodgkin's disease). Hand-foot syndromeis another side effect to cytotoxic chemotherapy. Nutritional problems are also frequently seen in cancer patients at diagnosis and through chemotherapy treatment. Research suggests that in children and young people undergoing cancer treatment,parenteral nutritionmay help with this leading to weight gain and increased calorie and protein intake, when compared to enteral nutrition. Limitations Chemotherapy does not always work, and even when it is useful, it may not completely destroy the cancer. People frequently fail to understand its limitations. In one study of people who had been newly diagnosed with incurable,stage 4 cancer, more than two-thirds of people with lung cancer and more than four-fifths of people with colorectal cancer still believed that chemotherapy was likely\",\n \"was likely to cure their cancer. Theblood–brain barrierposes an obstacle to delivery of chemotherapy to thebrain. This is because the brain has an extensive system in place to protect it from harmful chemicals. Drug transporters can pump out drugs from the brain and brain's blood vessel cells into thecerebrospinal fluidand blood circulation. These transporters pump out most chemotherapy drugs, which reduces their efficacy for treatment of brain tumors. Only smalllipophilicalkylating agentssuch aslomustineortemozolomideare able to cross this blood–brain barrier. Blood vesselsin tumors are very different from those seen in normal tissues. As a tumor grows, tumor cells furthest away from the blood vessels become low in oxygen (hypoxic). To counteract this they then signal for new blood vessels to grow. The newly formed tumor vasculature is poorly formed and does not deliver an adequate blood supply to all areas of the tumor. This leads to issues with drug delivery because many drugs will be delivered to the\",\n \"be delivered to the tumor by thecirculatory system. Resistance Resistanceis a major cause of treatment failure in chemotherapeutic drugs. There are a few possible causes of resistance in cancer, one of which is the presence of small pumps on the surface of cancer cells that actively move chemotherapy from inside the cell to the outside. Cancer cells produce high amounts of these pumps, known asp-glycoprotein, in order to protect themselves from chemotherapeutics. Research on p-glycoprotein and other such chemotherapy efflux pumps is currently ongoing. Medications to inhibit the function of p-glycoprotein are undergoing investigation, but due to toxicities and interactions with anti-cancer drugs their development has been difficult.Another mechanism of resistance isgene amplification, a process in which multiple copies of a gene are produced by cancer cells. This overcomes the effect of drugs that reduce the expression of genes involved in replication. With more copies of the gene, the drug can not prevent\",\n \"can not prevent all expression of the gene and therefore the cell can restore its proliferative ability. Cancer cells can also cause defects in the cellular pathways ofapoptosis(programmed cell death). As most chemotherapy drugs kill cancer cells in this manner, defective apoptosis allows survival of these cells, making them resistant. Many chemotherapy drugs also cause DNA damage, which can be repaired byenzymesin the cell that carry outDNA repair. Upregulation of these genes can overcome the DNA damage and prevent the induction of apoptosis. Mutations in genes that produce drug target proteins, such astubulin, can occur which prevent the drugs from binding to the protein, leading to resistance to these types of drugs.Drugs used in chemotherapy can induce cell stress, which can kill a cancer cell; however, under certain conditions, cells stress can induce changes in gene expression that enables resistance to several types of drugs.Inlung cancer, the transcription factorNFκBis thought to play a role in\",\n \"to play a role in resistance to chemotherapy, via inflammatory pathways. Cytotoxics and targeted therapies Targeted therapiesare a relatively new class of cancer drugs that can overcome many of the issues seen with the use of cytotoxics. They are divided into two groups: small molecule and antibodies. The massive toxicity seen with the use of cytotoxics is due to the lack of cell specificity of the drugs. They will kill any rapidly dividing cell, tumor or normal. Targeted therapies are designed to affect cellular proteins or processes that are utilised by the cancer cells.This allows a high dose to cancer tissues with a relatively low dose to other tissues. Although theside effectsare often less severe than that seen of cytotoxic chemotherapeutics, life-threatening effects can occur. Initially, the targeted therapeutics were supposed to be solely selective for one protein. Now it is clear that there is often a range of protein targets that the drug can bind. An example target for targeted therapy is the\",\n \"therapy is the BCR-ABL1 protein produced from thePhiladelphia chromosome, a genetic lesion found commonly inchronic myelogenous leukemiaand in some patients withacute lymphoblastic leukemia. Thisfusion proteinhas enzyme activity that can be inhibited byimatinib, asmall moleculedrug. Mechanism of action Canceris the uncontrolled growth ofcellscoupled withmalignantbehaviour: invasion andmetastasis(among other features).It is caused by the interaction betweengeneticsusceptibility and environmental factors.These factors lead to accumulations ofgenetic mutationsinoncogenes(genes that control the growth rate of cells) andtumor suppressor genes(genes that help to prevent cancer), which gives cancer cells their malignant characteristics, such as uncontrolled growth.: 93–94 In the broad sense, most chemotherapeutic drugs work by impairingmitosis(cell division), effectively targetingfast-dividing cells. As these drugs cause damage to cells, they are termedcytotoxic. They prevent mitosis by various mechanisms including\",\n \"including damaging DNA and inhibition of the cellular machinery involved in cell division.One theory as to why these drugs kill cancer cells is that they induce a programmed form of cell death known asapoptosis. As chemotherapy affects cell division, tumors with highgrowth rates(such asacute myelogenous leukemiaand the aggressivelymphomas, includingHodgkin's disease) are more sensitive to chemotherapy, as a larger proportion of the targeted cells are undergoingcell divisionat any time. Malignancies with slower growth rates, such as indolent lymphomas, tend to respond to chemotherapy much more modestly.Heterogeneic tumoursmay also display varying sensitivities to chemotherapy agents, depending on the subclonal populations within the tumor. Cells from theimmune systemalso make crucial contributions to the antitumor effects of chemotherapy.For example, the chemotherapeutic drugsoxaliplatinandcyclophosphamidecan cause tumor cells to die in a way that is detectable by the immune system (calledimmunogenic cell\",\n \"cell death), which mobilizes immune cells with antitumor functions.Chemotherapeutic drugs that cause cancer immunogenic tumor cell death can make unresponsive tumors sensitive toimmune checkpointtherapy. Other uses Some chemotherapy drugs are used in diseases other than cancer, such as in autoimmune disorders,and noncancerousplasma cell dyscrasia. In some cases they are often used at lower doses, which means that the side effects are minimized,while in other cases doses similar to ones used to treat cancer are used.Methotrexateis used in the treatment ofrheumatoid arthritis(RA),psoriasis,ankylosing spondylitisandmultiple sclerosis.The anti-inflammatory response seen in RA is thought to be due to increases inadenosine, which causesimmunosuppression; effects on immuno-regulatorycyclooxygenase-2 enzyme pathways; reduction in pro-inflammatorycytokines; and anti-proliferative properties.Although methotrexate is used to treat both multiple sclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis, its efficacy in these diseases is\",\n \"these diseases is still uncertain.Cyclophosphamideis sometimes used to treatlupus nephritis, a common symptom ofsystemic lupus erythematosus.Dexamethasonealong with eitherbortezomibormelphalanis commonly used as a treatment forAL amyloidosis. Recently, bortezomid in combination withcyclophosphamideand dexamethasone has also shown promise as a treatment for AL amyloidosis. Other drugs used to treatmyelomasuch aslenalidomidehave shown promise in treating AL amyloidosis. Chemotherapy drugs are also used inconditioning regimensprior to bone marrow transplant (hematopoietic stem cell transplant). Conditioning regimens are used to suppress the recipient's immune system in order to allow a transplant to engraft. Cyclophosphamide is a common cytotoxic drug used in this manner and is often used in conjunction withtotal body irradiation. Chemotherapeutic drugs may be used at high doses to permanently remove the recipient's bone marrow cells (myeloablative conditioning) or at lower doses that will prevent permanent\",\n \"prevent permanent bone marrow loss (non-myeloablative and reduced intensity conditioning).When used in non-cancer setting, the treatment is still called \\\"chemotherapy\\\", and is often done in the same treatment centers used for people with cancer. Occupational exposure and safe handling In the 1970s, antineoplastic (chemotherapy) drugs were identified as hazardous, and theAmerican Society of Health-System Pharmacists(ASHP) has since then introduced the concept ofhazardous drugsafter publishing a recommendation in 1983 regarding handling hazardous drugs. The adaptation of federal regulations came when the U.S.Occupational Safety and Health Administration(OSHA) first released its guidelines in 1986 and then updated them in 1996, 1999, and, most recently, 2006. TheNational Institute for Occupational Safety and Health(NIOSH) has been conducting an assessment in the workplace since then regarding these drugs. Occupational exposure to antineoplastic drugs has been linked to multiple health effects, including\",\n \"effects, including infertility and possible carcinogenic effects. A few cases have been reported by the NIOSH alert report, such as one in which a female pharmacist was diagnosed with papillary transitional cell carcinoma. Twelve years before the pharmacist was diagnosed with the condition, she had worked for 20 months in a hospital where she was responsible for preparing multiple antineoplastic drugs.The pharmacist did not have any other risk factor for cancer, and therefore, her cancer was attributed to the exposure to the antineoplastic drugs, although a cause-and-effect relationship has not been established in the literature. Another case happened when a malfunction in biosafety cabinetry is believed to have exposed nursing personnel to antineoplastic drugs. Investigations revealed evidence of genotoxic biomarkers two and nine months after that exposure. Routes of exposure Antineoplastic drugs are usually given throughintravenous,intramuscular,intrathecal, orsubcutaneousadministration. In most cases,\",\n \"In most cases, before the medication is administered to the patient, it needs to be prepared and handled by several workers. Any worker who is involved in handling, preparing, or administering the drugs, or with cleaning objects that have come into contact with antineoplastic drugs, is potentially exposed to hazardous drugs.Health care workers are exposed to drugs in different circumstances, such as when pharmacists and pharmacy technicians prepare and handle antineoplastic drugs and when nurses and physicians administer the drugs to patients. Additionally, those who are responsible for disposing antineoplastic drugs in health care facilities are also at risk of exposure. Dermal exposure is thought to be the main route of exposure due to the fact that significant amounts of the antineoplastic agents have been found in the gloves worn by healthcare workers who prepare, handle, and administer the agents. Another noteworthy route of exposure is inhalation of the drugs' vapors. Multiple studies have investigated\",\n \"have investigated inhalation as a route of exposure, and although air sampling has not shown any dangerous levels, it is still a potential route of exposure. Ingestion by hand to mouth is a route of exposure that is less likely compared to others because of the enforced hygienic standard in the health institutions. However, it is still a potential route, especially in the workplace, outside of a health institute. One can also be exposed to these hazardous drugs through injection byneedle sticks. Research conducted in this area has established that occupational exposure occurs by examining evidence in multiple urine samples from health care workers. Hazards Hazardous drugs expose health care workers to serious health risks. Many studies show that antineoplastic drugs could have many side effects on the reproductive system, such as fetal loss, congenital malformation, and infertility. Health care workers who are exposed to antineoplastic drugs on many occasions have adverse reproductive outcomes such as\",\n \"outcomes such as spontaneous abortions, stillbirths, and congenital malformations. Moreover, studies have shown that exposure to these drugs leads to menstrual cycle irregularities. Antineoplastic drugs may also increase the risk of learning disabilities among children of health care workers who are exposed to these hazardous substances. Moreover, these drugs havecarcinogeniceffects. In the past five decades, multiple studies have shown the carcinogenic effects of exposure to antineoplastic drugs. Similarly, there have been research studies that linked alkylating agents with humans developing leukemias. Studies have reported elevated risk of breast cancer, nonmelanoma skin cancer, and cancer of the rectum among nurses who are exposed to these drugs. Other investigations revealed that there is a potentialgenotoxiceffect from anti-neoplastic drugs to workers in health care settings. Safe handling in health care settings As of 2018, there were nooccupational exposure limitsset for antineoplastic drugs, i.e.,\",\n \"drugs, i.e., OSHA or theAmerican Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists(ACGIH) have not set workplace safety guidelines. Preparation NIOSH recommends using aventilated cabinetthat is designed to decrease worker exposure. Additionally, it recommends training of all staff, the use of cabinets, implementing an initial evaluation of the technique of the safety program, and wearing protective gloves and gowns when opening drug packaging, handling vials, or labeling. When wearingpersonal protective equipment, one should inspect gloves for physical defects before use and always wear double gloves and protective gowns. Health care workers are also required to wash their hands with water and soap before and after working with antineoplastic drugs, change gloves every 30 minutes or whenever punctured, and discard them immediately in a chemotherapy waste container. The gowns used should be disposable gowns made of polyethylene-coated polypropylene. When wearing gowns, individuals should make sure that the\",\n \"make sure that the gowns are closed and have long sleeves. When preparation is done, the final product should be completely sealed in a plastic bag. The health care worker should also wipe all waste containers inside the ventilated cabinet before removing them from the cabinet. Finally, workers should remove all protective wear and put them in a bag for their disposal inside the ventilated cabinet. Administration Drugs should only be administered using protective medical devices such as needle lists and closed systems and techniques such as priming of IV tubing by pharmacy personnel inside a ventilated cabinet. Workers should always wear personal protective equipment such as double gloves, goggles, and protective gowns when opening the outer bag and assembling the delivery system to deliver the drug to the patient, and when disposing of all material used in the administration of the drugs. Hospital workers should never remove tubing from an IV bag that contains an antineoplastic drug, and when disconnecting\",\n \"when disconnecting the tubing in the system, they should make sure the tubing has been thoroughly flushed. After removing the IV bag, the workers should place it together with other disposable items directly in the yellow chemotherapy waste container with the lid closed. Protective equipment should be removed and put into a disposable chemotherapy waste container. After this has been done, one should double bag the chemotherapy waste before or after removing one's inner gloves. Moreover, one must always wash one's hands with soap and water before leaving the drug administration site. Employee training All employees whose jobs in health care facilities expose them to hazardous drugs must receive training. Training should include shipping and receiving personnel, housekeepers, pharmacists, assistants, and all individuals involved in the transportation and storage of antineoplastic drugs. These individuals should receive information and training to inform them of the hazards of the drugs present in their areas\",\n \"in their areas of work. They should be informed and trained on operations and procedures in their work areas where they can encounter hazards, different methods used to detect the presence of hazardous drugs and how the hazards are released, and the physical and health hazards of the drugs, including their reproductive and carcinogenic hazard potential. Additionally, they should be informed and trained on the measures they should take to avoid and protect themselves from these hazards. This information ought to be provided when health care workers come into contact with the drugs, that is, perform the initial assignment in a work area with hazardous drugs. Moreover, training should also be provided when new hazards emerge as well as when new drugs, procedures, or equipment are introduced. Housekeeping and waste disposal When performing cleaning and decontaminating the work area where antineoplastic drugs are used, one should make sure that there is sufficient ventilation to prevent the buildup of airborne\",\n \"buildup of airborne drug concentrations. When cleaning the work surface, hospital workers should use deactivation and cleaning agents before and after each activity as well as at the end of their shifts. Cleaning should always be done using double protective gloves and disposable gowns. After employees finish up cleaning, they should dispose of the items used in the activity in a yellow chemotherapy waste container while still wearing protective gloves. After removing the gloves, they should thoroughly wash their hands with soap and water. Anything that comes into contact or has a trace of the antineoplastic drugs, such as needles, empty vials, syringes, gowns, and gloves, should be put in the chemotherapy waste container. Spill control A written policy needs to be in place in case of a spill of antineoplastic products. The policy should address the possibility of various sizes of spills as well as the procedure and personal protective equipment required for each size. A trained worker should handle a large\",\n \"handle a large spill and always dispose of all cleanup materials in the chemical waste container according to EPA regulations, not in a yellow chemotherapy waste container. Occupational monitoring Amedical surveillanceprogram must be established. In case of exposure, occupational health professionals need to ask for a detailed history and do a thorough physical exam. They should test the urine of the potentially exposed worker by doing aurine dipstickor microscopic examination, mainly looking for blood, as several antineoplastic drugs are known to cause bladder damage. Urinary mutagenicity is a marker of exposure to antineoplastic drugs that was first used by Falck and colleagues in 1979 and uses bacterial mutagenicity assays. Apart from being nonspecific, the test can be influenced by extraneous factors such as dietary intake and smoking and is, therefore, used sparingly. However, the test played a significant role in changing the use of horizontal flow cabinets to vertical flow biological safety cabinets\",\n \"safety cabinets during the preparation of antineoplastic drugs because the former exposed health care workers to high levels of drugs. This changed the handling of drugs and effectively reduced workers' exposure to antineoplastic drugs. Biomarkers of exposure to antineoplastic drugs commonly include urinaryplatinum,methotrexate, urinarycyclophosphamideandifosfamide, and urinary metabolite of5-fluorouracil. In addition to this, there are other drugs used to measure the drugs directly in the urine, although they are rarely used. A measurement of these drugs directly in one's urine is a sign of high exposure levels and that an uptake of the drugs is happening either through inhalation or dermally. Available agents There is an extensivelist of antineoplastic agents. Several classification schemes have been used to subdivide the medicines used for cancer into several different types. History The first use ofsmall-molecule drugsto treat cancer was in the early 20th century, although the specific chemicals first\",\n \"chemicals first used were not originally intended for that purpose.Mustard gaswas used as achemical warfareagent duringWorld War Iand was discovered to be a potent suppressor ofhematopoiesis(blood production).A similar family of compounds known asnitrogen mustardswere studied further duringWorld War IIat theYale School of Medicine.It was reasoned that an agent that damaged the rapidly growing white blood cells might have a similar effect on cancer.Therefore, in December 1942, several people with advancedlymphomas(cancers of the lymphatic system and lymph nodes) were given the drug by vein, rather than by breathing the irritating gas.Their improvement, although temporary, was remarkable.Concurrently, during a military operation in World War II, following a Germanair raidon the Italian harbour ofBari, several hundred people were accidentally exposed to mustard gas, which had been transported there by theAllied forcesto prepare for possible retaliation in the event of German use of chemical warfare. The\",\n \"warfare. The survivors were later found to have very low white blood cell counts.After WWII was over and the reports declassified, the experiences converged and led researchers to look for other substances that might have similar effects against cancer. The first chemotherapy drug to be developed from this line of research wasmustine. Since then, many other drugs have been developed to treat cancer, and drug development has exploded into a multibillion-dollar industry, although the principles and limitations of chemotherapy discovered by the early researchers still apply. The termchemotherapy The wordchemotherapywithout a modifier usually refers to cancer treatment, but its historical meaning was broader. The term was coined in the early 1900s byPaul Ehrlichas meaning any use of chemicals to treat any disease (chemo-+-therapy), such as the use ofantibiotics(antibacterial chemotherapy).Ehrlich was not optimistic that effective chemotherapy drugs would be found for the treatment of cancer.The first modern\",\n \"first modern chemotherapeutic agent wasarsphenamine, an arsenic compound discovered in 1907 and used to treatsyphilis.This was later followed bysulfonamides(sulfa drugs) andpenicillin. In today'susage, thesense\\\"any treatment of disease with drugs\\\" is often expressed with the wordpharmacotherapy. In terms of metaphorical language, 'chemotherapy' can be paralleled with the idea of a 'storm', as both can cause distress but afterwards may have a healing/cleaning effect. Research Targeted delivery vehicles Specially targeted delivery vehicles aim to increase effective levels of chemotherapy for tumor cells while reducing effective levels for other cells. This should result in an increased tumor kill or reduced toxicity or both. Antibody-drug conjugates Antibody-drug conjugates(ADCs) comprise anantibody, drug and a linker between them. The antibody will be targeted at a preferentially expressed protein in the tumour cells (known as atumor antigen) or on cells that the tumor can utilise, such as blood\",\n \"such as blood vesselendothelial cells. They bind to the tumor antigen and are internalised, where the linker releases the drug into the cell. These specially targeted delivery vehicles vary in their stability, selectivity, and choice of target, but, in essence, they all aim to increase the maximum effective dose that can be delivered to the tumor cells.Reduced systemic toxicity means that they can also be used in people who are sicker and that they can carry new chemotherapeutic agents that would have been far too toxic to deliver via traditional systemic approaches. The first approved drug of this type wasgemtuzumab ozogamicin(Mylotarg), released byWyeth(nowPfizer). The drug was approved to treatacute myeloid leukemia.Two other drugs,trastuzumab emtansineandbrentuximab vedotin, are both in late clinical trials, and the latter has been granted accelerated approval for the treatment ofrefractoryHodgkin's lymphomaand systemicanaplastic large cell lymphoma. Nanoparticles Nanoparticlesare 1–1000nanometer(nm)\",\n \"1–1000nanometer(nm) sized particles that can promote tumor selectivity and aid in delivering low-solubilitydrugs. Nanoparticles can be targeted passively or actively. Passive targeting exploits the difference between tumor blood vessels and normal blood vessels. Blood vessels in tumors are \\\"leaky\\\" because they have gaps from 200 to 2000 nm, which allow nanoparticles to escape into the tumor. Active targeting uses biological molecules (antibodies,proteins,DNAandreceptor ligands) to preferentially target the nanoparticles to the tumor cells. There are many types of nanoparticle delivery systems, such assilica,polymers,liposomesand magnetic particles. Nanoparticles made of magnetic material can also be used to concentrate agents at tumor sites using an externally applied magnetic field.They have emerged as a useful vehicle inmagnetic drug deliveryfor poorly soluble agents such aspaclitaxel. Electrochemotherapy Electrochemotherapy is the combined treatment in which injection of a chemotherapeutic drug is\",\n \"drug is followed by application of high-voltage electric pulses locally to the tumor. The treatment enables the chemotherapeutic drugs, which otherwise cannot or hardly go through the membrane of cells (such as bleomycin and cisplatin), to enter the cancer cells. Hence, greater effectiveness of antitumor treatment is achieved. Clinical electrochemotherapy has been successfully used for treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumors irrespective of their histological origin.The method has been reported as safe, simple and highly effective in all reports on clinical use of electrochemotherapy. According to the ESOPE project (European Standard Operating Procedures of Electrochemotherapy), the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) for electrochemotherapy were prepared, based on the experience of the leading European cancer centres on electrochemotherapy.Recently, new electrochemotherapy modalities have been developed for treatment of internal tumors using surgical procedures, endoscopic routes or percutaneous\",\n \"or percutaneous approaches to gain access to the treatment area. Hyperthermia therapy Hyperthermia therapyis heat treatment for cancer that can be a powerful tool when used in combination with chemotherapy (thermochemotherapy) or radiation for the control of a variety of cancers. The heat can be applied locally to the tumor site, which will dilate blood vessels to the tumor, allowing more chemotherapeutic medication to enter the tumor. Additionally, the tumor cell membrane will become more porous, further allowing more of the chemotherapeutic medicine to enter the tumor cell. Hyperthermia has also been shown to help prevent or reverse \\\"chemo-resistance.\\\" Chemotherapy resistance sometimes develops over time as the tumors adapt and can overcome the toxicity of the chemo medication. \\\"Overcoming chemoresistance has been extensively studied within the past, especially using CDDP-resistant cells. In regard to the potential benefit that drug-resistant cells can be recruited for effective therapy by combining\",\n \"by combining chemotherapy with hyperthermia, it was important to show that chemoresistance against several anticancer drugs (e.g. mitomycin C, anthracyclines, BCNU, melphalan) including CDDP could be reversed at least partially by the addition of heat. Other animals Chemotherapy is used in veterinary medicine similar to how it is used in human medicine. See also References External links\",\n \"Mustard gas Mustard gasorsulfur mustardare names commonly used for theorganosulfurchemical compoundbis(2-chloroethyl) sulfide, which has the chemical structure S(CH2CH2Cl)2, as well as other species. In the wider sense, compounds with the substituents−SCH2CH2X or −N(CH2CH2X)2are known assulfur mustardsornitrogen mustards, respectively, where X = Cl or Br. Such compounds are potentalkylating agents, making mustard gas acutely and severely toxic.Mustard gas is acarcinogen.There is no preventative agent against mustard gas, with protection depending entirely on skin and airways protection, and noantidoteexists for mustard poisoning. Also known as mustard agents, this family of compounds comprises infamouscytotoxinsandblister agentswith a long history of use aschemical weapons.The namemustard gasis technically incorrect; the substances, whendispersed, are often not gases but a fine mist of liquid droplets that can be readily absorbed through the skin and by inhalation.The skin can be affected by contact with\",\n \"by contact with either the liquid or vapor. The rate of penetration into skin is proportional to dose, temperature and humidity. Sulfur mustards are viscous liquids at room temperature and have an odor resemblingmustard plants,garlic, orhorseradish, hence the name.When pure, they are colorless, but when used in impure forms, such as in warfare, they are usuallyyellow-brown. Mustard gases formblisterson exposed skin and in the lungs, often resulting in prolonged illness ending in death. History as chemical weapons Sulfur mustard is a type of chemical warfare agent.As a chemical weapon, mustard gas was first used inWorld War I, and has been used in several armed conflicts since then, including theIran–Iraq War, resulting in more than 100,000 casualties.Sulfur-based andnitrogen-basedmustard agents are regulated underSchedule 1of the 1993Chemical Weapons Convention, as substances with few uses other than inchemical warfare.Mustard agents can be deployed by means ofartillery shells,aerial bombs,rockets, or by\",\n \"or by spraying from aircraft. Adverse health effects Mustard gases have powerfulblisteringeffects on victims. They are alsocarcinogenicandmutagenicalkylating agents.Their highlipophilicityaccelerates their absorption into the body.Because mustard agents often do not elicit immediate symptoms, contaminated areas may appear normal.Within 24 hours of exposure, victims experience intenseitchingand skin irritation. If this irritation goes untreated, blisters filled withpuscan form wherever the agent contacted the skin.Aschemical burns, these are severely debilitating. If the victim's eyes were exposed, then they become sore, starting withconjunctivitis(also known as pink eye), after which the eyelids swell, resulting in temporary blindness. Extreme ocular exposure to mustard gas vapors may result incorneal ulceration, anterior chamber scarring, andneovascularization.In these severe and infrequent cases,corneal transplantationhas been used as a treatment option.Miosis, when the pupil constricts more than usual,\",\n \"more than usual, may also occur, which may be the result of the cholinomimetic activity of mustard.If inhaled in high concentrations, mustard agents cause bleeding and blistering within therespiratory system, damagingmucous membranesand causingpulmonary edema.Depending on the level of contamination, mustard agent burns can vary betweenfirstandsecond degree burns. They can also be as severe, disfiguring, and dangerous asthird degree burns. Some 80% of sulfur mustard in contact with the skin evaporates, while 10% stays in the skin and 10% is absorbed and circulated in the blood. The carcinogenic and mutagenic effects of exposure to mustard gas increase the risk of developingcancerlater in life.In a study of patients 25 years after wartime exposure to chemical weaponry, c-DNA microarray profiling indicated that 122 genes were significantly mutated in the lungs and airways of mustard gas victims. Those genes all correspond to functions commonly affected by mustard gas exposure, includingapoptosis, inflammation,\",\n \"inflammation, and stress responses.The long-term ocular complications include burning, tearing, itching,photophobia,presbyopia, pain, and foreign-body sensations. Medical management In a rinse-wipe-rinse sequence, skin is decontaminated of mustard gas by washing with liquid soap and water, or an absorbent powder.The eyes should be thoroughly rinsed using saline or clean water. A topical analgesic is used to relieve skin pain during decontamination. The blistering effects of mustard gas can be neutralized by decontamination solutions such as \\\"DS2\\\" (2%NaOH, 70%diethylenetriamine, 28%2-methoxyethanol).For skin lesions, topical treatments, such ascalamine lotion, steroids, and oralantihistaminesare used to relieve itching.Larger blisters are irrigated repeatedly with saline or soapy water, then treated with an antibiotic and petroleum gauze. Mustard agent burns do not heal quickly and (as with other types of burns) present a risk ofsepsiscaused bypathogenssuch asStaphylococcus aureusandPseudomonas aeruginosa.\",\n \"aeruginosa. The mechanisms behind mustard gas's effect on endothelial cells are still being studied, but recent studies have shown that high levels of exposure can induce high rates of bothnecrosisandapoptosis. In vitro tests have shown that at low concentrations of mustard gas, where apoptosis is the predominant result of exposure, pretreatment with 50 mMN-acetyl-L-cysteine(NAC) was able to decrease the rate of apoptosis. NAC protectsactinfilaments from reorganization by mustard gas, demonstrating that actin filaments play a large role in the severe burns observed in victims. A British nurse treating soldiers with mustard agent burns duringWorld War Icommented: They cannot be bandaged or touched. We cover them with a tent of propped-up sheets. Gas burns must be agonizing because usually the other cases do not complain, even with the worst wounds, but gas cases are invariably beyond endurance and they cannot help crying out. Mechanism of cellular toxicity Sulfur mustards readily eliminatechlorideions by\",\n \"by intramolecularnucleophilic substitutionto form cyclicsulfoniumions. These very reactive intermediates tend to permanentlyalkylatenucleotidesinDNAstrands, which can prevent cellular division, leading toprogrammed cell death.Alternatively, if cell death is not immediate, the damaged DNA can lead to the development of cancer.Oxidative stresswould be another pathology involved in mustard gas toxicity. In the wider sense, compounds with the structural element BC2H4X, where X is anyleaving groupand B is aLewis base, are known asmustards.Such compounds can form cyclic\\\"onium\\\" ions(sulfonium,ammonium, etc.) that are goodalkylating agents. Other such compounds are bis(2-haloethyl)ethers (oxygen mustards), the (2-haloethyl)amines (nitrogen mustards), andsesquimustard, which has two α-chloroethyl thioether groups (ClC2H4S−) connected by an ethylene bridge (−C2H4−).These compounds have a similar ability to alkylate DNA, but their physical properties vary. Formulations In its history, various types and mixtures of\",\n \"and mixtures of mustard gas have been employed. These include: Commonly-stockpiled mustard agents (class) History Development Mustard gases were possibly developed as early as 1822 byCésar-Mansuète Despretz(1798–1863).Despretz described the reaction ofsulfur dichlorideandethylenebut never made mention of any irritating properties of the reaction product. In 1854, another French chemist, Alfred Riche (1829–1908), repeated this procedure, also without describing any adverse physiological properties. In 1860, the British scientistFrederick Guthriesynthesized and characterized the mustard agent compound and noted its irritating properties, especially in tasting.Also in 1860, chemistAlbert Niemann, known as a pioneer incocainechemistry, repeated the reaction, and recorded blister-forming properties. In 1886,Viktor Meyerpublished a paper describing a synthesis that produced good yields. He combined2-chloroethanolwithaqueouspotassium sulfide, and then treated the resultingthiodiglycolwithphosphorus trichloride. The\",\n \"trichloride. The purity of this compound was much higher and consequently the adverse health effects upon exposure were much more severe. These symptoms presented themselves in his assistant, and in order to rule out the possibility that his assistant was suffering from a mental illness (psychosomatic symptoms), Meyer had this compound tested on laboratoryrabbits, most of which died. In 1913, the English chemistHans Thacher Clarke(known for theEschweiler-Clarke reaction) replaced the phosphorus trichloride withhydrochloric acidin Meyer's formulation while working withEmil FischerinBerlin. Clarke was hospitalized for two months for burns after one of his flasks broke. According to Meyer, Fischer's report on this accident to theGerman Chemical Societysent theGerman Empireon the road to chemical weapons. Mustard gas can have the effect of turning a patient's skin different colors, including shades of red, orange, pink, and in unusual cases, blue. TheGerman EmpireduringWorld War Irelied on the Meyer-Clarke\",\n \"on the Meyer-Clarke method because2-chloroethanolwas readily available from the German dye industry of that time. Use Mustard gas was firstused in World War Iby the German army against British and Canadian soldiers nearYpres, Belgium, on July 12, 1917.Later also against theFrench Second Army.Yperiteis \\\"a name used by the French, because the compound was first used at Ypres.\\\"The Allies did not use mustard gas until November 1917 atCambrai, France, after the armies had captured a stockpile of German mustard shells. It took the British more than a year to develop their own mustard agent weapon, with production of the chemicals centred onAvonmouth Docks(the only option available to the British was the Despretz–Niemann–Guthrie process).This was used first in September 1918 during the breaking of theHindenburg Line. Mustard gas was originally assigned the name LOST, after the scientists Wilhelm Lommel andWilhelm Steinkopf, who developed a method of large-scale production for theImperial German Armyin 1916. Mustard\",\n \"1916. Mustard gas was dispersed as anaerosolin a mixture with other chemicals, giving it a yellow-brown color. Mustard agent has also been dispersed in such munitions asaerial bombs,land mines,mortar rounds,artillery shells, androckets.Exposure to mustard agent was lethal in about 1% of cases. Its effectiveness was as anincapacitating agent. The early countermeasures against mustard agent were relatively ineffective, since a soldier wearing agas maskwas not protected against absorbing it through his skin and being blistered. A common countermeasure was using a urine-soaked mask or facecloth to prevent or reduce injury, a readily available remedy attested by soldiers in documentaries (e.g.They Shall Not Grow Oldin 2018) and others (such as forward aid nurses) interviewed between 1947 and 1981 by the British Broadcasting Corporation for various World War One history programs; however, the effectiveness of this measure is unclear. Mustard gas can remain in the ground for weeks, and it continues to cause ill\",\n \"to cause ill effects. If mustard agent contaminates one's clothing and equipment while cold, then other people with whom they share an enclosed space could become poisoned as contaminated items warm up enough material to become an airborne toxic agent. An example of this was depicted in a British and Canadian documentary about life in the trenches, particularly once the \\\"sousterrain\\\" (subways and berthing areas underground) were completed in Belgium and France. Towards the end of World War I, mustard agent was used in high concentrations as anarea-denial weaponthat forced troops to abandon heavily contaminated areas. Since World War I, mustard gas has been used in several wars and other conflicts, usually against people who cannot retaliate in kind: The use of toxic gases or other chemicals, including mustard gas, during warfare is known aschemical warfare, and this kind of warfare was prohibited by theGeneva Protocol of 1925, and also by the laterChemical Weapons Convention of 1993. The latter agreement\",\n \"latter agreement also prohibits the development, production, stockpiling, and sale of such weapons. In September 2012, a US official stated that the rebel militant groupISISwas manufacturing and using mustard gas in Syria and Iraq, which was allegedly confirmed by the group's head of chemical weapons development, Sleiman Daoud al-Afari, who has since been captured. Development of the first chemotherapy drug As early as 1919 it was known that mustard agent was a suppressor ofhematopoiesis.In addition, autopsies performed on 75 soldiers who had died of mustard agent duringWorld War Iwere done by researchers from theUniversity of Pennsylvaniawho reported decreased counts ofwhite blood cells.This led the American Office of Scientific Research and Development (OSRD) to finance the biology and chemistry departments atYale Universityto conduct research on the use of chemical warfare during World War II. As a part of this effort, the group investigatednitrogen mustardas a therapy forHodgkin's lymphomaand other types\",\n \"other types oflymphomaandleukemia, and this compound was tried out on its first human patient in December 1942. The results of this study were not published until 1946, when they were declassified.In a parallel track, after theair raid on Bariin December 1943, the doctors of the U.S. Army noted that white blood cell counts were reduced in their patients. Some years after World War II was over, the incident in Bari and the work of the Yale University group with nitrogen mustard converged, and this prompted a search for other similarchemical compounds. Due to its use in previous studies, the nitrogen mustard called \\\"HN2\\\" became the first cancerchemotherapydrug,chlormethine(also known as mechlorethamine, mustine) to be used. Chlormethine and other mustard gas molecules are still used to this day as an chemotherapy agent albeit they have largely been replaced with more safe chemotherapy drugs likecisplatinandcarboplatin. Disposal In the United States, storage and incineration of mustard gas and other chemical\",\n \"and other chemical weapons were carried out by the U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency.Disposal projects at the two remaining American chemical weapons sites were carried out nearRichmond, Kentucky, andPueblo, Colorado. Although not yet declassified,toxicology specialists who dealt with the accidental puncturing of World War I gas stockpiles add that Air Force bases in Colorado have been made available to assist veterans of the 2003 American war with Iraq in which many Marines were exposed to gas as caches of up to 25,000 lb (11,000 kg).The United Nations definition of a weapon of mass destruction for mustard gas is 30,000 lb (14,000 kg), typically the Marines and other coalition allies discovered caches of 25,000 pounds (11,000 kg) located across a road from 5,000 pounds (2,300 kg) caches as multiple memoirs attest. These were discovered by the assistance of host country allies, or through leaks affecting personnel in an area with a weapon and gas cache called anASP. New detection techniques are being\",\n \"are being developed in order to detect the presence of mustard gas and its metabolites. The technology is portable and detects small quantities of the hazardous waste and its oxidized products, which are notorious for harming unsuspecting civilians. Theimmunochromatographicassay would eliminate the need for expensive, time-consuming lab tests and enable easy-to-read tests to protect civilians from sulfur-mustard dumping sites. In 1946, 10,000 drums of mustard gas (2,800 tonnes) stored at the production facility of Stormont Chemicals inCornwall, Ontario, Canada, were loaded onto 187 boxcars for the 900 miles (1,400 km) journey to be buried at sea on board a 400 foot (120 m) long barge 40 miles (64 km) south ofSable Island, southeast ofHalifax, at a depth of 600 fathoms (1,100 m). The dump location is 42 degrees, 50 minutes north by 60 degrees, 12 minutes west. A large British stockpile of old mustard agent that had been made and stored since World War I atM. S. Factory, ValleynearRhydymwyninFlintshire, Wales,\",\n \"Wales, was destroyed in 1958. Most of the mustard gas found in Germany afterWorld War IIwas dumped into theBaltic Sea. Between 1966 and 2002, fishermen have found about 700 chemical weapons in the region ofBornholm, most of which contain mustard gas. One of the more frequently dumped weapons was \\\"Sprühbüchse 37\\\" (SprüBü37, Spray Can 37, 1937 being the year of its fielding with the German Army). These weapons contain mustard gas mixed with athickener, which gives it a tar-like viscosity. When the content of the SprüBü37 comes in contact with water, only the mustard gas in the outer layers of the lumps of viscous mustardhydrolyzes, leaving behind amber-colored residues that still contain most of the active mustard gas. On mechanically breaking these lumps (e.g., with the drag board of a fishing net or by the human hand) the enclosed mustard gas is still as active as it had been at the time the weapon was dumped. These lumps, when washed ashore, can be mistaken for amber, which can lead to severe health\",\n \"to severe health problems.Artillery shellscontaining mustard gas and other toxic ammunition from World War I (as well as conventional explosives) can still be found in France and Belgium. These were formerly disposed of by explosion undersea, but since the current environmental regulations prohibit this, theFrench governmentis building an automated factory to dispose of the accumulation of chemical shells. In 1972, theU.S. Congressbanned the practice of disposing of chemical weapons into the ocean by the United States. 29,000 tons of nerve and mustard agents had already been dumped into the ocean off the United States by theU.S. Army. According to a report created in 1998 by William Brankowitz, a deputy project manager in theU.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency, the army created at least 26 chemical weapons dumping sites in the ocean offshore from at least 11 states on both theEast Coastand theWest Coast(inOperation CHASE,Operation Geranium, etc.). In addition, due to poor recordkeeping, about one-half of the\",\n \"one-half of the sites have only their rough locations known. In June 1997, India declared its stock of chemical weapons of 1,044 tonnes (1,151 short tons) of mustard gas.By the end of 2006, India had destroyed more than 75 percent of its chemical weapons/material stockpile and was granted extension for destroying the remaining stocks by April 2009 and was expected to achieve 100 percent destruction within that time frame.India informed the United Nations in May 2009 that it had destroyed its stockpile of chemical weapons in compliance with the international Chemical Weapons Convention. With this India has become the third country after South Korea and Albania to do so.This was cross-checked by inspectors of the United Nations. Producing or stockpiling mustard gas is prohibited by theChemical Weapons Convention. When the convention entered force in 1997, the parties declared worldwide stockpiles of 17,440 tonnes of mustard gas. As of December 2015, 86% of these stockpiles had been destroyed. A significant\",\n \"A significant portion of the United States' mustard agentstockpilewas stored at the Edgewood Area ofAberdeen Proving GroundinMaryland. Approximately 1,621 tons of mustard agents were stored in one-ton containers on the base under heavy guard. A chemical neutralization plant was built on the proving ground and neutralized the last of this stockpile in February 2005. This stockpile had priority because of the potential for quick reduction of risk to the community. The nearest schools were fitted with overpressurization machinery to protect the students and faculty in the event of a catastrophic explosion and fire at the site. These projects, as well as planning, equipment, and training assistance, were provided to the surrounding community as a part of the Chemical Stockpile Emergency Preparedness Program (CSEPP), a joint program of the Army and theFederal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA).Unexploded shells containing mustard gases and other chemical agents are still present in several test ranges in proximity\",\n \"ranges in proximity to schools in the Edgewood area, but the smaller amounts of poison gas (4 to 14 pounds (1.8 to 6.4 kg)) present considerably lower risks. These remnants are being detected and excavated systematically for disposal. The U.S. Army Chemical Materials Agency oversaw disposal of several other chemical weapons stockpiles located across the United States in compliance with international chemical weapons treaties. These include the complete incineration of the chemical weapons stockpiled inAlabama,Arkansas,Indiana, andOregon. Earlier, this agency had also completed destruction of the chemical weapons stockpile located onJohnston Atolllocated south ofHawaiiin thePacific Ocean.The largest mustard agent stockpile, at approximately 6,200short tons, was stored at theDeseret Chemical Depotin northernUtah. The incineration of this stockpile began in 2006. In May 2011, the last of the mustard agents in the stockpile were incinerated at the Deseret Chemical Depot, and the last artillery shells containing\",\n \"shells containing mustard gas were incinerated in January 2012. In 2008, many emptyaerial bombsthat contained mustard gas were found in an excavation at theMarrangaroo Army Basejust west of Sydney, Australia.In 2009, a mining survey nearChinchilla, Queensland, uncovered 144 105-millimeterhowitzershells, some containing \\\"Mustard H\\\", that had been buried by the U.S. Army during World War II. In 2014, a collection of 200 bombs was found near theFlemishvillages ofPassendaleandMoorslede. The majority of the bombs were filled with mustard agents. The bombs were left over from the German army and were meant to be used in theBattle of Passchendaelein World War I. It was the largest collection of chemical weapons ever found in Belgium. A large amount of chemical weapons, including mustard gas, was found in a neighborhood ofWashington, D.C.The cleanup was completed in 2021. Post-war accidental exposure In 2002, an archaeologist at the Presidio Trust archaeology lab in San Francisco was exposed to mustard gas, which\",\n \"mustard gas, which had been dug up at thePresidio of San Francisco, a former military base. In 2010, a clamming boat pulled up some oldartilleryshells of World War I from theAtlantic Oceansouth ofLong Island, New York. Multiple fishermen suffered from blistering and respiratory irritation severe enough to require hospitalization. WWII-era tests on men From 1943 to 1944, mustard agent experiments were performed on Australian service volunteers in tropicalQueensland, Australia, byRoyal Australian Engineers,British Armyand American experimenters, resulting in some severe injuries. One test site, theBrook Islands National Park, was chosen to simulate Pacific islands held by theImperial Japanese Army.These experiments were the subject of the documentary filmKeen as Mustard. The United States tested sulfur mustards and other chemical agents includingnitrogen mustardsandlewisiteon up to 60,000 servicemen during and after WWII. The experiments were classified secret and as withAgent Orange, claims for medical care\",\n \"for medical care and compensation were routinely denied, even after the WWII-era tests were declassified in 1993. TheDepartment of Veterans Affairsstated that it would contact 4,000 surviving test subjects but failed to do so, eventually only contacting 600. Skin cancer, severe eczema, leukemia, and chronic breathing problems plagued the test subjects, some of whom were as young as 19 at the time of the tests, until their deaths, but even those who had previously filed claims with the VA went without compensation. African American servicemenwere tested alongside white men in separate trials to determine whether their skin color would afford them a degree of immunity to the agents, andNiseiservicemen, some of whom had joined after their release fromJapanese American Internment Campswere tested to determine susceptibility ofJapanese military personnelto these agents. These tests also includedPuerto Ricansubjects. Detection in biological fluids Concentrations of thiodiglycol in urine have been used to confirm a\",\n \"used to confirm a diagnosis of chemical poisoning in hospitalized victims. The presence in urine of 1,1'-sulfonylbismethylthioethane (SBMTE), a conjugation product with glutathione, is considered a more specific marker, since this metabolite is not found in specimens from unexposed persons. In one case, intact mustard gas was detected in postmortem fluids and tissues of a man who died one week post-exposure. See also References Notes Further reading External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":265,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"What member of the 1992 Unified Olympic women's gymnastics team scored a 9.975 in the qualifier for floor and competed under three different flags in her Olympic career?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Svetlana Boginskaya"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svetlana_Boginskaya"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnastics_at_the_1992_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Women%27s_artistic_team_all-around"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svetlana_Boginskaya', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnastics_at_the_1992_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Women%27s_artistic_team_all-around']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svetlana_Boginskaya","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnastics_at_the_1992_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Women%27s_artistic_team_all-around"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svetlana_Boginskaya\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnastics_at_the_1992_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Women%27s_artistic_team_all-around\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Svetlana Boginskaya Svetlana Leonidovna Boginskaya(born February 9, 1973) is a formerartistic gymnastfor theSoviet UnionandBelarusof Belarusian origin. She is a three-time Olympic champion, with an individual gold medal onvaultfrom the1988 Summer Olympicsand team gold medals from the 1988 and1992 Summer Olympics. Early life Boginskaya was born inMinsk,Belaruson February 9, 1973.She practicedfigure skatingbefore beginning gymnastics at age six,after seeingNadia Comănecicompete at the Olympics.Two years later, she moved to Moscow to train full-time at the Round Lake Gymnastics Center, where she trained withLyubov Miromanova. Gymnastics career Boginskaya became a member of the Soviet national team at age 14. She competed internationally for the first time at the1987 World Championships, where she placed third on balance beam; the team placed second. She went on to compete in the1988 Olympic GamesinSeoul, South Korea, where she won four medals: gold in the team competition, gold on vault, silver on floor, and bronze in the individual all-around. Three days after the Olympics, Boginskaya's longtime coach,Lyubov Miromanova, died bysuicide. Miromanova had been a surrogate mother to Boginskaya, coaching and caring for her after she moved from Minsk to train full-time in Moscow. After Miromanova's death, Boginskaya began training withTatiana Grosovivich. Under Grosovivich's tutelage, Boginskaya competed at the 1989European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships, where she received gold in all-round, vault, and floor. Later that year, she placed first in all-around, floor, and team events at the1989 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships,eventually dedicating her performance to her late mentor. The following year, Boginskaya became the fourth woman to win the gold medal in every individual event at the European Championships. She also competed at theFIG World Cup, where she placed first on floor. In 1991, Boginskaya won gold at the World Championships on beam and silver in the all-around; the team won gold.In a controversial finish,Boginskaya lost the gold medal in the all-around to American gymnastKim Zmeskal. In 1992, Boginskaya competed at the European Championships, where she won gold on beamwith a score of 9.95. However, she fell during her final event, the floor exercise, ultimately finishing fifth in the all-around. Her teammate,Tatiana Gutsu, received the all-around title. Despite Boginskaya's fall on floor, she remained a favorite to win the all-around title at the1992 Summer Olympicsin Barcelona, Spain.At the World Championships, Boginskaya won gold on vault and was selected for theUnified Team at the 1992 Summer Olympics.Many in the gymnastics world expected a duel between Boginskaya and Zmeskal at the Olympics, and the media promoted this story.At the Olympic games, Boginskaya won her third Olympic gold in the team competition;in the individual competition, she faltered on the uneven bars and finished fifth in the individual all-around; Zmeskal finished tenth. Following the 1992 Olympics, Boginskaya retired. However, she returned to the sport in 1995, stating that she had been inspired byKatarina Wittwho had a memorable comeback at the1994 Winter Olympics.Boginskaya moved toHouston, Texas to train withBela Karolyiand upgraded the difficulty of her routines.At the 1995 European Championships, she won silver in the all-around. In 1996, at age 23, she placed second in the all-around at theAmerican Cupbehind one of Karolyi's pupils,Kerri Strug. She also placed second at the European Championships inBirminghambehind the defending world championLilia Podkopayeva. She then progressed to the1996 OlympicsinAtlanta, Georgia, where she was one of a number of older gymnasts competing.Boginskaya competed in the all-around and vault finals, but did not medal. The Belarusian team came in sixth. Following the 1996 Olympics, Boginskaya retired from gymnastics. Boginskaya is among a small group of women to have competed in three Olympic Games; and due to the break-up of the Soviet Union, she competed at each Games under a different flag:USSR, theUnified Team, and Belarus. She was inducted into theInternational Gymnastics Hall of Famein 2005. Boginskaya has remained active in both the American and international gymnastics communities, and works as a consulting guest coach. In the early 2010s, she frequently supported former teammateOksana Chusovitina, who continues to compete in her late 40s, and has appeared on the competition floor as her coach. Post-gymnastics and personal life Boginskaya lives inHouston, Texas with her husband and two children. She runs several businesses, including an online gymnastics apparel retailer and a summer camp for gymnasts. In popular culture After the 1992 Olympics, Boginskaya appeared alongside her compatriotVitaly Scherboin the music video for the song \"Revolution Earth,\" byThe B-52's. Trademarks Boginskaya's floor routine at the 1988 Olympics was done to the music ofGeorges Bizet'sCarmen, and another routine she performed in parts of 1990 and 1991 was choreographed by theBolshoi Ballet. Her uneven bars exercise included a signature giant to handstand with 180° split into a toe-on element. Commentators and reporters cited her height and slim stature as elements she used to her advantage through attention to posture and body alignment; meanwhile they also suggested that she relied more on execution and presentation than difficulty, though she did usually fulfill requirements and earn 10.0 start values. She frequently landed dismounts and vaults with her right foot placed slightly in front of her left, an intentional touch of artistry that also helped her stick landings. Competitive history See also Notes References External links","Gymnastics at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Women's artistic team all-around These are the results of the women's artistic team all-around competition, one of six events for female competitors inartistic gymnasticsat the1992 Summer OlympicsinBarcelona. The compulsory and optional rounds took place on July 26 and 28 at the Palau d'Esports de Barcelona. Qualification The top 12 teams at the1991 World Artistic Gymnastics Championshipsearned places in the team all-around competition. Results External links"],"string":"[\n \"Svetlana Boginskaya Svetlana Leonidovna Boginskaya(born February 9, 1973) is a formerartistic gymnastfor theSoviet UnionandBelarusof Belarusian origin. She is a three-time Olympic champion, with an individual gold medal onvaultfrom the1988 Summer Olympicsand team gold medals from the 1988 and1992 Summer Olympics. Early life Boginskaya was born inMinsk,Belaruson February 9, 1973.She practicedfigure skatingbefore beginning gymnastics at age six,after seeingNadia Comănecicompete at the Olympics.Two years later, she moved to Moscow to train full-time at the Round Lake Gymnastics Center, where she trained withLyubov Miromanova. Gymnastics career Boginskaya became a member of the Soviet national team at age 14. She competed internationally for the first time at the1987 World Championships, where she placed third on balance beam; the team placed second. She went on to compete in the1988 Olympic GamesinSeoul, South Korea, where she won four medals: gold in the team competition, gold on vault, silver on floor, and bronze in the individual all-around. Three days after the Olympics, Boginskaya's longtime coach,Lyubov Miromanova, died bysuicide. Miromanova had been a surrogate mother to Boginskaya, coaching and caring for her after she moved from Minsk to train full-time in Moscow. After Miromanova's death, Boginskaya began training withTatiana Grosovivich. Under Grosovivich's tutelage, Boginskaya competed at the 1989European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships, where she received gold in all-round, vault, and floor. Later that year, she placed first in all-around, floor, and team events at the1989 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships,eventually dedicating her performance to her late mentor. The following year, Boginskaya became the fourth woman to win the gold medal in every individual event at the European Championships. She also competed at theFIG World Cup, where she placed first on floor. In 1991, Boginskaya won gold at the World Championships on beam and silver in the all-around; the team won gold.In a controversial finish,Boginskaya lost the gold medal in the all-around to American gymnastKim Zmeskal. In 1992, Boginskaya competed at the European Championships, where she won gold on beamwith a score of 9.95. However, she fell during her final event, the floor exercise, ultimately finishing fifth in the all-around. Her teammate,Tatiana Gutsu, received the all-around title. Despite Boginskaya's fall on floor, she remained a favorite to win the all-around title at the1992 Summer Olympicsin Barcelona, Spain.At the World Championships, Boginskaya won gold on vault and was selected for theUnified Team at the 1992 Summer Olympics.Many in the gymnastics world expected a duel between Boginskaya and Zmeskal at the Olympics, and the media promoted this story.At the Olympic games, Boginskaya won her third Olympic gold in the team competition;in the individual competition, she faltered on the uneven bars and finished fifth in the individual all-around; Zmeskal finished tenth. Following the 1992 Olympics, Boginskaya retired. However, she returned to the sport in 1995, stating that she had been inspired byKatarina Wittwho had a memorable comeback at the1994 Winter Olympics.Boginskaya moved toHouston, Texas to train withBela Karolyiand upgraded the difficulty of her routines.At the 1995 European Championships, she won silver in the all-around. In 1996, at age 23, she placed second in the all-around at theAmerican Cupbehind one of Karolyi's pupils,Kerri Strug. She also placed second at the European Championships inBirminghambehind the defending world championLilia Podkopayeva. She then progressed to the1996 OlympicsinAtlanta, Georgia, where she was one of a number of older gymnasts competing.Boginskaya competed in the all-around and vault finals, but did not medal. The Belarusian team came in sixth. Following the 1996 Olympics, Boginskaya retired from gymnastics. Boginskaya is among a small group of women to have competed in three Olympic Games; and due to the break-up of the Soviet Union, she competed at each Games under a different flag:USSR, theUnified Team, and Belarus. She was inducted into theInternational Gymnastics Hall of Famein 2005. Boginskaya has remained active in both the American and international gymnastics communities, and works as a consulting guest coach. In the early 2010s, she frequently supported former teammateOksana Chusovitina, who continues to compete in her late 40s, and has appeared on the competition floor as her coach. Post-gymnastics and personal life Boginskaya lives inHouston, Texas with her husband and two children. She runs several businesses, including an online gymnastics apparel retailer and a summer camp for gymnasts. In popular culture After the 1992 Olympics, Boginskaya appeared alongside her compatriotVitaly Scherboin the music video for the song \\\"Revolution Earth,\\\" byThe B-52's. Trademarks Boginskaya's floor routine at the 1988 Olympics was done to the music ofGeorges Bizet'sCarmen, and another routine she performed in parts of 1990 and 1991 was choreographed by theBolshoi Ballet. Her uneven bars exercise included a signature giant to handstand with 180° split into a toe-on element. Commentators and reporters cited her height and slim stature as elements she used to her advantage through attention to posture and body alignment; meanwhile they also suggested that she relied more on execution and presentation than difficulty, though she did usually fulfill requirements and earn 10.0 start values. She frequently landed dismounts and vaults with her right foot placed slightly in front of her left, an intentional touch of artistry that also helped her stick landings. Competitive history See also Notes References External links\",\n \"Gymnastics at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Women's artistic team all-around These are the results of the women's artistic team all-around competition, one of six events for female competitors inartistic gymnasticsat the1992 Summer OlympicsinBarcelona. The compulsory and optional rounds took place on July 26 and 28 at the Palau d'Esports de Barcelona. Qualification The top 12 teams at the1991 World Artistic Gymnastics Championshipsearned places in the team all-around competition. Results External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Svetlana Boginskaya Svetlana Leonidovna Boginskaya(born February 9, 1973) is a formerartistic gymnastfor theSoviet UnionandBelarusof Belarusian origin. She is a three-time Olympic champion, with an individual gold medal onvaultfrom the1988 Summer Olympicsand team gold medals from the 1988 and1992 Summer Olympics. Early life Boginskaya was born inMinsk,Belaruson February 9, 1973.She practicedfigure skatingbefore beginning gymnastics at age six,after seeingNadia Comănecicompete at the Olympics.Two years later, she moved to Moscow to train full-time at the Round Lake Gymnastics Center, where she trained withLyubov Miromanova. Gymnastics career Boginskaya became a member of the Soviet national team at age 14. She competed internationally for the first time at the1987 World Championships, where she placed third on balance beam; the team placed second. She went on to compete in the1988 Olympic GamesinSeoul, South Korea, where she won four medals: gold in the team competition, gold on vault, silver on floor, and","on floor, and bronze in the individual all-around. Three days after the Olympics, Boginskaya's longtime coach,Lyubov Miromanova, died bysuicide. Miromanova had been a surrogate mother to Boginskaya, coaching and caring for her after she moved from Minsk to train full-time in Moscow. After Miromanova's death, Boginskaya began training withTatiana Grosovivich. Under Grosovivich's tutelage, Boginskaya competed at the 1989European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships, where she received gold in all-round, vault, and floor. Later that year, she placed first in all-around, floor, and team events at the1989 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships,eventually dedicating her performance to her late mentor. The following year, Boginskaya became the fourth woman to win the gold medal in every individual event at the European Championships. She also competed at theFIG World Cup, where she placed first on floor. In 1991, Boginskaya won gold at the World Championships on beam and silver in the all-around; the team won","the team won gold.In a controversial finish,Boginskaya lost the gold medal in the all-around to American gymnastKim Zmeskal. In 1992, Boginskaya competed at the European Championships, where she won gold on beamwith a score of 9.95. However, she fell during her final event, the floor exercise, ultimately finishing fifth in the all-around. Her teammate,Tatiana Gutsu, received the all-around title. Despite Boginskaya's fall on floor, she remained a favorite to win the all-around title at the1992 Summer Olympicsin Barcelona, Spain.At the World Championships, Boginskaya won gold on vault and was selected for theUnified Team at the 1992 Summer Olympics.Many in the gymnastics world expected a duel between Boginskaya and Zmeskal at the Olympics, and the media promoted this story.At the Olympic games, Boginskaya won her third Olympic gold in the team competition;in the individual competition, she faltered on the uneven bars and finished fifth in the individual all-around; Zmeskal finished tenth. Following the 1992","Following the 1992 Olympics, Boginskaya retired. However, she returned to the sport in 1995, stating that she had been inspired byKatarina Wittwho had a memorable comeback at the1994 Winter Olympics.Boginskaya moved toHouston, Texas to train withBela Karolyiand upgraded the difficulty of her routines.At the 1995 European Championships, she won silver in the all-around. In 1996, at age 23, she placed second in the all-around at theAmerican Cupbehind one of Karolyi's pupils,Kerri Strug. She also placed second at the European Championships inBirminghambehind the defending world championLilia Podkopayeva. She then progressed to the1996 OlympicsinAtlanta, Georgia, where she was one of a number of older gymnasts competing.Boginskaya competed in the all-around and vault finals, but did not medal. The Belarusian team came in sixth. Following the 1996 Olympics, Boginskaya retired from gymnastics. Boginskaya is among a small group of women to have competed in three Olympic Games; and due to the break-up of the Soviet","of the Soviet Union, she competed at each Games under a different flag:USSR, theUnified Team, and Belarus. She was inducted into theInternational Gymnastics Hall of Famein 2005. Boginskaya has remained active in both the American and international gymnastics communities, and works as a consulting guest coach. In the early 2010s, she frequently supported former teammateOksana Chusovitina, who continues to compete in her late 40s, and has appeared on the competition floor as her coach. Post-gymnastics and personal life Boginskaya lives inHouston, Texas with her husband and two children. She runs several businesses, including an online gymnastics apparel retailer and a summer camp for gymnasts. In popular culture After the 1992 Olympics, Boginskaya appeared alongside her compatriotVitaly Scherboin the music video for the song \"Revolution Earth,\" byThe B-52's. Trademarks Boginskaya's floor routine at the 1988 Olympics was done to the music ofGeorges Bizet'sCarmen, and another routine she performed in parts of","in parts of 1990 and 1991 was choreographed by theBolshoi Ballet. Her uneven bars exercise included a signature giant to handstand with 180° split into a toe-on element. Commentators and reporters cited her height and slim stature as elements she used to her advantage through attention to posture and body alignment; meanwhile they also suggested that she relied more on execution and presentation than difficulty, though she did usually fulfill requirements and earn 10.0 start values. She frequently landed dismounts and vaults with her right foot placed slightly in front of her left, an intentional touch of artistry that also helped her stick landings. Competitive history See also Notes References External links","Gymnastics at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Women's artistic team all-around These are the results of the women's artistic team all-around competition, one of six events for female competitors inartistic gymnasticsat the1992 Summer OlympicsinBarcelona. The compulsory and optional rounds took place on July 26 and 28 at the Palau d'Esports de Barcelona. Qualification The top 12 teams at the1991 World Artistic Gymnastics Championshipsearned places in the team all-around competition. Results External links"],"string":"[\n \"Svetlana Boginskaya Svetlana Leonidovna Boginskaya(born February 9, 1973) is a formerartistic gymnastfor theSoviet UnionandBelarusof Belarusian origin. She is a three-time Olympic champion, with an individual gold medal onvaultfrom the1988 Summer Olympicsand team gold medals from the 1988 and1992 Summer Olympics. Early life Boginskaya was born inMinsk,Belaruson February 9, 1973.She practicedfigure skatingbefore beginning gymnastics at age six,after seeingNadia Comănecicompete at the Olympics.Two years later, she moved to Moscow to train full-time at the Round Lake Gymnastics Center, where she trained withLyubov Miromanova. Gymnastics career Boginskaya became a member of the Soviet national team at age 14. She competed internationally for the first time at the1987 World Championships, where she placed third on balance beam; the team placed second. She went on to compete in the1988 Olympic GamesinSeoul, South Korea, where she won four medals: gold in the team competition, gold on vault, silver on floor, and\",\n \"on floor, and bronze in the individual all-around. Three days after the Olympics, Boginskaya's longtime coach,Lyubov Miromanova, died bysuicide. Miromanova had been a surrogate mother to Boginskaya, coaching and caring for her after she moved from Minsk to train full-time in Moscow. After Miromanova's death, Boginskaya began training withTatiana Grosovivich. Under Grosovivich's tutelage, Boginskaya competed at the 1989European Women's Artistic Gymnastics Championships, where she received gold in all-round, vault, and floor. Later that year, she placed first in all-around, floor, and team events at the1989 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships,eventually dedicating her performance to her late mentor. The following year, Boginskaya became the fourth woman to win the gold medal in every individual event at the European Championships. She also competed at theFIG World Cup, where she placed first on floor. In 1991, Boginskaya won gold at the World Championships on beam and silver in the all-around; the team won\",\n \"the team won gold.In a controversial finish,Boginskaya lost the gold medal in the all-around to American gymnastKim Zmeskal. In 1992, Boginskaya competed at the European Championships, where she won gold on beamwith a score of 9.95. However, she fell during her final event, the floor exercise, ultimately finishing fifth in the all-around. Her teammate,Tatiana Gutsu, received the all-around title. Despite Boginskaya's fall on floor, she remained a favorite to win the all-around title at the1992 Summer Olympicsin Barcelona, Spain.At the World Championships, Boginskaya won gold on vault and was selected for theUnified Team at the 1992 Summer Olympics.Many in the gymnastics world expected a duel between Boginskaya and Zmeskal at the Olympics, and the media promoted this story.At the Olympic games, Boginskaya won her third Olympic gold in the team competition;in the individual competition, she faltered on the uneven bars and finished fifth in the individual all-around; Zmeskal finished tenth. Following the 1992\",\n \"Following the 1992 Olympics, Boginskaya retired. However, she returned to the sport in 1995, stating that she had been inspired byKatarina Wittwho had a memorable comeback at the1994 Winter Olympics.Boginskaya moved toHouston, Texas to train withBela Karolyiand upgraded the difficulty of her routines.At the 1995 European Championships, she won silver in the all-around. In 1996, at age 23, she placed second in the all-around at theAmerican Cupbehind one of Karolyi's pupils,Kerri Strug. She also placed second at the European Championships inBirminghambehind the defending world championLilia Podkopayeva. She then progressed to the1996 OlympicsinAtlanta, Georgia, where she was one of a number of older gymnasts competing.Boginskaya competed in the all-around and vault finals, but did not medal. The Belarusian team came in sixth. Following the 1996 Olympics, Boginskaya retired from gymnastics. Boginskaya is among a small group of women to have competed in three Olympic Games; and due to the break-up of the Soviet\",\n \"of the Soviet Union, she competed at each Games under a different flag:USSR, theUnified Team, and Belarus. She was inducted into theInternational Gymnastics Hall of Famein 2005. Boginskaya has remained active in both the American and international gymnastics communities, and works as a consulting guest coach. In the early 2010s, she frequently supported former teammateOksana Chusovitina, who continues to compete in her late 40s, and has appeared on the competition floor as her coach. Post-gymnastics and personal life Boginskaya lives inHouston, Texas with her husband and two children. She runs several businesses, including an online gymnastics apparel retailer and a summer camp for gymnasts. In popular culture After the 1992 Olympics, Boginskaya appeared alongside her compatriotVitaly Scherboin the music video for the song \\\"Revolution Earth,\\\" byThe B-52's. Trademarks Boginskaya's floor routine at the 1988 Olympics was done to the music ofGeorges Bizet'sCarmen, and another routine she performed in parts of\",\n \"in parts of 1990 and 1991 was choreographed by theBolshoi Ballet. Her uneven bars exercise included a signature giant to handstand with 180° split into a toe-on element. Commentators and reporters cited her height and slim stature as elements she used to her advantage through attention to posture and body alignment; meanwhile they also suggested that she relied more on execution and presentation than difficulty, though she did usually fulfill requirements and earn 10.0 start values. She frequently landed dismounts and vaults with her right foot placed slightly in front of her left, an intentional touch of artistry that also helped her stick landings. Competitive history See also Notes References External links\",\n \"Gymnastics at the 1992 Summer Olympics – Women's artistic team all-around These are the results of the women's artistic team all-around competition, one of six events for female competitors inartistic gymnasticsat the1992 Summer OlympicsinBarcelona. The compulsory and optional rounds took place on July 26 and 28 at the Palau d'Esports de Barcelona. Qualification The top 12 teams at the1991 World Artistic Gymnastics Championshipsearned places in the team all-around competition. Results External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":266,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"What is the nickname for the city where Mette Solli was born? Give the answer in Norwegian."},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Rosenes by"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mette_Solli"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molde"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Post processing"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mette_Solli', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molde']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mette_Solli","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molde"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mette_Solli\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molde\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Mette Solli Mette Solli(born 14 September 1974) is a Norwegiankickboxer. Biography Solli was born inMoldeon 17 September 1974. Her achievements include gold medal in light-contact at theW.A.K.O. World Championships 2001 (Maribor), a gold medal in full-contact at theW.A.K.O. European Championships 2004 (Budva), and a gold medal in full-contact at theW.A.K.O. World Championships 2007 (Coimbra). She was awarded theKongepokal(King's Cup) trophy at the national championships in 2007. References This biographical article related tomartial artsinNorwayis astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.","Molde Molde(Norwegian pronunciation:ⓘ) is a town andmunicipalityinMøre og Romsdalcounty,Norway. It is located in thetraditional districtofRomsdal. It is located on theRomsdal Peninsula, surrounding theFannefjordandMoldefjord. Theadministrative centreof the municipality is thecity of Moldewhich is also theadministrative centreofMøre og Romsdalcounty, the commercial hub of theRomsdalregion, and the seat of theDiocese of Møre. Other main population centres in the municipality include the villages ofHjelset,Kleive,Nesjestranda,Midsund,Nord-Heggdal,Eidsvåg,Rausand,Boggestranda,Myklebostad,Eresfjord, andEikesdalen. Molde has amaritime,temperate climate, with cool-to-warm summers, and relatively mild winters. The city is nicknamedThe City of Roses. Molde was originally the name of a farm by a natural harbour, which grew into a timber trading port in the late16th century.Formal trading rights were introduced before 1604,and the town was incorporated through aroyal charterin 1742. Molde was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (seeformannskapsdistriktlaw). The town continued to grow throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming a centre for Norwegiantextileandgarmentindustry, as well as theadministrative centrefor the region, and a major tourist destination. AfterWorld War II, Molde experienced accelerated growth, merging withBolsøyMunicipality and parts ofVeøyMunicipality on 1 January 1964, and has become a centre for not only administrative and public services, but also academic resources and industrial output. The 1,503-square-kilometre (580 sq mi) municipality is the 56th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Molde is the 31st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 32,446. The municipality'spopulation densityis 22.6 inhabitants per square kilometre (59/sq mi) and its population has increased by 4.9% over the previous 10-year period. History The city's current location dates from the late Medieval times but is preceded by an earlierMedievaltownship onVeøya, an island to the south of present-day Molde. The settlement at Veøya probably dates from theMigration Period, but is first mentioned in the sagas bySnorri Sturlusonas the location of theBattle ofSekkenin 1162, whereking Håkonthe Broad-shouldered was killed fighting the aristocratErling Skakke, during theNorwegian civil wars. However, settlement in the area can be traced much further back in time—evidence given by two rock slabs carved withpetroglyphsfound at Bjørset, west of the city center. At the eve of the 15th century, the influence of Veøya waned, and the island was eventually deserted. Originating from the two farms Reknes and Molde (later Moldegård), a minor port calledMoldefjæra(Molde Landing) emerged around 1600, based on trade with timber and herring. The town gained formal trading rights before 1604 under the supervision ofTrondheim.After theTreaty of Copenhagenin 1660, Molde became theadministrative centerofRomsdal amt, and was incorporated as acitythrough aroyal charterin 1742. Molde continued to grow throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming a center for the Norwegian textile and garment industry. Tourism later became a major industry, and Molde saw notabilities such as the German emperorWilhelm IIofGermanyand thePrince of Walesas regular summer visitors. Molde consisted of luxurious hotels surrounding an idyllic township with quaint, wooden houses, lush gardens, and parks, esplanades, and pavilions, earning it the nicknamethe Town of Roses. This was interrupted when one-third of the city was destroyed in a fire on 21 January 1916. However, Molde recovered and continued to grow in the economically difficult interbellum period. A second fire, or series of fires, struck from theGermanair-raids inApril and May 1940, which destroyed about two-thirds of the town. Molde was in effect the capital of Norway for a week after King Haakon, Crown Prince Olav, and members of the government and parliament arrived at Molde on April 23, after a dramatic flight from Oslo. They were put up at Glomstua, then at the western outskirts of the town, and experienced the bombing raids personally. The Norwegian gold reserve was also conveyed to Molde, and was hidden in a clothing factory. However, German intelligence was well aware of this, and on April 25 theLuftwaffeinitiated a series of air-raids. For a week the air-raid siren on the chimney of the dairy building announced the repeated attacks. April 29 turned out to be the worst day in the history of Molde, as the city was transformed into a sea of flames by incendiary bombs. Until then the church had escaped undamaged, but in the final sortie a firebomb became stuck high up in the tower, and the wooden church was obliterated by fire. After World War II, Molde experienced tremendous growth. As the modernization of the Norwegian society accelerated in the post-reconstruction years, Molde became a center for not only administrative and public services, but also academic resources and industrial output. After the consolidation of the town itself and its adjacent communities in 1964, Molde became a modern city, encompassing most branches of employment, from farming and fisheries to industrial production, banking, higher education, tourism, commerce, health care, and civil administration. Municipality The town of Molde was established as an urban municipality on 1 January 1838 (seeformannskapsdistriktlaw). It was surrounded by the rural municipality ofBolsøy. On 1 July 1915, a part of Bolsøy (population: 183) was transferred to the city of Molde. On 1 January 1952, another part of Bolsøy (population: 1,913) was transferred to Molde. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of theSchei Committee. On 1 January 1964, theMolde (town)(population: 8,289) merged with theSekken,Veøya, andNesjestrandaparts of municipality ofVeøy(population: 756), all of the municipality ofBolsøy(population: 7,996), and the Mordal area ofNord-Aukramunicipality (population: 77) to form the present day municipality of Molde. On 1 January 2020, the neighbouring municipalities ofMidsundandNessetmerged with Molde to form a much larger municipality called Molde. Name The municipality (originally the town andparish) is named after the oldMoldefarmstead (Old Norse:Moldar) since this was where the town was built. The name's origin is somewhat uncertain. It could be the plural form ismoldwhich means \"fertile soil\" or \"earth\". The other possibility is that it comes from the wordmoldrwhich means \"skull\" or \"mold\" (referring to the rounded peaks inMoldemarka).Pronunciation varies between the standardMoldeand the ruralMolle. A person from Molde will refer to themself as aMoldenser. Coat of arms Thecoat of armswas granted on 29 June 1742. The informalblazonis\"a water spouting whale, which drives a barrel in front of itself\"(Norwegian:en vannsprutende hvalfisk, som driver en tønne for seg). The arms have a bluefield(background) and thechargeis a whale and barrel floating on the ocean waves. It also has amural crownabove theescutcheonsince the municipality includes a town. The exact design of the coat of arms is not formally depicted in law, so it has varied some over the centuries. The arms symbolize awhalechasingherringinto a barrel, based on an old myth that the whales (guided by God) chased the schools of herring into the fjords at certain times. It also portrays the city's founding industries of herring fisheries and timber exports. Molde was never a whaling port, but the unusually bountiful fisheries in the early 1740s alleviated the city's suffering during a major famine. The sighting of whales, usually pods oforca, was commonly held to be the start of the spring herring fisheries. The municipal flag is a white flag with the coat of arms in the centre. Moldesangen (The Song of Molde) is the semi-official anthem. It was written by Palle Godtfred Olaus Dørum (1818–1886) and composed by Karl Groos (1789–1861), supposedly in 1818, and is the same tune used the anthem of the German federal stateMecklenburg-Vorpommern(Moldesangen) Geography Molde municipality includes part of theRomsdal peninsulaas well as many islands including the islands ofOtrøyaandMidøya. To the southeast, Molde municipality stretches about 75 kilometres (47 mi) inland. Thetown of Moldeconsists of a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) long and 1 to 2 kilometres (0.62 to 1.24 mi) wide strip of urban land running east–west along the north shore of theMoldefjord, an arm of theRomsdalsfjord, on theRomsdal peninsula. The city is sheltered byBolsøyaand theMolde archipelago, a chain of low-lying islands and islets, to the south, and the wood-clad hills ofMoldemarkato the north. The city centre is located just west of the riverMoldeelva, which runs into the city from the north, originating in theMoldevatnetlake, through the valley Moldedalen. Despite the river being minor and seasonal, it supported severalsawmillsin the 16th and 17th centuries. This gave rise to the original town itself through a combination of a good harbour, proximity to the sea routes, vast timber resources, and a river capable of supporting mills. In 1909, the river housed the firsthydro electricpower plantcapable of providing sufficient electricity for the city, and the upper reaches of the river still provide drinking water for most of the city. Its panoramic view of some 222 partly snow-clad peaks, usually referred to as theMolde panorama, is one of Molde's main attractions, and has drawn tourists to the city since the 19th century. Molde is nicknamed theTown of Roses, a name which originated during Molde's era as a tourist destination of international fame in the late 19th century. Neighbouring municipalities areAukra,Gjemnes, andHustadvika(to the north);Ålesund(to the southwest);VestnesandRauma(to the south); andTingvollandSunndal(to the east). Points of interest Salmon,sea troutandsea charare found in the rivers throughout the area, especially theRauma,Driva, andEira, already legendary among the Britishgentryin the mid-19th century.Troutis abundant in most lakes.Cod,pollock,saithe,mackereland other species of saltwaterfishare commonly caught in the Romsdalsfjord, both from land and from boat.Skiingis a common activity among the inhabitants of Molde in the winter, on groomed tracks, in resorts or by own trail. There are severalrock climbing,ice climbing,bouldering,glacierandbasejumpingareas in the immediate vicinity of Molde. TheAtlantic roadwas voted the Norwegian Construction of the Century in 2005. It is built on bridges and landfills across small islands and skerries, and spans from the small communities of Vikan and Vevang toAverøy, an island with several historic landmarks, such as the Bremsnes cave withMesolithicfindings from theFosnaculture, themediaevalKvernes stave church, and Langøysund, now a remote fishing community, but once a bustling port along the main coastal route. Langøysund was the site of the compromise between KingMagnus Iand the farmers along the coast in 1040. The compromise is regarded as Norway'sMagna Carta, and is commemorated though thePilespisser(English:Arrowheads) monument. Trollkirka(English: lit.Troll Church) is a marble grotto leading up to an underground waterfall. The grotto is situated 30 minutes outside Molde, followed by a 1-hour hike up a steep trail.Trollveggenis Europe's tallest vertical, overhanging mountain face,with several very difficult climbing routes.Trollstigenis the most visited tourist road in Norway. The road twists and turns its way up an almost vertical mountainside through 11 hairpin bends to an altitude of 858 m (2,814.96 ft).Mardalsfossenis the highestwaterfallinNorthern Europeand the fourth highest waterfall in the world, cascading 297 metres down into the valley. The total height of the waterfall is 655 m (2,148.95 ft). Budis a fishing village on the very tip of the Romsdalpeninsula. It gained importance during theMiddle Agesas a trading post, and hosted the last freePrivy Councilof Norway in 1533, a desperate attempt to save the country's independence and stave off theProtestant Reformation, led byOlav Engelbrektsson,archbishop of Nidaros(todayTrondheim). The massive Ergan coastal defences, a restored German coastal fort fromWorld War II, and a part of theAtlantic Wall, is situated in Bud. The fishing communities of Ona, Bjørnsund and Håholmen are located on remote islands off the coast, only accessible by boat or ferry. Moldemarka Moldemarka, the hilly woodland area north of the city, ispublic land. The area has an extensive network of paths, walking trails and skiing tracks. Forest roads enter the area from several directions. Bulletin boards and maps provide information regarding local plants and wildlife, as well as signposts along the trails. Marked trails lead to a number of peaks, sites and fishing lakes and rivers. A national fishing licence is required to fish in the lakes and streams. Varden, 407 metres (1,335 ft)above sea levelis a viewpoint directly above Molde, with a good view of the city, thefjordwith theMolde archipelagoand theMolde panorama. Climate Molde has a temperateoceanic climate(Cfb) also known as marine west coast climate. Molde holds the national high for the month of October, with 25.6 °C or 78.1 °F recorded on 11 October 2005. Due to its geographic location, Molde experiences frequentsnowfallsin winter, but this snow is usually wet as the winters tend to be mild. The record high 31 °C or 88 °F was recorded in July 2018. The record low −17 °C or 1 °F was recorded in both January and February 2010. Anatural phenomenonoccurring in Molde and the adjacent district, are frequent winter days with temperatures above 10 °C (50 °F), sometimes even above 14 °C (57 °F). This is due to thefoehn windfrom south and south-east. The sheltered location of the city, facing south with hills to the north, mountains to the east and mountainous islands to the west, contributes to Molde's climate and rich plant life, especially among species naturally growing on far lower latitudes, likechestnut,oak,tilia(limeorlinden),beech,yew, and others. Government Molde Municipality is responsible forprimary education(through 10th grade), outpatienthealth services,senior citizenservices,welfareand othersocial services,zoning,economic development, and municipalroadsand utilities. The municipality is governed by amunicipal councilofdirectly electedrepresentatives. Themayorisindirectly electedby a vote of the municipal council.The municipality is under the jurisdiction of theMøre og Romsdal District Courtand theFrostating Court of Appeal. Municipal council Themunicipal council(Kommunestyre) of Molde is made up of 49 representatives who are elected to four-year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by politicalparty. Mayors Themayors(Norwegian:ordfører) of Molde: Culture Three of thefour greatNorwegian authors are connected to Molde.Bjørnstjerne Bjørnsonspent his childhood years atNessetoutside Molde, and attended school in the city.Henrik Ibsenfrequently spent his vacations at the mansionMoldegårdvisiting the family Møller; andAlexander Kiellandresided in the city as the governor ofRomsdals amt. Ibsen's playRosmersholmis generally thought to be inspired by life at the mansion Moldegård, andThe Lady from the Seais also believed to be set in the city of Molde, although never actually mentioned. Other authors from or with ties to Molde includeEdvard Hoem,Jo Nesbø,Knut Ødegård, andNini Roll Anker, a friend ofSigrid Undset. TheRomsdal Museum, one of Norway's largest folkmuseums, was established in 1912. Buildings originating from all over the region have been moved here to form a typical cluster of farm buildings including \"openhearth\" houses, sheds, outhouses, smokehouses and a small chapel. The \"town street\" with Mali's Café shows typical Molde town houses from the pre-World War I period. TheMuseum of the Fisheriesis an open-air museum located on the island of Hjertøya, 10 minutes from the centre of Molde. A small fishing village with authentic buildings, boats and fishing equipment, the museum shows local coastal culture from 1850 onwards. The local newspaper isRomsdals Budstikke. Churches TheChurch of Norwayhas ten parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Molde. It is part of theMolde domprosti(arch-deanery) in theDiocese of Møre. Festivals TheMoldejazzjazzfestival is held in Molde every July. Moldejazz is one of the largest and oldest jazz festivals in Europe, and one of the most important. An estimated 40,000 tickets are sold for the more than a hundred events during the festival. Between 80,000 and 100,000 visitors visit the city during the one-week-long festival. Every August, Molde andNessetare hosts to theBjørnson Festival, an international literature festival. Established by the poet Knut Ødegård in connection with the 250-year anniversary of Molde, the festival is named in honour of theNobel Prize in LiteraturelaureateBjørnstjerne Bjørnson(1832–1910). It is the oldest and the most internationally acclaimed literature festival in Norway. In addition to the two major events, a number of minor festivals are held annually. Byfest, the city's celebration of incorporation, is an arrangement by local artists, coinciding with the anniversary of the royal charter of 29 June 1742. Education Molde University Collegeoffers a wide range of academic opportunities, from nursing and health-related studies, to economics and administrative courses. The school is Norway's leading college in logistics,and well established as a centre for research and academic programmes in information technology, with degrees up to and including PhD. Transportation Hurtigrutacalls on Molde every day, on its journey betweenBergenandKirkenes. The nearest railway station isÅndalsnes, the terminus for theRauma Line. The local airport isMolde Airportwhich has several daily flights to Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim, as well as weekly flights to other domestic and international destinations. TheEuropean route E39andNorwegian County Road 64both pass through the municipality. The city of Molde is connected to Fræna Municipality (to the north) by theTussen Tunnel. The city is connected to theRøvikaandNesjestrandapart of the municipality by theFannefjord TunnelandBolsøy Bridge, significantly shortening the drive by avoiding driving all the way around theFannefjorden. The proposedLangfjord Tunnelwould connect Molde Municipality to Rauma Municipality via a tunnel under theLangfjorden. Sports Molde hosts a variety of sports teams, most notably thefootballteam,Molde FK, which plays in theEliteserien, the top division in theNorwegian football league system. Their home matches are played atAker stadion, inaugurated in 1998, which holds a record attendance of 13,308. The team is five-time league champions (2011,2012,2014,2019and2022), five-time Norwegian Cup winners (1994,2005,2013,2014and2021-22), and has made numerous appearances in European tournaments, including theUEFA Champions League. The club was founded in 1911, during Molde's period of great British and Continental influx, and was first named \"International\", since it predominantly played teams made up from crews of foreign vessels visiting the city. In addition to a number of international players, the city has also produced severalski jumpers,cross-country skiersandalpine skiersof international merit. Other sports include the accomplishedteam handballclubs (Molde Elite,SK Træff,SK Rival), athletics teams (IL Molde-Olymp), skiing clubs, basketball and volleyball teams. International relations Twin towns — sister cities Molde has threesister cities. They are: Notable residents Public service & business The Arts Sport References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Mette Solli Mette Solli(born 14 September 1974) is a Norwegiankickboxer. Biography Solli was born inMoldeon 17 September 1974. Her achievements include gold medal in light-contact at theW.A.K.O. World Championships 2001 (Maribor), a gold medal in full-contact at theW.A.K.O. European Championships 2004 (Budva), and a gold medal in full-contact at theW.A.K.O. World Championships 2007 (Coimbra). She was awarded theKongepokal(King's Cup) trophy at the national championships in 2007. References This biographical article related tomartial artsinNorwayis astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.\",\n \"Molde Molde(Norwegian pronunciation:ⓘ) is a town andmunicipalityinMøre og Romsdalcounty,Norway. It is located in thetraditional districtofRomsdal. It is located on theRomsdal Peninsula, surrounding theFannefjordandMoldefjord. Theadministrative centreof the municipality is thecity of Moldewhich is also theadministrative centreofMøre og Romsdalcounty, the commercial hub of theRomsdalregion, and the seat of theDiocese of Møre. Other main population centres in the municipality include the villages ofHjelset,Kleive,Nesjestranda,Midsund,Nord-Heggdal,Eidsvåg,Rausand,Boggestranda,Myklebostad,Eresfjord, andEikesdalen. Molde has amaritime,temperate climate, with cool-to-warm summers, and relatively mild winters. The city is nicknamedThe City of Roses. Molde was originally the name of a farm by a natural harbour, which grew into a timber trading port in the late16th century.Formal trading rights were introduced before 1604,and the town was incorporated through aroyal charterin 1742. Molde was established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (seeformannskapsdistriktlaw). The town continued to grow throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming a centre for Norwegiantextileandgarmentindustry, as well as theadministrative centrefor the region, and a major tourist destination. AfterWorld War II, Molde experienced accelerated growth, merging withBolsøyMunicipality and parts ofVeøyMunicipality on 1 January 1964, and has become a centre for not only administrative and public services, but also academic resources and industrial output. The 1,503-square-kilometre (580 sq mi) municipality is the 56th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Molde is the 31st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 32,446. The municipality'spopulation densityis 22.6 inhabitants per square kilometre (59/sq mi) and its population has increased by 4.9% over the previous 10-year period. History The city's current location dates from the late Medieval times but is preceded by an earlierMedievaltownship onVeøya, an island to the south of present-day Molde. The settlement at Veøya probably dates from theMigration Period, but is first mentioned in the sagas bySnorri Sturlusonas the location of theBattle ofSekkenin 1162, whereking Håkonthe Broad-shouldered was killed fighting the aristocratErling Skakke, during theNorwegian civil wars. However, settlement in the area can be traced much further back in time—evidence given by two rock slabs carved withpetroglyphsfound at Bjørset, west of the city center. At the eve of the 15th century, the influence of Veøya waned, and the island was eventually deserted. Originating from the two farms Reknes and Molde (later Moldegård), a minor port calledMoldefjæra(Molde Landing) emerged around 1600, based on trade with timber and herring. The town gained formal trading rights before 1604 under the supervision ofTrondheim.After theTreaty of Copenhagenin 1660, Molde became theadministrative centerofRomsdal amt, and was incorporated as acitythrough aroyal charterin 1742. Molde continued to grow throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming a center for the Norwegian textile and garment industry. Tourism later became a major industry, and Molde saw notabilities such as the German emperorWilhelm IIofGermanyand thePrince of Walesas regular summer visitors. Molde consisted of luxurious hotels surrounding an idyllic township with quaint, wooden houses, lush gardens, and parks, esplanades, and pavilions, earning it the nicknamethe Town of Roses. This was interrupted when one-third of the city was destroyed in a fire on 21 January 1916. However, Molde recovered and continued to grow in the economically difficult interbellum period. A second fire, or series of fires, struck from theGermanair-raids inApril and May 1940, which destroyed about two-thirds of the town. Molde was in effect the capital of Norway for a week after King Haakon, Crown Prince Olav, and members of the government and parliament arrived at Molde on April 23, after a dramatic flight from Oslo. They were put up at Glomstua, then at the western outskirts of the town, and experienced the bombing raids personally. The Norwegian gold reserve was also conveyed to Molde, and was hidden in a clothing factory. However, German intelligence was well aware of this, and on April 25 theLuftwaffeinitiated a series of air-raids. For a week the air-raid siren on the chimney of the dairy building announced the repeated attacks. April 29 turned out to be the worst day in the history of Molde, as the city was transformed into a sea of flames by incendiary bombs. Until then the church had escaped undamaged, but in the final sortie a firebomb became stuck high up in the tower, and the wooden church was obliterated by fire. After World War II, Molde experienced tremendous growth. As the modernization of the Norwegian society accelerated in the post-reconstruction years, Molde became a center for not only administrative and public services, but also academic resources and industrial output. After the consolidation of the town itself and its adjacent communities in 1964, Molde became a modern city, encompassing most branches of employment, from farming and fisheries to industrial production, banking, higher education, tourism, commerce, health care, and civil administration. Municipality The town of Molde was established as an urban municipality on 1 January 1838 (seeformannskapsdistriktlaw). It was surrounded by the rural municipality ofBolsøy. On 1 July 1915, a part of Bolsøy (population: 183) was transferred to the city of Molde. On 1 January 1952, another part of Bolsøy (population: 1,913) was transferred to Molde. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of theSchei Committee. On 1 January 1964, theMolde (town)(population: 8,289) merged with theSekken,Veøya, andNesjestrandaparts of municipality ofVeøy(population: 756), all of the municipality ofBolsøy(population: 7,996), and the Mordal area ofNord-Aukramunicipality (population: 77) to form the present day municipality of Molde. On 1 January 2020, the neighbouring municipalities ofMidsundandNessetmerged with Molde to form a much larger municipality called Molde. Name The municipality (originally the town andparish) is named after the oldMoldefarmstead (Old Norse:Moldar) since this was where the town was built. The name's origin is somewhat uncertain. It could be the plural form ismoldwhich means \\\"fertile soil\\\" or \\\"earth\\\". The other possibility is that it comes from the wordmoldrwhich means \\\"skull\\\" or \\\"mold\\\" (referring to the rounded peaks inMoldemarka).Pronunciation varies between the standardMoldeand the ruralMolle. A person from Molde will refer to themself as aMoldenser. Coat of arms Thecoat of armswas granted on 29 June 1742. The informalblazonis\\\"a water spouting whale, which drives a barrel in front of itself\\\"(Norwegian:en vannsprutende hvalfisk, som driver en tønne for seg). The arms have a bluefield(background) and thechargeis a whale and barrel floating on the ocean waves. It also has amural crownabove theescutcheonsince the municipality includes a town. The exact design of the coat of arms is not formally depicted in law, so it has varied some over the centuries. The arms symbolize awhalechasingherringinto a barrel, based on an old myth that the whales (guided by God) chased the schools of herring into the fjords at certain times. It also portrays the city's founding industries of herring fisheries and timber exports. Molde was never a whaling port, but the unusually bountiful fisheries in the early 1740s alleviated the city's suffering during a major famine. The sighting of whales, usually pods oforca, was commonly held to be the start of the spring herring fisheries. The municipal flag is a white flag with the coat of arms in the centre. Moldesangen (The Song of Molde) is the semi-official anthem. It was written by Palle Godtfred Olaus Dørum (1818–1886) and composed by Karl Groos (1789–1861), supposedly in 1818, and is the same tune used the anthem of the German federal stateMecklenburg-Vorpommern(Moldesangen) Geography Molde municipality includes part of theRomsdal peninsulaas well as many islands including the islands ofOtrøyaandMidøya. To the southeast, Molde municipality stretches about 75 kilometres (47 mi) inland. Thetown of Moldeconsists of a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) long and 1 to 2 kilometres (0.62 to 1.24 mi) wide strip of urban land running east–west along the north shore of theMoldefjord, an arm of theRomsdalsfjord, on theRomsdal peninsula. The city is sheltered byBolsøyaand theMolde archipelago, a chain of low-lying islands and islets, to the south, and the wood-clad hills ofMoldemarkato the north. The city centre is located just west of the riverMoldeelva, which runs into the city from the north, originating in theMoldevatnetlake, through the valley Moldedalen. Despite the river being minor and seasonal, it supported severalsawmillsin the 16th and 17th centuries. This gave rise to the original town itself through a combination of a good harbour, proximity to the sea routes, vast timber resources, and a river capable of supporting mills. In 1909, the river housed the firsthydro electricpower plantcapable of providing sufficient electricity for the city, and the upper reaches of the river still provide drinking water for most of the city. Its panoramic view of some 222 partly snow-clad peaks, usually referred to as theMolde panorama, is one of Molde's main attractions, and has drawn tourists to the city since the 19th century. Molde is nicknamed theTown of Roses, a name which originated during Molde's era as a tourist destination of international fame in the late 19th century. Neighbouring municipalities areAukra,Gjemnes, andHustadvika(to the north);Ålesund(to the southwest);VestnesandRauma(to the south); andTingvollandSunndal(to the east). Points of interest Salmon,sea troutandsea charare found in the rivers throughout the area, especially theRauma,Driva, andEira, already legendary among the Britishgentryin the mid-19th century.Troutis abundant in most lakes.Cod,pollock,saithe,mackereland other species of saltwaterfishare commonly caught in the Romsdalsfjord, both from land and from boat.Skiingis a common activity among the inhabitants of Molde in the winter, on groomed tracks, in resorts or by own trail. There are severalrock climbing,ice climbing,bouldering,glacierandbasejumpingareas in the immediate vicinity of Molde. TheAtlantic roadwas voted the Norwegian Construction of the Century in 2005. It is built on bridges and landfills across small islands and skerries, and spans from the small communities of Vikan and Vevang toAverøy, an island with several historic landmarks, such as the Bremsnes cave withMesolithicfindings from theFosnaculture, themediaevalKvernes stave church, and Langøysund, now a remote fishing community, but once a bustling port along the main coastal route. Langøysund was the site of the compromise between KingMagnus Iand the farmers along the coast in 1040. The compromise is regarded as Norway'sMagna Carta, and is commemorated though thePilespisser(English:Arrowheads) monument. Trollkirka(English: lit.Troll Church) is a marble grotto leading up to an underground waterfall. The grotto is situated 30 minutes outside Molde, followed by a 1-hour hike up a steep trail.Trollveggenis Europe's tallest vertical, overhanging mountain face,with several very difficult climbing routes.Trollstigenis the most visited tourist road in Norway. The road twists and turns its way up an almost vertical mountainside through 11 hairpin bends to an altitude of 858 m (2,814.96 ft).Mardalsfossenis the highestwaterfallinNorthern Europeand the fourth highest waterfall in the world, cascading 297 metres down into the valley. The total height of the waterfall is 655 m (2,148.95 ft). Budis a fishing village on the very tip of the Romsdalpeninsula. It gained importance during theMiddle Agesas a trading post, and hosted the last freePrivy Councilof Norway in 1533, a desperate attempt to save the country's independence and stave off theProtestant Reformation, led byOlav Engelbrektsson,archbishop of Nidaros(todayTrondheim). The massive Ergan coastal defences, a restored German coastal fort fromWorld War II, and a part of theAtlantic Wall, is situated in Bud. The fishing communities of Ona, Bjørnsund and Håholmen are located on remote islands off the coast, only accessible by boat or ferry. Moldemarka Moldemarka, the hilly woodland area north of the city, ispublic land. The area has an extensive network of paths, walking trails and skiing tracks. Forest roads enter the area from several directions. Bulletin boards and maps provide information regarding local plants and wildlife, as well as signposts along the trails. Marked trails lead to a number of peaks, sites and fishing lakes and rivers. A national fishing licence is required to fish in the lakes and streams. Varden, 407 metres (1,335 ft)above sea levelis a viewpoint directly above Molde, with a good view of the city, thefjordwith theMolde archipelagoand theMolde panorama. Climate Molde has a temperateoceanic climate(Cfb) also known as marine west coast climate. Molde holds the national high for the month of October, with 25.6 °C or 78.1 °F recorded on 11 October 2005. Due to its geographic location, Molde experiences frequentsnowfallsin winter, but this snow is usually wet as the winters tend to be mild. The record high 31 °C or 88 °F was recorded in July 2018. The record low −17 °C or 1 °F was recorded in both January and February 2010. Anatural phenomenonoccurring in Molde and the adjacent district, are frequent winter days with temperatures above 10 °C (50 °F), sometimes even above 14 °C (57 °F). This is due to thefoehn windfrom south and south-east. The sheltered location of the city, facing south with hills to the north, mountains to the east and mountainous islands to the west, contributes to Molde's climate and rich plant life, especially among species naturally growing on far lower latitudes, likechestnut,oak,tilia(limeorlinden),beech,yew, and others. Government Molde Municipality is responsible forprimary education(through 10th grade), outpatienthealth services,senior citizenservices,welfareand othersocial services,zoning,economic development, and municipalroadsand utilities. The municipality is governed by amunicipal councilofdirectly electedrepresentatives. Themayorisindirectly electedby a vote of the municipal council.The municipality is under the jurisdiction of theMøre og Romsdal District Courtand theFrostating Court of Appeal. Municipal council Themunicipal council(Kommunestyre) of Molde is made up of 49 representatives who are elected to four-year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by politicalparty. Mayors Themayors(Norwegian:ordfører) of Molde: Culture Three of thefour greatNorwegian authors are connected to Molde.Bjørnstjerne Bjørnsonspent his childhood years atNessetoutside Molde, and attended school in the city.Henrik Ibsenfrequently spent his vacations at the mansionMoldegårdvisiting the family Møller; andAlexander Kiellandresided in the city as the governor ofRomsdals amt. Ibsen's playRosmersholmis generally thought to be inspired by life at the mansion Moldegård, andThe Lady from the Seais also believed to be set in the city of Molde, although never actually mentioned. Other authors from or with ties to Molde includeEdvard Hoem,Jo Nesbø,Knut Ødegård, andNini Roll Anker, a friend ofSigrid Undset. TheRomsdal Museum, one of Norway's largest folkmuseums, was established in 1912. Buildings originating from all over the region have been moved here to form a typical cluster of farm buildings including \\\"openhearth\\\" houses, sheds, outhouses, smokehouses and a small chapel. The \\\"town street\\\" with Mali's Café shows typical Molde town houses from the pre-World War I period. TheMuseum of the Fisheriesis an open-air museum located on the island of Hjertøya, 10 minutes from the centre of Molde. A small fishing village with authentic buildings, boats and fishing equipment, the museum shows local coastal culture from 1850 onwards. The local newspaper isRomsdals Budstikke. Churches TheChurch of Norwayhas ten parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Molde. It is part of theMolde domprosti(arch-deanery) in theDiocese of Møre. Festivals TheMoldejazzjazzfestival is held in Molde every July. Moldejazz is one of the largest and oldest jazz festivals in Europe, and one of the most important. An estimated 40,000 tickets are sold for the more than a hundred events during the festival. Between 80,000 and 100,000 visitors visit the city during the one-week-long festival. Every August, Molde andNessetare hosts to theBjørnson Festival, an international literature festival. Established by the poet Knut Ødegård in connection with the 250-year anniversary of Molde, the festival is named in honour of theNobel Prize in LiteraturelaureateBjørnstjerne Bjørnson(1832–1910). It is the oldest and the most internationally acclaimed literature festival in Norway. In addition to the two major events, a number of minor festivals are held annually. Byfest, the city's celebration of incorporation, is an arrangement by local artists, coinciding with the anniversary of the royal charter of 29 June 1742. Education Molde University Collegeoffers a wide range of academic opportunities, from nursing and health-related studies, to economics and administrative courses. The school is Norway's leading college in logistics,and well established as a centre for research and academic programmes in information technology, with degrees up to and including PhD. Transportation Hurtigrutacalls on Molde every day, on its journey betweenBergenandKirkenes. The nearest railway station isÅndalsnes, the terminus for theRauma Line. The local airport isMolde Airportwhich has several daily flights to Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim, as well as weekly flights to other domestic and international destinations. TheEuropean route E39andNorwegian County Road 64both pass through the municipality. The city of Molde is connected to Fræna Municipality (to the north) by theTussen Tunnel. The city is connected to theRøvikaandNesjestrandapart of the municipality by theFannefjord TunnelandBolsøy Bridge, significantly shortening the drive by avoiding driving all the way around theFannefjorden. The proposedLangfjord Tunnelwould connect Molde Municipality to Rauma Municipality via a tunnel under theLangfjorden. Sports Molde hosts a variety of sports teams, most notably thefootballteam,Molde FK, which plays in theEliteserien, the top division in theNorwegian football league system. Their home matches are played atAker stadion, inaugurated in 1998, which holds a record attendance of 13,308. The team is five-time league champions (2011,2012,2014,2019and2022), five-time Norwegian Cup winners (1994,2005,2013,2014and2021-22), and has made numerous appearances in European tournaments, including theUEFA Champions League. The club was founded in 1911, during Molde's period of great British and Continental influx, and was first named \\\"International\\\", since it predominantly played teams made up from crews of foreign vessels visiting the city. In addition to a number of international players, the city has also produced severalski jumpers,cross-country skiersandalpine skiersof international merit. Other sports include the accomplishedteam handballclubs (Molde Elite,SK Træff,SK Rival), athletics teams (IL Molde-Olymp), skiing clubs, basketball and volleyball teams. International relations Twin towns — sister cities Molde has threesister cities. They are: Notable residents Public service & business The Arts Sport References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Mette Solli Mette Solli(born 14 September 1974) is a Norwegiankickboxer. Biography Solli was born inMoldeon 17 September 1974. Her achievements include gold medal in light-contact at theW.A.K.O. World Championships 2001 (Maribor), a gold medal in full-contact at theW.A.K.O. European Championships 2004 (Budva), and a gold medal in full-contact at theW.A.K.O. World Championships 2007 (Coimbra). She was awarded theKongepokal(King's Cup) trophy at the national championships in 2007. References This biographical article related tomartial artsinNorwayis astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.","Molde Molde(Norwegian pronunciation:ⓘ) is a town andmunicipalityinMøre og Romsdalcounty,Norway. It is located in thetraditional districtofRomsdal. It is located on theRomsdal Peninsula, surrounding theFannefjordandMoldefjord. Theadministrative centreof the municipality is thecity of Moldewhich is also theadministrative centreofMøre og Romsdalcounty, the commercial hub of theRomsdalregion, and the seat of theDiocese of Møre. Other main population centres in the municipality include the villages ofHjelset,Kleive,Nesjestranda,Midsund,Nord-Heggdal,Eidsvåg,Rausand,Boggestranda,Myklebostad,Eresfjord, andEikesdalen. Molde has amaritime,temperate climate, with cool-to-warm summers, and relatively mild winters. The city is nicknamedThe City of Roses. Molde was originally the name of a farm by a natural harbour, which grew into a timber trading port in the late16th century.Formal trading rights were introduced before 1604,and the town was incorporated through aroyal charterin 1742. Molde was established as a","established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (seeformannskapsdistriktlaw). The town continued to grow throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming a centre for Norwegiantextileandgarmentindustry, as well as theadministrative centrefor the region, and a major tourist destination. AfterWorld War II, Molde experienced accelerated growth, merging withBolsøyMunicipality and parts ofVeøyMunicipality on 1 January 1964, and has become a centre for not only administrative and public services, but also academic resources and industrial output. The 1,503-square-kilometre (580 sq mi) municipality is the 56th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Molde is the 31st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 32,446. The municipality'spopulation densityis 22.6 inhabitants per square kilometre (59/sq mi) and its population has increased by 4.9% over the previous 10-year period. History The city's current location dates from the late Medieval times but is preceded by an","is preceded by an earlierMedievaltownship onVeøya, an island to the south of present-day Molde. The settlement at Veøya probably dates from theMigration Period, but is first mentioned in the sagas bySnorri Sturlusonas the location of theBattle ofSekkenin 1162, whereking Håkonthe Broad-shouldered was killed fighting the aristocratErling Skakke, during theNorwegian civil wars. However, settlement in the area can be traced much further back in time—evidence given by two rock slabs carved withpetroglyphsfound at Bjørset, west of the city center. At the eve of the 15th century, the influence of Veøya waned, and the island was eventually deserted. Originating from the two farms Reknes and Molde (later Moldegård), a minor port calledMoldefjæra(Molde Landing) emerged around 1600, based on trade with timber and herring. The town gained formal trading rights before 1604 under the supervision ofTrondheim.After theTreaty of Copenhagenin 1660, Molde became theadministrative centerofRomsdal amt, and was incorporated as","was incorporated as acitythrough aroyal charterin 1742. Molde continued to grow throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming a center for the Norwegian textile and garment industry. Tourism later became a major industry, and Molde saw notabilities such as the German emperorWilhelm IIofGermanyand thePrince of Walesas regular summer visitors. Molde consisted of luxurious hotels surrounding an idyllic township with quaint, wooden houses, lush gardens, and parks, esplanades, and pavilions, earning it the nicknamethe Town of Roses. This was interrupted when one-third of the city was destroyed in a fire on 21 January 1916. However, Molde recovered and continued to grow in the economically difficult interbellum period. A second fire, or series of fires, struck from theGermanair-raids inApril and May 1940, which destroyed about two-thirds of the town. Molde was in effect the capital of Norway for a week after King Haakon, Crown Prince Olav, and members of the government and parliament arrived at Molde on April","at Molde on April 23, after a dramatic flight from Oslo. They were put up at Glomstua, then at the western outskirts of the town, and experienced the bombing raids personally. The Norwegian gold reserve was also conveyed to Molde, and was hidden in a clothing factory. However, German intelligence was well aware of this, and on April 25 theLuftwaffeinitiated a series of air-raids. For a week the air-raid siren on the chimney of the dairy building announced the repeated attacks. April 29 turned out to be the worst day in the history of Molde, as the city was transformed into a sea of flames by incendiary bombs. Until then the church had escaped undamaged, but in the final sortie a firebomb became stuck high up in the tower, and the wooden church was obliterated by fire. After World War II, Molde experienced tremendous growth. As the modernization of the Norwegian society accelerated in the post-reconstruction years, Molde became a center for not only administrative and public services, but also academic","but also academic resources and industrial output. After the consolidation of the town itself and its adjacent communities in 1964, Molde became a modern city, encompassing most branches of employment, from farming and fisheries to industrial production, banking, higher education, tourism, commerce, health care, and civil administration. Municipality The town of Molde was established as an urban municipality on 1 January 1838 (seeformannskapsdistriktlaw). It was surrounded by the rural municipality ofBolsøy. On 1 July 1915, a part of Bolsøy (population: 183) was transferred to the city of Molde. On 1 January 1952, another part of Bolsøy (population: 1,913) was transferred to Molde. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of theSchei Committee. On 1 January 1964, theMolde (town)(population: 8,289) merged with theSekken,Veøya, andNesjestrandaparts of municipality ofVeøy(population: 756), all of the municipality ofBolsøy(population: 7,996), and the Mordal area","and the Mordal area ofNord-Aukramunicipality (population: 77) to form the present day municipality of Molde. On 1 January 2020, the neighbouring municipalities ofMidsundandNessetmerged with Molde to form a much larger municipality called Molde. Name The municipality (originally the town andparish) is named after the oldMoldefarmstead (Old Norse:Moldar) since this was where the town was built. The name's origin is somewhat uncertain. It could be the plural form ismoldwhich means \"fertile soil\" or \"earth\". The other possibility is that it comes from the wordmoldrwhich means \"skull\" or \"mold\" (referring to the rounded peaks inMoldemarka).Pronunciation varies between the standardMoldeand the ruralMolle. A person from Molde will refer to themself as aMoldenser. Coat of arms Thecoat of armswas granted on 29 June 1742. The informalblazonis\"a water spouting whale, which drives a barrel in front of itself\"(Norwegian:en vannsprutende hvalfisk, som driver en tønne for seg). The arms have a bluefield(background) and","and thechargeis a whale and barrel floating on the ocean waves. It also has amural crownabove theescutcheonsince the municipality includes a town. The exact design of the coat of arms is not formally depicted in law, so it has varied some over the centuries. The arms symbolize awhalechasingherringinto a barrel, based on an old myth that the whales (guided by God) chased the schools of herring into the fjords at certain times. It also portrays the city's founding industries of herring fisheries and timber exports. Molde was never a whaling port, but the unusually bountiful fisheries in the early 1740s alleviated the city's suffering during a major famine. The sighting of whales, usually pods oforca, was commonly held to be the start of the spring herring fisheries. The municipal flag is a white flag with the coat of arms in the centre. Moldesangen (The Song of Molde) is the semi-official anthem. It was written by Palle Godtfred Olaus Dørum (1818–1886) and composed by Karl Groos (1789–1861), supposedly in","supposedly in 1818, and is the same tune used the anthem of the German federal stateMecklenburg-Vorpommern(Moldesangen) Geography Molde municipality includes part of theRomsdal peninsulaas well as many islands including the islands ofOtrøyaandMidøya. To the southeast, Molde municipality stretches about 75 kilometres (47 mi) inland. Thetown of Moldeconsists of a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) long and 1 to 2 kilometres (0.62 to 1.24 mi) wide strip of urban land running east–west along the north shore of theMoldefjord, an arm of theRomsdalsfjord, on theRomsdal peninsula. The city is sheltered byBolsøyaand theMolde archipelago, a chain of low-lying islands and islets, to the south, and the wood-clad hills ofMoldemarkato the north. The city centre is located just west of the riverMoldeelva, which runs into the city from the north, originating in theMoldevatnetlake, through the valley Moldedalen. Despite the river being minor and seasonal, it supported severalsawmillsin the 16th and 17th centuries. This gave rise to the","gave rise to the original town itself through a combination of a good harbour, proximity to the sea routes, vast timber resources, and a river capable of supporting mills. In 1909, the river housed the firsthydro electricpower plantcapable of providing sufficient electricity for the city, and the upper reaches of the river still provide drinking water for most of the city. Its panoramic view of some 222 partly snow-clad peaks, usually referred to as theMolde panorama, is one of Molde's main attractions, and has drawn tourists to the city since the 19th century. Molde is nicknamed theTown of Roses, a name which originated during Molde's era as a tourist destination of international fame in the late 19th century. Neighbouring municipalities areAukra,Gjemnes, andHustadvika(to the north);Ålesund(to the southwest);VestnesandRauma(to the south); andTingvollandSunndal(to the east). Points of interest Salmon,sea troutandsea charare found in the rivers throughout the area, especially theRauma,Driva, andEira, already","andEira, already legendary among the Britishgentryin the mid-19th century.Troutis abundant in most lakes.Cod,pollock,saithe,mackereland other species of saltwaterfishare commonly caught in the Romsdalsfjord, both from land and from boat.Skiingis a common activity among the inhabitants of Molde in the winter, on groomed tracks, in resorts or by own trail. There are severalrock climbing,ice climbing,bouldering,glacierandbasejumpingareas in the immediate vicinity of Molde. TheAtlantic roadwas voted the Norwegian Construction of the Century in 2005. It is built on bridges and landfills across small islands and skerries, and spans from the small communities of Vikan and Vevang toAverøy, an island with several historic landmarks, such as the Bremsnes cave withMesolithicfindings from theFosnaculture, themediaevalKvernes stave church, and Langøysund, now a remote fishing community, but once a bustling port along the main coastal route. Langøysund was the site of the compromise between KingMagnus Iand the farmers","Iand the farmers along the coast in 1040. The compromise is regarded as Norway'sMagna Carta, and is commemorated though thePilespisser(English:Arrowheads) monument. Trollkirka(English: lit.Troll Church) is a marble grotto leading up to an underground waterfall. The grotto is situated 30 minutes outside Molde, followed by a 1-hour hike up a steep trail.Trollveggenis Europe's tallest vertical, overhanging mountain face,with several very difficult climbing routes.Trollstigenis the most visited tourist road in Norway. The road twists and turns its way up an almost vertical mountainside through 11 hairpin bends to an altitude of 858 m (2,814.96 ft).Mardalsfossenis the highestwaterfallinNorthern Europeand the fourth highest waterfall in the world, cascading 297 metres down into the valley. The total height of the waterfall is 655 m (2,148.95 ft). Budis a fishing village on the very tip of the Romsdalpeninsula. It gained importance during theMiddle Agesas a trading post, and hosted the last freePrivy Councilof","freePrivy Councilof Norway in 1533, a desperate attempt to save the country's independence and stave off theProtestant Reformation, led byOlav Engelbrektsson,archbishop of Nidaros(todayTrondheim). The massive Ergan coastal defences, a restored German coastal fort fromWorld War II, and a part of theAtlantic Wall, is situated in Bud. The fishing communities of Ona, Bjørnsund and Håholmen are located on remote islands off the coast, only accessible by boat or ferry. Moldemarka Moldemarka, the hilly woodland area north of the city, ispublic land. The area has an extensive network of paths, walking trails and skiing tracks. Forest roads enter the area from several directions. Bulletin boards and maps provide information regarding local plants and wildlife, as well as signposts along the trails. Marked trails lead to a number of peaks, sites and fishing lakes and rivers. A national fishing licence is required to fish in the lakes and streams. Varden, 407 metres (1,335 ft)above sea levelis a viewpoint directly","viewpoint directly above Molde, with a good view of the city, thefjordwith theMolde archipelagoand theMolde panorama. Climate Molde has a temperateoceanic climate(Cfb) also known as marine west coast climate. Molde holds the national high for the month of October, with 25.6 °C or 78.1 °F recorded on 11 October 2005. Due to its geographic location, Molde experiences frequentsnowfallsin winter, but this snow is usually wet as the winters tend to be mild. The record high 31 °C or 88 °F was recorded in July 2018. The record low −17 °C or 1 °F was recorded in both January and February 2010. Anatural phenomenonoccurring in Molde and the adjacent district, are frequent winter days with temperatures above 10 °C (50 °F), sometimes even above 14 °C (57 °F). This is due to thefoehn windfrom south and south-east. The sheltered location of the city, facing south with hills to the north, mountains to the east and mountainous islands to the west, contributes to Molde's climate and rich plant life, especially among species","among species naturally growing on far lower latitudes, likechestnut,oak,tilia(limeorlinden),beech,yew, and others. Government Molde Municipality is responsible forprimary education(through 10th grade), outpatienthealth services,senior citizenservices,welfareand othersocial services,zoning,economic development, and municipalroadsand utilities. The municipality is governed by amunicipal councilofdirectly electedrepresentatives. Themayorisindirectly electedby a vote of the municipal council.The municipality is under the jurisdiction of theMøre og Romsdal District Courtand theFrostating Court of Appeal. Municipal council Themunicipal council(Kommunestyre) of Molde is made up of 49 representatives who are elected to four-year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by politicalparty. Mayors Themayors(Norwegian:ordfører) of Molde: Culture Three of thefour greatNorwegian authors are connected to Molde.Bjørnstjerne Bjørnsonspent his childhood years atNessetoutside Molde,","Molde, and attended school in the city.Henrik Ibsenfrequently spent his vacations at the mansionMoldegårdvisiting the family Møller; andAlexander Kiellandresided in the city as the governor ofRomsdals amt. Ibsen's playRosmersholmis generally thought to be inspired by life at the mansion Moldegård, andThe Lady from the Seais also believed to be set in the city of Molde, although never actually mentioned. Other authors from or with ties to Molde includeEdvard Hoem,Jo Nesbø,Knut Ødegård, andNini Roll Anker, a friend ofSigrid Undset. TheRomsdal Museum, one of Norway's largest folkmuseums, was established in 1912. Buildings originating from all over the region have been moved here to form a typical cluster of farm buildings including \"openhearth\" houses, sheds, outhouses, smokehouses and a small chapel. The \"town street\" with Mali's Café shows typical Molde town houses from the pre-World War I period. TheMuseum of the Fisheriesis an open-air museum located on the island of Hjertøya, 10 minutes from the centre of","from the centre of Molde. A small fishing village with authentic buildings, boats and fishing equipment, the museum shows local coastal culture from 1850 onwards. The local newspaper isRomsdals Budstikke. Churches TheChurch of Norwayhas ten parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Molde. It is part of theMolde domprosti(arch-deanery) in theDiocese of Møre. Festivals TheMoldejazzjazzfestival is held in Molde every July. Moldejazz is one of the largest and oldest jazz festivals in Europe, and one of the most important. An estimated 40,000 tickets are sold for the more than a hundred events during the festival. Between 80,000 and 100,000 visitors visit the city during the one-week-long festival. Every August, Molde andNessetare hosts to theBjørnson Festival, an international literature festival. Established by the poet Knut Ødegård in connection with the 250-year anniversary of Molde, the festival is named in honour of theNobel Prize in LiteraturelaureateBjørnstjerne Bjørnson(1832–1910). It is the oldest and","is the oldest and the most internationally acclaimed literature festival in Norway. In addition to the two major events, a number of minor festivals are held annually. Byfest, the city's celebration of incorporation, is an arrangement by local artists, coinciding with the anniversary of the royal charter of 29 June 1742. Education Molde University Collegeoffers a wide range of academic opportunities, from nursing and health-related studies, to economics and administrative courses. The school is Norway's leading college in logistics,and well established as a centre for research and academic programmes in information technology, with degrees up to and including PhD. Transportation Hurtigrutacalls on Molde every day, on its journey betweenBergenandKirkenes. The nearest railway station isÅndalsnes, the terminus for theRauma Line. The local airport isMolde Airportwhich has several daily flights to Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim, as well as weekly flights to other domestic and international destinations. TheEuropean","TheEuropean route E39andNorwegian County Road 64both pass through the municipality. The city of Molde is connected to Fræna Municipality (to the north) by theTussen Tunnel. The city is connected to theRøvikaandNesjestrandapart of the municipality by theFannefjord TunnelandBolsøy Bridge, significantly shortening the drive by avoiding driving all the way around theFannefjorden. The proposedLangfjord Tunnelwould connect Molde Municipality to Rauma Municipality via a tunnel under theLangfjorden. Sports Molde hosts a variety of sports teams, most notably thefootballteam,Molde FK, which plays in theEliteserien, the top division in theNorwegian football league system. Their home matches are played atAker stadion, inaugurated in 1998, which holds a record attendance of 13,308. The team is five-time league champions (2011,2012,2014,2019and2022), five-time Norwegian Cup winners (1994,2005,2013,2014and2021-22), and has made numerous appearances in European tournaments, including theUEFA Champions League. The club was","The club was founded in 1911, during Molde's period of great British and Continental influx, and was first named \"International\", since it predominantly played teams made up from crews of foreign vessels visiting the city. In addition to a number of international players, the city has also produced severalski jumpers,cross-country skiersandalpine skiersof international merit. Other sports include the accomplishedteam handballclubs (Molde Elite,SK Træff,SK Rival), athletics teams (IL Molde-Olymp), skiing clubs, basketball and volleyball teams. International relations Twin towns — sister cities Molde has threesister cities. They are: Notable residents Public service & business The Arts Sport References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Mette Solli Mette Solli(born 14 September 1974) is a Norwegiankickboxer. Biography Solli was born inMoldeon 17 September 1974. Her achievements include gold medal in light-contact at theW.A.K.O. World Championships 2001 (Maribor), a gold medal in full-contact at theW.A.K.O. European Championships 2004 (Budva), and a gold medal in full-contact at theW.A.K.O. World Championships 2007 (Coimbra). She was awarded theKongepokal(King's Cup) trophy at the national championships in 2007. References This biographical article related tomartial artsinNorwayis astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.\",\n \"Molde Molde(Norwegian pronunciation:ⓘ) is a town andmunicipalityinMøre og Romsdalcounty,Norway. It is located in thetraditional districtofRomsdal. It is located on theRomsdal Peninsula, surrounding theFannefjordandMoldefjord. Theadministrative centreof the municipality is thecity of Moldewhich is also theadministrative centreofMøre og Romsdalcounty, the commercial hub of theRomsdalregion, and the seat of theDiocese of Møre. Other main population centres in the municipality include the villages ofHjelset,Kleive,Nesjestranda,Midsund,Nord-Heggdal,Eidsvåg,Rausand,Boggestranda,Myklebostad,Eresfjord, andEikesdalen. Molde has amaritime,temperate climate, with cool-to-warm summers, and relatively mild winters. The city is nicknamedThe City of Roses. Molde was originally the name of a farm by a natural harbour, which grew into a timber trading port in the late16th century.Formal trading rights were introduced before 1604,and the town was incorporated through aroyal charterin 1742. Molde was established as a\",\n \"established as a municipality on 1 January 1838 (seeformannskapsdistriktlaw). The town continued to grow throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming a centre for Norwegiantextileandgarmentindustry, as well as theadministrative centrefor the region, and a major tourist destination. AfterWorld War II, Molde experienced accelerated growth, merging withBolsøyMunicipality and parts ofVeøyMunicipality on 1 January 1964, and has become a centre for not only administrative and public services, but also academic resources and industrial output. The 1,503-square-kilometre (580 sq mi) municipality is the 56th largest by area out of the 356 municipalities in Norway. Molde is the 31st most populous municipality in Norway with a population of 32,446. The municipality'spopulation densityis 22.6 inhabitants per square kilometre (59/sq mi) and its population has increased by 4.9% over the previous 10-year period. History The city's current location dates from the late Medieval times but is preceded by an\",\n \"is preceded by an earlierMedievaltownship onVeøya, an island to the south of present-day Molde. The settlement at Veøya probably dates from theMigration Period, but is first mentioned in the sagas bySnorri Sturlusonas the location of theBattle ofSekkenin 1162, whereking Håkonthe Broad-shouldered was killed fighting the aristocratErling Skakke, during theNorwegian civil wars. However, settlement in the area can be traced much further back in time—evidence given by two rock slabs carved withpetroglyphsfound at Bjørset, west of the city center. At the eve of the 15th century, the influence of Veøya waned, and the island was eventually deserted. Originating from the two farms Reknes and Molde (later Moldegård), a minor port calledMoldefjæra(Molde Landing) emerged around 1600, based on trade with timber and herring. The town gained formal trading rights before 1604 under the supervision ofTrondheim.After theTreaty of Copenhagenin 1660, Molde became theadministrative centerofRomsdal amt, and was incorporated as\",\n \"was incorporated as acitythrough aroyal charterin 1742. Molde continued to grow throughout the 18th and 19th centuries, becoming a center for the Norwegian textile and garment industry. Tourism later became a major industry, and Molde saw notabilities such as the German emperorWilhelm IIofGermanyand thePrince of Walesas regular summer visitors. Molde consisted of luxurious hotels surrounding an idyllic township with quaint, wooden houses, lush gardens, and parks, esplanades, and pavilions, earning it the nicknamethe Town of Roses. This was interrupted when one-third of the city was destroyed in a fire on 21 January 1916. However, Molde recovered and continued to grow in the economically difficult interbellum period. A second fire, or series of fires, struck from theGermanair-raids inApril and May 1940, which destroyed about two-thirds of the town. Molde was in effect the capital of Norway for a week after King Haakon, Crown Prince Olav, and members of the government and parliament arrived at Molde on April\",\n \"at Molde on April 23, after a dramatic flight from Oslo. They were put up at Glomstua, then at the western outskirts of the town, and experienced the bombing raids personally. The Norwegian gold reserve was also conveyed to Molde, and was hidden in a clothing factory. However, German intelligence was well aware of this, and on April 25 theLuftwaffeinitiated a series of air-raids. For a week the air-raid siren on the chimney of the dairy building announced the repeated attacks. April 29 turned out to be the worst day in the history of Molde, as the city was transformed into a sea of flames by incendiary bombs. Until then the church had escaped undamaged, but in the final sortie a firebomb became stuck high up in the tower, and the wooden church was obliterated by fire. After World War II, Molde experienced tremendous growth. As the modernization of the Norwegian society accelerated in the post-reconstruction years, Molde became a center for not only administrative and public services, but also academic\",\n \"but also academic resources and industrial output. After the consolidation of the town itself and its adjacent communities in 1964, Molde became a modern city, encompassing most branches of employment, from farming and fisheries to industrial production, banking, higher education, tourism, commerce, health care, and civil administration. Municipality The town of Molde was established as an urban municipality on 1 January 1838 (seeformannskapsdistriktlaw). It was surrounded by the rural municipality ofBolsøy. On 1 July 1915, a part of Bolsøy (population: 183) was transferred to the city of Molde. On 1 January 1952, another part of Bolsøy (population: 1,913) was transferred to Molde. During the 1960s, there were many municipal mergers across Norway due to the work of theSchei Committee. On 1 January 1964, theMolde (town)(population: 8,289) merged with theSekken,Veøya, andNesjestrandaparts of municipality ofVeøy(population: 756), all of the municipality ofBolsøy(population: 7,996), and the Mordal area\",\n \"and the Mordal area ofNord-Aukramunicipality (population: 77) to form the present day municipality of Molde. On 1 January 2020, the neighbouring municipalities ofMidsundandNessetmerged with Molde to form a much larger municipality called Molde. Name The municipality (originally the town andparish) is named after the oldMoldefarmstead (Old Norse:Moldar) since this was where the town was built. The name's origin is somewhat uncertain. It could be the plural form ismoldwhich means \\\"fertile soil\\\" or \\\"earth\\\". The other possibility is that it comes from the wordmoldrwhich means \\\"skull\\\" or \\\"mold\\\" (referring to the rounded peaks inMoldemarka).Pronunciation varies between the standardMoldeand the ruralMolle. A person from Molde will refer to themself as aMoldenser. Coat of arms Thecoat of armswas granted on 29 June 1742. The informalblazonis\\\"a water spouting whale, which drives a barrel in front of itself\\\"(Norwegian:en vannsprutende hvalfisk, som driver en tønne for seg). The arms have a bluefield(background) and\",\n \"and thechargeis a whale and barrel floating on the ocean waves. It also has amural crownabove theescutcheonsince the municipality includes a town. The exact design of the coat of arms is not formally depicted in law, so it has varied some over the centuries. The arms symbolize awhalechasingherringinto a barrel, based on an old myth that the whales (guided by God) chased the schools of herring into the fjords at certain times. It also portrays the city's founding industries of herring fisheries and timber exports. Molde was never a whaling port, but the unusually bountiful fisheries in the early 1740s alleviated the city's suffering during a major famine. The sighting of whales, usually pods oforca, was commonly held to be the start of the spring herring fisheries. The municipal flag is a white flag with the coat of arms in the centre. Moldesangen (The Song of Molde) is the semi-official anthem. It was written by Palle Godtfred Olaus Dørum (1818–1886) and composed by Karl Groos (1789–1861), supposedly in\",\n \"supposedly in 1818, and is the same tune used the anthem of the German federal stateMecklenburg-Vorpommern(Moldesangen) Geography Molde municipality includes part of theRomsdal peninsulaas well as many islands including the islands ofOtrøyaandMidøya. To the southeast, Molde municipality stretches about 75 kilometres (47 mi) inland. Thetown of Moldeconsists of a 10 kilometres (6.2 mi) long and 1 to 2 kilometres (0.62 to 1.24 mi) wide strip of urban land running east–west along the north shore of theMoldefjord, an arm of theRomsdalsfjord, on theRomsdal peninsula. The city is sheltered byBolsøyaand theMolde archipelago, a chain of low-lying islands and islets, to the south, and the wood-clad hills ofMoldemarkato the north. The city centre is located just west of the riverMoldeelva, which runs into the city from the north, originating in theMoldevatnetlake, through the valley Moldedalen. Despite the river being minor and seasonal, it supported severalsawmillsin the 16th and 17th centuries. This gave rise to the\",\n \"gave rise to the original town itself through a combination of a good harbour, proximity to the sea routes, vast timber resources, and a river capable of supporting mills. In 1909, the river housed the firsthydro electricpower plantcapable of providing sufficient electricity for the city, and the upper reaches of the river still provide drinking water for most of the city. Its panoramic view of some 222 partly snow-clad peaks, usually referred to as theMolde panorama, is one of Molde's main attractions, and has drawn tourists to the city since the 19th century. Molde is nicknamed theTown of Roses, a name which originated during Molde's era as a tourist destination of international fame in the late 19th century. Neighbouring municipalities areAukra,Gjemnes, andHustadvika(to the north);Ålesund(to the southwest);VestnesandRauma(to the south); andTingvollandSunndal(to the east). Points of interest Salmon,sea troutandsea charare found in the rivers throughout the area, especially theRauma,Driva, andEira, already\",\n \"andEira, already legendary among the Britishgentryin the mid-19th century.Troutis abundant in most lakes.Cod,pollock,saithe,mackereland other species of saltwaterfishare commonly caught in the Romsdalsfjord, both from land and from boat.Skiingis a common activity among the inhabitants of Molde in the winter, on groomed tracks, in resorts or by own trail. There are severalrock climbing,ice climbing,bouldering,glacierandbasejumpingareas in the immediate vicinity of Molde. TheAtlantic roadwas voted the Norwegian Construction of the Century in 2005. It is built on bridges and landfills across small islands and skerries, and spans from the small communities of Vikan and Vevang toAverøy, an island with several historic landmarks, such as the Bremsnes cave withMesolithicfindings from theFosnaculture, themediaevalKvernes stave church, and Langøysund, now a remote fishing community, but once a bustling port along the main coastal route. Langøysund was the site of the compromise between KingMagnus Iand the farmers\",\n \"Iand the farmers along the coast in 1040. The compromise is regarded as Norway'sMagna Carta, and is commemorated though thePilespisser(English:Arrowheads) monument. Trollkirka(English: lit.Troll Church) is a marble grotto leading up to an underground waterfall. The grotto is situated 30 minutes outside Molde, followed by a 1-hour hike up a steep trail.Trollveggenis Europe's tallest vertical, overhanging mountain face,with several very difficult climbing routes.Trollstigenis the most visited tourist road in Norway. The road twists and turns its way up an almost vertical mountainside through 11 hairpin bends to an altitude of 858 m (2,814.96 ft).Mardalsfossenis the highestwaterfallinNorthern Europeand the fourth highest waterfall in the world, cascading 297 metres down into the valley. The total height of the waterfall is 655 m (2,148.95 ft). Budis a fishing village on the very tip of the Romsdalpeninsula. It gained importance during theMiddle Agesas a trading post, and hosted the last freePrivy Councilof\",\n \"freePrivy Councilof Norway in 1533, a desperate attempt to save the country's independence and stave off theProtestant Reformation, led byOlav Engelbrektsson,archbishop of Nidaros(todayTrondheim). The massive Ergan coastal defences, a restored German coastal fort fromWorld War II, and a part of theAtlantic Wall, is situated in Bud. The fishing communities of Ona, Bjørnsund and Håholmen are located on remote islands off the coast, only accessible by boat or ferry. Moldemarka Moldemarka, the hilly woodland area north of the city, ispublic land. The area has an extensive network of paths, walking trails and skiing tracks. Forest roads enter the area from several directions. Bulletin boards and maps provide information regarding local plants and wildlife, as well as signposts along the trails. Marked trails lead to a number of peaks, sites and fishing lakes and rivers. A national fishing licence is required to fish in the lakes and streams. Varden, 407 metres (1,335 ft)above sea levelis a viewpoint directly\",\n \"viewpoint directly above Molde, with a good view of the city, thefjordwith theMolde archipelagoand theMolde panorama. Climate Molde has a temperateoceanic climate(Cfb) also known as marine west coast climate. Molde holds the national high for the month of October, with 25.6 °C or 78.1 °F recorded on 11 October 2005. Due to its geographic location, Molde experiences frequentsnowfallsin winter, but this snow is usually wet as the winters tend to be mild. The record high 31 °C or 88 °F was recorded in July 2018. The record low −17 °C or 1 °F was recorded in both January and February 2010. Anatural phenomenonoccurring in Molde and the adjacent district, are frequent winter days with temperatures above 10 °C (50 °F), sometimes even above 14 °C (57 °F). This is due to thefoehn windfrom south and south-east. The sheltered location of the city, facing south with hills to the north, mountains to the east and mountainous islands to the west, contributes to Molde's climate and rich plant life, especially among species\",\n \"among species naturally growing on far lower latitudes, likechestnut,oak,tilia(limeorlinden),beech,yew, and others. Government Molde Municipality is responsible forprimary education(through 10th grade), outpatienthealth services,senior citizenservices,welfareand othersocial services,zoning,economic development, and municipalroadsand utilities. The municipality is governed by amunicipal councilofdirectly electedrepresentatives. Themayorisindirectly electedby a vote of the municipal council.The municipality is under the jurisdiction of theMøre og Romsdal District Courtand theFrostating Court of Appeal. Municipal council Themunicipal council(Kommunestyre) of Molde is made up of 49 representatives who are elected to four-year terms. The tables below show the current and historical composition of the council by politicalparty. Mayors Themayors(Norwegian:ordfører) of Molde: Culture Three of thefour greatNorwegian authors are connected to Molde.Bjørnstjerne Bjørnsonspent his childhood years atNessetoutside Molde,\",\n \"Molde, and attended school in the city.Henrik Ibsenfrequently spent his vacations at the mansionMoldegårdvisiting the family Møller; andAlexander Kiellandresided in the city as the governor ofRomsdals amt. Ibsen's playRosmersholmis generally thought to be inspired by life at the mansion Moldegård, andThe Lady from the Seais also believed to be set in the city of Molde, although never actually mentioned. Other authors from or with ties to Molde includeEdvard Hoem,Jo Nesbø,Knut Ødegård, andNini Roll Anker, a friend ofSigrid Undset. TheRomsdal Museum, one of Norway's largest folkmuseums, was established in 1912. Buildings originating from all over the region have been moved here to form a typical cluster of farm buildings including \\\"openhearth\\\" houses, sheds, outhouses, smokehouses and a small chapel. The \\\"town street\\\" with Mali's Café shows typical Molde town houses from the pre-World War I period. TheMuseum of the Fisheriesis an open-air museum located on the island of Hjertøya, 10 minutes from the centre of\",\n \"from the centre of Molde. A small fishing village with authentic buildings, boats and fishing equipment, the museum shows local coastal culture from 1850 onwards. The local newspaper isRomsdals Budstikke. Churches TheChurch of Norwayhas ten parishes (sokn) within the municipality of Molde. It is part of theMolde domprosti(arch-deanery) in theDiocese of Møre. Festivals TheMoldejazzjazzfestival is held in Molde every July. Moldejazz is one of the largest and oldest jazz festivals in Europe, and one of the most important. An estimated 40,000 tickets are sold for the more than a hundred events during the festival. Between 80,000 and 100,000 visitors visit the city during the one-week-long festival. Every August, Molde andNessetare hosts to theBjørnson Festival, an international literature festival. Established by the poet Knut Ødegård in connection with the 250-year anniversary of Molde, the festival is named in honour of theNobel Prize in LiteraturelaureateBjørnstjerne Bjørnson(1832–1910). It is the oldest and\",\n \"is the oldest and the most internationally acclaimed literature festival in Norway. In addition to the two major events, a number of minor festivals are held annually. Byfest, the city's celebration of incorporation, is an arrangement by local artists, coinciding with the anniversary of the royal charter of 29 June 1742. Education Molde University Collegeoffers a wide range of academic opportunities, from nursing and health-related studies, to economics and administrative courses. The school is Norway's leading college in logistics,and well established as a centre for research and academic programmes in information technology, with degrees up to and including PhD. Transportation Hurtigrutacalls on Molde every day, on its journey betweenBergenandKirkenes. The nearest railway station isÅndalsnes, the terminus for theRauma Line. The local airport isMolde Airportwhich has several daily flights to Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim, as well as weekly flights to other domestic and international destinations. TheEuropean\",\n \"TheEuropean route E39andNorwegian County Road 64both pass through the municipality. The city of Molde is connected to Fræna Municipality (to the north) by theTussen Tunnel. The city is connected to theRøvikaandNesjestrandapart of the municipality by theFannefjord TunnelandBolsøy Bridge, significantly shortening the drive by avoiding driving all the way around theFannefjorden. The proposedLangfjord Tunnelwould connect Molde Municipality to Rauma Municipality via a tunnel under theLangfjorden. Sports Molde hosts a variety of sports teams, most notably thefootballteam,Molde FK, which plays in theEliteserien, the top division in theNorwegian football league system. Their home matches are played atAker stadion, inaugurated in 1998, which holds a record attendance of 13,308. The team is five-time league champions (2011,2012,2014,2019and2022), five-time Norwegian Cup winners (1994,2005,2013,2014and2021-22), and has made numerous appearances in European tournaments, including theUEFA Champions League. The club was\",\n \"The club was founded in 1911, during Molde's period of great British and Continental influx, and was first named \\\"International\\\", since it predominantly played teams made up from crews of foreign vessels visiting the city. In addition to a number of international players, the city has also produced severalski jumpers,cross-country skiersandalpine skiersof international merit. Other sports include the accomplishedteam handballclubs (Molde Elite,SK Træff,SK Rival), athletics teams (IL Molde-Olymp), skiing clubs, basketball and volleyball teams. International relations Twin towns — sister cities Molde has threesister cities. They are: Notable residents Public service & business The Arts Sport References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":267,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"How many years apart were the Canadian Museum of History and the National Gallery of Canada established?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"24 years"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Museum_of_History"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery_of_Canada"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Museum_of_History', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery_of_Canada']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Museum_of_History","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery_of_Canada"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Museum_of_History\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery_of_Canada\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Canadian Museum of History TheCanadian Museum of History(French:Musée canadien de l’histoire) is anational museumonanthropology,Canadian history,cultural studies, andethnologyinGatineau,Quebec, Canada. The purpose of the museum is to promote the heritage of Canada, as well as support related research. The museum is based in a 75,000-square-metre-building (810,000 sq ft) designed byDouglas Cardinal. The museum originated from a museum established by theGeological Survey of Canadain 1856, which later expanded to include an anthropology division in 1910. In 1927, the institution was renamed the National Museum of Canada. The national museum was later split into several separate institutions in 1968, with the anthropology and human history departments forming theNational Museum of Man. The museum relocated to its present location in Gatineau in 1989 and adopted the nameCanadian Museum of Civilization(French:Musée canadien des civilisations) the following year. In 2013, the museum adopted its current name, the Canadian Museum of History, and modified its mandate to emphasizeCanadian identityand history. The museum's collection contains over three million artifacts and documents, with some on display in the museum's permanent exhibitions. The museum also hosts and organizes a number of temporary,travelling, andonline exhibitions, like theVirtual Museum of New France. History Early museum (1856–1968) The Canadian Museum of History originates from the collecting efforts of theGeological Survey of Canada(GSC), an organization established in 1842 inMontreal.In 1856 theLegislative Assembly of the Province of Canadapassed an act that enabled the GSC to establish a museum to exhibit items found from its geological and archaeological field trips; with the museum initially established in Montreal on Great St. James Street (nowSaint Jacques Street).The museum held its firstethnologicalexhibit from 1862 to 1863, showcasing stone implements and fragments of pottery byFirst Nations.In 1877, the museum mandate was formally expanded to include the study of modern fauna and flora, in addition to human history, languages, and traditions. In 1881, the museum relocated from Montreal todowntown Ottawato what is now referred to asFormer Geological Survey of Canada Building; although space in the new facility soon proved to be inadequate, with theRoyal Society of Canadapetitioning thefederal governmentto build a new building for the museum by 1896.Preliminary plans for a new building were drawn up by 1899, although work on the building did not begin until 1906.In the following year, management of the museum was handed over from the GSC to theDepartment of Mines, with the mandate formally expanded to include anthropological studies.The new museum building, theVictoria Memorial Museum Building, was also completed in 1910, although it was not opened to the public until 1911. Under the Department of Mines, the museum formally established ananthropologydivision under the direction ofEdward Sapirin 1910.Another anthropologist,Marius Barbeau, was also hired by the museum in the following year to assist Sapir.The anthropology division was charged with the preservation of the cultural heritage of people in Canada and assembling objects related to these cultures. Under Sapir's direction, the institution's research initially focused on Aboriginal communities across Canada they believed were imperilled by rapid acculturation.The museum's first anthropological exhibits were organized by Sapir and his protege,Franz Boas.Since this period, the museum had become a centre for Canadian anthropology, having attracted notable anthropologists includingDiamond Jennessafter the Second World War. In 1927, the museum division of the Department of Mines was renamed theNational Museum of Canada.Management of the National Museum is transferred from the Department of Mines to theDepartment of Resources and Developmentin 1950.In 1965, the museum was split into two branches, one focused on natural history and another on human history.The mandate of the museum further expanded in the following decades, with the museum assuming the management of theCanadian War Museumin 1958, and its human history branch establishing a history division in 1964. Museum of anthropology and history (1968–present) On 1 April 1968, the branches of the National Museum of Canada were formally split into separate museums.The Canadian Museum of History originated from the human history branch of the museum, initially incorporated as theNational Museum of Man.The natural history branch of the former National Museum of Canada became the National Museum of Natural Sciences (later renamed theCanadian Museum of Nature), while the science and technology branch became the National Museum of Science and Technology (later renamed theCanada Science and Technology Museum).The National Museums of Canada Corporation was formed by the federal government in order to manage these national museums, in addition to theNational Gallery of Canada.Although the institutions were split, the National Museum of Man and the National Museum of Natural History continued to share the Victoria Memorial building; with the National Museum of Man occupying the western half of the building. In April 1972, the National Museum of Man established a Communications Division in order to provide media communications regarding the museum's education and information programs.During the 1970s, the staff of the institution adopted a philosophy that stressed public access to its heritage collection.Because the Victoria Memorial Museum building had insufficient space to exhibit the museum's growing collection, the museum's collection and staff were scattered across 17 buildings, with these buildings acting as decentralized units of the museum. In 1980, management of the National Museums of Canada Corporation is transferred to theDepartment of Communications.The following year in June 1981, thecabinet of Canadaapproved several plans concerning severalnational museums of Canada, including moving the National Museum of Man into a new structure.The plan was formally announced to the public in February 1982.After a study of potential locations saw four sites inOttawaand one inGatineau.A site acquired by theNational Capital Commission(NCC) from the E.B Eddy Company in Gatineau was chosen as the site for the new museum; due to it already being public land, being linked toConfederation Boulevard, and because it was prominently visible from theOttawa River.The site was also selected because the NCC had desired to developHull, and incorporate it into the design of the capital region; while officials in Gatineau had similar desires to develop the area into anurban park.On 10 February 1983, the site for the new museum was announced to the public; andDouglas CardinalArchitect Limited was named as the project's design architect, in association with Montreal-based architectural firm Tétreault, Parent, Languedoc et Associés.The design created by Cardinal was approved in 1983 by theCabinet of Canada. In an effort to avoid stereotypes in languages, the name of the museum was changed to theCanadian Museum of Civilizationin 1986.In 1988, the institution absorbed the museum operated by the department of theMinister responsible for Canada Post Corporation, although itsphilateliccollection was transferred to theNational Archives of Canada.The museum opened its new building in Gatineau in 1989. However, the building opened with only two permanent exhibitions, Canada Hall and the exhibitions on theIndigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, as budgetary shortfalls prevented the museum from opening the exhibitions it had originally planned for the museum. In 1990, theMuseum Actwas passed by the federal government, replacing the defunct National Museums of Canada Corporation and forming several new entities to manage thenational museums of Canada; with the Canadian Museum of Civilization corporation formed on 1 July 1990 to manage the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the Canadian War Museum. 21st century In 2007, the museum organized a temporary exhibition,Treasures from China, in partnership with theNational Museum of China. The partnership saw artifacts leave China to be exhibited only at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. As a part of the agreement, the Canadian Museum of Civilization prepared Indigenous Canadian artifacts for its own exhibition,First Peoples of Canada: Masterworks from the Canadian Museum of Civilization, at thePalace MuseuminBeijing. In October 2012,James Moore, theminister of Canadian Heritageannounced the ministry would provide $25 million to overhaul the museum and renovate Canada Hall.The government later announced plans to update and reopen the gallery in 2017, coinciding with the150th anniversary of Canada.Approximately 24,000 people from across nine Canadian cities were surveyed about the updates to the exhibition.The museum consulted a women's history committee, an indigenous history committee, and three historic time-period committees. In December 2013, theCanadian Museum of History Actreceived Royal Assent, which shifted the museum's mandate from developing a collection with a \"special but not exclusive reference to Canada,\" to one that enhanced the knowledge of Canadian history and identity;and expanding the museum's focus to include social and political history.The Act also changed the institution's name from theCanadian Museum of Civilizationto theCanadian Museum of History. TheCanadian Postal Museum, a department of the Canadian Museum of Civilization corporation that operated from within the institution was shut down in 2012 as a result of the museum's transition into the Canadian Museum of History. Some have criticized the new mandate and updating of Canada Hall as a part of a wider plan by the incumbent Conservative government to redirect public historical understanding to emphasize aspects ofCanadian military historyandmonarchism; as well as elide problematic elements of Canadian history in favour of achievements.However, the museum contended that new exhibits planned for the museum will include a range of themes and topics, and will also explore the country's \"dark episodes\".The updated gallery was completed at approximately $30 million and was opened onCanada Dayin 2017 byCharles, Prince of WalesandMélanie Joly, theminister of Canadian Heritage.Partisan concerns were alleviated after Canadian History Hall was unveiled to the public. Site The museum is situated on a 9.6-hectare (23.7-acre) plot of land, formerly known asParc Laurier. The museum site is the firstCanadian national museumto be located on theGatineauside of theNational Capital Region, and the first to be located adjacent to theOttawa River. The site is bounded by the western access point for theAlexandra Bridge, the Ottawa River to the east, a paper production plant to the south, and Laurier Street to the west.The median of the property extends 235 metres (771 ft) from Laurier Street to the river.From Laurier Street, the property descends towards the Ottawa River at a 5.5 per centgrade; with the portion of the property closest to Laurier Street at an elevation of 53.5 metres (176 ft), while the riverfront is at an elevation of 41 metres (135 ft).Because of the property's low elevation, the construction of the museum building was limited to the portion of the property closer to Laurier Street. The site includes a museum building with two wings. The two wings wrap around and are connected by a large hemispherical entrance plaza which contains its food services, lounge, library, and underground parking.The parkland and open space between the two wings are intended to represent the \"plains over which mankind migrated\" over millennia.A large staircase east of the entrance plaza descends to the museum's lower plaza and gardens adjacent to the riverside park. A pedestrian and cycling pathway is situated on the riverfront portion of the property, with the pathways continuing north intoJacques-Cartier Park, a municipal park north of the property. Building The 75,000 square metres (810,000 sq ft) structure was designed by Douglas Cardinal.The building's infrastructure includes approximately 56,000 square metres (600,000 sq ft) of concrete, and 7,300 tonnes of steel.Cardinal sought to create form a \"sculptural icon\" for the country, encouraged by then-prime minister,Pierre Trudeau, to develop a symbol that \"enshrined our cultures\". As a result, the building was the first structure in the National Capital Region that incorporates Indigenous architectural designs.Cardinal's design for the building was largely influenced by his understanding of how geography helped shaped Canada's history and culture. The museum building has over 25,000 square metres (270,000 sq ft) of exhibition space, more than any other museum in Canada. In addition to exhibition space, the building also contains three restaurants, a boutique store, and two live performance theatres, including a 500-seat theatre for live performances.The building also has a 295-seat 3D theatre that uses aBarcodigital projector. Before the installation of the Barco projector in 2016, the 3D theatre used aIMAXprojector and was branded as an IMAX theatre. Water is drawn from the Ottawa River to heat and cool the building.The building's energy needs are met by two substations in Gatineau, with two additional backup generators also available if both substations fail. Exterior The building's exterior is clad with 30,000 square metres (320,000 sq ft) ofTyndall stone;with the material being selected because of its durability and its relationship with glaciers. Cardinal sought to build a structure that appeared to be \"flowing with the contours of the land,\" and simple lines and forms could be used to display the idea of movement.The building's design draws uponArt Nouveaustyles to illustrate Canada's geography at the end of theLast Glacial Periodwhen the landscape was largely uniform; with certain elements of the building evokingigloosearth lodges, andlonghouses. The building includes a cantilevered northern/curatorial wing and a southern wing that houses most of the museum's public facilities, including its galleries, and theatres.The curatorial wing was designed to evoke outcroppings of theCanadian Shield, while the southern public wing with its glass-fronted Grand Hall, was intended to evoke an image of a melting glacier. The southern wing's copper roof represents vegetation's recolonization of the lands once covered by glacial till.The copper roof is nearly 11,000 square metres (120,000 sq ft) and weighs approximately 90 tonnes.Both wings are curvaceous on their river sides to blend into their landscapes, although their street-side façade is more angular. The NCC placed several restrictions on the building design, that the building does not obstruct the view of the Ottawa River, and that the building does not obstruct delineated \"viewing cones\" of Parliament Hill from the Gatineau side of the river.Because of these restrictions, the buildings were designed with a low-profile, to avoid obscuring the view for buildings across the street.From certain angles, the building appears as two separate pavilions, with an opening between these two sections providing an unobstructed view ofParliament Hillfrom Laurier Street.Considerations also needed to be taken to protect artifacts displayed in the building. Windows were triple-glazed and coated with a film that helps contain radiant heat and reduce solar ultraviolet rays, and the southern wing's Grand Hall was intentionally designed to face direct sunlight only in the morning. The building was designed to create an \"ever-changing pattern\" of shadows across the structure's surface, with most of the building's exterior lighting kept below 30luxto allow viewers to see deeper shadows at night. Exhibitions The museum hosts several permanent and temporary exhibitions on anthropology, ethnology, and history. Artifacts from the museum's collection are exhibited in these exhibitions.In addition,travelling exhibitionsare occasionally held at the museum. The museum has also created severalonline exhibitions, like theVirtual Museum of New France. Permanent exhibitions include First Peoples Hall, Canadian History Hall, the Canadian Children's Museum, the Canadian Stamp Collection, and two exhibitions on the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast in the building's Grand Hall.First Peoples Hall is situated on the first floor of the building, whereas the Canada Hall is situated on the third level of the building.First Peoples Hall is situated next to the Grand Hall, with its exhibitions located on the ground floor. Many of the exhibits that were designed in the 1980s for the new building were influenced by the director of the museum,George F. MacDonald, his personal admiration for Pacific Northwest Coast art and culture, and the communication theories of his mentor,Marshall McLuhan.Merging exhibits detailing theIndigenous peoples of Canadawith other Canadian historical exhibits were considered by the exhibition design team when plans were being made to move the museum in the 1980s.However, it was later decided to depict both topics as separate exhibitions, resulting in both exhibitions being planned by different teams with separate budgets.This decision was later reversed in 2017 when the museum reopened the Canadian History Hall exhibition with Indigenous exhibits incorporated throughout its exhibit. First Peoples Hall First Peoples Hall is an exhibition opened in 2003, that explores Canada'sFirst Nations,Inuit, andMétispeoples.The exhibition occupies 3,300 square metres (35,000 sq ft) of space on the ground floor of the building.The hall contains more than 2,000 objects on display.Most of the exhibition space is devoted to changing exhibits, to keep up with contemporary views on traditional cultures and current issues. However, First Peoples Hall does have some space devoted to long-term exhibits. These long-term exhibits explore topics that are less subject to changing interpretations; like ancient history, Indigenous languages, and the history of the relationship between Indigenous and European cultures.The exhibition is organized into several sections, such as the \"Ways of Knowing\", \"An Ancient Bond with the Land\", and \"The Arrival of Strangers\". The exhibition was designed to \"deconstruct and supersede\" histories that visitors are familiar with.Exhibits were designed to address issues of stereotyping Indigenous identity, and the diversity and cultural distinctiveness between Indigenous nations; with many of the exhibits linking identity toIndigenous land claims in Canada.Additionally, exhibits were designed to portray Indigenous peoples as living peoples in the modern world.Archaeological exhibits in First Peoples Hall are themed to reinforce the fact that the Indigenous peoples of Canada have occupied the land sincetime immemorial, and that Canadian history has a long and complex history preceding European colonization. Additionally, many of these archaeological exhibits are designed to confront the notion of Eurasiantechnological supremacyat the time of first contact with the Americas.The exhibition concludes with contemporary issue exhibits, which explore recent clashes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada over land and resources. The curatorial model used to develop the exhibition conformed to the suggestions provided in the 1992 recommendations from the federal Task Force on Museums and First Peoples.The content and messaging of First Peoples Hall were determined in consultation with indigenous communities across Canada.Acting upon the task force's recommendation to establish partnerships with First Nation representatives whose cultures were being exhibited, an advisory committee of 15 Indigenous members was formed to help define the exhibition's thematic structure and messaging.As a result, exhibits in First Peoples Hall take a \"multivocal\" approach, where different perspectives can be distinguished within the exhibition; and explanatory fields like archaeology, ethnology and traditional Indigenous knowledge are juxtaposed, and contestatory with one another in some cases. Canadian History Hall Canadian History Hall is an exhibition that explores Canadian history. Canadian History Hall is approximately 4,690 square metres (50,500 sq ft), and includes over 14 projectors and 58 screens used in the exhibition.The exhibition includes three galleries and a long curved walkway that serves as the entrance to the three galleries. The entrance walkway is decorated with 101 silhouettes of Canadian cultural symbols and activities, as well as national landmarks.Canadian History Hall's galleries centre around a hub that was designed by Douglas Cardinal to resembleChaudière Falls.The hub features a large 15.5 by 9.5 metres (51 ft × 31 ft) image of Canada on the floor. The image of Canada is made up of 121 satellite photos taken by theCanadian Space Agency, that were stitched together to form a single image. The exhibition summarizes over 15,000 years of history and is divided into three era-centric galleries, Early Canada: From Earliest Times to 1763, Colonial Canada: 1763 to 1914, and Modern Canada: 1914 to the Present Day.The first two galleries are located on the same floor, while the third gallery occupies the mezzanine above the two galleries.The galleries are designed to showcase events and \"turning points\" in each respective era through the multimedia presentations and the artifacts on display.Each gallery is further organized into six separate \"vignettes\" that are thematically different, but interconnected with one another.The vignettes are primarily organized temporally, although some are specifically focused on a specific aspect of Canadian history.The exhibition takes a largely didactic approach with its subject and is particularly focused on the country's political and economic history, as well as the experience of Indigenous peoples.According to the exhibit team's head, David Morrison, Indigenous peoples and their relationship with newcomers will serve as an important overarching theme of Canadian History Hall. Early Canada explores provides a summary of Indigenous history prior to the arrival of the Europeans as well as early Canadian colonies likeNew France.The gallery includes Indigenous artifacts, narrative recounts of Indigenous interactions between Norse, English and French explorers, and detailed accounts on theNorth American fur trade, the spread ofdisease within Indigenous populations, and theBeaver Wars.Colonial Canada exploresCanada under British rulesince theconquest of New France, as well aspost-Confederation Canadato 1914. Modern Canada explores Canada's recent history, up to the arrival of Syrian refugees in the 2010s.The latter two galleries provide detailed histories on theSeven Years' War, treaties signed between various Indigenous groups and the Crown, the push forresponsible government,Canadian Confederation, the world wars, theCanadian Indian residential school system,Quebec nationalism, andmulticulturalism in Canada. There are over 1,500 artifacts on display in Canadian History Hall.Historic artifacts include a 3,600 to 3,900 years old ivory carving believed to be the oldest representation of a human face found in Canada;James Wolfecoat; and handcuffs worn byLouis Rielprior to his execution;Maurice Richard'shockey jersey;Terry Fox's T-shirt;Tommy Douglas's hat; the table on which the proclamation of theConstitution Act, 1982was signed by QueenElizabeth IIin 1982;Randy Bachman's guitar, and the sewing machine whichJoan O'Malleysewed the firstMaple Leaf flag.There are 40 linear films shown at the exhibition, includingOrigin Stories, a film that illustrates how theAnishinaabebelieved the earth was formed.Origin Storiesis displayed along the curved wall of the Canadian History Hall's entrance. The modular structure of the exhibits enables the museum to swap segments easier. The number of exhibits in the galleries may also expand, with the museum having reserved enough space to allow for the addition of new exhibits in the three galleries. Pre-2017 exhibition Canadian History Hall's predecessor, Canada Hall, opened as an inaugural exhibit at the museum in 1989.The original exhibition was divided into 23 modules that were arranged chronologically, beginning with theNorse colonization of North America.The gallery aimed to promote Canadian multiculturalism, having portrayed a social history that depicted a \"march of immigrants\" from east to west, and the success of different groups in Canada.However, these modules provided little in-depth consideration for pre-colonial Indigenous cultures, which were only explored in the museum's other exhibitions prior to Canada Hall's updates in the 2010s.The original design of Canada Hall recreated historical settings with period rooms and full-scale historical buildings incorporated into the exhibition; reflecting McLuhan's theories, and innovations adopted by entertainment pavilions like Disney'sEpcot. Canada Hall was closed to the public in September 2014 to enable renovations and significant updates to the exhibition.The exhibition reopened in 2017 significantly changed from its original design.Nearly all of the life-sized dioramas were dismantled as a part of the exhibition's update. St. Onuphrius Church, an original early-20th-century Ukrainian church from theCanadian Prairiesthat was later relocated to the museum, is the only remaining life-sized diorama in the exhibition. Canadian Children's Museum The Canadian Children's Museum is Canada's largest exhibition centre designed specifically for children with over 3,000 square metres (32,000 sq ft) of space. The museum uses more than 15,000 artifacts, props, and hands-on items for use in its exhibitions and programs. These items include art, clothing, games, photographs, and toys.The museum includes an International Village, as well as Canadian-themed attractions that were added into the exhibition in 2007. In 2018, the museum announced it would undertake a renewal project in January 2020. The museum announced the revamp would reflect how children play and learn, and will remove more dated exhibits from the exhibition, like the post office and telephone booth.It reopened in May 2022. Canadian Stamp Collection The Canadian Stamp Collection is astamp collectionof more than 3,000 stamps and includes every Canadian stamp issued since 1851. The stamp collection was housed at the Canadian Postal Museum until 2012 when the postal museum closed and its stamp collection relocated to the Canadian Museum of History.The Canadian Museum of History opened a permanent exhibition for the collection in 2014 in partnership withCanada Post. Stamps that are exhibited in the exhibition are showcased with artifacts that either inspired its creation or were used to make the stamp. Grand Hall exhibitions Grand Hall features two permanent exhibitions on the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast,First Peoples of the Northwest CoastandFrom Time Immemorial — Tsimshian Prehistory. The exhibits includetotem polesand other artifacts.The exhibitions were developed as a collaboration between the museum's curators and Indigenous cultural specialists in the 1980s. In 1993, a large mural titledMorning Starwas added to the domed ceiling of the Grand Hall. The mural was created byAlex Janvierand is symbolic of Indigenous life and history.In addition to the two permanent exhibitions, the Grand Hall is also used to host other major events.In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the Grand Hall has also been used to host temporary exhibitions. Collections As of June 2021, the Canadian Museum of History's permanent collection includes more than three million artifacts, documents, works of art, and other specimens.This includes over one million photographs, 72,000 sound recordings and 18,000 films and videotapes. The collection takes up approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) of shelf space.Approximately 218,000 artifacts have been digitized and made accessible online by the museum. The museum's permanent collection dates back to the collection established by the Geological Survey of Canada in the 1860s.The museum's collection of artifacts has expanded through the institution's research programs.The first collection representing Indigenous peoples was established by the Geological Survey of Canada, with other parts of the collection having been acquired by government officials and missionaries working outside Ottawa. The collection continued to expand after the anthropology department was established in 1910, and the museum began a systematic program of documenting Indigenous cultures and lineages. The museum's collection of Indigenous items is the largest in Canada and is the only major collection with a national scope in the country.The museum also possesses the world's largest collection of totem poles.The Sacred Materials Project was created by the museum to help maintain Indigenous sacred items, and facilitate therepatriationof select items to their respective communities. The project provides funds for Indigenous representatives to view the museum's collections and discuss the repatriation of identified sacred items, as well as identify other objects in the collection that require ritualistic care. The museum's permanent collection contains several smaller collections, like theWindfield FarmCollection. The Windfield Farm Collection was acquired by the museum in 2013 and contains documents, photographs, memorabilia and trophies, including theKentucky Derbytrophy won byNorthern Dancer.The museum's collection of flags is also the largest in the country. Other notable items in the museum's permanent collection includes aContempraphone, the first telephone to be designed and manufactured in Canada;cough syrup from the1918 influenza pandemic;the original plaster forBill Reid'sSpirit of Haida Gwaii;ten large heraldic sculptures known asThe Queen's Beasts;androyal gownworn by Elizabeth II during herroyal tours of Canada.The museum also contains a number of ice hockey artifacts, including game-usedNational Hockey Leaguesticks,hockey cards, and the world's oldest existingice hockey stick.The ice hockey stick dates back to the mid-1830s and was acquired by the museum in 2015 for $300,000. In addition to its permanent collection, the Canadian Museum of History also co-manages collections with other institutions. In July 1999, the museum entered an agreement with the Canadian Nursing Association (CNA), the Canadian War Museum, and the National Archives of Canada to create the Canadian Nursing History Collection. This collection includes over 9,000 photographs, 1,600 audiovisual materials, and over 35 metres (115 ft) of textual records from the CNA, the Nursing Sisters Association of Canada, and theHelen MussallemCollection. Approximately 950 documented artifacts from this collection are deposited at the Canadian Museum of History.Items from the collection at the Canadian Museum of History include 167 nurses' caps, dating from 1895 to 1983.In June 2005, the museum opened a temporary exhibition that focused on this collection.In 2021, the Canadian Museum of History entered into an agreement to house and maintain artifacts fromCanada's Sports Hall of Fame. Library and archives The museum's resource centre operates a library and archives. As of 2015, the museum's library has more than 60,000 books, over 2,000 journals and magazines, and over 1,000 DVDs, CDs, and video tapes. The museum's rare and old books collection includesPaul-Émile Borduas'sRefus Global(1948) andPierre François Xavier de Charlevoix'sHistoire et description générale de la Nouvelle-France(1744). Research The museum's collection is used to support research in anthropology, archaeology, Indigenous people in Canada, linguistics, material culture, multicultural communities, social and political history andmuseologyin Canada.The museum also publishes its ownacademic journal, theMercury Series; on history, archaeology, and anthropology. The journal has been published in partnership with theUniversity of Ottawa Presssince 2012.The museum has also published the academic journalMaterial Culture Reviewin partnership with the Canada Science and Technology Museum since the 1970s. The journal provides a forum for research on historical artifacts collected by Canadian museums. Management The Canadian Museum of History is managed by afederal Crown corporationof the same name under theDepartment of Canadian Heritage's portfolio. The museum is one of two national museums managed by the corporation, the other being the Canadian War Museum.The corporation also administers the Virtual Museum of New France, avirtual museumand online exhibition of the Canadian Museum of History;and theVirtual Museum of Canada, an administrative program that supports the development of online projects for museums and heritage organizations across Canada.The Virtual Museum of Canada was an online portal for virtual exhibits in Canada until 2020, when the Virtual Museum of Canada's website was decommissioned, and the project was reoriented into a support program. Management of the corporation is conducted through an 11-memberboard of trustees. Trustees are appointed by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, with approval from theGovernor-in-Council. In turn, the board appoints the corporation's president andchief executive officer.The corporation reports to theParliament of Canadathrough theMinister of Canadian Heritage. The corporation's mandate is defined under theMuseums Act. The corporation was established as the Canadian Museum of Civilization in June 1990 through theMuseums Act;an Act that was later amended in 2014.The corporation adopted its current name in 2013.The Crown corporation was one of several that succeeded the defunct National Museums of Canada Corporation, a Crown corporation that managed most of the country's national museums until its dissolution in 1988. See also Notes References Further reading External links","National Gallery of Canada TheNational Gallery of Canada(French:Musée des beaux-arts du Canada), located in the capital city ofOttawa,Ontario, is Canada'snationalart museum.The museum's building takes up 46,621 square metres (501,820 sq ft), with 12,400 square metres (133,000 sq ft) of space used for exhibiting art. It is one of thelargest art museumsin North America by exhibition space. The institution was established in 1880 at theSecond Supreme Court of Canada building, and moved to the Victoria Memorial Museum building in 1911. In 1913, theGovernment of Canadapassed theNational Gallery Act, formally outlining the institution's mandate as a national art museum. The Gallery was moved to the Lorne Building in 1960. In 1988, the Gallery was relocated to a new building designed for this purpose. The National Gallery of Canada is situated in a glass and granite building onSussex Drive, with a notable view of Canada's Parliament Buildings onParliament Hill. The building was designed by Israeli architectMoshe Safdieand opened in 1988. The Gallery's permanent collection includes more than 93,000 works by European, American, Asian, Canadian, andIndigenousartists. In addition to exhibiting works from its permanent collection, the Gallery also organizes and hosts a number oftravelling exhibitions. History The Gallery was first formed in 1880 by Canada's Governor General,John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyllin conjunction with the establishment of theRoyal Canadian Academy of Arts. In 1882, moved into its first home onParliament Hill, housed in theSecond Supreme Court of Canada building. Eric Brownwas named the first director in 1910.In 1911, the Gallery moved to the Victoria Memorial Museum building, sharing it with theNational Museum of Natural Sciences. In 1913, the firstNational Gallery Actwas passed, outlining the Gallery's mandate and resources.During the 1920s, the building was expanded. The art gallery was given four floors, and a separate entrance was created for the art museum. In addition, a firewall was built between the Natural Sciences Museum and the National Gallery.But, the Gallery was still in temporary space in the Victoria Memorial Museum building. Longterm plans were to move it to a new permanent location, with spaces dedicated to the viewing of art. By the 1950s, the space in the Victoria Memorial Museum building had grown inadequate for the Gallery's collections. In 1952, the Gallery launched a design contest for architects to design a permanent home for the gallery.But the Gallery failed to garner support from the government ofLouis St. Laurent, resulting in the Gallery having to abandon the winning bid. To provide a workable compromise for the National Gallery, St. Laurent's government offered the National Gallery the eight-storey Lorne Building for its use.The National Gallery moved into the nondescript office building onElgin Street.The Lorne Building has since been demolished and replaced by a 17-storey office building to house the Federal Finance Department. In 1962,Charles Comfort, the Gallery's director, was criticized after half of the works on display at an exhibition forWalter Chrysler's European works were exposed as forgeries by American journalists. Comfort had allowed the Gallery to host the exhibition, despite being warned about the works by the director of theMontreal Museum of Fine Arts. TheNational Museums of CanadaCorporation (NMC) absorbed the National Gallery of Canada in 1968.During the 1970s, the NMC diverted funds from the National Gallery to form regional galleries.The Gallery completed renovations to the Lorne Building in 1976.By 1980, it had become apparent that the National Gallery would need to relocate, given the poor condition of the building, historical use ofasbestosthere, and inadequate exhibition areas that provided only enough space for two per cent of the collection to be exhibited at any given time. After the Canada'sConstitutionwaspatriatedin 1982, Prime MinisterPierre Trudeauannounced a shift in policy focus towards the \"creation of a nation,\" with priority given to the arts in an effort to enrichCanadian identity.In that same year, Minister of CommunicationsFrancis Foxdeclared the government's commitment to erect new permanent buildings for its national museums, including the National Gallery, and theMuseum of Manwithin five years.The director of the National Gallery,Jean Sutherland Boggs, was chosen by Trudeau to oversee construction of the National Gallery and museums.The Gallery began construction for its permanent museum building onSussex Drivein 1985, and was opened in May 1988. The diversion of funds by the NMC to help fund regional museums was ended in 1982,and the National Museums of Canada formally dissolved in 1987.As a result of this dissolution, the National Gallery reacquired its institutional independence, along with the mandate and powers outlined in its formative legislative act prior to 1968. TheCanadian Museum of Contemporary Photography(CMCP), formerly the Stills Photography Division of theNational Film Board of Canada, was an affiliated institution of the National Gallery, and was established in 1985. In 1988, the CMCP's administration was amalgamated with that of the National Gallery's. The CMCP later moved to its new location at 1 Rideau Canal, and continued to operate there until its closure in 2006. Its collection was later absorbed into the National Gallery's in 2009. In December 2000, the National Gallery announced it suspected approximately 100 works from its collection wasplunder stolen by the Nazisduring the Second World War.The Gallery posted images of works suspected of beingstolen artonline, permitting its last legal owners to examine and possibly lay claim to the works.In 2006, the Gallery returned a painting byÉdouard Vuillardthat had been looted by the Nazis fromAlfred Lindonin 1942,The Salon of Madame Aron, to Lindon's heirs. In December 2009, the National Gallery of Canada and theArt Gallery of Albertaissued a joint press release announcing a three-year partnership, which saw the use of the Art Gallery of Alberta's galleries to exhibit works from the National Gallery's collection.The program was the first \"satellite program\" between the National Gallery of Canada, and another institution, with similar initiatives launched at other Canadian art galleries in the following years. Marc Mayerwas named the Gallery's director, succeeding Pierre Théberge, on 19 January 2009.On 19 April 2019, he was succeeded byAlexandra Suda, who was appointed the 11th Director and chief executive officer of the National Gallery of Canada. Under Sasha Suda, the Gallery underwent a major re-branding, dubbed Ankosé, to be more inclusive and work towards reconciliation. After only three years, Suda resigned. Angela Cassie was then appointed interim Director and CEO in July 2022. Building The Gallery's present building was designed byMoshe Safdie& Associates, with construction beginning in 1985, and the building opening in 1988. The building has a total floor area of 46,621 square metres (501,820 sq ft). In 2000, theRoyal Architectural Institute of Canadachose the National Gallery as one of the top 500 buildings produced in Canada during the last millennium.The National Gallery of Canada is housed in a building onSussex Drive, adjacent to theByWard Marketdistrict. The building is the fourth edifice to house the art museum. An independent Crown corporation, the Canadian Museums Construction Corporation was established to build the Gallery, with a budget ofC$185 million.Following the1984 Canadian federal election, Prime MinisterBrian Mulroneydissolved the corporation.However, because the groundwork for the building was already completed, Mulroney chose to continue funding construction for the Gallery, albeit at a reduced total budget of C$162 million. Exterior The building's northern, eastern, and western exterior facade is made up of pink-granite walls, or glass-windows.The southern exterior facade features an elongated glass wall, supported by concrete pylons grouped in fours.The profile of the southern facade was designed to mimic acathedral, with the concrete pylons being used similarly to theflying buttressesfound onGothiccathedrals.The eastern portion of the building's southern facade transitions into a low-levelled crystalline glass cupola, which holds the museum's main entrance; and its western portion, which features a three-tiered glass cupola. The three-tiered glass cupola is formed out of rectangular glass and narrow steel supports.The second tier of the cupola is formed out of rectangles and equilateral triangles that are further subdivided into eight or twelve smaller equilateral triangles.All these glass pieces are joined by steel struts. The third tier of the cupola is formed with similar designs, although the triangular glass panes are isosceles triangles.The isosceles triangles converge upwards, with its apexes towards the centre.The building's three-tiered cupola is positioned in a manner in which the cupola would be flanked by thePeace Towerand theLibrary of Parliamentto the west when approaching the museum from the east. Interior The interior entrance lobby is floored with pink-granite, and includes a straight four metres (13 ft) wide ramp which slopes upward towards the west.Safdie noted the importance of the ramp in his design, stating that one should \"go through some kind of procession to make your way into something as important as the National Gallery,\" and that it gave the visitor the feeling of making an ascent to a ritual, a ceremony.The walls of the entrance lobby are lined with rectangular cut pink granite, excluding the southern wall, which is part of the glass-walled exterior facade.A glass and steel ceiling reminiscent of Gothic cathedral architecture, extends the entire way of the ramp.However, as opposed to most Gothic cathedrals, the ceiling has several concrete columns spaced out to support the roof.The summit of the ramp leads towards the Great Hall of the building, situated in the three-storey glass cupola. The interior courtyard of the building includes the Taiga Garden. The garden was designed byCornelia Oberlander, who modelled the paintingTerre SauvagebyA. Y. Jackson;a painting in the National Gallery's permanent collection. The garden attempts to mimic thetaigalandscape depicted in the painting, theCanadian shield; although limestone is substituted in place of the granite typically found at the Canadian shield. Collection As of October 2018, the National Gallery of Canada's permanent collection holds more than 93,625 works,representing several artistic movements and eras in art history. The Gallery has a large and varied collection of paintings, works on paper, sculptures and photographs. The earliest works acquired by the museum were from Canadian artists, with Canadian art remaining the focus of the institution. However, its collection also includes several works from artists around the world. The Gallery's collection has been built up through purchases and donations. The Gallery organizes its owntravelling exhibitionsto exhibit its collection, travelling across Canada and abroad.The National Gallery is the largest lender of art in Canada, sending out approximately 800 works a year. The Gallery's prints and drawings collection includes 27,000 works on paper, dating from the 15th century to the present day. The prints and drawing collection includes 10,000 works on paper by Canadian artists; more than 800 of these prints and drawings being crafted byInuitartists.The prints and drawing collection also includes 2,500 drawings and 10,000 prints by American, Asian, and European artists. The Gallery also has approximately 400 works from Asian artists, dating from 200 CE to the 19th century. The Gallery's Asian collection began in the early 20th century, with a number of works originating from the collection ofNasli Heeramaneck.The Gallery also has a collection of photographs. A number of the photographs in the collection originated from the defunct Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography. Until the mid-1980s, the Gallery's mandate did not include collecting art by Indigenous peoples. This has been much critiqued, and led to important changes at the Gallery from the 1980s onwards.Despite a major re-hang in 2003 of the Canadian galleries to include Indigenous art for the first time, the Gallery continues to work towards more equitable representation of Indigenous art, particularly in its historical galleries. The largest work in the Gallery is the entire interior of theRideau Street Chapel, which formed part of the Convent of Our Lady Sacred Heart,The interior decorations of the Rideau Street Chapel were designed by Georges Couillon in 1887.The chapel interior was acquired by the Gallery in 1972, when the convent was slated for demolition. The 1,123-piece interior was dismantled, stored and reconstructed within the Gallery as a work of art in 1988. Canadian and Indigenous works The Gallery's Canadian collection includes works dating from the 18th centuryNew France, to the 1990s.The collection includes paintings from pre-Confederation; abstract paintings and other postwar art; and the Henry Birks Collection of Canadian Silver.Early pre-Confederation paintings were among the first items in the Canadian collections, with the National Gallery's earliest works originating from Canadian artists at theRoyal Canadian Academy of Arts. The Gallery's Canadian collection holds a large number of works by theGroup of Seven.The Gallery also holds a large collection of works by Tom Thomson,withThe Jack Pineadded to its collection in 1918.The Gallery also holds the largest collection of works byAlex Colville.Other artists featured in the collection includeWilliam Berczy,Jack Bush,Paul-Émile Borduas,Emily Carr,Robert Field,Vera Frenkel,Theophile Hamel,Joseph Légaré,Cornelius Krieghoff,Fernand Leduc,Alexandra Luke,Ken Lum,James Wilson Morrice,John O'Brien,Antoine Plamondon,William Raphael,Jean-Paul Riopelle,William Ronald,Michael Snow,Lisa Steele,Jeff Wall,Joyce Wieland,Paul Wong, and members of theRegina Five. In commemoration of the150th anniversary of Canadain 2017, the Gallery undertook a C$7.4 million renovation to open the Canadian and Indigenous Art: From Time Immemorial to 1967 gallery.This gallery displays the progression of Canadian art and history, exhibiting Canadian and Indigenous works side by side.These works are exhibited in a manner which examines the intertwined relations between the two groups of people. The Indigenous collection includes works byIndigenousartists around the world, although it has an emphasis on works by theIndigenous peoples of Canada. The Gallery collection acquired its first works byFirst NationsandMetisartists in the early 20th century.However, the makers of these works were often not acknowledged as Indigenous, because the Gallery's mandate did not include the collection of art by Indigenous peoples until the 1980s. The Gallery acquired its firstInuitworks in 1956, crafted by artists inNunavik.The Gallery's acquisition of Inuit works, at a time when it was not actively collecting art by other Indigenous peoples, is related to the Government's promotion of Inuit art to create jobs in the North and to assert Canadian sovereignty there.In 1979,Henry Birksbequeathed a large collection to NGC consisting primarily of Quebecois pre-confederation silver; this bequest of more than 12,000 objects included around 16 works by Indigenous artists.In 1989 and 1992, theDepartment of Indian Affairs and Northern Developmentbequeathed 570 works by Inuit artists. A number of Indigenous artists whose works are featured in the collection includeKenojuak Ashevak,Kiawak Ashoona,Qaqaq Ashoona,Carl Beam,Faye HeavyShield,Osuitok Ipeelee,Rita Letendre,Norval Morrisseau,Shelley Niro,David Ruben Piqtoukun,Abraham Anghik Ruben,Lucy Tasseor Tutsweetok,Jeffrey Thomas,John Tiktak, andLawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. Contemporary The Gallery's contemporary collection includes 1,500 works from artists since the 1990s.The collection features a number of works from Canada and its Indigenous artists. The first Indigenous Canadian contemporary artwork acquired by the National Gallery was purchased in 1987, a piece calledThe North American Iceberg(1985) byOjibweartistCarl Beam. In 2017,Bob Renniedonated a contemporary art collection to the National Gallery in honour of Canada' 150th anniversary.The collection includes 197 paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media pieces with most of it originating from Vancouver-based artists includingGeoffrey Farmer,Rodney Graham,Brian Jungen, andIan Wallace.The Rennie collection also includes some international contemporary works, including fromDoris Salcedo. In 1990 the Gallery boughtBarnett Newman'sVoice of Firefor $1.8 million, igniting a storm of controversy. However, since that time its value has appreciated to approximately C$40 million as of 2014.In 1999, the Gallery acquired a sculpture of a giant spider,Maman, byLouise Bourgeoisfor a cost of C$3.2 million.The sculpture was installed on the plaza in front of the Gallery.In 2011 the Gallery installed Canadian sculptorJoe Fafard'sRunning Horsesnext to the Sussex Drive entrance, and American artistRoxy Paine's stainless steel sculptureOne Hundred Foot LineatKìwekì Pointbehind the gallery. Other contemporary artists whose works are featured in the National Gallery's collection includeDavid Altmejd,Lee Bul,Janet Cardiff,Bharti Kher,Christian Marclay,Elizabeth McIntosh,Chris Ofili, Paine,Ugo Rondinone, andJoanne Tod. European, American, and Asian The European, American, and Asian collection area includes most of the Gallery's works by non-Canadian artists. The Gallery acquired its first European work in 1907: the paintingIgnatius SanchobyThomas Gainsborough.Conversely, the Gallery did not begin to develop its collection of American art until the 1970s. The Gallery's collection includes American and European works dating from the Renaissance through the 20th century.In addition toWestern art, the collection also has 400 works from India,Nepal, andTibet. The Gallery's European collection has since expanded either through acquisitions or gifts. Such works includeLa Tour EiffelbyMarc Chagall, acquired by the Gallery in 1956 for $C16,000.In 2018, the Gallery planned to sell the work to fund other acquisitions, but abandoned those plans after the decision was found to be unpopular with the public.In 2005, the Gallery acquired a painting by Italian Renaissance painterFrancesco Salviatifor $4.5 million.In 2018, the Gallery acquiredThe Partie CaréebyJames Tissotfrom the collection of David R. Graham, putting it on display in December 2018.It is the third work by Tissot to be acquired by the museum since 1921.Other works from the collection includeThe Death of General Wolfeby Anglo-American artistBenjamin West.Other artists featured in the museum's European collection includesAlejo Fernández,Vilhelm Hammershøi,Gustav Klimt,Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun,Henri Matisse,Charles Meynier,Claude Monet,Rembrandt, andVincent van Gogh. Library and archives The library and archives of the National Gallery of Canada hold an extensive collection of literature on Canadian art.The library and archives was established alongside the Gallery in 1880, and contains documents on western art from theLate Middle Agesto the present day.The collection includes 275,000 books, exhibition catalogues, and periodicals; 76,000 documentation files; and 95,000 microforms.The archives serves as the institutional archive for the Gallery. The library and archives'special collectionsincludes over 50,000 auction catalogues, in addition to 182,000 slides and 360,000 research photographs.The Library and Archives' Exceptional Materials and Notable Subject Collections contains a number of rare imprints, books, and bookplates on Canadian artists, as well as items relating to historians of Canadian art. Management The federal government assumed responsibility for the Gallery in 1913, with the enactment of theNational Gallery of Canada Act. The Gallery became aCrown corporationon 1 July 1990 with the proclamation of theMuseums Act. TheMuseums Actserves as the museum's governing legislation. It empowers a board of trustees to serve as the Gallery's governing body, with the board, through the Chair, being accountable to theMinister of Canadian Heritage, who is ultimately responsible for the Museum.The Director and CEO is charged with the day-to-day management of the Gallery. The Gallery is affiliated with several associations, including theCanadian Museums Association, theOntario Association of Art Galleries, theCanadian Heritage Information Network, and theVirtual Museum of Canada. Directors The following is a list of directors of the National Gallery of Canada: Selected works Canadian collection European and American collection Prints and drawings collection See also Notes References Further reading External links Media related toNational Gallery of Canadaat Wikimedia Commons"],"string":"[\n \"Canadian Museum of History TheCanadian Museum of History(French:Musée canadien de l’histoire) is anational museumonanthropology,Canadian history,cultural studies, andethnologyinGatineau,Quebec, Canada. The purpose of the museum is to promote the heritage of Canada, as well as support related research. The museum is based in a 75,000-square-metre-building (810,000 sq ft) designed byDouglas Cardinal. The museum originated from a museum established by theGeological Survey of Canadain 1856, which later expanded to include an anthropology division in 1910. In 1927, the institution was renamed the National Museum of Canada. The national museum was later split into several separate institutions in 1968, with the anthropology and human history departments forming theNational Museum of Man. The museum relocated to its present location in Gatineau in 1989 and adopted the nameCanadian Museum of Civilization(French:Musée canadien des civilisations) the following year. In 2013, the museum adopted its current name, the Canadian Museum of History, and modified its mandate to emphasizeCanadian identityand history. The museum's collection contains over three million artifacts and documents, with some on display in the museum's permanent exhibitions. The museum also hosts and organizes a number of temporary,travelling, andonline exhibitions, like theVirtual Museum of New France. History Early museum (1856–1968) The Canadian Museum of History originates from the collecting efforts of theGeological Survey of Canada(GSC), an organization established in 1842 inMontreal.In 1856 theLegislative Assembly of the Province of Canadapassed an act that enabled the GSC to establish a museum to exhibit items found from its geological and archaeological field trips; with the museum initially established in Montreal on Great St. James Street (nowSaint Jacques Street).The museum held its firstethnologicalexhibit from 1862 to 1863, showcasing stone implements and fragments of pottery byFirst Nations.In 1877, the museum mandate was formally expanded to include the study of modern fauna and flora, in addition to human history, languages, and traditions. In 1881, the museum relocated from Montreal todowntown Ottawato what is now referred to asFormer Geological Survey of Canada Building; although space in the new facility soon proved to be inadequate, with theRoyal Society of Canadapetitioning thefederal governmentto build a new building for the museum by 1896.Preliminary plans for a new building were drawn up by 1899, although work on the building did not begin until 1906.In the following year, management of the museum was handed over from the GSC to theDepartment of Mines, with the mandate formally expanded to include anthropological studies.The new museum building, theVictoria Memorial Museum Building, was also completed in 1910, although it was not opened to the public until 1911. Under the Department of Mines, the museum formally established ananthropologydivision under the direction ofEdward Sapirin 1910.Another anthropologist,Marius Barbeau, was also hired by the museum in the following year to assist Sapir.The anthropology division was charged with the preservation of the cultural heritage of people in Canada and assembling objects related to these cultures. Under Sapir's direction, the institution's research initially focused on Aboriginal communities across Canada they believed were imperilled by rapid acculturation.The museum's first anthropological exhibits were organized by Sapir and his protege,Franz Boas.Since this period, the museum had become a centre for Canadian anthropology, having attracted notable anthropologists includingDiamond Jennessafter the Second World War. In 1927, the museum division of the Department of Mines was renamed theNational Museum of Canada.Management of the National Museum is transferred from the Department of Mines to theDepartment of Resources and Developmentin 1950.In 1965, the museum was split into two branches, one focused on natural history and another on human history.The mandate of the museum further expanded in the following decades, with the museum assuming the management of theCanadian War Museumin 1958, and its human history branch establishing a history division in 1964. Museum of anthropology and history (1968–present) On 1 April 1968, the branches of the National Museum of Canada were formally split into separate museums.The Canadian Museum of History originated from the human history branch of the museum, initially incorporated as theNational Museum of Man.The natural history branch of the former National Museum of Canada became the National Museum of Natural Sciences (later renamed theCanadian Museum of Nature), while the science and technology branch became the National Museum of Science and Technology (later renamed theCanada Science and Technology Museum).The National Museums of Canada Corporation was formed by the federal government in order to manage these national museums, in addition to theNational Gallery of Canada.Although the institutions were split, the National Museum of Man and the National Museum of Natural History continued to share the Victoria Memorial building; with the National Museum of Man occupying the western half of the building. In April 1972, the National Museum of Man established a Communications Division in order to provide media communications regarding the museum's education and information programs.During the 1970s, the staff of the institution adopted a philosophy that stressed public access to its heritage collection.Because the Victoria Memorial Museum building had insufficient space to exhibit the museum's growing collection, the museum's collection and staff were scattered across 17 buildings, with these buildings acting as decentralized units of the museum. In 1980, management of the National Museums of Canada Corporation is transferred to theDepartment of Communications.The following year in June 1981, thecabinet of Canadaapproved several plans concerning severalnational museums of Canada, including moving the National Museum of Man into a new structure.The plan was formally announced to the public in February 1982.After a study of potential locations saw four sites inOttawaand one inGatineau.A site acquired by theNational Capital Commission(NCC) from the E.B Eddy Company in Gatineau was chosen as the site for the new museum; due to it already being public land, being linked toConfederation Boulevard, and because it was prominently visible from theOttawa River.The site was also selected because the NCC had desired to developHull, and incorporate it into the design of the capital region; while officials in Gatineau had similar desires to develop the area into anurban park.On 10 February 1983, the site for the new museum was announced to the public; andDouglas CardinalArchitect Limited was named as the project's design architect, in association with Montreal-based architectural firm Tétreault, Parent, Languedoc et Associés.The design created by Cardinal was approved in 1983 by theCabinet of Canada. In an effort to avoid stereotypes in languages, the name of the museum was changed to theCanadian Museum of Civilizationin 1986.In 1988, the institution absorbed the museum operated by the department of theMinister responsible for Canada Post Corporation, although itsphilateliccollection was transferred to theNational Archives of Canada.The museum opened its new building in Gatineau in 1989. However, the building opened with only two permanent exhibitions, Canada Hall and the exhibitions on theIndigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, as budgetary shortfalls prevented the museum from opening the exhibitions it had originally planned for the museum. In 1990, theMuseum Actwas passed by the federal government, replacing the defunct National Museums of Canada Corporation and forming several new entities to manage thenational museums of Canada; with the Canadian Museum of Civilization corporation formed on 1 July 1990 to manage the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the Canadian War Museum. 21st century In 2007, the museum organized a temporary exhibition,Treasures from China, in partnership with theNational Museum of China. The partnership saw artifacts leave China to be exhibited only at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. As a part of the agreement, the Canadian Museum of Civilization prepared Indigenous Canadian artifacts for its own exhibition,First Peoples of Canada: Masterworks from the Canadian Museum of Civilization, at thePalace MuseuminBeijing. In October 2012,James Moore, theminister of Canadian Heritageannounced the ministry would provide $25 million to overhaul the museum and renovate Canada Hall.The government later announced plans to update and reopen the gallery in 2017, coinciding with the150th anniversary of Canada.Approximately 24,000 people from across nine Canadian cities were surveyed about the updates to the exhibition.The museum consulted a women's history committee, an indigenous history committee, and three historic time-period committees. In December 2013, theCanadian Museum of History Actreceived Royal Assent, which shifted the museum's mandate from developing a collection with a \\\"special but not exclusive reference to Canada,\\\" to one that enhanced the knowledge of Canadian history and identity;and expanding the museum's focus to include social and political history.The Act also changed the institution's name from theCanadian Museum of Civilizationto theCanadian Museum of History. TheCanadian Postal Museum, a department of the Canadian Museum of Civilization corporation that operated from within the institution was shut down in 2012 as a result of the museum's transition into the Canadian Museum of History. Some have criticized the new mandate and updating of Canada Hall as a part of a wider plan by the incumbent Conservative government to redirect public historical understanding to emphasize aspects ofCanadian military historyandmonarchism; as well as elide problematic elements of Canadian history in favour of achievements.However, the museum contended that new exhibits planned for the museum will include a range of themes and topics, and will also explore the country's \\\"dark episodes\\\".The updated gallery was completed at approximately $30 million and was opened onCanada Dayin 2017 byCharles, Prince of WalesandMélanie Joly, theminister of Canadian Heritage.Partisan concerns were alleviated after Canadian History Hall was unveiled to the public. Site The museum is situated on a 9.6-hectare (23.7-acre) plot of land, formerly known asParc Laurier. The museum site is the firstCanadian national museumto be located on theGatineauside of theNational Capital Region, and the first to be located adjacent to theOttawa River. The site is bounded by the western access point for theAlexandra Bridge, the Ottawa River to the east, a paper production plant to the south, and Laurier Street to the west.The median of the property extends 235 metres (771 ft) from Laurier Street to the river.From Laurier Street, the property descends towards the Ottawa River at a 5.5 per centgrade; with the portion of the property closest to Laurier Street at an elevation of 53.5 metres (176 ft), while the riverfront is at an elevation of 41 metres (135 ft).Because of the property's low elevation, the construction of the museum building was limited to the portion of the property closer to Laurier Street. The site includes a museum building with two wings. The two wings wrap around and are connected by a large hemispherical entrance plaza which contains its food services, lounge, library, and underground parking.The parkland and open space between the two wings are intended to represent the \\\"plains over which mankind migrated\\\" over millennia.A large staircase east of the entrance plaza descends to the museum's lower plaza and gardens adjacent to the riverside park. A pedestrian and cycling pathway is situated on the riverfront portion of the property, with the pathways continuing north intoJacques-Cartier Park, a municipal park north of the property. Building The 75,000 square metres (810,000 sq ft) structure was designed by Douglas Cardinal.The building's infrastructure includes approximately 56,000 square metres (600,000 sq ft) of concrete, and 7,300 tonnes of steel.Cardinal sought to create form a \\\"sculptural icon\\\" for the country, encouraged by then-prime minister,Pierre Trudeau, to develop a symbol that \\\"enshrined our cultures\\\". As a result, the building was the first structure in the National Capital Region that incorporates Indigenous architectural designs.Cardinal's design for the building was largely influenced by his understanding of how geography helped shaped Canada's history and culture. The museum building has over 25,000 square metres (270,000 sq ft) of exhibition space, more than any other museum in Canada. In addition to exhibition space, the building also contains three restaurants, a boutique store, and two live performance theatres, including a 500-seat theatre for live performances.The building also has a 295-seat 3D theatre that uses aBarcodigital projector. Before the installation of the Barco projector in 2016, the 3D theatre used aIMAXprojector and was branded as an IMAX theatre. Water is drawn from the Ottawa River to heat and cool the building.The building's energy needs are met by two substations in Gatineau, with two additional backup generators also available if both substations fail. Exterior The building's exterior is clad with 30,000 square metres (320,000 sq ft) ofTyndall stone;with the material being selected because of its durability and its relationship with glaciers. Cardinal sought to build a structure that appeared to be \\\"flowing with the contours of the land,\\\" and simple lines and forms could be used to display the idea of movement.The building's design draws uponArt Nouveaustyles to illustrate Canada's geography at the end of theLast Glacial Periodwhen the landscape was largely uniform; with certain elements of the building evokingigloosearth lodges, andlonghouses. The building includes a cantilevered northern/curatorial wing and a southern wing that houses most of the museum's public facilities, including its galleries, and theatres.The curatorial wing was designed to evoke outcroppings of theCanadian Shield, while the southern public wing with its glass-fronted Grand Hall, was intended to evoke an image of a melting glacier. The southern wing's copper roof represents vegetation's recolonization of the lands once covered by glacial till.The copper roof is nearly 11,000 square metres (120,000 sq ft) and weighs approximately 90 tonnes.Both wings are curvaceous on their river sides to blend into their landscapes, although their street-side façade is more angular. The NCC placed several restrictions on the building design, that the building does not obstruct the view of the Ottawa River, and that the building does not obstruct delineated \\\"viewing cones\\\" of Parliament Hill from the Gatineau side of the river.Because of these restrictions, the buildings were designed with a low-profile, to avoid obscuring the view for buildings across the street.From certain angles, the building appears as two separate pavilions, with an opening between these two sections providing an unobstructed view ofParliament Hillfrom Laurier Street.Considerations also needed to be taken to protect artifacts displayed in the building. Windows were triple-glazed and coated with a film that helps contain radiant heat and reduce solar ultraviolet rays, and the southern wing's Grand Hall was intentionally designed to face direct sunlight only in the morning. The building was designed to create an \\\"ever-changing pattern\\\" of shadows across the structure's surface, with most of the building's exterior lighting kept below 30luxto allow viewers to see deeper shadows at night. Exhibitions The museum hosts several permanent and temporary exhibitions on anthropology, ethnology, and history. Artifacts from the museum's collection are exhibited in these exhibitions.In addition,travelling exhibitionsare occasionally held at the museum. The museum has also created severalonline exhibitions, like theVirtual Museum of New France. Permanent exhibitions include First Peoples Hall, Canadian History Hall, the Canadian Children's Museum, the Canadian Stamp Collection, and two exhibitions on the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast in the building's Grand Hall.First Peoples Hall is situated on the first floor of the building, whereas the Canada Hall is situated on the third level of the building.First Peoples Hall is situated next to the Grand Hall, with its exhibitions located on the ground floor. Many of the exhibits that were designed in the 1980s for the new building were influenced by the director of the museum,George F. MacDonald, his personal admiration for Pacific Northwest Coast art and culture, and the communication theories of his mentor,Marshall McLuhan.Merging exhibits detailing theIndigenous peoples of Canadawith other Canadian historical exhibits were considered by the exhibition design team when plans were being made to move the museum in the 1980s.However, it was later decided to depict both topics as separate exhibitions, resulting in both exhibitions being planned by different teams with separate budgets.This decision was later reversed in 2017 when the museum reopened the Canadian History Hall exhibition with Indigenous exhibits incorporated throughout its exhibit. First Peoples Hall First Peoples Hall is an exhibition opened in 2003, that explores Canada'sFirst Nations,Inuit, andMétispeoples.The exhibition occupies 3,300 square metres (35,000 sq ft) of space on the ground floor of the building.The hall contains more than 2,000 objects on display.Most of the exhibition space is devoted to changing exhibits, to keep up with contemporary views on traditional cultures and current issues. However, First Peoples Hall does have some space devoted to long-term exhibits. These long-term exhibits explore topics that are less subject to changing interpretations; like ancient history, Indigenous languages, and the history of the relationship between Indigenous and European cultures.The exhibition is organized into several sections, such as the \\\"Ways of Knowing\\\", \\\"An Ancient Bond with the Land\\\", and \\\"The Arrival of Strangers\\\". The exhibition was designed to \\\"deconstruct and supersede\\\" histories that visitors are familiar with.Exhibits were designed to address issues of stereotyping Indigenous identity, and the diversity and cultural distinctiveness between Indigenous nations; with many of the exhibits linking identity toIndigenous land claims in Canada.Additionally, exhibits were designed to portray Indigenous peoples as living peoples in the modern world.Archaeological exhibits in First Peoples Hall are themed to reinforce the fact that the Indigenous peoples of Canada have occupied the land sincetime immemorial, and that Canadian history has a long and complex history preceding European colonization. Additionally, many of these archaeological exhibits are designed to confront the notion of Eurasiantechnological supremacyat the time of first contact with the Americas.The exhibition concludes with contemporary issue exhibits, which explore recent clashes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada over land and resources. The curatorial model used to develop the exhibition conformed to the suggestions provided in the 1992 recommendations from the federal Task Force on Museums and First Peoples.The content and messaging of First Peoples Hall were determined in consultation with indigenous communities across Canada.Acting upon the task force's recommendation to establish partnerships with First Nation representatives whose cultures were being exhibited, an advisory committee of 15 Indigenous members was formed to help define the exhibition's thematic structure and messaging.As a result, exhibits in First Peoples Hall take a \\\"multivocal\\\" approach, where different perspectives can be distinguished within the exhibition; and explanatory fields like archaeology, ethnology and traditional Indigenous knowledge are juxtaposed, and contestatory with one another in some cases. Canadian History Hall Canadian History Hall is an exhibition that explores Canadian history. Canadian History Hall is approximately 4,690 square metres (50,500 sq ft), and includes over 14 projectors and 58 screens used in the exhibition.The exhibition includes three galleries and a long curved walkway that serves as the entrance to the three galleries. The entrance walkway is decorated with 101 silhouettes of Canadian cultural symbols and activities, as well as national landmarks.Canadian History Hall's galleries centre around a hub that was designed by Douglas Cardinal to resembleChaudière Falls.The hub features a large 15.5 by 9.5 metres (51 ft × 31 ft) image of Canada on the floor. The image of Canada is made up of 121 satellite photos taken by theCanadian Space Agency, that were stitched together to form a single image. The exhibition summarizes over 15,000 years of history and is divided into three era-centric galleries, Early Canada: From Earliest Times to 1763, Colonial Canada: 1763 to 1914, and Modern Canada: 1914 to the Present Day.The first two galleries are located on the same floor, while the third gallery occupies the mezzanine above the two galleries.The galleries are designed to showcase events and \\\"turning points\\\" in each respective era through the multimedia presentations and the artifacts on display.Each gallery is further organized into six separate \\\"vignettes\\\" that are thematically different, but interconnected with one another.The vignettes are primarily organized temporally, although some are specifically focused on a specific aspect of Canadian history.The exhibition takes a largely didactic approach with its subject and is particularly focused on the country's political and economic history, as well as the experience of Indigenous peoples.According to the exhibit team's head, David Morrison, Indigenous peoples and their relationship with newcomers will serve as an important overarching theme of Canadian History Hall. Early Canada explores provides a summary of Indigenous history prior to the arrival of the Europeans as well as early Canadian colonies likeNew France.The gallery includes Indigenous artifacts, narrative recounts of Indigenous interactions between Norse, English and French explorers, and detailed accounts on theNorth American fur trade, the spread ofdisease within Indigenous populations, and theBeaver Wars.Colonial Canada exploresCanada under British rulesince theconquest of New France, as well aspost-Confederation Canadato 1914. Modern Canada explores Canada's recent history, up to the arrival of Syrian refugees in the 2010s.The latter two galleries provide detailed histories on theSeven Years' War, treaties signed between various Indigenous groups and the Crown, the push forresponsible government,Canadian Confederation, the world wars, theCanadian Indian residential school system,Quebec nationalism, andmulticulturalism in Canada. There are over 1,500 artifacts on display in Canadian History Hall.Historic artifacts include a 3,600 to 3,900 years old ivory carving believed to be the oldest representation of a human face found in Canada;James Wolfecoat; and handcuffs worn byLouis Rielprior to his execution;Maurice Richard'shockey jersey;Terry Fox's T-shirt;Tommy Douglas's hat; the table on which the proclamation of theConstitution Act, 1982was signed by QueenElizabeth IIin 1982;Randy Bachman's guitar, and the sewing machine whichJoan O'Malleysewed the firstMaple Leaf flag.There are 40 linear films shown at the exhibition, includingOrigin Stories, a film that illustrates how theAnishinaabebelieved the earth was formed.Origin Storiesis displayed along the curved wall of the Canadian History Hall's entrance. The modular structure of the exhibits enables the museum to swap segments easier. The number of exhibits in the galleries may also expand, with the museum having reserved enough space to allow for the addition of new exhibits in the three galleries. Pre-2017 exhibition Canadian History Hall's predecessor, Canada Hall, opened as an inaugural exhibit at the museum in 1989.The original exhibition was divided into 23 modules that were arranged chronologically, beginning with theNorse colonization of North America.The gallery aimed to promote Canadian multiculturalism, having portrayed a social history that depicted a \\\"march of immigrants\\\" from east to west, and the success of different groups in Canada.However, these modules provided little in-depth consideration for pre-colonial Indigenous cultures, which were only explored in the museum's other exhibitions prior to Canada Hall's updates in the 2010s.The original design of Canada Hall recreated historical settings with period rooms and full-scale historical buildings incorporated into the exhibition; reflecting McLuhan's theories, and innovations adopted by entertainment pavilions like Disney'sEpcot. Canada Hall was closed to the public in September 2014 to enable renovations and significant updates to the exhibition.The exhibition reopened in 2017 significantly changed from its original design.Nearly all of the life-sized dioramas were dismantled as a part of the exhibition's update. St. Onuphrius Church, an original early-20th-century Ukrainian church from theCanadian Prairiesthat was later relocated to the museum, is the only remaining life-sized diorama in the exhibition. Canadian Children's Museum The Canadian Children's Museum is Canada's largest exhibition centre designed specifically for children with over 3,000 square metres (32,000 sq ft) of space. The museum uses more than 15,000 artifacts, props, and hands-on items for use in its exhibitions and programs. These items include art, clothing, games, photographs, and toys.The museum includes an International Village, as well as Canadian-themed attractions that were added into the exhibition in 2007. In 2018, the museum announced it would undertake a renewal project in January 2020. The museum announced the revamp would reflect how children play and learn, and will remove more dated exhibits from the exhibition, like the post office and telephone booth.It reopened in May 2022. Canadian Stamp Collection The Canadian Stamp Collection is astamp collectionof more than 3,000 stamps and includes every Canadian stamp issued since 1851. The stamp collection was housed at the Canadian Postal Museum until 2012 when the postal museum closed and its stamp collection relocated to the Canadian Museum of History.The Canadian Museum of History opened a permanent exhibition for the collection in 2014 in partnership withCanada Post. Stamps that are exhibited in the exhibition are showcased with artifacts that either inspired its creation or were used to make the stamp. Grand Hall exhibitions Grand Hall features two permanent exhibitions on the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast,First Peoples of the Northwest CoastandFrom Time Immemorial — Tsimshian Prehistory. The exhibits includetotem polesand other artifacts.The exhibitions were developed as a collaboration between the museum's curators and Indigenous cultural specialists in the 1980s. In 1993, a large mural titledMorning Starwas added to the domed ceiling of the Grand Hall. The mural was created byAlex Janvierand is symbolic of Indigenous life and history.In addition to the two permanent exhibitions, the Grand Hall is also used to host other major events.In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the Grand Hall has also been used to host temporary exhibitions. Collections As of June 2021, the Canadian Museum of History's permanent collection includes more than three million artifacts, documents, works of art, and other specimens.This includes over one million photographs, 72,000 sound recordings and 18,000 films and videotapes. The collection takes up approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) of shelf space.Approximately 218,000 artifacts have been digitized and made accessible online by the museum. The museum's permanent collection dates back to the collection established by the Geological Survey of Canada in the 1860s.The museum's collection of artifacts has expanded through the institution's research programs.The first collection representing Indigenous peoples was established by the Geological Survey of Canada, with other parts of the collection having been acquired by government officials and missionaries working outside Ottawa. The collection continued to expand after the anthropology department was established in 1910, and the museum began a systematic program of documenting Indigenous cultures and lineages. The museum's collection of Indigenous items is the largest in Canada and is the only major collection with a national scope in the country.The museum also possesses the world's largest collection of totem poles.The Sacred Materials Project was created by the museum to help maintain Indigenous sacred items, and facilitate therepatriationof select items to their respective communities. The project provides funds for Indigenous representatives to view the museum's collections and discuss the repatriation of identified sacred items, as well as identify other objects in the collection that require ritualistic care. The museum's permanent collection contains several smaller collections, like theWindfield FarmCollection. The Windfield Farm Collection was acquired by the museum in 2013 and contains documents, photographs, memorabilia and trophies, including theKentucky Derbytrophy won byNorthern Dancer.The museum's collection of flags is also the largest in the country. Other notable items in the museum's permanent collection includes aContempraphone, the first telephone to be designed and manufactured in Canada;cough syrup from the1918 influenza pandemic;the original plaster forBill Reid'sSpirit of Haida Gwaii;ten large heraldic sculptures known asThe Queen's Beasts;androyal gownworn by Elizabeth II during herroyal tours of Canada.The museum also contains a number of ice hockey artifacts, including game-usedNational Hockey Leaguesticks,hockey cards, and the world's oldest existingice hockey stick.The ice hockey stick dates back to the mid-1830s and was acquired by the museum in 2015 for $300,000. In addition to its permanent collection, the Canadian Museum of History also co-manages collections with other institutions. In July 1999, the museum entered an agreement with the Canadian Nursing Association (CNA), the Canadian War Museum, and the National Archives of Canada to create the Canadian Nursing History Collection. This collection includes over 9,000 photographs, 1,600 audiovisual materials, and over 35 metres (115 ft) of textual records from the CNA, the Nursing Sisters Association of Canada, and theHelen MussallemCollection. Approximately 950 documented artifacts from this collection are deposited at the Canadian Museum of History.Items from the collection at the Canadian Museum of History include 167 nurses' caps, dating from 1895 to 1983.In June 2005, the museum opened a temporary exhibition that focused on this collection.In 2021, the Canadian Museum of History entered into an agreement to house and maintain artifacts fromCanada's Sports Hall of Fame. Library and archives The museum's resource centre operates a library and archives. As of 2015, the museum's library has more than 60,000 books, over 2,000 journals and magazines, and over 1,000 DVDs, CDs, and video tapes. The museum's rare and old books collection includesPaul-Émile Borduas'sRefus Global(1948) andPierre François Xavier de Charlevoix'sHistoire et description générale de la Nouvelle-France(1744). Research The museum's collection is used to support research in anthropology, archaeology, Indigenous people in Canada, linguistics, material culture, multicultural communities, social and political history andmuseologyin Canada.The museum also publishes its ownacademic journal, theMercury Series; on history, archaeology, and anthropology. The journal has been published in partnership with theUniversity of Ottawa Presssince 2012.The museum has also published the academic journalMaterial Culture Reviewin partnership with the Canada Science and Technology Museum since the 1970s. The journal provides a forum for research on historical artifacts collected by Canadian museums. Management The Canadian Museum of History is managed by afederal Crown corporationof the same name under theDepartment of Canadian Heritage's portfolio. The museum is one of two national museums managed by the corporation, the other being the Canadian War Museum.The corporation also administers the Virtual Museum of New France, avirtual museumand online exhibition of the Canadian Museum of History;and theVirtual Museum of Canada, an administrative program that supports the development of online projects for museums and heritage organizations across Canada.The Virtual Museum of Canada was an online portal for virtual exhibits in Canada until 2020, when the Virtual Museum of Canada's website was decommissioned, and the project was reoriented into a support program. Management of the corporation is conducted through an 11-memberboard of trustees. Trustees are appointed by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, with approval from theGovernor-in-Council. In turn, the board appoints the corporation's president andchief executive officer.The corporation reports to theParliament of Canadathrough theMinister of Canadian Heritage. The corporation's mandate is defined under theMuseums Act. The corporation was established as the Canadian Museum of Civilization in June 1990 through theMuseums Act;an Act that was later amended in 2014.The corporation adopted its current name in 2013.The Crown corporation was one of several that succeeded the defunct National Museums of Canada Corporation, a Crown corporation that managed most of the country's national museums until its dissolution in 1988. See also Notes References Further reading External links\",\n \"National Gallery of Canada TheNational Gallery of Canada(French:Musée des beaux-arts du Canada), located in the capital city ofOttawa,Ontario, is Canada'snationalart museum.The museum's building takes up 46,621 square metres (501,820 sq ft), with 12,400 square metres (133,000 sq ft) of space used for exhibiting art. It is one of thelargest art museumsin North America by exhibition space. The institution was established in 1880 at theSecond Supreme Court of Canada building, and moved to the Victoria Memorial Museum building in 1911. In 1913, theGovernment of Canadapassed theNational Gallery Act, formally outlining the institution's mandate as a national art museum. The Gallery was moved to the Lorne Building in 1960. In 1988, the Gallery was relocated to a new building designed for this purpose. The National Gallery of Canada is situated in a glass and granite building onSussex Drive, with a notable view of Canada's Parliament Buildings onParliament Hill. The building was designed by Israeli architectMoshe Safdieand opened in 1988. The Gallery's permanent collection includes more than 93,000 works by European, American, Asian, Canadian, andIndigenousartists. In addition to exhibiting works from its permanent collection, the Gallery also organizes and hosts a number oftravelling exhibitions. History The Gallery was first formed in 1880 by Canada's Governor General,John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyllin conjunction with the establishment of theRoyal Canadian Academy of Arts. In 1882, moved into its first home onParliament Hill, housed in theSecond Supreme Court of Canada building. Eric Brownwas named the first director in 1910.In 1911, the Gallery moved to the Victoria Memorial Museum building, sharing it with theNational Museum of Natural Sciences. In 1913, the firstNational Gallery Actwas passed, outlining the Gallery's mandate and resources.During the 1920s, the building was expanded. The art gallery was given four floors, and a separate entrance was created for the art museum. In addition, a firewall was built between the Natural Sciences Museum and the National Gallery.But, the Gallery was still in temporary space in the Victoria Memorial Museum building. Longterm plans were to move it to a new permanent location, with spaces dedicated to the viewing of art. By the 1950s, the space in the Victoria Memorial Museum building had grown inadequate for the Gallery's collections. In 1952, the Gallery launched a design contest for architects to design a permanent home for the gallery.But the Gallery failed to garner support from the government ofLouis St. Laurent, resulting in the Gallery having to abandon the winning bid. To provide a workable compromise for the National Gallery, St. Laurent's government offered the National Gallery the eight-storey Lorne Building for its use.The National Gallery moved into the nondescript office building onElgin Street.The Lorne Building has since been demolished and replaced by a 17-storey office building to house the Federal Finance Department. In 1962,Charles Comfort, the Gallery's director, was criticized after half of the works on display at an exhibition forWalter Chrysler's European works were exposed as forgeries by American journalists. Comfort had allowed the Gallery to host the exhibition, despite being warned about the works by the director of theMontreal Museum of Fine Arts. TheNational Museums of CanadaCorporation (NMC) absorbed the National Gallery of Canada in 1968.During the 1970s, the NMC diverted funds from the National Gallery to form regional galleries.The Gallery completed renovations to the Lorne Building in 1976.By 1980, it had become apparent that the National Gallery would need to relocate, given the poor condition of the building, historical use ofasbestosthere, and inadequate exhibition areas that provided only enough space for two per cent of the collection to be exhibited at any given time. After the Canada'sConstitutionwaspatriatedin 1982, Prime MinisterPierre Trudeauannounced a shift in policy focus towards the \\\"creation of a nation,\\\" with priority given to the arts in an effort to enrichCanadian identity.In that same year, Minister of CommunicationsFrancis Foxdeclared the government's commitment to erect new permanent buildings for its national museums, including the National Gallery, and theMuseum of Manwithin five years.The director of the National Gallery,Jean Sutherland Boggs, was chosen by Trudeau to oversee construction of the National Gallery and museums.The Gallery began construction for its permanent museum building onSussex Drivein 1985, and was opened in May 1988. The diversion of funds by the NMC to help fund regional museums was ended in 1982,and the National Museums of Canada formally dissolved in 1987.As a result of this dissolution, the National Gallery reacquired its institutional independence, along with the mandate and powers outlined in its formative legislative act prior to 1968. TheCanadian Museum of Contemporary Photography(CMCP), formerly the Stills Photography Division of theNational Film Board of Canada, was an affiliated institution of the National Gallery, and was established in 1985. In 1988, the CMCP's administration was amalgamated with that of the National Gallery's. The CMCP later moved to its new location at 1 Rideau Canal, and continued to operate there until its closure in 2006. Its collection was later absorbed into the National Gallery's in 2009. In December 2000, the National Gallery announced it suspected approximately 100 works from its collection wasplunder stolen by the Nazisduring the Second World War.The Gallery posted images of works suspected of beingstolen artonline, permitting its last legal owners to examine and possibly lay claim to the works.In 2006, the Gallery returned a painting byÉdouard Vuillardthat had been looted by the Nazis fromAlfred Lindonin 1942,The Salon of Madame Aron, to Lindon's heirs. In December 2009, the National Gallery of Canada and theArt Gallery of Albertaissued a joint press release announcing a three-year partnership, which saw the use of the Art Gallery of Alberta's galleries to exhibit works from the National Gallery's collection.The program was the first \\\"satellite program\\\" between the National Gallery of Canada, and another institution, with similar initiatives launched at other Canadian art galleries in the following years. Marc Mayerwas named the Gallery's director, succeeding Pierre Théberge, on 19 January 2009.On 19 April 2019, he was succeeded byAlexandra Suda, who was appointed the 11th Director and chief executive officer of the National Gallery of Canada. Under Sasha Suda, the Gallery underwent a major re-branding, dubbed Ankosé, to be more inclusive and work towards reconciliation. After only three years, Suda resigned. Angela Cassie was then appointed interim Director and CEO in July 2022. Building The Gallery's present building was designed byMoshe Safdie& Associates, with construction beginning in 1985, and the building opening in 1988. The building has a total floor area of 46,621 square metres (501,820 sq ft). In 2000, theRoyal Architectural Institute of Canadachose the National Gallery as one of the top 500 buildings produced in Canada during the last millennium.The National Gallery of Canada is housed in a building onSussex Drive, adjacent to theByWard Marketdistrict. The building is the fourth edifice to house the art museum. An independent Crown corporation, the Canadian Museums Construction Corporation was established to build the Gallery, with a budget ofC$185 million.Following the1984 Canadian federal election, Prime MinisterBrian Mulroneydissolved the corporation.However, because the groundwork for the building was already completed, Mulroney chose to continue funding construction for the Gallery, albeit at a reduced total budget of C$162 million. Exterior The building's northern, eastern, and western exterior facade is made up of pink-granite walls, or glass-windows.The southern exterior facade features an elongated glass wall, supported by concrete pylons grouped in fours.The profile of the southern facade was designed to mimic acathedral, with the concrete pylons being used similarly to theflying buttressesfound onGothiccathedrals.The eastern portion of the building's southern facade transitions into a low-levelled crystalline glass cupola, which holds the museum's main entrance; and its western portion, which features a three-tiered glass cupola. The three-tiered glass cupola is formed out of rectangular glass and narrow steel supports.The second tier of the cupola is formed out of rectangles and equilateral triangles that are further subdivided into eight or twelve smaller equilateral triangles.All these glass pieces are joined by steel struts. The third tier of the cupola is formed with similar designs, although the triangular glass panes are isosceles triangles.The isosceles triangles converge upwards, with its apexes towards the centre.The building's three-tiered cupola is positioned in a manner in which the cupola would be flanked by thePeace Towerand theLibrary of Parliamentto the west when approaching the museum from the east. Interior The interior entrance lobby is floored with pink-granite, and includes a straight four metres (13 ft) wide ramp which slopes upward towards the west.Safdie noted the importance of the ramp in his design, stating that one should \\\"go through some kind of procession to make your way into something as important as the National Gallery,\\\" and that it gave the visitor the feeling of making an ascent to a ritual, a ceremony.The walls of the entrance lobby are lined with rectangular cut pink granite, excluding the southern wall, which is part of the glass-walled exterior facade.A glass and steel ceiling reminiscent of Gothic cathedral architecture, extends the entire way of the ramp.However, as opposed to most Gothic cathedrals, the ceiling has several concrete columns spaced out to support the roof.The summit of the ramp leads towards the Great Hall of the building, situated in the three-storey glass cupola. The interior courtyard of the building includes the Taiga Garden. The garden was designed byCornelia Oberlander, who modelled the paintingTerre SauvagebyA. Y. Jackson;a painting in the National Gallery's permanent collection. The garden attempts to mimic thetaigalandscape depicted in the painting, theCanadian shield; although limestone is substituted in place of the granite typically found at the Canadian shield. Collection As of October 2018, the National Gallery of Canada's permanent collection holds more than 93,625 works,representing several artistic movements and eras in art history. The Gallery has a large and varied collection of paintings, works on paper, sculptures and photographs. The earliest works acquired by the museum were from Canadian artists, with Canadian art remaining the focus of the institution. However, its collection also includes several works from artists around the world. The Gallery's collection has been built up through purchases and donations. The Gallery organizes its owntravelling exhibitionsto exhibit its collection, travelling across Canada and abroad.The National Gallery is the largest lender of art in Canada, sending out approximately 800 works a year. The Gallery's prints and drawings collection includes 27,000 works on paper, dating from the 15th century to the present day. The prints and drawing collection includes 10,000 works on paper by Canadian artists; more than 800 of these prints and drawings being crafted byInuitartists.The prints and drawing collection also includes 2,500 drawings and 10,000 prints by American, Asian, and European artists. The Gallery also has approximately 400 works from Asian artists, dating from 200 CE to the 19th century. The Gallery's Asian collection began in the early 20th century, with a number of works originating from the collection ofNasli Heeramaneck.The Gallery also has a collection of photographs. A number of the photographs in the collection originated from the defunct Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography. Until the mid-1980s, the Gallery's mandate did not include collecting art by Indigenous peoples. This has been much critiqued, and led to important changes at the Gallery from the 1980s onwards.Despite a major re-hang in 2003 of the Canadian galleries to include Indigenous art for the first time, the Gallery continues to work towards more equitable representation of Indigenous art, particularly in its historical galleries. The largest work in the Gallery is the entire interior of theRideau Street Chapel, which formed part of the Convent of Our Lady Sacred Heart,The interior decorations of the Rideau Street Chapel were designed by Georges Couillon in 1887.The chapel interior was acquired by the Gallery in 1972, when the convent was slated for demolition. The 1,123-piece interior was dismantled, stored and reconstructed within the Gallery as a work of art in 1988. Canadian and Indigenous works The Gallery's Canadian collection includes works dating from the 18th centuryNew France, to the 1990s.The collection includes paintings from pre-Confederation; abstract paintings and other postwar art; and the Henry Birks Collection of Canadian Silver.Early pre-Confederation paintings were among the first items in the Canadian collections, with the National Gallery's earliest works originating from Canadian artists at theRoyal Canadian Academy of Arts. The Gallery's Canadian collection holds a large number of works by theGroup of Seven.The Gallery also holds a large collection of works by Tom Thomson,withThe Jack Pineadded to its collection in 1918.The Gallery also holds the largest collection of works byAlex Colville.Other artists featured in the collection includeWilliam Berczy,Jack Bush,Paul-Émile Borduas,Emily Carr,Robert Field,Vera Frenkel,Theophile Hamel,Joseph Légaré,Cornelius Krieghoff,Fernand Leduc,Alexandra Luke,Ken Lum,James Wilson Morrice,John O'Brien,Antoine Plamondon,William Raphael,Jean-Paul Riopelle,William Ronald,Michael Snow,Lisa Steele,Jeff Wall,Joyce Wieland,Paul Wong, and members of theRegina Five. In commemoration of the150th anniversary of Canadain 2017, the Gallery undertook a C$7.4 million renovation to open the Canadian and Indigenous Art: From Time Immemorial to 1967 gallery.This gallery displays the progression of Canadian art and history, exhibiting Canadian and Indigenous works side by side.These works are exhibited in a manner which examines the intertwined relations between the two groups of people. The Indigenous collection includes works byIndigenousartists around the world, although it has an emphasis on works by theIndigenous peoples of Canada. The Gallery collection acquired its first works byFirst NationsandMetisartists in the early 20th century.However, the makers of these works were often not acknowledged as Indigenous, because the Gallery's mandate did not include the collection of art by Indigenous peoples until the 1980s. The Gallery acquired its firstInuitworks in 1956, crafted by artists inNunavik.The Gallery's acquisition of Inuit works, at a time when it was not actively collecting art by other Indigenous peoples, is related to the Government's promotion of Inuit art to create jobs in the North and to assert Canadian sovereignty there.In 1979,Henry Birksbequeathed a large collection to NGC consisting primarily of Quebecois pre-confederation silver; this bequest of more than 12,000 objects included around 16 works by Indigenous artists.In 1989 and 1992, theDepartment of Indian Affairs and Northern Developmentbequeathed 570 works by Inuit artists. A number of Indigenous artists whose works are featured in the collection includeKenojuak Ashevak,Kiawak Ashoona,Qaqaq Ashoona,Carl Beam,Faye HeavyShield,Osuitok Ipeelee,Rita Letendre,Norval Morrisseau,Shelley Niro,David Ruben Piqtoukun,Abraham Anghik Ruben,Lucy Tasseor Tutsweetok,Jeffrey Thomas,John Tiktak, andLawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. Contemporary The Gallery's contemporary collection includes 1,500 works from artists since the 1990s.The collection features a number of works from Canada and its Indigenous artists. The first Indigenous Canadian contemporary artwork acquired by the National Gallery was purchased in 1987, a piece calledThe North American Iceberg(1985) byOjibweartistCarl Beam. In 2017,Bob Renniedonated a contemporary art collection to the National Gallery in honour of Canada' 150th anniversary.The collection includes 197 paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media pieces with most of it originating from Vancouver-based artists includingGeoffrey Farmer,Rodney Graham,Brian Jungen, andIan Wallace.The Rennie collection also includes some international contemporary works, including fromDoris Salcedo. In 1990 the Gallery boughtBarnett Newman'sVoice of Firefor $1.8 million, igniting a storm of controversy. However, since that time its value has appreciated to approximately C$40 million as of 2014.In 1999, the Gallery acquired a sculpture of a giant spider,Maman, byLouise Bourgeoisfor a cost of C$3.2 million.The sculpture was installed on the plaza in front of the Gallery.In 2011 the Gallery installed Canadian sculptorJoe Fafard'sRunning Horsesnext to the Sussex Drive entrance, and American artistRoxy Paine's stainless steel sculptureOne Hundred Foot LineatKìwekì Pointbehind the gallery. Other contemporary artists whose works are featured in the National Gallery's collection includeDavid Altmejd,Lee Bul,Janet Cardiff,Bharti Kher,Christian Marclay,Elizabeth McIntosh,Chris Ofili, Paine,Ugo Rondinone, andJoanne Tod. European, American, and Asian The European, American, and Asian collection area includes most of the Gallery's works by non-Canadian artists. The Gallery acquired its first European work in 1907: the paintingIgnatius SanchobyThomas Gainsborough.Conversely, the Gallery did not begin to develop its collection of American art until the 1970s. The Gallery's collection includes American and European works dating from the Renaissance through the 20th century.In addition toWestern art, the collection also has 400 works from India,Nepal, andTibet. The Gallery's European collection has since expanded either through acquisitions or gifts. Such works includeLa Tour EiffelbyMarc Chagall, acquired by the Gallery in 1956 for $C16,000.In 2018, the Gallery planned to sell the work to fund other acquisitions, but abandoned those plans after the decision was found to be unpopular with the public.In 2005, the Gallery acquired a painting by Italian Renaissance painterFrancesco Salviatifor $4.5 million.In 2018, the Gallery acquiredThe Partie CaréebyJames Tissotfrom the collection of David R. Graham, putting it on display in December 2018.It is the third work by Tissot to be acquired by the museum since 1921.Other works from the collection includeThe Death of General Wolfeby Anglo-American artistBenjamin West.Other artists featured in the museum's European collection includesAlejo Fernández,Vilhelm Hammershøi,Gustav Klimt,Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun,Henri Matisse,Charles Meynier,Claude Monet,Rembrandt, andVincent van Gogh. Library and archives The library and archives of the National Gallery of Canada hold an extensive collection of literature on Canadian art.The library and archives was established alongside the Gallery in 1880, and contains documents on western art from theLate Middle Agesto the present day.The collection includes 275,000 books, exhibition catalogues, and periodicals; 76,000 documentation files; and 95,000 microforms.The archives serves as the institutional archive for the Gallery. The library and archives'special collectionsincludes over 50,000 auction catalogues, in addition to 182,000 slides and 360,000 research photographs.The Library and Archives' Exceptional Materials and Notable Subject Collections contains a number of rare imprints, books, and bookplates on Canadian artists, as well as items relating to historians of Canadian art. Management The federal government assumed responsibility for the Gallery in 1913, with the enactment of theNational Gallery of Canada Act. The Gallery became aCrown corporationon 1 July 1990 with the proclamation of theMuseums Act. TheMuseums Actserves as the museum's governing legislation. It empowers a board of trustees to serve as the Gallery's governing body, with the board, through the Chair, being accountable to theMinister of Canadian Heritage, who is ultimately responsible for the Museum.The Director and CEO is charged with the day-to-day management of the Gallery. The Gallery is affiliated with several associations, including theCanadian Museums Association, theOntario Association of Art Galleries, theCanadian Heritage Information Network, and theVirtual Museum of Canada. Directors The following is a list of directors of the National Gallery of Canada: Selected works Canadian collection European and American collection Prints and drawings collection See also Notes References Further reading External links Media related toNational Gallery of Canadaat Wikimedia Commons\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Canadian Museum of History TheCanadian Museum of History(French:Musée canadien de l’histoire) is anational museumonanthropology,Canadian history,cultural studies, andethnologyinGatineau,Quebec, Canada. The purpose of the museum is to promote the heritage of Canada, as well as support related research. The museum is based in a 75,000-square-metre-building (810,000 sq ft) designed byDouglas Cardinal. The museum originated from a museum established by theGeological Survey of Canadain 1856, which later expanded to include an anthropology division in 1910. In 1927, the institution was renamed the National Museum of Canada. The national museum was later split into several separate institutions in 1968, with the anthropology and human history departments forming theNational Museum of Man. The museum relocated to its present location in Gatineau in 1989 and adopted the nameCanadian Museum of Civilization(French:Musée canadien des civilisations) the following year. In 2013, the museum adopted its current name, the","current name, the Canadian Museum of History, and modified its mandate to emphasizeCanadian identityand history. The museum's collection contains over three million artifacts and documents, with some on display in the museum's permanent exhibitions. The museum also hosts and organizes a number of temporary,travelling, andonline exhibitions, like theVirtual Museum of New France. History Early museum (1856–1968) The Canadian Museum of History originates from the collecting efforts of theGeological Survey of Canada(GSC), an organization established in 1842 inMontreal.In 1856 theLegislative Assembly of the Province of Canadapassed an act that enabled the GSC to establish a museum to exhibit items found from its geological and archaeological field trips; with the museum initially established in Montreal on Great St. James Street (nowSaint Jacques Street).The museum held its firstethnologicalexhibit from 1862 to 1863, showcasing stone implements and fragments of pottery byFirst Nations.In 1877, the museum mandate","the museum mandate was formally expanded to include the study of modern fauna and flora, in addition to human history, languages, and traditions. In 1881, the museum relocated from Montreal todowntown Ottawato what is now referred to asFormer Geological Survey of Canada Building; although space in the new facility soon proved to be inadequate, with theRoyal Society of Canadapetitioning thefederal governmentto build a new building for the museum by 1896.Preliminary plans for a new building were drawn up by 1899, although work on the building did not begin until 1906.In the following year, management of the museum was handed over from the GSC to theDepartment of Mines, with the mandate formally expanded to include anthropological studies.The new museum building, theVictoria Memorial Museum Building, was also completed in 1910, although it was not opened to the public until 1911. Under the Department of Mines, the museum formally established ananthropologydivision under the direction ofEdward Sapirin","ofEdward Sapirin 1910.Another anthropologist,Marius Barbeau, was also hired by the museum in the following year to assist Sapir.The anthropology division was charged with the preservation of the cultural heritage of people in Canada and assembling objects related to these cultures. Under Sapir's direction, the institution's research initially focused on Aboriginal communities across Canada they believed were imperilled by rapid acculturation.The museum's first anthropological exhibits were organized by Sapir and his protege,Franz Boas.Since this period, the museum had become a centre for Canadian anthropology, having attracted notable anthropologists includingDiamond Jennessafter the Second World War. In 1927, the museum division of the Department of Mines was renamed theNational Museum of Canada.Management of the National Museum is transferred from the Department of Mines to theDepartment of Resources and Developmentin 1950.In 1965, the museum was split into two branches, one focused on natural history and","natural history and another on human history.The mandate of the museum further expanded in the following decades, with the museum assuming the management of theCanadian War Museumin 1958, and its human history branch establishing a history division in 1964. Museum of anthropology and history (1968–present) On 1 April 1968, the branches of the National Museum of Canada were formally split into separate museums.The Canadian Museum of History originated from the human history branch of the museum, initially incorporated as theNational Museum of Man.The natural history branch of the former National Museum of Canada became the National Museum of Natural Sciences (later renamed theCanadian Museum of Nature), while the science and technology branch became the National Museum of Science and Technology (later renamed theCanada Science and Technology Museum).The National Museums of Canada Corporation was formed by the federal government in order to manage these national museums, in addition to theNational Gallery of","Gallery of Canada.Although the institutions were split, the National Museum of Man and the National Museum of Natural History continued to share the Victoria Memorial building; with the National Museum of Man occupying the western half of the building. In April 1972, the National Museum of Man established a Communications Division in order to provide media communications regarding the museum's education and information programs.During the 1970s, the staff of the institution adopted a philosophy that stressed public access to its heritage collection.Because the Victoria Memorial Museum building had insufficient space to exhibit the museum's growing collection, the museum's collection and staff were scattered across 17 buildings, with these buildings acting as decentralized units of the museum. In 1980, management of the National Museums of Canada Corporation is transferred to theDepartment of Communications.The following year in June 1981, thecabinet of Canadaapproved several plans concerning severalnational","severalnational museums of Canada, including moving the National Museum of Man into a new structure.The plan was formally announced to the public in February 1982.After a study of potential locations saw four sites inOttawaand one inGatineau.A site acquired by theNational Capital Commission(NCC) from the E.B Eddy Company in Gatineau was chosen as the site for the new museum; due to it already being public land, being linked toConfederation Boulevard, and because it was prominently visible from theOttawa River.The site was also selected because the NCC had desired to developHull, and incorporate it into the design of the capital region; while officials in Gatineau had similar desires to develop the area into anurban park.On 10 February 1983, the site for the new museum was announced to the public; andDouglas CardinalArchitect Limited was named as the project's design architect, in association with Montreal-based architectural firm Tétreault, Parent, Languedoc et Associés.The design created by Cardinal was","by Cardinal was approved in 1983 by theCabinet of Canada. In an effort to avoid stereotypes in languages, the name of the museum was changed to theCanadian Museum of Civilizationin 1986.In 1988, the institution absorbed the museum operated by the department of theMinister responsible for Canada Post Corporation, although itsphilateliccollection was transferred to theNational Archives of Canada.The museum opened its new building in Gatineau in 1989. However, the building opened with only two permanent exhibitions, Canada Hall and the exhibitions on theIndigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, as budgetary shortfalls prevented the museum from opening the exhibitions it had originally planned for the museum. In 1990, theMuseum Actwas passed by the federal government, replacing the defunct National Museums of Canada Corporation and forming several new entities to manage thenational museums of Canada; with the Canadian Museum of Civilization corporation formed on 1 July 1990 to manage the Canadian Museum","the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the Canadian War Museum. 21st century In 2007, the museum organized a temporary exhibition,Treasures from China, in partnership with theNational Museum of China. The partnership saw artifacts leave China to be exhibited only at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. As a part of the agreement, the Canadian Museum of Civilization prepared Indigenous Canadian artifacts for its own exhibition,First Peoples of Canada: Masterworks from the Canadian Museum of Civilization, at thePalace MuseuminBeijing. In October 2012,James Moore, theminister of Canadian Heritageannounced the ministry would provide $25 million to overhaul the museum and renovate Canada Hall.The government later announced plans to update and reopen the gallery in 2017, coinciding with the150th anniversary of Canada.Approximately 24,000 people from across nine Canadian cities were surveyed about the updates to the exhibition.The museum consulted a women's history committee, an indigenous history committee, and","committee, and three historic time-period committees. In December 2013, theCanadian Museum of History Actreceived Royal Assent, which shifted the museum's mandate from developing a collection with a \"special but not exclusive reference to Canada,\" to one that enhanced the knowledge of Canadian history and identity;and expanding the museum's focus to include social and political history.The Act also changed the institution's name from theCanadian Museum of Civilizationto theCanadian Museum of History. TheCanadian Postal Museum, a department of the Canadian Museum of Civilization corporation that operated from within the institution was shut down in 2012 as a result of the museum's transition into the Canadian Museum of History. Some have criticized the new mandate and updating of Canada Hall as a part of a wider plan by the incumbent Conservative government to redirect public historical understanding to emphasize aspects ofCanadian military historyandmonarchism; as well as elide problematic elements of","elements of Canadian history in favour of achievements.However, the museum contended that new exhibits planned for the museum will include a range of themes and topics, and will also explore the country's \"dark episodes\".The updated gallery was completed at approximately $30 million and was opened onCanada Dayin 2017 byCharles, Prince of WalesandMélanie Joly, theminister of Canadian Heritage.Partisan concerns were alleviated after Canadian History Hall was unveiled to the public. Site The museum is situated on a 9.6-hectare (23.7-acre) plot of land, formerly known asParc Laurier. The museum site is the firstCanadian national museumto be located on theGatineauside of theNational Capital Region, and the first to be located adjacent to theOttawa River. The site is bounded by the western access point for theAlexandra Bridge, the Ottawa River to the east, a paper production plant to the south, and Laurier Street to the west.The median of the property extends 235 metres (771 ft) from Laurier Street to the","Street to the river.From Laurier Street, the property descends towards the Ottawa River at a 5.5 per centgrade; with the portion of the property closest to Laurier Street at an elevation of 53.5 metres (176 ft), while the riverfront is at an elevation of 41 metres (135 ft).Because of the property's low elevation, the construction of the museum building was limited to the portion of the property closer to Laurier Street. The site includes a museum building with two wings. The two wings wrap around and are connected by a large hemispherical entrance plaza which contains its food services, lounge, library, and underground parking.The parkland and open space between the two wings are intended to represent the \"plains over which mankind migrated\" over millennia.A large staircase east of the entrance plaza descends to the museum's lower plaza and gardens adjacent to the riverside park. A pedestrian and cycling pathway is situated on the riverfront portion of the property, with the pathways continuing north","continuing north intoJacques-Cartier Park, a municipal park north of the property. Building The 75,000 square metres (810,000 sq ft) structure was designed by Douglas Cardinal.The building's infrastructure includes approximately 56,000 square metres (600,000 sq ft) of concrete, and 7,300 tonnes of steel.Cardinal sought to create form a \"sculptural icon\" for the country, encouraged by then-prime minister,Pierre Trudeau, to develop a symbol that \"enshrined our cultures\". As a result, the building was the first structure in the National Capital Region that incorporates Indigenous architectural designs.Cardinal's design for the building was largely influenced by his understanding of how geography helped shaped Canada's history and culture. The museum building has over 25,000 square metres (270,000 sq ft) of exhibition space, more than any other museum in Canada. In addition to exhibition space, the building also contains three restaurants, a boutique store, and two live performance theatres, including a 500-seat","a 500-seat theatre for live performances.The building also has a 295-seat 3D theatre that uses aBarcodigital projector. Before the installation of the Barco projector in 2016, the 3D theatre used aIMAXprojector and was branded as an IMAX theatre. Water is drawn from the Ottawa River to heat and cool the building.The building's energy needs are met by two substations in Gatineau, with two additional backup generators also available if both substations fail. Exterior The building's exterior is clad with 30,000 square metres (320,000 sq ft) ofTyndall stone;with the material being selected because of its durability and its relationship with glaciers. Cardinal sought to build a structure that appeared to be \"flowing with the contours of the land,\" and simple lines and forms could be used to display the idea of movement.The building's design draws uponArt Nouveaustyles to illustrate Canada's geography at the end of theLast Glacial Periodwhen the landscape was largely uniform; with certain elements of the building","of the building evokingigloosearth lodges, andlonghouses. The building includes a cantilevered northern/curatorial wing and a southern wing that houses most of the museum's public facilities, including its galleries, and theatres.The curatorial wing was designed to evoke outcroppings of theCanadian Shield, while the southern public wing with its glass-fronted Grand Hall, was intended to evoke an image of a melting glacier. The southern wing's copper roof represents vegetation's recolonization of the lands once covered by glacial till.The copper roof is nearly 11,000 square metres (120,000 sq ft) and weighs approximately 90 tonnes.Both wings are curvaceous on their river sides to blend into their landscapes, although their street-side façade is more angular. The NCC placed several restrictions on the building design, that the building does not obstruct the view of the Ottawa River, and that the building does not obstruct delineated \"viewing cones\" of Parliament Hill from the Gatineau side of the river.Because","the river.Because of these restrictions, the buildings were designed with a low-profile, to avoid obscuring the view for buildings across the street.From certain angles, the building appears as two separate pavilions, with an opening between these two sections providing an unobstructed view ofParliament Hillfrom Laurier Street.Considerations also needed to be taken to protect artifacts displayed in the building. Windows were triple-glazed and coated with a film that helps contain radiant heat and reduce solar ultraviolet rays, and the southern wing's Grand Hall was intentionally designed to face direct sunlight only in the morning. The building was designed to create an \"ever-changing pattern\" of shadows across the structure's surface, with most of the building's exterior lighting kept below 30luxto allow viewers to see deeper shadows at night. Exhibitions The museum hosts several permanent and temporary exhibitions on anthropology, ethnology, and history. Artifacts from the museum's collection are exhibited","are exhibited in these exhibitions.In addition,travelling exhibitionsare occasionally held at the museum. The museum has also created severalonline exhibitions, like theVirtual Museum of New France. Permanent exhibitions include First Peoples Hall, Canadian History Hall, the Canadian Children's Museum, the Canadian Stamp Collection, and two exhibitions on the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast in the building's Grand Hall.First Peoples Hall is situated on the first floor of the building, whereas the Canada Hall is situated on the third level of the building.First Peoples Hall is situated next to the Grand Hall, with its exhibitions located on the ground floor. Many of the exhibits that were designed in the 1980s for the new building were influenced by the director of the museum,George F. MacDonald, his personal admiration for Pacific Northwest Coast art and culture, and the communication theories of his mentor,Marshall McLuhan.Merging exhibits detailing theIndigenous peoples of Canadawith","of Canadawith other Canadian historical exhibits were considered by the exhibition design team when plans were being made to move the museum in the 1980s.However, it was later decided to depict both topics as separate exhibitions, resulting in both exhibitions being planned by different teams with separate budgets.This decision was later reversed in 2017 when the museum reopened the Canadian History Hall exhibition with Indigenous exhibits incorporated throughout its exhibit. First Peoples Hall First Peoples Hall is an exhibition opened in 2003, that explores Canada'sFirst Nations,Inuit, andMétispeoples.The exhibition occupies 3,300 square metres (35,000 sq ft) of space on the ground floor of the building.The hall contains more than 2,000 objects on display.Most of the exhibition space is devoted to changing exhibits, to keep up with contemporary views on traditional cultures and current issues. However, First Peoples Hall does have some space devoted to long-term exhibits. These long-term exhibits explore","exhibits explore topics that are less subject to changing interpretations; like ancient history, Indigenous languages, and the history of the relationship between Indigenous and European cultures.The exhibition is organized into several sections, such as the \"Ways of Knowing\", \"An Ancient Bond with the Land\", and \"The Arrival of Strangers\". The exhibition was designed to \"deconstruct and supersede\" histories that visitors are familiar with.Exhibits were designed to address issues of stereotyping Indigenous identity, and the diversity and cultural distinctiveness between Indigenous nations; with many of the exhibits linking identity toIndigenous land claims in Canada.Additionally, exhibits were designed to portray Indigenous peoples as living peoples in the modern world.Archaeological exhibits in First Peoples Hall are themed to reinforce the fact that the Indigenous peoples of Canada have occupied the land sincetime immemorial, and that Canadian history has a long and complex history preceding European","preceding European colonization. Additionally, many of these archaeological exhibits are designed to confront the notion of Eurasiantechnological supremacyat the time of first contact with the Americas.The exhibition concludes with contemporary issue exhibits, which explore recent clashes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada over land and resources. The curatorial model used to develop the exhibition conformed to the suggestions provided in the 1992 recommendations from the federal Task Force on Museums and First Peoples.The content and messaging of First Peoples Hall were determined in consultation with indigenous communities across Canada.Acting upon the task force's recommendation to establish partnerships with First Nation representatives whose cultures were being exhibited, an advisory committee of 15 Indigenous members was formed to help define the exhibition's thematic structure and messaging.As a result, exhibits in First Peoples Hall take a \"multivocal\" approach, where different","where different perspectives can be distinguished within the exhibition; and explanatory fields like archaeology, ethnology and traditional Indigenous knowledge are juxtaposed, and contestatory with one another in some cases. Canadian History Hall Canadian History Hall is an exhibition that explores Canadian history. Canadian History Hall is approximately 4,690 square metres (50,500 sq ft), and includes over 14 projectors and 58 screens used in the exhibition.The exhibition includes three galleries and a long curved walkway that serves as the entrance to the three galleries. The entrance walkway is decorated with 101 silhouettes of Canadian cultural symbols and activities, as well as national landmarks.Canadian History Hall's galleries centre around a hub that was designed by Douglas Cardinal to resembleChaudière Falls.The hub features a large 15.5 by 9.5 metres (51 ft × 31 ft) image of Canada on the floor. The image of Canada is made up of 121 satellite photos taken by theCanadian Space Agency, that were","Agency, that were stitched together to form a single image. The exhibition summarizes over 15,000 years of history and is divided into three era-centric galleries, Early Canada: From Earliest Times to 1763, Colonial Canada: 1763 to 1914, and Modern Canada: 1914 to the Present Day.The first two galleries are located on the same floor, while the third gallery occupies the mezzanine above the two galleries.The galleries are designed to showcase events and \"turning points\" in each respective era through the multimedia presentations and the artifacts on display.Each gallery is further organized into six separate \"vignettes\" that are thematically different, but interconnected with one another.The vignettes are primarily organized temporally, although some are specifically focused on a specific aspect of Canadian history.The exhibition takes a largely didactic approach with its subject and is particularly focused on the country's political and economic history, as well as the experience of Indigenous","of Indigenous peoples.According to the exhibit team's head, David Morrison, Indigenous peoples and their relationship with newcomers will serve as an important overarching theme of Canadian History Hall. Early Canada explores provides a summary of Indigenous history prior to the arrival of the Europeans as well as early Canadian colonies likeNew France.The gallery includes Indigenous artifacts, narrative recounts of Indigenous interactions between Norse, English and French explorers, and detailed accounts on theNorth American fur trade, the spread ofdisease within Indigenous populations, and theBeaver Wars.Colonial Canada exploresCanada under British rulesince theconquest of New France, as well aspost-Confederation Canadato 1914. Modern Canada explores Canada's recent history, up to the arrival of Syrian refugees in the 2010s.The latter two galleries provide detailed histories on theSeven Years' War, treaties signed between various Indigenous groups and the Crown, the push forresponsible government,Canadian","government,Canadian Confederation, the world wars, theCanadian Indian residential school system,Quebec nationalism, andmulticulturalism in Canada. There are over 1,500 artifacts on display in Canadian History Hall.Historic artifacts include a 3,600 to 3,900 years old ivory carving believed to be the oldest representation of a human face found in Canada;James Wolfecoat; and handcuffs worn byLouis Rielprior to his execution;Maurice Richard'shockey jersey;Terry Fox's T-shirt;Tommy Douglas's hat; the table on which the proclamation of theConstitution Act, 1982was signed by QueenElizabeth IIin 1982;Randy Bachman's guitar, and the sewing machine whichJoan O'Malleysewed the firstMaple Leaf flag.There are 40 linear films shown at the exhibition, includingOrigin Stories, a film that illustrates how theAnishinaabebelieved the earth was formed.Origin Storiesis displayed along the curved wall of the Canadian History Hall's entrance. The modular structure of the exhibits enables the museum to swap segments easier. The","easier. The number of exhibits in the galleries may also expand, with the museum having reserved enough space to allow for the addition of new exhibits in the three galleries. Pre-2017 exhibition Canadian History Hall's predecessor, Canada Hall, opened as an inaugural exhibit at the museum in 1989.The original exhibition was divided into 23 modules that were arranged chronologically, beginning with theNorse colonization of North America.The gallery aimed to promote Canadian multiculturalism, having portrayed a social history that depicted a \"march of immigrants\" from east to west, and the success of different groups in Canada.However, these modules provided little in-depth consideration for pre-colonial Indigenous cultures, which were only explored in the museum's other exhibitions prior to Canada Hall's updates in the 2010s.The original design of Canada Hall recreated historical settings with period rooms and full-scale historical buildings incorporated into the exhibition; reflecting McLuhan's theories,","McLuhan's theories, and innovations adopted by entertainment pavilions like Disney'sEpcot. Canada Hall was closed to the public in September 2014 to enable renovations and significant updates to the exhibition.The exhibition reopened in 2017 significantly changed from its original design.Nearly all of the life-sized dioramas were dismantled as a part of the exhibition's update. St. Onuphrius Church, an original early-20th-century Ukrainian church from theCanadian Prairiesthat was later relocated to the museum, is the only remaining life-sized diorama in the exhibition. Canadian Children's Museum The Canadian Children's Museum is Canada's largest exhibition centre designed specifically for children with over 3,000 square metres (32,000 sq ft) of space. The museum uses more than 15,000 artifacts, props, and hands-on items for use in its exhibitions and programs. These items include art, clothing, games, photographs, and toys.The museum includes an International Village, as well as Canadian-themed attractions","attractions that were added into the exhibition in 2007. In 2018, the museum announced it would undertake a renewal project in January 2020. The museum announced the revamp would reflect how children play and learn, and will remove more dated exhibits from the exhibition, like the post office and telephone booth.It reopened in May 2022. Canadian Stamp Collection The Canadian Stamp Collection is astamp collectionof more than 3,000 stamps and includes every Canadian stamp issued since 1851. The stamp collection was housed at the Canadian Postal Museum until 2012 when the postal museum closed and its stamp collection relocated to the Canadian Museum of History.The Canadian Museum of History opened a permanent exhibition for the collection in 2014 in partnership withCanada Post. Stamps that are exhibited in the exhibition are showcased with artifacts that either inspired its creation or were used to make the stamp. Grand Hall exhibitions Grand Hall features two permanent exhibitions on the Indigenous peoples of","peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast,First Peoples of the Northwest CoastandFrom Time Immemorial — Tsimshian Prehistory. The exhibits includetotem polesand other artifacts.The exhibitions were developed as a collaboration between the museum's curators and Indigenous cultural specialists in the 1980s. In 1993, a large mural titledMorning Starwas added to the domed ceiling of the Grand Hall. The mural was created byAlex Janvierand is symbolic of Indigenous life and history.In addition to the two permanent exhibitions, the Grand Hall is also used to host other major events.In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the Grand Hall has also been used to host temporary exhibitions. Collections As of June 2021, the Canadian Museum of History's permanent collection includes more than three million artifacts, documents, works of art, and other specimens.This includes over one million photographs, 72,000 sound recordings and 18,000 films and videotapes. The collection takes up approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) of","(2.5 mi) of shelf space.Approximately 218,000 artifacts have been digitized and made accessible online by the museum. The museum's permanent collection dates back to the collection established by the Geological Survey of Canada in the 1860s.The museum's collection of artifacts has expanded through the institution's research programs.The first collection representing Indigenous peoples was established by the Geological Survey of Canada, with other parts of the collection having been acquired by government officials and missionaries working outside Ottawa. The collection continued to expand after the anthropology department was established in 1910, and the museum began a systematic program of documenting Indigenous cultures and lineages. The museum's collection of Indigenous items is the largest in Canada and is the only major collection with a national scope in the country.The museum also possesses the world's largest collection of totem poles.The Sacred Materials Project was created by the museum to help","the museum to help maintain Indigenous sacred items, and facilitate therepatriationof select items to their respective communities. The project provides funds for Indigenous representatives to view the museum's collections and discuss the repatriation of identified sacred items, as well as identify other objects in the collection that require ritualistic care. The museum's permanent collection contains several smaller collections, like theWindfield FarmCollection. The Windfield Farm Collection was acquired by the museum in 2013 and contains documents, photographs, memorabilia and trophies, including theKentucky Derbytrophy won byNorthern Dancer.The museum's collection of flags is also the largest in the country. Other notable items in the museum's permanent collection includes aContempraphone, the first telephone to be designed and manufactured in Canada;cough syrup from the1918 influenza pandemic;the original plaster forBill Reid'sSpirit of Haida Gwaii;ten large heraldic sculptures known asThe Queen's","known asThe Queen's Beasts;androyal gownworn by Elizabeth II during herroyal tours of Canada.The museum also contains a number of ice hockey artifacts, including game-usedNational Hockey Leaguesticks,hockey cards, and the world's oldest existingice hockey stick.The ice hockey stick dates back to the mid-1830s and was acquired by the museum in 2015 for $300,000. In addition to its permanent collection, the Canadian Museum of History also co-manages collections with other institutions. In July 1999, the museum entered an agreement with the Canadian Nursing Association (CNA), the Canadian War Museum, and the National Archives of Canada to create the Canadian Nursing History Collection. This collection includes over 9,000 photographs, 1,600 audiovisual materials, and over 35 metres (115 ft) of textual records from the CNA, the Nursing Sisters Association of Canada, and theHelen MussallemCollection. Approximately 950 documented artifacts from this collection are deposited at the Canadian Museum of History.Items","of History.Items from the collection at the Canadian Museum of History include 167 nurses' caps, dating from 1895 to 1983.In June 2005, the museum opened a temporary exhibition that focused on this collection.In 2021, the Canadian Museum of History entered into an agreement to house and maintain artifacts fromCanada's Sports Hall of Fame. Library and archives The museum's resource centre operates a library and archives. As of 2015, the museum's library has more than 60,000 books, over 2,000 journals and magazines, and over 1,000 DVDs, CDs, and video tapes. The museum's rare and old books collection includesPaul-Émile Borduas'sRefus Global(1948) andPierre François Xavier de Charlevoix'sHistoire et description générale de la Nouvelle-France(1744). Research The museum's collection is used to support research in anthropology, archaeology, Indigenous people in Canada, linguistics, material culture, multicultural communities, social and political history andmuseologyin Canada.The museum also publishes its","also publishes its ownacademic journal, theMercury Series; on history, archaeology, and anthropology. The journal has been published in partnership with theUniversity of Ottawa Presssince 2012.The museum has also published the academic journalMaterial Culture Reviewin partnership with the Canada Science and Technology Museum since the 1970s. The journal provides a forum for research on historical artifacts collected by Canadian museums. Management The Canadian Museum of History is managed by afederal Crown corporationof the same name under theDepartment of Canadian Heritage's portfolio. The museum is one of two national museums managed by the corporation, the other being the Canadian War Museum.The corporation also administers the Virtual Museum of New France, avirtual museumand online exhibition of the Canadian Museum of History;and theVirtual Museum of Canada, an administrative program that supports the development of online projects for museums and heritage organizations across Canada.The Virtual Museum","Virtual Museum of Canada was an online portal for virtual exhibits in Canada until 2020, when the Virtual Museum of Canada's website was decommissioned, and the project was reoriented into a support program. Management of the corporation is conducted through an 11-memberboard of trustees. Trustees are appointed by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, with approval from theGovernor-in-Council. In turn, the board appoints the corporation's president andchief executive officer.The corporation reports to theParliament of Canadathrough theMinister of Canadian Heritage. The corporation's mandate is defined under theMuseums Act. The corporation was established as the Canadian Museum of Civilization in June 1990 through theMuseums Act;an Act that was later amended in 2014.The corporation adopted its current name in 2013.The Crown corporation was one of several that succeeded the defunct National Museums of Canada Corporation, a Crown corporation that managed most of the country's national museums until its dissolution","its dissolution in 1988. See also Notes References Further reading External links","National Gallery of Canada TheNational Gallery of Canada(French:Musée des beaux-arts du Canada), located in the capital city ofOttawa,Ontario, is Canada'snationalart museum.The museum's building takes up 46,621 square metres (501,820 sq ft), with 12,400 square metres (133,000 sq ft) of space used for exhibiting art. It is one of thelargest art museumsin North America by exhibition space. The institution was established in 1880 at theSecond Supreme Court of Canada building, and moved to the Victoria Memorial Museum building in 1911. In 1913, theGovernment of Canadapassed theNational Gallery Act, formally outlining the institution's mandate as a national art museum. The Gallery was moved to the Lorne Building in 1960. In 1988, the Gallery was relocated to a new building designed for this purpose. The National Gallery of Canada is situated in a glass and granite building onSussex Drive, with a notable view of Canada's Parliament Buildings onParliament Hill. The building was designed by Israeli architectMoshe","architectMoshe Safdieand opened in 1988. The Gallery's permanent collection includes more than 93,000 works by European, American, Asian, Canadian, andIndigenousartists. In addition to exhibiting works from its permanent collection, the Gallery also organizes and hosts a number oftravelling exhibitions. History The Gallery was first formed in 1880 by Canada's Governor General,John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyllin conjunction with the establishment of theRoyal Canadian Academy of Arts. In 1882, moved into its first home onParliament Hill, housed in theSecond Supreme Court of Canada building. Eric Brownwas named the first director in 1910.In 1911, the Gallery moved to the Victoria Memorial Museum building, sharing it with theNational Museum of Natural Sciences. In 1913, the firstNational Gallery Actwas passed, outlining the Gallery's mandate and resources.During the 1920s, the building was expanded. The art gallery was given four floors, and a separate entrance was created for the art museum. In addition, a","In addition, a firewall was built between the Natural Sciences Museum and the National Gallery.But, the Gallery was still in temporary space in the Victoria Memorial Museum building. Longterm plans were to move it to a new permanent location, with spaces dedicated to the viewing of art. By the 1950s, the space in the Victoria Memorial Museum building had grown inadequate for the Gallery's collections. In 1952, the Gallery launched a design contest for architects to design a permanent home for the gallery.But the Gallery failed to garner support from the government ofLouis St. Laurent, resulting in the Gallery having to abandon the winning bid. To provide a workable compromise for the National Gallery, St. Laurent's government offered the National Gallery the eight-storey Lorne Building for its use.The National Gallery moved into the nondescript office building onElgin Street.The Lorne Building has since been demolished and replaced by a 17-storey office building to house the Federal Finance Department. In","Department. In 1962,Charles Comfort, the Gallery's director, was criticized after half of the works on display at an exhibition forWalter Chrysler's European works were exposed as forgeries by American journalists. Comfort had allowed the Gallery to host the exhibition, despite being warned about the works by the director of theMontreal Museum of Fine Arts. TheNational Museums of CanadaCorporation (NMC) absorbed the National Gallery of Canada in 1968.During the 1970s, the NMC diverted funds from the National Gallery to form regional galleries.The Gallery completed renovations to the Lorne Building in 1976.By 1980, it had become apparent that the National Gallery would need to relocate, given the poor condition of the building, historical use ofasbestosthere, and inadequate exhibition areas that provided only enough space for two per cent of the collection to be exhibited at any given time. After the Canada'sConstitutionwaspatriatedin 1982, Prime MinisterPierre Trudeauannounced a shift in policy focus towards","focus towards the \"creation of a nation,\" with priority given to the arts in an effort to enrichCanadian identity.In that same year, Minister of CommunicationsFrancis Foxdeclared the government's commitment to erect new permanent buildings for its national museums, including the National Gallery, and theMuseum of Manwithin five years.The director of the National Gallery,Jean Sutherland Boggs, was chosen by Trudeau to oversee construction of the National Gallery and museums.The Gallery began construction for its permanent museum building onSussex Drivein 1985, and was opened in May 1988. The diversion of funds by the NMC to help fund regional museums was ended in 1982,and the National Museums of Canada formally dissolved in 1987.As a result of this dissolution, the National Gallery reacquired its institutional independence, along with the mandate and powers outlined in its formative legislative act prior to 1968. TheCanadian Museum of Contemporary Photography(CMCP), formerly the Stills Photography Division of","Division of theNational Film Board of Canada, was an affiliated institution of the National Gallery, and was established in 1985. In 1988, the CMCP's administration was amalgamated with that of the National Gallery's. The CMCP later moved to its new location at 1 Rideau Canal, and continued to operate there until its closure in 2006. Its collection was later absorbed into the National Gallery's in 2009. In December 2000, the National Gallery announced it suspected approximately 100 works from its collection wasplunder stolen by the Nazisduring the Second World War.The Gallery posted images of works suspected of beingstolen artonline, permitting its last legal owners to examine and possibly lay claim to the works.In 2006, the Gallery returned a painting byÉdouard Vuillardthat had been looted by the Nazis fromAlfred Lindonin 1942,The Salon of Madame Aron, to Lindon's heirs. In December 2009, the National Gallery of Canada and theArt Gallery of Albertaissued a joint press release announcing a three-year","a three-year partnership, which saw the use of the Art Gallery of Alberta's galleries to exhibit works from the National Gallery's collection.The program was the first \"satellite program\" between the National Gallery of Canada, and another institution, with similar initiatives launched at other Canadian art galleries in the following years. Marc Mayerwas named the Gallery's director, succeeding Pierre Théberge, on 19 January 2009.On 19 April 2019, he was succeeded byAlexandra Suda, who was appointed the 11th Director and chief executive officer of the National Gallery of Canada. Under Sasha Suda, the Gallery underwent a major re-branding, dubbed Ankosé, to be more inclusive and work towards reconciliation. After only three years, Suda resigned. Angela Cassie was then appointed interim Director and CEO in July 2022. Building The Gallery's present building was designed byMoshe Safdie& Associates, with construction beginning in 1985, and the building opening in 1988. The building has a total floor area of","total floor area of 46,621 square metres (501,820 sq ft). In 2000, theRoyal Architectural Institute of Canadachose the National Gallery as one of the top 500 buildings produced in Canada during the last millennium.The National Gallery of Canada is housed in a building onSussex Drive, adjacent to theByWard Marketdistrict. The building is the fourth edifice to house the art museum. An independent Crown corporation, the Canadian Museums Construction Corporation was established to build the Gallery, with a budget ofC$185 million.Following the1984 Canadian federal election, Prime MinisterBrian Mulroneydissolved the corporation.However, because the groundwork for the building was already completed, Mulroney chose to continue funding construction for the Gallery, albeit at a reduced total budget of C$162 million. Exterior The building's northern, eastern, and western exterior facade is made up of pink-granite walls, or glass-windows.The southern exterior facade features an elongated glass wall, supported by","wall, supported by concrete pylons grouped in fours.The profile of the southern facade was designed to mimic acathedral, with the concrete pylons being used similarly to theflying buttressesfound onGothiccathedrals.The eastern portion of the building's southern facade transitions into a low-levelled crystalline glass cupola, which holds the museum's main entrance; and its western portion, which features a three-tiered glass cupola. The three-tiered glass cupola is formed out of rectangular glass and narrow steel supports.The second tier of the cupola is formed out of rectangles and equilateral triangles that are further subdivided into eight or twelve smaller equilateral triangles.All these glass pieces are joined by steel struts. The third tier of the cupola is formed with similar designs, although the triangular glass panes are isosceles triangles.The isosceles triangles converge upwards, with its apexes towards the centre.The building's three-tiered cupola is positioned in a manner in which the cupola","in which the cupola would be flanked by thePeace Towerand theLibrary of Parliamentto the west when approaching the museum from the east. Interior The interior entrance lobby is floored with pink-granite, and includes a straight four metres (13 ft) wide ramp which slopes upward towards the west.Safdie noted the importance of the ramp in his design, stating that one should \"go through some kind of procession to make your way into something as important as the National Gallery,\" and that it gave the visitor the feeling of making an ascent to a ritual, a ceremony.The walls of the entrance lobby are lined with rectangular cut pink granite, excluding the southern wall, which is part of the glass-walled exterior facade.A glass and steel ceiling reminiscent of Gothic cathedral architecture, extends the entire way of the ramp.However, as opposed to most Gothic cathedrals, the ceiling has several concrete columns spaced out to support the roof.The summit of the ramp leads towards the Great Hall of the building,","of the building, situated in the three-storey glass cupola. The interior courtyard of the building includes the Taiga Garden. The garden was designed byCornelia Oberlander, who modelled the paintingTerre SauvagebyA. Y. Jackson;a painting in the National Gallery's permanent collection. The garden attempts to mimic thetaigalandscape depicted in the painting, theCanadian shield; although limestone is substituted in place of the granite typically found at the Canadian shield. Collection As of October 2018, the National Gallery of Canada's permanent collection holds more than 93,625 works,representing several artistic movements and eras in art history. The Gallery has a large and varied collection of paintings, works on paper, sculptures and photographs. The earliest works acquired by the museum were from Canadian artists, with Canadian art remaining the focus of the institution. However, its collection also includes several works from artists around the world. The Gallery's collection has been built up through","built up through purchases and donations. The Gallery organizes its owntravelling exhibitionsto exhibit its collection, travelling across Canada and abroad.The National Gallery is the largest lender of art in Canada, sending out approximately 800 works a year. The Gallery's prints and drawings collection includes 27,000 works on paper, dating from the 15th century to the present day. The prints and drawing collection includes 10,000 works on paper by Canadian artists; more than 800 of these prints and drawings being crafted byInuitartists.The prints and drawing collection also includes 2,500 drawings and 10,000 prints by American, Asian, and European artists. The Gallery also has approximately 400 works from Asian artists, dating from 200 CE to the 19th century. The Gallery's Asian collection began in the early 20th century, with a number of works originating from the collection ofNasli Heeramaneck.The Gallery also has a collection of photographs. A number of the photographs in the collection originated from","originated from the defunct Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography. Until the mid-1980s, the Gallery's mandate did not include collecting art by Indigenous peoples. This has been much critiqued, and led to important changes at the Gallery from the 1980s onwards.Despite a major re-hang in 2003 of the Canadian galleries to include Indigenous art for the first time, the Gallery continues to work towards more equitable representation of Indigenous art, particularly in its historical galleries. The largest work in the Gallery is the entire interior of theRideau Street Chapel, which formed part of the Convent of Our Lady Sacred Heart,The interior decorations of the Rideau Street Chapel were designed by Georges Couillon in 1887.The chapel interior was acquired by the Gallery in 1972, when the convent was slated for demolition. The 1,123-piece interior was dismantled, stored and reconstructed within the Gallery as a work of art in 1988. Canadian and Indigenous works The Gallery's Canadian collection includes","collection includes works dating from the 18th centuryNew France, to the 1990s.The collection includes paintings from pre-Confederation; abstract paintings and other postwar art; and the Henry Birks Collection of Canadian Silver.Early pre-Confederation paintings were among the first items in the Canadian collections, with the National Gallery's earliest works originating from Canadian artists at theRoyal Canadian Academy of Arts. The Gallery's Canadian collection holds a large number of works by theGroup of Seven.The Gallery also holds a large collection of works by Tom Thomson,withThe Jack Pineadded to its collection in 1918.The Gallery also holds the largest collection of works byAlex Colville.Other artists featured in the collection includeWilliam Berczy,Jack Bush,Paul-Émile Borduas,Emily Carr,Robert Field,Vera Frenkel,Theophile Hamel,Joseph Légaré,Cornelius Krieghoff,Fernand Leduc,Alexandra Luke,Ken Lum,James Wilson Morrice,John O'Brien,Antoine Plamondon,William Raphael,Jean-Paul Riopelle,William","Riopelle,William Ronald,Michael Snow,Lisa Steele,Jeff Wall,Joyce Wieland,Paul Wong, and members of theRegina Five. In commemoration of the150th anniversary of Canadain 2017, the Gallery undertook a C$7.4 million renovation to open the Canadian and Indigenous Art: From Time Immemorial to 1967 gallery.This gallery displays the progression of Canadian art and history, exhibiting Canadian and Indigenous works side by side.These works are exhibited in a manner which examines the intertwined relations between the two groups of people. The Indigenous collection includes works byIndigenousartists around the world, although it has an emphasis on works by theIndigenous peoples of Canada. The Gallery collection acquired its first works byFirst NationsandMetisartists in the early 20th century.However, the makers of these works were often not acknowledged as Indigenous, because the Gallery's mandate did not include the collection of art by Indigenous peoples until the 1980s. The Gallery acquired its firstInuitworks in","firstInuitworks in 1956, crafted by artists inNunavik.The Gallery's acquisition of Inuit works, at a time when it was not actively collecting art by other Indigenous peoples, is related to the Government's promotion of Inuit art to create jobs in the North and to assert Canadian sovereignty there.In 1979,Henry Birksbequeathed a large collection to NGC consisting primarily of Quebecois pre-confederation silver; this bequest of more than 12,000 objects included around 16 works by Indigenous artists.In 1989 and 1992, theDepartment of Indian Affairs and Northern Developmentbequeathed 570 works by Inuit artists. A number of Indigenous artists whose works are featured in the collection includeKenojuak Ashevak,Kiawak Ashoona,Qaqaq Ashoona,Carl Beam,Faye HeavyShield,Osuitok Ipeelee,Rita Letendre,Norval Morrisseau,Shelley Niro,David Ruben Piqtoukun,Abraham Anghik Ruben,Lucy Tasseor Tutsweetok,Jeffrey Thomas,John Tiktak, andLawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. Contemporary The Gallery's contemporary collection includes 1,500","includes 1,500 works from artists since the 1990s.The collection features a number of works from Canada and its Indigenous artists. The first Indigenous Canadian contemporary artwork acquired by the National Gallery was purchased in 1987, a piece calledThe North American Iceberg(1985) byOjibweartistCarl Beam. In 2017,Bob Renniedonated a contemporary art collection to the National Gallery in honour of Canada' 150th anniversary.The collection includes 197 paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media pieces with most of it originating from Vancouver-based artists includingGeoffrey Farmer,Rodney Graham,Brian Jungen, andIan Wallace.The Rennie collection also includes some international contemporary works, including fromDoris Salcedo. In 1990 the Gallery boughtBarnett Newman'sVoice of Firefor $1.8 million, igniting a storm of controversy. However, since that time its value has appreciated to approximately C$40 million as of 2014.In 1999, the Gallery acquired a sculpture of a giant spider,Maman, byLouise Bourgeoisfor a","Bourgeoisfor a cost of C$3.2 million.The sculpture was installed on the plaza in front of the Gallery.In 2011 the Gallery installed Canadian sculptorJoe Fafard'sRunning Horsesnext to the Sussex Drive entrance, and American artistRoxy Paine's stainless steel sculptureOne Hundred Foot LineatKìwekì Pointbehind the gallery. Other contemporary artists whose works are featured in the National Gallery's collection includeDavid Altmejd,Lee Bul,Janet Cardiff,Bharti Kher,Christian Marclay,Elizabeth McIntosh,Chris Ofili, Paine,Ugo Rondinone, andJoanne Tod. European, American, and Asian The European, American, and Asian collection area includes most of the Gallery's works by non-Canadian artists. The Gallery acquired its first European work in 1907: the paintingIgnatius SanchobyThomas Gainsborough.Conversely, the Gallery did not begin to develop its collection of American art until the 1970s. The Gallery's collection includes American and European works dating from the Renaissance through the 20th century.In addition","century.In addition toWestern art, the collection also has 400 works from India,Nepal, andTibet. The Gallery's European collection has since expanded either through acquisitions or gifts. Such works includeLa Tour EiffelbyMarc Chagall, acquired by the Gallery in 1956 for $C16,000.In 2018, the Gallery planned to sell the work to fund other acquisitions, but abandoned those plans after the decision was found to be unpopular with the public.In 2005, the Gallery acquired a painting by Italian Renaissance painterFrancesco Salviatifor $4.5 million.In 2018, the Gallery acquiredThe Partie CaréebyJames Tissotfrom the collection of David R. Graham, putting it on display in December 2018.It is the third work by Tissot to be acquired by the museum since 1921.Other works from the collection includeThe Death of General Wolfeby Anglo-American artistBenjamin West.Other artists featured in the museum's European collection includesAlejo Fernández,Vilhelm Hammershøi,Gustav Klimt,Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun,Henri Matisse,Charles","Matisse,Charles Meynier,Claude Monet,Rembrandt, andVincent van Gogh. Library and archives The library and archives of the National Gallery of Canada hold an extensive collection of literature on Canadian art.The library and archives was established alongside the Gallery in 1880, and contains documents on western art from theLate Middle Agesto the present day.The collection includes 275,000 books, exhibition catalogues, and periodicals; 76,000 documentation files; and 95,000 microforms.The archives serves as the institutional archive for the Gallery. The library and archives'special collectionsincludes over 50,000 auction catalogues, in addition to 182,000 slides and 360,000 research photographs.The Library and Archives' Exceptional Materials and Notable Subject Collections contains a number of rare imprints, books, and bookplates on Canadian artists, as well as items relating to historians of Canadian art. Management The federal government assumed responsibility for the Gallery in 1913, with the enactment of","the enactment of theNational Gallery of Canada Act. The Gallery became aCrown corporationon 1 July 1990 with the proclamation of theMuseums Act. TheMuseums Actserves as the museum's governing legislation. It empowers a board of trustees to serve as the Gallery's governing body, with the board, through the Chair, being accountable to theMinister of Canadian Heritage, who is ultimately responsible for the Museum.The Director and CEO is charged with the day-to-day management of the Gallery. The Gallery is affiliated with several associations, including theCanadian Museums Association, theOntario Association of Art Galleries, theCanadian Heritage Information Network, and theVirtual Museum of Canada. Directors The following is a list of directors of the National Gallery of Canada: Selected works Canadian collection European and American collection Prints and drawings collection See also Notes References Further reading External links Media related toNational Gallery of Canadaat Wikimedia Commons"],"string":"[\n \"Canadian Museum of History TheCanadian Museum of History(French:Musée canadien de l’histoire) is anational museumonanthropology,Canadian history,cultural studies, andethnologyinGatineau,Quebec, Canada. The purpose of the museum is to promote the heritage of Canada, as well as support related research. The museum is based in a 75,000-square-metre-building (810,000 sq ft) designed byDouglas Cardinal. The museum originated from a museum established by theGeological Survey of Canadain 1856, which later expanded to include an anthropology division in 1910. In 1927, the institution was renamed the National Museum of Canada. The national museum was later split into several separate institutions in 1968, with the anthropology and human history departments forming theNational Museum of Man. The museum relocated to its present location in Gatineau in 1989 and adopted the nameCanadian Museum of Civilization(French:Musée canadien des civilisations) the following year. In 2013, the museum adopted its current name, the\",\n \"current name, the Canadian Museum of History, and modified its mandate to emphasizeCanadian identityand history. The museum's collection contains over three million artifacts and documents, with some on display in the museum's permanent exhibitions. The museum also hosts and organizes a number of temporary,travelling, andonline exhibitions, like theVirtual Museum of New France. History Early museum (1856–1968) The Canadian Museum of History originates from the collecting efforts of theGeological Survey of Canada(GSC), an organization established in 1842 inMontreal.In 1856 theLegislative Assembly of the Province of Canadapassed an act that enabled the GSC to establish a museum to exhibit items found from its geological and archaeological field trips; with the museum initially established in Montreal on Great St. James Street (nowSaint Jacques Street).The museum held its firstethnologicalexhibit from 1862 to 1863, showcasing stone implements and fragments of pottery byFirst Nations.In 1877, the museum mandate\",\n \"the museum mandate was formally expanded to include the study of modern fauna and flora, in addition to human history, languages, and traditions. In 1881, the museum relocated from Montreal todowntown Ottawato what is now referred to asFormer Geological Survey of Canada Building; although space in the new facility soon proved to be inadequate, with theRoyal Society of Canadapetitioning thefederal governmentto build a new building for the museum by 1896.Preliminary plans for a new building were drawn up by 1899, although work on the building did not begin until 1906.In the following year, management of the museum was handed over from the GSC to theDepartment of Mines, with the mandate formally expanded to include anthropological studies.The new museum building, theVictoria Memorial Museum Building, was also completed in 1910, although it was not opened to the public until 1911. Under the Department of Mines, the museum formally established ananthropologydivision under the direction ofEdward Sapirin\",\n \"ofEdward Sapirin 1910.Another anthropologist,Marius Barbeau, was also hired by the museum in the following year to assist Sapir.The anthropology division was charged with the preservation of the cultural heritage of people in Canada and assembling objects related to these cultures. Under Sapir's direction, the institution's research initially focused on Aboriginal communities across Canada they believed were imperilled by rapid acculturation.The museum's first anthropological exhibits were organized by Sapir and his protege,Franz Boas.Since this period, the museum had become a centre for Canadian anthropology, having attracted notable anthropologists includingDiamond Jennessafter the Second World War. In 1927, the museum division of the Department of Mines was renamed theNational Museum of Canada.Management of the National Museum is transferred from the Department of Mines to theDepartment of Resources and Developmentin 1950.In 1965, the museum was split into two branches, one focused on natural history and\",\n \"natural history and another on human history.The mandate of the museum further expanded in the following decades, with the museum assuming the management of theCanadian War Museumin 1958, and its human history branch establishing a history division in 1964. Museum of anthropology and history (1968–present) On 1 April 1968, the branches of the National Museum of Canada were formally split into separate museums.The Canadian Museum of History originated from the human history branch of the museum, initially incorporated as theNational Museum of Man.The natural history branch of the former National Museum of Canada became the National Museum of Natural Sciences (later renamed theCanadian Museum of Nature), while the science and technology branch became the National Museum of Science and Technology (later renamed theCanada Science and Technology Museum).The National Museums of Canada Corporation was formed by the federal government in order to manage these national museums, in addition to theNational Gallery of\",\n \"Gallery of Canada.Although the institutions were split, the National Museum of Man and the National Museum of Natural History continued to share the Victoria Memorial building; with the National Museum of Man occupying the western half of the building. In April 1972, the National Museum of Man established a Communications Division in order to provide media communications regarding the museum's education and information programs.During the 1970s, the staff of the institution adopted a philosophy that stressed public access to its heritage collection.Because the Victoria Memorial Museum building had insufficient space to exhibit the museum's growing collection, the museum's collection and staff were scattered across 17 buildings, with these buildings acting as decentralized units of the museum. In 1980, management of the National Museums of Canada Corporation is transferred to theDepartment of Communications.The following year in June 1981, thecabinet of Canadaapproved several plans concerning severalnational\",\n \"severalnational museums of Canada, including moving the National Museum of Man into a new structure.The plan was formally announced to the public in February 1982.After a study of potential locations saw four sites inOttawaand one inGatineau.A site acquired by theNational Capital Commission(NCC) from the E.B Eddy Company in Gatineau was chosen as the site for the new museum; due to it already being public land, being linked toConfederation Boulevard, and because it was prominently visible from theOttawa River.The site was also selected because the NCC had desired to developHull, and incorporate it into the design of the capital region; while officials in Gatineau had similar desires to develop the area into anurban park.On 10 February 1983, the site for the new museum was announced to the public; andDouglas CardinalArchitect Limited was named as the project's design architect, in association with Montreal-based architectural firm Tétreault, Parent, Languedoc et Associés.The design created by Cardinal was\",\n \"by Cardinal was approved in 1983 by theCabinet of Canada. In an effort to avoid stereotypes in languages, the name of the museum was changed to theCanadian Museum of Civilizationin 1986.In 1988, the institution absorbed the museum operated by the department of theMinister responsible for Canada Post Corporation, although itsphilateliccollection was transferred to theNational Archives of Canada.The museum opened its new building in Gatineau in 1989. However, the building opened with only two permanent exhibitions, Canada Hall and the exhibitions on theIndigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast, as budgetary shortfalls prevented the museum from opening the exhibitions it had originally planned for the museum. In 1990, theMuseum Actwas passed by the federal government, replacing the defunct National Museums of Canada Corporation and forming several new entities to manage thenational museums of Canada; with the Canadian Museum of Civilization corporation formed on 1 July 1990 to manage the Canadian Museum\",\n \"the Canadian Museum of Civilization, and the Canadian War Museum. 21st century In 2007, the museum organized a temporary exhibition,Treasures from China, in partnership with theNational Museum of China. The partnership saw artifacts leave China to be exhibited only at the Canadian Museum of Civilization. As a part of the agreement, the Canadian Museum of Civilization prepared Indigenous Canadian artifacts for its own exhibition,First Peoples of Canada: Masterworks from the Canadian Museum of Civilization, at thePalace MuseuminBeijing. In October 2012,James Moore, theminister of Canadian Heritageannounced the ministry would provide $25 million to overhaul the museum and renovate Canada Hall.The government later announced plans to update and reopen the gallery in 2017, coinciding with the150th anniversary of Canada.Approximately 24,000 people from across nine Canadian cities were surveyed about the updates to the exhibition.The museum consulted a women's history committee, an indigenous history committee, and\",\n \"committee, and three historic time-period committees. In December 2013, theCanadian Museum of History Actreceived Royal Assent, which shifted the museum's mandate from developing a collection with a \\\"special but not exclusive reference to Canada,\\\" to one that enhanced the knowledge of Canadian history and identity;and expanding the museum's focus to include social and political history.The Act also changed the institution's name from theCanadian Museum of Civilizationto theCanadian Museum of History. TheCanadian Postal Museum, a department of the Canadian Museum of Civilization corporation that operated from within the institution was shut down in 2012 as a result of the museum's transition into the Canadian Museum of History. Some have criticized the new mandate and updating of Canada Hall as a part of a wider plan by the incumbent Conservative government to redirect public historical understanding to emphasize aspects ofCanadian military historyandmonarchism; as well as elide problematic elements of\",\n \"elements of Canadian history in favour of achievements.However, the museum contended that new exhibits planned for the museum will include a range of themes and topics, and will also explore the country's \\\"dark episodes\\\".The updated gallery was completed at approximately $30 million and was opened onCanada Dayin 2017 byCharles, Prince of WalesandMélanie Joly, theminister of Canadian Heritage.Partisan concerns were alleviated after Canadian History Hall was unveiled to the public. Site The museum is situated on a 9.6-hectare (23.7-acre) plot of land, formerly known asParc Laurier. The museum site is the firstCanadian national museumto be located on theGatineauside of theNational Capital Region, and the first to be located adjacent to theOttawa River. The site is bounded by the western access point for theAlexandra Bridge, the Ottawa River to the east, a paper production plant to the south, and Laurier Street to the west.The median of the property extends 235 metres (771 ft) from Laurier Street to the\",\n \"Street to the river.From Laurier Street, the property descends towards the Ottawa River at a 5.5 per centgrade; with the portion of the property closest to Laurier Street at an elevation of 53.5 metres (176 ft), while the riverfront is at an elevation of 41 metres (135 ft).Because of the property's low elevation, the construction of the museum building was limited to the portion of the property closer to Laurier Street. The site includes a museum building with two wings. The two wings wrap around and are connected by a large hemispherical entrance plaza which contains its food services, lounge, library, and underground parking.The parkland and open space between the two wings are intended to represent the \\\"plains over which mankind migrated\\\" over millennia.A large staircase east of the entrance plaza descends to the museum's lower plaza and gardens adjacent to the riverside park. A pedestrian and cycling pathway is situated on the riverfront portion of the property, with the pathways continuing north\",\n \"continuing north intoJacques-Cartier Park, a municipal park north of the property. Building The 75,000 square metres (810,000 sq ft) structure was designed by Douglas Cardinal.The building's infrastructure includes approximately 56,000 square metres (600,000 sq ft) of concrete, and 7,300 tonnes of steel.Cardinal sought to create form a \\\"sculptural icon\\\" for the country, encouraged by then-prime minister,Pierre Trudeau, to develop a symbol that \\\"enshrined our cultures\\\". As a result, the building was the first structure in the National Capital Region that incorporates Indigenous architectural designs.Cardinal's design for the building was largely influenced by his understanding of how geography helped shaped Canada's history and culture. The museum building has over 25,000 square metres (270,000 sq ft) of exhibition space, more than any other museum in Canada. In addition to exhibition space, the building also contains three restaurants, a boutique store, and two live performance theatres, including a 500-seat\",\n \"a 500-seat theatre for live performances.The building also has a 295-seat 3D theatre that uses aBarcodigital projector. Before the installation of the Barco projector in 2016, the 3D theatre used aIMAXprojector and was branded as an IMAX theatre. Water is drawn from the Ottawa River to heat and cool the building.The building's energy needs are met by two substations in Gatineau, with two additional backup generators also available if both substations fail. Exterior The building's exterior is clad with 30,000 square metres (320,000 sq ft) ofTyndall stone;with the material being selected because of its durability and its relationship with glaciers. Cardinal sought to build a structure that appeared to be \\\"flowing with the contours of the land,\\\" and simple lines and forms could be used to display the idea of movement.The building's design draws uponArt Nouveaustyles to illustrate Canada's geography at the end of theLast Glacial Periodwhen the landscape was largely uniform; with certain elements of the building\",\n \"of the building evokingigloosearth lodges, andlonghouses. The building includes a cantilevered northern/curatorial wing and a southern wing that houses most of the museum's public facilities, including its galleries, and theatres.The curatorial wing was designed to evoke outcroppings of theCanadian Shield, while the southern public wing with its glass-fronted Grand Hall, was intended to evoke an image of a melting glacier. The southern wing's copper roof represents vegetation's recolonization of the lands once covered by glacial till.The copper roof is nearly 11,000 square metres (120,000 sq ft) and weighs approximately 90 tonnes.Both wings are curvaceous on their river sides to blend into their landscapes, although their street-side façade is more angular. The NCC placed several restrictions on the building design, that the building does not obstruct the view of the Ottawa River, and that the building does not obstruct delineated \\\"viewing cones\\\" of Parliament Hill from the Gatineau side of the river.Because\",\n \"the river.Because of these restrictions, the buildings were designed with a low-profile, to avoid obscuring the view for buildings across the street.From certain angles, the building appears as two separate pavilions, with an opening between these two sections providing an unobstructed view ofParliament Hillfrom Laurier Street.Considerations also needed to be taken to protect artifacts displayed in the building. Windows were triple-glazed and coated with a film that helps contain radiant heat and reduce solar ultraviolet rays, and the southern wing's Grand Hall was intentionally designed to face direct sunlight only in the morning. The building was designed to create an \\\"ever-changing pattern\\\" of shadows across the structure's surface, with most of the building's exterior lighting kept below 30luxto allow viewers to see deeper shadows at night. Exhibitions The museum hosts several permanent and temporary exhibitions on anthropology, ethnology, and history. Artifacts from the museum's collection are exhibited\",\n \"are exhibited in these exhibitions.In addition,travelling exhibitionsare occasionally held at the museum. The museum has also created severalonline exhibitions, like theVirtual Museum of New France. Permanent exhibitions include First Peoples Hall, Canadian History Hall, the Canadian Children's Museum, the Canadian Stamp Collection, and two exhibitions on the Indigenous peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast in the building's Grand Hall.First Peoples Hall is situated on the first floor of the building, whereas the Canada Hall is situated on the third level of the building.First Peoples Hall is situated next to the Grand Hall, with its exhibitions located on the ground floor. Many of the exhibits that were designed in the 1980s for the new building were influenced by the director of the museum,George F. MacDonald, his personal admiration for Pacific Northwest Coast art and culture, and the communication theories of his mentor,Marshall McLuhan.Merging exhibits detailing theIndigenous peoples of Canadawith\",\n \"of Canadawith other Canadian historical exhibits were considered by the exhibition design team when plans were being made to move the museum in the 1980s.However, it was later decided to depict both topics as separate exhibitions, resulting in both exhibitions being planned by different teams with separate budgets.This decision was later reversed in 2017 when the museum reopened the Canadian History Hall exhibition with Indigenous exhibits incorporated throughout its exhibit. First Peoples Hall First Peoples Hall is an exhibition opened in 2003, that explores Canada'sFirst Nations,Inuit, andMétispeoples.The exhibition occupies 3,300 square metres (35,000 sq ft) of space on the ground floor of the building.The hall contains more than 2,000 objects on display.Most of the exhibition space is devoted to changing exhibits, to keep up with contemporary views on traditional cultures and current issues. However, First Peoples Hall does have some space devoted to long-term exhibits. These long-term exhibits explore\",\n \"exhibits explore topics that are less subject to changing interpretations; like ancient history, Indigenous languages, and the history of the relationship between Indigenous and European cultures.The exhibition is organized into several sections, such as the \\\"Ways of Knowing\\\", \\\"An Ancient Bond with the Land\\\", and \\\"The Arrival of Strangers\\\". The exhibition was designed to \\\"deconstruct and supersede\\\" histories that visitors are familiar with.Exhibits were designed to address issues of stereotyping Indigenous identity, and the diversity and cultural distinctiveness between Indigenous nations; with many of the exhibits linking identity toIndigenous land claims in Canada.Additionally, exhibits were designed to portray Indigenous peoples as living peoples in the modern world.Archaeological exhibits in First Peoples Hall are themed to reinforce the fact that the Indigenous peoples of Canada have occupied the land sincetime immemorial, and that Canadian history has a long and complex history preceding European\",\n \"preceding European colonization. Additionally, many of these archaeological exhibits are designed to confront the notion of Eurasiantechnological supremacyat the time of first contact with the Americas.The exhibition concludes with contemporary issue exhibits, which explore recent clashes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples in Canada over land and resources. The curatorial model used to develop the exhibition conformed to the suggestions provided in the 1992 recommendations from the federal Task Force on Museums and First Peoples.The content and messaging of First Peoples Hall were determined in consultation with indigenous communities across Canada.Acting upon the task force's recommendation to establish partnerships with First Nation representatives whose cultures were being exhibited, an advisory committee of 15 Indigenous members was formed to help define the exhibition's thematic structure and messaging.As a result, exhibits in First Peoples Hall take a \\\"multivocal\\\" approach, where different\",\n \"where different perspectives can be distinguished within the exhibition; and explanatory fields like archaeology, ethnology and traditional Indigenous knowledge are juxtaposed, and contestatory with one another in some cases. Canadian History Hall Canadian History Hall is an exhibition that explores Canadian history. Canadian History Hall is approximately 4,690 square metres (50,500 sq ft), and includes over 14 projectors and 58 screens used in the exhibition.The exhibition includes three galleries and a long curved walkway that serves as the entrance to the three galleries. The entrance walkway is decorated with 101 silhouettes of Canadian cultural symbols and activities, as well as national landmarks.Canadian History Hall's galleries centre around a hub that was designed by Douglas Cardinal to resembleChaudière Falls.The hub features a large 15.5 by 9.5 metres (51 ft × 31 ft) image of Canada on the floor. The image of Canada is made up of 121 satellite photos taken by theCanadian Space Agency, that were\",\n \"Agency, that were stitched together to form a single image. The exhibition summarizes over 15,000 years of history and is divided into three era-centric galleries, Early Canada: From Earliest Times to 1763, Colonial Canada: 1763 to 1914, and Modern Canada: 1914 to the Present Day.The first two galleries are located on the same floor, while the third gallery occupies the mezzanine above the two galleries.The galleries are designed to showcase events and \\\"turning points\\\" in each respective era through the multimedia presentations and the artifacts on display.Each gallery is further organized into six separate \\\"vignettes\\\" that are thematically different, but interconnected with one another.The vignettes are primarily organized temporally, although some are specifically focused on a specific aspect of Canadian history.The exhibition takes a largely didactic approach with its subject and is particularly focused on the country's political and economic history, as well as the experience of Indigenous\",\n \"of Indigenous peoples.According to the exhibit team's head, David Morrison, Indigenous peoples and their relationship with newcomers will serve as an important overarching theme of Canadian History Hall. Early Canada explores provides a summary of Indigenous history prior to the arrival of the Europeans as well as early Canadian colonies likeNew France.The gallery includes Indigenous artifacts, narrative recounts of Indigenous interactions between Norse, English and French explorers, and detailed accounts on theNorth American fur trade, the spread ofdisease within Indigenous populations, and theBeaver Wars.Colonial Canada exploresCanada under British rulesince theconquest of New France, as well aspost-Confederation Canadato 1914. Modern Canada explores Canada's recent history, up to the arrival of Syrian refugees in the 2010s.The latter two galleries provide detailed histories on theSeven Years' War, treaties signed between various Indigenous groups and the Crown, the push forresponsible government,Canadian\",\n \"government,Canadian Confederation, the world wars, theCanadian Indian residential school system,Quebec nationalism, andmulticulturalism in Canada. There are over 1,500 artifacts on display in Canadian History Hall.Historic artifacts include a 3,600 to 3,900 years old ivory carving believed to be the oldest representation of a human face found in Canada;James Wolfecoat; and handcuffs worn byLouis Rielprior to his execution;Maurice Richard'shockey jersey;Terry Fox's T-shirt;Tommy Douglas's hat; the table on which the proclamation of theConstitution Act, 1982was signed by QueenElizabeth IIin 1982;Randy Bachman's guitar, and the sewing machine whichJoan O'Malleysewed the firstMaple Leaf flag.There are 40 linear films shown at the exhibition, includingOrigin Stories, a film that illustrates how theAnishinaabebelieved the earth was formed.Origin Storiesis displayed along the curved wall of the Canadian History Hall's entrance. The modular structure of the exhibits enables the museum to swap segments easier. The\",\n \"easier. The number of exhibits in the galleries may also expand, with the museum having reserved enough space to allow for the addition of new exhibits in the three galleries. Pre-2017 exhibition Canadian History Hall's predecessor, Canada Hall, opened as an inaugural exhibit at the museum in 1989.The original exhibition was divided into 23 modules that were arranged chronologically, beginning with theNorse colonization of North America.The gallery aimed to promote Canadian multiculturalism, having portrayed a social history that depicted a \\\"march of immigrants\\\" from east to west, and the success of different groups in Canada.However, these modules provided little in-depth consideration for pre-colonial Indigenous cultures, which were only explored in the museum's other exhibitions prior to Canada Hall's updates in the 2010s.The original design of Canada Hall recreated historical settings with period rooms and full-scale historical buildings incorporated into the exhibition; reflecting McLuhan's theories,\",\n \"McLuhan's theories, and innovations adopted by entertainment pavilions like Disney'sEpcot. Canada Hall was closed to the public in September 2014 to enable renovations and significant updates to the exhibition.The exhibition reopened in 2017 significantly changed from its original design.Nearly all of the life-sized dioramas were dismantled as a part of the exhibition's update. St. Onuphrius Church, an original early-20th-century Ukrainian church from theCanadian Prairiesthat was later relocated to the museum, is the only remaining life-sized diorama in the exhibition. Canadian Children's Museum The Canadian Children's Museum is Canada's largest exhibition centre designed specifically for children with over 3,000 square metres (32,000 sq ft) of space. The museum uses more than 15,000 artifacts, props, and hands-on items for use in its exhibitions and programs. These items include art, clothing, games, photographs, and toys.The museum includes an International Village, as well as Canadian-themed attractions\",\n \"attractions that were added into the exhibition in 2007. In 2018, the museum announced it would undertake a renewal project in January 2020. The museum announced the revamp would reflect how children play and learn, and will remove more dated exhibits from the exhibition, like the post office and telephone booth.It reopened in May 2022. Canadian Stamp Collection The Canadian Stamp Collection is astamp collectionof more than 3,000 stamps and includes every Canadian stamp issued since 1851. The stamp collection was housed at the Canadian Postal Museum until 2012 when the postal museum closed and its stamp collection relocated to the Canadian Museum of History.The Canadian Museum of History opened a permanent exhibition for the collection in 2014 in partnership withCanada Post. Stamps that are exhibited in the exhibition are showcased with artifacts that either inspired its creation or were used to make the stamp. Grand Hall exhibitions Grand Hall features two permanent exhibitions on the Indigenous peoples of\",\n \"peoples of the Pacific Northwest Coast,First Peoples of the Northwest CoastandFrom Time Immemorial — Tsimshian Prehistory. The exhibits includetotem polesand other artifacts.The exhibitions were developed as a collaboration between the museum's curators and Indigenous cultural specialists in the 1980s. In 1993, a large mural titledMorning Starwas added to the domed ceiling of the Grand Hall. The mural was created byAlex Janvierand is symbolic of Indigenous life and history.In addition to the two permanent exhibitions, the Grand Hall is also used to host other major events.In addition to its permanent exhibitions, the Grand Hall has also been used to host temporary exhibitions. Collections As of June 2021, the Canadian Museum of History's permanent collection includes more than three million artifacts, documents, works of art, and other specimens.This includes over one million photographs, 72,000 sound recordings and 18,000 films and videotapes. The collection takes up approximately 4 kilometres (2.5 mi) of\",\n \"(2.5 mi) of shelf space.Approximately 218,000 artifacts have been digitized and made accessible online by the museum. The museum's permanent collection dates back to the collection established by the Geological Survey of Canada in the 1860s.The museum's collection of artifacts has expanded through the institution's research programs.The first collection representing Indigenous peoples was established by the Geological Survey of Canada, with other parts of the collection having been acquired by government officials and missionaries working outside Ottawa. The collection continued to expand after the anthropology department was established in 1910, and the museum began a systematic program of documenting Indigenous cultures and lineages. The museum's collection of Indigenous items is the largest in Canada and is the only major collection with a national scope in the country.The museum also possesses the world's largest collection of totem poles.The Sacred Materials Project was created by the museum to help\",\n \"the museum to help maintain Indigenous sacred items, and facilitate therepatriationof select items to their respective communities. The project provides funds for Indigenous representatives to view the museum's collections and discuss the repatriation of identified sacred items, as well as identify other objects in the collection that require ritualistic care. The museum's permanent collection contains several smaller collections, like theWindfield FarmCollection. The Windfield Farm Collection was acquired by the museum in 2013 and contains documents, photographs, memorabilia and trophies, including theKentucky Derbytrophy won byNorthern Dancer.The museum's collection of flags is also the largest in the country. Other notable items in the museum's permanent collection includes aContempraphone, the first telephone to be designed and manufactured in Canada;cough syrup from the1918 influenza pandemic;the original plaster forBill Reid'sSpirit of Haida Gwaii;ten large heraldic sculptures known asThe Queen's\",\n \"known asThe Queen's Beasts;androyal gownworn by Elizabeth II during herroyal tours of Canada.The museum also contains a number of ice hockey artifacts, including game-usedNational Hockey Leaguesticks,hockey cards, and the world's oldest existingice hockey stick.The ice hockey stick dates back to the mid-1830s and was acquired by the museum in 2015 for $300,000. In addition to its permanent collection, the Canadian Museum of History also co-manages collections with other institutions. In July 1999, the museum entered an agreement with the Canadian Nursing Association (CNA), the Canadian War Museum, and the National Archives of Canada to create the Canadian Nursing History Collection. This collection includes over 9,000 photographs, 1,600 audiovisual materials, and over 35 metres (115 ft) of textual records from the CNA, the Nursing Sisters Association of Canada, and theHelen MussallemCollection. Approximately 950 documented artifacts from this collection are deposited at the Canadian Museum of History.Items\",\n \"of History.Items from the collection at the Canadian Museum of History include 167 nurses' caps, dating from 1895 to 1983.In June 2005, the museum opened a temporary exhibition that focused on this collection.In 2021, the Canadian Museum of History entered into an agreement to house and maintain artifacts fromCanada's Sports Hall of Fame. Library and archives The museum's resource centre operates a library and archives. As of 2015, the museum's library has more than 60,000 books, over 2,000 journals and magazines, and over 1,000 DVDs, CDs, and video tapes. The museum's rare and old books collection includesPaul-Émile Borduas'sRefus Global(1948) andPierre François Xavier de Charlevoix'sHistoire et description générale de la Nouvelle-France(1744). Research The museum's collection is used to support research in anthropology, archaeology, Indigenous people in Canada, linguistics, material culture, multicultural communities, social and political history andmuseologyin Canada.The museum also publishes its\",\n \"also publishes its ownacademic journal, theMercury Series; on history, archaeology, and anthropology. The journal has been published in partnership with theUniversity of Ottawa Presssince 2012.The museum has also published the academic journalMaterial Culture Reviewin partnership with the Canada Science and Technology Museum since the 1970s. The journal provides a forum for research on historical artifacts collected by Canadian museums. Management The Canadian Museum of History is managed by afederal Crown corporationof the same name under theDepartment of Canadian Heritage's portfolio. The museum is one of two national museums managed by the corporation, the other being the Canadian War Museum.The corporation also administers the Virtual Museum of New France, avirtual museumand online exhibition of the Canadian Museum of History;and theVirtual Museum of Canada, an administrative program that supports the development of online projects for museums and heritage organizations across Canada.The Virtual Museum\",\n \"Virtual Museum of Canada was an online portal for virtual exhibits in Canada until 2020, when the Virtual Museum of Canada's website was decommissioned, and the project was reoriented into a support program. Management of the corporation is conducted through an 11-memberboard of trustees. Trustees are appointed by the Minister of Canadian Heritage, with approval from theGovernor-in-Council. In turn, the board appoints the corporation's president andchief executive officer.The corporation reports to theParliament of Canadathrough theMinister of Canadian Heritage. The corporation's mandate is defined under theMuseums Act. The corporation was established as the Canadian Museum of Civilization in June 1990 through theMuseums Act;an Act that was later amended in 2014.The corporation adopted its current name in 2013.The Crown corporation was one of several that succeeded the defunct National Museums of Canada Corporation, a Crown corporation that managed most of the country's national museums until its dissolution\",\n \"its dissolution in 1988. See also Notes References Further reading External links\",\n \"National Gallery of Canada TheNational Gallery of Canada(French:Musée des beaux-arts du Canada), located in the capital city ofOttawa,Ontario, is Canada'snationalart museum.The museum's building takes up 46,621 square metres (501,820 sq ft), with 12,400 square metres (133,000 sq ft) of space used for exhibiting art. It is one of thelargest art museumsin North America by exhibition space. The institution was established in 1880 at theSecond Supreme Court of Canada building, and moved to the Victoria Memorial Museum building in 1911. In 1913, theGovernment of Canadapassed theNational Gallery Act, formally outlining the institution's mandate as a national art museum. The Gallery was moved to the Lorne Building in 1960. In 1988, the Gallery was relocated to a new building designed for this purpose. The National Gallery of Canada is situated in a glass and granite building onSussex Drive, with a notable view of Canada's Parliament Buildings onParliament Hill. The building was designed by Israeli architectMoshe\",\n \"architectMoshe Safdieand opened in 1988. The Gallery's permanent collection includes more than 93,000 works by European, American, Asian, Canadian, andIndigenousartists. In addition to exhibiting works from its permanent collection, the Gallery also organizes and hosts a number oftravelling exhibitions. History The Gallery was first formed in 1880 by Canada's Governor General,John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyllin conjunction with the establishment of theRoyal Canadian Academy of Arts. In 1882, moved into its first home onParliament Hill, housed in theSecond Supreme Court of Canada building. Eric Brownwas named the first director in 1910.In 1911, the Gallery moved to the Victoria Memorial Museum building, sharing it with theNational Museum of Natural Sciences. In 1913, the firstNational Gallery Actwas passed, outlining the Gallery's mandate and resources.During the 1920s, the building was expanded. The art gallery was given four floors, and a separate entrance was created for the art museum. In addition, a\",\n \"In addition, a firewall was built between the Natural Sciences Museum and the National Gallery.But, the Gallery was still in temporary space in the Victoria Memorial Museum building. Longterm plans were to move it to a new permanent location, with spaces dedicated to the viewing of art. By the 1950s, the space in the Victoria Memorial Museum building had grown inadequate for the Gallery's collections. In 1952, the Gallery launched a design contest for architects to design a permanent home for the gallery.But the Gallery failed to garner support from the government ofLouis St. Laurent, resulting in the Gallery having to abandon the winning bid. To provide a workable compromise for the National Gallery, St. Laurent's government offered the National Gallery the eight-storey Lorne Building for its use.The National Gallery moved into the nondescript office building onElgin Street.The Lorne Building has since been demolished and replaced by a 17-storey office building to house the Federal Finance Department. In\",\n \"Department. In 1962,Charles Comfort, the Gallery's director, was criticized after half of the works on display at an exhibition forWalter Chrysler's European works were exposed as forgeries by American journalists. Comfort had allowed the Gallery to host the exhibition, despite being warned about the works by the director of theMontreal Museum of Fine Arts. TheNational Museums of CanadaCorporation (NMC) absorbed the National Gallery of Canada in 1968.During the 1970s, the NMC diverted funds from the National Gallery to form regional galleries.The Gallery completed renovations to the Lorne Building in 1976.By 1980, it had become apparent that the National Gallery would need to relocate, given the poor condition of the building, historical use ofasbestosthere, and inadequate exhibition areas that provided only enough space for two per cent of the collection to be exhibited at any given time. After the Canada'sConstitutionwaspatriatedin 1982, Prime MinisterPierre Trudeauannounced a shift in policy focus towards\",\n \"focus towards the \\\"creation of a nation,\\\" with priority given to the arts in an effort to enrichCanadian identity.In that same year, Minister of CommunicationsFrancis Foxdeclared the government's commitment to erect new permanent buildings for its national museums, including the National Gallery, and theMuseum of Manwithin five years.The director of the National Gallery,Jean Sutherland Boggs, was chosen by Trudeau to oversee construction of the National Gallery and museums.The Gallery began construction for its permanent museum building onSussex Drivein 1985, and was opened in May 1988. The diversion of funds by the NMC to help fund regional museums was ended in 1982,and the National Museums of Canada formally dissolved in 1987.As a result of this dissolution, the National Gallery reacquired its institutional independence, along with the mandate and powers outlined in its formative legislative act prior to 1968. TheCanadian Museum of Contemporary Photography(CMCP), formerly the Stills Photography Division of\",\n \"Division of theNational Film Board of Canada, was an affiliated institution of the National Gallery, and was established in 1985. In 1988, the CMCP's administration was amalgamated with that of the National Gallery's. The CMCP later moved to its new location at 1 Rideau Canal, and continued to operate there until its closure in 2006. Its collection was later absorbed into the National Gallery's in 2009. In December 2000, the National Gallery announced it suspected approximately 100 works from its collection wasplunder stolen by the Nazisduring the Second World War.The Gallery posted images of works suspected of beingstolen artonline, permitting its last legal owners to examine and possibly lay claim to the works.In 2006, the Gallery returned a painting byÉdouard Vuillardthat had been looted by the Nazis fromAlfred Lindonin 1942,The Salon of Madame Aron, to Lindon's heirs. In December 2009, the National Gallery of Canada and theArt Gallery of Albertaissued a joint press release announcing a three-year\",\n \"a three-year partnership, which saw the use of the Art Gallery of Alberta's galleries to exhibit works from the National Gallery's collection.The program was the first \\\"satellite program\\\" between the National Gallery of Canada, and another institution, with similar initiatives launched at other Canadian art galleries in the following years. Marc Mayerwas named the Gallery's director, succeeding Pierre Théberge, on 19 January 2009.On 19 April 2019, he was succeeded byAlexandra Suda, who was appointed the 11th Director and chief executive officer of the National Gallery of Canada. Under Sasha Suda, the Gallery underwent a major re-branding, dubbed Ankosé, to be more inclusive and work towards reconciliation. After only three years, Suda resigned. Angela Cassie was then appointed interim Director and CEO in July 2022. Building The Gallery's present building was designed byMoshe Safdie& Associates, with construction beginning in 1985, and the building opening in 1988. The building has a total floor area of\",\n \"total floor area of 46,621 square metres (501,820 sq ft). In 2000, theRoyal Architectural Institute of Canadachose the National Gallery as one of the top 500 buildings produced in Canada during the last millennium.The National Gallery of Canada is housed in a building onSussex Drive, adjacent to theByWard Marketdistrict. The building is the fourth edifice to house the art museum. An independent Crown corporation, the Canadian Museums Construction Corporation was established to build the Gallery, with a budget ofC$185 million.Following the1984 Canadian federal election, Prime MinisterBrian Mulroneydissolved the corporation.However, because the groundwork for the building was already completed, Mulroney chose to continue funding construction for the Gallery, albeit at a reduced total budget of C$162 million. Exterior The building's northern, eastern, and western exterior facade is made up of pink-granite walls, or glass-windows.The southern exterior facade features an elongated glass wall, supported by\",\n \"wall, supported by concrete pylons grouped in fours.The profile of the southern facade was designed to mimic acathedral, with the concrete pylons being used similarly to theflying buttressesfound onGothiccathedrals.The eastern portion of the building's southern facade transitions into a low-levelled crystalline glass cupola, which holds the museum's main entrance; and its western portion, which features a three-tiered glass cupola. The three-tiered glass cupola is formed out of rectangular glass and narrow steel supports.The second tier of the cupola is formed out of rectangles and equilateral triangles that are further subdivided into eight or twelve smaller equilateral triangles.All these glass pieces are joined by steel struts. The third tier of the cupola is formed with similar designs, although the triangular glass panes are isosceles triangles.The isosceles triangles converge upwards, with its apexes towards the centre.The building's three-tiered cupola is positioned in a manner in which the cupola\",\n \"in which the cupola would be flanked by thePeace Towerand theLibrary of Parliamentto the west when approaching the museum from the east. Interior The interior entrance lobby is floored with pink-granite, and includes a straight four metres (13 ft) wide ramp which slopes upward towards the west.Safdie noted the importance of the ramp in his design, stating that one should \\\"go through some kind of procession to make your way into something as important as the National Gallery,\\\" and that it gave the visitor the feeling of making an ascent to a ritual, a ceremony.The walls of the entrance lobby are lined with rectangular cut pink granite, excluding the southern wall, which is part of the glass-walled exterior facade.A glass and steel ceiling reminiscent of Gothic cathedral architecture, extends the entire way of the ramp.However, as opposed to most Gothic cathedrals, the ceiling has several concrete columns spaced out to support the roof.The summit of the ramp leads towards the Great Hall of the building,\",\n \"of the building, situated in the three-storey glass cupola. The interior courtyard of the building includes the Taiga Garden. The garden was designed byCornelia Oberlander, who modelled the paintingTerre SauvagebyA. Y. Jackson;a painting in the National Gallery's permanent collection. The garden attempts to mimic thetaigalandscape depicted in the painting, theCanadian shield; although limestone is substituted in place of the granite typically found at the Canadian shield. Collection As of October 2018, the National Gallery of Canada's permanent collection holds more than 93,625 works,representing several artistic movements and eras in art history. The Gallery has a large and varied collection of paintings, works on paper, sculptures and photographs. The earliest works acquired by the museum were from Canadian artists, with Canadian art remaining the focus of the institution. However, its collection also includes several works from artists around the world. The Gallery's collection has been built up through\",\n \"built up through purchases and donations. The Gallery organizes its owntravelling exhibitionsto exhibit its collection, travelling across Canada and abroad.The National Gallery is the largest lender of art in Canada, sending out approximately 800 works a year. The Gallery's prints and drawings collection includes 27,000 works on paper, dating from the 15th century to the present day. The prints and drawing collection includes 10,000 works on paper by Canadian artists; more than 800 of these prints and drawings being crafted byInuitartists.The prints and drawing collection also includes 2,500 drawings and 10,000 prints by American, Asian, and European artists. The Gallery also has approximately 400 works from Asian artists, dating from 200 CE to the 19th century. The Gallery's Asian collection began in the early 20th century, with a number of works originating from the collection ofNasli Heeramaneck.The Gallery also has a collection of photographs. A number of the photographs in the collection originated from\",\n \"originated from the defunct Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography. Until the mid-1980s, the Gallery's mandate did not include collecting art by Indigenous peoples. This has been much critiqued, and led to important changes at the Gallery from the 1980s onwards.Despite a major re-hang in 2003 of the Canadian galleries to include Indigenous art for the first time, the Gallery continues to work towards more equitable representation of Indigenous art, particularly in its historical galleries. The largest work in the Gallery is the entire interior of theRideau Street Chapel, which formed part of the Convent of Our Lady Sacred Heart,The interior decorations of the Rideau Street Chapel were designed by Georges Couillon in 1887.The chapel interior was acquired by the Gallery in 1972, when the convent was slated for demolition. The 1,123-piece interior was dismantled, stored and reconstructed within the Gallery as a work of art in 1988. Canadian and Indigenous works The Gallery's Canadian collection includes\",\n \"collection includes works dating from the 18th centuryNew France, to the 1990s.The collection includes paintings from pre-Confederation; abstract paintings and other postwar art; and the Henry Birks Collection of Canadian Silver.Early pre-Confederation paintings were among the first items in the Canadian collections, with the National Gallery's earliest works originating from Canadian artists at theRoyal Canadian Academy of Arts. The Gallery's Canadian collection holds a large number of works by theGroup of Seven.The Gallery also holds a large collection of works by Tom Thomson,withThe Jack Pineadded to its collection in 1918.The Gallery also holds the largest collection of works byAlex Colville.Other artists featured in the collection includeWilliam Berczy,Jack Bush,Paul-Émile Borduas,Emily Carr,Robert Field,Vera Frenkel,Theophile Hamel,Joseph Légaré,Cornelius Krieghoff,Fernand Leduc,Alexandra Luke,Ken Lum,James Wilson Morrice,John O'Brien,Antoine Plamondon,William Raphael,Jean-Paul Riopelle,William\",\n \"Riopelle,William Ronald,Michael Snow,Lisa Steele,Jeff Wall,Joyce Wieland,Paul Wong, and members of theRegina Five. In commemoration of the150th anniversary of Canadain 2017, the Gallery undertook a C$7.4 million renovation to open the Canadian and Indigenous Art: From Time Immemorial to 1967 gallery.This gallery displays the progression of Canadian art and history, exhibiting Canadian and Indigenous works side by side.These works are exhibited in a manner which examines the intertwined relations between the two groups of people. The Indigenous collection includes works byIndigenousartists around the world, although it has an emphasis on works by theIndigenous peoples of Canada. The Gallery collection acquired its first works byFirst NationsandMetisartists in the early 20th century.However, the makers of these works were often not acknowledged as Indigenous, because the Gallery's mandate did not include the collection of art by Indigenous peoples until the 1980s. The Gallery acquired its firstInuitworks in\",\n \"firstInuitworks in 1956, crafted by artists inNunavik.The Gallery's acquisition of Inuit works, at a time when it was not actively collecting art by other Indigenous peoples, is related to the Government's promotion of Inuit art to create jobs in the North and to assert Canadian sovereignty there.In 1979,Henry Birksbequeathed a large collection to NGC consisting primarily of Quebecois pre-confederation silver; this bequest of more than 12,000 objects included around 16 works by Indigenous artists.In 1989 and 1992, theDepartment of Indian Affairs and Northern Developmentbequeathed 570 works by Inuit artists. A number of Indigenous artists whose works are featured in the collection includeKenojuak Ashevak,Kiawak Ashoona,Qaqaq Ashoona,Carl Beam,Faye HeavyShield,Osuitok Ipeelee,Rita Letendre,Norval Morrisseau,Shelley Niro,David Ruben Piqtoukun,Abraham Anghik Ruben,Lucy Tasseor Tutsweetok,Jeffrey Thomas,John Tiktak, andLawrence Paul Yuxweluptun. Contemporary The Gallery's contemporary collection includes 1,500\",\n \"includes 1,500 works from artists since the 1990s.The collection features a number of works from Canada and its Indigenous artists. The first Indigenous Canadian contemporary artwork acquired by the National Gallery was purchased in 1987, a piece calledThe North American Iceberg(1985) byOjibweartistCarl Beam. In 2017,Bob Renniedonated a contemporary art collection to the National Gallery in honour of Canada' 150th anniversary.The collection includes 197 paintings, sculptures, and mixed-media pieces with most of it originating from Vancouver-based artists includingGeoffrey Farmer,Rodney Graham,Brian Jungen, andIan Wallace.The Rennie collection also includes some international contemporary works, including fromDoris Salcedo. In 1990 the Gallery boughtBarnett Newman'sVoice of Firefor $1.8 million, igniting a storm of controversy. However, since that time its value has appreciated to approximately C$40 million as of 2014.In 1999, the Gallery acquired a sculpture of a giant spider,Maman, byLouise Bourgeoisfor a\",\n \"Bourgeoisfor a cost of C$3.2 million.The sculpture was installed on the plaza in front of the Gallery.In 2011 the Gallery installed Canadian sculptorJoe Fafard'sRunning Horsesnext to the Sussex Drive entrance, and American artistRoxy Paine's stainless steel sculptureOne Hundred Foot LineatKìwekì Pointbehind the gallery. Other contemporary artists whose works are featured in the National Gallery's collection includeDavid Altmejd,Lee Bul,Janet Cardiff,Bharti Kher,Christian Marclay,Elizabeth McIntosh,Chris Ofili, Paine,Ugo Rondinone, andJoanne Tod. European, American, and Asian The European, American, and Asian collection area includes most of the Gallery's works by non-Canadian artists. The Gallery acquired its first European work in 1907: the paintingIgnatius SanchobyThomas Gainsborough.Conversely, the Gallery did not begin to develop its collection of American art until the 1970s. The Gallery's collection includes American and European works dating from the Renaissance through the 20th century.In addition\",\n \"century.In addition toWestern art, the collection also has 400 works from India,Nepal, andTibet. The Gallery's European collection has since expanded either through acquisitions or gifts. Such works includeLa Tour EiffelbyMarc Chagall, acquired by the Gallery in 1956 for $C16,000.In 2018, the Gallery planned to sell the work to fund other acquisitions, but abandoned those plans after the decision was found to be unpopular with the public.In 2005, the Gallery acquired a painting by Italian Renaissance painterFrancesco Salviatifor $4.5 million.In 2018, the Gallery acquiredThe Partie CaréebyJames Tissotfrom the collection of David R. Graham, putting it on display in December 2018.It is the third work by Tissot to be acquired by the museum since 1921.Other works from the collection includeThe Death of General Wolfeby Anglo-American artistBenjamin West.Other artists featured in the museum's European collection includesAlejo Fernández,Vilhelm Hammershøi,Gustav Klimt,Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun,Henri Matisse,Charles\",\n \"Matisse,Charles Meynier,Claude Monet,Rembrandt, andVincent van Gogh. Library and archives The library and archives of the National Gallery of Canada hold an extensive collection of literature on Canadian art.The library and archives was established alongside the Gallery in 1880, and contains documents on western art from theLate Middle Agesto the present day.The collection includes 275,000 books, exhibition catalogues, and periodicals; 76,000 documentation files; and 95,000 microforms.The archives serves as the institutional archive for the Gallery. The library and archives'special collectionsincludes over 50,000 auction catalogues, in addition to 182,000 slides and 360,000 research photographs.The Library and Archives' Exceptional Materials and Notable Subject Collections contains a number of rare imprints, books, and bookplates on Canadian artists, as well as items relating to historians of Canadian art. Management The federal government assumed responsibility for the Gallery in 1913, with the enactment of\",\n \"the enactment of theNational Gallery of Canada Act. The Gallery became aCrown corporationon 1 July 1990 with the proclamation of theMuseums Act. TheMuseums Actserves as the museum's governing legislation. It empowers a board of trustees to serve as the Gallery's governing body, with the board, through the Chair, being accountable to theMinister of Canadian Heritage, who is ultimately responsible for the Museum.The Director and CEO is charged with the day-to-day management of the Gallery. The Gallery is affiliated with several associations, including theCanadian Museums Association, theOntario Association of Art Galleries, theCanadian Heritage Information Network, and theVirtual Museum of Canada. Directors The following is a list of directors of the National Gallery of Canada: Selected works Canadian collection European and American collection Prints and drawings collection See also Notes References Further reading External links Media related toNational Gallery of Canadaat Wikimedia Commons\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":268,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"In the second album of a synthpop-rock band from the county seat city of Utah County, which song has a length of under 3 minutes, not counting any bonus tracks?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Everybody Talks"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_County,_Utah"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provo,_Utah"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Provo,_Utah"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Trees"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Show_(album)"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_County,_Utah', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provo,_Utah', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Provo,_Utah', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Trees', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Show_(album)']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_County,_Utah","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provo,_Utah","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Provo,_Utah","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Trees","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Show_(album"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_County,_Utah\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provo,_Utah\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Provo,_Utah\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Trees\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Show_(album\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Utah County, Utah Utah Countyis the second-most populouscountyin theU.S. stateofUtah. Thecounty seatand largest city isProvo,which is the state's fourth-largest city, and the largest outside ofSalt Lake County. As of the2020 United States Census, the population was 665,665. Utah County is one oftwocounties forming the Provo–Oremmetropolitan statistical area, and is part of the largerSalt Lake City–Provo–Orem, UTCombined Statistical Area. In 2020, the center of population of Utah was in Utah County, in the city ofSaratoga Springs. Utah County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, ranking among the top ten counties in numerical growth.Correspondingly, Provo–Orem is among the top eight metropolitan areas by percentage growth in the country. Utah County is one of seven counties in the United States to have the same name as its state. The other six counties areArkansas County,Hawaii County,Idaho County,Iowa County,Oklahoma CountyandNew York County(commonly known as Manhattan). History The legislature of theState of Deseretcreated a county on January 31, 1850,to govern the civic affairs ofUtah Valley, which by the 1850s was bustling with newly arrived settlers. The county name is derived from the valley name, which is derived from the Spanish name (Yuta) for theUteIndians. The State of Deseret dissolved soon after (April 5, 1851), but the counties it had set in place continued. There is little record of any official activity conducted by the fledgling county until April 18, 1852, when a full slate of county officials was published, and recordkeeping began. The first courthouse was built in central Provo in 1866–67. It was soon outgrown and was replaced by a second courthouse (1872–73). By the 1920s, this building was also cramped, and the decision was made to erect a combined city-county building, which was completed in 1926. The county's boundaries were adjusted in 1852, 1854, 1856, 1862, 1880, and 1884. It has retained its present boundary since 1884. Geography Utah County terrain ranges from stiff mountain ranges in the east (theWasatch Range), dropping steeply to a large lake-filled valley. Most of the comparatively level ground is dedicated to agriculture or developed uses, while most of the steep terrain is covered with arid-climate forestation.The county generally slopes to the west and north, with its highest point (the northern peak of the twin-peakedMt. Neboin the southern part of the county), at 11,928 ft (3,636 m) ASL.The county has an area of 2,144 square miles (5,550 km2), of which 2,003 square miles (5,190 km2) is land and 141 square miles (370 km2) (6.6%) is water. Utah Valleylies at the center of the county, lined by the mountains of theWasatch Rangeon the east.Utah Lakeoccupies a large part of the valley. The elevation ranges from 4,487 feet (1,368 m) above sea level at the lake to 11,928 feet (3,636 m) at the peak ofMount Nebo. Major highways Source: Protected areas Source: Lakes Source: Demographics 1The 2000 census was the first to allow residents to select multiple race categories. Prior to 2000, the census used the category 'Other Race' as a catch-all identifier. For county-level census data in 1950 and 1900, Utah counted all non-White and non-Black residents using this category. 'Other races' formed 1.4% of Utah County's population in 1990, 0.43% in 1950, and 0.07% in 1900. 2020 census As of the2020 United States Census, there were 659,399 people and 171,899 households in the county. The population density was 329.12 people per square mile (127.07 people/km2). There were 192,570 housing units, at an average density of 96.12 units per square mile (37.11 units/km2). The county's racial makeup was 89.4%White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 4.6% some other race, and 2.7% from two or more races. 10.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 140,602 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were headed by married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.7% were non-families. Of all households, 11.6% were made up of individuals, and 4.4% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.57, and the average family size was 3.88. The county's population was spread out, with 35.2% under the age of 18, 15.8% from 18 to 24, 28% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males. At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $45,833, and the median income for a family was $50,196. Males had a median income of $37,878 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,557. About 6.80% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 4.80% of those age 65 or over. 1Due to respondents reporting multiple ethnicities, percentages may add up to greater than 100%. Religion 2000 census As of the2000 United States Census, there were 516,564 people, 140,602 households, and 114,350 families in the county. The population density was 258 people per square mile (100 people/km2). There were 148,350 housing units, at an average density of 74.1 units per square mile (28.6 units/km2). The county's racial makeup was 89.4%White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 4.6% some other race, and 2.7% from two or more races. 10.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 140,602 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were headed by married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.7% were non-families. Of all households, 11.6% were made up of individuals, and 4.4% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.57, and the average family size was 3.88. The county's population was spread out, with 35.2% under the age of 18, 15.8% from 18 to 24, 28% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males. At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $45,833, and the median income for a family was $50,196. Males had a median income of $37,878 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,557. About 6.80% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 4.80% of those age 65 or over. In 2005, the five most reported ancestries in Utah County were: Government The government is a three-member electedcounty commissionelected at-large. Other elected officials include the countysheriff, thecounty clerk, county recorder, county assessor, county surveyor, county treasurer, and thecounty attorney. The current county attorney is Jeff Gray. In 2020, Utah County voters rejected Proposition 9, which would have changed the county's government to a five-member elected county council with an elected county mayor. The first sheriff of the county was John T. Willis, who was succeeded byWilliam Madison Wall. Alexander Williams served duringJohn Cradlebaugh's court in 1859. He was succeeded by Eli Whipple, who resigned in 1861 and was replaced by Russell Kelly.In 2020, Sheriff Mike Smith publicly stated he would not enforceCOVID-19 face mask mandates. The Utah County Fire Department provides emergency response to all unincorporated areas within Utah County and works with all the incorporated cities within the county plus all Utah state and federal lands. The department is primarily awildland firesresponse andurban interspaceservice with some structure fire andHAZMATabatement capability. Politics Utah County has been referred to as \"the most Republican county in the most Republican state in the United States\".It has only voted for a Democratic president nine times since statehood, and has not supported a Democrat for president since 1964. In the1992 presidential election,George H. W. Bushreceived the most votes andBill Clintonwas third in votes received. In the2004 presidential election, 85.99% voted forGeorge W. Bush.In the2008 U.S. presidential election, the county voted forJohn McCainby a 58.9% margin overBarack Obama, compared to McCain winning by 28.1% statewide.Eight other Utah counties voted more strongly in favor of McCain.In the2012 election,Mitt Romneyreceived 88.32% of the vote. In the2016 election, it gave a slim majority of the vote toDonald Trump, and nearly 30% of the vote to independent candidateEvan McMullin, who outperformedHillary Clintonin the county. This was McMullin's largest share of the vote in any county in Utah and his second best nationwide afterMadison County, Idaho. In 2020,Joe Bidenreceived over 75,000 votes - the Democrats had never previously received more than 30,000 votes in the county. Until2013, Utah County was represented entirely by one congressional district. Currently, the county is split between two congressional districts. Most of the county's population is in the3rd District, represented by RepublicanJohn Curtis, former Provo Mayor. Much of the county's area however, including Utah Lake, resides in the4th Districtcurrently represented by RepublicanBurgess Owens. The county's Republican bent runs right through state and local politics. All five state senators representing the county, as well as all 14 state representatives,are Republicans. Social issues Utah County saw high rates of opioid and other prescription drug addiction from the mid-2000s onwards, foreshadowing the nationalopioid crisis. The 2008 documentaryHappy Valleyexamined the problem. Giving USA, which reports on charitable giving in the US, named Utah County as one of the three most generous counties in philanthropic donations, alongsideSan Juan County, UtahandMadison County, Idaho. In 2019, one in eight people and one in six children in the countydid not have sufficient food. Infrastructure Much of Utah's transportation infrastructure was built to support automobiles. Prior to the 1950s, Utah County relied on theU.S. Highway Systemfor local transportation. WhenI-15was built in 1956 (parallel toHighway 89), it became the dominant transportation vein in the state. The I-15 CORE project added multiple lanes on I-15 through most of Utah County. This expanded 24 miles (39 km) of freeway and was completed in 2012.Other construction projects by UDOT have been done on I-15 since then, including the Technology Corridor project and the Point of the Mountain project.However, the highway system retains its significance in Utah County due to the mountainous terrain.Highway 6is the closest major road connecting Colorado to the Wasatch Front, running through Spanish Fork Canyon before converging with I-15 in the city of Spanish Fork. Portions of Highway 89 have become prominent local roads known collectively as 'State Street'.Highway 189is known as 'University Avenue' in the city of Provo, and runs throughProvo CanyonintoHeberin neighboringWasatch County. Utah County has seen significant growth in public transportation over the past 15 years, owing in part to the county's large student population of more than 70,000 commuting to-and-fromBrigham Young University(BYU) in Provo andUtah Valley University(UVU) in Orem. The two cities jointly operateUVX, abus rapid transitsystem, as part of their city bus routes. Provo also serves as the southernmost terminus of theFrontRunner, Utah's intrastate commuter rail service.The Provo FrontRunner station is located on South University Avenue, directly southwest of Amtrak's Provo Station—which is Utah's third westbound stop, after Green River and Helper, for the California Zephyr Amtrak route. In addition to Provo, The FrontRunner currently has three stops in the county. The Orem FrontRunner station is located on the west side of I-15, served by a pedestrian bridge over the freeway that connects the UVU campus directly to the station. An additional stop inVineyard, Utahwas completed in August 2022.Utah County also operates the American Fork FrontRunner Station and the Lehi FrontRunner Station located nearThanksgiving Point. From Lehi, the FrontRunner leaves Utah County and entersSalt Lake County. Education School districts School dstricts include: Colleges and universities Four-year institutions Two-year institutions Communities Cities Towns Census-designated places Unincorporated communities Former communities See also References Further reading External links","Provo, Utah Provo(/ˈproʊvoʊ/PROH-voh) is a city in and thecounty seatofUtah County, Utah, United States. It is 43 miles (69 km) south ofSalt Lake Cityalong theWasatch Front, and lies between the cities ofOremto the north andSpringvilleto the south. With a population at the2020 censusof 115,162,Provo is thefourth-largest cityin Utah and the principal city in theProvo-Orem metropolitan area, which had a population of 526,810 at the 2010 census.It is Utah's second-largestmetropolitan areaafterSalt Lake City. Provo is the home toBrigham Young University(BYU),a private higher education institution operated bythe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints(LDS Church). Provo also has the LDS Church's largestMissionary Training Center(MTC). The city is a focus area for technology development in Utah, with several billion-dollarstartups.The city'sPeaks Ice Arenawas a venue for the Salt Lake CityWinter Olympics in 2002. History The Provo area was originally called Timpanogas, aNumic(Ute people) word perhaps meaning \"rock river\".The area was inhabited by theTimpanogos.It was the largest and most settled area in modern-day Utah.The ample food from the Provo River made the Timpanogos a peaceful people.The area also served as the traditional meeting place for theUteandShoshonetribes and was used as a common location for worship of their creator deity. FatherSilvestre Vélez de Escalante, a SpanishFranciscanmissionary-explorer, is considered the first European explorer to have visited the area in 1776. He was guided by two Timpanogos Utes, whom he called Silvestre and Joaquín.Escalante chronicled this first European exploration across theGreat Basin Desert. The Europeans did not build a permanent settlement but traded with the Timpanogos, whom they called Lagunas (lake people) or Come Pescado (fish eaters). In 1847, theMormon pioneersarrived in theSalt Lake Valley, which was just north ofTimpanogos Mountain. At first, the Natives were friendly with the Mormons. But, as relations deteriorated with the Shoshoni and Utes because of disputes over land and cattle, tensions rose. Because of the reported stolen goods of settlers by the Utes, Brigham Young gave small militia orders \"to take such measures as would put a final end to their depredations in future.\" This ended in what is known as theBattle Creek massacre, in modern-dayPleasant Grove, Utah. The Mormons continued pushing into Timpanog lands. In 1849, 33Mormonfamilies from Salt Lake City establishedFort Utah. In 1850, Brigham Young sent an army from Salt Lake to drive out the Timpanogos in what is called theProvo War.Escalating tensions with the Timpanog contributed to theWalker War.Fort Utah was renamed Provo in 1850 forÉtienne Provost,an earlyFrench-Canadiantrapper who arrived in the region in 1825. In 1850, the first schoolhouse was constructed in Provo, built within Utah Fort. As moreLatter-day Saintsarrived, Provo quickly grew as a city. It soon was nicknamedThe Garden Citywith a large number of fruit orchards and gardens there. In 1872, a railroad reached Provo. It was also this year that the Provo Woolen Mills opened. They were the first large factory in Provo and employed about 150 people, initially mainly skilled textile laborers who had emigrated from Britain. Geography Provo lies on the eastern bank ofUtah LakeinUtah Valleyat an elevation of 4,549 feet (1,387 m). According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 44.2 square miles (114.4 km2), of which 41.7 square miles (107.9 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2), or 5.66%, is water. TheWasatch Rangecontains many peaks withinUtah Countyalong the east side of theWasatch Front. One of them, known asY Mountain, towers over the city. There is a largehillside letterYmade of whitewashed concrete halfway up the steep mountain, built in the early part of the 20th century to commemorate BYU (original plans included construction use of all three letters). Wild deer (and less frequently,cougars, andmoose) still roam the mountains (and occasionally the city streets). The geography allows for hiking,skiing,fishingand other outdoor activities. Climate Provo's climate can be classified as either ahot-summer Mediterranean climateclassification (Köppen:Csa) or as acool semi-arid climate(Köppen:BSk). Overall, annual rainfall at the location of BYU is around 17.23 inches (440 mm); however, the western part of the metropolitan area near Orem is substantially drier, receiving only around 13.5 inches (340 mm) of precipitation and consequently has acool semi-arid climate(Köppen:BSk).The wettest calendar year in Provo has been 1983 with 37.54 inches (953.5 mm) and the driest 2020 with 7.28 inches (184.9 mm). Winters are cold with substantial snowfall averaging 57.2 inches (145 cm) and a record monthly total of 66.0 inches (168 cm) in January 1918, during which the record snow cover of 34 inches (86 cm) was recorded on the 17th. Seasonal snowfall has ranged from 127.5 inches (324 cm) in 1983–84 to 10.1 inches (26 cm) in 2014–15. Very cold weather may occur when cold air from over theContinental Divideinvades the region: although only four mornings fall to or below 0 °F or −17.8 °C during an average winter and this temperature was not reached at all between 1999 and 2006, during the very cold January 1917 (average temperature 14.9 °F; −9.5 °C), seventeen mornings fell this cold.By contrast, in several recent winters like 1994–95, 1995–96, 1999–2000, 2004–05, and 2005–06, averages have been above freezing every month. Temperatures warm rapidly during the spring, with the first afternoon over 70 °F (21.1 °C) on March 21, the last freeze expected on April 29, and the first temperature equal to or hotter than 90 °F (32.2 °C) on May 30. Rainfall is not infrequent during the spring: over 5.10 inches (130 mm) was recorded in the Mays of 1995 and 2011, and a total of 12.29 inches (312.2 mm) fell during the four-month span of March to June 2005 – in contrast as little as 2.04 inches (51.8 mm) fell in the same months of 2012. Being too far north to gain any influence fromthe monsoonexcept in rare cases like the 4.38 inches (111.3 mm) of rainfall of August 1983, Provo's summers are hot and dry, though relatively short – no maxima above 100 °F (37.8 °C) have been recorded outside the range of June 7 to August 27. Monthly maxima average over 91 °F (32.8 °C) in July and August, and precipitation averages under one inch per month with a two-month total in 2016 as low as 0.06 inches (1.5 mm). The hottest month on record is July 2003 with a mean of 81.8 °F (27.7 °C), and a mean maximum of 99.0 °F (37.2 °C). The hottest temperature on record is 108 °F (42.2 °C) on July 13, 2002. The fall season sees steady cooling and a transition to winter weather, with rare influences of rain systems from further south, as in the record wet month of September 1982, which saw 6.53 inches (165.9 mm) of total precipitation, including 4.15 inches (105.4 mm) over the last six days from a storm moving in from Arizona. The last maximum of 90 °F (32.2 °C) can be expected around September 10, and the first morning below freezing on October 14. Demographics 2020 census 2010 census At the2010 census,112,488 people, 31,524 households and 21,166 families resided in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 2,697.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,041.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84.8%White, 0.7%Black or African American, 0.8%American Indian, 2.5%Asian, 1.1%Pacific Islander, 6.6% fromother races, and 3.4% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoresidents of any race were 15.2% of the population. There were 31,524 households, of which 34.8% had children under 18 living with them, 55.4% weremarried couplesliving together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of a single individual, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.24, and the average family size was 3.41. In the city, 22.3% of residents were under 18, 36.4% were from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 10.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 96.4 males. 2000 census At the2000 census,105,166 people, 29,192 households and 19,938 families resided in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 2,653.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,024.4/km2). There were 30,374 housing units at an average density of 766.3/sq mi (295.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.52%White, 0.46%Black or African American, 0.80%American Indian, 1.83%Asian, 0.84%Pacific Islander, 5.10% fromother races, and 2.44% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoresidents of any race were 10.47% of the population. There were 29,192 households, of which 33.8% had children under 18 living with them, 57.0% weremarried couplesliving together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 11.8% of all households were made up of a single individual, and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.34, and the average family size was 3.40. In the city, 22.3% of residents were under 18, 40.2% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 8.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.7% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.3 males. Themedian household incomewas $34,313, and the median family income was $36,393. Males had a median income of $32,010 and females $20,928. Theper capita incomewas $13,207. About 12.5% of families and 26.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those aged 65 or over. The residents of Provo are predominantly members of the LDS Church. According to data taken in 2000 by theARDA, 88% of the overall population, and 98% of religious adherents in the Provo-Orem area are Latter-day Saints.According to a study in 2015, the Provo-Orem metro area is about as dissimilar to the rest of America as possible. Weighing factors such as race, housing, income, and education, the study ranked Provo-Orem 376th of 381 of the United States' largest cities in terms of resemblance to the country. Religion According to the breakdown for Utah County in 2010, most people (90.6%) were Christian, with Latter-day Saints constituting 88.7% of the population.Catholicsconstituted 1.3% andProtestantsconstituted 0.6%. Other religions constituted 0.3% of the population. 9.1% of the population did not adhere to any religion. Economy Local companies Provo has more than 100restaurants(with over 60 in the downtown area)and a couple ofshopping centers.The Shops At RiverwoodsandProvo Towne Centre, bothshopping malls, operate in Provo. Several small shops, music venues, and boutiques have popped up downtown, along Center Street and University Avenue. Downtown has also begun to host \"gallery strolls\" every first Friday of the month that features local artists. There are many dining establishments in and around downtown Provo. Five Provo companies are listed onInc.com's Inc. 5000list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The largest, DieCuts With a View, is ranked number 1403 and has revenues of $26.2 million.Other companies on the list are VitalSmarts (ranked 4109, with $41.4 million in revenue),and Connect Public Relations (ranked 3694, with $6.1 million in revenue).The global recreation and entertainment companyRyze Trampoline Parks, with locations throughout Asia, Europe and the U.S., is headquartered in Provo. Novell, the dominant personal computer networking company from the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s, was headquartered in Provo and occupied several buildings at the height of its success. It was eventually acquired byThe Attachmate Groupand then byMicro Focus, which still maintains facilities there. The Food & Care Coalition is a local organization providing services to the homeless and low-income citizens of Provo and Utah Counties. They also providevolunteeropportunities. International companies Top employers According to Provo's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,the top employers in the city were: Arts and culture Annual cultural events Every July, Provo hostsAmerica's Freedom Festival at Provowhich includes theStadium of Fireat BYU. It is held inLaVell Edwards Stadium, home to BYU'sNCAAfootballteam. The Independence Day festivities are popular among residents and have featured such notable figures asBob Hope,David Hasselhoff,Reba McEntire,Mandy Moore,Huey Lewis and the News,Toby Keith,Sean Hannity,Fred Willard, andTaylor Hicks.In 2015, the event included performances byJourneyandOlivia Holt, and was hosted by television personalityMontel Williams. Provo has two other large festivals each fall.Festival Latinoamericanois an annual family-oriented Labor Day weekend event in downtown Provo that offers the community a taste of the region'sHispanicculture through ethnic food, vendors, and performances. The city has hosted an annual LGBT Provo Pride Festival since 2013. Points of interest Covey Center for the Arts The Covey Center for the Arts,a performing arts center, is at 425 West Center Street. It features plays, ballets, art showcases, and musical performances throughout the year. The size of the building is a total of 42,000 square feet (3,902 m2). The main performance hall seats 670 people. Three dance studios are furnished with a piano, ballet bars, and mirrors. Another theater, the Brinton Black Box Theater, seats 60 for smaller, more intimate events. There are also two art galleries: the 1,620-square-foot (151 m2) Secured Gallery and the Eccles Gallery in the lower lobby. LDS Church MTC Provo is the location of the church's largest MTC. Each week approximately 475missionariesenter for 3–9 weeks of training before they depart for the mission field, becoming part of more than 58,000 in more than 120 countries. About 1,100 instructors (many of them returned missionaries) teach 62 languages. The MTC in Provo began construction in July 1974 and was completed in July 1976. The MTC was expanded in the early 1990s to become the largest of the 17 such centers than in the world.Additional construction was completed in 2017. Provo City Library at Academy Square TheProvo City Libraryis a public library that occupies the building of the former Brigham Young Academy, built-in 1892. The building was added to theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1976. Its collection contains over 277,000 media. The library is on University Avenue and 550 North. Provo Recreation Center With construction finished in 2013, the center provides a location for aquatic recreation next to the Provo Power plant. Provo Utah Temple The Provo Utah Temple is at the base of Rock Canyon in Provo. This temple has been among the busiest in the LDS Church due to its proximity to BYU and the MTC.The temple closed in February 2024, has been razed, and is currently being reconstructed. The temple, estimated for completion in 2027, will reopen as theProvo Utah Rock Canyon Temple. Provo City Center Temple Located at the corner of University Avenue and Center Street, the Provo City Center Temple serves as another temple for the Provo area's Latter-day Saint population. After a fire in 2010 destroyed the Provo Tabernacle,Thomas S. Monson, then LDS Churchpresident, announced the site would become the city's second temple.Renovations were finished and the temple was dedicated in March 2016. Utah Valley Convention Center The Utah Valley Convention Center opened in 2012.It has 83,578 square feet (7,764.7 m2) of combined meeting, pre-function and garden space. Other points of interest Government Federally, Provo is part ofUtah's 3rd congressional district, represented by RepublicanJohn Curtis, elected in 2017. City administration Provo is administered by a seven-membercity counciland a mayor. Five of the council seats are elected by individual city districts, and two of the seats are elected by the city as a whole. These elected officials serve four-year terms, with elections alternating every two years. Provo has aMayor–council government, which creates two separate but equal branches of government. The mayor is chief executive of the city and the council is the legislative and policy-making body of the city.The mayor isMichelle Kaufusi, who has been in office since December 5, 2017. Education Higher education BYU is a private university operated by the LDS Church. BYU is thethird-largest private university in the United States, with more than 34,000 students. It is the flagship of theChurch Educational System. On the campus is theSpencer W. Kimball Tower, the tallest building in Provo. Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionsis a private, for-profit university emphasizing graduate healthcare education. The Northwest Commission accredits the university of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). RMUoHP offers programs in nursing practice, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and health science. RMUoHP will be building Utah County's first new medical school. Provo Collegeis a private, for-profit educational institution specializing in career education. The school is accredited by theAccrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools(ACICS). Provo College offers associate degrees and diplomas in fields such as nursing, medical assisting, criminal justice, graphic design, and office administration. Primary and secondary education Almost all of Provo is within theProvo School District.The school board has seven members, each representing a different district of the city. There are thirteen elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high schools.Provo High Schoolwas the first school inUtah Countyto be an IB World school. The school has a record of 4A state basketball championships, more state champions than any other school in the state.Timpview High Schoolhas a record of 4A state football championships. A small section of the city lies withinAlpine School District. Infrastructure Transportation Interstate 15runs through western Provo, connecting it with the rest of the Wasatch Front and much of Utah.US-89runs northwest to southeast through the city as State Street, whileUS-189connects US-89 with I-15, BYU, and Orem to the north. At the north edge of the city, US-189 heads northeast intoProvo Canyon, where it connects withHeber. Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service toProvo station, operating itsCalifornia Zephyrdaily in both directions betweenChicago,Illinois, andEmeryville,California(in theSan Francisco Bay Area). Provo also can be accessed by Salt Lake Express intercity buses and the extensiveUtah Transit Authority(UTA) bus system. UTA'scommuter railservice, theFrontRunner, opened an extension to Provo from Salt Lake City on December 10, 2012.TheProvo Intermodal Center, adjacent to the Amtrak station, connects theFrontRunnerwith local bus routes, as well as Greyhound service. TheProvo Municipal Airportis Utah's second busiest airport regarding the number of aircraft take-offs and landings.Allegiant Airlineshas been based out of the airport since 2022. Notable people Provo is home to (or the hometown of) many well-known people, includingThe Osmonds(includingDonny,Marie, and theOsmond Brothers),LDS ChurchapostleDallin H. Oaks, and NFL and BYU quarterbackSteve Young.Goodwin Knight, who served as the 35th Governor of California (1947–1953), was born in Provo. The global economistDambisa Moyomoved to Provo following her marriage toQualtricsco-founder Jared Smith. Sister cities Provo has three sister cities designated bySister Cities International: See also References External links","List of people from Provo, Utah This is alist of notable people fromProvo, Utah. This list includes notable individuals born and raised in Provo, those who currently live in Provo, and those who lived for a significant period in Provo. Notable people See also References","Neon Trees Neon Treesare an Americanrockband fromProvo, Utah. The band received nationwide exposure in late 2008 when they opened several North American tour dates for the bandthe Killers.Not long after, the band was signed byMercury Records.Their first single, \"Animal\", climbed to No. 13 on theBillboardHot 100and No. 1 on theAlternative Songschart. Since their formation, Neon Trees has released five studio albums:Habits(2010),Picture Show(2012),Pop Psychology(2014),I Can Feel You Forgetting Me(2020), andSink Your Teeth(2024). The band has also released eight EPs (two exclusive toiTunes) and fourteen singles. History Formed initially by childhood friendsTyler Glenn(vocals,keyboards) and Chris Allen (guitar,vocals) who both grew up inMurrieta, California, the band made its first home in Provo after Glenn and Allen moved there from Southern California, eventually adding Branden Campbell (bass guitar, vocals) andElaine Bradley(drums,percussion, vocals) to the lineup.David Charles also plays with the band as touring guitarist. They first started playing under the name Neon Trees in late 2005 with five original members, Tyler Glenn and Chris Allen from California, and three veterans of the Utah music scene, bass player Mike Liechty, drummer Jason Gibbons and keyboardist Nathan Evans. The band's name originates from the lighted trees on theIn-N-Out Burgersigns, which inspired Tyler Glenn. In a strange coincidence, it was later learned that Branden Campbell's father, Steve Campbell, installed the exact Neon Trees in the In-N-Out that inspired Glenn while working for a sign company out of Las Vegas. They released an EP,Becoming Different People, in 2006 during the time of their first tour through California. The EP featured promising songs like \"Phones\", \"Sister Stereo\", \"Up Against the Glass\". They also recorded other unreleased tracks during the \"Treehouse Sessions\" in 2006. The band's lineup soon narrowed down to four members with Branden Campbell and Elaine Bradley joining the group on bass and drums, respectively. Touring musician Bruce Rubenson on keyboards and drums joined in. Shortly thereafter,The Killers' drummer,Ronnie Vannucci Jr., went to watch the band play at a small club in Las Vegas as he had been in a Ska band called \"Attaboy Skip\" with Neon Trees bassist Branden Campbell prior to joining The Killers. Ronnie was impressed, and as a result they were chosen to open for The Killers for a string of dates on their 2008 North American tour. Vannucci later helped the band sign to major labelMercury Records, which was announced in late 2008. Additionally, the group was voted Band of the Year in 2009 byCity Weekly, a popular Salt Lake City publication. 2010–11:Habitsand commercial breakthrough Although they had several prior independent releases, the band released its debut album on Mercury/Island Def Jam,Habits, on March 16, 2010.\"Animal\" was chosen as the lead singleand was shortly thereafter featured as the Free Single of the Week oniTunesin March 2010. They performed the song onJimmy Kimmel Live!on March 23, 2010,The Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon May 14, 2010,Lopez Tonighton October 18, 2010,Live! with Regis & Kellyon November 4, 2010, and TBS'Conanon November 24, 2010. They performed a second single1983onLate Night with Jimmy Fallonon January 13, 2011 and another stint onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon Jan 18, 2011. They performed third single \"Your Surrender\" onLate Show with David Lettermanon May 5, 2011 and a third appearance onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon Jun 10, 2011.Mark HoppusofBlink-182selected \"Animal\" as hisSpinmagazine Pick of the Week.The song has also been featured on a commercial for Las Vegas. The group has also released a digital EP of four remixes of the song, one of which by Tyler Glenn. In 2010, the band coveredJustin Bieber's song \"Baby\" as well asBen E. King's \"Stand By Me\".Throughout early 2010 the band, along withMutemathandStreet Drum Corps, opened for theThirty Seconds to MarstourInto the Wild. Subsequently, they headlined the Bang the Gong Tour withPaper Tongues,MeTalkPretty, andCivil Twilightin mid-2010, performed a set to 7,000 atLollapalooza, and went on tour with Thirty Seconds to Mars in the last half of the year. In November 2010, the band released a Christmas single called \"Wish List\". It was available for free oniTunesthe first week it was released.In November 2010, Tyler and Elaine appeared as Neon Trees onDaryl Hall's monthly Internet concert seriesLive from Daryl's House. They performed four songs fromHabits, including \"Animal\" and \"1983\", as well as theFleetwood Machit \"Dreams\" andHall & Oatessongs \"Head Above Water\" and \"Adult Education.\" Neon Trees released a live album,iTunes Live from SoHo, in November 2010 featuring eight live tracks: \"Calling My Name\", \"Animal\", \"Your Surrender\", \"Never Tear Us Apart\", \"In the Next Room\", \"1983\", \"Love and Affection\", and \"Sins of My Youth\". From March 31, 2011, to April 23, 2011, they also opened forMy Chemical Romanceduring the North American leg of theirWorld Contamination Tour.They opened a show forPanic! at the Discoin Central Park in September 2011.In September and October 2011, they opened forDuran Duranon the North American leg of the All You Need Is Now tour. The band's song \"Animal\" was also performed by the cast ofGleein the 15th episode of Season 2 entitled \"Sexy\". 2011–13:Picture Show On December 7, 2011, an article published byRolling Stone's website streamed the band's new song \"Everybody Talks\".On February 10, 2012, a video was posted on their official YouTube page, titled Neon Trees – Picture Show Teaser One / The New Album April 17, advertising their new album is to be released on April 17, 2012.In March 2012, Neon Trees and their single \"Everybody Talks\" were featured in a commercial for the 2012Buick Verano.The single was covered in episode five of season four ofGlee. Neon Trees' second studio albumPicture Showwas released on April 17, 2012.On June 28, 2012, Neon Trees was the opening act forthe Flaming Lipsconcert poolside at theHard Rock CasinoinBiloxi, Mississippias a part of theirGuinness World Recordfor the most concerts in different cities (eight) in a 24-hour period.On August 29, 2012, Neon Trees performed \"Everybody Talks\" on theAmerica's Got Talentlive results show.In early fall 2012, the band toured withThe OffspringandDead Sara.In 2013 they joinedMaroon 5in their world tour alongsideOwl City.In November/December 2013 they were a support act forTaylor Swift's three concerts in New Zealand and four concerts in Australia.The band was featured on NBC's coverage of the 2012 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They performed an abbreviated version of their single \"Everybody Talks\".The second single from the album is the track \"Lessons in Love (All Day, All Night)\" with the collaboration of American record producer and D.J.Kaskade. 2014–2017:Pop Psychology Neon Trees' third studio album,Pop Psychology, was released on April 22, 2014.The first single fromPop Psychology, titled \"Sleeping with a Friend\", was released for digital download. The band performed the single onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon January 22, 2014. \"Sleeping with a Friend\" was solicited to U.S.Contemporary hit radioby both Mercury andIsland Recordson February 25, 2014.Neon Trees later released four more singles following \"Sleeping with a Friend\". The singles are titled \"I Love You (But I Hate Your Friends)\", \"Voices In the Halls\", and \"First Things First\".\"First Things First\" is the end credit song for the 2016 Netflix Original seriesDirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. In 2015, the group announced the \"An Intimate Night With Neon Trees\" Tour. The tour ran from June 6, 2015, to July 26, 2015, finishing inBoston, Massachusetts, at the House Of Blues Boston. Opening acts includedAlex Winston, Yes You Are, Coin, andFictionist. On May 5, 2015, the band released a non-album single entitled \"Songs I Can't Listen To\"and an accompanying music video on June 3, 2015, featuringDustin Lance Black. On August 4, 2017, the band premiered a new single \"Feel Good\". 2019–2023:I Can Feel You Forgetting Me Neon Trees released \"Used to Like\", the lead single from their fourth album, on November 13, 2019.The second single, \"New Best Friend\" was released on May 20, 2020.On July 10, 2020, the band released the third single called \"Mess Me Up\".The fourth and final single, \"Nights\", was released on July 22, 2020.The album,I Can Feel You Forgetting Me, was released on July 24, 2020.In December 2021, they released a new single and video, \"Holiday Rock\". 2023-present:Sink Your Teeth Sink Your Teeth, the fifth studio album by Neon Trees, was released on September 20, 2024. There are 12 songs on the album. On June 30, 2023, the first and lead single of the album \"Favorite Daze\" was released. The second single, \"Losing My Head\", was released on September 15, 2023. Three more singles were released in early 2024 before the album; \"Bad Dreams\" (May 31), \"El Diablo\" (July 19), and \"Cruel Intentions\" (August 28) Musical style Neon Trees' musical style has been described aspop rock,new wave,synth-pop,indie rock,alternative rock,pop,andelectropop.When describing the band's sound, Heather Phares ofAllMusicwrote \"Neon Trees blend new wave,dance, and indie into smart, catchy pop.\"Sputnikmusic described the band's debut studio albumHabitsas a \"refreshing blast of timelessrockenergy and spirit that wouldn’t sound out of place at any point from ‘60sgarage-rockto 2010dance rock.\" Band members Current members Former members Touring musicians Timeline Discography Awards and nominations APRA Music Awards BMI Pop Awards Billboard Music Awards International Dance Music Awards MTV Europe Music Awards World Music Awards References External links","Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Show_(album"],"string":"[\n \"Utah County, Utah Utah Countyis the second-most populouscountyin theU.S. stateofUtah. Thecounty seatand largest city isProvo,which is the state's fourth-largest city, and the largest outside ofSalt Lake County. As of the2020 United States Census, the population was 665,665. Utah County is one oftwocounties forming the Provo–Oremmetropolitan statistical area, and is part of the largerSalt Lake City–Provo–Orem, UTCombined Statistical Area. In 2020, the center of population of Utah was in Utah County, in the city ofSaratoga Springs. Utah County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, ranking among the top ten counties in numerical growth.Correspondingly, Provo–Orem is among the top eight metropolitan areas by percentage growth in the country. Utah County is one of seven counties in the United States to have the same name as its state. The other six counties areArkansas County,Hawaii County,Idaho County,Iowa County,Oklahoma CountyandNew York County(commonly known as Manhattan). History The legislature of theState of Deseretcreated a county on January 31, 1850,to govern the civic affairs ofUtah Valley, which by the 1850s was bustling with newly arrived settlers. The county name is derived from the valley name, which is derived from the Spanish name (Yuta) for theUteIndians. The State of Deseret dissolved soon after (April 5, 1851), but the counties it had set in place continued. There is little record of any official activity conducted by the fledgling county until April 18, 1852, when a full slate of county officials was published, and recordkeeping began. The first courthouse was built in central Provo in 1866–67. It was soon outgrown and was replaced by a second courthouse (1872–73). By the 1920s, this building was also cramped, and the decision was made to erect a combined city-county building, which was completed in 1926. The county's boundaries were adjusted in 1852, 1854, 1856, 1862, 1880, and 1884. It has retained its present boundary since 1884. Geography Utah County terrain ranges from stiff mountain ranges in the east (theWasatch Range), dropping steeply to a large lake-filled valley. Most of the comparatively level ground is dedicated to agriculture or developed uses, while most of the steep terrain is covered with arid-climate forestation.The county generally slopes to the west and north, with its highest point (the northern peak of the twin-peakedMt. Neboin the southern part of the county), at 11,928 ft (3,636 m) ASL.The county has an area of 2,144 square miles (5,550 km2), of which 2,003 square miles (5,190 km2) is land and 141 square miles (370 km2) (6.6%) is water. Utah Valleylies at the center of the county, lined by the mountains of theWasatch Rangeon the east.Utah Lakeoccupies a large part of the valley. The elevation ranges from 4,487 feet (1,368 m) above sea level at the lake to 11,928 feet (3,636 m) at the peak ofMount Nebo. Major highways Source: Protected areas Source: Lakes Source: Demographics 1The 2000 census was the first to allow residents to select multiple race categories. Prior to 2000, the census used the category 'Other Race' as a catch-all identifier. For county-level census data in 1950 and 1900, Utah counted all non-White and non-Black residents using this category. 'Other races' formed 1.4% of Utah County's population in 1990, 0.43% in 1950, and 0.07% in 1900. 2020 census As of the2020 United States Census, there were 659,399 people and 171,899 households in the county. The population density was 329.12 people per square mile (127.07 people/km2). There were 192,570 housing units, at an average density of 96.12 units per square mile (37.11 units/km2). The county's racial makeup was 89.4%White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 4.6% some other race, and 2.7% from two or more races. 10.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 140,602 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were headed by married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.7% were non-families. Of all households, 11.6% were made up of individuals, and 4.4% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.57, and the average family size was 3.88. The county's population was spread out, with 35.2% under the age of 18, 15.8% from 18 to 24, 28% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males. At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $45,833, and the median income for a family was $50,196. Males had a median income of $37,878 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,557. About 6.80% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 4.80% of those age 65 or over. 1Due to respondents reporting multiple ethnicities, percentages may add up to greater than 100%. Religion 2000 census As of the2000 United States Census, there were 516,564 people, 140,602 households, and 114,350 families in the county. The population density was 258 people per square mile (100 people/km2). There were 148,350 housing units, at an average density of 74.1 units per square mile (28.6 units/km2). The county's racial makeup was 89.4%White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 4.6% some other race, and 2.7% from two or more races. 10.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 140,602 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were headed by married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.7% were non-families. Of all households, 11.6% were made up of individuals, and 4.4% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.57, and the average family size was 3.88. The county's population was spread out, with 35.2% under the age of 18, 15.8% from 18 to 24, 28% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males. At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $45,833, and the median income for a family was $50,196. Males had a median income of $37,878 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,557. About 6.80% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 4.80% of those age 65 or over. In 2005, the five most reported ancestries in Utah County were: Government The government is a three-member electedcounty commissionelected at-large. Other elected officials include the countysheriff, thecounty clerk, county recorder, county assessor, county surveyor, county treasurer, and thecounty attorney. The current county attorney is Jeff Gray. In 2020, Utah County voters rejected Proposition 9, which would have changed the county's government to a five-member elected county council with an elected county mayor. The first sheriff of the county was John T. Willis, who was succeeded byWilliam Madison Wall. Alexander Williams served duringJohn Cradlebaugh's court in 1859. He was succeeded by Eli Whipple, who resigned in 1861 and was replaced by Russell Kelly.In 2020, Sheriff Mike Smith publicly stated he would not enforceCOVID-19 face mask mandates. The Utah County Fire Department provides emergency response to all unincorporated areas within Utah County and works with all the incorporated cities within the county plus all Utah state and federal lands. The department is primarily awildland firesresponse andurban interspaceservice with some structure fire andHAZMATabatement capability. Politics Utah County has been referred to as \\\"the most Republican county in the most Republican state in the United States\\\".It has only voted for a Democratic president nine times since statehood, and has not supported a Democrat for president since 1964. In the1992 presidential election,George H. W. Bushreceived the most votes andBill Clintonwas third in votes received. In the2004 presidential election, 85.99% voted forGeorge W. Bush.In the2008 U.S. presidential election, the county voted forJohn McCainby a 58.9% margin overBarack Obama, compared to McCain winning by 28.1% statewide.Eight other Utah counties voted more strongly in favor of McCain.In the2012 election,Mitt Romneyreceived 88.32% of the vote. In the2016 election, it gave a slim majority of the vote toDonald Trump, and nearly 30% of the vote to independent candidateEvan McMullin, who outperformedHillary Clintonin the county. This was McMullin's largest share of the vote in any county in Utah and his second best nationwide afterMadison County, Idaho. In 2020,Joe Bidenreceived over 75,000 votes - the Democrats had never previously received more than 30,000 votes in the county. Until2013, Utah County was represented entirely by one congressional district. Currently, the county is split between two congressional districts. Most of the county's population is in the3rd District, represented by RepublicanJohn Curtis, former Provo Mayor. Much of the county's area however, including Utah Lake, resides in the4th Districtcurrently represented by RepublicanBurgess Owens. The county's Republican bent runs right through state and local politics. All five state senators representing the county, as well as all 14 state representatives,are Republicans. Social issues Utah County saw high rates of opioid and other prescription drug addiction from the mid-2000s onwards, foreshadowing the nationalopioid crisis. The 2008 documentaryHappy Valleyexamined the problem. Giving USA, which reports on charitable giving in the US, named Utah County as one of the three most generous counties in philanthropic donations, alongsideSan Juan County, UtahandMadison County, Idaho. In 2019, one in eight people and one in six children in the countydid not have sufficient food. Infrastructure Much of Utah's transportation infrastructure was built to support automobiles. Prior to the 1950s, Utah County relied on theU.S. Highway Systemfor local transportation. WhenI-15was built in 1956 (parallel toHighway 89), it became the dominant transportation vein in the state. The I-15 CORE project added multiple lanes on I-15 through most of Utah County. This expanded 24 miles (39 km) of freeway and was completed in 2012.Other construction projects by UDOT have been done on I-15 since then, including the Technology Corridor project and the Point of the Mountain project.However, the highway system retains its significance in Utah County due to the mountainous terrain.Highway 6is the closest major road connecting Colorado to the Wasatch Front, running through Spanish Fork Canyon before converging with I-15 in the city of Spanish Fork. Portions of Highway 89 have become prominent local roads known collectively as 'State Street'.Highway 189is known as 'University Avenue' in the city of Provo, and runs throughProvo CanyonintoHeberin neighboringWasatch County. Utah County has seen significant growth in public transportation over the past 15 years, owing in part to the county's large student population of more than 70,000 commuting to-and-fromBrigham Young University(BYU) in Provo andUtah Valley University(UVU) in Orem. The two cities jointly operateUVX, abus rapid transitsystem, as part of their city bus routes. Provo also serves as the southernmost terminus of theFrontRunner, Utah's intrastate commuter rail service.The Provo FrontRunner station is located on South University Avenue, directly southwest of Amtrak's Provo Station—which is Utah's third westbound stop, after Green River and Helper, for the California Zephyr Amtrak route. In addition to Provo, The FrontRunner currently has three stops in the county. The Orem FrontRunner station is located on the west side of I-15, served by a pedestrian bridge over the freeway that connects the UVU campus directly to the station. An additional stop inVineyard, Utahwas completed in August 2022.Utah County also operates the American Fork FrontRunner Station and the Lehi FrontRunner Station located nearThanksgiving Point. From Lehi, the FrontRunner leaves Utah County and entersSalt Lake County. Education School districts School dstricts include: Colleges and universities Four-year institutions Two-year institutions Communities Cities Towns Census-designated places Unincorporated communities Former communities See also References Further reading External links\",\n \"Provo, Utah Provo(/ˈproʊvoʊ/PROH-voh) is a city in and thecounty seatofUtah County, Utah, United States. It is 43 miles (69 km) south ofSalt Lake Cityalong theWasatch Front, and lies between the cities ofOremto the north andSpringvilleto the south. With a population at the2020 censusof 115,162,Provo is thefourth-largest cityin Utah and the principal city in theProvo-Orem metropolitan area, which had a population of 526,810 at the 2010 census.It is Utah's second-largestmetropolitan areaafterSalt Lake City. Provo is the home toBrigham Young University(BYU),a private higher education institution operated bythe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints(LDS Church). Provo also has the LDS Church's largestMissionary Training Center(MTC). The city is a focus area for technology development in Utah, with several billion-dollarstartups.The city'sPeaks Ice Arenawas a venue for the Salt Lake CityWinter Olympics in 2002. History The Provo area was originally called Timpanogas, aNumic(Ute people) word perhaps meaning \\\"rock river\\\".The area was inhabited by theTimpanogos.It was the largest and most settled area in modern-day Utah.The ample food from the Provo River made the Timpanogos a peaceful people.The area also served as the traditional meeting place for theUteandShoshonetribes and was used as a common location for worship of their creator deity. FatherSilvestre Vélez de Escalante, a SpanishFranciscanmissionary-explorer, is considered the first European explorer to have visited the area in 1776. He was guided by two Timpanogos Utes, whom he called Silvestre and Joaquín.Escalante chronicled this first European exploration across theGreat Basin Desert. The Europeans did not build a permanent settlement but traded with the Timpanogos, whom they called Lagunas (lake people) or Come Pescado (fish eaters). In 1847, theMormon pioneersarrived in theSalt Lake Valley, which was just north ofTimpanogos Mountain. At first, the Natives were friendly with the Mormons. But, as relations deteriorated with the Shoshoni and Utes because of disputes over land and cattle, tensions rose. Because of the reported stolen goods of settlers by the Utes, Brigham Young gave small militia orders \\\"to take such measures as would put a final end to their depredations in future.\\\" This ended in what is known as theBattle Creek massacre, in modern-dayPleasant Grove, Utah. The Mormons continued pushing into Timpanog lands. In 1849, 33Mormonfamilies from Salt Lake City establishedFort Utah. In 1850, Brigham Young sent an army from Salt Lake to drive out the Timpanogos in what is called theProvo War.Escalating tensions with the Timpanog contributed to theWalker War.Fort Utah was renamed Provo in 1850 forÉtienne Provost,an earlyFrench-Canadiantrapper who arrived in the region in 1825. In 1850, the first schoolhouse was constructed in Provo, built within Utah Fort. As moreLatter-day Saintsarrived, Provo quickly grew as a city. It soon was nicknamedThe Garden Citywith a large number of fruit orchards and gardens there. In 1872, a railroad reached Provo. It was also this year that the Provo Woolen Mills opened. They were the first large factory in Provo and employed about 150 people, initially mainly skilled textile laborers who had emigrated from Britain. Geography Provo lies on the eastern bank ofUtah LakeinUtah Valleyat an elevation of 4,549 feet (1,387 m). According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 44.2 square miles (114.4 km2), of which 41.7 square miles (107.9 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2), or 5.66%, is water. TheWasatch Rangecontains many peaks withinUtah Countyalong the east side of theWasatch Front. One of them, known asY Mountain, towers over the city. There is a largehillside letterYmade of whitewashed concrete halfway up the steep mountain, built in the early part of the 20th century to commemorate BYU (original plans included construction use of all three letters). Wild deer (and less frequently,cougars, andmoose) still roam the mountains (and occasionally the city streets). The geography allows for hiking,skiing,fishingand other outdoor activities. Climate Provo's climate can be classified as either ahot-summer Mediterranean climateclassification (Köppen:Csa) or as acool semi-arid climate(Köppen:BSk). Overall, annual rainfall at the location of BYU is around 17.23 inches (440 mm); however, the western part of the metropolitan area near Orem is substantially drier, receiving only around 13.5 inches (340 mm) of precipitation and consequently has acool semi-arid climate(Köppen:BSk).The wettest calendar year in Provo has been 1983 with 37.54 inches (953.5 mm) and the driest 2020 with 7.28 inches (184.9 mm). Winters are cold with substantial snowfall averaging 57.2 inches (145 cm) and a record monthly total of 66.0 inches (168 cm) in January 1918, during which the record snow cover of 34 inches (86 cm) was recorded on the 17th. Seasonal snowfall has ranged from 127.5 inches (324 cm) in 1983–84 to 10.1 inches (26 cm) in 2014–15. Very cold weather may occur when cold air from over theContinental Divideinvades the region: although only four mornings fall to or below 0 °F or −17.8 °C during an average winter and this temperature was not reached at all between 1999 and 2006, during the very cold January 1917 (average temperature 14.9 °F; −9.5 °C), seventeen mornings fell this cold.By contrast, in several recent winters like 1994–95, 1995–96, 1999–2000, 2004–05, and 2005–06, averages have been above freezing every month. Temperatures warm rapidly during the spring, with the first afternoon over 70 °F (21.1 °C) on March 21, the last freeze expected on April 29, and the first temperature equal to or hotter than 90 °F (32.2 °C) on May 30. Rainfall is not infrequent during the spring: over 5.10 inches (130 mm) was recorded in the Mays of 1995 and 2011, and a total of 12.29 inches (312.2 mm) fell during the four-month span of March to June 2005 – in contrast as little as 2.04 inches (51.8 mm) fell in the same months of 2012. Being too far north to gain any influence fromthe monsoonexcept in rare cases like the 4.38 inches (111.3 mm) of rainfall of August 1983, Provo's summers are hot and dry, though relatively short – no maxima above 100 °F (37.8 °C) have been recorded outside the range of June 7 to August 27. Monthly maxima average over 91 °F (32.8 °C) in July and August, and precipitation averages under one inch per month with a two-month total in 2016 as low as 0.06 inches (1.5 mm). The hottest month on record is July 2003 with a mean of 81.8 °F (27.7 °C), and a mean maximum of 99.0 °F (37.2 °C). The hottest temperature on record is 108 °F (42.2 °C) on July 13, 2002. The fall season sees steady cooling and a transition to winter weather, with rare influences of rain systems from further south, as in the record wet month of September 1982, which saw 6.53 inches (165.9 mm) of total precipitation, including 4.15 inches (105.4 mm) over the last six days from a storm moving in from Arizona. The last maximum of 90 °F (32.2 °C) can be expected around September 10, and the first morning below freezing on October 14. Demographics 2020 census 2010 census At the2010 census,112,488 people, 31,524 households and 21,166 families resided in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 2,697.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,041.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84.8%White, 0.7%Black or African American, 0.8%American Indian, 2.5%Asian, 1.1%Pacific Islander, 6.6% fromother races, and 3.4% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoresidents of any race were 15.2% of the population. There were 31,524 households, of which 34.8% had children under 18 living with them, 55.4% weremarried couplesliving together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of a single individual, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.24, and the average family size was 3.41. In the city, 22.3% of residents were under 18, 36.4% were from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 10.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 96.4 males. 2000 census At the2000 census,105,166 people, 29,192 households and 19,938 families resided in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 2,653.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,024.4/km2). There were 30,374 housing units at an average density of 766.3/sq mi (295.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.52%White, 0.46%Black or African American, 0.80%American Indian, 1.83%Asian, 0.84%Pacific Islander, 5.10% fromother races, and 2.44% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoresidents of any race were 10.47% of the population. There were 29,192 households, of which 33.8% had children under 18 living with them, 57.0% weremarried couplesliving together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 11.8% of all households were made up of a single individual, and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.34, and the average family size was 3.40. In the city, 22.3% of residents were under 18, 40.2% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 8.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.7% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.3 males. Themedian household incomewas $34,313, and the median family income was $36,393. Males had a median income of $32,010 and females $20,928. Theper capita incomewas $13,207. About 12.5% of families and 26.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those aged 65 or over. The residents of Provo are predominantly members of the LDS Church. According to data taken in 2000 by theARDA, 88% of the overall population, and 98% of religious adherents in the Provo-Orem area are Latter-day Saints.According to a study in 2015, the Provo-Orem metro area is about as dissimilar to the rest of America as possible. Weighing factors such as race, housing, income, and education, the study ranked Provo-Orem 376th of 381 of the United States' largest cities in terms of resemblance to the country. Religion According to the breakdown for Utah County in 2010, most people (90.6%) were Christian, with Latter-day Saints constituting 88.7% of the population.Catholicsconstituted 1.3% andProtestantsconstituted 0.6%. Other religions constituted 0.3% of the population. 9.1% of the population did not adhere to any religion. Economy Local companies Provo has more than 100restaurants(with over 60 in the downtown area)and a couple ofshopping centers.The Shops At RiverwoodsandProvo Towne Centre, bothshopping malls, operate in Provo. Several small shops, music venues, and boutiques have popped up downtown, along Center Street and University Avenue. Downtown has also begun to host \\\"gallery strolls\\\" every first Friday of the month that features local artists. There are many dining establishments in and around downtown Provo. Five Provo companies are listed onInc.com's Inc. 5000list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The largest, DieCuts With a View, is ranked number 1403 and has revenues of $26.2 million.Other companies on the list are VitalSmarts (ranked 4109, with $41.4 million in revenue),and Connect Public Relations (ranked 3694, with $6.1 million in revenue).The global recreation and entertainment companyRyze Trampoline Parks, with locations throughout Asia, Europe and the U.S., is headquartered in Provo. Novell, the dominant personal computer networking company from the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s, was headquartered in Provo and occupied several buildings at the height of its success. It was eventually acquired byThe Attachmate Groupand then byMicro Focus, which still maintains facilities there. The Food & Care Coalition is a local organization providing services to the homeless and low-income citizens of Provo and Utah Counties. They also providevolunteeropportunities. International companies Top employers According to Provo's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,the top employers in the city were: Arts and culture Annual cultural events Every July, Provo hostsAmerica's Freedom Festival at Provowhich includes theStadium of Fireat BYU. It is held inLaVell Edwards Stadium, home to BYU'sNCAAfootballteam. The Independence Day festivities are popular among residents and have featured such notable figures asBob Hope,David Hasselhoff,Reba McEntire,Mandy Moore,Huey Lewis and the News,Toby Keith,Sean Hannity,Fred Willard, andTaylor Hicks.In 2015, the event included performances byJourneyandOlivia Holt, and was hosted by television personalityMontel Williams. Provo has two other large festivals each fall.Festival Latinoamericanois an annual family-oriented Labor Day weekend event in downtown Provo that offers the community a taste of the region'sHispanicculture through ethnic food, vendors, and performances. The city has hosted an annual LGBT Provo Pride Festival since 2013. Points of interest Covey Center for the Arts The Covey Center for the Arts,a performing arts center, is at 425 West Center Street. It features plays, ballets, art showcases, and musical performances throughout the year. The size of the building is a total of 42,000 square feet (3,902 m2). The main performance hall seats 670 people. Three dance studios are furnished with a piano, ballet bars, and mirrors. Another theater, the Brinton Black Box Theater, seats 60 for smaller, more intimate events. There are also two art galleries: the 1,620-square-foot (151 m2) Secured Gallery and the Eccles Gallery in the lower lobby. LDS Church MTC Provo is the location of the church's largest MTC. Each week approximately 475missionariesenter for 3–9 weeks of training before they depart for the mission field, becoming part of more than 58,000 in more than 120 countries. About 1,100 instructors (many of them returned missionaries) teach 62 languages. The MTC in Provo began construction in July 1974 and was completed in July 1976. The MTC was expanded in the early 1990s to become the largest of the 17 such centers than in the world.Additional construction was completed in 2017. Provo City Library at Academy Square TheProvo City Libraryis a public library that occupies the building of the former Brigham Young Academy, built-in 1892. The building was added to theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1976. Its collection contains over 277,000 media. The library is on University Avenue and 550 North. Provo Recreation Center With construction finished in 2013, the center provides a location for aquatic recreation next to the Provo Power plant. Provo Utah Temple The Provo Utah Temple is at the base of Rock Canyon in Provo. This temple has been among the busiest in the LDS Church due to its proximity to BYU and the MTC.The temple closed in February 2024, has been razed, and is currently being reconstructed. The temple, estimated for completion in 2027, will reopen as theProvo Utah Rock Canyon Temple. Provo City Center Temple Located at the corner of University Avenue and Center Street, the Provo City Center Temple serves as another temple for the Provo area's Latter-day Saint population. After a fire in 2010 destroyed the Provo Tabernacle,Thomas S. Monson, then LDS Churchpresident, announced the site would become the city's second temple.Renovations were finished and the temple was dedicated in March 2016. Utah Valley Convention Center The Utah Valley Convention Center opened in 2012.It has 83,578 square feet (7,764.7 m2) of combined meeting, pre-function and garden space. Other points of interest Government Federally, Provo is part ofUtah's 3rd congressional district, represented by RepublicanJohn Curtis, elected in 2017. City administration Provo is administered by a seven-membercity counciland a mayor. Five of the council seats are elected by individual city districts, and two of the seats are elected by the city as a whole. These elected officials serve four-year terms, with elections alternating every two years. Provo has aMayor–council government, which creates two separate but equal branches of government. The mayor is chief executive of the city and the council is the legislative and policy-making body of the city.The mayor isMichelle Kaufusi, who has been in office since December 5, 2017. Education Higher education BYU is a private university operated by the LDS Church. BYU is thethird-largest private university in the United States, with more than 34,000 students. It is the flagship of theChurch Educational System. On the campus is theSpencer W. Kimball Tower, the tallest building in Provo. Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionsis a private, for-profit university emphasizing graduate healthcare education. The Northwest Commission accredits the university of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). RMUoHP offers programs in nursing practice, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and health science. RMUoHP will be building Utah County's first new medical school. Provo Collegeis a private, for-profit educational institution specializing in career education. The school is accredited by theAccrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools(ACICS). Provo College offers associate degrees and diplomas in fields such as nursing, medical assisting, criminal justice, graphic design, and office administration. Primary and secondary education Almost all of Provo is within theProvo School District.The school board has seven members, each representing a different district of the city. There are thirteen elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high schools.Provo High Schoolwas the first school inUtah Countyto be an IB World school. The school has a record of 4A state basketball championships, more state champions than any other school in the state.Timpview High Schoolhas a record of 4A state football championships. A small section of the city lies withinAlpine School District. Infrastructure Transportation Interstate 15runs through western Provo, connecting it with the rest of the Wasatch Front and much of Utah.US-89runs northwest to southeast through the city as State Street, whileUS-189connects US-89 with I-15, BYU, and Orem to the north. At the north edge of the city, US-189 heads northeast intoProvo Canyon, where it connects withHeber. Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service toProvo station, operating itsCalifornia Zephyrdaily in both directions betweenChicago,Illinois, andEmeryville,California(in theSan Francisco Bay Area). Provo also can be accessed by Salt Lake Express intercity buses and the extensiveUtah Transit Authority(UTA) bus system. UTA'scommuter railservice, theFrontRunner, opened an extension to Provo from Salt Lake City on December 10, 2012.TheProvo Intermodal Center, adjacent to the Amtrak station, connects theFrontRunnerwith local bus routes, as well as Greyhound service. TheProvo Municipal Airportis Utah's second busiest airport regarding the number of aircraft take-offs and landings.Allegiant Airlineshas been based out of the airport since 2022. Notable people Provo is home to (or the hometown of) many well-known people, includingThe Osmonds(includingDonny,Marie, and theOsmond Brothers),LDS ChurchapostleDallin H. Oaks, and NFL and BYU quarterbackSteve Young.Goodwin Knight, who served as the 35th Governor of California (1947–1953), was born in Provo. The global economistDambisa Moyomoved to Provo following her marriage toQualtricsco-founder Jared Smith. Sister cities Provo has three sister cities designated bySister Cities International: See also References External links\",\n \"List of people from Provo, Utah This is alist of notable people fromProvo, Utah. This list includes notable individuals born and raised in Provo, those who currently live in Provo, and those who lived for a significant period in Provo. Notable people See also References\",\n \"Neon Trees Neon Treesare an Americanrockband fromProvo, Utah. The band received nationwide exposure in late 2008 when they opened several North American tour dates for the bandthe Killers.Not long after, the band was signed byMercury Records.Their first single, \\\"Animal\\\", climbed to No. 13 on theBillboardHot 100and No. 1 on theAlternative Songschart. Since their formation, Neon Trees has released five studio albums:Habits(2010),Picture Show(2012),Pop Psychology(2014),I Can Feel You Forgetting Me(2020), andSink Your Teeth(2024). The band has also released eight EPs (two exclusive toiTunes) and fourteen singles. History Formed initially by childhood friendsTyler Glenn(vocals,keyboards) and Chris Allen (guitar,vocals) who both grew up inMurrieta, California, the band made its first home in Provo after Glenn and Allen moved there from Southern California, eventually adding Branden Campbell (bass guitar, vocals) andElaine Bradley(drums,percussion, vocals) to the lineup.David Charles also plays with the band as touring guitarist. They first started playing under the name Neon Trees in late 2005 with five original members, Tyler Glenn and Chris Allen from California, and three veterans of the Utah music scene, bass player Mike Liechty, drummer Jason Gibbons and keyboardist Nathan Evans. The band's name originates from the lighted trees on theIn-N-Out Burgersigns, which inspired Tyler Glenn. In a strange coincidence, it was later learned that Branden Campbell's father, Steve Campbell, installed the exact Neon Trees in the In-N-Out that inspired Glenn while working for a sign company out of Las Vegas. They released an EP,Becoming Different People, in 2006 during the time of their first tour through California. The EP featured promising songs like \\\"Phones\\\", \\\"Sister Stereo\\\", \\\"Up Against the Glass\\\". They also recorded other unreleased tracks during the \\\"Treehouse Sessions\\\" in 2006. The band's lineup soon narrowed down to four members with Branden Campbell and Elaine Bradley joining the group on bass and drums, respectively. Touring musician Bruce Rubenson on keyboards and drums joined in. Shortly thereafter,The Killers' drummer,Ronnie Vannucci Jr., went to watch the band play at a small club in Las Vegas as he had been in a Ska band called \\\"Attaboy Skip\\\" with Neon Trees bassist Branden Campbell prior to joining The Killers. Ronnie was impressed, and as a result they were chosen to open for The Killers for a string of dates on their 2008 North American tour. Vannucci later helped the band sign to major labelMercury Records, which was announced in late 2008. Additionally, the group was voted Band of the Year in 2009 byCity Weekly, a popular Salt Lake City publication. 2010–11:Habitsand commercial breakthrough Although they had several prior independent releases, the band released its debut album on Mercury/Island Def Jam,Habits, on March 16, 2010.\\\"Animal\\\" was chosen as the lead singleand was shortly thereafter featured as the Free Single of the Week oniTunesin March 2010. They performed the song onJimmy Kimmel Live!on March 23, 2010,The Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon May 14, 2010,Lopez Tonighton October 18, 2010,Live! with Regis & Kellyon November 4, 2010, and TBS'Conanon November 24, 2010. They performed a second single1983onLate Night with Jimmy Fallonon January 13, 2011 and another stint onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon Jan 18, 2011. They performed third single \\\"Your Surrender\\\" onLate Show with David Lettermanon May 5, 2011 and a third appearance onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon Jun 10, 2011.Mark HoppusofBlink-182selected \\\"Animal\\\" as hisSpinmagazine Pick of the Week.The song has also been featured on a commercial for Las Vegas. The group has also released a digital EP of four remixes of the song, one of which by Tyler Glenn. In 2010, the band coveredJustin Bieber's song \\\"Baby\\\" as well asBen E. King's \\\"Stand By Me\\\".Throughout early 2010 the band, along withMutemathandStreet Drum Corps, opened for theThirty Seconds to MarstourInto the Wild. Subsequently, they headlined the Bang the Gong Tour withPaper Tongues,MeTalkPretty, andCivil Twilightin mid-2010, performed a set to 7,000 atLollapalooza, and went on tour with Thirty Seconds to Mars in the last half of the year. In November 2010, the band released a Christmas single called \\\"Wish List\\\". It was available for free oniTunesthe first week it was released.In November 2010, Tyler and Elaine appeared as Neon Trees onDaryl Hall's monthly Internet concert seriesLive from Daryl's House. They performed four songs fromHabits, including \\\"Animal\\\" and \\\"1983\\\", as well as theFleetwood Machit \\\"Dreams\\\" andHall & Oatessongs \\\"Head Above Water\\\" and \\\"Adult Education.\\\" Neon Trees released a live album,iTunes Live from SoHo, in November 2010 featuring eight live tracks: \\\"Calling My Name\\\", \\\"Animal\\\", \\\"Your Surrender\\\", \\\"Never Tear Us Apart\\\", \\\"In the Next Room\\\", \\\"1983\\\", \\\"Love and Affection\\\", and \\\"Sins of My Youth\\\". From March 31, 2011, to April 23, 2011, they also opened forMy Chemical Romanceduring the North American leg of theirWorld Contamination Tour.They opened a show forPanic! at the Discoin Central Park in September 2011.In September and October 2011, they opened forDuran Duranon the North American leg of the All You Need Is Now tour. The band's song \\\"Animal\\\" was also performed by the cast ofGleein the 15th episode of Season 2 entitled \\\"Sexy\\\". 2011–13:Picture Show On December 7, 2011, an article published byRolling Stone's website streamed the band's new song \\\"Everybody Talks\\\".On February 10, 2012, a video was posted on their official YouTube page, titled Neon Trees – Picture Show Teaser One / The New Album April 17, advertising their new album is to be released on April 17, 2012.In March 2012, Neon Trees and their single \\\"Everybody Talks\\\" were featured in a commercial for the 2012Buick Verano.The single was covered in episode five of season four ofGlee. Neon Trees' second studio albumPicture Showwas released on April 17, 2012.On June 28, 2012, Neon Trees was the opening act forthe Flaming Lipsconcert poolside at theHard Rock CasinoinBiloxi, Mississippias a part of theirGuinness World Recordfor the most concerts in different cities (eight) in a 24-hour period.On August 29, 2012, Neon Trees performed \\\"Everybody Talks\\\" on theAmerica's Got Talentlive results show.In early fall 2012, the band toured withThe OffspringandDead Sara.In 2013 they joinedMaroon 5in their world tour alongsideOwl City.In November/December 2013 they were a support act forTaylor Swift's three concerts in New Zealand and four concerts in Australia.The band was featured on NBC's coverage of the 2012 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They performed an abbreviated version of their single \\\"Everybody Talks\\\".The second single from the album is the track \\\"Lessons in Love (All Day, All Night)\\\" with the collaboration of American record producer and D.J.Kaskade. 2014–2017:Pop Psychology Neon Trees' third studio album,Pop Psychology, was released on April 22, 2014.The first single fromPop Psychology, titled \\\"Sleeping with a Friend\\\", was released for digital download. The band performed the single onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon January 22, 2014. \\\"Sleeping with a Friend\\\" was solicited to U.S.Contemporary hit radioby both Mercury andIsland Recordson February 25, 2014.Neon Trees later released four more singles following \\\"Sleeping with a Friend\\\". The singles are titled \\\"I Love You (But I Hate Your Friends)\\\", \\\"Voices In the Halls\\\", and \\\"First Things First\\\".\\\"First Things First\\\" is the end credit song for the 2016 Netflix Original seriesDirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. In 2015, the group announced the \\\"An Intimate Night With Neon Trees\\\" Tour. The tour ran from June 6, 2015, to July 26, 2015, finishing inBoston, Massachusetts, at the House Of Blues Boston. Opening acts includedAlex Winston, Yes You Are, Coin, andFictionist. On May 5, 2015, the band released a non-album single entitled \\\"Songs I Can't Listen To\\\"and an accompanying music video on June 3, 2015, featuringDustin Lance Black. On August 4, 2017, the band premiered a new single \\\"Feel Good\\\". 2019–2023:I Can Feel You Forgetting Me Neon Trees released \\\"Used to Like\\\", the lead single from their fourth album, on November 13, 2019.The second single, \\\"New Best Friend\\\" was released on May 20, 2020.On July 10, 2020, the band released the third single called \\\"Mess Me Up\\\".The fourth and final single, \\\"Nights\\\", was released on July 22, 2020.The album,I Can Feel You Forgetting Me, was released on July 24, 2020.In December 2021, they released a new single and video, \\\"Holiday Rock\\\". 2023-present:Sink Your Teeth Sink Your Teeth, the fifth studio album by Neon Trees, was released on September 20, 2024. There are 12 songs on the album. On June 30, 2023, the first and lead single of the album \\\"Favorite Daze\\\" was released. The second single, \\\"Losing My Head\\\", was released on September 15, 2023. Three more singles were released in early 2024 before the album; \\\"Bad Dreams\\\" (May 31), \\\"El Diablo\\\" (July 19), and \\\"Cruel Intentions\\\" (August 28) Musical style Neon Trees' musical style has been described aspop rock,new wave,synth-pop,indie rock,alternative rock,pop,andelectropop.When describing the band's sound, Heather Phares ofAllMusicwrote \\\"Neon Trees blend new wave,dance, and indie into smart, catchy pop.\\\"Sputnikmusic described the band's debut studio albumHabitsas a \\\"refreshing blast of timelessrockenergy and spirit that wouldn’t sound out of place at any point from ‘60sgarage-rockto 2010dance rock.\\\" Band members Current members Former members Touring musicians Timeline Discography Awards and nominations APRA Music Awards BMI Pop Awards Billboard Music Awards International Dance Music Awards MTV Europe Music Awards World Music Awards References External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Show_(album\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Utah County, Utah Utah Countyis the second-most populouscountyin theU.S. stateofUtah. Thecounty seatand largest city isProvo,which is the state's fourth-largest city, and the largest outside ofSalt Lake County. As of the2020 United States Census, the population was 665,665. Utah County is one oftwocounties forming the Provo–Oremmetropolitan statistical area, and is part of the largerSalt Lake City–Provo–Orem, UTCombined Statistical Area. In 2020, the center of population of Utah was in Utah County, in the city ofSaratoga Springs. Utah County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, ranking among the top ten counties in numerical growth.Correspondingly, Provo–Orem is among the top eight metropolitan areas by percentage growth in the country. Utah County is one of seven counties in the United States to have the same name as its state. The other six counties areArkansas County,Hawaii County,Idaho County,Iowa County,Oklahoma CountyandNew York County(commonly known as Manhattan). History The","History The legislature of theState of Deseretcreated a county on January 31, 1850,to govern the civic affairs ofUtah Valley, which by the 1850s was bustling with newly arrived settlers. The county name is derived from the valley name, which is derived from the Spanish name (Yuta) for theUteIndians. The State of Deseret dissolved soon after (April 5, 1851), but the counties it had set in place continued. There is little record of any official activity conducted by the fledgling county until April 18, 1852, when a full slate of county officials was published, and recordkeeping began. The first courthouse was built in central Provo in 1866–67. It was soon outgrown and was replaced by a second courthouse (1872–73). By the 1920s, this building was also cramped, and the decision was made to erect a combined city-county building, which was completed in 1926. The county's boundaries were adjusted in 1852, 1854, 1856, 1862, 1880, and 1884. It has retained its present boundary since 1884. Geography Utah County","Utah County terrain ranges from stiff mountain ranges in the east (theWasatch Range), dropping steeply to a large lake-filled valley. Most of the comparatively level ground is dedicated to agriculture or developed uses, while most of the steep terrain is covered with arid-climate forestation.The county generally slopes to the west and north, with its highest point (the northern peak of the twin-peakedMt. Neboin the southern part of the county), at 11,928 ft (3,636 m) ASL.The county has an area of 2,144 square miles (5,550 km2), of which 2,003 square miles (5,190 km2) is land and 141 square miles (370 km2) (6.6%) is water. Utah Valleylies at the center of the county, lined by the mountains of theWasatch Rangeon the east.Utah Lakeoccupies a large part of the valley. The elevation ranges from 4,487 feet (1,368 m) above sea level at the lake to 11,928 feet (3,636 m) at the peak ofMount Nebo. Major highways Source: Protected areas Source: Lakes Source: Demographics 1The 2000 census was the first to allow","the first to allow residents to select multiple race categories. Prior to 2000, the census used the category 'Other Race' as a catch-all identifier. For county-level census data in 1950 and 1900, Utah counted all non-White and non-Black residents using this category. 'Other races' formed 1.4% of Utah County's population in 1990, 0.43% in 1950, and 0.07% in 1900. 2020 census As of the2020 United States Census, there were 659,399 people and 171,899 households in the county. The population density was 329.12 people per square mile (127.07 people/km2). There were 192,570 housing units, at an average density of 96.12 units per square mile (37.11 units/km2). The county's racial makeup was 89.4%White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 4.6% some other race, and 2.7% from two or more races. 10.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 140,602 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the","children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were headed by married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.7% were non-families. Of all households, 11.6% were made up of individuals, and 4.4% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.57, and the average family size was 3.88. The county's population was spread out, with 35.2% under the age of 18, 15.8% from 18 to 24, 28% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males. At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $45,833, and the median income for a family was $50,196. Males had a median income of $37,878 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,557. About 6.80% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty","below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 4.80% of those age 65 or over. 1Due to respondents reporting multiple ethnicities, percentages may add up to greater than 100%. Religion 2000 census As of the2000 United States Census, there were 516,564 people, 140,602 households, and 114,350 families in the county. The population density was 258 people per square mile (100 people/km2). There were 148,350 housing units, at an average density of 74.1 units per square mile (28.6 units/km2). The county's racial makeup was 89.4%White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 4.6% some other race, and 2.7% from two or more races. 10.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 140,602 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were headed by married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.7%","present, and 18.7% were non-families. Of all households, 11.6% were made up of individuals, and 4.4% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.57, and the average family size was 3.88. The county's population was spread out, with 35.2% under the age of 18, 15.8% from 18 to 24, 28% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males. At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $45,833, and the median income for a family was $50,196. Males had a median income of $37,878 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,557. About 6.80% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 4.80% of those age 65 or over. In 2005, the five most reported ancestries in Utah County were:","Utah County were: Government The government is a three-member electedcounty commissionelected at-large. Other elected officials include the countysheriff, thecounty clerk, county recorder, county assessor, county surveyor, county treasurer, and thecounty attorney. The current county attorney is Jeff Gray. In 2020, Utah County voters rejected Proposition 9, which would have changed the county's government to a five-member elected county council with an elected county mayor. The first sheriff of the county was John T. Willis, who was succeeded byWilliam Madison Wall. Alexander Williams served duringJohn Cradlebaugh's court in 1859. He was succeeded by Eli Whipple, who resigned in 1861 and was replaced by Russell Kelly.In 2020, Sheriff Mike Smith publicly stated he would not enforceCOVID-19 face mask mandates. The Utah County Fire Department provides emergency response to all unincorporated areas within Utah County and works with all the incorporated cities within the county plus all Utah state and federal","state and federal lands. The department is primarily awildland firesresponse andurban interspaceservice with some structure fire andHAZMATabatement capability. Politics Utah County has been referred to as \"the most Republican county in the most Republican state in the United States\".It has only voted for a Democratic president nine times since statehood, and has not supported a Democrat for president since 1964. In the1992 presidential election,George H. W. Bushreceived the most votes andBill Clintonwas third in votes received. In the2004 presidential election, 85.99% voted forGeorge W. Bush.In the2008 U.S. presidential election, the county voted forJohn McCainby a 58.9% margin overBarack Obama, compared to McCain winning by 28.1% statewide.Eight other Utah counties voted more strongly in favor of McCain.In the2012 election,Mitt Romneyreceived 88.32% of the vote. In the2016 election, it gave a slim majority of the vote toDonald Trump, and nearly 30% of the vote to independent candidateEvan McMullin, who","McMullin, who outperformedHillary Clintonin the county. This was McMullin's largest share of the vote in any county in Utah and his second best nationwide afterMadison County, Idaho. In 2020,Joe Bidenreceived over 75,000 votes - the Democrats had never previously received more than 30,000 votes in the county. Until2013, Utah County was represented entirely by one congressional district. Currently, the county is split between two congressional districts. Most of the county's population is in the3rd District, represented by RepublicanJohn Curtis, former Provo Mayor. Much of the county's area however, including Utah Lake, resides in the4th Districtcurrently represented by RepublicanBurgess Owens. The county's Republican bent runs right through state and local politics. All five state senators representing the county, as well as all 14 state representatives,are Republicans. Social issues Utah County saw high rates of opioid and other prescription drug addiction from the mid-2000s onwards, foreshadowing the","foreshadowing the nationalopioid crisis. The 2008 documentaryHappy Valleyexamined the problem. Giving USA, which reports on charitable giving in the US, named Utah County as one of the three most generous counties in philanthropic donations, alongsideSan Juan County, UtahandMadison County, Idaho. In 2019, one in eight people and one in six children in the countydid not have sufficient food. Infrastructure Much of Utah's transportation infrastructure was built to support automobiles. Prior to the 1950s, Utah County relied on theU.S. Highway Systemfor local transportation. WhenI-15was built in 1956 (parallel toHighway 89), it became the dominant transportation vein in the state. The I-15 CORE project added multiple lanes on I-15 through most of Utah County. This expanded 24 miles (39 km) of freeway and was completed in 2012.Other construction projects by UDOT have been done on I-15 since then, including the Technology Corridor project and the Point of the Mountain project.However, the highway system retains","system retains its significance in Utah County due to the mountainous terrain.Highway 6is the closest major road connecting Colorado to the Wasatch Front, running through Spanish Fork Canyon before converging with I-15 in the city of Spanish Fork. Portions of Highway 89 have become prominent local roads known collectively as 'State Street'.Highway 189is known as 'University Avenue' in the city of Provo, and runs throughProvo CanyonintoHeberin neighboringWasatch County. Utah County has seen significant growth in public transportation over the past 15 years, owing in part to the county's large student population of more than 70,000 commuting to-and-fromBrigham Young University(BYU) in Provo andUtah Valley University(UVU) in Orem. The two cities jointly operateUVX, abus rapid transitsystem, as part of their city bus routes. Provo also serves as the southernmost terminus of theFrontRunner, Utah's intrastate commuter rail service.The Provo FrontRunner station is located on South University Avenue, directly","Avenue, directly southwest of Amtrak's Provo Station—which is Utah's third westbound stop, after Green River and Helper, for the California Zephyr Amtrak route. In addition to Provo, The FrontRunner currently has three stops in the county. The Orem FrontRunner station is located on the west side of I-15, served by a pedestrian bridge over the freeway that connects the UVU campus directly to the station. An additional stop inVineyard, Utahwas completed in August 2022.Utah County also operates the American Fork FrontRunner Station and the Lehi FrontRunner Station located nearThanksgiving Point. From Lehi, the FrontRunner leaves Utah County and entersSalt Lake County. Education School districts School dstricts include: Colleges and universities Four-year institutions Two-year institutions Communities Cities Towns Census-designated places Unincorporated communities Former communities See also References Further reading External links","Provo, Utah Provo(/ˈproʊvoʊ/PROH-voh) is a city in and thecounty seatofUtah County, Utah, United States. It is 43 miles (69 km) south ofSalt Lake Cityalong theWasatch Front, and lies between the cities ofOremto the north andSpringvilleto the south. With a population at the2020 censusof 115,162,Provo is thefourth-largest cityin Utah and the principal city in theProvo-Orem metropolitan area, which had a population of 526,810 at the 2010 census.It is Utah's second-largestmetropolitan areaafterSalt Lake City. Provo is the home toBrigham Young University(BYU),a private higher education institution operated bythe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints(LDS Church). Provo also has the LDS Church's largestMissionary Training Center(MTC). The city is a focus area for technology development in Utah, with several billion-dollarstartups.The city'sPeaks Ice Arenawas a venue for the Salt Lake CityWinter Olympics in 2002. History The Provo area was originally called Timpanogas, aNumic(Ute people) word perhaps meaning","perhaps meaning \"rock river\".The area was inhabited by theTimpanogos.It was the largest and most settled area in modern-day Utah.The ample food from the Provo River made the Timpanogos a peaceful people.The area also served as the traditional meeting place for theUteandShoshonetribes and was used as a common location for worship of their creator deity. FatherSilvestre Vélez de Escalante, a SpanishFranciscanmissionary-explorer, is considered the first European explorer to have visited the area in 1776. He was guided by two Timpanogos Utes, whom he called Silvestre and Joaquín.Escalante chronicled this first European exploration across theGreat Basin Desert. The Europeans did not build a permanent settlement but traded with the Timpanogos, whom they called Lagunas (lake people) or Come Pescado (fish eaters). In 1847, theMormon pioneersarrived in theSalt Lake Valley, which was just north ofTimpanogos Mountain. At first, the Natives were friendly with the Mormons. But, as relations deteriorated with the Shoshoni","with the Shoshoni and Utes because of disputes over land and cattle, tensions rose. Because of the reported stolen goods of settlers by the Utes, Brigham Young gave small militia orders \"to take such measures as would put a final end to their depredations in future.\" This ended in what is known as theBattle Creek massacre, in modern-dayPleasant Grove, Utah. The Mormons continued pushing into Timpanog lands. In 1849, 33Mormonfamilies from Salt Lake City establishedFort Utah. In 1850, Brigham Young sent an army from Salt Lake to drive out the Timpanogos in what is called theProvo War.Escalating tensions with the Timpanog contributed to theWalker War.Fort Utah was renamed Provo in 1850 forÉtienne Provost,an earlyFrench-Canadiantrapper who arrived in the region in 1825. In 1850, the first schoolhouse was constructed in Provo, built within Utah Fort. As moreLatter-day Saintsarrived, Provo quickly grew as a city. It soon was nicknamedThe Garden Citywith a large number of fruit orchards and gardens there. In 1872,","there. In 1872, a railroad reached Provo. It was also this year that the Provo Woolen Mills opened. They were the first large factory in Provo and employed about 150 people, initially mainly skilled textile laborers who had emigrated from Britain. Geography Provo lies on the eastern bank ofUtah LakeinUtah Valleyat an elevation of 4,549 feet (1,387 m). According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 44.2 square miles (114.4 km2), of which 41.7 square miles (107.9 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2), or 5.66%, is water. TheWasatch Rangecontains many peaks withinUtah Countyalong the east side of theWasatch Front. One of them, known asY Mountain, towers over the city. There is a largehillside letterYmade of whitewashed concrete halfway up the steep mountain, built in the early part of the 20th century to commemorate BYU (original plans included construction use of all three letters). Wild deer (and less frequently,cougars, andmoose) still roam the mountains (and occasionally the city","the city streets). The geography allows for hiking,skiing,fishingand other outdoor activities. Climate Provo's climate can be classified as either ahot-summer Mediterranean climateclassification (Köppen:Csa) or as acool semi-arid climate(Köppen:BSk). Overall, annual rainfall at the location of BYU is around 17.23 inches (440 mm); however, the western part of the metropolitan area near Orem is substantially drier, receiving only around 13.5 inches (340 mm) of precipitation and consequently has acool semi-arid climate(Köppen:BSk).The wettest calendar year in Provo has been 1983 with 37.54 inches (953.5 mm) and the driest 2020 with 7.28 inches (184.9 mm). Winters are cold with substantial snowfall averaging 57.2 inches (145 cm) and a record monthly total of 66.0 inches (168 cm) in January 1918, during which the record snow cover of 34 inches (86 cm) was recorded on the 17th. Seasonal snowfall has ranged from 127.5 inches (324 cm) in 1983–84 to 10.1 inches (26 cm) in 2014–15. Very cold weather may occur when","may occur when cold air from over theContinental Divideinvades the region: although only four mornings fall to or below 0 °F or −17.8 °C during an average winter and this temperature was not reached at all between 1999 and 2006, during the very cold January 1917 (average temperature 14.9 °F; −9.5 °C), seventeen mornings fell this cold.By contrast, in several recent winters like 1994–95, 1995–96, 1999–2000, 2004–05, and 2005–06, averages have been above freezing every month. Temperatures warm rapidly during the spring, with the first afternoon over 70 °F (21.1 °C) on March 21, the last freeze expected on April 29, and the first temperature equal to or hotter than 90 °F (32.2 °C) on May 30. Rainfall is not infrequent during the spring: over 5.10 inches (130 mm) was recorded in the Mays of 1995 and 2011, and a total of 12.29 inches (312.2 mm) fell during the four-month span of March to June 2005 – in contrast as little as 2.04 inches (51.8 mm) fell in the same months of 2012. Being too far north to gain any","north to gain any influence fromthe monsoonexcept in rare cases like the 4.38 inches (111.3 mm) of rainfall of August 1983, Provo's summers are hot and dry, though relatively short – no maxima above 100 °F (37.8 °C) have been recorded outside the range of June 7 to August 27. Monthly maxima average over 91 °F (32.8 °C) in July and August, and precipitation averages under one inch per month with a two-month total in 2016 as low as 0.06 inches (1.5 mm). The hottest month on record is July 2003 with a mean of 81.8 °F (27.7 °C), and a mean maximum of 99.0 °F (37.2 °C). The hottest temperature on record is 108 °F (42.2 °C) on July 13, 2002. The fall season sees steady cooling and a transition to winter weather, with rare influences of rain systems from further south, as in the record wet month of September 1982, which saw 6.53 inches (165.9 mm) of total precipitation, including 4.15 inches (105.4 mm) over the last six days from a storm moving in from Arizona. The last maximum of 90 °F (32.2 °C) can be expected","°C) can be expected around September 10, and the first morning below freezing on October 14. Demographics 2020 census 2010 census At the2010 census,112,488 people, 31,524 households and 21,166 families resided in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 2,697.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,041.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84.8%White, 0.7%Black or African American, 0.8%American Indian, 2.5%Asian, 1.1%Pacific Islander, 6.6% fromother races, and 3.4% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoresidents of any race were 15.2% of the population. There were 31,524 households, of which 34.8% had children under 18 living with them, 55.4% weremarried couplesliving together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of a single individual, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.24, and the average family size was 3.41. In the city, 22.3% of residents were under 18, 36.4%","under 18, 36.4% were from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 10.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 96.4 males. 2000 census At the2000 census,105,166 people, 29,192 households and 19,938 families resided in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 2,653.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,024.4/km2). There were 30,374 housing units at an average density of 766.3/sq mi (295.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.52%White, 0.46%Black or African American, 0.80%American Indian, 1.83%Asian, 0.84%Pacific Islander, 5.10% fromother races, and 2.44% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoresidents of any race were 10.47% of the population. There were 29,192 households, of which 33.8% had children under 18 living with them, 57.0% weremarried couplesliving together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 11.8% of all households were","all households were made up of a single individual, and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.34, and the average family size was 3.40. In the city, 22.3% of residents were under 18, 40.2% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 8.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.7% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.3 males. Themedian household incomewas $34,313, and the median family income was $36,393. Males had a median income of $32,010 and females $20,928. Theper capita incomewas $13,207. About 12.5% of families and 26.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those aged 65 or over. The residents of Provo are predominantly members of the LDS Church. According to data taken in 2000 by theARDA, 88% of the overall population, and 98% of religious adherents in the Provo-Orem area are Latter-day","area are Latter-day Saints.According to a study in 2015, the Provo-Orem metro area is about as dissimilar to the rest of America as possible. Weighing factors such as race, housing, income, and education, the study ranked Provo-Orem 376th of 381 of the United States' largest cities in terms of resemblance to the country. Religion According to the breakdown for Utah County in 2010, most people (90.6%) were Christian, with Latter-day Saints constituting 88.7% of the population.Catholicsconstituted 1.3% andProtestantsconstituted 0.6%. Other religions constituted 0.3% of the population. 9.1% of the population did not adhere to any religion. Economy Local companies Provo has more than 100restaurants(with over 60 in the downtown area)and a couple ofshopping centers.The Shops At RiverwoodsandProvo Towne Centre, bothshopping malls, operate in Provo. Several small shops, music venues, and boutiques have popped up downtown, along Center Street and University Avenue. Downtown has also begun to host \"gallery strolls\"","\"gallery strolls\" every first Friday of the month that features local artists. There are many dining establishments in and around downtown Provo. Five Provo companies are listed onInc.com's Inc. 5000list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The largest, DieCuts With a View, is ranked number 1403 and has revenues of $26.2 million.Other companies on the list are VitalSmarts (ranked 4109, with $41.4 million in revenue),and Connect Public Relations (ranked 3694, with $6.1 million in revenue).The global recreation and entertainment companyRyze Trampoline Parks, with locations throughout Asia, Europe and the U.S., is headquartered in Provo. Novell, the dominant personal computer networking company from the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s, was headquartered in Provo and occupied several buildings at the height of its success. It was eventually acquired byThe Attachmate Groupand then byMicro Focus, which still maintains facilities there. The Food & Care Coalition is a local organization","local organization providing services to the homeless and low-income citizens of Provo and Utah Counties. They also providevolunteeropportunities. International companies Top employers According to Provo's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,the top employers in the city were: Arts and culture Annual cultural events Every July, Provo hostsAmerica's Freedom Festival at Provowhich includes theStadium of Fireat BYU. It is held inLaVell Edwards Stadium, home to BYU'sNCAAfootballteam. The Independence Day festivities are popular among residents and have featured such notable figures asBob Hope,David Hasselhoff,Reba McEntire,Mandy Moore,Huey Lewis and the News,Toby Keith,Sean Hannity,Fred Willard, andTaylor Hicks.In 2015, the event included performances byJourneyandOlivia Holt, and was hosted by television personalityMontel Williams. Provo has two other large festivals each fall.Festival Latinoamericanois an annual family-oriented Labor Day weekend event in downtown Provo that offers the community a taste","community a taste of the region'sHispanicculture through ethnic food, vendors, and performances. The city has hosted an annual LGBT Provo Pride Festival since 2013. Points of interest Covey Center for the Arts The Covey Center for the Arts,a performing arts center, is at 425 West Center Street. It features plays, ballets, art showcases, and musical performances throughout the year. The size of the building is a total of 42,000 square feet (3,902 m2). The main performance hall seats 670 people. Three dance studios are furnished with a piano, ballet bars, and mirrors. Another theater, the Brinton Black Box Theater, seats 60 for smaller, more intimate events. There are also two art galleries: the 1,620-square-foot (151 m2) Secured Gallery and the Eccles Gallery in the lower lobby. LDS Church MTC Provo is the location of the church's largest MTC. Each week approximately 475missionariesenter for 3–9 weeks of training before they depart for the mission field, becoming part of more than 58,000 in more than 120","in more than 120 countries. About 1,100 instructors (many of them returned missionaries) teach 62 languages. The MTC in Provo began construction in July 1974 and was completed in July 1976. The MTC was expanded in the early 1990s to become the largest of the 17 such centers than in the world.Additional construction was completed in 2017. Provo City Library at Academy Square TheProvo City Libraryis a public library that occupies the building of the former Brigham Young Academy, built-in 1892. The building was added to theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1976. Its collection contains over 277,000 media. The library is on University Avenue and 550 North. Provo Recreation Center With construction finished in 2013, the center provides a location for aquatic recreation next to the Provo Power plant. Provo Utah Temple The Provo Utah Temple is at the base of Rock Canyon in Provo. This temple has been among the busiest in the LDS Church due to its proximity to BYU and the MTC.The temple closed in February 2024,","in February 2024, has been razed, and is currently being reconstructed. The temple, estimated for completion in 2027, will reopen as theProvo Utah Rock Canyon Temple. Provo City Center Temple Located at the corner of University Avenue and Center Street, the Provo City Center Temple serves as another temple for the Provo area's Latter-day Saint population. After a fire in 2010 destroyed the Provo Tabernacle,Thomas S. Monson, then LDS Churchpresident, announced the site would become the city's second temple.Renovations were finished and the temple was dedicated in March 2016. Utah Valley Convention Center The Utah Valley Convention Center opened in 2012.It has 83,578 square feet (7,764.7 m2) of combined meeting, pre-function and garden space. Other points of interest Government Federally, Provo is part ofUtah's 3rd congressional district, represented by RepublicanJohn Curtis, elected in 2017. City administration Provo is administered by a seven-membercity counciland a mayor. Five of the council seats are","council seats are elected by individual city districts, and two of the seats are elected by the city as a whole. These elected officials serve four-year terms, with elections alternating every two years. Provo has aMayor–council government, which creates two separate but equal branches of government. The mayor is chief executive of the city and the council is the legislative and policy-making body of the city.The mayor isMichelle Kaufusi, who has been in office since December 5, 2017. Education Higher education BYU is a private university operated by the LDS Church. BYU is thethird-largest private university in the United States, with more than 34,000 students. It is the flagship of theChurch Educational System. On the campus is theSpencer W. Kimball Tower, the tallest building in Provo. Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionsis a private, for-profit university emphasizing graduate healthcare education. The Northwest Commission accredits the university of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). RMUoHP","(NWCCU). RMUoHP offers programs in nursing practice, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and health science. RMUoHP will be building Utah County's first new medical school. Provo Collegeis a private, for-profit educational institution specializing in career education. The school is accredited by theAccrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools(ACICS). Provo College offers associate degrees and diplomas in fields such as nursing, medical assisting, criminal justice, graphic design, and office administration. Primary and secondary education Almost all of Provo is within theProvo School District.The school board has seven members, each representing a different district of the city. There are thirteen elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high schools.Provo High Schoolwas the first school inUtah Countyto be an IB World school. The school has a record of 4A state basketball championships, more state champions than any other school in the state.Timpview High Schoolhas a record of 4A","a record of 4A state football championships. A small section of the city lies withinAlpine School District. Infrastructure Transportation Interstate 15runs through western Provo, connecting it with the rest of the Wasatch Front and much of Utah.US-89runs northwest to southeast through the city as State Street, whileUS-189connects US-89 with I-15, BYU, and Orem to the north. At the north edge of the city, US-189 heads northeast intoProvo Canyon, where it connects withHeber. Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service toProvo station, operating itsCalifornia Zephyrdaily in both directions betweenChicago,Illinois, andEmeryville,California(in theSan Francisco Bay Area). Provo also can be accessed by Salt Lake Express intercity buses and the extensiveUtah Transit Authority(UTA) bus system. UTA'scommuter railservice, theFrontRunner, opened an extension to Provo from Salt Lake City on December 10, 2012.TheProvo Intermodal Center, adjacent to the Amtrak station, connects theFrontRunnerwith local bus","local bus routes, as well as Greyhound service. TheProvo Municipal Airportis Utah's second busiest airport regarding the number of aircraft take-offs and landings.Allegiant Airlineshas been based out of the airport since 2022. Notable people Provo is home to (or the hometown of) many well-known people, includingThe Osmonds(includingDonny,Marie, and theOsmond Brothers),LDS ChurchapostleDallin H. Oaks, and NFL and BYU quarterbackSteve Young.Goodwin Knight, who served as the 35th Governor of California (1947–1953), was born in Provo. The global economistDambisa Moyomoved to Provo following her marriage toQualtricsco-founder Jared Smith. Sister cities Provo has three sister cities designated bySister Cities International: See also References External links","List of people from Provo, Utah This is alist of notable people fromProvo, Utah. This list includes notable individuals born and raised in Provo, those who currently live in Provo, and those who lived for a significant period in Provo. Notable people See also References","Neon Trees Neon Treesare an Americanrockband fromProvo, Utah. The band received nationwide exposure in late 2008 when they opened several North American tour dates for the bandthe Killers.Not long after, the band was signed byMercury Records.Their first single, \"Animal\", climbed to No. 13 on theBillboardHot 100and No. 1 on theAlternative Songschart. Since their formation, Neon Trees has released five studio albums:Habits(2010),Picture Show(2012),Pop Psychology(2014),I Can Feel You Forgetting Me(2020), andSink Your Teeth(2024). The band has also released eight EPs (two exclusive toiTunes) and fourteen singles. History Formed initially by childhood friendsTyler Glenn(vocals,keyboards) and Chris Allen (guitar,vocals) who both grew up inMurrieta, California, the band made its first home in Provo after Glenn and Allen moved there from Southern California, eventually adding Branden Campbell (bass guitar, vocals) andElaine Bradley(drums,percussion, vocals) to the lineup.David Charles also plays with the band as","with the band as touring guitarist. They first started playing under the name Neon Trees in late 2005 with five original members, Tyler Glenn and Chris Allen from California, and three veterans of the Utah music scene, bass player Mike Liechty, drummer Jason Gibbons and keyboardist Nathan Evans. The band's name originates from the lighted trees on theIn-N-Out Burgersigns, which inspired Tyler Glenn. In a strange coincidence, it was later learned that Branden Campbell's father, Steve Campbell, installed the exact Neon Trees in the In-N-Out that inspired Glenn while working for a sign company out of Las Vegas. They released an EP,Becoming Different People, in 2006 during the time of their first tour through California. The EP featured promising songs like \"Phones\", \"Sister Stereo\", \"Up Against the Glass\". They also recorded other unreleased tracks during the \"Treehouse Sessions\" in 2006. The band's lineup soon narrowed down to four members with Branden Campbell and Elaine Bradley joining the group on bass and","group on bass and drums, respectively. Touring musician Bruce Rubenson on keyboards and drums joined in. Shortly thereafter,The Killers' drummer,Ronnie Vannucci Jr., went to watch the band play at a small club in Las Vegas as he had been in a Ska band called \"Attaboy Skip\" with Neon Trees bassist Branden Campbell prior to joining The Killers. Ronnie was impressed, and as a result they were chosen to open for The Killers for a string of dates on their 2008 North American tour. Vannucci later helped the band sign to major labelMercury Records, which was announced in late 2008. Additionally, the group was voted Band of the Year in 2009 byCity Weekly, a popular Salt Lake City publication. 2010–11:Habitsand commercial breakthrough Although they had several prior independent releases, the band released its debut album on Mercury/Island Def Jam,Habits, on March 16, 2010.\"Animal\" was chosen as the lead singleand was shortly thereafter featured as the Free Single of the Week oniTunesin March 2010. They performed the","They performed the song onJimmy Kimmel Live!on March 23, 2010,The Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon May 14, 2010,Lopez Tonighton October 18, 2010,Live! with Regis & Kellyon November 4, 2010, and TBS'Conanon November 24, 2010. They performed a second single1983onLate Night with Jimmy Fallonon January 13, 2011 and another stint onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon Jan 18, 2011. They performed third single \"Your Surrender\" onLate Show with David Lettermanon May 5, 2011 and a third appearance onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon Jun 10, 2011.Mark HoppusofBlink-182selected \"Animal\" as hisSpinmagazine Pick of the Week.The song has also been featured on a commercial for Las Vegas. The group has also released a digital EP of four remixes of the song, one of which by Tyler Glenn. In 2010, the band coveredJustin Bieber's song \"Baby\" as well asBen E. King's \"Stand By Me\".Throughout early 2010 the band, along withMutemathandStreet Drum Corps, opened for theThirty Seconds to MarstourInto the Wild. Subsequently, they headlined the","they headlined the Bang the Gong Tour withPaper Tongues,MeTalkPretty, andCivil Twilightin mid-2010, performed a set to 7,000 atLollapalooza, and went on tour with Thirty Seconds to Mars in the last half of the year. In November 2010, the band released a Christmas single called \"Wish List\". It was available for free oniTunesthe first week it was released.In November 2010, Tyler and Elaine appeared as Neon Trees onDaryl Hall's monthly Internet concert seriesLive from Daryl's House. They performed four songs fromHabits, including \"Animal\" and \"1983\", as well as theFleetwood Machit \"Dreams\" andHall & Oatessongs \"Head Above Water\" and \"Adult Education.\" Neon Trees released a live album,iTunes Live from SoHo, in November 2010 featuring eight live tracks: \"Calling My Name\", \"Animal\", \"Your Surrender\", \"Never Tear Us Apart\", \"In the Next Room\", \"1983\", \"Love and Affection\", and \"Sins of My Youth\". From March 31, 2011, to April 23, 2011, they also opened forMy Chemical Romanceduring the North American leg of","American leg of theirWorld Contamination Tour.They opened a show forPanic! at the Discoin Central Park in September 2011.In September and October 2011, they opened forDuran Duranon the North American leg of the All You Need Is Now tour. The band's song \"Animal\" was also performed by the cast ofGleein the 15th episode of Season 2 entitled \"Sexy\". 2011–13:Picture Show On December 7, 2011, an article published byRolling Stone's website streamed the band's new song \"Everybody Talks\".On February 10, 2012, a video was posted on their official YouTube page, titled Neon Trees – Picture Show Teaser One / The New Album April 17, advertising their new album is to be released on April 17, 2012.In March 2012, Neon Trees and their single \"Everybody Talks\" were featured in a commercial for the 2012Buick Verano.The single was covered in episode five of season four ofGlee. Neon Trees' second studio albumPicture Showwas released on April 17, 2012.On June 28, 2012, Neon Trees was the opening act forthe Flaming Lipsconcert","Flaming Lipsconcert poolside at theHard Rock CasinoinBiloxi, Mississippias a part of theirGuinness World Recordfor the most concerts in different cities (eight) in a 24-hour period.On August 29, 2012, Neon Trees performed \"Everybody Talks\" on theAmerica's Got Talentlive results show.In early fall 2012, the band toured withThe OffspringandDead Sara.In 2013 they joinedMaroon 5in their world tour alongsideOwl City.In November/December 2013 they were a support act forTaylor Swift's three concerts in New Zealand and four concerts in Australia.The band was featured on NBC's coverage of the 2012 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They performed an abbreviated version of their single \"Everybody Talks\".The second single from the album is the track \"Lessons in Love (All Day, All Night)\" with the collaboration of American record producer and D.J.Kaskade. 2014–2017:Pop Psychology Neon Trees' third studio album,Pop Psychology, was released on April 22, 2014.The first single fromPop Psychology, titled \"Sleeping with a","\"Sleeping with a Friend\", was released for digital download. The band performed the single onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon January 22, 2014. \"Sleeping with a Friend\" was solicited to U.S.Contemporary hit radioby both Mercury andIsland Recordson February 25, 2014.Neon Trees later released four more singles following \"Sleeping with a Friend\". The singles are titled \"I Love You (But I Hate Your Friends)\", \"Voices In the Halls\", and \"First Things First\".\"First Things First\" is the end credit song for the 2016 Netflix Original seriesDirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. In 2015, the group announced the \"An Intimate Night With Neon Trees\" Tour. The tour ran from June 6, 2015, to July 26, 2015, finishing inBoston, Massachusetts, at the House Of Blues Boston. Opening acts includedAlex Winston, Yes You Are, Coin, andFictionist. On May 5, 2015, the band released a non-album single entitled \"Songs I Can't Listen To\"and an accompanying music video on June 3, 2015, featuringDustin Lance Black. On August 4, 2017,","On August 4, 2017, the band premiered a new single \"Feel Good\". 2019–2023:I Can Feel You Forgetting Me Neon Trees released \"Used to Like\", the lead single from their fourth album, on November 13, 2019.The second single, \"New Best Friend\" was released on May 20, 2020.On July 10, 2020, the band released the third single called \"Mess Me Up\".The fourth and final single, \"Nights\", was released on July 22, 2020.The album,I Can Feel You Forgetting Me, was released on July 24, 2020.In December 2021, they released a new single and video, \"Holiday Rock\". 2023-present:Sink Your Teeth Sink Your Teeth, the fifth studio album by Neon Trees, was released on September 20, 2024. There are 12 songs on the album. On June 30, 2023, the first and lead single of the album \"Favorite Daze\" was released. The second single, \"Losing My Head\", was released on September 15, 2023. Three more singles were released in early 2024 before the album; \"Bad Dreams\" (May 31), \"El Diablo\" (July 19), and \"Cruel Intentions\" (August 28) Musical style","28) Musical style Neon Trees' musical style has been described aspop rock,new wave,synth-pop,indie rock,alternative rock,pop,andelectropop.When describing the band's sound, Heather Phares ofAllMusicwrote \"Neon Trees blend new wave,dance, and indie into smart, catchy pop.\"Sputnikmusic described the band's debut studio albumHabitsas a \"refreshing blast of timelessrockenergy and spirit that wouldn’t sound out of place at any point from ‘60sgarage-rockto 2010dance rock.\" Band members Current members Former members Touring musicians Timeline Discography Awards and nominations APRA Music Awards BMI Pop Awards Billboard Music Awards International Dance Music Awards MTV Europe Music Awards World Music Awards References External links","Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Show_(album"],"string":"[\n \"Utah County, Utah Utah Countyis the second-most populouscountyin theU.S. stateofUtah. Thecounty seatand largest city isProvo,which is the state's fourth-largest city, and the largest outside ofSalt Lake County. As of the2020 United States Census, the population was 665,665. Utah County is one oftwocounties forming the Provo–Oremmetropolitan statistical area, and is part of the largerSalt Lake City–Provo–Orem, UTCombined Statistical Area. In 2020, the center of population of Utah was in Utah County, in the city ofSaratoga Springs. Utah County is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States, ranking among the top ten counties in numerical growth.Correspondingly, Provo–Orem is among the top eight metropolitan areas by percentage growth in the country. Utah County is one of seven counties in the United States to have the same name as its state. The other six counties areArkansas County,Hawaii County,Idaho County,Iowa County,Oklahoma CountyandNew York County(commonly known as Manhattan). History The\",\n \"History The legislature of theState of Deseretcreated a county on January 31, 1850,to govern the civic affairs ofUtah Valley, which by the 1850s was bustling with newly arrived settlers. The county name is derived from the valley name, which is derived from the Spanish name (Yuta) for theUteIndians. The State of Deseret dissolved soon after (April 5, 1851), but the counties it had set in place continued. There is little record of any official activity conducted by the fledgling county until April 18, 1852, when a full slate of county officials was published, and recordkeeping began. The first courthouse was built in central Provo in 1866–67. It was soon outgrown and was replaced by a second courthouse (1872–73). By the 1920s, this building was also cramped, and the decision was made to erect a combined city-county building, which was completed in 1926. The county's boundaries were adjusted in 1852, 1854, 1856, 1862, 1880, and 1884. It has retained its present boundary since 1884. Geography Utah County\",\n \"Utah County terrain ranges from stiff mountain ranges in the east (theWasatch Range), dropping steeply to a large lake-filled valley. Most of the comparatively level ground is dedicated to agriculture or developed uses, while most of the steep terrain is covered with arid-climate forestation.The county generally slopes to the west and north, with its highest point (the northern peak of the twin-peakedMt. Neboin the southern part of the county), at 11,928 ft (3,636 m) ASL.The county has an area of 2,144 square miles (5,550 km2), of which 2,003 square miles (5,190 km2) is land and 141 square miles (370 km2) (6.6%) is water. Utah Valleylies at the center of the county, lined by the mountains of theWasatch Rangeon the east.Utah Lakeoccupies a large part of the valley. The elevation ranges from 4,487 feet (1,368 m) above sea level at the lake to 11,928 feet (3,636 m) at the peak ofMount Nebo. Major highways Source: Protected areas Source: Lakes Source: Demographics 1The 2000 census was the first to allow\",\n \"the first to allow residents to select multiple race categories. Prior to 2000, the census used the category 'Other Race' as a catch-all identifier. For county-level census data in 1950 and 1900, Utah counted all non-White and non-Black residents using this category. 'Other races' formed 1.4% of Utah County's population in 1990, 0.43% in 1950, and 0.07% in 1900. 2020 census As of the2020 United States Census, there were 659,399 people and 171,899 households in the county. The population density was 329.12 people per square mile (127.07 people/km2). There were 192,570 housing units, at an average density of 96.12 units per square mile (37.11 units/km2). The county's racial makeup was 89.4%White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 4.6% some other race, and 2.7% from two or more races. 10.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 140,602 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the\",\n \"children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were headed by married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.7% were non-families. Of all households, 11.6% were made up of individuals, and 4.4% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.57, and the average family size was 3.88. The county's population was spread out, with 35.2% under the age of 18, 15.8% from 18 to 24, 28% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males. At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $45,833, and the median income for a family was $50,196. Males had a median income of $37,878 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,557. About 6.80% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty\",\n \"below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 4.80% of those age 65 or over. 1Due to respondents reporting multiple ethnicities, percentages may add up to greater than 100%. Religion 2000 census As of the2000 United States Census, there were 516,564 people, 140,602 households, and 114,350 families in the county. The population density was 258 people per square mile (100 people/km2). There were 148,350 housing units, at an average density of 74.1 units per square mile (28.6 units/km2). The county's racial makeup was 89.4%White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.6% American Indian or Alaska Native, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, 4.6% some other race, and 2.7% from two or more races. 10.8% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. There were 140,602 households, out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 69.9% were headed by married couples living together, 8.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.7%\",\n \"present, and 18.7% were non-families. Of all households, 11.6% were made up of individuals, and 4.4% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.57, and the average family size was 3.88. The county's population was spread out, with 35.2% under the age of 18, 15.8% from 18 to 24, 28% from 25 to 44, 14.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.6 years. For every 100 females, there were 100.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.7 males. At the 2000 census, the median income for a household in the county was $45,833, and the median income for a family was $50,196. Males had a median income of $37,878 versus $22,656 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,557. About 6.80% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 4.80% of those age 65 or over. In 2005, the five most reported ancestries in Utah County were:\",\n \"Utah County were: Government The government is a three-member electedcounty commissionelected at-large. Other elected officials include the countysheriff, thecounty clerk, county recorder, county assessor, county surveyor, county treasurer, and thecounty attorney. The current county attorney is Jeff Gray. In 2020, Utah County voters rejected Proposition 9, which would have changed the county's government to a five-member elected county council with an elected county mayor. The first sheriff of the county was John T. Willis, who was succeeded byWilliam Madison Wall. Alexander Williams served duringJohn Cradlebaugh's court in 1859. He was succeeded by Eli Whipple, who resigned in 1861 and was replaced by Russell Kelly.In 2020, Sheriff Mike Smith publicly stated he would not enforceCOVID-19 face mask mandates. The Utah County Fire Department provides emergency response to all unincorporated areas within Utah County and works with all the incorporated cities within the county plus all Utah state and federal\",\n \"state and federal lands. The department is primarily awildland firesresponse andurban interspaceservice with some structure fire andHAZMATabatement capability. Politics Utah County has been referred to as \\\"the most Republican county in the most Republican state in the United States\\\".It has only voted for a Democratic president nine times since statehood, and has not supported a Democrat for president since 1964. In the1992 presidential election,George H. W. Bushreceived the most votes andBill Clintonwas third in votes received. In the2004 presidential election, 85.99% voted forGeorge W. Bush.In the2008 U.S. presidential election, the county voted forJohn McCainby a 58.9% margin overBarack Obama, compared to McCain winning by 28.1% statewide.Eight other Utah counties voted more strongly in favor of McCain.In the2012 election,Mitt Romneyreceived 88.32% of the vote. In the2016 election, it gave a slim majority of the vote toDonald Trump, and nearly 30% of the vote to independent candidateEvan McMullin, who\",\n \"McMullin, who outperformedHillary Clintonin the county. This was McMullin's largest share of the vote in any county in Utah and his second best nationwide afterMadison County, Idaho. In 2020,Joe Bidenreceived over 75,000 votes - the Democrats had never previously received more than 30,000 votes in the county. Until2013, Utah County was represented entirely by one congressional district. Currently, the county is split between two congressional districts. Most of the county's population is in the3rd District, represented by RepublicanJohn Curtis, former Provo Mayor. Much of the county's area however, including Utah Lake, resides in the4th Districtcurrently represented by RepublicanBurgess Owens. The county's Republican bent runs right through state and local politics. All five state senators representing the county, as well as all 14 state representatives,are Republicans. Social issues Utah County saw high rates of opioid and other prescription drug addiction from the mid-2000s onwards, foreshadowing the\",\n \"foreshadowing the nationalopioid crisis. The 2008 documentaryHappy Valleyexamined the problem. Giving USA, which reports on charitable giving in the US, named Utah County as one of the three most generous counties in philanthropic donations, alongsideSan Juan County, UtahandMadison County, Idaho. In 2019, one in eight people and one in six children in the countydid not have sufficient food. Infrastructure Much of Utah's transportation infrastructure was built to support automobiles. Prior to the 1950s, Utah County relied on theU.S. Highway Systemfor local transportation. WhenI-15was built in 1956 (parallel toHighway 89), it became the dominant transportation vein in the state. The I-15 CORE project added multiple lanes on I-15 through most of Utah County. This expanded 24 miles (39 km) of freeway and was completed in 2012.Other construction projects by UDOT have been done on I-15 since then, including the Technology Corridor project and the Point of the Mountain project.However, the highway system retains\",\n \"system retains its significance in Utah County due to the mountainous terrain.Highway 6is the closest major road connecting Colorado to the Wasatch Front, running through Spanish Fork Canyon before converging with I-15 in the city of Spanish Fork. Portions of Highway 89 have become prominent local roads known collectively as 'State Street'.Highway 189is known as 'University Avenue' in the city of Provo, and runs throughProvo CanyonintoHeberin neighboringWasatch County. Utah County has seen significant growth in public transportation over the past 15 years, owing in part to the county's large student population of more than 70,000 commuting to-and-fromBrigham Young University(BYU) in Provo andUtah Valley University(UVU) in Orem. The two cities jointly operateUVX, abus rapid transitsystem, as part of their city bus routes. Provo also serves as the southernmost terminus of theFrontRunner, Utah's intrastate commuter rail service.The Provo FrontRunner station is located on South University Avenue, directly\",\n \"Avenue, directly southwest of Amtrak's Provo Station—which is Utah's third westbound stop, after Green River and Helper, for the California Zephyr Amtrak route. In addition to Provo, The FrontRunner currently has three stops in the county. The Orem FrontRunner station is located on the west side of I-15, served by a pedestrian bridge over the freeway that connects the UVU campus directly to the station. An additional stop inVineyard, Utahwas completed in August 2022.Utah County also operates the American Fork FrontRunner Station and the Lehi FrontRunner Station located nearThanksgiving Point. From Lehi, the FrontRunner leaves Utah County and entersSalt Lake County. Education School districts School dstricts include: Colleges and universities Four-year institutions Two-year institutions Communities Cities Towns Census-designated places Unincorporated communities Former communities See also References Further reading External links\",\n \"Provo, Utah Provo(/ˈproʊvoʊ/PROH-voh) is a city in and thecounty seatofUtah County, Utah, United States. It is 43 miles (69 km) south ofSalt Lake Cityalong theWasatch Front, and lies between the cities ofOremto the north andSpringvilleto the south. With a population at the2020 censusof 115,162,Provo is thefourth-largest cityin Utah and the principal city in theProvo-Orem metropolitan area, which had a population of 526,810 at the 2010 census.It is Utah's second-largestmetropolitan areaafterSalt Lake City. Provo is the home toBrigham Young University(BYU),a private higher education institution operated bythe Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints(LDS Church). Provo also has the LDS Church's largestMissionary Training Center(MTC). The city is a focus area for technology development in Utah, with several billion-dollarstartups.The city'sPeaks Ice Arenawas a venue for the Salt Lake CityWinter Olympics in 2002. History The Provo area was originally called Timpanogas, aNumic(Ute people) word perhaps meaning\",\n \"perhaps meaning \\\"rock river\\\".The area was inhabited by theTimpanogos.It was the largest and most settled area in modern-day Utah.The ample food from the Provo River made the Timpanogos a peaceful people.The area also served as the traditional meeting place for theUteandShoshonetribes and was used as a common location for worship of their creator deity. FatherSilvestre Vélez de Escalante, a SpanishFranciscanmissionary-explorer, is considered the first European explorer to have visited the area in 1776. He was guided by two Timpanogos Utes, whom he called Silvestre and Joaquín.Escalante chronicled this first European exploration across theGreat Basin Desert. The Europeans did not build a permanent settlement but traded with the Timpanogos, whom they called Lagunas (lake people) or Come Pescado (fish eaters). In 1847, theMormon pioneersarrived in theSalt Lake Valley, which was just north ofTimpanogos Mountain. At first, the Natives were friendly with the Mormons. But, as relations deteriorated with the Shoshoni\",\n \"with the Shoshoni and Utes because of disputes over land and cattle, tensions rose. Because of the reported stolen goods of settlers by the Utes, Brigham Young gave small militia orders \\\"to take such measures as would put a final end to their depredations in future.\\\" This ended in what is known as theBattle Creek massacre, in modern-dayPleasant Grove, Utah. The Mormons continued pushing into Timpanog lands. In 1849, 33Mormonfamilies from Salt Lake City establishedFort Utah. In 1850, Brigham Young sent an army from Salt Lake to drive out the Timpanogos in what is called theProvo War.Escalating tensions with the Timpanog contributed to theWalker War.Fort Utah was renamed Provo in 1850 forÉtienne Provost,an earlyFrench-Canadiantrapper who arrived in the region in 1825. In 1850, the first schoolhouse was constructed in Provo, built within Utah Fort. As moreLatter-day Saintsarrived, Provo quickly grew as a city. It soon was nicknamedThe Garden Citywith a large number of fruit orchards and gardens there. In 1872,\",\n \"there. In 1872, a railroad reached Provo. It was also this year that the Provo Woolen Mills opened. They were the first large factory in Provo and employed about 150 people, initially mainly skilled textile laborers who had emigrated from Britain. Geography Provo lies on the eastern bank ofUtah LakeinUtah Valleyat an elevation of 4,549 feet (1,387 m). According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 44.2 square miles (114.4 km2), of which 41.7 square miles (107.9 km2) is land and 2.5 square miles (6.5 km2), or 5.66%, is water. TheWasatch Rangecontains many peaks withinUtah Countyalong the east side of theWasatch Front. One of them, known asY Mountain, towers over the city. There is a largehillside letterYmade of whitewashed concrete halfway up the steep mountain, built in the early part of the 20th century to commemorate BYU (original plans included construction use of all three letters). Wild deer (and less frequently,cougars, andmoose) still roam the mountains (and occasionally the city\",\n \"the city streets). The geography allows for hiking,skiing,fishingand other outdoor activities. Climate Provo's climate can be classified as either ahot-summer Mediterranean climateclassification (Köppen:Csa) or as acool semi-arid climate(Köppen:BSk). Overall, annual rainfall at the location of BYU is around 17.23 inches (440 mm); however, the western part of the metropolitan area near Orem is substantially drier, receiving only around 13.5 inches (340 mm) of precipitation and consequently has acool semi-arid climate(Köppen:BSk).The wettest calendar year in Provo has been 1983 with 37.54 inches (953.5 mm) and the driest 2020 with 7.28 inches (184.9 mm). Winters are cold with substantial snowfall averaging 57.2 inches (145 cm) and a record monthly total of 66.0 inches (168 cm) in January 1918, during which the record snow cover of 34 inches (86 cm) was recorded on the 17th. Seasonal snowfall has ranged from 127.5 inches (324 cm) in 1983–84 to 10.1 inches (26 cm) in 2014–15. Very cold weather may occur when\",\n \"may occur when cold air from over theContinental Divideinvades the region: although only four mornings fall to or below 0 °F or −17.8 °C during an average winter and this temperature was not reached at all between 1999 and 2006, during the very cold January 1917 (average temperature 14.9 °F; −9.5 °C), seventeen mornings fell this cold.By contrast, in several recent winters like 1994–95, 1995–96, 1999–2000, 2004–05, and 2005–06, averages have been above freezing every month. Temperatures warm rapidly during the spring, with the first afternoon over 70 °F (21.1 °C) on March 21, the last freeze expected on April 29, and the first temperature equal to or hotter than 90 °F (32.2 °C) on May 30. Rainfall is not infrequent during the spring: over 5.10 inches (130 mm) was recorded in the Mays of 1995 and 2011, and a total of 12.29 inches (312.2 mm) fell during the four-month span of March to June 2005 – in contrast as little as 2.04 inches (51.8 mm) fell in the same months of 2012. Being too far north to gain any\",\n \"north to gain any influence fromthe monsoonexcept in rare cases like the 4.38 inches (111.3 mm) of rainfall of August 1983, Provo's summers are hot and dry, though relatively short – no maxima above 100 °F (37.8 °C) have been recorded outside the range of June 7 to August 27. Monthly maxima average over 91 °F (32.8 °C) in July and August, and precipitation averages under one inch per month with a two-month total in 2016 as low as 0.06 inches (1.5 mm). The hottest month on record is July 2003 with a mean of 81.8 °F (27.7 °C), and a mean maximum of 99.0 °F (37.2 °C). The hottest temperature on record is 108 °F (42.2 °C) on July 13, 2002. The fall season sees steady cooling and a transition to winter weather, with rare influences of rain systems from further south, as in the record wet month of September 1982, which saw 6.53 inches (165.9 mm) of total precipitation, including 4.15 inches (105.4 mm) over the last six days from a storm moving in from Arizona. The last maximum of 90 °F (32.2 °C) can be expected\",\n \"°C) can be expected around September 10, and the first morning below freezing on October 14. Demographics 2020 census 2010 census At the2010 census,112,488 people, 31,524 households and 21,166 families resided in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 2,697.6 inhabitants per square mile (1,041.5/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 84.8%White, 0.7%Black or African American, 0.8%American Indian, 2.5%Asian, 1.1%Pacific Islander, 6.6% fromother races, and 3.4% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoresidents of any race were 15.2% of the population. There were 31,524 households, of which 34.8% had children under 18 living with them, 55.4% weremarried couplesliving together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 12.8% of all households were made up of a single individual, and 4.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.24, and the average family size was 3.41. In the city, 22.3% of residents were under 18, 36.4%\",\n \"under 18, 36.4% were from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 10.5% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23.3 years. For every 100 females, there were 98.2 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 96.4 males. 2000 census At the2000 census,105,166 people, 29,192 households and 19,938 families resided in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 2,653.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,024.4/km2). There were 30,374 housing units at an average density of 766.3/sq mi (295.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 88.52%White, 0.46%Black or African American, 0.80%American Indian, 1.83%Asian, 0.84%Pacific Islander, 5.10% fromother races, and 2.44% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoresidents of any race were 10.47% of the population. There were 29,192 households, of which 33.8% had children under 18 living with them, 57.0% weremarried couplesliving together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.7% were non-families. 11.8% of all households were\",\n \"all households were made up of a single individual, and 4.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.34, and the average family size was 3.40. In the city, 22.3% of residents were under 18, 40.2% from 18 to 24, 23.2% from 25 to 44, 8.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.7% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.6 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there were 89.3 males. Themedian household incomewas $34,313, and the median family income was $36,393. Males had a median income of $32,010 and females $20,928. Theper capita incomewas $13,207. About 12.5% of families and 26.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 14.4% of those under age 18 and 4.3% of those aged 65 or over. The residents of Provo are predominantly members of the LDS Church. According to data taken in 2000 by theARDA, 88% of the overall population, and 98% of religious adherents in the Provo-Orem area are Latter-day\",\n \"area are Latter-day Saints.According to a study in 2015, the Provo-Orem metro area is about as dissimilar to the rest of America as possible. Weighing factors such as race, housing, income, and education, the study ranked Provo-Orem 376th of 381 of the United States' largest cities in terms of resemblance to the country. Religion According to the breakdown for Utah County in 2010, most people (90.6%) were Christian, with Latter-day Saints constituting 88.7% of the population.Catholicsconstituted 1.3% andProtestantsconstituted 0.6%. Other religions constituted 0.3% of the population. 9.1% of the population did not adhere to any religion. Economy Local companies Provo has more than 100restaurants(with over 60 in the downtown area)and a couple ofshopping centers.The Shops At RiverwoodsandProvo Towne Centre, bothshopping malls, operate in Provo. Several small shops, music venues, and boutiques have popped up downtown, along Center Street and University Avenue. Downtown has also begun to host \\\"gallery strolls\\\"\",\n \"\\\"gallery strolls\\\" every first Friday of the month that features local artists. There are many dining establishments in and around downtown Provo. Five Provo companies are listed onInc.com's Inc. 5000list of the fastest-growing private companies in the United States. The largest, DieCuts With a View, is ranked number 1403 and has revenues of $26.2 million.Other companies on the list are VitalSmarts (ranked 4109, with $41.4 million in revenue),and Connect Public Relations (ranked 3694, with $6.1 million in revenue).The global recreation and entertainment companyRyze Trampoline Parks, with locations throughout Asia, Europe and the U.S., is headquartered in Provo. Novell, the dominant personal computer networking company from the mid-1980s through the mid-1990s, was headquartered in Provo and occupied several buildings at the height of its success. It was eventually acquired byThe Attachmate Groupand then byMicro Focus, which still maintains facilities there. The Food & Care Coalition is a local organization\",\n \"local organization providing services to the homeless and low-income citizens of Provo and Utah Counties. They also providevolunteeropportunities. International companies Top employers According to Provo's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,the top employers in the city were: Arts and culture Annual cultural events Every July, Provo hostsAmerica's Freedom Festival at Provowhich includes theStadium of Fireat BYU. It is held inLaVell Edwards Stadium, home to BYU'sNCAAfootballteam. The Independence Day festivities are popular among residents and have featured such notable figures asBob Hope,David Hasselhoff,Reba McEntire,Mandy Moore,Huey Lewis and the News,Toby Keith,Sean Hannity,Fred Willard, andTaylor Hicks.In 2015, the event included performances byJourneyandOlivia Holt, and was hosted by television personalityMontel Williams. Provo has two other large festivals each fall.Festival Latinoamericanois an annual family-oriented Labor Day weekend event in downtown Provo that offers the community a taste\",\n \"community a taste of the region'sHispanicculture through ethnic food, vendors, and performances. The city has hosted an annual LGBT Provo Pride Festival since 2013. Points of interest Covey Center for the Arts The Covey Center for the Arts,a performing arts center, is at 425 West Center Street. It features plays, ballets, art showcases, and musical performances throughout the year. The size of the building is a total of 42,000 square feet (3,902 m2). The main performance hall seats 670 people. Three dance studios are furnished with a piano, ballet bars, and mirrors. Another theater, the Brinton Black Box Theater, seats 60 for smaller, more intimate events. There are also two art galleries: the 1,620-square-foot (151 m2) Secured Gallery and the Eccles Gallery in the lower lobby. LDS Church MTC Provo is the location of the church's largest MTC. Each week approximately 475missionariesenter for 3–9 weeks of training before they depart for the mission field, becoming part of more than 58,000 in more than 120\",\n \"in more than 120 countries. About 1,100 instructors (many of them returned missionaries) teach 62 languages. The MTC in Provo began construction in July 1974 and was completed in July 1976. The MTC was expanded in the early 1990s to become the largest of the 17 such centers than in the world.Additional construction was completed in 2017. Provo City Library at Academy Square TheProvo City Libraryis a public library that occupies the building of the former Brigham Young Academy, built-in 1892. The building was added to theNational Register of Historic Placesin 1976. Its collection contains over 277,000 media. The library is on University Avenue and 550 North. Provo Recreation Center With construction finished in 2013, the center provides a location for aquatic recreation next to the Provo Power plant. Provo Utah Temple The Provo Utah Temple is at the base of Rock Canyon in Provo. This temple has been among the busiest in the LDS Church due to its proximity to BYU and the MTC.The temple closed in February 2024,\",\n \"in February 2024, has been razed, and is currently being reconstructed. The temple, estimated for completion in 2027, will reopen as theProvo Utah Rock Canyon Temple. Provo City Center Temple Located at the corner of University Avenue and Center Street, the Provo City Center Temple serves as another temple for the Provo area's Latter-day Saint population. After a fire in 2010 destroyed the Provo Tabernacle,Thomas S. Monson, then LDS Churchpresident, announced the site would become the city's second temple.Renovations were finished and the temple was dedicated in March 2016. Utah Valley Convention Center The Utah Valley Convention Center opened in 2012.It has 83,578 square feet (7,764.7 m2) of combined meeting, pre-function and garden space. Other points of interest Government Federally, Provo is part ofUtah's 3rd congressional district, represented by RepublicanJohn Curtis, elected in 2017. City administration Provo is administered by a seven-membercity counciland a mayor. Five of the council seats are\",\n \"council seats are elected by individual city districts, and two of the seats are elected by the city as a whole. These elected officials serve four-year terms, with elections alternating every two years. Provo has aMayor–council government, which creates two separate but equal branches of government. The mayor is chief executive of the city and the council is the legislative and policy-making body of the city.The mayor isMichelle Kaufusi, who has been in office since December 5, 2017. Education Higher education BYU is a private university operated by the LDS Church. BYU is thethird-largest private university in the United States, with more than 34,000 students. It is the flagship of theChurch Educational System. On the campus is theSpencer W. Kimball Tower, the tallest building in Provo. Rocky Mountain University of Health Professionsis a private, for-profit university emphasizing graduate healthcare education. The Northwest Commission accredits the university of Colleges and Universities (NWCCU). RMUoHP\",\n \"(NWCCU). RMUoHP offers programs in nursing practice, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and health science. RMUoHP will be building Utah County's first new medical school. Provo Collegeis a private, for-profit educational institution specializing in career education. The school is accredited by theAccrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools(ACICS). Provo College offers associate degrees and diplomas in fields such as nursing, medical assisting, criminal justice, graphic design, and office administration. Primary and secondary education Almost all of Provo is within theProvo School District.The school board has seven members, each representing a different district of the city. There are thirteen elementary schools, two middle schools, and three high schools.Provo High Schoolwas the first school inUtah Countyto be an IB World school. The school has a record of 4A state basketball championships, more state champions than any other school in the state.Timpview High Schoolhas a record of 4A\",\n \"a record of 4A state football championships. A small section of the city lies withinAlpine School District. Infrastructure Transportation Interstate 15runs through western Provo, connecting it with the rest of the Wasatch Front and much of Utah.US-89runs northwest to southeast through the city as State Street, whileUS-189connects US-89 with I-15, BYU, and Orem to the north. At the north edge of the city, US-189 heads northeast intoProvo Canyon, where it connects withHeber. Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides service toProvo station, operating itsCalifornia Zephyrdaily in both directions betweenChicago,Illinois, andEmeryville,California(in theSan Francisco Bay Area). Provo also can be accessed by Salt Lake Express intercity buses and the extensiveUtah Transit Authority(UTA) bus system. UTA'scommuter railservice, theFrontRunner, opened an extension to Provo from Salt Lake City on December 10, 2012.TheProvo Intermodal Center, adjacent to the Amtrak station, connects theFrontRunnerwith local bus\",\n \"local bus routes, as well as Greyhound service. TheProvo Municipal Airportis Utah's second busiest airport regarding the number of aircraft take-offs and landings.Allegiant Airlineshas been based out of the airport since 2022. Notable people Provo is home to (or the hometown of) many well-known people, includingThe Osmonds(includingDonny,Marie, and theOsmond Brothers),LDS ChurchapostleDallin H. Oaks, and NFL and BYU quarterbackSteve Young.Goodwin Knight, who served as the 35th Governor of California (1947–1953), was born in Provo. The global economistDambisa Moyomoved to Provo following her marriage toQualtricsco-founder Jared Smith. Sister cities Provo has three sister cities designated bySister Cities International: See also References External links\",\n \"List of people from Provo, Utah This is alist of notable people fromProvo, Utah. This list includes notable individuals born and raised in Provo, those who currently live in Provo, and those who lived for a significant period in Provo. Notable people See also References\",\n \"Neon Trees Neon Treesare an Americanrockband fromProvo, Utah. The band received nationwide exposure in late 2008 when they opened several North American tour dates for the bandthe Killers.Not long after, the band was signed byMercury Records.Their first single, \\\"Animal\\\", climbed to No. 13 on theBillboardHot 100and No. 1 on theAlternative Songschart. Since their formation, Neon Trees has released five studio albums:Habits(2010),Picture Show(2012),Pop Psychology(2014),I Can Feel You Forgetting Me(2020), andSink Your Teeth(2024). The band has also released eight EPs (two exclusive toiTunes) and fourteen singles. History Formed initially by childhood friendsTyler Glenn(vocals,keyboards) and Chris Allen (guitar,vocals) who both grew up inMurrieta, California, the band made its first home in Provo after Glenn and Allen moved there from Southern California, eventually adding Branden Campbell (bass guitar, vocals) andElaine Bradley(drums,percussion, vocals) to the lineup.David Charles also plays with the band as\",\n \"with the band as touring guitarist. They first started playing under the name Neon Trees in late 2005 with five original members, Tyler Glenn and Chris Allen from California, and three veterans of the Utah music scene, bass player Mike Liechty, drummer Jason Gibbons and keyboardist Nathan Evans. The band's name originates from the lighted trees on theIn-N-Out Burgersigns, which inspired Tyler Glenn. In a strange coincidence, it was later learned that Branden Campbell's father, Steve Campbell, installed the exact Neon Trees in the In-N-Out that inspired Glenn while working for a sign company out of Las Vegas. They released an EP,Becoming Different People, in 2006 during the time of their first tour through California. The EP featured promising songs like \\\"Phones\\\", \\\"Sister Stereo\\\", \\\"Up Against the Glass\\\". They also recorded other unreleased tracks during the \\\"Treehouse Sessions\\\" in 2006. The band's lineup soon narrowed down to four members with Branden Campbell and Elaine Bradley joining the group on bass and\",\n \"group on bass and drums, respectively. Touring musician Bruce Rubenson on keyboards and drums joined in. Shortly thereafter,The Killers' drummer,Ronnie Vannucci Jr., went to watch the band play at a small club in Las Vegas as he had been in a Ska band called \\\"Attaboy Skip\\\" with Neon Trees bassist Branden Campbell prior to joining The Killers. Ronnie was impressed, and as a result they were chosen to open for The Killers for a string of dates on their 2008 North American tour. Vannucci later helped the band sign to major labelMercury Records, which was announced in late 2008. Additionally, the group was voted Band of the Year in 2009 byCity Weekly, a popular Salt Lake City publication. 2010–11:Habitsand commercial breakthrough Although they had several prior independent releases, the band released its debut album on Mercury/Island Def Jam,Habits, on March 16, 2010.\\\"Animal\\\" was chosen as the lead singleand was shortly thereafter featured as the Free Single of the Week oniTunesin March 2010. They performed the\",\n \"They performed the song onJimmy Kimmel Live!on March 23, 2010,The Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon May 14, 2010,Lopez Tonighton October 18, 2010,Live! with Regis & Kellyon November 4, 2010, and TBS'Conanon November 24, 2010. They performed a second single1983onLate Night with Jimmy Fallonon January 13, 2011 and another stint onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon Jan 18, 2011. They performed third single \\\"Your Surrender\\\" onLate Show with David Lettermanon May 5, 2011 and a third appearance onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon Jun 10, 2011.Mark HoppusofBlink-182selected \\\"Animal\\\" as hisSpinmagazine Pick of the Week.The song has also been featured on a commercial for Las Vegas. The group has also released a digital EP of four remixes of the song, one of which by Tyler Glenn. In 2010, the band coveredJustin Bieber's song \\\"Baby\\\" as well asBen E. King's \\\"Stand By Me\\\".Throughout early 2010 the band, along withMutemathandStreet Drum Corps, opened for theThirty Seconds to MarstourInto the Wild. Subsequently, they headlined the\",\n \"they headlined the Bang the Gong Tour withPaper Tongues,MeTalkPretty, andCivil Twilightin mid-2010, performed a set to 7,000 atLollapalooza, and went on tour with Thirty Seconds to Mars in the last half of the year. In November 2010, the band released a Christmas single called \\\"Wish List\\\". It was available for free oniTunesthe first week it was released.In November 2010, Tyler and Elaine appeared as Neon Trees onDaryl Hall's monthly Internet concert seriesLive from Daryl's House. They performed four songs fromHabits, including \\\"Animal\\\" and \\\"1983\\\", as well as theFleetwood Machit \\\"Dreams\\\" andHall & Oatessongs \\\"Head Above Water\\\" and \\\"Adult Education.\\\" Neon Trees released a live album,iTunes Live from SoHo, in November 2010 featuring eight live tracks: \\\"Calling My Name\\\", \\\"Animal\\\", \\\"Your Surrender\\\", \\\"Never Tear Us Apart\\\", \\\"In the Next Room\\\", \\\"1983\\\", \\\"Love and Affection\\\", and \\\"Sins of My Youth\\\". From March 31, 2011, to April 23, 2011, they also opened forMy Chemical Romanceduring the North American leg of\",\n \"American leg of theirWorld Contamination Tour.They opened a show forPanic! at the Discoin Central Park in September 2011.In September and October 2011, they opened forDuran Duranon the North American leg of the All You Need Is Now tour. The band's song \\\"Animal\\\" was also performed by the cast ofGleein the 15th episode of Season 2 entitled \\\"Sexy\\\". 2011–13:Picture Show On December 7, 2011, an article published byRolling Stone's website streamed the band's new song \\\"Everybody Talks\\\".On February 10, 2012, a video was posted on their official YouTube page, titled Neon Trees – Picture Show Teaser One / The New Album April 17, advertising their new album is to be released on April 17, 2012.In March 2012, Neon Trees and their single \\\"Everybody Talks\\\" were featured in a commercial for the 2012Buick Verano.The single was covered in episode five of season four ofGlee. Neon Trees' second studio albumPicture Showwas released on April 17, 2012.On June 28, 2012, Neon Trees was the opening act forthe Flaming Lipsconcert\",\n \"Flaming Lipsconcert poolside at theHard Rock CasinoinBiloxi, Mississippias a part of theirGuinness World Recordfor the most concerts in different cities (eight) in a 24-hour period.On August 29, 2012, Neon Trees performed \\\"Everybody Talks\\\" on theAmerica's Got Talentlive results show.In early fall 2012, the band toured withThe OffspringandDead Sara.In 2013 they joinedMaroon 5in their world tour alongsideOwl City.In November/December 2013 they were a support act forTaylor Swift's three concerts in New Zealand and four concerts in Australia.The band was featured on NBC's coverage of the 2012 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. They performed an abbreviated version of their single \\\"Everybody Talks\\\".The second single from the album is the track \\\"Lessons in Love (All Day, All Night)\\\" with the collaboration of American record producer and D.J.Kaskade. 2014–2017:Pop Psychology Neon Trees' third studio album,Pop Psychology, was released on April 22, 2014.The first single fromPop Psychology, titled \\\"Sleeping with a\",\n \"\\\"Sleeping with a Friend\\\", was released for digital download. The band performed the single onThe Tonight Show with Jay Lenoon January 22, 2014. \\\"Sleeping with a Friend\\\" was solicited to U.S.Contemporary hit radioby both Mercury andIsland Recordson February 25, 2014.Neon Trees later released four more singles following \\\"Sleeping with a Friend\\\". The singles are titled \\\"I Love You (But I Hate Your Friends)\\\", \\\"Voices In the Halls\\\", and \\\"First Things First\\\".\\\"First Things First\\\" is the end credit song for the 2016 Netflix Original seriesDirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency. In 2015, the group announced the \\\"An Intimate Night With Neon Trees\\\" Tour. The tour ran from June 6, 2015, to July 26, 2015, finishing inBoston, Massachusetts, at the House Of Blues Boston. Opening acts includedAlex Winston, Yes You Are, Coin, andFictionist. On May 5, 2015, the band released a non-album single entitled \\\"Songs I Can't Listen To\\\"and an accompanying music video on June 3, 2015, featuringDustin Lance Black. On August 4, 2017,\",\n \"On August 4, 2017, the band premiered a new single \\\"Feel Good\\\". 2019–2023:I Can Feel You Forgetting Me Neon Trees released \\\"Used to Like\\\", the lead single from their fourth album, on November 13, 2019.The second single, \\\"New Best Friend\\\" was released on May 20, 2020.On July 10, 2020, the band released the third single called \\\"Mess Me Up\\\".The fourth and final single, \\\"Nights\\\", was released on July 22, 2020.The album,I Can Feel You Forgetting Me, was released on July 24, 2020.In December 2021, they released a new single and video, \\\"Holiday Rock\\\". 2023-present:Sink Your Teeth Sink Your Teeth, the fifth studio album by Neon Trees, was released on September 20, 2024. There are 12 songs on the album. On June 30, 2023, the first and lead single of the album \\\"Favorite Daze\\\" was released. The second single, \\\"Losing My Head\\\", was released on September 15, 2023. Three more singles were released in early 2024 before the album; \\\"Bad Dreams\\\" (May 31), \\\"El Diablo\\\" (July 19), and \\\"Cruel Intentions\\\" (August 28) Musical style\",\n \"28) Musical style Neon Trees' musical style has been described aspop rock,new wave,synth-pop,indie rock,alternative rock,pop,andelectropop.When describing the band's sound, Heather Phares ofAllMusicwrote \\\"Neon Trees blend new wave,dance, and indie into smart, catchy pop.\\\"Sputnikmusic described the band's debut studio albumHabitsas a \\\"refreshing blast of timelessrockenergy and spirit that wouldn’t sound out of place at any point from ‘60sgarage-rockto 2010dance rock.\\\" Band members Current members Former members Touring musicians Timeline Discography Awards and nominations APRA Music Awards BMI Pop Awards Billboard Music Awards International Dance Music Awards MTV Europe Music Awards World Music Awards References External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Show_(album\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":269,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"According to the 2011 census, what is total population of the cities of the birthplaces of author Clive Barker, Prince William, and Sir Malcolm Stanley Bradbury? Round to the nearest 100,000. "},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"11,300,000"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Barker"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William,_Prince_of_Wales"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Bradbury"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England#Geography"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Post processing"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Barker', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William,_Prince_of_Wales', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Bradbury', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England#Geography']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Barker","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William,_Prince_of_Wales","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Bradbury","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England#Geography"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Barker\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William,_Prince_of_Wales\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Bradbury\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England#Geography\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Clive Barker Clive Barker(born 5 October 1952) is an English writer, filmmaker and visual artist. He came to prominence in the mid-1980s with a series of short stories, theBooks of Blood, which established him as a leadinghorrorwriter. He has since written many novels and other works. His fiction has been adapted into films, notably theHellraiserseries, the first installment of which he also wrote and directed, and theCandymanseries. Barker's paintings and illustrations have been shown in galleries in the United States, and have appeared in his books. He has also created characters and series for comic books, and some of his more popular horror stories have been featured in ongoing comics series. Early life Barker was born on 5 October 1952 inLiverpool,the son of Joan Ruby (née Revill), a painter and school welfare officer, and Leonard Barker, a personnel director for an industrial relations firm.He was educated atDovedale Primary School,Quarry Bank High Schooland theUniversity of Liverpool, where he studied English and philosophy. When he was three, Barker witnessed the French skydiverLéo Valentinplummet to his death in 1956 during a performance at an air show in Liverpool.He later alluded to Valentin in many of his stories. Theatrical work Barker's involvement in live theatre began while still in school with productions ofVoodooandInfernoin 1967. He collaborated on six plays withTheatre of the Imaginationin 1974 and two more that he was the sole writer of,A Clowns' SodomandDay of the Dog,forThe Mute Pantomime Theatrein 1976 and 1977. He co-founded the avant-garde theatrical troupeThe Dog Companyin 1978 with former school friends and up and coming actors, many of whom would go on to become key collaborators in Barker's film work.Doug Bradleytook on the iconic role of Pinhead in theHellraiserseries while Peter Atkins wrote the scripts for the first threeHellraisersequels.Over the next five years Barker wrote nine plays, often serving as director, including some of his best-known stage productions,The History of The Devil,Frankenstein in Love, andThe Secret Life of Cartoons. From 1982 to 1983, he wroteCrazyface,Subtle BodiesandColossusfor the Cockpit Youth Theatre. His theatrical work came to a close as he shifted focus to writing theBooks of Blood. Writing career Barker is an author of horror andfantasy. He began writing horror early in his career, mostly in the form of short stories (collected inBooks of Blood1–6) and theFaustiannovelThe Damnation Game(1985). Later he moved toward modern-day fantasy andurban fantasywith horror elements inWeaveworld(1987),The Great and Secret Show(1989), the world-spanningImajica(1991), andSacrament(1996). WhenBooks of Bloodwas first published in the United States in paperback,Stephen Kingwas quoted on the book covers: \"I have seen the future of horror and his name is Clive Barker.\"As influences on his writing, Barker listsHerman Melville,Edgar Allan Poe,Ray Bradbury,William S. Burroughs,William Blake, andJean Cocteau, among others. He is the writer of the best-sellingAbaratseries. In early 2024 he announced he would stop attending conventions and public events so he could focus more on his writing, as he was working on the manuscripts for 31 different projects, some closer to completion than others. Personal life During his early years as a writer, Barker occasionally worked as an escort when his writing did not provide sufficient income.With the success ofWeaveworld, he could permanently retire as a sex worker.In 2003, he received the Davidson/Valentini Award at the15th GLAAD Media Awards. He has been open about his experiences withsadomasochism, and says that \"on S&M's sliding scale, I'm probably a 6\". Barker is critical of organized religion, but has said that the Bible influences his work and spirituality.Years later, he said on Facebook that he did not identify himself as a Christian. Barker said in a December 2008 online interview (published in March 2009) that he had throat polyps which were so severe, a doctor told him he was taking in only 10% of the air he was supposed to. He has had two surgeries to remove them and believes his voice has improved as a result. He said he did not have cancer, and has given up cigars. In 2012, Barker entered a coma for several days after contractingtoxic shock syndrome, triggered by a visit to a dentist where a spillage of poisonous bacteria entered his bloodstream, almost killing him.Realising he might have just a short time to live, he decided to put his personal concerns about the world and society into the upcoming novelDeep Hill, which he thought could be his final book. As of 2015, he is a member of the board of advisers for the Hollywood Horror Museum. Relationships While appearing on the radio call-in showLovelineon 20 August 1996, Barker said that in his teens he had several relationships with older women, but came to identify himself as homosexual by 18 or 19. His relationship with John Gregson lasted from 1975 until 1986. He later spent 13 years with photographer David Armstrong, described as his husband in the introduction toColdheart Canyon; they separated in 2009. Film work Barker wrote the screenplays forUnderworld(1985) andRawhead Rex(1986), both directed byGeorge Pavlou. Displeased by how his material was handled, he moved to directing withHellraiser(1987), based on his novellaThe Hellbound Heart. After his filmNightbreed(1990) flopped, Barker returned to write and directLord of Illusions(1995). The short story \"The Forbidden\", from Barker'sBooks of Blood, provided the basis for the 1992 filmCandymanand its three sequels. He had been working on a series of film adaptations of hisThe Abarat Quintetbooks underThe Walt Disney Company's management,but due to creative differences, the project was cancelled. He served as an executive producer for the 1998 filmGods and Monsters,a semi-fictional tale ofFrankensteindirectorJames Whale's later years, which won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.Barker said of his interest in the project: \"Whale was gay, I'm gay; Whale was English, I'm English…Whale made some horror movies, and I've made some horror movies. It seemed as if I should be helping to tell this story.\"Barker also provided the foreword on the published shooting script. In 2005, Barker and horror film producer Jorge Saralegui created the film production company Midnight Picture Show with the intent of producing two horror films per year. In October 2006, Barker announced through his website that he will be writing the script to a forthcoming remake of the originalHellraiserfilm.He was developing a film based on hisTortured Soulsline of toys fromMcFarlane Toys. In 2020, Barker regained control of theHellraiserfranchise, and served as executive producer on a2022 rebootfilm for the streaming serviceHulu. Television work In May 2015,Varietyreported that Clive Barker was developing a television series adaptation of variouscreepypastasin partnership withWarner Brothers, to be calledClive Barker's Creepypastas, a feature arc based onSlender ManandBen Drowned.Barker was involved in a streaming servicefilm adaptationofThe Books of Bloodin 2020,and is developing aNightbreedtelevision seriesdirected byMichael Doughertyand written byJosh StolbergforSyFy.In April 2020,HBOwas announced to be developing aHellraisertelevision series that would serve as \"an elevated continuation and expansion\" of its mythology withMark VerheidenandMichael Doughertywriting the series andDavid Gordon Greendirecting several episodes. Verheiden, Dougherty and Green will also be executive producing the series withDanny McBride,Jody Hill,Brandon JamesandRoy LeeofVertigo Entertainment. Visual art Barker is a prolific visual artist, often illustrating his own books. His paintings have been seen first on the covers of his official fan club magazine,Dread, published byFantacoin the early '90s; on the covers of the collections of his plays,Incarnations(1995) andForms of Heaven(1996); and on the second printing of the original British publications of hisBooks of Bloodseries. Barker also provided the artwork for his young adult novelThe Thief of Alwaysand for theAbaratseries. His artwork has been exhibited at Bert Green Fine Art in Los Angeles and Chicago, at the Bess Cutler Gallery in New York and La Luz De Jesus in Los Angeles. Many of his sketches and paintings can be found in the collectionClive Barker, Illustrator, published in 1990 by Arcane/Eclipse Books, and inVisions of Heaven and Hell, published in 2005 by Rizzoli Books. He worked on the horror video gameClive Barker's Undying, providing the voice for the character Ambrose.Undyingwas developed byDreamWorks Interactiveand released in 2001. He worked onClive Barker's JerichoforCodemasters, which was released in late 2007. Barker createdHalloweencostume designs for Disguise Costumes. Around 150 art works by Barker were used in the set of the Academy of the Unseen Arts for the Netflix TV seriesChilling Adventures of Sabrina. Comic books Barker published hisRazorlineimprint viaMarvel Comicsin 1993. Barker horror adaptations and spin-offs in comics include the Marvel/Epic ComicsseriesHellraiser,Nightbreed,Pinhead,The Harrowers,Book of the Damned, andJihad;Eclipse Books' series andgraphic novelsTapping The Vein,Dread,Son of Celluloid,Revelations,The Life of Death,Rawhead RexandThe Yattering and Jack, andDark Horse Comics'Primal, among others. Barker served as a consultant and wrote issues of theHellraiseranthology comic book. In 2005, IDW published a three-issue adaptation of Barker's children's fantasy novelThe Thief of Always, written and painted by Kris Oprisko and Gabriel Hernandez. IDW is publishing a 12 issue adaptation of Barker's novelThe Great and Secret Show. In December 2007, Chris Ryall and Clive Barker announced an upcoming collaboration of an original comic book series,Torakator, to be published by IDW. In 2008, Barker authored a foreword for the first volume of theDEMONICSEXcomic series by Chuck Conner and Sean Platter. In October 2009, IDW publishedSeduth, co-written by Barker. The work was released with three variant covers. In 2011,Boom! Studiosbegan publishing an originalHellraisercomic book series. In 2013, Boom! Studios announcedNext Testament, the first original story by Barker to be published in comic book format. Works Novels Hellraiserseries Books of the Artseries The Books of Abarat Short stories Collections: Uncollected short stories: Plays Collections: All plays: Poems Uncollected poems: Non-fiction Toys Filmography Adaptations Video games See also References Bibliography External links","William, Prince of Wales William, Prince of Wales(William Arthur Philip Louis; born 21 June 1982), is theheir apparentto theBritish throne. He is the elder son of KingCharles IIIandDiana, Princess of Wales. William was born during the reign of his paternal grandmother,Queen Elizabeth II. He was educated atWetherby School,Ludgrove SchoolandEton College. He earned aMaster of Arts degreeingeographyat theUniversity of St Andrewswhere he met his future wife,Catherine Middleton. They have three children:George,CharlotteandLouis. After university, William trained at theRoyal Military Academy Sandhurstprior to serving with theBlues and Royalsregiment. In 2008 he graduated from theRoyal Air Force College Cranwell, joining theRAF Search and Rescue Forcein early 2009. He served as a full-time pilot with theEast Anglian Air Ambulancefor two years, starting in July 2015. William performs official duties and engagements on behalf of the monarch. He holds patronage with over 30 charitable and military organisations, including theTusk Trust,Centrepoint,The Passage,Wales Air AmbulanceandLondon's Air Ambulance Charity. He undertakes projects through theRoyal Foundation, with his charity work revolving around mental health, conservation, homelessness, and emergency workers. In 2020 William launched theEarthshot Prize, a £50 million initiative to incentivise environmental solutions over the next decade. William was madeDuke of Cambridgeimmediately beforehis weddingin April 2011. He becameDuke of CornwallandDuke of Rothesayupon his father's accession to the throne on 8 September 2022. The following day he was madePrince of Wales. Early life Prince William was born at 21:03BSTon 21 June 1982 inSt Mary's Hospital, London, as the first child of Charles, Prince of Wales (laterKing Charles III), and his first wife,Diana, Princess of Wales, during the reign of his paternal grandmother,Queen Elizabeth II.Buckingham Palace announced his name – William Arthur Philip Louis – on 28 June.William was christened in the Music Room ofBuckingham Palaceby the thenArchbishop of Canterbury,Robert Runcie, on 4 August, coinciding with the 82nd birthday of his paternal great-grandmother,Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. William was the first child born to aPrinceandPrincess of WalessincePrince Johnwas born to Prince George and Princess Mary (laterKing George VandQueen Mary) in July 1905.When he was nine months old, William accompanied his parents on their 1983 tour of Australia and New Zealand, as his first trip overseas.It also marked the first time that a royal baby was taken on an overseas tour.His younger brother,Prince Harry, was born in September 1984. Both of them were raised atKensington Palacein London, andHighgrove Housein Gloucestershire. Known informally as \"Wills\" within his family,William was nicknamed \"Willy\" by his brother and \"Wombat\" by his mother.Diana wished her sons to obtain broader and more typical life experiences beyond royal upbringing, taking them toWalt Disney World,McDonald's, AIDS clinics and shelters for the homeless.BiographerRobert Laceyasserts that William, a \"rambunctious\" and \"bratty\" child, grew \"more reflective\" with a \"noticeably quiet character\" as he began boarding school.Diana was reported to have described William as \"my little wise old man\" on whom she started to rely as her confidant by his early teens. William carried out his first public engagement while accompanying his parents on a visit toLlandaffonSaint David's Dayin 1991.He and Harry travelled to Canada on an official visit with their parents in 1991 and again with Charles in 1998.William's parents divorced in 1996. Dianadied in a car accidentin the early hours of 31 August 1997. William, then aged 15, together with his 12-year-old brother and their father, was staying atBalmoral Castleat the time. The following morning, Charles informed William and Harry of their mother's death.William was reportedly uncertain as to whether he should walk behind his mother's coffin during thefuneral procession. His grandfatherPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, told him: \"If you don't walk, I think you'll regret it later. If I walk, will you walk with me?\".At the funeral, William and Harry walked alongside their father, grandfather, and maternal uncle,Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, behind the funeral cortège from Kensington Palace toWestminster Abbey. After his mother's death, William stated that he was \"in a state of shock for many years\".He and Harry inherited the majority of the £12.9 million left by their mother on their respective 30th birthdays, a figure that had grown to £10 million each by 2014.In 2014 the brothers inherited theirmother's wedding dressalong with many other of her personal possessions including dresses, diamond tiaras, jewels, letters and paintings. They also received the original lyrics and score of \"Candle in the Wind\" byBernie TaupinandElton Johnas performed by the latter at Diana's funeral.In 2002The Timesreported that William and Harry would also share £4.9 million from trust funds established by their great-grandmother on their respective 21st birthdays, as well as £8 million upon their respective 40th birthdays. Education William was educated atprivate schools, starting at Jane Mynors' nursery school and the pre-preparatoryWetherby School, both in London.Following this, he attendedLudgrove SchoolnearWokingham, Berkshire, and was privately tutored during summers byRory Stewart.At Ludgrove, he participated infootball, swimming, basketball,clay pigeon shooting, andcross country running. He was subsequently admitted toEton College, studying geography, biology, and history of art atA-Level. He obtained an 'A' in geography, a 'C' in biology, and a 'B' in history of art.William was captain of the swimming team and his house football team at Eton, also taking upwater polo. The decision to place William at Eton went against the family tradition of sending royal children toGordonstoun, which his father and grandfather both attended. Diana's brother andfatherwere both Eton students.The royal family and the tabloid press agreed that William would be allowed to study free from intrusion in exchange for regular updates about his life.John Wakeham, chairman of thePress Complaints Commission, stated \"Prince William is not an institution; nor a soap star; nor a football hero. He is a boy: in the next few years, perhaps the most important and sometimes painful part of his life, he will grow up and become a man.\"While at Eton, he often had tea on weekends at the nearbyWindsor Castlewith his grandmother, discussingstate boxesand constitutional duties meant to \"prepare as future King.\" In June 1991, William was admitted to theRoyal Berkshire Hospitalafter being accidentally hit on the forehead by a fellow pupil wielding a golf club. He suffered a depressed fracture of the skull and was operated on atGreat Ormond Street Hospital, resulting in a permanent scar.The incident received widespread media attention.In 1999 he underwent an operation on his left hand after he broke a finger.After completing his studies at Eton, William took a gap year, during which he took part inBritish Armytraining exercises in Belize,worked on English dairy farms, and visited Africa.As part of theRaleigh Internationalprogramme in the town ofTortelin southern Chile, William worked for ten weeks on local construction projects and taught English. He lived with other young volunteers, sharing in the common household chores.His interest in African culture prompted him to teach himselfSwahili. In 2001 William enrolled at theUniversity of St Andrewsin Scotland.Similar to his time at Eton, the media agreed not to invade his privacy, and students were warned not to leak stories to the press.William embarked on a degree course inArt Historybut later changed his main subject toGeography. He focused hisdissertationon the Indian Ocean'sRodriguescoral reefs and graduated with anundergraduate Master of Arts(MA Hons) degree withupper second class honoursin 2005.While at university, he represented the Scottish national universities water polo team at the Celtic Nations tournament in 2004.He was reportedly known as \"Steve\" by other students to avoid any journalists overhearing and realising his identity. Early appointments and duties At the age of 21, William was appointed aCounsellor of State; he first served in that capacity when the Queen attended theCommonwealth Heads of Government Meetingin the same year.In July 2005, he embarked on his first solo public engagements on an overseas tour of New Zealand, travelling to participate in World War II commemorations.According to authorTina Brown, he had, like his father, expressed a desire to becomeGovernor-General of Australia.In 2009 the Queen set up aprivate officefor William and Harry withDavid Manningas their adviser.Manning accompanied William on his first official tour in January 2010 as the latter touredAucklandandWellington; William opened the new building of theSupreme Court of New Zealandand was welcomed by aMāorichief.The visit spurred crowds of \"many thousands\", with positive public reception compared to that of his mother's 1983 tour.In March 2011, William visitedChristchurch, New Zealand, shortly after theearthquake,and spoke at the memorial service atHagley Parkon behalf of his grandmother.He also travelled to Australia to visit areas affected by flooding inQueenslandandVictoria. Before attending Sandhurst, William did a three-week internship at several institutions, including theBank of England, theLondon Stock ExchangeandLloyd's of London.To prepare for his eventual management of theDuchy of Cornwall, in 2014, he enteredSt John's College, Cambridgeto undertake an executive agriculture management degree run by theCambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership(CPSL), of which his father is patron.In April 2019, Kensington Palace announced that William had completed a three-week internship atMI5,MI6andGCHQ,during which he was tasked with monitoring extreme Islamist terror cells, identifying potential threats abroad, and observing code breaking technology. Military and air ambulance service Having decided on a military career, William was admitted to theRoyal Military Academy Sandhurstin January 2006; his admission was based on successfully completing a 44-week course as an Officer Cadet which led to his commission as a British Army officer.As \"Lieutenant Wales\" – a name based on his father's then title Prince of Wales – he followed his brotherinto theBlues and Royalsin December that year as a troop commander in an armoured reconnaissance unit, after which he spent five months training for the post atBovington Campin Dorset. Despite the Queen's approval for William to serve on the frontline, his position as second-in-line to the throne at the time cast doubts on his chances of seeing combat.Plans by theMinistry of Defenceto send William to Southern Iraq leaked and the government eventually decided against sending him as it would endanger both his life and the lives of people around him if he was targeted.William instead trained in theRoyal NavyandRoyal Air Force, obtaining his commission as asub-lieutenantin the former and aflying officerin the latter, both broadly equivalent to the army rank of lieutenant. After completing his training, he undertook an attachment with the Royal Air Force atRAF Cranwell. Upon completing the course he was presented with hisRAF wingsby his father,who had received his own wings after training at Cranwell.During thissecondment, William flew to Afghanistan in aC-17 Globemasterthat repatriated the body of Trooper Robert Pearson.William was then seconded to train with the Royal Navy.He then completed an accelerated Naval Officer training course at theBritannia Royal Naval College.Whilst serving onHMSIron Dukein July 2008, William participated in a £40m drug seizure in the Atlantic, north-east of Barbados.He was part of the crew on the Lynx helicopter which helped seize 900 kg of cocaine from a speedboat. In January 2009, William transferred his commission to the RAF and was promoted toFlight Lieutenant. He trained to become a helicopter pilot with the RAF'sSearch and Rescue Force.As part of his training across all branches of the military in 2009, he spent up to six weeks with theSpecial Air Service, theSpecial Boat Service, and theSpecial Reconnaissance Regiment.In January 2010, he graduated from theDefence Helicopter Flying SchoolatRAF Shawbury.In the same month, he transferred to the Search and Rescue Training Unit atRAF Valley,Anglesey, to receive training on theSea Kingsearch and rescue helicopter; he graduated in September 2010.This made him the first member of the British royal family sinceHenry VIIto live in Wales. William's first rescue mission as co-pilot of a RAF Sea King was in response to an emergency call from Liverpool Coastguard in October 2010.In November 2011, he participated in a search-and-rescue mission involving a cargo ship that was sinking in the Irish Sea; William, as a co-pilot, helped rescue two sailors.He was deployed to theFalkland Islandsfor a six-week tour withNo. 1564 Flightfrom February to March 2012.The Argentine government condemned William's deployment to the islands close to the 30th anniversary of the beginning of theFalklands Waras a \"provocative act\".In June 2012, he gained a qualification to be captain orpilot in commandof a Sea King rather than a co-pilot.His active service as an RAF search-and-rescue pilot ended in September 2013.He conducted 156 search and rescue operations, which resulted in 149 people being rescued.He later became patron to theBattle of Britain Memorial Flight. In July 2015, William began working full-time as a pilot with theEast Anglian Air Ambulance(EAAA) based atCambridge Airport, which he felt was a natural progression from his previous search-and-rescue role.He donated his full salary to the EAAA charity.William required a civil pilot's licence and further training before being permitted to begin his role.He underwent part of his training atNorwich Airport.William described working irregular shifts and dealing mostly withcritical carecases.He also discussed the impact of witnessing intensive trauma and bereavement on his mental health and personal life.TheBBChas written that William was \"exposed to theNational Health Servicein a way that no other senior royal has been or possibly ever will be.\" William left his position with EAAA in July 2017 to assume full-time royal duties.After supporting an anniversary campaign forLondon's Air Ambulance Charityin 2019, he became the charity's official patron in March 2020.In May 2020, he granted permission to the charity to use Kensington Palace's private lawn to refuel during theCOVID-19 pandemic.To mark Air Ambulance Week 2020, he wrote a letter thanking air ambulance workers, stating his \"profound respect\" for the community, particularly during the \"immeasurably difficult\" outbreak.In February 2023, he became patron of theWales Air Ambulancecharity. Personal life Relationship with Catherine Middleton In 2001 William metCatherine Middleton, while they were students in residence atSt Salvator's Hall, at the University of St Andrews, and they became close friends.She reportedly caught William's attention at a charity fashion show at the university in 2002 when she appeared on the stage wearing a see-through lace dress.During their second year, William shared a flat with Middleton and two other friends.The couple began dating in 2003.From 2003 to 2005 they both resided at Balgove House on theStrathtyrumestate with two roommates.In 2004 the couple briefly split but reconciled soon afterwards. The relationship was followed closely by the tabloid press.Media attention became so intense that William asked the press to keep their distance from Middleton.In December 2006, Middleton and her family attended William'spassing out paradeat the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.In April 2007, William and Middleton were reported to have split.Middleton and her family attended theConcert for Dianathree months later;the couple were subsequently reported to have \"rekindled their relationship\".She also attended theOrder of the Garterprocession at Windsor Castle in June 2008, where William was made aRoyal Knight of the Garter.In June 2010, the couple moved into a cottage on theBodorgan Estatein Anglesey, Wales, where they resided until 2014. Marriage and children The couple became engaged in October 2010, at a remote alpine cabin onMount Kenya, during a 10-day trip to theLewa Wildlife Conservancyto celebrate William's passing the RAF helicopter search and rescue course.Clarence Houseannounced their engagement on 16 November.William gave his fianceé his mother'sengagement ring.The wedding took place in Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011.The global audience for the wedding ranged around 300 million, whereas 26 million watched the event live in Britain alone.William and Catherine usedNottingham Cottageas their London home until 2013, when £4.5 million renovations completed at Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace, which continues to be their official residence in the capital.The couple were given the country houseAnmer Hall, on theSandringham Estate, as a wedding gift from the Queen, where they lived from 2015 to 2017.Kensington Palace was the couple's main residence until 2022, when the family moved toAdelaide CottageinWindsor. Catherine's first pregnancy was announced in December 2012.She was admitted on 22 July 2013 to the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, London, where Prince William had been delivered. Later that day, she gave birth toPrince George.In September 2014, it was announced that Catherine was pregnant with her second child.She was admitted on 2 May 2015 to the same hospital where she gave birth toPrincess Charlottethe same day.Catherine's third pregnancy was announced in September 2017;Prince Louiswas born on 23 April 2018.William and Catherine have owned twoEnglish Cocker Spaniels, namedLupoand Orla. Duke of Cambridge William was createdDuke of Cambridge,Earl of Strathearn, andBaron Carrickferguson the day of his wedding in April 2011.He and Catherinetoured Canadathat summer.Nicholas Witchell, writing forBBC News, noted that the tour to Canada had been an \"unqualified success\" for the couple as they engaged in various activities from tree planting to street hockey, with their warm interactions and thoughtful gestures enhancing their popularity and reinforcing positive sentiments towards the monarchy in Canada.The couple served as ambassadors for the2012 Summer Olympicsin London, during multiple sporting events throughout the games. In September 2013, William and Catherine visited Singapore, Malaysia, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands as part of theQueen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.William hosted his firstinvestitureceremony at Buckingham Palace in October that year.In April 2014, he and Catherine undertook a royal tour to New Zealand and Australia accompanied by their son George.In August that year, the couple and Prince Harry represented the royal family atWorld War Icommemorations in Belgium.In December, the couple visited New York and Washington DC, where William made a speech at theWorld Bankcondemning the illegal trade in wildlife. In 2015 and 2016 William embarked on various visits of Asian countries, including Japan, China, Bhutan and India;he was the first royal to visit mainland China in almost three decades, with the press referring to William's diplomacy as \"deft\" and \"polished\".In response to media allegations of being \"work-shy\", he asserted his commitment to his duties, emphasizing his dedication to fatherhood and his role in air ambulance work.Countries visited by William and Catherine in 2017 included France, Poland, Germany, and Belgium.In January 2018 the couple visited Sweden and Norway.The visits, which were, like others, requested by theForeign Office, were interpreted to benefitUK-European relationspostBrexit.In June 2018, William toured Jordan, Israel and Palestine. William and Catherine toured Pakistan in October 2019, which was the royal family's first visit to the country in 13 years.The tour was a success, helping promote diplomatic relations with Pakistan while also reflecting the couple's personal interests in climate change and the significance of quality education.In November 2020, it was reported that William had tested positive for COVID-19 in April but decided not to alert the media to 'avoid alarming the nation'.The Daily Telegraphreported he had been \"very ill\" and had isolated away from his family;other sources said that he had not been seriously ill, not bed-ridden and working for most of the time.In December that year, the couple embarked on a tour of England, Scotland, and Wales via theBritish royal train\"to pay tribute to the inspiring work\" of communities and charities in 2020.Boris Johnsonexpressed his support, while Scottish first ministerNicola Sturgeoncriticised the tour, citing travel restrictions; local governments were consulted before planning the tour. In William's capacity asLord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, he and Catherine toured the country in May 2021.The couple attended theG7 summitfor the first time in June 2021 in Cornwall.In March 2022, they embarked on a tour of Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica as part of theQueen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.Reparations for slaveryemerged as a major demand of public protesters during the couple's visit.During the unveiling of the National Windrush Monument in London, William described the tour as \"an opportunity to reflect\" and condemnedracism facedby both members of theWindrush generationand British minorities in 2022.In May 2022, he attended theState Opening of Parliamentfor the first time as acounsellor of state, where his father delivered the Queen's Speech on behalf of Elizabeth II. Prince of Wales Queen Elizabeth II diedon 8 September 2022, and William's father succeeded as Charles III. William, nowheir apparent, was created Prince of Wales by his father on 9 September.Controversy regarding the titlebecame a topic of public debate in Wales.By 17 September, a petition calling for the end of the title had received over 30,000 signatures,while aYouGovpoll showed 66 per cent support for William to be given the title compared to 22 percent of respondents opposed.On 30 October, Senedd LlywyddElin Jonesnoted that an investiture is not a constitutional requirement and suggested that contemporary Wales would deem it unnecessary.Kensington Palace also stated an investiture is \"not on the table\".As the eldest son of the British monarch, William has inherited the Duchy of Cornwall, which brings him additional income.The duchy is \"a £760 million (about US$1.25 billion) entity established in 1337\" to provide a private income to the monarch's eldest son. William and Catherine visitedAngleseyandSwanseaon 27 September 2022, which marked their first visit to Wales since becoming Prince and Princess of Wales.He visited theSeneddin November 2022, meeting the Welsh first ministerMark Drakeford.In February 2023, William and Catherine visitedFalmouth, marking their first visit to the region since becoming Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.In March 2023, he undertook a solo visit to Poland during which he visitedRzeszówto meet Polish and British troops and Ukrainian refugees, and had talks with Polish presidentAndrzej Dudaat thePresidential Palace.In October 2023, William and Catherine condemned theHamas-led attack on Israel.In February 2024, he visited the headquarters of theBritish Red Cross, where he met humanitarian aid workers supporting civilians during theIsrael–Gaza conflict, and called for an end to the fighting in a statement approved by theUK government.Later that month, William pulled out at the last moment fromthe thanksgiving serviceof his godfather,Constantine II of Greece, due to an undisclosed \"personal matter\".The same month, he visitedWestern Marble Arch Synagogueto acknowledge the increase in antisemitism and human suffering in the Middle East. Charity work William became aware of HIV/AIDS in the mid-1990s when he accompanied his mother and brother on visits to shelters and clinics for patients. In January 2005, he and Harry volunteered at aBritish Red Crossaid distribution centre to pack emergency supplies for countries affected by the2004 Boxing Day tsunami.Later, in December 2005, William spent two weeks in North Wales withMountain Rescue England and Wales(MREW).In May 2007, he became patron of MREW and president of theRoyal Marsden Hospital, the latter of which was a role previously held by his mother. In July 2007, William and Harry organised the Concert for Diana, in memory of their mother, which benefitted the charities and patronages of Diana, William, and Harry.In October 2008, the brothers embarked on the 1,000 mile eight-day Enduro Africa motorbike ride across South Africa to raise money forSentebale,UNICEFand theNelson Mandela Children's Fund.In 2010 William became a patron of100 Women in Hedge Funds' philanthropic initiatives for the following three years until 2012.The same year, he succeededLord Attenboroughas the fifth president of theBritish Academy of Film and Television Arts.In March 2011, he and Catherine set up a gift fund held by The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry to allow well-wishers to donate money to charities supporting the armed forces, children, the elderly, art, sport and conservation in lieu of gifts.The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry is now known asThe Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. Humanitarian causes In March 2020, William appeared in a video for theNational Emergencies Trust, launching a fundraising appeal to help charities during the pandemic. The appeal raised £11 million in its first week, eventually totalling to £90 million, with the money going out to \"front line charities\" and to theUK Community Foundationsto be distributed among \"local community foundations\".In April 2020, he officially became patron of the organisation.Later that month, he made a surprise appearance onThe Big Night In, atelethonheld during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a skit which he held a video call withStephen Fry, who reprised his role as (a descendant of)Lord Melchett, from theBlackadderseries. In December 2020, William and Catherine became joint patrons ofNHS Charities Together.In February 2021, he visited a vaccination centre inKing's Lynnand later encouraged use of the vaccine, denouncingfalse informationthat could causevaccine hesitancy.In May 2021, William got his first dose ofCOVID-19 vaccineby NHS staff at the Science Museum in London.In September 2021, it was reported that he had assisted in the evacuation of an Afghan officer, a Royal Military Academy Sandhurst graduate and aide to British troops, from Kabul airport, along with over 10 of his family members, during the2021 Taliban offensive.In March 2022 amid theRussian invasion of Ukraine, William and Catherine made a donation to help the refugees.In February 2023, they donated to theDisasters Emergency Committee(DEC) which was helping victims of the2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.In July 2023, William became patron of the appeal to launch The Fleming Centre, driving a new global movement to tackleantimicrobial resistance.In July 2024, he and Catherine made donations to help victims ofHurricane Beryl. Conservation William became patron of theTusk Trustin December 2005, a charity that works towards conserving wildlife and initiating community development across Africa.He carried out his first official duty with the Trust in launching a 5,000-mile (8,000 km) bike ride across the African continent in April 2008.Later, William helped with launching the Tusk Conservation Awards, which have been presented to selected environmental activists annually since 2013.In June 2010, he and his brother visited Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa, undertaking projects relating to wildlife, sport, and young children.In 2013 he succeeded his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, as president ofFields in Trustand transitioned into the role of patron in 2024.He established the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce in December 2014, with the goal of reducing global illegal wildlife trade.In 2014Jane Goodallstated that William had expressed the view that all ivory in the royal collection needed tobe destroyed.William has occasionally commented on the effects ofoverpopulationon thewildlife of Africa, but his remarks have been criticised in the media for not takingresource consumptionand population density into consideration. After two years of research, William launched theEarthshot Prizein October 2020, designed to provide funding and incentive for environmental solutions over the next decade.Following the launch, he gave aTED Talkon environmental protection and conservation as part of the TED Countdown climate change initiative.Later that month, William took over the patronages ofFauna and Flora Internationaland theBritish Trust for Ornithology, passed on from his grandparents.In the same month, he appeared in an ITV documentary titledPrince William: A Planet For Us Allto discuss environmental issues. In 2021 William made a private donation to the Thin Green Line Foundation, which provides grants for the relatives of conservation park rangers that are killed every year while protecting wildlife.In July 2022, he condemned the murder of South African park ranger Anton Mzimba and asked for the responsible parties to \"be brought to justice\".In August 2022, William voiced his support for the prison sentence given to a man in the United States responsible for trafficking rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory.He had previously called for harsher punishments and penalties for poachers and smugglers at the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in 2018. LGBT rights William has spoken out forLGBT rightsas part of his work againstcyberbullying, stating the importance of being \"proud of the person you are\" and discussing the effects of online abuse and discrimination.In 2016 he appeared in the July issue ofAttitudeand became the first member of the royal family to be featured on the cover of a gay magazine.He was recognised at theBritish LGBT Awardsin May 2017.William hosted a commemorativePride Monthdiscussion with mental health charity volunteers at theRoyal Vauxhall Tavernin June 2023. Mental health Since 2009, William has been patron of Child Bereavement UK, which provides support to children and families who have lost a loved one.In 2016 the Royal Foundation launched multiple mental health initiatives, including Heads Together, a campaign led by William, Catherine and Harry to de-stigmatise mental health.Legacy programmes include Mental Health at Work, launched in September 2018 to change the approach to workplace mental health in the United Kingdom, as well as Heads Up, launched in May 2019 in partnership with theFootball Association, utilising football to affect the conversation surrounding mental health in adults.Later that month, William and Catherine, together with William's brother Harry and sister-in-lawMeghan, launched Shout, the United Kingdom's first 24/7 text messaging service for those who suffer from mental issues.William later volunteered on the crisis helpline during theCOVID-19 lockdownsto provide support via text message.He attributes his interest in mental health to his experiences as an air ambulance pilot, his work with the homeless, veterans' welfare, and his wife's anti-addiction advocacy. In March 2020, William and Catherine began supporting a new mental health initiative by the Public Health England agency amidst the coronavirus pandemic.In April 2020, the couple announced Our Frontline, an initiative providing mental health support to emergency medical workers.In September 2020, William established the Emergency Responders Senior Leaders Board, commissioned by the foundation to research the mental health and wellbeing of emergency responders, in partnership withKing's College Londonand the Open University.In May 2021 and 2022, William and Catherine voiced the Mental Health Minute message, which was broadcast on every radio station in the United Kingdom on and asked people to help individuals around them that suffer from loneliness.In October 2022, to mark the World Mental Health Day, the couple took overNewsbeatand interviewed four guests on topics related to mental health.In September 2023, William unveiled two organizations that had partnered with the Duchy of Cornwall to raise better mental well-being and provide mental health services for all its tenants.In October 2023 and to mark World Mental Health Day, he and Catherine took part in a forum for young people in Birmingham, alongside BBC Radio 1 and charity called The Mix, calledExploring our Emotional Worldscontinuing their longstanding work to promote mental well-being.In May 2024, he announced a three-year funding package for the charity We Are Farming Minds to provide mental health support for farmers on the Duchy of Cornwall lands. Homelessness In September 2005, William became patron ofCentrepoint, a charity that assists the homeless.In December 2009, as part of a Centrepoint-organised event, the prince spent the night in a sleeping bag nearBlackfriars Bridgeto raise awareness of the experiences of homeless youth.He opened their new facility, Apprenticeship House, in November 2019 to mark their 50th anniversary. William has been patron of homelessness charityThe Passagesince 2019 after first visiting the centre in 1993 with his mother.In October 2020, he wrote the introduction to the organisation's 40th-anniversary fundraising cookbook, discussing the importance of helping victims of homelessness during theCOVID-19 pandemic.In December 2020, William volunteered at the charity to help prepare donation bags for homeless residents in emergency hotel accommodations and spoke with residents about their experiences.In 2022 and 2023, he was spotted selling copies ofThe Big Issueon the streets, copies of which are usually sold by homeless and unemployed people to collect money. In June 2023, William launched Homewards after two years of development, which aims to \"finally end homelessness\" in the United Kingdom.The five-year initiative aims to tackle homelessness in six pilot locations across the United Kingdom with an initial seed funding allocated for each area by the Royal Foundation, working with existing private sector and grassroots charity partners.The project focuses on early intervention and providing housing to families before other issues, such as abuse and joblessness, are addressed.In February 2024, William, in partnership with Cornish charity St Petrocs, announced plans for building 24 homes on Duchy of Cornwall land inNansledanto provide temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness in the area.Future plans include building more than 400 social rented homes and a further 475 affordable dwellings inSouth East Faversham. Sport William often playspoloto raise money for charity.He is a fan of football, and supports the English clubAston Villa.He became president ofEngland's Football Association(FA) in May 2006 and vice-royal patron of theWelsh Rugby Union(WRU) in February 2007, supporting the Queen as patron.The same year, the WRU's decision to name thePrince William Cupdrew criticism as some believed it would have been more appropriate to name it afterRay Gravell.William became patron of the WRU and the FA in 2016 and 2024, respectively. In December 2010, William, alongsideDavid Cameron, attended a meeting withFIFAvice-presidentChung Mong-joonat which Chung suggested a vote-trading deal for the right to host the 2018 World Cup in England. The English delegation reported the suggestion to FIFA, considering it a violation of anti-collusion rules.In 2011 William, as president of the English FA, voted againstAustralia's 2022 FIFA bidand instead voted for South Korea, despite beingAustralia's future heir. In 2020 he voted against the jointAustralia–New Zealand 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup bidand instead voted forColombia. In February 2021, following an investigation into racism directed atMarcus Rashford, William released a statement as president of the FA, denouncing the \"racist abuse... whether on the pitch, in the stands, or on social media\" as \"despicable\" and stating that \"we all have a responsibility\" to create an environment of tolerance and accountability.In April 2021, William criticised the planned breakaway competitionThe Super League, adding that he \"share the concerns of fans about the proposed Super League and the damage it risks causing to the game we love.\"In July 2021, he condemned racist attacks against England football players following their loss at theUEFA Euro 2020finale. In May 2007, William became patron of the English Schools' Swimming Association.In 2012, together with his wife Catherine and brother Harry, William launched Coach Core. The program was set up following the2012 Olympicsand provides apprenticeship opportunities for people who desire to pursue a career as a professional coach.In May 2020, he appeared in aBBC OneDocumentary titledFootball, Prince William and Our Mental Healthas a part of a campaign to promote men to discuss their mental issues using football as a common medium. Both William and Harry are enthusiastic motorcyclists; William owns aDucati 1198 S Corse.In May 2014, William, like his father and grandfather, became president of theBritish Sub-Aqua Club(BSAC).He also took part in abandyevent inStockholmin January 2018. In November 2022, William was criticised by Welsh football followers and Welsh actorMichael Sheenfor holding the Prince of Wales title whilst having affiliations with theEngland national football team, particularly after he presented jerseys to the squad in advance of the2022 FIFA World Cupin which bothWalesand England were placed in the same Group B.William commented that he had supported the England football team from a very young age, but happily supportedWelsh rugby union, of which he is patron, over England.In August 2023, he was criticised in segments of the press and social media for not attending2023 FIFA Women's World Cup finalin Australia as president of the FA. Public image William has been one of the most popular members of the British royal family since his birth.Having lived a public life since birth, he was regarded as a \"heartthrob\" and eligible as a young adult, similar to his father.Ruth La Ferla ofThe New York Timescontrasted William's \"refined\" and \"polite\" appeal toLeonardo DiCaprio's \"bad-boy\" popularity.Following his marriage, William's public image assumed a more \"staid\" and fatherly demeanour, having \"settled into a stable domestic order.\" JournalistAnne McElvoyhas described William's public personality as a \"genial presence\" with a \"tougher side\", alongside his mother's \"inimitable style\".Much of his royal duties focus on \"big bet\" projects, rather than \"plaques and patronages\". In 2016 William gave an interview stating his goal was \"how do I make the royal family relevant in the next 20 years ... that's the challenge for me\". In April 2011,Timemagazine listed him asone of the most influential people in the worldalongside his then-newlywed wife Catherine.In August 2023,Gallup, Inc.named him as the most popular public figure in the US after conducting a survey that asked for people's views on 15 prominent individuals.He was found to be the most popular member of the royal family by statistics and polling companyYouGovin December 2022and September 2023,and as the second most popular in April 2024. Privacy and the media The death of William's mother while being chased by thepaparazziin August 1997has since influenced his attitude towards the media.He and Catherine have often requested that, when off-duty, their privacy should be respected.In 2005 William spoke with ITV reporterTom Bradbyand concluded that it was likely that their voicemails were being accessed.An investigation under thenDeputy Assistant CommissionerPeter Clarkeconcluded that the compromised voice mail accounts belonged to William's aides, includingJamie Lowther-Pinkerton,and not the prince himself.However,Clive Goodmanlater stated that he hadhackedWilliam's phone on 35 occasions.William later suedNews Group Newspapers, publisher ofNews of the WorldandThe Sun, which resulted in an out-of-court settlement in 2020.He and his brother Harry brought a claim privately through their mutual attorneys, but Harry later pursued his case separately with a new solicitor. In 2005, after his then-girlfriend Catherine Middleton was chased by the paparazzi on her way to a job interview, William consulted Middleton andher fatherand wrote a legal letter to newspapers requesting that they respect her privacy.As media attention increased around the time of Middleton's 25th birthday in January 2007, he issued a public statement mentioning that \"the situation is proving unbearable for all those concerned.\"In October 2007, William issued a public statement via his press secretary complaining about the \"aggressive pursuit\" by \"photographers on motorcycles, in vehicles and on foot\" while the couple were leaving a London nightclub and later driving in his car.Following the statement,Daily Mail,Daily Mirror, andDaily Expressall decided against using the paparazzi photos of the couple, butThe Sunpublished photos taken before the couple's car had left.The statement prompted the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) to issue a warning, asking editors not to publish photographs which were taken through harassment.In April 2009, William's lawyers obtained an apology fromThe Daily Starafter the tabloid had claimed he had \"wrecked\" a $2m plane during his pilot training. In September 2012, the French edition ofCloserand Italiangossip magazineChipublished photographs of Catherine sun-bathing topless while on holiday at theChâteau d'Autetin Provence.William and Catherine filed a criminal complaint with the French prosecution department and launched a claim for civil damages at theTribunal de Grande InstancedeNanterre.The following day the courts granted an injunction againstCloserprohibiting further publication of the photographs and announced that a criminal investigation would be initiated.In September 2017,Closerwas fined €100,000 and its editor Laurence Pieau and owner Ernesto Mauri were each fined €45,000. In October 2014, William and Catherine sent a legal letter to a freelance photographer who had put their son George and his nanny \"under surveillance\", asking the individual to stop \"harassing and following\" them.In August 2015, Kensington Palace published a letter detailing what it stated were the \"dangerous\" and invasive efforts of the media to get paparazzi pictures of Prince George and Princess Charlotte. In November 2016, William issued a statement supporting Prince Harry and his then-girlfriend,Meghan Markle, following their complaints about the press intrusion, stating that he \"understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him.\"During a visit to the BBC studios in central London in November 2018, he publicly criticised the social media firms' approach to handling \"misinformation and conspiracy\" and added, \"Their self-image is so grounded in their positive power for good that they seem unable to engage in constructive discussion about the social problems they are creating\". In June 2022, a three-minute video of William confronting Terry Harris, a paparazzi photographer, was posted on Harris' YouTube channel.It was recorded by Harris in January 2021 and shows William arguing with Harris as the latter attempts to film William's family on a bike ride near Anmer Hall.Kensington Palace described the video as a breach of the family's privacy and asked for it to be removed from public websites.The couple's lawyers also contacted the photographer, who claimed he was on public roads and had filmed the video after hearing about allegations that the couple had broken the \"rule of six\" as they toured a public attraction at Sandringham while William's uncle and aunt, thenEarlandCountess of Wessex, and their children happened to be in the same spot. Titles, styles, and honours Titles and styles William has been aBritish princesince birth, and was known as \"Prince William of Wales\" until April 2011. He was createdDuke of Cambridge,Earl of StrathearnandBaron Carrickfergusby his grandmother, Elizabeth II, on the day of his wedding. Theletters patentgranting these titles were issued on 26 May that year. As the eldest son of the monarch, William automatically becameDuke of Cornwall,Duke of Rothesay,Earl of Carrick,Baron of Renfrew,Lord of the Isles, andPrince and Great Steward of Scotlandon the accession of his father on 8 September 2022.From 8 to 9 September, William was styled as \"His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge\".On 9 September, Charles announced the creation of William asPrince of Wales, the traditional title for the male heir apparent to the British monarch. William has since been known as \"His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales\", except in Scotland, where he is called \"His Royal Highness the Duke of Rothesay\" instead.The letters patent formally granting him this title and that ofEarl of Chesterwere issued on 13 February 2023. Honours William is a RoyalKnight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter(KG),an ExtraKnight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle(KT),Great Master of theMost Honourable Order of the Bath(GCB),a member of thePrivy Council of the United Kingdom(PC),and aPersonal Aide-de-Camp(ADC) to the sovereign. Ancestry William's ancestry is royal and aristocratic.Patrilineally, he is a member of theHouse of Windsorand also descends from theHouse of Oldenburg, one of Europe's oldest royal houses. More specifically, he descends from thecadet branchknown as theHouse of Glücksburg. Through his mother, William descends from theEarls Spencer– a cadet branch of theSpencer familydescended from theEarls of Sunderland; the senior branch are now alsoDukes of Marlborough; theBarons Fermoy; and more anciently fromHenry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton, andCharles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond– two illegitimate sons of KingCharles II. As king, William would be the first monarch since the death ofAnnein 1714 to undisputedly descend fromCharles Iand the first to descend from Charles II. William descendsmatrilineallyfrom Eliza Kewark, a housekeeper for his 18th-century ancestor Theodore Forbes – a Scottish merchant who worked for the East India Company inSurat. She is variously described in contemporary documents as \"a dark-skinned native woman\", \"anArmenianwoman from Bombay\", and \"Mrs. Forbesian\".GenealogistWilliam Addams Reitwiesnerassumed Kewark was Armenian.In June 2013, it was reported thatgenealogical DNA testson two of William's distant matrilineal cousins confirm Kewark was matrilineally of Indian descent. Bibliography Book contributions Authored letters and articles See also Footnotes References Further reading Books Articles External links","Malcolm Bradbury Sir Malcolm Stanley Bradbury,CBE(7 September 1932 – 27 November 2000) was an English author and academic. Life Bradbury was born inSheffield, the son of a railwayman.His family moved to London in 1935, but returned to Sheffield in 1941 with his brother and mother. The family later moved toNottinghamand in 1943 Bradbury attendedWest BridgfordGrammar School, where he remained until 1950. He read English atUniversity College, Leicester, gaining a first-class degree in 1953. He continued his studies atQueen Mary College, University of London, where he gained his MA in 1955. Between 1955 and 1958, Bradbury moved between teaching posts with theUniversity of ManchesterandIndiana Universityin the United States. He returned to England in 1958 for a major heart operation; such was his heart condition that he was not expected to live beyond middle age. In 1959, while in hospital, he completed his first novel,Eating People is Wrong. Bradbury married Elizabeth Salt and they had two sons. He took up his first teaching post as an adult-education tutor at theUniversity of Hull. With his study onEvelyn Waughin 1962 he began his career of writing and editing critical books. From 1961 to 1965 he taught at theUniversity of Birmingham. He completed his PhD inAmerican studiesat the University of Manchester in 1962, moving to theUniversity of East Anglia(his second novel,Stepping Westward, appeared in 1965), where he became Professor of American Studies in 1970 and launched theMA in Creative Writingcourse, attended by bothIan McEwanandKazuo Ishiguro. He publishedPossibilities: Essays on the State of the Novelin 1973,The History Manin 1975,Who Do You Think You Are?in 1976,Rates of Exchangein 1983 andCuts: A Very Short Novelin 1987. He retired from academic life in 1995. Bradbury became aCommander of the Order of the British Empirein 1991 for services to literature and was made aKnight Bachelorin theNew Year Honours 2000, again for services to literature. Bradbury died at Priscilla Bacon Lodge, Colman Hospital, Norwich, on 27 November 2000, attended by his wife and their two sons, Matthew and Dominic. He was buried on 4 December 2000 in the churchyard of St Mary's parish church,Tasburgh, near Norwich where the Bradburys owned a second home. Though he was not an orthodox religious believer, he respected the traditions and socio-cultural role of theChurch of Englandand enjoyed visiting churches in the spirit ofPhilip Larkin's poem, \"Church Going\". Works Bradbury was a productive academic writer as well as a successful teacher; an expert on themodern novel, he published books onEvelyn Waugh,Saul BellowandE. M. Forster, as well as editions of such modern classics asF. Scott Fitzgerald'sThe Great Gatsby, and a number of surveys and handbooks of modern fiction, both British and American. However, he is best known to a wider public as a novelist. Although often compared with his contemporaryDavid Lodge, a friend who has also writtencampus novels, Bradbury's books are consistently darker in mood and less playful both in style and language. In 1986, he wrote a short humorous book titledWhy Come to Slaka?, a parody of travel books, dealing withSlaka, the fictionalEastern Europeancountry that is the setting for his novelRates of Exchange, a 1983 novel that was shortlisted for theBooker Prize. Bradbury also wrote extensively for television, including scripting series such asAnything More Would Be Greedy,The Gravy Train(and its sequel,The Gravy Train Goes East, which explored life in Bradbury's fictional Slaka), and adapting novels such asTom Sharpe'sBlott on the LandscapeandPorterhouse Blue,Alison Lurie'sImaginary Friends,Kingsley Amis'sThe Green Man, and the penultimateInspector MorseepisodeThe Wench is Dead. His last television script was forDalziel and Pascoeseries 5, produced byAndy Rowley. The episode \"Foreign Bodies\" was screened onBBC Oneon 15 July 2000. His work was often humorous and ironic, mockingacademe,British culture, andcommunism, usually with apicaresquetone. Selected bibliography See also References External links","England – inEurope(green & dark grey)– in theUnited Kingdom(green) Englandis acountrythat is part of theUnited Kingdom.It is located on the island ofGreat Britain, of which it covers approximately 62%, andover 100 smaller adjacent islands. It has land borders withScotlandto the north andWalesto the west, and is otherwise surrounded by theNorth Seato the east, theEnglish Channelto the south, theCeltic Seato the south-west, and theIrish Seato the west.Continental Europelies to the south-east, andIrelandto the west. At the2021 census, the population was 56,490,048.Londonis boththe largest cityand thecapital. The area now called England was first inhabited by modern humans during theUpper Paleolithic. It takes its name from theAngles, aGermanictribe who settled during the 5th and 6th centuries. England became a unified state in the 10th century and has had a significant cultural and legal impact on the wider world since theAge of Discovery, which began during the 15th century.TheKingdom of England, which included Wales after 1535, ceased to be a separatesovereign stateon 1 May 1707, when theActs of Unionbrought into effect a political union with theKingdom of Scotlandthat created theKingdom of Great Britain. England is the origin of theEnglish language, theEnglish legal system(which served as the basis for thecommon lawsystems of many other countries),association football, and theAnglicanbranch of Christianity; itsparliamentary system of governmenthas been widely adopted by other nations.TheIndustrial Revolutionbegan in 18th-century England, transforming its society into the world's first industrialised nation.England is home tothe two oldest universitiesin the English-speaking world: theUniversity of Oxford, founded in 1096, and theUniversity of Cambridge, founded in 1209. Both universities are ranked among the most prestigious in the world. England's terrain chiefly consists of low hills andplains, especially in thecentreandsouth. Upland and mountainous terrain is mostly found in thenorthand west, includingDartmoor, theLake District, thePennines, and theShropshire Hills. The country's capital isLondon, themetropolitan areaof which has a population of 14.2 million as of 2021, representing the United Kingdom's largest metropolitan area. England's population of 56.3 million comprises 84% of the population of the United Kingdom,largely concentrated around London, theSouth East, and conurbations in theMidlands, theNorth West, theNorth East, andYorkshire, which each developed as major industrial regions during the 19th century. Toponymy The name \"England\" is derived from theOld EnglishnameEnglaland, which means \"land of theAngles\".The Angles were one of theGermanic tribesthat settled in Great Britain during theEarly Middle Ages. They came from theAngelnregion of what is now the German state ofSchleswig-Holstein.The earliest recorded use of the term, as \"Engla londe\", is in the late-ninth-century translation into Old English ofBede'sEcclesiastical History of the English People. The term was then used to mean \"the land inhabited by the English\", and it included English people in what is now south-east Scotland but was then part of the English kingdom ofNorthumbria. TheAnglo-Saxon Chroniclerecorded that theDomesday Bookof 1086 covered the whole of England, meaning the English kingdom, but a few years later theChroniclestated that KingMalcolm IIIwent \"out of Scotlande intoLothianin Englaland\", thus using it in the more ancient sense. The earliest attested reference to the Angles occurs in the 1st-century work byTacitus,Germania, in which theLatinwordAngliiis used.The etymology of the tribal name itself is disputed by scholars; it has been suggested that it derives from the shape of the Angeln peninsula, anangularshape.How and why a term derived from the name of a tribe that was less significant than others, such as theSaxons, came to be used for the entire country is not known, but it seems this is related to the custom of calling the Germanic people in BritainAngli Saxonesor English Saxons to distinguish them from continental Saxons (Eald-Seaxe) of Old Saxony in Germany.InScottish Gaelic, the Saxon tribe gave their name to the word for England (Sasunn);similarly, theWelshname for the English language is \"Saesneg\". A romantic name for England isLoegria, related to the Welsh word for England,Lloegr, and made popular by its use inArthurian legend.Albionis also applied to England in a more poetic capacity,though its original meaning is the island of Britain as a whole. History Prehistory The earliest known evidence of human presence in the area now known as England was that ofHomo antecessor, dating to approximately 780,000 years ago. The oldest proto-human bones discovered in England date from 500,000 years ago.Modern humans are known to have inhabited the area during theUpper Paleolithicperiod, though permanent settlements were only established within the last 6,000 years.After thelast ice ageonly large mammals such asmammoths,bisonandwoolly rhinocerosremained. Roughly 11,000 years ago, when theice sheetsbegan to recede, humans repopulated the area; genetic research suggests they came from the northern part of theIberian Peninsula.The sea level was lower than the present day and Britain was connected byland bridgeto Ireland andEurasia.As the seas rose, it was separated from Ireland 10,000 years ago and from Eurasia two millennia later. TheBeaker culturearrived around 2,500 BC, introducing drinking and food vessels constructed from clay, as well as vessels used as reduction pots to smelt copper ores.It was during this time that majorNeolithicmonuments such asStonehenge(phase III) andAveburywere constructed. By heating together tin and copper, which were in abundance in the area, the Beaker culture people madebronze, and later iron from iron ores. The development of ironsmeltingallowed the construction of betterploughs, advancing agriculture (for instance, withCeltic fields), as well as the production of more effective weapons. During theIron Age,Celtic culture, deriving from theHallstattandLa Tène cultures, arrived from Central Europe.Brythonicwas the spoken language during this time. Society was tribal; according toPtolemy'sGeographiathere were around 20 tribes in the area. Like other regions on the edge of the Empire, Britain had long enjoyed trading links with the Romans. Julius Caesar of theRoman Republicattempted toinvade twicein 55 BC; although largely unsuccessful, he managed to set up aclient kingfrom theTrinovantes. Ancient history The Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD during the reign of EmperorClaudius, subsequentlyconquering much of Britain, and the area was incorporated into the Roman Empire asBritannia province.The best-known of the native tribes who attempted to resist were theCatuvellauniled byCaratacus. Later, an uprising led byBoudica, Queen of theIceni, ended with Boudica's suicide following her defeat at theBattle of Watling Street.The author of one study of Roman Britain suggested that from 43 AD to 84 AD, the Roman invaders killed somewhere between 100,000 and 250,000 people from a population of perhaps 2,000,000.This era saw aGreco-Romanculture prevail with the introduction ofRoman law,Roman architecture,aqueducts,sewers, many agricultural items and silk.In the 3rd century, EmperorSeptimius Severusdied atEboracum(nowYork), whereConstantinewas subsequently proclaimed emperor a century later. There is debate about when Christianity was first introduced; it was no later than the 4th century, probably much earlier. According toBede, missionaries were sent from Rome byEleutheriusat the request of the chieftainLucius of Britainin 180 AD, to settle differences as to Eastern and Western ceremonials, which were disturbing the church. There are traditions linked to Glastonbury claiming an introduction throughJoseph of Arimathea, while others claim through Lucius of Britain.By 410, during thedecline of the Roman Empire, Britain was left exposed by theend of Roman rule in Britainand the withdrawal of Roman army units, to defend the frontiers in continental Europe and partake in civil wars.Celtic Christian monastic and missionary movements flourished. This period of Christianity was influenced by ancient Celtic culture in its sensibilities, polity, practices and theology. Local \"congregations\" were centred in the monastic community and monastic leaders were more like chieftains, as peers, rather than in the more hierarchical system of the Roman-dominated church. Middle Ages Roman militarywithdrawals left Britain open to invasion by pagan, seafaring warriors from north-western continental Europe, chiefly the Saxons,Angles,Jutesand Frisians who had long raided the coasts of the Roman province. These groups then began to settle in increasing numbers over the course of the fifth and sixth centuries, initially in the eastern part of the country.Their advance was contained for some decades after the Britons' victory at theBattle of Mount Badon, but subsequently resumed, overrunning the fertile lowlands of Britain and reducing the area underBrittoniccontrol to a series of separate enclaves in the more rugged country to the west by the end of the 6th century. Contemporary texts describing this period are extremely scarce, giving rise to its description as aDark Age. Details of theAnglo-Saxon settlement of Britainare consequently subject to considerable disagreement; the emerging consensus is that it occurred on a large scale in the south and east but was less substantial to the north and west, where Celtic languages continued to be spoken even in areas under Anglo-Saxon control.Roman-dominated Christianity had, in general, been replaced in the conquered territories byAnglo-Saxon paganism, but wasreintroduced by missionariesfrom Rome led byAugustinefrom 597.Disputes between the Roman- and Celtic-dominated forms of Christianity ended in victory for the Roman tradition at theCouncil of Whitby(664), which was ostensibly abouttonsures(clerical haircuts) and the date of Easter, but more significantly, about the differences in Roman and Celtic forms of authority, theology, and practice. During the settlement period the lands ruled by the incomers seem to have been fragmented into numerous tribal territories, but by the 7th century, when substantial evidence of the situation again becomes available, these had coalesced into roughly a dozen kingdoms includingNorthumbria,Mercia,Wessex,East Anglia,Essex,KentandSussex. Over the following centuries, this process of political consolidation continued.The 7th century saw a struggle for hegemony between Northumbria and Mercia, which in the 8th century gave way to Mercian preeminence.In the early 9th century Mercia was displaced as the foremost kingdom by Wessex. Later in that century escalating attacks by theDanesculminated in the conquest of the north and east of England, overthrowing the kingdoms of Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia. Wessex underAlfred the Greatwas left as the only surviving English kingdom, and under his successors, it steadily expanded at the expense of the kingdoms of theDanelaw. This brought about the political unification of England, first accomplished underÆthelstanin 927 and definitively established after further conflicts byEadredin 953. A fresh wave of Scandinavian attacks from the late 10th century ended with the conquest of this united kingdom bySweyn Forkbeardin 1013 and again by his sonCnutin 1016, turning it into the centre of a short-livedNorth Sea Empirethat also includedDenmarkandNorway. However, the native royal dynasty was restored with the accession ofEdward the Confessorin 1042. A dispute over the succession to Edward led to an unsuccessful Norwegian Invasion in September 1066 close to York in the North, and the successfulNorman Conquestin October 1066, accomplished by an army led byDuke William of Normandyinvading at Hastings late September 1066.TheNormansthemselves originated fromScandinaviaand had settled in Normandy in the late 9th and early 10th centuries.This conquest led to the almost total dispossession of the English elite and its replacement by a new French-speaking aristocracy, whose speech had a profound and permanent effect on the English language. Subsequently, theHouse of PlantagenetfromAnjouinherited the English throne underHenry II, adding England to the buddingAngevin Empireof fiefs the family had inherited in France includingAquitaine.They reigned for three centuries, some noted monarchs beingRichard I,Edward I,Edward IIIandHenry V.The period saw changes in trade and legislation, including the signing ofMagna Carta, an English legal charter used to limit the sovereign's powers by law and protect the privileges of freemen. Catholicmonasticismflourished, providing philosophers, and the universities of Oxford and Cambridge were founded with royal patronage. ThePrincipality of Walesbecame a Plantagenet fief during the 13th centuryand theLordship of Irelandwas given to the English monarchy by the Pope. During the 14th century, the Plantagenets and theHouse of Valoisclaimed to be legitimate claimants to theHouse of Capetand of France; the two powers clashed in theHundred Years' War.TheBlack Deathepidemichit England; starting in 1348, it eventually killed up to half of England'sinhabitants. Between 1453 and 1487, a civil war known as theWar of the Roseswaged between the two branches of the royal family, theYorkistsandLancastrians.Eventually it led to the Yorkists losing the throne entirely to a Welsh noble family theTudors, a branch of the Lancastrians headed byHenry Tudorwho invaded with Welsh and Breton mercenaries, gaining victory at theBattle of Bosworth Fieldwhere the Yorkist kingRichard IIIwas killed. Early modern period During theTudor period, England began to developnaval skills, and exploration intensified in theAge of Discovery.Henry VIIIbroke from communion with the Catholic Church, over issues relating to his divorce, under theActs of Supremacyin 1534 which proclaimed the monarch head of theChurch of England. In contrast with much of EuropeanProtestantism, theroots of the splitwere more political than theological.He also legally incorporated his ancestral land Wales into the Kingdom of England with the1535–1542 acts. There were internal religious conflicts during the reigns of Henry's daughters,Mary IandElizabeth I. The former took the country back to Catholicism while the latter broke from it again, forcefully asserting the supremacy ofAnglicanism. TheElizabethan erais the epoch in the Tudor age of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (\"the Virgin Queen\"). Historians often depict it as thegolden agein English history that represented the apogee of the English Renaissance and saw the flowering of great art, drama, poetry, music and literature.England during this period had a centralised, well-organised, and effective government. Competing withSpain, the first English colony in the Americas was founded in 1585 by explorerWalter RaleighinVirginiaand namedRoanoke. The Roanoke colony failed and is known as the lost colony after it was found abandoned on the return of the late-arriving supply ship.With theEast India Company, England also competed with theDutchandFrenchin the East. During the Elizabethan period, England was at war with Spain. Anarmadasailed from Spain in 1588 as part of a wider plan to invade England and re-establish a Catholic monarchy. The plan was thwarted by bad coordination, stormy weather and successful harrying attacks by an English fleet underLord Howard of Effingham. This failure did not end the threat: Spain launched two further armadas, in1596and1597, but both were driven back by storms. Union with Scotland The political structure of the island changed in 1603, when theKing of Scots,James VI, a kingdom which had been a long-time rival to English interests, inherited the throne of England as James I, thereby creating apersonal union.He styled himselfKing of Great Britain, although this had no basis in English law.Under the auspices of James VI and I the AuthorisedKing James Versionof the Holy Bible was published in 1611. It was the standard version of the Bible read by most Protestant Christians for four hundred years until modern revisions were produced in the 20th century. Based on conflicting political, religious and social positions, theEnglish Civil Warwas fought between the supporters ofParliamentand those of KingCharles I, known colloquially asRoundheadsandCavaliersrespectively. This was an interwoven part of the wider multifacetedWars of the Three Kingdoms, involvingScotlandandIreland. The Parliamentarians were victorious,Charles I was executedand the kingdom replaced by theCommonwealth. Leader of the Parliament forces,Oliver Cromwelldeclared himselfLord Protectorin 1653; a period ofpersonal rulefollowed.After Cromwell's death and the resignation of his sonRichardas Lord Protector,Charles IIwas invited to return as monarch in 1660, in a move called theRestoration. With the reopening of theatres, fine arts, literature and performing arts flourished throughout the Restoration of the \"Merry Monarch\" Charles II.After theGlorious Revolutionof 1688, it was constitutionally established that King and Parliament should rule together, though Parliament would have the real power. This was established with theBill of Rightsin 1689. Among the statutes set down were that the law could only be made by Parliament and could not be suspended by the King, also that the King could not impose taxes or raise an army without the prior approval of Parliament.Also since that time, no British monarch has entered theHouse of Commonswhen it is sitting, which is annually commemorated at theState Opening of Parliamentby the British monarch when the doors of the House of Commons are slammed in the face of the monarch's messenger, symbolising the rights of Parliament and its independence from the monarch.With the founding of theRoyal Societyin 1660, science was greatly encouraged. In 1666 theGreat Fire of Londongutted the city of London, but it was rebuilt shortly afterward with many significant buildings designed by SirChristopher Wren.By the mid-to-late 17th century, two political factions had emerged – theToriesandWhigs. Though the Tories initially supported Catholic kingJames II, some of them, along with the Whigs, during theRevolution of 1688invited the DutchPrince William of Orangeto defeat James and become the king. Some English people, especially in the north, wereJacobitesand continued to support James and his sons. Under theStuart dynastyEngland expanded in trade, finance and prosperity. The Royal Navy developed Europe's largest merchant fleet.After the parliaments of England and Scotland agreed,the two countries joined inpolitical union, to create theKingdom of Great Britainin 1707.To accommodate the union, institutions such as the law and national churches of each remained separate. Late modern and contemporary periods Under the newly formed Kingdom of Great Britain, output from the Royal Society and otherEnglish initiativescombined with theScottish Enlightenmentto create innovations in science and engineering, while the enormous growth inBritish overseas tradeprotected by theRoyal Navypaved the way for the establishment of theBritish Empire. Domestically it drove theIndustrial Revolution, a period of profound change in thesocioeconomicand cultural conditions of England, resulting in industrialised agriculture, manufacture, engineering and mining, as well as new and pioneering road, rail and water networks to facilitate their expansion and development.The opening of Northwest England'sBridgewater Canalin 1761 ushered in thecanal age in Britain.In 1825 the world's first permanent steam locomotive-hauled passenger railway – theStockton and Darlington Railway– opened to the public. During theIndustrial Revolution, many workers moved from England's countryside to new and expanding urban industrial areas to work in factories, for instance atBirminghamandManchester,with the latter the world's first industrial city.England maintained relative stability throughout theFrench Revolution, underGeorge IIIandWilliam Pitt the Younger. Theregency of George IVis noted for its elegance and achievements in the fine arts and architecture.During theNapoleonic Wars,Napoleonplanned toinvade from the south-east; however, this failed to manifest and the Napoleonic forces were defeated by the British: at sea byHoratio Nelson, and on land byArthur Wellesley. The major victory at theBattle of Trafalgarconfirmed the naval supremacy Britain had established during the course of the eighteenth century.The Napoleonic Wars fostered a concept ofBritishnessand a united nationalBritish people, shared with the English, Scots and Welsh. London became the largest and most populous metropolitan area in the world during theVictorian era, and trade within the British Empire – as well as the standing of the British military and navy – was prestigious.Technologically, this era saw many innovations that proved key to the United Kingdom's power and prosperity.Political agitation at home from radicals such as theChartistsand thesuffragettesenabled legislative reform anduniversal suffrage. Power shifts in east-central Europe led to World War I; hundreds of thousands of English soldiers died fighting for the United Kingdom as part of theAllies.Two decades later, inWorld War II, the United Kingdom was again one of theAllies. Developments in warfare technology saw many cities damaged by air-raids duringthe Blitz. Following the war, the British Empire experienced rapiddecolonisation, and there was a speeding-up of technological innovations; automobiles became the primary means of transport andFrank Whittle's development of thejet engineled to widerair travel.Residential patterns were altered in England by private motoring, and by the creation of theNational Health Servicein 1948, providingpublicly funded health careto all permanent residents free at the point of need. Combined, these prompted the reform oflocal government in Englandin the mid-20th century. Since the 20th century, there has been significant population movement to England, mostly from other parts of theBritish Isles, but also from theCommonwealth, particularly theIndian subcontinent.Since the 1970s there has been a large move away from manufacturing and an increasing emphasis on theservice industry.As part of the United Kingdom, the area joined acommon marketinitiative called theEuropean Economic Communitywhich became theEuropean Union. Since the late 20th century theadministration of the United Kingdomhas moved towardsdevolved governancein Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.England and Walescontinues to exist as a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom.Devolution has stimulated a greater emphasis on a more English-specific identity and patriotism.There is no devolved English government, but an attempt to create a similar system on a sub-regional basis was rejected byreferendum. Governance Politics England is part of the United Kingdom, aconstitutional monarchywith aparliamentary system.There has not been agovernment of Englandsince 1707, when theActs of Union 1707,putting into effect the terms of theTreaty of Union, joined England and Scotland to form theKingdom of Great Britain.Before the union England was ruled byits monarchand theParliament of England. Today England is governed directly by theParliament of the United Kingdom, although othercountries of the United Kingdomhavedevolvedgovernments.There has been debate about how to counterbalance this in England. Originally it was planned that variousregions of Englandwould be devolved, but following the proposal's rejection by theNorth Eastin a2004 referendum, this has not been carried out.In 2024, an England-only intergovernmental body, known as theMayoral Council, was established to bring together ministers from theUK Government, theMayor of Londonand the leaders ofcombined authorities. In theHouse of Commonswhich is thelower houseof the British Parliament based at thePalace of Westminster, there are 543 members of parliament (MPs) for constituencies in England, out of the 650 total.England is represented by 347 MPs from theLabour Party, 116 from theConservative Party, 65 from theLiberal Democrats, five forReform UKand four for theGreen Party of England and Wales. Law TheEnglish lawlegal system, developed over the centuries, is the basis ofcommon lawlegal systems used in mostCommonwealthcountriesand the United States (exceptLouisiana). Despite now being part of the United Kingdom, the legal system of theCourts of England and Walescontinued, under theTreaty of Union, as a separate legal system fromthe one used in Scotland. The general essence of English law is that it is made by judges sitting in courts, applying their common sense and knowledge oflegal precedent–stare decisis– to the facts before them. The court system is headed by the Senior Courts of England and Wales, consisting of theCourt of Appeal, theHigh Court of Justicefor civil cases, and theCrown Courtfor criminal cases.TheSupreme Court of the United Kingdomis the highest court for criminal and civil cases inEngland and Wales. It was created in 2009 after constitutional changes, taking over thejudicial functions of the House of Lords.A decision of the Supreme Court is binding on every other court in the hierarchy, which must follow its directions. TheSecretary of State for Justiceis the minister responsible to Parliament for thejudiciary, the court system and prisons and probation in England.Crime increased between 1981 and 1995 but fell by 42% in the period 1995–2006.The prison population doubled over the same period, giving it one of thehighest incarceration ratesin Western Europe at 147 per 100,000.His Majesty's Prison Service, reporting to theMinistry of Justice, manages most prisons, housing 81,309 prisoners in England and Wales as of September 2022. Subdivisions Thesubdivisions of Englandconsist of up to four levels ofsubnational division, controlled through a variety of types of administrative entities created for the purposes oflocal government. Outside the London region, England's highest tier is the 48ceremonial counties.These are used primarily as a geographical frame of reference. Of these, 38 developed gradually since theMiddle Ages; these were reformed to 51 in 1974 and to their current number in 1996.Each has aLord LieutenantandHigh Sheriff; these posts are used to represent theBritish monarchlocally.Some counties, such asHerefordshire, are only divided further into civil parishes. The royal county of Berkshire and the metropolitan counties have different types of status to other ceremonial counties. The second tier is made up ofcombined authoritiesand the 27county-tiershire counties. In 1974, all ceremonial counties were two-tier; and with the metropolitan county tier phased out, the 1996 reform separated the ceremonial county and the administrative county tier. England is also divided into local government districts.The district can align to a ceremonial county, or be a district tier within ashire county, be aroyalormetropolitan borough, haveboroughorcity status, or be aunitary authority. At the community level, much of England is divided intocivil parisheswith their owncouncils; in Greater London only one such parish,Queen's Park, exists as of 2014after they wereabolished in 1965until legislationallowed their recreationin 2007. London From 1994 until the early 2010s England was divided for a few purposes into regions; a1998 referendumfor the London Region created theLondon Assemblytwo years later.A failed2004 North East England devolution referendumcancelled furtherregional assemblydevolutionwith the regional structure outside London abolished. Ceremonially and administratively, the region is divided between theCity of LondonandGreater London; these are further divided into the 32London Boroughsand the 25Wards of the City of London. Geography Landscape and rivers Geographically, England includes the central and southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain, plus such offshore islands as theIsle of Wightand theIsles of Scilly. It is bordered by two other countries of the United Kingdom:to the northby Scotland andto the westby Wales. England is closer than any other part of mainland Britain to the European continent. It is separated fromFrance(Hauts-de-France) by a 21-mile (34 km)sea gap, though the two countries are connected by theChannel TunnelnearFolkestone.England also has shores on theIrish Sea,North Seaand Atlantic Ocean. The ports of London,Liverpool, andNewcastlelie on the tidal riversThames,MerseyandTynerespectively. At 220 miles (350 km), theSevernis the longest river flowing through England.It empties into theBristol Channeland is notable for itsSevern Bore(atidal bore), which can reach 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height.However, the longest river entirely in England is the Thames, which is 215 miles (346 km) in length.There are manylakes in England; the largest isWindermere, within the aptly namedLake District. Most of England's landscape consists of low hills and plains, with upland and mountainous terrain in the north and west of the country. The northern uplands include thePennines, a chain of uplands dividing east and west, the Lake District mountains in Cumbria, and theCheviot Hills, straddling the border between England and Scotland. The highest point in England, at 978 metres (3,209 ft), isScafell Pikein the Lake District.TheShropshire Hillsare near Wales whileDartmoorandExmoorare two upland areas in the south-west of the country. The approximate dividing line between terrain types is often indicated by theTees–Exe line. The Pennines, known as the \"backbone of England\", are the oldest range of mountains in the country, originating from the end of thePaleozoic Eraaround 300 million years ago.Their geological composition includes, among others,sandstoneandlimestone, and also coal. There arekarstlandscapes in calcite areas such as parts ofYorkshireandDerbyshire. The Pennine landscape is highmoorlandin upland areas, indented by fertile valleys of the region's rivers. They contain twonational parks, theYorkshire Dalesand thePeak District. In theWest Country, Dartmoor and Exmoor of the Southwest Peninsula include upland moorland supported by granite. TheEnglish Lowlandsare in the central and southern regions of the country, consisting of green rolling hills, including theCotswold Hills,Chiltern Hills,NorthandSouth Downs; where they meet the sea they form white rock exposures such as thecliffs of Dover. This also includes relatively flat plains such as theSalisbury Plain,Somerset Levels,South Coast PlainandThe Fens. Climate England has atemperatemaritime climate: it is mild with temperatures not much lower than 0 °C (32 °F) in winter and not much higher than 32 °C (90 °F) in summer.The weather is damp relatively frequently and is changeable. The coldest months are January and February, the latter particularly on theEnglish coast, while July is normally the warmest month. Months with mild to warm weather are May, June, September and October.Rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year. Important influences on the climate of England are its proximity to theAtlantic Ocean, its northernlatitudeand the warming of the sea by theGulf Stream.Rainfall is higher in the west, and parts of theLake Districtreceive more rain than anywhere else in the country.Since weather records began, the highest temperature recorded was 40.3 °C (104.5 °F) on 19 July 2022 atConingsby,Lincolnshire,while the lowest was −26.1 °C (−15.0 °F) on 10 January 1982 inEdgmond, Shropshire. Nature and wildlife The fauna of England is similar to that of other areas in theBritish Isleswith a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate life in a diverse range of habitats.National nature reserves in Englandare designated byNatural Englandas key places forwildlifeand natural features in England. They were established to protect the most significant areas of habitat and of geological formations. NNRs are managed on behalf of the nation, many by Natural England themselves, but also by non-governmental organisations, including the members ofThe Wildlife Trustspartnership, theNational Trust, and theRoyal Society for the Protection of Birds. There are 221 NNRs in England covering 110,000 hectares (1,100 square kilometres). Often they contain rare species or nationally important populations of plants and animals.. TheEnvironment Agencyis a non-departmental public body, established in 1995 and sponsored by theDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairswith responsibilities relating to the protection and enhancement of the environment in England.TheSecretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairsis the minister responsible for environmental protection, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in England. England has atemperate oceanic climatein most areas, lacking extremes of cold or heat, but does have a few small areas ofsubarcticand warmer areas inthe South West. Towards theNorth of Englandthe climate becomes colder and most of England's mountains and high hills are located here and have a major impact on the climate and thus the local fauna of the areas.Deciduouswoodlands are common across all of England and provide a great habitat for much of England's wildlife, but these give way in northern and upland areas of England toconiferousforests (mainly plantations) which also benefit certain forms of wildlife. Some species have adapted to the expanded urban environment, particularly thered fox, which is the most successfulurban mammalafter thebrown rat, and other animals such ascommon wood pigeon, both of which thrive in urban and suburban areas. Major conurbations TheGreater London Built-up Areais by far the largest urban area in Englandand one of the busiest cities in the world. It is considered aglobal cityand has a population larger than any other country in the United Kingdom besides England itself.Other urban areas of considerable size and influence tend to be innorthern Englandor theEnglish Midlands.There are50 settlementswhich have designatedcity status in England, while the wider United Kingdom has 66. While many cities in England are quite large, such asBirmingham,Sheffield,Manchester,Liverpool,Leeds,Newcastle,Bradford,Nottingham, population size is not a prerequisite for city status.Traditionally the status was given to towns withdiocesan cathedrals, so there are smaller cities likeWells,Ely,Ripon,TruroandChichester. Economy England's economy is one of the largest and most dynamic in the world, with an averageGDP per capitaof £37,852 in 2022.HM Treasury, led by theChancellor of the Exchequer, is responsible for developing and executing the government'spublic financepolicy andeconomic policy.Usually regarded as amixed market economy, it has adopted manyfree marketprinciples, yet maintains an advanced social welfare infrastructure. The economy of England is the largest part of theUK's economy.England is a leader in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors and in key technical industries, particularlyaerospace, thearms industry, and thesoftware industry. London, home to theLondon Stock Exchange, the United Kingdom's mainstock exchangeand the largest in Europe, is England's financial centre, with 100 of Europe's 500 largest corporations being based there.London is the largest financial centre in Europe and as of 2014 is the second largest in the world. London has also been named as the fastest growing technology hub in Europe, with England having over 100 unique tech companies with a value of $1 billion or more.TheBank of England, founded in 1694 as private banker to the government of England and astate-owned institutionsince 1946, is the United Kingdom'scentral bank.The bank has a monopoly on the issue of banknotes inEngland and Wales, although not in other parts of the UK. The government has devolved responsibility to the bank'sMonetary Policy Committeefor managing the monetary policy of the country and setting interest rates. England is highly industrialised, but since the 1970s there has been a decline in traditional heavy and manufacturing industries, and an increasing emphasis on a moreservice industryoriented economy.Tourism has become a significant industry, attracting millions of visitors to England each year. The export part of the economy is dominated bypharmaceuticals, automotives,crude oiland petroleum from the English parts ofNorth Sea oilalong withWytch Farm,aircraft enginesand alcoholic beverages.Thecreative industriesaccounted for 7 per cent GVA in 2005 and grew at an average of 6 per cent per annum between 1997 and 2005. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanised and efficient by European standards, producing 60% of food needs with only 2% of the labour force.Two-thirds of production is devoted to livestock, the remainder to arable crops.The main crops that are grown arewheat,barley,oats,potatoes, andsugar beets. England retains a significant fishing industry. Its fleets bring home a variety of fish, ranging fromsoletoherring. England is also rich in natural resources includingcoal,petroleum,natural gas,tin,limestone,iron ore,salt,clay,chalk,gypsum,lead, and silica. Science and technology Prominent English figures from the field of science and mathematics include SirIsaac Newton,Charles Darwin,Robert Hooke,Alan Turing,Stephen Hawking,Edward Jenner,Francis Crick,Joseph Lister,Joseph Priestley,Thomas Young,Christopher WrenandRichard Dawkins. England was a leading centre of theScientific Revolutionfrom the 17th century.As the birthplace of theIndustrial Revolution, England was home to many significant inventors during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Famous English engineers includeIsambard Kingdom Brunel, best known for the creation of theGreat Western Railway, a series of famoussteamships, and numerous important bridges, revolutionising public transport and modern-day engineering.Thomas Newcomen'ssteam enginehelped spawn the Industrial Revolution. The Father of Railways,George Stephenson, built the first public inter-city railway line in the world, theLiverpool and Manchester Railway, which opened in 1830. With his role in the marketing and manufacturing of the steam engine, and invention of modern coinage,Matthew Boulton(business partner ofJames Watt) is regarded as one of the most influential entrepreneurs in history.The physicianEdward Jenner'ssmallpox vaccineis said to have \"saved more lives ... than were lost in all the wars of mankind since the beginning of recorded history.\" Inventions and discoveries of the English include thejet engine; the first industrialspinning machine;the first computerand the firstmodern computer; theWorld Wide Webalong withHTML; the first successful humanblood transfusion; the motorisedvacuum cleaner;thelawn mower; theseat belt; thehovercraft; theelectric motor;steam engines; and theories such as the Darwinian theory ofevolutionandatomic theory. Newton developed the ideas ofuniversal gravitation,Newtonian mechanics, andcalculus, andRobert Hookehis eponymously namedlaw of elasticity. Other inventions include the iron plate railway, thethermosiphon,tarmac, therubber band, themousetrap,\"cat's eye\"road marker, joint development of thelight bulb, steamlocomotives, the modernseed drilland many modern techniques and technologies used inprecision engineering. TheRoyal Society, formallyThe Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge,is alearned societyand theUnited Kingdom's nationalacademy of sciences. Founded on 28 November 1660,It is the oldest national scientific institution in the world.TheRoyal Institution of Great Britainwas founded in 1799 by leading English scientists, includingHenry Cavendish.Some experts claim that the earliest concept of ametric systemwas invented byJohn Wilkinsin 1668. Scientific research and development remains important in theuniversities of England, with many establishingscience parksto facilitate production and co-operation with industry.Cambridgeis the most intensive research cluster for science and technology in the world.In 2022, the UK produced 6.3 per cent of the world's scientific research papers and had a 10.5 per cent share of scientific citations, the third highest in the world (after the United States and China).Scientific journals produced in England includeNature, theBritish Medical JournalandThe Lancet. TheDepartment for Science, Innovation and Technology,Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, andMinister of State for Science, Research and Innovationhas responsibility for science in England. Transport TheDepartment for Transportis the government body responsible for overseeing transport in England. The department is run by theSecretary of State for Transport. England has a dense and modern transportation infrastructure. There are manymotorways in England, and many other trunk roads, such as theA1 Great North Road, which runs through eastern England from London to Newcastle(much of this section is motorway) and onward to the Scottish border. The longest motorway in England is theM6, fromRugbythrough theNorth Westup to theAnglo-Scottish border, a distance of 232 miles (373 km).Other major routes include: theM1from London to Leeds, theM25which encircles London, theM60which encircles Manchester, theM4from London to South Wales, theM62from Liverpool via Manchester to East Yorkshire, and theM5from Birmingham to Bristol and the South West. Bus transport across the country is widespread; major companies includeArriva,FirstGroup,Go-Ahead Group,Mobico Group,RotalaandStagecoach Group.Bus rapid transitoriginated in England with theRuncornBusway opening in 1971.The reddouble-decker busesin London have become a symbol of England.National Cycle Routeoffers cycling routes nationally. Rail transport in Englandis the oldest in the world: passenger railways originated in England in 1825.Much of Britain's 10,000 miles (16,000 km) of rail network lies in England, covering the country fairly extensively. There is rail transport access to France and Belgium through an undersea rail link, theChannel Tunnel, which was completed in 1994. Great British Railwaysis a planned state-owned public body that will overseerail transport in Great Britainfrom 2024. TheOffice of Rail and Roadis responsible for the economic and safety regulation of England's railways.Crossrailwas Europe's largest construction project with a £15 billion projected cost, opened in 2022.High Speed 2, a new high-speed north–south railway line, is under construction. There is arapid transitnetwork in two English cities: theLondon Underground, and theTyne and Wear MetroinNewcastle upon Tyne,GatesheadandSunderland.There are several extensive tram networks, such as theManchester Metrolink,Sheffield Supertram,West Midlands Metro,Nottingham Express Transit, andTramlinkin South London.England also has extensive domestic and international aviation links. The largest airport isHeathrow, which is theworld's second busiest airport measured by number of international passengers. By sea there is ferry transport, both local and international, including from Liverpool to Ireland and the Isle of Man, and Hull to the Netherlands and Belgium.There are around 4,400 miles (7,100 km) of navigable waterways in England, half of which is owned by theCanal & River Trust,however, water transport is very limited. TheRiver Thamesis the major waterway in England, with imports and exports focused at thePort of Tilburyin theThames Estuary, one of the United Kingdom's three major ports. Energy Successive governments have outlined numerous commitments to reducecarbon dioxideemissions. Notably, the UK isone of the best sites in Europe for wind energy, and wind power production is its fastest growing supply.Wind power contributed 26.8% of UK electricity generation in 2022.England is home toHornsea 2, the largest offshore wind farm in the world, situated in waters roughly 89 kilometres off the coast of Yorkshire. TheClimate Change Act 2008was passed in Parliament with an overwhelming majority across political parties. It sets out emission reduction targets that the UK must comply with legally. It represents the first global legally bindingclimate change mitigationtarget set by a country.UK government energy policyaims to play a key role in limitinggreenhouse gas emissions, while meeting energy demand. Shifting availabilities of resources and development of technologies also change the country'senergy mixthrough changes in costs. The current energy policy is the responsibility of theDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroandSecretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.TheMinister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growthis responsible for green finance, climate science and innovation, and low carbon generation.In 2022, the United Kingdom was ranked 2 out of 180 countries in theEnvironmental Performance Index.A law has been passed thatUK greenhouse gas emissionswill benet zeroby 2050. Healthcare TheNational Health Service(NHS), is the publicly fundedhealthcare systemresponsible for providing the majority of healthcare in the country. The NHS began on 5 July 1948, putting into effect the provisions of theNational Health Service Act 1946. It was based on the findings of theBeveridge Report, prepared by the economist and social reformer,William Beveridge.The NHS is largely funded by general taxation andNational Insurancepayments;it provides most of its services free at the point of use, although there are charges for some people for eye tests, dental care, prescriptions and aspects of personal care. The government department responsible for the NHS is theDepartment of Health, under theSecretary of State for Health. Most of the department's expenses are on the NHS – £98.6 billion was spent in 2008–2009.Regulatory bodies such as theGeneral Medical Counciland theNursing and Midwifery Councilare organised on a UK-wide basis, as are non-governmental bodies such as theRoyal Colleges. The averagelife expectancyis 77.5 years for males and 81.7 years for females, the highest of the fourcountries of the United Kingdom.The south of England has a higher life expectancy than the north, but regional differences seem to be slowly narrowing: between 1991–1993 and 2012–2014, life expectancy in the North East increased by 6.0 years and in the North West by 5.8 years. Demography Population With over 56 million inhabitants, England is by far the most populous country of the United Kingdom, accounting for 84% of the combined total.England taken as a unit and measured against international states would be the 26th largestcountry by populationin the world. TheEnglish peopleareBritish people.There is an English diaspora in former parts of the British Empire; especially theUnited States,Canada,Australia,South AfricaandNew Zealand.Since the late 1990s, many English peoplehave migratedto Spain.Due in particular to the economic prosperity ofSouth East England, it has received many economic migrants from the other parts of the United Kingdom.There has beensignificant Irish migration.The proportion of ethnically European residents totals at 81.7%,includingWhite British,GermansandPoles,down from 94.1% in 1991.Other people from much further afield in the former British colonies have arrived since the 1950s: in particular, about 7% of people living in England have familyorigins in the Indian subcontinent, mostlyIndia,PakistanandBangladesh.About 0.7% areChinese,0.6% areArabs.4.0% of the population areblack, from Africa and theCaribbean, especially former British colonies,and 2.9% identified as multiracial ormixed. In 2007, 22% of primary school children in England were fromethnic minorityfamilies,and in 2011 that figure was 26.5%.About half of the population increase between 1991 and 2001 was due to immigration. England contains one indigenous national minority, theCornish people, recognised by the UK government under theFramework Convention for the Protection of National Minoritiesin 2014. Language (thousands) English, today widely spoken around the world,originated in what is now England, where it remains the principal tongue. According to a 2011 census, it is spoken well or very well by 98% of the population English language learning and teachingis an importanteconomic activity. There is nolegislationmandating anofficial languagefor England,but English is the only language used for official business. Despite the country's relatively small size, there are many distinctregional accents. Cornish died out as a community language in the 18th century but is being revived,and is now protected under theEuropean Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.It is spoken by 0.1% of people inCornwall,and is taught to some degree in several primary and secondary schools. State schoolsteach students asecond languageorthird languagefrom the ages of seven, most commonly French, Spanish or German.It was reported in 2007 that around 800,000 school students spoke aforeign languageat home,the most common beingPunjabiandUrdu. However, following the 2011 census data released by theOffice for National Statistics, figures now show that Polish is the main language spoken in England after English.In 2022,British Sign Languagebecame an official language of England when theBritish Sign Language Act 2022came into effect. Religion In the 2011 census, 59.4% of the population of England specified their religion as Christian, 24.7% answered that they had no religion, 5% specified that they wereMuslim, while 3.7% of the population belongs to other religions and 7.2% did not give an answer.Christianity is the most widely practised religion in England. Theestablished churchof England is theChurch of England,which left communion withRomein the 1530s whenHenry VIIIwas unable to annul his marriage toCatherine of Aragon. The church regards itself as both Catholic andProtestant. There areHigh ChurchandLow Churchtraditions and some Anglicans regard themselves asAnglo-Catholics, following theTractarian movement. The monarch of the United Kingdom is thesupreme governor of the Church of England, which has around 26 million baptised members (of whom the vast majority are not regular churchgoers). It forms part of theAnglican Communionwith theArchbishop of Canterburyacting as its symbolic worldwide head.Manycathedralsand parish churches are historic buildings of significant architectural importance, such asWestminster Abbey,York Minster,Durham Cathedral, andSalisbury Cathedral. The second-largest Christian denomination is theCatholic Church. Since its reintroduction after theCatholic Emancipation, the Church has organised ecclesiastically on anEngland and Walesbasis where there are 4.5 million members (most of whom are English).There has been one Pope from England to date,Adrian IV, while saintsBedeandAnselmare regarded asDoctors of the Church. A form ofProtestantismknown asMethodismis the third largest Christian practice and grew out of Anglicanism throughJohn Wesley.It gained popularity in themill townsofLancashireandYorkshire, and among tin miners inCornwall.There are othernon-conformistminorities, such asBaptists,Quakers,Congregationalists,UnitariansandThe Salvation Army. The patron saint of England isSaint George; his symbolic cross is included in the flag of England.There are many other English and associated saints, includingCuthbert,Edmund,Alban,Wilfrid,Aidan,Edward the Confessor,John Fisher,Thomas More,Petroc,Piran,Margaret ClitherowandThomas Becket. There are non-Christian religions practised.Jewshave a history of a small minority on the island since 1070.They were expelled from England in 1290 following theEdict of Expulsion, and were allowed back in 1656. Especially since the 1950s, religions from theformer British colonieshave grown in numbers, due to immigration.Islamis the most common of these, now accounting for around 5% of the population in England.Hinduism,SikhismandBuddhismare next in number, adding up to 2.8% combined,introduced from India andSoutheast Asia. A small minority of the population practise ancientPagan religions.Neopaganism in the United Kingdomis primarily represented byWiccaandNeopagan witchcraft,Druidry, andHeathenry. According to the2011 census, there are roughly 53,172 people who identify as Pagan in England,including 11,026Wiccans.24.7% of people in England declaredno religion, compared with 14.6% in 2001.Norwichhad the highest such proportion at 42.5%, followed byBrighton and Hoveat 42.4%. Education TheDepartment for Educationis the government department responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including education.State-funded schools are attended by approximately 93% of English schoolchildren.Education is the responsibility of theSecretary of State for Education. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 attend nursery or anEarly Years Foundation Stagereception unit within a primary school. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 attend primary school, and secondary school is attended by those aged between 11 and 16. State-funded schools are obliged by law to teach theNational Curriculum; basic areas of learning include English literature, English language, mathematics, science, art & design, citizenship, history, geography, religious education, design & technology, computing, ancient & modern languages, music, and physical education. TheProgramme for International Student Assessmentcoordinated by theOECDcurrently ranks the overall knowledge and skills of British 15-year-olds as 13th in the world in literacy, mathematics, and science with the average British student scoring 503.7, well above the OECD average of 493. Although most English secondary schools are comprehensive, there are selective intakegrammar schoolsto which entrance is subject to passing theeleven-plusexam. Around 7.2 per cent of English schoolchildren attendprivate schools, which are funded by private sources.Standards in state schools are monitored by theOffice for Standards in Education, and in private schools by theIndependent Schools Inspectorate. After finishing compulsory education, students takeGCSEexaminations. Students may then opt to continue intofurther educationfor two years.Further education colleges(particularlysixth form colleges) often form part of a secondary school site.A-levelexaminations are sat by a large number of further education students, and often form the basis of an application to university. Further education covers a wide curriculum of study andapprenticeships, includingT-levels,BTEC,NVQand others.Tertiary collegesprovide both academic and vocational courses. Higher education Higher education students normally attend university from age 18 onwards, where they study for anacademic degree. There are over 90 universities in England, all but one of which arepublic institutions. TheDepartment for Business, Innovation and Skillsis the government department responsible for higher education in England.Students are generally entitled tostudent loansto covertuition feesand living costs.The first degree offered to undergraduates is thebachelor's degree, which usually takes three years to complete. Students are then able to work towards a postgraduate degree, which usually takes one year, or a doctorate, which takes three or more years. England's universitiesinclude some of the highest-ranked universities in the world. As of 2024, four England-based universities, theUniversity of Cambridge,University of Oxford,Imperial College London, andUniversity College London, are ranked among the top ten in the 2024QS World University Rankings. The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, and the University of Oxford, founded in 1096, are the twooldest universities in the English-speaking world. TheLondon School of Economicshas been described as the world's leading social science institution for both teaching and research.TheLondon Business Schoolis considered one of the world's leading business schools and in 2010 its MBA programme was ranked best in the world by theFinancial Times.Academic degreesin England are usually split into classes: first class, upper second class, lower second class, third, and unclassified.The King's School, CanterburyandKing's School, Rochesterare the oldest schools in the English-speaking world.Many of England's most well-known schools, such asWinchester College,Eton,St Paul's School,Harrow SchoolandRugby Schoolare fee-paying institutions. Culture Architecture Many ancientstanding stonemonuments were erected during the prehistoric period; among the best known areStonehenge,Devil's Arrows,Rudston MonolithandCastlerigg.With the introduction ofAncient Roman architecturethere was a development ofbasilicas,baths,amphitheaters,triumphal arches,villas,Roman temples,Roman roads,Roman forts,stockadesandaqueducts.It was the Romans who founded the first cities and towns such as London, Bath, York, Chester and St Albans. Perhaps the best-known example isHadrian's Wallstretching right across northern England.Another well-preserved example is theRoman BathsatBath, Somerset. Early medieval architecture's secular buildings were simple constructions mainly using timber withthatchfor roofing. Ecclesiastical architecture ranged from a synthesis ofHiberno–Saxonmonasticism,toEarly Christianbasilicaand architecture characterised by pilaster-strips, blank arcading, baluster shafts and triangular headed openings. After the Norman conquest in 1066 variouscastleswere created; the best known include theTower of London,Warwick Castle,Durham CastleandWindsor Castle. Throughout the Plantagenet era, anEnglish Gothic architectureflourished, with prime examples including themedieval cathedralssuch asCanterbury Cathedral,Westminster AbbeyandYork Minster.Expanding on theNorman basethere was alsocastles,palaces,great houses, universities andparish churches. Medieval architecture was completed with the 16th-centuryTudor style; the four-centred arch, now known as theTudor arch, was a defining feature as werewattle and daubhouses domestically. In the aftermath of theRenaissancea form of architecture echoing classical antiquity synthesised with Christianity appeared, theEnglish Baroquestyle of architectChristopher Wrenbeing particularly championed. Georgian architecturefollowed in a more refined style, evoking a simple Palladian form; theRoyal Crescentat Bath is one of the best examples of this. With the emergence ofromanticismduring Victorian period, aGothic Revivalwas launched. In addition to this, around the same time the Industrial Revolution paved the way for buildings such asThe Crystal Palace. Since the 1930s variousmodernistforms have appeared whose reception is often controversial, though traditionalist resistance movements continue with support in influential places. Gardens Landscape gardening, as developed byCapability Brown, set an international trend for theEnglish landscape garden. Gardening, and visiting gardens, are regarded as typically English pursuits. The English garden presented an idealized view of nature. At large country houses, the English garden usually included lakes, sweeps of gently rolling lawns set against groves of trees, and recreations of classical temples,Gothicruins, bridges, and other picturesque architecture, designed to recreate an idyllic pastoral landscape. By the end of the 18th century, the English garden was being imitated by theFrench landscape garden, and as far away asPavlovsk, Saint Petersburg, the gardens of the futureEmperor Paul. It also had a major influence on thepublic parksand gardens which appeared around the world in the 19th century.The English landscape garden was centred on theEnglish country houseand manor houses. English Heritageand theNational Trustpreserve great gardens and landscape parks throughout the country.TheRHS Chelsea Flower Showis held every year by theRoyal Horticultural Societyand is said to be the largest gardening show in the world. Folklore English folklore developed over many centuries. Some of the characters and stories are present across England, but most belong to specific regions. Common folkloric beings includepixies,giants,elves,bogeymen,trolls,goblinsanddwarves. While many legends and folk-customs are thought to be ancient, such as the tales featuringOffa of AngelandWayland the Smith,others date from after the Norman invasion. The legends featuringRobin Hoodand hisMerry MenofSherwood, and their battles with theSheriff of Nottingham, are among the best-known of these. During theHigh Middle Agestales originating from Brythonic traditions entered English folklore and developed into theArthurian myth.These were derived fromAnglo-Norman, Welsh and French sources,featuringKing Arthur,Camelot,Excalibur,Merlinand theKnights of the Round Tablesuch asLancelot. These stories are most centrally brought together withinGeoffrey of Monmouth'sHistoria Regum Britanniae(History of the Kings of Britain). Some folk figures are based on semi or actual historical people whose story has been passed down centuries.On 5 November people celebrateBonfire Nightto commemorate the foiling of theGunpowder Plotcentred onGuy Fawkes. There are various national and regional folk activities, participated in to this day, such asMorris dancing,Maypole dancing,Rapper swordin the North East,Long Sword dancein Yorkshire,Mummers Plays,bottle-kickingin Leicestershire, andcheese-rollingatCooper's Hill.There is no official national costume, but a few are well established such as thePearly Kings and Queensassociated with cockneys, theRoyal Guard, theMorris costumeandBeefeaters. Cuisine Since theearly modern periodthe food of England has historically been characterised by its simplicity of approach and a reliance on the high quality of natural produce.During theMiddle Agesand the Renaissance, English cuisine enjoyed an excellent reputation, though a decline began during theIndustrial Revolutionwith increasing urbanisation. The cuisine of England has, however, recently undergone a revival, which has been recognised by food critics with some good ratings inRestaurant'sbest restaurant in the worldcharts. Traditional examples of English food include theSunday roast, featuring aroasted joint(usually beef,lamb, chicken or pork) served with assorted vegetables,Yorkshire puddingandgravy.Other prominent meals includefish and chipsand thefull English breakfast(generally consisting ofbacon,sausages, grilled tomatoes, fried bread,black pudding,baked beans,mushroomsand eggs).Variousmeat piesare consumed, such assteak and kidney pie,steak and ale pie,cottage pie,pork pie(usually eaten cold)and theCornish pasty. Sausages are commonly eaten, either asbangers and mashortoad in the hole.Lancashire hotpotis a well-known stew originating in the northwest. Some of the more popular cheeses areCheddar,Red Leicester,Wensleydale,Double GloucesterandBlue Stilton. ManyAnglo-Indianhybrid dishes,curries, have been created, such aschicken tikka masalaandbalti. Traditional English dessert dishes includeapple pieor other fruit pies;spotted dick– all generally served withcustard; and, more recently,sticky toffee pudding. Sweet pastries includesconesserved with jam or cream, dried fruit loaves,Eccles cakesandmince piesas well as sweet or spiced biscuits. Common non-alcoholic drinks include teaand coffee; frequently consumed alcoholic drinks include wine,cidersandEnglish beers, such asbitter,mild,stoutandbrown ale. Visual arts The earliest known examples are the prehistoric rock andcave artpieces, most prominent inNorth Yorkshire, Northumberland andCumbria, but also feature further south, for example atCreswell Crags.With the arrival ofRoman culturein the 1st century, various forms of art such as statues, busts, glasswork and mosaics were the norm. There are numerous surviving artefacts, such as those atLullingstoneandAldborough.During the Early Middle Ages the style favoured sculpted crosses and ivories, manuscript painting, gold and enamel jewellery, demonstrating a love of intricate, interwoven designs such as in theStaffordshire Hoarddiscovered in 2009. Some of these blendedGaelic and Anglianstyles, such as theLindisfarne GospelsandVespasian Psalter.LaterGothic artwas popular at Winchester and Canterbury, examples survive such asBenedictional of St. ÆthelwoldandLuttrell Psalter. The Tudor era sawprominent artistsas part of their court; portrait painting, which would remain an enduring part of English art, was boosted by GermanHans Holbein, and natives such asNicholas Hilliardbuilt on this.Under the Stuarts, Continental artists were influential especially the Flemish, examples from the period includeAnthony van Dyck,Peter Lely,Godfrey KnellerandWilliam Dobson.The 18th century saw the founding of theRoyal Academy; aclassicismbased on theHigh Renaissanceprevailed, withThomas GainsboroughandJoshua Reynoldsbecoming two of England's most treasured artists. In the 19th century,John ConstableandJ. M. W. Turnerwere major landscape artists. TheNorwich Schoolcontinued the landscape tradition, while thePre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, led by artists such asHolman Hunt,Dante Gabriel RossettiandJohn Everett Millais, revived theEarly Renaissancestyle with their vivid and detailed style.Prominent among 20th-century artists wasHenry Moore, regarded as the voice of British sculpture, and of British modernism in general.TheRoyal Society of Artsis an organisation committed to the arts. Literature, poetry, and philosophy Early authors such asBedeandAlcuinwrote in Latin.The period ofOld English literatureprovided the epic poemBeowulfand the secular prose of theAnglo-Saxon Chronicle,along with Christian writings such asJudith,Cædmon'sHymnandhagiographies.Following the Norman conquestLatincontinued among the educated classes, as well as anAnglo-Norman literature. Middle English literatureemerged withGeoffrey Chaucer, author ofThe Canterbury Tales, along withGower, thePearl PoetandLangland.William of OckhamandRoger Bacon, who wereFranciscans, were major philosophers of the Middle Ages.Julian of Norwich, who wroteRevelations of Divine Love, was a prominent Christian mystic. With theEnglish Renaissanceliterature in theEarly Modern Englishstyle appeared.William Shakespeare, whose works includeHamlet,Romeo and Juliet,Macbeth, andA Midsummer Night's Dream, remains one of the most championed authors in English literature. Christopher Marlowe,Edmund Spenser,Philip Sydney,Thomas Kyd,John Donne, andBen Jonsonare other established authors of theElizabethan age.Francis BaconandThomas Hobbeswrote onempiricismandmaterialism, includingscientific methodandsocial contract.Filmerwrote on theDivine Right of Kings.Marvellwas the best-known poet of theCommonwealth,whileJohn MiltonauthoredParadise Lostduring theRestoration. This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, this other Eden, demi-paradise; this fortress, built by nature for herself. This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England. William Shakespeare. Some of the most prominent philosophers of theEnlightenmentwereJohn Locke,Thomas Paine,Samuel JohnsonandJeremy Bentham. More radical elements were later countered byEdmund Burkewho is regarded as the founder of conservatism.The poetAlexander Popewith his satirical verse became well regarded. The English played a significant role inromanticism:Samuel Taylor Coleridge,Lord Byron,John Keats,Mary Shelley,Percy Bysshe Shelley,William BlakeandWilliam Wordsworthwere major figures. In response to theIndustrial Revolution, agrarian writers sought a way betweenlibertyand tradition;William Cobbett,G. K. ChestertonandHilaire Bellocwere main exponents, while the founder ofguild socialism,Arthur Penty, andcooperative movementadvocateG. D. H. Coleare somewhat related.Empiricism continued throughJohn Stuart MillandBertrand Russell, whileBernard Williamswas involved inanalytics. Authors from around theVictorian eraincludeCharles Dickens, theBrontë sisters,Jane Austen,George Eliot,Rudyard Kipling,Thomas Hardy,H. G. WellsandLewis Carroll.Since then England has continued to produce novelists such asGeorge Orwell,D. H. Lawrence,Virginia Woolf,C. S. Lewis,Enid Blyton,Aldous Huxley,Agatha Christie,Terry Pratchett,J. R. R. Tolkien, andJ. K. Rowling. Performing arts The traditionalfolk music of Englandis centuries old and has contributed to several genres prominently; mostlysea shanties,jigs,hornpipesanddance music. It has its own distinct variations and regional peculiarities. Ballads featuring Robin Hood, printed byWynkyn de Wordein the 16th century, are an important artefact, as areJohn Playford'sThe Dancing MasterandRobert Harley'sRoxburghe Balladscollections.Some of the best-known songs areGreensleeves,Pastime with Good Company,Maggie MayandSpanish Ladiesamong others. Manynursery rhymesare of English origin such asMary, Mary, Quite Contrary,Roses Are Red,Jack and Jill,London Bridge Is Falling Down,The Grand Old Duke of York,Hey Diddle DiddleandHumpty Dumpty.Traditional English Christmas carols include \"We Wish You a Merry Christmas\", \"The First Noel\", \"I Saw Three Ships\" and \"God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen\". Early English composers in classical music include Renaissance artistsThomas TallisandWilliam Byrd, followed byHenry Purcellfrom theBaroque periodandThomas Arnewho was well known for his patriotic songRule, Britannia!. German-bornGeorge Frideric Handelspent most of his composing life in London and became a national icon in Britain, creating some of the most well-known works of classical music, especially his English oratorios,The Messiah,Solomon,Water Music, andMusic for the Royal Fireworks. Classical music attracted much attention in the 18th century with the formation of theBirmingham Triennial Music Festival, which was the longest running classical music festival of its kind until the final concerts in 1912. TheEnglish Musical Renaissancewas a hypothetical development in the late 19th and early 20th century, when English composers, often those lecturing or trained at theRoyal College of Music, were said to have freed themselves from foreign musical influences. There was a revival in the profile of composers from England in the 20th century led byEdward Elgar,Benjamin Britten,Frederick Delius,Gustav Holst,Ralph Vaughan Williamsand others.Present-day composers from England includeMichael Nyman, best known forThe Piano, andAndrew Lloyd Webber, whose musicals have achieved enormous success in theWest Endand worldwide. Inpopular music, many English bands and solo artists have been cited as the most influential and best-selling musicians of all time. Acts such asthe Beatles,Led Zeppelin,Pink Floyd,Elton John,Queen,Rod Stewart,David Bowie,the Rolling StonesandDef Leppardare among the highest-selling recording artists in the world.Many musical genres have origins in (or strong associations with) England, such asBritish invasion,progressive rock,hard rock,Mod,glam rock,heavy metal,Britpop,indie rock,gothic rock,shoegazing,acid house,garage,trip hop,drum and bassanddubstep. Large outdoormusic festivalsin the summer and autumn are popular, such asGlastonbury,V Festival, and theReading and Leeds Festivals. England was at the forefront of the illegal, freeravemovement from the late 1980s, which inspired the pan-European culture ofteknivals.TheBoishakhi Melais aBengali New Yearfestival celebrated by theBritish Bangladeshicommunity. It is the largest open-air Asian festival in Europe. After theNotting Hill Carnival, it is the second-largest street festival in the UK, attracting over 80,000 visitors. The most prominentopera housein England is theRoyal Opera HouseatCovent Garden.The Promsis a major annual cultural event in the English calendar.The Royal Balletis one of the world's foremost classical ballet companies. TheRoyal Academy of Musicis the oldestconservatoirein the UK, founded in 1822, receiving itsroyal charterin 1830.England is home to numerous major orchestras such as theBBC Symphony Orchestra, theRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra, thePhilharmonia Orchestra, and theLondon Symphony Orchestra.Other forms of entertainment that originated in England include thecircusand thepantomime. Cinema England has had a considerable influence on the history of the cinema, producing some of the greatest actors, directors and motion pictures of all time, includingAlfred Hitchcock,Charlie Chaplin,David Lean,Laurence Olivier,Vivien Leigh,John Gielgud,Peter Sellers,Julie Andrews,Michael Caine,Gary Oldman,Helen Mirren,Kate WinsletandDaniel Day-Lewis. Hitchcock and Lean are among the most critically acclaimed filmmakers.Hitchcock'sThe Lodger: A Story of the London Fog(1926) helped shape thethrillergenre in film, while his 1929Blackmailis often regarded as the first Britishsoundfeature film. Major film studios in England includePinewood,ElstreeandShepperton. Some of the most commercially successful films of all time have been produced in England, including two of thehighest-grossing film franchises(Harry PotterandJames Bond).Ealing Studiosin London has a claim to being the oldest continuously working film studio in the world.Famous for recording many motion picturefilm scores, theLondon Symphony Orchestrafirst performed film music in 1935.TheHammer Horrorfilms starringChristopher Leesaw the production of the first gory horror films showing blood and guts in colour. TheBFI Top 100 British filmsincludesMonty Python's Life of Brian(1979), a film regularly voted the funniest of all time by the UK public.English producers are also active ininternational co-productionsand English actors, directors and crew feature regularly in American films. The UK film council rankedDavid Yates,Christopher Nolan,Mike Newell,Ridley ScottandPaul Greengrassthe five most commercially successful English directors since 2001.Other contemporary English directors includeSam Mendes,Guy RitchieandRichard Curtis. Current actors includeTom Hardy,Daniel Craig,Benedict Cumberbatch,Lena Headey,Felicity Jones,Emilia Clarke,Lashana Lynch, andEmma Watson. Acclaimed for his motion capture work,Andy SerkisopenedThe Imaginarium Studiosin London in 2011.The visual effects companyFramestorein London has produced some of the most critically acclaimed special effects in modern film.Many successful Hollywood films have been based on English people,storiesor events. The 'English Cycle' of Disney animated films includeAlice in Wonderland,The Jungle BookandWinnie the Pooh. Sites and institutions English Heritageis a governmental body with a broad remit of managing the historic sites, artefacts and environments of England. It is currently sponsored by theDepartment for Culture, Media and Sport. A non-governmental charity, theNational Trustholds a complementary role, focussed on landscapes andcountry houses. 17 of the 25 United Kingdom UNESCOWorld Heritage Sitesfall within England.Some of the best-known of these are:Hadrian's Wall,Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites, theTower of London, theJurassic Coast,Saltaire,Ironbridge Gorge,Blenheim Palaceand theLake District. London'sBritish Museumholds more than seven million objects,one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in the world,illustrating and documenting global human culture from its beginnings to the present. TheBritish Libraryin London is thenational libraryand is one of the world's largestresearch libraries, holding over 150 million items in almost all known languages and formats, including around 25 million books.TheNational GalleryinTrafalgar Squarehouses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900.TheTategalleries house the national collections of British and international modern art; they also host theTurner Prize. TheSecretary of State for Culture, Media and Sporthas overall responsibility for cultural property and heritage.Ablue plaque, the oldesthistorical markerscheme in the world, is a permanent sign installed in a public place in England to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event. In 2011 there were around 1,600 museums in England.Entry to most museums and galleries is free.Londonis one of the world's most visited cities, regularly taking the top five most visited cities inEurope. It is considered a global centre of finance, art and culture. Media TheBBC, founded in 1922, is the UK's publicly funded radio, television and Internet broadcasting corporation, and is the oldest and largest broadcaster in the world.It operates numerous television and radio stations in the UK and abroad and its domestic services are funded by thetelevision licence.TheBBC World Serviceis aninternational broadcasterowned and operated by theBBC. It is the world's largest of any kind.It broadcasts radio news, speech and discussions in more than 40 languages. London dominates the media sector in England: national newspapers and television and radio are largely based there, althoughManchesteris also a significant national media centre. The UK publishing sector, including books, directories and databases, journals, magazines and business media, newspapers and news agencies, has a combined turnover of around £20 billion and employs around 167,000 people.National newspapers produced in England includeThe Times,The Guardian,The Daily Telegraph, and theFinancial Times. Magazines and journals published in England that have achieved worldwide circulation includeNature,New Scientist,The Spectator,Prospect,NMEandThe Economist. TheSecretary of State for Culture, Media and Sporthas overall responsibility over media and broadcasting in England. Sport England has a strong sporting heritage, and during the 19th centurycodifiedmany sports that are now played around the world. Sports originating in England includeassociation football,cricket,rugby union,rugby league,tennis,boxing, badminton,squash,rounders,hockey,snooker,billiards,darts, table tennis,bowls,netball,thoroughbredhorseracing,greyhound racingandfox hunting. It has helped the development ofgolf, sailing andFormula One. England has been crowned world champion in several major sports including:Cricket,RugbyandAssociation Football. Football is themost popularof these sports. TheEngland national football team, whose home venue isWembley Stadium, playedScotlandin the first-ever international football match in 1872.Referred to as the \"home of football\" byFIFA, England hosted and won the1966 FIFA World Cup.With a British television audience peak of 32.30 million viewers, thefinalis themost watched television event everin the UK.England is recognised by FIFA as the birthplace of club football:Sheffield F.C., founded in 1857, is the world's oldest club.TheEngland women's national football teamwon theUEFA Euro 2022, hosted by England. Cricketis generally thought to have been developed in the early medieval period among the farming and metalworking communities of theWeald.TheEngland cricket teamis a composite England and Wales team. One of the game's top rivalries isThe Ashesseries between England andAustralia, contested since 1882.Lord's Cricket Groundsituated in London is sometimes referred to as the \"Mecca of Cricket\".After winning the2019 Cricket World Cup, England became the first country to win the World Cups in football, rugby union, and cricket. William Penny Brookeswas prominent in organising the format for the modernOlympic Games.London has hosted theSummer Olympic Gamesthree times, in1908,1948, and2012. England competes in theCommonwealth Games, held every four years.Sport Englandis the governing body responsible for distributing funds and providing strategic guidance for sporting activity in England. Rugby unionoriginated inRugby School, Warwickshire in the early 19th century.The top level of club participation is theEnglish Premiership.Rugby leaguewas born inHuddersfieldin 1895. Since 2008, theEngland national rugby league teamhas been a full test nation in lieu of theGreat Britain national rugby league team, which won threeWorld Cups. Club sides play inSuper League, the present-day embodiment of theRugby Football League Championship. Rugby League is most popular among towns in the northern English counties ofLancashire, Yorkshire andCumbria. Golfhas been prominent in England, due in part to itscultural and geographical ties to Scotland.There are professional tours for men and women, in two main tours: thePGAand theEuropean Tour. The world's oldest golf tournament, and golf's first major isThe Open Championship, played both in England and Scotland. The biennial golf competition, theRyder Cup, is named after English businessmanSamuel Ryder. Tenniswas created in Birmingham in the late 19th century, andthe Wimbledon Championshipsis the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and widely considered the most prestigious.Wimbledon has a major place in the English cultural calendar. Inboxing, under theMarquess of Queensberry Rules, England has produced many world champions across the weight divisions internationally recognised by the governing bodies. Originating in 17th and 18th-century England, thethoroughbredis a horse breed best known for its use inhorse racing. TheNational Hunthorse race theGrand National, is held annually atAintree Racecoursein early April. It is the most watched horse race in the UK, and three-time winnerRed Rumis the most successful racehorse in the event's history. The1950 British Grand PrixatSilverstonewas the first race in the newly createdFormula One World Championship.England has seen the manufacture some of the most technically advanced racing cars, and many of today's racing companies choose England as their base of operations.England also has a rich heritage inGrand Prix motorcycle racing, the premier championship of motorcycleroad racing, and has produced several world champions. Dartsis a widely popular sport in England; a professional competitive sport, it is a traditionalpub game.Another popular sport commonly associated with pub games issnooker, and England has produced several world champions. The English are keen sailors and enjoy competitivesailing; founding and winning some of the world's most famous international competitive tournaments across the various race formats, including thematch race, a regatta, and theAmerica's Cup. National symbols The St George's Cross has been the nationalflag of Englandsince the 13th century. Originally, the flag was used by the maritimeRepublic of Genoa. The English monarch paid a tribute to theDoge of Genoafrom 1190 onwards so that English ships could fly the flag as a means of protection when entering the Mediterranean. A red cross was a symbol for manyCrusadersin the 12th and 13th centuries, and became associated withSaint George.Since 1606 the St George's Cross has formed part of the design of theUnion Flag, a Pan-British flag designed by KingJames I.During theEnglish Civil WarandInterregnum, theNew Model Army's standards and theCommonwealth'sGreat Sealboth incorporated the flag of Saint George. There are numerous other symbols and symbolic artefacts, both official and unofficial, including theTudor rose, the nation'sfloral emblem, and the Three Lions featured on theRoyal Arms of England. The Tudor rose was adopted as a national emblem of England around the time of theWars of the Rosesas a symbol of peace.It is asyncreticsymbol in that it merged the white rose of theYorkistsand the red rose of theLancastrians. It is also known as theRose of England.Theoaktree is a symbol of England: theRoyal Oaksymbol andOak Apple Daycommemorate the escape of KingCharles IIafter his father's execution, when he hid in an oak to avoid detection by the parliamentarians before safely reaching exile. The Royal Arms of England, a nationalcoat of armsfeaturing three lions, originated withRichard the Lionheartin 1198. It isblazonedasgules, three lions passant guardant orand it provides one of the most prominent symbols of England. England does not have an official national anthem, as the United Kingdom as a whole hasGod Save the King. However,Jerusalem,Land of Hope and Glory(used for England during the2002 Commonwealth Games),andI Vow to Thee, My Countryare often considered unofficialEnglish national anthems. England'sNational Dayis 23 April which isSaint George's Day: Saint George is the patron saint of England. See also Notes References Bibliography External links 53°08′N1°23′W / 53.13°N 1.38°W /53.13; -1.38"],"string":"[\n \"Clive Barker Clive Barker(born 5 October 1952) is an English writer, filmmaker and visual artist. He came to prominence in the mid-1980s with a series of short stories, theBooks of Blood, which established him as a leadinghorrorwriter. He has since written many novels and other works. His fiction has been adapted into films, notably theHellraiserseries, the first installment of which he also wrote and directed, and theCandymanseries. Barker's paintings and illustrations have been shown in galleries in the United States, and have appeared in his books. He has also created characters and series for comic books, and some of his more popular horror stories have been featured in ongoing comics series. Early life Barker was born on 5 October 1952 inLiverpool,the son of Joan Ruby (née Revill), a painter and school welfare officer, and Leonard Barker, a personnel director for an industrial relations firm.He was educated atDovedale Primary School,Quarry Bank High Schooland theUniversity of Liverpool, where he studied English and philosophy. When he was three, Barker witnessed the French skydiverLéo Valentinplummet to his death in 1956 during a performance at an air show in Liverpool.He later alluded to Valentin in many of his stories. Theatrical work Barker's involvement in live theatre began while still in school with productions ofVoodooandInfernoin 1967. He collaborated on six plays withTheatre of the Imaginationin 1974 and two more that he was the sole writer of,A Clowns' SodomandDay of the Dog,forThe Mute Pantomime Theatrein 1976 and 1977. He co-founded the avant-garde theatrical troupeThe Dog Companyin 1978 with former school friends and up and coming actors, many of whom would go on to become key collaborators in Barker's film work.Doug Bradleytook on the iconic role of Pinhead in theHellraiserseries while Peter Atkins wrote the scripts for the first threeHellraisersequels.Over the next five years Barker wrote nine plays, often serving as director, including some of his best-known stage productions,The History of The Devil,Frankenstein in Love, andThe Secret Life of Cartoons. From 1982 to 1983, he wroteCrazyface,Subtle BodiesandColossusfor the Cockpit Youth Theatre. His theatrical work came to a close as he shifted focus to writing theBooks of Blood. Writing career Barker is an author of horror andfantasy. He began writing horror early in his career, mostly in the form of short stories (collected inBooks of Blood1–6) and theFaustiannovelThe Damnation Game(1985). Later he moved toward modern-day fantasy andurban fantasywith horror elements inWeaveworld(1987),The Great and Secret Show(1989), the world-spanningImajica(1991), andSacrament(1996). WhenBooks of Bloodwas first published in the United States in paperback,Stephen Kingwas quoted on the book covers: \\\"I have seen the future of horror and his name is Clive Barker.\\\"As influences on his writing, Barker listsHerman Melville,Edgar Allan Poe,Ray Bradbury,William S. Burroughs,William Blake, andJean Cocteau, among others. He is the writer of the best-sellingAbaratseries. In early 2024 he announced he would stop attending conventions and public events so he could focus more on his writing, as he was working on the manuscripts for 31 different projects, some closer to completion than others. Personal life During his early years as a writer, Barker occasionally worked as an escort when his writing did not provide sufficient income.With the success ofWeaveworld, he could permanently retire as a sex worker.In 2003, he received the Davidson/Valentini Award at the15th GLAAD Media Awards. He has been open about his experiences withsadomasochism, and says that \\\"on S&M's sliding scale, I'm probably a 6\\\". Barker is critical of organized religion, but has said that the Bible influences his work and spirituality.Years later, he said on Facebook that he did not identify himself as a Christian. Barker said in a December 2008 online interview (published in March 2009) that he had throat polyps which were so severe, a doctor told him he was taking in only 10% of the air he was supposed to. He has had two surgeries to remove them and believes his voice has improved as a result. He said he did not have cancer, and has given up cigars. In 2012, Barker entered a coma for several days after contractingtoxic shock syndrome, triggered by a visit to a dentist where a spillage of poisonous bacteria entered his bloodstream, almost killing him.Realising he might have just a short time to live, he decided to put his personal concerns about the world and society into the upcoming novelDeep Hill, which he thought could be his final book. As of 2015, he is a member of the board of advisers for the Hollywood Horror Museum. Relationships While appearing on the radio call-in showLovelineon 20 August 1996, Barker said that in his teens he had several relationships with older women, but came to identify himself as homosexual by 18 or 19. His relationship with John Gregson lasted from 1975 until 1986. He later spent 13 years with photographer David Armstrong, described as his husband in the introduction toColdheart Canyon; they separated in 2009. Film work Barker wrote the screenplays forUnderworld(1985) andRawhead Rex(1986), both directed byGeorge Pavlou. Displeased by how his material was handled, he moved to directing withHellraiser(1987), based on his novellaThe Hellbound Heart. After his filmNightbreed(1990) flopped, Barker returned to write and directLord of Illusions(1995). The short story \\\"The Forbidden\\\", from Barker'sBooks of Blood, provided the basis for the 1992 filmCandymanand its three sequels. He had been working on a series of film adaptations of hisThe Abarat Quintetbooks underThe Walt Disney Company's management,but due to creative differences, the project was cancelled. He served as an executive producer for the 1998 filmGods and Monsters,a semi-fictional tale ofFrankensteindirectorJames Whale's later years, which won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.Barker said of his interest in the project: \\\"Whale was gay, I'm gay; Whale was English, I'm English…Whale made some horror movies, and I've made some horror movies. It seemed as if I should be helping to tell this story.\\\"Barker also provided the foreword on the published shooting script. In 2005, Barker and horror film producer Jorge Saralegui created the film production company Midnight Picture Show with the intent of producing two horror films per year. In October 2006, Barker announced through his website that he will be writing the script to a forthcoming remake of the originalHellraiserfilm.He was developing a film based on hisTortured Soulsline of toys fromMcFarlane Toys. In 2020, Barker regained control of theHellraiserfranchise, and served as executive producer on a2022 rebootfilm for the streaming serviceHulu. Television work In May 2015,Varietyreported that Clive Barker was developing a television series adaptation of variouscreepypastasin partnership withWarner Brothers, to be calledClive Barker's Creepypastas, a feature arc based onSlender ManandBen Drowned.Barker was involved in a streaming servicefilm adaptationofThe Books of Bloodin 2020,and is developing aNightbreedtelevision seriesdirected byMichael Doughertyand written byJosh StolbergforSyFy.In April 2020,HBOwas announced to be developing aHellraisertelevision series that would serve as \\\"an elevated continuation and expansion\\\" of its mythology withMark VerheidenandMichael Doughertywriting the series andDavid Gordon Greendirecting several episodes. Verheiden, Dougherty and Green will also be executive producing the series withDanny McBride,Jody Hill,Brandon JamesandRoy LeeofVertigo Entertainment. Visual art Barker is a prolific visual artist, often illustrating his own books. His paintings have been seen first on the covers of his official fan club magazine,Dread, published byFantacoin the early '90s; on the covers of the collections of his plays,Incarnations(1995) andForms of Heaven(1996); and on the second printing of the original British publications of hisBooks of Bloodseries. Barker also provided the artwork for his young adult novelThe Thief of Alwaysand for theAbaratseries. His artwork has been exhibited at Bert Green Fine Art in Los Angeles and Chicago, at the Bess Cutler Gallery in New York and La Luz De Jesus in Los Angeles. Many of his sketches and paintings can be found in the collectionClive Barker, Illustrator, published in 1990 by Arcane/Eclipse Books, and inVisions of Heaven and Hell, published in 2005 by Rizzoli Books. He worked on the horror video gameClive Barker's Undying, providing the voice for the character Ambrose.Undyingwas developed byDreamWorks Interactiveand released in 2001. He worked onClive Barker's JerichoforCodemasters, which was released in late 2007. Barker createdHalloweencostume designs for Disguise Costumes. Around 150 art works by Barker were used in the set of the Academy of the Unseen Arts for the Netflix TV seriesChilling Adventures of Sabrina. Comic books Barker published hisRazorlineimprint viaMarvel Comicsin 1993. Barker horror adaptations and spin-offs in comics include the Marvel/Epic ComicsseriesHellraiser,Nightbreed,Pinhead,The Harrowers,Book of the Damned, andJihad;Eclipse Books' series andgraphic novelsTapping The Vein,Dread,Son of Celluloid,Revelations,The Life of Death,Rawhead RexandThe Yattering and Jack, andDark Horse Comics'Primal, among others. Barker served as a consultant and wrote issues of theHellraiseranthology comic book. In 2005, IDW published a three-issue adaptation of Barker's children's fantasy novelThe Thief of Always, written and painted by Kris Oprisko and Gabriel Hernandez. IDW is publishing a 12 issue adaptation of Barker's novelThe Great and Secret Show. In December 2007, Chris Ryall and Clive Barker announced an upcoming collaboration of an original comic book series,Torakator, to be published by IDW. In 2008, Barker authored a foreword for the first volume of theDEMONICSEXcomic series by Chuck Conner and Sean Platter. In October 2009, IDW publishedSeduth, co-written by Barker. The work was released with three variant covers. In 2011,Boom! Studiosbegan publishing an originalHellraisercomic book series. In 2013, Boom! Studios announcedNext Testament, the first original story by Barker to be published in comic book format. Works Novels Hellraiserseries Books of the Artseries The Books of Abarat Short stories Collections: Uncollected short stories: Plays Collections: All plays: Poems Uncollected poems: Non-fiction Toys Filmography Adaptations Video games See also References Bibliography External links\",\n \"William, Prince of Wales William, Prince of Wales(William Arthur Philip Louis; born 21 June 1982), is theheir apparentto theBritish throne. He is the elder son of KingCharles IIIandDiana, Princess of Wales. William was born during the reign of his paternal grandmother,Queen Elizabeth II. He was educated atWetherby School,Ludgrove SchoolandEton College. He earned aMaster of Arts degreeingeographyat theUniversity of St Andrewswhere he met his future wife,Catherine Middleton. They have three children:George,CharlotteandLouis. After university, William trained at theRoyal Military Academy Sandhurstprior to serving with theBlues and Royalsregiment. In 2008 he graduated from theRoyal Air Force College Cranwell, joining theRAF Search and Rescue Forcein early 2009. He served as a full-time pilot with theEast Anglian Air Ambulancefor two years, starting in July 2015. William performs official duties and engagements on behalf of the monarch. He holds patronage with over 30 charitable and military organisations, including theTusk Trust,Centrepoint,The Passage,Wales Air AmbulanceandLondon's Air Ambulance Charity. He undertakes projects through theRoyal Foundation, with his charity work revolving around mental health, conservation, homelessness, and emergency workers. In 2020 William launched theEarthshot Prize, a £50 million initiative to incentivise environmental solutions over the next decade. William was madeDuke of Cambridgeimmediately beforehis weddingin April 2011. He becameDuke of CornwallandDuke of Rothesayupon his father's accession to the throne on 8 September 2022. The following day he was madePrince of Wales. Early life Prince William was born at 21:03BSTon 21 June 1982 inSt Mary's Hospital, London, as the first child of Charles, Prince of Wales (laterKing Charles III), and his first wife,Diana, Princess of Wales, during the reign of his paternal grandmother,Queen Elizabeth II.Buckingham Palace announced his name – William Arthur Philip Louis – on 28 June.William was christened in the Music Room ofBuckingham Palaceby the thenArchbishop of Canterbury,Robert Runcie, on 4 August, coinciding with the 82nd birthday of his paternal great-grandmother,Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. William was the first child born to aPrinceandPrincess of WalessincePrince Johnwas born to Prince George and Princess Mary (laterKing George VandQueen Mary) in July 1905.When he was nine months old, William accompanied his parents on their 1983 tour of Australia and New Zealand, as his first trip overseas.It also marked the first time that a royal baby was taken on an overseas tour.His younger brother,Prince Harry, was born in September 1984. Both of them were raised atKensington Palacein London, andHighgrove Housein Gloucestershire. Known informally as \\\"Wills\\\" within his family,William was nicknamed \\\"Willy\\\" by his brother and \\\"Wombat\\\" by his mother.Diana wished her sons to obtain broader and more typical life experiences beyond royal upbringing, taking them toWalt Disney World,McDonald's, AIDS clinics and shelters for the homeless.BiographerRobert Laceyasserts that William, a \\\"rambunctious\\\" and \\\"bratty\\\" child, grew \\\"more reflective\\\" with a \\\"noticeably quiet character\\\" as he began boarding school.Diana was reported to have described William as \\\"my little wise old man\\\" on whom she started to rely as her confidant by his early teens. William carried out his first public engagement while accompanying his parents on a visit toLlandaffonSaint David's Dayin 1991.He and Harry travelled to Canada on an official visit with their parents in 1991 and again with Charles in 1998.William's parents divorced in 1996. Dianadied in a car accidentin the early hours of 31 August 1997. William, then aged 15, together with his 12-year-old brother and their father, was staying atBalmoral Castleat the time. The following morning, Charles informed William and Harry of their mother's death.William was reportedly uncertain as to whether he should walk behind his mother's coffin during thefuneral procession. His grandfatherPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, told him: \\\"If you don't walk, I think you'll regret it later. If I walk, will you walk with me?\\\".At the funeral, William and Harry walked alongside their father, grandfather, and maternal uncle,Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, behind the funeral cortège from Kensington Palace toWestminster Abbey. After his mother's death, William stated that he was \\\"in a state of shock for many years\\\".He and Harry inherited the majority of the £12.9 million left by their mother on their respective 30th birthdays, a figure that had grown to £10 million each by 2014.In 2014 the brothers inherited theirmother's wedding dressalong with many other of her personal possessions including dresses, diamond tiaras, jewels, letters and paintings. They also received the original lyrics and score of \\\"Candle in the Wind\\\" byBernie TaupinandElton Johnas performed by the latter at Diana's funeral.In 2002The Timesreported that William and Harry would also share £4.9 million from trust funds established by their great-grandmother on their respective 21st birthdays, as well as £8 million upon their respective 40th birthdays. Education William was educated atprivate schools, starting at Jane Mynors' nursery school and the pre-preparatoryWetherby School, both in London.Following this, he attendedLudgrove SchoolnearWokingham, Berkshire, and was privately tutored during summers byRory Stewart.At Ludgrove, he participated infootball, swimming, basketball,clay pigeon shooting, andcross country running. He was subsequently admitted toEton College, studying geography, biology, and history of art atA-Level. He obtained an 'A' in geography, a 'C' in biology, and a 'B' in history of art.William was captain of the swimming team and his house football team at Eton, also taking upwater polo. The decision to place William at Eton went against the family tradition of sending royal children toGordonstoun, which his father and grandfather both attended. Diana's brother andfatherwere both Eton students.The royal family and the tabloid press agreed that William would be allowed to study free from intrusion in exchange for regular updates about his life.John Wakeham, chairman of thePress Complaints Commission, stated \\\"Prince William is not an institution; nor a soap star; nor a football hero. He is a boy: in the next few years, perhaps the most important and sometimes painful part of his life, he will grow up and become a man.\\\"While at Eton, he often had tea on weekends at the nearbyWindsor Castlewith his grandmother, discussingstate boxesand constitutional duties meant to \\\"prepare as future King.\\\" In June 1991, William was admitted to theRoyal Berkshire Hospitalafter being accidentally hit on the forehead by a fellow pupil wielding a golf club. He suffered a depressed fracture of the skull and was operated on atGreat Ormond Street Hospital, resulting in a permanent scar.The incident received widespread media attention.In 1999 he underwent an operation on his left hand after he broke a finger.After completing his studies at Eton, William took a gap year, during which he took part inBritish Armytraining exercises in Belize,worked on English dairy farms, and visited Africa.As part of theRaleigh Internationalprogramme in the town ofTortelin southern Chile, William worked for ten weeks on local construction projects and taught English. He lived with other young volunteers, sharing in the common household chores.His interest in African culture prompted him to teach himselfSwahili. In 2001 William enrolled at theUniversity of St Andrewsin Scotland.Similar to his time at Eton, the media agreed not to invade his privacy, and students were warned not to leak stories to the press.William embarked on a degree course inArt Historybut later changed his main subject toGeography. He focused hisdissertationon the Indian Ocean'sRodriguescoral reefs and graduated with anundergraduate Master of Arts(MA Hons) degree withupper second class honoursin 2005.While at university, he represented the Scottish national universities water polo team at the Celtic Nations tournament in 2004.He was reportedly known as \\\"Steve\\\" by other students to avoid any journalists overhearing and realising his identity. Early appointments and duties At the age of 21, William was appointed aCounsellor of State; he first served in that capacity when the Queen attended theCommonwealth Heads of Government Meetingin the same year.In July 2005, he embarked on his first solo public engagements on an overseas tour of New Zealand, travelling to participate in World War II commemorations.According to authorTina Brown, he had, like his father, expressed a desire to becomeGovernor-General of Australia.In 2009 the Queen set up aprivate officefor William and Harry withDavid Manningas their adviser.Manning accompanied William on his first official tour in January 2010 as the latter touredAucklandandWellington; William opened the new building of theSupreme Court of New Zealandand was welcomed by aMāorichief.The visit spurred crowds of \\\"many thousands\\\", with positive public reception compared to that of his mother's 1983 tour.In March 2011, William visitedChristchurch, New Zealand, shortly after theearthquake,and spoke at the memorial service atHagley Parkon behalf of his grandmother.He also travelled to Australia to visit areas affected by flooding inQueenslandandVictoria. Before attending Sandhurst, William did a three-week internship at several institutions, including theBank of England, theLondon Stock ExchangeandLloyd's of London.To prepare for his eventual management of theDuchy of Cornwall, in 2014, he enteredSt John's College, Cambridgeto undertake an executive agriculture management degree run by theCambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership(CPSL), of which his father is patron.In April 2019, Kensington Palace announced that William had completed a three-week internship atMI5,MI6andGCHQ,during which he was tasked with monitoring extreme Islamist terror cells, identifying potential threats abroad, and observing code breaking technology. Military and air ambulance service Having decided on a military career, William was admitted to theRoyal Military Academy Sandhurstin January 2006; his admission was based on successfully completing a 44-week course as an Officer Cadet which led to his commission as a British Army officer.As \\\"Lieutenant Wales\\\" – a name based on his father's then title Prince of Wales – he followed his brotherinto theBlues and Royalsin December that year as a troop commander in an armoured reconnaissance unit, after which he spent five months training for the post atBovington Campin Dorset. Despite the Queen's approval for William to serve on the frontline, his position as second-in-line to the throne at the time cast doubts on his chances of seeing combat.Plans by theMinistry of Defenceto send William to Southern Iraq leaked and the government eventually decided against sending him as it would endanger both his life and the lives of people around him if he was targeted.William instead trained in theRoyal NavyandRoyal Air Force, obtaining his commission as asub-lieutenantin the former and aflying officerin the latter, both broadly equivalent to the army rank of lieutenant. After completing his training, he undertook an attachment with the Royal Air Force atRAF Cranwell. Upon completing the course he was presented with hisRAF wingsby his father,who had received his own wings after training at Cranwell.During thissecondment, William flew to Afghanistan in aC-17 Globemasterthat repatriated the body of Trooper Robert Pearson.William was then seconded to train with the Royal Navy.He then completed an accelerated Naval Officer training course at theBritannia Royal Naval College.Whilst serving onHMSIron Dukein July 2008, William participated in a £40m drug seizure in the Atlantic, north-east of Barbados.He was part of the crew on the Lynx helicopter which helped seize 900 kg of cocaine from a speedboat. In January 2009, William transferred his commission to the RAF and was promoted toFlight Lieutenant. He trained to become a helicopter pilot with the RAF'sSearch and Rescue Force.As part of his training across all branches of the military in 2009, he spent up to six weeks with theSpecial Air Service, theSpecial Boat Service, and theSpecial Reconnaissance Regiment.In January 2010, he graduated from theDefence Helicopter Flying SchoolatRAF Shawbury.In the same month, he transferred to the Search and Rescue Training Unit atRAF Valley,Anglesey, to receive training on theSea Kingsearch and rescue helicopter; he graduated in September 2010.This made him the first member of the British royal family sinceHenry VIIto live in Wales. William's first rescue mission as co-pilot of a RAF Sea King was in response to an emergency call from Liverpool Coastguard in October 2010.In November 2011, he participated in a search-and-rescue mission involving a cargo ship that was sinking in the Irish Sea; William, as a co-pilot, helped rescue two sailors.He was deployed to theFalkland Islandsfor a six-week tour withNo. 1564 Flightfrom February to March 2012.The Argentine government condemned William's deployment to the islands close to the 30th anniversary of the beginning of theFalklands Waras a \\\"provocative act\\\".In June 2012, he gained a qualification to be captain orpilot in commandof a Sea King rather than a co-pilot.His active service as an RAF search-and-rescue pilot ended in September 2013.He conducted 156 search and rescue operations, which resulted in 149 people being rescued.He later became patron to theBattle of Britain Memorial Flight. In July 2015, William began working full-time as a pilot with theEast Anglian Air Ambulance(EAAA) based atCambridge Airport, which he felt was a natural progression from his previous search-and-rescue role.He donated his full salary to the EAAA charity.William required a civil pilot's licence and further training before being permitted to begin his role.He underwent part of his training atNorwich Airport.William described working irregular shifts and dealing mostly withcritical carecases.He also discussed the impact of witnessing intensive trauma and bereavement on his mental health and personal life.TheBBChas written that William was \\\"exposed to theNational Health Servicein a way that no other senior royal has been or possibly ever will be.\\\" William left his position with EAAA in July 2017 to assume full-time royal duties.After supporting an anniversary campaign forLondon's Air Ambulance Charityin 2019, he became the charity's official patron in March 2020.In May 2020, he granted permission to the charity to use Kensington Palace's private lawn to refuel during theCOVID-19 pandemic.To mark Air Ambulance Week 2020, he wrote a letter thanking air ambulance workers, stating his \\\"profound respect\\\" for the community, particularly during the \\\"immeasurably difficult\\\" outbreak.In February 2023, he became patron of theWales Air Ambulancecharity. Personal life Relationship with Catherine Middleton In 2001 William metCatherine Middleton, while they were students in residence atSt Salvator's Hall, at the University of St Andrews, and they became close friends.She reportedly caught William's attention at a charity fashion show at the university in 2002 when she appeared on the stage wearing a see-through lace dress.During their second year, William shared a flat with Middleton and two other friends.The couple began dating in 2003.From 2003 to 2005 they both resided at Balgove House on theStrathtyrumestate with two roommates.In 2004 the couple briefly split but reconciled soon afterwards. The relationship was followed closely by the tabloid press.Media attention became so intense that William asked the press to keep their distance from Middleton.In December 2006, Middleton and her family attended William'spassing out paradeat the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.In April 2007, William and Middleton were reported to have split.Middleton and her family attended theConcert for Dianathree months later;the couple were subsequently reported to have \\\"rekindled their relationship\\\".She also attended theOrder of the Garterprocession at Windsor Castle in June 2008, where William was made aRoyal Knight of the Garter.In June 2010, the couple moved into a cottage on theBodorgan Estatein Anglesey, Wales, where they resided until 2014. Marriage and children The couple became engaged in October 2010, at a remote alpine cabin onMount Kenya, during a 10-day trip to theLewa Wildlife Conservancyto celebrate William's passing the RAF helicopter search and rescue course.Clarence Houseannounced their engagement on 16 November.William gave his fianceé his mother'sengagement ring.The wedding took place in Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011.The global audience for the wedding ranged around 300 million, whereas 26 million watched the event live in Britain alone.William and Catherine usedNottingham Cottageas their London home until 2013, when £4.5 million renovations completed at Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace, which continues to be their official residence in the capital.The couple were given the country houseAnmer Hall, on theSandringham Estate, as a wedding gift from the Queen, where they lived from 2015 to 2017.Kensington Palace was the couple's main residence until 2022, when the family moved toAdelaide CottageinWindsor. Catherine's first pregnancy was announced in December 2012.She was admitted on 22 July 2013 to the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, London, where Prince William had been delivered. Later that day, she gave birth toPrince George.In September 2014, it was announced that Catherine was pregnant with her second child.She was admitted on 2 May 2015 to the same hospital where she gave birth toPrincess Charlottethe same day.Catherine's third pregnancy was announced in September 2017;Prince Louiswas born on 23 April 2018.William and Catherine have owned twoEnglish Cocker Spaniels, namedLupoand Orla. Duke of Cambridge William was createdDuke of Cambridge,Earl of Strathearn, andBaron Carrickferguson the day of his wedding in April 2011.He and Catherinetoured Canadathat summer.Nicholas Witchell, writing forBBC News, noted that the tour to Canada had been an \\\"unqualified success\\\" for the couple as they engaged in various activities from tree planting to street hockey, with their warm interactions and thoughtful gestures enhancing their popularity and reinforcing positive sentiments towards the monarchy in Canada.The couple served as ambassadors for the2012 Summer Olympicsin London, during multiple sporting events throughout the games. In September 2013, William and Catherine visited Singapore, Malaysia, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands as part of theQueen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.William hosted his firstinvestitureceremony at Buckingham Palace in October that year.In April 2014, he and Catherine undertook a royal tour to New Zealand and Australia accompanied by their son George.In August that year, the couple and Prince Harry represented the royal family atWorld War Icommemorations in Belgium.In December, the couple visited New York and Washington DC, where William made a speech at theWorld Bankcondemning the illegal trade in wildlife. In 2015 and 2016 William embarked on various visits of Asian countries, including Japan, China, Bhutan and India;he was the first royal to visit mainland China in almost three decades, with the press referring to William's diplomacy as \\\"deft\\\" and \\\"polished\\\".In response to media allegations of being \\\"work-shy\\\", he asserted his commitment to his duties, emphasizing his dedication to fatherhood and his role in air ambulance work.Countries visited by William and Catherine in 2017 included France, Poland, Germany, and Belgium.In January 2018 the couple visited Sweden and Norway.The visits, which were, like others, requested by theForeign Office, were interpreted to benefitUK-European relationspostBrexit.In June 2018, William toured Jordan, Israel and Palestine. William and Catherine toured Pakistan in October 2019, which was the royal family's first visit to the country in 13 years.The tour was a success, helping promote diplomatic relations with Pakistan while also reflecting the couple's personal interests in climate change and the significance of quality education.In November 2020, it was reported that William had tested positive for COVID-19 in April but decided not to alert the media to 'avoid alarming the nation'.The Daily Telegraphreported he had been \\\"very ill\\\" and had isolated away from his family;other sources said that he had not been seriously ill, not bed-ridden and working for most of the time.In December that year, the couple embarked on a tour of England, Scotland, and Wales via theBritish royal train\\\"to pay tribute to the inspiring work\\\" of communities and charities in 2020.Boris Johnsonexpressed his support, while Scottish first ministerNicola Sturgeoncriticised the tour, citing travel restrictions; local governments were consulted before planning the tour. In William's capacity asLord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, he and Catherine toured the country in May 2021.The couple attended theG7 summitfor the first time in June 2021 in Cornwall.In March 2022, they embarked on a tour of Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica as part of theQueen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.Reparations for slaveryemerged as a major demand of public protesters during the couple's visit.During the unveiling of the National Windrush Monument in London, William described the tour as \\\"an opportunity to reflect\\\" and condemnedracism facedby both members of theWindrush generationand British minorities in 2022.In May 2022, he attended theState Opening of Parliamentfor the first time as acounsellor of state, where his father delivered the Queen's Speech on behalf of Elizabeth II. Prince of Wales Queen Elizabeth II diedon 8 September 2022, and William's father succeeded as Charles III. William, nowheir apparent, was created Prince of Wales by his father on 9 September.Controversy regarding the titlebecame a topic of public debate in Wales.By 17 September, a petition calling for the end of the title had received over 30,000 signatures,while aYouGovpoll showed 66 per cent support for William to be given the title compared to 22 percent of respondents opposed.On 30 October, Senedd LlywyddElin Jonesnoted that an investiture is not a constitutional requirement and suggested that contemporary Wales would deem it unnecessary.Kensington Palace also stated an investiture is \\\"not on the table\\\".As the eldest son of the British monarch, William has inherited the Duchy of Cornwall, which brings him additional income.The duchy is \\\"a £760 million (about US$1.25 billion) entity established in 1337\\\" to provide a private income to the monarch's eldest son. William and Catherine visitedAngleseyandSwanseaon 27 September 2022, which marked their first visit to Wales since becoming Prince and Princess of Wales.He visited theSeneddin November 2022, meeting the Welsh first ministerMark Drakeford.In February 2023, William and Catherine visitedFalmouth, marking their first visit to the region since becoming Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.In March 2023, he undertook a solo visit to Poland during which he visitedRzeszówto meet Polish and British troops and Ukrainian refugees, and had talks with Polish presidentAndrzej Dudaat thePresidential Palace.In October 2023, William and Catherine condemned theHamas-led attack on Israel.In February 2024, he visited the headquarters of theBritish Red Cross, where he met humanitarian aid workers supporting civilians during theIsrael–Gaza conflict, and called for an end to the fighting in a statement approved by theUK government.Later that month, William pulled out at the last moment fromthe thanksgiving serviceof his godfather,Constantine II of Greece, due to an undisclosed \\\"personal matter\\\".The same month, he visitedWestern Marble Arch Synagogueto acknowledge the increase in antisemitism and human suffering in the Middle East. Charity work William became aware of HIV/AIDS in the mid-1990s when he accompanied his mother and brother on visits to shelters and clinics for patients. In January 2005, he and Harry volunteered at aBritish Red Crossaid distribution centre to pack emergency supplies for countries affected by the2004 Boxing Day tsunami.Later, in December 2005, William spent two weeks in North Wales withMountain Rescue England and Wales(MREW).In May 2007, he became patron of MREW and president of theRoyal Marsden Hospital, the latter of which was a role previously held by his mother. In July 2007, William and Harry organised the Concert for Diana, in memory of their mother, which benefitted the charities and patronages of Diana, William, and Harry.In October 2008, the brothers embarked on the 1,000 mile eight-day Enduro Africa motorbike ride across South Africa to raise money forSentebale,UNICEFand theNelson Mandela Children's Fund.In 2010 William became a patron of100 Women in Hedge Funds' philanthropic initiatives for the following three years until 2012.The same year, he succeededLord Attenboroughas the fifth president of theBritish Academy of Film and Television Arts.In March 2011, he and Catherine set up a gift fund held by The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry to allow well-wishers to donate money to charities supporting the armed forces, children, the elderly, art, sport and conservation in lieu of gifts.The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry is now known asThe Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. Humanitarian causes In March 2020, William appeared in a video for theNational Emergencies Trust, launching a fundraising appeal to help charities during the pandemic. The appeal raised £11 million in its first week, eventually totalling to £90 million, with the money going out to \\\"front line charities\\\" and to theUK Community Foundationsto be distributed among \\\"local community foundations\\\".In April 2020, he officially became patron of the organisation.Later that month, he made a surprise appearance onThe Big Night In, atelethonheld during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a skit which he held a video call withStephen Fry, who reprised his role as (a descendant of)Lord Melchett, from theBlackadderseries. In December 2020, William and Catherine became joint patrons ofNHS Charities Together.In February 2021, he visited a vaccination centre inKing's Lynnand later encouraged use of the vaccine, denouncingfalse informationthat could causevaccine hesitancy.In May 2021, William got his first dose ofCOVID-19 vaccineby NHS staff at the Science Museum in London.In September 2021, it was reported that he had assisted in the evacuation of an Afghan officer, a Royal Military Academy Sandhurst graduate and aide to British troops, from Kabul airport, along with over 10 of his family members, during the2021 Taliban offensive.In March 2022 amid theRussian invasion of Ukraine, William and Catherine made a donation to help the refugees.In February 2023, they donated to theDisasters Emergency Committee(DEC) which was helping victims of the2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.In July 2023, William became patron of the appeal to launch The Fleming Centre, driving a new global movement to tackleantimicrobial resistance.In July 2024, he and Catherine made donations to help victims ofHurricane Beryl. Conservation William became patron of theTusk Trustin December 2005, a charity that works towards conserving wildlife and initiating community development across Africa.He carried out his first official duty with the Trust in launching a 5,000-mile (8,000 km) bike ride across the African continent in April 2008.Later, William helped with launching the Tusk Conservation Awards, which have been presented to selected environmental activists annually since 2013.In June 2010, he and his brother visited Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa, undertaking projects relating to wildlife, sport, and young children.In 2013 he succeeded his grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh, as president ofFields in Trustand transitioned into the role of patron in 2024.He established the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce in December 2014, with the goal of reducing global illegal wildlife trade.In 2014Jane Goodallstated that William had expressed the view that all ivory in the royal collection needed tobe destroyed.William has occasionally commented on the effects ofoverpopulationon thewildlife of Africa, but his remarks have been criticised in the media for not takingresource consumptionand population density into consideration. After two years of research, William launched theEarthshot Prizein October 2020, designed to provide funding and incentive for environmental solutions over the next decade.Following the launch, he gave aTED Talkon environmental protection and conservation as part of the TED Countdown climate change initiative.Later that month, William took over the patronages ofFauna and Flora Internationaland theBritish Trust for Ornithology, passed on from his grandparents.In the same month, he appeared in an ITV documentary titledPrince William: A Planet For Us Allto discuss environmental issues. In 2021 William made a private donation to the Thin Green Line Foundation, which provides grants for the relatives of conservation park rangers that are killed every year while protecting wildlife.In July 2022, he condemned the murder of South African park ranger Anton Mzimba and asked for the responsible parties to \\\"be brought to justice\\\".In August 2022, William voiced his support for the prison sentence given to a man in the United States responsible for trafficking rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory.He had previously called for harsher punishments and penalties for poachers and smugglers at the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in 2018. LGBT rights William has spoken out forLGBT rightsas part of his work againstcyberbullying, stating the importance of being \\\"proud of the person you are\\\" and discussing the effects of online abuse and discrimination.In 2016 he appeared in the July issue ofAttitudeand became the first member of the royal family to be featured on the cover of a gay magazine.He was recognised at theBritish LGBT Awardsin May 2017.William hosted a commemorativePride Monthdiscussion with mental health charity volunteers at theRoyal Vauxhall Tavernin June 2023. Mental health Since 2009, William has been patron of Child Bereavement UK, which provides support to children and families who have lost a loved one.In 2016 the Royal Foundation launched multiple mental health initiatives, including Heads Together, a campaign led by William, Catherine and Harry to de-stigmatise mental health.Legacy programmes include Mental Health at Work, launched in September 2018 to change the approach to workplace mental health in the United Kingdom, as well as Heads Up, launched in May 2019 in partnership with theFootball Association, utilising football to affect the conversation surrounding mental health in adults.Later that month, William and Catherine, together with William's brother Harry and sister-in-lawMeghan, launched Shout, the United Kingdom's first 24/7 text messaging service for those who suffer from mental issues.William later volunteered on the crisis helpline during theCOVID-19 lockdownsto provide support via text message.He attributes his interest in mental health to his experiences as an air ambulance pilot, his work with the homeless, veterans' welfare, and his wife's anti-addiction advocacy. In March 2020, William and Catherine began supporting a new mental health initiative by the Public Health England agency amidst the coronavirus pandemic.In April 2020, the couple announced Our Frontline, an initiative providing mental health support to emergency medical workers.In September 2020, William established the Emergency Responders Senior Leaders Board, commissioned by the foundation to research the mental health and wellbeing of emergency responders, in partnership withKing's College Londonand the Open University.In May 2021 and 2022, William and Catherine voiced the Mental Health Minute message, which was broadcast on every radio station in the United Kingdom on and asked people to help individuals around them that suffer from loneliness.In October 2022, to mark the World Mental Health Day, the couple took overNewsbeatand interviewed four guests on topics related to mental health.In September 2023, William unveiled two organizations that had partnered with the Duchy of Cornwall to raise better mental well-being and provide mental health services for all its tenants.In October 2023 and to mark World Mental Health Day, he and Catherine took part in a forum for young people in Birmingham, alongside BBC Radio 1 and charity called The Mix, calledExploring our Emotional Worldscontinuing their longstanding work to promote mental well-being.In May 2024, he announced a three-year funding package for the charity We Are Farming Minds to provide mental health support for farmers on the Duchy of Cornwall lands. Homelessness In September 2005, William became patron ofCentrepoint, a charity that assists the homeless.In December 2009, as part of a Centrepoint-organised event, the prince spent the night in a sleeping bag nearBlackfriars Bridgeto raise awareness of the experiences of homeless youth.He opened their new facility, Apprenticeship House, in November 2019 to mark their 50th anniversary. William has been patron of homelessness charityThe Passagesince 2019 after first visiting the centre in 1993 with his mother.In October 2020, he wrote the introduction to the organisation's 40th-anniversary fundraising cookbook, discussing the importance of helping victims of homelessness during theCOVID-19 pandemic.In December 2020, William volunteered at the charity to help prepare donation bags for homeless residents in emergency hotel accommodations and spoke with residents about their experiences.In 2022 and 2023, he was spotted selling copies ofThe Big Issueon the streets, copies of which are usually sold by homeless and unemployed people to collect money. In June 2023, William launched Homewards after two years of development, which aims to \\\"finally end homelessness\\\" in the United Kingdom.The five-year initiative aims to tackle homelessness in six pilot locations across the United Kingdom with an initial seed funding allocated for each area by the Royal Foundation, working with existing private sector and grassroots charity partners.The project focuses on early intervention and providing housing to families before other issues, such as abuse and joblessness, are addressed.In February 2024, William, in partnership with Cornish charity St Petrocs, announced plans for building 24 homes on Duchy of Cornwall land inNansledanto provide temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness in the area.Future plans include building more than 400 social rented homes and a further 475 affordable dwellings inSouth East Faversham. Sport William often playspoloto raise money for charity.He is a fan of football, and supports the English clubAston Villa.He became president ofEngland's Football Association(FA) in May 2006 and vice-royal patron of theWelsh Rugby Union(WRU) in February 2007, supporting the Queen as patron.The same year, the WRU's decision to name thePrince William Cupdrew criticism as some believed it would have been more appropriate to name it afterRay Gravell.William became patron of the WRU and the FA in 2016 and 2024, respectively. In December 2010, William, alongsideDavid Cameron, attended a meeting withFIFAvice-presidentChung Mong-joonat which Chung suggested a vote-trading deal for the right to host the 2018 World Cup in England. The English delegation reported the suggestion to FIFA, considering it a violation of anti-collusion rules.In 2011 William, as president of the English FA, voted againstAustralia's 2022 FIFA bidand instead voted for South Korea, despite beingAustralia's future heir. In 2020 he voted against the jointAustralia–New Zealand 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup bidand instead voted forColombia. In February 2021, following an investigation into racism directed atMarcus Rashford, William released a statement as president of the FA, denouncing the \\\"racist abuse... whether on the pitch, in the stands, or on social media\\\" as \\\"despicable\\\" and stating that \\\"we all have a responsibility\\\" to create an environment of tolerance and accountability.In April 2021, William criticised the planned breakaway competitionThe Super League, adding that he \\\"share the concerns of fans about the proposed Super League and the damage it risks causing to the game we love.\\\"In July 2021, he condemned racist attacks against England football players following their loss at theUEFA Euro 2020finale. In May 2007, William became patron of the English Schools' Swimming Association.In 2012, together with his wife Catherine and brother Harry, William launched Coach Core. The program was set up following the2012 Olympicsand provides apprenticeship opportunities for people who desire to pursue a career as a professional coach.In May 2020, he appeared in aBBC OneDocumentary titledFootball, Prince William and Our Mental Healthas a part of a campaign to promote men to discuss their mental issues using football as a common medium. Both William and Harry are enthusiastic motorcyclists; William owns aDucati 1198 S Corse.In May 2014, William, like his father and grandfather, became president of theBritish Sub-Aqua Club(BSAC).He also took part in abandyevent inStockholmin January 2018. In November 2022, William was criticised by Welsh football followers and Welsh actorMichael Sheenfor holding the Prince of Wales title whilst having affiliations with theEngland national football team, particularly after he presented jerseys to the squad in advance of the2022 FIFA World Cupin which bothWalesand England were placed in the same Group B.William commented that he had supported the England football team from a very young age, but happily supportedWelsh rugby union, of which he is patron, over England.In August 2023, he was criticised in segments of the press and social media for not attending2023 FIFA Women's World Cup finalin Australia as president of the FA. Public image William has been one of the most popular members of the British royal family since his birth.Having lived a public life since birth, he was regarded as a \\\"heartthrob\\\" and eligible as a young adult, similar to his father.Ruth La Ferla ofThe New York Timescontrasted William's \\\"refined\\\" and \\\"polite\\\" appeal toLeonardo DiCaprio's \\\"bad-boy\\\" popularity.Following his marriage, William's public image assumed a more \\\"staid\\\" and fatherly demeanour, having \\\"settled into a stable domestic order.\\\" JournalistAnne McElvoyhas described William's public personality as a \\\"genial presence\\\" with a \\\"tougher side\\\", alongside his mother's \\\"inimitable style\\\".Much of his royal duties focus on \\\"big bet\\\" projects, rather than \\\"plaques and patronages\\\". In 2016 William gave an interview stating his goal was \\\"how do I make the royal family relevant in the next 20 years ... that's the challenge for me\\\". In April 2011,Timemagazine listed him asone of the most influential people in the worldalongside his then-newlywed wife Catherine.In August 2023,Gallup, Inc.named him as the most popular public figure in the US after conducting a survey that asked for people's views on 15 prominent individuals.He was found to be the most popular member of the royal family by statistics and polling companyYouGovin December 2022and September 2023,and as the second most popular in April 2024. Privacy and the media The death of William's mother while being chased by thepaparazziin August 1997has since influenced his attitude towards the media.He and Catherine have often requested that, when off-duty, their privacy should be respected.In 2005 William spoke with ITV reporterTom Bradbyand concluded that it was likely that their voicemails were being accessed.An investigation under thenDeputy Assistant CommissionerPeter Clarkeconcluded that the compromised voice mail accounts belonged to William's aides, includingJamie Lowther-Pinkerton,and not the prince himself.However,Clive Goodmanlater stated that he hadhackedWilliam's phone on 35 occasions.William later suedNews Group Newspapers, publisher ofNews of the WorldandThe Sun, which resulted in an out-of-court settlement in 2020.He and his brother Harry brought a claim privately through their mutual attorneys, but Harry later pursued his case separately with a new solicitor. In 2005, after his then-girlfriend Catherine Middleton was chased by the paparazzi on her way to a job interview, William consulted Middleton andher fatherand wrote a legal letter to newspapers requesting that they respect her privacy.As media attention increased around the time of Middleton's 25th birthday in January 2007, he issued a public statement mentioning that \\\"the situation is proving unbearable for all those concerned.\\\"In October 2007, William issued a public statement via his press secretary complaining about the \\\"aggressive pursuit\\\" by \\\"photographers on motorcycles, in vehicles and on foot\\\" while the couple were leaving a London nightclub and later driving in his car.Following the statement,Daily Mail,Daily Mirror, andDaily Expressall decided against using the paparazzi photos of the couple, butThe Sunpublished photos taken before the couple's car had left.The statement prompted the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) to issue a warning, asking editors not to publish photographs which were taken through harassment.In April 2009, William's lawyers obtained an apology fromThe Daily Starafter the tabloid had claimed he had \\\"wrecked\\\" a $2m plane during his pilot training. In September 2012, the French edition ofCloserand Italiangossip magazineChipublished photographs of Catherine sun-bathing topless while on holiday at theChâteau d'Autetin Provence.William and Catherine filed a criminal complaint with the French prosecution department and launched a claim for civil damages at theTribunal de Grande InstancedeNanterre.The following day the courts granted an injunction againstCloserprohibiting further publication of the photographs and announced that a criminal investigation would be initiated.In September 2017,Closerwas fined €100,000 and its editor Laurence Pieau and owner Ernesto Mauri were each fined €45,000. In October 2014, William and Catherine sent a legal letter to a freelance photographer who had put their son George and his nanny \\\"under surveillance\\\", asking the individual to stop \\\"harassing and following\\\" them.In August 2015, Kensington Palace published a letter detailing what it stated were the \\\"dangerous\\\" and invasive efforts of the media to get paparazzi pictures of Prince George and Princess Charlotte. In November 2016, William issued a statement supporting Prince Harry and his then-girlfriend,Meghan Markle, following their complaints about the press intrusion, stating that he \\\"understands the situation concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him.\\\"During a visit to the BBC studios in central London in November 2018, he publicly criticised the social media firms' approach to handling \\\"misinformation and conspiracy\\\" and added, \\\"Their self-image is so grounded in their positive power for good that they seem unable to engage in constructive discussion about the social problems they are creating\\\". In June 2022, a three-minute video of William confronting Terry Harris, a paparazzi photographer, was posted on Harris' YouTube channel.It was recorded by Harris in January 2021 and shows William arguing with Harris as the latter attempts to film William's family on a bike ride near Anmer Hall.Kensington Palace described the video as a breach of the family's privacy and asked for it to be removed from public websites.The couple's lawyers also contacted the photographer, who claimed he was on public roads and had filmed the video after hearing about allegations that the couple had broken the \\\"rule of six\\\" as they toured a public attraction at Sandringham while William's uncle and aunt, thenEarlandCountess of Wessex, and their children happened to be in the same spot. Titles, styles, and honours Titles and styles William has been aBritish princesince birth, and was known as \\\"Prince William of Wales\\\" until April 2011. He was createdDuke of Cambridge,Earl of StrathearnandBaron Carrickfergusby his grandmother, Elizabeth II, on the day of his wedding. Theletters patentgranting these titles were issued on 26 May that year. As the eldest son of the monarch, William automatically becameDuke of Cornwall,Duke of Rothesay,Earl of Carrick,Baron of Renfrew,Lord of the Isles, andPrince and Great Steward of Scotlandon the accession of his father on 8 September 2022.From 8 to 9 September, William was styled as \\\"His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge\\\".On 9 September, Charles announced the creation of William asPrince of Wales, the traditional title for the male heir apparent to the British monarch. William has since been known as \\\"His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales\\\", except in Scotland, where he is called \\\"His Royal Highness the Duke of Rothesay\\\" instead.The letters patent formally granting him this title and that ofEarl of Chesterwere issued on 13 February 2023. Honours William is a RoyalKnight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter(KG),an ExtraKnight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle(KT),Great Master of theMost Honourable Order of the Bath(GCB),a member of thePrivy Council of the United Kingdom(PC),and aPersonal Aide-de-Camp(ADC) to the sovereign. Ancestry William's ancestry is royal and aristocratic.Patrilineally, he is a member of theHouse of Windsorand also descends from theHouse of Oldenburg, one of Europe's oldest royal houses. More specifically, he descends from thecadet branchknown as theHouse of Glücksburg. Through his mother, William descends from theEarls Spencer– a cadet branch of theSpencer familydescended from theEarls of Sunderland; the senior branch are now alsoDukes of Marlborough; theBarons Fermoy; and more anciently fromHenry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton, andCharles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond– two illegitimate sons of KingCharles II. As king, William would be the first monarch since the death ofAnnein 1714 to undisputedly descend fromCharles Iand the first to descend from Charles II. William descendsmatrilineallyfrom Eliza Kewark, a housekeeper for his 18th-century ancestor Theodore Forbes – a Scottish merchant who worked for the East India Company inSurat. She is variously described in contemporary documents as \\\"a dark-skinned native woman\\\", \\\"anArmenianwoman from Bombay\\\", and \\\"Mrs. Forbesian\\\".GenealogistWilliam Addams Reitwiesnerassumed Kewark was Armenian.In June 2013, it was reported thatgenealogical DNA testson two of William's distant matrilineal cousins confirm Kewark was matrilineally of Indian descent. Bibliography Book contributions Authored letters and articles See also Footnotes References Further reading Books Articles External links\",\n \"Malcolm Bradbury Sir Malcolm Stanley Bradbury,CBE(7 September 1932 – 27 November 2000) was an English author and academic. Life Bradbury was born inSheffield, the son of a railwayman.His family moved to London in 1935, but returned to Sheffield in 1941 with his brother and mother. The family later moved toNottinghamand in 1943 Bradbury attendedWest BridgfordGrammar School, where he remained until 1950. He read English atUniversity College, Leicester, gaining a first-class degree in 1953. He continued his studies atQueen Mary College, University of London, where he gained his MA in 1955. Between 1955 and 1958, Bradbury moved between teaching posts with theUniversity of ManchesterandIndiana Universityin the United States. He returned to England in 1958 for a major heart operation; such was his heart condition that he was not expected to live beyond middle age. In 1959, while in hospital, he completed his first novel,Eating People is Wrong. Bradbury married Elizabeth Salt and they had two sons. He took up his first teaching post as an adult-education tutor at theUniversity of Hull. With his study onEvelyn Waughin 1962 he began his career of writing and editing critical books. From 1961 to 1965 he taught at theUniversity of Birmingham. He completed his PhD inAmerican studiesat the University of Manchester in 1962, moving to theUniversity of East Anglia(his second novel,Stepping Westward, appeared in 1965), where he became Professor of American Studies in 1970 and launched theMA in Creative Writingcourse, attended by bothIan McEwanandKazuo Ishiguro. He publishedPossibilities: Essays on the State of the Novelin 1973,The History Manin 1975,Who Do You Think You Are?in 1976,Rates of Exchangein 1983 andCuts: A Very Short Novelin 1987. He retired from academic life in 1995. Bradbury became aCommander of the Order of the British Empirein 1991 for services to literature and was made aKnight Bachelorin theNew Year Honours 2000, again for services to literature. Bradbury died at Priscilla Bacon Lodge, Colman Hospital, Norwich, on 27 November 2000, attended by his wife and their two sons, Matthew and Dominic. He was buried on 4 December 2000 in the churchyard of St Mary's parish church,Tasburgh, near Norwich where the Bradburys owned a second home. Though he was not an orthodox religious believer, he respected the traditions and socio-cultural role of theChurch of Englandand enjoyed visiting churches in the spirit ofPhilip Larkin's poem, \\\"Church Going\\\". Works Bradbury was a productive academic writer as well as a successful teacher; an expert on themodern novel, he published books onEvelyn Waugh,Saul BellowandE. M. Forster, as well as editions of such modern classics asF. Scott Fitzgerald'sThe Great Gatsby, and a number of surveys and handbooks of modern fiction, both British and American. However, he is best known to a wider public as a novelist. Although often compared with his contemporaryDavid Lodge, a friend who has also writtencampus novels, Bradbury's books are consistently darker in mood and less playful both in style and language. In 1986, he wrote a short humorous book titledWhy Come to Slaka?, a parody of travel books, dealing withSlaka, the fictionalEastern Europeancountry that is the setting for his novelRates of Exchange, a 1983 novel that was shortlisted for theBooker Prize. Bradbury also wrote extensively for television, including scripting series such asAnything More Would Be Greedy,The Gravy Train(and its sequel,The Gravy Train Goes East, which explored life in Bradbury's fictional Slaka), and adapting novels such asTom Sharpe'sBlott on the LandscapeandPorterhouse Blue,Alison Lurie'sImaginary Friends,Kingsley Amis'sThe Green Man, and the penultimateInspector MorseepisodeThe Wench is Dead. His last television script was forDalziel and Pascoeseries 5, produced byAndy Rowley. The episode \\\"Foreign Bodies\\\" was screened onBBC Oneon 15 July 2000. His work was often humorous and ironic, mockingacademe,British culture, andcommunism, usually with apicaresquetone. Selected bibliography See also References External links\",\n \"England – inEurope(green & dark grey)– in theUnited Kingdom(green) Englandis acountrythat is part of theUnited Kingdom.It is located on the island ofGreat Britain, of which it covers approximately 62%, andover 100 smaller adjacent islands. It has land borders withScotlandto the north andWalesto the west, and is otherwise surrounded by theNorth Seato the east, theEnglish Channelto the south, theCeltic Seato the south-west, and theIrish Seato the west.Continental Europelies to the south-east, andIrelandto the west. At the2021 census, the population was 56,490,048.Londonis boththe largest cityand thecapital. The area now called England was first inhabited by modern humans during theUpper Paleolithic. It takes its name from theAngles, aGermanictribe who settled during the 5th and 6th centuries. England became a unified state in the 10th century and has had a significant cultural and legal impact on the wider world since theAge of Discovery, which began during the 15th century.TheKingdom of England, which included Wales after 1535, ceased to be a separatesovereign stateon 1 May 1707, when theActs of Unionbrought into effect a political union with theKingdom of Scotlandthat created theKingdom of Great Britain. England is the origin of theEnglish language, theEnglish legal system(which served as the basis for thecommon lawsystems of many other countries),association football, and theAnglicanbranch of Christianity; itsparliamentary system of governmenthas been widely adopted by other nations.TheIndustrial Revolutionbegan in 18th-century England, transforming its society into the world's first industrialised nation.England is home tothe two oldest universitiesin the English-speaking world: theUniversity of Oxford, founded in 1096, and theUniversity of Cambridge, founded in 1209. Both universities are ranked among the most prestigious in the world. England's terrain chiefly consists of low hills andplains, especially in thecentreandsouth. Upland and mountainous terrain is mostly found in thenorthand west, includingDartmoor, theLake District, thePennines, and theShropshire Hills. The country's capital isLondon, themetropolitan areaof which has a population of 14.2 million as of 2021, representing the United Kingdom's largest metropolitan area. England's population of 56.3 million comprises 84% of the population of the United Kingdom,largely concentrated around London, theSouth East, and conurbations in theMidlands, theNorth West, theNorth East, andYorkshire, which each developed as major industrial regions during the 19th century. Toponymy The name \\\"England\\\" is derived from theOld EnglishnameEnglaland, which means \\\"land of theAngles\\\".The Angles were one of theGermanic tribesthat settled in Great Britain during theEarly Middle Ages. They came from theAngelnregion of what is now the German state ofSchleswig-Holstein.The earliest recorded use of the term, as \\\"Engla londe\\\", is in the late-ninth-century translation into Old English ofBede'sEcclesiastical History of the English People. The term was then used to mean \\\"the land inhabited by the English\\\", and it included English people in what is now south-east Scotland but was then part of the English kingdom ofNorthumbria. TheAnglo-Saxon Chroniclerecorded that theDomesday Bookof 1086 covered the whole of England, meaning the English kingdom, but a few years later theChroniclestated that KingMalcolm IIIwent \\\"out of Scotlande intoLothianin Englaland\\\", thus using it in the more ancient sense. The earliest attested reference to the Angles occurs in the 1st-century work byTacitus,Germania, in which theLatinwordAngliiis used.The etymology of the tribal name itself is disputed by scholars; it has been suggested that it derives from the shape of the Angeln peninsula, anangularshape.How and why a term derived from the name of a tribe that was less significant than others, such as theSaxons, came to be used for the entire country is not known, but it seems this is related to the custom of calling the Germanic people in BritainAngli Saxonesor English Saxons to distinguish them from continental Saxons (Eald-Seaxe) of Old Saxony in Germany.InScottish Gaelic, the Saxon tribe gave their name to the word for England (Sasunn);similarly, theWelshname for the English language is \\\"Saesneg\\\". A romantic name for England isLoegria, related to the Welsh word for England,Lloegr, and made popular by its use inArthurian legend.Albionis also applied to England in a more poetic capacity,though its original meaning is the island of Britain as a whole. History Prehistory The earliest known evidence of human presence in the area now known as England was that ofHomo antecessor, dating to approximately 780,000 years ago. The oldest proto-human bones discovered in England date from 500,000 years ago.Modern humans are known to have inhabited the area during theUpper Paleolithicperiod, though permanent settlements were only established within the last 6,000 years.After thelast ice ageonly large mammals such asmammoths,bisonandwoolly rhinocerosremained. Roughly 11,000 years ago, when theice sheetsbegan to recede, humans repopulated the area; genetic research suggests they came from the northern part of theIberian Peninsula.The sea level was lower than the present day and Britain was connected byland bridgeto Ireland andEurasia.As the seas rose, it was separated from Ireland 10,000 years ago and from Eurasia two millennia later. TheBeaker culturearrived around 2,500 BC, introducing drinking and food vessels constructed from clay, as well as vessels used as reduction pots to smelt copper ores.It was during this time that majorNeolithicmonuments such asStonehenge(phase III) andAveburywere constructed. By heating together tin and copper, which were in abundance in the area, the Beaker culture people madebronze, and later iron from iron ores. The development of ironsmeltingallowed the construction of betterploughs, advancing agriculture (for instance, withCeltic fields), as well as the production of more effective weapons. During theIron Age,Celtic culture, deriving from theHallstattandLa Tène cultures, arrived from Central Europe.Brythonicwas the spoken language during this time. Society was tribal; according toPtolemy'sGeographiathere were around 20 tribes in the area. Like other regions on the edge of the Empire, Britain had long enjoyed trading links with the Romans. Julius Caesar of theRoman Republicattempted toinvade twicein 55 BC; although largely unsuccessful, he managed to set up aclient kingfrom theTrinovantes. Ancient history The Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD during the reign of EmperorClaudius, subsequentlyconquering much of Britain, and the area was incorporated into the Roman Empire asBritannia province.The best-known of the native tribes who attempted to resist were theCatuvellauniled byCaratacus. Later, an uprising led byBoudica, Queen of theIceni, ended with Boudica's suicide following her defeat at theBattle of Watling Street.The author of one study of Roman Britain suggested that from 43 AD to 84 AD, the Roman invaders killed somewhere between 100,000 and 250,000 people from a population of perhaps 2,000,000.This era saw aGreco-Romanculture prevail with the introduction ofRoman law,Roman architecture,aqueducts,sewers, many agricultural items and silk.In the 3rd century, EmperorSeptimius Severusdied atEboracum(nowYork), whereConstantinewas subsequently proclaimed emperor a century later. There is debate about when Christianity was first introduced; it was no later than the 4th century, probably much earlier. According toBede, missionaries were sent from Rome byEleutheriusat the request of the chieftainLucius of Britainin 180 AD, to settle differences as to Eastern and Western ceremonials, which were disturbing the church. There are traditions linked to Glastonbury claiming an introduction throughJoseph of Arimathea, while others claim through Lucius of Britain.By 410, during thedecline of the Roman Empire, Britain was left exposed by theend of Roman rule in Britainand the withdrawal of Roman army units, to defend the frontiers in continental Europe and partake in civil wars.Celtic Christian monastic and missionary movements flourished. This period of Christianity was influenced by ancient Celtic culture in its sensibilities, polity, practices and theology. Local \\\"congregations\\\" were centred in the monastic community and monastic leaders were more like chieftains, as peers, rather than in the more hierarchical system of the Roman-dominated church. Middle Ages Roman militarywithdrawals left Britain open to invasion by pagan, seafaring warriors from north-western continental Europe, chiefly the Saxons,Angles,Jutesand Frisians who had long raided the coasts of the Roman province. These groups then began to settle in increasing numbers over the course of the fifth and sixth centuries, initially in the eastern part of the country.Their advance was contained for some decades after the Britons' victory at theBattle of Mount Badon, but subsequently resumed, overrunning the fertile lowlands of Britain and reducing the area underBrittoniccontrol to a series of separate enclaves in the more rugged country to the west by the end of the 6th century. Contemporary texts describing this period are extremely scarce, giving rise to its description as aDark Age. Details of theAnglo-Saxon settlement of Britainare consequently subject to considerable disagreement; the emerging consensus is that it occurred on a large scale in the south and east but was less substantial to the north and west, where Celtic languages continued to be spoken even in areas under Anglo-Saxon control.Roman-dominated Christianity had, in general, been replaced in the conquered territories byAnglo-Saxon paganism, but wasreintroduced by missionariesfrom Rome led byAugustinefrom 597.Disputes between the Roman- and Celtic-dominated forms of Christianity ended in victory for the Roman tradition at theCouncil of Whitby(664), which was ostensibly abouttonsures(clerical haircuts) and the date of Easter, but more significantly, about the differences in Roman and Celtic forms of authority, theology, and practice. During the settlement period the lands ruled by the incomers seem to have been fragmented into numerous tribal territories, but by the 7th century, when substantial evidence of the situation again becomes available, these had coalesced into roughly a dozen kingdoms includingNorthumbria,Mercia,Wessex,East Anglia,Essex,KentandSussex. Over the following centuries, this process of political consolidation continued.The 7th century saw a struggle for hegemony between Northumbria and Mercia, which in the 8th century gave way to Mercian preeminence.In the early 9th century Mercia was displaced as the foremost kingdom by Wessex. Later in that century escalating attacks by theDanesculminated in the conquest of the north and east of England, overthrowing the kingdoms of Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia. Wessex underAlfred the Greatwas left as the only surviving English kingdom, and under his successors, it steadily expanded at the expense of the kingdoms of theDanelaw. This brought about the political unification of England, first accomplished underÆthelstanin 927 and definitively established after further conflicts byEadredin 953. A fresh wave of Scandinavian attacks from the late 10th century ended with the conquest of this united kingdom bySweyn Forkbeardin 1013 and again by his sonCnutin 1016, turning it into the centre of a short-livedNorth Sea Empirethat also includedDenmarkandNorway. However, the native royal dynasty was restored with the accession ofEdward the Confessorin 1042. A dispute over the succession to Edward led to an unsuccessful Norwegian Invasion in September 1066 close to York in the North, and the successfulNorman Conquestin October 1066, accomplished by an army led byDuke William of Normandyinvading at Hastings late September 1066.TheNormansthemselves originated fromScandinaviaand had settled in Normandy in the late 9th and early 10th centuries.This conquest led to the almost total dispossession of the English elite and its replacement by a new French-speaking aristocracy, whose speech had a profound and permanent effect on the English language. Subsequently, theHouse of PlantagenetfromAnjouinherited the English throne underHenry II, adding England to the buddingAngevin Empireof fiefs the family had inherited in France includingAquitaine.They reigned for three centuries, some noted monarchs beingRichard I,Edward I,Edward IIIandHenry V.The period saw changes in trade and legislation, including the signing ofMagna Carta, an English legal charter used to limit the sovereign's powers by law and protect the privileges of freemen. Catholicmonasticismflourished, providing philosophers, and the universities of Oxford and Cambridge were founded with royal patronage. ThePrincipality of Walesbecame a Plantagenet fief during the 13th centuryand theLordship of Irelandwas given to the English monarchy by the Pope. During the 14th century, the Plantagenets and theHouse of Valoisclaimed to be legitimate claimants to theHouse of Capetand of France; the two powers clashed in theHundred Years' War.TheBlack Deathepidemichit England; starting in 1348, it eventually killed up to half of England'sinhabitants. Between 1453 and 1487, a civil war known as theWar of the Roseswaged between the two branches of the royal family, theYorkistsandLancastrians.Eventually it led to the Yorkists losing the throne entirely to a Welsh noble family theTudors, a branch of the Lancastrians headed byHenry Tudorwho invaded with Welsh and Breton mercenaries, gaining victory at theBattle of Bosworth Fieldwhere the Yorkist kingRichard IIIwas killed. Early modern period During theTudor period, England began to developnaval skills, and exploration intensified in theAge of Discovery.Henry VIIIbroke from communion with the Catholic Church, over issues relating to his divorce, under theActs of Supremacyin 1534 which proclaimed the monarch head of theChurch of England. In contrast with much of EuropeanProtestantism, theroots of the splitwere more political than theological.He also legally incorporated his ancestral land Wales into the Kingdom of England with the1535–1542 acts. There were internal religious conflicts during the reigns of Henry's daughters,Mary IandElizabeth I. The former took the country back to Catholicism while the latter broke from it again, forcefully asserting the supremacy ofAnglicanism. TheElizabethan erais the epoch in the Tudor age of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (\\\"the Virgin Queen\\\"). Historians often depict it as thegolden agein English history that represented the apogee of the English Renaissance and saw the flowering of great art, drama, poetry, music and literature.England during this period had a centralised, well-organised, and effective government. Competing withSpain, the first English colony in the Americas was founded in 1585 by explorerWalter RaleighinVirginiaand namedRoanoke. The Roanoke colony failed and is known as the lost colony after it was found abandoned on the return of the late-arriving supply ship.With theEast India Company, England also competed with theDutchandFrenchin the East. During the Elizabethan period, England was at war with Spain. Anarmadasailed from Spain in 1588 as part of a wider plan to invade England and re-establish a Catholic monarchy. The plan was thwarted by bad coordination, stormy weather and successful harrying attacks by an English fleet underLord Howard of Effingham. This failure did not end the threat: Spain launched two further armadas, in1596and1597, but both were driven back by storms. Union with Scotland The political structure of the island changed in 1603, when theKing of Scots,James VI, a kingdom which had been a long-time rival to English interests, inherited the throne of England as James I, thereby creating apersonal union.He styled himselfKing of Great Britain, although this had no basis in English law.Under the auspices of James VI and I the AuthorisedKing James Versionof the Holy Bible was published in 1611. It was the standard version of the Bible read by most Protestant Christians for four hundred years until modern revisions were produced in the 20th century. Based on conflicting political, religious and social positions, theEnglish Civil Warwas fought between the supporters ofParliamentand those of KingCharles I, known colloquially asRoundheadsandCavaliersrespectively. This was an interwoven part of the wider multifacetedWars of the Three Kingdoms, involvingScotlandandIreland. The Parliamentarians were victorious,Charles I was executedand the kingdom replaced by theCommonwealth. Leader of the Parliament forces,Oliver Cromwelldeclared himselfLord Protectorin 1653; a period ofpersonal rulefollowed.After Cromwell's death and the resignation of his sonRichardas Lord Protector,Charles IIwas invited to return as monarch in 1660, in a move called theRestoration. With the reopening of theatres, fine arts, literature and performing arts flourished throughout the Restoration of the \\\"Merry Monarch\\\" Charles II.After theGlorious Revolutionof 1688, it was constitutionally established that King and Parliament should rule together, though Parliament would have the real power. This was established with theBill of Rightsin 1689. Among the statutes set down were that the law could only be made by Parliament and could not be suspended by the King, also that the King could not impose taxes or raise an army without the prior approval of Parliament.Also since that time, no British monarch has entered theHouse of Commonswhen it is sitting, which is annually commemorated at theState Opening of Parliamentby the British monarch when the doors of the House of Commons are slammed in the face of the monarch's messenger, symbolising the rights of Parliament and its independence from the monarch.With the founding of theRoyal Societyin 1660, science was greatly encouraged. In 1666 theGreat Fire of Londongutted the city of London, but it was rebuilt shortly afterward with many significant buildings designed by SirChristopher Wren.By the mid-to-late 17th century, two political factions had emerged – theToriesandWhigs. Though the Tories initially supported Catholic kingJames II, some of them, along with the Whigs, during theRevolution of 1688invited the DutchPrince William of Orangeto defeat James and become the king. Some English people, especially in the north, wereJacobitesand continued to support James and his sons. Under theStuart dynastyEngland expanded in trade, finance and prosperity. The Royal Navy developed Europe's largest merchant fleet.After the parliaments of England and Scotland agreed,the two countries joined inpolitical union, to create theKingdom of Great Britainin 1707.To accommodate the union, institutions such as the law and national churches of each remained separate. Late modern and contemporary periods Under the newly formed Kingdom of Great Britain, output from the Royal Society and otherEnglish initiativescombined with theScottish Enlightenmentto create innovations in science and engineering, while the enormous growth inBritish overseas tradeprotected by theRoyal Navypaved the way for the establishment of theBritish Empire. Domestically it drove theIndustrial Revolution, a period of profound change in thesocioeconomicand cultural conditions of England, resulting in industrialised agriculture, manufacture, engineering and mining, as well as new and pioneering road, rail and water networks to facilitate their expansion and development.The opening of Northwest England'sBridgewater Canalin 1761 ushered in thecanal age in Britain.In 1825 the world's first permanent steam locomotive-hauled passenger railway – theStockton and Darlington Railway– opened to the public. During theIndustrial Revolution, many workers moved from England's countryside to new and expanding urban industrial areas to work in factories, for instance atBirminghamandManchester,with the latter the world's first industrial city.England maintained relative stability throughout theFrench Revolution, underGeorge IIIandWilliam Pitt the Younger. Theregency of George IVis noted for its elegance and achievements in the fine arts and architecture.During theNapoleonic Wars,Napoleonplanned toinvade from the south-east; however, this failed to manifest and the Napoleonic forces were defeated by the British: at sea byHoratio Nelson, and on land byArthur Wellesley. The major victory at theBattle of Trafalgarconfirmed the naval supremacy Britain had established during the course of the eighteenth century.The Napoleonic Wars fostered a concept ofBritishnessand a united nationalBritish people, shared with the English, Scots and Welsh. London became the largest and most populous metropolitan area in the world during theVictorian era, and trade within the British Empire – as well as the standing of the British military and navy – was prestigious.Technologically, this era saw many innovations that proved key to the United Kingdom's power and prosperity.Political agitation at home from radicals such as theChartistsand thesuffragettesenabled legislative reform anduniversal suffrage. Power shifts in east-central Europe led to World War I; hundreds of thousands of English soldiers died fighting for the United Kingdom as part of theAllies.Two decades later, inWorld War II, the United Kingdom was again one of theAllies. Developments in warfare technology saw many cities damaged by air-raids duringthe Blitz. Following the war, the British Empire experienced rapiddecolonisation, and there was a speeding-up of technological innovations; automobiles became the primary means of transport andFrank Whittle's development of thejet engineled to widerair travel.Residential patterns were altered in England by private motoring, and by the creation of theNational Health Servicein 1948, providingpublicly funded health careto all permanent residents free at the point of need. Combined, these prompted the reform oflocal government in Englandin the mid-20th century. Since the 20th century, there has been significant population movement to England, mostly from other parts of theBritish Isles, but also from theCommonwealth, particularly theIndian subcontinent.Since the 1970s there has been a large move away from manufacturing and an increasing emphasis on theservice industry.As part of the United Kingdom, the area joined acommon marketinitiative called theEuropean Economic Communitywhich became theEuropean Union. Since the late 20th century theadministration of the United Kingdomhas moved towardsdevolved governancein Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.England and Walescontinues to exist as a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom.Devolution has stimulated a greater emphasis on a more English-specific identity and patriotism.There is no devolved English government, but an attempt to create a similar system on a sub-regional basis was rejected byreferendum. Governance Politics England is part of the United Kingdom, aconstitutional monarchywith aparliamentary system.There has not been agovernment of Englandsince 1707, when theActs of Union 1707,putting into effect the terms of theTreaty of Union, joined England and Scotland to form theKingdom of Great Britain.Before the union England was ruled byits monarchand theParliament of England. Today England is governed directly by theParliament of the United Kingdom, although othercountries of the United Kingdomhavedevolvedgovernments.There has been debate about how to counterbalance this in England. Originally it was planned that variousregions of Englandwould be devolved, but following the proposal's rejection by theNorth Eastin a2004 referendum, this has not been carried out.In 2024, an England-only intergovernmental body, known as theMayoral Council, was established to bring together ministers from theUK Government, theMayor of Londonand the leaders ofcombined authorities. In theHouse of Commonswhich is thelower houseof the British Parliament based at thePalace of Westminster, there are 543 members of parliament (MPs) for constituencies in England, out of the 650 total.England is represented by 347 MPs from theLabour Party, 116 from theConservative Party, 65 from theLiberal Democrats, five forReform UKand four for theGreen Party of England and Wales. Law TheEnglish lawlegal system, developed over the centuries, is the basis ofcommon lawlegal systems used in mostCommonwealthcountriesand the United States (exceptLouisiana). Despite now being part of the United Kingdom, the legal system of theCourts of England and Walescontinued, under theTreaty of Union, as a separate legal system fromthe one used in Scotland. The general essence of English law is that it is made by judges sitting in courts, applying their common sense and knowledge oflegal precedent–stare decisis– to the facts before them. The court system is headed by the Senior Courts of England and Wales, consisting of theCourt of Appeal, theHigh Court of Justicefor civil cases, and theCrown Courtfor criminal cases.TheSupreme Court of the United Kingdomis the highest court for criminal and civil cases inEngland and Wales. It was created in 2009 after constitutional changes, taking over thejudicial functions of the House of Lords.A decision of the Supreme Court is binding on every other court in the hierarchy, which must follow its directions. TheSecretary of State for Justiceis the minister responsible to Parliament for thejudiciary, the court system and prisons and probation in England.Crime increased between 1981 and 1995 but fell by 42% in the period 1995–2006.The prison population doubled over the same period, giving it one of thehighest incarceration ratesin Western Europe at 147 per 100,000.His Majesty's Prison Service, reporting to theMinistry of Justice, manages most prisons, housing 81,309 prisoners in England and Wales as of September 2022. Subdivisions Thesubdivisions of Englandconsist of up to four levels ofsubnational division, controlled through a variety of types of administrative entities created for the purposes oflocal government. Outside the London region, England's highest tier is the 48ceremonial counties.These are used primarily as a geographical frame of reference. Of these, 38 developed gradually since theMiddle Ages; these were reformed to 51 in 1974 and to their current number in 1996.Each has aLord LieutenantandHigh Sheriff; these posts are used to represent theBritish monarchlocally.Some counties, such asHerefordshire, are only divided further into civil parishes. The royal county of Berkshire and the metropolitan counties have different types of status to other ceremonial counties. The second tier is made up ofcombined authoritiesand the 27county-tiershire counties. In 1974, all ceremonial counties were two-tier; and with the metropolitan county tier phased out, the 1996 reform separated the ceremonial county and the administrative county tier. England is also divided into local government districts.The district can align to a ceremonial county, or be a district tier within ashire county, be aroyalormetropolitan borough, haveboroughorcity status, or be aunitary authority. At the community level, much of England is divided intocivil parisheswith their owncouncils; in Greater London only one such parish,Queen's Park, exists as of 2014after they wereabolished in 1965until legislationallowed their recreationin 2007. London From 1994 until the early 2010s England was divided for a few purposes into regions; a1998 referendumfor the London Region created theLondon Assemblytwo years later.A failed2004 North East England devolution referendumcancelled furtherregional assemblydevolutionwith the regional structure outside London abolished. Ceremonially and administratively, the region is divided between theCity of LondonandGreater London; these are further divided into the 32London Boroughsand the 25Wards of the City of London. Geography Landscape and rivers Geographically, England includes the central and southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain, plus such offshore islands as theIsle of Wightand theIsles of Scilly. It is bordered by two other countries of the United Kingdom:to the northby Scotland andto the westby Wales. England is closer than any other part of mainland Britain to the European continent. It is separated fromFrance(Hauts-de-France) by a 21-mile (34 km)sea gap, though the two countries are connected by theChannel TunnelnearFolkestone.England also has shores on theIrish Sea,North Seaand Atlantic Ocean. The ports of London,Liverpool, andNewcastlelie on the tidal riversThames,MerseyandTynerespectively. At 220 miles (350 km), theSevernis the longest river flowing through England.It empties into theBristol Channeland is notable for itsSevern Bore(atidal bore), which can reach 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height.However, the longest river entirely in England is the Thames, which is 215 miles (346 km) in length.There are manylakes in England; the largest isWindermere, within the aptly namedLake District. Most of England's landscape consists of low hills and plains, with upland and mountainous terrain in the north and west of the country. The northern uplands include thePennines, a chain of uplands dividing east and west, the Lake District mountains in Cumbria, and theCheviot Hills, straddling the border between England and Scotland. The highest point in England, at 978 metres (3,209 ft), isScafell Pikein the Lake District.TheShropshire Hillsare near Wales whileDartmoorandExmoorare two upland areas in the south-west of the country. The approximate dividing line between terrain types is often indicated by theTees–Exe line. The Pennines, known as the \\\"backbone of England\\\", are the oldest range of mountains in the country, originating from the end of thePaleozoic Eraaround 300 million years ago.Their geological composition includes, among others,sandstoneandlimestone, and also coal. There arekarstlandscapes in calcite areas such as parts ofYorkshireandDerbyshire. The Pennine landscape is highmoorlandin upland areas, indented by fertile valleys of the region's rivers. They contain twonational parks, theYorkshire Dalesand thePeak District. In theWest Country, Dartmoor and Exmoor of the Southwest Peninsula include upland moorland supported by granite. TheEnglish Lowlandsare in the central and southern regions of the country, consisting of green rolling hills, including theCotswold Hills,Chiltern Hills,NorthandSouth Downs; where they meet the sea they form white rock exposures such as thecliffs of Dover. This also includes relatively flat plains such as theSalisbury Plain,Somerset Levels,South Coast PlainandThe Fens. Climate England has atemperatemaritime climate: it is mild with temperatures not much lower than 0 °C (32 °F) in winter and not much higher than 32 °C (90 °F) in summer.The weather is damp relatively frequently and is changeable. The coldest months are January and February, the latter particularly on theEnglish coast, while July is normally the warmest month. Months with mild to warm weather are May, June, September and October.Rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year. Important influences on the climate of England are its proximity to theAtlantic Ocean, its northernlatitudeand the warming of the sea by theGulf Stream.Rainfall is higher in the west, and parts of theLake Districtreceive more rain than anywhere else in the country.Since weather records began, the highest temperature recorded was 40.3 °C (104.5 °F) on 19 July 2022 atConingsby,Lincolnshire,while the lowest was −26.1 °C (−15.0 °F) on 10 January 1982 inEdgmond, Shropshire. Nature and wildlife The fauna of England is similar to that of other areas in theBritish Isleswith a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate life in a diverse range of habitats.National nature reserves in Englandare designated byNatural Englandas key places forwildlifeand natural features in England. They were established to protect the most significant areas of habitat and of geological formations. NNRs are managed on behalf of the nation, many by Natural England themselves, but also by non-governmental organisations, including the members ofThe Wildlife Trustspartnership, theNational Trust, and theRoyal Society for the Protection of Birds. There are 221 NNRs in England covering 110,000 hectares (1,100 square kilometres). Often they contain rare species or nationally important populations of plants and animals.. TheEnvironment Agencyis a non-departmental public body, established in 1995 and sponsored by theDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairswith responsibilities relating to the protection and enhancement of the environment in England.TheSecretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairsis the minister responsible for environmental protection, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in England. England has atemperate oceanic climatein most areas, lacking extremes of cold or heat, but does have a few small areas ofsubarcticand warmer areas inthe South West. Towards theNorth of Englandthe climate becomes colder and most of England's mountains and high hills are located here and have a major impact on the climate and thus the local fauna of the areas.Deciduouswoodlands are common across all of England and provide a great habitat for much of England's wildlife, but these give way in northern and upland areas of England toconiferousforests (mainly plantations) which also benefit certain forms of wildlife. Some species have adapted to the expanded urban environment, particularly thered fox, which is the most successfulurban mammalafter thebrown rat, and other animals such ascommon wood pigeon, both of which thrive in urban and suburban areas. Major conurbations TheGreater London Built-up Areais by far the largest urban area in Englandand one of the busiest cities in the world. It is considered aglobal cityand has a population larger than any other country in the United Kingdom besides England itself.Other urban areas of considerable size and influence tend to be innorthern Englandor theEnglish Midlands.There are50 settlementswhich have designatedcity status in England, while the wider United Kingdom has 66. While many cities in England are quite large, such asBirmingham,Sheffield,Manchester,Liverpool,Leeds,Newcastle,Bradford,Nottingham, population size is not a prerequisite for city status.Traditionally the status was given to towns withdiocesan cathedrals, so there are smaller cities likeWells,Ely,Ripon,TruroandChichester. Economy England's economy is one of the largest and most dynamic in the world, with an averageGDP per capitaof £37,852 in 2022.HM Treasury, led by theChancellor of the Exchequer, is responsible for developing and executing the government'spublic financepolicy andeconomic policy.Usually regarded as amixed market economy, it has adopted manyfree marketprinciples, yet maintains an advanced social welfare infrastructure. The economy of England is the largest part of theUK's economy.England is a leader in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors and in key technical industries, particularlyaerospace, thearms industry, and thesoftware industry. London, home to theLondon Stock Exchange, the United Kingdom's mainstock exchangeand the largest in Europe, is England's financial centre, with 100 of Europe's 500 largest corporations being based there.London is the largest financial centre in Europe and as of 2014 is the second largest in the world. London has also been named as the fastest growing technology hub in Europe, with England having over 100 unique tech companies with a value of $1 billion or more.TheBank of England, founded in 1694 as private banker to the government of England and astate-owned institutionsince 1946, is the United Kingdom'scentral bank.The bank has a monopoly on the issue of banknotes inEngland and Wales, although not in other parts of the UK. The government has devolved responsibility to the bank'sMonetary Policy Committeefor managing the monetary policy of the country and setting interest rates. England is highly industrialised, but since the 1970s there has been a decline in traditional heavy and manufacturing industries, and an increasing emphasis on a moreservice industryoriented economy.Tourism has become a significant industry, attracting millions of visitors to England each year. The export part of the economy is dominated bypharmaceuticals, automotives,crude oiland petroleum from the English parts ofNorth Sea oilalong withWytch Farm,aircraft enginesand alcoholic beverages.Thecreative industriesaccounted for 7 per cent GVA in 2005 and grew at an average of 6 per cent per annum between 1997 and 2005. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanised and efficient by European standards, producing 60% of food needs with only 2% of the labour force.Two-thirds of production is devoted to livestock, the remainder to arable crops.The main crops that are grown arewheat,barley,oats,potatoes, andsugar beets. England retains a significant fishing industry. Its fleets bring home a variety of fish, ranging fromsoletoherring. England is also rich in natural resources includingcoal,petroleum,natural gas,tin,limestone,iron ore,salt,clay,chalk,gypsum,lead, and silica. Science and technology Prominent English figures from the field of science and mathematics include SirIsaac Newton,Charles Darwin,Robert Hooke,Alan Turing,Stephen Hawking,Edward Jenner,Francis Crick,Joseph Lister,Joseph Priestley,Thomas Young,Christopher WrenandRichard Dawkins. England was a leading centre of theScientific Revolutionfrom the 17th century.As the birthplace of theIndustrial Revolution, England was home to many significant inventors during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Famous English engineers includeIsambard Kingdom Brunel, best known for the creation of theGreat Western Railway, a series of famoussteamships, and numerous important bridges, revolutionising public transport and modern-day engineering.Thomas Newcomen'ssteam enginehelped spawn the Industrial Revolution. The Father of Railways,George Stephenson, built the first public inter-city railway line in the world, theLiverpool and Manchester Railway, which opened in 1830. With his role in the marketing and manufacturing of the steam engine, and invention of modern coinage,Matthew Boulton(business partner ofJames Watt) is regarded as one of the most influential entrepreneurs in history.The physicianEdward Jenner'ssmallpox vaccineis said to have \\\"saved more lives ... than were lost in all the wars of mankind since the beginning of recorded history.\\\" Inventions and discoveries of the English include thejet engine; the first industrialspinning machine;the first computerand the firstmodern computer; theWorld Wide Webalong withHTML; the first successful humanblood transfusion; the motorisedvacuum cleaner;thelawn mower; theseat belt; thehovercraft; theelectric motor;steam engines; and theories such as the Darwinian theory ofevolutionandatomic theory. Newton developed the ideas ofuniversal gravitation,Newtonian mechanics, andcalculus, andRobert Hookehis eponymously namedlaw of elasticity. Other inventions include the iron plate railway, thethermosiphon,tarmac, therubber band, themousetrap,\\\"cat's eye\\\"road marker, joint development of thelight bulb, steamlocomotives, the modernseed drilland many modern techniques and technologies used inprecision engineering. TheRoyal Society, formallyThe Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge,is alearned societyand theUnited Kingdom's nationalacademy of sciences. Founded on 28 November 1660,It is the oldest national scientific institution in the world.TheRoyal Institution of Great Britainwas founded in 1799 by leading English scientists, includingHenry Cavendish.Some experts claim that the earliest concept of ametric systemwas invented byJohn Wilkinsin 1668. Scientific research and development remains important in theuniversities of England, with many establishingscience parksto facilitate production and co-operation with industry.Cambridgeis the most intensive research cluster for science and technology in the world.In 2022, the UK produced 6.3 per cent of the world's scientific research papers and had a 10.5 per cent share of scientific citations, the third highest in the world (after the United States and China).Scientific journals produced in England includeNature, theBritish Medical JournalandThe Lancet. TheDepartment for Science, Innovation and Technology,Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, andMinister of State for Science, Research and Innovationhas responsibility for science in England. Transport TheDepartment for Transportis the government body responsible for overseeing transport in England. The department is run by theSecretary of State for Transport. England has a dense and modern transportation infrastructure. There are manymotorways in England, and many other trunk roads, such as theA1 Great North Road, which runs through eastern England from London to Newcastle(much of this section is motorway) and onward to the Scottish border. The longest motorway in England is theM6, fromRugbythrough theNorth Westup to theAnglo-Scottish border, a distance of 232 miles (373 km).Other major routes include: theM1from London to Leeds, theM25which encircles London, theM60which encircles Manchester, theM4from London to South Wales, theM62from Liverpool via Manchester to East Yorkshire, and theM5from Birmingham to Bristol and the South West. Bus transport across the country is widespread; major companies includeArriva,FirstGroup,Go-Ahead Group,Mobico Group,RotalaandStagecoach Group.Bus rapid transitoriginated in England with theRuncornBusway opening in 1971.The reddouble-decker busesin London have become a symbol of England.National Cycle Routeoffers cycling routes nationally. Rail transport in Englandis the oldest in the world: passenger railways originated in England in 1825.Much of Britain's 10,000 miles (16,000 km) of rail network lies in England, covering the country fairly extensively. There is rail transport access to France and Belgium through an undersea rail link, theChannel Tunnel, which was completed in 1994. Great British Railwaysis a planned state-owned public body that will overseerail transport in Great Britainfrom 2024. TheOffice of Rail and Roadis responsible for the economic and safety regulation of England's railways.Crossrailwas Europe's largest construction project with a £15 billion projected cost, opened in 2022.High Speed 2, a new high-speed north–south railway line, is under construction. There is arapid transitnetwork in two English cities: theLondon Underground, and theTyne and Wear MetroinNewcastle upon Tyne,GatesheadandSunderland.There are several extensive tram networks, such as theManchester Metrolink,Sheffield Supertram,West Midlands Metro,Nottingham Express Transit, andTramlinkin South London.England also has extensive domestic and international aviation links. The largest airport isHeathrow, which is theworld's second busiest airport measured by number of international passengers. By sea there is ferry transport, both local and international, including from Liverpool to Ireland and the Isle of Man, and Hull to the Netherlands and Belgium.There are around 4,400 miles (7,100 km) of navigable waterways in England, half of which is owned by theCanal & River Trust,however, water transport is very limited. TheRiver Thamesis the major waterway in England, with imports and exports focused at thePort of Tilburyin theThames Estuary, one of the United Kingdom's three major ports. Energy Successive governments have outlined numerous commitments to reducecarbon dioxideemissions. Notably, the UK isone of the best sites in Europe for wind energy, and wind power production is its fastest growing supply.Wind power contributed 26.8% of UK electricity generation in 2022.England is home toHornsea 2, the largest offshore wind farm in the world, situated in waters roughly 89 kilometres off the coast of Yorkshire. TheClimate Change Act 2008was passed in Parliament with an overwhelming majority across political parties. It sets out emission reduction targets that the UK must comply with legally. It represents the first global legally bindingclimate change mitigationtarget set by a country.UK government energy policyaims to play a key role in limitinggreenhouse gas emissions, while meeting energy demand. Shifting availabilities of resources and development of technologies also change the country'senergy mixthrough changes in costs. The current energy policy is the responsibility of theDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroandSecretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.TheMinister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growthis responsible for green finance, climate science and innovation, and low carbon generation.In 2022, the United Kingdom was ranked 2 out of 180 countries in theEnvironmental Performance Index.A law has been passed thatUK greenhouse gas emissionswill benet zeroby 2050. Healthcare TheNational Health Service(NHS), is the publicly fundedhealthcare systemresponsible for providing the majority of healthcare in the country. The NHS began on 5 July 1948, putting into effect the provisions of theNational Health Service Act 1946. It was based on the findings of theBeveridge Report, prepared by the economist and social reformer,William Beveridge.The NHS is largely funded by general taxation andNational Insurancepayments;it provides most of its services free at the point of use, although there are charges for some people for eye tests, dental care, prescriptions and aspects of personal care. The government department responsible for the NHS is theDepartment of Health, under theSecretary of State for Health. Most of the department's expenses are on the NHS – £98.6 billion was spent in 2008–2009.Regulatory bodies such as theGeneral Medical Counciland theNursing and Midwifery Councilare organised on a UK-wide basis, as are non-governmental bodies such as theRoyal Colleges. The averagelife expectancyis 77.5 years for males and 81.7 years for females, the highest of the fourcountries of the United Kingdom.The south of England has a higher life expectancy than the north, but regional differences seem to be slowly narrowing: between 1991–1993 and 2012–2014, life expectancy in the North East increased by 6.0 years and in the North West by 5.8 years. Demography Population With over 56 million inhabitants, England is by far the most populous country of the United Kingdom, accounting for 84% of the combined total.England taken as a unit and measured against international states would be the 26th largestcountry by populationin the world. TheEnglish peopleareBritish people.There is an English diaspora in former parts of the British Empire; especially theUnited States,Canada,Australia,South AfricaandNew Zealand.Since the late 1990s, many English peoplehave migratedto Spain.Due in particular to the economic prosperity ofSouth East England, it has received many economic migrants from the other parts of the United Kingdom.There has beensignificant Irish migration.The proportion of ethnically European residents totals at 81.7%,includingWhite British,GermansandPoles,down from 94.1% in 1991.Other people from much further afield in the former British colonies have arrived since the 1950s: in particular, about 7% of people living in England have familyorigins in the Indian subcontinent, mostlyIndia,PakistanandBangladesh.About 0.7% areChinese,0.6% areArabs.4.0% of the population areblack, from Africa and theCaribbean, especially former British colonies,and 2.9% identified as multiracial ormixed. In 2007, 22% of primary school children in England were fromethnic minorityfamilies,and in 2011 that figure was 26.5%.About half of the population increase between 1991 and 2001 was due to immigration. England contains one indigenous national minority, theCornish people, recognised by the UK government under theFramework Convention for the Protection of National Minoritiesin 2014. Language (thousands) English, today widely spoken around the world,originated in what is now England, where it remains the principal tongue. According to a 2011 census, it is spoken well or very well by 98% of the population English language learning and teachingis an importanteconomic activity. There is nolegislationmandating anofficial languagefor England,but English is the only language used for official business. Despite the country's relatively small size, there are many distinctregional accents. Cornish died out as a community language in the 18th century but is being revived,and is now protected under theEuropean Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.It is spoken by 0.1% of people inCornwall,and is taught to some degree in several primary and secondary schools. State schoolsteach students asecond languageorthird languagefrom the ages of seven, most commonly French, Spanish or German.It was reported in 2007 that around 800,000 school students spoke aforeign languageat home,the most common beingPunjabiandUrdu. However, following the 2011 census data released by theOffice for National Statistics, figures now show that Polish is the main language spoken in England after English.In 2022,British Sign Languagebecame an official language of England when theBritish Sign Language Act 2022came into effect. Religion In the 2011 census, 59.4% of the population of England specified their religion as Christian, 24.7% answered that they had no religion, 5% specified that they wereMuslim, while 3.7% of the population belongs to other religions and 7.2% did not give an answer.Christianity is the most widely practised religion in England. Theestablished churchof England is theChurch of England,which left communion withRomein the 1530s whenHenry VIIIwas unable to annul his marriage toCatherine of Aragon. The church regards itself as both Catholic andProtestant. There areHigh ChurchandLow Churchtraditions and some Anglicans regard themselves asAnglo-Catholics, following theTractarian movement. The monarch of the United Kingdom is thesupreme governor of the Church of England, which has around 26 million baptised members (of whom the vast majority are not regular churchgoers). It forms part of theAnglican Communionwith theArchbishop of Canterburyacting as its symbolic worldwide head.Manycathedralsand parish churches are historic buildings of significant architectural importance, such asWestminster Abbey,York Minster,Durham Cathedral, andSalisbury Cathedral. The second-largest Christian denomination is theCatholic Church. Since its reintroduction after theCatholic Emancipation, the Church has organised ecclesiastically on anEngland and Walesbasis where there are 4.5 million members (most of whom are English).There has been one Pope from England to date,Adrian IV, while saintsBedeandAnselmare regarded asDoctors of the Church. A form ofProtestantismknown asMethodismis the third largest Christian practice and grew out of Anglicanism throughJohn Wesley.It gained popularity in themill townsofLancashireandYorkshire, and among tin miners inCornwall.There are othernon-conformistminorities, such asBaptists,Quakers,Congregationalists,UnitariansandThe Salvation Army. The patron saint of England isSaint George; his symbolic cross is included in the flag of England.There are many other English and associated saints, includingCuthbert,Edmund,Alban,Wilfrid,Aidan,Edward the Confessor,John Fisher,Thomas More,Petroc,Piran,Margaret ClitherowandThomas Becket. There are non-Christian religions practised.Jewshave a history of a small minority on the island since 1070.They were expelled from England in 1290 following theEdict of Expulsion, and were allowed back in 1656. Especially since the 1950s, religions from theformer British colonieshave grown in numbers, due to immigration.Islamis the most common of these, now accounting for around 5% of the population in England.Hinduism,SikhismandBuddhismare next in number, adding up to 2.8% combined,introduced from India andSoutheast Asia. A small minority of the population practise ancientPagan religions.Neopaganism in the United Kingdomis primarily represented byWiccaandNeopagan witchcraft,Druidry, andHeathenry. According to the2011 census, there are roughly 53,172 people who identify as Pagan in England,including 11,026Wiccans.24.7% of people in England declaredno religion, compared with 14.6% in 2001.Norwichhad the highest such proportion at 42.5%, followed byBrighton and Hoveat 42.4%. Education TheDepartment for Educationis the government department responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including education.State-funded schools are attended by approximately 93% of English schoolchildren.Education is the responsibility of theSecretary of State for Education. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 attend nursery or anEarly Years Foundation Stagereception unit within a primary school. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 attend primary school, and secondary school is attended by those aged between 11 and 16. State-funded schools are obliged by law to teach theNational Curriculum; basic areas of learning include English literature, English language, mathematics, science, art & design, citizenship, history, geography, religious education, design & technology, computing, ancient & modern languages, music, and physical education. TheProgramme for International Student Assessmentcoordinated by theOECDcurrently ranks the overall knowledge and skills of British 15-year-olds as 13th in the world in literacy, mathematics, and science with the average British student scoring 503.7, well above the OECD average of 493. Although most English secondary schools are comprehensive, there are selective intakegrammar schoolsto which entrance is subject to passing theeleven-plusexam. Around 7.2 per cent of English schoolchildren attendprivate schools, which are funded by private sources.Standards in state schools are monitored by theOffice for Standards in Education, and in private schools by theIndependent Schools Inspectorate. After finishing compulsory education, students takeGCSEexaminations. Students may then opt to continue intofurther educationfor two years.Further education colleges(particularlysixth form colleges) often form part of a secondary school site.A-levelexaminations are sat by a large number of further education students, and often form the basis of an application to university. Further education covers a wide curriculum of study andapprenticeships, includingT-levels,BTEC,NVQand others.Tertiary collegesprovide both academic and vocational courses. Higher education Higher education students normally attend university from age 18 onwards, where they study for anacademic degree. There are over 90 universities in England, all but one of which arepublic institutions. TheDepartment for Business, Innovation and Skillsis the government department responsible for higher education in England.Students are generally entitled tostudent loansto covertuition feesand living costs.The first degree offered to undergraduates is thebachelor's degree, which usually takes three years to complete. Students are then able to work towards a postgraduate degree, which usually takes one year, or a doctorate, which takes three or more years. England's universitiesinclude some of the highest-ranked universities in the world. As of 2024, four England-based universities, theUniversity of Cambridge,University of Oxford,Imperial College London, andUniversity College London, are ranked among the top ten in the 2024QS World University Rankings. The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, and the University of Oxford, founded in 1096, are the twooldest universities in the English-speaking world. TheLondon School of Economicshas been described as the world's leading social science institution for both teaching and research.TheLondon Business Schoolis considered one of the world's leading business schools and in 2010 its MBA programme was ranked best in the world by theFinancial Times.Academic degreesin England are usually split into classes: first class, upper second class, lower second class, third, and unclassified.The King's School, CanterburyandKing's School, Rochesterare the oldest schools in the English-speaking world.Many of England's most well-known schools, such asWinchester College,Eton,St Paul's School,Harrow SchoolandRugby Schoolare fee-paying institutions. Culture Architecture Many ancientstanding stonemonuments were erected during the prehistoric period; among the best known areStonehenge,Devil's Arrows,Rudston MonolithandCastlerigg.With the introduction ofAncient Roman architecturethere was a development ofbasilicas,baths,amphitheaters,triumphal arches,villas,Roman temples,Roman roads,Roman forts,stockadesandaqueducts.It was the Romans who founded the first cities and towns such as London, Bath, York, Chester and St Albans. Perhaps the best-known example isHadrian's Wallstretching right across northern England.Another well-preserved example is theRoman BathsatBath, Somerset. Early medieval architecture's secular buildings were simple constructions mainly using timber withthatchfor roofing. Ecclesiastical architecture ranged from a synthesis ofHiberno–Saxonmonasticism,toEarly Christianbasilicaand architecture characterised by pilaster-strips, blank arcading, baluster shafts and triangular headed openings. After the Norman conquest in 1066 variouscastleswere created; the best known include theTower of London,Warwick Castle,Durham CastleandWindsor Castle. Throughout the Plantagenet era, anEnglish Gothic architectureflourished, with prime examples including themedieval cathedralssuch asCanterbury Cathedral,Westminster AbbeyandYork Minster.Expanding on theNorman basethere was alsocastles,palaces,great houses, universities andparish churches. Medieval architecture was completed with the 16th-centuryTudor style; the four-centred arch, now known as theTudor arch, was a defining feature as werewattle and daubhouses domestically. In the aftermath of theRenaissancea form of architecture echoing classical antiquity synthesised with Christianity appeared, theEnglish Baroquestyle of architectChristopher Wrenbeing particularly championed. Georgian architecturefollowed in a more refined style, evoking a simple Palladian form; theRoyal Crescentat Bath is one of the best examples of this. With the emergence ofromanticismduring Victorian period, aGothic Revivalwas launched. In addition to this, around the same time the Industrial Revolution paved the way for buildings such asThe Crystal Palace. Since the 1930s variousmodernistforms have appeared whose reception is often controversial, though traditionalist resistance movements continue with support in influential places. Gardens Landscape gardening, as developed byCapability Brown, set an international trend for theEnglish landscape garden. Gardening, and visiting gardens, are regarded as typically English pursuits. The English garden presented an idealized view of nature. At large country houses, the English garden usually included lakes, sweeps of gently rolling lawns set against groves of trees, and recreations of classical temples,Gothicruins, bridges, and other picturesque architecture, designed to recreate an idyllic pastoral landscape. By the end of the 18th century, the English garden was being imitated by theFrench landscape garden, and as far away asPavlovsk, Saint Petersburg, the gardens of the futureEmperor Paul. It also had a major influence on thepublic parksand gardens which appeared around the world in the 19th century.The English landscape garden was centred on theEnglish country houseand manor houses. English Heritageand theNational Trustpreserve great gardens and landscape parks throughout the country.TheRHS Chelsea Flower Showis held every year by theRoyal Horticultural Societyand is said to be the largest gardening show in the world. Folklore English folklore developed over many centuries. Some of the characters and stories are present across England, but most belong to specific regions. Common folkloric beings includepixies,giants,elves,bogeymen,trolls,goblinsanddwarves. While many legends and folk-customs are thought to be ancient, such as the tales featuringOffa of AngelandWayland the Smith,others date from after the Norman invasion. The legends featuringRobin Hoodand hisMerry MenofSherwood, and their battles with theSheriff of Nottingham, are among the best-known of these. During theHigh Middle Agestales originating from Brythonic traditions entered English folklore and developed into theArthurian myth.These were derived fromAnglo-Norman, Welsh and French sources,featuringKing Arthur,Camelot,Excalibur,Merlinand theKnights of the Round Tablesuch asLancelot. These stories are most centrally brought together withinGeoffrey of Monmouth'sHistoria Regum Britanniae(History of the Kings of Britain). Some folk figures are based on semi or actual historical people whose story has been passed down centuries.On 5 November people celebrateBonfire Nightto commemorate the foiling of theGunpowder Plotcentred onGuy Fawkes. There are various national and regional folk activities, participated in to this day, such asMorris dancing,Maypole dancing,Rapper swordin the North East,Long Sword dancein Yorkshire,Mummers Plays,bottle-kickingin Leicestershire, andcheese-rollingatCooper's Hill.There is no official national costume, but a few are well established such as thePearly Kings and Queensassociated with cockneys, theRoyal Guard, theMorris costumeandBeefeaters. Cuisine Since theearly modern periodthe food of England has historically been characterised by its simplicity of approach and a reliance on the high quality of natural produce.During theMiddle Agesand the Renaissance, English cuisine enjoyed an excellent reputation, though a decline began during theIndustrial Revolutionwith increasing urbanisation. The cuisine of England has, however, recently undergone a revival, which has been recognised by food critics with some good ratings inRestaurant'sbest restaurant in the worldcharts. Traditional examples of English food include theSunday roast, featuring aroasted joint(usually beef,lamb, chicken or pork) served with assorted vegetables,Yorkshire puddingandgravy.Other prominent meals includefish and chipsand thefull English breakfast(generally consisting ofbacon,sausages, grilled tomatoes, fried bread,black pudding,baked beans,mushroomsand eggs).Variousmeat piesare consumed, such assteak and kidney pie,steak and ale pie,cottage pie,pork pie(usually eaten cold)and theCornish pasty. Sausages are commonly eaten, either asbangers and mashortoad in the hole.Lancashire hotpotis a well-known stew originating in the northwest. Some of the more popular cheeses areCheddar,Red Leicester,Wensleydale,Double GloucesterandBlue Stilton. ManyAnglo-Indianhybrid dishes,curries, have been created, such aschicken tikka masalaandbalti. Traditional English dessert dishes includeapple pieor other fruit pies;spotted dick– all generally served withcustard; and, more recently,sticky toffee pudding. Sweet pastries includesconesserved with jam or cream, dried fruit loaves,Eccles cakesandmince piesas well as sweet or spiced biscuits. Common non-alcoholic drinks include teaand coffee; frequently consumed alcoholic drinks include wine,cidersandEnglish beers, such asbitter,mild,stoutandbrown ale. Visual arts The earliest known examples are the prehistoric rock andcave artpieces, most prominent inNorth Yorkshire, Northumberland andCumbria, but also feature further south, for example atCreswell Crags.With the arrival ofRoman culturein the 1st century, various forms of art such as statues, busts, glasswork and mosaics were the norm. There are numerous surviving artefacts, such as those atLullingstoneandAldborough.During the Early Middle Ages the style favoured sculpted crosses and ivories, manuscript painting, gold and enamel jewellery, demonstrating a love of intricate, interwoven designs such as in theStaffordshire Hoarddiscovered in 2009. Some of these blendedGaelic and Anglianstyles, such as theLindisfarne GospelsandVespasian Psalter.LaterGothic artwas popular at Winchester and Canterbury, examples survive such asBenedictional of St. ÆthelwoldandLuttrell Psalter. The Tudor era sawprominent artistsas part of their court; portrait painting, which would remain an enduring part of English art, was boosted by GermanHans Holbein, and natives such asNicholas Hilliardbuilt on this.Under the Stuarts, Continental artists were influential especially the Flemish, examples from the period includeAnthony van Dyck,Peter Lely,Godfrey KnellerandWilliam Dobson.The 18th century saw the founding of theRoyal Academy; aclassicismbased on theHigh Renaissanceprevailed, withThomas GainsboroughandJoshua Reynoldsbecoming two of England's most treasured artists. In the 19th century,John ConstableandJ. M. W. Turnerwere major landscape artists. TheNorwich Schoolcontinued the landscape tradition, while thePre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, led by artists such asHolman Hunt,Dante Gabriel RossettiandJohn Everett Millais, revived theEarly Renaissancestyle with their vivid and detailed style.Prominent among 20th-century artists wasHenry Moore, regarded as the voice of British sculpture, and of British modernism in general.TheRoyal Society of Artsis an organisation committed to the arts. Literature, poetry, and philosophy Early authors such asBedeandAlcuinwrote in Latin.The period ofOld English literatureprovided the epic poemBeowulfand the secular prose of theAnglo-Saxon Chronicle,along with Christian writings such asJudith,Cædmon'sHymnandhagiographies.Following the Norman conquestLatincontinued among the educated classes, as well as anAnglo-Norman literature. Middle English literatureemerged withGeoffrey Chaucer, author ofThe Canterbury Tales, along withGower, thePearl PoetandLangland.William of OckhamandRoger Bacon, who wereFranciscans, were major philosophers of the Middle Ages.Julian of Norwich, who wroteRevelations of Divine Love, was a prominent Christian mystic. With theEnglish Renaissanceliterature in theEarly Modern Englishstyle appeared.William Shakespeare, whose works includeHamlet,Romeo and Juliet,Macbeth, andA Midsummer Night's Dream, remains one of the most championed authors in English literature. Christopher Marlowe,Edmund Spenser,Philip Sydney,Thomas Kyd,John Donne, andBen Jonsonare other established authors of theElizabethan age.Francis BaconandThomas Hobbeswrote onempiricismandmaterialism, includingscientific methodandsocial contract.Filmerwrote on theDivine Right of Kings.Marvellwas the best-known poet of theCommonwealth,whileJohn MiltonauthoredParadise Lostduring theRestoration. This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, this other Eden, demi-paradise; this fortress, built by nature for herself. This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England. William Shakespeare. Some of the most prominent philosophers of theEnlightenmentwereJohn Locke,Thomas Paine,Samuel JohnsonandJeremy Bentham. More radical elements were later countered byEdmund Burkewho is regarded as the founder of conservatism.The poetAlexander Popewith his satirical verse became well regarded. The English played a significant role inromanticism:Samuel Taylor Coleridge,Lord Byron,John Keats,Mary Shelley,Percy Bysshe Shelley,William BlakeandWilliam Wordsworthwere major figures. In response to theIndustrial Revolution, agrarian writers sought a way betweenlibertyand tradition;William Cobbett,G. K. ChestertonandHilaire Bellocwere main exponents, while the founder ofguild socialism,Arthur Penty, andcooperative movementadvocateG. D. H. Coleare somewhat related.Empiricism continued throughJohn Stuart MillandBertrand Russell, whileBernard Williamswas involved inanalytics. Authors from around theVictorian eraincludeCharles Dickens, theBrontë sisters,Jane Austen,George Eliot,Rudyard Kipling,Thomas Hardy,H. G. WellsandLewis Carroll.Since then England has continued to produce novelists such asGeorge Orwell,D. H. Lawrence,Virginia Woolf,C. S. Lewis,Enid Blyton,Aldous Huxley,Agatha Christie,Terry Pratchett,J. R. R. Tolkien, andJ. K. Rowling. Performing arts The traditionalfolk music of Englandis centuries old and has contributed to several genres prominently; mostlysea shanties,jigs,hornpipesanddance music. It has its own distinct variations and regional peculiarities. Ballads featuring Robin Hood, printed byWynkyn de Wordein the 16th century, are an important artefact, as areJohn Playford'sThe Dancing MasterandRobert Harley'sRoxburghe Balladscollections.Some of the best-known songs areGreensleeves,Pastime with Good Company,Maggie MayandSpanish Ladiesamong others. Manynursery rhymesare of English origin such asMary, Mary, Quite Contrary,Roses Are Red,Jack and Jill,London Bridge Is Falling Down,The Grand Old Duke of York,Hey Diddle DiddleandHumpty Dumpty.Traditional English Christmas carols include \\\"We Wish You a Merry Christmas\\\", \\\"The First Noel\\\", \\\"I Saw Three Ships\\\" and \\\"God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen\\\". Early English composers in classical music include Renaissance artistsThomas TallisandWilliam Byrd, followed byHenry Purcellfrom theBaroque periodandThomas Arnewho was well known for his patriotic songRule, Britannia!. German-bornGeorge Frideric Handelspent most of his composing life in London and became a national icon in Britain, creating some of the most well-known works of classical music, especially his English oratorios,The Messiah,Solomon,Water Music, andMusic for the Royal Fireworks. Classical music attracted much attention in the 18th century with the formation of theBirmingham Triennial Music Festival, which was the longest running classical music festival of its kind until the final concerts in 1912. TheEnglish Musical Renaissancewas a hypothetical development in the late 19th and early 20th century, when English composers, often those lecturing or trained at theRoyal College of Music, were said to have freed themselves from foreign musical influences. There was a revival in the profile of composers from England in the 20th century led byEdward Elgar,Benjamin Britten,Frederick Delius,Gustav Holst,Ralph Vaughan Williamsand others.Present-day composers from England includeMichael Nyman, best known forThe Piano, andAndrew Lloyd Webber, whose musicals have achieved enormous success in theWest Endand worldwide. Inpopular music, many English bands and solo artists have been cited as the most influential and best-selling musicians of all time. Acts such asthe Beatles,Led Zeppelin,Pink Floyd,Elton John,Queen,Rod Stewart,David Bowie,the Rolling StonesandDef Leppardare among the highest-selling recording artists in the world.Many musical genres have origins in (or strong associations with) England, such asBritish invasion,progressive rock,hard rock,Mod,glam rock,heavy metal,Britpop,indie rock,gothic rock,shoegazing,acid house,garage,trip hop,drum and bassanddubstep. Large outdoormusic festivalsin the summer and autumn are popular, such asGlastonbury,V Festival, and theReading and Leeds Festivals. England was at the forefront of the illegal, freeravemovement from the late 1980s, which inspired the pan-European culture ofteknivals.TheBoishakhi Melais aBengali New Yearfestival celebrated by theBritish Bangladeshicommunity. It is the largest open-air Asian festival in Europe. After theNotting Hill Carnival, it is the second-largest street festival in the UK, attracting over 80,000 visitors. The most prominentopera housein England is theRoyal Opera HouseatCovent Garden.The Promsis a major annual cultural event in the English calendar.The Royal Balletis one of the world's foremost classical ballet companies. TheRoyal Academy of Musicis the oldestconservatoirein the UK, founded in 1822, receiving itsroyal charterin 1830.England is home to numerous major orchestras such as theBBC Symphony Orchestra, theRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra, thePhilharmonia Orchestra, and theLondon Symphony Orchestra.Other forms of entertainment that originated in England include thecircusand thepantomime. Cinema England has had a considerable influence on the history of the cinema, producing some of the greatest actors, directors and motion pictures of all time, includingAlfred Hitchcock,Charlie Chaplin,David Lean,Laurence Olivier,Vivien Leigh,John Gielgud,Peter Sellers,Julie Andrews,Michael Caine,Gary Oldman,Helen Mirren,Kate WinsletandDaniel Day-Lewis. Hitchcock and Lean are among the most critically acclaimed filmmakers.Hitchcock'sThe Lodger: A Story of the London Fog(1926) helped shape thethrillergenre in film, while his 1929Blackmailis often regarded as the first Britishsoundfeature film. Major film studios in England includePinewood,ElstreeandShepperton. Some of the most commercially successful films of all time have been produced in England, including two of thehighest-grossing film franchises(Harry PotterandJames Bond).Ealing Studiosin London has a claim to being the oldest continuously working film studio in the world.Famous for recording many motion picturefilm scores, theLondon Symphony Orchestrafirst performed film music in 1935.TheHammer Horrorfilms starringChristopher Leesaw the production of the first gory horror films showing blood and guts in colour. TheBFI Top 100 British filmsincludesMonty Python's Life of Brian(1979), a film regularly voted the funniest of all time by the UK public.English producers are also active ininternational co-productionsand English actors, directors and crew feature regularly in American films. The UK film council rankedDavid Yates,Christopher Nolan,Mike Newell,Ridley ScottandPaul Greengrassthe five most commercially successful English directors since 2001.Other contemporary English directors includeSam Mendes,Guy RitchieandRichard Curtis. Current actors includeTom Hardy,Daniel Craig,Benedict Cumberbatch,Lena Headey,Felicity Jones,Emilia Clarke,Lashana Lynch, andEmma Watson. Acclaimed for his motion capture work,Andy SerkisopenedThe Imaginarium Studiosin London in 2011.The visual effects companyFramestorein London has produced some of the most critically acclaimed special effects in modern film.Many successful Hollywood films have been based on English people,storiesor events. The 'English Cycle' of Disney animated films includeAlice in Wonderland,The Jungle BookandWinnie the Pooh. Sites and institutions English Heritageis a governmental body with a broad remit of managing the historic sites, artefacts and environments of England. It is currently sponsored by theDepartment for Culture, Media and Sport. A non-governmental charity, theNational Trustholds a complementary role, focussed on landscapes andcountry houses. 17 of the 25 United Kingdom UNESCOWorld Heritage Sitesfall within England.Some of the best-known of these are:Hadrian's Wall,Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites, theTower of London, theJurassic Coast,Saltaire,Ironbridge Gorge,Blenheim Palaceand theLake District. London'sBritish Museumholds more than seven million objects,one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in the world,illustrating and documenting global human culture from its beginnings to the present. TheBritish Libraryin London is thenational libraryand is one of the world's largestresearch libraries, holding over 150 million items in almost all known languages and formats, including around 25 million books.TheNational GalleryinTrafalgar Squarehouses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900.TheTategalleries house the national collections of British and international modern art; they also host theTurner Prize. TheSecretary of State for Culture, Media and Sporthas overall responsibility for cultural property and heritage.Ablue plaque, the oldesthistorical markerscheme in the world, is a permanent sign installed in a public place in England to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event. In 2011 there were around 1,600 museums in England.Entry to most museums and galleries is free.Londonis one of the world's most visited cities, regularly taking the top five most visited cities inEurope. It is considered a global centre of finance, art and culture. Media TheBBC, founded in 1922, is the UK's publicly funded radio, television and Internet broadcasting corporation, and is the oldest and largest broadcaster in the world.It operates numerous television and radio stations in the UK and abroad and its domestic services are funded by thetelevision licence.TheBBC World Serviceis aninternational broadcasterowned and operated by theBBC. It is the world's largest of any kind.It broadcasts radio news, speech and discussions in more than 40 languages. London dominates the media sector in England: national newspapers and television and radio are largely based there, althoughManchesteris also a significant national media centre. The UK publishing sector, including books, directories and databases, journals, magazines and business media, newspapers and news agencies, has a combined turnover of around £20 billion and employs around 167,000 people.National newspapers produced in England includeThe Times,The Guardian,The Daily Telegraph, and theFinancial Times. Magazines and journals published in England that have achieved worldwide circulation includeNature,New Scientist,The Spectator,Prospect,NMEandThe Economist. TheSecretary of State for Culture, Media and Sporthas overall responsibility over media and broadcasting in England. Sport England has a strong sporting heritage, and during the 19th centurycodifiedmany sports that are now played around the world. Sports originating in England includeassociation football,cricket,rugby union,rugby league,tennis,boxing, badminton,squash,rounders,hockey,snooker,billiards,darts, table tennis,bowls,netball,thoroughbredhorseracing,greyhound racingandfox hunting. It has helped the development ofgolf, sailing andFormula One. England has been crowned world champion in several major sports including:Cricket,RugbyandAssociation Football. Football is themost popularof these sports. TheEngland national football team, whose home venue isWembley Stadium, playedScotlandin the first-ever international football match in 1872.Referred to as the \\\"home of football\\\" byFIFA, England hosted and won the1966 FIFA World Cup.With a British television audience peak of 32.30 million viewers, thefinalis themost watched television event everin the UK.England is recognised by FIFA as the birthplace of club football:Sheffield F.C., founded in 1857, is the world's oldest club.TheEngland women's national football teamwon theUEFA Euro 2022, hosted by England. Cricketis generally thought to have been developed in the early medieval period among the farming and metalworking communities of theWeald.TheEngland cricket teamis a composite England and Wales team. One of the game's top rivalries isThe Ashesseries between England andAustralia, contested since 1882.Lord's Cricket Groundsituated in London is sometimes referred to as the \\\"Mecca of Cricket\\\".After winning the2019 Cricket World Cup, England became the first country to win the World Cups in football, rugby union, and cricket. William Penny Brookeswas prominent in organising the format for the modernOlympic Games.London has hosted theSummer Olympic Gamesthree times, in1908,1948, and2012. England competes in theCommonwealth Games, held every four years.Sport Englandis the governing body responsible for distributing funds and providing strategic guidance for sporting activity in England. Rugby unionoriginated inRugby School, Warwickshire in the early 19th century.The top level of club participation is theEnglish Premiership.Rugby leaguewas born inHuddersfieldin 1895. Since 2008, theEngland national rugby league teamhas been a full test nation in lieu of theGreat Britain national rugby league team, which won threeWorld Cups. Club sides play inSuper League, the present-day embodiment of theRugby Football League Championship. Rugby League is most popular among towns in the northern English counties ofLancashire, Yorkshire andCumbria. Golfhas been prominent in England, due in part to itscultural and geographical ties to Scotland.There are professional tours for men and women, in two main tours: thePGAand theEuropean Tour. The world's oldest golf tournament, and golf's first major isThe Open Championship, played both in England and Scotland. The biennial golf competition, theRyder Cup, is named after English businessmanSamuel Ryder. Tenniswas created in Birmingham in the late 19th century, andthe Wimbledon Championshipsis the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and widely considered the most prestigious.Wimbledon has a major place in the English cultural calendar. Inboxing, under theMarquess of Queensberry Rules, England has produced many world champions across the weight divisions internationally recognised by the governing bodies. Originating in 17th and 18th-century England, thethoroughbredis a horse breed best known for its use inhorse racing. TheNational Hunthorse race theGrand National, is held annually atAintree Racecoursein early April. It is the most watched horse race in the UK, and three-time winnerRed Rumis the most successful racehorse in the event's history. The1950 British Grand PrixatSilverstonewas the first race in the newly createdFormula One World Championship.England has seen the manufacture some of the most technically advanced racing cars, and many of today's racing companies choose England as their base of operations.England also has a rich heritage inGrand Prix motorcycle racing, the premier championship of motorcycleroad racing, and has produced several world champions. Dartsis a widely popular sport in England; a professional competitive sport, it is a traditionalpub game.Another popular sport commonly associated with pub games issnooker, and England has produced several world champions. The English are keen sailors and enjoy competitivesailing; founding and winning some of the world's most famous international competitive tournaments across the various race formats, including thematch race, a regatta, and theAmerica's Cup. National symbols The St George's Cross has been the nationalflag of Englandsince the 13th century. Originally, the flag was used by the maritimeRepublic of Genoa. The English monarch paid a tribute to theDoge of Genoafrom 1190 onwards so that English ships could fly the flag as a means of protection when entering the Mediterranean. A red cross was a symbol for manyCrusadersin the 12th and 13th centuries, and became associated withSaint George.Since 1606 the St George's Cross has formed part of the design of theUnion Flag, a Pan-British flag designed by KingJames I.During theEnglish Civil WarandInterregnum, theNew Model Army's standards and theCommonwealth'sGreat Sealboth incorporated the flag of Saint George. There are numerous other symbols and symbolic artefacts, both official and unofficial, including theTudor rose, the nation'sfloral emblem, and the Three Lions featured on theRoyal Arms of England. The Tudor rose was adopted as a national emblem of England around the time of theWars of the Rosesas a symbol of peace.It is asyncreticsymbol in that it merged the white rose of theYorkistsand the red rose of theLancastrians. It is also known as theRose of England.Theoaktree is a symbol of England: theRoyal Oaksymbol andOak Apple Daycommemorate the escape of KingCharles IIafter his father's execution, when he hid in an oak to avoid detection by the parliamentarians before safely reaching exile. The Royal Arms of England, a nationalcoat of armsfeaturing three lions, originated withRichard the Lionheartin 1198. It isblazonedasgules, three lions passant guardant orand it provides one of the most prominent symbols of England. England does not have an official national anthem, as the United Kingdom as a whole hasGod Save the King. However,Jerusalem,Land of Hope and Glory(used for England during the2002 Commonwealth Games),andI Vow to Thee, My Countryare often considered unofficialEnglish national anthems. England'sNational Dayis 23 April which isSaint George's Day: Saint George is the patron saint of England. See also Notes References Bibliography External links 53°08′N1°23′W / 53.13°N 1.38°W /53.13; -1.38\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Clive Barker Clive Barker(born 5 October 1952) is an English writer, filmmaker and visual artist. He came to prominence in the mid-1980s with a series of short stories, theBooks of Blood, which established him as a leadinghorrorwriter. He has since written many novels and other works. His fiction has been adapted into films, notably theHellraiserseries, the first installment of which he also wrote and directed, and theCandymanseries. Barker's paintings and illustrations have been shown in galleries in the United States, and have appeared in his books. He has also created characters and series for comic books, and some of his more popular horror stories have been featured in ongoing comics series. Early life Barker was born on 5 October 1952 inLiverpool,the son of Joan Ruby (née Revill), a painter and school welfare officer, and Leonard Barker, a personnel director for an industrial relations firm.He was educated atDovedale Primary School,Quarry Bank High Schooland theUniversity of Liverpool, where he studied","where he studied English and philosophy. When he was three, Barker witnessed the French skydiverLéo Valentinplummet to his death in 1956 during a performance at an air show in Liverpool.He later alluded to Valentin in many of his stories. Theatrical work Barker's involvement in live theatre began while still in school with productions ofVoodooandInfernoin 1967. He collaborated on six plays withTheatre of the Imaginationin 1974 and two more that he was the sole writer of,A Clowns' SodomandDay of the Dog,forThe Mute Pantomime Theatrein 1976 and 1977. He co-founded the avant-garde theatrical troupeThe Dog Companyin 1978 with former school friends and up and coming actors, many of whom would go on to become key collaborators in Barker's film work.Doug Bradleytook on the iconic role of Pinhead in theHellraiserseries while Peter Atkins wrote the scripts for the first threeHellraisersequels.Over the next five years Barker wrote nine plays, often serving as director, including some of his best-known stage","best-known stage productions,The History of The Devil,Frankenstein in Love, andThe Secret Life of Cartoons. From 1982 to 1983, he wroteCrazyface,Subtle BodiesandColossusfor the Cockpit Youth Theatre. His theatrical work came to a close as he shifted focus to writing theBooks of Blood. Writing career Barker is an author of horror andfantasy. He began writing horror early in his career, mostly in the form of short stories (collected inBooks of Blood1–6) and theFaustiannovelThe Damnation Game(1985). Later he moved toward modern-day fantasy andurban fantasywith horror elements inWeaveworld(1987),The Great and Secret Show(1989), the world-spanningImajica(1991), andSacrament(1996). WhenBooks of Bloodwas first published in the United States in paperback,Stephen Kingwas quoted on the book covers: \"I have seen the future of horror and his name is Clive Barker.\"As influences on his writing, Barker listsHerman Melville,Edgar Allan Poe,Ray Bradbury,William S. Burroughs,William Blake, andJean Cocteau, among others. He is","among others. He is the writer of the best-sellingAbaratseries. In early 2024 he announced he would stop attending conventions and public events so he could focus more on his writing, as he was working on the manuscripts for 31 different projects, some closer to completion than others. Personal life During his early years as a writer, Barker occasionally worked as an escort when his writing did not provide sufficient income.With the success ofWeaveworld, he could permanently retire as a sex worker.In 2003, he received the Davidson/Valentini Award at the15th GLAAD Media Awards. He has been open about his experiences withsadomasochism, and says that \"on S&M's sliding scale, I'm probably a 6\". Barker is critical of organized religion, but has said that the Bible influences his work and spirituality.Years later, he said on Facebook that he did not identify himself as a Christian. Barker said in a December 2008 online interview (published in March 2009) that he had throat polyps which were so severe, a doctor","so severe, a doctor told him he was taking in only 10% of the air he was supposed to. He has had two surgeries to remove them and believes his voice has improved as a result. He said he did not have cancer, and has given up cigars. In 2012, Barker entered a coma for several days after contractingtoxic shock syndrome, triggered by a visit to a dentist where a spillage of poisonous bacteria entered his bloodstream, almost killing him.Realising he might have just a short time to live, he decided to put his personal concerns about the world and society into the upcoming novelDeep Hill, which he thought could be his final book. As of 2015, he is a member of the board of advisers for the Hollywood Horror Museum. Relationships While appearing on the radio call-in showLovelineon 20 August 1996, Barker said that in his teens he had several relationships with older women, but came to identify himself as homosexual by 18 or 19. His relationship with John Gregson lasted from 1975 until 1986. He later spent 13 years with","spent 13 years with photographer David Armstrong, described as his husband in the introduction toColdheart Canyon; they separated in 2009. Film work Barker wrote the screenplays forUnderworld(1985) andRawhead Rex(1986), both directed byGeorge Pavlou. Displeased by how his material was handled, he moved to directing withHellraiser(1987), based on his novellaThe Hellbound Heart. After his filmNightbreed(1990) flopped, Barker returned to write and directLord of Illusions(1995). The short story \"The Forbidden\", from Barker'sBooks of Blood, provided the basis for the 1992 filmCandymanand its three sequels. He had been working on a series of film adaptations of hisThe Abarat Quintetbooks underThe Walt Disney Company's management,but due to creative differences, the project was cancelled. He served as an executive producer for the 1998 filmGods and Monsters,a semi-fictional tale ofFrankensteindirectorJames Whale's later years, which won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.Barker said of his interest in the","his interest in the project: \"Whale was gay, I'm gay; Whale was English, I'm English…Whale made some horror movies, and I've made some horror movies. It seemed as if I should be helping to tell this story.\"Barker also provided the foreword on the published shooting script. In 2005, Barker and horror film producer Jorge Saralegui created the film production company Midnight Picture Show with the intent of producing two horror films per year. In October 2006, Barker announced through his website that he will be writing the script to a forthcoming remake of the originalHellraiserfilm.He was developing a film based on hisTortured Soulsline of toys fromMcFarlane Toys. In 2020, Barker regained control of theHellraiserfranchise, and served as executive producer on a2022 rebootfilm for the streaming serviceHulu. Television work In May 2015,Varietyreported that Clive Barker was developing a television series adaptation of variouscreepypastasin partnership withWarner Brothers, to be calledClive Barker's Creepypastas,","Creepypastas, a feature arc based onSlender ManandBen Drowned.Barker was involved in a streaming servicefilm adaptationofThe Books of Bloodin 2020,and is developing aNightbreedtelevision seriesdirected byMichael Doughertyand written byJosh StolbergforSyFy.In April 2020,HBOwas announced to be developing aHellraisertelevision series that would serve as \"an elevated continuation and expansion\" of its mythology withMark VerheidenandMichael Doughertywriting the series andDavid Gordon Greendirecting several episodes. Verheiden, Dougherty and Green will also be executive producing the series withDanny McBride,Jody Hill,Brandon JamesandRoy LeeofVertigo Entertainment. Visual art Barker is a prolific visual artist, often illustrating his own books. His paintings have been seen first on the covers of his official fan club magazine,Dread, published byFantacoin the early '90s; on the covers of the collections of his plays,Incarnations(1995) andForms of Heaven(1996); and on the second printing of the original British","original British publications of hisBooks of Bloodseries. Barker also provided the artwork for his young adult novelThe Thief of Alwaysand for theAbaratseries. His artwork has been exhibited at Bert Green Fine Art in Los Angeles and Chicago, at the Bess Cutler Gallery in New York and La Luz De Jesus in Los Angeles. Many of his sketches and paintings can be found in the collectionClive Barker, Illustrator, published in 1990 by Arcane/Eclipse Books, and inVisions of Heaven and Hell, published in 2005 by Rizzoli Books. He worked on the horror video gameClive Barker's Undying, providing the voice for the character Ambrose.Undyingwas developed byDreamWorks Interactiveand released in 2001. He worked onClive Barker's JerichoforCodemasters, which was released in late 2007. Barker createdHalloweencostume designs for Disguise Costumes. Around 150 art works by Barker were used in the set of the Academy of the Unseen Arts for the Netflix TV seriesChilling Adventures of Sabrina. Comic books Barker published","Barker published hisRazorlineimprint viaMarvel Comicsin 1993. Barker horror adaptations and spin-offs in comics include the Marvel/Epic ComicsseriesHellraiser,Nightbreed,Pinhead,The Harrowers,Book of the Damned, andJihad;Eclipse Books' series andgraphic novelsTapping The Vein,Dread,Son of Celluloid,Revelations,The Life of Death,Rawhead RexandThe Yattering and Jack, andDark Horse Comics'Primal, among others. Barker served as a consultant and wrote issues of theHellraiseranthology comic book. In 2005, IDW published a three-issue adaptation of Barker's children's fantasy novelThe Thief of Always, written and painted by Kris Oprisko and Gabriel Hernandez. IDW is publishing a 12 issue adaptation of Barker's novelThe Great and Secret Show. In December 2007, Chris Ryall and Clive Barker announced an upcoming collaboration of an original comic book series,Torakator, to be published by IDW. In 2008, Barker authored a foreword for the first volume of theDEMONICSEXcomic series by Chuck Conner and Sean Platter. In","Sean Platter. In October 2009, IDW publishedSeduth, co-written by Barker. The work was released with three variant covers. In 2011,Boom! Studiosbegan publishing an originalHellraisercomic book series. In 2013, Boom! Studios announcedNext Testament, the first original story by Barker to be published in comic book format. Works Novels Hellraiserseries Books of the Artseries The Books of Abarat Short stories Collections: Uncollected short stories: Plays Collections: All plays: Poems Uncollected poems: Non-fiction Toys Filmography Adaptations Video games See also References Bibliography External links","William, Prince of Wales William, Prince of Wales(William Arthur Philip Louis; born 21 June 1982), is theheir apparentto theBritish throne. He is the elder son of KingCharles IIIandDiana, Princess of Wales. William was born during the reign of his paternal grandmother,Queen Elizabeth II. He was educated atWetherby School,Ludgrove SchoolandEton College. He earned aMaster of Arts degreeingeographyat theUniversity of St Andrewswhere he met his future wife,Catherine Middleton. They have three children:George,CharlotteandLouis. After university, William trained at theRoyal Military Academy Sandhurstprior to serving with theBlues and Royalsregiment. In 2008 he graduated from theRoyal Air Force College Cranwell, joining theRAF Search and Rescue Forcein early 2009. He served as a full-time pilot with theEast Anglian Air Ambulancefor two years, starting in July 2015. William performs official duties and engagements on behalf of the monarch. He holds patronage with over 30 charitable and military organisations,","organisations, including theTusk Trust,Centrepoint,The Passage,Wales Air AmbulanceandLondon's Air Ambulance Charity. He undertakes projects through theRoyal Foundation, with his charity work revolving around mental health, conservation, homelessness, and emergency workers. In 2020 William launched theEarthshot Prize, a £50 million initiative to incentivise environmental solutions over the next decade. William was madeDuke of Cambridgeimmediately beforehis weddingin April 2011. He becameDuke of CornwallandDuke of Rothesayupon his father's accession to the throne on 8 September 2022. The following day he was madePrince of Wales. Early life Prince William was born at 21:03BSTon 21 June 1982 inSt Mary's Hospital, London, as the first child of Charles, Prince of Wales (laterKing Charles III), and his first wife,Diana, Princess of Wales, during the reign of his paternal grandmother,Queen Elizabeth II.Buckingham Palace announced his name – William Arthur Philip Louis – on 28 June.William was christened in the Music","in the Music Room ofBuckingham Palaceby the thenArchbishop of Canterbury,Robert Runcie, on 4 August, coinciding with the 82nd birthday of his paternal great-grandmother,Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. William was the first child born to aPrinceandPrincess of WalessincePrince Johnwas born to Prince George and Princess Mary (laterKing George VandQueen Mary) in July 1905.When he was nine months old, William accompanied his parents on their 1983 tour of Australia and New Zealand, as his first trip overseas.It also marked the first time that a royal baby was taken on an overseas tour.His younger brother,Prince Harry, was born in September 1984. Both of them were raised atKensington Palacein London, andHighgrove Housein Gloucestershire. Known informally as \"Wills\" within his family,William was nicknamed \"Willy\" by his brother and \"Wombat\" by his mother.Diana wished her sons to obtain broader and more typical life experiences beyond royal upbringing, taking them toWalt Disney World,McDonald's, AIDS clinics and","AIDS clinics and shelters for the homeless.BiographerRobert Laceyasserts that William, a \"rambunctious\" and \"bratty\" child, grew \"more reflective\" with a \"noticeably quiet character\" as he began boarding school.Diana was reported to have described William as \"my little wise old man\" on whom she started to rely as her confidant by his early teens. William carried out his first public engagement while accompanying his parents on a visit toLlandaffonSaint David's Dayin 1991.He and Harry travelled to Canada on an official visit with their parents in 1991 and again with Charles in 1998.William's parents divorced in 1996. Dianadied in a car accidentin the early hours of 31 August 1997. William, then aged 15, together with his 12-year-old brother and their father, was staying atBalmoral Castleat the time. The following morning, Charles informed William and Harry of their mother's death.William was reportedly uncertain as to whether he should walk behind his mother's coffin during thefuneral procession. His","procession. His grandfatherPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, told him: \"If you don't walk, I think you'll regret it later. If I walk, will you walk with me?\".At the funeral, William and Harry walked alongside their father, grandfather, and maternal uncle,Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, behind the funeral cortège from Kensington Palace toWestminster Abbey. After his mother's death, William stated that he was \"in a state of shock for many years\".He and Harry inherited the majority of the £12.9 million left by their mother on their respective 30th birthdays, a figure that had grown to £10 million each by 2014.In 2014 the brothers inherited theirmother's wedding dressalong with many other of her personal possessions including dresses, diamond tiaras, jewels, letters and paintings. They also received the original lyrics and score of \"Candle in the Wind\" byBernie TaupinandElton Johnas performed by the latter at Diana's funeral.In 2002The Timesreported that William and Harry would also share £4.9 million from","£4.9 million from trust funds established by their great-grandmother on their respective 21st birthdays, as well as £8 million upon their respective 40th birthdays. Education William was educated atprivate schools, starting at Jane Mynors' nursery school and the pre-preparatoryWetherby School, both in London.Following this, he attendedLudgrove SchoolnearWokingham, Berkshire, and was privately tutored during summers byRory Stewart.At Ludgrove, he participated infootball, swimming, basketball,clay pigeon shooting, andcross country running. He was subsequently admitted toEton College, studying geography, biology, and history of art atA-Level. He obtained an 'A' in geography, a 'C' in biology, and a 'B' in history of art.William was captain of the swimming team and his house football team at Eton, also taking upwater polo. The decision to place William at Eton went against the family tradition of sending royal children toGordonstoun, which his father and grandfather both attended. Diana's brother andfatherwere","andfatherwere both Eton students.The royal family and the tabloid press agreed that William would be allowed to study free from intrusion in exchange for regular updates about his life.John Wakeham, chairman of thePress Complaints Commission, stated \"Prince William is not an institution; nor a soap star; nor a football hero. He is a boy: in the next few years, perhaps the most important and sometimes painful part of his life, he will grow up and become a man.\"While at Eton, he often had tea on weekends at the nearbyWindsor Castlewith his grandmother, discussingstate boxesand constitutional duties meant to \"prepare as future King.\" In June 1991, William was admitted to theRoyal Berkshire Hospitalafter being accidentally hit on the forehead by a fellow pupil wielding a golf club. He suffered a depressed fracture of the skull and was operated on atGreat Ormond Street Hospital, resulting in a permanent scar.The incident received widespread media attention.In 1999 he underwent an operation on his left hand after","his left hand after he broke a finger.After completing his studies at Eton, William took a gap year, during which he took part inBritish Armytraining exercises in Belize,worked on English dairy farms, and visited Africa.As part of theRaleigh Internationalprogramme in the town ofTortelin southern Chile, William worked for ten weeks on local construction projects and taught English. He lived with other young volunteers, sharing in the common household chores.His interest in African culture prompted him to teach himselfSwahili. In 2001 William enrolled at theUniversity of St Andrewsin Scotland.Similar to his time at Eton, the media agreed not to invade his privacy, and students were warned not to leak stories to the press.William embarked on a degree course inArt Historybut later changed his main subject toGeography. He focused hisdissertationon the Indian Ocean'sRodriguescoral reefs and graduated with anundergraduate Master of Arts(MA Hons) degree withupper second class honoursin 2005.While at university, he","at university, he represented the Scottish national universities water polo team at the Celtic Nations tournament in 2004.He was reportedly known as \"Steve\" by other students to avoid any journalists overhearing and realising his identity. Early appointments and duties At the age of 21, William was appointed aCounsellor of State; he first served in that capacity when the Queen attended theCommonwealth Heads of Government Meetingin the same year.In July 2005, he embarked on his first solo public engagements on an overseas tour of New Zealand, travelling to participate in World War II commemorations.According to authorTina Brown, he had, like his father, expressed a desire to becomeGovernor-General of Australia.In 2009 the Queen set up aprivate officefor William and Harry withDavid Manningas their adviser.Manning accompanied William on his first official tour in January 2010 as the latter touredAucklandandWellington; William opened the new building of theSupreme Court of New Zealandand was welcomed by","was welcomed by aMāorichief.The visit spurred crowds of \"many thousands\", with positive public reception compared to that of his mother's 1983 tour.In March 2011, William visitedChristchurch, New Zealand, shortly after theearthquake,and spoke at the memorial service atHagley Parkon behalf of his grandmother.He also travelled to Australia to visit areas affected by flooding inQueenslandandVictoria. Before attending Sandhurst, William did a three-week internship at several institutions, including theBank of England, theLondon Stock ExchangeandLloyd's of London.To prepare for his eventual management of theDuchy of Cornwall, in 2014, he enteredSt John's College, Cambridgeto undertake an executive agriculture management degree run by theCambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership(CPSL), of which his father is patron.In April 2019, Kensington Palace announced that William had completed a three-week internship atMI5,MI6andGCHQ,during which he was tasked with monitoring extreme Islamist terror cells,","terror cells, identifying potential threats abroad, and observing code breaking technology. Military and air ambulance service Having decided on a military career, William was admitted to theRoyal Military Academy Sandhurstin January 2006; his admission was based on successfully completing a 44-week course as an Officer Cadet which led to his commission as a British Army officer.As \"Lieutenant Wales\" – a name based on his father's then title Prince of Wales – he followed his brotherinto theBlues and Royalsin December that year as a troop commander in an armoured reconnaissance unit, after which he spent five months training for the post atBovington Campin Dorset. Despite the Queen's approval for William to serve on the frontline, his position as second-in-line to the throne at the time cast doubts on his chances of seeing combat.Plans by theMinistry of Defenceto send William to Southern Iraq leaked and the government eventually decided against sending him as it would endanger both his life and the lives of","and the lives of people around him if he was targeted.William instead trained in theRoyal NavyandRoyal Air Force, obtaining his commission as asub-lieutenantin the former and aflying officerin the latter, both broadly equivalent to the army rank of lieutenant. After completing his training, he undertook an attachment with the Royal Air Force atRAF Cranwell. Upon completing the course he was presented with hisRAF wingsby his father,who had received his own wings after training at Cranwell.During thissecondment, William flew to Afghanistan in aC-17 Globemasterthat repatriated the body of Trooper Robert Pearson.William was then seconded to train with the Royal Navy.He then completed an accelerated Naval Officer training course at theBritannia Royal Naval College.Whilst serving onHMSIron Dukein July 2008, William participated in a £40m drug seizure in the Atlantic, north-east of Barbados.He was part of the crew on the Lynx helicopter which helped seize 900 kg of cocaine from a speedboat. In January 2009, William","2009, William transferred his commission to the RAF and was promoted toFlight Lieutenant. He trained to become a helicopter pilot with the RAF'sSearch and Rescue Force.As part of his training across all branches of the military in 2009, he spent up to six weeks with theSpecial Air Service, theSpecial Boat Service, and theSpecial Reconnaissance Regiment.In January 2010, he graduated from theDefence Helicopter Flying SchoolatRAF Shawbury.In the same month, he transferred to the Search and Rescue Training Unit atRAF Valley,Anglesey, to receive training on theSea Kingsearch and rescue helicopter; he graduated in September 2010.This made him the first member of the British royal family sinceHenry VIIto live in Wales. William's first rescue mission as co-pilot of a RAF Sea King was in response to an emergency call from Liverpool Coastguard in October 2010.In November 2011, he participated in a search-and-rescue mission involving a cargo ship that was sinking in the Irish Sea; William, as a co-pilot, helped rescue","helped rescue two sailors.He was deployed to theFalkland Islandsfor a six-week tour withNo. 1564 Flightfrom February to March 2012.The Argentine government condemned William's deployment to the islands close to the 30th anniversary of the beginning of theFalklands Waras a \"provocative act\".In June 2012, he gained a qualification to be captain orpilot in commandof a Sea King rather than a co-pilot.His active service as an RAF search-and-rescue pilot ended in September 2013.He conducted 156 search and rescue operations, which resulted in 149 people being rescued.He later became patron to theBattle of Britain Memorial Flight. In July 2015, William began working full-time as a pilot with theEast Anglian Air Ambulance(EAAA) based atCambridge Airport, which he felt was a natural progression from his previous search-and-rescue role.He donated his full salary to the EAAA charity.William required a civil pilot's licence and further training before being permitted to begin his role.He underwent part of his training","of his training atNorwich Airport.William described working irregular shifts and dealing mostly withcritical carecases.He also discussed the impact of witnessing intensive trauma and bereavement on his mental health and personal life.TheBBChas written that William was \"exposed to theNational Health Servicein a way that no other senior royal has been or possibly ever will be.\" William left his position with EAAA in July 2017 to assume full-time royal duties.After supporting an anniversary campaign forLondon's Air Ambulance Charityin 2019, he became the charity's official patron in March 2020.In May 2020, he granted permission to the charity to use Kensington Palace's private lawn to refuel during theCOVID-19 pandemic.To mark Air Ambulance Week 2020, he wrote a letter thanking air ambulance workers, stating his \"profound respect\" for the community, particularly during the \"immeasurably difficult\" outbreak.In February 2023, he became patron of theWales Air Ambulancecharity. Personal life Relationship with","Relationship with Catherine Middleton In 2001 William metCatherine Middleton, while they were students in residence atSt Salvator's Hall, at the University of St Andrews, and they became close friends.She reportedly caught William's attention at a charity fashion show at the university in 2002 when she appeared on the stage wearing a see-through lace dress.During their second year, William shared a flat with Middleton and two other friends.The couple began dating in 2003.From 2003 to 2005 they both resided at Balgove House on theStrathtyrumestate with two roommates.In 2004 the couple briefly split but reconciled soon afterwards. The relationship was followed closely by the tabloid press.Media attention became so intense that William asked the press to keep their distance from Middleton.In December 2006, Middleton and her family attended William'spassing out paradeat the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.In April 2007, William and Middleton were reported to have split.Middleton and her family attended","her family attended theConcert for Dianathree months later;the couple were subsequently reported to have \"rekindled their relationship\".She also attended theOrder of the Garterprocession at Windsor Castle in June 2008, where William was made aRoyal Knight of the Garter.In June 2010, the couple moved into a cottage on theBodorgan Estatein Anglesey, Wales, where they resided until 2014. Marriage and children The couple became engaged in October 2010, at a remote alpine cabin onMount Kenya, during a 10-day trip to theLewa Wildlife Conservancyto celebrate William's passing the RAF helicopter search and rescue course.Clarence Houseannounced their engagement on 16 November.William gave his fianceé his mother'sengagement ring.The wedding took place in Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011.The global audience for the wedding ranged around 300 million, whereas 26 million watched the event live in Britain alone.William and Catherine usedNottingham Cottageas their London home until 2013, when £4.5 million renovations","million renovations completed at Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace, which continues to be their official residence in the capital.The couple were given the country houseAnmer Hall, on theSandringham Estate, as a wedding gift from the Queen, where they lived from 2015 to 2017.Kensington Palace was the couple's main residence until 2022, when the family moved toAdelaide CottageinWindsor. Catherine's first pregnancy was announced in December 2012.She was admitted on 22 July 2013 to the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, London, where Prince William had been delivered. Later that day, she gave birth toPrince George.In September 2014, it was announced that Catherine was pregnant with her second child.She was admitted on 2 May 2015 to the same hospital where she gave birth toPrincess Charlottethe same day.Catherine's third pregnancy was announced in September 2017;Prince Louiswas born on 23 April 2018.William and Catherine have owned twoEnglish Cocker Spaniels, namedLupoand Orla. Duke of Cambridge William was","William was createdDuke of Cambridge,Earl of Strathearn, andBaron Carrickferguson the day of his wedding in April 2011.He and Catherinetoured Canadathat summer.Nicholas Witchell, writing forBBC News, noted that the tour to Canada had been an \"unqualified success\" for the couple as they engaged in various activities from tree planting to street hockey, with their warm interactions and thoughtful gestures enhancing their popularity and reinforcing positive sentiments towards the monarchy in Canada.The couple served as ambassadors for the2012 Summer Olympicsin London, during multiple sporting events throughout the games. In September 2013, William and Catherine visited Singapore, Malaysia, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands as part of theQueen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.William hosted his firstinvestitureceremony at Buckingham Palace in October that year.In April 2014, he and Catherine undertook a royal tour to New Zealand and Australia accompanied by their son George.In August that year, the couple and Prince","couple and Prince Harry represented the royal family atWorld War Icommemorations in Belgium.In December, the couple visited New York and Washington DC, where William made a speech at theWorld Bankcondemning the illegal trade in wildlife. In 2015 and 2016 William embarked on various visits of Asian countries, including Japan, China, Bhutan and India;he was the first royal to visit mainland China in almost three decades, with the press referring to William's diplomacy as \"deft\" and \"polished\".In response to media allegations of being \"work-shy\", he asserted his commitment to his duties, emphasizing his dedication to fatherhood and his role in air ambulance work.Countries visited by William and Catherine in 2017 included France, Poland, Germany, and Belgium.In January 2018 the couple visited Sweden and Norway.The visits, which were, like others, requested by theForeign Office, were interpreted to benefitUK-European relationspostBrexit.In June 2018, William toured Jordan, Israel and Palestine. William and","William and Catherine toured Pakistan in October 2019, which was the royal family's first visit to the country in 13 years.The tour was a success, helping promote diplomatic relations with Pakistan while also reflecting the couple's personal interests in climate change and the significance of quality education.In November 2020, it was reported that William had tested positive for COVID-19 in April but decided not to alert the media to 'avoid alarming the nation'.The Daily Telegraphreported he had been \"very ill\" and had isolated away from his family;other sources said that he had not been seriously ill, not bed-ridden and working for most of the time.In December that year, the couple embarked on a tour of England, Scotland, and Wales via theBritish royal train\"to pay tribute to the inspiring work\" of communities and charities in 2020.Boris Johnsonexpressed his support, while Scottish first ministerNicola Sturgeoncriticised the tour, citing travel restrictions; local governments were consulted before planning","before planning the tour. In William's capacity asLord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, he and Catherine toured the country in May 2021.The couple attended theG7 summitfor the first time in June 2021 in Cornwall.In March 2022, they embarked on a tour of Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica as part of theQueen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.Reparations for slaveryemerged as a major demand of public protesters during the couple's visit.During the unveiling of the National Windrush Monument in London, William described the tour as \"an opportunity to reflect\" and condemnedracism facedby both members of theWindrush generationand British minorities in 2022.In May 2022, he attended theState Opening of Parliamentfor the first time as acounsellor of state, where his father delivered the Queen's Speech on behalf of Elizabeth II. Prince of Wales Queen Elizabeth II diedon 8 September 2022, and William's father succeeded as Charles III. William, nowheir apparent, was created Prince of","created Prince of Wales by his father on 9 September.Controversy regarding the titlebecame a topic of public debate in Wales.By 17 September, a petition calling for the end of the title had received over 30,000 signatures,while aYouGovpoll showed 66 per cent support for William to be given the title compared to 22 percent of respondents opposed.On 30 October, Senedd LlywyddElin Jonesnoted that an investiture is not a constitutional requirement and suggested that contemporary Wales would deem it unnecessary.Kensington Palace also stated an investiture is \"not on the table\".As the eldest son of the British monarch, William has inherited the Duchy of Cornwall, which brings him additional income.The duchy is \"a £760 million (about US$1.25 billion) entity established in 1337\" to provide a private income to the monarch's eldest son. William and Catherine visitedAngleseyandSwanseaon 27 September 2022, which marked their first visit to Wales since becoming Prince and Princess of Wales.He visited theSeneddin November","November 2022, meeting the Welsh first ministerMark Drakeford.In February 2023, William and Catherine visitedFalmouth, marking their first visit to the region since becoming Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.In March 2023, he undertook a solo visit to Poland during which he visitedRzeszówto meet Polish and British troops and Ukrainian refugees, and had talks with Polish presidentAndrzej Dudaat thePresidential Palace.In October 2023, William and Catherine condemned theHamas-led attack on Israel.In February 2024, he visited the headquarters of theBritish Red Cross, where he met humanitarian aid workers supporting civilians during theIsrael–Gaza conflict, and called for an end to the fighting in a statement approved by theUK government.Later that month, William pulled out at the last moment fromthe thanksgiving serviceof his godfather,Constantine II of Greece, due to an undisclosed \"personal matter\".The same month, he visitedWestern Marble Arch Synagogueto acknowledge the increase in antisemitism and human suffering","and human suffering in the Middle East. Charity work William became aware of HIV/AIDS in the mid-1990s when he accompanied his mother and brother on visits to shelters and clinics for patients. In January 2005, he and Harry volunteered at aBritish Red Crossaid distribution centre to pack emergency supplies for countries affected by the2004 Boxing Day tsunami.Later, in December 2005, William spent two weeks in North Wales withMountain Rescue England and Wales(MREW).In May 2007, he became patron of MREW and president of theRoyal Marsden Hospital, the latter of which was a role previously held by his mother. In July 2007, William and Harry organised the Concert for Diana, in memory of their mother, which benefitted the charities and patronages of Diana, William, and Harry.In October 2008, the brothers embarked on the 1,000 mile eight-day Enduro Africa motorbike ride across South Africa to raise money forSentebale,UNICEFand theNelson Mandela Children's Fund.In 2010 William became a patron of100 Women in Hedge","Women in Hedge Funds' philanthropic initiatives for the following three years until 2012.The same year, he succeededLord Attenboroughas the fifth president of theBritish Academy of Film and Television Arts.In March 2011, he and Catherine set up a gift fund held by The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry to allow well-wishers to donate money to charities supporting the armed forces, children, the elderly, art, sport and conservation in lieu of gifts.The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry is now known asThe Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. Humanitarian causes In March 2020, William appeared in a video for theNational Emergencies Trust, launching a fundraising appeal to help charities during the pandemic. The appeal raised £11 million in its first week, eventually totalling to £90 million, with the money going out to \"front line charities\" and to theUK Community Foundationsto be distributed among \"local community foundations\".In April 2020, he officially became patron","became patron of the organisation.Later that month, he made a surprise appearance onThe Big Night In, atelethonheld during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a skit which he held a video call withStephen Fry, who reprised his role as (a descendant of)Lord Melchett, from theBlackadderseries. In December 2020, William and Catherine became joint patrons ofNHS Charities Together.In February 2021, he visited a vaccination centre inKing's Lynnand later encouraged use of the vaccine, denouncingfalse informationthat could causevaccine hesitancy.In May 2021, William got his first dose ofCOVID-19 vaccineby NHS staff at the Science Museum in London.In September 2021, it was reported that he had assisted in the evacuation of an Afghan officer, a Royal Military Academy Sandhurst graduate and aide to British troops, from Kabul airport, along with over 10 of his family members, during the2021 Taliban offensive.In March 2022 amid theRussian invasion of Ukraine, William and Catherine made a donation to help the refugees.In February","February 2023, they donated to theDisasters Emergency Committee(DEC) which was helping victims of the2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.In July 2023, William became patron of the appeal to launch The Fleming Centre, driving a new global movement to tackleantimicrobial resistance.In July 2024, he and Catherine made donations to help victims ofHurricane Beryl. Conservation William became patron of theTusk Trustin December 2005, a charity that works towards conserving wildlife and initiating community development across Africa.He carried out his first official duty with the Trust in launching a 5,000-mile (8,000 km) bike ride across the African continent in April 2008.Later, William helped with launching the Tusk Conservation Awards, which have been presented to selected environmental activists annually since 2013.In June 2010, he and his brother visited Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa, undertaking projects relating to wildlife, sport, and young children.In 2013 he succeeded his grandfather, the Duke of","the Duke of Edinburgh, as president ofFields in Trustand transitioned into the role of patron in 2024.He established the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce in December 2014, with the goal of reducing global illegal wildlife trade.In 2014Jane Goodallstated that William had expressed the view that all ivory in the royal collection needed tobe destroyed.William has occasionally commented on the effects ofoverpopulationon thewildlife of Africa, but his remarks have been criticised in the media for not takingresource consumptionand population density into consideration. After two years of research, William launched theEarthshot Prizein October 2020, designed to provide funding and incentive for environmental solutions over the next decade.Following the launch, he gave aTED Talkon environmental protection and conservation as part of the TED Countdown climate change initiative.Later that month, William took over the patronages ofFauna and Flora Internationaland theBritish Trust for Ornithology, passed on from","passed on from his grandparents.In the same month, he appeared in an ITV documentary titledPrince William: A Planet For Us Allto discuss environmental issues. In 2021 William made a private donation to the Thin Green Line Foundation, which provides grants for the relatives of conservation park rangers that are killed every year while protecting wildlife.In July 2022, he condemned the murder of South African park ranger Anton Mzimba and asked for the responsible parties to \"be brought to justice\".In August 2022, William voiced his support for the prison sentence given to a man in the United States responsible for trafficking rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory.He had previously called for harsher punishments and penalties for poachers and smugglers at the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in 2018. LGBT rights William has spoken out forLGBT rightsas part of his work againstcyberbullying, stating the importance of being \"proud of the person you are\" and discussing the effects of online abuse and","of online abuse and discrimination.In 2016 he appeared in the July issue ofAttitudeand became the first member of the royal family to be featured on the cover of a gay magazine.He was recognised at theBritish LGBT Awardsin May 2017.William hosted a commemorativePride Monthdiscussion with mental health charity volunteers at theRoyal Vauxhall Tavernin June 2023. Mental health Since 2009, William has been patron of Child Bereavement UK, which provides support to children and families who have lost a loved one.In 2016 the Royal Foundation launched multiple mental health initiatives, including Heads Together, a campaign led by William, Catherine and Harry to de-stigmatise mental health.Legacy programmes include Mental Health at Work, launched in September 2018 to change the approach to workplace mental health in the United Kingdom, as well as Heads Up, launched in May 2019 in partnership with theFootball Association, utilising football to affect the conversation surrounding mental health in adults.Later that","adults.Later that month, William and Catherine, together with William's brother Harry and sister-in-lawMeghan, launched Shout, the United Kingdom's first 24/7 text messaging service for those who suffer from mental issues.William later volunteered on the crisis helpline during theCOVID-19 lockdownsto provide support via text message.He attributes his interest in mental health to his experiences as an air ambulance pilot, his work with the homeless, veterans' welfare, and his wife's anti-addiction advocacy. In March 2020, William and Catherine began supporting a new mental health initiative by the Public Health England agency amidst the coronavirus pandemic.In April 2020, the couple announced Our Frontline, an initiative providing mental health support to emergency medical workers.In September 2020, William established the Emergency Responders Senior Leaders Board, commissioned by the foundation to research the mental health and wellbeing of emergency responders, in partnership withKing's College Londonand","College Londonand the Open University.In May 2021 and 2022, William and Catherine voiced the Mental Health Minute message, which was broadcast on every radio station in the United Kingdom on and asked people to help individuals around them that suffer from loneliness.In October 2022, to mark the World Mental Health Day, the couple took overNewsbeatand interviewed four guests on topics related to mental health.In September 2023, William unveiled two organizations that had partnered with the Duchy of Cornwall to raise better mental well-being and provide mental health services for all its tenants.In October 2023 and to mark World Mental Health Day, he and Catherine took part in a forum for young people in Birmingham, alongside BBC Radio 1 and charity called The Mix, calledExploring our Emotional Worldscontinuing their longstanding work to promote mental well-being.In May 2024, he announced a three-year funding package for the charity We Are Farming Minds to provide mental health support for farmers on the","for farmers on the Duchy of Cornwall lands. Homelessness In September 2005, William became patron ofCentrepoint, a charity that assists the homeless.In December 2009, as part of a Centrepoint-organised event, the prince spent the night in a sleeping bag nearBlackfriars Bridgeto raise awareness of the experiences of homeless youth.He opened their new facility, Apprenticeship House, in November 2019 to mark their 50th anniversary. William has been patron of homelessness charityThe Passagesince 2019 after first visiting the centre in 1993 with his mother.In October 2020, he wrote the introduction to the organisation's 40th-anniversary fundraising cookbook, discussing the importance of helping victims of homelessness during theCOVID-19 pandemic.In December 2020, William volunteered at the charity to help prepare donation bags for homeless residents in emergency hotel accommodations and spoke with residents about their experiences.In 2022 and 2023, he was spotted selling copies ofThe Big Issueon the streets,","the streets, copies of which are usually sold by homeless and unemployed people to collect money. In June 2023, William launched Homewards after two years of development, which aims to \"finally end homelessness\" in the United Kingdom.The five-year initiative aims to tackle homelessness in six pilot locations across the United Kingdom with an initial seed funding allocated for each area by the Royal Foundation, working with existing private sector and grassroots charity partners.The project focuses on early intervention and providing housing to families before other issues, such as abuse and joblessness, are addressed.In February 2024, William, in partnership with Cornish charity St Petrocs, announced plans for building 24 homes on Duchy of Cornwall land inNansledanto provide temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness in the area.Future plans include building more than 400 social rented homes and a further 475 affordable dwellings inSouth East Faversham. Sport William often playspoloto raise","playspoloto raise money for charity.He is a fan of football, and supports the English clubAston Villa.He became president ofEngland's Football Association(FA) in May 2006 and vice-royal patron of theWelsh Rugby Union(WRU) in February 2007, supporting the Queen as patron.The same year, the WRU's decision to name thePrince William Cupdrew criticism as some believed it would have been more appropriate to name it afterRay Gravell.William became patron of the WRU and the FA in 2016 and 2024, respectively. In December 2010, William, alongsideDavid Cameron, attended a meeting withFIFAvice-presidentChung Mong-joonat which Chung suggested a vote-trading deal for the right to host the 2018 World Cup in England. The English delegation reported the suggestion to FIFA, considering it a violation of anti-collusion rules.In 2011 William, as president of the English FA, voted againstAustralia's 2022 FIFA bidand instead voted for South Korea, despite beingAustralia's future heir. In 2020 he voted against the","voted against the jointAustralia–New Zealand 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup bidand instead voted forColombia. In February 2021, following an investigation into racism directed atMarcus Rashford, William released a statement as president of the FA, denouncing the \"racist abuse... whether on the pitch, in the stands, or on social media\" as \"despicable\" and stating that \"we all have a responsibility\" to create an environment of tolerance and accountability.In April 2021, William criticised the planned breakaway competitionThe Super League, adding that he \"share the concerns of fans about the proposed Super League and the damage it risks causing to the game we love.\"In July 2021, he condemned racist attacks against England football players following their loss at theUEFA Euro 2020finale. In May 2007, William became patron of the English Schools' Swimming Association.In 2012, together with his wife Catherine and brother Harry, William launched Coach Core. The program was set up following the2012 Olympicsand provides","provides apprenticeship opportunities for people who desire to pursue a career as a professional coach.In May 2020, he appeared in aBBC OneDocumentary titledFootball, Prince William and Our Mental Healthas a part of a campaign to promote men to discuss their mental issues using football as a common medium. Both William and Harry are enthusiastic motorcyclists; William owns aDucati 1198 S Corse.In May 2014, William, like his father and grandfather, became president of theBritish Sub-Aqua Club(BSAC).He also took part in abandyevent inStockholmin January 2018. In November 2022, William was criticised by Welsh football followers and Welsh actorMichael Sheenfor holding the Prince of Wales title whilst having affiliations with theEngland national football team, particularly after he presented jerseys to the squad in advance of the2022 FIFA World Cupin which bothWalesand England were placed in the same Group B.William commented that he had supported the England football team from a very young age, but happily","age, but happily supportedWelsh rugby union, of which he is patron, over England.In August 2023, he was criticised in segments of the press and social media for not attending2023 FIFA Women's World Cup finalin Australia as president of the FA. Public image William has been one of the most popular members of the British royal family since his birth.Having lived a public life since birth, he was regarded as a \"heartthrob\" and eligible as a young adult, similar to his father.Ruth La Ferla ofThe New York Timescontrasted William's \"refined\" and \"polite\" appeal toLeonardo DiCaprio's \"bad-boy\" popularity.Following his marriage, William's public image assumed a more \"staid\" and fatherly demeanour, having \"settled into a stable domestic order.\" JournalistAnne McElvoyhas described William's public personality as a \"genial presence\" with a \"tougher side\", alongside his mother's \"inimitable style\".Much of his royal duties focus on \"big bet\" projects, rather than \"plaques and patronages\". In 2016 William gave an","William gave an interview stating his goal was \"how do I make the royal family relevant in the next 20 years ... that's the challenge for me\". In April 2011,Timemagazine listed him asone of the most influential people in the worldalongside his then-newlywed wife Catherine.In August 2023,Gallup, Inc.named him as the most popular public figure in the US after conducting a survey that asked for people's views on 15 prominent individuals.He was found to be the most popular member of the royal family by statistics and polling companyYouGovin December 2022and September 2023,and as the second most popular in April 2024. Privacy and the media The death of William's mother while being chased by thepaparazziin August 1997has since influenced his attitude towards the media.He and Catherine have often requested that, when off-duty, their privacy should be respected.In 2005 William spoke with ITV reporterTom Bradbyand concluded that it was likely that their voicemails were being accessed.An investigation under thenDeputy","under thenDeputy Assistant CommissionerPeter Clarkeconcluded that the compromised voice mail accounts belonged to William's aides, includingJamie Lowther-Pinkerton,and not the prince himself.However,Clive Goodmanlater stated that he hadhackedWilliam's phone on 35 occasions.William later suedNews Group Newspapers, publisher ofNews of the WorldandThe Sun, which resulted in an out-of-court settlement in 2020.He and his brother Harry brought a claim privately through their mutual attorneys, but Harry later pursued his case separately with a new solicitor. In 2005, after his then-girlfriend Catherine Middleton was chased by the paparazzi on her way to a job interview, William consulted Middleton andher fatherand wrote a legal letter to newspapers requesting that they respect her privacy.As media attention increased around the time of Middleton's 25th birthday in January 2007, he issued a public statement mentioning that \"the situation is proving unbearable for all those concerned.\"In October 2007, William issued","William issued a public statement via his press secretary complaining about the \"aggressive pursuit\" by \"photographers on motorcycles, in vehicles and on foot\" while the couple were leaving a London nightclub and later driving in his car.Following the statement,Daily Mail,Daily Mirror, andDaily Expressall decided against using the paparazzi photos of the couple, butThe Sunpublished photos taken before the couple's car had left.The statement prompted the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) to issue a warning, asking editors not to publish photographs which were taken through harassment.In April 2009, William's lawyers obtained an apology fromThe Daily Starafter the tabloid had claimed he had \"wrecked\" a $2m plane during his pilot training. In September 2012, the French edition ofCloserand Italiangossip magazineChipublished photographs of Catherine sun-bathing topless while on holiday at theChâteau d'Autetin Provence.William and Catherine filed a criminal complaint with the French prosecution department and","department and launched a claim for civil damages at theTribunal de Grande InstancedeNanterre.The following day the courts granted an injunction againstCloserprohibiting further publication of the photographs and announced that a criminal investigation would be initiated.In September 2017,Closerwas fined €100,000 and its editor Laurence Pieau and owner Ernesto Mauri were each fined €45,000. In October 2014, William and Catherine sent a legal letter to a freelance photographer who had put their son George and his nanny \"under surveillance\", asking the individual to stop \"harassing and following\" them.In August 2015, Kensington Palace published a letter detailing what it stated were the \"dangerous\" and invasive efforts of the media to get paparazzi pictures of Prince George and Princess Charlotte. In November 2016, William issued a statement supporting Prince Harry and his then-girlfriend,Meghan Markle, following their complaints about the press intrusion, stating that he \"understands the situation concerning","concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him.\"During a visit to the BBC studios in central London in November 2018, he publicly criticised the social media firms' approach to handling \"misinformation and conspiracy\" and added, \"Their self-image is so grounded in their positive power for good that they seem unable to engage in constructive discussion about the social problems they are creating\". In June 2022, a three-minute video of William confronting Terry Harris, a paparazzi photographer, was posted on Harris' YouTube channel.It was recorded by Harris in January 2021 and shows William arguing with Harris as the latter attempts to film William's family on a bike ride near Anmer Hall.Kensington Palace described the video as a breach of the family's privacy and asked for it to be removed from public websites.The couple's lawyers also contacted the photographer, who claimed he was on public roads and had filmed the video after hearing about allegations that the","that the couple had broken the \"rule of six\" as they toured a public attraction at Sandringham while William's uncle and aunt, thenEarlandCountess of Wessex, and their children happened to be in the same spot. Titles, styles, and honours Titles and styles William has been aBritish princesince birth, and was known as \"Prince William of Wales\" until April 2011. He was createdDuke of Cambridge,Earl of StrathearnandBaron Carrickfergusby his grandmother, Elizabeth II, on the day of his wedding. Theletters patentgranting these titles were issued on 26 May that year. As the eldest son of the monarch, William automatically becameDuke of Cornwall,Duke of Rothesay,Earl of Carrick,Baron of Renfrew,Lord of the Isles, andPrince and Great Steward of Scotlandon the accession of his father on 8 September 2022.From 8 to 9 September, William was styled as \"His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge\".On 9 September, Charles announced the creation of William asPrince of Wales, the traditional title for the male heir","for the male heir apparent to the British monarch. William has since been known as \"His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales\", except in Scotland, where he is called \"His Royal Highness the Duke of Rothesay\" instead.The letters patent formally granting him this title and that ofEarl of Chesterwere issued on 13 February 2023. Honours William is a RoyalKnight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter(KG),an ExtraKnight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle(KT),Great Master of theMost Honourable Order of the Bath(GCB),a member of thePrivy Council of the United Kingdom(PC),and aPersonal Aide-de-Camp(ADC) to the sovereign. Ancestry William's ancestry is royal and aristocratic.Patrilineally, he is a member of theHouse of Windsorand also descends from theHouse of Oldenburg, one of Europe's oldest royal houses. More specifically, he descends from thecadet branchknown as theHouse of Glücksburg. Through his mother, William descends from theEarls Spencer– a cadet branch of theSpencer","of theSpencer familydescended from theEarls of Sunderland; the senior branch are now alsoDukes of Marlborough; theBarons Fermoy; and more anciently fromHenry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton, andCharles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond– two illegitimate sons of KingCharles II. As king, William would be the first monarch since the death ofAnnein 1714 to undisputedly descend fromCharles Iand the first to descend from Charles II. William descendsmatrilineallyfrom Eliza Kewark, a housekeeper for his 18th-century ancestor Theodore Forbes – a Scottish merchant who worked for the East India Company inSurat. She is variously described in contemporary documents as \"a dark-skinned native woman\", \"anArmenianwoman from Bombay\", and \"Mrs. Forbesian\".GenealogistWilliam Addams Reitwiesnerassumed Kewark was Armenian.In June 2013, it was reported thatgenealogical DNA testson two of William's distant matrilineal cousins confirm Kewark was matrilineally of Indian descent. Bibliography Book contributions Authored letters and articles","and articles See also Footnotes References Further reading Books Articles External links","Malcolm Bradbury Sir Malcolm Stanley Bradbury,CBE(7 September 1932 – 27 November 2000) was an English author and academic. Life Bradbury was born inSheffield, the son of a railwayman.His family moved to London in 1935, but returned to Sheffield in 1941 with his brother and mother. The family later moved toNottinghamand in 1943 Bradbury attendedWest BridgfordGrammar School, where he remained until 1950. He read English atUniversity College, Leicester, gaining a first-class degree in 1953. He continued his studies atQueen Mary College, University of London, where he gained his MA in 1955. Between 1955 and 1958, Bradbury moved between teaching posts with theUniversity of ManchesterandIndiana Universityin the United States. He returned to England in 1958 for a major heart operation; such was his heart condition that he was not expected to live beyond middle age. In 1959, while in hospital, he completed his first novel,Eating People is Wrong. Bradbury married Elizabeth Salt and they had two sons. He took up his","He took up his first teaching post as an adult-education tutor at theUniversity of Hull. With his study onEvelyn Waughin 1962 he began his career of writing and editing critical books. From 1961 to 1965 he taught at theUniversity of Birmingham. He completed his PhD inAmerican studiesat the University of Manchester in 1962, moving to theUniversity of East Anglia(his second novel,Stepping Westward, appeared in 1965), where he became Professor of American Studies in 1970 and launched theMA in Creative Writingcourse, attended by bothIan McEwanandKazuo Ishiguro. He publishedPossibilities: Essays on the State of the Novelin 1973,The History Manin 1975,Who Do You Think You Are?in 1976,Rates of Exchangein 1983 andCuts: A Very Short Novelin 1987. He retired from academic life in 1995. Bradbury became aCommander of the Order of the British Empirein 1991 for services to literature and was made aKnight Bachelorin theNew Year Honours 2000, again for services to literature. Bradbury died at Priscilla Bacon Lodge, Colman","Bacon Lodge, Colman Hospital, Norwich, on 27 November 2000, attended by his wife and their two sons, Matthew and Dominic. He was buried on 4 December 2000 in the churchyard of St Mary's parish church,Tasburgh, near Norwich where the Bradburys owned a second home. Though he was not an orthodox religious believer, he respected the traditions and socio-cultural role of theChurch of Englandand enjoyed visiting churches in the spirit ofPhilip Larkin's poem, \"Church Going\". Works Bradbury was a productive academic writer as well as a successful teacher; an expert on themodern novel, he published books onEvelyn Waugh,Saul BellowandE. M. Forster, as well as editions of such modern classics asF. Scott Fitzgerald'sThe Great Gatsby, and a number of surveys and handbooks of modern fiction, both British and American. However, he is best known to a wider public as a novelist. Although often compared with his contemporaryDavid Lodge, a friend who has also writtencampus novels, Bradbury's books are consistently darker in","darker in mood and less playful both in style and language. In 1986, he wrote a short humorous book titledWhy Come to Slaka?, a parody of travel books, dealing withSlaka, the fictionalEastern Europeancountry that is the setting for his novelRates of Exchange, a 1983 novel that was shortlisted for theBooker Prize. Bradbury also wrote extensively for television, including scripting series such asAnything More Would Be Greedy,The Gravy Train(and its sequel,The Gravy Train Goes East, which explored life in Bradbury's fictional Slaka), and adapting novels such asTom Sharpe'sBlott on the LandscapeandPorterhouse Blue,Alison Lurie'sImaginary Friends,Kingsley Amis'sThe Green Man, and the penultimateInspector MorseepisodeThe Wench is Dead. His last television script was forDalziel and Pascoeseries 5, produced byAndy Rowley. The episode \"Foreign Bodies\" was screened onBBC Oneon 15 July 2000. His work was often humorous and ironic, mockingacademe,British culture, andcommunism, usually with apicaresquetone. Selected","Selected bibliography See also References External links","England – inEurope(green & dark grey)– in theUnited Kingdom(green) Englandis acountrythat is part of theUnited Kingdom.It is located on the island ofGreat Britain, of which it covers approximately 62%, andover 100 smaller adjacent islands. It has land borders withScotlandto the north andWalesto the west, and is otherwise surrounded by theNorth Seato the east, theEnglish Channelto the south, theCeltic Seato the south-west, and theIrish Seato the west.Continental Europelies to the south-east, andIrelandto the west. At the2021 census, the population was 56,490,048.Londonis boththe largest cityand thecapital. The area now called England was first inhabited by modern humans during theUpper Paleolithic. It takes its name from theAngles, aGermanictribe who settled during the 5th and 6th centuries. England became a unified state in the 10th century and has had a significant cultural and legal impact on the wider world since theAge of Discovery, which began during the 15th century.TheKingdom of England, which included","which included Wales after 1535, ceased to be a separatesovereign stateon 1 May 1707, when theActs of Unionbrought into effect a political union with theKingdom of Scotlandthat created theKingdom of Great Britain. England is the origin of theEnglish language, theEnglish legal system(which served as the basis for thecommon lawsystems of many other countries),association football, and theAnglicanbranch of Christianity; itsparliamentary system of governmenthas been widely adopted by other nations.TheIndustrial Revolutionbegan in 18th-century England, transforming its society into the world's first industrialised nation.England is home tothe two oldest universitiesin the English-speaking world: theUniversity of Oxford, founded in 1096, and theUniversity of Cambridge, founded in 1209. Both universities are ranked among the most prestigious in the world. England's terrain chiefly consists of low hills andplains, especially in thecentreandsouth. Upland and mountainous terrain is mostly found in thenorthand west,","thenorthand west, includingDartmoor, theLake District, thePennines, and theShropshire Hills. The country's capital isLondon, themetropolitan areaof which has a population of 14.2 million as of 2021, representing the United Kingdom's largest metropolitan area. England's population of 56.3 million comprises 84% of the population of the United Kingdom,largely concentrated around London, theSouth East, and conurbations in theMidlands, theNorth West, theNorth East, andYorkshire, which each developed as major industrial regions during the 19th century. Toponymy The name \"England\" is derived from theOld EnglishnameEnglaland, which means \"land of theAngles\".The Angles were one of theGermanic tribesthat settled in Great Britain during theEarly Middle Ages. They came from theAngelnregion of what is now the German state ofSchleswig-Holstein.The earliest recorded use of the term, as \"Engla londe\", is in the late-ninth-century translation into Old English ofBede'sEcclesiastical History of the English People. The term was","The term was then used to mean \"the land inhabited by the English\", and it included English people in what is now south-east Scotland but was then part of the English kingdom ofNorthumbria. TheAnglo-Saxon Chroniclerecorded that theDomesday Bookof 1086 covered the whole of England, meaning the English kingdom, but a few years later theChroniclestated that KingMalcolm IIIwent \"out of Scotlande intoLothianin Englaland\", thus using it in the more ancient sense. The earliest attested reference to the Angles occurs in the 1st-century work byTacitus,Germania, in which theLatinwordAngliiis used.The etymology of the tribal name itself is disputed by scholars; it has been suggested that it derives from the shape of the Angeln peninsula, anangularshape.How and why a term derived from the name of a tribe that was less significant than others, such as theSaxons, came to be used for the entire country is not known, but it seems this is related to the custom of calling the Germanic people in BritainAngli Saxonesor English","Saxonesor English Saxons to distinguish them from continental Saxons (Eald-Seaxe) of Old Saxony in Germany.InScottish Gaelic, the Saxon tribe gave their name to the word for England (Sasunn);similarly, theWelshname for the English language is \"Saesneg\". A romantic name for England isLoegria, related to the Welsh word for England,Lloegr, and made popular by its use inArthurian legend.Albionis also applied to England in a more poetic capacity,though its original meaning is the island of Britain as a whole. History Prehistory The earliest known evidence of human presence in the area now known as England was that ofHomo antecessor, dating to approximately 780,000 years ago. The oldest proto-human bones discovered in England date from 500,000 years ago.Modern humans are known to have inhabited the area during theUpper Paleolithicperiod, though permanent settlements were only established within the last 6,000 years.After thelast ice ageonly large mammals such asmammoths,bisonandwoolly rhinocerosremained. Roughly","Roughly 11,000 years ago, when theice sheetsbegan to recede, humans repopulated the area; genetic research suggests they came from the northern part of theIberian Peninsula.The sea level was lower than the present day and Britain was connected byland bridgeto Ireland andEurasia.As the seas rose, it was separated from Ireland 10,000 years ago and from Eurasia two millennia later. TheBeaker culturearrived around 2,500 BC, introducing drinking and food vessels constructed from clay, as well as vessels used as reduction pots to smelt copper ores.It was during this time that majorNeolithicmonuments such asStonehenge(phase III) andAveburywere constructed. By heating together tin and copper, which were in abundance in the area, the Beaker culture people madebronze, and later iron from iron ores. The development of ironsmeltingallowed the construction of betterploughs, advancing agriculture (for instance, withCeltic fields), as well as the production of more effective weapons. During theIron Age,Celtic culture,","Age,Celtic culture, deriving from theHallstattandLa Tène cultures, arrived from Central Europe.Brythonicwas the spoken language during this time. Society was tribal; according toPtolemy'sGeographiathere were around 20 tribes in the area. Like other regions on the edge of the Empire, Britain had long enjoyed trading links with the Romans. Julius Caesar of theRoman Republicattempted toinvade twicein 55 BC; although largely unsuccessful, he managed to set up aclient kingfrom theTrinovantes. Ancient history The Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD during the reign of EmperorClaudius, subsequentlyconquering much of Britain, and the area was incorporated into the Roman Empire asBritannia province.The best-known of the native tribes who attempted to resist were theCatuvellauniled byCaratacus. Later, an uprising led byBoudica, Queen of theIceni, ended with Boudica's suicide following her defeat at theBattle of Watling Street.The author of one study of Roman Britain suggested that from 43 AD to 84 AD, the Roman invaders","the Roman invaders killed somewhere between 100,000 and 250,000 people from a population of perhaps 2,000,000.This era saw aGreco-Romanculture prevail with the introduction ofRoman law,Roman architecture,aqueducts,sewers, many agricultural items and silk.In the 3rd century, EmperorSeptimius Severusdied atEboracum(nowYork), whereConstantinewas subsequently proclaimed emperor a century later. There is debate about when Christianity was first introduced; it was no later than the 4th century, probably much earlier. According toBede, missionaries were sent from Rome byEleutheriusat the request of the chieftainLucius of Britainin 180 AD, to settle differences as to Eastern and Western ceremonials, which were disturbing the church. There are traditions linked to Glastonbury claiming an introduction throughJoseph of Arimathea, while others claim through Lucius of Britain.By 410, during thedecline of the Roman Empire, Britain was left exposed by theend of Roman rule in Britainand the withdrawal of Roman army units,","Roman army units, to defend the frontiers in continental Europe and partake in civil wars.Celtic Christian monastic and missionary movements flourished. This period of Christianity was influenced by ancient Celtic culture in its sensibilities, polity, practices and theology. Local \"congregations\" were centred in the monastic community and monastic leaders were more like chieftains, as peers, rather than in the more hierarchical system of the Roman-dominated church. Middle Ages Roman militarywithdrawals left Britain open to invasion by pagan, seafaring warriors from north-western continental Europe, chiefly the Saxons,Angles,Jutesand Frisians who had long raided the coasts of the Roman province. These groups then began to settle in increasing numbers over the course of the fifth and sixth centuries, initially in the eastern part of the country.Their advance was contained for some decades after the Britons' victory at theBattle of Mount Badon, but subsequently resumed, overrunning the fertile lowlands of","fertile lowlands of Britain and reducing the area underBrittoniccontrol to a series of separate enclaves in the more rugged country to the west by the end of the 6th century. Contemporary texts describing this period are extremely scarce, giving rise to its description as aDark Age. Details of theAnglo-Saxon settlement of Britainare consequently subject to considerable disagreement; the emerging consensus is that it occurred on a large scale in the south and east but was less substantial to the north and west, where Celtic languages continued to be spoken even in areas under Anglo-Saxon control.Roman-dominated Christianity had, in general, been replaced in the conquered territories byAnglo-Saxon paganism, but wasreintroduced by missionariesfrom Rome led byAugustinefrom 597.Disputes between the Roman- and Celtic-dominated forms of Christianity ended in victory for the Roman tradition at theCouncil of Whitby(664), which was ostensibly abouttonsures(clerical haircuts) and the date of Easter, but more","of Easter, but more significantly, about the differences in Roman and Celtic forms of authority, theology, and practice. During the settlement period the lands ruled by the incomers seem to have been fragmented into numerous tribal territories, but by the 7th century, when substantial evidence of the situation again becomes available, these had coalesced into roughly a dozen kingdoms includingNorthumbria,Mercia,Wessex,East Anglia,Essex,KentandSussex. Over the following centuries, this process of political consolidation continued.The 7th century saw a struggle for hegemony between Northumbria and Mercia, which in the 8th century gave way to Mercian preeminence.In the early 9th century Mercia was displaced as the foremost kingdom by Wessex. Later in that century escalating attacks by theDanesculminated in the conquest of the north and east of England, overthrowing the kingdoms of Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia. Wessex underAlfred the Greatwas left as the only surviving English kingdom, and under his","and under his successors, it steadily expanded at the expense of the kingdoms of theDanelaw. This brought about the political unification of England, first accomplished underÆthelstanin 927 and definitively established after further conflicts byEadredin 953. A fresh wave of Scandinavian attacks from the late 10th century ended with the conquest of this united kingdom bySweyn Forkbeardin 1013 and again by his sonCnutin 1016, turning it into the centre of a short-livedNorth Sea Empirethat also includedDenmarkandNorway. However, the native royal dynasty was restored with the accession ofEdward the Confessorin 1042. A dispute over the succession to Edward led to an unsuccessful Norwegian Invasion in September 1066 close to York in the North, and the successfulNorman Conquestin October 1066, accomplished by an army led byDuke William of Normandyinvading at Hastings late September 1066.TheNormansthemselves originated fromScandinaviaand had settled in Normandy in the late 9th and early 10th centuries.This conquest","conquest led to the almost total dispossession of the English elite and its replacement by a new French-speaking aristocracy, whose speech had a profound and permanent effect on the English language. Subsequently, theHouse of PlantagenetfromAnjouinherited the English throne underHenry II, adding England to the buddingAngevin Empireof fiefs the family had inherited in France includingAquitaine.They reigned for three centuries, some noted monarchs beingRichard I,Edward I,Edward IIIandHenry V.The period saw changes in trade and legislation, including the signing ofMagna Carta, an English legal charter used to limit the sovereign's powers by law and protect the privileges of freemen. Catholicmonasticismflourished, providing philosophers, and the universities of Oxford and Cambridge were founded with royal patronage. ThePrincipality of Walesbecame a Plantagenet fief during the 13th centuryand theLordship of Irelandwas given to the English monarchy by the Pope. During the 14th century, the Plantagenets and","Plantagenets and theHouse of Valoisclaimed to be legitimate claimants to theHouse of Capetand of France; the two powers clashed in theHundred Years' War.TheBlack Deathepidemichit England; starting in 1348, it eventually killed up to half of England'sinhabitants. Between 1453 and 1487, a civil war known as theWar of the Roseswaged between the two branches of the royal family, theYorkistsandLancastrians.Eventually it led to the Yorkists losing the throne entirely to a Welsh noble family theTudors, a branch of the Lancastrians headed byHenry Tudorwho invaded with Welsh and Breton mercenaries, gaining victory at theBattle of Bosworth Fieldwhere the Yorkist kingRichard IIIwas killed. Early modern period During theTudor period, England began to developnaval skills, and exploration intensified in theAge of Discovery.Henry VIIIbroke from communion with the Catholic Church, over issues relating to his divorce, under theActs of Supremacyin 1534 which proclaimed the monarch head of theChurch of England. In contrast","In contrast with much of EuropeanProtestantism, theroots of the splitwere more political than theological.He also legally incorporated his ancestral land Wales into the Kingdom of England with the1535–1542 acts. There were internal religious conflicts during the reigns of Henry's daughters,Mary IandElizabeth I. The former took the country back to Catholicism while the latter broke from it again, forcefully asserting the supremacy ofAnglicanism. TheElizabethan erais the epoch in the Tudor age of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (\"the Virgin Queen\"). Historians often depict it as thegolden agein English history that represented the apogee of the English Renaissance and saw the flowering of great art, drama, poetry, music and literature.England during this period had a centralised, well-organised, and effective government. Competing withSpain, the first English colony in the Americas was founded in 1585 by explorerWalter RaleighinVirginiaand namedRoanoke. The Roanoke colony failed and is known as the lost colony","as the lost colony after it was found abandoned on the return of the late-arriving supply ship.With theEast India Company, England also competed with theDutchandFrenchin the East. During the Elizabethan period, England was at war with Spain. Anarmadasailed from Spain in 1588 as part of a wider plan to invade England and re-establish a Catholic monarchy. The plan was thwarted by bad coordination, stormy weather and successful harrying attacks by an English fleet underLord Howard of Effingham. This failure did not end the threat: Spain launched two further armadas, in1596and1597, but both were driven back by storms. Union with Scotland The political structure of the island changed in 1603, when theKing of Scots,James VI, a kingdom which had been a long-time rival to English interests, inherited the throne of England as James I, thereby creating apersonal union.He styled himselfKing of Great Britain, although this had no basis in English law.Under the auspices of James VI and I the AuthorisedKing James","James Versionof the Holy Bible was published in 1611. It was the standard version of the Bible read by most Protestant Christians for four hundred years until modern revisions were produced in the 20th century. Based on conflicting political, religious and social positions, theEnglish Civil Warwas fought between the supporters ofParliamentand those of KingCharles I, known colloquially asRoundheadsandCavaliersrespectively. This was an interwoven part of the wider multifacetedWars of the Three Kingdoms, involvingScotlandandIreland. The Parliamentarians were victorious,Charles I was executedand the kingdom replaced by theCommonwealth. Leader of the Parliament forces,Oliver Cromwelldeclared himselfLord Protectorin 1653; a period ofpersonal rulefollowed.After Cromwell's death and the resignation of his sonRichardas Lord Protector,Charles IIwas invited to return as monarch in 1660, in a move called theRestoration. With the reopening of theatres, fine arts, literature and performing arts flourished throughout the","throughout the Restoration of the \"Merry Monarch\" Charles II.After theGlorious Revolutionof 1688, it was constitutionally established that King and Parliament should rule together, though Parliament would have the real power. This was established with theBill of Rightsin 1689. Among the statutes set down were that the law could only be made by Parliament and could not be suspended by the King, also that the King could not impose taxes or raise an army without the prior approval of Parliament.Also since that time, no British monarch has entered theHouse of Commonswhen it is sitting, which is annually commemorated at theState Opening of Parliamentby the British monarch when the doors of the House of Commons are slammed in the face of the monarch's messenger, symbolising the rights of Parliament and its independence from the monarch.With the founding of theRoyal Societyin 1660, science was greatly encouraged. In 1666 theGreat Fire of Londongutted the city of London, but it was rebuilt shortly afterward with","afterward with many significant buildings designed by SirChristopher Wren.By the mid-to-late 17th century, two political factions had emerged – theToriesandWhigs. Though the Tories initially supported Catholic kingJames II, some of them, along with the Whigs, during theRevolution of 1688invited the DutchPrince William of Orangeto defeat James and become the king. Some English people, especially in the north, wereJacobitesand continued to support James and his sons. Under theStuart dynastyEngland expanded in trade, finance and prosperity. The Royal Navy developed Europe's largest merchant fleet.After the parliaments of England and Scotland agreed,the two countries joined inpolitical union, to create theKingdom of Great Britainin 1707.To accommodate the union, institutions such as the law and national churches of each remained separate. Late modern and contemporary periods Under the newly formed Kingdom of Great Britain, output from the Royal Society and otherEnglish initiativescombined with theScottish","with theScottish Enlightenmentto create innovations in science and engineering, while the enormous growth inBritish overseas tradeprotected by theRoyal Navypaved the way for the establishment of theBritish Empire. Domestically it drove theIndustrial Revolution, a period of profound change in thesocioeconomicand cultural conditions of England, resulting in industrialised agriculture, manufacture, engineering and mining, as well as new and pioneering road, rail and water networks to facilitate their expansion and development.The opening of Northwest England'sBridgewater Canalin 1761 ushered in thecanal age in Britain.In 1825 the world's first permanent steam locomotive-hauled passenger railway – theStockton and Darlington Railway– opened to the public. During theIndustrial Revolution, many workers moved from England's countryside to new and expanding urban industrial areas to work in factories, for instance atBirminghamandManchester,with the latter the world's first industrial city.England maintained relative","maintained relative stability throughout theFrench Revolution, underGeorge IIIandWilliam Pitt the Younger. Theregency of George IVis noted for its elegance and achievements in the fine arts and architecture.During theNapoleonic Wars,Napoleonplanned toinvade from the south-east; however, this failed to manifest and the Napoleonic forces were defeated by the British: at sea byHoratio Nelson, and on land byArthur Wellesley. The major victory at theBattle of Trafalgarconfirmed the naval supremacy Britain had established during the course of the eighteenth century.The Napoleonic Wars fostered a concept ofBritishnessand a united nationalBritish people, shared with the English, Scots and Welsh. London became the largest and most populous metropolitan area in the world during theVictorian era, and trade within the British Empire – as well as the standing of the British military and navy – was prestigious.Technologically, this era saw many innovations that proved key to the United Kingdom's power and","Kingdom's power and prosperity.Political agitation at home from radicals such as theChartistsand thesuffragettesenabled legislative reform anduniversal suffrage. Power shifts in east-central Europe led to World War I; hundreds of thousands of English soldiers died fighting for the United Kingdom as part of theAllies.Two decades later, inWorld War II, the United Kingdom was again one of theAllies. Developments in warfare technology saw many cities damaged by air-raids duringthe Blitz. Following the war, the British Empire experienced rapiddecolonisation, and there was a speeding-up of technological innovations; automobiles became the primary means of transport andFrank Whittle's development of thejet engineled to widerair travel.Residential patterns were altered in England by private motoring, and by the creation of theNational Health Servicein 1948, providingpublicly funded health careto all permanent residents free at the point of need. Combined, these prompted the reform oflocal government in Englandin the","in Englandin the mid-20th century. Since the 20th century, there has been significant population movement to England, mostly from other parts of theBritish Isles, but also from theCommonwealth, particularly theIndian subcontinent.Since the 1970s there has been a large move away from manufacturing and an increasing emphasis on theservice industry.As part of the United Kingdom, the area joined acommon marketinitiative called theEuropean Economic Communitywhich became theEuropean Union. Since the late 20th century theadministration of the United Kingdomhas moved towardsdevolved governancein Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.England and Walescontinues to exist as a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom.Devolution has stimulated a greater emphasis on a more English-specific identity and patriotism.There is no devolved English government, but an attempt to create a similar system on a sub-regional basis was rejected byreferendum. Governance Politics England is part of the United Kingdom, aconstitutional","aconstitutional monarchywith aparliamentary system.There has not been agovernment of Englandsince 1707, when theActs of Union 1707,putting into effect the terms of theTreaty of Union, joined England and Scotland to form theKingdom of Great Britain.Before the union England was ruled byits monarchand theParliament of England. Today England is governed directly by theParliament of the United Kingdom, although othercountries of the United Kingdomhavedevolvedgovernments.There has been debate about how to counterbalance this in England. Originally it was planned that variousregions of Englandwould be devolved, but following the proposal's rejection by theNorth Eastin a2004 referendum, this has not been carried out.In 2024, an England-only intergovernmental body, known as theMayoral Council, was established to bring together ministers from theUK Government, theMayor of Londonand the leaders ofcombined authorities. In theHouse of Commonswhich is thelower houseof the British Parliament based at thePalace of","at thePalace of Westminster, there are 543 members of parliament (MPs) for constituencies in England, out of the 650 total.England is represented by 347 MPs from theLabour Party, 116 from theConservative Party, 65 from theLiberal Democrats, five forReform UKand four for theGreen Party of England and Wales. Law TheEnglish lawlegal system, developed over the centuries, is the basis ofcommon lawlegal systems used in mostCommonwealthcountriesand the United States (exceptLouisiana). Despite now being part of the United Kingdom, the legal system of theCourts of England and Walescontinued, under theTreaty of Union, as a separate legal system fromthe one used in Scotland. The general essence of English law is that it is made by judges sitting in courts, applying their common sense and knowledge oflegal precedent–stare decisis– to the facts before them. The court system is headed by the Senior Courts of England and Wales, consisting of theCourt of Appeal, theHigh Court of Justicefor civil cases, and theCrown Courtfor","theCrown Courtfor criminal cases.TheSupreme Court of the United Kingdomis the highest court for criminal and civil cases inEngland and Wales. It was created in 2009 after constitutional changes, taking over thejudicial functions of the House of Lords.A decision of the Supreme Court is binding on every other court in the hierarchy, which must follow its directions. TheSecretary of State for Justiceis the minister responsible to Parliament for thejudiciary, the court system and prisons and probation in England.Crime increased between 1981 and 1995 but fell by 42% in the period 1995–2006.The prison population doubled over the same period, giving it one of thehighest incarceration ratesin Western Europe at 147 per 100,000.His Majesty's Prison Service, reporting to theMinistry of Justice, manages most prisons, housing 81,309 prisoners in England and Wales as of September 2022. Subdivisions Thesubdivisions of Englandconsist of up to four levels ofsubnational division, controlled through a variety of types of","variety of types of administrative entities created for the purposes oflocal government. Outside the London region, England's highest tier is the 48ceremonial counties.These are used primarily as a geographical frame of reference. Of these, 38 developed gradually since theMiddle Ages; these were reformed to 51 in 1974 and to their current number in 1996.Each has aLord LieutenantandHigh Sheriff; these posts are used to represent theBritish monarchlocally.Some counties, such asHerefordshire, are only divided further into civil parishes. The royal county of Berkshire and the metropolitan counties have different types of status to other ceremonial counties. The second tier is made up ofcombined authoritiesand the 27county-tiershire counties. In 1974, all ceremonial counties were two-tier; and with the metropolitan county tier phased out, the 1996 reform separated the ceremonial county and the administrative county tier. England is also divided into local government districts.The district can align to a","can align to a ceremonial county, or be a district tier within ashire county, be aroyalormetropolitan borough, haveboroughorcity status, or be aunitary authority. At the community level, much of England is divided intocivil parisheswith their owncouncils; in Greater London only one such parish,Queen's Park, exists as of 2014after they wereabolished in 1965until legislationallowed their recreationin 2007. London From 1994 until the early 2010s England was divided for a few purposes into regions; a1998 referendumfor the London Region created theLondon Assemblytwo years later.A failed2004 North East England devolution referendumcancelled furtherregional assemblydevolutionwith the regional structure outside London abolished. Ceremonially and administratively, the region is divided between theCity of LondonandGreater London; these are further divided into the 32London Boroughsand the 25Wards of the City of London. Geography Landscape and rivers Geographically, England includes the central and southern two-thirds","southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain, plus such offshore islands as theIsle of Wightand theIsles of Scilly. It is bordered by two other countries of the United Kingdom:to the northby Scotland andto the westby Wales. England is closer than any other part of mainland Britain to the European continent. It is separated fromFrance(Hauts-de-France) by a 21-mile (34 km)sea gap, though the two countries are connected by theChannel TunnelnearFolkestone.England also has shores on theIrish Sea,North Seaand Atlantic Ocean. The ports of London,Liverpool, andNewcastlelie on the tidal riversThames,MerseyandTynerespectively. At 220 miles (350 km), theSevernis the longest river flowing through England.It empties into theBristol Channeland is notable for itsSevern Bore(atidal bore), which can reach 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height.However, the longest river entirely in England is the Thames, which is 215 miles (346 km) in length.There are manylakes in England; the largest isWindermere, within the aptly namedLake","the aptly namedLake District. Most of England's landscape consists of low hills and plains, with upland and mountainous terrain in the north and west of the country. The northern uplands include thePennines, a chain of uplands dividing east and west, the Lake District mountains in Cumbria, and theCheviot Hills, straddling the border between England and Scotland. The highest point in England, at 978 metres (3,209 ft), isScafell Pikein the Lake District.TheShropshire Hillsare near Wales whileDartmoorandExmoorare two upland areas in the south-west of the country. The approximate dividing line between terrain types is often indicated by theTees–Exe line. The Pennines, known as the \"backbone of England\", are the oldest range of mountains in the country, originating from the end of thePaleozoic Eraaround 300 million years ago.Their geological composition includes, among others,sandstoneandlimestone, and also coal. There arekarstlandscapes in calcite areas such as parts ofYorkshireandDerbyshire. The Pennine","The Pennine landscape is highmoorlandin upland areas, indented by fertile valleys of the region's rivers. They contain twonational parks, theYorkshire Dalesand thePeak District. In theWest Country, Dartmoor and Exmoor of the Southwest Peninsula include upland moorland supported by granite. TheEnglish Lowlandsare in the central and southern regions of the country, consisting of green rolling hills, including theCotswold Hills,Chiltern Hills,NorthandSouth Downs; where they meet the sea they form white rock exposures such as thecliffs of Dover. This also includes relatively flat plains such as theSalisbury Plain,Somerset Levels,South Coast PlainandThe Fens. Climate England has atemperatemaritime climate: it is mild with temperatures not much lower than 0 °C (32 °F) in winter and not much higher than 32 °C (90 °F) in summer.The weather is damp relatively frequently and is changeable. The coldest months are January and February, the latter particularly on theEnglish coast, while July is normally the warmest","the warmest month. Months with mild to warm weather are May, June, September and October.Rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year. Important influences on the climate of England are its proximity to theAtlantic Ocean, its northernlatitudeand the warming of the sea by theGulf Stream.Rainfall is higher in the west, and parts of theLake Districtreceive more rain than anywhere else in the country.Since weather records began, the highest temperature recorded was 40.3 °C (104.5 °F) on 19 July 2022 atConingsby,Lincolnshire,while the lowest was −26.1 °C (−15.0 °F) on 10 January 1982 inEdgmond, Shropshire. Nature and wildlife The fauna of England is similar to that of other areas in theBritish Isleswith a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate life in a diverse range of habitats.National nature reserves in Englandare designated byNatural Englandas key places forwildlifeand natural features in England. They were established to protect the most significant areas of habitat and of geological formations.","formations. NNRs are managed on behalf of the nation, many by Natural England themselves, but also by non-governmental organisations, including the members ofThe Wildlife Trustspartnership, theNational Trust, and theRoyal Society for the Protection of Birds. There are 221 NNRs in England covering 110,000 hectares (1,100 square kilometres). Often they contain rare species or nationally important populations of plants and animals.. TheEnvironment Agencyis a non-departmental public body, established in 1995 and sponsored by theDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairswith responsibilities relating to the protection and enhancement of the environment in England.TheSecretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairsis the minister responsible for environmental protection, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in England. England has atemperate oceanic climatein most areas, lacking extremes of cold or heat, but does have a few small areas ofsubarcticand warmer areas inthe South West. Towards","South West. Towards theNorth of Englandthe climate becomes colder and most of England's mountains and high hills are located here and have a major impact on the climate and thus the local fauna of the areas.Deciduouswoodlands are common across all of England and provide a great habitat for much of England's wildlife, but these give way in northern and upland areas of England toconiferousforests (mainly plantations) which also benefit certain forms of wildlife. Some species have adapted to the expanded urban environment, particularly thered fox, which is the most successfulurban mammalafter thebrown rat, and other animals such ascommon wood pigeon, both of which thrive in urban and suburban areas. Major conurbations TheGreater London Built-up Areais by far the largest urban area in Englandand one of the busiest cities in the world. It is considered aglobal cityand has a population larger than any other country in the United Kingdom besides England itself.Other urban areas of considerable size and influence","size and influence tend to be innorthern Englandor theEnglish Midlands.There are50 settlementswhich have designatedcity status in England, while the wider United Kingdom has 66. While many cities in England are quite large, such asBirmingham,Sheffield,Manchester,Liverpool,Leeds,Newcastle,Bradford,Nottingham, population size is not a prerequisite for city status.Traditionally the status was given to towns withdiocesan cathedrals, so there are smaller cities likeWells,Ely,Ripon,TruroandChichester. Economy England's economy is one of the largest and most dynamic in the world, with an averageGDP per capitaof £37,852 in 2022.HM Treasury, led by theChancellor of the Exchequer, is responsible for developing and executing the government'spublic financepolicy andeconomic policy.Usually regarded as amixed market economy, it has adopted manyfree marketprinciples, yet maintains an advanced social welfare infrastructure. The economy of England is the largest part of theUK's economy.England is a leader in the chemical and","in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors and in key technical industries, particularlyaerospace, thearms industry, and thesoftware industry. London, home to theLondon Stock Exchange, the United Kingdom's mainstock exchangeand the largest in Europe, is England's financial centre, with 100 of Europe's 500 largest corporations being based there.London is the largest financial centre in Europe and as of 2014 is the second largest in the world. London has also been named as the fastest growing technology hub in Europe, with England having over 100 unique tech companies with a value of $1 billion or more.TheBank of England, founded in 1694 as private banker to the government of England and astate-owned institutionsince 1946, is the United Kingdom'scentral bank.The bank has a monopoly on the issue of banknotes inEngland and Wales, although not in other parts of the UK. The government has devolved responsibility to the bank'sMonetary Policy Committeefor managing the monetary policy of the country and setting","country and setting interest rates. England is highly industrialised, but since the 1970s there has been a decline in traditional heavy and manufacturing industries, and an increasing emphasis on a moreservice industryoriented economy.Tourism has become a significant industry, attracting millions of visitors to England each year. The export part of the economy is dominated bypharmaceuticals, automotives,crude oiland petroleum from the English parts ofNorth Sea oilalong withWytch Farm,aircraft enginesand alcoholic beverages.Thecreative industriesaccounted for 7 per cent GVA in 2005 and grew at an average of 6 per cent per annum between 1997 and 2005. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanised and efficient by European standards, producing 60% of food needs with only 2% of the labour force.Two-thirds of production is devoted to livestock, the remainder to arable crops.The main crops that are grown arewheat,barley,oats,potatoes, andsugar beets. England retains a significant fishing industry. Its fleets bring","Its fleets bring home a variety of fish, ranging fromsoletoherring. England is also rich in natural resources includingcoal,petroleum,natural gas,tin,limestone,iron ore,salt,clay,chalk,gypsum,lead, and silica. Science and technology Prominent English figures from the field of science and mathematics include SirIsaac Newton,Charles Darwin,Robert Hooke,Alan Turing,Stephen Hawking,Edward Jenner,Francis Crick,Joseph Lister,Joseph Priestley,Thomas Young,Christopher WrenandRichard Dawkins. England was a leading centre of theScientific Revolutionfrom the 17th century.As the birthplace of theIndustrial Revolution, England was home to many significant inventors during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Famous English engineers includeIsambard Kingdom Brunel, best known for the creation of theGreat Western Railway, a series of famoussteamships, and numerous important bridges, revolutionising public transport and modern-day engineering.Thomas Newcomen'ssteam enginehelped spawn the Industrial Revolution. The Father","The Father of Railways,George Stephenson, built the first public inter-city railway line in the world, theLiverpool and Manchester Railway, which opened in 1830. With his role in the marketing and manufacturing of the steam engine, and invention of modern coinage,Matthew Boulton(business partner ofJames Watt) is regarded as one of the most influential entrepreneurs in history.The physicianEdward Jenner'ssmallpox vaccineis said to have \"saved more lives ... than were lost in all the wars of mankind since the beginning of recorded history.\" Inventions and discoveries of the English include thejet engine; the first industrialspinning machine;the first computerand the firstmodern computer; theWorld Wide Webalong withHTML; the first successful humanblood transfusion; the motorisedvacuum cleaner;thelawn mower; theseat belt; thehovercraft; theelectric motor;steam engines; and theories such as the Darwinian theory ofevolutionandatomic theory. Newton developed the ideas ofuniversal gravitation,Newtonian mechanics,","mechanics, andcalculus, andRobert Hookehis eponymously namedlaw of elasticity. Other inventions include the iron plate railway, thethermosiphon,tarmac, therubber band, themousetrap,\"cat's eye\"road marker, joint development of thelight bulb, steamlocomotives, the modernseed drilland many modern techniques and technologies used inprecision engineering. TheRoyal Society, formallyThe Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge,is alearned societyand theUnited Kingdom's nationalacademy of sciences. Founded on 28 November 1660,It is the oldest national scientific institution in the world.TheRoyal Institution of Great Britainwas founded in 1799 by leading English scientists, includingHenry Cavendish.Some experts claim that the earliest concept of ametric systemwas invented byJohn Wilkinsin 1668. Scientific research and development remains important in theuniversities of England, with many establishingscience parksto facilitate production and co-operation with industry.Cambridgeis the most intensive","the most intensive research cluster for science and technology in the world.In 2022, the UK produced 6.3 per cent of the world's scientific research papers and had a 10.5 per cent share of scientific citations, the third highest in the world (after the United States and China).Scientific journals produced in England includeNature, theBritish Medical JournalandThe Lancet. TheDepartment for Science, Innovation and Technology,Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, andMinister of State for Science, Research and Innovationhas responsibility for science in England. Transport TheDepartment for Transportis the government body responsible for overseeing transport in England. The department is run by theSecretary of State for Transport. England has a dense and modern transportation infrastructure. There are manymotorways in England, and many other trunk roads, such as theA1 Great North Road, which runs through eastern England from London to Newcastle(much of this section is motorway) and onward to","and onward to the Scottish border. The longest motorway in England is theM6, fromRugbythrough theNorth Westup to theAnglo-Scottish border, a distance of 232 miles (373 km).Other major routes include: theM1from London to Leeds, theM25which encircles London, theM60which encircles Manchester, theM4from London to South Wales, theM62from Liverpool via Manchester to East Yorkshire, and theM5from Birmingham to Bristol and the South West. Bus transport across the country is widespread; major companies includeArriva,FirstGroup,Go-Ahead Group,Mobico Group,RotalaandStagecoach Group.Bus rapid transitoriginated in England with theRuncornBusway opening in 1971.The reddouble-decker busesin London have become a symbol of England.National Cycle Routeoffers cycling routes nationally. Rail transport in Englandis the oldest in the world: passenger railways originated in England in 1825.Much of Britain's 10,000 miles (16,000 km) of rail network lies in England, covering the country fairly extensively. There is rail transport","is rail transport access to France and Belgium through an undersea rail link, theChannel Tunnel, which was completed in 1994. Great British Railwaysis a planned state-owned public body that will overseerail transport in Great Britainfrom 2024. TheOffice of Rail and Roadis responsible for the economic and safety regulation of England's railways.Crossrailwas Europe's largest construction project with a £15 billion projected cost, opened in 2022.High Speed 2, a new high-speed north–south railway line, is under construction. There is arapid transitnetwork in two English cities: theLondon Underground, and theTyne and Wear MetroinNewcastle upon Tyne,GatesheadandSunderland.There are several extensive tram networks, such as theManchester Metrolink,Sheffield Supertram,West Midlands Metro,Nottingham Express Transit, andTramlinkin South London.England also has extensive domestic and international aviation links. The largest airport isHeathrow, which is theworld's second busiest airport measured by number of","by number of international passengers. By sea there is ferry transport, both local and international, including from Liverpool to Ireland and the Isle of Man, and Hull to the Netherlands and Belgium.There are around 4,400 miles (7,100 km) of navigable waterways in England, half of which is owned by theCanal & River Trust,however, water transport is very limited. TheRiver Thamesis the major waterway in England, with imports and exports focused at thePort of Tilburyin theThames Estuary, one of the United Kingdom's three major ports. Energy Successive governments have outlined numerous commitments to reducecarbon dioxideemissions. Notably, the UK isone of the best sites in Europe for wind energy, and wind power production is its fastest growing supply.Wind power contributed 26.8% of UK electricity generation in 2022.England is home toHornsea 2, the largest offshore wind farm in the world, situated in waters roughly 89 kilometres off the coast of Yorkshire. TheClimate Change Act 2008was passed in Parliament with","in Parliament with an overwhelming majority across political parties. It sets out emission reduction targets that the UK must comply with legally. It represents the first global legally bindingclimate change mitigationtarget set by a country.UK government energy policyaims to play a key role in limitinggreenhouse gas emissions, while meeting energy demand. Shifting availabilities of resources and development of technologies also change the country'senergy mixthrough changes in costs. The current energy policy is the responsibility of theDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroandSecretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.TheMinister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growthis responsible for green finance, climate science and innovation, and low carbon generation.In 2022, the United Kingdom was ranked 2 out of 180 countries in theEnvironmental Performance Index.A law has been passed thatUK greenhouse gas emissionswill benet zeroby 2050. Healthcare TheNational Health Service(NHS), is the","is the publicly fundedhealthcare systemresponsible for providing the majority of healthcare in the country. The NHS began on 5 July 1948, putting into effect the provisions of theNational Health Service Act 1946. It was based on the findings of theBeveridge Report, prepared by the economist and social reformer,William Beveridge.The NHS is largely funded by general taxation andNational Insurancepayments;it provides most of its services free at the point of use, although there are charges for some people for eye tests, dental care, prescriptions and aspects of personal care. The government department responsible for the NHS is theDepartment of Health, under theSecretary of State for Health. Most of the department's expenses are on the NHS – £98.6 billion was spent in 2008–2009.Regulatory bodies such as theGeneral Medical Counciland theNursing and Midwifery Councilare organised on a UK-wide basis, as are non-governmental bodies such as theRoyal Colleges. The averagelife expectancyis 77.5 years for males and","years for males and 81.7 years for females, the highest of the fourcountries of the United Kingdom.The south of England has a higher life expectancy than the north, but regional differences seem to be slowly narrowing: between 1991–1993 and 2012–2014, life expectancy in the North East increased by 6.0 years and in the North West by 5.8 years. Demography Population With over 56 million inhabitants, England is by far the most populous country of the United Kingdom, accounting for 84% of the combined total.England taken as a unit and measured against international states would be the 26th largestcountry by populationin the world. TheEnglish peopleareBritish people.There is an English diaspora in former parts of the British Empire; especially theUnited States,Canada,Australia,South AfricaandNew Zealand.Since the late 1990s, many English peoplehave migratedto Spain.Due in particular to the economic prosperity ofSouth East England, it has received many economic migrants from the other parts of the United","parts of the United Kingdom.There has beensignificant Irish migration.The proportion of ethnically European residents totals at 81.7%,includingWhite British,GermansandPoles,down from 94.1% in 1991.Other people from much further afield in the former British colonies have arrived since the 1950s: in particular, about 7% of people living in England have familyorigins in the Indian subcontinent, mostlyIndia,PakistanandBangladesh.About 0.7% areChinese,0.6% areArabs.4.0% of the population areblack, from Africa and theCaribbean, especially former British colonies,and 2.9% identified as multiracial ormixed. In 2007, 22% of primary school children in England were fromethnic minorityfamilies,and in 2011 that figure was 26.5%.About half of the population increase between 1991 and 2001 was due to immigration. England contains one indigenous national minority, theCornish people, recognised by the UK government under theFramework Convention for the Protection of National Minoritiesin 2014. Language (thousands) English,","English, today widely spoken around the world,originated in what is now England, where it remains the principal tongue. According to a 2011 census, it is spoken well or very well by 98% of the population English language learning and teachingis an importanteconomic activity. There is nolegislationmandating anofficial languagefor England,but English is the only language used for official business. Despite the country's relatively small size, there are many distinctregional accents. Cornish died out as a community language in the 18th century but is being revived,and is now protected under theEuropean Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.It is spoken by 0.1% of people inCornwall,and is taught to some degree in several primary and secondary schools. State schoolsteach students asecond languageorthird languagefrom the ages of seven, most commonly French, Spanish or German.It was reported in 2007 that around 800,000 school students spoke aforeign languageat home,the most common beingPunjabiandUrdu. However,","However, following the 2011 census data released by theOffice for National Statistics, figures now show that Polish is the main language spoken in England after English.In 2022,British Sign Languagebecame an official language of England when theBritish Sign Language Act 2022came into effect. Religion In the 2011 census, 59.4% of the population of England specified their religion as Christian, 24.7% answered that they had no religion, 5% specified that they wereMuslim, while 3.7% of the population belongs to other religions and 7.2% did not give an answer.Christianity is the most widely practised religion in England. Theestablished churchof England is theChurch of England,which left communion withRomein the 1530s whenHenry VIIIwas unable to annul his marriage toCatherine of Aragon. The church regards itself as both Catholic andProtestant. There areHigh ChurchandLow Churchtraditions and some Anglicans regard themselves asAnglo-Catholics, following theTractarian movement. The monarch of the United Kingdom is","United Kingdom is thesupreme governor of the Church of England, which has around 26 million baptised members (of whom the vast majority are not regular churchgoers). It forms part of theAnglican Communionwith theArchbishop of Canterburyacting as its symbolic worldwide head.Manycathedralsand parish churches are historic buildings of significant architectural importance, such asWestminster Abbey,York Minster,Durham Cathedral, andSalisbury Cathedral. The second-largest Christian denomination is theCatholic Church. Since its reintroduction after theCatholic Emancipation, the Church has organised ecclesiastically on anEngland and Walesbasis where there are 4.5 million members (most of whom are English).There has been one Pope from England to date,Adrian IV, while saintsBedeandAnselmare regarded asDoctors of the Church. A form ofProtestantismknown asMethodismis the third largest Christian practice and grew out of Anglicanism throughJohn Wesley.It gained popularity in themill townsofLancashireandYorkshire, and","and among tin miners inCornwall.There are othernon-conformistminorities, such asBaptists,Quakers,Congregationalists,UnitariansandThe Salvation Army. The patron saint of England isSaint George; his symbolic cross is included in the flag of England.There are many other English and associated saints, includingCuthbert,Edmund,Alban,Wilfrid,Aidan,Edward the Confessor,John Fisher,Thomas More,Petroc,Piran,Margaret ClitherowandThomas Becket. There are non-Christian religions practised.Jewshave a history of a small minority on the island since 1070.They were expelled from England in 1290 following theEdict of Expulsion, and were allowed back in 1656. Especially since the 1950s, religions from theformer British colonieshave grown in numbers, due to immigration.Islamis the most common of these, now accounting for around 5% of the population in England.Hinduism,SikhismandBuddhismare next in number, adding up to 2.8% combined,introduced from India andSoutheast Asia. A small minority of the population practise","population practise ancientPagan religions.Neopaganism in the United Kingdomis primarily represented byWiccaandNeopagan witchcraft,Druidry, andHeathenry. According to the2011 census, there are roughly 53,172 people who identify as Pagan in England,including 11,026Wiccans.24.7% of people in England declaredno religion, compared with 14.6% in 2001.Norwichhad the highest such proportion at 42.5%, followed byBrighton and Hoveat 42.4%. Education TheDepartment for Educationis the government department responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including education.State-funded schools are attended by approximately 93% of English schoolchildren.Education is the responsibility of theSecretary of State for Education. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 attend nursery or anEarly Years Foundation Stagereception unit within a primary school. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 attend primary school, and secondary school is attended by those aged between 11 and 16. State-funded schools are","schools are obliged by law to teach theNational Curriculum; basic areas of learning include English literature, English language, mathematics, science, art & design, citizenship, history, geography, religious education, design & technology, computing, ancient & modern languages, music, and physical education. TheProgramme for International Student Assessmentcoordinated by theOECDcurrently ranks the overall knowledge and skills of British 15-year-olds as 13th in the world in literacy, mathematics, and science with the average British student scoring 503.7, well above the OECD average of 493. Although most English secondary schools are comprehensive, there are selective intakegrammar schoolsto which entrance is subject to passing theeleven-plusexam. Around 7.2 per cent of English schoolchildren attendprivate schools, which are funded by private sources.Standards in state schools are monitored by theOffice for Standards in Education, and in private schools by theIndependent Schools Inspectorate. After finishing","After finishing compulsory education, students takeGCSEexaminations. Students may then opt to continue intofurther educationfor two years.Further education colleges(particularlysixth form colleges) often form part of a secondary school site.A-levelexaminations are sat by a large number of further education students, and often form the basis of an application to university. Further education covers a wide curriculum of study andapprenticeships, includingT-levels,BTEC,NVQand others.Tertiary collegesprovide both academic and vocational courses. Higher education Higher education students normally attend university from age 18 onwards, where they study for anacademic degree. There are over 90 universities in England, all but one of which arepublic institutions. TheDepartment for Business, Innovation and Skillsis the government department responsible for higher education in England.Students are generally entitled tostudent loansto covertuition feesand living costs.The first degree offered to undergraduates is","undergraduates is thebachelor's degree, which usually takes three years to complete. Students are then able to work towards a postgraduate degree, which usually takes one year, or a doctorate, which takes three or more years. England's universitiesinclude some of the highest-ranked universities in the world. As of 2024, four England-based universities, theUniversity of Cambridge,University of Oxford,Imperial College London, andUniversity College London, are ranked among the top ten in the 2024QS World University Rankings. The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, and the University of Oxford, founded in 1096, are the twooldest universities in the English-speaking world. TheLondon School of Economicshas been described as the world's leading social science institution for both teaching and research.TheLondon Business Schoolis considered one of the world's leading business schools and in 2010 its MBA programme was ranked best in the world by theFinancial Times.Academic degreesin England are usually split","are usually split into classes: first class, upper second class, lower second class, third, and unclassified.The King's School, CanterburyandKing's School, Rochesterare the oldest schools in the English-speaking world.Many of England's most well-known schools, such asWinchester College,Eton,St Paul's School,Harrow SchoolandRugby Schoolare fee-paying institutions. Culture Architecture Many ancientstanding stonemonuments were erected during the prehistoric period; among the best known areStonehenge,Devil's Arrows,Rudston MonolithandCastlerigg.With the introduction ofAncient Roman architecturethere was a development ofbasilicas,baths,amphitheaters,triumphal arches,villas,Roman temples,Roman roads,Roman forts,stockadesandaqueducts.It was the Romans who founded the first cities and towns such as London, Bath, York, Chester and St Albans. Perhaps the best-known example isHadrian's Wallstretching right across northern England.Another well-preserved example is theRoman BathsatBath, Somerset. Early medieval","Early medieval architecture's secular buildings were simple constructions mainly using timber withthatchfor roofing. Ecclesiastical architecture ranged from a synthesis ofHiberno–Saxonmonasticism,toEarly Christianbasilicaand architecture characterised by pilaster-strips, blank arcading, baluster shafts and triangular headed openings. After the Norman conquest in 1066 variouscastleswere created; the best known include theTower of London,Warwick Castle,Durham CastleandWindsor Castle. Throughout the Plantagenet era, anEnglish Gothic architectureflourished, with prime examples including themedieval cathedralssuch asCanterbury Cathedral,Westminster AbbeyandYork Minster.Expanding on theNorman basethere was alsocastles,palaces,great houses, universities andparish churches. Medieval architecture was completed with the 16th-centuryTudor style; the four-centred arch, now known as theTudor arch, was a defining feature as werewattle and daubhouses domestically. In the aftermath of theRenaissancea form of architecture","of architecture echoing classical antiquity synthesised with Christianity appeared, theEnglish Baroquestyle of architectChristopher Wrenbeing particularly championed. Georgian architecturefollowed in a more refined style, evoking a simple Palladian form; theRoyal Crescentat Bath is one of the best examples of this. With the emergence ofromanticismduring Victorian period, aGothic Revivalwas launched. In addition to this, around the same time the Industrial Revolution paved the way for buildings such asThe Crystal Palace. Since the 1930s variousmodernistforms have appeared whose reception is often controversial, though traditionalist resistance movements continue with support in influential places. Gardens Landscape gardening, as developed byCapability Brown, set an international trend for theEnglish landscape garden. Gardening, and visiting gardens, are regarded as typically English pursuits. The English garden presented an idealized view of nature. At large country houses, the English garden usually included","usually included lakes, sweeps of gently rolling lawns set against groves of trees, and recreations of classical temples,Gothicruins, bridges, and other picturesque architecture, designed to recreate an idyllic pastoral landscape. By the end of the 18th century, the English garden was being imitated by theFrench landscape garden, and as far away asPavlovsk, Saint Petersburg, the gardens of the futureEmperor Paul. It also had a major influence on thepublic parksand gardens which appeared around the world in the 19th century.The English landscape garden was centred on theEnglish country houseand manor houses. English Heritageand theNational Trustpreserve great gardens and landscape parks throughout the country.TheRHS Chelsea Flower Showis held every year by theRoyal Horticultural Societyand is said to be the largest gardening show in the world. Folklore English folklore developed over many centuries. Some of the characters and stories are present across England, but most belong to specific regions. Common","regions. Common folkloric beings includepixies,giants,elves,bogeymen,trolls,goblinsanddwarves. While many legends and folk-customs are thought to be ancient, such as the tales featuringOffa of AngelandWayland the Smith,others date from after the Norman invasion. The legends featuringRobin Hoodand hisMerry MenofSherwood, and their battles with theSheriff of Nottingham, are among the best-known of these. During theHigh Middle Agestales originating from Brythonic traditions entered English folklore and developed into theArthurian myth.These were derived fromAnglo-Norman, Welsh and French sources,featuringKing Arthur,Camelot,Excalibur,Merlinand theKnights of the Round Tablesuch asLancelot. These stories are most centrally brought together withinGeoffrey of Monmouth'sHistoria Regum Britanniae(History of the Kings of Britain). Some folk figures are based on semi or actual historical people whose story has been passed down centuries.On 5 November people celebrateBonfire Nightto commemorate the foiling of","the foiling of theGunpowder Plotcentred onGuy Fawkes. There are various national and regional folk activities, participated in to this day, such asMorris dancing,Maypole dancing,Rapper swordin the North East,Long Sword dancein Yorkshire,Mummers Plays,bottle-kickingin Leicestershire, andcheese-rollingatCooper's Hill.There is no official national costume, but a few are well established such as thePearly Kings and Queensassociated with cockneys, theRoyal Guard, theMorris costumeandBeefeaters. Cuisine Since theearly modern periodthe food of England has historically been characterised by its simplicity of approach and a reliance on the high quality of natural produce.During theMiddle Agesand the Renaissance, English cuisine enjoyed an excellent reputation, though a decline began during theIndustrial Revolutionwith increasing urbanisation. The cuisine of England has, however, recently undergone a revival, which has been recognised by food critics with some good ratings inRestaurant'sbest restaurant in the","restaurant in the worldcharts. Traditional examples of English food include theSunday roast, featuring aroasted joint(usually beef,lamb, chicken or pork) served with assorted vegetables,Yorkshire puddingandgravy.Other prominent meals includefish and chipsand thefull English breakfast(generally consisting ofbacon,sausages, grilled tomatoes, fried bread,black pudding,baked beans,mushroomsand eggs).Variousmeat piesare consumed, such assteak and kidney pie,steak and ale pie,cottage pie,pork pie(usually eaten cold)and theCornish pasty. Sausages are commonly eaten, either asbangers and mashortoad in the hole.Lancashire hotpotis a well-known stew originating in the northwest. Some of the more popular cheeses areCheddar,Red Leicester,Wensleydale,Double GloucesterandBlue Stilton. ManyAnglo-Indianhybrid dishes,curries, have been created, such aschicken tikka masalaandbalti. Traditional English dessert dishes includeapple pieor other fruit pies;spotted dick– all generally served withcustard; and, more recently,sticky","recently,sticky toffee pudding. Sweet pastries includesconesserved with jam or cream, dried fruit loaves,Eccles cakesandmince piesas well as sweet or spiced biscuits. Common non-alcoholic drinks include teaand coffee; frequently consumed alcoholic drinks include wine,cidersandEnglish beers, such asbitter,mild,stoutandbrown ale. Visual arts The earliest known examples are the prehistoric rock andcave artpieces, most prominent inNorth Yorkshire, Northumberland andCumbria, but also feature further south, for example atCreswell Crags.With the arrival ofRoman culturein the 1st century, various forms of art such as statues, busts, glasswork and mosaics were the norm. There are numerous surviving artefacts, such as those atLullingstoneandAldborough.During the Early Middle Ages the style favoured sculpted crosses and ivories, manuscript painting, gold and enamel jewellery, demonstrating a love of intricate, interwoven designs such as in theStaffordshire Hoarddiscovered in 2009. Some of these blendedGaelic and","blendedGaelic and Anglianstyles, such as theLindisfarne GospelsandVespasian Psalter.LaterGothic artwas popular at Winchester and Canterbury, examples survive such asBenedictional of St. ÆthelwoldandLuttrell Psalter. The Tudor era sawprominent artistsas part of their court; portrait painting, which would remain an enduring part of English art, was boosted by GermanHans Holbein, and natives such asNicholas Hilliardbuilt on this.Under the Stuarts, Continental artists were influential especially the Flemish, examples from the period includeAnthony van Dyck,Peter Lely,Godfrey KnellerandWilliam Dobson.The 18th century saw the founding of theRoyal Academy; aclassicismbased on theHigh Renaissanceprevailed, withThomas GainsboroughandJoshua Reynoldsbecoming two of England's most treasured artists. In the 19th century,John ConstableandJ. M. W. Turnerwere major landscape artists. TheNorwich Schoolcontinued the landscape tradition, while thePre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, led by artists such asHolman Hunt,Dante Gabriel","Hunt,Dante Gabriel RossettiandJohn Everett Millais, revived theEarly Renaissancestyle with their vivid and detailed style.Prominent among 20th-century artists wasHenry Moore, regarded as the voice of British sculpture, and of British modernism in general.TheRoyal Society of Artsis an organisation committed to the arts. Literature, poetry, and philosophy Early authors such asBedeandAlcuinwrote in Latin.The period ofOld English literatureprovided the epic poemBeowulfand the secular prose of theAnglo-Saxon Chronicle,along with Christian writings such asJudith,Cædmon'sHymnandhagiographies.Following the Norman conquestLatincontinued among the educated classes, as well as anAnglo-Norman literature. Middle English literatureemerged withGeoffrey Chaucer, author ofThe Canterbury Tales, along withGower, thePearl PoetandLangland.William of OckhamandRoger Bacon, who wereFranciscans, were major philosophers of the Middle Ages.Julian of Norwich, who wroteRevelations of Divine Love, was a prominent Christian mystic. With","mystic. With theEnglish Renaissanceliterature in theEarly Modern Englishstyle appeared.William Shakespeare, whose works includeHamlet,Romeo and Juliet,Macbeth, andA Midsummer Night's Dream, remains one of the most championed authors in English literature. Christopher Marlowe,Edmund Spenser,Philip Sydney,Thomas Kyd,John Donne, andBen Jonsonare other established authors of theElizabethan age.Francis BaconandThomas Hobbeswrote onempiricismandmaterialism, includingscientific methodandsocial contract.Filmerwrote on theDivine Right of Kings.Marvellwas the best-known poet of theCommonwealth,whileJohn MiltonauthoredParadise Lostduring theRestoration. This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, this other Eden, demi-paradise; this fortress, built by nature for herself. This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England. William Shakespeare. Some of the most prominent philosophers of theEnlightenmentwereJohn Locke,Thomas Paine,Samuel JohnsonandJeremy Bentham. More","Bentham. More radical elements were later countered byEdmund Burkewho is regarded as the founder of conservatism.The poetAlexander Popewith his satirical verse became well regarded. The English played a significant role inromanticism:Samuel Taylor Coleridge,Lord Byron,John Keats,Mary Shelley,Percy Bysshe Shelley,William BlakeandWilliam Wordsworthwere major figures. In response to theIndustrial Revolution, agrarian writers sought a way betweenlibertyand tradition;William Cobbett,G. K. ChestertonandHilaire Bellocwere main exponents, while the founder ofguild socialism,Arthur Penty, andcooperative movementadvocateG. D. H. Coleare somewhat related.Empiricism continued throughJohn Stuart MillandBertrand Russell, whileBernard Williamswas involved inanalytics. Authors from around theVictorian eraincludeCharles Dickens, theBrontë sisters,Jane Austen,George Eliot,Rudyard Kipling,Thomas Hardy,H. G. WellsandLewis Carroll.Since then England has continued to produce novelists such asGeorge Orwell,D. H. Lawrence,Virginia","Lawrence,Virginia Woolf,C. S. Lewis,Enid Blyton,Aldous Huxley,Agatha Christie,Terry Pratchett,J. R. R. Tolkien, andJ. K. Rowling. Performing arts The traditionalfolk music of Englandis centuries old and has contributed to several genres prominently; mostlysea shanties,jigs,hornpipesanddance music. It has its own distinct variations and regional peculiarities. Ballads featuring Robin Hood, printed byWynkyn de Wordein the 16th century, are an important artefact, as areJohn Playford'sThe Dancing MasterandRobert Harley'sRoxburghe Balladscollections.Some of the best-known songs areGreensleeves,Pastime with Good Company,Maggie MayandSpanish Ladiesamong others. Manynursery rhymesare of English origin such asMary, Mary, Quite Contrary,Roses Are Red,Jack and Jill,London Bridge Is Falling Down,The Grand Old Duke of York,Hey Diddle DiddleandHumpty Dumpty.Traditional English Christmas carols include \"We Wish You a Merry Christmas\", \"The First Noel\", \"I Saw Three Ships\" and \"God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen\". Early English","Early English composers in classical music include Renaissance artistsThomas TallisandWilliam Byrd, followed byHenry Purcellfrom theBaroque periodandThomas Arnewho was well known for his patriotic songRule, Britannia!. German-bornGeorge Frideric Handelspent most of his composing life in London and became a national icon in Britain, creating some of the most well-known works of classical music, especially his English oratorios,The Messiah,Solomon,Water Music, andMusic for the Royal Fireworks. Classical music attracted much attention in the 18th century with the formation of theBirmingham Triennial Music Festival, which was the longest running classical music festival of its kind until the final concerts in 1912. TheEnglish Musical Renaissancewas a hypothetical development in the late 19th and early 20th century, when English composers, often those lecturing or trained at theRoyal College of Music, were said to have freed themselves from foreign musical influences. There was a revival in the profile of","in the profile of composers from England in the 20th century led byEdward Elgar,Benjamin Britten,Frederick Delius,Gustav Holst,Ralph Vaughan Williamsand others.Present-day composers from England includeMichael Nyman, best known forThe Piano, andAndrew Lloyd Webber, whose musicals have achieved enormous success in theWest Endand worldwide. Inpopular music, many English bands and solo artists have been cited as the most influential and best-selling musicians of all time. Acts such asthe Beatles,Led Zeppelin,Pink Floyd,Elton John,Queen,Rod Stewart,David Bowie,the Rolling StonesandDef Leppardare among the highest-selling recording artists in the world.Many musical genres have origins in (or strong associations with) England, such asBritish invasion,progressive rock,hard rock,Mod,glam rock,heavy metal,Britpop,indie rock,gothic rock,shoegazing,acid house,garage,trip hop,drum and bassanddubstep. Large outdoormusic festivalsin the summer and autumn are popular, such asGlastonbury,V Festival, and theReading and Leeds","and Leeds Festivals. England was at the forefront of the illegal, freeravemovement from the late 1980s, which inspired the pan-European culture ofteknivals.TheBoishakhi Melais aBengali New Yearfestival celebrated by theBritish Bangladeshicommunity. It is the largest open-air Asian festival in Europe. After theNotting Hill Carnival, it is the second-largest street festival in the UK, attracting over 80,000 visitors. The most prominentopera housein England is theRoyal Opera HouseatCovent Garden.The Promsis a major annual cultural event in the English calendar.The Royal Balletis one of the world's foremost classical ballet companies. TheRoyal Academy of Musicis the oldestconservatoirein the UK, founded in 1822, receiving itsroyal charterin 1830.England is home to numerous major orchestras such as theBBC Symphony Orchestra, theRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra, thePhilharmonia Orchestra, and theLondon Symphony Orchestra.Other forms of entertainment that originated in England include thecircusand thepantomime. Cinema","Cinema England has had a considerable influence on the history of the cinema, producing some of the greatest actors, directors and motion pictures of all time, includingAlfred Hitchcock,Charlie Chaplin,David Lean,Laurence Olivier,Vivien Leigh,John Gielgud,Peter Sellers,Julie Andrews,Michael Caine,Gary Oldman,Helen Mirren,Kate WinsletandDaniel Day-Lewis. Hitchcock and Lean are among the most critically acclaimed filmmakers.Hitchcock'sThe Lodger: A Story of the London Fog(1926) helped shape thethrillergenre in film, while his 1929Blackmailis often regarded as the first Britishsoundfeature film. Major film studios in England includePinewood,ElstreeandShepperton. Some of the most commercially successful films of all time have been produced in England, including two of thehighest-grossing film franchises(Harry PotterandJames Bond).Ealing Studiosin London has a claim to being the oldest continuously working film studio in the world.Famous for recording many motion picturefilm scores, theLondon Symphony","theLondon Symphony Orchestrafirst performed film music in 1935.TheHammer Horrorfilms starringChristopher Leesaw the production of the first gory horror films showing blood and guts in colour. TheBFI Top 100 British filmsincludesMonty Python's Life of Brian(1979), a film regularly voted the funniest of all time by the UK public.English producers are also active ininternational co-productionsand English actors, directors and crew feature regularly in American films. The UK film council rankedDavid Yates,Christopher Nolan,Mike Newell,Ridley ScottandPaul Greengrassthe five most commercially successful English directors since 2001.Other contemporary English directors includeSam Mendes,Guy RitchieandRichard Curtis. Current actors includeTom Hardy,Daniel Craig,Benedict Cumberbatch,Lena Headey,Felicity Jones,Emilia Clarke,Lashana Lynch, andEmma Watson. Acclaimed for his motion capture work,Andy SerkisopenedThe Imaginarium Studiosin London in 2011.The visual effects companyFramestorein London has produced some of the","some of the most critically acclaimed special effects in modern film.Many successful Hollywood films have been based on English people,storiesor events. The 'English Cycle' of Disney animated films includeAlice in Wonderland,The Jungle BookandWinnie the Pooh. Sites and institutions English Heritageis a governmental body with a broad remit of managing the historic sites, artefacts and environments of England. It is currently sponsored by theDepartment for Culture, Media and Sport. A non-governmental charity, theNational Trustholds a complementary role, focussed on landscapes andcountry houses. 17 of the 25 United Kingdom UNESCOWorld Heritage Sitesfall within England.Some of the best-known of these are:Hadrian's Wall,Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites, theTower of London, theJurassic Coast,Saltaire,Ironbridge Gorge,Blenheim Palaceand theLake District. London'sBritish Museumholds more than seven million objects,one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in the world,illustrating and documenting","and documenting global human culture from its beginnings to the present. TheBritish Libraryin London is thenational libraryand is one of the world's largestresearch libraries, holding over 150 million items in almost all known languages and formats, including around 25 million books.TheNational GalleryinTrafalgar Squarehouses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900.TheTategalleries house the national collections of British and international modern art; they also host theTurner Prize. TheSecretary of State for Culture, Media and Sporthas overall responsibility for cultural property and heritage.Ablue plaque, the oldesthistorical markerscheme in the world, is a permanent sign installed in a public place in England to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event. In 2011 there were around 1,600 museums in England.Entry to most museums and galleries is free.Londonis one of the world's most visited cities, regularly taking the top five most visited","five most visited cities inEurope. It is considered a global centre of finance, art and culture. Media TheBBC, founded in 1922, is the UK's publicly funded radio, television and Internet broadcasting corporation, and is the oldest and largest broadcaster in the world.It operates numerous television and radio stations in the UK and abroad and its domestic services are funded by thetelevision licence.TheBBC World Serviceis aninternational broadcasterowned and operated by theBBC. It is the world's largest of any kind.It broadcasts radio news, speech and discussions in more than 40 languages. London dominates the media sector in England: national newspapers and television and radio are largely based there, althoughManchesteris also a significant national media centre. The UK publishing sector, including books, directories and databases, journals, magazines and business media, newspapers and news agencies, has a combined turnover of around £20 billion and employs around 167,000 people.National newspapers produced","newspapers produced in England includeThe Times,The Guardian,The Daily Telegraph, and theFinancial Times. Magazines and journals published in England that have achieved worldwide circulation includeNature,New Scientist,The Spectator,Prospect,NMEandThe Economist. TheSecretary of State for Culture, Media and Sporthas overall responsibility over media and broadcasting in England. Sport England has a strong sporting heritage, and during the 19th centurycodifiedmany sports that are now played around the world. Sports originating in England includeassociation football,cricket,rugby union,rugby league,tennis,boxing, badminton,squash,rounders,hockey,snooker,billiards,darts, table tennis,bowls,netball,thoroughbredhorseracing,greyhound racingandfox hunting. It has helped the development ofgolf, sailing andFormula One. England has been crowned world champion in several major sports including:Cricket,RugbyandAssociation Football. Football is themost popularof these sports. TheEngland national football team, whose home","team, whose home venue isWembley Stadium, playedScotlandin the first-ever international football match in 1872.Referred to as the \"home of football\" byFIFA, England hosted and won the1966 FIFA World Cup.With a British television audience peak of 32.30 million viewers, thefinalis themost watched television event everin the UK.England is recognised by FIFA as the birthplace of club football:Sheffield F.C., founded in 1857, is the world's oldest club.TheEngland women's national football teamwon theUEFA Euro 2022, hosted by England. Cricketis generally thought to have been developed in the early medieval period among the farming and metalworking communities of theWeald.TheEngland cricket teamis a composite England and Wales team. One of the game's top rivalries isThe Ashesseries between England andAustralia, contested since 1882.Lord's Cricket Groundsituated in London is sometimes referred to as the \"Mecca of Cricket\".After winning the2019 Cricket World Cup, England became the first country to win the World Cups","win the World Cups in football, rugby union, and cricket. William Penny Brookeswas prominent in organising the format for the modernOlympic Games.London has hosted theSummer Olympic Gamesthree times, in1908,1948, and2012. England competes in theCommonwealth Games, held every four years.Sport Englandis the governing body responsible for distributing funds and providing strategic guidance for sporting activity in England. Rugby unionoriginated inRugby School, Warwickshire in the early 19th century.The top level of club participation is theEnglish Premiership.Rugby leaguewas born inHuddersfieldin 1895. Since 2008, theEngland national rugby league teamhas been a full test nation in lieu of theGreat Britain national rugby league team, which won threeWorld Cups. Club sides play inSuper League, the present-day embodiment of theRugby Football League Championship. Rugby League is most popular among towns in the northern English counties ofLancashire, Yorkshire andCumbria. Golfhas been prominent in England, due in","in England, due in part to itscultural and geographical ties to Scotland.There are professional tours for men and women, in two main tours: thePGAand theEuropean Tour. The world's oldest golf tournament, and golf's first major isThe Open Championship, played both in England and Scotland. The biennial golf competition, theRyder Cup, is named after English businessmanSamuel Ryder. Tenniswas created in Birmingham in the late 19th century, andthe Wimbledon Championshipsis the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and widely considered the most prestigious.Wimbledon has a major place in the English cultural calendar. Inboxing, under theMarquess of Queensberry Rules, England has produced many world champions across the weight divisions internationally recognised by the governing bodies. Originating in 17th and 18th-century England, thethoroughbredis a horse breed best known for its use inhorse racing. TheNational Hunthorse race theGrand National, is held annually atAintree Racecoursein early April. It is the most","It is the most watched horse race in the UK, and three-time winnerRed Rumis the most successful racehorse in the event's history. The1950 British Grand PrixatSilverstonewas the first race in the newly createdFormula One World Championship.England has seen the manufacture some of the most technically advanced racing cars, and many of today's racing companies choose England as their base of operations.England also has a rich heritage inGrand Prix motorcycle racing, the premier championship of motorcycleroad racing, and has produced several world champions. Dartsis a widely popular sport in England; a professional competitive sport, it is a traditionalpub game.Another popular sport commonly associated with pub games issnooker, and England has produced several world champions. The English are keen sailors and enjoy competitivesailing; founding and winning some of the world's most famous international competitive tournaments across the various race formats, including thematch race, a regatta, and theAmerica's","and theAmerica's Cup. National symbols The St George's Cross has been the nationalflag of Englandsince the 13th century. Originally, the flag was used by the maritimeRepublic of Genoa. The English monarch paid a tribute to theDoge of Genoafrom 1190 onwards so that English ships could fly the flag as a means of protection when entering the Mediterranean. A red cross was a symbol for manyCrusadersin the 12th and 13th centuries, and became associated withSaint George.Since 1606 the St George's Cross has formed part of the design of theUnion Flag, a Pan-British flag designed by KingJames I.During theEnglish Civil WarandInterregnum, theNew Model Army's standards and theCommonwealth'sGreat Sealboth incorporated the flag of Saint George. There are numerous other symbols and symbolic artefacts, both official and unofficial, including theTudor rose, the nation'sfloral emblem, and the Three Lions featured on theRoyal Arms of England. The Tudor rose was adopted as a national emblem of England around the time of theWars","the time of theWars of the Rosesas a symbol of peace.It is asyncreticsymbol in that it merged the white rose of theYorkistsand the red rose of theLancastrians. It is also known as theRose of England.Theoaktree is a symbol of England: theRoyal Oaksymbol andOak Apple Daycommemorate the escape of KingCharles IIafter his father's execution, when he hid in an oak to avoid detection by the parliamentarians before safely reaching exile. The Royal Arms of England, a nationalcoat of armsfeaturing three lions, originated withRichard the Lionheartin 1198. It isblazonedasgules, three lions passant guardant orand it provides one of the most prominent symbols of England. England does not have an official national anthem, as the United Kingdom as a whole hasGod Save the King. However,Jerusalem,Land of Hope and Glory(used for England during the2002 Commonwealth Games),andI Vow to Thee, My Countryare often considered unofficialEnglish national anthems. England'sNational Dayis 23 April which isSaint George's Day: Saint George","Day: Saint George is the patron saint of England. See also Notes References Bibliography External links 53°08′N1°23′W / 53.13°N 1.38°W /53.13; -1.38"],"string":"[\n \"Clive Barker Clive Barker(born 5 October 1952) is an English writer, filmmaker and visual artist. He came to prominence in the mid-1980s with a series of short stories, theBooks of Blood, which established him as a leadinghorrorwriter. He has since written many novels and other works. His fiction has been adapted into films, notably theHellraiserseries, the first installment of which he also wrote and directed, and theCandymanseries. Barker's paintings and illustrations have been shown in galleries in the United States, and have appeared in his books. He has also created characters and series for comic books, and some of his more popular horror stories have been featured in ongoing comics series. Early life Barker was born on 5 October 1952 inLiverpool,the son of Joan Ruby (née Revill), a painter and school welfare officer, and Leonard Barker, a personnel director for an industrial relations firm.He was educated atDovedale Primary School,Quarry Bank High Schooland theUniversity of Liverpool, where he studied\",\n \"where he studied English and philosophy. When he was three, Barker witnessed the French skydiverLéo Valentinplummet to his death in 1956 during a performance at an air show in Liverpool.He later alluded to Valentin in many of his stories. Theatrical work Barker's involvement in live theatre began while still in school with productions ofVoodooandInfernoin 1967. He collaborated on six plays withTheatre of the Imaginationin 1974 and two more that he was the sole writer of,A Clowns' SodomandDay of the Dog,forThe Mute Pantomime Theatrein 1976 and 1977. He co-founded the avant-garde theatrical troupeThe Dog Companyin 1978 with former school friends and up and coming actors, many of whom would go on to become key collaborators in Barker's film work.Doug Bradleytook on the iconic role of Pinhead in theHellraiserseries while Peter Atkins wrote the scripts for the first threeHellraisersequels.Over the next five years Barker wrote nine plays, often serving as director, including some of his best-known stage\",\n \"best-known stage productions,The History of The Devil,Frankenstein in Love, andThe Secret Life of Cartoons. From 1982 to 1983, he wroteCrazyface,Subtle BodiesandColossusfor the Cockpit Youth Theatre. His theatrical work came to a close as he shifted focus to writing theBooks of Blood. Writing career Barker is an author of horror andfantasy. He began writing horror early in his career, mostly in the form of short stories (collected inBooks of Blood1–6) and theFaustiannovelThe Damnation Game(1985). Later he moved toward modern-day fantasy andurban fantasywith horror elements inWeaveworld(1987),The Great and Secret Show(1989), the world-spanningImajica(1991), andSacrament(1996). WhenBooks of Bloodwas first published in the United States in paperback,Stephen Kingwas quoted on the book covers: \\\"I have seen the future of horror and his name is Clive Barker.\\\"As influences on his writing, Barker listsHerman Melville,Edgar Allan Poe,Ray Bradbury,William S. Burroughs,William Blake, andJean Cocteau, among others. He is\",\n \"among others. He is the writer of the best-sellingAbaratseries. In early 2024 he announced he would stop attending conventions and public events so he could focus more on his writing, as he was working on the manuscripts for 31 different projects, some closer to completion than others. Personal life During his early years as a writer, Barker occasionally worked as an escort when his writing did not provide sufficient income.With the success ofWeaveworld, he could permanently retire as a sex worker.In 2003, he received the Davidson/Valentini Award at the15th GLAAD Media Awards. He has been open about his experiences withsadomasochism, and says that \\\"on S&M's sliding scale, I'm probably a 6\\\". Barker is critical of organized religion, but has said that the Bible influences his work and spirituality.Years later, he said on Facebook that he did not identify himself as a Christian. Barker said in a December 2008 online interview (published in March 2009) that he had throat polyps which were so severe, a doctor\",\n \"so severe, a doctor told him he was taking in only 10% of the air he was supposed to. He has had two surgeries to remove them and believes his voice has improved as a result. He said he did not have cancer, and has given up cigars. In 2012, Barker entered a coma for several days after contractingtoxic shock syndrome, triggered by a visit to a dentist where a spillage of poisonous bacteria entered his bloodstream, almost killing him.Realising he might have just a short time to live, he decided to put his personal concerns about the world and society into the upcoming novelDeep Hill, which he thought could be his final book. As of 2015, he is a member of the board of advisers for the Hollywood Horror Museum. Relationships While appearing on the radio call-in showLovelineon 20 August 1996, Barker said that in his teens he had several relationships with older women, but came to identify himself as homosexual by 18 or 19. His relationship with John Gregson lasted from 1975 until 1986. He later spent 13 years with\",\n \"spent 13 years with photographer David Armstrong, described as his husband in the introduction toColdheart Canyon; they separated in 2009. Film work Barker wrote the screenplays forUnderworld(1985) andRawhead Rex(1986), both directed byGeorge Pavlou. Displeased by how his material was handled, he moved to directing withHellraiser(1987), based on his novellaThe Hellbound Heart. After his filmNightbreed(1990) flopped, Barker returned to write and directLord of Illusions(1995). The short story \\\"The Forbidden\\\", from Barker'sBooks of Blood, provided the basis for the 1992 filmCandymanand its three sequels. He had been working on a series of film adaptations of hisThe Abarat Quintetbooks underThe Walt Disney Company's management,but due to creative differences, the project was cancelled. He served as an executive producer for the 1998 filmGods and Monsters,a semi-fictional tale ofFrankensteindirectorJames Whale's later years, which won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.Barker said of his interest in the\",\n \"his interest in the project: \\\"Whale was gay, I'm gay; Whale was English, I'm English…Whale made some horror movies, and I've made some horror movies. It seemed as if I should be helping to tell this story.\\\"Barker also provided the foreword on the published shooting script. In 2005, Barker and horror film producer Jorge Saralegui created the film production company Midnight Picture Show with the intent of producing two horror films per year. In October 2006, Barker announced through his website that he will be writing the script to a forthcoming remake of the originalHellraiserfilm.He was developing a film based on hisTortured Soulsline of toys fromMcFarlane Toys. In 2020, Barker regained control of theHellraiserfranchise, and served as executive producer on a2022 rebootfilm for the streaming serviceHulu. Television work In May 2015,Varietyreported that Clive Barker was developing a television series adaptation of variouscreepypastasin partnership withWarner Brothers, to be calledClive Barker's Creepypastas,\",\n \"Creepypastas, a feature arc based onSlender ManandBen Drowned.Barker was involved in a streaming servicefilm adaptationofThe Books of Bloodin 2020,and is developing aNightbreedtelevision seriesdirected byMichael Doughertyand written byJosh StolbergforSyFy.In April 2020,HBOwas announced to be developing aHellraisertelevision series that would serve as \\\"an elevated continuation and expansion\\\" of its mythology withMark VerheidenandMichael Doughertywriting the series andDavid Gordon Greendirecting several episodes. Verheiden, Dougherty and Green will also be executive producing the series withDanny McBride,Jody Hill,Brandon JamesandRoy LeeofVertigo Entertainment. Visual art Barker is a prolific visual artist, often illustrating his own books. His paintings have been seen first on the covers of his official fan club magazine,Dread, published byFantacoin the early '90s; on the covers of the collections of his plays,Incarnations(1995) andForms of Heaven(1996); and on the second printing of the original British\",\n \"original British publications of hisBooks of Bloodseries. Barker also provided the artwork for his young adult novelThe Thief of Alwaysand for theAbaratseries. His artwork has been exhibited at Bert Green Fine Art in Los Angeles and Chicago, at the Bess Cutler Gallery in New York and La Luz De Jesus in Los Angeles. Many of his sketches and paintings can be found in the collectionClive Barker, Illustrator, published in 1990 by Arcane/Eclipse Books, and inVisions of Heaven and Hell, published in 2005 by Rizzoli Books. He worked on the horror video gameClive Barker's Undying, providing the voice for the character Ambrose.Undyingwas developed byDreamWorks Interactiveand released in 2001. He worked onClive Barker's JerichoforCodemasters, which was released in late 2007. Barker createdHalloweencostume designs for Disguise Costumes. Around 150 art works by Barker were used in the set of the Academy of the Unseen Arts for the Netflix TV seriesChilling Adventures of Sabrina. Comic books Barker published\",\n \"Barker published hisRazorlineimprint viaMarvel Comicsin 1993. Barker horror adaptations and spin-offs in comics include the Marvel/Epic ComicsseriesHellraiser,Nightbreed,Pinhead,The Harrowers,Book of the Damned, andJihad;Eclipse Books' series andgraphic novelsTapping The Vein,Dread,Son of Celluloid,Revelations,The Life of Death,Rawhead RexandThe Yattering and Jack, andDark Horse Comics'Primal, among others. Barker served as a consultant and wrote issues of theHellraiseranthology comic book. In 2005, IDW published a three-issue adaptation of Barker's children's fantasy novelThe Thief of Always, written and painted by Kris Oprisko and Gabriel Hernandez. IDW is publishing a 12 issue adaptation of Barker's novelThe Great and Secret Show. In December 2007, Chris Ryall and Clive Barker announced an upcoming collaboration of an original comic book series,Torakator, to be published by IDW. In 2008, Barker authored a foreword for the first volume of theDEMONICSEXcomic series by Chuck Conner and Sean Platter. In\",\n \"Sean Platter. In October 2009, IDW publishedSeduth, co-written by Barker. The work was released with three variant covers. In 2011,Boom! Studiosbegan publishing an originalHellraisercomic book series. In 2013, Boom! Studios announcedNext Testament, the first original story by Barker to be published in comic book format. Works Novels Hellraiserseries Books of the Artseries The Books of Abarat Short stories Collections: Uncollected short stories: Plays Collections: All plays: Poems Uncollected poems: Non-fiction Toys Filmography Adaptations Video games See also References Bibliography External links\",\n \"William, Prince of Wales William, Prince of Wales(William Arthur Philip Louis; born 21 June 1982), is theheir apparentto theBritish throne. He is the elder son of KingCharles IIIandDiana, Princess of Wales. William was born during the reign of his paternal grandmother,Queen Elizabeth II. He was educated atWetherby School,Ludgrove SchoolandEton College. He earned aMaster of Arts degreeingeographyat theUniversity of St Andrewswhere he met his future wife,Catherine Middleton. They have three children:George,CharlotteandLouis. After university, William trained at theRoyal Military Academy Sandhurstprior to serving with theBlues and Royalsregiment. In 2008 he graduated from theRoyal Air Force College Cranwell, joining theRAF Search and Rescue Forcein early 2009. He served as a full-time pilot with theEast Anglian Air Ambulancefor two years, starting in July 2015. William performs official duties and engagements on behalf of the monarch. He holds patronage with over 30 charitable and military organisations,\",\n \"organisations, including theTusk Trust,Centrepoint,The Passage,Wales Air AmbulanceandLondon's Air Ambulance Charity. He undertakes projects through theRoyal Foundation, with his charity work revolving around mental health, conservation, homelessness, and emergency workers. In 2020 William launched theEarthshot Prize, a £50 million initiative to incentivise environmental solutions over the next decade. William was madeDuke of Cambridgeimmediately beforehis weddingin April 2011. He becameDuke of CornwallandDuke of Rothesayupon his father's accession to the throne on 8 September 2022. The following day he was madePrince of Wales. Early life Prince William was born at 21:03BSTon 21 June 1982 inSt Mary's Hospital, London, as the first child of Charles, Prince of Wales (laterKing Charles III), and his first wife,Diana, Princess of Wales, during the reign of his paternal grandmother,Queen Elizabeth II.Buckingham Palace announced his name – William Arthur Philip Louis – on 28 June.William was christened in the Music\",\n \"in the Music Room ofBuckingham Palaceby the thenArchbishop of Canterbury,Robert Runcie, on 4 August, coinciding with the 82nd birthday of his paternal great-grandmother,Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother. William was the first child born to aPrinceandPrincess of WalessincePrince Johnwas born to Prince George and Princess Mary (laterKing George VandQueen Mary) in July 1905.When he was nine months old, William accompanied his parents on their 1983 tour of Australia and New Zealand, as his first trip overseas.It also marked the first time that a royal baby was taken on an overseas tour.His younger brother,Prince Harry, was born in September 1984. Both of them were raised atKensington Palacein London, andHighgrove Housein Gloucestershire. Known informally as \\\"Wills\\\" within his family,William was nicknamed \\\"Willy\\\" by his brother and \\\"Wombat\\\" by his mother.Diana wished her sons to obtain broader and more typical life experiences beyond royal upbringing, taking them toWalt Disney World,McDonald's, AIDS clinics and\",\n \"AIDS clinics and shelters for the homeless.BiographerRobert Laceyasserts that William, a \\\"rambunctious\\\" and \\\"bratty\\\" child, grew \\\"more reflective\\\" with a \\\"noticeably quiet character\\\" as he began boarding school.Diana was reported to have described William as \\\"my little wise old man\\\" on whom she started to rely as her confidant by his early teens. William carried out his first public engagement while accompanying his parents on a visit toLlandaffonSaint David's Dayin 1991.He and Harry travelled to Canada on an official visit with their parents in 1991 and again with Charles in 1998.William's parents divorced in 1996. Dianadied in a car accidentin the early hours of 31 August 1997. William, then aged 15, together with his 12-year-old brother and their father, was staying atBalmoral Castleat the time. The following morning, Charles informed William and Harry of their mother's death.William was reportedly uncertain as to whether he should walk behind his mother's coffin during thefuneral procession. His\",\n \"procession. His grandfatherPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, told him: \\\"If you don't walk, I think you'll regret it later. If I walk, will you walk with me?\\\".At the funeral, William and Harry walked alongside their father, grandfather, and maternal uncle,Charles Spencer, 9th Earl Spencer, behind the funeral cortège from Kensington Palace toWestminster Abbey. After his mother's death, William stated that he was \\\"in a state of shock for many years\\\".He and Harry inherited the majority of the £12.9 million left by their mother on their respective 30th birthdays, a figure that had grown to £10 million each by 2014.In 2014 the brothers inherited theirmother's wedding dressalong with many other of her personal possessions including dresses, diamond tiaras, jewels, letters and paintings. They also received the original lyrics and score of \\\"Candle in the Wind\\\" byBernie TaupinandElton Johnas performed by the latter at Diana's funeral.In 2002The Timesreported that William and Harry would also share £4.9 million from\",\n \"£4.9 million from trust funds established by their great-grandmother on their respective 21st birthdays, as well as £8 million upon their respective 40th birthdays. Education William was educated atprivate schools, starting at Jane Mynors' nursery school and the pre-preparatoryWetherby School, both in London.Following this, he attendedLudgrove SchoolnearWokingham, Berkshire, and was privately tutored during summers byRory Stewart.At Ludgrove, he participated infootball, swimming, basketball,clay pigeon shooting, andcross country running. He was subsequently admitted toEton College, studying geography, biology, and history of art atA-Level. He obtained an 'A' in geography, a 'C' in biology, and a 'B' in history of art.William was captain of the swimming team and his house football team at Eton, also taking upwater polo. The decision to place William at Eton went against the family tradition of sending royal children toGordonstoun, which his father and grandfather both attended. Diana's brother andfatherwere\",\n \"andfatherwere both Eton students.The royal family and the tabloid press agreed that William would be allowed to study free from intrusion in exchange for regular updates about his life.John Wakeham, chairman of thePress Complaints Commission, stated \\\"Prince William is not an institution; nor a soap star; nor a football hero. He is a boy: in the next few years, perhaps the most important and sometimes painful part of his life, he will grow up and become a man.\\\"While at Eton, he often had tea on weekends at the nearbyWindsor Castlewith his grandmother, discussingstate boxesand constitutional duties meant to \\\"prepare as future King.\\\" In June 1991, William was admitted to theRoyal Berkshire Hospitalafter being accidentally hit on the forehead by a fellow pupil wielding a golf club. He suffered a depressed fracture of the skull and was operated on atGreat Ormond Street Hospital, resulting in a permanent scar.The incident received widespread media attention.In 1999 he underwent an operation on his left hand after\",\n \"his left hand after he broke a finger.After completing his studies at Eton, William took a gap year, during which he took part inBritish Armytraining exercises in Belize,worked on English dairy farms, and visited Africa.As part of theRaleigh Internationalprogramme in the town ofTortelin southern Chile, William worked for ten weeks on local construction projects and taught English. He lived with other young volunteers, sharing in the common household chores.His interest in African culture prompted him to teach himselfSwahili. In 2001 William enrolled at theUniversity of St Andrewsin Scotland.Similar to his time at Eton, the media agreed not to invade his privacy, and students were warned not to leak stories to the press.William embarked on a degree course inArt Historybut later changed his main subject toGeography. He focused hisdissertationon the Indian Ocean'sRodriguescoral reefs and graduated with anundergraduate Master of Arts(MA Hons) degree withupper second class honoursin 2005.While at university, he\",\n \"at university, he represented the Scottish national universities water polo team at the Celtic Nations tournament in 2004.He was reportedly known as \\\"Steve\\\" by other students to avoid any journalists overhearing and realising his identity. Early appointments and duties At the age of 21, William was appointed aCounsellor of State; he first served in that capacity when the Queen attended theCommonwealth Heads of Government Meetingin the same year.In July 2005, he embarked on his first solo public engagements on an overseas tour of New Zealand, travelling to participate in World War II commemorations.According to authorTina Brown, he had, like his father, expressed a desire to becomeGovernor-General of Australia.In 2009 the Queen set up aprivate officefor William and Harry withDavid Manningas their adviser.Manning accompanied William on his first official tour in January 2010 as the latter touredAucklandandWellington; William opened the new building of theSupreme Court of New Zealandand was welcomed by\",\n \"was welcomed by aMāorichief.The visit spurred crowds of \\\"many thousands\\\", with positive public reception compared to that of his mother's 1983 tour.In March 2011, William visitedChristchurch, New Zealand, shortly after theearthquake,and spoke at the memorial service atHagley Parkon behalf of his grandmother.He also travelled to Australia to visit areas affected by flooding inQueenslandandVictoria. Before attending Sandhurst, William did a three-week internship at several institutions, including theBank of England, theLondon Stock ExchangeandLloyd's of London.To prepare for his eventual management of theDuchy of Cornwall, in 2014, he enteredSt John's College, Cambridgeto undertake an executive agriculture management degree run by theCambridge Programme for Sustainability Leadership(CPSL), of which his father is patron.In April 2019, Kensington Palace announced that William had completed a three-week internship atMI5,MI6andGCHQ,during which he was tasked with monitoring extreme Islamist terror cells,\",\n \"terror cells, identifying potential threats abroad, and observing code breaking technology. Military and air ambulance service Having decided on a military career, William was admitted to theRoyal Military Academy Sandhurstin January 2006; his admission was based on successfully completing a 44-week course as an Officer Cadet which led to his commission as a British Army officer.As \\\"Lieutenant Wales\\\" – a name based on his father's then title Prince of Wales – he followed his brotherinto theBlues and Royalsin December that year as a troop commander in an armoured reconnaissance unit, after which he spent five months training for the post atBovington Campin Dorset. Despite the Queen's approval for William to serve on the frontline, his position as second-in-line to the throne at the time cast doubts on his chances of seeing combat.Plans by theMinistry of Defenceto send William to Southern Iraq leaked and the government eventually decided against sending him as it would endanger both his life and the lives of\",\n \"and the lives of people around him if he was targeted.William instead trained in theRoyal NavyandRoyal Air Force, obtaining his commission as asub-lieutenantin the former and aflying officerin the latter, both broadly equivalent to the army rank of lieutenant. After completing his training, he undertook an attachment with the Royal Air Force atRAF Cranwell. Upon completing the course he was presented with hisRAF wingsby his father,who had received his own wings after training at Cranwell.During thissecondment, William flew to Afghanistan in aC-17 Globemasterthat repatriated the body of Trooper Robert Pearson.William was then seconded to train with the Royal Navy.He then completed an accelerated Naval Officer training course at theBritannia Royal Naval College.Whilst serving onHMSIron Dukein July 2008, William participated in a £40m drug seizure in the Atlantic, north-east of Barbados.He was part of the crew on the Lynx helicopter which helped seize 900 kg of cocaine from a speedboat. In January 2009, William\",\n \"2009, William transferred his commission to the RAF and was promoted toFlight Lieutenant. He trained to become a helicopter pilot with the RAF'sSearch and Rescue Force.As part of his training across all branches of the military in 2009, he spent up to six weeks with theSpecial Air Service, theSpecial Boat Service, and theSpecial Reconnaissance Regiment.In January 2010, he graduated from theDefence Helicopter Flying SchoolatRAF Shawbury.In the same month, he transferred to the Search and Rescue Training Unit atRAF Valley,Anglesey, to receive training on theSea Kingsearch and rescue helicopter; he graduated in September 2010.This made him the first member of the British royal family sinceHenry VIIto live in Wales. William's first rescue mission as co-pilot of a RAF Sea King was in response to an emergency call from Liverpool Coastguard in October 2010.In November 2011, he participated in a search-and-rescue mission involving a cargo ship that was sinking in the Irish Sea; William, as a co-pilot, helped rescue\",\n \"helped rescue two sailors.He was deployed to theFalkland Islandsfor a six-week tour withNo. 1564 Flightfrom February to March 2012.The Argentine government condemned William's deployment to the islands close to the 30th anniversary of the beginning of theFalklands Waras a \\\"provocative act\\\".In June 2012, he gained a qualification to be captain orpilot in commandof a Sea King rather than a co-pilot.His active service as an RAF search-and-rescue pilot ended in September 2013.He conducted 156 search and rescue operations, which resulted in 149 people being rescued.He later became patron to theBattle of Britain Memorial Flight. In July 2015, William began working full-time as a pilot with theEast Anglian Air Ambulance(EAAA) based atCambridge Airport, which he felt was a natural progression from his previous search-and-rescue role.He donated his full salary to the EAAA charity.William required a civil pilot's licence and further training before being permitted to begin his role.He underwent part of his training\",\n \"of his training atNorwich Airport.William described working irregular shifts and dealing mostly withcritical carecases.He also discussed the impact of witnessing intensive trauma and bereavement on his mental health and personal life.TheBBChas written that William was \\\"exposed to theNational Health Servicein a way that no other senior royal has been or possibly ever will be.\\\" William left his position with EAAA in July 2017 to assume full-time royal duties.After supporting an anniversary campaign forLondon's Air Ambulance Charityin 2019, he became the charity's official patron in March 2020.In May 2020, he granted permission to the charity to use Kensington Palace's private lawn to refuel during theCOVID-19 pandemic.To mark Air Ambulance Week 2020, he wrote a letter thanking air ambulance workers, stating his \\\"profound respect\\\" for the community, particularly during the \\\"immeasurably difficult\\\" outbreak.In February 2023, he became patron of theWales Air Ambulancecharity. Personal life Relationship with\",\n \"Relationship with Catherine Middleton In 2001 William metCatherine Middleton, while they were students in residence atSt Salvator's Hall, at the University of St Andrews, and they became close friends.She reportedly caught William's attention at a charity fashion show at the university in 2002 when she appeared on the stage wearing a see-through lace dress.During their second year, William shared a flat with Middleton and two other friends.The couple began dating in 2003.From 2003 to 2005 they both resided at Balgove House on theStrathtyrumestate with two roommates.In 2004 the couple briefly split but reconciled soon afterwards. The relationship was followed closely by the tabloid press.Media attention became so intense that William asked the press to keep their distance from Middleton.In December 2006, Middleton and her family attended William'spassing out paradeat the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.In April 2007, William and Middleton were reported to have split.Middleton and her family attended\",\n \"her family attended theConcert for Dianathree months later;the couple were subsequently reported to have \\\"rekindled their relationship\\\".She also attended theOrder of the Garterprocession at Windsor Castle in June 2008, where William was made aRoyal Knight of the Garter.In June 2010, the couple moved into a cottage on theBodorgan Estatein Anglesey, Wales, where they resided until 2014. Marriage and children The couple became engaged in October 2010, at a remote alpine cabin onMount Kenya, during a 10-day trip to theLewa Wildlife Conservancyto celebrate William's passing the RAF helicopter search and rescue course.Clarence Houseannounced their engagement on 16 November.William gave his fianceé his mother'sengagement ring.The wedding took place in Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011.The global audience for the wedding ranged around 300 million, whereas 26 million watched the event live in Britain alone.William and Catherine usedNottingham Cottageas their London home until 2013, when £4.5 million renovations\",\n \"million renovations completed at Apartment 1A at Kensington Palace, which continues to be their official residence in the capital.The couple were given the country houseAnmer Hall, on theSandringham Estate, as a wedding gift from the Queen, where they lived from 2015 to 2017.Kensington Palace was the couple's main residence until 2022, when the family moved toAdelaide CottageinWindsor. Catherine's first pregnancy was announced in December 2012.She was admitted on 22 July 2013 to the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital, London, where Prince William had been delivered. Later that day, she gave birth toPrince George.In September 2014, it was announced that Catherine was pregnant with her second child.She was admitted on 2 May 2015 to the same hospital where she gave birth toPrincess Charlottethe same day.Catherine's third pregnancy was announced in September 2017;Prince Louiswas born on 23 April 2018.William and Catherine have owned twoEnglish Cocker Spaniels, namedLupoand Orla. Duke of Cambridge William was\",\n \"William was createdDuke of Cambridge,Earl of Strathearn, andBaron Carrickferguson the day of his wedding in April 2011.He and Catherinetoured Canadathat summer.Nicholas Witchell, writing forBBC News, noted that the tour to Canada had been an \\\"unqualified success\\\" for the couple as they engaged in various activities from tree planting to street hockey, with their warm interactions and thoughtful gestures enhancing their popularity and reinforcing positive sentiments towards the monarchy in Canada.The couple served as ambassadors for the2012 Summer Olympicsin London, during multiple sporting events throughout the games. In September 2013, William and Catherine visited Singapore, Malaysia, Tuvalu, and the Solomon Islands as part of theQueen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.William hosted his firstinvestitureceremony at Buckingham Palace in October that year.In April 2014, he and Catherine undertook a royal tour to New Zealand and Australia accompanied by their son George.In August that year, the couple and Prince\",\n \"couple and Prince Harry represented the royal family atWorld War Icommemorations in Belgium.In December, the couple visited New York and Washington DC, where William made a speech at theWorld Bankcondemning the illegal trade in wildlife. In 2015 and 2016 William embarked on various visits of Asian countries, including Japan, China, Bhutan and India;he was the first royal to visit mainland China in almost three decades, with the press referring to William's diplomacy as \\\"deft\\\" and \\\"polished\\\".In response to media allegations of being \\\"work-shy\\\", he asserted his commitment to his duties, emphasizing his dedication to fatherhood and his role in air ambulance work.Countries visited by William and Catherine in 2017 included France, Poland, Germany, and Belgium.In January 2018 the couple visited Sweden and Norway.The visits, which were, like others, requested by theForeign Office, were interpreted to benefitUK-European relationspostBrexit.In June 2018, William toured Jordan, Israel and Palestine. William and\",\n \"William and Catherine toured Pakistan in October 2019, which was the royal family's first visit to the country in 13 years.The tour was a success, helping promote diplomatic relations with Pakistan while also reflecting the couple's personal interests in climate change and the significance of quality education.In November 2020, it was reported that William had tested positive for COVID-19 in April but decided not to alert the media to 'avoid alarming the nation'.The Daily Telegraphreported he had been \\\"very ill\\\" and had isolated away from his family;other sources said that he had not been seriously ill, not bed-ridden and working for most of the time.In December that year, the couple embarked on a tour of England, Scotland, and Wales via theBritish royal train\\\"to pay tribute to the inspiring work\\\" of communities and charities in 2020.Boris Johnsonexpressed his support, while Scottish first ministerNicola Sturgeoncriticised the tour, citing travel restrictions; local governments were consulted before planning\",\n \"before planning the tour. In William's capacity asLord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, he and Catherine toured the country in May 2021.The couple attended theG7 summitfor the first time in June 2021 in Cornwall.In March 2022, they embarked on a tour of Belize, the Bahamas and Jamaica as part of theQueen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations.Reparations for slaveryemerged as a major demand of public protesters during the couple's visit.During the unveiling of the National Windrush Monument in London, William described the tour as \\\"an opportunity to reflect\\\" and condemnedracism facedby both members of theWindrush generationand British minorities in 2022.In May 2022, he attended theState Opening of Parliamentfor the first time as acounsellor of state, where his father delivered the Queen's Speech on behalf of Elizabeth II. Prince of Wales Queen Elizabeth II diedon 8 September 2022, and William's father succeeded as Charles III. William, nowheir apparent, was created Prince of\",\n \"created Prince of Wales by his father on 9 September.Controversy regarding the titlebecame a topic of public debate in Wales.By 17 September, a petition calling for the end of the title had received over 30,000 signatures,while aYouGovpoll showed 66 per cent support for William to be given the title compared to 22 percent of respondents opposed.On 30 October, Senedd LlywyddElin Jonesnoted that an investiture is not a constitutional requirement and suggested that contemporary Wales would deem it unnecessary.Kensington Palace also stated an investiture is \\\"not on the table\\\".As the eldest son of the British monarch, William has inherited the Duchy of Cornwall, which brings him additional income.The duchy is \\\"a £760 million (about US$1.25 billion) entity established in 1337\\\" to provide a private income to the monarch's eldest son. William and Catherine visitedAngleseyandSwanseaon 27 September 2022, which marked their first visit to Wales since becoming Prince and Princess of Wales.He visited theSeneddin November\",\n \"November 2022, meeting the Welsh first ministerMark Drakeford.In February 2023, William and Catherine visitedFalmouth, marking their first visit to the region since becoming Duke and Duchess of Cornwall.In March 2023, he undertook a solo visit to Poland during which he visitedRzeszówto meet Polish and British troops and Ukrainian refugees, and had talks with Polish presidentAndrzej Dudaat thePresidential Palace.In October 2023, William and Catherine condemned theHamas-led attack on Israel.In February 2024, he visited the headquarters of theBritish Red Cross, where he met humanitarian aid workers supporting civilians during theIsrael–Gaza conflict, and called for an end to the fighting in a statement approved by theUK government.Later that month, William pulled out at the last moment fromthe thanksgiving serviceof his godfather,Constantine II of Greece, due to an undisclosed \\\"personal matter\\\".The same month, he visitedWestern Marble Arch Synagogueto acknowledge the increase in antisemitism and human suffering\",\n \"and human suffering in the Middle East. Charity work William became aware of HIV/AIDS in the mid-1990s when he accompanied his mother and brother on visits to shelters and clinics for patients. In January 2005, he and Harry volunteered at aBritish Red Crossaid distribution centre to pack emergency supplies for countries affected by the2004 Boxing Day tsunami.Later, in December 2005, William spent two weeks in North Wales withMountain Rescue England and Wales(MREW).In May 2007, he became patron of MREW and president of theRoyal Marsden Hospital, the latter of which was a role previously held by his mother. In July 2007, William and Harry organised the Concert for Diana, in memory of their mother, which benefitted the charities and patronages of Diana, William, and Harry.In October 2008, the brothers embarked on the 1,000 mile eight-day Enduro Africa motorbike ride across South Africa to raise money forSentebale,UNICEFand theNelson Mandela Children's Fund.In 2010 William became a patron of100 Women in Hedge\",\n \"Women in Hedge Funds' philanthropic initiatives for the following three years until 2012.The same year, he succeededLord Attenboroughas the fifth president of theBritish Academy of Film and Television Arts.In March 2011, he and Catherine set up a gift fund held by The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry to allow well-wishers to donate money to charities supporting the armed forces, children, the elderly, art, sport and conservation in lieu of gifts.The Foundation of Prince William and Prince Harry is now known asThe Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales. Humanitarian causes In March 2020, William appeared in a video for theNational Emergencies Trust, launching a fundraising appeal to help charities during the pandemic. The appeal raised £11 million in its first week, eventually totalling to £90 million, with the money going out to \\\"front line charities\\\" and to theUK Community Foundationsto be distributed among \\\"local community foundations\\\".In April 2020, he officially became patron\",\n \"became patron of the organisation.Later that month, he made a surprise appearance onThe Big Night In, atelethonheld during the COVID-19 pandemic, in a skit which he held a video call withStephen Fry, who reprised his role as (a descendant of)Lord Melchett, from theBlackadderseries. In December 2020, William and Catherine became joint patrons ofNHS Charities Together.In February 2021, he visited a vaccination centre inKing's Lynnand later encouraged use of the vaccine, denouncingfalse informationthat could causevaccine hesitancy.In May 2021, William got his first dose ofCOVID-19 vaccineby NHS staff at the Science Museum in London.In September 2021, it was reported that he had assisted in the evacuation of an Afghan officer, a Royal Military Academy Sandhurst graduate and aide to British troops, from Kabul airport, along with over 10 of his family members, during the2021 Taliban offensive.In March 2022 amid theRussian invasion of Ukraine, William and Catherine made a donation to help the refugees.In February\",\n \"February 2023, they donated to theDisasters Emergency Committee(DEC) which was helping victims of the2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake.In July 2023, William became patron of the appeal to launch The Fleming Centre, driving a new global movement to tackleantimicrobial resistance.In July 2024, he and Catherine made donations to help victims ofHurricane Beryl. Conservation William became patron of theTusk Trustin December 2005, a charity that works towards conserving wildlife and initiating community development across Africa.He carried out his first official duty with the Trust in launching a 5,000-mile (8,000 km) bike ride across the African continent in April 2008.Later, William helped with launching the Tusk Conservation Awards, which have been presented to selected environmental activists annually since 2013.In June 2010, he and his brother visited Botswana, Lesotho, and South Africa, undertaking projects relating to wildlife, sport, and young children.In 2013 he succeeded his grandfather, the Duke of\",\n \"the Duke of Edinburgh, as president ofFields in Trustand transitioned into the role of patron in 2024.He established the United for Wildlife Transport Taskforce in December 2014, with the goal of reducing global illegal wildlife trade.In 2014Jane Goodallstated that William had expressed the view that all ivory in the royal collection needed tobe destroyed.William has occasionally commented on the effects ofoverpopulationon thewildlife of Africa, but his remarks have been criticised in the media for not takingresource consumptionand population density into consideration. After two years of research, William launched theEarthshot Prizein October 2020, designed to provide funding and incentive for environmental solutions over the next decade.Following the launch, he gave aTED Talkon environmental protection and conservation as part of the TED Countdown climate change initiative.Later that month, William took over the patronages ofFauna and Flora Internationaland theBritish Trust for Ornithology, passed on from\",\n \"passed on from his grandparents.In the same month, he appeared in an ITV documentary titledPrince William: A Planet For Us Allto discuss environmental issues. In 2021 William made a private donation to the Thin Green Line Foundation, which provides grants for the relatives of conservation park rangers that are killed every year while protecting wildlife.In July 2022, he condemned the murder of South African park ranger Anton Mzimba and asked for the responsible parties to \\\"be brought to justice\\\".In August 2022, William voiced his support for the prison sentence given to a man in the United States responsible for trafficking rhinoceros horns and elephant ivory.He had previously called for harsher punishments and penalties for poachers and smugglers at the Illegal Wildlife Trade Conference in 2018. LGBT rights William has spoken out forLGBT rightsas part of his work againstcyberbullying, stating the importance of being \\\"proud of the person you are\\\" and discussing the effects of online abuse and\",\n \"of online abuse and discrimination.In 2016 he appeared in the July issue ofAttitudeand became the first member of the royal family to be featured on the cover of a gay magazine.He was recognised at theBritish LGBT Awardsin May 2017.William hosted a commemorativePride Monthdiscussion with mental health charity volunteers at theRoyal Vauxhall Tavernin June 2023. Mental health Since 2009, William has been patron of Child Bereavement UK, which provides support to children and families who have lost a loved one.In 2016 the Royal Foundation launched multiple mental health initiatives, including Heads Together, a campaign led by William, Catherine and Harry to de-stigmatise mental health.Legacy programmes include Mental Health at Work, launched in September 2018 to change the approach to workplace mental health in the United Kingdom, as well as Heads Up, launched in May 2019 in partnership with theFootball Association, utilising football to affect the conversation surrounding mental health in adults.Later that\",\n \"adults.Later that month, William and Catherine, together with William's brother Harry and sister-in-lawMeghan, launched Shout, the United Kingdom's first 24/7 text messaging service for those who suffer from mental issues.William later volunteered on the crisis helpline during theCOVID-19 lockdownsto provide support via text message.He attributes his interest in mental health to his experiences as an air ambulance pilot, his work with the homeless, veterans' welfare, and his wife's anti-addiction advocacy. In March 2020, William and Catherine began supporting a new mental health initiative by the Public Health England agency amidst the coronavirus pandemic.In April 2020, the couple announced Our Frontline, an initiative providing mental health support to emergency medical workers.In September 2020, William established the Emergency Responders Senior Leaders Board, commissioned by the foundation to research the mental health and wellbeing of emergency responders, in partnership withKing's College Londonand\",\n \"College Londonand the Open University.In May 2021 and 2022, William and Catherine voiced the Mental Health Minute message, which was broadcast on every radio station in the United Kingdom on and asked people to help individuals around them that suffer from loneliness.In October 2022, to mark the World Mental Health Day, the couple took overNewsbeatand interviewed four guests on topics related to mental health.In September 2023, William unveiled two organizations that had partnered with the Duchy of Cornwall to raise better mental well-being and provide mental health services for all its tenants.In October 2023 and to mark World Mental Health Day, he and Catherine took part in a forum for young people in Birmingham, alongside BBC Radio 1 and charity called The Mix, calledExploring our Emotional Worldscontinuing their longstanding work to promote mental well-being.In May 2024, he announced a three-year funding package for the charity We Are Farming Minds to provide mental health support for farmers on the\",\n \"for farmers on the Duchy of Cornwall lands. Homelessness In September 2005, William became patron ofCentrepoint, a charity that assists the homeless.In December 2009, as part of a Centrepoint-organised event, the prince spent the night in a sleeping bag nearBlackfriars Bridgeto raise awareness of the experiences of homeless youth.He opened their new facility, Apprenticeship House, in November 2019 to mark their 50th anniversary. William has been patron of homelessness charityThe Passagesince 2019 after first visiting the centre in 1993 with his mother.In October 2020, he wrote the introduction to the organisation's 40th-anniversary fundraising cookbook, discussing the importance of helping victims of homelessness during theCOVID-19 pandemic.In December 2020, William volunteered at the charity to help prepare donation bags for homeless residents in emergency hotel accommodations and spoke with residents about their experiences.In 2022 and 2023, he was spotted selling copies ofThe Big Issueon the streets,\",\n \"the streets, copies of which are usually sold by homeless and unemployed people to collect money. In June 2023, William launched Homewards after two years of development, which aims to \\\"finally end homelessness\\\" in the United Kingdom.The five-year initiative aims to tackle homelessness in six pilot locations across the United Kingdom with an initial seed funding allocated for each area by the Royal Foundation, working with existing private sector and grassroots charity partners.The project focuses on early intervention and providing housing to families before other issues, such as abuse and joblessness, are addressed.In February 2024, William, in partnership with Cornish charity St Petrocs, announced plans for building 24 homes on Duchy of Cornwall land inNansledanto provide temporary accommodation for people experiencing homelessness in the area.Future plans include building more than 400 social rented homes and a further 475 affordable dwellings inSouth East Faversham. Sport William often playspoloto raise\",\n \"playspoloto raise money for charity.He is a fan of football, and supports the English clubAston Villa.He became president ofEngland's Football Association(FA) in May 2006 and vice-royal patron of theWelsh Rugby Union(WRU) in February 2007, supporting the Queen as patron.The same year, the WRU's decision to name thePrince William Cupdrew criticism as some believed it would have been more appropriate to name it afterRay Gravell.William became patron of the WRU and the FA in 2016 and 2024, respectively. In December 2010, William, alongsideDavid Cameron, attended a meeting withFIFAvice-presidentChung Mong-joonat which Chung suggested a vote-trading deal for the right to host the 2018 World Cup in England. The English delegation reported the suggestion to FIFA, considering it a violation of anti-collusion rules.In 2011 William, as president of the English FA, voted againstAustralia's 2022 FIFA bidand instead voted for South Korea, despite beingAustralia's future heir. In 2020 he voted against the\",\n \"voted against the jointAustralia–New Zealand 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup bidand instead voted forColombia. In February 2021, following an investigation into racism directed atMarcus Rashford, William released a statement as president of the FA, denouncing the \\\"racist abuse... whether on the pitch, in the stands, or on social media\\\" as \\\"despicable\\\" and stating that \\\"we all have a responsibility\\\" to create an environment of tolerance and accountability.In April 2021, William criticised the planned breakaway competitionThe Super League, adding that he \\\"share the concerns of fans about the proposed Super League and the damage it risks causing to the game we love.\\\"In July 2021, he condemned racist attacks against England football players following their loss at theUEFA Euro 2020finale. In May 2007, William became patron of the English Schools' Swimming Association.In 2012, together with his wife Catherine and brother Harry, William launched Coach Core. The program was set up following the2012 Olympicsand provides\",\n \"provides apprenticeship opportunities for people who desire to pursue a career as a professional coach.In May 2020, he appeared in aBBC OneDocumentary titledFootball, Prince William and Our Mental Healthas a part of a campaign to promote men to discuss their mental issues using football as a common medium. Both William and Harry are enthusiastic motorcyclists; William owns aDucati 1198 S Corse.In May 2014, William, like his father and grandfather, became president of theBritish Sub-Aqua Club(BSAC).He also took part in abandyevent inStockholmin January 2018. In November 2022, William was criticised by Welsh football followers and Welsh actorMichael Sheenfor holding the Prince of Wales title whilst having affiliations with theEngland national football team, particularly after he presented jerseys to the squad in advance of the2022 FIFA World Cupin which bothWalesand England were placed in the same Group B.William commented that he had supported the England football team from a very young age, but happily\",\n \"age, but happily supportedWelsh rugby union, of which he is patron, over England.In August 2023, he was criticised in segments of the press and social media for not attending2023 FIFA Women's World Cup finalin Australia as president of the FA. Public image William has been one of the most popular members of the British royal family since his birth.Having lived a public life since birth, he was regarded as a \\\"heartthrob\\\" and eligible as a young adult, similar to his father.Ruth La Ferla ofThe New York Timescontrasted William's \\\"refined\\\" and \\\"polite\\\" appeal toLeonardo DiCaprio's \\\"bad-boy\\\" popularity.Following his marriage, William's public image assumed a more \\\"staid\\\" and fatherly demeanour, having \\\"settled into a stable domestic order.\\\" JournalistAnne McElvoyhas described William's public personality as a \\\"genial presence\\\" with a \\\"tougher side\\\", alongside his mother's \\\"inimitable style\\\".Much of his royal duties focus on \\\"big bet\\\" projects, rather than \\\"plaques and patronages\\\". In 2016 William gave an\",\n \"William gave an interview stating his goal was \\\"how do I make the royal family relevant in the next 20 years ... that's the challenge for me\\\". In April 2011,Timemagazine listed him asone of the most influential people in the worldalongside his then-newlywed wife Catherine.In August 2023,Gallup, Inc.named him as the most popular public figure in the US after conducting a survey that asked for people's views on 15 prominent individuals.He was found to be the most popular member of the royal family by statistics and polling companyYouGovin December 2022and September 2023,and as the second most popular in April 2024. Privacy and the media The death of William's mother while being chased by thepaparazziin August 1997has since influenced his attitude towards the media.He and Catherine have often requested that, when off-duty, their privacy should be respected.In 2005 William spoke with ITV reporterTom Bradbyand concluded that it was likely that their voicemails were being accessed.An investigation under thenDeputy\",\n \"under thenDeputy Assistant CommissionerPeter Clarkeconcluded that the compromised voice mail accounts belonged to William's aides, includingJamie Lowther-Pinkerton,and not the prince himself.However,Clive Goodmanlater stated that he hadhackedWilliam's phone on 35 occasions.William later suedNews Group Newspapers, publisher ofNews of the WorldandThe Sun, which resulted in an out-of-court settlement in 2020.He and his brother Harry brought a claim privately through their mutual attorneys, but Harry later pursued his case separately with a new solicitor. In 2005, after his then-girlfriend Catherine Middleton was chased by the paparazzi on her way to a job interview, William consulted Middleton andher fatherand wrote a legal letter to newspapers requesting that they respect her privacy.As media attention increased around the time of Middleton's 25th birthday in January 2007, he issued a public statement mentioning that \\\"the situation is proving unbearable for all those concerned.\\\"In October 2007, William issued\",\n \"William issued a public statement via his press secretary complaining about the \\\"aggressive pursuit\\\" by \\\"photographers on motorcycles, in vehicles and on foot\\\" while the couple were leaving a London nightclub and later driving in his car.Following the statement,Daily Mail,Daily Mirror, andDaily Expressall decided against using the paparazzi photos of the couple, butThe Sunpublished photos taken before the couple's car had left.The statement prompted the Press Complaints Commission (PCC) to issue a warning, asking editors not to publish photographs which were taken through harassment.In April 2009, William's lawyers obtained an apology fromThe Daily Starafter the tabloid had claimed he had \\\"wrecked\\\" a $2m plane during his pilot training. In September 2012, the French edition ofCloserand Italiangossip magazineChipublished photographs of Catherine sun-bathing topless while on holiday at theChâteau d'Autetin Provence.William and Catherine filed a criminal complaint with the French prosecution department and\",\n \"department and launched a claim for civil damages at theTribunal de Grande InstancedeNanterre.The following day the courts granted an injunction againstCloserprohibiting further publication of the photographs and announced that a criminal investigation would be initiated.In September 2017,Closerwas fined €100,000 and its editor Laurence Pieau and owner Ernesto Mauri were each fined €45,000. In October 2014, William and Catherine sent a legal letter to a freelance photographer who had put their son George and his nanny \\\"under surveillance\\\", asking the individual to stop \\\"harassing and following\\\" them.In August 2015, Kensington Palace published a letter detailing what it stated were the \\\"dangerous\\\" and invasive efforts of the media to get paparazzi pictures of Prince George and Princess Charlotte. In November 2016, William issued a statement supporting Prince Harry and his then-girlfriend,Meghan Markle, following their complaints about the press intrusion, stating that he \\\"understands the situation concerning\",\n \"concerning privacy and supports the need for Prince Harry to support those closest to him.\\\"During a visit to the BBC studios in central London in November 2018, he publicly criticised the social media firms' approach to handling \\\"misinformation and conspiracy\\\" and added, \\\"Their self-image is so grounded in their positive power for good that they seem unable to engage in constructive discussion about the social problems they are creating\\\". In June 2022, a three-minute video of William confronting Terry Harris, a paparazzi photographer, was posted on Harris' YouTube channel.It was recorded by Harris in January 2021 and shows William arguing with Harris as the latter attempts to film William's family on a bike ride near Anmer Hall.Kensington Palace described the video as a breach of the family's privacy and asked for it to be removed from public websites.The couple's lawyers also contacted the photographer, who claimed he was on public roads and had filmed the video after hearing about allegations that the\",\n \"that the couple had broken the \\\"rule of six\\\" as they toured a public attraction at Sandringham while William's uncle and aunt, thenEarlandCountess of Wessex, and their children happened to be in the same spot. Titles, styles, and honours Titles and styles William has been aBritish princesince birth, and was known as \\\"Prince William of Wales\\\" until April 2011. He was createdDuke of Cambridge,Earl of StrathearnandBaron Carrickfergusby his grandmother, Elizabeth II, on the day of his wedding. Theletters patentgranting these titles were issued on 26 May that year. As the eldest son of the monarch, William automatically becameDuke of Cornwall,Duke of Rothesay,Earl of Carrick,Baron of Renfrew,Lord of the Isles, andPrince and Great Steward of Scotlandon the accession of his father on 8 September 2022.From 8 to 9 September, William was styled as \\\"His Royal Highness the Duke of Cornwall and Cambridge\\\".On 9 September, Charles announced the creation of William asPrince of Wales, the traditional title for the male heir\",\n \"for the male heir apparent to the British monarch. William has since been known as \\\"His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales\\\", except in Scotland, where he is called \\\"His Royal Highness the Duke of Rothesay\\\" instead.The letters patent formally granting him this title and that ofEarl of Chesterwere issued on 13 February 2023. Honours William is a RoyalKnight Companion of the Most Noble Order of the Garter(KG),an ExtraKnight of the Most Ancient and Most Noble Order of the Thistle(KT),Great Master of theMost Honourable Order of the Bath(GCB),a member of thePrivy Council of the United Kingdom(PC),and aPersonal Aide-de-Camp(ADC) to the sovereign. Ancestry William's ancestry is royal and aristocratic.Patrilineally, he is a member of theHouse of Windsorand also descends from theHouse of Oldenburg, one of Europe's oldest royal houses. More specifically, he descends from thecadet branchknown as theHouse of Glücksburg. Through his mother, William descends from theEarls Spencer– a cadet branch of theSpencer\",\n \"of theSpencer familydescended from theEarls of Sunderland; the senior branch are now alsoDukes of Marlborough; theBarons Fermoy; and more anciently fromHenry FitzRoy, 1st Duke of Grafton, andCharles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond– two illegitimate sons of KingCharles II. As king, William would be the first monarch since the death ofAnnein 1714 to undisputedly descend fromCharles Iand the first to descend from Charles II. William descendsmatrilineallyfrom Eliza Kewark, a housekeeper for his 18th-century ancestor Theodore Forbes – a Scottish merchant who worked for the East India Company inSurat. She is variously described in contemporary documents as \\\"a dark-skinned native woman\\\", \\\"anArmenianwoman from Bombay\\\", and \\\"Mrs. Forbesian\\\".GenealogistWilliam Addams Reitwiesnerassumed Kewark was Armenian.In June 2013, it was reported thatgenealogical DNA testson two of William's distant matrilineal cousins confirm Kewark was matrilineally of Indian descent. Bibliography Book contributions Authored letters and articles\",\n \"and articles See also Footnotes References Further reading Books Articles External links\",\n \"Malcolm Bradbury Sir Malcolm Stanley Bradbury,CBE(7 September 1932 – 27 November 2000) was an English author and academic. Life Bradbury was born inSheffield, the son of a railwayman.His family moved to London in 1935, but returned to Sheffield in 1941 with his brother and mother. The family later moved toNottinghamand in 1943 Bradbury attendedWest BridgfordGrammar School, where he remained until 1950. He read English atUniversity College, Leicester, gaining a first-class degree in 1953. He continued his studies atQueen Mary College, University of London, where he gained his MA in 1955. Between 1955 and 1958, Bradbury moved between teaching posts with theUniversity of ManchesterandIndiana Universityin the United States. He returned to England in 1958 for a major heart operation; such was his heart condition that he was not expected to live beyond middle age. In 1959, while in hospital, he completed his first novel,Eating People is Wrong. Bradbury married Elizabeth Salt and they had two sons. He took up his\",\n \"He took up his first teaching post as an adult-education tutor at theUniversity of Hull. With his study onEvelyn Waughin 1962 he began his career of writing and editing critical books. From 1961 to 1965 he taught at theUniversity of Birmingham. He completed his PhD inAmerican studiesat the University of Manchester in 1962, moving to theUniversity of East Anglia(his second novel,Stepping Westward, appeared in 1965), where he became Professor of American Studies in 1970 and launched theMA in Creative Writingcourse, attended by bothIan McEwanandKazuo Ishiguro. He publishedPossibilities: Essays on the State of the Novelin 1973,The History Manin 1975,Who Do You Think You Are?in 1976,Rates of Exchangein 1983 andCuts: A Very Short Novelin 1987. He retired from academic life in 1995. Bradbury became aCommander of the Order of the British Empirein 1991 for services to literature and was made aKnight Bachelorin theNew Year Honours 2000, again for services to literature. Bradbury died at Priscilla Bacon Lodge, Colman\",\n \"Bacon Lodge, Colman Hospital, Norwich, on 27 November 2000, attended by his wife and their two sons, Matthew and Dominic. He was buried on 4 December 2000 in the churchyard of St Mary's parish church,Tasburgh, near Norwich where the Bradburys owned a second home. Though he was not an orthodox religious believer, he respected the traditions and socio-cultural role of theChurch of Englandand enjoyed visiting churches in the spirit ofPhilip Larkin's poem, \\\"Church Going\\\". Works Bradbury was a productive academic writer as well as a successful teacher; an expert on themodern novel, he published books onEvelyn Waugh,Saul BellowandE. M. Forster, as well as editions of such modern classics asF. Scott Fitzgerald'sThe Great Gatsby, and a number of surveys and handbooks of modern fiction, both British and American. However, he is best known to a wider public as a novelist. Although often compared with his contemporaryDavid Lodge, a friend who has also writtencampus novels, Bradbury's books are consistently darker in\",\n \"darker in mood and less playful both in style and language. In 1986, he wrote a short humorous book titledWhy Come to Slaka?, a parody of travel books, dealing withSlaka, the fictionalEastern Europeancountry that is the setting for his novelRates of Exchange, a 1983 novel that was shortlisted for theBooker Prize. Bradbury also wrote extensively for television, including scripting series such asAnything More Would Be Greedy,The Gravy Train(and its sequel,The Gravy Train Goes East, which explored life in Bradbury's fictional Slaka), and adapting novels such asTom Sharpe'sBlott on the LandscapeandPorterhouse Blue,Alison Lurie'sImaginary Friends,Kingsley Amis'sThe Green Man, and the penultimateInspector MorseepisodeThe Wench is Dead. His last television script was forDalziel and Pascoeseries 5, produced byAndy Rowley. The episode \\\"Foreign Bodies\\\" was screened onBBC Oneon 15 July 2000. His work was often humorous and ironic, mockingacademe,British culture, andcommunism, usually with apicaresquetone. Selected\",\n \"Selected bibliography See also References External links\",\n \"England – inEurope(green & dark grey)– in theUnited Kingdom(green) Englandis acountrythat is part of theUnited Kingdom.It is located on the island ofGreat Britain, of which it covers approximately 62%, andover 100 smaller adjacent islands. It has land borders withScotlandto the north andWalesto the west, and is otherwise surrounded by theNorth Seato the east, theEnglish Channelto the south, theCeltic Seato the south-west, and theIrish Seato the west.Continental Europelies to the south-east, andIrelandto the west. At the2021 census, the population was 56,490,048.Londonis boththe largest cityand thecapital. The area now called England was first inhabited by modern humans during theUpper Paleolithic. It takes its name from theAngles, aGermanictribe who settled during the 5th and 6th centuries. England became a unified state in the 10th century and has had a significant cultural and legal impact on the wider world since theAge of Discovery, which began during the 15th century.TheKingdom of England, which included\",\n \"which included Wales after 1535, ceased to be a separatesovereign stateon 1 May 1707, when theActs of Unionbrought into effect a political union with theKingdom of Scotlandthat created theKingdom of Great Britain. England is the origin of theEnglish language, theEnglish legal system(which served as the basis for thecommon lawsystems of many other countries),association football, and theAnglicanbranch of Christianity; itsparliamentary system of governmenthas been widely adopted by other nations.TheIndustrial Revolutionbegan in 18th-century England, transforming its society into the world's first industrialised nation.England is home tothe two oldest universitiesin the English-speaking world: theUniversity of Oxford, founded in 1096, and theUniversity of Cambridge, founded in 1209. Both universities are ranked among the most prestigious in the world. England's terrain chiefly consists of low hills andplains, especially in thecentreandsouth. Upland and mountainous terrain is mostly found in thenorthand west,\",\n \"thenorthand west, includingDartmoor, theLake District, thePennines, and theShropshire Hills. The country's capital isLondon, themetropolitan areaof which has a population of 14.2 million as of 2021, representing the United Kingdom's largest metropolitan area. England's population of 56.3 million comprises 84% of the population of the United Kingdom,largely concentrated around London, theSouth East, and conurbations in theMidlands, theNorth West, theNorth East, andYorkshire, which each developed as major industrial regions during the 19th century. Toponymy The name \\\"England\\\" is derived from theOld EnglishnameEnglaland, which means \\\"land of theAngles\\\".The Angles were one of theGermanic tribesthat settled in Great Britain during theEarly Middle Ages. They came from theAngelnregion of what is now the German state ofSchleswig-Holstein.The earliest recorded use of the term, as \\\"Engla londe\\\", is in the late-ninth-century translation into Old English ofBede'sEcclesiastical History of the English People. The term was\",\n \"The term was then used to mean \\\"the land inhabited by the English\\\", and it included English people in what is now south-east Scotland but was then part of the English kingdom ofNorthumbria. TheAnglo-Saxon Chroniclerecorded that theDomesday Bookof 1086 covered the whole of England, meaning the English kingdom, but a few years later theChroniclestated that KingMalcolm IIIwent \\\"out of Scotlande intoLothianin Englaland\\\", thus using it in the more ancient sense. The earliest attested reference to the Angles occurs in the 1st-century work byTacitus,Germania, in which theLatinwordAngliiis used.The etymology of the tribal name itself is disputed by scholars; it has been suggested that it derives from the shape of the Angeln peninsula, anangularshape.How and why a term derived from the name of a tribe that was less significant than others, such as theSaxons, came to be used for the entire country is not known, but it seems this is related to the custom of calling the Germanic people in BritainAngli Saxonesor English\",\n \"Saxonesor English Saxons to distinguish them from continental Saxons (Eald-Seaxe) of Old Saxony in Germany.InScottish Gaelic, the Saxon tribe gave their name to the word for England (Sasunn);similarly, theWelshname for the English language is \\\"Saesneg\\\". A romantic name for England isLoegria, related to the Welsh word for England,Lloegr, and made popular by its use inArthurian legend.Albionis also applied to England in a more poetic capacity,though its original meaning is the island of Britain as a whole. History Prehistory The earliest known evidence of human presence in the area now known as England was that ofHomo antecessor, dating to approximately 780,000 years ago. The oldest proto-human bones discovered in England date from 500,000 years ago.Modern humans are known to have inhabited the area during theUpper Paleolithicperiod, though permanent settlements were only established within the last 6,000 years.After thelast ice ageonly large mammals such asmammoths,bisonandwoolly rhinocerosremained. Roughly\",\n \"Roughly 11,000 years ago, when theice sheetsbegan to recede, humans repopulated the area; genetic research suggests they came from the northern part of theIberian Peninsula.The sea level was lower than the present day and Britain was connected byland bridgeto Ireland andEurasia.As the seas rose, it was separated from Ireland 10,000 years ago and from Eurasia two millennia later. TheBeaker culturearrived around 2,500 BC, introducing drinking and food vessels constructed from clay, as well as vessels used as reduction pots to smelt copper ores.It was during this time that majorNeolithicmonuments such asStonehenge(phase III) andAveburywere constructed. By heating together tin and copper, which were in abundance in the area, the Beaker culture people madebronze, and later iron from iron ores. The development of ironsmeltingallowed the construction of betterploughs, advancing agriculture (for instance, withCeltic fields), as well as the production of more effective weapons. During theIron Age,Celtic culture,\",\n \"Age,Celtic culture, deriving from theHallstattandLa Tène cultures, arrived from Central Europe.Brythonicwas the spoken language during this time. Society was tribal; according toPtolemy'sGeographiathere were around 20 tribes in the area. Like other regions on the edge of the Empire, Britain had long enjoyed trading links with the Romans. Julius Caesar of theRoman Republicattempted toinvade twicein 55 BC; although largely unsuccessful, he managed to set up aclient kingfrom theTrinovantes. Ancient history The Romans invaded Britain in 43 AD during the reign of EmperorClaudius, subsequentlyconquering much of Britain, and the area was incorporated into the Roman Empire asBritannia province.The best-known of the native tribes who attempted to resist were theCatuvellauniled byCaratacus. Later, an uprising led byBoudica, Queen of theIceni, ended with Boudica's suicide following her defeat at theBattle of Watling Street.The author of one study of Roman Britain suggested that from 43 AD to 84 AD, the Roman invaders\",\n \"the Roman invaders killed somewhere between 100,000 and 250,000 people from a population of perhaps 2,000,000.This era saw aGreco-Romanculture prevail with the introduction ofRoman law,Roman architecture,aqueducts,sewers, many agricultural items and silk.In the 3rd century, EmperorSeptimius Severusdied atEboracum(nowYork), whereConstantinewas subsequently proclaimed emperor a century later. There is debate about when Christianity was first introduced; it was no later than the 4th century, probably much earlier. According toBede, missionaries were sent from Rome byEleutheriusat the request of the chieftainLucius of Britainin 180 AD, to settle differences as to Eastern and Western ceremonials, which were disturbing the church. There are traditions linked to Glastonbury claiming an introduction throughJoseph of Arimathea, while others claim through Lucius of Britain.By 410, during thedecline of the Roman Empire, Britain was left exposed by theend of Roman rule in Britainand the withdrawal of Roman army units,\",\n \"Roman army units, to defend the frontiers in continental Europe and partake in civil wars.Celtic Christian monastic and missionary movements flourished. This period of Christianity was influenced by ancient Celtic culture in its sensibilities, polity, practices and theology. Local \\\"congregations\\\" were centred in the monastic community and monastic leaders were more like chieftains, as peers, rather than in the more hierarchical system of the Roman-dominated church. Middle Ages Roman militarywithdrawals left Britain open to invasion by pagan, seafaring warriors from north-western continental Europe, chiefly the Saxons,Angles,Jutesand Frisians who had long raided the coasts of the Roman province. These groups then began to settle in increasing numbers over the course of the fifth and sixth centuries, initially in the eastern part of the country.Their advance was contained for some decades after the Britons' victory at theBattle of Mount Badon, but subsequently resumed, overrunning the fertile lowlands of\",\n \"fertile lowlands of Britain and reducing the area underBrittoniccontrol to a series of separate enclaves in the more rugged country to the west by the end of the 6th century. Contemporary texts describing this period are extremely scarce, giving rise to its description as aDark Age. Details of theAnglo-Saxon settlement of Britainare consequently subject to considerable disagreement; the emerging consensus is that it occurred on a large scale in the south and east but was less substantial to the north and west, where Celtic languages continued to be spoken even in areas under Anglo-Saxon control.Roman-dominated Christianity had, in general, been replaced in the conquered territories byAnglo-Saxon paganism, but wasreintroduced by missionariesfrom Rome led byAugustinefrom 597.Disputes between the Roman- and Celtic-dominated forms of Christianity ended in victory for the Roman tradition at theCouncil of Whitby(664), which was ostensibly abouttonsures(clerical haircuts) and the date of Easter, but more\",\n \"of Easter, but more significantly, about the differences in Roman and Celtic forms of authority, theology, and practice. During the settlement period the lands ruled by the incomers seem to have been fragmented into numerous tribal territories, but by the 7th century, when substantial evidence of the situation again becomes available, these had coalesced into roughly a dozen kingdoms includingNorthumbria,Mercia,Wessex,East Anglia,Essex,KentandSussex. Over the following centuries, this process of political consolidation continued.The 7th century saw a struggle for hegemony between Northumbria and Mercia, which in the 8th century gave way to Mercian preeminence.In the early 9th century Mercia was displaced as the foremost kingdom by Wessex. Later in that century escalating attacks by theDanesculminated in the conquest of the north and east of England, overthrowing the kingdoms of Northumbria, Mercia and East Anglia. Wessex underAlfred the Greatwas left as the only surviving English kingdom, and under his\",\n \"and under his successors, it steadily expanded at the expense of the kingdoms of theDanelaw. This brought about the political unification of England, first accomplished underÆthelstanin 927 and definitively established after further conflicts byEadredin 953. A fresh wave of Scandinavian attacks from the late 10th century ended with the conquest of this united kingdom bySweyn Forkbeardin 1013 and again by his sonCnutin 1016, turning it into the centre of a short-livedNorth Sea Empirethat also includedDenmarkandNorway. However, the native royal dynasty was restored with the accession ofEdward the Confessorin 1042. A dispute over the succession to Edward led to an unsuccessful Norwegian Invasion in September 1066 close to York in the North, and the successfulNorman Conquestin October 1066, accomplished by an army led byDuke William of Normandyinvading at Hastings late September 1066.TheNormansthemselves originated fromScandinaviaand had settled in Normandy in the late 9th and early 10th centuries.This conquest\",\n \"conquest led to the almost total dispossession of the English elite and its replacement by a new French-speaking aristocracy, whose speech had a profound and permanent effect on the English language. Subsequently, theHouse of PlantagenetfromAnjouinherited the English throne underHenry II, adding England to the buddingAngevin Empireof fiefs the family had inherited in France includingAquitaine.They reigned for three centuries, some noted monarchs beingRichard I,Edward I,Edward IIIandHenry V.The period saw changes in trade and legislation, including the signing ofMagna Carta, an English legal charter used to limit the sovereign's powers by law and protect the privileges of freemen. Catholicmonasticismflourished, providing philosophers, and the universities of Oxford and Cambridge were founded with royal patronage. ThePrincipality of Walesbecame a Plantagenet fief during the 13th centuryand theLordship of Irelandwas given to the English monarchy by the Pope. During the 14th century, the Plantagenets and\",\n \"Plantagenets and theHouse of Valoisclaimed to be legitimate claimants to theHouse of Capetand of France; the two powers clashed in theHundred Years' War.TheBlack Deathepidemichit England; starting in 1348, it eventually killed up to half of England'sinhabitants. Between 1453 and 1487, a civil war known as theWar of the Roseswaged between the two branches of the royal family, theYorkistsandLancastrians.Eventually it led to the Yorkists losing the throne entirely to a Welsh noble family theTudors, a branch of the Lancastrians headed byHenry Tudorwho invaded with Welsh and Breton mercenaries, gaining victory at theBattle of Bosworth Fieldwhere the Yorkist kingRichard IIIwas killed. Early modern period During theTudor period, England began to developnaval skills, and exploration intensified in theAge of Discovery.Henry VIIIbroke from communion with the Catholic Church, over issues relating to his divorce, under theActs of Supremacyin 1534 which proclaimed the monarch head of theChurch of England. In contrast\",\n \"In contrast with much of EuropeanProtestantism, theroots of the splitwere more political than theological.He also legally incorporated his ancestral land Wales into the Kingdom of England with the1535–1542 acts. There were internal religious conflicts during the reigns of Henry's daughters,Mary IandElizabeth I. The former took the country back to Catholicism while the latter broke from it again, forcefully asserting the supremacy ofAnglicanism. TheElizabethan erais the epoch in the Tudor age of the reign of Queen Elizabeth I (\\\"the Virgin Queen\\\"). Historians often depict it as thegolden agein English history that represented the apogee of the English Renaissance and saw the flowering of great art, drama, poetry, music and literature.England during this period had a centralised, well-organised, and effective government. Competing withSpain, the first English colony in the Americas was founded in 1585 by explorerWalter RaleighinVirginiaand namedRoanoke. The Roanoke colony failed and is known as the lost colony\",\n \"as the lost colony after it was found abandoned on the return of the late-arriving supply ship.With theEast India Company, England also competed with theDutchandFrenchin the East. During the Elizabethan period, England was at war with Spain. Anarmadasailed from Spain in 1588 as part of a wider plan to invade England and re-establish a Catholic monarchy. The plan was thwarted by bad coordination, stormy weather and successful harrying attacks by an English fleet underLord Howard of Effingham. This failure did not end the threat: Spain launched two further armadas, in1596and1597, but both were driven back by storms. Union with Scotland The political structure of the island changed in 1603, when theKing of Scots,James VI, a kingdom which had been a long-time rival to English interests, inherited the throne of England as James I, thereby creating apersonal union.He styled himselfKing of Great Britain, although this had no basis in English law.Under the auspices of James VI and I the AuthorisedKing James\",\n \"James Versionof the Holy Bible was published in 1611. It was the standard version of the Bible read by most Protestant Christians for four hundred years until modern revisions were produced in the 20th century. Based on conflicting political, religious and social positions, theEnglish Civil Warwas fought between the supporters ofParliamentand those of KingCharles I, known colloquially asRoundheadsandCavaliersrespectively. This was an interwoven part of the wider multifacetedWars of the Three Kingdoms, involvingScotlandandIreland. The Parliamentarians were victorious,Charles I was executedand the kingdom replaced by theCommonwealth. Leader of the Parliament forces,Oliver Cromwelldeclared himselfLord Protectorin 1653; a period ofpersonal rulefollowed.After Cromwell's death and the resignation of his sonRichardas Lord Protector,Charles IIwas invited to return as monarch in 1660, in a move called theRestoration. With the reopening of theatres, fine arts, literature and performing arts flourished throughout the\",\n \"throughout the Restoration of the \\\"Merry Monarch\\\" Charles II.After theGlorious Revolutionof 1688, it was constitutionally established that King and Parliament should rule together, though Parliament would have the real power. This was established with theBill of Rightsin 1689. Among the statutes set down were that the law could only be made by Parliament and could not be suspended by the King, also that the King could not impose taxes or raise an army without the prior approval of Parliament.Also since that time, no British monarch has entered theHouse of Commonswhen it is sitting, which is annually commemorated at theState Opening of Parliamentby the British monarch when the doors of the House of Commons are slammed in the face of the monarch's messenger, symbolising the rights of Parliament and its independence from the monarch.With the founding of theRoyal Societyin 1660, science was greatly encouraged. In 1666 theGreat Fire of Londongutted the city of London, but it was rebuilt shortly afterward with\",\n \"afterward with many significant buildings designed by SirChristopher Wren.By the mid-to-late 17th century, two political factions had emerged – theToriesandWhigs. Though the Tories initially supported Catholic kingJames II, some of them, along with the Whigs, during theRevolution of 1688invited the DutchPrince William of Orangeto defeat James and become the king. Some English people, especially in the north, wereJacobitesand continued to support James and his sons. Under theStuart dynastyEngland expanded in trade, finance and prosperity. The Royal Navy developed Europe's largest merchant fleet.After the parliaments of England and Scotland agreed,the two countries joined inpolitical union, to create theKingdom of Great Britainin 1707.To accommodate the union, institutions such as the law and national churches of each remained separate. Late modern and contemporary periods Under the newly formed Kingdom of Great Britain, output from the Royal Society and otherEnglish initiativescombined with theScottish\",\n \"with theScottish Enlightenmentto create innovations in science and engineering, while the enormous growth inBritish overseas tradeprotected by theRoyal Navypaved the way for the establishment of theBritish Empire. Domestically it drove theIndustrial Revolution, a period of profound change in thesocioeconomicand cultural conditions of England, resulting in industrialised agriculture, manufacture, engineering and mining, as well as new and pioneering road, rail and water networks to facilitate their expansion and development.The opening of Northwest England'sBridgewater Canalin 1761 ushered in thecanal age in Britain.In 1825 the world's first permanent steam locomotive-hauled passenger railway – theStockton and Darlington Railway– opened to the public. During theIndustrial Revolution, many workers moved from England's countryside to new and expanding urban industrial areas to work in factories, for instance atBirminghamandManchester,with the latter the world's first industrial city.England maintained relative\",\n \"maintained relative stability throughout theFrench Revolution, underGeorge IIIandWilliam Pitt the Younger. Theregency of George IVis noted for its elegance and achievements in the fine arts and architecture.During theNapoleonic Wars,Napoleonplanned toinvade from the south-east; however, this failed to manifest and the Napoleonic forces were defeated by the British: at sea byHoratio Nelson, and on land byArthur Wellesley. The major victory at theBattle of Trafalgarconfirmed the naval supremacy Britain had established during the course of the eighteenth century.The Napoleonic Wars fostered a concept ofBritishnessand a united nationalBritish people, shared with the English, Scots and Welsh. London became the largest and most populous metropolitan area in the world during theVictorian era, and trade within the British Empire – as well as the standing of the British military and navy – was prestigious.Technologically, this era saw many innovations that proved key to the United Kingdom's power and\",\n \"Kingdom's power and prosperity.Political agitation at home from radicals such as theChartistsand thesuffragettesenabled legislative reform anduniversal suffrage. Power shifts in east-central Europe led to World War I; hundreds of thousands of English soldiers died fighting for the United Kingdom as part of theAllies.Two decades later, inWorld War II, the United Kingdom was again one of theAllies. Developments in warfare technology saw many cities damaged by air-raids duringthe Blitz. Following the war, the British Empire experienced rapiddecolonisation, and there was a speeding-up of technological innovations; automobiles became the primary means of transport andFrank Whittle's development of thejet engineled to widerair travel.Residential patterns were altered in England by private motoring, and by the creation of theNational Health Servicein 1948, providingpublicly funded health careto all permanent residents free at the point of need. Combined, these prompted the reform oflocal government in Englandin the\",\n \"in Englandin the mid-20th century. Since the 20th century, there has been significant population movement to England, mostly from other parts of theBritish Isles, but also from theCommonwealth, particularly theIndian subcontinent.Since the 1970s there has been a large move away from manufacturing and an increasing emphasis on theservice industry.As part of the United Kingdom, the area joined acommon marketinitiative called theEuropean Economic Communitywhich became theEuropean Union. Since the late 20th century theadministration of the United Kingdomhas moved towardsdevolved governancein Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.England and Walescontinues to exist as a jurisdiction within the United Kingdom.Devolution has stimulated a greater emphasis on a more English-specific identity and patriotism.There is no devolved English government, but an attempt to create a similar system on a sub-regional basis was rejected byreferendum. Governance Politics England is part of the United Kingdom, aconstitutional\",\n \"aconstitutional monarchywith aparliamentary system.There has not been agovernment of Englandsince 1707, when theActs of Union 1707,putting into effect the terms of theTreaty of Union, joined England and Scotland to form theKingdom of Great Britain.Before the union England was ruled byits monarchand theParliament of England. Today England is governed directly by theParliament of the United Kingdom, although othercountries of the United Kingdomhavedevolvedgovernments.There has been debate about how to counterbalance this in England. Originally it was planned that variousregions of Englandwould be devolved, but following the proposal's rejection by theNorth Eastin a2004 referendum, this has not been carried out.In 2024, an England-only intergovernmental body, known as theMayoral Council, was established to bring together ministers from theUK Government, theMayor of Londonand the leaders ofcombined authorities. In theHouse of Commonswhich is thelower houseof the British Parliament based at thePalace of\",\n \"at thePalace of Westminster, there are 543 members of parliament (MPs) for constituencies in England, out of the 650 total.England is represented by 347 MPs from theLabour Party, 116 from theConservative Party, 65 from theLiberal Democrats, five forReform UKand four for theGreen Party of England and Wales. Law TheEnglish lawlegal system, developed over the centuries, is the basis ofcommon lawlegal systems used in mostCommonwealthcountriesand the United States (exceptLouisiana). Despite now being part of the United Kingdom, the legal system of theCourts of England and Walescontinued, under theTreaty of Union, as a separate legal system fromthe one used in Scotland. The general essence of English law is that it is made by judges sitting in courts, applying their common sense and knowledge oflegal precedent–stare decisis– to the facts before them. The court system is headed by the Senior Courts of England and Wales, consisting of theCourt of Appeal, theHigh Court of Justicefor civil cases, and theCrown Courtfor\",\n \"theCrown Courtfor criminal cases.TheSupreme Court of the United Kingdomis the highest court for criminal and civil cases inEngland and Wales. It was created in 2009 after constitutional changes, taking over thejudicial functions of the House of Lords.A decision of the Supreme Court is binding on every other court in the hierarchy, which must follow its directions. TheSecretary of State for Justiceis the minister responsible to Parliament for thejudiciary, the court system and prisons and probation in England.Crime increased between 1981 and 1995 but fell by 42% in the period 1995–2006.The prison population doubled over the same period, giving it one of thehighest incarceration ratesin Western Europe at 147 per 100,000.His Majesty's Prison Service, reporting to theMinistry of Justice, manages most prisons, housing 81,309 prisoners in England and Wales as of September 2022. Subdivisions Thesubdivisions of Englandconsist of up to four levels ofsubnational division, controlled through a variety of types of\",\n \"variety of types of administrative entities created for the purposes oflocal government. Outside the London region, England's highest tier is the 48ceremonial counties.These are used primarily as a geographical frame of reference. Of these, 38 developed gradually since theMiddle Ages; these were reformed to 51 in 1974 and to their current number in 1996.Each has aLord LieutenantandHigh Sheriff; these posts are used to represent theBritish monarchlocally.Some counties, such asHerefordshire, are only divided further into civil parishes. The royal county of Berkshire and the metropolitan counties have different types of status to other ceremonial counties. The second tier is made up ofcombined authoritiesand the 27county-tiershire counties. In 1974, all ceremonial counties were two-tier; and with the metropolitan county tier phased out, the 1996 reform separated the ceremonial county and the administrative county tier. England is also divided into local government districts.The district can align to a\",\n \"can align to a ceremonial county, or be a district tier within ashire county, be aroyalormetropolitan borough, haveboroughorcity status, or be aunitary authority. At the community level, much of England is divided intocivil parisheswith their owncouncils; in Greater London only one such parish,Queen's Park, exists as of 2014after they wereabolished in 1965until legislationallowed their recreationin 2007. London From 1994 until the early 2010s England was divided for a few purposes into regions; a1998 referendumfor the London Region created theLondon Assemblytwo years later.A failed2004 North East England devolution referendumcancelled furtherregional assemblydevolutionwith the regional structure outside London abolished. Ceremonially and administratively, the region is divided between theCity of LondonandGreater London; these are further divided into the 32London Boroughsand the 25Wards of the City of London. Geography Landscape and rivers Geographically, England includes the central and southern two-thirds\",\n \"southern two-thirds of the island of Great Britain, plus such offshore islands as theIsle of Wightand theIsles of Scilly. It is bordered by two other countries of the United Kingdom:to the northby Scotland andto the westby Wales. England is closer than any other part of mainland Britain to the European continent. It is separated fromFrance(Hauts-de-France) by a 21-mile (34 km)sea gap, though the two countries are connected by theChannel TunnelnearFolkestone.England also has shores on theIrish Sea,North Seaand Atlantic Ocean. The ports of London,Liverpool, andNewcastlelie on the tidal riversThames,MerseyandTynerespectively. At 220 miles (350 km), theSevernis the longest river flowing through England.It empties into theBristol Channeland is notable for itsSevern Bore(atidal bore), which can reach 2 metres (6.6 ft) in height.However, the longest river entirely in England is the Thames, which is 215 miles (346 km) in length.There are manylakes in England; the largest isWindermere, within the aptly namedLake\",\n \"the aptly namedLake District. Most of England's landscape consists of low hills and plains, with upland and mountainous terrain in the north and west of the country. The northern uplands include thePennines, a chain of uplands dividing east and west, the Lake District mountains in Cumbria, and theCheviot Hills, straddling the border between England and Scotland. The highest point in England, at 978 metres (3,209 ft), isScafell Pikein the Lake District.TheShropshire Hillsare near Wales whileDartmoorandExmoorare two upland areas in the south-west of the country. The approximate dividing line between terrain types is often indicated by theTees–Exe line. The Pennines, known as the \\\"backbone of England\\\", are the oldest range of mountains in the country, originating from the end of thePaleozoic Eraaround 300 million years ago.Their geological composition includes, among others,sandstoneandlimestone, and also coal. There arekarstlandscapes in calcite areas such as parts ofYorkshireandDerbyshire. The Pennine\",\n \"The Pennine landscape is highmoorlandin upland areas, indented by fertile valleys of the region's rivers. They contain twonational parks, theYorkshire Dalesand thePeak District. In theWest Country, Dartmoor and Exmoor of the Southwest Peninsula include upland moorland supported by granite. TheEnglish Lowlandsare in the central and southern regions of the country, consisting of green rolling hills, including theCotswold Hills,Chiltern Hills,NorthandSouth Downs; where they meet the sea they form white rock exposures such as thecliffs of Dover. This also includes relatively flat plains such as theSalisbury Plain,Somerset Levels,South Coast PlainandThe Fens. Climate England has atemperatemaritime climate: it is mild with temperatures not much lower than 0 °C (32 °F) in winter and not much higher than 32 °C (90 °F) in summer.The weather is damp relatively frequently and is changeable. The coldest months are January and February, the latter particularly on theEnglish coast, while July is normally the warmest\",\n \"the warmest month. Months with mild to warm weather are May, June, September and October.Rainfall is spread fairly evenly throughout the year. Important influences on the climate of England are its proximity to theAtlantic Ocean, its northernlatitudeand the warming of the sea by theGulf Stream.Rainfall is higher in the west, and parts of theLake Districtreceive more rain than anywhere else in the country.Since weather records began, the highest temperature recorded was 40.3 °C (104.5 °F) on 19 July 2022 atConingsby,Lincolnshire,while the lowest was −26.1 °C (−15.0 °F) on 10 January 1982 inEdgmond, Shropshire. Nature and wildlife The fauna of England is similar to that of other areas in theBritish Isleswith a wide range of vertebrate and invertebrate life in a diverse range of habitats.National nature reserves in Englandare designated byNatural Englandas key places forwildlifeand natural features in England. They were established to protect the most significant areas of habitat and of geological formations.\",\n \"formations. NNRs are managed on behalf of the nation, many by Natural England themselves, but also by non-governmental organisations, including the members ofThe Wildlife Trustspartnership, theNational Trust, and theRoyal Society for the Protection of Birds. There are 221 NNRs in England covering 110,000 hectares (1,100 square kilometres). Often they contain rare species or nationally important populations of plants and animals.. TheEnvironment Agencyis a non-departmental public body, established in 1995 and sponsored by theDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural Affairswith responsibilities relating to the protection and enhancement of the environment in England.TheSecretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairsis the minister responsible for environmental protection, agriculture, fisheries and rural communities in England. England has atemperate oceanic climatein most areas, lacking extremes of cold or heat, but does have a few small areas ofsubarcticand warmer areas inthe South West. Towards\",\n \"South West. Towards theNorth of Englandthe climate becomes colder and most of England's mountains and high hills are located here and have a major impact on the climate and thus the local fauna of the areas.Deciduouswoodlands are common across all of England and provide a great habitat for much of England's wildlife, but these give way in northern and upland areas of England toconiferousforests (mainly plantations) which also benefit certain forms of wildlife. Some species have adapted to the expanded urban environment, particularly thered fox, which is the most successfulurban mammalafter thebrown rat, and other animals such ascommon wood pigeon, both of which thrive in urban and suburban areas. Major conurbations TheGreater London Built-up Areais by far the largest urban area in Englandand one of the busiest cities in the world. It is considered aglobal cityand has a population larger than any other country in the United Kingdom besides England itself.Other urban areas of considerable size and influence\",\n \"size and influence tend to be innorthern Englandor theEnglish Midlands.There are50 settlementswhich have designatedcity status in England, while the wider United Kingdom has 66. While many cities in England are quite large, such asBirmingham,Sheffield,Manchester,Liverpool,Leeds,Newcastle,Bradford,Nottingham, population size is not a prerequisite for city status.Traditionally the status was given to towns withdiocesan cathedrals, so there are smaller cities likeWells,Ely,Ripon,TruroandChichester. Economy England's economy is one of the largest and most dynamic in the world, with an averageGDP per capitaof £37,852 in 2022.HM Treasury, led by theChancellor of the Exchequer, is responsible for developing and executing the government'spublic financepolicy andeconomic policy.Usually regarded as amixed market economy, it has adopted manyfree marketprinciples, yet maintains an advanced social welfare infrastructure. The economy of England is the largest part of theUK's economy.England is a leader in the chemical and\",\n \"in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors and in key technical industries, particularlyaerospace, thearms industry, and thesoftware industry. London, home to theLondon Stock Exchange, the United Kingdom's mainstock exchangeand the largest in Europe, is England's financial centre, with 100 of Europe's 500 largest corporations being based there.London is the largest financial centre in Europe and as of 2014 is the second largest in the world. London has also been named as the fastest growing technology hub in Europe, with England having over 100 unique tech companies with a value of $1 billion or more.TheBank of England, founded in 1694 as private banker to the government of England and astate-owned institutionsince 1946, is the United Kingdom'scentral bank.The bank has a monopoly on the issue of banknotes inEngland and Wales, although not in other parts of the UK. The government has devolved responsibility to the bank'sMonetary Policy Committeefor managing the monetary policy of the country and setting\",\n \"country and setting interest rates. England is highly industrialised, but since the 1970s there has been a decline in traditional heavy and manufacturing industries, and an increasing emphasis on a moreservice industryoriented economy.Tourism has become a significant industry, attracting millions of visitors to England each year. The export part of the economy is dominated bypharmaceuticals, automotives,crude oiland petroleum from the English parts ofNorth Sea oilalong withWytch Farm,aircraft enginesand alcoholic beverages.Thecreative industriesaccounted for 7 per cent GVA in 2005 and grew at an average of 6 per cent per annum between 1997 and 2005. Agriculture is intensive, highly mechanised and efficient by European standards, producing 60% of food needs with only 2% of the labour force.Two-thirds of production is devoted to livestock, the remainder to arable crops.The main crops that are grown arewheat,barley,oats,potatoes, andsugar beets. England retains a significant fishing industry. Its fleets bring\",\n \"Its fleets bring home a variety of fish, ranging fromsoletoherring. England is also rich in natural resources includingcoal,petroleum,natural gas,tin,limestone,iron ore,salt,clay,chalk,gypsum,lead, and silica. Science and technology Prominent English figures from the field of science and mathematics include SirIsaac Newton,Charles Darwin,Robert Hooke,Alan Turing,Stephen Hawking,Edward Jenner,Francis Crick,Joseph Lister,Joseph Priestley,Thomas Young,Christopher WrenandRichard Dawkins. England was a leading centre of theScientific Revolutionfrom the 17th century.As the birthplace of theIndustrial Revolution, England was home to many significant inventors during the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Famous English engineers includeIsambard Kingdom Brunel, best known for the creation of theGreat Western Railway, a series of famoussteamships, and numerous important bridges, revolutionising public transport and modern-day engineering.Thomas Newcomen'ssteam enginehelped spawn the Industrial Revolution. The Father\",\n \"The Father of Railways,George Stephenson, built the first public inter-city railway line in the world, theLiverpool and Manchester Railway, which opened in 1830. With his role in the marketing and manufacturing of the steam engine, and invention of modern coinage,Matthew Boulton(business partner ofJames Watt) is regarded as one of the most influential entrepreneurs in history.The physicianEdward Jenner'ssmallpox vaccineis said to have \\\"saved more lives ... than were lost in all the wars of mankind since the beginning of recorded history.\\\" Inventions and discoveries of the English include thejet engine; the first industrialspinning machine;the first computerand the firstmodern computer; theWorld Wide Webalong withHTML; the first successful humanblood transfusion; the motorisedvacuum cleaner;thelawn mower; theseat belt; thehovercraft; theelectric motor;steam engines; and theories such as the Darwinian theory ofevolutionandatomic theory. Newton developed the ideas ofuniversal gravitation,Newtonian mechanics,\",\n \"mechanics, andcalculus, andRobert Hookehis eponymously namedlaw of elasticity. Other inventions include the iron plate railway, thethermosiphon,tarmac, therubber band, themousetrap,\\\"cat's eye\\\"road marker, joint development of thelight bulb, steamlocomotives, the modernseed drilland many modern techniques and technologies used inprecision engineering. TheRoyal Society, formallyThe Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge,is alearned societyand theUnited Kingdom's nationalacademy of sciences. Founded on 28 November 1660,It is the oldest national scientific institution in the world.TheRoyal Institution of Great Britainwas founded in 1799 by leading English scientists, includingHenry Cavendish.Some experts claim that the earliest concept of ametric systemwas invented byJohn Wilkinsin 1668. Scientific research and development remains important in theuniversities of England, with many establishingscience parksto facilitate production and co-operation with industry.Cambridgeis the most intensive\",\n \"the most intensive research cluster for science and technology in the world.In 2022, the UK produced 6.3 per cent of the world's scientific research papers and had a 10.5 per cent share of scientific citations, the third highest in the world (after the United States and China).Scientific journals produced in England includeNature, theBritish Medical JournalandThe Lancet. TheDepartment for Science, Innovation and Technology,Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Technology, andMinister of State for Science, Research and Innovationhas responsibility for science in England. Transport TheDepartment for Transportis the government body responsible for overseeing transport in England. The department is run by theSecretary of State for Transport. England has a dense and modern transportation infrastructure. There are manymotorways in England, and many other trunk roads, such as theA1 Great North Road, which runs through eastern England from London to Newcastle(much of this section is motorway) and onward to\",\n \"and onward to the Scottish border. The longest motorway in England is theM6, fromRugbythrough theNorth Westup to theAnglo-Scottish border, a distance of 232 miles (373 km).Other major routes include: theM1from London to Leeds, theM25which encircles London, theM60which encircles Manchester, theM4from London to South Wales, theM62from Liverpool via Manchester to East Yorkshire, and theM5from Birmingham to Bristol and the South West. Bus transport across the country is widespread; major companies includeArriva,FirstGroup,Go-Ahead Group,Mobico Group,RotalaandStagecoach Group.Bus rapid transitoriginated in England with theRuncornBusway opening in 1971.The reddouble-decker busesin London have become a symbol of England.National Cycle Routeoffers cycling routes nationally. Rail transport in Englandis the oldest in the world: passenger railways originated in England in 1825.Much of Britain's 10,000 miles (16,000 km) of rail network lies in England, covering the country fairly extensively. There is rail transport\",\n \"is rail transport access to France and Belgium through an undersea rail link, theChannel Tunnel, which was completed in 1994. Great British Railwaysis a planned state-owned public body that will overseerail transport in Great Britainfrom 2024. TheOffice of Rail and Roadis responsible for the economic and safety regulation of England's railways.Crossrailwas Europe's largest construction project with a £15 billion projected cost, opened in 2022.High Speed 2, a new high-speed north–south railway line, is under construction. There is arapid transitnetwork in two English cities: theLondon Underground, and theTyne and Wear MetroinNewcastle upon Tyne,GatesheadandSunderland.There are several extensive tram networks, such as theManchester Metrolink,Sheffield Supertram,West Midlands Metro,Nottingham Express Transit, andTramlinkin South London.England also has extensive domestic and international aviation links. The largest airport isHeathrow, which is theworld's second busiest airport measured by number of\",\n \"by number of international passengers. By sea there is ferry transport, both local and international, including from Liverpool to Ireland and the Isle of Man, and Hull to the Netherlands and Belgium.There are around 4,400 miles (7,100 km) of navigable waterways in England, half of which is owned by theCanal & River Trust,however, water transport is very limited. TheRiver Thamesis the major waterway in England, with imports and exports focused at thePort of Tilburyin theThames Estuary, one of the United Kingdom's three major ports. Energy Successive governments have outlined numerous commitments to reducecarbon dioxideemissions. Notably, the UK isone of the best sites in Europe for wind energy, and wind power production is its fastest growing supply.Wind power contributed 26.8% of UK electricity generation in 2022.England is home toHornsea 2, the largest offshore wind farm in the world, situated in waters roughly 89 kilometres off the coast of Yorkshire. TheClimate Change Act 2008was passed in Parliament with\",\n \"in Parliament with an overwhelming majority across political parties. It sets out emission reduction targets that the UK must comply with legally. It represents the first global legally bindingclimate change mitigationtarget set by a country.UK government energy policyaims to play a key role in limitinggreenhouse gas emissions, while meeting energy demand. Shifting availabilities of resources and development of technologies also change the country'senergy mixthrough changes in costs. The current energy policy is the responsibility of theDepartment for Energy Security and Net ZeroandSecretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.TheMinister of State for Business, Energy and Clean Growthis responsible for green finance, climate science and innovation, and low carbon generation.In 2022, the United Kingdom was ranked 2 out of 180 countries in theEnvironmental Performance Index.A law has been passed thatUK greenhouse gas emissionswill benet zeroby 2050. Healthcare TheNational Health Service(NHS), is the\",\n \"is the publicly fundedhealthcare systemresponsible for providing the majority of healthcare in the country. The NHS began on 5 July 1948, putting into effect the provisions of theNational Health Service Act 1946. It was based on the findings of theBeveridge Report, prepared by the economist and social reformer,William Beveridge.The NHS is largely funded by general taxation andNational Insurancepayments;it provides most of its services free at the point of use, although there are charges for some people for eye tests, dental care, prescriptions and aspects of personal care. The government department responsible for the NHS is theDepartment of Health, under theSecretary of State for Health. Most of the department's expenses are on the NHS – £98.6 billion was spent in 2008–2009.Regulatory bodies such as theGeneral Medical Counciland theNursing and Midwifery Councilare organised on a UK-wide basis, as are non-governmental bodies such as theRoyal Colleges. The averagelife expectancyis 77.5 years for males and\",\n \"years for males and 81.7 years for females, the highest of the fourcountries of the United Kingdom.The south of England has a higher life expectancy than the north, but regional differences seem to be slowly narrowing: between 1991–1993 and 2012–2014, life expectancy in the North East increased by 6.0 years and in the North West by 5.8 years. Demography Population With over 56 million inhabitants, England is by far the most populous country of the United Kingdom, accounting for 84% of the combined total.England taken as a unit and measured against international states would be the 26th largestcountry by populationin the world. TheEnglish peopleareBritish people.There is an English diaspora in former parts of the British Empire; especially theUnited States,Canada,Australia,South AfricaandNew Zealand.Since the late 1990s, many English peoplehave migratedto Spain.Due in particular to the economic prosperity ofSouth East England, it has received many economic migrants from the other parts of the United\",\n \"parts of the United Kingdom.There has beensignificant Irish migration.The proportion of ethnically European residents totals at 81.7%,includingWhite British,GermansandPoles,down from 94.1% in 1991.Other people from much further afield in the former British colonies have arrived since the 1950s: in particular, about 7% of people living in England have familyorigins in the Indian subcontinent, mostlyIndia,PakistanandBangladesh.About 0.7% areChinese,0.6% areArabs.4.0% of the population areblack, from Africa and theCaribbean, especially former British colonies,and 2.9% identified as multiracial ormixed. In 2007, 22% of primary school children in England were fromethnic minorityfamilies,and in 2011 that figure was 26.5%.About half of the population increase between 1991 and 2001 was due to immigration. England contains one indigenous national minority, theCornish people, recognised by the UK government under theFramework Convention for the Protection of National Minoritiesin 2014. Language (thousands) English,\",\n \"English, today widely spoken around the world,originated in what is now England, where it remains the principal tongue. According to a 2011 census, it is spoken well or very well by 98% of the population English language learning and teachingis an importanteconomic activity. There is nolegislationmandating anofficial languagefor England,but English is the only language used for official business. Despite the country's relatively small size, there are many distinctregional accents. Cornish died out as a community language in the 18th century but is being revived,and is now protected under theEuropean Charter for Regional or Minority Languages.It is spoken by 0.1% of people inCornwall,and is taught to some degree in several primary and secondary schools. State schoolsteach students asecond languageorthird languagefrom the ages of seven, most commonly French, Spanish or German.It was reported in 2007 that around 800,000 school students spoke aforeign languageat home,the most common beingPunjabiandUrdu. However,\",\n \"However, following the 2011 census data released by theOffice for National Statistics, figures now show that Polish is the main language spoken in England after English.In 2022,British Sign Languagebecame an official language of England when theBritish Sign Language Act 2022came into effect. Religion In the 2011 census, 59.4% of the population of England specified their religion as Christian, 24.7% answered that they had no religion, 5% specified that they wereMuslim, while 3.7% of the population belongs to other religions and 7.2% did not give an answer.Christianity is the most widely practised religion in England. Theestablished churchof England is theChurch of England,which left communion withRomein the 1530s whenHenry VIIIwas unable to annul his marriage toCatherine of Aragon. The church regards itself as both Catholic andProtestant. There areHigh ChurchandLow Churchtraditions and some Anglicans regard themselves asAnglo-Catholics, following theTractarian movement. The monarch of the United Kingdom is\",\n \"United Kingdom is thesupreme governor of the Church of England, which has around 26 million baptised members (of whom the vast majority are not regular churchgoers). It forms part of theAnglican Communionwith theArchbishop of Canterburyacting as its symbolic worldwide head.Manycathedralsand parish churches are historic buildings of significant architectural importance, such asWestminster Abbey,York Minster,Durham Cathedral, andSalisbury Cathedral. The second-largest Christian denomination is theCatholic Church. Since its reintroduction after theCatholic Emancipation, the Church has organised ecclesiastically on anEngland and Walesbasis where there are 4.5 million members (most of whom are English).There has been one Pope from England to date,Adrian IV, while saintsBedeandAnselmare regarded asDoctors of the Church. A form ofProtestantismknown asMethodismis the third largest Christian practice and grew out of Anglicanism throughJohn Wesley.It gained popularity in themill townsofLancashireandYorkshire, and\",\n \"and among tin miners inCornwall.There are othernon-conformistminorities, such asBaptists,Quakers,Congregationalists,UnitariansandThe Salvation Army. The patron saint of England isSaint George; his symbolic cross is included in the flag of England.There are many other English and associated saints, includingCuthbert,Edmund,Alban,Wilfrid,Aidan,Edward the Confessor,John Fisher,Thomas More,Petroc,Piran,Margaret ClitherowandThomas Becket. There are non-Christian religions practised.Jewshave a history of a small minority on the island since 1070.They were expelled from England in 1290 following theEdict of Expulsion, and were allowed back in 1656. Especially since the 1950s, religions from theformer British colonieshave grown in numbers, due to immigration.Islamis the most common of these, now accounting for around 5% of the population in England.Hinduism,SikhismandBuddhismare next in number, adding up to 2.8% combined,introduced from India andSoutheast Asia. A small minority of the population practise\",\n \"population practise ancientPagan religions.Neopaganism in the United Kingdomis primarily represented byWiccaandNeopagan witchcraft,Druidry, andHeathenry. According to the2011 census, there are roughly 53,172 people who identify as Pagan in England,including 11,026Wiccans.24.7% of people in England declaredno religion, compared with 14.6% in 2001.Norwichhad the highest such proportion at 42.5%, followed byBrighton and Hoveat 42.4%. Education TheDepartment for Educationis the government department responsible for issues affecting people in England up to the age of 19, including education.State-funded schools are attended by approximately 93% of English schoolchildren.Education is the responsibility of theSecretary of State for Education. Children between the ages of 3 and 5 attend nursery or anEarly Years Foundation Stagereception unit within a primary school. Children between the ages of 5 and 11 attend primary school, and secondary school is attended by those aged between 11 and 16. State-funded schools are\",\n \"schools are obliged by law to teach theNational Curriculum; basic areas of learning include English literature, English language, mathematics, science, art & design, citizenship, history, geography, religious education, design & technology, computing, ancient & modern languages, music, and physical education. TheProgramme for International Student Assessmentcoordinated by theOECDcurrently ranks the overall knowledge and skills of British 15-year-olds as 13th in the world in literacy, mathematics, and science with the average British student scoring 503.7, well above the OECD average of 493. Although most English secondary schools are comprehensive, there are selective intakegrammar schoolsto which entrance is subject to passing theeleven-plusexam. Around 7.2 per cent of English schoolchildren attendprivate schools, which are funded by private sources.Standards in state schools are monitored by theOffice for Standards in Education, and in private schools by theIndependent Schools Inspectorate. After finishing\",\n \"After finishing compulsory education, students takeGCSEexaminations. Students may then opt to continue intofurther educationfor two years.Further education colleges(particularlysixth form colleges) often form part of a secondary school site.A-levelexaminations are sat by a large number of further education students, and often form the basis of an application to university. Further education covers a wide curriculum of study andapprenticeships, includingT-levels,BTEC,NVQand others.Tertiary collegesprovide both academic and vocational courses. Higher education Higher education students normally attend university from age 18 onwards, where they study for anacademic degree. There are over 90 universities in England, all but one of which arepublic institutions. TheDepartment for Business, Innovation and Skillsis the government department responsible for higher education in England.Students are generally entitled tostudent loansto covertuition feesand living costs.The first degree offered to undergraduates is\",\n \"undergraduates is thebachelor's degree, which usually takes three years to complete. Students are then able to work towards a postgraduate degree, which usually takes one year, or a doctorate, which takes three or more years. England's universitiesinclude some of the highest-ranked universities in the world. As of 2024, four England-based universities, theUniversity of Cambridge,University of Oxford,Imperial College London, andUniversity College London, are ranked among the top ten in the 2024QS World University Rankings. The University of Cambridge, founded in 1209, and the University of Oxford, founded in 1096, are the twooldest universities in the English-speaking world. TheLondon School of Economicshas been described as the world's leading social science institution for both teaching and research.TheLondon Business Schoolis considered one of the world's leading business schools and in 2010 its MBA programme was ranked best in the world by theFinancial Times.Academic degreesin England are usually split\",\n \"are usually split into classes: first class, upper second class, lower second class, third, and unclassified.The King's School, CanterburyandKing's School, Rochesterare the oldest schools in the English-speaking world.Many of England's most well-known schools, such asWinchester College,Eton,St Paul's School,Harrow SchoolandRugby Schoolare fee-paying institutions. Culture Architecture Many ancientstanding stonemonuments were erected during the prehistoric period; among the best known areStonehenge,Devil's Arrows,Rudston MonolithandCastlerigg.With the introduction ofAncient Roman architecturethere was a development ofbasilicas,baths,amphitheaters,triumphal arches,villas,Roman temples,Roman roads,Roman forts,stockadesandaqueducts.It was the Romans who founded the first cities and towns such as London, Bath, York, Chester and St Albans. Perhaps the best-known example isHadrian's Wallstretching right across northern England.Another well-preserved example is theRoman BathsatBath, Somerset. Early medieval\",\n \"Early medieval architecture's secular buildings were simple constructions mainly using timber withthatchfor roofing. Ecclesiastical architecture ranged from a synthesis ofHiberno–Saxonmonasticism,toEarly Christianbasilicaand architecture characterised by pilaster-strips, blank arcading, baluster shafts and triangular headed openings. After the Norman conquest in 1066 variouscastleswere created; the best known include theTower of London,Warwick Castle,Durham CastleandWindsor Castle. Throughout the Plantagenet era, anEnglish Gothic architectureflourished, with prime examples including themedieval cathedralssuch asCanterbury Cathedral,Westminster AbbeyandYork Minster.Expanding on theNorman basethere was alsocastles,palaces,great houses, universities andparish churches. Medieval architecture was completed with the 16th-centuryTudor style; the four-centred arch, now known as theTudor arch, was a defining feature as werewattle and daubhouses domestically. In the aftermath of theRenaissancea form of architecture\",\n \"of architecture echoing classical antiquity synthesised with Christianity appeared, theEnglish Baroquestyle of architectChristopher Wrenbeing particularly championed. Georgian architecturefollowed in a more refined style, evoking a simple Palladian form; theRoyal Crescentat Bath is one of the best examples of this. With the emergence ofromanticismduring Victorian period, aGothic Revivalwas launched. In addition to this, around the same time the Industrial Revolution paved the way for buildings such asThe Crystal Palace. Since the 1930s variousmodernistforms have appeared whose reception is often controversial, though traditionalist resistance movements continue with support in influential places. Gardens Landscape gardening, as developed byCapability Brown, set an international trend for theEnglish landscape garden. Gardening, and visiting gardens, are regarded as typically English pursuits. The English garden presented an idealized view of nature. At large country houses, the English garden usually included\",\n \"usually included lakes, sweeps of gently rolling lawns set against groves of trees, and recreations of classical temples,Gothicruins, bridges, and other picturesque architecture, designed to recreate an idyllic pastoral landscape. By the end of the 18th century, the English garden was being imitated by theFrench landscape garden, and as far away asPavlovsk, Saint Petersburg, the gardens of the futureEmperor Paul. It also had a major influence on thepublic parksand gardens which appeared around the world in the 19th century.The English landscape garden was centred on theEnglish country houseand manor houses. English Heritageand theNational Trustpreserve great gardens and landscape parks throughout the country.TheRHS Chelsea Flower Showis held every year by theRoyal Horticultural Societyand is said to be the largest gardening show in the world. Folklore English folklore developed over many centuries. Some of the characters and stories are present across England, but most belong to specific regions. Common\",\n \"regions. Common folkloric beings includepixies,giants,elves,bogeymen,trolls,goblinsanddwarves. While many legends and folk-customs are thought to be ancient, such as the tales featuringOffa of AngelandWayland the Smith,others date from after the Norman invasion. The legends featuringRobin Hoodand hisMerry MenofSherwood, and their battles with theSheriff of Nottingham, are among the best-known of these. During theHigh Middle Agestales originating from Brythonic traditions entered English folklore and developed into theArthurian myth.These were derived fromAnglo-Norman, Welsh and French sources,featuringKing Arthur,Camelot,Excalibur,Merlinand theKnights of the Round Tablesuch asLancelot. These stories are most centrally brought together withinGeoffrey of Monmouth'sHistoria Regum Britanniae(History of the Kings of Britain). Some folk figures are based on semi or actual historical people whose story has been passed down centuries.On 5 November people celebrateBonfire Nightto commemorate the foiling of\",\n \"the foiling of theGunpowder Plotcentred onGuy Fawkes. There are various national and regional folk activities, participated in to this day, such asMorris dancing,Maypole dancing,Rapper swordin the North East,Long Sword dancein Yorkshire,Mummers Plays,bottle-kickingin Leicestershire, andcheese-rollingatCooper's Hill.There is no official national costume, but a few are well established such as thePearly Kings and Queensassociated with cockneys, theRoyal Guard, theMorris costumeandBeefeaters. Cuisine Since theearly modern periodthe food of England has historically been characterised by its simplicity of approach and a reliance on the high quality of natural produce.During theMiddle Agesand the Renaissance, English cuisine enjoyed an excellent reputation, though a decline began during theIndustrial Revolutionwith increasing urbanisation. The cuisine of England has, however, recently undergone a revival, which has been recognised by food critics with some good ratings inRestaurant'sbest restaurant in the\",\n \"restaurant in the worldcharts. Traditional examples of English food include theSunday roast, featuring aroasted joint(usually beef,lamb, chicken or pork) served with assorted vegetables,Yorkshire puddingandgravy.Other prominent meals includefish and chipsand thefull English breakfast(generally consisting ofbacon,sausages, grilled tomatoes, fried bread,black pudding,baked beans,mushroomsand eggs).Variousmeat piesare consumed, such assteak and kidney pie,steak and ale pie,cottage pie,pork pie(usually eaten cold)and theCornish pasty. Sausages are commonly eaten, either asbangers and mashortoad in the hole.Lancashire hotpotis a well-known stew originating in the northwest. Some of the more popular cheeses areCheddar,Red Leicester,Wensleydale,Double GloucesterandBlue Stilton. ManyAnglo-Indianhybrid dishes,curries, have been created, such aschicken tikka masalaandbalti. Traditional English dessert dishes includeapple pieor other fruit pies;spotted dick– all generally served withcustard; and, more recently,sticky\",\n \"recently,sticky toffee pudding. Sweet pastries includesconesserved with jam or cream, dried fruit loaves,Eccles cakesandmince piesas well as sweet or spiced biscuits. Common non-alcoholic drinks include teaand coffee; frequently consumed alcoholic drinks include wine,cidersandEnglish beers, such asbitter,mild,stoutandbrown ale. Visual arts The earliest known examples are the prehistoric rock andcave artpieces, most prominent inNorth Yorkshire, Northumberland andCumbria, but also feature further south, for example atCreswell Crags.With the arrival ofRoman culturein the 1st century, various forms of art such as statues, busts, glasswork and mosaics were the norm. There are numerous surviving artefacts, such as those atLullingstoneandAldborough.During the Early Middle Ages the style favoured sculpted crosses and ivories, manuscript painting, gold and enamel jewellery, demonstrating a love of intricate, interwoven designs such as in theStaffordshire Hoarddiscovered in 2009. Some of these blendedGaelic and\",\n \"blendedGaelic and Anglianstyles, such as theLindisfarne GospelsandVespasian Psalter.LaterGothic artwas popular at Winchester and Canterbury, examples survive such asBenedictional of St. ÆthelwoldandLuttrell Psalter. The Tudor era sawprominent artistsas part of their court; portrait painting, which would remain an enduring part of English art, was boosted by GermanHans Holbein, and natives such asNicholas Hilliardbuilt on this.Under the Stuarts, Continental artists were influential especially the Flemish, examples from the period includeAnthony van Dyck,Peter Lely,Godfrey KnellerandWilliam Dobson.The 18th century saw the founding of theRoyal Academy; aclassicismbased on theHigh Renaissanceprevailed, withThomas GainsboroughandJoshua Reynoldsbecoming two of England's most treasured artists. In the 19th century,John ConstableandJ. M. W. Turnerwere major landscape artists. TheNorwich Schoolcontinued the landscape tradition, while thePre-Raphaelite Brotherhood, led by artists such asHolman Hunt,Dante Gabriel\",\n \"Hunt,Dante Gabriel RossettiandJohn Everett Millais, revived theEarly Renaissancestyle with their vivid and detailed style.Prominent among 20th-century artists wasHenry Moore, regarded as the voice of British sculpture, and of British modernism in general.TheRoyal Society of Artsis an organisation committed to the arts. Literature, poetry, and philosophy Early authors such asBedeandAlcuinwrote in Latin.The period ofOld English literatureprovided the epic poemBeowulfand the secular prose of theAnglo-Saxon Chronicle,along with Christian writings such asJudith,Cædmon'sHymnandhagiographies.Following the Norman conquestLatincontinued among the educated classes, as well as anAnglo-Norman literature. Middle English literatureemerged withGeoffrey Chaucer, author ofThe Canterbury Tales, along withGower, thePearl PoetandLangland.William of OckhamandRoger Bacon, who wereFranciscans, were major philosophers of the Middle Ages.Julian of Norwich, who wroteRevelations of Divine Love, was a prominent Christian mystic. With\",\n \"mystic. With theEnglish Renaissanceliterature in theEarly Modern Englishstyle appeared.William Shakespeare, whose works includeHamlet,Romeo and Juliet,Macbeth, andA Midsummer Night's Dream, remains one of the most championed authors in English literature. Christopher Marlowe,Edmund Spenser,Philip Sydney,Thomas Kyd,John Donne, andBen Jonsonare other established authors of theElizabethan age.Francis BaconandThomas Hobbeswrote onempiricismandmaterialism, includingscientific methodandsocial contract.Filmerwrote on theDivine Right of Kings.Marvellwas the best-known poet of theCommonwealth,whileJohn MiltonauthoredParadise Lostduring theRestoration. This royal throne of kings, this sceptred isle, this earth of majesty, this seat of Mars, this other Eden, demi-paradise; this fortress, built by nature for herself. This blessed plot, this earth, this realm, this England. William Shakespeare. Some of the most prominent philosophers of theEnlightenmentwereJohn Locke,Thomas Paine,Samuel JohnsonandJeremy Bentham. More\",\n \"Bentham. More radical elements were later countered byEdmund Burkewho is regarded as the founder of conservatism.The poetAlexander Popewith his satirical verse became well regarded. The English played a significant role inromanticism:Samuel Taylor Coleridge,Lord Byron,John Keats,Mary Shelley,Percy Bysshe Shelley,William BlakeandWilliam Wordsworthwere major figures. In response to theIndustrial Revolution, agrarian writers sought a way betweenlibertyand tradition;William Cobbett,G. K. ChestertonandHilaire Bellocwere main exponents, while the founder ofguild socialism,Arthur Penty, andcooperative movementadvocateG. D. H. Coleare somewhat related.Empiricism continued throughJohn Stuart MillandBertrand Russell, whileBernard Williamswas involved inanalytics. Authors from around theVictorian eraincludeCharles Dickens, theBrontë sisters,Jane Austen,George Eliot,Rudyard Kipling,Thomas Hardy,H. G. WellsandLewis Carroll.Since then England has continued to produce novelists such asGeorge Orwell,D. H. Lawrence,Virginia\",\n \"Lawrence,Virginia Woolf,C. S. Lewis,Enid Blyton,Aldous Huxley,Agatha Christie,Terry Pratchett,J. R. R. Tolkien, andJ. K. Rowling. Performing arts The traditionalfolk music of Englandis centuries old and has contributed to several genres prominently; mostlysea shanties,jigs,hornpipesanddance music. It has its own distinct variations and regional peculiarities. Ballads featuring Robin Hood, printed byWynkyn de Wordein the 16th century, are an important artefact, as areJohn Playford'sThe Dancing MasterandRobert Harley'sRoxburghe Balladscollections.Some of the best-known songs areGreensleeves,Pastime with Good Company,Maggie MayandSpanish Ladiesamong others. Manynursery rhymesare of English origin such asMary, Mary, Quite Contrary,Roses Are Red,Jack and Jill,London Bridge Is Falling Down,The Grand Old Duke of York,Hey Diddle DiddleandHumpty Dumpty.Traditional English Christmas carols include \\\"We Wish You a Merry Christmas\\\", \\\"The First Noel\\\", \\\"I Saw Three Ships\\\" and \\\"God Rest You Merry, Gentlemen\\\". Early English\",\n \"Early English composers in classical music include Renaissance artistsThomas TallisandWilliam Byrd, followed byHenry Purcellfrom theBaroque periodandThomas Arnewho was well known for his patriotic songRule, Britannia!. German-bornGeorge Frideric Handelspent most of his composing life in London and became a national icon in Britain, creating some of the most well-known works of classical music, especially his English oratorios,The Messiah,Solomon,Water Music, andMusic for the Royal Fireworks. Classical music attracted much attention in the 18th century with the formation of theBirmingham Triennial Music Festival, which was the longest running classical music festival of its kind until the final concerts in 1912. TheEnglish Musical Renaissancewas a hypothetical development in the late 19th and early 20th century, when English composers, often those lecturing or trained at theRoyal College of Music, were said to have freed themselves from foreign musical influences. There was a revival in the profile of\",\n \"in the profile of composers from England in the 20th century led byEdward Elgar,Benjamin Britten,Frederick Delius,Gustav Holst,Ralph Vaughan Williamsand others.Present-day composers from England includeMichael Nyman, best known forThe Piano, andAndrew Lloyd Webber, whose musicals have achieved enormous success in theWest Endand worldwide. Inpopular music, many English bands and solo artists have been cited as the most influential and best-selling musicians of all time. Acts such asthe Beatles,Led Zeppelin,Pink Floyd,Elton John,Queen,Rod Stewart,David Bowie,the Rolling StonesandDef Leppardare among the highest-selling recording artists in the world.Many musical genres have origins in (or strong associations with) England, such asBritish invasion,progressive rock,hard rock,Mod,glam rock,heavy metal,Britpop,indie rock,gothic rock,shoegazing,acid house,garage,trip hop,drum and bassanddubstep. Large outdoormusic festivalsin the summer and autumn are popular, such asGlastonbury,V Festival, and theReading and Leeds\",\n \"and Leeds Festivals. England was at the forefront of the illegal, freeravemovement from the late 1980s, which inspired the pan-European culture ofteknivals.TheBoishakhi Melais aBengali New Yearfestival celebrated by theBritish Bangladeshicommunity. It is the largest open-air Asian festival in Europe. After theNotting Hill Carnival, it is the second-largest street festival in the UK, attracting over 80,000 visitors. The most prominentopera housein England is theRoyal Opera HouseatCovent Garden.The Promsis a major annual cultural event in the English calendar.The Royal Balletis one of the world's foremost classical ballet companies. TheRoyal Academy of Musicis the oldestconservatoirein the UK, founded in 1822, receiving itsroyal charterin 1830.England is home to numerous major orchestras such as theBBC Symphony Orchestra, theRoyal Philharmonic Orchestra, thePhilharmonia Orchestra, and theLondon Symphony Orchestra.Other forms of entertainment that originated in England include thecircusand thepantomime. Cinema\",\n \"Cinema England has had a considerable influence on the history of the cinema, producing some of the greatest actors, directors and motion pictures of all time, includingAlfred Hitchcock,Charlie Chaplin,David Lean,Laurence Olivier,Vivien Leigh,John Gielgud,Peter Sellers,Julie Andrews,Michael Caine,Gary Oldman,Helen Mirren,Kate WinsletandDaniel Day-Lewis. Hitchcock and Lean are among the most critically acclaimed filmmakers.Hitchcock'sThe Lodger: A Story of the London Fog(1926) helped shape thethrillergenre in film, while his 1929Blackmailis often regarded as the first Britishsoundfeature film. Major film studios in England includePinewood,ElstreeandShepperton. Some of the most commercially successful films of all time have been produced in England, including two of thehighest-grossing film franchises(Harry PotterandJames Bond).Ealing Studiosin London has a claim to being the oldest continuously working film studio in the world.Famous for recording many motion picturefilm scores, theLondon Symphony\",\n \"theLondon Symphony Orchestrafirst performed film music in 1935.TheHammer Horrorfilms starringChristopher Leesaw the production of the first gory horror films showing blood and guts in colour. TheBFI Top 100 British filmsincludesMonty Python's Life of Brian(1979), a film regularly voted the funniest of all time by the UK public.English producers are also active ininternational co-productionsand English actors, directors and crew feature regularly in American films. The UK film council rankedDavid Yates,Christopher Nolan,Mike Newell,Ridley ScottandPaul Greengrassthe five most commercially successful English directors since 2001.Other contemporary English directors includeSam Mendes,Guy RitchieandRichard Curtis. Current actors includeTom Hardy,Daniel Craig,Benedict Cumberbatch,Lena Headey,Felicity Jones,Emilia Clarke,Lashana Lynch, andEmma Watson. Acclaimed for his motion capture work,Andy SerkisopenedThe Imaginarium Studiosin London in 2011.The visual effects companyFramestorein London has produced some of the\",\n \"some of the most critically acclaimed special effects in modern film.Many successful Hollywood films have been based on English people,storiesor events. The 'English Cycle' of Disney animated films includeAlice in Wonderland,The Jungle BookandWinnie the Pooh. Sites and institutions English Heritageis a governmental body with a broad remit of managing the historic sites, artefacts and environments of England. It is currently sponsored by theDepartment for Culture, Media and Sport. A non-governmental charity, theNational Trustholds a complementary role, focussed on landscapes andcountry houses. 17 of the 25 United Kingdom UNESCOWorld Heritage Sitesfall within England.Some of the best-known of these are:Hadrian's Wall,Stonehenge, Avebury and Associated Sites, theTower of London, theJurassic Coast,Saltaire,Ironbridge Gorge,Blenheim Palaceand theLake District. London'sBritish Museumholds more than seven million objects,one of the largest and most comprehensive collections in the world,illustrating and documenting\",\n \"and documenting global human culture from its beginnings to the present. TheBritish Libraryin London is thenational libraryand is one of the world's largestresearch libraries, holding over 150 million items in almost all known languages and formats, including around 25 million books.TheNational GalleryinTrafalgar Squarehouses a collection of over 2,300 paintings dating from the mid-13th century to 1900.TheTategalleries house the national collections of British and international modern art; they also host theTurner Prize. TheSecretary of State for Culture, Media and Sporthas overall responsibility for cultural property and heritage.Ablue plaque, the oldesthistorical markerscheme in the world, is a permanent sign installed in a public place in England to commemorate a link between that location and a famous person or event. In 2011 there were around 1,600 museums in England.Entry to most museums and galleries is free.Londonis one of the world's most visited cities, regularly taking the top five most visited\",\n \"five most visited cities inEurope. It is considered a global centre of finance, art and culture. Media TheBBC, founded in 1922, is the UK's publicly funded radio, television and Internet broadcasting corporation, and is the oldest and largest broadcaster in the world.It operates numerous television and radio stations in the UK and abroad and its domestic services are funded by thetelevision licence.TheBBC World Serviceis aninternational broadcasterowned and operated by theBBC. It is the world's largest of any kind.It broadcasts radio news, speech and discussions in more than 40 languages. London dominates the media sector in England: national newspapers and television and radio are largely based there, althoughManchesteris also a significant national media centre. The UK publishing sector, including books, directories and databases, journals, magazines and business media, newspapers and news agencies, has a combined turnover of around £20 billion and employs around 167,000 people.National newspapers produced\",\n \"newspapers produced in England includeThe Times,The Guardian,The Daily Telegraph, and theFinancial Times. Magazines and journals published in England that have achieved worldwide circulation includeNature,New Scientist,The Spectator,Prospect,NMEandThe Economist. TheSecretary of State for Culture, Media and Sporthas overall responsibility over media and broadcasting in England. Sport England has a strong sporting heritage, and during the 19th centurycodifiedmany sports that are now played around the world. Sports originating in England includeassociation football,cricket,rugby union,rugby league,tennis,boxing, badminton,squash,rounders,hockey,snooker,billiards,darts, table tennis,bowls,netball,thoroughbredhorseracing,greyhound racingandfox hunting. It has helped the development ofgolf, sailing andFormula One. England has been crowned world champion in several major sports including:Cricket,RugbyandAssociation Football. Football is themost popularof these sports. TheEngland national football team, whose home\",\n \"team, whose home venue isWembley Stadium, playedScotlandin the first-ever international football match in 1872.Referred to as the \\\"home of football\\\" byFIFA, England hosted and won the1966 FIFA World Cup.With a British television audience peak of 32.30 million viewers, thefinalis themost watched television event everin the UK.England is recognised by FIFA as the birthplace of club football:Sheffield F.C., founded in 1857, is the world's oldest club.TheEngland women's national football teamwon theUEFA Euro 2022, hosted by England. Cricketis generally thought to have been developed in the early medieval period among the farming and metalworking communities of theWeald.TheEngland cricket teamis a composite England and Wales team. One of the game's top rivalries isThe Ashesseries between England andAustralia, contested since 1882.Lord's Cricket Groundsituated in London is sometimes referred to as the \\\"Mecca of Cricket\\\".After winning the2019 Cricket World Cup, England became the first country to win the World Cups\",\n \"win the World Cups in football, rugby union, and cricket. William Penny Brookeswas prominent in organising the format for the modernOlympic Games.London has hosted theSummer Olympic Gamesthree times, in1908,1948, and2012. England competes in theCommonwealth Games, held every four years.Sport Englandis the governing body responsible for distributing funds and providing strategic guidance for sporting activity in England. Rugby unionoriginated inRugby School, Warwickshire in the early 19th century.The top level of club participation is theEnglish Premiership.Rugby leaguewas born inHuddersfieldin 1895. Since 2008, theEngland national rugby league teamhas been a full test nation in lieu of theGreat Britain national rugby league team, which won threeWorld Cups. Club sides play inSuper League, the present-day embodiment of theRugby Football League Championship. Rugby League is most popular among towns in the northern English counties ofLancashire, Yorkshire andCumbria. Golfhas been prominent in England, due in\",\n \"in England, due in part to itscultural and geographical ties to Scotland.There are professional tours for men and women, in two main tours: thePGAand theEuropean Tour. The world's oldest golf tournament, and golf's first major isThe Open Championship, played both in England and Scotland. The biennial golf competition, theRyder Cup, is named after English businessmanSamuel Ryder. Tenniswas created in Birmingham in the late 19th century, andthe Wimbledon Championshipsis the oldest tennis tournament in the world, and widely considered the most prestigious.Wimbledon has a major place in the English cultural calendar. Inboxing, under theMarquess of Queensberry Rules, England has produced many world champions across the weight divisions internationally recognised by the governing bodies. Originating in 17th and 18th-century England, thethoroughbredis a horse breed best known for its use inhorse racing. TheNational Hunthorse race theGrand National, is held annually atAintree Racecoursein early April. It is the most\",\n \"It is the most watched horse race in the UK, and three-time winnerRed Rumis the most successful racehorse in the event's history. The1950 British Grand PrixatSilverstonewas the first race in the newly createdFormula One World Championship.England has seen the manufacture some of the most technically advanced racing cars, and many of today's racing companies choose England as their base of operations.England also has a rich heritage inGrand Prix motorcycle racing, the premier championship of motorcycleroad racing, and has produced several world champions. Dartsis a widely popular sport in England; a professional competitive sport, it is a traditionalpub game.Another popular sport commonly associated with pub games issnooker, and England has produced several world champions. The English are keen sailors and enjoy competitivesailing; founding and winning some of the world's most famous international competitive tournaments across the various race formats, including thematch race, a regatta, and theAmerica's\",\n \"and theAmerica's Cup. National symbols The St George's Cross has been the nationalflag of Englandsince the 13th century. Originally, the flag was used by the maritimeRepublic of Genoa. The English monarch paid a tribute to theDoge of Genoafrom 1190 onwards so that English ships could fly the flag as a means of protection when entering the Mediterranean. A red cross was a symbol for manyCrusadersin the 12th and 13th centuries, and became associated withSaint George.Since 1606 the St George's Cross has formed part of the design of theUnion Flag, a Pan-British flag designed by KingJames I.During theEnglish Civil WarandInterregnum, theNew Model Army's standards and theCommonwealth'sGreat Sealboth incorporated the flag of Saint George. There are numerous other symbols and symbolic artefacts, both official and unofficial, including theTudor rose, the nation'sfloral emblem, and the Three Lions featured on theRoyal Arms of England. The Tudor rose was adopted as a national emblem of England around the time of theWars\",\n \"the time of theWars of the Rosesas a symbol of peace.It is asyncreticsymbol in that it merged the white rose of theYorkistsand the red rose of theLancastrians. It is also known as theRose of England.Theoaktree is a symbol of England: theRoyal Oaksymbol andOak Apple Daycommemorate the escape of KingCharles IIafter his father's execution, when he hid in an oak to avoid detection by the parliamentarians before safely reaching exile. The Royal Arms of England, a nationalcoat of armsfeaturing three lions, originated withRichard the Lionheartin 1198. It isblazonedasgules, three lions passant guardant orand it provides one of the most prominent symbols of England. England does not have an official national anthem, as the United Kingdom as a whole hasGod Save the King. However,Jerusalem,Land of Hope and Glory(used for England during the2002 Commonwealth Games),andI Vow to Thee, My Countryare often considered unofficialEnglish national anthems. England'sNational Dayis 23 April which isSaint George's Day: Saint George\",\n \"Day: Saint George is the patron saint of England. See also Notes References Bibliography External links 53°08′N1°23′W / 53.13°N 1.38°W /53.13; -1.38\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":270,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"What is the English meaning of the name of the smaller of the two constellations which resides in the middle of the Summer Triangle?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Arrow."},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Triangle"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagitta"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulpecula"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Triangle', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagitta', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulpecula']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Triangle","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagitta","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulpecula"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Triangle\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagitta\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulpecula\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Summer Triangle TheSummer Triangleis an astronomicalasterismin thenorthern celestial hemisphere. The definingverticesof this imaginarytriangleare atAltair,Deneb, andVega, each of which is thebrightest starof itsconstellation(Aquila,Cygnus, andLyra, respectively). The greatest declination is +45° and lowest is +9° meaning the three can be seen from all places in the Northern Hemisphere and from the home of most people resident in the Southern Hemisphere. The two stars in Aquila and Cygnus represent the head of an eagle and tail of a swan that looks east inscribed into the triangle and forming thealtitude of the triangle. Two small constellations,SagittaandVulpecula, lie between Aquila in the south of the triangle and Cygnus and Lyra to the north. History The term was popularized by American authorH. A. Reyand British astronomerPatrick Moorein the 1950s.The name can be found in constellation guidebooks as far back as 1913.The Austrian astronomerOswald Thomasdescribed these stars asGrosses Dreieck(Great Triangle) in the late 1920s andSommerliches Dreieck(Summerly Triangle) in 1934. The asterism was remarked upon byJoseph Johann von Littrow, who described it as the \"conspicuous triangle\" in the text of his atlas (1866), andJohann Elert Bodeconnected the stars in a map in a book in 1816, although without label. These are the same stars recognized in the Chinese legend ofThe Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, a story dating back some 2,600 years, celebrated in theQixi Festival. The stars also bear ceremonial significance in the related celebrations ofTanabata,Chilseok, and Thất Tịch, derived from Qixi. In the mid- to late-20th century, beforeinertial navigation systemsand other electronic and mechanical equipment took their places in military aircraft,United States Air Forcenavigators referred to this asterism as the \"Navigator's Triangle\". Visibility Frommid-to-tropicalnorthern latitudes: From mid-southern latitudes, the asterism is in the north during the culmination season described above. The stars of the Summer Triangle Both Altair and Vega are bluish-white, rapidly-rotating A-type main sequence stars in the local neighbourhood of the sun. However, Deneb is a white supergiant star over 100 times as distant, and one of the most luminous stars in the entire galaxy. See also References External links","Sagitta Sagittais a dim but distinctiveconstellationin the northern sky. Its name isLatinfor 'arrow', not to be confused with the significantly larger constellationSagittarius'the archer'. It was included among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomerPtolemy, and it remains one of the88 modern constellationsdefined by theInternational Astronomical Union. Although it dates to antiquity, Sagitta has no star brighter than 3rdmagnitudeand has the third-smallest area of any constellation. Gamma Sagittaeis the constellation's brightest star, with an apparent magnitude of 3.47. It is an agingred giantstar 90% as massive as the Sun that has cooled and expanded to a radius 54 times greater than it.Delta,Epsilon,Zeta, andTheta Sagittaeare eachmultiplestars whose components can be seen in small telescopes.V Sagittaeis acataclysmic variable—abinary star systemcomposed of awhite dwarfaccreting mass of a donor star that is expected to gonovaand briefly become the mostluminousstar in theMilky Wayand one of the brightest stars in our sky around the year 2083. Two star systems in Sagitta are known to have Jupiter-like planets, while a third—15 Sagittae—has abrown dwarfcompanion. History Theancient Greekscalled SagittaOistos'the arrow',and it was one of the 48 constellations described byPtolemy.It was regarded as the weapon thatHerculesused to kill the eagle (Aquila) ofJovethat perpetually gnawedPrometheus' liver.Sagitta is located beyond the north border ofAquila, the Eagle. An amateur naturalist, polymathRichard Hinckley Allenproposed that the constellation could represent the arrow shot by Hercules towards the adjacentStymphalian birds(which feature inHercules' sixth labour) who had claws, beaks, and wings of iron, and who lived on human flesh in the marshes ofArcadia—denoted in the sky by the constellations Aquila the Eagle,Cygnus 'the Swan', andLyra 'the Vulture'—and still lying between them, whence the titleHerculea.Greek scholarEratosthenesclaimed it as the arrow with whichApolloexterminated theCyclopes.The Romans named it Sagitta.In Arabic, it becameal-sahm'arrow', though this name becameShamand was transferred toAlpha Sagittaeonly. The Greek name has also been mistranslated asὁ istos'the loom' and thus in Arabical-nawl. It was also calledal-'anaza'pike/javelin'. Characteristics The four brightest stars make up an arrow-shapedasterismlocated due north of the bright starAltair.Covering 79.9 square degrees and hence 0.194% of the sky, Sagitta ranks 86th of the88 modern constellationsby area. OnlyEquuleusandCruxare smaller.Sagitta is most readily observed from the late spring to early autumn to northern hemisphere observers, with midnightculminationoccurring on 17 July.Its position in theNorthern Celestial Hemispheremeans that the wholeconstellationis visible to observers north of69°S.Sagitta is bordered byVulpeculato the north,Herculesto the west, Aquila to the south, andDelphinusto the east. The three-letter abbreviation for the constellation, as adopted by theInternational Astronomical Unionin 1922, is \"Sge\"; American astronomerHenry Norris Russell, who devised the code, had to resort to using thegenitiveform of the name to come up with a letter to include ('e') that was not in the name of the constellation Sagittarius.The official constellation boundaries, as set by Belgian astronomerEugène Delportein 1930, are defined by a polygon of twelve segments (illustrated in infobox). In theequatorial coordinate system, theright ascensioncoordinates of these borders lie between18h57.2mand20h20.5m, while thedeclinationcoordinates are between 16.08° and 21.64°. Notable features Stars Celestial cartographerJohann BayergaveBayer designationsto eight stars, labelling them Alpha to Theta. English astronomerJohn Flamsteedadded the letters x, mistaken asChi(χ), y and z to 13, 14, and 15 Sagittae in hisCatalogus Britannicus. All three were dropped by later astronomersJohn BevisandFrancis Baily. Bright stars Ptolemy saw the constellation's brightest starGamma Sagittaeas marking the arrow's head,while Bayer saw Gamma, Eta, and Theta as depicting the arrow's shaft.Gamma Sagittae is ared giantof spectral type M0 III,and magnitude 3.47. It lies at a distance of258±4light-yearsfrom Earth.With around 90% of the Sun's mass,it has a radius 54 times that of the Sun and is 575 times as bright. It is most likely on thered-giant branchof itsevolutionarylifespan, having exhausted its core hydrogen and now burning it in a surrounding shell. Delta Sagittaeis the second-brightest star in the constellation and is a binary. Delta and Zeta depicted the spike according to Bayer.The Delta Sagittae system is composed of ared supergiantof spectral type M2 IIthat has 3.9 times the Sun's mass and 152 times its radius and a blue-white B9.5Vmain sequencestar that is 2.9 times as massive as the Sun. The two orbit each other every ten years.Zeta Sagittaeis a triple star system,approximately326 light-yearsfrom Earth. The primary and secondary are A-type stars. In hisUranometria, Bayer depicted Alpha,Beta, andEpsilon Sagittaeas the fins of the arrow.Also known as Sham, Alpha is a yellowbright giantstar ofspectral classG1 II with anapparent magnitudeof 4.38, which lies at a distance of382±8 light-yearsfrom Earth.Four times as massive as the Sun, it has swollen and brightened to 21 times the Sun's radius and 340 times itsluminosity.Also of magnitude 4.38, Beta is a G-typegiantlocated420±10 light-yearsdistant from Earth.Estimated to be around 129 million years old, it is 4.33 times as massive as the Sun,and has expanded to roughly 27 times its radius.Epsilon Sagittae is adouble starwhose component stars can be seen in a small telescope.With an apparent magnitude of 5.77,the main star is a 331-million-year-old yellow giant of spectral type G8 III around 3.09 times as massive as the Sun,that has swollen to18.37+0.65−0.88its radius.It is580±10 light-yearsdistant.The visual companion of magnitude 8.35 is 87.4arcsecondsdistant,but is an unrelatedblue supergiantaround7,000 light-yearsdistant from Earth. Eta Sagittaeis an orange giant of spectral class K2 IIIwith a magnitude of 5.09.Located155.9±0.9 light-yearsfrom Earth, it has a 61.1% chance of being a member of theHyades–Pleiadesstream of stars that share acommon motion through space.Theta Sagittaeis a double star system, with components 12 arcseconds apart visible in a small telescope.At magnitude 6.5, the brighter is a yellow-white main sequence star of spectral type F3 V,located146.1±0.2 light-yearsfrom Earth.The 8.8-magnitude fainter companion is a main sequence star of spectral type G5 V. A 7.4-magnitude orange giant of spectral type K2 III is also visible91″from the binary pair,located842±9 light-yearsaway. Variable stars Variable stars are popular targets for amateur astronomers, their observations providing valuable contributions to understanding star behaviour.R Sagittaeis a member of the rareRV Tauri variableclass of star. It ranges in magnitude from 8.2 to 10.4.It is around8,100 light-yearsdistant.It has a radius61.2+12.4−9.9times that of the Sun, and is2,329+744−638as luminous, yet most likely is less massive than the Sun. An aging star, it has moved on from theasymptotic giant branchof stellar evolution and is on its way to becoming aplanetary nebula.FG Sagittaeis a \"born again\" star, a highly luminous star around4,000 light-yearsdistant from Earth.It reignited fusion of a helium shell shortly before becoming a white dwarf, and has expanded first to a blue supergiant and then to a K-classsupergiantin less than 100 years.It is surrounded by a faint (visual magnitude 23) planetary nebula, Henize 1–5, that formed when FG Sagittae first left the asymptotic giant branch. S Sagittaeis aclassical Cepheidthat varies from magnitude 5.24 to 6.04 every 8.38 days. It is a yellow-white supergiant that pulsates between spectral types F6 Ib and G5 Ib.Around 6 or 7 times as massive and 3,500 times as luminous as the Sun,it is located around5,100 light-yearsfrom Earth.HD 183143is a remote highly luminous star around7,900 light-yearsaway,that has been classified as a bluehypergiant.Infraredbands of ionisedbuckminsterfullerenemolecules have also been found in its spectrum.WR 124is aWolf–Rayet starmoving at great speed surrounded by a nebula of ejected gas. U Sagittaeis an eclipsing binary that varies between magnitudes 6.6 and 9.2 over 3.4 days, making it a suitable target for enthusiasts with small telescopes.There are two component stars—a blue-white star of spectral type B8 V and an ageing star that has cooled and expanded into a yellow subgiant of spectral type G4 III-IV. They orbit each other close enough that the cooler subgiant has filled itsRoche lobeand is passing material to the hotter star, and hence it is asemidetached binarysystem.The system is900±10 light-yearsdistant.Near U Sagittae isX Sagittae, asemiregular variableranging between magnitudes 7.9 and 8.4 over 196 days.Acarbon star, X Sagittae has a surface temperature of2,576K. Located near 18 Sagittae isV Sagittae, the prototype of theV Sagittae variables,cataclysmic variablesthat are alsosuper soft X-ray sources.It is expected to become aluminous red novawhen the two stars merge around the year 2083, and briefly become the most luminous star in theMilky Wayand one of the brightest stars in Earth's sky.WZ Sagittaeis another cataclysmic variable, composed of awhite dwarfthat has about 85% the mass of the Sun, and low-mass star companion that has been calculated to be abrown dwarfof spectral class L2 that is only 8% as massive as the Sun.Normally a faint object dimmer than magnitude 15, it flared up in 1913, 1946 and 1978 to be visible in binoculars.Theblack widow pulsar(B1957+20) is the secondmillisecond pulsarever discovered.It is a massiveneutron starthat isablatingits brown dwarf-sized companion which causes the pulsar's radio signals toattenuateas they pass through the outflowing material. Stars with exoplanets HD 231701is ayellow-white main sequence starhotter and larger than the Sun, with aJupiter-likeplanetthat was discovered in 2007 by theradial velocity technique. The planet orbits at a distance of0.57AUfrom the star with a period of 141.6 days.It has a mass of at least 1.13 Jupiter masses. HAT-P-34 is a star1.392±0.047times as massive as the Sun with1.535+0.135−0.102times its radius and3.63+0.75−0.51times its luminosity. With an apparent magnitude of 10.4,it is819±9 light-yearsdistant.A planet3.328±0.211times as massive as Jupiter was discovered transiting it in 2012. With a period of 5.45 days and a distance of0.06 AUfrom its star, it has an estimated surface temperature of1,520±60 K. 15 Sagittaeis asolar analog—a star similar to the Sun, with1.08±0.04times its mass,1.115±0.021times its radius and1.338±0.03times its luminosity. It has an apparent magnitude of 5.80.It has an L4 brown dwarf substellar companion that is around the same size as Jupiter but 69 times as massive with a surface temperature of between 1,510 and1,850 K, taking around 73.3 years to complete an orbit around the star.The system is estimated to be2.5±1.8billion years old. Deep-sky objects The band of the Milky Way and theGreat Riftwithin it pass though Sagitta, with Alpha, Beta and Epsilon Sagittae marking the Rift's border.Located between Beta and Gamma Sagittae isMessier 71,a very looseglobular clustermistaken for some time for a denseopen cluster.At a distance of about13,000 light-yearsfrom Earth,it was first discovered by the French astronomerPhilippe Loys de Chéseauxin the year 1745 or 1746.The loose globular cluster has a mass of around 53,000M☉and aluminosityof approximately 19,000L☉. There are two notableplanetary nebulaein Sagitta:NGC 6886is composed of a hot central post-AGB star that has 55% of the Sun's mass yet2,700±850times its luminosity, with a surface temperature of142,000 K, and surrounding nebula estimated to have been expanding for between 1,280 and 1,600 years,The nebula was discovered byRalph Copelandin 1884.TheNecklace Nebula—originally a close binary, one component of which swallowed the other as it expanded to become a giant star. The smaller star remained in orbit inside the larger, whose rotation speed increased greatly, resulting in it flinging its outer layers off into space, forming a ring with knots of bright gas formed from clumps of stellar material.It was discovered in 2005 and is around 2 light-years wide.It has a size of0.35′.Both nebulae are around15,000 light-yearsfrom Earth. See also Notes References External links","Vulpecula Vulpecula/vʌlˈpɛkjʊlə/is a faintconstellationin the northern sky. Its name isLatinfor \"littlefox\", although it is commonly known simply as the fox. It was identified in the seventeenth century, and is located in the middle of theSummer Triangle(anasterismconsisting of the bright starsDeneb,Vega, andAltair). Features Stars There are no stars brighter than 4th magnitude in this constellation. The brightest star in Vulpecula isAlpha Vulpeculae, amagnitude4.44mred giantat an approximate distance of 291light-years. The star is anoptical binary(separation of 413.7\") that can be split using binoculars. The star also carries the traditional name Anser, which refers to the goose the little fox holds in its jaws. 23 Vulpeculaeis the second brightest star in the constellation. In 1967, the firstpulsar,PSR B1919+21, was discovered in Vulpecula byJocelyn Bell, supervised byAntony Hewish, inCambridge. While they were searching for scintillation of radio signals ofquasars, they observed pulses which repeated with aperiodof 1.3373seconds.Terrestrial origin of the signal was ruled out because the time it took the object to reappear was asidereal dayinstead of asolar day. This anomaly was finally identified as the signal of a rapidly rotatingneutron star. Fifteen years after the first pulsar was discovered, the firstmillisecond pulsar,PSR B1937+21, was also discovered in Vulpecula, only a few degrees in the sky away from PSR B1919+21. Vulpecula is also home toHD 189733 b, one of the closest extrasolar planets studied by the now-retiredSpitzer Space Telescope. On 11 July 2007, a team led byGiovanna Tinettipublished the results of their observations using the Spitzer Space Telescope concluding there is solid evidence for significant amounts of water vapor in the planet's atmosphere.Although HD 189733b with atmospheric temperatures rising above 1,000 °C is far from being habitable, this finding increases the likelihood that water, an essential component of life, would be found on a more Earth-like planet in the future. Also located in Vulpecula issoft gamma repeaterSGR 1935+2154. In 2020 it emitted afast radio burst, the first one to be observed in the Milky Way. Deep-sky objects TheDumbbell Nebula(M27), is a large, brightplanetary nebulawhich was discovered by the French astronomerCharles Messierin 1764 as the very first object of its kind.It can be seen with goodbinocularsin a dark sky location, appearing as a dimly glowing disk approximately 8arcminutesin diameter.The nebula is approximately 9,800 years old.Atelescopereveals its double-lobed shape, similar to that of an hourglass.Brocchi's Cluster(Collinder 399) is anasterismformerly thought to be anopen cluster. It is also called \"the Coathanger\" because of its distinctive star pattern when viewed with binoculars or a low power telescope. NGC 7052is anelliptical galaxyin Vulpecula at a distance of 214 million light-years from Earth. It has a centraldustydisk with a diameter of 3700 light-years; there is asupermassive black holewith a mass of 300 million solar masses in itsnucleus. Astronomers surmise that the disk is the remnant of a smaller galaxy thatmergedwith NGC 7052.Jetscan be seen emanating from the galaxy, and it has very strongradio emissions. This means that it is also classified as aradio galaxy. The eastern part of Vulpecula is occupied by theHercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall. It is a galaxy filament, with the length of 3,000 megaparsecs, making it the largest known structure in the universe. Stellar association Vulpecula contains an OB-association of young stars, called theVulpecula OB-associationor Vul OB1. The association contains nearly 100OB-starsand over 800young stellar objects.It lies in the galactic plane, at a distance of about 2300parsec. It contains the emission-line nebulae Sh-86, Sh-87 andSh-88. Vul OB1 has a length of about 100 parsec and is sculpting many pillar-like structures in this region. History In the late 17th century, the astronomerJohannes Heveliuscreated Vulpecula. It was originally known asVulpecula cum ansere(\"the little fox with thegoose\") orVulpecula et Anser(\"the little fox and the goose\"), and was illustrated with a goose in the jaws of a fox. Hevelius did not regard the fox and the goose to be two separate constellations, but later the stars were divided into a separate Anser and Vulpecula. Today, they have been merged again under the name of the fox, but the goose is remembered by the name of the star α Vulpeculae:Anser. See also References Sources Footnotes External links"],"string":"[\n \"Summer Triangle TheSummer Triangleis an astronomicalasterismin thenorthern celestial hemisphere. The definingverticesof this imaginarytriangleare atAltair,Deneb, andVega, each of which is thebrightest starof itsconstellation(Aquila,Cygnus, andLyra, respectively). The greatest declination is +45° and lowest is +9° meaning the three can be seen from all places in the Northern Hemisphere and from the home of most people resident in the Southern Hemisphere. The two stars in Aquila and Cygnus represent the head of an eagle and tail of a swan that looks east inscribed into the triangle and forming thealtitude of the triangle. Two small constellations,SagittaandVulpecula, lie between Aquila in the south of the triangle and Cygnus and Lyra to the north. History The term was popularized by American authorH. A. Reyand British astronomerPatrick Moorein the 1950s.The name can be found in constellation guidebooks as far back as 1913.The Austrian astronomerOswald Thomasdescribed these stars asGrosses Dreieck(Great Triangle) in the late 1920s andSommerliches Dreieck(Summerly Triangle) in 1934. The asterism was remarked upon byJoseph Johann von Littrow, who described it as the \\\"conspicuous triangle\\\" in the text of his atlas (1866), andJohann Elert Bodeconnected the stars in a map in a book in 1816, although without label. These are the same stars recognized in the Chinese legend ofThe Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, a story dating back some 2,600 years, celebrated in theQixi Festival. The stars also bear ceremonial significance in the related celebrations ofTanabata,Chilseok, and Thất Tịch, derived from Qixi. In the mid- to late-20th century, beforeinertial navigation systemsand other electronic and mechanical equipment took their places in military aircraft,United States Air Forcenavigators referred to this asterism as the \\\"Navigator's Triangle\\\". Visibility Frommid-to-tropicalnorthern latitudes: From mid-southern latitudes, the asterism is in the north during the culmination season described above. The stars of the Summer Triangle Both Altair and Vega are bluish-white, rapidly-rotating A-type main sequence stars in the local neighbourhood of the sun. However, Deneb is a white supergiant star over 100 times as distant, and one of the most luminous stars in the entire galaxy. See also References External links\",\n \"Sagitta Sagittais a dim but distinctiveconstellationin the northern sky. Its name isLatinfor 'arrow', not to be confused with the significantly larger constellationSagittarius'the archer'. It was included among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomerPtolemy, and it remains one of the88 modern constellationsdefined by theInternational Astronomical Union. Although it dates to antiquity, Sagitta has no star brighter than 3rdmagnitudeand has the third-smallest area of any constellation. Gamma Sagittaeis the constellation's brightest star, with an apparent magnitude of 3.47. It is an agingred giantstar 90% as massive as the Sun that has cooled and expanded to a radius 54 times greater than it.Delta,Epsilon,Zeta, andTheta Sagittaeare eachmultiplestars whose components can be seen in small telescopes.V Sagittaeis acataclysmic variable—abinary star systemcomposed of awhite dwarfaccreting mass of a donor star that is expected to gonovaand briefly become the mostluminousstar in theMilky Wayand one of the brightest stars in our sky around the year 2083. Two star systems in Sagitta are known to have Jupiter-like planets, while a third—15 Sagittae—has abrown dwarfcompanion. History Theancient Greekscalled SagittaOistos'the arrow',and it was one of the 48 constellations described byPtolemy.It was regarded as the weapon thatHerculesused to kill the eagle (Aquila) ofJovethat perpetually gnawedPrometheus' liver.Sagitta is located beyond the north border ofAquila, the Eagle. An amateur naturalist, polymathRichard Hinckley Allenproposed that the constellation could represent the arrow shot by Hercules towards the adjacentStymphalian birds(which feature inHercules' sixth labour) who had claws, beaks, and wings of iron, and who lived on human flesh in the marshes ofArcadia—denoted in the sky by the constellations Aquila the Eagle,Cygnus 'the Swan', andLyra 'the Vulture'—and still lying between them, whence the titleHerculea.Greek scholarEratosthenesclaimed it as the arrow with whichApolloexterminated theCyclopes.The Romans named it Sagitta.In Arabic, it becameal-sahm'arrow', though this name becameShamand was transferred toAlpha Sagittaeonly. The Greek name has also been mistranslated asὁ istos'the loom' and thus in Arabical-nawl. It was also calledal-'anaza'pike/javelin'. Characteristics The four brightest stars make up an arrow-shapedasterismlocated due north of the bright starAltair.Covering 79.9 square degrees and hence 0.194% of the sky, Sagitta ranks 86th of the88 modern constellationsby area. OnlyEquuleusandCruxare smaller.Sagitta is most readily observed from the late spring to early autumn to northern hemisphere observers, with midnightculminationoccurring on 17 July.Its position in theNorthern Celestial Hemispheremeans that the wholeconstellationis visible to observers north of69°S.Sagitta is bordered byVulpeculato the north,Herculesto the west, Aquila to the south, andDelphinusto the east. The three-letter abbreviation for the constellation, as adopted by theInternational Astronomical Unionin 1922, is \\\"Sge\\\"; American astronomerHenry Norris Russell, who devised the code, had to resort to using thegenitiveform of the name to come up with a letter to include ('e') that was not in the name of the constellation Sagittarius.The official constellation boundaries, as set by Belgian astronomerEugène Delportein 1930, are defined by a polygon of twelve segments (illustrated in infobox). In theequatorial coordinate system, theright ascensioncoordinates of these borders lie between18h57.2mand20h20.5m, while thedeclinationcoordinates are between 16.08° and 21.64°. Notable features Stars Celestial cartographerJohann BayergaveBayer designationsto eight stars, labelling them Alpha to Theta. English astronomerJohn Flamsteedadded the letters x, mistaken asChi(χ), y and z to 13, 14, and 15 Sagittae in hisCatalogus Britannicus. All three were dropped by later astronomersJohn BevisandFrancis Baily. Bright stars Ptolemy saw the constellation's brightest starGamma Sagittaeas marking the arrow's head,while Bayer saw Gamma, Eta, and Theta as depicting the arrow's shaft.Gamma Sagittae is ared giantof spectral type M0 III,and magnitude 3.47. It lies at a distance of258±4light-yearsfrom Earth.With around 90% of the Sun's mass,it has a radius 54 times that of the Sun and is 575 times as bright. It is most likely on thered-giant branchof itsevolutionarylifespan, having exhausted its core hydrogen and now burning it in a surrounding shell. Delta Sagittaeis the second-brightest star in the constellation and is a binary. Delta and Zeta depicted the spike according to Bayer.The Delta Sagittae system is composed of ared supergiantof spectral type M2 IIthat has 3.9 times the Sun's mass and 152 times its radius and a blue-white B9.5Vmain sequencestar that is 2.9 times as massive as the Sun. The two orbit each other every ten years.Zeta Sagittaeis a triple star system,approximately326 light-yearsfrom Earth. The primary and secondary are A-type stars. In hisUranometria, Bayer depicted Alpha,Beta, andEpsilon Sagittaeas the fins of the arrow.Also known as Sham, Alpha is a yellowbright giantstar ofspectral classG1 II with anapparent magnitudeof 4.38, which lies at a distance of382±8 light-yearsfrom Earth.Four times as massive as the Sun, it has swollen and brightened to 21 times the Sun's radius and 340 times itsluminosity.Also of magnitude 4.38, Beta is a G-typegiantlocated420±10 light-yearsdistant from Earth.Estimated to be around 129 million years old, it is 4.33 times as massive as the Sun,and has expanded to roughly 27 times its radius.Epsilon Sagittae is adouble starwhose component stars can be seen in a small telescope.With an apparent magnitude of 5.77,the main star is a 331-million-year-old yellow giant of spectral type G8 III around 3.09 times as massive as the Sun,that has swollen to18.37+0.65−0.88its radius.It is580±10 light-yearsdistant.The visual companion of magnitude 8.35 is 87.4arcsecondsdistant,but is an unrelatedblue supergiantaround7,000 light-yearsdistant from Earth. Eta Sagittaeis an orange giant of spectral class K2 IIIwith a magnitude of 5.09.Located155.9±0.9 light-yearsfrom Earth, it has a 61.1% chance of being a member of theHyades–Pleiadesstream of stars that share acommon motion through space.Theta Sagittaeis a double star system, with components 12 arcseconds apart visible in a small telescope.At magnitude 6.5, the brighter is a yellow-white main sequence star of spectral type F3 V,located146.1±0.2 light-yearsfrom Earth.The 8.8-magnitude fainter companion is a main sequence star of spectral type G5 V. A 7.4-magnitude orange giant of spectral type K2 III is also visible91″from the binary pair,located842±9 light-yearsaway. Variable stars Variable stars are popular targets for amateur astronomers, their observations providing valuable contributions to understanding star behaviour.R Sagittaeis a member of the rareRV Tauri variableclass of star. It ranges in magnitude from 8.2 to 10.4.It is around8,100 light-yearsdistant.It has a radius61.2+12.4−9.9times that of the Sun, and is2,329+744−638as luminous, yet most likely is less massive than the Sun. An aging star, it has moved on from theasymptotic giant branchof stellar evolution and is on its way to becoming aplanetary nebula.FG Sagittaeis a \\\"born again\\\" star, a highly luminous star around4,000 light-yearsdistant from Earth.It reignited fusion of a helium shell shortly before becoming a white dwarf, and has expanded first to a blue supergiant and then to a K-classsupergiantin less than 100 years.It is surrounded by a faint (visual magnitude 23) planetary nebula, Henize 1–5, that formed when FG Sagittae first left the asymptotic giant branch. S Sagittaeis aclassical Cepheidthat varies from magnitude 5.24 to 6.04 every 8.38 days. It is a yellow-white supergiant that pulsates between spectral types F6 Ib and G5 Ib.Around 6 or 7 times as massive and 3,500 times as luminous as the Sun,it is located around5,100 light-yearsfrom Earth.HD 183143is a remote highly luminous star around7,900 light-yearsaway,that has been classified as a bluehypergiant.Infraredbands of ionisedbuckminsterfullerenemolecules have also been found in its spectrum.WR 124is aWolf–Rayet starmoving at great speed surrounded by a nebula of ejected gas. U Sagittaeis an eclipsing binary that varies between magnitudes 6.6 and 9.2 over 3.4 days, making it a suitable target for enthusiasts with small telescopes.There are two component stars—a blue-white star of spectral type B8 V and an ageing star that has cooled and expanded into a yellow subgiant of spectral type G4 III-IV. They orbit each other close enough that the cooler subgiant has filled itsRoche lobeand is passing material to the hotter star, and hence it is asemidetached binarysystem.The system is900±10 light-yearsdistant.Near U Sagittae isX Sagittae, asemiregular variableranging between magnitudes 7.9 and 8.4 over 196 days.Acarbon star, X Sagittae has a surface temperature of2,576K. Located near 18 Sagittae isV Sagittae, the prototype of theV Sagittae variables,cataclysmic variablesthat are alsosuper soft X-ray sources.It is expected to become aluminous red novawhen the two stars merge around the year 2083, and briefly become the most luminous star in theMilky Wayand one of the brightest stars in Earth's sky.WZ Sagittaeis another cataclysmic variable, composed of awhite dwarfthat has about 85% the mass of the Sun, and low-mass star companion that has been calculated to be abrown dwarfof spectral class L2 that is only 8% as massive as the Sun.Normally a faint object dimmer than magnitude 15, it flared up in 1913, 1946 and 1978 to be visible in binoculars.Theblack widow pulsar(B1957+20) is the secondmillisecond pulsarever discovered.It is a massiveneutron starthat isablatingits brown dwarf-sized companion which causes the pulsar's radio signals toattenuateas they pass through the outflowing material. Stars with exoplanets HD 231701is ayellow-white main sequence starhotter and larger than the Sun, with aJupiter-likeplanetthat was discovered in 2007 by theradial velocity technique. The planet orbits at a distance of0.57AUfrom the star with a period of 141.6 days.It has a mass of at least 1.13 Jupiter masses. HAT-P-34 is a star1.392±0.047times as massive as the Sun with1.535+0.135−0.102times its radius and3.63+0.75−0.51times its luminosity. With an apparent magnitude of 10.4,it is819±9 light-yearsdistant.A planet3.328±0.211times as massive as Jupiter was discovered transiting it in 2012. With a period of 5.45 days and a distance of0.06 AUfrom its star, it has an estimated surface temperature of1,520±60 K. 15 Sagittaeis asolar analog—a star similar to the Sun, with1.08±0.04times its mass,1.115±0.021times its radius and1.338±0.03times its luminosity. It has an apparent magnitude of 5.80.It has an L4 brown dwarf substellar companion that is around the same size as Jupiter but 69 times as massive with a surface temperature of between 1,510 and1,850 K, taking around 73.3 years to complete an orbit around the star.The system is estimated to be2.5±1.8billion years old. Deep-sky objects The band of the Milky Way and theGreat Riftwithin it pass though Sagitta, with Alpha, Beta and Epsilon Sagittae marking the Rift's border.Located between Beta and Gamma Sagittae isMessier 71,a very looseglobular clustermistaken for some time for a denseopen cluster.At a distance of about13,000 light-yearsfrom Earth,it was first discovered by the French astronomerPhilippe Loys de Chéseauxin the year 1745 or 1746.The loose globular cluster has a mass of around 53,000M☉and aluminosityof approximately 19,000L☉. There are two notableplanetary nebulaein Sagitta:NGC 6886is composed of a hot central post-AGB star that has 55% of the Sun's mass yet2,700±850times its luminosity, with a surface temperature of142,000 K, and surrounding nebula estimated to have been expanding for between 1,280 and 1,600 years,The nebula was discovered byRalph Copelandin 1884.TheNecklace Nebula—originally a close binary, one component of which swallowed the other as it expanded to become a giant star. The smaller star remained in orbit inside the larger, whose rotation speed increased greatly, resulting in it flinging its outer layers off into space, forming a ring with knots of bright gas formed from clumps of stellar material.It was discovered in 2005 and is around 2 light-years wide.It has a size of0.35′.Both nebulae are around15,000 light-yearsfrom Earth. See also Notes References External links\",\n \"Vulpecula Vulpecula/vʌlˈpɛkjʊlə/is a faintconstellationin the northern sky. Its name isLatinfor \\\"littlefox\\\", although it is commonly known simply as the fox. It was identified in the seventeenth century, and is located in the middle of theSummer Triangle(anasterismconsisting of the bright starsDeneb,Vega, andAltair). Features Stars There are no stars brighter than 4th magnitude in this constellation. The brightest star in Vulpecula isAlpha Vulpeculae, amagnitude4.44mred giantat an approximate distance of 291light-years. The star is anoptical binary(separation of 413.7\\\") that can be split using binoculars. The star also carries the traditional name Anser, which refers to the goose the little fox holds in its jaws. 23 Vulpeculaeis the second brightest star in the constellation. In 1967, the firstpulsar,PSR B1919+21, was discovered in Vulpecula byJocelyn Bell, supervised byAntony Hewish, inCambridge. While they were searching for scintillation of radio signals ofquasars, they observed pulses which repeated with aperiodof 1.3373seconds.Terrestrial origin of the signal was ruled out because the time it took the object to reappear was asidereal dayinstead of asolar day. This anomaly was finally identified as the signal of a rapidly rotatingneutron star. Fifteen years after the first pulsar was discovered, the firstmillisecond pulsar,PSR B1937+21, was also discovered in Vulpecula, only a few degrees in the sky away from PSR B1919+21. Vulpecula is also home toHD 189733 b, one of the closest extrasolar planets studied by the now-retiredSpitzer Space Telescope. On 11 July 2007, a team led byGiovanna Tinettipublished the results of their observations using the Spitzer Space Telescope concluding there is solid evidence for significant amounts of water vapor in the planet's atmosphere.Although HD 189733b with atmospheric temperatures rising above 1,000 °C is far from being habitable, this finding increases the likelihood that water, an essential component of life, would be found on a more Earth-like planet in the future. Also located in Vulpecula issoft gamma repeaterSGR 1935+2154. In 2020 it emitted afast radio burst, the first one to be observed in the Milky Way. Deep-sky objects TheDumbbell Nebula(M27), is a large, brightplanetary nebulawhich was discovered by the French astronomerCharles Messierin 1764 as the very first object of its kind.It can be seen with goodbinocularsin a dark sky location, appearing as a dimly glowing disk approximately 8arcminutesin diameter.The nebula is approximately 9,800 years old.Atelescopereveals its double-lobed shape, similar to that of an hourglass.Brocchi's Cluster(Collinder 399) is anasterismformerly thought to be anopen cluster. It is also called \\\"the Coathanger\\\" because of its distinctive star pattern when viewed with binoculars or a low power telescope. NGC 7052is anelliptical galaxyin Vulpecula at a distance of 214 million light-years from Earth. It has a centraldustydisk with a diameter of 3700 light-years; there is asupermassive black holewith a mass of 300 million solar masses in itsnucleus. Astronomers surmise that the disk is the remnant of a smaller galaxy thatmergedwith NGC 7052.Jetscan be seen emanating from the galaxy, and it has very strongradio emissions. This means that it is also classified as aradio galaxy. The eastern part of Vulpecula is occupied by theHercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall. It is a galaxy filament, with the length of 3,000 megaparsecs, making it the largest known structure in the universe. Stellar association Vulpecula contains an OB-association of young stars, called theVulpecula OB-associationor Vul OB1. The association contains nearly 100OB-starsand over 800young stellar objects.It lies in the galactic plane, at a distance of about 2300parsec. It contains the emission-line nebulae Sh-86, Sh-87 andSh-88. Vul OB1 has a length of about 100 parsec and is sculpting many pillar-like structures in this region. History In the late 17th century, the astronomerJohannes Heveliuscreated Vulpecula. It was originally known asVulpecula cum ansere(\\\"the little fox with thegoose\\\") orVulpecula et Anser(\\\"the little fox and the goose\\\"), and was illustrated with a goose in the jaws of a fox. Hevelius did not regard the fox and the goose to be two separate constellations, but later the stars were divided into a separate Anser and Vulpecula. Today, they have been merged again under the name of the fox, but the goose is remembered by the name of the star α Vulpeculae:Anser. See also References Sources Footnotes External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Summer Triangle TheSummer Triangleis an astronomicalasterismin thenorthern celestial hemisphere. The definingverticesof this imaginarytriangleare atAltair,Deneb, andVega, each of which is thebrightest starof itsconstellation(Aquila,Cygnus, andLyra, respectively). The greatest declination is +45° and lowest is +9° meaning the three can be seen from all places in the Northern Hemisphere and from the home of most people resident in the Southern Hemisphere. The two stars in Aquila and Cygnus represent the head of an eagle and tail of a swan that looks east inscribed into the triangle and forming thealtitude of the triangle. Two small constellations,SagittaandVulpecula, lie between Aquila in the south of the triangle and Cygnus and Lyra to the north. History The term was popularized by American authorH. A. Reyand British astronomerPatrick Moorein the 1950s.The name can be found in constellation guidebooks as far back as 1913.The Austrian astronomerOswald Thomasdescribed these stars asGrosses Dreieck(Great","Dreieck(Great Triangle) in the late 1920s andSommerliches Dreieck(Summerly Triangle) in 1934. The asterism was remarked upon byJoseph Johann von Littrow, who described it as the \"conspicuous triangle\" in the text of his atlas (1866), andJohann Elert Bodeconnected the stars in a map in a book in 1816, although without label. These are the same stars recognized in the Chinese legend ofThe Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, a story dating back some 2,600 years, celebrated in theQixi Festival. The stars also bear ceremonial significance in the related celebrations ofTanabata,Chilseok, and Thất Tịch, derived from Qixi. In the mid- to late-20th century, beforeinertial navigation systemsand other electronic and mechanical equipment took their places in military aircraft,United States Air Forcenavigators referred to this asterism as the \"Navigator's Triangle\". Visibility Frommid-to-tropicalnorthern latitudes: From mid-southern latitudes, the asterism is in the north during the culmination season described above. The stars","above. The stars of the Summer Triangle Both Altair and Vega are bluish-white, rapidly-rotating A-type main sequence stars in the local neighbourhood of the sun. However, Deneb is a white supergiant star over 100 times as distant, and one of the most luminous stars in the entire galaxy. See also References External links","Sagitta Sagittais a dim but distinctiveconstellationin the northern sky. Its name isLatinfor 'arrow', not to be confused with the significantly larger constellationSagittarius'the archer'. It was included among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomerPtolemy, and it remains one of the88 modern constellationsdefined by theInternational Astronomical Union. Although it dates to antiquity, Sagitta has no star brighter than 3rdmagnitudeand has the third-smallest area of any constellation. Gamma Sagittaeis the constellation's brightest star, with an apparent magnitude of 3.47. It is an agingred giantstar 90% as massive as the Sun that has cooled and expanded to a radius 54 times greater than it.Delta,Epsilon,Zeta, andTheta Sagittaeare eachmultiplestars whose components can be seen in small telescopes.V Sagittaeis acataclysmic variable—abinary star systemcomposed of awhite dwarfaccreting mass of a donor star that is expected to gonovaand briefly become the mostluminousstar in theMilky Wayand one of","Wayand one of the brightest stars in our sky around the year 2083. Two star systems in Sagitta are known to have Jupiter-like planets, while a third—15 Sagittae—has abrown dwarfcompanion. History Theancient Greekscalled SagittaOistos'the arrow',and it was one of the 48 constellations described byPtolemy.It was regarded as the weapon thatHerculesused to kill the eagle (Aquila) ofJovethat perpetually gnawedPrometheus' liver.Sagitta is located beyond the north border ofAquila, the Eagle. An amateur naturalist, polymathRichard Hinckley Allenproposed that the constellation could represent the arrow shot by Hercules towards the adjacentStymphalian birds(which feature inHercules' sixth labour) who had claws, beaks, and wings of iron, and who lived on human flesh in the marshes ofArcadia—denoted in the sky by the constellations Aquila the Eagle,Cygnus 'the Swan', andLyra 'the Vulture'—and still lying between them, whence the titleHerculea.Greek scholarEratosthenesclaimed it as the arrow with whichApolloexterminated","theCyclopes.The Romans named it Sagitta.In Arabic, it becameal-sahm'arrow', though this name becameShamand was transferred toAlpha Sagittaeonly. The Greek name has also been mistranslated asὁ istos'the loom' and thus in Arabical-nawl. It was also calledal-'anaza'pike/javelin'. Characteristics The four brightest stars make up an arrow-shapedasterismlocated due north of the bright starAltair.Covering 79.9 square degrees and hence 0.194% of the sky, Sagitta ranks 86th of the88 modern constellationsby area. OnlyEquuleusandCruxare smaller.Sagitta is most readily observed from the late spring to early autumn to northern hemisphere observers, with midnightculminationoccurring on 17 July.Its position in theNorthern Celestial Hemispheremeans that the wholeconstellationis visible to observers north of69°S.Sagitta is bordered byVulpeculato the north,Herculesto the west, Aquila to the south, andDelphinusto the east. The three-letter abbreviation for the constellation, as adopted by theInternational Astronomical Unionin","Unionin 1922, is \"Sge\"; American astronomerHenry Norris Russell, who devised the code, had to resort to using thegenitiveform of the name to come up with a letter to include ('e') that was not in the name of the constellation Sagittarius.The official constellation boundaries, as set by Belgian astronomerEugène Delportein 1930, are defined by a polygon of twelve segments (illustrated in infobox). In theequatorial coordinate system, theright ascensioncoordinates of these borders lie between18h57.2mand20h20.5m, while thedeclinationcoordinates are between 16.08° and 21.64°. Notable features Stars Celestial cartographerJohann BayergaveBayer designationsto eight stars, labelling them Alpha to Theta. English astronomerJohn Flamsteedadded the letters x, mistaken asChi(χ), y and z to 13, 14, and 15 Sagittae in hisCatalogus Britannicus. All three were dropped by later astronomersJohn BevisandFrancis Baily. Bright stars Ptolemy saw the constellation's brightest starGamma Sagittaeas marking the arrow's head,while Bayer","head,while Bayer saw Gamma, Eta, and Theta as depicting the arrow's shaft.Gamma Sagittae is ared giantof spectral type M0 III,and magnitude 3.47. It lies at a distance of258±4light-yearsfrom Earth.With around 90% of the Sun's mass,it has a radius 54 times that of the Sun and is 575 times as bright. It is most likely on thered-giant branchof itsevolutionarylifespan, having exhausted its core hydrogen and now burning it in a surrounding shell. Delta Sagittaeis the second-brightest star in the constellation and is a binary. Delta and Zeta depicted the spike according to Bayer.The Delta Sagittae system is composed of ared supergiantof spectral type M2 IIthat has 3.9 times the Sun's mass and 152 times its radius and a blue-white B9.5Vmain sequencestar that is 2.9 times as massive as the Sun. The two orbit each other every ten years.Zeta Sagittaeis a triple star system,approximately326 light-yearsfrom Earth. The primary and secondary are A-type stars. In hisUranometria, Bayer depicted Alpha,Beta, andEpsilon","andEpsilon Sagittaeas the fins of the arrow.Also known as Sham, Alpha is a yellowbright giantstar ofspectral classG1 II with anapparent magnitudeof 4.38, which lies at a distance of382±8 light-yearsfrom Earth.Four times as massive as the Sun, it has swollen and brightened to 21 times the Sun's radius and 340 times itsluminosity.Also of magnitude 4.38, Beta is a G-typegiantlocated420±10 light-yearsdistant from Earth.Estimated to be around 129 million years old, it is 4.33 times as massive as the Sun,and has expanded to roughly 27 times its radius.Epsilon Sagittae is adouble starwhose component stars can be seen in a small telescope.With an apparent magnitude of 5.77,the main star is a 331-million-year-old yellow giant of spectral type G8 III around 3.09 times as massive as the Sun,that has swollen to18.37+0.65−0.88its radius.It is580±10 light-yearsdistant.The visual companion of magnitude 8.35 is 87.4arcsecondsdistant,but is an unrelatedblue supergiantaround7,000 light-yearsdistant from Earth. Eta Sagittaeis","Eta Sagittaeis an orange giant of spectral class K2 IIIwith a magnitude of 5.09.Located155.9±0.9 light-yearsfrom Earth, it has a 61.1% chance of being a member of theHyades–Pleiadesstream of stars that share acommon motion through space.Theta Sagittaeis a double star system, with components 12 arcseconds apart visible in a small telescope.At magnitude 6.5, the brighter is a yellow-white main sequence star of spectral type F3 V,located146.1±0.2 light-yearsfrom Earth.The 8.8-magnitude fainter companion is a main sequence star of spectral type G5 V. A 7.4-magnitude orange giant of spectral type K2 III is also visible91″from the binary pair,located842±9 light-yearsaway. Variable stars Variable stars are popular targets for amateur astronomers, their observations providing valuable contributions to understanding star behaviour.R Sagittaeis a member of the rareRV Tauri variableclass of star. It ranges in magnitude from 8.2 to 10.4.It is around8,100 light-yearsdistant.It has a radius61.2+12.4−9.9times that of the","that of the Sun, and is2,329+744−638as luminous, yet most likely is less massive than the Sun. An aging star, it has moved on from theasymptotic giant branchof stellar evolution and is on its way to becoming aplanetary nebula.FG Sagittaeis a \"born again\" star, a highly luminous star around4,000 light-yearsdistant from Earth.It reignited fusion of a helium shell shortly before becoming a white dwarf, and has expanded first to a blue supergiant and then to a K-classsupergiantin less than 100 years.It is surrounded by a faint (visual magnitude 23) planetary nebula, Henize 1–5, that formed when FG Sagittae first left the asymptotic giant branch. S Sagittaeis aclassical Cepheidthat varies from magnitude 5.24 to 6.04 every 8.38 days. It is a yellow-white supergiant that pulsates between spectral types F6 Ib and G5 Ib.Around 6 or 7 times as massive and 3,500 times as luminous as the Sun,it is located around5,100 light-yearsfrom Earth.HD 183143is a remote highly luminous star around7,900 light-yearsaway,that has","has been classified as a bluehypergiant.Infraredbands of ionisedbuckminsterfullerenemolecules have also been found in its spectrum.WR 124is aWolf–Rayet starmoving at great speed surrounded by a nebula of ejected gas. U Sagittaeis an eclipsing binary that varies between magnitudes 6.6 and 9.2 over 3.4 days, making it a suitable target for enthusiasts with small telescopes.There are two component stars—a blue-white star of spectral type B8 V and an ageing star that has cooled and expanded into a yellow subgiant of spectral type G4 III-IV. They orbit each other close enough that the cooler subgiant has filled itsRoche lobeand is passing material to the hotter star, and hence it is asemidetached binarysystem.The system is900±10 light-yearsdistant.Near U Sagittae isX Sagittae, asemiregular variableranging between magnitudes 7.9 and 8.4 over 196 days.Acarbon star, X Sagittae has a surface temperature of2,576K. Located near 18 Sagittae isV Sagittae, the prototype of theV Sagittae variables,cataclysmic variablesthat","variablesthat are alsosuper soft X-ray sources.It is expected to become aluminous red novawhen the two stars merge around the year 2083, and briefly become the most luminous star in theMilky Wayand one of the brightest stars in Earth's sky.WZ Sagittaeis another cataclysmic variable, composed of awhite dwarfthat has about 85% the mass of the Sun, and low-mass star companion that has been calculated to be abrown dwarfof spectral class L2 that is only 8% as massive as the Sun.Normally a faint object dimmer than magnitude 15, it flared up in 1913, 1946 and 1978 to be visible in binoculars.Theblack widow pulsar(B1957+20) is the secondmillisecond pulsarever discovered.It is a massiveneutron starthat isablatingits brown dwarf-sized companion which causes the pulsar's radio signals toattenuateas they pass through the outflowing material. Stars with exoplanets HD 231701is ayellow-white main sequence starhotter and larger than the Sun, with aJupiter-likeplanetthat was discovered in 2007 by theradial velocity","theradial velocity technique. The planet orbits at a distance of0.57AUfrom the star with a period of 141.6 days.It has a mass of at least 1.13 Jupiter masses. HAT-P-34 is a star1.392±0.047times as massive as the Sun with1.535+0.135−0.102times its radius and3.63+0.75−0.51times its luminosity. With an apparent magnitude of 10.4,it is819±9 light-yearsdistant.A planet3.328±0.211times as massive as Jupiter was discovered transiting it in 2012. With a period of 5.45 days and a distance of0.06 AUfrom its star, it has an estimated surface temperature of1,520±60 K. 15 Sagittaeis asolar analog—a star similar to the Sun, with1.08±0.04times its mass,1.115±0.021times its radius and1.338±0.03times its luminosity. It has an apparent magnitude of 5.80.It has an L4 brown dwarf substellar companion that is around the same size as Jupiter but 69 times as massive with a surface temperature of between 1,510 and1,850 K, taking around 73.3 years to complete an orbit around the star.The system is estimated to be2.5±1.8billion years","years old. Deep-sky objects The band of the Milky Way and theGreat Riftwithin it pass though Sagitta, with Alpha, Beta and Epsilon Sagittae marking the Rift's border.Located between Beta and Gamma Sagittae isMessier 71,a very looseglobular clustermistaken for some time for a denseopen cluster.At a distance of about13,000 light-yearsfrom Earth,it was first discovered by the French astronomerPhilippe Loys de Chéseauxin the year 1745 or 1746.The loose globular cluster has a mass of around 53,000M☉and aluminosityof approximately 19,000L☉. There are two notableplanetary nebulaein Sagitta:NGC 6886is composed of a hot central post-AGB star that has 55% of the Sun's mass yet2,700±850times its luminosity, with a surface temperature of142,000 K, and surrounding nebula estimated to have been expanding for between 1,280 and 1,600 years,The nebula was discovered byRalph Copelandin 1884.TheNecklace Nebula—originally a close binary, one component of which swallowed the other as it expanded to become a giant star. The","a giant star. The smaller star remained in orbit inside the larger, whose rotation speed increased greatly, resulting in it flinging its outer layers off into space, forming a ring with knots of bright gas formed from clumps of stellar material.It was discovered in 2005 and is around 2 light-years wide.It has a size of0.35′.Both nebulae are around15,000 light-yearsfrom Earth. See also Notes References External links","Vulpecula Vulpecula/vʌlˈpɛkjʊlə/is a faintconstellationin the northern sky. Its name isLatinfor \"littlefox\", although it is commonly known simply as the fox. It was identified in the seventeenth century, and is located in the middle of theSummer Triangle(anasterismconsisting of the bright starsDeneb,Vega, andAltair). Features Stars There are no stars brighter than 4th magnitude in this constellation. The brightest star in Vulpecula isAlpha Vulpeculae, amagnitude4.44mred giantat an approximate distance of 291light-years. The star is anoptical binary(separation of 413.7\") that can be split using binoculars. The star also carries the traditional name Anser, which refers to the goose the little fox holds in its jaws. 23 Vulpeculaeis the second brightest star in the constellation. In 1967, the firstpulsar,PSR B1919+21, was discovered in Vulpecula byJocelyn Bell, supervised byAntony Hewish, inCambridge. While they were searching for scintillation of radio signals ofquasars, they observed pulses which repeated with","which repeated with aperiodof 1.3373seconds.Terrestrial origin of the signal was ruled out because the time it took the object to reappear was asidereal dayinstead of asolar day. This anomaly was finally identified as the signal of a rapidly rotatingneutron star. Fifteen years after the first pulsar was discovered, the firstmillisecond pulsar,PSR B1937+21, was also discovered in Vulpecula, only a few degrees in the sky away from PSR B1919+21. Vulpecula is also home toHD 189733 b, one of the closest extrasolar planets studied by the now-retiredSpitzer Space Telescope. On 11 July 2007, a team led byGiovanna Tinettipublished the results of their observations using the Spitzer Space Telescope concluding there is solid evidence for significant amounts of water vapor in the planet's atmosphere.Although HD 189733b with atmospheric temperatures rising above 1,000 °C is far from being habitable, this finding increases the likelihood that water, an essential component of life, would be found on a more Earth-like","a more Earth-like planet in the future. Also located in Vulpecula issoft gamma repeaterSGR 1935+2154. In 2020 it emitted afast radio burst, the first one to be observed in the Milky Way. Deep-sky objects TheDumbbell Nebula(M27), is a large, brightplanetary nebulawhich was discovered by the French astronomerCharles Messierin 1764 as the very first object of its kind.It can be seen with goodbinocularsin a dark sky location, appearing as a dimly glowing disk approximately 8arcminutesin diameter.The nebula is approximately 9,800 years old.Atelescopereveals its double-lobed shape, similar to that of an hourglass.Brocchi's Cluster(Collinder 399) is anasterismformerly thought to be anopen cluster. It is also called \"the Coathanger\" because of its distinctive star pattern when viewed with binoculars or a low power telescope. NGC 7052is anelliptical galaxyin Vulpecula at a distance of 214 million light-years from Earth. It has a centraldustydisk with a diameter of 3700 light-years; there is asupermassive black","asupermassive black holewith a mass of 300 million solar masses in itsnucleus. Astronomers surmise that the disk is the remnant of a smaller galaxy thatmergedwith NGC 7052.Jetscan be seen emanating from the galaxy, and it has very strongradio emissions. This means that it is also classified as aradio galaxy. The eastern part of Vulpecula is occupied by theHercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall. It is a galaxy filament, with the length of 3,000 megaparsecs, making it the largest known structure in the universe. Stellar association Vulpecula contains an OB-association of young stars, called theVulpecula OB-associationor Vul OB1. The association contains nearly 100OB-starsand over 800young stellar objects.It lies in the galactic plane, at a distance of about 2300parsec. It contains the emission-line nebulae Sh-86, Sh-87 andSh-88. Vul OB1 has a length of about 100 parsec and is sculpting many pillar-like structures in this region. History In the late 17th century, the astronomerJohannes Heveliuscreated Vulpecula.","Vulpecula. It was originally known asVulpecula cum ansere(\"the little fox with thegoose\") orVulpecula et Anser(\"the little fox and the goose\"), and was illustrated with a goose in the jaws of a fox. Hevelius did not regard the fox and the goose to be two separate constellations, but later the stars were divided into a separate Anser and Vulpecula. Today, they have been merged again under the name of the fox, but the goose is remembered by the name of the star α Vulpeculae:Anser. See also References Sources Footnotes External links"],"string":"[\n \"Summer Triangle TheSummer Triangleis an astronomicalasterismin thenorthern celestial hemisphere. The definingverticesof this imaginarytriangleare atAltair,Deneb, andVega, each of which is thebrightest starof itsconstellation(Aquila,Cygnus, andLyra, respectively). The greatest declination is +45° and lowest is +9° meaning the three can be seen from all places in the Northern Hemisphere and from the home of most people resident in the Southern Hemisphere. The two stars in Aquila and Cygnus represent the head of an eagle and tail of a swan that looks east inscribed into the triangle and forming thealtitude of the triangle. Two small constellations,SagittaandVulpecula, lie between Aquila in the south of the triangle and Cygnus and Lyra to the north. History The term was popularized by American authorH. A. Reyand British astronomerPatrick Moorein the 1950s.The name can be found in constellation guidebooks as far back as 1913.The Austrian astronomerOswald Thomasdescribed these stars asGrosses Dreieck(Great\",\n \"Dreieck(Great Triangle) in the late 1920s andSommerliches Dreieck(Summerly Triangle) in 1934. The asterism was remarked upon byJoseph Johann von Littrow, who described it as the \\\"conspicuous triangle\\\" in the text of his atlas (1866), andJohann Elert Bodeconnected the stars in a map in a book in 1816, although without label. These are the same stars recognized in the Chinese legend ofThe Cowherd and the Weaver Girl, a story dating back some 2,600 years, celebrated in theQixi Festival. The stars also bear ceremonial significance in the related celebrations ofTanabata,Chilseok, and Thất Tịch, derived from Qixi. In the mid- to late-20th century, beforeinertial navigation systemsand other electronic and mechanical equipment took their places in military aircraft,United States Air Forcenavigators referred to this asterism as the \\\"Navigator's Triangle\\\". Visibility Frommid-to-tropicalnorthern latitudes: From mid-southern latitudes, the asterism is in the north during the culmination season described above. The stars\",\n \"above. The stars of the Summer Triangle Both Altair and Vega are bluish-white, rapidly-rotating A-type main sequence stars in the local neighbourhood of the sun. However, Deneb is a white supergiant star over 100 times as distant, and one of the most luminous stars in the entire galaxy. See also References External links\",\n \"Sagitta Sagittais a dim but distinctiveconstellationin the northern sky. Its name isLatinfor 'arrow', not to be confused with the significantly larger constellationSagittarius'the archer'. It was included among the 48 constellations listed by the 2nd-century astronomerPtolemy, and it remains one of the88 modern constellationsdefined by theInternational Astronomical Union. Although it dates to antiquity, Sagitta has no star brighter than 3rdmagnitudeand has the third-smallest area of any constellation. Gamma Sagittaeis the constellation's brightest star, with an apparent magnitude of 3.47. It is an agingred giantstar 90% as massive as the Sun that has cooled and expanded to a radius 54 times greater than it.Delta,Epsilon,Zeta, andTheta Sagittaeare eachmultiplestars whose components can be seen in small telescopes.V Sagittaeis acataclysmic variable—abinary star systemcomposed of awhite dwarfaccreting mass of a donor star that is expected to gonovaand briefly become the mostluminousstar in theMilky Wayand one of\",\n \"Wayand one of the brightest stars in our sky around the year 2083. Two star systems in Sagitta are known to have Jupiter-like planets, while a third—15 Sagittae—has abrown dwarfcompanion. History Theancient Greekscalled SagittaOistos'the arrow',and it was one of the 48 constellations described byPtolemy.It was regarded as the weapon thatHerculesused to kill the eagle (Aquila) ofJovethat perpetually gnawedPrometheus' liver.Sagitta is located beyond the north border ofAquila, the Eagle. An amateur naturalist, polymathRichard Hinckley Allenproposed that the constellation could represent the arrow shot by Hercules towards the adjacentStymphalian birds(which feature inHercules' sixth labour) who had claws, beaks, and wings of iron, and who lived on human flesh in the marshes ofArcadia—denoted in the sky by the constellations Aquila the Eagle,Cygnus 'the Swan', andLyra 'the Vulture'—and still lying between them, whence the titleHerculea.Greek scholarEratosthenesclaimed it as the arrow with whichApolloexterminated\",\n \"theCyclopes.The Romans named it Sagitta.In Arabic, it becameal-sahm'arrow', though this name becameShamand was transferred toAlpha Sagittaeonly. The Greek name has also been mistranslated asὁ istos'the loom' and thus in Arabical-nawl. It was also calledal-'anaza'pike/javelin'. Characteristics The four brightest stars make up an arrow-shapedasterismlocated due north of the bright starAltair.Covering 79.9 square degrees and hence 0.194% of the sky, Sagitta ranks 86th of the88 modern constellationsby area. OnlyEquuleusandCruxare smaller.Sagitta is most readily observed from the late spring to early autumn to northern hemisphere observers, with midnightculminationoccurring on 17 July.Its position in theNorthern Celestial Hemispheremeans that the wholeconstellationis visible to observers north of69°S.Sagitta is bordered byVulpeculato the north,Herculesto the west, Aquila to the south, andDelphinusto the east. The three-letter abbreviation for the constellation, as adopted by theInternational Astronomical Unionin\",\n \"Unionin 1922, is \\\"Sge\\\"; American astronomerHenry Norris Russell, who devised the code, had to resort to using thegenitiveform of the name to come up with a letter to include ('e') that was not in the name of the constellation Sagittarius.The official constellation boundaries, as set by Belgian astronomerEugène Delportein 1930, are defined by a polygon of twelve segments (illustrated in infobox). In theequatorial coordinate system, theright ascensioncoordinates of these borders lie between18h57.2mand20h20.5m, while thedeclinationcoordinates are between 16.08° and 21.64°. Notable features Stars Celestial cartographerJohann BayergaveBayer designationsto eight stars, labelling them Alpha to Theta. English astronomerJohn Flamsteedadded the letters x, mistaken asChi(χ), y and z to 13, 14, and 15 Sagittae in hisCatalogus Britannicus. All three were dropped by later astronomersJohn BevisandFrancis Baily. Bright stars Ptolemy saw the constellation's brightest starGamma Sagittaeas marking the arrow's head,while Bayer\",\n \"head,while Bayer saw Gamma, Eta, and Theta as depicting the arrow's shaft.Gamma Sagittae is ared giantof spectral type M0 III,and magnitude 3.47. It lies at a distance of258±4light-yearsfrom Earth.With around 90% of the Sun's mass,it has a radius 54 times that of the Sun and is 575 times as bright. It is most likely on thered-giant branchof itsevolutionarylifespan, having exhausted its core hydrogen and now burning it in a surrounding shell. Delta Sagittaeis the second-brightest star in the constellation and is a binary. Delta and Zeta depicted the spike according to Bayer.The Delta Sagittae system is composed of ared supergiantof spectral type M2 IIthat has 3.9 times the Sun's mass and 152 times its radius and a blue-white B9.5Vmain sequencestar that is 2.9 times as massive as the Sun. The two orbit each other every ten years.Zeta Sagittaeis a triple star system,approximately326 light-yearsfrom Earth. The primary and secondary are A-type stars. In hisUranometria, Bayer depicted Alpha,Beta, andEpsilon\",\n \"andEpsilon Sagittaeas the fins of the arrow.Also known as Sham, Alpha is a yellowbright giantstar ofspectral classG1 II with anapparent magnitudeof 4.38, which lies at a distance of382±8 light-yearsfrom Earth.Four times as massive as the Sun, it has swollen and brightened to 21 times the Sun's radius and 340 times itsluminosity.Also of magnitude 4.38, Beta is a G-typegiantlocated420±10 light-yearsdistant from Earth.Estimated to be around 129 million years old, it is 4.33 times as massive as the Sun,and has expanded to roughly 27 times its radius.Epsilon Sagittae is adouble starwhose component stars can be seen in a small telescope.With an apparent magnitude of 5.77,the main star is a 331-million-year-old yellow giant of spectral type G8 III around 3.09 times as massive as the Sun,that has swollen to18.37+0.65−0.88its radius.It is580±10 light-yearsdistant.The visual companion of magnitude 8.35 is 87.4arcsecondsdistant,but is an unrelatedblue supergiantaround7,000 light-yearsdistant from Earth. Eta Sagittaeis\",\n \"Eta Sagittaeis an orange giant of spectral class K2 IIIwith a magnitude of 5.09.Located155.9±0.9 light-yearsfrom Earth, it has a 61.1% chance of being a member of theHyades–Pleiadesstream of stars that share acommon motion through space.Theta Sagittaeis a double star system, with components 12 arcseconds apart visible in a small telescope.At magnitude 6.5, the brighter is a yellow-white main sequence star of spectral type F3 V,located146.1±0.2 light-yearsfrom Earth.The 8.8-magnitude fainter companion is a main sequence star of spectral type G5 V. A 7.4-magnitude orange giant of spectral type K2 III is also visible91″from the binary pair,located842±9 light-yearsaway. Variable stars Variable stars are popular targets for amateur astronomers, their observations providing valuable contributions to understanding star behaviour.R Sagittaeis a member of the rareRV Tauri variableclass of star. It ranges in magnitude from 8.2 to 10.4.It is around8,100 light-yearsdistant.It has a radius61.2+12.4−9.9times that of the\",\n \"that of the Sun, and is2,329+744−638as luminous, yet most likely is less massive than the Sun. An aging star, it has moved on from theasymptotic giant branchof stellar evolution and is on its way to becoming aplanetary nebula.FG Sagittaeis a \\\"born again\\\" star, a highly luminous star around4,000 light-yearsdistant from Earth.It reignited fusion of a helium shell shortly before becoming a white dwarf, and has expanded first to a blue supergiant and then to a K-classsupergiantin less than 100 years.It is surrounded by a faint (visual magnitude 23) planetary nebula, Henize 1–5, that formed when FG Sagittae first left the asymptotic giant branch. S Sagittaeis aclassical Cepheidthat varies from magnitude 5.24 to 6.04 every 8.38 days. It is a yellow-white supergiant that pulsates between spectral types F6 Ib and G5 Ib.Around 6 or 7 times as massive and 3,500 times as luminous as the Sun,it is located around5,100 light-yearsfrom Earth.HD 183143is a remote highly luminous star around7,900 light-yearsaway,that has\",\n \"has been classified as a bluehypergiant.Infraredbands of ionisedbuckminsterfullerenemolecules have also been found in its spectrum.WR 124is aWolf–Rayet starmoving at great speed surrounded by a nebula of ejected gas. U Sagittaeis an eclipsing binary that varies between magnitudes 6.6 and 9.2 over 3.4 days, making it a suitable target for enthusiasts with small telescopes.There are two component stars—a blue-white star of spectral type B8 V and an ageing star that has cooled and expanded into a yellow subgiant of spectral type G4 III-IV. They orbit each other close enough that the cooler subgiant has filled itsRoche lobeand is passing material to the hotter star, and hence it is asemidetached binarysystem.The system is900±10 light-yearsdistant.Near U Sagittae isX Sagittae, asemiregular variableranging between magnitudes 7.9 and 8.4 over 196 days.Acarbon star, X Sagittae has a surface temperature of2,576K. Located near 18 Sagittae isV Sagittae, the prototype of theV Sagittae variables,cataclysmic variablesthat\",\n \"variablesthat are alsosuper soft X-ray sources.It is expected to become aluminous red novawhen the two stars merge around the year 2083, and briefly become the most luminous star in theMilky Wayand one of the brightest stars in Earth's sky.WZ Sagittaeis another cataclysmic variable, composed of awhite dwarfthat has about 85% the mass of the Sun, and low-mass star companion that has been calculated to be abrown dwarfof spectral class L2 that is only 8% as massive as the Sun.Normally a faint object dimmer than magnitude 15, it flared up in 1913, 1946 and 1978 to be visible in binoculars.Theblack widow pulsar(B1957+20) is the secondmillisecond pulsarever discovered.It is a massiveneutron starthat isablatingits brown dwarf-sized companion which causes the pulsar's radio signals toattenuateas they pass through the outflowing material. Stars with exoplanets HD 231701is ayellow-white main sequence starhotter and larger than the Sun, with aJupiter-likeplanetthat was discovered in 2007 by theradial velocity\",\n \"theradial velocity technique. The planet orbits at a distance of0.57AUfrom the star with a period of 141.6 days.It has a mass of at least 1.13 Jupiter masses. HAT-P-34 is a star1.392±0.047times as massive as the Sun with1.535+0.135−0.102times its radius and3.63+0.75−0.51times its luminosity. With an apparent magnitude of 10.4,it is819±9 light-yearsdistant.A planet3.328±0.211times as massive as Jupiter was discovered transiting it in 2012. With a period of 5.45 days and a distance of0.06 AUfrom its star, it has an estimated surface temperature of1,520±60 K. 15 Sagittaeis asolar analog—a star similar to the Sun, with1.08±0.04times its mass,1.115±0.021times its radius and1.338±0.03times its luminosity. It has an apparent magnitude of 5.80.It has an L4 brown dwarf substellar companion that is around the same size as Jupiter but 69 times as massive with a surface temperature of between 1,510 and1,850 K, taking around 73.3 years to complete an orbit around the star.The system is estimated to be2.5±1.8billion years\",\n \"years old. Deep-sky objects The band of the Milky Way and theGreat Riftwithin it pass though Sagitta, with Alpha, Beta and Epsilon Sagittae marking the Rift's border.Located between Beta and Gamma Sagittae isMessier 71,a very looseglobular clustermistaken for some time for a denseopen cluster.At a distance of about13,000 light-yearsfrom Earth,it was first discovered by the French astronomerPhilippe Loys de Chéseauxin the year 1745 or 1746.The loose globular cluster has a mass of around 53,000M☉and aluminosityof approximately 19,000L☉. There are two notableplanetary nebulaein Sagitta:NGC 6886is composed of a hot central post-AGB star that has 55% of the Sun's mass yet2,700±850times its luminosity, with a surface temperature of142,000 K, and surrounding nebula estimated to have been expanding for between 1,280 and 1,600 years,The nebula was discovered byRalph Copelandin 1884.TheNecklace Nebula—originally a close binary, one component of which swallowed the other as it expanded to become a giant star. The\",\n \"a giant star. The smaller star remained in orbit inside the larger, whose rotation speed increased greatly, resulting in it flinging its outer layers off into space, forming a ring with knots of bright gas formed from clumps of stellar material.It was discovered in 2005 and is around 2 light-years wide.It has a size of0.35′.Both nebulae are around15,000 light-yearsfrom Earth. See also Notes References External links\",\n \"Vulpecula Vulpecula/vʌlˈpɛkjʊlə/is a faintconstellationin the northern sky. Its name isLatinfor \\\"littlefox\\\", although it is commonly known simply as the fox. It was identified in the seventeenth century, and is located in the middle of theSummer Triangle(anasterismconsisting of the bright starsDeneb,Vega, andAltair). Features Stars There are no stars brighter than 4th magnitude in this constellation. The brightest star in Vulpecula isAlpha Vulpeculae, amagnitude4.44mred giantat an approximate distance of 291light-years. The star is anoptical binary(separation of 413.7\\\") that can be split using binoculars. The star also carries the traditional name Anser, which refers to the goose the little fox holds in its jaws. 23 Vulpeculaeis the second brightest star in the constellation. In 1967, the firstpulsar,PSR B1919+21, was discovered in Vulpecula byJocelyn Bell, supervised byAntony Hewish, inCambridge. While they were searching for scintillation of radio signals ofquasars, they observed pulses which repeated with\",\n \"which repeated with aperiodof 1.3373seconds.Terrestrial origin of the signal was ruled out because the time it took the object to reappear was asidereal dayinstead of asolar day. This anomaly was finally identified as the signal of a rapidly rotatingneutron star. Fifteen years after the first pulsar was discovered, the firstmillisecond pulsar,PSR B1937+21, was also discovered in Vulpecula, only a few degrees in the sky away from PSR B1919+21. Vulpecula is also home toHD 189733 b, one of the closest extrasolar planets studied by the now-retiredSpitzer Space Telescope. On 11 July 2007, a team led byGiovanna Tinettipublished the results of their observations using the Spitzer Space Telescope concluding there is solid evidence for significant amounts of water vapor in the planet's atmosphere.Although HD 189733b with atmospheric temperatures rising above 1,000 °C is far from being habitable, this finding increases the likelihood that water, an essential component of life, would be found on a more Earth-like\",\n \"a more Earth-like planet in the future. Also located in Vulpecula issoft gamma repeaterSGR 1935+2154. In 2020 it emitted afast radio burst, the first one to be observed in the Milky Way. Deep-sky objects TheDumbbell Nebula(M27), is a large, brightplanetary nebulawhich was discovered by the French astronomerCharles Messierin 1764 as the very first object of its kind.It can be seen with goodbinocularsin a dark sky location, appearing as a dimly glowing disk approximately 8arcminutesin diameter.The nebula is approximately 9,800 years old.Atelescopereveals its double-lobed shape, similar to that of an hourglass.Brocchi's Cluster(Collinder 399) is anasterismformerly thought to be anopen cluster. It is also called \\\"the Coathanger\\\" because of its distinctive star pattern when viewed with binoculars or a low power telescope. NGC 7052is anelliptical galaxyin Vulpecula at a distance of 214 million light-years from Earth. It has a centraldustydisk with a diameter of 3700 light-years; there is asupermassive black\",\n \"asupermassive black holewith a mass of 300 million solar masses in itsnucleus. Astronomers surmise that the disk is the remnant of a smaller galaxy thatmergedwith NGC 7052.Jetscan be seen emanating from the galaxy, and it has very strongradio emissions. This means that it is also classified as aradio galaxy. The eastern part of Vulpecula is occupied by theHercules–Corona Borealis Great Wall. It is a galaxy filament, with the length of 3,000 megaparsecs, making it the largest known structure in the universe. Stellar association Vulpecula contains an OB-association of young stars, called theVulpecula OB-associationor Vul OB1. The association contains nearly 100OB-starsand over 800young stellar objects.It lies in the galactic plane, at a distance of about 2300parsec. It contains the emission-line nebulae Sh-86, Sh-87 andSh-88. Vul OB1 has a length of about 100 parsec and is sculpting many pillar-like structures in this region. History In the late 17th century, the astronomerJohannes Heveliuscreated Vulpecula.\",\n \"Vulpecula. It was originally known asVulpecula cum ansere(\\\"the little fox with thegoose\\\") orVulpecula et Anser(\\\"the little fox and the goose\\\"), and was illustrated with a goose in the jaws of a fox. Hevelius did not regard the fox and the goose to be two separate constellations, but later the stars were divided into a separate Anser and Vulpecula. Today, they have been merged again under the name of the fox, but the goose is remembered by the name of the star α Vulpeculae:Anser. See also References Sources Footnotes External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":271,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Who was the president of the USA when the wife of the former HEB Grocery Company CEO Howard Edward Butt Sr. died?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Bill Clinton was president beginning in 1993, the same year that Mary Elizabeth Butt passed away. "},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Elizabeth_Butt"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Elizabeth_Butt', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Elizabeth_Butt","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Elizabeth_Butt\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Mary Elizabeth Butt Mary Elizabeth Butt(néeHoldsworth; 1903–1993) was a prominentTexasphilanthropist and wife of formerHEB Grocery CompanyCEOHoward Edward Butt Sr., son of HEB founder, Florence Butt. Her philanthropic efforts were particularly focused on the care of emotionally disturbed children and the development of library services. Early life Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt was born on February 4, 1903, nearLoma Vista, Texas, the daughter of Rosa (née Ross) and Thomas Holdsworth. She was the fourth of seven children. Her father, the son of an English schoolteacher, emigrated from England to Texas with his parents in 1880. Her mother was a schoolteacher who grew up and worked inKerrville, Texas.Both her parents were devout, tithingBaptists.In 1924, she marriedHoward Edward Butt. Howard owned a small grocery store in Kerrville. Over time, her husband's business prospered and expanded, enabling Mary Elizabeth to take an active role in supporting numerous and varied charitable causes. Her husband stated: \"I make the money, and Mary spends it (on worthy causes). And I am glad she does.\"In 1940, they moved toCorpus Christi, Texas. Philanthropy In 1929, she moved toBrownsville, Texas, in theRio Grande Valleyand thereafter toHarlingen. Mary Elizabeth started the State Crippled Children's Program using her dining room as an office. She also served as chairwoman of the Cameron County Child Welfare Board. In addition, she started the first tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment program in the region; and also purchased the first equipment used to test the hearing and vision of schoolchildren. In 1934, the Butts formed the H. E. Butt Foundation, one of the first charitable organizations in Texas. The foundation focused on funding public school programs, establishing libraries and constructing recreational facilities.Mary Butt served as its president. In 1940, the Butt family moved toCorpus Christi, Texas, where she organized the local branches of theYWCA; theNueces Countyhome for the aged; the Nueces County Tuberculosis Hospital; and the local branch of theAmerican Cancer Society. She also established the Mary Bethune Day Nursery which addressed shortfalls in access to day care forAfrican-Americanchildren. In 1949, she along with Dr. Robert Sutherland (director of theHogg Foundation for Mental Healthfounded byIma Hoggin 1940) and Margaret Scarbrough (wife of Austin retailer Lemuel Scarbrough and founder of the Scarbrough Foundation), organized and hosted the first Conference of Texas Foundations and Trusts which coordinated philanthropic giving so as to avoid duplication and promoted the exchange ideas and strategies.Texas became the first state to have such an organization and the model was duplicated in other states.The Foundation quickly blossomed from 10 mostly family-sponsored organizations at inception to 48 organizations in 1956.The organization (now known as the Conference of Southwest Foundations) presently consists of 200 member organizations in a seven-state area. In 1953, she helped to establish the Hilltop Hospital which treated tuberculosis patients and eventually serving five years as the chairman of its board. In 1954, the Butts established the H. E. Butt Foundation Camp located on theFrio RiverAs she was particularly dedicated to the care of emotionally disturbed children, she developed a camping program for specifically for their care.As of 2012, the camp continues to serve, without cost, over 20,000 campers annuallyand is also the site of the Laity Lodge, a prominent center of Christian learning founded by their son, Howard E. Butt Jr. In 1955, she was appointed by Texas GovernorAllan Shiversto the governing board of Texas State Hospitals and Special Schools (later theTexas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation). She served as the only woman member of the board for 18 yearsbeing appointed by six different governors. The Butts contributed to the founding of theButt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, which was inaugurated in summer 1967. Personal life and death She had four children with her husband: Another child, Mary Beth Butt, who lived for only 10 days (November 17, 1943 - November 27, 1943), is buried beside Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt at the Glen Rest Cemetery in Kerrville, Texas, was the fourth child of Howard Butt, Sr., and Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt. Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt died in her house in Corpus Christi on October 6, 1993. Awards TheTexas State Historical Associationlists the many awards Butt has received over the years for her philanthropic activities: References External links","Bill Clinton William Jefferson Clinton(néBlythe; born August 19, 1946) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 42ndpresident of the United Statesfrom 1993 to 2001. A member of theDemocratic Party, he previously served asgovernor of Arkansasfrom 1979 to 1981 and again from 1983 to 1992. Clinton, whose policies reflected a centrist \"Third Way\" political philosophy, became known as aNew Democrat. Clinton was born and raised inArkansas. He graduated fromGeorgetown Universityin 1968, and later fromYale Law School, where he met his future wife,Hillary Rodham. After graduating from law school, Clinton returned to Arkansas and won election as state attorney general, followed bytwo non-consecutive tenures as Arkansas governor. As governor, he overhauled the state's education system and served as chairman of theNational Governors Association. Clinton was elected president in the1992 election, defeating the incumbentRepublican PartypresidentGeorge H. W. Bushand the independent businessmanRoss Perot. He became the first president to be born in theBaby Boomergeneration. Clinton presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history. He signed into law theNorth American Free Trade Agreementand theViolent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Actbut failed to pass his plan fornational health care reform. Starting in the mid-1990s, he began an ideological evolution as he became much more conservative in his domestic policy, advocating for and signing thePersonal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act, theState Children's Health Insurance Programand financial deregulation measures. He appointedRuth Bader GinsburgandStephen Breyerto theU.S. Supreme Court. In foreign policy, Clinton ordered U.S. military intervention in theBosnianandKosovo wars, eventually signing theDayton Peace agreement. He also called for theexpansion of NATOin Eastern Europe and many formerWarsaw Pactmembers joined NATO during his presidency. Clinton's foreign policy in the Middle East saw him sign theIraq Liberation Actwhich gave aid to groups againstSaddam Hussein. He also participated in theOslo I AccordandCamp David Summitto advance theIsraeli–Palestinian peace process, and assisted theNorthern Ireland peace process. Clinton won re-election in the1996 election, defeating Republican nomineeBob DoleandReform Partynominee Perot. His second term was dominated by theClinton–Lewinsky scandal, which began in 1995, when he had a sexual relationship with the then 22-year-oldWhite HouseinternMonica Lewinsky. In January 1998, news of the affair made tabloid headlines.This scandal escalated throughout the year, culminating in December whenClinton was impeachedby theHouse of Representatives, becoming the first U.S. president to be impeached sinceAndrew Johnson. The two impeachment articles that the House passed were centered aroundperjuryand Clinton using the powers of the presidency to commit obstruction of justice. In 1999,Clinton's impeachment trialbegan in theSenate, where he was acquitted on both charges. During the last three years of Clinton's presidency, theCongressional Budget Officereported a budget surplus—the first such surplus since 1969. Clinton left office in 2001 with the joint-highest approval rating of any U.S. president. His presidency ranks among the middle to upper tier inhistorical rankings of U.S. presidents. However, his personal conduct andmisconduct allegationshave made him the subject of substantial scrutiny. Since leaving office, Clinton has been involved in public speaking and humanitarian work. He created theClinton Foundationto address international causes such as the prevention of HIV/AIDS and global warming. In 2009, he was named theUnited Nations special envoy to Haiti. After the2010 Haiti earthquake, Clinton founded theClinton Bush Haiti FundwithGeorge W. BushandBarack Obama. He has remained active in Democratic Party politics, campaigning for his wife's2008and2016 presidential campaigns. Early life and career Clinton was born William Jefferson Blythe III on August 19, 1946, at Julia Chester Hospital inHope, Arkansas.He is the son ofWilliam Jefferson Blythe Jr., a traveling salesman who died in an automobile accident three months before his birth, andVirginia Dell Cassidy(later Virginia Kelley).Blythe had initially survived the crash, but drowned in a drainage ditch. His parents had married on September 4, 1943, but this union later proved to be bigamous, as Blythe was still married to his fourth wife.Virginia traveled toNew Orleansto study nursing soon after Bill was born, leaving him in Hope with her parents Eldridge and Edith Cassidy, who owned and ran a small grocery store.At a time when the southern United States wasracially segregated, Clinton's grandparents sold goods oncreditto people of all races.In 1950, Bill's mother returned from nursing school and marriedRoger Clinton Sr., who co-owned anautomobile dealershipinHot Springs, Arkansas, with his brother andEarl T. Ricks.The family moved to Hot Springs in 1950. Although he immediately assumed use of his stepfather's surname, it was not until Clinton turned 15that he formally adopted the surname Clinton as a gesture toward him.Clinton has described his stepfather as a gambler and an alcoholic who regularly abused his mother and half-brother,Roger Clinton Jr.The physical abuse only ceased after a then-14-year-old Bill challenged his stepfather to \"stand and face\" him, though the verbal/emotional abuse continued.Bill would eventually forgive Roger Sr. for his abusive actions near the latter's death. In Hot Springs, Clinton attended St. John's Catholic Elementary School, Ramble Elementary School, and thesegregatedHot Springs High School, where he was an active student leader, avid reader, and musician.Clinton was in the chorus and played thetenor saxophone, winning first chair in the state band's saxophone section. While in high school, Clinton performed for two years in a jazz trio,The 3 Kings, withRandy Goodrum, who became a successful professional pianist. In 1961, Clinton became a member of the Hot Springs Chapter of theOrder of DeMolay, a youth group affiliated withFreemasonry, but he never became a Freemason.He briefly considered dedicating his life to music, but as he noted in his autobiographyMy Life: Clinton began an interest in law at Hot Springs High, when he took up the challenge to argue the defense of the ancientRoman senatorCatilinein a mock trial in his Latin class.After a vigorous defense that made use of his \"budding rhetorical and political skills\", he told the Latin teacher Elizabeth Buck it \"made him realize that someday he would study law\". Clinton has identified two influential moments in his life, both occurring in 1963, that contributed to his decision to become a public figure. One was his visit as aBoys Nationsenator to theWhite Houseto meet PresidentJohn F. Kennedy.The other was watchingMartin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 \"I Have a Dream\" speech on TV, which impressed him so much that he later memorized it. College and law school years Georgetown University With the aid of scholarships, Clinton attended theSchool of Foreign ServiceatGeorgetown Universityin Washington, D.C., receiving aBachelor of Sciencein foreign service degree in 1968. Georgetown was the only university where Clinton applied. In 1964 and 1965, Clinton won elections forclass president.From 1964 to 1967, he was an intern and then a clerk in the office of Arkansas SenatorJ. William Fulbright.While in college, he became a brother of service fraternityAlpha Phi Omegaand was elected toPhi Beta Kappa. He is a member ofKappa Kappa Psihonorary band fraternity. Oxford Upon graduating from Georgetown in 1968, Clinton won aRhodes ScholarshiptoUniversity College, Oxford, where he initially read for aB.Phil.inphilosophy, politics, and economicsbut transferred to aB.Litt.in politics and, ultimately, a B.Phil. in politics.Clinton did not expect to return for the second year because of the draft and so he switched programs; this type of activity was common among other Rhodes Scholars from his cohort. He had received an offer to study atYale Law School, and so he left early to return to the United States and did not receive a degree from Oxford. During his time at Oxford, Clinton befriended fellow American Rhodes Scholar Frank Aller. In 1969, Aller received adraftletter that mandated deployment to theVietnam War. Aller's 1971 suicide had an influential impact on Clinton.British writer and feministSara Maitlandsaid of Clinton, \"I remember Bill and Frank Aller taking me to a pub in Walton Street in the summer term of 1969 and talking to me about the Vietnam War. I knew nothing about it, and when Frank began to describe the napalming of civilians I began to cry. Bill said that feeling bad wasn't good enough. That was the first time I encountered the idea that liberal sensitivities weren't enough and you had to do something about such things\".Clinton was a member of theOxford University Basketball Cluband also played for Oxford University'srugby unionteam. While Clinton was president in 1994, he received an honoraryDoctor of Civil Lawdegree and a fellowship from theUniversity of Oxford, specifically for being \"a doughty and tireless champion of the cause of world peace\", having \"a powerful collaborator in his wife\", and for winning \"general applause for his achievement of resolving the gridlock that prevented an agreed budget\". Vietnam War opposition and draft controversy During the Vietnam War, Clinton received educational draft deferments while he was in England in 1968 and 1969.While at Oxford, he participated inVietnam War protestsand organized aMoratorium to End the War in Vietnamevent in October 1969.He was planning to attend law school in the U.S. and knew he might lose his deferment. Clinton tried unsuccessfully to obtain positions in theNational Guardand theAir Force officer candidate school, and he then made arrangements to join theReserve Officers' Training Corps(ROTC) program at theUniversity of Arkansas. He subsequently decided not to join the ROTC, saying in a letter to the officer in charge of the program that he opposed the war, but did not think it was honorable to use ROTC, National Guard, or Reserve service to avoid serving in Vietnam. He further stated that because he opposed the war, he would not volunteer to serve in uniform, but would subject himself to the draft, and would serve if selected only as a way \"to maintain my political viability within the system\".Clinton registered for the draft and received a high number (311), meaning that those whose birthdays had been drawn as numbers1 to 310 would bedraftedbefore him, making it unlikely he would be called up. (In fact, the highest number drafted was 195.) ColonelEugene Holmes, the Army officer who had been involved with Clinton's ROTC application, suspected that Clinton attempted to manipulate the situation to avoid the draft and avoid serving in uniform. He issued anotarizedstatement during the 1992 presidential campaign: During the 1992 campaign, it was revealed that Clinton's uncle had attempted to secure him a position in theNavy Reserve, which would have prevented him from being deployed to Vietnam. This effort was unsuccessful and Clinton said in 1992 that he had been unaware of it until then.Although legal, Clinton's actions with respect to the draft and deciding whether to serve in the military were criticized during his first presidential campaign by conservatives and some Vietnam veterans, some of whom charged that he had used Fulbright's influence to avoid military service.Clinton's 1992 campaign manager,James Carville, successfully argued that Clinton's letter in which he declined to join the ROTC should be made public, insisting that voters, many of whom had also opposed the Vietnam War, would understand and appreciate his position. Law school After Oxford, Clinton attended Yale Law School and earned aJuris Doctor(J.D.) degree in 1973.In 1971, he met his future wife, Hillary Rodham, in theYale Law Library; she was a class year ahead of him.They began dating and were soon inseparable. After only about a month, Clinton postponed his summer plans to be a coordinator for theGeorge McGoverncampaignfor the1972 United States presidential electionin order to move in with her in California.The couple continuedliving togetherin New Haven when they returned to law school. Clinton eventuallymoved to Texas with Rodham in 1972to take a job leading McGovern's effort there. He spent considerable time inDallas, at the campaign's local headquarters on Lemmon Avenue, where he had an office. Clinton worked with future two-termmayor of DallasRon Kirk,futuregovernor of TexasAnn Richards,and then unknown television director and filmmakerSteven Spielberg. Failed congressional campaign and tenure as Attorney General of Arkansas After graduating fromYale Law School, Clinton returned to Arkansas and became a lawprofessorat theUniversity of Arkansas. In 1974, he ran for theHouse of Representatives. Running in the conservative3rd districtagainst incumbent RepublicanJohn Paul Hammerschmidt, Clinton's campaign was bolstered by the anti-Republican and anti-incumbent mood resulting from theWatergate scandal. Hammerschmidt, who had received 77 percent of the vote in 1972, defeated Clinton by only a 52 percent to 48 percent margin. In 1976, Clinton ran forArkansas attorney general. Defeating the secretary of state and the deputy attorney general in the Democratic primary, Clinton was elected with no opposition at all in the general election, as no Republican had run for the office. Governor of Arkansas (1979–1981, 1983–1992) In 1978, Clinton entered the Arkansas gubernatorial primary. At just 31 years old, he was one of the youngest gubernatorial candidates in the state's history. Clinton was electedgovernor of Arkansasin1978, having defeated the Republican candidateLynn Lowe, a farmer fromTexarkana. Clinton was only 32 years old when he took office, the youngest governor in the country at the time and the second youngest governor in the history of Arkansas.Due to his youthful appearance, Clinton was often called the \"Boy Governor\".He worked on educational reform and directed the maintenance of Arkansas's roads, with wife Hillary leading a successful committee on urban health care reform. However, his term included an unpopular motor vehicle tax and citizens' anger over the escape of Cuban refugees (from theMariel boatlift) detained inFort Chaffeein 1980. Monroe Schwarzlose, ofKingslandinCleveland County, polled 31 percent of the vote against Clinton in the Democratic gubernatorial primary of 1980. Some suggested Schwarzlose's unexpected voter turnout foreshadowed Clinton's defeat by Republican challengerFrank D. Whitein the general election that year. As Clinton once joked, he was the youngest ex-governor in the nation's history. After leaving office in January 1981, Clinton joined friendBruce Lindsey's Little Rock law firm of Wright, Lindsey and Jennings.In 1982, he was elected governor a second time and kept the office for ten years. Effective with the 1986 election, Arkansas had changed its gubernatorial term of office from two to four years. During his term, he helped transform Arkansas's economy and improved the state's educational system.Forsenior citizens, he removed thesales taxfrom medications and increased the home property-tax exemption.He became a leading figure among theNew Democrats, a group ofDemocratswho advocated welfare reform, smaller government, and other policies not supported by liberals. Formally organized as theDemocratic Leadership Council(DLC), the New Democrats argued that in light of PresidentRonald Reagan'slandslide victory in 1984, the Democratic Party needed to adopt a more centrist political stance in order to succeed at the national level.Clinton delivered theDemocratic responseto Reagan's1985 State of the Union Addressand served as chair of theNational Governors Associationfrom 1986 to 1987, bringing him to an audience beyond Arkansas. In the early 1980s, Clinton made reform of the Arkansas education system a top priority of his gubernatorial administration. The Arkansas Education Standards Committee was chaired by Clinton's wife Hillary, who was also an attorney as well as the chair of theLegal Services Corporation. The committee transformed Arkansas's education system. Proposed reforms included more spending for schools (supported by a sales-tax increase), better opportunities for gifted children, vocational education, higher teachers' salaries, more course variety, and compulsory teacher competency exams. The reforms passed in September 1983 after Clinton called a speciallegislative session—the longest in Arkansas history.Many have considered this the greatest achievement of the Clinton governorship.He defeated four Republican candidates for governor: Lowe (1978), White (1982 and 1986),JonesborobusinessmenWoody Freeman(1984), andSheffield Nelsonof Little Rock (1990). Also in the 1980s, the Clintons' personal and business affairs included transactions that became the basis of theWhitewater controversyinvestigation, which later dogged his presidential administration.After extensive investigation over several years, no indictments were made against the Clintons related to the years in Arkansas. According to some sources, Clinton was adeath penaltyopponent in his early years, but he eventually switched positions.However he might have felt previously, by 1992, Clinton was insisting that Democrats \"should no longer feel guilty about protecting the innocent\".During Clinton's final term as governor,Arkansas performed its first executionssince 1964 (the death penalty had been reinstated in 1976).As Governor, he oversaw thefirst four executions carried outby the state of Arkansas since the death penalty was reinstated there in 1976: one byelectric chairand three bylethal injection.To draw attention to his stance on capital punishment, Clinton flew home to Arkansas mid-campaign in 1992, in order to affirm in person that the controversial execution ofRicky Ray Rector, would go forward as scheduled. Scandals and allegations During his time as governor in the 1980s, Arkansas was the center of a drug smuggling operation throughMena Airport.CIAagentBarry Sealallegedly imported three to five billion dollars worth ofcocainethrough the airport, and the operation was linked to theIran–Contra affair.Clinton was accused of knowing about this operation, although nothing could be proven against him.JournalistSam Smithtied him to various questionable business dealings.Clinton was also accused byGennifer Flowersto have used cocaine as governorand his half-brother Roger was sentenced to prison in 1985 for possession and smuggling of cocaine, but was laterpardoned by his brotherafter serving his sentence.During his time in Arkansas, there were also other scandals such as theWhitewater controversyinvolving the Clintons' real estate dealings, and Bill Clinton was accused of serious sexual misconduct in Arkansas, including allegations of using theArkansas State Policeto gain access to women (Troopergate affair).Thekilling of Don Henry and Kevin Ivesin 1987 started variousconspiracy theoriesthat accused Clinton and the Arkansas state authorities of covering up the crime. 1988 Democratic presidential primaries In 1987, the media speculated that Clinton would enter the presidential race. Clinton decided to remain as Arkansas governor (following consideration for the potential candidacy of Hillary for governor, initially favored—but ultimately vetoed—by the First Lady).For the nomination, Clinton endorsedMassachusetts governorMichael Dukakis. He gave the nationally televised opening night address at the1988 Democratic National Convention, but his speech, which was 33 minutes long and twice the length it was expected to be, was criticized for being too long.Clinton presented himself both as a moderate and as a member of the New Democrat wing of the Democratic Party, and he headed the moderate Democratic Leadership Council in 1990 and 1991. 1992 United States presidential election In the first primary contest, theIowa Caucus, Clinton finished a distant third to Iowa senatorTom Harkin. During the campaign for theNew Hampshire primary, reports surfaced that Clinton had engaged in an extramarital affair withGennifer Flowers. Clinton fell far behind former Massachusetts senatorPaul Tsongasin the New Hampshire polls.FollowingSuper Bowl XXVI, Clinton and his wife Hillary went on60 Minutesto rebuff the charges.Their television appearance was a calculated risk, but Clinton regained several delegates. He finished second to Tsongas in theNew Hampshire primary, but after trailing badly in the polls and coming within single digits of winning, the media viewed it as a victory. News outlets labeled him \"The Comeback Kid\" for earning a firm second-place finish. Winning the big prizes of Florida and Texas and many of theSouthern primariesonSuper Tuesdaygave Clinton a sizable delegate lead. However, former California governorJerry Brownwas scoring victories and Clinton had yet to win a significant contest outside his native South.With no major Southern state remaining, Clinton targeted New York, which had many delegates. He scored a resounding victory in New York City, shedding his image as a regional candidate.Having been transformed into the consensus candidate, he secured the Democratic Party nomination, finishing with a victory in Jerry Brown's home state of California. During the campaign, questions ofconflict of interestregarding state business and the politically powerfulRose Law Firm, at which Hillary Rodham Clinton was a partner, arose. Clinton argued the questions were moot because all transactions with the state had been deducted before determining Hillary's firm pay.Further concern arose when Bill Clinton announced that, with Hillary, voters would be getting two presidents \"for the price of one\". Clinton was still the governor of Arkansas while campaigning for U.S. president, and he returned to his home state to see thatRicky Ray Rectorwould be executed. After killing a police officer and a civilian, Rector shot himself in the head, leading to what his lawyers said was a state where he could still talk but did not understand the idea of death. According to both Arkansas state law and federal law, a seriously mentally impaired inmate cannot be executed. The courts disagreed with the allegation of grave mental impairment and allowed the execution. Clinton's return to Arkansas for the execution was framed in an article forThe New York Timesas a possible political move to counter \"soft on crime\" accusations. Bush'sapproval ratingswere around 80 percent during theGulf War, and he was described as unbeatable. When Bush compromised with Democrats to try to lower federal deficits, he reneged on hispromise not to raise taxes, which hurt his approval rating. Clinton repeatedly condemned Bush for making a promise he failed to keep.By election time, the economy was souring and Bush saw his approval rating plummet to just slightly over 40 percent.Finally, conservatives were previously united by anti-communism, but with the end of the Cold War, the party lacked a uniting issue. WhenPat BuchananandPat Robertsonaddressed Christian themes at theRepublican National Convention—with Bush criticizing Democrats for omitting God from their platform—many moderates were alienated.Clinton then pointed to his moderate, \"New Democrat\" record as governor of Arkansas, though some on the more liberal side of the party remained suspicious.Many Democrats who had supported Ronald Reagan and Bush in previous elections switched their support to Clinton.Clinton and his running mate,Al Gore, toured the country during the final weeks of the campaign, shoring up support and pledging a \"new beginning\". On March 26, 1992, during a Democraticfund raiserof the presidential campaign,Robert Rafskyconfronted then Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas and asked what he was going to do aboutAIDS, to which Clinton replied, \"I feel your pain\".The televised exchange led to AIDS becoming an issue in the 1992 presidential election. On April 4, then candidate Clinton met with members ofACT UPand other leading AIDS advocates to discuss his AIDS agenda and agreed to make a major AIDS policy speech, to have people with HIV speak to theDemocratic Convention, and to sign onto theAIDS UnitedAction five point plan. Clinton won the1992 presidential election(370 electoral votes) against Republican incumbent George H. W. Bush (168 electoral votes) and billionairepopulistRoss Perot(zero electoral votes), who ran as an independent on a platform that focused on domestic issues. Bush's steep decline in public approval was a significant part of Clinton's success.Clinton's victory in the election ended twelve years of Republican rule of the White House and twenty of the previous twenty-four years. The election gave Democrats full control of theUnited States Congress,the first time one party controlled both the executive and legislative branches since Democrats held the96th United States Congressduring thepresidency of Jimmy Carter. According toSeymour Martin Lipset, the 1992 election had several unique characteristics. Voters felt that economic conditions were worse than they actually were, which harmed Bush. A rare event was the presence of a strong third-party candidate. Liberals launched a backlash against 12 years of a conservative White House. The chief factor was Clinton's uniting his party, and winning over a number of heterogeneous groups. Presidency (1993–2001) Clinton's \"third way\" of moderate liberalism built up the nation's fiscal health and put the nation on a firm footing abroad amid globalization and the development of anti-American terrorist organizations. During his presidency,Clinton advocated for a wide variety of legislation and programs, most of which were enacted into law or implemented by the executive branch. His policies, particularly theNorth American Free Trade Agreementandwelfare reform, have been attributed to acentristThird Wayphilosophy of governance.His policy offiscal conservatismhelped to reduce deficits on budgetary matters.Clinton presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history. TheCongressional Budget Officereported budget surpluses of $69 billion in 1998, $126 billion in 1999, and $236 billion in 2000,during the last three years of Clinton's presidency.Over the years of the recorded surplus, the gross national debt rose each year. At the end of the fiscal year (September 30) for each of the years a surplus was recorded, the U.S. Treasury reported a gross debt of $5.413 trillion in 1997, $5.526 trillion in 1998, $5.656 trillion in 1999, and $5.674 trillion in 2000.Over the same period, the Office of Management and Budget reported an end of year (December 31) gross debt of $5.369 trillion in 1997, $5.478 trillion in 1998, $5.606 in 1999, and $5.629 trillion in 2000.At the end of his presidency, the Clintons moved to 15 Old House Lane inChappaqua, New York, in order to quell political worries about his wife's residency for election as a U.S. Senator from New York. First term (1993–1997) \"Our democracy must be not only the envy of the world but the engine of our own renewal. There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.\" Inaugural address, January 20, 1993. Afterhis presidential transition, Clinton wasinauguratedas the 42nd president of the United States on January 20, 1993. Clinton was physically exhausted at the time, and had an inexperienced staff. His high levels of public support dropped in the first few weeks, as he made a series of mistakes. His first choice for attorney general had not paid her taxes on babysitters and was forced to withdraw. The second appointee also withdrew for the same reason. Clinton had repeatedly promised to encourage gays in the military service, despite what he knew to be the strong opposition of the military leadership. He tried anyway, and was publicly opposed by the top generals, and forced by Congress to a compromise position of \"Don't ask, don't tell\" whereby gays could serve if and only if they kept it secret.He devised a $16-billion stimulus package primarily to aid inner-city programs desired by liberals, but it was defeated by a Republican filibuster in the Senate.His popularity at the 100 day mark of his term was the lowest of any president at that point. Public opinion did support one liberal program, and Clinton signed theFamily and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which required large employers to allow employees to take unpaid leave for pregnancy or a serious medical condition. This action had bipartisan support,and was popular with the public. Two days after taking office, on January 22, 1993—the 20th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision inRoe v. Wade—Clinton reversed restrictions on domestic and internationalfamily planningprograms that had been imposed by Reagan and Bush.Clinton said abortion should be kept \"safe, legal, and rare\"—a slogan that had been suggested by political scientistSamuel L. Popkinand first used by Clinton in December 1991, while campaigning.During the eight years of the Clinton administration, the abortion rate declined by 18 percent. On February 15, 1993, Clinton made his first address to the nation, announcing his plan to raise taxes to close abudget deficit.Two days later, in a nationally televised address to ajoint session of Congress, Clinton unveiled his economic plan. The plan focused on reducing the deficit rather than on cutting taxes for the middle class, which had been high on his campaign agenda.Clinton's advisers pressured him to raise taxes, based on the theory that a smaller federal budget deficit would reduce bond interest rates. President Clinton's attorney generalJanet Renoauthorized the FBI's use of armored vehicles to deploy tear gas into the buildings of the Branch Davidian community near Waco, Texas, in hopes of ending a51 day siege. During the operation on April 19, 1993, the buildings caught fire and 75 of the residents died, including 24 children. The raid had originally been planned by the Bush administration; Clinton had played no role. In August, Clinton signed theOmnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, which passed Congress without a Republican vote. It cut taxes for 15million low-income families, made tax cuts available to 90 percent of small businesses,and raised taxes on the wealthiest 1.2 percent of taxpayers. Additionally, it mandated that the budget be balanced over many years through the implementation of spending restraints. On September 22, 1993, Clinton made a major speech to Congress regardinga health care reform plan; the program aimed at achieving universal coverage through a national health care plan. This was one of the most prominent items on Clinton's legislative agenda and resulted from a task force headed by Hillary Clinton. The plan was well received in political circles, but it was eventually doomed by well-organized lobby opposition from conservatives, theAmerican Medical Association, and the health insurance industry. However, Clinton biographerJohn F. Harrissaid the program failed because of a lack of coordination within the White House.Despite the Democratic majority in Congress, the effort to create a national health care system ultimately died when compromise legislation byGeorge J. Mitchellfailed to gain a majority of support in August 1994. The failure of the bill was the first major legislative defeat of the Clinton administration. On November 30, 1993, Clinton signed into law theBrady Bill, which mandated federalbackground checkson people who purchase firearms in the United States. The law also imposed a five-day waiting period on purchases, until theNICS systemwas implemented in 1998. He also expanded theEarned Income Tax Credit, a subsidy for low-income workers. In December of the same year, allegations by Arkansas state troopersLarry Pattersonand Roger Perry were first reported byDavid BrockinThe American Spectator.In the affair later known as \"Troopergate\", the officers alleged that they had arranged sexual liaisons for Clinton back when he was governor of Arkansas. The story mentioned a woman namedPaula, a reference toPaula Jones. Brock later apologized to Clinton, saying the article was politically motivated \"bad journalism\", and that \"the troopers were greedy and had slimy motives\". That month, Clinton implemented a Department of Defense directive known as \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\", which allowed gay men and women to serve in the armed services provided they kept their sexual orientation a secret. The Act forbade the military from inquiring about an individual's sexual orientation.The policy was developed as a compromise after Clinton's proposal to allow gays to serve openly in the military met staunch opposition from prominent Congressional Republicans and Democrats, including senatorsJohn McCain(R-AZ) andSam Nunn(D-GA). According toDavid Mixner, Clinton's support for the compromise led to a heated dispute with Vice President Al Gore, who felt that \"the President should lift the ban ... even though was sure to be overridden by the Congress\".Some gay-rights advocates criticized Clinton for not going far enough and accused him of making his campaign promise to get votes and contributions.Their position was that Clinton should have integrated the military by executive order, noting that PresidentHarry S. Trumanused executive order to racially desegregate the armed forces. Clinton's defenders argued that an executive order might have prompted the Senate to write the exclusion of gays into law, potentially making it harder to integrate the military in the future.Later in his presidency, in 1999, Clinton criticized the way the policy was implemented, saying he did not think any serious person could say it was not \"out of whack\".The policy remained controversial, and was finallyrepealed in 2011, removing open sexual orientation as a reason for dismissal from the armed forces. On January 1, 1994, Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement into law.Throughout his first year in office, Clinton consistently supported ratification of the treaty by the U.S. Senate. Clinton and most of his allies in the Democratic Leadership Committee strongly supported free trade measures; there remained, however, strong disagreement within the party. Opposition came chiefly from anti-trade Republicans, protectionist Democrats and supporters of Ross Perot. The bill passed the house with 234 votes in favor and 200 votes opposed (132 Republicans and 102 Democrats in favor; 156 Democrats, 43 Republicans, and one independent opposed). The treaty was then ratified by the Senate and signed into law by the president. On July 29, 1994, the Clinton administration launched the first official White House website,whitehouse.gov.The site was followed with three more versions, with the final version being launched on July 21, 2000.The White House website was part of a wider movement of the Clinton administration toward web-based communication. According to Robert Longley, \"Clinton and Gore were responsible for pressing almost all federal agencies, the U.S. court system and the U.S. military onto the Internet, thus opening up America's government to more of America's citizens than ever before. On July 17, 1996, Clinton issued Executive Order 13011—Federal Information Technology, ordering the heads of all federal agencies to utilize information technology fully to make the information of the agency easily accessible to the public.\" TheOmnibus Crime Bill, which Clinton signed into law in September 1994,made many changes to U.S. crime and law enforcement legislation including the expansion of the death penalty to include crimes not resulting in death, such as running a large-scale drug enterprise. During Clinton's re-election campaign he said, \"My 1994 crime bill expanded the death penalty for drug kingpins, murderers of federal law enforcement officers, and nearly 60 additional categories of violent felons.\"It also included a subsection ofassault weapons banfor a ten-year period. After two years of Democratic Party control, the Democrats lost control of Congress to the Republicans in themid-term elections in 1994, for the first time in forty years. A speech delivered by President Bill Clinton at the December 6, 1995White House Conferenceon HIV/AIDS projected that a cure for AIDS and a vaccine to prevent further infection would be developed. The President focused on his administration's accomplishments and efforts related to theepidemic, including an accelerated drug-approval process. He also condemnedhomophobiaand discrimination against people withHIV. Clinton announced three new initiatives: creating a special working group to coordinate AIDS research throughout thefederal government; convening public health experts to develop an action plan that integrates HIV prevention with substance abuse prevention; and launching a new effort by theDepartment of Justiceto ensure that health care facilities provide equal access to people with HIV and AIDS.1996 would mark the first year since the beginning of theHIV/AIDS epidemicthat the number of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses would decline, with the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) even later reporting a significant 47% decline in the number of AIDS-related deaths in 1997 compared to the previous year.Credit for this decline would be given to the growing effectiveness of new drug therapy which was promoted by the Clinton Administration's Department of Health and Human Services, such ashighly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART). On September 21, 1996, Clinton signed into law theDefense of Marriage Act(DOMA), which defined marriage for federal purposes as the legal union of one man and one woman; the legislation allowed individual states to refuse to recognize gay marriages that were performed in other states.Paul Yandura, speaking for the White House gay and lesbian liaison office, said Clinton's signing DOMA \"was a political decision that they made at the time of a re-election\". In defense of his actions, Clinton has said that DOMA was intended to \"head off an attempt to send a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage to the states\", a possibility he described as highly likely in the context of a \"very reactionary Congress\".Administration spokesmanRichard Socaridessaid, \"the alternatives we knew were going to be far worse, and it was time to move on and get the president re-elected.\"Clinton himself said DOMA was something \"which the Republicans put on the ballot to try to get the base vote for Bush up, I think it's obvious that something had to be done to try to keep the Republican Congress from presenting that\";others were more critical. The veteran gay rights and gay marriage activistEvan Wolfsonhas called these claims \"historic revisionism\".Despite this, it has been noted that other than a brief written response to a Reader's Digest that questioned whether he agreed with it, Clinton had made no documented reference to the issue of gay marriage until May 1996.In a July 2, 2011, editorialThe New York Timesopined, \"The Defense of Marriage Act was enacted in 1996 as an election-year wedge issue, signed by President Bill Clinton in one of his worst policy moments.\"Ultimately, inUnited States v. Windsor, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down DOMA in June 2013. Despite DOMA, Clinton was the first president to select openly gay persons for administrative positions,and he is generally credited as being the first president to publicly champion gay rights.During his presidency, Clinton issued two substantially controversial executive orders on behalf of gay rights, the first lifting the ban on security clearances for LGBT federal employeesand the second outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation in the federal civilian workforce.Under Clinton's leadership, federal funding for HIV/AIDS research, prevention and treatment more than doubled.Clinton also pushed for passing hate crimes laws for gays and for the private sectorEmployment Non-Discrimination Act, which, buoyed by his lobbying, failed to pass the Senate by a single vote in 1996.Advocacy for these issues, paired with the politically unpopular nature of the gay rights movement at the time, led to enthusiastic support for Clinton's election and reelection by theHuman Rights Campaign.Clinton came out for gay marriage in July 2009and urged the Supreme Court to overturn DOMA in 2013.He was later honored byGLAADfor his prior pro-gay stances and his reversal on DOMA. \"When I took office, only high energy physicists had ever heard of what is called the Worldwide Web ... Now evenmy cathas its own page.\" Bill Clinton's announcement ofNext Generation Internet initiative, October 1996. The1996 United States campaign finance controversywas an alleged effort byChinato influence the domestic policies of the United States, before and during the Clinton administration, and involved the fundraising practices of the administration itself.Despite the evidence,theChinese governmentdenied all accusations. As part of a 1996 initiative to curbillegal immigration, Clinton signed theIllegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act(IIRIRA) on September 30, 1996. Appointed by Clinton,theU.S. Commission on Immigration Reformrecommended reducing legal immigration from about 800,000 people a year to about 550,000. In November 1996, Clinton narrowly escaped possible assassination in the Philippines,which was a bridge bomb planted byal-Qaedaand was masterminded byOsama bin Laden. During Clinton's presidency, the attempt remained top secret,and it remains classified as of March 2024, whenReutersreported having spoken with eight retired secret service agents about the incident. 1996 presidential campaign In the1996 presidential election, Clinton was re-elected, receiving 49.2 percent of the popular vote over RepublicanBob Dole(40.7 percent of the popular vote) andReformcandidate Ross Perot (8.4 percent of the popular vote). Clinton received 379 of theElectoral Collegevotes, with Dole receiving 159 electoral votes. With his victory, he became the first Democrat to win two consecutive presidential elections sinceFranklin D. Roosevelt. Second term (1997–2001) In the January 1997, State of the Union address, Clinton proposed a new initiative to provide health coverage to up to five million children. SenatorsTed Kennedy—a Democrat—andOrrin Hatch—a Republican—teamed up with Hillary Rodham Clinton and her staff in 1997, and succeeded in passing legislation forming theState Children's Health Insurance Program(SCHIP), the largest (successful) health care reform in the years of the Clinton Presidency. That year, Hillary Clinton shepherded through Congress theAdoption and Safe Families Actand two years later she succeeded in helping pass theFoster Care Independence Act. Bill Clinton negotiated the passage of theBalanced Budget Act of 1997by the Republican Congress. In October 1997, he announced he was getting hearing aids, due to hearing loss attributed to his age, and his time spent as a musician in his youth.In 1999, he signed into law the Financial Services Modernization Act also known as theGramm–Leach–Bliley Act, which repealed the part of theGlass–Steagall Actthat had prohibited a bank from offering a full range ofinvestment,commercial banking, and insurance services since its enactment in 1933. Investigations In November 1993,David Hale—the source of criminal allegations against Bill Clinton in the Whitewater controversy—alleged that while governor of Arkansas, Clinton pressured Hale to provide an illegal $300,000 loan to Susan McDougal, the Clintons' partner in the Whitewater land deal.AU.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioninvestigation resulted in convictions against the McDougals for their role in the Whitewater project, but the Clintons themselves were never charged, and Clinton maintains his and his wife's innocence in the affair.Investigations byRobert B. FiskeandKen Starrfound insufficient to evidence to prosecute the Clintons. TheWhite House FBI files controversyof June 1996 arose concerning improper access by the White House toFBIsecurity-clearance documents. Craig Livingstone, head of the White House Office of Personnel Security, improperly requested, and received from the FBI, background report files without asking permission of the subject individuals; many of these were employees of former Republican administrations.In March 2000, Independent CounselRobert Raydetermined there was no credible evidence of any crime. Ray's report further stated, \"there was no substantial and credible evidence that any senior White House official was involved\" in seeking the files. On May 19, 1993, Clinton fired seven employees of the White House Travel Office. This caused theWhite House travel office controversyeven though the travel office staff served at the pleasure of the president and could bedismissed without cause. The White House responded to the controversy by claiming that the firings were done in response to financial improprieties that had been revealed by a brief FBI investigation.Critics contended that the firings had been done to allow friends of the Clintons to take over the travel business and the involvement of the FBI was unwarranted.The House Government Reform and Oversight Committee issued a report which accused the Clinton administration of having obstructed their efforts to investigate the affair.Special counsel Robert Fiske said that Hillary Clinton was involved in the firing and gave \"factually false\" testimony to the GAO, congress, and the independent counsel. However Fiske said there was not enough evidence to prosecute. Impeachment and acquittal Aftera House inquiry, Clinton wasimpeachedon December 19, 1998, by the House of Representatives. The House voted 228–206 to impeach him for perjury to agrand juryand voted 221–212 to impeach him for obstruction of justice.Clinton was only the second U.S. president (the first beingAndrew Johnson) to be impeached.Impeachment proceedings were based on allegations that Clinton had illegally lied about and covered up his relationship with 22-year-old White House (and laterDepartment of Defense) employeeMonica Lewinsky.After theStarr Reportwas submitted to the House providing what it termed \"substantial and credible information that President Clinton Committed Acts that May Constitute Grounds for an Impeachment\",the House began impeachment hearings against Clinton before themid-term elections. To hold impeachment proceedings, Republican leadership called alame-duck sessionin December 1998. While theHouse Judiciary Committeehearings ended in a straight party-line vote, there was lively debate on the House floor. The two charges passed in the House (largely with Republican support, but with a handful of Democratic votes as well) were for perjury and obstruction of justice. The perjury charge arose from Clinton's testimony before a grand jury that had been convened to investigate perjury he may have committed in his sworn deposition duringJones v. Clinton,Paula Jones's sexual harassment lawsuit.The obstruction charge was based on his actions to conceal his relationship with Lewinsky before and after that deposition. The Senate later acquitted Clinton of both charges.The Senate refused to meet to hold an impeachment trial before the end of the old term, so the trial was held over until the next Congress. Clinton was represented by Washington law firmWilliams & Connolly.The Senate finished a twenty-one-day trial on February 12, 1999, with the vote of 55 not guilty/45 guilty on the perjury chargeand 50 not guilty/50 guilty on the obstruction of justice charge.Both votes fell short of the constitutional two-thirds majority requirement to convict and remove an officeholder. The final vote was generally along party lines, with no Democrats voting guilty, and only a handful of Republicans voting not guilty. On January 19, 2001, Clinton's law license was suspended for five years after he acknowledged to an Arkansas circuit court he had engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice in theJonescase. Pardons and commutations Clintonissued141 pardons and 36 commutations on his last day in office on January 20, 2001.Controversy surroundedMarc Richand allegations that Hillary Clinton's brother,Hugh Rodham, accepted payments in return for influencing the president's decision-making regarding the pardons.Federal prosecutorMary Jo Whitewas appointed to investigate the pardon of Rich. She was later replaced by then-RepublicanJames Comey. The investigation found no wrongdoing on Clinton's part.Clinton also pardoned four defendants in theWhitewater Scandal,Chris Wade,Susan McDougal,Stephen Smith, andRobert W. Palmer, all of whom had ties to Clinton when he was governor of Arkansas.Former ClintonHUD SecretaryHenry Cisneros, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, was also among Clinton's pardons. Campaign finance controversies In February 1997 it was discovered upon documents being released by theClinton Administrationthat 938 people had stayed at the White House and that 821 of them had made donations to theDemocratic Partyand got the opportunity to stay in the Lincoln bedroom as a result of the donations.Some donors includedSteven Spielberg,Tom Hanks,Jane Fonda, andJudy Collins. Top donors also got golf games and morning jogs with Clinton as a result of the contributions.Janet Renowas called on to investigate the matter byTrent Lott, but she refused. In 1996, it was found that several Chinese foreigners made contributions to Clinton's reelection campaign and theDemocratic National Committeewith the backing of the People's Republic of China. Some of them also attempted to donate to Clinton's defense fund.This violated United States law forbidding non-American citizens from making campaign contributions. Clinton andAl Gorealso allegedly met with the foreign donors.A Republican investigation led byFred Thompsonfound that Clinton was targeted by the Chinese government. However, Democratic senatorsJoe LiebermanandJohn Glennsaid that the evidence showed that China only targeted congressional elections and not presidential elections. Military and foreign affairs Somalia American troops had first enteredSomaliaduring theBush administrationin response to a humanitarian crisis andcivil war. Though initially involved to assist humanitarian efforts, the Clinton administration shifted the objectives set out in the mission and began pursuing a policy of attempting to neutralize Somali warlords. In 1993, during theBattle of Mogadishu,two U.S. helicopterswere shot down byrocket-propelled grenadeattacks to theirtail rotors, trapping soldiers behind enemy lines. This resulted in an urban battle that killed 18 American soldiers, wounded 73 others, and resulted in one being taken prisoner.Television news programs depicted the supporters of warlordMohammed Aididdesecrating the corpses of troops.The backlash resulting from the incident prompted in a drop in support for American intervention in the country and coincided with a more cautious use of troops throughout the rest of the Clinton administration.Following a subsequent national security policy review, U.S. forces were withdrawn from Somalia and later conflicts were approached with fewer soldiers on the ground. Rwanda In April 1994,genocidebroke out inRwanda. Intelligence reports indicate that Clinton was aware a \"final solution to eliminate allTutsis\" was underway, long before the administration publicly used the word \"genocide\".Fearing a reprisal of the events in Somalia the previous year, Clinton chose not to intervene.Clinton has called his failure to intervene one of his main foreign policy failings, saying \"I don't think we could have ended the violence, but I think we could have cut it down. And I regret it.\" Bosnia and Herzegovina In 1993 and 1994, Clinton pressured Western European leaders to adopt a strong military policy againstBosnian Serbsduring theBosnian War. This strategy faced staunch opposition from theUnited Nations,NATOallies, and Congressional Republicans, leading Clinton to adopt a more diplomatic approach.In 1995, U.S. and NATO aircraftbombed Bosnian Serb targetsto halt attacks on UN safe zones and pressure them into a peace accord that would end theBosnian war. Clinton deployed U.S. peacekeepers to Bosnia in late 1995, to uphold the subsequentDayton Agreement. Irish peace talks In 1992, before his presidency, Clinton proposed sending a peace envoy toNorthern Ireland, but this was dropped to avoid tensions with the British government. In November 1995, in a ceasefire duringthe Troubles, Clinton became the first president to visit Northern Ireland, examining both of the two divided communities ofBelfast.Despiteunionistcriticism, Clinton used his visit as a way to negotiate an end to the violent conflict, playing a key role in thepeace talksthat produced theGood Friday Agreementin 1998. Iran Clinton sought to continue the Bush administration's policy of limiting Iranian influence in the Middle East, which he laid out in thedual containmentstrategy. In 1994, Clinton declared that Iran was a \"state sponsor of terrorism\" and a \"rogue state\", marking the first time that an American President used that term.Subsequent executive orders heavily sanctioned Iran's oil industry and banned almost all trade between U.S. companies and the Iranian government. In February 1996, the Clinton administration agreed to pay Iran US$131.8million (equivalent to $256.05 million in 2023) in settlement to discontinue a case brought by Iran in 1989 against the U.S. in theInternational Court of Justiceafter the shooting down ofIran Air Flight 655by the U.S. Navyguided missile cruiser. Iraq In Clinton's1998 State of the Union Address, he warned Congress that Iraqi dictatorSaddam Husseinwas building an arsenal of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Clinton signed theIraq Liberation Act of 1998on October 31, 1998, which instituted a policy of \"regime change\" against Iraq, though it explicitly stated it did not provide for direct intervention on the part of American military forces.The administration then launched a four-day bombing campaign namedOperation Desert Fox, lasting from December 16 to 19, 1998. At the end of this operation Clinton announced that \"So long as Saddam remains in power, he will remain a threat to his people, his region, and the world. With our allies, we must pursue a strategy to contain him and to constrain his weapons of mass destruction program, while working toward the day Iraq has a government willing to live at peace with its people and with its neighbors.\"American and British aircraft in the Iraq no-fly zones attacked hostile Iraqi air defenses 166 times in 1999 and 78 times in 2000. Osama bin Laden Capturing Osama bin Laden was an objective of the U.S. government during the Clinton presidency (and continued to be untilbin Laden's death in 2011).Despite claims byMansoor Ijazand Sudanese officials that the Sudanese government had offered to arrest and extradite bin Laden, and that U.S. authorities rejected each offer,the9/11 Commission Reportstated that \"we have not found any reliable evidence to support the Sudanese claim\". In response to a 1996 State Department warning about bin Ladenand the1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africaby al-Qaeda (which killed 224 people, including 12 Americans), Clinton ordered several military missions to capture or kill bin Laden, all of which were unsuccessful. In August 1998, Clintonordered cruise missile strikes on terrorist targets in Afghanistan and Sudan, targeting theAl-Shifa pharmaceutical factoryin Sudan, which was suspected of assisting bin Laden in making chemical weapons, and bin Laden's terrorist training camps in Afghanistan. The factory was destroyed by the attack, resulting in the death of one employee and the wounding of 11 other people.After the destruction of the factory, there was a medicine shortage in Sudan due to the plant providing 50 percent of Sudan's medicine, and the destruction of the plant led to a shortage of chloroquine, a drug which is used to treat malaria.U.S. officials later acknowledged that there was no evidence the plant was acknowledging manufacturing or storing nerve gas.The attack provoked criticism of Clinton from journalists and academics includingChristopher Hitchens,Seymour Hersh,Max Taylor,and others. Kosovo In the midst of a brutal crackdown onethnic Albanian separatistsin the province ofKosovoby theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia, Clinton authorized the use of U.S. Armed Forces in a NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia in 1999, namedOperation Allied Force.The stated reasoning behind the intervention was to stop theethnic cleansing(and what the Clinton administration labeledgenocide)of Albanians by Yugoslav anti-guerilla military units. GeneralWesley ClarkwasSupreme Allied Commander of NATOand oversaw the mission. WithUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, the bombing campaign ended on June 10, 1999. The resolution placed Kosovo under UN administration and authorized apeacekeeping forceto be deployed to the region.NATO announced its soldiers all survived combat,though two died in anApache helicoptercrash.Journalists in the popular press criticized genocide statements by the Clinton administration as false and greatly exaggerated.Prior to the bombing campaign on March 24, 1999, estimates showed that the number of civilians killed in the over year longconflict in Kosovohad been approximately 1,800, with critics asserting that little or no evidence existed of genocide.In a post-war inquiry, theOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europenoted \"the patterns of the expulsions and the vast increase in lootings, killings, rape, kidnappings and pillage once the NATO air war began on March 24.\"In 2001, theUN-supervisedSupreme Court of Kosovoruled that genocide (theintent to destroya people) did not take place, but recognized \"a systematic campaign of terror, including murders, rapes, arsons and severe maltreatments\" with the intention being the forceful departure of the Albanian population.The term \"ethnic cleansing\" was used as an alternative to \"genocide\" to denote not just ethnically motivated murder but also displacement, though critics charge there is little difference.Slobodan Milošević, the president of Yugoslavia at the time of the atrocities, waseventually brought to trialbefore theInternational Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslaviainthe Hagueon charges includingcrimes against humanityand war crimes for his role in the war.He died in 2006, before the completion of the trial. China Clinton aimed to increase trade with China, minimizing import tariffs and offering the countrymost favoured nationstatus in 1993, his administration minimized tariff levels in Chinese imports. Clinton initially conditioned extension of this status onhuman rightsreforms, but ultimately decided to extend the status despite a lack of reform in the specified areas, including free emigration, treatment of prisoners in terms of international human rights, and observation of human rights specified by UN resolutions, among others. Relations were damaged briefly by theAmerican bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgradein May 1999. Clinton apologized for the bombing, stating it was accidental. On October 10, 2000, Clinton signed into law theUnited States–China Relations Act of 2000, which grantedpermanent normal trade relations(PNTR) trade status to China.The president asserted that free trade would gradually open China to democratic reform. In encouraging Congress to approve the agreement and China's accession to theWorld Trade Organization(WTO), Clinton stated that more trade with China would advance America's economic interests, saying that \"economically, this agreement is the equivalent of a one-way street. It requires China to open its markets—with a fifth of the world's population, potentially the biggest markets in the world—to both our products and services in unprecedented new ways.\" Israeli-Palestinian conflict Clinton attempted to end theIsraeli–Palestinian conflict. Secret negotiations mediated by Clinton between Israeli Prime MinisterYitzhak RabinandPalestine Liberation Organization(PLO) ChairmanYasser Arafatled to a historic declaration of peace in September 1993, called theOslo Accords, which were signed at the White House on September 13. The agreement led to theIsrael–Jordan peace treatyin 1994 and theWye River Memorandumin October 1998, however, this did not end the conflict. He brought Israeli prime ministerEhud Barakand Palestinian Authority chairmanYasser Arafattogether atCamp Davidfor the2000 Camp David Summit, which lasted 14 days in July.Following another attempt in December 2000 atBolling Air Force Base, in which the president offered theClinton Parameters, the situation broke down completely after the end of theTaba Summitand with the start of theSecond Intifada. Judicial appointments Clinton appointed two justices to theSupreme Court:Ruth Bader Ginsburgin 1993andStephen Breyerin 1994.Both justices went on to serve until the 2020s, leaving a lasting judicial legacy for President Clinton. Clinton was the first president in history to appoint more women and minority judges than white male judges to the federal courts.In his eight years in office, 11.6% of Clinton's court of appeals nominees and 17.4% of his district court nominees were black; 32.8% of his court of appeals nominees and 28.5% of his district court nominees were women. Public opinion Throughout Clinton's first term, his job approval rating fluctuated in the 40s and 50s. In his second term, his rating consistently ranged from the high-50s to the high-60s.After his impeachment proceedings in 1998 and 1999, Clinton's rating reached its highest point.According to aCBS News/New York Timespoll, Clinton left office with an approval rating of 68 percent, which matched those of Ronald Reagan and Franklin D. Roosevelt as the highest ratings for departing presidents in the modern era.Clinton's averageGallup pollapproval rating for his last quarter in office was 61 percent, the highest final quarter rating any president has received for fifty years.Forty-seven percent of the respondents identified themselves as being Clinton supporters. As he was leaving office, a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll revealed that 45 percent of Americans said they would miss him; 55 percent thought he \"would have something worthwhile to contribute and should remain active in public life\"; 68 percent thought he would be remembered more for his \"involvement in personal scandal\" than for \"his accomplishments\"; and 58 percent answered \"No\" to the question \"Do you generally think Bill Clinton is honest and trustworthy?\"The same percentage said he would be remembered as either \"outstanding\" or \"above average\" as a president, while 22 percent said he would be remembered as \"below average\" or \"poor\".ABC Newscharacterized public consensus on Clinton as, \"You can't trust him, he's got weak morals and ethics—and he's done a heck of a good job.\" In May 2006, a CNN poll comparing Clinton's job performance with that of his successor, George W. Bush, found that a strong majority of respondents said Clinton outperformed Bush in six different areas questioned.Gallup polls in 2007 and 2011 showed that Clinton was regarded by 13 percent of Americans as the greatest president in U.S. history. In 2014, 18 percent of respondents in aQuinnipiac University Polling Institutepoll of American voters regarded Clinton as the best president since World War II, making him the third most popular among postwar presidents, behind John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.The same poll showed that just 3 percent of American voters regarded Clinton as the worst president since World War II. A 2015 poll byThe Washington Postasked 162 scholars of theAmerican Political Science Associationto rank all the U.S. presidents in order of greatness. According to their findings, Clinton ranked eighth overall, with a rating of 70 percent. Public image Clinton was the firstbaby boomerpresident.Authors Martin Walker andBob Woodwardstated that Clinton's innovative use ofsound bite-ready dialogue, personal charisma, and public perception-oriented campaigning were a major factor in his high public approval ratings.When Clinton played the saxophone onThe Arsenio Hall Show, he was described by some religious conservatives as \"the MTV president\".Opponents sometimes referred to him as \"Slick Willie\", a nickname which was first applied to him in 1980 byPine Bluff CommercialjournalistPaul Greenberg;Greenberg believed that Clinton was abandoning the progressive policies of previous Arkansas Governors such asWinthrop Rockefeller,Dale BumpersandDavid Pryor.The claim \"Slick Willie\" would last throughout his presidency.His folksy manner led him to benicknamedBubbastarting from the 1992 presidential election.Since 2000, he has frequently been referred to as \"The Big Dog\" or \"Big Dog\".His prominent role in campaigning for Obama during the2012 presidential electionand his widely publicized speech at the2012 Democratic National Convention, where he officially nominated Obama and criticized Republican nomineeMitt Romneyand Republican policies in detail, earned him the nickname \"Explainer-in-Chief\". Clinton drew strong support from the African American community and insisted that the improvement of race relations would be a major theme of his presidency.In 1998,NobellaureateToni Morrisoncalled Clinton \"the first black president\", saying, \"Clinton displays almost every trope of blackness: single-parent household, born poor, working-class, saxophone-playing,McDonald's-and-junk-food-loving boy from Arkansas\".Morrison noted that Clinton's sex life was scrutinized more than his career accomplishments, and she compared this to the stereotyping anddouble standardsthat, she said, black people typically endure.Many viewed this comparison as unfair and disparaging both to Clinton and to the African-American community. Sexual assault and misconduct allegations Several women have publicly accused Clinton of sexual misconduct, including rape, harassment, and sexual assault. Additionally, some commentators have characterized Clinton's sexual relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky as predatory or non-consensual, despite the fact that Lewinsky called the relationship consensual at the time. These allegations have been revisited and lent more credence in 2018, in light of the#MeToo movement, with many commentators and Democratic leaders now saying Clinton should have been compelled to resign after the Lewinsky affair. In 1994,Paula Jonesinitiated asexual harassment lawsuitagainst Clinton, claiming he had made unwanted advances towards her in 1991; Clinton denied the allegations. In April 1998, the case was initially dismissed by JudgeSusan Webber Wrighton the grounds that it lacked legal merit.Jones appealed Webber Wright's ruling, and her suit gained traction following Clinton's admission to having an affair with Monica Lewinsky in August 1998.In 1998, lawyers for Paula Jones released court documents that alleged a pattern of sexual harassment by Clinton when he was Governor of Arkansas.Robert S. Bennett, Clinton's main lawyer for the case, called the filing \"a pack of lies\" and \"an organized campaign to smear the President of the United States\" funded by Clinton's political enemies.In October 1998, Clinton's attorneys tentatively offered $700,000 to settle the case, which was then the $800,000 which Jones' lawyers sought.Clinton later agreed to an out-of-court settlement and paid Jones $850,000.Bennett said the president made the settlement only so he could end the lawsuit for good and move on with his life.During the deposition for the Jones lawsuit, which was held at the White House,Clintondenied having sexual relationswith Monica Lewinsky—a denial that became the basis for an impeachment charge of perjury. In 1998,Kathleen Willeyalleged that Clinton hadgropedher in a hallway in 1993. An independent counsel determined Willey gave \"false information\" to the FBI, inconsistent with sworn testimony related to the Jones allegation.On March 19, 1998, Julie Hiatt Steele, a friend of Willey, released anaffidavit, accusing the former White House aide of asking her to lie to corroborate Ms. Willey's account of being sexually groped by Clinton in the Oval Office.An attempt by Kenneth Starr to prosecute Steele for making false statements and obstructing justice ended in a mistrial and Starr declined to seek a retrial after Steele sought an investigation against the former independent counsel for prosecutorial misconduct. Also in 1998,Juanita Broaddrickalleged that Clinton had raped her in the spring of 1978, although she said she did not remember the exact date.To support her charge, Broaddrick notes that she told multiple witnesses in 1978 she had been raped by Clinton, something these witnesses also state in interviews to the press.Broaddrick had earlier filed an affidavit denying any \"unwelcome sexual advances\" and later repeated the denial in a sworn deposition.In a 1998 NBC interview wherein she detailed the alleged rape, Broaddrick said she had denied (under oath) being raped only to avoid testifying about the ordeal publicly. The Lewinsky scandal has had an enduring impact on Clinton's legacy, beyond his impeachment in 1998.In the wake of the #MeToo movement (which shed light on the widespread prevalence ofsexual assaultandharassment, especially in the workplace), various commentators and Democratic political leaders, as well as Lewinsky herself, have revisited their view that the Lewinsky affair was consensual, and instead characterized it as an abuse of power or harassment, in light of the power differential between a president and a 22-year-old intern. In 2018, Clinton was asked in several interviews about whether he should have resigned, and he said he had made the right decision in not resigning.During the2018 Congressional elections,The New York Timesalleged that having no Democratic candidate for office asking Clinton to campaign with them was a change that attributed to the revised understanding of the Lewinsky scandal.However, former DNC interim chairDonna Brazilepreviously urged Clinton in November 2017 to campaign during the 2018 midterm elections, in spite of New York U.S. senatorKirsten Gillibrand's recent criticism of the Lewinsky scandal. Alleged affairs Clinton admitted to having extramarital affairs with singerGennifer FlowersandMonica Lewinsky.ActressElizabeth Gracen,Miss Arkansas winnerSally Perdue,and Dolly Kyle Browningall claimed that they had affairs with Clinton during his time as governor of Arkansas. Browning later sued Clinton,Bruce Lindsey,Robert S. Bennett, andJane Mayer, alleging they engaged in a conspiracy to attempt to block her from publishing a book loosely based on her relationship with Clinton and tried to defame him. However, Browning's lawsuit was dismissed. Post-presidency (2001–present) Activities until 2008 campaign In 2002, Clinton warned that pre-emptive military action against Iraq would have unwelcome consequences,and later claimed to have opposed the Iraq War from the start (though some dispute this).In 2005, Clinton criticized the Bush administration for its handling of emissions control, while speaking at theUnited Nations Climate Change conferencein Montreal. TheWilliam J. Clinton Presidential Center and ParkinLittle Rock, Arkansas, was dedicated in 2004.Clinton released a best-selling autobiography,My Life, in 2004.In 2007, he releasedGiving: How Each of Us Can Change the World, which also became aNew York TimesBest Sellerand garnered positive reviews. In the aftermath of the2004 Asian tsunami,U.N. secretary-generalKofi Annanappointed Clinton to head a relief effort.AfterHurricane Katrina, Clinton joined with fellow former president George H. W. Bush to establish the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Fund in January 2005, and the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund in October of that year.As part of the tsunami effort, these two ex-presidents appeared in aSuper Bowl XXXIXpre-game show,and traveled to the affected areas.They also spoke together at the funeral ofBoris Yeltsinin April 2007. Based on his philanthropic worldview,Clinton created theWilliam J. Clinton Foundationto address issues of global importance. This foundation includes the Clinton Foundation HIV and AIDS Initiative (CHAI), which strives to combat that disease, and has worked with the Australian government toward that end. TheClinton Global Initiative(CGI), begun by the Clinton Foundation in 2005, attempts to address world problems such as globalpublic health, poverty alleviation and religious andethnic conflict.In 2005, Clinton announced through his foundation an agreement with manufacturers to stop selling sugary drinks in schools.Clinton's foundation joined with theLarge Cities Climate Leadership Groupin 2006 to improve cooperation among those cities, and he met with foreign leaders to promote this initiative.The foundation has received donations from many governments all over the world, including Asia and the Middle East.In 2008, Foundation directorInder Singhannounced deals to reduce the price of anti-malaria drugs by 30 percent in developing nations.Clinton also spoke in favor ofCalifornia Proposition 87onalternative energy, which was voted down. 2008 presidential election During the2008 Democratic presidential primary campaign, Clinton vigorously advocated on behalf of his wife, Hillary. Through speaking engagements and fundraisers, he was able to raise $10 million toward her campaign.Some worried that as an ex-president, he was too active on the trail, too negative to Clinton rivalBarack Obama, and alienating his supporters at home and abroad.Many were especially critical of him following his remarks in the South Carolina primary, which Obama won. Later in the 2008 primaries, there was some infighting between Bill and Hillary's staffs, especially in Pennsylvania.Considering Bill's remarks, many thought he could not rally Hillary supporters behind Obama after Obama won the primary.Such remarks led to apprehension that the party would be split to the detriment of Obama's election. Fears were allayed August 27, 2008, when Clinton enthusiastically endorsed Obama at the2008 Democratic National Convention, saying all his experience as president assures him that Obama is \"ready to lead\".After Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign was over, Bill Clinton continued to raise funds to help pay off her campaign debt. After the 2008 election In 2009, Clinton travelled to North Korea on behalf of two American journalistsimprisonedthere.Euna LeeandLaura Linghad been imprisoned for illegally entering the country from China.Jimmy Carterhad made a similar visit in 1994.After Clinton met with North Korean leaderKim Jong-il, Kim issued a pardon. Since then, Clinton has been assigned many other diplomatic missions. He was named United NationsSpecial Envoyto Haiti in 2009 following a series of hurricanes which caused $1 billion in damages.Clinton organized a conference with the Inter-American Development Bank, where a new industrial park was discussed in an effort to \"build back better\".In response to the2010 Haiti earthquake, U.S. president Barack Obama announced that Clinton and George W. Bush would coordinate efforts to raise funds for Haiti's recovery.Funds began pouring into Haiti, which led to funding becoming available for Caracol Industrial Park in a part of the country unaffected by the earthquake. While Hillary Clinton was in South Korea, she andCheryl Millsworked to convince SAE-A, a large apparel subcontractor, to invest in Haiti despite the company's deep concerns about plans to raise the minimum wage. In the summer of 2010, the South Korean company signed a contract at the U.S. State Department, ensuring that the new industrial park would have a key tenant.In 2010, Clinton announced support of, and delivered the keynote address for, the inauguration ofNTR, Ireland's first environmental foundation.At the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Clinton gave a widely praised speech nominating Barack Obama. 2016 presidential election and after During the2016 presidential election, Clinton again encouraged voters to support Hillary, and made appearances speaking on the campaign trail.In a series of tweets, then-President-electDonald Trumpcriticized his ability to get people out to vote.Clinton served as a member of the electoral college for the state of New York. He voted for the Democratic ticket consisting of his wife Hillary and her running-mateTim Kaine. On September 7, 2017, Clinton partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama to work withOne America Appealto help the victims ofHurricane HarveyandHurricane Irmain theGulf CoastandTexascommunities. In2020, Clinton again served as a member of the United States Electoral College from New York, casting his vote for the successful Democratic ticket ofJoe BidenandKamala Harris. Citizen: My Life After the White House,his autobiography about his life after his presidency, will be released in November 19, 2024. Post-presidential health concerns In September 2004, Clinton underwent quadruple bypass surgery.In March 2005, he again underwent surgery, this time for a partially collapsed lung.On February 11, 2010, he was rushed toNew York-Presbyterian/Columbia Hospitalin Manhattan after complaining of chest pains, and he had twocoronary stentsimplanted in his heart.After this procedure, Clinton adopted a plant-based whole foods (vegan) diet, which had been recommended by doctorsDean OrnishandCaldwell Esselstyn.He has since incorporated fish and lean animal flesh at the suggestion ofMark Hyman, a proponent of thepseudoscientificethos offunctional medicine.As a result, he is no longer a strict vegan. In October 2021, Clinton was treated forsepsisat theUniversity of California, Irvine Medical Center.In December 2022, Clinton tested positive forCOVID-19. Wealth The Clintons incurred several million dollars in legal bills during his presidency, which were paid off four years after he left office.Bill and Hillary Clinton have each earned millions of dollars from book publishing.In 2016,Forbesreported Bill and Hillary Clinton made about $240million in the 15years from January 2001, to December 2015, (mostly from paid speeches, business consulting and book-writing).Also in 2016,CNNreported the Clintons combined to receive more than $153million in paid speeches from 2001 until spring 2015.In May 2015,The Hillreported that Bill and Hillary Clinton have made more than $25million in speaking fees since the start of 2014, and that Hillary Clinton also made $5million or more from her book,Hard Choices, during the same time period.In July 2014,The Wall Street Journalreported that at the end of 2012, the Clintons were worth between $5million and $25.5million, and that in 2012 (the last year they were required to disclose the information) the Clintons made between $16 and $17million, mostly from speaking fees earned by the former president.Clinton earned more than $104million from paid speeches between 2001 and 2012.In June 2014, ABC News andThe Washington Postreported that Bill Clinton has made more than $100million giving paid speeches since leaving public office, and in 2008,The New York Timesreported that the Clintons' income tax returnsshow they made $109million in the eight years from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2007, including almost $92million from his speaking and book-writing. Bill Clinton has given dozens of paid speeches each year since leaving office in 2001, mostly to corporations and philanthropic groups in North America and Europe; he often earned $100,000 to $300,000 per speech.Russian investment bank with ties to the Kremlin paid Clinton $500,000 for a speech inMoscow.Hillary Clinton said she and Bill came out of the White House financially \"broke\" and in debt, especially due to large legal fees incurred during their years in the White House. \"We had no money when we got there, and we struggled to, you know, piece together the resources for mortgages, for houses, for Chelsea's education\". She added, \"Bill has worked really hard ... we had to pay off all our debts ... he had to make double the money because of, obviously, taxes; and then pay off the debts, and get us houses, and take care of family members\". Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein In the early 2000s, Clinton took flights onJeffrey Epstein's private jet in connection with Clinton Foundation work.According to Epstein's attorneyGerald B. Lefcourt, Epstein was \"part of the original group that conceived of theClinton Global Initiative\".In 2002, a spokesperson for Clinton praised Epstein as \"a committed philanthropist\" with \"insights and generosity\".While Clinton was president, Epstein visited the White House at least 17 times between 1993 and 1995.Years later, Epstein was convicted on sex trafficking charges. Clinton's office released a statement in 2019 saying, \"President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York. In 2002 and 2003, President Clinton took four trips on Jeffrey Epstein's airplane: one to Europe, one to Asia, and two to Africa, which included stops in connection with the work of the Clinton Foundation. Staff, supporters of the Foundation, and his Secret Service detail traveled on every leg of every trip. He's not spoken to Epstein in well over a decade.\" However, later reports showed that Clinton had flown on Epstein's plane 26 times.In another statement Clinton said \"one meeting with Epstein in his Harlem office in 2002, and around the same time made one brief visit to Epstein's New York apartment with a staff member and his security detail\". In July 2019 it was reported that Clinton attended a dinner with Epstein in 1995, a meeting with Epstein that Clinton had not previously disclosed. Clinton reportedly used Epstein's private jet to visitLittle St. James Island, where Epstein resided,on multiple occasions between 2002 and 2005.Virginia Roberts, later known as Virginia Giuffre, says in a lawsuit that while working atDonald Trump'sMar-a-Lagoresortshe was lured into asex-traffickingring run by Epstein and while traveling with Epstein she saw Clinton on the island.In a 2011 conversation with her lawyers, Roberts stated that Clinton traveled to Epstein's retreat on Little St. James in 2002.According to Roberts, Epstein told her that Clinton \"owes me favors\" when she asked what he was doing there.She also reportedly claimed that Epstein and Clinton had dined in the presence of two girls aged approximately seventeen whom she believed Epstein had invited to have sex with Clinton, but that Clinton showed no interest in them.AFreedom of Information Actrequest forUnited States Secret Servicerecords of visits Clinton may have made to Little St. James produced no such evidence.According to Epstein's flight logs, Clinton never flew near the U.S. Virgin Islands.In July 2019, a Clinton spokesperson issued a statement saying Clinton never visited the island.When he was personally asked by a journalist about his ties with Epstein in a rally inLaredo, Texasin November 2022, Clinton said \"I think the evidence is clear\".According to former Clinton aide,Doug Band, Clinton visited Epstein's island in January 2003.In 2024, unsealed court documents revealed allegations that Clinton had visited the offices ofVanity Fairand 'threatened' the paper not to print stories about Epstein's sexual trafficking. FormerVanity FaireditorGraydon Carterdenied the incident ever took place. Personal life At the age of 10, he was baptized at Park PlaceBaptistChurch inHot Springs, Arkansas.When he became president in 1993, he became a member ofFoundry United Methodist ChurchinWashington, D.C.with his wife, aMethodist. On October 11, 1975, inFayetteville, Arkansas, he marriedHillary Rodham, whom he met while studying atYale University. They hadChelsea Clinton, their only child, on February 27, 1980.He is the maternal grandfather to Chelsea's three children. Accolades Various colleges and universities have awarded Clinton honorary degrees, includingDoctorate of LawdegreesandDoctor of Humane Lettersdegrees.He received an honorary degree from Georgetown University, his alma mater, and was the commencement speaker in 1980.He is an honorary fellow of University College, Oxford, which he attended as aRhodes Scholar, although he did not complete his studies there.Schools have been named for Clinton,and statues have been built to pay him homage.U.S. states where he has been honored include Missouri,Arkansas,Kentucky,and New York.He was presented with theMedal for Distinguished Public ServicebySecretary of DefenseWilliam Cohenin 2001.TheClinton Presidential Centerwas opened in Little Rock, Arkansas, in his honor on December 5, 2001. Clinton has been honored in various other ways, in countries that include the Czech Republic,Papua New Guinea,Germany,and Kosovo.The Republic of Kosovo, in gratitude for his help during theKosovo War, renamed a major street in the capital city ofPristinaasBill Clinton Boulevardand added a monumental Clinton statue. Clinton was selected asTime's\"Man of the Year\" in 1992,and again in 1998, along withKen Starr.From a poll conducted of the American people in December 1999, Clinton was among eighteen included inGallup's List of Most Widely Admired People of the 20th Century.In 2001, Clinton received theNAACP'sPresident's Award.He has also been honored with a J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding,aTEDPrize (named for the confluence of technology, entertainment and design),and was named as an HonoraryGLAAD Media Awardrecipient for his work as an advocate for the LGBT community. Clinton, along withMikhail GorbachevandSophia Loren,received the2003 Grammy AwardforBest Spoken Word Album for ChildrenforWolf Tracks and Peter and the Wolf.Theaudiobookedition of his autobiography,My Life, read by Clinton himself, won the2005 Grammy AwardforBest Spoken Word Album,as well as theAudie Awardas the Audiobook of the Year.Clinton has two more Grammy nominations for his audiobooks:Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the Worldin2007andBack to Workin2012. In 2011, Haitian presidentMichel Martellyawarded Clinton with theNational Order of Honour and Meritto the rank of Grand Cross \"for his various initiatives in Haiti and especially his high contribution to the reconstruction of the country after the earthquake of January 12, 2010\". Clinton declared at the ceremony that \"in the United States of America, I really don't believe former American presidents need awards anymore, but I am very honored by this one, I love Haiti, and I believe in its promise\". President Obama awarded Clinton thePresidential Medal of Freedomon November 20, 2013. See also References Citations Further reading Primary sources Popular books Scholarly studies Arkansas years External links Official Interviews, speeches, and statements Media coverage Other"],"string":"[\n \"Mary Elizabeth Butt Mary Elizabeth Butt(néeHoldsworth; 1903–1993) was a prominentTexasphilanthropist and wife of formerHEB Grocery CompanyCEOHoward Edward Butt Sr., son of HEB founder, Florence Butt. Her philanthropic efforts were particularly focused on the care of emotionally disturbed children and the development of library services. Early life Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt was born on February 4, 1903, nearLoma Vista, Texas, the daughter of Rosa (née Ross) and Thomas Holdsworth. She was the fourth of seven children. Her father, the son of an English schoolteacher, emigrated from England to Texas with his parents in 1880. Her mother was a schoolteacher who grew up and worked inKerrville, Texas.Both her parents were devout, tithingBaptists.In 1924, she marriedHoward Edward Butt. Howard owned a small grocery store in Kerrville. Over time, her husband's business prospered and expanded, enabling Mary Elizabeth to take an active role in supporting numerous and varied charitable causes. Her husband stated: \\\"I make the money, and Mary spends it (on worthy causes). And I am glad she does.\\\"In 1940, they moved toCorpus Christi, Texas. Philanthropy In 1929, she moved toBrownsville, Texas, in theRio Grande Valleyand thereafter toHarlingen. Mary Elizabeth started the State Crippled Children's Program using her dining room as an office. She also served as chairwoman of the Cameron County Child Welfare Board. In addition, she started the first tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment program in the region; and also purchased the first equipment used to test the hearing and vision of schoolchildren. In 1934, the Butts formed the H. E. Butt Foundation, one of the first charitable organizations in Texas. The foundation focused on funding public school programs, establishing libraries and constructing recreational facilities.Mary Butt served as its president. In 1940, the Butt family moved toCorpus Christi, Texas, where she organized the local branches of theYWCA; theNueces Countyhome for the aged; the Nueces County Tuberculosis Hospital; and the local branch of theAmerican Cancer Society. She also established the Mary Bethune Day Nursery which addressed shortfalls in access to day care forAfrican-Americanchildren. In 1949, she along with Dr. Robert Sutherland (director of theHogg Foundation for Mental Healthfounded byIma Hoggin 1940) and Margaret Scarbrough (wife of Austin retailer Lemuel Scarbrough and founder of the Scarbrough Foundation), organized and hosted the first Conference of Texas Foundations and Trusts which coordinated philanthropic giving so as to avoid duplication and promoted the exchange ideas and strategies.Texas became the first state to have such an organization and the model was duplicated in other states.The Foundation quickly blossomed from 10 mostly family-sponsored organizations at inception to 48 organizations in 1956.The organization (now known as the Conference of Southwest Foundations) presently consists of 200 member organizations in a seven-state area. In 1953, she helped to establish the Hilltop Hospital which treated tuberculosis patients and eventually serving five years as the chairman of its board. In 1954, the Butts established the H. E. Butt Foundation Camp located on theFrio RiverAs she was particularly dedicated to the care of emotionally disturbed children, she developed a camping program for specifically for their care.As of 2012, the camp continues to serve, without cost, over 20,000 campers annuallyand is also the site of the Laity Lodge, a prominent center of Christian learning founded by their son, Howard E. Butt Jr. In 1955, she was appointed by Texas GovernorAllan Shiversto the governing board of Texas State Hospitals and Special Schools (later theTexas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation). She served as the only woman member of the board for 18 yearsbeing appointed by six different governors. The Butts contributed to the founding of theButt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, which was inaugurated in summer 1967. Personal life and death She had four children with her husband: Another child, Mary Beth Butt, who lived for only 10 days (November 17, 1943 - November 27, 1943), is buried beside Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt at the Glen Rest Cemetery in Kerrville, Texas, was the fourth child of Howard Butt, Sr., and Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt. Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt died in her house in Corpus Christi on October 6, 1993. Awards TheTexas State Historical Associationlists the many awards Butt has received over the years for her philanthropic activities: References External links\",\n \"Bill Clinton William Jefferson Clinton(néBlythe; born August 19, 1946) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 42ndpresident of the United Statesfrom 1993 to 2001. A member of theDemocratic Party, he previously served asgovernor of Arkansasfrom 1979 to 1981 and again from 1983 to 1992. Clinton, whose policies reflected a centrist \\\"Third Way\\\" political philosophy, became known as aNew Democrat. Clinton was born and raised inArkansas. He graduated fromGeorgetown Universityin 1968, and later fromYale Law School, where he met his future wife,Hillary Rodham. After graduating from law school, Clinton returned to Arkansas and won election as state attorney general, followed bytwo non-consecutive tenures as Arkansas governor. As governor, he overhauled the state's education system and served as chairman of theNational Governors Association. Clinton was elected president in the1992 election, defeating the incumbentRepublican PartypresidentGeorge H. W. Bushand the independent businessmanRoss Perot. He became the first president to be born in theBaby Boomergeneration. Clinton presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history. He signed into law theNorth American Free Trade Agreementand theViolent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Actbut failed to pass his plan fornational health care reform. Starting in the mid-1990s, he began an ideological evolution as he became much more conservative in his domestic policy, advocating for and signing thePersonal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act, theState Children's Health Insurance Programand financial deregulation measures. He appointedRuth Bader GinsburgandStephen Breyerto theU.S. Supreme Court. In foreign policy, Clinton ordered U.S. military intervention in theBosnianandKosovo wars, eventually signing theDayton Peace agreement. He also called for theexpansion of NATOin Eastern Europe and many formerWarsaw Pactmembers joined NATO during his presidency. Clinton's foreign policy in the Middle East saw him sign theIraq Liberation Actwhich gave aid to groups againstSaddam Hussein. He also participated in theOslo I AccordandCamp David Summitto advance theIsraeli–Palestinian peace process, and assisted theNorthern Ireland peace process. Clinton won re-election in the1996 election, defeating Republican nomineeBob DoleandReform Partynominee Perot. His second term was dominated by theClinton–Lewinsky scandal, which began in 1995, when he had a sexual relationship with the then 22-year-oldWhite HouseinternMonica Lewinsky. In January 1998, news of the affair made tabloid headlines.This scandal escalated throughout the year, culminating in December whenClinton was impeachedby theHouse of Representatives, becoming the first U.S. president to be impeached sinceAndrew Johnson. The two impeachment articles that the House passed were centered aroundperjuryand Clinton using the powers of the presidency to commit obstruction of justice. In 1999,Clinton's impeachment trialbegan in theSenate, where he was acquitted on both charges. During the last three years of Clinton's presidency, theCongressional Budget Officereported a budget surplus—the first such surplus since 1969. Clinton left office in 2001 with the joint-highest approval rating of any U.S. president. His presidency ranks among the middle to upper tier inhistorical rankings of U.S. presidents. However, his personal conduct andmisconduct allegationshave made him the subject of substantial scrutiny. Since leaving office, Clinton has been involved in public speaking and humanitarian work. He created theClinton Foundationto address international causes such as the prevention of HIV/AIDS and global warming. In 2009, he was named theUnited Nations special envoy to Haiti. After the2010 Haiti earthquake, Clinton founded theClinton Bush Haiti FundwithGeorge W. BushandBarack Obama. He has remained active in Democratic Party politics, campaigning for his wife's2008and2016 presidential campaigns. Early life and career Clinton was born William Jefferson Blythe III on August 19, 1946, at Julia Chester Hospital inHope, Arkansas.He is the son ofWilliam Jefferson Blythe Jr., a traveling salesman who died in an automobile accident three months before his birth, andVirginia Dell Cassidy(later Virginia Kelley).Blythe had initially survived the crash, but drowned in a drainage ditch. His parents had married on September 4, 1943, but this union later proved to be bigamous, as Blythe was still married to his fourth wife.Virginia traveled toNew Orleansto study nursing soon after Bill was born, leaving him in Hope with her parents Eldridge and Edith Cassidy, who owned and ran a small grocery store.At a time when the southern United States wasracially segregated, Clinton's grandparents sold goods oncreditto people of all races.In 1950, Bill's mother returned from nursing school and marriedRoger Clinton Sr., who co-owned anautomobile dealershipinHot Springs, Arkansas, with his brother andEarl T. Ricks.The family moved to Hot Springs in 1950. Although he immediately assumed use of his stepfather's surname, it was not until Clinton turned 15that he formally adopted the surname Clinton as a gesture toward him.Clinton has described his stepfather as a gambler and an alcoholic who regularly abused his mother and half-brother,Roger Clinton Jr.The physical abuse only ceased after a then-14-year-old Bill challenged his stepfather to \\\"stand and face\\\" him, though the verbal/emotional abuse continued.Bill would eventually forgive Roger Sr. for his abusive actions near the latter's death. In Hot Springs, Clinton attended St. John's Catholic Elementary School, Ramble Elementary School, and thesegregatedHot Springs High School, where he was an active student leader, avid reader, and musician.Clinton was in the chorus and played thetenor saxophone, winning first chair in the state band's saxophone section. While in high school, Clinton performed for two years in a jazz trio,The 3 Kings, withRandy Goodrum, who became a successful professional pianist. In 1961, Clinton became a member of the Hot Springs Chapter of theOrder of DeMolay, a youth group affiliated withFreemasonry, but he never became a Freemason.He briefly considered dedicating his life to music, but as he noted in his autobiographyMy Life: Clinton began an interest in law at Hot Springs High, when he took up the challenge to argue the defense of the ancientRoman senatorCatilinein a mock trial in his Latin class.After a vigorous defense that made use of his \\\"budding rhetorical and political skills\\\", he told the Latin teacher Elizabeth Buck it \\\"made him realize that someday he would study law\\\". Clinton has identified two influential moments in his life, both occurring in 1963, that contributed to his decision to become a public figure. One was his visit as aBoys Nationsenator to theWhite Houseto meet PresidentJohn F. Kennedy.The other was watchingMartin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 \\\"I Have a Dream\\\" speech on TV, which impressed him so much that he later memorized it. College and law school years Georgetown University With the aid of scholarships, Clinton attended theSchool of Foreign ServiceatGeorgetown Universityin Washington, D.C., receiving aBachelor of Sciencein foreign service degree in 1968. Georgetown was the only university where Clinton applied. In 1964 and 1965, Clinton won elections forclass president.From 1964 to 1967, he was an intern and then a clerk in the office of Arkansas SenatorJ. William Fulbright.While in college, he became a brother of service fraternityAlpha Phi Omegaand was elected toPhi Beta Kappa. He is a member ofKappa Kappa Psihonorary band fraternity. Oxford Upon graduating from Georgetown in 1968, Clinton won aRhodes ScholarshiptoUniversity College, Oxford, where he initially read for aB.Phil.inphilosophy, politics, and economicsbut transferred to aB.Litt.in politics and, ultimately, a B.Phil. in politics.Clinton did not expect to return for the second year because of the draft and so he switched programs; this type of activity was common among other Rhodes Scholars from his cohort. He had received an offer to study atYale Law School, and so he left early to return to the United States and did not receive a degree from Oxford. During his time at Oxford, Clinton befriended fellow American Rhodes Scholar Frank Aller. In 1969, Aller received adraftletter that mandated deployment to theVietnam War. Aller's 1971 suicide had an influential impact on Clinton.British writer and feministSara Maitlandsaid of Clinton, \\\"I remember Bill and Frank Aller taking me to a pub in Walton Street in the summer term of 1969 and talking to me about the Vietnam War. I knew nothing about it, and when Frank began to describe the napalming of civilians I began to cry. Bill said that feeling bad wasn't good enough. That was the first time I encountered the idea that liberal sensitivities weren't enough and you had to do something about such things\\\".Clinton was a member of theOxford University Basketball Cluband also played for Oxford University'srugby unionteam. While Clinton was president in 1994, he received an honoraryDoctor of Civil Lawdegree and a fellowship from theUniversity of Oxford, specifically for being \\\"a doughty and tireless champion of the cause of world peace\\\", having \\\"a powerful collaborator in his wife\\\", and for winning \\\"general applause for his achievement of resolving the gridlock that prevented an agreed budget\\\". Vietnam War opposition and draft controversy During the Vietnam War, Clinton received educational draft deferments while he was in England in 1968 and 1969.While at Oxford, he participated inVietnam War protestsand organized aMoratorium to End the War in Vietnamevent in October 1969.He was planning to attend law school in the U.S. and knew he might lose his deferment. Clinton tried unsuccessfully to obtain positions in theNational Guardand theAir Force officer candidate school, and he then made arrangements to join theReserve Officers' Training Corps(ROTC) program at theUniversity of Arkansas. He subsequently decided not to join the ROTC, saying in a letter to the officer in charge of the program that he opposed the war, but did not think it was honorable to use ROTC, National Guard, or Reserve service to avoid serving in Vietnam. He further stated that because he opposed the war, he would not volunteer to serve in uniform, but would subject himself to the draft, and would serve if selected only as a way \\\"to maintain my political viability within the system\\\".Clinton registered for the draft and received a high number (311), meaning that those whose birthdays had been drawn as numbers1 to 310 would bedraftedbefore him, making it unlikely he would be called up. (In fact, the highest number drafted was 195.) ColonelEugene Holmes, the Army officer who had been involved with Clinton's ROTC application, suspected that Clinton attempted to manipulate the situation to avoid the draft and avoid serving in uniform. He issued anotarizedstatement during the 1992 presidential campaign: During the 1992 campaign, it was revealed that Clinton's uncle had attempted to secure him a position in theNavy Reserve, which would have prevented him from being deployed to Vietnam. This effort was unsuccessful and Clinton said in 1992 that he had been unaware of it until then.Although legal, Clinton's actions with respect to the draft and deciding whether to serve in the military were criticized during his first presidential campaign by conservatives and some Vietnam veterans, some of whom charged that he had used Fulbright's influence to avoid military service.Clinton's 1992 campaign manager,James Carville, successfully argued that Clinton's letter in which he declined to join the ROTC should be made public, insisting that voters, many of whom had also opposed the Vietnam War, would understand and appreciate his position. Law school After Oxford, Clinton attended Yale Law School and earned aJuris Doctor(J.D.) degree in 1973.In 1971, he met his future wife, Hillary Rodham, in theYale Law Library; she was a class year ahead of him.They began dating and were soon inseparable. After only about a month, Clinton postponed his summer plans to be a coordinator for theGeorge McGoverncampaignfor the1972 United States presidential electionin order to move in with her in California.The couple continuedliving togetherin New Haven when they returned to law school. Clinton eventuallymoved to Texas with Rodham in 1972to take a job leading McGovern's effort there. He spent considerable time inDallas, at the campaign's local headquarters on Lemmon Avenue, where he had an office. Clinton worked with future two-termmayor of DallasRon Kirk,futuregovernor of TexasAnn Richards,and then unknown television director and filmmakerSteven Spielberg. Failed congressional campaign and tenure as Attorney General of Arkansas After graduating fromYale Law School, Clinton returned to Arkansas and became a lawprofessorat theUniversity of Arkansas. In 1974, he ran for theHouse of Representatives. Running in the conservative3rd districtagainst incumbent RepublicanJohn Paul Hammerschmidt, Clinton's campaign was bolstered by the anti-Republican and anti-incumbent mood resulting from theWatergate scandal. Hammerschmidt, who had received 77 percent of the vote in 1972, defeated Clinton by only a 52 percent to 48 percent margin. In 1976, Clinton ran forArkansas attorney general. Defeating the secretary of state and the deputy attorney general in the Democratic primary, Clinton was elected with no opposition at all in the general election, as no Republican had run for the office. Governor of Arkansas (1979–1981, 1983–1992) In 1978, Clinton entered the Arkansas gubernatorial primary. At just 31 years old, he was one of the youngest gubernatorial candidates in the state's history. Clinton was electedgovernor of Arkansasin1978, having defeated the Republican candidateLynn Lowe, a farmer fromTexarkana. Clinton was only 32 years old when he took office, the youngest governor in the country at the time and the second youngest governor in the history of Arkansas.Due to his youthful appearance, Clinton was often called the \\\"Boy Governor\\\".He worked on educational reform and directed the maintenance of Arkansas's roads, with wife Hillary leading a successful committee on urban health care reform. However, his term included an unpopular motor vehicle tax and citizens' anger over the escape of Cuban refugees (from theMariel boatlift) detained inFort Chaffeein 1980. Monroe Schwarzlose, ofKingslandinCleveland County, polled 31 percent of the vote against Clinton in the Democratic gubernatorial primary of 1980. Some suggested Schwarzlose's unexpected voter turnout foreshadowed Clinton's defeat by Republican challengerFrank D. Whitein the general election that year. As Clinton once joked, he was the youngest ex-governor in the nation's history. After leaving office in January 1981, Clinton joined friendBruce Lindsey's Little Rock law firm of Wright, Lindsey and Jennings.In 1982, he was elected governor a second time and kept the office for ten years. Effective with the 1986 election, Arkansas had changed its gubernatorial term of office from two to four years. During his term, he helped transform Arkansas's economy and improved the state's educational system.Forsenior citizens, he removed thesales taxfrom medications and increased the home property-tax exemption.He became a leading figure among theNew Democrats, a group ofDemocratswho advocated welfare reform, smaller government, and other policies not supported by liberals. Formally organized as theDemocratic Leadership Council(DLC), the New Democrats argued that in light of PresidentRonald Reagan'slandslide victory in 1984, the Democratic Party needed to adopt a more centrist political stance in order to succeed at the national level.Clinton delivered theDemocratic responseto Reagan's1985 State of the Union Addressand served as chair of theNational Governors Associationfrom 1986 to 1987, bringing him to an audience beyond Arkansas. In the early 1980s, Clinton made reform of the Arkansas education system a top priority of his gubernatorial administration. The Arkansas Education Standards Committee was chaired by Clinton's wife Hillary, who was also an attorney as well as the chair of theLegal Services Corporation. The committee transformed Arkansas's education system. Proposed reforms included more spending for schools (supported by a sales-tax increase), better opportunities for gifted children, vocational education, higher teachers' salaries, more course variety, and compulsory teacher competency exams. The reforms passed in September 1983 after Clinton called a speciallegislative session—the longest in Arkansas history.Many have considered this the greatest achievement of the Clinton governorship.He defeated four Republican candidates for governor: Lowe (1978), White (1982 and 1986),JonesborobusinessmenWoody Freeman(1984), andSheffield Nelsonof Little Rock (1990). Also in the 1980s, the Clintons' personal and business affairs included transactions that became the basis of theWhitewater controversyinvestigation, which later dogged his presidential administration.After extensive investigation over several years, no indictments were made against the Clintons related to the years in Arkansas. According to some sources, Clinton was adeath penaltyopponent in his early years, but he eventually switched positions.However he might have felt previously, by 1992, Clinton was insisting that Democrats \\\"should no longer feel guilty about protecting the innocent\\\".During Clinton's final term as governor,Arkansas performed its first executionssince 1964 (the death penalty had been reinstated in 1976).As Governor, he oversaw thefirst four executions carried outby the state of Arkansas since the death penalty was reinstated there in 1976: one byelectric chairand three bylethal injection.To draw attention to his stance on capital punishment, Clinton flew home to Arkansas mid-campaign in 1992, in order to affirm in person that the controversial execution ofRicky Ray Rector, would go forward as scheduled. Scandals and allegations During his time as governor in the 1980s, Arkansas was the center of a drug smuggling operation throughMena Airport.CIAagentBarry Sealallegedly imported three to five billion dollars worth ofcocainethrough the airport, and the operation was linked to theIran–Contra affair.Clinton was accused of knowing about this operation, although nothing could be proven against him.JournalistSam Smithtied him to various questionable business dealings.Clinton was also accused byGennifer Flowersto have used cocaine as governorand his half-brother Roger was sentenced to prison in 1985 for possession and smuggling of cocaine, but was laterpardoned by his brotherafter serving his sentence.During his time in Arkansas, there were also other scandals such as theWhitewater controversyinvolving the Clintons' real estate dealings, and Bill Clinton was accused of serious sexual misconduct in Arkansas, including allegations of using theArkansas State Policeto gain access to women (Troopergate affair).Thekilling of Don Henry and Kevin Ivesin 1987 started variousconspiracy theoriesthat accused Clinton and the Arkansas state authorities of covering up the crime. 1988 Democratic presidential primaries In 1987, the media speculated that Clinton would enter the presidential race. Clinton decided to remain as Arkansas governor (following consideration for the potential candidacy of Hillary for governor, initially favored—but ultimately vetoed—by the First Lady).For the nomination, Clinton endorsedMassachusetts governorMichael Dukakis. He gave the nationally televised opening night address at the1988 Democratic National Convention, but his speech, which was 33 minutes long and twice the length it was expected to be, was criticized for being too long.Clinton presented himself both as a moderate and as a member of the New Democrat wing of the Democratic Party, and he headed the moderate Democratic Leadership Council in 1990 and 1991. 1992 United States presidential election In the first primary contest, theIowa Caucus, Clinton finished a distant third to Iowa senatorTom Harkin. During the campaign for theNew Hampshire primary, reports surfaced that Clinton had engaged in an extramarital affair withGennifer Flowers. Clinton fell far behind former Massachusetts senatorPaul Tsongasin the New Hampshire polls.FollowingSuper Bowl XXVI, Clinton and his wife Hillary went on60 Minutesto rebuff the charges.Their television appearance was a calculated risk, but Clinton regained several delegates. He finished second to Tsongas in theNew Hampshire primary, but after trailing badly in the polls and coming within single digits of winning, the media viewed it as a victory. News outlets labeled him \\\"The Comeback Kid\\\" for earning a firm second-place finish. Winning the big prizes of Florida and Texas and many of theSouthern primariesonSuper Tuesdaygave Clinton a sizable delegate lead. However, former California governorJerry Brownwas scoring victories and Clinton had yet to win a significant contest outside his native South.With no major Southern state remaining, Clinton targeted New York, which had many delegates. He scored a resounding victory in New York City, shedding his image as a regional candidate.Having been transformed into the consensus candidate, he secured the Democratic Party nomination, finishing with a victory in Jerry Brown's home state of California. During the campaign, questions ofconflict of interestregarding state business and the politically powerfulRose Law Firm, at which Hillary Rodham Clinton was a partner, arose. Clinton argued the questions were moot because all transactions with the state had been deducted before determining Hillary's firm pay.Further concern arose when Bill Clinton announced that, with Hillary, voters would be getting two presidents \\\"for the price of one\\\". Clinton was still the governor of Arkansas while campaigning for U.S. president, and he returned to his home state to see thatRicky Ray Rectorwould be executed. After killing a police officer and a civilian, Rector shot himself in the head, leading to what his lawyers said was a state where he could still talk but did not understand the idea of death. According to both Arkansas state law and federal law, a seriously mentally impaired inmate cannot be executed. The courts disagreed with the allegation of grave mental impairment and allowed the execution. Clinton's return to Arkansas for the execution was framed in an article forThe New York Timesas a possible political move to counter \\\"soft on crime\\\" accusations. Bush'sapproval ratingswere around 80 percent during theGulf War, and he was described as unbeatable. When Bush compromised with Democrats to try to lower federal deficits, he reneged on hispromise not to raise taxes, which hurt his approval rating. Clinton repeatedly condemned Bush for making a promise he failed to keep.By election time, the economy was souring and Bush saw his approval rating plummet to just slightly over 40 percent.Finally, conservatives were previously united by anti-communism, but with the end of the Cold War, the party lacked a uniting issue. WhenPat BuchananandPat Robertsonaddressed Christian themes at theRepublican National Convention—with Bush criticizing Democrats for omitting God from their platform—many moderates were alienated.Clinton then pointed to his moderate, \\\"New Democrat\\\" record as governor of Arkansas, though some on the more liberal side of the party remained suspicious.Many Democrats who had supported Ronald Reagan and Bush in previous elections switched their support to Clinton.Clinton and his running mate,Al Gore, toured the country during the final weeks of the campaign, shoring up support and pledging a \\\"new beginning\\\". On March 26, 1992, during a Democraticfund raiserof the presidential campaign,Robert Rafskyconfronted then Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas and asked what he was going to do aboutAIDS, to which Clinton replied, \\\"I feel your pain\\\".The televised exchange led to AIDS becoming an issue in the 1992 presidential election. On April 4, then candidate Clinton met with members ofACT UPand other leading AIDS advocates to discuss his AIDS agenda and agreed to make a major AIDS policy speech, to have people with HIV speak to theDemocratic Convention, and to sign onto theAIDS UnitedAction five point plan. Clinton won the1992 presidential election(370 electoral votes) against Republican incumbent George H. W. Bush (168 electoral votes) and billionairepopulistRoss Perot(zero electoral votes), who ran as an independent on a platform that focused on domestic issues. Bush's steep decline in public approval was a significant part of Clinton's success.Clinton's victory in the election ended twelve years of Republican rule of the White House and twenty of the previous twenty-four years. The election gave Democrats full control of theUnited States Congress,the first time one party controlled both the executive and legislative branches since Democrats held the96th United States Congressduring thepresidency of Jimmy Carter. According toSeymour Martin Lipset, the 1992 election had several unique characteristics. Voters felt that economic conditions were worse than they actually were, which harmed Bush. A rare event was the presence of a strong third-party candidate. Liberals launched a backlash against 12 years of a conservative White House. The chief factor was Clinton's uniting his party, and winning over a number of heterogeneous groups. Presidency (1993–2001) Clinton's \\\"third way\\\" of moderate liberalism built up the nation's fiscal health and put the nation on a firm footing abroad amid globalization and the development of anti-American terrorist organizations. During his presidency,Clinton advocated for a wide variety of legislation and programs, most of which were enacted into law or implemented by the executive branch. His policies, particularly theNorth American Free Trade Agreementandwelfare reform, have been attributed to acentristThird Wayphilosophy of governance.His policy offiscal conservatismhelped to reduce deficits on budgetary matters.Clinton presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history. TheCongressional Budget Officereported budget surpluses of $69 billion in 1998, $126 billion in 1999, and $236 billion in 2000,during the last three years of Clinton's presidency.Over the years of the recorded surplus, the gross national debt rose each year. At the end of the fiscal year (September 30) for each of the years a surplus was recorded, the U.S. Treasury reported a gross debt of $5.413 trillion in 1997, $5.526 trillion in 1998, $5.656 trillion in 1999, and $5.674 trillion in 2000.Over the same period, the Office of Management and Budget reported an end of year (December 31) gross debt of $5.369 trillion in 1997, $5.478 trillion in 1998, $5.606 in 1999, and $5.629 trillion in 2000.At the end of his presidency, the Clintons moved to 15 Old House Lane inChappaqua, New York, in order to quell political worries about his wife's residency for election as a U.S. Senator from New York. First term (1993–1997) \\\"Our democracy must be not only the envy of the world but the engine of our own renewal. There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.\\\" Inaugural address, January 20, 1993. Afterhis presidential transition, Clinton wasinauguratedas the 42nd president of the United States on January 20, 1993. Clinton was physically exhausted at the time, and had an inexperienced staff. His high levels of public support dropped in the first few weeks, as he made a series of mistakes. His first choice for attorney general had not paid her taxes on babysitters and was forced to withdraw. The second appointee also withdrew for the same reason. Clinton had repeatedly promised to encourage gays in the military service, despite what he knew to be the strong opposition of the military leadership. He tried anyway, and was publicly opposed by the top generals, and forced by Congress to a compromise position of \\\"Don't ask, don't tell\\\" whereby gays could serve if and only if they kept it secret.He devised a $16-billion stimulus package primarily to aid inner-city programs desired by liberals, but it was defeated by a Republican filibuster in the Senate.His popularity at the 100 day mark of his term was the lowest of any president at that point. Public opinion did support one liberal program, and Clinton signed theFamily and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which required large employers to allow employees to take unpaid leave for pregnancy or a serious medical condition. This action had bipartisan support,and was popular with the public. Two days after taking office, on January 22, 1993—the 20th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision inRoe v. Wade—Clinton reversed restrictions on domestic and internationalfamily planningprograms that had been imposed by Reagan and Bush.Clinton said abortion should be kept \\\"safe, legal, and rare\\\"—a slogan that had been suggested by political scientistSamuel L. Popkinand first used by Clinton in December 1991, while campaigning.During the eight years of the Clinton administration, the abortion rate declined by 18 percent. On February 15, 1993, Clinton made his first address to the nation, announcing his plan to raise taxes to close abudget deficit.Two days later, in a nationally televised address to ajoint session of Congress, Clinton unveiled his economic plan. The plan focused on reducing the deficit rather than on cutting taxes for the middle class, which had been high on his campaign agenda.Clinton's advisers pressured him to raise taxes, based on the theory that a smaller federal budget deficit would reduce bond interest rates. President Clinton's attorney generalJanet Renoauthorized the FBI's use of armored vehicles to deploy tear gas into the buildings of the Branch Davidian community near Waco, Texas, in hopes of ending a51 day siege. During the operation on April 19, 1993, the buildings caught fire and 75 of the residents died, including 24 children. The raid had originally been planned by the Bush administration; Clinton had played no role. In August, Clinton signed theOmnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, which passed Congress without a Republican vote. It cut taxes for 15million low-income families, made tax cuts available to 90 percent of small businesses,and raised taxes on the wealthiest 1.2 percent of taxpayers. Additionally, it mandated that the budget be balanced over many years through the implementation of spending restraints. On September 22, 1993, Clinton made a major speech to Congress regardinga health care reform plan; the program aimed at achieving universal coverage through a national health care plan. This was one of the most prominent items on Clinton's legislative agenda and resulted from a task force headed by Hillary Clinton. The plan was well received in political circles, but it was eventually doomed by well-organized lobby opposition from conservatives, theAmerican Medical Association, and the health insurance industry. However, Clinton biographerJohn F. Harrissaid the program failed because of a lack of coordination within the White House.Despite the Democratic majority in Congress, the effort to create a national health care system ultimately died when compromise legislation byGeorge J. Mitchellfailed to gain a majority of support in August 1994. The failure of the bill was the first major legislative defeat of the Clinton administration. On November 30, 1993, Clinton signed into law theBrady Bill, which mandated federalbackground checkson people who purchase firearms in the United States. The law also imposed a five-day waiting period on purchases, until theNICS systemwas implemented in 1998. He also expanded theEarned Income Tax Credit, a subsidy for low-income workers. In December of the same year, allegations by Arkansas state troopersLarry Pattersonand Roger Perry were first reported byDavid BrockinThe American Spectator.In the affair later known as \\\"Troopergate\\\", the officers alleged that they had arranged sexual liaisons for Clinton back when he was governor of Arkansas. The story mentioned a woman namedPaula, a reference toPaula Jones. Brock later apologized to Clinton, saying the article was politically motivated \\\"bad journalism\\\", and that \\\"the troopers were greedy and had slimy motives\\\". That month, Clinton implemented a Department of Defense directive known as \\\"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\\\", which allowed gay men and women to serve in the armed services provided they kept their sexual orientation a secret. The Act forbade the military from inquiring about an individual's sexual orientation.The policy was developed as a compromise after Clinton's proposal to allow gays to serve openly in the military met staunch opposition from prominent Congressional Republicans and Democrats, including senatorsJohn McCain(R-AZ) andSam Nunn(D-GA). According toDavid Mixner, Clinton's support for the compromise led to a heated dispute with Vice President Al Gore, who felt that \\\"the President should lift the ban ... even though was sure to be overridden by the Congress\\\".Some gay-rights advocates criticized Clinton for not going far enough and accused him of making his campaign promise to get votes and contributions.Their position was that Clinton should have integrated the military by executive order, noting that PresidentHarry S. Trumanused executive order to racially desegregate the armed forces. Clinton's defenders argued that an executive order might have prompted the Senate to write the exclusion of gays into law, potentially making it harder to integrate the military in the future.Later in his presidency, in 1999, Clinton criticized the way the policy was implemented, saying he did not think any serious person could say it was not \\\"out of whack\\\".The policy remained controversial, and was finallyrepealed in 2011, removing open sexual orientation as a reason for dismissal from the armed forces. On January 1, 1994, Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement into law.Throughout his first year in office, Clinton consistently supported ratification of the treaty by the U.S. Senate. Clinton and most of his allies in the Democratic Leadership Committee strongly supported free trade measures; there remained, however, strong disagreement within the party. Opposition came chiefly from anti-trade Republicans, protectionist Democrats and supporters of Ross Perot. The bill passed the house with 234 votes in favor and 200 votes opposed (132 Republicans and 102 Democrats in favor; 156 Democrats, 43 Republicans, and one independent opposed). The treaty was then ratified by the Senate and signed into law by the president. On July 29, 1994, the Clinton administration launched the first official White House website,whitehouse.gov.The site was followed with three more versions, with the final version being launched on July 21, 2000.The White House website was part of a wider movement of the Clinton administration toward web-based communication. According to Robert Longley, \\\"Clinton and Gore were responsible for pressing almost all federal agencies, the U.S. court system and the U.S. military onto the Internet, thus opening up America's government to more of America's citizens than ever before. On July 17, 1996, Clinton issued Executive Order 13011—Federal Information Technology, ordering the heads of all federal agencies to utilize information technology fully to make the information of the agency easily accessible to the public.\\\" TheOmnibus Crime Bill, which Clinton signed into law in September 1994,made many changes to U.S. crime and law enforcement legislation including the expansion of the death penalty to include crimes not resulting in death, such as running a large-scale drug enterprise. During Clinton's re-election campaign he said, \\\"My 1994 crime bill expanded the death penalty for drug kingpins, murderers of federal law enforcement officers, and nearly 60 additional categories of violent felons.\\\"It also included a subsection ofassault weapons banfor a ten-year period. After two years of Democratic Party control, the Democrats lost control of Congress to the Republicans in themid-term elections in 1994, for the first time in forty years. A speech delivered by President Bill Clinton at the December 6, 1995White House Conferenceon HIV/AIDS projected that a cure for AIDS and a vaccine to prevent further infection would be developed. The President focused on his administration's accomplishments and efforts related to theepidemic, including an accelerated drug-approval process. He also condemnedhomophobiaand discrimination against people withHIV. Clinton announced three new initiatives: creating a special working group to coordinate AIDS research throughout thefederal government; convening public health experts to develop an action plan that integrates HIV prevention with substance abuse prevention; and launching a new effort by theDepartment of Justiceto ensure that health care facilities provide equal access to people with HIV and AIDS.1996 would mark the first year since the beginning of theHIV/AIDS epidemicthat the number of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses would decline, with the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) even later reporting a significant 47% decline in the number of AIDS-related deaths in 1997 compared to the previous year.Credit for this decline would be given to the growing effectiveness of new drug therapy which was promoted by the Clinton Administration's Department of Health and Human Services, such ashighly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART). On September 21, 1996, Clinton signed into law theDefense of Marriage Act(DOMA), which defined marriage for federal purposes as the legal union of one man and one woman; the legislation allowed individual states to refuse to recognize gay marriages that were performed in other states.Paul Yandura, speaking for the White House gay and lesbian liaison office, said Clinton's signing DOMA \\\"was a political decision that they made at the time of a re-election\\\". In defense of his actions, Clinton has said that DOMA was intended to \\\"head off an attempt to send a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage to the states\\\", a possibility he described as highly likely in the context of a \\\"very reactionary Congress\\\".Administration spokesmanRichard Socaridessaid, \\\"the alternatives we knew were going to be far worse, and it was time to move on and get the president re-elected.\\\"Clinton himself said DOMA was something \\\"which the Republicans put on the ballot to try to get the base vote for Bush up, I think it's obvious that something had to be done to try to keep the Republican Congress from presenting that\\\";others were more critical. The veteran gay rights and gay marriage activistEvan Wolfsonhas called these claims \\\"historic revisionism\\\".Despite this, it has been noted that other than a brief written response to a Reader's Digest that questioned whether he agreed with it, Clinton had made no documented reference to the issue of gay marriage until May 1996.In a July 2, 2011, editorialThe New York Timesopined, \\\"The Defense of Marriage Act was enacted in 1996 as an election-year wedge issue, signed by President Bill Clinton in one of his worst policy moments.\\\"Ultimately, inUnited States v. Windsor, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down DOMA in June 2013. Despite DOMA, Clinton was the first president to select openly gay persons for administrative positions,and he is generally credited as being the first president to publicly champion gay rights.During his presidency, Clinton issued two substantially controversial executive orders on behalf of gay rights, the first lifting the ban on security clearances for LGBT federal employeesand the second outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation in the federal civilian workforce.Under Clinton's leadership, federal funding for HIV/AIDS research, prevention and treatment more than doubled.Clinton also pushed for passing hate crimes laws for gays and for the private sectorEmployment Non-Discrimination Act, which, buoyed by his lobbying, failed to pass the Senate by a single vote in 1996.Advocacy for these issues, paired with the politically unpopular nature of the gay rights movement at the time, led to enthusiastic support for Clinton's election and reelection by theHuman Rights Campaign.Clinton came out for gay marriage in July 2009and urged the Supreme Court to overturn DOMA in 2013.He was later honored byGLAADfor his prior pro-gay stances and his reversal on DOMA. \\\"When I took office, only high energy physicists had ever heard of what is called the Worldwide Web ... Now evenmy cathas its own page.\\\" Bill Clinton's announcement ofNext Generation Internet initiative, October 1996. The1996 United States campaign finance controversywas an alleged effort byChinato influence the domestic policies of the United States, before and during the Clinton administration, and involved the fundraising practices of the administration itself.Despite the evidence,theChinese governmentdenied all accusations. As part of a 1996 initiative to curbillegal immigration, Clinton signed theIllegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act(IIRIRA) on September 30, 1996. Appointed by Clinton,theU.S. Commission on Immigration Reformrecommended reducing legal immigration from about 800,000 people a year to about 550,000. In November 1996, Clinton narrowly escaped possible assassination in the Philippines,which was a bridge bomb planted byal-Qaedaand was masterminded byOsama bin Laden. During Clinton's presidency, the attempt remained top secret,and it remains classified as of March 2024, whenReutersreported having spoken with eight retired secret service agents about the incident. 1996 presidential campaign In the1996 presidential election, Clinton was re-elected, receiving 49.2 percent of the popular vote over RepublicanBob Dole(40.7 percent of the popular vote) andReformcandidate Ross Perot (8.4 percent of the popular vote). Clinton received 379 of theElectoral Collegevotes, with Dole receiving 159 electoral votes. With his victory, he became the first Democrat to win two consecutive presidential elections sinceFranklin D. Roosevelt. Second term (1997–2001) In the January 1997, State of the Union address, Clinton proposed a new initiative to provide health coverage to up to five million children. SenatorsTed Kennedy—a Democrat—andOrrin Hatch—a Republican—teamed up with Hillary Rodham Clinton and her staff in 1997, and succeeded in passing legislation forming theState Children's Health Insurance Program(SCHIP), the largest (successful) health care reform in the years of the Clinton Presidency. That year, Hillary Clinton shepherded through Congress theAdoption and Safe Families Actand two years later she succeeded in helping pass theFoster Care Independence Act. Bill Clinton negotiated the passage of theBalanced Budget Act of 1997by the Republican Congress. In October 1997, he announced he was getting hearing aids, due to hearing loss attributed to his age, and his time spent as a musician in his youth.In 1999, he signed into law the Financial Services Modernization Act also known as theGramm–Leach–Bliley Act, which repealed the part of theGlass–Steagall Actthat had prohibited a bank from offering a full range ofinvestment,commercial banking, and insurance services since its enactment in 1933. Investigations In November 1993,David Hale—the source of criminal allegations against Bill Clinton in the Whitewater controversy—alleged that while governor of Arkansas, Clinton pressured Hale to provide an illegal $300,000 loan to Susan McDougal, the Clintons' partner in the Whitewater land deal.AU.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioninvestigation resulted in convictions against the McDougals for their role in the Whitewater project, but the Clintons themselves were never charged, and Clinton maintains his and his wife's innocence in the affair.Investigations byRobert B. FiskeandKen Starrfound insufficient to evidence to prosecute the Clintons. TheWhite House FBI files controversyof June 1996 arose concerning improper access by the White House toFBIsecurity-clearance documents. Craig Livingstone, head of the White House Office of Personnel Security, improperly requested, and received from the FBI, background report files without asking permission of the subject individuals; many of these were employees of former Republican administrations.In March 2000, Independent CounselRobert Raydetermined there was no credible evidence of any crime. Ray's report further stated, \\\"there was no substantial and credible evidence that any senior White House official was involved\\\" in seeking the files. On May 19, 1993, Clinton fired seven employees of the White House Travel Office. This caused theWhite House travel office controversyeven though the travel office staff served at the pleasure of the president and could bedismissed without cause. The White House responded to the controversy by claiming that the firings were done in response to financial improprieties that had been revealed by a brief FBI investigation.Critics contended that the firings had been done to allow friends of the Clintons to take over the travel business and the involvement of the FBI was unwarranted.The House Government Reform and Oversight Committee issued a report which accused the Clinton administration of having obstructed their efforts to investigate the affair.Special counsel Robert Fiske said that Hillary Clinton was involved in the firing and gave \\\"factually false\\\" testimony to the GAO, congress, and the independent counsel. However Fiske said there was not enough evidence to prosecute. Impeachment and acquittal Aftera House inquiry, Clinton wasimpeachedon December 19, 1998, by the House of Representatives. The House voted 228–206 to impeach him for perjury to agrand juryand voted 221–212 to impeach him for obstruction of justice.Clinton was only the second U.S. president (the first beingAndrew Johnson) to be impeached.Impeachment proceedings were based on allegations that Clinton had illegally lied about and covered up his relationship with 22-year-old White House (and laterDepartment of Defense) employeeMonica Lewinsky.After theStarr Reportwas submitted to the House providing what it termed \\\"substantial and credible information that President Clinton Committed Acts that May Constitute Grounds for an Impeachment\\\",the House began impeachment hearings against Clinton before themid-term elections. To hold impeachment proceedings, Republican leadership called alame-duck sessionin December 1998. While theHouse Judiciary Committeehearings ended in a straight party-line vote, there was lively debate on the House floor. The two charges passed in the House (largely with Republican support, but with a handful of Democratic votes as well) were for perjury and obstruction of justice. The perjury charge arose from Clinton's testimony before a grand jury that had been convened to investigate perjury he may have committed in his sworn deposition duringJones v. Clinton,Paula Jones's sexual harassment lawsuit.The obstruction charge was based on his actions to conceal his relationship with Lewinsky before and after that deposition. The Senate later acquitted Clinton of both charges.The Senate refused to meet to hold an impeachment trial before the end of the old term, so the trial was held over until the next Congress. Clinton was represented by Washington law firmWilliams & Connolly.The Senate finished a twenty-one-day trial on February 12, 1999, with the vote of 55 not guilty/45 guilty on the perjury chargeand 50 not guilty/50 guilty on the obstruction of justice charge.Both votes fell short of the constitutional two-thirds majority requirement to convict and remove an officeholder. The final vote was generally along party lines, with no Democrats voting guilty, and only a handful of Republicans voting not guilty. On January 19, 2001, Clinton's law license was suspended for five years after he acknowledged to an Arkansas circuit court he had engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice in theJonescase. Pardons and commutations Clintonissued141 pardons and 36 commutations on his last day in office on January 20, 2001.Controversy surroundedMarc Richand allegations that Hillary Clinton's brother,Hugh Rodham, accepted payments in return for influencing the president's decision-making regarding the pardons.Federal prosecutorMary Jo Whitewas appointed to investigate the pardon of Rich. She was later replaced by then-RepublicanJames Comey. The investigation found no wrongdoing on Clinton's part.Clinton also pardoned four defendants in theWhitewater Scandal,Chris Wade,Susan McDougal,Stephen Smith, andRobert W. Palmer, all of whom had ties to Clinton when he was governor of Arkansas.Former ClintonHUD SecretaryHenry Cisneros, who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, was also among Clinton's pardons. Campaign finance controversies In February 1997 it was discovered upon documents being released by theClinton Administrationthat 938 people had stayed at the White House and that 821 of them had made donations to theDemocratic Partyand got the opportunity to stay in the Lincoln bedroom as a result of the donations.Some donors includedSteven Spielberg,Tom Hanks,Jane Fonda, andJudy Collins. Top donors also got golf games and morning jogs with Clinton as a result of the contributions.Janet Renowas called on to investigate the matter byTrent Lott, but she refused. In 1996, it was found that several Chinese foreigners made contributions to Clinton's reelection campaign and theDemocratic National Committeewith the backing of the People's Republic of China. Some of them also attempted to donate to Clinton's defense fund.This violated United States law forbidding non-American citizens from making campaign contributions. Clinton andAl Gorealso allegedly met with the foreign donors.A Republican investigation led byFred Thompsonfound that Clinton was targeted by the Chinese government. However, Democratic senatorsJoe LiebermanandJohn Glennsaid that the evidence showed that China only targeted congressional elections and not presidential elections. Military and foreign affairs Somalia American troops had first enteredSomaliaduring theBush administrationin response to a humanitarian crisis andcivil war. Though initially involved to assist humanitarian efforts, the Clinton administration shifted the objectives set out in the mission and began pursuing a policy of attempting to neutralize Somali warlords. In 1993, during theBattle of Mogadishu,two U.S. helicopterswere shot down byrocket-propelled grenadeattacks to theirtail rotors, trapping soldiers behind enemy lines. This resulted in an urban battle that killed 18 American soldiers, wounded 73 others, and resulted in one being taken prisoner.Television news programs depicted the supporters of warlordMohammed Aididdesecrating the corpses of troops.The backlash resulting from the incident prompted in a drop in support for American intervention in the country and coincided with a more cautious use of troops throughout the rest of the Clinton administration.Following a subsequent national security policy review, U.S. forces were withdrawn from Somalia and later conflicts were approached with fewer soldiers on the ground. Rwanda In April 1994,genocidebroke out inRwanda. Intelligence reports indicate that Clinton was aware a \\\"final solution to eliminate allTutsis\\\" was underway, long before the administration publicly used the word \\\"genocide\\\".Fearing a reprisal of the events in Somalia the previous year, Clinton chose not to intervene.Clinton has called his failure to intervene one of his main foreign policy failings, saying \\\"I don't think we could have ended the violence, but I think we could have cut it down. And I regret it.\\\" Bosnia and Herzegovina In 1993 and 1994, Clinton pressured Western European leaders to adopt a strong military policy againstBosnian Serbsduring theBosnian War. This strategy faced staunch opposition from theUnited Nations,NATOallies, and Congressional Republicans, leading Clinton to adopt a more diplomatic approach.In 1995, U.S. and NATO aircraftbombed Bosnian Serb targetsto halt attacks on UN safe zones and pressure them into a peace accord that would end theBosnian war. Clinton deployed U.S. peacekeepers to Bosnia in late 1995, to uphold the subsequentDayton Agreement. Irish peace talks In 1992, before his presidency, Clinton proposed sending a peace envoy toNorthern Ireland, but this was dropped to avoid tensions with the British government. In November 1995, in a ceasefire duringthe Troubles, Clinton became the first president to visit Northern Ireland, examining both of the two divided communities ofBelfast.Despiteunionistcriticism, Clinton used his visit as a way to negotiate an end to the violent conflict, playing a key role in thepeace talksthat produced theGood Friday Agreementin 1998. Iran Clinton sought to continue the Bush administration's policy of limiting Iranian influence in the Middle East, which he laid out in thedual containmentstrategy. In 1994, Clinton declared that Iran was a \\\"state sponsor of terrorism\\\" and a \\\"rogue state\\\", marking the first time that an American President used that term.Subsequent executive orders heavily sanctioned Iran's oil industry and banned almost all trade between U.S. companies and the Iranian government. In February 1996, the Clinton administration agreed to pay Iran US$131.8million (equivalent to $256.05 million in 2023) in settlement to discontinue a case brought by Iran in 1989 against the U.S. in theInternational Court of Justiceafter the shooting down ofIran Air Flight 655by the U.S. Navyguided missile cruiser. Iraq In Clinton's1998 State of the Union Address, he warned Congress that Iraqi dictatorSaddam Husseinwas building an arsenal of chemical, biological and nuclear weapons. Clinton signed theIraq Liberation Act of 1998on October 31, 1998, which instituted a policy of \\\"regime change\\\" against Iraq, though it explicitly stated it did not provide for direct intervention on the part of American military forces.The administration then launched a four-day bombing campaign namedOperation Desert Fox, lasting from December 16 to 19, 1998. At the end of this operation Clinton announced that \\\"So long as Saddam remains in power, he will remain a threat to his people, his region, and the world. With our allies, we must pursue a strategy to contain him and to constrain his weapons of mass destruction program, while working toward the day Iraq has a government willing to live at peace with its people and with its neighbors.\\\"American and British aircraft in the Iraq no-fly zones attacked hostile Iraqi air defenses 166 times in 1999 and 78 times in 2000. Osama bin Laden Capturing Osama bin Laden was an objective of the U.S. government during the Clinton presidency (and continued to be untilbin Laden's death in 2011).Despite claims byMansoor Ijazand Sudanese officials that the Sudanese government had offered to arrest and extradite bin Laden, and that U.S. authorities rejected each offer,the9/11 Commission Reportstated that \\\"we have not found any reliable evidence to support the Sudanese claim\\\". In response to a 1996 State Department warning about bin Ladenand the1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africaby al-Qaeda (which killed 224 people, including 12 Americans), Clinton ordered several military missions to capture or kill bin Laden, all of which were unsuccessful. In August 1998, Clintonordered cruise missile strikes on terrorist targets in Afghanistan and Sudan, targeting theAl-Shifa pharmaceutical factoryin Sudan, which was suspected of assisting bin Laden in making chemical weapons, and bin Laden's terrorist training camps in Afghanistan. The factory was destroyed by the attack, resulting in the death of one employee and the wounding of 11 other people.After the destruction of the factory, there was a medicine shortage in Sudan due to the plant providing 50 percent of Sudan's medicine, and the destruction of the plant led to a shortage of chloroquine, a drug which is used to treat malaria.U.S. officials later acknowledged that there was no evidence the plant was acknowledging manufacturing or storing nerve gas.The attack provoked criticism of Clinton from journalists and academics includingChristopher Hitchens,Seymour Hersh,Max Taylor,and others. Kosovo In the midst of a brutal crackdown onethnic Albanian separatistsin the province ofKosovoby theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia, Clinton authorized the use of U.S. Armed Forces in a NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia in 1999, namedOperation Allied Force.The stated reasoning behind the intervention was to stop theethnic cleansing(and what the Clinton administration labeledgenocide)of Albanians by Yugoslav anti-guerilla military units. GeneralWesley ClarkwasSupreme Allied Commander of NATOand oversaw the mission. WithUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, the bombing campaign ended on June 10, 1999. The resolution placed Kosovo under UN administration and authorized apeacekeeping forceto be deployed to the region.NATO announced its soldiers all survived combat,though two died in anApache helicoptercrash.Journalists in the popular press criticized genocide statements by the Clinton administration as false and greatly exaggerated.Prior to the bombing campaign on March 24, 1999, estimates showed that the number of civilians killed in the over year longconflict in Kosovohad been approximately 1,800, with critics asserting that little or no evidence existed of genocide.In a post-war inquiry, theOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europenoted \\\"the patterns of the expulsions and the vast increase in lootings, killings, rape, kidnappings and pillage once the NATO air war began on March 24.\\\"In 2001, theUN-supervisedSupreme Court of Kosovoruled that genocide (theintent to destroya people) did not take place, but recognized \\\"a systematic campaign of terror, including murders, rapes, arsons and severe maltreatments\\\" with the intention being the forceful departure of the Albanian population.The term \\\"ethnic cleansing\\\" was used as an alternative to \\\"genocide\\\" to denote not just ethnically motivated murder but also displacement, though critics charge there is little difference.Slobodan Milošević, the president of Yugoslavia at the time of the atrocities, waseventually brought to trialbefore theInternational Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslaviainthe Hagueon charges includingcrimes against humanityand war crimes for his role in the war.He died in 2006, before the completion of the trial. China Clinton aimed to increase trade with China, minimizing import tariffs and offering the countrymost favoured nationstatus in 1993, his administration minimized tariff levels in Chinese imports. Clinton initially conditioned extension of this status onhuman rightsreforms, but ultimately decided to extend the status despite a lack of reform in the specified areas, including free emigration, treatment of prisoners in terms of international human rights, and observation of human rights specified by UN resolutions, among others. Relations were damaged briefly by theAmerican bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgradein May 1999. Clinton apologized for the bombing, stating it was accidental. On October 10, 2000, Clinton signed into law theUnited States–China Relations Act of 2000, which grantedpermanent normal trade relations(PNTR) trade status to China.The president asserted that free trade would gradually open China to democratic reform. In encouraging Congress to approve the agreement and China's accession to theWorld Trade Organization(WTO), Clinton stated that more trade with China would advance America's economic interests, saying that \\\"economically, this agreement is the equivalent of a one-way street. It requires China to open its markets—with a fifth of the world's population, potentially the biggest markets in the world—to both our products and services in unprecedented new ways.\\\" Israeli-Palestinian conflict Clinton attempted to end theIsraeli–Palestinian conflict. Secret negotiations mediated by Clinton between Israeli Prime MinisterYitzhak RabinandPalestine Liberation Organization(PLO) ChairmanYasser Arafatled to a historic declaration of peace in September 1993, called theOslo Accords, which were signed at the White House on September 13. The agreement led to theIsrael–Jordan peace treatyin 1994 and theWye River Memorandumin October 1998, however, this did not end the conflict. He brought Israeli prime ministerEhud Barakand Palestinian Authority chairmanYasser Arafattogether atCamp Davidfor the2000 Camp David Summit, which lasted 14 days in July.Following another attempt in December 2000 atBolling Air Force Base, in which the president offered theClinton Parameters, the situation broke down completely after the end of theTaba Summitand with the start of theSecond Intifada. Judicial appointments Clinton appointed two justices to theSupreme Court:Ruth Bader Ginsburgin 1993andStephen Breyerin 1994.Both justices went on to serve until the 2020s, leaving a lasting judicial legacy for President Clinton. Clinton was the first president in history to appoint more women and minority judges than white male judges to the federal courts.In his eight years in office, 11.6% of Clinton's court of appeals nominees and 17.4% of his district court nominees were black; 32.8% of his court of appeals nominees and 28.5% of his district court nominees were women. Public opinion Throughout Clinton's first term, his job approval rating fluctuated in the 40s and 50s. In his second term, his rating consistently ranged from the high-50s to the high-60s.After his impeachment proceedings in 1998 and 1999, Clinton's rating reached its highest point.According to aCBS News/New York Timespoll, Clinton left office with an approval rating of 68 percent, which matched those of Ronald Reagan and Franklin D. Roosevelt as the highest ratings for departing presidents in the modern era.Clinton's averageGallup pollapproval rating for his last quarter in office was 61 percent, the highest final quarter rating any president has received for fifty years.Forty-seven percent of the respondents identified themselves as being Clinton supporters. As he was leaving office, a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll revealed that 45 percent of Americans said they would miss him; 55 percent thought he \\\"would have something worthwhile to contribute and should remain active in public life\\\"; 68 percent thought he would be remembered more for his \\\"involvement in personal scandal\\\" than for \\\"his accomplishments\\\"; and 58 percent answered \\\"No\\\" to the question \\\"Do you generally think Bill Clinton is honest and trustworthy?\\\"The same percentage said he would be remembered as either \\\"outstanding\\\" or \\\"above average\\\" as a president, while 22 percent said he would be remembered as \\\"below average\\\" or \\\"poor\\\".ABC Newscharacterized public consensus on Clinton as, \\\"You can't trust him, he's got weak morals and ethics—and he's done a heck of a good job.\\\" In May 2006, a CNN poll comparing Clinton's job performance with that of his successor, George W. Bush, found that a strong majority of respondents said Clinton outperformed Bush in six different areas questioned.Gallup polls in 2007 and 2011 showed that Clinton was regarded by 13 percent of Americans as the greatest president in U.S. history. In 2014, 18 percent of respondents in aQuinnipiac University Polling Institutepoll of American voters regarded Clinton as the best president since World War II, making him the third most popular among postwar presidents, behind John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.The same poll showed that just 3 percent of American voters regarded Clinton as the worst president since World War II. A 2015 poll byThe Washington Postasked 162 scholars of theAmerican Political Science Associationto rank all the U.S. presidents in order of greatness. According to their findings, Clinton ranked eighth overall, with a rating of 70 percent. Public image Clinton was the firstbaby boomerpresident.Authors Martin Walker andBob Woodwardstated that Clinton's innovative use ofsound bite-ready dialogue, personal charisma, and public perception-oriented campaigning were a major factor in his high public approval ratings.When Clinton played the saxophone onThe Arsenio Hall Show, he was described by some religious conservatives as \\\"the MTV president\\\".Opponents sometimes referred to him as \\\"Slick Willie\\\", a nickname which was first applied to him in 1980 byPine Bluff CommercialjournalistPaul Greenberg;Greenberg believed that Clinton was abandoning the progressive policies of previous Arkansas Governors such asWinthrop Rockefeller,Dale BumpersandDavid Pryor.The claim \\\"Slick Willie\\\" would last throughout his presidency.His folksy manner led him to benicknamedBubbastarting from the 1992 presidential election.Since 2000, he has frequently been referred to as \\\"The Big Dog\\\" or \\\"Big Dog\\\".His prominent role in campaigning for Obama during the2012 presidential electionand his widely publicized speech at the2012 Democratic National Convention, where he officially nominated Obama and criticized Republican nomineeMitt Romneyand Republican policies in detail, earned him the nickname \\\"Explainer-in-Chief\\\". Clinton drew strong support from the African American community and insisted that the improvement of race relations would be a major theme of his presidency.In 1998,NobellaureateToni Morrisoncalled Clinton \\\"the first black president\\\", saying, \\\"Clinton displays almost every trope of blackness: single-parent household, born poor, working-class, saxophone-playing,McDonald's-and-junk-food-loving boy from Arkansas\\\".Morrison noted that Clinton's sex life was scrutinized more than his career accomplishments, and she compared this to the stereotyping anddouble standardsthat, she said, black people typically endure.Many viewed this comparison as unfair and disparaging both to Clinton and to the African-American community. Sexual assault and misconduct allegations Several women have publicly accused Clinton of sexual misconduct, including rape, harassment, and sexual assault. Additionally, some commentators have characterized Clinton's sexual relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky as predatory or non-consensual, despite the fact that Lewinsky called the relationship consensual at the time. These allegations have been revisited and lent more credence in 2018, in light of the#MeToo movement, with many commentators and Democratic leaders now saying Clinton should have been compelled to resign after the Lewinsky affair. In 1994,Paula Jonesinitiated asexual harassment lawsuitagainst Clinton, claiming he had made unwanted advances towards her in 1991; Clinton denied the allegations. In April 1998, the case was initially dismissed by JudgeSusan Webber Wrighton the grounds that it lacked legal merit.Jones appealed Webber Wright's ruling, and her suit gained traction following Clinton's admission to having an affair with Monica Lewinsky in August 1998.In 1998, lawyers for Paula Jones released court documents that alleged a pattern of sexual harassment by Clinton when he was Governor of Arkansas.Robert S. Bennett, Clinton's main lawyer for the case, called the filing \\\"a pack of lies\\\" and \\\"an organized campaign to smear the President of the United States\\\" funded by Clinton's political enemies.In October 1998, Clinton's attorneys tentatively offered $700,000 to settle the case, which was then the $800,000 which Jones' lawyers sought.Clinton later agreed to an out-of-court settlement and paid Jones $850,000.Bennett said the president made the settlement only so he could end the lawsuit for good and move on with his life.During the deposition for the Jones lawsuit, which was held at the White House,Clintondenied having sexual relationswith Monica Lewinsky—a denial that became the basis for an impeachment charge of perjury. In 1998,Kathleen Willeyalleged that Clinton hadgropedher in a hallway in 1993. An independent counsel determined Willey gave \\\"false information\\\" to the FBI, inconsistent with sworn testimony related to the Jones allegation.On March 19, 1998, Julie Hiatt Steele, a friend of Willey, released anaffidavit, accusing the former White House aide of asking her to lie to corroborate Ms. Willey's account of being sexually groped by Clinton in the Oval Office.An attempt by Kenneth Starr to prosecute Steele for making false statements and obstructing justice ended in a mistrial and Starr declined to seek a retrial after Steele sought an investigation against the former independent counsel for prosecutorial misconduct. Also in 1998,Juanita Broaddrickalleged that Clinton had raped her in the spring of 1978, although she said she did not remember the exact date.To support her charge, Broaddrick notes that she told multiple witnesses in 1978 she had been raped by Clinton, something these witnesses also state in interviews to the press.Broaddrick had earlier filed an affidavit denying any \\\"unwelcome sexual advances\\\" and later repeated the denial in a sworn deposition.In a 1998 NBC interview wherein she detailed the alleged rape, Broaddrick said she had denied (under oath) being raped only to avoid testifying about the ordeal publicly. The Lewinsky scandal has had an enduring impact on Clinton's legacy, beyond his impeachment in 1998.In the wake of the #MeToo movement (which shed light on the widespread prevalence ofsexual assaultandharassment, especially in the workplace), various commentators and Democratic political leaders, as well as Lewinsky herself, have revisited their view that the Lewinsky affair was consensual, and instead characterized it as an abuse of power or harassment, in light of the power differential between a president and a 22-year-old intern. In 2018, Clinton was asked in several interviews about whether he should have resigned, and he said he had made the right decision in not resigning.During the2018 Congressional elections,The New York Timesalleged that having no Democratic candidate for office asking Clinton to campaign with them was a change that attributed to the revised understanding of the Lewinsky scandal.However, former DNC interim chairDonna Brazilepreviously urged Clinton in November 2017 to campaign during the 2018 midterm elections, in spite of New York U.S. senatorKirsten Gillibrand's recent criticism of the Lewinsky scandal. Alleged affairs Clinton admitted to having extramarital affairs with singerGennifer FlowersandMonica Lewinsky.ActressElizabeth Gracen,Miss Arkansas winnerSally Perdue,and Dolly Kyle Browningall claimed that they had affairs with Clinton during his time as governor of Arkansas. Browning later sued Clinton,Bruce Lindsey,Robert S. Bennett, andJane Mayer, alleging they engaged in a conspiracy to attempt to block her from publishing a book loosely based on her relationship with Clinton and tried to defame him. However, Browning's lawsuit was dismissed. Post-presidency (2001–present) Activities until 2008 campaign In 2002, Clinton warned that pre-emptive military action against Iraq would have unwelcome consequences,and later claimed to have opposed the Iraq War from the start (though some dispute this).In 2005, Clinton criticized the Bush administration for its handling of emissions control, while speaking at theUnited Nations Climate Change conferencein Montreal. TheWilliam J. Clinton Presidential Center and ParkinLittle Rock, Arkansas, was dedicated in 2004.Clinton released a best-selling autobiography,My Life, in 2004.In 2007, he releasedGiving: How Each of Us Can Change the World, which also became aNew York TimesBest Sellerand garnered positive reviews. In the aftermath of the2004 Asian tsunami,U.N. secretary-generalKofi Annanappointed Clinton to head a relief effort.AfterHurricane Katrina, Clinton joined with fellow former president George H. W. Bush to establish the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Fund in January 2005, and the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund in October of that year.As part of the tsunami effort, these two ex-presidents appeared in aSuper Bowl XXXIXpre-game show,and traveled to the affected areas.They also spoke together at the funeral ofBoris Yeltsinin April 2007. Based on his philanthropic worldview,Clinton created theWilliam J. Clinton Foundationto address issues of global importance. This foundation includes the Clinton Foundation HIV and AIDS Initiative (CHAI), which strives to combat that disease, and has worked with the Australian government toward that end. TheClinton Global Initiative(CGI), begun by the Clinton Foundation in 2005, attempts to address world problems such as globalpublic health, poverty alleviation and religious andethnic conflict.In 2005, Clinton announced through his foundation an agreement with manufacturers to stop selling sugary drinks in schools.Clinton's foundation joined with theLarge Cities Climate Leadership Groupin 2006 to improve cooperation among those cities, and he met with foreign leaders to promote this initiative.The foundation has received donations from many governments all over the world, including Asia and the Middle East.In 2008, Foundation directorInder Singhannounced deals to reduce the price of anti-malaria drugs by 30 percent in developing nations.Clinton also spoke in favor ofCalifornia Proposition 87onalternative energy, which was voted down. 2008 presidential election During the2008 Democratic presidential primary campaign, Clinton vigorously advocated on behalf of his wife, Hillary. Through speaking engagements and fundraisers, he was able to raise $10 million toward her campaign.Some worried that as an ex-president, he was too active on the trail, too negative to Clinton rivalBarack Obama, and alienating his supporters at home and abroad.Many were especially critical of him following his remarks in the South Carolina primary, which Obama won. Later in the 2008 primaries, there was some infighting between Bill and Hillary's staffs, especially in Pennsylvania.Considering Bill's remarks, many thought he could not rally Hillary supporters behind Obama after Obama won the primary.Such remarks led to apprehension that the party would be split to the detriment of Obama's election. Fears were allayed August 27, 2008, when Clinton enthusiastically endorsed Obama at the2008 Democratic National Convention, saying all his experience as president assures him that Obama is \\\"ready to lead\\\".After Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign was over, Bill Clinton continued to raise funds to help pay off her campaign debt. After the 2008 election In 2009, Clinton travelled to North Korea on behalf of two American journalistsimprisonedthere.Euna LeeandLaura Linghad been imprisoned for illegally entering the country from China.Jimmy Carterhad made a similar visit in 1994.After Clinton met with North Korean leaderKim Jong-il, Kim issued a pardon. Since then, Clinton has been assigned many other diplomatic missions. He was named United NationsSpecial Envoyto Haiti in 2009 following a series of hurricanes which caused $1 billion in damages.Clinton organized a conference with the Inter-American Development Bank, where a new industrial park was discussed in an effort to \\\"build back better\\\".In response to the2010 Haiti earthquake, U.S. president Barack Obama announced that Clinton and George W. Bush would coordinate efforts to raise funds for Haiti's recovery.Funds began pouring into Haiti, which led to funding becoming available for Caracol Industrial Park in a part of the country unaffected by the earthquake. While Hillary Clinton was in South Korea, she andCheryl Millsworked to convince SAE-A, a large apparel subcontractor, to invest in Haiti despite the company's deep concerns about plans to raise the minimum wage. In the summer of 2010, the South Korean company signed a contract at the U.S. State Department, ensuring that the new industrial park would have a key tenant.In 2010, Clinton announced support of, and delivered the keynote address for, the inauguration ofNTR, Ireland's first environmental foundation.At the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Clinton gave a widely praised speech nominating Barack Obama. 2016 presidential election and after During the2016 presidential election, Clinton again encouraged voters to support Hillary, and made appearances speaking on the campaign trail.In a series of tweets, then-President-electDonald Trumpcriticized his ability to get people out to vote.Clinton served as a member of the electoral college for the state of New York. He voted for the Democratic ticket consisting of his wife Hillary and her running-mateTim Kaine. On September 7, 2017, Clinton partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama to work withOne America Appealto help the victims ofHurricane HarveyandHurricane Irmain theGulf CoastandTexascommunities. In2020, Clinton again served as a member of the United States Electoral College from New York, casting his vote for the successful Democratic ticket ofJoe BidenandKamala Harris. Citizen: My Life After the White House,his autobiography about his life after his presidency, will be released in November 19, 2024. Post-presidential health concerns In September 2004, Clinton underwent quadruple bypass surgery.In March 2005, he again underwent surgery, this time for a partially collapsed lung.On February 11, 2010, he was rushed toNew York-Presbyterian/Columbia Hospitalin Manhattan after complaining of chest pains, and he had twocoronary stentsimplanted in his heart.After this procedure, Clinton adopted a plant-based whole foods (vegan) diet, which had been recommended by doctorsDean OrnishandCaldwell Esselstyn.He has since incorporated fish and lean animal flesh at the suggestion ofMark Hyman, a proponent of thepseudoscientificethos offunctional medicine.As a result, he is no longer a strict vegan. In October 2021, Clinton was treated forsepsisat theUniversity of California, Irvine Medical Center.In December 2022, Clinton tested positive forCOVID-19. Wealth The Clintons incurred several million dollars in legal bills during his presidency, which were paid off four years after he left office.Bill and Hillary Clinton have each earned millions of dollars from book publishing.In 2016,Forbesreported Bill and Hillary Clinton made about $240million in the 15years from January 2001, to December 2015, (mostly from paid speeches, business consulting and book-writing).Also in 2016,CNNreported the Clintons combined to receive more than $153million in paid speeches from 2001 until spring 2015.In May 2015,The Hillreported that Bill and Hillary Clinton have made more than $25million in speaking fees since the start of 2014, and that Hillary Clinton also made $5million or more from her book,Hard Choices, during the same time period.In July 2014,The Wall Street Journalreported that at the end of 2012, the Clintons were worth between $5million and $25.5million, and that in 2012 (the last year they were required to disclose the information) the Clintons made between $16 and $17million, mostly from speaking fees earned by the former president.Clinton earned more than $104million from paid speeches between 2001 and 2012.In June 2014, ABC News andThe Washington Postreported that Bill Clinton has made more than $100million giving paid speeches since leaving public office, and in 2008,The New York Timesreported that the Clintons' income tax returnsshow they made $109million in the eight years from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2007, including almost $92million from his speaking and book-writing. Bill Clinton has given dozens of paid speeches each year since leaving office in 2001, mostly to corporations and philanthropic groups in North America and Europe; he often earned $100,000 to $300,000 per speech.Russian investment bank with ties to the Kremlin paid Clinton $500,000 for a speech inMoscow.Hillary Clinton said she and Bill came out of the White House financially \\\"broke\\\" and in debt, especially due to large legal fees incurred during their years in the White House. \\\"We had no money when we got there, and we struggled to, you know, piece together the resources for mortgages, for houses, for Chelsea's education\\\". She added, \\\"Bill has worked really hard ... we had to pay off all our debts ... he had to make double the money because of, obviously, taxes; and then pay off the debts, and get us houses, and take care of family members\\\". Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein In the early 2000s, Clinton took flights onJeffrey Epstein's private jet in connection with Clinton Foundation work.According to Epstein's attorneyGerald B. Lefcourt, Epstein was \\\"part of the original group that conceived of theClinton Global Initiative\\\".In 2002, a spokesperson for Clinton praised Epstein as \\\"a committed philanthropist\\\" with \\\"insights and generosity\\\".While Clinton was president, Epstein visited the White House at least 17 times between 1993 and 1995.Years later, Epstein was convicted on sex trafficking charges. Clinton's office released a statement in 2019 saying, \\\"President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York. In 2002 and 2003, President Clinton took four trips on Jeffrey Epstein's airplane: one to Europe, one to Asia, and two to Africa, which included stops in connection with the work of the Clinton Foundation. Staff, supporters of the Foundation, and his Secret Service detail traveled on every leg of every trip. He's not spoken to Epstein in well over a decade.\\\" However, later reports showed that Clinton had flown on Epstein's plane 26 times.In another statement Clinton said \\\"one meeting with Epstein in his Harlem office in 2002, and around the same time made one brief visit to Epstein's New York apartment with a staff member and his security detail\\\". In July 2019 it was reported that Clinton attended a dinner with Epstein in 1995, a meeting with Epstein that Clinton had not previously disclosed. Clinton reportedly used Epstein's private jet to visitLittle St. James Island, where Epstein resided,on multiple occasions between 2002 and 2005.Virginia Roberts, later known as Virginia Giuffre, says in a lawsuit that while working atDonald Trump'sMar-a-Lagoresortshe was lured into asex-traffickingring run by Epstein and while traveling with Epstein she saw Clinton on the island.In a 2011 conversation with her lawyers, Roberts stated that Clinton traveled to Epstein's retreat on Little St. James in 2002.According to Roberts, Epstein told her that Clinton \\\"owes me favors\\\" when she asked what he was doing there.She also reportedly claimed that Epstein and Clinton had dined in the presence of two girls aged approximately seventeen whom she believed Epstein had invited to have sex with Clinton, but that Clinton showed no interest in them.AFreedom of Information Actrequest forUnited States Secret Servicerecords of visits Clinton may have made to Little St. James produced no such evidence.According to Epstein's flight logs, Clinton never flew near the U.S. Virgin Islands.In July 2019, a Clinton spokesperson issued a statement saying Clinton never visited the island.When he was personally asked by a journalist about his ties with Epstein in a rally inLaredo, Texasin November 2022, Clinton said \\\"I think the evidence is clear\\\".According to former Clinton aide,Doug Band, Clinton visited Epstein's island in January 2003.In 2024, unsealed court documents revealed allegations that Clinton had visited the offices ofVanity Fairand 'threatened' the paper not to print stories about Epstein's sexual trafficking. FormerVanity FaireditorGraydon Carterdenied the incident ever took place. Personal life At the age of 10, he was baptized at Park PlaceBaptistChurch inHot Springs, Arkansas.When he became president in 1993, he became a member ofFoundry United Methodist ChurchinWashington, D.C.with his wife, aMethodist. On October 11, 1975, inFayetteville, Arkansas, he marriedHillary Rodham, whom he met while studying atYale University. They hadChelsea Clinton, their only child, on February 27, 1980.He is the maternal grandfather to Chelsea's three children. Accolades Various colleges and universities have awarded Clinton honorary degrees, includingDoctorate of LawdegreesandDoctor of Humane Lettersdegrees.He received an honorary degree from Georgetown University, his alma mater, and was the commencement speaker in 1980.He is an honorary fellow of University College, Oxford, which he attended as aRhodes Scholar, although he did not complete his studies there.Schools have been named for Clinton,and statues have been built to pay him homage.U.S. states where he has been honored include Missouri,Arkansas,Kentucky,and New York.He was presented with theMedal for Distinguished Public ServicebySecretary of DefenseWilliam Cohenin 2001.TheClinton Presidential Centerwas opened in Little Rock, Arkansas, in his honor on December 5, 2001. Clinton has been honored in various other ways, in countries that include the Czech Republic,Papua New Guinea,Germany,and Kosovo.The Republic of Kosovo, in gratitude for his help during theKosovo War, renamed a major street in the capital city ofPristinaasBill Clinton Boulevardand added a monumental Clinton statue. Clinton was selected asTime's\\\"Man of the Year\\\" in 1992,and again in 1998, along withKen Starr.From a poll conducted of the American people in December 1999, Clinton was among eighteen included inGallup's List of Most Widely Admired People of the 20th Century.In 2001, Clinton received theNAACP'sPresident's Award.He has also been honored with a J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding,aTEDPrize (named for the confluence of technology, entertainment and design),and was named as an HonoraryGLAAD Media Awardrecipient for his work as an advocate for the LGBT community. Clinton, along withMikhail GorbachevandSophia Loren,received the2003 Grammy AwardforBest Spoken Word Album for ChildrenforWolf Tracks and Peter and the Wolf.Theaudiobookedition of his autobiography,My Life, read by Clinton himself, won the2005 Grammy AwardforBest Spoken Word Album,as well as theAudie Awardas the Audiobook of the Year.Clinton has two more Grammy nominations for his audiobooks:Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the Worldin2007andBack to Workin2012. In 2011, Haitian presidentMichel Martellyawarded Clinton with theNational Order of Honour and Meritto the rank of Grand Cross \\\"for his various initiatives in Haiti and especially his high contribution to the reconstruction of the country after the earthquake of January 12, 2010\\\". Clinton declared at the ceremony that \\\"in the United States of America, I really don't believe former American presidents need awards anymore, but I am very honored by this one, I love Haiti, and I believe in its promise\\\". President Obama awarded Clinton thePresidential Medal of Freedomon November 20, 2013. See also References Citations Further reading Primary sources Popular books Scholarly studies Arkansas years External links Official Interviews, speeches, and statements Media coverage Other\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Mary Elizabeth Butt Mary Elizabeth Butt(néeHoldsworth; 1903–1993) was a prominentTexasphilanthropist and wife of formerHEB Grocery CompanyCEOHoward Edward Butt Sr., son of HEB founder, Florence Butt. Her philanthropic efforts were particularly focused on the care of emotionally disturbed children and the development of library services. Early life Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt was born on February 4, 1903, nearLoma Vista, Texas, the daughter of Rosa (née Ross) and Thomas Holdsworth. She was the fourth of seven children. Her father, the son of an English schoolteacher, emigrated from England to Texas with his parents in 1880. Her mother was a schoolteacher who grew up and worked inKerrville, Texas.Both her parents were devout, tithingBaptists.In 1924, she marriedHoward Edward Butt. Howard owned a small grocery store in Kerrville. Over time, her husband's business prospered and expanded, enabling Mary Elizabeth to take an active role in supporting numerous and varied charitable causes. Her husband stated: \"I","husband stated: \"I make the money, and Mary spends it (on worthy causes). And I am glad she does.\"In 1940, they moved toCorpus Christi, Texas. Philanthropy In 1929, she moved toBrownsville, Texas, in theRio Grande Valleyand thereafter toHarlingen. Mary Elizabeth started the State Crippled Children's Program using her dining room as an office. She also served as chairwoman of the Cameron County Child Welfare Board. In addition, she started the first tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment program in the region; and also purchased the first equipment used to test the hearing and vision of schoolchildren. In 1934, the Butts formed the H. E. Butt Foundation, one of the first charitable organizations in Texas. The foundation focused on funding public school programs, establishing libraries and constructing recreational facilities.Mary Butt served as its president. In 1940, the Butt family moved toCorpus Christi, Texas, where she organized the local branches of theYWCA; theNueces Countyhome for the aged; the Nueces","aged; the Nueces County Tuberculosis Hospital; and the local branch of theAmerican Cancer Society. She also established the Mary Bethune Day Nursery which addressed shortfalls in access to day care forAfrican-Americanchildren. In 1949, she along with Dr. Robert Sutherland (director of theHogg Foundation for Mental Healthfounded byIma Hoggin 1940) and Margaret Scarbrough (wife of Austin retailer Lemuel Scarbrough and founder of the Scarbrough Foundation), organized and hosted the first Conference of Texas Foundations and Trusts which coordinated philanthropic giving so as to avoid duplication and promoted the exchange ideas and strategies.Texas became the first state to have such an organization and the model was duplicated in other states.The Foundation quickly blossomed from 10 mostly family-sponsored organizations at inception to 48 organizations in 1956.The organization (now known as the Conference of Southwest Foundations) presently consists of 200 member organizations in a seven-state area. In 1953, she","area. In 1953, she helped to establish the Hilltop Hospital which treated tuberculosis patients and eventually serving five years as the chairman of its board. In 1954, the Butts established the H. E. Butt Foundation Camp located on theFrio RiverAs she was particularly dedicated to the care of emotionally disturbed children, she developed a camping program for specifically for their care.As of 2012, the camp continues to serve, without cost, over 20,000 campers annuallyand is also the site of the Laity Lodge, a prominent center of Christian learning founded by their son, Howard E. Butt Jr. In 1955, she was appointed by Texas GovernorAllan Shiversto the governing board of Texas State Hospitals and Special Schools (later theTexas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation). She served as the only woman member of the board for 18 yearsbeing appointed by six different governors. The Butts contributed to the founding of theButt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, which was inaugurated in summer 1967. Personal","1967. Personal life and death She had four children with her husband: Another child, Mary Beth Butt, who lived for only 10 days (November 17, 1943 - November 27, 1943), is buried beside Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt at the Glen Rest Cemetery in Kerrville, Texas, was the fourth child of Howard Butt, Sr., and Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt. Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt died in her house in Corpus Christi on October 6, 1993. Awards TheTexas State Historical Associationlists the many awards Butt has received over the years for her philanthropic activities: References External links","Bill Clinton William Jefferson Clinton(néBlythe; born August 19, 1946) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 42ndpresident of the United Statesfrom 1993 to 2001. A member of theDemocratic Party, he previously served asgovernor of Arkansasfrom 1979 to 1981 and again from 1983 to 1992. Clinton, whose policies reflected a centrist \"Third Way\" political philosophy, became known as aNew Democrat. Clinton was born and raised inArkansas. He graduated fromGeorgetown Universityin 1968, and later fromYale Law School, where he met his future wife,Hillary Rodham. After graduating from law school, Clinton returned to Arkansas and won election as state attorney general, followed bytwo non-consecutive tenures as Arkansas governor. As governor, he overhauled the state's education system and served as chairman of theNational Governors Association. Clinton was elected president in the1992 election, defeating the incumbentRepublican PartypresidentGeorge H. W. Bushand the independent businessmanRoss Perot. He","Perot. He became the first president to be born in theBaby Boomergeneration. Clinton presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history. He signed into law theNorth American Free Trade Agreementand theViolent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Actbut failed to pass his plan fornational health care reform. Starting in the mid-1990s, he began an ideological evolution as he became much more conservative in his domestic policy, advocating for and signing thePersonal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act, theState Children's Health Insurance Programand financial deregulation measures. He appointedRuth Bader GinsburgandStephen Breyerto theU.S. Supreme Court. In foreign policy, Clinton ordered U.S. military intervention in theBosnianandKosovo wars, eventually signing theDayton Peace agreement. He also called for theexpansion of NATOin Eastern Europe and many formerWarsaw Pactmembers joined NATO during his presidency. Clinton's foreign policy in the Middle East saw him sign theIraq","him sign theIraq Liberation Actwhich gave aid to groups againstSaddam Hussein. He also participated in theOslo I AccordandCamp David Summitto advance theIsraeli–Palestinian peace process, and assisted theNorthern Ireland peace process. Clinton won re-election in the1996 election, defeating Republican nomineeBob DoleandReform Partynominee Perot. His second term was dominated by theClinton–Lewinsky scandal, which began in 1995, when he had a sexual relationship with the then 22-year-oldWhite HouseinternMonica Lewinsky. In January 1998, news of the affair made tabloid headlines.This scandal escalated throughout the year, culminating in December whenClinton was impeachedby theHouse of Representatives, becoming the first U.S. president to be impeached sinceAndrew Johnson. The two impeachment articles that the House passed were centered aroundperjuryand Clinton using the powers of the presidency to commit obstruction of justice. In 1999,Clinton's impeachment trialbegan in theSenate, where he was acquitted on both","acquitted on both charges. During the last three years of Clinton's presidency, theCongressional Budget Officereported a budget surplus—the first such surplus since 1969. Clinton left office in 2001 with the joint-highest approval rating of any U.S. president. His presidency ranks among the middle to upper tier inhistorical rankings of U.S. presidents. However, his personal conduct andmisconduct allegationshave made him the subject of substantial scrutiny. Since leaving office, Clinton has been involved in public speaking and humanitarian work. He created theClinton Foundationto address international causes such as the prevention of HIV/AIDS and global warming. In 2009, he was named theUnited Nations special envoy to Haiti. After the2010 Haiti earthquake, Clinton founded theClinton Bush Haiti FundwithGeorge W. BushandBarack Obama. He has remained active in Democratic Party politics, campaigning for his wife's2008and2016 presidential campaigns. Early life and career Clinton was born William Jefferson Blythe","Jefferson Blythe III on August 19, 1946, at Julia Chester Hospital inHope, Arkansas.He is the son ofWilliam Jefferson Blythe Jr., a traveling salesman who died in an automobile accident three months before his birth, andVirginia Dell Cassidy(later Virginia Kelley).Blythe had initially survived the crash, but drowned in a drainage ditch. His parents had married on September 4, 1943, but this union later proved to be bigamous, as Blythe was still married to his fourth wife.Virginia traveled toNew Orleansto study nursing soon after Bill was born, leaving him in Hope with her parents Eldridge and Edith Cassidy, who owned and ran a small grocery store.At a time when the southern United States wasracially segregated, Clinton's grandparents sold goods oncreditto people of all races.In 1950, Bill's mother returned from nursing school and marriedRoger Clinton Sr., who co-owned anautomobile dealershipinHot Springs, Arkansas, with his brother andEarl T. Ricks.The family moved to Hot Springs in 1950. Although he","1950. Although he immediately assumed use of his stepfather's surname, it was not until Clinton turned 15that he formally adopted the surname Clinton as a gesture toward him.Clinton has described his stepfather as a gambler and an alcoholic who regularly abused his mother and half-brother,Roger Clinton Jr.The physical abuse only ceased after a then-14-year-old Bill challenged his stepfather to \"stand and face\" him, though the verbal/emotional abuse continued.Bill would eventually forgive Roger Sr. for his abusive actions near the latter's death. In Hot Springs, Clinton attended St. John's Catholic Elementary School, Ramble Elementary School, and thesegregatedHot Springs High School, where he was an active student leader, avid reader, and musician.Clinton was in the chorus and played thetenor saxophone, winning first chair in the state band's saxophone section. While in high school, Clinton performed for two years in a jazz trio,The 3 Kings, withRandy Goodrum, who became a successful professional pianist. In","pianist. In 1961, Clinton became a member of the Hot Springs Chapter of theOrder of DeMolay, a youth group affiliated withFreemasonry, but he never became a Freemason.He briefly considered dedicating his life to music, but as he noted in his autobiographyMy Life: Clinton began an interest in law at Hot Springs High, when he took up the challenge to argue the defense of the ancientRoman senatorCatilinein a mock trial in his Latin class.After a vigorous defense that made use of his \"budding rhetorical and political skills\", he told the Latin teacher Elizabeth Buck it \"made him realize that someday he would study law\". Clinton has identified two influential moments in his life, both occurring in 1963, that contributed to his decision to become a public figure. One was his visit as aBoys Nationsenator to theWhite Houseto meet PresidentJohn F. Kennedy.The other was watchingMartin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 \"I Have a Dream\" speech on TV, which impressed him so much that he later memorized it. College and law school","and law school years Georgetown University With the aid of scholarships, Clinton attended theSchool of Foreign ServiceatGeorgetown Universityin Washington, D.C., receiving aBachelor of Sciencein foreign service degree in 1968. Georgetown was the only university where Clinton applied. In 1964 and 1965, Clinton won elections forclass president.From 1964 to 1967, he was an intern and then a clerk in the office of Arkansas SenatorJ. William Fulbright.While in college, he became a brother of service fraternityAlpha Phi Omegaand was elected toPhi Beta Kappa. He is a member ofKappa Kappa Psihonorary band fraternity. Oxford Upon graduating from Georgetown in 1968, Clinton won aRhodes ScholarshiptoUniversity College, Oxford, where he initially read for aB.Phil.inphilosophy, politics, and economicsbut transferred to aB.Litt.in politics and, ultimately, a B.Phil. in politics.Clinton did not expect to return for the second year because of the draft and so he switched programs; this type of activity was common among","was common among other Rhodes Scholars from his cohort. He had received an offer to study atYale Law School, and so he left early to return to the United States and did not receive a degree from Oxford. During his time at Oxford, Clinton befriended fellow American Rhodes Scholar Frank Aller. In 1969, Aller received adraftletter that mandated deployment to theVietnam War. Aller's 1971 suicide had an influential impact on Clinton.British writer and feministSara Maitlandsaid of Clinton, \"I remember Bill and Frank Aller taking me to a pub in Walton Street in the summer term of 1969 and talking to me about the Vietnam War. I knew nothing about it, and when Frank began to describe the napalming of civilians I began to cry. Bill said that feeling bad wasn't good enough. That was the first time I encountered the idea that liberal sensitivities weren't enough and you had to do something about such things\".Clinton was a member of theOxford University Basketball Cluband also played for Oxford University'srugby","University'srugby unionteam. While Clinton was president in 1994, he received an honoraryDoctor of Civil Lawdegree and a fellowship from theUniversity of Oxford, specifically for being \"a doughty and tireless champion of the cause of world peace\", having \"a powerful collaborator in his wife\", and for winning \"general applause for his achievement of resolving the gridlock that prevented an agreed budget\". Vietnam War opposition and draft controversy During the Vietnam War, Clinton received educational draft deferments while he was in England in 1968 and 1969.While at Oxford, he participated inVietnam War protestsand organized aMoratorium to End the War in Vietnamevent in October 1969.He was planning to attend law school in the U.S. and knew he might lose his deferment. Clinton tried unsuccessfully to obtain positions in theNational Guardand theAir Force officer candidate school, and he then made arrangements to join theReserve Officers' Training Corps(ROTC) program at theUniversity of Arkansas. He","of Arkansas. He subsequently decided not to join the ROTC, saying in a letter to the officer in charge of the program that he opposed the war, but did not think it was honorable to use ROTC, National Guard, or Reserve service to avoid serving in Vietnam. He further stated that because he opposed the war, he would not volunteer to serve in uniform, but would subject himself to the draft, and would serve if selected only as a way \"to maintain my political viability within the system\".Clinton registered for the draft and received a high number (311), meaning that those whose birthdays had been drawn as numbers1 to 310 would bedraftedbefore him, making it unlikely he would be called up. (In fact, the highest number drafted was 195.) ColonelEugene Holmes, the Army officer who had been involved with Clinton's ROTC application, suspected that Clinton attempted to manipulate the situation to avoid the draft and avoid serving in uniform. He issued anotarizedstatement during the 1992 presidential campaign: During the","During the 1992 campaign, it was revealed that Clinton's uncle had attempted to secure him a position in theNavy Reserve, which would have prevented him from being deployed to Vietnam. This effort was unsuccessful and Clinton said in 1992 that he had been unaware of it until then.Although legal, Clinton's actions with respect to the draft and deciding whether to serve in the military were criticized during his first presidential campaign by conservatives and some Vietnam veterans, some of whom charged that he had used Fulbright's influence to avoid military service.Clinton's 1992 campaign manager,James Carville, successfully argued that Clinton's letter in which he declined to join the ROTC should be made public, insisting that voters, many of whom had also opposed the Vietnam War, would understand and appreciate his position. Law school After Oxford, Clinton attended Yale Law School and earned aJuris Doctor(J.D.) degree in 1973.In 1971, he met his future wife, Hillary Rodham, in theYale Law Library; she was","Library; she was a class year ahead of him.They began dating and were soon inseparable. After only about a month, Clinton postponed his summer plans to be a coordinator for theGeorge McGoverncampaignfor the1972 United States presidential electionin order to move in with her in California.The couple continuedliving togetherin New Haven when they returned to law school. Clinton eventuallymoved to Texas with Rodham in 1972to take a job leading McGovern's effort there. He spent considerable time inDallas, at the campaign's local headquarters on Lemmon Avenue, where he had an office. Clinton worked with future two-termmayor of DallasRon Kirk,futuregovernor of TexasAnn Richards,and then unknown television director and filmmakerSteven Spielberg. Failed congressional campaign and tenure as Attorney General of Arkansas After graduating fromYale Law School, Clinton returned to Arkansas and became a lawprofessorat theUniversity of Arkansas. In 1974, he ran for theHouse of Representatives. Running in the conservative3rd","the conservative3rd districtagainst incumbent RepublicanJohn Paul Hammerschmidt, Clinton's campaign was bolstered by the anti-Republican and anti-incumbent mood resulting from theWatergate scandal. Hammerschmidt, who had received 77 percent of the vote in 1972, defeated Clinton by only a 52 percent to 48 percent margin. In 1976, Clinton ran forArkansas attorney general. Defeating the secretary of state and the deputy attorney general in the Democratic primary, Clinton was elected with no opposition at all in the general election, as no Republican had run for the office. Governor of Arkansas (1979–1981, 1983–1992) In 1978, Clinton entered the Arkansas gubernatorial primary. At just 31 years old, he was one of the youngest gubernatorial candidates in the state's history. Clinton was electedgovernor of Arkansasin1978, having defeated the Republican candidateLynn Lowe, a farmer fromTexarkana. Clinton was only 32 years old when he took office, the youngest governor in the country at the time and the second","time and the second youngest governor in the history of Arkansas.Due to his youthful appearance, Clinton was often called the \"Boy Governor\".He worked on educational reform and directed the maintenance of Arkansas's roads, with wife Hillary leading a successful committee on urban health care reform. However, his term included an unpopular motor vehicle tax and citizens' anger over the escape of Cuban refugees (from theMariel boatlift) detained inFort Chaffeein 1980. Monroe Schwarzlose, ofKingslandinCleveland County, polled 31 percent of the vote against Clinton in the Democratic gubernatorial primary of 1980. Some suggested Schwarzlose's unexpected voter turnout foreshadowed Clinton's defeat by Republican challengerFrank D. Whitein the general election that year. As Clinton once joked, he was the youngest ex-governor in the nation's history. After leaving office in January 1981, Clinton joined friendBruce Lindsey's Little Rock law firm of Wright, Lindsey and Jennings.In 1982, he was elected governor a second","governor a second time and kept the office for ten years. Effective with the 1986 election, Arkansas had changed its gubernatorial term of office from two to four years. During his term, he helped transform Arkansas's economy and improved the state's educational system.Forsenior citizens, he removed thesales taxfrom medications and increased the home property-tax exemption.He became a leading figure among theNew Democrats, a group ofDemocratswho advocated welfare reform, smaller government, and other policies not supported by liberals. Formally organized as theDemocratic Leadership Council(DLC), the New Democrats argued that in light of PresidentRonald Reagan'slandslide victory in 1984, the Democratic Party needed to adopt a more centrist political stance in order to succeed at the national level.Clinton delivered theDemocratic responseto Reagan's1985 State of the Union Addressand served as chair of theNational Governors Associationfrom 1986 to 1987, bringing him to an audience beyond Arkansas. In the early","In the early 1980s, Clinton made reform of the Arkansas education system a top priority of his gubernatorial administration. The Arkansas Education Standards Committee was chaired by Clinton's wife Hillary, who was also an attorney as well as the chair of theLegal Services Corporation. The committee transformed Arkansas's education system. Proposed reforms included more spending for schools (supported by a sales-tax increase), better opportunities for gifted children, vocational education, higher teachers' salaries, more course variety, and compulsory teacher competency exams. The reforms passed in September 1983 after Clinton called a speciallegislative session—the longest in Arkansas history.Many have considered this the greatest achievement of the Clinton governorship.He defeated four Republican candidates for governor: Lowe (1978), White (1982 and 1986),JonesborobusinessmenWoody Freeman(1984), andSheffield Nelsonof Little Rock (1990). Also in the 1980s, the Clintons' personal and business affairs","business affairs included transactions that became the basis of theWhitewater controversyinvestigation, which later dogged his presidential administration.After extensive investigation over several years, no indictments were made against the Clintons related to the years in Arkansas. According to some sources, Clinton was adeath penaltyopponent in his early years, but he eventually switched positions.However he might have felt previously, by 1992, Clinton was insisting that Democrats \"should no longer feel guilty about protecting the innocent\".During Clinton's final term as governor,Arkansas performed its first executionssince 1964 (the death penalty had been reinstated in 1976).As Governor, he oversaw thefirst four executions carried outby the state of Arkansas since the death penalty was reinstated there in 1976: one byelectric chairand three bylethal injection.To draw attention to his stance on capital punishment, Clinton flew home to Arkansas mid-campaign in 1992, in order to affirm in person that the","in person that the controversial execution ofRicky Ray Rector, would go forward as scheduled. Scandals and allegations During his time as governor in the 1980s, Arkansas was the center of a drug smuggling operation throughMena Airport.CIAagentBarry Sealallegedly imported three to five billion dollars worth ofcocainethrough the airport, and the operation was linked to theIran–Contra affair.Clinton was accused of knowing about this operation, although nothing could be proven against him.JournalistSam Smithtied him to various questionable business dealings.Clinton was also accused byGennifer Flowersto have used cocaine as governorand his half-brother Roger was sentenced to prison in 1985 for possession and smuggling of cocaine, but was laterpardoned by his brotherafter serving his sentence.During his time in Arkansas, there were also other scandals such as theWhitewater controversyinvolving the Clintons' real estate dealings, and Bill Clinton was accused of serious sexual misconduct in Arkansas, including","Arkansas, including allegations of using theArkansas State Policeto gain access to women (Troopergate affair).Thekilling of Don Henry and Kevin Ivesin 1987 started variousconspiracy theoriesthat accused Clinton and the Arkansas state authorities of covering up the crime. 1988 Democratic presidential primaries In 1987, the media speculated that Clinton would enter the presidential race. Clinton decided to remain as Arkansas governor (following consideration for the potential candidacy of Hillary for governor, initially favored—but ultimately vetoed—by the First Lady).For the nomination, Clinton endorsedMassachusetts governorMichael Dukakis. He gave the nationally televised opening night address at the1988 Democratic National Convention, but his speech, which was 33 minutes long and twice the length it was expected to be, was criticized for being too long.Clinton presented himself both as a moderate and as a member of the New Democrat wing of the Democratic Party, and he headed the moderate Democratic","moderate Democratic Leadership Council in 1990 and 1991. 1992 United States presidential election In the first primary contest, theIowa Caucus, Clinton finished a distant third to Iowa senatorTom Harkin. During the campaign for theNew Hampshire primary, reports surfaced that Clinton had engaged in an extramarital affair withGennifer Flowers. Clinton fell far behind former Massachusetts senatorPaul Tsongasin the New Hampshire polls.FollowingSuper Bowl XXVI, Clinton and his wife Hillary went on60 Minutesto rebuff the charges.Their television appearance was a calculated risk, but Clinton regained several delegates. He finished second to Tsongas in theNew Hampshire primary, but after trailing badly in the polls and coming within single digits of winning, the media viewed it as a victory. News outlets labeled him \"The Comeback Kid\" for earning a firm second-place finish. Winning the big prizes of Florida and Texas and many of theSouthern primariesonSuper Tuesdaygave Clinton a sizable delegate lead. However,","lead. However, former California governorJerry Brownwas scoring victories and Clinton had yet to win a significant contest outside his native South.With no major Southern state remaining, Clinton targeted New York, which had many delegates. He scored a resounding victory in New York City, shedding his image as a regional candidate.Having been transformed into the consensus candidate, he secured the Democratic Party nomination, finishing with a victory in Jerry Brown's home state of California. During the campaign, questions ofconflict of interestregarding state business and the politically powerfulRose Law Firm, at which Hillary Rodham Clinton was a partner, arose. Clinton argued the questions were moot because all transactions with the state had been deducted before determining Hillary's firm pay.Further concern arose when Bill Clinton announced that, with Hillary, voters would be getting two presidents \"for the price of one\". Clinton was still the governor of Arkansas while campaigning for U.S. president,","for U.S. president, and he returned to his home state to see thatRicky Ray Rectorwould be executed. After killing a police officer and a civilian, Rector shot himself in the head, leading to what his lawyers said was a state where he could still talk but did not understand the idea of death. According to both Arkansas state law and federal law, a seriously mentally impaired inmate cannot be executed. The courts disagreed with the allegation of grave mental impairment and allowed the execution. Clinton's return to Arkansas for the execution was framed in an article forThe New York Timesas a possible political move to counter \"soft on crime\" accusations. Bush'sapproval ratingswere around 80 percent during theGulf War, and he was described as unbeatable. When Bush compromised with Democrats to try to lower federal deficits, he reneged on hispromise not to raise taxes, which hurt his approval rating. Clinton repeatedly condemned Bush for making a promise he failed to keep.By election time, the economy was","the economy was souring and Bush saw his approval rating plummet to just slightly over 40 percent.Finally, conservatives were previously united by anti-communism, but with the end of the Cold War, the party lacked a uniting issue. WhenPat BuchananandPat Robertsonaddressed Christian themes at theRepublican National Convention—with Bush criticizing Democrats for omitting God from their platform—many moderates were alienated.Clinton then pointed to his moderate, \"New Democrat\" record as governor of Arkansas, though some on the more liberal side of the party remained suspicious.Many Democrats who had supported Ronald Reagan and Bush in previous elections switched their support to Clinton.Clinton and his running mate,Al Gore, toured the country during the final weeks of the campaign, shoring up support and pledging a \"new beginning\". On March 26, 1992, during a Democraticfund raiserof the presidential campaign,Robert Rafskyconfronted then Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas and asked what he was going to do aboutAIDS,","to do aboutAIDS, to which Clinton replied, \"I feel your pain\".The televised exchange led to AIDS becoming an issue in the 1992 presidential election. On April 4, then candidate Clinton met with members ofACT UPand other leading AIDS advocates to discuss his AIDS agenda and agreed to make a major AIDS policy speech, to have people with HIV speak to theDemocratic Convention, and to sign onto theAIDS UnitedAction five point plan. Clinton won the1992 presidential election(370 electoral votes) against Republican incumbent George H. W. Bush (168 electoral votes) and billionairepopulistRoss Perot(zero electoral votes), who ran as an independent on a platform that focused on domestic issues. Bush's steep decline in public approval was a significant part of Clinton's success.Clinton's victory in the election ended twelve years of Republican rule of the White House and twenty of the previous twenty-four years. The election gave Democrats full control of theUnited States Congress,the first time one party controlled","party controlled both the executive and legislative branches since Democrats held the96th United States Congressduring thepresidency of Jimmy Carter. According toSeymour Martin Lipset, the 1992 election had several unique characteristics. Voters felt that economic conditions were worse than they actually were, which harmed Bush. A rare event was the presence of a strong third-party candidate. Liberals launched a backlash against 12 years of a conservative White House. The chief factor was Clinton's uniting his party, and winning over a number of heterogeneous groups. Presidency (1993–2001) Clinton's \"third way\" of moderate liberalism built up the nation's fiscal health and put the nation on a firm footing abroad amid globalization and the development of anti-American terrorist organizations. During his presidency,Clinton advocated for a wide variety of legislation and programs, most of which were enacted into law or implemented by the executive branch. His policies, particularly theNorth American Free Trade","American Free Trade Agreementandwelfare reform, have been attributed to acentristThird Wayphilosophy of governance.His policy offiscal conservatismhelped to reduce deficits on budgetary matters.Clinton presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history. TheCongressional Budget Officereported budget surpluses of $69 billion in 1998, $126 billion in 1999, and $236 billion in 2000,during the last three years of Clinton's presidency.Over the years of the recorded surplus, the gross national debt rose each year. At the end of the fiscal year (September 30) for each of the years a surplus was recorded, the U.S. Treasury reported a gross debt of $5.413 trillion in 1997, $5.526 trillion in 1998, $5.656 trillion in 1999, and $5.674 trillion in 2000.Over the same period, the Office of Management and Budget reported an end of year (December 31) gross debt of $5.369 trillion in 1997, $5.478 trillion in 1998, $5.606 in 1999, and $5.629 trillion in 2000.At the end of his presidency, the","his presidency, the Clintons moved to 15 Old House Lane inChappaqua, New York, in order to quell political worries about his wife's residency for election as a U.S. Senator from New York. First term (1993–1997) \"Our democracy must be not only the envy of the world but the engine of our own renewal. There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.\" Inaugural address, January 20, 1993. Afterhis presidential transition, Clinton wasinauguratedas the 42nd president of the United States on January 20, 1993. Clinton was physically exhausted at the time, and had an inexperienced staff. His high levels of public support dropped in the first few weeks, as he made a series of mistakes. His first choice for attorney general had not paid her taxes on babysitters and was forced to withdraw. The second appointee also withdrew for the same reason. Clinton had repeatedly promised to encourage gays in the military service, despite what he knew to be the strong opposition of the military","of the military leadership. He tried anyway, and was publicly opposed by the top generals, and forced by Congress to a compromise position of \"Don't ask, don't tell\" whereby gays could serve if and only if they kept it secret.He devised a $16-billion stimulus package primarily to aid inner-city programs desired by liberals, but it was defeated by a Republican filibuster in the Senate.His popularity at the 100 day mark of his term was the lowest of any president at that point. Public opinion did support one liberal program, and Clinton signed theFamily and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which required large employers to allow employees to take unpaid leave for pregnancy or a serious medical condition. This action had bipartisan support,and was popular with the public. Two days after taking office, on January 22, 1993—the 20th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision inRoe v. Wade—Clinton reversed restrictions on domestic and internationalfamily planningprograms that had been imposed by Reagan and","by Reagan and Bush.Clinton said abortion should be kept \"safe, legal, and rare\"—a slogan that had been suggested by political scientistSamuel L. Popkinand first used by Clinton in December 1991, while campaigning.During the eight years of the Clinton administration, the abortion rate declined by 18 percent. On February 15, 1993, Clinton made his first address to the nation, announcing his plan to raise taxes to close abudget deficit.Two days later, in a nationally televised address to ajoint session of Congress, Clinton unveiled his economic plan. The plan focused on reducing the deficit rather than on cutting taxes for the middle class, which had been high on his campaign agenda.Clinton's advisers pressured him to raise taxes, based on the theory that a smaller federal budget deficit would reduce bond interest rates. President Clinton's attorney generalJanet Renoauthorized the FBI's use of armored vehicles to deploy tear gas into the buildings of the Branch Davidian community near Waco, Texas, in hopes of","Texas, in hopes of ending a51 day siege. During the operation on April 19, 1993, the buildings caught fire and 75 of the residents died, including 24 children. The raid had originally been planned by the Bush administration; Clinton had played no role. In August, Clinton signed theOmnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, which passed Congress without a Republican vote. It cut taxes for 15million low-income families, made tax cuts available to 90 percent of small businesses,and raised taxes on the wealthiest 1.2 percent of taxpayers. Additionally, it mandated that the budget be balanced over many years through the implementation of spending restraints. On September 22, 1993, Clinton made a major speech to Congress regardinga health care reform plan; the program aimed at achieving universal coverage through a national health care plan. This was one of the most prominent items on Clinton's legislative agenda and resulted from a task force headed by Hillary Clinton. The plan was well received in political","in political circles, but it was eventually doomed by well-organized lobby opposition from conservatives, theAmerican Medical Association, and the health insurance industry. However, Clinton biographerJohn F. Harrissaid the program failed because of a lack of coordination within the White House.Despite the Democratic majority in Congress, the effort to create a national health care system ultimately died when compromise legislation byGeorge J. Mitchellfailed to gain a majority of support in August 1994. The failure of the bill was the first major legislative defeat of the Clinton administration. On November 30, 1993, Clinton signed into law theBrady Bill, which mandated federalbackground checkson people who purchase firearms in the United States. The law also imposed a five-day waiting period on purchases, until theNICS systemwas implemented in 1998. He also expanded theEarned Income Tax Credit, a subsidy for low-income workers. In December of the same year, allegations by Arkansas state troopersLarry","state troopersLarry Pattersonand Roger Perry were first reported byDavid BrockinThe American Spectator.In the affair later known as \"Troopergate\", the officers alleged that they had arranged sexual liaisons for Clinton back when he was governor of Arkansas. The story mentioned a woman namedPaula, a reference toPaula Jones. Brock later apologized to Clinton, saying the article was politically motivated \"bad journalism\", and that \"the troopers were greedy and had slimy motives\". That month, Clinton implemented a Department of Defense directive known as \"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\", which allowed gay men and women to serve in the armed services provided they kept their sexual orientation a secret. The Act forbade the military from inquiring about an individual's sexual orientation.The policy was developed as a compromise after Clinton's proposal to allow gays to serve openly in the military met staunch opposition from prominent Congressional Republicans and Democrats, including senatorsJohn McCain(R-AZ) andSam","McCain(R-AZ) andSam Nunn(D-GA). According toDavid Mixner, Clinton's support for the compromise led to a heated dispute with Vice President Al Gore, who felt that \"the President should lift the ban ... even though was sure to be overridden by the Congress\".Some gay-rights advocates criticized Clinton for not going far enough and accused him of making his campaign promise to get votes and contributions.Their position was that Clinton should have integrated the military by executive order, noting that PresidentHarry S. Trumanused executive order to racially desegregate the armed forces. Clinton's defenders argued that an executive order might have prompted the Senate to write the exclusion of gays into law, potentially making it harder to integrate the military in the future.Later in his presidency, in 1999, Clinton criticized the way the policy was implemented, saying he did not think any serious person could say it was not \"out of whack\".The policy remained controversial, and was finallyrepealed in 2011,","in 2011, removing open sexual orientation as a reason for dismissal from the armed forces. On January 1, 1994, Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement into law.Throughout his first year in office, Clinton consistently supported ratification of the treaty by the U.S. Senate. Clinton and most of his allies in the Democratic Leadership Committee strongly supported free trade measures; there remained, however, strong disagreement within the party. Opposition came chiefly from anti-trade Republicans, protectionist Democrats and supporters of Ross Perot. The bill passed the house with 234 votes in favor and 200 votes opposed (132 Republicans and 102 Democrats in favor; 156 Democrats, 43 Republicans, and one independent opposed). The treaty was then ratified by the Senate and signed into law by the president. On July 29, 1994, the Clinton administration launched the first official White House website,whitehouse.gov.The site was followed with three more versions, with the final version being launched","being launched on July 21, 2000.The White House website was part of a wider movement of the Clinton administration toward web-based communication. According to Robert Longley, \"Clinton and Gore were responsible for pressing almost all federal agencies, the U.S. court system and the U.S. military onto the Internet, thus opening up America's government to more of America's citizens than ever before. On July 17, 1996, Clinton issued Executive Order 13011—Federal Information Technology, ordering the heads of all federal agencies to utilize information technology fully to make the information of the agency easily accessible to the public.\" TheOmnibus Crime Bill, which Clinton signed into law in September 1994,made many changes to U.S. crime and law enforcement legislation including the expansion of the death penalty to include crimes not resulting in death, such as running a large-scale drug enterprise. During Clinton's re-election campaign he said, \"My 1994 crime bill expanded the death penalty for drug","penalty for drug kingpins, murderers of federal law enforcement officers, and nearly 60 additional categories of violent felons.\"It also included a subsection ofassault weapons banfor a ten-year period. After two years of Democratic Party control, the Democrats lost control of Congress to the Republicans in themid-term elections in 1994, for the first time in forty years. A speech delivered by President Bill Clinton at the December 6, 1995White House Conferenceon HIV/AIDS projected that a cure for AIDS and a vaccine to prevent further infection would be developed. The President focused on his administration's accomplishments and efforts related to theepidemic, including an accelerated drug-approval process. He also condemnedhomophobiaand discrimination against people withHIV. Clinton announced three new initiatives: creating a special working group to coordinate AIDS research throughout thefederal government; convening public health experts to develop an action plan that integrates HIV prevention with","HIV prevention with substance abuse prevention; and launching a new effort by theDepartment of Justiceto ensure that health care facilities provide equal access to people with HIV and AIDS.1996 would mark the first year since the beginning of theHIV/AIDS epidemicthat the number of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses would decline, with the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) even later reporting a significant 47% decline in the number of AIDS-related deaths in 1997 compared to the previous year.Credit for this decline would be given to the growing effectiveness of new drug therapy which was promoted by the Clinton Administration's Department of Health and Human Services, such ashighly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART). On September 21, 1996, Clinton signed into law theDefense of Marriage Act(DOMA), which defined marriage for federal purposes as the legal union of one man and one woman; the legislation allowed individual states to refuse to recognize gay marriages that were performed in other","performed in other states.Paul Yandura, speaking for the White House gay and lesbian liaison office, said Clinton's signing DOMA \"was a political decision that they made at the time of a re-election\". In defense of his actions, Clinton has said that DOMA was intended to \"head off an attempt to send a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage to the states\", a possibility he described as highly likely in the context of a \"very reactionary Congress\".Administration spokesmanRichard Socaridessaid, \"the alternatives we knew were going to be far worse, and it was time to move on and get the president re-elected.\"Clinton himself said DOMA was something \"which the Republicans put on the ballot to try to get the base vote for Bush up, I think it's obvious that something had to be done to try to keep the Republican Congress from presenting that\";others were more critical. The veteran gay rights and gay marriage activistEvan Wolfsonhas called these claims \"historic revisionism\".Despite this, it has been noted that","has been noted that other than a brief written response to a Reader's Digest that questioned whether he agreed with it, Clinton had made no documented reference to the issue of gay marriage until May 1996.In a July 2, 2011, editorialThe New York Timesopined, \"The Defense of Marriage Act was enacted in 1996 as an election-year wedge issue, signed by President Bill Clinton in one of his worst policy moments.\"Ultimately, inUnited States v. Windsor, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down DOMA in June 2013. Despite DOMA, Clinton was the first president to select openly gay persons for administrative positions,and he is generally credited as being the first president to publicly champion gay rights.During his presidency, Clinton issued two substantially controversial executive orders on behalf of gay rights, the first lifting the ban on security clearances for LGBT federal employeesand the second outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation in the federal civilian workforce.Under Clinton's leadership, federal","leadership, federal funding for HIV/AIDS research, prevention and treatment more than doubled.Clinton also pushed for passing hate crimes laws for gays and for the private sectorEmployment Non-Discrimination Act, which, buoyed by his lobbying, failed to pass the Senate by a single vote in 1996.Advocacy for these issues, paired with the politically unpopular nature of the gay rights movement at the time, led to enthusiastic support for Clinton's election and reelection by theHuman Rights Campaign.Clinton came out for gay marriage in July 2009and urged the Supreme Court to overturn DOMA in 2013.He was later honored byGLAADfor his prior pro-gay stances and his reversal on DOMA. \"When I took office, only high energy physicists had ever heard of what is called the Worldwide Web ... Now evenmy cathas its own page.\" Bill Clinton's announcement ofNext Generation Internet initiative, October 1996. The1996 United States campaign finance controversywas an alleged effort byChinato influence the domestic policies of the","policies of the United States, before and during the Clinton administration, and involved the fundraising practices of the administration itself.Despite the evidence,theChinese governmentdenied all accusations. As part of a 1996 initiative to curbillegal immigration, Clinton signed theIllegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act(IIRIRA) on September 30, 1996. Appointed by Clinton,theU.S. Commission on Immigration Reformrecommended reducing legal immigration from about 800,000 people a year to about 550,000. In November 1996, Clinton narrowly escaped possible assassination in the Philippines,which was a bridge bomb planted byal-Qaedaand was masterminded byOsama bin Laden. During Clinton's presidency, the attempt remained top secret,and it remains classified as of March 2024, whenReutersreported having spoken with eight retired secret service agents about the incident. 1996 presidential campaign In the1996 presidential election, Clinton was re-elected, receiving 49.2 percent of the popular vote","of the popular vote over RepublicanBob Dole(40.7 percent of the popular vote) andReformcandidate Ross Perot (8.4 percent of the popular vote). Clinton received 379 of theElectoral Collegevotes, with Dole receiving 159 electoral votes. With his victory, he became the first Democrat to win two consecutive presidential elections sinceFranklin D. Roosevelt. Second term (1997–2001) In the January 1997, State of the Union address, Clinton proposed a new initiative to provide health coverage to up to five million children. SenatorsTed Kennedy—a Democrat—andOrrin Hatch—a Republican—teamed up with Hillary Rodham Clinton and her staff in 1997, and succeeded in passing legislation forming theState Children's Health Insurance Program(SCHIP), the largest (successful) health care reform in the years of the Clinton Presidency. That year, Hillary Clinton shepherded through Congress theAdoption and Safe Families Actand two years later she succeeded in helping pass theFoster Care Independence Act. Bill Clinton negotiated the","negotiated the passage of theBalanced Budget Act of 1997by the Republican Congress. In October 1997, he announced he was getting hearing aids, due to hearing loss attributed to his age, and his time spent as a musician in his youth.In 1999, he signed into law the Financial Services Modernization Act also known as theGramm–Leach–Bliley Act, which repealed the part of theGlass–Steagall Actthat had prohibited a bank from offering a full range ofinvestment,commercial banking, and insurance services since its enactment in 1933. Investigations In November 1993,David Hale—the source of criminal allegations against Bill Clinton in the Whitewater controversy—alleged that while governor of Arkansas, Clinton pressured Hale to provide an illegal $300,000 loan to Susan McDougal, the Clintons' partner in the Whitewater land deal.AU.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioninvestigation resulted in convictions against the McDougals for their role in the Whitewater project, but the Clintons themselves were never charged, and","never charged, and Clinton maintains his and his wife's innocence in the affair.Investigations byRobert B. FiskeandKen Starrfound insufficient to evidence to prosecute the Clintons. TheWhite House FBI files controversyof June 1996 arose concerning improper access by the White House toFBIsecurity-clearance documents. Craig Livingstone, head of the White House Office of Personnel Security, improperly requested, and received from the FBI, background report files without asking permission of the subject individuals; many of these were employees of former Republican administrations.In March 2000, Independent CounselRobert Raydetermined there was no credible evidence of any crime. Ray's report further stated, \"there was no substantial and credible evidence that any senior White House official was involved\" in seeking the files. On May 19, 1993, Clinton fired seven employees of the White House Travel Office. This caused theWhite House travel office controversyeven though the travel office staff served at the","staff served at the pleasure of the president and could bedismissed without cause. The White House responded to the controversy by claiming that the firings were done in response to financial improprieties that had been revealed by a brief FBI investigation.Critics contended that the firings had been done to allow friends of the Clintons to take over the travel business and the involvement of the FBI was unwarranted.The House Government Reform and Oversight Committee issued a report which accused the Clinton administration of having obstructed their efforts to investigate the affair.Special counsel Robert Fiske said that Hillary Clinton was involved in the firing and gave \"factually false\" testimony to the GAO, congress, and the independent counsel. However Fiske said there was not enough evidence to prosecute. Impeachment and acquittal Aftera House inquiry, Clinton wasimpeachedon December 19, 1998, by the House of Representatives. The House voted 228–206 to impeach him for perjury to agrand juryand voted","juryand voted 221–212 to impeach him for obstruction of justice.Clinton was only the second U.S. president (the first beingAndrew Johnson) to be impeached.Impeachment proceedings were based on allegations that Clinton had illegally lied about and covered up his relationship with 22-year-old White House (and laterDepartment of Defense) employeeMonica Lewinsky.After theStarr Reportwas submitted to the House providing what it termed \"substantial and credible information that President Clinton Committed Acts that May Constitute Grounds for an Impeachment\",the House began impeachment hearings against Clinton before themid-term elections. To hold impeachment proceedings, Republican leadership called alame-duck sessionin December 1998. While theHouse Judiciary Committeehearings ended in a straight party-line vote, there was lively debate on the House floor. The two charges passed in the House (largely with Republican support, but with a handful of Democratic votes as well) were for perjury and obstruction of","and obstruction of justice. The perjury charge arose from Clinton's testimony before a grand jury that had been convened to investigate perjury he may have committed in his sworn deposition duringJones v. Clinton,Paula Jones's sexual harassment lawsuit.The obstruction charge was based on his actions to conceal his relationship with Lewinsky before and after that deposition. The Senate later acquitted Clinton of both charges.The Senate refused to meet to hold an impeachment trial before the end of the old term, so the trial was held over until the next Congress. Clinton was represented by Washington law firmWilliams & Connolly.The Senate finished a twenty-one-day trial on February 12, 1999, with the vote of 55 not guilty/45 guilty on the perjury chargeand 50 not guilty/50 guilty on the obstruction of justice charge.Both votes fell short of the constitutional two-thirds majority requirement to convict and remove an officeholder. The final vote was generally along party lines, with no Democrats voting guilty,","voting guilty, and only a handful of Republicans voting not guilty. On January 19, 2001, Clinton's law license was suspended for five years after he acknowledged to an Arkansas circuit court he had engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice in theJonescase. Pardons and commutations Clintonissued141 pardons and 36 commutations on his last day in office on January 20, 2001.Controversy surroundedMarc Richand allegations that Hillary Clinton's brother,Hugh Rodham, accepted payments in return for influencing the president's decision-making regarding the pardons.Federal prosecutorMary Jo Whitewas appointed to investigate the pardon of Rich. She was later replaced by then-RepublicanJames Comey. The investigation found no wrongdoing on Clinton's part.Clinton also pardoned four defendants in theWhitewater Scandal,Chris Wade,Susan McDougal,Stephen Smith, andRobert W. Palmer, all of whom had ties to Clinton when he was governor of Arkansas.Former ClintonHUD SecretaryHenry Cisneros, who pleaded","who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, was also among Clinton's pardons. Campaign finance controversies In February 1997 it was discovered upon documents being released by theClinton Administrationthat 938 people had stayed at the White House and that 821 of them had made donations to theDemocratic Partyand got the opportunity to stay in the Lincoln bedroom as a result of the donations.Some donors includedSteven Spielberg,Tom Hanks,Jane Fonda, andJudy Collins. Top donors also got golf games and morning jogs with Clinton as a result of the contributions.Janet Renowas called on to investigate the matter byTrent Lott, but she refused. In 1996, it was found that several Chinese foreigners made contributions to Clinton's reelection campaign and theDemocratic National Committeewith the backing of the People's Republic of China. Some of them also attempted to donate to Clinton's defense fund.This violated United States law forbidding non-American citizens from making campaign contributions. Clinton andAl Gorealso","andAl Gorealso allegedly met with the foreign donors.A Republican investigation led byFred Thompsonfound that Clinton was targeted by the Chinese government. However, Democratic senatorsJoe LiebermanandJohn Glennsaid that the evidence showed that China only targeted congressional elections and not presidential elections. Military and foreign affairs Somalia American troops had first enteredSomaliaduring theBush administrationin response to a humanitarian crisis andcivil war. Though initially involved to assist humanitarian efforts, the Clinton administration shifted the objectives set out in the mission and began pursuing a policy of attempting to neutralize Somali warlords. In 1993, during theBattle of Mogadishu,two U.S. helicopterswere shot down byrocket-propelled grenadeattacks to theirtail rotors, trapping soldiers behind enemy lines. This resulted in an urban battle that killed 18 American soldiers, wounded 73 others, and resulted in one being taken prisoner.Television news programs depicted the","depicted the supporters of warlordMohammed Aididdesecrating the corpses of troops.The backlash resulting from the incident prompted in a drop in support for American intervention in the country and coincided with a more cautious use of troops throughout the rest of the Clinton administration.Following a subsequent national security policy review, U.S. forces were withdrawn from Somalia and later conflicts were approached with fewer soldiers on the ground. Rwanda In April 1994,genocidebroke out inRwanda. Intelligence reports indicate that Clinton was aware a \"final solution to eliminate allTutsis\" was underway, long before the administration publicly used the word \"genocide\".Fearing a reprisal of the events in Somalia the previous year, Clinton chose not to intervene.Clinton has called his failure to intervene one of his main foreign policy failings, saying \"I don't think we could have ended the violence, but I think we could have cut it down. And I regret it.\" Bosnia and Herzegovina In 1993 and 1994, Clinton","and 1994, Clinton pressured Western European leaders to adopt a strong military policy againstBosnian Serbsduring theBosnian War. This strategy faced staunch opposition from theUnited Nations,NATOallies, and Congressional Republicans, leading Clinton to adopt a more diplomatic approach.In 1995, U.S. and NATO aircraftbombed Bosnian Serb targetsto halt attacks on UN safe zones and pressure them into a peace accord that would end theBosnian war. Clinton deployed U.S. peacekeepers to Bosnia in late 1995, to uphold the subsequentDayton Agreement. Irish peace talks In 1992, before his presidency, Clinton proposed sending a peace envoy toNorthern Ireland, but this was dropped to avoid tensions with the British government. In November 1995, in a ceasefire duringthe Troubles, Clinton became the first president to visit Northern Ireland, examining both of the two divided communities ofBelfast.Despiteunionistcriticism, Clinton used his visit as a way to negotiate an end to the violent conflict, playing a key role in","a key role in thepeace talksthat produced theGood Friday Agreementin 1998. Iran Clinton sought to continue the Bush administration's policy of limiting Iranian influence in the Middle East, which he laid out in thedual containmentstrategy. In 1994, Clinton declared that Iran was a \"state sponsor of terrorism\" and a \"rogue state\", marking the first time that an American President used that term.Subsequent executive orders heavily sanctioned Iran's oil industry and banned almost all trade between U.S. companies and the Iranian government. In February 1996, the Clinton administration agreed to pay Iran US$131.8million (equivalent to $256.05 million in 2023) in settlement to discontinue a case brought by Iran in 1989 against the U.S. in theInternational Court of Justiceafter the shooting down ofIran Air Flight 655by the U.S. Navyguided missile cruiser. Iraq In Clinton's1998 State of the Union Address, he warned Congress that Iraqi dictatorSaddam Husseinwas building an arsenal of chemical, biological and nuclear","and nuclear weapons. Clinton signed theIraq Liberation Act of 1998on October 31, 1998, which instituted a policy of \"regime change\" against Iraq, though it explicitly stated it did not provide for direct intervention on the part of American military forces.The administration then launched a four-day bombing campaign namedOperation Desert Fox, lasting from December 16 to 19, 1998. At the end of this operation Clinton announced that \"So long as Saddam remains in power, he will remain a threat to his people, his region, and the world. With our allies, we must pursue a strategy to contain him and to constrain his weapons of mass destruction program, while working toward the day Iraq has a government willing to live at peace with its people and with its neighbors.\"American and British aircraft in the Iraq no-fly zones attacked hostile Iraqi air defenses 166 times in 1999 and 78 times in 2000. Osama bin Laden Capturing Osama bin Laden was an objective of the U.S. government during the Clinton presidency (and","presidency (and continued to be untilbin Laden's death in 2011).Despite claims byMansoor Ijazand Sudanese officials that the Sudanese government had offered to arrest and extradite bin Laden, and that U.S. authorities rejected each offer,the9/11 Commission Reportstated that \"we have not found any reliable evidence to support the Sudanese claim\". In response to a 1996 State Department warning about bin Ladenand the1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africaby al-Qaeda (which killed 224 people, including 12 Americans), Clinton ordered several military missions to capture or kill bin Laden, all of which were unsuccessful. In August 1998, Clintonordered cruise missile strikes on terrorist targets in Afghanistan and Sudan, targeting theAl-Shifa pharmaceutical factoryin Sudan, which was suspected of assisting bin Laden in making chemical weapons, and bin Laden's terrorist training camps in Afghanistan. The factory was destroyed by the attack, resulting in the death of one employee and the wounding of 11 other","of 11 other people.After the destruction of the factory, there was a medicine shortage in Sudan due to the plant providing 50 percent of Sudan's medicine, and the destruction of the plant led to a shortage of chloroquine, a drug which is used to treat malaria.U.S. officials later acknowledged that there was no evidence the plant was acknowledging manufacturing or storing nerve gas.The attack provoked criticism of Clinton from journalists and academics includingChristopher Hitchens,Seymour Hersh,Max Taylor,and others. Kosovo In the midst of a brutal crackdown onethnic Albanian separatistsin the province ofKosovoby theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia, Clinton authorized the use of U.S. Armed Forces in a NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia in 1999, namedOperation Allied Force.The stated reasoning behind the intervention was to stop theethnic cleansing(and what the Clinton administration labeledgenocide)of Albanians by Yugoslav anti-guerilla military units. GeneralWesley ClarkwasSupreme Allied Commander of","Allied Commander of NATOand oversaw the mission. WithUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, the bombing campaign ended on June 10, 1999. The resolution placed Kosovo under UN administration and authorized apeacekeeping forceto be deployed to the region.NATO announced its soldiers all survived combat,though two died in anApache helicoptercrash.Journalists in the popular press criticized genocide statements by the Clinton administration as false and greatly exaggerated.Prior to the bombing campaign on March 24, 1999, estimates showed that the number of civilians killed in the over year longconflict in Kosovohad been approximately 1,800, with critics asserting that little or no evidence existed of genocide.In a post-war inquiry, theOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europenoted \"the patterns of the expulsions and the vast increase in lootings, killings, rape, kidnappings and pillage once the NATO air war began on March 24.\"In 2001, theUN-supervisedSupreme Court of Kosovoruled that genocide","that genocide (theintent to destroya people) did not take place, but recognized \"a systematic campaign of terror, including murders, rapes, arsons and severe maltreatments\" with the intention being the forceful departure of the Albanian population.The term \"ethnic cleansing\" was used as an alternative to \"genocide\" to denote not just ethnically motivated murder but also displacement, though critics charge there is little difference.Slobodan Milošević, the president of Yugoslavia at the time of the atrocities, waseventually brought to trialbefore theInternational Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslaviainthe Hagueon charges includingcrimes against humanityand war crimes for his role in the war.He died in 2006, before the completion of the trial. China Clinton aimed to increase trade with China, minimizing import tariffs and offering the countrymost favoured nationstatus in 1993, his administration minimized tariff levels in Chinese imports. Clinton initially conditioned extension of this status onhuman","this status onhuman rightsreforms, but ultimately decided to extend the status despite a lack of reform in the specified areas, including free emigration, treatment of prisoners in terms of international human rights, and observation of human rights specified by UN resolutions, among others. Relations were damaged briefly by theAmerican bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgradein May 1999. Clinton apologized for the bombing, stating it was accidental. On October 10, 2000, Clinton signed into law theUnited States–China Relations Act of 2000, which grantedpermanent normal trade relations(PNTR) trade status to China.The president asserted that free trade would gradually open China to democratic reform. In encouraging Congress to approve the agreement and China's accession to theWorld Trade Organization(WTO), Clinton stated that more trade with China would advance America's economic interests, saying that \"economically, this agreement is the equivalent of a one-way street. It requires China to open its","China to open its markets—with a fifth of the world's population, potentially the biggest markets in the world—to both our products and services in unprecedented new ways.\" Israeli-Palestinian conflict Clinton attempted to end theIsraeli–Palestinian conflict. Secret negotiations mediated by Clinton between Israeli Prime MinisterYitzhak RabinandPalestine Liberation Organization(PLO) ChairmanYasser Arafatled to a historic declaration of peace in September 1993, called theOslo Accords, which were signed at the White House on September 13. The agreement led to theIsrael–Jordan peace treatyin 1994 and theWye River Memorandumin October 1998, however, this did not end the conflict. He brought Israeli prime ministerEhud Barakand Palestinian Authority chairmanYasser Arafattogether atCamp Davidfor the2000 Camp David Summit, which lasted 14 days in July.Following another attempt in December 2000 atBolling Air Force Base, in which the president offered theClinton Parameters, the situation broke down completely after the","after the end of theTaba Summitand with the start of theSecond Intifada. Judicial appointments Clinton appointed two justices to theSupreme Court:Ruth Bader Ginsburgin 1993andStephen Breyerin 1994.Both justices went on to serve until the 2020s, leaving a lasting judicial legacy for President Clinton. Clinton was the first president in history to appoint more women and minority judges than white male judges to the federal courts.In his eight years in office, 11.6% of Clinton's court of appeals nominees and 17.4% of his district court nominees were black; 32.8% of his court of appeals nominees and 28.5% of his district court nominees were women. Public opinion Throughout Clinton's first term, his job approval rating fluctuated in the 40s and 50s. In his second term, his rating consistently ranged from the high-50s to the high-60s.After his impeachment proceedings in 1998 and 1999, Clinton's rating reached its highest point.According to aCBS News/New York Timespoll, Clinton left office with an approval rating","an approval rating of 68 percent, which matched those of Ronald Reagan and Franklin D. Roosevelt as the highest ratings for departing presidents in the modern era.Clinton's averageGallup pollapproval rating for his last quarter in office was 61 percent, the highest final quarter rating any president has received for fifty years.Forty-seven percent of the respondents identified themselves as being Clinton supporters. As he was leaving office, a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll revealed that 45 percent of Americans said they would miss him; 55 percent thought he \"would have something worthwhile to contribute and should remain active in public life\"; 68 percent thought he would be remembered more for his \"involvement in personal scandal\" than for \"his accomplishments\"; and 58 percent answered \"No\" to the question \"Do you generally think Bill Clinton is honest and trustworthy?\"The same percentage said he would be remembered as either \"outstanding\" or \"above average\" as a president, while 22 percent said he would be","said he would be remembered as \"below average\" or \"poor\".ABC Newscharacterized public consensus on Clinton as, \"You can't trust him, he's got weak morals and ethics—and he's done a heck of a good job.\" In May 2006, a CNN poll comparing Clinton's job performance with that of his successor, George W. Bush, found that a strong majority of respondents said Clinton outperformed Bush in six different areas questioned.Gallup polls in 2007 and 2011 showed that Clinton was regarded by 13 percent of Americans as the greatest president in U.S. history. In 2014, 18 percent of respondents in aQuinnipiac University Polling Institutepoll of American voters regarded Clinton as the best president since World War II, making him the third most popular among postwar presidents, behind John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.The same poll showed that just 3 percent of American voters regarded Clinton as the worst president since World War II. A 2015 poll byThe Washington Postasked 162 scholars of theAmerican Political Science","Political Science Associationto rank all the U.S. presidents in order of greatness. According to their findings, Clinton ranked eighth overall, with a rating of 70 percent. Public image Clinton was the firstbaby boomerpresident.Authors Martin Walker andBob Woodwardstated that Clinton's innovative use ofsound bite-ready dialogue, personal charisma, and public perception-oriented campaigning were a major factor in his high public approval ratings.When Clinton played the saxophone onThe Arsenio Hall Show, he was described by some religious conservatives as \"the MTV president\".Opponents sometimes referred to him as \"Slick Willie\", a nickname which was first applied to him in 1980 byPine Bluff CommercialjournalistPaul Greenberg;Greenberg believed that Clinton was abandoning the progressive policies of previous Arkansas Governors such asWinthrop Rockefeller,Dale BumpersandDavid Pryor.The claim \"Slick Willie\" would last throughout his presidency.His folksy manner led him to benicknamedBubbastarting from the 1992","from the 1992 presidential election.Since 2000, he has frequently been referred to as \"The Big Dog\" or \"Big Dog\".His prominent role in campaigning for Obama during the2012 presidential electionand his widely publicized speech at the2012 Democratic National Convention, where he officially nominated Obama and criticized Republican nomineeMitt Romneyand Republican policies in detail, earned him the nickname \"Explainer-in-Chief\". Clinton drew strong support from the African American community and insisted that the improvement of race relations would be a major theme of his presidency.In 1998,NobellaureateToni Morrisoncalled Clinton \"the first black president\", saying, \"Clinton displays almost every trope of blackness: single-parent household, born poor, working-class, saxophone-playing,McDonald's-and-junk-food-loving boy from Arkansas\".Morrison noted that Clinton's sex life was scrutinized more than his career accomplishments, and she compared this to the stereotyping anddouble standardsthat, she said, black","she said, black people typically endure.Many viewed this comparison as unfair and disparaging both to Clinton and to the African-American community. Sexual assault and misconduct allegations Several women have publicly accused Clinton of sexual misconduct, including rape, harassment, and sexual assault. Additionally, some commentators have characterized Clinton's sexual relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky as predatory or non-consensual, despite the fact that Lewinsky called the relationship consensual at the time. These allegations have been revisited and lent more credence in 2018, in light of the#MeToo movement, with many commentators and Democratic leaders now saying Clinton should have been compelled to resign after the Lewinsky affair. In 1994,Paula Jonesinitiated asexual harassment lawsuitagainst Clinton, claiming he had made unwanted advances towards her in 1991; Clinton denied the allegations. In April 1998, the case was initially dismissed by JudgeSusan Webber Wrighton the","Webber Wrighton the grounds that it lacked legal merit.Jones appealed Webber Wright's ruling, and her suit gained traction following Clinton's admission to having an affair with Monica Lewinsky in August 1998.In 1998, lawyers for Paula Jones released court documents that alleged a pattern of sexual harassment by Clinton when he was Governor of Arkansas.Robert S. Bennett, Clinton's main lawyer for the case, called the filing \"a pack of lies\" and \"an organized campaign to smear the President of the United States\" funded by Clinton's political enemies.In October 1998, Clinton's attorneys tentatively offered $700,000 to settle the case, which was then the $800,000 which Jones' lawyers sought.Clinton later agreed to an out-of-court settlement and paid Jones $850,000.Bennett said the president made the settlement only so he could end the lawsuit for good and move on with his life.During the deposition for the Jones lawsuit, which was held at the White House,Clintondenied having sexual relationswith Monica","Monica Lewinsky—a denial that became the basis for an impeachment charge of perjury. In 1998,Kathleen Willeyalleged that Clinton hadgropedher in a hallway in 1993. An independent counsel determined Willey gave \"false information\" to the FBI, inconsistent with sworn testimony related to the Jones allegation.On March 19, 1998, Julie Hiatt Steele, a friend of Willey, released anaffidavit, accusing the former White House aide of asking her to lie to corroborate Ms. Willey's account of being sexually groped by Clinton in the Oval Office.An attempt by Kenneth Starr to prosecute Steele for making false statements and obstructing justice ended in a mistrial and Starr declined to seek a retrial after Steele sought an investigation against the former independent counsel for prosecutorial misconduct. Also in 1998,Juanita Broaddrickalleged that Clinton had raped her in the spring of 1978, although she said she did not remember the exact date.To support her charge, Broaddrick notes that she told multiple witnesses in","witnesses in 1978 she had been raped by Clinton, something these witnesses also state in interviews to the press.Broaddrick had earlier filed an affidavit denying any \"unwelcome sexual advances\" and later repeated the denial in a sworn deposition.In a 1998 NBC interview wherein she detailed the alleged rape, Broaddrick said she had denied (under oath) being raped only to avoid testifying about the ordeal publicly. The Lewinsky scandal has had an enduring impact on Clinton's legacy, beyond his impeachment in 1998.In the wake of the #MeToo movement (which shed light on the widespread prevalence ofsexual assaultandharassment, especially in the workplace), various commentators and Democratic political leaders, as well as Lewinsky herself, have revisited their view that the Lewinsky affair was consensual, and instead characterized it as an abuse of power or harassment, in light of the power differential between a president and a 22-year-old intern. In 2018, Clinton was asked in several interviews about whether he","about whether he should have resigned, and he said he had made the right decision in not resigning.During the2018 Congressional elections,The New York Timesalleged that having no Democratic candidate for office asking Clinton to campaign with them was a change that attributed to the revised understanding of the Lewinsky scandal.However, former DNC interim chairDonna Brazilepreviously urged Clinton in November 2017 to campaign during the 2018 midterm elections, in spite of New York U.S. senatorKirsten Gillibrand's recent criticism of the Lewinsky scandal. Alleged affairs Clinton admitted to having extramarital affairs with singerGennifer FlowersandMonica Lewinsky.ActressElizabeth Gracen,Miss Arkansas winnerSally Perdue,and Dolly Kyle Browningall claimed that they had affairs with Clinton during his time as governor of Arkansas. Browning later sued Clinton,Bruce Lindsey,Robert S. Bennett, andJane Mayer, alleging they engaged in a conspiracy to attempt to block her from publishing a book loosely based on her","based on her relationship with Clinton and tried to defame him. However, Browning's lawsuit was dismissed. Post-presidency (2001–present) Activities until 2008 campaign In 2002, Clinton warned that pre-emptive military action against Iraq would have unwelcome consequences,and later claimed to have opposed the Iraq War from the start (though some dispute this).In 2005, Clinton criticized the Bush administration for its handling of emissions control, while speaking at theUnited Nations Climate Change conferencein Montreal. TheWilliam J. Clinton Presidential Center and ParkinLittle Rock, Arkansas, was dedicated in 2004.Clinton released a best-selling autobiography,My Life, in 2004.In 2007, he releasedGiving: How Each of Us Can Change the World, which also became aNew York TimesBest Sellerand garnered positive reviews. In the aftermath of the2004 Asian tsunami,U.N. secretary-generalKofi Annanappointed Clinton to head a relief effort.AfterHurricane Katrina, Clinton joined with fellow former president George H. W.","George H. W. Bush to establish the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Fund in January 2005, and the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund in October of that year.As part of the tsunami effort, these two ex-presidents appeared in aSuper Bowl XXXIXpre-game show,and traveled to the affected areas.They also spoke together at the funeral ofBoris Yeltsinin April 2007. Based on his philanthropic worldview,Clinton created theWilliam J. Clinton Foundationto address issues of global importance. This foundation includes the Clinton Foundation HIV and AIDS Initiative (CHAI), which strives to combat that disease, and has worked with the Australian government toward that end. TheClinton Global Initiative(CGI), begun by the Clinton Foundation in 2005, attempts to address world problems such as globalpublic health, poverty alleviation and religious andethnic conflict.In 2005, Clinton announced through his foundation an agreement with manufacturers to stop selling sugary drinks in schools.Clinton's foundation joined with theLarge Cities Climate","Cities Climate Leadership Groupin 2006 to improve cooperation among those cities, and he met with foreign leaders to promote this initiative.The foundation has received donations from many governments all over the world, including Asia and the Middle East.In 2008, Foundation directorInder Singhannounced deals to reduce the price of anti-malaria drugs by 30 percent in developing nations.Clinton also spoke in favor ofCalifornia Proposition 87onalternative energy, which was voted down. 2008 presidential election During the2008 Democratic presidential primary campaign, Clinton vigorously advocated on behalf of his wife, Hillary. Through speaking engagements and fundraisers, he was able to raise $10 million toward her campaign.Some worried that as an ex-president, he was too active on the trail, too negative to Clinton rivalBarack Obama, and alienating his supporters at home and abroad.Many were especially critical of him following his remarks in the South Carolina primary, which Obama won. Later in the 2008","Later in the 2008 primaries, there was some infighting between Bill and Hillary's staffs, especially in Pennsylvania.Considering Bill's remarks, many thought he could not rally Hillary supporters behind Obama after Obama won the primary.Such remarks led to apprehension that the party would be split to the detriment of Obama's election. Fears were allayed August 27, 2008, when Clinton enthusiastically endorsed Obama at the2008 Democratic National Convention, saying all his experience as president assures him that Obama is \"ready to lead\".After Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign was over, Bill Clinton continued to raise funds to help pay off her campaign debt. After the 2008 election In 2009, Clinton travelled to North Korea on behalf of two American journalistsimprisonedthere.Euna LeeandLaura Linghad been imprisoned for illegally entering the country from China.Jimmy Carterhad made a similar visit in 1994.After Clinton met with North Korean leaderKim Jong-il, Kim issued a pardon. Since then, Clinton has","then, Clinton has been assigned many other diplomatic missions. He was named United NationsSpecial Envoyto Haiti in 2009 following a series of hurricanes which caused $1 billion in damages.Clinton organized a conference with the Inter-American Development Bank, where a new industrial park was discussed in an effort to \"build back better\".In response to the2010 Haiti earthquake, U.S. president Barack Obama announced that Clinton and George W. Bush would coordinate efforts to raise funds for Haiti's recovery.Funds began pouring into Haiti, which led to funding becoming available for Caracol Industrial Park in a part of the country unaffected by the earthquake. While Hillary Clinton was in South Korea, she andCheryl Millsworked to convince SAE-A, a large apparel subcontractor, to invest in Haiti despite the company's deep concerns about plans to raise the minimum wage. In the summer of 2010, the South Korean company signed a contract at the U.S. State Department, ensuring that the new industrial park would have","park would have a key tenant.In 2010, Clinton announced support of, and delivered the keynote address for, the inauguration ofNTR, Ireland's first environmental foundation.At the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Clinton gave a widely praised speech nominating Barack Obama. 2016 presidential election and after During the2016 presidential election, Clinton again encouraged voters to support Hillary, and made appearances speaking on the campaign trail.In a series of tweets, then-President-electDonald Trumpcriticized his ability to get people out to vote.Clinton served as a member of the electoral college for the state of New York. He voted for the Democratic ticket consisting of his wife Hillary and her running-mateTim Kaine. On September 7, 2017, Clinton partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama to work withOne America Appealto help the victims ofHurricane HarveyandHurricane Irmain theGulf CoastandTexascommunities. In2020, Clinton again served as a","again served as a member of the United States Electoral College from New York, casting his vote for the successful Democratic ticket ofJoe BidenandKamala Harris. Citizen: My Life After the White House,his autobiography about his life after his presidency, will be released in November 19, 2024. Post-presidential health concerns In September 2004, Clinton underwent quadruple bypass surgery.In March 2005, he again underwent surgery, this time for a partially collapsed lung.On February 11, 2010, he was rushed toNew York-Presbyterian/Columbia Hospitalin Manhattan after complaining of chest pains, and he had twocoronary stentsimplanted in his heart.After this procedure, Clinton adopted a plant-based whole foods (vegan) diet, which had been recommended by doctorsDean OrnishandCaldwell Esselstyn.He has since incorporated fish and lean animal flesh at the suggestion ofMark Hyman, a proponent of thepseudoscientificethos offunctional medicine.As a result, he is no longer a strict vegan. In October 2021, Clinton was","2021, Clinton was treated forsepsisat theUniversity of California, Irvine Medical Center.In December 2022, Clinton tested positive forCOVID-19. Wealth The Clintons incurred several million dollars in legal bills during his presidency, which were paid off four years after he left office.Bill and Hillary Clinton have each earned millions of dollars from book publishing.In 2016,Forbesreported Bill and Hillary Clinton made about $240million in the 15years from January 2001, to December 2015, (mostly from paid speeches, business consulting and book-writing).Also in 2016,CNNreported the Clintons combined to receive more than $153million in paid speeches from 2001 until spring 2015.In May 2015,The Hillreported that Bill and Hillary Clinton have made more than $25million in speaking fees since the start of 2014, and that Hillary Clinton also made $5million or more from her book,Hard Choices, during the same time period.In July 2014,The Wall Street Journalreported that at the end of 2012, the Clintons were worth","Clintons were worth between $5million and $25.5million, and that in 2012 (the last year they were required to disclose the information) the Clintons made between $16 and $17million, mostly from speaking fees earned by the former president.Clinton earned more than $104million from paid speeches between 2001 and 2012.In June 2014, ABC News andThe Washington Postreported that Bill Clinton has made more than $100million giving paid speeches since leaving public office, and in 2008,The New York Timesreported that the Clintons' income tax returnsshow they made $109million in the eight years from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2007, including almost $92million from his speaking and book-writing. Bill Clinton has given dozens of paid speeches each year since leaving office in 2001, mostly to corporations and philanthropic groups in North America and Europe; he often earned $100,000 to $300,000 per speech.Russian investment bank with ties to the Kremlin paid Clinton $500,000 for a speech inMoscow.Hillary Clinton","Clinton said she and Bill came out of the White House financially \"broke\" and in debt, especially due to large legal fees incurred during their years in the White House. \"We had no money when we got there, and we struggled to, you know, piece together the resources for mortgages, for houses, for Chelsea's education\". She added, \"Bill has worked really hard ... we had to pay off all our debts ... he had to make double the money because of, obviously, taxes; and then pay off the debts, and get us houses, and take care of family members\". Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein In the early 2000s, Clinton took flights onJeffrey Epstein's private jet in connection with Clinton Foundation work.According to Epstein's attorneyGerald B. Lefcourt, Epstein was \"part of the original group that conceived of theClinton Global Initiative\".In 2002, a spokesperson for Clinton praised Epstein as \"a committed philanthropist\" with \"insights and generosity\".While Clinton was president, Epstein visited the White House at least 17","House at least 17 times between 1993 and 1995.Years later, Epstein was convicted on sex trafficking charges. Clinton's office released a statement in 2019 saying, \"President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York. In 2002 and 2003, President Clinton took four trips on Jeffrey Epstein's airplane: one to Europe, one to Asia, and two to Africa, which included stops in connection with the work of the Clinton Foundation. Staff, supporters of the Foundation, and his Secret Service detail traveled on every leg of every trip. He's not spoken to Epstein in well over a decade.\" However, later reports showed that Clinton had flown on Epstein's plane 26 times.In another statement Clinton said \"one meeting with Epstein in his Harlem office in 2002, and around the same time made one brief visit to Epstein's New York apartment with a staff member and his security detail\". In July 2019 it was","In July 2019 it was reported that Clinton attended a dinner with Epstein in 1995, a meeting with Epstein that Clinton had not previously disclosed. Clinton reportedly used Epstein's private jet to visitLittle St. James Island, where Epstein resided,on multiple occasions between 2002 and 2005.Virginia Roberts, later known as Virginia Giuffre, says in a lawsuit that while working atDonald Trump'sMar-a-Lagoresortshe was lured into asex-traffickingring run by Epstein and while traveling with Epstein she saw Clinton on the island.In a 2011 conversation with her lawyers, Roberts stated that Clinton traveled to Epstein's retreat on Little St. James in 2002.According to Roberts, Epstein told her that Clinton \"owes me favors\" when she asked what he was doing there.She also reportedly claimed that Epstein and Clinton had dined in the presence of two girls aged approximately seventeen whom she believed Epstein had invited to have sex with Clinton, but that Clinton showed no interest in them.AFreedom of Information","of Information Actrequest forUnited States Secret Servicerecords of visits Clinton may have made to Little St. James produced no such evidence.According to Epstein's flight logs, Clinton never flew near the U.S. Virgin Islands.In July 2019, a Clinton spokesperson issued a statement saying Clinton never visited the island.When he was personally asked by a journalist about his ties with Epstein in a rally inLaredo, Texasin November 2022, Clinton said \"I think the evidence is clear\".According to former Clinton aide,Doug Band, Clinton visited Epstein's island in January 2003.In 2024, unsealed court documents revealed allegations that Clinton had visited the offices ofVanity Fairand 'threatened' the paper not to print stories about Epstein's sexual trafficking. FormerVanity FaireditorGraydon Carterdenied the incident ever took place. Personal life At the age of 10, he was baptized at Park PlaceBaptistChurch inHot Springs, Arkansas.When he became president in 1993, he became a member ofFoundry United Methodist","United Methodist ChurchinWashington, D.C.with his wife, aMethodist. On October 11, 1975, inFayetteville, Arkansas, he marriedHillary Rodham, whom he met while studying atYale University. They hadChelsea Clinton, their only child, on February 27, 1980.He is the maternal grandfather to Chelsea's three children. Accolades Various colleges and universities have awarded Clinton honorary degrees, includingDoctorate of LawdegreesandDoctor of Humane Lettersdegrees.He received an honorary degree from Georgetown University, his alma mater, and was the commencement speaker in 1980.He is an honorary fellow of University College, Oxford, which he attended as aRhodes Scholar, although he did not complete his studies there.Schools have been named for Clinton,and statues have been built to pay him homage.U.S. states where he has been honored include Missouri,Arkansas,Kentucky,and New York.He was presented with theMedal for Distinguished Public ServicebySecretary of DefenseWilliam Cohenin 2001.TheClinton Presidential","Presidential Centerwas opened in Little Rock, Arkansas, in his honor on December 5, 2001. Clinton has been honored in various other ways, in countries that include the Czech Republic,Papua New Guinea,Germany,and Kosovo.The Republic of Kosovo, in gratitude for his help during theKosovo War, renamed a major street in the capital city ofPristinaasBill Clinton Boulevardand added a monumental Clinton statue. Clinton was selected asTime's\"Man of the Year\" in 1992,and again in 1998, along withKen Starr.From a poll conducted of the American people in December 1999, Clinton was among eighteen included inGallup's List of Most Widely Admired People of the 20th Century.In 2001, Clinton received theNAACP'sPresident's Award.He has also been honored with a J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding,aTEDPrize (named for the confluence of technology, entertainment and design),and was named as an HonoraryGLAAD Media Awardrecipient for his work as an advocate for the LGBT community. Clinton, along withMikhail","along withMikhail GorbachevandSophia Loren,received the2003 Grammy AwardforBest Spoken Word Album for ChildrenforWolf Tracks and Peter and the Wolf.Theaudiobookedition of his autobiography,My Life, read by Clinton himself, won the2005 Grammy AwardforBest Spoken Word Album,as well as theAudie Awardas the Audiobook of the Year.Clinton has two more Grammy nominations for his audiobooks:Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the Worldin2007andBack to Workin2012. In 2011, Haitian presidentMichel Martellyawarded Clinton with theNational Order of Honour and Meritto the rank of Grand Cross \"for his various initiatives in Haiti and especially his high contribution to the reconstruction of the country after the earthquake of January 12, 2010\". Clinton declared at the ceremony that \"in the United States of America, I really don't believe former American presidents need awards anymore, but I am very honored by this one, I love Haiti, and I believe in its promise\". President Obama awarded Clinton thePresidential Medal of","Medal of Freedomon November 20, 2013. See also References Citations Further reading Primary sources Popular books Scholarly studies Arkansas years External links Official Interviews, speeches, and statements Media coverage Other"],"string":"[\n \"Mary Elizabeth Butt Mary Elizabeth Butt(néeHoldsworth; 1903–1993) was a prominentTexasphilanthropist and wife of formerHEB Grocery CompanyCEOHoward Edward Butt Sr., son of HEB founder, Florence Butt. Her philanthropic efforts were particularly focused on the care of emotionally disturbed children and the development of library services. Early life Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt was born on February 4, 1903, nearLoma Vista, Texas, the daughter of Rosa (née Ross) and Thomas Holdsworth. She was the fourth of seven children. Her father, the son of an English schoolteacher, emigrated from England to Texas with his parents in 1880. Her mother was a schoolteacher who grew up and worked inKerrville, Texas.Both her parents were devout, tithingBaptists.In 1924, she marriedHoward Edward Butt. Howard owned a small grocery store in Kerrville. Over time, her husband's business prospered and expanded, enabling Mary Elizabeth to take an active role in supporting numerous and varied charitable causes. Her husband stated: \\\"I\",\n \"husband stated: \\\"I make the money, and Mary spends it (on worthy causes). And I am glad she does.\\\"In 1940, they moved toCorpus Christi, Texas. Philanthropy In 1929, she moved toBrownsville, Texas, in theRio Grande Valleyand thereafter toHarlingen. Mary Elizabeth started the State Crippled Children's Program using her dining room as an office. She also served as chairwoman of the Cameron County Child Welfare Board. In addition, she started the first tuberculosis diagnosis and treatment program in the region; and also purchased the first equipment used to test the hearing and vision of schoolchildren. In 1934, the Butts formed the H. E. Butt Foundation, one of the first charitable organizations in Texas. The foundation focused on funding public school programs, establishing libraries and constructing recreational facilities.Mary Butt served as its president. In 1940, the Butt family moved toCorpus Christi, Texas, where she organized the local branches of theYWCA; theNueces Countyhome for the aged; the Nueces\",\n \"aged; the Nueces County Tuberculosis Hospital; and the local branch of theAmerican Cancer Society. She also established the Mary Bethune Day Nursery which addressed shortfalls in access to day care forAfrican-Americanchildren. In 1949, she along with Dr. Robert Sutherland (director of theHogg Foundation for Mental Healthfounded byIma Hoggin 1940) and Margaret Scarbrough (wife of Austin retailer Lemuel Scarbrough and founder of the Scarbrough Foundation), organized and hosted the first Conference of Texas Foundations and Trusts which coordinated philanthropic giving so as to avoid duplication and promoted the exchange ideas and strategies.Texas became the first state to have such an organization and the model was duplicated in other states.The Foundation quickly blossomed from 10 mostly family-sponsored organizations at inception to 48 organizations in 1956.The organization (now known as the Conference of Southwest Foundations) presently consists of 200 member organizations in a seven-state area. In 1953, she\",\n \"area. In 1953, she helped to establish the Hilltop Hospital which treated tuberculosis patients and eventually serving five years as the chairman of its board. In 1954, the Butts established the H. E. Butt Foundation Camp located on theFrio RiverAs she was particularly dedicated to the care of emotionally disturbed children, she developed a camping program for specifically for their care.As of 2012, the camp continues to serve, without cost, over 20,000 campers annuallyand is also the site of the Laity Lodge, a prominent center of Christian learning founded by their son, Howard E. Butt Jr. In 1955, she was appointed by Texas GovernorAllan Shiversto the governing board of Texas State Hospitals and Special Schools (later theTexas Department of Mental Health and Mental Retardation). She served as the only woman member of the board for 18 yearsbeing appointed by six different governors. The Butts contributed to the founding of theButt-Holdsworth Memorial Library, which was inaugurated in summer 1967. Personal\",\n \"1967. Personal life and death She had four children with her husband: Another child, Mary Beth Butt, who lived for only 10 days (November 17, 1943 - November 27, 1943), is buried beside Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt at the Glen Rest Cemetery in Kerrville, Texas, was the fourth child of Howard Butt, Sr., and Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt. Mary Elizabeth Holdsworth Butt died in her house in Corpus Christi on October 6, 1993. Awards TheTexas State Historical Associationlists the many awards Butt has received over the years for her philanthropic activities: References External links\",\n \"Bill Clinton William Jefferson Clinton(néBlythe; born August 19, 1946) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 42ndpresident of the United Statesfrom 1993 to 2001. A member of theDemocratic Party, he previously served asgovernor of Arkansasfrom 1979 to 1981 and again from 1983 to 1992. Clinton, whose policies reflected a centrist \\\"Third Way\\\" political philosophy, became known as aNew Democrat. Clinton was born and raised inArkansas. He graduated fromGeorgetown Universityin 1968, and later fromYale Law School, where he met his future wife,Hillary Rodham. After graduating from law school, Clinton returned to Arkansas and won election as state attorney general, followed bytwo non-consecutive tenures as Arkansas governor. As governor, he overhauled the state's education system and served as chairman of theNational Governors Association. Clinton was elected president in the1992 election, defeating the incumbentRepublican PartypresidentGeorge H. W. Bushand the independent businessmanRoss Perot. He\",\n \"Perot. He became the first president to be born in theBaby Boomergeneration. Clinton presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history. He signed into law theNorth American Free Trade Agreementand theViolent Crime Control and Law Enforcement Actbut failed to pass his plan fornational health care reform. Starting in the mid-1990s, he began an ideological evolution as he became much more conservative in his domestic policy, advocating for and signing thePersonal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Act, theState Children's Health Insurance Programand financial deregulation measures. He appointedRuth Bader GinsburgandStephen Breyerto theU.S. Supreme Court. In foreign policy, Clinton ordered U.S. military intervention in theBosnianandKosovo wars, eventually signing theDayton Peace agreement. He also called for theexpansion of NATOin Eastern Europe and many formerWarsaw Pactmembers joined NATO during his presidency. Clinton's foreign policy in the Middle East saw him sign theIraq\",\n \"him sign theIraq Liberation Actwhich gave aid to groups againstSaddam Hussein. He also participated in theOslo I AccordandCamp David Summitto advance theIsraeli–Palestinian peace process, and assisted theNorthern Ireland peace process. Clinton won re-election in the1996 election, defeating Republican nomineeBob DoleandReform Partynominee Perot. His second term was dominated by theClinton–Lewinsky scandal, which began in 1995, when he had a sexual relationship with the then 22-year-oldWhite HouseinternMonica Lewinsky. In January 1998, news of the affair made tabloid headlines.This scandal escalated throughout the year, culminating in December whenClinton was impeachedby theHouse of Representatives, becoming the first U.S. president to be impeached sinceAndrew Johnson. The two impeachment articles that the House passed were centered aroundperjuryand Clinton using the powers of the presidency to commit obstruction of justice. In 1999,Clinton's impeachment trialbegan in theSenate, where he was acquitted on both\",\n \"acquitted on both charges. During the last three years of Clinton's presidency, theCongressional Budget Officereported a budget surplus—the first such surplus since 1969. Clinton left office in 2001 with the joint-highest approval rating of any U.S. president. His presidency ranks among the middle to upper tier inhistorical rankings of U.S. presidents. However, his personal conduct andmisconduct allegationshave made him the subject of substantial scrutiny. Since leaving office, Clinton has been involved in public speaking and humanitarian work. He created theClinton Foundationto address international causes such as the prevention of HIV/AIDS and global warming. In 2009, he was named theUnited Nations special envoy to Haiti. After the2010 Haiti earthquake, Clinton founded theClinton Bush Haiti FundwithGeorge W. BushandBarack Obama. He has remained active in Democratic Party politics, campaigning for his wife's2008and2016 presidential campaigns. Early life and career Clinton was born William Jefferson Blythe\",\n \"Jefferson Blythe III on August 19, 1946, at Julia Chester Hospital inHope, Arkansas.He is the son ofWilliam Jefferson Blythe Jr., a traveling salesman who died in an automobile accident three months before his birth, andVirginia Dell Cassidy(later Virginia Kelley).Blythe had initially survived the crash, but drowned in a drainage ditch. His parents had married on September 4, 1943, but this union later proved to be bigamous, as Blythe was still married to his fourth wife.Virginia traveled toNew Orleansto study nursing soon after Bill was born, leaving him in Hope with her parents Eldridge and Edith Cassidy, who owned and ran a small grocery store.At a time when the southern United States wasracially segregated, Clinton's grandparents sold goods oncreditto people of all races.In 1950, Bill's mother returned from nursing school and marriedRoger Clinton Sr., who co-owned anautomobile dealershipinHot Springs, Arkansas, with his brother andEarl T. Ricks.The family moved to Hot Springs in 1950. Although he\",\n \"1950. Although he immediately assumed use of his stepfather's surname, it was not until Clinton turned 15that he formally adopted the surname Clinton as a gesture toward him.Clinton has described his stepfather as a gambler and an alcoholic who regularly abused his mother and half-brother,Roger Clinton Jr.The physical abuse only ceased after a then-14-year-old Bill challenged his stepfather to \\\"stand and face\\\" him, though the verbal/emotional abuse continued.Bill would eventually forgive Roger Sr. for his abusive actions near the latter's death. In Hot Springs, Clinton attended St. John's Catholic Elementary School, Ramble Elementary School, and thesegregatedHot Springs High School, where he was an active student leader, avid reader, and musician.Clinton was in the chorus and played thetenor saxophone, winning first chair in the state band's saxophone section. While in high school, Clinton performed for two years in a jazz trio,The 3 Kings, withRandy Goodrum, who became a successful professional pianist. In\",\n \"pianist. In 1961, Clinton became a member of the Hot Springs Chapter of theOrder of DeMolay, a youth group affiliated withFreemasonry, but he never became a Freemason.He briefly considered dedicating his life to music, but as he noted in his autobiographyMy Life: Clinton began an interest in law at Hot Springs High, when he took up the challenge to argue the defense of the ancientRoman senatorCatilinein a mock trial in his Latin class.After a vigorous defense that made use of his \\\"budding rhetorical and political skills\\\", he told the Latin teacher Elizabeth Buck it \\\"made him realize that someday he would study law\\\". Clinton has identified two influential moments in his life, both occurring in 1963, that contributed to his decision to become a public figure. One was his visit as aBoys Nationsenator to theWhite Houseto meet PresidentJohn F. Kennedy.The other was watchingMartin Luther King Jr.'s 1963 \\\"I Have a Dream\\\" speech on TV, which impressed him so much that he later memorized it. College and law school\",\n \"and law school years Georgetown University With the aid of scholarships, Clinton attended theSchool of Foreign ServiceatGeorgetown Universityin Washington, D.C., receiving aBachelor of Sciencein foreign service degree in 1968. Georgetown was the only university where Clinton applied. In 1964 and 1965, Clinton won elections forclass president.From 1964 to 1967, he was an intern and then a clerk in the office of Arkansas SenatorJ. William Fulbright.While in college, he became a brother of service fraternityAlpha Phi Omegaand was elected toPhi Beta Kappa. He is a member ofKappa Kappa Psihonorary band fraternity. Oxford Upon graduating from Georgetown in 1968, Clinton won aRhodes ScholarshiptoUniversity College, Oxford, where he initially read for aB.Phil.inphilosophy, politics, and economicsbut transferred to aB.Litt.in politics and, ultimately, a B.Phil. in politics.Clinton did not expect to return for the second year because of the draft and so he switched programs; this type of activity was common among\",\n \"was common among other Rhodes Scholars from his cohort. He had received an offer to study atYale Law School, and so he left early to return to the United States and did not receive a degree from Oxford. During his time at Oxford, Clinton befriended fellow American Rhodes Scholar Frank Aller. In 1969, Aller received adraftletter that mandated deployment to theVietnam War. Aller's 1971 suicide had an influential impact on Clinton.British writer and feministSara Maitlandsaid of Clinton, \\\"I remember Bill and Frank Aller taking me to a pub in Walton Street in the summer term of 1969 and talking to me about the Vietnam War. I knew nothing about it, and when Frank began to describe the napalming of civilians I began to cry. Bill said that feeling bad wasn't good enough. That was the first time I encountered the idea that liberal sensitivities weren't enough and you had to do something about such things\\\".Clinton was a member of theOxford University Basketball Cluband also played for Oxford University'srugby\",\n \"University'srugby unionteam. While Clinton was president in 1994, he received an honoraryDoctor of Civil Lawdegree and a fellowship from theUniversity of Oxford, specifically for being \\\"a doughty and tireless champion of the cause of world peace\\\", having \\\"a powerful collaborator in his wife\\\", and for winning \\\"general applause for his achievement of resolving the gridlock that prevented an agreed budget\\\". Vietnam War opposition and draft controversy During the Vietnam War, Clinton received educational draft deferments while he was in England in 1968 and 1969.While at Oxford, he participated inVietnam War protestsand organized aMoratorium to End the War in Vietnamevent in October 1969.He was planning to attend law school in the U.S. and knew he might lose his deferment. Clinton tried unsuccessfully to obtain positions in theNational Guardand theAir Force officer candidate school, and he then made arrangements to join theReserve Officers' Training Corps(ROTC) program at theUniversity of Arkansas. He\",\n \"of Arkansas. He subsequently decided not to join the ROTC, saying in a letter to the officer in charge of the program that he opposed the war, but did not think it was honorable to use ROTC, National Guard, or Reserve service to avoid serving in Vietnam. He further stated that because he opposed the war, he would not volunteer to serve in uniform, but would subject himself to the draft, and would serve if selected only as a way \\\"to maintain my political viability within the system\\\".Clinton registered for the draft and received a high number (311), meaning that those whose birthdays had been drawn as numbers1 to 310 would bedraftedbefore him, making it unlikely he would be called up. (In fact, the highest number drafted was 195.) ColonelEugene Holmes, the Army officer who had been involved with Clinton's ROTC application, suspected that Clinton attempted to manipulate the situation to avoid the draft and avoid serving in uniform. He issued anotarizedstatement during the 1992 presidential campaign: During the\",\n \"During the 1992 campaign, it was revealed that Clinton's uncle had attempted to secure him a position in theNavy Reserve, which would have prevented him from being deployed to Vietnam. This effort was unsuccessful and Clinton said in 1992 that he had been unaware of it until then.Although legal, Clinton's actions with respect to the draft and deciding whether to serve in the military were criticized during his first presidential campaign by conservatives and some Vietnam veterans, some of whom charged that he had used Fulbright's influence to avoid military service.Clinton's 1992 campaign manager,James Carville, successfully argued that Clinton's letter in which he declined to join the ROTC should be made public, insisting that voters, many of whom had also opposed the Vietnam War, would understand and appreciate his position. Law school After Oxford, Clinton attended Yale Law School and earned aJuris Doctor(J.D.) degree in 1973.In 1971, he met his future wife, Hillary Rodham, in theYale Law Library; she was\",\n \"Library; she was a class year ahead of him.They began dating and were soon inseparable. After only about a month, Clinton postponed his summer plans to be a coordinator for theGeorge McGoverncampaignfor the1972 United States presidential electionin order to move in with her in California.The couple continuedliving togetherin New Haven when they returned to law school. Clinton eventuallymoved to Texas with Rodham in 1972to take a job leading McGovern's effort there. He spent considerable time inDallas, at the campaign's local headquarters on Lemmon Avenue, where he had an office. Clinton worked with future two-termmayor of DallasRon Kirk,futuregovernor of TexasAnn Richards,and then unknown television director and filmmakerSteven Spielberg. Failed congressional campaign and tenure as Attorney General of Arkansas After graduating fromYale Law School, Clinton returned to Arkansas and became a lawprofessorat theUniversity of Arkansas. In 1974, he ran for theHouse of Representatives. Running in the conservative3rd\",\n \"the conservative3rd districtagainst incumbent RepublicanJohn Paul Hammerschmidt, Clinton's campaign was bolstered by the anti-Republican and anti-incumbent mood resulting from theWatergate scandal. Hammerschmidt, who had received 77 percent of the vote in 1972, defeated Clinton by only a 52 percent to 48 percent margin. In 1976, Clinton ran forArkansas attorney general. Defeating the secretary of state and the deputy attorney general in the Democratic primary, Clinton was elected with no opposition at all in the general election, as no Republican had run for the office. Governor of Arkansas (1979–1981, 1983–1992) In 1978, Clinton entered the Arkansas gubernatorial primary. At just 31 years old, he was one of the youngest gubernatorial candidates in the state's history. Clinton was electedgovernor of Arkansasin1978, having defeated the Republican candidateLynn Lowe, a farmer fromTexarkana. Clinton was only 32 years old when he took office, the youngest governor in the country at the time and the second\",\n \"time and the second youngest governor in the history of Arkansas.Due to his youthful appearance, Clinton was often called the \\\"Boy Governor\\\".He worked on educational reform and directed the maintenance of Arkansas's roads, with wife Hillary leading a successful committee on urban health care reform. However, his term included an unpopular motor vehicle tax and citizens' anger over the escape of Cuban refugees (from theMariel boatlift) detained inFort Chaffeein 1980. Monroe Schwarzlose, ofKingslandinCleveland County, polled 31 percent of the vote against Clinton in the Democratic gubernatorial primary of 1980. Some suggested Schwarzlose's unexpected voter turnout foreshadowed Clinton's defeat by Republican challengerFrank D. Whitein the general election that year. As Clinton once joked, he was the youngest ex-governor in the nation's history. After leaving office in January 1981, Clinton joined friendBruce Lindsey's Little Rock law firm of Wright, Lindsey and Jennings.In 1982, he was elected governor a second\",\n \"governor a second time and kept the office for ten years. Effective with the 1986 election, Arkansas had changed its gubernatorial term of office from two to four years. During his term, he helped transform Arkansas's economy and improved the state's educational system.Forsenior citizens, he removed thesales taxfrom medications and increased the home property-tax exemption.He became a leading figure among theNew Democrats, a group ofDemocratswho advocated welfare reform, smaller government, and other policies not supported by liberals. Formally organized as theDemocratic Leadership Council(DLC), the New Democrats argued that in light of PresidentRonald Reagan'slandslide victory in 1984, the Democratic Party needed to adopt a more centrist political stance in order to succeed at the national level.Clinton delivered theDemocratic responseto Reagan's1985 State of the Union Addressand served as chair of theNational Governors Associationfrom 1986 to 1987, bringing him to an audience beyond Arkansas. In the early\",\n \"In the early 1980s, Clinton made reform of the Arkansas education system a top priority of his gubernatorial administration. The Arkansas Education Standards Committee was chaired by Clinton's wife Hillary, who was also an attorney as well as the chair of theLegal Services Corporation. The committee transformed Arkansas's education system. Proposed reforms included more spending for schools (supported by a sales-tax increase), better opportunities for gifted children, vocational education, higher teachers' salaries, more course variety, and compulsory teacher competency exams. The reforms passed in September 1983 after Clinton called a speciallegislative session—the longest in Arkansas history.Many have considered this the greatest achievement of the Clinton governorship.He defeated four Republican candidates for governor: Lowe (1978), White (1982 and 1986),JonesborobusinessmenWoody Freeman(1984), andSheffield Nelsonof Little Rock (1990). Also in the 1980s, the Clintons' personal and business affairs\",\n \"business affairs included transactions that became the basis of theWhitewater controversyinvestigation, which later dogged his presidential administration.After extensive investigation over several years, no indictments were made against the Clintons related to the years in Arkansas. According to some sources, Clinton was adeath penaltyopponent in his early years, but he eventually switched positions.However he might have felt previously, by 1992, Clinton was insisting that Democrats \\\"should no longer feel guilty about protecting the innocent\\\".During Clinton's final term as governor,Arkansas performed its first executionssince 1964 (the death penalty had been reinstated in 1976).As Governor, he oversaw thefirst four executions carried outby the state of Arkansas since the death penalty was reinstated there in 1976: one byelectric chairand three bylethal injection.To draw attention to his stance on capital punishment, Clinton flew home to Arkansas mid-campaign in 1992, in order to affirm in person that the\",\n \"in person that the controversial execution ofRicky Ray Rector, would go forward as scheduled. Scandals and allegations During his time as governor in the 1980s, Arkansas was the center of a drug smuggling operation throughMena Airport.CIAagentBarry Sealallegedly imported three to five billion dollars worth ofcocainethrough the airport, and the operation was linked to theIran–Contra affair.Clinton was accused of knowing about this operation, although nothing could be proven against him.JournalistSam Smithtied him to various questionable business dealings.Clinton was also accused byGennifer Flowersto have used cocaine as governorand his half-brother Roger was sentenced to prison in 1985 for possession and smuggling of cocaine, but was laterpardoned by his brotherafter serving his sentence.During his time in Arkansas, there were also other scandals such as theWhitewater controversyinvolving the Clintons' real estate dealings, and Bill Clinton was accused of serious sexual misconduct in Arkansas, including\",\n \"Arkansas, including allegations of using theArkansas State Policeto gain access to women (Troopergate affair).Thekilling of Don Henry and Kevin Ivesin 1987 started variousconspiracy theoriesthat accused Clinton and the Arkansas state authorities of covering up the crime. 1988 Democratic presidential primaries In 1987, the media speculated that Clinton would enter the presidential race. Clinton decided to remain as Arkansas governor (following consideration for the potential candidacy of Hillary for governor, initially favored—but ultimately vetoed—by the First Lady).For the nomination, Clinton endorsedMassachusetts governorMichael Dukakis. He gave the nationally televised opening night address at the1988 Democratic National Convention, but his speech, which was 33 minutes long and twice the length it was expected to be, was criticized for being too long.Clinton presented himself both as a moderate and as a member of the New Democrat wing of the Democratic Party, and he headed the moderate Democratic\",\n \"moderate Democratic Leadership Council in 1990 and 1991. 1992 United States presidential election In the first primary contest, theIowa Caucus, Clinton finished a distant third to Iowa senatorTom Harkin. During the campaign for theNew Hampshire primary, reports surfaced that Clinton had engaged in an extramarital affair withGennifer Flowers. Clinton fell far behind former Massachusetts senatorPaul Tsongasin the New Hampshire polls.FollowingSuper Bowl XXVI, Clinton and his wife Hillary went on60 Minutesto rebuff the charges.Their television appearance was a calculated risk, but Clinton regained several delegates. He finished second to Tsongas in theNew Hampshire primary, but after trailing badly in the polls and coming within single digits of winning, the media viewed it as a victory. News outlets labeled him \\\"The Comeback Kid\\\" for earning a firm second-place finish. Winning the big prizes of Florida and Texas and many of theSouthern primariesonSuper Tuesdaygave Clinton a sizable delegate lead. However,\",\n \"lead. However, former California governorJerry Brownwas scoring victories and Clinton had yet to win a significant contest outside his native South.With no major Southern state remaining, Clinton targeted New York, which had many delegates. He scored a resounding victory in New York City, shedding his image as a regional candidate.Having been transformed into the consensus candidate, he secured the Democratic Party nomination, finishing with a victory in Jerry Brown's home state of California. During the campaign, questions ofconflict of interestregarding state business and the politically powerfulRose Law Firm, at which Hillary Rodham Clinton was a partner, arose. Clinton argued the questions were moot because all transactions with the state had been deducted before determining Hillary's firm pay.Further concern arose when Bill Clinton announced that, with Hillary, voters would be getting two presidents \\\"for the price of one\\\". Clinton was still the governor of Arkansas while campaigning for U.S. president,\",\n \"for U.S. president, and he returned to his home state to see thatRicky Ray Rectorwould be executed. After killing a police officer and a civilian, Rector shot himself in the head, leading to what his lawyers said was a state where he could still talk but did not understand the idea of death. According to both Arkansas state law and federal law, a seriously mentally impaired inmate cannot be executed. The courts disagreed with the allegation of grave mental impairment and allowed the execution. Clinton's return to Arkansas for the execution was framed in an article forThe New York Timesas a possible political move to counter \\\"soft on crime\\\" accusations. Bush'sapproval ratingswere around 80 percent during theGulf War, and he was described as unbeatable. When Bush compromised with Democrats to try to lower federal deficits, he reneged on hispromise not to raise taxes, which hurt his approval rating. Clinton repeatedly condemned Bush for making a promise he failed to keep.By election time, the economy was\",\n \"the economy was souring and Bush saw his approval rating plummet to just slightly over 40 percent.Finally, conservatives were previously united by anti-communism, but with the end of the Cold War, the party lacked a uniting issue. WhenPat BuchananandPat Robertsonaddressed Christian themes at theRepublican National Convention—with Bush criticizing Democrats for omitting God from their platform—many moderates were alienated.Clinton then pointed to his moderate, \\\"New Democrat\\\" record as governor of Arkansas, though some on the more liberal side of the party remained suspicious.Many Democrats who had supported Ronald Reagan and Bush in previous elections switched their support to Clinton.Clinton and his running mate,Al Gore, toured the country during the final weeks of the campaign, shoring up support and pledging a \\\"new beginning\\\". On March 26, 1992, during a Democraticfund raiserof the presidential campaign,Robert Rafskyconfronted then Gov. Bill Clinton of Arkansas and asked what he was going to do aboutAIDS,\",\n \"to do aboutAIDS, to which Clinton replied, \\\"I feel your pain\\\".The televised exchange led to AIDS becoming an issue in the 1992 presidential election. On April 4, then candidate Clinton met with members ofACT UPand other leading AIDS advocates to discuss his AIDS agenda and agreed to make a major AIDS policy speech, to have people with HIV speak to theDemocratic Convention, and to sign onto theAIDS UnitedAction five point plan. Clinton won the1992 presidential election(370 electoral votes) against Republican incumbent George H. W. Bush (168 electoral votes) and billionairepopulistRoss Perot(zero electoral votes), who ran as an independent on a platform that focused on domestic issues. Bush's steep decline in public approval was a significant part of Clinton's success.Clinton's victory in the election ended twelve years of Republican rule of the White House and twenty of the previous twenty-four years. The election gave Democrats full control of theUnited States Congress,the first time one party controlled\",\n \"party controlled both the executive and legislative branches since Democrats held the96th United States Congressduring thepresidency of Jimmy Carter. According toSeymour Martin Lipset, the 1992 election had several unique characteristics. Voters felt that economic conditions were worse than they actually were, which harmed Bush. A rare event was the presence of a strong third-party candidate. Liberals launched a backlash against 12 years of a conservative White House. The chief factor was Clinton's uniting his party, and winning over a number of heterogeneous groups. Presidency (1993–2001) Clinton's \\\"third way\\\" of moderate liberalism built up the nation's fiscal health and put the nation on a firm footing abroad amid globalization and the development of anti-American terrorist organizations. During his presidency,Clinton advocated for a wide variety of legislation and programs, most of which were enacted into law or implemented by the executive branch. His policies, particularly theNorth American Free Trade\",\n \"American Free Trade Agreementandwelfare reform, have been attributed to acentristThird Wayphilosophy of governance.His policy offiscal conservatismhelped to reduce deficits on budgetary matters.Clinton presided over the longest period of peacetime economic expansion in American history. TheCongressional Budget Officereported budget surpluses of $69 billion in 1998, $126 billion in 1999, and $236 billion in 2000,during the last three years of Clinton's presidency.Over the years of the recorded surplus, the gross national debt rose each year. At the end of the fiscal year (September 30) for each of the years a surplus was recorded, the U.S. Treasury reported a gross debt of $5.413 trillion in 1997, $5.526 trillion in 1998, $5.656 trillion in 1999, and $5.674 trillion in 2000.Over the same period, the Office of Management and Budget reported an end of year (December 31) gross debt of $5.369 trillion in 1997, $5.478 trillion in 1998, $5.606 in 1999, and $5.629 trillion in 2000.At the end of his presidency, the\",\n \"his presidency, the Clintons moved to 15 Old House Lane inChappaqua, New York, in order to quell political worries about his wife's residency for election as a U.S. Senator from New York. First term (1993–1997) \\\"Our democracy must be not only the envy of the world but the engine of our own renewal. There is nothing wrong with America that cannot be cured by what is right with America.\\\" Inaugural address, January 20, 1993. Afterhis presidential transition, Clinton wasinauguratedas the 42nd president of the United States on January 20, 1993. Clinton was physically exhausted at the time, and had an inexperienced staff. His high levels of public support dropped in the first few weeks, as he made a series of mistakes. His first choice for attorney general had not paid her taxes on babysitters and was forced to withdraw. The second appointee also withdrew for the same reason. Clinton had repeatedly promised to encourage gays in the military service, despite what he knew to be the strong opposition of the military\",\n \"of the military leadership. He tried anyway, and was publicly opposed by the top generals, and forced by Congress to a compromise position of \\\"Don't ask, don't tell\\\" whereby gays could serve if and only if they kept it secret.He devised a $16-billion stimulus package primarily to aid inner-city programs desired by liberals, but it was defeated by a Republican filibuster in the Senate.His popularity at the 100 day mark of his term was the lowest of any president at that point. Public opinion did support one liberal program, and Clinton signed theFamily and Medical Leave Act of 1993, which required large employers to allow employees to take unpaid leave for pregnancy or a serious medical condition. This action had bipartisan support,and was popular with the public. Two days after taking office, on January 22, 1993—the 20th anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court decision inRoe v. Wade—Clinton reversed restrictions on domestic and internationalfamily planningprograms that had been imposed by Reagan and\",\n \"by Reagan and Bush.Clinton said abortion should be kept \\\"safe, legal, and rare\\\"—a slogan that had been suggested by political scientistSamuel L. Popkinand first used by Clinton in December 1991, while campaigning.During the eight years of the Clinton administration, the abortion rate declined by 18 percent. On February 15, 1993, Clinton made his first address to the nation, announcing his plan to raise taxes to close abudget deficit.Two days later, in a nationally televised address to ajoint session of Congress, Clinton unveiled his economic plan. The plan focused on reducing the deficit rather than on cutting taxes for the middle class, which had been high on his campaign agenda.Clinton's advisers pressured him to raise taxes, based on the theory that a smaller federal budget deficit would reduce bond interest rates. President Clinton's attorney generalJanet Renoauthorized the FBI's use of armored vehicles to deploy tear gas into the buildings of the Branch Davidian community near Waco, Texas, in hopes of\",\n \"Texas, in hopes of ending a51 day siege. During the operation on April 19, 1993, the buildings caught fire and 75 of the residents died, including 24 children. The raid had originally been planned by the Bush administration; Clinton had played no role. In August, Clinton signed theOmnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993, which passed Congress without a Republican vote. It cut taxes for 15million low-income families, made tax cuts available to 90 percent of small businesses,and raised taxes on the wealthiest 1.2 percent of taxpayers. Additionally, it mandated that the budget be balanced over many years through the implementation of spending restraints. On September 22, 1993, Clinton made a major speech to Congress regardinga health care reform plan; the program aimed at achieving universal coverage through a national health care plan. This was one of the most prominent items on Clinton's legislative agenda and resulted from a task force headed by Hillary Clinton. The plan was well received in political\",\n \"in political circles, but it was eventually doomed by well-organized lobby opposition from conservatives, theAmerican Medical Association, and the health insurance industry. However, Clinton biographerJohn F. Harrissaid the program failed because of a lack of coordination within the White House.Despite the Democratic majority in Congress, the effort to create a national health care system ultimately died when compromise legislation byGeorge J. Mitchellfailed to gain a majority of support in August 1994. The failure of the bill was the first major legislative defeat of the Clinton administration. On November 30, 1993, Clinton signed into law theBrady Bill, which mandated federalbackground checkson people who purchase firearms in the United States. The law also imposed a five-day waiting period on purchases, until theNICS systemwas implemented in 1998. He also expanded theEarned Income Tax Credit, a subsidy for low-income workers. In December of the same year, allegations by Arkansas state troopersLarry\",\n \"state troopersLarry Pattersonand Roger Perry were first reported byDavid BrockinThe American Spectator.In the affair later known as \\\"Troopergate\\\", the officers alleged that they had arranged sexual liaisons for Clinton back when he was governor of Arkansas. The story mentioned a woman namedPaula, a reference toPaula Jones. Brock later apologized to Clinton, saying the article was politically motivated \\\"bad journalism\\\", and that \\\"the troopers were greedy and had slimy motives\\\". That month, Clinton implemented a Department of Defense directive known as \\\"Don't Ask, Don't Tell\\\", which allowed gay men and women to serve in the armed services provided they kept their sexual orientation a secret. The Act forbade the military from inquiring about an individual's sexual orientation.The policy was developed as a compromise after Clinton's proposal to allow gays to serve openly in the military met staunch opposition from prominent Congressional Republicans and Democrats, including senatorsJohn McCain(R-AZ) andSam\",\n \"McCain(R-AZ) andSam Nunn(D-GA). According toDavid Mixner, Clinton's support for the compromise led to a heated dispute with Vice President Al Gore, who felt that \\\"the President should lift the ban ... even though was sure to be overridden by the Congress\\\".Some gay-rights advocates criticized Clinton for not going far enough and accused him of making his campaign promise to get votes and contributions.Their position was that Clinton should have integrated the military by executive order, noting that PresidentHarry S. Trumanused executive order to racially desegregate the armed forces. Clinton's defenders argued that an executive order might have prompted the Senate to write the exclusion of gays into law, potentially making it harder to integrate the military in the future.Later in his presidency, in 1999, Clinton criticized the way the policy was implemented, saying he did not think any serious person could say it was not \\\"out of whack\\\".The policy remained controversial, and was finallyrepealed in 2011,\",\n \"in 2011, removing open sexual orientation as a reason for dismissal from the armed forces. On January 1, 1994, Clinton signed the North American Free Trade Agreement into law.Throughout his first year in office, Clinton consistently supported ratification of the treaty by the U.S. Senate. Clinton and most of his allies in the Democratic Leadership Committee strongly supported free trade measures; there remained, however, strong disagreement within the party. Opposition came chiefly from anti-trade Republicans, protectionist Democrats and supporters of Ross Perot. The bill passed the house with 234 votes in favor and 200 votes opposed (132 Republicans and 102 Democrats in favor; 156 Democrats, 43 Republicans, and one independent opposed). The treaty was then ratified by the Senate and signed into law by the president. On July 29, 1994, the Clinton administration launched the first official White House website,whitehouse.gov.The site was followed with three more versions, with the final version being launched\",\n \"being launched on July 21, 2000.The White House website was part of a wider movement of the Clinton administration toward web-based communication. According to Robert Longley, \\\"Clinton and Gore were responsible for pressing almost all federal agencies, the U.S. court system and the U.S. military onto the Internet, thus opening up America's government to more of America's citizens than ever before. On July 17, 1996, Clinton issued Executive Order 13011—Federal Information Technology, ordering the heads of all federal agencies to utilize information technology fully to make the information of the agency easily accessible to the public.\\\" TheOmnibus Crime Bill, which Clinton signed into law in September 1994,made many changes to U.S. crime and law enforcement legislation including the expansion of the death penalty to include crimes not resulting in death, such as running a large-scale drug enterprise. During Clinton's re-election campaign he said, \\\"My 1994 crime bill expanded the death penalty for drug\",\n \"penalty for drug kingpins, murderers of federal law enforcement officers, and nearly 60 additional categories of violent felons.\\\"It also included a subsection ofassault weapons banfor a ten-year period. After two years of Democratic Party control, the Democrats lost control of Congress to the Republicans in themid-term elections in 1994, for the first time in forty years. A speech delivered by President Bill Clinton at the December 6, 1995White House Conferenceon HIV/AIDS projected that a cure for AIDS and a vaccine to prevent further infection would be developed. The President focused on his administration's accomplishments and efforts related to theepidemic, including an accelerated drug-approval process. He also condemnedhomophobiaand discrimination against people withHIV. Clinton announced three new initiatives: creating a special working group to coordinate AIDS research throughout thefederal government; convening public health experts to develop an action plan that integrates HIV prevention with\",\n \"HIV prevention with substance abuse prevention; and launching a new effort by theDepartment of Justiceto ensure that health care facilities provide equal access to people with HIV and AIDS.1996 would mark the first year since the beginning of theHIV/AIDS epidemicthat the number of new HIV/AIDS diagnoses would decline, with the U.S.Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) even later reporting a significant 47% decline in the number of AIDS-related deaths in 1997 compared to the previous year.Credit for this decline would be given to the growing effectiveness of new drug therapy which was promoted by the Clinton Administration's Department of Health and Human Services, such ashighly active antiretroviral therapy(HAART). On September 21, 1996, Clinton signed into law theDefense of Marriage Act(DOMA), which defined marriage for federal purposes as the legal union of one man and one woman; the legislation allowed individual states to refuse to recognize gay marriages that were performed in other\",\n \"performed in other states.Paul Yandura, speaking for the White House gay and lesbian liaison office, said Clinton's signing DOMA \\\"was a political decision that they made at the time of a re-election\\\". In defense of his actions, Clinton has said that DOMA was intended to \\\"head off an attempt to send a constitutional amendment banning gay marriage to the states\\\", a possibility he described as highly likely in the context of a \\\"very reactionary Congress\\\".Administration spokesmanRichard Socaridessaid, \\\"the alternatives we knew were going to be far worse, and it was time to move on and get the president re-elected.\\\"Clinton himself said DOMA was something \\\"which the Republicans put on the ballot to try to get the base vote for Bush up, I think it's obvious that something had to be done to try to keep the Republican Congress from presenting that\\\";others were more critical. The veteran gay rights and gay marriage activistEvan Wolfsonhas called these claims \\\"historic revisionism\\\".Despite this, it has been noted that\",\n \"has been noted that other than a brief written response to a Reader's Digest that questioned whether he agreed with it, Clinton had made no documented reference to the issue of gay marriage until May 1996.In a July 2, 2011, editorialThe New York Timesopined, \\\"The Defense of Marriage Act was enacted in 1996 as an election-year wedge issue, signed by President Bill Clinton in one of his worst policy moments.\\\"Ultimately, inUnited States v. Windsor, the U.S. Supreme Court struck down DOMA in June 2013. Despite DOMA, Clinton was the first president to select openly gay persons for administrative positions,and he is generally credited as being the first president to publicly champion gay rights.During his presidency, Clinton issued two substantially controversial executive orders on behalf of gay rights, the first lifting the ban on security clearances for LGBT federal employeesand the second outlawing discrimination based on sexual orientation in the federal civilian workforce.Under Clinton's leadership, federal\",\n \"leadership, federal funding for HIV/AIDS research, prevention and treatment more than doubled.Clinton also pushed for passing hate crimes laws for gays and for the private sectorEmployment Non-Discrimination Act, which, buoyed by his lobbying, failed to pass the Senate by a single vote in 1996.Advocacy for these issues, paired with the politically unpopular nature of the gay rights movement at the time, led to enthusiastic support for Clinton's election and reelection by theHuman Rights Campaign.Clinton came out for gay marriage in July 2009and urged the Supreme Court to overturn DOMA in 2013.He was later honored byGLAADfor his prior pro-gay stances and his reversal on DOMA. \\\"When I took office, only high energy physicists had ever heard of what is called the Worldwide Web ... Now evenmy cathas its own page.\\\" Bill Clinton's announcement ofNext Generation Internet initiative, October 1996. The1996 United States campaign finance controversywas an alleged effort byChinato influence the domestic policies of the\",\n \"policies of the United States, before and during the Clinton administration, and involved the fundraising practices of the administration itself.Despite the evidence,theChinese governmentdenied all accusations. As part of a 1996 initiative to curbillegal immigration, Clinton signed theIllegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act(IIRIRA) on September 30, 1996. Appointed by Clinton,theU.S. Commission on Immigration Reformrecommended reducing legal immigration from about 800,000 people a year to about 550,000. In November 1996, Clinton narrowly escaped possible assassination in the Philippines,which was a bridge bomb planted byal-Qaedaand was masterminded byOsama bin Laden. During Clinton's presidency, the attempt remained top secret,and it remains classified as of March 2024, whenReutersreported having spoken with eight retired secret service agents about the incident. 1996 presidential campaign In the1996 presidential election, Clinton was re-elected, receiving 49.2 percent of the popular vote\",\n \"of the popular vote over RepublicanBob Dole(40.7 percent of the popular vote) andReformcandidate Ross Perot (8.4 percent of the popular vote). Clinton received 379 of theElectoral Collegevotes, with Dole receiving 159 electoral votes. With his victory, he became the first Democrat to win two consecutive presidential elections sinceFranklin D. Roosevelt. Second term (1997–2001) In the January 1997, State of the Union address, Clinton proposed a new initiative to provide health coverage to up to five million children. SenatorsTed Kennedy—a Democrat—andOrrin Hatch—a Republican—teamed up with Hillary Rodham Clinton and her staff in 1997, and succeeded in passing legislation forming theState Children's Health Insurance Program(SCHIP), the largest (successful) health care reform in the years of the Clinton Presidency. That year, Hillary Clinton shepherded through Congress theAdoption and Safe Families Actand two years later she succeeded in helping pass theFoster Care Independence Act. Bill Clinton negotiated the\",\n \"negotiated the passage of theBalanced Budget Act of 1997by the Republican Congress. In October 1997, he announced he was getting hearing aids, due to hearing loss attributed to his age, and his time spent as a musician in his youth.In 1999, he signed into law the Financial Services Modernization Act also known as theGramm–Leach–Bliley Act, which repealed the part of theGlass–Steagall Actthat had prohibited a bank from offering a full range ofinvestment,commercial banking, and insurance services since its enactment in 1933. Investigations In November 1993,David Hale—the source of criminal allegations against Bill Clinton in the Whitewater controversy—alleged that while governor of Arkansas, Clinton pressured Hale to provide an illegal $300,000 loan to Susan McDougal, the Clintons' partner in the Whitewater land deal.AU.S. Securities and Exchange Commissioninvestigation resulted in convictions against the McDougals for their role in the Whitewater project, but the Clintons themselves were never charged, and\",\n \"never charged, and Clinton maintains his and his wife's innocence in the affair.Investigations byRobert B. FiskeandKen Starrfound insufficient to evidence to prosecute the Clintons. TheWhite House FBI files controversyof June 1996 arose concerning improper access by the White House toFBIsecurity-clearance documents. Craig Livingstone, head of the White House Office of Personnel Security, improperly requested, and received from the FBI, background report files without asking permission of the subject individuals; many of these were employees of former Republican administrations.In March 2000, Independent CounselRobert Raydetermined there was no credible evidence of any crime. Ray's report further stated, \\\"there was no substantial and credible evidence that any senior White House official was involved\\\" in seeking the files. On May 19, 1993, Clinton fired seven employees of the White House Travel Office. This caused theWhite House travel office controversyeven though the travel office staff served at the\",\n \"staff served at the pleasure of the president and could bedismissed without cause. The White House responded to the controversy by claiming that the firings were done in response to financial improprieties that had been revealed by a brief FBI investigation.Critics contended that the firings had been done to allow friends of the Clintons to take over the travel business and the involvement of the FBI was unwarranted.The House Government Reform and Oversight Committee issued a report which accused the Clinton administration of having obstructed their efforts to investigate the affair.Special counsel Robert Fiske said that Hillary Clinton was involved in the firing and gave \\\"factually false\\\" testimony to the GAO, congress, and the independent counsel. However Fiske said there was not enough evidence to prosecute. Impeachment and acquittal Aftera House inquiry, Clinton wasimpeachedon December 19, 1998, by the House of Representatives. The House voted 228–206 to impeach him for perjury to agrand juryand voted\",\n \"juryand voted 221–212 to impeach him for obstruction of justice.Clinton was only the second U.S. president (the first beingAndrew Johnson) to be impeached.Impeachment proceedings were based on allegations that Clinton had illegally lied about and covered up his relationship with 22-year-old White House (and laterDepartment of Defense) employeeMonica Lewinsky.After theStarr Reportwas submitted to the House providing what it termed \\\"substantial and credible information that President Clinton Committed Acts that May Constitute Grounds for an Impeachment\\\",the House began impeachment hearings against Clinton before themid-term elections. To hold impeachment proceedings, Republican leadership called alame-duck sessionin December 1998. While theHouse Judiciary Committeehearings ended in a straight party-line vote, there was lively debate on the House floor. The two charges passed in the House (largely with Republican support, but with a handful of Democratic votes as well) were for perjury and obstruction of\",\n \"and obstruction of justice. The perjury charge arose from Clinton's testimony before a grand jury that had been convened to investigate perjury he may have committed in his sworn deposition duringJones v. Clinton,Paula Jones's sexual harassment lawsuit.The obstruction charge was based on his actions to conceal his relationship with Lewinsky before and after that deposition. The Senate later acquitted Clinton of both charges.The Senate refused to meet to hold an impeachment trial before the end of the old term, so the trial was held over until the next Congress. Clinton was represented by Washington law firmWilliams & Connolly.The Senate finished a twenty-one-day trial on February 12, 1999, with the vote of 55 not guilty/45 guilty on the perjury chargeand 50 not guilty/50 guilty on the obstruction of justice charge.Both votes fell short of the constitutional two-thirds majority requirement to convict and remove an officeholder. The final vote was generally along party lines, with no Democrats voting guilty,\",\n \"voting guilty, and only a handful of Republicans voting not guilty. On January 19, 2001, Clinton's law license was suspended for five years after he acknowledged to an Arkansas circuit court he had engaged in conduct prejudicial to the administration of justice in theJonescase. Pardons and commutations Clintonissued141 pardons and 36 commutations on his last day in office on January 20, 2001.Controversy surroundedMarc Richand allegations that Hillary Clinton's brother,Hugh Rodham, accepted payments in return for influencing the president's decision-making regarding the pardons.Federal prosecutorMary Jo Whitewas appointed to investigate the pardon of Rich. She was later replaced by then-RepublicanJames Comey. The investigation found no wrongdoing on Clinton's part.Clinton also pardoned four defendants in theWhitewater Scandal,Chris Wade,Susan McDougal,Stephen Smith, andRobert W. Palmer, all of whom had ties to Clinton when he was governor of Arkansas.Former ClintonHUD SecretaryHenry Cisneros, who pleaded\",\n \"who pleaded guilty to lying to the FBI, was also among Clinton's pardons. Campaign finance controversies In February 1997 it was discovered upon documents being released by theClinton Administrationthat 938 people had stayed at the White House and that 821 of them had made donations to theDemocratic Partyand got the opportunity to stay in the Lincoln bedroom as a result of the donations.Some donors includedSteven Spielberg,Tom Hanks,Jane Fonda, andJudy Collins. Top donors also got golf games and morning jogs with Clinton as a result of the contributions.Janet Renowas called on to investigate the matter byTrent Lott, but she refused. In 1996, it was found that several Chinese foreigners made contributions to Clinton's reelection campaign and theDemocratic National Committeewith the backing of the People's Republic of China. Some of them also attempted to donate to Clinton's defense fund.This violated United States law forbidding non-American citizens from making campaign contributions. Clinton andAl Gorealso\",\n \"andAl Gorealso allegedly met with the foreign donors.A Republican investigation led byFred Thompsonfound that Clinton was targeted by the Chinese government. However, Democratic senatorsJoe LiebermanandJohn Glennsaid that the evidence showed that China only targeted congressional elections and not presidential elections. Military and foreign affairs Somalia American troops had first enteredSomaliaduring theBush administrationin response to a humanitarian crisis andcivil war. Though initially involved to assist humanitarian efforts, the Clinton administration shifted the objectives set out in the mission and began pursuing a policy of attempting to neutralize Somali warlords. In 1993, during theBattle of Mogadishu,two U.S. helicopterswere shot down byrocket-propelled grenadeattacks to theirtail rotors, trapping soldiers behind enemy lines. This resulted in an urban battle that killed 18 American soldiers, wounded 73 others, and resulted in one being taken prisoner.Television news programs depicted the\",\n \"depicted the supporters of warlordMohammed Aididdesecrating the corpses of troops.The backlash resulting from the incident prompted in a drop in support for American intervention in the country and coincided with a more cautious use of troops throughout the rest of the Clinton administration.Following a subsequent national security policy review, U.S. forces were withdrawn from Somalia and later conflicts were approached with fewer soldiers on the ground. Rwanda In April 1994,genocidebroke out inRwanda. Intelligence reports indicate that Clinton was aware a \\\"final solution to eliminate allTutsis\\\" was underway, long before the administration publicly used the word \\\"genocide\\\".Fearing a reprisal of the events in Somalia the previous year, Clinton chose not to intervene.Clinton has called his failure to intervene one of his main foreign policy failings, saying \\\"I don't think we could have ended the violence, but I think we could have cut it down. And I regret it.\\\" Bosnia and Herzegovina In 1993 and 1994, Clinton\",\n \"and 1994, Clinton pressured Western European leaders to adopt a strong military policy againstBosnian Serbsduring theBosnian War. This strategy faced staunch opposition from theUnited Nations,NATOallies, and Congressional Republicans, leading Clinton to adopt a more diplomatic approach.In 1995, U.S. and NATO aircraftbombed Bosnian Serb targetsto halt attacks on UN safe zones and pressure them into a peace accord that would end theBosnian war. Clinton deployed U.S. peacekeepers to Bosnia in late 1995, to uphold the subsequentDayton Agreement. Irish peace talks In 1992, before his presidency, Clinton proposed sending a peace envoy toNorthern Ireland, but this was dropped to avoid tensions with the British government. In November 1995, in a ceasefire duringthe Troubles, Clinton became the first president to visit Northern Ireland, examining both of the two divided communities ofBelfast.Despiteunionistcriticism, Clinton used his visit as a way to negotiate an end to the violent conflict, playing a key role in\",\n \"a key role in thepeace talksthat produced theGood Friday Agreementin 1998. Iran Clinton sought to continue the Bush administration's policy of limiting Iranian influence in the Middle East, which he laid out in thedual containmentstrategy. In 1994, Clinton declared that Iran was a \\\"state sponsor of terrorism\\\" and a \\\"rogue state\\\", marking the first time that an American President used that term.Subsequent executive orders heavily sanctioned Iran's oil industry and banned almost all trade between U.S. companies and the Iranian government. In February 1996, the Clinton administration agreed to pay Iran US$131.8million (equivalent to $256.05 million in 2023) in settlement to discontinue a case brought by Iran in 1989 against the U.S. in theInternational Court of Justiceafter the shooting down ofIran Air Flight 655by the U.S. Navyguided missile cruiser. Iraq In Clinton's1998 State of the Union Address, he warned Congress that Iraqi dictatorSaddam Husseinwas building an arsenal of chemical, biological and nuclear\",\n \"and nuclear weapons. Clinton signed theIraq Liberation Act of 1998on October 31, 1998, which instituted a policy of \\\"regime change\\\" against Iraq, though it explicitly stated it did not provide for direct intervention on the part of American military forces.The administration then launched a four-day bombing campaign namedOperation Desert Fox, lasting from December 16 to 19, 1998. At the end of this operation Clinton announced that \\\"So long as Saddam remains in power, he will remain a threat to his people, his region, and the world. With our allies, we must pursue a strategy to contain him and to constrain his weapons of mass destruction program, while working toward the day Iraq has a government willing to live at peace with its people and with its neighbors.\\\"American and British aircraft in the Iraq no-fly zones attacked hostile Iraqi air defenses 166 times in 1999 and 78 times in 2000. Osama bin Laden Capturing Osama bin Laden was an objective of the U.S. government during the Clinton presidency (and\",\n \"presidency (and continued to be untilbin Laden's death in 2011).Despite claims byMansoor Ijazand Sudanese officials that the Sudanese government had offered to arrest and extradite bin Laden, and that U.S. authorities rejected each offer,the9/11 Commission Reportstated that \\\"we have not found any reliable evidence to support the Sudanese claim\\\". In response to a 1996 State Department warning about bin Ladenand the1998 bombings of U.S. embassies in East Africaby al-Qaeda (which killed 224 people, including 12 Americans), Clinton ordered several military missions to capture or kill bin Laden, all of which were unsuccessful. In August 1998, Clintonordered cruise missile strikes on terrorist targets in Afghanistan and Sudan, targeting theAl-Shifa pharmaceutical factoryin Sudan, which was suspected of assisting bin Laden in making chemical weapons, and bin Laden's terrorist training camps in Afghanistan. The factory was destroyed by the attack, resulting in the death of one employee and the wounding of 11 other\",\n \"of 11 other people.After the destruction of the factory, there was a medicine shortage in Sudan due to the plant providing 50 percent of Sudan's medicine, and the destruction of the plant led to a shortage of chloroquine, a drug which is used to treat malaria.U.S. officials later acknowledged that there was no evidence the plant was acknowledging manufacturing or storing nerve gas.The attack provoked criticism of Clinton from journalists and academics includingChristopher Hitchens,Seymour Hersh,Max Taylor,and others. Kosovo In the midst of a brutal crackdown onethnic Albanian separatistsin the province ofKosovoby theFederal Republic of Yugoslavia, Clinton authorized the use of U.S. Armed Forces in a NATO bombing campaign against Yugoslavia in 1999, namedOperation Allied Force.The stated reasoning behind the intervention was to stop theethnic cleansing(and what the Clinton administration labeledgenocide)of Albanians by Yugoslav anti-guerilla military units. GeneralWesley ClarkwasSupreme Allied Commander of\",\n \"Allied Commander of NATOand oversaw the mission. WithUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1244, the bombing campaign ended on June 10, 1999. The resolution placed Kosovo under UN administration and authorized apeacekeeping forceto be deployed to the region.NATO announced its soldiers all survived combat,though two died in anApache helicoptercrash.Journalists in the popular press criticized genocide statements by the Clinton administration as false and greatly exaggerated.Prior to the bombing campaign on March 24, 1999, estimates showed that the number of civilians killed in the over year longconflict in Kosovohad been approximately 1,800, with critics asserting that little or no evidence existed of genocide.In a post-war inquiry, theOrganization for Security and Co-operation in Europenoted \\\"the patterns of the expulsions and the vast increase in lootings, killings, rape, kidnappings and pillage once the NATO air war began on March 24.\\\"In 2001, theUN-supervisedSupreme Court of Kosovoruled that genocide\",\n \"that genocide (theintent to destroya people) did not take place, but recognized \\\"a systematic campaign of terror, including murders, rapes, arsons and severe maltreatments\\\" with the intention being the forceful departure of the Albanian population.The term \\\"ethnic cleansing\\\" was used as an alternative to \\\"genocide\\\" to denote not just ethnically motivated murder but also displacement, though critics charge there is little difference.Slobodan Milošević, the president of Yugoslavia at the time of the atrocities, waseventually brought to trialbefore theInternational Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslaviainthe Hagueon charges includingcrimes against humanityand war crimes for his role in the war.He died in 2006, before the completion of the trial. China Clinton aimed to increase trade with China, minimizing import tariffs and offering the countrymost favoured nationstatus in 1993, his administration minimized tariff levels in Chinese imports. Clinton initially conditioned extension of this status onhuman\",\n \"this status onhuman rightsreforms, but ultimately decided to extend the status despite a lack of reform in the specified areas, including free emigration, treatment of prisoners in terms of international human rights, and observation of human rights specified by UN resolutions, among others. Relations were damaged briefly by theAmerican bombing of the Chinese embassy in Belgradein May 1999. Clinton apologized for the bombing, stating it was accidental. On October 10, 2000, Clinton signed into law theUnited States–China Relations Act of 2000, which grantedpermanent normal trade relations(PNTR) trade status to China.The president asserted that free trade would gradually open China to democratic reform. In encouraging Congress to approve the agreement and China's accession to theWorld Trade Organization(WTO), Clinton stated that more trade with China would advance America's economic interests, saying that \\\"economically, this agreement is the equivalent of a one-way street. It requires China to open its\",\n \"China to open its markets—with a fifth of the world's population, potentially the biggest markets in the world—to both our products and services in unprecedented new ways.\\\" Israeli-Palestinian conflict Clinton attempted to end theIsraeli–Palestinian conflict. Secret negotiations mediated by Clinton between Israeli Prime MinisterYitzhak RabinandPalestine Liberation Organization(PLO) ChairmanYasser Arafatled to a historic declaration of peace in September 1993, called theOslo Accords, which were signed at the White House on September 13. The agreement led to theIsrael–Jordan peace treatyin 1994 and theWye River Memorandumin October 1998, however, this did not end the conflict. He brought Israeli prime ministerEhud Barakand Palestinian Authority chairmanYasser Arafattogether atCamp Davidfor the2000 Camp David Summit, which lasted 14 days in July.Following another attempt in December 2000 atBolling Air Force Base, in which the president offered theClinton Parameters, the situation broke down completely after the\",\n \"after the end of theTaba Summitand with the start of theSecond Intifada. Judicial appointments Clinton appointed two justices to theSupreme Court:Ruth Bader Ginsburgin 1993andStephen Breyerin 1994.Both justices went on to serve until the 2020s, leaving a lasting judicial legacy for President Clinton. Clinton was the first president in history to appoint more women and minority judges than white male judges to the federal courts.In his eight years in office, 11.6% of Clinton's court of appeals nominees and 17.4% of his district court nominees were black; 32.8% of his court of appeals nominees and 28.5% of his district court nominees were women. Public opinion Throughout Clinton's first term, his job approval rating fluctuated in the 40s and 50s. In his second term, his rating consistently ranged from the high-50s to the high-60s.After his impeachment proceedings in 1998 and 1999, Clinton's rating reached its highest point.According to aCBS News/New York Timespoll, Clinton left office with an approval rating\",\n \"an approval rating of 68 percent, which matched those of Ronald Reagan and Franklin D. Roosevelt as the highest ratings for departing presidents in the modern era.Clinton's averageGallup pollapproval rating for his last quarter in office was 61 percent, the highest final quarter rating any president has received for fifty years.Forty-seven percent of the respondents identified themselves as being Clinton supporters. As he was leaving office, a CNN/USA Today/Gallup poll revealed that 45 percent of Americans said they would miss him; 55 percent thought he \\\"would have something worthwhile to contribute and should remain active in public life\\\"; 68 percent thought he would be remembered more for his \\\"involvement in personal scandal\\\" than for \\\"his accomplishments\\\"; and 58 percent answered \\\"No\\\" to the question \\\"Do you generally think Bill Clinton is honest and trustworthy?\\\"The same percentage said he would be remembered as either \\\"outstanding\\\" or \\\"above average\\\" as a president, while 22 percent said he would be\",\n \"said he would be remembered as \\\"below average\\\" or \\\"poor\\\".ABC Newscharacterized public consensus on Clinton as, \\\"You can't trust him, he's got weak morals and ethics—and he's done a heck of a good job.\\\" In May 2006, a CNN poll comparing Clinton's job performance with that of his successor, George W. Bush, found that a strong majority of respondents said Clinton outperformed Bush in six different areas questioned.Gallup polls in 2007 and 2011 showed that Clinton was regarded by 13 percent of Americans as the greatest president in U.S. history. In 2014, 18 percent of respondents in aQuinnipiac University Polling Institutepoll of American voters regarded Clinton as the best president since World War II, making him the third most popular among postwar presidents, behind John F. Kennedy and Ronald Reagan.The same poll showed that just 3 percent of American voters regarded Clinton as the worst president since World War II. A 2015 poll byThe Washington Postasked 162 scholars of theAmerican Political Science\",\n \"Political Science Associationto rank all the U.S. presidents in order of greatness. According to their findings, Clinton ranked eighth overall, with a rating of 70 percent. Public image Clinton was the firstbaby boomerpresident.Authors Martin Walker andBob Woodwardstated that Clinton's innovative use ofsound bite-ready dialogue, personal charisma, and public perception-oriented campaigning were a major factor in his high public approval ratings.When Clinton played the saxophone onThe Arsenio Hall Show, he was described by some religious conservatives as \\\"the MTV president\\\".Opponents sometimes referred to him as \\\"Slick Willie\\\", a nickname which was first applied to him in 1980 byPine Bluff CommercialjournalistPaul Greenberg;Greenberg believed that Clinton was abandoning the progressive policies of previous Arkansas Governors such asWinthrop Rockefeller,Dale BumpersandDavid Pryor.The claim \\\"Slick Willie\\\" would last throughout his presidency.His folksy manner led him to benicknamedBubbastarting from the 1992\",\n \"from the 1992 presidential election.Since 2000, he has frequently been referred to as \\\"The Big Dog\\\" or \\\"Big Dog\\\".His prominent role in campaigning for Obama during the2012 presidential electionand his widely publicized speech at the2012 Democratic National Convention, where he officially nominated Obama and criticized Republican nomineeMitt Romneyand Republican policies in detail, earned him the nickname \\\"Explainer-in-Chief\\\". Clinton drew strong support from the African American community and insisted that the improvement of race relations would be a major theme of his presidency.In 1998,NobellaureateToni Morrisoncalled Clinton \\\"the first black president\\\", saying, \\\"Clinton displays almost every trope of blackness: single-parent household, born poor, working-class, saxophone-playing,McDonald's-and-junk-food-loving boy from Arkansas\\\".Morrison noted that Clinton's sex life was scrutinized more than his career accomplishments, and she compared this to the stereotyping anddouble standardsthat, she said, black\",\n \"she said, black people typically endure.Many viewed this comparison as unfair and disparaging both to Clinton and to the African-American community. Sexual assault and misconduct allegations Several women have publicly accused Clinton of sexual misconduct, including rape, harassment, and sexual assault. Additionally, some commentators have characterized Clinton's sexual relationship with former White House intern Monica Lewinsky as predatory or non-consensual, despite the fact that Lewinsky called the relationship consensual at the time. These allegations have been revisited and lent more credence in 2018, in light of the#MeToo movement, with many commentators and Democratic leaders now saying Clinton should have been compelled to resign after the Lewinsky affair. In 1994,Paula Jonesinitiated asexual harassment lawsuitagainst Clinton, claiming he had made unwanted advances towards her in 1991; Clinton denied the allegations. In April 1998, the case was initially dismissed by JudgeSusan Webber Wrighton the\",\n \"Webber Wrighton the grounds that it lacked legal merit.Jones appealed Webber Wright's ruling, and her suit gained traction following Clinton's admission to having an affair with Monica Lewinsky in August 1998.In 1998, lawyers for Paula Jones released court documents that alleged a pattern of sexual harassment by Clinton when he was Governor of Arkansas.Robert S. Bennett, Clinton's main lawyer for the case, called the filing \\\"a pack of lies\\\" and \\\"an organized campaign to smear the President of the United States\\\" funded by Clinton's political enemies.In October 1998, Clinton's attorneys tentatively offered $700,000 to settle the case, which was then the $800,000 which Jones' lawyers sought.Clinton later agreed to an out-of-court settlement and paid Jones $850,000.Bennett said the president made the settlement only so he could end the lawsuit for good and move on with his life.During the deposition for the Jones lawsuit, which was held at the White House,Clintondenied having sexual relationswith Monica\",\n \"Monica Lewinsky—a denial that became the basis for an impeachment charge of perjury. In 1998,Kathleen Willeyalleged that Clinton hadgropedher in a hallway in 1993. An independent counsel determined Willey gave \\\"false information\\\" to the FBI, inconsistent with sworn testimony related to the Jones allegation.On March 19, 1998, Julie Hiatt Steele, a friend of Willey, released anaffidavit, accusing the former White House aide of asking her to lie to corroborate Ms. Willey's account of being sexually groped by Clinton in the Oval Office.An attempt by Kenneth Starr to prosecute Steele for making false statements and obstructing justice ended in a mistrial and Starr declined to seek a retrial after Steele sought an investigation against the former independent counsel for prosecutorial misconduct. Also in 1998,Juanita Broaddrickalleged that Clinton had raped her in the spring of 1978, although she said she did not remember the exact date.To support her charge, Broaddrick notes that she told multiple witnesses in\",\n \"witnesses in 1978 she had been raped by Clinton, something these witnesses also state in interviews to the press.Broaddrick had earlier filed an affidavit denying any \\\"unwelcome sexual advances\\\" and later repeated the denial in a sworn deposition.In a 1998 NBC interview wherein she detailed the alleged rape, Broaddrick said she had denied (under oath) being raped only to avoid testifying about the ordeal publicly. The Lewinsky scandal has had an enduring impact on Clinton's legacy, beyond his impeachment in 1998.In the wake of the #MeToo movement (which shed light on the widespread prevalence ofsexual assaultandharassment, especially in the workplace), various commentators and Democratic political leaders, as well as Lewinsky herself, have revisited their view that the Lewinsky affair was consensual, and instead characterized it as an abuse of power or harassment, in light of the power differential between a president and a 22-year-old intern. In 2018, Clinton was asked in several interviews about whether he\",\n \"about whether he should have resigned, and he said he had made the right decision in not resigning.During the2018 Congressional elections,The New York Timesalleged that having no Democratic candidate for office asking Clinton to campaign with them was a change that attributed to the revised understanding of the Lewinsky scandal.However, former DNC interim chairDonna Brazilepreviously urged Clinton in November 2017 to campaign during the 2018 midterm elections, in spite of New York U.S. senatorKirsten Gillibrand's recent criticism of the Lewinsky scandal. Alleged affairs Clinton admitted to having extramarital affairs with singerGennifer FlowersandMonica Lewinsky.ActressElizabeth Gracen,Miss Arkansas winnerSally Perdue,and Dolly Kyle Browningall claimed that they had affairs with Clinton during his time as governor of Arkansas. Browning later sued Clinton,Bruce Lindsey,Robert S. Bennett, andJane Mayer, alleging they engaged in a conspiracy to attempt to block her from publishing a book loosely based on her\",\n \"based on her relationship with Clinton and tried to defame him. However, Browning's lawsuit was dismissed. Post-presidency (2001–present) Activities until 2008 campaign In 2002, Clinton warned that pre-emptive military action against Iraq would have unwelcome consequences,and later claimed to have opposed the Iraq War from the start (though some dispute this).In 2005, Clinton criticized the Bush administration for its handling of emissions control, while speaking at theUnited Nations Climate Change conferencein Montreal. TheWilliam J. Clinton Presidential Center and ParkinLittle Rock, Arkansas, was dedicated in 2004.Clinton released a best-selling autobiography,My Life, in 2004.In 2007, he releasedGiving: How Each of Us Can Change the World, which also became aNew York TimesBest Sellerand garnered positive reviews. In the aftermath of the2004 Asian tsunami,U.N. secretary-generalKofi Annanappointed Clinton to head a relief effort.AfterHurricane Katrina, Clinton joined with fellow former president George H. W.\",\n \"George H. W. Bush to establish the Bush-Clinton Tsunami Fund in January 2005, and the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund in October of that year.As part of the tsunami effort, these two ex-presidents appeared in aSuper Bowl XXXIXpre-game show,and traveled to the affected areas.They also spoke together at the funeral ofBoris Yeltsinin April 2007. Based on his philanthropic worldview,Clinton created theWilliam J. Clinton Foundationto address issues of global importance. This foundation includes the Clinton Foundation HIV and AIDS Initiative (CHAI), which strives to combat that disease, and has worked with the Australian government toward that end. TheClinton Global Initiative(CGI), begun by the Clinton Foundation in 2005, attempts to address world problems such as globalpublic health, poverty alleviation and religious andethnic conflict.In 2005, Clinton announced through his foundation an agreement with manufacturers to stop selling sugary drinks in schools.Clinton's foundation joined with theLarge Cities Climate\",\n \"Cities Climate Leadership Groupin 2006 to improve cooperation among those cities, and he met with foreign leaders to promote this initiative.The foundation has received donations from many governments all over the world, including Asia and the Middle East.In 2008, Foundation directorInder Singhannounced deals to reduce the price of anti-malaria drugs by 30 percent in developing nations.Clinton also spoke in favor ofCalifornia Proposition 87onalternative energy, which was voted down. 2008 presidential election During the2008 Democratic presidential primary campaign, Clinton vigorously advocated on behalf of his wife, Hillary. Through speaking engagements and fundraisers, he was able to raise $10 million toward her campaign.Some worried that as an ex-president, he was too active on the trail, too negative to Clinton rivalBarack Obama, and alienating his supporters at home and abroad.Many were especially critical of him following his remarks in the South Carolina primary, which Obama won. Later in the 2008\",\n \"Later in the 2008 primaries, there was some infighting between Bill and Hillary's staffs, especially in Pennsylvania.Considering Bill's remarks, many thought he could not rally Hillary supporters behind Obama after Obama won the primary.Such remarks led to apprehension that the party would be split to the detriment of Obama's election. Fears were allayed August 27, 2008, when Clinton enthusiastically endorsed Obama at the2008 Democratic National Convention, saying all his experience as president assures him that Obama is \\\"ready to lead\\\".After Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign was over, Bill Clinton continued to raise funds to help pay off her campaign debt. After the 2008 election In 2009, Clinton travelled to North Korea on behalf of two American journalistsimprisonedthere.Euna LeeandLaura Linghad been imprisoned for illegally entering the country from China.Jimmy Carterhad made a similar visit in 1994.After Clinton met with North Korean leaderKim Jong-il, Kim issued a pardon. Since then, Clinton has\",\n \"then, Clinton has been assigned many other diplomatic missions. He was named United NationsSpecial Envoyto Haiti in 2009 following a series of hurricanes which caused $1 billion in damages.Clinton organized a conference with the Inter-American Development Bank, where a new industrial park was discussed in an effort to \\\"build back better\\\".In response to the2010 Haiti earthquake, U.S. president Barack Obama announced that Clinton and George W. Bush would coordinate efforts to raise funds for Haiti's recovery.Funds began pouring into Haiti, which led to funding becoming available for Caracol Industrial Park in a part of the country unaffected by the earthquake. While Hillary Clinton was in South Korea, she andCheryl Millsworked to convince SAE-A, a large apparel subcontractor, to invest in Haiti despite the company's deep concerns about plans to raise the minimum wage. In the summer of 2010, the South Korean company signed a contract at the U.S. State Department, ensuring that the new industrial park would have\",\n \"park would have a key tenant.In 2010, Clinton announced support of, and delivered the keynote address for, the inauguration ofNTR, Ireland's first environmental foundation.At the 2012 Democratic National Convention, Clinton gave a widely praised speech nominating Barack Obama. 2016 presidential election and after During the2016 presidential election, Clinton again encouraged voters to support Hillary, and made appearances speaking on the campaign trail.In a series of tweets, then-President-electDonald Trumpcriticized his ability to get people out to vote.Clinton served as a member of the electoral college for the state of New York. He voted for the Democratic ticket consisting of his wife Hillary and her running-mateTim Kaine. On September 7, 2017, Clinton partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama to work withOne America Appealto help the victims ofHurricane HarveyandHurricane Irmain theGulf CoastandTexascommunities. In2020, Clinton again served as a\",\n \"again served as a member of the United States Electoral College from New York, casting his vote for the successful Democratic ticket ofJoe BidenandKamala Harris. Citizen: My Life After the White House,his autobiography about his life after his presidency, will be released in November 19, 2024. Post-presidential health concerns In September 2004, Clinton underwent quadruple bypass surgery.In March 2005, he again underwent surgery, this time for a partially collapsed lung.On February 11, 2010, he was rushed toNew York-Presbyterian/Columbia Hospitalin Manhattan after complaining of chest pains, and he had twocoronary stentsimplanted in his heart.After this procedure, Clinton adopted a plant-based whole foods (vegan) diet, which had been recommended by doctorsDean OrnishandCaldwell Esselstyn.He has since incorporated fish and lean animal flesh at the suggestion ofMark Hyman, a proponent of thepseudoscientificethos offunctional medicine.As a result, he is no longer a strict vegan. In October 2021, Clinton was\",\n \"2021, Clinton was treated forsepsisat theUniversity of California, Irvine Medical Center.In December 2022, Clinton tested positive forCOVID-19. Wealth The Clintons incurred several million dollars in legal bills during his presidency, which were paid off four years after he left office.Bill and Hillary Clinton have each earned millions of dollars from book publishing.In 2016,Forbesreported Bill and Hillary Clinton made about $240million in the 15years from January 2001, to December 2015, (mostly from paid speeches, business consulting and book-writing).Also in 2016,CNNreported the Clintons combined to receive more than $153million in paid speeches from 2001 until spring 2015.In May 2015,The Hillreported that Bill and Hillary Clinton have made more than $25million in speaking fees since the start of 2014, and that Hillary Clinton also made $5million or more from her book,Hard Choices, during the same time period.In July 2014,The Wall Street Journalreported that at the end of 2012, the Clintons were worth\",\n \"Clintons were worth between $5million and $25.5million, and that in 2012 (the last year they were required to disclose the information) the Clintons made between $16 and $17million, mostly from speaking fees earned by the former president.Clinton earned more than $104million from paid speeches between 2001 and 2012.In June 2014, ABC News andThe Washington Postreported that Bill Clinton has made more than $100million giving paid speeches since leaving public office, and in 2008,The New York Timesreported that the Clintons' income tax returnsshow they made $109million in the eight years from January 1, 2000, to December 31, 2007, including almost $92million from his speaking and book-writing. Bill Clinton has given dozens of paid speeches each year since leaving office in 2001, mostly to corporations and philanthropic groups in North America and Europe; he often earned $100,000 to $300,000 per speech.Russian investment bank with ties to the Kremlin paid Clinton $500,000 for a speech inMoscow.Hillary Clinton\",\n \"Clinton said she and Bill came out of the White House financially \\\"broke\\\" and in debt, especially due to large legal fees incurred during their years in the White House. \\\"We had no money when we got there, and we struggled to, you know, piece together the resources for mortgages, for houses, for Chelsea's education\\\". She added, \\\"Bill has worked really hard ... we had to pay off all our debts ... he had to make double the money because of, obviously, taxes; and then pay off the debts, and get us houses, and take care of family members\\\". Relationship with Jeffrey Epstein In the early 2000s, Clinton took flights onJeffrey Epstein's private jet in connection with Clinton Foundation work.According to Epstein's attorneyGerald B. Lefcourt, Epstein was \\\"part of the original group that conceived of theClinton Global Initiative\\\".In 2002, a spokesperson for Clinton praised Epstein as \\\"a committed philanthropist\\\" with \\\"insights and generosity\\\".While Clinton was president, Epstein visited the White House at least 17\",\n \"House at least 17 times between 1993 and 1995.Years later, Epstein was convicted on sex trafficking charges. Clinton's office released a statement in 2019 saying, \\\"President Clinton knows nothing about the terrible crimes Jeffrey Epstein pleaded guilty to in Florida some years ago, or those with which he has been recently charged in New York. In 2002 and 2003, President Clinton took four trips on Jeffrey Epstein's airplane: one to Europe, one to Asia, and two to Africa, which included stops in connection with the work of the Clinton Foundation. Staff, supporters of the Foundation, and his Secret Service detail traveled on every leg of every trip. He's not spoken to Epstein in well over a decade.\\\" However, later reports showed that Clinton had flown on Epstein's plane 26 times.In another statement Clinton said \\\"one meeting with Epstein in his Harlem office in 2002, and around the same time made one brief visit to Epstein's New York apartment with a staff member and his security detail\\\". In July 2019 it was\",\n \"In July 2019 it was reported that Clinton attended a dinner with Epstein in 1995, a meeting with Epstein that Clinton had not previously disclosed. Clinton reportedly used Epstein's private jet to visitLittle St. James Island, where Epstein resided,on multiple occasions between 2002 and 2005.Virginia Roberts, later known as Virginia Giuffre, says in a lawsuit that while working atDonald Trump'sMar-a-Lagoresortshe was lured into asex-traffickingring run by Epstein and while traveling with Epstein she saw Clinton on the island.In a 2011 conversation with her lawyers, Roberts stated that Clinton traveled to Epstein's retreat on Little St. James in 2002.According to Roberts, Epstein told her that Clinton \\\"owes me favors\\\" when she asked what he was doing there.She also reportedly claimed that Epstein and Clinton had dined in the presence of two girls aged approximately seventeen whom she believed Epstein had invited to have sex with Clinton, but that Clinton showed no interest in them.AFreedom of Information\",\n \"of Information Actrequest forUnited States Secret Servicerecords of visits Clinton may have made to Little St. James produced no such evidence.According to Epstein's flight logs, Clinton never flew near the U.S. Virgin Islands.In July 2019, a Clinton spokesperson issued a statement saying Clinton never visited the island.When he was personally asked by a journalist about his ties with Epstein in a rally inLaredo, Texasin November 2022, Clinton said \\\"I think the evidence is clear\\\".According to former Clinton aide,Doug Band, Clinton visited Epstein's island in January 2003.In 2024, unsealed court documents revealed allegations that Clinton had visited the offices ofVanity Fairand 'threatened' the paper not to print stories about Epstein's sexual trafficking. FormerVanity FaireditorGraydon Carterdenied the incident ever took place. Personal life At the age of 10, he was baptized at Park PlaceBaptistChurch inHot Springs, Arkansas.When he became president in 1993, he became a member ofFoundry United Methodist\",\n \"United Methodist ChurchinWashington, D.C.with his wife, aMethodist. On October 11, 1975, inFayetteville, Arkansas, he marriedHillary Rodham, whom he met while studying atYale University. They hadChelsea Clinton, their only child, on February 27, 1980.He is the maternal grandfather to Chelsea's three children. Accolades Various colleges and universities have awarded Clinton honorary degrees, includingDoctorate of LawdegreesandDoctor of Humane Lettersdegrees.He received an honorary degree from Georgetown University, his alma mater, and was the commencement speaker in 1980.He is an honorary fellow of University College, Oxford, which he attended as aRhodes Scholar, although he did not complete his studies there.Schools have been named for Clinton,and statues have been built to pay him homage.U.S. states where he has been honored include Missouri,Arkansas,Kentucky,and New York.He was presented with theMedal for Distinguished Public ServicebySecretary of DefenseWilliam Cohenin 2001.TheClinton Presidential\",\n \"Presidential Centerwas opened in Little Rock, Arkansas, in his honor on December 5, 2001. Clinton has been honored in various other ways, in countries that include the Czech Republic,Papua New Guinea,Germany,and Kosovo.The Republic of Kosovo, in gratitude for his help during theKosovo War, renamed a major street in the capital city ofPristinaasBill Clinton Boulevardand added a monumental Clinton statue. Clinton was selected asTime's\\\"Man of the Year\\\" in 1992,and again in 1998, along withKen Starr.From a poll conducted of the American people in December 1999, Clinton was among eighteen included inGallup's List of Most Widely Admired People of the 20th Century.In 2001, Clinton received theNAACP'sPresident's Award.He has also been honored with a J. William Fulbright Prize for International Understanding,aTEDPrize (named for the confluence of technology, entertainment and design),and was named as an HonoraryGLAAD Media Awardrecipient for his work as an advocate for the LGBT community. Clinton, along withMikhail\",\n \"along withMikhail GorbachevandSophia Loren,received the2003 Grammy AwardforBest Spoken Word Album for ChildrenforWolf Tracks and Peter and the Wolf.Theaudiobookedition of his autobiography,My Life, read by Clinton himself, won the2005 Grammy AwardforBest Spoken Word Album,as well as theAudie Awardas the Audiobook of the Year.Clinton has two more Grammy nominations for his audiobooks:Giving: How Each of Us Can Change the Worldin2007andBack to Workin2012. In 2011, Haitian presidentMichel Martellyawarded Clinton with theNational Order of Honour and Meritto the rank of Grand Cross \\\"for his various initiatives in Haiti and especially his high contribution to the reconstruction of the country after the earthquake of January 12, 2010\\\". Clinton declared at the ceremony that \\\"in the United States of America, I really don't believe former American presidents need awards anymore, but I am very honored by this one, I love Haiti, and I believe in its promise\\\". President Obama awarded Clinton thePresidential Medal of\",\n \"Medal of Freedomon November 20, 2013. See also References Citations Further reading Primary sources Popular books Scholarly studies Arkansas years External links Official Interviews, speeches, and statements Media coverage Other\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":272,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"What state is the home of the losing team of the World Series three years before \"Old Shufflefoot\" managed his team to victory? "},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Illinois"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Boudreau"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Series_champions"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Boudreau', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Series_champions', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Boudreau","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Series_champions","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Boudreau\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Series_champions\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Lou Boudreau As manager Louis Boudreau(July 17, 1917 – August 10, 2001), nicknamed \"Old Shufflefoot\", \"Handsome Lou\", and \"the Good Kid\", was an Americanprofessional baseballplayer and manager.He played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for 15 seasons, primarily as ashortstopon theCleveland Indians, and managed four teams for 15 seasons including 10 seasons as aplayer-manager. He was also a radio announcer for theChicago Cubsand in college was a dual-sport athlete in baseball and basketball, earningAll-Americanhonors in basketball for theUniversity of Illinois. Boudreau was anAll-Starfor seven seasons.In 1948, Boudreau won theAmerican LeagueMost Valuable Player Awardand managed theCleveland Indiansto theWorld Seriestitle. He won the 1944 American League (AL)batting title(.327), and led the league in doubles in 1941, 1944, and 1947. He led AL shortstops in fielding eight times. Boudreau still holds the MLB record for hitting the most consecutive doubles in a game (four), set on July 14, 1946. In 1970, Boudreau was elected to theNational Baseball Hall of Fameand his No. 5 was retired by the Indians that same year. Early life Boudreau was born inHarvey, Illinois, the son of Birdie (Henry) and Louis Boudreau.His father was of French-Canadian ancestry, his mother was Jewish, and both of his maternal grandparents were observantOrthodox Jewswith whom when he was young he celebratedPassoverseders.He was raised Catholic by his father after his parents divorced.He graduated fromThornton Township High SchoolinHarvey, Illinois, where he led the \"Flying Clouds\" to three straightIllinois high school championshipgames, winning in 1933 and finishing as runner up in 1934 and 1935. College baseball and basketball Boudreau attended theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, where he was a member ofPhi Sigma Kappafraternity and captain of thebasketballandbaseballteams. During the1936–37 basketballand baseball seasons, Boudreau led each Fighting Illini team to aBig Ten Conferencechampionship.During the1937–38 basketball season, Boudreau was named anNCAA Men's Basketball All-American. While Boudreau was still at Illinois,Cleveland Indiansgeneral managerCy Slapnickapaid him an undisclosed sum in return for agreeing to play baseball for the Indians after he graduated. Due to this agreement, Boudreau was ruled ineligible for collegiate sports by theBig Ten Conferenceofficials.During his senior year at Illinois, he played professional basketball with theHammond Ciesar All-Americansof theNational Basketball League. Despite playing professional baseball with Cleveland, Boudreau earned hisBachelor of Sciencein education from Illinois in 1940 and worked as the Illinois freshman basketball coach for the 1939 and 1940 teams. Boudreau stayed on as an assistant coach for the1941–42 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball teamand he was instrumental in recruiting futureNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame InducteeAndy Phillipto play for Illinois. Professional baseball career Cleveland Indians Boudreau made his major league debut on September 9, 1938, for theCleveland Indiansat 21 as a third baseman in his first game. In 1939, Indian managerOssie Vitttold him that he would have to move from his normal third base position toshortstopsince established sluggerKen Keltneralready had the regular third base job. In 1940, his first full year as a starter, he batted .295 with 46doublesand 101RBI, and was selected for theAll-Star Gamefor the first of five consecutive seasons (MLB cancelled the1945 gamedue to war-time travel restrictions and did not name All-Stars). Boudreau helped make history in 1941 as a key figure in stopping the56-game hitting streakbyJoe DiMaggio. After two sparkling stops by Keltner at third base on hard ground balls earlier in the game, Boudreau snagged a bad-hop grounder to short barehanded and started a double play retiring DiMaggio at first.He finished the season with a modest .257 batting average, but had a league-leading 45 doubles. After the 1941 season, ownerAlva Bradleypromoted Indians managerRoger Peckinpaughto general manager and appointed the 25-year-old Boudreau player-manager. Boudreau played and managed the Indians throughout World War II (playing basketball had put a strain on Boudreau's ankles that turned intoarthritis, which classified him as4-Fand thus ineligible for military service).In 1944, Boudreau turned 134double plays, the most ever by a player-manager in MLB history. When he bought the Indians in 1947,Bill Veeck, after being approached by Boudreau, renewed the player-manager agreement with mixed feelings on both sides, as Boudreau stated that he would rather be traded than only play shortstop. Details of possibly trading him forVern Stephensof the St. Louis Browns in 1947 only attracted fans to the side of Boudreau. However, Boudreau hit .355 in 1948; Cleveland won the AL pennant and theWorld Series, the Indians first World Series championship in 28 years and only the second in Indians history, with Veeck and Boudreau publicly acknowledging each other's role in the team's success. Later career Boudreau was released by the Indians as both player and manager following the 1950 season. He signed with theBoston Red Sox, playing full-time in 1951, moving up to player-manager in 1952 and managing from the bench in 1953–54. He then became the first manager of theKansas City Athleticsin 1955 after their move from Philadelphia until he was fired after 104 games in 1957 and replaced byHarry Craft. He last managed the Chicago Cubs, in 1960. Managerial record Boudreau shift Boudreau is credited with inventing theinfield shift, which came to be known colloquially as the \"Boudreau shift.\" Because sluggingRed SoxsuperstarTed Williamswas a dead-pull hitter, he moved most of his Cleveland Indian fielders to the right of second base against the Splendid Splinter, leaving only the third baseman and left fielder to the left of second but also very close to second base, far to the right of their normal positions. With characteristic stubborn pride, Williams refused the obvious advice from teammates to hit orbuntto left against the Boudreau shift, but great hitter that he was, not changing his approach against the shift didn't affect his hitting very much. Boudreau later admitted that the shift was more about \"psyching out\" Williams rather than playing him to pull. \"I always considered the Boudreau shift a psychological, rather than a tactical\" ploy, he declared in his autobiographyPlayer-Manager. Broadcasting Boudreau did play-by-play for Cub games in 1958–59 before switching roles with manager \"Jolly Cholly\"Charlie Grimmin 1960. But after only one season as Cubs manager, Boudreau returned to the radio booth and remained there until 1987. He also did radio play-by-play for theChicago Bullsin 1966–1968 and worked onChicago Blackhawksgames forWGN radioandtelevisionas well. The presence of a Hall of Fame announcer affected at least one game. On June 23, 1976, the Cubs were two runs behind at home in the fourth inning of the second game of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates at home when the umpires called the game on account of darkness (since there were no lights atWrigley Fielduntil 1988), announcing that the game would be resumed at the same point the next day as was normally the case in those days. But Boudreau knew the rules better than anyone else in the park, it turned out, for he went down quickly to the clubhouse and pointed out to the umpires that a game that was not yet an official game could not be treated as a suspended game (i.e., it had not gone five innings, or four and a half with the home team leading, as neither was the case), and as such had to be replayed from the first pitch (as was then the rule in a rain-out). The umpires called the National League office, found Boudreau was correct, and removed the two-run Cubs deficit. Later life and honors Boudreau was elected to theBaseball Hall of Famein 1970 with 77.33% of the vote. That same year, his uniform number 5 was retired by theCleveland Indians(he wore number 4 with the Red Sox). In 1973, the city ofClevelandrenamed a street borderingCleveland Municipal Stadiumafter Boudreau.Boudreau Drive in Urbana, Illinois, is also named after Boudreau. In 1990, the Cleveland Indians established The Lou Boudreau Award, which is given every year to the organization's Minor League Player of the Year.In 1992, Boudreau's number 5 jersey was retired by theIllinois Fighting Illini baseballprogram. Boudreau is only one of threeIllinois Fighting Illiniathletes to have their number retired; the other two athletes beingIllinois Fighting Illini footballplayersRed GrangeandDick Butkus. Personal life Boudreau married Della DeRuiter in 1938, and together they had four children. His daughter Sharyn marriedDenny McLain, a former star pitcher with theDetroit Tigerswho was the last 30-game winner in the major leagues (31–6 for the world champion 1968Detroit Tigers). Boudreau had a home inFrankfort, Illinois, for many years. He died on August 10, 2001, due tocardiac arrestat St. James Medical Center inOlympia Fields, Illinois. He was 84. He received a Catholic funeral and his body was interred in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. See also Notes References Further reading External links","List of World Series champions TheWorld Seriesis the annual championship series ofMajor League Baseball(MLB) and concludes theMLB postseason. First played in 1903,the World Series championship is abest-of-seven playoffand is a contest between the champions of baseball'sNational League(NL) andAmerican League(AL).Often referred to as the \"Fall Classic\",the modern World Series has been played every year since 1903 with two exceptions: in1904, when the NL championNew York Giantsdeclined to play the AL championBoston Americans; and in1994, when the series was canceled due to theplayers' strike.The best-of-seven style has been the format of all World Series except in1903,1919,1920,1921, when the winner was determined through abest-of-nine playoff.Although the large majority of contests have been played entirely during the month of October, a small number of Series have also had games played during September and November. The Series-winning team is awarded theCommissioner's Trophy.Players, coaches and others associated with the team are generally givenWorld Series ringsto commemorate their victory; however, they have received other items such aspocket watchesand medallions in the past.The winning team is traditionally invited to theWhite Houseto meet thePresident of the United States. A total of 119 World Series have been contested through 2023, with the AL champion winning 68 and the NL champion winning 51. TheNew York Yankeesof the AL have played in 40 World Series, winning 27 – the most championship appearances and most victories by any team amongst themajor North American professional sports leagues. TheDodgersof the NL have the most losses with 14, while the Yankees have the most losses among AL teams with 13. TheSt. Louis Cardinalshave won 11 championships, the most championships among NL clubs and second-most all-time behind the Yankees, and have made 19 total appearances, third-most among NL clubs.The Dodgers have represented the NL the most in the World Series with 21 appearances. TheSeattle Marinersare the only MLB franchise that has never appeared in a World Series; theMilwaukee Brewers,San Diego Padres,Tampa Bay Rays, andColorado Rockieshave all played in the Series but have never won it, with the Padres and the Rays appearing twice. TheLos Angeles AngelsandWashington Nationalsare the only teams who have won their only World Series appearance, and theToronto Blue JaysandMiami Marlinsare the only teams with multiple World Series appearances with no losses. The Toronto Blue Jays are the only franchise from outside the United States to appear in and win a World Series, winning in 1992 and 1993. TheHouston Astrosare the only franchise to have represented both the NL (2005) and the AL (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022), winning the Series in 2017 and 2022. The 1919 and 2017 World Series were both marred with cheating scandals: theBlack Sox Scandaland theHouston Astros sign stealing scandal. The most recent World Series champions are theTexas Rangers. World Series results Numbers in parentheses in the table are World Series appearances as of the date of that World Series, and are used as follows: Source for this Table World Series records by franchise In the sortable table below, teams are ordered first by number of wins, then by number of appearances, and finally by year of first appearance. In the \"Season(s)\" column,bold yearsindicate winning appearances. Frequent matchups The following are the 20 matchups of teams that have occurred two or more times in the World Series. All teams that have participated in these were \"Classic Eight\" members of either the American or National League; no expansion team (created in 1961 or later) has faced the same opponent more than once in a World Series. See also References External links","Chicago Chicagois themost populous cityin theU.S. stateofIllinoisand in theMidwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the2020 census,it is thethird-most populous city in the United StatesafterNew York CityandLos Angeles. As theseatofCook County, thesecond-most populous countyin the U.S., Chicago is the center of theChicago metropolitan area, often colloquially called \"Chicagoland\" and home to 9.6 million residents. Located on the shore ofLake Michigan, Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837 near aportagebetween theGreat Lakesand theMississippi River watershed. It grew rapidly in the mid-19th century.In 1871, theGreat Chicago Firedestroyed several square miles and left more than 100,000 homeless,but Chicago's population continued to grow.Chicago made noted contributions tourban planningandarchitecture, such as theChicago School, the development of theCity Beautiful movement, and the steel-framedskyscraper. Chicago is an international hub for finance,culture, commerce, industry, education, technology, telecommunications, andtransportation. It has the largest and most diverse financederivativesmarket in the world, generating 20% of all volume incommoditiesand financial futures alone.O'Hare International Airportis routinely ranked among theworld's top six busiest airports by passenger traffic,and the region is also the nation's railroad hub.The Chicago area has one of the highestgross domestic products(GDP) of any urban region in the world, generating $689 billion in 2018.Chicago's economyisdiverse, with no single industry employing more than 14% of the workforce. Chicago is a major destination fortourism, including visitors to itscultural institutions, and Lake Michiganbeaches. Chicago's culture has contributed much to the visual arts,literature, film,theater, comedy (especiallyimprovisational comedy),food, dance, andmusic(particularlyjazz,blues,soul,hip-hop,gospel,andelectronic dance music, includinghouse music). Chicago is home to theChicago Symphony Orchestraand theLyric Opera of Chicago, while theArt Institute of Chicagoprovides an influential visual arts museum andart school. The Chicago area also hosts theUniversity of Chicago,Northwestern University, and theUniversity of Illinois Chicago, amongother institutions of learning. ProfessionalsportsinChicago includeallmajor professional leagues, including twoMajor League Baseballteams. Etymology and nicknames The nameChicagois derived from a French rendering of theindigenousMiami–Illinoiswordshikaakwafor a wild relative of theonion; it is known to botanists asAllium tricoccumand known more commonly as \"ramps\". The first known reference to the site of the current city of Chicago as \"Checagou\" was byRobert de LaSallearound 1679 in a memoir.Henri Joutel, in his journal of 1688, noted that the eponymous wild \"garlic\" grew profusely in the area.According to his diary of late September 1687: ... when we arrived at the said place called \"Chicagou\" which, according to what we were able to learn of it, has taken this name because of the quantity of garlic which grows in the forests in this region. The city has hadseveral nicknamesthroughout its history, such as theWindy City, Chi-Town, Second City, and City of the Big Shoulders. History Beginnings In the mid-18th century, the area was inhabited by thePotawatomi, an indigenous tribe who had succeeded theMiami,SaukandMeskwakipeoples in this region. The first known permanent settler in Chicago was traderJean Baptiste Point du Sable. Du Sable was ofAfricandescent, perhaps born in theFrench colonyofSaint-Domingue(Haiti), and established the settlement in the 1780s. He is commonly known as the \"Founder of Chicago.\" In 1795, following the victory of the new United States in theNorthwest Indian War, an area that was to be part of Chicago was turned over to the U.S. for a military post by native tribes in accordance with theTreaty of Greenville. In 1803, theU.S. ArmyconstructedFort Dearborn, which was destroyed during theWar of 1812in theBattle of Fort Dearbornby the Potawatomi before being later rebuilt. After the War of 1812, theOttawa,Ojibwe, and Potawatomi tribes ceded additional land to the United States in the 1816Treaty of St. Louis. The Potawatomi were forcibly removed from their land after the1833 Treaty of Chicagoand sent west of theMississippi Riveras part of the federal policy ofIndian removal. 19th century On August 12, 1833, the Town of Chicago was organized with a population of about 200.Within seven years it grew to more than 6,000 people. On June 15, 1835, the first public land sales began withEdmund Dick Tayloras Receiver of Public Monies. The City of Chicago was incorporated on Saturday, March 4, 1837,and for several decades was the world's fastest-growing city. As the site of theChicago Portage,the city became an important transportation hub between the eastern and western United States. Chicago's first railway,Galena and Chicago Union Railroad, and theIllinois and Michigan Canalopened in 1848. The canal allowedsteamboatsandsailing shipson theGreat Lakesto connect to the Mississippi River. A flourishing economy brought residents from rural communities andimmigrantsfrom abroad. Manufacturing and retail and finance sectors became dominant, influencing theAmerican economy.TheChicago Board of Trade(established 1848) listed the first-ever standardized \"exchange-traded\" forward contracts, which were calledfutures contracts. In the 1850s, Chicago gained national political prominence as the home of SenatorStephen Douglas, the champion of theKansas–Nebraska Actand the \"popular sovereignty\" approach to the issue of the spread of slavery.These issues also helped propel another Illinoisan,Abraham Lincoln, to the national stage. Lincoln was nominated in Chicago for U.S. president at the1860 Republican National Convention, which was held in a purpose-built auditorium called theWigwam. He defeated Douglas in the general election, and this set the stage for theAmerican Civil War. To accommodaterapid population growthand demand for better sanitation, the city improved its infrastructure. In February 1856, Chicago's Common Council approvedChesbrough's plan to build the United States' first comprehensive sewerage system.The projectraised much of central Chicagoto a new grade with the use ofjackscrewsfor raising buildings.While elevating Chicago, and at first improving the city's health, the untreated sewage and industrial waste now flowed into theChicago River, and subsequently intoLake Michigan, polluting the city's primary freshwater source. The city responded by tunneling two miles (3.2 km) out into Lake Michigan to newly builtwater cribs. In 1900, the problem of sewage contamination was largely resolved when the city completed a major engineering feat. It reversed the flow of the Chicago River so that the water flowed away from Lake Michigan rather than into it. This project began with the construction and improvement of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and was completed with theChicago Sanitary and Ship Canalthat connects to theIllinois River, which flows into the Mississippi River. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed an area about 4 miles (6.4 km) long and 1-mile (1.6 km) wide, a large section of the city at the time.Much of the city, including railroads andstockyards, survived intact,and from the ruins of the previous wooden structures arose more modern constructions of steel and stone. These set a precedent for worldwide construction.During its rebuilding period, Chicago constructed the world'sfirst skyscraperin 1885, usingsteel-skeletonconstruction. The city grew significantly in size and population by incorporating many neighboring townships between 1851 and 1920, with the largest annexation happening in 1889, with five townships joining the city, including theHyde Park Township, which now comprises most of theSouth Side of Chicagoand the far southeast of Chicago, and theJefferson Township, which now makes up most ofChicago's Northwest Side.The desire to join the city was driven by municipal services that the city could provide its residents. Chicago's flourishing economy attracted huge numbers of new immigrants fromEuropeand migrants from theEastern United States. Of the total population in 1900, more than 77% were either foreign-born or born in the United States of foreign parentage.Germans,Irish,Poles,Swedes, andCzechsmade up nearly two-thirds of the foreign-born population (by 1900, whites were 98.1% of the city's population). Labor conflictsfollowed the industrial boom and the rapid expansion of the labor pool, including theHaymarket affairon May 4, 1886, and in 1894 thePullman Strike. Anarchist and socialist groups played prominent roles in creating very large and highly organized labor actions. Concern for social problems among Chicago's immigrant poor ledJane AddamsandEllen Gates Starrto foundHull Housein 1889.Programs that were developed there became a model for the new field ofsocial work. During the 1870s and 1880s, Chicago attained national stature as the leader in the movement to improve public health. City laws and later, state laws that upgraded standards for the medical profession and fought urban epidemics ofcholera,smallpox, andyellow feverwere both passed and enforced. These laws became templates for public health reform in other cities and states. The city established many large, well-landscapedmunicipal parks, which also included public sanitation facilities. The chief advocate for improving public health in Chicago wasJohn H. Rauch, M.D.Rauch established a plan for Chicago's park system in 1866. He createdLincoln Parkby closing a cemetery filled with shallow graves, and in 1867, in response to an outbreak of cholera he helped establish a new Chicago Board of Health. Ten years later, he became the secretary and then the president of the first Illinois State Board of Health, which carried out most of its activities in Chicago. In the 1800s, Chicago became the nation's railroad hub, and by 1910 over 20 railroads operated passenger service out of six different downtown terminals.In 1883, Chicago's railway managers needed a general time convention, so they developed the standardized system of North Americantime zones.This system for telling time spread throughout the continent. In 1893, Chicago hosted theWorld's Columbian Expositionon former marshland at the present location ofJackson Park. The Exposition drew 27.5 million visitors, and is considered the most influentialworld's fairin history.TheUniversity of Chicago, formerly at another location, moved to the same South Side location in 1892. The term \"midway\" for a fair or carnival referred originally to theMidway Plaisance, a strip of park land that still runs through the University of Chicago campus and connects theWashingtonand Jackson Parks. 20th and 21st centuries 1900 to 1939 DuringWorld War Iand the 1920s there was a major expansion in industry. The availability of jobs attracted African Americans from theSouthern United States. Between 1910 and 1930, the African American population of Chicago increased dramatically, from 44,103 to 233,903.ThisGreat Migrationhad an immense cultural impact, called theChicago Black Renaissance, part of theNew Negro Movement, in art, literature, and music.Continuing racial tensions and violence, such as theChicago race riot of 1919, also occurred. The ratification of the 18th amendment to the Constitution in 1919 made the production and sale (including exportation) of alcoholic beverages illegal in the United States. This ushered in the beginning of what is known as the gangster era, a time that roughly spans from 1919 until 1933 whenProhibitionwas repealed. The 1920s sawgangsters, includingAl Capone,Dion O'Banion,Bugs MoranandTony Accardobattle law enforcement and each other on the streets of Chicago during theProhibition era.Chicago was the location of the infamousSt. Valentine's Day Massacrein 1929, when Al Capone sent men to gun down members of a rival gang, North Side, led by Bugs Moran. From 1920 to 1921, the city was affected by a series of tenantrent strikes, which lead to the formation of the Chicago Tenants Protective association, passage of the Kessenger tenant laws, and of a heat ordinance that legally required flats to be kept above 68 °F during winter months by landlords. Chicago was the first American city to have a homosexual-rights organization. The organization, formed in 1924, was called theSociety for Human Rights. It produced the first American publication for homosexuals,Friendship and Freedom. Police and political pressure caused the organization to disband. The Great Depression brought unprecedented suffering to Chicago, in no small part due to the city's heavy reliance on heavy industry. Notably, industrial areas on the south side and neighborhoods lining both branches of the Chicago River were devastated; by 1933 over 50% of industrial jobs in the city had been lost, and unemployment rates amongst blacks and Mexicans in the city were over 40%. The Republican political machine in Chicago was utterly destroyed by the economic crisis, and every mayor since 1931 has been aDemocrat. From 1928 to 1933, the city witnessed a tax revolt, and the city was unable to meet payroll or provide relief efforts. The fiscal crisis was resolved by 1933, and at the same time, federal relief funding began to flow into Chicago.Chicago was also a hotbed of labor activism, withUnemployed Councilscontributing heavily in the early depression to create solidarity for the poor and demand relief; these organizations were created by socialist and communist groups. By 1935 theWorkers Alliance of Americabegun organizing the poor, workers, the unemployed. In the spring of 1937 Republic Steel Works witnessed theMemorial Day massacre of 1937in the neighborhood of East Side. In 1933, Chicago MayorAnton Cermakwas fatally wounded inMiami, Florida, during afailed assassinationattempt on President-electFranklin D. Roosevelt. In 1933 and 1934, the city celebrated its centennial by hosting theCentury of ProgressInternational ExpositionWorld's Fair.The theme of the fair was technological innovation over the century since Chicago's founding. 1940 to 1979 DuringWorld War II, the city of Chicago alone produced more steel than the United Kingdom every year from 1939 – 1945, and more thanNazi Germanyfrom 1943 – 1945. The Great Migration, which had been on pause due to the Depression, resumed at an even faster pace in thesecond wave, as hundreds of thousands of blacks from the South arrived in the city to work in the steel mills, railroads, and shipping yards. On December 2, 1942, physicistEnrico Fermiconducted the world's first controllednuclear reactionat the University of Chicago as part of the top-secretManhattan Project. This led to the creation of the atomic bomb by the United States, which it used inWorld War IIin 1945. MayorRichard J. Daley, a Democrat, was elected in 1955, in the era ofmachine politics. In 1956, the city conducted its last major expansion when it annexed the land under O'Hare airport, including a small portion of DuPage County. By the 1960s, white residents in several neighborhoods left the city for the suburban areas – in many American cities, a process known aswhite flight– as Blacks continued to move beyond theBlack Belt.While home loan discriminatoryredliningagainst blacks continued, the real estate industry practiced what became known asblockbusting, completely changing the racial composition of whole neighborhoods.Structural changes in industry, such as globalization and job outsourcing, caused heavy job losses for lower-skilled workers. At its peak during the 1960s, some 250,000 workers were employed in the steel industry in Chicago, but the steel crisis of the 1970s and 1980s reduced this number to just 28,000 in 2015. In 1966,Martin Luther King Jr.andAlbert Rabyled theChicago Freedom Movement, which culminated in agreements between Mayor Richard J. Daley and the movement leaders. Two years later, the city hosted the tumultuous1968 Democratic National Convention, which featured physical confrontations both inside and outside the convention hall, with anti-war protesters, journalists and bystanders being beaten by police.Major construction projects, including the Sears Tower (now known as theWillis Tower, which in 1974 became theworld's tallest building),University of Illinois at Chicago,McCormick Place, andO'Hare International Airport, were undertaken during Richard J. Daley's tenure.In 1979,Jane Byrne, the city's first female mayor, was elected. She was notable for temporarily moving into the crime-riddenCabrini-Greenhousing project and for leading Chicago's school system out of a financial crisis. 1980 to present In 1983,Harold Washingtonbecame the first black mayor of Chicago. Washington's first term in office directed attention to poor and previously neglected minority neighborhoods. He was re‑elected in 1987 but died of a heart attack soon after.Washington was succeeded by 6th ward alderpersonEugene Sawyer, who was elected by the Chicago City Council and served until a special election. Richard M. Daley, son of Richard J. Daley, was elected in 1989. His accomplishments included improvements to parks and creating incentives forsustainable development, as well as closingMeigs Fieldin the middle of the night and destroying the runways. After successfully running for re-election five times, and becoming Chicago's longest-serving mayor, Richard M. Daley declined to run for a seventh term. In 1992, a construction accident near theKinzie Street Bridgeproduced a breach connecting the Chicago River to a tunnel below, which was part of anabandoned freight tunnel systemextending throughout the downtownLoopdistrict. Thetunnels filledwith 250 million US gallons (1,000,000 m3) of water, affecting buildings throughout the district and forcing a shutdown of electrical power.The area was shut down for three days and some buildings did not reopen for weeks; losses were estimated at $1.95 billion. On February 23, 2011,Rahm Emanuel, a formerWhite House Chief of Staffand member of theHouse of Representatives, won the mayoral election.Emanuel was sworn in as mayor on May 16, 2011, and won re-election in 2015.Lori Lightfoot, the city's first African American woman mayor and its first openly LGBTQ mayor, was elected to succeed Emanuel as mayor in 2019.All three city-wide elective offices were held by women (and women of color) for the first time in Chicago history: in addition to Lightfoot, the city clerk wasAnna Valenciaand the city treasurer wasMelissa Conyears-Ervin. On May 15, 2023,Brandon Johnsonassumed office as the 57th mayor of Chicago. Geography Topography Chicago is located in northeastern Illinois on the southwestern shores of freshwater Lake Michigan. It is the principal city in theChicago Metropolitan Area, situated in both theMidwestern United Statesand theGreat Lakes region. The city rests on acontinental divideat the site of the Chicago Portage, connecting the Mississippi River and the Great Lakeswatersheds. In addition to it lying beside Lake Michigan, two rivers—the Chicago River in downtown and theCalumet Riverin the industrial far South Side—flow either entirely or partially through the city. Chicago's history and economy are closely tied to its proximity to Lake Michigan. While the Chicago River historically handled much of the region's waterborne cargo, today's hugelake freightersuse the city'sLake Calumet Harboron the South Side. The lake also provides another positive effect: moderating Chicago's climate, making waterfront neighborhoods slightly warmer in winter and cooler in summer. When Chicago was founded in 1837, most of the early building was around the mouth of the Chicago River, as can be seen on a map of the city's original 58 blocks.The overallgradeof the city's central, built-up areas is relatively consistent with the natural flatness of its overall natural geography, generally exhibiting only slight differentiation otherwise. The average land elevation is 579 ft (176.5 m)above sea level. While measurements vary somewhat,the lowest points are along the lake shore at 578 ft (176.2 m), while the highest point, at 672 ft (205 m), is the morainal ridge ofBlue Islandin the city's far south side. Lake Shore Driveruns adjacent to a large portion of Chicago's waterfront. Some of the parks along the waterfront includeLincoln Park,Grant Park,Burnham Park, andJackson Park. There are 24 publicbeachesacross 26 miles (42 km) of the waterfront.Landfill extends into portions of the lake providing space forNavy Pier,Northerly Island, theMuseum Campus, and large portions of theMcCormick PlaceConvention Center. Most of the city's high-rise commercial and residential buildings are close to the waterfront. An informal name for the entireChicago metropolitan areais \"Chicagoland\", which generally means the city and all its suburbs, though different organizations have slightly different definitions. Communities Major sections of the city include the central business district, calledthe Loop, and the North,South, andWest Sides.The three sides of the city are represented on theFlag of Chicagoby three horizontal white stripes.The North Side is the most-densely-populated residential section of the city, and many high-rises are located on this side of the city along the lakefront.The South Side is the largest section of the city, encompassing roughly 60% of the city's land area. The South Side contains most of the facilities of thePort of Chicago. In the late-1920s, sociologists at the University of Chicago subdivided the city into 77 distinctcommunity areas, which can further be subdivided into over 200 informally definedneighborhoods. Streetscape Chicago's streets were laid out in astreet gridthat grew from the city's original townsite plot, which was bounded by Lake Michigan on the east, North Avenue on the north, Wood Street on the west, and 22nd Street on the south.Streets following thePublic Land Survey Systemsection lines later became arterial streets in outlying sections. As new additions to the city were platted, city ordinance required them to be laid out with eight streets to the mile in one direction and sixteen in the other direction, about one street per 200 meters in one direction and one street per 100 meters in the other direction. The grid's regularity provided an efficient means of developing new real estate property. A scattering of diagonal streets, many of them originally Native American trails, also cross the city (Elston, Milwaukee, Ogden, Lincoln, etc.). Many additional diagonal streets were recommended in thePlan of Chicago, but only the extension ofOgden Avenuewas ever constructed. In 2021, Chicago was ranked the fourth-most walkable large city in the United States.Many of the city's residential streets have a wide patch of grass or trees between the street and the sidewalk itself. This helps to keep pedestrians on the sidewalk further away from the street traffic. Chicago'sWestern Avenueis the longest continuous urban street in the world.Other notable streets includeMichigan Avenue,State Street,95th Street,Cicero Avenue,Clark Street, andBelmont Avenue. TheCity Beautiful movementinspired Chicago's boulevards and parkways. Architecture The destruction caused by the Great Chicago Fire led to the largest building boom in the history of the nation. In 1885, the firststeel-framed high-rise building, the Home Insurance Building, rose in the city as Chicago ushered in theskyscraper era,which would then be followed by many other cities around the world.Today, Chicago's skyline is among the world's tallest and densest. Some of the United States' tallest towers are located in Chicago;Willis Tower(formerly Sears Tower) is the second tallest building in theWestern HemisphereafterOne World Trade Center, andTrump International Hotel and Toweris the third tallest in the country.The Loop's historic buildings include theChicago Board of Trade Building, theFine Arts Building,35 East Wacker, and theChicago Building,860-880 Lake Shore Drive ApartmentsbyMies van der Rohe. Many other architects have left their impression on the Chicago skyline such asDaniel Burnham,Louis Sullivan, Charles B. Atwood, John Root, andHelmut Jahn. TheMerchandise Mart, once first on thelist of largest buildings in the world, currently listed as 44th-largest 2013 as September 9, 2013, had its ownzip codeuntil 2008, and stands near the junction of the North and South branches of the Chicago River.Presently, the four tallest buildings in the city are Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower, also a building with its own zip code),Trump International Hotel and Tower, theAon Center(previously the Standard Oil Building), and theJohn Hancock Center.Industrial districts, such as some areas on theSouth Side, the areas along theChicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, and theNorthwest Indianaarea are clustered. Chicago gave its name to the Chicago School and was home to thePrairie School, two movements in architecture.Multiple kinds and scales of houses, townhouses, condominiums, and apartment buildings can be found throughout Chicago. Large swaths of the city's residential areas away from the lake are characterized by brickbungalowsbuilt from the early 20th century through the end of World War II. Chicago is also a prominent center of thePolish Cathedral styleofchurch architecture. The Chicago suburb ofOak Parkwas home to famous architectFrank Lloyd Wright, who had designed TheRobie Houselocated near the University of Chicago. A popular tourist activity is to take an architecture boat tour along the Chicago River. Monuments and public art Chicago is famous for its outdoorpublic artwith donors establishing funding for such art as far back asBenjamin Ferguson's 1905 trust.A number of Chicago's public art works are by modern figurative artists. Among these areChagall's Four Seasons; theChicago Picasso;Miro's Chicago;Calder'sFlamingo;Oldenburg'sBatcolumn;Moore'sLarge Interior Form, 1953-54,Man Enters the CosmosandNuclear Energy;Dubuffet'sMonument with Standing Beast,Abakanowicz'sAgora; and,Anish Kapoor'sCloud Gatewhich has become an icon of the city. Some events which shaped the city's history have also been memorialized by art works, including theGreat Northern Migration(Saar) and thecentennial of statehood for Illinois. Finally, two fountains near the Loop also function as monumental works of art:Plensa'sCrown Fountainas well asBurnhamand Bennett'sBuckingham Fountain. Climate The city lies within the typical hot-summerhumid continental climate(Köppen:Dfa), and experiences four distinct seasons.Summersare hot and humid, with frequentheat waves. The July daily average temperature is 75.4 °F (24.1 °C), with afternoon temperatures peaking at 84.5 °F (29.2 °C). In a normal summer, temperatures reach at least 90 °F (32 °C) on 17 days, with lakefront locations staying cooler when winds blow off the lake.Wintersare relatively cold and snowy.Blizzardsdo occur, such as inwinter 2011.There are many sunny but cold days. The normal winter high from December through March is about 36 °F (2 °C). January and February are the coldest months. Apolar vortex in January 2019nearly broke the city's cold record of −27 °F (−33 °C), which was set on January 20, 1985.Measurable snowfall can continue through the first or second week of April. Springandautumnare mild, short seasons, typically with low humidity.Dew pointtemperatures in the summer range from an average of 55.8 °F (13.2 °C) in June to 61.7 °F (16.5 °C) in July.They can reach nearly 80 °F (27 °C), such as during the July 2019 heat wave. The city lies withinUSDAplanthardiness zone6a, transitioning to 5b in the suburbs. According to theNational Weather Service, Chicago's highest official temperature reading of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded on July 24, 1934.Midway Airportreached 109 °F (43 °C) one day prior and recorded aheat indexof 125 °F (52 °C) during the1995 heatwave.The lowest official temperature of −27 °F (−33 °C) was recorded onJanuary 20, 1985, at O'Hare Airport.Most of the city's rainfall is brought bythunderstorms, averaging 38 a year. The region is prone tosevere thunderstormsduring the spring and summer which can produce large hail, damaging winds, and occasionally tornadoes. Like other major cities, Chicago experiences anurban heat island, making the city and its suburbs milder than surrounding rural areas, especially at night and in winter. The proximity to Lake Michigan tends to keep the Chicago lakefront somewhat cooler in summer and less brutally cold in winter than inland parts of the city and suburbs away from the lake.Northeast winds from wintertimecyclonesdeparting south of the region sometimes bring the citylake-effect snow. Time zone As in the rest of the state of Illinois, Chicago forms part of theCentral Time Zone. The border with theEastern Time Zoneis located a short distance to the east, used in Michigan andcertain parts of Indiana. Demographics During its first hundred years, Chicago was one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. When founded in 1833, fewer than 200 people had settled on what was then the American frontier. By the time of its first census, seven years later, the population had reached over 4,000. In the forty years from 1850 to 1890, the city's population grew from slightly under 30,000 to over 1 million. At the end of the 19th century, Chicago was the 5th-most populous city in the world,and the largest of the cities that did not exist at the dawn of the century. Within sixty years of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the population went from about 300,000 to over 3 million,and reached its highest ever recorded population of 3.6 million for the 1950 census. From the last two decades of the 19th century, Chicago was the destination of waves of immigrants from Ireland, Southern, Central and Eastern Europe, includingItalians,Jews,Russians,Poles,Greeks,Lithuanians,Bulgarians,Albanians,Romanians,Turks,Croatians,Serbs,Bosnians,MontenegrinsandCzechs.To these ethnic groups, the basis of the city's industrialworking class, were added an additional influx ofAfrican Americansfrom theAmerican South—with Chicago's black population doubling between 1910 and 1920 and doubling again between 1920 and 1930.Chicago has asignificant Bosnian population, many of whom arrived in the 1990s and 2000s. In the 1920s and 1930s, the great majority of African Americans moving to Chicago settled in a so‑called \"Black Belt\" on the city'sSouth Side.A large number of blacks also settled on theWest Side. By 1930, two-thirds of Chicago's black population lived in sections of the city which were 90% black in racial composition.Around that time, a lesser known fact about African Americans on theNorth Sideis that the block of 4600 Winthrop Avenue inUptownwas the only block African Americans could live or open establishments.Chicago's South Side emerged as United States second-largest urban black concentration, following New York'sHarlem. In 1990, Chicago's South Side and the adjoining south suburbs constituted the largest black majority region in the entire United States.Since the 1980s, Chicago has had a massive exodus of African Americans (primarily from the South and West sides) to its suburbs or outside its metropolitan area.The above average crime and cost of living were leading reasons for the fast declining African American population in Chicago. Most of Chicago's foreign-born population were born inMexico,PolandorIndia. Chicago's population declined in the latter half of the 20th century, from over 3.6 million in 1950 down to under 2.7 million by 2010. By the time of the official census count in 1990, it was overtaken byLos Angelesas the United States' second largest city. The city has seen a rise in population for the 2000 census and after a decrease in 2010, it rose again for the 2020 census. According to U.S. census estimates as of July 2019, Chicago's largest racial or ethnic group is non-Hispanic White at 32.8% of the population, Blacks at 30.1% and the Hispanic population at 29.0% of the population. Chicago has the third-largestLGBTpopulation in the United States. In 2018, the Chicago Department of Health, estimated 7.5% of the adult population, approximately 146,000 Chicagoans, were LGBTQ.In 2015, roughly 4% of the population identified as LGBT.Since the 2013 legalization ofsame-sex marriage in Illinois, over 10,000 same-sex couples have wed inCook County, a majority of them in Chicago. Chicago became a \"de jure\"sanctuary cityin 2012 when MayorRahm Emanueland the City Council passed the Welcoming City Ordinance. According to the U.S. Census Bureau'sAmerican Community Surveydata estimates for 2022, the median income for a household in the city was $70,386,and the per capita income was $45,449. Male full-time workers had a median income of $68,870 versus $60,987 for females.About 17.2% of the population lived below the poverty line.In 2018, Chicago ranked seventh globally for the highest number of ultra-high-net-worth residents with roughly 3,300 residents worth more than $30 million. According to the 2022 American Community Survey, the specific ancestral groups having 10,000 or more persons in Chicago were: Persons who did not report or classify an ancestry were 548,790. Religion Religion in Chicago (2014) According to a 2014 study by thePew Research Center,Christianityis the most prevalently practiced religion in Chicago (71%),with the city being the fourth-most religious metropolis in the United States afterDallas,AtlantaandHouston.Roman CatholicismandProtestantismare the largest branches (34% and 35% respectively), followed byEastern OrthodoxyandJehovah's Witnesseswith 1% each.Chicago also has a sizable non-Christian population. Non-Christian groups includeIrreligious(22%),Judaism(3%),Islam(2%),Buddhism(1%) andHinduism(1%). Chicago is the headquarters of several religious denominations, including theEvangelical Covenant Churchand theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is the seat of severaldioceses. TheFourth Presbyterian Churchis one of the largestPresbyteriancongregations in the United States based on memberships.Since the 20th century Chicago has also been the headquarters of theAssyrian Church of the East.In 2014 theCatholic Churchwas the largest individual Christian denomination (34%), with theRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicagobeing the largest Catholic jurisdiction.Evangelical Protestantismform the largest theological Protestant branch (16%), followed byMainline Protestants(11%), and historicallyBlack churches(8%). Among denominational Protestant branches,Baptistsformed the largest group in Chicago (10%); followed by Nondenominational (5%);Lutherans(4%); andPentecostals(3%). Non-Christian faiths accounted for 7% of the religious population in 2014.Judaismhas at least 261,000 adherents which is 3% of the population, making it the second largest religion.A 2020 study estimated the total Jewish population of the Chicago metropolitan area, both religious and irreligious, at 319,500. The first twoParliament of the World's Religionsin 1893 and 1993 were held in Chicago.Many international religious leaders have visited Chicago, includingMother Teresa, theDalai LamaandPope John Paul IIin 1979. Economy Chicago has the third-largestgross metropolitan productin the United States—about $670.5 billion according to September 2017 estimates.The city has also been rated as having the most balanced economy in the United States, due to its high level of diversification.The Chicago metropolitan area has the third-largest science and engineering work force of any metropolitan area in the nation.Chicago was the base of commercial operations for industrialistsJohn Crerar,John Whitfield Bunn,Richard Teller Crane,Marshall Field,John Farwell,Julius Rosenwald, and many other commercial visionaries who laid the foundation for Midwestern and global industry. Chicago is a major world financial center, with the second-largest central business district in the United States, followingMidtown Manhattan.The city is the seat of theFederal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Bank's Seventh District. The city has major financial andfutures exchanges, including theChicago Stock Exchange, theChicago Board Options Exchange(CBOE), and theChicago Mercantile Exchange(the \"Merc\"), which is owned, along with theChicago Board of Trade(CBOT), by Chicago'sCME Group. In 2017, Chicago exchanges traded 4.7 billion in derivatives.Chase Bankhas its commercial and retail banking headquarters in Chicago'sChase Tower.Academically, Chicago has been influential through theChicago school of economics, which fielded 12Nobel Prizewinners. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area contain the third-largest labor pool in the United States with about 4.63 million workers.Illinois is home to 66Fortune1000companies, including those in Chicago.The city of Chicago also hosts 12FortuneGlobal 500 companies and 17Financial Times500 companies. The city claims threeDow 30companies:aerospacegiantBoeing, which moved its headquarters fromSeattleto the Chicago Loop in 2001;McDonald's; andWalgreens Boots Alliance.For six consecutive years from 2013 through 2018, Chicago was ranked the nation's top metropolitan area for corporate relocations.However, threeFortune500companies left Chicago in 2022, leaving the city with 35, still second to New York City. Manufacturing, printing, publishing, and food processing also play major roles in the city's economy. Several medical products and services companies are headquartered in the Chicago area, includingBaxter International,Boeing,Abbott Laboratories, and the Healthcare division ofGeneral Electric. Prominent food companies based in Chicago include the world headquarters ofConagra,Ferrara Candy Company,Kraft Heinz,McDonald's,Mondelez International, andQuaker Oats.Chicago has been a hub of theretailsector since its early development, withMontgomery Ward,Sears, andMarshall Field's. Today the Chicago metropolitan area is the headquarters of several retailers, includingWalgreens,Sears,Ace Hardware,Claire's,ULTA Beauty, andCrate & Barrel. Late in the 19th century, Chicago was part of thebicycle craze, with the Western Wheel Company, which introducedstampingto the production process and significantly reduced costs,while early in the 20th century, the city was part of the automobile revolution, hosting theBrass Era carbuilder Bugmobile, which was founded there in 1907.Chicago was also the site of theSchwinn Bicycle Company. Chicago is a major world convention destination. The city's main convention center is McCormick Place. With its four interconnected buildings, it is the largest convention center in the nation and third-largest in the world.Chicago also ranks third in the U.S. (behindLas VegasandOrlando) in number of conventions hosted annually. Chicago's minimum wage for non-tipped employees is one of the highest in the nation and reached $15 in 2021. Culture and contemporary life The city's waterfront location and nightlife attracts residents and tourists alike. Over a third of the city population is concentrated in the lakefront neighborhoods fromRogers Parkin the north toSouth Shorein the south.The city has many upscale dining establishments as well as many ethnic restaurant districts. These districts include theMexican Americanneighborhoods, such asPilsenalong 18th street, andLa Villitaalong 26th Street; thePuerto Ricanenclave ofPaseo Boricuain theHumboldt Parkneighborhood;Greektown, along SouthHalsted Street, immediately west of downtown;Little Italy, along Taylor Street;ChinatowninArmour Square;Polish PatchesinWest Town;Little SeoulinAlbany Parkaround Lawrence Avenue;Little VietnamnearBroadwayin Uptown; and theDesiarea, alongDevon AvenueinWest Ridge. Downtown is the center of Chicago's financial, cultural, governmental, and commercial institutions and the site of Grant Park and many of the city's skyscrapers. Many of the city's financial institutions, such as the CBOT and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, are located within a section of downtown called \"The Loop\", which is an eight-block by five-block area of city streets that is encircled by elevated rail tracks. The term \"The Loop\" is largely used by locals to refer to the entire downtown area as well. The central area includes theNear North Side, theNear South Side, and theNear West Side, as well as the Loop. These areas contribute famousskyscrapers, abundant restaurants,shopping,museums,Soldier Field, convention facilities,parkland, andbeaches. Lincoln Park contains theLincoln Park Zooand theLincoln Park Conservatory. TheRiver North Gallery Districtfeatures the nation's largest concentration of contemporary art galleries outside of New York City.Lake Viewis home toBoystown, the city's largeLGBTnightlife and culture center. TheChicago Pride Parade, held the last Sunday in June, is one of the world's largest with over a million people in attendance.NorthHalsted Streetis the main thoroughfare of Boystown. The South Side neighborhood ofHyde Parkis the home of former U.S. PresidentBarack Obama. It also contains the University of Chicago, ranked one of the world's top ten universities,and theMuseum of Science and Industry. The 6-mile (9.7 km) longBurnham Parkstretches along the waterfront of the South Side. Two of the city's largest parks are also located on this side of the city: Jackson Park, bordering the waterfront, hosted the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, and is the site of the aforementioned museum; and slightly west sitsWashington Park. The two parks themselves are connected by a wide strip of parkland called theMidway Plaisance, running adjacent to the University of Chicago. The South Side hosts one of the city's largest parades, the annual African AmericanBud Billiken Parade and Picnic, which travels throughBronzevilleto Washington Park.Ford Motor Companyhas anautomobile assembly planton the South Side inHegewisch, and most of the facilities of the Port of Chicago are also on the South Side. The West Side holds theGarfield Park Conservatory, one of the largest collections of tropical plants in any U.S. city. Prominent Latino cultural attractions found here includeHumboldt Park'sInstitute of Puerto Rican Arts and Cultureand the annual Puerto Rican People's Parade, as well as theNational Museum of Mexican ArtandSt. Adalbert's ChurchinPilsen. The Near West Side holds theUniversity of Illinois at Chicagoand was once home toOprah Winfrey'sHarpo Studios, the site of which has been rebuilt as the global headquarters of McDonald's. The city's distinctive accent, made famous by its use in classic films likeThe Blues Brothersand television programs like theSaturday Night Liveskit \"Bill Swerski's Superfans\", is an advanced form ofInland Northern American English. This dialect can also be found in other cities bordering the Great Lakes such asCleveland,Milwaukee,Detroit, andRochester, New York, and most prominently features a rearrangement of certain vowel sounds, such as theshort 'a'sound as in \"cat\", which can sound more like \"kyet\" to outsiders. The accent remains well associated with the city. Entertainment and the arts Renowned Chicago theater companies include theGoodman Theatrein the Loop; theSteppenwolf Theatre CompanyandVictory Gardens Theaterin Lincoln Park; and theChicago Shakespeare Theaterat Navy Pier.Broadway In Chicagooffers Broadway-style entertainment at five theaters: theNederlander Theatre,CIBC Theatre,Cadillac Palace Theatre,Auditorium BuildingofRoosevelt University, andBroadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.Polish languageproductions forChicago's large Polish speaking populationcan be seen at the historicGateway TheatreinJefferson Park. Since 1968, theJoseph Jefferson Awardsare given annually to acknowledge excellence in theater in the Chicago area. Chicago's theater community spawned modernimprovisational theater, and includes the prominent groupsThe Second CityandI.O.(formerly ImprovOlympic). TheChicago Symphony Orchestra(CSO) performs atSymphony Center, and is recognized as one of the best orchestras in the world.Also performing regularly atSymphony Centeris theChicago Sinfonietta, a more diverse and multicultural counterpart to the CSO. In the summer, many outdoor concerts are given in Grant Park andMillennium Park.Ravinia Festival, located 25 miles (40 km) north of Chicago, is the summer home of the CSO, and is a favorite destination for many Chicagoans. TheCivic Opera Houseis home to theLyric Opera of Chicago.TheLithuanian Opera Company of Chicagowas founded byLithuanian Chicagoansin 1956,and presents operas inLithuanian. TheJoffrey BalletandChicago Festival Balletperform in various venues, including theHarris TheaterinMillennium Park. Chicago has several other contemporary and jazz dance troupes, such as theHubbard Street Dance ChicagoandChicago Dance Crash. Other live-music genre which are part of the city's cultural heritage includeChicago blues,Chicago soul,jazz, andgospel. The city is the birthplace ofhouse music(a popular form of electronic dance music) andindustrial music, and is the site of an influentialhip hop scene. In the 1980s and 90s, the city was the global center for house and industrial music, two forms of music created in Chicago, as well as being popular foralternative rock,punk, andnew wave. The city has been a center forraveculture, since the 1980s. A flourishing independent rock music culture brought forth Chicagoindie.Annual festivalsfeature various acts, such asLollapaloozaand thePitchfork Music Festival.Lollapalooza originated in Chicago in 1991 and at first travelled to many cities, but as of 2005 its home has been Chicago.A 2007 report on the Chicago music industry by theUniversity of Chicago Cultural Policy Centerranked Chicago third among metropolitan U.S. areas in \"size of music industry\" and fourth among all U.S. cities in \"number of concerts and performances\". Chicago has a distinctivefine arttradition. For much of the twentieth century, it nurtured a strong style of figurativesurrealism, as in the works ofIvan AlbrightandEd Paschke. In 1968 and 1969, members of theChicago Imagists, such asRoger Brown,Leon Golub,Robert Lostutter,Jim Nutt, andBarbara Rossiproduced bizarre representational paintings.Henry Dargeris one of the most celebrated figures ofoutsider art. Tourism In 2014, Chicago attracted 50.17 million domestic leisure travelers, 11.09 million domestic business travelers and 1.308 million overseas visitors.These visitors contributed more thanUS$13.7billion to Chicago's economy.Upscale shopping along the Magnificent Mile and State Street, thousands of restaurants, as well as Chicago's eminent architecture, continue to draw tourists. The city is the United States' third-largestconventiondestination. A 2017 study byWalk Scoreranked Chicago the sixth-most walkable of fifty largest cities in the United States.Most conventions are held at McCormick Place, just south ofSoldier Field. Navy Pier, located just east ofStreeterville, is 3,000 ft (910 m) long and houses retail stores, restaurants, museums, exhibition halls and auditoriums. Chicago was the first city in the world to ever erect a Ferris wheel. The Willis Tower (formerly named Sears Tower) is a popular destination for tourists. Museums Among the city's museums are theAdler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, theField Museum of Natural History, and theShedd Aquarium. TheMuseum Campusjoins the southern section of Grant Park, which includes the renowned Art Institute of Chicago. Buckingham Fountain anchors the downtown park along the lakefront. The University of Chicago'sInstitute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africahas an extensive collection ofancient EgyptianandNear Easternarchaeological artifacts. Other museums and galleries in Chicago include theChicago History Museum, theDriehaus Museum, theDuSable Museum of African American History, theMuseum of Contemporary Art, thePeggy Notebaert Nature Museum, thePolish Museum of America, theMuseum of Broadcast Communications, theChicago Architecture Foundation, and theMuseum of Science and Industry. Cuisine Chicago lays claim to a large number of regional specialties that reflect the city's ethnic and working-class roots. Included among these are its nationally renowneddeep-dish pizza; this style is said to have originated atPizzeria Uno.The Chicago-style thin crust is also popular in the city.Certain Chicago pizza favorites includeLou Malnati'sandGiordano's. TheChicago-style hot dog, typically an all-beef hot dog, is loaded with an array of toppings that often includes pickle relish,yellow mustard, pickledsport peppers,tomatowedges,dill picklespear and topped off withcelery salton apoppy seedbun.Enthusiasts of the Chicago-style hot dog frown upon the use ofketchupas a garnish, but may prefer to addgiardiniera. A distinctly Chicago sandwich, theItalian beefsandwich is thinly sliced beef simmered inau jusand served on an Italian roll with sweet peppers or spicy giardiniera. A popular modification is the Combo—an Italian beef sandwich with the addition of an Italian sausage. TheMaxwell Street Polishis a grilled or deep-friedkielbasa—on a hot dog roll, topped with grilled onions, yellow mustard, and hot sport peppers. Chicken Vesuviois roasted bone-in chicken cooked in oil and garlic next to garlicky oven-roasted potato wedges and a sprinkling of green peas. ThePuerto Rican-influencedjibaritois a sandwich made with flattened, fried green plantains instead of bread. Themother-in-lawis atamaletopped with chili and served on a hot dog bun.The tradition of serving theGreekdishsaganakiwhile aflame has its origins in Chicago's Greek community.The appetizer, which consists of a square of fried cheese, is doused withMetaxaandflambéedtable-side.Chicago-style barbecuefeatures hardwood smokedrib tipsandhot linkswhich were traditionally cooked in an aquarium smoker, a Chicago invention.Annual festivalsfeature various Chicago signature dishes, such asTaste of Chicagoand the Chicago Food Truck Festival. One of the world's most decorated restaurants and a recipient of threeMichelinstars,Alineais located in Chicago. Well-known chefs who have had restaurants in Chicago include:Charlie Trotter,Rick Tramonto,Grant Achatz, andRick Bayless. In 2003,Robb Reportnamed Chicago the country's \"most exceptional dining destination\". Literature Chicago literature finds its roots in the city's tradition of lucid, direct journalism, lending to a strong tradition ofsocial realism. In theEncyclopedia of Chicago,Northwestern UniversityProfessor Bill Savage describes Chicago fiction as prose which tries to \"capture the essence of the city, its spaces and its people.\" The challenge for early writers was that Chicago was a frontier outpost that transformed into a global metropolis in the span of two generations. Narrative fiction of that time, much of it in the style of \"high-flown romance\" and \"genteel realism\", needed a new approach to describe the urban social, political, and economic conditions of Chicago.Nonetheless, Chicagoans worked hard to create a literary tradition that would stand the test of time,and create a \"city of feeling\" out of concrete, steel, vast lake, and open prairie.Much notable Chicago fiction focuses on the city itself, with social criticism keeping exultation in check. At least three short periods in thehistory of Chicagohave had a lasting influence onAmerican literature.These include from the time of the Great Chicago Fire to about 1900, what became known as the Chicago Literary Renaissance in the 1910s and early 1920s, and the period of theGreat Depressionthrough the 1940s. What would become the influentialPoetrymagazine was founded in 1912 byHarriet Monroe, who was working as anartcriticfor theChicago Tribune. The magazine discovered such poets asGwendolyn Brooks,James Merrill, andJohn Ashbery.T. S. Eliot's first professionally published poem, \"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock\", was first published byPoetry. Contributors have includedEzra Pound,William Butler Yeats,William Carlos Williams,Langston Hughes, andCarl Sandburg, among others. The magazine was instrumental in launching theImagistandObjectivistpoetic movements. From the 1950s through 1970s, American poetry continued to evolve in Chicago.In the 1980s, a modern form of poetry performance began in Chicago, thepoetry slam. Sports The city has twoMajor League Baseball(MLB) teams: theChicago Cubsof the National League play in Wrigley Field on the North Side; and theChicago White Soxof the American League play in Guaranteed Rate Field on the South Side. The two teams have faced each other in a World Series only once, in 1906. The Cubs are the oldest Major League Baseball team to have never changed their city;they have played in Chicago since 1871.They had the dubious honor of having the longest championship drought in American professional sports, failing to win a World Series between 1908 and 2016. The White Sox have played on the South Side continuously since 1901. They have won three World Series titles (1906, 1917, 2005) and six American League pennants, including the first in 1901. TheChicago Bears, one of the last two remaining charter members of theNational Football League(NFL), have won nineNFL Championships, including the 1985Super Bowl XX. The Bears play their home games at Soldier Field. TheChicago Bullsof theNational Basketball Association(NBA) is one of the most recognized basketball teams in the world.During the 1990s, withMichael Jordanleading them, the Bulls won six NBA championships in eight seasons. TheChicago Blackhawksof theNational Hockey League(NHL) began play in 1926, and are one of the \"Original Six\" teams of the NHL. The Blackhawks have won sixStanley Cups, including in 2010, 2013, and2015. Both the Bulls and the Blackhawks play at theUnited Center. Chicago Fire FCis a member ofMajor League Soccer(MLS) and plays at Soldier Field. The Fire have won one league title and fourU.S. Open Cups, since their founding in 1997. In 1994, the United States hosted a successfulFIFA World Cupwith games played at Soldier Field. TheChicago Red Starsare a team in theNational Women's Soccer League(NWSL). They previously played inWomen's Professional Soccer(WPS), of which they were a founding member, before joining the NWSL in 2013. They play atSeatGeek StadiuminBridgeview, Illinois. TheChicago Skyis a professional basketball team playing in theWomen's National Basketball Association(WNBA). They play home games at theWintrust Arena. The team was founded before the 2006 WNBA season began. TheChicago Marathonhas been held each year since 1977 except for 1987, when a half marathon was run in its place. The Chicago Marathon is one of sixWorld Marathon Majors. Five area colleges play inDivision Iconferences: two from major conferences—theDePaul Blue Demons(Big East Conference) and theNorthwestern Wildcats(Big Ten Conference)—and three from other D1 conferences—theChicago State Cougars(Northeast Conference); theLoyola Ramblers(Atlantic 10 Conference); and theUIC Flames(Missouri Valley Conference). Chicago has also entered intoesportswith the creation of theOpTic Chicago, a professionalCall of Dutyteam that participates within theCDL. Parks and greenspace When Chicago was incorporated in 1837, it chose the mottoUrbs in Horto, aLatinphrase which means \"City in a Garden\". Today, theChicago Park Districtconsists of more than 570 parks with over 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) ofmunicipal parkland. There are 31 sandbeaches, a plethora of museums, two world-class conservatories, and 50 nature areas.Lincoln Park, the largest of the city's parks, covers 1,200 acres (490 ha) and has over 20 million visitors each year, making it third in the number of visitors afterCentral ParkinNew York City, and theNational Mall and Memorial ParksinWashington, D.C. There is a historicboulevard system,a network of wide, tree-linedboulevardswhich connect a number of Chicagoparks.The boulevards and the parks were authorized by the Illinois legislature in 1869.A number ofChicago neighborhoodsemerged along these roadways in the 19th century.The building of the boulevard system continued intermittently until 1942. It includes nineteen boulevards, eight parks, and sixsquares, along twenty-six miles of interconnected streets.TheChicago Park Boulevard System Historic Districtwas listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 2018. With berths for more than 6,000 boats, the Chicago Park District operates the nation's largest municipal harbor system.In addition to ongoing beautification and renewal projects for the existing parks, a number of new parks have been added in recent years, such as thePing Tom Memorial Parkin Chinatown,DuSable Parkon the Near North Side, and most notably, Millennium Park, which is in the northwestern corner of one of Chicago's oldest parks, Grant Park in the Chicago Loop. The wealth of greenspace afforded by Chicago's parks is further augmented by theCook County Forest Preserves, a network of open spaces containing forest,prairie,wetland, streams, and lakes that are set aside as natural areas which lie along the city's outskirts,including both theChicago Botanic GardeninGlencoeand theBrookfield ZooinBrookfield.Washington Park is also one of the city's biggest parks; covering nearly 400 acres (160 ha). The park is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places listings in South Side Chicago. Law and government Government The government of the City of Chicago is divided into executive andlegislativebranches. Themayor of Chicagois the chief executive, elected by general election for a term of four years, with no term limits. The current mayor isBrandon Johnson. The mayor appoints commissioners and other officials who oversee the various departments. As well as the mayor, Chicago's clerk and treasurer are also elected citywide. TheCity Councilis the legislative branch and is made up of 50 alderpersons, one elected from eachwardin the city.The council takes official action through the passage ofordinancesand resolutions and approves the city budget. TheChicago Police Departmentprovides law enforcement and theChicago Fire Departmentprovides fire suppression and emergency medical services for the city and its residents. Civil and criminal law cases are heard in theCook County Circuit Courtof the State of Illinois court system, or in theNorthern District of Illinois, in the federal system. In the state court, the public prosecutor is the Illinoisstate's attorney; in the Federal court it is the United Statesattorney. Politics During much of the last half of the 19th century, Chicago's politics were dominated by a growingDemocratic Partyorganization. During the 1880s and 1890s, Chicago had a powerful radical tradition with large and highly organizedsocialist,anarchistandlabor organizations.For much of the 20th century, Chicago has been among the largest and most reliable Democratic strongholds in the United States; with Chicago's Democratic vote the state of Illinois has been \"solid blue\" inpresidential electionssince 1992. Even before then, it was not unheard of for Republican presidential candidates to win handily in downstate Illinois, only to lose statewide due to large Democratic margins in Chicago. The citizens of Chicago have not elected aRepublicanmayor since 1927, whenWilliam Thompsonwas voted into office. The strength of the party in the city is partly a consequence of Illinois state politics, where the Republicans have come to represent rural and farm concerns while the Democrats support urban issues such as Chicago's public school funding. Chicago contains less than 25% of the state's population, but it is split between eight of Illinois' 17districtsin theUnited States House of Representatives. All eight of the city's representatives are Democrats; only two Republicans have represented a significant portion of the city since 1973, for one term each:Robert P. Hanrahanfrom 1973 to 1975, andMichael Patrick Flanaganfrom 1995 to 1997. Machine politicspersisted in Chicago after the decline of similar machines in other large U.S. cities.During much of that time, the city administration found opposition mainly from a liberal \"independent\" faction of the Democratic Party. The independents finally gained control of city government in 1983 with the election ofHarold Washington(in office 1983–1987). From 1989 until May 16, 2011, Chicago was under the leadership of its longest-serving mayor,Richard M. Daley, the son of Richard J. Daley. Because of the dominance of the Democratic Party in Chicago, the Democraticprimaryvote held in the spring is generally more significant than the general elections in November for U.S. House and Illinois State seats. The aldermanic, mayoral, and other city offices are filled through nonpartisan elections with runoffs as needed. The city is home of former United States PresidentBarack Obamaand First LadyMichelle Obama; Barack Obama was formerly a state legislator representing Chicago and later a U.S. senator. The Obamas' residence is located near the University of Chicago inKenwoodon the city's south side. Crime Chicago's crime rate in 2020 was 3,926 per 100,000 people.Chicago experienced major rises inviolent crimein the 1920s, in the late 1960s, and in the 2020s.Chicago's biggestcriminal justicechallenges have changed little over the last 50 years, and statistically reside with homicide,armed robbery, gang violence, andaggravated battery. Chicago has a higher murder rate than the larger cities of New York and Los Angeles. However, while it has a large absolute number of crimes due to its size, Chicago is not among the top-25 most violent cities in the United States. Murder rates in Chicago vary greatly depending on the neighborhood in question.The neighborhoods ofEnglewoodon the South Side, andAustinon the West side, for example, have homicide rates that are ten times higher than other parts of the city.Chicago has an estimated population of over 100,000 active gang members from nearly 60 factions.According to reports in 2013, \"most of Chicago's violent crime comes from gangs trying to maintain control of drug-selling territories,\"and is specifically related to the activities of theSinaloa Cartel, which is active in several American cities.Violent crime rates vary significantly by area of the city, with more economically developed areas having low rates, but other sections have much higher rates of crime.In 2013, the violent crime rate was 910 per 100,000 people;the murder rate was 10.4 per 100,000 – while high crime districts saw 38.9 murders, low crime districts saw 2.5 murders per 100,000. Chicago has a long history of publiccorruptionthat regularly draws the attention of federal law enforcement and federal prosecutors.From 2012 to 2019, 33 Chicago alderpersons were convicted on corruption charges, roughly one third of those elected in the time period. A report from the Office of the Legislative Inspector General noted that over half of Chicago's elected alderpersons took illegal campaign contributions in 2013.Most corruption cases in Chicago are prosecuted by theU.S. Attorney's office, as legaljurisdictionmakes most offenses punishable as a federal crime. Education Schools and libraries Chicago Public Schools(CPS) is the governing body of theschool districtthat contains over 600 public elementary and high schools citywide, including several selective-admission magnet schools. There are eleven selective enrollment high schools in the Chicago Public Schools, designed to meet the needs of Chicago's most academically advanced students. These schools offer a rigorous curriculum with mainly honors andAdvanced Placement(AP) courses.Walter Payton College Prep High Schoolis ranked number one in the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois. Chicago high school rankings are determined by the average test scores on state achievement tests.The district, with an enrollment exceeding 400,545 students (2013–2014 20th Day Enrollment), is the third-largest in the U.S.On September 10, 2012, teachers for the Chicago Teachers Union went on strike for the first time since 1987 over pay, resources, and other issues.According to data compiled in 2014, Chicago's \"choice system\", where students who test or apply and may attend one of a number of public high schools (there are about 130), sorts students of different achievement levels into different schools (high performing, middle performing, and low performing schools). Chicago has a network ofLutheran schools,and several private schools are run by other denominations and faiths, such as theIda Crown Jewish AcademyinWest Ridge. TheRoman Catholic Archdiocese of ChicagooperatesCatholic schools, that includeJesuit preparatory schoolsand others. A number of private schools are completely secular. There are also the privateChicago Academy for the Arts, a high school focused on six different categories of the arts and the publicChicago High School for the Arts, a high school focused on five categories (visual arts, theatre, musical theatre, dance, and music) of the arts. TheChicago Public Librarysystem operates three regional libraries and 77 neighborhood branches, including the central library. Colleges and universities Since the 1850s, Chicago has been a world center of higher education and research with several universities. These institutions consistently rank among the top \"National Universities\" in the United States, as determined byU.S. News & World Report.Highly regarded universities in Chicago and the surrounding area are the University of Chicago; Northwestern University;Illinois Institute of Technology;Loyola University Chicago;DePaul University;Columbia College Chicagoand theUniversity of Illinois Chicago. Other notable schools include:Chicago State University; theSchool of the Art Institute of Chicago;East–West University;National Louis University;North Park University;Northeastern Illinois University;Robert Morris University Illinois;Roosevelt University;Saint Xavier University;Rush University; andShimer College. William Rainey Harper, the first president of the University of Chicago, was instrumental in the creation of thejunior collegeconcept, establishing nearbyJoliet Junior Collegeas the first in the nation in 1901.His legacy continues with the multiplecommunity collegesin the Chicago proper, including the sevenCity Colleges of Chicago:Richard J. Daley College,Kennedy–King College,Malcolm X College,Olive–Harvey College,Truman College,Harold Washington College, andWilbur Wright College, in addition to the privately heldMacCormac College. Chicago also has a high concentration of post-baccalaureate institutions, graduate schools, seminaries, and theological schools, such as theAdler School of Professional Psychology,The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, theErikson Institute,The Institute for Clinical Social Work, theLutheran School of Theology at Chicago, theCatholic Theological Union, theMoody Bible Institute, and theUniversity of Chicago Divinity School. Media Television The Chicago metropolitan area is a major media hub and the third-largest media market in the United States, after New York City and Los Angeles.Each of the big fiveU.S. television networks,NBC,ABC,CBS,FoxandThe CW, directly owns and operates ahigh-definition televisionstation in Chicago (WMAQ5,WLS7,WBBM2,WFLD32 andWGN-TV9, respectively). WGN is owned by the CW through a majority stake held in the network by theNexstar Media Group, which acquired it from its founding ownerTribune Broadcastingin 2019. WGN was once carried, with some programming differences, as \"WGN America\" oncable and satellite TVnationwide and in parts of theCaribbean. WGN America eventually becameNewsNationin 2021. Chicago has also been the home of several prominent talk shows, includingThe Oprah Winfrey Show,Steve Harvey Show,The Rosie Show,The Jerry Springer Show,The Phil Donahue Show,The Jenny Jones Show, and more. The city also has onePBSmember station (its second:WYCC20, removed its affiliation with PBS in 2017):WTTW11, producer of shows such asSneak Previews,The Frugal Gourmet,Lamb Chop's Play-AlongandThe McLaughlin Group. As of 2018,Windy City Liveis Chicago's only daytime talk show, which is hosted by Val Warner andRyan Chiaveriniat ABC7 Studios with a live weekday audience. Since 1999,Judge Mathisalso films his syndicated arbitration-based realitycourt showat theNBC Tower. Beginning in January 2019,Newsybegan producing 12 of its 14 hours of live news programming per day from its new facility in Chicago. Television stations Most of Chicago's television stations are owned and operated by the big television network companies. They are: Newspapers Two major daily newspapers are published in Chicago: theChicago Tribuneand theChicago Sun-Times, with the Tribune having the larger circulation. There are also several regional and special-interest newspapers and magazines, such asChicago, theDziennik Związkowy(Polish Daily News),Draugas(the Lithuanian daily newspaper), theChicago Reader, theSouthtownStar, theChicago Defender, theDaily Herald,Newcity,StreetWiseand theWindy City Times. The entertainment and cultural magazineTime Out ChicagoandGRABmagazine are also published in the city, as well as local music magazineChicago Innerview. In addition, Chicago is the home of satirical national news outlet,The Onion, as well as its sister pop-culture publication,The A.V. Club. Movies and filming Radio Chicago has five50,000 watt AM radio stations: theAudacy-ownedWBBMandWSCR; theTribune Broadcasting-ownedWGN; theCumulus Media-ownedWLS; and theESPN Radio-ownedWMVP. Chicago is also home to a number of national radio shows, includingBeyond the BeltwaywithBruce DuMonton Sunday evenings. Chicago Public Radioproduces nationally aired programs such asPRI'sThis American LifeandNPR'sWait Wait...Don't Tell Me!. Infrastructure Transportation Chicago is a major transportation hub in the United States. It is an important component in global distribution, as it is the third-largest inter-modal port in the world afterHong KongandSingapore. The city of Chicago has a higher than average percentage of households without a car. In 2015, 26.5 percent of Chicago households were without a car, and increased slightly to 27.5 percent in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Chicago averaged 1.12 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8. Parking Due to Chicago'sWheel Tax,residents of Chicago who own a vehicle are required to purchase a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker.In established Residential Parking Zones, only local residents can purchase Zone-specific parking stickers for themselves and guests. Chicago since 2009 has relinquished rights to itspublicstreet parking.In 2008, as Chicago struggled to close a growing budget deficit, the city agreed to a 75-year, $1.16 billion deal to lease itsparking metersystem to an operating company created byMorgan Stanley, calledChicago Parking Meters LLC. Daley said the \"agreement is very good news for the taxpayers of Chicago because it will provide more than $1 billion in net proceeds that can be used during this very difficult economy.\" The rights of the parking ticket lease end in 2081, and since 2022 have already recouped over $1.5 billion in revenue forChicago Parking Meters LLCinvestors. Expressways Seven mainline and four auxiliaryinterstate highways(55,57,65(only in Indiana),80(also inIndiana),88,90(also inIndiana),94(also inIndiana),190,290,294, and355) run through Chicago and its suburbs. Segments that link to the city center are named after influential politicians, with three of them named after former U.S. Presidents (Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Reagan) and one named after two-time Democratic candidateAdlai Stevenson. TheKennedyandDan RyanExpressways are the busiest state maintained routes in the entire state of Illinois. Transit systems TheRegional Transportation Authority(RTA) coordinates the operation of the three service boards: CTA, Metra, and Pace. Greyhound Linesprovides inter-city bus service to and from the city at theChicago Bus Station, and Chicago is also the hub for the Midwest network ofMegabus (North America). Passenger rail Amtraklong distance andcommuter railservices originate fromUnion Station.Chicago is one of the largest hubs of passenger rail service in the nation.The services terminate in the San Francisco area, Washington, D.C., New York City, New Orleans,Portland,Seattle,Milwaukee,Quincy,St. Louis,Carbondale, Boston,Grand Rapids,Port Huron,Pontiac, Los Angeles, andSan Antonio. Future service will terminate atMoline. An attempt was made in the early 20th century to link Chicago with New York City via theChicago – New York Electric Air Line Railroad. Parts of this were built, but it was never completed. Bicycle and scooter sharing systems In July 2013, thebicycle-sharing systemDivvywas launched with 750 bikes and 75 docking stationsIt is operated byLyftfor theChicago Department of Transportation.As of July 2019, Divvy operated 5800 bicycles at 608 stations, covering almost all of the city, excludingPullman, Rosedale,Beverly,Belmont CraginandEdison Park. In May 2019, The City of Chicago announced its Chicago's Electric Shared Scooter Pilot Program, scheduled to run from June 15 to October 15.The program started on June 15 with 10 different scooter companies, including scooter sharing market leadersBird,Jump,LimeandLyft.Each company was allowed to bring 250electric scooters, although both Bird and Lime claimed that they experienced a higher demand for their scooters.The program ended on October 15, with nearly 800,000 rides taken. Freight rail Chicago is the largest hub in the railroad industry.All fiveClass I railroadsmeet in Chicago. As of 2002, severe freight train congestion caused trains to take as long to get through the Chicago region as it took to get there from the West Coast of the country (about 2 days).According to U.S. Department of Transportation, the volume of imported and exported goods transported via rail to, from, or through Chicago is forecast to increase nearly 150 percent between 2010 and 2040.CREATE, theChicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program, comprises about 70 programs, including crossovers, overpasses and underpasses, that intend to significantly improve the speed of freight movements in the Chicago area. Airports Chicago is served byO'Hare International Airport, the world's busiest airport measured by airline operations,on the far Northwest Side, andMidway International Airporton the Southwest Side. In 2005, O'Hare was the world's busiest airport by aircraft movements and the second-busiest by total passenger traffic.Both O'Hare and Midway are owned and operated by the City of Chicago.Gary/Chicago International AirportandChicago Rockford International Airport, located inGary, IndianaandRockford, Illinois, respectively, can serve as alternative Chicago area airports, however they do not offer as many commercial flights as O'Hare and Midway. In recent years the state of Illinois has been leaning towardsbuilding an entirely new airportin the Illinois suburbs of Chicago.The City of Chicago is the world headquarters forUnited Airlines, the world's third-largest airline. Port authority The Port of Chicago consists of several major port facilities within the city of Chicago operated by the Illinois International Port District (formerly known as the Chicago Regional Port District). The central element of the Port District, Calumet Harbor, is maintained by theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Utilities Electricity for most ofnorthern Illinoisis provided byCommonwealth Edison, also known as ComEd. Their service territory bordersIroquois Countyto the south, theWisconsinborder to the north, theIowaborder to the west and theIndianaborder to the east. In northern Illinois, ComEd (a division ofExelon) operates the greatest number of nuclear generating plants in any U.S. state. Because of this, ComEd reports indicate that Chicago receives about 75% of its electricity from nuclear power. Recently, the city began installing wind turbines on government buildings to promote renewable energy. Natural gas is provided by Peoples Gas, a subsidiary ofIntegrys Energy Group, which is headquartered in Chicago. Domestic and industrial waste was once incinerated but it is nowlandfilled, mainly in theCalumet area. From 1995 to 2008, the city had ablue bagprogram to divert recyclable refuse from landfills.Because of low participation in the blue bag programs, the city began a pilot program for blue bin recycling like other cities. This proved successful and blue bins were rolled out across the city. Health systems TheIllinois Medical Districtis on the Near West Side. It includesRush University Medical Center, ranked as the second best hospital in the Chicago metropolitan area byU.S. News & World Reportfor 2014–16, theUniversity of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago, Jesse Brown VA Hospital, andJohn H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, one of the busiest trauma centers in the nation. Two of the country's premier academic medical centers reside in Chicago, includingNorthwestern Memorial Hospitaland theUniversity of Chicago Medical Center. The Chicago campus of Northwestern University includes theFeinberg School of Medicine; Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which is ranked as the best hospital in the Chicago metropolitan area byU.S. News & World Reportfor 2017–18;theShirley Ryan AbilityLab(formerly named the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago), which is ranked the best U.S. rehabilitation hospital byU.S. News & World Report;the newPrentice Women's Hospital; and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. TheUniversity of Illinois College of Medicineat UIC is the second-largest medical school in the United States (2,600 students, including those at campuses in Peoria, Rockford andUrbana–Champaign). In addition, theChicago Medical Schooland Loyola University Chicago'sStritch School of Medicineare located in the suburbs ofNorth ChicagoandMaywood, respectively. TheMidwestern UniversityChicago College ofOsteopathic Medicineis inDowners Grove. TheAmerican Medical Association,Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education,Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education,American Osteopathic Association,American Dental Association,Academy of General Dentistry,Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,American Association of Nurse Anesthetists,American College of Surgeons,American Society for Clinical Pathology,American College of Healthcare Executives, theAmerican Hospital Association, andBlue Cross and Blue Shield Associationare all based in Chicago. Sister cities See also Explanatory notes References Citations Cited references Further reading External links Former:Evanston•Hyde Park•Jefferson•Lake•Lake View•North Chicago•Rogers Park•South Chicago•West Chicago"],"string":"[\n \"Lou Boudreau As manager Louis Boudreau(July 17, 1917 – August 10, 2001), nicknamed \\\"Old Shufflefoot\\\", \\\"Handsome Lou\\\", and \\\"the Good Kid\\\", was an Americanprofessional baseballplayer and manager.He played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for 15 seasons, primarily as ashortstopon theCleveland Indians, and managed four teams for 15 seasons including 10 seasons as aplayer-manager. He was also a radio announcer for theChicago Cubsand in college was a dual-sport athlete in baseball and basketball, earningAll-Americanhonors in basketball for theUniversity of Illinois. Boudreau was anAll-Starfor seven seasons.In 1948, Boudreau won theAmerican LeagueMost Valuable Player Awardand managed theCleveland Indiansto theWorld Seriestitle. He won the 1944 American League (AL)batting title(.327), and led the league in doubles in 1941, 1944, and 1947. He led AL shortstops in fielding eight times. Boudreau still holds the MLB record for hitting the most consecutive doubles in a game (four), set on July 14, 1946. In 1970, Boudreau was elected to theNational Baseball Hall of Fameand his No. 5 was retired by the Indians that same year. Early life Boudreau was born inHarvey, Illinois, the son of Birdie (Henry) and Louis Boudreau.His father was of French-Canadian ancestry, his mother was Jewish, and both of his maternal grandparents were observantOrthodox Jewswith whom when he was young he celebratedPassoverseders.He was raised Catholic by his father after his parents divorced.He graduated fromThornton Township High SchoolinHarvey, Illinois, where he led the \\\"Flying Clouds\\\" to three straightIllinois high school championshipgames, winning in 1933 and finishing as runner up in 1934 and 1935. College baseball and basketball Boudreau attended theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, where he was a member ofPhi Sigma Kappafraternity and captain of thebasketballandbaseballteams. During the1936–37 basketballand baseball seasons, Boudreau led each Fighting Illini team to aBig Ten Conferencechampionship.During the1937–38 basketball season, Boudreau was named anNCAA Men's Basketball All-American. While Boudreau was still at Illinois,Cleveland Indiansgeneral managerCy Slapnickapaid him an undisclosed sum in return for agreeing to play baseball for the Indians after he graduated. Due to this agreement, Boudreau was ruled ineligible for collegiate sports by theBig Ten Conferenceofficials.During his senior year at Illinois, he played professional basketball with theHammond Ciesar All-Americansof theNational Basketball League. Despite playing professional baseball with Cleveland, Boudreau earned hisBachelor of Sciencein education from Illinois in 1940 and worked as the Illinois freshman basketball coach for the 1939 and 1940 teams. Boudreau stayed on as an assistant coach for the1941–42 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball teamand he was instrumental in recruiting futureNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame InducteeAndy Phillipto play for Illinois. Professional baseball career Cleveland Indians Boudreau made his major league debut on September 9, 1938, for theCleveland Indiansat 21 as a third baseman in his first game. In 1939, Indian managerOssie Vitttold him that he would have to move from his normal third base position toshortstopsince established sluggerKen Keltneralready had the regular third base job. In 1940, his first full year as a starter, he batted .295 with 46doublesand 101RBI, and was selected for theAll-Star Gamefor the first of five consecutive seasons (MLB cancelled the1945 gamedue to war-time travel restrictions and did not name All-Stars). Boudreau helped make history in 1941 as a key figure in stopping the56-game hitting streakbyJoe DiMaggio. After two sparkling stops by Keltner at third base on hard ground balls earlier in the game, Boudreau snagged a bad-hop grounder to short barehanded and started a double play retiring DiMaggio at first.He finished the season with a modest .257 batting average, but had a league-leading 45 doubles. After the 1941 season, ownerAlva Bradleypromoted Indians managerRoger Peckinpaughto general manager and appointed the 25-year-old Boudreau player-manager. Boudreau played and managed the Indians throughout World War II (playing basketball had put a strain on Boudreau's ankles that turned intoarthritis, which classified him as4-Fand thus ineligible for military service).In 1944, Boudreau turned 134double plays, the most ever by a player-manager in MLB history. When he bought the Indians in 1947,Bill Veeck, after being approached by Boudreau, renewed the player-manager agreement with mixed feelings on both sides, as Boudreau stated that he would rather be traded than only play shortstop. Details of possibly trading him forVern Stephensof the St. Louis Browns in 1947 only attracted fans to the side of Boudreau. However, Boudreau hit .355 in 1948; Cleveland won the AL pennant and theWorld Series, the Indians first World Series championship in 28 years and only the second in Indians history, with Veeck and Boudreau publicly acknowledging each other's role in the team's success. Later career Boudreau was released by the Indians as both player and manager following the 1950 season. He signed with theBoston Red Sox, playing full-time in 1951, moving up to player-manager in 1952 and managing from the bench in 1953–54. He then became the first manager of theKansas City Athleticsin 1955 after their move from Philadelphia until he was fired after 104 games in 1957 and replaced byHarry Craft. He last managed the Chicago Cubs, in 1960. Managerial record Boudreau shift Boudreau is credited with inventing theinfield shift, which came to be known colloquially as the \\\"Boudreau shift.\\\" Because sluggingRed SoxsuperstarTed Williamswas a dead-pull hitter, he moved most of his Cleveland Indian fielders to the right of second base against the Splendid Splinter, leaving only the third baseman and left fielder to the left of second but also very close to second base, far to the right of their normal positions. With characteristic stubborn pride, Williams refused the obvious advice from teammates to hit orbuntto left against the Boudreau shift, but great hitter that he was, not changing his approach against the shift didn't affect his hitting very much. Boudreau later admitted that the shift was more about \\\"psyching out\\\" Williams rather than playing him to pull. \\\"I always considered the Boudreau shift a psychological, rather than a tactical\\\" ploy, he declared in his autobiographyPlayer-Manager. Broadcasting Boudreau did play-by-play for Cub games in 1958–59 before switching roles with manager \\\"Jolly Cholly\\\"Charlie Grimmin 1960. But after only one season as Cubs manager, Boudreau returned to the radio booth and remained there until 1987. He also did radio play-by-play for theChicago Bullsin 1966–1968 and worked onChicago Blackhawksgames forWGN radioandtelevisionas well. The presence of a Hall of Fame announcer affected at least one game. On June 23, 1976, the Cubs were two runs behind at home in the fourth inning of the second game of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates at home when the umpires called the game on account of darkness (since there were no lights atWrigley Fielduntil 1988), announcing that the game would be resumed at the same point the next day as was normally the case in those days. But Boudreau knew the rules better than anyone else in the park, it turned out, for he went down quickly to the clubhouse and pointed out to the umpires that a game that was not yet an official game could not be treated as a suspended game (i.e., it had not gone five innings, or four and a half with the home team leading, as neither was the case), and as such had to be replayed from the first pitch (as was then the rule in a rain-out). The umpires called the National League office, found Boudreau was correct, and removed the two-run Cubs deficit. Later life and honors Boudreau was elected to theBaseball Hall of Famein 1970 with 77.33% of the vote. That same year, his uniform number 5 was retired by theCleveland Indians(he wore number 4 with the Red Sox). In 1973, the city ofClevelandrenamed a street borderingCleveland Municipal Stadiumafter Boudreau.Boudreau Drive in Urbana, Illinois, is also named after Boudreau. In 1990, the Cleveland Indians established The Lou Boudreau Award, which is given every year to the organization's Minor League Player of the Year.In 1992, Boudreau's number 5 jersey was retired by theIllinois Fighting Illini baseballprogram. Boudreau is only one of threeIllinois Fighting Illiniathletes to have their number retired; the other two athletes beingIllinois Fighting Illini footballplayersRed GrangeandDick Butkus. Personal life Boudreau married Della DeRuiter in 1938, and together they had four children. His daughter Sharyn marriedDenny McLain, a former star pitcher with theDetroit Tigerswho was the last 30-game winner in the major leagues (31–6 for the world champion 1968Detroit Tigers). Boudreau had a home inFrankfort, Illinois, for many years. He died on August 10, 2001, due tocardiac arrestat St. James Medical Center inOlympia Fields, Illinois. He was 84. He received a Catholic funeral and his body was interred in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. See also Notes References Further reading External links\",\n \"List of World Series champions TheWorld Seriesis the annual championship series ofMajor League Baseball(MLB) and concludes theMLB postseason. First played in 1903,the World Series championship is abest-of-seven playoffand is a contest between the champions of baseball'sNational League(NL) andAmerican League(AL).Often referred to as the \\\"Fall Classic\\\",the modern World Series has been played every year since 1903 with two exceptions: in1904, when the NL championNew York Giantsdeclined to play the AL championBoston Americans; and in1994, when the series was canceled due to theplayers' strike.The best-of-seven style has been the format of all World Series except in1903,1919,1920,1921, when the winner was determined through abest-of-nine playoff.Although the large majority of contests have been played entirely during the month of October, a small number of Series have also had games played during September and November. The Series-winning team is awarded theCommissioner's Trophy.Players, coaches and others associated with the team are generally givenWorld Series ringsto commemorate their victory; however, they have received other items such aspocket watchesand medallions in the past.The winning team is traditionally invited to theWhite Houseto meet thePresident of the United States. A total of 119 World Series have been contested through 2023, with the AL champion winning 68 and the NL champion winning 51. TheNew York Yankeesof the AL have played in 40 World Series, winning 27 – the most championship appearances and most victories by any team amongst themajor North American professional sports leagues. TheDodgersof the NL have the most losses with 14, while the Yankees have the most losses among AL teams with 13. TheSt. Louis Cardinalshave won 11 championships, the most championships among NL clubs and second-most all-time behind the Yankees, and have made 19 total appearances, third-most among NL clubs.The Dodgers have represented the NL the most in the World Series with 21 appearances. TheSeattle Marinersare the only MLB franchise that has never appeared in a World Series; theMilwaukee Brewers,San Diego Padres,Tampa Bay Rays, andColorado Rockieshave all played in the Series but have never won it, with the Padres and the Rays appearing twice. TheLos Angeles AngelsandWashington Nationalsare the only teams who have won their only World Series appearance, and theToronto Blue JaysandMiami Marlinsare the only teams with multiple World Series appearances with no losses. The Toronto Blue Jays are the only franchise from outside the United States to appear in and win a World Series, winning in 1992 and 1993. TheHouston Astrosare the only franchise to have represented both the NL (2005) and the AL (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022), winning the Series in 2017 and 2022. The 1919 and 2017 World Series were both marred with cheating scandals: theBlack Sox Scandaland theHouston Astros sign stealing scandal. The most recent World Series champions are theTexas Rangers. World Series results Numbers in parentheses in the table are World Series appearances as of the date of that World Series, and are used as follows: Source for this Table World Series records by franchise In the sortable table below, teams are ordered first by number of wins, then by number of appearances, and finally by year of first appearance. In the \\\"Season(s)\\\" column,bold yearsindicate winning appearances. Frequent matchups The following are the 20 matchups of teams that have occurred two or more times in the World Series. All teams that have participated in these were \\\"Classic Eight\\\" members of either the American or National League; no expansion team (created in 1961 or later) has faced the same opponent more than once in a World Series. See also References External links\",\n \"Chicago Chicagois themost populous cityin theU.S. stateofIllinoisand in theMidwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the2020 census,it is thethird-most populous city in the United StatesafterNew York CityandLos Angeles. As theseatofCook County, thesecond-most populous countyin the U.S., Chicago is the center of theChicago metropolitan area, often colloquially called \\\"Chicagoland\\\" and home to 9.6 million residents. Located on the shore ofLake Michigan, Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837 near aportagebetween theGreat Lakesand theMississippi River watershed. It grew rapidly in the mid-19th century.In 1871, theGreat Chicago Firedestroyed several square miles and left more than 100,000 homeless,but Chicago's population continued to grow.Chicago made noted contributions tourban planningandarchitecture, such as theChicago School, the development of theCity Beautiful movement, and the steel-framedskyscraper. Chicago is an international hub for finance,culture, commerce, industry, education, technology, telecommunications, andtransportation. It has the largest and most diverse financederivativesmarket in the world, generating 20% of all volume incommoditiesand financial futures alone.O'Hare International Airportis routinely ranked among theworld's top six busiest airports by passenger traffic,and the region is also the nation's railroad hub.The Chicago area has one of the highestgross domestic products(GDP) of any urban region in the world, generating $689 billion in 2018.Chicago's economyisdiverse, with no single industry employing more than 14% of the workforce. Chicago is a major destination fortourism, including visitors to itscultural institutions, and Lake Michiganbeaches. Chicago's culture has contributed much to the visual arts,literature, film,theater, comedy (especiallyimprovisational comedy),food, dance, andmusic(particularlyjazz,blues,soul,hip-hop,gospel,andelectronic dance music, includinghouse music). Chicago is home to theChicago Symphony Orchestraand theLyric Opera of Chicago, while theArt Institute of Chicagoprovides an influential visual arts museum andart school. The Chicago area also hosts theUniversity of Chicago,Northwestern University, and theUniversity of Illinois Chicago, amongother institutions of learning. ProfessionalsportsinChicago includeallmajor professional leagues, including twoMajor League Baseballteams. Etymology and nicknames The nameChicagois derived from a French rendering of theindigenousMiami–Illinoiswordshikaakwafor a wild relative of theonion; it is known to botanists asAllium tricoccumand known more commonly as \\\"ramps\\\". The first known reference to the site of the current city of Chicago as \\\"Checagou\\\" was byRobert de LaSallearound 1679 in a memoir.Henri Joutel, in his journal of 1688, noted that the eponymous wild \\\"garlic\\\" grew profusely in the area.According to his diary of late September 1687: ... when we arrived at the said place called \\\"Chicagou\\\" which, according to what we were able to learn of it, has taken this name because of the quantity of garlic which grows in the forests in this region. The city has hadseveral nicknamesthroughout its history, such as theWindy City, Chi-Town, Second City, and City of the Big Shoulders. History Beginnings In the mid-18th century, the area was inhabited by thePotawatomi, an indigenous tribe who had succeeded theMiami,SaukandMeskwakipeoples in this region. The first known permanent settler in Chicago was traderJean Baptiste Point du Sable. Du Sable was ofAfricandescent, perhaps born in theFrench colonyofSaint-Domingue(Haiti), and established the settlement in the 1780s. He is commonly known as the \\\"Founder of Chicago.\\\" In 1795, following the victory of the new United States in theNorthwest Indian War, an area that was to be part of Chicago was turned over to the U.S. for a military post by native tribes in accordance with theTreaty of Greenville. In 1803, theU.S. ArmyconstructedFort Dearborn, which was destroyed during theWar of 1812in theBattle of Fort Dearbornby the Potawatomi before being later rebuilt. After the War of 1812, theOttawa,Ojibwe, and Potawatomi tribes ceded additional land to the United States in the 1816Treaty of St. Louis. The Potawatomi were forcibly removed from their land after the1833 Treaty of Chicagoand sent west of theMississippi Riveras part of the federal policy ofIndian removal. 19th century On August 12, 1833, the Town of Chicago was organized with a population of about 200.Within seven years it grew to more than 6,000 people. On June 15, 1835, the first public land sales began withEdmund Dick Tayloras Receiver of Public Monies. The City of Chicago was incorporated on Saturday, March 4, 1837,and for several decades was the world's fastest-growing city. As the site of theChicago Portage,the city became an important transportation hub between the eastern and western United States. Chicago's first railway,Galena and Chicago Union Railroad, and theIllinois and Michigan Canalopened in 1848. The canal allowedsteamboatsandsailing shipson theGreat Lakesto connect to the Mississippi River. A flourishing economy brought residents from rural communities andimmigrantsfrom abroad. Manufacturing and retail and finance sectors became dominant, influencing theAmerican economy.TheChicago Board of Trade(established 1848) listed the first-ever standardized \\\"exchange-traded\\\" forward contracts, which were calledfutures contracts. In the 1850s, Chicago gained national political prominence as the home of SenatorStephen Douglas, the champion of theKansas–Nebraska Actand the \\\"popular sovereignty\\\" approach to the issue of the spread of slavery.These issues also helped propel another Illinoisan,Abraham Lincoln, to the national stage. Lincoln was nominated in Chicago for U.S. president at the1860 Republican National Convention, which was held in a purpose-built auditorium called theWigwam. He defeated Douglas in the general election, and this set the stage for theAmerican Civil War. To accommodaterapid population growthand demand for better sanitation, the city improved its infrastructure. In February 1856, Chicago's Common Council approvedChesbrough's plan to build the United States' first comprehensive sewerage system.The projectraised much of central Chicagoto a new grade with the use ofjackscrewsfor raising buildings.While elevating Chicago, and at first improving the city's health, the untreated sewage and industrial waste now flowed into theChicago River, and subsequently intoLake Michigan, polluting the city's primary freshwater source. The city responded by tunneling two miles (3.2 km) out into Lake Michigan to newly builtwater cribs. In 1900, the problem of sewage contamination was largely resolved when the city completed a major engineering feat. It reversed the flow of the Chicago River so that the water flowed away from Lake Michigan rather than into it. This project began with the construction and improvement of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and was completed with theChicago Sanitary and Ship Canalthat connects to theIllinois River, which flows into the Mississippi River. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed an area about 4 miles (6.4 km) long and 1-mile (1.6 km) wide, a large section of the city at the time.Much of the city, including railroads andstockyards, survived intact,and from the ruins of the previous wooden structures arose more modern constructions of steel and stone. These set a precedent for worldwide construction.During its rebuilding period, Chicago constructed the world'sfirst skyscraperin 1885, usingsteel-skeletonconstruction. The city grew significantly in size and population by incorporating many neighboring townships between 1851 and 1920, with the largest annexation happening in 1889, with five townships joining the city, including theHyde Park Township, which now comprises most of theSouth Side of Chicagoand the far southeast of Chicago, and theJefferson Township, which now makes up most ofChicago's Northwest Side.The desire to join the city was driven by municipal services that the city could provide its residents. Chicago's flourishing economy attracted huge numbers of new immigrants fromEuropeand migrants from theEastern United States. Of the total population in 1900, more than 77% were either foreign-born or born in the United States of foreign parentage.Germans,Irish,Poles,Swedes, andCzechsmade up nearly two-thirds of the foreign-born population (by 1900, whites were 98.1% of the city's population). Labor conflictsfollowed the industrial boom and the rapid expansion of the labor pool, including theHaymarket affairon May 4, 1886, and in 1894 thePullman Strike. Anarchist and socialist groups played prominent roles in creating very large and highly organized labor actions. Concern for social problems among Chicago's immigrant poor ledJane AddamsandEllen Gates Starrto foundHull Housein 1889.Programs that were developed there became a model for the new field ofsocial work. During the 1870s and 1880s, Chicago attained national stature as the leader in the movement to improve public health. City laws and later, state laws that upgraded standards for the medical profession and fought urban epidemics ofcholera,smallpox, andyellow feverwere both passed and enforced. These laws became templates for public health reform in other cities and states. The city established many large, well-landscapedmunicipal parks, which also included public sanitation facilities. The chief advocate for improving public health in Chicago wasJohn H. Rauch, M.D.Rauch established a plan for Chicago's park system in 1866. He createdLincoln Parkby closing a cemetery filled with shallow graves, and in 1867, in response to an outbreak of cholera he helped establish a new Chicago Board of Health. Ten years later, he became the secretary and then the president of the first Illinois State Board of Health, which carried out most of its activities in Chicago. In the 1800s, Chicago became the nation's railroad hub, and by 1910 over 20 railroads operated passenger service out of six different downtown terminals.In 1883, Chicago's railway managers needed a general time convention, so they developed the standardized system of North Americantime zones.This system for telling time spread throughout the continent. In 1893, Chicago hosted theWorld's Columbian Expositionon former marshland at the present location ofJackson Park. The Exposition drew 27.5 million visitors, and is considered the most influentialworld's fairin history.TheUniversity of Chicago, formerly at another location, moved to the same South Side location in 1892. The term \\\"midway\\\" for a fair or carnival referred originally to theMidway Plaisance, a strip of park land that still runs through the University of Chicago campus and connects theWashingtonand Jackson Parks. 20th and 21st centuries 1900 to 1939 DuringWorld War Iand the 1920s there was a major expansion in industry. The availability of jobs attracted African Americans from theSouthern United States. Between 1910 and 1930, the African American population of Chicago increased dramatically, from 44,103 to 233,903.ThisGreat Migrationhad an immense cultural impact, called theChicago Black Renaissance, part of theNew Negro Movement, in art, literature, and music.Continuing racial tensions and violence, such as theChicago race riot of 1919, also occurred. The ratification of the 18th amendment to the Constitution in 1919 made the production and sale (including exportation) of alcoholic beverages illegal in the United States. This ushered in the beginning of what is known as the gangster era, a time that roughly spans from 1919 until 1933 whenProhibitionwas repealed. The 1920s sawgangsters, includingAl Capone,Dion O'Banion,Bugs MoranandTony Accardobattle law enforcement and each other on the streets of Chicago during theProhibition era.Chicago was the location of the infamousSt. Valentine's Day Massacrein 1929, when Al Capone sent men to gun down members of a rival gang, North Side, led by Bugs Moran. From 1920 to 1921, the city was affected by a series of tenantrent strikes, which lead to the formation of the Chicago Tenants Protective association, passage of the Kessenger tenant laws, and of a heat ordinance that legally required flats to be kept above 68 °F during winter months by landlords. Chicago was the first American city to have a homosexual-rights organization. The organization, formed in 1924, was called theSociety for Human Rights. It produced the first American publication for homosexuals,Friendship and Freedom. Police and political pressure caused the organization to disband. The Great Depression brought unprecedented suffering to Chicago, in no small part due to the city's heavy reliance on heavy industry. Notably, industrial areas on the south side and neighborhoods lining both branches of the Chicago River were devastated; by 1933 over 50% of industrial jobs in the city had been lost, and unemployment rates amongst blacks and Mexicans in the city were over 40%. The Republican political machine in Chicago was utterly destroyed by the economic crisis, and every mayor since 1931 has been aDemocrat. From 1928 to 1933, the city witnessed a tax revolt, and the city was unable to meet payroll or provide relief efforts. The fiscal crisis was resolved by 1933, and at the same time, federal relief funding began to flow into Chicago.Chicago was also a hotbed of labor activism, withUnemployed Councilscontributing heavily in the early depression to create solidarity for the poor and demand relief; these organizations were created by socialist and communist groups. By 1935 theWorkers Alliance of Americabegun organizing the poor, workers, the unemployed. In the spring of 1937 Republic Steel Works witnessed theMemorial Day massacre of 1937in the neighborhood of East Side. In 1933, Chicago MayorAnton Cermakwas fatally wounded inMiami, Florida, during afailed assassinationattempt on President-electFranklin D. Roosevelt. In 1933 and 1934, the city celebrated its centennial by hosting theCentury of ProgressInternational ExpositionWorld's Fair.The theme of the fair was technological innovation over the century since Chicago's founding. 1940 to 1979 DuringWorld War II, the city of Chicago alone produced more steel than the United Kingdom every year from 1939 – 1945, and more thanNazi Germanyfrom 1943 – 1945. The Great Migration, which had been on pause due to the Depression, resumed at an even faster pace in thesecond wave, as hundreds of thousands of blacks from the South arrived in the city to work in the steel mills, railroads, and shipping yards. On December 2, 1942, physicistEnrico Fermiconducted the world's first controllednuclear reactionat the University of Chicago as part of the top-secretManhattan Project. This led to the creation of the atomic bomb by the United States, which it used inWorld War IIin 1945. MayorRichard J. Daley, a Democrat, was elected in 1955, in the era ofmachine politics. In 1956, the city conducted its last major expansion when it annexed the land under O'Hare airport, including a small portion of DuPage County. By the 1960s, white residents in several neighborhoods left the city for the suburban areas – in many American cities, a process known aswhite flight– as Blacks continued to move beyond theBlack Belt.While home loan discriminatoryredliningagainst blacks continued, the real estate industry practiced what became known asblockbusting, completely changing the racial composition of whole neighborhoods.Structural changes in industry, such as globalization and job outsourcing, caused heavy job losses for lower-skilled workers. At its peak during the 1960s, some 250,000 workers were employed in the steel industry in Chicago, but the steel crisis of the 1970s and 1980s reduced this number to just 28,000 in 2015. In 1966,Martin Luther King Jr.andAlbert Rabyled theChicago Freedom Movement, which culminated in agreements between Mayor Richard J. Daley and the movement leaders. Two years later, the city hosted the tumultuous1968 Democratic National Convention, which featured physical confrontations both inside and outside the convention hall, with anti-war protesters, journalists and bystanders being beaten by police.Major construction projects, including the Sears Tower (now known as theWillis Tower, which in 1974 became theworld's tallest building),University of Illinois at Chicago,McCormick Place, andO'Hare International Airport, were undertaken during Richard J. Daley's tenure.In 1979,Jane Byrne, the city's first female mayor, was elected. She was notable for temporarily moving into the crime-riddenCabrini-Greenhousing project and for leading Chicago's school system out of a financial crisis. 1980 to present In 1983,Harold Washingtonbecame the first black mayor of Chicago. Washington's first term in office directed attention to poor and previously neglected minority neighborhoods. He was re‑elected in 1987 but died of a heart attack soon after.Washington was succeeded by 6th ward alderpersonEugene Sawyer, who was elected by the Chicago City Council and served until a special election. Richard M. Daley, son of Richard J. Daley, was elected in 1989. His accomplishments included improvements to parks and creating incentives forsustainable development, as well as closingMeigs Fieldin the middle of the night and destroying the runways. After successfully running for re-election five times, and becoming Chicago's longest-serving mayor, Richard M. Daley declined to run for a seventh term. In 1992, a construction accident near theKinzie Street Bridgeproduced a breach connecting the Chicago River to a tunnel below, which was part of anabandoned freight tunnel systemextending throughout the downtownLoopdistrict. Thetunnels filledwith 250 million US gallons (1,000,000 m3) of water, affecting buildings throughout the district and forcing a shutdown of electrical power.The area was shut down for three days and some buildings did not reopen for weeks; losses were estimated at $1.95 billion. On February 23, 2011,Rahm Emanuel, a formerWhite House Chief of Staffand member of theHouse of Representatives, won the mayoral election.Emanuel was sworn in as mayor on May 16, 2011, and won re-election in 2015.Lori Lightfoot, the city's first African American woman mayor and its first openly LGBTQ mayor, was elected to succeed Emanuel as mayor in 2019.All three city-wide elective offices were held by women (and women of color) for the first time in Chicago history: in addition to Lightfoot, the city clerk wasAnna Valenciaand the city treasurer wasMelissa Conyears-Ervin. On May 15, 2023,Brandon Johnsonassumed office as the 57th mayor of Chicago. Geography Topography Chicago is located in northeastern Illinois on the southwestern shores of freshwater Lake Michigan. It is the principal city in theChicago Metropolitan Area, situated in both theMidwestern United Statesand theGreat Lakes region. The city rests on acontinental divideat the site of the Chicago Portage, connecting the Mississippi River and the Great Lakeswatersheds. In addition to it lying beside Lake Michigan, two rivers—the Chicago River in downtown and theCalumet Riverin the industrial far South Side—flow either entirely or partially through the city. Chicago's history and economy are closely tied to its proximity to Lake Michigan. While the Chicago River historically handled much of the region's waterborne cargo, today's hugelake freightersuse the city'sLake Calumet Harboron the South Side. The lake also provides another positive effect: moderating Chicago's climate, making waterfront neighborhoods slightly warmer in winter and cooler in summer. When Chicago was founded in 1837, most of the early building was around the mouth of the Chicago River, as can be seen on a map of the city's original 58 blocks.The overallgradeof the city's central, built-up areas is relatively consistent with the natural flatness of its overall natural geography, generally exhibiting only slight differentiation otherwise. The average land elevation is 579 ft (176.5 m)above sea level. While measurements vary somewhat,the lowest points are along the lake shore at 578 ft (176.2 m), while the highest point, at 672 ft (205 m), is the morainal ridge ofBlue Islandin the city's far south side. Lake Shore Driveruns adjacent to a large portion of Chicago's waterfront. Some of the parks along the waterfront includeLincoln Park,Grant Park,Burnham Park, andJackson Park. There are 24 publicbeachesacross 26 miles (42 km) of the waterfront.Landfill extends into portions of the lake providing space forNavy Pier,Northerly Island, theMuseum Campus, and large portions of theMcCormick PlaceConvention Center. Most of the city's high-rise commercial and residential buildings are close to the waterfront. An informal name for the entireChicago metropolitan areais \\\"Chicagoland\\\", which generally means the city and all its suburbs, though different organizations have slightly different definitions. Communities Major sections of the city include the central business district, calledthe Loop, and the North,South, andWest Sides.The three sides of the city are represented on theFlag of Chicagoby three horizontal white stripes.The North Side is the most-densely-populated residential section of the city, and many high-rises are located on this side of the city along the lakefront.The South Side is the largest section of the city, encompassing roughly 60% of the city's land area. The South Side contains most of the facilities of thePort of Chicago. In the late-1920s, sociologists at the University of Chicago subdivided the city into 77 distinctcommunity areas, which can further be subdivided into over 200 informally definedneighborhoods. Streetscape Chicago's streets were laid out in astreet gridthat grew from the city's original townsite plot, which was bounded by Lake Michigan on the east, North Avenue on the north, Wood Street on the west, and 22nd Street on the south.Streets following thePublic Land Survey Systemsection lines later became arterial streets in outlying sections. As new additions to the city were platted, city ordinance required them to be laid out with eight streets to the mile in one direction and sixteen in the other direction, about one street per 200 meters in one direction and one street per 100 meters in the other direction. The grid's regularity provided an efficient means of developing new real estate property. A scattering of diagonal streets, many of them originally Native American trails, also cross the city (Elston, Milwaukee, Ogden, Lincoln, etc.). Many additional diagonal streets were recommended in thePlan of Chicago, but only the extension ofOgden Avenuewas ever constructed. In 2021, Chicago was ranked the fourth-most walkable large city in the United States.Many of the city's residential streets have a wide patch of grass or trees between the street and the sidewalk itself. This helps to keep pedestrians on the sidewalk further away from the street traffic. Chicago'sWestern Avenueis the longest continuous urban street in the world.Other notable streets includeMichigan Avenue,State Street,95th Street,Cicero Avenue,Clark Street, andBelmont Avenue. TheCity Beautiful movementinspired Chicago's boulevards and parkways. Architecture The destruction caused by the Great Chicago Fire led to the largest building boom in the history of the nation. In 1885, the firststeel-framed high-rise building, the Home Insurance Building, rose in the city as Chicago ushered in theskyscraper era,which would then be followed by many other cities around the world.Today, Chicago's skyline is among the world's tallest and densest. Some of the United States' tallest towers are located in Chicago;Willis Tower(formerly Sears Tower) is the second tallest building in theWestern HemisphereafterOne World Trade Center, andTrump International Hotel and Toweris the third tallest in the country.The Loop's historic buildings include theChicago Board of Trade Building, theFine Arts Building,35 East Wacker, and theChicago Building,860-880 Lake Shore Drive ApartmentsbyMies van der Rohe. Many other architects have left their impression on the Chicago skyline such asDaniel Burnham,Louis Sullivan, Charles B. Atwood, John Root, andHelmut Jahn. TheMerchandise Mart, once first on thelist of largest buildings in the world, currently listed as 44th-largest 2013 as September 9, 2013, had its ownzip codeuntil 2008, and stands near the junction of the North and South branches of the Chicago River.Presently, the four tallest buildings in the city are Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower, also a building with its own zip code),Trump International Hotel and Tower, theAon Center(previously the Standard Oil Building), and theJohn Hancock Center.Industrial districts, such as some areas on theSouth Side, the areas along theChicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, and theNorthwest Indianaarea are clustered. Chicago gave its name to the Chicago School and was home to thePrairie School, two movements in architecture.Multiple kinds and scales of houses, townhouses, condominiums, and apartment buildings can be found throughout Chicago. Large swaths of the city's residential areas away from the lake are characterized by brickbungalowsbuilt from the early 20th century through the end of World War II. Chicago is also a prominent center of thePolish Cathedral styleofchurch architecture. The Chicago suburb ofOak Parkwas home to famous architectFrank Lloyd Wright, who had designed TheRobie Houselocated near the University of Chicago. A popular tourist activity is to take an architecture boat tour along the Chicago River. Monuments and public art Chicago is famous for its outdoorpublic artwith donors establishing funding for such art as far back asBenjamin Ferguson's 1905 trust.A number of Chicago's public art works are by modern figurative artists. Among these areChagall's Four Seasons; theChicago Picasso;Miro's Chicago;Calder'sFlamingo;Oldenburg'sBatcolumn;Moore'sLarge Interior Form, 1953-54,Man Enters the CosmosandNuclear Energy;Dubuffet'sMonument with Standing Beast,Abakanowicz'sAgora; and,Anish Kapoor'sCloud Gatewhich has become an icon of the city. Some events which shaped the city's history have also been memorialized by art works, including theGreat Northern Migration(Saar) and thecentennial of statehood for Illinois. Finally, two fountains near the Loop also function as monumental works of art:Plensa'sCrown Fountainas well asBurnhamand Bennett'sBuckingham Fountain. Climate The city lies within the typical hot-summerhumid continental climate(Köppen:Dfa), and experiences four distinct seasons.Summersare hot and humid, with frequentheat waves. The July daily average temperature is 75.4 °F (24.1 °C), with afternoon temperatures peaking at 84.5 °F (29.2 °C). In a normal summer, temperatures reach at least 90 °F (32 °C) on 17 days, with lakefront locations staying cooler when winds blow off the lake.Wintersare relatively cold and snowy.Blizzardsdo occur, such as inwinter 2011.There are many sunny but cold days. The normal winter high from December through March is about 36 °F (2 °C). January and February are the coldest months. Apolar vortex in January 2019nearly broke the city's cold record of −27 °F (−33 °C), which was set on January 20, 1985.Measurable snowfall can continue through the first or second week of April. Springandautumnare mild, short seasons, typically with low humidity.Dew pointtemperatures in the summer range from an average of 55.8 °F (13.2 °C) in June to 61.7 °F (16.5 °C) in July.They can reach nearly 80 °F (27 °C), such as during the July 2019 heat wave. The city lies withinUSDAplanthardiness zone6a, transitioning to 5b in the suburbs. According to theNational Weather Service, Chicago's highest official temperature reading of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded on July 24, 1934.Midway Airportreached 109 °F (43 °C) one day prior and recorded aheat indexof 125 °F (52 °C) during the1995 heatwave.The lowest official temperature of −27 °F (−33 °C) was recorded onJanuary 20, 1985, at O'Hare Airport.Most of the city's rainfall is brought bythunderstorms, averaging 38 a year. The region is prone tosevere thunderstormsduring the spring and summer which can produce large hail, damaging winds, and occasionally tornadoes. Like other major cities, Chicago experiences anurban heat island, making the city and its suburbs milder than surrounding rural areas, especially at night and in winter. The proximity to Lake Michigan tends to keep the Chicago lakefront somewhat cooler in summer and less brutally cold in winter than inland parts of the city and suburbs away from the lake.Northeast winds from wintertimecyclonesdeparting south of the region sometimes bring the citylake-effect snow. Time zone As in the rest of the state of Illinois, Chicago forms part of theCentral Time Zone. The border with theEastern Time Zoneis located a short distance to the east, used in Michigan andcertain parts of Indiana. Demographics During its first hundred years, Chicago was one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. When founded in 1833, fewer than 200 people had settled on what was then the American frontier. By the time of its first census, seven years later, the population had reached over 4,000. In the forty years from 1850 to 1890, the city's population grew from slightly under 30,000 to over 1 million. At the end of the 19th century, Chicago was the 5th-most populous city in the world,and the largest of the cities that did not exist at the dawn of the century. Within sixty years of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the population went from about 300,000 to over 3 million,and reached its highest ever recorded population of 3.6 million for the 1950 census. From the last two decades of the 19th century, Chicago was the destination of waves of immigrants from Ireland, Southern, Central and Eastern Europe, includingItalians,Jews,Russians,Poles,Greeks,Lithuanians,Bulgarians,Albanians,Romanians,Turks,Croatians,Serbs,Bosnians,MontenegrinsandCzechs.To these ethnic groups, the basis of the city's industrialworking class, were added an additional influx ofAfrican Americansfrom theAmerican South—with Chicago's black population doubling between 1910 and 1920 and doubling again between 1920 and 1930.Chicago has asignificant Bosnian population, many of whom arrived in the 1990s and 2000s. In the 1920s and 1930s, the great majority of African Americans moving to Chicago settled in a so‑called \\\"Black Belt\\\" on the city'sSouth Side.A large number of blacks also settled on theWest Side. By 1930, two-thirds of Chicago's black population lived in sections of the city which were 90% black in racial composition.Around that time, a lesser known fact about African Americans on theNorth Sideis that the block of 4600 Winthrop Avenue inUptownwas the only block African Americans could live or open establishments.Chicago's South Side emerged as United States second-largest urban black concentration, following New York'sHarlem. In 1990, Chicago's South Side and the adjoining south suburbs constituted the largest black majority region in the entire United States.Since the 1980s, Chicago has had a massive exodus of African Americans (primarily from the South and West sides) to its suburbs or outside its metropolitan area.The above average crime and cost of living were leading reasons for the fast declining African American population in Chicago. Most of Chicago's foreign-born population were born inMexico,PolandorIndia. Chicago's population declined in the latter half of the 20th century, from over 3.6 million in 1950 down to under 2.7 million by 2010. By the time of the official census count in 1990, it was overtaken byLos Angelesas the United States' second largest city. The city has seen a rise in population for the 2000 census and after a decrease in 2010, it rose again for the 2020 census. According to U.S. census estimates as of July 2019, Chicago's largest racial or ethnic group is non-Hispanic White at 32.8% of the population, Blacks at 30.1% and the Hispanic population at 29.0% of the population. Chicago has the third-largestLGBTpopulation in the United States. In 2018, the Chicago Department of Health, estimated 7.5% of the adult population, approximately 146,000 Chicagoans, were LGBTQ.In 2015, roughly 4% of the population identified as LGBT.Since the 2013 legalization ofsame-sex marriage in Illinois, over 10,000 same-sex couples have wed inCook County, a majority of them in Chicago. Chicago became a \\\"de jure\\\"sanctuary cityin 2012 when MayorRahm Emanueland the City Council passed the Welcoming City Ordinance. According to the U.S. Census Bureau'sAmerican Community Surveydata estimates for 2022, the median income for a household in the city was $70,386,and the per capita income was $45,449. Male full-time workers had a median income of $68,870 versus $60,987 for females.About 17.2% of the population lived below the poverty line.In 2018, Chicago ranked seventh globally for the highest number of ultra-high-net-worth residents with roughly 3,300 residents worth more than $30 million. According to the 2022 American Community Survey, the specific ancestral groups having 10,000 or more persons in Chicago were: Persons who did not report or classify an ancestry were 548,790. Religion Religion in Chicago (2014) According to a 2014 study by thePew Research Center,Christianityis the most prevalently practiced religion in Chicago (71%),with the city being the fourth-most religious metropolis in the United States afterDallas,AtlantaandHouston.Roman CatholicismandProtestantismare the largest branches (34% and 35% respectively), followed byEastern OrthodoxyandJehovah's Witnesseswith 1% each.Chicago also has a sizable non-Christian population. Non-Christian groups includeIrreligious(22%),Judaism(3%),Islam(2%),Buddhism(1%) andHinduism(1%). Chicago is the headquarters of several religious denominations, including theEvangelical Covenant Churchand theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is the seat of severaldioceses. TheFourth Presbyterian Churchis one of the largestPresbyteriancongregations in the United States based on memberships.Since the 20th century Chicago has also been the headquarters of theAssyrian Church of the East.In 2014 theCatholic Churchwas the largest individual Christian denomination (34%), with theRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicagobeing the largest Catholic jurisdiction.Evangelical Protestantismform the largest theological Protestant branch (16%), followed byMainline Protestants(11%), and historicallyBlack churches(8%). Among denominational Protestant branches,Baptistsformed the largest group in Chicago (10%); followed by Nondenominational (5%);Lutherans(4%); andPentecostals(3%). Non-Christian faiths accounted for 7% of the religious population in 2014.Judaismhas at least 261,000 adherents which is 3% of the population, making it the second largest religion.A 2020 study estimated the total Jewish population of the Chicago metropolitan area, both religious and irreligious, at 319,500. The first twoParliament of the World's Religionsin 1893 and 1993 were held in Chicago.Many international religious leaders have visited Chicago, includingMother Teresa, theDalai LamaandPope John Paul IIin 1979. Economy Chicago has the third-largestgross metropolitan productin the United States—about $670.5 billion according to September 2017 estimates.The city has also been rated as having the most balanced economy in the United States, due to its high level of diversification.The Chicago metropolitan area has the third-largest science and engineering work force of any metropolitan area in the nation.Chicago was the base of commercial operations for industrialistsJohn Crerar,John Whitfield Bunn,Richard Teller Crane,Marshall Field,John Farwell,Julius Rosenwald, and many other commercial visionaries who laid the foundation for Midwestern and global industry. Chicago is a major world financial center, with the second-largest central business district in the United States, followingMidtown Manhattan.The city is the seat of theFederal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Bank's Seventh District. The city has major financial andfutures exchanges, including theChicago Stock Exchange, theChicago Board Options Exchange(CBOE), and theChicago Mercantile Exchange(the \\\"Merc\\\"), which is owned, along with theChicago Board of Trade(CBOT), by Chicago'sCME Group. In 2017, Chicago exchanges traded 4.7 billion in derivatives.Chase Bankhas its commercial and retail banking headquarters in Chicago'sChase Tower.Academically, Chicago has been influential through theChicago school of economics, which fielded 12Nobel Prizewinners. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area contain the third-largest labor pool in the United States with about 4.63 million workers.Illinois is home to 66Fortune1000companies, including those in Chicago.The city of Chicago also hosts 12FortuneGlobal 500 companies and 17Financial Times500 companies. The city claims threeDow 30companies:aerospacegiantBoeing, which moved its headquarters fromSeattleto the Chicago Loop in 2001;McDonald's; andWalgreens Boots Alliance.For six consecutive years from 2013 through 2018, Chicago was ranked the nation's top metropolitan area for corporate relocations.However, threeFortune500companies left Chicago in 2022, leaving the city with 35, still second to New York City. Manufacturing, printing, publishing, and food processing also play major roles in the city's economy. Several medical products and services companies are headquartered in the Chicago area, includingBaxter International,Boeing,Abbott Laboratories, and the Healthcare division ofGeneral Electric. Prominent food companies based in Chicago include the world headquarters ofConagra,Ferrara Candy Company,Kraft Heinz,McDonald's,Mondelez International, andQuaker Oats.Chicago has been a hub of theretailsector since its early development, withMontgomery Ward,Sears, andMarshall Field's. Today the Chicago metropolitan area is the headquarters of several retailers, includingWalgreens,Sears,Ace Hardware,Claire's,ULTA Beauty, andCrate & Barrel. Late in the 19th century, Chicago was part of thebicycle craze, with the Western Wheel Company, which introducedstampingto the production process and significantly reduced costs,while early in the 20th century, the city was part of the automobile revolution, hosting theBrass Era carbuilder Bugmobile, which was founded there in 1907.Chicago was also the site of theSchwinn Bicycle Company. Chicago is a major world convention destination. The city's main convention center is McCormick Place. With its four interconnected buildings, it is the largest convention center in the nation and third-largest in the world.Chicago also ranks third in the U.S. (behindLas VegasandOrlando) in number of conventions hosted annually. Chicago's minimum wage for non-tipped employees is one of the highest in the nation and reached $15 in 2021. Culture and contemporary life The city's waterfront location and nightlife attracts residents and tourists alike. Over a third of the city population is concentrated in the lakefront neighborhoods fromRogers Parkin the north toSouth Shorein the south.The city has many upscale dining establishments as well as many ethnic restaurant districts. These districts include theMexican Americanneighborhoods, such asPilsenalong 18th street, andLa Villitaalong 26th Street; thePuerto Ricanenclave ofPaseo Boricuain theHumboldt Parkneighborhood;Greektown, along SouthHalsted Street, immediately west of downtown;Little Italy, along Taylor Street;ChinatowninArmour Square;Polish PatchesinWest Town;Little SeoulinAlbany Parkaround Lawrence Avenue;Little VietnamnearBroadwayin Uptown; and theDesiarea, alongDevon AvenueinWest Ridge. Downtown is the center of Chicago's financial, cultural, governmental, and commercial institutions and the site of Grant Park and many of the city's skyscrapers. Many of the city's financial institutions, such as the CBOT and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, are located within a section of downtown called \\\"The Loop\\\", which is an eight-block by five-block area of city streets that is encircled by elevated rail tracks. The term \\\"The Loop\\\" is largely used by locals to refer to the entire downtown area as well. The central area includes theNear North Side, theNear South Side, and theNear West Side, as well as the Loop. These areas contribute famousskyscrapers, abundant restaurants,shopping,museums,Soldier Field, convention facilities,parkland, andbeaches. Lincoln Park contains theLincoln Park Zooand theLincoln Park Conservatory. TheRiver North Gallery Districtfeatures the nation's largest concentration of contemporary art galleries outside of New York City.Lake Viewis home toBoystown, the city's largeLGBTnightlife and culture center. TheChicago Pride Parade, held the last Sunday in June, is one of the world's largest with over a million people in attendance.NorthHalsted Streetis the main thoroughfare of Boystown. The South Side neighborhood ofHyde Parkis the home of former U.S. PresidentBarack Obama. It also contains the University of Chicago, ranked one of the world's top ten universities,and theMuseum of Science and Industry. The 6-mile (9.7 km) longBurnham Parkstretches along the waterfront of the South Side. Two of the city's largest parks are also located on this side of the city: Jackson Park, bordering the waterfront, hosted the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, and is the site of the aforementioned museum; and slightly west sitsWashington Park. The two parks themselves are connected by a wide strip of parkland called theMidway Plaisance, running adjacent to the University of Chicago. The South Side hosts one of the city's largest parades, the annual African AmericanBud Billiken Parade and Picnic, which travels throughBronzevilleto Washington Park.Ford Motor Companyhas anautomobile assembly planton the South Side inHegewisch, and most of the facilities of the Port of Chicago are also on the South Side. The West Side holds theGarfield Park Conservatory, one of the largest collections of tropical plants in any U.S. city. Prominent Latino cultural attractions found here includeHumboldt Park'sInstitute of Puerto Rican Arts and Cultureand the annual Puerto Rican People's Parade, as well as theNational Museum of Mexican ArtandSt. Adalbert's ChurchinPilsen. The Near West Side holds theUniversity of Illinois at Chicagoand was once home toOprah Winfrey'sHarpo Studios, the site of which has been rebuilt as the global headquarters of McDonald's. The city's distinctive accent, made famous by its use in classic films likeThe Blues Brothersand television programs like theSaturday Night Liveskit \\\"Bill Swerski's Superfans\\\", is an advanced form ofInland Northern American English. This dialect can also be found in other cities bordering the Great Lakes such asCleveland,Milwaukee,Detroit, andRochester, New York, and most prominently features a rearrangement of certain vowel sounds, such as theshort 'a'sound as in \\\"cat\\\", which can sound more like \\\"kyet\\\" to outsiders. The accent remains well associated with the city. Entertainment and the arts Renowned Chicago theater companies include theGoodman Theatrein the Loop; theSteppenwolf Theatre CompanyandVictory Gardens Theaterin Lincoln Park; and theChicago Shakespeare Theaterat Navy Pier.Broadway In Chicagooffers Broadway-style entertainment at five theaters: theNederlander Theatre,CIBC Theatre,Cadillac Palace Theatre,Auditorium BuildingofRoosevelt University, andBroadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.Polish languageproductions forChicago's large Polish speaking populationcan be seen at the historicGateway TheatreinJefferson Park. Since 1968, theJoseph Jefferson Awardsare given annually to acknowledge excellence in theater in the Chicago area. Chicago's theater community spawned modernimprovisational theater, and includes the prominent groupsThe Second CityandI.O.(formerly ImprovOlympic). TheChicago Symphony Orchestra(CSO) performs atSymphony Center, and is recognized as one of the best orchestras in the world.Also performing regularly atSymphony Centeris theChicago Sinfonietta, a more diverse and multicultural counterpart to the CSO. In the summer, many outdoor concerts are given in Grant Park andMillennium Park.Ravinia Festival, located 25 miles (40 km) north of Chicago, is the summer home of the CSO, and is a favorite destination for many Chicagoans. TheCivic Opera Houseis home to theLyric Opera of Chicago.TheLithuanian Opera Company of Chicagowas founded byLithuanian Chicagoansin 1956,and presents operas inLithuanian. TheJoffrey BalletandChicago Festival Balletperform in various venues, including theHarris TheaterinMillennium Park. Chicago has several other contemporary and jazz dance troupes, such as theHubbard Street Dance ChicagoandChicago Dance Crash. Other live-music genre which are part of the city's cultural heritage includeChicago blues,Chicago soul,jazz, andgospel. The city is the birthplace ofhouse music(a popular form of electronic dance music) andindustrial music, and is the site of an influentialhip hop scene. In the 1980s and 90s, the city was the global center for house and industrial music, two forms of music created in Chicago, as well as being popular foralternative rock,punk, andnew wave. The city has been a center forraveculture, since the 1980s. A flourishing independent rock music culture brought forth Chicagoindie.Annual festivalsfeature various acts, such asLollapaloozaand thePitchfork Music Festival.Lollapalooza originated in Chicago in 1991 and at first travelled to many cities, but as of 2005 its home has been Chicago.A 2007 report on the Chicago music industry by theUniversity of Chicago Cultural Policy Centerranked Chicago third among metropolitan U.S. areas in \\\"size of music industry\\\" and fourth among all U.S. cities in \\\"number of concerts and performances\\\". Chicago has a distinctivefine arttradition. For much of the twentieth century, it nurtured a strong style of figurativesurrealism, as in the works ofIvan AlbrightandEd Paschke. In 1968 and 1969, members of theChicago Imagists, such asRoger Brown,Leon Golub,Robert Lostutter,Jim Nutt, andBarbara Rossiproduced bizarre representational paintings.Henry Dargeris one of the most celebrated figures ofoutsider art. Tourism In 2014, Chicago attracted 50.17 million domestic leisure travelers, 11.09 million domestic business travelers and 1.308 million overseas visitors.These visitors contributed more thanUS$13.7billion to Chicago's economy.Upscale shopping along the Magnificent Mile and State Street, thousands of restaurants, as well as Chicago's eminent architecture, continue to draw tourists. The city is the United States' third-largestconventiondestination. A 2017 study byWalk Scoreranked Chicago the sixth-most walkable of fifty largest cities in the United States.Most conventions are held at McCormick Place, just south ofSoldier Field. Navy Pier, located just east ofStreeterville, is 3,000 ft (910 m) long and houses retail stores, restaurants, museums, exhibition halls and auditoriums. Chicago was the first city in the world to ever erect a Ferris wheel. The Willis Tower (formerly named Sears Tower) is a popular destination for tourists. Museums Among the city's museums are theAdler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, theField Museum of Natural History, and theShedd Aquarium. TheMuseum Campusjoins the southern section of Grant Park, which includes the renowned Art Institute of Chicago. Buckingham Fountain anchors the downtown park along the lakefront. The University of Chicago'sInstitute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africahas an extensive collection ofancient EgyptianandNear Easternarchaeological artifacts. Other museums and galleries in Chicago include theChicago History Museum, theDriehaus Museum, theDuSable Museum of African American History, theMuseum of Contemporary Art, thePeggy Notebaert Nature Museum, thePolish Museum of America, theMuseum of Broadcast Communications, theChicago Architecture Foundation, and theMuseum of Science and Industry. Cuisine Chicago lays claim to a large number of regional specialties that reflect the city's ethnic and working-class roots. Included among these are its nationally renowneddeep-dish pizza; this style is said to have originated atPizzeria Uno.The Chicago-style thin crust is also popular in the city.Certain Chicago pizza favorites includeLou Malnati'sandGiordano's. TheChicago-style hot dog, typically an all-beef hot dog, is loaded with an array of toppings that often includes pickle relish,yellow mustard, pickledsport peppers,tomatowedges,dill picklespear and topped off withcelery salton apoppy seedbun.Enthusiasts of the Chicago-style hot dog frown upon the use ofketchupas a garnish, but may prefer to addgiardiniera. A distinctly Chicago sandwich, theItalian beefsandwich is thinly sliced beef simmered inau jusand served on an Italian roll with sweet peppers or spicy giardiniera. A popular modification is the Combo—an Italian beef sandwich with the addition of an Italian sausage. TheMaxwell Street Polishis a grilled or deep-friedkielbasa—on a hot dog roll, topped with grilled onions, yellow mustard, and hot sport peppers. Chicken Vesuviois roasted bone-in chicken cooked in oil and garlic next to garlicky oven-roasted potato wedges and a sprinkling of green peas. ThePuerto Rican-influencedjibaritois a sandwich made with flattened, fried green plantains instead of bread. Themother-in-lawis atamaletopped with chili and served on a hot dog bun.The tradition of serving theGreekdishsaganakiwhile aflame has its origins in Chicago's Greek community.The appetizer, which consists of a square of fried cheese, is doused withMetaxaandflambéedtable-side.Chicago-style barbecuefeatures hardwood smokedrib tipsandhot linkswhich were traditionally cooked in an aquarium smoker, a Chicago invention.Annual festivalsfeature various Chicago signature dishes, such asTaste of Chicagoand the Chicago Food Truck Festival. One of the world's most decorated restaurants and a recipient of threeMichelinstars,Alineais located in Chicago. Well-known chefs who have had restaurants in Chicago include:Charlie Trotter,Rick Tramonto,Grant Achatz, andRick Bayless. In 2003,Robb Reportnamed Chicago the country's \\\"most exceptional dining destination\\\". Literature Chicago literature finds its roots in the city's tradition of lucid, direct journalism, lending to a strong tradition ofsocial realism. In theEncyclopedia of Chicago,Northwestern UniversityProfessor Bill Savage describes Chicago fiction as prose which tries to \\\"capture the essence of the city, its spaces and its people.\\\" The challenge for early writers was that Chicago was a frontier outpost that transformed into a global metropolis in the span of two generations. Narrative fiction of that time, much of it in the style of \\\"high-flown romance\\\" and \\\"genteel realism\\\", needed a new approach to describe the urban social, political, and economic conditions of Chicago.Nonetheless, Chicagoans worked hard to create a literary tradition that would stand the test of time,and create a \\\"city of feeling\\\" out of concrete, steel, vast lake, and open prairie.Much notable Chicago fiction focuses on the city itself, with social criticism keeping exultation in check. At least three short periods in thehistory of Chicagohave had a lasting influence onAmerican literature.These include from the time of the Great Chicago Fire to about 1900, what became known as the Chicago Literary Renaissance in the 1910s and early 1920s, and the period of theGreat Depressionthrough the 1940s. What would become the influentialPoetrymagazine was founded in 1912 byHarriet Monroe, who was working as anartcriticfor theChicago Tribune. The magazine discovered such poets asGwendolyn Brooks,James Merrill, andJohn Ashbery.T. S. Eliot's first professionally published poem, \\\"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock\\\", was first published byPoetry. Contributors have includedEzra Pound,William Butler Yeats,William Carlos Williams,Langston Hughes, andCarl Sandburg, among others. The magazine was instrumental in launching theImagistandObjectivistpoetic movements. From the 1950s through 1970s, American poetry continued to evolve in Chicago.In the 1980s, a modern form of poetry performance began in Chicago, thepoetry slam. Sports The city has twoMajor League Baseball(MLB) teams: theChicago Cubsof the National League play in Wrigley Field on the North Side; and theChicago White Soxof the American League play in Guaranteed Rate Field on the South Side. The two teams have faced each other in a World Series only once, in 1906. The Cubs are the oldest Major League Baseball team to have never changed their city;they have played in Chicago since 1871.They had the dubious honor of having the longest championship drought in American professional sports, failing to win a World Series between 1908 and 2016. The White Sox have played on the South Side continuously since 1901. They have won three World Series titles (1906, 1917, 2005) and six American League pennants, including the first in 1901. TheChicago Bears, one of the last two remaining charter members of theNational Football League(NFL), have won nineNFL Championships, including the 1985Super Bowl XX. The Bears play their home games at Soldier Field. TheChicago Bullsof theNational Basketball Association(NBA) is one of the most recognized basketball teams in the world.During the 1990s, withMichael Jordanleading them, the Bulls won six NBA championships in eight seasons. TheChicago Blackhawksof theNational Hockey League(NHL) began play in 1926, and are one of the \\\"Original Six\\\" teams of the NHL. The Blackhawks have won sixStanley Cups, including in 2010, 2013, and2015. Both the Bulls and the Blackhawks play at theUnited Center. Chicago Fire FCis a member ofMajor League Soccer(MLS) and plays at Soldier Field. The Fire have won one league title and fourU.S. Open Cups, since their founding in 1997. In 1994, the United States hosted a successfulFIFA World Cupwith games played at Soldier Field. TheChicago Red Starsare a team in theNational Women's Soccer League(NWSL). They previously played inWomen's Professional Soccer(WPS), of which they were a founding member, before joining the NWSL in 2013. They play atSeatGeek StadiuminBridgeview, Illinois. TheChicago Skyis a professional basketball team playing in theWomen's National Basketball Association(WNBA). They play home games at theWintrust Arena. The team was founded before the 2006 WNBA season began. TheChicago Marathonhas been held each year since 1977 except for 1987, when a half marathon was run in its place. The Chicago Marathon is one of sixWorld Marathon Majors. Five area colleges play inDivision Iconferences: two from major conferences—theDePaul Blue Demons(Big East Conference) and theNorthwestern Wildcats(Big Ten Conference)—and three from other D1 conferences—theChicago State Cougars(Northeast Conference); theLoyola Ramblers(Atlantic 10 Conference); and theUIC Flames(Missouri Valley Conference). Chicago has also entered intoesportswith the creation of theOpTic Chicago, a professionalCall of Dutyteam that participates within theCDL. Parks and greenspace When Chicago was incorporated in 1837, it chose the mottoUrbs in Horto, aLatinphrase which means \\\"City in a Garden\\\". Today, theChicago Park Districtconsists of more than 570 parks with over 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) ofmunicipal parkland. There are 31 sandbeaches, a plethora of museums, two world-class conservatories, and 50 nature areas.Lincoln Park, the largest of the city's parks, covers 1,200 acres (490 ha) and has over 20 million visitors each year, making it third in the number of visitors afterCentral ParkinNew York City, and theNational Mall and Memorial ParksinWashington, D.C. There is a historicboulevard system,a network of wide, tree-linedboulevardswhich connect a number of Chicagoparks.The boulevards and the parks were authorized by the Illinois legislature in 1869.A number ofChicago neighborhoodsemerged along these roadways in the 19th century.The building of the boulevard system continued intermittently until 1942. It includes nineteen boulevards, eight parks, and sixsquares, along twenty-six miles of interconnected streets.TheChicago Park Boulevard System Historic Districtwas listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 2018. With berths for more than 6,000 boats, the Chicago Park District operates the nation's largest municipal harbor system.In addition to ongoing beautification and renewal projects for the existing parks, a number of new parks have been added in recent years, such as thePing Tom Memorial Parkin Chinatown,DuSable Parkon the Near North Side, and most notably, Millennium Park, which is in the northwestern corner of one of Chicago's oldest parks, Grant Park in the Chicago Loop. The wealth of greenspace afforded by Chicago's parks is further augmented by theCook County Forest Preserves, a network of open spaces containing forest,prairie,wetland, streams, and lakes that are set aside as natural areas which lie along the city's outskirts,including both theChicago Botanic GardeninGlencoeand theBrookfield ZooinBrookfield.Washington Park is also one of the city's biggest parks; covering nearly 400 acres (160 ha). The park is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places listings in South Side Chicago. Law and government Government The government of the City of Chicago is divided into executive andlegislativebranches. Themayor of Chicagois the chief executive, elected by general election for a term of four years, with no term limits. The current mayor isBrandon Johnson. The mayor appoints commissioners and other officials who oversee the various departments. As well as the mayor, Chicago's clerk and treasurer are also elected citywide. TheCity Councilis the legislative branch and is made up of 50 alderpersons, one elected from eachwardin the city.The council takes official action through the passage ofordinancesand resolutions and approves the city budget. TheChicago Police Departmentprovides law enforcement and theChicago Fire Departmentprovides fire suppression and emergency medical services for the city and its residents. Civil and criminal law cases are heard in theCook County Circuit Courtof the State of Illinois court system, or in theNorthern District of Illinois, in the federal system. In the state court, the public prosecutor is the Illinoisstate's attorney; in the Federal court it is the United Statesattorney. Politics During much of the last half of the 19th century, Chicago's politics were dominated by a growingDemocratic Partyorganization. During the 1880s and 1890s, Chicago had a powerful radical tradition with large and highly organizedsocialist,anarchistandlabor organizations.For much of the 20th century, Chicago has been among the largest and most reliable Democratic strongholds in the United States; with Chicago's Democratic vote the state of Illinois has been \\\"solid blue\\\" inpresidential electionssince 1992. Even before then, it was not unheard of for Republican presidential candidates to win handily in downstate Illinois, only to lose statewide due to large Democratic margins in Chicago. The citizens of Chicago have not elected aRepublicanmayor since 1927, whenWilliam Thompsonwas voted into office. The strength of the party in the city is partly a consequence of Illinois state politics, where the Republicans have come to represent rural and farm concerns while the Democrats support urban issues such as Chicago's public school funding. Chicago contains less than 25% of the state's population, but it is split between eight of Illinois' 17districtsin theUnited States House of Representatives. All eight of the city's representatives are Democrats; only two Republicans have represented a significant portion of the city since 1973, for one term each:Robert P. Hanrahanfrom 1973 to 1975, andMichael Patrick Flanaganfrom 1995 to 1997. Machine politicspersisted in Chicago after the decline of similar machines in other large U.S. cities.During much of that time, the city administration found opposition mainly from a liberal \\\"independent\\\" faction of the Democratic Party. The independents finally gained control of city government in 1983 with the election ofHarold Washington(in office 1983–1987). From 1989 until May 16, 2011, Chicago was under the leadership of its longest-serving mayor,Richard M. Daley, the son of Richard J. Daley. Because of the dominance of the Democratic Party in Chicago, the Democraticprimaryvote held in the spring is generally more significant than the general elections in November for U.S. House and Illinois State seats. The aldermanic, mayoral, and other city offices are filled through nonpartisan elections with runoffs as needed. The city is home of former United States PresidentBarack Obamaand First LadyMichelle Obama; Barack Obama was formerly a state legislator representing Chicago and later a U.S. senator. The Obamas' residence is located near the University of Chicago inKenwoodon the city's south side. Crime Chicago's crime rate in 2020 was 3,926 per 100,000 people.Chicago experienced major rises inviolent crimein the 1920s, in the late 1960s, and in the 2020s.Chicago's biggestcriminal justicechallenges have changed little over the last 50 years, and statistically reside with homicide,armed robbery, gang violence, andaggravated battery. Chicago has a higher murder rate than the larger cities of New York and Los Angeles. However, while it has a large absolute number of crimes due to its size, Chicago is not among the top-25 most violent cities in the United States. Murder rates in Chicago vary greatly depending on the neighborhood in question.The neighborhoods ofEnglewoodon the South Side, andAustinon the West side, for example, have homicide rates that are ten times higher than other parts of the city.Chicago has an estimated population of over 100,000 active gang members from nearly 60 factions.According to reports in 2013, \\\"most of Chicago's violent crime comes from gangs trying to maintain control of drug-selling territories,\\\"and is specifically related to the activities of theSinaloa Cartel, which is active in several American cities.Violent crime rates vary significantly by area of the city, with more economically developed areas having low rates, but other sections have much higher rates of crime.In 2013, the violent crime rate was 910 per 100,000 people;the murder rate was 10.4 per 100,000 – while high crime districts saw 38.9 murders, low crime districts saw 2.5 murders per 100,000. Chicago has a long history of publiccorruptionthat regularly draws the attention of federal law enforcement and federal prosecutors.From 2012 to 2019, 33 Chicago alderpersons were convicted on corruption charges, roughly one third of those elected in the time period. A report from the Office of the Legislative Inspector General noted that over half of Chicago's elected alderpersons took illegal campaign contributions in 2013.Most corruption cases in Chicago are prosecuted by theU.S. Attorney's office, as legaljurisdictionmakes most offenses punishable as a federal crime. Education Schools and libraries Chicago Public Schools(CPS) is the governing body of theschool districtthat contains over 600 public elementary and high schools citywide, including several selective-admission magnet schools. There are eleven selective enrollment high schools in the Chicago Public Schools, designed to meet the needs of Chicago's most academically advanced students. These schools offer a rigorous curriculum with mainly honors andAdvanced Placement(AP) courses.Walter Payton College Prep High Schoolis ranked number one in the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois. Chicago high school rankings are determined by the average test scores on state achievement tests.The district, with an enrollment exceeding 400,545 students (2013–2014 20th Day Enrollment), is the third-largest in the U.S.On September 10, 2012, teachers for the Chicago Teachers Union went on strike for the first time since 1987 over pay, resources, and other issues.According to data compiled in 2014, Chicago's \\\"choice system\\\", where students who test or apply and may attend one of a number of public high schools (there are about 130), sorts students of different achievement levels into different schools (high performing, middle performing, and low performing schools). Chicago has a network ofLutheran schools,and several private schools are run by other denominations and faiths, such as theIda Crown Jewish AcademyinWest Ridge. TheRoman Catholic Archdiocese of ChicagooperatesCatholic schools, that includeJesuit preparatory schoolsand others. A number of private schools are completely secular. There are also the privateChicago Academy for the Arts, a high school focused on six different categories of the arts and the publicChicago High School for the Arts, a high school focused on five categories (visual arts, theatre, musical theatre, dance, and music) of the arts. TheChicago Public Librarysystem operates three regional libraries and 77 neighborhood branches, including the central library. Colleges and universities Since the 1850s, Chicago has been a world center of higher education and research with several universities. These institutions consistently rank among the top \\\"National Universities\\\" in the United States, as determined byU.S. News & World Report.Highly regarded universities in Chicago and the surrounding area are the University of Chicago; Northwestern University;Illinois Institute of Technology;Loyola University Chicago;DePaul University;Columbia College Chicagoand theUniversity of Illinois Chicago. Other notable schools include:Chicago State University; theSchool of the Art Institute of Chicago;East–West University;National Louis University;North Park University;Northeastern Illinois University;Robert Morris University Illinois;Roosevelt University;Saint Xavier University;Rush University; andShimer College. William Rainey Harper, the first president of the University of Chicago, was instrumental in the creation of thejunior collegeconcept, establishing nearbyJoliet Junior Collegeas the first in the nation in 1901.His legacy continues with the multiplecommunity collegesin the Chicago proper, including the sevenCity Colleges of Chicago:Richard J. Daley College,Kennedy–King College,Malcolm X College,Olive–Harvey College,Truman College,Harold Washington College, andWilbur Wright College, in addition to the privately heldMacCormac College. Chicago also has a high concentration of post-baccalaureate institutions, graduate schools, seminaries, and theological schools, such as theAdler School of Professional Psychology,The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, theErikson Institute,The Institute for Clinical Social Work, theLutheran School of Theology at Chicago, theCatholic Theological Union, theMoody Bible Institute, and theUniversity of Chicago Divinity School. Media Television The Chicago metropolitan area is a major media hub and the third-largest media market in the United States, after New York City and Los Angeles.Each of the big fiveU.S. television networks,NBC,ABC,CBS,FoxandThe CW, directly owns and operates ahigh-definition televisionstation in Chicago (WMAQ5,WLS7,WBBM2,WFLD32 andWGN-TV9, respectively). WGN is owned by the CW through a majority stake held in the network by theNexstar Media Group, which acquired it from its founding ownerTribune Broadcastingin 2019. WGN was once carried, with some programming differences, as \\\"WGN America\\\" oncable and satellite TVnationwide and in parts of theCaribbean. WGN America eventually becameNewsNationin 2021. Chicago has also been the home of several prominent talk shows, includingThe Oprah Winfrey Show,Steve Harvey Show,The Rosie Show,The Jerry Springer Show,The Phil Donahue Show,The Jenny Jones Show, and more. The city also has onePBSmember station (its second:WYCC20, removed its affiliation with PBS in 2017):WTTW11, producer of shows such asSneak Previews,The Frugal Gourmet,Lamb Chop's Play-AlongandThe McLaughlin Group. As of 2018,Windy City Liveis Chicago's only daytime talk show, which is hosted by Val Warner andRyan Chiaveriniat ABC7 Studios with a live weekday audience. Since 1999,Judge Mathisalso films his syndicated arbitration-based realitycourt showat theNBC Tower. Beginning in January 2019,Newsybegan producing 12 of its 14 hours of live news programming per day from its new facility in Chicago. Television stations Most of Chicago's television stations are owned and operated by the big television network companies. They are: Newspapers Two major daily newspapers are published in Chicago: theChicago Tribuneand theChicago Sun-Times, with the Tribune having the larger circulation. There are also several regional and special-interest newspapers and magazines, such asChicago, theDziennik Związkowy(Polish Daily News),Draugas(the Lithuanian daily newspaper), theChicago Reader, theSouthtownStar, theChicago Defender, theDaily Herald,Newcity,StreetWiseand theWindy City Times. The entertainment and cultural magazineTime Out ChicagoandGRABmagazine are also published in the city, as well as local music magazineChicago Innerview. In addition, Chicago is the home of satirical national news outlet,The Onion, as well as its sister pop-culture publication,The A.V. Club. Movies and filming Radio Chicago has five50,000 watt AM radio stations: theAudacy-ownedWBBMandWSCR; theTribune Broadcasting-ownedWGN; theCumulus Media-ownedWLS; and theESPN Radio-ownedWMVP. Chicago is also home to a number of national radio shows, includingBeyond the BeltwaywithBruce DuMonton Sunday evenings. Chicago Public Radioproduces nationally aired programs such asPRI'sThis American LifeandNPR'sWait Wait...Don't Tell Me!. Infrastructure Transportation Chicago is a major transportation hub in the United States. It is an important component in global distribution, as it is the third-largest inter-modal port in the world afterHong KongandSingapore. The city of Chicago has a higher than average percentage of households without a car. In 2015, 26.5 percent of Chicago households were without a car, and increased slightly to 27.5 percent in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Chicago averaged 1.12 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8. Parking Due to Chicago'sWheel Tax,residents of Chicago who own a vehicle are required to purchase a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker.In established Residential Parking Zones, only local residents can purchase Zone-specific parking stickers for themselves and guests. Chicago since 2009 has relinquished rights to itspublicstreet parking.In 2008, as Chicago struggled to close a growing budget deficit, the city agreed to a 75-year, $1.16 billion deal to lease itsparking metersystem to an operating company created byMorgan Stanley, calledChicago Parking Meters LLC. Daley said the \\\"agreement is very good news for the taxpayers of Chicago because it will provide more than $1 billion in net proceeds that can be used during this very difficult economy.\\\" The rights of the parking ticket lease end in 2081, and since 2022 have already recouped over $1.5 billion in revenue forChicago Parking Meters LLCinvestors. Expressways Seven mainline and four auxiliaryinterstate highways(55,57,65(only in Indiana),80(also inIndiana),88,90(also inIndiana),94(also inIndiana),190,290,294, and355) run through Chicago and its suburbs. Segments that link to the city center are named after influential politicians, with three of them named after former U.S. Presidents (Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Reagan) and one named after two-time Democratic candidateAdlai Stevenson. TheKennedyandDan RyanExpressways are the busiest state maintained routes in the entire state of Illinois. Transit systems TheRegional Transportation Authority(RTA) coordinates the operation of the three service boards: CTA, Metra, and Pace. Greyhound Linesprovides inter-city bus service to and from the city at theChicago Bus Station, and Chicago is also the hub for the Midwest network ofMegabus (North America). Passenger rail Amtraklong distance andcommuter railservices originate fromUnion Station.Chicago is one of the largest hubs of passenger rail service in the nation.The services terminate in the San Francisco area, Washington, D.C., New York City, New Orleans,Portland,Seattle,Milwaukee,Quincy,St. Louis,Carbondale, Boston,Grand Rapids,Port Huron,Pontiac, Los Angeles, andSan Antonio. Future service will terminate atMoline. An attempt was made in the early 20th century to link Chicago with New York City via theChicago – New York Electric Air Line Railroad. Parts of this were built, but it was never completed. Bicycle and scooter sharing systems In July 2013, thebicycle-sharing systemDivvywas launched with 750 bikes and 75 docking stationsIt is operated byLyftfor theChicago Department of Transportation.As of July 2019, Divvy operated 5800 bicycles at 608 stations, covering almost all of the city, excludingPullman, Rosedale,Beverly,Belmont CraginandEdison Park. In May 2019, The City of Chicago announced its Chicago's Electric Shared Scooter Pilot Program, scheduled to run from June 15 to October 15.The program started on June 15 with 10 different scooter companies, including scooter sharing market leadersBird,Jump,LimeandLyft.Each company was allowed to bring 250electric scooters, although both Bird and Lime claimed that they experienced a higher demand for their scooters.The program ended on October 15, with nearly 800,000 rides taken. Freight rail Chicago is the largest hub in the railroad industry.All fiveClass I railroadsmeet in Chicago. As of 2002, severe freight train congestion caused trains to take as long to get through the Chicago region as it took to get there from the West Coast of the country (about 2 days).According to U.S. Department of Transportation, the volume of imported and exported goods transported via rail to, from, or through Chicago is forecast to increase nearly 150 percent between 2010 and 2040.CREATE, theChicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program, comprises about 70 programs, including crossovers, overpasses and underpasses, that intend to significantly improve the speed of freight movements in the Chicago area. Airports Chicago is served byO'Hare International Airport, the world's busiest airport measured by airline operations,on the far Northwest Side, andMidway International Airporton the Southwest Side. In 2005, O'Hare was the world's busiest airport by aircraft movements and the second-busiest by total passenger traffic.Both O'Hare and Midway are owned and operated by the City of Chicago.Gary/Chicago International AirportandChicago Rockford International Airport, located inGary, IndianaandRockford, Illinois, respectively, can serve as alternative Chicago area airports, however they do not offer as many commercial flights as O'Hare and Midway. In recent years the state of Illinois has been leaning towardsbuilding an entirely new airportin the Illinois suburbs of Chicago.The City of Chicago is the world headquarters forUnited Airlines, the world's third-largest airline. Port authority The Port of Chicago consists of several major port facilities within the city of Chicago operated by the Illinois International Port District (formerly known as the Chicago Regional Port District). The central element of the Port District, Calumet Harbor, is maintained by theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Utilities Electricity for most ofnorthern Illinoisis provided byCommonwealth Edison, also known as ComEd. Their service territory bordersIroquois Countyto the south, theWisconsinborder to the north, theIowaborder to the west and theIndianaborder to the east. In northern Illinois, ComEd (a division ofExelon) operates the greatest number of nuclear generating plants in any U.S. state. Because of this, ComEd reports indicate that Chicago receives about 75% of its electricity from nuclear power. Recently, the city began installing wind turbines on government buildings to promote renewable energy. Natural gas is provided by Peoples Gas, a subsidiary ofIntegrys Energy Group, which is headquartered in Chicago. Domestic and industrial waste was once incinerated but it is nowlandfilled, mainly in theCalumet area. From 1995 to 2008, the city had ablue bagprogram to divert recyclable refuse from landfills.Because of low participation in the blue bag programs, the city began a pilot program for blue bin recycling like other cities. This proved successful and blue bins were rolled out across the city. Health systems TheIllinois Medical Districtis on the Near West Side. It includesRush University Medical Center, ranked as the second best hospital in the Chicago metropolitan area byU.S. News & World Reportfor 2014–16, theUniversity of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago, Jesse Brown VA Hospital, andJohn H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, one of the busiest trauma centers in the nation. Two of the country's premier academic medical centers reside in Chicago, includingNorthwestern Memorial Hospitaland theUniversity of Chicago Medical Center. The Chicago campus of Northwestern University includes theFeinberg School of Medicine; Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which is ranked as the best hospital in the Chicago metropolitan area byU.S. News & World Reportfor 2017–18;theShirley Ryan AbilityLab(formerly named the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago), which is ranked the best U.S. rehabilitation hospital byU.S. News & World Report;the newPrentice Women's Hospital; and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. TheUniversity of Illinois College of Medicineat UIC is the second-largest medical school in the United States (2,600 students, including those at campuses in Peoria, Rockford andUrbana–Champaign). In addition, theChicago Medical Schooland Loyola University Chicago'sStritch School of Medicineare located in the suburbs ofNorth ChicagoandMaywood, respectively. TheMidwestern UniversityChicago College ofOsteopathic Medicineis inDowners Grove. TheAmerican Medical Association,Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education,Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education,American Osteopathic Association,American Dental Association,Academy of General Dentistry,Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,American Association of Nurse Anesthetists,American College of Surgeons,American Society for Clinical Pathology,American College of Healthcare Executives, theAmerican Hospital Association, andBlue Cross and Blue Shield Associationare all based in Chicago. Sister cities See also Explanatory notes References Citations Cited references Further reading External links Former:Evanston•Hyde Park•Jefferson•Lake•Lake View•North Chicago•Rogers Park•South Chicago•West Chicago\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Lou Boudreau As manager Louis Boudreau(July 17, 1917 – August 10, 2001), nicknamed \"Old Shufflefoot\", \"Handsome Lou\", and \"the Good Kid\", was an Americanprofessional baseballplayer and manager.He played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for 15 seasons, primarily as ashortstopon theCleveland Indians, and managed four teams for 15 seasons including 10 seasons as aplayer-manager. He was also a radio announcer for theChicago Cubsand in college was a dual-sport athlete in baseball and basketball, earningAll-Americanhonors in basketball for theUniversity of Illinois. Boudreau was anAll-Starfor seven seasons.In 1948, Boudreau won theAmerican LeagueMost Valuable Player Awardand managed theCleveland Indiansto theWorld Seriestitle. He won the 1944 American League (AL)batting title(.327), and led the league in doubles in 1941, 1944, and 1947. He led AL shortstops in fielding eight times. Boudreau still holds the MLB record for hitting the most consecutive doubles in a game (four), set on July 14, 1946. In 1970, Boudreau was","1970, Boudreau was elected to theNational Baseball Hall of Fameand his No. 5 was retired by the Indians that same year. Early life Boudreau was born inHarvey, Illinois, the son of Birdie (Henry) and Louis Boudreau.His father was of French-Canadian ancestry, his mother was Jewish, and both of his maternal grandparents were observantOrthodox Jewswith whom when he was young he celebratedPassoverseders.He was raised Catholic by his father after his parents divorced.He graduated fromThornton Township High SchoolinHarvey, Illinois, where he led the \"Flying Clouds\" to three straightIllinois high school championshipgames, winning in 1933 and finishing as runner up in 1934 and 1935. College baseball and basketball Boudreau attended theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, where he was a member ofPhi Sigma Kappafraternity and captain of thebasketballandbaseballteams. During the1936–37 basketballand baseball seasons, Boudreau led each Fighting Illini team to aBig Ten Conferencechampionship.During the1937–38","the1937–38 basketball season, Boudreau was named anNCAA Men's Basketball All-American. While Boudreau was still at Illinois,Cleveland Indiansgeneral managerCy Slapnickapaid him an undisclosed sum in return for agreeing to play baseball for the Indians after he graduated. Due to this agreement, Boudreau was ruled ineligible for collegiate sports by theBig Ten Conferenceofficials.During his senior year at Illinois, he played professional basketball with theHammond Ciesar All-Americansof theNational Basketball League. Despite playing professional baseball with Cleveland, Boudreau earned hisBachelor of Sciencein education from Illinois in 1940 and worked as the Illinois freshman basketball coach for the 1939 and 1940 teams. Boudreau stayed on as an assistant coach for the1941–42 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball teamand he was instrumental in recruiting futureNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame InducteeAndy Phillipto play for Illinois. Professional baseball career Cleveland Indians Boudreau made","Boudreau made his major league debut on September 9, 1938, for theCleveland Indiansat 21 as a third baseman in his first game. In 1939, Indian managerOssie Vitttold him that he would have to move from his normal third base position toshortstopsince established sluggerKen Keltneralready had the regular third base job. In 1940, his first full year as a starter, he batted .295 with 46doublesand 101RBI, and was selected for theAll-Star Gamefor the first of five consecutive seasons (MLB cancelled the1945 gamedue to war-time travel restrictions and did not name All-Stars). Boudreau helped make history in 1941 as a key figure in stopping the56-game hitting streakbyJoe DiMaggio. After two sparkling stops by Keltner at third base on hard ground balls earlier in the game, Boudreau snagged a bad-hop grounder to short barehanded and started a double play retiring DiMaggio at first.He finished the season with a modest .257 batting average, but had a league-leading 45 doubles. After the 1941 season, ownerAlva","season, ownerAlva Bradleypromoted Indians managerRoger Peckinpaughto general manager and appointed the 25-year-old Boudreau player-manager. Boudreau played and managed the Indians throughout World War II (playing basketball had put a strain on Boudreau's ankles that turned intoarthritis, which classified him as4-Fand thus ineligible for military service).In 1944, Boudreau turned 134double plays, the most ever by a player-manager in MLB history. When he bought the Indians in 1947,Bill Veeck, after being approached by Boudreau, renewed the player-manager agreement with mixed feelings on both sides, as Boudreau stated that he would rather be traded than only play shortstop. Details of possibly trading him forVern Stephensof the St. Louis Browns in 1947 only attracted fans to the side of Boudreau. However, Boudreau hit .355 in 1948; Cleveland won the AL pennant and theWorld Series, the Indians first World Series championship in 28 years and only the second in Indians history, with Veeck and Boudreau publicly","Boudreau publicly acknowledging each other's role in the team's success. Later career Boudreau was released by the Indians as both player and manager following the 1950 season. He signed with theBoston Red Sox, playing full-time in 1951, moving up to player-manager in 1952 and managing from the bench in 1953–54. He then became the first manager of theKansas City Athleticsin 1955 after their move from Philadelphia until he was fired after 104 games in 1957 and replaced byHarry Craft. He last managed the Chicago Cubs, in 1960. Managerial record Boudreau shift Boudreau is credited with inventing theinfield shift, which came to be known colloquially as the \"Boudreau shift.\" Because sluggingRed SoxsuperstarTed Williamswas a dead-pull hitter, he moved most of his Cleveland Indian fielders to the right of second base against the Splendid Splinter, leaving only the third baseman and left fielder to the left of second but also very close to second base, far to the right of their normal positions. With characteristic","With characteristic stubborn pride, Williams refused the obvious advice from teammates to hit orbuntto left against the Boudreau shift, but great hitter that he was, not changing his approach against the shift didn't affect his hitting very much. Boudreau later admitted that the shift was more about \"psyching out\" Williams rather than playing him to pull. \"I always considered the Boudreau shift a psychological, rather than a tactical\" ploy, he declared in his autobiographyPlayer-Manager. Broadcasting Boudreau did play-by-play for Cub games in 1958–59 before switching roles with manager \"Jolly Cholly\"Charlie Grimmin 1960. But after only one season as Cubs manager, Boudreau returned to the radio booth and remained there until 1987. He also did radio play-by-play for theChicago Bullsin 1966–1968 and worked onChicago Blackhawksgames forWGN radioandtelevisionas well. The presence of a Hall of Fame announcer affected at least one game. On June 23, 1976, the Cubs were two runs behind at home in the fourth inning of","fourth inning of the second game of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates at home when the umpires called the game on account of darkness (since there were no lights atWrigley Fielduntil 1988), announcing that the game would be resumed at the same point the next day as was normally the case in those days. But Boudreau knew the rules better than anyone else in the park, it turned out, for he went down quickly to the clubhouse and pointed out to the umpires that a game that was not yet an official game could not be treated as a suspended game (i.e., it had not gone five innings, or four and a half with the home team leading, as neither was the case), and as such had to be replayed from the first pitch (as was then the rule in a rain-out). The umpires called the National League office, found Boudreau was correct, and removed the two-run Cubs deficit. Later life and honors Boudreau was elected to theBaseball Hall of Famein 1970 with 77.33% of the vote. That same year, his uniform number 5 was retired by","5 was retired by theCleveland Indians(he wore number 4 with the Red Sox). In 1973, the city ofClevelandrenamed a street borderingCleveland Municipal Stadiumafter Boudreau.Boudreau Drive in Urbana, Illinois, is also named after Boudreau. In 1990, the Cleveland Indians established The Lou Boudreau Award, which is given every year to the organization's Minor League Player of the Year.In 1992, Boudreau's number 5 jersey was retired by theIllinois Fighting Illini baseballprogram. Boudreau is only one of threeIllinois Fighting Illiniathletes to have their number retired; the other two athletes beingIllinois Fighting Illini footballplayersRed GrangeandDick Butkus. Personal life Boudreau married Della DeRuiter in 1938, and together they had four children. His daughter Sharyn marriedDenny McLain, a former star pitcher with theDetroit Tigerswho was the last 30-game winner in the major leagues (31–6 for the world champion 1968Detroit Tigers). Boudreau had a home inFrankfort, Illinois, for many years. He died on August","He died on August 10, 2001, due tocardiac arrestat St. James Medical Center inOlympia Fields, Illinois. He was 84. He received a Catholic funeral and his body was interred in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. See also Notes References Further reading External links","List of World Series champions TheWorld Seriesis the annual championship series ofMajor League Baseball(MLB) and concludes theMLB postseason. First played in 1903,the World Series championship is abest-of-seven playoffand is a contest between the champions of baseball'sNational League(NL) andAmerican League(AL).Often referred to as the \"Fall Classic\",the modern World Series has been played every year since 1903 with two exceptions: in1904, when the NL championNew York Giantsdeclined to play the AL championBoston Americans; and in1994, when the series was canceled due to theplayers' strike.The best-of-seven style has been the format of all World Series except in1903,1919,1920,1921, when the winner was determined through abest-of-nine playoff.Although the large majority of contests have been played entirely during the month of October, a small number of Series have also had games played during September and November. The Series-winning team is awarded theCommissioner's Trophy.Players, coaches and others","coaches and others associated with the team are generally givenWorld Series ringsto commemorate their victory; however, they have received other items such aspocket watchesand medallions in the past.The winning team is traditionally invited to theWhite Houseto meet thePresident of the United States. A total of 119 World Series have been contested through 2023, with the AL champion winning 68 and the NL champion winning 51. TheNew York Yankeesof the AL have played in 40 World Series, winning 27 – the most championship appearances and most victories by any team amongst themajor North American professional sports leagues. TheDodgersof the NL have the most losses with 14, while the Yankees have the most losses among AL teams with 13. TheSt. Louis Cardinalshave won 11 championships, the most championships among NL clubs and second-most all-time behind the Yankees, and have made 19 total appearances, third-most among NL clubs.The Dodgers have represented the NL the most in the World Series with 21 appearances.","21 appearances. TheSeattle Marinersare the only MLB franchise that has never appeared in a World Series; theMilwaukee Brewers,San Diego Padres,Tampa Bay Rays, andColorado Rockieshave all played in the Series but have never won it, with the Padres and the Rays appearing twice. TheLos Angeles AngelsandWashington Nationalsare the only teams who have won their only World Series appearance, and theToronto Blue JaysandMiami Marlinsare the only teams with multiple World Series appearances with no losses. The Toronto Blue Jays are the only franchise from outside the United States to appear in and win a World Series, winning in 1992 and 1993. TheHouston Astrosare the only franchise to have represented both the NL (2005) and the AL (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022), winning the Series in 2017 and 2022. The 1919 and 2017 World Series were both marred with cheating scandals: theBlack Sox Scandaland theHouston Astros sign stealing scandal. The most recent World Series champions are theTexas Rangers. World Series results Numbers","results Numbers in parentheses in the table are World Series appearances as of the date of that World Series, and are used as follows: Source for this Table World Series records by franchise In the sortable table below, teams are ordered first by number of wins, then by number of appearances, and finally by year of first appearance. In the \"Season(s)\" column,bold yearsindicate winning appearances. Frequent matchups The following are the 20 matchups of teams that have occurred two or more times in the World Series. All teams that have participated in these were \"Classic Eight\" members of either the American or National League; no expansion team (created in 1961 or later) has faced the same opponent more than once in a World Series. See also References External links","Chicago Chicagois themost populous cityin theU.S. stateofIllinoisand in theMidwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the2020 census,it is thethird-most populous city in the United StatesafterNew York CityandLos Angeles. As theseatofCook County, thesecond-most populous countyin the U.S., Chicago is the center of theChicago metropolitan area, often colloquially called \"Chicagoland\" and home to 9.6 million residents. Located on the shore ofLake Michigan, Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837 near aportagebetween theGreat Lakesand theMississippi River watershed. It grew rapidly in the mid-19th century.In 1871, theGreat Chicago Firedestroyed several square miles and left more than 100,000 homeless,but Chicago's population continued to grow.Chicago made noted contributions tourban planningandarchitecture, such as theChicago School, the development of theCity Beautiful movement, and the steel-framedskyscraper. Chicago is an international hub for finance,culture, commerce, industry,","commerce, industry, education, technology, telecommunications, andtransportation. It has the largest and most diverse financederivativesmarket in the world, generating 20% of all volume incommoditiesand financial futures alone.O'Hare International Airportis routinely ranked among theworld's top six busiest airports by passenger traffic,and the region is also the nation's railroad hub.The Chicago area has one of the highestgross domestic products(GDP) of any urban region in the world, generating $689 billion in 2018.Chicago's economyisdiverse, with no single industry employing more than 14% of the workforce. Chicago is a major destination fortourism, including visitors to itscultural institutions, and Lake Michiganbeaches. Chicago's culture has contributed much to the visual arts,literature, film,theater, comedy (especiallyimprovisational comedy),food, dance, andmusic(particularlyjazz,blues,soul,hip-hop,gospel,andelectronic dance music, includinghouse music). Chicago is home to theChicago Symphony","theChicago Symphony Orchestraand theLyric Opera of Chicago, while theArt Institute of Chicagoprovides an influential visual arts museum andart school. The Chicago area also hosts theUniversity of Chicago,Northwestern University, and theUniversity of Illinois Chicago, amongother institutions of learning. ProfessionalsportsinChicago includeallmajor professional leagues, including twoMajor League Baseballteams. Etymology and nicknames The nameChicagois derived from a French rendering of theindigenousMiami–Illinoiswordshikaakwafor a wild relative of theonion; it is known to botanists asAllium tricoccumand known more commonly as \"ramps\". The first known reference to the site of the current city of Chicago as \"Checagou\" was byRobert de LaSallearound 1679 in a memoir.Henri Joutel, in his journal of 1688, noted that the eponymous wild \"garlic\" grew profusely in the area.According to his diary of late September 1687: ... when we arrived at the said place called \"Chicagou\" which, according to what we were able to","we were able to learn of it, has taken this name because of the quantity of garlic which grows in the forests in this region. The city has hadseveral nicknamesthroughout its history, such as theWindy City, Chi-Town, Second City, and City of the Big Shoulders. History Beginnings In the mid-18th century, the area was inhabited by thePotawatomi, an indigenous tribe who had succeeded theMiami,SaukandMeskwakipeoples in this region. The first known permanent settler in Chicago was traderJean Baptiste Point du Sable. Du Sable was ofAfricandescent, perhaps born in theFrench colonyofSaint-Domingue(Haiti), and established the settlement in the 1780s. He is commonly known as the \"Founder of Chicago.\" In 1795, following the victory of the new United States in theNorthwest Indian War, an area that was to be part of Chicago was turned over to the U.S. for a military post by native tribes in accordance with theTreaty of Greenville. In 1803, theU.S. ArmyconstructedFort Dearborn, which was destroyed during theWar of 1812in","theWar of 1812in theBattle of Fort Dearbornby the Potawatomi before being later rebuilt. After the War of 1812, theOttawa,Ojibwe, and Potawatomi tribes ceded additional land to the United States in the 1816Treaty of St. Louis. The Potawatomi were forcibly removed from their land after the1833 Treaty of Chicagoand sent west of theMississippi Riveras part of the federal policy ofIndian removal. 19th century On August 12, 1833, the Town of Chicago was organized with a population of about 200.Within seven years it grew to more than 6,000 people. On June 15, 1835, the first public land sales began withEdmund Dick Tayloras Receiver of Public Monies. The City of Chicago was incorporated on Saturday, March 4, 1837,and for several decades was the world's fastest-growing city. As the site of theChicago Portage,the city became an important transportation hub between the eastern and western United States. Chicago's first railway,Galena and Chicago Union Railroad, and theIllinois and Michigan Canalopened in 1848. The","in 1848. The canal allowedsteamboatsandsailing shipson theGreat Lakesto connect to the Mississippi River. A flourishing economy brought residents from rural communities andimmigrantsfrom abroad. Manufacturing and retail and finance sectors became dominant, influencing theAmerican economy.TheChicago Board of Trade(established 1848) listed the first-ever standardized \"exchange-traded\" forward contracts, which were calledfutures contracts. In the 1850s, Chicago gained national political prominence as the home of SenatorStephen Douglas, the champion of theKansas–Nebraska Actand the \"popular sovereignty\" approach to the issue of the spread of slavery.These issues also helped propel another Illinoisan,Abraham Lincoln, to the national stage. Lincoln was nominated in Chicago for U.S. president at the1860 Republican National Convention, which was held in a purpose-built auditorium called theWigwam. He defeated Douglas in the general election, and this set the stage for theAmerican Civil War. To accommodaterapid","To accommodaterapid population growthand demand for better sanitation, the city improved its infrastructure. In February 1856, Chicago's Common Council approvedChesbrough's plan to build the United States' first comprehensive sewerage system.The projectraised much of central Chicagoto a new grade with the use ofjackscrewsfor raising buildings.While elevating Chicago, and at first improving the city's health, the untreated sewage and industrial waste now flowed into theChicago River, and subsequently intoLake Michigan, polluting the city's primary freshwater source. The city responded by tunneling two miles (3.2 km) out into Lake Michigan to newly builtwater cribs. In 1900, the problem of sewage contamination was largely resolved when the city completed a major engineering feat. It reversed the flow of the Chicago River so that the water flowed away from Lake Michigan rather than into it. This project began with the construction and improvement of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and was completed with","was completed with theChicago Sanitary and Ship Canalthat connects to theIllinois River, which flows into the Mississippi River. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed an area about 4 miles (6.4 km) long and 1-mile (1.6 km) wide, a large section of the city at the time.Much of the city, including railroads andstockyards, survived intact,and from the ruins of the previous wooden structures arose more modern constructions of steel and stone. These set a precedent for worldwide construction.During its rebuilding period, Chicago constructed the world'sfirst skyscraperin 1885, usingsteel-skeletonconstruction. The city grew significantly in size and population by incorporating many neighboring townships between 1851 and 1920, with the largest annexation happening in 1889, with five townships joining the city, including theHyde Park Township, which now comprises most of theSouth Side of Chicagoand the far southeast of Chicago, and theJefferson Township, which now makes up most ofChicago's Northwest Side.The","Northwest Side.The desire to join the city was driven by municipal services that the city could provide its residents. Chicago's flourishing economy attracted huge numbers of new immigrants fromEuropeand migrants from theEastern United States. Of the total population in 1900, more than 77% were either foreign-born or born in the United States of foreign parentage.Germans,Irish,Poles,Swedes, andCzechsmade up nearly two-thirds of the foreign-born population (by 1900, whites were 98.1% of the city's population). Labor conflictsfollowed the industrial boom and the rapid expansion of the labor pool, including theHaymarket affairon May 4, 1886, and in 1894 thePullman Strike. Anarchist and socialist groups played prominent roles in creating very large and highly organized labor actions. Concern for social problems among Chicago's immigrant poor ledJane AddamsandEllen Gates Starrto foundHull Housein 1889.Programs that were developed there became a model for the new field ofsocial work. During the 1870s and 1880s,","1870s and 1880s, Chicago attained national stature as the leader in the movement to improve public health. City laws and later, state laws that upgraded standards for the medical profession and fought urban epidemics ofcholera,smallpox, andyellow feverwere both passed and enforced. These laws became templates for public health reform in other cities and states. The city established many large, well-landscapedmunicipal parks, which also included public sanitation facilities. The chief advocate for improving public health in Chicago wasJohn H. Rauch, M.D.Rauch established a plan for Chicago's park system in 1866. He createdLincoln Parkby closing a cemetery filled with shallow graves, and in 1867, in response to an outbreak of cholera he helped establish a new Chicago Board of Health. Ten years later, he became the secretary and then the president of the first Illinois State Board of Health, which carried out most of its activities in Chicago. In the 1800s, Chicago became the nation's railroad hub, and by 1910","hub, and by 1910 over 20 railroads operated passenger service out of six different downtown terminals.In 1883, Chicago's railway managers needed a general time convention, so they developed the standardized system of North Americantime zones.This system for telling time spread throughout the continent. In 1893, Chicago hosted theWorld's Columbian Expositionon former marshland at the present location ofJackson Park. The Exposition drew 27.5 million visitors, and is considered the most influentialworld's fairin history.TheUniversity of Chicago, formerly at another location, moved to the same South Side location in 1892. The term \"midway\" for a fair or carnival referred originally to theMidway Plaisance, a strip of park land that still runs through the University of Chicago campus and connects theWashingtonand Jackson Parks. 20th and 21st centuries 1900 to 1939 DuringWorld War Iand the 1920s there was a major expansion in industry. The availability of jobs attracted African Americans from theSouthern United","theSouthern United States. Between 1910 and 1930, the African American population of Chicago increased dramatically, from 44,103 to 233,903.ThisGreat Migrationhad an immense cultural impact, called theChicago Black Renaissance, part of theNew Negro Movement, in art, literature, and music.Continuing racial tensions and violence, such as theChicago race riot of 1919, also occurred. The ratification of the 18th amendment to the Constitution in 1919 made the production and sale (including exportation) of alcoholic beverages illegal in the United States. This ushered in the beginning of what is known as the gangster era, a time that roughly spans from 1919 until 1933 whenProhibitionwas repealed. The 1920s sawgangsters, includingAl Capone,Dion O'Banion,Bugs MoranandTony Accardobattle law enforcement and each other on the streets of Chicago during theProhibition era.Chicago was the location of the infamousSt. Valentine's Day Massacrein 1929, when Al Capone sent men to gun down members of a rival gang, North Side,","gang, North Side, led by Bugs Moran. From 1920 to 1921, the city was affected by a series of tenantrent strikes, which lead to the formation of the Chicago Tenants Protective association, passage of the Kessenger tenant laws, and of a heat ordinance that legally required flats to be kept above 68 °F during winter months by landlords. Chicago was the first American city to have a homosexual-rights organization. The organization, formed in 1924, was called theSociety for Human Rights. It produced the first American publication for homosexuals,Friendship and Freedom. Police and political pressure caused the organization to disband. The Great Depression brought unprecedented suffering to Chicago, in no small part due to the city's heavy reliance on heavy industry. Notably, industrial areas on the south side and neighborhoods lining both branches of the Chicago River were devastated; by 1933 over 50% of industrial jobs in the city had been lost, and unemployment rates amongst blacks and Mexicans in the city were","in the city were over 40%. The Republican political machine in Chicago was utterly destroyed by the economic crisis, and every mayor since 1931 has been aDemocrat. From 1928 to 1933, the city witnessed a tax revolt, and the city was unable to meet payroll or provide relief efforts. The fiscal crisis was resolved by 1933, and at the same time, federal relief funding began to flow into Chicago.Chicago was also a hotbed of labor activism, withUnemployed Councilscontributing heavily in the early depression to create solidarity for the poor and demand relief; these organizations were created by socialist and communist groups. By 1935 theWorkers Alliance of Americabegun organizing the poor, workers, the unemployed. In the spring of 1937 Republic Steel Works witnessed theMemorial Day massacre of 1937in the neighborhood of East Side. In 1933, Chicago MayorAnton Cermakwas fatally wounded inMiami, Florida, during afailed assassinationattempt on President-electFranklin D. Roosevelt. In 1933 and 1934, the city","and 1934, the city celebrated its centennial by hosting theCentury of ProgressInternational ExpositionWorld's Fair.The theme of the fair was technological innovation over the century since Chicago's founding. 1940 to 1979 DuringWorld War II, the city of Chicago alone produced more steel than the United Kingdom every year from 1939 – 1945, and more thanNazi Germanyfrom 1943 – 1945. The Great Migration, which had been on pause due to the Depression, resumed at an even faster pace in thesecond wave, as hundreds of thousands of blacks from the South arrived in the city to work in the steel mills, railroads, and shipping yards. On December 2, 1942, physicistEnrico Fermiconducted the world's first controllednuclear reactionat the University of Chicago as part of the top-secretManhattan Project. This led to the creation of the atomic bomb by the United States, which it used inWorld War IIin 1945. MayorRichard J. Daley, a Democrat, was elected in 1955, in the era ofmachine politics. In 1956, the city conducted its","city conducted its last major expansion when it annexed the land under O'Hare airport, including a small portion of DuPage County. By the 1960s, white residents in several neighborhoods left the city for the suburban areas – in many American cities, a process known aswhite flight– as Blacks continued to move beyond theBlack Belt.While home loan discriminatoryredliningagainst blacks continued, the real estate industry practiced what became known asblockbusting, completely changing the racial composition of whole neighborhoods.Structural changes in industry, such as globalization and job outsourcing, caused heavy job losses for lower-skilled workers. At its peak during the 1960s, some 250,000 workers were employed in the steel industry in Chicago, but the steel crisis of the 1970s and 1980s reduced this number to just 28,000 in 2015. In 1966,Martin Luther King Jr.andAlbert Rabyled theChicago Freedom Movement, which culminated in agreements between Mayor Richard J. Daley and the movement leaders. Two years","leaders. Two years later, the city hosted the tumultuous1968 Democratic National Convention, which featured physical confrontations both inside and outside the convention hall, with anti-war protesters, journalists and bystanders being beaten by police.Major construction projects, including the Sears Tower (now known as theWillis Tower, which in 1974 became theworld's tallest building),University of Illinois at Chicago,McCormick Place, andO'Hare International Airport, were undertaken during Richard J. Daley's tenure.In 1979,Jane Byrne, the city's first female mayor, was elected. She was notable for temporarily moving into the crime-riddenCabrini-Greenhousing project and for leading Chicago's school system out of a financial crisis. 1980 to present In 1983,Harold Washingtonbecame the first black mayor of Chicago. Washington's first term in office directed attention to poor and previously neglected minority neighborhoods. He was re‑elected in 1987 but died of a heart attack soon after.Washington was succeeded","was succeeded by 6th ward alderpersonEugene Sawyer, who was elected by the Chicago City Council and served until a special election. Richard M. Daley, son of Richard J. Daley, was elected in 1989. His accomplishments included improvements to parks and creating incentives forsustainable development, as well as closingMeigs Fieldin the middle of the night and destroying the runways. After successfully running for re-election five times, and becoming Chicago's longest-serving mayor, Richard M. Daley declined to run for a seventh term. In 1992, a construction accident near theKinzie Street Bridgeproduced a breach connecting the Chicago River to a tunnel below, which was part of anabandoned freight tunnel systemextending throughout the downtownLoopdistrict. Thetunnels filledwith 250 million US gallons (1,000,000 m3) of water, affecting buildings throughout the district and forcing a shutdown of electrical power.The area was shut down for three days and some buildings did not reopen for weeks; losses were","weeks; losses were estimated at $1.95 billion. On February 23, 2011,Rahm Emanuel, a formerWhite House Chief of Staffand member of theHouse of Representatives, won the mayoral election.Emanuel was sworn in as mayor on May 16, 2011, and won re-election in 2015.Lori Lightfoot, the city's first African American woman mayor and its first openly LGBTQ mayor, was elected to succeed Emanuel as mayor in 2019.All three city-wide elective offices were held by women (and women of color) for the first time in Chicago history: in addition to Lightfoot, the city clerk wasAnna Valenciaand the city treasurer wasMelissa Conyears-Ervin. On May 15, 2023,Brandon Johnsonassumed office as the 57th mayor of Chicago. Geography Topography Chicago is located in northeastern Illinois on the southwestern shores of freshwater Lake Michigan. It is the principal city in theChicago Metropolitan Area, situated in both theMidwestern United Statesand theGreat Lakes region. The city rests on acontinental divideat the site of the Chicago","site of the Chicago Portage, connecting the Mississippi River and the Great Lakeswatersheds. In addition to it lying beside Lake Michigan, two rivers—the Chicago River in downtown and theCalumet Riverin the industrial far South Side—flow either entirely or partially through the city. Chicago's history and economy are closely tied to its proximity to Lake Michigan. While the Chicago River historically handled much of the region's waterborne cargo, today's hugelake freightersuse the city'sLake Calumet Harboron the South Side. The lake also provides another positive effect: moderating Chicago's climate, making waterfront neighborhoods slightly warmer in winter and cooler in summer. When Chicago was founded in 1837, most of the early building was around the mouth of the Chicago River, as can be seen on a map of the city's original 58 blocks.The overallgradeof the city's central, built-up areas is relatively consistent with the natural flatness of its overall natural geography, generally exhibiting only slight","only slight differentiation otherwise. The average land elevation is 579 ft (176.5 m)above sea level. While measurements vary somewhat,the lowest points are along the lake shore at 578 ft (176.2 m), while the highest point, at 672 ft (205 m), is the morainal ridge ofBlue Islandin the city's far south side. Lake Shore Driveruns adjacent to a large portion of Chicago's waterfront. Some of the parks along the waterfront includeLincoln Park,Grant Park,Burnham Park, andJackson Park. There are 24 publicbeachesacross 26 miles (42 km) of the waterfront.Landfill extends into portions of the lake providing space forNavy Pier,Northerly Island, theMuseum Campus, and large portions of theMcCormick PlaceConvention Center. Most of the city's high-rise commercial and residential buildings are close to the waterfront. An informal name for the entireChicago metropolitan areais \"Chicagoland\", which generally means the city and all its suburbs, though different organizations have slightly different definitions. Communities","Communities Major sections of the city include the central business district, calledthe Loop, and the North,South, andWest Sides.The three sides of the city are represented on theFlag of Chicagoby three horizontal white stripes.The North Side is the most-densely-populated residential section of the city, and many high-rises are located on this side of the city along the lakefront.The South Side is the largest section of the city, encompassing roughly 60% of the city's land area. The South Side contains most of the facilities of thePort of Chicago. In the late-1920s, sociologists at the University of Chicago subdivided the city into 77 distinctcommunity areas, which can further be subdivided into over 200 informally definedneighborhoods. Streetscape Chicago's streets were laid out in astreet gridthat grew from the city's original townsite plot, which was bounded by Lake Michigan on the east, North Avenue on the north, Wood Street on the west, and 22nd Street on the south.Streets following thePublic Land","thePublic Land Survey Systemsection lines later became arterial streets in outlying sections. As new additions to the city were platted, city ordinance required them to be laid out with eight streets to the mile in one direction and sixteen in the other direction, about one street per 200 meters in one direction and one street per 100 meters in the other direction. The grid's regularity provided an efficient means of developing new real estate property. A scattering of diagonal streets, many of them originally Native American trails, also cross the city (Elston, Milwaukee, Ogden, Lincoln, etc.). Many additional diagonal streets were recommended in thePlan of Chicago, but only the extension ofOgden Avenuewas ever constructed. In 2021, Chicago was ranked the fourth-most walkable large city in the United States.Many of the city's residential streets have a wide patch of grass or trees between the street and the sidewalk itself. This helps to keep pedestrians on the sidewalk further away from the street traffic.","the street traffic. Chicago'sWestern Avenueis the longest continuous urban street in the world.Other notable streets includeMichigan Avenue,State Street,95th Street,Cicero Avenue,Clark Street, andBelmont Avenue. TheCity Beautiful movementinspired Chicago's boulevards and parkways. Architecture The destruction caused by the Great Chicago Fire led to the largest building boom in the history of the nation. In 1885, the firststeel-framed high-rise building, the Home Insurance Building, rose in the city as Chicago ushered in theskyscraper era,which would then be followed by many other cities around the world.Today, Chicago's skyline is among the world's tallest and densest. Some of the United States' tallest towers are located in Chicago;Willis Tower(formerly Sears Tower) is the second tallest building in theWestern HemisphereafterOne World Trade Center, andTrump International Hotel and Toweris the third tallest in the country.The Loop's historic buildings include theChicago Board of Trade Building, theFine Arts","theFine Arts Building,35 East Wacker, and theChicago Building,860-880 Lake Shore Drive ApartmentsbyMies van der Rohe. Many other architects have left their impression on the Chicago skyline such asDaniel Burnham,Louis Sullivan, Charles B. Atwood, John Root, andHelmut Jahn. TheMerchandise Mart, once first on thelist of largest buildings in the world, currently listed as 44th-largest 2013 as September 9, 2013, had its ownzip codeuntil 2008, and stands near the junction of the North and South branches of the Chicago River.Presently, the four tallest buildings in the city are Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower, also a building with its own zip code),Trump International Hotel and Tower, theAon Center(previously the Standard Oil Building), and theJohn Hancock Center.Industrial districts, such as some areas on theSouth Side, the areas along theChicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, and theNorthwest Indianaarea are clustered. Chicago gave its name to the Chicago School and was home to thePrairie School, two movements","two movements in architecture.Multiple kinds and scales of houses, townhouses, condominiums, and apartment buildings can be found throughout Chicago. Large swaths of the city's residential areas away from the lake are characterized by brickbungalowsbuilt from the early 20th century through the end of World War II. Chicago is also a prominent center of thePolish Cathedral styleofchurch architecture. The Chicago suburb ofOak Parkwas home to famous architectFrank Lloyd Wright, who had designed TheRobie Houselocated near the University of Chicago. A popular tourist activity is to take an architecture boat tour along the Chicago River. Monuments and public art Chicago is famous for its outdoorpublic artwith donors establishing funding for such art as far back asBenjamin Ferguson's 1905 trust.A number of Chicago's public art works are by modern figurative artists. Among these areChagall's Four Seasons; theChicago Picasso;Miro's Chicago;Calder'sFlamingo;Oldenburg'sBatcolumn;Moore'sLarge Interior Form, 1953-54,Man","Form, 1953-54,Man Enters the CosmosandNuclear Energy;Dubuffet'sMonument with Standing Beast,Abakanowicz'sAgora; and,Anish Kapoor'sCloud Gatewhich has become an icon of the city. Some events which shaped the city's history have also been memorialized by art works, including theGreat Northern Migration(Saar) and thecentennial of statehood for Illinois. Finally, two fountains near the Loop also function as monumental works of art:Plensa'sCrown Fountainas well asBurnhamand Bennett'sBuckingham Fountain. Climate The city lies within the typical hot-summerhumid continental climate(Köppen:Dfa), and experiences four distinct seasons.Summersare hot and humid, with frequentheat waves. The July daily average temperature is 75.4 °F (24.1 °C), with afternoon temperatures peaking at 84.5 °F (29.2 °C). In a normal summer, temperatures reach at least 90 °F (32 °C) on 17 days, with lakefront locations staying cooler when winds blow off the lake.Wintersare relatively cold and snowy.Blizzardsdo occur, such as inwinter","such as inwinter 2011.There are many sunny but cold days. The normal winter high from December through March is about 36 °F (2 °C). January and February are the coldest months. Apolar vortex in January 2019nearly broke the city's cold record of −27 °F (−33 °C), which was set on January 20, 1985.Measurable snowfall can continue through the first or second week of April. Springandautumnare mild, short seasons, typically with low humidity.Dew pointtemperatures in the summer range from an average of 55.8 °F (13.2 °C) in June to 61.7 °F (16.5 °C) in July.They can reach nearly 80 °F (27 °C), such as during the July 2019 heat wave. The city lies withinUSDAplanthardiness zone6a, transitioning to 5b in the suburbs. According to theNational Weather Service, Chicago's highest official temperature reading of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded on July 24, 1934.Midway Airportreached 109 °F (43 °C) one day prior and recorded aheat indexof 125 °F (52 °C) during the1995 heatwave.The lowest official temperature of −27 °F (−33 °C)","of −27 °F (−33 °C) was recorded onJanuary 20, 1985, at O'Hare Airport.Most of the city's rainfall is brought bythunderstorms, averaging 38 a year. The region is prone tosevere thunderstormsduring the spring and summer which can produce large hail, damaging winds, and occasionally tornadoes. Like other major cities, Chicago experiences anurban heat island, making the city and its suburbs milder than surrounding rural areas, especially at night and in winter. The proximity to Lake Michigan tends to keep the Chicago lakefront somewhat cooler in summer and less brutally cold in winter than inland parts of the city and suburbs away from the lake.Northeast winds from wintertimecyclonesdeparting south of the region sometimes bring the citylake-effect snow. Time zone As in the rest of the state of Illinois, Chicago forms part of theCentral Time Zone. The border with theEastern Time Zoneis located a short distance to the east, used in Michigan andcertain parts of Indiana. Demographics During its first hundred years,","hundred years, Chicago was one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. When founded in 1833, fewer than 200 people had settled on what was then the American frontier. By the time of its first census, seven years later, the population had reached over 4,000. In the forty years from 1850 to 1890, the city's population grew from slightly under 30,000 to over 1 million. At the end of the 19th century, Chicago was the 5th-most populous city in the world,and the largest of the cities that did not exist at the dawn of the century. Within sixty years of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the population went from about 300,000 to over 3 million,and reached its highest ever recorded population of 3.6 million for the 1950 census. From the last two decades of the 19th century, Chicago was the destination of waves of immigrants from Ireland, Southern, Central and Eastern Europe, includingItalians,Jews,Russians,Poles,Greeks,Lithuanians,Bulgarians,Albanians,Romanians,Turks,Croatians,Serbs,Bosnians,MontenegrinsandCzechs.To","these ethnic groups, the basis of the city's industrialworking class, were added an additional influx ofAfrican Americansfrom theAmerican South—with Chicago's black population doubling between 1910 and 1920 and doubling again between 1920 and 1930.Chicago has asignificant Bosnian population, many of whom arrived in the 1990s and 2000s. In the 1920s and 1930s, the great majority of African Americans moving to Chicago settled in a so‑called \"Black Belt\" on the city'sSouth Side.A large number of blacks also settled on theWest Side. By 1930, two-thirds of Chicago's black population lived in sections of the city which were 90% black in racial composition.Around that time, a lesser known fact about African Americans on theNorth Sideis that the block of 4600 Winthrop Avenue inUptownwas the only block African Americans could live or open establishments.Chicago's South Side emerged as United States second-largest urban black concentration, following New York'sHarlem. In 1990, Chicago's South Side and the adjoining","and the adjoining south suburbs constituted the largest black majority region in the entire United States.Since the 1980s, Chicago has had a massive exodus of African Americans (primarily from the South and West sides) to its suburbs or outside its metropolitan area.The above average crime and cost of living were leading reasons for the fast declining African American population in Chicago. Most of Chicago's foreign-born population were born inMexico,PolandorIndia. Chicago's population declined in the latter half of the 20th century, from over 3.6 million in 1950 down to under 2.7 million by 2010. By the time of the official census count in 1990, it was overtaken byLos Angelesas the United States' second largest city. The city has seen a rise in population for the 2000 census and after a decrease in 2010, it rose again for the 2020 census. According to U.S. census estimates as of July 2019, Chicago's largest racial or ethnic group is non-Hispanic White at 32.8% of the population, Blacks at 30.1% and the","at 30.1% and the Hispanic population at 29.0% of the population. Chicago has the third-largestLGBTpopulation in the United States. In 2018, the Chicago Department of Health, estimated 7.5% of the adult population, approximately 146,000 Chicagoans, were LGBTQ.In 2015, roughly 4% of the population identified as LGBT.Since the 2013 legalization ofsame-sex marriage in Illinois, over 10,000 same-sex couples have wed inCook County, a majority of them in Chicago. Chicago became a \"de jure\"sanctuary cityin 2012 when MayorRahm Emanueland the City Council passed the Welcoming City Ordinance. According to the U.S. Census Bureau'sAmerican Community Surveydata estimates for 2022, the median income for a household in the city was $70,386,and the per capita income was $45,449. Male full-time workers had a median income of $68,870 versus $60,987 for females.About 17.2% of the population lived below the poverty line.In 2018, Chicago ranked seventh globally for the highest number of ultra-high-net-worth residents with roughly","with roughly 3,300 residents worth more than $30 million. According to the 2022 American Community Survey, the specific ancestral groups having 10,000 or more persons in Chicago were: Persons who did not report or classify an ancestry were 548,790. Religion Religion in Chicago (2014) According to a 2014 study by thePew Research Center,Christianityis the most prevalently practiced religion in Chicago (71%),with the city being the fourth-most religious metropolis in the United States afterDallas,AtlantaandHouston.Roman CatholicismandProtestantismare the largest branches (34% and 35% respectively), followed byEastern OrthodoxyandJehovah's Witnesseswith 1% each.Chicago also has a sizable non-Christian population. Non-Christian groups includeIrreligious(22%),Judaism(3%),Islam(2%),Buddhism(1%) andHinduism(1%). Chicago is the headquarters of several religious denominations, including theEvangelical Covenant Churchand theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is the seat of severaldioceses. TheFourth","TheFourth Presbyterian Churchis one of the largestPresbyteriancongregations in the United States based on memberships.Since the 20th century Chicago has also been the headquarters of theAssyrian Church of the East.In 2014 theCatholic Churchwas the largest individual Christian denomination (34%), with theRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicagobeing the largest Catholic jurisdiction.Evangelical Protestantismform the largest theological Protestant branch (16%), followed byMainline Protestants(11%), and historicallyBlack churches(8%). Among denominational Protestant branches,Baptistsformed the largest group in Chicago (10%); followed by Nondenominational (5%);Lutherans(4%); andPentecostals(3%). Non-Christian faiths accounted for 7% of the religious population in 2014.Judaismhas at least 261,000 adherents which is 3% of the population, making it the second largest religion.A 2020 study estimated the total Jewish population of the Chicago metropolitan area, both religious and irreligious, at 319,500. The first","319,500. The first twoParliament of the World's Religionsin 1893 and 1993 were held in Chicago.Many international religious leaders have visited Chicago, includingMother Teresa, theDalai LamaandPope John Paul IIin 1979. Economy Chicago has the third-largestgross metropolitan productin the United States—about $670.5 billion according to September 2017 estimates.The city has also been rated as having the most balanced economy in the United States, due to its high level of diversification.The Chicago metropolitan area has the third-largest science and engineering work force of any metropolitan area in the nation.Chicago was the base of commercial operations for industrialistsJohn Crerar,John Whitfield Bunn,Richard Teller Crane,Marshall Field,John Farwell,Julius Rosenwald, and many other commercial visionaries who laid the foundation for Midwestern and global industry. Chicago is a major world financial center, with the second-largest central business district in the United States, followingMidtown Manhattan.The","Manhattan.The city is the seat of theFederal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Bank's Seventh District. The city has major financial andfutures exchanges, including theChicago Stock Exchange, theChicago Board Options Exchange(CBOE), and theChicago Mercantile Exchange(the \"Merc\"), which is owned, along with theChicago Board of Trade(CBOT), by Chicago'sCME Group. In 2017, Chicago exchanges traded 4.7 billion in derivatives.Chase Bankhas its commercial and retail banking headquarters in Chicago'sChase Tower.Academically, Chicago has been influential through theChicago school of economics, which fielded 12Nobel Prizewinners. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area contain the third-largest labor pool in the United States with about 4.63 million workers.Illinois is home to 66Fortune1000companies, including those in Chicago.The city of Chicago also hosts 12FortuneGlobal 500 companies and 17Financial Times500 companies. The city claims threeDow 30companies:aerospacegiantBoeing, which moved its headquarters","its headquarters fromSeattleto the Chicago Loop in 2001;McDonald's; andWalgreens Boots Alliance.For six consecutive years from 2013 through 2018, Chicago was ranked the nation's top metropolitan area for corporate relocations.However, threeFortune500companies left Chicago in 2022, leaving the city with 35, still second to New York City. Manufacturing, printing, publishing, and food processing also play major roles in the city's economy. Several medical products and services companies are headquartered in the Chicago area, includingBaxter International,Boeing,Abbott Laboratories, and the Healthcare division ofGeneral Electric. Prominent food companies based in Chicago include the world headquarters ofConagra,Ferrara Candy Company,Kraft Heinz,McDonald's,Mondelez International, andQuaker Oats.Chicago has been a hub of theretailsector since its early development, withMontgomery Ward,Sears, andMarshall Field's. Today the Chicago metropolitan area is the headquarters of several retailers,","several retailers, includingWalgreens,Sears,Ace Hardware,Claire's,ULTA Beauty, andCrate & Barrel. Late in the 19th century, Chicago was part of thebicycle craze, with the Western Wheel Company, which introducedstampingto the production process and significantly reduced costs,while early in the 20th century, the city was part of the automobile revolution, hosting theBrass Era carbuilder Bugmobile, which was founded there in 1907.Chicago was also the site of theSchwinn Bicycle Company. Chicago is a major world convention destination. The city's main convention center is McCormick Place. With its four interconnected buildings, it is the largest convention center in the nation and third-largest in the world.Chicago also ranks third in the U.S. (behindLas VegasandOrlando) in number of conventions hosted annually. Chicago's minimum wage for non-tipped employees is one of the highest in the nation and reached $15 in 2021. Culture and contemporary life The city's waterfront location and nightlife attracts residents","attracts residents and tourists alike. Over a third of the city population is concentrated in the lakefront neighborhoods fromRogers Parkin the north toSouth Shorein the south.The city has many upscale dining establishments as well as many ethnic restaurant districts. These districts include theMexican Americanneighborhoods, such asPilsenalong 18th street, andLa Villitaalong 26th Street; thePuerto Ricanenclave ofPaseo Boricuain theHumboldt Parkneighborhood;Greektown, along SouthHalsted Street, immediately west of downtown;Little Italy, along Taylor Street;ChinatowninArmour Square;Polish PatchesinWest Town;Little SeoulinAlbany Parkaround Lawrence Avenue;Little VietnamnearBroadwayin Uptown; and theDesiarea, alongDevon AvenueinWest Ridge. Downtown is the center of Chicago's financial, cultural, governmental, and commercial institutions and the site of Grant Park and many of the city's skyscrapers. Many of the city's financial institutions, such as the CBOT and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, are located","are located within a section of downtown called \"The Loop\", which is an eight-block by five-block area of city streets that is encircled by elevated rail tracks. The term \"The Loop\" is largely used by locals to refer to the entire downtown area as well. The central area includes theNear North Side, theNear South Side, and theNear West Side, as well as the Loop. These areas contribute famousskyscrapers, abundant restaurants,shopping,museums,Soldier Field, convention facilities,parkland, andbeaches. Lincoln Park contains theLincoln Park Zooand theLincoln Park Conservatory. TheRiver North Gallery Districtfeatures the nation's largest concentration of contemporary art galleries outside of New York City.Lake Viewis home toBoystown, the city's largeLGBTnightlife and culture center. TheChicago Pride Parade, held the last Sunday in June, is one of the world's largest with over a million people in attendance.NorthHalsted Streetis the main thoroughfare of Boystown. The South Side neighborhood ofHyde Parkis the home of","Parkis the home of former U.S. PresidentBarack Obama. It also contains the University of Chicago, ranked one of the world's top ten universities,and theMuseum of Science and Industry. The 6-mile (9.7 km) longBurnham Parkstretches along the waterfront of the South Side. Two of the city's largest parks are also located on this side of the city: Jackson Park, bordering the waterfront, hosted the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, and is the site of the aforementioned museum; and slightly west sitsWashington Park. The two parks themselves are connected by a wide strip of parkland called theMidway Plaisance, running adjacent to the University of Chicago. The South Side hosts one of the city's largest parades, the annual African AmericanBud Billiken Parade and Picnic, which travels throughBronzevilleto Washington Park.Ford Motor Companyhas anautomobile assembly planton the South Side inHegewisch, and most of the facilities of the Port of Chicago are also on the South Side. The West Side holds theGarfield Park","theGarfield Park Conservatory, one of the largest collections of tropical plants in any U.S. city. Prominent Latino cultural attractions found here includeHumboldt Park'sInstitute of Puerto Rican Arts and Cultureand the annual Puerto Rican People's Parade, as well as theNational Museum of Mexican ArtandSt. Adalbert's ChurchinPilsen. The Near West Side holds theUniversity of Illinois at Chicagoand was once home toOprah Winfrey'sHarpo Studios, the site of which has been rebuilt as the global headquarters of McDonald's. The city's distinctive accent, made famous by its use in classic films likeThe Blues Brothersand television programs like theSaturday Night Liveskit \"Bill Swerski's Superfans\", is an advanced form ofInland Northern American English. This dialect can also be found in other cities bordering the Great Lakes such asCleveland,Milwaukee,Detroit, andRochester, New York, and most prominently features a rearrangement of certain vowel sounds, such as theshort 'a'sound as in \"cat\", which can sound more","can sound more like \"kyet\" to outsiders. The accent remains well associated with the city. Entertainment and the arts Renowned Chicago theater companies include theGoodman Theatrein the Loop; theSteppenwolf Theatre CompanyandVictory Gardens Theaterin Lincoln Park; and theChicago Shakespeare Theaterat Navy Pier.Broadway In Chicagooffers Broadway-style entertainment at five theaters: theNederlander Theatre,CIBC Theatre,Cadillac Palace Theatre,Auditorium BuildingofRoosevelt University, andBroadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.Polish languageproductions forChicago's large Polish speaking populationcan be seen at the historicGateway TheatreinJefferson Park. Since 1968, theJoseph Jefferson Awardsare given annually to acknowledge excellence in theater in the Chicago area. Chicago's theater community spawned modernimprovisational theater, and includes the prominent groupsThe Second CityandI.O.(formerly ImprovOlympic). TheChicago Symphony Orchestra(CSO) performs atSymphony Center, and is recognized as one of the","as one of the best orchestras in the world.Also performing regularly atSymphony Centeris theChicago Sinfonietta, a more diverse and multicultural counterpart to the CSO. In the summer, many outdoor concerts are given in Grant Park andMillennium Park.Ravinia Festival, located 25 miles (40 km) north of Chicago, is the summer home of the CSO, and is a favorite destination for many Chicagoans. TheCivic Opera Houseis home to theLyric Opera of Chicago.TheLithuanian Opera Company of Chicagowas founded byLithuanian Chicagoansin 1956,and presents operas inLithuanian. TheJoffrey BalletandChicago Festival Balletperform in various venues, including theHarris TheaterinMillennium Park. Chicago has several other contemporary and jazz dance troupes, such as theHubbard Street Dance ChicagoandChicago Dance Crash. Other live-music genre which are part of the city's cultural heritage includeChicago blues,Chicago soul,jazz, andgospel. The city is the birthplace ofhouse music(a popular form of electronic dance music)","dance music) andindustrial music, and is the site of an influentialhip hop scene. In the 1980s and 90s, the city was the global center for house and industrial music, two forms of music created in Chicago, as well as being popular foralternative rock,punk, andnew wave. The city has been a center forraveculture, since the 1980s. A flourishing independent rock music culture brought forth Chicagoindie.Annual festivalsfeature various acts, such asLollapaloozaand thePitchfork Music Festival.Lollapalooza originated in Chicago in 1991 and at first travelled to many cities, but as of 2005 its home has been Chicago.A 2007 report on the Chicago music industry by theUniversity of Chicago Cultural Policy Centerranked Chicago third among metropolitan U.S. areas in \"size of music industry\" and fourth among all U.S. cities in \"number of concerts and performances\". Chicago has a distinctivefine arttradition. For much of the twentieth century, it nurtured a strong style of figurativesurrealism, as in the works ofIvan","in the works ofIvan AlbrightandEd Paschke. In 1968 and 1969, members of theChicago Imagists, such asRoger Brown,Leon Golub,Robert Lostutter,Jim Nutt, andBarbara Rossiproduced bizarre representational paintings.Henry Dargeris one of the most celebrated figures ofoutsider art. Tourism In 2014, Chicago attracted 50.17 million domestic leisure travelers, 11.09 million domestic business travelers and 1.308 million overseas visitors.These visitors contributed more thanUS$13.7billion to Chicago's economy.Upscale shopping along the Magnificent Mile and State Street, thousands of restaurants, as well as Chicago's eminent architecture, continue to draw tourists. The city is the United States' third-largestconventiondestination. A 2017 study byWalk Scoreranked Chicago the sixth-most walkable of fifty largest cities in the United States.Most conventions are held at McCormick Place, just south ofSoldier Field. Navy Pier, located just east ofStreeterville, is 3,000 ft (910 m) long and houses retail stores, restaurants,","restaurants, museums, exhibition halls and auditoriums. Chicago was the first city in the world to ever erect a Ferris wheel. The Willis Tower (formerly named Sears Tower) is a popular destination for tourists. Museums Among the city's museums are theAdler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, theField Museum of Natural History, and theShedd Aquarium. TheMuseum Campusjoins the southern section of Grant Park, which includes the renowned Art Institute of Chicago. Buckingham Fountain anchors the downtown park along the lakefront. The University of Chicago'sInstitute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africahas an extensive collection ofancient EgyptianandNear Easternarchaeological artifacts. Other museums and galleries in Chicago include theChicago History Museum, theDriehaus Museum, theDuSable Museum of African American History, theMuseum of Contemporary Art, thePeggy Notebaert Nature Museum, thePolish Museum of America, theMuseum of Broadcast Communications, theChicago Architecture Foundation, and","Foundation, and theMuseum of Science and Industry. Cuisine Chicago lays claim to a large number of regional specialties that reflect the city's ethnic and working-class roots. Included among these are its nationally renowneddeep-dish pizza; this style is said to have originated atPizzeria Uno.The Chicago-style thin crust is also popular in the city.Certain Chicago pizza favorites includeLou Malnati'sandGiordano's. TheChicago-style hot dog, typically an all-beef hot dog, is loaded with an array of toppings that often includes pickle relish,yellow mustard, pickledsport peppers,tomatowedges,dill picklespear and topped off withcelery salton apoppy seedbun.Enthusiasts of the Chicago-style hot dog frown upon the use ofketchupas a garnish, but may prefer to addgiardiniera. A distinctly Chicago sandwich, theItalian beefsandwich is thinly sliced beef simmered inau jusand served on an Italian roll with sweet peppers or spicy giardiniera. A popular modification is the Combo—an Italian beef sandwich with the addition of","the addition of an Italian sausage. TheMaxwell Street Polishis a grilled or deep-friedkielbasa—on a hot dog roll, topped with grilled onions, yellow mustard, and hot sport peppers. Chicken Vesuviois roasted bone-in chicken cooked in oil and garlic next to garlicky oven-roasted potato wedges and a sprinkling of green peas. ThePuerto Rican-influencedjibaritois a sandwich made with flattened, fried green plantains instead of bread. Themother-in-lawis atamaletopped with chili and served on a hot dog bun.The tradition of serving theGreekdishsaganakiwhile aflame has its origins in Chicago's Greek community.The appetizer, which consists of a square of fried cheese, is doused withMetaxaandflambéedtable-side.Chicago-style barbecuefeatures hardwood smokedrib tipsandhot linkswhich were traditionally cooked in an aquarium smoker, a Chicago invention.Annual festivalsfeature various Chicago signature dishes, such asTaste of Chicagoand the Chicago Food Truck Festival. One of the world's most decorated restaurants and a","restaurants and a recipient of threeMichelinstars,Alineais located in Chicago. Well-known chefs who have had restaurants in Chicago include:Charlie Trotter,Rick Tramonto,Grant Achatz, andRick Bayless. In 2003,Robb Reportnamed Chicago the country's \"most exceptional dining destination\". Literature Chicago literature finds its roots in the city's tradition of lucid, direct journalism, lending to a strong tradition ofsocial realism. In theEncyclopedia of Chicago,Northwestern UniversityProfessor Bill Savage describes Chicago fiction as prose which tries to \"capture the essence of the city, its spaces and its people.\" The challenge for early writers was that Chicago was a frontier outpost that transformed into a global metropolis in the span of two generations. Narrative fiction of that time, much of it in the style of \"high-flown romance\" and \"genteel realism\", needed a new approach to describe the urban social, political, and economic conditions of Chicago.Nonetheless, Chicagoans worked hard to create a","hard to create a literary tradition that would stand the test of time,and create a \"city of feeling\" out of concrete, steel, vast lake, and open prairie.Much notable Chicago fiction focuses on the city itself, with social criticism keeping exultation in check. At least three short periods in thehistory of Chicagohave had a lasting influence onAmerican literature.These include from the time of the Great Chicago Fire to about 1900, what became known as the Chicago Literary Renaissance in the 1910s and early 1920s, and the period of theGreat Depressionthrough the 1940s. What would become the influentialPoetrymagazine was founded in 1912 byHarriet Monroe, who was working as anartcriticfor theChicago Tribune. The magazine discovered such poets asGwendolyn Brooks,James Merrill, andJohn Ashbery.T. S. Eliot's first professionally published poem, \"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock\", was first published byPoetry. Contributors have includedEzra Pound,William Butler Yeats,William Carlos Williams,Langston Hughes,","Hughes, andCarl Sandburg, among others. The magazine was instrumental in launching theImagistandObjectivistpoetic movements. From the 1950s through 1970s, American poetry continued to evolve in Chicago.In the 1980s, a modern form of poetry performance began in Chicago, thepoetry slam. Sports The city has twoMajor League Baseball(MLB) teams: theChicago Cubsof the National League play in Wrigley Field on the North Side; and theChicago White Soxof the American League play in Guaranteed Rate Field on the South Side. The two teams have faced each other in a World Series only once, in 1906. The Cubs are the oldest Major League Baseball team to have never changed their city;they have played in Chicago since 1871.They had the dubious honor of having the longest championship drought in American professional sports, failing to win a World Series between 1908 and 2016. The White Sox have played on the South Side continuously since 1901. They have won three World Series titles (1906, 1917, 2005) and six American League","six American League pennants, including the first in 1901. TheChicago Bears, one of the last two remaining charter members of theNational Football League(NFL), have won nineNFL Championships, including the 1985Super Bowl XX. The Bears play their home games at Soldier Field. TheChicago Bullsof theNational Basketball Association(NBA) is one of the most recognized basketball teams in the world.During the 1990s, withMichael Jordanleading them, the Bulls won six NBA championships in eight seasons. TheChicago Blackhawksof theNational Hockey League(NHL) began play in 1926, and are one of the \"Original Six\" teams of the NHL. The Blackhawks have won sixStanley Cups, including in 2010, 2013, and2015. Both the Bulls and the Blackhawks play at theUnited Center. Chicago Fire FCis a member ofMajor League Soccer(MLS) and plays at Soldier Field. The Fire have won one league title and fourU.S. Open Cups, since their founding in 1997. In 1994, the United States hosted a successfulFIFA World Cupwith games played at Soldier","played at Soldier Field. TheChicago Red Starsare a team in theNational Women's Soccer League(NWSL). They previously played inWomen's Professional Soccer(WPS), of which they were a founding member, before joining the NWSL in 2013. They play atSeatGeek StadiuminBridgeview, Illinois. TheChicago Skyis a professional basketball team playing in theWomen's National Basketball Association(WNBA). They play home games at theWintrust Arena. The team was founded before the 2006 WNBA season began. TheChicago Marathonhas been held each year since 1977 except for 1987, when a half marathon was run in its place. The Chicago Marathon is one of sixWorld Marathon Majors. Five area colleges play inDivision Iconferences: two from major conferences—theDePaul Blue Demons(Big East Conference) and theNorthwestern Wildcats(Big Ten Conference)—and three from other D1 conferences—theChicago State Cougars(Northeast Conference); theLoyola Ramblers(Atlantic 10 Conference); and theUIC Flames(Missouri Valley Conference). Chicago has also","Chicago has also entered intoesportswith the creation of theOpTic Chicago, a professionalCall of Dutyteam that participates within theCDL. Parks and greenspace When Chicago was incorporated in 1837, it chose the mottoUrbs in Horto, aLatinphrase which means \"City in a Garden\". Today, theChicago Park Districtconsists of more than 570 parks with over 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) ofmunicipal parkland. There are 31 sandbeaches, a plethora of museums, two world-class conservatories, and 50 nature areas.Lincoln Park, the largest of the city's parks, covers 1,200 acres (490 ha) and has over 20 million visitors each year, making it third in the number of visitors afterCentral ParkinNew York City, and theNational Mall and Memorial ParksinWashington, D.C. There is a historicboulevard system,a network of wide, tree-linedboulevardswhich connect a number of Chicagoparks.The boulevards and the parks were authorized by the Illinois legislature in 1869.A number ofChicago neighborhoodsemerged along these roadways in the 19th","in the 19th century.The building of the boulevard system continued intermittently until 1942. It includes nineteen boulevards, eight parks, and sixsquares, along twenty-six miles of interconnected streets.TheChicago Park Boulevard System Historic Districtwas listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 2018. With berths for more than 6,000 boats, the Chicago Park District operates the nation's largest municipal harbor system.In addition to ongoing beautification and renewal projects for the existing parks, a number of new parks have been added in recent years, such as thePing Tom Memorial Parkin Chinatown,DuSable Parkon the Near North Side, and most notably, Millennium Park, which is in the northwestern corner of one of Chicago's oldest parks, Grant Park in the Chicago Loop. The wealth of greenspace afforded by Chicago's parks is further augmented by theCook County Forest Preserves, a network of open spaces containing forest,prairie,wetland, streams, and lakes that are set aside as natural areas which","natural areas which lie along the city's outskirts,including both theChicago Botanic GardeninGlencoeand theBrookfield ZooinBrookfield.Washington Park is also one of the city's biggest parks; covering nearly 400 acres (160 ha). The park is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places listings in South Side Chicago. Law and government Government The government of the City of Chicago is divided into executive andlegislativebranches. Themayor of Chicagois the chief executive, elected by general election for a term of four years, with no term limits. The current mayor isBrandon Johnson. The mayor appoints commissioners and other officials who oversee the various departments. As well as the mayor, Chicago's clerk and treasurer are also elected citywide. TheCity Councilis the legislative branch and is made up of 50 alderpersons, one elected from eachwardin the city.The council takes official action through the passage ofordinancesand resolutions and approves the city budget. TheChicago Police","TheChicago Police Departmentprovides law enforcement and theChicago Fire Departmentprovides fire suppression and emergency medical services for the city and its residents. Civil and criminal law cases are heard in theCook County Circuit Courtof the State of Illinois court system, or in theNorthern District of Illinois, in the federal system. In the state court, the public prosecutor is the Illinoisstate's attorney; in the Federal court it is the United Statesattorney. Politics During much of the last half of the 19th century, Chicago's politics were dominated by a growingDemocratic Partyorganization. During the 1880s and 1890s, Chicago had a powerful radical tradition with large and highly organizedsocialist,anarchistandlabor organizations.For much of the 20th century, Chicago has been among the largest and most reliable Democratic strongholds in the United States; with Chicago's Democratic vote the state of Illinois has been \"solid blue\" inpresidential electionssince 1992. Even before then, it was not","then, it was not unheard of for Republican presidential candidates to win handily in downstate Illinois, only to lose statewide due to large Democratic margins in Chicago. The citizens of Chicago have not elected aRepublicanmayor since 1927, whenWilliam Thompsonwas voted into office. The strength of the party in the city is partly a consequence of Illinois state politics, where the Republicans have come to represent rural and farm concerns while the Democrats support urban issues such as Chicago's public school funding. Chicago contains less than 25% of the state's population, but it is split between eight of Illinois' 17districtsin theUnited States House of Representatives. All eight of the city's representatives are Democrats; only two Republicans have represented a significant portion of the city since 1973, for one term each:Robert P. Hanrahanfrom 1973 to 1975, andMichael Patrick Flanaganfrom 1995 to 1997. Machine politicspersisted in Chicago after the decline of similar machines in other large U.S.","in other large U.S. cities.During much of that time, the city administration found opposition mainly from a liberal \"independent\" faction of the Democratic Party. The independents finally gained control of city government in 1983 with the election ofHarold Washington(in office 1983–1987). From 1989 until May 16, 2011, Chicago was under the leadership of its longest-serving mayor,Richard M. Daley, the son of Richard J. Daley. Because of the dominance of the Democratic Party in Chicago, the Democraticprimaryvote held in the spring is generally more significant than the general elections in November for U.S. House and Illinois State seats. The aldermanic, mayoral, and other city offices are filled through nonpartisan elections with runoffs as needed. The city is home of former United States PresidentBarack Obamaand First LadyMichelle Obama; Barack Obama was formerly a state legislator representing Chicago and later a U.S. senator. The Obamas' residence is located near the University of Chicago inKenwoodon the","inKenwoodon the city's south side. Crime Chicago's crime rate in 2020 was 3,926 per 100,000 people.Chicago experienced major rises inviolent crimein the 1920s, in the late 1960s, and in the 2020s.Chicago's biggestcriminal justicechallenges have changed little over the last 50 years, and statistically reside with homicide,armed robbery, gang violence, andaggravated battery. Chicago has a higher murder rate than the larger cities of New York and Los Angeles. However, while it has a large absolute number of crimes due to its size, Chicago is not among the top-25 most violent cities in the United States. Murder rates in Chicago vary greatly depending on the neighborhood in question.The neighborhoods ofEnglewoodon the South Side, andAustinon the West side, for example, have homicide rates that are ten times higher than other parts of the city.Chicago has an estimated population of over 100,000 active gang members from nearly 60 factions.According to reports in 2013, \"most of Chicago's violent crime comes from","crime comes from gangs trying to maintain control of drug-selling territories,\"and is specifically related to the activities of theSinaloa Cartel, which is active in several American cities.Violent crime rates vary significantly by area of the city, with more economically developed areas having low rates, but other sections have much higher rates of crime.In 2013, the violent crime rate was 910 per 100,000 people;the murder rate was 10.4 per 100,000 – while high crime districts saw 38.9 murders, low crime districts saw 2.5 murders per 100,000. Chicago has a long history of publiccorruptionthat regularly draws the attention of federal law enforcement and federal prosecutors.From 2012 to 2019, 33 Chicago alderpersons were convicted on corruption charges, roughly one third of those elected in the time period. A report from the Office of the Legislative Inspector General noted that over half of Chicago's elected alderpersons took illegal campaign contributions in 2013.Most corruption cases in Chicago are","in Chicago are prosecuted by theU.S. Attorney's office, as legaljurisdictionmakes most offenses punishable as a federal crime. Education Schools and libraries Chicago Public Schools(CPS) is the governing body of theschool districtthat contains over 600 public elementary and high schools citywide, including several selective-admission magnet schools. There are eleven selective enrollment high schools in the Chicago Public Schools, designed to meet the needs of Chicago's most academically advanced students. These schools offer a rigorous curriculum with mainly honors andAdvanced Placement(AP) courses.Walter Payton College Prep High Schoolis ranked number one in the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois. Chicago high school rankings are determined by the average test scores on state achievement tests.The district, with an enrollment exceeding 400,545 students (2013–2014 20th Day Enrollment), is the third-largest in the U.S.On September 10, 2012, teachers for the Chicago Teachers Union went on strike for the","on strike for the first time since 1987 over pay, resources, and other issues.According to data compiled in 2014, Chicago's \"choice system\", where students who test or apply and may attend one of a number of public high schools (there are about 130), sorts students of different achievement levels into different schools (high performing, middle performing, and low performing schools). Chicago has a network ofLutheran schools,and several private schools are run by other denominations and faiths, such as theIda Crown Jewish AcademyinWest Ridge. TheRoman Catholic Archdiocese of ChicagooperatesCatholic schools, that includeJesuit preparatory schoolsand others. A number of private schools are completely secular. There are also the privateChicago Academy for the Arts, a high school focused on six different categories of the arts and the publicChicago High School for the Arts, a high school focused on five categories (visual arts, theatre, musical theatre, dance, and music) of the arts. TheChicago Public","TheChicago Public Librarysystem operates three regional libraries and 77 neighborhood branches, including the central library. Colleges and universities Since the 1850s, Chicago has been a world center of higher education and research with several universities. These institutions consistently rank among the top \"National Universities\" in the United States, as determined byU.S. News & World Report.Highly regarded universities in Chicago and the surrounding area are the University of Chicago; Northwestern University;Illinois Institute of Technology;Loyola University Chicago;DePaul University;Columbia College Chicagoand theUniversity of Illinois Chicago. Other notable schools include:Chicago State University; theSchool of the Art Institute of Chicago;East–West University;National Louis University;North Park University;Northeastern Illinois University;Robert Morris University Illinois;Roosevelt University;Saint Xavier University;Rush University; andShimer College. William Rainey Harper, the first president of","first president of the University of Chicago, was instrumental in the creation of thejunior collegeconcept, establishing nearbyJoliet Junior Collegeas the first in the nation in 1901.His legacy continues with the multiplecommunity collegesin the Chicago proper, including the sevenCity Colleges of Chicago:Richard J. Daley College,Kennedy–King College,Malcolm X College,Olive–Harvey College,Truman College,Harold Washington College, andWilbur Wright College, in addition to the privately heldMacCormac College. Chicago also has a high concentration of post-baccalaureate institutions, graduate schools, seminaries, and theological schools, such as theAdler School of Professional Psychology,The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, theErikson Institute,The Institute for Clinical Social Work, theLutheran School of Theology at Chicago, theCatholic Theological Union, theMoody Bible Institute, and theUniversity of Chicago Divinity School. Media Television The Chicago metropolitan area is a major media hub and the","media hub and the third-largest media market in the United States, after New York City and Los Angeles.Each of the big fiveU.S. television networks,NBC,ABC,CBS,FoxandThe CW, directly owns and operates ahigh-definition televisionstation in Chicago (WMAQ5,WLS7,WBBM2,WFLD32 andWGN-TV9, respectively). WGN is owned by the CW through a majority stake held in the network by theNexstar Media Group, which acquired it from its founding ownerTribune Broadcastingin 2019. WGN was once carried, with some programming differences, as \"WGN America\" oncable and satellite TVnationwide and in parts of theCaribbean. WGN America eventually becameNewsNationin 2021. Chicago has also been the home of several prominent talk shows, includingThe Oprah Winfrey Show,Steve Harvey Show,The Rosie Show,The Jerry Springer Show,The Phil Donahue Show,The Jenny Jones Show, and more. The city also has onePBSmember station (its second:WYCC20, removed its affiliation with PBS in 2017):WTTW11, producer of shows such asSneak Previews,The Frugal","Previews,The Frugal Gourmet,Lamb Chop's Play-AlongandThe McLaughlin Group. As of 2018,Windy City Liveis Chicago's only daytime talk show, which is hosted by Val Warner andRyan Chiaveriniat ABC7 Studios with a live weekday audience. Since 1999,Judge Mathisalso films his syndicated arbitration-based realitycourt showat theNBC Tower. Beginning in January 2019,Newsybegan producing 12 of its 14 hours of live news programming per day from its new facility in Chicago. Television stations Most of Chicago's television stations are owned and operated by the big television network companies. They are: Newspapers Two major daily newspapers are published in Chicago: theChicago Tribuneand theChicago Sun-Times, with the Tribune having the larger circulation. There are also several regional and special-interest newspapers and magazines, such asChicago, theDziennik Związkowy(Polish Daily News),Draugas(the Lithuanian daily newspaper), theChicago Reader, theSouthtownStar, theChicago Defender, theDaily","Defender, theDaily Herald,Newcity,StreetWiseand theWindy City Times. The entertainment and cultural magazineTime Out ChicagoandGRABmagazine are also published in the city, as well as local music magazineChicago Innerview. In addition, Chicago is the home of satirical national news outlet,The Onion, as well as its sister pop-culture publication,The A.V. Club. Movies and filming Radio Chicago has five50,000 watt AM radio stations: theAudacy-ownedWBBMandWSCR; theTribune Broadcasting-ownedWGN; theCumulus Media-ownedWLS; and theESPN Radio-ownedWMVP. Chicago is also home to a number of national radio shows, includingBeyond the BeltwaywithBruce DuMonton Sunday evenings. Chicago Public Radioproduces nationally aired programs such asPRI'sThis American LifeandNPR'sWait Wait...Don't Tell Me!. Infrastructure Transportation Chicago is a major transportation hub in the United States. It is an important component in global distribution, as it is the third-largest inter-modal port in the world afterHong KongandSingapore.","KongandSingapore. The city of Chicago has a higher than average percentage of households without a car. In 2015, 26.5 percent of Chicago households were without a car, and increased slightly to 27.5 percent in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Chicago averaged 1.12 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8. Parking Due to Chicago'sWheel Tax,residents of Chicago who own a vehicle are required to purchase a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker.In established Residential Parking Zones, only local residents can purchase Zone-specific parking stickers for themselves and guests. Chicago since 2009 has relinquished rights to itspublicstreet parking.In 2008, as Chicago struggled to close a growing budget deficit, the city agreed to a 75-year, $1.16 billion deal to lease itsparking metersystem to an operating company created byMorgan Stanley, calledChicago Parking Meters LLC. Daley said the \"agreement is very good news for the taxpayers of Chicago because it will provide more than $1","more than $1 billion in net proceeds that can be used during this very difficult economy.\" The rights of the parking ticket lease end in 2081, and since 2022 have already recouped over $1.5 billion in revenue forChicago Parking Meters LLCinvestors. Expressways Seven mainline and four auxiliaryinterstate highways(55,57,65(only in Indiana),80(also inIndiana),88,90(also inIndiana),94(also inIndiana),190,290,294, and355) run through Chicago and its suburbs. Segments that link to the city center are named after influential politicians, with three of them named after former U.S. Presidents (Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Reagan) and one named after two-time Democratic candidateAdlai Stevenson. TheKennedyandDan RyanExpressways are the busiest state maintained routes in the entire state of Illinois. Transit systems TheRegional Transportation Authority(RTA) coordinates the operation of the three service boards: CTA, Metra, and Pace. Greyhound Linesprovides inter-city bus service to and from the city at theChicago Bus","at theChicago Bus Station, and Chicago is also the hub for the Midwest network ofMegabus (North America). Passenger rail Amtraklong distance andcommuter railservices originate fromUnion Station.Chicago is one of the largest hubs of passenger rail service in the nation.The services terminate in the San Francisco area, Washington, D.C., New York City, New Orleans,Portland,Seattle,Milwaukee,Quincy,St. Louis,Carbondale, Boston,Grand Rapids,Port Huron,Pontiac, Los Angeles, andSan Antonio. Future service will terminate atMoline. An attempt was made in the early 20th century to link Chicago with New York City via theChicago – New York Electric Air Line Railroad. Parts of this were built, but it was never completed. Bicycle and scooter sharing systems In July 2013, thebicycle-sharing systemDivvywas launched with 750 bikes and 75 docking stationsIt is operated byLyftfor theChicago Department of Transportation.As of July 2019, Divvy operated 5800 bicycles at 608 stations, covering almost all of the city,","all of the city, excludingPullman, Rosedale,Beverly,Belmont CraginandEdison Park. In May 2019, The City of Chicago announced its Chicago's Electric Shared Scooter Pilot Program, scheduled to run from June 15 to October 15.The program started on June 15 with 10 different scooter companies, including scooter sharing market leadersBird,Jump,LimeandLyft.Each company was allowed to bring 250electric scooters, although both Bird and Lime claimed that they experienced a higher demand for their scooters.The program ended on October 15, with nearly 800,000 rides taken. Freight rail Chicago is the largest hub in the railroad industry.All fiveClass I railroadsmeet in Chicago. As of 2002, severe freight train congestion caused trains to take as long to get through the Chicago region as it took to get there from the West Coast of the country (about 2 days).According to U.S. Department of Transportation, the volume of imported and exported goods transported via rail to, from, or through Chicago is forecast to increase","to increase nearly 150 percent between 2010 and 2040.CREATE, theChicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program, comprises about 70 programs, including crossovers, overpasses and underpasses, that intend to significantly improve the speed of freight movements in the Chicago area. Airports Chicago is served byO'Hare International Airport, the world's busiest airport measured by airline operations,on the far Northwest Side, andMidway International Airporton the Southwest Side. In 2005, O'Hare was the world's busiest airport by aircraft movements and the second-busiest by total passenger traffic.Both O'Hare and Midway are owned and operated by the City of Chicago.Gary/Chicago International AirportandChicago Rockford International Airport, located inGary, IndianaandRockford, Illinois, respectively, can serve as alternative Chicago area airports, however they do not offer as many commercial flights as O'Hare and Midway. In recent years the state of Illinois has been leaning towardsbuilding an","towardsbuilding an entirely new airportin the Illinois suburbs of Chicago.The City of Chicago is the world headquarters forUnited Airlines, the world's third-largest airline. Port authority The Port of Chicago consists of several major port facilities within the city of Chicago operated by the Illinois International Port District (formerly known as the Chicago Regional Port District). The central element of the Port District, Calumet Harbor, is maintained by theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Utilities Electricity for most ofnorthern Illinoisis provided byCommonwealth Edison, also known as ComEd. Their service territory bordersIroquois Countyto the south, theWisconsinborder to the north, theIowaborder to the west and theIndianaborder to the east. In northern Illinois, ComEd (a division ofExelon) operates the greatest number of nuclear generating plants in any U.S. state. Because of this, ComEd reports indicate that Chicago receives about 75% of its electricity from nuclear power. Recently, the city began","the city began installing wind turbines on government buildings to promote renewable energy. Natural gas is provided by Peoples Gas, a subsidiary ofIntegrys Energy Group, which is headquartered in Chicago. Domestic and industrial waste was once incinerated but it is nowlandfilled, mainly in theCalumet area. From 1995 to 2008, the city had ablue bagprogram to divert recyclable refuse from landfills.Because of low participation in the blue bag programs, the city began a pilot program for blue bin recycling like other cities. This proved successful and blue bins were rolled out across the city. Health systems TheIllinois Medical Districtis on the Near West Side. It includesRush University Medical Center, ranked as the second best hospital in the Chicago metropolitan area byU.S. News & World Reportfor 2014–16, theUniversity of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago, Jesse Brown VA Hospital, andJohn H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, one of the busiest trauma centers in the nation. Two of the country's premier","country's premier academic medical centers reside in Chicago, includingNorthwestern Memorial Hospitaland theUniversity of Chicago Medical Center. The Chicago campus of Northwestern University includes theFeinberg School of Medicine; Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which is ranked as the best hospital in the Chicago metropolitan area byU.S. News & World Reportfor 2017–18;theShirley Ryan AbilityLab(formerly named the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago), which is ranked the best U.S. rehabilitation hospital byU.S. News & World Report;the newPrentice Women's Hospital; and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. TheUniversity of Illinois College of Medicineat UIC is the second-largest medical school in the United States (2,600 students, including those at campuses in Peoria, Rockford andUrbana–Champaign). In addition, theChicago Medical Schooland Loyola University Chicago'sStritch School of Medicineare located in the suburbs ofNorth ChicagoandMaywood, respectively. TheMidwestern UniversityChicago","UniversityChicago College ofOsteopathic Medicineis inDowners Grove. TheAmerican Medical Association,Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education,Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education,American Osteopathic Association,American Dental Association,Academy of General Dentistry,Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,American Association of Nurse Anesthetists,American College of Surgeons,American Society for Clinical Pathology,American College of Healthcare Executives, theAmerican Hospital Association, andBlue Cross and Blue Shield Associationare all based in Chicago. Sister cities See also Explanatory notes References Citations Cited references Further reading External links Former:Evanston•Hyde Park•Jefferson•Lake•Lake View•North Chicago•Rogers Park•South Chicago•West Chicago"],"string":"[\n \"Lou Boudreau As manager Louis Boudreau(July 17, 1917 – August 10, 2001), nicknamed \\\"Old Shufflefoot\\\", \\\"Handsome Lou\\\", and \\\"the Good Kid\\\", was an Americanprofessional baseballplayer and manager.He played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for 15 seasons, primarily as ashortstopon theCleveland Indians, and managed four teams for 15 seasons including 10 seasons as aplayer-manager. He was also a radio announcer for theChicago Cubsand in college was a dual-sport athlete in baseball and basketball, earningAll-Americanhonors in basketball for theUniversity of Illinois. Boudreau was anAll-Starfor seven seasons.In 1948, Boudreau won theAmerican LeagueMost Valuable Player Awardand managed theCleveland Indiansto theWorld Seriestitle. He won the 1944 American League (AL)batting title(.327), and led the league in doubles in 1941, 1944, and 1947. He led AL shortstops in fielding eight times. Boudreau still holds the MLB record for hitting the most consecutive doubles in a game (four), set on July 14, 1946. In 1970, Boudreau was\",\n \"1970, Boudreau was elected to theNational Baseball Hall of Fameand his No. 5 was retired by the Indians that same year. Early life Boudreau was born inHarvey, Illinois, the son of Birdie (Henry) and Louis Boudreau.His father was of French-Canadian ancestry, his mother was Jewish, and both of his maternal grandparents were observantOrthodox Jewswith whom when he was young he celebratedPassoverseders.He was raised Catholic by his father after his parents divorced.He graduated fromThornton Township High SchoolinHarvey, Illinois, where he led the \\\"Flying Clouds\\\" to three straightIllinois high school championshipgames, winning in 1933 and finishing as runner up in 1934 and 1935. College baseball and basketball Boudreau attended theUniversity of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, where he was a member ofPhi Sigma Kappafraternity and captain of thebasketballandbaseballteams. During the1936–37 basketballand baseball seasons, Boudreau led each Fighting Illini team to aBig Ten Conferencechampionship.During the1937–38\",\n \"the1937–38 basketball season, Boudreau was named anNCAA Men's Basketball All-American. While Boudreau was still at Illinois,Cleveland Indiansgeneral managerCy Slapnickapaid him an undisclosed sum in return for agreeing to play baseball for the Indians after he graduated. Due to this agreement, Boudreau was ruled ineligible for collegiate sports by theBig Ten Conferenceofficials.During his senior year at Illinois, he played professional basketball with theHammond Ciesar All-Americansof theNational Basketball League. Despite playing professional baseball with Cleveland, Boudreau earned hisBachelor of Sciencein education from Illinois in 1940 and worked as the Illinois freshman basketball coach for the 1939 and 1940 teams. Boudreau stayed on as an assistant coach for the1941–42 Illinois Fighting Illini men's basketball teamand he was instrumental in recruiting futureNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame InducteeAndy Phillipto play for Illinois. Professional baseball career Cleveland Indians Boudreau made\",\n \"Boudreau made his major league debut on September 9, 1938, for theCleveland Indiansat 21 as a third baseman in his first game. In 1939, Indian managerOssie Vitttold him that he would have to move from his normal third base position toshortstopsince established sluggerKen Keltneralready had the regular third base job. In 1940, his first full year as a starter, he batted .295 with 46doublesand 101RBI, and was selected for theAll-Star Gamefor the first of five consecutive seasons (MLB cancelled the1945 gamedue to war-time travel restrictions and did not name All-Stars). Boudreau helped make history in 1941 as a key figure in stopping the56-game hitting streakbyJoe DiMaggio. After two sparkling stops by Keltner at third base on hard ground balls earlier in the game, Boudreau snagged a bad-hop grounder to short barehanded and started a double play retiring DiMaggio at first.He finished the season with a modest .257 batting average, but had a league-leading 45 doubles. After the 1941 season, ownerAlva\",\n \"season, ownerAlva Bradleypromoted Indians managerRoger Peckinpaughto general manager and appointed the 25-year-old Boudreau player-manager. Boudreau played and managed the Indians throughout World War II (playing basketball had put a strain on Boudreau's ankles that turned intoarthritis, which classified him as4-Fand thus ineligible for military service).In 1944, Boudreau turned 134double plays, the most ever by a player-manager in MLB history. When he bought the Indians in 1947,Bill Veeck, after being approached by Boudreau, renewed the player-manager agreement with mixed feelings on both sides, as Boudreau stated that he would rather be traded than only play shortstop. Details of possibly trading him forVern Stephensof the St. Louis Browns in 1947 only attracted fans to the side of Boudreau. However, Boudreau hit .355 in 1948; Cleveland won the AL pennant and theWorld Series, the Indians first World Series championship in 28 years and only the second in Indians history, with Veeck and Boudreau publicly\",\n \"Boudreau publicly acknowledging each other's role in the team's success. Later career Boudreau was released by the Indians as both player and manager following the 1950 season. He signed with theBoston Red Sox, playing full-time in 1951, moving up to player-manager in 1952 and managing from the bench in 1953–54. He then became the first manager of theKansas City Athleticsin 1955 after their move from Philadelphia until he was fired after 104 games in 1957 and replaced byHarry Craft. He last managed the Chicago Cubs, in 1960. Managerial record Boudreau shift Boudreau is credited with inventing theinfield shift, which came to be known colloquially as the \\\"Boudreau shift.\\\" Because sluggingRed SoxsuperstarTed Williamswas a dead-pull hitter, he moved most of his Cleveland Indian fielders to the right of second base against the Splendid Splinter, leaving only the third baseman and left fielder to the left of second but also very close to second base, far to the right of their normal positions. With characteristic\",\n \"With characteristic stubborn pride, Williams refused the obvious advice from teammates to hit orbuntto left against the Boudreau shift, but great hitter that he was, not changing his approach against the shift didn't affect his hitting very much. Boudreau later admitted that the shift was more about \\\"psyching out\\\" Williams rather than playing him to pull. \\\"I always considered the Boudreau shift a psychological, rather than a tactical\\\" ploy, he declared in his autobiographyPlayer-Manager. Broadcasting Boudreau did play-by-play for Cub games in 1958–59 before switching roles with manager \\\"Jolly Cholly\\\"Charlie Grimmin 1960. But after only one season as Cubs manager, Boudreau returned to the radio booth and remained there until 1987. He also did radio play-by-play for theChicago Bullsin 1966–1968 and worked onChicago Blackhawksgames forWGN radioandtelevisionas well. The presence of a Hall of Fame announcer affected at least one game. On June 23, 1976, the Cubs were two runs behind at home in the fourth inning of\",\n \"fourth inning of the second game of a doubleheader against the Pittsburgh Pirates at home when the umpires called the game on account of darkness (since there were no lights atWrigley Fielduntil 1988), announcing that the game would be resumed at the same point the next day as was normally the case in those days. But Boudreau knew the rules better than anyone else in the park, it turned out, for he went down quickly to the clubhouse and pointed out to the umpires that a game that was not yet an official game could not be treated as a suspended game (i.e., it had not gone five innings, or four and a half with the home team leading, as neither was the case), and as such had to be replayed from the first pitch (as was then the rule in a rain-out). The umpires called the National League office, found Boudreau was correct, and removed the two-run Cubs deficit. Later life and honors Boudreau was elected to theBaseball Hall of Famein 1970 with 77.33% of the vote. That same year, his uniform number 5 was retired by\",\n \"5 was retired by theCleveland Indians(he wore number 4 with the Red Sox). In 1973, the city ofClevelandrenamed a street borderingCleveland Municipal Stadiumafter Boudreau.Boudreau Drive in Urbana, Illinois, is also named after Boudreau. In 1990, the Cleveland Indians established The Lou Boudreau Award, which is given every year to the organization's Minor League Player of the Year.In 1992, Boudreau's number 5 jersey was retired by theIllinois Fighting Illini baseballprogram. Boudreau is only one of threeIllinois Fighting Illiniathletes to have their number retired; the other two athletes beingIllinois Fighting Illini footballplayersRed GrangeandDick Butkus. Personal life Boudreau married Della DeRuiter in 1938, and together they had four children. His daughter Sharyn marriedDenny McLain, a former star pitcher with theDetroit Tigerswho was the last 30-game winner in the major leagues (31–6 for the world champion 1968Detroit Tigers). Boudreau had a home inFrankfort, Illinois, for many years. He died on August\",\n \"He died on August 10, 2001, due tocardiac arrestat St. James Medical Center inOlympia Fields, Illinois. He was 84. He received a Catholic funeral and his body was interred in the Pleasant Hill Cemetery. See also Notes References Further reading External links\",\n \"List of World Series champions TheWorld Seriesis the annual championship series ofMajor League Baseball(MLB) and concludes theMLB postseason. First played in 1903,the World Series championship is abest-of-seven playoffand is a contest between the champions of baseball'sNational League(NL) andAmerican League(AL).Often referred to as the \\\"Fall Classic\\\",the modern World Series has been played every year since 1903 with two exceptions: in1904, when the NL championNew York Giantsdeclined to play the AL championBoston Americans; and in1994, when the series was canceled due to theplayers' strike.The best-of-seven style has been the format of all World Series except in1903,1919,1920,1921, when the winner was determined through abest-of-nine playoff.Although the large majority of contests have been played entirely during the month of October, a small number of Series have also had games played during September and November. The Series-winning team is awarded theCommissioner's Trophy.Players, coaches and others\",\n \"coaches and others associated with the team are generally givenWorld Series ringsto commemorate their victory; however, they have received other items such aspocket watchesand medallions in the past.The winning team is traditionally invited to theWhite Houseto meet thePresident of the United States. A total of 119 World Series have been contested through 2023, with the AL champion winning 68 and the NL champion winning 51. TheNew York Yankeesof the AL have played in 40 World Series, winning 27 – the most championship appearances and most victories by any team amongst themajor North American professional sports leagues. TheDodgersof the NL have the most losses with 14, while the Yankees have the most losses among AL teams with 13. TheSt. Louis Cardinalshave won 11 championships, the most championships among NL clubs and second-most all-time behind the Yankees, and have made 19 total appearances, third-most among NL clubs.The Dodgers have represented the NL the most in the World Series with 21 appearances.\",\n \"21 appearances. TheSeattle Marinersare the only MLB franchise that has never appeared in a World Series; theMilwaukee Brewers,San Diego Padres,Tampa Bay Rays, andColorado Rockieshave all played in the Series but have never won it, with the Padres and the Rays appearing twice. TheLos Angeles AngelsandWashington Nationalsare the only teams who have won their only World Series appearance, and theToronto Blue JaysandMiami Marlinsare the only teams with multiple World Series appearances with no losses. The Toronto Blue Jays are the only franchise from outside the United States to appear in and win a World Series, winning in 1992 and 1993. TheHouston Astrosare the only franchise to have represented both the NL (2005) and the AL (2017, 2019, 2021, 2022), winning the Series in 2017 and 2022. The 1919 and 2017 World Series were both marred with cheating scandals: theBlack Sox Scandaland theHouston Astros sign stealing scandal. The most recent World Series champions are theTexas Rangers. World Series results Numbers\",\n \"results Numbers in parentheses in the table are World Series appearances as of the date of that World Series, and are used as follows: Source for this Table World Series records by franchise In the sortable table below, teams are ordered first by number of wins, then by number of appearances, and finally by year of first appearance. In the \\\"Season(s)\\\" column,bold yearsindicate winning appearances. Frequent matchups The following are the 20 matchups of teams that have occurred two or more times in the World Series. All teams that have participated in these were \\\"Classic Eight\\\" members of either the American or National League; no expansion team (created in 1961 or later) has faced the same opponent more than once in a World Series. See also References External links\",\n \"Chicago Chicagois themost populous cityin theU.S. stateofIllinoisand in theMidwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the2020 census,it is thethird-most populous city in the United StatesafterNew York CityandLos Angeles. As theseatofCook County, thesecond-most populous countyin the U.S., Chicago is the center of theChicago metropolitan area, often colloquially called \\\"Chicagoland\\\" and home to 9.6 million residents. Located on the shore ofLake Michigan, Chicago was incorporated as a city in 1837 near aportagebetween theGreat Lakesand theMississippi River watershed. It grew rapidly in the mid-19th century.In 1871, theGreat Chicago Firedestroyed several square miles and left more than 100,000 homeless,but Chicago's population continued to grow.Chicago made noted contributions tourban planningandarchitecture, such as theChicago School, the development of theCity Beautiful movement, and the steel-framedskyscraper. Chicago is an international hub for finance,culture, commerce, industry,\",\n \"commerce, industry, education, technology, telecommunications, andtransportation. It has the largest and most diverse financederivativesmarket in the world, generating 20% of all volume incommoditiesand financial futures alone.O'Hare International Airportis routinely ranked among theworld's top six busiest airports by passenger traffic,and the region is also the nation's railroad hub.The Chicago area has one of the highestgross domestic products(GDP) of any urban region in the world, generating $689 billion in 2018.Chicago's economyisdiverse, with no single industry employing more than 14% of the workforce. Chicago is a major destination fortourism, including visitors to itscultural institutions, and Lake Michiganbeaches. Chicago's culture has contributed much to the visual arts,literature, film,theater, comedy (especiallyimprovisational comedy),food, dance, andmusic(particularlyjazz,blues,soul,hip-hop,gospel,andelectronic dance music, includinghouse music). Chicago is home to theChicago Symphony\",\n \"theChicago Symphony Orchestraand theLyric Opera of Chicago, while theArt Institute of Chicagoprovides an influential visual arts museum andart school. The Chicago area also hosts theUniversity of Chicago,Northwestern University, and theUniversity of Illinois Chicago, amongother institutions of learning. ProfessionalsportsinChicago includeallmajor professional leagues, including twoMajor League Baseballteams. Etymology and nicknames The nameChicagois derived from a French rendering of theindigenousMiami–Illinoiswordshikaakwafor a wild relative of theonion; it is known to botanists asAllium tricoccumand known more commonly as \\\"ramps\\\". The first known reference to the site of the current city of Chicago as \\\"Checagou\\\" was byRobert de LaSallearound 1679 in a memoir.Henri Joutel, in his journal of 1688, noted that the eponymous wild \\\"garlic\\\" grew profusely in the area.According to his diary of late September 1687: ... when we arrived at the said place called \\\"Chicagou\\\" which, according to what we were able to\",\n \"we were able to learn of it, has taken this name because of the quantity of garlic which grows in the forests in this region. The city has hadseveral nicknamesthroughout its history, such as theWindy City, Chi-Town, Second City, and City of the Big Shoulders. History Beginnings In the mid-18th century, the area was inhabited by thePotawatomi, an indigenous tribe who had succeeded theMiami,SaukandMeskwakipeoples in this region. The first known permanent settler in Chicago was traderJean Baptiste Point du Sable. Du Sable was ofAfricandescent, perhaps born in theFrench colonyofSaint-Domingue(Haiti), and established the settlement in the 1780s. He is commonly known as the \\\"Founder of Chicago.\\\" In 1795, following the victory of the new United States in theNorthwest Indian War, an area that was to be part of Chicago was turned over to the U.S. for a military post by native tribes in accordance with theTreaty of Greenville. In 1803, theU.S. ArmyconstructedFort Dearborn, which was destroyed during theWar of 1812in\",\n \"theWar of 1812in theBattle of Fort Dearbornby the Potawatomi before being later rebuilt. After the War of 1812, theOttawa,Ojibwe, and Potawatomi tribes ceded additional land to the United States in the 1816Treaty of St. Louis. The Potawatomi were forcibly removed from their land after the1833 Treaty of Chicagoand sent west of theMississippi Riveras part of the federal policy ofIndian removal. 19th century On August 12, 1833, the Town of Chicago was organized with a population of about 200.Within seven years it grew to more than 6,000 people. On June 15, 1835, the first public land sales began withEdmund Dick Tayloras Receiver of Public Monies. The City of Chicago was incorporated on Saturday, March 4, 1837,and for several decades was the world's fastest-growing city. As the site of theChicago Portage,the city became an important transportation hub between the eastern and western United States. Chicago's first railway,Galena and Chicago Union Railroad, and theIllinois and Michigan Canalopened in 1848. The\",\n \"in 1848. The canal allowedsteamboatsandsailing shipson theGreat Lakesto connect to the Mississippi River. A flourishing economy brought residents from rural communities andimmigrantsfrom abroad. Manufacturing and retail and finance sectors became dominant, influencing theAmerican economy.TheChicago Board of Trade(established 1848) listed the first-ever standardized \\\"exchange-traded\\\" forward contracts, which were calledfutures contracts. In the 1850s, Chicago gained national political prominence as the home of SenatorStephen Douglas, the champion of theKansas–Nebraska Actand the \\\"popular sovereignty\\\" approach to the issue of the spread of slavery.These issues also helped propel another Illinoisan,Abraham Lincoln, to the national stage. Lincoln was nominated in Chicago for U.S. president at the1860 Republican National Convention, which was held in a purpose-built auditorium called theWigwam. He defeated Douglas in the general election, and this set the stage for theAmerican Civil War. To accommodaterapid\",\n \"To accommodaterapid population growthand demand for better sanitation, the city improved its infrastructure. In February 1856, Chicago's Common Council approvedChesbrough's plan to build the United States' first comprehensive sewerage system.The projectraised much of central Chicagoto a new grade with the use ofjackscrewsfor raising buildings.While elevating Chicago, and at first improving the city's health, the untreated sewage and industrial waste now flowed into theChicago River, and subsequently intoLake Michigan, polluting the city's primary freshwater source. The city responded by tunneling two miles (3.2 km) out into Lake Michigan to newly builtwater cribs. In 1900, the problem of sewage contamination was largely resolved when the city completed a major engineering feat. It reversed the flow of the Chicago River so that the water flowed away from Lake Michigan rather than into it. This project began with the construction and improvement of the Illinois and Michigan Canal, and was completed with\",\n \"was completed with theChicago Sanitary and Ship Canalthat connects to theIllinois River, which flows into the Mississippi River. In 1871, the Great Chicago Fire destroyed an area about 4 miles (6.4 km) long and 1-mile (1.6 km) wide, a large section of the city at the time.Much of the city, including railroads andstockyards, survived intact,and from the ruins of the previous wooden structures arose more modern constructions of steel and stone. These set a precedent for worldwide construction.During its rebuilding period, Chicago constructed the world'sfirst skyscraperin 1885, usingsteel-skeletonconstruction. The city grew significantly in size and population by incorporating many neighboring townships between 1851 and 1920, with the largest annexation happening in 1889, with five townships joining the city, including theHyde Park Township, which now comprises most of theSouth Side of Chicagoand the far southeast of Chicago, and theJefferson Township, which now makes up most ofChicago's Northwest Side.The\",\n \"Northwest Side.The desire to join the city was driven by municipal services that the city could provide its residents. Chicago's flourishing economy attracted huge numbers of new immigrants fromEuropeand migrants from theEastern United States. Of the total population in 1900, more than 77% were either foreign-born or born in the United States of foreign parentage.Germans,Irish,Poles,Swedes, andCzechsmade up nearly two-thirds of the foreign-born population (by 1900, whites were 98.1% of the city's population). Labor conflictsfollowed the industrial boom and the rapid expansion of the labor pool, including theHaymarket affairon May 4, 1886, and in 1894 thePullman Strike. Anarchist and socialist groups played prominent roles in creating very large and highly organized labor actions. Concern for social problems among Chicago's immigrant poor ledJane AddamsandEllen Gates Starrto foundHull Housein 1889.Programs that were developed there became a model for the new field ofsocial work. During the 1870s and 1880s,\",\n \"1870s and 1880s, Chicago attained national stature as the leader in the movement to improve public health. City laws and later, state laws that upgraded standards for the medical profession and fought urban epidemics ofcholera,smallpox, andyellow feverwere both passed and enforced. These laws became templates for public health reform in other cities and states. The city established many large, well-landscapedmunicipal parks, which also included public sanitation facilities. The chief advocate for improving public health in Chicago wasJohn H. Rauch, M.D.Rauch established a plan for Chicago's park system in 1866. He createdLincoln Parkby closing a cemetery filled with shallow graves, and in 1867, in response to an outbreak of cholera he helped establish a new Chicago Board of Health. Ten years later, he became the secretary and then the president of the first Illinois State Board of Health, which carried out most of its activities in Chicago. In the 1800s, Chicago became the nation's railroad hub, and by 1910\",\n \"hub, and by 1910 over 20 railroads operated passenger service out of six different downtown terminals.In 1883, Chicago's railway managers needed a general time convention, so they developed the standardized system of North Americantime zones.This system for telling time spread throughout the continent. In 1893, Chicago hosted theWorld's Columbian Expositionon former marshland at the present location ofJackson Park. The Exposition drew 27.5 million visitors, and is considered the most influentialworld's fairin history.TheUniversity of Chicago, formerly at another location, moved to the same South Side location in 1892. The term \\\"midway\\\" for a fair or carnival referred originally to theMidway Plaisance, a strip of park land that still runs through the University of Chicago campus and connects theWashingtonand Jackson Parks. 20th and 21st centuries 1900 to 1939 DuringWorld War Iand the 1920s there was a major expansion in industry. The availability of jobs attracted African Americans from theSouthern United\",\n \"theSouthern United States. Between 1910 and 1930, the African American population of Chicago increased dramatically, from 44,103 to 233,903.ThisGreat Migrationhad an immense cultural impact, called theChicago Black Renaissance, part of theNew Negro Movement, in art, literature, and music.Continuing racial tensions and violence, such as theChicago race riot of 1919, also occurred. The ratification of the 18th amendment to the Constitution in 1919 made the production and sale (including exportation) of alcoholic beverages illegal in the United States. This ushered in the beginning of what is known as the gangster era, a time that roughly spans from 1919 until 1933 whenProhibitionwas repealed. The 1920s sawgangsters, includingAl Capone,Dion O'Banion,Bugs MoranandTony Accardobattle law enforcement and each other on the streets of Chicago during theProhibition era.Chicago was the location of the infamousSt. Valentine's Day Massacrein 1929, when Al Capone sent men to gun down members of a rival gang, North Side,\",\n \"gang, North Side, led by Bugs Moran. From 1920 to 1921, the city was affected by a series of tenantrent strikes, which lead to the formation of the Chicago Tenants Protective association, passage of the Kessenger tenant laws, and of a heat ordinance that legally required flats to be kept above 68 °F during winter months by landlords. Chicago was the first American city to have a homosexual-rights organization. The organization, formed in 1924, was called theSociety for Human Rights. It produced the first American publication for homosexuals,Friendship and Freedom. Police and political pressure caused the organization to disband. The Great Depression brought unprecedented suffering to Chicago, in no small part due to the city's heavy reliance on heavy industry. Notably, industrial areas on the south side and neighborhoods lining both branches of the Chicago River were devastated; by 1933 over 50% of industrial jobs in the city had been lost, and unemployment rates amongst blacks and Mexicans in the city were\",\n \"in the city were over 40%. The Republican political machine in Chicago was utterly destroyed by the economic crisis, and every mayor since 1931 has been aDemocrat. From 1928 to 1933, the city witnessed a tax revolt, and the city was unable to meet payroll or provide relief efforts. The fiscal crisis was resolved by 1933, and at the same time, federal relief funding began to flow into Chicago.Chicago was also a hotbed of labor activism, withUnemployed Councilscontributing heavily in the early depression to create solidarity for the poor and demand relief; these organizations were created by socialist and communist groups. By 1935 theWorkers Alliance of Americabegun organizing the poor, workers, the unemployed. In the spring of 1937 Republic Steel Works witnessed theMemorial Day massacre of 1937in the neighborhood of East Side. In 1933, Chicago MayorAnton Cermakwas fatally wounded inMiami, Florida, during afailed assassinationattempt on President-electFranklin D. Roosevelt. In 1933 and 1934, the city\",\n \"and 1934, the city celebrated its centennial by hosting theCentury of ProgressInternational ExpositionWorld's Fair.The theme of the fair was technological innovation over the century since Chicago's founding. 1940 to 1979 DuringWorld War II, the city of Chicago alone produced more steel than the United Kingdom every year from 1939 – 1945, and more thanNazi Germanyfrom 1943 – 1945. The Great Migration, which had been on pause due to the Depression, resumed at an even faster pace in thesecond wave, as hundreds of thousands of blacks from the South arrived in the city to work in the steel mills, railroads, and shipping yards. On December 2, 1942, physicistEnrico Fermiconducted the world's first controllednuclear reactionat the University of Chicago as part of the top-secretManhattan Project. This led to the creation of the atomic bomb by the United States, which it used inWorld War IIin 1945. MayorRichard J. Daley, a Democrat, was elected in 1955, in the era ofmachine politics. In 1956, the city conducted its\",\n \"city conducted its last major expansion when it annexed the land under O'Hare airport, including a small portion of DuPage County. By the 1960s, white residents in several neighborhoods left the city for the suburban areas – in many American cities, a process known aswhite flight– as Blacks continued to move beyond theBlack Belt.While home loan discriminatoryredliningagainst blacks continued, the real estate industry practiced what became known asblockbusting, completely changing the racial composition of whole neighborhoods.Structural changes in industry, such as globalization and job outsourcing, caused heavy job losses for lower-skilled workers. At its peak during the 1960s, some 250,000 workers were employed in the steel industry in Chicago, but the steel crisis of the 1970s and 1980s reduced this number to just 28,000 in 2015. In 1966,Martin Luther King Jr.andAlbert Rabyled theChicago Freedom Movement, which culminated in agreements between Mayor Richard J. Daley and the movement leaders. Two years\",\n \"leaders. Two years later, the city hosted the tumultuous1968 Democratic National Convention, which featured physical confrontations both inside and outside the convention hall, with anti-war protesters, journalists and bystanders being beaten by police.Major construction projects, including the Sears Tower (now known as theWillis Tower, which in 1974 became theworld's tallest building),University of Illinois at Chicago,McCormick Place, andO'Hare International Airport, were undertaken during Richard J. Daley's tenure.In 1979,Jane Byrne, the city's first female mayor, was elected. She was notable for temporarily moving into the crime-riddenCabrini-Greenhousing project and for leading Chicago's school system out of a financial crisis. 1980 to present In 1983,Harold Washingtonbecame the first black mayor of Chicago. Washington's first term in office directed attention to poor and previously neglected minority neighborhoods. He was re‑elected in 1987 but died of a heart attack soon after.Washington was succeeded\",\n \"was succeeded by 6th ward alderpersonEugene Sawyer, who was elected by the Chicago City Council and served until a special election. Richard M. Daley, son of Richard J. Daley, was elected in 1989. His accomplishments included improvements to parks and creating incentives forsustainable development, as well as closingMeigs Fieldin the middle of the night and destroying the runways. After successfully running for re-election five times, and becoming Chicago's longest-serving mayor, Richard M. Daley declined to run for a seventh term. In 1992, a construction accident near theKinzie Street Bridgeproduced a breach connecting the Chicago River to a tunnel below, which was part of anabandoned freight tunnel systemextending throughout the downtownLoopdistrict. Thetunnels filledwith 250 million US gallons (1,000,000 m3) of water, affecting buildings throughout the district and forcing a shutdown of electrical power.The area was shut down for three days and some buildings did not reopen for weeks; losses were\",\n \"weeks; losses were estimated at $1.95 billion. On February 23, 2011,Rahm Emanuel, a formerWhite House Chief of Staffand member of theHouse of Representatives, won the mayoral election.Emanuel was sworn in as mayor on May 16, 2011, and won re-election in 2015.Lori Lightfoot, the city's first African American woman mayor and its first openly LGBTQ mayor, was elected to succeed Emanuel as mayor in 2019.All three city-wide elective offices were held by women (and women of color) for the first time in Chicago history: in addition to Lightfoot, the city clerk wasAnna Valenciaand the city treasurer wasMelissa Conyears-Ervin. On May 15, 2023,Brandon Johnsonassumed office as the 57th mayor of Chicago. Geography Topography Chicago is located in northeastern Illinois on the southwestern shores of freshwater Lake Michigan. It is the principal city in theChicago Metropolitan Area, situated in both theMidwestern United Statesand theGreat Lakes region. The city rests on acontinental divideat the site of the Chicago\",\n \"site of the Chicago Portage, connecting the Mississippi River and the Great Lakeswatersheds. In addition to it lying beside Lake Michigan, two rivers—the Chicago River in downtown and theCalumet Riverin the industrial far South Side—flow either entirely or partially through the city. Chicago's history and economy are closely tied to its proximity to Lake Michigan. While the Chicago River historically handled much of the region's waterborne cargo, today's hugelake freightersuse the city'sLake Calumet Harboron the South Side. The lake also provides another positive effect: moderating Chicago's climate, making waterfront neighborhoods slightly warmer in winter and cooler in summer. When Chicago was founded in 1837, most of the early building was around the mouth of the Chicago River, as can be seen on a map of the city's original 58 blocks.The overallgradeof the city's central, built-up areas is relatively consistent with the natural flatness of its overall natural geography, generally exhibiting only slight\",\n \"only slight differentiation otherwise. The average land elevation is 579 ft (176.5 m)above sea level. While measurements vary somewhat,the lowest points are along the lake shore at 578 ft (176.2 m), while the highest point, at 672 ft (205 m), is the morainal ridge ofBlue Islandin the city's far south side. Lake Shore Driveruns adjacent to a large portion of Chicago's waterfront. Some of the parks along the waterfront includeLincoln Park,Grant Park,Burnham Park, andJackson Park. There are 24 publicbeachesacross 26 miles (42 km) of the waterfront.Landfill extends into portions of the lake providing space forNavy Pier,Northerly Island, theMuseum Campus, and large portions of theMcCormick PlaceConvention Center. Most of the city's high-rise commercial and residential buildings are close to the waterfront. An informal name for the entireChicago metropolitan areais \\\"Chicagoland\\\", which generally means the city and all its suburbs, though different organizations have slightly different definitions. Communities\",\n \"Communities Major sections of the city include the central business district, calledthe Loop, and the North,South, andWest Sides.The three sides of the city are represented on theFlag of Chicagoby three horizontal white stripes.The North Side is the most-densely-populated residential section of the city, and many high-rises are located on this side of the city along the lakefront.The South Side is the largest section of the city, encompassing roughly 60% of the city's land area. The South Side contains most of the facilities of thePort of Chicago. In the late-1920s, sociologists at the University of Chicago subdivided the city into 77 distinctcommunity areas, which can further be subdivided into over 200 informally definedneighborhoods. Streetscape Chicago's streets were laid out in astreet gridthat grew from the city's original townsite plot, which was bounded by Lake Michigan on the east, North Avenue on the north, Wood Street on the west, and 22nd Street on the south.Streets following thePublic Land\",\n \"thePublic Land Survey Systemsection lines later became arterial streets in outlying sections. As new additions to the city were platted, city ordinance required them to be laid out with eight streets to the mile in one direction and sixteen in the other direction, about one street per 200 meters in one direction and one street per 100 meters in the other direction. The grid's regularity provided an efficient means of developing new real estate property. A scattering of diagonal streets, many of them originally Native American trails, also cross the city (Elston, Milwaukee, Ogden, Lincoln, etc.). Many additional diagonal streets were recommended in thePlan of Chicago, but only the extension ofOgden Avenuewas ever constructed. In 2021, Chicago was ranked the fourth-most walkable large city in the United States.Many of the city's residential streets have a wide patch of grass or trees between the street and the sidewalk itself. This helps to keep pedestrians on the sidewalk further away from the street traffic.\",\n \"the street traffic. Chicago'sWestern Avenueis the longest continuous urban street in the world.Other notable streets includeMichigan Avenue,State Street,95th Street,Cicero Avenue,Clark Street, andBelmont Avenue. TheCity Beautiful movementinspired Chicago's boulevards and parkways. Architecture The destruction caused by the Great Chicago Fire led to the largest building boom in the history of the nation. In 1885, the firststeel-framed high-rise building, the Home Insurance Building, rose in the city as Chicago ushered in theskyscraper era,which would then be followed by many other cities around the world.Today, Chicago's skyline is among the world's tallest and densest. Some of the United States' tallest towers are located in Chicago;Willis Tower(formerly Sears Tower) is the second tallest building in theWestern HemisphereafterOne World Trade Center, andTrump International Hotel and Toweris the third tallest in the country.The Loop's historic buildings include theChicago Board of Trade Building, theFine Arts\",\n \"theFine Arts Building,35 East Wacker, and theChicago Building,860-880 Lake Shore Drive ApartmentsbyMies van der Rohe. Many other architects have left their impression on the Chicago skyline such asDaniel Burnham,Louis Sullivan, Charles B. Atwood, John Root, andHelmut Jahn. TheMerchandise Mart, once first on thelist of largest buildings in the world, currently listed as 44th-largest 2013 as September 9, 2013, had its ownzip codeuntil 2008, and stands near the junction of the North and South branches of the Chicago River.Presently, the four tallest buildings in the city are Willis Tower (formerly the Sears Tower, also a building with its own zip code),Trump International Hotel and Tower, theAon Center(previously the Standard Oil Building), and theJohn Hancock Center.Industrial districts, such as some areas on theSouth Side, the areas along theChicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, and theNorthwest Indianaarea are clustered. Chicago gave its name to the Chicago School and was home to thePrairie School, two movements\",\n \"two movements in architecture.Multiple kinds and scales of houses, townhouses, condominiums, and apartment buildings can be found throughout Chicago. Large swaths of the city's residential areas away from the lake are characterized by brickbungalowsbuilt from the early 20th century through the end of World War II. Chicago is also a prominent center of thePolish Cathedral styleofchurch architecture. The Chicago suburb ofOak Parkwas home to famous architectFrank Lloyd Wright, who had designed TheRobie Houselocated near the University of Chicago. A popular tourist activity is to take an architecture boat tour along the Chicago River. Monuments and public art Chicago is famous for its outdoorpublic artwith donors establishing funding for such art as far back asBenjamin Ferguson's 1905 trust.A number of Chicago's public art works are by modern figurative artists. Among these areChagall's Four Seasons; theChicago Picasso;Miro's Chicago;Calder'sFlamingo;Oldenburg'sBatcolumn;Moore'sLarge Interior Form, 1953-54,Man\",\n \"Form, 1953-54,Man Enters the CosmosandNuclear Energy;Dubuffet'sMonument with Standing Beast,Abakanowicz'sAgora; and,Anish Kapoor'sCloud Gatewhich has become an icon of the city. Some events which shaped the city's history have also been memorialized by art works, including theGreat Northern Migration(Saar) and thecentennial of statehood for Illinois. Finally, two fountains near the Loop also function as monumental works of art:Plensa'sCrown Fountainas well asBurnhamand Bennett'sBuckingham Fountain. Climate The city lies within the typical hot-summerhumid continental climate(Köppen:Dfa), and experiences four distinct seasons.Summersare hot and humid, with frequentheat waves. The July daily average temperature is 75.4 °F (24.1 °C), with afternoon temperatures peaking at 84.5 °F (29.2 °C). In a normal summer, temperatures reach at least 90 °F (32 °C) on 17 days, with lakefront locations staying cooler when winds blow off the lake.Wintersare relatively cold and snowy.Blizzardsdo occur, such as inwinter\",\n \"such as inwinter 2011.There are many sunny but cold days. The normal winter high from December through March is about 36 °F (2 °C). January and February are the coldest months. Apolar vortex in January 2019nearly broke the city's cold record of −27 °F (−33 °C), which was set on January 20, 1985.Measurable snowfall can continue through the first or second week of April. Springandautumnare mild, short seasons, typically with low humidity.Dew pointtemperatures in the summer range from an average of 55.8 °F (13.2 °C) in June to 61.7 °F (16.5 °C) in July.They can reach nearly 80 °F (27 °C), such as during the July 2019 heat wave. The city lies withinUSDAplanthardiness zone6a, transitioning to 5b in the suburbs. According to theNational Weather Service, Chicago's highest official temperature reading of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded on July 24, 1934.Midway Airportreached 109 °F (43 °C) one day prior and recorded aheat indexof 125 °F (52 °C) during the1995 heatwave.The lowest official temperature of −27 °F (−33 °C)\",\n \"of −27 °F (−33 °C) was recorded onJanuary 20, 1985, at O'Hare Airport.Most of the city's rainfall is brought bythunderstorms, averaging 38 a year. The region is prone tosevere thunderstormsduring the spring and summer which can produce large hail, damaging winds, and occasionally tornadoes. Like other major cities, Chicago experiences anurban heat island, making the city and its suburbs milder than surrounding rural areas, especially at night and in winter. The proximity to Lake Michigan tends to keep the Chicago lakefront somewhat cooler in summer and less brutally cold in winter than inland parts of the city and suburbs away from the lake.Northeast winds from wintertimecyclonesdeparting south of the region sometimes bring the citylake-effect snow. Time zone As in the rest of the state of Illinois, Chicago forms part of theCentral Time Zone. The border with theEastern Time Zoneis located a short distance to the east, used in Michigan andcertain parts of Indiana. Demographics During its first hundred years,\",\n \"hundred years, Chicago was one of the fastest-growing cities in the world. When founded in 1833, fewer than 200 people had settled on what was then the American frontier. By the time of its first census, seven years later, the population had reached over 4,000. In the forty years from 1850 to 1890, the city's population grew from slightly under 30,000 to over 1 million. At the end of the 19th century, Chicago was the 5th-most populous city in the world,and the largest of the cities that did not exist at the dawn of the century. Within sixty years of the Great Chicago Fire of 1871, the population went from about 300,000 to over 3 million,and reached its highest ever recorded population of 3.6 million for the 1950 census. From the last two decades of the 19th century, Chicago was the destination of waves of immigrants from Ireland, Southern, Central and Eastern Europe, includingItalians,Jews,Russians,Poles,Greeks,Lithuanians,Bulgarians,Albanians,Romanians,Turks,Croatians,Serbs,Bosnians,MontenegrinsandCzechs.To\",\n \"these ethnic groups, the basis of the city's industrialworking class, were added an additional influx ofAfrican Americansfrom theAmerican South—with Chicago's black population doubling between 1910 and 1920 and doubling again between 1920 and 1930.Chicago has asignificant Bosnian population, many of whom arrived in the 1990s and 2000s. In the 1920s and 1930s, the great majority of African Americans moving to Chicago settled in a so‑called \\\"Black Belt\\\" on the city'sSouth Side.A large number of blacks also settled on theWest Side. By 1930, two-thirds of Chicago's black population lived in sections of the city which were 90% black in racial composition.Around that time, a lesser known fact about African Americans on theNorth Sideis that the block of 4600 Winthrop Avenue inUptownwas the only block African Americans could live or open establishments.Chicago's South Side emerged as United States second-largest urban black concentration, following New York'sHarlem. In 1990, Chicago's South Side and the adjoining\",\n \"and the adjoining south suburbs constituted the largest black majority region in the entire United States.Since the 1980s, Chicago has had a massive exodus of African Americans (primarily from the South and West sides) to its suburbs or outside its metropolitan area.The above average crime and cost of living were leading reasons for the fast declining African American population in Chicago. Most of Chicago's foreign-born population were born inMexico,PolandorIndia. Chicago's population declined in the latter half of the 20th century, from over 3.6 million in 1950 down to under 2.7 million by 2010. By the time of the official census count in 1990, it was overtaken byLos Angelesas the United States' second largest city. The city has seen a rise in population for the 2000 census and after a decrease in 2010, it rose again for the 2020 census. According to U.S. census estimates as of July 2019, Chicago's largest racial or ethnic group is non-Hispanic White at 32.8% of the population, Blacks at 30.1% and the\",\n \"at 30.1% and the Hispanic population at 29.0% of the population. Chicago has the third-largestLGBTpopulation in the United States. In 2018, the Chicago Department of Health, estimated 7.5% of the adult population, approximately 146,000 Chicagoans, were LGBTQ.In 2015, roughly 4% of the population identified as LGBT.Since the 2013 legalization ofsame-sex marriage in Illinois, over 10,000 same-sex couples have wed inCook County, a majority of them in Chicago. Chicago became a \\\"de jure\\\"sanctuary cityin 2012 when MayorRahm Emanueland the City Council passed the Welcoming City Ordinance. According to the U.S. Census Bureau'sAmerican Community Surveydata estimates for 2022, the median income for a household in the city was $70,386,and the per capita income was $45,449. Male full-time workers had a median income of $68,870 versus $60,987 for females.About 17.2% of the population lived below the poverty line.In 2018, Chicago ranked seventh globally for the highest number of ultra-high-net-worth residents with roughly\",\n \"with roughly 3,300 residents worth more than $30 million. According to the 2022 American Community Survey, the specific ancestral groups having 10,000 or more persons in Chicago were: Persons who did not report or classify an ancestry were 548,790. Religion Religion in Chicago (2014) According to a 2014 study by thePew Research Center,Christianityis the most prevalently practiced religion in Chicago (71%),with the city being the fourth-most religious metropolis in the United States afterDallas,AtlantaandHouston.Roman CatholicismandProtestantismare the largest branches (34% and 35% respectively), followed byEastern OrthodoxyandJehovah's Witnesseswith 1% each.Chicago also has a sizable non-Christian population. Non-Christian groups includeIrreligious(22%),Judaism(3%),Islam(2%),Buddhism(1%) andHinduism(1%). Chicago is the headquarters of several religious denominations, including theEvangelical Covenant Churchand theEvangelical Lutheran Church in America. It is the seat of severaldioceses. TheFourth\",\n \"TheFourth Presbyterian Churchis one of the largestPresbyteriancongregations in the United States based on memberships.Since the 20th century Chicago has also been the headquarters of theAssyrian Church of the East.In 2014 theCatholic Churchwas the largest individual Christian denomination (34%), with theRoman Catholic Archdiocese of Chicagobeing the largest Catholic jurisdiction.Evangelical Protestantismform the largest theological Protestant branch (16%), followed byMainline Protestants(11%), and historicallyBlack churches(8%). Among denominational Protestant branches,Baptistsformed the largest group in Chicago (10%); followed by Nondenominational (5%);Lutherans(4%); andPentecostals(3%). Non-Christian faiths accounted for 7% of the religious population in 2014.Judaismhas at least 261,000 adherents which is 3% of the population, making it the second largest religion.A 2020 study estimated the total Jewish population of the Chicago metropolitan area, both religious and irreligious, at 319,500. The first\",\n \"319,500. The first twoParliament of the World's Religionsin 1893 and 1993 were held in Chicago.Many international religious leaders have visited Chicago, includingMother Teresa, theDalai LamaandPope John Paul IIin 1979. Economy Chicago has the third-largestgross metropolitan productin the United States—about $670.5 billion according to September 2017 estimates.The city has also been rated as having the most balanced economy in the United States, due to its high level of diversification.The Chicago metropolitan area has the third-largest science and engineering work force of any metropolitan area in the nation.Chicago was the base of commercial operations for industrialistsJohn Crerar,John Whitfield Bunn,Richard Teller Crane,Marshall Field,John Farwell,Julius Rosenwald, and many other commercial visionaries who laid the foundation for Midwestern and global industry. Chicago is a major world financial center, with the second-largest central business district in the United States, followingMidtown Manhattan.The\",\n \"Manhattan.The city is the seat of theFederal Reserve Bank of Chicago, the Bank's Seventh District. The city has major financial andfutures exchanges, including theChicago Stock Exchange, theChicago Board Options Exchange(CBOE), and theChicago Mercantile Exchange(the \\\"Merc\\\"), which is owned, along with theChicago Board of Trade(CBOT), by Chicago'sCME Group. In 2017, Chicago exchanges traded 4.7 billion in derivatives.Chase Bankhas its commercial and retail banking headquarters in Chicago'sChase Tower.Academically, Chicago has been influential through theChicago school of economics, which fielded 12Nobel Prizewinners. The city and its surrounding metropolitan area contain the third-largest labor pool in the United States with about 4.63 million workers.Illinois is home to 66Fortune1000companies, including those in Chicago.The city of Chicago also hosts 12FortuneGlobal 500 companies and 17Financial Times500 companies. The city claims threeDow 30companies:aerospacegiantBoeing, which moved its headquarters\",\n \"its headquarters fromSeattleto the Chicago Loop in 2001;McDonald's; andWalgreens Boots Alliance.For six consecutive years from 2013 through 2018, Chicago was ranked the nation's top metropolitan area for corporate relocations.However, threeFortune500companies left Chicago in 2022, leaving the city with 35, still second to New York City. Manufacturing, printing, publishing, and food processing also play major roles in the city's economy. Several medical products and services companies are headquartered in the Chicago area, includingBaxter International,Boeing,Abbott Laboratories, and the Healthcare division ofGeneral Electric. Prominent food companies based in Chicago include the world headquarters ofConagra,Ferrara Candy Company,Kraft Heinz,McDonald's,Mondelez International, andQuaker Oats.Chicago has been a hub of theretailsector since its early development, withMontgomery Ward,Sears, andMarshall Field's. Today the Chicago metropolitan area is the headquarters of several retailers,\",\n \"several retailers, includingWalgreens,Sears,Ace Hardware,Claire's,ULTA Beauty, andCrate & Barrel. Late in the 19th century, Chicago was part of thebicycle craze, with the Western Wheel Company, which introducedstampingto the production process and significantly reduced costs,while early in the 20th century, the city was part of the automobile revolution, hosting theBrass Era carbuilder Bugmobile, which was founded there in 1907.Chicago was also the site of theSchwinn Bicycle Company. Chicago is a major world convention destination. The city's main convention center is McCormick Place. With its four interconnected buildings, it is the largest convention center in the nation and third-largest in the world.Chicago also ranks third in the U.S. (behindLas VegasandOrlando) in number of conventions hosted annually. Chicago's minimum wage for non-tipped employees is one of the highest in the nation and reached $15 in 2021. Culture and contemporary life The city's waterfront location and nightlife attracts residents\",\n \"attracts residents and tourists alike. Over a third of the city population is concentrated in the lakefront neighborhoods fromRogers Parkin the north toSouth Shorein the south.The city has many upscale dining establishments as well as many ethnic restaurant districts. These districts include theMexican Americanneighborhoods, such asPilsenalong 18th street, andLa Villitaalong 26th Street; thePuerto Ricanenclave ofPaseo Boricuain theHumboldt Parkneighborhood;Greektown, along SouthHalsted Street, immediately west of downtown;Little Italy, along Taylor Street;ChinatowninArmour Square;Polish PatchesinWest Town;Little SeoulinAlbany Parkaround Lawrence Avenue;Little VietnamnearBroadwayin Uptown; and theDesiarea, alongDevon AvenueinWest Ridge. Downtown is the center of Chicago's financial, cultural, governmental, and commercial institutions and the site of Grant Park and many of the city's skyscrapers. Many of the city's financial institutions, such as the CBOT and the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago, are located\",\n \"are located within a section of downtown called \\\"The Loop\\\", which is an eight-block by five-block area of city streets that is encircled by elevated rail tracks. The term \\\"The Loop\\\" is largely used by locals to refer to the entire downtown area as well. The central area includes theNear North Side, theNear South Side, and theNear West Side, as well as the Loop. These areas contribute famousskyscrapers, abundant restaurants,shopping,museums,Soldier Field, convention facilities,parkland, andbeaches. Lincoln Park contains theLincoln Park Zooand theLincoln Park Conservatory. TheRiver North Gallery Districtfeatures the nation's largest concentration of contemporary art galleries outside of New York City.Lake Viewis home toBoystown, the city's largeLGBTnightlife and culture center. TheChicago Pride Parade, held the last Sunday in June, is one of the world's largest with over a million people in attendance.NorthHalsted Streetis the main thoroughfare of Boystown. The South Side neighborhood ofHyde Parkis the home of\",\n \"Parkis the home of former U.S. PresidentBarack Obama. It also contains the University of Chicago, ranked one of the world's top ten universities,and theMuseum of Science and Industry. The 6-mile (9.7 km) longBurnham Parkstretches along the waterfront of the South Side. Two of the city's largest parks are also located on this side of the city: Jackson Park, bordering the waterfront, hosted the World's Columbian Exposition in 1893, and is the site of the aforementioned museum; and slightly west sitsWashington Park. The two parks themselves are connected by a wide strip of parkland called theMidway Plaisance, running adjacent to the University of Chicago. The South Side hosts one of the city's largest parades, the annual African AmericanBud Billiken Parade and Picnic, which travels throughBronzevilleto Washington Park.Ford Motor Companyhas anautomobile assembly planton the South Side inHegewisch, and most of the facilities of the Port of Chicago are also on the South Side. The West Side holds theGarfield Park\",\n \"theGarfield Park Conservatory, one of the largest collections of tropical plants in any U.S. city. Prominent Latino cultural attractions found here includeHumboldt Park'sInstitute of Puerto Rican Arts and Cultureand the annual Puerto Rican People's Parade, as well as theNational Museum of Mexican ArtandSt. Adalbert's ChurchinPilsen. The Near West Side holds theUniversity of Illinois at Chicagoand was once home toOprah Winfrey'sHarpo Studios, the site of which has been rebuilt as the global headquarters of McDonald's. The city's distinctive accent, made famous by its use in classic films likeThe Blues Brothersand television programs like theSaturday Night Liveskit \\\"Bill Swerski's Superfans\\\", is an advanced form ofInland Northern American English. This dialect can also be found in other cities bordering the Great Lakes such asCleveland,Milwaukee,Detroit, andRochester, New York, and most prominently features a rearrangement of certain vowel sounds, such as theshort 'a'sound as in \\\"cat\\\", which can sound more\",\n \"can sound more like \\\"kyet\\\" to outsiders. The accent remains well associated with the city. Entertainment and the arts Renowned Chicago theater companies include theGoodman Theatrein the Loop; theSteppenwolf Theatre CompanyandVictory Gardens Theaterin Lincoln Park; and theChicago Shakespeare Theaterat Navy Pier.Broadway In Chicagooffers Broadway-style entertainment at five theaters: theNederlander Theatre,CIBC Theatre,Cadillac Palace Theatre,Auditorium BuildingofRoosevelt University, andBroadway Playhouse at Water Tower Place.Polish languageproductions forChicago's large Polish speaking populationcan be seen at the historicGateway TheatreinJefferson Park. Since 1968, theJoseph Jefferson Awardsare given annually to acknowledge excellence in theater in the Chicago area. Chicago's theater community spawned modernimprovisational theater, and includes the prominent groupsThe Second CityandI.O.(formerly ImprovOlympic). TheChicago Symphony Orchestra(CSO) performs atSymphony Center, and is recognized as one of the\",\n \"as one of the best orchestras in the world.Also performing regularly atSymphony Centeris theChicago Sinfonietta, a more diverse and multicultural counterpart to the CSO. In the summer, many outdoor concerts are given in Grant Park andMillennium Park.Ravinia Festival, located 25 miles (40 km) north of Chicago, is the summer home of the CSO, and is a favorite destination for many Chicagoans. TheCivic Opera Houseis home to theLyric Opera of Chicago.TheLithuanian Opera Company of Chicagowas founded byLithuanian Chicagoansin 1956,and presents operas inLithuanian. TheJoffrey BalletandChicago Festival Balletperform in various venues, including theHarris TheaterinMillennium Park. Chicago has several other contemporary and jazz dance troupes, such as theHubbard Street Dance ChicagoandChicago Dance Crash. Other live-music genre which are part of the city's cultural heritage includeChicago blues,Chicago soul,jazz, andgospel. The city is the birthplace ofhouse music(a popular form of electronic dance music)\",\n \"dance music) andindustrial music, and is the site of an influentialhip hop scene. In the 1980s and 90s, the city was the global center for house and industrial music, two forms of music created in Chicago, as well as being popular foralternative rock,punk, andnew wave. The city has been a center forraveculture, since the 1980s. A flourishing independent rock music culture brought forth Chicagoindie.Annual festivalsfeature various acts, such asLollapaloozaand thePitchfork Music Festival.Lollapalooza originated in Chicago in 1991 and at first travelled to many cities, but as of 2005 its home has been Chicago.A 2007 report on the Chicago music industry by theUniversity of Chicago Cultural Policy Centerranked Chicago third among metropolitan U.S. areas in \\\"size of music industry\\\" and fourth among all U.S. cities in \\\"number of concerts and performances\\\". Chicago has a distinctivefine arttradition. For much of the twentieth century, it nurtured a strong style of figurativesurrealism, as in the works ofIvan\",\n \"in the works ofIvan AlbrightandEd Paschke. In 1968 and 1969, members of theChicago Imagists, such asRoger Brown,Leon Golub,Robert Lostutter,Jim Nutt, andBarbara Rossiproduced bizarre representational paintings.Henry Dargeris one of the most celebrated figures ofoutsider art. Tourism In 2014, Chicago attracted 50.17 million domestic leisure travelers, 11.09 million domestic business travelers and 1.308 million overseas visitors.These visitors contributed more thanUS$13.7billion to Chicago's economy.Upscale shopping along the Magnificent Mile and State Street, thousands of restaurants, as well as Chicago's eminent architecture, continue to draw tourists. The city is the United States' third-largestconventiondestination. A 2017 study byWalk Scoreranked Chicago the sixth-most walkable of fifty largest cities in the United States.Most conventions are held at McCormick Place, just south ofSoldier Field. Navy Pier, located just east ofStreeterville, is 3,000 ft (910 m) long and houses retail stores, restaurants,\",\n \"restaurants, museums, exhibition halls and auditoriums. Chicago was the first city in the world to ever erect a Ferris wheel. The Willis Tower (formerly named Sears Tower) is a popular destination for tourists. Museums Among the city's museums are theAdler Planetarium & Astronomy Museum, theField Museum of Natural History, and theShedd Aquarium. TheMuseum Campusjoins the southern section of Grant Park, which includes the renowned Art Institute of Chicago. Buckingham Fountain anchors the downtown park along the lakefront. The University of Chicago'sInstitute for the Study of Ancient Cultures, West Asia & North Africahas an extensive collection ofancient EgyptianandNear Easternarchaeological artifacts. Other museums and galleries in Chicago include theChicago History Museum, theDriehaus Museum, theDuSable Museum of African American History, theMuseum of Contemporary Art, thePeggy Notebaert Nature Museum, thePolish Museum of America, theMuseum of Broadcast Communications, theChicago Architecture Foundation, and\",\n \"Foundation, and theMuseum of Science and Industry. Cuisine Chicago lays claim to a large number of regional specialties that reflect the city's ethnic and working-class roots. Included among these are its nationally renowneddeep-dish pizza; this style is said to have originated atPizzeria Uno.The Chicago-style thin crust is also popular in the city.Certain Chicago pizza favorites includeLou Malnati'sandGiordano's. TheChicago-style hot dog, typically an all-beef hot dog, is loaded with an array of toppings that often includes pickle relish,yellow mustard, pickledsport peppers,tomatowedges,dill picklespear and topped off withcelery salton apoppy seedbun.Enthusiasts of the Chicago-style hot dog frown upon the use ofketchupas a garnish, but may prefer to addgiardiniera. A distinctly Chicago sandwich, theItalian beefsandwich is thinly sliced beef simmered inau jusand served on an Italian roll with sweet peppers or spicy giardiniera. A popular modification is the Combo—an Italian beef sandwich with the addition of\",\n \"the addition of an Italian sausage. TheMaxwell Street Polishis a grilled or deep-friedkielbasa—on a hot dog roll, topped with grilled onions, yellow mustard, and hot sport peppers. Chicken Vesuviois roasted bone-in chicken cooked in oil and garlic next to garlicky oven-roasted potato wedges and a sprinkling of green peas. ThePuerto Rican-influencedjibaritois a sandwich made with flattened, fried green plantains instead of bread. Themother-in-lawis atamaletopped with chili and served on a hot dog bun.The tradition of serving theGreekdishsaganakiwhile aflame has its origins in Chicago's Greek community.The appetizer, which consists of a square of fried cheese, is doused withMetaxaandflambéedtable-side.Chicago-style barbecuefeatures hardwood smokedrib tipsandhot linkswhich were traditionally cooked in an aquarium smoker, a Chicago invention.Annual festivalsfeature various Chicago signature dishes, such asTaste of Chicagoand the Chicago Food Truck Festival. One of the world's most decorated restaurants and a\",\n \"restaurants and a recipient of threeMichelinstars,Alineais located in Chicago. Well-known chefs who have had restaurants in Chicago include:Charlie Trotter,Rick Tramonto,Grant Achatz, andRick Bayless. In 2003,Robb Reportnamed Chicago the country's \\\"most exceptional dining destination\\\". Literature Chicago literature finds its roots in the city's tradition of lucid, direct journalism, lending to a strong tradition ofsocial realism. In theEncyclopedia of Chicago,Northwestern UniversityProfessor Bill Savage describes Chicago fiction as prose which tries to \\\"capture the essence of the city, its spaces and its people.\\\" The challenge for early writers was that Chicago was a frontier outpost that transformed into a global metropolis in the span of two generations. Narrative fiction of that time, much of it in the style of \\\"high-flown romance\\\" and \\\"genteel realism\\\", needed a new approach to describe the urban social, political, and economic conditions of Chicago.Nonetheless, Chicagoans worked hard to create a\",\n \"hard to create a literary tradition that would stand the test of time,and create a \\\"city of feeling\\\" out of concrete, steel, vast lake, and open prairie.Much notable Chicago fiction focuses on the city itself, with social criticism keeping exultation in check. At least three short periods in thehistory of Chicagohave had a lasting influence onAmerican literature.These include from the time of the Great Chicago Fire to about 1900, what became known as the Chicago Literary Renaissance in the 1910s and early 1920s, and the period of theGreat Depressionthrough the 1940s. What would become the influentialPoetrymagazine was founded in 1912 byHarriet Monroe, who was working as anartcriticfor theChicago Tribune. The magazine discovered such poets asGwendolyn Brooks,James Merrill, andJohn Ashbery.T. S. Eliot's first professionally published poem, \\\"The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock\\\", was first published byPoetry. Contributors have includedEzra Pound,William Butler Yeats,William Carlos Williams,Langston Hughes,\",\n \"Hughes, andCarl Sandburg, among others. The magazine was instrumental in launching theImagistandObjectivistpoetic movements. From the 1950s through 1970s, American poetry continued to evolve in Chicago.In the 1980s, a modern form of poetry performance began in Chicago, thepoetry slam. Sports The city has twoMajor League Baseball(MLB) teams: theChicago Cubsof the National League play in Wrigley Field on the North Side; and theChicago White Soxof the American League play in Guaranteed Rate Field on the South Side. The two teams have faced each other in a World Series only once, in 1906. The Cubs are the oldest Major League Baseball team to have never changed their city;they have played in Chicago since 1871.They had the dubious honor of having the longest championship drought in American professional sports, failing to win a World Series between 1908 and 2016. The White Sox have played on the South Side continuously since 1901. They have won three World Series titles (1906, 1917, 2005) and six American League\",\n \"six American League pennants, including the first in 1901. TheChicago Bears, one of the last two remaining charter members of theNational Football League(NFL), have won nineNFL Championships, including the 1985Super Bowl XX. The Bears play their home games at Soldier Field. TheChicago Bullsof theNational Basketball Association(NBA) is one of the most recognized basketball teams in the world.During the 1990s, withMichael Jordanleading them, the Bulls won six NBA championships in eight seasons. TheChicago Blackhawksof theNational Hockey League(NHL) began play in 1926, and are one of the \\\"Original Six\\\" teams of the NHL. The Blackhawks have won sixStanley Cups, including in 2010, 2013, and2015. Both the Bulls and the Blackhawks play at theUnited Center. Chicago Fire FCis a member ofMajor League Soccer(MLS) and plays at Soldier Field. The Fire have won one league title and fourU.S. Open Cups, since their founding in 1997. In 1994, the United States hosted a successfulFIFA World Cupwith games played at Soldier\",\n \"played at Soldier Field. TheChicago Red Starsare a team in theNational Women's Soccer League(NWSL). They previously played inWomen's Professional Soccer(WPS), of which they were a founding member, before joining the NWSL in 2013. They play atSeatGeek StadiuminBridgeview, Illinois. TheChicago Skyis a professional basketball team playing in theWomen's National Basketball Association(WNBA). They play home games at theWintrust Arena. The team was founded before the 2006 WNBA season began. TheChicago Marathonhas been held each year since 1977 except for 1987, when a half marathon was run in its place. The Chicago Marathon is one of sixWorld Marathon Majors. Five area colleges play inDivision Iconferences: two from major conferences—theDePaul Blue Demons(Big East Conference) and theNorthwestern Wildcats(Big Ten Conference)—and three from other D1 conferences—theChicago State Cougars(Northeast Conference); theLoyola Ramblers(Atlantic 10 Conference); and theUIC Flames(Missouri Valley Conference). Chicago has also\",\n \"Chicago has also entered intoesportswith the creation of theOpTic Chicago, a professionalCall of Dutyteam that participates within theCDL. Parks and greenspace When Chicago was incorporated in 1837, it chose the mottoUrbs in Horto, aLatinphrase which means \\\"City in a Garden\\\". Today, theChicago Park Districtconsists of more than 570 parks with over 8,000 acres (3,200 ha) ofmunicipal parkland. There are 31 sandbeaches, a plethora of museums, two world-class conservatories, and 50 nature areas.Lincoln Park, the largest of the city's parks, covers 1,200 acres (490 ha) and has over 20 million visitors each year, making it third in the number of visitors afterCentral ParkinNew York City, and theNational Mall and Memorial ParksinWashington, D.C. There is a historicboulevard system,a network of wide, tree-linedboulevardswhich connect a number of Chicagoparks.The boulevards and the parks were authorized by the Illinois legislature in 1869.A number ofChicago neighborhoodsemerged along these roadways in the 19th\",\n \"in the 19th century.The building of the boulevard system continued intermittently until 1942. It includes nineteen boulevards, eight parks, and sixsquares, along twenty-six miles of interconnected streets.TheChicago Park Boulevard System Historic Districtwas listed on theNational Register of Historic Placesin 2018. With berths for more than 6,000 boats, the Chicago Park District operates the nation's largest municipal harbor system.In addition to ongoing beautification and renewal projects for the existing parks, a number of new parks have been added in recent years, such as thePing Tom Memorial Parkin Chinatown,DuSable Parkon the Near North Side, and most notably, Millennium Park, which is in the northwestern corner of one of Chicago's oldest parks, Grant Park in the Chicago Loop. The wealth of greenspace afforded by Chicago's parks is further augmented by theCook County Forest Preserves, a network of open spaces containing forest,prairie,wetland, streams, and lakes that are set aside as natural areas which\",\n \"natural areas which lie along the city's outskirts,including both theChicago Botanic GardeninGlencoeand theBrookfield ZooinBrookfield.Washington Park is also one of the city's biggest parks; covering nearly 400 acres (160 ha). The park is listed on theNational Register of Historic Places listings in South Side Chicago. Law and government Government The government of the City of Chicago is divided into executive andlegislativebranches. Themayor of Chicagois the chief executive, elected by general election for a term of four years, with no term limits. The current mayor isBrandon Johnson. The mayor appoints commissioners and other officials who oversee the various departments. As well as the mayor, Chicago's clerk and treasurer are also elected citywide. TheCity Councilis the legislative branch and is made up of 50 alderpersons, one elected from eachwardin the city.The council takes official action through the passage ofordinancesand resolutions and approves the city budget. TheChicago Police\",\n \"TheChicago Police Departmentprovides law enforcement and theChicago Fire Departmentprovides fire suppression and emergency medical services for the city and its residents. Civil and criminal law cases are heard in theCook County Circuit Courtof the State of Illinois court system, or in theNorthern District of Illinois, in the federal system. In the state court, the public prosecutor is the Illinoisstate's attorney; in the Federal court it is the United Statesattorney. Politics During much of the last half of the 19th century, Chicago's politics were dominated by a growingDemocratic Partyorganization. During the 1880s and 1890s, Chicago had a powerful radical tradition with large and highly organizedsocialist,anarchistandlabor organizations.For much of the 20th century, Chicago has been among the largest and most reliable Democratic strongholds in the United States; with Chicago's Democratic vote the state of Illinois has been \\\"solid blue\\\" inpresidential electionssince 1992. Even before then, it was not\",\n \"then, it was not unheard of for Republican presidential candidates to win handily in downstate Illinois, only to lose statewide due to large Democratic margins in Chicago. The citizens of Chicago have not elected aRepublicanmayor since 1927, whenWilliam Thompsonwas voted into office. The strength of the party in the city is partly a consequence of Illinois state politics, where the Republicans have come to represent rural and farm concerns while the Democrats support urban issues such as Chicago's public school funding. Chicago contains less than 25% of the state's population, but it is split between eight of Illinois' 17districtsin theUnited States House of Representatives. All eight of the city's representatives are Democrats; only two Republicans have represented a significant portion of the city since 1973, for one term each:Robert P. Hanrahanfrom 1973 to 1975, andMichael Patrick Flanaganfrom 1995 to 1997. Machine politicspersisted in Chicago after the decline of similar machines in other large U.S.\",\n \"in other large U.S. cities.During much of that time, the city administration found opposition mainly from a liberal \\\"independent\\\" faction of the Democratic Party. The independents finally gained control of city government in 1983 with the election ofHarold Washington(in office 1983–1987). From 1989 until May 16, 2011, Chicago was under the leadership of its longest-serving mayor,Richard M. Daley, the son of Richard J. Daley. Because of the dominance of the Democratic Party in Chicago, the Democraticprimaryvote held in the spring is generally more significant than the general elections in November for U.S. House and Illinois State seats. The aldermanic, mayoral, and other city offices are filled through nonpartisan elections with runoffs as needed. The city is home of former United States PresidentBarack Obamaand First LadyMichelle Obama; Barack Obama was formerly a state legislator representing Chicago and later a U.S. senator. The Obamas' residence is located near the University of Chicago inKenwoodon the\",\n \"inKenwoodon the city's south side. Crime Chicago's crime rate in 2020 was 3,926 per 100,000 people.Chicago experienced major rises inviolent crimein the 1920s, in the late 1960s, and in the 2020s.Chicago's biggestcriminal justicechallenges have changed little over the last 50 years, and statistically reside with homicide,armed robbery, gang violence, andaggravated battery. Chicago has a higher murder rate than the larger cities of New York and Los Angeles. However, while it has a large absolute number of crimes due to its size, Chicago is not among the top-25 most violent cities in the United States. Murder rates in Chicago vary greatly depending on the neighborhood in question.The neighborhoods ofEnglewoodon the South Side, andAustinon the West side, for example, have homicide rates that are ten times higher than other parts of the city.Chicago has an estimated population of over 100,000 active gang members from nearly 60 factions.According to reports in 2013, \\\"most of Chicago's violent crime comes from\",\n \"crime comes from gangs trying to maintain control of drug-selling territories,\\\"and is specifically related to the activities of theSinaloa Cartel, which is active in several American cities.Violent crime rates vary significantly by area of the city, with more economically developed areas having low rates, but other sections have much higher rates of crime.In 2013, the violent crime rate was 910 per 100,000 people;the murder rate was 10.4 per 100,000 – while high crime districts saw 38.9 murders, low crime districts saw 2.5 murders per 100,000. Chicago has a long history of publiccorruptionthat regularly draws the attention of federal law enforcement and federal prosecutors.From 2012 to 2019, 33 Chicago alderpersons were convicted on corruption charges, roughly one third of those elected in the time period. A report from the Office of the Legislative Inspector General noted that over half of Chicago's elected alderpersons took illegal campaign contributions in 2013.Most corruption cases in Chicago are\",\n \"in Chicago are prosecuted by theU.S. Attorney's office, as legaljurisdictionmakes most offenses punishable as a federal crime. Education Schools and libraries Chicago Public Schools(CPS) is the governing body of theschool districtthat contains over 600 public elementary and high schools citywide, including several selective-admission magnet schools. There are eleven selective enrollment high schools in the Chicago Public Schools, designed to meet the needs of Chicago's most academically advanced students. These schools offer a rigorous curriculum with mainly honors andAdvanced Placement(AP) courses.Walter Payton College Prep High Schoolis ranked number one in the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois. Chicago high school rankings are determined by the average test scores on state achievement tests.The district, with an enrollment exceeding 400,545 students (2013–2014 20th Day Enrollment), is the third-largest in the U.S.On September 10, 2012, teachers for the Chicago Teachers Union went on strike for the\",\n \"on strike for the first time since 1987 over pay, resources, and other issues.According to data compiled in 2014, Chicago's \\\"choice system\\\", where students who test or apply and may attend one of a number of public high schools (there are about 130), sorts students of different achievement levels into different schools (high performing, middle performing, and low performing schools). Chicago has a network ofLutheran schools,and several private schools are run by other denominations and faiths, such as theIda Crown Jewish AcademyinWest Ridge. TheRoman Catholic Archdiocese of ChicagooperatesCatholic schools, that includeJesuit preparatory schoolsand others. A number of private schools are completely secular. There are also the privateChicago Academy for the Arts, a high school focused on six different categories of the arts and the publicChicago High School for the Arts, a high school focused on five categories (visual arts, theatre, musical theatre, dance, and music) of the arts. TheChicago Public\",\n \"TheChicago Public Librarysystem operates three regional libraries and 77 neighborhood branches, including the central library. Colleges and universities Since the 1850s, Chicago has been a world center of higher education and research with several universities. These institutions consistently rank among the top \\\"National Universities\\\" in the United States, as determined byU.S. News & World Report.Highly regarded universities in Chicago and the surrounding area are the University of Chicago; Northwestern University;Illinois Institute of Technology;Loyola University Chicago;DePaul University;Columbia College Chicagoand theUniversity of Illinois Chicago. Other notable schools include:Chicago State University; theSchool of the Art Institute of Chicago;East–West University;National Louis University;North Park University;Northeastern Illinois University;Robert Morris University Illinois;Roosevelt University;Saint Xavier University;Rush University; andShimer College. William Rainey Harper, the first president of\",\n \"first president of the University of Chicago, was instrumental in the creation of thejunior collegeconcept, establishing nearbyJoliet Junior Collegeas the first in the nation in 1901.His legacy continues with the multiplecommunity collegesin the Chicago proper, including the sevenCity Colleges of Chicago:Richard J. Daley College,Kennedy–King College,Malcolm X College,Olive–Harvey College,Truman College,Harold Washington College, andWilbur Wright College, in addition to the privately heldMacCormac College. Chicago also has a high concentration of post-baccalaureate institutions, graduate schools, seminaries, and theological schools, such as theAdler School of Professional Psychology,The Chicago School of Professional Psychology, theErikson Institute,The Institute for Clinical Social Work, theLutheran School of Theology at Chicago, theCatholic Theological Union, theMoody Bible Institute, and theUniversity of Chicago Divinity School. Media Television The Chicago metropolitan area is a major media hub and the\",\n \"media hub and the third-largest media market in the United States, after New York City and Los Angeles.Each of the big fiveU.S. television networks,NBC,ABC,CBS,FoxandThe CW, directly owns and operates ahigh-definition televisionstation in Chicago (WMAQ5,WLS7,WBBM2,WFLD32 andWGN-TV9, respectively). WGN is owned by the CW through a majority stake held in the network by theNexstar Media Group, which acquired it from its founding ownerTribune Broadcastingin 2019. WGN was once carried, with some programming differences, as \\\"WGN America\\\" oncable and satellite TVnationwide and in parts of theCaribbean. WGN America eventually becameNewsNationin 2021. Chicago has also been the home of several prominent talk shows, includingThe Oprah Winfrey Show,Steve Harvey Show,The Rosie Show,The Jerry Springer Show,The Phil Donahue Show,The Jenny Jones Show, and more. The city also has onePBSmember station (its second:WYCC20, removed its affiliation with PBS in 2017):WTTW11, producer of shows such asSneak Previews,The Frugal\",\n \"Previews,The Frugal Gourmet,Lamb Chop's Play-AlongandThe McLaughlin Group. As of 2018,Windy City Liveis Chicago's only daytime talk show, which is hosted by Val Warner andRyan Chiaveriniat ABC7 Studios with a live weekday audience. Since 1999,Judge Mathisalso films his syndicated arbitration-based realitycourt showat theNBC Tower. Beginning in January 2019,Newsybegan producing 12 of its 14 hours of live news programming per day from its new facility in Chicago. Television stations Most of Chicago's television stations are owned and operated by the big television network companies. They are: Newspapers Two major daily newspapers are published in Chicago: theChicago Tribuneand theChicago Sun-Times, with the Tribune having the larger circulation. There are also several regional and special-interest newspapers and magazines, such asChicago, theDziennik Związkowy(Polish Daily News),Draugas(the Lithuanian daily newspaper), theChicago Reader, theSouthtownStar, theChicago Defender, theDaily\",\n \"Defender, theDaily Herald,Newcity,StreetWiseand theWindy City Times. The entertainment and cultural magazineTime Out ChicagoandGRABmagazine are also published in the city, as well as local music magazineChicago Innerview. In addition, Chicago is the home of satirical national news outlet,The Onion, as well as its sister pop-culture publication,The A.V. Club. Movies and filming Radio Chicago has five50,000 watt AM radio stations: theAudacy-ownedWBBMandWSCR; theTribune Broadcasting-ownedWGN; theCumulus Media-ownedWLS; and theESPN Radio-ownedWMVP. Chicago is also home to a number of national radio shows, includingBeyond the BeltwaywithBruce DuMonton Sunday evenings. Chicago Public Radioproduces nationally aired programs such asPRI'sThis American LifeandNPR'sWait Wait...Don't Tell Me!. Infrastructure Transportation Chicago is a major transportation hub in the United States. It is an important component in global distribution, as it is the third-largest inter-modal port in the world afterHong KongandSingapore.\",\n \"KongandSingapore. The city of Chicago has a higher than average percentage of households without a car. In 2015, 26.5 percent of Chicago households were without a car, and increased slightly to 27.5 percent in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Chicago averaged 1.12 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8. Parking Due to Chicago'sWheel Tax,residents of Chicago who own a vehicle are required to purchase a Chicago City Vehicle Sticker.In established Residential Parking Zones, only local residents can purchase Zone-specific parking stickers for themselves and guests. Chicago since 2009 has relinquished rights to itspublicstreet parking.In 2008, as Chicago struggled to close a growing budget deficit, the city agreed to a 75-year, $1.16 billion deal to lease itsparking metersystem to an operating company created byMorgan Stanley, calledChicago Parking Meters LLC. Daley said the \\\"agreement is very good news for the taxpayers of Chicago because it will provide more than $1\",\n \"more than $1 billion in net proceeds that can be used during this very difficult economy.\\\" The rights of the parking ticket lease end in 2081, and since 2022 have already recouped over $1.5 billion in revenue forChicago Parking Meters LLCinvestors. Expressways Seven mainline and four auxiliaryinterstate highways(55,57,65(only in Indiana),80(also inIndiana),88,90(also inIndiana),94(also inIndiana),190,290,294, and355) run through Chicago and its suburbs. Segments that link to the city center are named after influential politicians, with three of them named after former U.S. Presidents (Eisenhower, Kennedy, and Reagan) and one named after two-time Democratic candidateAdlai Stevenson. TheKennedyandDan RyanExpressways are the busiest state maintained routes in the entire state of Illinois. Transit systems TheRegional Transportation Authority(RTA) coordinates the operation of the three service boards: CTA, Metra, and Pace. Greyhound Linesprovides inter-city bus service to and from the city at theChicago Bus\",\n \"at theChicago Bus Station, and Chicago is also the hub for the Midwest network ofMegabus (North America). Passenger rail Amtraklong distance andcommuter railservices originate fromUnion Station.Chicago is one of the largest hubs of passenger rail service in the nation.The services terminate in the San Francisco area, Washington, D.C., New York City, New Orleans,Portland,Seattle,Milwaukee,Quincy,St. Louis,Carbondale, Boston,Grand Rapids,Port Huron,Pontiac, Los Angeles, andSan Antonio. Future service will terminate atMoline. An attempt was made in the early 20th century to link Chicago with New York City via theChicago – New York Electric Air Line Railroad. Parts of this were built, but it was never completed. Bicycle and scooter sharing systems In July 2013, thebicycle-sharing systemDivvywas launched with 750 bikes and 75 docking stationsIt is operated byLyftfor theChicago Department of Transportation.As of July 2019, Divvy operated 5800 bicycles at 608 stations, covering almost all of the city,\",\n \"all of the city, excludingPullman, Rosedale,Beverly,Belmont CraginandEdison Park. In May 2019, The City of Chicago announced its Chicago's Electric Shared Scooter Pilot Program, scheduled to run from June 15 to October 15.The program started on June 15 with 10 different scooter companies, including scooter sharing market leadersBird,Jump,LimeandLyft.Each company was allowed to bring 250electric scooters, although both Bird and Lime claimed that they experienced a higher demand for their scooters.The program ended on October 15, with nearly 800,000 rides taken. Freight rail Chicago is the largest hub in the railroad industry.All fiveClass I railroadsmeet in Chicago. As of 2002, severe freight train congestion caused trains to take as long to get through the Chicago region as it took to get there from the West Coast of the country (about 2 days).According to U.S. Department of Transportation, the volume of imported and exported goods transported via rail to, from, or through Chicago is forecast to increase\",\n \"to increase nearly 150 percent between 2010 and 2040.CREATE, theChicago Region Environmental and Transportation Efficiency Program, comprises about 70 programs, including crossovers, overpasses and underpasses, that intend to significantly improve the speed of freight movements in the Chicago area. Airports Chicago is served byO'Hare International Airport, the world's busiest airport measured by airline operations,on the far Northwest Side, andMidway International Airporton the Southwest Side. In 2005, O'Hare was the world's busiest airport by aircraft movements and the second-busiest by total passenger traffic.Both O'Hare and Midway are owned and operated by the City of Chicago.Gary/Chicago International AirportandChicago Rockford International Airport, located inGary, IndianaandRockford, Illinois, respectively, can serve as alternative Chicago area airports, however they do not offer as many commercial flights as O'Hare and Midway. In recent years the state of Illinois has been leaning towardsbuilding an\",\n \"towardsbuilding an entirely new airportin the Illinois suburbs of Chicago.The City of Chicago is the world headquarters forUnited Airlines, the world's third-largest airline. Port authority The Port of Chicago consists of several major port facilities within the city of Chicago operated by the Illinois International Port District (formerly known as the Chicago Regional Port District). The central element of the Port District, Calumet Harbor, is maintained by theU.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Utilities Electricity for most ofnorthern Illinoisis provided byCommonwealth Edison, also known as ComEd. Their service territory bordersIroquois Countyto the south, theWisconsinborder to the north, theIowaborder to the west and theIndianaborder to the east. In northern Illinois, ComEd (a division ofExelon) operates the greatest number of nuclear generating plants in any U.S. state. Because of this, ComEd reports indicate that Chicago receives about 75% of its electricity from nuclear power. Recently, the city began\",\n \"the city began installing wind turbines on government buildings to promote renewable energy. Natural gas is provided by Peoples Gas, a subsidiary ofIntegrys Energy Group, which is headquartered in Chicago. Domestic and industrial waste was once incinerated but it is nowlandfilled, mainly in theCalumet area. From 1995 to 2008, the city had ablue bagprogram to divert recyclable refuse from landfills.Because of low participation in the blue bag programs, the city began a pilot program for blue bin recycling like other cities. This proved successful and blue bins were rolled out across the city. Health systems TheIllinois Medical Districtis on the Near West Side. It includesRush University Medical Center, ranked as the second best hospital in the Chicago metropolitan area byU.S. News & World Reportfor 2014–16, theUniversity of Illinois Medical Center at Chicago, Jesse Brown VA Hospital, andJohn H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, one of the busiest trauma centers in the nation. Two of the country's premier\",\n \"country's premier academic medical centers reside in Chicago, includingNorthwestern Memorial Hospitaland theUniversity of Chicago Medical Center. The Chicago campus of Northwestern University includes theFeinberg School of Medicine; Northwestern Memorial Hospital, which is ranked as the best hospital in the Chicago metropolitan area byU.S. News & World Reportfor 2017–18;theShirley Ryan AbilityLab(formerly named the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago), which is ranked the best U.S. rehabilitation hospital byU.S. News & World Report;the newPrentice Women's Hospital; and Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago. TheUniversity of Illinois College of Medicineat UIC is the second-largest medical school in the United States (2,600 students, including those at campuses in Peoria, Rockford andUrbana–Champaign). In addition, theChicago Medical Schooland Loyola University Chicago'sStritch School of Medicineare located in the suburbs ofNorth ChicagoandMaywood, respectively. TheMidwestern UniversityChicago\",\n \"UniversityChicago College ofOsteopathic Medicineis inDowners Grove. TheAmerican Medical Association,Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education,Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education,American Osteopathic Association,American Dental Association,Academy of General Dentistry,Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics,American Association of Nurse Anesthetists,American College of Surgeons,American Society for Clinical Pathology,American College of Healthcare Executives, theAmerican Hospital Association, andBlue Cross and Blue Shield Associationare all based in Chicago. Sister cities See also Explanatory notes References Citations Cited references Further reading External links Former:Evanston•Hyde Park•Jefferson•Lake•Lake View•North Chicago•Rogers Park•South Chicago•West Chicago\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":273,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"In Slovakia there is a well known Film Festival called the Bratistlava International Film Festival. What city/ town was the film editor for the Grand Prix winner of 2003 born in?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Roudnice nad Labem"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bratislava_International_Film_Festival"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boredom_in_Brno"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ji%C5%99%C3%AD_Bro%C5%BEek"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roudnice_nad_Labem"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bratislava_International_Film_Festival', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boredom_in_Brno', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ji%C5%99%C3%AD_Bro%C5%BEek', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roudnice_nad_Labem']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bratislava_International_Film_Festival","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boredom_in_Brno","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ji%C5%99%C3%AD_Bro%C5%BEek","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roudnice_nad_Labem"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bratislava_International_Film_Festival\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boredom_in_Brno\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ji%C5%99%C3%AD_Bro%C5%BEek\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roudnice_nad_Labem\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Bratislava International Film Festival TheBratislava International Film Festival(also known asBratislava IFF) is an internationalfilm festivalestablished in 1999 and held annually inBratislava,Slovakia. Apart from the international competition programme, it also regularly features renowned authors' film retrospectives, a European film program,independent filmprogrammes and various theme programmes. Awards Awards are presented in the following categories: Award winners Grand Prix 2003 IFF Bratislava 2004 IFF Bratislava 2005 IFF Bratislava 2006 IFF Bratislava 2007 IFF Bratislava 2008 IFF Bratislava 2009 IFF Bratislava 2010 IFF Bratislava 2011 IFF Bratislava References External links","Boredom in Brno Boredom in Brno(Czech:Nuda v Brně) is aCzechcomedy filmdirected byVladimír Morávek, based on the story \"Standa's Debut\" byPavel Bedura. It was released in 2003, and won fiveCzech Lionawards, including Best Film, Best Director (Morávek), Best Script (Morávek andJan Budař), Best Male Actor in a Leading Role (Budař) and Best Editing (Jiří Brožek). Cast Plot The film follows several couples over one night inBrno. The focus is on a 20-something couple with unspecified learning difficulties, Olinka (Kateřina Holánová) and Standa (Jan Budař), who are preparing to have sex for the first time. Standa has been receiving advice from his brother Jarda (Martin Pechlát), while Olinka has been given tips and guidance by her friends, the women who live in her apartment block. Standa and Jarda travel to Brno fromBrundalfor the occasion. Meanwhile, in a nearby pub, depressed actor Mirek (Miroslav Donutil) is with psychologist Vlasta (Pavla Tomicová), complaining about his life, and the two presently return to Vlasta's flat together where they have sex, and Vlasta counsels Mirek about the state of his marriage. In the same pub are Jaroslava (Ivana Uhlířová), a young woman who habitually attracts unpleasant men, and her current partner Richard (Marek Daniel), a pretentious and self-absorbed man who is tempted by sexual experimentation and submission. This couple return to Richard's flat in the same apartment block where Richard persuades an unwilling Jaroslava to spank him, alongside other requests. Also in the pub are life-long friends Honza (Pavel Liška) and Pavel (Filip Rajmont). While Honza rambles drunkenly about his desire for various women, Pavel has an undeclared love for Honza. At the house, Olinka is horrified to see her controlling mother return unexpectedly to the flat. Panicking, she administersrohypnolinto her mother's coffee, and locks her unconscious in a storage cupboard. Standa arrives and they visit Olinka's friends so Standa can be vetted for their approval. Back down in Olinka's flat, Standa and Olinka share an awkward meal, and then proceed to the bedroom and are extremely nervous, but eventually Olinka manages to initiate sex. Despite Jarda's training, Standa is unable to put on the condom, so they do not use one. Meanwhile Jarda arrives at Olinka's friends' party upstairs to drink with them. Meanwhile, Mirek leaves Vlasta's house to go home, but on the way has a drunken argument with his wife on the phone, and ends up walking home toLíšeňin a drunken depression. Honza and Pavel also head home to Pavel's house, and Pavel is perturbed when Honza kisses his cheek while he sleeps. After having sex, Olinka excitedly tells her friends what happened, but at the same time her mother wakes up and sees Standa dancing in his underwear through the keyhole. When Olinka returns to the flat, the two women argue, and Standa flees the flat in panic. Pavel and Honza leave Pavel's place very early to deliverrohlíkto Líšeň, but on the way Pavel takes his eyes off the road and hits Mirek, killing him. Comforting Pavel, Honza confides that his love is returned. Meanwhile, Olinka releases her mother from the pantry, but then locks her in again when Standa returns to her. A voice over confirms that Olinka is pregnant. External links","Jiří Brožek Jiří Brožek(born 11 March 1947) is a Czech film editor. Biography During 1967‒1973 he attended Editing and Directing atFAMU.Then he started to work inBarrandov Movie Studios, from 1976 Brožek is self-employed. During the career he edited more than 100 feature films, variety of the TV production and many TV series. He cooperated withLadislav Smoljak(Ball Lightning,Waiter, Scarper!,Jára Cimrman Lying, Sleeping)Karel Kachyňa(Love Between the Raindrops,Forbidden Dreams),Jiří Menzel(Cutting It Short,The Snowdrop Festival,My Sweet Little Village),Věra Chytilová(Calamity,Wolf's Hole) orVáclav Havel(Leaving). Jiří Brožek was awarded nineCzech Lionsfor filmsKrvavý román(1993),Sekal Has to Die(1998),Anděl Exit(2000),Boredom in Brno(2003),The City of the Sun(2005),Pleasant Moments(2006),...a bude hůř(2007),Leaving(2011) andFilthy(2017), twice he gainedSlovakfilm awardSlnko v sietiforThe City of the Sun(2006) andGypsy(2012). He is a member ofCzech Film and Television Academy(ČFTA)and honourable member of Slovak Film and Television Academy (SFTA). He is married and has three children. Filmography Editor Actor Cooperation References External links","Roudnice nad Labem Roudnice nad Labem(Czech pronunciation:;German:Raudnitz an der Elbe) is a town inLitoměřice Districtin theÚstí nad Labem Regionof theCzech Republic. It has about 13,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as anurban monument zone. A steel road bridge dating from the early 20th century spans theElbein Roudnice nad Labem. Its medieval predecessor was the third oldest stone bridge inBohemia(afterPragueandPísek) and the first bridge to connect both banks of the river. Roudnice nad Labem features a castle of lateRomanesqueorigin, now reconstructed inBaroquestyle. Administrative parts The village of Podlusky is an administrative part of Roudnice nad Labem. Etymology The initial names Rúdnik and Rúdnica probably come from the iron water of a nearby spring (ruda= 'ore'). Geography Roudnice nad Labem is located about 15 kilometres (9 mi) southeast ofLitoměřiceand 37 km (23 mi) north ofPrague. It lies in theLower Ohře Table, in thePolabílowlands. The highest point is on the hill Hostěraz at 265 m (869 ft) above sea level. The town is situated on the left bank of theElbeRiver, which forms the northern municipal border. History Roudnice nad Labem is one of the oldest Czech towns. The first written mentions of Roudnice are from 1167 and 1176,but archeological excavations in the area confirm existence of a prehistoric settlement. The market settlement quickly became economically important due to its location on the Lusatian road, and in the 13th century, it received town status. In the 12th century, aRomanesquecastle was built, used as the summer residence of archbishops and bishops. In 1333, BishopJan IV of Dražiceordered that a bridge be built over the Elbe. It was the first stone bridge over the Elbe and the third stone bridge in Bohemia. At the end of the 14th century, the New Town of Roudnice nad Labem (encompassing today's Jan of Dražice Square and Hus Square) was built and, along with the Old Town of Roudnice nad Labem, surrounded by walls. In 1421, during theHussite Wars, Roudnice nad Labem was conquered byJan Žižka. During the Hussite invasions, the local monastery was destroyed and would never be rebuilt. After the Hussite Wars, the town was sold several times, which did not benefit its development. In 1603, it was acquired by theLobkowicz familyand it remained under their control until 1945. During their rule, the town was rebuilt and expanded. During theThirty Years' War, Roudnice nad Labem was burned down and demolished by theSwedish army. In the 19th century, Roudnice nad Labem became the industrial and economical centre of the Podřipský region, due to several new factories and the railway from Prague to Dresden.Until 1918, the town was part ofAustria-Hungary, in the district of the same name, one of the 94BezirkshauptmannschafteninBohemia. The firstfootballmatch in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and in the Czech lands took place on the islet in the middle of the Elbe, located within the town limits, in 1887 (in 1892, according to some sources).In 1910, the old stone bridge was rebuilt into a new steel road bridge. Demographics Transport TheD8 motorwayfrom Prague to Ústí nad Labem runs along the western municipal border. Roudnice nad Labem is located on the intraregional railway line Prague–Děčín. It is also the starting point of a local line toBřízawith four stops within the town. Education There are four high schools in Roudnice nad Labem: Gymnasium Roudnice nad Labem, Vocational School and Training Centre, Podřipská Private Vocational School and Training Centre, and Higher Vocational School and Secondary Vocational School, which also offers higher education.There are also five primary schools, including one special school, and a primary art school. Sport The town has a swimming pool, an ice hockey arena, and football and athletic stadiums. Roudnice airport is located near the southwestern edge of the town and hosts the Memorial Air Show every other year. Sights The historic centre is made up of the castle complex and ofCharlesSquare (Karlovo náměstí),HusSquare (Husovo náměstí),PurkyněSquare (Purkyňovo náměstí) and Jan of Dražice Square (náměstí Jana z Dražic). The town hall is located on Charles Square. It is a pseudo-Renaissance building from 1869. The Gothic stone watchtower is the only preserved remnant of the Old Town's fortifications. It is open to the public as a lookout tower. The church complex is formed of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Augustinian monastery. The monastery was built in 1333–1353. The church is a typical Czech Gothic building from the first half of the 14th century. The iron spring after which the town got its name is located there. Roudnice Castle Roudnice Castle was built in the 12th century by Prague bishops to protect an important trade route from Prague toUpper Lusatiaalong theElbe. In the 14th and 15th centuries, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style and became a popular summer residence for Prague bishops.There is a common misconception thatJan Huswas ordained as a priest there. In 1421, the Catholic Church sold the castle to noble Jan Smiřický who renovated it again. KingGeorge of Poděbradycaptured Roudnice from Smiřický in 1467. It passed into the ownership ofWilliam of Rosenberg, the Supreme Burgrave and one of the wealthiest men in Bohemia. After Rosenberg's death, his widow Polyxena Pernštejn married Zdeněk Vojtěch ofLobkowicz, Chancellor of the Czech Kingdom, and, later, 1st Prince Lobkowicz, bringing Roudnice into the Lobkowicz family possessions. In 1652, their son,Václav Eusebius, embarked upon an ambitious project to transform the castle into an early Baroque palace. From 1657 untilWorld War II, the Lobkowicz Collection's library was stored in Roudnice Castle, leading to the library being named theRoudnice Lobkowicz Library. Václav Eusebius of Lobkowicz hired two Italian architects, Francesco Caratti and Antonio della Porta, to completely renovate Roudnice Castle. Between 1652 and 1684, they demolished most of the original structure, creating a 200-room baroque residence that included a clock tower, a chapel decorated with elaborate frescoes, a theatre, and large formal gardens. For two and a half centuries Roudnice served as a repository for the Lobkowicz family's collections of artwork, religious objects, musical instruments, and books and manuscripts. The castle was confiscated by the Communist government in 1948; theCzechoslovak People's Armyused the building for the Vít Nejedlý military music school, as well as for administrative offices. After 1989, the castle was restored to the Lobkowicz family, who continued to rent the castle to the school until it closed in 2008. In 2009 the castle underwent major renovations, and it was opened to the public. The Castle Riding Hall was built in the 17th century by Antonio della Porta. Today it houses the Gallery of Modern Art. Notable people Twin towns – sister cities Roudnice nad Labem istwinnedwith: Gallery References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Bratislava International Film Festival TheBratislava International Film Festival(also known asBratislava IFF) is an internationalfilm festivalestablished in 1999 and held annually inBratislava,Slovakia. Apart from the international competition programme, it also regularly features renowned authors' film retrospectives, a European film program,independent filmprogrammes and various theme programmes. Awards Awards are presented in the following categories: Award winners Grand Prix 2003 IFF Bratislava 2004 IFF Bratislava 2005 IFF Bratislava 2006 IFF Bratislava 2007 IFF Bratislava 2008 IFF Bratislava 2009 IFF Bratislava 2010 IFF Bratislava 2011 IFF Bratislava References External links\",\n \"Boredom in Brno Boredom in Brno(Czech:Nuda v Brně) is aCzechcomedy filmdirected byVladimír Morávek, based on the story \\\"Standa's Debut\\\" byPavel Bedura. It was released in 2003, and won fiveCzech Lionawards, including Best Film, Best Director (Morávek), Best Script (Morávek andJan Budař), Best Male Actor in a Leading Role (Budař) and Best Editing (Jiří Brožek). Cast Plot The film follows several couples over one night inBrno. The focus is on a 20-something couple with unspecified learning difficulties, Olinka (Kateřina Holánová) and Standa (Jan Budař), who are preparing to have sex for the first time. Standa has been receiving advice from his brother Jarda (Martin Pechlát), while Olinka has been given tips and guidance by her friends, the women who live in her apartment block. Standa and Jarda travel to Brno fromBrundalfor the occasion. Meanwhile, in a nearby pub, depressed actor Mirek (Miroslav Donutil) is with psychologist Vlasta (Pavla Tomicová), complaining about his life, and the two presently return to Vlasta's flat together where they have sex, and Vlasta counsels Mirek about the state of his marriage. In the same pub are Jaroslava (Ivana Uhlířová), a young woman who habitually attracts unpleasant men, and her current partner Richard (Marek Daniel), a pretentious and self-absorbed man who is tempted by sexual experimentation and submission. This couple return to Richard's flat in the same apartment block where Richard persuades an unwilling Jaroslava to spank him, alongside other requests. Also in the pub are life-long friends Honza (Pavel Liška) and Pavel (Filip Rajmont). While Honza rambles drunkenly about his desire for various women, Pavel has an undeclared love for Honza. At the house, Olinka is horrified to see her controlling mother return unexpectedly to the flat. Panicking, she administersrohypnolinto her mother's coffee, and locks her unconscious in a storage cupboard. Standa arrives and they visit Olinka's friends so Standa can be vetted for their approval. Back down in Olinka's flat, Standa and Olinka share an awkward meal, and then proceed to the bedroom and are extremely nervous, but eventually Olinka manages to initiate sex. Despite Jarda's training, Standa is unable to put on the condom, so they do not use one. Meanwhile Jarda arrives at Olinka's friends' party upstairs to drink with them. Meanwhile, Mirek leaves Vlasta's house to go home, but on the way has a drunken argument with his wife on the phone, and ends up walking home toLíšeňin a drunken depression. Honza and Pavel also head home to Pavel's house, and Pavel is perturbed when Honza kisses his cheek while he sleeps. After having sex, Olinka excitedly tells her friends what happened, but at the same time her mother wakes up and sees Standa dancing in his underwear through the keyhole. When Olinka returns to the flat, the two women argue, and Standa flees the flat in panic. Pavel and Honza leave Pavel's place very early to deliverrohlíkto Líšeň, but on the way Pavel takes his eyes off the road and hits Mirek, killing him. Comforting Pavel, Honza confides that his love is returned. Meanwhile, Olinka releases her mother from the pantry, but then locks her in again when Standa returns to her. A voice over confirms that Olinka is pregnant. External links\",\n \"Jiří Brožek Jiří Brožek(born 11 March 1947) is a Czech film editor. Biography During 1967‒1973 he attended Editing and Directing atFAMU.Then he started to work inBarrandov Movie Studios, from 1976 Brožek is self-employed. During the career he edited more than 100 feature films, variety of the TV production and many TV series. He cooperated withLadislav Smoljak(Ball Lightning,Waiter, Scarper!,Jára Cimrman Lying, Sleeping)Karel Kachyňa(Love Between the Raindrops,Forbidden Dreams),Jiří Menzel(Cutting It Short,The Snowdrop Festival,My Sweet Little Village),Věra Chytilová(Calamity,Wolf's Hole) orVáclav Havel(Leaving). Jiří Brožek was awarded nineCzech Lionsfor filmsKrvavý román(1993),Sekal Has to Die(1998),Anděl Exit(2000),Boredom in Brno(2003),The City of the Sun(2005),Pleasant Moments(2006),...a bude hůř(2007),Leaving(2011) andFilthy(2017), twice he gainedSlovakfilm awardSlnko v sietiforThe City of the Sun(2006) andGypsy(2012). He is a member ofCzech Film and Television Academy(ČFTA)and honourable member of Slovak Film and Television Academy (SFTA). He is married and has three children. Filmography Editor Actor Cooperation References External links\",\n \"Roudnice nad Labem Roudnice nad Labem(Czech pronunciation:;German:Raudnitz an der Elbe) is a town inLitoměřice Districtin theÚstí nad Labem Regionof theCzech Republic. It has about 13,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as anurban monument zone. A steel road bridge dating from the early 20th century spans theElbein Roudnice nad Labem. Its medieval predecessor was the third oldest stone bridge inBohemia(afterPragueandPísek) and the first bridge to connect both banks of the river. Roudnice nad Labem features a castle of lateRomanesqueorigin, now reconstructed inBaroquestyle. Administrative parts The village of Podlusky is an administrative part of Roudnice nad Labem. Etymology The initial names Rúdnik and Rúdnica probably come from the iron water of a nearby spring (ruda= 'ore'). Geography Roudnice nad Labem is located about 15 kilometres (9 mi) southeast ofLitoměřiceand 37 km (23 mi) north ofPrague. It lies in theLower Ohře Table, in thePolabílowlands. The highest point is on the hill Hostěraz at 265 m (869 ft) above sea level. The town is situated on the left bank of theElbeRiver, which forms the northern municipal border. History Roudnice nad Labem is one of the oldest Czech towns. The first written mentions of Roudnice are from 1167 and 1176,but archeological excavations in the area confirm existence of a prehistoric settlement. The market settlement quickly became economically important due to its location on the Lusatian road, and in the 13th century, it received town status. In the 12th century, aRomanesquecastle was built, used as the summer residence of archbishops and bishops. In 1333, BishopJan IV of Dražiceordered that a bridge be built over the Elbe. It was the first stone bridge over the Elbe and the third stone bridge in Bohemia. At the end of the 14th century, the New Town of Roudnice nad Labem (encompassing today's Jan of Dražice Square and Hus Square) was built and, along with the Old Town of Roudnice nad Labem, surrounded by walls. In 1421, during theHussite Wars, Roudnice nad Labem was conquered byJan Žižka. During the Hussite invasions, the local monastery was destroyed and would never be rebuilt. After the Hussite Wars, the town was sold several times, which did not benefit its development. In 1603, it was acquired by theLobkowicz familyand it remained under their control until 1945. During their rule, the town was rebuilt and expanded. During theThirty Years' War, Roudnice nad Labem was burned down and demolished by theSwedish army. In the 19th century, Roudnice nad Labem became the industrial and economical centre of the Podřipský region, due to several new factories and the railway from Prague to Dresden.Until 1918, the town was part ofAustria-Hungary, in the district of the same name, one of the 94BezirkshauptmannschafteninBohemia. The firstfootballmatch in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and in the Czech lands took place on the islet in the middle of the Elbe, located within the town limits, in 1887 (in 1892, according to some sources).In 1910, the old stone bridge was rebuilt into a new steel road bridge. Demographics Transport TheD8 motorwayfrom Prague to Ústí nad Labem runs along the western municipal border. Roudnice nad Labem is located on the intraregional railway line Prague–Děčín. It is also the starting point of a local line toBřízawith four stops within the town. Education There are four high schools in Roudnice nad Labem: Gymnasium Roudnice nad Labem, Vocational School and Training Centre, Podřipská Private Vocational School and Training Centre, and Higher Vocational School and Secondary Vocational School, which also offers higher education.There are also five primary schools, including one special school, and a primary art school. Sport The town has a swimming pool, an ice hockey arena, and football and athletic stadiums. Roudnice airport is located near the southwestern edge of the town and hosts the Memorial Air Show every other year. Sights The historic centre is made up of the castle complex and ofCharlesSquare (Karlovo náměstí),HusSquare (Husovo náměstí),PurkyněSquare (Purkyňovo náměstí) and Jan of Dražice Square (náměstí Jana z Dražic). The town hall is located on Charles Square. It is a pseudo-Renaissance building from 1869. The Gothic stone watchtower is the only preserved remnant of the Old Town's fortifications. It is open to the public as a lookout tower. The church complex is formed of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Augustinian monastery. The monastery was built in 1333–1353. The church is a typical Czech Gothic building from the first half of the 14th century. The iron spring after which the town got its name is located there. Roudnice Castle Roudnice Castle was built in the 12th century by Prague bishops to protect an important trade route from Prague toUpper Lusatiaalong theElbe. In the 14th and 15th centuries, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style and became a popular summer residence for Prague bishops.There is a common misconception thatJan Huswas ordained as a priest there. In 1421, the Catholic Church sold the castle to noble Jan Smiřický who renovated it again. KingGeorge of Poděbradycaptured Roudnice from Smiřický in 1467. It passed into the ownership ofWilliam of Rosenberg, the Supreme Burgrave and one of the wealthiest men in Bohemia. After Rosenberg's death, his widow Polyxena Pernštejn married Zdeněk Vojtěch ofLobkowicz, Chancellor of the Czech Kingdom, and, later, 1st Prince Lobkowicz, bringing Roudnice into the Lobkowicz family possessions. In 1652, their son,Václav Eusebius, embarked upon an ambitious project to transform the castle into an early Baroque palace. From 1657 untilWorld War II, the Lobkowicz Collection's library was stored in Roudnice Castle, leading to the library being named theRoudnice Lobkowicz Library. Václav Eusebius of Lobkowicz hired two Italian architects, Francesco Caratti and Antonio della Porta, to completely renovate Roudnice Castle. Between 1652 and 1684, they demolished most of the original structure, creating a 200-room baroque residence that included a clock tower, a chapel decorated with elaborate frescoes, a theatre, and large formal gardens. For two and a half centuries Roudnice served as a repository for the Lobkowicz family's collections of artwork, religious objects, musical instruments, and books and manuscripts. The castle was confiscated by the Communist government in 1948; theCzechoslovak People's Armyused the building for the Vít Nejedlý military music school, as well as for administrative offices. After 1989, the castle was restored to the Lobkowicz family, who continued to rent the castle to the school until it closed in 2008. In 2009 the castle underwent major renovations, and it was opened to the public. The Castle Riding Hall was built in the 17th century by Antonio della Porta. Today it houses the Gallery of Modern Art. Notable people Twin towns – sister cities Roudnice nad Labem istwinnedwith: Gallery References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Bratislava International Film Festival TheBratislava International Film Festival(also known asBratislava IFF) is an internationalfilm festivalestablished in 1999 and held annually inBratislava,Slovakia. Apart from the international competition programme, it also regularly features renowned authors' film retrospectives, a European film program,independent filmprogrammes and various theme programmes. Awards Awards are presented in the following categories: Award winners Grand Prix 2003 IFF Bratislava 2004 IFF Bratislava 2005 IFF Bratislava 2006 IFF Bratislava 2007 IFF Bratislava 2008 IFF Bratislava 2009 IFF Bratislava 2010 IFF Bratislava 2011 IFF Bratislava References External links","Boredom in Brno Boredom in Brno(Czech:Nuda v Brně) is aCzechcomedy filmdirected byVladimír Morávek, based on the story \"Standa's Debut\" byPavel Bedura. It was released in 2003, and won fiveCzech Lionawards, including Best Film, Best Director (Morávek), Best Script (Morávek andJan Budař), Best Male Actor in a Leading Role (Budař) and Best Editing (Jiří Brožek). Cast Plot The film follows several couples over one night inBrno. The focus is on a 20-something couple with unspecified learning difficulties, Olinka (Kateřina Holánová) and Standa (Jan Budař), who are preparing to have sex for the first time. Standa has been receiving advice from his brother Jarda (Martin Pechlát), while Olinka has been given tips and guidance by her friends, the women who live in her apartment block. Standa and Jarda travel to Brno fromBrundalfor the occasion. Meanwhile, in a nearby pub, depressed actor Mirek (Miroslav Donutil) is with psychologist Vlasta (Pavla Tomicová), complaining about his life, and the two presently return to","presently return to Vlasta's flat together where they have sex, and Vlasta counsels Mirek about the state of his marriage. In the same pub are Jaroslava (Ivana Uhlířová), a young woman who habitually attracts unpleasant men, and her current partner Richard (Marek Daniel), a pretentious and self-absorbed man who is tempted by sexual experimentation and submission. This couple return to Richard's flat in the same apartment block where Richard persuades an unwilling Jaroslava to spank him, alongside other requests. Also in the pub are life-long friends Honza (Pavel Liška) and Pavel (Filip Rajmont). While Honza rambles drunkenly about his desire for various women, Pavel has an undeclared love for Honza. At the house, Olinka is horrified to see her controlling mother return unexpectedly to the flat. Panicking, she administersrohypnolinto her mother's coffee, and locks her unconscious in a storage cupboard. Standa arrives and they visit Olinka's friends so Standa can be vetted for their approval. Back down in","Back down in Olinka's flat, Standa and Olinka share an awkward meal, and then proceed to the bedroom and are extremely nervous, but eventually Olinka manages to initiate sex. Despite Jarda's training, Standa is unable to put on the condom, so they do not use one. Meanwhile Jarda arrives at Olinka's friends' party upstairs to drink with them. Meanwhile, Mirek leaves Vlasta's house to go home, but on the way has a drunken argument with his wife on the phone, and ends up walking home toLíšeňin a drunken depression. Honza and Pavel also head home to Pavel's house, and Pavel is perturbed when Honza kisses his cheek while he sleeps. After having sex, Olinka excitedly tells her friends what happened, but at the same time her mother wakes up and sees Standa dancing in his underwear through the keyhole. When Olinka returns to the flat, the two women argue, and Standa flees the flat in panic. Pavel and Honza leave Pavel's place very early to deliverrohlíkto Líšeň, but on the way Pavel takes his eyes off the road and","off the road and hits Mirek, killing him. Comforting Pavel, Honza confides that his love is returned. Meanwhile, Olinka releases her mother from the pantry, but then locks her in again when Standa returns to her. A voice over confirms that Olinka is pregnant. External links","Jiří Brožek Jiří Brožek(born 11 March 1947) is a Czech film editor. Biography During 1967‒1973 he attended Editing and Directing atFAMU.Then he started to work inBarrandov Movie Studios, from 1976 Brožek is self-employed. During the career he edited more than 100 feature films, variety of the TV production and many TV series. He cooperated withLadislav Smoljak(Ball Lightning,Waiter, Scarper!,Jára Cimrman Lying, Sleeping)Karel Kachyňa(Love Between the Raindrops,Forbidden Dreams),Jiří Menzel(Cutting It Short,The Snowdrop Festival,My Sweet Little Village),Věra Chytilová(Calamity,Wolf's Hole) orVáclav Havel(Leaving). Jiří Brožek was awarded nineCzech Lionsfor filmsKrvavý román(1993),Sekal Has to Die(1998),Anděl Exit(2000),Boredom in Brno(2003),The City of the Sun(2005),Pleasant Moments(2006),...a bude hůř(2007),Leaving(2011) andFilthy(2017), twice he gainedSlovakfilm awardSlnko v sietiforThe City of the Sun(2006) andGypsy(2012). He is a member ofCzech Film and Television Academy(ČFTA)and honourable member of","member of Slovak Film and Television Academy (SFTA). He is married and has three children. Filmography Editor Actor Cooperation References External links","Roudnice nad Labem Roudnice nad Labem(Czech pronunciation:;German:Raudnitz an der Elbe) is a town inLitoměřice Districtin theÚstí nad Labem Regionof theCzech Republic. It has about 13,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as anurban monument zone. A steel road bridge dating from the early 20th century spans theElbein Roudnice nad Labem. Its medieval predecessor was the third oldest stone bridge inBohemia(afterPragueandPísek) and the first bridge to connect both banks of the river. Roudnice nad Labem features a castle of lateRomanesqueorigin, now reconstructed inBaroquestyle. Administrative parts The village of Podlusky is an administrative part of Roudnice nad Labem. Etymology The initial names Rúdnik and Rúdnica probably come from the iron water of a nearby spring (ruda= 'ore'). Geography Roudnice nad Labem is located about 15 kilometres (9 mi) southeast ofLitoměřiceand 37 km (23 mi) north ofPrague. It lies in theLower Ohře Table, in thePolabílowlands. The","The highest point is on the hill Hostěraz at 265 m (869 ft) above sea level. The town is situated on the left bank of theElbeRiver, which forms the northern municipal border. History Roudnice nad Labem is one of the oldest Czech towns. The first written mentions of Roudnice are from 1167 and 1176,but archeological excavations in the area confirm existence of a prehistoric settlement. The market settlement quickly became economically important due to its location on the Lusatian road, and in the 13th century, it received town status. In the 12th century, aRomanesquecastle was built, used as the summer residence of archbishops and bishops. In 1333, BishopJan IV of Dražiceordered that a bridge be built over the Elbe. It was the first stone bridge over the Elbe and the third stone bridge in Bohemia. At the end of the 14th century, the New Town of Roudnice nad Labem (encompassing today's Jan of Dražice Square and Hus Square) was built and, along with the Old Town of Roudnice nad Labem, surrounded by walls. In","by walls. In 1421, during theHussite Wars, Roudnice nad Labem was conquered byJan Žižka. During the Hussite invasions, the local monastery was destroyed and would never be rebuilt. After the Hussite Wars, the town was sold several times, which did not benefit its development. In 1603, it was acquired by theLobkowicz familyand it remained under their control until 1945. During their rule, the town was rebuilt and expanded. During theThirty Years' War, Roudnice nad Labem was burned down and demolished by theSwedish army. In the 19th century, Roudnice nad Labem became the industrial and economical centre of the Podřipský region, due to several new factories and the railway from Prague to Dresden.Until 1918, the town was part ofAustria-Hungary, in the district of the same name, one of the 94BezirkshauptmannschafteninBohemia. The firstfootballmatch in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and in the Czech lands took place on the islet in the middle of the Elbe, located within the town limits, in 1887 (in 1892, according to","1892, according to some sources).In 1910, the old stone bridge was rebuilt into a new steel road bridge. Demographics Transport TheD8 motorwayfrom Prague to Ústí nad Labem runs along the western municipal border. Roudnice nad Labem is located on the intraregional railway line Prague–Děčín. It is also the starting point of a local line toBřízawith four stops within the town. Education There are four high schools in Roudnice nad Labem: Gymnasium Roudnice nad Labem, Vocational School and Training Centre, Podřipská Private Vocational School and Training Centre, and Higher Vocational School and Secondary Vocational School, which also offers higher education.There are also five primary schools, including one special school, and a primary art school. Sport The town has a swimming pool, an ice hockey arena, and football and athletic stadiums. Roudnice airport is located near the southwestern edge of the town and hosts the Memorial Air Show every other year. Sights The historic centre is made up of the castle complex","the castle complex and ofCharlesSquare (Karlovo náměstí),HusSquare (Husovo náměstí),PurkyněSquare (Purkyňovo náměstí) and Jan of Dražice Square (náměstí Jana z Dražic). The town hall is located on Charles Square. It is a pseudo-Renaissance building from 1869. The Gothic stone watchtower is the only preserved remnant of the Old Town's fortifications. It is open to the public as a lookout tower. The church complex is formed of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Augustinian monastery. The monastery was built in 1333–1353. The church is a typical Czech Gothic building from the first half of the 14th century. The iron spring after which the town got its name is located there. Roudnice Castle Roudnice Castle was built in the 12th century by Prague bishops to protect an important trade route from Prague toUpper Lusatiaalong theElbe. In the 14th and 15th centuries, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style and became a popular summer residence for Prague bishops.There is a common misconception thatJan","thatJan Huswas ordained as a priest there. In 1421, the Catholic Church sold the castle to noble Jan Smiřický who renovated it again. KingGeorge of Poděbradycaptured Roudnice from Smiřický in 1467. It passed into the ownership ofWilliam of Rosenberg, the Supreme Burgrave and one of the wealthiest men in Bohemia. After Rosenberg's death, his widow Polyxena Pernštejn married Zdeněk Vojtěch ofLobkowicz, Chancellor of the Czech Kingdom, and, later, 1st Prince Lobkowicz, bringing Roudnice into the Lobkowicz family possessions. In 1652, their son,Václav Eusebius, embarked upon an ambitious project to transform the castle into an early Baroque palace. From 1657 untilWorld War II, the Lobkowicz Collection's library was stored in Roudnice Castle, leading to the library being named theRoudnice Lobkowicz Library. Václav Eusebius of Lobkowicz hired two Italian architects, Francesco Caratti and Antonio della Porta, to completely renovate Roudnice Castle. Between 1652 and 1684, they demolished most of the original","of the original structure, creating a 200-room baroque residence that included a clock tower, a chapel decorated with elaborate frescoes, a theatre, and large formal gardens. For two and a half centuries Roudnice served as a repository for the Lobkowicz family's collections of artwork, religious objects, musical instruments, and books and manuscripts. The castle was confiscated by the Communist government in 1948; theCzechoslovak People's Armyused the building for the Vít Nejedlý military music school, as well as for administrative offices. After 1989, the castle was restored to the Lobkowicz family, who continued to rent the castle to the school until it closed in 2008. In 2009 the castle underwent major renovations, and it was opened to the public. The Castle Riding Hall was built in the 17th century by Antonio della Porta. Today it houses the Gallery of Modern Art. Notable people Twin towns – sister cities Roudnice nad Labem istwinnedwith: Gallery References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Bratislava International Film Festival TheBratislava International Film Festival(also known asBratislava IFF) is an internationalfilm festivalestablished in 1999 and held annually inBratislava,Slovakia. Apart from the international competition programme, it also regularly features renowned authors' film retrospectives, a European film program,independent filmprogrammes and various theme programmes. Awards Awards are presented in the following categories: Award winners Grand Prix 2003 IFF Bratislava 2004 IFF Bratislava 2005 IFF Bratislava 2006 IFF Bratislava 2007 IFF Bratislava 2008 IFF Bratislava 2009 IFF Bratislava 2010 IFF Bratislava 2011 IFF Bratislava References External links\",\n \"Boredom in Brno Boredom in Brno(Czech:Nuda v Brně) is aCzechcomedy filmdirected byVladimír Morávek, based on the story \\\"Standa's Debut\\\" byPavel Bedura. It was released in 2003, and won fiveCzech Lionawards, including Best Film, Best Director (Morávek), Best Script (Morávek andJan Budař), Best Male Actor in a Leading Role (Budař) and Best Editing (Jiří Brožek). Cast Plot The film follows several couples over one night inBrno. The focus is on a 20-something couple with unspecified learning difficulties, Olinka (Kateřina Holánová) and Standa (Jan Budař), who are preparing to have sex for the first time. Standa has been receiving advice from his brother Jarda (Martin Pechlát), while Olinka has been given tips and guidance by her friends, the women who live in her apartment block. Standa and Jarda travel to Brno fromBrundalfor the occasion. Meanwhile, in a nearby pub, depressed actor Mirek (Miroslav Donutil) is with psychologist Vlasta (Pavla Tomicová), complaining about his life, and the two presently return to\",\n \"presently return to Vlasta's flat together where they have sex, and Vlasta counsels Mirek about the state of his marriage. In the same pub are Jaroslava (Ivana Uhlířová), a young woman who habitually attracts unpleasant men, and her current partner Richard (Marek Daniel), a pretentious and self-absorbed man who is tempted by sexual experimentation and submission. This couple return to Richard's flat in the same apartment block where Richard persuades an unwilling Jaroslava to spank him, alongside other requests. Also in the pub are life-long friends Honza (Pavel Liška) and Pavel (Filip Rajmont). While Honza rambles drunkenly about his desire for various women, Pavel has an undeclared love for Honza. At the house, Olinka is horrified to see her controlling mother return unexpectedly to the flat. Panicking, she administersrohypnolinto her mother's coffee, and locks her unconscious in a storage cupboard. Standa arrives and they visit Olinka's friends so Standa can be vetted for their approval. Back down in\",\n \"Back down in Olinka's flat, Standa and Olinka share an awkward meal, and then proceed to the bedroom and are extremely nervous, but eventually Olinka manages to initiate sex. Despite Jarda's training, Standa is unable to put on the condom, so they do not use one. Meanwhile Jarda arrives at Olinka's friends' party upstairs to drink with them. Meanwhile, Mirek leaves Vlasta's house to go home, but on the way has a drunken argument with his wife on the phone, and ends up walking home toLíšeňin a drunken depression. Honza and Pavel also head home to Pavel's house, and Pavel is perturbed when Honza kisses his cheek while he sleeps. After having sex, Olinka excitedly tells her friends what happened, but at the same time her mother wakes up and sees Standa dancing in his underwear through the keyhole. When Olinka returns to the flat, the two women argue, and Standa flees the flat in panic. Pavel and Honza leave Pavel's place very early to deliverrohlíkto Líšeň, but on the way Pavel takes his eyes off the road and\",\n \"off the road and hits Mirek, killing him. Comforting Pavel, Honza confides that his love is returned. Meanwhile, Olinka releases her mother from the pantry, but then locks her in again when Standa returns to her. A voice over confirms that Olinka is pregnant. External links\",\n \"Jiří Brožek Jiří Brožek(born 11 March 1947) is a Czech film editor. Biography During 1967‒1973 he attended Editing and Directing atFAMU.Then he started to work inBarrandov Movie Studios, from 1976 Brožek is self-employed. During the career he edited more than 100 feature films, variety of the TV production and many TV series. He cooperated withLadislav Smoljak(Ball Lightning,Waiter, Scarper!,Jára Cimrman Lying, Sleeping)Karel Kachyňa(Love Between the Raindrops,Forbidden Dreams),Jiří Menzel(Cutting It Short,The Snowdrop Festival,My Sweet Little Village),Věra Chytilová(Calamity,Wolf's Hole) orVáclav Havel(Leaving). Jiří Brožek was awarded nineCzech Lionsfor filmsKrvavý román(1993),Sekal Has to Die(1998),Anděl Exit(2000),Boredom in Brno(2003),The City of the Sun(2005),Pleasant Moments(2006),...a bude hůř(2007),Leaving(2011) andFilthy(2017), twice he gainedSlovakfilm awardSlnko v sietiforThe City of the Sun(2006) andGypsy(2012). He is a member ofCzech Film and Television Academy(ČFTA)and honourable member of\",\n \"member of Slovak Film and Television Academy (SFTA). He is married and has three children. Filmography Editor Actor Cooperation References External links\",\n \"Roudnice nad Labem Roudnice nad Labem(Czech pronunciation:;German:Raudnitz an der Elbe) is a town inLitoměřice Districtin theÚstí nad Labem Regionof theCzech Republic. It has about 13,000 inhabitants. The historic town centre is well preserved and is protected by law as anurban monument zone. A steel road bridge dating from the early 20th century spans theElbein Roudnice nad Labem. Its medieval predecessor was the third oldest stone bridge inBohemia(afterPragueandPísek) and the first bridge to connect both banks of the river. Roudnice nad Labem features a castle of lateRomanesqueorigin, now reconstructed inBaroquestyle. Administrative parts The village of Podlusky is an administrative part of Roudnice nad Labem. Etymology The initial names Rúdnik and Rúdnica probably come from the iron water of a nearby spring (ruda= 'ore'). Geography Roudnice nad Labem is located about 15 kilometres (9 mi) southeast ofLitoměřiceand 37 km (23 mi) north ofPrague. It lies in theLower Ohře Table, in thePolabílowlands. The\",\n \"The highest point is on the hill Hostěraz at 265 m (869 ft) above sea level. The town is situated on the left bank of theElbeRiver, which forms the northern municipal border. History Roudnice nad Labem is one of the oldest Czech towns. The first written mentions of Roudnice are from 1167 and 1176,but archeological excavations in the area confirm existence of a prehistoric settlement. The market settlement quickly became economically important due to its location on the Lusatian road, and in the 13th century, it received town status. In the 12th century, aRomanesquecastle was built, used as the summer residence of archbishops and bishops. In 1333, BishopJan IV of Dražiceordered that a bridge be built over the Elbe. It was the first stone bridge over the Elbe and the third stone bridge in Bohemia. At the end of the 14th century, the New Town of Roudnice nad Labem (encompassing today's Jan of Dražice Square and Hus Square) was built and, along with the Old Town of Roudnice nad Labem, surrounded by walls. In\",\n \"by walls. In 1421, during theHussite Wars, Roudnice nad Labem was conquered byJan Žižka. During the Hussite invasions, the local monastery was destroyed and would never be rebuilt. After the Hussite Wars, the town was sold several times, which did not benefit its development. In 1603, it was acquired by theLobkowicz familyand it remained under their control until 1945. During their rule, the town was rebuilt and expanded. During theThirty Years' War, Roudnice nad Labem was burned down and demolished by theSwedish army. In the 19th century, Roudnice nad Labem became the industrial and economical centre of the Podřipský region, due to several new factories and the railway from Prague to Dresden.Until 1918, the town was part ofAustria-Hungary, in the district of the same name, one of the 94BezirkshauptmannschafteninBohemia. The firstfootballmatch in the Austro-Hungarian Empire and in the Czech lands took place on the islet in the middle of the Elbe, located within the town limits, in 1887 (in 1892, according to\",\n \"1892, according to some sources).In 1910, the old stone bridge was rebuilt into a new steel road bridge. Demographics Transport TheD8 motorwayfrom Prague to Ústí nad Labem runs along the western municipal border. Roudnice nad Labem is located on the intraregional railway line Prague–Děčín. It is also the starting point of a local line toBřízawith four stops within the town. Education There are four high schools in Roudnice nad Labem: Gymnasium Roudnice nad Labem, Vocational School and Training Centre, Podřipská Private Vocational School and Training Centre, and Higher Vocational School and Secondary Vocational School, which also offers higher education.There are also five primary schools, including one special school, and a primary art school. Sport The town has a swimming pool, an ice hockey arena, and football and athletic stadiums. Roudnice airport is located near the southwestern edge of the town and hosts the Memorial Air Show every other year. Sights The historic centre is made up of the castle complex\",\n \"the castle complex and ofCharlesSquare (Karlovo náměstí),HusSquare (Husovo náměstí),PurkyněSquare (Purkyňovo náměstí) and Jan of Dražice Square (náměstí Jana z Dražic). The town hall is located on Charles Square. It is a pseudo-Renaissance building from 1869. The Gothic stone watchtower is the only preserved remnant of the Old Town's fortifications. It is open to the public as a lookout tower. The church complex is formed of the Church of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary and the Augustinian monastery. The monastery was built in 1333–1353. The church is a typical Czech Gothic building from the first half of the 14th century. The iron spring after which the town got its name is located there. Roudnice Castle Roudnice Castle was built in the 12th century by Prague bishops to protect an important trade route from Prague toUpper Lusatiaalong theElbe. In the 14th and 15th centuries, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style and became a popular summer residence for Prague bishops.There is a common misconception thatJan\",\n \"thatJan Huswas ordained as a priest there. In 1421, the Catholic Church sold the castle to noble Jan Smiřický who renovated it again. KingGeorge of Poděbradycaptured Roudnice from Smiřický in 1467. It passed into the ownership ofWilliam of Rosenberg, the Supreme Burgrave and one of the wealthiest men in Bohemia. After Rosenberg's death, his widow Polyxena Pernštejn married Zdeněk Vojtěch ofLobkowicz, Chancellor of the Czech Kingdom, and, later, 1st Prince Lobkowicz, bringing Roudnice into the Lobkowicz family possessions. In 1652, their son,Václav Eusebius, embarked upon an ambitious project to transform the castle into an early Baroque palace. From 1657 untilWorld War II, the Lobkowicz Collection's library was stored in Roudnice Castle, leading to the library being named theRoudnice Lobkowicz Library. Václav Eusebius of Lobkowicz hired two Italian architects, Francesco Caratti and Antonio della Porta, to completely renovate Roudnice Castle. Between 1652 and 1684, they demolished most of the original\",\n \"of the original structure, creating a 200-room baroque residence that included a clock tower, a chapel decorated with elaborate frescoes, a theatre, and large formal gardens. For two and a half centuries Roudnice served as a repository for the Lobkowicz family's collections of artwork, religious objects, musical instruments, and books and manuscripts. The castle was confiscated by the Communist government in 1948; theCzechoslovak People's Armyused the building for the Vít Nejedlý military music school, as well as for administrative offices. After 1989, the castle was restored to the Lobkowicz family, who continued to rent the castle to the school until it closed in 2008. In 2009 the castle underwent major renovations, and it was opened to the public. The Castle Riding Hall was built in the 17th century by Antonio della Porta. Today it houses the Gallery of Modern Art. Notable people Twin towns – sister cities Roudnice nad Labem istwinnedwith: Gallery References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":274,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Who won the season of the dance show that Tate McRae placed third in back in 2016?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Leon \"Kida\" Burns"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_McRae"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_You_Think_You_Can_Dance:_The_Next_Generation_(American_TV_series)"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_McRae', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_You_Think_You_Can_Dance:_The_Next_Generation_(American_TV_series)']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_McRae","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_You_Think_You_Can_Dance:_The_Next_Generation_(American_TV_series"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_McRae\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_You_Think_You_Can_Dance:_The_Next_Generation_(American_TV_series\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Tate McRae Tate Rosner McRae(born July 1, 2003) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and dancer. At the age of 13, she gained prominence as the first Canadian finalist on the American reality television seriesSo You Think You Can Dance. McRae was signed byRCA Recordsin 2019 after her songs had gained traction online—including her 2017 viral hit \"One Day\"—and she released her debutextended play(EP),All the Things I Never Said(2020), in January of the following year. Her 2020 single, \"You Broke Me First\", became an international hit and peaked at number 17 on theBillboardHot 100. In 2021, McRae was the youngest musician to be featured on theForbes'30 Under 30list. Her second EP,Too Young to Be Sad(2021) was the most streamed female EP of 2021 onSpotify. Her debut studio album,I Used to Think I Could Fly(2022)was met with favorable critical response and peaked at number 13 on the USBillboard200, also reaching the top ten in several countries. Developing a more pop-oriented image, McRae's 2023 single, \"Greedy\" saw her furthest commercial success; it peaked atop theCanadian Hot 100and reached number three on theBillboardHot 100. Its follow-up, \"Exes\", peaked at numbers nine and 34 on the charts, respectively, and preceded the release of her second studio album,Think Later(2023), which debuted in the top five in various countries. Early life and education Tate Rosner McRaewas born inCalgary, Alberta, onCanada Dayin 2003, to a Canadian father ofScottishdescent and mother ofGermandescent.At the age of four, due to her father's work, she moved with her family toOman, where her mother taught dance lessons, and she lived there for three years.During her time in Oman, McRae attendedThe American International School Muscat(TAISM).McRae began recreational dance training at age six.Having returned to Calgary, at the age of eight, she began to train more intensively in danceand competed with Drewitz Dance Productions. From age 11, she began training in all styles of dance at YYC Dance Project, a dance company owned by her mother,and underwent ballet training at the School of Alberta Ballet, the training school for theAlberta Ballet Company.McRae attendedWestern Canada High Schooland graduatedonlinein 2022. Career 2013–2018: Dance career McRae was awarded MiniBest Female Dancerat the2013 Dance Awardsin New York City.After gaining some prominence,she became a brand ambassador for the American dance manufacturerCapezio.She became a finalist at the New York City Dance Alliance's 2014 National Gala.She also voiced Spot Splatter Splash for theLalaloopsy(2013-2015) franchise. In 2015, McRae was awarded a two-week scholarship at theBerlin State Balletcompany after winning the silver medal as a soloist and the bronze medal for her duet at the2015 Youth America Grand Prix.She danced in the music video forWalk off the Earth's platinum-certified single \"Rule The World\".For the second time, McRae was awarded theBest Female Danceraward at the2015 Dance Awards, this time in the Junior category. In June 2016, she performed atJustin Bieber's concert in Calgary for thePurpose World Tourduring Bieber's performance of \"Children\".In April 2016, McRae performed onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showas part of the DancerPalooza troupe.In June 2016, she took part in thethirteenth seasonof American television showSo You Think You Can Dance.While competing for the America's Favorite Dancer title as a non-American, she was mentored by American dancer and actressKathryn McCormick.She advanced further in the competition than any other Canadian in the show's history, placing third on the final episode.Canadian TV hostMurtz JafferfromToronto Sunreacted, \"The fact that Canadians couldn't vote for Tate makes her third-place finish all the more impressive. While she might not have been voted America's favourite dancer, she certainly might be Canada's.\"She performed at the2016 Teen Choice Awardsas a finalist from theSYTYCDcast.She performed again onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showin October 2016 as part of the Jump Dance Convention troupe. She was featured on the cover ofDance SpiritMagazinein April 2017.In May 2017, she was featured in apas de deuxin Alberta Ballet Company's production, \"Our Canada\"choreographed by Jean Grand-Maître.In November 2017, after performing a dance toDemi Lovato'ssongTell Me You Love Meshe was invited by Lovato to rehearse with their dancers for their performance at theAmerican Music Awards.For the third time, she won Best Female Dancer at the2018 Dance Awardsin Las Vegas, this time in the Teen category,making her the first dancer in the competition's history to win in all categories from mini to teen. In April 2018, she choreographed and danced in the music video for the song \"Just Say When\" by American rock bandNothing More. 2017–2019: Music career beginnings Since its creation in 2011, McRae's YouTube channel has featured a fairly consistent stream of primarily dance videos. In 2017 she started Create With Tate, a video series, focused on showcasing original songs she wrote and recorded in her bedroom.Her upload of the series' first song \"One Day\" which she wrote at the age of 14, attracted over 40 million views, prompting her to self-release the song as an independent single.The song would eventually be certified gold in Canada, making it the first certification of her career.From 2017 to 2019, McRae continued to upload and release independent singles as part of her Create With Tate series. Notable songs include \"Dear Ex Best Friend\" which has over 50 million views and \"Dear Parents\" with over 20 million views. The series led to her being named a YouTube Artist on the Rise. Her earlier upload of \"One Day\" caught the attention of 11 record labels.She eventually signed withRCA Records, in August 2019,because they supported her in maintaining a dance career alongside her music.Following her signing, McRae announced her debut EPAll the Things I Never Saidin December 2019.She released the five-track EP on January 24, 2020, and announced her first headlining tour of Europe and North America.Each stop on the tour was sold out.The tour received a four out of five star rating from Roisin O'Connor ofThe Independentwho described McRae as an impressive performer. The EP's lead single, \"Tear Myself Apart\", was co-written byBillie EilishandFinneas O'Connell.The EP's final single, \"Stupid\" charted in Ireland and Canada, earning significant radio airplay performance in the latter, peaking within the top 15 of the Canadian pop radio charts.\"Stupid\" was certified gold in Canada.\"That Way\", a track from the EP experienced a resurgence in 2021 after going viral on TikTok and charted in the UKand Ireland.McRae released a remix of \"That Way\" withJeremy Zuckeron September 3, 2021.By December 2023, the EP had amassed over 729 million streams on Spotify. 2020–2021:Too Young to Be Sad In April 2020, McRae released the single \"You Broke Me First\" as the lead single for her second EP titledToo Young to Be Sad.The song was an international success, peaking within the top ten of the charts in several countries and becoming her first single to chart on theBillboardHot 100.It was also the longest charting song released by a female artist in 2020 on theBillboard Hot 100, at 38 weeks.It peaked at number 1 on theMediabaseTop 40 chart, breaking the record for the longest climb to number 1 by a female solo artist at 28 weeks. McRae released the single \"Vicious\" featuring American rapperLil Moseyin June 2020and \"Don't Be Sad\" in August 2020.She was nominated for theMTV Video Music Award for Push Best New Artist,and performed \"You Broke Me First\" at theVMAs pre-show.In September 2020, she was featured on the cover ofDorkMagazine. McRae made her first late night TV appearance onJimmy Kimmel Live!in October 21 performing \"You Broke Me First\".The same month, she released the single \"Lie to Me\" with Canadian singerAli Gatie.She again performed \"You Broke Me First\" in November 2020 at the2020 MTV Europe Music Awards. She appeared on the cover ofNotionin November 2020.In December 2020, she released \"r u ok\", the second single from her upcoming EP. McRae gained notable recognition as a rising artist in 2020, being namedYouTube's Artist on the Rise,MTV's Push Artist for July, and aVevoDSCVR artist.She was featured inBillboard's21 Under 21 One to Watch listand named byPandora,The Independent,NME,Amazon Music,andUproxxas an artist to watch in 2021. In December 2020, she was the youngest person listed in theForbes 30 Under 30list in the music category.In the same month, she was named one ofRolling Stone's top ten biggest breakthrough artists of 2020and featured onTikTok's \"The Come Up: Emerging Artists\" list as one of the top emerging artists on the platform.She was also featured onHarper's Bazaar'sOn the Rise series.Towards the end of the year, following the success of \"You Broke Me First\", she signed a worldwide publishing deal withSony/ATV. In January 2021, McRae performed \"You Broke Me First\" onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.The following day, she released the song \"Rubberband\" as the third single from her upcoming EP.On March 3, 2021, she released the single \"Slower\" and announced her second EP calledToo Young to Be Sad, which was released on March 26, 2021.On that same day, she was announced as anApple MusicUp Nextartist.In March 2021, McRae appeared onJimmy Kimmel Live!performing \"Slower\",and received twoJuno Awardnominations. On April 16, 2021, McRae released the track\"You\"alongsideRegardandTroye Sivan.On May 8, 2021, McRae performed a global virtual show, \"Too Young to Be Sad\".The show was praised by Ali Shutler ofNME, who gave it a four star rating and described the show as slick, impressive, constant spectacle with pop star ambition. Later that month, she signed her first endorsement deal with Essentia Water.In May 2021, McRae was nominated for the Social Star Award at theIHeartRadio Music Awards,and performed \"You\" with Regard andTroye SivanonThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.At the end of the month, she was featured on the soundtrack of theAmazonoriginal seriesPanicwith the track \"Darkest Hour\". In June 2021, she was featured on the song \"U love U\" byBlackbear,performed \"Lie to Me\" at the2021 Juno Awards,and released the track \"Working\", a collaboration withKhalid.In August 2021, McRae was featured on the cover ofHunger.In October 2021, she was featured onBillboard's21 under 21 list for 2021 andPeople'sOne to Watch list for 2021.McRae was featured on the cover ofNuméroin November 2021.By the end of 2021,Too Young to Be Sadhad amassed over 1 billion Spotify streams, becoming the most streamed EP of 2021 by a female artist on Spotify. The EP was nominated forAlbum of the YearandPop Album of the Yearat the2022 Juno Awards. 2021–2022:I Used to Think I Could Fly On November 11, 2021, McRae released \"Feel Like Shit\", the lead single from her debut studio albumI Used to Think I Could Fly, which was released on May 27, 2022.In January 2022, she was nominated for three iHeart Radio Awards. \"She's All I Wanna Be\", the second single from the album, was released on February 4, 2022.The song reached the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, Norway, Singapore, and Belgium. It also charted in the Top 40 in several countries. It debuted at number 52 in the US, becoming her highest debut on the Hot 100 at the time.In February 2022, McRae was announced as a brand ambassador forMaybellineand the face of their new Vinyl Ink liquid lip color. McRae released \"Chaotic\", the third single from the album on March 25, 2022, and released \"What Would You Do?\" as the fourth single on May 13, 2022.On June 3, 2022, Tate released a music video for her single \"Don't Come Back\" exclusively via TikTok, and later released the vertical version of the video on July 11, 2022, on YouTube. In September 2022, McRae released the single \"Uh Oh\".In November 2022, Tate was featured on \"10:35\" byTiësto, a promo-single for the opening of the luxury resortAtlantis The Royal, Dubai.The song became her second UK Top 10. It reached the Top 10 in ten other countries. 2023–present:Think Later McRae was nominated for five Juno Awards in 2023, and performed at the show.In March 2023, McRae teamed up withMCM Worldwidefor their Spring/Summer 2023 Campaign, performing \"uh oh\" and \"She's All I Wanna Be\".On September 15, 2023, she released \"Greedy\" as the lead single for her sophomore studio albumThink Later.Greedy became her biggest debut to date on Spotify,and her first top 10 on the Global Spotify Charts.It debuted at number 1 in NorwayandDenmarkand peaked at number 1 in several countries includingCanada,Denmark,Austria, andthe Netherlands, as well as theBillboard Global 200, making it her first official number 1 single worldwide. McRae’s second studio albumThink Laterwas officially released on December 8, 2023.The album received mixed to positive appraisal from both fans and critics, withRolling StonenotingM.I.A.andAriana Grande’s influences on the project, stating that in terms of the latter,Think Later\"represented a career-defining shift for McRae as she pulled herself from the rubble of grief, heartbreak, and internal turmoil.\"Think Laterdebuted in the top 5 of the charts in US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium and Norway. The second single fromThink Later, \"Exes\", was released on November 17, 2023, and peaked in the top 10 in Canada and the Netherlands, top 20 in the UK and Australia, and top 40 in the US. On November 18, 2023, she performed \"Greedy\" and a then-unreleased song titled \"Grave\" onSaturday Night Live.She also made her debut American award show performance with \"Greedy\" at theBillboard Music Awardson November 19, 2023.McRae performed a medley at the2024 NHL All-Star gameinTorontoin February 2024.In March 2024, she made her debut performance at theBrit Awardswith \"Greedy\"and subsequently performed a medley of \"Greedy\" and \"Exes\" at theiHeartRadio Music Awardsin April.McRae won theJuno Awardfor Artist of the Year, and Single of the Year for \"Greedy\" at the2024 Juno Awards. On September 13, 2024, McRae released the song \"It's OK I'm OK\". Personal life McRae is a fan of theCalgary Flamesof the NHL, and has attended numerous games. From late 2021 to early 2023, McRae was in a relationship withColumbus Blue JacketsplayerCole Sillinger.In April 2024, Australian rapper and singerthe Kid Laroiconfirmed his relationship with McRae. Artistry and public image McRae has namedPost Malone,the Weeknd,Khalid,Jessie Reyez,Ariana GrandeandJeremy Zuckeras her biggest musical influences.She citesZendayaandDua Lipaas all-around influences, and has described both women as her biggest idols,noting that she looks up to them in all aspects of life. She has also namedBruno Mars,Madonna,Christina Aguilera,Britney Spears,Ciara,Jennifer LopezandJustin Timberlakeas inspirations for bringing dance into her performances,while namingTaylor Swift,Julia MichaelsandAlec Benjaminas songwriting inspirations.Further, McRae has called herself a \"huge fan\" of Swift and described her as \"one of the greatest songwriters.\"McRae has also expressed an admiration forBillie EilishandRosalía. McRae has been described as \"the teen dance star turned future pop idol\" byi-D,\"the new teen queen\" byNotion,\"Canada's answer toBillie Eilish\" byElle,and \"one of pop's bright young hopes\" byThe Independent.She has also been noted for her honest lyrics, “impressive” vocals and relatable music.Additionally, McRae has received considerable acclaim as a dancer, and has been praised by artist, dancer and choreographerPaula Abdulwho declared her a \"gift from God\",and choreographers such asStacey TookeyandBlake McGrath, both of whom stated that she's talented beyond her years, with the latter describing her as \"one of the best dancers he has ever worked with\"as well as two-time Emmy winnerTravis Wall,who has named her as one of his muses.Margaret Furher ofDance Spirit Magazinedescribed her dancing as virtuosic both technically and artistically.As of March 2024, her YouTube channel has amassed over 1.5 billion views and she has garnered more than 8.4 billion career streams across all platforms. Discography Studio albums Filmography Film Television Awards and nominations Listicles Tours See also References External links","Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_You_Think_You_Can_Dance:_The_Next_Generation_(American_TV_series"],"string":"[\n \"Tate McRae Tate Rosner McRae(born July 1, 2003) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and dancer. At the age of 13, she gained prominence as the first Canadian finalist on the American reality television seriesSo You Think You Can Dance. McRae was signed byRCA Recordsin 2019 after her songs had gained traction online—including her 2017 viral hit \\\"One Day\\\"—and she released her debutextended play(EP),All the Things I Never Said(2020), in January of the following year. Her 2020 single, \\\"You Broke Me First\\\", became an international hit and peaked at number 17 on theBillboardHot 100. In 2021, McRae was the youngest musician to be featured on theForbes'30 Under 30list. Her second EP,Too Young to Be Sad(2021) was the most streamed female EP of 2021 onSpotify. Her debut studio album,I Used to Think I Could Fly(2022)was met with favorable critical response and peaked at number 13 on the USBillboard200, also reaching the top ten in several countries. Developing a more pop-oriented image, McRae's 2023 single, \\\"Greedy\\\" saw her furthest commercial success; it peaked atop theCanadian Hot 100and reached number three on theBillboardHot 100. Its follow-up, \\\"Exes\\\", peaked at numbers nine and 34 on the charts, respectively, and preceded the release of her second studio album,Think Later(2023), which debuted in the top five in various countries. Early life and education Tate Rosner McRaewas born inCalgary, Alberta, onCanada Dayin 2003, to a Canadian father ofScottishdescent and mother ofGermandescent.At the age of four, due to her father's work, she moved with her family toOman, where her mother taught dance lessons, and she lived there for three years.During her time in Oman, McRae attendedThe American International School Muscat(TAISM).McRae began recreational dance training at age six.Having returned to Calgary, at the age of eight, she began to train more intensively in danceand competed with Drewitz Dance Productions. From age 11, she began training in all styles of dance at YYC Dance Project, a dance company owned by her mother,and underwent ballet training at the School of Alberta Ballet, the training school for theAlberta Ballet Company.McRae attendedWestern Canada High Schooland graduatedonlinein 2022. Career 2013–2018: Dance career McRae was awarded MiniBest Female Dancerat the2013 Dance Awardsin New York City.After gaining some prominence,she became a brand ambassador for the American dance manufacturerCapezio.She became a finalist at the New York City Dance Alliance's 2014 National Gala.She also voiced Spot Splatter Splash for theLalaloopsy(2013-2015) franchise. In 2015, McRae was awarded a two-week scholarship at theBerlin State Balletcompany after winning the silver medal as a soloist and the bronze medal for her duet at the2015 Youth America Grand Prix.She danced in the music video forWalk off the Earth's platinum-certified single \\\"Rule The World\\\".For the second time, McRae was awarded theBest Female Danceraward at the2015 Dance Awards, this time in the Junior category. In June 2016, she performed atJustin Bieber's concert in Calgary for thePurpose World Tourduring Bieber's performance of \\\"Children\\\".In April 2016, McRae performed onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showas part of the DancerPalooza troupe.In June 2016, she took part in thethirteenth seasonof American television showSo You Think You Can Dance.While competing for the America's Favorite Dancer title as a non-American, she was mentored by American dancer and actressKathryn McCormick.She advanced further in the competition than any other Canadian in the show's history, placing third on the final episode.Canadian TV hostMurtz JafferfromToronto Sunreacted, \\\"The fact that Canadians couldn't vote for Tate makes her third-place finish all the more impressive. While she might not have been voted America's favourite dancer, she certainly might be Canada's.\\\"She performed at the2016 Teen Choice Awardsas a finalist from theSYTYCDcast.She performed again onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showin October 2016 as part of the Jump Dance Convention troupe. She was featured on the cover ofDance SpiritMagazinein April 2017.In May 2017, she was featured in apas de deuxin Alberta Ballet Company's production, \\\"Our Canada\\\"choreographed by Jean Grand-Maître.In November 2017, after performing a dance toDemi Lovato'ssongTell Me You Love Meshe was invited by Lovato to rehearse with their dancers for their performance at theAmerican Music Awards.For the third time, she won Best Female Dancer at the2018 Dance Awardsin Las Vegas, this time in the Teen category,making her the first dancer in the competition's history to win in all categories from mini to teen. In April 2018, she choreographed and danced in the music video for the song \\\"Just Say When\\\" by American rock bandNothing More. 2017–2019: Music career beginnings Since its creation in 2011, McRae's YouTube channel has featured a fairly consistent stream of primarily dance videos. In 2017 she started Create With Tate, a video series, focused on showcasing original songs she wrote and recorded in her bedroom.Her upload of the series' first song \\\"One Day\\\" which she wrote at the age of 14, attracted over 40 million views, prompting her to self-release the song as an independent single.The song would eventually be certified gold in Canada, making it the first certification of her career.From 2017 to 2019, McRae continued to upload and release independent singles as part of her Create With Tate series. Notable songs include \\\"Dear Ex Best Friend\\\" which has over 50 million views and \\\"Dear Parents\\\" with over 20 million views. The series led to her being named a YouTube Artist on the Rise. Her earlier upload of \\\"One Day\\\" caught the attention of 11 record labels.She eventually signed withRCA Records, in August 2019,because they supported her in maintaining a dance career alongside her music.Following her signing, McRae announced her debut EPAll the Things I Never Saidin December 2019.She released the five-track EP on January 24, 2020, and announced her first headlining tour of Europe and North America.Each stop on the tour was sold out.The tour received a four out of five star rating from Roisin O'Connor ofThe Independentwho described McRae as an impressive performer. The EP's lead single, \\\"Tear Myself Apart\\\", was co-written byBillie EilishandFinneas O'Connell.The EP's final single, \\\"Stupid\\\" charted in Ireland and Canada, earning significant radio airplay performance in the latter, peaking within the top 15 of the Canadian pop radio charts.\\\"Stupid\\\" was certified gold in Canada.\\\"That Way\\\", a track from the EP experienced a resurgence in 2021 after going viral on TikTok and charted in the UKand Ireland.McRae released a remix of \\\"That Way\\\" withJeremy Zuckeron September 3, 2021.By December 2023, the EP had amassed over 729 million streams on Spotify. 2020–2021:Too Young to Be Sad In April 2020, McRae released the single \\\"You Broke Me First\\\" as the lead single for her second EP titledToo Young to Be Sad.The song was an international success, peaking within the top ten of the charts in several countries and becoming her first single to chart on theBillboardHot 100.It was also the longest charting song released by a female artist in 2020 on theBillboard Hot 100, at 38 weeks.It peaked at number 1 on theMediabaseTop 40 chart, breaking the record for the longest climb to number 1 by a female solo artist at 28 weeks. McRae released the single \\\"Vicious\\\" featuring American rapperLil Moseyin June 2020and \\\"Don't Be Sad\\\" in August 2020.She was nominated for theMTV Video Music Award for Push Best New Artist,and performed \\\"You Broke Me First\\\" at theVMAs pre-show.In September 2020, she was featured on the cover ofDorkMagazine. McRae made her first late night TV appearance onJimmy Kimmel Live!in October 21 performing \\\"You Broke Me First\\\".The same month, she released the single \\\"Lie to Me\\\" with Canadian singerAli Gatie.She again performed \\\"You Broke Me First\\\" in November 2020 at the2020 MTV Europe Music Awards. She appeared on the cover ofNotionin November 2020.In December 2020, she released \\\"r u ok\\\", the second single from her upcoming EP. McRae gained notable recognition as a rising artist in 2020, being namedYouTube's Artist on the Rise,MTV's Push Artist for July, and aVevoDSCVR artist.She was featured inBillboard's21 Under 21 One to Watch listand named byPandora,The Independent,NME,Amazon Music,andUproxxas an artist to watch in 2021. In December 2020, she was the youngest person listed in theForbes 30 Under 30list in the music category.In the same month, she was named one ofRolling Stone's top ten biggest breakthrough artists of 2020and featured onTikTok's \\\"The Come Up: Emerging Artists\\\" list as one of the top emerging artists on the platform.She was also featured onHarper's Bazaar'sOn the Rise series.Towards the end of the year, following the success of \\\"You Broke Me First\\\", she signed a worldwide publishing deal withSony/ATV. In January 2021, McRae performed \\\"You Broke Me First\\\" onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.The following day, she released the song \\\"Rubberband\\\" as the third single from her upcoming EP.On March 3, 2021, she released the single \\\"Slower\\\" and announced her second EP calledToo Young to Be Sad, which was released on March 26, 2021.On that same day, she was announced as anApple MusicUp Nextartist.In March 2021, McRae appeared onJimmy Kimmel Live!performing \\\"Slower\\\",and received twoJuno Awardnominations. On April 16, 2021, McRae released the track\\\"You\\\"alongsideRegardandTroye Sivan.On May 8, 2021, McRae performed a global virtual show, \\\"Too Young to Be Sad\\\".The show was praised by Ali Shutler ofNME, who gave it a four star rating and described the show as slick, impressive, constant spectacle with pop star ambition. Later that month, she signed her first endorsement deal with Essentia Water.In May 2021, McRae was nominated for the Social Star Award at theIHeartRadio Music Awards,and performed \\\"You\\\" with Regard andTroye SivanonThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.At the end of the month, she was featured on the soundtrack of theAmazonoriginal seriesPanicwith the track \\\"Darkest Hour\\\". In June 2021, she was featured on the song \\\"U love U\\\" byBlackbear,performed \\\"Lie to Me\\\" at the2021 Juno Awards,and released the track \\\"Working\\\", a collaboration withKhalid.In August 2021, McRae was featured on the cover ofHunger.In October 2021, she was featured onBillboard's21 under 21 list for 2021 andPeople'sOne to Watch list for 2021.McRae was featured on the cover ofNuméroin November 2021.By the end of 2021,Too Young to Be Sadhad amassed over 1 billion Spotify streams, becoming the most streamed EP of 2021 by a female artist on Spotify. The EP was nominated forAlbum of the YearandPop Album of the Yearat the2022 Juno Awards. 2021–2022:I Used to Think I Could Fly On November 11, 2021, McRae released \\\"Feel Like Shit\\\", the lead single from her debut studio albumI Used to Think I Could Fly, which was released on May 27, 2022.In January 2022, she was nominated for three iHeart Radio Awards. \\\"She's All I Wanna Be\\\", the second single from the album, was released on February 4, 2022.The song reached the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, Norway, Singapore, and Belgium. It also charted in the Top 40 in several countries. It debuted at number 52 in the US, becoming her highest debut on the Hot 100 at the time.In February 2022, McRae was announced as a brand ambassador forMaybellineand the face of their new Vinyl Ink liquid lip color. McRae released \\\"Chaotic\\\", the third single from the album on March 25, 2022, and released \\\"What Would You Do?\\\" as the fourth single on May 13, 2022.On June 3, 2022, Tate released a music video for her single \\\"Don't Come Back\\\" exclusively via TikTok, and later released the vertical version of the video on July 11, 2022, on YouTube. In September 2022, McRae released the single \\\"Uh Oh\\\".In November 2022, Tate was featured on \\\"10:35\\\" byTiësto, a promo-single for the opening of the luxury resortAtlantis The Royal, Dubai.The song became her second UK Top 10. It reached the Top 10 in ten other countries. 2023–present:Think Later McRae was nominated for five Juno Awards in 2023, and performed at the show.In March 2023, McRae teamed up withMCM Worldwidefor their Spring/Summer 2023 Campaign, performing \\\"uh oh\\\" and \\\"She's All I Wanna Be\\\".On September 15, 2023, she released \\\"Greedy\\\" as the lead single for her sophomore studio albumThink Later.Greedy became her biggest debut to date on Spotify,and her first top 10 on the Global Spotify Charts.It debuted at number 1 in NorwayandDenmarkand peaked at number 1 in several countries includingCanada,Denmark,Austria, andthe Netherlands, as well as theBillboard Global 200, making it her first official number 1 single worldwide. McRae’s second studio albumThink Laterwas officially released on December 8, 2023.The album received mixed to positive appraisal from both fans and critics, withRolling StonenotingM.I.A.andAriana Grande’s influences on the project, stating that in terms of the latter,Think Later\\\"represented a career-defining shift for McRae as she pulled herself from the rubble of grief, heartbreak, and internal turmoil.\\\"Think Laterdebuted in the top 5 of the charts in US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium and Norway. The second single fromThink Later, \\\"Exes\\\", was released on November 17, 2023, and peaked in the top 10 in Canada and the Netherlands, top 20 in the UK and Australia, and top 40 in the US. On November 18, 2023, she performed \\\"Greedy\\\" and a then-unreleased song titled \\\"Grave\\\" onSaturday Night Live.She also made her debut American award show performance with \\\"Greedy\\\" at theBillboard Music Awardson November 19, 2023.McRae performed a medley at the2024 NHL All-Star gameinTorontoin February 2024.In March 2024, she made her debut performance at theBrit Awardswith \\\"Greedy\\\"and subsequently performed a medley of \\\"Greedy\\\" and \\\"Exes\\\" at theiHeartRadio Music Awardsin April.McRae won theJuno Awardfor Artist of the Year, and Single of the Year for \\\"Greedy\\\" at the2024 Juno Awards. On September 13, 2024, McRae released the song \\\"It's OK I'm OK\\\". Personal life McRae is a fan of theCalgary Flamesof the NHL, and has attended numerous games. From late 2021 to early 2023, McRae was in a relationship withColumbus Blue JacketsplayerCole Sillinger.In April 2024, Australian rapper and singerthe Kid Laroiconfirmed his relationship with McRae. Artistry and public image McRae has namedPost Malone,the Weeknd,Khalid,Jessie Reyez,Ariana GrandeandJeremy Zuckeras her biggest musical influences.She citesZendayaandDua Lipaas all-around influences, and has described both women as her biggest idols,noting that she looks up to them in all aspects of life. She has also namedBruno Mars,Madonna,Christina Aguilera,Britney Spears,Ciara,Jennifer LopezandJustin Timberlakeas inspirations for bringing dance into her performances,while namingTaylor Swift,Julia MichaelsandAlec Benjaminas songwriting inspirations.Further, McRae has called herself a \\\"huge fan\\\" of Swift and described her as \\\"one of the greatest songwriters.\\\"McRae has also expressed an admiration forBillie EilishandRosalía. McRae has been described as \\\"the teen dance star turned future pop idol\\\" byi-D,\\\"the new teen queen\\\" byNotion,\\\"Canada's answer toBillie Eilish\\\" byElle,and \\\"one of pop's bright young hopes\\\" byThe Independent.She has also been noted for her honest lyrics, “impressive” vocals and relatable music.Additionally, McRae has received considerable acclaim as a dancer, and has been praised by artist, dancer and choreographerPaula Abdulwho declared her a \\\"gift from God\\\",and choreographers such asStacey TookeyandBlake McGrath, both of whom stated that she's talented beyond her years, with the latter describing her as \\\"one of the best dancers he has ever worked with\\\"as well as two-time Emmy winnerTravis Wall,who has named her as one of his muses.Margaret Furher ofDance Spirit Magazinedescribed her dancing as virtuosic both technically and artistically.As of March 2024, her YouTube channel has amassed over 1.5 billion views and she has garnered more than 8.4 billion career streams across all platforms. Discography Studio albums Filmography Film Television Awards and nominations Listicles Tours See also References External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_You_Think_You_Can_Dance:_The_Next_Generation_(American_TV_series\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Tate McRae Tate Rosner McRae(born July 1, 2003) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and dancer. At the age of 13, she gained prominence as the first Canadian finalist on the American reality television seriesSo You Think You Can Dance. McRae was signed byRCA Recordsin 2019 after her songs had gained traction online—including her 2017 viral hit \"One Day\"—and she released her debutextended play(EP),All the Things I Never Said(2020), in January of the following year. Her 2020 single, \"You Broke Me First\", became an international hit and peaked at number 17 on theBillboardHot 100. In 2021, McRae was the youngest musician to be featured on theForbes'30 Under 30list. Her second EP,Too Young to Be Sad(2021) was the most streamed female EP of 2021 onSpotify. Her debut studio album,I Used to Think I Could Fly(2022)was met with favorable critical response and peaked at number 13 on the USBillboard200, also reaching the top ten in several countries. Developing a more pop-oriented image, McRae's 2023 single, \"Greedy\" saw","\"Greedy\" saw her furthest commercial success; it peaked atop theCanadian Hot 100and reached number three on theBillboardHot 100. Its follow-up, \"Exes\", peaked at numbers nine and 34 on the charts, respectively, and preceded the release of her second studio album,Think Later(2023), which debuted in the top five in various countries. Early life and education Tate Rosner McRaewas born inCalgary, Alberta, onCanada Dayin 2003, to a Canadian father ofScottishdescent and mother ofGermandescent.At the age of four, due to her father's work, she moved with her family toOman, where her mother taught dance lessons, and she lived there for three years.During her time in Oman, McRae attendedThe American International School Muscat(TAISM).McRae began recreational dance training at age six.Having returned to Calgary, at the age of eight, she began to train more intensively in danceand competed with Drewitz Dance Productions. From age 11, she began training in all styles of dance at YYC Dance Project, a dance company owned","dance company owned by her mother,and underwent ballet training at the School of Alberta Ballet, the training school for theAlberta Ballet Company.McRae attendedWestern Canada High Schooland graduatedonlinein 2022. Career 2013–2018: Dance career McRae was awarded MiniBest Female Dancerat the2013 Dance Awardsin New York City.After gaining some prominence,she became a brand ambassador for the American dance manufacturerCapezio.She became a finalist at the New York City Dance Alliance's 2014 National Gala.She also voiced Spot Splatter Splash for theLalaloopsy(2013-2015) franchise. In 2015, McRae was awarded a two-week scholarship at theBerlin State Balletcompany after winning the silver medal as a soloist and the bronze medal for her duet at the2015 Youth America Grand Prix.She danced in the music video forWalk off the Earth's platinum-certified single \"Rule The World\".For the second time, McRae was awarded theBest Female Danceraward at the2015 Dance Awards, this time in the Junior category. In June 2016, she","In June 2016, she performed atJustin Bieber's concert in Calgary for thePurpose World Tourduring Bieber's performance of \"Children\".In April 2016, McRae performed onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showas part of the DancerPalooza troupe.In June 2016, she took part in thethirteenth seasonof American television showSo You Think You Can Dance.While competing for the America's Favorite Dancer title as a non-American, she was mentored by American dancer and actressKathryn McCormick.She advanced further in the competition than any other Canadian in the show's history, placing third on the final episode.Canadian TV hostMurtz JafferfromToronto Sunreacted, \"The fact that Canadians couldn't vote for Tate makes her third-place finish all the more impressive. While she might not have been voted America's favourite dancer, she certainly might be Canada's.\"She performed at the2016 Teen Choice Awardsas a finalist from theSYTYCDcast.She performed again onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showin October 2016 as part of the Jump Dance Convention","Dance Convention troupe. She was featured on the cover ofDance SpiritMagazinein April 2017.In May 2017, she was featured in apas de deuxin Alberta Ballet Company's production, \"Our Canada\"choreographed by Jean Grand-Maître.In November 2017, after performing a dance toDemi Lovato'ssongTell Me You Love Meshe was invited by Lovato to rehearse with their dancers for their performance at theAmerican Music Awards.For the third time, she won Best Female Dancer at the2018 Dance Awardsin Las Vegas, this time in the Teen category,making her the first dancer in the competition's history to win in all categories from mini to teen. In April 2018, she choreographed and danced in the music video for the song \"Just Say When\" by American rock bandNothing More. 2017–2019: Music career beginnings Since its creation in 2011, McRae's YouTube channel has featured a fairly consistent stream of primarily dance videos. In 2017 she started Create With Tate, a video series, focused on showcasing original songs she wrote and recorded","wrote and recorded in her bedroom.Her upload of the series' first song \"One Day\" which she wrote at the age of 14, attracted over 40 million views, prompting her to self-release the song as an independent single.The song would eventually be certified gold in Canada, making it the first certification of her career.From 2017 to 2019, McRae continued to upload and release independent singles as part of her Create With Tate series. Notable songs include \"Dear Ex Best Friend\" which has over 50 million views and \"Dear Parents\" with over 20 million views. The series led to her being named a YouTube Artist on the Rise. Her earlier upload of \"One Day\" caught the attention of 11 record labels.She eventually signed withRCA Records, in August 2019,because they supported her in maintaining a dance career alongside her music.Following her signing, McRae announced her debut EPAll the Things I Never Saidin December 2019.She released the five-track EP on January 24, 2020, and announced her first headlining tour of Europe and","tour of Europe and North America.Each stop on the tour was sold out.The tour received a four out of five star rating from Roisin O'Connor ofThe Independentwho described McRae as an impressive performer. The EP's lead single, \"Tear Myself Apart\", was co-written byBillie EilishandFinneas O'Connell.The EP's final single, \"Stupid\" charted in Ireland and Canada, earning significant radio airplay performance in the latter, peaking within the top 15 of the Canadian pop radio charts.\"Stupid\" was certified gold in Canada.\"That Way\", a track from the EP experienced a resurgence in 2021 after going viral on TikTok and charted in the UKand Ireland.McRae released a remix of \"That Way\" withJeremy Zuckeron September 3, 2021.By December 2023, the EP had amassed over 729 million streams on Spotify. 2020–2021:Too Young to Be Sad In April 2020, McRae released the single \"You Broke Me First\" as the lead single for her second EP titledToo Young to Be Sad.The song was an international success, peaking within the top ten of the","the top ten of the charts in several countries and becoming her first single to chart on theBillboardHot 100.It was also the longest charting song released by a female artist in 2020 on theBillboard Hot 100, at 38 weeks.It peaked at number 1 on theMediabaseTop 40 chart, breaking the record for the longest climb to number 1 by a female solo artist at 28 weeks. McRae released the single \"Vicious\" featuring American rapperLil Moseyin June 2020and \"Don't Be Sad\" in August 2020.She was nominated for theMTV Video Music Award for Push Best New Artist,and performed \"You Broke Me First\" at theVMAs pre-show.In September 2020, she was featured on the cover ofDorkMagazine. McRae made her first late night TV appearance onJimmy Kimmel Live!in October 21 performing \"You Broke Me First\".The same month, she released the single \"Lie to Me\" with Canadian singerAli Gatie.She again performed \"You Broke Me First\" in November 2020 at the2020 MTV Europe Music Awards. She appeared on the cover ofNotionin November 2020.In December","2020.In December 2020, she released \"r u ok\", the second single from her upcoming EP. McRae gained notable recognition as a rising artist in 2020, being namedYouTube's Artist on the Rise,MTV's Push Artist for July, and aVevoDSCVR artist.She was featured inBillboard's21 Under 21 One to Watch listand named byPandora,The Independent,NME,Amazon Music,andUproxxas an artist to watch in 2021. In December 2020, she was the youngest person listed in theForbes 30 Under 30list in the music category.In the same month, she was named one ofRolling Stone's top ten biggest breakthrough artists of 2020and featured onTikTok's \"The Come Up: Emerging Artists\" list as one of the top emerging artists on the platform.She was also featured onHarper's Bazaar'sOn the Rise series.Towards the end of the year, following the success of \"You Broke Me First\", she signed a worldwide publishing deal withSony/ATV. In January 2021, McRae performed \"You Broke Me First\" onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.The following day, she released the","she released the song \"Rubberband\" as the third single from her upcoming EP.On March 3, 2021, she released the single \"Slower\" and announced her second EP calledToo Young to Be Sad, which was released on March 26, 2021.On that same day, she was announced as anApple MusicUp Nextartist.In March 2021, McRae appeared onJimmy Kimmel Live!performing \"Slower\",and received twoJuno Awardnominations. On April 16, 2021, McRae released the track\"You\"alongsideRegardandTroye Sivan.On May 8, 2021, McRae performed a global virtual show, \"Too Young to Be Sad\".The show was praised by Ali Shutler ofNME, who gave it a four star rating and described the show as slick, impressive, constant spectacle with pop star ambition. Later that month, she signed her first endorsement deal with Essentia Water.In May 2021, McRae was nominated for the Social Star Award at theIHeartRadio Music Awards,and performed \"You\" with Regard andTroye SivanonThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.At the end of the month, she was featured on the soundtrack","on the soundtrack of theAmazonoriginal seriesPanicwith the track \"Darkest Hour\". In June 2021, she was featured on the song \"U love U\" byBlackbear,performed \"Lie to Me\" at the2021 Juno Awards,and released the track \"Working\", a collaboration withKhalid.In August 2021, McRae was featured on the cover ofHunger.In October 2021, she was featured onBillboard's21 under 21 list for 2021 andPeople'sOne to Watch list for 2021.McRae was featured on the cover ofNuméroin November 2021.By the end of 2021,Too Young to Be Sadhad amassed over 1 billion Spotify streams, becoming the most streamed EP of 2021 by a female artist on Spotify. The EP was nominated forAlbum of the YearandPop Album of the Yearat the2022 Juno Awards. 2021–2022:I Used to Think I Could Fly On November 11, 2021, McRae released \"Feel Like Shit\", the lead single from her debut studio albumI Used to Think I Could Fly, which was released on May 27, 2022.In January 2022, she was nominated for three iHeart Radio Awards. \"She's All I Wanna Be\", the second","Be\", the second single from the album, was released on February 4, 2022.The song reached the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, Norway, Singapore, and Belgium. It also charted in the Top 40 in several countries. It debuted at number 52 in the US, becoming her highest debut on the Hot 100 at the time.In February 2022, McRae was announced as a brand ambassador forMaybellineand the face of their new Vinyl Ink liquid lip color. McRae released \"Chaotic\", the third single from the album on March 25, 2022, and released \"What Would You Do?\" as the fourth single on May 13, 2022.On June 3, 2022, Tate released a music video for her single \"Don't Come Back\" exclusively via TikTok, and later released the vertical version of the video on July 11, 2022, on YouTube. In September 2022, McRae released the single \"Uh Oh\".In November 2022, Tate was featured on \"10:35\" byTiësto, a promo-single for the opening of the luxury resortAtlantis The Royal, Dubai.The song became her second UK Top 10. It reached the Top 10 in ten other countries.","other countries. 2023–present:Think Later McRae was nominated for five Juno Awards in 2023, and performed at the show.In March 2023, McRae teamed up withMCM Worldwidefor their Spring/Summer 2023 Campaign, performing \"uh oh\" and \"She's All I Wanna Be\".On September 15, 2023, she released \"Greedy\" as the lead single for her sophomore studio albumThink Later.Greedy became her biggest debut to date on Spotify,and her first top 10 on the Global Spotify Charts.It debuted at number 1 in NorwayandDenmarkand peaked at number 1 in several countries includingCanada,Denmark,Austria, andthe Netherlands, as well as theBillboard Global 200, making it her first official number 1 single worldwide. McRae’s second studio albumThink Laterwas officially released on December 8, 2023.The album received mixed to positive appraisal from both fans and critics, withRolling StonenotingM.I.A.andAriana Grande’s influences on the project, stating that in terms of the latter,Think Later\"represented a career-defining shift for McRae as she","for McRae as she pulled herself from the rubble of grief, heartbreak, and internal turmoil.\"Think Laterdebuted in the top 5 of the charts in US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium and Norway. The second single fromThink Later, \"Exes\", was released on November 17, 2023, and peaked in the top 10 in Canada and the Netherlands, top 20 in the UK and Australia, and top 40 in the US. On November 18, 2023, she performed \"Greedy\" and a then-unreleased song titled \"Grave\" onSaturday Night Live.She also made her debut American award show performance with \"Greedy\" at theBillboard Music Awardson November 19, 2023.McRae performed a medley at the2024 NHL All-Star gameinTorontoin February 2024.In March 2024, she made her debut performance at theBrit Awardswith \"Greedy\"and subsequently performed a medley of \"Greedy\" and \"Exes\" at theiHeartRadio Music Awardsin April.McRae won theJuno Awardfor Artist of the Year, and Single of the Year for \"Greedy\" at the2024 Juno Awards. On September 13, 2024, McRae released the song","released the song \"It's OK I'm OK\". Personal life McRae is a fan of theCalgary Flamesof the NHL, and has attended numerous games. From late 2021 to early 2023, McRae was in a relationship withColumbus Blue JacketsplayerCole Sillinger.In April 2024, Australian rapper and singerthe Kid Laroiconfirmed his relationship with McRae. Artistry and public image McRae has namedPost Malone,the Weeknd,Khalid,Jessie Reyez,Ariana GrandeandJeremy Zuckeras her biggest musical influences.She citesZendayaandDua Lipaas all-around influences, and has described both women as her biggest idols,noting that she looks up to them in all aspects of life. She has also namedBruno Mars,Madonna,Christina Aguilera,Britney Spears,Ciara,Jennifer LopezandJustin Timberlakeas inspirations for bringing dance into her performances,while namingTaylor Swift,Julia MichaelsandAlec Benjaminas songwriting inspirations.Further, McRae has called herself a \"huge fan\" of Swift and described her as \"one of the greatest songwriters.\"McRae has also expressed","has also expressed an admiration forBillie EilishandRosalía. McRae has been described as \"the teen dance star turned future pop idol\" byi-D,\"the new teen queen\" byNotion,\"Canada's answer toBillie Eilish\" byElle,and \"one of pop's bright young hopes\" byThe Independent.She has also been noted for her honest lyrics, “impressive” vocals and relatable music.Additionally, McRae has received considerable acclaim as a dancer, and has been praised by artist, dancer and choreographerPaula Abdulwho declared her a \"gift from God\",and choreographers such asStacey TookeyandBlake McGrath, both of whom stated that she's talented beyond her years, with the latter describing her as \"one of the best dancers he has ever worked with\"as well as two-time Emmy winnerTravis Wall,who has named her as one of his muses.Margaret Furher ofDance Spirit Magazinedescribed her dancing as virtuosic both technically and artistically.As of March 2024, her YouTube channel has amassed over 1.5 billion views and she has garnered more than 8.4","more than 8.4 billion career streams across all platforms. Discography Studio albums Filmography Film Television Awards and nominations Listicles Tours See also References External links","Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_You_Think_You_Can_Dance:_The_Next_Generation_(American_TV_series"],"string":"[\n \"Tate McRae Tate Rosner McRae(born July 1, 2003) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and dancer. At the age of 13, she gained prominence as the first Canadian finalist on the American reality television seriesSo You Think You Can Dance. McRae was signed byRCA Recordsin 2019 after her songs had gained traction online—including her 2017 viral hit \\\"One Day\\\"—and she released her debutextended play(EP),All the Things I Never Said(2020), in January of the following year. Her 2020 single, \\\"You Broke Me First\\\", became an international hit and peaked at number 17 on theBillboardHot 100. In 2021, McRae was the youngest musician to be featured on theForbes'30 Under 30list. Her second EP,Too Young to Be Sad(2021) was the most streamed female EP of 2021 onSpotify. Her debut studio album,I Used to Think I Could Fly(2022)was met with favorable critical response and peaked at number 13 on the USBillboard200, also reaching the top ten in several countries. Developing a more pop-oriented image, McRae's 2023 single, \\\"Greedy\\\" saw\",\n \"\\\"Greedy\\\" saw her furthest commercial success; it peaked atop theCanadian Hot 100and reached number three on theBillboardHot 100. Its follow-up, \\\"Exes\\\", peaked at numbers nine and 34 on the charts, respectively, and preceded the release of her second studio album,Think Later(2023), which debuted in the top five in various countries. Early life and education Tate Rosner McRaewas born inCalgary, Alberta, onCanada Dayin 2003, to a Canadian father ofScottishdescent and mother ofGermandescent.At the age of four, due to her father's work, she moved with her family toOman, where her mother taught dance lessons, and she lived there for three years.During her time in Oman, McRae attendedThe American International School Muscat(TAISM).McRae began recreational dance training at age six.Having returned to Calgary, at the age of eight, she began to train more intensively in danceand competed with Drewitz Dance Productions. From age 11, she began training in all styles of dance at YYC Dance Project, a dance company owned\",\n \"dance company owned by her mother,and underwent ballet training at the School of Alberta Ballet, the training school for theAlberta Ballet Company.McRae attendedWestern Canada High Schooland graduatedonlinein 2022. Career 2013–2018: Dance career McRae was awarded MiniBest Female Dancerat the2013 Dance Awardsin New York City.After gaining some prominence,she became a brand ambassador for the American dance manufacturerCapezio.She became a finalist at the New York City Dance Alliance's 2014 National Gala.She also voiced Spot Splatter Splash for theLalaloopsy(2013-2015) franchise. In 2015, McRae was awarded a two-week scholarship at theBerlin State Balletcompany after winning the silver medal as a soloist and the bronze medal for her duet at the2015 Youth America Grand Prix.She danced in the music video forWalk off the Earth's platinum-certified single \\\"Rule The World\\\".For the second time, McRae was awarded theBest Female Danceraward at the2015 Dance Awards, this time in the Junior category. In June 2016, she\",\n \"In June 2016, she performed atJustin Bieber's concert in Calgary for thePurpose World Tourduring Bieber's performance of \\\"Children\\\".In April 2016, McRae performed onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showas part of the DancerPalooza troupe.In June 2016, she took part in thethirteenth seasonof American television showSo You Think You Can Dance.While competing for the America's Favorite Dancer title as a non-American, she was mentored by American dancer and actressKathryn McCormick.She advanced further in the competition than any other Canadian in the show's history, placing third on the final episode.Canadian TV hostMurtz JafferfromToronto Sunreacted, \\\"The fact that Canadians couldn't vote for Tate makes her third-place finish all the more impressive. While she might not have been voted America's favourite dancer, she certainly might be Canada's.\\\"She performed at the2016 Teen Choice Awardsas a finalist from theSYTYCDcast.She performed again onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showin October 2016 as part of the Jump Dance Convention\",\n \"Dance Convention troupe. She was featured on the cover ofDance SpiritMagazinein April 2017.In May 2017, she was featured in apas de deuxin Alberta Ballet Company's production, \\\"Our Canada\\\"choreographed by Jean Grand-Maître.In November 2017, after performing a dance toDemi Lovato'ssongTell Me You Love Meshe was invited by Lovato to rehearse with their dancers for their performance at theAmerican Music Awards.For the third time, she won Best Female Dancer at the2018 Dance Awardsin Las Vegas, this time in the Teen category,making her the first dancer in the competition's history to win in all categories from mini to teen. In April 2018, she choreographed and danced in the music video for the song \\\"Just Say When\\\" by American rock bandNothing More. 2017–2019: Music career beginnings Since its creation in 2011, McRae's YouTube channel has featured a fairly consistent stream of primarily dance videos. In 2017 she started Create With Tate, a video series, focused on showcasing original songs she wrote and recorded\",\n \"wrote and recorded in her bedroom.Her upload of the series' first song \\\"One Day\\\" which she wrote at the age of 14, attracted over 40 million views, prompting her to self-release the song as an independent single.The song would eventually be certified gold in Canada, making it the first certification of her career.From 2017 to 2019, McRae continued to upload and release independent singles as part of her Create With Tate series. Notable songs include \\\"Dear Ex Best Friend\\\" which has over 50 million views and \\\"Dear Parents\\\" with over 20 million views. The series led to her being named a YouTube Artist on the Rise. Her earlier upload of \\\"One Day\\\" caught the attention of 11 record labels.She eventually signed withRCA Records, in August 2019,because they supported her in maintaining a dance career alongside her music.Following her signing, McRae announced her debut EPAll the Things I Never Saidin December 2019.She released the five-track EP on January 24, 2020, and announced her first headlining tour of Europe and\",\n \"tour of Europe and North America.Each stop on the tour was sold out.The tour received a four out of five star rating from Roisin O'Connor ofThe Independentwho described McRae as an impressive performer. The EP's lead single, \\\"Tear Myself Apart\\\", was co-written byBillie EilishandFinneas O'Connell.The EP's final single, \\\"Stupid\\\" charted in Ireland and Canada, earning significant radio airplay performance in the latter, peaking within the top 15 of the Canadian pop radio charts.\\\"Stupid\\\" was certified gold in Canada.\\\"That Way\\\", a track from the EP experienced a resurgence in 2021 after going viral on TikTok and charted in the UKand Ireland.McRae released a remix of \\\"That Way\\\" withJeremy Zuckeron September 3, 2021.By December 2023, the EP had amassed over 729 million streams on Spotify. 2020–2021:Too Young to Be Sad In April 2020, McRae released the single \\\"You Broke Me First\\\" as the lead single for her second EP titledToo Young to Be Sad.The song was an international success, peaking within the top ten of the\",\n \"the top ten of the charts in several countries and becoming her first single to chart on theBillboardHot 100.It was also the longest charting song released by a female artist in 2020 on theBillboard Hot 100, at 38 weeks.It peaked at number 1 on theMediabaseTop 40 chart, breaking the record for the longest climb to number 1 by a female solo artist at 28 weeks. McRae released the single \\\"Vicious\\\" featuring American rapperLil Moseyin June 2020and \\\"Don't Be Sad\\\" in August 2020.She was nominated for theMTV Video Music Award for Push Best New Artist,and performed \\\"You Broke Me First\\\" at theVMAs pre-show.In September 2020, she was featured on the cover ofDorkMagazine. McRae made her first late night TV appearance onJimmy Kimmel Live!in October 21 performing \\\"You Broke Me First\\\".The same month, she released the single \\\"Lie to Me\\\" with Canadian singerAli Gatie.She again performed \\\"You Broke Me First\\\" in November 2020 at the2020 MTV Europe Music Awards. She appeared on the cover ofNotionin November 2020.In December\",\n \"2020.In December 2020, she released \\\"r u ok\\\", the second single from her upcoming EP. McRae gained notable recognition as a rising artist in 2020, being namedYouTube's Artist on the Rise,MTV's Push Artist for July, and aVevoDSCVR artist.She was featured inBillboard's21 Under 21 One to Watch listand named byPandora,The Independent,NME,Amazon Music,andUproxxas an artist to watch in 2021. In December 2020, she was the youngest person listed in theForbes 30 Under 30list in the music category.In the same month, she was named one ofRolling Stone's top ten biggest breakthrough artists of 2020and featured onTikTok's \\\"The Come Up: Emerging Artists\\\" list as one of the top emerging artists on the platform.She was also featured onHarper's Bazaar'sOn the Rise series.Towards the end of the year, following the success of \\\"You Broke Me First\\\", she signed a worldwide publishing deal withSony/ATV. In January 2021, McRae performed \\\"You Broke Me First\\\" onThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.The following day, she released the\",\n \"she released the song \\\"Rubberband\\\" as the third single from her upcoming EP.On March 3, 2021, she released the single \\\"Slower\\\" and announced her second EP calledToo Young to Be Sad, which was released on March 26, 2021.On that same day, she was announced as anApple MusicUp Nextartist.In March 2021, McRae appeared onJimmy Kimmel Live!performing \\\"Slower\\\",and received twoJuno Awardnominations. On April 16, 2021, McRae released the track\\\"You\\\"alongsideRegardandTroye Sivan.On May 8, 2021, McRae performed a global virtual show, \\\"Too Young to Be Sad\\\".The show was praised by Ali Shutler ofNME, who gave it a four star rating and described the show as slick, impressive, constant spectacle with pop star ambition. Later that month, she signed her first endorsement deal with Essentia Water.In May 2021, McRae was nominated for the Social Star Award at theIHeartRadio Music Awards,and performed \\\"You\\\" with Regard andTroye SivanonThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.At the end of the month, she was featured on the soundtrack\",\n \"on the soundtrack of theAmazonoriginal seriesPanicwith the track \\\"Darkest Hour\\\". In June 2021, she was featured on the song \\\"U love U\\\" byBlackbear,performed \\\"Lie to Me\\\" at the2021 Juno Awards,and released the track \\\"Working\\\", a collaboration withKhalid.In August 2021, McRae was featured on the cover ofHunger.In October 2021, she was featured onBillboard's21 under 21 list for 2021 andPeople'sOne to Watch list for 2021.McRae was featured on the cover ofNuméroin November 2021.By the end of 2021,Too Young to Be Sadhad amassed over 1 billion Spotify streams, becoming the most streamed EP of 2021 by a female artist on Spotify. The EP was nominated forAlbum of the YearandPop Album of the Yearat the2022 Juno Awards. 2021–2022:I Used to Think I Could Fly On November 11, 2021, McRae released \\\"Feel Like Shit\\\", the lead single from her debut studio albumI Used to Think I Could Fly, which was released on May 27, 2022.In January 2022, she was nominated for three iHeart Radio Awards. \\\"She's All I Wanna Be\\\", the second\",\n \"Be\\\", the second single from the album, was released on February 4, 2022.The song reached the top 10 in Canada, Ireland, Norway, Singapore, and Belgium. It also charted in the Top 40 in several countries. It debuted at number 52 in the US, becoming her highest debut on the Hot 100 at the time.In February 2022, McRae was announced as a brand ambassador forMaybellineand the face of their new Vinyl Ink liquid lip color. McRae released \\\"Chaotic\\\", the third single from the album on March 25, 2022, and released \\\"What Would You Do?\\\" as the fourth single on May 13, 2022.On June 3, 2022, Tate released a music video for her single \\\"Don't Come Back\\\" exclusively via TikTok, and later released the vertical version of the video on July 11, 2022, on YouTube. In September 2022, McRae released the single \\\"Uh Oh\\\".In November 2022, Tate was featured on \\\"10:35\\\" byTiësto, a promo-single for the opening of the luxury resortAtlantis The Royal, Dubai.The song became her second UK Top 10. It reached the Top 10 in ten other countries.\",\n \"other countries. 2023–present:Think Later McRae was nominated for five Juno Awards in 2023, and performed at the show.In March 2023, McRae teamed up withMCM Worldwidefor their Spring/Summer 2023 Campaign, performing \\\"uh oh\\\" and \\\"She's All I Wanna Be\\\".On September 15, 2023, she released \\\"Greedy\\\" as the lead single for her sophomore studio albumThink Later.Greedy became her biggest debut to date on Spotify,and her first top 10 on the Global Spotify Charts.It debuted at number 1 in NorwayandDenmarkand peaked at number 1 in several countries includingCanada,Denmark,Austria, andthe Netherlands, as well as theBillboard Global 200, making it her first official number 1 single worldwide. McRae’s second studio albumThink Laterwas officially released on December 8, 2023.The album received mixed to positive appraisal from both fans and critics, withRolling StonenotingM.I.A.andAriana Grande’s influences on the project, stating that in terms of the latter,Think Later\\\"represented a career-defining shift for McRae as she\",\n \"for McRae as she pulled herself from the rubble of grief, heartbreak, and internal turmoil.\\\"Think Laterdebuted in the top 5 of the charts in US, UK, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Belgium and Norway. The second single fromThink Later, \\\"Exes\\\", was released on November 17, 2023, and peaked in the top 10 in Canada and the Netherlands, top 20 in the UK and Australia, and top 40 in the US. On November 18, 2023, she performed \\\"Greedy\\\" and a then-unreleased song titled \\\"Grave\\\" onSaturday Night Live.She also made her debut American award show performance with \\\"Greedy\\\" at theBillboard Music Awardson November 19, 2023.McRae performed a medley at the2024 NHL All-Star gameinTorontoin February 2024.In March 2024, she made her debut performance at theBrit Awardswith \\\"Greedy\\\"and subsequently performed a medley of \\\"Greedy\\\" and \\\"Exes\\\" at theiHeartRadio Music Awardsin April.McRae won theJuno Awardfor Artist of the Year, and Single of the Year for \\\"Greedy\\\" at the2024 Juno Awards. On September 13, 2024, McRae released the song\",\n \"released the song \\\"It's OK I'm OK\\\". Personal life McRae is a fan of theCalgary Flamesof the NHL, and has attended numerous games. From late 2021 to early 2023, McRae was in a relationship withColumbus Blue JacketsplayerCole Sillinger.In April 2024, Australian rapper and singerthe Kid Laroiconfirmed his relationship with McRae. Artistry and public image McRae has namedPost Malone,the Weeknd,Khalid,Jessie Reyez,Ariana GrandeandJeremy Zuckeras her biggest musical influences.She citesZendayaandDua Lipaas all-around influences, and has described both women as her biggest idols,noting that she looks up to them in all aspects of life. She has also namedBruno Mars,Madonna,Christina Aguilera,Britney Spears,Ciara,Jennifer LopezandJustin Timberlakeas inspirations for bringing dance into her performances,while namingTaylor Swift,Julia MichaelsandAlec Benjaminas songwriting inspirations.Further, McRae has called herself a \\\"huge fan\\\" of Swift and described her as \\\"one of the greatest songwriters.\\\"McRae has also expressed\",\n \"has also expressed an admiration forBillie EilishandRosalía. McRae has been described as \\\"the teen dance star turned future pop idol\\\" byi-D,\\\"the new teen queen\\\" byNotion,\\\"Canada's answer toBillie Eilish\\\" byElle,and \\\"one of pop's bright young hopes\\\" byThe Independent.She has also been noted for her honest lyrics, “impressive” vocals and relatable music.Additionally, McRae has received considerable acclaim as a dancer, and has been praised by artist, dancer and choreographerPaula Abdulwho declared her a \\\"gift from God\\\",and choreographers such asStacey TookeyandBlake McGrath, both of whom stated that she's talented beyond her years, with the latter describing her as \\\"one of the best dancers he has ever worked with\\\"as well as two-time Emmy winnerTravis Wall,who has named her as one of his muses.Margaret Furher ofDance Spirit Magazinedescribed her dancing as virtuosic both technically and artistically.As of March 2024, her YouTube channel has amassed over 1.5 billion views and she has garnered more than 8.4\",\n \"more than 8.4 billion career streams across all platforms. Discography Studio albums Filmography Film Television Awards and nominations Listicles Tours See also References External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_You_Think_You_Can_Dance:_The_Next_Generation_(American_TV_series\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":275,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"NASA launched an Apollo mission a year after the Stonewall Riots. How many collective children did the astronauts onboard that mission have?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"8"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Apollo_missions"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lovell"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Swigert"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Haise"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | Post processing | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Apollo_missions', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lovell', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Swigert', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Haise']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Apollo_missions","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lovell","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Swigert","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Haise"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Apollo_missions\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lovell\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Swigert\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Haise\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Stonewall riots TheStonewall riots, also known as theStonewall uprising,Stonewall rebellion,Stonewall revolution,or simplyStonewall, were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against apolice raidthat took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at theStonewall Inn, in theGreenwich Villageneighborhood ofNew York City. Although the demonstrations werenot the first time American homosexuals fought backagainst government-sponsored persecution ofsexual minorities, the Stonewall riots marked a new beginning for thegay rights movementin the United States and around the world. American gays and lesbians in the 1950s and 1960s faced a legal system more anti-homosexual than those of someWarsaw Pactcountries.Earlyhomophilegroups in the U.S. sought to prove that gay people could be assimilated into society, and they favored non-confrontational education for homosexuals and heterosexuals alike. The last years of the 1960s, however, were very contentious, as many social movements were active, including theAfrican American Civil Rights Movement, theCounterculture of the 1960s, andantiwar demonstrations. These influences, along with the liberal environment of Greenwich Village, served as catalysts for the Stonewall riots. Very few establishments welcomed openly gay people in the 1950s and 1960s. Those that did were often bars, although bar owners and managers were rarely gay. The Stonewall Inn was owned by theMafiaand catered to an assortment of patrons, popular among the poorest and most marginalized people in the gay community:drag queens, representatives of a newly self-awaretransgendercommunity, effeminate young men,hustlers, and homeless youth. Police raids on gay bars were routine in the 1960s, but officers quickly lost control of the situation at the Stonewall Inn and attracted a crowd that was incited toriot. Tensions betweenNew York City policeand gay residents of Greenwich Village erupted into more protests the next evening and again several nights later. Within weeks, Village residents quickly organized into activist groups to concentrate efforts on establishing places for gays and lesbians to be open about theirsexual orientationwithout fear of being arrested. Following the Stonewall riots, sexual minorities in New York City faced gender, class, and generational obstacles to becoming a cohesive community. In the weeks and months after, they initiated politically active social organizations and launched publications that spoke openly about rights for gay people. The first anniversary of the riots was marked by peaceful demonstrations in several American cities that have since grown to becomepride parades. TheStonewall National Monumentwas established at the site in 2016. Today, pride events are held annually throughout the world toward the end of June to mark the Stonewall riots. Background Homosexuality in 20th-century United States Following the social upheaval ofWorld War II, many people in the United States felt a fervent desire to \"restore the prewar social order and hold off the forces of change\", according to historianBarry Adam.Spurred by the national emphasis onanti-communism, SenatorJoseph McCarthyconducted hearings searching for communists in the U.S. government, theU.S. Army, and other government-funded agencies and institutions, leading to a national paranoia.Anarchists,communists, and other people deemed un-American and subversive were considered security risks. Gay men and lesbians wereincludedin this list by theU.S. State Departmenton the theory that they were susceptible toblackmail. In 1950, a Senate investigation chaired byClyde R. Hoeynoted in a report, \"It is generally believed that those who engage in overt acts of perversion lack the emotional stability of normal persons\",and said all of the government's intelligence agencies \"are in complete agreement that sex perverts in Government constitute security risks\".Between 1947 and 1950, 1,700 federal job applications were denied, 4,380 people were discharged from the military, and 420 were fired from their government jobs for being suspected homosexuals. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, theFederal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) and police departments kept lists of known homosexuals and their favored establishments and friends; theU.S. Post Officekept track of addresses where material pertaining tohomosexualitywas mailed.State and local governments followed suit: bars catering to gay men and lesbians were shut down and their customers were arrested and exposed in newspapers. Cities performed \"sweeps\" to rid neighborhoods, parks, bars, and beaches of gay people. They outlawed the wearing of opposite-gender clothes and universities expelled instructors suspected of being homosexual. In 1952, theAmerican Psychiatric Associationlisted homosexuality in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual(DSM) as a mental disorder. A large-scale study of homosexuality in 1962 was used to justify the inclusion of the \"disorder\" as a supposed pathological hidden fear of the opposite sex caused by traumatic parent–child relationships. This view was widely influential in the medical profession.In 1956, the psychologistEvelyn Hookerperformed a study that compared the happiness and well-adjusted nature of self-identified homosexual men with heterosexual men and found no difference.Her study stunned the medical community and made her a hero to many gay men and lesbians,but homosexuality remained in theDSMuntil 1974. Homophile activism In response to this trend, two organizations formed independently of each other to advance the cause of gay men and lesbians and provide opportunities where they could socialize without fear of being arrested.Los Angelesarea homosexuals created theMattachine Societyin 1950, in the home of communist activistHarry Hay.Their objectives were to unify homosexuals, educate them, provide leadership, and assist \"sexual deviants\" with legal troubles.Facing enormous opposition to their radical approach, in 1953 the Mattachine shifted their focus to assimilation and respectability. They reasoned that they would change more minds about homosexuality by proving that gay men and lesbians were normal people, no different from heterosexuals.Soon after, several women inSan Franciscomet in their living rooms to form theDaughters of Bilitis(DOB) for lesbians.Although the eight women who created the DOB initially came together to be able to have a safe place to dance, as the DOB grew they developed similar goals to the Mattachine and urged their members to assimilate into general society. One of the first challenges togovernment repressioncame in 1953. An organization namedONE, Inc.published a magazine calledONE. The U.S. Postal Service refused to mail its August issue, which concerned homosexual people in heterosexual marriages, on the grounds that the material was obscene despite it being covered in brown paper wrapping. The case eventuallywent to the Supreme Court, which in 1958 ruled that ONE, Inc. could mail its materials through the Postal Service. Homophileorganizations—as homosexual groups self-identified in this era—grew in number and spread to the East Coast. Gradually, members of these organizations grew bolder.Frank Kamenyfounded the Mattachine ofWashington, D.C.He had been fired from the U.S. Army Map Service for being a homosexual and sued unsuccessfully to be reinstated. Kameny wrote that homosexuals were no different from heterosexuals, often aiming his efforts atmental health professionals, some of whom attended Mattachine and DOB meetings telling members they were abnormal. In 1965, news onCubanprison work camps for homosexuals inspired Mattachine New York and D.C. to organize protests at theUnited Nationsand theWhite House. Similar demonstrations were then held also at other government buildings. The purpose was to protest the treatment of gay people in Cubaand U.S. employment discrimination. These pickets shocked many gay people and upset some of the leadership of Mattachine and the DOB.At the same time, demonstrations in the civil rights movement andopposition to the Vietnam Warall grew in prominence, frequency, and severity throughout the 1960s, as did their confrontations with police forces. Earlier resistance and riots On the outer fringes of the few small gay communities were people who challenged gender expectations. They were effeminate men and masculine women, or people who dressed and lived in contrast to theirsex assigned at birth, either part or full-time. Contemporaneous nomenclature classified them astransvestitesand they were the most visible representatives of sexual minorities. They belied the carefully crafted image portrayed by the Mattachine Society and DOB asserted homosexuals were respectable, normal people.The Mattachine and DOB considered the trials of being arrested for wearing clothing of the opposite gender as a parallel to the struggles of homophile organizations: similar but distinctly separate. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people staged a smallriot at the Cooper Do-nutscafé in Los Angeles in 1959 in response to police harassment.In a larger 1966 event in San Francisco, drag queens, hustlers, and trans womenwere sitting inCompton's Cafeteriawhen the police arrived to arrest people appearing to be physically male who were presenting as women. A riot ensued, with the cafeteria patrons slinging cups, plates, and saucers and breaking theplexiglasswindows in the front of the restaurant and returning several days later to smash the windows again after they were replaced.ProfessorSusan Strykerclassifies the Compton's Cafeteria riot as an \"act of anti-transgender discrimination, rather than an act of discrimination against sexual orientation\" and connects the uprising to the issues of gender, race, and class that were being downplayed by homophile organizations.It marked the beginning oftransgenderactivism in San Francisco. Greenwich Village TheManhattanneighborhoods of Greenwich Village andHarlemwere home to sizable gay and lesbian populations afterWorld War I, when people who had served in the military took advantage of the opportunity to settle in larger cities. The enclaves of gay men and lesbians, described by a newspaper story as \"short-haired women and long-haired men\", developed a distinct subculture through the following two decades.Prohibitioninadvertently benefited gay establishments, as drinking alcohol was pushed underground along with other behaviors considered immoral. New York City passed laws against homosexuality in public and private businesses, but because alcohol was in high demand,speakeasiesand impromptu drinking establishments were so numerous and temporary that authorities were unable to police them all.However, police raids continued, resulting in the closure of iconic establishments such asEve's Hangoutin 1926. The social repression of the 1950s resulted in a cultural revolution in Greenwich Village. A cohort of poets, later named theBeatpoets, wrote about the evils of the social organization at the time, glorifying anarchy, drugs, and hedonistic pleasures over unquestioning social compliance, consumerism, and closed-mindedness. Of them,Allen GinsbergandWilliam S. Burroughs—both Greenwich Village residents—also wrote bluntly and honestly about homosexuality. Their writings attracted sympathetic liberal-minded people, as well as homosexuals looking for a community. By the early 1960s, a campaign to rid New York City of gay bars was in full effect by order of MayorRobert F. Wagner Jr., who was concerned about the image of the city in preparation for the1964 World's Fair. The city revoked the liquor licenses of the bars and undercover police officers worked to entrap as many homosexual men as possible.Entrapmentusually consisted of an undercover officer who found a man in a bar or public park, engaged him in conversation; if the conversation headed toward the possibility that they might leave together—or the officer bought the man a drink—he was arrested forsolicitation. One story in theNew York Postdescribed an arrest in a gym locker room, where the officer grabbed his crotch, moaning, and a man who asked him if he was all right was arrested.Few lawyers would defend cases as undesirable as these and some of those lawyers kicked back their fees to the arresting officer. The Mattachine Society succeeded in getting newly elected mayorJohn Lindsayto end the campaign of police entrapment in New York City. They had a more difficult time with theNew York State Liquor Authority(SLA). While no laws prohibited serving homosexuals, courts allowed the SLA discretion in approving and revoking liquor licenses for businesses that might become \"disorderly\".Despite the high population of gay men and lesbians who called Greenwich Village home, very few places existed, other than bars, where they were able to congregate openly without being harassed or arrested. In 1966 the New York Mattachine held a \"sip-in\" at a Greenwich Village bar namedJulius, which was frequented by gay men, to illustrate the discrimination homosexuals faced. None of the bars frequented by gay men and lesbians were owned by gay people. Almost all of them were owned and controlled byorganized crime, who treated the regulars poorly, watered down the liquor, and overcharged for drinks. However, they also paid off police to prevent frequent raids. Stonewall Inn The Stonewall Inn, located at 51 and 53Christopher Street, along with several other establishments in the city, was owned by theGenovese crime family.In 1966, three members of the Mafia invested $3,500 to turn the Stonewall Inn into a gay bar, after it had been a restaurant and a nightclub for heterosexuals. Once a week a police officer would collect envelopes of cash as a payoff known as agayola, as the Stonewall Inn had noliquor license.It had no running water behind the bar—dirty glasses were run through tubs of water and immediately reused.There were no fire exits, and the toilets overran consistently.Though the bar was not used for prostitution, drug sales and other black market activities took place. It was the only bar for gay men in New York City where dancing was allowed;dancing was its main draw since its re-opening as a gay club. Visitors to the Stonewall Inn in 1969 were greeted by abouncerwho inspected them through a peephole in the door. The legal drinking age was 18 and to avoid unwittingly letting in undercover police (who were called \"Lily Law\", \"Alice Blue Gown\", or \"Betty Badge\"), visitors would have to be known by the doorman or 'look gay'. Patrons were required to sign their names in a book to prove that the bar was a private \"bottle club\", but they rarely signed their real names. There were two dance floors in the Stonewall. The interior was painted black, making it very dark inside, with pulsing gel lights orblack lights. If police were spotted, regular white lights were turned on, signaling that everyone should stop dancing or touching.In the rear of the bar was a smaller room frequented by \"queens\"; it was one of two bars where effeminate men who wore makeup and teased their hair (though dressed in men's clothing) could go.Only a few people in fulldragwere allowed in by the bouncers. The customers were \"98 percent male\" but a few lesbians sometimes came to the bar. Younger homeless adolescent males, who slept in nearbyChristopher Park, would often try to get in so customers would buy them drinks.The age of the clientele ranged between the upper teens and early thirties and the racial mix was distributed among mainly white, with Black, and Hispanic patrons.Because of its mix of people, its location, and the attraction of dancing, the Stonewall Inn was known by many as \"thegay bar in the city\". Police raids on gay bars were frequent, occurring on average once a month for each bar. Many bars kept extra liquor in a secret panel behind the bar, or in a car down the block, to facilitate resuming business as quickly as possible if alcohol was seized.Bar management usually knew about raids beforehand due to police tip-offs, and raids occurred early enough in the evening that business could commence after the police had finished.During a typical raid, the lights were turned on and customers were lined up and their identification cards checked. Those without identification or dressed in full drag were arrested; others were allowed to leave. Some of the men, including those in drag, used theirdraft cardsas identification. Women were required to wear three pieces of feminine clothing and would be arrested if found not wearing them. Typically, employees and management of the bars were also arrested.The period immediately before June 28, 1969, was marked by frequent raids of local bars—including a raid at the Stonewall Inn on the Tuesday before the riots—and the closing of the Checkerboard, the Tele-Star, and two other clubs in Greenwich Village. Riots Police raid At 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 1969, four plainclothes policemen in dark suits, two patrol officers in uniform, Detective Charles Smythe, and Deputy InspectorSeymour Pinearrived at the Stonewall Inn's double doors and announced \"Police! We're taking the place!\"Two undercover policewomen and two undercover policemen entered the bar early that evening to gather visual evidence, as the Public Morals Squad waited outside for the signal. Once ready, the undercover officers called for backup from the Sixth Precinct using the bar's pay telephone. Stonewall employees do not recall being tipped off that a raid was to occur that night, as was the custom.The music was turned off and the main lights were turned on. Approximately 200 people were in the bar that night. Patrons who had never experienced a police raid were confused. A few who realized what was happening began to run for doors and windows in the bathrooms, but police barred the doors. Michael Fader remembered, \"Things happened so fast you kind of got caught not knowing. All of a sudden there were police there and we were told to all get in lines and to have our identification ready to be led out of the bar.\" The raid did not go as planned. Standard procedure was to line up the patrons, check their identification and have female police officers take customers dressed as women to the bathroom to verify their sex, upon which any people appearing to be physically male and dressed as women would be arrested. Those dressed as women that night refused to go with the officers. Men in line began to refuse to produce their identification. The police decided to take everyone present to the police station, after separating those suspected of cross-dressing in a room in the back of the bar. All parties involved recall that a sense of discomfort spread very quickly, started by police who assaulted some of the lesbians by \"feeling some of them up inappropriately\" while frisking them. When did you ever see a fag fight back?... Now, times were a-changin'. Tuesday night was the last night for bullshit... Predominantly, the theme as, \"this shit has got to stop!\" —anonymous Stonewall riots participant The police were to transport the bar's alcohol in patrol wagons. Twenty-eight cases of beer and nineteen bottles of hard liquor were seized, but the patrol wagons had not yet arrived, so patrons were required to wait in line for about 15 minutes.Those who were not arrested were released from the front door, but they did not leave quickly as usual. Instead, they stopped outside and a crowd began to grow and watch. Within minutes, between 100 and 150 people had congregated outside, some after they were released from inside the Stonewall and some after noticing the police cars and the crowd. Although the police forcefully pushed or kicked some patrons out of the bar, some customers released by the police performed for the crowd by posing and saluting the police in an exaggerated fashion. The crowd's applause encouraged them further. When the first patrol wagon arrived, Inspector Pine recalled that the crowd—most of whom were homosexual—had grown to at least ten times the number of people who were arrested and they all became very quiet.Confusion over radio communication delayed the arrival of a second wagon. The police began escorting Mafia members into the first wagon, to the cheers of the bystanders. Next, regular employees were loaded into the wagon. A bystander shouted, \"Gay power!\", someone began singing \"We Shall Overcome\" and the crowd reacted with amusement and general good humor mixed with \"growing and intensive hostility\".An officer shoved a person in drag, who responded by hitting him on the head with her purse. The cop clubbed her over the head, as the crowd began to boo. AuthorEdmund White, who had been passing by, recalled, \"Everyone's restless, angry, and high-spirited. No one has a slogan, no one even has an attitude, but something's brewing.\"Pennies, then beer bottles, were thrown at the wagon as a rumor spread through the crowd that patrons still inside the bar were being beaten. A scuffle broke out when a woman in handcuffs was escorted from the door of the bar to the waiting police wagon several times. She escaped repeatedly and fought with four of the police, swearing and shouting, for about ten minutes. Described as \"a typical New York butch\" and \"a dyke–stone butch\", she had been hit on the head by an officer with abatonfor, as one witness claimed, complaining that her handcuffs were too tight.Bystanders recalled that the woman, whose identity remains unknown (Stormé DeLarveriehas been identified by some, including herself, as the woman, but accounts vary), sparked the crowd to fight when she looked at bystanders and shouted, \"Why don't you guys do something?\" After an officer picked her up and heaved her into the back of the wagon,the crowd became a mob and became violent. Violence breaks out The police tried to restrain some of the crowd, knocking a few people down, which incited bystanders even more. Some of those handcuffed in the wagon escaped when police left them unattended (deliberately, according to some witnesses).As the crowd tried to overturn the police wagon, two police cars and the wagon—with a few slashed tires—left immediately, with Inspector Pine urging them to return as soon as possible. The commotion attracted more people who learned what was happening. Someone in the crowd declared that the bar had been raided because \"they didn't pay off the cops\", to which someone else yelled, \"Let's pay them off!\"Coins sailed through the air towards the police as the crowd shouted \"Pigs!\" and \"Faggot cops!\" Beer cans were thrown and the police lashed out, dispersing some of the crowd who found a construction site nearby with stacks of bricks. The police, outnumbered by between 500 and 600 people, grabbed several people, including activist folk singer (and mentor ofBob Dylan)Dave Van Ronk—who had been attracted to the revolt from a bar two doors away from the Stonewall. Though Van Ronk was not gay, he had experienced police violence when he participated in antiwar demonstrations: \"As far as I was concerned, anybody who'd stand against the cops was all right with me and that's why I stayed in... Every time you turned around the cops were pulling some outrage or another.\"Van Ronk was the first of thirteen arrested that night.Ten police officers—including two policewomen—barricaded themselves, Van Ronk,Howard Smith(a column writer forThe Village Voice), and several handcuffed detainees inside the Stonewall Inn for their own safety. Multiple accounts of the riot assert that there was no pre-existing organization or apparent cause for the demonstration; what ensued was spontaneous.Michael Fader explained: We all had a collective feeling like we'd had enough of this kind of shit. It wasn't anything tangible anybody said to anyone else, it was just kind of like everything over the years had come to a head on that one particular night in the one particular place and it was not an organized demonstration... The only known photograph from the first night of the riots, taken by freelance photographer Joseph Ambrosini, shows the homeless gay youth who slept in nearby Christopher Park, scuffling with police. Jackie Hormona andTommy Lanigan-Schmidtare on the far left. The Mattachine Society newsletter a month later offered its explanation of why the riots occurred: \"It catered largely to a group of people who are not welcome in, or cannot afford, other places of homosexual social gathering... The Stonewall became home to these kids. When it was raided, they fought for it. That and the fact that they had nothing to lose other than the most tolerant and broadminded gay place in town, explains why.\" Garbage cans, garbage, bottles, rocks, and bricks were hurled at the building, breaking the windows. Witnesses attest that \"flame queens\", hustlers, and gay \"street kids\"—the most outcast people in the gay community—were responsible for the first volley of projectiles, as well as the uprooting of aparking meterused as abattering ramon the doors of the Stonewall Inn. The mob lit garbage on fire and stuffed it through the broken windows as the police grabbed a fire hose. Because it had no water pressure, the hose was ineffective in dispersing the crowd and seemed only to encourage them.Marsha P. Johnsonlater said that it was the police that had started the fire in the bar.When demonstrators broke through the windows—which had been covered byplywoodby the bar owners to deter the police from raiding the bar—the police inside unholstered their pistols. The doors flew open and officers pointed their weapons at the angry crowd, threatening to shoot. Howard Smith, in the bar with the police, took a wrench from the bar and stuffed it in his pants, unsure if he might have to use it against the mob or the police. He watched someone squirtlighter fluidinto the bar; as it was lit and the police took aim,sirenswere heard and fire trucks arrived. The onslaught had lasted 45 minutes. When the violence broke out, the women and transmasculine people being held down the street atThe Women's House of Detentionjoined in by chanting, setting fire to their belongings and tossing them into the street below. The historian Hugh Ryan says, \"When I would talk to people about Stonewall, they would tell me, that night on Stonewall, we looked to the prison because we saw the women rioting and chanting, 'Gay rights, gay rights, gay rights.'\" Escalation TheTactical Patrol Force(TPF) of the New York City Police Department arrived to free the police trapped inside the Stonewall. One officer's eye was cut and a few others were bruised from being struck by flying debris.Bob Kohler, who was walking his dog by the Stonewall that night, saw the TPF arrive: I had been in enough riots to know the fun was over... The cops were totally humiliated. This never, ever happened. They were angrier than I guess they had ever been because everybody else had rioted... but the fairies were not supposed to riot... no group had ever forced cops to retreat before, so the anger was just enormous. I mean, they wanted to kill. With larger numbers, police detained anyone they could and put them in patrol wagons to go to jail, though Inspector Pine recalled, \"Fights erupted with the transvestites, who wouldn't go into the patrol wagon.\" His recollection was corroborated by another witness across the street who said, \"All I could see about who was fighting was that it was transvestites and they were fighting furiously.\" The TPF formed aphalanxand attempted to clear the streets by marching slowly and pushing the crowd back. The mob openly mocked the police. The crowd cheered, started impromptukick linesand sang to the tune of \"Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay\": \"We are the Stonewall girls/ We wear our hair in curls/ We don't wear underwear/ We show our pubic hair.\"Lucian Truscottreported inThe Village Voice: \"A stagnant situation there brought on some gay tomfoolery in the form of achorus linefacing the line of helmeted and club-carrying cops. Just as the line got into a full kick routine, the TPF advanced again and cleared the crowd of screaming gay powerites down Christopher to Seventh Avenue.\"One participant who had been in the Stonewall during the raid recalled, \"The police rushed us and that's when I realized this is not a good thing to do, because they got me in the back with anightstick.\" Another account stated, \"I just can't ever get that one sight out of my mind. The cops with the and the kick line on the other side. It was the most amazing thing... And all the sudden that kick line, which I guess was a spoof on the machismo... I think that's when I felt rage. Because people were getting smashed with bats. And for what? A kick line.\" Marsha P. Johnson, anAfrican-Americanstreet queen,recalled arriving at the bar around \"2:00 \", and that at that point the riots were well underway, with the building in flames.As the riots went on into the early hours of the morning, Johnson, along with Zazu Nova and Jackie Hormona, were noted as \"three individuals known to have been in the vanguard\" of the pushback against the police. Craig Rodwell, owner of theOscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, reported watching police chase participants through the crooked streets, only to see them appear around the next corner behind the police. Members of the mob stopped cars, overturning one of them to block Christopher Street.Jack NicholsandLige Clarke, in their column printed inScrew, declared that \"massive crowds of angry protesters chased for blocks screaming, 'Catch them!'\" By 4:00 am, the streets had nearly been cleared. Many people sat on stoops or gathered nearby in Christopher Park throughout the morning, dazed in disbelief at what had transpired. Many witnesses remembered the surreal and eerie quiet that descended upon Christopher Street, though there continued to be \"electricity in the air\".One commented: \"There was a certain beauty in the aftermath of the riot... It was obvious, at least to me, that a lot of people really were gay and, you know, this was our street.\"Thirteen people had been arrested. Some in the crowd were hospitalized,and four police officers were injured. Almost everything in the Stonewall Inn was broken. Inspector Pine had intended to close and dismantle the Stonewall Inn that night. Pay phones, toilets, mirrors,jukeboxes, and cigarette machines were all smashed, possibly in the riot and possibly by the police. Second night of rioting During the siege of the Stonewall, Craig Rodwell calledThe New York Times, theNew York Post, and theDaily Newsto tell them what was happening. All three papers covered the riots; theDaily Newsplaced coverage on the front page. News of the riot spread quickly throughout Greenwich Village, fueled by rumors that it had been organized by theStudents for a Democratic Society, theBlack Panthers, or triggered by \"a homosexual police officer whose roommate went dancing at the Stonewall against the officer's wishes\".All day Saturday, June 28, people came to stare at the burned and blackened Stonewall Inn.Graffitiappeared on the walls of the bar, declaring \"Drag power\", \"They invaded our rights\", \"Support gay power\" and \"Legalize gay bars\", along with accusations of police looting and—regarding the status of the bar—\"We are open.\" The next night, rioting again surrounded Christopher Street; participants remember differently which night was more frantic or violent. Many of the same people returned from the previous evening—hustlers, street youths, and \"queens\"—but they were joined by \"police provocateurs\", curious bystanders, and even tourists.Remarkable to many was the sudden exhibition of homosexual affection in public, as described by one witness: \"From going to places where you had to knock on a door and speak to someone through a peephole in order to get in. We were just out. We were in the streets.\" Thousands of people had gathered in front of the Stonewall, which had opened again, choking Christopher Street until the crowd spilled into adjoining blocks. The throng surrounded buses and cars, harassing the occupants unless they either admitted they were gay or indicated their support for the demonstrators.Marsha P. Johnson was seen climbing a lamppost and dropping a heavy bag onto the hood of a police car, shattering the windshield. As on the previous evening, fires were started in garbage cans throughout the neighborhood. More than a hundred police were present from the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and NinthPrecincts, but after 2:00 a.m. the TPF arrived again. Kick lines and police chases waxed and waned; when police captured demonstrators, whom the majority of witnesses described as \"sissies\" or \"swishes\", the crowd surged to recapture them.Again, street battling ensued until 4:00 am. Beat poet and longtime Greenwich Village resident Allen Ginsberg lived on Christopher Street and happened upon the jubilant chaos. After he learned of the riot that had occurred the previous evening, he stated, \"Gay power! Isn't that great!... It's about time we did something to assert ourselves\" and visited the open Stonewall Inn for the first time. While walking home, he declared to Lucian Truscott, \"You know, the guys there were so beautiful—they've lost that wounded look that fags all had 10 years ago.\" ActivistMark Segalrecounts thatMartha ShelleyandMarty Robinsonstood and made speeches from the front door of the Stonewall on June 29, 1969, the second night of the riot. Leaflets, press coverage, and more violence Activity in Greenwich Village was sporadic on Monday, June 30, and Tuesday, July 1, partly due to rain. Police and Village residents had a few altercations, as both groups antagonized each other. Craig Rodwell and his partnerFred Sargeanttook the opportunity the morning after the first riot to print and distribute 5,000 leaflets, one of them reading: \"Get the Mafia and the Cops out of Gay Bars.\" The leaflets called for gay people to own their own establishments, for a boycott of the Stonewall and other Mafia-owned bars, and for public pressure on the mayor's office to investigate the \"intolerable situation\". Not everyone in the gay community considered the revolt a positive development. To many older homosexuals and many members of the Mattachine Society who had worked throughout the 1960s to promote homosexuals as no different from heterosexuals, the display of violence and effeminate behavior was embarrassing.Randy Wicker, who had marched in the first gay picket lines before the White House in 1965, said the \"screaming queens forming chorus lines and kicking went against everything that I wanted people to think about homosexuals... that we were a bunch of drag queens in the Village acting disorderly and tacky and cheap.\"Others found the closing of the Stonewall Inn, termed a \"sleaze joint\", as advantageous to the Village. On Wednesday, however,The Village Voiceran reports of the riots, written by Howard Smith and Lucian Truscott, that included unflattering descriptions of the events and its participants: \"forces of faggotry\", \"limp wrists\" and \"Sunday fag follies\".A mob descended upon Christopher Street once again and threatened to burn down the offices ofThe Village Voice,which at the time was headquartered several buildings west of the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street; that proximity gave Truscott and other writers for the newspaper first hand observations of the uprising. Also in the mob of between 500 and 1,000 were other groups that had had unsuccessful confrontations with the police and were curious how the police were defeated in this situation. Another explosive street battle took place, with injuries to demonstrators and police alike, local shops getting looted, and arrests of five people.The incidents on Wednesday night lasted about an hour and were summarized by one witness: \"The word is out. Christopher Street shall be liberated. The fags have had it with oppression.\" Aftermath The feeling of urgency spread throughout Greenwich Village, even to people who had not witnessed the riots. Many who were moved by the rebellion attended organizational meetings, sensing an opportunity to take action. On July 4, 1969, the Mattachine Society performed its annual picket in front ofIndependence HallinPhiladelphia, called theAnnual Reminder. OrganizersCraig Rodwell,Frank Kameny,Randy Wicker,Barbara Gittings, andKay Lahusen, who had all participated for several years, took a bus along with other picketers from New York City to Philadelphia. Since 1965, the pickets had been very controlled: women wore skirts and men wore suits and ties and all marched quietly in organized lines.This year Rodwell remembered feeling restricted by the rules Kameny had set. When two women spontaneously held hands, Kameny broke them apart, saying, \"None of that! None of that!\" Rodwell, however, convinced about ten couples to hold hands. The hand-holding couples made Kameny furious, but they earned more press attention than all of the previous marches.ParticipantLilli Vincenzremembered, \"It was clear that things were changing. People who had felt oppressed now felt empowered.\"Rodwell returned to New York City determined to change the established quiet, meek ways of trying to get attention. One of his first priorities was planning Christopher Street Liberation Day. Gay Liberation Front Although the Mattachine Society had existed since the 1950s, many of their methods now seemed too mild for people who had witnessed or been inspired by the riots. Mattachine recognized the shift in attitudes in a story from their newsletter entitled, \"The Hairpin Drop Heard Around the World.\"When a Mattachine officer suggested an \"amicable and sweet\" candlelight vigil demonstration, a man in the audience fumed and shouted, \"Sweet!Bullshit!That's the role society has been forcing these queens to play.\"With a flyer announcing: \"Do You Think Homosexuals Are Revolting? You Bet Your Sweet Ass We Are!\",theGay Liberation Front(GLF) was soon formed, the first gay organization to usegayin its name. Previous organizations such as theMattachine Society, theDaughters of Bilitis(DOB), and various homophile groups had masked their purpose by deliberately choosing obscure names. The rise of militancy became apparent to Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings—who had worked in homophile organizations for years and were both very public about their roles—when they attended a GLF meeting to see the new group. A young GLF member demanded to know who they were and what their credentials were. Gittings, nonplussed, stammered, \"I'm gay. That's why I'm here.\"The GLF borrowed tactics from and aligned themselves with black andantiwardemonstrators with the ideal that they \"could work to restructure American society\".They took on causes of the Black Panthers, marching to theWomen's House of Detentionin support ofAfeni Shakurand other radicalNew Leftcauses. Four months after the group formed, however, it disbanded when members were unable to agree on operating procedure. Gay Activists Alliance Within six months of the Stonewall riots, activists started a citywide newspaper calledGay; they considered it necessary because the most liberal publication in the city—The Village Voice—refused to print the wordgayin GLF advertisements seeking new members and volunteers.Two other newspapers were initiated within a six-week period:Come Out!andGay Power; the readership of these three periodicals quickly climbed to between 20,000 and 25,000. GLF members organized several same-sex dances, but GLF meetings were chaotic. When Bob Kohler asked for clothes and money to help the homeless youth who had participated in the riots, many of whom slept in Christopher Park or Sheridan Square, the response was a discussion on the downfall ofcapitalism.In late December 1969, several people who had visited GLF meetings and left out of frustration formed theGay Activists Alliance(GAA). The GAA was to be more orderly and entirely focused on gay issues. Their constitution began, \"We as liberated homosexual activists demand the freedom for expression of our dignity and value as human beings.\"The GAA developed and perfected a confrontational tactic called azap: they would catch a politician off guard during a public relations opportunity and force him or her to acknowledge gay and lesbian rights. City councilmen were zapped and mayor John Lindsay was zapped several times—once on television when GAA members made up the majority of the audience. Police raids on gay bars did not stop after the Stonewall riots. In March 1970, deputy inspector Seymour Pine raided the Zodiac and 17 Barrow Street. An after-hours gay club with no liquor or occupancy licenses called The Snake Pit was soon raided and 167 people were arrested. One of them wasDiego Viñales, an Argentinian national so frightened that he might bedeportedas a homosexual that he tried to escape the police precinct by jumping out of a two-story window, impaling himself on a 14-inch (36 cm) spike fence.TheNew York Daily Newsprinted a graphic photo of the young man's impalement on the front page. GAA members organized a march from Christopher Park to the Sixth Precinct in which hundreds of gay men, lesbians, and liberal sympathizers peacefully confronted the TPF.They also sponsored a letter-writing campaign to Mayor Lindsay in which the Greenwich VillageDemocratic Partyand congressmanEd Kochsent pleas to end raids on gay bars in the city. The Stonewall Inn lasted only a few weeks after the riot. By October 1969 it was up for rent. Village residents surmised it was too notorious a location and Rodwell's boycott discouraged business. Gay Pride Christopher Street Liberation Day, on June 28, 1970, marked the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots with an assembly on Christopher Street; with simultaneous Gay Pride marches in Los Angeles andChicago, these were the firstGay Pride marchesin US history.The next year, Gay Pride marches took place inBoston,Dallas,Milwaukee,London,Paris,West BerlinandStockholm.Themarch in New Yorkcovered 51 blocks, from Christopher Street toCentral Park. The march took less than half the scheduled time due to excitement, but also due to wariness about walking through the city with gay banners and signs. Although the parade permit was delivered only two hours before the start of the march, the marchers encountered little resistance from onlookers.The New York Timesreported (on the front page) that the marchers took up the entire street for about 15 city blocks.Reporting byThe Village Voicewas positive, describing \"the out-front resistance that grew out of the police raid on the Stonewall Inn one year ago\". There was little open animosity and some bystanders applauded when a tall, pretty girl carrying a sign \"I am a Lesbian\" walked by. —The New York Timescoverage of Gay Liberation Day, 1970 By 1972, the participating cities includedAtlanta,Buffalo,Detroit, Washington, D.C.,Miami,Minneapolis, and Philadelphia,as well as San Francisco. Frank Kameny soon realized the pivotal change brought by the Stonewall riots. An organizer of gay activism in the 1950s, he was used to persuasion, trying to convince heterosexuals that gay people were no different from them. When he and other people marched in front of the White House, the State Department, and Independence Hall only five years earlier, their objective was to look as if they could work for the US government.Ten people marched with Kameny then and they alerted no press to their intentions. Although he was stunned by the upheaval by participants in the Annual Reminder in 1969, he later observed, \"By the time of Stonewall, we had fifty to sixty gay groups in the country. A year later there were at least fifteen hundred. By two years later, to the extent that a count could be made, it was twenty-five hundred.\" Similar to Kameny's regret at his own reaction to the shift in attitudes after the riots, Randy Wicker came to describe his embarrassment as \"one of the greatest mistakes of his life\".The image of gay people retaliating against police, after so many years of allowing such treatment to go unchallenged, \"stirred an unexpected spirit among many homosexuals\".Kay Lahusen, who photographed the marches in 1965, stated, \"Up to 1969, this movement was generally called the homosexual or homophile movement... Many new activists consider the Stonewall uprising the birth of the gay liberation movement. Certainly, it was the birth of gay pride on a massive scale.\"David Carter explained that even though there were several uprisings before Stonewall, the reason Stonewall was so significant was that thousands of people were involved, the riot lasted a long time (six days), it was the first to get major media coverage, and it sparked the formation of many gay rights groups. Trans organizations According toSusan Stryker's book,Transgender History, the Stonewall riots had significant effects on trans rights activism.Sylvia RiveraandMarsha P. Johnsonestablished the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) organization, as they believed that trans people weren't being adequately represented in the Gay Activists Alliance and Gay Liberation Front. They established politicized versions of \"houses\", which came from Black and Latino queer communities, and were places that marginalized trans youth could seek shelter. Besides STAR, organizations such asTransvestites and Transsexuals(TAT) andQueens' Liberation Front(QLF) were also established. QLF, which was established by drag queen Lee Brewster and heterosexual transvestite Bunny Eisenhower, marched on Christopher Street Liberation Day and fought against drag erasure and for trans visibility. Legacy The Stonewall riots are often considered to be the origin or impetus of thegay liberationmovement, and many studies ofLGBT historyin the U.S. are divided into pre- and post-Stonewall analyses.This has been criticized byhistorians of sexuality. Calls for the rights ofgender and sexual minoritiespredate the Stonewall riots. Thefirst homosexual movementbegan one hundred years earlier, in Germany.West Germanyhad abolished criminal liability for homosexual acts among adults over 21 years of age through a change ofSection 175of the German Criminal Code on June 25, 1969 − just three days before the Stonewall riots began.There was already the emergence of a gay liberation movement in New York at the time of the riots. The Stonewall riots were not the only time LGBT people organized politically amid attacks on LGBT establishments. The event has been said to occupy a unique place in thecollective memoryof many LGBT people,including those outside of the United States,as it \"is marked by an international commemorative ritual – an annual gay pride parade\", according to sociologist Elizabeth A. Armstrong. Community Within two years of the Stonewall riots, there were gay rights groups in every major American city, as well as in Canada, Australia, and Western Europe.People who joined activist organizations after the riots had very little in common other than theirsame-sex attraction. Many who arrived at GLF or GAA meetings were taken aback by the number of gay people in one place.Race, class, ideology, and gender became frequent obstacles in the years after the riots. This was illustrated during the 1973 Stonewall rally when, moments afterBarbara Gittingsexuberantly praised the diversity of the crowd, feminist activistJean O'Learyprotested what she perceived as the mocking of women bycross-dressersanddrag queensin attendance. During a speech by O'Leary, in which she claimed that drag queens made fun of women for entertainment value and profit,Sylvia RiveraandLee Brewsterjumped on the stage and shouted \"You go to bars because of what drag queens did for you andthese bitchestell us to quit being ourselves!\"Both the drag queens and lesbian feminists in attendance left in disgust. O'Leary also worked in the early 1970s to exclude transgender people from gay rights issues because she felt that rights for transgender people would be too difficult to attain.Sylvia Rivera left New York City in the mid-1970s, relocating toupstate New York.She later returned to the city in the mid-1990s, after the 1992 death of friendMarsha P. Johnson. Rivera lived on the \"gay pier\" at the end of Christopher street and advocated for homeless members of the gay community.The initial disagreements among participants in the movements often evolved after further reflection. O'Leary later regretted her stance against the drag queens attending in 1973: \"Looking back, I find this so embarrassing because my views have changed so much since then. I would never pick on a transvestite now.\"\"It was horrible. How could I work to exclude transvestites and at the same time criticize the feminists who were doing their best back in those days to exclude lesbians?\" O'Leary was referring to theLavender Menace, an appellation bysecond-wave feministBetty Friedanbased on attempts by members of theNational Organization for Women(NOW) to distance themselves from the perception of NOW as a haven for lesbians. As part of this process,Rita Mae Brownand other lesbians who had been active in NOW were forced out. They staged a protest in 1970 at the Second Congress to Unite Women and earned the support of many NOW members, finally gaining full acceptance in 1971. The growth oflesbian feminismin the 1970s at times so conflicted with the gay liberation movement that some lesbians refused to work with gay men. Many lesbians found men's attitudes patriarchal and chauvinistic and saw in gay men the same misguided notions about women that they saw in heterosexual men.The issues most important to gay men—entrapmentand public solicitation—were not shared by lesbians. In 1977, a Lesbian Pride Rally was organized as an alternative to sharing gay men's issues, especially whatAdrienne Richtermed \"the violent, self-destructive world of the gay bars\".Veteran gay activist Barbara Gittings chose to work in the gay rights movement, explaining, \"It's a matter of where does it hurt the most? For me it hurts the most not in the female arena, but the gay arena.\" Throughout the 1970s, gay activism had significant successes. One of the first and most important was the \"zap\" in May 1970 by the Los Angeles GLF at a convention of theAmerican Psychiatric Association(APA). At a conference onbehavior modification, during a film demonstrating the use ofelectroshock therapyto decrease same-sex attraction,Morris Kightand GLF members in the audience interrupted the film with shouts of \"Torture!\" and \"Barbarism!\"They took over the microphone to announce that medical professionals who prescribed such therapy for their homosexual patients were complicit in torturing them. Although 20 psychiatrists in attendance left, the GLF spent the hour following the zap with those remaining, trying to convince them that homosexual people were not mentally ill.When the APA invited gay activists to speak to the group in 1972, activists broughtJohn E. Fryer, a gay psychiatrist who wore a mask, because he felt his practice was in danger. In December 1973—in large part due to the efforts of gay activists—the APA voted unanimously to remove homosexuality from theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual. Gay men and lesbians came together to work ingrassrootspolitical organizations responding to organized resistance in 1977. A coalition of conservatives namedSave Our Childrenstaged a campaign to repeal a civil rights ordinance inMiami-Dade County. Save Our Children was successful enough to influence similar repeals in several American cities in 1978. However, that same year, a campaign in California called theBriggs Initiative, designed to force the dismissal of homosexual public school employees, was defeated.Reaction to the influence of Save Our Children and the Briggs Initiative in the gay community was so significant that it has been called the second Stonewall for many activists, marking their initiation into political participation.The subsequent 1979National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rightswas timed to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Rejection of prior gay subculture The Stonewall riots marked such a significant turning point that many aspects of priorgay and lesbian culture, such as bar culture formed from decades of shame and secrecy, were forcefully ignored and denied. HistorianMartin Dubermanwrites, \"The decades preceding Stonewall... continue to be regarded by most gay men and lesbians as some vast neolithic wasteland.\"SociologistBarry Adamnotes, \"Every social movement must choose at some point what to retain and what to reject out of its past. What traits are the results of oppression and what are healthy and authentic?\"In conjunction with the growing feminist movement of the early 1970s, roles ofbutch and femmethat developed in lesbian bars in the 1950s and 1960s were rejected, because as one writer put it: \"all role playing is sick.\"Lesbian feminists considered the butch roles as archaic imitations of masculine behavior.Some women, according toLillian Faderman, were eager to shed the roles they felt forced into playing. The roles returned for some women in the 1980s, although they allowed for more flexibility than before Stonewall. Author Michael Bronski highlights the \"attack on pre-Stonewall culture\", particularlygay pulp fictionfor men, where the themes often reflected self-hatred or ambivalence about being gay. Many books ended unsatisfactorily and drastically, often with suicide, and writers portrayed their gay characters as alcoholics or deeply unhappy. These books, which he describes as \"an enormous and cohesive literature by and for gay men\",have not been reissued and are lost to later generations. Dismissing the notion that the rejection was motivated by political correctness, Bronski writes, \"gay liberation was a youth movement whose sense of history was defined to a large degree by rejection of the past.\" Impact and recognition The riots spawned from a bar raid became a literal example of gay men and lesbians fighting back and a symbolic call to arms for many people. Historian David Carter remarks in his book about the Stonewall riots that the bar itself was a complex business that represented a community center, an opportunity for the Mafia to blackmail its own customers, a home, and a place of \"exploitation and degradation\".The true legacy of the Stonewall riots, Carter insists, is the \"ongoing struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality\".Historian Nicholas Edsall writes: Stonewall has been compared to any number of acts of radical protest and defiance in American history from the Boston Tea Party on. But the best and certainly a more nearly contemporary analogy is Rosa Parks' refusal to move to the back of the bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in December 1955, which sparked the modern civil rights movement. Within months after Stonewall, radical gay liberation groups and newsletters sprang up in cities and on college campuses across America and then across all of northern Europe as well. Before the rebellion at the Stonewall Inn, homosexuals were, as historians Dudley Clendinen andAdam Nagourneywrite: a secret legion of people, known of but discounted, ignored, laughed at or despised. And like the holders of a secret, they had an advantage which was a disadvantage too, and which was true of no other minority group in the United States. They were invisible. Unlike African Americans, women, Native Americans, Jews, the Irish, Italians, Asians, Hispanics, or any other cultural group which struggled for respect and equal rights, homosexuals had no physical or cultural markings, no language or dialect which could identify them to each other, or to anyone else... But that night, for the first time, the usual acquiescence turned into violent resistance... From that night the lives of millions of gay men and lesbians and the attitude toward them of the larger culture in which they lived, began to change rapidly. People began to appear in public as homosexuals, demanding respect. HistorianLillian Fadermancalls the riots the \"shot heard round the world\", explaining, \"The Stonewall Rebellion was crucial because it sounded the rally for that movement. It became an emblem of gay and lesbian power. By calling on the dramatic tactic of violent protest that was being used by other oppressed groups, the events at the Stonewall implied that homosexuals had as much reason to be disaffected as they.\" Joan Nestleco-founded theLesbian Herstory Archivesin 1974 and credits \"its creation to that night and the courage that found its voice in the streets.\"Cautious, however, not to attribute the start of gay activism to the Stonewall riots, Nestle writes: I certainly don't see gay and lesbian history starting with Stonewall... and I don't see resistance starting with Stonewall. What I do see is a historical coming together of forces, and the sixties changed how human beings endured things in this society and what they refused to endure... Certainly, something special happened on that night in 1969 and we've made it more special in our need to have what I call a point of origin... it's more complex than saying that it all started with Stonewall. The events of the early morning of June 28, 1969, were not the first instances of gay men and lesbians fighting back against police in New York City and elsewhere. Not only had the Mattachine Society been active in major cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago, but similarly marginalized people started the riot at Compton's Cafeteria in 1966 and another riot responded to a raid on Los Angeles'Black Cat Tavernin 1967.However, several circumstances were in play that made the Stonewall riots memorable. The location of theLower Manhattanraid was a factor: it was across the street fromThe Village Voiceoffices, and the narrow crooked streets gave the rioters an advantage over the police.Many of the participants and residents of Greenwich Village were involved in political organizations that were effectively able to mobilize a large and cohesive gay community in the weeks and months after the rebellion. The most significant facet of the Stonewall riots, however, was the commemoration of them in Christopher Street Liberation Day, which grew into the annualGay Prideevents around the world. Stonewall(officially Stonewall Equality Limited) is anLGBT rightscharity in the United Kingdom, founded in 1989 and named after theStonewall Innbecause of the Stonewall riots. TheStonewall Awardsis an annual event the charity has held since 2006 to recognize people who have affected the lives of British lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. The middle of the 1990s was marked by the inclusion ofbisexualsas a represented group within the gay community, when they successfully sought to be included on the platform of the 1993March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. Transgender people also asked to be included but were not, though trans-inclusive language was added to the march's list of demands.The transgender community continued to find itself simultaneously welcome and at odds with the gay community as attitudes aboutnon-binary gender discriminationandpansexual orientationdeveloped and came increasingly into conflict.In 1994, New York City celebrated \"Stonewall 25\" with a march that went past theUnited Nations Headquartersand intoCentral Park. Estimates put the attendance at 1.1 million people.Sylvia Riveraled an alternate march in New York City in 1994 to protest the exclusion of transgender people from the events. Attendance at LGBT Pride events has grown substantially over the decades. Most large cities around the world now have some kind of Pride demonstration; Pride events in some cities mark the largest annual celebration of any kind.The growing trend towards commercializing marches into parades—with events receiving corporate sponsorship—has caused concern about taking away the autonomy of the original grassroots demonstrations. President Barack Obamadeclared June 2009 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, citing the riots as a reason to \"commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans\".The year marked the 40th anniversary of the riots. An editorial in theWashington Bladecompared the scruffy, violent activism during and following the Stonewall riots to the lackluster response to failed promises given by President Obama; for being ignored, wealthy LGBT activists reacted by promising to give less money to Democratic causes.Two years later, the Stonewall Inn served as a rallying point for celebrations after theNew York State Senatevoted to passsame-sex marriage. The act was signed into law by GovernorAndrew Cuomoon June 24, 2011. Obama also referenced the Stonewall riots in a call for full equality during hissecond inaugural addresson January 21, 2013: We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths—that all of us are created equal—is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls and Selma and Stonewall... Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law—for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. This was a historic moment: the first time that a president mentioned gay rights or the word \"gay\" in an inaugural address. Throughout June 2019,Stonewall 50 – WorldPride NYC 2019, produced byHeritage of Pridein partnership with theI Love New Yorkprogram's LGBT division, took place in New York to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. The final official estimate included 5 million visitors attending in Manhattan alone, making it thelargest LGBTQ celebrationin history.June is traditionally Pride month in New York City and worldwide, and the events were held under the auspices of the annualNYC Pride March. On June 6, 2019, coinciding withWorldPridebeing celebrated in New York City, Police CommissionerJames P. O'Neillapologized on behalf of the NYPD for the actions of its officers at the Stonewall uprising. The official 50th-anniversary commemoration of the Stonewall Uprising occurred on June 28 on Christopher Street in front ofStonewall Inn. The official commemoration was themed as a rally, in reference to the original rallies in front of Stonewall Inn in 1969. Speakers at this event included mayorBill De Blasio, senatorKirsten Gillibrand, congressmanJerry Nadler, American activistX González, and global activistRémy Bonny. In 2019, Paris, France, officially named a square in theMaraisdistrict asPlace des Émeutes-de-Stonewall(Stonewall Riots Place). Stonewall Day In 2018, 49 years after the uprising, Stonewall Day was announced as a commemoration day byPride Live, a social advocacy and community engagement organization.The second Stonewall Day was held on Friday, June 28, 2019, outside the Stonewall Inn.During this event, Pride Live introduced their Stonewall Ambassadors program, to raise awareness for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Historic landmark and monument In June 1999, theUS Department of the Interiorincluded 51 and 53Christopher Streetand the surrounding area in Greenwich Village into theNational Register of Historic Places, the first of significance to the LGBT community.In a dedication ceremony, Assistant Secretary of the Department of the InteriorJohn Berrystated, \"Let it forever be remembered that here—on this spot—men and women stood proud, they stood fast, so that we may be who we are, we may work where we will, live where we choose, and love whom our hearts desire.\"The Stonewall Inn was also named aNational Historic Landmarkin February 2000. On June 23, 2015, theNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commissiondesignated Stonewall as a city landmark, the first to be designated based on its LGBT cultural significance alone.On June 24, 2016, PresidentBarack Obamaannounced the establishment of theStonewall National Monument, administered by theNational Park Service.The designation protects Christopher Park and adjacent areas totaling more than seven acres; the Stonewall Inn is within the boundaries of the monument but remains privately owned.TheNational Park Foundationformed a newnonprofit organizationto raise funds for a ranger station and interpretive exhibits for the monument,including the first official national visitor center dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ experience, which was inaugurated on June 28, 2024.TheNew York City Subway's Christopher Street–Sheridan Square station was renamed theChristopher Street–Stonewall stationon the same day. Media representations No newsreel or TV footage was taken of the riots and few home movies and photographs exist, but those that do have been used in documentaries. Film Music Theatre See also Analogous events Notes Citations Sources External links","List of Apollo missions TheApollo programwas a United Stateshuman spaceflightprogram carried out from 1961 to 1972 by theNational Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA), which landed the firstastronautson theMoon.The program used theSaturn IBandSaturn Vlaunch vehiclesto lift theCommand/Service Module(CSM) andLunar Module(LM) spacecraft into space, and theLittle Joe IIrocket to test alaunch escape systemwhich was expected to carry the astronauts to safety in the event of a Saturn failure.Uncrewed test flights beginning in 1966 demonstrated the safety of the launch vehicles and spacecraft to carry astronauts, and four crewed flights beginning in October 1968 demonstrated the ability of the spacecraft to carry out a lunar landing mission. Apollo achieved the first crewed lunar landing on theApollo 11mission, whenNeil ArmstrongandBuzz Aldrinlanded theirLMEaglein theSea of Tranquilityand walked on the lunar surface, whileMichael Collinsremained inlunar orbitin theCSMColumbia, and all three landed safely on Earth on July 24, 1969.Five subsequent missions landed astronauts on various lunar sites, ending in December 1972 withtwelve men having walked on the Moonand 842 pounds (382 kg) of lunar rocks andsoilsamples returned to Earth, greatly contributing to the understanding of the Moon's composition and geological history. Two Apollo missions were failures: a 1967 cabin fire killed the entireApollo 1crew during a ground test in preparation for what was to be the first crewed flight;and the third landing attempt onApollo 13was aborted by an oxygen tank explosion en route to the Moon, which disabled the CSMOdyssey's electrical power and life support systems, and made the propulsion system unsafe to use. The crew circled the Moon and were returned safely to Earth using the LMAquariusas a \"lifeboat\" for these functions. Uncrewed test flights From 1961 through 1967,Saturn launch vehiclesandApollo spacecraftcomponents were tested in uncrewed flights. Saturn I TheSaturn Ilaunch vehicle was originally planned to carry crewed Command Module flights intolow Earth orbit, but its 20,000-pound (9,100 kg) payload capacity limit could not lift even a partially fueled Service Module, which would have required building a lightweightretrorocketmodule for deorbit. These plans were eventually scrapped, in favor of using the upratedSaturn IBto launch the Command Module with a half-fueled Service Module for crewed Earth orbit tests. This limited Saturn I flights to Saturn launch vehicle development, CSMboilerplatetesting, and three micrometeoroid satellite launches in support of Apollo. SA-1 15:06 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-2 14:00 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-3 17:45 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-4 20:11 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-5 16:25 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-6 17:07 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-7 17:22 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-9 14:37 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-8 07:35 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-10 13:00 GMTLaunch Complex 37B There was some incongruity in the numbering and naming of the first three uncrewed Apollo-Saturn (AS), or Apollo flights. This is due to AS-204 being renamed toApollo 1posthumously. This crewed flight was to have followed the first three uncrewed flights. After the fire which killed the AS-204 crew on the pad during a test and training exercise, uncrewed Apollo flights resumed to test the Saturn V launch vehicle and the Lunar Module; these were designated Apollo 4, 5 and 6. The first crewed Apollo mission was thus Apollo 7. Simple \"Apollo\" numbers were never assigned to the first three uncrewed flights, although renamingAS-201,AS-202, andAS-203as Apollo 1-A, Apollo 2 and Apollo 3, had been briefly considered. Saturn IB The Saturn I was converted to the Uprated Saturn I, eventually designatedSaturn IB, by replacing theS-IVsecond stage with theS-IVB, which would also be used as the third stage of the Saturn V with the addition of on-orbit restart capability. This increased the payload capacity to 46,000 pounds (21,000 kg), enough to orbit a Command Module with a half-fueled Service Module, and more than enough to orbit a fully fueled Lunar Module. Two suborbital tests of the Apollo Block I Command and Service Module, one S-IVB development test, and one Lunar Module test were conducted. Success of the LM test led to cancellation of a planned second uncrewed flight. SA-201 16:12 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-203 14:53 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-202 17:15 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-204 22:48 GMTLaunch Complex 37B Launch escape system tests From August 1963 to January 1966, a number of tests were conducted at theWhite Sands Missile Rangefor development of thelaunch escape system(LES). These included simulated \"pad aborts\", which might occur while the Apollo-Saturnspace vehiclewas still on thelaunch pad, and flights on theLittle Joe IIrocket to simulateMode I abortswhich might occur while the vehicle was in the air. 13:05 GMTLaunch Complex 36 16:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 13:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 15:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 13:01 GMTLaunch Complex 36 13:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 15:17 GMTLaunch Complex 36 Saturn V Prior toGeorge Mueller's tenure as NASA's Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight starting in 1963, it was assumed that 20Saturn Vs, with at least 10 unpiloted test flights, would be required to achieve a crewed Moon landing, using the conservative one-stage-at-a-time testing philosophy used for the Saturn I. But Mueller introduced the \"all-up\" testing philosophy of using three live stages plus the Apollo spacecraft on every test flight. This achieved development of the Saturn V with far fewer uncrewed tests, and facilitated achieving the Moon landing by the 1969 goal. The size of the Saturn V production lot was reduced from 20 to 15 units. Three uncrewed test flights were planned to human-rate thesuper heavy-liftSaturn Vwhich would take crewed Apollo flights to the Moon. Success of the first flight and qualified success of the second led to the decision to cancel the third uncrewed test. SA-501 12:00 GMTLaunch Complex 39A SA-502 16:12 GMTLaunch Complex 39A Alphabetical mission types The Apollo program required sequential testing of several major mission elements in the runup to a crewed lunar landing. An alphabetical list of major mission types was proposed byOwen Maynardin September 1967.Two \"A-type\" missions performed uncrewed tests of the CSM and the Saturn V, and one B-type mission performed an uncrewed test of the LM. The C-type mission, the first crewed flight of the CSM in Earth orbit, was performed by Apollo 7. The list was revised uponGeorge Low's proposal to commit a mission to lunar orbit ahead of schedule, an idea influenced by the status of the CSM as a proven craft and production delays of the LM.Apollo 8 was reclassified from its original assignment as a D-type mission, a test of the complete CSM/LM spacecraft in Earth orbit, to a \"C-prime\" mission which would fly humans to the Moon. Once complete, it obviated the need for the E-type objective of amedium Earth orbitaltest. The D-type mission was instead performed by Apollo 9; the F-type mission, Apollo 10, flew the CSM/LM spacecraft to the Moon for final testing, without landing. The G-type mission, Apollo 11, performed the first lunar landing, the central goal of the program. The initial A–Glist was expanded to include later mission types:: 466H-type missions—Apollo 12, 13 (planned) and 14—would perform precision landings, and J-type missions—Apollo 15, 16 and 17—would perform thorough scientific investigation. The I-type objective, which called for extended lunar orbital surveillance of the Moon,was incorporated into the J-type missions.: 466 Crewed missions The Block I CSM spacecraft did not have capability to fly with the LM, and the three crew positions were designated Command Pilot, Senior Pilot, and Pilot, based onU.S. Air Force pilot ratings. The Block II spacecraft was designed to fly with the Lunar Module, so the corresponding crew positions were designated Commander, Command Module Pilot, and Lunar Module Pilot regardless of whether a Lunar Module was present or not on any mission. Seven of the missions involvedextravehicular activity(EVA), spacewalks or moonwalks outside of the spacecraft. These were of three types: testing the lunar EVA suit in Earth orbit (Apollo 9), exploring the lunar surface, and retrieving film canisters from theScientific Instrument Modulestored in the Service Module. Launch Complex 34(planned) 15:02 GMTLaunch Complex 34 12:51 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-503) 16:00 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-504) 16:49 GMTLaunch Complex 39B (SA-505) 13:32 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-506) 16:22 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-507) 19:13 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-508) 21:03 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-509) 13:34 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-510) 17:54 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-511) 05:33 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-512) Canceled missions Several planned missions of the Apollo program were canceled for a variety of reasons, including changes in technical direction, the Apollo 1 fire, hardware delays, and budget limitations. See also There were two NASA post-Apollo crewed spaceflight programs that used Apollo hardware: Notes References Bibliography External links","Jim Lovell James Arthur Lovell Jr.(/ˈlʌvəl/LUV-əl; born March 25, 1928) is an American retiredastronaut,naval aviator,test pilotand mechanical engineer. In 1968, ascommand module pilotofApollo 8, he became, withFrank BormanandWilliam Anders, one of the first three astronauts to fly to and orbit the Moon. He then commanded theApollo 13lunar mission in 1970 which, after a critical failure en route, looped around the Moon and returned safely to Earth. A graduate of theUnited States Naval AcademyinAnnapolis, Maryland, in the class of 1952, Lovell flewF2H Bansheenight fighters. This included a Western Pacific deployment aboard the aircraft carrierUSSShangri-La. In January 1958, he entered a six-month test pilot training course at theNaval Air Test CenteratNaval Air Station Patuxent River,Maryland, with Class 20 and graduated at the top of the class. He was then assigned to Electronics Test, working withradar, and in 1960 he became the Navy'sMcDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIprogram manager. The following year he became a flight instructor and safety engineering officer atNaval Air Station OceanainVirginia Beach, Virginia, and completed Aviation Safety School at theUniversity of Southern California. Lovell was not selected byNASAas one of theMercury Sevenastronauts due to a temporarily highbilirubincount. He was accepted in September 1962 as one of thesecond group of astronautsneeded for theGeminiandApolloprograms. Prior to Apollo, Lovell flew in space on two Gemini missions,Gemini 7(with Borman) in 1965 andGemini 12in 1966. He was the first person to fly into space four times. One of24 people to have flown to the Moon, Lovell was the first to fly to it twice. He is a recipient of theCongressional Space Medal of Honorand thePresidential Medal of Freedom. He co-authored the 1994 bookLost Moon, on which the 1995 filmApollo 13was based. Lovell was featured in acameo appearancein the film. Early life James Arthur Lovell Jr. was born inCleveland, Ohio, on March 25, 1928, the only child of James Lovell Sr., aToronto, Ontario, Canada-born coal furnace salesman who died in a car accident in 1933and Blanche née Masek, who was ofCzechdescent.For the first two years after the death of his father, Lovell and his mother lived with a relative inTerre Haute, Indiana. They then relocated toMilwaukee, Wisconsin, where he went toJuneau High School.He was a member of theBoy Scoutsduring his childhood and eventually achievedEagle Scout, the organization's highest rank.He became interested in rocketry and built flying models as a teenager. After graduating from high school, Lovell attended theUniversity of WisconsininMadisonfor two years, where he studied engineering under theUnited States Navy's\"Flying Midshipman\" programfrom 1946 to 1948.He would later credit the program for his ability to attend college, citing that he didn't otherwise have the money to attend.At Wisconsin, he playedcollege footballand pledged to theAlpha Phi Omegafraternity.He supplemented his meager Navy stipend by working at a local restaurant washing dishes and busing tables, and caring for the university'slab ratsandmiceon weekends. While Lovell was attending pre-flight training in the summer of 1948, the Navy was beginning to make cutbacks in the program, and cadets were under a great deal of pressure to transfer out. There were concerns that some or most of the students who graduated asnaval aviatorswould not have pilot billets to fill. To avoid this prospect, Lovell decided to apply to theUnited States Naval AcademyinAnnapolis, Maryland.He secured a nomination from his localU.S. Representative,John C. Brophy, and entered Annapolis in July 1948. During his first year, Lovell wrote a treatise on theliquid-propellant rocketengine. He graduated in the spring of 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as anensignin the Navy.On June 6, he married Marilyn Lillie Gerlach in a ceremony atSt. Anne's Churchin Annapolis. The two had begun dating while they were in high school.As a college student, Gerlach had transferred fromWisconsin State Teachers CollegetoGeorge Washington Universityin Washington, D.C., so she could be near him while he was at Annapolis.They had four children: Barbara, James, Susan, and Jeffrey. Navy career Lovell was one of 50 members of his graduating class of 783 initially selected for naval aviation training.He went to flight training atNaval Air Station Pensacolafrom October 1952 to February 1954. He was designated a naval aviator on February 1, 1954, upon completion of pilot training, and was assigned toVC-3atMoffett Fieldnear San Francisco, California. From 1954 to 1956 he flewMcDonnell F2H Bansheenight fighters. This included a Western Pacific deployment aboard the aircraft carrierUSSShangri-La. Lovell eventually completed 107 carrier deck landings. Upon his return to shore duty, he was reassigned to provide pilot transition training for theNorth American FJ-4 Fury,McDonnell F3H DemonandVought F8U Crusader. In January 1958, Lovell entered a six-monthtest pilottraining course at what was then the Naval Air Test Center (now theUnited States Naval Test Pilot School) atNaval Air Station Patuxent River,Maryland, with Class 20,which also included futureastronautsWally SchirraandPete Conrad,who gave Lovell the nickname \"Shaky\".Lovell graduated at the top of the class.Usually the top graduate was assigned to flight test on graduation, but the head of electronics test had complained about never getting the top graduate, so Lovell was assigned to electronics test, where he worked withradarsets. Later that year, Lovell, Conrad, and Schirra were among 110 military test pilots selected as potential astronaut candidates forProject Mercury. Schirra went on to become one of theMercury Seven, but Lovell was not selected because of a temporarily highbilirubincount.In 1960, electronics test was merged with armaments test to become weapons test, and Lovell became theMcDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIprogram manager.During this time future astronautJohn Youngserved under him. In 1961 Lovell received orders forVF-101 \"Detachment Alpha\"atNaval Air Station OceanainVirginia Beach, Virginia, as a flight instructor and safety engineering officer,and he completed Aviation Safety School at theUniversity of Southern California. NASA career Astronaut selection In 1962,NASAbegan recruiting its second group of astronauts, intended to fly during theGeminiandApolloprograms. This time the process was a public one. Lovell found out about the selection from an advertisement that had been placed inAviation Week & Space Technology, and decided to apply a second time.A three-person selection panel consisting of Mercury Seven astronautsAlan ShepardandDeke Slayton, and NASA test pilotWarren J. North, reduced the candidates to 32 finalists,who were sent toBrooks Air Force BaseinSan Antoniofor medical examinations. The tests there were much the same as those employed to select the Mercury Seven,but this time Lovell passed.The remaining 27 then went toEllington Air Force Basenear Houston, where they were individually interviewed by the selection panel. On September 14, Slayton informed Lovell that he had been accepted.To avoid tipping off the media, all checked into theRice Hotelin Houston under the name of Max Peck, its general manager.On September 17, the media crowded into the 1800-seat Cullen Auditorium at theUniversity of Houstonfor the official announcement, but it was a low-key event compared to the unveiling of the Mercury Seven three years before.The group became known as the \"Next Nine\" or the \"New Nine\".The new astronauts moved to the Houston area in October 1962.Conrad and Lovell built houses inTimber Cove, south of theManned Spacecraft Center(MSC).Developers in Timber Cove offered astronauts mortgages with small down payments and low interest rates.The MSC complex was not yet complete, so NASA temporarily leased office space in Houston. The task of supervising the Next Nine's training fell to Mercury Seven astronautGus Grissom.Initially, each of the astronauts was given four months of classroom instruction on subjects such asspacecraft propulsion,orbital mechanics,astronomy,computing, andspace medicine. Classes were for six hours a day, two days a week, and all sixteen astronauts had to attend. There was also familiarization with the Gemini spacecraft,Titan IIandAtlasboosters, and theAgena target vehicle.Jungle survival training was conducted at theUnited States Air Force(USAF) Tropic Survival School atAlbrook Air Force Stationin thePanama Canal Zone, desert survival training atStead Air Force BaseinNevada, and water survival training on theDilbert Dunkerat the USN school at the Naval Air Station Pensacola and onGalveston Bay.Following the precedent set by the Mercury Seven, each of the Next Nine was assigned a special area in which to develop expertise that could be shared with the others, and to provide astronaut input to designers and engineers.Lovell became responsible for recovery systems. Gemini program Gemini 7 Lovell was selected as backup pilot forGemini 4,which was officially announced on July 29, 1964.It put him in position for his first space flight three missions later, as pilot ofGemini 7with command pilotFrank Borman, under a rotation system devised by Slayton.Borman was a USAF officer, and Lovell had first met him during the evaluation process for astronaut selection.Their selection for the Gemini 7 mission was officially announced on July 1, 1965, along with that ofEdward WhiteandMichael Collinsas their backup crew. Like all Gemini missions, it was part of the preparations for Apollo. The flight's objective was to evaluate the effects on the crew and spacecraft from fourteen days in orbit, this being sufficiently long for any possible Moon mission, and would therefore enable doctors to evaluate the medical aspects of such a flight. Whereas theGemini 6mission preceding it was to demonstrate techniques forspace rendezvous, likewise critical requirement of Apollo. These techniques had been worked out by Dean F. Grimm andBuzz Aldrin, who had written his doctoral thesis on the subject. The Gemini 6 mission, which was commanded by Schirra withTom Staffordas pilot, had a serious setback on October 15, 1965, when the Agena target vehicle that Gemini 6 was supposed to rendezvous with exploded soon after takeoff. Lovell was present at theLaunch Control CenteratCape Kennedywhen this occurred. Officials fromMcDonnell, the manufacturer of the Gemini spacecraft, then raised the possibility of a rendezvous between Gemini 6 and Gemini 7 during the two weeks while Gemini 7 was in orbit.The only change to the latter's flight plan this required was to circularize its orbit to match that intended for the Agena target vehicle. Borman rejected a proposal by Schirra that Lovell and Stafford exchange places, on the grounds that it was hazardous and likely to jeopardize the fourteen-day mission objective through loss of oxygen. In planning the mission, it was decided that both astronauts would sleep at the same time and observe the same work periods, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Experiments were not scheduled, but fitted in when time allowed.Of the twenty experiments, eight were medical, aimed at gathering data about the effects of long-duration space flight. Of the rest, four were tests of spacecraft systems, five involved radiometry or navigation, and three involved photography and observation,To save space, theG5C space suitwas designed that incorporated a soft hood instead of a helmet and zippers instead of a neck ring. It weighed a third less than the standard Gemini space suit and could be stowed more easily. Gemini 7 lifted off on December 4, 1965, and reached its intended 300-kilometer (160 nmi) near-circular orbit. Lovell was taller than Borman and had more difficulty donning and removing his space suit. Initially one astronaut had to be suited, but this made him uncomfortably warm, and eventually mission control relented and allowed both to leave their space suits off.Gemini 6, now called Gemini 6A, attempted to launch on December 12; the engines ignited, but shut down less than two seconds later due to an electrical problem and a fuel cap accidentally having been left in place.After repairs, Gemini 6A successfully lifted off on December 15, and rendezvoused with Gemini 7 on Gemini 6A's fourth orbit. The two spacecraft then flew in tandem for three orbits, the distance between them varying between 0.30 and 90 meters (1 and 300 ft). Gemini 6A returned to Earth on December 16. In the final two days of the mission, Lovell had time to read part ofDrums Along the MohawkbyWalter D. Edmonds. As in earlier long-duration flights, malfunctions accumulated as the flight wore on. Two of the thrusters stopped working. After the flight, this was traced to the fact that they had an old type of laminate in the thrust chamber instead of the new type that had been developed to solve this problem. This proved to be only an annoyance, but there was more concern over a loss of power in thefuel cells. By day thirteen, a warning light was illuminated continuously and it was feared that the cells, which were only giving partial output, might fail completely, and the mission might have to be cut short; tests were carried out inSt. Louisthat demonstrated that the batteries could sustain them for the remainder of the flight. Gemini 7 made a successful return from orbit on December 18.The fourteen-day flight set an endurance record, making 206 orbits. Gemini 12 On January 24, 1966, Lovell was named as the backup command pilot ofGemini 10, with Aldrin as the pilot. On March 21, this was changed as a result of the deaths of theGemini 9prime crew,Elliot SeeandCharles Bassett, inan air crash. The Gemini 9 backup crew of Tom Stafford andGene Cernanbecame the prime crew of Gemini 9A, and Lovell and Aldrin became their backups. This positioned Lovell for his second flight and first command, ofGemini 12. Lovell and Aldrin's selection for this mission was officially announced on June 17, along with that ofGordon Cooperand Gene Cernan as their backups. The goals of Gemini 12, the final Gemini mission, were ill-defined at first. \"Essentially Gemini 12 didn't have a mission\", Lovell later recalled. \"It was, I guess, by default... supposed to wind up the Gemini program and catch all those items that were not caught on previous flights.\"By July, its mission had become to masterextravehicular activity(EVA), something that had proven problematic on earlier Gemini missions, as they had been more strenuous than expected and performing simple tasks had been more complicated. A series of innovations had been developed in response to the problems that had been encountered. It had been found that moving in space was similar to being underwater, and Aldrin made use of this new training technique. A waist restraint was provided on the space suit, and the Gemini spacecraft and the Agena target vehicle had additional handrails, handholds, and rings for tethering the waist restraint. Procedures were modified to minimize fatigue. Gemini 12 lifted off on November 11, and quickly achieved orbit. Its first task was to rendezvous with its Agena target vehicle. This was complicated when the rendezvous radar set failed. Instead, Aldrin, who had written his PhD on the rendezvous, used asextantto measure the angle between the spacecraft and the Agena, and then calculated the required actions using the onboard computer. Lovell then flew the spacecraft accordingly. Rendezvous was achieved, and Gemini successfullydockedwith the Agena, achieving the fifth space rendezvous and fourth space docking with an Agena target vehicle. Lovell then successfully undocked and docked again. Aldrin performed three EVAs. The first was a standup EVA on November 12, in which the spacecraft door was opened and he stood up, but did not leave the spacecraft. The standup EVA mimicked some of the actions he would do during his free-flight EVA, so he could compare the effort expended between the two. It set an EVA record of two hours and twenty minutes. The next day Aldrin performed his free-flight EVA. He climbed across the newly installed hand-holds to the Agena and installed the cable needed for the gravity-gradient stabilization experiment. He performed several tasks, including installing electrical connectors and testing tools that would be needed for Apollo. The EVA concluded after two hours and six minutes.Before returning to the spacecraft, Aldrin cleaned the pilot's window with a cloth, and Lovell jokingly asked him if he could change the oil too.A third, 55-minute standup EVA was conducted on November 14, during which Aldrin took photographs, conducted experiments, and discarded some unneeded items. Gemini 12 returned to Earth on November 15, after 59 orbits. During re-entry a pouch containing books and small pieces of equipment broke free and landed in Lovell's lap. He did not want to grab it, as he feared he might pull on theD-ringthat activated the ejector seat. It did not move any further, and the landing went well. The spacecraft landed just 5.5 kilometers (3.0 nmi) from the recovery ship, the aircraft carrierUSSWasp. Twelve experiments had been carried out.This mission proved that people could work effectively outside the spacecraft, which was required for the Apollo missions with the goal of getting man on the Moon by the end of the decade. Apollo program Apollo 1 On January 27, 1967, Grissom, White andRoger Chaffeewere killed in theApollo 1fire. At the time, Lovell was in Washington, D.C., where, along with fellow astronautsNeil Armstrong,Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper andRichard Gordon, he had attended the signing of theOuter Space Treatyand the reception afterwards in theGreen Roomof theWhite Househosted by PresidentLyndon Johnson. Four days later, Lovell flew toWest Point, New York, with Borman in a NASAT-38for the funeral service for White at theOld Cadet Chapel. After the service, White was laid to rest in theWest Point Cemetery; Lovell served as a pallbearer along with Armstrong, Borman, Conrad, Stafford and Aldrin. TheApollo command modulewas redesigned after the fire, and afterwards it underwent a series of qualification tests.In April 1968, Lovell, along with fellow astronautsStuart RoosaandCharles Duke, spent 48 hours in command module CM-007A, bobbing in theGulf of Mexicoto test the seaworthiness of the Apollo spacecraft.The NASA research vesselMVRetrieverstood by with technicians and divers,while the astronauts assessed how quickly the spacecraft's flotation devices could right it from the \"stable II\" (upside down) position. The urine collection hose was used to vacuum up water that entered the cabin.Although this did not seem to bother Lovell, Duke regarded it as his worst experience as an astronaut, and Roosa became quiteseasick.The NASARoundupnewspaper wrote the event up under the headline, \"Yo, Ho, Ho and a Bottle of Marezine\", referencing the brand name ofa motion sickness drug. Apollo 8 Lovell was originally chosen as command module pilot (CMP) on the backup crew for Apollo 9 along with Armstrong as commander (CDR) and Aldrin aslunar modulepilot (LMP). Apollo 9 was planned as a high-apogeeEarth orbital test of the Lunar Module (LM). Lovell later replaced Michael Collins as CMP on the Apollo 9 prime crew in July 1968 when Collins needed to have surgery for abone spuron his spine. This reunited Lovell with his Gemini 7 commander Frank Borman, along with LMPWilliam Anders. Aldrin became Lovell's backup CMP, andFred Haisejoined Armstrong's crew as LMP. Construction delays of the first crewed LM prevented it from being ready in time to fly on Apollo 8, planned as alow Earth orbittest. It was decided to swap the Apollo 8 and Apollo 9 prime and backup crews in the flight schedule so that the crew trained for the low-orbit test could fly it asApollo 9, when the LM would be ready. A lunar orbital flight, nowApollo 8, replaced the original Apollo 9 medium Earth orbit test mission.The crew was informed of this decision on August 10, 1968, and the training schedule was adjusted accordingly. Starting in September, the crew spent ten hours a day in the simulator rehearsing the mission. Apollo 8 was launched on December 21, 1968, and Borman, Lovell and Anders became the first crew to ride theSaturn Vrocket, as well as the first to travel to theMoon.Their Apollo craft entered lunar orbit on December 24 (Christmas Eve) and reduced speed to go into a 11-by-312-kilometer (5.9 by 168.5 nmi) orbit. The engine was then fired again to enter a 112-kilometer (60 nmi) circular orbit around the Moon. On Christmas Eve, the crew broadcast black-and-white television pictures of the lunar surface back to Earth. Lovell took his turn with Borman and Anders in reading a passage from the Biblical creation story in theBook of Genesis.They made a total of ten orbits of the Moon in 20 hours and ten minutes,and began their return to Earth on December 25 (Christmas Day) with a rocket burn made on the Moon's far side, out of radio contact with Earth. When contact was re-established, Lovell broadcast, \"Please be informed, there is aSanta Claus.\" As CMP, Lovell served as the navigator, using the spacecraft's built-in sextant to determine its position by measuring star positions. This information was then used to calculate required mid-course corrections. Lovell used some otherwise idle time to do navigational sightings, maneuvering the module to view stars by using theApollo guidance computerkeyboard. Lovell accidentally erased some of the computer's memory by entering the wrong codes, which caused theinertial measurement unit(IMU) to contain data indicating that the module was in the same relative orientation it had been in before lift-off; the IMU then fired the thrusters to \"correct\" the module's attitude. Once the crew realized why the computer had changed the module's attitude, they knew that they would have to reenter the correct data to tell the computer the module's actual orientation. It took Lovell ten minutes to figure out the correct values, using the thrusters to get the starsRigelandSiriusaligned,and another 15 minutes to enter the corrected data into the computer.Sixteen months later, during theApollo 13mission, Lovell would have to perform a similar manual realignment under even more critical conditions after the module's IMU had been turned off to conserve energy. A feature on the Moon's surface (Mount Marilyn) was named by Lovell in honor of his wife. The spacecraftsplashed downsafely before dawn on December 27 after 147 hours of flight, 4.8 kilometers (2.6 nmi) from the recovery ship, the aircraft carrierUSSYorktown. It was estimated that the crew had traveled 933,419 kilometers (504,006 nmi). Apollo 13 Lovell was backup CDR ofApollo 11, with Anders as CMP, and Haise as LMP.In early 1969, Anders accepted a job with theNational Aeronautics and Space Councileffective August 1969, and announced he would retire as an astronaut at that time.Ken Mattinglywas moved from the support crew into parallel training with Anders as backup CMP in case Apollo 11 was delayed past its intended July launch date, at which point Anders would be unavailable. Under the normal crew rotation in place during Apollo, Lovell, Mattingly, and Haise were scheduled to fly as the prime crew ofApollo 14, butGeorge Mueller, the director of NASA's Office of Manned Space Flight, rejected Slayton's choice of fellow Mercury Seven astronaut Alan Shepard to command Apollo 13. Shepard had only recently returned to flight status after being grounded for several years, and Mueller thought that he needed more training time to prepare for a mission to the Moon. Slayton then asked Lovell if he was willing to switch places with Shepard's crew to give them more training time.\"Sure, why not?\" Lovell replied, \"What could possibly be the difference between Apollo 13 and Apollo 14?\" There was one more change. Seven days before launch, a member of the Apollo 13 backup crew, Duke, contractedrubellafrom a friend of his son.This exposed both the prime and backup crews, who trained together. Of the five, only Mattingly was not immune through prior exposure. Normally, if any member of the prime crew had to be grounded, the remaining crew would be replaced as well, and the backup crew substituted, but Duke's illness ruled this out,so two days before launch, Mattingly was replaced byJack Swigertfrom the backup crew.Mattingly never developed rubella and later flew to the Moon onApollo 16. Lovell lifted off aboard Apollo 13 on April 11, 1970.He and Haise were to land near theFra Mauro crater. TheFra Mauro formationwas believed to contain much material spattered by the impact that had filled theImbrium basinearly in the Moon's history, and dating it would provide information about the early history of the Earth and the Moon. \"We have a problem here\", Swigert informed mission control.\"This is Houston, say again please,\" thecapsule communicator,Jack Lousma, responded.\"Houston, we've had a problem,\" Lovell replied. Lovell & Kluger 1995, p. 95 During a routineliquid oxygentank stir in transit to the Moon, a fire started inside an oxygen tank. The most probable cause determined by NASA was damaged electrical insulation on wiring that created a spark that started the fire.A problem with draining the tank had been reported before the mission, and Lovell had approved the action taken to turn on the heaters to purge the oxygen rather than to replace the faulty tank, which would have delayed the mission by a month. Neither he nor the launch pad crew were aware that the tank contained the wrong thermostat switch. The heaters were left on for eight hours, and while this successfully purged the oxygen, it also removedtefloninsulation from the copper electrical wiring.Liquid oxygen rapidly turned into a high-pressure gas, which burst the tank and caused the leak of a second oxygen tank. In just over two hours, all onboard oxygen was lost, disabling the hydrogen fuel cells that provided electrical power to the Command/Service ModuleOdyssey. Apollo 13 was the second mission not to use afree-return trajectory, so that they could explore the western lunar regions.Using theApollo Lunar Moduleas a \"life boat\" providing battery power, oxygen, and propulsion, Lovell and his crew re-established the free return trajectory that they had left, and swung around the Moon to return home.Based on the flight controllers' calculations made on Earth, Lovell had to adjust the course twice by manually controlling the Lunar Module's thrusters and engine. Apollo 13 returned safely to Earth on April 17.\"I'm afraid\", Lovell said, \"this is going to be the last lunar mission for a long time.\"His comment was rebutted byNASA AdministratorThomas O. Paine, who hastened to reassure the public that NASA would be mounting more missions to the Moon.Nine months later, Apollo 14 would make the voyage to Fra Mauro, with modified oxygen tanks and an extra battery for emergencies. Apollo 13's flight trajectory gave Lovell, Haise, and Swigert the record for the farthest distance that humans have ever traveled from Earth.Lovell is one of only three men to travel to the Moon twice, but unlike the other two, John Young and Gene Cernan, he never walked on it.He accrued 715 hours and 5 minutes in space flights on his Gemini and Apollo flights, a personal record that stood until theSkylab 3mission in 1973. Later life Lovell retired from the Navy and the space program on March 1, 1973, and went to work at the Bay-Houston Towing Company inHouston, Texas,taking on the role of CEO in 1975. He became president of Fisk Telephone Systems in 1977,and later worked forCentel Corporationin Chicago, retiring as an executive vice president on January 1, 1991.Lovell was a recipient of theDistinguished Eagle Scout Award.He was also recognized by the Boy Scouts of America with theirSilver Buffalo Award. Lovell served on the board of directors for several organizations, includingFederal Signal Corporationin Chicago from 1984 to 2003, theAstronautics Corporation of Americain his hometown of Milwaukee from 1990 to 1999, and Centel from 1987 to 1991. In 1999, the Lovell family opened a restaurant inLake Forest, Illinois, \"Lovell's of Lake Forest\". The restaurant displayed memorabilia from Lovell's time with NASA and the filming ofApollo 13. The restaurant was sold to son and executive chef James (\"Jay\") in 2006.The restaurant was put on the market for sale in February 2014,and it closed in April 2015, the property being auctioned the same month. Marilyn Lovell (born on July 11, 1930) died of natural causes at the age of 93, at her home in the Lake Forest Place retirement community in Lake Forest, Illinois on August 27, 2023. Upon the death ofFrank Bormanon November 7, 2023, Lovell became the oldest living former astronaut. Awards and decorations Lovell's awards and decorations include: Military, federal service, and foreign awards Other awards and accomplishments The Gemini 6 and 7 crews were awarded theHarmon International Trophyfor 1966 in a ceremony at the White House.Lovell received a second Harmon International Trophy in 1967 when he and Aldrin were selected for their Gemini 12 flight.The Apollo 8 crew won theRobert J. Collier Trophyfor 1968,and PresidentRichard Nixonawarded them theDr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophyin 1969, which Lovell accepted on behalf of the crew.The General Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy is normally awarded to Air Force personnel, but an exception was made to include Lovell, and the Apollo 8 crew were awarded the 1968 trophy.Lovell was awarded a third Harmon International Trophy in 1969 for his role in the Apollo 8 mission.The Apollo 8 crew was also awarded theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA) Haley Astronautics Award for 1970,and were namedTimeMagazine Men of the Yearin 1968.The Apollo 7, 8, 9, and 10 crews were awarded the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Special Trustees Award for 1969.Lovell was one of ten Gemini astronauts inducted into theInternational Space Hall of Famein 1982,and, along with the other 12 Gemini astronauts, Lovell was inducted into the secondU.S. Astronaut Hall of Fameclass in 1993.At a parade attended by 500,000 people, Lovell was conferred Chicago's medal of merit.The Apollo 13 crew was awarded the City of New York Gold Medal, but Lovell had already received it for the Apollo 8 mission. In lieu of a second medal, the mayor gifted him a crystal paperweight that he \"invented for the occasion\".He was also awarded the 1970 City ofHoustonMedal for Valor for the mission.He was awarded his second Haley Astronautics Award for his role on Apollo 13. Lovell was featured on the cover ofTimemagazine on January 3, 1969, and April 27, 1970,and on the cover ofLifemagazine on April 24, 1970. Lovell was a recipient of the University of Wisconsin's Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 1970. In his acceptance speech he emphasized the use of words over \"rock throwing\" to help attain political goals.He was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree atWestern Michigan University's summer commencement exercises in 1970.He was also awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree atWilliam Paterson College's commencement exercises in 1974.Lovell was also granted an honorarydoctor of sciencedegree from University of Wisconsin–Madison, his original alma mater, speaking at the December 2016 commencement. Tributes A small crater on thefar side of the Moonwas namedLovellin his honor in 1970.Discovery Worldin Milwaukee was renamed The James Lovell Museum of Science, Economics and Technology. It was at the time located on James Lovell St., also named for Lovell.TheCaptain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Centerwas completed in October 2010, merging theNaval Health Clinic Great Lakesand the North Chicago Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Organizations In popular culture About a month after the return to Earth of Apollo 13, Lovell and his crewmates, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert, appeared onThe Tonight Showwith hostJohnny Carson.In 1976, Lovell made a cameo appearance in the Nicolas Roeg movieThe Man Who Fell to Earth. Lovell andJeffrey Klugerwrote a 1994 book about the Apollo 13 mission,Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13,on which the 1995Ron HowardfilmApollo 13was based. Lovell's first impression on being approached about the film was thatKevin Costnerwould be a good choice to portray him, given the physical resemblance,butTom Hankswas cast in the role.To prepare, Hanks visited James and Marilyn Lovell at their home in Texas and flew with Lovell in his private airplane.Kathleen Quinlanwas nominated for asupporting actress Oscarfor her performance as Marilyn. In the film, Lovell has a cameo as the captain of theUSSIwo Jima. He can be seen as the naval officer shaking Hanks' hand, as Hanks speaks invoice-over, in the scene where the astronauts come aboard theIwo Jima. The filmmakers offered to make Lovell's character an admiral aboard the ship, but Lovell said: \"I retired as a captain and a captain I will be.\" He was cast as the ship's skipper, CaptainLeland Kirkemo. Along with his wife Marilyn, who also has a cameo in the film, Lovell provided a commentary track on both the single disc and the two-disc special edition DVD. Tim Dalyportrayed Lovell in the 1998HBOminiseriesFrom the Earth to the Moon,andPablo Schreiberin the 2018 film about Armstrong,First Man. Notes References External links","Jack Swigert John Leonard Swigert Jr.(August 30, 1931 – December 27, 1982) was an AmericanNASAastronaut,test pilot,mechanical engineer,aerospace engineer,United States Air Forcepilot, andpolitician. In April 1970, as command module pilot ofApollo 13, he became one of24 astronauts who flew to the Moon.Ironically, due to the \"slingshot\" route around the Moon they chose to safely return to Earth, the Apollo 13 astronauts flew farther away from Earth than any other astronauts before or since, though they had to abort the Moon landing. Before joining NASA in 1966, Swigert was a civiliantest pilotandfighter pilotin theAir National Guard. After leaving NASA, he ran forSenatebut lost in a primary election againstBill Armstrong. Later he ran forCongress, but while running was diagnosed with cancer. He won the election for Colorado's new6th districtin 1982, but died before being sworn in. Early life John Leonard Swigert Jr. was born on August 30, 1931, inDenver,Colorado, to parents John Leonard Swigert Sr. (1903–1973) and Virginia Swigert (1906–1993). Swigert's father was anophthalmologist.At the age of 14, he became fascinated by aviation. While he would have been content just watching planes take off from nearby Combs Field, young Jack became determined to do more than be a spectator. He took on a newspaper route to earn money for flying lessons, and by age 16 he was alicensed private pilot.He was a member of theBoy Scouts of Americaand attained the rank ofSecond Class Scout.He attendedBlessed Sacrament School,Regis Jesuit High School, andEast High School, from which he graduated in 1949. Swigert received aBachelor of Sciencedegree inmechanical engineeringfromUniversity of Coloradoin 1953, where he also playedfootballfor theBuffaloes.He later earned aMaster of Sciencedegree inaerospace engineeringfromRensselaer Polytechnic Institute(Hartford campus) in 1965,and aMaster of Business Administrationdegree fromUniversity of Hartfordin 1967. His recreational interests includedgolf,handball,bowling,skiing,swimming, andbasketball. His hobbies includedphotography. Flight experience Following his graduation from Colorado in 1953, Swigert joined theUnited States Air Force(USAF). Upon graduation from the Pilot Training Program andGunnery SchoolatNellis Air Force Base,Nevada, he was assigned as afighter pilotinJapanandSouth Korea. In 1953, he survived his plane crashing into a radar unit on a Korean airstrip. After completing his tour of active duty in the USAF, he served as a jet fighter pilot with theMassachusetts(1957–1960) andConnecticut Air National Guard(1960–1965).Swigert held a position as engineering test pilot forNorth American Aviationbefore joining NASA. He was previously an engineering test pilot forPratt & Whitney, from February 1957 to June 1964. He logged over 7,200 hours in flight, including more than 5,725 hours injet aircraft. NASA career After unsuccessfully applying for NASA'ssecondandthirdastronaut selections,Swigert was accepted into theNASA Astronaut Corpsas part ofNASA Astronaut Group 5in April 1966.Swigert became a specialist on theApollo command module: he was one of the few astronauts who requested to be command module pilots. Swigert was a member ofApollo 7's astronaut support crew, the first support crew for an Apollo mission; he served asCapsule communicator(CAPCOM) during the ascent phase of the flight. Apollo 13 Swigert was one of three astronauts aboard theApollo 13Moon mission launched April 11, 1970. Originally part of the backup crew for the mission, he was assigned to the mission three days before launch, replacing astronautKen Mattingly. The prime crew had been exposed toGerman Measles(the rubella virus) fromCharles Dukeand, because Mattingly had no immunity to the disease, NASA did not want to risk him falling ill during critical phases of the flight. Apollo 13 was the third crewed lunar-landing attempt, but was aborted after the rupture of an oxygen tank in the spacecraft'sservice module. Swigert was the astronaut who first announced, \"Houston, we've had a problem here\".The statement was then repeated by commander of the flightJim Lovell. Swigert, along with fellow astronauts Lovell andFred Haise, traveled around the Moon and returned safely to Earth on April 17 after about 5 days and 23 hours, and received thePresidential Medal of Freedomthe next day. Apollo–Soyuz Test Project NASA Director of Flight Crew OperationsDeke Slayton, who selected the astronauts, recommended Swigert ascommand module pilotfor theApollo–Soyuz Test Project, the first joint mission with theSoviet Union. Slayton felt Swigert deserved another chance to fly after having been selected for Apollo 13 two days before launch, and performing well. During 1972, theApollo 15 postal covers incidentcaused NASA investigators to inquire into other astronauts.A number of Apollo astronauts, including Swigert, had made agreements with West German stamp dealer Hermann Sieger, who originated the idea for theApollo 15covers, to autograph philatelic items in exchange for a payment of about $2,500. Swigert originally denied involvement when interviewed by NASA investigators.According toChristopher C. Kraft, the investigators subpoenaed his bank records, finding more funds than expected, and records of a predated charitable donation.Swigert's subsequent admission caused NASA Deputy AdministratorGeorge M. Lowto remove him from Apollo–Soyuz. Post-NASA career Aware that his spaceflight career was most likely over,Swigert took a leave of absence from NASA in April 1973 and went toWashington, D.C.to become executive director of theCommittee on Science and Astronautics,U.S. House of Representatives. Swigert eventually left NASA and the committee in August 1977 to enter politics.He ran for theU.S. Senatein 1978, but was soundly defeated in the Republican primary in September byCongressmanBill Armstrong, who was far better known.In 1979, Swigert became vice president of B.D.M. Corporation inGolden.He left in 1981 to join International Gold and Minerals Limited as vice president for financial and corporate affairs. In February 1982, Swigert left International Gold and Minerals Limited to run forU.S. Congressin the newly created6th districtas a Republican. When amalignant tumorin his right nasal passage was found, theastronaut-politiciandisclosed this to the voters. Doctors told him he would finish radiation treatments on June 15 and make a complete recovery.However, in August, Swigert developed back pain and was diagnosed withbone marrow cancer.On November 2, 1982, he won the seat with 64% of the popular vote. Death On December 19, 1982, seven weeks after his election, he was airlifted from his home inLittletontoGeorgetown University Hospitalin Washington, D.C. He died ofrespiratory failureat itsLombardi Cancer Centeron December 27, seven days before the beginning of his congressional term, aged 51.He was the last member-elect of the House to die before taking office untilLuke Letlow'sdeath fromCOVID-19in December 2020. Fifteen astronauts, including fellow Apollo 13 crewmatesJim LovellandFred Haise, were among the thousand mourners at hisfull military honorsfuneral in Denver, presided over byArchbishopJames Casey, which included amissing man flyoverbyA-7 Corsairsof theColorado Air National Guard.He is buried alongside his parents inMount Olivet CemeteryinWheat Ridge. Awards, honors, and organizations Swigert received theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA)Octave Chanute Awardfor 1966 for his participation in demonstrating theRogallo wingas a feasible land landing system for returning space vehicles and astronauts. President Richard Nixon awarded thePresidential Medal of Freedomto the Apollo 13 crew shortly after the conclusion of their mission.Following a sparse parade, Swigert received the City of New York Gold Medal on June 3.He received the City ofHoustonMedal for Valor, 1970.Swigert received theAmerican Astronautical SocietyFlight Achievement Award for 1970.He was given University of Colorado-Boulder's Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award in 1970.Vice President Spiro Agnew presented the crews of Apollo 11, 12, and 13 with theNASA Distinguished Service Medalin 1970.The Apollo 13 crew also received the AIAA Haley Astronautics Award in 1971, which included a small monetary award and a medal. Swigert was awarded the 1972 Antonian Gold Medal. He was presented anHonorary Doctorate of Sciencedegree fromAmerican International Collegein 1970,anHonorary Doctorate of Lawsdegree fromWestern State Universityin 1970,and anHonorary Doctorate of SciencefromWestern Michigan Universityin 1970. In 1983, Swigert was among 14 Apollo astronauts inducted into theInternational Space Hall of Fame. In 1988, Swigert was inducted into theColorado Aviation Hall of Fame. In 1995, Swigert was portrayed byKevin BaconinRon Howard's filmApollo 13. In 1997, Swigert, along with 23 other Apollo astronauts, was posthumously inducted into theU.S. Astronaut Hall of Famewhich is located at the Kennedy Space Center. He was elected in September 2003 to theRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteAlumni Hall of Fame. In 1997, astatue of Swigertmade by George and Mark Lundeen was placed on display in theU.S. Capitol Buildingas one of two statues given by the state of Colorado to theNational Statuary Hall Collection.As of December 2008 the statue is on display in Emancipation Hall in theUnited States Capitol Visitor Center. A duplicate statue is currently on display atDenver International AirportTerminal B, where passengers exit the airport's train system. The Space Foundation was founded in 1983 in part to honor the memory and accomplishments of Swigert.In 2004, the Space Foundation launched theJohn L. \"Jack\" Swigert Jr. Award for Space Exploration, which is presented annually to an individual, group, or organization that has made a significant contribution to space exploration. On August 18, 2009, theSpace Foundationand Colorado Springs District 11 partnered to open the Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy. Swigert was a member of numerous organizations. He was afellowof theAmerican Astronautical Society; associate fellow of theSociety of Experimental Test Pilotsand theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; and member of theQuiet Birdmen,Phi Gamma Delta,Pi Tau Sigma, andSigma Tau. See also References Works cited External links","Fred Haise Fred Wallace Haise Jr.(/heɪz/HAYZ;born November 14, 1933) is an American formerNASAastronaut,engineer,fighter pilotwith theU.S. Marine CorpsandU.S. Air Force, and atest pilot. He is one of24 people to have flown to the Moon, having flown asLunar Modulepilot onApollo 13. He was slated to become the 6th person to walk on the Moon, but the Apollo 13 landing mission was aborted en route. Haise went on to fly fiveSpace ShuttleApproach and Landing Testsin 1977,before retiring from NASA in 1979. Early life Fred Wallace Haise, Jr. was born on November 14, 1933, and raised inBiloxi, Mississippi, to Fred Wallace Haise (1903–1960) and Lucille (néeBlacksher) Haise (1913–2005).: 1He has a younger sister who was born in 1941.: 6After theattack on Pearl Harboron December 7, 1941, his father enlisted in theU.S. Navyat the age of 38, and the Haise family moved toChicago.: 8The family then moved toKey West, Florida, until his father's ship,YMS-84, deployed to theSouth Pacific, when the family moved back to Biloxi.: 9–10He graduated fromBiloxi High Schoolin 1950.: 13He attendedPerkinston Junior Collegewith a scholarship for journalism,: 13and played on the baseball team.: 14He graduated in 1952,and joined the Naval Aviation Cadet Program.: 16He went to ground school atNAS Pensacola,: 16and then moved toNAS Whiting Fieldin 1952.: 18He trained in theSNJandF6F Hellcat, and completed his flight training in 1954.: 22–26He served as aU.S. Marine Corpsfighterpilot, with VMF-533, then VMF-114 on theF2H-4 BansheeandF9F-8 CougaratMCAS Cherry Point,North Carolina, from March 1954 to September 1956. Haise also served as a tactics and all-weatherflight instructorin the U.S. Navy Advanced Training Command atNAS Kingsville,Texas. Haise has accumulated 9,300 hours flying time, including 6,200 hours injets. After his military service, Haise returned to school and graduated with aBachelor of Sciencedegree with honors inaeronautical engineeringfrom theUniversity of Oklahomain 1959, concurrently serving for two years in theOklahoma Air National Guard, as a fighter interceptor pilot with the185th Fighter Interceptor Squadron,flying theF-86D.He then worked for the newly createdNational Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA), first as a research pilot at theLewis Research CenternearCleveland. HisAir National Guardunit was called up during theBerlin Crisis of 1961and he served ten months as a fighter pilot in theUnited States Air Force.He was a tactical fighter pilot and chief of the 164th Standardization-Evaluation Flight of the164th Tactical Fighter SquadronatMansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base,Ohio,flying theF-84F. Haise completed post-graduate courses at theU.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School(Class 64A) atEdwards Air Force Base,Californiain 1964, and attended the six-weekHarvard Business School'sAdvanced Management Programin 1972. NASA career In 1966, Haise was one of 19 astronauts selected forNASA Astronaut Group 5.He had already worked with NASA for several years as a civilian research pilot. He was the first astronaut in his group to be assigned to a mission, serving as backup Lunar Module Pilot for bothApollo 8andApollo 11. Apollo 13 It only seems interesting to the public if it's the first exploration of another planetary body, or if you're having a problem. Fred Haise According to the rotation of crews during Apollo, Haise was originally assigned as Lunar Module Pilot forApollo 14, but his crew was switched to Apollo 13 so thatAlan Shepardcould have more training time. He flew as Lunar Module Pilot on the abortedApollo 13lunar mission in 1970.Due to the distance between the Earth and Moon during the mission, Haise,Jim Lovell, andJack Swigerthold the record for the farthest distance from the Earth ever traveled by human beings.Haise and Jack Swigert were the first people from Group 5 to fly in space. During this flight Haise developed aurinary tract infectionand later kidney infections. These caused him to be in pain for most of the trip. Haise was slated to become the 6th human to walk on the Moon during Apollo 13 behind Lovell, who was to be 5th.Alan ShepardandEdgar Mitchelleventually became the fifth and sixth, respectively, onApollo 14, which completed Apollo 13's mission to theFra Mauro formation. Haise later served as backup commander forApollo 16. Though there was no formal selection, Haise was prospectively slated to commandApollo 19withWilliam R. Pogueas Command Module Pilot andGerald P. Carras Lunar Module Pilot. However, the mission was canceled in 1970 due to budget cuts. Space Shuttle approach and landing tests After completing his backup assignment on Apollo 16, Haise moved to theSpace Shuttle program. In 1977, he participated in the program'sApproach and Landing Tests(ALT) atEdwards Air Force Base.Along withC. Gordon Fullertonas pilot, Haise as commander piloted theSpace ShuttleEnterprisein free flight to three landings after being released from theShuttle Carrier Aircraft.The tests verified the shuttle's flight characteristics, an important step toward the success of the program. Haise was assigned to commandSTS-2A, withJack R. Lousmaas pilot, the second Space Shuttle mission, which would have delivered theTeleoperator Retrieval Systemthat would have boostedSkylabto a higher orbit, preserving it for future use. Delays in the Shuttle program development as well as an unexpected increase in Skylab's orbital decay led to the mission being canceled. Skylab was destroyed upon entering the Earth's atmosphere in July 1979, while the Space Shuttle did not launch until April 1981. In June 1979, Haise left NASA to become a test pilot andexecutivewithGrumman Aerospace Corporation, where he remained until retiring in 1996.He was the only one of the four astronauts who conducted theEnterpriselanding tests not to fly in space on the Shuttle. Personal life Haise has four children with his first wife Mary Griffin Grant, whom he married on June 4, 1954, and divorced on July 21, 1978.He married Frances Patt Price, on January 9, 1979.On February 7, 2022, Frances died. On August 22, 1973, Haise was piloting aConvair BT-13belonging to theCommemorative Air Forcethat had been converted to look like anAichi D3A\"Val\" torpedo bomber for the 1970 filmTora! Tora! Tora!. While attempting a landing go around atScholes FieldinGalveston, Texas, an undetermined power plant failure led to a crash landing. Haise sufferedsecond‐degree burnsover 50 percent of his body in the post crash fire. Haise published his autobiography,Never Panic Early, about his life and experiences in the Apollo program in 2022. Organizations Haise is afellowof theAmerican Astronautical Society(AAS) and theSociety of Experimental Test Pilots(SETP); member,Tau Beta Pi,Sigma Gamma Tau, andPhi Theta Kappa; and honorary member, National WWII Glider Pilots Association. Awards and honors Haise's other awards include theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA) Haley Astronautics Award for 1971;theAmerican Astronautical SocietyFlight Achievement Awards for 1970 and 1977; the City ofNew YorkGold Medal in 1970;the City ofHoustonMedal for Valor in 1970;theJeff DavisAward (1970);the Mississippi Distinguished Civilian Service Medal (1970);the American Defense Ribbon;the SETP's Ray E. Tenhoff Award for 1966;the A. B. Honts Trophy as the outstanding graduate of Class 64A from the Aerospace Research Pilot School in 1964;an honorary doctor of science degree fromWestern Michigan University(1970);theJSCSpecial Achievement Award (1978);theSoaring Society of America's Certificate of Achievement Award (1978); the GeneralThomas D. WhiteUSAF Space Trophy for 1977;the SETP'sIven C. Kincheloe Award(1978);and theAir Force Association'sDavid C. SchillingAward (1978). He received thePresidential Medal of Freedom,NASA Distinguished Service Medal,andNASA Exceptional Service Medal. He was inducted into theInternational Space Hall of Famein 1983 and theAerospace Walk of Honorin 1995.He was also one of 24 Apollo astronauts inducted into theU.S. Astronaut Hall of Fameon October 4, 1997. On February 13, 2022, the City of Biloxi unveiled a statue of Haise in the parking lot of the historicBiloxi Lighthouse. Haise was present at the ceremony and had his handprints set in concrete at the statue's base prior to its unveiling. The statue was created by Mississippi artist Mary Ott Tremel Davidson. In September 2023, Haise was inducted into theNational Aviation Hall of Famein Dayton, Ohio. In popular culture In the 1995 motion pictureApollo 13, Haise was played byBill Paxton. See also References Sources External links"],"string":"[\n \"Stonewall riots TheStonewall riots, also known as theStonewall uprising,Stonewall rebellion,Stonewall revolution,or simplyStonewall, were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against apolice raidthat took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at theStonewall Inn, in theGreenwich Villageneighborhood ofNew York City. Although the demonstrations werenot the first time American homosexuals fought backagainst government-sponsored persecution ofsexual minorities, the Stonewall riots marked a new beginning for thegay rights movementin the United States and around the world. American gays and lesbians in the 1950s and 1960s faced a legal system more anti-homosexual than those of someWarsaw Pactcountries.Earlyhomophilegroups in the U.S. sought to prove that gay people could be assimilated into society, and they favored non-confrontational education for homosexuals and heterosexuals alike. The last years of the 1960s, however, were very contentious, as many social movements were active, including theAfrican American Civil Rights Movement, theCounterculture of the 1960s, andantiwar demonstrations. These influences, along with the liberal environment of Greenwich Village, served as catalysts for the Stonewall riots. Very few establishments welcomed openly gay people in the 1950s and 1960s. Those that did were often bars, although bar owners and managers were rarely gay. The Stonewall Inn was owned by theMafiaand catered to an assortment of patrons, popular among the poorest and most marginalized people in the gay community:drag queens, representatives of a newly self-awaretransgendercommunity, effeminate young men,hustlers, and homeless youth. Police raids on gay bars were routine in the 1960s, but officers quickly lost control of the situation at the Stonewall Inn and attracted a crowd that was incited toriot. Tensions betweenNew York City policeand gay residents of Greenwich Village erupted into more protests the next evening and again several nights later. Within weeks, Village residents quickly organized into activist groups to concentrate efforts on establishing places for gays and lesbians to be open about theirsexual orientationwithout fear of being arrested. Following the Stonewall riots, sexual minorities in New York City faced gender, class, and generational obstacles to becoming a cohesive community. In the weeks and months after, they initiated politically active social organizations and launched publications that spoke openly about rights for gay people. The first anniversary of the riots was marked by peaceful demonstrations in several American cities that have since grown to becomepride parades. TheStonewall National Monumentwas established at the site in 2016. Today, pride events are held annually throughout the world toward the end of June to mark the Stonewall riots. Background Homosexuality in 20th-century United States Following the social upheaval ofWorld War II, many people in the United States felt a fervent desire to \\\"restore the prewar social order and hold off the forces of change\\\", according to historianBarry Adam.Spurred by the national emphasis onanti-communism, SenatorJoseph McCarthyconducted hearings searching for communists in the U.S. government, theU.S. Army, and other government-funded agencies and institutions, leading to a national paranoia.Anarchists,communists, and other people deemed un-American and subversive were considered security risks. Gay men and lesbians wereincludedin this list by theU.S. State Departmenton the theory that they were susceptible toblackmail. In 1950, a Senate investigation chaired byClyde R. Hoeynoted in a report, \\\"It is generally believed that those who engage in overt acts of perversion lack the emotional stability of normal persons\\\",and said all of the government's intelligence agencies \\\"are in complete agreement that sex perverts in Government constitute security risks\\\".Between 1947 and 1950, 1,700 federal job applications were denied, 4,380 people were discharged from the military, and 420 were fired from their government jobs for being suspected homosexuals. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, theFederal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) and police departments kept lists of known homosexuals and their favored establishments and friends; theU.S. Post Officekept track of addresses where material pertaining tohomosexualitywas mailed.State and local governments followed suit: bars catering to gay men and lesbians were shut down and their customers were arrested and exposed in newspapers. Cities performed \\\"sweeps\\\" to rid neighborhoods, parks, bars, and beaches of gay people. They outlawed the wearing of opposite-gender clothes and universities expelled instructors suspected of being homosexual. In 1952, theAmerican Psychiatric Associationlisted homosexuality in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual(DSM) as a mental disorder. A large-scale study of homosexuality in 1962 was used to justify the inclusion of the \\\"disorder\\\" as a supposed pathological hidden fear of the opposite sex caused by traumatic parent–child relationships. This view was widely influential in the medical profession.In 1956, the psychologistEvelyn Hookerperformed a study that compared the happiness and well-adjusted nature of self-identified homosexual men with heterosexual men and found no difference.Her study stunned the medical community and made her a hero to many gay men and lesbians,but homosexuality remained in theDSMuntil 1974. Homophile activism In response to this trend, two organizations formed independently of each other to advance the cause of gay men and lesbians and provide opportunities where they could socialize without fear of being arrested.Los Angelesarea homosexuals created theMattachine Societyin 1950, in the home of communist activistHarry Hay.Their objectives were to unify homosexuals, educate them, provide leadership, and assist \\\"sexual deviants\\\" with legal troubles.Facing enormous opposition to their radical approach, in 1953 the Mattachine shifted their focus to assimilation and respectability. They reasoned that they would change more minds about homosexuality by proving that gay men and lesbians were normal people, no different from heterosexuals.Soon after, several women inSan Franciscomet in their living rooms to form theDaughters of Bilitis(DOB) for lesbians.Although the eight women who created the DOB initially came together to be able to have a safe place to dance, as the DOB grew they developed similar goals to the Mattachine and urged their members to assimilate into general society. One of the first challenges togovernment repressioncame in 1953. An organization namedONE, Inc.published a magazine calledONE. The U.S. Postal Service refused to mail its August issue, which concerned homosexual people in heterosexual marriages, on the grounds that the material was obscene despite it being covered in brown paper wrapping. The case eventuallywent to the Supreme Court, which in 1958 ruled that ONE, Inc. could mail its materials through the Postal Service. Homophileorganizations—as homosexual groups self-identified in this era—grew in number and spread to the East Coast. Gradually, members of these organizations grew bolder.Frank Kamenyfounded the Mattachine ofWashington, D.C.He had been fired from the U.S. Army Map Service for being a homosexual and sued unsuccessfully to be reinstated. Kameny wrote that homosexuals were no different from heterosexuals, often aiming his efforts atmental health professionals, some of whom attended Mattachine and DOB meetings telling members they were abnormal. In 1965, news onCubanprison work camps for homosexuals inspired Mattachine New York and D.C. to organize protests at theUnited Nationsand theWhite House. Similar demonstrations were then held also at other government buildings. The purpose was to protest the treatment of gay people in Cubaand U.S. employment discrimination. These pickets shocked many gay people and upset some of the leadership of Mattachine and the DOB.At the same time, demonstrations in the civil rights movement andopposition to the Vietnam Warall grew in prominence, frequency, and severity throughout the 1960s, as did their confrontations with police forces. Earlier resistance and riots On the outer fringes of the few small gay communities were people who challenged gender expectations. They were effeminate men and masculine women, or people who dressed and lived in contrast to theirsex assigned at birth, either part or full-time. Contemporaneous nomenclature classified them astransvestitesand they were the most visible representatives of sexual minorities. They belied the carefully crafted image portrayed by the Mattachine Society and DOB asserted homosexuals were respectable, normal people.The Mattachine and DOB considered the trials of being arrested for wearing clothing of the opposite gender as a parallel to the struggles of homophile organizations: similar but distinctly separate. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people staged a smallriot at the Cooper Do-nutscafé in Los Angeles in 1959 in response to police harassment.In a larger 1966 event in San Francisco, drag queens, hustlers, and trans womenwere sitting inCompton's Cafeteriawhen the police arrived to arrest people appearing to be physically male who were presenting as women. A riot ensued, with the cafeteria patrons slinging cups, plates, and saucers and breaking theplexiglasswindows in the front of the restaurant and returning several days later to smash the windows again after they were replaced.ProfessorSusan Strykerclassifies the Compton's Cafeteria riot as an \\\"act of anti-transgender discrimination, rather than an act of discrimination against sexual orientation\\\" and connects the uprising to the issues of gender, race, and class that were being downplayed by homophile organizations.It marked the beginning oftransgenderactivism in San Francisco. Greenwich Village TheManhattanneighborhoods of Greenwich Village andHarlemwere home to sizable gay and lesbian populations afterWorld War I, when people who had served in the military took advantage of the opportunity to settle in larger cities. The enclaves of gay men and lesbians, described by a newspaper story as \\\"short-haired women and long-haired men\\\", developed a distinct subculture through the following two decades.Prohibitioninadvertently benefited gay establishments, as drinking alcohol was pushed underground along with other behaviors considered immoral. New York City passed laws against homosexuality in public and private businesses, but because alcohol was in high demand,speakeasiesand impromptu drinking establishments were so numerous and temporary that authorities were unable to police them all.However, police raids continued, resulting in the closure of iconic establishments such asEve's Hangoutin 1926. The social repression of the 1950s resulted in a cultural revolution in Greenwich Village. A cohort of poets, later named theBeatpoets, wrote about the evils of the social organization at the time, glorifying anarchy, drugs, and hedonistic pleasures over unquestioning social compliance, consumerism, and closed-mindedness. Of them,Allen GinsbergandWilliam S. Burroughs—both Greenwich Village residents—also wrote bluntly and honestly about homosexuality. Their writings attracted sympathetic liberal-minded people, as well as homosexuals looking for a community. By the early 1960s, a campaign to rid New York City of gay bars was in full effect by order of MayorRobert F. Wagner Jr., who was concerned about the image of the city in preparation for the1964 World's Fair. The city revoked the liquor licenses of the bars and undercover police officers worked to entrap as many homosexual men as possible.Entrapmentusually consisted of an undercover officer who found a man in a bar or public park, engaged him in conversation; if the conversation headed toward the possibility that they might leave together—or the officer bought the man a drink—he was arrested forsolicitation. One story in theNew York Postdescribed an arrest in a gym locker room, where the officer grabbed his crotch, moaning, and a man who asked him if he was all right was arrested.Few lawyers would defend cases as undesirable as these and some of those lawyers kicked back their fees to the arresting officer. The Mattachine Society succeeded in getting newly elected mayorJohn Lindsayto end the campaign of police entrapment in New York City. They had a more difficult time with theNew York State Liquor Authority(SLA). While no laws prohibited serving homosexuals, courts allowed the SLA discretion in approving and revoking liquor licenses for businesses that might become \\\"disorderly\\\".Despite the high population of gay men and lesbians who called Greenwich Village home, very few places existed, other than bars, where they were able to congregate openly without being harassed or arrested. In 1966 the New York Mattachine held a \\\"sip-in\\\" at a Greenwich Village bar namedJulius, which was frequented by gay men, to illustrate the discrimination homosexuals faced. None of the bars frequented by gay men and lesbians were owned by gay people. Almost all of them were owned and controlled byorganized crime, who treated the regulars poorly, watered down the liquor, and overcharged for drinks. However, they also paid off police to prevent frequent raids. Stonewall Inn The Stonewall Inn, located at 51 and 53Christopher Street, along with several other establishments in the city, was owned by theGenovese crime family.In 1966, three members of the Mafia invested $3,500 to turn the Stonewall Inn into a gay bar, after it had been a restaurant and a nightclub for heterosexuals. Once a week a police officer would collect envelopes of cash as a payoff known as agayola, as the Stonewall Inn had noliquor license.It had no running water behind the bar—dirty glasses were run through tubs of water and immediately reused.There were no fire exits, and the toilets overran consistently.Though the bar was not used for prostitution, drug sales and other black market activities took place. It was the only bar for gay men in New York City where dancing was allowed;dancing was its main draw since its re-opening as a gay club. Visitors to the Stonewall Inn in 1969 were greeted by abouncerwho inspected them through a peephole in the door. The legal drinking age was 18 and to avoid unwittingly letting in undercover police (who were called \\\"Lily Law\\\", \\\"Alice Blue Gown\\\", or \\\"Betty Badge\\\"), visitors would have to be known by the doorman or 'look gay'. Patrons were required to sign their names in a book to prove that the bar was a private \\\"bottle club\\\", but they rarely signed their real names. There were two dance floors in the Stonewall. The interior was painted black, making it very dark inside, with pulsing gel lights orblack lights. If police were spotted, regular white lights were turned on, signaling that everyone should stop dancing or touching.In the rear of the bar was a smaller room frequented by \\\"queens\\\"; it was one of two bars where effeminate men who wore makeup and teased their hair (though dressed in men's clothing) could go.Only a few people in fulldragwere allowed in by the bouncers. The customers were \\\"98 percent male\\\" but a few lesbians sometimes came to the bar. Younger homeless adolescent males, who slept in nearbyChristopher Park, would often try to get in so customers would buy them drinks.The age of the clientele ranged between the upper teens and early thirties and the racial mix was distributed among mainly white, with Black, and Hispanic patrons.Because of its mix of people, its location, and the attraction of dancing, the Stonewall Inn was known by many as \\\"thegay bar in the city\\\". Police raids on gay bars were frequent, occurring on average once a month for each bar. Many bars kept extra liquor in a secret panel behind the bar, or in a car down the block, to facilitate resuming business as quickly as possible if alcohol was seized.Bar management usually knew about raids beforehand due to police tip-offs, and raids occurred early enough in the evening that business could commence after the police had finished.During a typical raid, the lights were turned on and customers were lined up and their identification cards checked. Those without identification or dressed in full drag were arrested; others were allowed to leave. Some of the men, including those in drag, used theirdraft cardsas identification. Women were required to wear three pieces of feminine clothing and would be arrested if found not wearing them. Typically, employees and management of the bars were also arrested.The period immediately before June 28, 1969, was marked by frequent raids of local bars—including a raid at the Stonewall Inn on the Tuesday before the riots—and the closing of the Checkerboard, the Tele-Star, and two other clubs in Greenwich Village. Riots Police raid At 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 1969, four plainclothes policemen in dark suits, two patrol officers in uniform, Detective Charles Smythe, and Deputy InspectorSeymour Pinearrived at the Stonewall Inn's double doors and announced \\\"Police! We're taking the place!\\\"Two undercover policewomen and two undercover policemen entered the bar early that evening to gather visual evidence, as the Public Morals Squad waited outside for the signal. Once ready, the undercover officers called for backup from the Sixth Precinct using the bar's pay telephone. Stonewall employees do not recall being tipped off that a raid was to occur that night, as was the custom.The music was turned off and the main lights were turned on. Approximately 200 people were in the bar that night. Patrons who had never experienced a police raid were confused. A few who realized what was happening began to run for doors and windows in the bathrooms, but police barred the doors. Michael Fader remembered, \\\"Things happened so fast you kind of got caught not knowing. All of a sudden there were police there and we were told to all get in lines and to have our identification ready to be led out of the bar.\\\" The raid did not go as planned. Standard procedure was to line up the patrons, check their identification and have female police officers take customers dressed as women to the bathroom to verify their sex, upon which any people appearing to be physically male and dressed as women would be arrested. Those dressed as women that night refused to go with the officers. Men in line began to refuse to produce their identification. The police decided to take everyone present to the police station, after separating those suspected of cross-dressing in a room in the back of the bar. All parties involved recall that a sense of discomfort spread very quickly, started by police who assaulted some of the lesbians by \\\"feeling some of them up inappropriately\\\" while frisking them. When did you ever see a fag fight back?... Now, times were a-changin'. Tuesday night was the last night for bullshit... Predominantly, the theme as, \\\"this shit has got to stop!\\\" —anonymous Stonewall riots participant The police were to transport the bar's alcohol in patrol wagons. Twenty-eight cases of beer and nineteen bottles of hard liquor were seized, but the patrol wagons had not yet arrived, so patrons were required to wait in line for about 15 minutes.Those who were not arrested were released from the front door, but they did not leave quickly as usual. Instead, they stopped outside and a crowd began to grow and watch. Within minutes, between 100 and 150 people had congregated outside, some after they were released from inside the Stonewall and some after noticing the police cars and the crowd. Although the police forcefully pushed or kicked some patrons out of the bar, some customers released by the police performed for the crowd by posing and saluting the police in an exaggerated fashion. The crowd's applause encouraged them further. When the first patrol wagon arrived, Inspector Pine recalled that the crowd—most of whom were homosexual—had grown to at least ten times the number of people who were arrested and they all became very quiet.Confusion over radio communication delayed the arrival of a second wagon. The police began escorting Mafia members into the first wagon, to the cheers of the bystanders. Next, regular employees were loaded into the wagon. A bystander shouted, \\\"Gay power!\\\", someone began singing \\\"We Shall Overcome\\\" and the crowd reacted with amusement and general good humor mixed with \\\"growing and intensive hostility\\\".An officer shoved a person in drag, who responded by hitting him on the head with her purse. The cop clubbed her over the head, as the crowd began to boo. AuthorEdmund White, who had been passing by, recalled, \\\"Everyone's restless, angry, and high-spirited. No one has a slogan, no one even has an attitude, but something's brewing.\\\"Pennies, then beer bottles, were thrown at the wagon as a rumor spread through the crowd that patrons still inside the bar were being beaten. A scuffle broke out when a woman in handcuffs was escorted from the door of the bar to the waiting police wagon several times. She escaped repeatedly and fought with four of the police, swearing and shouting, for about ten minutes. Described as \\\"a typical New York butch\\\" and \\\"a dyke–stone butch\\\", she had been hit on the head by an officer with abatonfor, as one witness claimed, complaining that her handcuffs were too tight.Bystanders recalled that the woman, whose identity remains unknown (Stormé DeLarveriehas been identified by some, including herself, as the woman, but accounts vary), sparked the crowd to fight when she looked at bystanders and shouted, \\\"Why don't you guys do something?\\\" After an officer picked her up and heaved her into the back of the wagon,the crowd became a mob and became violent. Violence breaks out The police tried to restrain some of the crowd, knocking a few people down, which incited bystanders even more. Some of those handcuffed in the wagon escaped when police left them unattended (deliberately, according to some witnesses).As the crowd tried to overturn the police wagon, two police cars and the wagon—with a few slashed tires—left immediately, with Inspector Pine urging them to return as soon as possible. The commotion attracted more people who learned what was happening. Someone in the crowd declared that the bar had been raided because \\\"they didn't pay off the cops\\\", to which someone else yelled, \\\"Let's pay them off!\\\"Coins sailed through the air towards the police as the crowd shouted \\\"Pigs!\\\" and \\\"Faggot cops!\\\" Beer cans were thrown and the police lashed out, dispersing some of the crowd who found a construction site nearby with stacks of bricks. The police, outnumbered by between 500 and 600 people, grabbed several people, including activist folk singer (and mentor ofBob Dylan)Dave Van Ronk—who had been attracted to the revolt from a bar two doors away from the Stonewall. Though Van Ronk was not gay, he had experienced police violence when he participated in antiwar demonstrations: \\\"As far as I was concerned, anybody who'd stand against the cops was all right with me and that's why I stayed in... Every time you turned around the cops were pulling some outrage or another.\\\"Van Ronk was the first of thirteen arrested that night.Ten police officers—including two policewomen—barricaded themselves, Van Ronk,Howard Smith(a column writer forThe Village Voice), and several handcuffed detainees inside the Stonewall Inn for their own safety. Multiple accounts of the riot assert that there was no pre-existing organization or apparent cause for the demonstration; what ensued was spontaneous.Michael Fader explained: We all had a collective feeling like we'd had enough of this kind of shit. It wasn't anything tangible anybody said to anyone else, it was just kind of like everything over the years had come to a head on that one particular night in the one particular place and it was not an organized demonstration... The only known photograph from the first night of the riots, taken by freelance photographer Joseph Ambrosini, shows the homeless gay youth who slept in nearby Christopher Park, scuffling with police. Jackie Hormona andTommy Lanigan-Schmidtare on the far left. The Mattachine Society newsletter a month later offered its explanation of why the riots occurred: \\\"It catered largely to a group of people who are not welcome in, or cannot afford, other places of homosexual social gathering... The Stonewall became home to these kids. When it was raided, they fought for it. That and the fact that they had nothing to lose other than the most tolerant and broadminded gay place in town, explains why.\\\" Garbage cans, garbage, bottles, rocks, and bricks were hurled at the building, breaking the windows. Witnesses attest that \\\"flame queens\\\", hustlers, and gay \\\"street kids\\\"—the most outcast people in the gay community—were responsible for the first volley of projectiles, as well as the uprooting of aparking meterused as abattering ramon the doors of the Stonewall Inn. The mob lit garbage on fire and stuffed it through the broken windows as the police grabbed a fire hose. Because it had no water pressure, the hose was ineffective in dispersing the crowd and seemed only to encourage them.Marsha P. Johnsonlater said that it was the police that had started the fire in the bar.When demonstrators broke through the windows—which had been covered byplywoodby the bar owners to deter the police from raiding the bar—the police inside unholstered their pistols. The doors flew open and officers pointed their weapons at the angry crowd, threatening to shoot. Howard Smith, in the bar with the police, took a wrench from the bar and stuffed it in his pants, unsure if he might have to use it against the mob or the police. He watched someone squirtlighter fluidinto the bar; as it was lit and the police took aim,sirenswere heard and fire trucks arrived. The onslaught had lasted 45 minutes. When the violence broke out, the women and transmasculine people being held down the street atThe Women's House of Detentionjoined in by chanting, setting fire to their belongings and tossing them into the street below. The historian Hugh Ryan says, \\\"When I would talk to people about Stonewall, they would tell me, that night on Stonewall, we looked to the prison because we saw the women rioting and chanting, 'Gay rights, gay rights, gay rights.'\\\" Escalation TheTactical Patrol Force(TPF) of the New York City Police Department arrived to free the police trapped inside the Stonewall. One officer's eye was cut and a few others were bruised from being struck by flying debris.Bob Kohler, who was walking his dog by the Stonewall that night, saw the TPF arrive: I had been in enough riots to know the fun was over... The cops were totally humiliated. This never, ever happened. They were angrier than I guess they had ever been because everybody else had rioted... but the fairies were not supposed to riot... no group had ever forced cops to retreat before, so the anger was just enormous. I mean, they wanted to kill. With larger numbers, police detained anyone they could and put them in patrol wagons to go to jail, though Inspector Pine recalled, \\\"Fights erupted with the transvestites, who wouldn't go into the patrol wagon.\\\" His recollection was corroborated by another witness across the street who said, \\\"All I could see about who was fighting was that it was transvestites and they were fighting furiously.\\\" The TPF formed aphalanxand attempted to clear the streets by marching slowly and pushing the crowd back. The mob openly mocked the police. The crowd cheered, started impromptukick linesand sang to the tune of \\\"Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay\\\": \\\"We are the Stonewall girls/ We wear our hair in curls/ We don't wear underwear/ We show our pubic hair.\\\"Lucian Truscottreported inThe Village Voice: \\\"A stagnant situation there brought on some gay tomfoolery in the form of achorus linefacing the line of helmeted and club-carrying cops. Just as the line got into a full kick routine, the TPF advanced again and cleared the crowd of screaming gay powerites down Christopher to Seventh Avenue.\\\"One participant who had been in the Stonewall during the raid recalled, \\\"The police rushed us and that's when I realized this is not a good thing to do, because they got me in the back with anightstick.\\\" Another account stated, \\\"I just can't ever get that one sight out of my mind. The cops with the and the kick line on the other side. It was the most amazing thing... And all the sudden that kick line, which I guess was a spoof on the machismo... I think that's when I felt rage. Because people were getting smashed with bats. And for what? A kick line.\\\" Marsha P. Johnson, anAfrican-Americanstreet queen,recalled arriving at the bar around \\\"2:00 \\\", and that at that point the riots were well underway, with the building in flames.As the riots went on into the early hours of the morning, Johnson, along with Zazu Nova and Jackie Hormona, were noted as \\\"three individuals known to have been in the vanguard\\\" of the pushback against the police. Craig Rodwell, owner of theOscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, reported watching police chase participants through the crooked streets, only to see them appear around the next corner behind the police. Members of the mob stopped cars, overturning one of them to block Christopher Street.Jack NicholsandLige Clarke, in their column printed inScrew, declared that \\\"massive crowds of angry protesters chased for blocks screaming, 'Catch them!'\\\" By 4:00 am, the streets had nearly been cleared. Many people sat on stoops or gathered nearby in Christopher Park throughout the morning, dazed in disbelief at what had transpired. Many witnesses remembered the surreal and eerie quiet that descended upon Christopher Street, though there continued to be \\\"electricity in the air\\\".One commented: \\\"There was a certain beauty in the aftermath of the riot... It was obvious, at least to me, that a lot of people really were gay and, you know, this was our street.\\\"Thirteen people had been arrested. Some in the crowd were hospitalized,and four police officers were injured. Almost everything in the Stonewall Inn was broken. Inspector Pine had intended to close and dismantle the Stonewall Inn that night. Pay phones, toilets, mirrors,jukeboxes, and cigarette machines were all smashed, possibly in the riot and possibly by the police. Second night of rioting During the siege of the Stonewall, Craig Rodwell calledThe New York Times, theNew York Post, and theDaily Newsto tell them what was happening. All three papers covered the riots; theDaily Newsplaced coverage on the front page. News of the riot spread quickly throughout Greenwich Village, fueled by rumors that it had been organized by theStudents for a Democratic Society, theBlack Panthers, or triggered by \\\"a homosexual police officer whose roommate went dancing at the Stonewall against the officer's wishes\\\".All day Saturday, June 28, people came to stare at the burned and blackened Stonewall Inn.Graffitiappeared on the walls of the bar, declaring \\\"Drag power\\\", \\\"They invaded our rights\\\", \\\"Support gay power\\\" and \\\"Legalize gay bars\\\", along with accusations of police looting and—regarding the status of the bar—\\\"We are open.\\\" The next night, rioting again surrounded Christopher Street; participants remember differently which night was more frantic or violent. Many of the same people returned from the previous evening—hustlers, street youths, and \\\"queens\\\"—but they were joined by \\\"police provocateurs\\\", curious bystanders, and even tourists.Remarkable to many was the sudden exhibition of homosexual affection in public, as described by one witness: \\\"From going to places where you had to knock on a door and speak to someone through a peephole in order to get in. We were just out. We were in the streets.\\\" Thousands of people had gathered in front of the Stonewall, which had opened again, choking Christopher Street until the crowd spilled into adjoining blocks. The throng surrounded buses and cars, harassing the occupants unless they either admitted they were gay or indicated their support for the demonstrators.Marsha P. Johnson was seen climbing a lamppost and dropping a heavy bag onto the hood of a police car, shattering the windshield. As on the previous evening, fires were started in garbage cans throughout the neighborhood. More than a hundred police were present from the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and NinthPrecincts, but after 2:00 a.m. the TPF arrived again. Kick lines and police chases waxed and waned; when police captured demonstrators, whom the majority of witnesses described as \\\"sissies\\\" or \\\"swishes\\\", the crowd surged to recapture them.Again, street battling ensued until 4:00 am. Beat poet and longtime Greenwich Village resident Allen Ginsberg lived on Christopher Street and happened upon the jubilant chaos. After he learned of the riot that had occurred the previous evening, he stated, \\\"Gay power! Isn't that great!... It's about time we did something to assert ourselves\\\" and visited the open Stonewall Inn for the first time. While walking home, he declared to Lucian Truscott, \\\"You know, the guys there were so beautiful—they've lost that wounded look that fags all had 10 years ago.\\\" ActivistMark Segalrecounts thatMartha ShelleyandMarty Robinsonstood and made speeches from the front door of the Stonewall on June 29, 1969, the second night of the riot. Leaflets, press coverage, and more violence Activity in Greenwich Village was sporadic on Monday, June 30, and Tuesday, July 1, partly due to rain. Police and Village residents had a few altercations, as both groups antagonized each other. Craig Rodwell and his partnerFred Sargeanttook the opportunity the morning after the first riot to print and distribute 5,000 leaflets, one of them reading: \\\"Get the Mafia and the Cops out of Gay Bars.\\\" The leaflets called for gay people to own their own establishments, for a boycott of the Stonewall and other Mafia-owned bars, and for public pressure on the mayor's office to investigate the \\\"intolerable situation\\\". Not everyone in the gay community considered the revolt a positive development. To many older homosexuals and many members of the Mattachine Society who had worked throughout the 1960s to promote homosexuals as no different from heterosexuals, the display of violence and effeminate behavior was embarrassing.Randy Wicker, who had marched in the first gay picket lines before the White House in 1965, said the \\\"screaming queens forming chorus lines and kicking went against everything that I wanted people to think about homosexuals... that we were a bunch of drag queens in the Village acting disorderly and tacky and cheap.\\\"Others found the closing of the Stonewall Inn, termed a \\\"sleaze joint\\\", as advantageous to the Village. On Wednesday, however,The Village Voiceran reports of the riots, written by Howard Smith and Lucian Truscott, that included unflattering descriptions of the events and its participants: \\\"forces of faggotry\\\", \\\"limp wrists\\\" and \\\"Sunday fag follies\\\".A mob descended upon Christopher Street once again and threatened to burn down the offices ofThe Village Voice,which at the time was headquartered several buildings west of the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street; that proximity gave Truscott and other writers for the newspaper first hand observations of the uprising. Also in the mob of between 500 and 1,000 were other groups that had had unsuccessful confrontations with the police and were curious how the police were defeated in this situation. Another explosive street battle took place, with injuries to demonstrators and police alike, local shops getting looted, and arrests of five people.The incidents on Wednesday night lasted about an hour and were summarized by one witness: \\\"The word is out. Christopher Street shall be liberated. The fags have had it with oppression.\\\" Aftermath The feeling of urgency spread throughout Greenwich Village, even to people who had not witnessed the riots. Many who were moved by the rebellion attended organizational meetings, sensing an opportunity to take action. On July 4, 1969, the Mattachine Society performed its annual picket in front ofIndependence HallinPhiladelphia, called theAnnual Reminder. OrganizersCraig Rodwell,Frank Kameny,Randy Wicker,Barbara Gittings, andKay Lahusen, who had all participated for several years, took a bus along with other picketers from New York City to Philadelphia. Since 1965, the pickets had been very controlled: women wore skirts and men wore suits and ties and all marched quietly in organized lines.This year Rodwell remembered feeling restricted by the rules Kameny had set. When two women spontaneously held hands, Kameny broke them apart, saying, \\\"None of that! None of that!\\\" Rodwell, however, convinced about ten couples to hold hands. The hand-holding couples made Kameny furious, but they earned more press attention than all of the previous marches.ParticipantLilli Vincenzremembered, \\\"It was clear that things were changing. People who had felt oppressed now felt empowered.\\\"Rodwell returned to New York City determined to change the established quiet, meek ways of trying to get attention. One of his first priorities was planning Christopher Street Liberation Day. Gay Liberation Front Although the Mattachine Society had existed since the 1950s, many of their methods now seemed too mild for people who had witnessed or been inspired by the riots. Mattachine recognized the shift in attitudes in a story from their newsletter entitled, \\\"The Hairpin Drop Heard Around the World.\\\"When a Mattachine officer suggested an \\\"amicable and sweet\\\" candlelight vigil demonstration, a man in the audience fumed and shouted, \\\"Sweet!Bullshit!That's the role society has been forcing these queens to play.\\\"With a flyer announcing: \\\"Do You Think Homosexuals Are Revolting? You Bet Your Sweet Ass We Are!\\\",theGay Liberation Front(GLF) was soon formed, the first gay organization to usegayin its name. Previous organizations such as theMattachine Society, theDaughters of Bilitis(DOB), and various homophile groups had masked their purpose by deliberately choosing obscure names. The rise of militancy became apparent to Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings—who had worked in homophile organizations for years and were both very public about their roles—when they attended a GLF meeting to see the new group. A young GLF member demanded to know who they were and what their credentials were. Gittings, nonplussed, stammered, \\\"I'm gay. That's why I'm here.\\\"The GLF borrowed tactics from and aligned themselves with black andantiwardemonstrators with the ideal that they \\\"could work to restructure American society\\\".They took on causes of the Black Panthers, marching to theWomen's House of Detentionin support ofAfeni Shakurand other radicalNew Leftcauses. Four months after the group formed, however, it disbanded when members were unable to agree on operating procedure. Gay Activists Alliance Within six months of the Stonewall riots, activists started a citywide newspaper calledGay; they considered it necessary because the most liberal publication in the city—The Village Voice—refused to print the wordgayin GLF advertisements seeking new members and volunteers.Two other newspapers were initiated within a six-week period:Come Out!andGay Power; the readership of these three periodicals quickly climbed to between 20,000 and 25,000. GLF members organized several same-sex dances, but GLF meetings were chaotic. When Bob Kohler asked for clothes and money to help the homeless youth who had participated in the riots, many of whom slept in Christopher Park or Sheridan Square, the response was a discussion on the downfall ofcapitalism.In late December 1969, several people who had visited GLF meetings and left out of frustration formed theGay Activists Alliance(GAA). The GAA was to be more orderly and entirely focused on gay issues. Their constitution began, \\\"We as liberated homosexual activists demand the freedom for expression of our dignity and value as human beings.\\\"The GAA developed and perfected a confrontational tactic called azap: they would catch a politician off guard during a public relations opportunity and force him or her to acknowledge gay and lesbian rights. City councilmen were zapped and mayor John Lindsay was zapped several times—once on television when GAA members made up the majority of the audience. Police raids on gay bars did not stop after the Stonewall riots. In March 1970, deputy inspector Seymour Pine raided the Zodiac and 17 Barrow Street. An after-hours gay club with no liquor or occupancy licenses called The Snake Pit was soon raided and 167 people were arrested. One of them wasDiego Viñales, an Argentinian national so frightened that he might bedeportedas a homosexual that he tried to escape the police precinct by jumping out of a two-story window, impaling himself on a 14-inch (36 cm) spike fence.TheNew York Daily Newsprinted a graphic photo of the young man's impalement on the front page. GAA members organized a march from Christopher Park to the Sixth Precinct in which hundreds of gay men, lesbians, and liberal sympathizers peacefully confronted the TPF.They also sponsored a letter-writing campaign to Mayor Lindsay in which the Greenwich VillageDemocratic Partyand congressmanEd Kochsent pleas to end raids on gay bars in the city. The Stonewall Inn lasted only a few weeks after the riot. By October 1969 it was up for rent. Village residents surmised it was too notorious a location and Rodwell's boycott discouraged business. Gay Pride Christopher Street Liberation Day, on June 28, 1970, marked the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots with an assembly on Christopher Street; with simultaneous Gay Pride marches in Los Angeles andChicago, these were the firstGay Pride marchesin US history.The next year, Gay Pride marches took place inBoston,Dallas,Milwaukee,London,Paris,West BerlinandStockholm.Themarch in New Yorkcovered 51 blocks, from Christopher Street toCentral Park. The march took less than half the scheduled time due to excitement, but also due to wariness about walking through the city with gay banners and signs. Although the parade permit was delivered only two hours before the start of the march, the marchers encountered little resistance from onlookers.The New York Timesreported (on the front page) that the marchers took up the entire street for about 15 city blocks.Reporting byThe Village Voicewas positive, describing \\\"the out-front resistance that grew out of the police raid on the Stonewall Inn one year ago\\\". There was little open animosity and some bystanders applauded when a tall, pretty girl carrying a sign \\\"I am a Lesbian\\\" walked by. —The New York Timescoverage of Gay Liberation Day, 1970 By 1972, the participating cities includedAtlanta,Buffalo,Detroit, Washington, D.C.,Miami,Minneapolis, and Philadelphia,as well as San Francisco. Frank Kameny soon realized the pivotal change brought by the Stonewall riots. An organizer of gay activism in the 1950s, he was used to persuasion, trying to convince heterosexuals that gay people were no different from them. When he and other people marched in front of the White House, the State Department, and Independence Hall only five years earlier, their objective was to look as if they could work for the US government.Ten people marched with Kameny then and they alerted no press to their intentions. Although he was stunned by the upheaval by participants in the Annual Reminder in 1969, he later observed, \\\"By the time of Stonewall, we had fifty to sixty gay groups in the country. A year later there were at least fifteen hundred. By two years later, to the extent that a count could be made, it was twenty-five hundred.\\\" Similar to Kameny's regret at his own reaction to the shift in attitudes after the riots, Randy Wicker came to describe his embarrassment as \\\"one of the greatest mistakes of his life\\\".The image of gay people retaliating against police, after so many years of allowing such treatment to go unchallenged, \\\"stirred an unexpected spirit among many homosexuals\\\".Kay Lahusen, who photographed the marches in 1965, stated, \\\"Up to 1969, this movement was generally called the homosexual or homophile movement... Many new activists consider the Stonewall uprising the birth of the gay liberation movement. Certainly, it was the birth of gay pride on a massive scale.\\\"David Carter explained that even though there were several uprisings before Stonewall, the reason Stonewall was so significant was that thousands of people were involved, the riot lasted a long time (six days), it was the first to get major media coverage, and it sparked the formation of many gay rights groups. Trans organizations According toSusan Stryker's book,Transgender History, the Stonewall riots had significant effects on trans rights activism.Sylvia RiveraandMarsha P. Johnsonestablished the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) organization, as they believed that trans people weren't being adequately represented in the Gay Activists Alliance and Gay Liberation Front. They established politicized versions of \\\"houses\\\", which came from Black and Latino queer communities, and were places that marginalized trans youth could seek shelter. Besides STAR, organizations such asTransvestites and Transsexuals(TAT) andQueens' Liberation Front(QLF) were also established. QLF, which was established by drag queen Lee Brewster and heterosexual transvestite Bunny Eisenhower, marched on Christopher Street Liberation Day and fought against drag erasure and for trans visibility. Legacy The Stonewall riots are often considered to be the origin or impetus of thegay liberationmovement, and many studies ofLGBT historyin the U.S. are divided into pre- and post-Stonewall analyses.This has been criticized byhistorians of sexuality. Calls for the rights ofgender and sexual minoritiespredate the Stonewall riots. Thefirst homosexual movementbegan one hundred years earlier, in Germany.West Germanyhad abolished criminal liability for homosexual acts among adults over 21 years of age through a change ofSection 175of the German Criminal Code on June 25, 1969 − just three days before the Stonewall riots began.There was already the emergence of a gay liberation movement in New York at the time of the riots. The Stonewall riots were not the only time LGBT people organized politically amid attacks on LGBT establishments. The event has been said to occupy a unique place in thecollective memoryof many LGBT people,including those outside of the United States,as it \\\"is marked by an international commemorative ritual – an annual gay pride parade\\\", according to sociologist Elizabeth A. Armstrong. Community Within two years of the Stonewall riots, there were gay rights groups in every major American city, as well as in Canada, Australia, and Western Europe.People who joined activist organizations after the riots had very little in common other than theirsame-sex attraction. Many who arrived at GLF or GAA meetings were taken aback by the number of gay people in one place.Race, class, ideology, and gender became frequent obstacles in the years after the riots. This was illustrated during the 1973 Stonewall rally when, moments afterBarbara Gittingsexuberantly praised the diversity of the crowd, feminist activistJean O'Learyprotested what she perceived as the mocking of women bycross-dressersanddrag queensin attendance. During a speech by O'Leary, in which she claimed that drag queens made fun of women for entertainment value and profit,Sylvia RiveraandLee Brewsterjumped on the stage and shouted \\\"You go to bars because of what drag queens did for you andthese bitchestell us to quit being ourselves!\\\"Both the drag queens and lesbian feminists in attendance left in disgust. O'Leary also worked in the early 1970s to exclude transgender people from gay rights issues because she felt that rights for transgender people would be too difficult to attain.Sylvia Rivera left New York City in the mid-1970s, relocating toupstate New York.She later returned to the city in the mid-1990s, after the 1992 death of friendMarsha P. Johnson. Rivera lived on the \\\"gay pier\\\" at the end of Christopher street and advocated for homeless members of the gay community.The initial disagreements among participants in the movements often evolved after further reflection. O'Leary later regretted her stance against the drag queens attending in 1973: \\\"Looking back, I find this so embarrassing because my views have changed so much since then. I would never pick on a transvestite now.\\\"\\\"It was horrible. How could I work to exclude transvestites and at the same time criticize the feminists who were doing their best back in those days to exclude lesbians?\\\" O'Leary was referring to theLavender Menace, an appellation bysecond-wave feministBetty Friedanbased on attempts by members of theNational Organization for Women(NOW) to distance themselves from the perception of NOW as a haven for lesbians. As part of this process,Rita Mae Brownand other lesbians who had been active in NOW were forced out. They staged a protest in 1970 at the Second Congress to Unite Women and earned the support of many NOW members, finally gaining full acceptance in 1971. The growth oflesbian feminismin the 1970s at times so conflicted with the gay liberation movement that some lesbians refused to work with gay men. Many lesbians found men's attitudes patriarchal and chauvinistic and saw in gay men the same misguided notions about women that they saw in heterosexual men.The issues most important to gay men—entrapmentand public solicitation—were not shared by lesbians. In 1977, a Lesbian Pride Rally was organized as an alternative to sharing gay men's issues, especially whatAdrienne Richtermed \\\"the violent, self-destructive world of the gay bars\\\".Veteran gay activist Barbara Gittings chose to work in the gay rights movement, explaining, \\\"It's a matter of where does it hurt the most? For me it hurts the most not in the female arena, but the gay arena.\\\" Throughout the 1970s, gay activism had significant successes. One of the first and most important was the \\\"zap\\\" in May 1970 by the Los Angeles GLF at a convention of theAmerican Psychiatric Association(APA). At a conference onbehavior modification, during a film demonstrating the use ofelectroshock therapyto decrease same-sex attraction,Morris Kightand GLF members in the audience interrupted the film with shouts of \\\"Torture!\\\" and \\\"Barbarism!\\\"They took over the microphone to announce that medical professionals who prescribed such therapy for their homosexual patients were complicit in torturing them. Although 20 psychiatrists in attendance left, the GLF spent the hour following the zap with those remaining, trying to convince them that homosexual people were not mentally ill.When the APA invited gay activists to speak to the group in 1972, activists broughtJohn E. Fryer, a gay psychiatrist who wore a mask, because he felt his practice was in danger. In December 1973—in large part due to the efforts of gay activists—the APA voted unanimously to remove homosexuality from theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual. Gay men and lesbians came together to work ingrassrootspolitical organizations responding to organized resistance in 1977. A coalition of conservatives namedSave Our Childrenstaged a campaign to repeal a civil rights ordinance inMiami-Dade County. Save Our Children was successful enough to influence similar repeals in several American cities in 1978. However, that same year, a campaign in California called theBriggs Initiative, designed to force the dismissal of homosexual public school employees, was defeated.Reaction to the influence of Save Our Children and the Briggs Initiative in the gay community was so significant that it has been called the second Stonewall for many activists, marking their initiation into political participation.The subsequent 1979National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rightswas timed to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Rejection of prior gay subculture The Stonewall riots marked such a significant turning point that many aspects of priorgay and lesbian culture, such as bar culture formed from decades of shame and secrecy, were forcefully ignored and denied. HistorianMartin Dubermanwrites, \\\"The decades preceding Stonewall... continue to be regarded by most gay men and lesbians as some vast neolithic wasteland.\\\"SociologistBarry Adamnotes, \\\"Every social movement must choose at some point what to retain and what to reject out of its past. What traits are the results of oppression and what are healthy and authentic?\\\"In conjunction with the growing feminist movement of the early 1970s, roles ofbutch and femmethat developed in lesbian bars in the 1950s and 1960s were rejected, because as one writer put it: \\\"all role playing is sick.\\\"Lesbian feminists considered the butch roles as archaic imitations of masculine behavior.Some women, according toLillian Faderman, were eager to shed the roles they felt forced into playing. The roles returned for some women in the 1980s, although they allowed for more flexibility than before Stonewall. Author Michael Bronski highlights the \\\"attack on pre-Stonewall culture\\\", particularlygay pulp fictionfor men, where the themes often reflected self-hatred or ambivalence about being gay. Many books ended unsatisfactorily and drastically, often with suicide, and writers portrayed their gay characters as alcoholics or deeply unhappy. These books, which he describes as \\\"an enormous and cohesive literature by and for gay men\\\",have not been reissued and are lost to later generations. Dismissing the notion that the rejection was motivated by political correctness, Bronski writes, \\\"gay liberation was a youth movement whose sense of history was defined to a large degree by rejection of the past.\\\" Impact and recognition The riots spawned from a bar raid became a literal example of gay men and lesbians fighting back and a symbolic call to arms for many people. Historian David Carter remarks in his book about the Stonewall riots that the bar itself was a complex business that represented a community center, an opportunity for the Mafia to blackmail its own customers, a home, and a place of \\\"exploitation and degradation\\\".The true legacy of the Stonewall riots, Carter insists, is the \\\"ongoing struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality\\\".Historian Nicholas Edsall writes: Stonewall has been compared to any number of acts of radical protest and defiance in American history from the Boston Tea Party on. But the best and certainly a more nearly contemporary analogy is Rosa Parks' refusal to move to the back of the bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in December 1955, which sparked the modern civil rights movement. Within months after Stonewall, radical gay liberation groups and newsletters sprang up in cities and on college campuses across America and then across all of northern Europe as well. Before the rebellion at the Stonewall Inn, homosexuals were, as historians Dudley Clendinen andAdam Nagourneywrite: a secret legion of people, known of but discounted, ignored, laughed at or despised. And like the holders of a secret, they had an advantage which was a disadvantage too, and which was true of no other minority group in the United States. They were invisible. Unlike African Americans, women, Native Americans, Jews, the Irish, Italians, Asians, Hispanics, or any other cultural group which struggled for respect and equal rights, homosexuals had no physical or cultural markings, no language or dialect which could identify them to each other, or to anyone else... But that night, for the first time, the usual acquiescence turned into violent resistance... From that night the lives of millions of gay men and lesbians and the attitude toward them of the larger culture in which they lived, began to change rapidly. People began to appear in public as homosexuals, demanding respect. HistorianLillian Fadermancalls the riots the \\\"shot heard round the world\\\", explaining, \\\"The Stonewall Rebellion was crucial because it sounded the rally for that movement. It became an emblem of gay and lesbian power. By calling on the dramatic tactic of violent protest that was being used by other oppressed groups, the events at the Stonewall implied that homosexuals had as much reason to be disaffected as they.\\\" Joan Nestleco-founded theLesbian Herstory Archivesin 1974 and credits \\\"its creation to that night and the courage that found its voice in the streets.\\\"Cautious, however, not to attribute the start of gay activism to the Stonewall riots, Nestle writes: I certainly don't see gay and lesbian history starting with Stonewall... and I don't see resistance starting with Stonewall. What I do see is a historical coming together of forces, and the sixties changed how human beings endured things in this society and what they refused to endure... Certainly, something special happened on that night in 1969 and we've made it more special in our need to have what I call a point of origin... it's more complex than saying that it all started with Stonewall. The events of the early morning of June 28, 1969, were not the first instances of gay men and lesbians fighting back against police in New York City and elsewhere. Not only had the Mattachine Society been active in major cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago, but similarly marginalized people started the riot at Compton's Cafeteria in 1966 and another riot responded to a raid on Los Angeles'Black Cat Tavernin 1967.However, several circumstances were in play that made the Stonewall riots memorable. The location of theLower Manhattanraid was a factor: it was across the street fromThe Village Voiceoffices, and the narrow crooked streets gave the rioters an advantage over the police.Many of the participants and residents of Greenwich Village were involved in political organizations that were effectively able to mobilize a large and cohesive gay community in the weeks and months after the rebellion. The most significant facet of the Stonewall riots, however, was the commemoration of them in Christopher Street Liberation Day, which grew into the annualGay Prideevents around the world. Stonewall(officially Stonewall Equality Limited) is anLGBT rightscharity in the United Kingdom, founded in 1989 and named after theStonewall Innbecause of the Stonewall riots. TheStonewall Awardsis an annual event the charity has held since 2006 to recognize people who have affected the lives of British lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. The middle of the 1990s was marked by the inclusion ofbisexualsas a represented group within the gay community, when they successfully sought to be included on the platform of the 1993March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. Transgender people also asked to be included but were not, though trans-inclusive language was added to the march's list of demands.The transgender community continued to find itself simultaneously welcome and at odds with the gay community as attitudes aboutnon-binary gender discriminationandpansexual orientationdeveloped and came increasingly into conflict.In 1994, New York City celebrated \\\"Stonewall 25\\\" with a march that went past theUnited Nations Headquartersand intoCentral Park. Estimates put the attendance at 1.1 million people.Sylvia Riveraled an alternate march in New York City in 1994 to protest the exclusion of transgender people from the events. Attendance at LGBT Pride events has grown substantially over the decades. Most large cities around the world now have some kind of Pride demonstration; Pride events in some cities mark the largest annual celebration of any kind.The growing trend towards commercializing marches into parades—with events receiving corporate sponsorship—has caused concern about taking away the autonomy of the original grassroots demonstrations. President Barack Obamadeclared June 2009 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, citing the riots as a reason to \\\"commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT Americans\\\".The year marked the 40th anniversary of the riots. An editorial in theWashington Bladecompared the scruffy, violent activism during and following the Stonewall riots to the lackluster response to failed promises given by President Obama; for being ignored, wealthy LGBT activists reacted by promising to give less money to Democratic causes.Two years later, the Stonewall Inn served as a rallying point for celebrations after theNew York State Senatevoted to passsame-sex marriage. The act was signed into law by GovernorAndrew Cuomoon June 24, 2011. Obama also referenced the Stonewall riots in a call for full equality during hissecond inaugural addresson January 21, 2013: We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths—that all of us are created equal—is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls and Selma and Stonewall... Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the law—for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. This was a historic moment: the first time that a president mentioned gay rights or the word \\\"gay\\\" in an inaugural address. Throughout June 2019,Stonewall 50 – WorldPride NYC 2019, produced byHeritage of Pridein partnership with theI Love New Yorkprogram's LGBT division, took place in New York to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. The final official estimate included 5 million visitors attending in Manhattan alone, making it thelargest LGBTQ celebrationin history.June is traditionally Pride month in New York City and worldwide, and the events were held under the auspices of the annualNYC Pride March. On June 6, 2019, coinciding withWorldPridebeing celebrated in New York City, Police CommissionerJames P. O'Neillapologized on behalf of the NYPD for the actions of its officers at the Stonewall uprising. The official 50th-anniversary commemoration of the Stonewall Uprising occurred on June 28 on Christopher Street in front ofStonewall Inn. The official commemoration was themed as a rally, in reference to the original rallies in front of Stonewall Inn in 1969. Speakers at this event included mayorBill De Blasio, senatorKirsten Gillibrand, congressmanJerry Nadler, American activistX González, and global activistRémy Bonny. In 2019, Paris, France, officially named a square in theMaraisdistrict asPlace des Émeutes-de-Stonewall(Stonewall Riots Place). Stonewall Day In 2018, 49 years after the uprising, Stonewall Day was announced as a commemoration day byPride Live, a social advocacy and community engagement organization.The second Stonewall Day was held on Friday, June 28, 2019, outside the Stonewall Inn.During this event, Pride Live introduced their Stonewall Ambassadors program, to raise awareness for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Historic landmark and monument In June 1999, theUS Department of the Interiorincluded 51 and 53Christopher Streetand the surrounding area in Greenwich Village into theNational Register of Historic Places, the first of significance to the LGBT community.In a dedication ceremony, Assistant Secretary of the Department of the InteriorJohn Berrystated, \\\"Let it forever be remembered that here—on this spot—men and women stood proud, they stood fast, so that we may be who we are, we may work where we will, live where we choose, and love whom our hearts desire.\\\"The Stonewall Inn was also named aNational Historic Landmarkin February 2000. On June 23, 2015, theNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commissiondesignated Stonewall as a city landmark, the first to be designated based on its LGBT cultural significance alone.On June 24, 2016, PresidentBarack Obamaannounced the establishment of theStonewall National Monument, administered by theNational Park Service.The designation protects Christopher Park and adjacent areas totaling more than seven acres; the Stonewall Inn is within the boundaries of the monument but remains privately owned.TheNational Park Foundationformed a newnonprofit organizationto raise funds for a ranger station and interpretive exhibits for the monument,including the first official national visitor center dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ experience, which was inaugurated on June 28, 2024.TheNew York City Subway's Christopher Street–Sheridan Square station was renamed theChristopher Street–Stonewall stationon the same day. Media representations No newsreel or TV footage was taken of the riots and few home movies and photographs exist, but those that do have been used in documentaries. Film Music Theatre See also Analogous events Notes Citations Sources External links\",\n \"List of Apollo missions TheApollo programwas a United Stateshuman spaceflightprogram carried out from 1961 to 1972 by theNational Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA), which landed the firstastronautson theMoon.The program used theSaturn IBandSaturn Vlaunch vehiclesto lift theCommand/Service Module(CSM) andLunar Module(LM) spacecraft into space, and theLittle Joe IIrocket to test alaunch escape systemwhich was expected to carry the astronauts to safety in the event of a Saturn failure.Uncrewed test flights beginning in 1966 demonstrated the safety of the launch vehicles and spacecraft to carry astronauts, and four crewed flights beginning in October 1968 demonstrated the ability of the spacecraft to carry out a lunar landing mission. Apollo achieved the first crewed lunar landing on theApollo 11mission, whenNeil ArmstrongandBuzz Aldrinlanded theirLMEaglein theSea of Tranquilityand walked on the lunar surface, whileMichael Collinsremained inlunar orbitin theCSMColumbia, and all three landed safely on Earth on July 24, 1969.Five subsequent missions landed astronauts on various lunar sites, ending in December 1972 withtwelve men having walked on the Moonand 842 pounds (382 kg) of lunar rocks andsoilsamples returned to Earth, greatly contributing to the understanding of the Moon's composition and geological history. Two Apollo missions were failures: a 1967 cabin fire killed the entireApollo 1crew during a ground test in preparation for what was to be the first crewed flight;and the third landing attempt onApollo 13was aborted by an oxygen tank explosion en route to the Moon, which disabled the CSMOdyssey's electrical power and life support systems, and made the propulsion system unsafe to use. The crew circled the Moon and were returned safely to Earth using the LMAquariusas a \\\"lifeboat\\\" for these functions. Uncrewed test flights From 1961 through 1967,Saturn launch vehiclesandApollo spacecraftcomponents were tested in uncrewed flights. Saturn I TheSaturn Ilaunch vehicle was originally planned to carry crewed Command Module flights intolow Earth orbit, but its 20,000-pound (9,100 kg) payload capacity limit could not lift even a partially fueled Service Module, which would have required building a lightweightretrorocketmodule for deorbit. These plans were eventually scrapped, in favor of using the upratedSaturn IBto launch the Command Module with a half-fueled Service Module for crewed Earth orbit tests. This limited Saturn I flights to Saturn launch vehicle development, CSMboilerplatetesting, and three micrometeoroid satellite launches in support of Apollo. SA-1 15:06 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-2 14:00 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-3 17:45 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-4 20:11 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-5 16:25 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-6 17:07 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-7 17:22 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-9 14:37 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-8 07:35 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-10 13:00 GMTLaunch Complex 37B There was some incongruity in the numbering and naming of the first three uncrewed Apollo-Saturn (AS), or Apollo flights. This is due to AS-204 being renamed toApollo 1posthumously. This crewed flight was to have followed the first three uncrewed flights. After the fire which killed the AS-204 crew on the pad during a test and training exercise, uncrewed Apollo flights resumed to test the Saturn V launch vehicle and the Lunar Module; these were designated Apollo 4, 5 and 6. The first crewed Apollo mission was thus Apollo 7. Simple \\\"Apollo\\\" numbers were never assigned to the first three uncrewed flights, although renamingAS-201,AS-202, andAS-203as Apollo 1-A, Apollo 2 and Apollo 3, had been briefly considered. Saturn IB The Saturn I was converted to the Uprated Saturn I, eventually designatedSaturn IB, by replacing theS-IVsecond stage with theS-IVB, which would also be used as the third stage of the Saturn V with the addition of on-orbit restart capability. This increased the payload capacity to 46,000 pounds (21,000 kg), enough to orbit a Command Module with a half-fueled Service Module, and more than enough to orbit a fully fueled Lunar Module. Two suborbital tests of the Apollo Block I Command and Service Module, one S-IVB development test, and one Lunar Module test were conducted. Success of the LM test led to cancellation of a planned second uncrewed flight. SA-201 16:12 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-203 14:53 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-202 17:15 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-204 22:48 GMTLaunch Complex 37B Launch escape system tests From August 1963 to January 1966, a number of tests were conducted at theWhite Sands Missile Rangefor development of thelaunch escape system(LES). These included simulated \\\"pad aborts\\\", which might occur while the Apollo-Saturnspace vehiclewas still on thelaunch pad, and flights on theLittle Joe IIrocket to simulateMode I abortswhich might occur while the vehicle was in the air. 13:05 GMTLaunch Complex 36 16:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 13:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 15:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 13:01 GMTLaunch Complex 36 13:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 15:17 GMTLaunch Complex 36 Saturn V Prior toGeorge Mueller's tenure as NASA's Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight starting in 1963, it was assumed that 20Saturn Vs, with at least 10 unpiloted test flights, would be required to achieve a crewed Moon landing, using the conservative one-stage-at-a-time testing philosophy used for the Saturn I. But Mueller introduced the \\\"all-up\\\" testing philosophy of using three live stages plus the Apollo spacecraft on every test flight. This achieved development of the Saturn V with far fewer uncrewed tests, and facilitated achieving the Moon landing by the 1969 goal. The size of the Saturn V production lot was reduced from 20 to 15 units. Three uncrewed test flights were planned to human-rate thesuper heavy-liftSaturn Vwhich would take crewed Apollo flights to the Moon. Success of the first flight and qualified success of the second led to the decision to cancel the third uncrewed test. SA-501 12:00 GMTLaunch Complex 39A SA-502 16:12 GMTLaunch Complex 39A Alphabetical mission types The Apollo program required sequential testing of several major mission elements in the runup to a crewed lunar landing. An alphabetical list of major mission types was proposed byOwen Maynardin September 1967.Two \\\"A-type\\\" missions performed uncrewed tests of the CSM and the Saturn V, and one B-type mission performed an uncrewed test of the LM. The C-type mission, the first crewed flight of the CSM in Earth orbit, was performed by Apollo 7. The list was revised uponGeorge Low's proposal to commit a mission to lunar orbit ahead of schedule, an idea influenced by the status of the CSM as a proven craft and production delays of the LM.Apollo 8 was reclassified from its original assignment as a D-type mission, a test of the complete CSM/LM spacecraft in Earth orbit, to a \\\"C-prime\\\" mission which would fly humans to the Moon. Once complete, it obviated the need for the E-type objective of amedium Earth orbitaltest. The D-type mission was instead performed by Apollo 9; the F-type mission, Apollo 10, flew the CSM/LM spacecraft to the Moon for final testing, without landing. The G-type mission, Apollo 11, performed the first lunar landing, the central goal of the program. The initial A–Glist was expanded to include later mission types:: 466H-type missions—Apollo 12, 13 (planned) and 14—would perform precision landings, and J-type missions—Apollo 15, 16 and 17—would perform thorough scientific investigation. The I-type objective, which called for extended lunar orbital surveillance of the Moon,was incorporated into the J-type missions.: 466 Crewed missions The Block I CSM spacecraft did not have capability to fly with the LM, and the three crew positions were designated Command Pilot, Senior Pilot, and Pilot, based onU.S. Air Force pilot ratings. The Block II spacecraft was designed to fly with the Lunar Module, so the corresponding crew positions were designated Commander, Command Module Pilot, and Lunar Module Pilot regardless of whether a Lunar Module was present or not on any mission. Seven of the missions involvedextravehicular activity(EVA), spacewalks or moonwalks outside of the spacecraft. These were of three types: testing the lunar EVA suit in Earth orbit (Apollo 9), exploring the lunar surface, and retrieving film canisters from theScientific Instrument Modulestored in the Service Module. Launch Complex 34(planned) 15:02 GMTLaunch Complex 34 12:51 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-503) 16:00 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-504) 16:49 GMTLaunch Complex 39B (SA-505) 13:32 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-506) 16:22 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-507) 19:13 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-508) 21:03 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-509) 13:34 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-510) 17:54 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-511) 05:33 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-512) Canceled missions Several planned missions of the Apollo program were canceled for a variety of reasons, including changes in technical direction, the Apollo 1 fire, hardware delays, and budget limitations. See also There were two NASA post-Apollo crewed spaceflight programs that used Apollo hardware: Notes References Bibliography External links\",\n \"Jim Lovell James Arthur Lovell Jr.(/ˈlʌvəl/LUV-əl; born March 25, 1928) is an American retiredastronaut,naval aviator,test pilotand mechanical engineer. In 1968, ascommand module pilotofApollo 8, he became, withFrank BormanandWilliam Anders, one of the first three astronauts to fly to and orbit the Moon. He then commanded theApollo 13lunar mission in 1970 which, after a critical failure en route, looped around the Moon and returned safely to Earth. A graduate of theUnited States Naval AcademyinAnnapolis, Maryland, in the class of 1952, Lovell flewF2H Bansheenight fighters. This included a Western Pacific deployment aboard the aircraft carrierUSSShangri-La. In January 1958, he entered a six-month test pilot training course at theNaval Air Test CenteratNaval Air Station Patuxent River,Maryland, with Class 20 and graduated at the top of the class. He was then assigned to Electronics Test, working withradar, and in 1960 he became the Navy'sMcDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIprogram manager. The following year he became a flight instructor and safety engineering officer atNaval Air Station OceanainVirginia Beach, Virginia, and completed Aviation Safety School at theUniversity of Southern California. Lovell was not selected byNASAas one of theMercury Sevenastronauts due to a temporarily highbilirubincount. He was accepted in September 1962 as one of thesecond group of astronautsneeded for theGeminiandApolloprograms. Prior to Apollo, Lovell flew in space on two Gemini missions,Gemini 7(with Borman) in 1965 andGemini 12in 1966. He was the first person to fly into space four times. One of24 people to have flown to the Moon, Lovell was the first to fly to it twice. He is a recipient of theCongressional Space Medal of Honorand thePresidential Medal of Freedom. He co-authored the 1994 bookLost Moon, on which the 1995 filmApollo 13was based. Lovell was featured in acameo appearancein the film. Early life James Arthur Lovell Jr. was born inCleveland, Ohio, on March 25, 1928, the only child of James Lovell Sr., aToronto, Ontario, Canada-born coal furnace salesman who died in a car accident in 1933and Blanche née Masek, who was ofCzechdescent.For the first two years after the death of his father, Lovell and his mother lived with a relative inTerre Haute, Indiana. They then relocated toMilwaukee, Wisconsin, where he went toJuneau High School.He was a member of theBoy Scoutsduring his childhood and eventually achievedEagle Scout, the organization's highest rank.He became interested in rocketry and built flying models as a teenager. After graduating from high school, Lovell attended theUniversity of WisconsininMadisonfor two years, where he studied engineering under theUnited States Navy's\\\"Flying Midshipman\\\" programfrom 1946 to 1948.He would later credit the program for his ability to attend college, citing that he didn't otherwise have the money to attend.At Wisconsin, he playedcollege footballand pledged to theAlpha Phi Omegafraternity.He supplemented his meager Navy stipend by working at a local restaurant washing dishes and busing tables, and caring for the university'slab ratsandmiceon weekends. While Lovell was attending pre-flight training in the summer of 1948, the Navy was beginning to make cutbacks in the program, and cadets were under a great deal of pressure to transfer out. There were concerns that some or most of the students who graduated asnaval aviatorswould not have pilot billets to fill. To avoid this prospect, Lovell decided to apply to theUnited States Naval AcademyinAnnapolis, Maryland.He secured a nomination from his localU.S. Representative,John C. Brophy, and entered Annapolis in July 1948. During his first year, Lovell wrote a treatise on theliquid-propellant rocketengine. He graduated in the spring of 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as anensignin the Navy.On June 6, he married Marilyn Lillie Gerlach in a ceremony atSt. Anne's Churchin Annapolis. The two had begun dating while they were in high school.As a college student, Gerlach had transferred fromWisconsin State Teachers CollegetoGeorge Washington Universityin Washington, D.C., so she could be near him while he was at Annapolis.They had four children: Barbara, James, Susan, and Jeffrey. Navy career Lovell was one of 50 members of his graduating class of 783 initially selected for naval aviation training.He went to flight training atNaval Air Station Pensacolafrom October 1952 to February 1954. He was designated a naval aviator on February 1, 1954, upon completion of pilot training, and was assigned toVC-3atMoffett Fieldnear San Francisco, California. From 1954 to 1956 he flewMcDonnell F2H Bansheenight fighters. This included a Western Pacific deployment aboard the aircraft carrierUSSShangri-La. Lovell eventually completed 107 carrier deck landings. Upon his return to shore duty, he was reassigned to provide pilot transition training for theNorth American FJ-4 Fury,McDonnell F3H DemonandVought F8U Crusader. In January 1958, Lovell entered a six-monthtest pilottraining course at what was then the Naval Air Test Center (now theUnited States Naval Test Pilot School) atNaval Air Station Patuxent River,Maryland, with Class 20,which also included futureastronautsWally SchirraandPete Conrad,who gave Lovell the nickname \\\"Shaky\\\".Lovell graduated at the top of the class.Usually the top graduate was assigned to flight test on graduation, but the head of electronics test had complained about never getting the top graduate, so Lovell was assigned to electronics test, where he worked withradarsets. Later that year, Lovell, Conrad, and Schirra were among 110 military test pilots selected as potential astronaut candidates forProject Mercury. Schirra went on to become one of theMercury Seven, but Lovell was not selected because of a temporarily highbilirubincount.In 1960, electronics test was merged with armaments test to become weapons test, and Lovell became theMcDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIprogram manager.During this time future astronautJohn Youngserved under him. In 1961 Lovell received orders forVF-101 \\\"Detachment Alpha\\\"atNaval Air Station OceanainVirginia Beach, Virginia, as a flight instructor and safety engineering officer,and he completed Aviation Safety School at theUniversity of Southern California. NASA career Astronaut selection In 1962,NASAbegan recruiting its second group of astronauts, intended to fly during theGeminiandApolloprograms. This time the process was a public one. Lovell found out about the selection from an advertisement that had been placed inAviation Week & Space Technology, and decided to apply a second time.A three-person selection panel consisting of Mercury Seven astronautsAlan ShepardandDeke Slayton, and NASA test pilotWarren J. North, reduced the candidates to 32 finalists,who were sent toBrooks Air Force BaseinSan Antoniofor medical examinations. The tests there were much the same as those employed to select the Mercury Seven,but this time Lovell passed.The remaining 27 then went toEllington Air Force Basenear Houston, where they were individually interviewed by the selection panel. On September 14, Slayton informed Lovell that he had been accepted.To avoid tipping off the media, all checked into theRice Hotelin Houston under the name of Max Peck, its general manager.On September 17, the media crowded into the 1800-seat Cullen Auditorium at theUniversity of Houstonfor the official announcement, but it was a low-key event compared to the unveiling of the Mercury Seven three years before.The group became known as the \\\"Next Nine\\\" or the \\\"New Nine\\\".The new astronauts moved to the Houston area in October 1962.Conrad and Lovell built houses inTimber Cove, south of theManned Spacecraft Center(MSC).Developers in Timber Cove offered astronauts mortgages with small down payments and low interest rates.The MSC complex was not yet complete, so NASA temporarily leased office space in Houston. The task of supervising the Next Nine's training fell to Mercury Seven astronautGus Grissom.Initially, each of the astronauts was given four months of classroom instruction on subjects such asspacecraft propulsion,orbital mechanics,astronomy,computing, andspace medicine. Classes were for six hours a day, two days a week, and all sixteen astronauts had to attend. There was also familiarization with the Gemini spacecraft,Titan IIandAtlasboosters, and theAgena target vehicle.Jungle survival training was conducted at theUnited States Air Force(USAF) Tropic Survival School atAlbrook Air Force Stationin thePanama Canal Zone, desert survival training atStead Air Force BaseinNevada, and water survival training on theDilbert Dunkerat the USN school at the Naval Air Station Pensacola and onGalveston Bay.Following the precedent set by the Mercury Seven, each of the Next Nine was assigned a special area in which to develop expertise that could be shared with the others, and to provide astronaut input to designers and engineers.Lovell became responsible for recovery systems. Gemini program Gemini 7 Lovell was selected as backup pilot forGemini 4,which was officially announced on July 29, 1964.It put him in position for his first space flight three missions later, as pilot ofGemini 7with command pilotFrank Borman, under a rotation system devised by Slayton.Borman was a USAF officer, and Lovell had first met him during the evaluation process for astronaut selection.Their selection for the Gemini 7 mission was officially announced on July 1, 1965, along with that ofEdward WhiteandMichael Collinsas their backup crew. Like all Gemini missions, it was part of the preparations for Apollo. The flight's objective was to evaluate the effects on the crew and spacecraft from fourteen days in orbit, this being sufficiently long for any possible Moon mission, and would therefore enable doctors to evaluate the medical aspects of such a flight. Whereas theGemini 6mission preceding it was to demonstrate techniques forspace rendezvous, likewise critical requirement of Apollo. These techniques had been worked out by Dean F. Grimm andBuzz Aldrin, who had written his doctoral thesis on the subject. The Gemini 6 mission, which was commanded by Schirra withTom Staffordas pilot, had a serious setback on October 15, 1965, when the Agena target vehicle that Gemini 6 was supposed to rendezvous with exploded soon after takeoff. Lovell was present at theLaunch Control CenteratCape Kennedywhen this occurred. Officials fromMcDonnell, the manufacturer of the Gemini spacecraft, then raised the possibility of a rendezvous between Gemini 6 and Gemini 7 during the two weeks while Gemini 7 was in orbit.The only change to the latter's flight plan this required was to circularize its orbit to match that intended for the Agena target vehicle. Borman rejected a proposal by Schirra that Lovell and Stafford exchange places, on the grounds that it was hazardous and likely to jeopardize the fourteen-day mission objective through loss of oxygen. In planning the mission, it was decided that both astronauts would sleep at the same time and observe the same work periods, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Experiments were not scheduled, but fitted in when time allowed.Of the twenty experiments, eight were medical, aimed at gathering data about the effects of long-duration space flight. Of the rest, four were tests of spacecraft systems, five involved radiometry or navigation, and three involved photography and observation,To save space, theG5C space suitwas designed that incorporated a soft hood instead of a helmet and zippers instead of a neck ring. It weighed a third less than the standard Gemini space suit and could be stowed more easily. Gemini 7 lifted off on December 4, 1965, and reached its intended 300-kilometer (160 nmi) near-circular orbit. Lovell was taller than Borman and had more difficulty donning and removing his space suit. Initially one astronaut had to be suited, but this made him uncomfortably warm, and eventually mission control relented and allowed both to leave their space suits off.Gemini 6, now called Gemini 6A, attempted to launch on December 12; the engines ignited, but shut down less than two seconds later due to an electrical problem and a fuel cap accidentally having been left in place.After repairs, Gemini 6A successfully lifted off on December 15, and rendezvoused with Gemini 7 on Gemini 6A's fourth orbit. The two spacecraft then flew in tandem for three orbits, the distance between them varying between 0.30 and 90 meters (1 and 300 ft). Gemini 6A returned to Earth on December 16. In the final two days of the mission, Lovell had time to read part ofDrums Along the MohawkbyWalter D. Edmonds. As in earlier long-duration flights, malfunctions accumulated as the flight wore on. Two of the thrusters stopped working. After the flight, this was traced to the fact that they had an old type of laminate in the thrust chamber instead of the new type that had been developed to solve this problem. This proved to be only an annoyance, but there was more concern over a loss of power in thefuel cells. By day thirteen, a warning light was illuminated continuously and it was feared that the cells, which were only giving partial output, might fail completely, and the mission might have to be cut short; tests were carried out inSt. Louisthat demonstrated that the batteries could sustain them for the remainder of the flight. Gemini 7 made a successful return from orbit on December 18.The fourteen-day flight set an endurance record, making 206 orbits. Gemini 12 On January 24, 1966, Lovell was named as the backup command pilot ofGemini 10, with Aldrin as the pilot. On March 21, this was changed as a result of the deaths of theGemini 9prime crew,Elliot SeeandCharles Bassett, inan air crash. The Gemini 9 backup crew of Tom Stafford andGene Cernanbecame the prime crew of Gemini 9A, and Lovell and Aldrin became their backups. This positioned Lovell for his second flight and first command, ofGemini 12. Lovell and Aldrin's selection for this mission was officially announced on June 17, along with that ofGordon Cooperand Gene Cernan as their backups. The goals of Gemini 12, the final Gemini mission, were ill-defined at first. \\\"Essentially Gemini 12 didn't have a mission\\\", Lovell later recalled. \\\"It was, I guess, by default... supposed to wind up the Gemini program and catch all those items that were not caught on previous flights.\\\"By July, its mission had become to masterextravehicular activity(EVA), something that had proven problematic on earlier Gemini missions, as they had been more strenuous than expected and performing simple tasks had been more complicated. A series of innovations had been developed in response to the problems that had been encountered. It had been found that moving in space was similar to being underwater, and Aldrin made use of this new training technique. A waist restraint was provided on the space suit, and the Gemini spacecraft and the Agena target vehicle had additional handrails, handholds, and rings for tethering the waist restraint. Procedures were modified to minimize fatigue. Gemini 12 lifted off on November 11, and quickly achieved orbit. Its first task was to rendezvous with its Agena target vehicle. This was complicated when the rendezvous radar set failed. Instead, Aldrin, who had written his PhD on the rendezvous, used asextantto measure the angle between the spacecraft and the Agena, and then calculated the required actions using the onboard computer. Lovell then flew the spacecraft accordingly. Rendezvous was achieved, and Gemini successfullydockedwith the Agena, achieving the fifth space rendezvous and fourth space docking with an Agena target vehicle. Lovell then successfully undocked and docked again. Aldrin performed three EVAs. The first was a standup EVA on November 12, in which the spacecraft door was opened and he stood up, but did not leave the spacecraft. The standup EVA mimicked some of the actions he would do during his free-flight EVA, so he could compare the effort expended between the two. It set an EVA record of two hours and twenty minutes. The next day Aldrin performed his free-flight EVA. He climbed across the newly installed hand-holds to the Agena and installed the cable needed for the gravity-gradient stabilization experiment. He performed several tasks, including installing electrical connectors and testing tools that would be needed for Apollo. The EVA concluded after two hours and six minutes.Before returning to the spacecraft, Aldrin cleaned the pilot's window with a cloth, and Lovell jokingly asked him if he could change the oil too.A third, 55-minute standup EVA was conducted on November 14, during which Aldrin took photographs, conducted experiments, and discarded some unneeded items. Gemini 12 returned to Earth on November 15, after 59 orbits. During re-entry a pouch containing books and small pieces of equipment broke free and landed in Lovell's lap. He did not want to grab it, as he feared he might pull on theD-ringthat activated the ejector seat. It did not move any further, and the landing went well. The spacecraft landed just 5.5 kilometers (3.0 nmi) from the recovery ship, the aircraft carrierUSSWasp. Twelve experiments had been carried out.This mission proved that people could work effectively outside the spacecraft, which was required for the Apollo missions with the goal of getting man on the Moon by the end of the decade. Apollo program Apollo 1 On January 27, 1967, Grissom, White andRoger Chaffeewere killed in theApollo 1fire. At the time, Lovell was in Washington, D.C., where, along with fellow astronautsNeil Armstrong,Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper andRichard Gordon, he had attended the signing of theOuter Space Treatyand the reception afterwards in theGreen Roomof theWhite Househosted by PresidentLyndon Johnson. Four days later, Lovell flew toWest Point, New York, with Borman in a NASAT-38for the funeral service for White at theOld Cadet Chapel. After the service, White was laid to rest in theWest Point Cemetery; Lovell served as a pallbearer along with Armstrong, Borman, Conrad, Stafford and Aldrin. TheApollo command modulewas redesigned after the fire, and afterwards it underwent a series of qualification tests.In April 1968, Lovell, along with fellow astronautsStuart RoosaandCharles Duke, spent 48 hours in command module CM-007A, bobbing in theGulf of Mexicoto test the seaworthiness of the Apollo spacecraft.The NASA research vesselMVRetrieverstood by with technicians and divers,while the astronauts assessed how quickly the spacecraft's flotation devices could right it from the \\\"stable II\\\" (upside down) position. The urine collection hose was used to vacuum up water that entered the cabin.Although this did not seem to bother Lovell, Duke regarded it as his worst experience as an astronaut, and Roosa became quiteseasick.The NASARoundupnewspaper wrote the event up under the headline, \\\"Yo, Ho, Ho and a Bottle of Marezine\\\", referencing the brand name ofa motion sickness drug. Apollo 8 Lovell was originally chosen as command module pilot (CMP) on the backup crew for Apollo 9 along with Armstrong as commander (CDR) and Aldrin aslunar modulepilot (LMP). Apollo 9 was planned as a high-apogeeEarth orbital test of the Lunar Module (LM). Lovell later replaced Michael Collins as CMP on the Apollo 9 prime crew in July 1968 when Collins needed to have surgery for abone spuron his spine. This reunited Lovell with his Gemini 7 commander Frank Borman, along with LMPWilliam Anders. Aldrin became Lovell's backup CMP, andFred Haisejoined Armstrong's crew as LMP. Construction delays of the first crewed LM prevented it from being ready in time to fly on Apollo 8, planned as alow Earth orbittest. It was decided to swap the Apollo 8 and Apollo 9 prime and backup crews in the flight schedule so that the crew trained for the low-orbit test could fly it asApollo 9, when the LM would be ready. A lunar orbital flight, nowApollo 8, replaced the original Apollo 9 medium Earth orbit test mission.The crew was informed of this decision on August 10, 1968, and the training schedule was adjusted accordingly. Starting in September, the crew spent ten hours a day in the simulator rehearsing the mission. Apollo 8 was launched on December 21, 1968, and Borman, Lovell and Anders became the first crew to ride theSaturn Vrocket, as well as the first to travel to theMoon.Their Apollo craft entered lunar orbit on December 24 (Christmas Eve) and reduced speed to go into a 11-by-312-kilometer (5.9 by 168.5 nmi) orbit. The engine was then fired again to enter a 112-kilometer (60 nmi) circular orbit around the Moon. On Christmas Eve, the crew broadcast black-and-white television pictures of the lunar surface back to Earth. Lovell took his turn with Borman and Anders in reading a passage from the Biblical creation story in theBook of Genesis.They made a total of ten orbits of the Moon in 20 hours and ten minutes,and began their return to Earth on December 25 (Christmas Day) with a rocket burn made on the Moon's far side, out of radio contact with Earth. When contact was re-established, Lovell broadcast, \\\"Please be informed, there is aSanta Claus.\\\" As CMP, Lovell served as the navigator, using the spacecraft's built-in sextant to determine its position by measuring star positions. This information was then used to calculate required mid-course corrections. Lovell used some otherwise idle time to do navigational sightings, maneuvering the module to view stars by using theApollo guidance computerkeyboard. Lovell accidentally erased some of the computer's memory by entering the wrong codes, which caused theinertial measurement unit(IMU) to contain data indicating that the module was in the same relative orientation it had been in before lift-off; the IMU then fired the thrusters to \\\"correct\\\" the module's attitude. Once the crew realized why the computer had changed the module's attitude, they knew that they would have to reenter the correct data to tell the computer the module's actual orientation. It took Lovell ten minutes to figure out the correct values, using the thrusters to get the starsRigelandSiriusaligned,and another 15 minutes to enter the corrected data into the computer.Sixteen months later, during theApollo 13mission, Lovell would have to perform a similar manual realignment under even more critical conditions after the module's IMU had been turned off to conserve energy. A feature on the Moon's surface (Mount Marilyn) was named by Lovell in honor of his wife. The spacecraftsplashed downsafely before dawn on December 27 after 147 hours of flight, 4.8 kilometers (2.6 nmi) from the recovery ship, the aircraft carrierUSSYorktown. It was estimated that the crew had traveled 933,419 kilometers (504,006 nmi). Apollo 13 Lovell was backup CDR ofApollo 11, with Anders as CMP, and Haise as LMP.In early 1969, Anders accepted a job with theNational Aeronautics and Space Councileffective August 1969, and announced he would retire as an astronaut at that time.Ken Mattinglywas moved from the support crew into parallel training with Anders as backup CMP in case Apollo 11 was delayed past its intended July launch date, at which point Anders would be unavailable. Under the normal crew rotation in place during Apollo, Lovell, Mattingly, and Haise were scheduled to fly as the prime crew ofApollo 14, butGeorge Mueller, the director of NASA's Office of Manned Space Flight, rejected Slayton's choice of fellow Mercury Seven astronaut Alan Shepard to command Apollo 13. Shepard had only recently returned to flight status after being grounded for several years, and Mueller thought that he needed more training time to prepare for a mission to the Moon. Slayton then asked Lovell if he was willing to switch places with Shepard's crew to give them more training time.\\\"Sure, why not?\\\" Lovell replied, \\\"What could possibly be the difference between Apollo 13 and Apollo 14?\\\" There was one more change. Seven days before launch, a member of the Apollo 13 backup crew, Duke, contractedrubellafrom a friend of his son.This exposed both the prime and backup crews, who trained together. Of the five, only Mattingly was not immune through prior exposure. Normally, if any member of the prime crew had to be grounded, the remaining crew would be replaced as well, and the backup crew substituted, but Duke's illness ruled this out,so two days before launch, Mattingly was replaced byJack Swigertfrom the backup crew.Mattingly never developed rubella and later flew to the Moon onApollo 16. Lovell lifted off aboard Apollo 13 on April 11, 1970.He and Haise were to land near theFra Mauro crater. TheFra Mauro formationwas believed to contain much material spattered by the impact that had filled theImbrium basinearly in the Moon's history, and dating it would provide information about the early history of the Earth and the Moon. \\\"We have a problem here\\\", Swigert informed mission control.\\\"This is Houston, say again please,\\\" thecapsule communicator,Jack Lousma, responded.\\\"Houston, we've had a problem,\\\" Lovell replied. Lovell & Kluger 1995, p. 95 During a routineliquid oxygentank stir in transit to the Moon, a fire started inside an oxygen tank. The most probable cause determined by NASA was damaged electrical insulation on wiring that created a spark that started the fire.A problem with draining the tank had been reported before the mission, and Lovell had approved the action taken to turn on the heaters to purge the oxygen rather than to replace the faulty tank, which would have delayed the mission by a month. Neither he nor the launch pad crew were aware that the tank contained the wrong thermostat switch. The heaters were left on for eight hours, and while this successfully purged the oxygen, it also removedtefloninsulation from the copper electrical wiring.Liquid oxygen rapidly turned into a high-pressure gas, which burst the tank and caused the leak of a second oxygen tank. In just over two hours, all onboard oxygen was lost, disabling the hydrogen fuel cells that provided electrical power to the Command/Service ModuleOdyssey. Apollo 13 was the second mission not to use afree-return trajectory, so that they could explore the western lunar regions.Using theApollo Lunar Moduleas a \\\"life boat\\\" providing battery power, oxygen, and propulsion, Lovell and his crew re-established the free return trajectory that they had left, and swung around the Moon to return home.Based on the flight controllers' calculations made on Earth, Lovell had to adjust the course twice by manually controlling the Lunar Module's thrusters and engine. Apollo 13 returned safely to Earth on April 17.\\\"I'm afraid\\\", Lovell said, \\\"this is going to be the last lunar mission for a long time.\\\"His comment was rebutted byNASA AdministratorThomas O. Paine, who hastened to reassure the public that NASA would be mounting more missions to the Moon.Nine months later, Apollo 14 would make the voyage to Fra Mauro, with modified oxygen tanks and an extra battery for emergencies. Apollo 13's flight trajectory gave Lovell, Haise, and Swigert the record for the farthest distance that humans have ever traveled from Earth.Lovell is one of only three men to travel to the Moon twice, but unlike the other two, John Young and Gene Cernan, he never walked on it.He accrued 715 hours and 5 minutes in space flights on his Gemini and Apollo flights, a personal record that stood until theSkylab 3mission in 1973. Later life Lovell retired from the Navy and the space program on March 1, 1973, and went to work at the Bay-Houston Towing Company inHouston, Texas,taking on the role of CEO in 1975. He became president of Fisk Telephone Systems in 1977,and later worked forCentel Corporationin Chicago, retiring as an executive vice president on January 1, 1991.Lovell was a recipient of theDistinguished Eagle Scout Award.He was also recognized by the Boy Scouts of America with theirSilver Buffalo Award. Lovell served on the board of directors for several organizations, includingFederal Signal Corporationin Chicago from 1984 to 2003, theAstronautics Corporation of Americain his hometown of Milwaukee from 1990 to 1999, and Centel from 1987 to 1991. In 1999, the Lovell family opened a restaurant inLake Forest, Illinois, \\\"Lovell's of Lake Forest\\\". The restaurant displayed memorabilia from Lovell's time with NASA and the filming ofApollo 13. The restaurant was sold to son and executive chef James (\\\"Jay\\\") in 2006.The restaurant was put on the market for sale in February 2014,and it closed in April 2015, the property being auctioned the same month. Marilyn Lovell (born on July 11, 1930) died of natural causes at the age of 93, at her home in the Lake Forest Place retirement community in Lake Forest, Illinois on August 27, 2023. Upon the death ofFrank Bormanon November 7, 2023, Lovell became the oldest living former astronaut. Awards and decorations Lovell's awards and decorations include: Military, federal service, and foreign awards Other awards and accomplishments The Gemini 6 and 7 crews were awarded theHarmon International Trophyfor 1966 in a ceremony at the White House.Lovell received a second Harmon International Trophy in 1967 when he and Aldrin were selected for their Gemini 12 flight.The Apollo 8 crew won theRobert J. Collier Trophyfor 1968,and PresidentRichard Nixonawarded them theDr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophyin 1969, which Lovell accepted on behalf of the crew.The General Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy is normally awarded to Air Force personnel, but an exception was made to include Lovell, and the Apollo 8 crew were awarded the 1968 trophy.Lovell was awarded a third Harmon International Trophy in 1969 for his role in the Apollo 8 mission.The Apollo 8 crew was also awarded theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA) Haley Astronautics Award for 1970,and were namedTimeMagazine Men of the Yearin 1968.The Apollo 7, 8, 9, and 10 crews were awarded the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Special Trustees Award for 1969.Lovell was one of ten Gemini astronauts inducted into theInternational Space Hall of Famein 1982,and, along with the other 12 Gemini astronauts, Lovell was inducted into the secondU.S. Astronaut Hall of Fameclass in 1993.At a parade attended by 500,000 people, Lovell was conferred Chicago's medal of merit.The Apollo 13 crew was awarded the City of New York Gold Medal, but Lovell had already received it for the Apollo 8 mission. In lieu of a second medal, the mayor gifted him a crystal paperweight that he \\\"invented for the occasion\\\".He was also awarded the 1970 City ofHoustonMedal for Valor for the mission.He was awarded his second Haley Astronautics Award for his role on Apollo 13. Lovell was featured on the cover ofTimemagazine on January 3, 1969, and April 27, 1970,and on the cover ofLifemagazine on April 24, 1970. Lovell was a recipient of the University of Wisconsin's Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 1970. In his acceptance speech he emphasized the use of words over \\\"rock throwing\\\" to help attain political goals.He was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree atWestern Michigan University's summer commencement exercises in 1970.He was also awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree atWilliam Paterson College's commencement exercises in 1974.Lovell was also granted an honorarydoctor of sciencedegree from University of Wisconsin–Madison, his original alma mater, speaking at the December 2016 commencement. Tributes A small crater on thefar side of the Moonwas namedLovellin his honor in 1970.Discovery Worldin Milwaukee was renamed The James Lovell Museum of Science, Economics and Technology. It was at the time located on James Lovell St., also named for Lovell.TheCaptain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Centerwas completed in October 2010, merging theNaval Health Clinic Great Lakesand the North Chicago Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Organizations In popular culture About a month after the return to Earth of Apollo 13, Lovell and his crewmates, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert, appeared onThe Tonight Showwith hostJohnny Carson.In 1976, Lovell made a cameo appearance in the Nicolas Roeg movieThe Man Who Fell to Earth. Lovell andJeffrey Klugerwrote a 1994 book about the Apollo 13 mission,Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13,on which the 1995Ron HowardfilmApollo 13was based. Lovell's first impression on being approached about the film was thatKevin Costnerwould be a good choice to portray him, given the physical resemblance,butTom Hankswas cast in the role.To prepare, Hanks visited James and Marilyn Lovell at their home in Texas and flew with Lovell in his private airplane.Kathleen Quinlanwas nominated for asupporting actress Oscarfor her performance as Marilyn. In the film, Lovell has a cameo as the captain of theUSSIwo Jima. He can be seen as the naval officer shaking Hanks' hand, as Hanks speaks invoice-over, in the scene where the astronauts come aboard theIwo Jima. The filmmakers offered to make Lovell's character an admiral aboard the ship, but Lovell said: \\\"I retired as a captain and a captain I will be.\\\" He was cast as the ship's skipper, CaptainLeland Kirkemo. Along with his wife Marilyn, who also has a cameo in the film, Lovell provided a commentary track on both the single disc and the two-disc special edition DVD. Tim Dalyportrayed Lovell in the 1998HBOminiseriesFrom the Earth to the Moon,andPablo Schreiberin the 2018 film about Armstrong,First Man. Notes References External links\",\n \"Jack Swigert John Leonard Swigert Jr.(August 30, 1931 – December 27, 1982) was an AmericanNASAastronaut,test pilot,mechanical engineer,aerospace engineer,United States Air Forcepilot, andpolitician. In April 1970, as command module pilot ofApollo 13, he became one of24 astronauts who flew to the Moon.Ironically, due to the \\\"slingshot\\\" route around the Moon they chose to safely return to Earth, the Apollo 13 astronauts flew farther away from Earth than any other astronauts before or since, though they had to abort the Moon landing. Before joining NASA in 1966, Swigert was a civiliantest pilotandfighter pilotin theAir National Guard. After leaving NASA, he ran forSenatebut lost in a primary election againstBill Armstrong. Later he ran forCongress, but while running was diagnosed with cancer. He won the election for Colorado's new6th districtin 1982, but died before being sworn in. Early life John Leonard Swigert Jr. was born on August 30, 1931, inDenver,Colorado, to parents John Leonard Swigert Sr. (1903–1973) and Virginia Swigert (1906–1993). Swigert's father was anophthalmologist.At the age of 14, he became fascinated by aviation. While he would have been content just watching planes take off from nearby Combs Field, young Jack became determined to do more than be a spectator. He took on a newspaper route to earn money for flying lessons, and by age 16 he was alicensed private pilot.He was a member of theBoy Scouts of Americaand attained the rank ofSecond Class Scout.He attendedBlessed Sacrament School,Regis Jesuit High School, andEast High School, from which he graduated in 1949. Swigert received aBachelor of Sciencedegree inmechanical engineeringfromUniversity of Coloradoin 1953, where he also playedfootballfor theBuffaloes.He later earned aMaster of Sciencedegree inaerospace engineeringfromRensselaer Polytechnic Institute(Hartford campus) in 1965,and aMaster of Business Administrationdegree fromUniversity of Hartfordin 1967. His recreational interests includedgolf,handball,bowling,skiing,swimming, andbasketball. His hobbies includedphotography. Flight experience Following his graduation from Colorado in 1953, Swigert joined theUnited States Air Force(USAF). Upon graduation from the Pilot Training Program andGunnery SchoolatNellis Air Force Base,Nevada, he was assigned as afighter pilotinJapanandSouth Korea. In 1953, he survived his plane crashing into a radar unit on a Korean airstrip. After completing his tour of active duty in the USAF, he served as a jet fighter pilot with theMassachusetts(1957–1960) andConnecticut Air National Guard(1960–1965).Swigert held a position as engineering test pilot forNorth American Aviationbefore joining NASA. He was previously an engineering test pilot forPratt & Whitney, from February 1957 to June 1964. He logged over 7,200 hours in flight, including more than 5,725 hours injet aircraft. NASA career After unsuccessfully applying for NASA'ssecondandthirdastronaut selections,Swigert was accepted into theNASA Astronaut Corpsas part ofNASA Astronaut Group 5in April 1966.Swigert became a specialist on theApollo command module: he was one of the few astronauts who requested to be command module pilots. Swigert was a member ofApollo 7's astronaut support crew, the first support crew for an Apollo mission; he served asCapsule communicator(CAPCOM) during the ascent phase of the flight. Apollo 13 Swigert was one of three astronauts aboard theApollo 13Moon mission launched April 11, 1970. Originally part of the backup crew for the mission, he was assigned to the mission three days before launch, replacing astronautKen Mattingly. The prime crew had been exposed toGerman Measles(the rubella virus) fromCharles Dukeand, because Mattingly had no immunity to the disease, NASA did not want to risk him falling ill during critical phases of the flight. Apollo 13 was the third crewed lunar-landing attempt, but was aborted after the rupture of an oxygen tank in the spacecraft'sservice module. Swigert was the astronaut who first announced, \\\"Houston, we've had a problem here\\\".The statement was then repeated by commander of the flightJim Lovell. Swigert, along with fellow astronauts Lovell andFred Haise, traveled around the Moon and returned safely to Earth on April 17 after about 5 days and 23 hours, and received thePresidential Medal of Freedomthe next day. Apollo–Soyuz Test Project NASA Director of Flight Crew OperationsDeke Slayton, who selected the astronauts, recommended Swigert ascommand module pilotfor theApollo–Soyuz Test Project, the first joint mission with theSoviet Union. Slayton felt Swigert deserved another chance to fly after having been selected for Apollo 13 two days before launch, and performing well. During 1972, theApollo 15 postal covers incidentcaused NASA investigators to inquire into other astronauts.A number of Apollo astronauts, including Swigert, had made agreements with West German stamp dealer Hermann Sieger, who originated the idea for theApollo 15covers, to autograph philatelic items in exchange for a payment of about $2,500. Swigert originally denied involvement when interviewed by NASA investigators.According toChristopher C. Kraft, the investigators subpoenaed his bank records, finding more funds than expected, and records of a predated charitable donation.Swigert's subsequent admission caused NASA Deputy AdministratorGeorge M. Lowto remove him from Apollo–Soyuz. Post-NASA career Aware that his spaceflight career was most likely over,Swigert took a leave of absence from NASA in April 1973 and went toWashington, D.C.to become executive director of theCommittee on Science and Astronautics,U.S. House of Representatives. Swigert eventually left NASA and the committee in August 1977 to enter politics.He ran for theU.S. Senatein 1978, but was soundly defeated in the Republican primary in September byCongressmanBill Armstrong, who was far better known.In 1979, Swigert became vice president of B.D.M. Corporation inGolden.He left in 1981 to join International Gold and Minerals Limited as vice president for financial and corporate affairs. In February 1982, Swigert left International Gold and Minerals Limited to run forU.S. Congressin the newly created6th districtas a Republican. When amalignant tumorin his right nasal passage was found, theastronaut-politiciandisclosed this to the voters. Doctors told him he would finish radiation treatments on June 15 and make a complete recovery.However, in August, Swigert developed back pain and was diagnosed withbone marrow cancer.On November 2, 1982, he won the seat with 64% of the popular vote. Death On December 19, 1982, seven weeks after his election, he was airlifted from his home inLittletontoGeorgetown University Hospitalin Washington, D.C. He died ofrespiratory failureat itsLombardi Cancer Centeron December 27, seven days before the beginning of his congressional term, aged 51.He was the last member-elect of the House to die before taking office untilLuke Letlow'sdeath fromCOVID-19in December 2020. Fifteen astronauts, including fellow Apollo 13 crewmatesJim LovellandFred Haise, were among the thousand mourners at hisfull military honorsfuneral in Denver, presided over byArchbishopJames Casey, which included amissing man flyoverbyA-7 Corsairsof theColorado Air National Guard.He is buried alongside his parents inMount Olivet CemeteryinWheat Ridge. Awards, honors, and organizations Swigert received theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA)Octave Chanute Awardfor 1966 for his participation in demonstrating theRogallo wingas a feasible land landing system for returning space vehicles and astronauts. President Richard Nixon awarded thePresidential Medal of Freedomto the Apollo 13 crew shortly after the conclusion of their mission.Following a sparse parade, Swigert received the City of New York Gold Medal on June 3.He received the City ofHoustonMedal for Valor, 1970.Swigert received theAmerican Astronautical SocietyFlight Achievement Award for 1970.He was given University of Colorado-Boulder's Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award in 1970.Vice President Spiro Agnew presented the crews of Apollo 11, 12, and 13 with theNASA Distinguished Service Medalin 1970.The Apollo 13 crew also received the AIAA Haley Astronautics Award in 1971, which included a small monetary award and a medal. Swigert was awarded the 1972 Antonian Gold Medal. He was presented anHonorary Doctorate of Sciencedegree fromAmerican International Collegein 1970,anHonorary Doctorate of Lawsdegree fromWestern State Universityin 1970,and anHonorary Doctorate of SciencefromWestern Michigan Universityin 1970. In 1983, Swigert was among 14 Apollo astronauts inducted into theInternational Space Hall of Fame. In 1988, Swigert was inducted into theColorado Aviation Hall of Fame. In 1995, Swigert was portrayed byKevin BaconinRon Howard's filmApollo 13. In 1997, Swigert, along with 23 other Apollo astronauts, was posthumously inducted into theU.S. Astronaut Hall of Famewhich is located at the Kennedy Space Center. He was elected in September 2003 to theRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteAlumni Hall of Fame. In 1997, astatue of Swigertmade by George and Mark Lundeen was placed on display in theU.S. Capitol Buildingas one of two statues given by the state of Colorado to theNational Statuary Hall Collection.As of December 2008 the statue is on display in Emancipation Hall in theUnited States Capitol Visitor Center. A duplicate statue is currently on display atDenver International AirportTerminal B, where passengers exit the airport's train system. The Space Foundation was founded in 1983 in part to honor the memory and accomplishments of Swigert.In 2004, the Space Foundation launched theJohn L. \\\"Jack\\\" Swigert Jr. Award for Space Exploration, which is presented annually to an individual, group, or organization that has made a significant contribution to space exploration. On August 18, 2009, theSpace Foundationand Colorado Springs District 11 partnered to open the Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy. Swigert was a member of numerous organizations. He was afellowof theAmerican Astronautical Society; associate fellow of theSociety of Experimental Test Pilotsand theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; and member of theQuiet Birdmen,Phi Gamma Delta,Pi Tau Sigma, andSigma Tau. See also References Works cited External links\",\n \"Fred Haise Fred Wallace Haise Jr.(/heɪz/HAYZ;born November 14, 1933) is an American formerNASAastronaut,engineer,fighter pilotwith theU.S. Marine CorpsandU.S. Air Force, and atest pilot. He is one of24 people to have flown to the Moon, having flown asLunar Modulepilot onApollo 13. He was slated to become the 6th person to walk on the Moon, but the Apollo 13 landing mission was aborted en route. Haise went on to fly fiveSpace ShuttleApproach and Landing Testsin 1977,before retiring from NASA in 1979. Early life Fred Wallace Haise, Jr. was born on November 14, 1933, and raised inBiloxi, Mississippi, to Fred Wallace Haise (1903–1960) and Lucille (néeBlacksher) Haise (1913–2005).: 1He has a younger sister who was born in 1941.: 6After theattack on Pearl Harboron December 7, 1941, his father enlisted in theU.S. Navyat the age of 38, and the Haise family moved toChicago.: 8The family then moved toKey West, Florida, until his father's ship,YMS-84, deployed to theSouth Pacific, when the family moved back to Biloxi.: 9–10He graduated fromBiloxi High Schoolin 1950.: 13He attendedPerkinston Junior Collegewith a scholarship for journalism,: 13and played on the baseball team.: 14He graduated in 1952,and joined the Naval Aviation Cadet Program.: 16He went to ground school atNAS Pensacola,: 16and then moved toNAS Whiting Fieldin 1952.: 18He trained in theSNJandF6F Hellcat, and completed his flight training in 1954.: 22–26He served as aU.S. Marine Corpsfighterpilot, with VMF-533, then VMF-114 on theF2H-4 BansheeandF9F-8 CougaratMCAS Cherry Point,North Carolina, from March 1954 to September 1956. Haise also served as a tactics and all-weatherflight instructorin the U.S. Navy Advanced Training Command atNAS Kingsville,Texas. Haise has accumulated 9,300 hours flying time, including 6,200 hours injets. After his military service, Haise returned to school and graduated with aBachelor of Sciencedegree with honors inaeronautical engineeringfrom theUniversity of Oklahomain 1959, concurrently serving for two years in theOklahoma Air National Guard, as a fighter interceptor pilot with the185th Fighter Interceptor Squadron,flying theF-86D.He then worked for the newly createdNational Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA), first as a research pilot at theLewis Research CenternearCleveland. HisAir National Guardunit was called up during theBerlin Crisis of 1961and he served ten months as a fighter pilot in theUnited States Air Force.He was a tactical fighter pilot and chief of the 164th Standardization-Evaluation Flight of the164th Tactical Fighter SquadronatMansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base,Ohio,flying theF-84F. Haise completed post-graduate courses at theU.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School(Class 64A) atEdwards Air Force Base,Californiain 1964, and attended the six-weekHarvard Business School'sAdvanced Management Programin 1972. NASA career In 1966, Haise was one of 19 astronauts selected forNASA Astronaut Group 5.He had already worked with NASA for several years as a civilian research pilot. He was the first astronaut in his group to be assigned to a mission, serving as backup Lunar Module Pilot for bothApollo 8andApollo 11. Apollo 13 It only seems interesting to the public if it's the first exploration of another planetary body, or if you're having a problem. Fred Haise According to the rotation of crews during Apollo, Haise was originally assigned as Lunar Module Pilot forApollo 14, but his crew was switched to Apollo 13 so thatAlan Shepardcould have more training time. He flew as Lunar Module Pilot on the abortedApollo 13lunar mission in 1970.Due to the distance between the Earth and Moon during the mission, Haise,Jim Lovell, andJack Swigerthold the record for the farthest distance from the Earth ever traveled by human beings.Haise and Jack Swigert were the first people from Group 5 to fly in space. During this flight Haise developed aurinary tract infectionand later kidney infections. These caused him to be in pain for most of the trip. Haise was slated to become the 6th human to walk on the Moon during Apollo 13 behind Lovell, who was to be 5th.Alan ShepardandEdgar Mitchelleventually became the fifth and sixth, respectively, onApollo 14, which completed Apollo 13's mission to theFra Mauro formation. Haise later served as backup commander forApollo 16. Though there was no formal selection, Haise was prospectively slated to commandApollo 19withWilliam R. Pogueas Command Module Pilot andGerald P. Carras Lunar Module Pilot. However, the mission was canceled in 1970 due to budget cuts. Space Shuttle approach and landing tests After completing his backup assignment on Apollo 16, Haise moved to theSpace Shuttle program. In 1977, he participated in the program'sApproach and Landing Tests(ALT) atEdwards Air Force Base.Along withC. Gordon Fullertonas pilot, Haise as commander piloted theSpace ShuttleEnterprisein free flight to three landings after being released from theShuttle Carrier Aircraft.The tests verified the shuttle's flight characteristics, an important step toward the success of the program. Haise was assigned to commandSTS-2A, withJack R. Lousmaas pilot, the second Space Shuttle mission, which would have delivered theTeleoperator Retrieval Systemthat would have boostedSkylabto a higher orbit, preserving it for future use. Delays in the Shuttle program development as well as an unexpected increase in Skylab's orbital decay led to the mission being canceled. Skylab was destroyed upon entering the Earth's atmosphere in July 1979, while the Space Shuttle did not launch until April 1981. In June 1979, Haise left NASA to become a test pilot andexecutivewithGrumman Aerospace Corporation, where he remained until retiring in 1996.He was the only one of the four astronauts who conducted theEnterpriselanding tests not to fly in space on the Shuttle. Personal life Haise has four children with his first wife Mary Griffin Grant, whom he married on June 4, 1954, and divorced on July 21, 1978.He married Frances Patt Price, on January 9, 1979.On February 7, 2022, Frances died. On August 22, 1973, Haise was piloting aConvair BT-13belonging to theCommemorative Air Forcethat had been converted to look like anAichi D3A\\\"Val\\\" torpedo bomber for the 1970 filmTora! Tora! Tora!. While attempting a landing go around atScholes FieldinGalveston, Texas, an undetermined power plant failure led to a crash landing. Haise sufferedsecond‐degree burnsover 50 percent of his body in the post crash fire. Haise published his autobiography,Never Panic Early, about his life and experiences in the Apollo program in 2022. Organizations Haise is afellowof theAmerican Astronautical Society(AAS) and theSociety of Experimental Test Pilots(SETP); member,Tau Beta Pi,Sigma Gamma Tau, andPhi Theta Kappa; and honorary member, National WWII Glider Pilots Association. Awards and honors Haise's other awards include theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA) Haley Astronautics Award for 1971;theAmerican Astronautical SocietyFlight Achievement Awards for 1970 and 1977; the City ofNew YorkGold Medal in 1970;the City ofHoustonMedal for Valor in 1970;theJeff DavisAward (1970);the Mississippi Distinguished Civilian Service Medal (1970);the American Defense Ribbon;the SETP's Ray E. Tenhoff Award for 1966;the A. B. Honts Trophy as the outstanding graduate of Class 64A from the Aerospace Research Pilot School in 1964;an honorary doctor of science degree fromWestern Michigan University(1970);theJSCSpecial Achievement Award (1978);theSoaring Society of America's Certificate of Achievement Award (1978); the GeneralThomas D. WhiteUSAF Space Trophy for 1977;the SETP'sIven C. Kincheloe Award(1978);and theAir Force Association'sDavid C. SchillingAward (1978). He received thePresidential Medal of Freedom,NASA Distinguished Service Medal,andNASA Exceptional Service Medal. He was inducted into theInternational Space Hall of Famein 1983 and theAerospace Walk of Honorin 1995.He was also one of 24 Apollo astronauts inducted into theU.S. Astronaut Hall of Fameon October 4, 1997. On February 13, 2022, the City of Biloxi unveiled a statue of Haise in the parking lot of the historicBiloxi Lighthouse. Haise was present at the ceremony and had his handprints set in concrete at the statue's base prior to its unveiling. The statue was created by Mississippi artist Mary Ott Tremel Davidson. In September 2023, Haise was inducted into theNational Aviation Hall of Famein Dayton, Ohio. In popular culture In the 1995 motion pictureApollo 13, Haise was played byBill Paxton. See also References Sources External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Stonewall riots TheStonewall riots, also known as theStonewall uprising,Stonewall rebellion,Stonewall revolution,or simplyStonewall, were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against apolice raidthat took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at theStonewall Inn, in theGreenwich Villageneighborhood ofNew York City. Although the demonstrations werenot the first time American homosexuals fought backagainst government-sponsored persecution ofsexual minorities, the Stonewall riots marked a new beginning for thegay rights movementin the United States and around the world. American gays and lesbians in the 1950s and 1960s faced a legal system more anti-homosexual than those of someWarsaw Pactcountries.Earlyhomophilegroups in the U.S. sought to prove that gay people could be assimilated into society, and they favored non-confrontational education for homosexuals and heterosexuals alike. The last years of the 1960s, however, were very contentious, as many social movements were active,","were active, including theAfrican American Civil Rights Movement, theCounterculture of the 1960s, andantiwar demonstrations. These influences, along with the liberal environment of Greenwich Village, served as catalysts for the Stonewall riots. Very few establishments welcomed openly gay people in the 1950s and 1960s. Those that did were often bars, although bar owners and managers were rarely gay. The Stonewall Inn was owned by theMafiaand catered to an assortment of patrons, popular among the poorest and most marginalized people in the gay community:drag queens, representatives of a newly self-awaretransgendercommunity, effeminate young men,hustlers, and homeless youth. Police raids on gay bars were routine in the 1960s, but officers quickly lost control of the situation at the Stonewall Inn and attracted a crowd that was incited toriot. Tensions betweenNew York City policeand gay residents of Greenwich Village erupted into more protests the next evening and again several nights later. Within weeks,","Within weeks, Village residents quickly organized into activist groups to concentrate efforts on establishing places for gays and lesbians to be open about theirsexual orientationwithout fear of being arrested. Following the Stonewall riots, sexual minorities in New York City faced gender, class, and generational obstacles to becoming a cohesive community. In the weeks and months after, they initiated politically active social organizations and launched publications that spoke openly about rights for gay people. The first anniversary of the riots was marked by peaceful demonstrations in several American cities that have since grown to becomepride parades. TheStonewall National Monumentwas established at the site in 2016. Today, pride events are held annually throughout the world toward the end of June to mark the Stonewall riots. Background Homosexuality in 20th-century United States Following the social upheaval ofWorld War II, many people in the United States felt a fervent desire to \"restore the prewar","\"restore the prewar social order and hold off the forces of change\", according to historianBarry Adam.Spurred by the national emphasis onanti-communism, SenatorJoseph McCarthyconducted hearings searching for communists in the U.S. government, theU.S. Army, and other government-funded agencies and institutions, leading to a national paranoia.Anarchists,communists, and other people deemed un-American and subversive were considered security risks. Gay men and lesbians wereincludedin this list by theU.S. State Departmenton the theory that they were susceptible toblackmail. In 1950, a Senate investigation chaired byClyde R. Hoeynoted in a report, \"It is generally believed that those who engage in overt acts of perversion lack the emotional stability of normal persons\",and said all of the government's intelligence agencies \"are in complete agreement that sex perverts in Government constitute security risks\".Between 1947 and 1950, 1,700 federal job applications were denied, 4,380 people were discharged from the","discharged from the military, and 420 were fired from their government jobs for being suspected homosexuals. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, theFederal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) and police departments kept lists of known homosexuals and their favored establishments and friends; theU.S. Post Officekept track of addresses where material pertaining tohomosexualitywas mailed.State and local governments followed suit: bars catering to gay men and lesbians were shut down and their customers were arrested and exposed in newspapers. Cities performed \"sweeps\" to rid neighborhoods, parks, bars, and beaches of gay people. They outlawed the wearing of opposite-gender clothes and universities expelled instructors suspected of being homosexual. In 1952, theAmerican Psychiatric Associationlisted homosexuality in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual(DSM) as a mental disorder. A large-scale study of homosexuality in 1962 was used to justify the inclusion of the \"disorder\" as a supposed pathological hidden fear of the","hidden fear of the opposite sex caused by traumatic parent–child relationships. This view was widely influential in the medical profession.In 1956, the psychologistEvelyn Hookerperformed a study that compared the happiness and well-adjusted nature of self-identified homosexual men with heterosexual men and found no difference.Her study stunned the medical community and made her a hero to many gay men and lesbians,but homosexuality remained in theDSMuntil 1974. Homophile activism In response to this trend, two organizations formed independently of each other to advance the cause of gay men and lesbians and provide opportunities where they could socialize without fear of being arrested.Los Angelesarea homosexuals created theMattachine Societyin 1950, in the home of communist activistHarry Hay.Their objectives were to unify homosexuals, educate them, provide leadership, and assist \"sexual deviants\" with legal troubles.Facing enormous opposition to their radical approach, in 1953 the Mattachine shifted their","shifted their focus to assimilation and respectability. They reasoned that they would change more minds about homosexuality by proving that gay men and lesbians were normal people, no different from heterosexuals.Soon after, several women inSan Franciscomet in their living rooms to form theDaughters of Bilitis(DOB) for lesbians.Although the eight women who created the DOB initially came together to be able to have a safe place to dance, as the DOB grew they developed similar goals to the Mattachine and urged their members to assimilate into general society. One of the first challenges togovernment repressioncame in 1953. An organization namedONE, Inc.published a magazine calledONE. The U.S. Postal Service refused to mail its August issue, which concerned homosexual people in heterosexual marriages, on the grounds that the material was obscene despite it being covered in brown paper wrapping. The case eventuallywent to the Supreme Court, which in 1958 ruled that ONE, Inc. could mail its materials through the","through the Postal Service. Homophileorganizations—as homosexual groups self-identified in this era—grew in number and spread to the East Coast. Gradually, members of these organizations grew bolder.Frank Kamenyfounded the Mattachine ofWashington, D.C.He had been fired from the U.S. Army Map Service for being a homosexual and sued unsuccessfully to be reinstated. Kameny wrote that homosexuals were no different from heterosexuals, often aiming his efforts atmental health professionals, some of whom attended Mattachine and DOB meetings telling members they were abnormal. In 1965, news onCubanprison work camps for homosexuals inspired Mattachine New York and D.C. to organize protests at theUnited Nationsand theWhite House. Similar demonstrations were then held also at other government buildings. The purpose was to protest the treatment of gay people in Cubaand U.S. employment discrimination. These pickets shocked many gay people and upset some of the leadership of Mattachine and the DOB.At the same time,","the same time, demonstrations in the civil rights movement andopposition to the Vietnam Warall grew in prominence, frequency, and severity throughout the 1960s, as did their confrontations with police forces. Earlier resistance and riots On the outer fringes of the few small gay communities were people who challenged gender expectations. They were effeminate men and masculine women, or people who dressed and lived in contrast to theirsex assigned at birth, either part or full-time. Contemporaneous nomenclature classified them astransvestitesand they were the most visible representatives of sexual minorities. They belied the carefully crafted image portrayed by the Mattachine Society and DOB asserted homosexuals were respectable, normal people.The Mattachine and DOB considered the trials of being arrested for wearing clothing of the opposite gender as a parallel to the struggles of homophile organizations: similar but distinctly separate. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people staged a smallriot at","a smallriot at the Cooper Do-nutscafé in Los Angeles in 1959 in response to police harassment.In a larger 1966 event in San Francisco, drag queens, hustlers, and trans womenwere sitting inCompton's Cafeteriawhen the police arrived to arrest people appearing to be physically male who were presenting as women. A riot ensued, with the cafeteria patrons slinging cups, plates, and saucers and breaking theplexiglasswindows in the front of the restaurant and returning several days later to smash the windows again after they were replaced.ProfessorSusan Strykerclassifies the Compton's Cafeteria riot as an \"act of anti-transgender discrimination, rather than an act of discrimination against sexual orientation\" and connects the uprising to the issues of gender, race, and class that were being downplayed by homophile organizations.It marked the beginning oftransgenderactivism in San Francisco. Greenwich Village TheManhattanneighborhoods of Greenwich Village andHarlemwere home to sizable gay and lesbian populations","lesbian populations afterWorld War I, when people who had served in the military took advantage of the opportunity to settle in larger cities. The enclaves of gay men and lesbians, described by a newspaper story as \"short-haired women and long-haired men\", developed a distinct subculture through the following two decades.Prohibitioninadvertently benefited gay establishments, as drinking alcohol was pushed underground along with other behaviors considered immoral. New York City passed laws against homosexuality in public and private businesses, but because alcohol was in high demand,speakeasiesand impromptu drinking establishments were so numerous and temporary that authorities were unable to police them all.However, police raids continued, resulting in the closure of iconic establishments such asEve's Hangoutin 1926. The social repression of the 1950s resulted in a cultural revolution in Greenwich Village. A cohort of poets, later named theBeatpoets, wrote about the evils of the social organization at the","organization at the time, glorifying anarchy, drugs, and hedonistic pleasures over unquestioning social compliance, consumerism, and closed-mindedness. Of them,Allen GinsbergandWilliam S. Burroughs—both Greenwich Village residents—also wrote bluntly and honestly about homosexuality. Their writings attracted sympathetic liberal-minded people, as well as homosexuals looking for a community. By the early 1960s, a campaign to rid New York City of gay bars was in full effect by order of MayorRobert F. Wagner Jr., who was concerned about the image of the city in preparation for the1964 World's Fair. The city revoked the liquor licenses of the bars and undercover police officers worked to entrap as many homosexual men as possible.Entrapmentusually consisted of an undercover officer who found a man in a bar or public park, engaged him in conversation; if the conversation headed toward the possibility that they might leave together—or the officer bought the man a drink—he was arrested forsolicitation. One story in","One story in theNew York Postdescribed an arrest in a gym locker room, where the officer grabbed his crotch, moaning, and a man who asked him if he was all right was arrested.Few lawyers would defend cases as undesirable as these and some of those lawyers kicked back their fees to the arresting officer. The Mattachine Society succeeded in getting newly elected mayorJohn Lindsayto end the campaign of police entrapment in New York City. They had a more difficult time with theNew York State Liquor Authority(SLA). While no laws prohibited serving homosexuals, courts allowed the SLA discretion in approving and revoking liquor licenses for businesses that might become \"disorderly\".Despite the high population of gay men and lesbians who called Greenwich Village home, very few places existed, other than bars, where they were able to congregate openly without being harassed or arrested. In 1966 the New York Mattachine held a \"sip-in\" at a Greenwich Village bar namedJulius, which was frequented by gay men, to","by gay men, to illustrate the discrimination homosexuals faced. None of the bars frequented by gay men and lesbians were owned by gay people. Almost all of them were owned and controlled byorganized crime, who treated the regulars poorly, watered down the liquor, and overcharged for drinks. However, they also paid off police to prevent frequent raids. Stonewall Inn The Stonewall Inn, located at 51 and 53Christopher Street, along with several other establishments in the city, was owned by theGenovese crime family.In 1966, three members of the Mafia invested $3,500 to turn the Stonewall Inn into a gay bar, after it had been a restaurant and a nightclub for heterosexuals. Once a week a police officer would collect envelopes of cash as a payoff known as agayola, as the Stonewall Inn had noliquor license.It had no running water behind the bar—dirty glasses were run through tubs of water and immediately reused.There were no fire exits, and the toilets overran consistently.Though the bar was not used for","was not used for prostitution, drug sales and other black market activities took place. It was the only bar for gay men in New York City where dancing was allowed;dancing was its main draw since its re-opening as a gay club. Visitors to the Stonewall Inn in 1969 were greeted by abouncerwho inspected them through a peephole in the door. The legal drinking age was 18 and to avoid unwittingly letting in undercover police (who were called \"Lily Law\", \"Alice Blue Gown\", or \"Betty Badge\"), visitors would have to be known by the doorman or 'look gay'. Patrons were required to sign their names in a book to prove that the bar was a private \"bottle club\", but they rarely signed their real names. There were two dance floors in the Stonewall. The interior was painted black, making it very dark inside, with pulsing gel lights orblack lights. If police were spotted, regular white lights were turned on, signaling that everyone should stop dancing or touching.In the rear of the bar was a smaller room frequented by \"queens\";","by \"queens\"; it was one of two bars where effeminate men who wore makeup and teased their hair (though dressed in men's clothing) could go.Only a few people in fulldragwere allowed in by the bouncers. The customers were \"98 percent male\" but a few lesbians sometimes came to the bar. Younger homeless adolescent males, who slept in nearbyChristopher Park, would often try to get in so customers would buy them drinks.The age of the clientele ranged between the upper teens and early thirties and the racial mix was distributed among mainly white, with Black, and Hispanic patrons.Because of its mix of people, its location, and the attraction of dancing, the Stonewall Inn was known by many as \"thegay bar in the city\". Police raids on gay bars were frequent, occurring on average once a month for each bar. Many bars kept extra liquor in a secret panel behind the bar, or in a car down the block, to facilitate resuming business as quickly as possible if alcohol was seized.Bar management usually knew about raids","knew about raids beforehand due to police tip-offs, and raids occurred early enough in the evening that business could commence after the police had finished.During a typical raid, the lights were turned on and customers were lined up and their identification cards checked. Those without identification or dressed in full drag were arrested; others were allowed to leave. Some of the men, including those in drag, used theirdraft cardsas identification. Women were required to wear three pieces of feminine clothing and would be arrested if found not wearing them. Typically, employees and management of the bars were also arrested.The period immediately before June 28, 1969, was marked by frequent raids of local bars—including a raid at the Stonewall Inn on the Tuesday before the riots—and the closing of the Checkerboard, the Tele-Star, and two other clubs in Greenwich Village. Riots Police raid At 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 1969, four plainclothes policemen in dark suits, two patrol officers in uniform,","in uniform, Detective Charles Smythe, and Deputy InspectorSeymour Pinearrived at the Stonewall Inn's double doors and announced \"Police! We're taking the place!\"Two undercover policewomen and two undercover policemen entered the bar early that evening to gather visual evidence, as the Public Morals Squad waited outside for the signal. Once ready, the undercover officers called for backup from the Sixth Precinct using the bar's pay telephone. Stonewall employees do not recall being tipped off that a raid was to occur that night, as was the custom.The music was turned off and the main lights were turned on. Approximately 200 people were in the bar that night. Patrons who had never experienced a police raid were confused. A few who realized what was happening began to run for doors and windows in the bathrooms, but police barred the doors. Michael Fader remembered, \"Things happened so fast you kind of got caught not knowing. All of a sudden there were police there and we were told to all get in lines and to","get in lines and to have our identification ready to be led out of the bar.\" The raid did not go as planned. Standard procedure was to line up the patrons, check their identification and have female police officers take customers dressed as women to the bathroom to verify their sex, upon which any people appearing to be physically male and dressed as women would be arrested. Those dressed as women that night refused to go with the officers. Men in line began to refuse to produce their identification. The police decided to take everyone present to the police station, after separating those suspected of cross-dressing in a room in the back of the bar. All parties involved recall that a sense of discomfort spread very quickly, started by police who assaulted some of the lesbians by \"feeling some of them up inappropriately\" while frisking them. When did you ever see a fag fight back?... Now, times were a-changin'. Tuesday night was the last night for bullshit... Predominantly, the theme as, \"this shit has got to","shit has got to stop!\" —anonymous Stonewall riots participant The police were to transport the bar's alcohol in patrol wagons. Twenty-eight cases of beer and nineteen bottles of hard liquor were seized, but the patrol wagons had not yet arrived, so patrons were required to wait in line for about 15 minutes.Those who were not arrested were released from the front door, but they did not leave quickly as usual. Instead, they stopped outside and a crowd began to grow and watch. Within minutes, between 100 and 150 people had congregated outside, some after they were released from inside the Stonewall and some after noticing the police cars and the crowd. Although the police forcefully pushed or kicked some patrons out of the bar, some customers released by the police performed for the crowd by posing and saluting the police in an exaggerated fashion. The crowd's applause encouraged them further. When the first patrol wagon arrived, Inspector Pine recalled that the crowd—most of whom were homosexual—had grown to","grown to at least ten times the number of people who were arrested and they all became very quiet.Confusion over radio communication delayed the arrival of a second wagon. The police began escorting Mafia members into the first wagon, to the cheers of the bystanders. Next, regular employees were loaded into the wagon. A bystander shouted, \"Gay power!\", someone began singing \"We Shall Overcome\" and the crowd reacted with amusement and general good humor mixed with \"growing and intensive hostility\".An officer shoved a person in drag, who responded by hitting him on the head with her purse. The cop clubbed her over the head, as the crowd began to boo. AuthorEdmund White, who had been passing by, recalled, \"Everyone's restless, angry, and high-spirited. No one has a slogan, no one even has an attitude, but something's brewing.\"Pennies, then beer bottles, were thrown at the wagon as a rumor spread through the crowd that patrons still inside the bar were being beaten. A scuffle broke out when a woman in handcuffs","woman in handcuffs was escorted from the door of the bar to the waiting police wagon several times. She escaped repeatedly and fought with four of the police, swearing and shouting, for about ten minutes. Described as \"a typical New York butch\" and \"a dyke–stone butch\", she had been hit on the head by an officer with abatonfor, as one witness claimed, complaining that her handcuffs were too tight.Bystanders recalled that the woman, whose identity remains unknown (Stormé DeLarveriehas been identified by some, including herself, as the woman, but accounts vary), sparked the crowd to fight when she looked at bystanders and shouted, \"Why don't you guys do something?\" After an officer picked her up and heaved her into the back of the wagon,the crowd became a mob and became violent. Violence breaks out The police tried to restrain some of the crowd, knocking a few people down, which incited bystanders even more. Some of those handcuffed in the wagon escaped when police left them unattended (deliberately, according","according to some witnesses).As the crowd tried to overturn the police wagon, two police cars and the wagon—with a few slashed tires—left immediately, with Inspector Pine urging them to return as soon as possible. The commotion attracted more people who learned what was happening. Someone in the crowd declared that the bar had been raided because \"they didn't pay off the cops\", to which someone else yelled, \"Let's pay them off!\"Coins sailed through the air towards the police as the crowd shouted \"Pigs!\" and \"Faggot cops!\" Beer cans were thrown and the police lashed out, dispersing some of the crowd who found a construction site nearby with stacks of bricks. The police, outnumbered by between 500 and 600 people, grabbed several people, including activist folk singer (and mentor ofBob Dylan)Dave Van Ronk—who had been attracted to the revolt from a bar two doors away from the Stonewall. Though Van Ronk was not gay, he had experienced police violence when he participated in antiwar demonstrations: \"As far as I","\"As far as I was concerned, anybody who'd stand against the cops was all right with me and that's why I stayed in... Every time you turned around the cops were pulling some outrage or another.\"Van Ronk was the first of thirteen arrested that night.Ten police officers—including two policewomen—barricaded themselves, Van Ronk,Howard Smith(a column writer forThe Village Voice), and several handcuffed detainees inside the Stonewall Inn for their own safety. Multiple accounts of the riot assert that there was no pre-existing organization or apparent cause for the demonstration; what ensued was spontaneous.Michael Fader explained: We all had a collective feeling like we'd had enough of this kind of shit. It wasn't anything tangible anybody said to anyone else, it was just kind of like everything over the years had come to a head on that one particular night in the one particular place and it was not an organized demonstration... The only known photograph from the first night of the riots, taken by freelance","taken by freelance photographer Joseph Ambrosini, shows the homeless gay youth who slept in nearby Christopher Park, scuffling with police. Jackie Hormona andTommy Lanigan-Schmidtare on the far left. The Mattachine Society newsletter a month later offered its explanation of why the riots occurred: \"It catered largely to a group of people who are not welcome in, or cannot afford, other places of homosexual social gathering... The Stonewall became home to these kids. When it was raided, they fought for it. That and the fact that they had nothing to lose other than the most tolerant and broadminded gay place in town, explains why.\" Garbage cans, garbage, bottles, rocks, and bricks were hurled at the building, breaking the windows. Witnesses attest that \"flame queens\", hustlers, and gay \"street kids\"—the most outcast people in the gay community—were responsible for the first volley of projectiles, as well as the uprooting of aparking meterused as abattering ramon the doors of the Stonewall Inn. The mob lit","Inn. The mob lit garbage on fire and stuffed it through the broken windows as the police grabbed a fire hose. Because it had no water pressure, the hose was ineffective in dispersing the crowd and seemed only to encourage them.Marsha P. Johnsonlater said that it was the police that had started the fire in the bar.When demonstrators broke through the windows—which had been covered byplywoodby the bar owners to deter the police from raiding the bar—the police inside unholstered their pistols. The doors flew open and officers pointed their weapons at the angry crowd, threatening to shoot. Howard Smith, in the bar with the police, took a wrench from the bar and stuffed it in his pants, unsure if he might have to use it against the mob or the police. He watched someone squirtlighter fluidinto the bar; as it was lit and the police took aim,sirenswere heard and fire trucks arrived. The onslaught had lasted 45 minutes. When the violence broke out, the women and transmasculine people being held down the street atThe","the street atThe Women's House of Detentionjoined in by chanting, setting fire to their belongings and tossing them into the street below. The historian Hugh Ryan says, \"When I would talk to people about Stonewall, they would tell me, that night on Stonewall, we looked to the prison because we saw the women rioting and chanting, 'Gay rights, gay rights, gay rights.'\" Escalation TheTactical Patrol Force(TPF) of the New York City Police Department arrived to free the police trapped inside the Stonewall. One officer's eye was cut and a few others were bruised from being struck by flying debris.Bob Kohler, who was walking his dog by the Stonewall that night, saw the TPF arrive: I had been in enough riots to know the fun was over... The cops were totally humiliated. This never, ever happened. They were angrier than I guess they had ever been because everybody else had rioted... but the fairies were not supposed to riot... no group had ever forced cops to retreat before, so the anger was just enormous. I mean,","enormous. I mean, they wanted to kill. With larger numbers, police detained anyone they could and put them in patrol wagons to go to jail, though Inspector Pine recalled, \"Fights erupted with the transvestites, who wouldn't go into the patrol wagon.\" His recollection was corroborated by another witness across the street who said, \"All I could see about who was fighting was that it was transvestites and they were fighting furiously.\" The TPF formed aphalanxand attempted to clear the streets by marching slowly and pushing the crowd back. The mob openly mocked the police. The crowd cheered, started impromptukick linesand sang to the tune of \"Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay\": \"We are the Stonewall girls/ We wear our hair in curls/ We don't wear underwear/ We show our pubic hair.\"Lucian Truscottreported inThe Village Voice: \"A stagnant situation there brought on some gay tomfoolery in the form of achorus linefacing the line of helmeted and club-carrying cops. Just as the line got into a full kick routine, the TPF advanced","the TPF advanced again and cleared the crowd of screaming gay powerites down Christopher to Seventh Avenue.\"One participant who had been in the Stonewall during the raid recalled, \"The police rushed us and that's when I realized this is not a good thing to do, because they got me in the back with anightstick.\" Another account stated, \"I just can't ever get that one sight out of my mind. The cops with the and the kick line on the other side. It was the most amazing thing... And all the sudden that kick line, which I guess was a spoof on the machismo... I think that's when I felt rage. Because people were getting smashed with bats. And for what? A kick line.\" Marsha P. Johnson, anAfrican-Americanstreet queen,recalled arriving at the bar around \"2:00 \", and that at that point the riots were well underway, with the building in flames.As the riots went on into the early hours of the morning, Johnson, along with Zazu Nova and Jackie Hormona, were noted as \"three individuals known to have been in the vanguard\" of","in the vanguard\" of the pushback against the police. Craig Rodwell, owner of theOscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, reported watching police chase participants through the crooked streets, only to see them appear around the next corner behind the police. Members of the mob stopped cars, overturning one of them to block Christopher Street.Jack NicholsandLige Clarke, in their column printed inScrew, declared that \"massive crowds of angry protesters chased for blocks screaming, 'Catch them!'\" By 4:00 am, the streets had nearly been cleared. Many people sat on stoops or gathered nearby in Christopher Park throughout the morning, dazed in disbelief at what had transpired. Many witnesses remembered the surreal and eerie quiet that descended upon Christopher Street, though there continued to be \"electricity in the air\".One commented: \"There was a certain beauty in the aftermath of the riot... It was obvious, at least to me, that a lot of people really were gay and, you know, this was our street.\"Thirteen people had","people had been arrested. Some in the crowd were hospitalized,and four police officers were injured. Almost everything in the Stonewall Inn was broken. Inspector Pine had intended to close and dismantle the Stonewall Inn that night. Pay phones, toilets, mirrors,jukeboxes, and cigarette machines were all smashed, possibly in the riot and possibly by the police. Second night of rioting During the siege of the Stonewall, Craig Rodwell calledThe New York Times, theNew York Post, and theDaily Newsto tell them what was happening. All three papers covered the riots; theDaily Newsplaced coverage on the front page. News of the riot spread quickly throughout Greenwich Village, fueled by rumors that it had been organized by theStudents for a Democratic Society, theBlack Panthers, or triggered by \"a homosexual police officer whose roommate went dancing at the Stonewall against the officer's wishes\".All day Saturday, June 28, people came to stare at the burned and blackened Stonewall Inn.Graffitiappeared on the walls of","on the walls of the bar, declaring \"Drag power\", \"They invaded our rights\", \"Support gay power\" and \"Legalize gay bars\", along with accusations of police looting and—regarding the status of the bar—\"We are open.\" The next night, rioting again surrounded Christopher Street; participants remember differently which night was more frantic or violent. Many of the same people returned from the previous evening—hustlers, street youths, and \"queens\"—but they were joined by \"police provocateurs\", curious bystanders, and even tourists.Remarkable to many was the sudden exhibition of homosexual affection in public, as described by one witness: \"From going to places where you had to knock on a door and speak to someone through a peephole in order to get in. We were just out. We were in the streets.\" Thousands of people had gathered in front of the Stonewall, which had opened again, choking Christopher Street until the crowd spilled into adjoining blocks. The throng surrounded buses and cars, harassing the occupants","the occupants unless they either admitted they were gay or indicated their support for the demonstrators.Marsha P. Johnson was seen climbing a lamppost and dropping a heavy bag onto the hood of a police car, shattering the windshield. As on the previous evening, fires were started in garbage cans throughout the neighborhood. More than a hundred police were present from the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and NinthPrecincts, but after 2:00 a.m. the TPF arrived again. Kick lines and police chases waxed and waned; when police captured demonstrators, whom the majority of witnesses described as \"sissies\" or \"swishes\", the crowd surged to recapture them.Again, street battling ensued until 4:00 am. Beat poet and longtime Greenwich Village resident Allen Ginsberg lived on Christopher Street and happened upon the jubilant chaos. After he learned of the riot that had occurred the previous evening, he stated, \"Gay power! Isn't that great!... It's about time we did something to assert ourselves\" and visited the open Stonewall Inn","open Stonewall Inn for the first time. While walking home, he declared to Lucian Truscott, \"You know, the guys there were so beautiful—they've lost that wounded look that fags all had 10 years ago.\" ActivistMark Segalrecounts thatMartha ShelleyandMarty Robinsonstood and made speeches from the front door of the Stonewall on June 29, 1969, the second night of the riot. Leaflets, press coverage, and more violence Activity in Greenwich Village was sporadic on Monday, June 30, and Tuesday, July 1, partly due to rain. Police and Village residents had a few altercations, as both groups antagonized each other. Craig Rodwell and his partnerFred Sargeanttook the opportunity the morning after the first riot to print and distribute 5,000 leaflets, one of them reading: \"Get the Mafia and the Cops out of Gay Bars.\" The leaflets called for gay people to own their own establishments, for a boycott of the Stonewall and other Mafia-owned bars, and for public pressure on the mayor's office to investigate the \"intolerable","the \"intolerable situation\". Not everyone in the gay community considered the revolt a positive development. To many older homosexuals and many members of the Mattachine Society who had worked throughout the 1960s to promote homosexuals as no different from heterosexuals, the display of violence and effeminate behavior was embarrassing.Randy Wicker, who had marched in the first gay picket lines before the White House in 1965, said the \"screaming queens forming chorus lines and kicking went against everything that I wanted people to think about homosexuals... that we were a bunch of drag queens in the Village acting disorderly and tacky and cheap.\"Others found the closing of the Stonewall Inn, termed a \"sleaze joint\", as advantageous to the Village. On Wednesday, however,The Village Voiceran reports of the riots, written by Howard Smith and Lucian Truscott, that included unflattering descriptions of the events and its participants: \"forces of faggotry\", \"limp wrists\" and \"Sunday fag follies\".A mob descended","mob descended upon Christopher Street once again and threatened to burn down the offices ofThe Village Voice,which at the time was headquartered several buildings west of the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street; that proximity gave Truscott and other writers for the newspaper first hand observations of the uprising. Also in the mob of between 500 and 1,000 were other groups that had had unsuccessful confrontations with the police and were curious how the police were defeated in this situation. Another explosive street battle took place, with injuries to demonstrators and police alike, local shops getting looted, and arrests of five people.The incidents on Wednesday night lasted about an hour and were summarized by one witness: \"The word is out. Christopher Street shall be liberated. The fags have had it with oppression.\" Aftermath The feeling of urgency spread throughout Greenwich Village, even to people who had not witnessed the riots. Many who were moved by the rebellion attended organizational meetings,","meetings, sensing an opportunity to take action. On July 4, 1969, the Mattachine Society performed its annual picket in front ofIndependence HallinPhiladelphia, called theAnnual Reminder. OrganizersCraig Rodwell,Frank Kameny,Randy Wicker,Barbara Gittings, andKay Lahusen, who had all participated for several years, took a bus along with other picketers from New York City to Philadelphia. Since 1965, the pickets had been very controlled: women wore skirts and men wore suits and ties and all marched quietly in organized lines.This year Rodwell remembered feeling restricted by the rules Kameny had set. When two women spontaneously held hands, Kameny broke them apart, saying, \"None of that! None of that!\" Rodwell, however, convinced about ten couples to hold hands. The hand-holding couples made Kameny furious, but they earned more press attention than all of the previous marches.ParticipantLilli Vincenzremembered, \"It was clear that things were changing. People who had felt oppressed now felt empowered.\"Rodwell","empowered.\"Rodwell returned to New York City determined to change the established quiet, meek ways of trying to get attention. One of his first priorities was planning Christopher Street Liberation Day. Gay Liberation Front Although the Mattachine Society had existed since the 1950s, many of their methods now seemed too mild for people who had witnessed or been inspired by the riots. Mattachine recognized the shift in attitudes in a story from their newsletter entitled, \"The Hairpin Drop Heard Around the World.\"When a Mattachine officer suggested an \"amicable and sweet\" candlelight vigil demonstration, a man in the audience fumed and shouted, \"Sweet!Bullshit!That's the role society has been forcing these queens to play.\"With a flyer announcing: \"Do You Think Homosexuals Are Revolting? You Bet Your Sweet Ass We Are!\",theGay Liberation Front(GLF) was soon formed, the first gay organization to usegayin its name. Previous organizations such as theMattachine Society, theDaughters of Bilitis(DOB), and various","and various homophile groups had masked their purpose by deliberately choosing obscure names. The rise of militancy became apparent to Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings—who had worked in homophile organizations for years and were both very public about their roles—when they attended a GLF meeting to see the new group. A young GLF member demanded to know who they were and what their credentials were. Gittings, nonplussed, stammered, \"I'm gay. That's why I'm here.\"The GLF borrowed tactics from and aligned themselves with black andantiwardemonstrators with the ideal that they \"could work to restructure American society\".They took on causes of the Black Panthers, marching to theWomen's House of Detentionin support ofAfeni Shakurand other radicalNew Leftcauses. Four months after the group formed, however, it disbanded when members were unable to agree on operating procedure. Gay Activists Alliance Within six months of the Stonewall riots, activists started a citywide newspaper calledGay; they considered it","they considered it necessary because the most liberal publication in the city—The Village Voice—refused to print the wordgayin GLF advertisements seeking new members and volunteers.Two other newspapers were initiated within a six-week period:Come Out!andGay Power; the readership of these three periodicals quickly climbed to between 20,000 and 25,000. GLF members organized several same-sex dances, but GLF meetings were chaotic. When Bob Kohler asked for clothes and money to help the homeless youth who had participated in the riots, many of whom slept in Christopher Park or Sheridan Square, the response was a discussion on the downfall ofcapitalism.In late December 1969, several people who had visited GLF meetings and left out of frustration formed theGay Activists Alliance(GAA). The GAA was to be more orderly and entirely focused on gay issues. Their constitution began, \"We as liberated homosexual activists demand the freedom for expression of our dignity and value as human beings.\"The GAA developed and","GAA developed and perfected a confrontational tactic called azap: they would catch a politician off guard during a public relations opportunity and force him or her to acknowledge gay and lesbian rights. City councilmen were zapped and mayor John Lindsay was zapped several times—once on television when GAA members made up the majority of the audience. Police raids on gay bars did not stop after the Stonewall riots. In March 1970, deputy inspector Seymour Pine raided the Zodiac and 17 Barrow Street. An after-hours gay club with no liquor or occupancy licenses called The Snake Pit was soon raided and 167 people were arrested. One of them wasDiego Viñales, an Argentinian national so frightened that he might bedeportedas a homosexual that he tried to escape the police precinct by jumping out of a two-story window, impaling himself on a 14-inch (36 cm) spike fence.TheNew York Daily Newsprinted a graphic photo of the young man's impalement on the front page. GAA members organized a march from Christopher Park to","Christopher Park to the Sixth Precinct in which hundreds of gay men, lesbians, and liberal sympathizers peacefully confronted the TPF.They also sponsored a letter-writing campaign to Mayor Lindsay in which the Greenwich VillageDemocratic Partyand congressmanEd Kochsent pleas to end raids on gay bars in the city. The Stonewall Inn lasted only a few weeks after the riot. By October 1969 it was up for rent. Village residents surmised it was too notorious a location and Rodwell's boycott discouraged business. Gay Pride Christopher Street Liberation Day, on June 28, 1970, marked the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots with an assembly on Christopher Street; with simultaneous Gay Pride marches in Los Angeles andChicago, these were the firstGay Pride marchesin US history.The next year, Gay Pride marches took place inBoston,Dallas,Milwaukee,London,Paris,West BerlinandStockholm.Themarch in New Yorkcovered 51 blocks, from Christopher Street toCentral Park. The march took less than half the scheduled time due to","time due to excitement, but also due to wariness about walking through the city with gay banners and signs. Although the parade permit was delivered only two hours before the start of the march, the marchers encountered little resistance from onlookers.The New York Timesreported (on the front page) that the marchers took up the entire street for about 15 city blocks.Reporting byThe Village Voicewas positive, describing \"the out-front resistance that grew out of the police raid on the Stonewall Inn one year ago\". There was little open animosity and some bystanders applauded when a tall, pretty girl carrying a sign \"I am a Lesbian\" walked by. —The New York Timescoverage of Gay Liberation Day, 1970 By 1972, the participating cities includedAtlanta,Buffalo,Detroit, Washington, D.C.,Miami,Minneapolis, and Philadelphia,as well as San Francisco. Frank Kameny soon realized the pivotal change brought by the Stonewall riots. An organizer of gay activism in the 1950s, he was used to persuasion, trying to convince","trying to convince heterosexuals that gay people were no different from them. When he and other people marched in front of the White House, the State Department, and Independence Hall only five years earlier, their objective was to look as if they could work for the US government.Ten people marched with Kameny then and they alerted no press to their intentions. Although he was stunned by the upheaval by participants in the Annual Reminder in 1969, he later observed, \"By the time of Stonewall, we had fifty to sixty gay groups in the country. A year later there were at least fifteen hundred. By two years later, to the extent that a count could be made, it was twenty-five hundred.\" Similar to Kameny's regret at his own reaction to the shift in attitudes after the riots, Randy Wicker came to describe his embarrassment as \"one of the greatest mistakes of his life\".The image of gay people retaliating against police, after so many years of allowing such treatment to go unchallenged, \"stirred an unexpected spirit","unexpected spirit among many homosexuals\".Kay Lahusen, who photographed the marches in 1965, stated, \"Up to 1969, this movement was generally called the homosexual or homophile movement... Many new activists consider the Stonewall uprising the birth of the gay liberation movement. Certainly, it was the birth of gay pride on a massive scale.\"David Carter explained that even though there were several uprisings before Stonewall, the reason Stonewall was so significant was that thousands of people were involved, the riot lasted a long time (six days), it was the first to get major media coverage, and it sparked the formation of many gay rights groups. Trans organizations According toSusan Stryker's book,Transgender History, the Stonewall riots had significant effects on trans rights activism.Sylvia RiveraandMarsha P. Johnsonestablished the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) organization, as they believed that trans people weren't being adequately represented in the Gay Activists Alliance and Gay","Alliance and Gay Liberation Front. They established politicized versions of \"houses\", which came from Black and Latino queer communities, and were places that marginalized trans youth could seek shelter. Besides STAR, organizations such asTransvestites and Transsexuals(TAT) andQueens' Liberation Front(QLF) were also established. QLF, which was established by drag queen Lee Brewster and heterosexual transvestite Bunny Eisenhower, marched on Christopher Street Liberation Day and fought against drag erasure and for trans visibility. Legacy The Stonewall riots are often considered to be the origin or impetus of thegay liberationmovement, and many studies ofLGBT historyin the U.S. are divided into pre- and post-Stonewall analyses.This has been criticized byhistorians of sexuality. Calls for the rights ofgender and sexual minoritiespredate the Stonewall riots. Thefirst homosexual movementbegan one hundred years earlier, in Germany.West Germanyhad abolished criminal liability for homosexual acts among adults over","among adults over 21 years of age through a change ofSection 175of the German Criminal Code on June 25, 1969 − just three days before the Stonewall riots began.There was already the emergence of a gay liberation movement in New York at the time of the riots. The Stonewall riots were not the only time LGBT people organized politically amid attacks on LGBT establishments. The event has been said to occupy a unique place in thecollective memoryof many LGBT people,including those outside of the United States,as it \"is marked by an international commemorative ritual – an annual gay pride parade\", according to sociologist Elizabeth A. Armstrong. Community Within two years of the Stonewall riots, there were gay rights groups in every major American city, as well as in Canada, Australia, and Western Europe.People who joined activist organizations after the riots had very little in common other than theirsame-sex attraction. Many who arrived at GLF or GAA meetings were taken aback by the number of gay people in one","gay people in one place.Race, class, ideology, and gender became frequent obstacles in the years after the riots. This was illustrated during the 1973 Stonewall rally when, moments afterBarbara Gittingsexuberantly praised the diversity of the crowd, feminist activistJean O'Learyprotested what she perceived as the mocking of women bycross-dressersanddrag queensin attendance. During a speech by O'Leary, in which she claimed that drag queens made fun of women for entertainment value and profit,Sylvia RiveraandLee Brewsterjumped on the stage and shouted \"You go to bars because of what drag queens did for you andthese bitchestell us to quit being ourselves!\"Both the drag queens and lesbian feminists in attendance left in disgust. O'Leary also worked in the early 1970s to exclude transgender people from gay rights issues because she felt that rights for transgender people would be too difficult to attain.Sylvia Rivera left New York City in the mid-1970s, relocating toupstate New York.She later returned to the city","to the city in the mid-1990s, after the 1992 death of friendMarsha P. Johnson. Rivera lived on the \"gay pier\" at the end of Christopher street and advocated for homeless members of the gay community.The initial disagreements among participants in the movements often evolved after further reflection. O'Leary later regretted her stance against the drag queens attending in 1973: \"Looking back, I find this so embarrassing because my views have changed so much since then. I would never pick on a transvestite now.\"\"It was horrible. How could I work to exclude transvestites and at the same time criticize the feminists who were doing their best back in those days to exclude lesbians?\" O'Leary was referring to theLavender Menace, an appellation bysecond-wave feministBetty Friedanbased on attempts by members of theNational Organization for Women(NOW) to distance themselves from the perception of NOW as a haven for lesbians. As part of this process,Rita Mae Brownand other lesbians who had been active in NOW were forced","in NOW were forced out. They staged a protest in 1970 at the Second Congress to Unite Women and earned the support of many NOW members, finally gaining full acceptance in 1971. The growth oflesbian feminismin the 1970s at times so conflicted with the gay liberation movement that some lesbians refused to work with gay men. Many lesbians found men's attitudes patriarchal and chauvinistic and saw in gay men the same misguided notions about women that they saw in heterosexual men.The issues most important to gay men—entrapmentand public solicitation—were not shared by lesbians. In 1977, a Lesbian Pride Rally was organized as an alternative to sharing gay men's issues, especially whatAdrienne Richtermed \"the violent, self-destructive world of the gay bars\".Veteran gay activist Barbara Gittings chose to work in the gay rights movement, explaining, \"It's a matter of where does it hurt the most? For me it hurts the most not in the female arena, but the gay arena.\" Throughout the 1970s, gay activism had significant","had significant successes. One of the first and most important was the \"zap\" in May 1970 by the Los Angeles GLF at a convention of theAmerican Psychiatric Association(APA). At a conference onbehavior modification, during a film demonstrating the use ofelectroshock therapyto decrease same-sex attraction,Morris Kightand GLF members in the audience interrupted the film with shouts of \"Torture!\" and \"Barbarism!\"They took over the microphone to announce that medical professionals who prescribed such therapy for their homosexual patients were complicit in torturing them. Although 20 psychiatrists in attendance left, the GLF spent the hour following the zap with those remaining, trying to convince them that homosexual people were not mentally ill.When the APA invited gay activists to speak to the group in 1972, activists broughtJohn E. Fryer, a gay psychiatrist who wore a mask, because he felt his practice was in danger. In December 1973—in large part due to the efforts of gay activists—the APA voted unanimously to","unanimously to remove homosexuality from theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual. Gay men and lesbians came together to work ingrassrootspolitical organizations responding to organized resistance in 1977. A coalition of conservatives namedSave Our Childrenstaged a campaign to repeal a civil rights ordinance inMiami-Dade County. Save Our Children was successful enough to influence similar repeals in several American cities in 1978. However, that same year, a campaign in California called theBriggs Initiative, designed to force the dismissal of homosexual public school employees, was defeated.Reaction to the influence of Save Our Children and the Briggs Initiative in the gay community was so significant that it has been called the second Stonewall for many activists, marking their initiation into political participation.The subsequent 1979National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rightswas timed to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Rejection of prior gay subculture The Stonewall","The Stonewall riots marked such a significant turning point that many aspects of priorgay and lesbian culture, such as bar culture formed from decades of shame and secrecy, were forcefully ignored and denied. HistorianMartin Dubermanwrites, \"The decades preceding Stonewall... continue to be regarded by most gay men and lesbians as some vast neolithic wasteland.\"SociologistBarry Adamnotes, \"Every social movement must choose at some point what to retain and what to reject out of its past. What traits are the results of oppression and what are healthy and authentic?\"In conjunction with the growing feminist movement of the early 1970s, roles ofbutch and femmethat developed in lesbian bars in the 1950s and 1960s were rejected, because as one writer put it: \"all role playing is sick.\"Lesbian feminists considered the butch roles as archaic imitations of masculine behavior.Some women, according toLillian Faderman, were eager to shed the roles they felt forced into playing. The roles returned for some women in the","some women in the 1980s, although they allowed for more flexibility than before Stonewall. Author Michael Bronski highlights the \"attack on pre-Stonewall culture\", particularlygay pulp fictionfor men, where the themes often reflected self-hatred or ambivalence about being gay. Many books ended unsatisfactorily and drastically, often with suicide, and writers portrayed their gay characters as alcoholics or deeply unhappy. These books, which he describes as \"an enormous and cohesive literature by and for gay men\",have not been reissued and are lost to later generations. Dismissing the notion that the rejection was motivated by political correctness, Bronski writes, \"gay liberation was a youth movement whose sense of history was defined to a large degree by rejection of the past.\" Impact and recognition The riots spawned from a bar raid became a literal example of gay men and lesbians fighting back and a symbolic call to arms for many people. Historian David Carter remarks in his book about the Stonewall riots","the Stonewall riots that the bar itself was a complex business that represented a community center, an opportunity for the Mafia to blackmail its own customers, a home, and a place of \"exploitation and degradation\".The true legacy of the Stonewall riots, Carter insists, is the \"ongoing struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality\".Historian Nicholas Edsall writes: Stonewall has been compared to any number of acts of radical protest and defiance in American history from the Boston Tea Party on. But the best and certainly a more nearly contemporary analogy is Rosa Parks' refusal to move to the back of the bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in December 1955, which sparked the modern civil rights movement. Within months after Stonewall, radical gay liberation groups and newsletters sprang up in cities and on college campuses across America and then across all of northern Europe as well. Before the rebellion at the Stonewall Inn, homosexuals were, as historians Dudley Clendinen andAdam Nagourneywrite: a","Nagourneywrite: a secret legion of people, known of but discounted, ignored, laughed at or despised. And like the holders of a secret, they had an advantage which was a disadvantage too, and which was true of no other minority group in the United States. They were invisible. Unlike African Americans, women, Native Americans, Jews, the Irish, Italians, Asians, Hispanics, or any other cultural group which struggled for respect and equal rights, homosexuals had no physical or cultural markings, no language or dialect which could identify them to each other, or to anyone else... But that night, for the first time, the usual acquiescence turned into violent resistance... From that night the lives of millions of gay men and lesbians and the attitude toward them of the larger culture in which they lived, began to change rapidly. People began to appear in public as homosexuals, demanding respect. HistorianLillian Fadermancalls the riots the \"shot heard round the world\", explaining, \"The Stonewall Rebellion was","Rebellion was crucial because it sounded the rally for that movement. It became an emblem of gay and lesbian power. By calling on the dramatic tactic of violent protest that was being used by other oppressed groups, the events at the Stonewall implied that homosexuals had as much reason to be disaffected as they.\" Joan Nestleco-founded theLesbian Herstory Archivesin 1974 and credits \"its creation to that night and the courage that found its voice in the streets.\"Cautious, however, not to attribute the start of gay activism to the Stonewall riots, Nestle writes: I certainly don't see gay and lesbian history starting with Stonewall... and I don't see resistance starting with Stonewall. What I do see is a historical coming together of forces, and the sixties changed how human beings endured things in this society and what they refused to endure... Certainly, something special happened on that night in 1969 and we've made it more special in our need to have what I call a point of origin... it's more complex than","more complex than saying that it all started with Stonewall. The events of the early morning of June 28, 1969, were not the first instances of gay men and lesbians fighting back against police in New York City and elsewhere. Not only had the Mattachine Society been active in major cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago, but similarly marginalized people started the riot at Compton's Cafeteria in 1966 and another riot responded to a raid on Los Angeles'Black Cat Tavernin 1967.However, several circumstances were in play that made the Stonewall riots memorable. The location of theLower Manhattanraid was a factor: it was across the street fromThe Village Voiceoffices, and the narrow crooked streets gave the rioters an advantage over the police.Many of the participants and residents of Greenwich Village were involved in political organizations that were effectively able to mobilize a large and cohesive gay community in the weeks and months after the rebellion. The most significant facet of the Stonewall riots,","Stonewall riots, however, was the commemoration of them in Christopher Street Liberation Day, which grew into the annualGay Prideevents around the world. Stonewall(officially Stonewall Equality Limited) is anLGBT rightscharity in the United Kingdom, founded in 1989 and named after theStonewall Innbecause of the Stonewall riots. TheStonewall Awardsis an annual event the charity has held since 2006 to recognize people who have affected the lives of British lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. The middle of the 1990s was marked by the inclusion ofbisexualsas a represented group within the gay community, when they successfully sought to be included on the platform of the 1993March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. Transgender people also asked to be included but were not, though trans-inclusive language was added to the march's list of demands.The transgender community continued to find itself simultaneously welcome and at odds with the gay community as attitudes aboutnon-binary","aboutnon-binary gender discriminationandpansexual orientationdeveloped and came increasingly into conflict.In 1994, New York City celebrated \"Stonewall 25\" with a march that went past theUnited Nations Headquartersand intoCentral Park. Estimates put the attendance at 1.1 million people.Sylvia Riveraled an alternate march in New York City in 1994 to protest the exclusion of transgender people from the events. Attendance at LGBT Pride events has grown substantially over the decades. Most large cities around the world now have some kind of Pride demonstration; Pride events in some cities mark the largest annual celebration of any kind.The growing trend towards commercializing marches into parades—with events receiving corporate sponsorship—has caused concern about taking away the autonomy of the original grassroots demonstrations. President Barack Obamadeclared June 2009 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, citing the riots as a reason to \"commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT","under law for LGBT Americans\".The year marked the 40th anniversary of the riots. An editorial in theWashington Bladecompared the scruffy, violent activism during and following the Stonewall riots to the lackluster response to failed promises given by President Obama; for being ignored, wealthy LGBT activists reacted by promising to give less money to Democratic causes.Two years later, the Stonewall Inn served as a rallying point for celebrations after theNew York State Senatevoted to passsame-sex marriage. The act was signed into law by GovernorAndrew Cuomoon June 24, 2011. Obama also referenced the Stonewall riots in a call for full equality during hissecond inaugural addresson January 21, 2013: We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths—that all of us are created equal—is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls and Selma and Stonewall... Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the","else under the law—for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. This was a historic moment: the first time that a president mentioned gay rights or the word \"gay\" in an inaugural address. Throughout June 2019,Stonewall 50 – WorldPride NYC 2019, produced byHeritage of Pridein partnership with theI Love New Yorkprogram's LGBT division, took place in New York to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. The final official estimate included 5 million visitors attending in Manhattan alone, making it thelargest LGBTQ celebrationin history.June is traditionally Pride month in New York City and worldwide, and the events were held under the auspices of the annualNYC Pride March. On June 6, 2019, coinciding withWorldPridebeing celebrated in New York City, Police CommissionerJames P. O'Neillapologized on behalf of the NYPD for the actions of its officers at the Stonewall uprising. The official 50th-anniversary commemoration of the Stonewall","of the Stonewall Uprising occurred on June 28 on Christopher Street in front ofStonewall Inn. The official commemoration was themed as a rally, in reference to the original rallies in front of Stonewall Inn in 1969. Speakers at this event included mayorBill De Blasio, senatorKirsten Gillibrand, congressmanJerry Nadler, American activistX González, and global activistRémy Bonny. In 2019, Paris, France, officially named a square in theMaraisdistrict asPlace des Émeutes-de-Stonewall(Stonewall Riots Place). Stonewall Day In 2018, 49 years after the uprising, Stonewall Day was announced as a commemoration day byPride Live, a social advocacy and community engagement organization.The second Stonewall Day was held on Friday, June 28, 2019, outside the Stonewall Inn.During this event, Pride Live introduced their Stonewall Ambassadors program, to raise awareness for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Historic landmark and monument In June 1999, theUS Department of the Interiorincluded 51 and 53Christopher","and 53Christopher Streetand the surrounding area in Greenwich Village into theNational Register of Historic Places, the first of significance to the LGBT community.In a dedication ceremony, Assistant Secretary of the Department of the InteriorJohn Berrystated, \"Let it forever be remembered that here—on this spot—men and women stood proud, they stood fast, so that we may be who we are, we may work where we will, live where we choose, and love whom our hearts desire.\"The Stonewall Inn was also named aNational Historic Landmarkin February 2000. On June 23, 2015, theNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commissiondesignated Stonewall as a city landmark, the first to be designated based on its LGBT cultural significance alone.On June 24, 2016, PresidentBarack Obamaannounced the establishment of theStonewall National Monument, administered by theNational Park Service.The designation protects Christopher Park and adjacent areas totaling more than seven acres; the Stonewall Inn is within the boundaries of the","boundaries of the monument but remains privately owned.TheNational Park Foundationformed a newnonprofit organizationto raise funds for a ranger station and interpretive exhibits for the monument,including the first official national visitor center dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ experience, which was inaugurated on June 28, 2024.TheNew York City Subway's Christopher Street–Sheridan Square station was renamed theChristopher Street–Stonewall stationon the same day. Media representations No newsreel or TV footage was taken of the riots and few home movies and photographs exist, but those that do have been used in documentaries. Film Music Theatre See also Analogous events Notes Citations Sources External links","List of Apollo missions TheApollo programwas a United Stateshuman spaceflightprogram carried out from 1961 to 1972 by theNational Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA), which landed the firstastronautson theMoon.The program used theSaturn IBandSaturn Vlaunch vehiclesto lift theCommand/Service Module(CSM) andLunar Module(LM) spacecraft into space, and theLittle Joe IIrocket to test alaunch escape systemwhich was expected to carry the astronauts to safety in the event of a Saturn failure.Uncrewed test flights beginning in 1966 demonstrated the safety of the launch vehicles and spacecraft to carry astronauts, and four crewed flights beginning in October 1968 demonstrated the ability of the spacecraft to carry out a lunar landing mission. Apollo achieved the first crewed lunar landing on theApollo 11mission, whenNeil ArmstrongandBuzz Aldrinlanded theirLMEaglein theSea of Tranquilityand walked on the lunar surface, whileMichael Collinsremained inlunar orbitin theCSMColumbia, and all three landed safely on","landed safely on Earth on July 24, 1969.Five subsequent missions landed astronauts on various lunar sites, ending in December 1972 withtwelve men having walked on the Moonand 842 pounds (382 kg) of lunar rocks andsoilsamples returned to Earth, greatly contributing to the understanding of the Moon's composition and geological history. Two Apollo missions were failures: a 1967 cabin fire killed the entireApollo 1crew during a ground test in preparation for what was to be the first crewed flight;and the third landing attempt onApollo 13was aborted by an oxygen tank explosion en route to the Moon, which disabled the CSMOdyssey's electrical power and life support systems, and made the propulsion system unsafe to use. The crew circled the Moon and were returned safely to Earth using the LMAquariusas a \"lifeboat\" for these functions. Uncrewed test flights From 1961 through 1967,Saturn launch vehiclesandApollo spacecraftcomponents were tested in uncrewed flights. Saturn I TheSaturn Ilaunch vehicle was originally","was originally planned to carry crewed Command Module flights intolow Earth orbit, but its 20,000-pound (9,100 kg) payload capacity limit could not lift even a partially fueled Service Module, which would have required building a lightweightretrorocketmodule for deorbit. These plans were eventually scrapped, in favor of using the upratedSaturn IBto launch the Command Module with a half-fueled Service Module for crewed Earth orbit tests. This limited Saturn I flights to Saturn launch vehicle development, CSMboilerplatetesting, and three micrometeoroid satellite launches in support of Apollo. SA-1 15:06 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-2 14:00 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-3 17:45 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-4 20:11 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-5 16:25 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-6 17:07 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-7 17:22 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-9 14:37 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-8 07:35 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-10 13:00 GMTLaunch Complex 37B There was some incongruity in the numbering and naming of the first three uncrewed Apollo-Saturn","Apollo-Saturn (AS), or Apollo flights. This is due to AS-204 being renamed toApollo 1posthumously. This crewed flight was to have followed the first three uncrewed flights. After the fire which killed the AS-204 crew on the pad during a test and training exercise, uncrewed Apollo flights resumed to test the Saturn V launch vehicle and the Lunar Module; these were designated Apollo 4, 5 and 6. The first crewed Apollo mission was thus Apollo 7. Simple \"Apollo\" numbers were never assigned to the first three uncrewed flights, although renamingAS-201,AS-202, andAS-203as Apollo 1-A, Apollo 2 and Apollo 3, had been briefly considered. Saturn IB The Saturn I was converted to the Uprated Saturn I, eventually designatedSaturn IB, by replacing theS-IVsecond stage with theS-IVB, which would also be used as the third stage of the Saturn V with the addition of on-orbit restart capability. This increased the payload capacity to 46,000 pounds (21,000 kg), enough to orbit a Command Module with a half-fueled Service Module,","Service Module, and more than enough to orbit a fully fueled Lunar Module. Two suborbital tests of the Apollo Block I Command and Service Module, one S-IVB development test, and one Lunar Module test were conducted. Success of the LM test led to cancellation of a planned second uncrewed flight. SA-201 16:12 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-203 14:53 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-202 17:15 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-204 22:48 GMTLaunch Complex 37B Launch escape system tests From August 1963 to January 1966, a number of tests were conducted at theWhite Sands Missile Rangefor development of thelaunch escape system(LES). These included simulated \"pad aborts\", which might occur while the Apollo-Saturnspace vehiclewas still on thelaunch pad, and flights on theLittle Joe IIrocket to simulateMode I abortswhich might occur while the vehicle was in the air. 13:05 GMTLaunch Complex 36 16:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 13:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 15:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 13:01 GMTLaunch Complex 36 13:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 15:17 GMTLaunch","36 15:17 GMTLaunch Complex 36 Saturn V Prior toGeorge Mueller's tenure as NASA's Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight starting in 1963, it was assumed that 20Saturn Vs, with at least 10 unpiloted test flights, would be required to achieve a crewed Moon landing, using the conservative one-stage-at-a-time testing philosophy used for the Saturn I. But Mueller introduced the \"all-up\" testing philosophy of using three live stages plus the Apollo spacecraft on every test flight. This achieved development of the Saturn V with far fewer uncrewed tests, and facilitated achieving the Moon landing by the 1969 goal. The size of the Saturn V production lot was reduced from 20 to 15 units. Three uncrewed test flights were planned to human-rate thesuper heavy-liftSaturn Vwhich would take crewed Apollo flights to the Moon. Success of the first flight and qualified success of the second led to the decision to cancel the third uncrewed test. SA-501 12:00 GMTLaunch Complex 39A SA-502 16:12 GMTLaunch Complex 39A","Complex 39A Alphabetical mission types The Apollo program required sequential testing of several major mission elements in the runup to a crewed lunar landing. An alphabetical list of major mission types was proposed byOwen Maynardin September 1967.Two \"A-type\" missions performed uncrewed tests of the CSM and the Saturn V, and one B-type mission performed an uncrewed test of the LM. The C-type mission, the first crewed flight of the CSM in Earth orbit, was performed by Apollo 7. The list was revised uponGeorge Low's proposal to commit a mission to lunar orbit ahead of schedule, an idea influenced by the status of the CSM as a proven craft and production delays of the LM.Apollo 8 was reclassified from its original assignment as a D-type mission, a test of the complete CSM/LM spacecraft in Earth orbit, to a \"C-prime\" mission which would fly humans to the Moon. Once complete, it obviated the need for the E-type objective of amedium Earth orbitaltest. The D-type mission was instead performed by Apollo 9; the","by Apollo 9; the F-type mission, Apollo 10, flew the CSM/LM spacecraft to the Moon for final testing, without landing. The G-type mission, Apollo 11, performed the first lunar landing, the central goal of the program. The initial A–Glist was expanded to include later mission types:: 466H-type missions—Apollo 12, 13 (planned) and 14—would perform precision landings, and J-type missions—Apollo 15, 16 and 17—would perform thorough scientific investigation. The I-type objective, which called for extended lunar orbital surveillance of the Moon,was incorporated into the J-type missions.: 466 Crewed missions The Block I CSM spacecraft did not have capability to fly with the LM, and the three crew positions were designated Command Pilot, Senior Pilot, and Pilot, based onU.S. Air Force pilot ratings. The Block II spacecraft was designed to fly with the Lunar Module, so the corresponding crew positions were designated Commander, Command Module Pilot, and Lunar Module Pilot regardless of whether a Lunar Module was","a Lunar Module was present or not on any mission. Seven of the missions involvedextravehicular activity(EVA), spacewalks or moonwalks outside of the spacecraft. These were of three types: testing the lunar EVA suit in Earth orbit (Apollo 9), exploring the lunar surface, and retrieving film canisters from theScientific Instrument Modulestored in the Service Module. Launch Complex 34(planned) 15:02 GMTLaunch Complex 34 12:51 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-503) 16:00 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-504) 16:49 GMTLaunch Complex 39B (SA-505) 13:32 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-506) 16:22 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-507) 19:13 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-508) 21:03 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-509) 13:34 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-510) 17:54 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-511) 05:33 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-512) Canceled missions Several planned missions of the Apollo program were canceled for a variety of reasons, including changes in technical direction, the Apollo 1 fire, hardware delays, and budget limitations. See also There were two","also There were two NASA post-Apollo crewed spaceflight programs that used Apollo hardware: Notes References Bibliography External links","Jim Lovell James Arthur Lovell Jr.(/ˈlʌvəl/LUV-əl; born March 25, 1928) is an American retiredastronaut,naval aviator,test pilotand mechanical engineer. In 1968, ascommand module pilotofApollo 8, he became, withFrank BormanandWilliam Anders, one of the first three astronauts to fly to and orbit the Moon. He then commanded theApollo 13lunar mission in 1970 which, after a critical failure en route, looped around the Moon and returned safely to Earth. A graduate of theUnited States Naval AcademyinAnnapolis, Maryland, in the class of 1952, Lovell flewF2H Bansheenight fighters. This included a Western Pacific deployment aboard the aircraft carrierUSSShangri-La. In January 1958, he entered a six-month test pilot training course at theNaval Air Test CenteratNaval Air Station Patuxent River,Maryland, with Class 20 and graduated at the top of the class. He was then assigned to Electronics Test, working withradar, and in 1960 he became the Navy'sMcDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIprogram manager. The following year he","following year he became a flight instructor and safety engineering officer atNaval Air Station OceanainVirginia Beach, Virginia, and completed Aviation Safety School at theUniversity of Southern California. Lovell was not selected byNASAas one of theMercury Sevenastronauts due to a temporarily highbilirubincount. He was accepted in September 1962 as one of thesecond group of astronautsneeded for theGeminiandApolloprograms. Prior to Apollo, Lovell flew in space on two Gemini missions,Gemini 7(with Borman) in 1965 andGemini 12in 1966. He was the first person to fly into space four times. One of24 people to have flown to the Moon, Lovell was the first to fly to it twice. He is a recipient of theCongressional Space Medal of Honorand thePresidential Medal of Freedom. He co-authored the 1994 bookLost Moon, on which the 1995 filmApollo 13was based. Lovell was featured in acameo appearancein the film. Early life James Arthur Lovell Jr. was born inCleveland, Ohio, on March 25, 1928, the only child of James Lovell","of James Lovell Sr., aToronto, Ontario, Canada-born coal furnace salesman who died in a car accident in 1933and Blanche née Masek, who was ofCzechdescent.For the first two years after the death of his father, Lovell and his mother lived with a relative inTerre Haute, Indiana. They then relocated toMilwaukee, Wisconsin, where he went toJuneau High School.He was a member of theBoy Scoutsduring his childhood and eventually achievedEagle Scout, the organization's highest rank.He became interested in rocketry and built flying models as a teenager. After graduating from high school, Lovell attended theUniversity of WisconsininMadisonfor two years, where he studied engineering under theUnited States Navy's\"Flying Midshipman\" programfrom 1946 to 1948.He would later credit the program for his ability to attend college, citing that he didn't otherwise have the money to attend.At Wisconsin, he playedcollege footballand pledged to theAlpha Phi Omegafraternity.He supplemented his meager Navy stipend by working at a local","working at a local restaurant washing dishes and busing tables, and caring for the university'slab ratsandmiceon weekends. While Lovell was attending pre-flight training in the summer of 1948, the Navy was beginning to make cutbacks in the program, and cadets were under a great deal of pressure to transfer out. There were concerns that some or most of the students who graduated asnaval aviatorswould not have pilot billets to fill. To avoid this prospect, Lovell decided to apply to theUnited States Naval AcademyinAnnapolis, Maryland.He secured a nomination from his localU.S. Representative,John C. Brophy, and entered Annapolis in July 1948. During his first year, Lovell wrote a treatise on theliquid-propellant rocketengine. He graduated in the spring of 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as anensignin the Navy.On June 6, he married Marilyn Lillie Gerlach in a ceremony atSt. Anne's Churchin Annapolis. The two had begun dating while they were in high school.As a college student, Gerlach","student, Gerlach had transferred fromWisconsin State Teachers CollegetoGeorge Washington Universityin Washington, D.C., so she could be near him while he was at Annapolis.They had four children: Barbara, James, Susan, and Jeffrey. Navy career Lovell was one of 50 members of his graduating class of 783 initially selected for naval aviation training.He went to flight training atNaval Air Station Pensacolafrom October 1952 to February 1954. He was designated a naval aviator on February 1, 1954, upon completion of pilot training, and was assigned toVC-3atMoffett Fieldnear San Francisco, California. From 1954 to 1956 he flewMcDonnell F2H Bansheenight fighters. This included a Western Pacific deployment aboard the aircraft carrierUSSShangri-La. Lovell eventually completed 107 carrier deck landings. Upon his return to shore duty, he was reassigned to provide pilot transition training for theNorth American FJ-4 Fury,McDonnell F3H DemonandVought F8U Crusader. In January 1958, Lovell entered a six-monthtest","a six-monthtest pilottraining course at what was then the Naval Air Test Center (now theUnited States Naval Test Pilot School) atNaval Air Station Patuxent River,Maryland, with Class 20,which also included futureastronautsWally SchirraandPete Conrad,who gave Lovell the nickname \"Shaky\".Lovell graduated at the top of the class.Usually the top graduate was assigned to flight test on graduation, but the head of electronics test had complained about never getting the top graduate, so Lovell was assigned to electronics test, where he worked withradarsets. Later that year, Lovell, Conrad, and Schirra were among 110 military test pilots selected as potential astronaut candidates forProject Mercury. Schirra went on to become one of theMercury Seven, but Lovell was not selected because of a temporarily highbilirubincount.In 1960, electronics test was merged with armaments test to become weapons test, and Lovell became theMcDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIprogram manager.During this time future astronautJohn Youngserved","Youngserved under him. In 1961 Lovell received orders forVF-101 \"Detachment Alpha\"atNaval Air Station OceanainVirginia Beach, Virginia, as a flight instructor and safety engineering officer,and he completed Aviation Safety School at theUniversity of Southern California. NASA career Astronaut selection In 1962,NASAbegan recruiting its second group of astronauts, intended to fly during theGeminiandApolloprograms. This time the process was a public one. Lovell found out about the selection from an advertisement that had been placed inAviation Week & Space Technology, and decided to apply a second time.A three-person selection panel consisting of Mercury Seven astronautsAlan ShepardandDeke Slayton, and NASA test pilotWarren J. North, reduced the candidates to 32 finalists,who were sent toBrooks Air Force BaseinSan Antoniofor medical examinations. The tests there were much the same as those employed to select the Mercury Seven,but this time Lovell passed.The remaining 27 then went toEllington Air Force Basenear","Air Force Basenear Houston, where they were individually interviewed by the selection panel. On September 14, Slayton informed Lovell that he had been accepted.To avoid tipping off the media, all checked into theRice Hotelin Houston under the name of Max Peck, its general manager.On September 17, the media crowded into the 1800-seat Cullen Auditorium at theUniversity of Houstonfor the official announcement, but it was a low-key event compared to the unveiling of the Mercury Seven three years before.The group became known as the \"Next Nine\" or the \"New Nine\".The new astronauts moved to the Houston area in October 1962.Conrad and Lovell built houses inTimber Cove, south of theManned Spacecraft Center(MSC).Developers in Timber Cove offered astronauts mortgages with small down payments and low interest rates.The MSC complex was not yet complete, so NASA temporarily leased office space in Houston. The task of supervising the Next Nine's training fell to Mercury Seven astronautGus Grissom.Initially, each of the","each of the astronauts was given four months of classroom instruction on subjects such asspacecraft propulsion,orbital mechanics,astronomy,computing, andspace medicine. Classes were for six hours a day, two days a week, and all sixteen astronauts had to attend. There was also familiarization with the Gemini spacecraft,Titan IIandAtlasboosters, and theAgena target vehicle.Jungle survival training was conducted at theUnited States Air Force(USAF) Tropic Survival School atAlbrook Air Force Stationin thePanama Canal Zone, desert survival training atStead Air Force BaseinNevada, and water survival training on theDilbert Dunkerat the USN school at the Naval Air Station Pensacola and onGalveston Bay.Following the precedent set by the Mercury Seven, each of the Next Nine was assigned a special area in which to develop expertise that could be shared with the others, and to provide astronaut input to designers and engineers.Lovell became responsible for recovery systems. Gemini program Gemini 7 Lovell was selected as","was selected as backup pilot forGemini 4,which was officially announced on July 29, 1964.It put him in position for his first space flight three missions later, as pilot ofGemini 7with command pilotFrank Borman, under a rotation system devised by Slayton.Borman was a USAF officer, and Lovell had first met him during the evaluation process for astronaut selection.Their selection for the Gemini 7 mission was officially announced on July 1, 1965, along with that ofEdward WhiteandMichael Collinsas their backup crew. Like all Gemini missions, it was part of the preparations for Apollo. The flight's objective was to evaluate the effects on the crew and spacecraft from fourteen days in orbit, this being sufficiently long for any possible Moon mission, and would therefore enable doctors to evaluate the medical aspects of such a flight. Whereas theGemini 6mission preceding it was to demonstrate techniques forspace rendezvous, likewise critical requirement of Apollo. These techniques had been worked out by Dean F.","out by Dean F. Grimm andBuzz Aldrin, who had written his doctoral thesis on the subject. The Gemini 6 mission, which was commanded by Schirra withTom Staffordas pilot, had a serious setback on October 15, 1965, when the Agena target vehicle that Gemini 6 was supposed to rendezvous with exploded soon after takeoff. Lovell was present at theLaunch Control CenteratCape Kennedywhen this occurred. Officials fromMcDonnell, the manufacturer of the Gemini spacecraft, then raised the possibility of a rendezvous between Gemini 6 and Gemini 7 during the two weeks while Gemini 7 was in orbit.The only change to the latter's flight plan this required was to circularize its orbit to match that intended for the Agena target vehicle. Borman rejected a proposal by Schirra that Lovell and Stafford exchange places, on the grounds that it was hazardous and likely to jeopardize the fourteen-day mission objective through loss of oxygen. In planning the mission, it was decided that both astronauts would sleep at the same time and","the same time and observe the same work periods, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Experiments were not scheduled, but fitted in when time allowed.Of the twenty experiments, eight were medical, aimed at gathering data about the effects of long-duration space flight. Of the rest, four were tests of spacecraft systems, five involved radiometry or navigation, and three involved photography and observation,To save space, theG5C space suitwas designed that incorporated a soft hood instead of a helmet and zippers instead of a neck ring. It weighed a third less than the standard Gemini space suit and could be stowed more easily. Gemini 7 lifted off on December 4, 1965, and reached its intended 300-kilometer (160 nmi) near-circular orbit. Lovell was taller than Borman and had more difficulty donning and removing his space suit. Initially one astronaut had to be suited, but this made him uncomfortably warm, and eventually mission control relented and allowed both to leave their space suits off.Gemini 6,","suits off.Gemini 6, now called Gemini 6A, attempted to launch on December 12; the engines ignited, but shut down less than two seconds later due to an electrical problem and a fuel cap accidentally having been left in place.After repairs, Gemini 6A successfully lifted off on December 15, and rendezvoused with Gemini 7 on Gemini 6A's fourth orbit. The two spacecraft then flew in tandem for three orbits, the distance between them varying between 0.30 and 90 meters (1 and 300 ft). Gemini 6A returned to Earth on December 16. In the final two days of the mission, Lovell had time to read part ofDrums Along the MohawkbyWalter D. Edmonds. As in earlier long-duration flights, malfunctions accumulated as the flight wore on. Two of the thrusters stopped working. After the flight, this was traced to the fact that they had an old type of laminate in the thrust chamber instead of the new type that had been developed to solve this problem. This proved to be only an annoyance, but there was more concern over a loss of power","a loss of power in thefuel cells. By day thirteen, a warning light was illuminated continuously and it was feared that the cells, which were only giving partial output, might fail completely, and the mission might have to be cut short; tests were carried out inSt. Louisthat demonstrated that the batteries could sustain them for the remainder of the flight. Gemini 7 made a successful return from orbit on December 18.The fourteen-day flight set an endurance record, making 206 orbits. Gemini 12 On January 24, 1966, Lovell was named as the backup command pilot ofGemini 10, with Aldrin as the pilot. On March 21, this was changed as a result of the deaths of theGemini 9prime crew,Elliot SeeandCharles Bassett, inan air crash. The Gemini 9 backup crew of Tom Stafford andGene Cernanbecame the prime crew of Gemini 9A, and Lovell and Aldrin became their backups. This positioned Lovell for his second flight and first command, ofGemini 12. Lovell and Aldrin's selection for this mission was officially announced on June","announced on June 17, along with that ofGordon Cooperand Gene Cernan as their backups. The goals of Gemini 12, the final Gemini mission, were ill-defined at first. \"Essentially Gemini 12 didn't have a mission\", Lovell later recalled. \"It was, I guess, by default... supposed to wind up the Gemini program and catch all those items that were not caught on previous flights.\"By July, its mission had become to masterextravehicular activity(EVA), something that had proven problematic on earlier Gemini missions, as they had been more strenuous than expected and performing simple tasks had been more complicated. A series of innovations had been developed in response to the problems that had been encountered. It had been found that moving in space was similar to being underwater, and Aldrin made use of this new training technique. A waist restraint was provided on the space suit, and the Gemini spacecraft and the Agena target vehicle had additional handrails, handholds, and rings for tethering the waist restraint.","waist restraint. Procedures were modified to minimize fatigue. Gemini 12 lifted off on November 11, and quickly achieved orbit. Its first task was to rendezvous with its Agena target vehicle. This was complicated when the rendezvous radar set failed. Instead, Aldrin, who had written his PhD on the rendezvous, used asextantto measure the angle between the spacecraft and the Agena, and then calculated the required actions using the onboard computer. Lovell then flew the spacecraft accordingly. Rendezvous was achieved, and Gemini successfullydockedwith the Agena, achieving the fifth space rendezvous and fourth space docking with an Agena target vehicle. Lovell then successfully undocked and docked again. Aldrin performed three EVAs. The first was a standup EVA on November 12, in which the spacecraft door was opened and he stood up, but did not leave the spacecraft. The standup EVA mimicked some of the actions he would do during his free-flight EVA, so he could compare the effort expended between the two. It set","the two. It set an EVA record of two hours and twenty minutes. The next day Aldrin performed his free-flight EVA. He climbed across the newly installed hand-holds to the Agena and installed the cable needed for the gravity-gradient stabilization experiment. He performed several tasks, including installing electrical connectors and testing tools that would be needed for Apollo. The EVA concluded after two hours and six minutes.Before returning to the spacecraft, Aldrin cleaned the pilot's window with a cloth, and Lovell jokingly asked him if he could change the oil too.A third, 55-minute standup EVA was conducted on November 14, during which Aldrin took photographs, conducted experiments, and discarded some unneeded items. Gemini 12 returned to Earth on November 15, after 59 orbits. During re-entry a pouch containing books and small pieces of equipment broke free and landed in Lovell's lap. He did not want to grab it, as he feared he might pull on theD-ringthat activated the ejector seat. It did not move any","It did not move any further, and the landing went well. The spacecraft landed just 5.5 kilometers (3.0 nmi) from the recovery ship, the aircraft carrierUSSWasp. Twelve experiments had been carried out.This mission proved that people could work effectively outside the spacecraft, which was required for the Apollo missions with the goal of getting man on the Moon by the end of the decade. Apollo program Apollo 1 On January 27, 1967, Grissom, White andRoger Chaffeewere killed in theApollo 1fire. At the time, Lovell was in Washington, D.C., where, along with fellow astronautsNeil Armstrong,Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper andRichard Gordon, he had attended the signing of theOuter Space Treatyand the reception afterwards in theGreen Roomof theWhite Househosted by PresidentLyndon Johnson. Four days later, Lovell flew toWest Point, New York, with Borman in a NASAT-38for the funeral service for White at theOld Cadet Chapel. After the service, White was laid to rest in theWest Point Cemetery; Lovell served as a","Lovell served as a pallbearer along with Armstrong, Borman, Conrad, Stafford and Aldrin. TheApollo command modulewas redesigned after the fire, and afterwards it underwent a series of qualification tests.In April 1968, Lovell, along with fellow astronautsStuart RoosaandCharles Duke, spent 48 hours in command module CM-007A, bobbing in theGulf of Mexicoto test the seaworthiness of the Apollo spacecraft.The NASA research vesselMVRetrieverstood by with technicians and divers,while the astronauts assessed how quickly the spacecraft's flotation devices could right it from the \"stable II\" (upside down) position. The urine collection hose was used to vacuum up water that entered the cabin.Although this did not seem to bother Lovell, Duke regarded it as his worst experience as an astronaut, and Roosa became quiteseasick.The NASARoundupnewspaper wrote the event up under the headline, \"Yo, Ho, Ho and a Bottle of Marezine\", referencing the brand name ofa motion sickness drug. Apollo 8 Lovell was originally chosen as","chosen as command module pilot (CMP) on the backup crew for Apollo 9 along with Armstrong as commander (CDR) and Aldrin aslunar modulepilot (LMP). Apollo 9 was planned as a high-apogeeEarth orbital test of the Lunar Module (LM). Lovell later replaced Michael Collins as CMP on the Apollo 9 prime crew in July 1968 when Collins needed to have surgery for abone spuron his spine. This reunited Lovell with his Gemini 7 commander Frank Borman, along with LMPWilliam Anders. Aldrin became Lovell's backup CMP, andFred Haisejoined Armstrong's crew as LMP. Construction delays of the first crewed LM prevented it from being ready in time to fly on Apollo 8, planned as alow Earth orbittest. It was decided to swap the Apollo 8 and Apollo 9 prime and backup crews in the flight schedule so that the crew trained for the low-orbit test could fly it asApollo 9, when the LM would be ready. A lunar orbital flight, nowApollo 8, replaced the original Apollo 9 medium Earth orbit test mission.The crew was informed of this decision on","of this decision on August 10, 1968, and the training schedule was adjusted accordingly. Starting in September, the crew spent ten hours a day in the simulator rehearsing the mission. Apollo 8 was launched on December 21, 1968, and Borman, Lovell and Anders became the first crew to ride theSaturn Vrocket, as well as the first to travel to theMoon.Their Apollo craft entered lunar orbit on December 24 (Christmas Eve) and reduced speed to go into a 11-by-312-kilometer (5.9 by 168.5 nmi) orbit. The engine was then fired again to enter a 112-kilometer (60 nmi) circular orbit around the Moon. On Christmas Eve, the crew broadcast black-and-white television pictures of the lunar surface back to Earth. Lovell took his turn with Borman and Anders in reading a passage from the Biblical creation story in theBook of Genesis.They made a total of ten orbits of the Moon in 20 hours and ten minutes,and began their return to Earth on December 25 (Christmas Day) with a rocket burn made on the Moon's far side, out of radio","side, out of radio contact with Earth. When contact was re-established, Lovell broadcast, \"Please be informed, there is aSanta Claus.\" As CMP, Lovell served as the navigator, using the spacecraft's built-in sextant to determine its position by measuring star positions. This information was then used to calculate required mid-course corrections. Lovell used some otherwise idle time to do navigational sightings, maneuvering the module to view stars by using theApollo guidance computerkeyboard. Lovell accidentally erased some of the computer's memory by entering the wrong codes, which caused theinertial measurement unit(IMU) to contain data indicating that the module was in the same relative orientation it had been in before lift-off; the IMU then fired the thrusters to \"correct\" the module's attitude. Once the crew realized why the computer had changed the module's attitude, they knew that they would have to reenter the correct data to tell the computer the module's actual orientation. It took Lovell ten","It took Lovell ten minutes to figure out the correct values, using the thrusters to get the starsRigelandSiriusaligned,and another 15 minutes to enter the corrected data into the computer.Sixteen months later, during theApollo 13mission, Lovell would have to perform a similar manual realignment under even more critical conditions after the module's IMU had been turned off to conserve energy. A feature on the Moon's surface (Mount Marilyn) was named by Lovell in honor of his wife. The spacecraftsplashed downsafely before dawn on December 27 after 147 hours of flight, 4.8 kilometers (2.6 nmi) from the recovery ship, the aircraft carrierUSSYorktown. It was estimated that the crew had traveled 933,419 kilometers (504,006 nmi). Apollo 13 Lovell was backup CDR ofApollo 11, with Anders as CMP, and Haise as LMP.In early 1969, Anders accepted a job with theNational Aeronautics and Space Councileffective August 1969, and announced he would retire as an astronaut at that time.Ken Mattinglywas moved from the support","from the support crew into parallel training with Anders as backup CMP in case Apollo 11 was delayed past its intended July launch date, at which point Anders would be unavailable. Under the normal crew rotation in place during Apollo, Lovell, Mattingly, and Haise were scheduled to fly as the prime crew ofApollo 14, butGeorge Mueller, the director of NASA's Office of Manned Space Flight, rejected Slayton's choice of fellow Mercury Seven astronaut Alan Shepard to command Apollo 13. Shepard had only recently returned to flight status after being grounded for several years, and Mueller thought that he needed more training time to prepare for a mission to the Moon. Slayton then asked Lovell if he was willing to switch places with Shepard's crew to give them more training time.\"Sure, why not?\" Lovell replied, \"What could possibly be the difference between Apollo 13 and Apollo 14?\" There was one more change. Seven days before launch, a member of the Apollo 13 backup crew, Duke, contractedrubellafrom a friend of","a friend of his son.This exposed both the prime and backup crews, who trained together. Of the five, only Mattingly was not immune through prior exposure. Normally, if any member of the prime crew had to be grounded, the remaining crew would be replaced as well, and the backup crew substituted, but Duke's illness ruled this out,so two days before launch, Mattingly was replaced byJack Swigertfrom the backup crew.Mattingly never developed rubella and later flew to the Moon onApollo 16. Lovell lifted off aboard Apollo 13 on April 11, 1970.He and Haise were to land near theFra Mauro crater. TheFra Mauro formationwas believed to contain much material spattered by the impact that had filled theImbrium basinearly in the Moon's history, and dating it would provide information about the early history of the Earth and the Moon. \"We have a problem here\", Swigert informed mission control.\"This is Houston, say again please,\" thecapsule communicator,Jack Lousma, responded.\"Houston, we've had a problem,\" Lovell replied.","Lovell replied. Lovell & Kluger 1995, p. 95 During a routineliquid oxygentank stir in transit to the Moon, a fire started inside an oxygen tank. The most probable cause determined by NASA was damaged electrical insulation on wiring that created a spark that started the fire.A problem with draining the tank had been reported before the mission, and Lovell had approved the action taken to turn on the heaters to purge the oxygen rather than to replace the faulty tank, which would have delayed the mission by a month. Neither he nor the launch pad crew were aware that the tank contained the wrong thermostat switch. The heaters were left on for eight hours, and while this successfully purged the oxygen, it also removedtefloninsulation from the copper electrical wiring.Liquid oxygen rapidly turned into a high-pressure gas, which burst the tank and caused the leak of a second oxygen tank. In just over two hours, all onboard oxygen was lost, disabling the hydrogen fuel cells that provided electrical power to the","power to the Command/Service ModuleOdyssey. Apollo 13 was the second mission not to use afree-return trajectory, so that they could explore the western lunar regions.Using theApollo Lunar Moduleas a \"life boat\" providing battery power, oxygen, and propulsion, Lovell and his crew re-established the free return trajectory that they had left, and swung around the Moon to return home.Based on the flight controllers' calculations made on Earth, Lovell had to adjust the course twice by manually controlling the Lunar Module's thrusters and engine. Apollo 13 returned safely to Earth on April 17.\"I'm afraid\", Lovell said, \"this is going to be the last lunar mission for a long time.\"His comment was rebutted byNASA AdministratorThomas O. Paine, who hastened to reassure the public that NASA would be mounting more missions to the Moon.Nine months later, Apollo 14 would make the voyage to Fra Mauro, with modified oxygen tanks and an extra battery for emergencies. Apollo 13's flight trajectory gave Lovell, Haise, and","Lovell, Haise, and Swigert the record for the farthest distance that humans have ever traveled from Earth.Lovell is one of only three men to travel to the Moon twice, but unlike the other two, John Young and Gene Cernan, he never walked on it.He accrued 715 hours and 5 minutes in space flights on his Gemini and Apollo flights, a personal record that stood until theSkylab 3mission in 1973. Later life Lovell retired from the Navy and the space program on March 1, 1973, and went to work at the Bay-Houston Towing Company inHouston, Texas,taking on the role of CEO in 1975. He became president of Fisk Telephone Systems in 1977,and later worked forCentel Corporationin Chicago, retiring as an executive vice president on January 1, 1991.Lovell was a recipient of theDistinguished Eagle Scout Award.He was also recognized by the Boy Scouts of America with theirSilver Buffalo Award. Lovell served on the board of directors for several organizations, includingFederal Signal Corporationin Chicago from 1984 to 2003,","from 1984 to 2003, theAstronautics Corporation of Americain his hometown of Milwaukee from 1990 to 1999, and Centel from 1987 to 1991. In 1999, the Lovell family opened a restaurant inLake Forest, Illinois, \"Lovell's of Lake Forest\". The restaurant displayed memorabilia from Lovell's time with NASA and the filming ofApollo 13. The restaurant was sold to son and executive chef James (\"Jay\") in 2006.The restaurant was put on the market for sale in February 2014,and it closed in April 2015, the property being auctioned the same month. Marilyn Lovell (born on July 11, 1930) died of natural causes at the age of 93, at her home in the Lake Forest Place retirement community in Lake Forest, Illinois on August 27, 2023. Upon the death ofFrank Bormanon November 7, 2023, Lovell became the oldest living former astronaut. Awards and decorations Lovell's awards and decorations include: Military, federal service, and foreign awards Other awards and accomplishments The Gemini 6 and 7 crews were awarded theHarmon","awarded theHarmon International Trophyfor 1966 in a ceremony at the White House.Lovell received a second Harmon International Trophy in 1967 when he and Aldrin were selected for their Gemini 12 flight.The Apollo 8 crew won theRobert J. Collier Trophyfor 1968,and PresidentRichard Nixonawarded them theDr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophyin 1969, which Lovell accepted on behalf of the crew.The General Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy is normally awarded to Air Force personnel, but an exception was made to include Lovell, and the Apollo 8 crew were awarded the 1968 trophy.Lovell was awarded a third Harmon International Trophy in 1969 for his role in the Apollo 8 mission.The Apollo 8 crew was also awarded theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA) Haley Astronautics Award for 1970,and were namedTimeMagazine Men of the Yearin 1968.The Apollo 7, 8, 9, and 10 crews were awarded the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Special Trustees Award for 1969.Lovell was one of ten Gemini","one of ten Gemini astronauts inducted into theInternational Space Hall of Famein 1982,and, along with the other 12 Gemini astronauts, Lovell was inducted into the secondU.S. Astronaut Hall of Fameclass in 1993.At a parade attended by 500,000 people, Lovell was conferred Chicago's medal of merit.The Apollo 13 crew was awarded the City of New York Gold Medal, but Lovell had already received it for the Apollo 8 mission. In lieu of a second medal, the mayor gifted him a crystal paperweight that he \"invented for the occasion\".He was also awarded the 1970 City ofHoustonMedal for Valor for the mission.He was awarded his second Haley Astronautics Award for his role on Apollo 13. Lovell was featured on the cover ofTimemagazine on January 3, 1969, and April 27, 1970,and on the cover ofLifemagazine on April 24, 1970. Lovell was a recipient of the University of Wisconsin's Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 1970. In his acceptance speech he emphasized the use of words over \"rock throwing\" to help attain political","attain political goals.He was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree atWestern Michigan University's summer commencement exercises in 1970.He was also awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree atWilliam Paterson College's commencement exercises in 1974.Lovell was also granted an honorarydoctor of sciencedegree from University of Wisconsin–Madison, his original alma mater, speaking at the December 2016 commencement. Tributes A small crater on thefar side of the Moonwas namedLovellin his honor in 1970.Discovery Worldin Milwaukee was renamed The James Lovell Museum of Science, Economics and Technology. It was at the time located on James Lovell St., also named for Lovell.TheCaptain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Centerwas completed in October 2010, merging theNaval Health Clinic Great Lakesand the North Chicago Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Organizations In popular culture About a month after the return to Earth of Apollo 13, Lovell and his crewmates, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert, appeared onThe","appeared onThe Tonight Showwith hostJohnny Carson.In 1976, Lovell made a cameo appearance in the Nicolas Roeg movieThe Man Who Fell to Earth. Lovell andJeffrey Klugerwrote a 1994 book about the Apollo 13 mission,Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13,on which the 1995Ron HowardfilmApollo 13was based. Lovell's first impression on being approached about the film was thatKevin Costnerwould be a good choice to portray him, given the physical resemblance,butTom Hankswas cast in the role.To prepare, Hanks visited James and Marilyn Lovell at their home in Texas and flew with Lovell in his private airplane.Kathleen Quinlanwas nominated for asupporting actress Oscarfor her performance as Marilyn. In the film, Lovell has a cameo as the captain of theUSSIwo Jima. He can be seen as the naval officer shaking Hanks' hand, as Hanks speaks invoice-over, in the scene where the astronauts come aboard theIwo Jima. The filmmakers offered to make Lovell's character an admiral aboard the ship, but Lovell said: \"I retired as","said: \"I retired as a captain and a captain I will be.\" He was cast as the ship's skipper, CaptainLeland Kirkemo. Along with his wife Marilyn, who also has a cameo in the film, Lovell provided a commentary track on both the single disc and the two-disc special edition DVD. Tim Dalyportrayed Lovell in the 1998HBOminiseriesFrom the Earth to the Moon,andPablo Schreiberin the 2018 film about Armstrong,First Man. Notes References External links","Jack Swigert John Leonard Swigert Jr.(August 30, 1931 – December 27, 1982) was an AmericanNASAastronaut,test pilot,mechanical engineer,aerospace engineer,United States Air Forcepilot, andpolitician. In April 1970, as command module pilot ofApollo 13, he became one of24 astronauts who flew to the Moon.Ironically, due to the \"slingshot\" route around the Moon they chose to safely return to Earth, the Apollo 13 astronauts flew farther away from Earth than any other astronauts before or since, though they had to abort the Moon landing. Before joining NASA in 1966, Swigert was a civiliantest pilotandfighter pilotin theAir National Guard. After leaving NASA, he ran forSenatebut lost in a primary election againstBill Armstrong. Later he ran forCongress, but while running was diagnosed with cancer. He won the election for Colorado's new6th districtin 1982, but died before being sworn in. Early life John Leonard Swigert Jr. was born on August 30, 1931, inDenver,Colorado, to parents John Leonard Swigert Sr. (1903–1973)","Sr. (1903–1973) and Virginia Swigert (1906–1993). Swigert's father was anophthalmologist.At the age of 14, he became fascinated by aviation. While he would have been content just watching planes take off from nearby Combs Field, young Jack became determined to do more than be a spectator. He took on a newspaper route to earn money for flying lessons, and by age 16 he was alicensed private pilot.He was a member of theBoy Scouts of Americaand attained the rank ofSecond Class Scout.He attendedBlessed Sacrament School,Regis Jesuit High School, andEast High School, from which he graduated in 1949. Swigert received aBachelor of Sciencedegree inmechanical engineeringfromUniversity of Coloradoin 1953, where he also playedfootballfor theBuffaloes.He later earned aMaster of Sciencedegree inaerospace engineeringfromRensselaer Polytechnic Institute(Hartford campus) in 1965,and aMaster of Business Administrationdegree fromUniversity of Hartfordin 1967. His recreational interests","interests includedgolf,handball,bowling,skiing,swimming, andbasketball. His hobbies includedphotography. Flight experience Following his graduation from Colorado in 1953, Swigert joined theUnited States Air Force(USAF). Upon graduation from the Pilot Training Program andGunnery SchoolatNellis Air Force Base,Nevada, he was assigned as afighter pilotinJapanandSouth Korea. In 1953, he survived his plane crashing into a radar unit on a Korean airstrip. After completing his tour of active duty in the USAF, he served as a jet fighter pilot with theMassachusetts(1957–1960) andConnecticut Air National Guard(1960–1965).Swigert held a position as engineering test pilot forNorth American Aviationbefore joining NASA. He was previously an engineering test pilot forPratt & Whitney, from February 1957 to June 1964. He logged over 7,200 hours in flight, including more than 5,725 hours injet aircraft. NASA career After unsuccessfully applying for NASA'ssecondandthirdastronaut selections,Swigert was accepted into theNASA","into theNASA Astronaut Corpsas part ofNASA Astronaut Group 5in April 1966.Swigert became a specialist on theApollo command module: he was one of the few astronauts who requested to be command module pilots. Swigert was a member ofApollo 7's astronaut support crew, the first support crew for an Apollo mission; he served asCapsule communicator(CAPCOM) during the ascent phase of the flight. Apollo 13 Swigert was one of three astronauts aboard theApollo 13Moon mission launched April 11, 1970. Originally part of the backup crew for the mission, he was assigned to the mission three days before launch, replacing astronautKen Mattingly. The prime crew had been exposed toGerman Measles(the rubella virus) fromCharles Dukeand, because Mattingly had no immunity to the disease, NASA did not want to risk him falling ill during critical phases of the flight. Apollo 13 was the third crewed lunar-landing attempt, but was aborted after the rupture of an oxygen tank in the spacecraft'sservice module. Swigert was the astronaut","was the astronaut who first announced, \"Houston, we've had a problem here\".The statement was then repeated by commander of the flightJim Lovell. Swigert, along with fellow astronauts Lovell andFred Haise, traveled around the Moon and returned safely to Earth on April 17 after about 5 days and 23 hours, and received thePresidential Medal of Freedomthe next day. Apollo–Soyuz Test Project NASA Director of Flight Crew OperationsDeke Slayton, who selected the astronauts, recommended Swigert ascommand module pilotfor theApollo–Soyuz Test Project, the first joint mission with theSoviet Union. Slayton felt Swigert deserved another chance to fly after having been selected for Apollo 13 two days before launch, and performing well. During 1972, theApollo 15 postal covers incidentcaused NASA investigators to inquire into other astronauts.A number of Apollo astronauts, including Swigert, had made agreements with West German stamp dealer Hermann Sieger, who originated the idea for theApollo 15covers, to autograph","to autograph philatelic items in exchange for a payment of about $2,500. Swigert originally denied involvement when interviewed by NASA investigators.According toChristopher C. Kraft, the investigators subpoenaed his bank records, finding more funds than expected, and records of a predated charitable donation.Swigert's subsequent admission caused NASA Deputy AdministratorGeorge M. Lowto remove him from Apollo–Soyuz. Post-NASA career Aware that his spaceflight career was most likely over,Swigert took a leave of absence from NASA in April 1973 and went toWashington, D.C.to become executive director of theCommittee on Science and Astronautics,U.S. House of Representatives. Swigert eventually left NASA and the committee in August 1977 to enter politics.He ran for theU.S. Senatein 1978, but was soundly defeated in the Republican primary in September byCongressmanBill Armstrong, who was far better known.In 1979, Swigert became vice president of B.D.M. Corporation inGolden.He left in 1981 to join International Gold","International Gold and Minerals Limited as vice president for financial and corporate affairs. In February 1982, Swigert left International Gold and Minerals Limited to run forU.S. Congressin the newly created6th districtas a Republican. When amalignant tumorin his right nasal passage was found, theastronaut-politiciandisclosed this to the voters. Doctors told him he would finish radiation treatments on June 15 and make a complete recovery.However, in August, Swigert developed back pain and was diagnosed withbone marrow cancer.On November 2, 1982, he won the seat with 64% of the popular vote. Death On December 19, 1982, seven weeks after his election, he was airlifted from his home inLittletontoGeorgetown University Hospitalin Washington, D.C. He died ofrespiratory failureat itsLombardi Cancer Centeron December 27, seven days before the beginning of his congressional term, aged 51.He was the last member-elect of the House to die before taking office untilLuke Letlow'sdeath fromCOVID-19in December 2020.","December 2020. Fifteen astronauts, including fellow Apollo 13 crewmatesJim LovellandFred Haise, were among the thousand mourners at hisfull military honorsfuneral in Denver, presided over byArchbishopJames Casey, which included amissing man flyoverbyA-7 Corsairsof theColorado Air National Guard.He is buried alongside his parents inMount Olivet CemeteryinWheat Ridge. Awards, honors, and organizations Swigert received theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA)Octave Chanute Awardfor 1966 for his participation in demonstrating theRogallo wingas a feasible land landing system for returning space vehicles and astronauts. President Richard Nixon awarded thePresidential Medal of Freedomto the Apollo 13 crew shortly after the conclusion of their mission.Following a sparse parade, Swigert received the City of New York Gold Medal on June 3.He received the City ofHoustonMedal for Valor, 1970.Swigert received theAmerican Astronautical SocietyFlight Achievement Award for 1970.He was given University of","given University of Colorado-Boulder's Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award in 1970.Vice President Spiro Agnew presented the crews of Apollo 11, 12, and 13 with theNASA Distinguished Service Medalin 1970.The Apollo 13 crew also received the AIAA Haley Astronautics Award in 1971, which included a small monetary award and a medal. Swigert was awarded the 1972 Antonian Gold Medal. He was presented anHonorary Doctorate of Sciencedegree fromAmerican International Collegein 1970,anHonorary Doctorate of Lawsdegree fromWestern State Universityin 1970,and anHonorary Doctorate of SciencefromWestern Michigan Universityin 1970. In 1983, Swigert was among 14 Apollo astronauts inducted into theInternational Space Hall of Fame. In 1988, Swigert was inducted into theColorado Aviation Hall of Fame. In 1995, Swigert was portrayed byKevin BaconinRon Howard's filmApollo 13. In 1997, Swigert, along with 23 other Apollo astronauts, was posthumously inducted into theU.S. Astronaut Hall of Famewhich is located at the Kennedy","at the Kennedy Space Center. He was elected in September 2003 to theRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteAlumni Hall of Fame. In 1997, astatue of Swigertmade by George and Mark Lundeen was placed on display in theU.S. Capitol Buildingas one of two statues given by the state of Colorado to theNational Statuary Hall Collection.As of December 2008 the statue is on display in Emancipation Hall in theUnited States Capitol Visitor Center. A duplicate statue is currently on display atDenver International AirportTerminal B, where passengers exit the airport's train system. The Space Foundation was founded in 1983 in part to honor the memory and accomplishments of Swigert.In 2004, the Space Foundation launched theJohn L. \"Jack\" Swigert Jr. Award for Space Exploration, which is presented annually to an individual, group, or organization that has made a significant contribution to space exploration. On August 18, 2009, theSpace Foundationand Colorado Springs District 11 partnered to open the Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy.","Aerospace Academy. Swigert was a member of numerous organizations. He was afellowof theAmerican Astronautical Society; associate fellow of theSociety of Experimental Test Pilotsand theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; and member of theQuiet Birdmen,Phi Gamma Delta,Pi Tau Sigma, andSigma Tau. See also References Works cited External links","Fred Haise Fred Wallace Haise Jr.(/heɪz/HAYZ;born November 14, 1933) is an American formerNASAastronaut,engineer,fighter pilotwith theU.S. Marine CorpsandU.S. Air Force, and atest pilot. He is one of24 people to have flown to the Moon, having flown asLunar Modulepilot onApollo 13. He was slated to become the 6th person to walk on the Moon, but the Apollo 13 landing mission was aborted en route. Haise went on to fly fiveSpace ShuttleApproach and Landing Testsin 1977,before retiring from NASA in 1979. Early life Fred Wallace Haise, Jr. was born on November 14, 1933, and raised inBiloxi, Mississippi, to Fred Wallace Haise (1903–1960) and Lucille (néeBlacksher) Haise (1913–2005).: 1He has a younger sister who was born in 1941.: 6After theattack on Pearl Harboron December 7, 1941, his father enlisted in theU.S. Navyat the age of 38, and the Haise family moved toChicago.: 8The family then moved toKey West, Florida, until his father's ship,YMS-84, deployed to theSouth Pacific, when the family moved back to Biloxi.:","back to Biloxi.: 9–10He graduated fromBiloxi High Schoolin 1950.: 13He attendedPerkinston Junior Collegewith a scholarship for journalism,: 13and played on the baseball team.: 14He graduated in 1952,and joined the Naval Aviation Cadet Program.: 16He went to ground school atNAS Pensacola,: 16and then moved toNAS Whiting Fieldin 1952.: 18He trained in theSNJandF6F Hellcat, and completed his flight training in 1954.: 22–26He served as aU.S. Marine Corpsfighterpilot, with VMF-533, then VMF-114 on theF2H-4 BansheeandF9F-8 CougaratMCAS Cherry Point,North Carolina, from March 1954 to September 1956. Haise also served as a tactics and all-weatherflight instructorin the U.S. Navy Advanced Training Command atNAS Kingsville,Texas. Haise has accumulated 9,300 hours flying time, including 6,200 hours injets. After his military service, Haise returned to school and graduated with aBachelor of Sciencedegree with honors inaeronautical engineeringfrom theUniversity of Oklahomain 1959, concurrently serving for two years in","for two years in theOklahoma Air National Guard, as a fighter interceptor pilot with the185th Fighter Interceptor Squadron,flying theF-86D.He then worked for the newly createdNational Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA), first as a research pilot at theLewis Research CenternearCleveland. HisAir National Guardunit was called up during theBerlin Crisis of 1961and he served ten months as a fighter pilot in theUnited States Air Force.He was a tactical fighter pilot and chief of the 164th Standardization-Evaluation Flight of the164th Tactical Fighter SquadronatMansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base,Ohio,flying theF-84F. Haise completed post-graduate courses at theU.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School(Class 64A) atEdwards Air Force Base,Californiain 1964, and attended the six-weekHarvard Business School'sAdvanced Management Programin 1972. NASA career In 1966, Haise was one of 19 astronauts selected forNASA Astronaut Group 5.He had already worked with NASA for several years as a civilian research","a civilian research pilot. He was the first astronaut in his group to be assigned to a mission, serving as backup Lunar Module Pilot for bothApollo 8andApollo 11. Apollo 13 It only seems interesting to the public if it's the first exploration of another planetary body, or if you're having a problem. Fred Haise According to the rotation of crews during Apollo, Haise was originally assigned as Lunar Module Pilot forApollo 14, but his crew was switched to Apollo 13 so thatAlan Shepardcould have more training time. He flew as Lunar Module Pilot on the abortedApollo 13lunar mission in 1970.Due to the distance between the Earth and Moon during the mission, Haise,Jim Lovell, andJack Swigerthold the record for the farthest distance from the Earth ever traveled by human beings.Haise and Jack Swigert were the first people from Group 5 to fly in space. During this flight Haise developed aurinary tract infectionand later kidney infections. These caused him to be in pain for most of the trip. Haise was slated to become","slated to become the 6th human to walk on the Moon during Apollo 13 behind Lovell, who was to be 5th.Alan ShepardandEdgar Mitchelleventually became the fifth and sixth, respectively, onApollo 14, which completed Apollo 13's mission to theFra Mauro formation. Haise later served as backup commander forApollo 16. Though there was no formal selection, Haise was prospectively slated to commandApollo 19withWilliam R. Pogueas Command Module Pilot andGerald P. Carras Lunar Module Pilot. However, the mission was canceled in 1970 due to budget cuts. Space Shuttle approach and landing tests After completing his backup assignment on Apollo 16, Haise moved to theSpace Shuttle program. In 1977, he participated in the program'sApproach and Landing Tests(ALT) atEdwards Air Force Base.Along withC. Gordon Fullertonas pilot, Haise as commander piloted theSpace ShuttleEnterprisein free flight to three landings after being released from theShuttle Carrier Aircraft.The tests verified the shuttle's flight characteristics, an","characteristics, an important step toward the success of the program. Haise was assigned to commandSTS-2A, withJack R. Lousmaas pilot, the second Space Shuttle mission, which would have delivered theTeleoperator Retrieval Systemthat would have boostedSkylabto a higher orbit, preserving it for future use. Delays in the Shuttle program development as well as an unexpected increase in Skylab's orbital decay led to the mission being canceled. Skylab was destroyed upon entering the Earth's atmosphere in July 1979, while the Space Shuttle did not launch until April 1981. In June 1979, Haise left NASA to become a test pilot andexecutivewithGrumman Aerospace Corporation, where he remained until retiring in 1996.He was the only one of the four astronauts who conducted theEnterpriselanding tests not to fly in space on the Shuttle. Personal life Haise has four children with his first wife Mary Griffin Grant, whom he married on June 4, 1954, and divorced on July 21, 1978.He married Frances Patt Price, on January 9,","on January 9, 1979.On February 7, 2022, Frances died. On August 22, 1973, Haise was piloting aConvair BT-13belonging to theCommemorative Air Forcethat had been converted to look like anAichi D3A\"Val\" torpedo bomber for the 1970 filmTora! Tora! Tora!. While attempting a landing go around atScholes FieldinGalveston, Texas, an undetermined power plant failure led to a crash landing. Haise sufferedsecond‐degree burnsover 50 percent of his body in the post crash fire. Haise published his autobiography,Never Panic Early, about his life and experiences in the Apollo program in 2022. Organizations Haise is afellowof theAmerican Astronautical Society(AAS) and theSociety of Experimental Test Pilots(SETP); member,Tau Beta Pi,Sigma Gamma Tau, andPhi Theta Kappa; and honorary member, National WWII Glider Pilots Association. Awards and honors Haise's other awards include theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA) Haley Astronautics Award for 1971;theAmerican Astronautical SocietyFlight Achievement Awards","Achievement Awards for 1970 and 1977; the City ofNew YorkGold Medal in 1970;the City ofHoustonMedal for Valor in 1970;theJeff DavisAward (1970);the Mississippi Distinguished Civilian Service Medal (1970);the American Defense Ribbon;the SETP's Ray E. Tenhoff Award for 1966;the A. B. Honts Trophy as the outstanding graduate of Class 64A from the Aerospace Research Pilot School in 1964;an honorary doctor of science degree fromWestern Michigan University(1970);theJSCSpecial Achievement Award (1978);theSoaring Society of America's Certificate of Achievement Award (1978); the GeneralThomas D. WhiteUSAF Space Trophy for 1977;the SETP'sIven C. Kincheloe Award(1978);and theAir Force Association'sDavid C. SchillingAward (1978). He received thePresidential Medal of Freedom,NASA Distinguished Service Medal,andNASA Exceptional Service Medal. He was inducted into theInternational Space Hall of Famein 1983 and theAerospace Walk of Honorin 1995.He was also one of 24 Apollo astronauts inducted into theU.S. Astronaut Hall of","Astronaut Hall of Fameon October 4, 1997. On February 13, 2022, the City of Biloxi unveiled a statue of Haise in the parking lot of the historicBiloxi Lighthouse. Haise was present at the ceremony and had his handprints set in concrete at the statue's base prior to its unveiling. The statue was created by Mississippi artist Mary Ott Tremel Davidson. In September 2023, Haise was inducted into theNational Aviation Hall of Famein Dayton, Ohio. In popular culture In the 1995 motion pictureApollo 13, Haise was played byBill Paxton. See also References Sources External links"],"string":"[\n \"Stonewall riots TheStonewall riots, also known as theStonewall uprising,Stonewall rebellion,Stonewall revolution,or simplyStonewall, were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against apolice raidthat took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at theStonewall Inn, in theGreenwich Villageneighborhood ofNew York City. Although the demonstrations werenot the first time American homosexuals fought backagainst government-sponsored persecution ofsexual minorities, the Stonewall riots marked a new beginning for thegay rights movementin the United States and around the world. American gays and lesbians in the 1950s and 1960s faced a legal system more anti-homosexual than those of someWarsaw Pactcountries.Earlyhomophilegroups in the U.S. sought to prove that gay people could be assimilated into society, and they favored non-confrontational education for homosexuals and heterosexuals alike. The last years of the 1960s, however, were very contentious, as many social movements were active,\",\n \"were active, including theAfrican American Civil Rights Movement, theCounterculture of the 1960s, andantiwar demonstrations. These influences, along with the liberal environment of Greenwich Village, served as catalysts for the Stonewall riots. Very few establishments welcomed openly gay people in the 1950s and 1960s. Those that did were often bars, although bar owners and managers were rarely gay. The Stonewall Inn was owned by theMafiaand catered to an assortment of patrons, popular among the poorest and most marginalized people in the gay community:drag queens, representatives of a newly self-awaretransgendercommunity, effeminate young men,hustlers, and homeless youth. Police raids on gay bars were routine in the 1960s, but officers quickly lost control of the situation at the Stonewall Inn and attracted a crowd that was incited toriot. Tensions betweenNew York City policeand gay residents of Greenwich Village erupted into more protests the next evening and again several nights later. Within weeks,\",\n \"Within weeks, Village residents quickly organized into activist groups to concentrate efforts on establishing places for gays and lesbians to be open about theirsexual orientationwithout fear of being arrested. Following the Stonewall riots, sexual minorities in New York City faced gender, class, and generational obstacles to becoming a cohesive community. In the weeks and months after, they initiated politically active social organizations and launched publications that spoke openly about rights for gay people. The first anniversary of the riots was marked by peaceful demonstrations in several American cities that have since grown to becomepride parades. TheStonewall National Monumentwas established at the site in 2016. Today, pride events are held annually throughout the world toward the end of June to mark the Stonewall riots. Background Homosexuality in 20th-century United States Following the social upheaval ofWorld War II, many people in the United States felt a fervent desire to \\\"restore the prewar\",\n \"\\\"restore the prewar social order and hold off the forces of change\\\", according to historianBarry Adam.Spurred by the national emphasis onanti-communism, SenatorJoseph McCarthyconducted hearings searching for communists in the U.S. government, theU.S. Army, and other government-funded agencies and institutions, leading to a national paranoia.Anarchists,communists, and other people deemed un-American and subversive were considered security risks. Gay men and lesbians wereincludedin this list by theU.S. State Departmenton the theory that they were susceptible toblackmail. In 1950, a Senate investigation chaired byClyde R. Hoeynoted in a report, \\\"It is generally believed that those who engage in overt acts of perversion lack the emotional stability of normal persons\\\",and said all of the government's intelligence agencies \\\"are in complete agreement that sex perverts in Government constitute security risks\\\".Between 1947 and 1950, 1,700 federal job applications were denied, 4,380 people were discharged from the\",\n \"discharged from the military, and 420 were fired from their government jobs for being suspected homosexuals. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, theFederal Bureau of Investigation(FBI) and police departments kept lists of known homosexuals and their favored establishments and friends; theU.S. Post Officekept track of addresses where material pertaining tohomosexualitywas mailed.State and local governments followed suit: bars catering to gay men and lesbians were shut down and their customers were arrested and exposed in newspapers. Cities performed \\\"sweeps\\\" to rid neighborhoods, parks, bars, and beaches of gay people. They outlawed the wearing of opposite-gender clothes and universities expelled instructors suspected of being homosexual. In 1952, theAmerican Psychiatric Associationlisted homosexuality in theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual(DSM) as a mental disorder. A large-scale study of homosexuality in 1962 was used to justify the inclusion of the \\\"disorder\\\" as a supposed pathological hidden fear of the\",\n \"hidden fear of the opposite sex caused by traumatic parent–child relationships. This view was widely influential in the medical profession.In 1956, the psychologistEvelyn Hookerperformed a study that compared the happiness and well-adjusted nature of self-identified homosexual men with heterosexual men and found no difference.Her study stunned the medical community and made her a hero to many gay men and lesbians,but homosexuality remained in theDSMuntil 1974. Homophile activism In response to this trend, two organizations formed independently of each other to advance the cause of gay men and lesbians and provide opportunities where they could socialize without fear of being arrested.Los Angelesarea homosexuals created theMattachine Societyin 1950, in the home of communist activistHarry Hay.Their objectives were to unify homosexuals, educate them, provide leadership, and assist \\\"sexual deviants\\\" with legal troubles.Facing enormous opposition to their radical approach, in 1953 the Mattachine shifted their\",\n \"shifted their focus to assimilation and respectability. They reasoned that they would change more minds about homosexuality by proving that gay men and lesbians were normal people, no different from heterosexuals.Soon after, several women inSan Franciscomet in their living rooms to form theDaughters of Bilitis(DOB) for lesbians.Although the eight women who created the DOB initially came together to be able to have a safe place to dance, as the DOB grew they developed similar goals to the Mattachine and urged their members to assimilate into general society. One of the first challenges togovernment repressioncame in 1953. An organization namedONE, Inc.published a magazine calledONE. The U.S. Postal Service refused to mail its August issue, which concerned homosexual people in heterosexual marriages, on the grounds that the material was obscene despite it being covered in brown paper wrapping. The case eventuallywent to the Supreme Court, which in 1958 ruled that ONE, Inc. could mail its materials through the\",\n \"through the Postal Service. Homophileorganizations—as homosexual groups self-identified in this era—grew in number and spread to the East Coast. Gradually, members of these organizations grew bolder.Frank Kamenyfounded the Mattachine ofWashington, D.C.He had been fired from the U.S. Army Map Service for being a homosexual and sued unsuccessfully to be reinstated. Kameny wrote that homosexuals were no different from heterosexuals, often aiming his efforts atmental health professionals, some of whom attended Mattachine and DOB meetings telling members they were abnormal. In 1965, news onCubanprison work camps for homosexuals inspired Mattachine New York and D.C. to organize protests at theUnited Nationsand theWhite House. Similar demonstrations were then held also at other government buildings. The purpose was to protest the treatment of gay people in Cubaand U.S. employment discrimination. These pickets shocked many gay people and upset some of the leadership of Mattachine and the DOB.At the same time,\",\n \"the same time, demonstrations in the civil rights movement andopposition to the Vietnam Warall grew in prominence, frequency, and severity throughout the 1960s, as did their confrontations with police forces. Earlier resistance and riots On the outer fringes of the few small gay communities were people who challenged gender expectations. They were effeminate men and masculine women, or people who dressed and lived in contrast to theirsex assigned at birth, either part or full-time. Contemporaneous nomenclature classified them astransvestitesand they were the most visible representatives of sexual minorities. They belied the carefully crafted image portrayed by the Mattachine Society and DOB asserted homosexuals were respectable, normal people.The Mattachine and DOB considered the trials of being arrested for wearing clothing of the opposite gender as a parallel to the struggles of homophile organizations: similar but distinctly separate. Gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender people staged a smallriot at\",\n \"a smallriot at the Cooper Do-nutscafé in Los Angeles in 1959 in response to police harassment.In a larger 1966 event in San Francisco, drag queens, hustlers, and trans womenwere sitting inCompton's Cafeteriawhen the police arrived to arrest people appearing to be physically male who were presenting as women. A riot ensued, with the cafeteria patrons slinging cups, plates, and saucers and breaking theplexiglasswindows in the front of the restaurant and returning several days later to smash the windows again after they were replaced.ProfessorSusan Strykerclassifies the Compton's Cafeteria riot as an \\\"act of anti-transgender discrimination, rather than an act of discrimination against sexual orientation\\\" and connects the uprising to the issues of gender, race, and class that were being downplayed by homophile organizations.It marked the beginning oftransgenderactivism in San Francisco. Greenwich Village TheManhattanneighborhoods of Greenwich Village andHarlemwere home to sizable gay and lesbian populations\",\n \"lesbian populations afterWorld War I, when people who had served in the military took advantage of the opportunity to settle in larger cities. The enclaves of gay men and lesbians, described by a newspaper story as \\\"short-haired women and long-haired men\\\", developed a distinct subculture through the following two decades.Prohibitioninadvertently benefited gay establishments, as drinking alcohol was pushed underground along with other behaviors considered immoral. New York City passed laws against homosexuality in public and private businesses, but because alcohol was in high demand,speakeasiesand impromptu drinking establishments were so numerous and temporary that authorities were unable to police them all.However, police raids continued, resulting in the closure of iconic establishments such asEve's Hangoutin 1926. The social repression of the 1950s resulted in a cultural revolution in Greenwich Village. A cohort of poets, later named theBeatpoets, wrote about the evils of the social organization at the\",\n \"organization at the time, glorifying anarchy, drugs, and hedonistic pleasures over unquestioning social compliance, consumerism, and closed-mindedness. Of them,Allen GinsbergandWilliam S. Burroughs—both Greenwich Village residents—also wrote bluntly and honestly about homosexuality. Their writings attracted sympathetic liberal-minded people, as well as homosexuals looking for a community. By the early 1960s, a campaign to rid New York City of gay bars was in full effect by order of MayorRobert F. Wagner Jr., who was concerned about the image of the city in preparation for the1964 World's Fair. The city revoked the liquor licenses of the bars and undercover police officers worked to entrap as many homosexual men as possible.Entrapmentusually consisted of an undercover officer who found a man in a bar or public park, engaged him in conversation; if the conversation headed toward the possibility that they might leave together—or the officer bought the man a drink—he was arrested forsolicitation. One story in\",\n \"One story in theNew York Postdescribed an arrest in a gym locker room, where the officer grabbed his crotch, moaning, and a man who asked him if he was all right was arrested.Few lawyers would defend cases as undesirable as these and some of those lawyers kicked back their fees to the arresting officer. The Mattachine Society succeeded in getting newly elected mayorJohn Lindsayto end the campaign of police entrapment in New York City. They had a more difficult time with theNew York State Liquor Authority(SLA). While no laws prohibited serving homosexuals, courts allowed the SLA discretion in approving and revoking liquor licenses for businesses that might become \\\"disorderly\\\".Despite the high population of gay men and lesbians who called Greenwich Village home, very few places existed, other than bars, where they were able to congregate openly without being harassed or arrested. In 1966 the New York Mattachine held a \\\"sip-in\\\" at a Greenwich Village bar namedJulius, which was frequented by gay men, to\",\n \"by gay men, to illustrate the discrimination homosexuals faced. None of the bars frequented by gay men and lesbians were owned by gay people. Almost all of them were owned and controlled byorganized crime, who treated the regulars poorly, watered down the liquor, and overcharged for drinks. However, they also paid off police to prevent frequent raids. Stonewall Inn The Stonewall Inn, located at 51 and 53Christopher Street, along with several other establishments in the city, was owned by theGenovese crime family.In 1966, three members of the Mafia invested $3,500 to turn the Stonewall Inn into a gay bar, after it had been a restaurant and a nightclub for heterosexuals. Once a week a police officer would collect envelopes of cash as a payoff known as agayola, as the Stonewall Inn had noliquor license.It had no running water behind the bar—dirty glasses were run through tubs of water and immediately reused.There were no fire exits, and the toilets overran consistently.Though the bar was not used for\",\n \"was not used for prostitution, drug sales and other black market activities took place. It was the only bar for gay men in New York City where dancing was allowed;dancing was its main draw since its re-opening as a gay club. Visitors to the Stonewall Inn in 1969 were greeted by abouncerwho inspected them through a peephole in the door. The legal drinking age was 18 and to avoid unwittingly letting in undercover police (who were called \\\"Lily Law\\\", \\\"Alice Blue Gown\\\", or \\\"Betty Badge\\\"), visitors would have to be known by the doorman or 'look gay'. Patrons were required to sign their names in a book to prove that the bar was a private \\\"bottle club\\\", but they rarely signed their real names. There were two dance floors in the Stonewall. The interior was painted black, making it very dark inside, with pulsing gel lights orblack lights. If police were spotted, regular white lights were turned on, signaling that everyone should stop dancing or touching.In the rear of the bar was a smaller room frequented by \\\"queens\\\";\",\n \"by \\\"queens\\\"; it was one of two bars where effeminate men who wore makeup and teased their hair (though dressed in men's clothing) could go.Only a few people in fulldragwere allowed in by the bouncers. The customers were \\\"98 percent male\\\" but a few lesbians sometimes came to the bar. Younger homeless adolescent males, who slept in nearbyChristopher Park, would often try to get in so customers would buy them drinks.The age of the clientele ranged between the upper teens and early thirties and the racial mix was distributed among mainly white, with Black, and Hispanic patrons.Because of its mix of people, its location, and the attraction of dancing, the Stonewall Inn was known by many as \\\"thegay bar in the city\\\". Police raids on gay bars were frequent, occurring on average once a month for each bar. Many bars kept extra liquor in a secret panel behind the bar, or in a car down the block, to facilitate resuming business as quickly as possible if alcohol was seized.Bar management usually knew about raids\",\n \"knew about raids beforehand due to police tip-offs, and raids occurred early enough in the evening that business could commence after the police had finished.During a typical raid, the lights were turned on and customers were lined up and their identification cards checked. Those without identification or dressed in full drag were arrested; others were allowed to leave. Some of the men, including those in drag, used theirdraft cardsas identification. Women were required to wear three pieces of feminine clothing and would be arrested if found not wearing them. Typically, employees and management of the bars were also arrested.The period immediately before June 28, 1969, was marked by frequent raids of local bars—including a raid at the Stonewall Inn on the Tuesday before the riots—and the closing of the Checkerboard, the Tele-Star, and two other clubs in Greenwich Village. Riots Police raid At 1:20 a.m. on Saturday, June 28, 1969, four plainclothes policemen in dark suits, two patrol officers in uniform,\",\n \"in uniform, Detective Charles Smythe, and Deputy InspectorSeymour Pinearrived at the Stonewall Inn's double doors and announced \\\"Police! We're taking the place!\\\"Two undercover policewomen and two undercover policemen entered the bar early that evening to gather visual evidence, as the Public Morals Squad waited outside for the signal. Once ready, the undercover officers called for backup from the Sixth Precinct using the bar's pay telephone. Stonewall employees do not recall being tipped off that a raid was to occur that night, as was the custom.The music was turned off and the main lights were turned on. Approximately 200 people were in the bar that night. Patrons who had never experienced a police raid were confused. A few who realized what was happening began to run for doors and windows in the bathrooms, but police barred the doors. Michael Fader remembered, \\\"Things happened so fast you kind of got caught not knowing. All of a sudden there were police there and we were told to all get in lines and to\",\n \"get in lines and to have our identification ready to be led out of the bar.\\\" The raid did not go as planned. Standard procedure was to line up the patrons, check their identification and have female police officers take customers dressed as women to the bathroom to verify their sex, upon which any people appearing to be physically male and dressed as women would be arrested. Those dressed as women that night refused to go with the officers. Men in line began to refuse to produce their identification. The police decided to take everyone present to the police station, after separating those suspected of cross-dressing in a room in the back of the bar. All parties involved recall that a sense of discomfort spread very quickly, started by police who assaulted some of the lesbians by \\\"feeling some of them up inappropriately\\\" while frisking them. When did you ever see a fag fight back?... Now, times were a-changin'. Tuesday night was the last night for bullshit... Predominantly, the theme as, \\\"this shit has got to\",\n \"shit has got to stop!\\\" —anonymous Stonewall riots participant The police were to transport the bar's alcohol in patrol wagons. Twenty-eight cases of beer and nineteen bottles of hard liquor were seized, but the patrol wagons had not yet arrived, so patrons were required to wait in line for about 15 minutes.Those who were not arrested were released from the front door, but they did not leave quickly as usual. Instead, they stopped outside and a crowd began to grow and watch. Within minutes, between 100 and 150 people had congregated outside, some after they were released from inside the Stonewall and some after noticing the police cars and the crowd. Although the police forcefully pushed or kicked some patrons out of the bar, some customers released by the police performed for the crowd by posing and saluting the police in an exaggerated fashion. The crowd's applause encouraged them further. When the first patrol wagon arrived, Inspector Pine recalled that the crowd—most of whom were homosexual—had grown to\",\n \"grown to at least ten times the number of people who were arrested and they all became very quiet.Confusion over radio communication delayed the arrival of a second wagon. The police began escorting Mafia members into the first wagon, to the cheers of the bystanders. Next, regular employees were loaded into the wagon. A bystander shouted, \\\"Gay power!\\\", someone began singing \\\"We Shall Overcome\\\" and the crowd reacted with amusement and general good humor mixed with \\\"growing and intensive hostility\\\".An officer shoved a person in drag, who responded by hitting him on the head with her purse. The cop clubbed her over the head, as the crowd began to boo. AuthorEdmund White, who had been passing by, recalled, \\\"Everyone's restless, angry, and high-spirited. No one has a slogan, no one even has an attitude, but something's brewing.\\\"Pennies, then beer bottles, were thrown at the wagon as a rumor spread through the crowd that patrons still inside the bar were being beaten. A scuffle broke out when a woman in handcuffs\",\n \"woman in handcuffs was escorted from the door of the bar to the waiting police wagon several times. She escaped repeatedly and fought with four of the police, swearing and shouting, for about ten minutes. Described as \\\"a typical New York butch\\\" and \\\"a dyke–stone butch\\\", she had been hit on the head by an officer with abatonfor, as one witness claimed, complaining that her handcuffs were too tight.Bystanders recalled that the woman, whose identity remains unknown (Stormé DeLarveriehas been identified by some, including herself, as the woman, but accounts vary), sparked the crowd to fight when she looked at bystanders and shouted, \\\"Why don't you guys do something?\\\" After an officer picked her up and heaved her into the back of the wagon,the crowd became a mob and became violent. Violence breaks out The police tried to restrain some of the crowd, knocking a few people down, which incited bystanders even more. Some of those handcuffed in the wagon escaped when police left them unattended (deliberately, according\",\n \"according to some witnesses).As the crowd tried to overturn the police wagon, two police cars and the wagon—with a few slashed tires—left immediately, with Inspector Pine urging them to return as soon as possible. The commotion attracted more people who learned what was happening. Someone in the crowd declared that the bar had been raided because \\\"they didn't pay off the cops\\\", to which someone else yelled, \\\"Let's pay them off!\\\"Coins sailed through the air towards the police as the crowd shouted \\\"Pigs!\\\" and \\\"Faggot cops!\\\" Beer cans were thrown and the police lashed out, dispersing some of the crowd who found a construction site nearby with stacks of bricks. The police, outnumbered by between 500 and 600 people, grabbed several people, including activist folk singer (and mentor ofBob Dylan)Dave Van Ronk—who had been attracted to the revolt from a bar two doors away from the Stonewall. Though Van Ronk was not gay, he had experienced police violence when he participated in antiwar demonstrations: \\\"As far as I\",\n \"\\\"As far as I was concerned, anybody who'd stand against the cops was all right with me and that's why I stayed in... Every time you turned around the cops were pulling some outrage or another.\\\"Van Ronk was the first of thirteen arrested that night.Ten police officers—including two policewomen—barricaded themselves, Van Ronk,Howard Smith(a column writer forThe Village Voice), and several handcuffed detainees inside the Stonewall Inn for their own safety. Multiple accounts of the riot assert that there was no pre-existing organization or apparent cause for the demonstration; what ensued was spontaneous.Michael Fader explained: We all had a collective feeling like we'd had enough of this kind of shit. It wasn't anything tangible anybody said to anyone else, it was just kind of like everything over the years had come to a head on that one particular night in the one particular place and it was not an organized demonstration... The only known photograph from the first night of the riots, taken by freelance\",\n \"taken by freelance photographer Joseph Ambrosini, shows the homeless gay youth who slept in nearby Christopher Park, scuffling with police. Jackie Hormona andTommy Lanigan-Schmidtare on the far left. The Mattachine Society newsletter a month later offered its explanation of why the riots occurred: \\\"It catered largely to a group of people who are not welcome in, or cannot afford, other places of homosexual social gathering... The Stonewall became home to these kids. When it was raided, they fought for it. That and the fact that they had nothing to lose other than the most tolerant and broadminded gay place in town, explains why.\\\" Garbage cans, garbage, bottles, rocks, and bricks were hurled at the building, breaking the windows. Witnesses attest that \\\"flame queens\\\", hustlers, and gay \\\"street kids\\\"—the most outcast people in the gay community—were responsible for the first volley of projectiles, as well as the uprooting of aparking meterused as abattering ramon the doors of the Stonewall Inn. The mob lit\",\n \"Inn. The mob lit garbage on fire and stuffed it through the broken windows as the police grabbed a fire hose. Because it had no water pressure, the hose was ineffective in dispersing the crowd and seemed only to encourage them.Marsha P. Johnsonlater said that it was the police that had started the fire in the bar.When demonstrators broke through the windows—which had been covered byplywoodby the bar owners to deter the police from raiding the bar—the police inside unholstered their pistols. The doors flew open and officers pointed their weapons at the angry crowd, threatening to shoot. Howard Smith, in the bar with the police, took a wrench from the bar and stuffed it in his pants, unsure if he might have to use it against the mob or the police. He watched someone squirtlighter fluidinto the bar; as it was lit and the police took aim,sirenswere heard and fire trucks arrived. The onslaught had lasted 45 minutes. When the violence broke out, the women and transmasculine people being held down the street atThe\",\n \"the street atThe Women's House of Detentionjoined in by chanting, setting fire to their belongings and tossing them into the street below. The historian Hugh Ryan says, \\\"When I would talk to people about Stonewall, they would tell me, that night on Stonewall, we looked to the prison because we saw the women rioting and chanting, 'Gay rights, gay rights, gay rights.'\\\" Escalation TheTactical Patrol Force(TPF) of the New York City Police Department arrived to free the police trapped inside the Stonewall. One officer's eye was cut and a few others were bruised from being struck by flying debris.Bob Kohler, who was walking his dog by the Stonewall that night, saw the TPF arrive: I had been in enough riots to know the fun was over... The cops were totally humiliated. This never, ever happened. They were angrier than I guess they had ever been because everybody else had rioted... but the fairies were not supposed to riot... no group had ever forced cops to retreat before, so the anger was just enormous. I mean,\",\n \"enormous. I mean, they wanted to kill. With larger numbers, police detained anyone they could and put them in patrol wagons to go to jail, though Inspector Pine recalled, \\\"Fights erupted with the transvestites, who wouldn't go into the patrol wagon.\\\" His recollection was corroborated by another witness across the street who said, \\\"All I could see about who was fighting was that it was transvestites and they were fighting furiously.\\\" The TPF formed aphalanxand attempted to clear the streets by marching slowly and pushing the crowd back. The mob openly mocked the police. The crowd cheered, started impromptukick linesand sang to the tune of \\\"Ta-ra-ra Boom-de-ay\\\": \\\"We are the Stonewall girls/ We wear our hair in curls/ We don't wear underwear/ We show our pubic hair.\\\"Lucian Truscottreported inThe Village Voice: \\\"A stagnant situation there brought on some gay tomfoolery in the form of achorus linefacing the line of helmeted and club-carrying cops. Just as the line got into a full kick routine, the TPF advanced\",\n \"the TPF advanced again and cleared the crowd of screaming gay powerites down Christopher to Seventh Avenue.\\\"One participant who had been in the Stonewall during the raid recalled, \\\"The police rushed us and that's when I realized this is not a good thing to do, because they got me in the back with anightstick.\\\" Another account stated, \\\"I just can't ever get that one sight out of my mind. The cops with the and the kick line on the other side. It was the most amazing thing... And all the sudden that kick line, which I guess was a spoof on the machismo... I think that's when I felt rage. Because people were getting smashed with bats. And for what? A kick line.\\\" Marsha P. Johnson, anAfrican-Americanstreet queen,recalled arriving at the bar around \\\"2:00 \\\", and that at that point the riots were well underway, with the building in flames.As the riots went on into the early hours of the morning, Johnson, along with Zazu Nova and Jackie Hormona, were noted as \\\"three individuals known to have been in the vanguard\\\" of\",\n \"in the vanguard\\\" of the pushback against the police. Craig Rodwell, owner of theOscar Wilde Memorial Bookshop, reported watching police chase participants through the crooked streets, only to see them appear around the next corner behind the police. Members of the mob stopped cars, overturning one of them to block Christopher Street.Jack NicholsandLige Clarke, in their column printed inScrew, declared that \\\"massive crowds of angry protesters chased for blocks screaming, 'Catch them!'\\\" By 4:00 am, the streets had nearly been cleared. Many people sat on stoops or gathered nearby in Christopher Park throughout the morning, dazed in disbelief at what had transpired. Many witnesses remembered the surreal and eerie quiet that descended upon Christopher Street, though there continued to be \\\"electricity in the air\\\".One commented: \\\"There was a certain beauty in the aftermath of the riot... It was obvious, at least to me, that a lot of people really were gay and, you know, this was our street.\\\"Thirteen people had\",\n \"people had been arrested. Some in the crowd were hospitalized,and four police officers were injured. Almost everything in the Stonewall Inn was broken. Inspector Pine had intended to close and dismantle the Stonewall Inn that night. Pay phones, toilets, mirrors,jukeboxes, and cigarette machines were all smashed, possibly in the riot and possibly by the police. Second night of rioting During the siege of the Stonewall, Craig Rodwell calledThe New York Times, theNew York Post, and theDaily Newsto tell them what was happening. All three papers covered the riots; theDaily Newsplaced coverage on the front page. News of the riot spread quickly throughout Greenwich Village, fueled by rumors that it had been organized by theStudents for a Democratic Society, theBlack Panthers, or triggered by \\\"a homosexual police officer whose roommate went dancing at the Stonewall against the officer's wishes\\\".All day Saturday, June 28, people came to stare at the burned and blackened Stonewall Inn.Graffitiappeared on the walls of\",\n \"on the walls of the bar, declaring \\\"Drag power\\\", \\\"They invaded our rights\\\", \\\"Support gay power\\\" and \\\"Legalize gay bars\\\", along with accusations of police looting and—regarding the status of the bar—\\\"We are open.\\\" The next night, rioting again surrounded Christopher Street; participants remember differently which night was more frantic or violent. Many of the same people returned from the previous evening—hustlers, street youths, and \\\"queens\\\"—but they were joined by \\\"police provocateurs\\\", curious bystanders, and even tourists.Remarkable to many was the sudden exhibition of homosexual affection in public, as described by one witness: \\\"From going to places where you had to knock on a door and speak to someone through a peephole in order to get in. We were just out. We were in the streets.\\\" Thousands of people had gathered in front of the Stonewall, which had opened again, choking Christopher Street until the crowd spilled into adjoining blocks. The throng surrounded buses and cars, harassing the occupants\",\n \"the occupants unless they either admitted they were gay or indicated their support for the demonstrators.Marsha P. Johnson was seen climbing a lamppost and dropping a heavy bag onto the hood of a police car, shattering the windshield. As on the previous evening, fires were started in garbage cans throughout the neighborhood. More than a hundred police were present from the Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and NinthPrecincts, but after 2:00 a.m. the TPF arrived again. Kick lines and police chases waxed and waned; when police captured demonstrators, whom the majority of witnesses described as \\\"sissies\\\" or \\\"swishes\\\", the crowd surged to recapture them.Again, street battling ensued until 4:00 am. Beat poet and longtime Greenwich Village resident Allen Ginsberg lived on Christopher Street and happened upon the jubilant chaos. After he learned of the riot that had occurred the previous evening, he stated, \\\"Gay power! Isn't that great!... It's about time we did something to assert ourselves\\\" and visited the open Stonewall Inn\",\n \"open Stonewall Inn for the first time. While walking home, he declared to Lucian Truscott, \\\"You know, the guys there were so beautiful—they've lost that wounded look that fags all had 10 years ago.\\\" ActivistMark Segalrecounts thatMartha ShelleyandMarty Robinsonstood and made speeches from the front door of the Stonewall on June 29, 1969, the second night of the riot. Leaflets, press coverage, and more violence Activity in Greenwich Village was sporadic on Monday, June 30, and Tuesday, July 1, partly due to rain. Police and Village residents had a few altercations, as both groups antagonized each other. Craig Rodwell and his partnerFred Sargeanttook the opportunity the morning after the first riot to print and distribute 5,000 leaflets, one of them reading: \\\"Get the Mafia and the Cops out of Gay Bars.\\\" The leaflets called for gay people to own their own establishments, for a boycott of the Stonewall and other Mafia-owned bars, and for public pressure on the mayor's office to investigate the \\\"intolerable\",\n \"the \\\"intolerable situation\\\". Not everyone in the gay community considered the revolt a positive development. To many older homosexuals and many members of the Mattachine Society who had worked throughout the 1960s to promote homosexuals as no different from heterosexuals, the display of violence and effeminate behavior was embarrassing.Randy Wicker, who had marched in the first gay picket lines before the White House in 1965, said the \\\"screaming queens forming chorus lines and kicking went against everything that I wanted people to think about homosexuals... that we were a bunch of drag queens in the Village acting disorderly and tacky and cheap.\\\"Others found the closing of the Stonewall Inn, termed a \\\"sleaze joint\\\", as advantageous to the Village. On Wednesday, however,The Village Voiceran reports of the riots, written by Howard Smith and Lucian Truscott, that included unflattering descriptions of the events and its participants: \\\"forces of faggotry\\\", \\\"limp wrists\\\" and \\\"Sunday fag follies\\\".A mob descended\",\n \"mob descended upon Christopher Street once again and threatened to burn down the offices ofThe Village Voice,which at the time was headquartered several buildings west of the Stonewall Inn on Christopher Street; that proximity gave Truscott and other writers for the newspaper first hand observations of the uprising. Also in the mob of between 500 and 1,000 were other groups that had had unsuccessful confrontations with the police and were curious how the police were defeated in this situation. Another explosive street battle took place, with injuries to demonstrators and police alike, local shops getting looted, and arrests of five people.The incidents on Wednesday night lasted about an hour and were summarized by one witness: \\\"The word is out. Christopher Street shall be liberated. The fags have had it with oppression.\\\" Aftermath The feeling of urgency spread throughout Greenwich Village, even to people who had not witnessed the riots. Many who were moved by the rebellion attended organizational meetings,\",\n \"meetings, sensing an opportunity to take action. On July 4, 1969, the Mattachine Society performed its annual picket in front ofIndependence HallinPhiladelphia, called theAnnual Reminder. OrganizersCraig Rodwell,Frank Kameny,Randy Wicker,Barbara Gittings, andKay Lahusen, who had all participated for several years, took a bus along with other picketers from New York City to Philadelphia. Since 1965, the pickets had been very controlled: women wore skirts and men wore suits and ties and all marched quietly in organized lines.This year Rodwell remembered feeling restricted by the rules Kameny had set. When two women spontaneously held hands, Kameny broke them apart, saying, \\\"None of that! None of that!\\\" Rodwell, however, convinced about ten couples to hold hands. The hand-holding couples made Kameny furious, but they earned more press attention than all of the previous marches.ParticipantLilli Vincenzremembered, \\\"It was clear that things were changing. People who had felt oppressed now felt empowered.\\\"Rodwell\",\n \"empowered.\\\"Rodwell returned to New York City determined to change the established quiet, meek ways of trying to get attention. One of his first priorities was planning Christopher Street Liberation Day. Gay Liberation Front Although the Mattachine Society had existed since the 1950s, many of their methods now seemed too mild for people who had witnessed or been inspired by the riots. Mattachine recognized the shift in attitudes in a story from their newsletter entitled, \\\"The Hairpin Drop Heard Around the World.\\\"When a Mattachine officer suggested an \\\"amicable and sweet\\\" candlelight vigil demonstration, a man in the audience fumed and shouted, \\\"Sweet!Bullshit!That's the role society has been forcing these queens to play.\\\"With a flyer announcing: \\\"Do You Think Homosexuals Are Revolting? You Bet Your Sweet Ass We Are!\\\",theGay Liberation Front(GLF) was soon formed, the first gay organization to usegayin its name. Previous organizations such as theMattachine Society, theDaughters of Bilitis(DOB), and various\",\n \"and various homophile groups had masked their purpose by deliberately choosing obscure names. The rise of militancy became apparent to Frank Kameny and Barbara Gittings—who had worked in homophile organizations for years and were both very public about their roles—when they attended a GLF meeting to see the new group. A young GLF member demanded to know who they were and what their credentials were. Gittings, nonplussed, stammered, \\\"I'm gay. That's why I'm here.\\\"The GLF borrowed tactics from and aligned themselves with black andantiwardemonstrators with the ideal that they \\\"could work to restructure American society\\\".They took on causes of the Black Panthers, marching to theWomen's House of Detentionin support ofAfeni Shakurand other radicalNew Leftcauses. Four months after the group formed, however, it disbanded when members were unable to agree on operating procedure. Gay Activists Alliance Within six months of the Stonewall riots, activists started a citywide newspaper calledGay; they considered it\",\n \"they considered it necessary because the most liberal publication in the city—The Village Voice—refused to print the wordgayin GLF advertisements seeking new members and volunteers.Two other newspapers were initiated within a six-week period:Come Out!andGay Power; the readership of these three periodicals quickly climbed to between 20,000 and 25,000. GLF members organized several same-sex dances, but GLF meetings were chaotic. When Bob Kohler asked for clothes and money to help the homeless youth who had participated in the riots, many of whom slept in Christopher Park or Sheridan Square, the response was a discussion on the downfall ofcapitalism.In late December 1969, several people who had visited GLF meetings and left out of frustration formed theGay Activists Alliance(GAA). The GAA was to be more orderly and entirely focused on gay issues. Their constitution began, \\\"We as liberated homosexual activists demand the freedom for expression of our dignity and value as human beings.\\\"The GAA developed and\",\n \"GAA developed and perfected a confrontational tactic called azap: they would catch a politician off guard during a public relations opportunity and force him or her to acknowledge gay and lesbian rights. City councilmen were zapped and mayor John Lindsay was zapped several times—once on television when GAA members made up the majority of the audience. Police raids on gay bars did not stop after the Stonewall riots. In March 1970, deputy inspector Seymour Pine raided the Zodiac and 17 Barrow Street. An after-hours gay club with no liquor or occupancy licenses called The Snake Pit was soon raided and 167 people were arrested. One of them wasDiego Viñales, an Argentinian national so frightened that he might bedeportedas a homosexual that he tried to escape the police precinct by jumping out of a two-story window, impaling himself on a 14-inch (36 cm) spike fence.TheNew York Daily Newsprinted a graphic photo of the young man's impalement on the front page. GAA members organized a march from Christopher Park to\",\n \"Christopher Park to the Sixth Precinct in which hundreds of gay men, lesbians, and liberal sympathizers peacefully confronted the TPF.They also sponsored a letter-writing campaign to Mayor Lindsay in which the Greenwich VillageDemocratic Partyand congressmanEd Kochsent pleas to end raids on gay bars in the city. The Stonewall Inn lasted only a few weeks after the riot. By October 1969 it was up for rent. Village residents surmised it was too notorious a location and Rodwell's boycott discouraged business. Gay Pride Christopher Street Liberation Day, on June 28, 1970, marked the first anniversary of the Stonewall riots with an assembly on Christopher Street; with simultaneous Gay Pride marches in Los Angeles andChicago, these were the firstGay Pride marchesin US history.The next year, Gay Pride marches took place inBoston,Dallas,Milwaukee,London,Paris,West BerlinandStockholm.Themarch in New Yorkcovered 51 blocks, from Christopher Street toCentral Park. The march took less than half the scheduled time due to\",\n \"time due to excitement, but also due to wariness about walking through the city with gay banners and signs. Although the parade permit was delivered only two hours before the start of the march, the marchers encountered little resistance from onlookers.The New York Timesreported (on the front page) that the marchers took up the entire street for about 15 city blocks.Reporting byThe Village Voicewas positive, describing \\\"the out-front resistance that grew out of the police raid on the Stonewall Inn one year ago\\\". There was little open animosity and some bystanders applauded when a tall, pretty girl carrying a sign \\\"I am a Lesbian\\\" walked by. —The New York Timescoverage of Gay Liberation Day, 1970 By 1972, the participating cities includedAtlanta,Buffalo,Detroit, Washington, D.C.,Miami,Minneapolis, and Philadelphia,as well as San Francisco. Frank Kameny soon realized the pivotal change brought by the Stonewall riots. An organizer of gay activism in the 1950s, he was used to persuasion, trying to convince\",\n \"trying to convince heterosexuals that gay people were no different from them. When he and other people marched in front of the White House, the State Department, and Independence Hall only five years earlier, their objective was to look as if they could work for the US government.Ten people marched with Kameny then and they alerted no press to their intentions. Although he was stunned by the upheaval by participants in the Annual Reminder in 1969, he later observed, \\\"By the time of Stonewall, we had fifty to sixty gay groups in the country. A year later there were at least fifteen hundred. By two years later, to the extent that a count could be made, it was twenty-five hundred.\\\" Similar to Kameny's regret at his own reaction to the shift in attitudes after the riots, Randy Wicker came to describe his embarrassment as \\\"one of the greatest mistakes of his life\\\".The image of gay people retaliating against police, after so many years of allowing such treatment to go unchallenged, \\\"stirred an unexpected spirit\",\n \"unexpected spirit among many homosexuals\\\".Kay Lahusen, who photographed the marches in 1965, stated, \\\"Up to 1969, this movement was generally called the homosexual or homophile movement... Many new activists consider the Stonewall uprising the birth of the gay liberation movement. Certainly, it was the birth of gay pride on a massive scale.\\\"David Carter explained that even though there were several uprisings before Stonewall, the reason Stonewall was so significant was that thousands of people were involved, the riot lasted a long time (six days), it was the first to get major media coverage, and it sparked the formation of many gay rights groups. Trans organizations According toSusan Stryker's book,Transgender History, the Stonewall riots had significant effects on trans rights activism.Sylvia RiveraandMarsha P. Johnsonestablished the Street Transvestite Action Revolutionaries (STAR) organization, as they believed that trans people weren't being adequately represented in the Gay Activists Alliance and Gay\",\n \"Alliance and Gay Liberation Front. They established politicized versions of \\\"houses\\\", which came from Black and Latino queer communities, and were places that marginalized trans youth could seek shelter. Besides STAR, organizations such asTransvestites and Transsexuals(TAT) andQueens' Liberation Front(QLF) were also established. QLF, which was established by drag queen Lee Brewster and heterosexual transvestite Bunny Eisenhower, marched on Christopher Street Liberation Day and fought against drag erasure and for trans visibility. Legacy The Stonewall riots are often considered to be the origin or impetus of thegay liberationmovement, and many studies ofLGBT historyin the U.S. are divided into pre- and post-Stonewall analyses.This has been criticized byhistorians of sexuality. Calls for the rights ofgender and sexual minoritiespredate the Stonewall riots. Thefirst homosexual movementbegan one hundred years earlier, in Germany.West Germanyhad abolished criminal liability for homosexual acts among adults over\",\n \"among adults over 21 years of age through a change ofSection 175of the German Criminal Code on June 25, 1969 − just three days before the Stonewall riots began.There was already the emergence of a gay liberation movement in New York at the time of the riots. The Stonewall riots were not the only time LGBT people organized politically amid attacks on LGBT establishments. The event has been said to occupy a unique place in thecollective memoryof many LGBT people,including those outside of the United States,as it \\\"is marked by an international commemorative ritual – an annual gay pride parade\\\", according to sociologist Elizabeth A. Armstrong. Community Within two years of the Stonewall riots, there were gay rights groups in every major American city, as well as in Canada, Australia, and Western Europe.People who joined activist organizations after the riots had very little in common other than theirsame-sex attraction. Many who arrived at GLF or GAA meetings were taken aback by the number of gay people in one\",\n \"gay people in one place.Race, class, ideology, and gender became frequent obstacles in the years after the riots. This was illustrated during the 1973 Stonewall rally when, moments afterBarbara Gittingsexuberantly praised the diversity of the crowd, feminist activistJean O'Learyprotested what she perceived as the mocking of women bycross-dressersanddrag queensin attendance. During a speech by O'Leary, in which she claimed that drag queens made fun of women for entertainment value and profit,Sylvia RiveraandLee Brewsterjumped on the stage and shouted \\\"You go to bars because of what drag queens did for you andthese bitchestell us to quit being ourselves!\\\"Both the drag queens and lesbian feminists in attendance left in disgust. O'Leary also worked in the early 1970s to exclude transgender people from gay rights issues because she felt that rights for transgender people would be too difficult to attain.Sylvia Rivera left New York City in the mid-1970s, relocating toupstate New York.She later returned to the city\",\n \"to the city in the mid-1990s, after the 1992 death of friendMarsha P. Johnson. Rivera lived on the \\\"gay pier\\\" at the end of Christopher street and advocated for homeless members of the gay community.The initial disagreements among participants in the movements often evolved after further reflection. O'Leary later regretted her stance against the drag queens attending in 1973: \\\"Looking back, I find this so embarrassing because my views have changed so much since then. I would never pick on a transvestite now.\\\"\\\"It was horrible. How could I work to exclude transvestites and at the same time criticize the feminists who were doing their best back in those days to exclude lesbians?\\\" O'Leary was referring to theLavender Menace, an appellation bysecond-wave feministBetty Friedanbased on attempts by members of theNational Organization for Women(NOW) to distance themselves from the perception of NOW as a haven for lesbians. As part of this process,Rita Mae Brownand other lesbians who had been active in NOW were forced\",\n \"in NOW were forced out. They staged a protest in 1970 at the Second Congress to Unite Women and earned the support of many NOW members, finally gaining full acceptance in 1971. The growth oflesbian feminismin the 1970s at times so conflicted with the gay liberation movement that some lesbians refused to work with gay men. Many lesbians found men's attitudes patriarchal and chauvinistic and saw in gay men the same misguided notions about women that they saw in heterosexual men.The issues most important to gay men—entrapmentand public solicitation—were not shared by lesbians. In 1977, a Lesbian Pride Rally was organized as an alternative to sharing gay men's issues, especially whatAdrienne Richtermed \\\"the violent, self-destructive world of the gay bars\\\".Veteran gay activist Barbara Gittings chose to work in the gay rights movement, explaining, \\\"It's a matter of where does it hurt the most? For me it hurts the most not in the female arena, but the gay arena.\\\" Throughout the 1970s, gay activism had significant\",\n \"had significant successes. One of the first and most important was the \\\"zap\\\" in May 1970 by the Los Angeles GLF at a convention of theAmerican Psychiatric Association(APA). At a conference onbehavior modification, during a film demonstrating the use ofelectroshock therapyto decrease same-sex attraction,Morris Kightand GLF members in the audience interrupted the film with shouts of \\\"Torture!\\\" and \\\"Barbarism!\\\"They took over the microphone to announce that medical professionals who prescribed such therapy for their homosexual patients were complicit in torturing them. Although 20 psychiatrists in attendance left, the GLF spent the hour following the zap with those remaining, trying to convince them that homosexual people were not mentally ill.When the APA invited gay activists to speak to the group in 1972, activists broughtJohn E. Fryer, a gay psychiatrist who wore a mask, because he felt his practice was in danger. In December 1973—in large part due to the efforts of gay activists—the APA voted unanimously to\",\n \"unanimously to remove homosexuality from theDiagnostic and Statistical Manual. Gay men and lesbians came together to work ingrassrootspolitical organizations responding to organized resistance in 1977. A coalition of conservatives namedSave Our Childrenstaged a campaign to repeal a civil rights ordinance inMiami-Dade County. Save Our Children was successful enough to influence similar repeals in several American cities in 1978. However, that same year, a campaign in California called theBriggs Initiative, designed to force the dismissal of homosexual public school employees, was defeated.Reaction to the influence of Save Our Children and the Briggs Initiative in the gay community was so significant that it has been called the second Stonewall for many activists, marking their initiation into political participation.The subsequent 1979National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rightswas timed to coincide with the tenth anniversary of the Stonewall riots. Rejection of prior gay subculture The Stonewall\",\n \"The Stonewall riots marked such a significant turning point that many aspects of priorgay and lesbian culture, such as bar culture formed from decades of shame and secrecy, were forcefully ignored and denied. HistorianMartin Dubermanwrites, \\\"The decades preceding Stonewall... continue to be regarded by most gay men and lesbians as some vast neolithic wasteland.\\\"SociologistBarry Adamnotes, \\\"Every social movement must choose at some point what to retain and what to reject out of its past. What traits are the results of oppression and what are healthy and authentic?\\\"In conjunction with the growing feminist movement of the early 1970s, roles ofbutch and femmethat developed in lesbian bars in the 1950s and 1960s were rejected, because as one writer put it: \\\"all role playing is sick.\\\"Lesbian feminists considered the butch roles as archaic imitations of masculine behavior.Some women, according toLillian Faderman, were eager to shed the roles they felt forced into playing. The roles returned for some women in the\",\n \"some women in the 1980s, although they allowed for more flexibility than before Stonewall. Author Michael Bronski highlights the \\\"attack on pre-Stonewall culture\\\", particularlygay pulp fictionfor men, where the themes often reflected self-hatred or ambivalence about being gay. Many books ended unsatisfactorily and drastically, often with suicide, and writers portrayed their gay characters as alcoholics or deeply unhappy. These books, which he describes as \\\"an enormous and cohesive literature by and for gay men\\\",have not been reissued and are lost to later generations. Dismissing the notion that the rejection was motivated by political correctness, Bronski writes, \\\"gay liberation was a youth movement whose sense of history was defined to a large degree by rejection of the past.\\\" Impact and recognition The riots spawned from a bar raid became a literal example of gay men and lesbians fighting back and a symbolic call to arms for many people. Historian David Carter remarks in his book about the Stonewall riots\",\n \"the Stonewall riots that the bar itself was a complex business that represented a community center, an opportunity for the Mafia to blackmail its own customers, a home, and a place of \\\"exploitation and degradation\\\".The true legacy of the Stonewall riots, Carter insists, is the \\\"ongoing struggle for lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender equality\\\".Historian Nicholas Edsall writes: Stonewall has been compared to any number of acts of radical protest and defiance in American history from the Boston Tea Party on. But the best and certainly a more nearly contemporary analogy is Rosa Parks' refusal to move to the back of the bus in Montgomery, Alabama, in December 1955, which sparked the modern civil rights movement. Within months after Stonewall, radical gay liberation groups and newsletters sprang up in cities and on college campuses across America and then across all of northern Europe as well. Before the rebellion at the Stonewall Inn, homosexuals were, as historians Dudley Clendinen andAdam Nagourneywrite: a\",\n \"Nagourneywrite: a secret legion of people, known of but discounted, ignored, laughed at or despised. And like the holders of a secret, they had an advantage which was a disadvantage too, and which was true of no other minority group in the United States. They were invisible. Unlike African Americans, women, Native Americans, Jews, the Irish, Italians, Asians, Hispanics, or any other cultural group which struggled for respect and equal rights, homosexuals had no physical or cultural markings, no language or dialect which could identify them to each other, or to anyone else... But that night, for the first time, the usual acquiescence turned into violent resistance... From that night the lives of millions of gay men and lesbians and the attitude toward them of the larger culture in which they lived, began to change rapidly. People began to appear in public as homosexuals, demanding respect. HistorianLillian Fadermancalls the riots the \\\"shot heard round the world\\\", explaining, \\\"The Stonewall Rebellion was\",\n \"Rebellion was crucial because it sounded the rally for that movement. It became an emblem of gay and lesbian power. By calling on the dramatic tactic of violent protest that was being used by other oppressed groups, the events at the Stonewall implied that homosexuals had as much reason to be disaffected as they.\\\" Joan Nestleco-founded theLesbian Herstory Archivesin 1974 and credits \\\"its creation to that night and the courage that found its voice in the streets.\\\"Cautious, however, not to attribute the start of gay activism to the Stonewall riots, Nestle writes: I certainly don't see gay and lesbian history starting with Stonewall... and I don't see resistance starting with Stonewall. What I do see is a historical coming together of forces, and the sixties changed how human beings endured things in this society and what they refused to endure... Certainly, something special happened on that night in 1969 and we've made it more special in our need to have what I call a point of origin... it's more complex than\",\n \"more complex than saying that it all started with Stonewall. The events of the early morning of June 28, 1969, were not the first instances of gay men and lesbians fighting back against police in New York City and elsewhere. Not only had the Mattachine Society been active in major cities such as Los Angeles and Chicago, but similarly marginalized people started the riot at Compton's Cafeteria in 1966 and another riot responded to a raid on Los Angeles'Black Cat Tavernin 1967.However, several circumstances were in play that made the Stonewall riots memorable. The location of theLower Manhattanraid was a factor: it was across the street fromThe Village Voiceoffices, and the narrow crooked streets gave the rioters an advantage over the police.Many of the participants and residents of Greenwich Village were involved in political organizations that were effectively able to mobilize a large and cohesive gay community in the weeks and months after the rebellion. The most significant facet of the Stonewall riots,\",\n \"Stonewall riots, however, was the commemoration of them in Christopher Street Liberation Day, which grew into the annualGay Prideevents around the world. Stonewall(officially Stonewall Equality Limited) is anLGBT rightscharity in the United Kingdom, founded in 1989 and named after theStonewall Innbecause of the Stonewall riots. TheStonewall Awardsis an annual event the charity has held since 2006 to recognize people who have affected the lives of British lesbian, gay, and bisexual people. The middle of the 1990s was marked by the inclusion ofbisexualsas a represented group within the gay community, when they successfully sought to be included on the platform of the 1993March on Washington for Lesbian, Gay and Bi Equal Rights and Liberation. Transgender people also asked to be included but were not, though trans-inclusive language was added to the march's list of demands.The transgender community continued to find itself simultaneously welcome and at odds with the gay community as attitudes aboutnon-binary\",\n \"aboutnon-binary gender discriminationandpansexual orientationdeveloped and came increasingly into conflict.In 1994, New York City celebrated \\\"Stonewall 25\\\" with a march that went past theUnited Nations Headquartersand intoCentral Park. Estimates put the attendance at 1.1 million people.Sylvia Riveraled an alternate march in New York City in 1994 to protest the exclusion of transgender people from the events. Attendance at LGBT Pride events has grown substantially over the decades. Most large cities around the world now have some kind of Pride demonstration; Pride events in some cities mark the largest annual celebration of any kind.The growing trend towards commercializing marches into parades—with events receiving corporate sponsorship—has caused concern about taking away the autonomy of the original grassroots demonstrations. President Barack Obamadeclared June 2009 Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month, citing the riots as a reason to \\\"commit to achieving equal justice under law for LGBT\",\n \"under law for LGBT Americans\\\".The year marked the 40th anniversary of the riots. An editorial in theWashington Bladecompared the scruffy, violent activism during and following the Stonewall riots to the lackluster response to failed promises given by President Obama; for being ignored, wealthy LGBT activists reacted by promising to give less money to Democratic causes.Two years later, the Stonewall Inn served as a rallying point for celebrations after theNew York State Senatevoted to passsame-sex marriage. The act was signed into law by GovernorAndrew Cuomoon June 24, 2011. Obama also referenced the Stonewall riots in a call for full equality during hissecond inaugural addresson January 21, 2013: We, the people, declare today that the most evident of truths—that all of us are created equal—is the star that guides us still; just as it guided our forebears through Seneca Falls and Selma and Stonewall... Our journey is not complete until our gay brothers and sisters are treated like anyone else under the\",\n \"else under the law—for if we are truly created equal, then surely the love we commit to one another must be equal as well. This was a historic moment: the first time that a president mentioned gay rights or the word \\\"gay\\\" in an inaugural address. Throughout June 2019,Stonewall 50 – WorldPride NYC 2019, produced byHeritage of Pridein partnership with theI Love New Yorkprogram's LGBT division, took place in New York to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising. The final official estimate included 5 million visitors attending in Manhattan alone, making it thelargest LGBTQ celebrationin history.June is traditionally Pride month in New York City and worldwide, and the events were held under the auspices of the annualNYC Pride March. On June 6, 2019, coinciding withWorldPridebeing celebrated in New York City, Police CommissionerJames P. O'Neillapologized on behalf of the NYPD for the actions of its officers at the Stonewall uprising. The official 50th-anniversary commemoration of the Stonewall\",\n \"of the Stonewall Uprising occurred on June 28 on Christopher Street in front ofStonewall Inn. The official commemoration was themed as a rally, in reference to the original rallies in front of Stonewall Inn in 1969. Speakers at this event included mayorBill De Blasio, senatorKirsten Gillibrand, congressmanJerry Nadler, American activistX González, and global activistRémy Bonny. In 2019, Paris, France, officially named a square in theMaraisdistrict asPlace des Émeutes-de-Stonewall(Stonewall Riots Place). Stonewall Day In 2018, 49 years after the uprising, Stonewall Day was announced as a commemoration day byPride Live, a social advocacy and community engagement organization.The second Stonewall Day was held on Friday, June 28, 2019, outside the Stonewall Inn.During this event, Pride Live introduced their Stonewall Ambassadors program, to raise awareness for the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. Historic landmark and monument In June 1999, theUS Department of the Interiorincluded 51 and 53Christopher\",\n \"and 53Christopher Streetand the surrounding area in Greenwich Village into theNational Register of Historic Places, the first of significance to the LGBT community.In a dedication ceremony, Assistant Secretary of the Department of the InteriorJohn Berrystated, \\\"Let it forever be remembered that here—on this spot—men and women stood proud, they stood fast, so that we may be who we are, we may work where we will, live where we choose, and love whom our hearts desire.\\\"The Stonewall Inn was also named aNational Historic Landmarkin February 2000. On June 23, 2015, theNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commissiondesignated Stonewall as a city landmark, the first to be designated based on its LGBT cultural significance alone.On June 24, 2016, PresidentBarack Obamaannounced the establishment of theStonewall National Monument, administered by theNational Park Service.The designation protects Christopher Park and adjacent areas totaling more than seven acres; the Stonewall Inn is within the boundaries of the\",\n \"boundaries of the monument but remains privately owned.TheNational Park Foundationformed a newnonprofit organizationto raise funds for a ranger station and interpretive exhibits for the monument,including the first official national visitor center dedicated to the LGBTQIA+ experience, which was inaugurated on June 28, 2024.TheNew York City Subway's Christopher Street–Sheridan Square station was renamed theChristopher Street–Stonewall stationon the same day. Media representations No newsreel or TV footage was taken of the riots and few home movies and photographs exist, but those that do have been used in documentaries. Film Music Theatre See also Analogous events Notes Citations Sources External links\",\n \"List of Apollo missions TheApollo programwas a United Stateshuman spaceflightprogram carried out from 1961 to 1972 by theNational Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA), which landed the firstastronautson theMoon.The program used theSaturn IBandSaturn Vlaunch vehiclesto lift theCommand/Service Module(CSM) andLunar Module(LM) spacecraft into space, and theLittle Joe IIrocket to test alaunch escape systemwhich was expected to carry the astronauts to safety in the event of a Saturn failure.Uncrewed test flights beginning in 1966 demonstrated the safety of the launch vehicles and spacecraft to carry astronauts, and four crewed flights beginning in October 1968 demonstrated the ability of the spacecraft to carry out a lunar landing mission. Apollo achieved the first crewed lunar landing on theApollo 11mission, whenNeil ArmstrongandBuzz Aldrinlanded theirLMEaglein theSea of Tranquilityand walked on the lunar surface, whileMichael Collinsremained inlunar orbitin theCSMColumbia, and all three landed safely on\",\n \"landed safely on Earth on July 24, 1969.Five subsequent missions landed astronauts on various lunar sites, ending in December 1972 withtwelve men having walked on the Moonand 842 pounds (382 kg) of lunar rocks andsoilsamples returned to Earth, greatly contributing to the understanding of the Moon's composition and geological history. Two Apollo missions were failures: a 1967 cabin fire killed the entireApollo 1crew during a ground test in preparation for what was to be the first crewed flight;and the third landing attempt onApollo 13was aborted by an oxygen tank explosion en route to the Moon, which disabled the CSMOdyssey's electrical power and life support systems, and made the propulsion system unsafe to use. The crew circled the Moon and were returned safely to Earth using the LMAquariusas a \\\"lifeboat\\\" for these functions. Uncrewed test flights From 1961 through 1967,Saturn launch vehiclesandApollo spacecraftcomponents were tested in uncrewed flights. Saturn I TheSaturn Ilaunch vehicle was originally\",\n \"was originally planned to carry crewed Command Module flights intolow Earth orbit, but its 20,000-pound (9,100 kg) payload capacity limit could not lift even a partially fueled Service Module, which would have required building a lightweightretrorocketmodule for deorbit. These plans were eventually scrapped, in favor of using the upratedSaturn IBto launch the Command Module with a half-fueled Service Module for crewed Earth orbit tests. This limited Saturn I flights to Saturn launch vehicle development, CSMboilerplatetesting, and three micrometeoroid satellite launches in support of Apollo. SA-1 15:06 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-2 14:00 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-3 17:45 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-4 20:11 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-5 16:25 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-6 17:07 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-7 17:22 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-9 14:37 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-8 07:35 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-10 13:00 GMTLaunch Complex 37B There was some incongruity in the numbering and naming of the first three uncrewed Apollo-Saturn\",\n \"Apollo-Saturn (AS), or Apollo flights. This is due to AS-204 being renamed toApollo 1posthumously. This crewed flight was to have followed the first three uncrewed flights. After the fire which killed the AS-204 crew on the pad during a test and training exercise, uncrewed Apollo flights resumed to test the Saturn V launch vehicle and the Lunar Module; these were designated Apollo 4, 5 and 6. The first crewed Apollo mission was thus Apollo 7. Simple \\\"Apollo\\\" numbers were never assigned to the first three uncrewed flights, although renamingAS-201,AS-202, andAS-203as Apollo 1-A, Apollo 2 and Apollo 3, had been briefly considered. Saturn IB The Saturn I was converted to the Uprated Saturn I, eventually designatedSaturn IB, by replacing theS-IVsecond stage with theS-IVB, which would also be used as the third stage of the Saturn V with the addition of on-orbit restart capability. This increased the payload capacity to 46,000 pounds (21,000 kg), enough to orbit a Command Module with a half-fueled Service Module,\",\n \"Service Module, and more than enough to orbit a fully fueled Lunar Module. Two suborbital tests of the Apollo Block I Command and Service Module, one S-IVB development test, and one Lunar Module test were conducted. Success of the LM test led to cancellation of a planned second uncrewed flight. SA-201 16:12 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-203 14:53 GMTLaunch Complex 37B SA-202 17:15 GMTLaunch Complex 34 SA-204 22:48 GMTLaunch Complex 37B Launch escape system tests From August 1963 to January 1966, a number of tests were conducted at theWhite Sands Missile Rangefor development of thelaunch escape system(LES). These included simulated \\\"pad aborts\\\", which might occur while the Apollo-Saturnspace vehiclewas still on thelaunch pad, and flights on theLittle Joe IIrocket to simulateMode I abortswhich might occur while the vehicle was in the air. 13:05 GMTLaunch Complex 36 16:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 13:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 15:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 13:01 GMTLaunch Complex 36 13:00 GMTLaunch Complex 36 15:17 GMTLaunch\",\n \"36 15:17 GMTLaunch Complex 36 Saturn V Prior toGeorge Mueller's tenure as NASA's Associate Administrator for Manned Space Flight starting in 1963, it was assumed that 20Saturn Vs, with at least 10 unpiloted test flights, would be required to achieve a crewed Moon landing, using the conservative one-stage-at-a-time testing philosophy used for the Saturn I. But Mueller introduced the \\\"all-up\\\" testing philosophy of using three live stages plus the Apollo spacecraft on every test flight. This achieved development of the Saturn V with far fewer uncrewed tests, and facilitated achieving the Moon landing by the 1969 goal. The size of the Saturn V production lot was reduced from 20 to 15 units. Three uncrewed test flights were planned to human-rate thesuper heavy-liftSaturn Vwhich would take crewed Apollo flights to the Moon. Success of the first flight and qualified success of the second led to the decision to cancel the third uncrewed test. SA-501 12:00 GMTLaunch Complex 39A SA-502 16:12 GMTLaunch Complex 39A\",\n \"Complex 39A Alphabetical mission types The Apollo program required sequential testing of several major mission elements in the runup to a crewed lunar landing. An alphabetical list of major mission types was proposed byOwen Maynardin September 1967.Two \\\"A-type\\\" missions performed uncrewed tests of the CSM and the Saturn V, and one B-type mission performed an uncrewed test of the LM. The C-type mission, the first crewed flight of the CSM in Earth orbit, was performed by Apollo 7. The list was revised uponGeorge Low's proposal to commit a mission to lunar orbit ahead of schedule, an idea influenced by the status of the CSM as a proven craft and production delays of the LM.Apollo 8 was reclassified from its original assignment as a D-type mission, a test of the complete CSM/LM spacecraft in Earth orbit, to a \\\"C-prime\\\" mission which would fly humans to the Moon. Once complete, it obviated the need for the E-type objective of amedium Earth orbitaltest. The D-type mission was instead performed by Apollo 9; the\",\n \"by Apollo 9; the F-type mission, Apollo 10, flew the CSM/LM spacecraft to the Moon for final testing, without landing. The G-type mission, Apollo 11, performed the first lunar landing, the central goal of the program. The initial A–Glist was expanded to include later mission types:: 466H-type missions—Apollo 12, 13 (planned) and 14—would perform precision landings, and J-type missions—Apollo 15, 16 and 17—would perform thorough scientific investigation. The I-type objective, which called for extended lunar orbital surveillance of the Moon,was incorporated into the J-type missions.: 466 Crewed missions The Block I CSM spacecraft did not have capability to fly with the LM, and the three crew positions were designated Command Pilot, Senior Pilot, and Pilot, based onU.S. Air Force pilot ratings. The Block II spacecraft was designed to fly with the Lunar Module, so the corresponding crew positions were designated Commander, Command Module Pilot, and Lunar Module Pilot regardless of whether a Lunar Module was\",\n \"a Lunar Module was present or not on any mission. Seven of the missions involvedextravehicular activity(EVA), spacewalks or moonwalks outside of the spacecraft. These were of three types: testing the lunar EVA suit in Earth orbit (Apollo 9), exploring the lunar surface, and retrieving film canisters from theScientific Instrument Modulestored in the Service Module. Launch Complex 34(planned) 15:02 GMTLaunch Complex 34 12:51 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-503) 16:00 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-504) 16:49 GMTLaunch Complex 39B (SA-505) 13:32 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-506) 16:22 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-507) 19:13 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-508) 21:03 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-509) 13:34 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-510) 17:54 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-511) 05:33 GMTLaunch Complex 39A (SA-512) Canceled missions Several planned missions of the Apollo program were canceled for a variety of reasons, including changes in technical direction, the Apollo 1 fire, hardware delays, and budget limitations. See also There were two\",\n \"also There were two NASA post-Apollo crewed spaceflight programs that used Apollo hardware: Notes References Bibliography External links\",\n \"Jim Lovell James Arthur Lovell Jr.(/ˈlʌvəl/LUV-əl; born March 25, 1928) is an American retiredastronaut,naval aviator,test pilotand mechanical engineer. In 1968, ascommand module pilotofApollo 8, he became, withFrank BormanandWilliam Anders, one of the first three astronauts to fly to and orbit the Moon. He then commanded theApollo 13lunar mission in 1970 which, after a critical failure en route, looped around the Moon and returned safely to Earth. A graduate of theUnited States Naval AcademyinAnnapolis, Maryland, in the class of 1952, Lovell flewF2H Bansheenight fighters. This included a Western Pacific deployment aboard the aircraft carrierUSSShangri-La. In January 1958, he entered a six-month test pilot training course at theNaval Air Test CenteratNaval Air Station Patuxent River,Maryland, with Class 20 and graduated at the top of the class. He was then assigned to Electronics Test, working withradar, and in 1960 he became the Navy'sMcDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIprogram manager. The following year he\",\n \"following year he became a flight instructor and safety engineering officer atNaval Air Station OceanainVirginia Beach, Virginia, and completed Aviation Safety School at theUniversity of Southern California. Lovell was not selected byNASAas one of theMercury Sevenastronauts due to a temporarily highbilirubincount. He was accepted in September 1962 as one of thesecond group of astronautsneeded for theGeminiandApolloprograms. Prior to Apollo, Lovell flew in space on two Gemini missions,Gemini 7(with Borman) in 1965 andGemini 12in 1966. He was the first person to fly into space four times. One of24 people to have flown to the Moon, Lovell was the first to fly to it twice. He is a recipient of theCongressional Space Medal of Honorand thePresidential Medal of Freedom. He co-authored the 1994 bookLost Moon, on which the 1995 filmApollo 13was based. Lovell was featured in acameo appearancein the film. Early life James Arthur Lovell Jr. was born inCleveland, Ohio, on March 25, 1928, the only child of James Lovell\",\n \"of James Lovell Sr., aToronto, Ontario, Canada-born coal furnace salesman who died in a car accident in 1933and Blanche née Masek, who was ofCzechdescent.For the first two years after the death of his father, Lovell and his mother lived with a relative inTerre Haute, Indiana. They then relocated toMilwaukee, Wisconsin, where he went toJuneau High School.He was a member of theBoy Scoutsduring his childhood and eventually achievedEagle Scout, the organization's highest rank.He became interested in rocketry and built flying models as a teenager. After graduating from high school, Lovell attended theUniversity of WisconsininMadisonfor two years, where he studied engineering under theUnited States Navy's\\\"Flying Midshipman\\\" programfrom 1946 to 1948.He would later credit the program for his ability to attend college, citing that he didn't otherwise have the money to attend.At Wisconsin, he playedcollege footballand pledged to theAlpha Phi Omegafraternity.He supplemented his meager Navy stipend by working at a local\",\n \"working at a local restaurant washing dishes and busing tables, and caring for the university'slab ratsandmiceon weekends. While Lovell was attending pre-flight training in the summer of 1948, the Navy was beginning to make cutbacks in the program, and cadets were under a great deal of pressure to transfer out. There were concerns that some or most of the students who graduated asnaval aviatorswould not have pilot billets to fill. To avoid this prospect, Lovell decided to apply to theUnited States Naval AcademyinAnnapolis, Maryland.He secured a nomination from his localU.S. Representative,John C. Brophy, and entered Annapolis in July 1948. During his first year, Lovell wrote a treatise on theliquid-propellant rocketengine. He graduated in the spring of 1952 with a Bachelor of Science degree and was commissioned as anensignin the Navy.On June 6, he married Marilyn Lillie Gerlach in a ceremony atSt. Anne's Churchin Annapolis. The two had begun dating while they were in high school.As a college student, Gerlach\",\n \"student, Gerlach had transferred fromWisconsin State Teachers CollegetoGeorge Washington Universityin Washington, D.C., so she could be near him while he was at Annapolis.They had four children: Barbara, James, Susan, and Jeffrey. Navy career Lovell was one of 50 members of his graduating class of 783 initially selected for naval aviation training.He went to flight training atNaval Air Station Pensacolafrom October 1952 to February 1954. He was designated a naval aviator on February 1, 1954, upon completion of pilot training, and was assigned toVC-3atMoffett Fieldnear San Francisco, California. From 1954 to 1956 he flewMcDonnell F2H Bansheenight fighters. This included a Western Pacific deployment aboard the aircraft carrierUSSShangri-La. Lovell eventually completed 107 carrier deck landings. Upon his return to shore duty, he was reassigned to provide pilot transition training for theNorth American FJ-4 Fury,McDonnell F3H DemonandVought F8U Crusader. In January 1958, Lovell entered a six-monthtest\",\n \"a six-monthtest pilottraining course at what was then the Naval Air Test Center (now theUnited States Naval Test Pilot School) atNaval Air Station Patuxent River,Maryland, with Class 20,which also included futureastronautsWally SchirraandPete Conrad,who gave Lovell the nickname \\\"Shaky\\\".Lovell graduated at the top of the class.Usually the top graduate was assigned to flight test on graduation, but the head of electronics test had complained about never getting the top graduate, so Lovell was assigned to electronics test, where he worked withradarsets. Later that year, Lovell, Conrad, and Schirra were among 110 military test pilots selected as potential astronaut candidates forProject Mercury. Schirra went on to become one of theMercury Seven, but Lovell was not selected because of a temporarily highbilirubincount.In 1960, electronics test was merged with armaments test to become weapons test, and Lovell became theMcDonnell Douglas F-4 Phantom IIprogram manager.During this time future astronautJohn Youngserved\",\n \"Youngserved under him. In 1961 Lovell received orders forVF-101 \\\"Detachment Alpha\\\"atNaval Air Station OceanainVirginia Beach, Virginia, as a flight instructor and safety engineering officer,and he completed Aviation Safety School at theUniversity of Southern California. NASA career Astronaut selection In 1962,NASAbegan recruiting its second group of astronauts, intended to fly during theGeminiandApolloprograms. This time the process was a public one. Lovell found out about the selection from an advertisement that had been placed inAviation Week & Space Technology, and decided to apply a second time.A three-person selection panel consisting of Mercury Seven astronautsAlan ShepardandDeke Slayton, and NASA test pilotWarren J. North, reduced the candidates to 32 finalists,who were sent toBrooks Air Force BaseinSan Antoniofor medical examinations. The tests there were much the same as those employed to select the Mercury Seven,but this time Lovell passed.The remaining 27 then went toEllington Air Force Basenear\",\n \"Air Force Basenear Houston, where they were individually interviewed by the selection panel. On September 14, Slayton informed Lovell that he had been accepted.To avoid tipping off the media, all checked into theRice Hotelin Houston under the name of Max Peck, its general manager.On September 17, the media crowded into the 1800-seat Cullen Auditorium at theUniversity of Houstonfor the official announcement, but it was a low-key event compared to the unveiling of the Mercury Seven three years before.The group became known as the \\\"Next Nine\\\" or the \\\"New Nine\\\".The new astronauts moved to the Houston area in October 1962.Conrad and Lovell built houses inTimber Cove, south of theManned Spacecraft Center(MSC).Developers in Timber Cove offered astronauts mortgages with small down payments and low interest rates.The MSC complex was not yet complete, so NASA temporarily leased office space in Houston. The task of supervising the Next Nine's training fell to Mercury Seven astronautGus Grissom.Initially, each of the\",\n \"each of the astronauts was given four months of classroom instruction on subjects such asspacecraft propulsion,orbital mechanics,astronomy,computing, andspace medicine. Classes were for six hours a day, two days a week, and all sixteen astronauts had to attend. There was also familiarization with the Gemini spacecraft,Titan IIandAtlasboosters, and theAgena target vehicle.Jungle survival training was conducted at theUnited States Air Force(USAF) Tropic Survival School atAlbrook Air Force Stationin thePanama Canal Zone, desert survival training atStead Air Force BaseinNevada, and water survival training on theDilbert Dunkerat the USN school at the Naval Air Station Pensacola and onGalveston Bay.Following the precedent set by the Mercury Seven, each of the Next Nine was assigned a special area in which to develop expertise that could be shared with the others, and to provide astronaut input to designers and engineers.Lovell became responsible for recovery systems. Gemini program Gemini 7 Lovell was selected as\",\n \"was selected as backup pilot forGemini 4,which was officially announced on July 29, 1964.It put him in position for his first space flight three missions later, as pilot ofGemini 7with command pilotFrank Borman, under a rotation system devised by Slayton.Borman was a USAF officer, and Lovell had first met him during the evaluation process for astronaut selection.Their selection for the Gemini 7 mission was officially announced on July 1, 1965, along with that ofEdward WhiteandMichael Collinsas their backup crew. Like all Gemini missions, it was part of the preparations for Apollo. The flight's objective was to evaluate the effects on the crew and spacecraft from fourteen days in orbit, this being sufficiently long for any possible Moon mission, and would therefore enable doctors to evaluate the medical aspects of such a flight. Whereas theGemini 6mission preceding it was to demonstrate techniques forspace rendezvous, likewise critical requirement of Apollo. These techniques had been worked out by Dean F.\",\n \"out by Dean F. Grimm andBuzz Aldrin, who had written his doctoral thesis on the subject. The Gemini 6 mission, which was commanded by Schirra withTom Staffordas pilot, had a serious setback on October 15, 1965, when the Agena target vehicle that Gemini 6 was supposed to rendezvous with exploded soon after takeoff. Lovell was present at theLaunch Control CenteratCape Kennedywhen this occurred. Officials fromMcDonnell, the manufacturer of the Gemini spacecraft, then raised the possibility of a rendezvous between Gemini 6 and Gemini 7 during the two weeks while Gemini 7 was in orbit.The only change to the latter's flight plan this required was to circularize its orbit to match that intended for the Agena target vehicle. Borman rejected a proposal by Schirra that Lovell and Stafford exchange places, on the grounds that it was hazardous and likely to jeopardize the fourteen-day mission objective through loss of oxygen. In planning the mission, it was decided that both astronauts would sleep at the same time and\",\n \"the same time and observe the same work periods, one in the morning and one in the afternoon. Experiments were not scheduled, but fitted in when time allowed.Of the twenty experiments, eight were medical, aimed at gathering data about the effects of long-duration space flight. Of the rest, four were tests of spacecraft systems, five involved radiometry or navigation, and three involved photography and observation,To save space, theG5C space suitwas designed that incorporated a soft hood instead of a helmet and zippers instead of a neck ring. It weighed a third less than the standard Gemini space suit and could be stowed more easily. Gemini 7 lifted off on December 4, 1965, and reached its intended 300-kilometer (160 nmi) near-circular orbit. Lovell was taller than Borman and had more difficulty donning and removing his space suit. Initially one astronaut had to be suited, but this made him uncomfortably warm, and eventually mission control relented and allowed both to leave their space suits off.Gemini 6,\",\n \"suits off.Gemini 6, now called Gemini 6A, attempted to launch on December 12; the engines ignited, but shut down less than two seconds later due to an electrical problem and a fuel cap accidentally having been left in place.After repairs, Gemini 6A successfully lifted off on December 15, and rendezvoused with Gemini 7 on Gemini 6A's fourth orbit. The two spacecraft then flew in tandem for three orbits, the distance between them varying between 0.30 and 90 meters (1 and 300 ft). Gemini 6A returned to Earth on December 16. In the final two days of the mission, Lovell had time to read part ofDrums Along the MohawkbyWalter D. Edmonds. As in earlier long-duration flights, malfunctions accumulated as the flight wore on. Two of the thrusters stopped working. After the flight, this was traced to the fact that they had an old type of laminate in the thrust chamber instead of the new type that had been developed to solve this problem. This proved to be only an annoyance, but there was more concern over a loss of power\",\n \"a loss of power in thefuel cells. By day thirteen, a warning light was illuminated continuously and it was feared that the cells, which were only giving partial output, might fail completely, and the mission might have to be cut short; tests were carried out inSt. Louisthat demonstrated that the batteries could sustain them for the remainder of the flight. Gemini 7 made a successful return from orbit on December 18.The fourteen-day flight set an endurance record, making 206 orbits. Gemini 12 On January 24, 1966, Lovell was named as the backup command pilot ofGemini 10, with Aldrin as the pilot. On March 21, this was changed as a result of the deaths of theGemini 9prime crew,Elliot SeeandCharles Bassett, inan air crash. The Gemini 9 backup crew of Tom Stafford andGene Cernanbecame the prime crew of Gemini 9A, and Lovell and Aldrin became their backups. This positioned Lovell for his second flight and first command, ofGemini 12. Lovell and Aldrin's selection for this mission was officially announced on June\",\n \"announced on June 17, along with that ofGordon Cooperand Gene Cernan as their backups. The goals of Gemini 12, the final Gemini mission, were ill-defined at first. \\\"Essentially Gemini 12 didn't have a mission\\\", Lovell later recalled. \\\"It was, I guess, by default... supposed to wind up the Gemini program and catch all those items that were not caught on previous flights.\\\"By July, its mission had become to masterextravehicular activity(EVA), something that had proven problematic on earlier Gemini missions, as they had been more strenuous than expected and performing simple tasks had been more complicated. A series of innovations had been developed in response to the problems that had been encountered. It had been found that moving in space was similar to being underwater, and Aldrin made use of this new training technique. A waist restraint was provided on the space suit, and the Gemini spacecraft and the Agena target vehicle had additional handrails, handholds, and rings for tethering the waist restraint.\",\n \"waist restraint. Procedures were modified to minimize fatigue. Gemini 12 lifted off on November 11, and quickly achieved orbit. Its first task was to rendezvous with its Agena target vehicle. This was complicated when the rendezvous radar set failed. Instead, Aldrin, who had written his PhD on the rendezvous, used asextantto measure the angle between the spacecraft and the Agena, and then calculated the required actions using the onboard computer. Lovell then flew the spacecraft accordingly. Rendezvous was achieved, and Gemini successfullydockedwith the Agena, achieving the fifth space rendezvous and fourth space docking with an Agena target vehicle. Lovell then successfully undocked and docked again. Aldrin performed three EVAs. The first was a standup EVA on November 12, in which the spacecraft door was opened and he stood up, but did not leave the spacecraft. The standup EVA mimicked some of the actions he would do during his free-flight EVA, so he could compare the effort expended between the two. It set\",\n \"the two. It set an EVA record of two hours and twenty minutes. The next day Aldrin performed his free-flight EVA. He climbed across the newly installed hand-holds to the Agena and installed the cable needed for the gravity-gradient stabilization experiment. He performed several tasks, including installing electrical connectors and testing tools that would be needed for Apollo. The EVA concluded after two hours and six minutes.Before returning to the spacecraft, Aldrin cleaned the pilot's window with a cloth, and Lovell jokingly asked him if he could change the oil too.A third, 55-minute standup EVA was conducted on November 14, during which Aldrin took photographs, conducted experiments, and discarded some unneeded items. Gemini 12 returned to Earth on November 15, after 59 orbits. During re-entry a pouch containing books and small pieces of equipment broke free and landed in Lovell's lap. He did not want to grab it, as he feared he might pull on theD-ringthat activated the ejector seat. It did not move any\",\n \"It did not move any further, and the landing went well. The spacecraft landed just 5.5 kilometers (3.0 nmi) from the recovery ship, the aircraft carrierUSSWasp. Twelve experiments had been carried out.This mission proved that people could work effectively outside the spacecraft, which was required for the Apollo missions with the goal of getting man on the Moon by the end of the decade. Apollo program Apollo 1 On January 27, 1967, Grissom, White andRoger Chaffeewere killed in theApollo 1fire. At the time, Lovell was in Washington, D.C., where, along with fellow astronautsNeil Armstrong,Scott Carpenter, Gordon Cooper andRichard Gordon, he had attended the signing of theOuter Space Treatyand the reception afterwards in theGreen Roomof theWhite Househosted by PresidentLyndon Johnson. Four days later, Lovell flew toWest Point, New York, with Borman in a NASAT-38for the funeral service for White at theOld Cadet Chapel. After the service, White was laid to rest in theWest Point Cemetery; Lovell served as a\",\n \"Lovell served as a pallbearer along with Armstrong, Borman, Conrad, Stafford and Aldrin. TheApollo command modulewas redesigned after the fire, and afterwards it underwent a series of qualification tests.In April 1968, Lovell, along with fellow astronautsStuart RoosaandCharles Duke, spent 48 hours in command module CM-007A, bobbing in theGulf of Mexicoto test the seaworthiness of the Apollo spacecraft.The NASA research vesselMVRetrieverstood by with technicians and divers,while the astronauts assessed how quickly the spacecraft's flotation devices could right it from the \\\"stable II\\\" (upside down) position. The urine collection hose was used to vacuum up water that entered the cabin.Although this did not seem to bother Lovell, Duke regarded it as his worst experience as an astronaut, and Roosa became quiteseasick.The NASARoundupnewspaper wrote the event up under the headline, \\\"Yo, Ho, Ho and a Bottle of Marezine\\\", referencing the brand name ofa motion sickness drug. Apollo 8 Lovell was originally chosen as\",\n \"chosen as command module pilot (CMP) on the backup crew for Apollo 9 along with Armstrong as commander (CDR) and Aldrin aslunar modulepilot (LMP). Apollo 9 was planned as a high-apogeeEarth orbital test of the Lunar Module (LM). Lovell later replaced Michael Collins as CMP on the Apollo 9 prime crew in July 1968 when Collins needed to have surgery for abone spuron his spine. This reunited Lovell with his Gemini 7 commander Frank Borman, along with LMPWilliam Anders. Aldrin became Lovell's backup CMP, andFred Haisejoined Armstrong's crew as LMP. Construction delays of the first crewed LM prevented it from being ready in time to fly on Apollo 8, planned as alow Earth orbittest. It was decided to swap the Apollo 8 and Apollo 9 prime and backup crews in the flight schedule so that the crew trained for the low-orbit test could fly it asApollo 9, when the LM would be ready. A lunar orbital flight, nowApollo 8, replaced the original Apollo 9 medium Earth orbit test mission.The crew was informed of this decision on\",\n \"of this decision on August 10, 1968, and the training schedule was adjusted accordingly. Starting in September, the crew spent ten hours a day in the simulator rehearsing the mission. Apollo 8 was launched on December 21, 1968, and Borman, Lovell and Anders became the first crew to ride theSaturn Vrocket, as well as the first to travel to theMoon.Their Apollo craft entered lunar orbit on December 24 (Christmas Eve) and reduced speed to go into a 11-by-312-kilometer (5.9 by 168.5 nmi) orbit. The engine was then fired again to enter a 112-kilometer (60 nmi) circular orbit around the Moon. On Christmas Eve, the crew broadcast black-and-white television pictures of the lunar surface back to Earth. Lovell took his turn with Borman and Anders in reading a passage from the Biblical creation story in theBook of Genesis.They made a total of ten orbits of the Moon in 20 hours and ten minutes,and began their return to Earth on December 25 (Christmas Day) with a rocket burn made on the Moon's far side, out of radio\",\n \"side, out of radio contact with Earth. When contact was re-established, Lovell broadcast, \\\"Please be informed, there is aSanta Claus.\\\" As CMP, Lovell served as the navigator, using the spacecraft's built-in sextant to determine its position by measuring star positions. This information was then used to calculate required mid-course corrections. Lovell used some otherwise idle time to do navigational sightings, maneuvering the module to view stars by using theApollo guidance computerkeyboard. Lovell accidentally erased some of the computer's memory by entering the wrong codes, which caused theinertial measurement unit(IMU) to contain data indicating that the module was in the same relative orientation it had been in before lift-off; the IMU then fired the thrusters to \\\"correct\\\" the module's attitude. Once the crew realized why the computer had changed the module's attitude, they knew that they would have to reenter the correct data to tell the computer the module's actual orientation. It took Lovell ten\",\n \"It took Lovell ten minutes to figure out the correct values, using the thrusters to get the starsRigelandSiriusaligned,and another 15 minutes to enter the corrected data into the computer.Sixteen months later, during theApollo 13mission, Lovell would have to perform a similar manual realignment under even more critical conditions after the module's IMU had been turned off to conserve energy. A feature on the Moon's surface (Mount Marilyn) was named by Lovell in honor of his wife. The spacecraftsplashed downsafely before dawn on December 27 after 147 hours of flight, 4.8 kilometers (2.6 nmi) from the recovery ship, the aircraft carrierUSSYorktown. It was estimated that the crew had traveled 933,419 kilometers (504,006 nmi). Apollo 13 Lovell was backup CDR ofApollo 11, with Anders as CMP, and Haise as LMP.In early 1969, Anders accepted a job with theNational Aeronautics and Space Councileffective August 1969, and announced he would retire as an astronaut at that time.Ken Mattinglywas moved from the support\",\n \"from the support crew into parallel training with Anders as backup CMP in case Apollo 11 was delayed past its intended July launch date, at which point Anders would be unavailable. Under the normal crew rotation in place during Apollo, Lovell, Mattingly, and Haise were scheduled to fly as the prime crew ofApollo 14, butGeorge Mueller, the director of NASA's Office of Manned Space Flight, rejected Slayton's choice of fellow Mercury Seven astronaut Alan Shepard to command Apollo 13. Shepard had only recently returned to flight status after being grounded for several years, and Mueller thought that he needed more training time to prepare for a mission to the Moon. Slayton then asked Lovell if he was willing to switch places with Shepard's crew to give them more training time.\\\"Sure, why not?\\\" Lovell replied, \\\"What could possibly be the difference between Apollo 13 and Apollo 14?\\\" There was one more change. Seven days before launch, a member of the Apollo 13 backup crew, Duke, contractedrubellafrom a friend of\",\n \"a friend of his son.This exposed both the prime and backup crews, who trained together. Of the five, only Mattingly was not immune through prior exposure. Normally, if any member of the prime crew had to be grounded, the remaining crew would be replaced as well, and the backup crew substituted, but Duke's illness ruled this out,so two days before launch, Mattingly was replaced byJack Swigertfrom the backup crew.Mattingly never developed rubella and later flew to the Moon onApollo 16. Lovell lifted off aboard Apollo 13 on April 11, 1970.He and Haise were to land near theFra Mauro crater. TheFra Mauro formationwas believed to contain much material spattered by the impact that had filled theImbrium basinearly in the Moon's history, and dating it would provide information about the early history of the Earth and the Moon. \\\"We have a problem here\\\", Swigert informed mission control.\\\"This is Houston, say again please,\\\" thecapsule communicator,Jack Lousma, responded.\\\"Houston, we've had a problem,\\\" Lovell replied.\",\n \"Lovell replied. Lovell & Kluger 1995, p. 95 During a routineliquid oxygentank stir in transit to the Moon, a fire started inside an oxygen tank. The most probable cause determined by NASA was damaged electrical insulation on wiring that created a spark that started the fire.A problem with draining the tank had been reported before the mission, and Lovell had approved the action taken to turn on the heaters to purge the oxygen rather than to replace the faulty tank, which would have delayed the mission by a month. Neither he nor the launch pad crew were aware that the tank contained the wrong thermostat switch. The heaters were left on for eight hours, and while this successfully purged the oxygen, it also removedtefloninsulation from the copper electrical wiring.Liquid oxygen rapidly turned into a high-pressure gas, which burst the tank and caused the leak of a second oxygen tank. In just over two hours, all onboard oxygen was lost, disabling the hydrogen fuel cells that provided electrical power to the\",\n \"power to the Command/Service ModuleOdyssey. Apollo 13 was the second mission not to use afree-return trajectory, so that they could explore the western lunar regions.Using theApollo Lunar Moduleas a \\\"life boat\\\" providing battery power, oxygen, and propulsion, Lovell and his crew re-established the free return trajectory that they had left, and swung around the Moon to return home.Based on the flight controllers' calculations made on Earth, Lovell had to adjust the course twice by manually controlling the Lunar Module's thrusters and engine. Apollo 13 returned safely to Earth on April 17.\\\"I'm afraid\\\", Lovell said, \\\"this is going to be the last lunar mission for a long time.\\\"His comment was rebutted byNASA AdministratorThomas O. Paine, who hastened to reassure the public that NASA would be mounting more missions to the Moon.Nine months later, Apollo 14 would make the voyage to Fra Mauro, with modified oxygen tanks and an extra battery for emergencies. Apollo 13's flight trajectory gave Lovell, Haise, and\",\n \"Lovell, Haise, and Swigert the record for the farthest distance that humans have ever traveled from Earth.Lovell is one of only three men to travel to the Moon twice, but unlike the other two, John Young and Gene Cernan, he never walked on it.He accrued 715 hours and 5 minutes in space flights on his Gemini and Apollo flights, a personal record that stood until theSkylab 3mission in 1973. Later life Lovell retired from the Navy and the space program on March 1, 1973, and went to work at the Bay-Houston Towing Company inHouston, Texas,taking on the role of CEO in 1975. He became president of Fisk Telephone Systems in 1977,and later worked forCentel Corporationin Chicago, retiring as an executive vice president on January 1, 1991.Lovell was a recipient of theDistinguished Eagle Scout Award.He was also recognized by the Boy Scouts of America with theirSilver Buffalo Award. Lovell served on the board of directors for several organizations, includingFederal Signal Corporationin Chicago from 1984 to 2003,\",\n \"from 1984 to 2003, theAstronautics Corporation of Americain his hometown of Milwaukee from 1990 to 1999, and Centel from 1987 to 1991. In 1999, the Lovell family opened a restaurant inLake Forest, Illinois, \\\"Lovell's of Lake Forest\\\". The restaurant displayed memorabilia from Lovell's time with NASA and the filming ofApollo 13. The restaurant was sold to son and executive chef James (\\\"Jay\\\") in 2006.The restaurant was put on the market for sale in February 2014,and it closed in April 2015, the property being auctioned the same month. Marilyn Lovell (born on July 11, 1930) died of natural causes at the age of 93, at her home in the Lake Forest Place retirement community in Lake Forest, Illinois on August 27, 2023. Upon the death ofFrank Bormanon November 7, 2023, Lovell became the oldest living former astronaut. Awards and decorations Lovell's awards and decorations include: Military, federal service, and foreign awards Other awards and accomplishments The Gemini 6 and 7 crews were awarded theHarmon\",\n \"awarded theHarmon International Trophyfor 1966 in a ceremony at the White House.Lovell received a second Harmon International Trophy in 1967 when he and Aldrin were selected for their Gemini 12 flight.The Apollo 8 crew won theRobert J. Collier Trophyfor 1968,and PresidentRichard Nixonawarded them theDr. Robert H. Goddard Memorial Trophyin 1969, which Lovell accepted on behalf of the crew.The General Thomas D. White USAF Space Trophy is normally awarded to Air Force personnel, but an exception was made to include Lovell, and the Apollo 8 crew were awarded the 1968 trophy.Lovell was awarded a third Harmon International Trophy in 1969 for his role in the Apollo 8 mission.The Apollo 8 crew was also awarded theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA) Haley Astronautics Award for 1970,and were namedTimeMagazine Men of the Yearin 1968.The Apollo 7, 8, 9, and 10 crews were awarded the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Special Trustees Award for 1969.Lovell was one of ten Gemini\",\n \"one of ten Gemini astronauts inducted into theInternational Space Hall of Famein 1982,and, along with the other 12 Gemini astronauts, Lovell was inducted into the secondU.S. Astronaut Hall of Fameclass in 1993.At a parade attended by 500,000 people, Lovell was conferred Chicago's medal of merit.The Apollo 13 crew was awarded the City of New York Gold Medal, but Lovell had already received it for the Apollo 8 mission. In lieu of a second medal, the mayor gifted him a crystal paperweight that he \\\"invented for the occasion\\\".He was also awarded the 1970 City ofHoustonMedal for Valor for the mission.He was awarded his second Haley Astronautics Award for his role on Apollo 13. Lovell was featured on the cover ofTimemagazine on January 3, 1969, and April 27, 1970,and on the cover ofLifemagazine on April 24, 1970. Lovell was a recipient of the University of Wisconsin's Distinguished Alumni Service Award in 1970. In his acceptance speech he emphasized the use of words over \\\"rock throwing\\\" to help attain political\",\n \"attain political goals.He was awarded an honorary doctor of science degree atWestern Michigan University's summer commencement exercises in 1970.He was also awarded an honorary doctor of laws degree atWilliam Paterson College's commencement exercises in 1974.Lovell was also granted an honorarydoctor of sciencedegree from University of Wisconsin–Madison, his original alma mater, speaking at the December 2016 commencement. Tributes A small crater on thefar side of the Moonwas namedLovellin his honor in 1970.Discovery Worldin Milwaukee was renamed The James Lovell Museum of Science, Economics and Technology. It was at the time located on James Lovell St., also named for Lovell.TheCaptain James A. Lovell Federal Health Care Centerwas completed in October 2010, merging theNaval Health Clinic Great Lakesand the North Chicago Veterans Affairs Medical Center. Organizations In popular culture About a month after the return to Earth of Apollo 13, Lovell and his crewmates, Fred Haise and Jack Swigert, appeared onThe\",\n \"appeared onThe Tonight Showwith hostJohnny Carson.In 1976, Lovell made a cameo appearance in the Nicolas Roeg movieThe Man Who Fell to Earth. Lovell andJeffrey Klugerwrote a 1994 book about the Apollo 13 mission,Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13,on which the 1995Ron HowardfilmApollo 13was based. Lovell's first impression on being approached about the film was thatKevin Costnerwould be a good choice to portray him, given the physical resemblance,butTom Hankswas cast in the role.To prepare, Hanks visited James and Marilyn Lovell at their home in Texas and flew with Lovell in his private airplane.Kathleen Quinlanwas nominated for asupporting actress Oscarfor her performance as Marilyn. In the film, Lovell has a cameo as the captain of theUSSIwo Jima. He can be seen as the naval officer shaking Hanks' hand, as Hanks speaks invoice-over, in the scene where the astronauts come aboard theIwo Jima. The filmmakers offered to make Lovell's character an admiral aboard the ship, but Lovell said: \\\"I retired as\",\n \"said: \\\"I retired as a captain and a captain I will be.\\\" He was cast as the ship's skipper, CaptainLeland Kirkemo. Along with his wife Marilyn, who also has a cameo in the film, Lovell provided a commentary track on both the single disc and the two-disc special edition DVD. Tim Dalyportrayed Lovell in the 1998HBOminiseriesFrom the Earth to the Moon,andPablo Schreiberin the 2018 film about Armstrong,First Man. Notes References External links\",\n \"Jack Swigert John Leonard Swigert Jr.(August 30, 1931 – December 27, 1982) was an AmericanNASAastronaut,test pilot,mechanical engineer,aerospace engineer,United States Air Forcepilot, andpolitician. In April 1970, as command module pilot ofApollo 13, he became one of24 astronauts who flew to the Moon.Ironically, due to the \\\"slingshot\\\" route around the Moon they chose to safely return to Earth, the Apollo 13 astronauts flew farther away from Earth than any other astronauts before or since, though they had to abort the Moon landing. Before joining NASA in 1966, Swigert was a civiliantest pilotandfighter pilotin theAir National Guard. After leaving NASA, he ran forSenatebut lost in a primary election againstBill Armstrong. Later he ran forCongress, but while running was diagnosed with cancer. He won the election for Colorado's new6th districtin 1982, but died before being sworn in. Early life John Leonard Swigert Jr. was born on August 30, 1931, inDenver,Colorado, to parents John Leonard Swigert Sr. (1903–1973)\",\n \"Sr. (1903–1973) and Virginia Swigert (1906–1993). Swigert's father was anophthalmologist.At the age of 14, he became fascinated by aviation. While he would have been content just watching planes take off from nearby Combs Field, young Jack became determined to do more than be a spectator. He took on a newspaper route to earn money for flying lessons, and by age 16 he was alicensed private pilot.He was a member of theBoy Scouts of Americaand attained the rank ofSecond Class Scout.He attendedBlessed Sacrament School,Regis Jesuit High School, andEast High School, from which he graduated in 1949. Swigert received aBachelor of Sciencedegree inmechanical engineeringfromUniversity of Coloradoin 1953, where he also playedfootballfor theBuffaloes.He later earned aMaster of Sciencedegree inaerospace engineeringfromRensselaer Polytechnic Institute(Hartford campus) in 1965,and aMaster of Business Administrationdegree fromUniversity of Hartfordin 1967. His recreational interests\",\n \"interests includedgolf,handball,bowling,skiing,swimming, andbasketball. His hobbies includedphotography. Flight experience Following his graduation from Colorado in 1953, Swigert joined theUnited States Air Force(USAF). Upon graduation from the Pilot Training Program andGunnery SchoolatNellis Air Force Base,Nevada, he was assigned as afighter pilotinJapanandSouth Korea. In 1953, he survived his plane crashing into a radar unit on a Korean airstrip. After completing his tour of active duty in the USAF, he served as a jet fighter pilot with theMassachusetts(1957–1960) andConnecticut Air National Guard(1960–1965).Swigert held a position as engineering test pilot forNorth American Aviationbefore joining NASA. He was previously an engineering test pilot forPratt & Whitney, from February 1957 to June 1964. He logged over 7,200 hours in flight, including more than 5,725 hours injet aircraft. NASA career After unsuccessfully applying for NASA'ssecondandthirdastronaut selections,Swigert was accepted into theNASA\",\n \"into theNASA Astronaut Corpsas part ofNASA Astronaut Group 5in April 1966.Swigert became a specialist on theApollo command module: he was one of the few astronauts who requested to be command module pilots. Swigert was a member ofApollo 7's astronaut support crew, the first support crew for an Apollo mission; he served asCapsule communicator(CAPCOM) during the ascent phase of the flight. Apollo 13 Swigert was one of three astronauts aboard theApollo 13Moon mission launched April 11, 1970. Originally part of the backup crew for the mission, he was assigned to the mission three days before launch, replacing astronautKen Mattingly. The prime crew had been exposed toGerman Measles(the rubella virus) fromCharles Dukeand, because Mattingly had no immunity to the disease, NASA did not want to risk him falling ill during critical phases of the flight. Apollo 13 was the third crewed lunar-landing attempt, but was aborted after the rupture of an oxygen tank in the spacecraft'sservice module. Swigert was the astronaut\",\n \"was the astronaut who first announced, \\\"Houston, we've had a problem here\\\".The statement was then repeated by commander of the flightJim Lovell. Swigert, along with fellow astronauts Lovell andFred Haise, traveled around the Moon and returned safely to Earth on April 17 after about 5 days and 23 hours, and received thePresidential Medal of Freedomthe next day. Apollo–Soyuz Test Project NASA Director of Flight Crew OperationsDeke Slayton, who selected the astronauts, recommended Swigert ascommand module pilotfor theApollo–Soyuz Test Project, the first joint mission with theSoviet Union. Slayton felt Swigert deserved another chance to fly after having been selected for Apollo 13 two days before launch, and performing well. During 1972, theApollo 15 postal covers incidentcaused NASA investigators to inquire into other astronauts.A number of Apollo astronauts, including Swigert, had made agreements with West German stamp dealer Hermann Sieger, who originated the idea for theApollo 15covers, to autograph\",\n \"to autograph philatelic items in exchange for a payment of about $2,500. Swigert originally denied involvement when interviewed by NASA investigators.According toChristopher C. Kraft, the investigators subpoenaed his bank records, finding more funds than expected, and records of a predated charitable donation.Swigert's subsequent admission caused NASA Deputy AdministratorGeorge M. Lowto remove him from Apollo–Soyuz. Post-NASA career Aware that his spaceflight career was most likely over,Swigert took a leave of absence from NASA in April 1973 and went toWashington, D.C.to become executive director of theCommittee on Science and Astronautics,U.S. House of Representatives. Swigert eventually left NASA and the committee in August 1977 to enter politics.He ran for theU.S. Senatein 1978, but was soundly defeated in the Republican primary in September byCongressmanBill Armstrong, who was far better known.In 1979, Swigert became vice president of B.D.M. Corporation inGolden.He left in 1981 to join International Gold\",\n \"International Gold and Minerals Limited as vice president for financial and corporate affairs. In February 1982, Swigert left International Gold and Minerals Limited to run forU.S. Congressin the newly created6th districtas a Republican. When amalignant tumorin his right nasal passage was found, theastronaut-politiciandisclosed this to the voters. Doctors told him he would finish radiation treatments on June 15 and make a complete recovery.However, in August, Swigert developed back pain and was diagnosed withbone marrow cancer.On November 2, 1982, he won the seat with 64% of the popular vote. Death On December 19, 1982, seven weeks after his election, he was airlifted from his home inLittletontoGeorgetown University Hospitalin Washington, D.C. He died ofrespiratory failureat itsLombardi Cancer Centeron December 27, seven days before the beginning of his congressional term, aged 51.He was the last member-elect of the House to die before taking office untilLuke Letlow'sdeath fromCOVID-19in December 2020.\",\n \"December 2020. Fifteen astronauts, including fellow Apollo 13 crewmatesJim LovellandFred Haise, were among the thousand mourners at hisfull military honorsfuneral in Denver, presided over byArchbishopJames Casey, which included amissing man flyoverbyA-7 Corsairsof theColorado Air National Guard.He is buried alongside his parents inMount Olivet CemeteryinWheat Ridge. Awards, honors, and organizations Swigert received theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA)Octave Chanute Awardfor 1966 for his participation in demonstrating theRogallo wingas a feasible land landing system for returning space vehicles and astronauts. President Richard Nixon awarded thePresidential Medal of Freedomto the Apollo 13 crew shortly after the conclusion of their mission.Following a sparse parade, Swigert received the City of New York Gold Medal on June 3.He received the City ofHoustonMedal for Valor, 1970.Swigert received theAmerican Astronautical SocietyFlight Achievement Award for 1970.He was given University of\",\n \"given University of Colorado-Boulder's Distinguished Engineering Alumnus Award in 1970.Vice President Spiro Agnew presented the crews of Apollo 11, 12, and 13 with theNASA Distinguished Service Medalin 1970.The Apollo 13 crew also received the AIAA Haley Astronautics Award in 1971, which included a small monetary award and a medal. Swigert was awarded the 1972 Antonian Gold Medal. He was presented anHonorary Doctorate of Sciencedegree fromAmerican International Collegein 1970,anHonorary Doctorate of Lawsdegree fromWestern State Universityin 1970,and anHonorary Doctorate of SciencefromWestern Michigan Universityin 1970. In 1983, Swigert was among 14 Apollo astronauts inducted into theInternational Space Hall of Fame. In 1988, Swigert was inducted into theColorado Aviation Hall of Fame. In 1995, Swigert was portrayed byKevin BaconinRon Howard's filmApollo 13. In 1997, Swigert, along with 23 other Apollo astronauts, was posthumously inducted into theU.S. Astronaut Hall of Famewhich is located at the Kennedy\",\n \"at the Kennedy Space Center. He was elected in September 2003 to theRensselaer Polytechnic InstituteAlumni Hall of Fame. In 1997, astatue of Swigertmade by George and Mark Lundeen was placed on display in theU.S. Capitol Buildingas one of two statues given by the state of Colorado to theNational Statuary Hall Collection.As of December 2008 the statue is on display in Emancipation Hall in theUnited States Capitol Visitor Center. A duplicate statue is currently on display atDenver International AirportTerminal B, where passengers exit the airport's train system. The Space Foundation was founded in 1983 in part to honor the memory and accomplishments of Swigert.In 2004, the Space Foundation launched theJohn L. \\\"Jack\\\" Swigert Jr. Award for Space Exploration, which is presented annually to an individual, group, or organization that has made a significant contribution to space exploration. On August 18, 2009, theSpace Foundationand Colorado Springs District 11 partnered to open the Jack Swigert Aerospace Academy.\",\n \"Aerospace Academy. Swigert was a member of numerous organizations. He was afellowof theAmerican Astronautical Society; associate fellow of theSociety of Experimental Test Pilotsand theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics; and member of theQuiet Birdmen,Phi Gamma Delta,Pi Tau Sigma, andSigma Tau. See also References Works cited External links\",\n \"Fred Haise Fred Wallace Haise Jr.(/heɪz/HAYZ;born November 14, 1933) is an American formerNASAastronaut,engineer,fighter pilotwith theU.S. Marine CorpsandU.S. Air Force, and atest pilot. He is one of24 people to have flown to the Moon, having flown asLunar Modulepilot onApollo 13. He was slated to become the 6th person to walk on the Moon, but the Apollo 13 landing mission was aborted en route. Haise went on to fly fiveSpace ShuttleApproach and Landing Testsin 1977,before retiring from NASA in 1979. Early life Fred Wallace Haise, Jr. was born on November 14, 1933, and raised inBiloxi, Mississippi, to Fred Wallace Haise (1903–1960) and Lucille (néeBlacksher) Haise (1913–2005).: 1He has a younger sister who was born in 1941.: 6After theattack on Pearl Harboron December 7, 1941, his father enlisted in theU.S. Navyat the age of 38, and the Haise family moved toChicago.: 8The family then moved toKey West, Florida, until his father's ship,YMS-84, deployed to theSouth Pacific, when the family moved back to Biloxi.:\",\n \"back to Biloxi.: 9–10He graduated fromBiloxi High Schoolin 1950.: 13He attendedPerkinston Junior Collegewith a scholarship for journalism,: 13and played on the baseball team.: 14He graduated in 1952,and joined the Naval Aviation Cadet Program.: 16He went to ground school atNAS Pensacola,: 16and then moved toNAS Whiting Fieldin 1952.: 18He trained in theSNJandF6F Hellcat, and completed his flight training in 1954.: 22–26He served as aU.S. Marine Corpsfighterpilot, with VMF-533, then VMF-114 on theF2H-4 BansheeandF9F-8 CougaratMCAS Cherry Point,North Carolina, from March 1954 to September 1956. Haise also served as a tactics and all-weatherflight instructorin the U.S. Navy Advanced Training Command atNAS Kingsville,Texas. Haise has accumulated 9,300 hours flying time, including 6,200 hours injets. After his military service, Haise returned to school and graduated with aBachelor of Sciencedegree with honors inaeronautical engineeringfrom theUniversity of Oklahomain 1959, concurrently serving for two years in\",\n \"for two years in theOklahoma Air National Guard, as a fighter interceptor pilot with the185th Fighter Interceptor Squadron,flying theF-86D.He then worked for the newly createdNational Aeronautics and Space Administration(NASA), first as a research pilot at theLewis Research CenternearCleveland. HisAir National Guardunit was called up during theBerlin Crisis of 1961and he served ten months as a fighter pilot in theUnited States Air Force.He was a tactical fighter pilot and chief of the 164th Standardization-Evaluation Flight of the164th Tactical Fighter SquadronatMansfield Lahm Air National Guard Base,Ohio,flying theF-84F. Haise completed post-graduate courses at theU.S. Air Force Aerospace Research Pilot School(Class 64A) atEdwards Air Force Base,Californiain 1964, and attended the six-weekHarvard Business School'sAdvanced Management Programin 1972. NASA career In 1966, Haise was one of 19 astronauts selected forNASA Astronaut Group 5.He had already worked with NASA for several years as a civilian research\",\n \"a civilian research pilot. He was the first astronaut in his group to be assigned to a mission, serving as backup Lunar Module Pilot for bothApollo 8andApollo 11. Apollo 13 It only seems interesting to the public if it's the first exploration of another planetary body, or if you're having a problem. Fred Haise According to the rotation of crews during Apollo, Haise was originally assigned as Lunar Module Pilot forApollo 14, but his crew was switched to Apollo 13 so thatAlan Shepardcould have more training time. He flew as Lunar Module Pilot on the abortedApollo 13lunar mission in 1970.Due to the distance between the Earth and Moon during the mission, Haise,Jim Lovell, andJack Swigerthold the record for the farthest distance from the Earth ever traveled by human beings.Haise and Jack Swigert were the first people from Group 5 to fly in space. During this flight Haise developed aurinary tract infectionand later kidney infections. These caused him to be in pain for most of the trip. Haise was slated to become\",\n \"slated to become the 6th human to walk on the Moon during Apollo 13 behind Lovell, who was to be 5th.Alan ShepardandEdgar Mitchelleventually became the fifth and sixth, respectively, onApollo 14, which completed Apollo 13's mission to theFra Mauro formation. Haise later served as backup commander forApollo 16. Though there was no formal selection, Haise was prospectively slated to commandApollo 19withWilliam R. Pogueas Command Module Pilot andGerald P. Carras Lunar Module Pilot. However, the mission was canceled in 1970 due to budget cuts. Space Shuttle approach and landing tests After completing his backup assignment on Apollo 16, Haise moved to theSpace Shuttle program. In 1977, he participated in the program'sApproach and Landing Tests(ALT) atEdwards Air Force Base.Along withC. Gordon Fullertonas pilot, Haise as commander piloted theSpace ShuttleEnterprisein free flight to three landings after being released from theShuttle Carrier Aircraft.The tests verified the shuttle's flight characteristics, an\",\n \"characteristics, an important step toward the success of the program. Haise was assigned to commandSTS-2A, withJack R. Lousmaas pilot, the second Space Shuttle mission, which would have delivered theTeleoperator Retrieval Systemthat would have boostedSkylabto a higher orbit, preserving it for future use. Delays in the Shuttle program development as well as an unexpected increase in Skylab's orbital decay led to the mission being canceled. Skylab was destroyed upon entering the Earth's atmosphere in July 1979, while the Space Shuttle did not launch until April 1981. In June 1979, Haise left NASA to become a test pilot andexecutivewithGrumman Aerospace Corporation, where he remained until retiring in 1996.He was the only one of the four astronauts who conducted theEnterpriselanding tests not to fly in space on the Shuttle. Personal life Haise has four children with his first wife Mary Griffin Grant, whom he married on June 4, 1954, and divorced on July 21, 1978.He married Frances Patt Price, on January 9,\",\n \"on January 9, 1979.On February 7, 2022, Frances died. On August 22, 1973, Haise was piloting aConvair BT-13belonging to theCommemorative Air Forcethat had been converted to look like anAichi D3A\\\"Val\\\" torpedo bomber for the 1970 filmTora! Tora! Tora!. While attempting a landing go around atScholes FieldinGalveston, Texas, an undetermined power plant failure led to a crash landing. Haise sufferedsecond‐degree burnsover 50 percent of his body in the post crash fire. Haise published his autobiography,Never Panic Early, about his life and experiences in the Apollo program in 2022. Organizations Haise is afellowof theAmerican Astronautical Society(AAS) and theSociety of Experimental Test Pilots(SETP); member,Tau Beta Pi,Sigma Gamma Tau, andPhi Theta Kappa; and honorary member, National WWII Glider Pilots Association. Awards and honors Haise's other awards include theAmerican Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics(AIAA) Haley Astronautics Award for 1971;theAmerican Astronautical SocietyFlight Achievement Awards\",\n \"Achievement Awards for 1970 and 1977; the City ofNew YorkGold Medal in 1970;the City ofHoustonMedal for Valor in 1970;theJeff DavisAward (1970);the Mississippi Distinguished Civilian Service Medal (1970);the American Defense Ribbon;the SETP's Ray E. Tenhoff Award for 1966;the A. B. Honts Trophy as the outstanding graduate of Class 64A from the Aerospace Research Pilot School in 1964;an honorary doctor of science degree fromWestern Michigan University(1970);theJSCSpecial Achievement Award (1978);theSoaring Society of America's Certificate of Achievement Award (1978); the GeneralThomas D. WhiteUSAF Space Trophy for 1977;the SETP'sIven C. Kincheloe Award(1978);and theAir Force Association'sDavid C. SchillingAward (1978). He received thePresidential Medal of Freedom,NASA Distinguished Service Medal,andNASA Exceptional Service Medal. He was inducted into theInternational Space Hall of Famein 1983 and theAerospace Walk of Honorin 1995.He was also one of 24 Apollo astronauts inducted into theU.S. Astronaut Hall of\",\n \"Astronaut Hall of Fameon October 4, 1997. On February 13, 2022, the City of Biloxi unveiled a statue of Haise in the parking lot of the historicBiloxi Lighthouse. Haise was present at the ceremony and had his handprints set in concrete at the statue's base prior to its unveiling. The statue was created by Mississippi artist Mary Ott Tremel Davidson. In September 2023, Haise was inducted into theNational Aviation Hall of Famein Dayton, Ohio. In popular culture In the 1995 motion pictureApollo 13, Haise was played byBill Paxton. See also References Sources External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":276,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Which film, based loosely on the story of Frederick 'Fritz' Niland, won the Golden Globe for best drama at the 56th Golden Globes in 1999?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Saving Private Ryan was loosely based on the story of Frederick 'Fritz' Niland, and won the Golden Globe for best drama at the 56th Golden Globes in 1999."},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niland_brothers"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saving_Private_Ryan#Reception"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niland_brothers', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saving_Private_Ryan#Reception']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niland_brothers","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saving_Private_Ryan#Reception"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niland_brothers\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saving_Private_Ryan#Reception\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Niland brothers TheNiland brotherswere four American brothers fromTonawanda, New York, who served in the military duringWorld War II. They were sons of Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Niland.Two survived the war but, for a time, only one, Frederick \"Fritz\" Niland, was believed to have survived. After the reported deaths of his three brothers, Fritz was sent back to the United States to complete his service, and only later learned that his brother Edward, missing and presumed dead, was captive in aJapanesePOW campinBurma. Brothers Memorials In popular culture Steven Spielberg's1998 filmSaving Private Ryanis loosely based on the brothers' story. See also References External links","Saving Private Ryan Saving Private Ryanis a 1998 Americanepicwar filmdirected bySteven Spielbergand written byRobert Rodat. Set in 1944 inNormandy, France, duringWorld War II, it follows a group of soldiers, led by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks), on a mission to locate Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon) and bring him home safely after his three brothers have been killed in action. The cast also includesEdward Burns,Tom Sizemore,Barry Pepper,Giovanni Ribisi,Vin Diesel,Adam GoldbergandJeremy Davies. Inspired by the books ofStephen E. Ambroseand accounts of multiple soldiers in a single family, such as theNiland brothers, being killed in action, Rodat drafted the script, andParamount Pictureshired him to finish writing it. The project came to the attention of Hanks and Spielberg, whose involvement, due to their previous successes, secured the project's development. Spielberg wanted to makeSaving Private Ryanas authentic as possible and hiredFrank DarabontandScott Frankto do uncredited rewrites based on research and interviews with veterans. The main cast went through a week-long boot camp to help them understand the soldier's experience. Filming took place from June to September 1997, on a $65–70million budget, almost entirely on location in England and Ireland. The openingOmaha Beachbattle was the most demanding scene, costing $12 million to film over a four-week period, and using 1,500 background actors. Saving Private Ryanbecame one of the year's most successful films, earning critical acclaim for its graphic portrayal of combat. WWII veterans described the combat scenes as the most realistic portrayal of their own experiences they had seen; some said they had been unable to watch it due to their traumatic memories. The film earned $481.8million, making it thesecond-highest-grossing film of 1998, and went on to win many accolades, includingGolden Globe,Academy,BAFTA, andSaturnawards. Consideredone of the greatest films ever made,Saving Private Ryan's battle-scene filming techniques impacted many subsequent war, action, and superhero films, and numerous directors have citedSaving Private Ryanas an influence on them. The picture is credited with having helped to renew interest in WWII at the turn of the century, inspiring other films, television shows, and video gamesset during the war. In 2014, the film was selected for preservation in the United StatesNational Film Registryby theLibrary of Congressas \"culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant\". Plot On June 6, 1944, theU.S. Armylands atOmaha Beachas part of theNormandy invasion, incurring major losses against the artillery and machine gun fire of the heavily fortifiedGerman forces. Initially dazed by the chaotic battle,2nd Ranger BattalionCaptainJohn H. Miller takes command of a surviving group and leads a successful infiltration behind German lines to secure victory. TheUnited States Department of Warreceives communication that three of four Ryan brothers have been killed in action; the last, James Francis Ryan of the101st Airborne Division, is listed as missing.GeneralGeorge C. Marshallorders that Ryan be found and sent home, to spare his family the loss of all its sons. Miller is tasked with recovering Ryan and assembles a detachment of soldiers to accompany him: Mike Horvath, Richard Reiben, Adrian Caparzo, Stanley Mellish, Daniel Jackson, Irwin Wade, and interpreter Timothy Upham, who lacks any combat experience. The group tracks Ryan to the town ofNeuville-au-Plain, where Caparzo is killed by a German sniper while trying to rescue a young girl. Mourning their friend, the men grow resentful at being forced to risk their lives for one man. They later find James Frederick Ryan, but realize he is the wrong man with a similar name. That evening, the men rest in a chapel, where Miller tells Horvath that his hands began uncontrollably shaking after he joined the war. The men travel to a rallying point where the 101st Airborne might be after landing off course, where they find scores of wounded and displaced soldiers. Wade admonishes Reiben, Mellish, and Jackson for callously searching through a pile of deceased soldiers'dog tagsin front of passing troops, hoping to find Ryan's among them and conclude their mission. Remorseful for ignoring their behavior, Miller shouts for anyone who knows Ryan; one deafened soldier tells him that Ryan was reassigned to defend a vital bridge in the town of Ramelle. On the way, Miller decides to neutralize a German gun nest they discover, against the advice of his men, and although they are successful, Wade is killed. The men prepare to execute a surrendered German soldier in revenge, but Upham intervenes, arguing that they should follow therules of war. Miller releases the soldier, nicknamed \"Steamboat Willie\", ordering that he surrender to the nextAlliedpatrol. Discontented with the mission, Reiben threatens todesert, leading to a standoff between the men that Miller defuses by revealing his civilian background as a teacher and baseball coach, which he had always refused to disclose. Miller muses that people often guessed his career before he became a soldier, while his men could not, implying that war has changed him, and worries whether he is still the man he was and whether his wife will recognize him. In Ramelle, Miller's detachment finds Ryan and informs him of their mission, but Ryan refuses to abandon his post or his fellow soldiers, believing he does not deserve to go home more than anyone else. Horvath convinces Miller that saving Ryan might be the only truly decent thing they can accomplish during the war. Miller takes command of Ryan's group as the only officer present and prepares the soldiers for a German assault. Jackson and Horvath are killed, and Upham stands paralyzed with fear as Mellish is stabbed to death. Steamboat Willie returns and shoots Miller before reinforcements arrive to defeat the Germans. Upham confronts Willie, who attempts to surrender again, and kills him, before sending the other surrendering Germans away. Upham and Reiben observe as the mortally wounded Miller tells Ryan to earn the sacrifices made to send him home. Decades later, an elderly Ryan and his family visit Miller's grave at theNormandy Cemetery. Ryan expresses that he remembers Miller's words every day, lived his life the best he could, and hopes he has earned their sacrifices. Cast The cast also includesGlenn Wrageas Doyle,Corey Johnsonas a radioman,John Sharianas Corporal Loeb, andRolf Saxonas Lieutenant Briggs—Allied soldiers at the Omaha beach landing.Demetri GoritsasandDylan Brunoportray Parker and Private First Class Toynbe, respectively, who aid in the battle of Ramelle.Joerg Stadler appears as Steamboat Willie, a German prisoner.Amanda Boxerportrays Ryan's mother, whileHarrison YoungandKathleen Byronportray the elderly James Ryan and his wife, Margaret.Technical advisor andMarineveteranDale Dyeappears as a War Department colonel. Production Concept ProducerMark Gordonwas a fan of writerRobert Rodat's previous work on films such asTall Tale(1995) andFly Away Home(1996). The pair met in early 1995 to discuss potential projects and ideas. Within a few weeks, Rodat conceived ofSaving Private Ryan.He was inspired by a gift from his wife, the historical bookD-Day June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II(1994), byStephen E. Ambrose, recounting the events of the Normandy landings. Rodat visited a monument inKeene, New Hampshirededicated to American soldiers killed in combat; he noticed the losses included brothers. He said, \"The idea of losing a son to war is painful beyond description... the idea of losing more than one son is inconceivable\".The Ryan family was based on the fourNiland brothersdetailed in Ambrose's book, who were deployed during WWII; two were killed and a third presumed dead; per theSole Survivor Policy, the fourth was returned from the war. Development To developSaving Private Ryan, Gordon founded the independent film studioMutual Film Company, alongside producerGary Levinsohn.Gordon brought Rodat's draft toParamount Picturesexecutives; they responded positively and hired Rodat who wrote the script over the following 12 months.Michael Baywas hired as director, but left the project because he could not resolve how to approach the material.Carin Sage, a junior agent representing Tom Hanks at theCreative Artists Agency, gave the script to Hanks, who was immediately interested and met with Gordon and Levinsohn.Hanks shared the script withSteven Spielbergwho agreed to direct because the pair had wanted to work together for some time.Rodat thought that Paramount would cancel the project after the studio purchased two other WWII-era scripts,CombatandWith Wings as Eagles, with popular actorsBruce WillisandArnold Schwarzeneggerattached, respectively.However, having secured the involvement of Hanks and Spielberg, two of the highest-paid and most successful actors and directors, Gordon suggested Paramount executives prioritizeSaving Private Ryan. Describing what interested him about the project, Spielberg said, \"So what you're doing is sending eight people out, all of whom have parents, to rescue one boy and send him back to his mom when any or all of these kids, along the mission route, could be killed. That was the central tug that made me want to tell the story\".Spielberg had a lifelong interest in WWII, having made war films as a teenager because \"it was the seminal conversation inside my family. My parents talked aboutthe Holocaustand they talked about combat and war. And I was born knowing this.My dadwas a veteran... he had many veterans over to the house, and I became absolutely obsessed... based on my father's stories, recollections, and also based on all the WWII movies\".He described the project as a tribute to his father. With Spielberg on board,DreamWorks Pictures, which he co-founded, became involved as a financier, with his companyAmblin Entertainmentas a production company.Spielberg's clout effectively removed Gordon and Levinsohn from the production, having no creative input, equity, or rights, but receiving a producer's credit and one-off payment. Levinsohn said, \"You just know going in what the score is... I guess it's unspoken that when you hire you're not going to be on the set making decisions\".DreamWorks hiredIan Bryceto replace them. In April 1997,Sumner Redstone, chairman of Paramount's parent companyViacom, had Spielberg flip a coin to determine the film's distribution rights. Spielberg won the toss, giving DreamWorks the favored North American distribution rights and Paramount the international rights. Earnings were held collectively and split evenly between the studios. In exchange, Paramount received the North American distribution rights to DreamWorks'Deep Impact(1998).To keep the budget low, Spielberg and Hanks took minimal upfront salaries in exchange for a guaranteed 17.5% of the gross profits, equivalent to 35 cents of every dollar earned. Rewrite Spielberg's initial concept forSaving Private Ryanwas aBoys' Own–style adventure film in which the search for Ryan was apublic relationseffort by the war department. However, after interviewing WWII veterans for research, he found this idea inappropriate. He decided to embed the story within a realistic portrayal of actual events while portraying the conflicted morality of sending men into life-threatening situations to save one man.He said, \"I cannot tell you how many veterans came up to me... and said: 'Please be honest about it. Please don't make another Hollywood movie about WWII. Please tell our stories...'\" The surviving Niland family was interviewed, and the story was further influenced by other substantial family war losses, including the fiveSullivan brotherskilled during WWII, and the Bixby brothers during theAmerican Civil War; theresulting letterbyAbraham Lincolnis quoted in the film. Spielberg described existing WWII films as \"sanitized\" and sentimentalized, focused on depicting honor and the glory of service in a manner that was \"very safe and wholly untrue\".He wanted to present the courage of the soldiers in the face of \"palpable terror, almost blind terror\": I remember one of the telling me the entire charge up the beach was a blur—not a blur to his memory because he still remembered every single grain of sand when he had his face buried in it from that fusillade raining down on them from above. But he described how everything was not in focus for him. He described the sounds, and he described the vibrations of every concussion of every88 shellthat hit the beach, which gave some of them bloody noses, rattled their ears. The ground would come up and slam into their faces from the concussions.\" Ambrose served as a historical consultant. He disliked glorified depictions of the Normandy landings that ignored the reality of soldiers slowly dying in mud and water, wanting \"their mothers, they wanted morphine. It took a long time.\"Spielberg believed the legacy of theVietnam Warhad made his generation less interested in glorifying combat in film. Even so, he was influenced by early war films such asBattleground(1949),The Steel Helmet(1951), andHell Is for Heroes(1962). Although Rodat's script came close to the ideal WWII project he had hoped for, he believed it had \"a few problems\".He hiredFrank DarabontandScott Frankto performuncredited script rewrites.The scene begins as the second wave of soldiers arrives on Omaha beach (Darabont's suggestion),so they would be walking into \"Hell on Earth\" instead of empty beaches.Scott Frank performed rewrites based on transcriptions of Spielberg's recorded ideas and two folders of historical facts about the Normandy landings; these gave Frank ideas but he found it difficult to parse the reality of events into original ideas. The Normandy cemetery scene was based on Spielberg's own experience visiting the area as a youth; he witnessed a family accompanying a man who fell to his knees and began to cry at a grave marker. Casting Spielberg wanted older actors for his main cast, claiming that young soldiers would look older than their age under the stresses of war.Miller is the \"adult in the story,\" intended to project a calmness and feeling of safety that is undermined by the character's uncontrollable handshaking.Spielberg wanted Hanks to play Miller because he was the only actor he thought of who would not \"want to use his teeth to pull out a pin from a hand grenade\".Hanks formed Miller's character based on the history of the 2nd Ranger Battalion before Omaha Beach, saying he believed Miller was \"horribly afraid\" of getting more of his men killed.Mel GibsonandHarrison Fordwere considered for the role.Miller's detachment is a diverse group, including a Jew and Italian, reminiscent of earlier WWII films; this was not a deliberate choice, although Spielberg believed he had subconsciously drawn on conventional WWII films.Burns described Reiben as a \"wise guy\" in the script, but the experience of filming the Omaha Beach landing inspired him to give the character a \"much harder edge\".Sizemore was cast inThe Thin Red Line(1998) when Spielberg offered him an alternative role as Horvath, Miller's friend, and confidant.The actor had a history of drug addiction, and Spielberg mandated that he pass regular drug tests to keep his part, or the role would be recast and his scenes re-shot.Describing his character, Sizemore said, \"he was a quiet man; he was taciturn; he followed orders, and he loved the captain... if he had a tragic flaw, it was that he didn't know when he had had enough when it was time to say, 'I can't do this anymore.'\" Diesel was cast after Spielberg saw his self-starring directorial efforts,Multi-Facial(1995) andStrays(1997). The actor was working as a telemarketer at the time, having struggled to secure acting jobs.Goldberg's role did not exist in the script until his casting.Spielberg wanted a relatively unknown actor to portray Private Ryan. Spielberg visited the set ofGood Will Hunting(1997), andRobin Williamsintroduced him to Damon. Spielberg cast him shortly after, believing he possessed a \"great American everyboy look,\" unaware thatGood Will Hunting's success would significantly raise Damon's profile.Neil Patrick Harriswas considered for the role, andEdward Nortonturned it down forAmerican History X(1998).Pete Postlethwaite,Tony Shalhoub, andGarth Brookswere considered for unspecified roles. At Hanks's and Dye's suggestion, Spielberg had the principal cast take part in a six-dayboot camp, wanting them to experience cold, wet, and exhaustive conditions, like those of WWII soldiers.Overseen by Dye and retired U.S. marines, the actors remained in character while simulating attacks, performing five-mile runs with full backpacks, weapons training, military exercises, and push-ups after making mistakes, on three hours of sleep per night in cold and rainy conditions.The men wanted to quit, but Hanks convinced them otherwise, saying they would regret not following through and the experience would help them understand their characters and motivations.Diesel said, \"at that moment we got this huge respect for him in real life, we were all exhausted, we all wanted to leave and here was this guy who was a superstar, who doesn't have to be here, voting to stay\".Dye was present throughout filming to remind the actors of their training.Spielberg kept Damon out of the boot camp because he wanted the other actors to resent him and his character. Pre-production The pre-production forSaving Private Ryanwas truncated because Spielberg chose to filmAmistad(1997) immediately after finishing work onThe Lost World: Jurassic Park(1997). CinematographerJanusz Kamińskispent several weeks performing camera tests to define the film's visual aesthetic. The pair considered filmingmonochromaticallyas Spielberg had with his Holocaust film,Schindler's List(1993). However, they considered that this would seem \"pretentious,\" and were interested in emulating the colored WWII footage from their research. Kamiński let his interpretation of the narrative dictate how to light scenes and narrowed down visual styles by identifying which films he did not wantSaving Private Ryanto emulate.He and Spielberg were visually influenced by WWII documentaries, such asMemphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress(1944),The Battle of Midway(1942),Why We Fight(1942–1945), and theNazi propagandafilms ofLeni Riefenstahl. They also looked at various books, paintings, and photographs of the Omaha Beach invasion taken by the war photographerRobert Capa.Kamiński wanted it to look like a major production \"shot on by a bunch of combat cameramen\". A variety of camera techniques were used to emulate the experience of being on a battlefield: Kamiński removed the protective coating on some lenses, creating a \"flatter\", degraded image akin to WWII-era cameras, and mismatched lenses when using multiple cameras for an inconsistent result; alternatingshutter anglesand speeds; and desynchronizing the camera shutter which created a \"streaking\" effect. Kamiński considered this a risky option because if it failed there was no way to fix the image in post-production.AClairmont Camera Image Shakervibrated the camera to emulate the effects of a nearby explosion or rolling tank.Spielberg chose to film in1.85:1 aspect ratiobecause he believed it was more lifelike and closer to \"the way the human eye really sees,\" and foundwidescreen formatsto be artificial. Three months were spent scouting for a location to portray the Normandy coast. The real location was too developed for their needs, and many other French beaches were restricted by military or wildlife use; Spielberg believed officials were difficult because they did not want him filming there.Beaches researched in England and Scotland lacked either the aesthetics or amenities required, such as housing for the crew, and the filmmakers needed a specific depth for the cast to leap from the landing crafts into the water.Associate producer, Kevin De La Noy's earlier work onBraveheart(1995) in Ireland had developed contacts with the Irish Army and knowledge of local beaches. One such location, the 11 km (6.8 mi) long Curracloe Beach, nearCurracloe, County Wexford, offered the desired golden sands and sheer cliffs and nearby amenities.Spielberg selected a 1 km (0.62 mi) segment of the beach, known as Ballinesker.He said, \"I was a bit disappointed that the beach we used wasn't as broad as the real Omaha Beach... I tried to use certain wide-angle lenses to extend the length of the flats on the sandy beach before the soldiers reach the shingle. I used wider lenses for geography and tighter lenses for the compression of action.A segment adjacent toBlackwater, also in Wexford, was considered, but the local nuns could not make the land available in time.Service roads were built for vehicles to reach Ballinesker.Production designerThomas E. Sandersled construction of the concrete battlements, bunkers,Czech hedgehogs, and barbed wire, much of which was made by local metalworkers.Over eleven weeks were spent preparing Ballinesker for filming.A storm destroyed some of the props just before filming, but they were rebuilt overnight.The main crew arrived on location on June 25, 1997. Filming in Ireland Principal photographybegan on June 27, 1997.Filming completed up to 50 shots per day. Spielberg wanted the actors to get little rest, \"A war is fought fast, and I really wanted to keep all of the actors off-balance. I didn't want them to be able to read 75 pages of a novel... I wanted to work fast enough so that they always felt as if they were in combat... I had to keep them on the set, which meant shooting the film even faster than I normally do. War doesn't give you a break.\"Saving Private Ryanwas shot almost entirely in continuity order, although some of the crew found this \"a mentally demoralizing experience\" because the cast started together and left as their characters died. The Omaha Beach battle was filmed over three to four weeks, for $12million.The scene involved about 1,500 people including 400 crew, 1,000 volunteerreserveandIrish armysoldiers, and dozens of extras and about 30 amputees and paraplegics fitted with prosthetic limbs to portray disfigured soldiers.Their numbers were supplemented with over one thousand detailed mannequins.The extras were divided into platoons with a designated leader, allowing Dye to control their action via four different radios with aid from threenon-commissioned officers.Costume designerJoanna Johnstoncontracted an American company responsible for making boots for soldiers during WWII to create about 2,000 pairs, using the last batch of dye from that period.Soldiers in the ocean wore wet suits beneath their uniforms to minimize hypothermia.ArmorerSimon Atherton was responsible for supplying authentic weapons. TwoHiggins Boatsused in the landings were used in the scene; additional boats from the 1950s were brought from California, Donegal, and Southampton.Hanks recalled: The first day of shooting... I was in the back of the landing craft, and that ramp went down and I saw the first 1-2-3-4 rows of guys just getting blown to bits. In my head, of course, I knew it was special effects, but I still wasn't prepared for how tactile it was. The air literally went pink and the noise was deafening and there's bits and pieces of stuff falling all on top of you and it was horrifying.\" Soldiers vomiting from the boats was achieved usingmilk of magnesia.Acrane shotmoving from beneath the ocean surface to above the battlefield was achieved by placing the crane on a flatbed trailer and reversing it into the sea. The Omaha Beach sequence was extensively choreographed by stunt coordinatorSimon Crane, withsquibsand explosives managed byNeil Corbould. The only serious accident resulted when an extra's foot was run over by a car.Thousands of gallons of fake blood were used, mainly to turn the ocean and shoreline red.Based on his interviews with veterans, Spielberg had dead fish strewn in the water and around the battlefield, as well as floating a Bible on the surface.Bullet impacts were emulated using air pipes concealed beneath the sand and ocean surface.Drums of diesel fuel were burned to create black smoke, while a series of pickup trucks carried systems to disperse white smoke. During filming, the weather was cold, rainy, and overcast; Kamiński said this matched the weather during the Normandy landings, enhancing the film's accuracy.Artificial light was used sparingly apart from on the boats to highlight the actors' eyes under their helmets.Spielberg had the camera stay close to the ground to appear as if it was the view of a soldier avoiding getting shot or a combat cameraman. He intended for the audience to feel like they were a part of the battle rather than watching.Most ofSaving Private Ryanwas filmed with handheld cameras. This was physically demanding on camera operator Mitch Dubin andSteadicamoperator Chris Haarhoff due to both proximity to the ground and movement through exploding scenery. The camera was close enough that fake blood, water, and sand would stick to the camera lens, but the filmmakers believed this made the footage more authentic. Kamiński considered the extensive setup of explosives, smoke, and choreography of over a thousand characters to be demanding as it could take half a day to reset if something went wrong, but the majority of scenes in the sequence were captured in less than four takes, using up to three cameras simultaneously. Spielberg said, \"I rarely walked away from a scene until I got what I wanted, and I'd say that I got what I wanted from those complex setups about 80 percent of the time.\"He reviewed each day's footage nightly in a local parish hall.The production crew remained after filming to restore the beach to its original state over the following month, per an ecological protection order. Filming in England and France Filming relocated to theHatfield Aerodromein Hertfordshire, England, at the end of August, for the remaining scenes and the battle of Ramelle.French towns and rivers were scouted where a partial set could be built, but this was discarded over environmental concerns of filming contaminating the water. Instead, Sanders and his team built the fictional Ramelle on the grounds of the Aerodrome, based on five towns where fighting took place. Nearly threecity blockslong, the set included fully built buildings, facades, and a custom built, 900 ft (270 m) long river. The river was lined because they \"had to control the height of the water very carefully\". Explosives were used to create bomb craters and damage around Ramelle. Though the battle involved fewer extras than the Omaha Beach scene, several weeks were spent developing the complex choreography based on a battle plan devised by Dye.Spielberg did notstoryboardSaving Private Ryanbecause he wanted to position the camera spontaneously in reaction to what was taking place in each scene and he often relied on Dye and other WWII consultants for advice on staging the combat scenes.Dale also advised on technical aspects of weapons; where Spielberg wanted to use larger explosions typically found in Hollywood action films, Dye would generally advise him to \"go half that size, they were never that big\".The production was estimated to have spent about £8million in the local area. Spielberg's spontaneous approach carried into other aspects; about halfway through filming, he decided to depict the remainder of the film from Upham's perspective, believing he represented the audience's inexperience of war.Goldberg's character was only going to be shot dead until Dye suggested a hand-to-hand combat sequence on the day of filming, leading Mellish to be stabbed through the heart.A separate scene of Ryan talking about his brothers was ad-libbed by Damon. The German machine-gun nest and following ambush of a half-track vehicle were filmed on the grounds ofThame Park, Thame, inOxfordshire; the chapel interior where Miller's men rest was filmed in the Thame Park chapel.The Iowa cornfields where Ryan's mother lives in a house built for filming was set nearWest Kennet, Wiltshire.The American war office was filmed in the Hatfield Aerodrome. Kamiński wanted scenes in America to be more colorful and a relief from the muted tones of the combat scenes, so he positioned very bright lighting outside the windows.Scenes featuring the elderly Ryan were filmed at theNormandy American Cemetery and MemorialinColleville-sur-Mer, France, adjacent to Omaha Beach. Filming concluded ahead of schedule on September 13, 1997, after 12 weeks, with the French church interior scenes.The estimated total budget was $65–$70million. Post-production Kamiński chose to render his footage usingTechnicolor's proprietary ENR process (similar to ableach bypass) which retained more silver in thefilm stockand produced deeper blacks. He used \"70 percent ENR\" for a desaturated image which added a blue hue. Concerned this change would make the fake blood appear inauthentic, the effects department mixed blue coloring into it, giving it a dark red appearance.Visual-effects studioIndustrial Light & Magicprovided digital enhancements; many bullet wounds and blood splatter werecomputer-generated imagery. Michael Kahnedited the final 170-minute cut.Spielberg said that Kahn's style was intended to defy audience expectations and not make every scene or transition clear.Some scenes were cut because of their graphic imagery, such as Miller's unit encounter with burnt out tanks with charred bodies. Mellish's death was also trimmed, removing parts where the character screams in pain, after Spielberg's projectionist said \"It's too painful to watch.\" Spielberg said his movie had to be \"ugly\", but was worried the violent content could be seen as exploitative and earn it a restrictiveNC-17rating from theMotion Picture Association of America, restricting it to audiences over 17 years of age.He anticipated that the \"historical importance\" of the content would be taken into consideration; it received anR rating, meaning children could watch when accompanied by an adult. Music A long-time Spielberg collaborator, composerJohn Williams, produced the score.Spielberg chose little music accompaniment, wanting the sounds of battle and death to be prominent. Using aspottingprocess, he and Williams watched a rough cut of the film to agree on which scenes would feature music.Williams deliberately avoided \"anything grandiose or operatic\".Williams recorded the 55-minute score over three days atSymphony Hallin Boston, with theBoston Symphony Orchestraand vocals by theTanglewood Festival Chorus.The recording cost about $100,000 per hour.Spielberg chose the Orchestra: \"This is a movie about a company of soldiers, and it seemed appropriate to use an experienced company of musicians who are all virtuosos. Also we really wanted the sound of this room, Symphony Hall. On a soundstage you can get acoustically correct sound, but you don't hear the air. Here you get a rich, warm sound off the walls and ceiling, and you do hear the air; Symphony Hall is an instrument too.\" Release Context The 1998 summer theatrical season began in early May withDeep Impact, a surprise box office hit that studios saw as a positive indicator for their upcoming 100 film releases.GodzillaandArmageddonwere expected to be the biggest successes, while industry executives were hopeful for smaller budget films (costing less than $60million) likeSmall Soldiers,The Negotiator,The Parent Trap, andThere's Something About Maryto become sleeper hits. Fewer sequels and less escapist entertainment were scheduled for release, and more films were targeted toward older audiences.Saving Private Ryanwas highly anticipated but analysis suggested the film faced commercial limitations because of its long runtime, restricting the number of times it could be screened daily, and its violent content.DreamWorks' marketing chief Terry Press said it was risky to release a serious drama in the summer, a time generally reserved for family and escapist entertainment, but this was offset by Spielberg and Hanks's popularity.A screening for DreamWorks and Paramount executives was highly praised,but Spielberg had low expectations, believing the film was too violent to attract broad audiences. Box office The film premiered on July 21, 1998. The event was a low-profile affair without a party or many celebrities; Press said of the premiere, \"it would have been inappropriate\".Saving Private Ryanwas released in the United States and Canada on July 24, 1998.During its opening weekend, it earned $30.6million across 2,463 theaters—an average of $12,414 per theater.This figure made it the number-one film of the weekend, ahead ofThe Mask of Zorro($13.4million) in its second weekend,Lethal Weapon 4($13.1million) in its third, andThere's Something About Mary($12.5million), also in its second.The audience was split evenly between women and men, and skewed towards those aged over 25.The New York Timesdescribed it as unusual for a near-three-hour-long drama to perform so well on its opening weekend, crediting positive reviews. DreamWorks believed the box-office figure would have been higher if not for a delay in film prints arriving in hundreds of theaters across California and Arizona until late in the afternoon. In its second weekend,Saving Private Ryanremained the number-one film, with $23.6million, ahead of the debutingThe Parent Trap($11.1million) andThere's Something About Mary($10.9million) in its third.Saving Private Ryanretained the number-one position in its third weekend with ($17.4million), ahead of the debuts ofSnake Eyes($16.3million) andHalloween H20: 20 Years Later($16.1million), and its fourth with $13.2million, ahead of the debuts ofHow Stella Got Her Groove Back($11.3million) andThe Avengers($10.3million).In its fifth weekend,Saving Private Ryanfell to number2 with $10.1million, behind the debut ofBlade($17.1million).Without regaining the number1 position, it ranked among the top ten for 12 weeks.By the end of its theatrical run,Saving Private Ryanearned a total box-office gross of $216.5million, making it the highest-grossing film of the year, ahead ofArmageddon($201.6million) andThere's Something About Mary($176.5million).This also made it only the third R-rated film to earn more than $200million, after 1984'sBeverly Hills Cop($235million) and 1991'sTerminator 2: Judgment Day($205million). Outside of the U.S. and Canada,Saving Private Ryanis estimated to have earned a further $265.3million. This gave the film a cumulative worldwide gross of $481.8million, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 1998, behindArmageddon($553.7million). Saving Private Ryanwas seen as the biggest success of the theatrical summer.The New York Timeswrote that the success of a \"prestige film\" during a time of blockbuster entertainment with broad appeal was evidence that audiences were accepting of serious dramas alongside action films, such asArmageddonandGodzilla, and \"gross-out comedy\" likeThere's Something About Mary. The publication wrote that the popularity ofSaving Private Ryanwas, in part, because it depicted a \"nobler, cleaner era\" promoting values of heroism and \"patriotic duty\".The 1998 box office broke records with over $7billion earned. Despite expectations, the biggest successes had relatively modest budgets, such asSaving Private Ryan,There's Something About Mary,Rush Hour, andThe Waterboy, while the anticipated blockbusters, such asGodzillaandArmageddon, were so expensive to make that they were less profitable.Re-releases ofSaving Private Ryanhave raised the box office to $482.3million.Spielberg's and Hanks's pay agreement earned them an estimated $30–$40 million each of the box office. Reception Critical response Saving Private Ryanreceived critical acclaim,and audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of \"A\" on an A+ to F scale.Critics generally agreed thatSaving Private Ryanpresented the grim and brutal reality of the \"Good War\" in a way previously unseen on film.Writing for theLos Angeles Times,Kenneth Turandescribed the film as darker and more pessimistic than any of Spielberg's previous works, dispelling the mythos of WWII as staunchly good heroes fighting against evil forces, to depict the reality of combat where, \"American soldiers mock virtue and shoot surrendering Germans, where decent and altruistic actions tend to be fatal, where death is random, stupid and redeems hardly anything at all\".Some reviewers said this exploration of the limitations of morality in combat asked audiences to consider that the lives lost during the conflict were as valuable as those saved by their sacrifices. Writing for theChicago Tribune,Gene Siskellauded the film's ability to discuss the \"brutality and madness\" of war while \"believably\" celebrating the sacrifices and courage of those fighting it.Salon.com's Gary Kamiya concluded, \"it will forever change the way people imagine the most important event in 20th century history. That is no small achievement.\"InThe New York Times,Stephen Holdensaid \"it's a safe bet thatSaving Private Ryan, a powerful but flawed movie, will be revered as a classic decades hence.\" Many reviewers focused on the film's two major combat sequences, particularly the opening on Omaha Beach.Focus was on the \"horrifying,\" \"visceral,\" \"brutal,\" \"shocking,\" and \"fierce\" violence present in the opening battle, described byEntertainment Weekly'sOwen GleibermanandTime'sRichard Schickelas one of the most revolutionary film sequences ever made.Roger Ebertof theChicago Sun-Timesand Schickel compared it with the energy and dread of similar scenes in the Vietnam war filmPlatoon(1986), but with a grander scope depicting masses of men killing each other from afar, drawing the \"horror\" out of a lengthy, sustained sequence, without the audience being allowed to become desensitized.Some reviewers believed that the scene was so impactful and thought-provoking that it overshadowed the rest of the film.Although there was some criticism toward the realistic violence and gore, Turan believed it was done purposely and dispassionately, conveying the chaos and despair experienced by the soldiers, and not done for the sake of entertainment.Spielberg rejected this criticism, affirming he wanted the audience to understand what real combat was like and what the soldiers experienced, not observe it from afar as spectators.Some reviewers believed the concluding battle in Ramelle was more violent than Omaha Beach, particularly the slow death of Mellish as he is stabbed through the chest.The New York Observer'sAndrew Sarriscriticized the \"pornography of violence and cruelty\" depicted in severed limbs and rivers of blood. Turan andJonathan Rosenbaumfound that, outside of the combat, the script was effective but uninspired and derivative of war films by other directors, such asOliver Stone,Stanley Kubrick, andFrancis Ford Coppola.Others criticized \"manipulative\" oversentimentality, particularly in the modern dayframing devicefeaturing the elderly Ryan.Even so, Kamiya described it as \"enormously moving, it serves as a kind of redemption, a necessary if eternally fragile answer to the hell he witnessed\". Hanks's performance was generally praised, with some reviewers calling it the best of his career to date.Many reviewers agreed that hiseverymanpersona allowed him to portray Miller with a gentle weariness, empathy, and vulnerability beneath a surface of strength and decency, but also cynicism toward the war.Ebert and Schickel wrote that he offered a quiet reserve \"hinting at unspoken competencies\" that convince his men and the audience to follow along with him.Turan believed that Hanks's \"indelible\" performance represented how the audience would hope to be when confronted by the same situations.The other main cast also generally received positive reviews, particularly Davies, with Ebert saying that his transformation from inexperienced interpreter to soldier was the conclusion to \"Spielberg's unspoken philosophical argument\".Gleiberman and Turan also highlighted the performances of Pepper, Ribisi, and Sizemore, who Turan believed delivered his career's \"best, most controlled\" performance.Ebert praised the cast for not devolving into cliché or \"zany\" archetypes and effectively portraying the bonds between them.However, Kamiya wrote that Damon's performance was \"jarring\", believing both his more cinematic aesthetic and speech about his brothers to be artificial. The review concluded that Ryan was not very compelling, which made it difficult to care about the mission to save him. Accolades At the56th Golden Globe Awardsin 1999,Saving Private RyanwonBest DramaandBest Director(Spielberg), and was nominated forBest Drama Actor(Hanks),Best Original Score(Williams), andBest Screenplay(Rodat).At the71st Academy Awards,Saving Private RyanwonBest Director(Spielberg),Best Cinematography(Kamiński),Best Film Editing(Kahn),Best Sound(Gary Rydstrom,Gary Summers,Andy Nelson,Ronald Judkins), andBest Sound Effects Editing(Rydstrom and Richard Hymns) while it was nominated forBest Actor(Hanks),Best Original Screenplay(Rodat),Best Music(Williams),Best Production Design(Sanders andLisa Dean Kavanaugh), andBest Makeup(Lois Burwell,Conor O'Sullivan,Daniel C. Striepeke).Saving Private Ryan's unexpected loss ofBest PicturetoShakespeare in Loveis seen as one of the biggest upsets in the awards history and led to DreamWorks executives accusing its producers,Miramax, of \"overly aggressive campaigning\".A 2015 poll of Academy voters suggested that, given another opportunity, they would have votedSaving Private Ryanas Best Picture. At the52nd British Academy Film Awards,Saving Private RyanwonBest Special EffectsandBest Sound, and was nominated forBest Film,Best Direction(Spielberg), andBest Actor(Hanks).At the25th Saturn Awards, it wonBest Action, Adventure, or Thriller Film.The3rd Golden Satellite Awardsalso earned the filmBest Editing(Kahn), and a nomination forBest Supporting Actor(Sizemore),as well asBest Director(Spielberg) andBest Actor(Hanks) at theEmpire Awards. Saving Private Ryanalso won awards for Outstanding Directorial Achievement (Directors Guild of America, Spielberg),Motion Picture Producer of the Year (PGA Awards, Spielberg, Bryce, Gordon, and Levinsohn),Best Casting (Casting Society of America, Denise Chamian),Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture (Grammy Awards, Williams),Best Sound Editing for Dialogue (Motion Picture Sound Editors, Hymns, Rydstrom, Sandina Bailo-Lape, Ethan Van der Ryn, Teresa Eckton, Frank Eulner Karen Wilson, Larry Oatfield, and Bruce Lacey), and Sound Effects (Hymns, Rydstrom, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Larry Singer, Ewa Sztompke Oatfield, Sara Bolder, Denise Whiting, and Thomas Whiting)and Best of Show - Audiovisual (Key Art Awards).In 2014, the United StatesLibrary of CongressselectedSaving Private Ryanto be preserved in theNational Film Registryas \"culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant\". Post-release Historical accuracy and veteran responses Several publications highlighted the accuracy of the Omaha Beach assault, down to the sound of gunfire, although some errors were noted, such as bullets killing soldiers underwater, the absence of Britishcoxswainssteering the boats, and the battle's truncated duration.Historical curator John Delaney said: It's accurate for that unit on that bit of that beach on that day... but you can't say, 'That's what D-Day was like', because it wasn't. Omaha beach is about three and a half miles long. What's happening at one end of the beach isn't what's happening at the other end. Discussing the core narrative, Ambrose said, \"It's a stretch that they would send eight soldiers, but it could have been hard to find him... the paratroopers were scattered everywhere.\" Many World War II veterans described the opening ofSaving Private Ryanas depicting the most realistic representation of combat. Another veteran, interviewed byTime, said \"I remember when I walked out into the lobby of the moviehouse, not a single person coming out of that showing said one word... everybody was stunned by it... It just brought back so many memories.\"There were various reports of some veterans being unable to finish watchingSaving Private Ryanbecause of the memories it brought back.TheUnited States Department of Veterans Affairscreated a dedicated phoneline for viewers affected by the film, and more veterans visited counselors forpost traumatic stress disorder. The rest of the film is less historically accurate. Fictitious elements include the nonexistent town of Ramelle, the battle associated with it, certain military tactical errors (included for dramatic effect), much of the dialogue, and some of the methods used to locate Ryan.Total Filmand some non U.S. veterans were critical of the lack of other Allied forces throughout the film.British broadcasterChannel 4said that these critics had missed the point of the film, in that it was \"unashamedly an American story\". Home media Saving Private Ryanwas released onVHSin May 1999.It became the most successful rental debut of its time, earning $9.6million in its first week and $44million by July 1999.A limited edition two-VHS version was released in November 1999, adding a making-of documentary, as well as a message from Spielberg about D-Day and theNational D-Day Museum. ADVDwas released alongside the limited edition VHS, with the same extras.A two-disc Special Collector's Edition DVD set was released in May 2004 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of D-Day.This edition included additional content, includingbehind-the-scenescontent recorded during filming. Spielberg discussed his interest in WWII, the Niland brothers, the story and character development, the cast's boot camp experience, the involvement of the Irish army and locations, the recreation of Omaha Beach, the music, sound effects, and a farewell from Spielberg.This was released alongside a four-disc deluxe \"The World War II Collection\" DVD package that included a collectible book and two documentaries:Price for Peace(directed byJames Moll) about the use of dogs in WWII, andShooting War(directed by Richard Schickel) about combat photographers, with narration by Hanks. Saving Private Ryanwas released as a two-discBlu-rayin May 2010, including all previously released special features apart fromPrice for Peace.Paramount Home Entertainmentissued a recall of the Blu-rays after discovering that some versions featured an audio synchronization issue. The defect was fixed in versions re-released later that month.For the film's 20th anniversary in 2018, a three-disc \"Commemorative 20th Anniversary\" Blu-ray set was released, including a4K Ultra HD Blu-rayand all previously released features. Other media A novelization, written byMax Allan Collinsand Rodat, was released alongside the film.Saving Private Ryan: The Men, the Mission, the Movie : A Film by Steven Spielbergwas also released in 1998. It features illustrations, color plates, extracts from the screenplay and Ambrose's works, as well as commentary by crew including Spielberg, Hanks, and Damon. Thematic analysis Patriotism Leading into the early 21st century, there was renewed focus in America on glorifying the generation that had fought in WWII, depicted in films such asSaving Private RyanandThe Thin Red Line, the miniseriesBand of Brothers(2001), books such asThe Greatest Generation(1998), and construction of aWorld War II Memorialin Washington, D.C.Many publications believed this resurgence of interest in the war to be a response to decades of American cynicism toward the nation'sfailure in the Vietnam War(1955–1975), and anticlimactic victories in theColdandGulf Warsthat resulted in little diplomatic success or celebration. Many films about the Vietnam War depicted its American combatants as self-hating, \"deeply troubled, or even psychotic,\" offered little respect, and portrayed the conflict itself as one mired in dread, anxiety, and general negativity.Literature professor Marzena Sokołowska-Paryż said the worship of WWII as \"the last Good War\" and its veterans as \"thegreatest generation\" represented a \"therapeutic patriotism\" designed to rehabilitate the modern image of combatants as the enduring legacy of WWII soldiers and the core American national identity while forgetting any lingering guilt over the Vietnam War.Film scholar Albert Auster described this reappraisal as a reversal of attitudes up to the early 1990s where historical wars, including WWII, were not beyond criticism and, particularly in response to the Vietnam War, literary critics aimed to undo the impression of WWII as the \"Good War\".Saving Private Ryanis American-centric, beginning and ending with an image of the nation's flag fluttering in the wind, a desaturated image suggesting a nostalgic image of \"the deep pride we once felt in our flag\".Stephen Holden described it as \"a wholehearted celebration of American pluck and virtue and honor\". Holden and Ebert disagreed with the view of some critics thatSaving Private Ryan's \"harrowing\" and realistic combat scenes were astatement against war. They wrote that it accepts war as a necessity and portrays its main characters not as symbols, but as real people trying to kill the enemy without getting themselves killed.The scenes of the elderly Ryan visiting Miller's grave with his family received some criticism.AuthorJohn Biguenetqueried how such a \"savage and unsentimental film\" could conclude with a scene so sentimentalized. Spielberg said in making the film he was meant to \"wave the flag and be patriotic,\" but that the reality of his father's experiences made him want to also convey the harsh reality.The Omaha Beach landing establishes the distance between the commanders safe at home who order Ryan be rescued, and the soldiers endangered in doing so.It is a sentimental mission intended to spare one family the grief of losing all of its sons, but Miller refers to it as a public relations scheme designed to boost civilian morale.General Marshall quotes a letter by Abraham Lincoln to a similarly affected family, but where Lincoln's letter expresses sentiment and patriotic sacrifice to the mother, it is not sentimental nor does it claim that her grief is greater than any other mother who lost her child at war.Biguenet said Marshall, in comparison, confuses sentimentality for morality. Despite the patriotic American imagery, the characters ofSaving Private Ryando not discuss their home country or protecting democracy fromfascism. The soldiers are only concerned with returning home to their loved ones. Miller's men openly state that they do not care about Ryan, but Miller says that he will go into metaphorical Hell to save him, if it means Miller can return to his wife. The soldiers actively fighting are not sentimental about their mission. Turan and Biguenet saidSaving Private Ryan\"feels like an official act of atonement\" for modern generations failing to acknowledge the \"courage and sacrifice\" of WWII soldiers. When Miller tells Ryan to \"earn this,\" he is effectively speaking about the debt owed to veterans who made \"the ultimate sacrifice\" for their country.Biguenet called this a \"terrible, impossible order\", a moral burden that Ryan will carry until his own death because there is no way to compensate the high price paid by Miller's men. Spielberg suggested the answer was in the living paying homage to the fallen soldiers and the freedom for which they fought.History professor John Bodnar described the image of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial as depicting a national unity with row after row of white grave markers, serving as a permanent reminder \"to other nations of the sacrifices made by the United States\". Morality and humanity Unlike some older WWII films that portrayed the soldiers as infallible heroes,Saving Private Ryanpresents battles fought by brave but frightened civilians, the majority of whom at Omaha Beach were not combat veterans.Ebert believed much of the audience, including himself, would identify with Upham, someone completely unprepared for the realities of war but who must fight regardless.Miller is the opposite: an experienced soldier who is scared and anxious because he knows exactly what to expect and is haunted by his responsibility for the lives of his men.Although 94 men have died under his command, Miller rationalizes that he can prioritize his mission over his men because each sacrifice was responsible for saving many more lives. However, his mission to rescue Ryan demands he risk the lives of several men to save just one.Turan said Miller's trembling hands were a sign that he is \"dangerously close to coming apart\".Far Outmagazine wrote that the focus on Miller's ailment acknowledges the side effects of war such as post-traumatic stress disorder, something he suppresses to fulfil his duty. Spielberg said the mission to rescue Ryan cannot be morally or patriotically justified, risking eight lives to save one. This theme is reinforced when they encounter the sole survivor of a glider crash caused by heavy steel shielding added to protect a single general on board, resulting in 22 deaths. No character claims that the mission of Miller and his men is heroic, and the men express the grief their own mothers will feel should they be killed on this endeavor. The \"toughest\" soldier, Horvath, gives it meaning when he tells Miller that saving Ryan could be the one decent thing they can accomplish in \"this whole godawful, shitty mess\". Biguenet said that Spielberg is explicitly condemning their mission as an immoral act to force upon soldiers.Ebert considered the decision to deviate from the mission to attack the German gun nest on the way to Ramelle to be a deliberate rebellion against their orders. The action is not part of their mission and it is possible to avoid the situation entirely, but it grants the soldiers the opportunity to do what they came to Europe for: to fight a war.Hanks said the decision to stay with Ryan and defend Ramelle was the characters \"bringing meaning to a situation that until then had been absurd\". While film critic Andrew Sarris found the German characters to match evil archetypes found in other WWII films, concluding with Upham's lesson that Steamboat Willie should have been killed earlier,Saving Private Ryandoes not portray the Allied soldiers as unimpeachable heroes.Following Omaha Beach, two Allied soldiers laugh as they execute two pleading German soldiers, but the soldiers are speaking Czech, indicating they are potentially from German-conquered Czechoslovakia, forcibly conscripted into the war effort.Biguenet wrote that the Germans are not portrayed as any worse than the Americans, as they are similarly affected by the horrors of war and casually execute downed American soldiers. InSaving Private Ryan, allegiances do not matter, all men are equal, and rules only matter until they conflict with the mission objective. Upham's transformation from cowardly interpreter to Willie's executioner shows the transformative realities of combat.Professor William J. Prior and Auster wrote that Upham represents respect for human life and moral decency when he interferes to prevent Steamboat Willie's execution, despite the fact that it would protect the mission. He offers the intellectual perspective of a civilian, but his lack of combat experience makes him unable to kill the prisoner, which results in the deaths of many of his allies.Miller's experience means he is conscious of the risk involved in releasing Willie, but he is simultaneously struggling to cling to his own humanity and decency, believing that every time he kills he is moving \"farther from home\". Although Willie is the enemy, he is also a human with his own right to exist, and summarily executing him would further distance Miller from the self he and his wife knew.His decision to spare Willie and reveal his civilian background, returns to him a semblance of his humanity. Legacy Cultural influence Saving Private Ryanwas credited with renewing interest in World War II leading into the 21st century.NBC Newswrote that in presenting audiences with its \"stomach-churning violence and soul-shaking intensity of that pivotal chapter in the war\", the film had reshaped the United States' \"cultural memory\".It is regarded as one of the most accurate and realistic war films ever made, particularly for the opening Omaha Beach battle.Film historian Steven Jay Rubin said, \"It was a game-changer... it was devastatingly dramatic, visceral, immersive. I didn't touch my popcorn because it felt sacrilegious to eat while I'm watching it.\"Even so, director and Vietnam War veteran Oliver Stone claimed thatSaving Private Ryandepicted a \"worship\" of WWII as \"the good war\" that, alongside films such asGladiator(2000) andBlack Hawk Down, made audiences more in favor of war: \"By the time of theIraq War, we were ready to go back.\"American academicPaul Fussellsimilarly decriedSaving Private Ryanfor providing an \"honest, harrowing, 15-minute opening\" of Omaha Beach before descending into more broadly acceptable action-adventure fare. He said, \"Its genre was pure cowboys and Indians, with the virtuous cowboys of course victorious.\" The film is considered to have had a lasting influence on filmmaking, particularly its opening battle scenes.Vanity Fairwrote, \"no films about combat made since would look the way they do without the de-saturated, handheld, blood-splatters-and-all horror of cinema that is this extended sequence... it's a terrifying scene, either honorable or exploitative in its all vérité, depending on whom you ask. Regardless of any moral assessment, it's easily one of the most aped and referenced scenes of the late 20th century.\"Saving Private Ryanwas named by other directors as an influence, such asQuentin Tarantino(Inglourious Basterds, 2009),Christopher Nolan(Dunkirk, 2017), andRobert Altman.TheLos Angeles Timeswrote thatSaving Private Ryan's stylistic choices, such as placing the audience close to the on-screen action, can be seen in war and action media that followed. This includes films such asGladiator(2000),Enemy at the Gates,Pearl Harbor(both 2001),Flags of Our Fathers(2006), andHacksaw Ridge(2016), the \"psychological anguish\" ofAmerican Sniper(2014), and modern superhero films.This influence extends to television, with shows such asGame of Thrones(\"The Spoils of War\", 2017) andThe Pacific(2010).Saving Private Ryanis also seen as an influence on video games.Spielberg and DreamWorks developedMedal of Honor(1999) to translate the realism and setting ofSaving Private Ryan. Its success launched aseries ofMedal of Honorgames, which, in turn, contributed to the creation of theCall of Dutyseries. Modern reception Saving Private Ryanis considered one of thegreatest war films ever made.In a 2018 interview, Spielberg said, \"I didn't anticipate the success of the movie... in very early screenings, certain associates and other people in my life were saying that I made it too tough. I feared that almost nobody would see it because the word of mouth would spread quickly after the first 25 minutes.\" In 2007, theAmerican Film Institute(AFI) listedSaving Private Ryanas71st-greatest American film.The AFI listed it among the mostthrilling,inspiring, andepicAmerican films.A 2014 poll of 2,120 entertainment industry professionals byThe Hollywood ReporterrankedSaving Private Ryanas the 46th-best film.Publications such asParadeandVarietynamed it one of the greatest films of all time.Saving Private Ryanis included in the 2013 film reference book1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die,and it is listed onRotten Tomatoes' 300 essential movies.The film is generally considered to be among the best of Spielberg's works,and of Hanks's credits. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 94% approval rating across 149 critics, with an average score of 8.7/10. The consensus reads; \"Anchored by another winning performance from Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg's unflinchingly realistic war film virtually redefines the genre.\"The film has a score of 91 out of 100 onMetacritic, based on 38 critics, indicating \"universal acclaim\".Saving Private Ryanhas remained popular with audiences, with reader and viewer-ranked polling listing it as one of the greatest war films,among the greatest films of the 1990s, and the greatest films of all time. Notes References Citations Works cited External links"],"string":"[\n \"Niland brothers TheNiland brotherswere four American brothers fromTonawanda, New York, who served in the military duringWorld War II. They were sons of Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Niland.Two survived the war but, for a time, only one, Frederick \\\"Fritz\\\" Niland, was believed to have survived. After the reported deaths of his three brothers, Fritz was sent back to the United States to complete his service, and only later learned that his brother Edward, missing and presumed dead, was captive in aJapanesePOW campinBurma. Brothers Memorials In popular culture Steven Spielberg's1998 filmSaving Private Ryanis loosely based on the brothers' story. See also References External links\",\n \"Saving Private Ryan Saving Private Ryanis a 1998 Americanepicwar filmdirected bySteven Spielbergand written byRobert Rodat. Set in 1944 inNormandy, France, duringWorld War II, it follows a group of soldiers, led by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks), on a mission to locate Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon) and bring him home safely after his three brothers have been killed in action. The cast also includesEdward Burns,Tom Sizemore,Barry Pepper,Giovanni Ribisi,Vin Diesel,Adam GoldbergandJeremy Davies. Inspired by the books ofStephen E. Ambroseand accounts of multiple soldiers in a single family, such as theNiland brothers, being killed in action, Rodat drafted the script, andParamount Pictureshired him to finish writing it. The project came to the attention of Hanks and Spielberg, whose involvement, due to their previous successes, secured the project's development. Spielberg wanted to makeSaving Private Ryanas authentic as possible and hiredFrank DarabontandScott Frankto do uncredited rewrites based on research and interviews with veterans. The main cast went through a week-long boot camp to help them understand the soldier's experience. Filming took place from June to September 1997, on a $65–70million budget, almost entirely on location in England and Ireland. The openingOmaha Beachbattle was the most demanding scene, costing $12 million to film over a four-week period, and using 1,500 background actors. Saving Private Ryanbecame one of the year's most successful films, earning critical acclaim for its graphic portrayal of combat. WWII veterans described the combat scenes as the most realistic portrayal of their own experiences they had seen; some said they had been unable to watch it due to their traumatic memories. The film earned $481.8million, making it thesecond-highest-grossing film of 1998, and went on to win many accolades, includingGolden Globe,Academy,BAFTA, andSaturnawards. Consideredone of the greatest films ever made,Saving Private Ryan's battle-scene filming techniques impacted many subsequent war, action, and superhero films, and numerous directors have citedSaving Private Ryanas an influence on them. The picture is credited with having helped to renew interest in WWII at the turn of the century, inspiring other films, television shows, and video gamesset during the war. In 2014, the film was selected for preservation in the United StatesNational Film Registryby theLibrary of Congressas \\\"culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant\\\". Plot On June 6, 1944, theU.S. Armylands atOmaha Beachas part of theNormandy invasion, incurring major losses against the artillery and machine gun fire of the heavily fortifiedGerman forces. Initially dazed by the chaotic battle,2nd Ranger BattalionCaptainJohn H. Miller takes command of a surviving group and leads a successful infiltration behind German lines to secure victory. TheUnited States Department of Warreceives communication that three of four Ryan brothers have been killed in action; the last, James Francis Ryan of the101st Airborne Division, is listed as missing.GeneralGeorge C. Marshallorders that Ryan be found and sent home, to spare his family the loss of all its sons. Miller is tasked with recovering Ryan and assembles a detachment of soldiers to accompany him: Mike Horvath, Richard Reiben, Adrian Caparzo, Stanley Mellish, Daniel Jackson, Irwin Wade, and interpreter Timothy Upham, who lacks any combat experience. The group tracks Ryan to the town ofNeuville-au-Plain, where Caparzo is killed by a German sniper while trying to rescue a young girl. Mourning their friend, the men grow resentful at being forced to risk their lives for one man. They later find James Frederick Ryan, but realize he is the wrong man with a similar name. That evening, the men rest in a chapel, where Miller tells Horvath that his hands began uncontrollably shaking after he joined the war. The men travel to a rallying point where the 101st Airborne might be after landing off course, where they find scores of wounded and displaced soldiers. Wade admonishes Reiben, Mellish, and Jackson for callously searching through a pile of deceased soldiers'dog tagsin front of passing troops, hoping to find Ryan's among them and conclude their mission. Remorseful for ignoring their behavior, Miller shouts for anyone who knows Ryan; one deafened soldier tells him that Ryan was reassigned to defend a vital bridge in the town of Ramelle. On the way, Miller decides to neutralize a German gun nest they discover, against the advice of his men, and although they are successful, Wade is killed. The men prepare to execute a surrendered German soldier in revenge, but Upham intervenes, arguing that they should follow therules of war. Miller releases the soldier, nicknamed \\\"Steamboat Willie\\\", ordering that he surrender to the nextAlliedpatrol. Discontented with the mission, Reiben threatens todesert, leading to a standoff between the men that Miller defuses by revealing his civilian background as a teacher and baseball coach, which he had always refused to disclose. Miller muses that people often guessed his career before he became a soldier, while his men could not, implying that war has changed him, and worries whether he is still the man he was and whether his wife will recognize him. In Ramelle, Miller's detachment finds Ryan and informs him of their mission, but Ryan refuses to abandon his post or his fellow soldiers, believing he does not deserve to go home more than anyone else. Horvath convinces Miller that saving Ryan might be the only truly decent thing they can accomplish during the war. Miller takes command of Ryan's group as the only officer present and prepares the soldiers for a German assault. Jackson and Horvath are killed, and Upham stands paralyzed with fear as Mellish is stabbed to death. Steamboat Willie returns and shoots Miller before reinforcements arrive to defeat the Germans. Upham confronts Willie, who attempts to surrender again, and kills him, before sending the other surrendering Germans away. Upham and Reiben observe as the mortally wounded Miller tells Ryan to earn the sacrifices made to send him home. Decades later, an elderly Ryan and his family visit Miller's grave at theNormandy Cemetery. Ryan expresses that he remembers Miller's words every day, lived his life the best he could, and hopes he has earned their sacrifices. Cast The cast also includesGlenn Wrageas Doyle,Corey Johnsonas a radioman,John Sharianas Corporal Loeb, andRolf Saxonas Lieutenant Briggs—Allied soldiers at the Omaha beach landing.Demetri GoritsasandDylan Brunoportray Parker and Private First Class Toynbe, respectively, who aid in the battle of Ramelle.Joerg Stadler appears as Steamboat Willie, a German prisoner.Amanda Boxerportrays Ryan's mother, whileHarrison YoungandKathleen Byronportray the elderly James Ryan and his wife, Margaret.Technical advisor andMarineveteranDale Dyeappears as a War Department colonel. Production Concept ProducerMark Gordonwas a fan of writerRobert Rodat's previous work on films such asTall Tale(1995) andFly Away Home(1996). The pair met in early 1995 to discuss potential projects and ideas. Within a few weeks, Rodat conceived ofSaving Private Ryan.He was inspired by a gift from his wife, the historical bookD-Day June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II(1994), byStephen E. Ambrose, recounting the events of the Normandy landings. Rodat visited a monument inKeene, New Hampshirededicated to American soldiers killed in combat; he noticed the losses included brothers. He said, \\\"The idea of losing a son to war is painful beyond description... the idea of losing more than one son is inconceivable\\\".The Ryan family was based on the fourNiland brothersdetailed in Ambrose's book, who were deployed during WWII; two were killed and a third presumed dead; per theSole Survivor Policy, the fourth was returned from the war. Development To developSaving Private Ryan, Gordon founded the independent film studioMutual Film Company, alongside producerGary Levinsohn.Gordon brought Rodat's draft toParamount Picturesexecutives; they responded positively and hired Rodat who wrote the script over the following 12 months.Michael Baywas hired as director, but left the project because he could not resolve how to approach the material.Carin Sage, a junior agent representing Tom Hanks at theCreative Artists Agency, gave the script to Hanks, who was immediately interested and met with Gordon and Levinsohn.Hanks shared the script withSteven Spielbergwho agreed to direct because the pair had wanted to work together for some time.Rodat thought that Paramount would cancel the project after the studio purchased two other WWII-era scripts,CombatandWith Wings as Eagles, with popular actorsBruce WillisandArnold Schwarzeneggerattached, respectively.However, having secured the involvement of Hanks and Spielberg, two of the highest-paid and most successful actors and directors, Gordon suggested Paramount executives prioritizeSaving Private Ryan. Describing what interested him about the project, Spielberg said, \\\"So what you're doing is sending eight people out, all of whom have parents, to rescue one boy and send him back to his mom when any or all of these kids, along the mission route, could be killed. That was the central tug that made me want to tell the story\\\".Spielberg had a lifelong interest in WWII, having made war films as a teenager because \\\"it was the seminal conversation inside my family. My parents talked aboutthe Holocaustand they talked about combat and war. And I was born knowing this.My dadwas a veteran... he had many veterans over to the house, and I became absolutely obsessed... based on my father's stories, recollections, and also based on all the WWII movies\\\".He described the project as a tribute to his father. With Spielberg on board,DreamWorks Pictures, which he co-founded, became involved as a financier, with his companyAmblin Entertainmentas a production company.Spielberg's clout effectively removed Gordon and Levinsohn from the production, having no creative input, equity, or rights, but receiving a producer's credit and one-off payment. Levinsohn said, \\\"You just know going in what the score is... I guess it's unspoken that when you hire you're not going to be on the set making decisions\\\".DreamWorks hiredIan Bryceto replace them. In April 1997,Sumner Redstone, chairman of Paramount's parent companyViacom, had Spielberg flip a coin to determine the film's distribution rights. Spielberg won the toss, giving DreamWorks the favored North American distribution rights and Paramount the international rights. Earnings were held collectively and split evenly between the studios. In exchange, Paramount received the North American distribution rights to DreamWorks'Deep Impact(1998).To keep the budget low, Spielberg and Hanks took minimal upfront salaries in exchange for a guaranteed 17.5% of the gross profits, equivalent to 35 cents of every dollar earned. Rewrite Spielberg's initial concept forSaving Private Ryanwas aBoys' Own–style adventure film in which the search for Ryan was apublic relationseffort by the war department. However, after interviewing WWII veterans for research, he found this idea inappropriate. He decided to embed the story within a realistic portrayal of actual events while portraying the conflicted morality of sending men into life-threatening situations to save one man.He said, \\\"I cannot tell you how many veterans came up to me... and said: 'Please be honest about it. Please don't make another Hollywood movie about WWII. Please tell our stories...'\\\" The surviving Niland family was interviewed, and the story was further influenced by other substantial family war losses, including the fiveSullivan brotherskilled during WWII, and the Bixby brothers during theAmerican Civil War; theresulting letterbyAbraham Lincolnis quoted in the film. Spielberg described existing WWII films as \\\"sanitized\\\" and sentimentalized, focused on depicting honor and the glory of service in a manner that was \\\"very safe and wholly untrue\\\".He wanted to present the courage of the soldiers in the face of \\\"palpable terror, almost blind terror\\\": I remember one of the telling me the entire charge up the beach was a blur—not a blur to his memory because he still remembered every single grain of sand when he had his face buried in it from that fusillade raining down on them from above. But he described how everything was not in focus for him. He described the sounds, and he described the vibrations of every concussion of every88 shellthat hit the beach, which gave some of them bloody noses, rattled their ears. The ground would come up and slam into their faces from the concussions.\\\" Ambrose served as a historical consultant. He disliked glorified depictions of the Normandy landings that ignored the reality of soldiers slowly dying in mud and water, wanting \\\"their mothers, they wanted morphine. It took a long time.\\\"Spielberg believed the legacy of theVietnam Warhad made his generation less interested in glorifying combat in film. Even so, he was influenced by early war films such asBattleground(1949),The Steel Helmet(1951), andHell Is for Heroes(1962). Although Rodat's script came close to the ideal WWII project he had hoped for, he believed it had \\\"a few problems\\\".He hiredFrank DarabontandScott Frankto performuncredited script rewrites.The scene begins as the second wave of soldiers arrives on Omaha beach (Darabont's suggestion),so they would be walking into \\\"Hell on Earth\\\" instead of empty beaches.Scott Frank performed rewrites based on transcriptions of Spielberg's recorded ideas and two folders of historical facts about the Normandy landings; these gave Frank ideas but he found it difficult to parse the reality of events into original ideas. The Normandy cemetery scene was based on Spielberg's own experience visiting the area as a youth; he witnessed a family accompanying a man who fell to his knees and began to cry at a grave marker. Casting Spielberg wanted older actors for his main cast, claiming that young soldiers would look older than their age under the stresses of war.Miller is the \\\"adult in the story,\\\" intended to project a calmness and feeling of safety that is undermined by the character's uncontrollable handshaking.Spielberg wanted Hanks to play Miller because he was the only actor he thought of who would not \\\"want to use his teeth to pull out a pin from a hand grenade\\\".Hanks formed Miller's character based on the history of the 2nd Ranger Battalion before Omaha Beach, saying he believed Miller was \\\"horribly afraid\\\" of getting more of his men killed.Mel GibsonandHarrison Fordwere considered for the role.Miller's detachment is a diverse group, including a Jew and Italian, reminiscent of earlier WWII films; this was not a deliberate choice, although Spielberg believed he had subconsciously drawn on conventional WWII films.Burns described Reiben as a \\\"wise guy\\\" in the script, but the experience of filming the Omaha Beach landing inspired him to give the character a \\\"much harder edge\\\".Sizemore was cast inThe Thin Red Line(1998) when Spielberg offered him an alternative role as Horvath, Miller's friend, and confidant.The actor had a history of drug addiction, and Spielberg mandated that he pass regular drug tests to keep his part, or the role would be recast and his scenes re-shot.Describing his character, Sizemore said, \\\"he was a quiet man; he was taciturn; he followed orders, and he loved the captain... if he had a tragic flaw, it was that he didn't know when he had had enough when it was time to say, 'I can't do this anymore.'\\\" Diesel was cast after Spielberg saw his self-starring directorial efforts,Multi-Facial(1995) andStrays(1997). The actor was working as a telemarketer at the time, having struggled to secure acting jobs.Goldberg's role did not exist in the script until his casting.Spielberg wanted a relatively unknown actor to portray Private Ryan. Spielberg visited the set ofGood Will Hunting(1997), andRobin Williamsintroduced him to Damon. Spielberg cast him shortly after, believing he possessed a \\\"great American everyboy look,\\\" unaware thatGood Will Hunting's success would significantly raise Damon's profile.Neil Patrick Harriswas considered for the role, andEdward Nortonturned it down forAmerican History X(1998).Pete Postlethwaite,Tony Shalhoub, andGarth Brookswere considered for unspecified roles. At Hanks's and Dye's suggestion, Spielberg had the principal cast take part in a six-dayboot camp, wanting them to experience cold, wet, and exhaustive conditions, like those of WWII soldiers.Overseen by Dye and retired U.S. marines, the actors remained in character while simulating attacks, performing five-mile runs with full backpacks, weapons training, military exercises, and push-ups after making mistakes, on three hours of sleep per night in cold and rainy conditions.The men wanted to quit, but Hanks convinced them otherwise, saying they would regret not following through and the experience would help them understand their characters and motivations.Diesel said, \\\"at that moment we got this huge respect for him in real life, we were all exhausted, we all wanted to leave and here was this guy who was a superstar, who doesn't have to be here, voting to stay\\\".Dye was present throughout filming to remind the actors of their training.Spielberg kept Damon out of the boot camp because he wanted the other actors to resent him and his character. Pre-production The pre-production forSaving Private Ryanwas truncated because Spielberg chose to filmAmistad(1997) immediately after finishing work onThe Lost World: Jurassic Park(1997). CinematographerJanusz Kamińskispent several weeks performing camera tests to define the film's visual aesthetic. The pair considered filmingmonochromaticallyas Spielberg had with his Holocaust film,Schindler's List(1993). However, they considered that this would seem \\\"pretentious,\\\" and were interested in emulating the colored WWII footage from their research. Kamiński let his interpretation of the narrative dictate how to light scenes and narrowed down visual styles by identifying which films he did not wantSaving Private Ryanto emulate.He and Spielberg were visually influenced by WWII documentaries, such asMemphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress(1944),The Battle of Midway(1942),Why We Fight(1942–1945), and theNazi propagandafilms ofLeni Riefenstahl. They also looked at various books, paintings, and photographs of the Omaha Beach invasion taken by the war photographerRobert Capa.Kamiński wanted it to look like a major production \\\"shot on by a bunch of combat cameramen\\\". A variety of camera techniques were used to emulate the experience of being on a battlefield: Kamiński removed the protective coating on some lenses, creating a \\\"flatter\\\", degraded image akin to WWII-era cameras, and mismatched lenses when using multiple cameras for an inconsistent result; alternatingshutter anglesand speeds; and desynchronizing the camera shutter which created a \\\"streaking\\\" effect. Kamiński considered this a risky option because if it failed there was no way to fix the image in post-production.AClairmont Camera Image Shakervibrated the camera to emulate the effects of a nearby explosion or rolling tank.Spielberg chose to film in1.85:1 aspect ratiobecause he believed it was more lifelike and closer to \\\"the way the human eye really sees,\\\" and foundwidescreen formatsto be artificial. Three months were spent scouting for a location to portray the Normandy coast. The real location was too developed for their needs, and many other French beaches were restricted by military or wildlife use; Spielberg believed officials were difficult because they did not want him filming there.Beaches researched in England and Scotland lacked either the aesthetics or amenities required, such as housing for the crew, and the filmmakers needed a specific depth for the cast to leap from the landing crafts into the water.Associate producer, Kevin De La Noy's earlier work onBraveheart(1995) in Ireland had developed contacts with the Irish Army and knowledge of local beaches. One such location, the 11 km (6.8 mi) long Curracloe Beach, nearCurracloe, County Wexford, offered the desired golden sands and sheer cliffs and nearby amenities.Spielberg selected a 1 km (0.62 mi) segment of the beach, known as Ballinesker.He said, \\\"I was a bit disappointed that the beach we used wasn't as broad as the real Omaha Beach... I tried to use certain wide-angle lenses to extend the length of the flats on the sandy beach before the soldiers reach the shingle. I used wider lenses for geography and tighter lenses for the compression of action.A segment adjacent toBlackwater, also in Wexford, was considered, but the local nuns could not make the land available in time.Service roads were built for vehicles to reach Ballinesker.Production designerThomas E. Sandersled construction of the concrete battlements, bunkers,Czech hedgehogs, and barbed wire, much of which was made by local metalworkers.Over eleven weeks were spent preparing Ballinesker for filming.A storm destroyed some of the props just before filming, but they were rebuilt overnight.The main crew arrived on location on June 25, 1997. Filming in Ireland Principal photographybegan on June 27, 1997.Filming completed up to 50 shots per day. Spielberg wanted the actors to get little rest, \\\"A war is fought fast, and I really wanted to keep all of the actors off-balance. I didn't want them to be able to read 75 pages of a novel... I wanted to work fast enough so that they always felt as if they were in combat... I had to keep them on the set, which meant shooting the film even faster than I normally do. War doesn't give you a break.\\\"Saving Private Ryanwas shot almost entirely in continuity order, although some of the crew found this \\\"a mentally demoralizing experience\\\" because the cast started together and left as their characters died. The Omaha Beach battle was filmed over three to four weeks, for $12million.The scene involved about 1,500 people including 400 crew, 1,000 volunteerreserveandIrish armysoldiers, and dozens of extras and about 30 amputees and paraplegics fitted with prosthetic limbs to portray disfigured soldiers.Their numbers were supplemented with over one thousand detailed mannequins.The extras were divided into platoons with a designated leader, allowing Dye to control their action via four different radios with aid from threenon-commissioned officers.Costume designerJoanna Johnstoncontracted an American company responsible for making boots for soldiers during WWII to create about 2,000 pairs, using the last batch of dye from that period.Soldiers in the ocean wore wet suits beneath their uniforms to minimize hypothermia.ArmorerSimon Atherton was responsible for supplying authentic weapons. TwoHiggins Boatsused in the landings were used in the scene; additional boats from the 1950s were brought from California, Donegal, and Southampton.Hanks recalled: The first day of shooting... I was in the back of the landing craft, and that ramp went down and I saw the first 1-2-3-4 rows of guys just getting blown to bits. In my head, of course, I knew it was special effects, but I still wasn't prepared for how tactile it was. The air literally went pink and the noise was deafening and there's bits and pieces of stuff falling all on top of you and it was horrifying.\\\" Soldiers vomiting from the boats was achieved usingmilk of magnesia.Acrane shotmoving from beneath the ocean surface to above the battlefield was achieved by placing the crane on a flatbed trailer and reversing it into the sea. The Omaha Beach sequence was extensively choreographed by stunt coordinatorSimon Crane, withsquibsand explosives managed byNeil Corbould. The only serious accident resulted when an extra's foot was run over by a car.Thousands of gallons of fake blood were used, mainly to turn the ocean and shoreline red.Based on his interviews with veterans, Spielberg had dead fish strewn in the water and around the battlefield, as well as floating a Bible on the surface.Bullet impacts were emulated using air pipes concealed beneath the sand and ocean surface.Drums of diesel fuel were burned to create black smoke, while a series of pickup trucks carried systems to disperse white smoke. During filming, the weather was cold, rainy, and overcast; Kamiński said this matched the weather during the Normandy landings, enhancing the film's accuracy.Artificial light was used sparingly apart from on the boats to highlight the actors' eyes under their helmets.Spielberg had the camera stay close to the ground to appear as if it was the view of a soldier avoiding getting shot or a combat cameraman. He intended for the audience to feel like they were a part of the battle rather than watching.Most ofSaving Private Ryanwas filmed with handheld cameras. This was physically demanding on camera operator Mitch Dubin andSteadicamoperator Chris Haarhoff due to both proximity to the ground and movement through exploding scenery. The camera was close enough that fake blood, water, and sand would stick to the camera lens, but the filmmakers believed this made the footage more authentic. Kamiński considered the extensive setup of explosives, smoke, and choreography of over a thousand characters to be demanding as it could take half a day to reset if something went wrong, but the majority of scenes in the sequence were captured in less than four takes, using up to three cameras simultaneously. Spielberg said, \\\"I rarely walked away from a scene until I got what I wanted, and I'd say that I got what I wanted from those complex setups about 80 percent of the time.\\\"He reviewed each day's footage nightly in a local parish hall.The production crew remained after filming to restore the beach to its original state over the following month, per an ecological protection order. Filming in England and France Filming relocated to theHatfield Aerodromein Hertfordshire, England, at the end of August, for the remaining scenes and the battle of Ramelle.French towns and rivers were scouted where a partial set could be built, but this was discarded over environmental concerns of filming contaminating the water. Instead, Sanders and his team built the fictional Ramelle on the grounds of the Aerodrome, based on five towns where fighting took place. Nearly threecity blockslong, the set included fully built buildings, facades, and a custom built, 900 ft (270 m) long river. The river was lined because they \\\"had to control the height of the water very carefully\\\". Explosives were used to create bomb craters and damage around Ramelle. Though the battle involved fewer extras than the Omaha Beach scene, several weeks were spent developing the complex choreography based on a battle plan devised by Dye.Spielberg did notstoryboardSaving Private Ryanbecause he wanted to position the camera spontaneously in reaction to what was taking place in each scene and he often relied on Dye and other WWII consultants for advice on staging the combat scenes.Dale also advised on technical aspects of weapons; where Spielberg wanted to use larger explosions typically found in Hollywood action films, Dye would generally advise him to \\\"go half that size, they were never that big\\\".The production was estimated to have spent about £8million in the local area. Spielberg's spontaneous approach carried into other aspects; about halfway through filming, he decided to depict the remainder of the film from Upham's perspective, believing he represented the audience's inexperience of war.Goldberg's character was only going to be shot dead until Dye suggested a hand-to-hand combat sequence on the day of filming, leading Mellish to be stabbed through the heart.A separate scene of Ryan talking about his brothers was ad-libbed by Damon. The German machine-gun nest and following ambush of a half-track vehicle were filmed on the grounds ofThame Park, Thame, inOxfordshire; the chapel interior where Miller's men rest was filmed in the Thame Park chapel.The Iowa cornfields where Ryan's mother lives in a house built for filming was set nearWest Kennet, Wiltshire.The American war office was filmed in the Hatfield Aerodrome. Kamiński wanted scenes in America to be more colorful and a relief from the muted tones of the combat scenes, so he positioned very bright lighting outside the windows.Scenes featuring the elderly Ryan were filmed at theNormandy American Cemetery and MemorialinColleville-sur-Mer, France, adjacent to Omaha Beach. Filming concluded ahead of schedule on September 13, 1997, after 12 weeks, with the French church interior scenes.The estimated total budget was $65–$70million. Post-production Kamiński chose to render his footage usingTechnicolor's proprietary ENR process (similar to ableach bypass) which retained more silver in thefilm stockand produced deeper blacks. He used \\\"70 percent ENR\\\" for a desaturated image which added a blue hue. Concerned this change would make the fake blood appear inauthentic, the effects department mixed blue coloring into it, giving it a dark red appearance.Visual-effects studioIndustrial Light & Magicprovided digital enhancements; many bullet wounds and blood splatter werecomputer-generated imagery. Michael Kahnedited the final 170-minute cut.Spielberg said that Kahn's style was intended to defy audience expectations and not make every scene or transition clear.Some scenes were cut because of their graphic imagery, such as Miller's unit encounter with burnt out tanks with charred bodies. Mellish's death was also trimmed, removing parts where the character screams in pain, after Spielberg's projectionist said \\\"It's too painful to watch.\\\" Spielberg said his movie had to be \\\"ugly\\\", but was worried the violent content could be seen as exploitative and earn it a restrictiveNC-17rating from theMotion Picture Association of America, restricting it to audiences over 17 years of age.He anticipated that the \\\"historical importance\\\" of the content would be taken into consideration; it received anR rating, meaning children could watch when accompanied by an adult. Music A long-time Spielberg collaborator, composerJohn Williams, produced the score.Spielberg chose little music accompaniment, wanting the sounds of battle and death to be prominent. Using aspottingprocess, he and Williams watched a rough cut of the film to agree on which scenes would feature music.Williams deliberately avoided \\\"anything grandiose or operatic\\\".Williams recorded the 55-minute score over three days atSymphony Hallin Boston, with theBoston Symphony Orchestraand vocals by theTanglewood Festival Chorus.The recording cost about $100,000 per hour.Spielberg chose the Orchestra: \\\"This is a movie about a company of soldiers, and it seemed appropriate to use an experienced company of musicians who are all virtuosos. Also we really wanted the sound of this room, Symphony Hall. On a soundstage you can get acoustically correct sound, but you don't hear the air. Here you get a rich, warm sound off the walls and ceiling, and you do hear the air; Symphony Hall is an instrument too.\\\" Release Context The 1998 summer theatrical season began in early May withDeep Impact, a surprise box office hit that studios saw as a positive indicator for their upcoming 100 film releases.GodzillaandArmageddonwere expected to be the biggest successes, while industry executives were hopeful for smaller budget films (costing less than $60million) likeSmall Soldiers,The Negotiator,The Parent Trap, andThere's Something About Maryto become sleeper hits. Fewer sequels and less escapist entertainment were scheduled for release, and more films were targeted toward older audiences.Saving Private Ryanwas highly anticipated but analysis suggested the film faced commercial limitations because of its long runtime, restricting the number of times it could be screened daily, and its violent content.DreamWorks' marketing chief Terry Press said it was risky to release a serious drama in the summer, a time generally reserved for family and escapist entertainment, but this was offset by Spielberg and Hanks's popularity.A screening for DreamWorks and Paramount executives was highly praised,but Spielberg had low expectations, believing the film was too violent to attract broad audiences. Box office The film premiered on July 21, 1998. The event was a low-profile affair without a party or many celebrities; Press said of the premiere, \\\"it would have been inappropriate\\\".Saving Private Ryanwas released in the United States and Canada on July 24, 1998.During its opening weekend, it earned $30.6million across 2,463 theaters—an average of $12,414 per theater.This figure made it the number-one film of the weekend, ahead ofThe Mask of Zorro($13.4million) in its second weekend,Lethal Weapon 4($13.1million) in its third, andThere's Something About Mary($12.5million), also in its second.The audience was split evenly between women and men, and skewed towards those aged over 25.The New York Timesdescribed it as unusual for a near-three-hour-long drama to perform so well on its opening weekend, crediting positive reviews. DreamWorks believed the box-office figure would have been higher if not for a delay in film prints arriving in hundreds of theaters across California and Arizona until late in the afternoon. In its second weekend,Saving Private Ryanremained the number-one film, with $23.6million, ahead of the debutingThe Parent Trap($11.1million) andThere's Something About Mary($10.9million) in its third.Saving Private Ryanretained the number-one position in its third weekend with ($17.4million), ahead of the debuts ofSnake Eyes($16.3million) andHalloween H20: 20 Years Later($16.1million), and its fourth with $13.2million, ahead of the debuts ofHow Stella Got Her Groove Back($11.3million) andThe Avengers($10.3million).In its fifth weekend,Saving Private Ryanfell to number2 with $10.1million, behind the debut ofBlade($17.1million).Without regaining the number1 position, it ranked among the top ten for 12 weeks.By the end of its theatrical run,Saving Private Ryanearned a total box-office gross of $216.5million, making it the highest-grossing film of the year, ahead ofArmageddon($201.6million) andThere's Something About Mary($176.5million).This also made it only the third R-rated film to earn more than $200million, after 1984'sBeverly Hills Cop($235million) and 1991'sTerminator 2: Judgment Day($205million). Outside of the U.S. and Canada,Saving Private Ryanis estimated to have earned a further $265.3million. This gave the film a cumulative worldwide gross of $481.8million, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 1998, behindArmageddon($553.7million). Saving Private Ryanwas seen as the biggest success of the theatrical summer.The New York Timeswrote that the success of a \\\"prestige film\\\" during a time of blockbuster entertainment with broad appeal was evidence that audiences were accepting of serious dramas alongside action films, such asArmageddonandGodzilla, and \\\"gross-out comedy\\\" likeThere's Something About Mary. The publication wrote that the popularity ofSaving Private Ryanwas, in part, because it depicted a \\\"nobler, cleaner era\\\" promoting values of heroism and \\\"patriotic duty\\\".The 1998 box office broke records with over $7billion earned. Despite expectations, the biggest successes had relatively modest budgets, such asSaving Private Ryan,There's Something About Mary,Rush Hour, andThe Waterboy, while the anticipated blockbusters, such asGodzillaandArmageddon, were so expensive to make that they were less profitable.Re-releases ofSaving Private Ryanhave raised the box office to $482.3million.Spielberg's and Hanks's pay agreement earned them an estimated $30–$40 million each of the box office. Reception Critical response Saving Private Ryanreceived critical acclaim,and audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of \\\"A\\\" on an A+ to F scale.Critics generally agreed thatSaving Private Ryanpresented the grim and brutal reality of the \\\"Good War\\\" in a way previously unseen on film.Writing for theLos Angeles Times,Kenneth Turandescribed the film as darker and more pessimistic than any of Spielberg's previous works, dispelling the mythos of WWII as staunchly good heroes fighting against evil forces, to depict the reality of combat where, \\\"American soldiers mock virtue and shoot surrendering Germans, where decent and altruistic actions tend to be fatal, where death is random, stupid and redeems hardly anything at all\\\".Some reviewers said this exploration of the limitations of morality in combat asked audiences to consider that the lives lost during the conflict were as valuable as those saved by their sacrifices. Writing for theChicago Tribune,Gene Siskellauded the film's ability to discuss the \\\"brutality and madness\\\" of war while \\\"believably\\\" celebrating the sacrifices and courage of those fighting it.Salon.com's Gary Kamiya concluded, \\\"it will forever change the way people imagine the most important event in 20th century history. That is no small achievement.\\\"InThe New York Times,Stephen Holdensaid \\\"it's a safe bet thatSaving Private Ryan, a powerful but flawed movie, will be revered as a classic decades hence.\\\" Many reviewers focused on the film's two major combat sequences, particularly the opening on Omaha Beach.Focus was on the \\\"horrifying,\\\" \\\"visceral,\\\" \\\"brutal,\\\" \\\"shocking,\\\" and \\\"fierce\\\" violence present in the opening battle, described byEntertainment Weekly'sOwen GleibermanandTime'sRichard Schickelas one of the most revolutionary film sequences ever made.Roger Ebertof theChicago Sun-Timesand Schickel compared it with the energy and dread of similar scenes in the Vietnam war filmPlatoon(1986), but with a grander scope depicting masses of men killing each other from afar, drawing the \\\"horror\\\" out of a lengthy, sustained sequence, without the audience being allowed to become desensitized.Some reviewers believed that the scene was so impactful and thought-provoking that it overshadowed the rest of the film.Although there was some criticism toward the realistic violence and gore, Turan believed it was done purposely and dispassionately, conveying the chaos and despair experienced by the soldiers, and not done for the sake of entertainment.Spielberg rejected this criticism, affirming he wanted the audience to understand what real combat was like and what the soldiers experienced, not observe it from afar as spectators.Some reviewers believed the concluding battle in Ramelle was more violent than Omaha Beach, particularly the slow death of Mellish as he is stabbed through the chest.The New York Observer'sAndrew Sarriscriticized the \\\"pornography of violence and cruelty\\\" depicted in severed limbs and rivers of blood. Turan andJonathan Rosenbaumfound that, outside of the combat, the script was effective but uninspired and derivative of war films by other directors, such asOliver Stone,Stanley Kubrick, andFrancis Ford Coppola.Others criticized \\\"manipulative\\\" oversentimentality, particularly in the modern dayframing devicefeaturing the elderly Ryan.Even so, Kamiya described it as \\\"enormously moving, it serves as a kind of redemption, a necessary if eternally fragile answer to the hell he witnessed\\\". Hanks's performance was generally praised, with some reviewers calling it the best of his career to date.Many reviewers agreed that hiseverymanpersona allowed him to portray Miller with a gentle weariness, empathy, and vulnerability beneath a surface of strength and decency, but also cynicism toward the war.Ebert and Schickel wrote that he offered a quiet reserve \\\"hinting at unspoken competencies\\\" that convince his men and the audience to follow along with him.Turan believed that Hanks's \\\"indelible\\\" performance represented how the audience would hope to be when confronted by the same situations.The other main cast also generally received positive reviews, particularly Davies, with Ebert saying that his transformation from inexperienced interpreter to soldier was the conclusion to \\\"Spielberg's unspoken philosophical argument\\\".Gleiberman and Turan also highlighted the performances of Pepper, Ribisi, and Sizemore, who Turan believed delivered his career's \\\"best, most controlled\\\" performance.Ebert praised the cast for not devolving into cliché or \\\"zany\\\" archetypes and effectively portraying the bonds between them.However, Kamiya wrote that Damon's performance was \\\"jarring\\\", believing both his more cinematic aesthetic and speech about his brothers to be artificial. The review concluded that Ryan was not very compelling, which made it difficult to care about the mission to save him. Accolades At the56th Golden Globe Awardsin 1999,Saving Private RyanwonBest DramaandBest Director(Spielberg), and was nominated forBest Drama Actor(Hanks),Best Original Score(Williams), andBest Screenplay(Rodat).At the71st Academy Awards,Saving Private RyanwonBest Director(Spielberg),Best Cinematography(Kamiński),Best Film Editing(Kahn),Best Sound(Gary Rydstrom,Gary Summers,Andy Nelson,Ronald Judkins), andBest Sound Effects Editing(Rydstrom and Richard Hymns) while it was nominated forBest Actor(Hanks),Best Original Screenplay(Rodat),Best Music(Williams),Best Production Design(Sanders andLisa Dean Kavanaugh), andBest Makeup(Lois Burwell,Conor O'Sullivan,Daniel C. Striepeke).Saving Private Ryan's unexpected loss ofBest PicturetoShakespeare in Loveis seen as one of the biggest upsets in the awards history and led to DreamWorks executives accusing its producers,Miramax, of \\\"overly aggressive campaigning\\\".A 2015 poll of Academy voters suggested that, given another opportunity, they would have votedSaving Private Ryanas Best Picture. At the52nd British Academy Film Awards,Saving Private RyanwonBest Special EffectsandBest Sound, and was nominated forBest Film,Best Direction(Spielberg), andBest Actor(Hanks).At the25th Saturn Awards, it wonBest Action, Adventure, or Thriller Film.The3rd Golden Satellite Awardsalso earned the filmBest Editing(Kahn), and a nomination forBest Supporting Actor(Sizemore),as well asBest Director(Spielberg) andBest Actor(Hanks) at theEmpire Awards. Saving Private Ryanalso won awards for Outstanding Directorial Achievement (Directors Guild of America, Spielberg),Motion Picture Producer of the Year (PGA Awards, Spielberg, Bryce, Gordon, and Levinsohn),Best Casting (Casting Society of America, Denise Chamian),Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture (Grammy Awards, Williams),Best Sound Editing for Dialogue (Motion Picture Sound Editors, Hymns, Rydstrom, Sandina Bailo-Lape, Ethan Van der Ryn, Teresa Eckton, Frank Eulner Karen Wilson, Larry Oatfield, and Bruce Lacey), and Sound Effects (Hymns, Rydstrom, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Larry Singer, Ewa Sztompke Oatfield, Sara Bolder, Denise Whiting, and Thomas Whiting)and Best of Show - Audiovisual (Key Art Awards).In 2014, the United StatesLibrary of CongressselectedSaving Private Ryanto be preserved in theNational Film Registryas \\\"culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant\\\". Post-release Historical accuracy and veteran responses Several publications highlighted the accuracy of the Omaha Beach assault, down to the sound of gunfire, although some errors were noted, such as bullets killing soldiers underwater, the absence of Britishcoxswainssteering the boats, and the battle's truncated duration.Historical curator John Delaney said: It's accurate for that unit on that bit of that beach on that day... but you can't say, 'That's what D-Day was like', because it wasn't. Omaha beach is about three and a half miles long. What's happening at one end of the beach isn't what's happening at the other end. Discussing the core narrative, Ambrose said, \\\"It's a stretch that they would send eight soldiers, but it could have been hard to find him... the paratroopers were scattered everywhere.\\\" Many World War II veterans described the opening ofSaving Private Ryanas depicting the most realistic representation of combat. Another veteran, interviewed byTime, said \\\"I remember when I walked out into the lobby of the moviehouse, not a single person coming out of that showing said one word... everybody was stunned by it... It just brought back so many memories.\\\"There were various reports of some veterans being unable to finish watchingSaving Private Ryanbecause of the memories it brought back.TheUnited States Department of Veterans Affairscreated a dedicated phoneline for viewers affected by the film, and more veterans visited counselors forpost traumatic stress disorder. The rest of the film is less historically accurate. Fictitious elements include the nonexistent town of Ramelle, the battle associated with it, certain military tactical errors (included for dramatic effect), much of the dialogue, and some of the methods used to locate Ryan.Total Filmand some non U.S. veterans were critical of the lack of other Allied forces throughout the film.British broadcasterChannel 4said that these critics had missed the point of the film, in that it was \\\"unashamedly an American story\\\". Home media Saving Private Ryanwas released onVHSin May 1999.It became the most successful rental debut of its time, earning $9.6million in its first week and $44million by July 1999.A limited edition two-VHS version was released in November 1999, adding a making-of documentary, as well as a message from Spielberg about D-Day and theNational D-Day Museum. ADVDwas released alongside the limited edition VHS, with the same extras.A two-disc Special Collector's Edition DVD set was released in May 2004 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of D-Day.This edition included additional content, includingbehind-the-scenescontent recorded during filming. Spielberg discussed his interest in WWII, the Niland brothers, the story and character development, the cast's boot camp experience, the involvement of the Irish army and locations, the recreation of Omaha Beach, the music, sound effects, and a farewell from Spielberg.This was released alongside a four-disc deluxe \\\"The World War II Collection\\\" DVD package that included a collectible book and two documentaries:Price for Peace(directed byJames Moll) about the use of dogs in WWII, andShooting War(directed by Richard Schickel) about combat photographers, with narration by Hanks. Saving Private Ryanwas released as a two-discBlu-rayin May 2010, including all previously released special features apart fromPrice for Peace.Paramount Home Entertainmentissued a recall of the Blu-rays after discovering that some versions featured an audio synchronization issue. The defect was fixed in versions re-released later that month.For the film's 20th anniversary in 2018, a three-disc \\\"Commemorative 20th Anniversary\\\" Blu-ray set was released, including a4K Ultra HD Blu-rayand all previously released features. Other media A novelization, written byMax Allan Collinsand Rodat, was released alongside the film.Saving Private Ryan: The Men, the Mission, the Movie : A Film by Steven Spielbergwas also released in 1998. It features illustrations, color plates, extracts from the screenplay and Ambrose's works, as well as commentary by crew including Spielberg, Hanks, and Damon. Thematic analysis Patriotism Leading into the early 21st century, there was renewed focus in America on glorifying the generation that had fought in WWII, depicted in films such asSaving Private RyanandThe Thin Red Line, the miniseriesBand of Brothers(2001), books such asThe Greatest Generation(1998), and construction of aWorld War II Memorialin Washington, D.C.Many publications believed this resurgence of interest in the war to be a response to decades of American cynicism toward the nation'sfailure in the Vietnam War(1955–1975), and anticlimactic victories in theColdandGulf Warsthat resulted in little diplomatic success or celebration. Many films about the Vietnam War depicted its American combatants as self-hating, \\\"deeply troubled, or even psychotic,\\\" offered little respect, and portrayed the conflict itself as one mired in dread, anxiety, and general negativity.Literature professor Marzena Sokołowska-Paryż said the worship of WWII as \\\"the last Good War\\\" and its veterans as \\\"thegreatest generation\\\" represented a \\\"therapeutic patriotism\\\" designed to rehabilitate the modern image of combatants as the enduring legacy of WWII soldiers and the core American national identity while forgetting any lingering guilt over the Vietnam War.Film scholar Albert Auster described this reappraisal as a reversal of attitudes up to the early 1990s where historical wars, including WWII, were not beyond criticism and, particularly in response to the Vietnam War, literary critics aimed to undo the impression of WWII as the \\\"Good War\\\".Saving Private Ryanis American-centric, beginning and ending with an image of the nation's flag fluttering in the wind, a desaturated image suggesting a nostalgic image of \\\"the deep pride we once felt in our flag\\\".Stephen Holden described it as \\\"a wholehearted celebration of American pluck and virtue and honor\\\". Holden and Ebert disagreed with the view of some critics thatSaving Private Ryan's \\\"harrowing\\\" and realistic combat scenes were astatement against war. They wrote that it accepts war as a necessity and portrays its main characters not as symbols, but as real people trying to kill the enemy without getting themselves killed.The scenes of the elderly Ryan visiting Miller's grave with his family received some criticism.AuthorJohn Biguenetqueried how such a \\\"savage and unsentimental film\\\" could conclude with a scene so sentimentalized. Spielberg said in making the film he was meant to \\\"wave the flag and be patriotic,\\\" but that the reality of his father's experiences made him want to also convey the harsh reality.The Omaha Beach landing establishes the distance between the commanders safe at home who order Ryan be rescued, and the soldiers endangered in doing so.It is a sentimental mission intended to spare one family the grief of losing all of its sons, but Miller refers to it as a public relations scheme designed to boost civilian morale.General Marshall quotes a letter by Abraham Lincoln to a similarly affected family, but where Lincoln's letter expresses sentiment and patriotic sacrifice to the mother, it is not sentimental nor does it claim that her grief is greater than any other mother who lost her child at war.Biguenet said Marshall, in comparison, confuses sentimentality for morality. Despite the patriotic American imagery, the characters ofSaving Private Ryando not discuss their home country or protecting democracy fromfascism. The soldiers are only concerned with returning home to their loved ones. Miller's men openly state that they do not care about Ryan, but Miller says that he will go into metaphorical Hell to save him, if it means Miller can return to his wife. The soldiers actively fighting are not sentimental about their mission. Turan and Biguenet saidSaving Private Ryan\\\"feels like an official act of atonement\\\" for modern generations failing to acknowledge the \\\"courage and sacrifice\\\" of WWII soldiers. When Miller tells Ryan to \\\"earn this,\\\" he is effectively speaking about the debt owed to veterans who made \\\"the ultimate sacrifice\\\" for their country.Biguenet called this a \\\"terrible, impossible order\\\", a moral burden that Ryan will carry until his own death because there is no way to compensate the high price paid by Miller's men. Spielberg suggested the answer was in the living paying homage to the fallen soldiers and the freedom for which they fought.History professor John Bodnar described the image of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial as depicting a national unity with row after row of white grave markers, serving as a permanent reminder \\\"to other nations of the sacrifices made by the United States\\\". Morality and humanity Unlike some older WWII films that portrayed the soldiers as infallible heroes,Saving Private Ryanpresents battles fought by brave but frightened civilians, the majority of whom at Omaha Beach were not combat veterans.Ebert believed much of the audience, including himself, would identify with Upham, someone completely unprepared for the realities of war but who must fight regardless.Miller is the opposite: an experienced soldier who is scared and anxious because he knows exactly what to expect and is haunted by his responsibility for the lives of his men.Although 94 men have died under his command, Miller rationalizes that he can prioritize his mission over his men because each sacrifice was responsible for saving many more lives. However, his mission to rescue Ryan demands he risk the lives of several men to save just one.Turan said Miller's trembling hands were a sign that he is \\\"dangerously close to coming apart\\\".Far Outmagazine wrote that the focus on Miller's ailment acknowledges the side effects of war such as post-traumatic stress disorder, something he suppresses to fulfil his duty. Spielberg said the mission to rescue Ryan cannot be morally or patriotically justified, risking eight lives to save one. This theme is reinforced when they encounter the sole survivor of a glider crash caused by heavy steel shielding added to protect a single general on board, resulting in 22 deaths. No character claims that the mission of Miller and his men is heroic, and the men express the grief their own mothers will feel should they be killed on this endeavor. The \\\"toughest\\\" soldier, Horvath, gives it meaning when he tells Miller that saving Ryan could be the one decent thing they can accomplish in \\\"this whole godawful, shitty mess\\\". Biguenet said that Spielberg is explicitly condemning their mission as an immoral act to force upon soldiers.Ebert considered the decision to deviate from the mission to attack the German gun nest on the way to Ramelle to be a deliberate rebellion against their orders. The action is not part of their mission and it is possible to avoid the situation entirely, but it grants the soldiers the opportunity to do what they came to Europe for: to fight a war.Hanks said the decision to stay with Ryan and defend Ramelle was the characters \\\"bringing meaning to a situation that until then had been absurd\\\". While film critic Andrew Sarris found the German characters to match evil archetypes found in other WWII films, concluding with Upham's lesson that Steamboat Willie should have been killed earlier,Saving Private Ryandoes not portray the Allied soldiers as unimpeachable heroes.Following Omaha Beach, two Allied soldiers laugh as they execute two pleading German soldiers, but the soldiers are speaking Czech, indicating they are potentially from German-conquered Czechoslovakia, forcibly conscripted into the war effort.Biguenet wrote that the Germans are not portrayed as any worse than the Americans, as they are similarly affected by the horrors of war and casually execute downed American soldiers. InSaving Private Ryan, allegiances do not matter, all men are equal, and rules only matter until they conflict with the mission objective. Upham's transformation from cowardly interpreter to Willie's executioner shows the transformative realities of combat.Professor William J. Prior and Auster wrote that Upham represents respect for human life and moral decency when he interferes to prevent Steamboat Willie's execution, despite the fact that it would protect the mission. He offers the intellectual perspective of a civilian, but his lack of combat experience makes him unable to kill the prisoner, which results in the deaths of many of his allies.Miller's experience means he is conscious of the risk involved in releasing Willie, but he is simultaneously struggling to cling to his own humanity and decency, believing that every time he kills he is moving \\\"farther from home\\\". Although Willie is the enemy, he is also a human with his own right to exist, and summarily executing him would further distance Miller from the self he and his wife knew.His decision to spare Willie and reveal his civilian background, returns to him a semblance of his humanity. Legacy Cultural influence Saving Private Ryanwas credited with renewing interest in World War II leading into the 21st century.NBC Newswrote that in presenting audiences with its \\\"stomach-churning violence and soul-shaking intensity of that pivotal chapter in the war\\\", the film had reshaped the United States' \\\"cultural memory\\\".It is regarded as one of the most accurate and realistic war films ever made, particularly for the opening Omaha Beach battle.Film historian Steven Jay Rubin said, \\\"It was a game-changer... it was devastatingly dramatic, visceral, immersive. I didn't touch my popcorn because it felt sacrilegious to eat while I'm watching it.\\\"Even so, director and Vietnam War veteran Oliver Stone claimed thatSaving Private Ryandepicted a \\\"worship\\\" of WWII as \\\"the good war\\\" that, alongside films such asGladiator(2000) andBlack Hawk Down, made audiences more in favor of war: \\\"By the time of theIraq War, we were ready to go back.\\\"American academicPaul Fussellsimilarly decriedSaving Private Ryanfor providing an \\\"honest, harrowing, 15-minute opening\\\" of Omaha Beach before descending into more broadly acceptable action-adventure fare. He said, \\\"Its genre was pure cowboys and Indians, with the virtuous cowboys of course victorious.\\\" The film is considered to have had a lasting influence on filmmaking, particularly its opening battle scenes.Vanity Fairwrote, \\\"no films about combat made since would look the way they do without the de-saturated, handheld, blood-splatters-and-all horror of cinema that is this extended sequence... it's a terrifying scene, either honorable or exploitative in its all vérité, depending on whom you ask. Regardless of any moral assessment, it's easily one of the most aped and referenced scenes of the late 20th century.\\\"Saving Private Ryanwas named by other directors as an influence, such asQuentin Tarantino(Inglourious Basterds, 2009),Christopher Nolan(Dunkirk, 2017), andRobert Altman.TheLos Angeles Timeswrote thatSaving Private Ryan's stylistic choices, such as placing the audience close to the on-screen action, can be seen in war and action media that followed. This includes films such asGladiator(2000),Enemy at the Gates,Pearl Harbor(both 2001),Flags of Our Fathers(2006), andHacksaw Ridge(2016), the \\\"psychological anguish\\\" ofAmerican Sniper(2014), and modern superhero films.This influence extends to television, with shows such asGame of Thrones(\\\"The Spoils of War\\\", 2017) andThe Pacific(2010).Saving Private Ryanis also seen as an influence on video games.Spielberg and DreamWorks developedMedal of Honor(1999) to translate the realism and setting ofSaving Private Ryan. Its success launched aseries ofMedal of Honorgames, which, in turn, contributed to the creation of theCall of Dutyseries. Modern reception Saving Private Ryanis considered one of thegreatest war films ever made.In a 2018 interview, Spielberg said, \\\"I didn't anticipate the success of the movie... in very early screenings, certain associates and other people in my life were saying that I made it too tough. I feared that almost nobody would see it because the word of mouth would spread quickly after the first 25 minutes.\\\" In 2007, theAmerican Film Institute(AFI) listedSaving Private Ryanas71st-greatest American film.The AFI listed it among the mostthrilling,inspiring, andepicAmerican films.A 2014 poll of 2,120 entertainment industry professionals byThe Hollywood ReporterrankedSaving Private Ryanas the 46th-best film.Publications such asParadeandVarietynamed it one of the greatest films of all time.Saving Private Ryanis included in the 2013 film reference book1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die,and it is listed onRotten Tomatoes' 300 essential movies.The film is generally considered to be among the best of Spielberg's works,and of Hanks's credits. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 94% approval rating across 149 critics, with an average score of 8.7/10. The consensus reads; \\\"Anchored by another winning performance from Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg's unflinchingly realistic war film virtually redefines the genre.\\\"The film has a score of 91 out of 100 onMetacritic, based on 38 critics, indicating \\\"universal acclaim\\\".Saving Private Ryanhas remained popular with audiences, with reader and viewer-ranked polling listing it as one of the greatest war films,among the greatest films of the 1990s, and the greatest films of all time. Notes References Citations Works cited External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Niland brothers TheNiland brotherswere four American brothers fromTonawanda, New York, who served in the military duringWorld War II. They were sons of Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Niland.Two survived the war but, for a time, only one, Frederick \"Fritz\" Niland, was believed to have survived. After the reported deaths of his three brothers, Fritz was sent back to the United States to complete his service, and only later learned that his brother Edward, missing and presumed dead, was captive in aJapanesePOW campinBurma. Brothers Memorials In popular culture Steven Spielberg's1998 filmSaving Private Ryanis loosely based on the brothers' story. See also References External links","Saving Private Ryan Saving Private Ryanis a 1998 Americanepicwar filmdirected bySteven Spielbergand written byRobert Rodat. Set in 1944 inNormandy, France, duringWorld War II, it follows a group of soldiers, led by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks), on a mission to locate Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon) and bring him home safely after his three brothers have been killed in action. The cast also includesEdward Burns,Tom Sizemore,Barry Pepper,Giovanni Ribisi,Vin Diesel,Adam GoldbergandJeremy Davies. Inspired by the books ofStephen E. Ambroseand accounts of multiple soldiers in a single family, such as theNiland brothers, being killed in action, Rodat drafted the script, andParamount Pictureshired him to finish writing it. The project came to the attention of Hanks and Spielberg, whose involvement, due to their previous successes, secured the project's development. Spielberg wanted to makeSaving Private Ryanas authentic as possible and hiredFrank DarabontandScott Frankto do uncredited rewrites based on","rewrites based on research and interviews with veterans. The main cast went through a week-long boot camp to help them understand the soldier's experience. Filming took place from June to September 1997, on a $65–70million budget, almost entirely on location in England and Ireland. The openingOmaha Beachbattle was the most demanding scene, costing $12 million to film over a four-week period, and using 1,500 background actors. Saving Private Ryanbecame one of the year's most successful films, earning critical acclaim for its graphic portrayal of combat. WWII veterans described the combat scenes as the most realistic portrayal of their own experiences they had seen; some said they had been unable to watch it due to their traumatic memories. The film earned $481.8million, making it thesecond-highest-grossing film of 1998, and went on to win many accolades, includingGolden Globe,Academy,BAFTA, andSaturnawards. Consideredone of the greatest films ever made,Saving Private Ryan's battle-scene filming techniques","filming techniques impacted many subsequent war, action, and superhero films, and numerous directors have citedSaving Private Ryanas an influence on them. The picture is credited with having helped to renew interest in WWII at the turn of the century, inspiring other films, television shows, and video gamesset during the war. In 2014, the film was selected for preservation in the United StatesNational Film Registryby theLibrary of Congressas \"culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant\". Plot On June 6, 1944, theU.S. Armylands atOmaha Beachas part of theNormandy invasion, incurring major losses against the artillery and machine gun fire of the heavily fortifiedGerman forces. Initially dazed by the chaotic battle,2nd Ranger BattalionCaptainJohn H. Miller takes command of a surviving group and leads a successful infiltration behind German lines to secure victory. TheUnited States Department of Warreceives communication that three of four Ryan brothers have been killed in action; the last, James","the last, James Francis Ryan of the101st Airborne Division, is listed as missing.GeneralGeorge C. Marshallorders that Ryan be found and sent home, to spare his family the loss of all its sons. Miller is tasked with recovering Ryan and assembles a detachment of soldiers to accompany him: Mike Horvath, Richard Reiben, Adrian Caparzo, Stanley Mellish, Daniel Jackson, Irwin Wade, and interpreter Timothy Upham, who lacks any combat experience. The group tracks Ryan to the town ofNeuville-au-Plain, where Caparzo is killed by a German sniper while trying to rescue a young girl. Mourning their friend, the men grow resentful at being forced to risk their lives for one man. They later find James Frederick Ryan, but realize he is the wrong man with a similar name. That evening, the men rest in a chapel, where Miller tells Horvath that his hands began uncontrollably shaking after he joined the war. The men travel to a rallying point where the 101st Airborne might be after landing off course, where they find scores of","they find scores of wounded and displaced soldiers. Wade admonishes Reiben, Mellish, and Jackson for callously searching through a pile of deceased soldiers'dog tagsin front of passing troops, hoping to find Ryan's among them and conclude their mission. Remorseful for ignoring their behavior, Miller shouts for anyone who knows Ryan; one deafened soldier tells him that Ryan was reassigned to defend a vital bridge in the town of Ramelle. On the way, Miller decides to neutralize a German gun nest they discover, against the advice of his men, and although they are successful, Wade is killed. The men prepare to execute a surrendered German soldier in revenge, but Upham intervenes, arguing that they should follow therules of war. Miller releases the soldier, nicknamed \"Steamboat Willie\", ordering that he surrender to the nextAlliedpatrol. Discontented with the mission, Reiben threatens todesert, leading to a standoff between the men that Miller defuses by revealing his civilian background as a teacher and baseball","and baseball coach, which he had always refused to disclose. Miller muses that people often guessed his career before he became a soldier, while his men could not, implying that war has changed him, and worries whether he is still the man he was and whether his wife will recognize him. In Ramelle, Miller's detachment finds Ryan and informs him of their mission, but Ryan refuses to abandon his post or his fellow soldiers, believing he does not deserve to go home more than anyone else. Horvath convinces Miller that saving Ryan might be the only truly decent thing they can accomplish during the war. Miller takes command of Ryan's group as the only officer present and prepares the soldiers for a German assault. Jackson and Horvath are killed, and Upham stands paralyzed with fear as Mellish is stabbed to death. Steamboat Willie returns and shoots Miller before reinforcements arrive to defeat the Germans. Upham confronts Willie, who attempts to surrender again, and kills him, before sending the other surrendering","other surrendering Germans away. Upham and Reiben observe as the mortally wounded Miller tells Ryan to earn the sacrifices made to send him home. Decades later, an elderly Ryan and his family visit Miller's grave at theNormandy Cemetery. Ryan expresses that he remembers Miller's words every day, lived his life the best he could, and hopes he has earned their sacrifices. Cast The cast also includesGlenn Wrageas Doyle,Corey Johnsonas a radioman,John Sharianas Corporal Loeb, andRolf Saxonas Lieutenant Briggs—Allied soldiers at the Omaha beach landing.Demetri GoritsasandDylan Brunoportray Parker and Private First Class Toynbe, respectively, who aid in the battle of Ramelle.Joerg Stadler appears as Steamboat Willie, a German prisoner.Amanda Boxerportrays Ryan's mother, whileHarrison YoungandKathleen Byronportray the elderly James Ryan and his wife, Margaret.Technical advisor andMarineveteranDale Dyeappears as a War Department colonel. Production Concept ProducerMark Gordonwas a fan of writerRobert Rodat's","Rodat's previous work on films such asTall Tale(1995) andFly Away Home(1996). The pair met in early 1995 to discuss potential projects and ideas. Within a few weeks, Rodat conceived ofSaving Private Ryan.He was inspired by a gift from his wife, the historical bookD-Day June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II(1994), byStephen E. Ambrose, recounting the events of the Normandy landings. Rodat visited a monument inKeene, New Hampshirededicated to American soldiers killed in combat; he noticed the losses included brothers. He said, \"The idea of losing a son to war is painful beyond description... the idea of losing more than one son is inconceivable\".The Ryan family was based on the fourNiland brothersdetailed in Ambrose's book, who were deployed during WWII; two were killed and a third presumed dead; per theSole Survivor Policy, the fourth was returned from the war. Development To developSaving Private Ryan, Gordon founded the independent film studioMutual Film Company, alongside producerGary","producerGary Levinsohn.Gordon brought Rodat's draft toParamount Picturesexecutives; they responded positively and hired Rodat who wrote the script over the following 12 months.Michael Baywas hired as director, but left the project because he could not resolve how to approach the material.Carin Sage, a junior agent representing Tom Hanks at theCreative Artists Agency, gave the script to Hanks, who was immediately interested and met with Gordon and Levinsohn.Hanks shared the script withSteven Spielbergwho agreed to direct because the pair had wanted to work together for some time.Rodat thought that Paramount would cancel the project after the studio purchased two other WWII-era scripts,CombatandWith Wings as Eagles, with popular actorsBruce WillisandArnold Schwarzeneggerattached, respectively.However, having secured the involvement of Hanks and Spielberg, two of the highest-paid and most successful actors and directors, Gordon suggested Paramount executives prioritizeSaving Private Ryan. Describing what","Describing what interested him about the project, Spielberg said, \"So what you're doing is sending eight people out, all of whom have parents, to rescue one boy and send him back to his mom when any or all of these kids, along the mission route, could be killed. That was the central tug that made me want to tell the story\".Spielberg had a lifelong interest in WWII, having made war films as a teenager because \"it was the seminal conversation inside my family. My parents talked aboutthe Holocaustand they talked about combat and war. And I was born knowing this.My dadwas a veteran... he had many veterans over to the house, and I became absolutely obsessed... based on my father's stories, recollections, and also based on all the WWII movies\".He described the project as a tribute to his father. With Spielberg on board,DreamWorks Pictures, which he co-founded, became involved as a financier, with his companyAmblin Entertainmentas a production company.Spielberg's clout effectively removed Gordon and Levinsohn from","and Levinsohn from the production, having no creative input, equity, or rights, but receiving a producer's credit and one-off payment. Levinsohn said, \"You just know going in what the score is... I guess it's unspoken that when you hire you're not going to be on the set making decisions\".DreamWorks hiredIan Bryceto replace them. In April 1997,Sumner Redstone, chairman of Paramount's parent companyViacom, had Spielberg flip a coin to determine the film's distribution rights. Spielberg won the toss, giving DreamWorks the favored North American distribution rights and Paramount the international rights. Earnings were held collectively and split evenly between the studios. In exchange, Paramount received the North American distribution rights to DreamWorks'Deep Impact(1998).To keep the budget low, Spielberg and Hanks took minimal upfront salaries in exchange for a guaranteed 17.5% of the gross profits, equivalent to 35 cents of every dollar earned. Rewrite Spielberg's initial concept forSaving Private Ryanwas","Private Ryanwas aBoys' Own–style adventure film in which the search for Ryan was apublic relationseffort by the war department. However, after interviewing WWII veterans for research, he found this idea inappropriate. He decided to embed the story within a realistic portrayal of actual events while portraying the conflicted morality of sending men into life-threatening situations to save one man.He said, \"I cannot tell you how many veterans came up to me... and said: 'Please be honest about it. Please don't make another Hollywood movie about WWII. Please tell our stories...'\" The surviving Niland family was interviewed, and the story was further influenced by other substantial family war losses, including the fiveSullivan brotherskilled during WWII, and the Bixby brothers during theAmerican Civil War; theresulting letterbyAbraham Lincolnis quoted in the film. Spielberg described existing WWII films as \"sanitized\" and sentimentalized, focused on depicting honor and the glory of service in a manner that was","a manner that was \"very safe and wholly untrue\".He wanted to present the courage of the soldiers in the face of \"palpable terror, almost blind terror\": I remember one of the telling me the entire charge up the beach was a blur—not a blur to his memory because he still remembered every single grain of sand when he had his face buried in it from that fusillade raining down on them from above. But he described how everything was not in focus for him. He described the sounds, and he described the vibrations of every concussion of every88 shellthat hit the beach, which gave some of them bloody noses, rattled their ears. The ground would come up and slam into their faces from the concussions.\" Ambrose served as a historical consultant. He disliked glorified depictions of the Normandy landings that ignored the reality of soldiers slowly dying in mud and water, wanting \"their mothers, they wanted morphine. It took a long time.\"Spielberg believed the legacy of theVietnam Warhad made his generation less interested in","less interested in glorifying combat in film. Even so, he was influenced by early war films such asBattleground(1949),The Steel Helmet(1951), andHell Is for Heroes(1962). Although Rodat's script came close to the ideal WWII project he had hoped for, he believed it had \"a few problems\".He hiredFrank DarabontandScott Frankto performuncredited script rewrites.The scene begins as the second wave of soldiers arrives on Omaha beach (Darabont's suggestion),so they would be walking into \"Hell on Earth\" instead of empty beaches.Scott Frank performed rewrites based on transcriptions of Spielberg's recorded ideas and two folders of historical facts about the Normandy landings; these gave Frank ideas but he found it difficult to parse the reality of events into original ideas. The Normandy cemetery scene was based on Spielberg's own experience visiting the area as a youth; he witnessed a family accompanying a man who fell to his knees and began to cry at a grave marker. Casting Spielberg wanted older actors for his main","actors for his main cast, claiming that young soldiers would look older than their age under the stresses of war.Miller is the \"adult in the story,\" intended to project a calmness and feeling of safety that is undermined by the character's uncontrollable handshaking.Spielberg wanted Hanks to play Miller because he was the only actor he thought of who would not \"want to use his teeth to pull out a pin from a hand grenade\".Hanks formed Miller's character based on the history of the 2nd Ranger Battalion before Omaha Beach, saying he believed Miller was \"horribly afraid\" of getting more of his men killed.Mel GibsonandHarrison Fordwere considered for the role.Miller's detachment is a diverse group, including a Jew and Italian, reminiscent of earlier WWII films; this was not a deliberate choice, although Spielberg believed he had subconsciously drawn on conventional WWII films.Burns described Reiben as a \"wise guy\" in the script, but the experience of filming the Omaha Beach landing inspired him to give the","him to give the character a \"much harder edge\".Sizemore was cast inThe Thin Red Line(1998) when Spielberg offered him an alternative role as Horvath, Miller's friend, and confidant.The actor had a history of drug addiction, and Spielberg mandated that he pass regular drug tests to keep his part, or the role would be recast and his scenes re-shot.Describing his character, Sizemore said, \"he was a quiet man; he was taciturn; he followed orders, and he loved the captain... if he had a tragic flaw, it was that he didn't know when he had had enough when it was time to say, 'I can't do this anymore.'\" Diesel was cast after Spielberg saw his self-starring directorial efforts,Multi-Facial(1995) andStrays(1997). The actor was working as a telemarketer at the time, having struggled to secure acting jobs.Goldberg's role did not exist in the script until his casting.Spielberg wanted a relatively unknown actor to portray Private Ryan. Spielberg visited the set ofGood Will Hunting(1997), andRobin Williamsintroduced him to","him to Damon. Spielberg cast him shortly after, believing he possessed a \"great American everyboy look,\" unaware thatGood Will Hunting's success would significantly raise Damon's profile.Neil Patrick Harriswas considered for the role, andEdward Nortonturned it down forAmerican History X(1998).Pete Postlethwaite,Tony Shalhoub, andGarth Brookswere considered for unspecified roles. At Hanks's and Dye's suggestion, Spielberg had the principal cast take part in a six-dayboot camp, wanting them to experience cold, wet, and exhaustive conditions, like those of WWII soldiers.Overseen by Dye and retired U.S. marines, the actors remained in character while simulating attacks, performing five-mile runs with full backpacks, weapons training, military exercises, and push-ups after making mistakes, on three hours of sleep per night in cold and rainy conditions.The men wanted to quit, but Hanks convinced them otherwise, saying they would regret not following through and the experience would help them understand their","understand their characters and motivations.Diesel said, \"at that moment we got this huge respect for him in real life, we were all exhausted, we all wanted to leave and here was this guy who was a superstar, who doesn't have to be here, voting to stay\".Dye was present throughout filming to remind the actors of their training.Spielberg kept Damon out of the boot camp because he wanted the other actors to resent him and his character. Pre-production The pre-production forSaving Private Ryanwas truncated because Spielberg chose to filmAmistad(1997) immediately after finishing work onThe Lost World: Jurassic Park(1997). CinematographerJanusz Kamińskispent several weeks performing camera tests to define the film's visual aesthetic. The pair considered filmingmonochromaticallyas Spielberg had with his Holocaust film,Schindler's List(1993). However, they considered that this would seem \"pretentious,\" and were interested in emulating the colored WWII footage from their research. Kamiński let his interpretation of","interpretation of the narrative dictate how to light scenes and narrowed down visual styles by identifying which films he did not wantSaving Private Ryanto emulate.He and Spielberg were visually influenced by WWII documentaries, such asMemphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress(1944),The Battle of Midway(1942),Why We Fight(1942–1945), and theNazi propagandafilms ofLeni Riefenstahl. They also looked at various books, paintings, and photographs of the Omaha Beach invasion taken by the war photographerRobert Capa.Kamiński wanted it to look like a major production \"shot on by a bunch of combat cameramen\". A variety of camera techniques were used to emulate the experience of being on a battlefield: Kamiński removed the protective coating on some lenses, creating a \"flatter\", degraded image akin to WWII-era cameras, and mismatched lenses when using multiple cameras for an inconsistent result; alternatingshutter anglesand speeds; and desynchronizing the camera shutter which created a \"streaking\" effect. Kamiński","effect. Kamiński considered this a risky option because if it failed there was no way to fix the image in post-production.AClairmont Camera Image Shakervibrated the camera to emulate the effects of a nearby explosion or rolling tank.Spielberg chose to film in1.85:1 aspect ratiobecause he believed it was more lifelike and closer to \"the way the human eye really sees,\" and foundwidescreen formatsto be artificial. Three months were spent scouting for a location to portray the Normandy coast. The real location was too developed for their needs, and many other French beaches were restricted by military or wildlife use; Spielberg believed officials were difficult because they did not want him filming there.Beaches researched in England and Scotland lacked either the aesthetics or amenities required, such as housing for the crew, and the filmmakers needed a specific depth for the cast to leap from the landing crafts into the water.Associate producer, Kevin De La Noy's earlier work onBraveheart(1995) in Ireland had","in Ireland had developed contacts with the Irish Army and knowledge of local beaches. One such location, the 11 km (6.8 mi) long Curracloe Beach, nearCurracloe, County Wexford, offered the desired golden sands and sheer cliffs and nearby amenities.Spielberg selected a 1 km (0.62 mi) segment of the beach, known as Ballinesker.He said, \"I was a bit disappointed that the beach we used wasn't as broad as the real Omaha Beach... I tried to use certain wide-angle lenses to extend the length of the flats on the sandy beach before the soldiers reach the shingle. I used wider lenses for geography and tighter lenses for the compression of action.A segment adjacent toBlackwater, also in Wexford, was considered, but the local nuns could not make the land available in time.Service roads were built for vehicles to reach Ballinesker.Production designerThomas E. Sandersled construction of the concrete battlements, bunkers,Czech hedgehogs, and barbed wire, much of which was made by local metalworkers.Over eleven weeks were","eleven weeks were spent preparing Ballinesker for filming.A storm destroyed some of the props just before filming, but they were rebuilt overnight.The main crew arrived on location on June 25, 1997. Filming in Ireland Principal photographybegan on June 27, 1997.Filming completed up to 50 shots per day. Spielberg wanted the actors to get little rest, \"A war is fought fast, and I really wanted to keep all of the actors off-balance. I didn't want them to be able to read 75 pages of a novel... I wanted to work fast enough so that they always felt as if they were in combat... I had to keep them on the set, which meant shooting the film even faster than I normally do. War doesn't give you a break.\"Saving Private Ryanwas shot almost entirely in continuity order, although some of the crew found this \"a mentally demoralizing experience\" because the cast started together and left as their characters died. The Omaha Beach battle was filmed over three to four weeks, for $12million.The scene involved about 1,500 people","about 1,500 people including 400 crew, 1,000 volunteerreserveandIrish armysoldiers, and dozens of extras and about 30 amputees and paraplegics fitted with prosthetic limbs to portray disfigured soldiers.Their numbers were supplemented with over one thousand detailed mannequins.The extras were divided into platoons with a designated leader, allowing Dye to control their action via four different radios with aid from threenon-commissioned officers.Costume designerJoanna Johnstoncontracted an American company responsible for making boots for soldiers during WWII to create about 2,000 pairs, using the last batch of dye from that period.Soldiers in the ocean wore wet suits beneath their uniforms to minimize hypothermia.ArmorerSimon Atherton was responsible for supplying authentic weapons. TwoHiggins Boatsused in the landings were used in the scene; additional boats from the 1950s were brought from California, Donegal, and Southampton.Hanks recalled: The first day of shooting... I was in the back of the landing","back of the landing craft, and that ramp went down and I saw the first 1-2-3-4 rows of guys just getting blown to bits. In my head, of course, I knew it was special effects, but I still wasn't prepared for how tactile it was. The air literally went pink and the noise was deafening and there's bits and pieces of stuff falling all on top of you and it was horrifying.\" Soldiers vomiting from the boats was achieved usingmilk of magnesia.Acrane shotmoving from beneath the ocean surface to above the battlefield was achieved by placing the crane on a flatbed trailer and reversing it into the sea. The Omaha Beach sequence was extensively choreographed by stunt coordinatorSimon Crane, withsquibsand explosives managed byNeil Corbould. The only serious accident resulted when an extra's foot was run over by a car.Thousands of gallons of fake blood were used, mainly to turn the ocean and shoreline red.Based on his interviews with veterans, Spielberg had dead fish strewn in the water and around the battlefield, as well as","as well as floating a Bible on the surface.Bullet impacts were emulated using air pipes concealed beneath the sand and ocean surface.Drums of diesel fuel were burned to create black smoke, while a series of pickup trucks carried systems to disperse white smoke. During filming, the weather was cold, rainy, and overcast; Kamiński said this matched the weather during the Normandy landings, enhancing the film's accuracy.Artificial light was used sparingly apart from on the boats to highlight the actors' eyes under their helmets.Spielberg had the camera stay close to the ground to appear as if it was the view of a soldier avoiding getting shot or a combat cameraman. He intended for the audience to feel like they were a part of the battle rather than watching.Most ofSaving Private Ryanwas filmed with handheld cameras. This was physically demanding on camera operator Mitch Dubin andSteadicamoperator Chris Haarhoff due to both proximity to the ground and movement through exploding scenery. The camera was close","camera was close enough that fake blood, water, and sand would stick to the camera lens, but the filmmakers believed this made the footage more authentic. Kamiński considered the extensive setup of explosives, smoke, and choreography of over a thousand characters to be demanding as it could take half a day to reset if something went wrong, but the majority of scenes in the sequence were captured in less than four takes, using up to three cameras simultaneously. Spielberg said, \"I rarely walked away from a scene until I got what I wanted, and I'd say that I got what I wanted from those complex setups about 80 percent of the time.\"He reviewed each day's footage nightly in a local parish hall.The production crew remained after filming to restore the beach to its original state over the following month, per an ecological protection order. Filming in England and France Filming relocated to theHatfield Aerodromein Hertfordshire, England, at the end of August, for the remaining scenes and the battle of","and the battle of Ramelle.French towns and rivers were scouted where a partial set could be built, but this was discarded over environmental concerns of filming contaminating the water. Instead, Sanders and his team built the fictional Ramelle on the grounds of the Aerodrome, based on five towns where fighting took place. Nearly threecity blockslong, the set included fully built buildings, facades, and a custom built, 900 ft (270 m) long river. The river was lined because they \"had to control the height of the water very carefully\". Explosives were used to create bomb craters and damage around Ramelle. Though the battle involved fewer extras than the Omaha Beach scene, several weeks were spent developing the complex choreography based on a battle plan devised by Dye.Spielberg did notstoryboardSaving Private Ryanbecause he wanted to position the camera spontaneously in reaction to what was taking place in each scene and he often relied on Dye and other WWII consultants for advice on staging the combat","staging the combat scenes.Dale also advised on technical aspects of weapons; where Spielberg wanted to use larger explosions typically found in Hollywood action films, Dye would generally advise him to \"go half that size, they were never that big\".The production was estimated to have spent about £8million in the local area. Spielberg's spontaneous approach carried into other aspects; about halfway through filming, he decided to depict the remainder of the film from Upham's perspective, believing he represented the audience's inexperience of war.Goldberg's character was only going to be shot dead until Dye suggested a hand-to-hand combat sequence on the day of filming, leading Mellish to be stabbed through the heart.A separate scene of Ryan talking about his brothers was ad-libbed by Damon. The German machine-gun nest and following ambush of a half-track vehicle were filmed on the grounds ofThame Park, Thame, inOxfordshire; the chapel interior where Miller's men rest was filmed in the Thame Park chapel.The","Park chapel.The Iowa cornfields where Ryan's mother lives in a house built for filming was set nearWest Kennet, Wiltshire.The American war office was filmed in the Hatfield Aerodrome. Kamiński wanted scenes in America to be more colorful and a relief from the muted tones of the combat scenes, so he positioned very bright lighting outside the windows.Scenes featuring the elderly Ryan were filmed at theNormandy American Cemetery and MemorialinColleville-sur-Mer, France, adjacent to Omaha Beach. Filming concluded ahead of schedule on September 13, 1997, after 12 weeks, with the French church interior scenes.The estimated total budget was $65–$70million. Post-production Kamiński chose to render his footage usingTechnicolor's proprietary ENR process (similar to ableach bypass) which retained more silver in thefilm stockand produced deeper blacks. He used \"70 percent ENR\" for a desaturated image which added a blue hue. Concerned this change would make the fake blood appear inauthentic, the effects department mixed","department mixed blue coloring into it, giving it a dark red appearance.Visual-effects studioIndustrial Light & Magicprovided digital enhancements; many bullet wounds and blood splatter werecomputer-generated imagery. Michael Kahnedited the final 170-minute cut.Spielberg said that Kahn's style was intended to defy audience expectations and not make every scene or transition clear.Some scenes were cut because of their graphic imagery, such as Miller's unit encounter with burnt out tanks with charred bodies. Mellish's death was also trimmed, removing parts where the character screams in pain, after Spielberg's projectionist said \"It's too painful to watch.\" Spielberg said his movie had to be \"ugly\", but was worried the violent content could be seen as exploitative and earn it a restrictiveNC-17rating from theMotion Picture Association of America, restricting it to audiences over 17 years of age.He anticipated that the \"historical importance\" of the content would be taken into consideration; it received anR","it received anR rating, meaning children could watch when accompanied by an adult. Music A long-time Spielberg collaborator, composerJohn Williams, produced the score.Spielberg chose little music accompaniment, wanting the sounds of battle and death to be prominent. Using aspottingprocess, he and Williams watched a rough cut of the film to agree on which scenes would feature music.Williams deliberately avoided \"anything grandiose or operatic\".Williams recorded the 55-minute score over three days atSymphony Hallin Boston, with theBoston Symphony Orchestraand vocals by theTanglewood Festival Chorus.The recording cost about $100,000 per hour.Spielberg chose the Orchestra: \"This is a movie about a company of soldiers, and it seemed appropriate to use an experienced company of musicians who are all virtuosos. Also we really wanted the sound of this room, Symphony Hall. On a soundstage you can get acoustically correct sound, but you don't hear the air. Here you get a rich, warm sound off the walls and ceiling, and","and ceiling, and you do hear the air; Symphony Hall is an instrument too.\" Release Context The 1998 summer theatrical season began in early May withDeep Impact, a surprise box office hit that studios saw as a positive indicator for their upcoming 100 film releases.GodzillaandArmageddonwere expected to be the biggest successes, while industry executives were hopeful for smaller budget films (costing less than $60million) likeSmall Soldiers,The Negotiator,The Parent Trap, andThere's Something About Maryto become sleeper hits. Fewer sequels and less escapist entertainment were scheduled for release, and more films were targeted toward older audiences.Saving Private Ryanwas highly anticipated but analysis suggested the film faced commercial limitations because of its long runtime, restricting the number of times it could be screened daily, and its violent content.DreamWorks' marketing chief Terry Press said it was risky to release a serious drama in the summer, a time generally reserved for family and escapist","family and escapist entertainment, but this was offset by Spielberg and Hanks's popularity.A screening for DreamWorks and Paramount executives was highly praised,but Spielberg had low expectations, believing the film was too violent to attract broad audiences. Box office The film premiered on July 21, 1998. The event was a low-profile affair without a party or many celebrities; Press said of the premiere, \"it would have been inappropriate\".Saving Private Ryanwas released in the United States and Canada on July 24, 1998.During its opening weekend, it earned $30.6million across 2,463 theaters—an average of $12,414 per theater.This figure made it the number-one film of the weekend, ahead ofThe Mask of Zorro($13.4million) in its second weekend,Lethal Weapon 4($13.1million) in its third, andThere's Something About Mary($12.5million), also in its second.The audience was split evenly between women and men, and skewed towards those aged over 25.The New York Timesdescribed it as unusual for a near-three-hour-long","drama to perform so well on its opening weekend, crediting positive reviews. DreamWorks believed the box-office figure would have been higher if not for a delay in film prints arriving in hundreds of theaters across California and Arizona until late in the afternoon. In its second weekend,Saving Private Ryanremained the number-one film, with $23.6million, ahead of the debutingThe Parent Trap($11.1million) andThere's Something About Mary($10.9million) in its third.Saving Private Ryanretained the number-one position in its third weekend with ($17.4million), ahead of the debuts ofSnake Eyes($16.3million) andHalloween H20: 20 Years Later($16.1million), and its fourth with $13.2million, ahead of the debuts ofHow Stella Got Her Groove Back($11.3million) andThe Avengers($10.3million).In its fifth weekend,Saving Private Ryanfell to number2 with $10.1million, behind the debut ofBlade($17.1million).Without regaining the number1 position, it ranked among the top ten for 12 weeks.By the end of its theatrical run,Saving","run,Saving Private Ryanearned a total box-office gross of $216.5million, making it the highest-grossing film of the year, ahead ofArmageddon($201.6million) andThere's Something About Mary($176.5million).This also made it only the third R-rated film to earn more than $200million, after 1984'sBeverly Hills Cop($235million) and 1991'sTerminator 2: Judgment Day($205million). Outside of the U.S. and Canada,Saving Private Ryanis estimated to have earned a further $265.3million. This gave the film a cumulative worldwide gross of $481.8million, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 1998, behindArmageddon($553.7million). Saving Private Ryanwas seen as the biggest success of the theatrical summer.The New York Timeswrote that the success of a \"prestige film\" during a time of blockbuster entertainment with broad appeal was evidence that audiences were accepting of serious dramas alongside action films, such asArmageddonandGodzilla, and \"gross-out comedy\" likeThere's Something About Mary. The publication wrote","publication wrote that the popularity ofSaving Private Ryanwas, in part, because it depicted a \"nobler, cleaner era\" promoting values of heroism and \"patriotic duty\".The 1998 box office broke records with over $7billion earned. Despite expectations, the biggest successes had relatively modest budgets, such asSaving Private Ryan,There's Something About Mary,Rush Hour, andThe Waterboy, while the anticipated blockbusters, such asGodzillaandArmageddon, were so expensive to make that they were less profitable.Re-releases ofSaving Private Ryanhave raised the box office to $482.3million.Spielberg's and Hanks's pay agreement earned them an estimated $30–$40 million each of the box office. Reception Critical response Saving Private Ryanreceived critical acclaim,and audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of \"A\" on an A+ to F scale.Critics generally agreed thatSaving Private Ryanpresented the grim and brutal reality of the \"Good War\" in a way previously unseen on film.Writing for theLos Angeles","for theLos Angeles Times,Kenneth Turandescribed the film as darker and more pessimistic than any of Spielberg's previous works, dispelling the mythos of WWII as staunchly good heroes fighting against evil forces, to depict the reality of combat where, \"American soldiers mock virtue and shoot surrendering Germans, where decent and altruistic actions tend to be fatal, where death is random, stupid and redeems hardly anything at all\".Some reviewers said this exploration of the limitations of morality in combat asked audiences to consider that the lives lost during the conflict were as valuable as those saved by their sacrifices. Writing for theChicago Tribune,Gene Siskellauded the film's ability to discuss the \"brutality and madness\" of war while \"believably\" celebrating the sacrifices and courage of those fighting it.Salon.com's Gary Kamiya concluded, \"it will forever change the way people imagine the most important event in 20th century history. That is no small achievement.\"InThe New York Times,Stephen","York Times,Stephen Holdensaid \"it's a safe bet thatSaving Private Ryan, a powerful but flawed movie, will be revered as a classic decades hence.\" Many reviewers focused on the film's two major combat sequences, particularly the opening on Omaha Beach.Focus was on the \"horrifying,\" \"visceral,\" \"brutal,\" \"shocking,\" and \"fierce\" violence present in the opening battle, described byEntertainment Weekly'sOwen GleibermanandTime'sRichard Schickelas one of the most revolutionary film sequences ever made.Roger Ebertof theChicago Sun-Timesand Schickel compared it with the energy and dread of similar scenes in the Vietnam war filmPlatoon(1986), but with a grander scope depicting masses of men killing each other from afar, drawing the \"horror\" out of a lengthy, sustained sequence, without the audience being allowed to become desensitized.Some reviewers believed that the scene was so impactful and thought-provoking that it overshadowed the rest of the film.Although there was some criticism toward the realistic violence","realistic violence and gore, Turan believed it was done purposely and dispassionately, conveying the chaos and despair experienced by the soldiers, and not done for the sake of entertainment.Spielberg rejected this criticism, affirming he wanted the audience to understand what real combat was like and what the soldiers experienced, not observe it from afar as spectators.Some reviewers believed the concluding battle in Ramelle was more violent than Omaha Beach, particularly the slow death of Mellish as he is stabbed through the chest.The New York Observer'sAndrew Sarriscriticized the \"pornography of violence and cruelty\" depicted in severed limbs and rivers of blood. Turan andJonathan Rosenbaumfound that, outside of the combat, the script was effective but uninspired and derivative of war films by other directors, such asOliver Stone,Stanley Kubrick, andFrancis Ford Coppola.Others criticized \"manipulative\" oversentimentality, particularly in the modern dayframing devicefeaturing the elderly Ryan.Even so,","Ryan.Even so, Kamiya described it as \"enormously moving, it serves as a kind of redemption, a necessary if eternally fragile answer to the hell he witnessed\". Hanks's performance was generally praised, with some reviewers calling it the best of his career to date.Many reviewers agreed that hiseverymanpersona allowed him to portray Miller with a gentle weariness, empathy, and vulnerability beneath a surface of strength and decency, but also cynicism toward the war.Ebert and Schickel wrote that he offered a quiet reserve \"hinting at unspoken competencies\" that convince his men and the audience to follow along with him.Turan believed that Hanks's \"indelible\" performance represented how the audience would hope to be when confronted by the same situations.The other main cast also generally received positive reviews, particularly Davies, with Ebert saying that his transformation from inexperienced interpreter to soldier was the conclusion to \"Spielberg's unspoken philosophical argument\".Gleiberman and Turan also","and Turan also highlighted the performances of Pepper, Ribisi, and Sizemore, who Turan believed delivered his career's \"best, most controlled\" performance.Ebert praised the cast for not devolving into cliché or \"zany\" archetypes and effectively portraying the bonds between them.However, Kamiya wrote that Damon's performance was \"jarring\", believing both his more cinematic aesthetic and speech about his brothers to be artificial. The review concluded that Ryan was not very compelling, which made it difficult to care about the mission to save him. Accolades At the56th Golden Globe Awardsin 1999,Saving Private RyanwonBest DramaandBest Director(Spielberg), and was nominated forBest Drama Actor(Hanks),Best Original Score(Williams), andBest Screenplay(Rodat).At the71st Academy Awards,Saving Private RyanwonBest Director(Spielberg),Best Cinematography(Kamiński),Best Film Editing(Kahn),Best Sound(Gary Rydstrom,Gary Summers,Andy Nelson,Ronald Judkins), andBest Sound Effects Editing(Rydstrom and Richard Hymns) while it","Hymns) while it was nominated forBest Actor(Hanks),Best Original Screenplay(Rodat),Best Music(Williams),Best Production Design(Sanders andLisa Dean Kavanaugh), andBest Makeup(Lois Burwell,Conor O'Sullivan,Daniel C. Striepeke).Saving Private Ryan's unexpected loss ofBest PicturetoShakespeare in Loveis seen as one of the biggest upsets in the awards history and led to DreamWorks executives accusing its producers,Miramax, of \"overly aggressive campaigning\".A 2015 poll of Academy voters suggested that, given another opportunity, they would have votedSaving Private Ryanas Best Picture. At the52nd British Academy Film Awards,Saving Private RyanwonBest Special EffectsandBest Sound, and was nominated forBest Film,Best Direction(Spielberg), andBest Actor(Hanks).At the25th Saturn Awards, it wonBest Action, Adventure, or Thriller Film.The3rd Golden Satellite Awardsalso earned the filmBest Editing(Kahn), and a nomination forBest Supporting Actor(Sizemore),as well asBest Director(Spielberg) andBest Actor(Hanks) at","Actor(Hanks) at theEmpire Awards. Saving Private Ryanalso won awards for Outstanding Directorial Achievement (Directors Guild of America, Spielberg),Motion Picture Producer of the Year (PGA Awards, Spielberg, Bryce, Gordon, and Levinsohn),Best Casting (Casting Society of America, Denise Chamian),Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture (Grammy Awards, Williams),Best Sound Editing for Dialogue (Motion Picture Sound Editors, Hymns, Rydstrom, Sandina Bailo-Lape, Ethan Van der Ryn, Teresa Eckton, Frank Eulner Karen Wilson, Larry Oatfield, and Bruce Lacey), and Sound Effects (Hymns, Rydstrom, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Larry Singer, Ewa Sztompke Oatfield, Sara Bolder, Denise Whiting, and Thomas Whiting)and Best of Show - Audiovisual (Key Art Awards).In 2014, the United StatesLibrary of CongressselectedSaving Private Ryanto be preserved in theNational Film Registryas \"culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant\". Post-release Historical accuracy and veteran responses Several publications","publications highlighted the accuracy of the Omaha Beach assault, down to the sound of gunfire, although some errors were noted, such as bullets killing soldiers underwater, the absence of Britishcoxswainssteering the boats, and the battle's truncated duration.Historical curator John Delaney said: It's accurate for that unit on that bit of that beach on that day... but you can't say, 'That's what D-Day was like', because it wasn't. Omaha beach is about three and a half miles long. What's happening at one end of the beach isn't what's happening at the other end. Discussing the core narrative, Ambrose said, \"It's a stretch that they would send eight soldiers, but it could have been hard to find him... the paratroopers were scattered everywhere.\" Many World War II veterans described the opening ofSaving Private Ryanas depicting the most realistic representation of combat. Another veteran, interviewed byTime, said \"I remember when I walked out into the lobby of the moviehouse, not a single person coming out of","coming out of that showing said one word... everybody was stunned by it... It just brought back so many memories.\"There were various reports of some veterans being unable to finish watchingSaving Private Ryanbecause of the memories it brought back.TheUnited States Department of Veterans Affairscreated a dedicated phoneline for viewers affected by the film, and more veterans visited counselors forpost traumatic stress disorder. The rest of the film is less historically accurate. Fictitious elements include the nonexistent town of Ramelle, the battle associated with it, certain military tactical errors (included for dramatic effect), much of the dialogue, and some of the methods used to locate Ryan.Total Filmand some non U.S. veterans were critical of the lack of other Allied forces throughout the film.British broadcasterChannel 4said that these critics had missed the point of the film, in that it was \"unashamedly an American story\". Home media Saving Private Ryanwas released onVHSin May 1999.It became the","1999.It became the most successful rental debut of its time, earning $9.6million in its first week and $44million by July 1999.A limited edition two-VHS version was released in November 1999, adding a making-of documentary, as well as a message from Spielberg about D-Day and theNational D-Day Museum. ADVDwas released alongside the limited edition VHS, with the same extras.A two-disc Special Collector's Edition DVD set was released in May 2004 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of D-Day.This edition included additional content, includingbehind-the-scenescontent recorded during filming. Spielberg discussed his interest in WWII, the Niland brothers, the story and character development, the cast's boot camp experience, the involvement of the Irish army and locations, the recreation of Omaha Beach, the music, sound effects, and a farewell from Spielberg.This was released alongside a four-disc deluxe \"The World War II Collection\" DVD package that included a collectible book and two documentaries:Price for","for Peace(directed byJames Moll) about the use of dogs in WWII, andShooting War(directed by Richard Schickel) about combat photographers, with narration by Hanks. Saving Private Ryanwas released as a two-discBlu-rayin May 2010, including all previously released special features apart fromPrice for Peace.Paramount Home Entertainmentissued a recall of the Blu-rays after discovering that some versions featured an audio synchronization issue. The defect was fixed in versions re-released later that month.For the film's 20th anniversary in 2018, a three-disc \"Commemorative 20th Anniversary\" Blu-ray set was released, including a4K Ultra HD Blu-rayand all previously released features. Other media A novelization, written byMax Allan Collinsand Rodat, was released alongside the film.Saving Private Ryan: The Men, the Mission, the Movie : A Film by Steven Spielbergwas also released in 1998. It features illustrations, color plates, extracts from the screenplay and Ambrose's works, as well as commentary by crew including","by crew including Spielberg, Hanks, and Damon. Thematic analysis Patriotism Leading into the early 21st century, there was renewed focus in America on glorifying the generation that had fought in WWII, depicted in films such asSaving Private RyanandThe Thin Red Line, the miniseriesBand of Brothers(2001), books such asThe Greatest Generation(1998), and construction of aWorld War II Memorialin Washington, D.C.Many publications believed this resurgence of interest in the war to be a response to decades of American cynicism toward the nation'sfailure in the Vietnam War(1955–1975), and anticlimactic victories in theColdandGulf Warsthat resulted in little diplomatic success or celebration. Many films about the Vietnam War depicted its American combatants as self-hating, \"deeply troubled, or even psychotic,\" offered little respect, and portrayed the conflict itself as one mired in dread, anxiety, and general negativity.Literature professor Marzena Sokołowska-Paryż said the worship of WWII as \"the last Good War\" and","last Good War\" and its veterans as \"thegreatest generation\" represented a \"therapeutic patriotism\" designed to rehabilitate the modern image of combatants as the enduring legacy of WWII soldiers and the core American national identity while forgetting any lingering guilt over the Vietnam War.Film scholar Albert Auster described this reappraisal as a reversal of attitudes up to the early 1990s where historical wars, including WWII, were not beyond criticism and, particularly in response to the Vietnam War, literary critics aimed to undo the impression of WWII as the \"Good War\".Saving Private Ryanis American-centric, beginning and ending with an image of the nation's flag fluttering in the wind, a desaturated image suggesting a nostalgic image of \"the deep pride we once felt in our flag\".Stephen Holden described it as \"a wholehearted celebration of American pluck and virtue and honor\". Holden and Ebert disagreed with the view of some critics thatSaving Private Ryan's \"harrowing\" and realistic combat scenes","combat scenes were astatement against war. They wrote that it accepts war as a necessity and portrays its main characters not as symbols, but as real people trying to kill the enemy without getting themselves killed.The scenes of the elderly Ryan visiting Miller's grave with his family received some criticism.AuthorJohn Biguenetqueried how such a \"savage and unsentimental film\" could conclude with a scene so sentimentalized. Spielberg said in making the film he was meant to \"wave the flag and be patriotic,\" but that the reality of his father's experiences made him want to also convey the harsh reality.The Omaha Beach landing establishes the distance between the commanders safe at home who order Ryan be rescued, and the soldiers endangered in doing so.It is a sentimental mission intended to spare one family the grief of losing all of its sons, but Miller refers to it as a public relations scheme designed to boost civilian morale.General Marshall quotes a letter by Abraham Lincoln to a similarly affected","similarly affected family, but where Lincoln's letter expresses sentiment and patriotic sacrifice to the mother, it is not sentimental nor does it claim that her grief is greater than any other mother who lost her child at war.Biguenet said Marshall, in comparison, confuses sentimentality for morality. Despite the patriotic American imagery, the characters ofSaving Private Ryando not discuss their home country or protecting democracy fromfascism. The soldiers are only concerned with returning home to their loved ones. Miller's men openly state that they do not care about Ryan, but Miller says that he will go into metaphorical Hell to save him, if it means Miller can return to his wife. The soldiers actively fighting are not sentimental about their mission. Turan and Biguenet saidSaving Private Ryan\"feels like an official act of atonement\" for modern generations failing to acknowledge the \"courage and sacrifice\" of WWII soldiers. When Miller tells Ryan to \"earn this,\" he is effectively speaking about the debt","about the debt owed to veterans who made \"the ultimate sacrifice\" for their country.Biguenet called this a \"terrible, impossible order\", a moral burden that Ryan will carry until his own death because there is no way to compensate the high price paid by Miller's men. Spielberg suggested the answer was in the living paying homage to the fallen soldiers and the freedom for which they fought.History professor John Bodnar described the image of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial as depicting a national unity with row after row of white grave markers, serving as a permanent reminder \"to other nations of the sacrifices made by the United States\". Morality and humanity Unlike some older WWII films that portrayed the soldiers as infallible heroes,Saving Private Ryanpresents battles fought by brave but frightened civilians, the majority of whom at Omaha Beach were not combat veterans.Ebert believed much of the audience, including himself, would identify with Upham, someone completely unprepared for the","unprepared for the realities of war but who must fight regardless.Miller is the opposite: an experienced soldier who is scared and anxious because he knows exactly what to expect and is haunted by his responsibility for the lives of his men.Although 94 men have died under his command, Miller rationalizes that he can prioritize his mission over his men because each sacrifice was responsible for saving many more lives. However, his mission to rescue Ryan demands he risk the lives of several men to save just one.Turan said Miller's trembling hands were a sign that he is \"dangerously close to coming apart\".Far Outmagazine wrote that the focus on Miller's ailment acknowledges the side effects of war such as post-traumatic stress disorder, something he suppresses to fulfil his duty. Spielberg said the mission to rescue Ryan cannot be morally or patriotically justified, risking eight lives to save one. This theme is reinforced when they encounter the sole survivor of a glider crash caused by heavy steel shielding","steel shielding added to protect a single general on board, resulting in 22 deaths. No character claims that the mission of Miller and his men is heroic, and the men express the grief their own mothers will feel should they be killed on this endeavor. The \"toughest\" soldier, Horvath, gives it meaning when he tells Miller that saving Ryan could be the one decent thing they can accomplish in \"this whole godawful, shitty mess\". Biguenet said that Spielberg is explicitly condemning their mission as an immoral act to force upon soldiers.Ebert considered the decision to deviate from the mission to attack the German gun nest on the way to Ramelle to be a deliberate rebellion against their orders. The action is not part of their mission and it is possible to avoid the situation entirely, but it grants the soldiers the opportunity to do what they came to Europe for: to fight a war.Hanks said the decision to stay with Ryan and defend Ramelle was the characters \"bringing meaning to a situation that until then had been","until then had been absurd\". While film critic Andrew Sarris found the German characters to match evil archetypes found in other WWII films, concluding with Upham's lesson that Steamboat Willie should have been killed earlier,Saving Private Ryandoes not portray the Allied soldiers as unimpeachable heroes.Following Omaha Beach, two Allied soldiers laugh as they execute two pleading German soldiers, but the soldiers are speaking Czech, indicating they are potentially from German-conquered Czechoslovakia, forcibly conscripted into the war effort.Biguenet wrote that the Germans are not portrayed as any worse than the Americans, as they are similarly affected by the horrors of war and casually execute downed American soldiers. InSaving Private Ryan, allegiances do not matter, all men are equal, and rules only matter until they conflict with the mission objective. Upham's transformation from cowardly interpreter to Willie's executioner shows the transformative realities of combat.Professor William J. Prior and","J. Prior and Auster wrote that Upham represents respect for human life and moral decency when he interferes to prevent Steamboat Willie's execution, despite the fact that it would protect the mission. He offers the intellectual perspective of a civilian, but his lack of combat experience makes him unable to kill the prisoner, which results in the deaths of many of his allies.Miller's experience means he is conscious of the risk involved in releasing Willie, but he is simultaneously struggling to cling to his own humanity and decency, believing that every time he kills he is moving \"farther from home\". Although Willie is the enemy, he is also a human with his own right to exist, and summarily executing him would further distance Miller from the self he and his wife knew.His decision to spare Willie and reveal his civilian background, returns to him a semblance of his humanity. Legacy Cultural influence Saving Private Ryanwas credited with renewing interest in World War II leading into the 21st century.NBC","21st century.NBC Newswrote that in presenting audiences with its \"stomach-churning violence and soul-shaking intensity of that pivotal chapter in the war\", the film had reshaped the United States' \"cultural memory\".It is regarded as one of the most accurate and realistic war films ever made, particularly for the opening Omaha Beach battle.Film historian Steven Jay Rubin said, \"It was a game-changer... it was devastatingly dramatic, visceral, immersive. I didn't touch my popcorn because it felt sacrilegious to eat while I'm watching it.\"Even so, director and Vietnam War veteran Oliver Stone claimed thatSaving Private Ryandepicted a \"worship\" of WWII as \"the good war\" that, alongside films such asGladiator(2000) andBlack Hawk Down, made audiences more in favor of war: \"By the time of theIraq War, we were ready to go back.\"American academicPaul Fussellsimilarly decriedSaving Private Ryanfor providing an \"honest, harrowing, 15-minute opening\" of Omaha Beach before descending into more broadly acceptable","broadly acceptable action-adventure fare. He said, \"Its genre was pure cowboys and Indians, with the virtuous cowboys of course victorious.\" The film is considered to have had a lasting influence on filmmaking, particularly its opening battle scenes.Vanity Fairwrote, \"no films about combat made since would look the way they do without the de-saturated, handheld, blood-splatters-and-all horror of cinema that is this extended sequence... it's a terrifying scene, either honorable or exploitative in its all vérité, depending on whom you ask. Regardless of any moral assessment, it's easily one of the most aped and referenced scenes of the late 20th century.\"Saving Private Ryanwas named by other directors as an influence, such asQuentin Tarantino(Inglourious Basterds, 2009),Christopher Nolan(Dunkirk, 2017), andRobert Altman.TheLos Angeles Timeswrote thatSaving Private Ryan's stylistic choices, such as placing the audience close to the on-screen action, can be seen in war and action media that followed. This","that followed. This includes films such asGladiator(2000),Enemy at the Gates,Pearl Harbor(both 2001),Flags of Our Fathers(2006), andHacksaw Ridge(2016), the \"psychological anguish\" ofAmerican Sniper(2014), and modern superhero films.This influence extends to television, with shows such asGame of Thrones(\"The Spoils of War\", 2017) andThe Pacific(2010).Saving Private Ryanis also seen as an influence on video games.Spielberg and DreamWorks developedMedal of Honor(1999) to translate the realism and setting ofSaving Private Ryan. Its success launched aseries ofMedal of Honorgames, which, in turn, contributed to the creation of theCall of Dutyseries. Modern reception Saving Private Ryanis considered one of thegreatest war films ever made.In a 2018 interview, Spielberg said, \"I didn't anticipate the success of the movie... in very early screenings, certain associates and other people in my life were saying that I made it too tough. I feared that almost nobody would see it because the word of mouth would spread","mouth would spread quickly after the first 25 minutes.\" In 2007, theAmerican Film Institute(AFI) listedSaving Private Ryanas71st-greatest American film.The AFI listed it among the mostthrilling,inspiring, andepicAmerican films.A 2014 poll of 2,120 entertainment industry professionals byThe Hollywood ReporterrankedSaving Private Ryanas the 46th-best film.Publications such asParadeandVarietynamed it one of the greatest films of all time.Saving Private Ryanis included in the 2013 film reference book1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die,and it is listed onRotten Tomatoes' 300 essential movies.The film is generally considered to be among the best of Spielberg's works,and of Hanks's credits. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 94% approval rating across 149 critics, with an average score of 8.7/10. The consensus reads; \"Anchored by another winning performance from Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg's unflinchingly realistic war film virtually redefines the genre.\"The film has a score of 91 out of 100 onMetacritic,","100 onMetacritic, based on 38 critics, indicating \"universal acclaim\".Saving Private Ryanhas remained popular with audiences, with reader and viewer-ranked polling listing it as one of the greatest war films,among the greatest films of the 1990s, and the greatest films of all time. Notes References Citations Works cited External links"],"string":"[\n \"Niland brothers TheNiland brotherswere four American brothers fromTonawanda, New York, who served in the military duringWorld War II. They were sons of Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Niland.Two survived the war but, for a time, only one, Frederick \\\"Fritz\\\" Niland, was believed to have survived. After the reported deaths of his three brothers, Fritz was sent back to the United States to complete his service, and only later learned that his brother Edward, missing and presumed dead, was captive in aJapanesePOW campinBurma. Brothers Memorials In popular culture Steven Spielberg's1998 filmSaving Private Ryanis loosely based on the brothers' story. See also References External links\",\n \"Saving Private Ryan Saving Private Ryanis a 1998 Americanepicwar filmdirected bySteven Spielbergand written byRobert Rodat. Set in 1944 inNormandy, France, duringWorld War II, it follows a group of soldiers, led by Captain John Miller (Tom Hanks), on a mission to locate Private James Francis Ryan (Matt Damon) and bring him home safely after his three brothers have been killed in action. The cast also includesEdward Burns,Tom Sizemore,Barry Pepper,Giovanni Ribisi,Vin Diesel,Adam GoldbergandJeremy Davies. Inspired by the books ofStephen E. Ambroseand accounts of multiple soldiers in a single family, such as theNiland brothers, being killed in action, Rodat drafted the script, andParamount Pictureshired him to finish writing it. The project came to the attention of Hanks and Spielberg, whose involvement, due to their previous successes, secured the project's development. Spielberg wanted to makeSaving Private Ryanas authentic as possible and hiredFrank DarabontandScott Frankto do uncredited rewrites based on\",\n \"rewrites based on research and interviews with veterans. The main cast went through a week-long boot camp to help them understand the soldier's experience. Filming took place from June to September 1997, on a $65–70million budget, almost entirely on location in England and Ireland. The openingOmaha Beachbattle was the most demanding scene, costing $12 million to film over a four-week period, and using 1,500 background actors. Saving Private Ryanbecame one of the year's most successful films, earning critical acclaim for its graphic portrayal of combat. WWII veterans described the combat scenes as the most realistic portrayal of their own experiences they had seen; some said they had been unable to watch it due to their traumatic memories. The film earned $481.8million, making it thesecond-highest-grossing film of 1998, and went on to win many accolades, includingGolden Globe,Academy,BAFTA, andSaturnawards. Consideredone of the greatest films ever made,Saving Private Ryan's battle-scene filming techniques\",\n \"filming techniques impacted many subsequent war, action, and superhero films, and numerous directors have citedSaving Private Ryanas an influence on them. The picture is credited with having helped to renew interest in WWII at the turn of the century, inspiring other films, television shows, and video gamesset during the war. In 2014, the film was selected for preservation in the United StatesNational Film Registryby theLibrary of Congressas \\\"culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant\\\". Plot On June 6, 1944, theU.S. Armylands atOmaha Beachas part of theNormandy invasion, incurring major losses against the artillery and machine gun fire of the heavily fortifiedGerman forces. Initially dazed by the chaotic battle,2nd Ranger BattalionCaptainJohn H. Miller takes command of a surviving group and leads a successful infiltration behind German lines to secure victory. TheUnited States Department of Warreceives communication that three of four Ryan brothers have been killed in action; the last, James\",\n \"the last, James Francis Ryan of the101st Airborne Division, is listed as missing.GeneralGeorge C. Marshallorders that Ryan be found and sent home, to spare his family the loss of all its sons. Miller is tasked with recovering Ryan and assembles a detachment of soldiers to accompany him: Mike Horvath, Richard Reiben, Adrian Caparzo, Stanley Mellish, Daniel Jackson, Irwin Wade, and interpreter Timothy Upham, who lacks any combat experience. The group tracks Ryan to the town ofNeuville-au-Plain, where Caparzo is killed by a German sniper while trying to rescue a young girl. Mourning their friend, the men grow resentful at being forced to risk their lives for one man. They later find James Frederick Ryan, but realize he is the wrong man with a similar name. That evening, the men rest in a chapel, where Miller tells Horvath that his hands began uncontrollably shaking after he joined the war. The men travel to a rallying point where the 101st Airborne might be after landing off course, where they find scores of\",\n \"they find scores of wounded and displaced soldiers. Wade admonishes Reiben, Mellish, and Jackson for callously searching through a pile of deceased soldiers'dog tagsin front of passing troops, hoping to find Ryan's among them and conclude their mission. Remorseful for ignoring their behavior, Miller shouts for anyone who knows Ryan; one deafened soldier tells him that Ryan was reassigned to defend a vital bridge in the town of Ramelle. On the way, Miller decides to neutralize a German gun nest they discover, against the advice of his men, and although they are successful, Wade is killed. The men prepare to execute a surrendered German soldier in revenge, but Upham intervenes, arguing that they should follow therules of war. Miller releases the soldier, nicknamed \\\"Steamboat Willie\\\", ordering that he surrender to the nextAlliedpatrol. Discontented with the mission, Reiben threatens todesert, leading to a standoff between the men that Miller defuses by revealing his civilian background as a teacher and baseball\",\n \"and baseball coach, which he had always refused to disclose. Miller muses that people often guessed his career before he became a soldier, while his men could not, implying that war has changed him, and worries whether he is still the man he was and whether his wife will recognize him. In Ramelle, Miller's detachment finds Ryan and informs him of their mission, but Ryan refuses to abandon his post or his fellow soldiers, believing he does not deserve to go home more than anyone else. Horvath convinces Miller that saving Ryan might be the only truly decent thing they can accomplish during the war. Miller takes command of Ryan's group as the only officer present and prepares the soldiers for a German assault. Jackson and Horvath are killed, and Upham stands paralyzed with fear as Mellish is stabbed to death. Steamboat Willie returns and shoots Miller before reinforcements arrive to defeat the Germans. Upham confronts Willie, who attempts to surrender again, and kills him, before sending the other surrendering\",\n \"other surrendering Germans away. Upham and Reiben observe as the mortally wounded Miller tells Ryan to earn the sacrifices made to send him home. Decades later, an elderly Ryan and his family visit Miller's grave at theNormandy Cemetery. Ryan expresses that he remembers Miller's words every day, lived his life the best he could, and hopes he has earned their sacrifices. Cast The cast also includesGlenn Wrageas Doyle,Corey Johnsonas a radioman,John Sharianas Corporal Loeb, andRolf Saxonas Lieutenant Briggs—Allied soldiers at the Omaha beach landing.Demetri GoritsasandDylan Brunoportray Parker and Private First Class Toynbe, respectively, who aid in the battle of Ramelle.Joerg Stadler appears as Steamboat Willie, a German prisoner.Amanda Boxerportrays Ryan's mother, whileHarrison YoungandKathleen Byronportray the elderly James Ryan and his wife, Margaret.Technical advisor andMarineveteranDale Dyeappears as a War Department colonel. Production Concept ProducerMark Gordonwas a fan of writerRobert Rodat's\",\n \"Rodat's previous work on films such asTall Tale(1995) andFly Away Home(1996). The pair met in early 1995 to discuss potential projects and ideas. Within a few weeks, Rodat conceived ofSaving Private Ryan.He was inspired by a gift from his wife, the historical bookD-Day June 6, 1944: The Climactic Battle of World War II(1994), byStephen E. Ambrose, recounting the events of the Normandy landings. Rodat visited a monument inKeene, New Hampshirededicated to American soldiers killed in combat; he noticed the losses included brothers. He said, \\\"The idea of losing a son to war is painful beyond description... the idea of losing more than one son is inconceivable\\\".The Ryan family was based on the fourNiland brothersdetailed in Ambrose's book, who were deployed during WWII; two were killed and a third presumed dead; per theSole Survivor Policy, the fourth was returned from the war. Development To developSaving Private Ryan, Gordon founded the independent film studioMutual Film Company, alongside producerGary\",\n \"producerGary Levinsohn.Gordon brought Rodat's draft toParamount Picturesexecutives; they responded positively and hired Rodat who wrote the script over the following 12 months.Michael Baywas hired as director, but left the project because he could not resolve how to approach the material.Carin Sage, a junior agent representing Tom Hanks at theCreative Artists Agency, gave the script to Hanks, who was immediately interested and met with Gordon and Levinsohn.Hanks shared the script withSteven Spielbergwho agreed to direct because the pair had wanted to work together for some time.Rodat thought that Paramount would cancel the project after the studio purchased two other WWII-era scripts,CombatandWith Wings as Eagles, with popular actorsBruce WillisandArnold Schwarzeneggerattached, respectively.However, having secured the involvement of Hanks and Spielberg, two of the highest-paid and most successful actors and directors, Gordon suggested Paramount executives prioritizeSaving Private Ryan. Describing what\",\n \"Describing what interested him about the project, Spielberg said, \\\"So what you're doing is sending eight people out, all of whom have parents, to rescue one boy and send him back to his mom when any or all of these kids, along the mission route, could be killed. That was the central tug that made me want to tell the story\\\".Spielberg had a lifelong interest in WWII, having made war films as a teenager because \\\"it was the seminal conversation inside my family. My parents talked aboutthe Holocaustand they talked about combat and war. And I was born knowing this.My dadwas a veteran... he had many veterans over to the house, and I became absolutely obsessed... based on my father's stories, recollections, and also based on all the WWII movies\\\".He described the project as a tribute to his father. With Spielberg on board,DreamWorks Pictures, which he co-founded, became involved as a financier, with his companyAmblin Entertainmentas a production company.Spielberg's clout effectively removed Gordon and Levinsohn from\",\n \"and Levinsohn from the production, having no creative input, equity, or rights, but receiving a producer's credit and one-off payment. Levinsohn said, \\\"You just know going in what the score is... I guess it's unspoken that when you hire you're not going to be on the set making decisions\\\".DreamWorks hiredIan Bryceto replace them. In April 1997,Sumner Redstone, chairman of Paramount's parent companyViacom, had Spielberg flip a coin to determine the film's distribution rights. Spielberg won the toss, giving DreamWorks the favored North American distribution rights and Paramount the international rights. Earnings were held collectively and split evenly between the studios. In exchange, Paramount received the North American distribution rights to DreamWorks'Deep Impact(1998).To keep the budget low, Spielberg and Hanks took minimal upfront salaries in exchange for a guaranteed 17.5% of the gross profits, equivalent to 35 cents of every dollar earned. Rewrite Spielberg's initial concept forSaving Private Ryanwas\",\n \"Private Ryanwas aBoys' Own–style adventure film in which the search for Ryan was apublic relationseffort by the war department. However, after interviewing WWII veterans for research, he found this idea inappropriate. He decided to embed the story within a realistic portrayal of actual events while portraying the conflicted morality of sending men into life-threatening situations to save one man.He said, \\\"I cannot tell you how many veterans came up to me... and said: 'Please be honest about it. Please don't make another Hollywood movie about WWII. Please tell our stories...'\\\" The surviving Niland family was interviewed, and the story was further influenced by other substantial family war losses, including the fiveSullivan brotherskilled during WWII, and the Bixby brothers during theAmerican Civil War; theresulting letterbyAbraham Lincolnis quoted in the film. Spielberg described existing WWII films as \\\"sanitized\\\" and sentimentalized, focused on depicting honor and the glory of service in a manner that was\",\n \"a manner that was \\\"very safe and wholly untrue\\\".He wanted to present the courage of the soldiers in the face of \\\"palpable terror, almost blind terror\\\": I remember one of the telling me the entire charge up the beach was a blur—not a blur to his memory because he still remembered every single grain of sand when he had his face buried in it from that fusillade raining down on them from above. But he described how everything was not in focus for him. He described the sounds, and he described the vibrations of every concussion of every88 shellthat hit the beach, which gave some of them bloody noses, rattled their ears. The ground would come up and slam into their faces from the concussions.\\\" Ambrose served as a historical consultant. He disliked glorified depictions of the Normandy landings that ignored the reality of soldiers slowly dying in mud and water, wanting \\\"their mothers, they wanted morphine. It took a long time.\\\"Spielberg believed the legacy of theVietnam Warhad made his generation less interested in\",\n \"less interested in glorifying combat in film. Even so, he was influenced by early war films such asBattleground(1949),The Steel Helmet(1951), andHell Is for Heroes(1962). Although Rodat's script came close to the ideal WWII project he had hoped for, he believed it had \\\"a few problems\\\".He hiredFrank DarabontandScott Frankto performuncredited script rewrites.The scene begins as the second wave of soldiers arrives on Omaha beach (Darabont's suggestion),so they would be walking into \\\"Hell on Earth\\\" instead of empty beaches.Scott Frank performed rewrites based on transcriptions of Spielberg's recorded ideas and two folders of historical facts about the Normandy landings; these gave Frank ideas but he found it difficult to parse the reality of events into original ideas. The Normandy cemetery scene was based on Spielberg's own experience visiting the area as a youth; he witnessed a family accompanying a man who fell to his knees and began to cry at a grave marker. Casting Spielberg wanted older actors for his main\",\n \"actors for his main cast, claiming that young soldiers would look older than their age under the stresses of war.Miller is the \\\"adult in the story,\\\" intended to project a calmness and feeling of safety that is undermined by the character's uncontrollable handshaking.Spielberg wanted Hanks to play Miller because he was the only actor he thought of who would not \\\"want to use his teeth to pull out a pin from a hand grenade\\\".Hanks formed Miller's character based on the history of the 2nd Ranger Battalion before Omaha Beach, saying he believed Miller was \\\"horribly afraid\\\" of getting more of his men killed.Mel GibsonandHarrison Fordwere considered for the role.Miller's detachment is a diverse group, including a Jew and Italian, reminiscent of earlier WWII films; this was not a deliberate choice, although Spielberg believed he had subconsciously drawn on conventional WWII films.Burns described Reiben as a \\\"wise guy\\\" in the script, but the experience of filming the Omaha Beach landing inspired him to give the\",\n \"him to give the character a \\\"much harder edge\\\".Sizemore was cast inThe Thin Red Line(1998) when Spielberg offered him an alternative role as Horvath, Miller's friend, and confidant.The actor had a history of drug addiction, and Spielberg mandated that he pass regular drug tests to keep his part, or the role would be recast and his scenes re-shot.Describing his character, Sizemore said, \\\"he was a quiet man; he was taciturn; he followed orders, and he loved the captain... if he had a tragic flaw, it was that he didn't know when he had had enough when it was time to say, 'I can't do this anymore.'\\\" Diesel was cast after Spielberg saw his self-starring directorial efforts,Multi-Facial(1995) andStrays(1997). The actor was working as a telemarketer at the time, having struggled to secure acting jobs.Goldberg's role did not exist in the script until his casting.Spielberg wanted a relatively unknown actor to portray Private Ryan. Spielberg visited the set ofGood Will Hunting(1997), andRobin Williamsintroduced him to\",\n \"him to Damon. Spielberg cast him shortly after, believing he possessed a \\\"great American everyboy look,\\\" unaware thatGood Will Hunting's success would significantly raise Damon's profile.Neil Patrick Harriswas considered for the role, andEdward Nortonturned it down forAmerican History X(1998).Pete Postlethwaite,Tony Shalhoub, andGarth Brookswere considered for unspecified roles. At Hanks's and Dye's suggestion, Spielberg had the principal cast take part in a six-dayboot camp, wanting them to experience cold, wet, and exhaustive conditions, like those of WWII soldiers.Overseen by Dye and retired U.S. marines, the actors remained in character while simulating attacks, performing five-mile runs with full backpacks, weapons training, military exercises, and push-ups after making mistakes, on three hours of sleep per night in cold and rainy conditions.The men wanted to quit, but Hanks convinced them otherwise, saying they would regret not following through and the experience would help them understand their\",\n \"understand their characters and motivations.Diesel said, \\\"at that moment we got this huge respect for him in real life, we were all exhausted, we all wanted to leave and here was this guy who was a superstar, who doesn't have to be here, voting to stay\\\".Dye was present throughout filming to remind the actors of their training.Spielberg kept Damon out of the boot camp because he wanted the other actors to resent him and his character. Pre-production The pre-production forSaving Private Ryanwas truncated because Spielberg chose to filmAmistad(1997) immediately after finishing work onThe Lost World: Jurassic Park(1997). CinematographerJanusz Kamińskispent several weeks performing camera tests to define the film's visual aesthetic. The pair considered filmingmonochromaticallyas Spielberg had with his Holocaust film,Schindler's List(1993). However, they considered that this would seem \\\"pretentious,\\\" and were interested in emulating the colored WWII footage from their research. Kamiński let his interpretation of\",\n \"interpretation of the narrative dictate how to light scenes and narrowed down visual styles by identifying which films he did not wantSaving Private Ryanto emulate.He and Spielberg were visually influenced by WWII documentaries, such asMemphis Belle: A Story of a Flying Fortress(1944),The Battle of Midway(1942),Why We Fight(1942–1945), and theNazi propagandafilms ofLeni Riefenstahl. They also looked at various books, paintings, and photographs of the Omaha Beach invasion taken by the war photographerRobert Capa.Kamiński wanted it to look like a major production \\\"shot on by a bunch of combat cameramen\\\". A variety of camera techniques were used to emulate the experience of being on a battlefield: Kamiński removed the protective coating on some lenses, creating a \\\"flatter\\\", degraded image akin to WWII-era cameras, and mismatched lenses when using multiple cameras for an inconsistent result; alternatingshutter anglesand speeds; and desynchronizing the camera shutter which created a \\\"streaking\\\" effect. Kamiński\",\n \"effect. Kamiński considered this a risky option because if it failed there was no way to fix the image in post-production.AClairmont Camera Image Shakervibrated the camera to emulate the effects of a nearby explosion or rolling tank.Spielberg chose to film in1.85:1 aspect ratiobecause he believed it was more lifelike and closer to \\\"the way the human eye really sees,\\\" and foundwidescreen formatsto be artificial. Three months were spent scouting for a location to portray the Normandy coast. The real location was too developed for their needs, and many other French beaches were restricted by military or wildlife use; Spielberg believed officials were difficult because they did not want him filming there.Beaches researched in England and Scotland lacked either the aesthetics or amenities required, such as housing for the crew, and the filmmakers needed a specific depth for the cast to leap from the landing crafts into the water.Associate producer, Kevin De La Noy's earlier work onBraveheart(1995) in Ireland had\",\n \"in Ireland had developed contacts with the Irish Army and knowledge of local beaches. One such location, the 11 km (6.8 mi) long Curracloe Beach, nearCurracloe, County Wexford, offered the desired golden sands and sheer cliffs and nearby amenities.Spielberg selected a 1 km (0.62 mi) segment of the beach, known as Ballinesker.He said, \\\"I was a bit disappointed that the beach we used wasn't as broad as the real Omaha Beach... I tried to use certain wide-angle lenses to extend the length of the flats on the sandy beach before the soldiers reach the shingle. I used wider lenses for geography and tighter lenses for the compression of action.A segment adjacent toBlackwater, also in Wexford, was considered, but the local nuns could not make the land available in time.Service roads were built for vehicles to reach Ballinesker.Production designerThomas E. Sandersled construction of the concrete battlements, bunkers,Czech hedgehogs, and barbed wire, much of which was made by local metalworkers.Over eleven weeks were\",\n \"eleven weeks were spent preparing Ballinesker for filming.A storm destroyed some of the props just before filming, but they were rebuilt overnight.The main crew arrived on location on June 25, 1997. Filming in Ireland Principal photographybegan on June 27, 1997.Filming completed up to 50 shots per day. Spielberg wanted the actors to get little rest, \\\"A war is fought fast, and I really wanted to keep all of the actors off-balance. I didn't want them to be able to read 75 pages of a novel... I wanted to work fast enough so that they always felt as if they were in combat... I had to keep them on the set, which meant shooting the film even faster than I normally do. War doesn't give you a break.\\\"Saving Private Ryanwas shot almost entirely in continuity order, although some of the crew found this \\\"a mentally demoralizing experience\\\" because the cast started together and left as their characters died. The Omaha Beach battle was filmed over three to four weeks, for $12million.The scene involved about 1,500 people\",\n \"about 1,500 people including 400 crew, 1,000 volunteerreserveandIrish armysoldiers, and dozens of extras and about 30 amputees and paraplegics fitted with prosthetic limbs to portray disfigured soldiers.Their numbers were supplemented with over one thousand detailed mannequins.The extras were divided into platoons with a designated leader, allowing Dye to control their action via four different radios with aid from threenon-commissioned officers.Costume designerJoanna Johnstoncontracted an American company responsible for making boots for soldiers during WWII to create about 2,000 pairs, using the last batch of dye from that period.Soldiers in the ocean wore wet suits beneath their uniforms to minimize hypothermia.ArmorerSimon Atherton was responsible for supplying authentic weapons. TwoHiggins Boatsused in the landings were used in the scene; additional boats from the 1950s were brought from California, Donegal, and Southampton.Hanks recalled: The first day of shooting... I was in the back of the landing\",\n \"back of the landing craft, and that ramp went down and I saw the first 1-2-3-4 rows of guys just getting blown to bits. In my head, of course, I knew it was special effects, but I still wasn't prepared for how tactile it was. The air literally went pink and the noise was deafening and there's bits and pieces of stuff falling all on top of you and it was horrifying.\\\" Soldiers vomiting from the boats was achieved usingmilk of magnesia.Acrane shotmoving from beneath the ocean surface to above the battlefield was achieved by placing the crane on a flatbed trailer and reversing it into the sea. The Omaha Beach sequence was extensively choreographed by stunt coordinatorSimon Crane, withsquibsand explosives managed byNeil Corbould. The only serious accident resulted when an extra's foot was run over by a car.Thousands of gallons of fake blood were used, mainly to turn the ocean and shoreline red.Based on his interviews with veterans, Spielberg had dead fish strewn in the water and around the battlefield, as well as\",\n \"as well as floating a Bible on the surface.Bullet impacts were emulated using air pipes concealed beneath the sand and ocean surface.Drums of diesel fuel were burned to create black smoke, while a series of pickup trucks carried systems to disperse white smoke. During filming, the weather was cold, rainy, and overcast; Kamiński said this matched the weather during the Normandy landings, enhancing the film's accuracy.Artificial light was used sparingly apart from on the boats to highlight the actors' eyes under their helmets.Spielberg had the camera stay close to the ground to appear as if it was the view of a soldier avoiding getting shot or a combat cameraman. He intended for the audience to feel like they were a part of the battle rather than watching.Most ofSaving Private Ryanwas filmed with handheld cameras. This was physically demanding on camera operator Mitch Dubin andSteadicamoperator Chris Haarhoff due to both proximity to the ground and movement through exploding scenery. The camera was close\",\n \"camera was close enough that fake blood, water, and sand would stick to the camera lens, but the filmmakers believed this made the footage more authentic. Kamiński considered the extensive setup of explosives, smoke, and choreography of over a thousand characters to be demanding as it could take half a day to reset if something went wrong, but the majority of scenes in the sequence were captured in less than four takes, using up to three cameras simultaneously. Spielberg said, \\\"I rarely walked away from a scene until I got what I wanted, and I'd say that I got what I wanted from those complex setups about 80 percent of the time.\\\"He reviewed each day's footage nightly in a local parish hall.The production crew remained after filming to restore the beach to its original state over the following month, per an ecological protection order. Filming in England and France Filming relocated to theHatfield Aerodromein Hertfordshire, England, at the end of August, for the remaining scenes and the battle of\",\n \"and the battle of Ramelle.French towns and rivers were scouted where a partial set could be built, but this was discarded over environmental concerns of filming contaminating the water. Instead, Sanders and his team built the fictional Ramelle on the grounds of the Aerodrome, based on five towns where fighting took place. Nearly threecity blockslong, the set included fully built buildings, facades, and a custom built, 900 ft (270 m) long river. The river was lined because they \\\"had to control the height of the water very carefully\\\". Explosives were used to create bomb craters and damage around Ramelle. Though the battle involved fewer extras than the Omaha Beach scene, several weeks were spent developing the complex choreography based on a battle plan devised by Dye.Spielberg did notstoryboardSaving Private Ryanbecause he wanted to position the camera spontaneously in reaction to what was taking place in each scene and he often relied on Dye and other WWII consultants for advice on staging the combat\",\n \"staging the combat scenes.Dale also advised on technical aspects of weapons; where Spielberg wanted to use larger explosions typically found in Hollywood action films, Dye would generally advise him to \\\"go half that size, they were never that big\\\".The production was estimated to have spent about £8million in the local area. Spielberg's spontaneous approach carried into other aspects; about halfway through filming, he decided to depict the remainder of the film from Upham's perspective, believing he represented the audience's inexperience of war.Goldberg's character was only going to be shot dead until Dye suggested a hand-to-hand combat sequence on the day of filming, leading Mellish to be stabbed through the heart.A separate scene of Ryan talking about his brothers was ad-libbed by Damon. The German machine-gun nest and following ambush of a half-track vehicle were filmed on the grounds ofThame Park, Thame, inOxfordshire; the chapel interior where Miller's men rest was filmed in the Thame Park chapel.The\",\n \"Park chapel.The Iowa cornfields where Ryan's mother lives in a house built for filming was set nearWest Kennet, Wiltshire.The American war office was filmed in the Hatfield Aerodrome. Kamiński wanted scenes in America to be more colorful and a relief from the muted tones of the combat scenes, so he positioned very bright lighting outside the windows.Scenes featuring the elderly Ryan were filmed at theNormandy American Cemetery and MemorialinColleville-sur-Mer, France, adjacent to Omaha Beach. Filming concluded ahead of schedule on September 13, 1997, after 12 weeks, with the French church interior scenes.The estimated total budget was $65–$70million. Post-production Kamiński chose to render his footage usingTechnicolor's proprietary ENR process (similar to ableach bypass) which retained more silver in thefilm stockand produced deeper blacks. He used \\\"70 percent ENR\\\" for a desaturated image which added a blue hue. Concerned this change would make the fake blood appear inauthentic, the effects department mixed\",\n \"department mixed blue coloring into it, giving it a dark red appearance.Visual-effects studioIndustrial Light & Magicprovided digital enhancements; many bullet wounds and blood splatter werecomputer-generated imagery. Michael Kahnedited the final 170-minute cut.Spielberg said that Kahn's style was intended to defy audience expectations and not make every scene or transition clear.Some scenes were cut because of their graphic imagery, such as Miller's unit encounter with burnt out tanks with charred bodies. Mellish's death was also trimmed, removing parts where the character screams in pain, after Spielberg's projectionist said \\\"It's too painful to watch.\\\" Spielberg said his movie had to be \\\"ugly\\\", but was worried the violent content could be seen as exploitative and earn it a restrictiveNC-17rating from theMotion Picture Association of America, restricting it to audiences over 17 years of age.He anticipated that the \\\"historical importance\\\" of the content would be taken into consideration; it received anR\",\n \"it received anR rating, meaning children could watch when accompanied by an adult. Music A long-time Spielberg collaborator, composerJohn Williams, produced the score.Spielberg chose little music accompaniment, wanting the sounds of battle and death to be prominent. Using aspottingprocess, he and Williams watched a rough cut of the film to agree on which scenes would feature music.Williams deliberately avoided \\\"anything grandiose or operatic\\\".Williams recorded the 55-minute score over three days atSymphony Hallin Boston, with theBoston Symphony Orchestraand vocals by theTanglewood Festival Chorus.The recording cost about $100,000 per hour.Spielberg chose the Orchestra: \\\"This is a movie about a company of soldiers, and it seemed appropriate to use an experienced company of musicians who are all virtuosos. Also we really wanted the sound of this room, Symphony Hall. On a soundstage you can get acoustically correct sound, but you don't hear the air. Here you get a rich, warm sound off the walls and ceiling, and\",\n \"and ceiling, and you do hear the air; Symphony Hall is an instrument too.\\\" Release Context The 1998 summer theatrical season began in early May withDeep Impact, a surprise box office hit that studios saw as a positive indicator for their upcoming 100 film releases.GodzillaandArmageddonwere expected to be the biggest successes, while industry executives were hopeful for smaller budget films (costing less than $60million) likeSmall Soldiers,The Negotiator,The Parent Trap, andThere's Something About Maryto become sleeper hits. Fewer sequels and less escapist entertainment were scheduled for release, and more films were targeted toward older audiences.Saving Private Ryanwas highly anticipated but analysis suggested the film faced commercial limitations because of its long runtime, restricting the number of times it could be screened daily, and its violent content.DreamWorks' marketing chief Terry Press said it was risky to release a serious drama in the summer, a time generally reserved for family and escapist\",\n \"family and escapist entertainment, but this was offset by Spielberg and Hanks's popularity.A screening for DreamWorks and Paramount executives was highly praised,but Spielberg had low expectations, believing the film was too violent to attract broad audiences. Box office The film premiered on July 21, 1998. The event was a low-profile affair without a party or many celebrities; Press said of the premiere, \\\"it would have been inappropriate\\\".Saving Private Ryanwas released in the United States and Canada on July 24, 1998.During its opening weekend, it earned $30.6million across 2,463 theaters—an average of $12,414 per theater.This figure made it the number-one film of the weekend, ahead ofThe Mask of Zorro($13.4million) in its second weekend,Lethal Weapon 4($13.1million) in its third, andThere's Something About Mary($12.5million), also in its second.The audience was split evenly between women and men, and skewed towards those aged over 25.The New York Timesdescribed it as unusual for a near-three-hour-long\",\n \"drama to perform so well on its opening weekend, crediting positive reviews. DreamWorks believed the box-office figure would have been higher if not for a delay in film prints arriving in hundreds of theaters across California and Arizona until late in the afternoon. In its second weekend,Saving Private Ryanremained the number-one film, with $23.6million, ahead of the debutingThe Parent Trap($11.1million) andThere's Something About Mary($10.9million) in its third.Saving Private Ryanretained the number-one position in its third weekend with ($17.4million), ahead of the debuts ofSnake Eyes($16.3million) andHalloween H20: 20 Years Later($16.1million), and its fourth with $13.2million, ahead of the debuts ofHow Stella Got Her Groove Back($11.3million) andThe Avengers($10.3million).In its fifth weekend,Saving Private Ryanfell to number2 with $10.1million, behind the debut ofBlade($17.1million).Without regaining the number1 position, it ranked among the top ten for 12 weeks.By the end of its theatrical run,Saving\",\n \"run,Saving Private Ryanearned a total box-office gross of $216.5million, making it the highest-grossing film of the year, ahead ofArmageddon($201.6million) andThere's Something About Mary($176.5million).This also made it only the third R-rated film to earn more than $200million, after 1984'sBeverly Hills Cop($235million) and 1991'sTerminator 2: Judgment Day($205million). Outside of the U.S. and Canada,Saving Private Ryanis estimated to have earned a further $265.3million. This gave the film a cumulative worldwide gross of $481.8million, making it the second-highest-grossing film of 1998, behindArmageddon($553.7million). Saving Private Ryanwas seen as the biggest success of the theatrical summer.The New York Timeswrote that the success of a \\\"prestige film\\\" during a time of blockbuster entertainment with broad appeal was evidence that audiences were accepting of serious dramas alongside action films, such asArmageddonandGodzilla, and \\\"gross-out comedy\\\" likeThere's Something About Mary. The publication wrote\",\n \"publication wrote that the popularity ofSaving Private Ryanwas, in part, because it depicted a \\\"nobler, cleaner era\\\" promoting values of heroism and \\\"patriotic duty\\\".The 1998 box office broke records with over $7billion earned. Despite expectations, the biggest successes had relatively modest budgets, such asSaving Private Ryan,There's Something About Mary,Rush Hour, andThe Waterboy, while the anticipated blockbusters, such asGodzillaandArmageddon, were so expensive to make that they were less profitable.Re-releases ofSaving Private Ryanhave raised the box office to $482.3million.Spielberg's and Hanks's pay agreement earned them an estimated $30–$40 million each of the box office. Reception Critical response Saving Private Ryanreceived critical acclaim,and audiences polled byCinemaScoregave the film an average grade of \\\"A\\\" on an A+ to F scale.Critics generally agreed thatSaving Private Ryanpresented the grim and brutal reality of the \\\"Good War\\\" in a way previously unseen on film.Writing for theLos Angeles\",\n \"for theLos Angeles Times,Kenneth Turandescribed the film as darker and more pessimistic than any of Spielberg's previous works, dispelling the mythos of WWII as staunchly good heroes fighting against evil forces, to depict the reality of combat where, \\\"American soldiers mock virtue and shoot surrendering Germans, where decent and altruistic actions tend to be fatal, where death is random, stupid and redeems hardly anything at all\\\".Some reviewers said this exploration of the limitations of morality in combat asked audiences to consider that the lives lost during the conflict were as valuable as those saved by their sacrifices. Writing for theChicago Tribune,Gene Siskellauded the film's ability to discuss the \\\"brutality and madness\\\" of war while \\\"believably\\\" celebrating the sacrifices and courage of those fighting it.Salon.com's Gary Kamiya concluded, \\\"it will forever change the way people imagine the most important event in 20th century history. That is no small achievement.\\\"InThe New York Times,Stephen\",\n \"York Times,Stephen Holdensaid \\\"it's a safe bet thatSaving Private Ryan, a powerful but flawed movie, will be revered as a classic decades hence.\\\" Many reviewers focused on the film's two major combat sequences, particularly the opening on Omaha Beach.Focus was on the \\\"horrifying,\\\" \\\"visceral,\\\" \\\"brutal,\\\" \\\"shocking,\\\" and \\\"fierce\\\" violence present in the opening battle, described byEntertainment Weekly'sOwen GleibermanandTime'sRichard Schickelas one of the most revolutionary film sequences ever made.Roger Ebertof theChicago Sun-Timesand Schickel compared it with the energy and dread of similar scenes in the Vietnam war filmPlatoon(1986), but with a grander scope depicting masses of men killing each other from afar, drawing the \\\"horror\\\" out of a lengthy, sustained sequence, without the audience being allowed to become desensitized.Some reviewers believed that the scene was so impactful and thought-provoking that it overshadowed the rest of the film.Although there was some criticism toward the realistic violence\",\n \"realistic violence and gore, Turan believed it was done purposely and dispassionately, conveying the chaos and despair experienced by the soldiers, and not done for the sake of entertainment.Spielberg rejected this criticism, affirming he wanted the audience to understand what real combat was like and what the soldiers experienced, not observe it from afar as spectators.Some reviewers believed the concluding battle in Ramelle was more violent than Omaha Beach, particularly the slow death of Mellish as he is stabbed through the chest.The New York Observer'sAndrew Sarriscriticized the \\\"pornography of violence and cruelty\\\" depicted in severed limbs and rivers of blood. Turan andJonathan Rosenbaumfound that, outside of the combat, the script was effective but uninspired and derivative of war films by other directors, such asOliver Stone,Stanley Kubrick, andFrancis Ford Coppola.Others criticized \\\"manipulative\\\" oversentimentality, particularly in the modern dayframing devicefeaturing the elderly Ryan.Even so,\",\n \"Ryan.Even so, Kamiya described it as \\\"enormously moving, it serves as a kind of redemption, a necessary if eternally fragile answer to the hell he witnessed\\\". Hanks's performance was generally praised, with some reviewers calling it the best of his career to date.Many reviewers agreed that hiseverymanpersona allowed him to portray Miller with a gentle weariness, empathy, and vulnerability beneath a surface of strength and decency, but also cynicism toward the war.Ebert and Schickel wrote that he offered a quiet reserve \\\"hinting at unspoken competencies\\\" that convince his men and the audience to follow along with him.Turan believed that Hanks's \\\"indelible\\\" performance represented how the audience would hope to be when confronted by the same situations.The other main cast also generally received positive reviews, particularly Davies, with Ebert saying that his transformation from inexperienced interpreter to soldier was the conclusion to \\\"Spielberg's unspoken philosophical argument\\\".Gleiberman and Turan also\",\n \"and Turan also highlighted the performances of Pepper, Ribisi, and Sizemore, who Turan believed delivered his career's \\\"best, most controlled\\\" performance.Ebert praised the cast for not devolving into cliché or \\\"zany\\\" archetypes and effectively portraying the bonds between them.However, Kamiya wrote that Damon's performance was \\\"jarring\\\", believing both his more cinematic aesthetic and speech about his brothers to be artificial. The review concluded that Ryan was not very compelling, which made it difficult to care about the mission to save him. Accolades At the56th Golden Globe Awardsin 1999,Saving Private RyanwonBest DramaandBest Director(Spielberg), and was nominated forBest Drama Actor(Hanks),Best Original Score(Williams), andBest Screenplay(Rodat).At the71st Academy Awards,Saving Private RyanwonBest Director(Spielberg),Best Cinematography(Kamiński),Best Film Editing(Kahn),Best Sound(Gary Rydstrom,Gary Summers,Andy Nelson,Ronald Judkins), andBest Sound Effects Editing(Rydstrom and Richard Hymns) while it\",\n \"Hymns) while it was nominated forBest Actor(Hanks),Best Original Screenplay(Rodat),Best Music(Williams),Best Production Design(Sanders andLisa Dean Kavanaugh), andBest Makeup(Lois Burwell,Conor O'Sullivan,Daniel C. Striepeke).Saving Private Ryan's unexpected loss ofBest PicturetoShakespeare in Loveis seen as one of the biggest upsets in the awards history and led to DreamWorks executives accusing its producers,Miramax, of \\\"overly aggressive campaigning\\\".A 2015 poll of Academy voters suggested that, given another opportunity, they would have votedSaving Private Ryanas Best Picture. At the52nd British Academy Film Awards,Saving Private RyanwonBest Special EffectsandBest Sound, and was nominated forBest Film,Best Direction(Spielberg), andBest Actor(Hanks).At the25th Saturn Awards, it wonBest Action, Adventure, or Thriller Film.The3rd Golden Satellite Awardsalso earned the filmBest Editing(Kahn), and a nomination forBest Supporting Actor(Sizemore),as well asBest Director(Spielberg) andBest Actor(Hanks) at\",\n \"Actor(Hanks) at theEmpire Awards. Saving Private Ryanalso won awards for Outstanding Directorial Achievement (Directors Guild of America, Spielberg),Motion Picture Producer of the Year (PGA Awards, Spielberg, Bryce, Gordon, and Levinsohn),Best Casting (Casting Society of America, Denise Chamian),Best Instrumental Composition Written for a Motion Picture (Grammy Awards, Williams),Best Sound Editing for Dialogue (Motion Picture Sound Editors, Hymns, Rydstrom, Sandina Bailo-Lape, Ethan Van der Ryn, Teresa Eckton, Frank Eulner Karen Wilson, Larry Oatfield, and Bruce Lacey), and Sound Effects (Hymns, Rydstrom, Gwendolyn Yates Whittle, Larry Singer, Ewa Sztompke Oatfield, Sara Bolder, Denise Whiting, and Thomas Whiting)and Best of Show - Audiovisual (Key Art Awards).In 2014, the United StatesLibrary of CongressselectedSaving Private Ryanto be preserved in theNational Film Registryas \\\"culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant\\\". Post-release Historical accuracy and veteran responses Several publications\",\n \"publications highlighted the accuracy of the Omaha Beach assault, down to the sound of gunfire, although some errors were noted, such as bullets killing soldiers underwater, the absence of Britishcoxswainssteering the boats, and the battle's truncated duration.Historical curator John Delaney said: It's accurate for that unit on that bit of that beach on that day... but you can't say, 'That's what D-Day was like', because it wasn't. Omaha beach is about three and a half miles long. What's happening at one end of the beach isn't what's happening at the other end. Discussing the core narrative, Ambrose said, \\\"It's a stretch that they would send eight soldiers, but it could have been hard to find him... the paratroopers were scattered everywhere.\\\" Many World War II veterans described the opening ofSaving Private Ryanas depicting the most realistic representation of combat. Another veteran, interviewed byTime, said \\\"I remember when I walked out into the lobby of the moviehouse, not a single person coming out of\",\n \"coming out of that showing said one word... everybody was stunned by it... It just brought back so many memories.\\\"There were various reports of some veterans being unable to finish watchingSaving Private Ryanbecause of the memories it brought back.TheUnited States Department of Veterans Affairscreated a dedicated phoneline for viewers affected by the film, and more veterans visited counselors forpost traumatic stress disorder. The rest of the film is less historically accurate. Fictitious elements include the nonexistent town of Ramelle, the battle associated with it, certain military tactical errors (included for dramatic effect), much of the dialogue, and some of the methods used to locate Ryan.Total Filmand some non U.S. veterans were critical of the lack of other Allied forces throughout the film.British broadcasterChannel 4said that these critics had missed the point of the film, in that it was \\\"unashamedly an American story\\\". Home media Saving Private Ryanwas released onVHSin May 1999.It became the\",\n \"1999.It became the most successful rental debut of its time, earning $9.6million in its first week and $44million by July 1999.A limited edition two-VHS version was released in November 1999, adding a making-of documentary, as well as a message from Spielberg about D-Day and theNational D-Day Museum. ADVDwas released alongside the limited edition VHS, with the same extras.A two-disc Special Collector's Edition DVD set was released in May 2004 to coincide with the 60th anniversary of D-Day.This edition included additional content, includingbehind-the-scenescontent recorded during filming. Spielberg discussed his interest in WWII, the Niland brothers, the story and character development, the cast's boot camp experience, the involvement of the Irish army and locations, the recreation of Omaha Beach, the music, sound effects, and a farewell from Spielberg.This was released alongside a four-disc deluxe \\\"The World War II Collection\\\" DVD package that included a collectible book and two documentaries:Price for\",\n \"for Peace(directed byJames Moll) about the use of dogs in WWII, andShooting War(directed by Richard Schickel) about combat photographers, with narration by Hanks. Saving Private Ryanwas released as a two-discBlu-rayin May 2010, including all previously released special features apart fromPrice for Peace.Paramount Home Entertainmentissued a recall of the Blu-rays after discovering that some versions featured an audio synchronization issue. The defect was fixed in versions re-released later that month.For the film's 20th anniversary in 2018, a three-disc \\\"Commemorative 20th Anniversary\\\" Blu-ray set was released, including a4K Ultra HD Blu-rayand all previously released features. Other media A novelization, written byMax Allan Collinsand Rodat, was released alongside the film.Saving Private Ryan: The Men, the Mission, the Movie : A Film by Steven Spielbergwas also released in 1998. It features illustrations, color plates, extracts from the screenplay and Ambrose's works, as well as commentary by crew including\",\n \"by crew including Spielberg, Hanks, and Damon. Thematic analysis Patriotism Leading into the early 21st century, there was renewed focus in America on glorifying the generation that had fought in WWII, depicted in films such asSaving Private RyanandThe Thin Red Line, the miniseriesBand of Brothers(2001), books such asThe Greatest Generation(1998), and construction of aWorld War II Memorialin Washington, D.C.Many publications believed this resurgence of interest in the war to be a response to decades of American cynicism toward the nation'sfailure in the Vietnam War(1955–1975), and anticlimactic victories in theColdandGulf Warsthat resulted in little diplomatic success or celebration. Many films about the Vietnam War depicted its American combatants as self-hating, \\\"deeply troubled, or even psychotic,\\\" offered little respect, and portrayed the conflict itself as one mired in dread, anxiety, and general negativity.Literature professor Marzena Sokołowska-Paryż said the worship of WWII as \\\"the last Good War\\\" and\",\n \"last Good War\\\" and its veterans as \\\"thegreatest generation\\\" represented a \\\"therapeutic patriotism\\\" designed to rehabilitate the modern image of combatants as the enduring legacy of WWII soldiers and the core American national identity while forgetting any lingering guilt over the Vietnam War.Film scholar Albert Auster described this reappraisal as a reversal of attitudes up to the early 1990s where historical wars, including WWII, were not beyond criticism and, particularly in response to the Vietnam War, literary critics aimed to undo the impression of WWII as the \\\"Good War\\\".Saving Private Ryanis American-centric, beginning and ending with an image of the nation's flag fluttering in the wind, a desaturated image suggesting a nostalgic image of \\\"the deep pride we once felt in our flag\\\".Stephen Holden described it as \\\"a wholehearted celebration of American pluck and virtue and honor\\\". Holden and Ebert disagreed with the view of some critics thatSaving Private Ryan's \\\"harrowing\\\" and realistic combat scenes\",\n \"combat scenes were astatement against war. They wrote that it accepts war as a necessity and portrays its main characters not as symbols, but as real people trying to kill the enemy without getting themselves killed.The scenes of the elderly Ryan visiting Miller's grave with his family received some criticism.AuthorJohn Biguenetqueried how such a \\\"savage and unsentimental film\\\" could conclude with a scene so sentimentalized. Spielberg said in making the film he was meant to \\\"wave the flag and be patriotic,\\\" but that the reality of his father's experiences made him want to also convey the harsh reality.The Omaha Beach landing establishes the distance between the commanders safe at home who order Ryan be rescued, and the soldiers endangered in doing so.It is a sentimental mission intended to spare one family the grief of losing all of its sons, but Miller refers to it as a public relations scheme designed to boost civilian morale.General Marshall quotes a letter by Abraham Lincoln to a similarly affected\",\n \"similarly affected family, but where Lincoln's letter expresses sentiment and patriotic sacrifice to the mother, it is not sentimental nor does it claim that her grief is greater than any other mother who lost her child at war.Biguenet said Marshall, in comparison, confuses sentimentality for morality. Despite the patriotic American imagery, the characters ofSaving Private Ryando not discuss their home country or protecting democracy fromfascism. The soldiers are only concerned with returning home to their loved ones. Miller's men openly state that they do not care about Ryan, but Miller says that he will go into metaphorical Hell to save him, if it means Miller can return to his wife. The soldiers actively fighting are not sentimental about their mission. Turan and Biguenet saidSaving Private Ryan\\\"feels like an official act of atonement\\\" for modern generations failing to acknowledge the \\\"courage and sacrifice\\\" of WWII soldiers. When Miller tells Ryan to \\\"earn this,\\\" he is effectively speaking about the debt\",\n \"about the debt owed to veterans who made \\\"the ultimate sacrifice\\\" for their country.Biguenet called this a \\\"terrible, impossible order\\\", a moral burden that Ryan will carry until his own death because there is no way to compensate the high price paid by Miller's men. Spielberg suggested the answer was in the living paying homage to the fallen soldiers and the freedom for which they fought.History professor John Bodnar described the image of the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial as depicting a national unity with row after row of white grave markers, serving as a permanent reminder \\\"to other nations of the sacrifices made by the United States\\\". Morality and humanity Unlike some older WWII films that portrayed the soldiers as infallible heroes,Saving Private Ryanpresents battles fought by brave but frightened civilians, the majority of whom at Omaha Beach were not combat veterans.Ebert believed much of the audience, including himself, would identify with Upham, someone completely unprepared for the\",\n \"unprepared for the realities of war but who must fight regardless.Miller is the opposite: an experienced soldier who is scared and anxious because he knows exactly what to expect and is haunted by his responsibility for the lives of his men.Although 94 men have died under his command, Miller rationalizes that he can prioritize his mission over his men because each sacrifice was responsible for saving many more lives. However, his mission to rescue Ryan demands he risk the lives of several men to save just one.Turan said Miller's trembling hands were a sign that he is \\\"dangerously close to coming apart\\\".Far Outmagazine wrote that the focus on Miller's ailment acknowledges the side effects of war such as post-traumatic stress disorder, something he suppresses to fulfil his duty. Spielberg said the mission to rescue Ryan cannot be morally or patriotically justified, risking eight lives to save one. This theme is reinforced when they encounter the sole survivor of a glider crash caused by heavy steel shielding\",\n \"steel shielding added to protect a single general on board, resulting in 22 deaths. No character claims that the mission of Miller and his men is heroic, and the men express the grief their own mothers will feel should they be killed on this endeavor. The \\\"toughest\\\" soldier, Horvath, gives it meaning when he tells Miller that saving Ryan could be the one decent thing they can accomplish in \\\"this whole godawful, shitty mess\\\". Biguenet said that Spielberg is explicitly condemning their mission as an immoral act to force upon soldiers.Ebert considered the decision to deviate from the mission to attack the German gun nest on the way to Ramelle to be a deliberate rebellion against their orders. The action is not part of their mission and it is possible to avoid the situation entirely, but it grants the soldiers the opportunity to do what they came to Europe for: to fight a war.Hanks said the decision to stay with Ryan and defend Ramelle was the characters \\\"bringing meaning to a situation that until then had been\",\n \"until then had been absurd\\\". While film critic Andrew Sarris found the German characters to match evil archetypes found in other WWII films, concluding with Upham's lesson that Steamboat Willie should have been killed earlier,Saving Private Ryandoes not portray the Allied soldiers as unimpeachable heroes.Following Omaha Beach, two Allied soldiers laugh as they execute two pleading German soldiers, but the soldiers are speaking Czech, indicating they are potentially from German-conquered Czechoslovakia, forcibly conscripted into the war effort.Biguenet wrote that the Germans are not portrayed as any worse than the Americans, as they are similarly affected by the horrors of war and casually execute downed American soldiers. InSaving Private Ryan, allegiances do not matter, all men are equal, and rules only matter until they conflict with the mission objective. Upham's transformation from cowardly interpreter to Willie's executioner shows the transformative realities of combat.Professor William J. Prior and\",\n \"J. Prior and Auster wrote that Upham represents respect for human life and moral decency when he interferes to prevent Steamboat Willie's execution, despite the fact that it would protect the mission. He offers the intellectual perspective of a civilian, but his lack of combat experience makes him unable to kill the prisoner, which results in the deaths of many of his allies.Miller's experience means he is conscious of the risk involved in releasing Willie, but he is simultaneously struggling to cling to his own humanity and decency, believing that every time he kills he is moving \\\"farther from home\\\". Although Willie is the enemy, he is also a human with his own right to exist, and summarily executing him would further distance Miller from the self he and his wife knew.His decision to spare Willie and reveal his civilian background, returns to him a semblance of his humanity. Legacy Cultural influence Saving Private Ryanwas credited with renewing interest in World War II leading into the 21st century.NBC\",\n \"21st century.NBC Newswrote that in presenting audiences with its \\\"stomach-churning violence and soul-shaking intensity of that pivotal chapter in the war\\\", the film had reshaped the United States' \\\"cultural memory\\\".It is regarded as one of the most accurate and realistic war films ever made, particularly for the opening Omaha Beach battle.Film historian Steven Jay Rubin said, \\\"It was a game-changer... it was devastatingly dramatic, visceral, immersive. I didn't touch my popcorn because it felt sacrilegious to eat while I'm watching it.\\\"Even so, director and Vietnam War veteran Oliver Stone claimed thatSaving Private Ryandepicted a \\\"worship\\\" of WWII as \\\"the good war\\\" that, alongside films such asGladiator(2000) andBlack Hawk Down, made audiences more in favor of war: \\\"By the time of theIraq War, we were ready to go back.\\\"American academicPaul Fussellsimilarly decriedSaving Private Ryanfor providing an \\\"honest, harrowing, 15-minute opening\\\" of Omaha Beach before descending into more broadly acceptable\",\n \"broadly acceptable action-adventure fare. He said, \\\"Its genre was pure cowboys and Indians, with the virtuous cowboys of course victorious.\\\" The film is considered to have had a lasting influence on filmmaking, particularly its opening battle scenes.Vanity Fairwrote, \\\"no films about combat made since would look the way they do without the de-saturated, handheld, blood-splatters-and-all horror of cinema that is this extended sequence... it's a terrifying scene, either honorable or exploitative in its all vérité, depending on whom you ask. Regardless of any moral assessment, it's easily one of the most aped and referenced scenes of the late 20th century.\\\"Saving Private Ryanwas named by other directors as an influence, such asQuentin Tarantino(Inglourious Basterds, 2009),Christopher Nolan(Dunkirk, 2017), andRobert Altman.TheLos Angeles Timeswrote thatSaving Private Ryan's stylistic choices, such as placing the audience close to the on-screen action, can be seen in war and action media that followed. This\",\n \"that followed. This includes films such asGladiator(2000),Enemy at the Gates,Pearl Harbor(both 2001),Flags of Our Fathers(2006), andHacksaw Ridge(2016), the \\\"psychological anguish\\\" ofAmerican Sniper(2014), and modern superhero films.This influence extends to television, with shows such asGame of Thrones(\\\"The Spoils of War\\\", 2017) andThe Pacific(2010).Saving Private Ryanis also seen as an influence on video games.Spielberg and DreamWorks developedMedal of Honor(1999) to translate the realism and setting ofSaving Private Ryan. Its success launched aseries ofMedal of Honorgames, which, in turn, contributed to the creation of theCall of Dutyseries. Modern reception Saving Private Ryanis considered one of thegreatest war films ever made.In a 2018 interview, Spielberg said, \\\"I didn't anticipate the success of the movie... in very early screenings, certain associates and other people in my life were saying that I made it too tough. I feared that almost nobody would see it because the word of mouth would spread\",\n \"mouth would spread quickly after the first 25 minutes.\\\" In 2007, theAmerican Film Institute(AFI) listedSaving Private Ryanas71st-greatest American film.The AFI listed it among the mostthrilling,inspiring, andepicAmerican films.A 2014 poll of 2,120 entertainment industry professionals byThe Hollywood ReporterrankedSaving Private Ryanas the 46th-best film.Publications such asParadeandVarietynamed it one of the greatest films of all time.Saving Private Ryanis included in the 2013 film reference book1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die,and it is listed onRotten Tomatoes' 300 essential movies.The film is generally considered to be among the best of Spielberg's works,and of Hanks's credits. On Rotten Tomatoes, the film holds a 94% approval rating across 149 critics, with an average score of 8.7/10. The consensus reads; \\\"Anchored by another winning performance from Tom Hanks, Steven Spielberg's unflinchingly realistic war film virtually redefines the genre.\\\"The film has a score of 91 out of 100 onMetacritic,\",\n \"100 onMetacritic, based on 38 critics, indicating \\\"universal acclaim\\\".Saving Private Ryanhas remained popular with audiences, with reader and viewer-ranked polling listing it as one of the greatest war films,among the greatest films of the 1990s, and the greatest films of all time. Notes References Citations Works cited External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":277,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Who was the Argentinian president who resigned from the position the same year the José Martín Olaeta Stadium was inaugurated?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Pedro Ramírez"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Jos%C3%A9_Mart%C3%ADn_Olaeta"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1944_in_Argentina"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Jos%C3%A9_Mart%C3%ADn_Olaeta', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1944_in_Argentina']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Jos%C3%A9_Mart%C3%ADn_Olaeta","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1944_in_Argentina"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Jos%C3%A9_Mart%C3%ADn_Olaeta\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1944_in_Argentina\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Estadio José Martín Olaeta Estadio José Martín Olaetais afootballstadiumlocated in the city ofRosarioofSanta Fe Province,Argentina. The stadium is owned and operated byC.A. Argentino. It has a capacity of 8,500 spectators and was inaugurated in 1944. The stadium was named after José Martín Olaeta, president of the club what promoted Argentino's affiliation toArgentine Football Association(AFA) in 1944,as part of being behind the construction of the venue. It has two grandstands, one cement-built and another wooden-built.Olaeta is regarded as the most important executive in club's history. It was declared \"City of Rosario Heritage Site\" in 2012. The statement said \"the stadium's heritage value is not its architectural style but what this means for its neighbors and club members\". History The first Club Argentino stadium was located on Boulevard Avellaneda and Gorriti streets, inBarrio Refinería, then moving to Gorriti and Iguazú street inBarrio Industrial. When the institution requested affiliation to AFA in 1943, the observers requested the club to build a grandstand to fulfil the AFA's regulations for official competitions. Club executives decided to buy one of the boundaries lands to make the refurbishments requested. As the land's owner refused to sell his property, Olaeta (then president of the club) decided to acquire a land in the north side of the city, on Víctor Mercante street, where the stadium was finally built, and affiliation was accepted by the AFA. Club Atlético Argentino made their debut in tournaments organised by AFA in the 1944Torneo de Ascenso(then the second division of Argentine football)playing its first match vsAll Boys, on 15 April 1944, which was also the first match held in Estadio Olaeta. References","Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/1944_in_Argentina (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b935ae4d0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))"],"string":"[\n \"Estadio José Martín Olaeta Estadio José Martín Olaetais afootballstadiumlocated in the city ofRosarioofSanta Fe Province,Argentina. The stadium is owned and operated byC.A. Argentino. It has a capacity of 8,500 spectators and was inaugurated in 1944. The stadium was named after José Martín Olaeta, president of the club what promoted Argentino's affiliation toArgentine Football Association(AFA) in 1944,as part of being behind the construction of the venue. It has two grandstands, one cement-built and another wooden-built.Olaeta is regarded as the most important executive in club's history. It was declared \\\"City of Rosario Heritage Site\\\" in 2012. The statement said \\\"the stadium's heritage value is not its architectural style but what this means for its neighbors and club members\\\". History The first Club Argentino stadium was located on Boulevard Avellaneda and Gorriti streets, inBarrio Refinería, then moving to Gorriti and Iguazú street inBarrio Industrial. When the institution requested affiliation to AFA in 1943, the observers requested the club to build a grandstand to fulfil the AFA's regulations for official competitions. Club executives decided to buy one of the boundaries lands to make the refurbishments requested. As the land's owner refused to sell his property, Olaeta (then president of the club) decided to acquire a land in the north side of the city, on Víctor Mercante street, where the stadium was finally built, and affiliation was accepted by the AFA. Club Atlético Argentino made their debut in tournaments organised by AFA in the 1944Torneo de Ascenso(then the second division of Argentine football)playing its first match vsAll Boys, on 15 April 1944, which was also the first match held in Estadio Olaeta. References\",\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/1944_in_Argentina (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b935ae4d0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Estadio José Martín Olaeta Estadio José Martín Olaetais afootballstadiumlocated in the city ofRosarioofSanta Fe Province,Argentina. The stadium is owned and operated byC.A. Argentino. It has a capacity of 8,500 spectators and was inaugurated in 1944. The stadium was named after José Martín Olaeta, president of the club what promoted Argentino's affiliation toArgentine Football Association(AFA) in 1944,as part of being behind the construction of the venue. It has two grandstands, one cement-built and another wooden-built.Olaeta is regarded as the most important executive in club's history. It was declared \"City of Rosario Heritage Site\" in 2012. The statement said \"the stadium's heritage value is not its architectural style but what this means for its neighbors and club members\". History The first Club Argentino stadium was located on Boulevard Avellaneda and Gorriti streets, inBarrio Refinería, then moving to Gorriti and Iguazú street inBarrio Industrial. When the institution requested affiliation to AFA in","to AFA in 1943, the observers requested the club to build a grandstand to fulfil the AFA's regulations for official competitions. Club executives decided to buy one of the boundaries lands to make the refurbishments requested. As the land's owner refused to sell his property, Olaeta (then president of the club) decided to acquire a land in the north side of the city, on Víctor Mercante street, where the stadium was finally built, and affiliation was accepted by the AFA. Club Atlético Argentino made their debut in tournaments organised by AFA in the 1944Torneo de Ascenso(then the second division of Argentine football)playing its first match vsAll Boys, on 15 April 1944, which was also the first match held in Estadio Olaeta. References","Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/1944_in_Argentina (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b935ae4d0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))"],"string":"[\n \"Estadio José Martín Olaeta Estadio José Martín Olaetais afootballstadiumlocated in the city ofRosarioofSanta Fe Province,Argentina. The stadium is owned and operated byC.A. Argentino. It has a capacity of 8,500 spectators and was inaugurated in 1944. The stadium was named after José Martín Olaeta, president of the club what promoted Argentino's affiliation toArgentine Football Association(AFA) in 1944,as part of being behind the construction of the venue. It has two grandstands, one cement-built and another wooden-built.Olaeta is regarded as the most important executive in club's history. It was declared \\\"City of Rosario Heritage Site\\\" in 2012. The statement said \\\"the stadium's heritage value is not its architectural style but what this means for its neighbors and club members\\\". History The first Club Argentino stadium was located on Boulevard Avellaneda and Gorriti streets, inBarrio Refinería, then moving to Gorriti and Iguazú street inBarrio Industrial. When the institution requested affiliation to AFA in\",\n \"to AFA in 1943, the observers requested the club to build a grandstand to fulfil the AFA's regulations for official competitions. Club executives decided to buy one of the boundaries lands to make the refurbishments requested. As the land's owner refused to sell his property, Olaeta (then president of the club) decided to acquire a land in the north side of the city, on Víctor Mercante street, where the stadium was finally built, and affiliation was accepted by the AFA. Club Atlético Argentino made their debut in tournaments organised by AFA in the 1944Torneo de Ascenso(then the second division of Argentine football)playing its first match vsAll Boys, on 15 April 1944, which was also the first match held in Estadio Olaeta. References\",\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/1944_in_Argentina (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b935ae4d0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":278,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Who was the manager of the team that won the first Football League after the death of Queen Victoria?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Tom Watson was the manager of Liverpool F.C. in 1901."},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900%E2%80%9301_Football_League#Final_league_tables"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Liverpool_F.C._managers#Managers"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900%E2%80%9301_Football_League#Final_league_tables', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Liverpool_F.C._managers#Managers']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900%E2%80%9301_Football_League#Final_league_tables","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Liverpool_F.C._managers#Managers"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900%E2%80%9301_Football_League#Final_league_tables\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Liverpool_F.C._managers#Managers\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Queen Victoria Victoria(Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) wasQueen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Irelandfrom 20 June 1837 untilher deathin 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days—which waslonger than those of any of her predecessors—constituted theVictorian era. It was a period of industrial, political, scientific, and military change within theUnited Kingdom, and was marked by a great expansion of theBritish Empire. In 1876, theBritish Parliamentvoted to grant her the additional title ofEmpress of India. Victoria was the daughter ofPrince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn(the fourth son ofKing George III), andPrincess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. After the deaths of her father and grandfather in 1820, she wasraised under close supervisionby her mother and hercomptroller,John Conroy. She inherited the throne aged 18 after her father's three elder brothers died without survivinglegitimateissue. Victoria, aconstitutional monarch, attempted privately to influence government policy and ministerial appointments; publicly, she became a national icon who was identified with strict standards ofpersonal morality. Victoria marriedher first cousin,Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in 1840. Their nine children married into royal and noble families across the continent, earning Victoria thesobriquet\"grandmother of Europe\". After Albert's death in 1861, Victoria plunged into deep mourning and avoided public appearances. As a result of her seclusion,British republicanismtemporarily gained strength, but in the latter half of her reign, her popularity recovered. HerGoldenandDiamondjubileeswere times of public celebration. Victoria died atOsborne Houseon theIsle of Wight, at the age of 81. The lastBritish monarchof theHouse of Hanover, she was succeeded by her sonEdward VIIof theHouse of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Early life Birth and ancestry Victoria's father wasPrince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, the fourth son ofKing George IIIandQueen Charlotte. Until 1817, King George's only legitimate grandchild was Edward's niecePrincess Charlotte of Wales, the daughter ofGeorge, Prince Regent(who would become George IV). Princess Charlotte's death in 1817 precipitated asuccession crisisthat brought pressure on Prince Edward and his unmarried brothers to marry and have children. In 1818, the Duke of Kent marriedPrincess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, a widowed German princess with two children—Carl(1804–1856) andFeodora(1807–1872)—by her first marriage toEmich Carl, 2nd Prince of Leiningen. Her brotherLeopoldwas Princess Charlotte's widower and later the firstking of Belgium. The Duke and Duchess of Kent's only child, Victoria was born at 4:15 a.m. on Monday 24 May 1819 atKensington Palacein London. Victoria was christened privately by theArchbishop of Canterbury,Charles Manners-Sutton, on 24 June 1819 in the Cupola Room at Kensington Palace.She was baptisedAlexandrinaafter one of her godparents, TsarAlexander I of Russia, andVictoria, after her mother. Additional names proposed by her parents—Georgina (or Georgiana), Charlotte, and Augusta—were dropped on the instructions of the Prince Regent. At birth, Victoria was fifth in the line of succession after the four eldest sons of George III: George, Prince Regent (later George IV);Frederick, Duke of York;William, Duke of Clarence(later William IV); and Victoria's father, Edward, Duke of Kent.Prince George had no surviving children, and Prince Frederick had no children; further, both were estranged from their wives, who were both past child-bearing age, so the two eldest brothers were unlikely to have any further legitimate children. William married in 1818, in a joint ceremony with his brother Edward, but both of William's legitimate daughters died as infants. The first of these was Princess Charlotte, who was born and died on 27 March 1819, two months before Victoria was born. Victoria's father died in January 1820, when Victoria was less than a year old. A week later her grandfather died and was succeeded by his eldest son as George IV. Victoria was then third in line to the throne after Frederick and William. She was fourth in line while William's second daughter,Princess Elizabeth, lived, from 10 December 1820 to 4 March 1821. Heir presumptive Prince Frederick died in 1827, followed by George IV in 1830; their next surviving brother succeeded to the throne as William IV, and Victoria becameheir presumptive. TheRegency Act 1830made special provision for Victoria's mother to act as regent in case William died while Victoria was still a minor.King William distrusted the Duchess's capacity to be regent, and in 1836 he declared in her presence that he wanted to live until Victoria's 18th birthday, so that aregencycould be avoided. Victoria later described her childhood as \"rather melancholy\".Her mother was extremely protective, and Victoria was raised largely isolated from other children under the so-called \"Kensington System\", an elaborate set of rules and protocols devised by the Duchess and her ambitious and domineeringcomptroller,Sir John Conroy, who was rumoured to be the Duchess's lover.The system prevented the princess from meeting people whom her mother and Conroy deemed undesirable (including most of her father's family), and was designed to render her weak and dependent upon them.The Duchess avoided the court because she was scandalised by the presence of King William's illegitimate children.Victoria shared a bedroom with her mother every night, studied with private tutors to a regular timetable, and spent her play-hours with her dolls and herKing Charles Spaniel,Dash.Her lessons included French, German, Italian, and Latin,but she spoke only English at home. In 1830, the Duchess and Conroy took Victoria across the centre of England to visit theMalvern Hills, stopping at towns and greatcountry housesalong the way.Similar journeys to other parts of England and Wales were taken in 1832, 1833, 1834 and 1835. To the King's annoyance, Victoria was enthusiastically welcomed in each of the stops.William compared the journeys toroyal progressesand was concerned that they portrayed Victoria as his rival rather than his heir presumptive.Victoria disliked the trips; the constant round of public appearances made her tired and ill, and there was little time for her to rest.She objected on the grounds of the King's disapproval, but her mother dismissed his complaints as motivated by jealousy and forced Victoria to continue the tours.AtRamsgatein October 1835, Victoria contracted a severe fever, which Conroy initially dismissed as a childish pretence.While Victoria was ill, Conroy and the Duchess unsuccessfully badgered her to make Conroy herprivate secretary.As a teenager, Victoria resisted persistent attempts by her mother and Conroy to appoint him to her staff.Once queen, she banned him from her presence, but he remained in her mother's household. By 1836, Victoria's maternal uncle Leopold, who had been King of the Belgians since 1831, hoped to marry her toPrince Albert,the son of his brotherErnest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Leopold arranged for Victoria's mother to invite her Coburg relatives to visit her in May 1836, with the purpose of introducing Victoria to Albert.William IV, however, disapproved of any match with the Coburgs, and instead favoured the suit ofPrince Alexander of the Netherlands, second son ofthe Prince of Orange.Victoria was aware of the various matrimonial plans and critically appraised a parade of eligible princes.According to her diary, she enjoyed Albert's company from the beginning. After the visit she wrote, \" is extremely handsome; his hair is about the same colour as mine; his eyes are large and blue, and he has a beautiful nose and a very sweet mouth with fine teeth; but the charm of his countenance is his expression, which is most delightful.\"Alexander, on the other hand, she described as \"very plain\". Victoria wrote to King Leopold, whom she considered her \"best and kindest adviser\",to thank him \"for the prospect ofgreathappiness you have contributed to give me, in the person of dear Albert ... He possesses every quality that could be desired to render me perfectly happy. He is so sensible, so kind, and so good, and so amiable too. He has besides the most pleasing and delightful exterior and appearance you can possibly see.\"However at 17, Victoria, though interested in Albert, was not yet ready to marry. The parties did not undertake a formal engagement, but assumed that the match would take place in due time. Accession and early reign Victoria turned 18 on 24 May 1837, and aregencywas avoided. Less than a month later, on 20 June 1837, William IV died at the age of 71, and Victoria became Queen of the United Kingdom.In her diary she wrote, \"I was awoke at 6 o'clock by Mamma, who told me theArchbishop of CanterburyandLord Conynghamwere here and wished to see me. I got out of bed and went into my sitting-room (only in my dressing gown) andalone, and saw them. Lord Conyngham then acquainted me that my poor Uncle, the King, was no more, and had expired at 12 minutes past 2 this morning, and consequently thatIamQueen.\"Official documents prepared on the first day of her reign described her as Alexandrina Victoria, but the first name was withdrawn at her own wish and not used again. Since 1714,Britainhad shared a monarch withHanoverin Germany, but underSalic law, women were excluded from the Hanoverian succession. While Victoria inherited the British throne, her father's unpopular younger brother,Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, becameKing of Hanover. He was Victoria's heir presumptive until she had a child. At the time of Victoria's accession, the government was led by theWhigprime ministerLord Melbourne. He at once became a powerful influence on the politically inexperienced monarch, who relied on him for advice.Charles Grevillesupposed that the widowed and childless Melbourne was \"passionately fond of her as he might be of his daughter if he had one\", and Victoria probably saw him as a father figure.Her coronationtook place on 28 June 1838 atWestminster Abbey. Over 400,000 visitors came to London for the celebrations.She became the first sovereign to take up residence atBuckingham Palaceand inherited the revenues of the duchies ofLancasterandCornwallas well as being granted acivil listallowance of £385,000 per year. Financially prudent, she paid off her father's debts. At the start of her reign Victoria was popular,but her reputation suffered in an 1839 court intrigue when one of her mother's ladies-in-waiting,Lady Flora Hastings, developed an abdominal growth that was widely rumoured to be an out-of-wedlock pregnancy by Sir John Conroy.Victoria believed the rumours.She hated Conroy, and despised \"that odious Lady Flora\",because she had conspired with Conroy and the Duchess in the Kensington System.At first, Lady Flora refused to submit to an intimate medical examination, until in mid-February she eventually acquiesced, and was found to be a virgin.Conroy, the Hastings family, and the oppositionToriesorganised a press campaign implicating the Queen in the spreading of false rumours about Lady Flora.When Lady Flora died in July, the post-mortem revealed a large tumour on her liver that had distended her abdomen.At public appearances, Victoria was hissed and jeered as \"Mrs. Melbourne\". In 1839, Melbourne resigned afterRadicalsand Tories (both of whom Victoria detested) voted against a bill to suspend the constitution ofJamaica. The bill removed political power from plantation owners who were resisting measures associated with theabolition of slavery.The Queen commissioned a Tory,Robert Peel, to form a new ministry. At the time, it was customary for the prime minister to appoint members of theRoyal Household, who were usually his political allies and their spouses. Many of the Queen'sladies of the bedchamberwere wives of Whigs, and Peel expected to replace them with wives of Tories. In what became known as the \"bedchamber crisis\", Victoria, advised by Melbourne, objected to their removal. Peel refused to govern under the restrictions imposed by the Queen, and consequently resigned his commission, allowing Melbourne to return to office. Marriage and public life Though Victoria was now queen, as an unmarried young woman she was required bysocial conventionto live with her mother, despite their differences over the Kensington System and her mother's continued reliance on Conroy.The Duchess was consigned to a remote apartment in Buckingham Palace, and Victoria often refused to see her.When Victoria complained to Melbourne that her mother's proximity promised \"torment for many years\", Melbourne sympathised but said it could be avoided by marriage, which Victoria called a \"schocking alternative\".Victoria showed interest in Albert's education for the future role he would have to play as her husband, but she resisted attempts to rush her into wedlock. Victoria continued to praise Albert following his second visit in October 1839. They felt mutual affection and the Queen proposed to him on 15 October 1839, just five days after he had arrived atWindsor.They were married on 10 February 1840, in theChapel RoyalofSt James's Palace, London. Victoria was love-struck. She spent the evening after their wedding lying down with a headache, but wrote ecstatically in her diary: I NEVER, NEVER spent such an evening!!! MY DEAREST DEAREST DEAR Albert ... his excessive love & affection gave me feelings of heavenly love & happiness I never could havehopedto have felt before! He clasped me in his arms, & we kissed each other again & again! His beauty, his sweetness & gentleness—really how can I ever be thankful enough to have such aHusband! ... to be called by names of tenderness, I have never yet heard used to me before—was bliss beyond belief! Oh! This was the happiest day of my life! Albert became an important political adviser as well as the Queen's companion, replacing Melbourne as the dominant influential figure in the first half of her life.Victoria's mother was evicted from the palace, to Ingestre House inBelgrave Square. After the death of Victoria's auntPrincess Augustain 1840, the Duchess was given bothClarence HouseandFrogmore House.Through Albert's mediation, relations between mother and daughter slowly improved. During Victoria's first pregnancy in 1840, in the first few months of the marriage, 18-year-oldEdward Oxfordattempted to assassinate her while she was riding in a carriage with Prince Albert on her way to visit her mother. Oxford fired twice, but either both bullets missed or, as he later claimed, the guns had no shot.He was tried forhigh treason, foundnot guilty by reason of insanity, committed to an insane asylum indefinitely, and later sent to live in Australia.In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Victoria's popularity soared, mitigating residual discontent over theHastings affairand thebedchamber crisis.Her daughter, also namedVictoria, was born on 21 November 1840. The Queen hated being pregnant,viewed breast-feeding with disgust,and thought newborn babies were ugly.Nevertheless, over the following seventeen years, she and Albert had a further eight children:Albert Edward,Alice,Alfred,Helena,Louise,Arthur,LeopoldandBeatrice. The household was largely run by Victoria's childhood governess, BaronessLouise LehzenfromHanover. Lehzen had been a formative influence on Victoriaand had supported her against the Kensington System.Albert, however, thought that Lehzen was incompetent and that her mismanagement threatened his daughter Victoria's health. After a furious row between Victoria and Albert over the issue, Lehzen was pensioned off in 1842, and Victoria's close relationship with her ended. On 29 May 1842, Victoria was riding in a carriage alongThe Mall, London, when John Francis aimed a pistol at her, but the gun did not fire. The assailant escaped; the following day, Victoria drove the same route, though faster and with a greater escort, in a deliberate attempt to bait Francis into taking a second aim and catch him in the act. As expected, Francis shot at her, but he was seized by plainclothes policemen, and convicted of high treason. On 3 July, two days after Francis's death sentence was commuted totransportation for life,John William Beanalso tried to fire a pistol at the Queen, but it was loaded only with paper and tobacco and had too little charge.Edward Oxford felt that the attempts were encouraged by his acquittal in 1840.Bean was sentenced to 18 months in jail.In a similar attack in 1849, unemployed Irishman William Hamilton fired a powder-filled pistol at Victoria's carriage as it passed alongConstitution Hill, London.In 1850, the Queen did sustain injury when she was assaulted by a possibly insane ex-army officer,Robert Pate. As Victoria was riding in a carriage, Pate struck her with his cane, crushing her bonnet and bruising her forehead. Both Hamilton and Pate were sentenced to seven years' transportation. Melbourne's support in the House of Commons weakened through the early years of Victoria's reign, and in the1841 general electionthe Whigs were defeated. Peel became prime minister, and the ladies of the bedchamber most associated with the Whigs were replaced. In 1845, Ireland was hit by apotato blight.In the next four years, over a million Irish people died and another million emigrated in what became known as theGreat Famine.In Ireland, Victoria was labelled \"The Famine Queen\".In January 1847 she personally donated £2,000 (equivalent to between £230,000 and £8.5million in 2022)to theBritish Relief Association, more than any other individual famine relief donor,and supported theMaynooth Grantto a Roman Catholic seminary in Ireland, despite Protestant opposition.The story that she donated only £5 in aid to the Irish, and on the same day gave the same amount toBattersea Dogs Home, was a myth generated towards the end of the 19th century. By 1846, Peel's ministry faced a crisis involving the repeal of theCorn Laws. Many Tories—by then known also asConservatives—were opposed to the repeal, but Peel, some Tories (the free-trade orientedliberal conservative\"Peelites\"), most Whigs and Victoria supported it. Peel resigned in 1846, after the repeal narrowly passed, and was replaced byLord John Russell. Internationally, Victoria took a keen interest in the improvement of relations between France and Britain.She made and hosted several visits between the British royal family and theHouse of Orleans, who were related by marriage through the Coburgs. In 1843 and 1845, she and Albert stayed with KingLouis Philippe IatChâteau d'Euin Normandy; she was the first British or English monarch to visit a French monarch since the meeting ofHenry VIII of EnglandandFrancis I of Franceon theField of the Cloth of Goldin 1520.When Louis Philippe made a reciprocal trip in 1844, he became the first French king to visit a British sovereign.Louis Philippe was deposed in therevolutions of 1848, and fled to exile in England.At the height of a revolutionary scare in the United Kingdom in April 1848, Victoria and her family left London for the greater safety ofOsborne House,a private estate on the Isle of Wight that they had purchased in 1845 and redeveloped.Demonstrations byChartistsandIrish nationalistsfailed to attract widespread support, and the scare died down without any major disturbances.Victoria's first visit to Ireland in 1849 was a public relations success, but it had no lasting impact or effect on the growth of Irish nationalism. Russell's ministry, though Whig, was not favoured by the Queen.She found particularly offensive theForeign Secretary,Lord Palmerston, who often acted without consulting the Cabinet, the Prime Minister, or the Queen.Victoria complained to Russell that Palmerston sent official dispatches to foreign leaders without her knowledge, but Palmerston was retained in office and continued to act on his own initiative, despite her repeated remonstrances. It was only in 1851 that Palmerston was removed after he announced the British government's approval of PresidentLouis-Napoleon Bonaparte'scoup in Francewithout consulting the Prime Minister.The following year, President Bonaparte was declared Emperor Napoleon III, by which time Russell's administration had been replaced by a short-lived minority government led byLord Derby. In 1853, Victoria gave birth to her eighth child, Leopold, with the aid of the new anaesthetic,chloroform. She was so impressed by the relief it gave from the pain of childbirth that she used it again in 1857 at the birth of her ninth and final child, Beatrice, despite opposition from members of the clergy, who considered it against biblical teaching, and members of the medical profession, who thought it dangerous.Victoria may have hadpostnatal depressionafter many of her pregnancies.Letters from Albert to Victoria intermittently complain of her loss of self-control. For example, about a month after Leopold's birth Albert complained in a letter to Victoria about her \"continuance of hysterics\" over a \"miserable trifle\". In early 1855, the government ofLord Aberdeen, who had replaced Derby, fell amidst recriminations over the poor management of British troops in theCrimean War. Victoria approached both Derby and Russell to form a ministry, but neither had sufficient support, and Victoria was forced to appoint Palmerston as prime minister. Napoleon III, Britain's closest ally as a result of the Crimean War,visited London in April 1855, and from 17 to 28 August the same year Victoria and Albert returned the visit.Napoleon III met the couple atBoulogneand accompanied them to Paris.They visited theExposition Universelle(a successor to Albert's 1851 brainchild theGreat Exhibition) andNapoleon I's tomb atLes Invalides(to which his remains had only beenreturnedin 1840), and were guests of honour at a 1,200-guest ball at thePalace of Versailles.This marked the first time that a reigning British monarch had been to Paris in over 400 years. On 14 January 1858, an Italian refugee from Britain calledFelice Orsiniattempted to assassinate Napoleon III with a bomb made in England.The ensuing diplomatic crisis destabilised the government, and Palmerston resigned. Derby was reinstated as prime minister.Victoria and Albert attended the opening of a new basin at the French military port ofCherbourgon 5 August 1858, in an attempt by Napoleon III to reassure Britain that his military preparations were directed elsewhere. On her return Victoria wrote to Derby reprimanding him for the poor state of theRoyal Navyin comparison to theFrench Navy.Derby's ministry did not last long, and in June 1859 Victoria recalled Palmerston to office. Eleven days after Orsini's assassination attempt in France, Victoria's eldest daughter marriedPrince Frederick William of Prussiain London. They had been betrothed since September 1855, when Princess Victoria was 14 years old; the marriage was delayed by the Queen and her husband Albert until the bride was 17.The Queen and Albert hoped that their daughter and son-in-law would be a liberalising influence in the enlargingPrussianstate.The Queen felt \"sick at heart\" to see her daughter leave England for Germany; \"It really makes me shudder\", she wrote to Princess Victoria in one of her frequent letters, \"when I look round to all your sweet, happy, unconscious sisters, and think I must give them up too – one by one.\"Almost exactly a year later, the Princess gave birth to the Queen's first grandchild,Wilhelm, who would become the last German emperor. Widowhood and isolation In March 1861, Victoria's mother died, with Victoria at her side. Through reading her mother's papers, Victoria discovered that her mother had loved her deeply;she was heart-broken, and blamed Conroy and Lehzen for \"wickedly\" estranging her from her mother.To relieve his wife during her intense and deep grief,Albert took on most of her duties, despite being ill himself with chronic stomach trouble.In August, Victoria and Albert visited their son,Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, who was attending army manoeuvres near Dublin, and spent a few days holidaying inKillarney. In November, Albert was made aware of gossip that his son had slept with an actress in Ireland.Appalled, he travelled to Cambridge, where his son was studying, to confront him. By the beginning of December, Albert was very unwell.He was diagnosed withtyphoid feverbyWilliam Jenner, and died on 14 December 1861. Victoria was devastated.She blamed her husband's death on worry over the Prince of Wales'sphilandering. He had been \"killed by that dreadful business\", she said.She entered a state ofmourningand wore black for the remainder of her life. She avoided public appearances and rarely set foot in London in the following years.Her seclusion earned her the nickname \"widow of Windsor\".Her weight increased through comfort eating, which reinforced her aversion to public appearances. Victoria's self-imposed isolation from the public diminished the popularity of the monarchy, and encouraged the growth of the republican movement.She did undertake her official government duties, yet chose to remain secluded in her royal residences—Windsor Castle, Osborne House, and the private estate in Scotland that she and Albert had acquired in 1847,Balmoral Castle. In March 1864, a protester stuck a notice on the railings ofBuckingham Palacethat announced \"these commanding premises to be let or sold in consequence of the late occupant's declining business\".Her uncle Leopold wrote to her advising her to appear in public. She agreed to visit the gardens of theRoyal Horticultural SocietyatKensingtonand take a drive through London in an open carriage. Through the 1860s, Victoria relied increasingly on a manservant from Scotland,John Brown.Rumours of a romantic connection and even a secret marriage appeared in print, and some referred to the Queen as \"Mrs. Brown\".The story of their relationship was the subject of the 1997 movieMrs. Brown. A painting by SirEdwin Henry Landseerdepicting the Queen with Brown was exhibited at theRoyal Academy, and Victoria published a book,Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands, which featured Brown prominently and in which the Queen praised him highly. Palmerston died in 1865, and after a brief ministry led by Russell, Derby returned to power. In 1866, Victoria attended theState Opening of Parliamentfor the first time since Albert's death.The following year she supported the passing of theReform Act 1867which doubled the electorate by extending the franchise to many urban working men,though she was not in favour of votes for women.Derby resigned in 1868, to be replaced byBenjamin Disraeli, who charmed Victoria. \"Everyone likes flattery,\" he said, \"and when you come to royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.\"With the phrase \"we authors, Ma'am\", he complimented her.Disraeli's ministry only lasted a matter of months, and at the end of the year his Liberal rival,William Ewart Gladstone, was appointed prime minister. Victoria found Gladstone's demeanour far less appealing; he spoke to her, she is thought to have complained, as though she were \"a public meeting rather than a woman\". In 1870 republican sentiment in Britain, fed by the Queen's seclusion, was boosted after the establishment of theThird French Republic.A republican rally inTrafalgar Squaredemanded Victoria's removal, and Radical MPs spoke against her.In August and September 1871, she was seriously ill with anabscessin her arm, whichJoseph Listersuccessfully lanced and treated with his new antisepticcarbolic acidspray.In late November 1871, at the height of the republican movement, the Prince of Wales contracted typhoid fever, the disease that was believed to have killed his father, and Victoria was fearful her son would die.As the tenth anniversary of her husband's death approached, her son's condition grew no better, and Victoria's distress continued.To general rejoicing, he recovered.Mother and son attended a public parade through London and a grand service of thanksgiving inSt Paul's Cathedralon 27 February 1872, and republican feeling subsided. On the last day of February 1872, two days after the thanksgiving service, 17-year-old Arthur O'Connor, a great-nephew of Irish MPFeargus O'Connor, waved an unloaded pistol at Victoria's open carriage just after she had arrived at Buckingham Palace. Brown, who was attending the Queen, grabbed him and O'Connor was later sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment,and abirching.As a result of the incident, Victoria's popularity recovered further. Empress of India After theIndian Rebellion of 1857, theBritish East India Company, which had ruled much of India, was dissolved, and Britain's possessions and protectorates on theIndian subcontinentwere formally incorporated into theBritish Empire. The Queen had a relatively balanced view of the conflict, and condemned atrocities on both sides.She wrote of \"her feelings of horror and regret at the result of this bloody civil war\",and insisted, urged on by Albert, that an official proclamation announcing the transfer of power from the company to the state \"should breathe feelings of generosity, benevolence and religious toleration\".At her behest, a reference threatening the \"undermining of native religions and customs\" was replaced by a passage guaranteeing religious freedom. In the1874 general election, Disraeli was returned to power. He passed thePublic Worship Regulation Act 1874, which removed Catholic rituals from the Anglican liturgy and which Victoria strongly supported.She preferred short, simple services, and personally considered herself more aligned with thepresbyterianChurch of Scotlandthan theepiscopalChurch of England.Disraeli also pushed theRoyal Titles Act 1876through Parliament, so that Victoria took the title \"Empress of India\" from 1 May 1876.The new title was proclaimed at theDelhi Durbarof 1 January 1877. On 14 December 1878, the anniversary of Albert's death, Victoria's second daughter Alice, who had marriedLouis of Hesse, died ofdiphtheriainDarmstadt. Victoria noted the coincidence of the dates as \"almost incredible and most mysterious\".In May 1879, she became a great-grandmother (on the birth ofPrincess Feodora of Saxe-Meiningen) and passed her \"poor old 60th birthday\". She felt \"aged\" by \"the loss of my beloved child\". Between April 1877 and February 1878, she threatened five times to abdicate while pressuring Disraeli to act against Russia during theRusso-Turkish War, but her threats had no impact on the events or their conclusion with theCongress of Berlin.Disraeli's expansionist foreign policy, which Victoria endorsed, led to conflicts such as theAnglo-Zulu Warand theSecond Anglo-Afghan War. \"Ifweare tomaintainour position as afirst-ratePower\", she wrote, \"we must ... bePreparedforattacksandwars,somewhereorother, CONTINUALLY.\"Victoria saw the expansion of the British Empire as civilising and benign, protecting native peoples from more aggressive powers or cruel rulers: \"It is not in our custom to annexe countries\", she said, \"unless we are obliged & forced to do so.\"To Victoria's dismay, Disraeli lost the1880 general election, and Gladstone returned as prime minister.When Disraeli died the following year, she was blinded by \"fast falling tears\",and erected a memorial tablet \"placed by his grateful Sovereign and Friend, Victoria R.I.\" On 2 March 1882,Roderick Maclean, a disgruntled poet apparently offended by Victoria's refusal to accept one of his poems,shot at the Queen as her carriage leftWindsor railway station.Gordon Chesney Wilsonand another schoolboy fromEton Collegestruck him with their umbrellas, until he was hustled away by a policeman.Victoria was outraged when he was found not guilty by reason of insanity,but was so pleased by the many expressions of loyalty after the attack that she said it was \"worth being shot at—to see how much one is loved\". On 17 March 1883, Victoria fell down some stairs at Windsor, which left her lame until July; she never fully recovered and was plagued with rheumatism thereafter.John Brown died 10 days after her accident, and to the consternation of her private secretary, SirHenry Ponsonby, Victoria began work on a eulogistic biography of Brown.Ponsonby andRandall Davidson,Dean of Windsor, who had both seen early drafts, advised Victoria against publication, on the grounds that it would stoke the rumours of a love affair.The manuscript was destroyed.In early 1884, Victoria did publishMore Leaves from a Journal of a Life in the Highlands, a sequel to her earlier book, which she dedicated to her \"devoted personal attendant and faithful friend John Brown\".On the day after the first anniversary of Brown's death, Victoria was informed by telegram that her youngest son, Leopold, had died inCannes. He was \"the dearest of my dear sons\", she lamented.The following month, Victoria's youngest child, Beatrice, met and fell in love withPrince Henry of Battenbergat the wedding of Victoria's granddaughterPrincess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhineto Henry's brotherPrince Louis of Battenberg. Beatrice and Henry planned to marry, but Victoria opposed the match at first, wishing to keep Beatrice at home to act as her companion. After a year, she was won around to the marriage by their promise to remain living with and attending her. Victoria was pleased when Gladstone resigned in 1885 after his budget was defeated.She thought his government was \"the worst I have ever had\", and blamed him for the death ofGeneral Gordonduring theSiege of Khartoum.Gladstone was replaced byLord Salisbury. Salisbury's government only lasted a few months, however, and Victoria was forced to recall Gladstone, whom she referred to as a \"half crazy & really in many ways ridiculous old man\".Gladstone attempted to passa bill granting Ireland home rule, but to Victoria's glee it was defeated.Inthe ensuing election, Gladstone's party lost to Salisbury's and the government switched hands again. Golden and Diamond Jubilees In 1887, theBritish EmpirecelebratedVictoria's Golden Jubilee. She marked the fiftieth anniversary of her accession on 20 June with a banquet to which 50 kings and princes were invited. The following day, she participated in a procession and attended a thanksgiving service inWestminster Abbey.By this time, Victoria was once again extremely popular.Two days later on 23 June,she engaged two Indian Muslims as waiters, one of whom wasAbdul Karim. He was soon promoted to \"Munshi\": teaching herUrduand acting as a clerk.Her family and retainers were appalled, and accused Abdul Karim of spying for the Muslim Patriotic League, and biasing the Queen against the Hindus.EquerryFrederick Ponsonby(the son of Sir Henry) discovered that the Munshi had lied about his parentage, and reported toLord Elgin,Viceroy of India, \"the Munshi occupies very much the same position as John Brown used to do.\"Victoria dismissed their complaints as racial prejudice.Abdul Karim remained in her service until he returned to India with a pension, on her death. Victoria's eldest daughter becameempress consort of Germanyin 1888, but she was widowed a little over three months later, and Victoria's eldest grandchild became German Emperor asWilhelm II. Victoria and Albert's hopes of a liberal Germany would go unfulfilled, as Wilhelm was a firm believer inautocracy. Victoria thought he had \"little heart orZartgefühl – and ... his conscience & intelligence have been completely wharped \". Gladstone returned to power after the1892 general election; he was 82 years old. Victoria objected when Gladstone proposed appointing the Radical MPHenry Labouchèreto theCabinet, so Gladstone agreed not to appoint him.In 1894, Gladstone retired and, without consulting the outgoing prime minister, Victoria appointedLord Roseberyas prime minister.His government was weak, and the following year Lord Salisbury replaced him. Salisbury remained prime minister for the remainder of Victoria's reign. On 23 September 1896, Victoria surpassed her grandfather George III as thelongest-reigning monarch in British history. The Queen requested that any special celebrations be delayed until 1897, to coincide withher Diamond Jubilee,which was made a festival of the British Empire at the suggestion of theColonial Secretary,Joseph Chamberlain.The prime ministers of all theself-governingDominionswere invited to London for the festivities.One reason for including the prime ministers of the Dominions and excluding foreign heads of state was to avoid having to invite Victoria's grandson Wilhelm II, who, it was feared, might cause trouble at the event. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee procession on 22 June 1897 followed a route six miles long through London and included troops from all over the empire. The procession paused for an open-air service of thanksgiving held outside St Paul's Cathedral, throughout which Victoria sat in her open carriage, to avoid her having to climb the steps to enter the building. The celebration was marked by vast crowds of spectators and great outpourings of affection for the 78-year-old Queen. Declining health and death Victoria regularly holidayed in mainland Europe. In 1889, during a stay inBiarritz, she became the first reigning monarch from Britain to visit Spain by briefly crossing the border.By April 1900, theBoer Warwas so unpopular in mainland Europe that her annual trip to France seemed inadvisable. Instead, the Queen went to Ireland for the first time since 1861, in part to acknowledge the contribution of Irish regiments to the South African war. In July 1900, Victoria's second son, Alfred (\"Affie\"), died. \"Oh, God! My poor darling Affie gone too\", she wrote in her journal. \"It is a horrible year, nothing but sadness & horrors of one kind & another.\" Following a custom she maintained throughout her widowhood, Victoria spent the Christmas of 1900 at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.Rheumatismin her legs had rendered her disabled, and her eyesight was clouded by cataracts.Through early January, she felt \"weak and unwell\",and by mid-January she was \"drowsy dazed, confused\".Herfavourite petPomeranian, Turi, was laid on her bed as a last request.She died aged 81 on 22 January 1901, at half past six in the evening, in the presence of her eldest son, Albert Edward, and grandson Wilhelm II. Albert Edward immediately succeeded as Edward VII. In 1897, Victoria had written instructions forher funeral, which was to be military as befitting a soldier's daughter and the head of the army,and white instead of black.On 25 January, Edward VII and Wilhelm II, together with Prince Arthur, helped lift her body into the coffin.She was dressed in a white dress and her wedding veil.An array of mementos commemorating her extended family, friends and servants were laid in the coffin with her, at her request, by her physician and dressers. One of Albert's dressing gowns was placed by her side, with a plaster cast of his hand, while a lock of John Brown's hair, along with a picture of him, was placed in her left hand concealed from the view of the family by a carefully positioned bunch of flowers.Items ofjewelleryplaced on Victoria included the wedding ring of Brown's mother, which Brown gave Victoria in 1883.Her funeral was held on Saturday 2 February, inSt George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and after two days of lying-in-state, she was interred beside Prince Albert in theRoyal Mausoleum, Frogmore, atWindsor Great Park. With a reign of 63 years, seven months, and two days, Victoria was thelongest-reigning British monarchand thelongest-reigningqueen regnantin world history, until her great-great-granddaughterElizabeth IIsurpassed her on 9 September 2015.She was the last monarch of Britain from theHouse of Hanover; her son Edward VII belonged to her husband'sHouse of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Legacy Reputation According to one of her biographers, Giles St Aubyn, Victoria wrote an average of 2,500 words a day during her adult life.From July 1832 until just before her death, she kept a detailedjournal, which eventually encompassed 122 volumes.After Victoria's death, her youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice, was appointed her literary executor. Beatrice transcribed and edited the diaries covering Victoria's accession onwards, and burned the originals in the process.Despite this destruction, much of the diaries still exist. In addition to Beatrice's edited copy,Lord Eshertranscribed the volumes from 1832 to 1861 before Beatrice destroyed them.Part of Victoria's extensive correspondence has been published in volumes edited byA. C. Benson,Hector Bolitho,George Earle Buckle, Lord Esher,Roger Fulford, andRichard Houghamong others. In her later years, Victoria was stout, dowdy, and about five feet (1.5 metres) tall, but she projected a grand image.She was unpopular during the first years of her widowhood, but was well liked during the 1880s and 1890s, when she embodied the empire as a benevolent matriarchal figure.Only after the release of her diary and letters did the extent of her political influence become known to the wider public.Biographies of Victoria written before much of the primary material became available, such asLytton Strachey'sQueen Victoriaof 1921, are now considered out of date.The biographies written byElizabeth LongfordandCecil Woodham-Smith, in 1964 and 1972 respectively, are still widely admired.They, and others, conclude that as a person Victoria was emotional, obstinate, honest, and straight-talking. Through Victoria's reign, the gradual establishment of a modernconstitutional monarchyin Britain continued. Reforms of the voting system increased the power of theHouse of Commonsat the expense of theHouse of Lordsand the monarch.In 1867,Walter Bagehotwrote that the monarch only retained \"the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn\".As Victoria's monarchy became more symbolic than political, it placed a strong emphasis on morality and family values, in contrast to the sexual, financial and personal scandals that had been associated with previous members of the House of Hanover and which had discredited the monarchy. The concept of the \"family monarchy\", with which the burgeoning middle classes could identify, was solidified. Descendants and haemophilia Victoria's links with Europe's royal families earned her the nickname \"the grandmother of Europe\".Of thegrandchildren of Victoria and Albert, 34 survived to adulthood. Victoria's youngest son, Leopold, was affected by the blood-clotting diseasehaemophilia Band at least two of her five daughters, Alice and Beatrice, were carriers.Royal haemophiliacsdescended from Victoria included her great-grandsons,Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia;Alfonso, Prince of Asturias; andInfante Gonzalo of Spain.The presence of the disease in Victoria's descendants, but not in her ancestors, led tomodern speculation that her true father was not the Duke of Kent, but a haemophiliac.There is no documentary evidence of a haemophiliac in connection with Victoria's mother, and as male carriers always had the disease, even if such a man had existed he would have been seriously ill.It is more likely that the mutation arose spontaneously because Victoria's father was over 50 at the time of her conception and haemophilia arises more frequently in the children of older fathers.Spontaneous mutations account for about a third of cases. Titles, styles, honours, and arms Titles and styles At the end of her reign, the Queen's fullstylewas: \"Her Majesty Victoria, by the Grace of God, of theUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandQueen,Defender of the Faith, Empress of India\". Honours British honours Foreign honours Arms As Sovereign, Victoria used theroyal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. As she could not succeed to the throne of Hanover, her arms did not carry the Hanoverian symbols that were used by her immediate predecessors. Her arms have been borne by all of her successors on the throne. Family Issue Ancestry Family tree Notes References Citations Bibliography Primary sources Further reading External links","1900–01 Football League The1900–01seasonwas the 13th season ofThe Football League. Final league tables Beginning in the 1894–95 season, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded). In case one or more teams had the same goal difference, this system favoured those teams who had scored fewer goals. The goal average system was eventually scrapped beginning with the 1976–77 season. During the first six seasons of the league, (up to the 1893–94 season), re-election process concerned the clubs which finished in the bottom four of the league. From the 1894–95 season and until the 1920–21 season the re-election process was required of the clubs which finished in the bottom three of the league. First Division Results Maps Second Division Results Maps See also References","List of Liverpool F.C. managers Liverpool Football Clubis an English association football club based inLiverpool,Merseyside. Liverpool won theFirst Division titlefor the first time in 1901; since then, the club has won a further 18 league titles, along with eightFA Cupsand tenFootball League Cups. They have also been crowned champions of European football on six occasions by winning theEuropean Cup/UEFA Champions Leaguein1977,1978,1981,1984,2005and2019.The club was one of 22 members of thePremier Leaguewhen it was founded in 1992. Liverpool have had 22 full-time managers. The most successful person to manage Liverpool isBob Paisley, who won six Football League titles, sixCharity Shields, three Football League Cups, three European Cups, oneUEFA Super Cupand oneUEFA Cupin his nine-year reign as manager. The club's longest-serving manager wasTom Watson, who managed the club from 1896 to 1915, totalling 19 years.Kenny Dalglishis the only person to have managed the club on two occasions. He first managed Liverpool from 1985 to February 1991, and then from January 2011 to June 2012. This chronological list comprises all those who have held the position of manager of the first team of Liverpool since their foundation in 1892. Each manager's entry includes his dates of tenure and the club's overall competitive record (in terms of matches won, drawn and lost), honours won and significant achievements while under his care.Caretaker managersare included, where known, as well as those who have been in permanent charge. Managerial history 1892–1959 The first Liverpool managers,William Edward BarclayandJohn McKenna, were appointed in 1892. Barclay acted as secretary-manager, overseeing the administrative side of the club, while McKenna took charge of matters on the field. The two worked in tandem as Liverpool won promotion from the Lancashire League in the club's first season.However, in 1896, McKenna appointedTom Watsonas manager.He went on to win twoFootball League championships. As theFirst World Warbroke out, Watson was embarking on his nineteenth season in charge at Anfield. It was to be his last, because he died in May 1915, aged 56.David Ashworthwas appointed manager when football resumed after the War.Ashworth won one league title, but left forOldham Athleticsoon after this. He was replaced in February 1923 by a Liverpool director,Matt McQueen, who won one league title for the club. However, this marked the beginning of a barren spell spanning more than 20 years before Liverpool finally regained the title in 1947 under the stewardship ofGeorge Kay. Kay also led Liverpool to theFA Cup Finalin1950, but lost the game 2–0 to Arsenal. He retired the following year, owing to ill-health.The next manager,Don Welshbecame the first Liverpool manager to be sacked after leading the club to relegation in 1954. His successor,Phil Taylor, also failed to win a trophy or gain promotion back to the top flight during his reign as boss. 1959–1991 On 1 December 1959,Bill Shanklywas appointed manager, beginning a fifteen-year spell as manager that brought three league titles, twoFA Cupsand a first European trophy, theUEFA Cup, toAnfield.Shankly's reign as manager is famous for the establishment ofthe Anfield boot roomas the location for his tactical discussions with his coaches.When he was not managing the club, Shankly was usually at his typewriter, personally replying to the letters which arrived at Melwood. Shankly even called some supporters at home to discuss the previous day's game, while the accounts of him providing tickets for fans are endless.When Shankly retired in 1974, he was replaced by his assistant,Bob Paisley. During the next nine seasons, Paisley proceeded to win six league titles and threeEuropean Cupsto become the most successful manager in the history of the club.When Paisley retired in 1983, his assistantJoe Fagantook over, and continued the Boot Room tradition, and winning atrebleof League, European Cup andLeague Cupin his first season. He again guided Liverpool to aEuropean Cup Final, but the match was overshadowed by theHeysel Stadium disaster, and he retired soon after.StrikerKenny Dalglishwas then made the club's firstplayer-managerand in his first season in charge, Dalglish led the club to a League and FA Cupdouble.After that great first season, Dalglish led Liverpool to a further two league titles and another FA Cup. However, theHillsborough disasterovershadowed his reign; it was one of the reasons for Dalglish resigning on 22 February 1991. 1991–2015 First-team coachRonnie Morantook charge of team affairs for several weeks beforeGraeme Sounesswas named as Dalglish's successor. Under Souness, Liverpool won the FA Cup in1992, but nothing else. He made way forRoy Evans, who also won just one trophy, the League Cup, beforeGérard Houllierwas appointed joint manager with Evans in 1998. This arrangement lasted only 18 games before Evans resigned, leaving Houllier—Liverpool's first non-British manager—in sole charge. Houllier won nothing until atreblein 2001, consisting of the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup. Houllier underwent major heart surgery during the2001–02season, but the squad was unaffected and managed to hold on to a second-place finish. AlthoughPhil Thompsonstepped in as temporary manager while Houllier was recovering from heart surgery, the matches played under Thompson are included in Houllier's record.Another League Cup was won in2003, but this was to be Houllier's last trophy as Liverpool manager as he and the club parted by mutual consent at the end of the2003–04season,to be replaced byValenciamanager,Rafael Benítez. In Benítez's first season in charge, Liverpool reached theUEFA Champions League Final, where they beatA.C. Milanon penalties, after the match finished 3–3 afterextra time. The following season, Liverpool reached theFA Cup Final, where they beatWest Ham United, again on penalties after a 3–3 draw. Benítez again guided Liverpool to aChampions League Finalin 2007, but this time A.C. Milan beat them 2–1. On 3 June 2010, Benitez paid the price for a disappointing2009–10season when Liverpool announced he had left the club by mutual consent after six years in charge. Benitez, who was one year into a five-year contract, finalised his departure after agreeing a severance payment. Benitez's assistantSammy Leetook over the reins at Liverpool until Managing director Christian Purslow and former managerKenny Dalglishfound a replacement. On 1 July 2010, formerFulhambossRoy Hodgsonwas confirmed as the new manager.After a poor tenure, which included Liverpool being 18th after 6 games, and only one away win during Hodgson's time in charge, Hodgson was sacked on 8 January 2011 and was replaced by former managerKenny Dalglishthe day before a 3rd Round FA Cup game againstManchester United.Dalglish signed a three-year contract as permanent manager in May, but was sacked a year later.Although the 2011–12 season ended with a poor 8th-place finish in the Premier League, Dalglish guided Liverpool to two Cup finals at Wembley, ending a six-year trophy drought by winning theLeague Cup. The second Cup final appearance was theFA Cup, which Liverpool lost toChelsea. He was replaced byBrendan Rodgerson 1 June 2012. Rodgers led them in the2013–14 seasonto a surprise title challenge, however Liverpool ended the league season in second place, despite scoring 101 goals, the club's most since the1895–96 seasonand the third-highest in Premier League history.Rodgers was the first Liverpool manager to win theLMA Manager of The Year Award.However, he was the first manager of the club not to win a major trophy in his first three years at the helm, and on 4 October 2015, he was sacked. 2015–2024 On 8 October 2015, Brendan Rodgers was replaced by formerBorussia DortmundmanagerJürgen Klopp.Klopp made an instant impact on the club and guided them to aLeague Cup Finaland a surpriseEuropa League Finalinhis first seasonat the club.During their Europa League campaign, he beat bothEnglish rivalsManchester United and his former club Borussia Dortmund en route to the final.However, they lost the League Cup Final to Manchester City viapenalty shoot-outand they lost 1–3 to Spanish sideSevillain the Europa League Final.They also finished 8th in the league, meaning they wouldn't qualify for European competition for the2016–17 season. On 8 June 2016, Klopp and his coaching staff signed six-year contract extensions that ran until 2022.Klopp guided the club to a fourth-place finish in the2016–17 season, qualifying them for the2017–18 UEFA Champions Leaguequalifying play-offs, where they beat German club,TSG 1899 Hoffenheim6–3 on aggregate in a two-legged play-off to reach the group stage.Klopp led the team to finish top of their group and beat eventual English champions, Manchester City, and Italian club Roma in the knockout phase en route to the2018 UEFA Champions League Final.Unfortunately for Liverpool, they lost 1–3 to Spanish giantsReal Madrid. During the2018–19 season, Klopp guided Liverpool to their sixth Champions League triumph with a2–0 winover fellow English club, Tottenham Hotspur,and also guided the club toa second-place finish in the league.At the start of the2019–20 season, Klopp's Liverpool side played against Manchester City in theFA Community Shieldand against Chelsea in theUEFA Super Cup.Both matches went into penalty shoot-outs, with Liverpool losing the former and winning the latter.Later in December, Klopp also guided Liverpool to their first ever FIFA club World Cup trophy, making it 3 trophies in 2019. In the 2019–20 season, Klopp secured Liverpool's first Premier League title and first top-flight title since 1990 by finishing on the most points in their history (99 points). The season was notable both for Liverpool's huge points lead over the rest of the league and for its interruption by theCoronavirusshutdown, meaning Liverpool won the Premier League atboth the earliest(7 games to go) and the latest time (June) ever. On 26 January 2024, the club released a statement, sharing Klopp's announcement that he would step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the current season (2023–24).Arne Slotwas announced as the head coach ahead of the2024–25 season. Key Key to record: Key to honours: Managers Information correct as of 20 October 2024. Only competitive matches are counted. Notes References General Specific Bibliography"],"string":"[\n \"Queen Victoria Victoria(Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) wasQueen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Irelandfrom 20 June 1837 untilher deathin 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days—which waslonger than those of any of her predecessors—constituted theVictorian era. It was a period of industrial, political, scientific, and military change within theUnited Kingdom, and was marked by a great expansion of theBritish Empire. In 1876, theBritish Parliamentvoted to grant her the additional title ofEmpress of India. Victoria was the daughter ofPrince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn(the fourth son ofKing George III), andPrincess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. After the deaths of her father and grandfather in 1820, she wasraised under close supervisionby her mother and hercomptroller,John Conroy. She inherited the throne aged 18 after her father's three elder brothers died without survivinglegitimateissue. Victoria, aconstitutional monarch, attempted privately to influence government policy and ministerial appointments; publicly, she became a national icon who was identified with strict standards ofpersonal morality. Victoria marriedher first cousin,Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in 1840. Their nine children married into royal and noble families across the continent, earning Victoria thesobriquet\\\"grandmother of Europe\\\". After Albert's death in 1861, Victoria plunged into deep mourning and avoided public appearances. As a result of her seclusion,British republicanismtemporarily gained strength, but in the latter half of her reign, her popularity recovered. HerGoldenandDiamondjubileeswere times of public celebration. Victoria died atOsborne Houseon theIsle of Wight, at the age of 81. The lastBritish monarchof theHouse of Hanover, she was succeeded by her sonEdward VIIof theHouse of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Early life Birth and ancestry Victoria's father wasPrince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, the fourth son ofKing George IIIandQueen Charlotte. Until 1817, King George's only legitimate grandchild was Edward's niecePrincess Charlotte of Wales, the daughter ofGeorge, Prince Regent(who would become George IV). Princess Charlotte's death in 1817 precipitated asuccession crisisthat brought pressure on Prince Edward and his unmarried brothers to marry and have children. In 1818, the Duke of Kent marriedPrincess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, a widowed German princess with two children—Carl(1804–1856) andFeodora(1807–1872)—by her first marriage toEmich Carl, 2nd Prince of Leiningen. Her brotherLeopoldwas Princess Charlotte's widower and later the firstking of Belgium. The Duke and Duchess of Kent's only child, Victoria was born at 4:15 a.m. on Monday 24 May 1819 atKensington Palacein London. Victoria was christened privately by theArchbishop of Canterbury,Charles Manners-Sutton, on 24 June 1819 in the Cupola Room at Kensington Palace.She was baptisedAlexandrinaafter one of her godparents, TsarAlexander I of Russia, andVictoria, after her mother. Additional names proposed by her parents—Georgina (or Georgiana), Charlotte, and Augusta—were dropped on the instructions of the Prince Regent. At birth, Victoria was fifth in the line of succession after the four eldest sons of George III: George, Prince Regent (later George IV);Frederick, Duke of York;William, Duke of Clarence(later William IV); and Victoria's father, Edward, Duke of Kent.Prince George had no surviving children, and Prince Frederick had no children; further, both were estranged from their wives, who were both past child-bearing age, so the two eldest brothers were unlikely to have any further legitimate children. William married in 1818, in a joint ceremony with his brother Edward, but both of William's legitimate daughters died as infants. The first of these was Princess Charlotte, who was born and died on 27 March 1819, two months before Victoria was born. Victoria's father died in January 1820, when Victoria was less than a year old. A week later her grandfather died and was succeeded by his eldest son as George IV. Victoria was then third in line to the throne after Frederick and William. She was fourth in line while William's second daughter,Princess Elizabeth, lived, from 10 December 1820 to 4 March 1821. Heir presumptive Prince Frederick died in 1827, followed by George IV in 1830; their next surviving brother succeeded to the throne as William IV, and Victoria becameheir presumptive. TheRegency Act 1830made special provision for Victoria's mother to act as regent in case William died while Victoria was still a minor.King William distrusted the Duchess's capacity to be regent, and in 1836 he declared in her presence that he wanted to live until Victoria's 18th birthday, so that aregencycould be avoided. Victoria later described her childhood as \\\"rather melancholy\\\".Her mother was extremely protective, and Victoria was raised largely isolated from other children under the so-called \\\"Kensington System\\\", an elaborate set of rules and protocols devised by the Duchess and her ambitious and domineeringcomptroller,Sir John Conroy, who was rumoured to be the Duchess's lover.The system prevented the princess from meeting people whom her mother and Conroy deemed undesirable (including most of her father's family), and was designed to render her weak and dependent upon them.The Duchess avoided the court because she was scandalised by the presence of King William's illegitimate children.Victoria shared a bedroom with her mother every night, studied with private tutors to a regular timetable, and spent her play-hours with her dolls and herKing Charles Spaniel,Dash.Her lessons included French, German, Italian, and Latin,but she spoke only English at home. In 1830, the Duchess and Conroy took Victoria across the centre of England to visit theMalvern Hills, stopping at towns and greatcountry housesalong the way.Similar journeys to other parts of England and Wales were taken in 1832, 1833, 1834 and 1835. To the King's annoyance, Victoria was enthusiastically welcomed in each of the stops.William compared the journeys toroyal progressesand was concerned that they portrayed Victoria as his rival rather than his heir presumptive.Victoria disliked the trips; the constant round of public appearances made her tired and ill, and there was little time for her to rest.She objected on the grounds of the King's disapproval, but her mother dismissed his complaints as motivated by jealousy and forced Victoria to continue the tours.AtRamsgatein October 1835, Victoria contracted a severe fever, which Conroy initially dismissed as a childish pretence.While Victoria was ill, Conroy and the Duchess unsuccessfully badgered her to make Conroy herprivate secretary.As a teenager, Victoria resisted persistent attempts by her mother and Conroy to appoint him to her staff.Once queen, she banned him from her presence, but he remained in her mother's household. By 1836, Victoria's maternal uncle Leopold, who had been King of the Belgians since 1831, hoped to marry her toPrince Albert,the son of his brotherErnest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Leopold arranged for Victoria's mother to invite her Coburg relatives to visit her in May 1836, with the purpose of introducing Victoria to Albert.William IV, however, disapproved of any match with the Coburgs, and instead favoured the suit ofPrince Alexander of the Netherlands, second son ofthe Prince of Orange.Victoria was aware of the various matrimonial plans and critically appraised a parade of eligible princes.According to her diary, she enjoyed Albert's company from the beginning. After the visit she wrote, \\\" is extremely handsome; his hair is about the same colour as mine; his eyes are large and blue, and he has a beautiful nose and a very sweet mouth with fine teeth; but the charm of his countenance is his expression, which is most delightful.\\\"Alexander, on the other hand, she described as \\\"very plain\\\". Victoria wrote to King Leopold, whom she considered her \\\"best and kindest adviser\\\",to thank him \\\"for the prospect ofgreathappiness you have contributed to give me, in the person of dear Albert ... He possesses every quality that could be desired to render me perfectly happy. He is so sensible, so kind, and so good, and so amiable too. He has besides the most pleasing and delightful exterior and appearance you can possibly see.\\\"However at 17, Victoria, though interested in Albert, was not yet ready to marry. The parties did not undertake a formal engagement, but assumed that the match would take place in due time. Accession and early reign Victoria turned 18 on 24 May 1837, and aregencywas avoided. Less than a month later, on 20 June 1837, William IV died at the age of 71, and Victoria became Queen of the United Kingdom.In her diary she wrote, \\\"I was awoke at 6 o'clock by Mamma, who told me theArchbishop of CanterburyandLord Conynghamwere here and wished to see me. I got out of bed and went into my sitting-room (only in my dressing gown) andalone, and saw them. Lord Conyngham then acquainted me that my poor Uncle, the King, was no more, and had expired at 12 minutes past 2 this morning, and consequently thatIamQueen.\\\"Official documents prepared on the first day of her reign described her as Alexandrina Victoria, but the first name was withdrawn at her own wish and not used again. Since 1714,Britainhad shared a monarch withHanoverin Germany, but underSalic law, women were excluded from the Hanoverian succession. While Victoria inherited the British throne, her father's unpopular younger brother,Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, becameKing of Hanover. He was Victoria's heir presumptive until she had a child. At the time of Victoria's accession, the government was led by theWhigprime ministerLord Melbourne. He at once became a powerful influence on the politically inexperienced monarch, who relied on him for advice.Charles Grevillesupposed that the widowed and childless Melbourne was \\\"passionately fond of her as he might be of his daughter if he had one\\\", and Victoria probably saw him as a father figure.Her coronationtook place on 28 June 1838 atWestminster Abbey. Over 400,000 visitors came to London for the celebrations.She became the first sovereign to take up residence atBuckingham Palaceand inherited the revenues of the duchies ofLancasterandCornwallas well as being granted acivil listallowance of £385,000 per year. Financially prudent, she paid off her father's debts. At the start of her reign Victoria was popular,but her reputation suffered in an 1839 court intrigue when one of her mother's ladies-in-waiting,Lady Flora Hastings, developed an abdominal growth that was widely rumoured to be an out-of-wedlock pregnancy by Sir John Conroy.Victoria believed the rumours.She hated Conroy, and despised \\\"that odious Lady Flora\\\",because she had conspired with Conroy and the Duchess in the Kensington System.At first, Lady Flora refused to submit to an intimate medical examination, until in mid-February she eventually acquiesced, and was found to be a virgin.Conroy, the Hastings family, and the oppositionToriesorganised a press campaign implicating the Queen in the spreading of false rumours about Lady Flora.When Lady Flora died in July, the post-mortem revealed a large tumour on her liver that had distended her abdomen.At public appearances, Victoria was hissed and jeered as \\\"Mrs. Melbourne\\\". In 1839, Melbourne resigned afterRadicalsand Tories (both of whom Victoria detested) voted against a bill to suspend the constitution ofJamaica. The bill removed political power from plantation owners who were resisting measures associated with theabolition of slavery.The Queen commissioned a Tory,Robert Peel, to form a new ministry. At the time, it was customary for the prime minister to appoint members of theRoyal Household, who were usually his political allies and their spouses. Many of the Queen'sladies of the bedchamberwere wives of Whigs, and Peel expected to replace them with wives of Tories. In what became known as the \\\"bedchamber crisis\\\", Victoria, advised by Melbourne, objected to their removal. Peel refused to govern under the restrictions imposed by the Queen, and consequently resigned his commission, allowing Melbourne to return to office. Marriage and public life Though Victoria was now queen, as an unmarried young woman she was required bysocial conventionto live with her mother, despite their differences over the Kensington System and her mother's continued reliance on Conroy.The Duchess was consigned to a remote apartment in Buckingham Palace, and Victoria often refused to see her.When Victoria complained to Melbourne that her mother's proximity promised \\\"torment for many years\\\", Melbourne sympathised but said it could be avoided by marriage, which Victoria called a \\\"schocking alternative\\\".Victoria showed interest in Albert's education for the future role he would have to play as her husband, but she resisted attempts to rush her into wedlock. Victoria continued to praise Albert following his second visit in October 1839. They felt mutual affection and the Queen proposed to him on 15 October 1839, just five days after he had arrived atWindsor.They were married on 10 February 1840, in theChapel RoyalofSt James's Palace, London. Victoria was love-struck. She spent the evening after their wedding lying down with a headache, but wrote ecstatically in her diary: I NEVER, NEVER spent such an evening!!! MY DEAREST DEAREST DEAR Albert ... his excessive love & affection gave me feelings of heavenly love & happiness I never could havehopedto have felt before! He clasped me in his arms, & we kissed each other again & again! His beauty, his sweetness & gentleness—really how can I ever be thankful enough to have such aHusband! ... to be called by names of tenderness, I have never yet heard used to me before—was bliss beyond belief! Oh! This was the happiest day of my life! Albert became an important political adviser as well as the Queen's companion, replacing Melbourne as the dominant influential figure in the first half of her life.Victoria's mother was evicted from the palace, to Ingestre House inBelgrave Square. After the death of Victoria's auntPrincess Augustain 1840, the Duchess was given bothClarence HouseandFrogmore House.Through Albert's mediation, relations between mother and daughter slowly improved. During Victoria's first pregnancy in 1840, in the first few months of the marriage, 18-year-oldEdward Oxfordattempted to assassinate her while she was riding in a carriage with Prince Albert on her way to visit her mother. Oxford fired twice, but either both bullets missed or, as he later claimed, the guns had no shot.He was tried forhigh treason, foundnot guilty by reason of insanity, committed to an insane asylum indefinitely, and later sent to live in Australia.In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Victoria's popularity soared, mitigating residual discontent over theHastings affairand thebedchamber crisis.Her daughter, also namedVictoria, was born on 21 November 1840. The Queen hated being pregnant,viewed breast-feeding with disgust,and thought newborn babies were ugly.Nevertheless, over the following seventeen years, she and Albert had a further eight children:Albert Edward,Alice,Alfred,Helena,Louise,Arthur,LeopoldandBeatrice. The household was largely run by Victoria's childhood governess, BaronessLouise LehzenfromHanover. Lehzen had been a formative influence on Victoriaand had supported her against the Kensington System.Albert, however, thought that Lehzen was incompetent and that her mismanagement threatened his daughter Victoria's health. After a furious row between Victoria and Albert over the issue, Lehzen was pensioned off in 1842, and Victoria's close relationship with her ended. On 29 May 1842, Victoria was riding in a carriage alongThe Mall, London, when John Francis aimed a pistol at her, but the gun did not fire. The assailant escaped; the following day, Victoria drove the same route, though faster and with a greater escort, in a deliberate attempt to bait Francis into taking a second aim and catch him in the act. As expected, Francis shot at her, but he was seized by plainclothes policemen, and convicted of high treason. On 3 July, two days after Francis's death sentence was commuted totransportation for life,John William Beanalso tried to fire a pistol at the Queen, but it was loaded only with paper and tobacco and had too little charge.Edward Oxford felt that the attempts were encouraged by his acquittal in 1840.Bean was sentenced to 18 months in jail.In a similar attack in 1849, unemployed Irishman William Hamilton fired a powder-filled pistol at Victoria's carriage as it passed alongConstitution Hill, London.In 1850, the Queen did sustain injury when she was assaulted by a possibly insane ex-army officer,Robert Pate. As Victoria was riding in a carriage, Pate struck her with his cane, crushing her bonnet and bruising her forehead. Both Hamilton and Pate were sentenced to seven years' transportation. Melbourne's support in the House of Commons weakened through the early years of Victoria's reign, and in the1841 general electionthe Whigs were defeated. Peel became prime minister, and the ladies of the bedchamber most associated with the Whigs were replaced. In 1845, Ireland was hit by apotato blight.In the next four years, over a million Irish people died and another million emigrated in what became known as theGreat Famine.In Ireland, Victoria was labelled \\\"The Famine Queen\\\".In January 1847 she personally donated £2,000 (equivalent to between £230,000 and £8.5million in 2022)to theBritish Relief Association, more than any other individual famine relief donor,and supported theMaynooth Grantto a Roman Catholic seminary in Ireland, despite Protestant opposition.The story that she donated only £5 in aid to the Irish, and on the same day gave the same amount toBattersea Dogs Home, was a myth generated towards the end of the 19th century. By 1846, Peel's ministry faced a crisis involving the repeal of theCorn Laws. Many Tories—by then known also asConservatives—were opposed to the repeal, but Peel, some Tories (the free-trade orientedliberal conservative\\\"Peelites\\\"), most Whigs and Victoria supported it. Peel resigned in 1846, after the repeal narrowly passed, and was replaced byLord John Russell. Internationally, Victoria took a keen interest in the improvement of relations between France and Britain.She made and hosted several visits between the British royal family and theHouse of Orleans, who were related by marriage through the Coburgs. In 1843 and 1845, she and Albert stayed with KingLouis Philippe IatChâteau d'Euin Normandy; she was the first British or English monarch to visit a French monarch since the meeting ofHenry VIII of EnglandandFrancis I of Franceon theField of the Cloth of Goldin 1520.When Louis Philippe made a reciprocal trip in 1844, he became the first French king to visit a British sovereign.Louis Philippe was deposed in therevolutions of 1848, and fled to exile in England.At the height of a revolutionary scare in the United Kingdom in April 1848, Victoria and her family left London for the greater safety ofOsborne House,a private estate on the Isle of Wight that they had purchased in 1845 and redeveloped.Demonstrations byChartistsandIrish nationalistsfailed to attract widespread support, and the scare died down without any major disturbances.Victoria's first visit to Ireland in 1849 was a public relations success, but it had no lasting impact or effect on the growth of Irish nationalism. Russell's ministry, though Whig, was not favoured by the Queen.She found particularly offensive theForeign Secretary,Lord Palmerston, who often acted without consulting the Cabinet, the Prime Minister, or the Queen.Victoria complained to Russell that Palmerston sent official dispatches to foreign leaders without her knowledge, but Palmerston was retained in office and continued to act on his own initiative, despite her repeated remonstrances. It was only in 1851 that Palmerston was removed after he announced the British government's approval of PresidentLouis-Napoleon Bonaparte'scoup in Francewithout consulting the Prime Minister.The following year, President Bonaparte was declared Emperor Napoleon III, by which time Russell's administration had been replaced by a short-lived minority government led byLord Derby. In 1853, Victoria gave birth to her eighth child, Leopold, with the aid of the new anaesthetic,chloroform. She was so impressed by the relief it gave from the pain of childbirth that she used it again in 1857 at the birth of her ninth and final child, Beatrice, despite opposition from members of the clergy, who considered it against biblical teaching, and members of the medical profession, who thought it dangerous.Victoria may have hadpostnatal depressionafter many of her pregnancies.Letters from Albert to Victoria intermittently complain of her loss of self-control. For example, about a month after Leopold's birth Albert complained in a letter to Victoria about her \\\"continuance of hysterics\\\" over a \\\"miserable trifle\\\". In early 1855, the government ofLord Aberdeen, who had replaced Derby, fell amidst recriminations over the poor management of British troops in theCrimean War. Victoria approached both Derby and Russell to form a ministry, but neither had sufficient support, and Victoria was forced to appoint Palmerston as prime minister. Napoleon III, Britain's closest ally as a result of the Crimean War,visited London in April 1855, and from 17 to 28 August the same year Victoria and Albert returned the visit.Napoleon III met the couple atBoulogneand accompanied them to Paris.They visited theExposition Universelle(a successor to Albert's 1851 brainchild theGreat Exhibition) andNapoleon I's tomb atLes Invalides(to which his remains had only beenreturnedin 1840), and were guests of honour at a 1,200-guest ball at thePalace of Versailles.This marked the first time that a reigning British monarch had been to Paris in over 400 years. On 14 January 1858, an Italian refugee from Britain calledFelice Orsiniattempted to assassinate Napoleon III with a bomb made in England.The ensuing diplomatic crisis destabilised the government, and Palmerston resigned. Derby was reinstated as prime minister.Victoria and Albert attended the opening of a new basin at the French military port ofCherbourgon 5 August 1858, in an attempt by Napoleon III to reassure Britain that his military preparations were directed elsewhere. On her return Victoria wrote to Derby reprimanding him for the poor state of theRoyal Navyin comparison to theFrench Navy.Derby's ministry did not last long, and in June 1859 Victoria recalled Palmerston to office. Eleven days after Orsini's assassination attempt in France, Victoria's eldest daughter marriedPrince Frederick William of Prussiain London. They had been betrothed since September 1855, when Princess Victoria was 14 years old; the marriage was delayed by the Queen and her husband Albert until the bride was 17.The Queen and Albert hoped that their daughter and son-in-law would be a liberalising influence in the enlargingPrussianstate.The Queen felt \\\"sick at heart\\\" to see her daughter leave England for Germany; \\\"It really makes me shudder\\\", she wrote to Princess Victoria in one of her frequent letters, \\\"when I look round to all your sweet, happy, unconscious sisters, and think I must give them up too – one by one.\\\"Almost exactly a year later, the Princess gave birth to the Queen's first grandchild,Wilhelm, who would become the last German emperor. Widowhood and isolation In March 1861, Victoria's mother died, with Victoria at her side. Through reading her mother's papers, Victoria discovered that her mother had loved her deeply;she was heart-broken, and blamed Conroy and Lehzen for \\\"wickedly\\\" estranging her from her mother.To relieve his wife during her intense and deep grief,Albert took on most of her duties, despite being ill himself with chronic stomach trouble.In August, Victoria and Albert visited their son,Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, who was attending army manoeuvres near Dublin, and spent a few days holidaying inKillarney. In November, Albert was made aware of gossip that his son had slept with an actress in Ireland.Appalled, he travelled to Cambridge, where his son was studying, to confront him. By the beginning of December, Albert was very unwell.He was diagnosed withtyphoid feverbyWilliam Jenner, and died on 14 December 1861. Victoria was devastated.She blamed her husband's death on worry over the Prince of Wales'sphilandering. He had been \\\"killed by that dreadful business\\\", she said.She entered a state ofmourningand wore black for the remainder of her life. She avoided public appearances and rarely set foot in London in the following years.Her seclusion earned her the nickname \\\"widow of Windsor\\\".Her weight increased through comfort eating, which reinforced her aversion to public appearances. Victoria's self-imposed isolation from the public diminished the popularity of the monarchy, and encouraged the growth of the republican movement.She did undertake her official government duties, yet chose to remain secluded in her royal residences—Windsor Castle, Osborne House, and the private estate in Scotland that she and Albert had acquired in 1847,Balmoral Castle. In March 1864, a protester stuck a notice on the railings ofBuckingham Palacethat announced \\\"these commanding premises to be let or sold in consequence of the late occupant's declining business\\\".Her uncle Leopold wrote to her advising her to appear in public. She agreed to visit the gardens of theRoyal Horticultural SocietyatKensingtonand take a drive through London in an open carriage. Through the 1860s, Victoria relied increasingly on a manservant from Scotland,John Brown.Rumours of a romantic connection and even a secret marriage appeared in print, and some referred to the Queen as \\\"Mrs. Brown\\\".The story of their relationship was the subject of the 1997 movieMrs. Brown. A painting by SirEdwin Henry Landseerdepicting the Queen with Brown was exhibited at theRoyal Academy, and Victoria published a book,Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands, which featured Brown prominently and in which the Queen praised him highly. Palmerston died in 1865, and after a brief ministry led by Russell, Derby returned to power. In 1866, Victoria attended theState Opening of Parliamentfor the first time since Albert's death.The following year she supported the passing of theReform Act 1867which doubled the electorate by extending the franchise to many urban working men,though she was not in favour of votes for women.Derby resigned in 1868, to be replaced byBenjamin Disraeli, who charmed Victoria. \\\"Everyone likes flattery,\\\" he said, \\\"and when you come to royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.\\\"With the phrase \\\"we authors, Ma'am\\\", he complimented her.Disraeli's ministry only lasted a matter of months, and at the end of the year his Liberal rival,William Ewart Gladstone, was appointed prime minister. Victoria found Gladstone's demeanour far less appealing; he spoke to her, she is thought to have complained, as though she were \\\"a public meeting rather than a woman\\\". In 1870 republican sentiment in Britain, fed by the Queen's seclusion, was boosted after the establishment of theThird French Republic.A republican rally inTrafalgar Squaredemanded Victoria's removal, and Radical MPs spoke against her.In August and September 1871, she was seriously ill with anabscessin her arm, whichJoseph Listersuccessfully lanced and treated with his new antisepticcarbolic acidspray.In late November 1871, at the height of the republican movement, the Prince of Wales contracted typhoid fever, the disease that was believed to have killed his father, and Victoria was fearful her son would die.As the tenth anniversary of her husband's death approached, her son's condition grew no better, and Victoria's distress continued.To general rejoicing, he recovered.Mother and son attended a public parade through London and a grand service of thanksgiving inSt Paul's Cathedralon 27 February 1872, and republican feeling subsided. On the last day of February 1872, two days after the thanksgiving service, 17-year-old Arthur O'Connor, a great-nephew of Irish MPFeargus O'Connor, waved an unloaded pistol at Victoria's open carriage just after she had arrived at Buckingham Palace. Brown, who was attending the Queen, grabbed him and O'Connor was later sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment,and abirching.As a result of the incident, Victoria's popularity recovered further. Empress of India After theIndian Rebellion of 1857, theBritish East India Company, which had ruled much of India, was dissolved, and Britain's possessions and protectorates on theIndian subcontinentwere formally incorporated into theBritish Empire. The Queen had a relatively balanced view of the conflict, and condemned atrocities on both sides.She wrote of \\\"her feelings of horror and regret at the result of this bloody civil war\\\",and insisted, urged on by Albert, that an official proclamation announcing the transfer of power from the company to the state \\\"should breathe feelings of generosity, benevolence and religious toleration\\\".At her behest, a reference threatening the \\\"undermining of native religions and customs\\\" was replaced by a passage guaranteeing religious freedom. In the1874 general election, Disraeli was returned to power. He passed thePublic Worship Regulation Act 1874, which removed Catholic rituals from the Anglican liturgy and which Victoria strongly supported.She preferred short, simple services, and personally considered herself more aligned with thepresbyterianChurch of Scotlandthan theepiscopalChurch of England.Disraeli also pushed theRoyal Titles Act 1876through Parliament, so that Victoria took the title \\\"Empress of India\\\" from 1 May 1876.The new title was proclaimed at theDelhi Durbarof 1 January 1877. On 14 December 1878, the anniversary of Albert's death, Victoria's second daughter Alice, who had marriedLouis of Hesse, died ofdiphtheriainDarmstadt. Victoria noted the coincidence of the dates as \\\"almost incredible and most mysterious\\\".In May 1879, she became a great-grandmother (on the birth ofPrincess Feodora of Saxe-Meiningen) and passed her \\\"poor old 60th birthday\\\". She felt \\\"aged\\\" by \\\"the loss of my beloved child\\\". Between April 1877 and February 1878, she threatened five times to abdicate while pressuring Disraeli to act against Russia during theRusso-Turkish War, but her threats had no impact on the events or their conclusion with theCongress of Berlin.Disraeli's expansionist foreign policy, which Victoria endorsed, led to conflicts such as theAnglo-Zulu Warand theSecond Anglo-Afghan War. \\\"Ifweare tomaintainour position as afirst-ratePower\\\", she wrote, \\\"we must ... bePreparedforattacksandwars,somewhereorother, CONTINUALLY.\\\"Victoria saw the expansion of the British Empire as civilising and benign, protecting native peoples from more aggressive powers or cruel rulers: \\\"It is not in our custom to annexe countries\\\", she said, \\\"unless we are obliged & forced to do so.\\\"To Victoria's dismay, Disraeli lost the1880 general election, and Gladstone returned as prime minister.When Disraeli died the following year, she was blinded by \\\"fast falling tears\\\",and erected a memorial tablet \\\"placed by his grateful Sovereign and Friend, Victoria R.I.\\\" On 2 March 1882,Roderick Maclean, a disgruntled poet apparently offended by Victoria's refusal to accept one of his poems,shot at the Queen as her carriage leftWindsor railway station.Gordon Chesney Wilsonand another schoolboy fromEton Collegestruck him with their umbrellas, until he was hustled away by a policeman.Victoria was outraged when he was found not guilty by reason of insanity,but was so pleased by the many expressions of loyalty after the attack that she said it was \\\"worth being shot at—to see how much one is loved\\\". On 17 March 1883, Victoria fell down some stairs at Windsor, which left her lame until July; she never fully recovered and was plagued with rheumatism thereafter.John Brown died 10 days after her accident, and to the consternation of her private secretary, SirHenry Ponsonby, Victoria began work on a eulogistic biography of Brown.Ponsonby andRandall Davidson,Dean of Windsor, who had both seen early drafts, advised Victoria against publication, on the grounds that it would stoke the rumours of a love affair.The manuscript was destroyed.In early 1884, Victoria did publishMore Leaves from a Journal of a Life in the Highlands, a sequel to her earlier book, which she dedicated to her \\\"devoted personal attendant and faithful friend John Brown\\\".On the day after the first anniversary of Brown's death, Victoria was informed by telegram that her youngest son, Leopold, had died inCannes. He was \\\"the dearest of my dear sons\\\", she lamented.The following month, Victoria's youngest child, Beatrice, met and fell in love withPrince Henry of Battenbergat the wedding of Victoria's granddaughterPrincess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhineto Henry's brotherPrince Louis of Battenberg. Beatrice and Henry planned to marry, but Victoria opposed the match at first, wishing to keep Beatrice at home to act as her companion. After a year, she was won around to the marriage by their promise to remain living with and attending her. Victoria was pleased when Gladstone resigned in 1885 after his budget was defeated.She thought his government was \\\"the worst I have ever had\\\", and blamed him for the death ofGeneral Gordonduring theSiege of Khartoum.Gladstone was replaced byLord Salisbury. Salisbury's government only lasted a few months, however, and Victoria was forced to recall Gladstone, whom she referred to as a \\\"half crazy & really in many ways ridiculous old man\\\".Gladstone attempted to passa bill granting Ireland home rule, but to Victoria's glee it was defeated.Inthe ensuing election, Gladstone's party lost to Salisbury's and the government switched hands again. Golden and Diamond Jubilees In 1887, theBritish EmpirecelebratedVictoria's Golden Jubilee. She marked the fiftieth anniversary of her accession on 20 June with a banquet to which 50 kings and princes were invited. The following day, she participated in a procession and attended a thanksgiving service inWestminster Abbey.By this time, Victoria was once again extremely popular.Two days later on 23 June,she engaged two Indian Muslims as waiters, one of whom wasAbdul Karim. He was soon promoted to \\\"Munshi\\\": teaching herUrduand acting as a clerk.Her family and retainers were appalled, and accused Abdul Karim of spying for the Muslim Patriotic League, and biasing the Queen against the Hindus.EquerryFrederick Ponsonby(the son of Sir Henry) discovered that the Munshi had lied about his parentage, and reported toLord Elgin,Viceroy of India, \\\"the Munshi occupies very much the same position as John Brown used to do.\\\"Victoria dismissed their complaints as racial prejudice.Abdul Karim remained in her service until he returned to India with a pension, on her death. Victoria's eldest daughter becameempress consort of Germanyin 1888, but she was widowed a little over three months later, and Victoria's eldest grandchild became German Emperor asWilhelm II. Victoria and Albert's hopes of a liberal Germany would go unfulfilled, as Wilhelm was a firm believer inautocracy. Victoria thought he had \\\"little heart orZartgefühl – and ... his conscience & intelligence have been completely wharped \\\". Gladstone returned to power after the1892 general election; he was 82 years old. Victoria objected when Gladstone proposed appointing the Radical MPHenry Labouchèreto theCabinet, so Gladstone agreed not to appoint him.In 1894, Gladstone retired and, without consulting the outgoing prime minister, Victoria appointedLord Roseberyas prime minister.His government was weak, and the following year Lord Salisbury replaced him. Salisbury remained prime minister for the remainder of Victoria's reign. On 23 September 1896, Victoria surpassed her grandfather George III as thelongest-reigning monarch in British history. The Queen requested that any special celebrations be delayed until 1897, to coincide withher Diamond Jubilee,which was made a festival of the British Empire at the suggestion of theColonial Secretary,Joseph Chamberlain.The prime ministers of all theself-governingDominionswere invited to London for the festivities.One reason for including the prime ministers of the Dominions and excluding foreign heads of state was to avoid having to invite Victoria's grandson Wilhelm II, who, it was feared, might cause trouble at the event. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee procession on 22 June 1897 followed a route six miles long through London and included troops from all over the empire. The procession paused for an open-air service of thanksgiving held outside St Paul's Cathedral, throughout which Victoria sat in her open carriage, to avoid her having to climb the steps to enter the building. The celebration was marked by vast crowds of spectators and great outpourings of affection for the 78-year-old Queen. Declining health and death Victoria regularly holidayed in mainland Europe. In 1889, during a stay inBiarritz, she became the first reigning monarch from Britain to visit Spain by briefly crossing the border.By April 1900, theBoer Warwas so unpopular in mainland Europe that her annual trip to France seemed inadvisable. Instead, the Queen went to Ireland for the first time since 1861, in part to acknowledge the contribution of Irish regiments to the South African war. In July 1900, Victoria's second son, Alfred (\\\"Affie\\\"), died. \\\"Oh, God! My poor darling Affie gone too\\\", she wrote in her journal. \\\"It is a horrible year, nothing but sadness & horrors of one kind & another.\\\" Following a custom she maintained throughout her widowhood, Victoria spent the Christmas of 1900 at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.Rheumatismin her legs had rendered her disabled, and her eyesight was clouded by cataracts.Through early January, she felt \\\"weak and unwell\\\",and by mid-January she was \\\"drowsy dazed, confused\\\".Herfavourite petPomeranian, Turi, was laid on her bed as a last request.She died aged 81 on 22 January 1901, at half past six in the evening, in the presence of her eldest son, Albert Edward, and grandson Wilhelm II. Albert Edward immediately succeeded as Edward VII. In 1897, Victoria had written instructions forher funeral, which was to be military as befitting a soldier's daughter and the head of the army,and white instead of black.On 25 January, Edward VII and Wilhelm II, together with Prince Arthur, helped lift her body into the coffin.She was dressed in a white dress and her wedding veil.An array of mementos commemorating her extended family, friends and servants were laid in the coffin with her, at her request, by her physician and dressers. One of Albert's dressing gowns was placed by her side, with a plaster cast of his hand, while a lock of John Brown's hair, along with a picture of him, was placed in her left hand concealed from the view of the family by a carefully positioned bunch of flowers.Items ofjewelleryplaced on Victoria included the wedding ring of Brown's mother, which Brown gave Victoria in 1883.Her funeral was held on Saturday 2 February, inSt George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and after two days of lying-in-state, she was interred beside Prince Albert in theRoyal Mausoleum, Frogmore, atWindsor Great Park. With a reign of 63 years, seven months, and two days, Victoria was thelongest-reigning British monarchand thelongest-reigningqueen regnantin world history, until her great-great-granddaughterElizabeth IIsurpassed her on 9 September 2015.She was the last monarch of Britain from theHouse of Hanover; her son Edward VII belonged to her husband'sHouse of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Legacy Reputation According to one of her biographers, Giles St Aubyn, Victoria wrote an average of 2,500 words a day during her adult life.From July 1832 until just before her death, she kept a detailedjournal, which eventually encompassed 122 volumes.After Victoria's death, her youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice, was appointed her literary executor. Beatrice transcribed and edited the diaries covering Victoria's accession onwards, and burned the originals in the process.Despite this destruction, much of the diaries still exist. In addition to Beatrice's edited copy,Lord Eshertranscribed the volumes from 1832 to 1861 before Beatrice destroyed them.Part of Victoria's extensive correspondence has been published in volumes edited byA. C. Benson,Hector Bolitho,George Earle Buckle, Lord Esher,Roger Fulford, andRichard Houghamong others. In her later years, Victoria was stout, dowdy, and about five feet (1.5 metres) tall, but she projected a grand image.She was unpopular during the first years of her widowhood, but was well liked during the 1880s and 1890s, when she embodied the empire as a benevolent matriarchal figure.Only after the release of her diary and letters did the extent of her political influence become known to the wider public.Biographies of Victoria written before much of the primary material became available, such asLytton Strachey'sQueen Victoriaof 1921, are now considered out of date.The biographies written byElizabeth LongfordandCecil Woodham-Smith, in 1964 and 1972 respectively, are still widely admired.They, and others, conclude that as a person Victoria was emotional, obstinate, honest, and straight-talking. Through Victoria's reign, the gradual establishment of a modernconstitutional monarchyin Britain continued. Reforms of the voting system increased the power of theHouse of Commonsat the expense of theHouse of Lordsand the monarch.In 1867,Walter Bagehotwrote that the monarch only retained \\\"the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn\\\".As Victoria's monarchy became more symbolic than political, it placed a strong emphasis on morality and family values, in contrast to the sexual, financial and personal scandals that had been associated with previous members of the House of Hanover and which had discredited the monarchy. The concept of the \\\"family monarchy\\\", with which the burgeoning middle classes could identify, was solidified. Descendants and haemophilia Victoria's links with Europe's royal families earned her the nickname \\\"the grandmother of Europe\\\".Of thegrandchildren of Victoria and Albert, 34 survived to adulthood. Victoria's youngest son, Leopold, was affected by the blood-clotting diseasehaemophilia Band at least two of her five daughters, Alice and Beatrice, were carriers.Royal haemophiliacsdescended from Victoria included her great-grandsons,Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia;Alfonso, Prince of Asturias; andInfante Gonzalo of Spain.The presence of the disease in Victoria's descendants, but not in her ancestors, led tomodern speculation that her true father was not the Duke of Kent, but a haemophiliac.There is no documentary evidence of a haemophiliac in connection with Victoria's mother, and as male carriers always had the disease, even if such a man had existed he would have been seriously ill.It is more likely that the mutation arose spontaneously because Victoria's father was over 50 at the time of her conception and haemophilia arises more frequently in the children of older fathers.Spontaneous mutations account for about a third of cases. Titles, styles, honours, and arms Titles and styles At the end of her reign, the Queen's fullstylewas: \\\"Her Majesty Victoria, by the Grace of God, of theUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandQueen,Defender of the Faith, Empress of India\\\". Honours British honours Foreign honours Arms As Sovereign, Victoria used theroyal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. As she could not succeed to the throne of Hanover, her arms did not carry the Hanoverian symbols that were used by her immediate predecessors. Her arms have been borne by all of her successors on the throne. Family Issue Ancestry Family tree Notes References Citations Bibliography Primary sources Further reading External links\",\n \"1900–01 Football League The1900–01seasonwas the 13th season ofThe Football League. Final league tables Beginning in the 1894–95 season, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded). In case one or more teams had the same goal difference, this system favoured those teams who had scored fewer goals. The goal average system was eventually scrapped beginning with the 1976–77 season. During the first six seasons of the league, (up to the 1893–94 season), re-election process concerned the clubs which finished in the bottom four of the league. From the 1894–95 season and until the 1920–21 season the re-election process was required of the clubs which finished in the bottom three of the league. First Division Results Maps Second Division Results Maps See also References\",\n \"List of Liverpool F.C. managers Liverpool Football Clubis an English association football club based inLiverpool,Merseyside. Liverpool won theFirst Division titlefor the first time in 1901; since then, the club has won a further 18 league titles, along with eightFA Cupsand tenFootball League Cups. They have also been crowned champions of European football on six occasions by winning theEuropean Cup/UEFA Champions Leaguein1977,1978,1981,1984,2005and2019.The club was one of 22 members of thePremier Leaguewhen it was founded in 1992. Liverpool have had 22 full-time managers. The most successful person to manage Liverpool isBob Paisley, who won six Football League titles, sixCharity Shields, three Football League Cups, three European Cups, oneUEFA Super Cupand oneUEFA Cupin his nine-year reign as manager. The club's longest-serving manager wasTom Watson, who managed the club from 1896 to 1915, totalling 19 years.Kenny Dalglishis the only person to have managed the club on two occasions. He first managed Liverpool from 1985 to February 1991, and then from January 2011 to June 2012. This chronological list comprises all those who have held the position of manager of the first team of Liverpool since their foundation in 1892. Each manager's entry includes his dates of tenure and the club's overall competitive record (in terms of matches won, drawn and lost), honours won and significant achievements while under his care.Caretaker managersare included, where known, as well as those who have been in permanent charge. Managerial history 1892–1959 The first Liverpool managers,William Edward BarclayandJohn McKenna, were appointed in 1892. Barclay acted as secretary-manager, overseeing the administrative side of the club, while McKenna took charge of matters on the field. The two worked in tandem as Liverpool won promotion from the Lancashire League in the club's first season.However, in 1896, McKenna appointedTom Watsonas manager.He went on to win twoFootball League championships. As theFirst World Warbroke out, Watson was embarking on his nineteenth season in charge at Anfield. It was to be his last, because he died in May 1915, aged 56.David Ashworthwas appointed manager when football resumed after the War.Ashworth won one league title, but left forOldham Athleticsoon after this. He was replaced in February 1923 by a Liverpool director,Matt McQueen, who won one league title for the club. However, this marked the beginning of a barren spell spanning more than 20 years before Liverpool finally regained the title in 1947 under the stewardship ofGeorge Kay. Kay also led Liverpool to theFA Cup Finalin1950, but lost the game 2–0 to Arsenal. He retired the following year, owing to ill-health.The next manager,Don Welshbecame the first Liverpool manager to be sacked after leading the club to relegation in 1954. His successor,Phil Taylor, also failed to win a trophy or gain promotion back to the top flight during his reign as boss. 1959–1991 On 1 December 1959,Bill Shanklywas appointed manager, beginning a fifteen-year spell as manager that brought three league titles, twoFA Cupsand a first European trophy, theUEFA Cup, toAnfield.Shankly's reign as manager is famous for the establishment ofthe Anfield boot roomas the location for his tactical discussions with his coaches.When he was not managing the club, Shankly was usually at his typewriter, personally replying to the letters which arrived at Melwood. Shankly even called some supporters at home to discuss the previous day's game, while the accounts of him providing tickets for fans are endless.When Shankly retired in 1974, he was replaced by his assistant,Bob Paisley. During the next nine seasons, Paisley proceeded to win six league titles and threeEuropean Cupsto become the most successful manager in the history of the club.When Paisley retired in 1983, his assistantJoe Fagantook over, and continued the Boot Room tradition, and winning atrebleof League, European Cup andLeague Cupin his first season. He again guided Liverpool to aEuropean Cup Final, but the match was overshadowed by theHeysel Stadium disaster, and he retired soon after.StrikerKenny Dalglishwas then made the club's firstplayer-managerand in his first season in charge, Dalglish led the club to a League and FA Cupdouble.After that great first season, Dalglish led Liverpool to a further two league titles and another FA Cup. However, theHillsborough disasterovershadowed his reign; it was one of the reasons for Dalglish resigning on 22 February 1991. 1991–2015 First-team coachRonnie Morantook charge of team affairs for several weeks beforeGraeme Sounesswas named as Dalglish's successor. Under Souness, Liverpool won the FA Cup in1992, but nothing else. He made way forRoy Evans, who also won just one trophy, the League Cup, beforeGérard Houllierwas appointed joint manager with Evans in 1998. This arrangement lasted only 18 games before Evans resigned, leaving Houllier—Liverpool's first non-British manager—in sole charge. Houllier won nothing until atreblein 2001, consisting of the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup. Houllier underwent major heart surgery during the2001–02season, but the squad was unaffected and managed to hold on to a second-place finish. AlthoughPhil Thompsonstepped in as temporary manager while Houllier was recovering from heart surgery, the matches played under Thompson are included in Houllier's record.Another League Cup was won in2003, but this was to be Houllier's last trophy as Liverpool manager as he and the club parted by mutual consent at the end of the2003–04season,to be replaced byValenciamanager,Rafael Benítez. In Benítez's first season in charge, Liverpool reached theUEFA Champions League Final, where they beatA.C. Milanon penalties, after the match finished 3–3 afterextra time. The following season, Liverpool reached theFA Cup Final, where they beatWest Ham United, again on penalties after a 3–3 draw. Benítez again guided Liverpool to aChampions League Finalin 2007, but this time A.C. Milan beat them 2–1. On 3 June 2010, Benitez paid the price for a disappointing2009–10season when Liverpool announced he had left the club by mutual consent after six years in charge. Benitez, who was one year into a five-year contract, finalised his departure after agreeing a severance payment. Benitez's assistantSammy Leetook over the reins at Liverpool until Managing director Christian Purslow and former managerKenny Dalglishfound a replacement. On 1 July 2010, formerFulhambossRoy Hodgsonwas confirmed as the new manager.After a poor tenure, which included Liverpool being 18th after 6 games, and only one away win during Hodgson's time in charge, Hodgson was sacked on 8 January 2011 and was replaced by former managerKenny Dalglishthe day before a 3rd Round FA Cup game againstManchester United.Dalglish signed a three-year contract as permanent manager in May, but was sacked a year later.Although the 2011–12 season ended with a poor 8th-place finish in the Premier League, Dalglish guided Liverpool to two Cup finals at Wembley, ending a six-year trophy drought by winning theLeague Cup. The second Cup final appearance was theFA Cup, which Liverpool lost toChelsea. He was replaced byBrendan Rodgerson 1 June 2012. Rodgers led them in the2013–14 seasonto a surprise title challenge, however Liverpool ended the league season in second place, despite scoring 101 goals, the club's most since the1895–96 seasonand the third-highest in Premier League history.Rodgers was the first Liverpool manager to win theLMA Manager of The Year Award.However, he was the first manager of the club not to win a major trophy in his first three years at the helm, and on 4 October 2015, he was sacked. 2015–2024 On 8 October 2015, Brendan Rodgers was replaced by formerBorussia DortmundmanagerJürgen Klopp.Klopp made an instant impact on the club and guided them to aLeague Cup Finaland a surpriseEuropa League Finalinhis first seasonat the club.During their Europa League campaign, he beat bothEnglish rivalsManchester United and his former club Borussia Dortmund en route to the final.However, they lost the League Cup Final to Manchester City viapenalty shoot-outand they lost 1–3 to Spanish sideSevillain the Europa League Final.They also finished 8th in the league, meaning they wouldn't qualify for European competition for the2016–17 season. On 8 June 2016, Klopp and his coaching staff signed six-year contract extensions that ran until 2022.Klopp guided the club to a fourth-place finish in the2016–17 season, qualifying them for the2017–18 UEFA Champions Leaguequalifying play-offs, where they beat German club,TSG 1899 Hoffenheim6–3 on aggregate in a two-legged play-off to reach the group stage.Klopp led the team to finish top of their group and beat eventual English champions, Manchester City, and Italian club Roma in the knockout phase en route to the2018 UEFA Champions League Final.Unfortunately for Liverpool, they lost 1–3 to Spanish giantsReal Madrid. During the2018–19 season, Klopp guided Liverpool to their sixth Champions League triumph with a2–0 winover fellow English club, Tottenham Hotspur,and also guided the club toa second-place finish in the league.At the start of the2019–20 season, Klopp's Liverpool side played against Manchester City in theFA Community Shieldand against Chelsea in theUEFA Super Cup.Both matches went into penalty shoot-outs, with Liverpool losing the former and winning the latter.Later in December, Klopp also guided Liverpool to their first ever FIFA club World Cup trophy, making it 3 trophies in 2019. In the 2019–20 season, Klopp secured Liverpool's first Premier League title and first top-flight title since 1990 by finishing on the most points in their history (99 points). The season was notable both for Liverpool's huge points lead over the rest of the league and for its interruption by theCoronavirusshutdown, meaning Liverpool won the Premier League atboth the earliest(7 games to go) and the latest time (June) ever. On 26 January 2024, the club released a statement, sharing Klopp's announcement that he would step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the current season (2023–24).Arne Slotwas announced as the head coach ahead of the2024–25 season. Key Key to record: Key to honours: Managers Information correct as of 20 October 2024. Only competitive matches are counted. Notes References General Specific Bibliography\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Queen Victoria Victoria(Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) wasQueen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Irelandfrom 20 June 1837 untilher deathin 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days—which waslonger than those of any of her predecessors—constituted theVictorian era. It was a period of industrial, political, scientific, and military change within theUnited Kingdom, and was marked by a great expansion of theBritish Empire. In 1876, theBritish Parliamentvoted to grant her the additional title ofEmpress of India. Victoria was the daughter ofPrince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn(the fourth son ofKing George III), andPrincess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. After the deaths of her father and grandfather in 1820, she wasraised under close supervisionby her mother and hercomptroller,John Conroy. She inherited the throne aged 18 after her father's three elder brothers died without survivinglegitimateissue. Victoria, aconstitutional monarch, attempted privately to influence","to influence government policy and ministerial appointments; publicly, she became a national icon who was identified with strict standards ofpersonal morality. Victoria marriedher first cousin,Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in 1840. Their nine children married into royal and noble families across the continent, earning Victoria thesobriquet\"grandmother of Europe\". After Albert's death in 1861, Victoria plunged into deep mourning and avoided public appearances. As a result of her seclusion,British republicanismtemporarily gained strength, but in the latter half of her reign, her popularity recovered. HerGoldenandDiamondjubileeswere times of public celebration. Victoria died atOsborne Houseon theIsle of Wight, at the age of 81. The lastBritish monarchof theHouse of Hanover, she was succeeded by her sonEdward VIIof theHouse of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Early life Birth and ancestry Victoria's father wasPrince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, the fourth son ofKing George IIIandQueen Charlotte. Until","Charlotte. Until 1817, King George's only legitimate grandchild was Edward's niecePrincess Charlotte of Wales, the daughter ofGeorge, Prince Regent(who would become George IV). Princess Charlotte's death in 1817 precipitated asuccession crisisthat brought pressure on Prince Edward and his unmarried brothers to marry and have children. In 1818, the Duke of Kent marriedPrincess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, a widowed German princess with two children—Carl(1804–1856) andFeodora(1807–1872)—by her first marriage toEmich Carl, 2nd Prince of Leiningen. Her brotherLeopoldwas Princess Charlotte's widower and later the firstking of Belgium. The Duke and Duchess of Kent's only child, Victoria was born at 4:15 a.m. on Monday 24 May 1819 atKensington Palacein London. Victoria was christened privately by theArchbishop of Canterbury,Charles Manners-Sutton, on 24 June 1819 in the Cupola Room at Kensington Palace.She was baptisedAlexandrinaafter one of her godparents, TsarAlexander I of Russia, andVictoria, after her","after her mother. Additional names proposed by her parents—Georgina (or Georgiana), Charlotte, and Augusta—were dropped on the instructions of the Prince Regent. At birth, Victoria was fifth in the line of succession after the four eldest sons of George III: George, Prince Regent (later George IV);Frederick, Duke of York;William, Duke of Clarence(later William IV); and Victoria's father, Edward, Duke of Kent.Prince George had no surviving children, and Prince Frederick had no children; further, both were estranged from their wives, who were both past child-bearing age, so the two eldest brothers were unlikely to have any further legitimate children. William married in 1818, in a joint ceremony with his brother Edward, but both of William's legitimate daughters died as infants. The first of these was Princess Charlotte, who was born and died on 27 March 1819, two months before Victoria was born. Victoria's father died in January 1820, when Victoria was less than a year old. A week later her grandfather died","grandfather died and was succeeded by his eldest son as George IV. Victoria was then third in line to the throne after Frederick and William. She was fourth in line while William's second daughter,Princess Elizabeth, lived, from 10 December 1820 to 4 March 1821. Heir presumptive Prince Frederick died in 1827, followed by George IV in 1830; their next surviving brother succeeded to the throne as William IV, and Victoria becameheir presumptive. TheRegency Act 1830made special provision for Victoria's mother to act as regent in case William died while Victoria was still a minor.King William distrusted the Duchess's capacity to be regent, and in 1836 he declared in her presence that he wanted to live until Victoria's 18th birthday, so that aregencycould be avoided. Victoria later described her childhood as \"rather melancholy\".Her mother was extremely protective, and Victoria was raised largely isolated from other children under the so-called \"Kensington System\", an elaborate set of rules and protocols devised by","devised by the Duchess and her ambitious and domineeringcomptroller,Sir John Conroy, who was rumoured to be the Duchess's lover.The system prevented the princess from meeting people whom her mother and Conroy deemed undesirable (including most of her father's family), and was designed to render her weak and dependent upon them.The Duchess avoided the court because she was scandalised by the presence of King William's illegitimate children.Victoria shared a bedroom with her mother every night, studied with private tutors to a regular timetable, and spent her play-hours with her dolls and herKing Charles Spaniel,Dash.Her lessons included French, German, Italian, and Latin,but she spoke only English at home. In 1830, the Duchess and Conroy took Victoria across the centre of England to visit theMalvern Hills, stopping at towns and greatcountry housesalong the way.Similar journeys to other parts of England and Wales were taken in 1832, 1833, 1834 and 1835. To the King's annoyance, Victoria was enthusiastically","enthusiastically welcomed in each of the stops.William compared the journeys toroyal progressesand was concerned that they portrayed Victoria as his rival rather than his heir presumptive.Victoria disliked the trips; the constant round of public appearances made her tired and ill, and there was little time for her to rest.She objected on the grounds of the King's disapproval, but her mother dismissed his complaints as motivated by jealousy and forced Victoria to continue the tours.AtRamsgatein October 1835, Victoria contracted a severe fever, which Conroy initially dismissed as a childish pretence.While Victoria was ill, Conroy and the Duchess unsuccessfully badgered her to make Conroy herprivate secretary.As a teenager, Victoria resisted persistent attempts by her mother and Conroy to appoint him to her staff.Once queen, she banned him from her presence, but he remained in her mother's household. By 1836, Victoria's maternal uncle Leopold, who had been King of the Belgians since 1831, hoped to marry her","hoped to marry her toPrince Albert,the son of his brotherErnest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Leopold arranged for Victoria's mother to invite her Coburg relatives to visit her in May 1836, with the purpose of introducing Victoria to Albert.William IV, however, disapproved of any match with the Coburgs, and instead favoured the suit ofPrince Alexander of the Netherlands, second son ofthe Prince of Orange.Victoria was aware of the various matrimonial plans and critically appraised a parade of eligible princes.According to her diary, she enjoyed Albert's company from the beginning. After the visit she wrote, \" is extremely handsome; his hair is about the same colour as mine; his eyes are large and blue, and he has a beautiful nose and a very sweet mouth with fine teeth; but the charm of his countenance is his expression, which is most delightful.\"Alexander, on the other hand, she described as \"very plain\". Victoria wrote to King Leopold, whom she considered her \"best and kindest adviser\",to thank him \"for","thank him \"for the prospect ofgreathappiness you have contributed to give me, in the person of dear Albert ... He possesses every quality that could be desired to render me perfectly happy. He is so sensible, so kind, and so good, and so amiable too. He has besides the most pleasing and delightful exterior and appearance you can possibly see.\"However at 17, Victoria, though interested in Albert, was not yet ready to marry. The parties did not undertake a formal engagement, but assumed that the match would take place in due time. Accession and early reign Victoria turned 18 on 24 May 1837, and aregencywas avoided. Less than a month later, on 20 June 1837, William IV died at the age of 71, and Victoria became Queen of the United Kingdom.In her diary she wrote, \"I was awoke at 6 o'clock by Mamma, who told me theArchbishop of CanterburyandLord Conynghamwere here and wished to see me. I got out of bed and went into my sitting-room (only in my dressing gown) andalone, and saw them. Lord Conyngham then acquainted","then acquainted me that my poor Uncle, the King, was no more, and had expired at 12 minutes past 2 this morning, and consequently thatIamQueen.\"Official documents prepared on the first day of her reign described her as Alexandrina Victoria, but the first name was withdrawn at her own wish and not used again. Since 1714,Britainhad shared a monarch withHanoverin Germany, but underSalic law, women were excluded from the Hanoverian succession. While Victoria inherited the British throne, her father's unpopular younger brother,Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, becameKing of Hanover. He was Victoria's heir presumptive until she had a child. At the time of Victoria's accession, the government was led by theWhigprime ministerLord Melbourne. He at once became a powerful influence on the politically inexperienced monarch, who relied on him for advice.Charles Grevillesupposed that the widowed and childless Melbourne was \"passionately fond of her as he might be of his daughter if he had one\", and Victoria probably","Victoria probably saw him as a father figure.Her coronationtook place on 28 June 1838 atWestminster Abbey. Over 400,000 visitors came to London for the celebrations.She became the first sovereign to take up residence atBuckingham Palaceand inherited the revenues of the duchies ofLancasterandCornwallas well as being granted acivil listallowance of £385,000 per year. Financially prudent, she paid off her father's debts. At the start of her reign Victoria was popular,but her reputation suffered in an 1839 court intrigue when one of her mother's ladies-in-waiting,Lady Flora Hastings, developed an abdominal growth that was widely rumoured to be an out-of-wedlock pregnancy by Sir John Conroy.Victoria believed the rumours.She hated Conroy, and despised \"that odious Lady Flora\",because she had conspired with Conroy and the Duchess in the Kensington System.At first, Lady Flora refused to submit to an intimate medical examination, until in mid-February she eventually acquiesced, and was found to be a virgin.Conroy,","be a virgin.Conroy, the Hastings family, and the oppositionToriesorganised a press campaign implicating the Queen in the spreading of false rumours about Lady Flora.When Lady Flora died in July, the post-mortem revealed a large tumour on her liver that had distended her abdomen.At public appearances, Victoria was hissed and jeered as \"Mrs. Melbourne\". In 1839, Melbourne resigned afterRadicalsand Tories (both of whom Victoria detested) voted against a bill to suspend the constitution ofJamaica. The bill removed political power from plantation owners who were resisting measures associated with theabolition of slavery.The Queen commissioned a Tory,Robert Peel, to form a new ministry. At the time, it was customary for the prime minister to appoint members of theRoyal Household, who were usually his political allies and their spouses. Many of the Queen'sladies of the bedchamberwere wives of Whigs, and Peel expected to replace them with wives of Tories. In what became known as the \"bedchamber crisis\", Victoria,","crisis\", Victoria, advised by Melbourne, objected to their removal. Peel refused to govern under the restrictions imposed by the Queen, and consequently resigned his commission, allowing Melbourne to return to office. Marriage and public life Though Victoria was now queen, as an unmarried young woman she was required bysocial conventionto live with her mother, despite their differences over the Kensington System and her mother's continued reliance on Conroy.The Duchess was consigned to a remote apartment in Buckingham Palace, and Victoria often refused to see her.When Victoria complained to Melbourne that her mother's proximity promised \"torment for many years\", Melbourne sympathised but said it could be avoided by marriage, which Victoria called a \"schocking alternative\".Victoria showed interest in Albert's education for the future role he would have to play as her husband, but she resisted attempts to rush her into wedlock. Victoria continued to praise Albert following his second visit in October 1839.","in October 1839. They felt mutual affection and the Queen proposed to him on 15 October 1839, just five days after he had arrived atWindsor.They were married on 10 February 1840, in theChapel RoyalofSt James's Palace, London. Victoria was love-struck. She spent the evening after their wedding lying down with a headache, but wrote ecstatically in her diary: I NEVER, NEVER spent such an evening!!! MY DEAREST DEAREST DEAR Albert ... his excessive love & affection gave me feelings of heavenly love & happiness I never could havehopedto have felt before! He clasped me in his arms, & we kissed each other again & again! His beauty, his sweetness & gentleness—really how can I ever be thankful enough to have such aHusband! ... to be called by names of tenderness, I have never yet heard used to me before—was bliss beyond belief! Oh! This was the happiest day of my life! Albert became an important political adviser as well as the Queen's companion, replacing Melbourne as the dominant influential figure in the first half","in the first half of her life.Victoria's mother was evicted from the palace, to Ingestre House inBelgrave Square. After the death of Victoria's auntPrincess Augustain 1840, the Duchess was given bothClarence HouseandFrogmore House.Through Albert's mediation, relations between mother and daughter slowly improved. During Victoria's first pregnancy in 1840, in the first few months of the marriage, 18-year-oldEdward Oxfordattempted to assassinate her while she was riding in a carriage with Prince Albert on her way to visit her mother. Oxford fired twice, but either both bullets missed or, as he later claimed, the guns had no shot.He was tried forhigh treason, foundnot guilty by reason of insanity, committed to an insane asylum indefinitely, and later sent to live in Australia.In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Victoria's popularity soared, mitigating residual discontent over theHastings affairand thebedchamber crisis.Her daughter, also namedVictoria, was born on 21 November 1840. The Queen hated being","Queen hated being pregnant,viewed breast-feeding with disgust,and thought newborn babies were ugly.Nevertheless, over the following seventeen years, she and Albert had a further eight children:Albert Edward,Alice,Alfred,Helena,Louise,Arthur,LeopoldandBeatrice. The household was largely run by Victoria's childhood governess, BaronessLouise LehzenfromHanover. Lehzen had been a formative influence on Victoriaand had supported her against the Kensington System.Albert, however, thought that Lehzen was incompetent and that her mismanagement threatened his daughter Victoria's health. After a furious row between Victoria and Albert over the issue, Lehzen was pensioned off in 1842, and Victoria's close relationship with her ended. On 29 May 1842, Victoria was riding in a carriage alongThe Mall, London, when John Francis aimed a pistol at her, but the gun did not fire. The assailant escaped; the following day, Victoria drove the same route, though faster and with a greater escort, in a deliberate attempt to bait","attempt to bait Francis into taking a second aim and catch him in the act. As expected, Francis shot at her, but he was seized by plainclothes policemen, and convicted of high treason. On 3 July, two days after Francis's death sentence was commuted totransportation for life,John William Beanalso tried to fire a pistol at the Queen, but it was loaded only with paper and tobacco and had too little charge.Edward Oxford felt that the attempts were encouraged by his acquittal in 1840.Bean was sentenced to 18 months in jail.In a similar attack in 1849, unemployed Irishman William Hamilton fired a powder-filled pistol at Victoria's carriage as it passed alongConstitution Hill, London.In 1850, the Queen did sustain injury when she was assaulted by a possibly insane ex-army officer,Robert Pate. As Victoria was riding in a carriage, Pate struck her with his cane, crushing her bonnet and bruising her forehead. Both Hamilton and Pate were sentenced to seven years' transportation. Melbourne's support in the House of","in the House of Commons weakened through the early years of Victoria's reign, and in the1841 general electionthe Whigs were defeated. Peel became prime minister, and the ladies of the bedchamber most associated with the Whigs were replaced. In 1845, Ireland was hit by apotato blight.In the next four years, over a million Irish people died and another million emigrated in what became known as theGreat Famine.In Ireland, Victoria was labelled \"The Famine Queen\".In January 1847 she personally donated £2,000 (equivalent to between £230,000 and £8.5million in 2022)to theBritish Relief Association, more than any other individual famine relief donor,and supported theMaynooth Grantto a Roman Catholic seminary in Ireland, despite Protestant opposition.The story that she donated only £5 in aid to the Irish, and on the same day gave the same amount toBattersea Dogs Home, was a myth generated towards the end of the 19th century. By 1846, Peel's ministry faced a crisis involving the repeal of theCorn Laws. Many Tories—by","Many Tories—by then known also asConservatives—were opposed to the repeal, but Peel, some Tories (the free-trade orientedliberal conservative\"Peelites\"), most Whigs and Victoria supported it. Peel resigned in 1846, after the repeal narrowly passed, and was replaced byLord John Russell. Internationally, Victoria took a keen interest in the improvement of relations between France and Britain.She made and hosted several visits between the British royal family and theHouse of Orleans, who were related by marriage through the Coburgs. In 1843 and 1845, she and Albert stayed with KingLouis Philippe IatChâteau d'Euin Normandy; she was the first British or English monarch to visit a French monarch since the meeting ofHenry VIII of EnglandandFrancis I of Franceon theField of the Cloth of Goldin 1520.When Louis Philippe made a reciprocal trip in 1844, he became the first French king to visit a British sovereign.Louis Philippe was deposed in therevolutions of 1848, and fled to exile in England.At the height of a","the height of a revolutionary scare in the United Kingdom in April 1848, Victoria and her family left London for the greater safety ofOsborne House,a private estate on the Isle of Wight that they had purchased in 1845 and redeveloped.Demonstrations byChartistsandIrish nationalistsfailed to attract widespread support, and the scare died down without any major disturbances.Victoria's first visit to Ireland in 1849 was a public relations success, but it had no lasting impact or effect on the growth of Irish nationalism. Russell's ministry, though Whig, was not favoured by the Queen.She found particularly offensive theForeign Secretary,Lord Palmerston, who often acted without consulting the Cabinet, the Prime Minister, or the Queen.Victoria complained to Russell that Palmerston sent official dispatches to foreign leaders without her knowledge, but Palmerston was retained in office and continued to act on his own initiative, despite her repeated remonstrances. It was only in 1851 that Palmerston was removed after","was removed after he announced the British government's approval of PresidentLouis-Napoleon Bonaparte'scoup in Francewithout consulting the Prime Minister.The following year, President Bonaparte was declared Emperor Napoleon III, by which time Russell's administration had been replaced by a short-lived minority government led byLord Derby. In 1853, Victoria gave birth to her eighth child, Leopold, with the aid of the new anaesthetic,chloroform. She was so impressed by the relief it gave from the pain of childbirth that she used it again in 1857 at the birth of her ninth and final child, Beatrice, despite opposition from members of the clergy, who considered it against biblical teaching, and members of the medical profession, who thought it dangerous.Victoria may have hadpostnatal depressionafter many of her pregnancies.Letters from Albert to Victoria intermittently complain of her loss of self-control. For example, about a month after Leopold's birth Albert complained in a letter to Victoria about her","Victoria about her \"continuance of hysterics\" over a \"miserable trifle\". In early 1855, the government ofLord Aberdeen, who had replaced Derby, fell amidst recriminations over the poor management of British troops in theCrimean War. Victoria approached both Derby and Russell to form a ministry, but neither had sufficient support, and Victoria was forced to appoint Palmerston as prime minister. Napoleon III, Britain's closest ally as a result of the Crimean War,visited London in April 1855, and from 17 to 28 August the same year Victoria and Albert returned the visit.Napoleon III met the couple atBoulogneand accompanied them to Paris.They visited theExposition Universelle(a successor to Albert's 1851 brainchild theGreat Exhibition) andNapoleon I's tomb atLes Invalides(to which his remains had only beenreturnedin 1840), and were guests of honour at a 1,200-guest ball at thePalace of Versailles.This marked the first time that a reigning British monarch had been to Paris in over 400 years. On 14 January 1858, an","14 January 1858, an Italian refugee from Britain calledFelice Orsiniattempted to assassinate Napoleon III with a bomb made in England.The ensuing diplomatic crisis destabilised the government, and Palmerston resigned. Derby was reinstated as prime minister.Victoria and Albert attended the opening of a new basin at the French military port ofCherbourgon 5 August 1858, in an attempt by Napoleon III to reassure Britain that his military preparations were directed elsewhere. On her return Victoria wrote to Derby reprimanding him for the poor state of theRoyal Navyin comparison to theFrench Navy.Derby's ministry did not last long, and in June 1859 Victoria recalled Palmerston to office. Eleven days after Orsini's assassination attempt in France, Victoria's eldest daughter marriedPrince Frederick William of Prussiain London. They had been betrothed since September 1855, when Princess Victoria was 14 years old; the marriage was delayed by the Queen and her husband Albert until the bride was 17.The Queen and Albert","Queen and Albert hoped that their daughter and son-in-law would be a liberalising influence in the enlargingPrussianstate.The Queen felt \"sick at heart\" to see her daughter leave England for Germany; \"It really makes me shudder\", she wrote to Princess Victoria in one of her frequent letters, \"when I look round to all your sweet, happy, unconscious sisters, and think I must give them up too – one by one.\"Almost exactly a year later, the Princess gave birth to the Queen's first grandchild,Wilhelm, who would become the last German emperor. Widowhood and isolation In March 1861, Victoria's mother died, with Victoria at her side. Through reading her mother's papers, Victoria discovered that her mother had loved her deeply;she was heart-broken, and blamed Conroy and Lehzen for \"wickedly\" estranging her from her mother.To relieve his wife during her intense and deep grief,Albert took on most of her duties, despite being ill himself with chronic stomach trouble.In August, Victoria and Albert visited their son,Albert","their son,Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, who was attending army manoeuvres near Dublin, and spent a few days holidaying inKillarney. In November, Albert was made aware of gossip that his son had slept with an actress in Ireland.Appalled, he travelled to Cambridge, where his son was studying, to confront him. By the beginning of December, Albert was very unwell.He was diagnosed withtyphoid feverbyWilliam Jenner, and died on 14 December 1861. Victoria was devastated.She blamed her husband's death on worry over the Prince of Wales'sphilandering. He had been \"killed by that dreadful business\", she said.She entered a state ofmourningand wore black for the remainder of her life. She avoided public appearances and rarely set foot in London in the following years.Her seclusion earned her the nickname \"widow of Windsor\".Her weight increased through comfort eating, which reinforced her aversion to public appearances. Victoria's self-imposed isolation from the public diminished the popularity of the monarchy, and","the monarchy, and encouraged the growth of the republican movement.She did undertake her official government duties, yet chose to remain secluded in her royal residences—Windsor Castle, Osborne House, and the private estate in Scotland that she and Albert had acquired in 1847,Balmoral Castle. In March 1864, a protester stuck a notice on the railings ofBuckingham Palacethat announced \"these commanding premises to be let or sold in consequence of the late occupant's declining business\".Her uncle Leopold wrote to her advising her to appear in public. She agreed to visit the gardens of theRoyal Horticultural SocietyatKensingtonand take a drive through London in an open carriage. Through the 1860s, Victoria relied increasingly on a manservant from Scotland,John Brown.Rumours of a romantic connection and even a secret marriage appeared in print, and some referred to the Queen as \"Mrs. Brown\".The story of their relationship was the subject of the 1997 movieMrs. Brown. A painting by SirEdwin Henry Landseerdepicting","Landseerdepicting the Queen with Brown was exhibited at theRoyal Academy, and Victoria published a book,Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands, which featured Brown prominently and in which the Queen praised him highly. Palmerston died in 1865, and after a brief ministry led by Russell, Derby returned to power. In 1866, Victoria attended theState Opening of Parliamentfor the first time since Albert's death.The following year she supported the passing of theReform Act 1867which doubled the electorate by extending the franchise to many urban working men,though she was not in favour of votes for women.Derby resigned in 1868, to be replaced byBenjamin Disraeli, who charmed Victoria. \"Everyone likes flattery,\" he said, \"and when you come to royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.\"With the phrase \"we authors, Ma'am\", he complimented her.Disraeli's ministry only lasted a matter of months, and at the end of the year his Liberal rival,William Ewart Gladstone, was appointed prime minister. Victoria","minister. Victoria found Gladstone's demeanour far less appealing; he spoke to her, she is thought to have complained, as though she were \"a public meeting rather than a woman\". In 1870 republican sentiment in Britain, fed by the Queen's seclusion, was boosted after the establishment of theThird French Republic.A republican rally inTrafalgar Squaredemanded Victoria's removal, and Radical MPs spoke against her.In August and September 1871, she was seriously ill with anabscessin her arm, whichJoseph Listersuccessfully lanced and treated with his new antisepticcarbolic acidspray.In late November 1871, at the height of the republican movement, the Prince of Wales contracted typhoid fever, the disease that was believed to have killed his father, and Victoria was fearful her son would die.As the tenth anniversary of her husband's death approached, her son's condition grew no better, and Victoria's distress continued.To general rejoicing, he recovered.Mother and son attended a public parade through London and a","London and a grand service of thanksgiving inSt Paul's Cathedralon 27 February 1872, and republican feeling subsided. On the last day of February 1872, two days after the thanksgiving service, 17-year-old Arthur O'Connor, a great-nephew of Irish MPFeargus O'Connor, waved an unloaded pistol at Victoria's open carriage just after she had arrived at Buckingham Palace. Brown, who was attending the Queen, grabbed him and O'Connor was later sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment,and abirching.As a result of the incident, Victoria's popularity recovered further. Empress of India After theIndian Rebellion of 1857, theBritish East India Company, which had ruled much of India, was dissolved, and Britain's possessions and protectorates on theIndian subcontinentwere formally incorporated into theBritish Empire. The Queen had a relatively balanced view of the conflict, and condemned atrocities on both sides.She wrote of \"her feelings of horror and regret at the result of this bloody civil war\",and insisted, urged on by","urged on by Albert, that an official proclamation announcing the transfer of power from the company to the state \"should breathe feelings of generosity, benevolence and religious toleration\".At her behest, a reference threatening the \"undermining of native religions and customs\" was replaced by a passage guaranteeing religious freedom. In the1874 general election, Disraeli was returned to power. He passed thePublic Worship Regulation Act 1874, which removed Catholic rituals from the Anglican liturgy and which Victoria strongly supported.She preferred short, simple services, and personally considered herself more aligned with thepresbyterianChurch of Scotlandthan theepiscopalChurch of England.Disraeli also pushed theRoyal Titles Act 1876through Parliament, so that Victoria took the title \"Empress of India\" from 1 May 1876.The new title was proclaimed at theDelhi Durbarof 1 January 1877. On 14 December 1878, the anniversary of Albert's death, Victoria's second daughter Alice, who had marriedLouis of Hesse,","of Hesse, died ofdiphtheriainDarmstadt. Victoria noted the coincidence of the dates as \"almost incredible and most mysterious\".In May 1879, she became a great-grandmother (on the birth ofPrincess Feodora of Saxe-Meiningen) and passed her \"poor old 60th birthday\". She felt \"aged\" by \"the loss of my beloved child\". Between April 1877 and February 1878, she threatened five times to abdicate while pressuring Disraeli to act against Russia during theRusso-Turkish War, but her threats had no impact on the events or their conclusion with theCongress of Berlin.Disraeli's expansionist foreign policy, which Victoria endorsed, led to conflicts such as theAnglo-Zulu Warand theSecond Anglo-Afghan War. \"Ifweare tomaintainour position as afirst-ratePower\", she wrote, \"we must ... bePreparedforattacksandwars,somewhereorother, CONTINUALLY.\"Victoria saw the expansion of the British Empire as civilising and benign, protecting native peoples from more aggressive powers or cruel rulers: \"It is not in our custom to annexe","custom to annexe countries\", she said, \"unless we are obliged & forced to do so.\"To Victoria's dismay, Disraeli lost the1880 general election, and Gladstone returned as prime minister.When Disraeli died the following year, she was blinded by \"fast falling tears\",and erected a memorial tablet \"placed by his grateful Sovereign and Friend, Victoria R.I.\" On 2 March 1882,Roderick Maclean, a disgruntled poet apparently offended by Victoria's refusal to accept one of his poems,shot at the Queen as her carriage leftWindsor railway station.Gordon Chesney Wilsonand another schoolboy fromEton Collegestruck him with their umbrellas, until he was hustled away by a policeman.Victoria was outraged when he was found not guilty by reason of insanity,but was so pleased by the many expressions of loyalty after the attack that she said it was \"worth being shot at—to see how much one is loved\". On 17 March 1883, Victoria fell down some stairs at Windsor, which left her lame until July; she never fully recovered and was plagued","and was plagued with rheumatism thereafter.John Brown died 10 days after her accident, and to the consternation of her private secretary, SirHenry Ponsonby, Victoria began work on a eulogistic biography of Brown.Ponsonby andRandall Davidson,Dean of Windsor, who had both seen early drafts, advised Victoria against publication, on the grounds that it would stoke the rumours of a love affair.The manuscript was destroyed.In early 1884, Victoria did publishMore Leaves from a Journal of a Life in the Highlands, a sequel to her earlier book, which she dedicated to her \"devoted personal attendant and faithful friend John Brown\".On the day after the first anniversary of Brown's death, Victoria was informed by telegram that her youngest son, Leopold, had died inCannes. He was \"the dearest of my dear sons\", she lamented.The following month, Victoria's youngest child, Beatrice, met and fell in love withPrince Henry of Battenbergat the wedding of Victoria's granddaughterPrincess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhineto Henry's","by Rhineto Henry's brotherPrince Louis of Battenberg. Beatrice and Henry planned to marry, but Victoria opposed the match at first, wishing to keep Beatrice at home to act as her companion. After a year, she was won around to the marriage by their promise to remain living with and attending her. Victoria was pleased when Gladstone resigned in 1885 after his budget was defeated.She thought his government was \"the worst I have ever had\", and blamed him for the death ofGeneral Gordonduring theSiege of Khartoum.Gladstone was replaced byLord Salisbury. Salisbury's government only lasted a few months, however, and Victoria was forced to recall Gladstone, whom she referred to as a \"half crazy & really in many ways ridiculous old man\".Gladstone attempted to passa bill granting Ireland home rule, but to Victoria's glee it was defeated.Inthe ensuing election, Gladstone's party lost to Salisbury's and the government switched hands again. Golden and Diamond Jubilees In 1887, theBritish EmpirecelebratedVictoria's Golden","Golden Jubilee. She marked the fiftieth anniversary of her accession on 20 June with a banquet to which 50 kings and princes were invited. The following day, she participated in a procession and attended a thanksgiving service inWestminster Abbey.By this time, Victoria was once again extremely popular.Two days later on 23 June,she engaged two Indian Muslims as waiters, one of whom wasAbdul Karim. He was soon promoted to \"Munshi\": teaching herUrduand acting as a clerk.Her family and retainers were appalled, and accused Abdul Karim of spying for the Muslim Patriotic League, and biasing the Queen against the Hindus.EquerryFrederick Ponsonby(the son of Sir Henry) discovered that the Munshi had lied about his parentage, and reported toLord Elgin,Viceroy of India, \"the Munshi occupies very much the same position as John Brown used to do.\"Victoria dismissed their complaints as racial prejudice.Abdul Karim remained in her service until he returned to India with a pension, on her death. Victoria's eldest daughter","eldest daughter becameempress consort of Germanyin 1888, but she was widowed a little over three months later, and Victoria's eldest grandchild became German Emperor asWilhelm II. Victoria and Albert's hopes of a liberal Germany would go unfulfilled, as Wilhelm was a firm believer inautocracy. Victoria thought he had \"little heart orZartgefühl – and ... his conscience & intelligence have been completely wharped \". Gladstone returned to power after the1892 general election; he was 82 years old. Victoria objected when Gladstone proposed appointing the Radical MPHenry Labouchèreto theCabinet, so Gladstone agreed not to appoint him.In 1894, Gladstone retired and, without consulting the outgoing prime minister, Victoria appointedLord Roseberyas prime minister.His government was weak, and the following year Lord Salisbury replaced him. Salisbury remained prime minister for the remainder of Victoria's reign. On 23 September 1896, Victoria surpassed her grandfather George III as thelongest-reigning monarch in","monarch in British history. The Queen requested that any special celebrations be delayed until 1897, to coincide withher Diamond Jubilee,which was made a festival of the British Empire at the suggestion of theColonial Secretary,Joseph Chamberlain.The prime ministers of all theself-governingDominionswere invited to London for the festivities.One reason for including the prime ministers of the Dominions and excluding foreign heads of state was to avoid having to invite Victoria's grandson Wilhelm II, who, it was feared, might cause trouble at the event. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee procession on 22 June 1897 followed a route six miles long through London and included troops from all over the empire. The procession paused for an open-air service of thanksgiving held outside St Paul's Cathedral, throughout which Victoria sat in her open carriage, to avoid her having to climb the steps to enter the building. The celebration was marked by vast crowds of spectators and great outpourings of affection for the","affection for the 78-year-old Queen. Declining health and death Victoria regularly holidayed in mainland Europe. In 1889, during a stay inBiarritz, she became the first reigning monarch from Britain to visit Spain by briefly crossing the border.By April 1900, theBoer Warwas so unpopular in mainland Europe that her annual trip to France seemed inadvisable. Instead, the Queen went to Ireland for the first time since 1861, in part to acknowledge the contribution of Irish regiments to the South African war. In July 1900, Victoria's second son, Alfred (\"Affie\"), died. \"Oh, God! My poor darling Affie gone too\", she wrote in her journal. \"It is a horrible year, nothing but sadness & horrors of one kind & another.\" Following a custom she maintained throughout her widowhood, Victoria spent the Christmas of 1900 at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.Rheumatismin her legs had rendered her disabled, and her eyesight was clouded by cataracts.Through early January, she felt \"weak and unwell\",and by mid-January she was","mid-January she was \"drowsy dazed, confused\".Herfavourite petPomeranian, Turi, was laid on her bed as a last request.She died aged 81 on 22 January 1901, at half past six in the evening, in the presence of her eldest son, Albert Edward, and grandson Wilhelm II. Albert Edward immediately succeeded as Edward VII. In 1897, Victoria had written instructions forher funeral, which was to be military as befitting a soldier's daughter and the head of the army,and white instead of black.On 25 January, Edward VII and Wilhelm II, together with Prince Arthur, helped lift her body into the coffin.She was dressed in a white dress and her wedding veil.An array of mementos commemorating her extended family, friends and servants were laid in the coffin with her, at her request, by her physician and dressers. One of Albert's dressing gowns was placed by her side, with a plaster cast of his hand, while a lock of John Brown's hair, along with a picture of him, was placed in her left hand concealed from the view of the family","view of the family by a carefully positioned bunch of flowers.Items ofjewelleryplaced on Victoria included the wedding ring of Brown's mother, which Brown gave Victoria in 1883.Her funeral was held on Saturday 2 February, inSt George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and after two days of lying-in-state, she was interred beside Prince Albert in theRoyal Mausoleum, Frogmore, atWindsor Great Park. With a reign of 63 years, seven months, and two days, Victoria was thelongest-reigning British monarchand thelongest-reigningqueen regnantin world history, until her great-great-granddaughterElizabeth IIsurpassed her on 9 September 2015.She was the last monarch of Britain from theHouse of Hanover; her son Edward VII belonged to her husband'sHouse of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Legacy Reputation According to one of her biographers, Giles St Aubyn, Victoria wrote an average of 2,500 words a day during her adult life.From July 1832 until just before her death, she kept a detailedjournal, which eventually encompassed 122","encompassed 122 volumes.After Victoria's death, her youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice, was appointed her literary executor. Beatrice transcribed and edited the diaries covering Victoria's accession onwards, and burned the originals in the process.Despite this destruction, much of the diaries still exist. In addition to Beatrice's edited copy,Lord Eshertranscribed the volumes from 1832 to 1861 before Beatrice destroyed them.Part of Victoria's extensive correspondence has been published in volumes edited byA. C. Benson,Hector Bolitho,George Earle Buckle, Lord Esher,Roger Fulford, andRichard Houghamong others. In her later years, Victoria was stout, dowdy, and about five feet (1.5 metres) tall, but she projected a grand image.She was unpopular during the first years of her widowhood, but was well liked during the 1880s and 1890s, when she embodied the empire as a benevolent matriarchal figure.Only after the release of her diary and letters did the extent of her political influence become known to the wider","known to the wider public.Biographies of Victoria written before much of the primary material became available, such asLytton Strachey'sQueen Victoriaof 1921, are now considered out of date.The biographies written byElizabeth LongfordandCecil Woodham-Smith, in 1964 and 1972 respectively, are still widely admired.They, and others, conclude that as a person Victoria was emotional, obstinate, honest, and straight-talking. Through Victoria's reign, the gradual establishment of a modernconstitutional monarchyin Britain continued. Reforms of the voting system increased the power of theHouse of Commonsat the expense of theHouse of Lordsand the monarch.In 1867,Walter Bagehotwrote that the monarch only retained \"the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn\".As Victoria's monarchy became more symbolic than political, it placed a strong emphasis on morality and family values, in contrast to the sexual, financial and personal scandals that had been associated with previous members of the","members of the House of Hanover and which had discredited the monarchy. The concept of the \"family monarchy\", with which the burgeoning middle classes could identify, was solidified. Descendants and haemophilia Victoria's links with Europe's royal families earned her the nickname \"the grandmother of Europe\".Of thegrandchildren of Victoria and Albert, 34 survived to adulthood. Victoria's youngest son, Leopold, was affected by the blood-clotting diseasehaemophilia Band at least two of her five daughters, Alice and Beatrice, were carriers.Royal haemophiliacsdescended from Victoria included her great-grandsons,Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia;Alfonso, Prince of Asturias; andInfante Gonzalo of Spain.The presence of the disease in Victoria's descendants, but not in her ancestors, led tomodern speculation that her true father was not the Duke of Kent, but a haemophiliac.There is no documentary evidence of a haemophiliac in connection with Victoria's mother, and as male carriers always had the disease, even","the disease, even if such a man had existed he would have been seriously ill.It is more likely that the mutation arose spontaneously because Victoria's father was over 50 at the time of her conception and haemophilia arises more frequently in the children of older fathers.Spontaneous mutations account for about a third of cases. Titles, styles, honours, and arms Titles and styles At the end of her reign, the Queen's fullstylewas: \"Her Majesty Victoria, by the Grace of God, of theUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandQueen,Defender of the Faith, Empress of India\". Honours British honours Foreign honours Arms As Sovereign, Victoria used theroyal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. As she could not succeed to the throne of Hanover, her arms did not carry the Hanoverian symbols that were used by her immediate predecessors. Her arms have been borne by all of her successors on the throne. Family Issue Ancestry Family tree Notes References Citations Bibliography Primary sources Further reading External links","1900–01 Football League The1900–01seasonwas the 13th season ofThe Football League. Final league tables Beginning in the 1894–95 season, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded). In case one or more teams had the same goal difference, this system favoured those teams who had scored fewer goals. The goal average system was eventually scrapped beginning with the 1976–77 season. During the first six seasons of the league, (up to the 1893–94 season), re-election process concerned the clubs which finished in the bottom four of the league. From the 1894–95 season and until the 1920–21 season the re-election process was required of the clubs which finished in the bottom three of the league. First Division Results Maps Second Division Results Maps See also References","List of Liverpool F.C. managers Liverpool Football Clubis an English association football club based inLiverpool,Merseyside. Liverpool won theFirst Division titlefor the first time in 1901; since then, the club has won a further 18 league titles, along with eightFA Cupsand tenFootball League Cups. They have also been crowned champions of European football on six occasions by winning theEuropean Cup/UEFA Champions Leaguein1977,1978,1981,1984,2005and2019.The club was one of 22 members of thePremier Leaguewhen it was founded in 1992. Liverpool have had 22 full-time managers. The most successful person to manage Liverpool isBob Paisley, who won six Football League titles, sixCharity Shields, three Football League Cups, three European Cups, oneUEFA Super Cupand oneUEFA Cupin his nine-year reign as manager. The club's longest-serving manager wasTom Watson, who managed the club from 1896 to 1915, totalling 19 years.Kenny Dalglishis the only person to have managed the club on two occasions. He first managed Liverpool","managed Liverpool from 1985 to February 1991, and then from January 2011 to June 2012. This chronological list comprises all those who have held the position of manager of the first team of Liverpool since their foundation in 1892. Each manager's entry includes his dates of tenure and the club's overall competitive record (in terms of matches won, drawn and lost), honours won and significant achievements while under his care.Caretaker managersare included, where known, as well as those who have been in permanent charge. Managerial history 1892–1959 The first Liverpool managers,William Edward BarclayandJohn McKenna, were appointed in 1892. Barclay acted as secretary-manager, overseeing the administrative side of the club, while McKenna took charge of matters on the field. The two worked in tandem as Liverpool won promotion from the Lancashire League in the club's first season.However, in 1896, McKenna appointedTom Watsonas manager.He went on to win twoFootball League championships. As theFirst World Warbroke","World Warbroke out, Watson was embarking on his nineteenth season in charge at Anfield. It was to be his last, because he died in May 1915, aged 56.David Ashworthwas appointed manager when football resumed after the War.Ashworth won one league title, but left forOldham Athleticsoon after this. He was replaced in February 1923 by a Liverpool director,Matt McQueen, who won one league title for the club. However, this marked the beginning of a barren spell spanning more than 20 years before Liverpool finally regained the title in 1947 under the stewardship ofGeorge Kay. Kay also led Liverpool to theFA Cup Finalin1950, but lost the game 2–0 to Arsenal. He retired the following year, owing to ill-health.The next manager,Don Welshbecame the first Liverpool manager to be sacked after leading the club to relegation in 1954. His successor,Phil Taylor, also failed to win a trophy or gain promotion back to the top flight during his reign as boss. 1959–1991 On 1 December 1959,Bill Shanklywas appointed manager, beginning","manager, beginning a fifteen-year spell as manager that brought three league titles, twoFA Cupsand a first European trophy, theUEFA Cup, toAnfield.Shankly's reign as manager is famous for the establishment ofthe Anfield boot roomas the location for his tactical discussions with his coaches.When he was not managing the club, Shankly was usually at his typewriter, personally replying to the letters which arrived at Melwood. Shankly even called some supporters at home to discuss the previous day's game, while the accounts of him providing tickets for fans are endless.When Shankly retired in 1974, he was replaced by his assistant,Bob Paisley. During the next nine seasons, Paisley proceeded to win six league titles and threeEuropean Cupsto become the most successful manager in the history of the club.When Paisley retired in 1983, his assistantJoe Fagantook over, and continued the Boot Room tradition, and winning atrebleof League, European Cup andLeague Cupin his first season. He again guided Liverpool to","guided Liverpool to aEuropean Cup Final, but the match was overshadowed by theHeysel Stadium disaster, and he retired soon after.StrikerKenny Dalglishwas then made the club's firstplayer-managerand in his first season in charge, Dalglish led the club to a League and FA Cupdouble.After that great first season, Dalglish led Liverpool to a further two league titles and another FA Cup. However, theHillsborough disasterovershadowed his reign; it was one of the reasons for Dalglish resigning on 22 February 1991. 1991–2015 First-team coachRonnie Morantook charge of team affairs for several weeks beforeGraeme Sounesswas named as Dalglish's successor. Under Souness, Liverpool won the FA Cup in1992, but nothing else. He made way forRoy Evans, who also won just one trophy, the League Cup, beforeGérard Houllierwas appointed joint manager with Evans in 1998. This arrangement lasted only 18 games before Evans resigned, leaving Houllier—Liverpool's first non-British manager—in sole charge. Houllier won nothing until","won nothing until atreblein 2001, consisting of the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup. Houllier underwent major heart surgery during the2001–02season, but the squad was unaffected and managed to hold on to a second-place finish. AlthoughPhil Thompsonstepped in as temporary manager while Houllier was recovering from heart surgery, the matches played under Thompson are included in Houllier's record.Another League Cup was won in2003, but this was to be Houllier's last trophy as Liverpool manager as he and the club parted by mutual consent at the end of the2003–04season,to be replaced byValenciamanager,Rafael Benítez. In Benítez's first season in charge, Liverpool reached theUEFA Champions League Final, where they beatA.C. Milanon penalties, after the match finished 3–3 afterextra time. The following season, Liverpool reached theFA Cup Final, where they beatWest Ham United, again on penalties after a 3–3 draw. Benítez again guided Liverpool to aChampions League Finalin 2007, but this time A.C. Milan beat them 2–1.","beat them 2–1. On 3 June 2010, Benitez paid the price for a disappointing2009–10season when Liverpool announced he had left the club by mutual consent after six years in charge. Benitez, who was one year into a five-year contract, finalised his departure after agreeing a severance payment. Benitez's assistantSammy Leetook over the reins at Liverpool until Managing director Christian Purslow and former managerKenny Dalglishfound a replacement. On 1 July 2010, formerFulhambossRoy Hodgsonwas confirmed as the new manager.After a poor tenure, which included Liverpool being 18th after 6 games, and only one away win during Hodgson's time in charge, Hodgson was sacked on 8 January 2011 and was replaced by former managerKenny Dalglishthe day before a 3rd Round FA Cup game againstManchester United.Dalglish signed a three-year contract as permanent manager in May, but was sacked a year later.Although the 2011–12 season ended with a poor 8th-place finish in the Premier League, Dalglish guided Liverpool to two Cup finals","to two Cup finals at Wembley, ending a six-year trophy drought by winning theLeague Cup. The second Cup final appearance was theFA Cup, which Liverpool lost toChelsea. He was replaced byBrendan Rodgerson 1 June 2012. Rodgers led them in the2013–14 seasonto a surprise title challenge, however Liverpool ended the league season in second place, despite scoring 101 goals, the club's most since the1895–96 seasonand the third-highest in Premier League history.Rodgers was the first Liverpool manager to win theLMA Manager of The Year Award.However, he was the first manager of the club not to win a major trophy in his first three years at the helm, and on 4 October 2015, he was sacked. 2015–2024 On 8 October 2015, Brendan Rodgers was replaced by formerBorussia DortmundmanagerJürgen Klopp.Klopp made an instant impact on the club and guided them to aLeague Cup Finaland a surpriseEuropa League Finalinhis first seasonat the club.During their Europa League campaign, he beat bothEnglish rivalsManchester United and his","United and his former club Borussia Dortmund en route to the final.However, they lost the League Cup Final to Manchester City viapenalty shoot-outand they lost 1–3 to Spanish sideSevillain the Europa League Final.They also finished 8th in the league, meaning they wouldn't qualify for European competition for the2016–17 season. On 8 June 2016, Klopp and his coaching staff signed six-year contract extensions that ran until 2022.Klopp guided the club to a fourth-place finish in the2016–17 season, qualifying them for the2017–18 UEFA Champions Leaguequalifying play-offs, where they beat German club,TSG 1899 Hoffenheim6–3 on aggregate in a two-legged play-off to reach the group stage.Klopp led the team to finish top of their group and beat eventual English champions, Manchester City, and Italian club Roma in the knockout phase en route to the2018 UEFA Champions League Final.Unfortunately for Liverpool, they lost 1–3 to Spanish giantsReal Madrid. During the2018–19 season, Klopp guided Liverpool to their sixth","to their sixth Champions League triumph with a2–0 winover fellow English club, Tottenham Hotspur,and also guided the club toa second-place finish in the league.At the start of the2019–20 season, Klopp's Liverpool side played against Manchester City in theFA Community Shieldand against Chelsea in theUEFA Super Cup.Both matches went into penalty shoot-outs, with Liverpool losing the former and winning the latter.Later in December, Klopp also guided Liverpool to their first ever FIFA club World Cup trophy, making it 3 trophies in 2019. In the 2019–20 season, Klopp secured Liverpool's first Premier League title and first top-flight title since 1990 by finishing on the most points in their history (99 points). The season was notable both for Liverpool's huge points lead over the rest of the league and for its interruption by theCoronavirusshutdown, meaning Liverpool won the Premier League atboth the earliest(7 games to go) and the latest time (June) ever. On 26 January 2024, the club released a statement, sharing","statement, sharing Klopp's announcement that he would step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the current season (2023–24).Arne Slotwas announced as the head coach ahead of the2024–25 season. Key Key to record: Key to honours: Managers Information correct as of 20 October 2024. Only competitive matches are counted. Notes References General Specific Bibliography"],"string":"[\n \"Queen Victoria Victoria(Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) wasQueen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Irelandfrom 20 June 1837 untilher deathin 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days—which waslonger than those of any of her predecessors—constituted theVictorian era. It was a period of industrial, political, scientific, and military change within theUnited Kingdom, and was marked by a great expansion of theBritish Empire. In 1876, theBritish Parliamentvoted to grant her the additional title ofEmpress of India. Victoria was the daughter ofPrince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn(the fourth son ofKing George III), andPrincess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld. After the deaths of her father and grandfather in 1820, she wasraised under close supervisionby her mother and hercomptroller,John Conroy. She inherited the throne aged 18 after her father's three elder brothers died without survivinglegitimateissue. Victoria, aconstitutional monarch, attempted privately to influence\",\n \"to influence government policy and ministerial appointments; publicly, she became a national icon who was identified with strict standards ofpersonal morality. Victoria marriedher first cousin,Prince Albert of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha, in 1840. Their nine children married into royal and noble families across the continent, earning Victoria thesobriquet\\\"grandmother of Europe\\\". After Albert's death in 1861, Victoria plunged into deep mourning and avoided public appearances. As a result of her seclusion,British republicanismtemporarily gained strength, but in the latter half of her reign, her popularity recovered. HerGoldenandDiamondjubileeswere times of public celebration. Victoria died atOsborne Houseon theIsle of Wight, at the age of 81. The lastBritish monarchof theHouse of Hanover, she was succeeded by her sonEdward VIIof theHouse of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Early life Birth and ancestry Victoria's father wasPrince Edward, Duke of Kent and Strathearn, the fourth son ofKing George IIIandQueen Charlotte. Until\",\n \"Charlotte. Until 1817, King George's only legitimate grandchild was Edward's niecePrincess Charlotte of Wales, the daughter ofGeorge, Prince Regent(who would become George IV). Princess Charlotte's death in 1817 precipitated asuccession crisisthat brought pressure on Prince Edward and his unmarried brothers to marry and have children. In 1818, the Duke of Kent marriedPrincess Victoria of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld, a widowed German princess with two children—Carl(1804–1856) andFeodora(1807–1872)—by her first marriage toEmich Carl, 2nd Prince of Leiningen. Her brotherLeopoldwas Princess Charlotte's widower and later the firstking of Belgium. The Duke and Duchess of Kent's only child, Victoria was born at 4:15 a.m. on Monday 24 May 1819 atKensington Palacein London. Victoria was christened privately by theArchbishop of Canterbury,Charles Manners-Sutton, on 24 June 1819 in the Cupola Room at Kensington Palace.She was baptisedAlexandrinaafter one of her godparents, TsarAlexander I of Russia, andVictoria, after her\",\n \"after her mother. Additional names proposed by her parents—Georgina (or Georgiana), Charlotte, and Augusta—were dropped on the instructions of the Prince Regent. At birth, Victoria was fifth in the line of succession after the four eldest sons of George III: George, Prince Regent (later George IV);Frederick, Duke of York;William, Duke of Clarence(later William IV); and Victoria's father, Edward, Duke of Kent.Prince George had no surviving children, and Prince Frederick had no children; further, both were estranged from their wives, who were both past child-bearing age, so the two eldest brothers were unlikely to have any further legitimate children. William married in 1818, in a joint ceremony with his brother Edward, but both of William's legitimate daughters died as infants. The first of these was Princess Charlotte, who was born and died on 27 March 1819, two months before Victoria was born. Victoria's father died in January 1820, when Victoria was less than a year old. A week later her grandfather died\",\n \"grandfather died and was succeeded by his eldest son as George IV. Victoria was then third in line to the throne after Frederick and William. She was fourth in line while William's second daughter,Princess Elizabeth, lived, from 10 December 1820 to 4 March 1821. Heir presumptive Prince Frederick died in 1827, followed by George IV in 1830; their next surviving brother succeeded to the throne as William IV, and Victoria becameheir presumptive. TheRegency Act 1830made special provision for Victoria's mother to act as regent in case William died while Victoria was still a minor.King William distrusted the Duchess's capacity to be regent, and in 1836 he declared in her presence that he wanted to live until Victoria's 18th birthday, so that aregencycould be avoided. Victoria later described her childhood as \\\"rather melancholy\\\".Her mother was extremely protective, and Victoria was raised largely isolated from other children under the so-called \\\"Kensington System\\\", an elaborate set of rules and protocols devised by\",\n \"devised by the Duchess and her ambitious and domineeringcomptroller,Sir John Conroy, who was rumoured to be the Duchess's lover.The system prevented the princess from meeting people whom her mother and Conroy deemed undesirable (including most of her father's family), and was designed to render her weak and dependent upon them.The Duchess avoided the court because she was scandalised by the presence of King William's illegitimate children.Victoria shared a bedroom with her mother every night, studied with private tutors to a regular timetable, and spent her play-hours with her dolls and herKing Charles Spaniel,Dash.Her lessons included French, German, Italian, and Latin,but she spoke only English at home. In 1830, the Duchess and Conroy took Victoria across the centre of England to visit theMalvern Hills, stopping at towns and greatcountry housesalong the way.Similar journeys to other parts of England and Wales were taken in 1832, 1833, 1834 and 1835. To the King's annoyance, Victoria was enthusiastically\",\n \"enthusiastically welcomed in each of the stops.William compared the journeys toroyal progressesand was concerned that they portrayed Victoria as his rival rather than his heir presumptive.Victoria disliked the trips; the constant round of public appearances made her tired and ill, and there was little time for her to rest.She objected on the grounds of the King's disapproval, but her mother dismissed his complaints as motivated by jealousy and forced Victoria to continue the tours.AtRamsgatein October 1835, Victoria contracted a severe fever, which Conroy initially dismissed as a childish pretence.While Victoria was ill, Conroy and the Duchess unsuccessfully badgered her to make Conroy herprivate secretary.As a teenager, Victoria resisted persistent attempts by her mother and Conroy to appoint him to her staff.Once queen, she banned him from her presence, but he remained in her mother's household. By 1836, Victoria's maternal uncle Leopold, who had been King of the Belgians since 1831, hoped to marry her\",\n \"hoped to marry her toPrince Albert,the son of his brotherErnest I, Duke of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Leopold arranged for Victoria's mother to invite her Coburg relatives to visit her in May 1836, with the purpose of introducing Victoria to Albert.William IV, however, disapproved of any match with the Coburgs, and instead favoured the suit ofPrince Alexander of the Netherlands, second son ofthe Prince of Orange.Victoria was aware of the various matrimonial plans and critically appraised a parade of eligible princes.According to her diary, she enjoyed Albert's company from the beginning. After the visit she wrote, \\\" is extremely handsome; his hair is about the same colour as mine; his eyes are large and blue, and he has a beautiful nose and a very sweet mouth with fine teeth; but the charm of his countenance is his expression, which is most delightful.\\\"Alexander, on the other hand, she described as \\\"very plain\\\". Victoria wrote to King Leopold, whom she considered her \\\"best and kindest adviser\\\",to thank him \\\"for\",\n \"thank him \\\"for the prospect ofgreathappiness you have contributed to give me, in the person of dear Albert ... He possesses every quality that could be desired to render me perfectly happy. He is so sensible, so kind, and so good, and so amiable too. He has besides the most pleasing and delightful exterior and appearance you can possibly see.\\\"However at 17, Victoria, though interested in Albert, was not yet ready to marry. The parties did not undertake a formal engagement, but assumed that the match would take place in due time. Accession and early reign Victoria turned 18 on 24 May 1837, and aregencywas avoided. Less than a month later, on 20 June 1837, William IV died at the age of 71, and Victoria became Queen of the United Kingdom.In her diary she wrote, \\\"I was awoke at 6 o'clock by Mamma, who told me theArchbishop of CanterburyandLord Conynghamwere here and wished to see me. I got out of bed and went into my sitting-room (only in my dressing gown) andalone, and saw them. Lord Conyngham then acquainted\",\n \"then acquainted me that my poor Uncle, the King, was no more, and had expired at 12 minutes past 2 this morning, and consequently thatIamQueen.\\\"Official documents prepared on the first day of her reign described her as Alexandrina Victoria, but the first name was withdrawn at her own wish and not used again. Since 1714,Britainhad shared a monarch withHanoverin Germany, but underSalic law, women were excluded from the Hanoverian succession. While Victoria inherited the British throne, her father's unpopular younger brother,Ernest Augustus, Duke of Cumberland, becameKing of Hanover. He was Victoria's heir presumptive until she had a child. At the time of Victoria's accession, the government was led by theWhigprime ministerLord Melbourne. He at once became a powerful influence on the politically inexperienced monarch, who relied on him for advice.Charles Grevillesupposed that the widowed and childless Melbourne was \\\"passionately fond of her as he might be of his daughter if he had one\\\", and Victoria probably\",\n \"Victoria probably saw him as a father figure.Her coronationtook place on 28 June 1838 atWestminster Abbey. Over 400,000 visitors came to London for the celebrations.She became the first sovereign to take up residence atBuckingham Palaceand inherited the revenues of the duchies ofLancasterandCornwallas well as being granted acivil listallowance of £385,000 per year. Financially prudent, she paid off her father's debts. At the start of her reign Victoria was popular,but her reputation suffered in an 1839 court intrigue when one of her mother's ladies-in-waiting,Lady Flora Hastings, developed an abdominal growth that was widely rumoured to be an out-of-wedlock pregnancy by Sir John Conroy.Victoria believed the rumours.She hated Conroy, and despised \\\"that odious Lady Flora\\\",because she had conspired with Conroy and the Duchess in the Kensington System.At first, Lady Flora refused to submit to an intimate medical examination, until in mid-February she eventually acquiesced, and was found to be a virgin.Conroy,\",\n \"be a virgin.Conroy, the Hastings family, and the oppositionToriesorganised a press campaign implicating the Queen in the spreading of false rumours about Lady Flora.When Lady Flora died in July, the post-mortem revealed a large tumour on her liver that had distended her abdomen.At public appearances, Victoria was hissed and jeered as \\\"Mrs. Melbourne\\\". In 1839, Melbourne resigned afterRadicalsand Tories (both of whom Victoria detested) voted against a bill to suspend the constitution ofJamaica. The bill removed political power from plantation owners who were resisting measures associated with theabolition of slavery.The Queen commissioned a Tory,Robert Peel, to form a new ministry. At the time, it was customary for the prime minister to appoint members of theRoyal Household, who were usually his political allies and their spouses. Many of the Queen'sladies of the bedchamberwere wives of Whigs, and Peel expected to replace them with wives of Tories. In what became known as the \\\"bedchamber crisis\\\", Victoria,\",\n \"crisis\\\", Victoria, advised by Melbourne, objected to their removal. Peel refused to govern under the restrictions imposed by the Queen, and consequently resigned his commission, allowing Melbourne to return to office. Marriage and public life Though Victoria was now queen, as an unmarried young woman she was required bysocial conventionto live with her mother, despite their differences over the Kensington System and her mother's continued reliance on Conroy.The Duchess was consigned to a remote apartment in Buckingham Palace, and Victoria often refused to see her.When Victoria complained to Melbourne that her mother's proximity promised \\\"torment for many years\\\", Melbourne sympathised but said it could be avoided by marriage, which Victoria called a \\\"schocking alternative\\\".Victoria showed interest in Albert's education for the future role he would have to play as her husband, but she resisted attempts to rush her into wedlock. Victoria continued to praise Albert following his second visit in October 1839.\",\n \"in October 1839. They felt mutual affection and the Queen proposed to him on 15 October 1839, just five days after he had arrived atWindsor.They were married on 10 February 1840, in theChapel RoyalofSt James's Palace, London. Victoria was love-struck. She spent the evening after their wedding lying down with a headache, but wrote ecstatically in her diary: I NEVER, NEVER spent such an evening!!! MY DEAREST DEAREST DEAR Albert ... his excessive love & affection gave me feelings of heavenly love & happiness I never could havehopedto have felt before! He clasped me in his arms, & we kissed each other again & again! His beauty, his sweetness & gentleness—really how can I ever be thankful enough to have such aHusband! ... to be called by names of tenderness, I have never yet heard used to me before—was bliss beyond belief! Oh! This was the happiest day of my life! Albert became an important political adviser as well as the Queen's companion, replacing Melbourne as the dominant influential figure in the first half\",\n \"in the first half of her life.Victoria's mother was evicted from the palace, to Ingestre House inBelgrave Square. After the death of Victoria's auntPrincess Augustain 1840, the Duchess was given bothClarence HouseandFrogmore House.Through Albert's mediation, relations between mother and daughter slowly improved. During Victoria's first pregnancy in 1840, in the first few months of the marriage, 18-year-oldEdward Oxfordattempted to assassinate her while she was riding in a carriage with Prince Albert on her way to visit her mother. Oxford fired twice, but either both bullets missed or, as he later claimed, the guns had no shot.He was tried forhigh treason, foundnot guilty by reason of insanity, committed to an insane asylum indefinitely, and later sent to live in Australia.In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Victoria's popularity soared, mitigating residual discontent over theHastings affairand thebedchamber crisis.Her daughter, also namedVictoria, was born on 21 November 1840. The Queen hated being\",\n \"Queen hated being pregnant,viewed breast-feeding with disgust,and thought newborn babies were ugly.Nevertheless, over the following seventeen years, she and Albert had a further eight children:Albert Edward,Alice,Alfred,Helena,Louise,Arthur,LeopoldandBeatrice. The household was largely run by Victoria's childhood governess, BaronessLouise LehzenfromHanover. Lehzen had been a formative influence on Victoriaand had supported her against the Kensington System.Albert, however, thought that Lehzen was incompetent and that her mismanagement threatened his daughter Victoria's health. After a furious row between Victoria and Albert over the issue, Lehzen was pensioned off in 1842, and Victoria's close relationship with her ended. On 29 May 1842, Victoria was riding in a carriage alongThe Mall, London, when John Francis aimed a pistol at her, but the gun did not fire. The assailant escaped; the following day, Victoria drove the same route, though faster and with a greater escort, in a deliberate attempt to bait\",\n \"attempt to bait Francis into taking a second aim and catch him in the act. As expected, Francis shot at her, but he was seized by plainclothes policemen, and convicted of high treason. On 3 July, two days after Francis's death sentence was commuted totransportation for life,John William Beanalso tried to fire a pistol at the Queen, but it was loaded only with paper and tobacco and had too little charge.Edward Oxford felt that the attempts were encouraged by his acquittal in 1840.Bean was sentenced to 18 months in jail.In a similar attack in 1849, unemployed Irishman William Hamilton fired a powder-filled pistol at Victoria's carriage as it passed alongConstitution Hill, London.In 1850, the Queen did sustain injury when she was assaulted by a possibly insane ex-army officer,Robert Pate. As Victoria was riding in a carriage, Pate struck her with his cane, crushing her bonnet and bruising her forehead. Both Hamilton and Pate were sentenced to seven years' transportation. Melbourne's support in the House of\",\n \"in the House of Commons weakened through the early years of Victoria's reign, and in the1841 general electionthe Whigs were defeated. Peel became prime minister, and the ladies of the bedchamber most associated with the Whigs were replaced. In 1845, Ireland was hit by apotato blight.In the next four years, over a million Irish people died and another million emigrated in what became known as theGreat Famine.In Ireland, Victoria was labelled \\\"The Famine Queen\\\".In January 1847 she personally donated £2,000 (equivalent to between £230,000 and £8.5million in 2022)to theBritish Relief Association, more than any other individual famine relief donor,and supported theMaynooth Grantto a Roman Catholic seminary in Ireland, despite Protestant opposition.The story that she donated only £5 in aid to the Irish, and on the same day gave the same amount toBattersea Dogs Home, was a myth generated towards the end of the 19th century. By 1846, Peel's ministry faced a crisis involving the repeal of theCorn Laws. Many Tories—by\",\n \"Many Tories—by then known also asConservatives—were opposed to the repeal, but Peel, some Tories (the free-trade orientedliberal conservative\\\"Peelites\\\"), most Whigs and Victoria supported it. Peel resigned in 1846, after the repeal narrowly passed, and was replaced byLord John Russell. Internationally, Victoria took a keen interest in the improvement of relations between France and Britain.She made and hosted several visits between the British royal family and theHouse of Orleans, who were related by marriage through the Coburgs. In 1843 and 1845, she and Albert stayed with KingLouis Philippe IatChâteau d'Euin Normandy; she was the first British or English monarch to visit a French monarch since the meeting ofHenry VIII of EnglandandFrancis I of Franceon theField of the Cloth of Goldin 1520.When Louis Philippe made a reciprocal trip in 1844, he became the first French king to visit a British sovereign.Louis Philippe was deposed in therevolutions of 1848, and fled to exile in England.At the height of a\",\n \"the height of a revolutionary scare in the United Kingdom in April 1848, Victoria and her family left London for the greater safety ofOsborne House,a private estate on the Isle of Wight that they had purchased in 1845 and redeveloped.Demonstrations byChartistsandIrish nationalistsfailed to attract widespread support, and the scare died down without any major disturbances.Victoria's first visit to Ireland in 1849 was a public relations success, but it had no lasting impact or effect on the growth of Irish nationalism. Russell's ministry, though Whig, was not favoured by the Queen.She found particularly offensive theForeign Secretary,Lord Palmerston, who often acted without consulting the Cabinet, the Prime Minister, or the Queen.Victoria complained to Russell that Palmerston sent official dispatches to foreign leaders without her knowledge, but Palmerston was retained in office and continued to act on his own initiative, despite her repeated remonstrances. It was only in 1851 that Palmerston was removed after\",\n \"was removed after he announced the British government's approval of PresidentLouis-Napoleon Bonaparte'scoup in Francewithout consulting the Prime Minister.The following year, President Bonaparte was declared Emperor Napoleon III, by which time Russell's administration had been replaced by a short-lived minority government led byLord Derby. In 1853, Victoria gave birth to her eighth child, Leopold, with the aid of the new anaesthetic,chloroform. She was so impressed by the relief it gave from the pain of childbirth that she used it again in 1857 at the birth of her ninth and final child, Beatrice, despite opposition from members of the clergy, who considered it against biblical teaching, and members of the medical profession, who thought it dangerous.Victoria may have hadpostnatal depressionafter many of her pregnancies.Letters from Albert to Victoria intermittently complain of her loss of self-control. For example, about a month after Leopold's birth Albert complained in a letter to Victoria about her\",\n \"Victoria about her \\\"continuance of hysterics\\\" over a \\\"miserable trifle\\\". In early 1855, the government ofLord Aberdeen, who had replaced Derby, fell amidst recriminations over the poor management of British troops in theCrimean War. Victoria approached both Derby and Russell to form a ministry, but neither had sufficient support, and Victoria was forced to appoint Palmerston as prime minister. Napoleon III, Britain's closest ally as a result of the Crimean War,visited London in April 1855, and from 17 to 28 August the same year Victoria and Albert returned the visit.Napoleon III met the couple atBoulogneand accompanied them to Paris.They visited theExposition Universelle(a successor to Albert's 1851 brainchild theGreat Exhibition) andNapoleon I's tomb atLes Invalides(to which his remains had only beenreturnedin 1840), and were guests of honour at a 1,200-guest ball at thePalace of Versailles.This marked the first time that a reigning British monarch had been to Paris in over 400 years. On 14 January 1858, an\",\n \"14 January 1858, an Italian refugee from Britain calledFelice Orsiniattempted to assassinate Napoleon III with a bomb made in England.The ensuing diplomatic crisis destabilised the government, and Palmerston resigned. Derby was reinstated as prime minister.Victoria and Albert attended the opening of a new basin at the French military port ofCherbourgon 5 August 1858, in an attempt by Napoleon III to reassure Britain that his military preparations were directed elsewhere. On her return Victoria wrote to Derby reprimanding him for the poor state of theRoyal Navyin comparison to theFrench Navy.Derby's ministry did not last long, and in June 1859 Victoria recalled Palmerston to office. Eleven days after Orsini's assassination attempt in France, Victoria's eldest daughter marriedPrince Frederick William of Prussiain London. They had been betrothed since September 1855, when Princess Victoria was 14 years old; the marriage was delayed by the Queen and her husband Albert until the bride was 17.The Queen and Albert\",\n \"Queen and Albert hoped that their daughter and son-in-law would be a liberalising influence in the enlargingPrussianstate.The Queen felt \\\"sick at heart\\\" to see her daughter leave England for Germany; \\\"It really makes me shudder\\\", she wrote to Princess Victoria in one of her frequent letters, \\\"when I look round to all your sweet, happy, unconscious sisters, and think I must give them up too – one by one.\\\"Almost exactly a year later, the Princess gave birth to the Queen's first grandchild,Wilhelm, who would become the last German emperor. Widowhood and isolation In March 1861, Victoria's mother died, with Victoria at her side. Through reading her mother's papers, Victoria discovered that her mother had loved her deeply;she was heart-broken, and blamed Conroy and Lehzen for \\\"wickedly\\\" estranging her from her mother.To relieve his wife during her intense and deep grief,Albert took on most of her duties, despite being ill himself with chronic stomach trouble.In August, Victoria and Albert visited their son,Albert\",\n \"their son,Albert Edward, Prince of Wales, who was attending army manoeuvres near Dublin, and spent a few days holidaying inKillarney. In November, Albert was made aware of gossip that his son had slept with an actress in Ireland.Appalled, he travelled to Cambridge, where his son was studying, to confront him. By the beginning of December, Albert was very unwell.He was diagnosed withtyphoid feverbyWilliam Jenner, and died on 14 December 1861. Victoria was devastated.She blamed her husband's death on worry over the Prince of Wales'sphilandering. He had been \\\"killed by that dreadful business\\\", she said.She entered a state ofmourningand wore black for the remainder of her life. She avoided public appearances and rarely set foot in London in the following years.Her seclusion earned her the nickname \\\"widow of Windsor\\\".Her weight increased through comfort eating, which reinforced her aversion to public appearances. Victoria's self-imposed isolation from the public diminished the popularity of the monarchy, and\",\n \"the monarchy, and encouraged the growth of the republican movement.She did undertake her official government duties, yet chose to remain secluded in her royal residences—Windsor Castle, Osborne House, and the private estate in Scotland that she and Albert had acquired in 1847,Balmoral Castle. In March 1864, a protester stuck a notice on the railings ofBuckingham Palacethat announced \\\"these commanding premises to be let or sold in consequence of the late occupant's declining business\\\".Her uncle Leopold wrote to her advising her to appear in public. She agreed to visit the gardens of theRoyal Horticultural SocietyatKensingtonand take a drive through London in an open carriage. Through the 1860s, Victoria relied increasingly on a manservant from Scotland,John Brown.Rumours of a romantic connection and even a secret marriage appeared in print, and some referred to the Queen as \\\"Mrs. Brown\\\".The story of their relationship was the subject of the 1997 movieMrs. Brown. A painting by SirEdwin Henry Landseerdepicting\",\n \"Landseerdepicting the Queen with Brown was exhibited at theRoyal Academy, and Victoria published a book,Leaves from the Journal of Our Life in the Highlands, which featured Brown prominently and in which the Queen praised him highly. Palmerston died in 1865, and after a brief ministry led by Russell, Derby returned to power. In 1866, Victoria attended theState Opening of Parliamentfor the first time since Albert's death.The following year she supported the passing of theReform Act 1867which doubled the electorate by extending the franchise to many urban working men,though she was not in favour of votes for women.Derby resigned in 1868, to be replaced byBenjamin Disraeli, who charmed Victoria. \\\"Everyone likes flattery,\\\" he said, \\\"and when you come to royalty you should lay it on with a trowel.\\\"With the phrase \\\"we authors, Ma'am\\\", he complimented her.Disraeli's ministry only lasted a matter of months, and at the end of the year his Liberal rival,William Ewart Gladstone, was appointed prime minister. Victoria\",\n \"minister. Victoria found Gladstone's demeanour far less appealing; he spoke to her, she is thought to have complained, as though she were \\\"a public meeting rather than a woman\\\". In 1870 republican sentiment in Britain, fed by the Queen's seclusion, was boosted after the establishment of theThird French Republic.A republican rally inTrafalgar Squaredemanded Victoria's removal, and Radical MPs spoke against her.In August and September 1871, she was seriously ill with anabscessin her arm, whichJoseph Listersuccessfully lanced and treated with his new antisepticcarbolic acidspray.In late November 1871, at the height of the republican movement, the Prince of Wales contracted typhoid fever, the disease that was believed to have killed his father, and Victoria was fearful her son would die.As the tenth anniversary of her husband's death approached, her son's condition grew no better, and Victoria's distress continued.To general rejoicing, he recovered.Mother and son attended a public parade through London and a\",\n \"London and a grand service of thanksgiving inSt Paul's Cathedralon 27 February 1872, and republican feeling subsided. On the last day of February 1872, two days after the thanksgiving service, 17-year-old Arthur O'Connor, a great-nephew of Irish MPFeargus O'Connor, waved an unloaded pistol at Victoria's open carriage just after she had arrived at Buckingham Palace. Brown, who was attending the Queen, grabbed him and O'Connor was later sentenced to 12 months' imprisonment,and abirching.As a result of the incident, Victoria's popularity recovered further. Empress of India After theIndian Rebellion of 1857, theBritish East India Company, which had ruled much of India, was dissolved, and Britain's possessions and protectorates on theIndian subcontinentwere formally incorporated into theBritish Empire. The Queen had a relatively balanced view of the conflict, and condemned atrocities on both sides.She wrote of \\\"her feelings of horror and regret at the result of this bloody civil war\\\",and insisted, urged on by\",\n \"urged on by Albert, that an official proclamation announcing the transfer of power from the company to the state \\\"should breathe feelings of generosity, benevolence and religious toleration\\\".At her behest, a reference threatening the \\\"undermining of native religions and customs\\\" was replaced by a passage guaranteeing religious freedom. In the1874 general election, Disraeli was returned to power. He passed thePublic Worship Regulation Act 1874, which removed Catholic rituals from the Anglican liturgy and which Victoria strongly supported.She preferred short, simple services, and personally considered herself more aligned with thepresbyterianChurch of Scotlandthan theepiscopalChurch of England.Disraeli also pushed theRoyal Titles Act 1876through Parliament, so that Victoria took the title \\\"Empress of India\\\" from 1 May 1876.The new title was proclaimed at theDelhi Durbarof 1 January 1877. On 14 December 1878, the anniversary of Albert's death, Victoria's second daughter Alice, who had marriedLouis of Hesse,\",\n \"of Hesse, died ofdiphtheriainDarmstadt. Victoria noted the coincidence of the dates as \\\"almost incredible and most mysterious\\\".In May 1879, she became a great-grandmother (on the birth ofPrincess Feodora of Saxe-Meiningen) and passed her \\\"poor old 60th birthday\\\". She felt \\\"aged\\\" by \\\"the loss of my beloved child\\\". Between April 1877 and February 1878, she threatened five times to abdicate while pressuring Disraeli to act against Russia during theRusso-Turkish War, but her threats had no impact on the events or their conclusion with theCongress of Berlin.Disraeli's expansionist foreign policy, which Victoria endorsed, led to conflicts such as theAnglo-Zulu Warand theSecond Anglo-Afghan War. \\\"Ifweare tomaintainour position as afirst-ratePower\\\", she wrote, \\\"we must ... bePreparedforattacksandwars,somewhereorother, CONTINUALLY.\\\"Victoria saw the expansion of the British Empire as civilising and benign, protecting native peoples from more aggressive powers or cruel rulers: \\\"It is not in our custom to annexe\",\n \"custom to annexe countries\\\", she said, \\\"unless we are obliged & forced to do so.\\\"To Victoria's dismay, Disraeli lost the1880 general election, and Gladstone returned as prime minister.When Disraeli died the following year, she was blinded by \\\"fast falling tears\\\",and erected a memorial tablet \\\"placed by his grateful Sovereign and Friend, Victoria R.I.\\\" On 2 March 1882,Roderick Maclean, a disgruntled poet apparently offended by Victoria's refusal to accept one of his poems,shot at the Queen as her carriage leftWindsor railway station.Gordon Chesney Wilsonand another schoolboy fromEton Collegestruck him with their umbrellas, until he was hustled away by a policeman.Victoria was outraged when he was found not guilty by reason of insanity,but was so pleased by the many expressions of loyalty after the attack that she said it was \\\"worth being shot at—to see how much one is loved\\\". On 17 March 1883, Victoria fell down some stairs at Windsor, which left her lame until July; she never fully recovered and was plagued\",\n \"and was plagued with rheumatism thereafter.John Brown died 10 days after her accident, and to the consternation of her private secretary, SirHenry Ponsonby, Victoria began work on a eulogistic biography of Brown.Ponsonby andRandall Davidson,Dean of Windsor, who had both seen early drafts, advised Victoria against publication, on the grounds that it would stoke the rumours of a love affair.The manuscript was destroyed.In early 1884, Victoria did publishMore Leaves from a Journal of a Life in the Highlands, a sequel to her earlier book, which she dedicated to her \\\"devoted personal attendant and faithful friend John Brown\\\".On the day after the first anniversary of Brown's death, Victoria was informed by telegram that her youngest son, Leopold, had died inCannes. He was \\\"the dearest of my dear sons\\\", she lamented.The following month, Victoria's youngest child, Beatrice, met and fell in love withPrince Henry of Battenbergat the wedding of Victoria's granddaughterPrincess Victoria of Hesse and by Rhineto Henry's\",\n \"by Rhineto Henry's brotherPrince Louis of Battenberg. Beatrice and Henry planned to marry, but Victoria opposed the match at first, wishing to keep Beatrice at home to act as her companion. After a year, she was won around to the marriage by their promise to remain living with and attending her. Victoria was pleased when Gladstone resigned in 1885 after his budget was defeated.She thought his government was \\\"the worst I have ever had\\\", and blamed him for the death ofGeneral Gordonduring theSiege of Khartoum.Gladstone was replaced byLord Salisbury. Salisbury's government only lasted a few months, however, and Victoria was forced to recall Gladstone, whom she referred to as a \\\"half crazy & really in many ways ridiculous old man\\\".Gladstone attempted to passa bill granting Ireland home rule, but to Victoria's glee it was defeated.Inthe ensuing election, Gladstone's party lost to Salisbury's and the government switched hands again. Golden and Diamond Jubilees In 1887, theBritish EmpirecelebratedVictoria's Golden\",\n \"Golden Jubilee. She marked the fiftieth anniversary of her accession on 20 June with a banquet to which 50 kings and princes were invited. The following day, she participated in a procession and attended a thanksgiving service inWestminster Abbey.By this time, Victoria was once again extremely popular.Two days later on 23 June,she engaged two Indian Muslims as waiters, one of whom wasAbdul Karim. He was soon promoted to \\\"Munshi\\\": teaching herUrduand acting as a clerk.Her family and retainers were appalled, and accused Abdul Karim of spying for the Muslim Patriotic League, and biasing the Queen against the Hindus.EquerryFrederick Ponsonby(the son of Sir Henry) discovered that the Munshi had lied about his parentage, and reported toLord Elgin,Viceroy of India, \\\"the Munshi occupies very much the same position as John Brown used to do.\\\"Victoria dismissed their complaints as racial prejudice.Abdul Karim remained in her service until he returned to India with a pension, on her death. Victoria's eldest daughter\",\n \"eldest daughter becameempress consort of Germanyin 1888, but she was widowed a little over three months later, and Victoria's eldest grandchild became German Emperor asWilhelm II. Victoria and Albert's hopes of a liberal Germany would go unfulfilled, as Wilhelm was a firm believer inautocracy. Victoria thought he had \\\"little heart orZartgefühl – and ... his conscience & intelligence have been completely wharped \\\". Gladstone returned to power after the1892 general election; he was 82 years old. Victoria objected when Gladstone proposed appointing the Radical MPHenry Labouchèreto theCabinet, so Gladstone agreed not to appoint him.In 1894, Gladstone retired and, without consulting the outgoing prime minister, Victoria appointedLord Roseberyas prime minister.His government was weak, and the following year Lord Salisbury replaced him. Salisbury remained prime minister for the remainder of Victoria's reign. On 23 September 1896, Victoria surpassed her grandfather George III as thelongest-reigning monarch in\",\n \"monarch in British history. The Queen requested that any special celebrations be delayed until 1897, to coincide withher Diamond Jubilee,which was made a festival of the British Empire at the suggestion of theColonial Secretary,Joseph Chamberlain.The prime ministers of all theself-governingDominionswere invited to London for the festivities.One reason for including the prime ministers of the Dominions and excluding foreign heads of state was to avoid having to invite Victoria's grandson Wilhelm II, who, it was feared, might cause trouble at the event. The Queen's Diamond Jubilee procession on 22 June 1897 followed a route six miles long through London and included troops from all over the empire. The procession paused for an open-air service of thanksgiving held outside St Paul's Cathedral, throughout which Victoria sat in her open carriage, to avoid her having to climb the steps to enter the building. The celebration was marked by vast crowds of spectators and great outpourings of affection for the\",\n \"affection for the 78-year-old Queen. Declining health and death Victoria regularly holidayed in mainland Europe. In 1889, during a stay inBiarritz, she became the first reigning monarch from Britain to visit Spain by briefly crossing the border.By April 1900, theBoer Warwas so unpopular in mainland Europe that her annual trip to France seemed inadvisable. Instead, the Queen went to Ireland for the first time since 1861, in part to acknowledge the contribution of Irish regiments to the South African war. In July 1900, Victoria's second son, Alfred (\\\"Affie\\\"), died. \\\"Oh, God! My poor darling Affie gone too\\\", she wrote in her journal. \\\"It is a horrible year, nothing but sadness & horrors of one kind & another.\\\" Following a custom she maintained throughout her widowhood, Victoria spent the Christmas of 1900 at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.Rheumatismin her legs had rendered her disabled, and her eyesight was clouded by cataracts.Through early January, she felt \\\"weak and unwell\\\",and by mid-January she was\",\n \"mid-January she was \\\"drowsy dazed, confused\\\".Herfavourite petPomeranian, Turi, was laid on her bed as a last request.She died aged 81 on 22 January 1901, at half past six in the evening, in the presence of her eldest son, Albert Edward, and grandson Wilhelm II. Albert Edward immediately succeeded as Edward VII. In 1897, Victoria had written instructions forher funeral, which was to be military as befitting a soldier's daughter and the head of the army,and white instead of black.On 25 January, Edward VII and Wilhelm II, together with Prince Arthur, helped lift her body into the coffin.She was dressed in a white dress and her wedding veil.An array of mementos commemorating her extended family, friends and servants were laid in the coffin with her, at her request, by her physician and dressers. One of Albert's dressing gowns was placed by her side, with a plaster cast of his hand, while a lock of John Brown's hair, along with a picture of him, was placed in her left hand concealed from the view of the family\",\n \"view of the family by a carefully positioned bunch of flowers.Items ofjewelleryplaced on Victoria included the wedding ring of Brown's mother, which Brown gave Victoria in 1883.Her funeral was held on Saturday 2 February, inSt George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and after two days of lying-in-state, she was interred beside Prince Albert in theRoyal Mausoleum, Frogmore, atWindsor Great Park. With a reign of 63 years, seven months, and two days, Victoria was thelongest-reigning British monarchand thelongest-reigningqueen regnantin world history, until her great-great-granddaughterElizabeth IIsurpassed her on 9 September 2015.She was the last monarch of Britain from theHouse of Hanover; her son Edward VII belonged to her husband'sHouse of Saxe-Coburg and Gotha. Legacy Reputation According to one of her biographers, Giles St Aubyn, Victoria wrote an average of 2,500 words a day during her adult life.From July 1832 until just before her death, she kept a detailedjournal, which eventually encompassed 122\",\n \"encompassed 122 volumes.After Victoria's death, her youngest daughter, Princess Beatrice, was appointed her literary executor. Beatrice transcribed and edited the diaries covering Victoria's accession onwards, and burned the originals in the process.Despite this destruction, much of the diaries still exist. In addition to Beatrice's edited copy,Lord Eshertranscribed the volumes from 1832 to 1861 before Beatrice destroyed them.Part of Victoria's extensive correspondence has been published in volumes edited byA. C. Benson,Hector Bolitho,George Earle Buckle, Lord Esher,Roger Fulford, andRichard Houghamong others. In her later years, Victoria was stout, dowdy, and about five feet (1.5 metres) tall, but she projected a grand image.She was unpopular during the first years of her widowhood, but was well liked during the 1880s and 1890s, when she embodied the empire as a benevolent matriarchal figure.Only after the release of her diary and letters did the extent of her political influence become known to the wider\",\n \"known to the wider public.Biographies of Victoria written before much of the primary material became available, such asLytton Strachey'sQueen Victoriaof 1921, are now considered out of date.The biographies written byElizabeth LongfordandCecil Woodham-Smith, in 1964 and 1972 respectively, are still widely admired.They, and others, conclude that as a person Victoria was emotional, obstinate, honest, and straight-talking. Through Victoria's reign, the gradual establishment of a modernconstitutional monarchyin Britain continued. Reforms of the voting system increased the power of theHouse of Commonsat the expense of theHouse of Lordsand the monarch.In 1867,Walter Bagehotwrote that the monarch only retained \\\"the right to be consulted, the right to encourage, and the right to warn\\\".As Victoria's monarchy became more symbolic than political, it placed a strong emphasis on morality and family values, in contrast to the sexual, financial and personal scandals that had been associated with previous members of the\",\n \"members of the House of Hanover and which had discredited the monarchy. The concept of the \\\"family monarchy\\\", with which the burgeoning middle classes could identify, was solidified. Descendants and haemophilia Victoria's links with Europe's royal families earned her the nickname \\\"the grandmother of Europe\\\".Of thegrandchildren of Victoria and Albert, 34 survived to adulthood. Victoria's youngest son, Leopold, was affected by the blood-clotting diseasehaemophilia Band at least two of her five daughters, Alice and Beatrice, were carriers.Royal haemophiliacsdescended from Victoria included her great-grandsons,Alexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia;Alfonso, Prince of Asturias; andInfante Gonzalo of Spain.The presence of the disease in Victoria's descendants, but not in her ancestors, led tomodern speculation that her true father was not the Duke of Kent, but a haemophiliac.There is no documentary evidence of a haemophiliac in connection with Victoria's mother, and as male carriers always had the disease, even\",\n \"the disease, even if such a man had existed he would have been seriously ill.It is more likely that the mutation arose spontaneously because Victoria's father was over 50 at the time of her conception and haemophilia arises more frequently in the children of older fathers.Spontaneous mutations account for about a third of cases. Titles, styles, honours, and arms Titles and styles At the end of her reign, the Queen's fullstylewas: \\\"Her Majesty Victoria, by the Grace of God, of theUnited Kingdom of Great Britain and IrelandQueen,Defender of the Faith, Empress of India\\\". Honours British honours Foreign honours Arms As Sovereign, Victoria used theroyal coat of arms of the United Kingdom. As she could not succeed to the throne of Hanover, her arms did not carry the Hanoverian symbols that were used by her immediate predecessors. Her arms have been borne by all of her successors on the throne. Family Issue Ancestry Family tree Notes References Citations Bibliography Primary sources Further reading External links\",\n \"1900–01 Football League The1900–01seasonwas the 13th season ofThe Football League. Final league tables Beginning in the 1894–95 season, clubs finishing level on points were separated according to goal average (goals scored divided by goals conceded). In case one or more teams had the same goal difference, this system favoured those teams who had scored fewer goals. The goal average system was eventually scrapped beginning with the 1976–77 season. During the first six seasons of the league, (up to the 1893–94 season), re-election process concerned the clubs which finished in the bottom four of the league. From the 1894–95 season and until the 1920–21 season the re-election process was required of the clubs which finished in the bottom three of the league. First Division Results Maps Second Division Results Maps See also References\",\n \"List of Liverpool F.C. managers Liverpool Football Clubis an English association football club based inLiverpool,Merseyside. Liverpool won theFirst Division titlefor the first time in 1901; since then, the club has won a further 18 league titles, along with eightFA Cupsand tenFootball League Cups. They have also been crowned champions of European football on six occasions by winning theEuropean Cup/UEFA Champions Leaguein1977,1978,1981,1984,2005and2019.The club was one of 22 members of thePremier Leaguewhen it was founded in 1992. Liverpool have had 22 full-time managers. The most successful person to manage Liverpool isBob Paisley, who won six Football League titles, sixCharity Shields, three Football League Cups, three European Cups, oneUEFA Super Cupand oneUEFA Cupin his nine-year reign as manager. The club's longest-serving manager wasTom Watson, who managed the club from 1896 to 1915, totalling 19 years.Kenny Dalglishis the only person to have managed the club on two occasions. He first managed Liverpool\",\n \"managed Liverpool from 1985 to February 1991, and then from January 2011 to June 2012. This chronological list comprises all those who have held the position of manager of the first team of Liverpool since their foundation in 1892. Each manager's entry includes his dates of tenure and the club's overall competitive record (in terms of matches won, drawn and lost), honours won and significant achievements while under his care.Caretaker managersare included, where known, as well as those who have been in permanent charge. Managerial history 1892–1959 The first Liverpool managers,William Edward BarclayandJohn McKenna, were appointed in 1892. Barclay acted as secretary-manager, overseeing the administrative side of the club, while McKenna took charge of matters on the field. The two worked in tandem as Liverpool won promotion from the Lancashire League in the club's first season.However, in 1896, McKenna appointedTom Watsonas manager.He went on to win twoFootball League championships. As theFirst World Warbroke\",\n \"World Warbroke out, Watson was embarking on his nineteenth season in charge at Anfield. It was to be his last, because he died in May 1915, aged 56.David Ashworthwas appointed manager when football resumed after the War.Ashworth won one league title, but left forOldham Athleticsoon after this. He was replaced in February 1923 by a Liverpool director,Matt McQueen, who won one league title for the club. However, this marked the beginning of a barren spell spanning more than 20 years before Liverpool finally regained the title in 1947 under the stewardship ofGeorge Kay. Kay also led Liverpool to theFA Cup Finalin1950, but lost the game 2–0 to Arsenal. He retired the following year, owing to ill-health.The next manager,Don Welshbecame the first Liverpool manager to be sacked after leading the club to relegation in 1954. His successor,Phil Taylor, also failed to win a trophy or gain promotion back to the top flight during his reign as boss. 1959–1991 On 1 December 1959,Bill Shanklywas appointed manager, beginning\",\n \"manager, beginning a fifteen-year spell as manager that brought three league titles, twoFA Cupsand a first European trophy, theUEFA Cup, toAnfield.Shankly's reign as manager is famous for the establishment ofthe Anfield boot roomas the location for his tactical discussions with his coaches.When he was not managing the club, Shankly was usually at his typewriter, personally replying to the letters which arrived at Melwood. Shankly even called some supporters at home to discuss the previous day's game, while the accounts of him providing tickets for fans are endless.When Shankly retired in 1974, he was replaced by his assistant,Bob Paisley. During the next nine seasons, Paisley proceeded to win six league titles and threeEuropean Cupsto become the most successful manager in the history of the club.When Paisley retired in 1983, his assistantJoe Fagantook over, and continued the Boot Room tradition, and winning atrebleof League, European Cup andLeague Cupin his first season. He again guided Liverpool to\",\n \"guided Liverpool to aEuropean Cup Final, but the match was overshadowed by theHeysel Stadium disaster, and he retired soon after.StrikerKenny Dalglishwas then made the club's firstplayer-managerand in his first season in charge, Dalglish led the club to a League and FA Cupdouble.After that great first season, Dalglish led Liverpool to a further two league titles and another FA Cup. However, theHillsborough disasterovershadowed his reign; it was one of the reasons for Dalglish resigning on 22 February 1991. 1991–2015 First-team coachRonnie Morantook charge of team affairs for several weeks beforeGraeme Sounesswas named as Dalglish's successor. Under Souness, Liverpool won the FA Cup in1992, but nothing else. He made way forRoy Evans, who also won just one trophy, the League Cup, beforeGérard Houllierwas appointed joint manager with Evans in 1998. This arrangement lasted only 18 games before Evans resigned, leaving Houllier—Liverpool's first non-British manager—in sole charge. Houllier won nothing until\",\n \"won nothing until atreblein 2001, consisting of the FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup. Houllier underwent major heart surgery during the2001–02season, but the squad was unaffected and managed to hold on to a second-place finish. AlthoughPhil Thompsonstepped in as temporary manager while Houllier was recovering from heart surgery, the matches played under Thompson are included in Houllier's record.Another League Cup was won in2003, but this was to be Houllier's last trophy as Liverpool manager as he and the club parted by mutual consent at the end of the2003–04season,to be replaced byValenciamanager,Rafael Benítez. In Benítez's first season in charge, Liverpool reached theUEFA Champions League Final, where they beatA.C. Milanon penalties, after the match finished 3–3 afterextra time. The following season, Liverpool reached theFA Cup Final, where they beatWest Ham United, again on penalties after a 3–3 draw. Benítez again guided Liverpool to aChampions League Finalin 2007, but this time A.C. Milan beat them 2–1.\",\n \"beat them 2–1. On 3 June 2010, Benitez paid the price for a disappointing2009–10season when Liverpool announced he had left the club by mutual consent after six years in charge. Benitez, who was one year into a five-year contract, finalised his departure after agreeing a severance payment. Benitez's assistantSammy Leetook over the reins at Liverpool until Managing director Christian Purslow and former managerKenny Dalglishfound a replacement. On 1 July 2010, formerFulhambossRoy Hodgsonwas confirmed as the new manager.After a poor tenure, which included Liverpool being 18th after 6 games, and only one away win during Hodgson's time in charge, Hodgson was sacked on 8 January 2011 and was replaced by former managerKenny Dalglishthe day before a 3rd Round FA Cup game againstManchester United.Dalglish signed a three-year contract as permanent manager in May, but was sacked a year later.Although the 2011–12 season ended with a poor 8th-place finish in the Premier League, Dalglish guided Liverpool to two Cup finals\",\n \"to two Cup finals at Wembley, ending a six-year trophy drought by winning theLeague Cup. The second Cup final appearance was theFA Cup, which Liverpool lost toChelsea. He was replaced byBrendan Rodgerson 1 June 2012. Rodgers led them in the2013–14 seasonto a surprise title challenge, however Liverpool ended the league season in second place, despite scoring 101 goals, the club's most since the1895–96 seasonand the third-highest in Premier League history.Rodgers was the first Liverpool manager to win theLMA Manager of The Year Award.However, he was the first manager of the club not to win a major trophy in his first three years at the helm, and on 4 October 2015, he was sacked. 2015–2024 On 8 October 2015, Brendan Rodgers was replaced by formerBorussia DortmundmanagerJürgen Klopp.Klopp made an instant impact on the club and guided them to aLeague Cup Finaland a surpriseEuropa League Finalinhis first seasonat the club.During their Europa League campaign, he beat bothEnglish rivalsManchester United and his\",\n \"United and his former club Borussia Dortmund en route to the final.However, they lost the League Cup Final to Manchester City viapenalty shoot-outand they lost 1–3 to Spanish sideSevillain the Europa League Final.They also finished 8th in the league, meaning they wouldn't qualify for European competition for the2016–17 season. On 8 June 2016, Klopp and his coaching staff signed six-year contract extensions that ran until 2022.Klopp guided the club to a fourth-place finish in the2016–17 season, qualifying them for the2017–18 UEFA Champions Leaguequalifying play-offs, where they beat German club,TSG 1899 Hoffenheim6–3 on aggregate in a two-legged play-off to reach the group stage.Klopp led the team to finish top of their group and beat eventual English champions, Manchester City, and Italian club Roma in the knockout phase en route to the2018 UEFA Champions League Final.Unfortunately for Liverpool, they lost 1–3 to Spanish giantsReal Madrid. During the2018–19 season, Klopp guided Liverpool to their sixth\",\n \"to their sixth Champions League triumph with a2–0 winover fellow English club, Tottenham Hotspur,and also guided the club toa second-place finish in the league.At the start of the2019–20 season, Klopp's Liverpool side played against Manchester City in theFA Community Shieldand against Chelsea in theUEFA Super Cup.Both matches went into penalty shoot-outs, with Liverpool losing the former and winning the latter.Later in December, Klopp also guided Liverpool to their first ever FIFA club World Cup trophy, making it 3 trophies in 2019. In the 2019–20 season, Klopp secured Liverpool's first Premier League title and first top-flight title since 1990 by finishing on the most points in their history (99 points). The season was notable both for Liverpool's huge points lead over the rest of the league and for its interruption by theCoronavirusshutdown, meaning Liverpool won the Premier League atboth the earliest(7 games to go) and the latest time (June) ever. On 26 January 2024, the club released a statement, sharing\",\n \"statement, sharing Klopp's announcement that he would step down as Liverpool manager at the end of the current season (2023–24).Arne Slotwas announced as the head coach ahead of the2024–25 season. Key Key to record: Key to honours: Managers Information correct as of 20 October 2024. Only competitive matches are counted. Notes References General Specific Bibliography\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":279,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"What is the name of the rock climber/businessman who co-founded the environmental group that the co-founder of Netflix joined?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Yvon Chouinard"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Randolph"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Percent_for_the_Planet"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvon_Chouinard"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Randolph', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Percent_for_the_Planet', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvon_Chouinard']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Randolph","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Percent_for_the_Planet","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvon_Chouinard"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Randolph\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Percent_for_the_Planet\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvon_Chouinard\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Netflix Netflixis an Americansubscription video on-demandover-the-topstreamingservice. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple languages. Launched in 2007, nearly a decade afterNetflix, Inc.began its pioneeringDVD-by-mailmovie rentalservice, Netflix is themost-subscribed video on demandstreaming mediaservices, with 282.7 million paid memberships in more than 190 countries as of 2024.By 2022, \"Netflix Original\" productions accounted for half of its library in the United States and the namesake company had ventured into other categories, such asvideo game publishingofmobile gamesthrough its flagship service. As of 2023, Netflix is the23rd most-visited website in the world, with 23.66% of its traffic coming from the United States, followed by the United Kingdom at 5.84%, and Brazil at 5.64%. History Launch as a mail-based rental business (1997–2006) Netflix was founded byMarc RandolphandReed Hastingson August 29, 1997, inScotts Valley, California. Hastings, a computer scientist and mathematician, was a co-founder ofPure Software, which was acquired byRational Softwarethat year for $750 million, the then biggest acquisition inSilicon Valleyhistory.Randolph had worked as a marketing director forPure Softwareafter Pure Atria acquired a company where Randolph worked. He was previously a co-founder ofMicroWarehouse, a computer mail-order company, as well as vice president of marketing forBorland.Hastings and Randolph came up with the idea for Netflix whilecarpoolingbetween their homes inSanta Cruz, California, and Pure Atria's headquarters in Sunnyvale.Patty McCord, later head ofhuman resourcesat Netflix, was also in the carpool group.Randolph admiredAmazonand wanted to find a large category of portable items to sell over theInternetusing a similar model. Hastings and Randolph considered and rejected selling and rentingVHSas too expensive to stock and too delicate to ship.When they heard about DVDs, first introduced in the United States in early 1997, they tested the concept of selling or renting DVDs by mail, by mailing acompact discto Hastings's house in Santa Cruz.When the CD arrived intact, they decided to enter the $16 billionHome-videosales and rental industry.Hastings is often quoted saying that he decided to start Netflix after being fined $40 at a Blockbuster store for being late to return a copy ofApollo 13.Hastings invested $2.5 million into Netflix from the sale of Pure Atria.Netflix launched as the first DVD rental and sales website with 30 employees and 925 titles available—nearly all DVDs published.Randolph and Hastings met withJeff Bezos, whereAmazonoffered to acquire Netflix for between $14 and $16 million. Fearing competition from Amazon, Randolph at first thought the offer was fair, but Hastings, who owned 70% of the company, turned it down on the plane ride home. Initially, Netflix offered a per-rental model for each DVD but introduced a monthly subscription concept in September 1999.The per-rental model was dropped by early 2000, allowing the company to focus on the business model of flat-fee unlimited rentals without due dates, late fees, shipping and handling fees, or per-title rental fees.In September 2000, during thedot-com bubble, while Netflix was suffering losses, Hastings and Randolph offered to sell the company toBlockbusterfor $50 million.John Antioco, CEO of Blockbuster, thought the offer was a joke and declined, saying, \"The dot-com hysteria is completely overblown.\"While Netflix experienced fast growth in early 2001, the continued effects of the dot-com bubble collapse and theSeptember 11 attackscaused the company to hold off plans for itsinitial public offering(IPO) and to lay off one-third of its 120 employees. DVD players were a popular gift for holiday sales in late 2001, and demand for DVD subscription services were \"growing like crazy\", according to chief talent officerPatty McCord.The company wentpublicon May 23, 2002, selling 5.5 million shares ofcommon stockat US$15.00 per share.In 2003, Netflix was issued a patent by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office to cover its subscription rental service and several extensions.Netflix posted its first profit in 2003, earning $6.5 million on revenues of $272 million; by 2004, profit had increased to $49 million on over $500 million in revenues.In 2005, 35,000 different films were available, and Netflix shipped 1 million DVDs out every day. In 2004, Blockbuster introduced a DVD rental service, which not only allowed users to check out titles through online sites but allowed for them to return them atbrick and-mortarstores.By 2006, Blockbuster's service reached two million users, and while trailing Netflix's subscriber count, was drawing business away from Netflix. Netflix lowered fees in 2007.While it was anurban legendthat Netflix ultimately \"killed\" Blockbuster in the DVD rental market, Blockbuster's debt load and internal disagreements hurt the company. On April 4, 2006, Netflix filed apatent infringementlawsuit in which it demanded ajury trialin theUnited States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging thatBlockbuster'sonline DVD rentalsubscription program violated two patents held by Netflix. The firstcause of actionalleged Blockbuster's infringement of copying the \"dynamic queue\" of DVDs available for each customer, Netflix's method of using the ranked preferences in the queue to send DVDs to subscribers, and Netflix's method permitting the queue to be updated and reordered.The second cause of action alleged infringement of the subscription rental service as well as Netflix's methods of communication and delivery.The companies settled their dispute on June 25, 2007; terms were not disclosed. On October 1, 2006, Netflix announced theNetflix Prize, $1,000,000 to the first developer of a video-recommendationalgorithmthat could beat its existing algorithm Cinematch, at predicting customer ratings by more than 10%. On September 21, 2009, it awarded the $1,000,000 prize to team \"BellKor's Pragmatic Chaos\".Cinematch, launched in 2000, was a system that recommended movies to its users, many of which might have been entirely new to the user. Through its divisionRed Envelope Entertainment, Netflix licensed and distributed independent films such asBorn into BrothelsandSherrybaby. In late 2006,Red Envelope Entertainmentalso expanded into producing original content with filmmakers such asJohn Waters.Netflix closed Red Envelope Entertainment in 2008. Transition to streaming services (2007–2012) In January 2007, the company launched astreaming mediaservice, introducingvideo on demandvia the Internet. However, at that time it only had 1,000 films available for streaming, compared to 70,000 available on DVD.The company had for some time considered offering movies online, but it was only in the mid-2000s that data speeds and bandwidth costs had improved sufficiently to allow customers to download movies from the net. The original idea was a \"Netflix box\" that could download movies overnight, and be ready to watch the next day. By 2005, Netflix had acquired movie rights and designed the box and service. But after witnessing how popular streaming services such asYouTubewere despite the lack of high-definition content, the concept of using a hardware device was scrapped and replaced with a streaming concept. In February 2007, Netflix delivered its billionth DVD, a copy ofBabelto a customer in Texas.In April 2007, Netflix recruitedReplayTVfounderAnthony Wood, to build a \"Netflix Player\" that would allow streaming content to be played directly on a television rather than a desktop or laptop.Hastings eventually shut down the project to help encourage other hardware manufacturers to include built-in Netflix support, which would be spun off as thedigital media playerproductRoku. In January 2008, all rental-disc subscribers became entitled to unlimited streaming at no additional cost. This change came in a response to the introduction ofHuluand toApple's new video-rental services.In August 2008, the Netflix database was corrupted and the company was not able to ship DVDs to customers for 3 days, leading the company to move all its data to theAmazon Web Servicescloud.In November 2008, Netflix began offering subscribers rentals onBlu-rayand discontinued its sale of used DVDs.In 2009, Netflix streams overtook DVD shipments. On January 6, 2010, Netflix agreed withWarner Bros.to delay new release rentals to 28 days after the DVDs became available for sale, in an attempt to help studios sell physical copies, and similar deals involvingUniversal Picturesand20th Century Foxwere reached on April 9.In July 2010, Netflix signed a deal to stream movies ofRelativity Media.In August 2010, Netflix reached a five-year deal worth nearly $1 billion to stream films fromParamount,LionsgateandMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The deal increased Netflix's annual spending fees, adding roughly $200 million per year. It spent $117 million in the first six months of 2010 on streaming, up from $31 million in 2009.On September 22, 2010, Netflix launched in Canada, its first international market.In November 2010, Netflix began offering a standalone streaming service separate from DVD rentals. In 2010, Netflix acquired the rights toBreaking Bad, produced by Sony Pictures Television, after the show's third season, at a point where original broadcasterAMChad expressed the possibility of cancelling the show. Sony pushed Netflix to releaseBreaking Badin time for the fourth season, which as a result, greatly expanded the show's audience on AMC due to new viewers bingeing on the Netflix past episodes, and doubling the viewership by the time of the fifth season.Breaking Badis considered the first such show to have this \"Netflix effect\". In January 2011, Netflix announced agreements with several manufacturers to includebranded Netflix buttonson theremote controlsof devices compatible with the service, such asBlu-ray players.By May 2011, Netflix had become the largest source of Internet streaming traffic in North America, accounting for 30% of traffic during peak hours. On July 12, 2011, Netflix announced that it would separate its existing subscription plans into two separate plans: one covering the streaming and the other DVD rental services.The cost for streaming would be $7.99 per month, while DVD rental would start at the same price.On September 11, 2011, Netflix expanded to countries in Latin America.On September 18, 2011, Netflix announced its intentions to rebrand and restructure its DVD home media rental service as an independent subsidiary called Qwikster, separating DVD rental and streaming services.On September 26, 2011, Netflix announced a content deal withDreamWorks Animation.On October 10, 2011, Netflix announced that it would retain its DVD service under the name Netflix and that its streaming and DVD-rental plans would remain branded together, citing customer dissatisfaction with the split. In October 2011. Netflix andThe CWsigned a multi-year output deal for its television shows.On January 9, 2012, Netflix started its expansion to Europe, launching in the United Kingdom and Ireland.In February 2012, Netflix reached a multi-year agreement withThe Weinstein Company.In March 2012, Netflix acquired thedomain nameDVD.com.By 2016, Netflix rebranded its DVD-by-mail service under the nameDVD.com, A Netflix Company.In April 2012, Netflix filed with theFederal Election Commission(FEC) to form apolitical action committee(PAC) called FLIXPAC.Netflix spokesperson Joris Evers tweeted that the intent was to \"engage on issues likenet neutrality,bandwidth caps,UBBandVPPA\".In June 2012, Netflix signed a deal withOpen Road Films. On August 23, 2012, Netflix andThe Weinstein Companysigned a multi-year output deal for RADiUS-TWC films.In September 2012,Epixsigned a five-year streaming deal with Netflix. For the initial two years of this agreement, first-run and back-catalog content from Epix was exclusive to Netflix. Epix films came to Netflix 90 days after premiering on Epix.These included films from Paramount, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Lionsgate. On October 18, 2012, Netflix launched in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.On December 4, 2012, Netflix and Disney announced an exclusive multi-year agreement for first-run United States subscription television rights to Walt Disney Studios' animated and live-action films, with classics such asDumbo,Alice in WonderlandandPocahontasavailable immediately and others available on Netflix beginning in 2016.Direct-to-videoreleases were made available in 2013. On January 14, 2013, Netflix signed an agreement withTime Warner'sTurner Broadcasting Systemand Warner Bros. Television to distributeCartoon Network,Warner Bros. Animation, andAdult Swimcontent, as well asTNT'sDallas, beginning in March 2013. The rights to these programs were given to Netflix shortly after deals withViacomto streamNickelodeonandNick Jr. Channelprograms expired. For cost reasons, Netflix stated that it would limit its expansion in 2013,adding only one new market—the Netherlands—in September of that year. This expanded its availability to 40 territories. Development of original programming and distribution expansion (2013–2017) In 2011, Netflix began its efforts into original content development. In March, it made a straight-to-series order fromMRCfor the political dramaHouse of Cards, led byKevin Spacey, outbidding U.S. cable networks. This marked the first instance of a first-run television series being specifically commissioned by the service.In November the same year, Netflix added two more significant productions to its roster: the comedy-dramaOrange Is the New Black, adapted fromPiper Kerman'smemoir,and a new season of the previously cancelled Fox sitcomArrested Development.Netflix acquired the U.S. rights to the Norwegian dramaLilyhammerafter its television premiere on Norway'sNRK1on January 25, 2012. Notably departing from the traditional broadcast television model of weekly episode premieres, Netflix chose to release the entire first season on February 8 of the same year. House of Cardswas released by Netflix on February 1, 2013, marketed as the first \"Netflix Original\" production.Later that month, Netflix announced an agreement withDreamWorks Animationto commission children's television series based on its properties, beginning withTurbo: F.A.S.T., a spin-off of its filmTurbo.Orange is the New Blackwould premiere in July 2013; Netflix stated thatOrange is the New Blackhad been its most-watched original series so far, with all of them having \"an audience comparable with successful shows on cable and broadcast TV.\" On March 13, 2013, Netflix added aFacebooksharing feature, letting United States subscribers access \"Watched by your friends\" and \"Friends' Favorites\" by agreeing.This was not legal until theVideo Privacy Protection Actwas modified in early 2013.On August 1, 2013, Netflix reintroduced the \"Profiles\" feature that permits accounts to accommodate up to five user profiles. In November 2013,Marvel TelevisionandABC Studiosannounced Netflix had ordered a slate offour television seriesbased on theMarvel ComicscharactersDaredevil,Jessica Jones,Iron FistandLuke Cage. Each of the four series received an initial order of 13 episodes, and Netflix also ordered aDefendersminiseries that would tie them together.DaredevilandJessica Jonespremiered in 2015.TheLuke Cageseries premiered on September 30, 2016, followed byIron Fiston March 17, 2017, andThe Defenderson August 18, 2017.Marvel ownerDisneylater entered into other content agreements with Netflix, including acquiring its animatedStar WarsseriesStar Wars: The Clone Wars, and a new sixth season. In February 2014, Netflix began to enter into agreements with U.S. internet service providers, beginning withComcast(whose customers had repeatedly complained of frequentbufferingwhen streaming Netflix), in order to provide the service a direct connection to their networks.In April 2014, Netflix signedArrested DevelopmentcreatorMitchell Hurwitzand his production firm The Hurwitz Company to a multi-year deal to create original projects for the service.In May 2014, Netflix &Sony Pictures Animationhad a major multi-deal to acquired streaming rights to produce films.It also began to introduce an updated logo, with a flatter appearance and updated typography. In September 2014, Netflix expanded into six new European markets, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany,Luxembourg, and Switzerland.On September 10, 2014, Netflix participated inInternet Slowdown Dayby deliberately slowing down its speed in support ofnet neutralityregulations in the United States.In October 2014, Netflix announced a four-film deal withAdam Sandlerand hisHappy Madison Productions. In April 2015, following the launch ofDaredevil, Netflix director of content operations Tracy Wright announced that Netflix had added support foraudio description, and had begun to work with its partners to add descriptions to its other original series over time.The following year, as part of a settlement with theAmerican Council of the Blind, Netflix agreed to provide descriptions for its original series within 30 days of their premiere, and addscreen readersupport and the ability to browse content by availability of descriptions. In March 2015, Netflix expanded to Australia and New Zealand.In September 2015, Netflix launched in Japan, its first country in Asia.In October 2015, Netflix launched in Italy, Portugal, and Spain. In January 2016, at theConsumer Electronics Show, Netflix announced a major international expansion of its service into 130 additional countries. It then had become available worldwide except China, Syria, North Korea,KosovoandCrimea.In May 2016, Netflix created a tool called Fast.com to determine the speed of an Internet connection.It received praise for being \"simple\" and \"easy to use\", and does not includeonline advertising, unlike competitors.On November 30, 2016, Netflix launched an offline playback feature, allowing users of the Netflix mobile apps onAndroidoriOStocachecontent on their devices in standard or high quality for viewing offline, without an Internet connection. In 2016, Netflix released an estimated 126 original series or films, more than any network or cable channel.In April 2016, Hastings stated that the company planned to expand its in-house, Los Angeles-based Netflix Studios to grow its output; Hastings ruled out any potential acquisitions of existing studios. In February 2017, Netflix signed amusic publishingdeal withBMG Rights Management, whereby BMG will oversee rights outside of the United States for music associated with Netflix original content. Netflix continues to handle these tasks in-house in the United States.On April 25, 2017, Netflix signed a licensing deal withIQiyi, a Chinese video streaming platform owned byBaidu, to allow selected Netflix original content to be distributed in China on the platform. On August 7, 2017, Netflix acquiredMillarworld, the creator-owned publishing company of comic book writerMark Millar. The purchase marked the first corporate acquisition to have been made by Netflix.On August 14, 2017, Netflix entered into an exclusive development deal withShonda Rhimesand her production companyShondaland. In September 2017, Netflix announced it would offer its low-broadband mobile technology to airlines to provide better in-flight Wi-Fi so that passengers can watch movies on Netflix while on planes. In September 2017,Minister of HeritageMélanie Jolyannounced that Netflix had agreed to make aCA$500 million(US$400 million) investment over the next five years in producing content in Canada. The company denied that the deal was intended to result in atax break.Netflix realized this goal by December 2018. In October 2017, Netflix iterated a goal of having half of its library consist of original content by 2019, announcing a plan to invest $8 billion on original content in 2018.In October 2017, Netflix introduced the \"Skip Intro\" feature which allows customers to skip the intros to shows on its platform through a variety of techniques including manual reviewing, audio tagging, andmachine learning. In November 2017, Netflix signed an exclusive multi-year deal withOrange Is the New BlackcreatorJenji Kohan.In November 2017, Netflix withdrew from co-hosting a party at the75th Golden Globe AwardswithThe Weinstein Companydue to theHarvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases. Expansion into international productions and new productions (2017–2020) In November 2017, Netflix announced that it would be making its first original Colombian series, to be executive produced byCiro Guerra.In December 2017, Netflix signedStranger Thingsdirector-producerShawn Levyand his production company21 Laps Entertainmentto what sources say is a four-year deal.In 2017, Netflix invested in distributing exclusive stand-up comedy specials fromDave Chappelle,Louis C.K.,Chris Rock,Jim Gaffigan,Bill BurrandJerry Seinfeld. In February 2018, Netflix acquired the rights toThe Cloverfield ParadoxfromParamount Picturesfor $50 million and launched on its service on February 4, 2018, shortly after airing its first trailer duringSuper Bowl LII. Analysts believed that Netflix's purchase of the film helped to make the film instantly profitable for Paramount compared to a more traditional theatrical release, while Netflix benefited from the surprise reveal.Other films acquired by Netflix include international distribution for Paramount'sAnnihilationand Universal'sNews of the Worldand worldwide distribution of Universal'sExtinction,Warner Bros.'Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle,Paramount'sThe Lovebirdsand 20th Century Studios'The Woman in the Window.In March, the service orderedFormula 1: Drive to Survive, a racing docuseries following teams in theFormula Oneworld championship. In March 2018,Sky UKannounced an agreement with Netflix to integrate Netflix's subscription VOD offering into its pay-TV service. Customers with its high-end Sky Q set-top box and service will be able to see Netflix titles alongside their regular Sky channels.In October 2022, Netflix revealed that its annual revenue from the UK subscribers in 2021 was £1.4bn. In April 2018, Netflix pulled out of theCannes Film Festival, in response to new rules requiring competition films to have been released in French theaters. The Cannes premiere ofOkjain 2017 was controversial, and led to discussions over the appropriateness of films with simultaneous digital releases being screened at an event showcasing theatrical film; audience members also booed the Netflixproduction logoat the screening. Netflix's attempts to negotiate to allow a limited release in France were curtailed by organizers, as well as Frenchcultural exceptionlaw—where theatrically screened films are legally forbidden from being made available via video-on-demand services until at least 36 months after their release.Besides traditional Hollywood markets as well as from partners like theBBC, Sarandos said the company also looking to expand investments in non-traditional foreign markets due to the growth of viewers outside of North America. At the time, this included programs such asDarkfrom Germany,Ingobernablefrom Mexico and3%from Brazil. On May 22, 2018, formerpresident,Barack Obama, and his wife,Michelle Obama, signed a deal to produce docu-series, documentaries and features for Netflix under the Obamas' newly formed production company,Higher Ground Productions. In June 2018, Netflix announced a partnership withTelltale Gamesto port itsadventure gamesto the service in a streaming video format, allowing simple controls through a television remote.The first game,Minecraft: Story Mode, was released in November 2018.In July 2018, Netflix earned the most Emmy nominations of any network for the first time with 112 nods. On August 27, 2018, the company signed a five-year exclusive overall deal with international best–selling authorHarlan Coben.On the same day, the company signed an overall deal withGravity FallscreatorAlex Hirsch.In October 2018, Netflix paid under $30 million to acquireAlbuquerque Studios(ABQ Studios), a $91 million film and TV production facility with eight sound stages inAlbuquerque,New Mexico, for its first U.S. production hub, pledging to spend over $1 billion over the next decade to create one of the largest film studios in North America.In November 2018,Paramount Picturessigned a multi-picture film deal with Netflix, making Paramount the first major film studio to sign a deal with Netflix.A sequel toAwesomenessTV'sTo All the Boys I've Loved Beforewas released on Netflix under the titleTo All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love Youas part of the agreement.In December 2018, the company announced a partnership withESPN Filmson atelevision documentarychronicling Michael Jordan and the1997–98 Chicago Bulls seasontitledThe Last Dance. It was released internationally on Netflix and became available for streaming in the United States three months after a broadcast airing onESPN. In January 2019,Sex Educationmade its debut as a Netflix original series, receiving much critical acclaim.On January 22, 2019, Netflix sought and was approved for membership into theMotion Picture Association of America(MPAA), making it the first streaming service to join the association.In February 2019,The HauntingcreatorMike Flanaganjoined frequent collaborator Trevor Macy as a partner inIntrepid Picturesand the duo signed an exclusive overall deal with Netflix to produce television content.On May 9, 2019, Netflix contracted withDark Horse Entertainmentto make television series and films based on comics fromDark Horse Comics.In July 2019, Netflix announced that it would be opening a hub atShepperton Studiosas part of a deal withPinewood Group.In early-August 2019, Netflix negotiated an exclusive multi-year film and television deal withGame of Thronescreators and showrunnersDavid BenioffandD.B. Weiss.The first Netflix production created by Benioff and Weiss was planned as an adaptation ofLiu Cixin's science fiction novelThe Three-Body Problem, part of theRemembrance of Earth's Pasttrilogy.On September 30, 2019, in addition to renewingStranger Thingsfor afourth season, Netflix signedThe Duffer Brothersto anoverall dealcovering future film and television projects for the service. On November 13, 2019, Netflix andNickelodeonentered into a multi-year agreement to produce several original animated feature films and television series based on Nickelodeon's library of characters. This agreement expanded on their existing relationship, in which new specials based on the past Nickelodeon seriesInvader ZimandRocko's Modern Life(Invader Zim: Enter the FlorpusandRocko's Modern Life: Static Clingrespectively) were released by Netflix. Other new projects planned under the team-up include a music project featuringSquidward Tentaclesfrom the animated television seriesSpongeBob SquarePants, and films based onThe Loud HouseandRise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.The agreement with Disney ended in 2019 due to the launch ofDisney+, with its Marvel productions moving exclusively to the service in 2022. In November 2019, Netflix announced that it had signed a long-term lease to save the Paris Theatre, the last single-screen movie theater in Manhattan. The company oversaw several renovations at the theater, including new seats and a concession stand. In January 2020, Netflix announced a new four-film deal with Adam Sandler worth up to $275 million.On February 25, 2020, Netflix formed partnerships with six Japanese creators to produce an original Japanese anime project. This partnership includes manga creator group CLAMP, mangaka Shin Kibayashi, mangaka Yasuo Ohtagaki, novelist and film director Otsuichi, novelist Tow Ubutaka, and manga creator Mari Yamazaki.On March 4, 2020,ViacomCBSannounced that it will be producing two spin-off films based onSpongeBob SquarePantsfor Netflix.On April 7, 2020,Peter Chernin'sChernin Entertainmentmade a multi-yearfirst-look dealwith Netflix to make films.On May 29, 2020, Netflix announced the acquisition ofGrauman's Egyptian Theatrefrom theAmerican Cinemathequeto use as a special events venue.In July 2020, Netflix appointed Sarandos as co-CEO.In July 2020, Netflix invested inBlack MirrorcreatorsCharlie BrookerandAnnabel Jones' new production outfit Broke And Bones. In September 2020, Netflix signed a multi-million dollar deal with theDukeandDuchessof Sussex. Harry and Meghan agreed to a multi-year deal promising to create TV shows, films, and children's content as part of their commitment to stepping away from the duties of the royal family.In September 2020, Hastings released a book about Netflix culture titledNo Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention, which was coauthored byErin Meyer.In December 2020, Netflix signed a first-look deal withMillie Bobby Brownto develop and star in several projects including a potential action franchise. Expansion into gaming,Squid Game, new programing and new initiatives (2021–2022) In March 2021, Netflix earned the most Academy Award nominations of any studio, with 36. Netflix won seven Academy Awards, which was the most by any studio.Later that year, Netflix also won more Emmys than any other network or studio with 44 wins, tying the record for most Emmys won in a single year set by CBS in 1974. On April 8, 2021,Sony Pictures Entertainmentannounced an agreement for Netflix to hold the U.S. pay television window rights to its releases beginning in 2022, replacingStarzand expanding upon an existing agreement withSony Pictures Animation. The agreement also includes a first-look deal for any future direct-to-streaming films being produced bySony Pictures, with Netflix required to commit to a minimum number of them.On April 27, Netflix announced that it was opening its first Canadian headquarters inToronto.The company also announced that it would open an office in Sweden as well asRomeandIstanbulto increase its original content in those regions. In early-June, Netflix hosted a first-ever week-long virtual event called \"Geeked Week\", where it shared exclusive news, new trailers, cast appearances and more about upcoming genre titles likeThe Witcher,The Cuphead Show!, andThe Sandman. On June 7, 2021,Jennifer Lopez'sNuyorican Productionssigned a multi-year first-look deal with Netflix spanning feature films, TV series, and unscripted content, with an emphasis on projects that support diverse female actors, writers, and filmmakers.On June 10, 2021, Netflix announced it was launching an online store for curated products tied to the Netflix brand and shows such asStranger ThingsandThe Witcher.On June 21, 2021,Steven Spielberg'sAmblin Partnerssigned a deal with Netflix to release multiple new feature films for the streaming service.On June 30, 2021,Powerhouse Animation Studios(the studio behind Netflix'sCastlevania) announced signing a first-look deal with the streamer to produce more animated series. In July 2021, Netflix hiredMike Verdu, a former executive fromElectronic ArtsandFacebook, as vice president of game development, along with plans to add video games by 2022.Netflix announced plans to releasemobile gameswhich would be included in subscribers' plans to the service.Trial offerings were first launched for Netflix users in Poland in August 2021, offering premium mobile games based onStranger ThingsincludingStranger Things 3: The Game, for free to subscribers through the Netflix mobile app. On July 14, 2021, Netflix signed a first-look deal withJoey King, star ofThe Kissing Boothfranchise, in which King will produce and develop films for Netflix via her All The King's Horses production company.On July 21, 2021,Zack Snyder, director of Netflix'sArmy of the Dead, announced he had signed his production companyThe Stone Quarryto a first-look deal with Netflix; his upcoming projects include a sequel toArmy of the Deadand a sci-fi adventure film titledRebel Moon.In 2019, he agreed to produce ananime-styleweb seriesinspired byNorse mythology. As of August 2021,Netflix Originalsmade up 40% of Netflix's overall library in the United States.The company announced that \"TUDUM: A Netflix Global Fan Event\", a three-hour virtual behind the scenes featuring first-look reveals for 100 of the streamer's series, films and specials, would have its inaugural show in late September 2021.According to Netflix, the show garnered 25.7 million views across Netflix's 29 Netflix YouTube channels, Twitter, Twitch, Facebook, TikTok and Tudum.com. Also in September, the company announced The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience, launching in 2022 in Los Angeles,Chicago,Montreal, andWashington, D.C.. Squid Game, a South Korean survival drama created and produced byHwang Dong-hyuk, rapidly became the service's most-watched show within a week of its launch in many markets on September 17, 2021, including Korea, the U.S. and the United Kingdom.Within its first 28 days on the service,Squid Gamedrew more than 111 million viewers, surpassingBridgertonand becoming Netflix's most-watched show. On September 20, 2021, Netflix signed a long-term lease withAviva Investorsto operate and expand theLongcross StudiosinSurrey, UK.On September 21, 2021, Netflix announced that it would acquire the Roald Dahl Story Company, which manages the rights toRoald Dahl'sstories and characters, for an undisclosed price and would operate it as an independent company.The company acquiredNight School Studio, an independent video game developer, on September 28, 2021. On October 13, 2021, Netflix announced the launch of the Netflix Book Club, partnering withStarbucksfor a social series calledBut Have You Read the Book?.Uzo Adubabecame inaugural host of the series and announced monthly book selections set to be adapted by the streamer. Aduba speaks with the cast, creators, and authors about the book adaptation process over a cup of coffee at Starbucks.Through October 2021, Netflix commonly reported viewership for its programming based on the number of viewers or households that watched a show in a given period (such as the first 28 days from its premiere) for at least two minutes. On the announcement of its quarterly earnings in October 2021, the company stated that it would switch its viewership metrics to measuring the number of hours that a show was watched, including rewatches, which the company said was closer to the measurements used in linear broadcast television, and thus \"our members and the industry can better measure success in the streaming world.\" Netflix officially launched mobile games on November 2, 2021, for Android users around the world. Through the app, subscribers had free access to five games, including two previously madeStranger Thingstitles. Netflix intends to add more games to this service over time.On November 9, the collection launched foriOS.Some games in the collection require an active internet connection to play, while others will be available offline. Netflix Kids' accounts will not have games available.On November 16, Netflix announced the launch of \"Top10 on Netflix.com\", a new website with weekly global and country lists of the most popular titles on their service based on their new viewership metrics.On November 22, Netflix announced that it would acquireScanline VFX, the visual effects and animation company behindCowboy BebopandStranger Things.On the same day,Roberto Patinosigned a deal with Netflix and established his own production banner, Analog Inc., in partnership with the company. Patino's first project under the deal is a series adaptation ofImage Comics'Nocterra. On December 6, 2021, Netflix andStage 32announced that they have teamed up the workshops at the Creating Content for the Global Marketplace program.On December 7, 2021, Netflix partnered with IllumiNative, a woman-led non-profit organization, for the Indigenous Producers Training Program.On December 9, Netflix announced the launch of \"Tudum\", an official companion website that offers news, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes videos for its original television shows and films.On December 13, Netflix signed a multi-year overall deal withKalinda Vazquez.On December 16, 2021, Netflix signed a multi-year creative partnership withSpike Leeand his production company40 Acres and a Mule Filmworksto develop film and television projects. In compliance with the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive and its implementation in France, Netflix reached commitments with French broadcasting authorities and film guilds, as required by law, to invest a specific amount of its annual revenue into original French films and series. These films must be theatrically released and would not be allowed to be carried on Netflix until 15 months after their release. In January 2022, Netflix ordered additional sports docuseries fromDrive to Surviveproducers Box to Box Films, including a series that would followPGA Tourgolfers, and another that would follow professional tennis players on theATPandWTA Tourcircuits. The company announced plans to acquire Next Games in March 2022 for €65 million as part of Netflix's expansions into gaming. Next Games had developed the mobile titleStranger Things: Puzzle Talesas well as twoThe Walking Deadmobile games.Later in the month, Netflix also acquired theTexas-based mobile game developer,Boss Fight Entertainment, for an undisclosed sum. On March 15, 2022, Netflix announced a partnership withDr. SeussEnterprises to produce five new series and specials based on Seusspropertiesfollowing the success ofGreen Eggs and Ham.On March 29, 2022, Netflix announced that it would open an office in Poland to serve as a hub for its original productions acrossCentral and Eastern Europe.On March 30, 2022, Netflix extended its lease agreement with Martini Film Studios, just outside Vancouver, Canada, for another five years.On March 31, 2022, Netflix ordered a docuseries that would follow teams in the2022 Tour de France, which would also be co-produced by Box to Box Films. Following the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Netflix suspended its operations and future projects in Russia.It also announced that it would not comply with a proposed directive byRoskomnadzorrequiring all internet streaming services with more than 100,000 subscribers to integrate the major free-to-air channels (which are primarily state-owned).A month later, ex-Russian subscribers filed a class action lawsuit against Netflix. Netflix stated that 100 million households globally were sharing passwords to their account with others, and that Canada and the United States accounted for 30 million of them. Following these announcements, Netflix's stock price fell by 35 percent.By June 2022, Netflix had laid off 450 full-time and contract employees as part of the company's plan to trim costs amid lower than expected subscriber growth. On April 13, 2022, Netflix released the seriesOur Great National Parks, which was hosted and narrated by former US President Barack Obama.It also partnered with Group Effort Initiative, a company founded byRyan ReynoldsandBlake Lively, to provide opportunities behind the camera for those in underrepresented communities.On the same day, Netflix partnered with Lebanon-basedArab Fund For Arts And Culturefor supporting the Arab female filmmakers. It will provide a one-time grant of $250,000 to female producers and directors in the Arab world through the company's Fund for Creative Equity.Also on the same day, Netflix announced anExploding Kittensmobile card game tied to a new animated TV series, which will launch in May.Netflix formed a creative partnership withJ. Miles Dale.The company also formed a partnership with Japan'sStudio Colorido, signing a multi-film deal to boost their anime content in Asia. The streaming giant is said to co-produce three feature films with the studio, the first of which will premiere in September 2022.On April 28, the company launched its inauguralNetflix Is a Jokecomedy festival, featuring more than 250 shows over 12 nights at 30-plus locations across Los Angeles, including the first-ever stand-up show atDodger Stadium. The first volume ofStranger Things 4logged Netflix's biggest premiere weekend ever for an original series with 286.79 million hours viewed.This was preceded by a newStranger Thingsinteractive experience hosted in New York City that was developed by the show's creators.After the release of the second volume ofStranger Things 4on July 1, 2022, it became Netflix's second title to receive more than one billion hours viewed. On July 19, 2022, Netflix announced plans to acquire Australian animation studioAnimal Logic.That month, in collaboration withSennheiser, Netflix began to add Ambeo 2-channel audio mixes (referred to as \"spatial audio\") to selected original productions, which allows simulatedsurround soundon stereo speakers and headphones. On September 5, 2022, Netflix opened an office inWarsaw, Poland responsible for the service's operations in 28 markets in Central and Eastern Europe. On October 4, 2022, Netflix have signed a creative partnership withAndrea BerloffandJohn Gatins.On October 11, Netflix signed up with theBroadcasters' Audience Research Boardfor external measurement of viewership in the UK.On October 12, Netflix signed to build a production complex atFort MonmouthinEatontown, New Jersey.On October 18, Netflix began exploring a cloud gaming offering and opened a new gaming studio in Southern California. On November 7, 2022, Netflix announced a strategic partnership with The Seven, a Japanese production company owned byTBS Holdings, to produce multiple original live-action titles for the subscribers over the next five years.On December 12, 2022, Netflix announced that sixty-percent of its subscribers had watched aKorean drama.CEO Ted Sarandos attributed the increase in viewership of Korean content among Americans to Korean films and dramas being \"often unpredictable\" and catching \"the American audience by surprise\". On January 10, 2023, Netflix announced plans to open an engineering hub in its Warsaw office. The hub is to provide Netflix's creative partners with software solutions for the production of films and series.In February 2023, Netflix launched a wider rollout of spatial audio, and began allowing Premium subscribers to download content for offline playback on up to six devices (expanded from four). On March 4, 2023, Netflix broadcast its first-ever global live-streaming event, the stand-up comedy specialChris Rock: Selective Outrage. Netflix reworked its viewership metrics again in June 2023. Viewership of shows was measured during the first 91 days of availability, instead of the first 28 days, and now are based on the total viewership hours divided by the total hours of the show itself. This provided more equal considerations for shorter shows and movies compared to longer ones. In August 2023, the company announced Netflix Stories, a collection of interactive narrative games from Netflix series and films such asLove is Blind,Money HeistandVirgin River. Discontinuation of DVD rentals, expansion of live events, WWE agreement (2023–present) On April 18, 2023, Netflix announced that it would discontinue itsDVD-by-mailservice on September 29.Users of the service were able to keep the DVDs that they had received. Over its lifetime the service had sent out over 5 billion shipments. In October 2023, Eunice Kim was promoted to Chief Product Officer and Elizabeth Stone was promoted to Chief Technology Officer.That same month, amid a restructuring of its animation division, Netflix announced a multi-film agreement withSkydance Animationbeginning with the upcomingSpellbound. The agreement partially replaces one it had withApple TV+. In December 2023, Netflix released its first \"What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report\", a look at viewership for every original and licensed title watched more than 50,000 hours from January to June 2023. The company also announced plans to publish the report twice a year.In its first report for the first six months of 2023, it reported thatThe Night Agentwas the most watched show on globally in that period. On January 23, 2024, Netflix announced a major agreement withprofessional wrestlingpromotionWWE, under which it will acquire the international rights to its live weekly programRawbeginning in January 2025; the rights will initially cover the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Latin America, and expand to other territories over time. Outside of the United States, it will also hold international rights to all three of WWE's main weekly programs (Raw,SmackDown, andNXT),premium live events, and documentaries among other content. The agreement was reported to be valued at $500 million per-year over ten years. In February 2024, Netflix joined withPeter Morgan, creator of the Netflix seriesThe Crown, to produce the playPatriotsonBroadway. The venture is the first Broadway credit for the company but not its first stage project. It was actively involved as a producer ofStranger Things: The First Shadowin London. Both productions share a lead producer,Sonia Friedman. In May 2024, the company hosted its second Netflix Is a Joke festival in Los Angeles. It streamed several specials from the festival live, includingKatt Williams'sWoke FolkandThe Roast of Tom Brady, both of which ranked on Netflix's global top 10 the following two weeks.That same month, Netflix announced that it would stream bothNational Football LeagueChristmas gamesin 2024. For 2025 and 2026, the streamer will have exclusive rights to at least one NFL Christmas game each year. In June 2024, the company announced plans for Netflix House, a new permanent entertainment venue for fans to experience Netflix series and films. The first locations in the announcement areKing of Prussia Mallin Pennsylvania andGalleria Dallasin Texas. Availability and access Global availability Netflix is available in every country and territory except forChina,North Korea,SyriaandRussia. In January 2016, Netflix announced it would beginVPN blockingsince it can be used to watch videos from a country where they are unavailable.The result of the VPN block is that people can only watch videos available worldwide and other videos are hidden from search results.Variety is present on Netflix. Hebrew and right-to-left interface orientation, which is a common localization strategy in many markets, are what define the Israeli user interface's localization, and in some regions, Netflix offers a more affordable mobile-only subscription. Subscriptions Customers can subscribe to one of three plans; the difference in plans relates to video resolution, the number of simultaneous streams, and the number of devices to which content can be downloaded. At the end of Q1 2022, Netflix estimated that 100 million households globally were sharing passwords to their account with others.In March 2022, Netflix began to charge a fee for additional users in Chile, Peru, and Costa Rica to attempt to controlaccount sharing.On July 18, 2022, Netflix announced that it would test the account sharing feature in more countries, including Argentina, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.On October 17, Netflix launched Profile Transfer to help end account sharing. On July 13, 2022, Netflix announced plans to launch an advertising-supported subscription option.Netflix's planned advertising tier would not allow subscribers to download content like the existing ad-free platform.On July 20, 2022, it was announced that the advertising-supported tier would be coming to Netflix in 2023 but it would not feature the full library of content.In October, the launch date was announced as November 3, 2022, and was launched in 12 countries: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Japan and South Korea.The ad-supported plan was called \"Basic with Ads\" and it cost $6.99 per month in the United States at launch. On February 24, 2023, Netflix cut subscription prices in more than 30 countries around the world to attract more subscribers from those countries. Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Croatia, Venezuela, Kenya, and Iran are on the list of countries where the cost for a subscription will be reduced.In the same month stronger anti-password-sharing rules were expanded to Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain.In May 2023, these measures were further expanded to United States and Brazil subscribers. In July 2023, Netflix added 5.9 million subscribers for the second quarter of the year for a total of 238.39 million subscribers overall. The United States and Canada accounted for 1.2 million subscribers which was the largest regional quarterly gain since 2021. Netflix announced in February that it was going to enforce stricter regulations for password sharing. In May 2023, Netflix began cracking down on password-sharing in the US, UK, and Australia. Under these new rules, multiple people can use and share one account, but they have to be under the same household. Netflix defines a household as people who live in the same location as the owner of the account. Users are asked to set a primary location based on the device's IP address. Netflix reported 8.05 million new subscribers in Q2 2024, up from 5.9 million subscribers added in Q2 2023. In July 2024, Netflix started phasing out its cheapest subscription plan for users in France and the US, a year after the plan was removed for Canada and the UK. Members in these countries have the option to sign up for either the standard ad-free plan or the ad plan. Device support Netflix can be accessed via aweb browser, while Netflix apps are available on various platforms, includingBlu-rayplayers,tablet computers, mobile phones,smart TVs,digital media players, andvideo game consoles. Currently supported game consoles include: Several older devices no longer support Netflix. For home gaming consoles, this includes thePlayStation 2,PlayStation TV,WiiandWii U.For handheld gaming consoles, this includes theNintendo 3DSfamily of systems and thePlayStation Vita.The second and third generationApple TVpreviously supported Netflix with an ad-free plan, but the app was automatically removed on these devices on July 31, 2024. In addition, a growing number ofmultichannel televisionproviders, including cable television andIPTVservices, have added Netflix apps accessible within their ownset-top boxes, sometimes with the ability for its content (along with those of other online video services) to be presented within a unified search interface alongside linear television programming as an \"all-in-one\" solution. The maximum video resolution supported on computers is dependent on theDRMsystems available on a particular operating system and web browser. Content Original programming \"Netflix Originals\" are content that is produced, co-produced, or distributed exclusively by Netflix. Netflix funds its original shows differently than other TV networks when they sign a project, providing the money upfront and immediately ordering two seasons of most series.It keeps licensing rights, which normally give production companies future revenue opportunities from syndication, merchandising, etc. Over the years, Netflix output ballooned to a level unmatched by any television network or streaming service. According toVariety Insight, Netflix produced a total of 240 new original shows and movies in 2018, then climbed to 371 in 2019, a figure \"greater than the number of original series that the entire U.S. TV industry released in 2005.\"The Netflix budget allocated to production increased annually, reaching $13.6 billion in 2021 and projected to hit $18.9 billion by 2025, a figure that once again overshadowed any of its competitors.As of August 2022, original productions made up 50% of Netflix's overall library in the United States. Film and television deals Netflix has exclusivepay TVdeals with several studios. The deals give Netflix exclusive streaming rights while adhering to the structures of traditional pay TV terms. Distributors that have licensed content to Netflix include Warner Bros., Universal Pictures,Sony Pictures Entertainmentand previously The Walt Disney Studios. Netflix also holds current and back-catalog rights to television programs distributed byWalt Disney Television,DreamWorks Classics,Kino International,Warner Bros. TelevisionandParamount Global Content Distribution, along with titles from other companies such asHasbro EntertainmentandFunimation. Formerly, the streaming service also held rights to select television programs distributed byNBCUniversal Television Distribution,Sony Pictures Televisionand20th Century Fox Television. Netflix negotiated to distribute animated films from Universal that HBO declined to acquire, such asThe Lorax,ParaNorman, andMinions. Netflix holds exclusive streaming rights to the film library ofStudio Ghibli(exceptGrave of the Fireflies) worldwide except in the U.S. and Japan as part of an agreement signed with Ghibli's international sales holderWild Bunchin 2020. Netflix Games In July 2021, Netflix hired Mike Verdu, a former executive fromElectronic ArtsandFacebook, as vice president of game development, along with plans to add video games by 2022.Netflix announced plans to releasemobile gameswhich would be included in subscribers' plans to the service.Trial offerings were first launched for Netflix users in Poland in August 2021, offering premium mobile games based onStranger ThingsincludingStranger Things 3: The Game, for free to subscribers through the Netflix mobile app. Netflix officially launched mobile games on November 2, 2021, for Android users around the world. Through the app, subscribers had free access to five games, including two previously madeStranger Thingstitles. Netflix intends to add more games to this service over time.On November 9, the collection launched foriOS.Verdu said in October 2022 that besides continuing to expand their portfolio of games, they were also interested incloud gamingoptions. To support the games effort, Netflix began acquiring and forming a number of studios. The company acquiredNight School Studio, an independent video game developer, in September 2021.Netflix announced plans to acquire Next Games in March 2022 for€65 millionas part of Netflix's expansions into gaming. Next Games had developed the mobile titleStranger Things: Puzzle Talesas well as twoThe Walking Deadmobile games.Later in the month, Netflix also acquired theTexas-based mobile game developer,Boss Fight Entertainment, for an undisclosed sum.Netflix opened a mobile game studio in Helsinki, Finland in September 2022,and a new studio, their fifth total, in southern California in October 2022,alongside the acquisition ofSpry Foxin Seattle. In June 2024, Verdu was moved into a new role focusing on \"innovation in game development.\"The next month, Netflix hired Alain Tascan, vice president of game development atEpic Games, to head up Netflix Games.As of July 2024, Netflix has over 80 games in development, releasing at least one game each month to attract fans. Technology Content delivery Netflix freelypeerswithInternet service providers(ISPs) directly and at commonInternet exchange points. In June 2012, a customcontent delivery network,Open Connect, was announced.For larger ISPs with over 100,000 subscribers, Netflix offers freeNetflix Open Connectcomputer appliancesthat cache their content within the ISPs'data centersor networks to further reduceInternet transitcosts.By August 2016, Netflix closed its last physical data center, but continued to develop its Open Connect technology.A 2016 study at theUniversity of Londondetected 233 individual Open Connect locations on over six continents, with the largest amount of traffic in the US, followed by Mexico. As of July 2017, Netflix series and movies accounted for more than a third of all prime-time download Internet traffic in North America. API On October 1, 2008, Netflix offered access to its service via a publicapplication programming interface(API).It allowed access to data for all Netflix titles, and allows users to manage their movie queues. The API was free and allowed commercial use.In June 2012, Netflix began to restrict the availability of its public API.Netflix instead focused on a small number of known partners using private interfaces, since most traffic came from those private interfaces.In November 2014, Netflix retired the public API.Netflix then partnered with the developers of eight services deemed the most valuable, including Instant Watcher, Fanhattan, Yidio and Nextguide. Recommendations and thumbnails Netflix presents viewers with recommendations based on interactions with the service, such as previous viewing history and ratings of viewed content. These are often grouped into genres and formats, or feature the platform's highest-rated content. Each title is presented with a thumbnail. Before around 2015, these were the samekey artfor everyone, but since then has been customized. Netflix may select a specific key art for a thumbnail based on viewing history,such as an actor or scene type based on genre preferences.Some thumbnails are generated from video stills. The Netflix recommendation system is a vital part of the streaming platform's success, enabling personalized content suggestions for hundreds of millions of subscribers worldwide.Using advanced machine learning algorithms, Netflix analyzes user interactions, including viewing history, searches, and ratings, to deliver personalized recommendations for movies and TV shows. The recommendation system considers individual user preferences, similarities with other users with comparable tastes, specific title attributes (genre, release year, etc.), device usage patterns, and viewing time. As users interact with the platform and provide feedback with their viewing habits, the recommendation system is able to adapt and refine its suggestions over time. Netflix uses a two-tiered ranking system, using the presentation of titles on the homepage for easy navigation to maximize user engagement. This is done by organizing content into rows and ranking the titles within each row based on how much the user would be interested in it.Netflix also uses A/B testing to determine what causes the biggest interest and engagement related to options concerning movie suggestions and how titles are organized. Tags like \"bittersweet\", \"sitcom\", or \"intimate\" are assigned to each title by Netflix employees.Netflix also uses the tags to create recommendation micro-genres like \"Goofy TV Shows\" or \"Girls Night In\". Awards On July 18, 2013, Netflix earned the firstPrimetime Emmy Awardsnominations for originalstreamingprograms at the65th Primetime Emmy Awards. Three of its series,Arrested Development,Hemlock GroveandHouse of Cards, earned a combined 14 nominations (nine forHouse of Cards, three forArrested Developmentand two forHemlock Grove).TheHouse of Cardsepisode \"Chapter 1\" received four nominations for both the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards and65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, becoming the first episode of a streaming television series to receive a major Primetime Emmy Award nomination. With its win for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series, \"Chapter 1\" became the first episode from a streaming service to be awarded an Emmy.David Fincher's win for Directing for a Drama Series forHouse of Cardsmade the episode the first from a streaming service to win a Primetime Emmy. On November 6, 2013, Netflix earned its first Grammy nomination whenYou've Got TimebyRegina Spektor— the main title theme song forOrange Is the New Black— was nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media. On December 12, 2013, the network earned six nominations forGolden Globe Awards, including four forHouse of Cards.Among those nominations was Wright forGolden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Dramafor her portrayal of Claire Underwood, which she won. With the accolade, Wright became the first actress to win a Golden Globe for a streaming television series. It also marked Netflix's first major acting award.House of CardsandOrange is the New Blackalso wonPeabody Awardsin 2013. On January 16, 2014, Netflix became the first streaming service to earn an Academy Award nomination whenThe Squarewas nominated for Best Documentary Feature. On July 10, 2014, Netflix received 31 Emmy nominations. Among other nominations,House of Cardsreceived nominations forOutstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series and Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright were nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.Orange is the New Blackwas nominated in the comedy categories, earning nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series.Taylor Schilling,Kate Mulgrew, andUzo Adubawere respectively nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (the latter was for Aduba's recurring role in season one, as she was promoted to series regular for the show's second season). Netflix got the largest share of 2016 Emmy Award nominations, with 16 major nominations. However, streaming shows only got 24 nominations out of a total of 139, falling significantly behind cable. The 16 Netflix nominees were:House of Cardswith Kevin Spacey,A Very Murray Christmaswith Bill Murray,Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,Master of None, andBloodline. Stranger Thingsreceived 19 nominations at the2017 Primetime Emmy Awards, whileThe Crownreceived 13 nominations. In December 2017, Netflix was awardedPETA's Company of the Year for promoting animal rights movies and documentaries likeForks Over KnivesandWhat the Health. At the90th Academy Awards, held on March 4, 2018, the filmIcarus, distributed by Netflix, won its firstAcademy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film. During his remarks backstage, director and writer Bryan Fogel remarked that Netflix had \"single-handedly changed the documentary world.\"Icarushad its premiere at the 2017Sundance Film Festivaland was bought by Netflix for $5 million, one of the biggest deals ever for a non-fiction film.Netflix became the network whose programs received more nomination at the 2018PrimetimeandCreative Arts Emmy Awardswith 112 nominations, therefore breakingHBO's 17-years record as a network whose programs received more nomination at the Emmys, which received 108 nominations. On January 22, 2019, films distributed by Netflix scored 15 nominations for the91st Academy Awards, includingAcademy Award for Best PictureforAlfonso Cuarón'sRoma, which was nominated for 10 awards.The 15 nominations equal the total nominations films distributed by Netflix had received in previous years. In 2020, Netflix received 20 TV nominations and films distributed by Netflix also got 22 film nominations at the78th Golden Globe Awards. It secured three out of the five nominations forbest drama TV seriesforThe Crown,OzarkandRatchedand four of the five nominations forbest actress in a TV series:Olivia Colman,Emma Corrin,Laura LinneyandSarah Paulson. In 2020, Netflix earned 24 Academy Award nominations, marking the first time a streaming service led all studios. Films and programs distributed by Netflix received 30 nominations at the 2021Screen Actors Guild Awards, more than any other distribution company, where their distributed films and programs won seven awards including best motion picture forThe Trial of the Chicago 7and best TV drama forThe Crown.Netflix also received the most nominations of any studio at the93rd Academy Awards– 35 total nominations with 7 award wins. In February 2022,The Power of the Dog, a gritty western distributed by Netflix and directed by Jane Campion, received 12 nominations, including Best Picture, for the 94th annual Academy Awards. Films distributed by the streamer received a total of 72 nominations.Campion became the third female to receive the Best Director award, winning her second Oscar forThe Power of the Dog.At the50th International Emmy Awards, Netflix originalSex EducationwonBest Comedy Series.Later that year, Netflix received 26 Emmy Awards including six forSquid Game. TheSquid Gamewins forOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesandOutstanding Directing for a Drama Serieswere the first-ever for a non-English language series in those categories. In March 2023, Netflix won six Academy Awards including four forAll Quiet on the Western Frontwhich was the most awarded Netflix film in its history.Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchiowas the first streaming film to namedBest Animated FeatureandThe Elephant Whispererswas the first Indian-produced film to receiveBest Documentary Short Film.Netflix received 103 Emmy nominations including 13 each for the limited seriesBeefandDahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. In July 2024, Netflix received 107 Emmy nominations which was the most of any network. Criticism Netflix has been subject to criticism from various groups and individuals as its popularity and market reach increased in the 2010s. Customers have complained about price increases in Netflix offerings dating back to the company's decision to separate its DVD rental and streaming services, which was quickly reversed. As Netflix increased its streaming output, it has faced calls to limit accessibility tographic violenceand include viewer advisories for issues such as sensationalism and promotion ofpseudoscience. Netflix's content has also been criticized bydisability rights movementadvocates for lack ofclosed captioningquality. Some media organizations and competitors have criticized Netflix for selectively releasing ratings andviewer numbersof its original programming. The company has made claims boasting about viewership records without providing data to substantiate its successes or using problematic estimation methods.In March 2020, some government agencies called for Netflix and other streamers to limit services due to increased broadband and energy consumption as use of the platform increased. In response, the company announced it would reducebit rateacross all streams in Europe, thus decreasing Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25 percent. These same steps were later taken in India. In May 2022, Netflix's shareholder Imperium Irrevocable Trust filed a lawsuit against the company for violating the U.S.securitieslaws.In January 2024, a federal judge dismissed the suit, stating that shareholders failed to provide instances of Netflix lying about subscriber growth. In May 2023, Netflix officially banned the use of password sharing between individuals of different households, meaning sharing an account was only available to those living in the same house. See also References Further reading External links","Marc Randolph Marc Bernays Randolph(born April 29, 1958) is an American tech entrepreneur, advisor and speaker.He is the co-founder and firstCEOofNetflix. A serial entrepreneur who is said to have helped found the U.S. edition ofMacworldmagazine and the computer mail-order businesses MacWarehouse andMicroWarehouse,Randolph now serves on the boards ofLooker Data Sciencesand Chubbies Shorts. He previously served on the boards of Getable, Rafter, ReadyForce. Randolph, who has equated founding companies to his experience as a mountain guide, is the chairman of the board of trustees of theNational Outdoor Leadership School(NOLS) in Lander,Wyoming and a board member of the environmental advocacy group1% for the Planet. Early life and education Randolph was born to aJewishfamily inChappaqua, New York, the eldest child of Stephen Bernays Randolph, an Austrian-born nuclear engineer turned financial adviser and Muriel Lipchik of Brooklyn, New York who ran her own real estate firm.One of Randolph's paternal great-grand uncles was psychoanalysis pioneerSigmund Freud. Another paternal great-uncle of Randolph wasEdward Bernays, an Austrian-American pioneer in the field of public relations and propaganda.Randolph spent his summers during high school and college working for the National Outdoor Leadership School, becoming one of its youngest instructors. He graduated fromHamilton Collegein New York with a geology degree. Career Early career Randolph's first job out of college in 1981 was atCherry Lane MusicCompany in New York. Put in charge of the company's small mail-order operation, Randolph taught himself direct mail and marketing techniques while tinkering with different ways to sell Cherry Lane's catalog of sheet music directly to consumers. Randolph's fascination with using computer software to track customers' buying behavior would ultimately inform his decision to create a user interface at Netflix that doubled as a market research platform.He further developed his theories about using direct mail to influence and retain customers doing circulation work while helping found the U.S. version ofMacUsermagazine in 1984. While co-founding computer mail-order firms MacWarehouse andMicroWarehousewith Peter Godfrey and his partners about a year later, Randolph made the connection between overnight delivery and improved customer retention.The discovery later proved crucial to Netflix's growth and survival: the company's subscriber base first blossomed and cut intoBlockbuster Increvenues in cities where Netflix offered overnight DVD delivery. Randolph spent the dawn of the Internet age building direct-to-consumer marketing operations at software giantBorlandInternational starting in 1988. He left Borland in 1995 for a series of short stints at Silicon Valley start-ups, including heading marketing at desktop scanner makerVisioneer, and then as a member of the founding team of Integrity QA, a developer of automated software testing products.In late 1996, software debugging companyPure Atriaacquired the nine-person software startup. Pure Atria's founder and CEOReed Hastingsretained Randolph as vice president of corporate marketing for the rapidly expanding Pure Atria.In late 1996, Pure Atria announced thatRational Softwarewould acquire it in an $850 million stock swap in what was then the richest merger inSilicon Valleyhistory.Hastings and Randolph commuted together between their homes inSanta Cruz, California, into Silicon Valley for about four months while the Rational merger was finalized, and on these drives, the idea for Netflix was born. Netflix Randolph wanted to replicate the e-commerce model pioneered by online booksellerAmazon.com. He had heard that digital-versatile-discs (DVD) were being tested in several U.S. markets, and he wanted to explore the concept of selling the compact new digital format online. He and Hastings could not find a DVD, so they tested the idea with acompact disc.\"Reed and I were in downtown Santa Cruz and we were saying, 'I wonder if we can mail these things',\" Randolph said. \"We went in and bought a music CD and went into one of the stationery stores … and bought a greeting card and stuck the CD in the envelope and mailed it to Reed's house. And the next day, he said, 'It came. It's fine.' If there was an aha moment, that was it.\"Hastings, Randolph's mother, and Integrity QA founder Steve Kahn were initial investors in Netflix when plans first started in 1996-1997.Randolph named the company, designed its initial user interface and branding and acted as chief executive for the first year while Hastings attendedStanford Universitygraduate school. Netflix launched on April 14, 1998, out of an office park inScotts Valley, California.Randolph designed the user interface to act as an online catalog of movies and a market research platform so that he could constantly test different versions to perfect the user experience. The data generated by these market tests led the team to three concepts that they combined in 1999 to create Netflix's successful business model: a subscription-based service with no due dates or late fees and unlimited access to content, a \"Queue\" that allowed subscribers to specify the order in which DVDs should be mailed to them, and a serialized delivery system that automatically mailed out a DVD as soon as the previous rental was returned. The subscriber data collected by the user interface fed a recommendation engine known as Cinematch, that helped manage the company's limited DVD inventory by guiding subscribers to movies and TV shows that were in stock and generally away from new releases. Randolph ceded the CEO post to Hastings in 1999 and turned to product development. He and founding team memberMitch Lowetested a concept for a movie rental kiosk called Netflix Express that Lowe later turned into movie kiosk giantRedboxafter Hastings rejected it as a line of business.Randolph left Netflix in 2002 after helping guide the company through its initial public offering two years earlier.He credited Hastings with successfully scaling the company to 93 million subscribers worldwide,and said he preferred the start-up stage.\"At the beginning, it's very much triage. If there are a hundred things broken and you need the skill to pick the three you've got to fix, I'm really good at that. I'm not good at the other ninety-seven,\" Randolph said. After Netflix Since his departure from Netflix, Randolph has served as a mentor at MiddCOREand a board member ofLooker Data Sciences.He is also Entrepreneur in Residence forHigh Point Universityand its Belk Entrepreneurship Center.In addition to his mentorships he is a keynote speaker, focusing on entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. He travels the world speaking about his experience with Netflix and the lessons he has learned from his other startup investments. In September 2019, his book,That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Ideawas published byLittle, Brown and Company. Personal life Randolph has been married to Lorraine Kiernan since 1987. They have three children. He now lives in Santa Cruz, California. References External links","One Percent for the Planet One Percent for the Planetis an international organization whose members contribute at least one percent of their annualrevenueto environmental causes to protect the environment. Since 1985,Patagoniapledged 1% of sales to the preservation of restoration of the natural environment. In 2002,1% for the Planetwas founded byYvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies,to \"encourage more businesses to donate 1% of sales to environmental groups\".Since its creation, the organization has been joined by countries around the world, with a great number of partners in France, Great Britain, Australia, and Japan.France is the only country to have an independent entity. Members BICjoined as a member in 2022 with an eco-friendly product line;Honest Teajoined with a glass product line.Other notable members includeOXO,New Belgium Brewing Company, Klean Kanteen, andNature's Path's EnviroKidz brand. References External links","Yvon Chouinard Yvon Chouinard(born November 9, 1938)is an American rock climber, environmentalist, philanthropist, and outdoor industry businessman. His company,Patagonia, is known for its high quality outdoor products and outerwear. He was named one of the100 most influential people in the worldbyTimemagazine in 2023. Chouinard is also a surfer, kayaker, and falconer and is particularly fond oftenkarafly-fishing.He has written about climbing issues and ethics and on mixingenvironmentalismand business. Early life Chouinard's father was aFrench-Canadianhandyman, mechanic, and plumber. In 1947, Yvon and his family moved fromLewiston, Maineto Southern California. They wereCatholic. His early climbing partners includedRoyal RobbinsandTom Frost.ASierra Clubmember, in his youth he founded the Southern California Falconry Club, and it was his investigations offalconaeriesthat led him to rock climbing.To save money and to make adaptations for the way he was climbing, he decided to make his own climbing tools by teaching himself blacksmithing, and eventually started a business. Yosemite rock climber to leading alpinist Chouinard was one of the leading climbers of the \"Golden Age of Yosemite Climbing.\" He was one of the protagonists of the film made about this era:Valley Uprising(2014). He participated in the first ascent of the North America Wall in 1964 (withRoyal Robbins,Tom Frost, andChuck Pratt), using no fixed ropes. The next year, his and TM Herbert's ascent of the Muir Wall on El Capitan improved the style of previous first ascents.Chouinard became the most articulate advocate of the importance of style, the basis of modern rock climbing. In 1961, he visited Western Canada withFred Beckey, and made several important first ascents, including the North Face ofMount Edith Cavell(Rockies), the Beckey-Chouinard Route on South Howser Tower in theBugaboos(Purcell Mountains), and the North Face ofMount Sir Donald(Selkirk Mountains). These climbs opened his eyes to the idea of applying Yosemite big-wall climbing techniques to mountain climbing, and his advocacy was important to modern,high-grade alpinism. Also in 1961, he visitedShawangunk Ridgefor the first time,freeclimbingthe first pitch of Matinee (the hardest free climb done at Shawangunk Ridge at the time); and introducingchrome-molybdenum steelpitons to the area, which revolutionized climbing protection. In 1968, he climbedCerro FitzroyinPatagoniaby a new route (The Californian Route, 3rd overall ascent of the mountain) with Dick Dorworth,Chris Jones, Lito Tejada-Flores, andDouglas Tompkins. Chouinard has also traveled and climbed in the European Alps and in Pakistan. Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. In 1957, he bought a second-hand coal-fired forge, and started making hardened steelpitonsfor use inYosemiteValley. Between time spent surfing and climbing, he sold pitons out of the back of his car to support himself. The improved pitons were a big factor in the birth of big-wall climbing from 1957 to 1960 in Yosemite. The success of his pitons caused him to found Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. In the late 1960s, Chouinard and business partnerTom Frostbegan studying ice climbing equipment, and re-invented the basic tools (cramponsand ice axes) to perform on steeper ice. These new tools and his bookClimbing Ice(1978) started the modern sport of ice climbing. Around 1970, he became aware that the use of steel pitons made by his company was causing significant damage to the cracks of Yosemite. These pitons composed 70 percent of his income.In 1971 and 1972, Chouinard and Frost introduced new aluminum chockstones, calledHexentricsand Stoppers, along with the less successful steel Crack-n-Ups, and committed the company to the advocacy of the new tools and a new style of climbing called \"clean climbing.\" This concept revolutionized rock climbing and led to further success of the company, despite cannibalizing the sales of pitons, formerly his most important product. They applied for a U.S. patent on Hexentrics in 1974, and it was granted on April 6, 1976.These are still manufactured byBlack Diamond Equipment. In the latter 1960s, Chouinard attempted a number of significant technological and technique changes to ice climbing after trips to the Alps in Europe and Sierra Nevada ice gullies in autumn. He removed the flex from crampons, making them more rigid for front-pointing. He drew the taper of a rock hammer into a point for better ice purchase. He increased the cross section of ice screws while also using lighter materials. He experimented with pick and blade issues with ice axes. Prior to this, much of ice climbing was seen as mere step cutting. He attempted to replace hand ice picks (climbing type) with a small ice axe head called a Climaxe. In 1989, Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. filed for bankruptcy protection in order to protect it from liability lawsuits. The hard assets of Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. were acquired by its employees through theChapter 11process, and the company was reestablished asBlack Diamond Equipment, Ltd. Patagonia and environmentalism Chouinard is most known for founding the clothing and gear companyPatagonia. Chouinard started to sell clothes by chance as a way to support his moderately profitable equipment business.In 1970 on a trip to Scotland, he purchased some rugby shirts and sold them with great success.From this small start, the Patagonia company developed a wide selection of rugged technical clothing. According to Chouinard, the intent of Patagonia is to make clothes for people under the rugged, southern Andes/Cape Horn conditions of places like Patagonia. Recognizing that the financial success of the company provided the opportunity to also achieve personal goals, Chouinard committed the company to being an outstanding place to work, and to be an important resource for environmental activism. In 1984, Patagonia opened an on-site cafeteria offering \"healthy, mostly vegetarian food,\" and started providing on-site child care.In 1986, Chouinard committed the company to \"tithing\" for environmental activism, committing one percent of sales or ten percent of profits, whichever is the greater. The commitment included paying employees working on local environmental projects so they could commit their efforts full-time. In the early 1990s, an environmental audit of Patagonia revealed the surprising result (at the time), that corporatecotton, although it was a natural material, had a heavy environmental footprint. In 1996, Chouinard committed the company to using all organic cotton. In 2002, Yvon Chouinard founded1% for the Planetand Patagonia became the first business to commit 1% of annual sales to the environment. In 2014, Patagonia supported the advocacy documentary filmDamNation, which is about changing attitudes in America towards its dams. Chouinard was the executive producer of the film, and he was also featured in the film commenting about dams. In 2018, in acknowledgment that sustainability and responsible practices are core to Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard was recognized with theSierra Club's top award, theJohn Muir Award. In 2022, Chouinard announced that he was donating ownership in Patagonia to atrustto ensure profits are used for addressingclimate change.Chouinard's family retains control of the company's voting stock through the Patagonia Purpose Trust. Personal life In 1971, Chouinard met and married his wife, Malinda Pennoyer, who was an art and home economics student atCalifornia State University, Fresno.They have a son (Fletcher) and a daughter (Claire), both of whom work for Patagonia. In 2021, Yvon Chouinard received an honorary degree fromBates College. Publications Notable ascents Related reading References Other sources External links"],"string":"[\n \"Netflix Netflixis an Americansubscription video on-demandover-the-topstreamingservice. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple languages. Launched in 2007, nearly a decade afterNetflix, Inc.began its pioneeringDVD-by-mailmovie rentalservice, Netflix is themost-subscribed video on demandstreaming mediaservices, with 282.7 million paid memberships in more than 190 countries as of 2024.By 2022, \\\"Netflix Original\\\" productions accounted for half of its library in the United States and the namesake company had ventured into other categories, such asvideo game publishingofmobile gamesthrough its flagship service. As of 2023, Netflix is the23rd most-visited website in the world, with 23.66% of its traffic coming from the United States, followed by the United Kingdom at 5.84%, and Brazil at 5.64%. History Launch as a mail-based rental business (1997–2006) Netflix was founded byMarc RandolphandReed Hastingson August 29, 1997, inScotts Valley, California. Hastings, a computer scientist and mathematician, was a co-founder ofPure Software, which was acquired byRational Softwarethat year for $750 million, the then biggest acquisition inSilicon Valleyhistory.Randolph had worked as a marketing director forPure Softwareafter Pure Atria acquired a company where Randolph worked. He was previously a co-founder ofMicroWarehouse, a computer mail-order company, as well as vice president of marketing forBorland.Hastings and Randolph came up with the idea for Netflix whilecarpoolingbetween their homes inSanta Cruz, California, and Pure Atria's headquarters in Sunnyvale.Patty McCord, later head ofhuman resourcesat Netflix, was also in the carpool group.Randolph admiredAmazonand wanted to find a large category of portable items to sell over theInternetusing a similar model. Hastings and Randolph considered and rejected selling and rentingVHSas too expensive to stock and too delicate to ship.When they heard about DVDs, first introduced in the United States in early 1997, they tested the concept of selling or renting DVDs by mail, by mailing acompact discto Hastings's house in Santa Cruz.When the CD arrived intact, they decided to enter the $16 billionHome-videosales and rental industry.Hastings is often quoted saying that he decided to start Netflix after being fined $40 at a Blockbuster store for being late to return a copy ofApollo 13.Hastings invested $2.5 million into Netflix from the sale of Pure Atria.Netflix launched as the first DVD rental and sales website with 30 employees and 925 titles available—nearly all DVDs published.Randolph and Hastings met withJeff Bezos, whereAmazonoffered to acquire Netflix for between $14 and $16 million. Fearing competition from Amazon, Randolph at first thought the offer was fair, but Hastings, who owned 70% of the company, turned it down on the plane ride home. Initially, Netflix offered a per-rental model for each DVD but introduced a monthly subscription concept in September 1999.The per-rental model was dropped by early 2000, allowing the company to focus on the business model of flat-fee unlimited rentals without due dates, late fees, shipping and handling fees, or per-title rental fees.In September 2000, during thedot-com bubble, while Netflix was suffering losses, Hastings and Randolph offered to sell the company toBlockbusterfor $50 million.John Antioco, CEO of Blockbuster, thought the offer was a joke and declined, saying, \\\"The dot-com hysteria is completely overblown.\\\"While Netflix experienced fast growth in early 2001, the continued effects of the dot-com bubble collapse and theSeptember 11 attackscaused the company to hold off plans for itsinitial public offering(IPO) and to lay off one-third of its 120 employees. DVD players were a popular gift for holiday sales in late 2001, and demand for DVD subscription services were \\\"growing like crazy\\\", according to chief talent officerPatty McCord.The company wentpublicon May 23, 2002, selling 5.5 million shares ofcommon stockat US$15.00 per share.In 2003, Netflix was issued a patent by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office to cover its subscription rental service and several extensions.Netflix posted its first profit in 2003, earning $6.5 million on revenues of $272 million; by 2004, profit had increased to $49 million on over $500 million in revenues.In 2005, 35,000 different films were available, and Netflix shipped 1 million DVDs out every day. In 2004, Blockbuster introduced a DVD rental service, which not only allowed users to check out titles through online sites but allowed for them to return them atbrick and-mortarstores.By 2006, Blockbuster's service reached two million users, and while trailing Netflix's subscriber count, was drawing business away from Netflix. Netflix lowered fees in 2007.While it was anurban legendthat Netflix ultimately \\\"killed\\\" Blockbuster in the DVD rental market, Blockbuster's debt load and internal disagreements hurt the company. On April 4, 2006, Netflix filed apatent infringementlawsuit in which it demanded ajury trialin theUnited States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging thatBlockbuster'sonline DVD rentalsubscription program violated two patents held by Netflix. The firstcause of actionalleged Blockbuster's infringement of copying the \\\"dynamic queue\\\" of DVDs available for each customer, Netflix's method of using the ranked preferences in the queue to send DVDs to subscribers, and Netflix's method permitting the queue to be updated and reordered.The second cause of action alleged infringement of the subscription rental service as well as Netflix's methods of communication and delivery.The companies settled their dispute on June 25, 2007; terms were not disclosed. On October 1, 2006, Netflix announced theNetflix Prize, $1,000,000 to the first developer of a video-recommendationalgorithmthat could beat its existing algorithm Cinematch, at predicting customer ratings by more than 10%. On September 21, 2009, it awarded the $1,000,000 prize to team \\\"BellKor's Pragmatic Chaos\\\".Cinematch, launched in 2000, was a system that recommended movies to its users, many of which might have been entirely new to the user. Through its divisionRed Envelope Entertainment, Netflix licensed and distributed independent films such asBorn into BrothelsandSherrybaby. In late 2006,Red Envelope Entertainmentalso expanded into producing original content with filmmakers such asJohn Waters.Netflix closed Red Envelope Entertainment in 2008. Transition to streaming services (2007–2012) In January 2007, the company launched astreaming mediaservice, introducingvideo on demandvia the Internet. However, at that time it only had 1,000 films available for streaming, compared to 70,000 available on DVD.The company had for some time considered offering movies online, but it was only in the mid-2000s that data speeds and bandwidth costs had improved sufficiently to allow customers to download movies from the net. The original idea was a \\\"Netflix box\\\" that could download movies overnight, and be ready to watch the next day. By 2005, Netflix had acquired movie rights and designed the box and service. But after witnessing how popular streaming services such asYouTubewere despite the lack of high-definition content, the concept of using a hardware device was scrapped and replaced with a streaming concept. In February 2007, Netflix delivered its billionth DVD, a copy ofBabelto a customer in Texas.In April 2007, Netflix recruitedReplayTVfounderAnthony Wood, to build a \\\"Netflix Player\\\" that would allow streaming content to be played directly on a television rather than a desktop or laptop.Hastings eventually shut down the project to help encourage other hardware manufacturers to include built-in Netflix support, which would be spun off as thedigital media playerproductRoku. In January 2008, all rental-disc subscribers became entitled to unlimited streaming at no additional cost. This change came in a response to the introduction ofHuluand toApple's new video-rental services.In August 2008, the Netflix database was corrupted and the company was not able to ship DVDs to customers for 3 days, leading the company to move all its data to theAmazon Web Servicescloud.In November 2008, Netflix began offering subscribers rentals onBlu-rayand discontinued its sale of used DVDs.In 2009, Netflix streams overtook DVD shipments. On January 6, 2010, Netflix agreed withWarner Bros.to delay new release rentals to 28 days after the DVDs became available for sale, in an attempt to help studios sell physical copies, and similar deals involvingUniversal Picturesand20th Century Foxwere reached on April 9.In July 2010, Netflix signed a deal to stream movies ofRelativity Media.In August 2010, Netflix reached a five-year deal worth nearly $1 billion to stream films fromParamount,LionsgateandMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The deal increased Netflix's annual spending fees, adding roughly $200 million per year. It spent $117 million in the first six months of 2010 on streaming, up from $31 million in 2009.On September 22, 2010, Netflix launched in Canada, its first international market.In November 2010, Netflix began offering a standalone streaming service separate from DVD rentals. In 2010, Netflix acquired the rights toBreaking Bad, produced by Sony Pictures Television, after the show's third season, at a point where original broadcasterAMChad expressed the possibility of cancelling the show. Sony pushed Netflix to releaseBreaking Badin time for the fourth season, which as a result, greatly expanded the show's audience on AMC due to new viewers bingeing on the Netflix past episodes, and doubling the viewership by the time of the fifth season.Breaking Badis considered the first such show to have this \\\"Netflix effect\\\". In January 2011, Netflix announced agreements with several manufacturers to includebranded Netflix buttonson theremote controlsof devices compatible with the service, such asBlu-ray players.By May 2011, Netflix had become the largest source of Internet streaming traffic in North America, accounting for 30% of traffic during peak hours. On July 12, 2011, Netflix announced that it would separate its existing subscription plans into two separate plans: one covering the streaming and the other DVD rental services.The cost for streaming would be $7.99 per month, while DVD rental would start at the same price.On September 11, 2011, Netflix expanded to countries in Latin America.On September 18, 2011, Netflix announced its intentions to rebrand and restructure its DVD home media rental service as an independent subsidiary called Qwikster, separating DVD rental and streaming services.On September 26, 2011, Netflix announced a content deal withDreamWorks Animation.On October 10, 2011, Netflix announced that it would retain its DVD service under the name Netflix and that its streaming and DVD-rental plans would remain branded together, citing customer dissatisfaction with the split. In October 2011. Netflix andThe CWsigned a multi-year output deal for its television shows.On January 9, 2012, Netflix started its expansion to Europe, launching in the United Kingdom and Ireland.In February 2012, Netflix reached a multi-year agreement withThe Weinstein Company.In March 2012, Netflix acquired thedomain nameDVD.com.By 2016, Netflix rebranded its DVD-by-mail service under the nameDVD.com, A Netflix Company.In April 2012, Netflix filed with theFederal Election Commission(FEC) to form apolitical action committee(PAC) called FLIXPAC.Netflix spokesperson Joris Evers tweeted that the intent was to \\\"engage on issues likenet neutrality,bandwidth caps,UBBandVPPA\\\".In June 2012, Netflix signed a deal withOpen Road Films. On August 23, 2012, Netflix andThe Weinstein Companysigned a multi-year output deal for RADiUS-TWC films.In September 2012,Epixsigned a five-year streaming deal with Netflix. For the initial two years of this agreement, first-run and back-catalog content from Epix was exclusive to Netflix. Epix films came to Netflix 90 days after premiering on Epix.These included films from Paramount, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Lionsgate. On October 18, 2012, Netflix launched in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.On December 4, 2012, Netflix and Disney announced an exclusive multi-year agreement for first-run United States subscription television rights to Walt Disney Studios' animated and live-action films, with classics such asDumbo,Alice in WonderlandandPocahontasavailable immediately and others available on Netflix beginning in 2016.Direct-to-videoreleases were made available in 2013. On January 14, 2013, Netflix signed an agreement withTime Warner'sTurner Broadcasting Systemand Warner Bros. Television to distributeCartoon Network,Warner Bros. Animation, andAdult Swimcontent, as well asTNT'sDallas, beginning in March 2013. The rights to these programs were given to Netflix shortly after deals withViacomto streamNickelodeonandNick Jr. Channelprograms expired. For cost reasons, Netflix stated that it would limit its expansion in 2013,adding only one new market—the Netherlands—in September of that year. This expanded its availability to 40 territories. Development of original programming and distribution expansion (2013–2017) In 2011, Netflix began its efforts into original content development. In March, it made a straight-to-series order fromMRCfor the political dramaHouse of Cards, led byKevin Spacey, outbidding U.S. cable networks. This marked the first instance of a first-run television series being specifically commissioned by the service.In November the same year, Netflix added two more significant productions to its roster: the comedy-dramaOrange Is the New Black, adapted fromPiper Kerman'smemoir,and a new season of the previously cancelled Fox sitcomArrested Development.Netflix acquired the U.S. rights to the Norwegian dramaLilyhammerafter its television premiere on Norway'sNRK1on January 25, 2012. Notably departing from the traditional broadcast television model of weekly episode premieres, Netflix chose to release the entire first season on February 8 of the same year. House of Cardswas released by Netflix on February 1, 2013, marketed as the first \\\"Netflix Original\\\" production.Later that month, Netflix announced an agreement withDreamWorks Animationto commission children's television series based on its properties, beginning withTurbo: F.A.S.T., a spin-off of its filmTurbo.Orange is the New Blackwould premiere in July 2013; Netflix stated thatOrange is the New Blackhad been its most-watched original series so far, with all of them having \\\"an audience comparable with successful shows on cable and broadcast TV.\\\" On March 13, 2013, Netflix added aFacebooksharing feature, letting United States subscribers access \\\"Watched by your friends\\\" and \\\"Friends' Favorites\\\" by agreeing.This was not legal until theVideo Privacy Protection Actwas modified in early 2013.On August 1, 2013, Netflix reintroduced the \\\"Profiles\\\" feature that permits accounts to accommodate up to five user profiles. In November 2013,Marvel TelevisionandABC Studiosannounced Netflix had ordered a slate offour television seriesbased on theMarvel ComicscharactersDaredevil,Jessica Jones,Iron FistandLuke Cage. Each of the four series received an initial order of 13 episodes, and Netflix also ordered aDefendersminiseries that would tie them together.DaredevilandJessica Jonespremiered in 2015.TheLuke Cageseries premiered on September 30, 2016, followed byIron Fiston March 17, 2017, andThe Defenderson August 18, 2017.Marvel ownerDisneylater entered into other content agreements with Netflix, including acquiring its animatedStar WarsseriesStar Wars: The Clone Wars, and a new sixth season. In February 2014, Netflix began to enter into agreements with U.S. internet service providers, beginning withComcast(whose customers had repeatedly complained of frequentbufferingwhen streaming Netflix), in order to provide the service a direct connection to their networks.In April 2014, Netflix signedArrested DevelopmentcreatorMitchell Hurwitzand his production firm The Hurwitz Company to a multi-year deal to create original projects for the service.In May 2014, Netflix &Sony Pictures Animationhad a major multi-deal to acquired streaming rights to produce films.It also began to introduce an updated logo, with a flatter appearance and updated typography. In September 2014, Netflix expanded into six new European markets, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany,Luxembourg, and Switzerland.On September 10, 2014, Netflix participated inInternet Slowdown Dayby deliberately slowing down its speed in support ofnet neutralityregulations in the United States.In October 2014, Netflix announced a four-film deal withAdam Sandlerand hisHappy Madison Productions. In April 2015, following the launch ofDaredevil, Netflix director of content operations Tracy Wright announced that Netflix had added support foraudio description, and had begun to work with its partners to add descriptions to its other original series over time.The following year, as part of a settlement with theAmerican Council of the Blind, Netflix agreed to provide descriptions for its original series within 30 days of their premiere, and addscreen readersupport and the ability to browse content by availability of descriptions. In March 2015, Netflix expanded to Australia and New Zealand.In September 2015, Netflix launched in Japan, its first country in Asia.In October 2015, Netflix launched in Italy, Portugal, and Spain. In January 2016, at theConsumer Electronics Show, Netflix announced a major international expansion of its service into 130 additional countries. It then had become available worldwide except China, Syria, North Korea,KosovoandCrimea.In May 2016, Netflix created a tool called Fast.com to determine the speed of an Internet connection.It received praise for being \\\"simple\\\" and \\\"easy to use\\\", and does not includeonline advertising, unlike competitors.On November 30, 2016, Netflix launched an offline playback feature, allowing users of the Netflix mobile apps onAndroidoriOStocachecontent on their devices in standard or high quality for viewing offline, without an Internet connection. In 2016, Netflix released an estimated 126 original series or films, more than any network or cable channel.In April 2016, Hastings stated that the company planned to expand its in-house, Los Angeles-based Netflix Studios to grow its output; Hastings ruled out any potential acquisitions of existing studios. In February 2017, Netflix signed amusic publishingdeal withBMG Rights Management, whereby BMG will oversee rights outside of the United States for music associated with Netflix original content. Netflix continues to handle these tasks in-house in the United States.On April 25, 2017, Netflix signed a licensing deal withIQiyi, a Chinese video streaming platform owned byBaidu, to allow selected Netflix original content to be distributed in China on the platform. On August 7, 2017, Netflix acquiredMillarworld, the creator-owned publishing company of comic book writerMark Millar. The purchase marked the first corporate acquisition to have been made by Netflix.On August 14, 2017, Netflix entered into an exclusive development deal withShonda Rhimesand her production companyShondaland. In September 2017, Netflix announced it would offer its low-broadband mobile technology to airlines to provide better in-flight Wi-Fi so that passengers can watch movies on Netflix while on planes. In September 2017,Minister of HeritageMélanie Jolyannounced that Netflix had agreed to make aCA$500 million(US$400 million) investment over the next five years in producing content in Canada. The company denied that the deal was intended to result in atax break.Netflix realized this goal by December 2018. In October 2017, Netflix iterated a goal of having half of its library consist of original content by 2019, announcing a plan to invest $8 billion on original content in 2018.In October 2017, Netflix introduced the \\\"Skip Intro\\\" feature which allows customers to skip the intros to shows on its platform through a variety of techniques including manual reviewing, audio tagging, andmachine learning. In November 2017, Netflix signed an exclusive multi-year deal withOrange Is the New BlackcreatorJenji Kohan.In November 2017, Netflix withdrew from co-hosting a party at the75th Golden Globe AwardswithThe Weinstein Companydue to theHarvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases. Expansion into international productions and new productions (2017–2020) In November 2017, Netflix announced that it would be making its first original Colombian series, to be executive produced byCiro Guerra.In December 2017, Netflix signedStranger Thingsdirector-producerShawn Levyand his production company21 Laps Entertainmentto what sources say is a four-year deal.In 2017, Netflix invested in distributing exclusive stand-up comedy specials fromDave Chappelle,Louis C.K.,Chris Rock,Jim Gaffigan,Bill BurrandJerry Seinfeld. In February 2018, Netflix acquired the rights toThe Cloverfield ParadoxfromParamount Picturesfor $50 million and launched on its service on February 4, 2018, shortly after airing its first trailer duringSuper Bowl LII. Analysts believed that Netflix's purchase of the film helped to make the film instantly profitable for Paramount compared to a more traditional theatrical release, while Netflix benefited from the surprise reveal.Other films acquired by Netflix include international distribution for Paramount'sAnnihilationand Universal'sNews of the Worldand worldwide distribution of Universal'sExtinction,Warner Bros.'Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle,Paramount'sThe Lovebirdsand 20th Century Studios'The Woman in the Window.In March, the service orderedFormula 1: Drive to Survive, a racing docuseries following teams in theFormula Oneworld championship. In March 2018,Sky UKannounced an agreement with Netflix to integrate Netflix's subscription VOD offering into its pay-TV service. Customers with its high-end Sky Q set-top box and service will be able to see Netflix titles alongside their regular Sky channels.In October 2022, Netflix revealed that its annual revenue from the UK subscribers in 2021 was £1.4bn. In April 2018, Netflix pulled out of theCannes Film Festival, in response to new rules requiring competition films to have been released in French theaters. The Cannes premiere ofOkjain 2017 was controversial, and led to discussions over the appropriateness of films with simultaneous digital releases being screened at an event showcasing theatrical film; audience members also booed the Netflixproduction logoat the screening. Netflix's attempts to negotiate to allow a limited release in France were curtailed by organizers, as well as Frenchcultural exceptionlaw—where theatrically screened films are legally forbidden from being made available via video-on-demand services until at least 36 months after their release.Besides traditional Hollywood markets as well as from partners like theBBC, Sarandos said the company also looking to expand investments in non-traditional foreign markets due to the growth of viewers outside of North America. At the time, this included programs such asDarkfrom Germany,Ingobernablefrom Mexico and3%from Brazil. On May 22, 2018, formerpresident,Barack Obama, and his wife,Michelle Obama, signed a deal to produce docu-series, documentaries and features for Netflix under the Obamas' newly formed production company,Higher Ground Productions. In June 2018, Netflix announced a partnership withTelltale Gamesto port itsadventure gamesto the service in a streaming video format, allowing simple controls through a television remote.The first game,Minecraft: Story Mode, was released in November 2018.In July 2018, Netflix earned the most Emmy nominations of any network for the first time with 112 nods. On August 27, 2018, the company signed a five-year exclusive overall deal with international best–selling authorHarlan Coben.On the same day, the company signed an overall deal withGravity FallscreatorAlex Hirsch.In October 2018, Netflix paid under $30 million to acquireAlbuquerque Studios(ABQ Studios), a $91 million film and TV production facility with eight sound stages inAlbuquerque,New Mexico, for its first U.S. production hub, pledging to spend over $1 billion over the next decade to create one of the largest film studios in North America.In November 2018,Paramount Picturessigned a multi-picture film deal with Netflix, making Paramount the first major film studio to sign a deal with Netflix.A sequel toAwesomenessTV'sTo All the Boys I've Loved Beforewas released on Netflix under the titleTo All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love Youas part of the agreement.In December 2018, the company announced a partnership withESPN Filmson atelevision documentarychronicling Michael Jordan and the1997–98 Chicago Bulls seasontitledThe Last Dance. It was released internationally on Netflix and became available for streaming in the United States three months after a broadcast airing onESPN. In January 2019,Sex Educationmade its debut as a Netflix original series, receiving much critical acclaim.On January 22, 2019, Netflix sought and was approved for membership into theMotion Picture Association of America(MPAA), making it the first streaming service to join the association.In February 2019,The HauntingcreatorMike Flanaganjoined frequent collaborator Trevor Macy as a partner inIntrepid Picturesand the duo signed an exclusive overall deal with Netflix to produce television content.On May 9, 2019, Netflix contracted withDark Horse Entertainmentto make television series and films based on comics fromDark Horse Comics.In July 2019, Netflix announced that it would be opening a hub atShepperton Studiosas part of a deal withPinewood Group.In early-August 2019, Netflix negotiated an exclusive multi-year film and television deal withGame of Thronescreators and showrunnersDavid BenioffandD.B. Weiss.The first Netflix production created by Benioff and Weiss was planned as an adaptation ofLiu Cixin's science fiction novelThe Three-Body Problem, part of theRemembrance of Earth's Pasttrilogy.On September 30, 2019, in addition to renewingStranger Thingsfor afourth season, Netflix signedThe Duffer Brothersto anoverall dealcovering future film and television projects for the service. On November 13, 2019, Netflix andNickelodeonentered into a multi-year agreement to produce several original animated feature films and television series based on Nickelodeon's library of characters. This agreement expanded on their existing relationship, in which new specials based on the past Nickelodeon seriesInvader ZimandRocko's Modern Life(Invader Zim: Enter the FlorpusandRocko's Modern Life: Static Clingrespectively) were released by Netflix. Other new projects planned under the team-up include a music project featuringSquidward Tentaclesfrom the animated television seriesSpongeBob SquarePants, and films based onThe Loud HouseandRise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.The agreement with Disney ended in 2019 due to the launch ofDisney+, with its Marvel productions moving exclusively to the service in 2022. In November 2019, Netflix announced that it had signed a long-term lease to save the Paris Theatre, the last single-screen movie theater in Manhattan. The company oversaw several renovations at the theater, including new seats and a concession stand. In January 2020, Netflix announced a new four-film deal with Adam Sandler worth up to $275 million.On February 25, 2020, Netflix formed partnerships with six Japanese creators to produce an original Japanese anime project. This partnership includes manga creator group CLAMP, mangaka Shin Kibayashi, mangaka Yasuo Ohtagaki, novelist and film director Otsuichi, novelist Tow Ubutaka, and manga creator Mari Yamazaki.On March 4, 2020,ViacomCBSannounced that it will be producing two spin-off films based onSpongeBob SquarePantsfor Netflix.On April 7, 2020,Peter Chernin'sChernin Entertainmentmade a multi-yearfirst-look dealwith Netflix to make films.On May 29, 2020, Netflix announced the acquisition ofGrauman's Egyptian Theatrefrom theAmerican Cinemathequeto use as a special events venue.In July 2020, Netflix appointed Sarandos as co-CEO.In July 2020, Netflix invested inBlack MirrorcreatorsCharlie BrookerandAnnabel Jones' new production outfit Broke And Bones. In September 2020, Netflix signed a multi-million dollar deal with theDukeandDuchessof Sussex. Harry and Meghan agreed to a multi-year deal promising to create TV shows, films, and children's content as part of their commitment to stepping away from the duties of the royal family.In September 2020, Hastings released a book about Netflix culture titledNo Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention, which was coauthored byErin Meyer.In December 2020, Netflix signed a first-look deal withMillie Bobby Brownto develop and star in several projects including a potential action franchise. Expansion into gaming,Squid Game, new programing and new initiatives (2021–2022) In March 2021, Netflix earned the most Academy Award nominations of any studio, with 36. Netflix won seven Academy Awards, which was the most by any studio.Later that year, Netflix also won more Emmys than any other network or studio with 44 wins, tying the record for most Emmys won in a single year set by CBS in 1974. On April 8, 2021,Sony Pictures Entertainmentannounced an agreement for Netflix to hold the U.S. pay television window rights to its releases beginning in 2022, replacingStarzand expanding upon an existing agreement withSony Pictures Animation. The agreement also includes a first-look deal for any future direct-to-streaming films being produced bySony Pictures, with Netflix required to commit to a minimum number of them.On April 27, Netflix announced that it was opening its first Canadian headquarters inToronto.The company also announced that it would open an office in Sweden as well asRomeandIstanbulto increase its original content in those regions. In early-June, Netflix hosted a first-ever week-long virtual event called \\\"Geeked Week\\\", where it shared exclusive news, new trailers, cast appearances and more about upcoming genre titles likeThe Witcher,The Cuphead Show!, andThe Sandman. On June 7, 2021,Jennifer Lopez'sNuyorican Productionssigned a multi-year first-look deal with Netflix spanning feature films, TV series, and unscripted content, with an emphasis on projects that support diverse female actors, writers, and filmmakers.On June 10, 2021, Netflix announced it was launching an online store for curated products tied to the Netflix brand and shows such asStranger ThingsandThe Witcher.On June 21, 2021,Steven Spielberg'sAmblin Partnerssigned a deal with Netflix to release multiple new feature films for the streaming service.On June 30, 2021,Powerhouse Animation Studios(the studio behind Netflix'sCastlevania) announced signing a first-look deal with the streamer to produce more animated series. In July 2021, Netflix hiredMike Verdu, a former executive fromElectronic ArtsandFacebook, as vice president of game development, along with plans to add video games by 2022.Netflix announced plans to releasemobile gameswhich would be included in subscribers' plans to the service.Trial offerings were first launched for Netflix users in Poland in August 2021, offering premium mobile games based onStranger ThingsincludingStranger Things 3: The Game, for free to subscribers through the Netflix mobile app. On July 14, 2021, Netflix signed a first-look deal withJoey King, star ofThe Kissing Boothfranchise, in which King will produce and develop films for Netflix via her All The King's Horses production company.On July 21, 2021,Zack Snyder, director of Netflix'sArmy of the Dead, announced he had signed his production companyThe Stone Quarryto a first-look deal with Netflix; his upcoming projects include a sequel toArmy of the Deadand a sci-fi adventure film titledRebel Moon.In 2019, he agreed to produce ananime-styleweb seriesinspired byNorse mythology. As of August 2021,Netflix Originalsmade up 40% of Netflix's overall library in the United States.The company announced that \\\"TUDUM: A Netflix Global Fan Event\\\", a three-hour virtual behind the scenes featuring first-look reveals for 100 of the streamer's series, films and specials, would have its inaugural show in late September 2021.According to Netflix, the show garnered 25.7 million views across Netflix's 29 Netflix YouTube channels, Twitter, Twitch, Facebook, TikTok and Tudum.com. Also in September, the company announced The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience, launching in 2022 in Los Angeles,Chicago,Montreal, andWashington, D.C.. Squid Game, a South Korean survival drama created and produced byHwang Dong-hyuk, rapidly became the service's most-watched show within a week of its launch in many markets on September 17, 2021, including Korea, the U.S. and the United Kingdom.Within its first 28 days on the service,Squid Gamedrew more than 111 million viewers, surpassingBridgertonand becoming Netflix's most-watched show. On September 20, 2021, Netflix signed a long-term lease withAviva Investorsto operate and expand theLongcross StudiosinSurrey, UK.On September 21, 2021, Netflix announced that it would acquire the Roald Dahl Story Company, which manages the rights toRoald Dahl'sstories and characters, for an undisclosed price and would operate it as an independent company.The company acquiredNight School Studio, an independent video game developer, on September 28, 2021. On October 13, 2021, Netflix announced the launch of the Netflix Book Club, partnering withStarbucksfor a social series calledBut Have You Read the Book?.Uzo Adubabecame inaugural host of the series and announced monthly book selections set to be adapted by the streamer. Aduba speaks with the cast, creators, and authors about the book adaptation process over a cup of coffee at Starbucks.Through October 2021, Netflix commonly reported viewership for its programming based on the number of viewers or households that watched a show in a given period (such as the first 28 days from its premiere) for at least two minutes. On the announcement of its quarterly earnings in October 2021, the company stated that it would switch its viewership metrics to measuring the number of hours that a show was watched, including rewatches, which the company said was closer to the measurements used in linear broadcast television, and thus \\\"our members and the industry can better measure success in the streaming world.\\\" Netflix officially launched mobile games on November 2, 2021, for Android users around the world. Through the app, subscribers had free access to five games, including two previously madeStranger Thingstitles. Netflix intends to add more games to this service over time.On November 9, the collection launched foriOS.Some games in the collection require an active internet connection to play, while others will be available offline. Netflix Kids' accounts will not have games available.On November 16, Netflix announced the launch of \\\"Top10 on Netflix.com\\\", a new website with weekly global and country lists of the most popular titles on their service based on their new viewership metrics.On November 22, Netflix announced that it would acquireScanline VFX, the visual effects and animation company behindCowboy BebopandStranger Things.On the same day,Roberto Patinosigned a deal with Netflix and established his own production banner, Analog Inc., in partnership with the company. Patino's first project under the deal is a series adaptation ofImage Comics'Nocterra. On December 6, 2021, Netflix andStage 32announced that they have teamed up the workshops at the Creating Content for the Global Marketplace program.On December 7, 2021, Netflix partnered with IllumiNative, a woman-led non-profit organization, for the Indigenous Producers Training Program.On December 9, Netflix announced the launch of \\\"Tudum\\\", an official companion website that offers news, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes videos for its original television shows and films.On December 13, Netflix signed a multi-year overall deal withKalinda Vazquez.On December 16, 2021, Netflix signed a multi-year creative partnership withSpike Leeand his production company40 Acres and a Mule Filmworksto develop film and television projects. In compliance with the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive and its implementation in France, Netflix reached commitments with French broadcasting authorities and film guilds, as required by law, to invest a specific amount of its annual revenue into original French films and series. These films must be theatrically released and would not be allowed to be carried on Netflix until 15 months after their release. In January 2022, Netflix ordered additional sports docuseries fromDrive to Surviveproducers Box to Box Films, including a series that would followPGA Tourgolfers, and another that would follow professional tennis players on theATPandWTA Tourcircuits. The company announced plans to acquire Next Games in March 2022 for €65 million as part of Netflix's expansions into gaming. Next Games had developed the mobile titleStranger Things: Puzzle Talesas well as twoThe Walking Deadmobile games.Later in the month, Netflix also acquired theTexas-based mobile game developer,Boss Fight Entertainment, for an undisclosed sum. On March 15, 2022, Netflix announced a partnership withDr. SeussEnterprises to produce five new series and specials based on Seusspropertiesfollowing the success ofGreen Eggs and Ham.On March 29, 2022, Netflix announced that it would open an office in Poland to serve as a hub for its original productions acrossCentral and Eastern Europe.On March 30, 2022, Netflix extended its lease agreement with Martini Film Studios, just outside Vancouver, Canada, for another five years.On March 31, 2022, Netflix ordered a docuseries that would follow teams in the2022 Tour de France, which would also be co-produced by Box to Box Films. Following the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Netflix suspended its operations and future projects in Russia.It also announced that it would not comply with a proposed directive byRoskomnadzorrequiring all internet streaming services with more than 100,000 subscribers to integrate the major free-to-air channels (which are primarily state-owned).A month later, ex-Russian subscribers filed a class action lawsuit against Netflix. Netflix stated that 100 million households globally were sharing passwords to their account with others, and that Canada and the United States accounted for 30 million of them. Following these announcements, Netflix's stock price fell by 35 percent.By June 2022, Netflix had laid off 450 full-time and contract employees as part of the company's plan to trim costs amid lower than expected subscriber growth. On April 13, 2022, Netflix released the seriesOur Great National Parks, which was hosted and narrated by former US President Barack Obama.It also partnered with Group Effort Initiative, a company founded byRyan ReynoldsandBlake Lively, to provide opportunities behind the camera for those in underrepresented communities.On the same day, Netflix partnered with Lebanon-basedArab Fund For Arts And Culturefor supporting the Arab female filmmakers. It will provide a one-time grant of $250,000 to female producers and directors in the Arab world through the company's Fund for Creative Equity.Also on the same day, Netflix announced anExploding Kittensmobile card game tied to a new animated TV series, which will launch in May.Netflix formed a creative partnership withJ. Miles Dale.The company also formed a partnership with Japan'sStudio Colorido, signing a multi-film deal to boost their anime content in Asia. The streaming giant is said to co-produce three feature films with the studio, the first of which will premiere in September 2022.On April 28, the company launched its inauguralNetflix Is a Jokecomedy festival, featuring more than 250 shows over 12 nights at 30-plus locations across Los Angeles, including the first-ever stand-up show atDodger Stadium. The first volume ofStranger Things 4logged Netflix's biggest premiere weekend ever for an original series with 286.79 million hours viewed.This was preceded by a newStranger Thingsinteractive experience hosted in New York City that was developed by the show's creators.After the release of the second volume ofStranger Things 4on July 1, 2022, it became Netflix's second title to receive more than one billion hours viewed. On July 19, 2022, Netflix announced plans to acquire Australian animation studioAnimal Logic.That month, in collaboration withSennheiser, Netflix began to add Ambeo 2-channel audio mixes (referred to as \\\"spatial audio\\\") to selected original productions, which allows simulatedsurround soundon stereo speakers and headphones. On September 5, 2022, Netflix opened an office inWarsaw, Poland responsible for the service's operations in 28 markets in Central and Eastern Europe. On October 4, 2022, Netflix have signed a creative partnership withAndrea BerloffandJohn Gatins.On October 11, Netflix signed up with theBroadcasters' Audience Research Boardfor external measurement of viewership in the UK.On October 12, Netflix signed to build a production complex atFort MonmouthinEatontown, New Jersey.On October 18, Netflix began exploring a cloud gaming offering and opened a new gaming studio in Southern California. On November 7, 2022, Netflix announced a strategic partnership with The Seven, a Japanese production company owned byTBS Holdings, to produce multiple original live-action titles for the subscribers over the next five years.On December 12, 2022, Netflix announced that sixty-percent of its subscribers had watched aKorean drama.CEO Ted Sarandos attributed the increase in viewership of Korean content among Americans to Korean films and dramas being \\\"often unpredictable\\\" and catching \\\"the American audience by surprise\\\". On January 10, 2023, Netflix announced plans to open an engineering hub in its Warsaw office. The hub is to provide Netflix's creative partners with software solutions for the production of films and series.In February 2023, Netflix launched a wider rollout of spatial audio, and began allowing Premium subscribers to download content for offline playback on up to six devices (expanded from four). On March 4, 2023, Netflix broadcast its first-ever global live-streaming event, the stand-up comedy specialChris Rock: Selective Outrage. Netflix reworked its viewership metrics again in June 2023. Viewership of shows was measured during the first 91 days of availability, instead of the first 28 days, and now are based on the total viewership hours divided by the total hours of the show itself. This provided more equal considerations for shorter shows and movies compared to longer ones. In August 2023, the company announced Netflix Stories, a collection of interactive narrative games from Netflix series and films such asLove is Blind,Money HeistandVirgin River. Discontinuation of DVD rentals, expansion of live events, WWE agreement (2023–present) On April 18, 2023, Netflix announced that it would discontinue itsDVD-by-mailservice on September 29.Users of the service were able to keep the DVDs that they had received. Over its lifetime the service had sent out over 5 billion shipments. In October 2023, Eunice Kim was promoted to Chief Product Officer and Elizabeth Stone was promoted to Chief Technology Officer.That same month, amid a restructuring of its animation division, Netflix announced a multi-film agreement withSkydance Animationbeginning with the upcomingSpellbound. The agreement partially replaces one it had withApple TV+. In December 2023, Netflix released its first \\\"What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report\\\", a look at viewership for every original and licensed title watched more than 50,000 hours from January to June 2023. The company also announced plans to publish the report twice a year.In its first report for the first six months of 2023, it reported thatThe Night Agentwas the most watched show on globally in that period. On January 23, 2024, Netflix announced a major agreement withprofessional wrestlingpromotionWWE, under which it will acquire the international rights to its live weekly programRawbeginning in January 2025; the rights will initially cover the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Latin America, and expand to other territories over time. Outside of the United States, it will also hold international rights to all three of WWE's main weekly programs (Raw,SmackDown, andNXT),premium live events, and documentaries among other content. The agreement was reported to be valued at $500 million per-year over ten years. In February 2024, Netflix joined withPeter Morgan, creator of the Netflix seriesThe Crown, to produce the playPatriotsonBroadway. The venture is the first Broadway credit for the company but not its first stage project. It was actively involved as a producer ofStranger Things: The First Shadowin London. Both productions share a lead producer,Sonia Friedman. In May 2024, the company hosted its second Netflix Is a Joke festival in Los Angeles. It streamed several specials from the festival live, includingKatt Williams'sWoke FolkandThe Roast of Tom Brady, both of which ranked on Netflix's global top 10 the following two weeks.That same month, Netflix announced that it would stream bothNational Football LeagueChristmas gamesin 2024. For 2025 and 2026, the streamer will have exclusive rights to at least one NFL Christmas game each year. In June 2024, the company announced plans for Netflix House, a new permanent entertainment venue for fans to experience Netflix series and films. The first locations in the announcement areKing of Prussia Mallin Pennsylvania andGalleria Dallasin Texas. Availability and access Global availability Netflix is available in every country and territory except forChina,North Korea,SyriaandRussia. In January 2016, Netflix announced it would beginVPN blockingsince it can be used to watch videos from a country where they are unavailable.The result of the VPN block is that people can only watch videos available worldwide and other videos are hidden from search results.Variety is present on Netflix. Hebrew and right-to-left interface orientation, which is a common localization strategy in many markets, are what define the Israeli user interface's localization, and in some regions, Netflix offers a more affordable mobile-only subscription. Subscriptions Customers can subscribe to one of three plans; the difference in plans relates to video resolution, the number of simultaneous streams, and the number of devices to which content can be downloaded. At the end of Q1 2022, Netflix estimated that 100 million households globally were sharing passwords to their account with others.In March 2022, Netflix began to charge a fee for additional users in Chile, Peru, and Costa Rica to attempt to controlaccount sharing.On July 18, 2022, Netflix announced that it would test the account sharing feature in more countries, including Argentina, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.On October 17, Netflix launched Profile Transfer to help end account sharing. On July 13, 2022, Netflix announced plans to launch an advertising-supported subscription option.Netflix's planned advertising tier would not allow subscribers to download content like the existing ad-free platform.On July 20, 2022, it was announced that the advertising-supported tier would be coming to Netflix in 2023 but it would not feature the full library of content.In October, the launch date was announced as November 3, 2022, and was launched in 12 countries: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Japan and South Korea.The ad-supported plan was called \\\"Basic with Ads\\\" and it cost $6.99 per month in the United States at launch. On February 24, 2023, Netflix cut subscription prices in more than 30 countries around the world to attract more subscribers from those countries. Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Croatia, Venezuela, Kenya, and Iran are on the list of countries where the cost for a subscription will be reduced.In the same month stronger anti-password-sharing rules were expanded to Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain.In May 2023, these measures were further expanded to United States and Brazil subscribers. In July 2023, Netflix added 5.9 million subscribers for the second quarter of the year for a total of 238.39 million subscribers overall. The United States and Canada accounted for 1.2 million subscribers which was the largest regional quarterly gain since 2021. Netflix announced in February that it was going to enforce stricter regulations for password sharing. In May 2023, Netflix began cracking down on password-sharing in the US, UK, and Australia. Under these new rules, multiple people can use and share one account, but they have to be under the same household. Netflix defines a household as people who live in the same location as the owner of the account. Users are asked to set a primary location based on the device's IP address. Netflix reported 8.05 million new subscribers in Q2 2024, up from 5.9 million subscribers added in Q2 2023. In July 2024, Netflix started phasing out its cheapest subscription plan for users in France and the US, a year after the plan was removed for Canada and the UK. Members in these countries have the option to sign up for either the standard ad-free plan or the ad plan. Device support Netflix can be accessed via aweb browser, while Netflix apps are available on various platforms, includingBlu-rayplayers,tablet computers, mobile phones,smart TVs,digital media players, andvideo game consoles. Currently supported game consoles include: Several older devices no longer support Netflix. For home gaming consoles, this includes thePlayStation 2,PlayStation TV,WiiandWii U.For handheld gaming consoles, this includes theNintendo 3DSfamily of systems and thePlayStation Vita.The second and third generationApple TVpreviously supported Netflix with an ad-free plan, but the app was automatically removed on these devices on July 31, 2024. In addition, a growing number ofmultichannel televisionproviders, including cable television andIPTVservices, have added Netflix apps accessible within their ownset-top boxes, sometimes with the ability for its content (along with those of other online video services) to be presented within a unified search interface alongside linear television programming as an \\\"all-in-one\\\" solution. The maximum video resolution supported on computers is dependent on theDRMsystems available on a particular operating system and web browser. Content Original programming \\\"Netflix Originals\\\" are content that is produced, co-produced, or distributed exclusively by Netflix. Netflix funds its original shows differently than other TV networks when they sign a project, providing the money upfront and immediately ordering two seasons of most series.It keeps licensing rights, which normally give production companies future revenue opportunities from syndication, merchandising, etc. Over the years, Netflix output ballooned to a level unmatched by any television network or streaming service. According toVariety Insight, Netflix produced a total of 240 new original shows and movies in 2018, then climbed to 371 in 2019, a figure \\\"greater than the number of original series that the entire U.S. TV industry released in 2005.\\\"The Netflix budget allocated to production increased annually, reaching $13.6 billion in 2021 and projected to hit $18.9 billion by 2025, a figure that once again overshadowed any of its competitors.As of August 2022, original productions made up 50% of Netflix's overall library in the United States. Film and television deals Netflix has exclusivepay TVdeals with several studios. The deals give Netflix exclusive streaming rights while adhering to the structures of traditional pay TV terms. Distributors that have licensed content to Netflix include Warner Bros., Universal Pictures,Sony Pictures Entertainmentand previously The Walt Disney Studios. Netflix also holds current and back-catalog rights to television programs distributed byWalt Disney Television,DreamWorks Classics,Kino International,Warner Bros. TelevisionandParamount Global Content Distribution, along with titles from other companies such asHasbro EntertainmentandFunimation. Formerly, the streaming service also held rights to select television programs distributed byNBCUniversal Television Distribution,Sony Pictures Televisionand20th Century Fox Television. Netflix negotiated to distribute animated films from Universal that HBO declined to acquire, such asThe Lorax,ParaNorman, andMinions. Netflix holds exclusive streaming rights to the film library ofStudio Ghibli(exceptGrave of the Fireflies) worldwide except in the U.S. and Japan as part of an agreement signed with Ghibli's international sales holderWild Bunchin 2020. Netflix Games In July 2021, Netflix hired Mike Verdu, a former executive fromElectronic ArtsandFacebook, as vice president of game development, along with plans to add video games by 2022.Netflix announced plans to releasemobile gameswhich would be included in subscribers' plans to the service.Trial offerings were first launched for Netflix users in Poland in August 2021, offering premium mobile games based onStranger ThingsincludingStranger Things 3: The Game, for free to subscribers through the Netflix mobile app. Netflix officially launched mobile games on November 2, 2021, for Android users around the world. Through the app, subscribers had free access to five games, including two previously madeStranger Thingstitles. Netflix intends to add more games to this service over time.On November 9, the collection launched foriOS.Verdu said in October 2022 that besides continuing to expand their portfolio of games, they were also interested incloud gamingoptions. To support the games effort, Netflix began acquiring and forming a number of studios. The company acquiredNight School Studio, an independent video game developer, in September 2021.Netflix announced plans to acquire Next Games in March 2022 for€65 millionas part of Netflix's expansions into gaming. Next Games had developed the mobile titleStranger Things: Puzzle Talesas well as twoThe Walking Deadmobile games.Later in the month, Netflix also acquired theTexas-based mobile game developer,Boss Fight Entertainment, for an undisclosed sum.Netflix opened a mobile game studio in Helsinki, Finland in September 2022,and a new studio, their fifth total, in southern California in October 2022,alongside the acquisition ofSpry Foxin Seattle. In June 2024, Verdu was moved into a new role focusing on \\\"innovation in game development.\\\"The next month, Netflix hired Alain Tascan, vice president of game development atEpic Games, to head up Netflix Games.As of July 2024, Netflix has over 80 games in development, releasing at least one game each month to attract fans. Technology Content delivery Netflix freelypeerswithInternet service providers(ISPs) directly and at commonInternet exchange points. In June 2012, a customcontent delivery network,Open Connect, was announced.For larger ISPs with over 100,000 subscribers, Netflix offers freeNetflix Open Connectcomputer appliancesthat cache their content within the ISPs'data centersor networks to further reduceInternet transitcosts.By August 2016, Netflix closed its last physical data center, but continued to develop its Open Connect technology.A 2016 study at theUniversity of Londondetected 233 individual Open Connect locations on over six continents, with the largest amount of traffic in the US, followed by Mexico. As of July 2017, Netflix series and movies accounted for more than a third of all prime-time download Internet traffic in North America. API On October 1, 2008, Netflix offered access to its service via a publicapplication programming interface(API).It allowed access to data for all Netflix titles, and allows users to manage their movie queues. The API was free and allowed commercial use.In June 2012, Netflix began to restrict the availability of its public API.Netflix instead focused on a small number of known partners using private interfaces, since most traffic came from those private interfaces.In November 2014, Netflix retired the public API.Netflix then partnered with the developers of eight services deemed the most valuable, including Instant Watcher, Fanhattan, Yidio and Nextguide. Recommendations and thumbnails Netflix presents viewers with recommendations based on interactions with the service, such as previous viewing history and ratings of viewed content. These are often grouped into genres and formats, or feature the platform's highest-rated content. Each title is presented with a thumbnail. Before around 2015, these were the samekey artfor everyone, but since then has been customized. Netflix may select a specific key art for a thumbnail based on viewing history,such as an actor or scene type based on genre preferences.Some thumbnails are generated from video stills. The Netflix recommendation system is a vital part of the streaming platform's success, enabling personalized content suggestions for hundreds of millions of subscribers worldwide.Using advanced machine learning algorithms, Netflix analyzes user interactions, including viewing history, searches, and ratings, to deliver personalized recommendations for movies and TV shows. The recommendation system considers individual user preferences, similarities with other users with comparable tastes, specific title attributes (genre, release year, etc.), device usage patterns, and viewing time. As users interact with the platform and provide feedback with their viewing habits, the recommendation system is able to adapt and refine its suggestions over time. Netflix uses a two-tiered ranking system, using the presentation of titles on the homepage for easy navigation to maximize user engagement. This is done by organizing content into rows and ranking the titles within each row based on how much the user would be interested in it.Netflix also uses A/B testing to determine what causes the biggest interest and engagement related to options concerning movie suggestions and how titles are organized. Tags like \\\"bittersweet\\\", \\\"sitcom\\\", or \\\"intimate\\\" are assigned to each title by Netflix employees.Netflix also uses the tags to create recommendation micro-genres like \\\"Goofy TV Shows\\\" or \\\"Girls Night In\\\". Awards On July 18, 2013, Netflix earned the firstPrimetime Emmy Awardsnominations for originalstreamingprograms at the65th Primetime Emmy Awards. Three of its series,Arrested Development,Hemlock GroveandHouse of Cards, earned a combined 14 nominations (nine forHouse of Cards, three forArrested Developmentand two forHemlock Grove).TheHouse of Cardsepisode \\\"Chapter 1\\\" received four nominations for both the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards and65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, becoming the first episode of a streaming television series to receive a major Primetime Emmy Award nomination. With its win for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series, \\\"Chapter 1\\\" became the first episode from a streaming service to be awarded an Emmy.David Fincher's win for Directing for a Drama Series forHouse of Cardsmade the episode the first from a streaming service to win a Primetime Emmy. On November 6, 2013, Netflix earned its first Grammy nomination whenYou've Got TimebyRegina Spektor— the main title theme song forOrange Is the New Black— was nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media. On December 12, 2013, the network earned six nominations forGolden Globe Awards, including four forHouse of Cards.Among those nominations was Wright forGolden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Dramafor her portrayal of Claire Underwood, which she won. With the accolade, Wright became the first actress to win a Golden Globe for a streaming television series. It also marked Netflix's first major acting award.House of CardsandOrange is the New Blackalso wonPeabody Awardsin 2013. On January 16, 2014, Netflix became the first streaming service to earn an Academy Award nomination whenThe Squarewas nominated for Best Documentary Feature. On July 10, 2014, Netflix received 31 Emmy nominations. Among other nominations,House of Cardsreceived nominations forOutstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series and Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright were nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.Orange is the New Blackwas nominated in the comedy categories, earning nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series.Taylor Schilling,Kate Mulgrew, andUzo Adubawere respectively nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (the latter was for Aduba's recurring role in season one, as she was promoted to series regular for the show's second season). Netflix got the largest share of 2016 Emmy Award nominations, with 16 major nominations. However, streaming shows only got 24 nominations out of a total of 139, falling significantly behind cable. The 16 Netflix nominees were:House of Cardswith Kevin Spacey,A Very Murray Christmaswith Bill Murray,Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,Master of None, andBloodline. Stranger Thingsreceived 19 nominations at the2017 Primetime Emmy Awards, whileThe Crownreceived 13 nominations. In December 2017, Netflix was awardedPETA's Company of the Year for promoting animal rights movies and documentaries likeForks Over KnivesandWhat the Health. At the90th Academy Awards, held on March 4, 2018, the filmIcarus, distributed by Netflix, won its firstAcademy Award for Best Documentary Feature Film. During his remarks backstage, director and writer Bryan Fogel remarked that Netflix had \\\"single-handedly changed the documentary world.\\\"Icarushad its premiere at the 2017Sundance Film Festivaland was bought by Netflix for $5 million, one of the biggest deals ever for a non-fiction film.Netflix became the network whose programs received more nomination at the 2018PrimetimeandCreative Arts Emmy Awardswith 112 nominations, therefore breakingHBO's 17-years record as a network whose programs received more nomination at the Emmys, which received 108 nominations. On January 22, 2019, films distributed by Netflix scored 15 nominations for the91st Academy Awards, includingAcademy Award for Best PictureforAlfonso Cuarón'sRoma, which was nominated for 10 awards.The 15 nominations equal the total nominations films distributed by Netflix had received in previous years. In 2020, Netflix received 20 TV nominations and films distributed by Netflix also got 22 film nominations at the78th Golden Globe Awards. It secured three out of the five nominations forbest drama TV seriesforThe Crown,OzarkandRatchedand four of the five nominations forbest actress in a TV series:Olivia Colman,Emma Corrin,Laura LinneyandSarah Paulson. In 2020, Netflix earned 24 Academy Award nominations, marking the first time a streaming service led all studios. Films and programs distributed by Netflix received 30 nominations at the 2021Screen Actors Guild Awards, more than any other distribution company, where their distributed films and programs won seven awards including best motion picture forThe Trial of the Chicago 7and best TV drama forThe Crown.Netflix also received the most nominations of any studio at the93rd Academy Awards– 35 total nominations with 7 award wins. In February 2022,The Power of the Dog, a gritty western distributed by Netflix and directed by Jane Campion, received 12 nominations, including Best Picture, for the 94th annual Academy Awards. Films distributed by the streamer received a total of 72 nominations.Campion became the third female to receive the Best Director award, winning her second Oscar forThe Power of the Dog.At the50th International Emmy Awards, Netflix originalSex EducationwonBest Comedy Series.Later that year, Netflix received 26 Emmy Awards including six forSquid Game. TheSquid Gamewins forOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesandOutstanding Directing for a Drama Serieswere the first-ever for a non-English language series in those categories. In March 2023, Netflix won six Academy Awards including four forAll Quiet on the Western Frontwhich was the most awarded Netflix film in its history.Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchiowas the first streaming film to namedBest Animated FeatureandThe Elephant Whispererswas the first Indian-produced film to receiveBest Documentary Short Film.Netflix received 103 Emmy nominations including 13 each for the limited seriesBeefandDahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. In July 2024, Netflix received 107 Emmy nominations which was the most of any network. Criticism Netflix has been subject to criticism from various groups and individuals as its popularity and market reach increased in the 2010s. Customers have complained about price increases in Netflix offerings dating back to the company's decision to separate its DVD rental and streaming services, which was quickly reversed. As Netflix increased its streaming output, it has faced calls to limit accessibility tographic violenceand include viewer advisories for issues such as sensationalism and promotion ofpseudoscience. Netflix's content has also been criticized bydisability rights movementadvocates for lack ofclosed captioningquality. Some media organizations and competitors have criticized Netflix for selectively releasing ratings andviewer numbersof its original programming. The company has made claims boasting about viewership records without providing data to substantiate its successes or using problematic estimation methods.In March 2020, some government agencies called for Netflix and other streamers to limit services due to increased broadband and energy consumption as use of the platform increased. In response, the company announced it would reducebit rateacross all streams in Europe, thus decreasing Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25 percent. These same steps were later taken in India. In May 2022, Netflix's shareholder Imperium Irrevocable Trust filed a lawsuit against the company for violating the U.S.securitieslaws.In January 2024, a federal judge dismissed the suit, stating that shareholders failed to provide instances of Netflix lying about subscriber growth. In May 2023, Netflix officially banned the use of password sharing between individuals of different households, meaning sharing an account was only available to those living in the same house. See also References Further reading External links\",\n \"Marc Randolph Marc Bernays Randolph(born April 29, 1958) is an American tech entrepreneur, advisor and speaker.He is the co-founder and firstCEOofNetflix. A serial entrepreneur who is said to have helped found the U.S. edition ofMacworldmagazine and the computer mail-order businesses MacWarehouse andMicroWarehouse,Randolph now serves on the boards ofLooker Data Sciencesand Chubbies Shorts. He previously served on the boards of Getable, Rafter, ReadyForce. Randolph, who has equated founding companies to his experience as a mountain guide, is the chairman of the board of trustees of theNational Outdoor Leadership School(NOLS) in Lander,Wyoming and a board member of the environmental advocacy group1% for the Planet. Early life and education Randolph was born to aJewishfamily inChappaqua, New York, the eldest child of Stephen Bernays Randolph, an Austrian-born nuclear engineer turned financial adviser and Muriel Lipchik of Brooklyn, New York who ran her own real estate firm.One of Randolph's paternal great-grand uncles was psychoanalysis pioneerSigmund Freud. Another paternal great-uncle of Randolph wasEdward Bernays, an Austrian-American pioneer in the field of public relations and propaganda.Randolph spent his summers during high school and college working for the National Outdoor Leadership School, becoming one of its youngest instructors. He graduated fromHamilton Collegein New York with a geology degree. Career Early career Randolph's first job out of college in 1981 was atCherry Lane MusicCompany in New York. Put in charge of the company's small mail-order operation, Randolph taught himself direct mail and marketing techniques while tinkering with different ways to sell Cherry Lane's catalog of sheet music directly to consumers. Randolph's fascination with using computer software to track customers' buying behavior would ultimately inform his decision to create a user interface at Netflix that doubled as a market research platform.He further developed his theories about using direct mail to influence and retain customers doing circulation work while helping found the U.S. version ofMacUsermagazine in 1984. While co-founding computer mail-order firms MacWarehouse andMicroWarehousewith Peter Godfrey and his partners about a year later, Randolph made the connection between overnight delivery and improved customer retention.The discovery later proved crucial to Netflix's growth and survival: the company's subscriber base first blossomed and cut intoBlockbuster Increvenues in cities where Netflix offered overnight DVD delivery. Randolph spent the dawn of the Internet age building direct-to-consumer marketing operations at software giantBorlandInternational starting in 1988. He left Borland in 1995 for a series of short stints at Silicon Valley start-ups, including heading marketing at desktop scanner makerVisioneer, and then as a member of the founding team of Integrity QA, a developer of automated software testing products.In late 1996, software debugging companyPure Atriaacquired the nine-person software startup. Pure Atria's founder and CEOReed Hastingsretained Randolph as vice president of corporate marketing for the rapidly expanding Pure Atria.In late 1996, Pure Atria announced thatRational Softwarewould acquire it in an $850 million stock swap in what was then the richest merger inSilicon Valleyhistory.Hastings and Randolph commuted together between their homes inSanta Cruz, California, into Silicon Valley for about four months while the Rational merger was finalized, and on these drives, the idea for Netflix was born. Netflix Randolph wanted to replicate the e-commerce model pioneered by online booksellerAmazon.com. He had heard that digital-versatile-discs (DVD) were being tested in several U.S. markets, and he wanted to explore the concept of selling the compact new digital format online. He and Hastings could not find a DVD, so they tested the idea with acompact disc.\\\"Reed and I were in downtown Santa Cruz and we were saying, 'I wonder if we can mail these things',\\\" Randolph said. \\\"We went in and bought a music CD and went into one of the stationery stores … and bought a greeting card and stuck the CD in the envelope and mailed it to Reed's house. And the next day, he said, 'It came. It's fine.' If there was an aha moment, that was it.\\\"Hastings, Randolph's mother, and Integrity QA founder Steve Kahn were initial investors in Netflix when plans first started in 1996-1997.Randolph named the company, designed its initial user interface and branding and acted as chief executive for the first year while Hastings attendedStanford Universitygraduate school. Netflix launched on April 14, 1998, out of an office park inScotts Valley, California.Randolph designed the user interface to act as an online catalog of movies and a market research platform so that he could constantly test different versions to perfect the user experience. The data generated by these market tests led the team to three concepts that they combined in 1999 to create Netflix's successful business model: a subscription-based service with no due dates or late fees and unlimited access to content, a \\\"Queue\\\" that allowed subscribers to specify the order in which DVDs should be mailed to them, and a serialized delivery system that automatically mailed out a DVD as soon as the previous rental was returned. The subscriber data collected by the user interface fed a recommendation engine known as Cinematch, that helped manage the company's limited DVD inventory by guiding subscribers to movies and TV shows that were in stock and generally away from new releases. Randolph ceded the CEO post to Hastings in 1999 and turned to product development. He and founding team memberMitch Lowetested a concept for a movie rental kiosk called Netflix Express that Lowe later turned into movie kiosk giantRedboxafter Hastings rejected it as a line of business.Randolph left Netflix in 2002 after helping guide the company through its initial public offering two years earlier.He credited Hastings with successfully scaling the company to 93 million subscribers worldwide,and said he preferred the start-up stage.\\\"At the beginning, it's very much triage. If there are a hundred things broken and you need the skill to pick the three you've got to fix, I'm really good at that. I'm not good at the other ninety-seven,\\\" Randolph said. After Netflix Since his departure from Netflix, Randolph has served as a mentor at MiddCOREand a board member ofLooker Data Sciences.He is also Entrepreneur in Residence forHigh Point Universityand its Belk Entrepreneurship Center.In addition to his mentorships he is a keynote speaker, focusing on entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. He travels the world speaking about his experience with Netflix and the lessons he has learned from his other startup investments. In September 2019, his book,That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Ideawas published byLittle, Brown and Company. Personal life Randolph has been married to Lorraine Kiernan since 1987. They have three children. He now lives in Santa Cruz, California. References External links\",\n \"One Percent for the Planet One Percent for the Planetis an international organization whose members contribute at least one percent of their annualrevenueto environmental causes to protect the environment. Since 1985,Patagoniapledged 1% of sales to the preservation of restoration of the natural environment. In 2002,1% for the Planetwas founded byYvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies,to \\\"encourage more businesses to donate 1% of sales to environmental groups\\\".Since its creation, the organization has been joined by countries around the world, with a great number of partners in France, Great Britain, Australia, and Japan.France is the only country to have an independent entity. Members BICjoined as a member in 2022 with an eco-friendly product line;Honest Teajoined with a glass product line.Other notable members includeOXO,New Belgium Brewing Company, Klean Kanteen, andNature's Path's EnviroKidz brand. References External links\",\n \"Yvon Chouinard Yvon Chouinard(born November 9, 1938)is an American rock climber, environmentalist, philanthropist, and outdoor industry businessman. His company,Patagonia, is known for its high quality outdoor products and outerwear. He was named one of the100 most influential people in the worldbyTimemagazine in 2023. Chouinard is also a surfer, kayaker, and falconer and is particularly fond oftenkarafly-fishing.He has written about climbing issues and ethics and on mixingenvironmentalismand business. Early life Chouinard's father was aFrench-Canadianhandyman, mechanic, and plumber. In 1947, Yvon and his family moved fromLewiston, Maineto Southern California. They wereCatholic. His early climbing partners includedRoyal RobbinsandTom Frost.ASierra Clubmember, in his youth he founded the Southern California Falconry Club, and it was his investigations offalconaeriesthat led him to rock climbing.To save money and to make adaptations for the way he was climbing, he decided to make his own climbing tools by teaching himself blacksmithing, and eventually started a business. Yosemite rock climber to leading alpinist Chouinard was one of the leading climbers of the \\\"Golden Age of Yosemite Climbing.\\\" He was one of the protagonists of the film made about this era:Valley Uprising(2014). He participated in the first ascent of the North America Wall in 1964 (withRoyal Robbins,Tom Frost, andChuck Pratt), using no fixed ropes. The next year, his and TM Herbert's ascent of the Muir Wall on El Capitan improved the style of previous first ascents.Chouinard became the most articulate advocate of the importance of style, the basis of modern rock climbing. In 1961, he visited Western Canada withFred Beckey, and made several important first ascents, including the North Face ofMount Edith Cavell(Rockies), the Beckey-Chouinard Route on South Howser Tower in theBugaboos(Purcell Mountains), and the North Face ofMount Sir Donald(Selkirk Mountains). These climbs opened his eyes to the idea of applying Yosemite big-wall climbing techniques to mountain climbing, and his advocacy was important to modern,high-grade alpinism. Also in 1961, he visitedShawangunk Ridgefor the first time,freeclimbingthe first pitch of Matinee (the hardest free climb done at Shawangunk Ridge at the time); and introducingchrome-molybdenum steelpitons to the area, which revolutionized climbing protection. In 1968, he climbedCerro FitzroyinPatagoniaby a new route (The Californian Route, 3rd overall ascent of the mountain) with Dick Dorworth,Chris Jones, Lito Tejada-Flores, andDouglas Tompkins. Chouinard has also traveled and climbed in the European Alps and in Pakistan. Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. In 1957, he bought a second-hand coal-fired forge, and started making hardened steelpitonsfor use inYosemiteValley. Between time spent surfing and climbing, he sold pitons out of the back of his car to support himself. The improved pitons were a big factor in the birth of big-wall climbing from 1957 to 1960 in Yosemite. The success of his pitons caused him to found Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. In the late 1960s, Chouinard and business partnerTom Frostbegan studying ice climbing equipment, and re-invented the basic tools (cramponsand ice axes) to perform on steeper ice. These new tools and his bookClimbing Ice(1978) started the modern sport of ice climbing. Around 1970, he became aware that the use of steel pitons made by his company was causing significant damage to the cracks of Yosemite. These pitons composed 70 percent of his income.In 1971 and 1972, Chouinard and Frost introduced new aluminum chockstones, calledHexentricsand Stoppers, along with the less successful steel Crack-n-Ups, and committed the company to the advocacy of the new tools and a new style of climbing called \\\"clean climbing.\\\" This concept revolutionized rock climbing and led to further success of the company, despite cannibalizing the sales of pitons, formerly his most important product. They applied for a U.S. patent on Hexentrics in 1974, and it was granted on April 6, 1976.These are still manufactured byBlack Diamond Equipment. In the latter 1960s, Chouinard attempted a number of significant technological and technique changes to ice climbing after trips to the Alps in Europe and Sierra Nevada ice gullies in autumn. He removed the flex from crampons, making them more rigid for front-pointing. He drew the taper of a rock hammer into a point for better ice purchase. He increased the cross section of ice screws while also using lighter materials. He experimented with pick and blade issues with ice axes. Prior to this, much of ice climbing was seen as mere step cutting. He attempted to replace hand ice picks (climbing type) with a small ice axe head called a Climaxe. In 1989, Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. filed for bankruptcy protection in order to protect it from liability lawsuits. The hard assets of Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. were acquired by its employees through theChapter 11process, and the company was reestablished asBlack Diamond Equipment, Ltd. Patagonia and environmentalism Chouinard is most known for founding the clothing and gear companyPatagonia. Chouinard started to sell clothes by chance as a way to support his moderately profitable equipment business.In 1970 on a trip to Scotland, he purchased some rugby shirts and sold them with great success.From this small start, the Patagonia company developed a wide selection of rugged technical clothing. According to Chouinard, the intent of Patagonia is to make clothes for people under the rugged, southern Andes/Cape Horn conditions of places like Patagonia. Recognizing that the financial success of the company provided the opportunity to also achieve personal goals, Chouinard committed the company to being an outstanding place to work, and to be an important resource for environmental activism. In 1984, Patagonia opened an on-site cafeteria offering \\\"healthy, mostly vegetarian food,\\\" and started providing on-site child care.In 1986, Chouinard committed the company to \\\"tithing\\\" for environmental activism, committing one percent of sales or ten percent of profits, whichever is the greater. The commitment included paying employees working on local environmental projects so they could commit their efforts full-time. In the early 1990s, an environmental audit of Patagonia revealed the surprising result (at the time), that corporatecotton, although it was a natural material, had a heavy environmental footprint. In 1996, Chouinard committed the company to using all organic cotton. In 2002, Yvon Chouinard founded1% for the Planetand Patagonia became the first business to commit 1% of annual sales to the environment. In 2014, Patagonia supported the advocacy documentary filmDamNation, which is about changing attitudes in America towards its dams. Chouinard was the executive producer of the film, and he was also featured in the film commenting about dams. In 2018, in acknowledgment that sustainability and responsible practices are core to Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard was recognized with theSierra Club's top award, theJohn Muir Award. In 2022, Chouinard announced that he was donating ownership in Patagonia to atrustto ensure profits are used for addressingclimate change.Chouinard's family retains control of the company's voting stock through the Patagonia Purpose Trust. Personal life In 1971, Chouinard met and married his wife, Malinda Pennoyer, who was an art and home economics student atCalifornia State University, Fresno.They have a son (Fletcher) and a daughter (Claire), both of whom work for Patagonia. In 2021, Yvon Chouinard received an honorary degree fromBates College. Publications Notable ascents Related reading References Other sources External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Netflix Netflixis an Americansubscription video on-demandover-the-topstreamingservice. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple languages. Launched in 2007, nearly a decade afterNetflix, Inc.began its pioneeringDVD-by-mailmovie rentalservice, Netflix is themost-subscribed video on demandstreaming mediaservices, with 282.7 million paid memberships in more than 190 countries as of 2024.By 2022, \"Netflix Original\" productions accounted for half of its library in the United States and the namesake company had ventured into other categories, such asvideo game publishingofmobile gamesthrough its flagship service. As of 2023, Netflix is the23rd most-visited website in the world, with 23.66% of its traffic coming from the United States, followed by the United Kingdom at 5.84%, and Brazil at 5.64%. History Launch as a mail-based rental business (1997–2006) Netflix was founded byMarc RandolphandReed Hastingson","Hastingson August 29, 1997, inScotts Valley, California. Hastings, a computer scientist and mathematician, was a co-founder ofPure Software, which was acquired byRational Softwarethat year for $750 million, the then biggest acquisition inSilicon Valleyhistory.Randolph had worked as a marketing director forPure Softwareafter Pure Atria acquired a company where Randolph worked. He was previously a co-founder ofMicroWarehouse, a computer mail-order company, as well as vice president of marketing forBorland.Hastings and Randolph came up with the idea for Netflix whilecarpoolingbetween their homes inSanta Cruz, California, and Pure Atria's headquarters in Sunnyvale.Patty McCord, later head ofhuman resourcesat Netflix, was also in the carpool group.Randolph admiredAmazonand wanted to find a large category of portable items to sell over theInternetusing a similar model. Hastings and Randolph considered and rejected selling and rentingVHSas too expensive to stock and too delicate to ship.When they heard about DVDs,","heard about DVDs, first introduced in the United States in early 1997, they tested the concept of selling or renting DVDs by mail, by mailing acompact discto Hastings's house in Santa Cruz.When the CD arrived intact, they decided to enter the $16 billionHome-videosales and rental industry.Hastings is often quoted saying that he decided to start Netflix after being fined $40 at a Blockbuster store for being late to return a copy ofApollo 13.Hastings invested $2.5 million into Netflix from the sale of Pure Atria.Netflix launched as the first DVD rental and sales website with 30 employees and 925 titles available—nearly all DVDs published.Randolph and Hastings met withJeff Bezos, whereAmazonoffered to acquire Netflix for between $14 and $16 million. Fearing competition from Amazon, Randolph at first thought the offer was fair, but Hastings, who owned 70% of the company, turned it down on the plane ride home. Initially, Netflix offered a per-rental model for each DVD but introduced a monthly subscription concept","concept in September 1999.The per-rental model was dropped by early 2000, allowing the company to focus on the business model of flat-fee unlimited rentals without due dates, late fees, shipping and handling fees, or per-title rental fees.In September 2000, during thedot-com bubble, while Netflix was suffering losses, Hastings and Randolph offered to sell the company toBlockbusterfor $50 million.John Antioco, CEO of Blockbuster, thought the offer was a joke and declined, saying, \"The dot-com hysteria is completely overblown.\"While Netflix experienced fast growth in early 2001, the continued effects of the dot-com bubble collapse and theSeptember 11 attackscaused the company to hold off plans for itsinitial public offering(IPO) and to lay off one-third of its 120 employees. DVD players were a popular gift for holiday sales in late 2001, and demand for DVD subscription services were \"growing like crazy\", according to chief talent officerPatty McCord.The company wentpublicon May 23, 2002, selling 5.5 million","selling 5.5 million shares ofcommon stockat US$15.00 per share.In 2003, Netflix was issued a patent by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office to cover its subscription rental service and several extensions.Netflix posted its first profit in 2003, earning $6.5 million on revenues of $272 million; by 2004, profit had increased to $49 million on over $500 million in revenues.In 2005, 35,000 different films were available, and Netflix shipped 1 million DVDs out every day. In 2004, Blockbuster introduced a DVD rental service, which not only allowed users to check out titles through online sites but allowed for them to return them atbrick and-mortarstores.By 2006, Blockbuster's service reached two million users, and while trailing Netflix's subscriber count, was drawing business away from Netflix. Netflix lowered fees in 2007.While it was anurban legendthat Netflix ultimately \"killed\" Blockbuster in the DVD rental market, Blockbuster's debt load and internal disagreements hurt the company. On April 4, 2006, Netflix","4, 2006, Netflix filed apatent infringementlawsuit in which it demanded ajury trialin theUnited States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging thatBlockbuster'sonline DVD rentalsubscription program violated two patents held by Netflix. The firstcause of actionalleged Blockbuster's infringement of copying the \"dynamic queue\" of DVDs available for each customer, Netflix's method of using the ranked preferences in the queue to send DVDs to subscribers, and Netflix's method permitting the queue to be updated and reordered.The second cause of action alleged infringement of the subscription rental service as well as Netflix's methods of communication and delivery.The companies settled their dispute on June 25, 2007; terms were not disclosed. On October 1, 2006, Netflix announced theNetflix Prize, $1,000,000 to the first developer of a video-recommendationalgorithmthat could beat its existing algorithm Cinematch, at predicting customer ratings by more than 10%. On September 21, 2009, it","21, 2009, it awarded the $1,000,000 prize to team \"BellKor's Pragmatic Chaos\".Cinematch, launched in 2000, was a system that recommended movies to its users, many of which might have been entirely new to the user. Through its divisionRed Envelope Entertainment, Netflix licensed and distributed independent films such asBorn into BrothelsandSherrybaby. In late 2006,Red Envelope Entertainmentalso expanded into producing original content with filmmakers such asJohn Waters.Netflix closed Red Envelope Entertainment in 2008. Transition to streaming services (2007–2012) In January 2007, the company launched astreaming mediaservice, introducingvideo on demandvia the Internet. However, at that time it only had 1,000 films available for streaming, compared to 70,000 available on DVD.The company had for some time considered offering movies online, but it was only in the mid-2000s that data speeds and bandwidth costs had improved sufficiently to allow customers to download movies from the net. The original idea was a","original idea was a \"Netflix box\" that could download movies overnight, and be ready to watch the next day. By 2005, Netflix had acquired movie rights and designed the box and service. But after witnessing how popular streaming services such asYouTubewere despite the lack of high-definition content, the concept of using a hardware device was scrapped and replaced with a streaming concept. In February 2007, Netflix delivered its billionth DVD, a copy ofBabelto a customer in Texas.In April 2007, Netflix recruitedReplayTVfounderAnthony Wood, to build a \"Netflix Player\" that would allow streaming content to be played directly on a television rather than a desktop or laptop.Hastings eventually shut down the project to help encourage other hardware manufacturers to include built-in Netflix support, which would be spun off as thedigital media playerproductRoku. In January 2008, all rental-disc subscribers became entitled to unlimited streaming at no additional cost. This change came in a response to the","a response to the introduction ofHuluand toApple's new video-rental services.In August 2008, the Netflix database was corrupted and the company was not able to ship DVDs to customers for 3 days, leading the company to move all its data to theAmazon Web Servicescloud.In November 2008, Netflix began offering subscribers rentals onBlu-rayand discontinued its sale of used DVDs.In 2009, Netflix streams overtook DVD shipments. On January 6, 2010, Netflix agreed withWarner Bros.to delay new release rentals to 28 days after the DVDs became available for sale, in an attempt to help studios sell physical copies, and similar deals involvingUniversal Picturesand20th Century Foxwere reached on April 9.In July 2010, Netflix signed a deal to stream movies ofRelativity Media.In August 2010, Netflix reached a five-year deal worth nearly $1 billion to stream films fromParamount,LionsgateandMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The deal increased Netflix's annual spending fees, adding roughly $200 million per year. It spent $117 million in the","$117 million in the first six months of 2010 on streaming, up from $31 million in 2009.On September 22, 2010, Netflix launched in Canada, its first international market.In November 2010, Netflix began offering a standalone streaming service separate from DVD rentals. In 2010, Netflix acquired the rights toBreaking Bad, produced by Sony Pictures Television, after the show's third season, at a point where original broadcasterAMChad expressed the possibility of cancelling the show. Sony pushed Netflix to releaseBreaking Badin time for the fourth season, which as a result, greatly expanded the show's audience on AMC due to new viewers bingeing on the Netflix past episodes, and doubling the viewership by the time of the fifth season.Breaking Badis considered the first such show to have this \"Netflix effect\". In January 2011, Netflix announced agreements with several manufacturers to includebranded Netflix buttonson theremote controlsof devices compatible with the service, such asBlu-ray players.By May 2011,","May 2011, Netflix had become the largest source of Internet streaming traffic in North America, accounting for 30% of traffic during peak hours. On July 12, 2011, Netflix announced that it would separate its existing subscription plans into two separate plans: one covering the streaming and the other DVD rental services.The cost for streaming would be $7.99 per month, while DVD rental would start at the same price.On September 11, 2011, Netflix expanded to countries in Latin America.On September 18, 2011, Netflix announced its intentions to rebrand and restructure its DVD home media rental service as an independent subsidiary called Qwikster, separating DVD rental and streaming services.On September 26, 2011, Netflix announced a content deal withDreamWorks Animation.On October 10, 2011, Netflix announced that it would retain its DVD service under the name Netflix and that its streaming and DVD-rental plans would remain branded together, citing customer dissatisfaction with the split. In October 2011. Netflix","2011. Netflix andThe CWsigned a multi-year output deal for its television shows.On January 9, 2012, Netflix started its expansion to Europe, launching in the United Kingdom and Ireland.In February 2012, Netflix reached a multi-year agreement withThe Weinstein Company.In March 2012, Netflix acquired thedomain nameDVD.com.By 2016, Netflix rebranded its DVD-by-mail service under the nameDVD.com, A Netflix Company.In April 2012, Netflix filed with theFederal Election Commission(FEC) to form apolitical action committee(PAC) called FLIXPAC.Netflix spokesperson Joris Evers tweeted that the intent was to \"engage on issues likenet neutrality,bandwidth caps,UBBandVPPA\".In June 2012, Netflix signed a deal withOpen Road Films. On August 23, 2012, Netflix andThe Weinstein Companysigned a multi-year output deal for RADiUS-TWC films.In September 2012,Epixsigned a five-year streaming deal with Netflix. For the initial two years of this agreement, first-run and back-catalog content from Epix was exclusive to Netflix. Epix","to Netflix. Epix films came to Netflix 90 days after premiering on Epix.These included films from Paramount, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Lionsgate. On October 18, 2012, Netflix launched in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.On December 4, 2012, Netflix and Disney announced an exclusive multi-year agreement for first-run United States subscription television rights to Walt Disney Studios' animated and live-action films, with classics such asDumbo,Alice in WonderlandandPocahontasavailable immediately and others available on Netflix beginning in 2016.Direct-to-videoreleases were made available in 2013. On January 14, 2013, Netflix signed an agreement withTime Warner'sTurner Broadcasting Systemand Warner Bros. Television to distributeCartoon Network,Warner Bros. Animation, andAdult Swimcontent, as well asTNT'sDallas, beginning in March 2013. The rights to these programs were given to Netflix shortly after deals withViacomto streamNickelodeonandNick Jr. Channelprograms expired. For cost reasons, Netflix stated that","Netflix stated that it would limit its expansion in 2013,adding only one new market—the Netherlands—in September of that year. This expanded its availability to 40 territories. Development of original programming and distribution expansion (2013–2017) In 2011, Netflix began its efforts into original content development. In March, it made a straight-to-series order fromMRCfor the political dramaHouse of Cards, led byKevin Spacey, outbidding U.S. cable networks. This marked the first instance of a first-run television series being specifically commissioned by the service.In November the same year, Netflix added two more significant productions to its roster: the comedy-dramaOrange Is the New Black, adapted fromPiper Kerman'smemoir,and a new season of the previously cancelled Fox sitcomArrested Development.Netflix acquired the U.S. rights to the Norwegian dramaLilyhammerafter its television premiere on Norway'sNRK1on January 25, 2012. Notably departing from the traditional broadcast television model of weekly","model of weekly episode premieres, Netflix chose to release the entire first season on February 8 of the same year. House of Cardswas released by Netflix on February 1, 2013, marketed as the first \"Netflix Original\" production.Later that month, Netflix announced an agreement withDreamWorks Animationto commission children's television series based on its properties, beginning withTurbo: F.A.S.T., a spin-off of its filmTurbo.Orange is the New Blackwould premiere in July 2013; Netflix stated thatOrange is the New Blackhad been its most-watched original series so far, with all of them having \"an audience comparable with successful shows on cable and broadcast TV.\" On March 13, 2013, Netflix added aFacebooksharing feature, letting United States subscribers access \"Watched by your friends\" and \"Friends' Favorites\" by agreeing.This was not legal until theVideo Privacy Protection Actwas modified in early 2013.On August 1, 2013, Netflix reintroduced the \"Profiles\" feature that permits accounts to accommodate up to","accommodate up to five user profiles. In November 2013,Marvel TelevisionandABC Studiosannounced Netflix had ordered a slate offour television seriesbased on theMarvel ComicscharactersDaredevil,Jessica Jones,Iron FistandLuke Cage. Each of the four series received an initial order of 13 episodes, and Netflix also ordered aDefendersminiseries that would tie them together.DaredevilandJessica Jonespremiered in 2015.TheLuke Cageseries premiered on September 30, 2016, followed byIron Fiston March 17, 2017, andThe Defenderson August 18, 2017.Marvel ownerDisneylater entered into other content agreements with Netflix, including acquiring its animatedStar WarsseriesStar Wars: The Clone Wars, and a new sixth season. In February 2014, Netflix began to enter into agreements with U.S. internet service providers, beginning withComcast(whose customers had repeatedly complained of frequentbufferingwhen streaming Netflix), in order to provide the service a direct connection to their networks.In April 2014, Netflix","April 2014, Netflix signedArrested DevelopmentcreatorMitchell Hurwitzand his production firm The Hurwitz Company to a multi-year deal to create original projects for the service.In May 2014, Netflix &Sony Pictures Animationhad a major multi-deal to acquired streaming rights to produce films.It also began to introduce an updated logo, with a flatter appearance and updated typography. In September 2014, Netflix expanded into six new European markets, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany,Luxembourg, and Switzerland.On September 10, 2014, Netflix participated inInternet Slowdown Dayby deliberately slowing down its speed in support ofnet neutralityregulations in the United States.In October 2014, Netflix announced a four-film deal withAdam Sandlerand hisHappy Madison Productions. In April 2015, following the launch ofDaredevil, Netflix director of content operations Tracy Wright announced that Netflix had added support foraudio description, and had begun to work with its partners to add descriptions to its","descriptions to its other original series over time.The following year, as part of a settlement with theAmerican Council of the Blind, Netflix agreed to provide descriptions for its original series within 30 days of their premiere, and addscreen readersupport and the ability to browse content by availability of descriptions. In March 2015, Netflix expanded to Australia and New Zealand.In September 2015, Netflix launched in Japan, its first country in Asia.In October 2015, Netflix launched in Italy, Portugal, and Spain. In January 2016, at theConsumer Electronics Show, Netflix announced a major international expansion of its service into 130 additional countries. It then had become available worldwide except China, Syria, North Korea,KosovoandCrimea.In May 2016, Netflix created a tool called Fast.com to determine the speed of an Internet connection.It received praise for being \"simple\" and \"easy to use\", and does not includeonline advertising, unlike competitors.On November 30, 2016, Netflix launched an","Netflix launched an offline playback feature, allowing users of the Netflix mobile apps onAndroidoriOStocachecontent on their devices in standard or high quality for viewing offline, without an Internet connection. In 2016, Netflix released an estimated 126 original series or films, more than any network or cable channel.In April 2016, Hastings stated that the company planned to expand its in-house, Los Angeles-based Netflix Studios to grow its output; Hastings ruled out any potential acquisitions of existing studios. In February 2017, Netflix signed amusic publishingdeal withBMG Rights Management, whereby BMG will oversee rights outside of the United States for music associated with Netflix original content. Netflix continues to handle these tasks in-house in the United States.On April 25, 2017, Netflix signed a licensing deal withIQiyi, a Chinese video streaming platform owned byBaidu, to allow selected Netflix original content to be distributed in China on the platform. On August 7, 2017, Netflix","7, 2017, Netflix acquiredMillarworld, the creator-owned publishing company of comic book writerMark Millar. The purchase marked the first corporate acquisition to have been made by Netflix.On August 14, 2017, Netflix entered into an exclusive development deal withShonda Rhimesand her production companyShondaland. In September 2017, Netflix announced it would offer its low-broadband mobile technology to airlines to provide better in-flight Wi-Fi so that passengers can watch movies on Netflix while on planes. In September 2017,Minister of HeritageMélanie Jolyannounced that Netflix had agreed to make aCA$500 million(US$400 million) investment over the next five years in producing content in Canada. The company denied that the deal was intended to result in atax break.Netflix realized this goal by December 2018. In October 2017, Netflix iterated a goal of having half of its library consist of original content by 2019, announcing a plan to invest $8 billion on original content in 2018.In October 2017, Netflix","2017, Netflix introduced the \"Skip Intro\" feature which allows customers to skip the intros to shows on its platform through a variety of techniques including manual reviewing, audio tagging, andmachine learning. In November 2017, Netflix signed an exclusive multi-year deal withOrange Is the New BlackcreatorJenji Kohan.In November 2017, Netflix withdrew from co-hosting a party at the75th Golden Globe AwardswithThe Weinstein Companydue to theHarvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases. Expansion into international productions and new productions (2017–2020) In November 2017, Netflix announced that it would be making its first original Colombian series, to be executive produced byCiro Guerra.In December 2017, Netflix signedStranger Thingsdirector-producerShawn Levyand his production company21 Laps Entertainmentto what sources say is a four-year deal.In 2017, Netflix invested in distributing exclusive stand-up comedy specials fromDave Chappelle,Louis C.K.,Chris Rock,Jim Gaffigan,Bill BurrandJerry Seinfeld. In February","In February 2018, Netflix acquired the rights toThe Cloverfield ParadoxfromParamount Picturesfor $50 million and launched on its service on February 4, 2018, shortly after airing its first trailer duringSuper Bowl LII. Analysts believed that Netflix's purchase of the film helped to make the film instantly profitable for Paramount compared to a more traditional theatrical release, while Netflix benefited from the surprise reveal.Other films acquired by Netflix include international distribution for Paramount'sAnnihilationand Universal'sNews of the Worldand worldwide distribution of Universal'sExtinction,Warner Bros.'Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle,Paramount'sThe Lovebirdsand 20th Century Studios'The Woman in the Window.In March, the service orderedFormula 1: Drive to Survive, a racing docuseries following teams in theFormula Oneworld championship. In March 2018,Sky UKannounced an agreement with Netflix to integrate Netflix's subscription VOD offering into its pay-TV service. Customers with its high-end Sky Q","its high-end Sky Q set-top box and service will be able to see Netflix titles alongside their regular Sky channels.In October 2022, Netflix revealed that its annual revenue from the UK subscribers in 2021 was £1.4bn. In April 2018, Netflix pulled out of theCannes Film Festival, in response to new rules requiring competition films to have been released in French theaters. The Cannes premiere ofOkjain 2017 was controversial, and led to discussions over the appropriateness of films with simultaneous digital releases being screened at an event showcasing theatrical film; audience members also booed the Netflixproduction logoat the screening. Netflix's attempts to negotiate to allow a limited release in France were curtailed by organizers, as well as Frenchcultural exceptionlaw—where theatrically screened films are legally forbidden from being made available via video-on-demand services until at least 36 months after their release.Besides traditional Hollywood markets as well as from partners like theBBC,","like theBBC, Sarandos said the company also looking to expand investments in non-traditional foreign markets due to the growth of viewers outside of North America. At the time, this included programs such asDarkfrom Germany,Ingobernablefrom Mexico and3%from Brazil. On May 22, 2018, formerpresident,Barack Obama, and his wife,Michelle Obama, signed a deal to produce docu-series, documentaries and features for Netflix under the Obamas' newly formed production company,Higher Ground Productions. In June 2018, Netflix announced a partnership withTelltale Gamesto port itsadventure gamesto the service in a streaming video format, allowing simple controls through a television remote.The first game,Minecraft: Story Mode, was released in November 2018.In July 2018, Netflix earned the most Emmy nominations of any network for the first time with 112 nods. On August 27, 2018, the company signed a five-year exclusive overall deal with international best–selling authorHarlan Coben.On the same day, the company signed an","company signed an overall deal withGravity FallscreatorAlex Hirsch.In October 2018, Netflix paid under $30 million to acquireAlbuquerque Studios(ABQ Studios), a $91 million film and TV production facility with eight sound stages inAlbuquerque,New Mexico, for its first U.S. production hub, pledging to spend over $1 billion over the next decade to create one of the largest film studios in North America.In November 2018,Paramount Picturessigned a multi-picture film deal with Netflix, making Paramount the first major film studio to sign a deal with Netflix.A sequel toAwesomenessTV'sTo All the Boys I've Loved Beforewas released on Netflix under the titleTo All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love Youas part of the agreement.In December 2018, the company announced a partnership withESPN Filmson atelevision documentarychronicling Michael Jordan and the1997–98 Chicago Bulls seasontitledThe Last Dance. It was released internationally on Netflix and became available for streaming in the United States three months after a","months after a broadcast airing onESPN. In January 2019,Sex Educationmade its debut as a Netflix original series, receiving much critical acclaim.On January 22, 2019, Netflix sought and was approved for membership into theMotion Picture Association of America(MPAA), making it the first streaming service to join the association.In February 2019,The HauntingcreatorMike Flanaganjoined frequent collaborator Trevor Macy as a partner inIntrepid Picturesand the duo signed an exclusive overall deal with Netflix to produce television content.On May 9, 2019, Netflix contracted withDark Horse Entertainmentto make television series and films based on comics fromDark Horse Comics.In July 2019, Netflix announced that it would be opening a hub atShepperton Studiosas part of a deal withPinewood Group.In early-August 2019, Netflix negotiated an exclusive multi-year film and television deal withGame of Thronescreators and showrunnersDavid BenioffandD.B. Weiss.The first Netflix production created by Benioff and Weiss was","and Weiss was planned as an adaptation ofLiu Cixin's science fiction novelThe Three-Body Problem, part of theRemembrance of Earth's Pasttrilogy.On September 30, 2019, in addition to renewingStranger Thingsfor afourth season, Netflix signedThe Duffer Brothersto anoverall dealcovering future film and television projects for the service. On November 13, 2019, Netflix andNickelodeonentered into a multi-year agreement to produce several original animated feature films and television series based on Nickelodeon's library of characters. This agreement expanded on their existing relationship, in which new specials based on the past Nickelodeon seriesInvader ZimandRocko's Modern Life(Invader Zim: Enter the FlorpusandRocko's Modern Life: Static Clingrespectively) were released by Netflix. Other new projects planned under the team-up include a music project featuringSquidward Tentaclesfrom the animated television seriesSpongeBob SquarePants, and films based onThe Loud HouseandRise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja","Mutant Ninja Turtles.The agreement with Disney ended in 2019 due to the launch ofDisney+, with its Marvel productions moving exclusively to the service in 2022. In November 2019, Netflix announced that it had signed a long-term lease to save the Paris Theatre, the last single-screen movie theater in Manhattan. The company oversaw several renovations at the theater, including new seats and a concession stand. In January 2020, Netflix announced a new four-film deal with Adam Sandler worth up to $275 million.On February 25, 2020, Netflix formed partnerships with six Japanese creators to produce an original Japanese anime project. This partnership includes manga creator group CLAMP, mangaka Shin Kibayashi, mangaka Yasuo Ohtagaki, novelist and film director Otsuichi, novelist Tow Ubutaka, and manga creator Mari Yamazaki.On March 4, 2020,ViacomCBSannounced that it will be producing two spin-off films based onSpongeBob SquarePantsfor Netflix.On April 7, 2020,Peter Chernin'sChernin Entertainmentmade a","Entertainmentmade a multi-yearfirst-look dealwith Netflix to make films.On May 29, 2020, Netflix announced the acquisition ofGrauman's Egyptian Theatrefrom theAmerican Cinemathequeto use as a special events venue.In July 2020, Netflix appointed Sarandos as co-CEO.In July 2020, Netflix invested inBlack MirrorcreatorsCharlie BrookerandAnnabel Jones' new production outfit Broke And Bones. In September 2020, Netflix signed a multi-million dollar deal with theDukeandDuchessof Sussex. Harry and Meghan agreed to a multi-year deal promising to create TV shows, films, and children's content as part of their commitment to stepping away from the duties of the royal family.In September 2020, Hastings released a book about Netflix culture titledNo Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention, which was coauthored byErin Meyer.In December 2020, Netflix signed a first-look deal withMillie Bobby Brownto develop and star in several projects including a potential action franchise. Expansion into gaming,Squid Game, new","Game, new programing and new initiatives (2021–2022) In March 2021, Netflix earned the most Academy Award nominations of any studio, with 36. Netflix won seven Academy Awards, which was the most by any studio.Later that year, Netflix also won more Emmys than any other network or studio with 44 wins, tying the record for most Emmys won in a single year set by CBS in 1974. On April 8, 2021,Sony Pictures Entertainmentannounced an agreement for Netflix to hold the U.S. pay television window rights to its releases beginning in 2022, replacingStarzand expanding upon an existing agreement withSony Pictures Animation. The agreement also includes a first-look deal for any future direct-to-streaming films being produced bySony Pictures, with Netflix required to commit to a minimum number of them.On April 27, Netflix announced that it was opening its first Canadian headquarters inToronto.The company also announced that it would open an office in Sweden as well asRomeandIstanbulto increase its original content in those","content in those regions. In early-June, Netflix hosted a first-ever week-long virtual event called \"Geeked Week\", where it shared exclusive news, new trailers, cast appearances and more about upcoming genre titles likeThe Witcher,The Cuphead Show!, andThe Sandman. On June 7, 2021,Jennifer Lopez'sNuyorican Productionssigned a multi-year first-look deal with Netflix spanning feature films, TV series, and unscripted content, with an emphasis on projects that support diverse female actors, writers, and filmmakers.On June 10, 2021, Netflix announced it was launching an online store for curated products tied to the Netflix brand and shows such asStranger ThingsandThe Witcher.On June 21, 2021,Steven Spielberg'sAmblin Partnerssigned a deal with Netflix to release multiple new feature films for the streaming service.On June 30, 2021,Powerhouse Animation Studios(the studio behind Netflix'sCastlevania) announced signing a first-look deal with the streamer to produce more animated series. In July 2021, Netflix","July 2021, Netflix hiredMike Verdu, a former executive fromElectronic ArtsandFacebook, as vice president of game development, along with plans to add video games by 2022.Netflix announced plans to releasemobile gameswhich would be included in subscribers' plans to the service.Trial offerings were first launched for Netflix users in Poland in August 2021, offering premium mobile games based onStranger ThingsincludingStranger Things 3: The Game, for free to subscribers through the Netflix mobile app. On July 14, 2021, Netflix signed a first-look deal withJoey King, star ofThe Kissing Boothfranchise, in which King will produce and develop films for Netflix via her All The King's Horses production company.On July 21, 2021,Zack Snyder, director of Netflix'sArmy of the Dead, announced he had signed his production companyThe Stone Quarryto a first-look deal with Netflix; his upcoming projects include a sequel toArmy of the Deadand a sci-fi adventure film titledRebel Moon.In 2019, he agreed to produce","agreed to produce ananime-styleweb seriesinspired byNorse mythology. As of August 2021,Netflix Originalsmade up 40% of Netflix's overall library in the United States.The company announced that \"TUDUM: A Netflix Global Fan Event\", a three-hour virtual behind the scenes featuring first-look reveals for 100 of the streamer's series, films and specials, would have its inaugural show in late September 2021.According to Netflix, the show garnered 25.7 million views across Netflix's 29 Netflix YouTube channels, Twitter, Twitch, Facebook, TikTok and Tudum.com. Also in September, the company announced The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience, launching in 2022 in Los Angeles,Chicago,Montreal, andWashington, D.C.. Squid Game, a South Korean survival drama created and produced byHwang Dong-hyuk, rapidly became the service's most-watched show within a week of its launch in many markets on September 17, 2021, including Korea, the U.S. and the United Kingdom.Within its first 28 days on the service,Squid Gamedrew more","Gamedrew more than 111 million viewers, surpassingBridgertonand becoming Netflix's most-watched show. On September 20, 2021, Netflix signed a long-term lease withAviva Investorsto operate and expand theLongcross StudiosinSurrey, UK.On September 21, 2021, Netflix announced that it would acquire the Roald Dahl Story Company, which manages the rights toRoald Dahl'sstories and characters, for an undisclosed price and would operate it as an independent company.The company acquiredNight School Studio, an independent video game developer, on September 28, 2021. On October 13, 2021, Netflix announced the launch of the Netflix Book Club, partnering withStarbucksfor a social series calledBut Have You Read the Book?.Uzo Adubabecame inaugural host of the series and announced monthly book selections set to be adapted by the streamer. Aduba speaks with the cast, creators, and authors about the book adaptation process over a cup of coffee at Starbucks.Through October 2021, Netflix commonly reported viewership for its","viewership for its programming based on the number of viewers or households that watched a show in a given period (such as the first 28 days from its premiere) for at least two minutes. On the announcement of its quarterly earnings in October 2021, the company stated that it would switch its viewership metrics to measuring the number of hours that a show was watched, including rewatches, which the company said was closer to the measurements used in linear broadcast television, and thus \"our members and the industry can better measure success in the streaming world.\" Netflix officially launched mobile games on November 2, 2021, for Android users around the world. Through the app, subscribers had free access to five games, including two previously madeStranger Thingstitles. Netflix intends to add more games to this service over time.On November 9, the collection launched foriOS.Some games in the collection require an active internet connection to play, while others will be available offline. Netflix Kids'","Netflix Kids' accounts will not have games available.On November 16, Netflix announced the launch of \"Top10 on Netflix.com\", a new website with weekly global and country lists of the most popular titles on their service based on their new viewership metrics.On November 22, Netflix announced that it would acquireScanline VFX, the visual effects and animation company behindCowboy BebopandStranger Things.On the same day,Roberto Patinosigned a deal with Netflix and established his own production banner, Analog Inc., in partnership with the company. Patino's first project under the deal is a series adaptation ofImage Comics'Nocterra. On December 6, 2021, Netflix andStage 32announced that they have teamed up the workshops at the Creating Content for the Global Marketplace program.On December 7, 2021, Netflix partnered with IllumiNative, a woman-led non-profit organization, for the Indigenous Producers Training Program.On December 9, Netflix announced the launch of \"Tudum\", an official companion website that offers","website that offers news, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes videos for its original television shows and films.On December 13, Netflix signed a multi-year overall deal withKalinda Vazquez.On December 16, 2021, Netflix signed a multi-year creative partnership withSpike Leeand his production company40 Acres and a Mule Filmworksto develop film and television projects. In compliance with the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive and its implementation in France, Netflix reached commitments with French broadcasting authorities and film guilds, as required by law, to invest a specific amount of its annual revenue into original French films and series. These films must be theatrically released and would not be allowed to be carried on Netflix until 15 months after their release. In January 2022, Netflix ordered additional sports docuseries fromDrive to Surviveproducers Box to Box Films, including a series that would followPGA Tourgolfers, and another that would follow professional tennis players on","tennis players on theATPandWTA Tourcircuits. The company announced plans to acquire Next Games in March 2022 for €65 million as part of Netflix's expansions into gaming. Next Games had developed the mobile titleStranger Things: Puzzle Talesas well as twoThe Walking Deadmobile games.Later in the month, Netflix also acquired theTexas-based mobile game developer,Boss Fight Entertainment, for an undisclosed sum. On March 15, 2022, Netflix announced a partnership withDr. SeussEnterprises to produce five new series and specials based on Seusspropertiesfollowing the success ofGreen Eggs and Ham.On March 29, 2022, Netflix announced that it would open an office in Poland to serve as a hub for its original productions acrossCentral and Eastern Europe.On March 30, 2022, Netflix extended its lease agreement with Martini Film Studios, just outside Vancouver, Canada, for another five years.On March 31, 2022, Netflix ordered a docuseries that would follow teams in the2022 Tour de France, which would also be co-produced by","be co-produced by Box to Box Films. Following the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Netflix suspended its operations and future projects in Russia.It also announced that it would not comply with a proposed directive byRoskomnadzorrequiring all internet streaming services with more than 100,000 subscribers to integrate the major free-to-air channels (which are primarily state-owned).A month later, ex-Russian subscribers filed a class action lawsuit against Netflix. Netflix stated that 100 million households globally were sharing passwords to their account with others, and that Canada and the United States accounted for 30 million of them. Following these announcements, Netflix's stock price fell by 35 percent.By June 2022, Netflix had laid off 450 full-time and contract employees as part of the company's plan to trim costs amid lower than expected subscriber growth. On April 13, 2022, Netflix released the seriesOur Great National Parks, which was hosted and narrated by former US President Barack Obama.It also","Obama.It also partnered with Group Effort Initiative, a company founded byRyan ReynoldsandBlake Lively, to provide opportunities behind the camera for those in underrepresented communities.On the same day, Netflix partnered with Lebanon-basedArab Fund For Arts And Culturefor supporting the Arab female filmmakers. It will provide a one-time grant of $250,000 to female producers and directors in the Arab world through the company's Fund for Creative Equity.Also on the same day, Netflix announced anExploding Kittensmobile card game tied to a new animated TV series, which will launch in May.Netflix formed a creative partnership withJ. Miles Dale.The company also formed a partnership with Japan'sStudio Colorido, signing a multi-film deal to boost their anime content in Asia. The streaming giant is said to co-produce three feature films with the studio, the first of which will premiere in September 2022.On April 28, the company launched its inauguralNetflix Is a Jokecomedy festival, featuring more than 250 shows","more than 250 shows over 12 nights at 30-plus locations across Los Angeles, including the first-ever stand-up show atDodger Stadium. The first volume ofStranger Things 4logged Netflix's biggest premiere weekend ever for an original series with 286.79 million hours viewed.This was preceded by a newStranger Thingsinteractive experience hosted in New York City that was developed by the show's creators.After the release of the second volume ofStranger Things 4on July 1, 2022, it became Netflix's second title to receive more than one billion hours viewed. On July 19, 2022, Netflix announced plans to acquire Australian animation studioAnimal Logic.That month, in collaboration withSennheiser, Netflix began to add Ambeo 2-channel audio mixes (referred to as \"spatial audio\") to selected original productions, which allows simulatedsurround soundon stereo speakers and headphones. On September 5, 2022, Netflix opened an office inWarsaw, Poland responsible for the service's operations in 28 markets in Central and Eastern","Central and Eastern Europe. On October 4, 2022, Netflix have signed a creative partnership withAndrea BerloffandJohn Gatins.On October 11, Netflix signed up with theBroadcasters' Audience Research Boardfor external measurement of viewership in the UK.On October 12, Netflix signed to build a production complex atFort MonmouthinEatontown, New Jersey.On October 18, Netflix began exploring a cloud gaming offering and opened a new gaming studio in Southern California. On November 7, 2022, Netflix announced a strategic partnership with The Seven, a Japanese production company owned byTBS Holdings, to produce multiple original live-action titles for the subscribers over the next five years.On December 12, 2022, Netflix announced that sixty-percent of its subscribers had watched aKorean drama.CEO Ted Sarandos attributed the increase in viewership of Korean content among Americans to Korean films and dramas being \"often unpredictable\" and catching \"the American audience by surprise\". On January 10, 2023, Netflix","10, 2023, Netflix announced plans to open an engineering hub in its Warsaw office. The hub is to provide Netflix's creative partners with software solutions for the production of films and series.In February 2023, Netflix launched a wider rollout of spatial audio, and began allowing Premium subscribers to download content for offline playback on up to six devices (expanded from four). On March 4, 2023, Netflix broadcast its first-ever global live-streaming event, the stand-up comedy specialChris Rock: Selective Outrage. Netflix reworked its viewership metrics again in June 2023. Viewership of shows was measured during the first 91 days of availability, instead of the first 28 days, and now are based on the total viewership hours divided by the total hours of the show itself. This provided more equal considerations for shorter shows and movies compared to longer ones. In August 2023, the company announced Netflix Stories, a collection of interactive narrative games from Netflix series and films such asLove is","such asLove is Blind,Money HeistandVirgin River. Discontinuation of DVD rentals, expansion of live events, WWE agreement (2023–present) On April 18, 2023, Netflix announced that it would discontinue itsDVD-by-mailservice on September 29.Users of the service were able to keep the DVDs that they had received. Over its lifetime the service had sent out over 5 billion shipments. In October 2023, Eunice Kim was promoted to Chief Product Officer and Elizabeth Stone was promoted to Chief Technology Officer.That same month, amid a restructuring of its animation division, Netflix announced a multi-film agreement withSkydance Animationbeginning with the upcomingSpellbound. The agreement partially replaces one it had withApple TV+. In December 2023, Netflix released its first \"What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report\", a look at viewership for every original and licensed title watched more than 50,000 hours from January to June 2023. The company also announced plans to publish the report twice a year.In its first","a year.In its first report for the first six months of 2023, it reported thatThe Night Agentwas the most watched show on globally in that period. On January 23, 2024, Netflix announced a major agreement withprofessional wrestlingpromotionWWE, under which it will acquire the international rights to its live weekly programRawbeginning in January 2025; the rights will initially cover the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Latin America, and expand to other territories over time. Outside of the United States, it will also hold international rights to all three of WWE's main weekly programs (Raw,SmackDown, andNXT),premium live events, and documentaries among other content. The agreement was reported to be valued at $500 million per-year over ten years. In February 2024, Netflix joined withPeter Morgan, creator of the Netflix seriesThe Crown, to produce the playPatriotsonBroadway. The venture is the first Broadway credit for the company but not its first stage project. It was actively involved as a","involved as a producer ofStranger Things: The First Shadowin London. Both productions share a lead producer,Sonia Friedman. In May 2024, the company hosted its second Netflix Is a Joke festival in Los Angeles. It streamed several specials from the festival live, includingKatt Williams'sWoke FolkandThe Roast of Tom Brady, both of which ranked on Netflix's global top 10 the following two weeks.That same month, Netflix announced that it would stream bothNational Football LeagueChristmas gamesin 2024. For 2025 and 2026, the streamer will have exclusive rights to at least one NFL Christmas game each year. In June 2024, the company announced plans for Netflix House, a new permanent entertainment venue for fans to experience Netflix series and films. The first locations in the announcement areKing of Prussia Mallin Pennsylvania andGalleria Dallasin Texas. Availability and access Global availability Netflix is available in every country and territory except forChina,North Korea,SyriaandRussia. In January 2016,","In January 2016, Netflix announced it would beginVPN blockingsince it can be used to watch videos from a country where they are unavailable.The result of the VPN block is that people can only watch videos available worldwide and other videos are hidden from search results.Variety is present on Netflix. Hebrew and right-to-left interface orientation, which is a common localization strategy in many markets, are what define the Israeli user interface's localization, and in some regions, Netflix offers a more affordable mobile-only subscription. Subscriptions Customers can subscribe to one of three plans; the difference in plans relates to video resolution, the number of simultaneous streams, and the number of devices to which content can be downloaded. At the end of Q1 2022, Netflix estimated that 100 million households globally were sharing passwords to their account with others.In March 2022, Netflix began to charge a fee for additional users in Chile, Peru, and Costa Rica to attempt to controlaccount","to controlaccount sharing.On July 18, 2022, Netflix announced that it would test the account sharing feature in more countries, including Argentina, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.On October 17, Netflix launched Profile Transfer to help end account sharing. On July 13, 2022, Netflix announced plans to launch an advertising-supported subscription option.Netflix's planned advertising tier would not allow subscribers to download content like the existing ad-free platform.On July 20, 2022, it was announced that the advertising-supported tier would be coming to Netflix in 2023 but it would not feature the full library of content.In October, the launch date was announced as November 3, 2022, and was launched in 12 countries: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Japan and South Korea.The ad-supported plan was called \"Basic with Ads\" and it cost $6.99 per month in the United States at launch. On February 24, 2023, Netflix cut","2023, Netflix cut subscription prices in more than 30 countries around the world to attract more subscribers from those countries. Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Croatia, Venezuela, Kenya, and Iran are on the list of countries where the cost for a subscription will be reduced.In the same month stronger anti-password-sharing rules were expanded to Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain.In May 2023, these measures were further expanded to United States and Brazil subscribers. In July 2023, Netflix added 5.9 million subscribers for the second quarter of the year for a total of 238.39 million subscribers overall. The United States and Canada accounted for 1.2 million subscribers which was the largest regional quarterly gain since 2021. Netflix announced in February that it was going to enforce stricter regulations for password sharing. In May 2023, Netflix began cracking down on password-sharing in the US, UK, and Australia. Under these new rules, multiple people can use and share one account,","share one account, but they have to be under the same household. Netflix defines a household as people who live in the same location as the owner of the account. Users are asked to set a primary location based on the device's IP address. Netflix reported 8.05 million new subscribers in Q2 2024, up from 5.9 million subscribers added in Q2 2023. In July 2024, Netflix started phasing out its cheapest subscription plan for users in France and the US, a year after the plan was removed for Canada and the UK. Members in these countries have the option to sign up for either the standard ad-free plan or the ad plan. Device support Netflix can be accessed via aweb browser, while Netflix apps are available on various platforms, includingBlu-rayplayers,tablet computers, mobile phones,smart TVs,digital media players, andvideo game consoles. Currently supported game consoles include: Several older devices no longer support Netflix. For home gaming consoles, this includes thePlayStation 2,PlayStation TV,WiiandWii U.For","TV,WiiandWii U.For handheld gaming consoles, this includes theNintendo 3DSfamily of systems and thePlayStation Vita.The second and third generationApple TVpreviously supported Netflix with an ad-free plan, but the app was automatically removed on these devices on July 31, 2024. In addition, a growing number ofmultichannel televisionproviders, including cable television andIPTVservices, have added Netflix apps accessible within their ownset-top boxes, sometimes with the ability for its content (along with those of other online video services) to be presented within a unified search interface alongside linear television programming as an \"all-in-one\" solution. The maximum video resolution supported on computers is dependent on theDRMsystems available on a particular operating system and web browser. Content Original programming \"Netflix Originals\" are content that is produced, co-produced, or distributed exclusively by Netflix. Netflix funds its original shows differently than other TV networks when they sign","when they sign a project, providing the money upfront and immediately ordering two seasons of most series.It keeps licensing rights, which normally give production companies future revenue opportunities from syndication, merchandising, etc. Over the years, Netflix output ballooned to a level unmatched by any television network or streaming service. According toVariety Insight, Netflix produced a total of 240 new original shows and movies in 2018, then climbed to 371 in 2019, a figure \"greater than the number of original series that the entire U.S. TV industry released in 2005.\"The Netflix budget allocated to production increased annually, reaching $13.6 billion in 2021 and projected to hit $18.9 billion by 2025, a figure that once again overshadowed any of its competitors.As of August 2022, original productions made up 50% of Netflix's overall library in the United States. Film and television deals Netflix has exclusivepay TVdeals with several studios. The deals give Netflix exclusive streaming rights while","rights while adhering to the structures of traditional pay TV terms. Distributors that have licensed content to Netflix include Warner Bros., Universal Pictures,Sony Pictures Entertainmentand previously The Walt Disney Studios. Netflix also holds current and back-catalog rights to television programs distributed byWalt Disney Television,DreamWorks Classics,Kino International,Warner Bros. TelevisionandParamount Global Content Distribution, along with titles from other companies such asHasbro EntertainmentandFunimation. Formerly, the streaming service also held rights to select television programs distributed byNBCUniversal Television Distribution,Sony Pictures Televisionand20th Century Fox Television. Netflix negotiated to distribute animated films from Universal that HBO declined to acquire, such asThe Lorax,ParaNorman, andMinions. Netflix holds exclusive streaming rights to the film library ofStudio Ghibli(exceptGrave of the Fireflies) worldwide except in the U.S. and Japan as part of an agreement signed","an agreement signed with Ghibli's international sales holderWild Bunchin 2020. Netflix Games In July 2021, Netflix hired Mike Verdu, a former executive fromElectronic ArtsandFacebook, as vice president of game development, along with plans to add video games by 2022.Netflix announced plans to releasemobile gameswhich would be included in subscribers' plans to the service.Trial offerings were first launched for Netflix users in Poland in August 2021, offering premium mobile games based onStranger ThingsincludingStranger Things 3: The Game, for free to subscribers through the Netflix mobile app. Netflix officially launched mobile games on November 2, 2021, for Android users around the world. Through the app, subscribers had free access to five games, including two previously madeStranger Thingstitles. Netflix intends to add more games to this service over time.On November 9, the collection launched foriOS.Verdu said in October 2022 that besides continuing to expand their portfolio of games, they were also","they were also interested incloud gamingoptions. To support the games effort, Netflix began acquiring and forming a number of studios. The company acquiredNight School Studio, an independent video game developer, in September 2021.Netflix announced plans to acquire Next Games in March 2022 for€65 millionas part of Netflix's expansions into gaming. Next Games had developed the mobile titleStranger Things: Puzzle Talesas well as twoThe Walking Deadmobile games.Later in the month, Netflix also acquired theTexas-based mobile game developer,Boss Fight Entertainment, for an undisclosed sum.Netflix opened a mobile game studio in Helsinki, Finland in September 2022,and a new studio, their fifth total, in southern California in October 2022,alongside the acquisition ofSpry Foxin Seattle. In June 2024, Verdu was moved into a new role focusing on \"innovation in game development.\"The next month, Netflix hired Alain Tascan, vice president of game development atEpic Games, to head up Netflix Games.As of July 2024, Netflix","July 2024, Netflix has over 80 games in development, releasing at least one game each month to attract fans. Technology Content delivery Netflix freelypeerswithInternet service providers(ISPs) directly and at commonInternet exchange points. In June 2012, a customcontent delivery network,Open Connect, was announced.For larger ISPs with over 100,000 subscribers, Netflix offers freeNetflix Open Connectcomputer appliancesthat cache their content within the ISPs'data centersor networks to further reduceInternet transitcosts.By August 2016, Netflix closed its last physical data center, but continued to develop its Open Connect technology.A 2016 study at theUniversity of Londondetected 233 individual Open Connect locations on over six continents, with the largest amount of traffic in the US, followed by Mexico. As of July 2017, Netflix series and movies accounted for more than a third of all prime-time download Internet traffic in North America. API On October 1, 2008, Netflix offered access to its service via a","its service via a publicapplication programming interface(API).It allowed access to data for all Netflix titles, and allows users to manage their movie queues. The API was free and allowed commercial use.In June 2012, Netflix began to restrict the availability of its public API.Netflix instead focused on a small number of known partners using private interfaces, since most traffic came from those private interfaces.In November 2014, Netflix retired the public API.Netflix then partnered with the developers of eight services deemed the most valuable, including Instant Watcher, Fanhattan, Yidio and Nextguide. Recommendations and thumbnails Netflix presents viewers with recommendations based on interactions with the service, such as previous viewing history and ratings of viewed content. These are often grouped into genres and formats, or feature the platform's highest-rated content. Each title is presented with a thumbnail. Before around 2015, these were the samekey artfor everyone, but since then has been","since then has been customized. Netflix may select a specific key art for a thumbnail based on viewing history,such as an actor or scene type based on genre preferences.Some thumbnails are generated from video stills. The Netflix recommendation system is a vital part of the streaming platform's success, enabling personalized content suggestions for hundreds of millions of subscribers worldwide.Using advanced machine learning algorithms, Netflix analyzes user interactions, including viewing history, searches, and ratings, to deliver personalized recommendations for movies and TV shows. The recommendation system considers individual user preferences, similarities with other users with comparable tastes, specific title attributes (genre, release year, etc.), device usage patterns, and viewing time. As users interact with the platform and provide feedback with their viewing habits, the recommendation system is able to adapt and refine its suggestions over time. Netflix uses a two-tiered ranking system, using the","system, using the presentation of titles on the homepage for easy navigation to maximize user engagement. This is done by organizing content into rows and ranking the titles within each row based on how much the user would be interested in it.Netflix also uses A/B testing to determine what causes the biggest interest and engagement related to options concerning movie suggestions and how titles are organized. Tags like \"bittersweet\", \"sitcom\", or \"intimate\" are assigned to each title by Netflix employees.Netflix also uses the tags to create recommendation micro-genres like \"Goofy TV Shows\" or \"Girls Night In\". Awards On July 18, 2013, Netflix earned the firstPrimetime Emmy Awardsnominations for originalstreamingprograms at the65th Primetime Emmy Awards. Three of its series,Arrested Development,Hemlock GroveandHouse of Cards, earned a combined 14 nominations (nine forHouse of Cards, three forArrested Developmentand two forHemlock Grove).TheHouse of Cardsepisode \"Chapter 1\" received four nominations for both","for both the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards and65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, becoming the first episode of a streaming television series to receive a major Primetime Emmy Award nomination. With its win for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series, \"Chapter 1\" became the first episode from a streaming service to be awarded an Emmy.David Fincher's win for Directing for a Drama Series forHouse of Cardsmade the episode the first from a streaming service to win a Primetime Emmy. On November 6, 2013, Netflix earned its first Grammy nomination whenYou've Got TimebyRegina Spektor— the main title theme song forOrange Is the New Black— was nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media. On December 12, 2013, the network earned six nominations forGolden Globe Awards, including four forHouse of Cards.Among those nominations was Wright forGolden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Dramafor her portrayal of Claire Underwood, which she won. With the accolade, Wright became the first","became the first actress to win a Golden Globe for a streaming television series. It also marked Netflix's first major acting award.House of CardsandOrange is the New Blackalso wonPeabody Awardsin 2013. On January 16, 2014, Netflix became the first streaming service to earn an Academy Award nomination whenThe Squarewas nominated for Best Documentary Feature. On July 10, 2014, Netflix received 31 Emmy nominations. Among other nominations,House of Cardsreceived nominations forOutstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series and Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright were nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.Orange is the New Blackwas nominated in the comedy categories, earning nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series.Taylor Schilling,Kate Mulgrew, andUzo Adubawere respectively nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy","Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (the latter was for Aduba's recurring role in season one, as she was promoted to series regular for the show's second season). Netflix got the largest share of 2016 Emmy Award nominations, with 16 major nominations. However, streaming shows only got 24 nominations out of a total of 139, falling significantly behind cable. The 16 Netflix nominees were:House of Cardswith Kevin Spacey,A Very Murray Christmaswith Bill Murray,Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,Master of None, andBloodline. Stranger Thingsreceived 19 nominations at the2017 Primetime Emmy Awards, whileThe Crownreceived 13 nominations. In December 2017, Netflix was awardedPETA's Company of the Year for promoting animal rights movies and documentaries likeForks Over KnivesandWhat the Health. At the90th Academy Awards, held on March 4, 2018, the filmIcarus, distributed by Netflix, won its firstAcademy Award for Best Documentary Feature","Documentary Feature Film. During his remarks backstage, director and writer Bryan Fogel remarked that Netflix had \"single-handedly changed the documentary world.\"Icarushad its premiere at the 2017Sundance Film Festivaland was bought by Netflix for $5 million, one of the biggest deals ever for a non-fiction film.Netflix became the network whose programs received more nomination at the 2018PrimetimeandCreative Arts Emmy Awardswith 112 nominations, therefore breakingHBO's 17-years record as a network whose programs received more nomination at the Emmys, which received 108 nominations. On January 22, 2019, films distributed by Netflix scored 15 nominations for the91st Academy Awards, includingAcademy Award for Best PictureforAlfonso Cuarón'sRoma, which was nominated for 10 awards.The 15 nominations equal the total nominations films distributed by Netflix had received in previous years. In 2020, Netflix received 20 TV nominations and films distributed by Netflix also got 22 film nominations at the78th Golden","at the78th Golden Globe Awards. It secured three out of the five nominations forbest drama TV seriesforThe Crown,OzarkandRatchedand four of the five nominations forbest actress in a TV series:Olivia Colman,Emma Corrin,Laura LinneyandSarah Paulson. In 2020, Netflix earned 24 Academy Award nominations, marking the first time a streaming service led all studios. Films and programs distributed by Netflix received 30 nominations at the 2021Screen Actors Guild Awards, more than any other distribution company, where their distributed films and programs won seven awards including best motion picture forThe Trial of the Chicago 7and best TV drama forThe Crown.Netflix also received the most nominations of any studio at the93rd Academy Awards– 35 total nominations with 7 award wins. In February 2022,The Power of the Dog, a gritty western distributed by Netflix and directed by Jane Campion, received 12 nominations, including Best Picture, for the 94th annual Academy Awards. Films distributed by the streamer received a","streamer received a total of 72 nominations.Campion became the third female to receive the Best Director award, winning her second Oscar forThe Power of the Dog.At the50th International Emmy Awards, Netflix originalSex EducationwonBest Comedy Series.Later that year, Netflix received 26 Emmy Awards including six forSquid Game. TheSquid Gamewins forOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesandOutstanding Directing for a Drama Serieswere the first-ever for a non-English language series in those categories. In March 2023, Netflix won six Academy Awards including four forAll Quiet on the Western Frontwhich was the most awarded Netflix film in its history.Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchiowas the first streaming film to namedBest Animated FeatureandThe Elephant Whispererswas the first Indian-produced film to receiveBest Documentary Short Film.Netflix received 103 Emmy nominations including 13 each for the limited seriesBeefandDahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. In July 2024, Netflix received 107 Emmy nominations","Emmy nominations which was the most of any network. Criticism Netflix has been subject to criticism from various groups and individuals as its popularity and market reach increased in the 2010s. Customers have complained about price increases in Netflix offerings dating back to the company's decision to separate its DVD rental and streaming services, which was quickly reversed. As Netflix increased its streaming output, it has faced calls to limit accessibility tographic violenceand include viewer advisories for issues such as sensationalism and promotion ofpseudoscience. Netflix's content has also been criticized bydisability rights movementadvocates for lack ofclosed captioningquality. Some media organizations and competitors have criticized Netflix for selectively releasing ratings andviewer numbersof its original programming. The company has made claims boasting about viewership records without providing data to substantiate its successes or using problematic estimation methods.In March 2020, some","March 2020, some government agencies called for Netflix and other streamers to limit services due to increased broadband and energy consumption as use of the platform increased. In response, the company announced it would reducebit rateacross all streams in Europe, thus decreasing Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25 percent. These same steps were later taken in India. In May 2022, Netflix's shareholder Imperium Irrevocable Trust filed a lawsuit against the company for violating the U.S.securitieslaws.In January 2024, a federal judge dismissed the suit, stating that shareholders failed to provide instances of Netflix lying about subscriber growth. In May 2023, Netflix officially banned the use of password sharing between individuals of different households, meaning sharing an account was only available to those living in the same house. See also References Further reading External links","Marc Randolph Marc Bernays Randolph(born April 29, 1958) is an American tech entrepreneur, advisor and speaker.He is the co-founder and firstCEOofNetflix. A serial entrepreneur who is said to have helped found the U.S. edition ofMacworldmagazine and the computer mail-order businesses MacWarehouse andMicroWarehouse,Randolph now serves on the boards ofLooker Data Sciencesand Chubbies Shorts. He previously served on the boards of Getable, Rafter, ReadyForce. Randolph, who has equated founding companies to his experience as a mountain guide, is the chairman of the board of trustees of theNational Outdoor Leadership School(NOLS) in Lander,Wyoming and a board member of the environmental advocacy group1% for the Planet. Early life and education Randolph was born to aJewishfamily inChappaqua, New York, the eldest child of Stephen Bernays Randolph, an Austrian-born nuclear engineer turned financial adviser and Muriel Lipchik of Brooklyn, New York who ran her own real estate firm.One of Randolph's paternal great-grand","great-grand uncles was psychoanalysis pioneerSigmund Freud. Another paternal great-uncle of Randolph wasEdward Bernays, an Austrian-American pioneer in the field of public relations and propaganda.Randolph spent his summers during high school and college working for the National Outdoor Leadership School, becoming one of its youngest instructors. He graduated fromHamilton Collegein New York with a geology degree. Career Early career Randolph's first job out of college in 1981 was atCherry Lane MusicCompany in New York. Put in charge of the company's small mail-order operation, Randolph taught himself direct mail and marketing techniques while tinkering with different ways to sell Cherry Lane's catalog of sheet music directly to consumers. Randolph's fascination with using computer software to track customers' buying behavior would ultimately inform his decision to create a user interface at Netflix that doubled as a market research platform.He further developed his theories about using direct mail to","direct mail to influence and retain customers doing circulation work while helping found the U.S. version ofMacUsermagazine in 1984. While co-founding computer mail-order firms MacWarehouse andMicroWarehousewith Peter Godfrey and his partners about a year later, Randolph made the connection between overnight delivery and improved customer retention.The discovery later proved crucial to Netflix's growth and survival: the company's subscriber base first blossomed and cut intoBlockbuster Increvenues in cities where Netflix offered overnight DVD delivery. Randolph spent the dawn of the Internet age building direct-to-consumer marketing operations at software giantBorlandInternational starting in 1988. He left Borland in 1995 for a series of short stints at Silicon Valley start-ups, including heading marketing at desktop scanner makerVisioneer, and then as a member of the founding team of Integrity QA, a developer of automated software testing products.In late 1996, software debugging companyPure Atriaacquired","Atriaacquired the nine-person software startup. Pure Atria's founder and CEOReed Hastingsretained Randolph as vice president of corporate marketing for the rapidly expanding Pure Atria.In late 1996, Pure Atria announced thatRational Softwarewould acquire it in an $850 million stock swap in what was then the richest merger inSilicon Valleyhistory.Hastings and Randolph commuted together between their homes inSanta Cruz, California, into Silicon Valley for about four months while the Rational merger was finalized, and on these drives, the idea for Netflix was born. Netflix Randolph wanted to replicate the e-commerce model pioneered by online booksellerAmazon.com. He had heard that digital-versatile-discs (DVD) were being tested in several U.S. markets, and he wanted to explore the concept of selling the compact new digital format online. He and Hastings could not find a DVD, so they tested the idea with acompact disc.\"Reed and I were in downtown Santa Cruz and we were saying, 'I wonder if we can mail these","we can mail these things',\" Randolph said. \"We went in and bought a music CD and went into one of the stationery stores … and bought a greeting card and stuck the CD in the envelope and mailed it to Reed's house. And the next day, he said, 'It came. It's fine.' If there was an aha moment, that was it.\"Hastings, Randolph's mother, and Integrity QA founder Steve Kahn were initial investors in Netflix when plans first started in 1996-1997.Randolph named the company, designed its initial user interface and branding and acted as chief executive for the first year while Hastings attendedStanford Universitygraduate school. Netflix launched on April 14, 1998, out of an office park inScotts Valley, California.Randolph designed the user interface to act as an online catalog of movies and a market research platform so that he could constantly test different versions to perfect the user experience. The data generated by these market tests led the team to three concepts that they combined in 1999 to create Netflix's","to create Netflix's successful business model: a subscription-based service with no due dates or late fees and unlimited access to content, a \"Queue\" that allowed subscribers to specify the order in which DVDs should be mailed to them, and a serialized delivery system that automatically mailed out a DVD as soon as the previous rental was returned. The subscriber data collected by the user interface fed a recommendation engine known as Cinematch, that helped manage the company's limited DVD inventory by guiding subscribers to movies and TV shows that were in stock and generally away from new releases. Randolph ceded the CEO post to Hastings in 1999 and turned to product development. He and founding team memberMitch Lowetested a concept for a movie rental kiosk called Netflix Express that Lowe later turned into movie kiosk giantRedboxafter Hastings rejected it as a line of business.Randolph left Netflix in 2002 after helping guide the company through its initial public offering two years earlier.He credited","earlier.He credited Hastings with successfully scaling the company to 93 million subscribers worldwide,and said he preferred the start-up stage.\"At the beginning, it's very much triage. If there are a hundred things broken and you need the skill to pick the three you've got to fix, I'm really good at that. I'm not good at the other ninety-seven,\" Randolph said. After Netflix Since his departure from Netflix, Randolph has served as a mentor at MiddCOREand a board member ofLooker Data Sciences.He is also Entrepreneur in Residence forHigh Point Universityand its Belk Entrepreneurship Center.In addition to his mentorships he is a keynote speaker, focusing on entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. He travels the world speaking about his experience with Netflix and the lessons he has learned from his other startup investments. In September 2019, his book,That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Ideawas published byLittle, Brown and Company. Personal life Randolph has been","Randolph has been married to Lorraine Kiernan since 1987. They have three children. He now lives in Santa Cruz, California. References External links","One Percent for the Planet One Percent for the Planetis an international organization whose members contribute at least one percent of their annualrevenueto environmental causes to protect the environment. Since 1985,Patagoniapledged 1% of sales to the preservation of restoration of the natural environment. In 2002,1% for the Planetwas founded byYvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies,to \"encourage more businesses to donate 1% of sales to environmental groups\".Since its creation, the organization has been joined by countries around the world, with a great number of partners in France, Great Britain, Australia, and Japan.France is the only country to have an independent entity. Members BICjoined as a member in 2022 with an eco-friendly product line;Honest Teajoined with a glass product line.Other notable members includeOXO,New Belgium Brewing Company, Klean Kanteen, andNature's Path's EnviroKidz brand. References External links","Yvon Chouinard Yvon Chouinard(born November 9, 1938)is an American rock climber, environmentalist, philanthropist, and outdoor industry businessman. His company,Patagonia, is known for its high quality outdoor products and outerwear. He was named one of the100 most influential people in the worldbyTimemagazine in 2023. Chouinard is also a surfer, kayaker, and falconer and is particularly fond oftenkarafly-fishing.He has written about climbing issues and ethics and on mixingenvironmentalismand business. Early life Chouinard's father was aFrench-Canadianhandyman, mechanic, and plumber. In 1947, Yvon and his family moved fromLewiston, Maineto Southern California. They wereCatholic. His early climbing partners includedRoyal RobbinsandTom Frost.ASierra Clubmember, in his youth he founded the Southern California Falconry Club, and it was his investigations offalconaeriesthat led him to rock climbing.To save money and to make adaptations for the way he was climbing, he decided to make his own climbing tools by","climbing tools by teaching himself blacksmithing, and eventually started a business. Yosemite rock climber to leading alpinist Chouinard was one of the leading climbers of the \"Golden Age of Yosemite Climbing.\" He was one of the protagonists of the film made about this era:Valley Uprising(2014). He participated in the first ascent of the North America Wall in 1964 (withRoyal Robbins,Tom Frost, andChuck Pratt), using no fixed ropes. The next year, his and TM Herbert's ascent of the Muir Wall on El Capitan improved the style of previous first ascents.Chouinard became the most articulate advocate of the importance of style, the basis of modern rock climbing. In 1961, he visited Western Canada withFred Beckey, and made several important first ascents, including the North Face ofMount Edith Cavell(Rockies), the Beckey-Chouinard Route on South Howser Tower in theBugaboos(Purcell Mountains), and the North Face ofMount Sir Donald(Selkirk Mountains). These climbs opened his eyes to the idea of applying Yosemite","applying Yosemite big-wall climbing techniques to mountain climbing, and his advocacy was important to modern,high-grade alpinism. Also in 1961, he visitedShawangunk Ridgefor the first time,freeclimbingthe first pitch of Matinee (the hardest free climb done at Shawangunk Ridge at the time); and introducingchrome-molybdenum steelpitons to the area, which revolutionized climbing protection. In 1968, he climbedCerro FitzroyinPatagoniaby a new route (The Californian Route, 3rd overall ascent of the mountain) with Dick Dorworth,Chris Jones, Lito Tejada-Flores, andDouglas Tompkins. Chouinard has also traveled and climbed in the European Alps and in Pakistan. Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. In 1957, he bought a second-hand coal-fired forge, and started making hardened steelpitonsfor use inYosemiteValley. Between time spent surfing and climbing, he sold pitons out of the back of his car to support himself. The improved pitons were a big factor in the birth of big-wall climbing from 1957 to 1960 in Yosemite. The success of","The success of his pitons caused him to found Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. In the late 1960s, Chouinard and business partnerTom Frostbegan studying ice climbing equipment, and re-invented the basic tools (cramponsand ice axes) to perform on steeper ice. These new tools and his bookClimbing Ice(1978) started the modern sport of ice climbing. Around 1970, he became aware that the use of steel pitons made by his company was causing significant damage to the cracks of Yosemite. These pitons composed 70 percent of his income.In 1971 and 1972, Chouinard and Frost introduced new aluminum chockstones, calledHexentricsand Stoppers, along with the less successful steel Crack-n-Ups, and committed the company to the advocacy of the new tools and a new style of climbing called \"clean climbing.\" This concept revolutionized rock climbing and led to further success of the company, despite cannibalizing the sales of pitons, formerly his most important product. They applied for a U.S. patent on Hexentrics in 1974, and it was","in 1974, and it was granted on April 6, 1976.These are still manufactured byBlack Diamond Equipment. In the latter 1960s, Chouinard attempted a number of significant technological and technique changes to ice climbing after trips to the Alps in Europe and Sierra Nevada ice gullies in autumn. He removed the flex from crampons, making them more rigid for front-pointing. He drew the taper of a rock hammer into a point for better ice purchase. He increased the cross section of ice screws while also using lighter materials. He experimented with pick and blade issues with ice axes. Prior to this, much of ice climbing was seen as mere step cutting. He attempted to replace hand ice picks (climbing type) with a small ice axe head called a Climaxe. In 1989, Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. filed for bankruptcy protection in order to protect it from liability lawsuits. The hard assets of Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. were acquired by its employees through theChapter 11process, and the company was reestablished asBlack Diamond","asBlack Diamond Equipment, Ltd. Patagonia and environmentalism Chouinard is most known for founding the clothing and gear companyPatagonia. Chouinard started to sell clothes by chance as a way to support his moderately profitable equipment business.In 1970 on a trip to Scotland, he purchased some rugby shirts and sold them with great success.From this small start, the Patagonia company developed a wide selection of rugged technical clothing. According to Chouinard, the intent of Patagonia is to make clothes for people under the rugged, southern Andes/Cape Horn conditions of places like Patagonia. Recognizing that the financial success of the company provided the opportunity to also achieve personal goals, Chouinard committed the company to being an outstanding place to work, and to be an important resource for environmental activism. In 1984, Patagonia opened an on-site cafeteria offering \"healthy, mostly vegetarian food,\" and started providing on-site child care.In 1986, Chouinard committed the company to","the company to \"tithing\" for environmental activism, committing one percent of sales or ten percent of profits, whichever is the greater. The commitment included paying employees working on local environmental projects so they could commit their efforts full-time. In the early 1990s, an environmental audit of Patagonia revealed the surprising result (at the time), that corporatecotton, although it was a natural material, had a heavy environmental footprint. In 1996, Chouinard committed the company to using all organic cotton. In 2002, Yvon Chouinard founded1% for the Planetand Patagonia became the first business to commit 1% of annual sales to the environment. In 2014, Patagonia supported the advocacy documentary filmDamNation, which is about changing attitudes in America towards its dams. Chouinard was the executive producer of the film, and he was also featured in the film commenting about dams. In 2018, in acknowledgment that sustainability and responsible practices are core to Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard","Yvon Chouinard was recognized with theSierra Club's top award, theJohn Muir Award. In 2022, Chouinard announced that he was donating ownership in Patagonia to atrustto ensure profits are used for addressingclimate change.Chouinard's family retains control of the company's voting stock through the Patagonia Purpose Trust. Personal life In 1971, Chouinard met and married his wife, Malinda Pennoyer, who was an art and home economics student atCalifornia State University, Fresno.They have a son (Fletcher) and a daughter (Claire), both of whom work for Patagonia. In 2021, Yvon Chouinard received an honorary degree fromBates College. Publications Notable ascents Related reading References Other sources External links"],"string":"[\n \"Netflix Netflixis an Americansubscription video on-demandover-the-topstreamingservice. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple languages. Launched in 2007, nearly a decade afterNetflix, Inc.began its pioneeringDVD-by-mailmovie rentalservice, Netflix is themost-subscribed video on demandstreaming mediaservices, with 282.7 million paid memberships in more than 190 countries as of 2024.By 2022, \\\"Netflix Original\\\" productions accounted for half of its library in the United States and the namesake company had ventured into other categories, such asvideo game publishingofmobile gamesthrough its flagship service. As of 2023, Netflix is the23rd most-visited website in the world, with 23.66% of its traffic coming from the United States, followed by the United Kingdom at 5.84%, and Brazil at 5.64%. History Launch as a mail-based rental business (1997–2006) Netflix was founded byMarc RandolphandReed Hastingson\",\n \"Hastingson August 29, 1997, inScotts Valley, California. Hastings, a computer scientist and mathematician, was a co-founder ofPure Software, which was acquired byRational Softwarethat year for $750 million, the then biggest acquisition inSilicon Valleyhistory.Randolph had worked as a marketing director forPure Softwareafter Pure Atria acquired a company where Randolph worked. He was previously a co-founder ofMicroWarehouse, a computer mail-order company, as well as vice president of marketing forBorland.Hastings and Randolph came up with the idea for Netflix whilecarpoolingbetween their homes inSanta Cruz, California, and Pure Atria's headquarters in Sunnyvale.Patty McCord, later head ofhuman resourcesat Netflix, was also in the carpool group.Randolph admiredAmazonand wanted to find a large category of portable items to sell over theInternetusing a similar model. Hastings and Randolph considered and rejected selling and rentingVHSas too expensive to stock and too delicate to ship.When they heard about DVDs,\",\n \"heard about DVDs, first introduced in the United States in early 1997, they tested the concept of selling or renting DVDs by mail, by mailing acompact discto Hastings's house in Santa Cruz.When the CD arrived intact, they decided to enter the $16 billionHome-videosales and rental industry.Hastings is often quoted saying that he decided to start Netflix after being fined $40 at a Blockbuster store for being late to return a copy ofApollo 13.Hastings invested $2.5 million into Netflix from the sale of Pure Atria.Netflix launched as the first DVD rental and sales website with 30 employees and 925 titles available—nearly all DVDs published.Randolph and Hastings met withJeff Bezos, whereAmazonoffered to acquire Netflix for between $14 and $16 million. Fearing competition from Amazon, Randolph at first thought the offer was fair, but Hastings, who owned 70% of the company, turned it down on the plane ride home. Initially, Netflix offered a per-rental model for each DVD but introduced a monthly subscription concept\",\n \"concept in September 1999.The per-rental model was dropped by early 2000, allowing the company to focus on the business model of flat-fee unlimited rentals without due dates, late fees, shipping and handling fees, or per-title rental fees.In September 2000, during thedot-com bubble, while Netflix was suffering losses, Hastings and Randolph offered to sell the company toBlockbusterfor $50 million.John Antioco, CEO of Blockbuster, thought the offer was a joke and declined, saying, \\\"The dot-com hysteria is completely overblown.\\\"While Netflix experienced fast growth in early 2001, the continued effects of the dot-com bubble collapse and theSeptember 11 attackscaused the company to hold off plans for itsinitial public offering(IPO) and to lay off one-third of its 120 employees. DVD players were a popular gift for holiday sales in late 2001, and demand for DVD subscription services were \\\"growing like crazy\\\", according to chief talent officerPatty McCord.The company wentpublicon May 23, 2002, selling 5.5 million\",\n \"selling 5.5 million shares ofcommon stockat US$15.00 per share.In 2003, Netflix was issued a patent by the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office to cover its subscription rental service and several extensions.Netflix posted its first profit in 2003, earning $6.5 million on revenues of $272 million; by 2004, profit had increased to $49 million on over $500 million in revenues.In 2005, 35,000 different films were available, and Netflix shipped 1 million DVDs out every day. In 2004, Blockbuster introduced a DVD rental service, which not only allowed users to check out titles through online sites but allowed for them to return them atbrick and-mortarstores.By 2006, Blockbuster's service reached two million users, and while trailing Netflix's subscriber count, was drawing business away from Netflix. Netflix lowered fees in 2007.While it was anurban legendthat Netflix ultimately \\\"killed\\\" Blockbuster in the DVD rental market, Blockbuster's debt load and internal disagreements hurt the company. On April 4, 2006, Netflix\",\n \"4, 2006, Netflix filed apatent infringementlawsuit in which it demanded ajury trialin theUnited States District Court for the Northern District of California, alleging thatBlockbuster'sonline DVD rentalsubscription program violated two patents held by Netflix. The firstcause of actionalleged Blockbuster's infringement of copying the \\\"dynamic queue\\\" of DVDs available for each customer, Netflix's method of using the ranked preferences in the queue to send DVDs to subscribers, and Netflix's method permitting the queue to be updated and reordered.The second cause of action alleged infringement of the subscription rental service as well as Netflix's methods of communication and delivery.The companies settled their dispute on June 25, 2007; terms were not disclosed. On October 1, 2006, Netflix announced theNetflix Prize, $1,000,000 to the first developer of a video-recommendationalgorithmthat could beat its existing algorithm Cinematch, at predicting customer ratings by more than 10%. On September 21, 2009, it\",\n \"21, 2009, it awarded the $1,000,000 prize to team \\\"BellKor's Pragmatic Chaos\\\".Cinematch, launched in 2000, was a system that recommended movies to its users, many of which might have been entirely new to the user. Through its divisionRed Envelope Entertainment, Netflix licensed and distributed independent films such asBorn into BrothelsandSherrybaby. In late 2006,Red Envelope Entertainmentalso expanded into producing original content with filmmakers such asJohn Waters.Netflix closed Red Envelope Entertainment in 2008. Transition to streaming services (2007–2012) In January 2007, the company launched astreaming mediaservice, introducingvideo on demandvia the Internet. However, at that time it only had 1,000 films available for streaming, compared to 70,000 available on DVD.The company had for some time considered offering movies online, but it was only in the mid-2000s that data speeds and bandwidth costs had improved sufficiently to allow customers to download movies from the net. The original idea was a\",\n \"original idea was a \\\"Netflix box\\\" that could download movies overnight, and be ready to watch the next day. By 2005, Netflix had acquired movie rights and designed the box and service. But after witnessing how popular streaming services such asYouTubewere despite the lack of high-definition content, the concept of using a hardware device was scrapped and replaced with a streaming concept. In February 2007, Netflix delivered its billionth DVD, a copy ofBabelto a customer in Texas.In April 2007, Netflix recruitedReplayTVfounderAnthony Wood, to build a \\\"Netflix Player\\\" that would allow streaming content to be played directly on a television rather than a desktop or laptop.Hastings eventually shut down the project to help encourage other hardware manufacturers to include built-in Netflix support, which would be spun off as thedigital media playerproductRoku. In January 2008, all rental-disc subscribers became entitled to unlimited streaming at no additional cost. This change came in a response to the\",\n \"a response to the introduction ofHuluand toApple's new video-rental services.In August 2008, the Netflix database was corrupted and the company was not able to ship DVDs to customers for 3 days, leading the company to move all its data to theAmazon Web Servicescloud.In November 2008, Netflix began offering subscribers rentals onBlu-rayand discontinued its sale of used DVDs.In 2009, Netflix streams overtook DVD shipments. On January 6, 2010, Netflix agreed withWarner Bros.to delay new release rentals to 28 days after the DVDs became available for sale, in an attempt to help studios sell physical copies, and similar deals involvingUniversal Picturesand20th Century Foxwere reached on April 9.In July 2010, Netflix signed a deal to stream movies ofRelativity Media.In August 2010, Netflix reached a five-year deal worth nearly $1 billion to stream films fromParamount,LionsgateandMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer. The deal increased Netflix's annual spending fees, adding roughly $200 million per year. It spent $117 million in the\",\n \"$117 million in the first six months of 2010 on streaming, up from $31 million in 2009.On September 22, 2010, Netflix launched in Canada, its first international market.In November 2010, Netflix began offering a standalone streaming service separate from DVD rentals. In 2010, Netflix acquired the rights toBreaking Bad, produced by Sony Pictures Television, after the show's third season, at a point where original broadcasterAMChad expressed the possibility of cancelling the show. Sony pushed Netflix to releaseBreaking Badin time for the fourth season, which as a result, greatly expanded the show's audience on AMC due to new viewers bingeing on the Netflix past episodes, and doubling the viewership by the time of the fifth season.Breaking Badis considered the first such show to have this \\\"Netflix effect\\\". In January 2011, Netflix announced agreements with several manufacturers to includebranded Netflix buttonson theremote controlsof devices compatible with the service, such asBlu-ray players.By May 2011,\",\n \"May 2011, Netflix had become the largest source of Internet streaming traffic in North America, accounting for 30% of traffic during peak hours. On July 12, 2011, Netflix announced that it would separate its existing subscription plans into two separate plans: one covering the streaming and the other DVD rental services.The cost for streaming would be $7.99 per month, while DVD rental would start at the same price.On September 11, 2011, Netflix expanded to countries in Latin America.On September 18, 2011, Netflix announced its intentions to rebrand and restructure its DVD home media rental service as an independent subsidiary called Qwikster, separating DVD rental and streaming services.On September 26, 2011, Netflix announced a content deal withDreamWorks Animation.On October 10, 2011, Netflix announced that it would retain its DVD service under the name Netflix and that its streaming and DVD-rental plans would remain branded together, citing customer dissatisfaction with the split. In October 2011. Netflix\",\n \"2011. Netflix andThe CWsigned a multi-year output deal for its television shows.On January 9, 2012, Netflix started its expansion to Europe, launching in the United Kingdom and Ireland.In February 2012, Netflix reached a multi-year agreement withThe Weinstein Company.In March 2012, Netflix acquired thedomain nameDVD.com.By 2016, Netflix rebranded its DVD-by-mail service under the nameDVD.com, A Netflix Company.In April 2012, Netflix filed with theFederal Election Commission(FEC) to form apolitical action committee(PAC) called FLIXPAC.Netflix spokesperson Joris Evers tweeted that the intent was to \\\"engage on issues likenet neutrality,bandwidth caps,UBBandVPPA\\\".In June 2012, Netflix signed a deal withOpen Road Films. On August 23, 2012, Netflix andThe Weinstein Companysigned a multi-year output deal for RADiUS-TWC films.In September 2012,Epixsigned a five-year streaming deal with Netflix. For the initial two years of this agreement, first-run and back-catalog content from Epix was exclusive to Netflix. Epix\",\n \"to Netflix. Epix films came to Netflix 90 days after premiering on Epix.These included films from Paramount, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and Lionsgate. On October 18, 2012, Netflix launched in Denmark, Finland, Norway and Sweden.On December 4, 2012, Netflix and Disney announced an exclusive multi-year agreement for first-run United States subscription television rights to Walt Disney Studios' animated and live-action films, with classics such asDumbo,Alice in WonderlandandPocahontasavailable immediately and others available on Netflix beginning in 2016.Direct-to-videoreleases were made available in 2013. On January 14, 2013, Netflix signed an agreement withTime Warner'sTurner Broadcasting Systemand Warner Bros. Television to distributeCartoon Network,Warner Bros. Animation, andAdult Swimcontent, as well asTNT'sDallas, beginning in March 2013. The rights to these programs were given to Netflix shortly after deals withViacomto streamNickelodeonandNick Jr. Channelprograms expired. For cost reasons, Netflix stated that\",\n \"Netflix stated that it would limit its expansion in 2013,adding only one new market—the Netherlands—in September of that year. This expanded its availability to 40 territories. Development of original programming and distribution expansion (2013–2017) In 2011, Netflix began its efforts into original content development. In March, it made a straight-to-series order fromMRCfor the political dramaHouse of Cards, led byKevin Spacey, outbidding U.S. cable networks. This marked the first instance of a first-run television series being specifically commissioned by the service.In November the same year, Netflix added two more significant productions to its roster: the comedy-dramaOrange Is the New Black, adapted fromPiper Kerman'smemoir,and a new season of the previously cancelled Fox sitcomArrested Development.Netflix acquired the U.S. rights to the Norwegian dramaLilyhammerafter its television premiere on Norway'sNRK1on January 25, 2012. Notably departing from the traditional broadcast television model of weekly\",\n \"model of weekly episode premieres, Netflix chose to release the entire first season on February 8 of the same year. House of Cardswas released by Netflix on February 1, 2013, marketed as the first \\\"Netflix Original\\\" production.Later that month, Netflix announced an agreement withDreamWorks Animationto commission children's television series based on its properties, beginning withTurbo: F.A.S.T., a spin-off of its filmTurbo.Orange is the New Blackwould premiere in July 2013; Netflix stated thatOrange is the New Blackhad been its most-watched original series so far, with all of them having \\\"an audience comparable with successful shows on cable and broadcast TV.\\\" On March 13, 2013, Netflix added aFacebooksharing feature, letting United States subscribers access \\\"Watched by your friends\\\" and \\\"Friends' Favorites\\\" by agreeing.This was not legal until theVideo Privacy Protection Actwas modified in early 2013.On August 1, 2013, Netflix reintroduced the \\\"Profiles\\\" feature that permits accounts to accommodate up to\",\n \"accommodate up to five user profiles. In November 2013,Marvel TelevisionandABC Studiosannounced Netflix had ordered a slate offour television seriesbased on theMarvel ComicscharactersDaredevil,Jessica Jones,Iron FistandLuke Cage. Each of the four series received an initial order of 13 episodes, and Netflix also ordered aDefendersminiseries that would tie them together.DaredevilandJessica Jonespremiered in 2015.TheLuke Cageseries premiered on September 30, 2016, followed byIron Fiston March 17, 2017, andThe Defenderson August 18, 2017.Marvel ownerDisneylater entered into other content agreements with Netflix, including acquiring its animatedStar WarsseriesStar Wars: The Clone Wars, and a new sixth season. In February 2014, Netflix began to enter into agreements with U.S. internet service providers, beginning withComcast(whose customers had repeatedly complained of frequentbufferingwhen streaming Netflix), in order to provide the service a direct connection to their networks.In April 2014, Netflix\",\n \"April 2014, Netflix signedArrested DevelopmentcreatorMitchell Hurwitzand his production firm The Hurwitz Company to a multi-year deal to create original projects for the service.In May 2014, Netflix &Sony Pictures Animationhad a major multi-deal to acquired streaming rights to produce films.It also began to introduce an updated logo, with a flatter appearance and updated typography. In September 2014, Netflix expanded into six new European markets, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany,Luxembourg, and Switzerland.On September 10, 2014, Netflix participated inInternet Slowdown Dayby deliberately slowing down its speed in support ofnet neutralityregulations in the United States.In October 2014, Netflix announced a four-film deal withAdam Sandlerand hisHappy Madison Productions. In April 2015, following the launch ofDaredevil, Netflix director of content operations Tracy Wright announced that Netflix had added support foraudio description, and had begun to work with its partners to add descriptions to its\",\n \"descriptions to its other original series over time.The following year, as part of a settlement with theAmerican Council of the Blind, Netflix agreed to provide descriptions for its original series within 30 days of their premiere, and addscreen readersupport and the ability to browse content by availability of descriptions. In March 2015, Netflix expanded to Australia and New Zealand.In September 2015, Netflix launched in Japan, its first country in Asia.In October 2015, Netflix launched in Italy, Portugal, and Spain. In January 2016, at theConsumer Electronics Show, Netflix announced a major international expansion of its service into 130 additional countries. It then had become available worldwide except China, Syria, North Korea,KosovoandCrimea.In May 2016, Netflix created a tool called Fast.com to determine the speed of an Internet connection.It received praise for being \\\"simple\\\" and \\\"easy to use\\\", and does not includeonline advertising, unlike competitors.On November 30, 2016, Netflix launched an\",\n \"Netflix launched an offline playback feature, allowing users of the Netflix mobile apps onAndroidoriOStocachecontent on their devices in standard or high quality for viewing offline, without an Internet connection. In 2016, Netflix released an estimated 126 original series or films, more than any network or cable channel.In April 2016, Hastings stated that the company planned to expand its in-house, Los Angeles-based Netflix Studios to grow its output; Hastings ruled out any potential acquisitions of existing studios. In February 2017, Netflix signed amusic publishingdeal withBMG Rights Management, whereby BMG will oversee rights outside of the United States for music associated with Netflix original content. Netflix continues to handle these tasks in-house in the United States.On April 25, 2017, Netflix signed a licensing deal withIQiyi, a Chinese video streaming platform owned byBaidu, to allow selected Netflix original content to be distributed in China on the platform. On August 7, 2017, Netflix\",\n \"7, 2017, Netflix acquiredMillarworld, the creator-owned publishing company of comic book writerMark Millar. The purchase marked the first corporate acquisition to have been made by Netflix.On August 14, 2017, Netflix entered into an exclusive development deal withShonda Rhimesand her production companyShondaland. In September 2017, Netflix announced it would offer its low-broadband mobile technology to airlines to provide better in-flight Wi-Fi so that passengers can watch movies on Netflix while on planes. In September 2017,Minister of HeritageMélanie Jolyannounced that Netflix had agreed to make aCA$500 million(US$400 million) investment over the next five years in producing content in Canada. The company denied that the deal was intended to result in atax break.Netflix realized this goal by December 2018. In October 2017, Netflix iterated a goal of having half of its library consist of original content by 2019, announcing a plan to invest $8 billion on original content in 2018.In October 2017, Netflix\",\n \"2017, Netflix introduced the \\\"Skip Intro\\\" feature which allows customers to skip the intros to shows on its platform through a variety of techniques including manual reviewing, audio tagging, andmachine learning. In November 2017, Netflix signed an exclusive multi-year deal withOrange Is the New BlackcreatorJenji Kohan.In November 2017, Netflix withdrew from co-hosting a party at the75th Golden Globe AwardswithThe Weinstein Companydue to theHarvey Weinstein sexual abuse cases. Expansion into international productions and new productions (2017–2020) In November 2017, Netflix announced that it would be making its first original Colombian series, to be executive produced byCiro Guerra.In December 2017, Netflix signedStranger Thingsdirector-producerShawn Levyand his production company21 Laps Entertainmentto what sources say is a four-year deal.In 2017, Netflix invested in distributing exclusive stand-up comedy specials fromDave Chappelle,Louis C.K.,Chris Rock,Jim Gaffigan,Bill BurrandJerry Seinfeld. In February\",\n \"In February 2018, Netflix acquired the rights toThe Cloverfield ParadoxfromParamount Picturesfor $50 million and launched on its service on February 4, 2018, shortly after airing its first trailer duringSuper Bowl LII. Analysts believed that Netflix's purchase of the film helped to make the film instantly profitable for Paramount compared to a more traditional theatrical release, while Netflix benefited from the surprise reveal.Other films acquired by Netflix include international distribution for Paramount'sAnnihilationand Universal'sNews of the Worldand worldwide distribution of Universal'sExtinction,Warner Bros.'Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle,Paramount'sThe Lovebirdsand 20th Century Studios'The Woman in the Window.In March, the service orderedFormula 1: Drive to Survive, a racing docuseries following teams in theFormula Oneworld championship. In March 2018,Sky UKannounced an agreement with Netflix to integrate Netflix's subscription VOD offering into its pay-TV service. Customers with its high-end Sky Q\",\n \"its high-end Sky Q set-top box and service will be able to see Netflix titles alongside their regular Sky channels.In October 2022, Netflix revealed that its annual revenue from the UK subscribers in 2021 was £1.4bn. In April 2018, Netflix pulled out of theCannes Film Festival, in response to new rules requiring competition films to have been released in French theaters. The Cannes premiere ofOkjain 2017 was controversial, and led to discussions over the appropriateness of films with simultaneous digital releases being screened at an event showcasing theatrical film; audience members also booed the Netflixproduction logoat the screening. Netflix's attempts to negotiate to allow a limited release in France were curtailed by organizers, as well as Frenchcultural exceptionlaw—where theatrically screened films are legally forbidden from being made available via video-on-demand services until at least 36 months after their release.Besides traditional Hollywood markets as well as from partners like theBBC,\",\n \"like theBBC, Sarandos said the company also looking to expand investments in non-traditional foreign markets due to the growth of viewers outside of North America. At the time, this included programs such asDarkfrom Germany,Ingobernablefrom Mexico and3%from Brazil. On May 22, 2018, formerpresident,Barack Obama, and his wife,Michelle Obama, signed a deal to produce docu-series, documentaries and features for Netflix under the Obamas' newly formed production company,Higher Ground Productions. In June 2018, Netflix announced a partnership withTelltale Gamesto port itsadventure gamesto the service in a streaming video format, allowing simple controls through a television remote.The first game,Minecraft: Story Mode, was released in November 2018.In July 2018, Netflix earned the most Emmy nominations of any network for the first time with 112 nods. On August 27, 2018, the company signed a five-year exclusive overall deal with international best–selling authorHarlan Coben.On the same day, the company signed an\",\n \"company signed an overall deal withGravity FallscreatorAlex Hirsch.In October 2018, Netflix paid under $30 million to acquireAlbuquerque Studios(ABQ Studios), a $91 million film and TV production facility with eight sound stages inAlbuquerque,New Mexico, for its first U.S. production hub, pledging to spend over $1 billion over the next decade to create one of the largest film studios in North America.In November 2018,Paramount Picturessigned a multi-picture film deal with Netflix, making Paramount the first major film studio to sign a deal with Netflix.A sequel toAwesomenessTV'sTo All the Boys I've Loved Beforewas released on Netflix under the titleTo All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love Youas part of the agreement.In December 2018, the company announced a partnership withESPN Filmson atelevision documentarychronicling Michael Jordan and the1997–98 Chicago Bulls seasontitledThe Last Dance. It was released internationally on Netflix and became available for streaming in the United States three months after a\",\n \"months after a broadcast airing onESPN. In January 2019,Sex Educationmade its debut as a Netflix original series, receiving much critical acclaim.On January 22, 2019, Netflix sought and was approved for membership into theMotion Picture Association of America(MPAA), making it the first streaming service to join the association.In February 2019,The HauntingcreatorMike Flanaganjoined frequent collaborator Trevor Macy as a partner inIntrepid Picturesand the duo signed an exclusive overall deal with Netflix to produce television content.On May 9, 2019, Netflix contracted withDark Horse Entertainmentto make television series and films based on comics fromDark Horse Comics.In July 2019, Netflix announced that it would be opening a hub atShepperton Studiosas part of a deal withPinewood Group.In early-August 2019, Netflix negotiated an exclusive multi-year film and television deal withGame of Thronescreators and showrunnersDavid BenioffandD.B. Weiss.The first Netflix production created by Benioff and Weiss was\",\n \"and Weiss was planned as an adaptation ofLiu Cixin's science fiction novelThe Three-Body Problem, part of theRemembrance of Earth's Pasttrilogy.On September 30, 2019, in addition to renewingStranger Thingsfor afourth season, Netflix signedThe Duffer Brothersto anoverall dealcovering future film and television projects for the service. On November 13, 2019, Netflix andNickelodeonentered into a multi-year agreement to produce several original animated feature films and television series based on Nickelodeon's library of characters. This agreement expanded on their existing relationship, in which new specials based on the past Nickelodeon seriesInvader ZimandRocko's Modern Life(Invader Zim: Enter the FlorpusandRocko's Modern Life: Static Clingrespectively) were released by Netflix. Other new projects planned under the team-up include a music project featuringSquidward Tentaclesfrom the animated television seriesSpongeBob SquarePants, and films based onThe Loud HouseandRise of the Teenage Mutant Ninja\",\n \"Mutant Ninja Turtles.The agreement with Disney ended in 2019 due to the launch ofDisney+, with its Marvel productions moving exclusively to the service in 2022. In November 2019, Netflix announced that it had signed a long-term lease to save the Paris Theatre, the last single-screen movie theater in Manhattan. The company oversaw several renovations at the theater, including new seats and a concession stand. In January 2020, Netflix announced a new four-film deal with Adam Sandler worth up to $275 million.On February 25, 2020, Netflix formed partnerships with six Japanese creators to produce an original Japanese anime project. This partnership includes manga creator group CLAMP, mangaka Shin Kibayashi, mangaka Yasuo Ohtagaki, novelist and film director Otsuichi, novelist Tow Ubutaka, and manga creator Mari Yamazaki.On March 4, 2020,ViacomCBSannounced that it will be producing two spin-off films based onSpongeBob SquarePantsfor Netflix.On April 7, 2020,Peter Chernin'sChernin Entertainmentmade a\",\n \"Entertainmentmade a multi-yearfirst-look dealwith Netflix to make films.On May 29, 2020, Netflix announced the acquisition ofGrauman's Egyptian Theatrefrom theAmerican Cinemathequeto use as a special events venue.In July 2020, Netflix appointed Sarandos as co-CEO.In July 2020, Netflix invested inBlack MirrorcreatorsCharlie BrookerandAnnabel Jones' new production outfit Broke And Bones. In September 2020, Netflix signed a multi-million dollar deal with theDukeandDuchessof Sussex. Harry and Meghan agreed to a multi-year deal promising to create TV shows, films, and children's content as part of their commitment to stepping away from the duties of the royal family.In September 2020, Hastings released a book about Netflix culture titledNo Rules Rules: Netflix and the Culture of Reinvention, which was coauthored byErin Meyer.In December 2020, Netflix signed a first-look deal withMillie Bobby Brownto develop and star in several projects including a potential action franchise. Expansion into gaming,Squid Game, new\",\n \"Game, new programing and new initiatives (2021–2022) In March 2021, Netflix earned the most Academy Award nominations of any studio, with 36. Netflix won seven Academy Awards, which was the most by any studio.Later that year, Netflix also won more Emmys than any other network or studio with 44 wins, tying the record for most Emmys won in a single year set by CBS in 1974. On April 8, 2021,Sony Pictures Entertainmentannounced an agreement for Netflix to hold the U.S. pay television window rights to its releases beginning in 2022, replacingStarzand expanding upon an existing agreement withSony Pictures Animation. The agreement also includes a first-look deal for any future direct-to-streaming films being produced bySony Pictures, with Netflix required to commit to a minimum number of them.On April 27, Netflix announced that it was opening its first Canadian headquarters inToronto.The company also announced that it would open an office in Sweden as well asRomeandIstanbulto increase its original content in those\",\n \"content in those regions. In early-June, Netflix hosted a first-ever week-long virtual event called \\\"Geeked Week\\\", where it shared exclusive news, new trailers, cast appearances and more about upcoming genre titles likeThe Witcher,The Cuphead Show!, andThe Sandman. On June 7, 2021,Jennifer Lopez'sNuyorican Productionssigned a multi-year first-look deal with Netflix spanning feature films, TV series, and unscripted content, with an emphasis on projects that support diverse female actors, writers, and filmmakers.On June 10, 2021, Netflix announced it was launching an online store for curated products tied to the Netflix brand and shows such asStranger ThingsandThe Witcher.On June 21, 2021,Steven Spielberg'sAmblin Partnerssigned a deal with Netflix to release multiple new feature films for the streaming service.On June 30, 2021,Powerhouse Animation Studios(the studio behind Netflix'sCastlevania) announced signing a first-look deal with the streamer to produce more animated series. In July 2021, Netflix\",\n \"July 2021, Netflix hiredMike Verdu, a former executive fromElectronic ArtsandFacebook, as vice president of game development, along with plans to add video games by 2022.Netflix announced plans to releasemobile gameswhich would be included in subscribers' plans to the service.Trial offerings were first launched for Netflix users in Poland in August 2021, offering premium mobile games based onStranger ThingsincludingStranger Things 3: The Game, for free to subscribers through the Netflix mobile app. On July 14, 2021, Netflix signed a first-look deal withJoey King, star ofThe Kissing Boothfranchise, in which King will produce and develop films for Netflix via her All The King's Horses production company.On July 21, 2021,Zack Snyder, director of Netflix'sArmy of the Dead, announced he had signed his production companyThe Stone Quarryto a first-look deal with Netflix; his upcoming projects include a sequel toArmy of the Deadand a sci-fi adventure film titledRebel Moon.In 2019, he agreed to produce\",\n \"agreed to produce ananime-styleweb seriesinspired byNorse mythology. As of August 2021,Netflix Originalsmade up 40% of Netflix's overall library in the United States.The company announced that \\\"TUDUM: A Netflix Global Fan Event\\\", a three-hour virtual behind the scenes featuring first-look reveals for 100 of the streamer's series, films and specials, would have its inaugural show in late September 2021.According to Netflix, the show garnered 25.7 million views across Netflix's 29 Netflix YouTube channels, Twitter, Twitch, Facebook, TikTok and Tudum.com. Also in September, the company announced The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience, launching in 2022 in Los Angeles,Chicago,Montreal, andWashington, D.C.. Squid Game, a South Korean survival drama created and produced byHwang Dong-hyuk, rapidly became the service's most-watched show within a week of its launch in many markets on September 17, 2021, including Korea, the U.S. and the United Kingdom.Within its first 28 days on the service,Squid Gamedrew more\",\n \"Gamedrew more than 111 million viewers, surpassingBridgertonand becoming Netflix's most-watched show. On September 20, 2021, Netflix signed a long-term lease withAviva Investorsto operate and expand theLongcross StudiosinSurrey, UK.On September 21, 2021, Netflix announced that it would acquire the Roald Dahl Story Company, which manages the rights toRoald Dahl'sstories and characters, for an undisclosed price and would operate it as an independent company.The company acquiredNight School Studio, an independent video game developer, on September 28, 2021. On October 13, 2021, Netflix announced the launch of the Netflix Book Club, partnering withStarbucksfor a social series calledBut Have You Read the Book?.Uzo Adubabecame inaugural host of the series and announced monthly book selections set to be adapted by the streamer. Aduba speaks with the cast, creators, and authors about the book adaptation process over a cup of coffee at Starbucks.Through October 2021, Netflix commonly reported viewership for its\",\n \"viewership for its programming based on the number of viewers or households that watched a show in a given period (such as the first 28 days from its premiere) for at least two minutes. On the announcement of its quarterly earnings in October 2021, the company stated that it would switch its viewership metrics to measuring the number of hours that a show was watched, including rewatches, which the company said was closer to the measurements used in linear broadcast television, and thus \\\"our members and the industry can better measure success in the streaming world.\\\" Netflix officially launched mobile games on November 2, 2021, for Android users around the world. Through the app, subscribers had free access to five games, including two previously madeStranger Thingstitles. Netflix intends to add more games to this service over time.On November 9, the collection launched foriOS.Some games in the collection require an active internet connection to play, while others will be available offline. Netflix Kids'\",\n \"Netflix Kids' accounts will not have games available.On November 16, Netflix announced the launch of \\\"Top10 on Netflix.com\\\", a new website with weekly global and country lists of the most popular titles on their service based on their new viewership metrics.On November 22, Netflix announced that it would acquireScanline VFX, the visual effects and animation company behindCowboy BebopandStranger Things.On the same day,Roberto Patinosigned a deal with Netflix and established his own production banner, Analog Inc., in partnership with the company. Patino's first project under the deal is a series adaptation ofImage Comics'Nocterra. On December 6, 2021, Netflix andStage 32announced that they have teamed up the workshops at the Creating Content for the Global Marketplace program.On December 7, 2021, Netflix partnered with IllumiNative, a woman-led non-profit organization, for the Indigenous Producers Training Program.On December 9, Netflix announced the launch of \\\"Tudum\\\", an official companion website that offers\",\n \"website that offers news, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes videos for its original television shows and films.On December 13, Netflix signed a multi-year overall deal withKalinda Vazquez.On December 16, 2021, Netflix signed a multi-year creative partnership withSpike Leeand his production company40 Acres and a Mule Filmworksto develop film and television projects. In compliance with the EU Audiovisual Media Services Directive and its implementation in France, Netflix reached commitments with French broadcasting authorities and film guilds, as required by law, to invest a specific amount of its annual revenue into original French films and series. These films must be theatrically released and would not be allowed to be carried on Netflix until 15 months after their release. In January 2022, Netflix ordered additional sports docuseries fromDrive to Surviveproducers Box to Box Films, including a series that would followPGA Tourgolfers, and another that would follow professional tennis players on\",\n \"tennis players on theATPandWTA Tourcircuits. The company announced plans to acquire Next Games in March 2022 for €65 million as part of Netflix's expansions into gaming. Next Games had developed the mobile titleStranger Things: Puzzle Talesas well as twoThe Walking Deadmobile games.Later in the month, Netflix also acquired theTexas-based mobile game developer,Boss Fight Entertainment, for an undisclosed sum. On March 15, 2022, Netflix announced a partnership withDr. SeussEnterprises to produce five new series and specials based on Seusspropertiesfollowing the success ofGreen Eggs and Ham.On March 29, 2022, Netflix announced that it would open an office in Poland to serve as a hub for its original productions acrossCentral and Eastern Europe.On March 30, 2022, Netflix extended its lease agreement with Martini Film Studios, just outside Vancouver, Canada, for another five years.On March 31, 2022, Netflix ordered a docuseries that would follow teams in the2022 Tour de France, which would also be co-produced by\",\n \"be co-produced by Box to Box Films. Following the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Netflix suspended its operations and future projects in Russia.It also announced that it would not comply with a proposed directive byRoskomnadzorrequiring all internet streaming services with more than 100,000 subscribers to integrate the major free-to-air channels (which are primarily state-owned).A month later, ex-Russian subscribers filed a class action lawsuit against Netflix. Netflix stated that 100 million households globally were sharing passwords to their account with others, and that Canada and the United States accounted for 30 million of them. Following these announcements, Netflix's stock price fell by 35 percent.By June 2022, Netflix had laid off 450 full-time and contract employees as part of the company's plan to trim costs amid lower than expected subscriber growth. On April 13, 2022, Netflix released the seriesOur Great National Parks, which was hosted and narrated by former US President Barack Obama.It also\",\n \"Obama.It also partnered with Group Effort Initiative, a company founded byRyan ReynoldsandBlake Lively, to provide opportunities behind the camera for those in underrepresented communities.On the same day, Netflix partnered with Lebanon-basedArab Fund For Arts And Culturefor supporting the Arab female filmmakers. It will provide a one-time grant of $250,000 to female producers and directors in the Arab world through the company's Fund for Creative Equity.Also on the same day, Netflix announced anExploding Kittensmobile card game tied to a new animated TV series, which will launch in May.Netflix formed a creative partnership withJ. Miles Dale.The company also formed a partnership with Japan'sStudio Colorido, signing a multi-film deal to boost their anime content in Asia. The streaming giant is said to co-produce three feature films with the studio, the first of which will premiere in September 2022.On April 28, the company launched its inauguralNetflix Is a Jokecomedy festival, featuring more than 250 shows\",\n \"more than 250 shows over 12 nights at 30-plus locations across Los Angeles, including the first-ever stand-up show atDodger Stadium. The first volume ofStranger Things 4logged Netflix's biggest premiere weekend ever for an original series with 286.79 million hours viewed.This was preceded by a newStranger Thingsinteractive experience hosted in New York City that was developed by the show's creators.After the release of the second volume ofStranger Things 4on July 1, 2022, it became Netflix's second title to receive more than one billion hours viewed. On July 19, 2022, Netflix announced plans to acquire Australian animation studioAnimal Logic.That month, in collaboration withSennheiser, Netflix began to add Ambeo 2-channel audio mixes (referred to as \\\"spatial audio\\\") to selected original productions, which allows simulatedsurround soundon stereo speakers and headphones. On September 5, 2022, Netflix opened an office inWarsaw, Poland responsible for the service's operations in 28 markets in Central and Eastern\",\n \"Central and Eastern Europe. On October 4, 2022, Netflix have signed a creative partnership withAndrea BerloffandJohn Gatins.On October 11, Netflix signed up with theBroadcasters' Audience Research Boardfor external measurement of viewership in the UK.On October 12, Netflix signed to build a production complex atFort MonmouthinEatontown, New Jersey.On October 18, Netflix began exploring a cloud gaming offering and opened a new gaming studio in Southern California. On November 7, 2022, Netflix announced a strategic partnership with The Seven, a Japanese production company owned byTBS Holdings, to produce multiple original live-action titles for the subscribers over the next five years.On December 12, 2022, Netflix announced that sixty-percent of its subscribers had watched aKorean drama.CEO Ted Sarandos attributed the increase in viewership of Korean content among Americans to Korean films and dramas being \\\"often unpredictable\\\" and catching \\\"the American audience by surprise\\\". On January 10, 2023, Netflix\",\n \"10, 2023, Netflix announced plans to open an engineering hub in its Warsaw office. The hub is to provide Netflix's creative partners with software solutions for the production of films and series.In February 2023, Netflix launched a wider rollout of spatial audio, and began allowing Premium subscribers to download content for offline playback on up to six devices (expanded from four). On March 4, 2023, Netflix broadcast its first-ever global live-streaming event, the stand-up comedy specialChris Rock: Selective Outrage. Netflix reworked its viewership metrics again in June 2023. Viewership of shows was measured during the first 91 days of availability, instead of the first 28 days, and now are based on the total viewership hours divided by the total hours of the show itself. This provided more equal considerations for shorter shows and movies compared to longer ones. In August 2023, the company announced Netflix Stories, a collection of interactive narrative games from Netflix series and films such asLove is\",\n \"such asLove is Blind,Money HeistandVirgin River. Discontinuation of DVD rentals, expansion of live events, WWE agreement (2023–present) On April 18, 2023, Netflix announced that it would discontinue itsDVD-by-mailservice on September 29.Users of the service were able to keep the DVDs that they had received. Over its lifetime the service had sent out over 5 billion shipments. In October 2023, Eunice Kim was promoted to Chief Product Officer and Elizabeth Stone was promoted to Chief Technology Officer.That same month, amid a restructuring of its animation division, Netflix announced a multi-film agreement withSkydance Animationbeginning with the upcomingSpellbound. The agreement partially replaces one it had withApple TV+. In December 2023, Netflix released its first \\\"What We Watched: A Netflix Engagement Report\\\", a look at viewership for every original and licensed title watched more than 50,000 hours from January to June 2023. The company also announced plans to publish the report twice a year.In its first\",\n \"a year.In its first report for the first six months of 2023, it reported thatThe Night Agentwas the most watched show on globally in that period. On January 23, 2024, Netflix announced a major agreement withprofessional wrestlingpromotionWWE, under which it will acquire the international rights to its live weekly programRawbeginning in January 2025; the rights will initially cover the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Latin America, and expand to other territories over time. Outside of the United States, it will also hold international rights to all three of WWE's main weekly programs (Raw,SmackDown, andNXT),premium live events, and documentaries among other content. The agreement was reported to be valued at $500 million per-year over ten years. In February 2024, Netflix joined withPeter Morgan, creator of the Netflix seriesThe Crown, to produce the playPatriotsonBroadway. The venture is the first Broadway credit for the company but not its first stage project. It was actively involved as a\",\n \"involved as a producer ofStranger Things: The First Shadowin London. Both productions share a lead producer,Sonia Friedman. In May 2024, the company hosted its second Netflix Is a Joke festival in Los Angeles. It streamed several specials from the festival live, includingKatt Williams'sWoke FolkandThe Roast of Tom Brady, both of which ranked on Netflix's global top 10 the following two weeks.That same month, Netflix announced that it would stream bothNational Football LeagueChristmas gamesin 2024. For 2025 and 2026, the streamer will have exclusive rights to at least one NFL Christmas game each year. In June 2024, the company announced plans for Netflix House, a new permanent entertainment venue for fans to experience Netflix series and films. The first locations in the announcement areKing of Prussia Mallin Pennsylvania andGalleria Dallasin Texas. Availability and access Global availability Netflix is available in every country and territory except forChina,North Korea,SyriaandRussia. In January 2016,\",\n \"In January 2016, Netflix announced it would beginVPN blockingsince it can be used to watch videos from a country where they are unavailable.The result of the VPN block is that people can only watch videos available worldwide and other videos are hidden from search results.Variety is present on Netflix. Hebrew and right-to-left interface orientation, which is a common localization strategy in many markets, are what define the Israeli user interface's localization, and in some regions, Netflix offers a more affordable mobile-only subscription. Subscriptions Customers can subscribe to one of three plans; the difference in plans relates to video resolution, the number of simultaneous streams, and the number of devices to which content can be downloaded. At the end of Q1 2022, Netflix estimated that 100 million households globally were sharing passwords to their account with others.In March 2022, Netflix began to charge a fee for additional users in Chile, Peru, and Costa Rica to attempt to controlaccount\",\n \"to controlaccount sharing.On July 18, 2022, Netflix announced that it would test the account sharing feature in more countries, including Argentina, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.On October 17, Netflix launched Profile Transfer to help end account sharing. On July 13, 2022, Netflix announced plans to launch an advertising-supported subscription option.Netflix's planned advertising tier would not allow subscribers to download content like the existing ad-free platform.On July 20, 2022, it was announced that the advertising-supported tier would be coming to Netflix in 2023 but it would not feature the full library of content.In October, the launch date was announced as November 3, 2022, and was launched in 12 countries: United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Australia, Japan and South Korea.The ad-supported plan was called \\\"Basic with Ads\\\" and it cost $6.99 per month in the United States at launch. On February 24, 2023, Netflix cut\",\n \"2023, Netflix cut subscription prices in more than 30 countries around the world to attract more subscribers from those countries. Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Croatia, Venezuela, Kenya, and Iran are on the list of countries where the cost for a subscription will be reduced.In the same month stronger anti-password-sharing rules were expanded to Canada, New Zealand, Portugal, and Spain.In May 2023, these measures were further expanded to United States and Brazil subscribers. In July 2023, Netflix added 5.9 million subscribers for the second quarter of the year for a total of 238.39 million subscribers overall. The United States and Canada accounted for 1.2 million subscribers which was the largest regional quarterly gain since 2021. Netflix announced in February that it was going to enforce stricter regulations for password sharing. In May 2023, Netflix began cracking down on password-sharing in the US, UK, and Australia. Under these new rules, multiple people can use and share one account,\",\n \"share one account, but they have to be under the same household. Netflix defines a household as people who live in the same location as the owner of the account. Users are asked to set a primary location based on the device's IP address. Netflix reported 8.05 million new subscribers in Q2 2024, up from 5.9 million subscribers added in Q2 2023. In July 2024, Netflix started phasing out its cheapest subscription plan for users in France and the US, a year after the plan was removed for Canada and the UK. Members in these countries have the option to sign up for either the standard ad-free plan or the ad plan. Device support Netflix can be accessed via aweb browser, while Netflix apps are available on various platforms, includingBlu-rayplayers,tablet computers, mobile phones,smart TVs,digital media players, andvideo game consoles. Currently supported game consoles include: Several older devices no longer support Netflix. For home gaming consoles, this includes thePlayStation 2,PlayStation TV,WiiandWii U.For\",\n \"TV,WiiandWii U.For handheld gaming consoles, this includes theNintendo 3DSfamily of systems and thePlayStation Vita.The second and third generationApple TVpreviously supported Netflix with an ad-free plan, but the app was automatically removed on these devices on July 31, 2024. In addition, a growing number ofmultichannel televisionproviders, including cable television andIPTVservices, have added Netflix apps accessible within their ownset-top boxes, sometimes with the ability for its content (along with those of other online video services) to be presented within a unified search interface alongside linear television programming as an \\\"all-in-one\\\" solution. The maximum video resolution supported on computers is dependent on theDRMsystems available on a particular operating system and web browser. Content Original programming \\\"Netflix Originals\\\" are content that is produced, co-produced, or distributed exclusively by Netflix. Netflix funds its original shows differently than other TV networks when they sign\",\n \"when they sign a project, providing the money upfront and immediately ordering two seasons of most series.It keeps licensing rights, which normally give production companies future revenue opportunities from syndication, merchandising, etc. Over the years, Netflix output ballooned to a level unmatched by any television network or streaming service. According toVariety Insight, Netflix produced a total of 240 new original shows and movies in 2018, then climbed to 371 in 2019, a figure \\\"greater than the number of original series that the entire U.S. TV industry released in 2005.\\\"The Netflix budget allocated to production increased annually, reaching $13.6 billion in 2021 and projected to hit $18.9 billion by 2025, a figure that once again overshadowed any of its competitors.As of August 2022, original productions made up 50% of Netflix's overall library in the United States. Film and television deals Netflix has exclusivepay TVdeals with several studios. The deals give Netflix exclusive streaming rights while\",\n \"rights while adhering to the structures of traditional pay TV terms. Distributors that have licensed content to Netflix include Warner Bros., Universal Pictures,Sony Pictures Entertainmentand previously The Walt Disney Studios. Netflix also holds current and back-catalog rights to television programs distributed byWalt Disney Television,DreamWorks Classics,Kino International,Warner Bros. TelevisionandParamount Global Content Distribution, along with titles from other companies such asHasbro EntertainmentandFunimation. Formerly, the streaming service also held rights to select television programs distributed byNBCUniversal Television Distribution,Sony Pictures Televisionand20th Century Fox Television. Netflix negotiated to distribute animated films from Universal that HBO declined to acquire, such asThe Lorax,ParaNorman, andMinions. Netflix holds exclusive streaming rights to the film library ofStudio Ghibli(exceptGrave of the Fireflies) worldwide except in the U.S. and Japan as part of an agreement signed\",\n \"an agreement signed with Ghibli's international sales holderWild Bunchin 2020. Netflix Games In July 2021, Netflix hired Mike Verdu, a former executive fromElectronic ArtsandFacebook, as vice president of game development, along with plans to add video games by 2022.Netflix announced plans to releasemobile gameswhich would be included in subscribers' plans to the service.Trial offerings were first launched for Netflix users in Poland in August 2021, offering premium mobile games based onStranger ThingsincludingStranger Things 3: The Game, for free to subscribers through the Netflix mobile app. Netflix officially launched mobile games on November 2, 2021, for Android users around the world. Through the app, subscribers had free access to five games, including two previously madeStranger Thingstitles. Netflix intends to add more games to this service over time.On November 9, the collection launched foriOS.Verdu said in October 2022 that besides continuing to expand their portfolio of games, they were also\",\n \"they were also interested incloud gamingoptions. To support the games effort, Netflix began acquiring and forming a number of studios. The company acquiredNight School Studio, an independent video game developer, in September 2021.Netflix announced plans to acquire Next Games in March 2022 for€65 millionas part of Netflix's expansions into gaming. Next Games had developed the mobile titleStranger Things: Puzzle Talesas well as twoThe Walking Deadmobile games.Later in the month, Netflix also acquired theTexas-based mobile game developer,Boss Fight Entertainment, for an undisclosed sum.Netflix opened a mobile game studio in Helsinki, Finland in September 2022,and a new studio, their fifth total, in southern California in October 2022,alongside the acquisition ofSpry Foxin Seattle. In June 2024, Verdu was moved into a new role focusing on \\\"innovation in game development.\\\"The next month, Netflix hired Alain Tascan, vice president of game development atEpic Games, to head up Netflix Games.As of July 2024, Netflix\",\n \"July 2024, Netflix has over 80 games in development, releasing at least one game each month to attract fans. Technology Content delivery Netflix freelypeerswithInternet service providers(ISPs) directly and at commonInternet exchange points. In June 2012, a customcontent delivery network,Open Connect, was announced.For larger ISPs with over 100,000 subscribers, Netflix offers freeNetflix Open Connectcomputer appliancesthat cache their content within the ISPs'data centersor networks to further reduceInternet transitcosts.By August 2016, Netflix closed its last physical data center, but continued to develop its Open Connect technology.A 2016 study at theUniversity of Londondetected 233 individual Open Connect locations on over six continents, with the largest amount of traffic in the US, followed by Mexico. As of July 2017, Netflix series and movies accounted for more than a third of all prime-time download Internet traffic in North America. API On October 1, 2008, Netflix offered access to its service via a\",\n \"its service via a publicapplication programming interface(API).It allowed access to data for all Netflix titles, and allows users to manage their movie queues. The API was free and allowed commercial use.In June 2012, Netflix began to restrict the availability of its public API.Netflix instead focused on a small number of known partners using private interfaces, since most traffic came from those private interfaces.In November 2014, Netflix retired the public API.Netflix then partnered with the developers of eight services deemed the most valuable, including Instant Watcher, Fanhattan, Yidio and Nextguide. Recommendations and thumbnails Netflix presents viewers with recommendations based on interactions with the service, such as previous viewing history and ratings of viewed content. These are often grouped into genres and formats, or feature the platform's highest-rated content. Each title is presented with a thumbnail. Before around 2015, these were the samekey artfor everyone, but since then has been\",\n \"since then has been customized. Netflix may select a specific key art for a thumbnail based on viewing history,such as an actor or scene type based on genre preferences.Some thumbnails are generated from video stills. The Netflix recommendation system is a vital part of the streaming platform's success, enabling personalized content suggestions for hundreds of millions of subscribers worldwide.Using advanced machine learning algorithms, Netflix analyzes user interactions, including viewing history, searches, and ratings, to deliver personalized recommendations for movies and TV shows. The recommendation system considers individual user preferences, similarities with other users with comparable tastes, specific title attributes (genre, release year, etc.), device usage patterns, and viewing time. As users interact with the platform and provide feedback with their viewing habits, the recommendation system is able to adapt and refine its suggestions over time. Netflix uses a two-tiered ranking system, using the\",\n \"system, using the presentation of titles on the homepage for easy navigation to maximize user engagement. This is done by organizing content into rows and ranking the titles within each row based on how much the user would be interested in it.Netflix also uses A/B testing to determine what causes the biggest interest and engagement related to options concerning movie suggestions and how titles are organized. Tags like \\\"bittersweet\\\", \\\"sitcom\\\", or \\\"intimate\\\" are assigned to each title by Netflix employees.Netflix also uses the tags to create recommendation micro-genres like \\\"Goofy TV Shows\\\" or \\\"Girls Night In\\\". Awards On July 18, 2013, Netflix earned the firstPrimetime Emmy Awardsnominations for originalstreamingprograms at the65th Primetime Emmy Awards. Three of its series,Arrested Development,Hemlock GroveandHouse of Cards, earned a combined 14 nominations (nine forHouse of Cards, three forArrested Developmentand two forHemlock Grove).TheHouse of Cardsepisode \\\"Chapter 1\\\" received four nominations for both\",\n \"for both the 65th Primetime Emmy Awards and65th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards, becoming the first episode of a streaming television series to receive a major Primetime Emmy Award nomination. With its win for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single-Camera Series, \\\"Chapter 1\\\" became the first episode from a streaming service to be awarded an Emmy.David Fincher's win for Directing for a Drama Series forHouse of Cardsmade the episode the first from a streaming service to win a Primetime Emmy. On November 6, 2013, Netflix earned its first Grammy nomination whenYou've Got TimebyRegina Spektor— the main title theme song forOrange Is the New Black— was nominated for Best Song Written for Visual Media. On December 12, 2013, the network earned six nominations forGolden Globe Awards, including four forHouse of Cards.Among those nominations was Wright forGolden Globe Award for Best Actress – Television Series Dramafor her portrayal of Claire Underwood, which she won. With the accolade, Wright became the first\",\n \"became the first actress to win a Golden Globe for a streaming television series. It also marked Netflix's first major acting award.House of CardsandOrange is the New Blackalso wonPeabody Awardsin 2013. On January 16, 2014, Netflix became the first streaming service to earn an Academy Award nomination whenThe Squarewas nominated for Best Documentary Feature. On July 10, 2014, Netflix received 31 Emmy nominations. Among other nominations,House of Cardsreceived nominations forOutstanding Drama Series, Outstanding Directing in a Drama Series and Outstanding Writing in a Drama Series. Kevin Spacey and Robin Wright were nominated for Outstanding Lead Actor and Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series.Orange is the New Blackwas nominated in the comedy categories, earning nominations for Outstanding Comedy Series, Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series and Outstanding Directing for a Comedy Series.Taylor Schilling,Kate Mulgrew, andUzo Adubawere respectively nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy\",\n \"Actress in a Comedy Series, Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series and Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (the latter was for Aduba's recurring role in season one, as she was promoted to series regular for the show's second season). Netflix got the largest share of 2016 Emmy Award nominations, with 16 major nominations. However, streaming shows only got 24 nominations out of a total of 139, falling significantly behind cable. The 16 Netflix nominees were:House of Cardswith Kevin Spacey,A Very Murray Christmaswith Bill Murray,Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt,Master of None, andBloodline. Stranger Thingsreceived 19 nominations at the2017 Primetime Emmy Awards, whileThe Crownreceived 13 nominations. In December 2017, Netflix was awardedPETA's Company of the Year for promoting animal rights movies and documentaries likeForks Over KnivesandWhat the Health. At the90th Academy Awards, held on March 4, 2018, the filmIcarus, distributed by Netflix, won its firstAcademy Award for Best Documentary Feature\",\n \"Documentary Feature Film. During his remarks backstage, director and writer Bryan Fogel remarked that Netflix had \\\"single-handedly changed the documentary world.\\\"Icarushad its premiere at the 2017Sundance Film Festivaland was bought by Netflix for $5 million, one of the biggest deals ever for a non-fiction film.Netflix became the network whose programs received more nomination at the 2018PrimetimeandCreative Arts Emmy Awardswith 112 nominations, therefore breakingHBO's 17-years record as a network whose programs received more nomination at the Emmys, which received 108 nominations. On January 22, 2019, films distributed by Netflix scored 15 nominations for the91st Academy Awards, includingAcademy Award for Best PictureforAlfonso Cuarón'sRoma, which was nominated for 10 awards.The 15 nominations equal the total nominations films distributed by Netflix had received in previous years. In 2020, Netflix received 20 TV nominations and films distributed by Netflix also got 22 film nominations at the78th Golden\",\n \"at the78th Golden Globe Awards. It secured three out of the five nominations forbest drama TV seriesforThe Crown,OzarkandRatchedand four of the five nominations forbest actress in a TV series:Olivia Colman,Emma Corrin,Laura LinneyandSarah Paulson. In 2020, Netflix earned 24 Academy Award nominations, marking the first time a streaming service led all studios. Films and programs distributed by Netflix received 30 nominations at the 2021Screen Actors Guild Awards, more than any other distribution company, where their distributed films and programs won seven awards including best motion picture forThe Trial of the Chicago 7and best TV drama forThe Crown.Netflix also received the most nominations of any studio at the93rd Academy Awards– 35 total nominations with 7 award wins. In February 2022,The Power of the Dog, a gritty western distributed by Netflix and directed by Jane Campion, received 12 nominations, including Best Picture, for the 94th annual Academy Awards. Films distributed by the streamer received a\",\n \"streamer received a total of 72 nominations.Campion became the third female to receive the Best Director award, winning her second Oscar forThe Power of the Dog.At the50th International Emmy Awards, Netflix originalSex EducationwonBest Comedy Series.Later that year, Netflix received 26 Emmy Awards including six forSquid Game. TheSquid Gamewins forOutstanding Lead Actor in a Drama SeriesandOutstanding Directing for a Drama Serieswere the first-ever for a non-English language series in those categories. In March 2023, Netflix won six Academy Awards including four forAll Quiet on the Western Frontwhich was the most awarded Netflix film in its history.Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchiowas the first streaming film to namedBest Animated FeatureandThe Elephant Whispererswas the first Indian-produced film to receiveBest Documentary Short Film.Netflix received 103 Emmy nominations including 13 each for the limited seriesBeefandDahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story. In July 2024, Netflix received 107 Emmy nominations\",\n \"Emmy nominations which was the most of any network. Criticism Netflix has been subject to criticism from various groups and individuals as its popularity and market reach increased in the 2010s. Customers have complained about price increases in Netflix offerings dating back to the company's decision to separate its DVD rental and streaming services, which was quickly reversed. As Netflix increased its streaming output, it has faced calls to limit accessibility tographic violenceand include viewer advisories for issues such as sensationalism and promotion ofpseudoscience. Netflix's content has also been criticized bydisability rights movementadvocates for lack ofclosed captioningquality. Some media organizations and competitors have criticized Netflix for selectively releasing ratings andviewer numbersof its original programming. The company has made claims boasting about viewership records without providing data to substantiate its successes or using problematic estimation methods.In March 2020, some\",\n \"March 2020, some government agencies called for Netflix and other streamers to limit services due to increased broadband and energy consumption as use of the platform increased. In response, the company announced it would reducebit rateacross all streams in Europe, thus decreasing Netflix traffic on European networks by around 25 percent. These same steps were later taken in India. In May 2022, Netflix's shareholder Imperium Irrevocable Trust filed a lawsuit against the company for violating the U.S.securitieslaws.In January 2024, a federal judge dismissed the suit, stating that shareholders failed to provide instances of Netflix lying about subscriber growth. In May 2023, Netflix officially banned the use of password sharing between individuals of different households, meaning sharing an account was only available to those living in the same house. See also References Further reading External links\",\n \"Marc Randolph Marc Bernays Randolph(born April 29, 1958) is an American tech entrepreneur, advisor and speaker.He is the co-founder and firstCEOofNetflix. A serial entrepreneur who is said to have helped found the U.S. edition ofMacworldmagazine and the computer mail-order businesses MacWarehouse andMicroWarehouse,Randolph now serves on the boards ofLooker Data Sciencesand Chubbies Shorts. He previously served on the boards of Getable, Rafter, ReadyForce. Randolph, who has equated founding companies to his experience as a mountain guide, is the chairman of the board of trustees of theNational Outdoor Leadership School(NOLS) in Lander,Wyoming and a board member of the environmental advocacy group1% for the Planet. Early life and education Randolph was born to aJewishfamily inChappaqua, New York, the eldest child of Stephen Bernays Randolph, an Austrian-born nuclear engineer turned financial adviser and Muriel Lipchik of Brooklyn, New York who ran her own real estate firm.One of Randolph's paternal great-grand\",\n \"great-grand uncles was psychoanalysis pioneerSigmund Freud. Another paternal great-uncle of Randolph wasEdward Bernays, an Austrian-American pioneer in the field of public relations and propaganda.Randolph spent his summers during high school and college working for the National Outdoor Leadership School, becoming one of its youngest instructors. He graduated fromHamilton Collegein New York with a geology degree. Career Early career Randolph's first job out of college in 1981 was atCherry Lane MusicCompany in New York. Put in charge of the company's small mail-order operation, Randolph taught himself direct mail and marketing techniques while tinkering with different ways to sell Cherry Lane's catalog of sheet music directly to consumers. Randolph's fascination with using computer software to track customers' buying behavior would ultimately inform his decision to create a user interface at Netflix that doubled as a market research platform.He further developed his theories about using direct mail to\",\n \"direct mail to influence and retain customers doing circulation work while helping found the U.S. version ofMacUsermagazine in 1984. While co-founding computer mail-order firms MacWarehouse andMicroWarehousewith Peter Godfrey and his partners about a year later, Randolph made the connection between overnight delivery and improved customer retention.The discovery later proved crucial to Netflix's growth and survival: the company's subscriber base first blossomed and cut intoBlockbuster Increvenues in cities where Netflix offered overnight DVD delivery. Randolph spent the dawn of the Internet age building direct-to-consumer marketing operations at software giantBorlandInternational starting in 1988. He left Borland in 1995 for a series of short stints at Silicon Valley start-ups, including heading marketing at desktop scanner makerVisioneer, and then as a member of the founding team of Integrity QA, a developer of automated software testing products.In late 1996, software debugging companyPure Atriaacquired\",\n \"Atriaacquired the nine-person software startup. Pure Atria's founder and CEOReed Hastingsretained Randolph as vice president of corporate marketing for the rapidly expanding Pure Atria.In late 1996, Pure Atria announced thatRational Softwarewould acquire it in an $850 million stock swap in what was then the richest merger inSilicon Valleyhistory.Hastings and Randolph commuted together between their homes inSanta Cruz, California, into Silicon Valley for about four months while the Rational merger was finalized, and on these drives, the idea for Netflix was born. Netflix Randolph wanted to replicate the e-commerce model pioneered by online booksellerAmazon.com. He had heard that digital-versatile-discs (DVD) were being tested in several U.S. markets, and he wanted to explore the concept of selling the compact new digital format online. He and Hastings could not find a DVD, so they tested the idea with acompact disc.\\\"Reed and I were in downtown Santa Cruz and we were saying, 'I wonder if we can mail these\",\n \"we can mail these things',\\\" Randolph said. \\\"We went in and bought a music CD and went into one of the stationery stores … and bought a greeting card and stuck the CD in the envelope and mailed it to Reed's house. And the next day, he said, 'It came. It's fine.' If there was an aha moment, that was it.\\\"Hastings, Randolph's mother, and Integrity QA founder Steve Kahn were initial investors in Netflix when plans first started in 1996-1997.Randolph named the company, designed its initial user interface and branding and acted as chief executive for the first year while Hastings attendedStanford Universitygraduate school. Netflix launched on April 14, 1998, out of an office park inScotts Valley, California.Randolph designed the user interface to act as an online catalog of movies and a market research platform so that he could constantly test different versions to perfect the user experience. The data generated by these market tests led the team to three concepts that they combined in 1999 to create Netflix's\",\n \"to create Netflix's successful business model: a subscription-based service with no due dates or late fees and unlimited access to content, a \\\"Queue\\\" that allowed subscribers to specify the order in which DVDs should be mailed to them, and a serialized delivery system that automatically mailed out a DVD as soon as the previous rental was returned. The subscriber data collected by the user interface fed a recommendation engine known as Cinematch, that helped manage the company's limited DVD inventory by guiding subscribers to movies and TV shows that were in stock and generally away from new releases. Randolph ceded the CEO post to Hastings in 1999 and turned to product development. He and founding team memberMitch Lowetested a concept for a movie rental kiosk called Netflix Express that Lowe later turned into movie kiosk giantRedboxafter Hastings rejected it as a line of business.Randolph left Netflix in 2002 after helping guide the company through its initial public offering two years earlier.He credited\",\n \"earlier.He credited Hastings with successfully scaling the company to 93 million subscribers worldwide,and said he preferred the start-up stage.\\\"At the beginning, it's very much triage. If there are a hundred things broken and you need the skill to pick the three you've got to fix, I'm really good at that. I'm not good at the other ninety-seven,\\\" Randolph said. After Netflix Since his departure from Netflix, Randolph has served as a mentor at MiddCOREand a board member ofLooker Data Sciences.He is also Entrepreneur in Residence forHigh Point Universityand its Belk Entrepreneurship Center.In addition to his mentorships he is a keynote speaker, focusing on entrepreneurship, leadership, and innovation. He travels the world speaking about his experience with Netflix and the lessons he has learned from his other startup investments. In September 2019, his book,That Will Never Work: The Birth of Netflix and the Amazing Life of an Ideawas published byLittle, Brown and Company. Personal life Randolph has been\",\n \"Randolph has been married to Lorraine Kiernan since 1987. They have three children. He now lives in Santa Cruz, California. References External links\",\n \"One Percent for the Planet One Percent for the Planetis an international organization whose members contribute at least one percent of their annualrevenueto environmental causes to protect the environment. Since 1985,Patagoniapledged 1% of sales to the preservation of restoration of the natural environment. In 2002,1% for the Planetwas founded byYvon Chouinard, founder of Patagonia, and Craig Mathews, owner of Blue Ribbon Flies,to \\\"encourage more businesses to donate 1% of sales to environmental groups\\\".Since its creation, the organization has been joined by countries around the world, with a great number of partners in France, Great Britain, Australia, and Japan.France is the only country to have an independent entity. Members BICjoined as a member in 2022 with an eco-friendly product line;Honest Teajoined with a glass product line.Other notable members includeOXO,New Belgium Brewing Company, Klean Kanteen, andNature's Path's EnviroKidz brand. References External links\",\n \"Yvon Chouinard Yvon Chouinard(born November 9, 1938)is an American rock climber, environmentalist, philanthropist, and outdoor industry businessman. His company,Patagonia, is known for its high quality outdoor products and outerwear. He was named one of the100 most influential people in the worldbyTimemagazine in 2023. Chouinard is also a surfer, kayaker, and falconer and is particularly fond oftenkarafly-fishing.He has written about climbing issues and ethics and on mixingenvironmentalismand business. Early life Chouinard's father was aFrench-Canadianhandyman, mechanic, and plumber. In 1947, Yvon and his family moved fromLewiston, Maineto Southern California. They wereCatholic. His early climbing partners includedRoyal RobbinsandTom Frost.ASierra Clubmember, in his youth he founded the Southern California Falconry Club, and it was his investigations offalconaeriesthat led him to rock climbing.To save money and to make adaptations for the way he was climbing, he decided to make his own climbing tools by\",\n \"climbing tools by teaching himself blacksmithing, and eventually started a business. Yosemite rock climber to leading alpinist Chouinard was one of the leading climbers of the \\\"Golden Age of Yosemite Climbing.\\\" He was one of the protagonists of the film made about this era:Valley Uprising(2014). He participated in the first ascent of the North America Wall in 1964 (withRoyal Robbins,Tom Frost, andChuck Pratt), using no fixed ropes. The next year, his and TM Herbert's ascent of the Muir Wall on El Capitan improved the style of previous first ascents.Chouinard became the most articulate advocate of the importance of style, the basis of modern rock climbing. In 1961, he visited Western Canada withFred Beckey, and made several important first ascents, including the North Face ofMount Edith Cavell(Rockies), the Beckey-Chouinard Route on South Howser Tower in theBugaboos(Purcell Mountains), and the North Face ofMount Sir Donald(Selkirk Mountains). These climbs opened his eyes to the idea of applying Yosemite\",\n \"applying Yosemite big-wall climbing techniques to mountain climbing, and his advocacy was important to modern,high-grade alpinism. Also in 1961, he visitedShawangunk Ridgefor the first time,freeclimbingthe first pitch of Matinee (the hardest free climb done at Shawangunk Ridge at the time); and introducingchrome-molybdenum steelpitons to the area, which revolutionized climbing protection. In 1968, he climbedCerro FitzroyinPatagoniaby a new route (The Californian Route, 3rd overall ascent of the mountain) with Dick Dorworth,Chris Jones, Lito Tejada-Flores, andDouglas Tompkins. Chouinard has also traveled and climbed in the European Alps and in Pakistan. Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. In 1957, he bought a second-hand coal-fired forge, and started making hardened steelpitonsfor use inYosemiteValley. Between time spent surfing and climbing, he sold pitons out of the back of his car to support himself. The improved pitons were a big factor in the birth of big-wall climbing from 1957 to 1960 in Yosemite. The success of\",\n \"The success of his pitons caused him to found Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. In the late 1960s, Chouinard and business partnerTom Frostbegan studying ice climbing equipment, and re-invented the basic tools (cramponsand ice axes) to perform on steeper ice. These new tools and his bookClimbing Ice(1978) started the modern sport of ice climbing. Around 1970, he became aware that the use of steel pitons made by his company was causing significant damage to the cracks of Yosemite. These pitons composed 70 percent of his income.In 1971 and 1972, Chouinard and Frost introduced new aluminum chockstones, calledHexentricsand Stoppers, along with the less successful steel Crack-n-Ups, and committed the company to the advocacy of the new tools and a new style of climbing called \\\"clean climbing.\\\" This concept revolutionized rock climbing and led to further success of the company, despite cannibalizing the sales of pitons, formerly his most important product. They applied for a U.S. patent on Hexentrics in 1974, and it was\",\n \"in 1974, and it was granted on April 6, 1976.These are still manufactured byBlack Diamond Equipment. In the latter 1960s, Chouinard attempted a number of significant technological and technique changes to ice climbing after trips to the Alps in Europe and Sierra Nevada ice gullies in autumn. He removed the flex from crampons, making them more rigid for front-pointing. He drew the taper of a rock hammer into a point for better ice purchase. He increased the cross section of ice screws while also using lighter materials. He experimented with pick and blade issues with ice axes. Prior to this, much of ice climbing was seen as mere step cutting. He attempted to replace hand ice picks (climbing type) with a small ice axe head called a Climaxe. In 1989, Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. filed for bankruptcy protection in order to protect it from liability lawsuits. The hard assets of Chouinard Equipment, Ltd. were acquired by its employees through theChapter 11process, and the company was reestablished asBlack Diamond\",\n \"asBlack Diamond Equipment, Ltd. Patagonia and environmentalism Chouinard is most known for founding the clothing and gear companyPatagonia. Chouinard started to sell clothes by chance as a way to support his moderately profitable equipment business.In 1970 on a trip to Scotland, he purchased some rugby shirts and sold them with great success.From this small start, the Patagonia company developed a wide selection of rugged technical clothing. According to Chouinard, the intent of Patagonia is to make clothes for people under the rugged, southern Andes/Cape Horn conditions of places like Patagonia. Recognizing that the financial success of the company provided the opportunity to also achieve personal goals, Chouinard committed the company to being an outstanding place to work, and to be an important resource for environmental activism. In 1984, Patagonia opened an on-site cafeteria offering \\\"healthy, mostly vegetarian food,\\\" and started providing on-site child care.In 1986, Chouinard committed the company to\",\n \"the company to \\\"tithing\\\" for environmental activism, committing one percent of sales or ten percent of profits, whichever is the greater. The commitment included paying employees working on local environmental projects so they could commit their efforts full-time. In the early 1990s, an environmental audit of Patagonia revealed the surprising result (at the time), that corporatecotton, although it was a natural material, had a heavy environmental footprint. In 1996, Chouinard committed the company to using all organic cotton. In 2002, Yvon Chouinard founded1% for the Planetand Patagonia became the first business to commit 1% of annual sales to the environment. In 2014, Patagonia supported the advocacy documentary filmDamNation, which is about changing attitudes in America towards its dams. Chouinard was the executive producer of the film, and he was also featured in the film commenting about dams. In 2018, in acknowledgment that sustainability and responsible practices are core to Patagonia, Yvon Chouinard\",\n \"Yvon Chouinard was recognized with theSierra Club's top award, theJohn Muir Award. In 2022, Chouinard announced that he was donating ownership in Patagonia to atrustto ensure profits are used for addressingclimate change.Chouinard's family retains control of the company's voting stock through the Patagonia Purpose Trust. Personal life In 1971, Chouinard met and married his wife, Malinda Pennoyer, who was an art and home economics student atCalifornia State University, Fresno.They have a son (Fletcher) and a daughter (Claire), both of whom work for Patagonia. In 2021, Yvon Chouinard received an honorary degree fromBates College. Publications Notable ascents Related reading References Other sources External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":280,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Is the time between Oasis's first album and 2024 shorter or longer than between Oasis's first album and The Beatles' last album?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Longer."},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band)"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band","Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/The_Beatles (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b93317b80>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))"],"string":"[\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band\",\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/The_Beatles (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b93317b80>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band","Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/The_Beatles (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b93317b80>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))"],"string":"[\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band\",\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/The_Beatles (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b93317b80>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":281,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"How many years did Cardi B's rap career overlap with Tupac's rap career?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Zero"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardi_B"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardi_B', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardi_B","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardi_B\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Cardi B Belcalis Marlenis Cephus(néeAlmánzar;born October 11, 1992), known professionally asCardi B, is an American rapper and songwriter. Distinguished for her aggressiveflowand outspoken clever lyrics, Cardi B has established herself as one of the most successful female artists in contemporary music. From 2015 to early 2017, she gained recognition onVineandInstagram, as a cast member onVH1'sLove & Hip Hop: New York, and by releasingtwo mixtapes. Her first studio album,Invasion of Privacy(2018), debuted at number one on theBillboard200andBillboardranked it the top female rap album of the 2010s. Critically acclaimed, it made Cardi B the only solo female artist to win theGrammy Award for Best Rap Album, andRolling Stoneranked it the best debut album of all time by a female rapper. Its singles \"Bodak Yellow\" and \"I Like It\" both topped theBillboardHot 100and were certifieddiamondby theRIAA; the former made Cardi B the first female rapper to top the Hot 100 with a solo song in the 21st century and the first to achieve a diamond-certified song, while the latter made her the first with multiple number-one songs. Her third US number-one, the collaboration \"Girls Like You\" (2018) withMaroon 5, made her the first female rapper to earn multiple RIAA diamond-certified songs. She released \"WAP\" (withMegan Thee Stallion) in 2020 and \"Up\" in 2021, both of which topped the Hot 100 and other charts worldwide. \"WAP\" is the only female rap collaboration to debut atop the Hot 100, made Cardi B the first lead artist to top theBillboardGlobal 200, and had a large cultural impact. Recognized byForbesas one of the most influential female rappers of all time, Cardi B holds various records among women in hip hop; she isthe female rapper with the most number-one singles(five) on theBillboardHot 100, the only female rapper to achieve multiple solo number-ones, and the only to earn number-one singles in two decades (2010s and 2020s). She further isthe highest-certified(digital singles) female rapper of all time in the US,the female rapper with the most diamond-certified songs(three) by the RIAA, and has over 100 million certifiedunitssold in the US. Additionally,Invasion of Privacyis the most-streamed female rap album onApple MusicandSpotify.Her accoladesinclude aGrammy Award, eightBillboardMusic Awards, sixGuinness World Records, sixAmerican Music Awards, fourMTV Video Music Awards, 14BET Hip Hop Awardsand twoASCAPSongwriter of the Yearawards.Timelisted her as one of the100 most influential people in the worldin 2018 andBillboardnamed herWoman of the Yearin 2020. Outside of music, Cardi B served as a judge on the music competition seriesRhythm + Flow(2019), appeared in the filmsHustlers(2019) andF9(2021), and had a voice role inBaby Shark's Big Movie!(2023). In 2022, she became thecreative directorof entertainment magazinePlayboy. Early life Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar was born on October 11, 1992, in theWashington Heightsneighborhood ofManhattan,New York City.Her father Carlos isDominicanand her mother Clara is aTrinidadianofAfricanandSpanishdescent; Almánzar identifies as anAfro-Latina.Almánzar was raised in theHighbridgeneighborhood of theSouth Bronx,and spent much time at her paternal grandmother's home in Washington Heights, which she credits with giving her \"such a thick accent.\"Almánzar developed the stage name \"Cardi B\" as a derivation ofBacardi, arumbrand that was formerly her nickname.She has a younger sister, Hennessy Carolina, who was born in 1995. She has said she was a gang member with theBloodsin her youth, since age 16,but stated she would not encourage joining a gang.She attended Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology, avocational high schoolon theHerbert H. Lehman High Schoolcampus. During her teens, Cardi B was employed at a grocery store inTribeca.She was fired and became a dancer at a strip club across the street.Cardi B has said that becoming a stripper was positive for her life in many ways: \"It really saved me from a lot of things. When I started stripping I went back to school.\"She stated that she became a stripper to escape poverty anddomestic violence, having been in an abusive relationship at the time after being kicked out of her mother's house,and that stripping was her only way to earn enough money to escape the situation and get an education.She attendedBorough of Manhattan Community Collegebefore eventually dropping out.While stripping, Cardi B lied to her mother by telling her she was making money bybabysitting. In 2013, she began to gain publicity due to several of her videos spreading on social media, onVineand herInstagrampage. Career 2015–2016: Career beginnings In 2015, Cardi B joined the cast of theVH1reality television seriesLove & Hip Hop: New York, debuting in season six.Jezebelconsidered her the breakout star of the show's sixth season.The New York Timeswrote that she garnered popularity with \"her ability to rattle off one-liners\".The sixth and seventh seasons chronicle her rise to stardom and her turbulent relationship with her incarcerated fiancé. On December 30, 2016, after two seasons, she announced that she would be leaving the show to further pursue a career in music. In November 2015, Cardi B made her musical debut on Jamaicanreggae fusionsingerShaggy's remix to his single \"Boom Boom\", alongside fellow JamaicandancehallsingerPopcaan.She made her music video debut on December 15, 2015, with the song \"Cheap Ass Weave\", her rendition of BritishrapperLady Leshurr's \"Queen's Speech 4\".On March 7, 2016, Cardi B released her first full-length project, amixtapetitledGangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1.In November 2016, she was featured on the digital cover ofVibemagazine's \"Viva\" issue. On September 12, 2016, KSR Group released the compilationUnderestimated: The Album, which is a collaboration between KSR Group artists Cardi B,HoodCelebrityy, SwiftOnDemand, Cashflow Harlem, andJosh X. It was previously released only to attendees of their U.S. tour. the label's flagship artist, Cardi B, said: \"I wanted to make a song that would make girls dance,twerkand at the same time encourage them to go get that Shmoney,\" in regard to the compilation's single \"What a Girl Likes\". She appeared on the December 9, 2015, episode ofUncommon Sense with Charlamagne.On April 6, 2016, she was on the twelfth episode ofKhloé Kardashian'sKocktails with Khloé: in this episode, she revealed how she told her mother that she was a stripper.In November 2016, it was announced that she would be joining the cast of theBETseriesBeing Mary Jane.TVLinedescribes her character, Mercedes, as a \"round-the-way beauty with a big weave, big boobs and a big booty to match her oversize, ratchet personality.\" In 2016, Cardi B was featured in her first endorsement deal withRomantic Depot, a large New York chain of lingerie stores that sell sexual health and wellness products. The ad campaign was featured on radio and cable TV. 2017–2018: Breakthrough withInvasion of Privacy On January 20, 2017, Cardi B released her second mixtape,Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2.In February 2017, Cardi B partnered withMAC Cosmeticsand Rio Uribe'sGypsy Sportfor an event forNew York Fashion Week.In late February, Cardi B signed her first major record label recording contract withAtlantic Records.On February 25, 2017, Cardi B was theopening actforEast Coast hip hopgroupThe Lox'sFilthy America... It's BeautifulTour, alongside fellow New York City-based rappersLil' KimandRemy Ma.In April 2017, she was featured ini-D's\"A-Z of Music\" video sponsored byMarc Jacobs.Cardi guest-starred on the celebritypanel showHip Hop Squares, appearing on the March 13 and April 3, 2017, episodes.She also released thefreestyle\"Red Barz\". In May 2017, the nominees for the2017 BET Awardswere announced, revealing that Cardi B had been nominated forBest New ArtistandBest Female Hip-Hop Artist.AlthoughChance the Rapperand Remy Ma won those categories, respectively, Cardi B performed at theBET AwardsAfterpartyshow.On June 11, 2017, duringHot 97's annualSummer Jammusic festival, Remy Ma brought out Cardi B, along withThe Lady of Rage,MC Lyte,Young M.A,Monie Love, Lil' Kim, andQueen Latifah, to celebrate female rappers and perform Latifah's 1993 hit single \"U.N.I.T.Y.\" aboutfemale empowerment.In June 2017, it was revealed that Cardi B would be on the cover ofThe Fader's Summer Music issue for July/August 2017.She performed atMoMA PS1on August 19 to a crowd of 4,000. On June 16, 2017, Atlantic Records released Cardi B's commercial debut single, \"Bodak Yellow\", viadigital distribution.She performed the single onThe Wendy Williams ShowandJimmy Kimmel Live!The song climbed the charts for several months, and, on theBillboardHot 100chart dated September 25, 2017, \"Bodak Yellow\" reached the number one spot, making Cardi B the first female rapper to do so with a solo single sinceLauryn Hill's \"Doo Wop (That Thing)\" debuted atop the chart in 1998.The song stayed atop the charts for three consecutive weeks, tying with American pop singerTaylor Swift's \"Look What You Made Me Do\" as the longest running female at the number one spot in 2017. Cardi B became the first person of Dominican descent to reach number one in the history of the Hot 100 since it was launched in 1958.An editor ofThe New York Timescalled it \"the rap anthem of the summer\".Selected byThe Washington PostandPitchforkmusic critics as the best song of 2017,\"Bodak Yellow\" was eventually certifiedDiamondby theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA). The song received nominations forBest Rap PerformanceandBest Rap Songat the60th Grammy Awards.It won Single of the Year at the2017 BET Hip Hop Awards. With her collaborations \"No Limit\" and \"MotorSport\", she became the first female rapper to land her first three entries in the top 10 of the Hot 100,and the first female artist to achieve the same on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart.In October 2017, Cardi B headlinedPower 105.1's annual Powerhouse music celebration, alongsidethe Weeknd,Migos, andLil Uzi Vert, at theBarclays Centerin Brooklyn, New York.In December, she released two songs: a collaboration with Puerto Rican singerOzunatitled \"La Modelo\",and \"Bartier Cardi\", the second single from herdebut album. On January 3, 2018, Cardi B was featured on the remix ofBruno Mars' single \"Finesse\",and appeared in the 90s inspired video. It reached the top three on the Hot 100, Canada and New Zealand. On January 18, 2018, Cardi B became the first female rapper to have five top 10 singles simultaneously on theBillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.She released another single, \"Be Careful\", on March 30, 2018, a week before her album's release. Her debut studio album,Invasion of Privacy, was released on April 6, 2018, to universal acclaim from music critics.Editors fromVarietyandThe New York Timescalled it \"one of the most powerful debuts of this millennium\" and \"a hip-hop album that doesn't sound like any of its temporal peers,\" respectively.The album entered at number one in the United States, while she became the first female artist to chart 13 entries simultaneously on theBillboardHot 100, on the chart issue dated April 21.It became the moststreamedalbum by a female artist in a single week inApple Music,and the largest on-demand audio streaming week ever for an album by a woman.Cardi held the latter recorduntil 2019.The album's title reflects Cardi B's feeling that as she gained popularity her privacy was being invaded in a variety of ways.Following the album's release, during a performance onSaturday Night Live, Cardi B officially announced her pregnancy, after much media speculation.She also co-hosted an episode ofThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Several months later, in July 2018, the album's fourth single, \"I Like It\", which features vocals fromBad BunnyandJ Balvin, reached number one on theHot 100; this marked her second number one on the chart and made her the first female rapper to achieve multiple chart-toppers.It received critical acclaim,withRolling Stonenaming it \"thebest summer songof all time\" in 2020.Her collaboration withMaroon 5, \"Girls Like You\", also reached number one on the Hot 100 chart, extending her record among female rappersand also making her the sixth female artist to achieve three number-one singles on the chart during the 2010s.The song's music video has received more than 3 billion views onYouTubeand was thefifth-best selling songof the year globally. With \"Girls Like You\" following \"I Like It\" at the top of theBillboardRadio Songschart, Cardi B became thefirst female rapperto replace herself at number one on the chart.The single spent seven weeks atop the Hot 100, making Cardi the female rapper with the most cumulative weeks atop the chart, with eleven weeks.It spent 33 weeks in the top 10, tying bothEd Sheeran's \"Shape of You\" andPost MaloneandSwae Lee's \"Sunflower\" for the longest top 10 run in the chart's archives at the time.In October 2018,Invasion of Privacywas certifieddouble platinumby the RIAA, and the following year it was updated to triple platinum. With the thirteen tracks, she became the first female artist to have all songs from an album certified gold or higher in the US. Cardi B received the most nominations for the2018 MTV Video Music Awardswith 12 mentions—including forVideo of the Year, winning three awards.She tied withDrakefor the most nominations at the2018 American Music Awards. She won three AMAs and performed at the ceremony.Her single \"Money\" earned her a fourth Video Music Award, with visuals that feature Cardi playing characters in different locations, including in an art museum, a bank and a strip club.Her collaboration withDJ Snake\"Taki Taki\" topped the charts in a number of Hispanic countries, made Cardi B the first female rapper to top the SpotifyGlobal 50chart,and has garnered more than 2 billion views. Both singles were certified multiple-platinum by the RIAA.People en Españolnamed her Star of the Year,andEntertainment Weeklydeemed her \"a pop culture phenomenon\", as she was named one of \"2018 Entertainers of the Year\". On November 30, 2018, Cardi B was honored atEbony's annual Power 100 Gala.Cardi ranked fifth on the 2018BillboardYear-EndTop Artists chart, whileInvasion of Privacyranked sixth. She achieved the most-streamed album of the year by a female artist globally inApple Music,and ranked as the most streamed female artist of the year in the United States inSpotify.Editorial staff from Apple Music andBillboardnamed \"I Like It\" the best song of 2018,whileTimemagazineandRolling StonenamedInvasion of Privacythe best album of the year.Also in 2018,Timeincluded her on theirannual listof the 100 most influential people in the world.In its decade-end review article,NMEstated that the era secured \"her crown as the newQueen of Rap.\" 2019–2020:Hustlers,Rhythm + Flowand \"WAP\" Cardi B received five nominations at the61st Grammy Awards, including forAlbum of the Year,Best Rap AlbumandRecord of the Year(\"I Like It\").She became the third female rapper to be nominated for Album of the Year, followingLauryn Hill(1999) andMissy Elliott(2004).On February 10, 2019, she then performed at the award ceremony, where she wore three vintageThierry Muglercouture looks during the telecast and became the first female rapper to winBest Rap Albumas a solo artist. Cardi B led the2019 Billboard Music Awardsnominations, with 21, earning the most nominations in a single year by a female artist and the third most nominations in a year (behind Drake and The Chainsmokers, who both had 22 in a year).She ended up winning six awards, including forTop Hot 100 Song, bringing her career total wins to seven—the most of any female rapper in history.An article byOmaha World-Heraldcalled her \"the biggest rapper in the world.\" On February 15, 2019, Cardi B released \"Please Me\", a collaboration with Bruno Mars, which became her seventh top-ten song on the Hot 100, reaching number three.The song marked Cardi and Bruno's second collaboration, following \"Finesse\" in 2018. The official music video was released two weeks later.On March 1, Cardi set a new attendance record at theHouston Livestock Show and Rodeo, with 75,580 fans in the audience.With \"Backin' It Up\", \"Twerk\" and \"Money\", Cardi became the first female artist to occupy the top three on theBillboardMainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart. Her following single titled \"Press\" was released on May 31, 2019.Theparental-advisorylabeled music video marked her directorial debut—being credited as co-director, and was released on June 26, 2019.It had its debut performance at the2019 BET Awards, where she received the most nominations with seven, and wonAlbum of the Year.During the summer of 2019, she embarked on an arena tour.In September, she led theBET Hip Hop Awardsnominations with ten. Cardi B made her film debut inHustlersdirected byLorene Scafaria, oppositeJennifer Lopez,Constance Wu, andLili Reinhart.The film was released on September 13, 2019.Cardi B, along withChance the RapperandT.I., were confirmed as judges for theNetflixseriesRhythm + Flow, a ten-part hip-hop talent search that premiered on October 9, 2019, which she alsoexecutive produced. In December 2019, Cardi B embarked on her first tour of Africa, performing in Nigeria and Ghana.Her collaboration \"Clout\" was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Rap Performance.She was the most streamed female rapper of 2019 in the US, according to Spotify.Consequence of Sounddeemed her \"one of the most formidable hip-hop artists of the decade.\"In March 2020, Cardi B created a reaction video about thecoronavirus pandemic. DJ iMarkkeyz, a Brooklyn DJ known for turning memes and online moments into full-length songs, created a track, based on her reaction titled \"Coronavirus\", which became aninternet memeand was released to music platforms.Netflix announced the return ofRhythm + Flowfor 2021. Cardi B released the single \"WAP\" featuring American rapperMegan Thee Stallionon August 7, 2020, as the lead single off her forthcoming second studio album.The song received critical acclaim and was praised for itssex positivemessages.TheColin Tilley-directed music video accompanied the song itself, and broke the record for the biggest 24-hour debut for an all-female collaboration on YouTube.She became the only female rap artist to top the Global Spotify chart multiple times.\"WAP\" debuted at number-one on theBillboardHot 100chart, garnering Cardi B her fourth chart-topper in the US, extending her record as the female rapper with the most number-one singles, and also making her the first female rapper to achieve Hot 100 number one singles in two different decades (2010s and 2020s). With 93 million streaming units, it became the largest first-week streams for a song, breaking the all-time record held byAriana Grande's \"7 Rings\".It has spent four weeks atop the Hot 100. The single has also spent multiple weeks at number one in seven other countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom. Neil Shah ofThe Wall Street Journaldeemed it \"a big moment for female rappers\" and \"a historic sign that women artists are making their mark on hip-hop like never before\".\"WAP\" became the first number one single on the inauguralBillboardGlobal 200chart. It became critics' best song of the year according to a compilation of rankings made by theBBC,with publications such asPitchforkandRolling Stoneplacing it at number one. Cardi B won theBillboardMusic Award for Top Rap Female Artistfor the third time at the2020 ceremony.In December 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be namedWoman of the Yearat theBillboardWomen in MusicAwards.With her win for \"WAP\" at theAmerican Music Awards, she became the first artist to win theAmerican Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Songmultiple times, following her win for \"Bodak Yellow\" in 2018. 2021–present: Upcoming second studio album On February 5, 2021, Cardi B released \"Up\", the second single from her upcoming studio album. A music video for the single was released alongside it. The song was praised byNMEmagazine for its lyricism and fresh approach as a successor to \"WAP\".\"Up\" debuted at number two on the USBillboardHot 100chart, marking the highest debut for a solo female rap song sinceLauryn Hill's \"Doo Wop (That Thing)\" in 1998.The song debuted at number one on theRolling StoneTop 100, becoming both Cardi B's second number-one single and second number-one debut, as well as the first time a female rapper debuts atop the chart with a solo song.Cardi B became the first female artist and first lead artist with consecutive number-one debuts on the USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, and second overall performer followingDrakein 2016.\"Up\" reached number one on theBillboardHot 100 after herGrammy Awardsperformance, making her the only female rapper to reach number one multiple times with solo songs, following \"Bodak Yellow\", and extended her record as the female rapper with the most number-one songs on the Hot 100 as her fifth chart-topper.Cardi B received a second nomination for theBrit Award for International Female Solo Artist. Cardi B made a last-minute appearance in \"Big Paper\", from DJ Khaled's albumKhaled Khaledreleased on April 30, 2021.Cardi received two nominations for theBET Award for Video of the Year, for the videos \"Up\" and \"WAP\", winning for the latter and becoming the first female rapper to win Video of the Year as a lead artist. This became the 10th time that an artist has had two nominated videos in this category as a lead artist, and the second time for her, following her nominations for \"Money\" and \"Please Me\" in 2019. She announced her second pregnancy during the performance of her Migos collaboration \"Type Shit\" at the2021 ceremony.She also appeared inF9, which was released on June 25, 2021, byUniversal Pictures.On July 16, 2021, Cardi B was featured on theNormanisingle \"Wild Side\".Cardi collaborated withLizzoon \"Rumors\", which debuted at number four on theBillboardHot 100, becoming Cardi B's tenth top 10 single on the chart, and her seventh number-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Cardi B received six nominations at the2021 MTV Video Music Awards, including her second nomination for Video of the Year.She also led the nominations for the2021 BET Hip Hop Awardsalong with Megan Thee Stallion, with nine each;both rappers won the most awards during the ceremony with three for \"WAP\", with Cardi becoming the first female artist to win Best Hip Hop Video twice (2019 and 2021). On October 28, 2021, Cardi B previewed her second album to Atlantic Records via her Instagram Story. She captioned \"The money people liking the album sounds\".On November 2, Cardi B was announced as the host of the2021 American Music Awards(AMAs). The award show was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on November 21,and marked the most social telecast of the year per interactions across social media.During the ceremony, \"Up\" won the award forFavorite Hip Hop Song, making Cardi B the first artist to win the category three times.Cardi B featured onSummer Walker's 2021 albumStill Over Iton the opening track \"Bitter\".Warner Records released the soundtrack forHalle Berry's directorial debut filmBruisedon November 19. Selected by executive producers Berry and Cardi B, the Netflix film's soundtrack features six original songs by female artists, including Cardi,H.E.R., City Girls,Flo Milli,Saweetie, andLatto, and seven additional female rap songs inspired by the film. In March 2022, Cardi B appeared on the extended version of Summer Walker andSZA's collaboration, \"No Love\".The following month, she featured on rapper Kay Flock's song, \"Shake It\"; it samplesAkon's 2005 song \"Belly Dancer (Bananza)\".Also in April, Cardi guest-voiced as Sharki B, her \"aquatic alter ego\", on \"The Seaweed Sway\" episode of theNickelodeonanimated seriesBaby Shark's Big Show!—and performed a song of the same name.She appeared alongside Offset and her daughter.On July 1, 2022, Cardi B released \"Hot Shit\", featuring rappersKanye WestandLil Durk, as the third single from her upcoming second studio album.The song was first announced during aBET Awards 2022commercial break.On July 8 and 9, she headlined the 2022Wireless Festivalin London andBirmingham.Cardi B worked with cousin and fellow rapperGloRillaon the remix to her song \"Tomorrow\", titled \"Tomorrow 2\", which was released in September 2022.The remix peaked at number nine on theBillboardHot 100, becoming Cardi's eleventh top-ten single.HipHopDXlisted it as the \"Best Hip-Hop Collaboration\" of 2022 while it was also the highest-listed song by a female rapper onBillboard's 100 Best Songs of 2022 list.On October 1, Cardi B made a surprise appearance at theInglewoodshow of Puerto Rican rapperBad Bunny's concert tour, theWorld's Hottest Tour.In November, she signed with entertainment executiveIrving Azoff's Full Stop Management.In December 2022, she gave a 35-minute private performance at theMiami Art Baselfor which she was paid $1 million.Later that month, a remix of Spanish artistRosalía's song \"Despechá\" featuring Cardi, was released. Cardi B appeared as a surprise performer at the New York City shows of SZA and GloRilla's tours: theSOS Tourand Anyways, Life's Great Tour, in early 2023.In April, she served as one of three headliners of the inauguralRolling Loud Thailandfestival inPattaya, along withTravis ScottandChris Brown.In June, she featured on \"Put It on da Floor Again\", the remix to rapper Latto's \"Put It on da Floor\".It peaked at number 13 on the Hot 100, becoming Cardi's 20th top-twenty single.On June 4, Cardi B headlined the 2023Summer Jamfestival inElmont, New York.ln July, she featured on \"Point Me 2\", the remix to drill rapper FendiDa Rappa's single \"Point Me to the Slut's\".Later that month, she collaborated with Offset on two tracks of his second solo album,Set It Off(2023): \"Freaky\" and \"Jealousy\".The latter was released as the lead single of the record; it samplesThree 6 Mafia's \"Jealous Ass Bitches\".Cardi released \"Bongos\" featuring Megan Thee Stallion on September 8, 2023, as the fourth single of her upcoming second studio album. The song marks the pair's second collaboration after \"WAP\" (2020).The music video, directed byTanu Muino,cost over $2 million.\"Bongos\" reached number 14 in the US.Cardi led the2023 BET Hip Hop Awardsnominations with21 Savage, with twelve each.She reprised her voice role as Sharki B for the children's animated film,Baby Shark's Big Movie!, in which ch she appeared alongside Offset and their two children. It premiered in December onParamount+and Nickelodeon.Cardi B co-headlinedTikTok's inaugural In the Mix festival on December 10 inMesa, Arizona,which was released as a concert special on Disney+ and Hulu on December 15.She performed at theFontainebleau Miami Beach, accompanied by DJGryffin, on December 31, 2023, which aired live for the 2024 edition ofDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. She released the promotional single \"Like What (Freestyle)\" on March 1, 2024, with an accompanying music video directed by Offset.Her first solo song since \"Up\" (2021), it is afreestyleof rapperMissy Elliot's \"She's a Bitch\" (1999).The track reached the top 40 in the US and became Cardi's 19th top-ten and 11th chart-topper onHot Rap Songsand Hot Rap Digital Songs.It was followed by \"Enough (Miami)\" on March 15,which marked her 12th top-ten on the Hot 100 and seventh number-one on the Digital Songs chart.A remix ofFlo Milli's \"Never Lose Me\" was released on the same day, featuring SZA and Cardi B.On March 11, Cardi joinedMadonnaonstage for a guest appearance at the Inglewood show of herCelebration Tour.She appeared on \"Puntería\" withShakira, the opening track and eighth single of the latter's twelfth albumLas Mujeres Ya No Lloran, released on March 22, 2024.\"Puntería\" reached number one on theLatin Airplaychart and topped theLatin Pop Airplaychart for nine weeks.On May 21, Cardi B appeared as a surprise performer at theMadison Square Gardenshow of Megan Thee Stallion'sHot Girl Summer Tour.She featured on the remix of Thee Stallion and GloRilla's \"Wanna Be\", released on May 31.In June, Cardi featured on \"Put Em in the Fridge\" fromPeso Pluma's fourth albumÉxodo.She co-headlined theBET Experiencefestival at theCrypto.com Arenaon June 28.Her collaboration withRob49, titled \"On Dat Money\", was released on July 19. In August, Cardi confirmed that her second studio album would be released in late 2024, stating that it was \"three-quarters of the way done\".Previously iterated for a 2023 release,she revealed that she was \"just holding it\" because she felt \" missing a couple of things\" and \"gotta make sure that everything is just planned out\".In October, Cardi will co-headline the 2024 One Musicfest inAtlanta. Artistry Influences InBillboard's \"You Should Know\" series, Cardi B said the first albums she ever purchased were by American entertainersMissy ElliottandTweet, respectively.She has credited Puerto Rican rapperIvy Queenand Jamaican dancehall artistSpiceas influences, as well asBeyoncé,Lady Gaga,Lil' Kim,Madonna,andSelena.She has mentionedChicago drill musicas an important influence.When asked about the initial direction for her music, Cardi B said in an interview, \"When I first started rapping I liked certain songs fromKhiaandTrina, and they fighting songs. I haven't heard fighting songs for a very long time,\" crediting the two female rappers for her aggressive rap style. She continued, saying \"a lot of girls they cannot affordred bottoms, a lot of girls they cannot afford foreign cars but I know that every girl has beef with a girl I know that every bitch don't like some bitch, and it's like 'that's what I wanna rap about.'\" She also credits growing up in the South Bronx and real life experiences as influences for her songwriting; \"I wouldn't be able to rap about the things that I rap about now .\" Musical style Her first studio album,Invasion of Privacy, is primarily ahip hoprecord, which comprises elements oftrap,Latin music, andR&B.Consequence of Sounddescribed her flow as \"acrobatic and nimble.\"AllMusiceditor David Jeffries called Cardi B \"a raw and aggressive rapper\".Stereogumcalled her voice \"a full-bodied New Yawk nasal bleat, the sort of thing that you've heard if someone has ever told you that you stupid for taking too long at swiping yourMetroCard.\" They continued to call her voice \"an unabashedly loud and sexual fuck-you New York honk—that translates perfectly to rap.\" In a 2017Complexarticle about her, the editor wrote \"unapologetic does not begin to describe the totally unfiltered and sheer Cardi B-ness of Cardi B's personality. She's a hood chick who's not afraid to be hood no matter the setting. Cardi B is Cardi B24/7, 365, this is why she resonates with people, and that same energy comes out in her music.\"Herflowhas been described as aggressiveIn 2019,NMEdescribed her lyrics as \"sexually free\" performed with \"rapid\" flow,and other publications have further described her lyrics as outspoken,while her punchlines have been praised, by such publications asPitchforkandThe Source, as clever and quotable.She possesses aNew York-Dominicanaccent. Cardi B has defended her musical content featuring sexually-charged lyrics—like most contemporary female rappers; she stated that the content \"seems like that's what people want to hear\", since she faced negative reactions after releasing her more emotional song, \"Be Careful\".She has declared, \" is the type of artist I always wanted to be: I like to rap about the streets, and I like to rap about my pussy. I don't give a fuck about it.\"She has stated that writing and performing songs about her personal life and relationships initially caused her a \"weird and uncomfortable\" feeling and shyness. Cardi B employs different vocal styles in her music; in \"WAP\" her vocal performance has been described as \"throaty\"and \"staccato\",while in \"Up\" she raps withalliteration, atongue twister-run, and \"some classically comedic Cardi\"punch lines. Other ventures Products and endorsements In February 2017, she partnered withM.A.Cand Rio Uribe's Gypsy Sport for aNew York Fashion Weekevent.Her April appearance ini-D's \"A-Z of Music\" video was sponsored by designerMarc Jacobs,and she made the cover ofThe Fader's July/August 2017 Summer Music issue.Tom Ford's Cardi B-inspired lipstick, named after her, was released in September 2018. It sold out within 24 hours.In November, she released a clothing line collection withFashion Nova.The same month she partnered withReebok, promoting the brand's Aztrek sneaker.In partnership with Reebok, she released a footwear and apparel collection in 2020, inspired by her personal style and paying homage to \"classic 80s styling\" and motifs.She released her second collection with Reebok in 2021, titled \"Let Me Be...In My World\", comprising sneakers, tracksuits, and corsets, inspired by everyday life in New York City.The third collection with the brand, \"Mommy & Me\", was released in May 2021 in recognition ofMother's Day, which includes Cardi's iteration of Club C shoes for adults, children, and infants.The next, titled \"Let Me Be...Enchanted\" was released in two parts in June and July 2022; it was revealed to be inspired by \"a state of enchantment and euphoria\" and included crop tops, faux fur jackets, and leotards along with footwear.The fifth and final collection, \"Let Me Be...Next Level Energy\", was also released in two parts in September and December 2022, concluding her four-year partnership with Reebok.Inspired by Cardi B's \"unmatched energy\", the collection consisted of bodysuits, crop tops, footwear, leggings, and woven jackets—of a color palette based oncrystals. Cardi B teamed up withPepsifor three television commercials, which aired during theSuper Bowl LIII, the61st Annual Grammy Awards, and Christmas.In early 2019, Cardi also joined other hip hop artists (including her husbandOffset, as part ofMigos) in releasing her flavors of snack food Rap Snacks: two flavors of chips, and two of popcorn. The bags' artwork was designed by Jai Manselle and inspired by the cover ofInvasion of Privacy. In December 2021, Cardi B partnered withPLBY Group Inc.ascreative directorin residence forPlayboyand founding member of Centerfold, a creator-driven website in the works. The partnership also includes fashion and sexual wellness products. In February 2023, Cardi B and Offset partnered withMcDonald'sto create the Cardi B and Offset meal, which was launched onValentine's Day.The meal was first announced in the2023McDonald'sSuper Bowl commercialwhich the couple appeared in.In October, she fronted the campaign forSkims' Cotton Collection.The campaign generated over $4 million in media impact value (MIV).In December 2023, she made her runway debut at the Balenciaga fall 2024 show in Los Angeles. In February 2024, Cardi B starred inNYX Cosmetics' inaugural Super Bowl commercial forSuper Bowl LVIII, titled \"Lips Only\".An edited version of the advert—centered around the company's Duck Plump lip gloss—was broadcast during the commercial break, due toribald themesof humor.In May 2024, she appeared alongside sprinterSha'Carri Richardsonin a commercial for the2024 Summer Olympics.In July, Cardi fronted theMarc Jacobsfall 2024 campaign. Whipshots In collaboration with Starco Brands, Cardi B launched avodka-infused,veganwhipped cream, called Whipshots, in the US in December 2021.It has sold over five million cans as of March 2024. Cardi Tries She premiered the seriesCardi TriesviaFacebook Messengerin December 2020, with herself as one of the executive producers.The web series ran for three seasons until April 2023. Philanthropy In 2022, Cardi B donated $100,000 to the elementary school she attended, I.S. 232 inThe Bronx. Public image Political statements Cardi B identifies as afeminist.The rapper has been called \"unabashedly, directly political\"and often uses social media to advocate for causes she believes in, such asgun control.During the2016 presidential primaries, she warned her fans ofDonald Trump's immigration policies and encouraged them to vote for SenatorBernie Sanders.At theGrammy Awardsin 2018, she appeared in a video along withHillary Clintonto narrate a portion ofFire and Fury,Michael Wolff's insider's account of Trump's administration, and stated \"Why am I even reading this shit? I can't believe this. I can't believe—this is how he really lives his life?\" Early in 2018 she used her social media to demand transparency ontax policy, asking for detailed information on how her taxpayer dollars are being spent in New York state and criticizing the maintenance of its streets, prisons, andpublic transportation.Cardi B endorsed Sanders once again in hissecond bidfor the presidency in the2020 United States presidential election, while praising U.S. RepresentativeTim Ryan.She stated that one of the reasons for her endorsement is Sanders' long-time involvement in supporting underprivileged minorities and \"people gettingMedicarebecause he knows they can't afford it,\"whilePoliticoargued that she \"might be one of Bernie's most powerful 2020 allies.\" She has used her social pages to raise awareness for victims ofpolice brutality, and has encouraged people to vote for mayors, judges anddistrict attorneysin local elections.In a conversation with Democratic candidateJoe BidenforElle, they discussed Medicare,free college tuition, and racial equality.According to a study published byThe Hollywood Reporter, Cardi B ranked as the fifth most influential celebrity, and fourth amongGeneration Z, for the 2020 presidential election. In November 2023, Cardi B stated that she no longer supports Joe Biden for president,saying that she would \"not endorsing no fucking president's no more\" as a result of Biden's \"spending on wars\". She has praised PresidentFranklin D. Rooseveltfor advocating for theSocial Securityprogram and theNew Dealproject.She said of Roosevelt, \"he helped us get over theDepression, all while he was in a wheelchair. Like, this man was suffering frompolioat the time of his presidency, and yet all he was worried about was trying to make America great—make America great again for real. He's the real 'Make America Great Again,' because if it wasn't for him, old people wouldn't even get Social Security.\"Sanders has praised her for her \"leading role\" in calling attention to Social Security. Fashion Cardi has a noted affinity forChristian Louboutinheels, a running theme in her song \"Bodak Yellow\".She has also mentioned her affinity for cheap,fast fashionbrands stating \"I don't care if it cost $20 or $15. If it looks good on me, it looks good on me\".During an interview in early 2017, Cardi B spoke on being rejected by some fashion designers.Cardi wore vintageThierry Muglerto the2019 Grammy Awards, with ani-Darticle stating that the fashion house's \"resurgence onto the fashion scene can almost single-handedly be attributed\" to theSwarovski crystal-embroidered crinoline sheath gown she wore at the ceremony. Mugler's collaboration with Cardi B marked the second time in 25 years that the Paris house opened its archives to dress a celebrity, the first beingBeyoncéfor her 2009 concert tour.Wmagazine credited the \"WAP\" music video for popularizing the Mugler bodysuit in the mainstream.Cardi has acknowledged Mugler as one of the first designers to \"take a major chance on \" for their fashion collaborations. Vogue,The Telegraph,Time, andVibehave referred to her as afashion icon.An article fromVoguenoted she \"is famous for her statement getups—whether she's rocking archival Mugler on the red carpet, or dripping in Chanel while sitting courtside at a basketball game.\"Her over-the-top manicures, designed bynail artistJenny Buiand studded withSwarovski crystals, has become a part of her signature look.EditorChristian Allairefrom the magazine in 2021 commented that her signature \"bold\" ensembles \"create a spectacle\" duringfashion weeks. In 2018, she became the first female rapper in the US to appear on the cover ofVoguemagazine. Photographed byAnnie Leibovitz, the cover, one of four for the January 2019 issue that includedStella McCartney,features her in a red and whiteMichael Korsdress and matching redJimmy Chooshoes, while holding her daughter, Kulture. In 2019, theCouncil of Fashion Designers of Americaincluded her on their list of \"28 Black Fashion Forces\".Vogueeditor-in-chiefAnna Wintourcommended her fashion sense, declaring that she \"completely rethought opinion of Cardi B's style\" after the 2019Met Gala, where the rapper wore aThom Browne-designed burgundy gown that extends outward in concentric circles for about ten feet and was inspired by thefemale form. Cardi B became the face ofBalenciaga's ad campaign for the winter 2020 season. The campaign includes billboards in several international locations, such as theLouvremuseum.Vogue's Brooke Bobb commented, \"This is Cardi's first campaign for a luxury fashion house, though she's definitely no stranger to the Parisian style scene\", citing her floral printedRichard Quinnensemble \"that literally covered her from head to toe\" and her being \"a front row fixture\" athigh fashionshows, adding, \"She and her stylist Kollin Carter have been wildly successful in carving out a much-needed space for Cardi within the fashion industry, and they've cultivated a personal style that is all her own while being inspiring to all\". In 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be awarded by theFN Achievement Awardswhen she won the Style Influencer of the Year award, which was presented to her byChristian Louboutin. In a press release for the awards show, she was called an \"influence just about everything in pop culture—from music, fashion and style to social media, politics and even public service\".In 2022,Rolling Stoneranked her as the second most-stylish woman in music, behindLady Gaga,andGQconsidered her \"one of fashion's preeminent risk-takers.\" Impact Cardi B has been referred to as the \"Reigning Queen of Hip Hop\" by multiple publications, includingBillboard,The Hollywood Reporter,Entertainment Weekly,Omaha World-Herald,Black Enterprise,Newsweek, andThe A.V. Club,and as the \"Queen of Rap\" byNME,Essence,Harper's Bazaar Malaysia,The Jakarta Post,Uproxx,iHeartRadio,Geo TV,Vanity Fair,Joe,Boston Herald,Refinery 29,France 24, and Nigerian mediaThe Guardian,BBC News, andDaily Trust. Spinstaff credited her for opening \"the table to a new generation of pop artists remaking American music in their own image and accents,\" as Cardi B \"recognized thatPOCartists no longer need to pander or soften themselves in order to become household names.\"Billboardeditors stated that with \"Bodak Yellow\"'s commercial success, \"she left an indelible mark on the summer of 2017, not only because she rewrote history, but she gave hope to the have nots...\".Several publications have credited \"I Like It\", the firstLatin trapsong to reach number one on theHot 100, for introducing the \"musical movement\" to a mainstream, massive audience.Billboard'sCarl Lamarre considered \"WAP\"'s achievements \"a clever Trojan horse for the myriad ways Cardi influences the culture with every move she makes.\" The Wall Street Journal's Neil Shah stated in 2020 that her breakthrough and success influenced \"today's female-rap renaissance,\" whileGeniusstaff credited her for \"helping jumpstart a new wave of female hip-hop signings and promotion at labels,\"andNPR Musiccommented that the \"renaissance\" of the dynamism of women in rap grew \"in enthusiasm and breadth\" since Cardi's \"first historic run\" in 2017.Similarly,Clover Hope's bookThe Motherlode(2021) stated thatInvasion of Privacy\"jump-started a new era for women rappers in which success felt much more tangible\" as Cardi B \"multiplied the wealth of talent and resurrected the idea that numerous women who controlled their own stories could dominate rap at once.\" The New Yorkerhas credited her for \"changing a genre that has rarely allowed for more than one female superstar at a time.\"Uproxxnoted Cardi B for promoting up-and-coming female rappers; \" choosing to use her position at the height of stardom to open doors for other women to flourish in hip-hop at a greater level than any since theGolden Eraand 'Ladies First',\" considering it \"something of a departure from tradition; for the decade previous to Cardi's precipitous come-up, it seemed hip-hop had an unspoken,Highlander-esque rule in place regarding women.\"Varietydeemed her a \"hip-hop icon\",andThe Independentcalled her \"the people's pop culture icon\", writing that she \"has become one of the most recognisable cultural figures of the past 10 years\". NPRdefined \"Cardi B effect\" as \"abranding powerrooted in specific authenticity, created and permeated by rapper Cardi B\" and noticed that with her breakthrough, \"brands finally started to become hip to effect, noticing the cultural markers outside of the rap world that were proving it wasn't limited to clubs, concerts and radio.\"Business magazineInc.stated that her success \"shows how social media changed everything we knew abouttraditional marketingand media\", which no longer relies on a \"well-thought marketing scheme or millions of dollars in advertising.\"In 2019, a life-sized sculpture of her was on display at theBrooklyn Museum, as part ofSpotify's RapCaviar \"Pantheon\". Bloombergreported that her data bill helped to boost Ghana's GDP growth in 2019, after it was part of a concert tour.She inspired the creation of the sitcomPartners in Rhyme, executively produced byMC Lyteabout a young woman in high school who \"aspires to be the next Cardi B.\"P-Valleycreator and executive producerKatori Hallcited her an inspiration for the TV series, and credited her for \"helping prepare the public\" for its storyline. Several artists have cited Cardi B's work as an inspiration, includingRosalía,Olivia Rodrigo,Jazmine Sullivan,Selena Gomez,Blackpink,Spice,Greta Gerwig,Nathy Peluso,Rubi Rose,María Becerra,andAbigail Asante.Cardi B has been credited for supporting and uniting female rappers in the industry,with a writer fromUproxxconsidering her co-sign \"the newDrakeeffect\" for women in hip hop. Achievements Cardi B is the recipient of numerous accolades, including aGrammy Award, eightBillboardMusic Awards(including three consecutiveTop Rap Female Artistwins), sixGuinness World Records,sixAmerican Music Awards, fourMTV Video Music Awards, sixBET Awards(includingAlbum of the Year), and fourteenBET Hip Hop Awards.Invasion of Privacy—which made her the first female rapper to win theGrammy Award for Best Rap Albumas a solo artist—became the first female rap albumin fifteen yearsto be nominated for aGrammy Award for Album of the Year. Timeincluded her on theirannual listof the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018.She received theASCAPaward forSongwriter of the Yearin 2019, becoming the first female rapper to win the award.She received the honor for the second time in 2020, making her the first female songwriter to win the award twice.In 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be namedWoman of the Yearat theBillboardWomen in MusicAwards. Cardi B is the female rapper with the mostBillboardHot 100number one singles (5)and the one with the most total weeks on the top position (16).\"I Like It\" became the first song led by a female rapper to surpassa billion streamsonSpotify, making her the first woman in hip hop with multiple billion-streamers on the service, and the female rapper with the second-most, with a total of four so far.With the singles \"Taki Taki\" and \"WAP\" she became the only female rapper to top the global Spotify chart multiple times.Since August 2020, \"WAP\" holds the record of the biggest first-week streams for a song in the United States.Invasion of Privacywas the top female rap album of the 2010s, according to theBillboard200decade-end chart.It became the longest-charting album by a female rapper on theBillboard200,and the most-streamed female rap album on Spotify. Cardi is the female rapper with the mostDiamond-certifiedsongs by theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) (3): \"Bodak Yellow\", which made her the first female rapper to have a song certified Diamond; \"Girls Like You\", which made her the only female rapper to achieve multiple Diamond-certified songs; and \"I Like It\", a tie for the second-most among women artists.Cardi B has topped twicePitchfork'sannual list of best songs of the year(2017 and 2020).Billboardstaff andRolling Stoneranked her debut album number 13 and 34 on their critics' lists of the best albums of the 2010s respectively, both the highest rank for a female rapper for the decade.Cardi B has become the highest-certified female rapper of all time on theRIAA's Top Artists (Digital Singles)ranking, with 58 million certified units, also being among the highest-certified female artists overall.In October 2022, five years after her major-label debut, she reached 100 million units sold in RIAA certifications, across her album, singles and guest appearances. In the US, Cardi has achieved three times the best-performing song of the year by a female artist—the first act to do so this century—in 2017, 2018, and 2020.As of 2021, \"I Like It\" is the most-streamed song by a female rapper in the United Kingdom.In August 2021, \"Bodak Yellow\" made Cardi B the first female rapper to have two videos on herYouTubechannel with more than 1 billion views, joining \"I Like It\", and became the fastest solo female rap song to reach that mark on the platform.She has the most-viewed music videos on YouTube, both as a solo act and feature, among female rappers (\"Bodak Yellow\"; \"Girls Like You\"). As of September 2024, she has one music video with over 3 billion views (\"Girls Like You\"); one video with over 2 billion views (\"Taki Taki\"); and three videos with over a billion views (\"I Like It\", \"Bodak Yellow\", \"Girls Like You (Volume 2)\") on YouTube. Cardi is the only female rapper ranked onBillboard's Greatest Hot 100 Hits of All Time, with \"Girls Like You\" at number 30. Personal life Cardi B defined herself as a practicingCatholic.In 2016, Cardi B said that, while working as a stripper during her younger years, she used to drug and rob men to get money.Following controversies on the matter, sparked in 2019, she defended herself by saying that she took money from them because they \"wasted her time by falling asleep\", and then \"kept coming back.\"In 2024, she spoke on the matter again, saying she \"doesn't feel bad\" about drugging and robbing men and would do it again. She identifies asbisexual.In connection with theMe Too movement, she has discussed being sexually assaulted in the past while working as a stripper. In a 2018 interview, Cardi B talked about beingAfro-LatinaandAfro-Caribbean: We are Caribbean people. Some people want to decide if you're black or not, depending on your skin complexion, because they don't understand Caribbean people or our culture. I don't got to tell you that I'm black. I expect you to know about it. When my father taught me about Caribbean countries, he told me that Europeans took over our lands. That's why we all speak different languages. Just like everybody else, we came over here the same way. I hate when people try to take my roots from me. Because we know that there's African roots inside of us. Relationships In early 2017, Cardi B began dating fellow rapperOffset.They became engaged on October 27, 2017.On April 7, 2018, during her second performance onSaturday Night Live, Cardi B revealed her pregnancy; she was about six months (24 weeks) pregnant at the time.On June 25, 2018,TMZfound a marriage license revealing Cardi B and Offset had actually secretly married in September 2017, one month before the public proposal. She later confirmed this in a social media post. Cardi B gave birth to her daughter on July 10, 2018.In December 2018, she announced onInstagramthat she and Offset had separated, though the pair later reunited.In February 2019, the couple made a public appearance for the Grammys.He accompanied her onstage during her acceptance speech forBest Rap Album. In September 2020, it was reported that Cardi B had filed for divorce from Offset,but the following month it was revealed they were back together.In June 2021, Cardi B revealed she was pregnant with her second child, a boy.She gave birth to her son on September 4, 2021.On the fifth anniversary of her marriage, Cardi B announced she was planning her official wedding.In December 2023, Cardi shared via Instagram that she had been \"single for a minute,\" confirming that she and Offset were no longer together.However, as of March 2024, the current status of their marriage became unclear as they were still working together, with Offset having directed a music video for Cardi B.In July 2024, Cardi officially filed for divorce from Offset. She announced her third pregnancy the day after.She gave birth to her third child, on September 7, 2024. Legal issues On October 1, 2018, Cardi B was accused of an alleged assault of two female bartenders.The victims claimed that Cardi B and her entourage \"threw bottles and alcohol at them.\"She denied involvement.She was charged with twomisdemeanors: assault and reckless endangerment.Cardi B appeared in court for her arraignment on December 7, 2018, after she did not show up for the originally scheduled date due to a scheduling conflict, according to her attorney.On June 21, 2019, a jury indicted Cardi B on 14 charges, including two counts of felony assault with intent to cause serious physical injury, stemming from the incident.She was arraigned on June 25, 2019, and pleaded not guilty on all charges.On September 15, 2022, she pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and second-degree reckless endangerment, resulting in a sentence of 15 days of community service. On January 24, 2022, Cardi won a million-dollar defamation verdict against YouTuber Latasha Kebe (Tasha K) for waging a \"malicious campaign\" to hurt her reputation by posting false rumors. She stated that the lies had led her to contemplate suicide in 2019.The jury issued a verdict that Cardi B had been defamed and awarded $1.25 million in damages.Further proceedings brought the total fine against Kebe to $3.82 million. On March 25, 2022, Cardi, her sister Hennessy, and Hennessy's girlfriend won a defamation lawsuit filed against them by three men over an incident at a Suffolk County beach. In July 2023, Cardi B threw her microphone into the crowd at aLas Vegasconcert of hers after a fan threw a liquid at her. Subsequently, one fan attempted to press charges but theClark CountyPolice Department following an investigation decided not to move forward with a case. Controversies Cardi B sparked controversy after throwing one of her high heel shoes at and attempting to physically attack fellow rapperNicki Minajat aNew York Fashion Weekafter-party in September 2018; bodyguards intervened before she could reach Minaj, leaving her a large bump on her forehead.Following the altercation, she alleged on Instagram that Minaj had previously \"liked\" social media comments that spoke negatively of Cardi B's ability to take care of her newborn daughter.Minaj denied the allegations on her Queen Radio show and expressed embarrassment at the fight.She accused Cardi B of building \"her career off of sympathy and payola\" and of bribing DJs and radio outlets with sex to play her records. Minaj also criticized Cardi B's rapping ability, saying, \"Do you know what it's like to sit in your room for hours writing raps? You came into my fucking culture. I never had to fuck a DJ to play my songs.\"Minaj also called Cardi B a \"disgusting pig\" for allegedlycyberbullyinga guest caller on Minaj's show and unearthed posts calling dark-skinned black women \"cockroaches\", which she had defended earlier by saying that it is a derogatory term inthe Bronxused for anyone being disrespectful.Cardi B was on the cover of the 2019 spring fashion issue ofHarper's Bazaar, which featured her in aCinderella-themed photo shoot wearing a red gown and leaving a shoe behind. Some interpreted this as a reference to the incident. After the release of \"Girls\" in May 2018, a collaboration where she had a featured verse, Cardi B responded to accusations of the song trivializingLGBTrelationships; she tweeted, \"We never try to cause harm or had bad intentions with the song.\" She went on to add, \"I personally myself had experiences with other women.\" Discography Filmography Commercials See also Notes References Further reading External links","Tupac Shakur Tupac Amaru Shakur(/ˈtuːpɑːkʃəˈkʊər/ⓘ; bornLesane Parish Crooks; June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known by his stage names2PacandMakaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Considered to be one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time,academics regard him as one of the most influential music artists of the 20th century and a prominent political activist forBlack America.In addition to his music career, Shakur also wrote poetry and had numerous starring roles in movies. Shakur is among thebest-selling music artists, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide.His lyrical content has been noted for addressing social injustice, political issues, and the marginalization of otherAfrican-Americans,but he was also synonymous withgangsta rapand violent lyrics. Shakur was born inNew York Cityto parents who were both political activists andBlack Panther Partymembers. Raised by his mother,Afeni Shakur, he relocated toBaltimorein 1984 and to theSan Francisco Bay Areain 1988. With the release of his debut album2Pacalypse Nowin 1991, he became a central figure inWest Coast hip hopfor hisconscious rapandpolitical raplyrics.Shakur achieved further critical and commercialmulti-platinumsuccess with his follow-up albumsStrictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...(1993) andMe Against the World(1995).HisDiamondcertified albumAll Eyez on Me(1996), the first double-length album in hip-hop history, abandoned his introspective lyrics for volatile gangsta rap.In addition to his music career, Shakur starred roles inJuice(1992),Poetic Justice(1993),Above the Rim(1994),Bullet(1996),Gridlock'd(1997), andGang Related(1997). Shakur's most notable songs include \"California Love,\" \"Changes,\" \"Dear Mama,\" \"Hail Mary,\" \"Keep Ya Head Up,\" \"Hit 'Em Up,\" \"Ambitionz az a Ridah,\" \"All Eyez on Me,\" \"Ghetto Gospel,\" \"Do for Love,\" \"So Many Tears,\" \"To Live & Die in L.A.,\" \"How Do U Want It,\" \"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted,\" \"Brenda's Got a Baby\" and \"I Get Around.\" Alongside his solo career, Shakur was part of the groupThug Lifeand collaborated with artists likeSnoop Dogg,Dr. Dre, and theOutlawz. During the later part of his career, Shakur was shot five times in the lobby of a New York recording studio and experienced legal troubles, includingincarceration. He served eight months in prison onsexual abusecharges, but was released pending an appeal of his conviction in 1995.Following his release, he signed toMarion \"Suge\" Knight's labelDeath Row Recordsand became heavily involved in the growingEast Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry.On September 7, 1996, Shakur wasshot four timesby an unidentified assailant in adrive-by shootinginLas Vegas; he died six days later. Following his murder, Shakur's friend-turned-rival,the Notorious B.I.G., was at first considered a suspect due to their public feud; he was also murdered inanother drive-by shootingsix months later in March 1997, while visiting Los Angeles.On September 22, 1996, a peace summit was convened atMosque MaryambyLouis Farrakhanin response to hisassassination. Shakur's double-length posthumous albumGreatest Hits(1998) is one of his two releases—and one of only nine hip hop albums—to have been certified Diamond in the United States.Five more albums have been released since Shakur's death, including his critically acclaimed posthumous albumThe Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory(1996)under his stage name Makaveli, all of which have been certified multi-platinum in the United States.In 2002, Shakur was inducted into theHip-Hop Hall of Fame.In 2017, he was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein his first year of eligibility.Rolling Stoneranked Shakur among the100 Greatest Artists of All Time.In 2023, he was awarded a posthumous star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.His influence in music, activism, songwriting, and other areas of culture has been the subject of academic studies. Early life Tupac Amaru Shakur was born on June 16, 1971, inEast Harlem, Manhattan, New York City.While born Lesane Parish Crooks, at age one he was renamed Tupac Amaru Shakur.He was named afterTúpac Amaru II, a descendant of the lastIncanruler, who was executed in Peru in 1781 after hisrevoltagainstSpanish rule.Shakur's motherAfeni Shakurexplained, \"I wanted him to have the name of revolutionary, indigenous people in the world. I wanted him to know he was part of a world culture and not just from a neighborhood.\"Tupac's surname came from Lumumba Shakur, a Sunni Muslim, whom his mother married in November 1968. Their marriage fell apart when it was discovered that Lumumba was not Tupac's biological father. Shakur had an older stepbrother,Mopreme \"Komani\" Shakur, and a half-sister, Sekyiwa Shakur, two years his junior. Panther heritage Shakur's parents, Afeni Shakur—born Alice Faye Williams in North Carolina—and his biological father, William \"Billy\" Garland, had been activeBlack Panther Partymembers in New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s.A month before Shakur's birth, his mother was tried in New York City as part of thePanther 21criminal trial. She was acquitted of over 150 charges. Other family members who were involved in theBlack Panthers'Black Liberation Armywere convicted of serious crimes and imprisoned, including Shakur's stepfather,Mutulu Shakur, who spent four years as one of theFBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Mutulu Shakur was apprehended in 1986 and subsequently convicted for a 1981robbery of a Brinks armored truck, during which police officers and a guard were killed. Shakur'sgodfather,Elmer \"Geronimo\" Pratt, a high-ranking Black Panther, was wrongly convicted of murdering a schoolteacher during a 1968 robbery. After he spent 27 years in prison, his conviction was overturned due to the prosecution's having concealed evidence that proved his innocence. Shakur's godmother,Assata Shakur, is a former member of theBlack Liberation Armywho was convicted in 1977 of thefirst-degree murderof aNew Jersey State Trooper. Since 2013, she has been in theFBI Most Wanted Terroristslist after she escapedprisonin 1979. Education In the 1980s, Shakur's mother found it difficult to find work and struggled with drug addiction.In 1984, his family moved from New York City toBaltimore, Maryland.Beginning in 1984 when Shakur was 13, he lived in thePen Lucyneighborhood with his mother and younger sister at 3955 Greenmount Ave.The home was a two-storyrowhousethat had been subdivided into two separate rental units; the Shakur family lived on the first floor.After his death, the block was renamed Tupac Shakur Way. While living in Baltimore, Shakur attended eighth grade at Roland Park Middle School, then ninth grade atPaul Laurence Dunbar High School.He transferred to theBaltimore School for the Artsin the tenth grade, where he studied acting, poetry,jazz, and ballet.He performed inShakespeare plays—the themes of which he identified in patterns of gang warfare—and as the Mouse King inThe Nutcrackerballet. At the Baltimore School for the Arts, Shakur befriended actressJada Pinkett, who became the subject of some of his poems (\"Jada\" and \"The Tears in Cupid's Eyes\").With his friend Dana \"Mouse\" Smith as abeatbox, he won competitions for the school's best rapper.Known for his humor, he was popular with all crowds of students.He listened to a diverse range of music that includedKate Bush,Culture Club,Sinéad O'Connor, andU2. Upon connecting with the BaltimoreYoung Communist League USA,Shakur dated Mary Baldridge, who was the daughter of the director of the local chapter of theCommunist Party USA. In 1988, Shakur moved toMarin City, California, an impoverished community in the San Francisco Bay Area.In nearbyMill Valley, he attendedTamalpais High School,where he performed in several theater productions.Shakur did not graduate from high school, but later earned hisGED. Music career MC New York Shakur began recording under the stage name MC New York in 1989.That year, he began attending the poetry classes ofLeila Steinberg, and she soon became his manager.Steinberg organized a concert for Shakur and his rap group Strictly Dope. Steinberg managed to get Shakur signed by Atron Gregory, manager of the rap groupDigital Underground.In 1990, Gregory placed him with the Underground as aroadieandbackup dancer. Digital Underground Shakur debuted under the stage name 2Pac onDigital Underground, under a new record label,Interscope Records, on the group's January 1991 single \"Same Song\". The song was featured on the soundtrack of the 1991 filmNothing but Trouble, starringDan Aykroyd,John Candy,Chevy Chase, andDemi Moore.The song opened the group's January 1991 EP titledThis Is an EP Release,while Shakur appeared in the music video. At the request of Steinberg, Digital Underground co-founder Jimi \"Chopmaster J\" Dright worked with Shakur,Ray Luvand Dize, a DJ, on their earliest studio recordings. Dright recalls that Shakur did not work well as part of a group, and added, \"this guy was on a mission. From day one. Maybe he knew he wasn't going to be around seven years later.\" From 1988 to 1991, Dright and Digital Underground produced Shakur's earliest work with his crew at the time, Strictly Dope.The recordings were rediscovered in 2000 and released asThe Lost Tapes: Circa 1989.Afeni Shakur sued to stop the sale of the recordings but the suit was settled in June 2001 and rereleased asBeginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988–1991. Shakur's early days withDigital Undergroundmade him acquainted withRandy \"Stretch\" Walker, who along with his brother, dubbed Majesty, and a friend debuted with an EP as a rap group and production team,Live Squad, inQueens, New York.Stretch was featured on a track of the Digital Underground's 1991 albumSons of the P. Becoming fast friends, Shakur and Stretch recorded and performed together often. 2Pacalypse Now Shakur's debut album,2Pacalypse Now—alluding to the 1979 filmApocalypse Now—arrived in November 1991. Some prominent rappers—likeNas,Eminem,Game, andTalib Kweli—cite it as an inspiration.Aside from \"If My Homie Calls\", the singles \"Trapped\" and \"Brenda's Got a Baby\" poetically depict individual struggles under socioeconomic disadvantage. U.S. Vice PresidentDan Quaylesaid, \"There's no reason for a record like this to be released. It has no place in our society.\" Tupac, finding himself misunderstood,explained, in part: I just wanted to rap about things that affected young black males. When I said that, I didn't know that I was gonna tie myself down to just take all the blunts and hits for all the young black males, to be the media's kicking post for young black males. 2Pacalypse Nowwascertified Gold, half a million copies sold. The album addresses urban Black concerns said to remain relevant to the present day. Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... Shakur's second album,Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z..., was released in February 1993.A critical and commercial success, it debuted at No. 24 on the pop albums chart, theBillboard 200.An overall more hardcore album, it emphasizes Tupac's sociopolitical views, and has a metallic production quality. The song \"Last Wordz\" featuresIce Cube, co-writer ofN.W.A's\"Fuck tha Police\", who in his own solo albums had newly gone militantlypolitical, andgangsta rapperIce-T, who in June 1992 had sparked controversy with his bandBody Count's track \"Cop Killer\". In its vinyl release, side A, tracks 1 to 8, is labeled the \"Black Side\", while side B, tracks 9 to 16, is the \"Dark Side\".The album carries the single \"I Get Around\", a party anthem featuring Digital Underground'sShock GandMoney-B, which became Shakur's breakthrough, reaching No. 11 on the pop singles chart, theBillboardHot 100.And it carries the optimistic compassion of another hit, \"Keep Ya Head Up\", an anthem forwomen's empowerment.The album was certifiedPlatinum, with a million copies sold. As of 2004, among Shakur albums, including posthumous and compilation albums,Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...was 10th in sales at about 1,366,000 copies. Thug Life In late 1993, Shakur formed the groupThug Lifewith Tyrus \"Big Syke\" Himes, Diron \"Macadoshis\" Rivers, his stepbrotherMopreme Shakur, and Walter \"Rated R\" Burns.Usually, Thug Life performed live without Tupac. Thug Life released its only album,Thug Life, Volume I, on October 11, 1994, which is certified Gold. It carries the single \"Pour Out a Little Liquor\", produced byJohnny \"J\" Jackson, who would also produce much of Shakur's albumAll Eyez on Me. The track also appears on theAbove the Rimsoundtrack.Due togangsta rapbeing under heavy criticism at the time, the album's original version was scrapped, and the album redone with mostly new tracks. Still, along with Stretch, Tupac would perform the first planned single, \"Out on Bail\", which was never released, at the1994 Source Awards. The Notorious B.I.G. and Junior M.A.F.I.A. In 1993, while visiting Los Angeles,the Notorious B.I.G.asked a local drug dealer to introduce him to Shakur and they quickly became friends. The pair would socialize when Shakur went to New York or B.I.G. to Los Angeles.During this period, at his own live shows, Shakur would call B.I.G. onto stage to rap with him and Stretch.Together, they recorded the songs \"Runnin' from tha Police\" and \"House of Pain\". Reportedly, B.I.G. asked Shakur to manage him, whereupon Shakur advised him thatSean Combswould make him a star.Yet in the meantime, Shakur's lifestyle was comparatively lavish to B.I.G. who had not yet established himself.Shakur welcomed B.I.G. to join his side group Thug Life, but he would instead form his own side group, theJunior M.A.F.I.A., with his Brooklyn friendsLil' CeaseandLil' Kim. Shakur had a falling out with B.I.G. after he was shot at Quad Studios in 1994. Me Against the World Shakur's third album,Me Against the World,was released while he was incarcerated in March 1995.It is now hailed as hismagnum opus, and commonly ranks among the greatest, most influential rap albums.The album debuted at No. 1 on theBillboard200and sold 240,000 copies in its first week, setting a then record for highest first-week sales for a solo male rapper. The lead single, \"Dear Mama\", was released in February 1995 with \"Old School\" as theB-side.It is the album's most successful single, topping theHot Rap Singleschart, and peaking at No. 9 on theBillboardHot 100.In July, it was certified Platinum.It ranked No. 51 on theyear-end charts. The second single, \"So Many Tears\", was released in June 1995,reaching No. 6 on the Hot Rap Singles chart and No. 44 on Hot 100.The final single, \"Temptations\", was released in August 1995.It reached No. 68 on the Hot 100, No. 35 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, and No. 13 on the Hot Rap Singles.Several celebrities showed their support for Shakur by appearing in the music video for \"Temptations\". Shakur won best rap album at the1996 Soul Train Music Awards.In 2001, it ranked 4th among his total albums in sales, with about 3 million copies sold in the U.S. All Eyez on Me While Shakur was imprisoned in 1995, his mother was about to lose her house. Shakur had his wife Keisha Morris contactDeath Row RecordsfounderSuge Knightin Los Angeles.Reportedly, Shakur's mother promptly received $15,000.After an August visit toClinton Correctional Facilityin northern New York state, Knight traveled southward to New York City to attend the2nd Annual Source Awardsceremony. Meanwhile, anEast Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalrywas brewing between Death Row andBad Boy Records.In October 1995, Knight visited Shakur in prison again and posted $1.4 million bond.Shakur returned to Los Angeles and joined Death Row with the appeal of his December 1994 conviction pending. Shakur's fourth album,All Eyez on Me, arrived on February 13, 1996.It was rap's first double album—meeting two of the three albums due in Shakur's contract with Death Row—and bore five singles.The album shows Shakurrapping about the gangsta lifestyle, leaving behind his previous political messages. With standout production, the album has more party tracks and often a triumphant tone.Music journalistKevin Powellnoted that Shakur, once released from prison, became more aggressive, and \"seemed like a completely transformed person\". As Shakur's second album to hit No. 1 on both theTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albumschart and the pop albums chart, theBillboard200,it sold 566,000 copies in its first week and was it wascertified5× Multi-Platinum in April.The singles \"How Do U Want It\" and \"California Love\" reached No. 1 on theBillboardHot 100.Death Row released Shakur's diss track \"Hit 'Em Up\" as the non-album B-side to \"How Do U Want It\". In this venomous tirade, the proclaimed \"Bad Boy killer\" threatens violent payback on all things Bad Boy — B.I.G., Sean Combs, Junior M.A.F.I.A., the company — and on any in the East Coast rap scene, like rap duoMobb Deepand rapperChino XL, who allegedly had commented against Shakur about the dispute. All Eyez on Mewon R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year at the1997 Soul Train Music Awards.At the1997 American Music Awards, Shakur won Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist.The album was certified 9× Multi-Platinum in June 1998,and 10× in July 2014. Posthumous albums At the time of his death, a fifth solo album was already finished,The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, under the stage name Makaveli. It had been recorded during the summer of 1996 and released that year.The lyrics were written and recorded in three days, and mixing took another four days. In 2005, MTV.com rankedThe 7 Day Theoryat No. 9 among hip hop's greatest albums ever,and by 2006 a classic album.Its singular poignance, through hurt and rage, contemplation and vendetta, resonate with many fans. According to George \"Papa G\" Pryce, Death Row Records' then director ofpublic relations, the album was meant to be \"underground\", and was not intended for release before the artist was murdered.It peaked at No. 1 onBillboard'sTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albumschart and on theBillboard200,with the second-highest debut-week sales total of any album that year.On June 15, 1999, it was certified 4× Multi-Platinum. Later posthumous albums are archival productions, these albums are: Poetry collection Before and during his hip-hop career, Shakur wrote dozens of poems.Some of the most notable are \"Can U C The Pride in The Panther\", \"If I fail\", \"Family Tree\", and \"The Rose that grew from the concrete\". In 1993 Tupac played a character named “Lucky” in the film titledPoetic JusticealongsideJanet Jackson. Poet and activistMaya Angelou, whom worked withMartin Luther King Jr.andMalcolm Xduring the civil rights movement, wrote the poems used in the 1993 film. In April 2022, handwritten poems written by Tupac when he was 11 years old were up for sale for $300,000 USD but only sold for $90,000.The poems were forJamal Josephand three otherBlack Panther Partymembers while they were incarcerated atLeavenworth Prison. Even at his young age, Shakur's writing dealt with themes such as black liberation, mass incarceration, race, and masculinity. The poems feature a self-portrait of Shakur sleeping, pen in hand, dreaming of the Black Panthers being freed from prison, and signed with a heart and the phrase \"Tupac Shakur, Future Freedom Fighter\". In October, 2023, sexually explicit poems he wrote toJada Pinkett Smithwhile in prison went public in the book \"Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography.\"Pinkett Smith celebrated Shakur's 50th birthday by showing a unreleased poem on Instagram called \"Lost Soulz.\"According toRolling Stonewriter Andy Green: “He was also a poet and activist who became one of his era’s most revolutionary voices.\"Tupac had passion for theater and admiration ofWilliam Shakespeare. Years after Tupac's death,Nassaid \"I put Tupac beyond Shakespeare.\" Film career Shakur's first film appearance was in the 1991 filmNothing but Trouble, acameoby the Digital Underground. In 1992, he starred inJuice, in which he plays the fictional Roland Bishop, a militant and haunting individual.Rolling Stone'sPeter Traverscalls him \"the film's most magnetic figure\". In 1993, Shakur starred alongsideJanet JacksoninJohn Singleton's romance film,Poetic Justice.Singleton later fired Shakur from the 1995 filmHigher Learningbecause the studio would not finance the film following his arrest.For the lead role in the eventual 2001 filmBaby Boy, a role played byTyrese Gibson, Singleton originally had Shakur in mind.Ultimately, theset designincludes a Shakur mural in the protagonist's bedroom, and the film's score includes Shakur's song \"Hail Mary\". DirectorAllen Hugheshad cast Shakur as Sharif in the 1993 filmMenace II Societybut replaced him once Shakur assaulted him on set due to a discrepancy with the script. Nonetheless, in 2013, Hughes appraises that Shakur would have outshone the other actors \"because he was bigger than the movie\". Shakur played a gangster called Birdie in the 1994 filmAbove the Rim.By some accounts, that character had been modeled after former New York drug dealerJacques \"Haitian Jack\" Agnant,who managed and promoted rappers.Shakur was introduced to him at a Queens nightclub.Reportedly, B.I.G. advised Shakur to avoid him, but Shakur disregarded the warning.Through Haitian Jack, Shakur metJames \"Jimmy Henchman\" Rosemond, also a drug dealer who doubled as music manager. Soon after Shakur's death, three more films starring him were released,Bullet(1996),Gridlock'd(1997), andGang Related(1997). Posthumous rumored roles andStar Wars It was rumored that Shakur was being considered byGeorge Lucasto portrayJedi MasterMace Winduin theStar Warsprequel films (1999–2005). According to formerDeath Row Recordschief engineer Rick Clifford, George Lucas was eyeing Tupac to star in his return to the \"Star Wars\" saga. Clifford talked about how excited Tupac was for the role, \"'Pac found out that I worked for Brian Austin Green, who was on90210, then he found out I some movies, so we always talked about his film career and stuff. He was telling me that he was supposed to read for George Lucas and them. They wanted him to be a Jedi. I'm serious. Samuel L. got Tupac's part. said , 'Old man, keep your fingers crossed.' He said, 'I've got three movies coming up. One of them, I've got to read for George Lucas.\" The Phantom Menacescript had begun being written in 1996 and the eventual film seeing release in 1999. Lucas had asked Jackson to ask Shakur to audition but due to Shakur's untimely death the role ultimately went toSamuel L. Jackson. The two had worked on the filmJuicetogether. Personal life In his 1995 interview withVibemagazine, Shakur listedJada Pinkett,Jasmine Guy,TreachandMickey Rourkeamong the people who were looking out for him while he was in prison.Shakur also mentioned thatMadonnawas a supportive friend.Madonna later revealed that they had dated in 1994. Shakur became close friends with Jada Pinkett while attending the Baltimore School for the Arts.He helped Pinkett land her first movie role in the filmMenace II Society(1993).In turn, Pinkett secured Shakur a guest starring role on the sitcomA Different Worldin 1993.She appeared in his music videos \"Keep Ya Head Up\" and \"Temptations\".She also came up with the concept for his \"California Love\" music video and had intended to direct it, but removed herself from the project.In 1995, Pinkett contributed $100,000 towards Shakur's bail as he awaited an appeal on his sexual abuse conviction.Pinkett later revealed that she turned down hismarriage proposalwhile he was incarcerated atRikers Islandin 1995.Speaking about Pinkett, Shakur stated: \"Jada is my heart. She will be my friend for my whole life. We'll be old together. Jada can ask me to do anything and she can have it.\"Pinkett said Shakur was \"one of my best friends. He was like a brother. It was beyond friendship for us. The type of relationship we had, you only get that once in a lifetime\". After Shakur was shot in 1994, he recuperated at Jasmine Guy's home.They had met during his guest appearance on the sitcomA Different Worldin 1993.Guy appeared in his music video \"Temptations\" and later wrote his mother's 2004 biography,Afeni Shakur: Evolution of a Revolutionary. Shakur befriended Treach when they were both roadies on Public Enemy's tour in 1990.He made a cameo inNaughty by Nature's music video \"Uptown Anthem\" in 1992.Treach collaborated on Shakur's song \"5 Deadly Venomz\" and appeared in the music video for Shakur's \"Temptations\".Treach was also a speaker at a public memorial service for Shakur in 1996. In 1993, during a police raid of Shakur's room at New York City'sParker Meridian Hotel, a videotape was confiscated which showed Shakur having sex with his then-girlfriend Desiree Smith. Officers were attempting to build their case against Shakur for the allegedsodomyof Ayanna Jackson. In 2022, Smith insisted she was neither underage nor intoxicated at the time of their tryst.In 2011, asex tapefeaturing Shakur receivingoral sexfrom a groupie while rapping and dancing along to one of his own unreleased songs, was sold to a private collector. The video, which was filmed in 1993, also features rapperMoney BfromDigital Underground. Shakur and Mickey Rourke formed a bond while filming the movieBulletin 1994.Rourke recalled that Shakur \"was there for me during some very hard times.\" Shakur had friendships with other celebrities, includingMike TysonChuck D,Jim Carrey,andAlanis Morissette. In April 1996, Shakur said that he, Morrissette, Snoop Dogg, and Suge Knight were planning to open a restaurant together. On April 29, 1995, Shakur married his girlfriend Keisha Morris, apre-lawstudent.Their marriage was annulled ten months later. In a 1993 interview published inThe Source, Shakur criticized record producerQuincy Jonesfor hisinterracial marriageto actressPeggy Lipton.Their daughterRashida Jonesresponded with an irate open letter.Shakur later apologized to her sisterKidada Jones, whom he began dating in 1996.Shakur and Jones attendedMen's Fashion Weekin Milan and walked the runway together for aVersacefashion show.Jones was at their hotel in Las Vegas when Shakur was shot. Legal issues Sexual assault case, prison sentence, appeal and release In November 1993, Shakur and two other men were charged in New York withsodomizinga woman in Shakur's hotel room. The woman, Ayanna Jackson, alleged that after she performed oral sex on Shakur at the public dance floor of a Manhattan nightclub, she went to his hotel room on a later day, when Shakur, record executiveJacques \"Haitian Jack\" Agnant, Shakur's road manager Charles Fuller and an unidentified fourth man apprehended and forced her to perform non-consensual oral sex on each of them.Shakur was also charged withillegal possession of a firearmas two guns were found in the hotel room.Interviewed onThe Arsenio Hall Show, Shakur said he was hurt that \"a woman would accuse me of taking something from her\", as he had been raised in a female household and surrounded by women his whole life. On December 1, 1994, Shakur was acquitted of three counts of sodomy and the associated gun charges, but convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual abuse for \"forcibly touching the woman's buttocks\" in his hotel room.Jurors have said the lack of evidence stymied a sodomy conviction.Shakur's lawyer characterized the sentence as \"out of line\" with the groping conviction and the setting of bail at $3 million as \"inhumane\". Shakur's accuser later filed a civil suit against Shakur seeking $10 million for punitive damages which was subsequentlysettled. After Shakur had been convicted of sexual abuse, Jacques Agnant's case was separated and closed via misdemeanor plea without incarceration.A. J. Benzareported inNew York Daily NewsShakur's new disdain for Agnant who Shakur theorized had set him up with the case.Shakur reportedly believed his accuser was connected to and had sexual relations with Agnant andJames \"Henchman\" Rosemond, who he considered to be behind the 1994 Quad Studios shooting. Shakur was unable to post the $3 million bond to keep himself free until sentencing so he surrendered himself to authorities at theBellevue Hospital Jail Wardin New York City on December 23, 1994.At the time, he was still recovering from injuries he received on November 30, when he was shot five times and robbed at Quad Studios.In January 1995, Shakur was moved to the North Infirmary Command (NIC) onRikers Islandinthe Bronx.On February 7, 1995, he was sentenced to 18 months to4+1⁄2years in prison by a judge who decried \"an act of brutal violence against a helpless woman\". In March 1995, Shakur was transferred toClinton Correctional FacilityinDannemora.While imprisoned, he began reading again, which he had been unable to do as his career progressed due to his marijuana and alcohol habits. Works such asThe Princeby Italian philosopherNiccolò MachiavelliandThe Art of Warby Chinese military strategistSun Tzusparked Shakur's interest inphilosophy,philosophy of warandmilitary strategy.On April 29, 1995, Shakur married his girlfriend Keisha Morris; the marriage was later annulled.While in prison, Shakur exchanged letters with celebrities such asJim CarreyandTony Danzaamong others.He was also visited byAl Sharpton, who helped Shakur get released fromsolitary confinement. By October 1995, pending judicial appeal, Shakur was incarcerated in New York.On October 12, he bonded out of the maximum securityDannemoraClinton Correctional Facility in the process of appealing his conviction,onceSuge Knight, CEO of Death Row Records, arraigned for posting of his $1.4 million bond. 1993 shooting in Atlanta On October 31, 1993, Shakur was arrested in Atlanta for shooting two off-duty police officers, brothers Mark Whitwell and Scott Whitwell.The Atlanta police claimed the shooting occurred after the brothers were almost struck by a car carrying Shakur while they were crossing the street with their wives.As they argued with the driver, Shakur's car pulled up and he shot the Whitwells in the buttocks and the abdomen.However, there are conflicting accounts that the Whitwells were harassing a black motorist and uttered racial slurs.According to some witnesses, Shakur and his entourage had fired in self-defense as Mark Whitwell shot at them first. Shakur was charged with two counts of aggravated assault.Mark Whitwell was charged with firing at Shakur's car and later with making false statements to investigators. Scott Whitwell admitted to possessing a gun he had taken from aHenry Countypolice evidence room.Prosecutors ultimately dropped all charges against both parties.Mark Whitwell resigned from the force seven months after the shooting.Both brothers filed civil suits against Shakur; Mark Whitwell's suit was settled out of court, while Scott Whitwell's $2 million lawsuit resulted in a default judgment entered against the rapper's estate in 1998. 1994 Quad Studios shooting On November 30, 1994, while in New York recording verses for a mixtape of Ron G, Shakur was repeatedly distracted by his beeper.Music managerJames \"Jimmy Henchman\" Rosemond, reportedly offered Shakur $7,000 to stop by Quad Studios, in Times Square, that night to record a verse for his clientLittle Shawn.Shakur was unsure, but agreed to the session as he needed the cash to offset legal costs. He arrived with Stretch and one or two others. In the lobby, three men robbed and beat him at gunpoint; Shakur resisted and was shot.Shakur speculated that the shooting had been a set-up. Against medical advice, Shakur checked out ofMetropolitan Hospital Centera few hours after surgery and secretly went to the house of the actressJasmine Guyto recuperate.The next day, Shakur arrived at a Manhattan courthouse bandaged in a wheelchair to receive the jury's verdict for his sexual abuse case.Shakur spent the next few weeks being cared for by his mother and a private doctor at Guy's home.TheFruit of Islamand former members of the Black Panther Party stood guard to protect him. Setup accusations involving the Notorious B.I.G. In a 1995 interview withVibe, Shakur accusedSean Combs,Jimmy Henchman,and the Notorious B.I.G, – who were at Quad Studios at the time – among others, of setting up or being privy to the November 1994 robbery and shooting.Vibealerted the names of the accused.The accusations were significant to the East–West Coast rivalry in hip-hop; in 1995, months after the robbery, Combs and B.I.G. released the track \"Who Shot Ya?\", which Shakur took as a mockery of his shooting and thought they could be responsible, so he released adiss song, \"Hit 'Em Up\", in which he targeted B.I.G., Combs,their record label,Junior M.A.F.I.A., and at the end of \"Hit 'Em Up\", he mentions rivalsMobb DeepandChino XL. In March 2008,Chuck Philips, in theLos Angeles Times, reported on the 1994 ambush and shooting.The newspaper later retracted the article since it relied partially on FBI documents later discovered forged, supplied by a man convicted of fraud.In June 2011, convicted murderer Dexter Isaac, incarcerated in Brooklyn, issued a confession that he had been one of the gunmen who had robbed and shot Shakur at Henchman's order.Philips then named Isaac as one of his own, retracted article's unnamed sources. Other criminal or civil cases 1991 Oakland Police Department lawsuit On October 17, 1991, twoOakland Police Departmentofficers stopped Shakur forjaywalkingat a downtown intersection.According to Shakur, officers Alex Boyovic and Kevin Rogers asked him for his ID and pressed him about his name before choking him, throwing him to the ground and slamming his head on the concrete.Shakur filed a $10 million lawsuit against the officers forpolice brutality.The case wassettledfor about $43,000.It was later revealed that this incident was the onset of Shakur's autoimmune diseasealopecia, which led him to shave his head bald. Misdemeanor assault convictions On April 5, 1993, charged with felonious assault, Shakur allegedly threw a microphone and swung a baseball bat at rapper Chauncey Wynn, of the group M.A.D., at a concert atMichigan State University. Shakur claimed the bat was a part of his show, that he never swung it, and that there was no criminal intent.Nonetheless, on September 14, 1994, Shakur pleaded guilty to amisdemeanorand was sentenced to 30 days in jail, twenty of them suspended on condition that he complete 35 hours of community service. Slated to star as Sharif in the 1993Hughes Brothers' filmMenace II Society, Shakur was replaced by actor Vonte Sweet after allegedly assaulting one of the film's directors, Allen Hughes. In early 1994, Shakur served 15 days in jail after being found guilty of the assault.The prosecution's evidence included aYo! MTV Rapsinterview in which Shakur boasted that he had \"beat up the director ofMenace II Society\". Concealed weapon case In 1994, Shakur was arrested in Los Angeles, when he was stopped by police on suspicion of speeding. Police found a semiautomatic pistol in the car, a felony offense because a prior conviction in 1993 in Los Angeles for carrying a concealed firearm.On April 4, 1996, Shakur was sentenced to 120 days in jail for violating his release terms and failing to appear for a road cleanup job,but was allowed to remain free awaiting appeal. On June 7, his sentence was deferred via appeals pending in other cases. 1995 wrongful death suit On August 22, 1992, in Marin City, Shakur performed outdoors at a festival. For about an hour after the performance, he signed autographs and posed for photos. A conflict broke out and Shakur allegedly drew a legally carriedColt Mustangbut dropped it on the ground. Shakur claimed that someone with him then picked it up when it accidentally discharged. About 100 yards (90 meters) away in a schoolyard, Qa'id Walker-Teal, a boy aged 6 on his bicycle, was fatally shot in the forehead. Police matched the bullet to a.38-caliberpistol registered to Shakur. His stepbrother Maurice Harding was arrested in suspicion of having fired the gun, but no charges were filed. Lack of witnesses stymied prosecution. In 1995, Qa'id's mother filed awrongful death suitagainst Shakur, which was settled for about $300,000 to $500,000. C. Delores Tucker lawsuit Civil rights activist and fierce rap criticC. Delores Tuckersued Shakur's estate in federal court, claiming that lyrics in \"How Do U Want It\" and \"Wonda Why They Call U Bitch\" inflicted emotional distress, were slanderous, and invaded her privacy.The case was later dismissed. Murder and aftermath On the night of September 7, 1996, Shakur was in Las Vegas, Nevada to attend theBruce Seldon vs. Mike Tysonboxing match with Suge Knight at theMGM Grand. Afterward in the lobby one of Knight's associates spottedOrlando \"Baby Lane\" Anderson, aSouthside ComptonCrip, and told Shakur he had tried to rob them earlier that year. The hotel'ssurveillancefootage shows the ensuing assault on Anderson. Shakur soon stopped by his hotel room and then headed with Knight to his Death Row nightclub, Club 662, in a blackBMW 750iLsedan, part of a larger convoy. At about 11 p.m. onLas Vegas Boulevard, bicycle-mounted police stopped the car for its loud music and lack of license plates. The plates were found in the trunk, and the car was released without a ticket.At about 11:15 p.m. at a stop light, a white, four-door, late-modelCadillacsedan pulled up to the passenger side and an occupant rapidly fired into the car. Shakur was struck four times: once in the arm, once in the thigh, and twice in the chestwith one bullet entering his right lung.Shards hit Knight's head. Frank Alexander, Shakur's bodyguard, was not in the car at the time. He would say he had been tasked to drive the car of Shakur's girlfriend,Kidada Jones. Shakur was taken to theUniversity Medical Center of Southern Nevadawhere he was heavily sedated and put on life support.In theintensive-care uniton the afternoon of September 13, 1996, Shakur died frominternal bleeding.He was pronounced dead at 4:03 p.m.The official causes of death arerespiratory failureandcardiopulmonary arrestassociated with multiple gunshot wounds.Shakur's body wascrematedthe next day. Members of theOutlawz, recalling a line in his song \"Black Jesus\", (although uncertain of the artist's attempt at a literal meaning chose to interpret the request seriously) smoked some of his body's ashes after mixing them withmarijuana. In 2002, investigative journalistChuck Philips,after a year of work, reported in theLos Angeles Timesthat Anderson, a Southside Compton Crip, having been attacked by Suge and Shakur's entourage at the MGM Hotel after the boxing match, had fired the fatal gunshots, but that Las Vegas police had interviewed him only once, briefly, before his death in an unrelated shooting. Philips's 2002 article also alleges the involvement ofChristopher \"Notorious B.I.G.\" Wallaceand several within New York City's criminal underworld. Both Anderson and Wallace denied involvement, while Wallace offered a confirmed alibi.Music journalist John Leland, inThe New York Times, called the evidence \"inconclusive\". In 2011, via theFreedom of Information Act, theFBIreleased documents related to its investigation which described anextortionscheme by theJewish Defense League(classified as \"aright wing terroristgroup\" by theFBI) that included makingdeath threatsagainst Shakur and other rappers, but did not indicate a direct connection to his murder. On July 18, 2023, theLas Vegas Police Departmentexecuted asearch warrantin connection with Shakur's murder. On September 29, 2023, theAPreported that Las Vegas police had arrested a suspect,Duane \"Keefe D\" Davis, in Shakur's murder. Police had two months previously served a search warrant at his wife's home in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson.Davis pleaded not guilty on November 2, 2023, in Las Vegas. Artistry Musical style Shakur's music and philosophical outlook were deeply influenced by a wide range of American,African American, and global influences, including theBlack Panther Party,black nationalism,egalitarianism, and the concept ofliberty. Moreover, Shakur's artistic sensibilities were enriched by his passion for theater and admiration for the works ofWilliam Shakespeare. Notably, he honed his theatrical skills as a student at theBaltimore School for the Arts, where he delved into the psychological complexities inherent in inter-gang warfare and inter-cultural conflicts, reflecting themes explored in Shakespearean dramas. 2Pacalypse Now(1991), showcased his socially conscious perspective. Through powerful tracks like \"Brenda's Got a Baby\", \"Trapped\", and \"Part Time Mutha\", Shakur addressed social injustice, poverty, and police brutality. In doing so, he contributed to the ongoing success of rap groups such asBoogie Down Productions,Public Enemy,X-Clan, andGrandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, while establishing himself as one of the pioneering socially conscious rappers from the West Coast. Continuing his focus on the social challenges faced by African American people, Shakur's second album featured songs like \"The Streetz R Deathrow\" and \"Last Wordz\". Simultaneously, he showcased his compassionate side with the empowering anthem \"Keep Ya Head Up\", and his legendary intensity with the title track from the albumStrictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...Additionally, he paid homage to his former groupDigital Undergroundby including them on the playful track \"I Get Around\". Throughout his career, Shakur's subsequent albums reflected a growing assertiveness in his approach. Shakur's body of work encompassed contrasting themes, includingsocial inequality,injustice, compassion, playfulness, andhope. These elements continued to shape his artistry, exemplified by his explosive 1995 albumMe Against the World.The release ofAll Eyez on Mein 1996 further solidified his reputation, with tracks like \"Ambitionz az a Ridah\", \"I Ain't Mad at Cha\", \"California Love\", \"Life Goes On\", and \"Picture Me Rollin'\" being hailed as classics by critics. Shakur describedAll Eyez on Meas a celebration of life, and the album achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success.According toEminem, Tupac is the greatest songwriter of all time.Nassaid in 2002: \"I put Tupac beyondShakespeare.\" Vocal style Singers can manipulate different parts of their body to create various sounds. For instance, the \"head voice\" involves singing high-pitched tones resonating from the head, while the \"chest voice\" utilizes the chest area. In the documentary \"Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel,\"Greg \"Shock G\" Jacobs, one of Shakur's early producers, discusses how rappers also utilize different bodily areas to project their voices. According to him, \"Slick Rick rhymed from the nasal palate, Nas from the back of his throat, and Pac from the pit of his stomach, which is where his power came from.\" Shakur's influences stemmed from powerful orators likeMartin Luther King Jr.andMalcolm X. Despite not being physically imposing, Shakur's voice carried immense weight and power, reminiscent of these influential speakers. Shakur was also known for his technique of stacking or layering vocals, adding depth and rawness to his voice. This approach, demonstrated notably on tracks like \"Dear Mama\" from his 1995 albumMe Against the World, involves overlaying multiple vocal lines to highlight rhythms and emphasize words and phrases. Mastering this technique requires precision to maintain flow and clarity, as heard in the lyrics \"and even though I act crazy/I gotta thank the Lord that you made me,\" where Shakur's voice transitions from full to husky, underscoring the emotional depth of the lyrics. Despite its difficulty, Shakur's background in jazz, poetry, and theater endowed him with exceptional rhythm control, enabling him to layer vocals seamlessly while preserving cohesion and flow. Legacy and remembrance Shakur is considered one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time.He was listed as one of the greatest artists of all time byRolling Stone.He is widely credited as an important figure inhip hop culture, and his prominence inpop culturein general has been noted.Dotdash, formerly About.com, while ranking him fifth among the greatest rappers, nonetheless notes, \"Tupac Shakur is the most influential hip-hop artist of all time. Even in death, 2Pac remains a transcendental rap figure.\"Yet to some, he was a \"father figure\" who, said rapperYG, \"makes you want to be better—at every level.\"In 2023,Billboardranked Tupac at number 4 among the top 50 rappers of all time. AllMusic'sStephen Thomas Erlewinedescribed Shakur as \"the unlikely martyr ofgangsta rap\", with Shakur paying the ultimate price of a criminal lifestyle. Shakur was described as one of the top two American rappers in the 1990s, along withSnoop Dogg.The online rap magazineAllHipHopheld a 2007 roundtable at which New York rappersCormega, citing tour experience with New York rap duoMobb Deep, commented that B.I.G. ran New York, but Shakur ran America.Shakur emerged as a celebrated artist, earning recognition for his astonishingly prolific output and unwavering commitment to his craft.According toRolling Stonewriter Andy Green: “He was also a poet and activist who became one of his era’s most revolutionary voices.\" In 2017, American rapperSnoop Doggcalled Tupac “the greatest rapper of all time” during hisRock & Roll Hall of Fametribute.In 2021,SaweetietoldComplexthat Tupac was “the greatest rapper that ever lived”. According to British writer Rob Marriott, he deemed the act of tying abandanainto rabbit ears as one of the most distinctive and instantly recognizable style choices in the world ofhip-hop. Regarded as asex symbol, his unique style helped shape the fashion landscape of the 1990s and continues to influence artists and fashion enthusiasts to this day. In 2010, writingRolling Stonemagazine's entry on Shakur at No. 86 among the \"100 greatest artists\", New York rapper50 Centappraised: Every rapper who grew up in the Nineties owes something to Tupac. People either try to emulate him in some way, or they go in a different direction because they didn't like what he did. But whatever you think of him, he definitely developed his own style: He didn't sound like anyone who came before him. According to music journalistChuck Philips, Shakur \"had helped elevate rap from a crude street fad to a complex art form, setting the stage for the current global hip-hop phenomenon.\"Philips writes, \"The slaying silenced one of modern music's most eloquent voices—a ghetto poet whose tales of urban alienation captivated young people of all races and backgrounds.\"Via numerous fans perceiving him, despite his questionable conduct, as amartyr, \"the downsizing of martyrdom cheapens its use\", academicMichael Eric Dysonconcedes.But Dyson adds, \"Some, or even most, of that criticism can be conceded without doing damage to Tupac's martyrdom in the eyes of those disappointed by more traditional martyrs.\" In 2014,BETexplained that \"his confounding mixture of ladies' man, thug, revolutionary and poet has forever altered our perception of what a rapper should look like, sound like and act like. In50 Cent,Ja Rule,Lil Wayne, newcomers likeFreddie Gibbsand even his friend-turned-rival B.I.G., it's easy to see that Pac is the most copied MC of all time. There are murals bearing his likeness in New York, Brazil, Sierra Leone, Bulgaria and countless other places; he even has statues in Atlanta and Germany. Quite simply, no other rapper has captured the world's attention the way Tupac did and still does.\"More simply, his writings, published after his death, inspired rapper YG to return to school and get his GED.In 2020, former California Senator and current vice-presidentKamala Harriscalled Shakur the \"best rapper alive\", which she explained as being because \"West Coast girls think 2Pac lives on\".According to writerKevin Powell: \"He deserves to be put in the same category asBob Dylan,Bob Marley, asJohn Lennon, in terms of his global impact.\"Tupac is regarded as one of the most influential artists in music and popular culture in general and an icon of activism. Palestinian rapperTamer Nafar, leader and a founding member ofDAM, became passionate about hip hop by listening to Tupac saying, “The imagery in Shakur’s videos was similar to our reality in Lod.\" Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation In 1997, Shakur's mother founded the Shakur Family Foundation. Later renamed the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, or TASF, it launched with a stated mission to \"provide training and support for students who aspire to enhance their creative talents.\"The TASF sponsors essay contests, charity events, a performing arts day camp for teenagers, and undergraduate scholarships. In June 2005, the TASF opened theTupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts, or TASCA, inStone Mountain, Georgia. It closed in 2015. Academic appraisal In 1997, theUniversity of California, Berkeley, offered a course led by a student titled \"History 98: Poetry and History of Tupac Shakur\".In April 2003,Harvard Universitycosponsored the symposium \"All Eyez on Me: Tupac Shakur and the Search for the Modern Folk Hero\".Where Shakur's influence as both an artist and an activist was analyzed.The papers presented cover his ranging influence from entertainment to sociology.Calling him a \"Thug Nigga Intellectual\", an \"organic intellectual\",English scholarMark Anthony Nealassessed his death as leaving a \"leadership void amongst hip-hop artists\",as this \"walking contradiction\" helps, Neal explained, \"make being an intellectual accessible to ordinary people.\" Tracing Shakur'smythicalstatus, Murray Forman discussed him as \"O.G.\", or \"Ostensibly Gone\", with fans, using digital mediums, \"resurrecting Tupac as an ethereal life force.\"Music scholar Emmett Price, calling him a \"Black folk hero\", traced his persona to Black American folklore'stricksters, which, afterabolition, evolved into the urban \"bad-man\". Yet in Shakur's \"terrible sense of urgency\", Price identified instead a quest to \"unify mind, body, and spirit.\"According to Price, Tupac had surpassed the legacies ofJohn ColtraneandMahalia Jacksonwithin the tradition of black music. In 2012, the NorwegianUniversity of Osloorganized the course: \"Tupac, hiphop og kulturhistorie (Tupac, hip hop and cultural history).\" As Knut Aukrust, Norwegian professor and academic scholar of cultural studies at the University of Oslo, puts it:\"Tupac Amaru Shakur (1971-1996) is one of the most famous and controversial representatives of hip-hop culture. He has become an icon with saint status far beyond his fans. References to him and his message appear all over the world, from Barack Obama's slogan about \"changes\", to Palestinians and Israelis longing for peace in the Middle East, to the people of Groruddalen who want their experiences to be taken on board serious. The course highlights how a single person can fit into a wider network of cultural models and how a local storytelling tradition has become an international cultural phenomenon.\" Jeffrey Ogbonna Green Ogbar, professor of History and Popular Music at theUniversity of Connecticut, described Shakur as \"one of the most iconic and influential music artists of the 20th century\", and also a \"politically conscious activist voice for Black America.\" Multimedia releases In 2005, Death Row released on DVD,Tupac: Live at the House of Blues, his final recorded live performance, an event on July 4, 1996. In August 2006,Tupac Shakur Legacy, an \"interactive biography\" byJamal Joseph, arrived with previously unpublished family photographs, intimate stories, and over 20 detachable copies of his handwritten song lyrics, contracts, scripts, poetry, and other papers. In 2006, the Shakur albumPac's Lifewas released and, like the previous, was among the recording industry's most popular releases.In 2008, his estate made about $15 million. On April 15, 2012, at theCoachella Music Festival, rappers Snoop Dogg andDr. Drejoined a Shakur \"hologram\" (Although the media referred to the technology as a hologram, technically it was a projection created with theMusion Eyeliner),and, as a partly virtual trio, performed the Shakur songs \"Hail Mary\" and \"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted\".There were talks of a tour,but Dre refused.Meanwhile, theGreatest Hitsalbum, released in 1998, and which in 2000 had left the pop albums chart, theBillboard 200, returned to the chart and reached No. 129, while also other Shakur albums and singles drew sales gains. Film and stage The documentary filmTupac: Resurrectionwas released in November 2003. It was nominated forBest Documentaryat the2005 Academy Awards. In 2014, the playHoller If Ya Hear Me, based on Shakur's lyrics, played on Broadway, but, among Broadway's worst-selling musicals in recent years, ran only six weeks.In development since 2013, a Shakur biopic,All Eyez on Me, began filming inAtlantain December 2015.It was released on June 16, 2017, on Shakur's 46th birthday,albeit to generally negative reviews. In August 2019, adocuseriesdirected byAllen Hughes,Outlaw: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur, was announced. Awards and honors In 2002, Shakur was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. In 2004, Shakur was among the honorees at the firstHip Hop Honors. In 2006, Shakur's close friend and classmate Jada Pinkett Smith donated $1 million to their high school alma mater, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and named the new theater in his honor.In 2021, Pinkett Smith honored Shakur's 50th birthday by releasing a never before seen poem she had received from him. In 2009, drawing praise, the Vatican added \"Changes\", a1998 posthumoustrack, to its online playlist.On June 23, 2010, theLibrary of Congressadded \"Dear Mama\" to theNational Recording Registry, the third rap song. In 2015, theGrammy Museumopened an exhibition dedicated to Shakur. In his first year of eligibility, Shakur was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 7, 2017. In January 2022, the exhibitionTupac Shakur: Wake Me When I'm Freeopened at The Canvas atL.A. Livein Los Angeles. On May 16, 2023, Oakland City Council voted to name the section of MacArthur Boulevard between Grand Avenue and Van Buren Avenue \"Tupac Shakur Way\". On June 7, 2023, Shakur received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.His half-sister, Sekyiwa \"Set\" Shakur, accepted the award in his honor. Rankings Final resting place in Soweto In 2006, on the 10th anniversary of Tupac Shakur's passing, his ashes were laid to rest inSoweto. Shakur's mother Afeni transported them to the \"birthplace of his ancestors\" and conducted a memorial service in what's considered as one of the most renownedSouth African townships. Afeni Shakur explained that Soweto had been selected due to its significance as the \"birthplace of the South African struggle fordemocracyand againstapartheid.\" TheCity of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipalitydonated a five-acre plot of undeveloped land in theZolaarea of Soweto to build a memorial honoring Shakur. A portion of the land was designated to be transformed into a park for the benefit of local children as well as aimed at promotingenvironmental education, pathways, orphanages, bridges, skateboard ramps and a golf range while plans also included the construction of anamphitheaterand a museum showcasing South African music and arts. The project was funded by Johannesburg city authorities and the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation. The memorial was hosted by South African musician and actorZola 7. SingerMacy Grayand members of the Outlawz were amongst the attendees who paid their respects. Discography Filmography Portrayals in film Documentaries Shakur's life has been explored in several documentaries, most notably the Academy Award-nominatedTupac: Resurrection(2003). See also References Further reading External links"],"string":"[\n \"Cardi B Belcalis Marlenis Cephus(néeAlmánzar;born October 11, 1992), known professionally asCardi B, is an American rapper and songwriter. Distinguished for her aggressiveflowand outspoken clever lyrics, Cardi B has established herself as one of the most successful female artists in contemporary music. From 2015 to early 2017, she gained recognition onVineandInstagram, as a cast member onVH1'sLove & Hip Hop: New York, and by releasingtwo mixtapes. Her first studio album,Invasion of Privacy(2018), debuted at number one on theBillboard200andBillboardranked it the top female rap album of the 2010s. Critically acclaimed, it made Cardi B the only solo female artist to win theGrammy Award for Best Rap Album, andRolling Stoneranked it the best debut album of all time by a female rapper. Its singles \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\" and \\\"I Like It\\\" both topped theBillboardHot 100and were certifieddiamondby theRIAA; the former made Cardi B the first female rapper to top the Hot 100 with a solo song in the 21st century and the first to achieve a diamond-certified song, while the latter made her the first with multiple number-one songs. Her third US number-one, the collaboration \\\"Girls Like You\\\" (2018) withMaroon 5, made her the first female rapper to earn multiple RIAA diamond-certified songs. She released \\\"WAP\\\" (withMegan Thee Stallion) in 2020 and \\\"Up\\\" in 2021, both of which topped the Hot 100 and other charts worldwide. \\\"WAP\\\" is the only female rap collaboration to debut atop the Hot 100, made Cardi B the first lead artist to top theBillboardGlobal 200, and had a large cultural impact. Recognized byForbesas one of the most influential female rappers of all time, Cardi B holds various records among women in hip hop; she isthe female rapper with the most number-one singles(five) on theBillboardHot 100, the only female rapper to achieve multiple solo number-ones, and the only to earn number-one singles in two decades (2010s and 2020s). She further isthe highest-certified(digital singles) female rapper of all time in the US,the female rapper with the most diamond-certified songs(three) by the RIAA, and has over 100 million certifiedunitssold in the US. Additionally,Invasion of Privacyis the most-streamed female rap album onApple MusicandSpotify.Her accoladesinclude aGrammy Award, eightBillboardMusic Awards, sixGuinness World Records, sixAmerican Music Awards, fourMTV Video Music Awards, 14BET Hip Hop Awardsand twoASCAPSongwriter of the Yearawards.Timelisted her as one of the100 most influential people in the worldin 2018 andBillboardnamed herWoman of the Yearin 2020. Outside of music, Cardi B served as a judge on the music competition seriesRhythm + Flow(2019), appeared in the filmsHustlers(2019) andF9(2021), and had a voice role inBaby Shark's Big Movie!(2023). In 2022, she became thecreative directorof entertainment magazinePlayboy. Early life Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar was born on October 11, 1992, in theWashington Heightsneighborhood ofManhattan,New York City.Her father Carlos isDominicanand her mother Clara is aTrinidadianofAfricanandSpanishdescent; Almánzar identifies as anAfro-Latina.Almánzar was raised in theHighbridgeneighborhood of theSouth Bronx,and spent much time at her paternal grandmother's home in Washington Heights, which she credits with giving her \\\"such a thick accent.\\\"Almánzar developed the stage name \\\"Cardi B\\\" as a derivation ofBacardi, arumbrand that was formerly her nickname.She has a younger sister, Hennessy Carolina, who was born in 1995. She has said she was a gang member with theBloodsin her youth, since age 16,but stated she would not encourage joining a gang.She attended Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology, avocational high schoolon theHerbert H. Lehman High Schoolcampus. During her teens, Cardi B was employed at a grocery store inTribeca.She was fired and became a dancer at a strip club across the street.Cardi B has said that becoming a stripper was positive for her life in many ways: \\\"It really saved me from a lot of things. When I started stripping I went back to school.\\\"She stated that she became a stripper to escape poverty anddomestic violence, having been in an abusive relationship at the time after being kicked out of her mother's house,and that stripping was her only way to earn enough money to escape the situation and get an education.She attendedBorough of Manhattan Community Collegebefore eventually dropping out.While stripping, Cardi B lied to her mother by telling her she was making money bybabysitting. In 2013, she began to gain publicity due to several of her videos spreading on social media, onVineand herInstagrampage. Career 2015–2016: Career beginnings In 2015, Cardi B joined the cast of theVH1reality television seriesLove & Hip Hop: New York, debuting in season six.Jezebelconsidered her the breakout star of the show's sixth season.The New York Timeswrote that she garnered popularity with \\\"her ability to rattle off one-liners\\\".The sixth and seventh seasons chronicle her rise to stardom and her turbulent relationship with her incarcerated fiancé. On December 30, 2016, after two seasons, she announced that she would be leaving the show to further pursue a career in music. In November 2015, Cardi B made her musical debut on Jamaicanreggae fusionsingerShaggy's remix to his single \\\"Boom Boom\\\", alongside fellow JamaicandancehallsingerPopcaan.She made her music video debut on December 15, 2015, with the song \\\"Cheap Ass Weave\\\", her rendition of BritishrapperLady Leshurr's \\\"Queen's Speech 4\\\".On March 7, 2016, Cardi B released her first full-length project, amixtapetitledGangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1.In November 2016, she was featured on the digital cover ofVibemagazine's \\\"Viva\\\" issue. On September 12, 2016, KSR Group released the compilationUnderestimated: The Album, which is a collaboration between KSR Group artists Cardi B,HoodCelebrityy, SwiftOnDemand, Cashflow Harlem, andJosh X. It was previously released only to attendees of their U.S. tour. the label's flagship artist, Cardi B, said: \\\"I wanted to make a song that would make girls dance,twerkand at the same time encourage them to go get that Shmoney,\\\" in regard to the compilation's single \\\"What a Girl Likes\\\". She appeared on the December 9, 2015, episode ofUncommon Sense with Charlamagne.On April 6, 2016, she was on the twelfth episode ofKhloé Kardashian'sKocktails with Khloé: in this episode, she revealed how she told her mother that she was a stripper.In November 2016, it was announced that she would be joining the cast of theBETseriesBeing Mary Jane.TVLinedescribes her character, Mercedes, as a \\\"round-the-way beauty with a big weave, big boobs and a big booty to match her oversize, ratchet personality.\\\" In 2016, Cardi B was featured in her first endorsement deal withRomantic Depot, a large New York chain of lingerie stores that sell sexual health and wellness products. The ad campaign was featured on radio and cable TV. 2017–2018: Breakthrough withInvasion of Privacy On January 20, 2017, Cardi B released her second mixtape,Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2.In February 2017, Cardi B partnered withMAC Cosmeticsand Rio Uribe'sGypsy Sportfor an event forNew York Fashion Week.In late February, Cardi B signed her first major record label recording contract withAtlantic Records.On February 25, 2017, Cardi B was theopening actforEast Coast hip hopgroupThe Lox'sFilthy America... It's BeautifulTour, alongside fellow New York City-based rappersLil' KimandRemy Ma.In April 2017, she was featured ini-D's\\\"A-Z of Music\\\" video sponsored byMarc Jacobs.Cardi guest-starred on the celebritypanel showHip Hop Squares, appearing on the March 13 and April 3, 2017, episodes.She also released thefreestyle\\\"Red Barz\\\". In May 2017, the nominees for the2017 BET Awardswere announced, revealing that Cardi B had been nominated forBest New ArtistandBest Female Hip-Hop Artist.AlthoughChance the Rapperand Remy Ma won those categories, respectively, Cardi B performed at theBET AwardsAfterpartyshow.On June 11, 2017, duringHot 97's annualSummer Jammusic festival, Remy Ma brought out Cardi B, along withThe Lady of Rage,MC Lyte,Young M.A,Monie Love, Lil' Kim, andQueen Latifah, to celebrate female rappers and perform Latifah's 1993 hit single \\\"U.N.I.T.Y.\\\" aboutfemale empowerment.In June 2017, it was revealed that Cardi B would be on the cover ofThe Fader's Summer Music issue for July/August 2017.She performed atMoMA PS1on August 19 to a crowd of 4,000. On June 16, 2017, Atlantic Records released Cardi B's commercial debut single, \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\", viadigital distribution.She performed the single onThe Wendy Williams ShowandJimmy Kimmel Live!The song climbed the charts for several months, and, on theBillboardHot 100chart dated September 25, 2017, \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\" reached the number one spot, making Cardi B the first female rapper to do so with a solo single sinceLauryn Hill's \\\"Doo Wop (That Thing)\\\" debuted atop the chart in 1998.The song stayed atop the charts for three consecutive weeks, tying with American pop singerTaylor Swift's \\\"Look What You Made Me Do\\\" as the longest running female at the number one spot in 2017. Cardi B became the first person of Dominican descent to reach number one in the history of the Hot 100 since it was launched in 1958.An editor ofThe New York Timescalled it \\\"the rap anthem of the summer\\\".Selected byThe Washington PostandPitchforkmusic critics as the best song of 2017,\\\"Bodak Yellow\\\" was eventually certifiedDiamondby theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA). The song received nominations forBest Rap PerformanceandBest Rap Songat the60th Grammy Awards.It won Single of the Year at the2017 BET Hip Hop Awards. With her collaborations \\\"No Limit\\\" and \\\"MotorSport\\\", she became the first female rapper to land her first three entries in the top 10 of the Hot 100,and the first female artist to achieve the same on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart.In October 2017, Cardi B headlinedPower 105.1's annual Powerhouse music celebration, alongsidethe Weeknd,Migos, andLil Uzi Vert, at theBarclays Centerin Brooklyn, New York.In December, she released two songs: a collaboration with Puerto Rican singerOzunatitled \\\"La Modelo\\\",and \\\"Bartier Cardi\\\", the second single from herdebut album. On January 3, 2018, Cardi B was featured on the remix ofBruno Mars' single \\\"Finesse\\\",and appeared in the 90s inspired video. It reached the top three on the Hot 100, Canada and New Zealand. On January 18, 2018, Cardi B became the first female rapper to have five top 10 singles simultaneously on theBillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.She released another single, \\\"Be Careful\\\", on March 30, 2018, a week before her album's release. Her debut studio album,Invasion of Privacy, was released on April 6, 2018, to universal acclaim from music critics.Editors fromVarietyandThe New York Timescalled it \\\"one of the most powerful debuts of this millennium\\\" and \\\"a hip-hop album that doesn't sound like any of its temporal peers,\\\" respectively.The album entered at number one in the United States, while she became the first female artist to chart 13 entries simultaneously on theBillboardHot 100, on the chart issue dated April 21.It became the moststreamedalbum by a female artist in a single week inApple Music,and the largest on-demand audio streaming week ever for an album by a woman.Cardi held the latter recorduntil 2019.The album's title reflects Cardi B's feeling that as she gained popularity her privacy was being invaded in a variety of ways.Following the album's release, during a performance onSaturday Night Live, Cardi B officially announced her pregnancy, after much media speculation.She also co-hosted an episode ofThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Several months later, in July 2018, the album's fourth single, \\\"I Like It\\\", which features vocals fromBad BunnyandJ Balvin, reached number one on theHot 100; this marked her second number one on the chart and made her the first female rapper to achieve multiple chart-toppers.It received critical acclaim,withRolling Stonenaming it \\\"thebest summer songof all time\\\" in 2020.Her collaboration withMaroon 5, \\\"Girls Like You\\\", also reached number one on the Hot 100 chart, extending her record among female rappersand also making her the sixth female artist to achieve three number-one singles on the chart during the 2010s.The song's music video has received more than 3 billion views onYouTubeand was thefifth-best selling songof the year globally. With \\\"Girls Like You\\\" following \\\"I Like It\\\" at the top of theBillboardRadio Songschart, Cardi B became thefirst female rapperto replace herself at number one on the chart.The single spent seven weeks atop the Hot 100, making Cardi the female rapper with the most cumulative weeks atop the chart, with eleven weeks.It spent 33 weeks in the top 10, tying bothEd Sheeran's \\\"Shape of You\\\" andPost MaloneandSwae Lee's \\\"Sunflower\\\" for the longest top 10 run in the chart's archives at the time.In October 2018,Invasion of Privacywas certifieddouble platinumby the RIAA, and the following year it was updated to triple platinum. With the thirteen tracks, she became the first female artist to have all songs from an album certified gold or higher in the US. Cardi B received the most nominations for the2018 MTV Video Music Awardswith 12 mentions—including forVideo of the Year, winning three awards.She tied withDrakefor the most nominations at the2018 American Music Awards. She won three AMAs and performed at the ceremony.Her single \\\"Money\\\" earned her a fourth Video Music Award, with visuals that feature Cardi playing characters in different locations, including in an art museum, a bank and a strip club.Her collaboration withDJ Snake\\\"Taki Taki\\\" topped the charts in a number of Hispanic countries, made Cardi B the first female rapper to top the SpotifyGlobal 50chart,and has garnered more than 2 billion views. Both singles were certified multiple-platinum by the RIAA.People en Españolnamed her Star of the Year,andEntertainment Weeklydeemed her \\\"a pop culture phenomenon\\\", as she was named one of \\\"2018 Entertainers of the Year\\\". On November 30, 2018, Cardi B was honored atEbony's annual Power 100 Gala.Cardi ranked fifth on the 2018BillboardYear-EndTop Artists chart, whileInvasion of Privacyranked sixth. She achieved the most-streamed album of the year by a female artist globally inApple Music,and ranked as the most streamed female artist of the year in the United States inSpotify.Editorial staff from Apple Music andBillboardnamed \\\"I Like It\\\" the best song of 2018,whileTimemagazineandRolling StonenamedInvasion of Privacythe best album of the year.Also in 2018,Timeincluded her on theirannual listof the 100 most influential people in the world.In its decade-end review article,NMEstated that the era secured \\\"her crown as the newQueen of Rap.\\\" 2019–2020:Hustlers,Rhythm + Flowand \\\"WAP\\\" Cardi B received five nominations at the61st Grammy Awards, including forAlbum of the Year,Best Rap AlbumandRecord of the Year(\\\"I Like It\\\").She became the third female rapper to be nominated for Album of the Year, followingLauryn Hill(1999) andMissy Elliott(2004).On February 10, 2019, she then performed at the award ceremony, where she wore three vintageThierry Muglercouture looks during the telecast and became the first female rapper to winBest Rap Albumas a solo artist. Cardi B led the2019 Billboard Music Awardsnominations, with 21, earning the most nominations in a single year by a female artist and the third most nominations in a year (behind Drake and The Chainsmokers, who both had 22 in a year).She ended up winning six awards, including forTop Hot 100 Song, bringing her career total wins to seven—the most of any female rapper in history.An article byOmaha World-Heraldcalled her \\\"the biggest rapper in the world.\\\" On February 15, 2019, Cardi B released \\\"Please Me\\\", a collaboration with Bruno Mars, which became her seventh top-ten song on the Hot 100, reaching number three.The song marked Cardi and Bruno's second collaboration, following \\\"Finesse\\\" in 2018. The official music video was released two weeks later.On March 1, Cardi set a new attendance record at theHouston Livestock Show and Rodeo, with 75,580 fans in the audience.With \\\"Backin' It Up\\\", \\\"Twerk\\\" and \\\"Money\\\", Cardi became the first female artist to occupy the top three on theBillboardMainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart. Her following single titled \\\"Press\\\" was released on May 31, 2019.Theparental-advisorylabeled music video marked her directorial debut—being credited as co-director, and was released on June 26, 2019.It had its debut performance at the2019 BET Awards, where she received the most nominations with seven, and wonAlbum of the Year.During the summer of 2019, she embarked on an arena tour.In September, she led theBET Hip Hop Awardsnominations with ten. Cardi B made her film debut inHustlersdirected byLorene Scafaria, oppositeJennifer Lopez,Constance Wu, andLili Reinhart.The film was released on September 13, 2019.Cardi B, along withChance the RapperandT.I., were confirmed as judges for theNetflixseriesRhythm + Flow, a ten-part hip-hop talent search that premiered on October 9, 2019, which she alsoexecutive produced. In December 2019, Cardi B embarked on her first tour of Africa, performing in Nigeria and Ghana.Her collaboration \\\"Clout\\\" was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Rap Performance.She was the most streamed female rapper of 2019 in the US, according to Spotify.Consequence of Sounddeemed her \\\"one of the most formidable hip-hop artists of the decade.\\\"In March 2020, Cardi B created a reaction video about thecoronavirus pandemic. DJ iMarkkeyz, a Brooklyn DJ known for turning memes and online moments into full-length songs, created a track, based on her reaction titled \\\"Coronavirus\\\", which became aninternet memeand was released to music platforms.Netflix announced the return ofRhythm + Flowfor 2021. Cardi B released the single \\\"WAP\\\" featuring American rapperMegan Thee Stallionon August 7, 2020, as the lead single off her forthcoming second studio album.The song received critical acclaim and was praised for itssex positivemessages.TheColin Tilley-directed music video accompanied the song itself, and broke the record for the biggest 24-hour debut for an all-female collaboration on YouTube.She became the only female rap artist to top the Global Spotify chart multiple times.\\\"WAP\\\" debuted at number-one on theBillboardHot 100chart, garnering Cardi B her fourth chart-topper in the US, extending her record as the female rapper with the most number-one singles, and also making her the first female rapper to achieve Hot 100 number one singles in two different decades (2010s and 2020s). With 93 million streaming units, it became the largest first-week streams for a song, breaking the all-time record held byAriana Grande's \\\"7 Rings\\\".It has spent four weeks atop the Hot 100. The single has also spent multiple weeks at number one in seven other countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom. Neil Shah ofThe Wall Street Journaldeemed it \\\"a big moment for female rappers\\\" and \\\"a historic sign that women artists are making their mark on hip-hop like never before\\\".\\\"WAP\\\" became the first number one single on the inauguralBillboardGlobal 200chart. It became critics' best song of the year according to a compilation of rankings made by theBBC,with publications such asPitchforkandRolling Stoneplacing it at number one. Cardi B won theBillboardMusic Award for Top Rap Female Artistfor the third time at the2020 ceremony.In December 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be namedWoman of the Yearat theBillboardWomen in MusicAwards.With her win for \\\"WAP\\\" at theAmerican Music Awards, she became the first artist to win theAmerican Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Songmultiple times, following her win for \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\" in 2018. 2021–present: Upcoming second studio album On February 5, 2021, Cardi B released \\\"Up\\\", the second single from her upcoming studio album. A music video for the single was released alongside it. The song was praised byNMEmagazine for its lyricism and fresh approach as a successor to \\\"WAP\\\".\\\"Up\\\" debuted at number two on the USBillboardHot 100chart, marking the highest debut for a solo female rap song sinceLauryn Hill's \\\"Doo Wop (That Thing)\\\" in 1998.The song debuted at number one on theRolling StoneTop 100, becoming both Cardi B's second number-one single and second number-one debut, as well as the first time a female rapper debuts atop the chart with a solo song.Cardi B became the first female artist and first lead artist with consecutive number-one debuts on the USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, and second overall performer followingDrakein 2016.\\\"Up\\\" reached number one on theBillboardHot 100 after herGrammy Awardsperformance, making her the only female rapper to reach number one multiple times with solo songs, following \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\", and extended her record as the female rapper with the most number-one songs on the Hot 100 as her fifth chart-topper.Cardi B received a second nomination for theBrit Award for International Female Solo Artist. Cardi B made a last-minute appearance in \\\"Big Paper\\\", from DJ Khaled's albumKhaled Khaledreleased on April 30, 2021.Cardi received two nominations for theBET Award for Video of the Year, for the videos \\\"Up\\\" and \\\"WAP\\\", winning for the latter and becoming the first female rapper to win Video of the Year as a lead artist. This became the 10th time that an artist has had two nominated videos in this category as a lead artist, and the second time for her, following her nominations for \\\"Money\\\" and \\\"Please Me\\\" in 2019. She announced her second pregnancy during the performance of her Migos collaboration \\\"Type Shit\\\" at the2021 ceremony.She also appeared inF9, which was released on June 25, 2021, byUniversal Pictures.On July 16, 2021, Cardi B was featured on theNormanisingle \\\"Wild Side\\\".Cardi collaborated withLizzoon \\\"Rumors\\\", which debuted at number four on theBillboardHot 100, becoming Cardi B's tenth top 10 single on the chart, and her seventh number-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Cardi B received six nominations at the2021 MTV Video Music Awards, including her second nomination for Video of the Year.She also led the nominations for the2021 BET Hip Hop Awardsalong with Megan Thee Stallion, with nine each;both rappers won the most awards during the ceremony with three for \\\"WAP\\\", with Cardi becoming the first female artist to win Best Hip Hop Video twice (2019 and 2021). On October 28, 2021, Cardi B previewed her second album to Atlantic Records via her Instagram Story. She captioned \\\"The money people liking the album sounds\\\".On November 2, Cardi B was announced as the host of the2021 American Music Awards(AMAs). The award show was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on November 21,and marked the most social telecast of the year per interactions across social media.During the ceremony, \\\"Up\\\" won the award forFavorite Hip Hop Song, making Cardi B the first artist to win the category three times.Cardi B featured onSummer Walker's 2021 albumStill Over Iton the opening track \\\"Bitter\\\".Warner Records released the soundtrack forHalle Berry's directorial debut filmBruisedon November 19. Selected by executive producers Berry and Cardi B, the Netflix film's soundtrack features six original songs by female artists, including Cardi,H.E.R., City Girls,Flo Milli,Saweetie, andLatto, and seven additional female rap songs inspired by the film. In March 2022, Cardi B appeared on the extended version of Summer Walker andSZA's collaboration, \\\"No Love\\\".The following month, she featured on rapper Kay Flock's song, \\\"Shake It\\\"; it samplesAkon's 2005 song \\\"Belly Dancer (Bananza)\\\".Also in April, Cardi guest-voiced as Sharki B, her \\\"aquatic alter ego\\\", on \\\"The Seaweed Sway\\\" episode of theNickelodeonanimated seriesBaby Shark's Big Show!—and performed a song of the same name.She appeared alongside Offset and her daughter.On July 1, 2022, Cardi B released \\\"Hot Shit\\\", featuring rappersKanye WestandLil Durk, as the third single from her upcoming second studio album.The song was first announced during aBET Awards 2022commercial break.On July 8 and 9, she headlined the 2022Wireless Festivalin London andBirmingham.Cardi B worked with cousin and fellow rapperGloRillaon the remix to her song \\\"Tomorrow\\\", titled \\\"Tomorrow 2\\\", which was released in September 2022.The remix peaked at number nine on theBillboardHot 100, becoming Cardi's eleventh top-ten single.HipHopDXlisted it as the \\\"Best Hip-Hop Collaboration\\\" of 2022 while it was also the highest-listed song by a female rapper onBillboard's 100 Best Songs of 2022 list.On October 1, Cardi B made a surprise appearance at theInglewoodshow of Puerto Rican rapperBad Bunny's concert tour, theWorld's Hottest Tour.In November, she signed with entertainment executiveIrving Azoff's Full Stop Management.In December 2022, she gave a 35-minute private performance at theMiami Art Baselfor which she was paid $1 million.Later that month, a remix of Spanish artistRosalía's song \\\"Despechá\\\" featuring Cardi, was released. Cardi B appeared as a surprise performer at the New York City shows of SZA and GloRilla's tours: theSOS Tourand Anyways, Life's Great Tour, in early 2023.In April, she served as one of three headliners of the inauguralRolling Loud Thailandfestival inPattaya, along withTravis ScottandChris Brown.In June, she featured on \\\"Put It on da Floor Again\\\", the remix to rapper Latto's \\\"Put It on da Floor\\\".It peaked at number 13 on the Hot 100, becoming Cardi's 20th top-twenty single.On June 4, Cardi B headlined the 2023Summer Jamfestival inElmont, New York.ln July, she featured on \\\"Point Me 2\\\", the remix to drill rapper FendiDa Rappa's single \\\"Point Me to the Slut's\\\".Later that month, she collaborated with Offset on two tracks of his second solo album,Set It Off(2023): \\\"Freaky\\\" and \\\"Jealousy\\\".The latter was released as the lead single of the record; it samplesThree 6 Mafia's \\\"Jealous Ass Bitches\\\".Cardi released \\\"Bongos\\\" featuring Megan Thee Stallion on September 8, 2023, as the fourth single of her upcoming second studio album. The song marks the pair's second collaboration after \\\"WAP\\\" (2020).The music video, directed byTanu Muino,cost over $2 million.\\\"Bongos\\\" reached number 14 in the US.Cardi led the2023 BET Hip Hop Awardsnominations with21 Savage, with twelve each.She reprised her voice role as Sharki B for the children's animated film,Baby Shark's Big Movie!, in which ch she appeared alongside Offset and their two children. It premiered in December onParamount+and Nickelodeon.Cardi B co-headlinedTikTok's inaugural In the Mix festival on December 10 inMesa, Arizona,which was released as a concert special on Disney+ and Hulu on December 15.She performed at theFontainebleau Miami Beach, accompanied by DJGryffin, on December 31, 2023, which aired live for the 2024 edition ofDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. She released the promotional single \\\"Like What (Freestyle)\\\" on March 1, 2024, with an accompanying music video directed by Offset.Her first solo song since \\\"Up\\\" (2021), it is afreestyleof rapperMissy Elliot's \\\"She's a Bitch\\\" (1999).The track reached the top 40 in the US and became Cardi's 19th top-ten and 11th chart-topper onHot Rap Songsand Hot Rap Digital Songs.It was followed by \\\"Enough (Miami)\\\" on March 15,which marked her 12th top-ten on the Hot 100 and seventh number-one on the Digital Songs chart.A remix ofFlo Milli's \\\"Never Lose Me\\\" was released on the same day, featuring SZA and Cardi B.On March 11, Cardi joinedMadonnaonstage for a guest appearance at the Inglewood show of herCelebration Tour.She appeared on \\\"Puntería\\\" withShakira, the opening track and eighth single of the latter's twelfth albumLas Mujeres Ya No Lloran, released on March 22, 2024.\\\"Puntería\\\" reached number one on theLatin Airplaychart and topped theLatin Pop Airplaychart for nine weeks.On May 21, Cardi B appeared as a surprise performer at theMadison Square Gardenshow of Megan Thee Stallion'sHot Girl Summer Tour.She featured on the remix of Thee Stallion and GloRilla's \\\"Wanna Be\\\", released on May 31.In June, Cardi featured on \\\"Put Em in the Fridge\\\" fromPeso Pluma's fourth albumÉxodo.She co-headlined theBET Experiencefestival at theCrypto.com Arenaon June 28.Her collaboration withRob49, titled \\\"On Dat Money\\\", was released on July 19. In August, Cardi confirmed that her second studio album would be released in late 2024, stating that it was \\\"three-quarters of the way done\\\".Previously iterated for a 2023 release,she revealed that she was \\\"just holding it\\\" because she felt \\\" missing a couple of things\\\" and \\\"gotta make sure that everything is just planned out\\\".In October, Cardi will co-headline the 2024 One Musicfest inAtlanta. Artistry Influences InBillboard's \\\"You Should Know\\\" series, Cardi B said the first albums she ever purchased were by American entertainersMissy ElliottandTweet, respectively.She has credited Puerto Rican rapperIvy Queenand Jamaican dancehall artistSpiceas influences, as well asBeyoncé,Lady Gaga,Lil' Kim,Madonna,andSelena.She has mentionedChicago drill musicas an important influence.When asked about the initial direction for her music, Cardi B said in an interview, \\\"When I first started rapping I liked certain songs fromKhiaandTrina, and they fighting songs. I haven't heard fighting songs for a very long time,\\\" crediting the two female rappers for her aggressive rap style. She continued, saying \\\"a lot of girls they cannot affordred bottoms, a lot of girls they cannot afford foreign cars but I know that every girl has beef with a girl I know that every bitch don't like some bitch, and it's like 'that's what I wanna rap about.'\\\" She also credits growing up in the South Bronx and real life experiences as influences for her songwriting; \\\"I wouldn't be able to rap about the things that I rap about now .\\\" Musical style Her first studio album,Invasion of Privacy, is primarily ahip hoprecord, which comprises elements oftrap,Latin music, andR&B.Consequence of Sounddescribed her flow as \\\"acrobatic and nimble.\\\"AllMusiceditor David Jeffries called Cardi B \\\"a raw and aggressive rapper\\\".Stereogumcalled her voice \\\"a full-bodied New Yawk nasal bleat, the sort of thing that you've heard if someone has ever told you that you stupid for taking too long at swiping yourMetroCard.\\\" They continued to call her voice \\\"an unabashedly loud and sexual fuck-you New York honk—that translates perfectly to rap.\\\" In a 2017Complexarticle about her, the editor wrote \\\"unapologetic does not begin to describe the totally unfiltered and sheer Cardi B-ness of Cardi B's personality. She's a hood chick who's not afraid to be hood no matter the setting. Cardi B is Cardi B24/7, 365, this is why she resonates with people, and that same energy comes out in her music.\\\"Herflowhas been described as aggressiveIn 2019,NMEdescribed her lyrics as \\\"sexually free\\\" performed with \\\"rapid\\\" flow,and other publications have further described her lyrics as outspoken,while her punchlines have been praised, by such publications asPitchforkandThe Source, as clever and quotable.She possesses aNew York-Dominicanaccent. Cardi B has defended her musical content featuring sexually-charged lyrics—like most contemporary female rappers; she stated that the content \\\"seems like that's what people want to hear\\\", since she faced negative reactions after releasing her more emotional song, \\\"Be Careful\\\".She has declared, \\\" is the type of artist I always wanted to be: I like to rap about the streets, and I like to rap about my pussy. I don't give a fuck about it.\\\"She has stated that writing and performing songs about her personal life and relationships initially caused her a \\\"weird and uncomfortable\\\" feeling and shyness. Cardi B employs different vocal styles in her music; in \\\"WAP\\\" her vocal performance has been described as \\\"throaty\\\"and \\\"staccato\\\",while in \\\"Up\\\" she raps withalliteration, atongue twister-run, and \\\"some classically comedic Cardi\\\"punch lines. Other ventures Products and endorsements In February 2017, she partnered withM.A.Cand Rio Uribe's Gypsy Sport for aNew York Fashion Weekevent.Her April appearance ini-D's \\\"A-Z of Music\\\" video was sponsored by designerMarc Jacobs,and she made the cover ofThe Fader's July/August 2017 Summer Music issue.Tom Ford's Cardi B-inspired lipstick, named after her, was released in September 2018. It sold out within 24 hours.In November, she released a clothing line collection withFashion Nova.The same month she partnered withReebok, promoting the brand's Aztrek sneaker.In partnership with Reebok, she released a footwear and apparel collection in 2020, inspired by her personal style and paying homage to \\\"classic 80s styling\\\" and motifs.She released her second collection with Reebok in 2021, titled \\\"Let Me Be...In My World\\\", comprising sneakers, tracksuits, and corsets, inspired by everyday life in New York City.The third collection with the brand, \\\"Mommy & Me\\\", was released in May 2021 in recognition ofMother's Day, which includes Cardi's iteration of Club C shoes for adults, children, and infants.The next, titled \\\"Let Me Be...Enchanted\\\" was released in two parts in June and July 2022; it was revealed to be inspired by \\\"a state of enchantment and euphoria\\\" and included crop tops, faux fur jackets, and leotards along with footwear.The fifth and final collection, \\\"Let Me Be...Next Level Energy\\\", was also released in two parts in September and December 2022, concluding her four-year partnership with Reebok.Inspired by Cardi B's \\\"unmatched energy\\\", the collection consisted of bodysuits, crop tops, footwear, leggings, and woven jackets—of a color palette based oncrystals. Cardi B teamed up withPepsifor three television commercials, which aired during theSuper Bowl LIII, the61st Annual Grammy Awards, and Christmas.In early 2019, Cardi also joined other hip hop artists (including her husbandOffset, as part ofMigos) in releasing her flavors of snack food Rap Snacks: two flavors of chips, and two of popcorn. The bags' artwork was designed by Jai Manselle and inspired by the cover ofInvasion of Privacy. In December 2021, Cardi B partnered withPLBY Group Inc.ascreative directorin residence forPlayboyand founding member of Centerfold, a creator-driven website in the works. The partnership also includes fashion and sexual wellness products. In February 2023, Cardi B and Offset partnered withMcDonald'sto create the Cardi B and Offset meal, which was launched onValentine's Day.The meal was first announced in the2023McDonald'sSuper Bowl commercialwhich the couple appeared in.In October, she fronted the campaign forSkims' Cotton Collection.The campaign generated over $4 million in media impact value (MIV).In December 2023, she made her runway debut at the Balenciaga fall 2024 show in Los Angeles. In February 2024, Cardi B starred inNYX Cosmetics' inaugural Super Bowl commercial forSuper Bowl LVIII, titled \\\"Lips Only\\\".An edited version of the advert—centered around the company's Duck Plump lip gloss—was broadcast during the commercial break, due toribald themesof humor.In May 2024, she appeared alongside sprinterSha'Carri Richardsonin a commercial for the2024 Summer Olympics.In July, Cardi fronted theMarc Jacobsfall 2024 campaign. Whipshots In collaboration with Starco Brands, Cardi B launched avodka-infused,veganwhipped cream, called Whipshots, in the US in December 2021.It has sold over five million cans as of March 2024. Cardi Tries She premiered the seriesCardi TriesviaFacebook Messengerin December 2020, with herself as one of the executive producers.The web series ran for three seasons until April 2023. Philanthropy In 2022, Cardi B donated $100,000 to the elementary school she attended, I.S. 232 inThe Bronx. Public image Political statements Cardi B identifies as afeminist.The rapper has been called \\\"unabashedly, directly political\\\"and often uses social media to advocate for causes she believes in, such asgun control.During the2016 presidential primaries, she warned her fans ofDonald Trump's immigration policies and encouraged them to vote for SenatorBernie Sanders.At theGrammy Awardsin 2018, she appeared in a video along withHillary Clintonto narrate a portion ofFire and Fury,Michael Wolff's insider's account of Trump's administration, and stated \\\"Why am I even reading this shit? I can't believe this. I can't believe—this is how he really lives his life?\\\" Early in 2018 she used her social media to demand transparency ontax policy, asking for detailed information on how her taxpayer dollars are being spent in New York state and criticizing the maintenance of its streets, prisons, andpublic transportation.Cardi B endorsed Sanders once again in hissecond bidfor the presidency in the2020 United States presidential election, while praising U.S. RepresentativeTim Ryan.She stated that one of the reasons for her endorsement is Sanders' long-time involvement in supporting underprivileged minorities and \\\"people gettingMedicarebecause he knows they can't afford it,\\\"whilePoliticoargued that she \\\"might be one of Bernie's most powerful 2020 allies.\\\" She has used her social pages to raise awareness for victims ofpolice brutality, and has encouraged people to vote for mayors, judges anddistrict attorneysin local elections.In a conversation with Democratic candidateJoe BidenforElle, they discussed Medicare,free college tuition, and racial equality.According to a study published byThe Hollywood Reporter, Cardi B ranked as the fifth most influential celebrity, and fourth amongGeneration Z, for the 2020 presidential election. In November 2023, Cardi B stated that she no longer supports Joe Biden for president,saying that she would \\\"not endorsing no fucking president's no more\\\" as a result of Biden's \\\"spending on wars\\\". She has praised PresidentFranklin D. Rooseveltfor advocating for theSocial Securityprogram and theNew Dealproject.She said of Roosevelt, \\\"he helped us get over theDepression, all while he was in a wheelchair. Like, this man was suffering frompolioat the time of his presidency, and yet all he was worried about was trying to make America great—make America great again for real. He's the real 'Make America Great Again,' because if it wasn't for him, old people wouldn't even get Social Security.\\\"Sanders has praised her for her \\\"leading role\\\" in calling attention to Social Security. Fashion Cardi has a noted affinity forChristian Louboutinheels, a running theme in her song \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\".She has also mentioned her affinity for cheap,fast fashionbrands stating \\\"I don't care if it cost $20 or $15. If it looks good on me, it looks good on me\\\".During an interview in early 2017, Cardi B spoke on being rejected by some fashion designers.Cardi wore vintageThierry Muglerto the2019 Grammy Awards, with ani-Darticle stating that the fashion house's \\\"resurgence onto the fashion scene can almost single-handedly be attributed\\\" to theSwarovski crystal-embroidered crinoline sheath gown she wore at the ceremony. Mugler's collaboration with Cardi B marked the second time in 25 years that the Paris house opened its archives to dress a celebrity, the first beingBeyoncéfor her 2009 concert tour.Wmagazine credited the \\\"WAP\\\" music video for popularizing the Mugler bodysuit in the mainstream.Cardi has acknowledged Mugler as one of the first designers to \\\"take a major chance on \\\" for their fashion collaborations. Vogue,The Telegraph,Time, andVibehave referred to her as afashion icon.An article fromVoguenoted she \\\"is famous for her statement getups—whether she's rocking archival Mugler on the red carpet, or dripping in Chanel while sitting courtside at a basketball game.\\\"Her over-the-top manicures, designed bynail artistJenny Buiand studded withSwarovski crystals, has become a part of her signature look.EditorChristian Allairefrom the magazine in 2021 commented that her signature \\\"bold\\\" ensembles \\\"create a spectacle\\\" duringfashion weeks. In 2018, she became the first female rapper in the US to appear on the cover ofVoguemagazine. Photographed byAnnie Leibovitz, the cover, one of four for the January 2019 issue that includedStella McCartney,features her in a red and whiteMichael Korsdress and matching redJimmy Chooshoes, while holding her daughter, Kulture. In 2019, theCouncil of Fashion Designers of Americaincluded her on their list of \\\"28 Black Fashion Forces\\\".Vogueeditor-in-chiefAnna Wintourcommended her fashion sense, declaring that she \\\"completely rethought opinion of Cardi B's style\\\" after the 2019Met Gala, where the rapper wore aThom Browne-designed burgundy gown that extends outward in concentric circles for about ten feet and was inspired by thefemale form. Cardi B became the face ofBalenciaga's ad campaign for the winter 2020 season. The campaign includes billboards in several international locations, such as theLouvremuseum.Vogue's Brooke Bobb commented, \\\"This is Cardi's first campaign for a luxury fashion house, though she's definitely no stranger to the Parisian style scene\\\", citing her floral printedRichard Quinnensemble \\\"that literally covered her from head to toe\\\" and her being \\\"a front row fixture\\\" athigh fashionshows, adding, \\\"She and her stylist Kollin Carter have been wildly successful in carving out a much-needed space for Cardi within the fashion industry, and they've cultivated a personal style that is all her own while being inspiring to all\\\". In 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be awarded by theFN Achievement Awardswhen she won the Style Influencer of the Year award, which was presented to her byChristian Louboutin. In a press release for the awards show, she was called an \\\"influence just about everything in pop culture—from music, fashion and style to social media, politics and even public service\\\".In 2022,Rolling Stoneranked her as the second most-stylish woman in music, behindLady Gaga,andGQconsidered her \\\"one of fashion's preeminent risk-takers.\\\" Impact Cardi B has been referred to as the \\\"Reigning Queen of Hip Hop\\\" by multiple publications, includingBillboard,The Hollywood Reporter,Entertainment Weekly,Omaha World-Herald,Black Enterprise,Newsweek, andThe A.V. Club,and as the \\\"Queen of Rap\\\" byNME,Essence,Harper's Bazaar Malaysia,The Jakarta Post,Uproxx,iHeartRadio,Geo TV,Vanity Fair,Joe,Boston Herald,Refinery 29,France 24, and Nigerian mediaThe Guardian,BBC News, andDaily Trust. Spinstaff credited her for opening \\\"the table to a new generation of pop artists remaking American music in their own image and accents,\\\" as Cardi B \\\"recognized thatPOCartists no longer need to pander or soften themselves in order to become household names.\\\"Billboardeditors stated that with \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\"'s commercial success, \\\"she left an indelible mark on the summer of 2017, not only because she rewrote history, but she gave hope to the have nots...\\\".Several publications have credited \\\"I Like It\\\", the firstLatin trapsong to reach number one on theHot 100, for introducing the \\\"musical movement\\\" to a mainstream, massive audience.Billboard'sCarl Lamarre considered \\\"WAP\\\"'s achievements \\\"a clever Trojan horse for the myriad ways Cardi influences the culture with every move she makes.\\\" The Wall Street Journal's Neil Shah stated in 2020 that her breakthrough and success influenced \\\"today's female-rap renaissance,\\\" whileGeniusstaff credited her for \\\"helping jumpstart a new wave of female hip-hop signings and promotion at labels,\\\"andNPR Musiccommented that the \\\"renaissance\\\" of the dynamism of women in rap grew \\\"in enthusiasm and breadth\\\" since Cardi's \\\"first historic run\\\" in 2017.Similarly,Clover Hope's bookThe Motherlode(2021) stated thatInvasion of Privacy\\\"jump-started a new era for women rappers in which success felt much more tangible\\\" as Cardi B \\\"multiplied the wealth of talent and resurrected the idea that numerous women who controlled their own stories could dominate rap at once.\\\" The New Yorkerhas credited her for \\\"changing a genre that has rarely allowed for more than one female superstar at a time.\\\"Uproxxnoted Cardi B for promoting up-and-coming female rappers; \\\" choosing to use her position at the height of stardom to open doors for other women to flourish in hip-hop at a greater level than any since theGolden Eraand 'Ladies First',\\\" considering it \\\"something of a departure from tradition; for the decade previous to Cardi's precipitous come-up, it seemed hip-hop had an unspoken,Highlander-esque rule in place regarding women.\\\"Varietydeemed her a \\\"hip-hop icon\\\",andThe Independentcalled her \\\"the people's pop culture icon\\\", writing that she \\\"has become one of the most recognisable cultural figures of the past 10 years\\\". NPRdefined \\\"Cardi B effect\\\" as \\\"abranding powerrooted in specific authenticity, created and permeated by rapper Cardi B\\\" and noticed that with her breakthrough, \\\"brands finally started to become hip to effect, noticing the cultural markers outside of the rap world that were proving it wasn't limited to clubs, concerts and radio.\\\"Business magazineInc.stated that her success \\\"shows how social media changed everything we knew abouttraditional marketingand media\\\", which no longer relies on a \\\"well-thought marketing scheme or millions of dollars in advertising.\\\"In 2019, a life-sized sculpture of her was on display at theBrooklyn Museum, as part ofSpotify's RapCaviar \\\"Pantheon\\\". Bloombergreported that her data bill helped to boost Ghana's GDP growth in 2019, after it was part of a concert tour.She inspired the creation of the sitcomPartners in Rhyme, executively produced byMC Lyteabout a young woman in high school who \\\"aspires to be the next Cardi B.\\\"P-Valleycreator and executive producerKatori Hallcited her an inspiration for the TV series, and credited her for \\\"helping prepare the public\\\" for its storyline. Several artists have cited Cardi B's work as an inspiration, includingRosalía,Olivia Rodrigo,Jazmine Sullivan,Selena Gomez,Blackpink,Spice,Greta Gerwig,Nathy Peluso,Rubi Rose,María Becerra,andAbigail Asante.Cardi B has been credited for supporting and uniting female rappers in the industry,with a writer fromUproxxconsidering her co-sign \\\"the newDrakeeffect\\\" for women in hip hop. Achievements Cardi B is the recipient of numerous accolades, including aGrammy Award, eightBillboardMusic Awards(including three consecutiveTop Rap Female Artistwins), sixGuinness World Records,sixAmerican Music Awards, fourMTV Video Music Awards, sixBET Awards(includingAlbum of the Year), and fourteenBET Hip Hop Awards.Invasion of Privacy—which made her the first female rapper to win theGrammy Award for Best Rap Albumas a solo artist—became the first female rap albumin fifteen yearsto be nominated for aGrammy Award for Album of the Year. Timeincluded her on theirannual listof the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018.She received theASCAPaward forSongwriter of the Yearin 2019, becoming the first female rapper to win the award.She received the honor for the second time in 2020, making her the first female songwriter to win the award twice.In 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be namedWoman of the Yearat theBillboardWomen in MusicAwards. Cardi B is the female rapper with the mostBillboardHot 100number one singles (5)and the one with the most total weeks on the top position (16).\\\"I Like It\\\" became the first song led by a female rapper to surpassa billion streamsonSpotify, making her the first woman in hip hop with multiple billion-streamers on the service, and the female rapper with the second-most, with a total of four so far.With the singles \\\"Taki Taki\\\" and \\\"WAP\\\" she became the only female rapper to top the global Spotify chart multiple times.Since August 2020, \\\"WAP\\\" holds the record of the biggest first-week streams for a song in the United States.Invasion of Privacywas the top female rap album of the 2010s, according to theBillboard200decade-end chart.It became the longest-charting album by a female rapper on theBillboard200,and the most-streamed female rap album on Spotify. Cardi is the female rapper with the mostDiamond-certifiedsongs by theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) (3): \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\", which made her the first female rapper to have a song certified Diamond; \\\"Girls Like You\\\", which made her the only female rapper to achieve multiple Diamond-certified songs; and \\\"I Like It\\\", a tie for the second-most among women artists.Cardi B has topped twicePitchfork'sannual list of best songs of the year(2017 and 2020).Billboardstaff andRolling Stoneranked her debut album number 13 and 34 on their critics' lists of the best albums of the 2010s respectively, both the highest rank for a female rapper for the decade.Cardi B has become the highest-certified female rapper of all time on theRIAA's Top Artists (Digital Singles)ranking, with 58 million certified units, also being among the highest-certified female artists overall.In October 2022, five years after her major-label debut, she reached 100 million units sold in RIAA certifications, across her album, singles and guest appearances. In the US, Cardi has achieved three times the best-performing song of the year by a female artist—the first act to do so this century—in 2017, 2018, and 2020.As of 2021, \\\"I Like It\\\" is the most-streamed song by a female rapper in the United Kingdom.In August 2021, \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\" made Cardi B the first female rapper to have two videos on herYouTubechannel with more than 1 billion views, joining \\\"I Like It\\\", and became the fastest solo female rap song to reach that mark on the platform.She has the most-viewed music videos on YouTube, both as a solo act and feature, among female rappers (\\\"Bodak Yellow\\\"; \\\"Girls Like You\\\"). As of September 2024, she has one music video with over 3 billion views (\\\"Girls Like You\\\"); one video with over 2 billion views (\\\"Taki Taki\\\"); and three videos with over a billion views (\\\"I Like It\\\", \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\", \\\"Girls Like You (Volume 2)\\\") on YouTube. Cardi is the only female rapper ranked onBillboard's Greatest Hot 100 Hits of All Time, with \\\"Girls Like You\\\" at number 30. Personal life Cardi B defined herself as a practicingCatholic.In 2016, Cardi B said that, while working as a stripper during her younger years, she used to drug and rob men to get money.Following controversies on the matter, sparked in 2019, she defended herself by saying that she took money from them because they \\\"wasted her time by falling asleep\\\", and then \\\"kept coming back.\\\"In 2024, she spoke on the matter again, saying she \\\"doesn't feel bad\\\" about drugging and robbing men and would do it again. She identifies asbisexual.In connection with theMe Too movement, she has discussed being sexually assaulted in the past while working as a stripper. In a 2018 interview, Cardi B talked about beingAfro-LatinaandAfro-Caribbean: We are Caribbean people. Some people want to decide if you're black or not, depending on your skin complexion, because they don't understand Caribbean people or our culture. I don't got to tell you that I'm black. I expect you to know about it. When my father taught me about Caribbean countries, he told me that Europeans took over our lands. That's why we all speak different languages. Just like everybody else, we came over here the same way. I hate when people try to take my roots from me. Because we know that there's African roots inside of us. Relationships In early 2017, Cardi B began dating fellow rapperOffset.They became engaged on October 27, 2017.On April 7, 2018, during her second performance onSaturday Night Live, Cardi B revealed her pregnancy; she was about six months (24 weeks) pregnant at the time.On June 25, 2018,TMZfound a marriage license revealing Cardi B and Offset had actually secretly married in September 2017, one month before the public proposal. She later confirmed this in a social media post. Cardi B gave birth to her daughter on July 10, 2018.In December 2018, she announced onInstagramthat she and Offset had separated, though the pair later reunited.In February 2019, the couple made a public appearance for the Grammys.He accompanied her onstage during her acceptance speech forBest Rap Album. In September 2020, it was reported that Cardi B had filed for divorce from Offset,but the following month it was revealed they were back together.In June 2021, Cardi B revealed she was pregnant with her second child, a boy.She gave birth to her son on September 4, 2021.On the fifth anniversary of her marriage, Cardi B announced she was planning her official wedding.In December 2023, Cardi shared via Instagram that she had been \\\"single for a minute,\\\" confirming that she and Offset were no longer together.However, as of March 2024, the current status of their marriage became unclear as they were still working together, with Offset having directed a music video for Cardi B.In July 2024, Cardi officially filed for divorce from Offset. She announced her third pregnancy the day after.She gave birth to her third child, on September 7, 2024. Legal issues On October 1, 2018, Cardi B was accused of an alleged assault of two female bartenders.The victims claimed that Cardi B and her entourage \\\"threw bottles and alcohol at them.\\\"She denied involvement.She was charged with twomisdemeanors: assault and reckless endangerment.Cardi B appeared in court for her arraignment on December 7, 2018, after she did not show up for the originally scheduled date due to a scheduling conflict, according to her attorney.On June 21, 2019, a jury indicted Cardi B on 14 charges, including two counts of felony assault with intent to cause serious physical injury, stemming from the incident.She was arraigned on June 25, 2019, and pleaded not guilty on all charges.On September 15, 2022, she pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and second-degree reckless endangerment, resulting in a sentence of 15 days of community service. On January 24, 2022, Cardi won a million-dollar defamation verdict against YouTuber Latasha Kebe (Tasha K) for waging a \\\"malicious campaign\\\" to hurt her reputation by posting false rumors. She stated that the lies had led her to contemplate suicide in 2019.The jury issued a verdict that Cardi B had been defamed and awarded $1.25 million in damages.Further proceedings brought the total fine against Kebe to $3.82 million. On March 25, 2022, Cardi, her sister Hennessy, and Hennessy's girlfriend won a defamation lawsuit filed against them by three men over an incident at a Suffolk County beach. In July 2023, Cardi B threw her microphone into the crowd at aLas Vegasconcert of hers after a fan threw a liquid at her. Subsequently, one fan attempted to press charges but theClark CountyPolice Department following an investigation decided not to move forward with a case. Controversies Cardi B sparked controversy after throwing one of her high heel shoes at and attempting to physically attack fellow rapperNicki Minajat aNew York Fashion Weekafter-party in September 2018; bodyguards intervened before she could reach Minaj, leaving her a large bump on her forehead.Following the altercation, she alleged on Instagram that Minaj had previously \\\"liked\\\" social media comments that spoke negatively of Cardi B's ability to take care of her newborn daughter.Minaj denied the allegations on her Queen Radio show and expressed embarrassment at the fight.She accused Cardi B of building \\\"her career off of sympathy and payola\\\" and of bribing DJs and radio outlets with sex to play her records. Minaj also criticized Cardi B's rapping ability, saying, \\\"Do you know what it's like to sit in your room for hours writing raps? You came into my fucking culture. I never had to fuck a DJ to play my songs.\\\"Minaj also called Cardi B a \\\"disgusting pig\\\" for allegedlycyberbullyinga guest caller on Minaj's show and unearthed posts calling dark-skinned black women \\\"cockroaches\\\", which she had defended earlier by saying that it is a derogatory term inthe Bronxused for anyone being disrespectful.Cardi B was on the cover of the 2019 spring fashion issue ofHarper's Bazaar, which featured her in aCinderella-themed photo shoot wearing a red gown and leaving a shoe behind. Some interpreted this as a reference to the incident. After the release of \\\"Girls\\\" in May 2018, a collaboration where she had a featured verse, Cardi B responded to accusations of the song trivializingLGBTrelationships; she tweeted, \\\"We never try to cause harm or had bad intentions with the song.\\\" She went on to add, \\\"I personally myself had experiences with other women.\\\" Discography Filmography Commercials See also Notes References Further reading External links\",\n \"Tupac Shakur Tupac Amaru Shakur(/ˈtuːpɑːkʃəˈkʊər/ⓘ; bornLesane Parish Crooks; June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known by his stage names2PacandMakaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Considered to be one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time,academics regard him as one of the most influential music artists of the 20th century and a prominent political activist forBlack America.In addition to his music career, Shakur also wrote poetry and had numerous starring roles in movies. Shakur is among thebest-selling music artists, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide.His lyrical content has been noted for addressing social injustice, political issues, and the marginalization of otherAfrican-Americans,but he was also synonymous withgangsta rapand violent lyrics. Shakur was born inNew York Cityto parents who were both political activists andBlack Panther Partymembers. Raised by his mother,Afeni Shakur, he relocated toBaltimorein 1984 and to theSan Francisco Bay Areain 1988. With the release of his debut album2Pacalypse Nowin 1991, he became a central figure inWest Coast hip hopfor hisconscious rapandpolitical raplyrics.Shakur achieved further critical and commercialmulti-platinumsuccess with his follow-up albumsStrictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...(1993) andMe Against the World(1995).HisDiamondcertified albumAll Eyez on Me(1996), the first double-length album in hip-hop history, abandoned his introspective lyrics for volatile gangsta rap.In addition to his music career, Shakur starred roles inJuice(1992),Poetic Justice(1993),Above the Rim(1994),Bullet(1996),Gridlock'd(1997), andGang Related(1997). Shakur's most notable songs include \\\"California Love,\\\" \\\"Changes,\\\" \\\"Dear Mama,\\\" \\\"Hail Mary,\\\" \\\"Keep Ya Head Up,\\\" \\\"Hit 'Em Up,\\\" \\\"Ambitionz az a Ridah,\\\" \\\"All Eyez on Me,\\\" \\\"Ghetto Gospel,\\\" \\\"Do for Love,\\\" \\\"So Many Tears,\\\" \\\"To Live & Die in L.A.,\\\" \\\"How Do U Want It,\\\" \\\"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted,\\\" \\\"Brenda's Got a Baby\\\" and \\\"I Get Around.\\\" Alongside his solo career, Shakur was part of the groupThug Lifeand collaborated with artists likeSnoop Dogg,Dr. Dre, and theOutlawz. During the later part of his career, Shakur was shot five times in the lobby of a New York recording studio and experienced legal troubles, includingincarceration. He served eight months in prison onsexual abusecharges, but was released pending an appeal of his conviction in 1995.Following his release, he signed toMarion \\\"Suge\\\" Knight's labelDeath Row Recordsand became heavily involved in the growingEast Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry.On September 7, 1996, Shakur wasshot four timesby an unidentified assailant in adrive-by shootinginLas Vegas; he died six days later. Following his murder, Shakur's friend-turned-rival,the Notorious B.I.G., was at first considered a suspect due to their public feud; he was also murdered inanother drive-by shootingsix months later in March 1997, while visiting Los Angeles.On September 22, 1996, a peace summit was convened atMosque MaryambyLouis Farrakhanin response to hisassassination. Shakur's double-length posthumous albumGreatest Hits(1998) is one of his two releases—and one of only nine hip hop albums—to have been certified Diamond in the United States.Five more albums have been released since Shakur's death, including his critically acclaimed posthumous albumThe Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory(1996)under his stage name Makaveli, all of which have been certified multi-platinum in the United States.In 2002, Shakur was inducted into theHip-Hop Hall of Fame.In 2017, he was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein his first year of eligibility.Rolling Stoneranked Shakur among the100 Greatest Artists of All Time.In 2023, he was awarded a posthumous star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.His influence in music, activism, songwriting, and other areas of culture has been the subject of academic studies. Early life Tupac Amaru Shakur was born on June 16, 1971, inEast Harlem, Manhattan, New York City.While born Lesane Parish Crooks, at age one he was renamed Tupac Amaru Shakur.He was named afterTúpac Amaru II, a descendant of the lastIncanruler, who was executed in Peru in 1781 after hisrevoltagainstSpanish rule.Shakur's motherAfeni Shakurexplained, \\\"I wanted him to have the name of revolutionary, indigenous people in the world. I wanted him to know he was part of a world culture and not just from a neighborhood.\\\"Tupac's surname came from Lumumba Shakur, a Sunni Muslim, whom his mother married in November 1968. Their marriage fell apart when it was discovered that Lumumba was not Tupac's biological father. Shakur had an older stepbrother,Mopreme \\\"Komani\\\" Shakur, and a half-sister, Sekyiwa Shakur, two years his junior. Panther heritage Shakur's parents, Afeni Shakur—born Alice Faye Williams in North Carolina—and his biological father, William \\\"Billy\\\" Garland, had been activeBlack Panther Partymembers in New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s.A month before Shakur's birth, his mother was tried in New York City as part of thePanther 21criminal trial. She was acquitted of over 150 charges. Other family members who were involved in theBlack Panthers'Black Liberation Armywere convicted of serious crimes and imprisoned, including Shakur's stepfather,Mutulu Shakur, who spent four years as one of theFBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Mutulu Shakur was apprehended in 1986 and subsequently convicted for a 1981robbery of a Brinks armored truck, during which police officers and a guard were killed. Shakur'sgodfather,Elmer \\\"Geronimo\\\" Pratt, a high-ranking Black Panther, was wrongly convicted of murdering a schoolteacher during a 1968 robbery. After he spent 27 years in prison, his conviction was overturned due to the prosecution's having concealed evidence that proved his innocence. Shakur's godmother,Assata Shakur, is a former member of theBlack Liberation Armywho was convicted in 1977 of thefirst-degree murderof aNew Jersey State Trooper. Since 2013, she has been in theFBI Most Wanted Terroristslist after she escapedprisonin 1979. Education In the 1980s, Shakur's mother found it difficult to find work and struggled with drug addiction.In 1984, his family moved from New York City toBaltimore, Maryland.Beginning in 1984 when Shakur was 13, he lived in thePen Lucyneighborhood with his mother and younger sister at 3955 Greenmount Ave.The home was a two-storyrowhousethat had been subdivided into two separate rental units; the Shakur family lived on the first floor.After his death, the block was renamed Tupac Shakur Way. While living in Baltimore, Shakur attended eighth grade at Roland Park Middle School, then ninth grade atPaul Laurence Dunbar High School.He transferred to theBaltimore School for the Artsin the tenth grade, where he studied acting, poetry,jazz, and ballet.He performed inShakespeare plays—the themes of which he identified in patterns of gang warfare—and as the Mouse King inThe Nutcrackerballet. At the Baltimore School for the Arts, Shakur befriended actressJada Pinkett, who became the subject of some of his poems (\\\"Jada\\\" and \\\"The Tears in Cupid's Eyes\\\").With his friend Dana \\\"Mouse\\\" Smith as abeatbox, he won competitions for the school's best rapper.Known for his humor, he was popular with all crowds of students.He listened to a diverse range of music that includedKate Bush,Culture Club,Sinéad O'Connor, andU2. Upon connecting with the BaltimoreYoung Communist League USA,Shakur dated Mary Baldridge, who was the daughter of the director of the local chapter of theCommunist Party USA. In 1988, Shakur moved toMarin City, California, an impoverished community in the San Francisco Bay Area.In nearbyMill Valley, he attendedTamalpais High School,where he performed in several theater productions.Shakur did not graduate from high school, but later earned hisGED. Music career MC New York Shakur began recording under the stage name MC New York in 1989.That year, he began attending the poetry classes ofLeila Steinberg, and she soon became his manager.Steinberg organized a concert for Shakur and his rap group Strictly Dope. Steinberg managed to get Shakur signed by Atron Gregory, manager of the rap groupDigital Underground.In 1990, Gregory placed him with the Underground as aroadieandbackup dancer. Digital Underground Shakur debuted under the stage name 2Pac onDigital Underground, under a new record label,Interscope Records, on the group's January 1991 single \\\"Same Song\\\". The song was featured on the soundtrack of the 1991 filmNothing but Trouble, starringDan Aykroyd,John Candy,Chevy Chase, andDemi Moore.The song opened the group's January 1991 EP titledThis Is an EP Release,while Shakur appeared in the music video. At the request of Steinberg, Digital Underground co-founder Jimi \\\"Chopmaster J\\\" Dright worked with Shakur,Ray Luvand Dize, a DJ, on their earliest studio recordings. Dright recalls that Shakur did not work well as part of a group, and added, \\\"this guy was on a mission. From day one. Maybe he knew he wasn't going to be around seven years later.\\\" From 1988 to 1991, Dright and Digital Underground produced Shakur's earliest work with his crew at the time, Strictly Dope.The recordings were rediscovered in 2000 and released asThe Lost Tapes: Circa 1989.Afeni Shakur sued to stop the sale of the recordings but the suit was settled in June 2001 and rereleased asBeginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988–1991. Shakur's early days withDigital Undergroundmade him acquainted withRandy \\\"Stretch\\\" Walker, who along with his brother, dubbed Majesty, and a friend debuted with an EP as a rap group and production team,Live Squad, inQueens, New York.Stretch was featured on a track of the Digital Underground's 1991 albumSons of the P. Becoming fast friends, Shakur and Stretch recorded and performed together often. 2Pacalypse Now Shakur's debut album,2Pacalypse Now—alluding to the 1979 filmApocalypse Now—arrived in November 1991. Some prominent rappers—likeNas,Eminem,Game, andTalib Kweli—cite it as an inspiration.Aside from \\\"If My Homie Calls\\\", the singles \\\"Trapped\\\" and \\\"Brenda's Got a Baby\\\" poetically depict individual struggles under socioeconomic disadvantage. U.S. Vice PresidentDan Quaylesaid, \\\"There's no reason for a record like this to be released. It has no place in our society.\\\" Tupac, finding himself misunderstood,explained, in part: I just wanted to rap about things that affected young black males. When I said that, I didn't know that I was gonna tie myself down to just take all the blunts and hits for all the young black males, to be the media's kicking post for young black males. 2Pacalypse Nowwascertified Gold, half a million copies sold. The album addresses urban Black concerns said to remain relevant to the present day. Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... Shakur's second album,Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z..., was released in February 1993.A critical and commercial success, it debuted at No. 24 on the pop albums chart, theBillboard 200.An overall more hardcore album, it emphasizes Tupac's sociopolitical views, and has a metallic production quality. The song \\\"Last Wordz\\\" featuresIce Cube, co-writer ofN.W.A's\\\"Fuck tha Police\\\", who in his own solo albums had newly gone militantlypolitical, andgangsta rapperIce-T, who in June 1992 had sparked controversy with his bandBody Count's track \\\"Cop Killer\\\". In its vinyl release, side A, tracks 1 to 8, is labeled the \\\"Black Side\\\", while side B, tracks 9 to 16, is the \\\"Dark Side\\\".The album carries the single \\\"I Get Around\\\", a party anthem featuring Digital Underground'sShock GandMoney-B, which became Shakur's breakthrough, reaching No. 11 on the pop singles chart, theBillboardHot 100.And it carries the optimistic compassion of another hit, \\\"Keep Ya Head Up\\\", an anthem forwomen's empowerment.The album was certifiedPlatinum, with a million copies sold. As of 2004, among Shakur albums, including posthumous and compilation albums,Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...was 10th in sales at about 1,366,000 copies. Thug Life In late 1993, Shakur formed the groupThug Lifewith Tyrus \\\"Big Syke\\\" Himes, Diron \\\"Macadoshis\\\" Rivers, his stepbrotherMopreme Shakur, and Walter \\\"Rated R\\\" Burns.Usually, Thug Life performed live without Tupac. Thug Life released its only album,Thug Life, Volume I, on October 11, 1994, which is certified Gold. It carries the single \\\"Pour Out a Little Liquor\\\", produced byJohnny \\\"J\\\" Jackson, who would also produce much of Shakur's albumAll Eyez on Me. The track also appears on theAbove the Rimsoundtrack.Due togangsta rapbeing under heavy criticism at the time, the album's original version was scrapped, and the album redone with mostly new tracks. Still, along with Stretch, Tupac would perform the first planned single, \\\"Out on Bail\\\", which was never released, at the1994 Source Awards. The Notorious B.I.G. and Junior M.A.F.I.A. In 1993, while visiting Los Angeles,the Notorious B.I.G.asked a local drug dealer to introduce him to Shakur and they quickly became friends. The pair would socialize when Shakur went to New York or B.I.G. to Los Angeles.During this period, at his own live shows, Shakur would call B.I.G. onto stage to rap with him and Stretch.Together, they recorded the songs \\\"Runnin' from tha Police\\\" and \\\"House of Pain\\\". Reportedly, B.I.G. asked Shakur to manage him, whereupon Shakur advised him thatSean Combswould make him a star.Yet in the meantime, Shakur's lifestyle was comparatively lavish to B.I.G. who had not yet established himself.Shakur welcomed B.I.G. to join his side group Thug Life, but he would instead form his own side group, theJunior M.A.F.I.A., with his Brooklyn friendsLil' CeaseandLil' Kim. Shakur had a falling out with B.I.G. after he was shot at Quad Studios in 1994. Me Against the World Shakur's third album,Me Against the World,was released while he was incarcerated in March 1995.It is now hailed as hismagnum opus, and commonly ranks among the greatest, most influential rap albums.The album debuted at No. 1 on theBillboard200and sold 240,000 copies in its first week, setting a then record for highest first-week sales for a solo male rapper. The lead single, \\\"Dear Mama\\\", was released in February 1995 with \\\"Old School\\\" as theB-side.It is the album's most successful single, topping theHot Rap Singleschart, and peaking at No. 9 on theBillboardHot 100.In July, it was certified Platinum.It ranked No. 51 on theyear-end charts. The second single, \\\"So Many Tears\\\", was released in June 1995,reaching No. 6 on the Hot Rap Singles chart and No. 44 on Hot 100.The final single, \\\"Temptations\\\", was released in August 1995.It reached No. 68 on the Hot 100, No. 35 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, and No. 13 on the Hot Rap Singles.Several celebrities showed their support for Shakur by appearing in the music video for \\\"Temptations\\\". Shakur won best rap album at the1996 Soul Train Music Awards.In 2001, it ranked 4th among his total albums in sales, with about 3 million copies sold in the U.S. All Eyez on Me While Shakur was imprisoned in 1995, his mother was about to lose her house. Shakur had his wife Keisha Morris contactDeath Row RecordsfounderSuge Knightin Los Angeles.Reportedly, Shakur's mother promptly received $15,000.After an August visit toClinton Correctional Facilityin northern New York state, Knight traveled southward to New York City to attend the2nd Annual Source Awardsceremony. Meanwhile, anEast Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalrywas brewing between Death Row andBad Boy Records.In October 1995, Knight visited Shakur in prison again and posted $1.4 million bond.Shakur returned to Los Angeles and joined Death Row with the appeal of his December 1994 conviction pending. Shakur's fourth album,All Eyez on Me, arrived on February 13, 1996.It was rap's first double album—meeting two of the three albums due in Shakur's contract with Death Row—and bore five singles.The album shows Shakurrapping about the gangsta lifestyle, leaving behind his previous political messages. With standout production, the album has more party tracks and often a triumphant tone.Music journalistKevin Powellnoted that Shakur, once released from prison, became more aggressive, and \\\"seemed like a completely transformed person\\\". As Shakur's second album to hit No. 1 on both theTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albumschart and the pop albums chart, theBillboard200,it sold 566,000 copies in its first week and was it wascertified5× Multi-Platinum in April.The singles \\\"How Do U Want It\\\" and \\\"California Love\\\" reached No. 1 on theBillboardHot 100.Death Row released Shakur's diss track \\\"Hit 'Em Up\\\" as the non-album B-side to \\\"How Do U Want It\\\". In this venomous tirade, the proclaimed \\\"Bad Boy killer\\\" threatens violent payback on all things Bad Boy — B.I.G., Sean Combs, Junior M.A.F.I.A., the company — and on any in the East Coast rap scene, like rap duoMobb Deepand rapperChino XL, who allegedly had commented against Shakur about the dispute. All Eyez on Mewon R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year at the1997 Soul Train Music Awards.At the1997 American Music Awards, Shakur won Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist.The album was certified 9× Multi-Platinum in June 1998,and 10× in July 2014. Posthumous albums At the time of his death, a fifth solo album was already finished,The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, under the stage name Makaveli. It had been recorded during the summer of 1996 and released that year.The lyrics were written and recorded in three days, and mixing took another four days. In 2005, MTV.com rankedThe 7 Day Theoryat No. 9 among hip hop's greatest albums ever,and by 2006 a classic album.Its singular poignance, through hurt and rage, contemplation and vendetta, resonate with many fans. According to George \\\"Papa G\\\" Pryce, Death Row Records' then director ofpublic relations, the album was meant to be \\\"underground\\\", and was not intended for release before the artist was murdered.It peaked at No. 1 onBillboard'sTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albumschart and on theBillboard200,with the second-highest debut-week sales total of any album that year.On June 15, 1999, it was certified 4× Multi-Platinum. Later posthumous albums are archival productions, these albums are: Poetry collection Before and during his hip-hop career, Shakur wrote dozens of poems.Some of the most notable are \\\"Can U C The Pride in The Panther\\\", \\\"If I fail\\\", \\\"Family Tree\\\", and \\\"The Rose that grew from the concrete\\\". In 1993 Tupac played a character named “Lucky” in the film titledPoetic JusticealongsideJanet Jackson. Poet and activistMaya Angelou, whom worked withMartin Luther King Jr.andMalcolm Xduring the civil rights movement, wrote the poems used in the 1993 film. In April 2022, handwritten poems written by Tupac when he was 11 years old were up for sale for $300,000 USD but only sold for $90,000.The poems were forJamal Josephand three otherBlack Panther Partymembers while they were incarcerated atLeavenworth Prison. Even at his young age, Shakur's writing dealt with themes such as black liberation, mass incarceration, race, and masculinity. The poems feature a self-portrait of Shakur sleeping, pen in hand, dreaming of the Black Panthers being freed from prison, and signed with a heart and the phrase \\\"Tupac Shakur, Future Freedom Fighter\\\". In October, 2023, sexually explicit poems he wrote toJada Pinkett Smithwhile in prison went public in the book \\\"Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography.\\\"Pinkett Smith celebrated Shakur's 50th birthday by showing a unreleased poem on Instagram called \\\"Lost Soulz.\\\"According toRolling Stonewriter Andy Green: “He was also a poet and activist who became one of his era’s most revolutionary voices.\\\"Tupac had passion for theater and admiration ofWilliam Shakespeare. Years after Tupac's death,Nassaid \\\"I put Tupac beyond Shakespeare.\\\" Film career Shakur's first film appearance was in the 1991 filmNothing but Trouble, acameoby the Digital Underground. In 1992, he starred inJuice, in which he plays the fictional Roland Bishop, a militant and haunting individual.Rolling Stone'sPeter Traverscalls him \\\"the film's most magnetic figure\\\". In 1993, Shakur starred alongsideJanet JacksoninJohn Singleton's romance film,Poetic Justice.Singleton later fired Shakur from the 1995 filmHigher Learningbecause the studio would not finance the film following his arrest.For the lead role in the eventual 2001 filmBaby Boy, a role played byTyrese Gibson, Singleton originally had Shakur in mind.Ultimately, theset designincludes a Shakur mural in the protagonist's bedroom, and the film's score includes Shakur's song \\\"Hail Mary\\\". DirectorAllen Hugheshad cast Shakur as Sharif in the 1993 filmMenace II Societybut replaced him once Shakur assaulted him on set due to a discrepancy with the script. Nonetheless, in 2013, Hughes appraises that Shakur would have outshone the other actors \\\"because he was bigger than the movie\\\". Shakur played a gangster called Birdie in the 1994 filmAbove the Rim.By some accounts, that character had been modeled after former New York drug dealerJacques \\\"Haitian Jack\\\" Agnant,who managed and promoted rappers.Shakur was introduced to him at a Queens nightclub.Reportedly, B.I.G. advised Shakur to avoid him, but Shakur disregarded the warning.Through Haitian Jack, Shakur metJames \\\"Jimmy Henchman\\\" Rosemond, also a drug dealer who doubled as music manager. Soon after Shakur's death, three more films starring him were released,Bullet(1996),Gridlock'd(1997), andGang Related(1997). Posthumous rumored roles andStar Wars It was rumored that Shakur was being considered byGeorge Lucasto portrayJedi MasterMace Winduin theStar Warsprequel films (1999–2005). According to formerDeath Row Recordschief engineer Rick Clifford, George Lucas was eyeing Tupac to star in his return to the \\\"Star Wars\\\" saga. Clifford talked about how excited Tupac was for the role, \\\"'Pac found out that I worked for Brian Austin Green, who was on90210, then he found out I some movies, so we always talked about his film career and stuff. He was telling me that he was supposed to read for George Lucas and them. They wanted him to be a Jedi. I'm serious. Samuel L. got Tupac's part. said , 'Old man, keep your fingers crossed.' He said, 'I've got three movies coming up. One of them, I've got to read for George Lucas.\\\" The Phantom Menacescript had begun being written in 1996 and the eventual film seeing release in 1999. Lucas had asked Jackson to ask Shakur to audition but due to Shakur's untimely death the role ultimately went toSamuel L. Jackson. The two had worked on the filmJuicetogether. Personal life In his 1995 interview withVibemagazine, Shakur listedJada Pinkett,Jasmine Guy,TreachandMickey Rourkeamong the people who were looking out for him while he was in prison.Shakur also mentioned thatMadonnawas a supportive friend.Madonna later revealed that they had dated in 1994. Shakur became close friends with Jada Pinkett while attending the Baltimore School for the Arts.He helped Pinkett land her first movie role in the filmMenace II Society(1993).In turn, Pinkett secured Shakur a guest starring role on the sitcomA Different Worldin 1993.She appeared in his music videos \\\"Keep Ya Head Up\\\" and \\\"Temptations\\\".She also came up with the concept for his \\\"California Love\\\" music video and had intended to direct it, but removed herself from the project.In 1995, Pinkett contributed $100,000 towards Shakur's bail as he awaited an appeal on his sexual abuse conviction.Pinkett later revealed that she turned down hismarriage proposalwhile he was incarcerated atRikers Islandin 1995.Speaking about Pinkett, Shakur stated: \\\"Jada is my heart. She will be my friend for my whole life. We'll be old together. Jada can ask me to do anything and she can have it.\\\"Pinkett said Shakur was \\\"one of my best friends. He was like a brother. It was beyond friendship for us. The type of relationship we had, you only get that once in a lifetime\\\". After Shakur was shot in 1994, he recuperated at Jasmine Guy's home.They had met during his guest appearance on the sitcomA Different Worldin 1993.Guy appeared in his music video \\\"Temptations\\\" and later wrote his mother's 2004 biography,Afeni Shakur: Evolution of a Revolutionary. Shakur befriended Treach when they were both roadies on Public Enemy's tour in 1990.He made a cameo inNaughty by Nature's music video \\\"Uptown Anthem\\\" in 1992.Treach collaborated on Shakur's song \\\"5 Deadly Venomz\\\" and appeared in the music video for Shakur's \\\"Temptations\\\".Treach was also a speaker at a public memorial service for Shakur in 1996. In 1993, during a police raid of Shakur's room at New York City'sParker Meridian Hotel, a videotape was confiscated which showed Shakur having sex with his then-girlfriend Desiree Smith. Officers were attempting to build their case against Shakur for the allegedsodomyof Ayanna Jackson. In 2022, Smith insisted she was neither underage nor intoxicated at the time of their tryst.In 2011, asex tapefeaturing Shakur receivingoral sexfrom a groupie while rapping and dancing along to one of his own unreleased songs, was sold to a private collector. The video, which was filmed in 1993, also features rapperMoney BfromDigital Underground. Shakur and Mickey Rourke formed a bond while filming the movieBulletin 1994.Rourke recalled that Shakur \\\"was there for me during some very hard times.\\\" Shakur had friendships with other celebrities, includingMike TysonChuck D,Jim Carrey,andAlanis Morissette. In April 1996, Shakur said that he, Morrissette, Snoop Dogg, and Suge Knight were planning to open a restaurant together. On April 29, 1995, Shakur married his girlfriend Keisha Morris, apre-lawstudent.Their marriage was annulled ten months later. In a 1993 interview published inThe Source, Shakur criticized record producerQuincy Jonesfor hisinterracial marriageto actressPeggy Lipton.Their daughterRashida Jonesresponded with an irate open letter.Shakur later apologized to her sisterKidada Jones, whom he began dating in 1996.Shakur and Jones attendedMen's Fashion Weekin Milan and walked the runway together for aVersacefashion show.Jones was at their hotel in Las Vegas when Shakur was shot. Legal issues Sexual assault case, prison sentence, appeal and release In November 1993, Shakur and two other men were charged in New York withsodomizinga woman in Shakur's hotel room. The woman, Ayanna Jackson, alleged that after she performed oral sex on Shakur at the public dance floor of a Manhattan nightclub, she went to his hotel room on a later day, when Shakur, record executiveJacques \\\"Haitian Jack\\\" Agnant, Shakur's road manager Charles Fuller and an unidentified fourth man apprehended and forced her to perform non-consensual oral sex on each of them.Shakur was also charged withillegal possession of a firearmas two guns were found in the hotel room.Interviewed onThe Arsenio Hall Show, Shakur said he was hurt that \\\"a woman would accuse me of taking something from her\\\", as he had been raised in a female household and surrounded by women his whole life. On December 1, 1994, Shakur was acquitted of three counts of sodomy and the associated gun charges, but convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual abuse for \\\"forcibly touching the woman's buttocks\\\" in his hotel room.Jurors have said the lack of evidence stymied a sodomy conviction.Shakur's lawyer characterized the sentence as \\\"out of line\\\" with the groping conviction and the setting of bail at $3 million as \\\"inhumane\\\". Shakur's accuser later filed a civil suit against Shakur seeking $10 million for punitive damages which was subsequentlysettled. After Shakur had been convicted of sexual abuse, Jacques Agnant's case was separated and closed via misdemeanor plea without incarceration.A. J. Benzareported inNew York Daily NewsShakur's new disdain for Agnant who Shakur theorized had set him up with the case.Shakur reportedly believed his accuser was connected to and had sexual relations with Agnant andJames \\\"Henchman\\\" Rosemond, who he considered to be behind the 1994 Quad Studios shooting. Shakur was unable to post the $3 million bond to keep himself free until sentencing so he surrendered himself to authorities at theBellevue Hospital Jail Wardin New York City on December 23, 1994.At the time, he was still recovering from injuries he received on November 30, when he was shot five times and robbed at Quad Studios.In January 1995, Shakur was moved to the North Infirmary Command (NIC) onRikers Islandinthe Bronx.On February 7, 1995, he was sentenced to 18 months to4+1⁄2years in prison by a judge who decried \\\"an act of brutal violence against a helpless woman\\\". In March 1995, Shakur was transferred toClinton Correctional FacilityinDannemora.While imprisoned, he began reading again, which he had been unable to do as his career progressed due to his marijuana and alcohol habits. Works such asThe Princeby Italian philosopherNiccolò MachiavelliandThe Art of Warby Chinese military strategistSun Tzusparked Shakur's interest inphilosophy,philosophy of warandmilitary strategy.On April 29, 1995, Shakur married his girlfriend Keisha Morris; the marriage was later annulled.While in prison, Shakur exchanged letters with celebrities such asJim CarreyandTony Danzaamong others.He was also visited byAl Sharpton, who helped Shakur get released fromsolitary confinement. By October 1995, pending judicial appeal, Shakur was incarcerated in New York.On October 12, he bonded out of the maximum securityDannemoraClinton Correctional Facility in the process of appealing his conviction,onceSuge Knight, CEO of Death Row Records, arraigned for posting of his $1.4 million bond. 1993 shooting in Atlanta On October 31, 1993, Shakur was arrested in Atlanta for shooting two off-duty police officers, brothers Mark Whitwell and Scott Whitwell.The Atlanta police claimed the shooting occurred after the brothers were almost struck by a car carrying Shakur while they were crossing the street with their wives.As they argued with the driver, Shakur's car pulled up and he shot the Whitwells in the buttocks and the abdomen.However, there are conflicting accounts that the Whitwells were harassing a black motorist and uttered racial slurs.According to some witnesses, Shakur and his entourage had fired in self-defense as Mark Whitwell shot at them first. Shakur was charged with two counts of aggravated assault.Mark Whitwell was charged with firing at Shakur's car and later with making false statements to investigators. Scott Whitwell admitted to possessing a gun he had taken from aHenry Countypolice evidence room.Prosecutors ultimately dropped all charges against both parties.Mark Whitwell resigned from the force seven months after the shooting.Both brothers filed civil suits against Shakur; Mark Whitwell's suit was settled out of court, while Scott Whitwell's $2 million lawsuit resulted in a default judgment entered against the rapper's estate in 1998. 1994 Quad Studios shooting On November 30, 1994, while in New York recording verses for a mixtape of Ron G, Shakur was repeatedly distracted by his beeper.Music managerJames \\\"Jimmy Henchman\\\" Rosemond, reportedly offered Shakur $7,000 to stop by Quad Studios, in Times Square, that night to record a verse for his clientLittle Shawn.Shakur was unsure, but agreed to the session as he needed the cash to offset legal costs. He arrived with Stretch and one or two others. In the lobby, three men robbed and beat him at gunpoint; Shakur resisted and was shot.Shakur speculated that the shooting had been a set-up. Against medical advice, Shakur checked out ofMetropolitan Hospital Centera few hours after surgery and secretly went to the house of the actressJasmine Guyto recuperate.The next day, Shakur arrived at a Manhattan courthouse bandaged in a wheelchair to receive the jury's verdict for his sexual abuse case.Shakur spent the next few weeks being cared for by his mother and a private doctor at Guy's home.TheFruit of Islamand former members of the Black Panther Party stood guard to protect him. Setup accusations involving the Notorious B.I.G. In a 1995 interview withVibe, Shakur accusedSean Combs,Jimmy Henchman,and the Notorious B.I.G, – who were at Quad Studios at the time – among others, of setting up or being privy to the November 1994 robbery and shooting.Vibealerted the names of the accused.The accusations were significant to the East–West Coast rivalry in hip-hop; in 1995, months after the robbery, Combs and B.I.G. released the track \\\"Who Shot Ya?\\\", which Shakur took as a mockery of his shooting and thought they could be responsible, so he released adiss song, \\\"Hit 'Em Up\\\", in which he targeted B.I.G., Combs,their record label,Junior M.A.F.I.A., and at the end of \\\"Hit 'Em Up\\\", he mentions rivalsMobb DeepandChino XL. In March 2008,Chuck Philips, in theLos Angeles Times, reported on the 1994 ambush and shooting.The newspaper later retracted the article since it relied partially on FBI documents later discovered forged, supplied by a man convicted of fraud.In June 2011, convicted murderer Dexter Isaac, incarcerated in Brooklyn, issued a confession that he had been one of the gunmen who had robbed and shot Shakur at Henchman's order.Philips then named Isaac as one of his own, retracted article's unnamed sources. Other criminal or civil cases 1991 Oakland Police Department lawsuit On October 17, 1991, twoOakland Police Departmentofficers stopped Shakur forjaywalkingat a downtown intersection.According to Shakur, officers Alex Boyovic and Kevin Rogers asked him for his ID and pressed him about his name before choking him, throwing him to the ground and slamming his head on the concrete.Shakur filed a $10 million lawsuit against the officers forpolice brutality.The case wassettledfor about $43,000.It was later revealed that this incident was the onset of Shakur's autoimmune diseasealopecia, which led him to shave his head bald. Misdemeanor assault convictions On April 5, 1993, charged with felonious assault, Shakur allegedly threw a microphone and swung a baseball bat at rapper Chauncey Wynn, of the group M.A.D., at a concert atMichigan State University. Shakur claimed the bat was a part of his show, that he never swung it, and that there was no criminal intent.Nonetheless, on September 14, 1994, Shakur pleaded guilty to amisdemeanorand was sentenced to 30 days in jail, twenty of them suspended on condition that he complete 35 hours of community service. Slated to star as Sharif in the 1993Hughes Brothers' filmMenace II Society, Shakur was replaced by actor Vonte Sweet after allegedly assaulting one of the film's directors, Allen Hughes. In early 1994, Shakur served 15 days in jail after being found guilty of the assault.The prosecution's evidence included aYo! MTV Rapsinterview in which Shakur boasted that he had \\\"beat up the director ofMenace II Society\\\". Concealed weapon case In 1994, Shakur was arrested in Los Angeles, when he was stopped by police on suspicion of speeding. Police found a semiautomatic pistol in the car, a felony offense because a prior conviction in 1993 in Los Angeles for carrying a concealed firearm.On April 4, 1996, Shakur was sentenced to 120 days in jail for violating his release terms and failing to appear for a road cleanup job,but was allowed to remain free awaiting appeal. On June 7, his sentence was deferred via appeals pending in other cases. 1995 wrongful death suit On August 22, 1992, in Marin City, Shakur performed outdoors at a festival. For about an hour after the performance, he signed autographs and posed for photos. A conflict broke out and Shakur allegedly drew a legally carriedColt Mustangbut dropped it on the ground. Shakur claimed that someone with him then picked it up when it accidentally discharged. About 100 yards (90 meters) away in a schoolyard, Qa'id Walker-Teal, a boy aged 6 on his bicycle, was fatally shot in the forehead. Police matched the bullet to a.38-caliberpistol registered to Shakur. His stepbrother Maurice Harding was arrested in suspicion of having fired the gun, but no charges were filed. Lack of witnesses stymied prosecution. In 1995, Qa'id's mother filed awrongful death suitagainst Shakur, which was settled for about $300,000 to $500,000. C. Delores Tucker lawsuit Civil rights activist and fierce rap criticC. Delores Tuckersued Shakur's estate in federal court, claiming that lyrics in \\\"How Do U Want It\\\" and \\\"Wonda Why They Call U Bitch\\\" inflicted emotional distress, were slanderous, and invaded her privacy.The case was later dismissed. Murder and aftermath On the night of September 7, 1996, Shakur was in Las Vegas, Nevada to attend theBruce Seldon vs. Mike Tysonboxing match with Suge Knight at theMGM Grand. Afterward in the lobby one of Knight's associates spottedOrlando \\\"Baby Lane\\\" Anderson, aSouthside ComptonCrip, and told Shakur he had tried to rob them earlier that year. The hotel'ssurveillancefootage shows the ensuing assault on Anderson. Shakur soon stopped by his hotel room and then headed with Knight to his Death Row nightclub, Club 662, in a blackBMW 750iLsedan, part of a larger convoy. At about 11 p.m. onLas Vegas Boulevard, bicycle-mounted police stopped the car for its loud music and lack of license plates. The plates were found in the trunk, and the car was released without a ticket.At about 11:15 p.m. at a stop light, a white, four-door, late-modelCadillacsedan pulled up to the passenger side and an occupant rapidly fired into the car. Shakur was struck four times: once in the arm, once in the thigh, and twice in the chestwith one bullet entering his right lung.Shards hit Knight's head. Frank Alexander, Shakur's bodyguard, was not in the car at the time. He would say he had been tasked to drive the car of Shakur's girlfriend,Kidada Jones. Shakur was taken to theUniversity Medical Center of Southern Nevadawhere he was heavily sedated and put on life support.In theintensive-care uniton the afternoon of September 13, 1996, Shakur died frominternal bleeding.He was pronounced dead at 4:03 p.m.The official causes of death arerespiratory failureandcardiopulmonary arrestassociated with multiple gunshot wounds.Shakur's body wascrematedthe next day. Members of theOutlawz, recalling a line in his song \\\"Black Jesus\\\", (although uncertain of the artist's attempt at a literal meaning chose to interpret the request seriously) smoked some of his body's ashes after mixing them withmarijuana. In 2002, investigative journalistChuck Philips,after a year of work, reported in theLos Angeles Timesthat Anderson, a Southside Compton Crip, having been attacked by Suge and Shakur's entourage at the MGM Hotel after the boxing match, had fired the fatal gunshots, but that Las Vegas police had interviewed him only once, briefly, before his death in an unrelated shooting. Philips's 2002 article also alleges the involvement ofChristopher \\\"Notorious B.I.G.\\\" Wallaceand several within New York City's criminal underworld. Both Anderson and Wallace denied involvement, while Wallace offered a confirmed alibi.Music journalist John Leland, inThe New York Times, called the evidence \\\"inconclusive\\\". In 2011, via theFreedom of Information Act, theFBIreleased documents related to its investigation which described anextortionscheme by theJewish Defense League(classified as \\\"aright wing terroristgroup\\\" by theFBI) that included makingdeath threatsagainst Shakur and other rappers, but did not indicate a direct connection to his murder. On July 18, 2023, theLas Vegas Police Departmentexecuted asearch warrantin connection with Shakur's murder. On September 29, 2023, theAPreported that Las Vegas police had arrested a suspect,Duane \\\"Keefe D\\\" Davis, in Shakur's murder. Police had two months previously served a search warrant at his wife's home in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson.Davis pleaded not guilty on November 2, 2023, in Las Vegas. Artistry Musical style Shakur's music and philosophical outlook were deeply influenced by a wide range of American,African American, and global influences, including theBlack Panther Party,black nationalism,egalitarianism, and the concept ofliberty. Moreover, Shakur's artistic sensibilities were enriched by his passion for theater and admiration for the works ofWilliam Shakespeare. Notably, he honed his theatrical skills as a student at theBaltimore School for the Arts, where he delved into the psychological complexities inherent in inter-gang warfare and inter-cultural conflicts, reflecting themes explored in Shakespearean dramas. 2Pacalypse Now(1991), showcased his socially conscious perspective. Through powerful tracks like \\\"Brenda's Got a Baby\\\", \\\"Trapped\\\", and \\\"Part Time Mutha\\\", Shakur addressed social injustice, poverty, and police brutality. In doing so, he contributed to the ongoing success of rap groups such asBoogie Down Productions,Public Enemy,X-Clan, andGrandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, while establishing himself as one of the pioneering socially conscious rappers from the West Coast. Continuing his focus on the social challenges faced by African American people, Shakur's second album featured songs like \\\"The Streetz R Deathrow\\\" and \\\"Last Wordz\\\". Simultaneously, he showcased his compassionate side with the empowering anthem \\\"Keep Ya Head Up\\\", and his legendary intensity with the title track from the albumStrictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...Additionally, he paid homage to his former groupDigital Undergroundby including them on the playful track \\\"I Get Around\\\". Throughout his career, Shakur's subsequent albums reflected a growing assertiveness in his approach. Shakur's body of work encompassed contrasting themes, includingsocial inequality,injustice, compassion, playfulness, andhope. These elements continued to shape his artistry, exemplified by his explosive 1995 albumMe Against the World.The release ofAll Eyez on Mein 1996 further solidified his reputation, with tracks like \\\"Ambitionz az a Ridah\\\", \\\"I Ain't Mad at Cha\\\", \\\"California Love\\\", \\\"Life Goes On\\\", and \\\"Picture Me Rollin'\\\" being hailed as classics by critics. Shakur describedAll Eyez on Meas a celebration of life, and the album achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success.According toEminem, Tupac is the greatest songwriter of all time.Nassaid in 2002: \\\"I put Tupac beyondShakespeare.\\\" Vocal style Singers can manipulate different parts of their body to create various sounds. For instance, the \\\"head voice\\\" involves singing high-pitched tones resonating from the head, while the \\\"chest voice\\\" utilizes the chest area. In the documentary \\\"Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel,\\\"Greg \\\"Shock G\\\" Jacobs, one of Shakur's early producers, discusses how rappers also utilize different bodily areas to project their voices. According to him, \\\"Slick Rick rhymed from the nasal palate, Nas from the back of his throat, and Pac from the pit of his stomach, which is where his power came from.\\\" Shakur's influences stemmed from powerful orators likeMartin Luther King Jr.andMalcolm X. Despite not being physically imposing, Shakur's voice carried immense weight and power, reminiscent of these influential speakers. Shakur was also known for his technique of stacking or layering vocals, adding depth and rawness to his voice. This approach, demonstrated notably on tracks like \\\"Dear Mama\\\" from his 1995 albumMe Against the World, involves overlaying multiple vocal lines to highlight rhythms and emphasize words and phrases. Mastering this technique requires precision to maintain flow and clarity, as heard in the lyrics \\\"and even though I act crazy/I gotta thank the Lord that you made me,\\\" where Shakur's voice transitions from full to husky, underscoring the emotional depth of the lyrics. Despite its difficulty, Shakur's background in jazz, poetry, and theater endowed him with exceptional rhythm control, enabling him to layer vocals seamlessly while preserving cohesion and flow. Legacy and remembrance Shakur is considered one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time.He was listed as one of the greatest artists of all time byRolling Stone.He is widely credited as an important figure inhip hop culture, and his prominence inpop culturein general has been noted.Dotdash, formerly About.com, while ranking him fifth among the greatest rappers, nonetheless notes, \\\"Tupac Shakur is the most influential hip-hop artist of all time. Even in death, 2Pac remains a transcendental rap figure.\\\"Yet to some, he was a \\\"father figure\\\" who, said rapperYG, \\\"makes you want to be better—at every level.\\\"In 2023,Billboardranked Tupac at number 4 among the top 50 rappers of all time. AllMusic'sStephen Thomas Erlewinedescribed Shakur as \\\"the unlikely martyr ofgangsta rap\\\", with Shakur paying the ultimate price of a criminal lifestyle. Shakur was described as one of the top two American rappers in the 1990s, along withSnoop Dogg.The online rap magazineAllHipHopheld a 2007 roundtable at which New York rappersCormega, citing tour experience with New York rap duoMobb Deep, commented that B.I.G. ran New York, but Shakur ran America.Shakur emerged as a celebrated artist, earning recognition for his astonishingly prolific output and unwavering commitment to his craft.According toRolling Stonewriter Andy Green: “He was also a poet and activist who became one of his era’s most revolutionary voices.\\\" In 2017, American rapperSnoop Doggcalled Tupac “the greatest rapper of all time” during hisRock & Roll Hall of Fametribute.In 2021,SaweetietoldComplexthat Tupac was “the greatest rapper that ever lived”. According to British writer Rob Marriott, he deemed the act of tying abandanainto rabbit ears as one of the most distinctive and instantly recognizable style choices in the world ofhip-hop. Regarded as asex symbol, his unique style helped shape the fashion landscape of the 1990s and continues to influence artists and fashion enthusiasts to this day. In 2010, writingRolling Stonemagazine's entry on Shakur at No. 86 among the \\\"100 greatest artists\\\", New York rapper50 Centappraised: Every rapper who grew up in the Nineties owes something to Tupac. People either try to emulate him in some way, or they go in a different direction because they didn't like what he did. But whatever you think of him, he definitely developed his own style: He didn't sound like anyone who came before him. According to music journalistChuck Philips, Shakur \\\"had helped elevate rap from a crude street fad to a complex art form, setting the stage for the current global hip-hop phenomenon.\\\"Philips writes, \\\"The slaying silenced one of modern music's most eloquent voices—a ghetto poet whose tales of urban alienation captivated young people of all races and backgrounds.\\\"Via numerous fans perceiving him, despite his questionable conduct, as amartyr, \\\"the downsizing of martyrdom cheapens its use\\\", academicMichael Eric Dysonconcedes.But Dyson adds, \\\"Some, or even most, of that criticism can be conceded without doing damage to Tupac's martyrdom in the eyes of those disappointed by more traditional martyrs.\\\" In 2014,BETexplained that \\\"his confounding mixture of ladies' man, thug, revolutionary and poet has forever altered our perception of what a rapper should look like, sound like and act like. In50 Cent,Ja Rule,Lil Wayne, newcomers likeFreddie Gibbsand even his friend-turned-rival B.I.G., it's easy to see that Pac is the most copied MC of all time. There are murals bearing his likeness in New York, Brazil, Sierra Leone, Bulgaria and countless other places; he even has statues in Atlanta and Germany. Quite simply, no other rapper has captured the world's attention the way Tupac did and still does.\\\"More simply, his writings, published after his death, inspired rapper YG to return to school and get his GED.In 2020, former California Senator and current vice-presidentKamala Harriscalled Shakur the \\\"best rapper alive\\\", which she explained as being because \\\"West Coast girls think 2Pac lives on\\\".According to writerKevin Powell: \\\"He deserves to be put in the same category asBob Dylan,Bob Marley, asJohn Lennon, in terms of his global impact.\\\"Tupac is regarded as one of the most influential artists in music and popular culture in general and an icon of activism. Palestinian rapperTamer Nafar, leader and a founding member ofDAM, became passionate about hip hop by listening to Tupac saying, “The imagery in Shakur’s videos was similar to our reality in Lod.\\\" Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation In 1997, Shakur's mother founded the Shakur Family Foundation. Later renamed the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, or TASF, it launched with a stated mission to \\\"provide training and support for students who aspire to enhance their creative talents.\\\"The TASF sponsors essay contests, charity events, a performing arts day camp for teenagers, and undergraduate scholarships. In June 2005, the TASF opened theTupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts, or TASCA, inStone Mountain, Georgia. It closed in 2015. Academic appraisal In 1997, theUniversity of California, Berkeley, offered a course led by a student titled \\\"History 98: Poetry and History of Tupac Shakur\\\".In April 2003,Harvard Universitycosponsored the symposium \\\"All Eyez on Me: Tupac Shakur and the Search for the Modern Folk Hero\\\".Where Shakur's influence as both an artist and an activist was analyzed.The papers presented cover his ranging influence from entertainment to sociology.Calling him a \\\"Thug Nigga Intellectual\\\", an \\\"organic intellectual\\\",English scholarMark Anthony Nealassessed his death as leaving a \\\"leadership void amongst hip-hop artists\\\",as this \\\"walking contradiction\\\" helps, Neal explained, \\\"make being an intellectual accessible to ordinary people.\\\" Tracing Shakur'smythicalstatus, Murray Forman discussed him as \\\"O.G.\\\", or \\\"Ostensibly Gone\\\", with fans, using digital mediums, \\\"resurrecting Tupac as an ethereal life force.\\\"Music scholar Emmett Price, calling him a \\\"Black folk hero\\\", traced his persona to Black American folklore'stricksters, which, afterabolition, evolved into the urban \\\"bad-man\\\". Yet in Shakur's \\\"terrible sense of urgency\\\", Price identified instead a quest to \\\"unify mind, body, and spirit.\\\"According to Price, Tupac had surpassed the legacies ofJohn ColtraneandMahalia Jacksonwithin the tradition of black music. In 2012, the NorwegianUniversity of Osloorganized the course: \\\"Tupac, hiphop og kulturhistorie (Tupac, hip hop and cultural history).\\\" As Knut Aukrust, Norwegian professor and academic scholar of cultural studies at the University of Oslo, puts it:\\\"Tupac Amaru Shakur (1971-1996) is one of the most famous and controversial representatives of hip-hop culture. He has become an icon with saint status far beyond his fans. References to him and his message appear all over the world, from Barack Obama's slogan about \\\"changes\\\", to Palestinians and Israelis longing for peace in the Middle East, to the people of Groruddalen who want their experiences to be taken on board serious. The course highlights how a single person can fit into a wider network of cultural models and how a local storytelling tradition has become an international cultural phenomenon.\\\" Jeffrey Ogbonna Green Ogbar, professor of History and Popular Music at theUniversity of Connecticut, described Shakur as \\\"one of the most iconic and influential music artists of the 20th century\\\", and also a \\\"politically conscious activist voice for Black America.\\\" Multimedia releases In 2005, Death Row released on DVD,Tupac: Live at the House of Blues, his final recorded live performance, an event on July 4, 1996. In August 2006,Tupac Shakur Legacy, an \\\"interactive biography\\\" byJamal Joseph, arrived with previously unpublished family photographs, intimate stories, and over 20 detachable copies of his handwritten song lyrics, contracts, scripts, poetry, and other papers. In 2006, the Shakur albumPac's Lifewas released and, like the previous, was among the recording industry's most popular releases.In 2008, his estate made about $15 million. On April 15, 2012, at theCoachella Music Festival, rappers Snoop Dogg andDr. Drejoined a Shakur \\\"hologram\\\" (Although the media referred to the technology as a hologram, technically it was a projection created with theMusion Eyeliner),and, as a partly virtual trio, performed the Shakur songs \\\"Hail Mary\\\" and \\\"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted\\\".There were talks of a tour,but Dre refused.Meanwhile, theGreatest Hitsalbum, released in 1998, and which in 2000 had left the pop albums chart, theBillboard 200, returned to the chart and reached No. 129, while also other Shakur albums and singles drew sales gains. Film and stage The documentary filmTupac: Resurrectionwas released in November 2003. It was nominated forBest Documentaryat the2005 Academy Awards. In 2014, the playHoller If Ya Hear Me, based on Shakur's lyrics, played on Broadway, but, among Broadway's worst-selling musicals in recent years, ran only six weeks.In development since 2013, a Shakur biopic,All Eyez on Me, began filming inAtlantain December 2015.It was released on June 16, 2017, on Shakur's 46th birthday,albeit to generally negative reviews. In August 2019, adocuseriesdirected byAllen Hughes,Outlaw: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur, was announced. Awards and honors In 2002, Shakur was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. In 2004, Shakur was among the honorees at the firstHip Hop Honors. In 2006, Shakur's close friend and classmate Jada Pinkett Smith donated $1 million to their high school alma mater, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and named the new theater in his honor.In 2021, Pinkett Smith honored Shakur's 50th birthday by releasing a never before seen poem she had received from him. In 2009, drawing praise, the Vatican added \\\"Changes\\\", a1998 posthumoustrack, to its online playlist.On June 23, 2010, theLibrary of Congressadded \\\"Dear Mama\\\" to theNational Recording Registry, the third rap song. In 2015, theGrammy Museumopened an exhibition dedicated to Shakur. In his first year of eligibility, Shakur was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 7, 2017. In January 2022, the exhibitionTupac Shakur: Wake Me When I'm Freeopened at The Canvas atL.A. Livein Los Angeles. On May 16, 2023, Oakland City Council voted to name the section of MacArthur Boulevard between Grand Avenue and Van Buren Avenue \\\"Tupac Shakur Way\\\". On June 7, 2023, Shakur received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.His half-sister, Sekyiwa \\\"Set\\\" Shakur, accepted the award in his honor. Rankings Final resting place in Soweto In 2006, on the 10th anniversary of Tupac Shakur's passing, his ashes were laid to rest inSoweto. Shakur's mother Afeni transported them to the \\\"birthplace of his ancestors\\\" and conducted a memorial service in what's considered as one of the most renownedSouth African townships. Afeni Shakur explained that Soweto had been selected due to its significance as the \\\"birthplace of the South African struggle fordemocracyand againstapartheid.\\\" TheCity of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipalitydonated a five-acre plot of undeveloped land in theZolaarea of Soweto to build a memorial honoring Shakur. A portion of the land was designated to be transformed into a park for the benefit of local children as well as aimed at promotingenvironmental education, pathways, orphanages, bridges, skateboard ramps and a golf range while plans also included the construction of anamphitheaterand a museum showcasing South African music and arts. The project was funded by Johannesburg city authorities and the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation. The memorial was hosted by South African musician and actorZola 7. SingerMacy Grayand members of the Outlawz were amongst the attendees who paid their respects. Discography Filmography Portrayals in film Documentaries Shakur's life has been explored in several documentaries, most notably the Academy Award-nominatedTupac: Resurrection(2003). See also References Further reading External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Cardi B Belcalis Marlenis Cephus(néeAlmánzar;born October 11, 1992), known professionally asCardi B, is an American rapper and songwriter. Distinguished for her aggressiveflowand outspoken clever lyrics, Cardi B has established herself as one of the most successful female artists in contemporary music. From 2015 to early 2017, she gained recognition onVineandInstagram, as a cast member onVH1'sLove & Hip Hop: New York, and by releasingtwo mixtapes. Her first studio album,Invasion of Privacy(2018), debuted at number one on theBillboard200andBillboardranked it the top female rap album of the 2010s. Critically acclaimed, it made Cardi B the only solo female artist to win theGrammy Award for Best Rap Album, andRolling Stoneranked it the best debut album of all time by a female rapper. Its singles \"Bodak Yellow\" and \"I Like It\" both topped theBillboardHot 100and were certifieddiamondby theRIAA; the former made Cardi B the first female rapper to top the Hot 100 with a solo song in the 21st century and the first to","and the first to achieve a diamond-certified song, while the latter made her the first with multiple number-one songs. Her third US number-one, the collaboration \"Girls Like You\" (2018) withMaroon 5, made her the first female rapper to earn multiple RIAA diamond-certified songs. She released \"WAP\" (withMegan Thee Stallion) in 2020 and \"Up\" in 2021, both of which topped the Hot 100 and other charts worldwide. \"WAP\" is the only female rap collaboration to debut atop the Hot 100, made Cardi B the first lead artist to top theBillboardGlobal 200, and had a large cultural impact. Recognized byForbesas one of the most influential female rappers of all time, Cardi B holds various records among women in hip hop; she isthe female rapper with the most number-one singles(five) on theBillboardHot 100, the only female rapper to achieve multiple solo number-ones, and the only to earn number-one singles in two decades (2010s and 2020s). She further isthe highest-certified(digital singles) female rapper of all time in the","of all time in the US,the female rapper with the most diamond-certified songs(three) by the RIAA, and has over 100 million certifiedunitssold in the US. Additionally,Invasion of Privacyis the most-streamed female rap album onApple MusicandSpotify.Her accoladesinclude aGrammy Award, eightBillboardMusic Awards, sixGuinness World Records, sixAmerican Music Awards, fourMTV Video Music Awards, 14BET Hip Hop Awardsand twoASCAPSongwriter of the Yearawards.Timelisted her as one of the100 most influential people in the worldin 2018 andBillboardnamed herWoman of the Yearin 2020. Outside of music, Cardi B served as a judge on the music competition seriesRhythm + Flow(2019), appeared in the filmsHustlers(2019) andF9(2021), and had a voice role inBaby Shark's Big Movie!(2023). In 2022, she became thecreative directorof entertainment magazinePlayboy. Early life Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar was born on October 11, 1992, in theWashington Heightsneighborhood ofManhattan,New York City.Her father Carlos isDominicanand her mother","her mother Clara is aTrinidadianofAfricanandSpanishdescent; Almánzar identifies as anAfro-Latina.Almánzar was raised in theHighbridgeneighborhood of theSouth Bronx,and spent much time at her paternal grandmother's home in Washington Heights, which she credits with giving her \"such a thick accent.\"Almánzar developed the stage name \"Cardi B\" as a derivation ofBacardi, arumbrand that was formerly her nickname.She has a younger sister, Hennessy Carolina, who was born in 1995. She has said she was a gang member with theBloodsin her youth, since age 16,but stated she would not encourage joining a gang.She attended Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology, avocational high schoolon theHerbert H. Lehman High Schoolcampus. During her teens, Cardi B was employed at a grocery store inTribeca.She was fired and became a dancer at a strip club across the street.Cardi B has said that becoming a stripper was positive for her life in many ways: \"It really saved me from a lot of things. When I started","When I started stripping I went back to school.\"She stated that she became a stripper to escape poverty anddomestic violence, having been in an abusive relationship at the time after being kicked out of her mother's house,and that stripping was her only way to earn enough money to escape the situation and get an education.She attendedBorough of Manhattan Community Collegebefore eventually dropping out.While stripping, Cardi B lied to her mother by telling her she was making money bybabysitting. In 2013, she began to gain publicity due to several of her videos spreading on social media, onVineand herInstagrampage. Career 2015–2016: Career beginnings In 2015, Cardi B joined the cast of theVH1reality television seriesLove & Hip Hop: New York, debuting in season six.Jezebelconsidered her the breakout star of the show's sixth season.The New York Timeswrote that she garnered popularity with \"her ability to rattle off one-liners\".The sixth and seventh seasons chronicle her rise to stardom and her turbulent","and her turbulent relationship with her incarcerated fiancé. On December 30, 2016, after two seasons, she announced that she would be leaving the show to further pursue a career in music. In November 2015, Cardi B made her musical debut on Jamaicanreggae fusionsingerShaggy's remix to his single \"Boom Boom\", alongside fellow JamaicandancehallsingerPopcaan.She made her music video debut on December 15, 2015, with the song \"Cheap Ass Weave\", her rendition of BritishrapperLady Leshurr's \"Queen's Speech 4\".On March 7, 2016, Cardi B released her first full-length project, amixtapetitledGangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1.In November 2016, she was featured on the digital cover ofVibemagazine's \"Viva\" issue. On September 12, 2016, KSR Group released the compilationUnderestimated: The Album, which is a collaboration between KSR Group artists Cardi B,HoodCelebrityy, SwiftOnDemand, Cashflow Harlem, andJosh X. It was previously released only to attendees of their U.S. tour. the label's flagship artist, Cardi B, said: \"I wanted","B, said: \"I wanted to make a song that would make girls dance,twerkand at the same time encourage them to go get that Shmoney,\" in regard to the compilation's single \"What a Girl Likes\". She appeared on the December 9, 2015, episode ofUncommon Sense with Charlamagne.On April 6, 2016, she was on the twelfth episode ofKhloé Kardashian'sKocktails with Khloé: in this episode, she revealed how she told her mother that she was a stripper.In November 2016, it was announced that she would be joining the cast of theBETseriesBeing Mary Jane.TVLinedescribes her character, Mercedes, as a \"round-the-way beauty with a big weave, big boobs and a big booty to match her oversize, ratchet personality.\" In 2016, Cardi B was featured in her first endorsement deal withRomantic Depot, a large New York chain of lingerie stores that sell sexual health and wellness products. The ad campaign was featured on radio and cable TV. 2017–2018: Breakthrough withInvasion of Privacy On January 20, 2017, Cardi B released her second","released her second mixtape,Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2.In February 2017, Cardi B partnered withMAC Cosmeticsand Rio Uribe'sGypsy Sportfor an event forNew York Fashion Week.In late February, Cardi B signed her first major record label recording contract withAtlantic Records.On February 25, 2017, Cardi B was theopening actforEast Coast hip hopgroupThe Lox'sFilthy America... It's BeautifulTour, alongside fellow New York City-based rappersLil' KimandRemy Ma.In April 2017, she was featured ini-D's\"A-Z of Music\" video sponsored byMarc Jacobs.Cardi guest-starred on the celebritypanel showHip Hop Squares, appearing on the March 13 and April 3, 2017, episodes.She also released thefreestyle\"Red Barz\". In May 2017, the nominees for the2017 BET Awardswere announced, revealing that Cardi B had been nominated forBest New ArtistandBest Female Hip-Hop Artist.AlthoughChance the Rapperand Remy Ma won those categories, respectively, Cardi B performed at theBET AwardsAfterpartyshow.On June 11, 2017, duringHot 97's annualSummer","97's annualSummer Jammusic festival, Remy Ma brought out Cardi B, along withThe Lady of Rage,MC Lyte,Young M.A,Monie Love, Lil' Kim, andQueen Latifah, to celebrate female rappers and perform Latifah's 1993 hit single \"U.N.I.T.Y.\" aboutfemale empowerment.In June 2017, it was revealed that Cardi B would be on the cover ofThe Fader's Summer Music issue for July/August 2017.She performed atMoMA PS1on August 19 to a crowd of 4,000. On June 16, 2017, Atlantic Records released Cardi B's commercial debut single, \"Bodak Yellow\", viadigital distribution.She performed the single onThe Wendy Williams ShowandJimmy Kimmel Live!The song climbed the charts for several months, and, on theBillboardHot 100chart dated September 25, 2017, \"Bodak Yellow\" reached the number one spot, making Cardi B the first female rapper to do so with a solo single sinceLauryn Hill's \"Doo Wop (That Thing)\" debuted atop the chart in 1998.The song stayed atop the charts for three consecutive weeks, tying with American pop singerTaylor Swift's \"Look","Swift's \"Look What You Made Me Do\" as the longest running female at the number one spot in 2017. Cardi B became the first person of Dominican descent to reach number one in the history of the Hot 100 since it was launched in 1958.An editor ofThe New York Timescalled it \"the rap anthem of the summer\".Selected byThe Washington PostandPitchforkmusic critics as the best song of 2017,\"Bodak Yellow\" was eventually certifiedDiamondby theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA). The song received nominations forBest Rap PerformanceandBest Rap Songat the60th Grammy Awards.It won Single of the Year at the2017 BET Hip Hop Awards. With her collaborations \"No Limit\" and \"MotorSport\", she became the first female rapper to land her first three entries in the top 10 of the Hot 100,and the first female artist to achieve the same on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart.In October 2017, Cardi B headlinedPower 105.1's annual Powerhouse music celebration, alongsidethe Weeknd,Migos, andLil Uzi Vert, at theBarclays Centerin","Centerin Brooklyn, New York.In December, she released two songs: a collaboration with Puerto Rican singerOzunatitled \"La Modelo\",and \"Bartier Cardi\", the second single from herdebut album. On January 3, 2018, Cardi B was featured on the remix ofBruno Mars' single \"Finesse\",and appeared in the 90s inspired video. It reached the top three on the Hot 100, Canada and New Zealand. On January 18, 2018, Cardi B became the first female rapper to have five top 10 singles simultaneously on theBillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.She released another single, \"Be Careful\", on March 30, 2018, a week before her album's release. Her debut studio album,Invasion of Privacy, was released on April 6, 2018, to universal acclaim from music critics.Editors fromVarietyandThe New York Timescalled it \"one of the most powerful debuts of this millennium\" and \"a hip-hop album that doesn't sound like any of its temporal peers,\" respectively.The album entered at number one in the United States, while she became the first female artist to","female artist to chart 13 entries simultaneously on theBillboardHot 100, on the chart issue dated April 21.It became the moststreamedalbum by a female artist in a single week inApple Music,and the largest on-demand audio streaming week ever for an album by a woman.Cardi held the latter recorduntil 2019.The album's title reflects Cardi B's feeling that as she gained popularity her privacy was being invaded in a variety of ways.Following the album's release, during a performance onSaturday Night Live, Cardi B officially announced her pregnancy, after much media speculation.She also co-hosted an episode ofThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Several months later, in July 2018, the album's fourth single, \"I Like It\", which features vocals fromBad BunnyandJ Balvin, reached number one on theHot 100; this marked her second number one on the chart and made her the first female rapper to achieve multiple chart-toppers.It received critical acclaim,withRolling Stonenaming it \"thebest summer songof all time\" in","songof all time\" in 2020.Her collaboration withMaroon 5, \"Girls Like You\", also reached number one on the Hot 100 chart, extending her record among female rappersand also making her the sixth female artist to achieve three number-one singles on the chart during the 2010s.The song's music video has received more than 3 billion views onYouTubeand was thefifth-best selling songof the year globally. With \"Girls Like You\" following \"I Like It\" at the top of theBillboardRadio Songschart, Cardi B became thefirst female rapperto replace herself at number one on the chart.The single spent seven weeks atop the Hot 100, making Cardi the female rapper with the most cumulative weeks atop the chart, with eleven weeks.It spent 33 weeks in the top 10, tying bothEd Sheeran's \"Shape of You\" andPost MaloneandSwae Lee's \"Sunflower\" for the longest top 10 run in the chart's archives at the time.In October 2018,Invasion of Privacywas certifieddouble platinumby the RIAA, and the following year it was updated to triple platinum.","to triple platinum. With the thirteen tracks, she became the first female artist to have all songs from an album certified gold or higher in the US. Cardi B received the most nominations for the2018 MTV Video Music Awardswith 12 mentions—including forVideo of the Year, winning three awards.She tied withDrakefor the most nominations at the2018 American Music Awards. She won three AMAs and performed at the ceremony.Her single \"Money\" earned her a fourth Video Music Award, with visuals that feature Cardi playing characters in different locations, including in an art museum, a bank and a strip club.Her collaboration withDJ Snake\"Taki Taki\" topped the charts in a number of Hispanic countries, made Cardi B the first female rapper to top the SpotifyGlobal 50chart,and has garnered more than 2 billion views. Both singles were certified multiple-platinum by the RIAA.People en Españolnamed her Star of the Year,andEntertainment Weeklydeemed her \"a pop culture phenomenon\", as she was named one of \"2018 Entertainers of","Entertainers of the Year\". On November 30, 2018, Cardi B was honored atEbony's annual Power 100 Gala.Cardi ranked fifth on the 2018BillboardYear-EndTop Artists chart, whileInvasion of Privacyranked sixth. She achieved the most-streamed album of the year by a female artist globally inApple Music,and ranked as the most streamed female artist of the year in the United States inSpotify.Editorial staff from Apple Music andBillboardnamed \"I Like It\" the best song of 2018,whileTimemagazineandRolling StonenamedInvasion of Privacythe best album of the year.Also in 2018,Timeincluded her on theirannual listof the 100 most influential people in the world.In its decade-end review article,NMEstated that the era secured \"her crown as the newQueen of Rap.\" 2019–2020:Hustlers,Rhythm + Flowand \"WAP\" Cardi B received five nominations at the61st Grammy Awards, including forAlbum of the Year,Best Rap AlbumandRecord of the Year(\"I Like It\").She became the third female rapper to be nominated for Album of the Year, followingLauryn","followingLauryn Hill(1999) andMissy Elliott(2004).On February 10, 2019, she then performed at the award ceremony, where she wore three vintageThierry Muglercouture looks during the telecast and became the first female rapper to winBest Rap Albumas a solo artist. Cardi B led the2019 Billboard Music Awardsnominations, with 21, earning the most nominations in a single year by a female artist and the third most nominations in a year (behind Drake and The Chainsmokers, who both had 22 in a year).She ended up winning six awards, including forTop Hot 100 Song, bringing her career total wins to seven—the most of any female rapper in history.An article byOmaha World-Heraldcalled her \"the biggest rapper in the world.\" On February 15, 2019, Cardi B released \"Please Me\", a collaboration with Bruno Mars, which became her seventh top-ten song on the Hot 100, reaching number three.The song marked Cardi and Bruno's second collaboration, following \"Finesse\" in 2018. The official music video was released two weeks later.On","two weeks later.On March 1, Cardi set a new attendance record at theHouston Livestock Show and Rodeo, with 75,580 fans in the audience.With \"Backin' It Up\", \"Twerk\" and \"Money\", Cardi became the first female artist to occupy the top three on theBillboardMainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart. Her following single titled \"Press\" was released on May 31, 2019.Theparental-advisorylabeled music video marked her directorial debut—being credited as co-director, and was released on June 26, 2019.It had its debut performance at the2019 BET Awards, where she received the most nominations with seven, and wonAlbum of the Year.During the summer of 2019, she embarked on an arena tour.In September, she led theBET Hip Hop Awardsnominations with ten. Cardi B made her film debut inHustlersdirected byLorene Scafaria, oppositeJennifer Lopez,Constance Wu, andLili Reinhart.The film was released on September 13, 2019.Cardi B, along withChance the RapperandT.I., were confirmed as judges for theNetflixseriesRhythm + Flow, a ten-part","+ Flow, a ten-part hip-hop talent search that premiered on October 9, 2019, which she alsoexecutive produced. In December 2019, Cardi B embarked on her first tour of Africa, performing in Nigeria and Ghana.Her collaboration \"Clout\" was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Rap Performance.She was the most streamed female rapper of 2019 in the US, according to Spotify.Consequence of Sounddeemed her \"one of the most formidable hip-hop artists of the decade.\"In March 2020, Cardi B created a reaction video about thecoronavirus pandemic. DJ iMarkkeyz, a Brooklyn DJ known for turning memes and online moments into full-length songs, created a track, based on her reaction titled \"Coronavirus\", which became aninternet memeand was released to music platforms.Netflix announced the return ofRhythm + Flowfor 2021. Cardi B released the single \"WAP\" featuring American rapperMegan Thee Stallionon August 7, 2020, as the lead single off her forthcoming second studio album.The song received critical acclaim and was praised for","and was praised for itssex positivemessages.TheColin Tilley-directed music video accompanied the song itself, and broke the record for the biggest 24-hour debut for an all-female collaboration on YouTube.She became the only female rap artist to top the Global Spotify chart multiple times.\"WAP\" debuted at number-one on theBillboardHot 100chart, garnering Cardi B her fourth chart-topper in the US, extending her record as the female rapper with the most number-one singles, and also making her the first female rapper to achieve Hot 100 number one singles in two different decades (2010s and 2020s). With 93 million streaming units, it became the largest first-week streams for a song, breaking the all-time record held byAriana Grande's \"7 Rings\".It has spent four weeks atop the Hot 100. The single has also spent multiple weeks at number one in seven other countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom. Neil Shah ofThe Wall Street Journaldeemed it \"a big moment for female rappers\" and \"a historic sign that","historic sign that women artists are making their mark on hip-hop like never before\".\"WAP\" became the first number one single on the inauguralBillboardGlobal 200chart. It became critics' best song of the year according to a compilation of rankings made by theBBC,with publications such asPitchforkandRolling Stoneplacing it at number one. Cardi B won theBillboardMusic Award for Top Rap Female Artistfor the third time at the2020 ceremony.In December 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be namedWoman of the Yearat theBillboardWomen in MusicAwards.With her win for \"WAP\" at theAmerican Music Awards, she became the first artist to win theAmerican Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Songmultiple times, following her win for \"Bodak Yellow\" in 2018. 2021–present: Upcoming second studio album On February 5, 2021, Cardi B released \"Up\", the second single from her upcoming studio album. A music video for the single was released alongside it. The song was praised byNMEmagazine for its lyricism and fresh","lyricism and fresh approach as a successor to \"WAP\".\"Up\" debuted at number two on the USBillboardHot 100chart, marking the highest debut for a solo female rap song sinceLauryn Hill's \"Doo Wop (That Thing)\" in 1998.The song debuted at number one on theRolling StoneTop 100, becoming both Cardi B's second number-one single and second number-one debut, as well as the first time a female rapper debuts atop the chart with a solo song.Cardi B became the first female artist and first lead artist with consecutive number-one debuts on the USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, and second overall performer followingDrakein 2016.\"Up\" reached number one on theBillboardHot 100 after herGrammy Awardsperformance, making her the only female rapper to reach number one multiple times with solo songs, following \"Bodak Yellow\", and extended her record as the female rapper with the most number-one songs on the Hot 100 as her fifth chart-topper.Cardi B received a second nomination for theBrit Award for International Female Solo Artist.","Female Solo Artist. Cardi B made a last-minute appearance in \"Big Paper\", from DJ Khaled's albumKhaled Khaledreleased on April 30, 2021.Cardi received two nominations for theBET Award for Video of the Year, for the videos \"Up\" and \"WAP\", winning for the latter and becoming the first female rapper to win Video of the Year as a lead artist. This became the 10th time that an artist has had two nominated videos in this category as a lead artist, and the second time for her, following her nominations for \"Money\" and \"Please Me\" in 2019. She announced her second pregnancy during the performance of her Migos collaboration \"Type Shit\" at the2021 ceremony.She also appeared inF9, which was released on June 25, 2021, byUniversal Pictures.On July 16, 2021, Cardi B was featured on theNormanisingle \"Wild Side\".Cardi collaborated withLizzoon \"Rumors\", which debuted at number four on theBillboardHot 100, becoming Cardi B's tenth top 10 single on the chart, and her seventh number-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Cardi","Songs chart. Cardi B received six nominations at the2021 MTV Video Music Awards, including her second nomination for Video of the Year.She also led the nominations for the2021 BET Hip Hop Awardsalong with Megan Thee Stallion, with nine each;both rappers won the most awards during the ceremony with three for \"WAP\", with Cardi becoming the first female artist to win Best Hip Hop Video twice (2019 and 2021). On October 28, 2021, Cardi B previewed her second album to Atlantic Records via her Instagram Story. She captioned \"The money people liking the album sounds\".On November 2, Cardi B was announced as the host of the2021 American Music Awards(AMAs). The award show was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on November 21,and marked the most social telecast of the year per interactions across social media.During the ceremony, \"Up\" won the award forFavorite Hip Hop Song, making Cardi B the first artist to win the category three times.Cardi B featured onSummer Walker's 2021 albumStill Over Iton the opening","Iton the opening track \"Bitter\".Warner Records released the soundtrack forHalle Berry's directorial debut filmBruisedon November 19. Selected by executive producers Berry and Cardi B, the Netflix film's soundtrack features six original songs by female artists, including Cardi,H.E.R., City Girls,Flo Milli,Saweetie, andLatto, and seven additional female rap songs inspired by the film. In March 2022, Cardi B appeared on the extended version of Summer Walker andSZA's collaboration, \"No Love\".The following month, she featured on rapper Kay Flock's song, \"Shake It\"; it samplesAkon's 2005 song \"Belly Dancer (Bananza)\".Also in April, Cardi guest-voiced as Sharki B, her \"aquatic alter ego\", on \"The Seaweed Sway\" episode of theNickelodeonanimated seriesBaby Shark's Big Show!—and performed a song of the same name.She appeared alongside Offset and her daughter.On July 1, 2022, Cardi B released \"Hot Shit\", featuring rappersKanye WestandLil Durk, as the third single from her upcoming second studio album.The song was first","song was first announced during aBET Awards 2022commercial break.On July 8 and 9, she headlined the 2022Wireless Festivalin London andBirmingham.Cardi B worked with cousin and fellow rapperGloRillaon the remix to her song \"Tomorrow\", titled \"Tomorrow 2\", which was released in September 2022.The remix peaked at number nine on theBillboardHot 100, becoming Cardi's eleventh top-ten single.HipHopDXlisted it as the \"Best Hip-Hop Collaboration\" of 2022 while it was also the highest-listed song by a female rapper onBillboard's 100 Best Songs of 2022 list.On October 1, Cardi B made a surprise appearance at theInglewoodshow of Puerto Rican rapperBad Bunny's concert tour, theWorld's Hottest Tour.In November, she signed with entertainment executiveIrving Azoff's Full Stop Management.In December 2022, she gave a 35-minute private performance at theMiami Art Baselfor which she was paid $1 million.Later that month, a remix of Spanish artistRosalía's song \"Despechá\" featuring Cardi, was released. Cardi B appeared as a","B appeared as a surprise performer at the New York City shows of SZA and GloRilla's tours: theSOS Tourand Anyways, Life's Great Tour, in early 2023.In April, she served as one of three headliners of the inauguralRolling Loud Thailandfestival inPattaya, along withTravis ScottandChris Brown.In June, she featured on \"Put It on da Floor Again\", the remix to rapper Latto's \"Put It on da Floor\".It peaked at number 13 on the Hot 100, becoming Cardi's 20th top-twenty single.On June 4, Cardi B headlined the 2023Summer Jamfestival inElmont, New York.ln July, she featured on \"Point Me 2\", the remix to drill rapper FendiDa Rappa's single \"Point Me to the Slut's\".Later that month, she collaborated with Offset on two tracks of his second solo album,Set It Off(2023): \"Freaky\" and \"Jealousy\".The latter was released as the lead single of the record; it samplesThree 6 Mafia's \"Jealous Ass Bitches\".Cardi released \"Bongos\" featuring Megan Thee Stallion on September 8, 2023, as the fourth single of her upcoming second studio","second studio album. The song marks the pair's second collaboration after \"WAP\" (2020).The music video, directed byTanu Muino,cost over $2 million.\"Bongos\" reached number 14 in the US.Cardi led the2023 BET Hip Hop Awardsnominations with21 Savage, with twelve each.She reprised her voice role as Sharki B for the children's animated film,Baby Shark's Big Movie!, in which ch she appeared alongside Offset and their two children. It premiered in December onParamount+and Nickelodeon.Cardi B co-headlinedTikTok's inaugural In the Mix festival on December 10 inMesa, Arizona,which was released as a concert special on Disney+ and Hulu on December 15.She performed at theFontainebleau Miami Beach, accompanied by DJGryffin, on December 31, 2023, which aired live for the 2024 edition ofDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. She released the promotional single \"Like What (Freestyle)\" on March 1, 2024, with an accompanying music video directed by Offset.Her first solo song since \"Up\" (2021), it is afreestyleof rapperMissy","rapperMissy Elliot's \"She's a Bitch\" (1999).The track reached the top 40 in the US and became Cardi's 19th top-ten and 11th chart-topper onHot Rap Songsand Hot Rap Digital Songs.It was followed by \"Enough (Miami)\" on March 15,which marked her 12th top-ten on the Hot 100 and seventh number-one on the Digital Songs chart.A remix ofFlo Milli's \"Never Lose Me\" was released on the same day, featuring SZA and Cardi B.On March 11, Cardi joinedMadonnaonstage for a guest appearance at the Inglewood show of herCelebration Tour.She appeared on \"Puntería\" withShakira, the opening track and eighth single of the latter's twelfth albumLas Mujeres Ya No Lloran, released on March 22, 2024.\"Puntería\" reached number one on theLatin Airplaychart and topped theLatin Pop Airplaychart for nine weeks.On May 21, Cardi B appeared as a surprise performer at theMadison Square Gardenshow of Megan Thee Stallion'sHot Girl Summer Tour.She featured on the remix of Thee Stallion and GloRilla's \"Wanna Be\", released on May 31.In June, Cardi","31.In June, Cardi featured on \"Put Em in the Fridge\" fromPeso Pluma's fourth albumÉxodo.She co-headlined theBET Experiencefestival at theCrypto.com Arenaon June 28.Her collaboration withRob49, titled \"On Dat Money\", was released on July 19. In August, Cardi confirmed that her second studio album would be released in late 2024, stating that it was \"three-quarters of the way done\".Previously iterated for a 2023 release,she revealed that she was \"just holding it\" because she felt \" missing a couple of things\" and \"gotta make sure that everything is just planned out\".In October, Cardi will co-headline the 2024 One Musicfest inAtlanta. Artistry Influences InBillboard's \"You Should Know\" series, Cardi B said the first albums she ever purchased were by American entertainersMissy ElliottandTweet, respectively.She has credited Puerto Rican rapperIvy Queenand Jamaican dancehall artistSpiceas influences, as well asBeyoncé,Lady Gaga,Lil' Kim,Madonna,andSelena.She has mentionedChicago drill musicas an important","an important influence.When asked about the initial direction for her music, Cardi B said in an interview, \"When I first started rapping I liked certain songs fromKhiaandTrina, and they fighting songs. I haven't heard fighting songs for a very long time,\" crediting the two female rappers for her aggressive rap style. She continued, saying \"a lot of girls they cannot affordred bottoms, a lot of girls they cannot afford foreign cars but I know that every girl has beef with a girl I know that every bitch don't like some bitch, and it's like 'that's what I wanna rap about.'\" She also credits growing up in the South Bronx and real life experiences as influences for her songwriting; \"I wouldn't be able to rap about the things that I rap about now .\" Musical style Her first studio album,Invasion of Privacy, is primarily ahip hoprecord, which comprises elements oftrap,Latin music, andR&B.Consequence of Sounddescribed her flow as \"acrobatic and nimble.\"AllMusiceditor David Jeffries called Cardi B \"a raw and","Cardi B \"a raw and aggressive rapper\".Stereogumcalled her voice \"a full-bodied New Yawk nasal bleat, the sort of thing that you've heard if someone has ever told you that you stupid for taking too long at swiping yourMetroCard.\" They continued to call her voice \"an unabashedly loud and sexual fuck-you New York honk—that translates perfectly to rap.\" In a 2017Complexarticle about her, the editor wrote \"unapologetic does not begin to describe the totally unfiltered and sheer Cardi B-ness of Cardi B's personality. She's a hood chick who's not afraid to be hood no matter the setting. Cardi B is Cardi B24/7, 365, this is why she resonates with people, and that same energy comes out in her music.\"Herflowhas been described as aggressiveIn 2019,NMEdescribed her lyrics as \"sexually free\" performed with \"rapid\" flow,and other publications have further described her lyrics as outspoken,while her punchlines have been praised, by such publications asPitchforkandThe Source, as clever and quotable.She possesses aNew","possesses aNew York-Dominicanaccent. Cardi B has defended her musical content featuring sexually-charged lyrics—like most contemporary female rappers; she stated that the content \"seems like that's what people want to hear\", since she faced negative reactions after releasing her more emotional song, \"Be Careful\".She has declared, \" is the type of artist I always wanted to be: I like to rap about the streets, and I like to rap about my pussy. I don't give a fuck about it.\"She has stated that writing and performing songs about her personal life and relationships initially caused her a \"weird and uncomfortable\" feeling and shyness. Cardi B employs different vocal styles in her music; in \"WAP\" her vocal performance has been described as \"throaty\"and \"staccato\",while in \"Up\" she raps withalliteration, atongue twister-run, and \"some classically comedic Cardi\"punch lines. Other ventures Products and endorsements In February 2017, she partnered withM.A.Cand Rio Uribe's Gypsy Sport for aNew York Fashion Weekevent.Her","Weekevent.Her April appearance ini-D's \"A-Z of Music\" video was sponsored by designerMarc Jacobs,and she made the cover ofThe Fader's July/August 2017 Summer Music issue.Tom Ford's Cardi B-inspired lipstick, named after her, was released in September 2018. It sold out within 24 hours.In November, she released a clothing line collection withFashion Nova.The same month she partnered withReebok, promoting the brand's Aztrek sneaker.In partnership with Reebok, she released a footwear and apparel collection in 2020, inspired by her personal style and paying homage to \"classic 80s styling\" and motifs.She released her second collection with Reebok in 2021, titled \"Let Me Be...In My World\", comprising sneakers, tracksuits, and corsets, inspired by everyday life in New York City.The third collection with the brand, \"Mommy & Me\", was released in May 2021 in recognition ofMother's Day, which includes Cardi's iteration of Club C shoes for adults, children, and infants.The next, titled \"Let Me Be...Enchanted\" was","Be...Enchanted\" was released in two parts in June and July 2022; it was revealed to be inspired by \"a state of enchantment and euphoria\" and included crop tops, faux fur jackets, and leotards along with footwear.The fifth and final collection, \"Let Me Be...Next Level Energy\", was also released in two parts in September and December 2022, concluding her four-year partnership with Reebok.Inspired by Cardi B's \"unmatched energy\", the collection consisted of bodysuits, crop tops, footwear, leggings, and woven jackets—of a color palette based oncrystals. Cardi B teamed up withPepsifor three television commercials, which aired during theSuper Bowl LIII, the61st Annual Grammy Awards, and Christmas.In early 2019, Cardi also joined other hip hop artists (including her husbandOffset, as part ofMigos) in releasing her flavors of snack food Rap Snacks: two flavors of chips, and two of popcorn. The bags' artwork was designed by Jai Manselle and inspired by the cover ofInvasion of Privacy. In December 2021, Cardi B","2021, Cardi B partnered withPLBY Group Inc.ascreative directorin residence forPlayboyand founding member of Centerfold, a creator-driven website in the works. The partnership also includes fashion and sexual wellness products. In February 2023, Cardi B and Offset partnered withMcDonald'sto create the Cardi B and Offset meal, which was launched onValentine's Day.The meal was first announced in the2023McDonald'sSuper Bowl commercialwhich the couple appeared in.In October, she fronted the campaign forSkims' Cotton Collection.The campaign generated over $4 million in media impact value (MIV).In December 2023, she made her runway debut at the Balenciaga fall 2024 show in Los Angeles. In February 2024, Cardi B starred inNYX Cosmetics' inaugural Super Bowl commercial forSuper Bowl LVIII, titled \"Lips Only\".An edited version of the advert—centered around the company's Duck Plump lip gloss—was broadcast during the commercial break, due toribald themesof humor.In May 2024, she appeared alongside sprinterSha'Carri","sprinterSha'Carri Richardsonin a commercial for the2024 Summer Olympics.In July, Cardi fronted theMarc Jacobsfall 2024 campaign. Whipshots In collaboration with Starco Brands, Cardi B launched avodka-infused,veganwhipped cream, called Whipshots, in the US in December 2021.It has sold over five million cans as of March 2024. Cardi Tries She premiered the seriesCardi TriesviaFacebook Messengerin December 2020, with herself as one of the executive producers.The web series ran for three seasons until April 2023. Philanthropy In 2022, Cardi B donated $100,000 to the elementary school she attended, I.S. 232 inThe Bronx. Public image Political statements Cardi B identifies as afeminist.The rapper has been called \"unabashedly, directly political\"and often uses social media to advocate for causes she believes in, such asgun control.During the2016 presidential primaries, she warned her fans ofDonald Trump's immigration policies and encouraged them to vote for SenatorBernie Sanders.At theGrammy Awardsin 2018, she","Awardsin 2018, she appeared in a video along withHillary Clintonto narrate a portion ofFire and Fury,Michael Wolff's insider's account of Trump's administration, and stated \"Why am I even reading this shit? I can't believe this. I can't believe—this is how he really lives his life?\" Early in 2018 she used her social media to demand transparency ontax policy, asking for detailed information on how her taxpayer dollars are being spent in New York state and criticizing the maintenance of its streets, prisons, andpublic transportation.Cardi B endorsed Sanders once again in hissecond bidfor the presidency in the2020 United States presidential election, while praising U.S. RepresentativeTim Ryan.She stated that one of the reasons for her endorsement is Sanders' long-time involvement in supporting underprivileged minorities and \"people gettingMedicarebecause he knows they can't afford it,\"whilePoliticoargued that she \"might be one of Bernie's most powerful 2020 allies.\" She has used her social pages to raise","pages to raise awareness for victims ofpolice brutality, and has encouraged people to vote for mayors, judges anddistrict attorneysin local elections.In a conversation with Democratic candidateJoe BidenforElle, they discussed Medicare,free college tuition, and racial equality.According to a study published byThe Hollywood Reporter, Cardi B ranked as the fifth most influential celebrity, and fourth amongGeneration Z, for the 2020 presidential election. In November 2023, Cardi B stated that she no longer supports Joe Biden for president,saying that she would \"not endorsing no fucking president's no more\" as a result of Biden's \"spending on wars\". She has praised PresidentFranklin D. Rooseveltfor advocating for theSocial Securityprogram and theNew Dealproject.She said of Roosevelt, \"he helped us get over theDepression, all while he was in a wheelchair. Like, this man was suffering frompolioat the time of his presidency, and yet all he was worried about was trying to make America great—make America great again","America great again for real. He's the real 'Make America Great Again,' because if it wasn't for him, old people wouldn't even get Social Security.\"Sanders has praised her for her \"leading role\" in calling attention to Social Security. Fashion Cardi has a noted affinity forChristian Louboutinheels, a running theme in her song \"Bodak Yellow\".She has also mentioned her affinity for cheap,fast fashionbrands stating \"I don't care if it cost $20 or $15. If it looks good on me, it looks good on me\".During an interview in early 2017, Cardi B spoke on being rejected by some fashion designers.Cardi wore vintageThierry Muglerto the2019 Grammy Awards, with ani-Darticle stating that the fashion house's \"resurgence onto the fashion scene can almost single-handedly be attributed\" to theSwarovski crystal-embroidered crinoline sheath gown she wore at the ceremony. Mugler's collaboration with Cardi B marked the second time in 25 years that the Paris house opened its archives to dress a celebrity, the first beingBeyoncéfor","beingBeyoncéfor her 2009 concert tour.Wmagazine credited the \"WAP\" music video for popularizing the Mugler bodysuit in the mainstream.Cardi has acknowledged Mugler as one of the first designers to \"take a major chance on \" for their fashion collaborations. Vogue,The Telegraph,Time, andVibehave referred to her as afashion icon.An article fromVoguenoted she \"is famous for her statement getups—whether she's rocking archival Mugler on the red carpet, or dripping in Chanel while sitting courtside at a basketball game.\"Her over-the-top manicures, designed bynail artistJenny Buiand studded withSwarovski crystals, has become a part of her signature look.EditorChristian Allairefrom the magazine in 2021 commented that her signature \"bold\" ensembles \"create a spectacle\" duringfashion weeks. In 2018, she became the first female rapper in the US to appear on the cover ofVoguemagazine. Photographed byAnnie Leibovitz, the cover, one of four for the January 2019 issue that includedStella McCartney,features her in a red and","her in a red and whiteMichael Korsdress and matching redJimmy Chooshoes, while holding her daughter, Kulture. In 2019, theCouncil of Fashion Designers of Americaincluded her on their list of \"28 Black Fashion Forces\".Vogueeditor-in-chiefAnna Wintourcommended her fashion sense, declaring that she \"completely rethought opinion of Cardi B's style\" after the 2019Met Gala, where the rapper wore aThom Browne-designed burgundy gown that extends outward in concentric circles for about ten feet and was inspired by thefemale form. Cardi B became the face ofBalenciaga's ad campaign for the winter 2020 season. The campaign includes billboards in several international locations, such as theLouvremuseum.Vogue's Brooke Bobb commented, \"This is Cardi's first campaign for a luxury fashion house, though she's definitely no stranger to the Parisian style scene\", citing her floral printedRichard Quinnensemble \"that literally covered her from head to toe\" and her being \"a front row fixture\" athigh fashionshows, adding, \"She and","adding, \"She and her stylist Kollin Carter have been wildly successful in carving out a much-needed space for Cardi within the fashion industry, and they've cultivated a personal style that is all her own while being inspiring to all\". In 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be awarded by theFN Achievement Awardswhen she won the Style Influencer of the Year award, which was presented to her byChristian Louboutin. In a press release for the awards show, she was called an \"influence just about everything in pop culture—from music, fashion and style to social media, politics and even public service\".In 2022,Rolling Stoneranked her as the second most-stylish woman in music, behindLady Gaga,andGQconsidered her \"one of fashion's preeminent risk-takers.\" Impact Cardi B has been referred to as the \"Reigning Queen of Hip Hop\" by multiple publications, includingBillboard,The Hollywood Reporter,Entertainment Weekly,Omaha World-Herald,Black Enterprise,Newsweek, andThe A.V. Club,and as the \"Queen of Rap\"","the \"Queen of Rap\" byNME,Essence,Harper's Bazaar Malaysia,The Jakarta Post,Uproxx,iHeartRadio,Geo TV,Vanity Fair,Joe,Boston Herald,Refinery 29,France 24, and Nigerian mediaThe Guardian,BBC News, andDaily Trust. Spinstaff credited her for opening \"the table to a new generation of pop artists remaking American music in their own image and accents,\" as Cardi B \"recognized thatPOCartists no longer need to pander or soften themselves in order to become household names.\"Billboardeditors stated that with \"Bodak Yellow\"'s commercial success, \"she left an indelible mark on the summer of 2017, not only because she rewrote history, but she gave hope to the have nots...\".Several publications have credited \"I Like It\", the firstLatin trapsong to reach number one on theHot 100, for introducing the \"musical movement\" to a mainstream, massive audience.Billboard'sCarl Lamarre considered \"WAP\"'s achievements \"a clever Trojan horse for the myriad ways Cardi influences the culture with every move she makes.\" The Wall Street","The Wall Street Journal's Neil Shah stated in 2020 that her breakthrough and success influenced \"today's female-rap renaissance,\" whileGeniusstaff credited her for \"helping jumpstart a new wave of female hip-hop signings and promotion at labels,\"andNPR Musiccommented that the \"renaissance\" of the dynamism of women in rap grew \"in enthusiasm and breadth\" since Cardi's \"first historic run\" in 2017.Similarly,Clover Hope's bookThe Motherlode(2021) stated thatInvasion of Privacy\"jump-started a new era for women rappers in which success felt much more tangible\" as Cardi B \"multiplied the wealth of talent and resurrected the idea that numerous women who controlled their own stories could dominate rap at once.\" The New Yorkerhas credited her for \"changing a genre that has rarely allowed for more than one female superstar at a time.\"Uproxxnoted Cardi B for promoting up-and-coming female rappers; \" choosing to use her position at the height of stardom to open doors for other women to flourish in hip-hop at a greater","at a greater level than any since theGolden Eraand 'Ladies First',\" considering it \"something of a departure from tradition; for the decade previous to Cardi's precipitous come-up, it seemed hip-hop had an unspoken,Highlander-esque rule in place regarding women.\"Varietydeemed her a \"hip-hop icon\",andThe Independentcalled her \"the people's pop culture icon\", writing that she \"has become one of the most recognisable cultural figures of the past 10 years\". NPRdefined \"Cardi B effect\" as \"abranding powerrooted in specific authenticity, created and permeated by rapper Cardi B\" and noticed that with her breakthrough, \"brands finally started to become hip to effect, noticing the cultural markers outside of the rap world that were proving it wasn't limited to clubs, concerts and radio.\"Business magazineInc.stated that her success \"shows how social media changed everything we knew abouttraditional marketingand media\", which no longer relies on a \"well-thought marketing scheme or millions of dollars in","of dollars in advertising.\"In 2019, a life-sized sculpture of her was on display at theBrooklyn Museum, as part ofSpotify's RapCaviar \"Pantheon\". Bloombergreported that her data bill helped to boost Ghana's GDP growth in 2019, after it was part of a concert tour.She inspired the creation of the sitcomPartners in Rhyme, executively produced byMC Lyteabout a young woman in high school who \"aspires to be the next Cardi B.\"P-Valleycreator and executive producerKatori Hallcited her an inspiration for the TV series, and credited her for \"helping prepare the public\" for its storyline. Several artists have cited Cardi B's work as an inspiration, includingRosalía,Olivia Rodrigo,Jazmine Sullivan,Selena Gomez,Blackpink,Spice,Greta Gerwig,Nathy Peluso,Rubi Rose,María Becerra,andAbigail Asante.Cardi B has been credited for supporting and uniting female rappers in the industry,with a writer fromUproxxconsidering her co-sign \"the newDrakeeffect\" for women in hip hop. Achievements Cardi B is the recipient of numerous","of numerous accolades, including aGrammy Award, eightBillboardMusic Awards(including three consecutiveTop Rap Female Artistwins), sixGuinness World Records,sixAmerican Music Awards, fourMTV Video Music Awards, sixBET Awards(includingAlbum of the Year), and fourteenBET Hip Hop Awards.Invasion of Privacy—which made her the first female rapper to win theGrammy Award for Best Rap Albumas a solo artist—became the first female rap albumin fifteen yearsto be nominated for aGrammy Award for Album of the Year. Timeincluded her on theirannual listof the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018.She received theASCAPaward forSongwriter of the Yearin 2019, becoming the first female rapper to win the award.She received the honor for the second time in 2020, making her the first female songwriter to win the award twice.In 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be namedWoman of the Yearat theBillboardWomen in MusicAwards. Cardi B is the female rapper with the mostBillboardHot 100number one singles (5)and","one singles (5)and the one with the most total weeks on the top position (16).\"I Like It\" became the first song led by a female rapper to surpassa billion streamsonSpotify, making her the first woman in hip hop with multiple billion-streamers on the service, and the female rapper with the second-most, with a total of four so far.With the singles \"Taki Taki\" and \"WAP\" she became the only female rapper to top the global Spotify chart multiple times.Since August 2020, \"WAP\" holds the record of the biggest first-week streams for a song in the United States.Invasion of Privacywas the top female rap album of the 2010s, according to theBillboard200decade-end chart.It became the longest-charting album by a female rapper on theBillboard200,and the most-streamed female rap album on Spotify. Cardi is the female rapper with the mostDiamond-certifiedsongs by theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) (3): \"Bodak Yellow\", which made her the first female rapper to have a song certified Diamond; \"Girls Like You\",","\"Girls Like You\", which made her the only female rapper to achieve multiple Diamond-certified songs; and \"I Like It\", a tie for the second-most among women artists.Cardi B has topped twicePitchfork'sannual list of best songs of the year(2017 and 2020).Billboardstaff andRolling Stoneranked her debut album number 13 and 34 on their critics' lists of the best albums of the 2010s respectively, both the highest rank for a female rapper for the decade.Cardi B has become the highest-certified female rapper of all time on theRIAA's Top Artists (Digital Singles)ranking, with 58 million certified units, also being among the highest-certified female artists overall.In October 2022, five years after her major-label debut, she reached 100 million units sold in RIAA certifications, across her album, singles and guest appearances. In the US, Cardi has achieved three times the best-performing song of the year by a female artist—the first act to do so this century—in 2017, 2018, and 2020.As of 2021, \"I Like It\" is the","\"I Like It\" is the most-streamed song by a female rapper in the United Kingdom.In August 2021, \"Bodak Yellow\" made Cardi B the first female rapper to have two videos on herYouTubechannel with more than 1 billion views, joining \"I Like It\", and became the fastest solo female rap song to reach that mark on the platform.She has the most-viewed music videos on YouTube, both as a solo act and feature, among female rappers (\"Bodak Yellow\"; \"Girls Like You\"). As of September 2024, she has one music video with over 3 billion views (\"Girls Like You\"); one video with over 2 billion views (\"Taki Taki\"); and three videos with over a billion views (\"I Like It\", \"Bodak Yellow\", \"Girls Like You (Volume 2)\") on YouTube. Cardi is the only female rapper ranked onBillboard's Greatest Hot 100 Hits of All Time, with \"Girls Like You\" at number 30. Personal life Cardi B defined herself as a practicingCatholic.In 2016, Cardi B said that, while working as a stripper during her younger years, she used to drug and rob men to get","and rob men to get money.Following controversies on the matter, sparked in 2019, she defended herself by saying that she took money from them because they \"wasted her time by falling asleep\", and then \"kept coming back.\"In 2024, she spoke on the matter again, saying she \"doesn't feel bad\" about drugging and robbing men and would do it again. She identifies asbisexual.In connection with theMe Too movement, she has discussed being sexually assaulted in the past while working as a stripper. In a 2018 interview, Cardi B talked about beingAfro-LatinaandAfro-Caribbean: We are Caribbean people. Some people want to decide if you're black or not, depending on your skin complexion, because they don't understand Caribbean people or our culture. I don't got to tell you that I'm black. I expect you to know about it. When my father taught me about Caribbean countries, he told me that Europeans took over our lands. That's why we all speak different languages. Just like everybody else, we came over here the same way. I","the same way. I hate when people try to take my roots from me. Because we know that there's African roots inside of us. Relationships In early 2017, Cardi B began dating fellow rapperOffset.They became engaged on October 27, 2017.On April 7, 2018, during her second performance onSaturday Night Live, Cardi B revealed her pregnancy; she was about six months (24 weeks) pregnant at the time.On June 25, 2018,TMZfound a marriage license revealing Cardi B and Offset had actually secretly married in September 2017, one month before the public proposal. She later confirmed this in a social media post. Cardi B gave birth to her daughter on July 10, 2018.In December 2018, she announced onInstagramthat she and Offset had separated, though the pair later reunited.In February 2019, the couple made a public appearance for the Grammys.He accompanied her onstage during her acceptance speech forBest Rap Album. In September 2020, it was reported that Cardi B had filed for divorce from Offset,but the following month it was","month it was revealed they were back together.In June 2021, Cardi B revealed she was pregnant with her second child, a boy.She gave birth to her son on September 4, 2021.On the fifth anniversary of her marriage, Cardi B announced she was planning her official wedding.In December 2023, Cardi shared via Instagram that she had been \"single for a minute,\" confirming that she and Offset were no longer together.However, as of March 2024, the current status of their marriage became unclear as they were still working together, with Offset having directed a music video for Cardi B.In July 2024, Cardi officially filed for divorce from Offset. She announced her third pregnancy the day after.She gave birth to her third child, on September 7, 2024. Legal issues On October 1, 2018, Cardi B was accused of an alleged assault of two female bartenders.The victims claimed that Cardi B and her entourage \"threw bottles and alcohol at them.\"She denied involvement.She was charged with twomisdemeanors: assault and reckless","and reckless endangerment.Cardi B appeared in court for her arraignment on December 7, 2018, after she did not show up for the originally scheduled date due to a scheduling conflict, according to her attorney.On June 21, 2019, a jury indicted Cardi B on 14 charges, including two counts of felony assault with intent to cause serious physical injury, stemming from the incident.She was arraigned on June 25, 2019, and pleaded not guilty on all charges.On September 15, 2022, she pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and second-degree reckless endangerment, resulting in a sentence of 15 days of community service. On January 24, 2022, Cardi won a million-dollar defamation verdict against YouTuber Latasha Kebe (Tasha K) for waging a \"malicious campaign\" to hurt her reputation by posting false rumors. She stated that the lies had led her to contemplate suicide in 2019.The jury issued a verdict that Cardi B had been defamed and awarded $1.25 million in damages.Further proceedings brought the total fine against Kebe","fine against Kebe to $3.82 million. On March 25, 2022, Cardi, her sister Hennessy, and Hennessy's girlfriend won a defamation lawsuit filed against them by three men over an incident at a Suffolk County beach. In July 2023, Cardi B threw her microphone into the crowd at aLas Vegasconcert of hers after a fan threw a liquid at her. Subsequently, one fan attempted to press charges but theClark CountyPolice Department following an investigation decided not to move forward with a case. Controversies Cardi B sparked controversy after throwing one of her high heel shoes at and attempting to physically attack fellow rapperNicki Minajat aNew York Fashion Weekafter-party in September 2018; bodyguards intervened before she could reach Minaj, leaving her a large bump on her forehead.Following the altercation, she alleged on Instagram that Minaj had previously \"liked\" social media comments that spoke negatively of Cardi B's ability to take care of her newborn daughter.Minaj denied the allegations on her Queen Radio show","Queen Radio show and expressed embarrassment at the fight.She accused Cardi B of building \"her career off of sympathy and payola\" and of bribing DJs and radio outlets with sex to play her records. Minaj also criticized Cardi B's rapping ability, saying, \"Do you know what it's like to sit in your room for hours writing raps? You came into my fucking culture. I never had to fuck a DJ to play my songs.\"Minaj also called Cardi B a \"disgusting pig\" for allegedlycyberbullyinga guest caller on Minaj's show and unearthed posts calling dark-skinned black women \"cockroaches\", which she had defended earlier by saying that it is a derogatory term inthe Bronxused for anyone being disrespectful.Cardi B was on the cover of the 2019 spring fashion issue ofHarper's Bazaar, which featured her in aCinderella-themed photo shoot wearing a red gown and leaving a shoe behind. Some interpreted this as a reference to the incident. After the release of \"Girls\" in May 2018, a collaboration where she had a featured verse, Cardi B","verse, Cardi B responded to accusations of the song trivializingLGBTrelationships; she tweeted, \"We never try to cause harm or had bad intentions with the song.\" She went on to add, \"I personally myself had experiences with other women.\" Discography Filmography Commercials See also Notes References Further reading External links","Tupac Shakur Tupac Amaru Shakur(/ˈtuːpɑːkʃəˈkʊər/ⓘ; bornLesane Parish Crooks; June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known by his stage names2PacandMakaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Considered to be one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time,academics regard him as one of the most influential music artists of the 20th century and a prominent political activist forBlack America.In addition to his music career, Shakur also wrote poetry and had numerous starring roles in movies. Shakur is among thebest-selling music artists, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide.His lyrical content has been noted for addressing social injustice, political issues, and the marginalization of otherAfrican-Americans,but he was also synonymous withgangsta rapand violent lyrics. Shakur was born inNew York Cityto parents who were both political activists andBlack Panther Partymembers. Raised by his mother,Afeni Shakur, he relocated toBaltimorein 1984 and to theSan Francisco Bay Areain 1988.","Bay Areain 1988. With the release of his debut album2Pacalypse Nowin 1991, he became a central figure inWest Coast hip hopfor hisconscious rapandpolitical raplyrics.Shakur achieved further critical and commercialmulti-platinumsuccess with his follow-up albumsStrictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...(1993) andMe Against the World(1995).HisDiamondcertified albumAll Eyez on Me(1996), the first double-length album in hip-hop history, abandoned his introspective lyrics for volatile gangsta rap.In addition to his music career, Shakur starred roles inJuice(1992),Poetic Justice(1993),Above the Rim(1994),Bullet(1996),Gridlock'd(1997), andGang Related(1997). Shakur's most notable songs include \"California Love,\" \"Changes,\" \"Dear Mama,\" \"Hail Mary,\" \"Keep Ya Head Up,\" \"Hit 'Em Up,\" \"Ambitionz az a Ridah,\" \"All Eyez on Me,\" \"Ghetto Gospel,\" \"Do for Love,\" \"So Many Tears,\" \"To Live & Die in L.A.,\" \"How Do U Want It,\" \"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted,\" \"Brenda's Got a Baby\" and \"I Get Around.\" Alongside his solo career, Shakur was part of","Shakur was part of the groupThug Lifeand collaborated with artists likeSnoop Dogg,Dr. Dre, and theOutlawz. During the later part of his career, Shakur was shot five times in the lobby of a New York recording studio and experienced legal troubles, includingincarceration. He served eight months in prison onsexual abusecharges, but was released pending an appeal of his conviction in 1995.Following his release, he signed toMarion \"Suge\" Knight's labelDeath Row Recordsand became heavily involved in the growingEast Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry.On September 7, 1996, Shakur wasshot four timesby an unidentified assailant in adrive-by shootinginLas Vegas; he died six days later. Following his murder, Shakur's friend-turned-rival,the Notorious B.I.G., was at first considered a suspect due to their public feud; he was also murdered inanother drive-by shootingsix months later in March 1997, while visiting Los Angeles.On September 22, 1996, a peace summit was convened atMosque MaryambyLouis Farrakhanin response to","response to hisassassination. Shakur's double-length posthumous albumGreatest Hits(1998) is one of his two releases—and one of only nine hip hop albums—to have been certified Diamond in the United States.Five more albums have been released since Shakur's death, including his critically acclaimed posthumous albumThe Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory(1996)under his stage name Makaveli, all of which have been certified multi-platinum in the United States.In 2002, Shakur was inducted into theHip-Hop Hall of Fame.In 2017, he was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein his first year of eligibility.Rolling Stoneranked Shakur among the100 Greatest Artists of All Time.In 2023, he was awarded a posthumous star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.His influence in music, activism, songwriting, and other areas of culture has been the subject of academic studies. Early life Tupac Amaru Shakur was born on June 16, 1971, inEast Harlem, Manhattan, New York City.While born Lesane Parish Crooks, at age one he was renamed Tupac","was renamed Tupac Amaru Shakur.He was named afterTúpac Amaru II, a descendant of the lastIncanruler, who was executed in Peru in 1781 after hisrevoltagainstSpanish rule.Shakur's motherAfeni Shakurexplained, \"I wanted him to have the name of revolutionary, indigenous people in the world. I wanted him to know he was part of a world culture and not just from a neighborhood.\"Tupac's surname came from Lumumba Shakur, a Sunni Muslim, whom his mother married in November 1968. Their marriage fell apart when it was discovered that Lumumba was not Tupac's biological father. Shakur had an older stepbrother,Mopreme \"Komani\" Shakur, and a half-sister, Sekyiwa Shakur, two years his junior. Panther heritage Shakur's parents, Afeni Shakur—born Alice Faye Williams in North Carolina—and his biological father, William \"Billy\" Garland, had been activeBlack Panther Partymembers in New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s.A month before Shakur's birth, his mother was tried in New York City as part of thePanther 21criminal","21criminal trial. She was acquitted of over 150 charges. Other family members who were involved in theBlack Panthers'Black Liberation Armywere convicted of serious crimes and imprisoned, including Shakur's stepfather,Mutulu Shakur, who spent four years as one of theFBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Mutulu Shakur was apprehended in 1986 and subsequently convicted for a 1981robbery of a Brinks armored truck, during which police officers and a guard were killed. Shakur'sgodfather,Elmer \"Geronimo\" Pratt, a high-ranking Black Panther, was wrongly convicted of murdering a schoolteacher during a 1968 robbery. After he spent 27 years in prison, his conviction was overturned due to the prosecution's having concealed evidence that proved his innocence. Shakur's godmother,Assata Shakur, is a former member of theBlack Liberation Armywho was convicted in 1977 of thefirst-degree murderof aNew Jersey State Trooper. Since 2013, she has been in theFBI Most Wanted Terroristslist after she escapedprisonin 1979. Education In the","Education In the 1980s, Shakur's mother found it difficult to find work and struggled with drug addiction.In 1984, his family moved from New York City toBaltimore, Maryland.Beginning in 1984 when Shakur was 13, he lived in thePen Lucyneighborhood with his mother and younger sister at 3955 Greenmount Ave.The home was a two-storyrowhousethat had been subdivided into two separate rental units; the Shakur family lived on the first floor.After his death, the block was renamed Tupac Shakur Way. While living in Baltimore, Shakur attended eighth grade at Roland Park Middle School, then ninth grade atPaul Laurence Dunbar High School.He transferred to theBaltimore School for the Artsin the tenth grade, where he studied acting, poetry,jazz, and ballet.He performed inShakespeare plays—the themes of which he identified in patterns of gang warfare—and as the Mouse King inThe Nutcrackerballet. At the Baltimore School for the Arts, Shakur befriended actressJada Pinkett, who became the subject of some of his poems (\"Jada\"","his poems (\"Jada\" and \"The Tears in Cupid's Eyes\").With his friend Dana \"Mouse\" Smith as abeatbox, he won competitions for the school's best rapper.Known for his humor, he was popular with all crowds of students.He listened to a diverse range of music that includedKate Bush,Culture Club,Sinéad O'Connor, andU2. Upon connecting with the BaltimoreYoung Communist League USA,Shakur dated Mary Baldridge, who was the daughter of the director of the local chapter of theCommunist Party USA. In 1988, Shakur moved toMarin City, California, an impoverished community in the San Francisco Bay Area.In nearbyMill Valley, he attendedTamalpais High School,where he performed in several theater productions.Shakur did not graduate from high school, but later earned hisGED. Music career MC New York Shakur began recording under the stage name MC New York in 1989.That year, he began attending the poetry classes ofLeila Steinberg, and she soon became his manager.Steinberg organized a concert for Shakur and his rap group Strictly","rap group Strictly Dope. Steinberg managed to get Shakur signed by Atron Gregory, manager of the rap groupDigital Underground.In 1990, Gregory placed him with the Underground as aroadieandbackup dancer. Digital Underground Shakur debuted under the stage name 2Pac onDigital Underground, under a new record label,Interscope Records, on the group's January 1991 single \"Same Song\". The song was featured on the soundtrack of the 1991 filmNothing but Trouble, starringDan Aykroyd,John Candy,Chevy Chase, andDemi Moore.The song opened the group's January 1991 EP titledThis Is an EP Release,while Shakur appeared in the music video. At the request of Steinberg, Digital Underground co-founder Jimi \"Chopmaster J\" Dright worked with Shakur,Ray Luvand Dize, a DJ, on their earliest studio recordings. Dright recalls that Shakur did not work well as part of a group, and added, \"this guy was on a mission. From day one. Maybe he knew he wasn't going to be around seven years later.\" From 1988 to 1991, Dright and Digital","Dright and Digital Underground produced Shakur's earliest work with his crew at the time, Strictly Dope.The recordings were rediscovered in 2000 and released asThe Lost Tapes: Circa 1989.Afeni Shakur sued to stop the sale of the recordings but the suit was settled in June 2001 and rereleased asBeginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988–1991. Shakur's early days withDigital Undergroundmade him acquainted withRandy \"Stretch\" Walker, who along with his brother, dubbed Majesty, and a friend debuted with an EP as a rap group and production team,Live Squad, inQueens, New York.Stretch was featured on a track of the Digital Underground's 1991 albumSons of the P. Becoming fast friends, Shakur and Stretch recorded and performed together often. 2Pacalypse Now Shakur's debut album,2Pacalypse Now—alluding to the 1979 filmApocalypse Now—arrived in November 1991. Some prominent rappers—likeNas,Eminem,Game, andTalib Kweli—cite it as an inspiration.Aside from \"If My Homie Calls\", the singles \"Trapped\" and \"Brenda's Got a Baby\"","Got a Baby\" poetically depict individual struggles under socioeconomic disadvantage. U.S. Vice PresidentDan Quaylesaid, \"There's no reason for a record like this to be released. It has no place in our society.\" Tupac, finding himself misunderstood,explained, in part: I just wanted to rap about things that affected young black males. When I said that, I didn't know that I was gonna tie myself down to just take all the blunts and hits for all the young black males, to be the media's kicking post for young black males. 2Pacalypse Nowwascertified Gold, half a million copies sold. The album addresses urban Black concerns said to remain relevant to the present day. Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... Shakur's second album,Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z..., was released in February 1993.A critical and commercial success, it debuted at No. 24 on the pop albums chart, theBillboard 200.An overall more hardcore album, it emphasizes Tupac's sociopolitical views, and has a metallic production quality. The song \"Last Wordz\"","song \"Last Wordz\" featuresIce Cube, co-writer ofN.W.A's\"Fuck tha Police\", who in his own solo albums had newly gone militantlypolitical, andgangsta rapperIce-T, who in June 1992 had sparked controversy with his bandBody Count's track \"Cop Killer\". In its vinyl release, side A, tracks 1 to 8, is labeled the \"Black Side\", while side B, tracks 9 to 16, is the \"Dark Side\".The album carries the single \"I Get Around\", a party anthem featuring Digital Underground'sShock GandMoney-B, which became Shakur's breakthrough, reaching No. 11 on the pop singles chart, theBillboardHot 100.And it carries the optimistic compassion of another hit, \"Keep Ya Head Up\", an anthem forwomen's empowerment.The album was certifiedPlatinum, with a million copies sold. As of 2004, among Shakur albums, including posthumous and compilation albums,Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...was 10th in sales at about 1,366,000 copies. Thug Life In late 1993, Shakur formed the groupThug Lifewith Tyrus \"Big Syke\" Himes, Diron \"Macadoshis\" Rivers, his","Rivers, his stepbrotherMopreme Shakur, and Walter \"Rated R\" Burns.Usually, Thug Life performed live without Tupac. Thug Life released its only album,Thug Life, Volume I, on October 11, 1994, which is certified Gold. It carries the single \"Pour Out a Little Liquor\", produced byJohnny \"J\" Jackson, who would also produce much of Shakur's albumAll Eyez on Me. The track also appears on theAbove the Rimsoundtrack.Due togangsta rapbeing under heavy criticism at the time, the album's original version was scrapped, and the album redone with mostly new tracks. Still, along with Stretch, Tupac would perform the first planned single, \"Out on Bail\", which was never released, at the1994 Source Awards. The Notorious B.I.G. and Junior M.A.F.I.A. In 1993, while visiting Los Angeles,the Notorious B.I.G.asked a local drug dealer to introduce him to Shakur and they quickly became friends. The pair would socialize when Shakur went to New York or B.I.G. to Los Angeles.During this period, at his own live shows, Shakur would call","Shakur would call B.I.G. onto stage to rap with him and Stretch.Together, they recorded the songs \"Runnin' from tha Police\" and \"House of Pain\". Reportedly, B.I.G. asked Shakur to manage him, whereupon Shakur advised him thatSean Combswould make him a star.Yet in the meantime, Shakur's lifestyle was comparatively lavish to B.I.G. who had not yet established himself.Shakur welcomed B.I.G. to join his side group Thug Life, but he would instead form his own side group, theJunior M.A.F.I.A., with his Brooklyn friendsLil' CeaseandLil' Kim. Shakur had a falling out with B.I.G. after he was shot at Quad Studios in 1994. Me Against the World Shakur's third album,Me Against the World,was released while he was incarcerated in March 1995.It is now hailed as hismagnum opus, and commonly ranks among the greatest, most influential rap albums.The album debuted at No. 1 on theBillboard200and sold 240,000 copies in its first week, setting a then record for highest first-week sales for a solo male rapper. The lead single,","The lead single, \"Dear Mama\", was released in February 1995 with \"Old School\" as theB-side.It is the album's most successful single, topping theHot Rap Singleschart, and peaking at No. 9 on theBillboardHot 100.In July, it was certified Platinum.It ranked No. 51 on theyear-end charts. The second single, \"So Many Tears\", was released in June 1995,reaching No. 6 on the Hot Rap Singles chart and No. 44 on Hot 100.The final single, \"Temptations\", was released in August 1995.It reached No. 68 on the Hot 100, No. 35 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, and No. 13 on the Hot Rap Singles.Several celebrities showed their support for Shakur by appearing in the music video for \"Temptations\". Shakur won best rap album at the1996 Soul Train Music Awards.In 2001, it ranked 4th among his total albums in sales, with about 3 million copies sold in the U.S. All Eyez on Me While Shakur was imprisoned in 1995, his mother was about to lose her house. Shakur had his wife Keisha Morris contactDeath Row RecordsfounderSuge","RecordsfounderSuge Knightin Los Angeles.Reportedly, Shakur's mother promptly received $15,000.After an August visit toClinton Correctional Facilityin northern New York state, Knight traveled southward to New York City to attend the2nd Annual Source Awardsceremony. Meanwhile, anEast Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalrywas brewing between Death Row andBad Boy Records.In October 1995, Knight visited Shakur in prison again and posted $1.4 million bond.Shakur returned to Los Angeles and joined Death Row with the appeal of his December 1994 conviction pending. Shakur's fourth album,All Eyez on Me, arrived on February 13, 1996.It was rap's first double album—meeting two of the three albums due in Shakur's contract with Death Row—and bore five singles.The album shows Shakurrapping about the gangsta lifestyle, leaving behind his previous political messages. With standout production, the album has more party tracks and often a triumphant tone.Music journalistKevin Powellnoted that Shakur, once released from prison, became","from prison, became more aggressive, and \"seemed like a completely transformed person\". As Shakur's second album to hit No. 1 on both theTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albumschart and the pop albums chart, theBillboard200,it sold 566,000 copies in its first week and was it wascertified5× Multi-Platinum in April.The singles \"How Do U Want It\" and \"California Love\" reached No. 1 on theBillboardHot 100.Death Row released Shakur's diss track \"Hit 'Em Up\" as the non-album B-side to \"How Do U Want It\". In this venomous tirade, the proclaimed \"Bad Boy killer\" threatens violent payback on all things Bad Boy — B.I.G., Sean Combs, Junior M.A.F.I.A., the company — and on any in the East Coast rap scene, like rap duoMobb Deepand rapperChino XL, who allegedly had commented against Shakur about the dispute. All Eyez on Mewon R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year at the1997 Soul Train Music Awards.At the1997 American Music Awards, Shakur won Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist.The album was certified 9× Multi-Platinum in June 1998,and 10× in July","10× in July 2014. Posthumous albums At the time of his death, a fifth solo album was already finished,The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, under the stage name Makaveli. It had been recorded during the summer of 1996 and released that year.The lyrics were written and recorded in three days, and mixing took another four days. In 2005, MTV.com rankedThe 7 Day Theoryat No. 9 among hip hop's greatest albums ever,and by 2006 a classic album.Its singular poignance, through hurt and rage, contemplation and vendetta, resonate with many fans. According to George \"Papa G\" Pryce, Death Row Records' then director ofpublic relations, the album was meant to be \"underground\", and was not intended for release before the artist was murdered.It peaked at No. 1 onBillboard'sTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albumschart and on theBillboard200,with the second-highest debut-week sales total of any album that year.On June 15, 1999, it was certified 4× Multi-Platinum. Later posthumous albums are archival productions, these albums are: Poetry","albums are: Poetry collection Before and during his hip-hop career, Shakur wrote dozens of poems.Some of the most notable are \"Can U C The Pride in The Panther\", \"If I fail\", \"Family Tree\", and \"The Rose that grew from the concrete\". In 1993 Tupac played a character named “Lucky” in the film titledPoetic JusticealongsideJanet Jackson. Poet and activistMaya Angelou, whom worked withMartin Luther King Jr.andMalcolm Xduring the civil rights movement, wrote the poems used in the 1993 film. In April 2022, handwritten poems written by Tupac when he was 11 years old were up for sale for $300,000 USD but only sold for $90,000.The poems were forJamal Josephand three otherBlack Panther Partymembers while they were incarcerated atLeavenworth Prison. Even at his young age, Shakur's writing dealt with themes such as black liberation, mass incarceration, race, and masculinity. The poems feature a self-portrait of Shakur sleeping, pen in hand, dreaming of the Black Panthers being freed from prison, and signed with a heart","signed with a heart and the phrase \"Tupac Shakur, Future Freedom Fighter\". In October, 2023, sexually explicit poems he wrote toJada Pinkett Smithwhile in prison went public in the book \"Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography.\"Pinkett Smith celebrated Shakur's 50th birthday by showing a unreleased poem on Instagram called \"Lost Soulz.\"According toRolling Stonewriter Andy Green: “He was also a poet and activist who became one of his era’s most revolutionary voices.\"Tupac had passion for theater and admiration ofWilliam Shakespeare. Years after Tupac's death,Nassaid \"I put Tupac beyond Shakespeare.\" Film career Shakur's first film appearance was in the 1991 filmNothing but Trouble, acameoby the Digital Underground. In 1992, he starred inJuice, in which he plays the fictional Roland Bishop, a militant and haunting individual.Rolling Stone'sPeter Traverscalls him \"the film's most magnetic figure\". In 1993, Shakur starred alongsideJanet JacksoninJohn Singleton's romance film,Poetic Justice.Singleton later fired","later fired Shakur from the 1995 filmHigher Learningbecause the studio would not finance the film following his arrest.For the lead role in the eventual 2001 filmBaby Boy, a role played byTyrese Gibson, Singleton originally had Shakur in mind.Ultimately, theset designincludes a Shakur mural in the protagonist's bedroom, and the film's score includes Shakur's song \"Hail Mary\". DirectorAllen Hugheshad cast Shakur as Sharif in the 1993 filmMenace II Societybut replaced him once Shakur assaulted him on set due to a discrepancy with the script. Nonetheless, in 2013, Hughes appraises that Shakur would have outshone the other actors \"because he was bigger than the movie\". Shakur played a gangster called Birdie in the 1994 filmAbove the Rim.By some accounts, that character had been modeled after former New York drug dealerJacques \"Haitian Jack\" Agnant,who managed and promoted rappers.Shakur was introduced to him at a Queens nightclub.Reportedly, B.I.G. advised Shakur to avoid him, but Shakur disregarded the","disregarded the warning.Through Haitian Jack, Shakur metJames \"Jimmy Henchman\" Rosemond, also a drug dealer who doubled as music manager. Soon after Shakur's death, three more films starring him were released,Bullet(1996),Gridlock'd(1997), andGang Related(1997). Posthumous rumored roles andStar Wars It was rumored that Shakur was being considered byGeorge Lucasto portrayJedi MasterMace Winduin theStar Warsprequel films (1999–2005). According to formerDeath Row Recordschief engineer Rick Clifford, George Lucas was eyeing Tupac to star in his return to the \"Star Wars\" saga. Clifford talked about how excited Tupac was for the role, \"'Pac found out that I worked for Brian Austin Green, who was on90210, then he found out I some movies, so we always talked about his film career and stuff. He was telling me that he was supposed to read for George Lucas and them. They wanted him to be a Jedi. I'm serious. Samuel L. got Tupac's part. said , 'Old man, keep your fingers crossed.' He said, 'I've got three movies","got three movies coming up. One of them, I've got to read for George Lucas.\" The Phantom Menacescript had begun being written in 1996 and the eventual film seeing release in 1999. Lucas had asked Jackson to ask Shakur to audition but due to Shakur's untimely death the role ultimately went toSamuel L. Jackson. The two had worked on the filmJuicetogether. Personal life In his 1995 interview withVibemagazine, Shakur listedJada Pinkett,Jasmine Guy,TreachandMickey Rourkeamong the people who were looking out for him while he was in prison.Shakur also mentioned thatMadonnawas a supportive friend.Madonna later revealed that they had dated in 1994. Shakur became close friends with Jada Pinkett while attending the Baltimore School for the Arts.He helped Pinkett land her first movie role in the filmMenace II Society(1993).In turn, Pinkett secured Shakur a guest starring role on the sitcomA Different Worldin 1993.She appeared in his music videos \"Keep Ya Head Up\" and \"Temptations\".She also came up with the concept for","the concept for his \"California Love\" music video and had intended to direct it, but removed herself from the project.In 1995, Pinkett contributed $100,000 towards Shakur's bail as he awaited an appeal on his sexual abuse conviction.Pinkett later revealed that she turned down hismarriage proposalwhile he was incarcerated atRikers Islandin 1995.Speaking about Pinkett, Shakur stated: \"Jada is my heart. She will be my friend for my whole life. We'll be old together. Jada can ask me to do anything and she can have it.\"Pinkett said Shakur was \"one of my best friends. He was like a brother. It was beyond friendship for us. The type of relationship we had, you only get that once in a lifetime\". After Shakur was shot in 1994, he recuperated at Jasmine Guy's home.They had met during his guest appearance on the sitcomA Different Worldin 1993.Guy appeared in his music video \"Temptations\" and later wrote his mother's 2004 biography,Afeni Shakur: Evolution of a Revolutionary. Shakur befriended Treach when they were both","when they were both roadies on Public Enemy's tour in 1990.He made a cameo inNaughty by Nature's music video \"Uptown Anthem\" in 1992.Treach collaborated on Shakur's song \"5 Deadly Venomz\" and appeared in the music video for Shakur's \"Temptations\".Treach was also a speaker at a public memorial service for Shakur in 1996. In 1993, during a police raid of Shakur's room at New York City'sParker Meridian Hotel, a videotape was confiscated which showed Shakur having sex with his then-girlfriend Desiree Smith. Officers were attempting to build their case against Shakur for the allegedsodomyof Ayanna Jackson. In 2022, Smith insisted she was neither underage nor intoxicated at the time of their tryst.In 2011, asex tapefeaturing Shakur receivingoral sexfrom a groupie while rapping and dancing along to one of his own unreleased songs, was sold to a private collector. The video, which was filmed in 1993, also features rapperMoney BfromDigital Underground. Shakur and Mickey Rourke formed a bond while filming the","while filming the movieBulletin 1994.Rourke recalled that Shakur \"was there for me during some very hard times.\" Shakur had friendships with other celebrities, includingMike TysonChuck D,Jim Carrey,andAlanis Morissette. In April 1996, Shakur said that he, Morrissette, Snoop Dogg, and Suge Knight were planning to open a restaurant together. On April 29, 1995, Shakur married his girlfriend Keisha Morris, apre-lawstudent.Their marriage was annulled ten months later. In a 1993 interview published inThe Source, Shakur criticized record producerQuincy Jonesfor hisinterracial marriageto actressPeggy Lipton.Their daughterRashida Jonesresponded with an irate open letter.Shakur later apologized to her sisterKidada Jones, whom he began dating in 1996.Shakur and Jones attendedMen's Fashion Weekin Milan and walked the runway together for aVersacefashion show.Jones was at their hotel in Las Vegas when Shakur was shot. Legal issues Sexual assault case, prison sentence, appeal and release In November 1993, Shakur and two","Shakur and two other men were charged in New York withsodomizinga woman in Shakur's hotel room. The woman, Ayanna Jackson, alleged that after she performed oral sex on Shakur at the public dance floor of a Manhattan nightclub, she went to his hotel room on a later day, when Shakur, record executiveJacques \"Haitian Jack\" Agnant, Shakur's road manager Charles Fuller and an unidentified fourth man apprehended and forced her to perform non-consensual oral sex on each of them.Shakur was also charged withillegal possession of a firearmas two guns were found in the hotel room.Interviewed onThe Arsenio Hall Show, Shakur said he was hurt that \"a woman would accuse me of taking something from her\", as he had been raised in a female household and surrounded by women his whole life. On December 1, 1994, Shakur was acquitted of three counts of sodomy and the associated gun charges, but convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual abuse for \"forcibly touching the woman's buttocks\" in his hotel room.Jurors have said the","have said the lack of evidence stymied a sodomy conviction.Shakur's lawyer characterized the sentence as \"out of line\" with the groping conviction and the setting of bail at $3 million as \"inhumane\". Shakur's accuser later filed a civil suit against Shakur seeking $10 million for punitive damages which was subsequentlysettled. After Shakur had been convicted of sexual abuse, Jacques Agnant's case was separated and closed via misdemeanor plea without incarceration.A. J. Benzareported inNew York Daily NewsShakur's new disdain for Agnant who Shakur theorized had set him up with the case.Shakur reportedly believed his accuser was connected to and had sexual relations with Agnant andJames \"Henchman\" Rosemond, who he considered to be behind the 1994 Quad Studios shooting. Shakur was unable to post the $3 million bond to keep himself free until sentencing so he surrendered himself to authorities at theBellevue Hospital Jail Wardin New York City on December 23, 1994.At the time, he was still recovering from injuries","from injuries he received on November 30, when he was shot five times and robbed at Quad Studios.In January 1995, Shakur was moved to the North Infirmary Command (NIC) onRikers Islandinthe Bronx.On February 7, 1995, he was sentenced to 18 months to4+1⁄2years in prison by a judge who decried \"an act of brutal violence against a helpless woman\". In March 1995, Shakur was transferred toClinton Correctional FacilityinDannemora.While imprisoned, he began reading again, which he had been unable to do as his career progressed due to his marijuana and alcohol habits. Works such asThe Princeby Italian philosopherNiccolò MachiavelliandThe Art of Warby Chinese military strategistSun Tzusparked Shakur's interest inphilosophy,philosophy of warandmilitary strategy.On April 29, 1995, Shakur married his girlfriend Keisha Morris; the marriage was later annulled.While in prison, Shakur exchanged letters with celebrities such asJim CarreyandTony Danzaamong others.He was also visited byAl Sharpton, who helped Shakur get","helped Shakur get released fromsolitary confinement. By October 1995, pending judicial appeal, Shakur was incarcerated in New York.On October 12, he bonded out of the maximum securityDannemoraClinton Correctional Facility in the process of appealing his conviction,onceSuge Knight, CEO of Death Row Records, arraigned for posting of his $1.4 million bond. 1993 shooting in Atlanta On October 31, 1993, Shakur was arrested in Atlanta for shooting two off-duty police officers, brothers Mark Whitwell and Scott Whitwell.The Atlanta police claimed the shooting occurred after the brothers were almost struck by a car carrying Shakur while they were crossing the street with their wives.As they argued with the driver, Shakur's car pulled up and he shot the Whitwells in the buttocks and the abdomen.However, there are conflicting accounts that the Whitwells were harassing a black motorist and uttered racial slurs.According to some witnesses, Shakur and his entourage had fired in self-defense as Mark Whitwell shot at them","shot at them first. Shakur was charged with two counts of aggravated assault.Mark Whitwell was charged with firing at Shakur's car and later with making false statements to investigators. Scott Whitwell admitted to possessing a gun he had taken from aHenry Countypolice evidence room.Prosecutors ultimately dropped all charges against both parties.Mark Whitwell resigned from the force seven months after the shooting.Both brothers filed civil suits against Shakur; Mark Whitwell's suit was settled out of court, while Scott Whitwell's $2 million lawsuit resulted in a default judgment entered against the rapper's estate in 1998. 1994 Quad Studios shooting On November 30, 1994, while in New York recording verses for a mixtape of Ron G, Shakur was repeatedly distracted by his beeper.Music managerJames \"Jimmy Henchman\" Rosemond, reportedly offered Shakur $7,000 to stop by Quad Studios, in Times Square, that night to record a verse for his clientLittle Shawn.Shakur was unsure, but agreed to the session as he needed","as he needed the cash to offset legal costs. He arrived with Stretch and one or two others. In the lobby, three men robbed and beat him at gunpoint; Shakur resisted and was shot.Shakur speculated that the shooting had been a set-up. Against medical advice, Shakur checked out ofMetropolitan Hospital Centera few hours after surgery and secretly went to the house of the actressJasmine Guyto recuperate.The next day, Shakur arrived at a Manhattan courthouse bandaged in a wheelchair to receive the jury's verdict for his sexual abuse case.Shakur spent the next few weeks being cared for by his mother and a private doctor at Guy's home.TheFruit of Islamand former members of the Black Panther Party stood guard to protect him. Setup accusations involving the Notorious B.I.G. In a 1995 interview withVibe, Shakur accusedSean Combs,Jimmy Henchman,and the Notorious B.I.G, – who were at Quad Studios at the time – among others, of setting up or being privy to the November 1994 robbery and shooting.Vibealerted the names of","the names of the accused.The accusations were significant to the East–West Coast rivalry in hip-hop; in 1995, months after the robbery, Combs and B.I.G. released the track \"Who Shot Ya?\", which Shakur took as a mockery of his shooting and thought they could be responsible, so he released adiss song, \"Hit 'Em Up\", in which he targeted B.I.G., Combs,their record label,Junior M.A.F.I.A., and at the end of \"Hit 'Em Up\", he mentions rivalsMobb DeepandChino XL. In March 2008,Chuck Philips, in theLos Angeles Times, reported on the 1994 ambush and shooting.The newspaper later retracted the article since it relied partially on FBI documents later discovered forged, supplied by a man convicted of fraud.In June 2011, convicted murderer Dexter Isaac, incarcerated in Brooklyn, issued a confession that he had been one of the gunmen who had robbed and shot Shakur at Henchman's order.Philips then named Isaac as one of his own, retracted article's unnamed sources. Other criminal or civil cases 1991 Oakland Police Department","Police Department lawsuit On October 17, 1991, twoOakland Police Departmentofficers stopped Shakur forjaywalkingat a downtown intersection.According to Shakur, officers Alex Boyovic and Kevin Rogers asked him for his ID and pressed him about his name before choking him, throwing him to the ground and slamming his head on the concrete.Shakur filed a $10 million lawsuit against the officers forpolice brutality.The case wassettledfor about $43,000.It was later revealed that this incident was the onset of Shakur's autoimmune diseasealopecia, which led him to shave his head bald. Misdemeanor assault convictions On April 5, 1993, charged with felonious assault, Shakur allegedly threw a microphone and swung a baseball bat at rapper Chauncey Wynn, of the group M.A.D., at a concert atMichigan State University. Shakur claimed the bat was a part of his show, that he never swung it, and that there was no criminal intent.Nonetheless, on September 14, 1994, Shakur pleaded guilty to amisdemeanorand was sentenced to 30 days","to 30 days in jail, twenty of them suspended on condition that he complete 35 hours of community service. Slated to star as Sharif in the 1993Hughes Brothers' filmMenace II Society, Shakur was replaced by actor Vonte Sweet after allegedly assaulting one of the film's directors, Allen Hughes. In early 1994, Shakur served 15 days in jail after being found guilty of the assault.The prosecution's evidence included aYo! MTV Rapsinterview in which Shakur boasted that he had \"beat up the director ofMenace II Society\". Concealed weapon case In 1994, Shakur was arrested in Los Angeles, when he was stopped by police on suspicion of speeding. Police found a semiautomatic pistol in the car, a felony offense because a prior conviction in 1993 in Los Angeles for carrying a concealed firearm.On April 4, 1996, Shakur was sentenced to 120 days in jail for violating his release terms and failing to appear for a road cleanup job,but was allowed to remain free awaiting appeal. On June 7, his sentence was deferred via appeals","via appeals pending in other cases. 1995 wrongful death suit On August 22, 1992, in Marin City, Shakur performed outdoors at a festival. For about an hour after the performance, he signed autographs and posed for photos. A conflict broke out and Shakur allegedly drew a legally carriedColt Mustangbut dropped it on the ground. Shakur claimed that someone with him then picked it up when it accidentally discharged. About 100 yards (90 meters) away in a schoolyard, Qa'id Walker-Teal, a boy aged 6 on his bicycle, was fatally shot in the forehead. Police matched the bullet to a.38-caliberpistol registered to Shakur. His stepbrother Maurice Harding was arrested in suspicion of having fired the gun, but no charges were filed. Lack of witnesses stymied prosecution. In 1995, Qa'id's mother filed awrongful death suitagainst Shakur, which was settled for about $300,000 to $500,000. C. Delores Tucker lawsuit Civil rights activist and fierce rap criticC. Delores Tuckersued Shakur's estate in federal court, claiming that","claiming that lyrics in \"How Do U Want It\" and \"Wonda Why They Call U Bitch\" inflicted emotional distress, were slanderous, and invaded her privacy.The case was later dismissed. Murder and aftermath On the night of September 7, 1996, Shakur was in Las Vegas, Nevada to attend theBruce Seldon vs. Mike Tysonboxing match with Suge Knight at theMGM Grand. Afterward in the lobby one of Knight's associates spottedOrlando \"Baby Lane\" Anderson, aSouthside ComptonCrip, and told Shakur he had tried to rob them earlier that year. The hotel'ssurveillancefootage shows the ensuing assault on Anderson. Shakur soon stopped by his hotel room and then headed with Knight to his Death Row nightclub, Club 662, in a blackBMW 750iLsedan, part of a larger convoy. At about 11 p.m. onLas Vegas Boulevard, bicycle-mounted police stopped the car for its loud music and lack of license plates. The plates were found in the trunk, and the car was released without a ticket.At about 11:15 p.m. at a stop light, a white, four-door,","a white, four-door, late-modelCadillacsedan pulled up to the passenger side and an occupant rapidly fired into the car. Shakur was struck four times: once in the arm, once in the thigh, and twice in the chestwith one bullet entering his right lung.Shards hit Knight's head. Frank Alexander, Shakur's bodyguard, was not in the car at the time. He would say he had been tasked to drive the car of Shakur's girlfriend,Kidada Jones. Shakur was taken to theUniversity Medical Center of Southern Nevadawhere he was heavily sedated and put on life support.In theintensive-care uniton the afternoon of September 13, 1996, Shakur died frominternal bleeding.He was pronounced dead at 4:03 p.m.The official causes of death arerespiratory failureandcardiopulmonary arrestassociated with multiple gunshot wounds.Shakur's body wascrematedthe next day. Members of theOutlawz, recalling a line in his song \"Black Jesus\", (although uncertain of the artist's attempt at a literal meaning chose to interpret the request seriously) smoked some","smoked some of his body's ashes after mixing them withmarijuana. In 2002, investigative journalistChuck Philips,after a year of work, reported in theLos Angeles Timesthat Anderson, a Southside Compton Crip, having been attacked by Suge and Shakur's entourage at the MGM Hotel after the boxing match, had fired the fatal gunshots, but that Las Vegas police had interviewed him only once, briefly, before his death in an unrelated shooting. Philips's 2002 article also alleges the involvement ofChristopher \"Notorious B.I.G.\" Wallaceand several within New York City's criminal underworld. Both Anderson and Wallace denied involvement, while Wallace offered a confirmed alibi.Music journalist John Leland, inThe New York Times, called the evidence \"inconclusive\". In 2011, via theFreedom of Information Act, theFBIreleased documents related to its investigation which described anextortionscheme by theJewish Defense League(classified as \"aright wing terroristgroup\" by theFBI) that included makingdeath threatsagainst Shakur","Shakur and other rappers, but did not indicate a direct connection to his murder. On July 18, 2023, theLas Vegas Police Departmentexecuted asearch warrantin connection with Shakur's murder. On September 29, 2023, theAPreported that Las Vegas police had arrested a suspect,Duane \"Keefe D\" Davis, in Shakur's murder. Police had two months previously served a search warrant at his wife's home in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson.Davis pleaded not guilty on November 2, 2023, in Las Vegas. Artistry Musical style Shakur's music and philosophical outlook were deeply influenced by a wide range of American,African American, and global influences, including theBlack Panther Party,black nationalism,egalitarianism, and the concept ofliberty. Moreover, Shakur's artistic sensibilities were enriched by his passion for theater and admiration for the works ofWilliam Shakespeare. Notably, he honed his theatrical skills as a student at theBaltimore School for the Arts, where he delved into the psychological complexities inherent","inherent in inter-gang warfare and inter-cultural conflicts, reflecting themes explored in Shakespearean dramas. 2Pacalypse Now(1991), showcased his socially conscious perspective. Through powerful tracks like \"Brenda's Got a Baby\", \"Trapped\", and \"Part Time Mutha\", Shakur addressed social injustice, poverty, and police brutality. In doing so, he contributed to the ongoing success of rap groups such asBoogie Down Productions,Public Enemy,X-Clan, andGrandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, while establishing himself as one of the pioneering socially conscious rappers from the West Coast. Continuing his focus on the social challenges faced by African American people, Shakur's second album featured songs like \"The Streetz R Deathrow\" and \"Last Wordz\". Simultaneously, he showcased his compassionate side with the empowering anthem \"Keep Ya Head Up\", and his legendary intensity with the title track from the albumStrictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...Additionally, he paid homage to his former groupDigital Undergroundby","Undergroundby including them on the playful track \"I Get Around\". Throughout his career, Shakur's subsequent albums reflected a growing assertiveness in his approach. Shakur's body of work encompassed contrasting themes, includingsocial inequality,injustice, compassion, playfulness, andhope. These elements continued to shape his artistry, exemplified by his explosive 1995 albumMe Against the World.The release ofAll Eyez on Mein 1996 further solidified his reputation, with tracks like \"Ambitionz az a Ridah\", \"I Ain't Mad at Cha\", \"California Love\", \"Life Goes On\", and \"Picture Me Rollin'\" being hailed as classics by critics. Shakur describedAll Eyez on Meas a celebration of life, and the album achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success.According toEminem, Tupac is the greatest songwriter of all time.Nassaid in 2002: \"I put Tupac beyondShakespeare.\" Vocal style Singers can manipulate different parts of their body to create various sounds. For instance, the \"head voice\" involves singing high-pitched","high-pitched tones resonating from the head, while the \"chest voice\" utilizes the chest area. In the documentary \"Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel,\"Greg \"Shock G\" Jacobs, one of Shakur's early producers, discusses how rappers also utilize different bodily areas to project their voices. According to him, \"Slick Rick rhymed from the nasal palate, Nas from the back of his throat, and Pac from the pit of his stomach, which is where his power came from.\" Shakur's influences stemmed from powerful orators likeMartin Luther King Jr.andMalcolm X. Despite not being physically imposing, Shakur's voice carried immense weight and power, reminiscent of these influential speakers. Shakur was also known for his technique of stacking or layering vocals, adding depth and rawness to his voice. This approach, demonstrated notably on tracks like \"Dear Mama\" from his 1995 albumMe Against the World, involves overlaying multiple vocal lines to highlight rhythms and emphasize words and phrases. Mastering this technique requires precision to","precision to maintain flow and clarity, as heard in the lyrics \"and even though I act crazy/I gotta thank the Lord that you made me,\" where Shakur's voice transitions from full to husky, underscoring the emotional depth of the lyrics. Despite its difficulty, Shakur's background in jazz, poetry, and theater endowed him with exceptional rhythm control, enabling him to layer vocals seamlessly while preserving cohesion and flow. Legacy and remembrance Shakur is considered one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time.He was listed as one of the greatest artists of all time byRolling Stone.He is widely credited as an important figure inhip hop culture, and his prominence inpop culturein general has been noted.Dotdash, formerly About.com, while ranking him fifth among the greatest rappers, nonetheless notes, \"Tupac Shakur is the most influential hip-hop artist of all time. Even in death, 2Pac remains a transcendental rap figure.\"Yet to some, he was a \"father figure\" who, said rapperYG, \"makes you","\"makes you want to be better—at every level.\"In 2023,Billboardranked Tupac at number 4 among the top 50 rappers of all time. AllMusic'sStephen Thomas Erlewinedescribed Shakur as \"the unlikely martyr ofgangsta rap\", with Shakur paying the ultimate price of a criminal lifestyle. Shakur was described as one of the top two American rappers in the 1990s, along withSnoop Dogg.The online rap magazineAllHipHopheld a 2007 roundtable at which New York rappersCormega, citing tour experience with New York rap duoMobb Deep, commented that B.I.G. ran New York, but Shakur ran America.Shakur emerged as a celebrated artist, earning recognition for his astonishingly prolific output and unwavering commitment to his craft.According toRolling Stonewriter Andy Green: “He was also a poet and activist who became one of his era’s most revolutionary voices.\" In 2017, American rapperSnoop Doggcalled Tupac “the greatest rapper of all time” during hisRock & Roll Hall of Fametribute.In 2021,SaweetietoldComplexthat Tupac was “the greatest","was “the greatest rapper that ever lived”. According to British writer Rob Marriott, he deemed the act of tying abandanainto rabbit ears as one of the most distinctive and instantly recognizable style choices in the world ofhip-hop. Regarded as asex symbol, his unique style helped shape the fashion landscape of the 1990s and continues to influence artists and fashion enthusiasts to this day. In 2010, writingRolling Stonemagazine's entry on Shakur at No. 86 among the \"100 greatest artists\", New York rapper50 Centappraised: Every rapper who grew up in the Nineties owes something to Tupac. People either try to emulate him in some way, or they go in a different direction because they didn't like what he did. But whatever you think of him, he definitely developed his own style: He didn't sound like anyone who came before him. According to music journalistChuck Philips, Shakur \"had helped elevate rap from a crude street fad to a complex art form, setting the stage for the current global hip-hop phenomenon.\"Philips","phenomenon.\"Philips writes, \"The slaying silenced one of modern music's most eloquent voices—a ghetto poet whose tales of urban alienation captivated young people of all races and backgrounds.\"Via numerous fans perceiving him, despite his questionable conduct, as amartyr, \"the downsizing of martyrdom cheapens its use\", academicMichael Eric Dysonconcedes.But Dyson adds, \"Some, or even most, of that criticism can be conceded without doing damage to Tupac's martyrdom in the eyes of those disappointed by more traditional martyrs.\" In 2014,BETexplained that \"his confounding mixture of ladies' man, thug, revolutionary and poet has forever altered our perception of what a rapper should look like, sound like and act like. In50 Cent,Ja Rule,Lil Wayne, newcomers likeFreddie Gibbsand even his friend-turned-rival B.I.G., it's easy to see that Pac is the most copied MC of all time. There are murals bearing his likeness in New York, Brazil, Sierra Leone, Bulgaria and countless other places; he even has statues in Atlanta","statues in Atlanta and Germany. Quite simply, no other rapper has captured the world's attention the way Tupac did and still does.\"More simply, his writings, published after his death, inspired rapper YG to return to school and get his GED.In 2020, former California Senator and current vice-presidentKamala Harriscalled Shakur the \"best rapper alive\", which she explained as being because \"West Coast girls think 2Pac lives on\".According to writerKevin Powell: \"He deserves to be put in the same category asBob Dylan,Bob Marley, asJohn Lennon, in terms of his global impact.\"Tupac is regarded as one of the most influential artists in music and popular culture in general and an icon of activism. Palestinian rapperTamer Nafar, leader and a founding member ofDAM, became passionate about hip hop by listening to Tupac saying, “The imagery in Shakur’s videos was similar to our reality in Lod.\" Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation In 1997, Shakur's mother founded the Shakur Family Foundation. Later renamed the Tupac Amaru","the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, or TASF, it launched with a stated mission to \"provide training and support for students who aspire to enhance their creative talents.\"The TASF sponsors essay contests, charity events, a performing arts day camp for teenagers, and undergraduate scholarships. In June 2005, the TASF opened theTupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts, or TASCA, inStone Mountain, Georgia. It closed in 2015. Academic appraisal In 1997, theUniversity of California, Berkeley, offered a course led by a student titled \"History 98: Poetry and History of Tupac Shakur\".In April 2003,Harvard Universitycosponsored the symposium \"All Eyez on Me: Tupac Shakur and the Search for the Modern Folk Hero\".Where Shakur's influence as both an artist and an activist was analyzed.The papers presented cover his ranging influence from entertainment to sociology.Calling him a \"Thug Nigga Intellectual\", an \"organic intellectual\",English scholarMark Anthony Nealassessed his death as leaving a \"leadership void amongst","void amongst hip-hop artists\",as this \"walking contradiction\" helps, Neal explained, \"make being an intellectual accessible to ordinary people.\" Tracing Shakur'smythicalstatus, Murray Forman discussed him as \"O.G.\", or \"Ostensibly Gone\", with fans, using digital mediums, \"resurrecting Tupac as an ethereal life force.\"Music scholar Emmett Price, calling him a \"Black folk hero\", traced his persona to Black American folklore'stricksters, which, afterabolition, evolved into the urban \"bad-man\". Yet in Shakur's \"terrible sense of urgency\", Price identified instead a quest to \"unify mind, body, and spirit.\"According to Price, Tupac had surpassed the legacies ofJohn ColtraneandMahalia Jacksonwithin the tradition of black music. In 2012, the NorwegianUniversity of Osloorganized the course: \"Tupac, hiphop og kulturhistorie (Tupac, hip hop and cultural history).\" As Knut Aukrust, Norwegian professor and academic scholar of cultural studies at the University of Oslo, puts it:\"Tupac Amaru Shakur (1971-1996) is one of","is one of the most famous and controversial representatives of hip-hop culture. He has become an icon with saint status far beyond his fans. References to him and his message appear all over the world, from Barack Obama's slogan about \"changes\", to Palestinians and Israelis longing for peace in the Middle East, to the people of Groruddalen who want their experiences to be taken on board serious. The course highlights how a single person can fit into a wider network of cultural models and how a local storytelling tradition has become an international cultural phenomenon.\" Jeffrey Ogbonna Green Ogbar, professor of History and Popular Music at theUniversity of Connecticut, described Shakur as \"one of the most iconic and influential music artists of the 20th century\", and also a \"politically conscious activist voice for Black America.\" Multimedia releases In 2005, Death Row released on DVD,Tupac: Live at the House of Blues, his final recorded live performance, an event on July 4, 1996. In August 2006,Tupac","August 2006,Tupac Shakur Legacy, an \"interactive biography\" byJamal Joseph, arrived with previously unpublished family photographs, intimate stories, and over 20 detachable copies of his handwritten song lyrics, contracts, scripts, poetry, and other papers. In 2006, the Shakur albumPac's Lifewas released and, like the previous, was among the recording industry's most popular releases.In 2008, his estate made about $15 million. On April 15, 2012, at theCoachella Music Festival, rappers Snoop Dogg andDr. Drejoined a Shakur \"hologram\" (Although the media referred to the technology as a hologram, technically it was a projection created with theMusion Eyeliner),and, as a partly virtual trio, performed the Shakur songs \"Hail Mary\" and \"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted\".There were talks of a tour,but Dre refused.Meanwhile, theGreatest Hitsalbum, released in 1998, and which in 2000 had left the pop albums chart, theBillboard 200, returned to the chart and reached No. 129, while also other Shakur albums and singles drew","and singles drew sales gains. Film and stage The documentary filmTupac: Resurrectionwas released in November 2003. It was nominated forBest Documentaryat the2005 Academy Awards. In 2014, the playHoller If Ya Hear Me, based on Shakur's lyrics, played on Broadway, but, among Broadway's worst-selling musicals in recent years, ran only six weeks.In development since 2013, a Shakur biopic,All Eyez on Me, began filming inAtlantain December 2015.It was released on June 16, 2017, on Shakur's 46th birthday,albeit to generally negative reviews. In August 2019, adocuseriesdirected byAllen Hughes,Outlaw: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur, was announced. Awards and honors In 2002, Shakur was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. In 2004, Shakur was among the honorees at the firstHip Hop Honors. In 2006, Shakur's close friend and classmate Jada Pinkett Smith donated $1 million to their high school alma mater, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and named the new theater in his honor.In 2021, Pinkett Smith honored","Smith honored Shakur's 50th birthday by releasing a never before seen poem she had received from him. In 2009, drawing praise, the Vatican added \"Changes\", a1998 posthumoustrack, to its online playlist.On June 23, 2010, theLibrary of Congressadded \"Dear Mama\" to theNational Recording Registry, the third rap song. In 2015, theGrammy Museumopened an exhibition dedicated to Shakur. In his first year of eligibility, Shakur was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 7, 2017. In January 2022, the exhibitionTupac Shakur: Wake Me When I'm Freeopened at The Canvas atL.A. Livein Los Angeles. On May 16, 2023, Oakland City Council voted to name the section of MacArthur Boulevard between Grand Avenue and Van Buren Avenue \"Tupac Shakur Way\". On June 7, 2023, Shakur received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.His half-sister, Sekyiwa \"Set\" Shakur, accepted the award in his honor. Rankings Final resting place in Soweto In 2006, on the 10th anniversary of Tupac Shakur's passing, his ashes were laid to rest","were laid to rest inSoweto. Shakur's mother Afeni transported them to the \"birthplace of his ancestors\" and conducted a memorial service in what's considered as one of the most renownedSouth African townships. Afeni Shakur explained that Soweto had been selected due to its significance as the \"birthplace of the South African struggle fordemocracyand againstapartheid.\" TheCity of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipalitydonated a five-acre plot of undeveloped land in theZolaarea of Soweto to build a memorial honoring Shakur. A portion of the land was designated to be transformed into a park for the benefit of local children as well as aimed at promotingenvironmental education, pathways, orphanages, bridges, skateboard ramps and a golf range while plans also included the construction of anamphitheaterand a museum showcasing South African music and arts. The project was funded by Johannesburg city authorities and the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation. The memorial was hosted by South African musician and actorZola 7.","and actorZola 7. SingerMacy Grayand members of the Outlawz were amongst the attendees who paid their respects. Discography Filmography Portrayals in film Documentaries Shakur's life has been explored in several documentaries, most notably the Academy Award-nominatedTupac: Resurrection(2003). See also References Further reading External links"],"string":"[\n \"Cardi B Belcalis Marlenis Cephus(néeAlmánzar;born October 11, 1992), known professionally asCardi B, is an American rapper and songwriter. Distinguished for her aggressiveflowand outspoken clever lyrics, Cardi B has established herself as one of the most successful female artists in contemporary music. From 2015 to early 2017, she gained recognition onVineandInstagram, as a cast member onVH1'sLove & Hip Hop: New York, and by releasingtwo mixtapes. Her first studio album,Invasion of Privacy(2018), debuted at number one on theBillboard200andBillboardranked it the top female rap album of the 2010s. Critically acclaimed, it made Cardi B the only solo female artist to win theGrammy Award for Best Rap Album, andRolling Stoneranked it the best debut album of all time by a female rapper. Its singles \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\" and \\\"I Like It\\\" both topped theBillboardHot 100and were certifieddiamondby theRIAA; the former made Cardi B the first female rapper to top the Hot 100 with a solo song in the 21st century and the first to\",\n \"and the first to achieve a diamond-certified song, while the latter made her the first with multiple number-one songs. Her third US number-one, the collaboration \\\"Girls Like You\\\" (2018) withMaroon 5, made her the first female rapper to earn multiple RIAA diamond-certified songs. She released \\\"WAP\\\" (withMegan Thee Stallion) in 2020 and \\\"Up\\\" in 2021, both of which topped the Hot 100 and other charts worldwide. \\\"WAP\\\" is the only female rap collaboration to debut atop the Hot 100, made Cardi B the first lead artist to top theBillboardGlobal 200, and had a large cultural impact. Recognized byForbesas one of the most influential female rappers of all time, Cardi B holds various records among women in hip hop; she isthe female rapper with the most number-one singles(five) on theBillboardHot 100, the only female rapper to achieve multiple solo number-ones, and the only to earn number-one singles in two decades (2010s and 2020s). She further isthe highest-certified(digital singles) female rapper of all time in the\",\n \"of all time in the US,the female rapper with the most diamond-certified songs(three) by the RIAA, and has over 100 million certifiedunitssold in the US. Additionally,Invasion of Privacyis the most-streamed female rap album onApple MusicandSpotify.Her accoladesinclude aGrammy Award, eightBillboardMusic Awards, sixGuinness World Records, sixAmerican Music Awards, fourMTV Video Music Awards, 14BET Hip Hop Awardsand twoASCAPSongwriter of the Yearawards.Timelisted her as one of the100 most influential people in the worldin 2018 andBillboardnamed herWoman of the Yearin 2020. Outside of music, Cardi B served as a judge on the music competition seriesRhythm + Flow(2019), appeared in the filmsHustlers(2019) andF9(2021), and had a voice role inBaby Shark's Big Movie!(2023). In 2022, she became thecreative directorof entertainment magazinePlayboy. Early life Belcalis Marlenis Almánzar was born on October 11, 1992, in theWashington Heightsneighborhood ofManhattan,New York City.Her father Carlos isDominicanand her mother\",\n \"her mother Clara is aTrinidadianofAfricanandSpanishdescent; Almánzar identifies as anAfro-Latina.Almánzar was raised in theHighbridgeneighborhood of theSouth Bronx,and spent much time at her paternal grandmother's home in Washington Heights, which she credits with giving her \\\"such a thick accent.\\\"Almánzar developed the stage name \\\"Cardi B\\\" as a derivation ofBacardi, arumbrand that was formerly her nickname.She has a younger sister, Hennessy Carolina, who was born in 1995. She has said she was a gang member with theBloodsin her youth, since age 16,but stated she would not encourage joining a gang.She attended Renaissance High School for Musical Theater & Technology, avocational high schoolon theHerbert H. Lehman High Schoolcampus. During her teens, Cardi B was employed at a grocery store inTribeca.She was fired and became a dancer at a strip club across the street.Cardi B has said that becoming a stripper was positive for her life in many ways: \\\"It really saved me from a lot of things. When I started\",\n \"When I started stripping I went back to school.\\\"She stated that she became a stripper to escape poverty anddomestic violence, having been in an abusive relationship at the time after being kicked out of her mother's house,and that stripping was her only way to earn enough money to escape the situation and get an education.She attendedBorough of Manhattan Community Collegebefore eventually dropping out.While stripping, Cardi B lied to her mother by telling her she was making money bybabysitting. In 2013, she began to gain publicity due to several of her videos spreading on social media, onVineand herInstagrampage. Career 2015–2016: Career beginnings In 2015, Cardi B joined the cast of theVH1reality television seriesLove & Hip Hop: New York, debuting in season six.Jezebelconsidered her the breakout star of the show's sixth season.The New York Timeswrote that she garnered popularity with \\\"her ability to rattle off one-liners\\\".The sixth and seventh seasons chronicle her rise to stardom and her turbulent\",\n \"and her turbulent relationship with her incarcerated fiancé. On December 30, 2016, after two seasons, she announced that she would be leaving the show to further pursue a career in music. In November 2015, Cardi B made her musical debut on Jamaicanreggae fusionsingerShaggy's remix to his single \\\"Boom Boom\\\", alongside fellow JamaicandancehallsingerPopcaan.She made her music video debut on December 15, 2015, with the song \\\"Cheap Ass Weave\\\", her rendition of BritishrapperLady Leshurr's \\\"Queen's Speech 4\\\".On March 7, 2016, Cardi B released her first full-length project, amixtapetitledGangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 1.In November 2016, she was featured on the digital cover ofVibemagazine's \\\"Viva\\\" issue. On September 12, 2016, KSR Group released the compilationUnderestimated: The Album, which is a collaboration between KSR Group artists Cardi B,HoodCelebrityy, SwiftOnDemand, Cashflow Harlem, andJosh X. It was previously released only to attendees of their U.S. tour. the label's flagship artist, Cardi B, said: \\\"I wanted\",\n \"B, said: \\\"I wanted to make a song that would make girls dance,twerkand at the same time encourage them to go get that Shmoney,\\\" in regard to the compilation's single \\\"What a Girl Likes\\\". She appeared on the December 9, 2015, episode ofUncommon Sense with Charlamagne.On April 6, 2016, she was on the twelfth episode ofKhloé Kardashian'sKocktails with Khloé: in this episode, she revealed how she told her mother that she was a stripper.In November 2016, it was announced that she would be joining the cast of theBETseriesBeing Mary Jane.TVLinedescribes her character, Mercedes, as a \\\"round-the-way beauty with a big weave, big boobs and a big booty to match her oversize, ratchet personality.\\\" In 2016, Cardi B was featured in her first endorsement deal withRomantic Depot, a large New York chain of lingerie stores that sell sexual health and wellness products. The ad campaign was featured on radio and cable TV. 2017–2018: Breakthrough withInvasion of Privacy On January 20, 2017, Cardi B released her second\",\n \"released her second mixtape,Gangsta Bitch Music, Vol. 2.In February 2017, Cardi B partnered withMAC Cosmeticsand Rio Uribe'sGypsy Sportfor an event forNew York Fashion Week.In late February, Cardi B signed her first major record label recording contract withAtlantic Records.On February 25, 2017, Cardi B was theopening actforEast Coast hip hopgroupThe Lox'sFilthy America... It's BeautifulTour, alongside fellow New York City-based rappersLil' KimandRemy Ma.In April 2017, she was featured ini-D's\\\"A-Z of Music\\\" video sponsored byMarc Jacobs.Cardi guest-starred on the celebritypanel showHip Hop Squares, appearing on the March 13 and April 3, 2017, episodes.She also released thefreestyle\\\"Red Barz\\\". In May 2017, the nominees for the2017 BET Awardswere announced, revealing that Cardi B had been nominated forBest New ArtistandBest Female Hip-Hop Artist.AlthoughChance the Rapperand Remy Ma won those categories, respectively, Cardi B performed at theBET AwardsAfterpartyshow.On June 11, 2017, duringHot 97's annualSummer\",\n \"97's annualSummer Jammusic festival, Remy Ma brought out Cardi B, along withThe Lady of Rage,MC Lyte,Young M.A,Monie Love, Lil' Kim, andQueen Latifah, to celebrate female rappers and perform Latifah's 1993 hit single \\\"U.N.I.T.Y.\\\" aboutfemale empowerment.In June 2017, it was revealed that Cardi B would be on the cover ofThe Fader's Summer Music issue for July/August 2017.She performed atMoMA PS1on August 19 to a crowd of 4,000. On June 16, 2017, Atlantic Records released Cardi B's commercial debut single, \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\", viadigital distribution.She performed the single onThe Wendy Williams ShowandJimmy Kimmel Live!The song climbed the charts for several months, and, on theBillboardHot 100chart dated September 25, 2017, \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\" reached the number one spot, making Cardi B the first female rapper to do so with a solo single sinceLauryn Hill's \\\"Doo Wop (That Thing)\\\" debuted atop the chart in 1998.The song stayed atop the charts for three consecutive weeks, tying with American pop singerTaylor Swift's \\\"Look\",\n \"Swift's \\\"Look What You Made Me Do\\\" as the longest running female at the number one spot in 2017. Cardi B became the first person of Dominican descent to reach number one in the history of the Hot 100 since it was launched in 1958.An editor ofThe New York Timescalled it \\\"the rap anthem of the summer\\\".Selected byThe Washington PostandPitchforkmusic critics as the best song of 2017,\\\"Bodak Yellow\\\" was eventually certifiedDiamondby theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA). The song received nominations forBest Rap PerformanceandBest Rap Songat the60th Grammy Awards.It won Single of the Year at the2017 BET Hip Hop Awards. With her collaborations \\\"No Limit\\\" and \\\"MotorSport\\\", she became the first female rapper to land her first three entries in the top 10 of the Hot 100,and the first female artist to achieve the same on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart.In October 2017, Cardi B headlinedPower 105.1's annual Powerhouse music celebration, alongsidethe Weeknd,Migos, andLil Uzi Vert, at theBarclays Centerin\",\n \"Centerin Brooklyn, New York.In December, she released two songs: a collaboration with Puerto Rican singerOzunatitled \\\"La Modelo\\\",and \\\"Bartier Cardi\\\", the second single from herdebut album. On January 3, 2018, Cardi B was featured on the remix ofBruno Mars' single \\\"Finesse\\\",and appeared in the 90s inspired video. It reached the top three on the Hot 100, Canada and New Zealand. On January 18, 2018, Cardi B became the first female rapper to have five top 10 singles simultaneously on theBillboardHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.She released another single, \\\"Be Careful\\\", on March 30, 2018, a week before her album's release. Her debut studio album,Invasion of Privacy, was released on April 6, 2018, to universal acclaim from music critics.Editors fromVarietyandThe New York Timescalled it \\\"one of the most powerful debuts of this millennium\\\" and \\\"a hip-hop album that doesn't sound like any of its temporal peers,\\\" respectively.The album entered at number one in the United States, while she became the first female artist to\",\n \"female artist to chart 13 entries simultaneously on theBillboardHot 100, on the chart issue dated April 21.It became the moststreamedalbum by a female artist in a single week inApple Music,and the largest on-demand audio streaming week ever for an album by a woman.Cardi held the latter recorduntil 2019.The album's title reflects Cardi B's feeling that as she gained popularity her privacy was being invaded in a variety of ways.Following the album's release, during a performance onSaturday Night Live, Cardi B officially announced her pregnancy, after much media speculation.She also co-hosted an episode ofThe Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Several months later, in July 2018, the album's fourth single, \\\"I Like It\\\", which features vocals fromBad BunnyandJ Balvin, reached number one on theHot 100; this marked her second number one on the chart and made her the first female rapper to achieve multiple chart-toppers.It received critical acclaim,withRolling Stonenaming it \\\"thebest summer songof all time\\\" in\",\n \"songof all time\\\" in 2020.Her collaboration withMaroon 5, \\\"Girls Like You\\\", also reached number one on the Hot 100 chart, extending her record among female rappersand also making her the sixth female artist to achieve three number-one singles on the chart during the 2010s.The song's music video has received more than 3 billion views onYouTubeand was thefifth-best selling songof the year globally. With \\\"Girls Like You\\\" following \\\"I Like It\\\" at the top of theBillboardRadio Songschart, Cardi B became thefirst female rapperto replace herself at number one on the chart.The single spent seven weeks atop the Hot 100, making Cardi the female rapper with the most cumulative weeks atop the chart, with eleven weeks.It spent 33 weeks in the top 10, tying bothEd Sheeran's \\\"Shape of You\\\" andPost MaloneandSwae Lee's \\\"Sunflower\\\" for the longest top 10 run in the chart's archives at the time.In October 2018,Invasion of Privacywas certifieddouble platinumby the RIAA, and the following year it was updated to triple platinum.\",\n \"to triple platinum. With the thirteen tracks, she became the first female artist to have all songs from an album certified gold or higher in the US. Cardi B received the most nominations for the2018 MTV Video Music Awardswith 12 mentions—including forVideo of the Year, winning three awards.She tied withDrakefor the most nominations at the2018 American Music Awards. She won three AMAs and performed at the ceremony.Her single \\\"Money\\\" earned her a fourth Video Music Award, with visuals that feature Cardi playing characters in different locations, including in an art museum, a bank and a strip club.Her collaboration withDJ Snake\\\"Taki Taki\\\" topped the charts in a number of Hispanic countries, made Cardi B the first female rapper to top the SpotifyGlobal 50chart,and has garnered more than 2 billion views. Both singles were certified multiple-platinum by the RIAA.People en Españolnamed her Star of the Year,andEntertainment Weeklydeemed her \\\"a pop culture phenomenon\\\", as she was named one of \\\"2018 Entertainers of\",\n \"Entertainers of the Year\\\". On November 30, 2018, Cardi B was honored atEbony's annual Power 100 Gala.Cardi ranked fifth on the 2018BillboardYear-EndTop Artists chart, whileInvasion of Privacyranked sixth. She achieved the most-streamed album of the year by a female artist globally inApple Music,and ranked as the most streamed female artist of the year in the United States inSpotify.Editorial staff from Apple Music andBillboardnamed \\\"I Like It\\\" the best song of 2018,whileTimemagazineandRolling StonenamedInvasion of Privacythe best album of the year.Also in 2018,Timeincluded her on theirannual listof the 100 most influential people in the world.In its decade-end review article,NMEstated that the era secured \\\"her crown as the newQueen of Rap.\\\" 2019–2020:Hustlers,Rhythm + Flowand \\\"WAP\\\" Cardi B received five nominations at the61st Grammy Awards, including forAlbum of the Year,Best Rap AlbumandRecord of the Year(\\\"I Like It\\\").She became the third female rapper to be nominated for Album of the Year, followingLauryn\",\n \"followingLauryn Hill(1999) andMissy Elliott(2004).On February 10, 2019, she then performed at the award ceremony, where she wore three vintageThierry Muglercouture looks during the telecast and became the first female rapper to winBest Rap Albumas a solo artist. Cardi B led the2019 Billboard Music Awardsnominations, with 21, earning the most nominations in a single year by a female artist and the third most nominations in a year (behind Drake and The Chainsmokers, who both had 22 in a year).She ended up winning six awards, including forTop Hot 100 Song, bringing her career total wins to seven—the most of any female rapper in history.An article byOmaha World-Heraldcalled her \\\"the biggest rapper in the world.\\\" On February 15, 2019, Cardi B released \\\"Please Me\\\", a collaboration with Bruno Mars, which became her seventh top-ten song on the Hot 100, reaching number three.The song marked Cardi and Bruno's second collaboration, following \\\"Finesse\\\" in 2018. The official music video was released two weeks later.On\",\n \"two weeks later.On March 1, Cardi set a new attendance record at theHouston Livestock Show and Rodeo, with 75,580 fans in the audience.With \\\"Backin' It Up\\\", \\\"Twerk\\\" and \\\"Money\\\", Cardi became the first female artist to occupy the top three on theBillboardMainstream R&B/Hip-Hop airplay chart. Her following single titled \\\"Press\\\" was released on May 31, 2019.Theparental-advisorylabeled music video marked her directorial debut—being credited as co-director, and was released on June 26, 2019.It had its debut performance at the2019 BET Awards, where she received the most nominations with seven, and wonAlbum of the Year.During the summer of 2019, she embarked on an arena tour.In September, she led theBET Hip Hop Awardsnominations with ten. Cardi B made her film debut inHustlersdirected byLorene Scafaria, oppositeJennifer Lopez,Constance Wu, andLili Reinhart.The film was released on September 13, 2019.Cardi B, along withChance the RapperandT.I., were confirmed as judges for theNetflixseriesRhythm + Flow, a ten-part\",\n \"+ Flow, a ten-part hip-hop talent search that premiered on October 9, 2019, which she alsoexecutive produced. In December 2019, Cardi B embarked on her first tour of Africa, performing in Nigeria and Ghana.Her collaboration \\\"Clout\\\" was nominated for aGrammy Award for Best Rap Performance.She was the most streamed female rapper of 2019 in the US, according to Spotify.Consequence of Sounddeemed her \\\"one of the most formidable hip-hop artists of the decade.\\\"In March 2020, Cardi B created a reaction video about thecoronavirus pandemic. DJ iMarkkeyz, a Brooklyn DJ known for turning memes and online moments into full-length songs, created a track, based on her reaction titled \\\"Coronavirus\\\", which became aninternet memeand was released to music platforms.Netflix announced the return ofRhythm + Flowfor 2021. Cardi B released the single \\\"WAP\\\" featuring American rapperMegan Thee Stallionon August 7, 2020, as the lead single off her forthcoming second studio album.The song received critical acclaim and was praised for\",\n \"and was praised for itssex positivemessages.TheColin Tilley-directed music video accompanied the song itself, and broke the record for the biggest 24-hour debut for an all-female collaboration on YouTube.She became the only female rap artist to top the Global Spotify chart multiple times.\\\"WAP\\\" debuted at number-one on theBillboardHot 100chart, garnering Cardi B her fourth chart-topper in the US, extending her record as the female rapper with the most number-one singles, and also making her the first female rapper to achieve Hot 100 number one singles in two different decades (2010s and 2020s). With 93 million streaming units, it became the largest first-week streams for a song, breaking the all-time record held byAriana Grande's \\\"7 Rings\\\".It has spent four weeks atop the Hot 100. The single has also spent multiple weeks at number one in seven other countries, including Australia and the United Kingdom. Neil Shah ofThe Wall Street Journaldeemed it \\\"a big moment for female rappers\\\" and \\\"a historic sign that\",\n \"historic sign that women artists are making their mark on hip-hop like never before\\\".\\\"WAP\\\" became the first number one single on the inauguralBillboardGlobal 200chart. It became critics' best song of the year according to a compilation of rankings made by theBBC,with publications such asPitchforkandRolling Stoneplacing it at number one. Cardi B won theBillboardMusic Award for Top Rap Female Artistfor the third time at the2020 ceremony.In December 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be namedWoman of the Yearat theBillboardWomen in MusicAwards.With her win for \\\"WAP\\\" at theAmerican Music Awards, she became the first artist to win theAmerican Music Award for Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Songmultiple times, following her win for \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\" in 2018. 2021–present: Upcoming second studio album On February 5, 2021, Cardi B released \\\"Up\\\", the second single from her upcoming studio album. A music video for the single was released alongside it. The song was praised byNMEmagazine for its lyricism and fresh\",\n \"lyricism and fresh approach as a successor to \\\"WAP\\\".\\\"Up\\\" debuted at number two on the USBillboardHot 100chart, marking the highest debut for a solo female rap song sinceLauryn Hill's \\\"Doo Wop (That Thing)\\\" in 1998.The song debuted at number one on theRolling StoneTop 100, becoming both Cardi B's second number-one single and second number-one debut, as well as the first time a female rapper debuts atop the chart with a solo song.Cardi B became the first female artist and first lead artist with consecutive number-one debuts on the USHot R&B/Hip-Hop Songschart, and second overall performer followingDrakein 2016.\\\"Up\\\" reached number one on theBillboardHot 100 after herGrammy Awardsperformance, making her the only female rapper to reach number one multiple times with solo songs, following \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\", and extended her record as the female rapper with the most number-one songs on the Hot 100 as her fifth chart-topper.Cardi B received a second nomination for theBrit Award for International Female Solo Artist.\",\n \"Female Solo Artist. Cardi B made a last-minute appearance in \\\"Big Paper\\\", from DJ Khaled's albumKhaled Khaledreleased on April 30, 2021.Cardi received two nominations for theBET Award for Video of the Year, for the videos \\\"Up\\\" and \\\"WAP\\\", winning for the latter and becoming the first female rapper to win Video of the Year as a lead artist. This became the 10th time that an artist has had two nominated videos in this category as a lead artist, and the second time for her, following her nominations for \\\"Money\\\" and \\\"Please Me\\\" in 2019. She announced her second pregnancy during the performance of her Migos collaboration \\\"Type Shit\\\" at the2021 ceremony.She also appeared inF9, which was released on June 25, 2021, byUniversal Pictures.On July 16, 2021, Cardi B was featured on theNormanisingle \\\"Wild Side\\\".Cardi collaborated withLizzoon \\\"Rumors\\\", which debuted at number four on theBillboardHot 100, becoming Cardi B's tenth top 10 single on the chart, and her seventh number-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. Cardi\",\n \"Songs chart. Cardi B received six nominations at the2021 MTV Video Music Awards, including her second nomination for Video of the Year.She also led the nominations for the2021 BET Hip Hop Awardsalong with Megan Thee Stallion, with nine each;both rappers won the most awards during the ceremony with three for \\\"WAP\\\", with Cardi becoming the first female artist to win Best Hip Hop Video twice (2019 and 2021). On October 28, 2021, Cardi B previewed her second album to Atlantic Records via her Instagram Story. She captioned \\\"The money people liking the album sounds\\\".On November 2, Cardi B was announced as the host of the2021 American Music Awards(AMAs). The award show was held at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on November 21,and marked the most social telecast of the year per interactions across social media.During the ceremony, \\\"Up\\\" won the award forFavorite Hip Hop Song, making Cardi B the first artist to win the category three times.Cardi B featured onSummer Walker's 2021 albumStill Over Iton the opening\",\n \"Iton the opening track \\\"Bitter\\\".Warner Records released the soundtrack forHalle Berry's directorial debut filmBruisedon November 19. Selected by executive producers Berry and Cardi B, the Netflix film's soundtrack features six original songs by female artists, including Cardi,H.E.R., City Girls,Flo Milli,Saweetie, andLatto, and seven additional female rap songs inspired by the film. In March 2022, Cardi B appeared on the extended version of Summer Walker andSZA's collaboration, \\\"No Love\\\".The following month, she featured on rapper Kay Flock's song, \\\"Shake It\\\"; it samplesAkon's 2005 song \\\"Belly Dancer (Bananza)\\\".Also in April, Cardi guest-voiced as Sharki B, her \\\"aquatic alter ego\\\", on \\\"The Seaweed Sway\\\" episode of theNickelodeonanimated seriesBaby Shark's Big Show!—and performed a song of the same name.She appeared alongside Offset and her daughter.On July 1, 2022, Cardi B released \\\"Hot Shit\\\", featuring rappersKanye WestandLil Durk, as the third single from her upcoming second studio album.The song was first\",\n \"song was first announced during aBET Awards 2022commercial break.On July 8 and 9, she headlined the 2022Wireless Festivalin London andBirmingham.Cardi B worked with cousin and fellow rapperGloRillaon the remix to her song \\\"Tomorrow\\\", titled \\\"Tomorrow 2\\\", which was released in September 2022.The remix peaked at number nine on theBillboardHot 100, becoming Cardi's eleventh top-ten single.HipHopDXlisted it as the \\\"Best Hip-Hop Collaboration\\\" of 2022 while it was also the highest-listed song by a female rapper onBillboard's 100 Best Songs of 2022 list.On October 1, Cardi B made a surprise appearance at theInglewoodshow of Puerto Rican rapperBad Bunny's concert tour, theWorld's Hottest Tour.In November, she signed with entertainment executiveIrving Azoff's Full Stop Management.In December 2022, she gave a 35-minute private performance at theMiami Art Baselfor which she was paid $1 million.Later that month, a remix of Spanish artistRosalía's song \\\"Despechá\\\" featuring Cardi, was released. Cardi B appeared as a\",\n \"B appeared as a surprise performer at the New York City shows of SZA and GloRilla's tours: theSOS Tourand Anyways, Life's Great Tour, in early 2023.In April, she served as one of three headliners of the inauguralRolling Loud Thailandfestival inPattaya, along withTravis ScottandChris Brown.In June, she featured on \\\"Put It on da Floor Again\\\", the remix to rapper Latto's \\\"Put It on da Floor\\\".It peaked at number 13 on the Hot 100, becoming Cardi's 20th top-twenty single.On June 4, Cardi B headlined the 2023Summer Jamfestival inElmont, New York.ln July, she featured on \\\"Point Me 2\\\", the remix to drill rapper FendiDa Rappa's single \\\"Point Me to the Slut's\\\".Later that month, she collaborated with Offset on two tracks of his second solo album,Set It Off(2023): \\\"Freaky\\\" and \\\"Jealousy\\\".The latter was released as the lead single of the record; it samplesThree 6 Mafia's \\\"Jealous Ass Bitches\\\".Cardi released \\\"Bongos\\\" featuring Megan Thee Stallion on September 8, 2023, as the fourth single of her upcoming second studio\",\n \"second studio album. The song marks the pair's second collaboration after \\\"WAP\\\" (2020).The music video, directed byTanu Muino,cost over $2 million.\\\"Bongos\\\" reached number 14 in the US.Cardi led the2023 BET Hip Hop Awardsnominations with21 Savage, with twelve each.She reprised her voice role as Sharki B for the children's animated film,Baby Shark's Big Movie!, in which ch she appeared alongside Offset and their two children. It premiered in December onParamount+and Nickelodeon.Cardi B co-headlinedTikTok's inaugural In the Mix festival on December 10 inMesa, Arizona,which was released as a concert special on Disney+ and Hulu on December 15.She performed at theFontainebleau Miami Beach, accompanied by DJGryffin, on December 31, 2023, which aired live for the 2024 edition ofDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. She released the promotional single \\\"Like What (Freestyle)\\\" on March 1, 2024, with an accompanying music video directed by Offset.Her first solo song since \\\"Up\\\" (2021), it is afreestyleof rapperMissy\",\n \"rapperMissy Elliot's \\\"She's a Bitch\\\" (1999).The track reached the top 40 in the US and became Cardi's 19th top-ten and 11th chart-topper onHot Rap Songsand Hot Rap Digital Songs.It was followed by \\\"Enough (Miami)\\\" on March 15,which marked her 12th top-ten on the Hot 100 and seventh number-one on the Digital Songs chart.A remix ofFlo Milli's \\\"Never Lose Me\\\" was released on the same day, featuring SZA and Cardi B.On March 11, Cardi joinedMadonnaonstage for a guest appearance at the Inglewood show of herCelebration Tour.She appeared on \\\"Puntería\\\" withShakira, the opening track and eighth single of the latter's twelfth albumLas Mujeres Ya No Lloran, released on March 22, 2024.\\\"Puntería\\\" reached number one on theLatin Airplaychart and topped theLatin Pop Airplaychart for nine weeks.On May 21, Cardi B appeared as a surprise performer at theMadison Square Gardenshow of Megan Thee Stallion'sHot Girl Summer Tour.She featured on the remix of Thee Stallion and GloRilla's \\\"Wanna Be\\\", released on May 31.In June, Cardi\",\n \"31.In June, Cardi featured on \\\"Put Em in the Fridge\\\" fromPeso Pluma's fourth albumÉxodo.She co-headlined theBET Experiencefestival at theCrypto.com Arenaon June 28.Her collaboration withRob49, titled \\\"On Dat Money\\\", was released on July 19. In August, Cardi confirmed that her second studio album would be released in late 2024, stating that it was \\\"three-quarters of the way done\\\".Previously iterated for a 2023 release,she revealed that she was \\\"just holding it\\\" because she felt \\\" missing a couple of things\\\" and \\\"gotta make sure that everything is just planned out\\\".In October, Cardi will co-headline the 2024 One Musicfest inAtlanta. Artistry Influences InBillboard's \\\"You Should Know\\\" series, Cardi B said the first albums she ever purchased were by American entertainersMissy ElliottandTweet, respectively.She has credited Puerto Rican rapperIvy Queenand Jamaican dancehall artistSpiceas influences, as well asBeyoncé,Lady Gaga,Lil' Kim,Madonna,andSelena.She has mentionedChicago drill musicas an important\",\n \"an important influence.When asked about the initial direction for her music, Cardi B said in an interview, \\\"When I first started rapping I liked certain songs fromKhiaandTrina, and they fighting songs. I haven't heard fighting songs for a very long time,\\\" crediting the two female rappers for her aggressive rap style. She continued, saying \\\"a lot of girls they cannot affordred bottoms, a lot of girls they cannot afford foreign cars but I know that every girl has beef with a girl I know that every bitch don't like some bitch, and it's like 'that's what I wanna rap about.'\\\" She also credits growing up in the South Bronx and real life experiences as influences for her songwriting; \\\"I wouldn't be able to rap about the things that I rap about now .\\\" Musical style Her first studio album,Invasion of Privacy, is primarily ahip hoprecord, which comprises elements oftrap,Latin music, andR&B.Consequence of Sounddescribed her flow as \\\"acrobatic and nimble.\\\"AllMusiceditor David Jeffries called Cardi B \\\"a raw and\",\n \"Cardi B \\\"a raw and aggressive rapper\\\".Stereogumcalled her voice \\\"a full-bodied New Yawk nasal bleat, the sort of thing that you've heard if someone has ever told you that you stupid for taking too long at swiping yourMetroCard.\\\" They continued to call her voice \\\"an unabashedly loud and sexual fuck-you New York honk—that translates perfectly to rap.\\\" In a 2017Complexarticle about her, the editor wrote \\\"unapologetic does not begin to describe the totally unfiltered and sheer Cardi B-ness of Cardi B's personality. She's a hood chick who's not afraid to be hood no matter the setting. Cardi B is Cardi B24/7, 365, this is why she resonates with people, and that same energy comes out in her music.\\\"Herflowhas been described as aggressiveIn 2019,NMEdescribed her lyrics as \\\"sexually free\\\" performed with \\\"rapid\\\" flow,and other publications have further described her lyrics as outspoken,while her punchlines have been praised, by such publications asPitchforkandThe Source, as clever and quotable.She possesses aNew\",\n \"possesses aNew York-Dominicanaccent. Cardi B has defended her musical content featuring sexually-charged lyrics—like most contemporary female rappers; she stated that the content \\\"seems like that's what people want to hear\\\", since she faced negative reactions after releasing her more emotional song, \\\"Be Careful\\\".She has declared, \\\" is the type of artist I always wanted to be: I like to rap about the streets, and I like to rap about my pussy. I don't give a fuck about it.\\\"She has stated that writing and performing songs about her personal life and relationships initially caused her a \\\"weird and uncomfortable\\\" feeling and shyness. Cardi B employs different vocal styles in her music; in \\\"WAP\\\" her vocal performance has been described as \\\"throaty\\\"and \\\"staccato\\\",while in \\\"Up\\\" she raps withalliteration, atongue twister-run, and \\\"some classically comedic Cardi\\\"punch lines. Other ventures Products and endorsements In February 2017, she partnered withM.A.Cand Rio Uribe's Gypsy Sport for aNew York Fashion Weekevent.Her\",\n \"Weekevent.Her April appearance ini-D's \\\"A-Z of Music\\\" video was sponsored by designerMarc Jacobs,and she made the cover ofThe Fader's July/August 2017 Summer Music issue.Tom Ford's Cardi B-inspired lipstick, named after her, was released in September 2018. It sold out within 24 hours.In November, she released a clothing line collection withFashion Nova.The same month she partnered withReebok, promoting the brand's Aztrek sneaker.In partnership with Reebok, she released a footwear and apparel collection in 2020, inspired by her personal style and paying homage to \\\"classic 80s styling\\\" and motifs.She released her second collection with Reebok in 2021, titled \\\"Let Me Be...In My World\\\", comprising sneakers, tracksuits, and corsets, inspired by everyday life in New York City.The third collection with the brand, \\\"Mommy & Me\\\", was released in May 2021 in recognition ofMother's Day, which includes Cardi's iteration of Club C shoes for adults, children, and infants.The next, titled \\\"Let Me Be...Enchanted\\\" was\",\n \"Be...Enchanted\\\" was released in two parts in June and July 2022; it was revealed to be inspired by \\\"a state of enchantment and euphoria\\\" and included crop tops, faux fur jackets, and leotards along with footwear.The fifth and final collection, \\\"Let Me Be...Next Level Energy\\\", was also released in two parts in September and December 2022, concluding her four-year partnership with Reebok.Inspired by Cardi B's \\\"unmatched energy\\\", the collection consisted of bodysuits, crop tops, footwear, leggings, and woven jackets—of a color palette based oncrystals. Cardi B teamed up withPepsifor three television commercials, which aired during theSuper Bowl LIII, the61st Annual Grammy Awards, and Christmas.In early 2019, Cardi also joined other hip hop artists (including her husbandOffset, as part ofMigos) in releasing her flavors of snack food Rap Snacks: two flavors of chips, and two of popcorn. The bags' artwork was designed by Jai Manselle and inspired by the cover ofInvasion of Privacy. In December 2021, Cardi B\",\n \"2021, Cardi B partnered withPLBY Group Inc.ascreative directorin residence forPlayboyand founding member of Centerfold, a creator-driven website in the works. The partnership also includes fashion and sexual wellness products. In February 2023, Cardi B and Offset partnered withMcDonald'sto create the Cardi B and Offset meal, which was launched onValentine's Day.The meal was first announced in the2023McDonald'sSuper Bowl commercialwhich the couple appeared in.In October, she fronted the campaign forSkims' Cotton Collection.The campaign generated over $4 million in media impact value (MIV).In December 2023, she made her runway debut at the Balenciaga fall 2024 show in Los Angeles. In February 2024, Cardi B starred inNYX Cosmetics' inaugural Super Bowl commercial forSuper Bowl LVIII, titled \\\"Lips Only\\\".An edited version of the advert—centered around the company's Duck Plump lip gloss—was broadcast during the commercial break, due toribald themesof humor.In May 2024, she appeared alongside sprinterSha'Carri\",\n \"sprinterSha'Carri Richardsonin a commercial for the2024 Summer Olympics.In July, Cardi fronted theMarc Jacobsfall 2024 campaign. Whipshots In collaboration with Starco Brands, Cardi B launched avodka-infused,veganwhipped cream, called Whipshots, in the US in December 2021.It has sold over five million cans as of March 2024. Cardi Tries She premiered the seriesCardi TriesviaFacebook Messengerin December 2020, with herself as one of the executive producers.The web series ran for three seasons until April 2023. Philanthropy In 2022, Cardi B donated $100,000 to the elementary school she attended, I.S. 232 inThe Bronx. Public image Political statements Cardi B identifies as afeminist.The rapper has been called \\\"unabashedly, directly political\\\"and often uses social media to advocate for causes she believes in, such asgun control.During the2016 presidential primaries, she warned her fans ofDonald Trump's immigration policies and encouraged them to vote for SenatorBernie Sanders.At theGrammy Awardsin 2018, she\",\n \"Awardsin 2018, she appeared in a video along withHillary Clintonto narrate a portion ofFire and Fury,Michael Wolff's insider's account of Trump's administration, and stated \\\"Why am I even reading this shit? I can't believe this. I can't believe—this is how he really lives his life?\\\" Early in 2018 she used her social media to demand transparency ontax policy, asking for detailed information on how her taxpayer dollars are being spent in New York state and criticizing the maintenance of its streets, prisons, andpublic transportation.Cardi B endorsed Sanders once again in hissecond bidfor the presidency in the2020 United States presidential election, while praising U.S. RepresentativeTim Ryan.She stated that one of the reasons for her endorsement is Sanders' long-time involvement in supporting underprivileged minorities and \\\"people gettingMedicarebecause he knows they can't afford it,\\\"whilePoliticoargued that she \\\"might be one of Bernie's most powerful 2020 allies.\\\" She has used her social pages to raise\",\n \"pages to raise awareness for victims ofpolice brutality, and has encouraged people to vote for mayors, judges anddistrict attorneysin local elections.In a conversation with Democratic candidateJoe BidenforElle, they discussed Medicare,free college tuition, and racial equality.According to a study published byThe Hollywood Reporter, Cardi B ranked as the fifth most influential celebrity, and fourth amongGeneration Z, for the 2020 presidential election. In November 2023, Cardi B stated that she no longer supports Joe Biden for president,saying that she would \\\"not endorsing no fucking president's no more\\\" as a result of Biden's \\\"spending on wars\\\". She has praised PresidentFranklin D. Rooseveltfor advocating for theSocial Securityprogram and theNew Dealproject.She said of Roosevelt, \\\"he helped us get over theDepression, all while he was in a wheelchair. Like, this man was suffering frompolioat the time of his presidency, and yet all he was worried about was trying to make America great—make America great again\",\n \"America great again for real. He's the real 'Make America Great Again,' because if it wasn't for him, old people wouldn't even get Social Security.\\\"Sanders has praised her for her \\\"leading role\\\" in calling attention to Social Security. Fashion Cardi has a noted affinity forChristian Louboutinheels, a running theme in her song \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\".She has also mentioned her affinity for cheap,fast fashionbrands stating \\\"I don't care if it cost $20 or $15. If it looks good on me, it looks good on me\\\".During an interview in early 2017, Cardi B spoke on being rejected by some fashion designers.Cardi wore vintageThierry Muglerto the2019 Grammy Awards, with ani-Darticle stating that the fashion house's \\\"resurgence onto the fashion scene can almost single-handedly be attributed\\\" to theSwarovski crystal-embroidered crinoline sheath gown she wore at the ceremony. Mugler's collaboration with Cardi B marked the second time in 25 years that the Paris house opened its archives to dress a celebrity, the first beingBeyoncéfor\",\n \"beingBeyoncéfor her 2009 concert tour.Wmagazine credited the \\\"WAP\\\" music video for popularizing the Mugler bodysuit in the mainstream.Cardi has acknowledged Mugler as one of the first designers to \\\"take a major chance on \\\" for their fashion collaborations. Vogue,The Telegraph,Time, andVibehave referred to her as afashion icon.An article fromVoguenoted she \\\"is famous for her statement getups—whether she's rocking archival Mugler on the red carpet, or dripping in Chanel while sitting courtside at a basketball game.\\\"Her over-the-top manicures, designed bynail artistJenny Buiand studded withSwarovski crystals, has become a part of her signature look.EditorChristian Allairefrom the magazine in 2021 commented that her signature \\\"bold\\\" ensembles \\\"create a spectacle\\\" duringfashion weeks. In 2018, she became the first female rapper in the US to appear on the cover ofVoguemagazine. Photographed byAnnie Leibovitz, the cover, one of four for the January 2019 issue that includedStella McCartney,features her in a red and\",\n \"her in a red and whiteMichael Korsdress and matching redJimmy Chooshoes, while holding her daughter, Kulture. In 2019, theCouncil of Fashion Designers of Americaincluded her on their list of \\\"28 Black Fashion Forces\\\".Vogueeditor-in-chiefAnna Wintourcommended her fashion sense, declaring that she \\\"completely rethought opinion of Cardi B's style\\\" after the 2019Met Gala, where the rapper wore aThom Browne-designed burgundy gown that extends outward in concentric circles for about ten feet and was inspired by thefemale form. Cardi B became the face ofBalenciaga's ad campaign for the winter 2020 season. The campaign includes billboards in several international locations, such as theLouvremuseum.Vogue's Brooke Bobb commented, \\\"This is Cardi's first campaign for a luxury fashion house, though she's definitely no stranger to the Parisian style scene\\\", citing her floral printedRichard Quinnensemble \\\"that literally covered her from head to toe\\\" and her being \\\"a front row fixture\\\" athigh fashionshows, adding, \\\"She and\",\n \"adding, \\\"She and her stylist Kollin Carter have been wildly successful in carving out a much-needed space for Cardi within the fashion industry, and they've cultivated a personal style that is all her own while being inspiring to all\\\". In 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be awarded by theFN Achievement Awardswhen she won the Style Influencer of the Year award, which was presented to her byChristian Louboutin. In a press release for the awards show, she was called an \\\"influence just about everything in pop culture—from music, fashion and style to social media, politics and even public service\\\".In 2022,Rolling Stoneranked her as the second most-stylish woman in music, behindLady Gaga,andGQconsidered her \\\"one of fashion's preeminent risk-takers.\\\" Impact Cardi B has been referred to as the \\\"Reigning Queen of Hip Hop\\\" by multiple publications, includingBillboard,The Hollywood Reporter,Entertainment Weekly,Omaha World-Herald,Black Enterprise,Newsweek, andThe A.V. Club,and as the \\\"Queen of Rap\\\"\",\n \"the \\\"Queen of Rap\\\" byNME,Essence,Harper's Bazaar Malaysia,The Jakarta Post,Uproxx,iHeartRadio,Geo TV,Vanity Fair,Joe,Boston Herald,Refinery 29,France 24, and Nigerian mediaThe Guardian,BBC News, andDaily Trust. Spinstaff credited her for opening \\\"the table to a new generation of pop artists remaking American music in their own image and accents,\\\" as Cardi B \\\"recognized thatPOCartists no longer need to pander or soften themselves in order to become household names.\\\"Billboardeditors stated that with \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\"'s commercial success, \\\"she left an indelible mark on the summer of 2017, not only because she rewrote history, but she gave hope to the have nots...\\\".Several publications have credited \\\"I Like It\\\", the firstLatin trapsong to reach number one on theHot 100, for introducing the \\\"musical movement\\\" to a mainstream, massive audience.Billboard'sCarl Lamarre considered \\\"WAP\\\"'s achievements \\\"a clever Trojan horse for the myriad ways Cardi influences the culture with every move she makes.\\\" The Wall Street\",\n \"The Wall Street Journal's Neil Shah stated in 2020 that her breakthrough and success influenced \\\"today's female-rap renaissance,\\\" whileGeniusstaff credited her for \\\"helping jumpstart a new wave of female hip-hop signings and promotion at labels,\\\"andNPR Musiccommented that the \\\"renaissance\\\" of the dynamism of women in rap grew \\\"in enthusiasm and breadth\\\" since Cardi's \\\"first historic run\\\" in 2017.Similarly,Clover Hope's bookThe Motherlode(2021) stated thatInvasion of Privacy\\\"jump-started a new era for women rappers in which success felt much more tangible\\\" as Cardi B \\\"multiplied the wealth of talent and resurrected the idea that numerous women who controlled their own stories could dominate rap at once.\\\" The New Yorkerhas credited her for \\\"changing a genre that has rarely allowed for more than one female superstar at a time.\\\"Uproxxnoted Cardi B for promoting up-and-coming female rappers; \\\" choosing to use her position at the height of stardom to open doors for other women to flourish in hip-hop at a greater\",\n \"at a greater level than any since theGolden Eraand 'Ladies First',\\\" considering it \\\"something of a departure from tradition; for the decade previous to Cardi's precipitous come-up, it seemed hip-hop had an unspoken,Highlander-esque rule in place regarding women.\\\"Varietydeemed her a \\\"hip-hop icon\\\",andThe Independentcalled her \\\"the people's pop culture icon\\\", writing that she \\\"has become one of the most recognisable cultural figures of the past 10 years\\\". NPRdefined \\\"Cardi B effect\\\" as \\\"abranding powerrooted in specific authenticity, created and permeated by rapper Cardi B\\\" and noticed that with her breakthrough, \\\"brands finally started to become hip to effect, noticing the cultural markers outside of the rap world that were proving it wasn't limited to clubs, concerts and radio.\\\"Business magazineInc.stated that her success \\\"shows how social media changed everything we knew abouttraditional marketingand media\\\", which no longer relies on a \\\"well-thought marketing scheme or millions of dollars in\",\n \"of dollars in advertising.\\\"In 2019, a life-sized sculpture of her was on display at theBrooklyn Museum, as part ofSpotify's RapCaviar \\\"Pantheon\\\". Bloombergreported that her data bill helped to boost Ghana's GDP growth in 2019, after it was part of a concert tour.She inspired the creation of the sitcomPartners in Rhyme, executively produced byMC Lyteabout a young woman in high school who \\\"aspires to be the next Cardi B.\\\"P-Valleycreator and executive producerKatori Hallcited her an inspiration for the TV series, and credited her for \\\"helping prepare the public\\\" for its storyline. Several artists have cited Cardi B's work as an inspiration, includingRosalía,Olivia Rodrigo,Jazmine Sullivan,Selena Gomez,Blackpink,Spice,Greta Gerwig,Nathy Peluso,Rubi Rose,María Becerra,andAbigail Asante.Cardi B has been credited for supporting and uniting female rappers in the industry,with a writer fromUproxxconsidering her co-sign \\\"the newDrakeeffect\\\" for women in hip hop. Achievements Cardi B is the recipient of numerous\",\n \"of numerous accolades, including aGrammy Award, eightBillboardMusic Awards(including three consecutiveTop Rap Female Artistwins), sixGuinness World Records,sixAmerican Music Awards, fourMTV Video Music Awards, sixBET Awards(includingAlbum of the Year), and fourteenBET Hip Hop Awards.Invasion of Privacy—which made her the first female rapper to win theGrammy Award for Best Rap Albumas a solo artist—became the first female rap albumin fifteen yearsto be nominated for aGrammy Award for Album of the Year. Timeincluded her on theirannual listof the 100 most influential people in the world in 2018.She received theASCAPaward forSongwriter of the Yearin 2019, becoming the first female rapper to win the award.She received the honor for the second time in 2020, making her the first female songwriter to win the award twice.In 2020, Cardi B became the first female rapper to be namedWoman of the Yearat theBillboardWomen in MusicAwards. Cardi B is the female rapper with the mostBillboardHot 100number one singles (5)and\",\n \"one singles (5)and the one with the most total weeks on the top position (16).\\\"I Like It\\\" became the first song led by a female rapper to surpassa billion streamsonSpotify, making her the first woman in hip hop with multiple billion-streamers on the service, and the female rapper with the second-most, with a total of four so far.With the singles \\\"Taki Taki\\\" and \\\"WAP\\\" she became the only female rapper to top the global Spotify chart multiple times.Since August 2020, \\\"WAP\\\" holds the record of the biggest first-week streams for a song in the United States.Invasion of Privacywas the top female rap album of the 2010s, according to theBillboard200decade-end chart.It became the longest-charting album by a female rapper on theBillboard200,and the most-streamed female rap album on Spotify. Cardi is the female rapper with the mostDiamond-certifiedsongs by theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) (3): \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\", which made her the first female rapper to have a song certified Diamond; \\\"Girls Like You\\\",\",\n \"\\\"Girls Like You\\\", which made her the only female rapper to achieve multiple Diamond-certified songs; and \\\"I Like It\\\", a tie for the second-most among women artists.Cardi B has topped twicePitchfork'sannual list of best songs of the year(2017 and 2020).Billboardstaff andRolling Stoneranked her debut album number 13 and 34 on their critics' lists of the best albums of the 2010s respectively, both the highest rank for a female rapper for the decade.Cardi B has become the highest-certified female rapper of all time on theRIAA's Top Artists (Digital Singles)ranking, with 58 million certified units, also being among the highest-certified female artists overall.In October 2022, five years after her major-label debut, she reached 100 million units sold in RIAA certifications, across her album, singles and guest appearances. In the US, Cardi has achieved three times the best-performing song of the year by a female artist—the first act to do so this century—in 2017, 2018, and 2020.As of 2021, \\\"I Like It\\\" is the\",\n \"\\\"I Like It\\\" is the most-streamed song by a female rapper in the United Kingdom.In August 2021, \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\" made Cardi B the first female rapper to have two videos on herYouTubechannel with more than 1 billion views, joining \\\"I Like It\\\", and became the fastest solo female rap song to reach that mark on the platform.She has the most-viewed music videos on YouTube, both as a solo act and feature, among female rappers (\\\"Bodak Yellow\\\"; \\\"Girls Like You\\\"). As of September 2024, she has one music video with over 3 billion views (\\\"Girls Like You\\\"); one video with over 2 billion views (\\\"Taki Taki\\\"); and three videos with over a billion views (\\\"I Like It\\\", \\\"Bodak Yellow\\\", \\\"Girls Like You (Volume 2)\\\") on YouTube. Cardi is the only female rapper ranked onBillboard's Greatest Hot 100 Hits of All Time, with \\\"Girls Like You\\\" at number 30. Personal life Cardi B defined herself as a practicingCatholic.In 2016, Cardi B said that, while working as a stripper during her younger years, she used to drug and rob men to get\",\n \"and rob men to get money.Following controversies on the matter, sparked in 2019, she defended herself by saying that she took money from them because they \\\"wasted her time by falling asleep\\\", and then \\\"kept coming back.\\\"In 2024, she spoke on the matter again, saying she \\\"doesn't feel bad\\\" about drugging and robbing men and would do it again. She identifies asbisexual.In connection with theMe Too movement, she has discussed being sexually assaulted in the past while working as a stripper. In a 2018 interview, Cardi B talked about beingAfro-LatinaandAfro-Caribbean: We are Caribbean people. Some people want to decide if you're black or not, depending on your skin complexion, because they don't understand Caribbean people or our culture. I don't got to tell you that I'm black. I expect you to know about it. When my father taught me about Caribbean countries, he told me that Europeans took over our lands. That's why we all speak different languages. Just like everybody else, we came over here the same way. I\",\n \"the same way. I hate when people try to take my roots from me. Because we know that there's African roots inside of us. Relationships In early 2017, Cardi B began dating fellow rapperOffset.They became engaged on October 27, 2017.On April 7, 2018, during her second performance onSaturday Night Live, Cardi B revealed her pregnancy; she was about six months (24 weeks) pregnant at the time.On June 25, 2018,TMZfound a marriage license revealing Cardi B and Offset had actually secretly married in September 2017, one month before the public proposal. She later confirmed this in a social media post. Cardi B gave birth to her daughter on July 10, 2018.In December 2018, she announced onInstagramthat she and Offset had separated, though the pair later reunited.In February 2019, the couple made a public appearance for the Grammys.He accompanied her onstage during her acceptance speech forBest Rap Album. In September 2020, it was reported that Cardi B had filed for divorce from Offset,but the following month it was\",\n \"month it was revealed they were back together.In June 2021, Cardi B revealed she was pregnant with her second child, a boy.She gave birth to her son on September 4, 2021.On the fifth anniversary of her marriage, Cardi B announced she was planning her official wedding.In December 2023, Cardi shared via Instagram that she had been \\\"single for a minute,\\\" confirming that she and Offset were no longer together.However, as of March 2024, the current status of their marriage became unclear as they were still working together, with Offset having directed a music video for Cardi B.In July 2024, Cardi officially filed for divorce from Offset. She announced her third pregnancy the day after.She gave birth to her third child, on September 7, 2024. Legal issues On October 1, 2018, Cardi B was accused of an alleged assault of two female bartenders.The victims claimed that Cardi B and her entourage \\\"threw bottles and alcohol at them.\\\"She denied involvement.She was charged with twomisdemeanors: assault and reckless\",\n \"and reckless endangerment.Cardi B appeared in court for her arraignment on December 7, 2018, after she did not show up for the originally scheduled date due to a scheduling conflict, according to her attorney.On June 21, 2019, a jury indicted Cardi B on 14 charges, including two counts of felony assault with intent to cause serious physical injury, stemming from the incident.She was arraigned on June 25, 2019, and pleaded not guilty on all charges.On September 15, 2022, she pleaded guilty to third-degree assault and second-degree reckless endangerment, resulting in a sentence of 15 days of community service. On January 24, 2022, Cardi won a million-dollar defamation verdict against YouTuber Latasha Kebe (Tasha K) for waging a \\\"malicious campaign\\\" to hurt her reputation by posting false rumors. She stated that the lies had led her to contemplate suicide in 2019.The jury issued a verdict that Cardi B had been defamed and awarded $1.25 million in damages.Further proceedings brought the total fine against Kebe\",\n \"fine against Kebe to $3.82 million. On March 25, 2022, Cardi, her sister Hennessy, and Hennessy's girlfriend won a defamation lawsuit filed against them by three men over an incident at a Suffolk County beach. In July 2023, Cardi B threw her microphone into the crowd at aLas Vegasconcert of hers after a fan threw a liquid at her. Subsequently, one fan attempted to press charges but theClark CountyPolice Department following an investigation decided not to move forward with a case. Controversies Cardi B sparked controversy after throwing one of her high heel shoes at and attempting to physically attack fellow rapperNicki Minajat aNew York Fashion Weekafter-party in September 2018; bodyguards intervened before she could reach Minaj, leaving her a large bump on her forehead.Following the altercation, she alleged on Instagram that Minaj had previously \\\"liked\\\" social media comments that spoke negatively of Cardi B's ability to take care of her newborn daughter.Minaj denied the allegations on her Queen Radio show\",\n \"Queen Radio show and expressed embarrassment at the fight.She accused Cardi B of building \\\"her career off of sympathy and payola\\\" and of bribing DJs and radio outlets with sex to play her records. Minaj also criticized Cardi B's rapping ability, saying, \\\"Do you know what it's like to sit in your room for hours writing raps? You came into my fucking culture. I never had to fuck a DJ to play my songs.\\\"Minaj also called Cardi B a \\\"disgusting pig\\\" for allegedlycyberbullyinga guest caller on Minaj's show and unearthed posts calling dark-skinned black women \\\"cockroaches\\\", which she had defended earlier by saying that it is a derogatory term inthe Bronxused for anyone being disrespectful.Cardi B was on the cover of the 2019 spring fashion issue ofHarper's Bazaar, which featured her in aCinderella-themed photo shoot wearing a red gown and leaving a shoe behind. Some interpreted this as a reference to the incident. After the release of \\\"Girls\\\" in May 2018, a collaboration where she had a featured verse, Cardi B\",\n \"verse, Cardi B responded to accusations of the song trivializingLGBTrelationships; she tweeted, \\\"We never try to cause harm or had bad intentions with the song.\\\" She went on to add, \\\"I personally myself had experiences with other women.\\\" Discography Filmography Commercials See also Notes References Further reading External links\",\n \"Tupac Shakur Tupac Amaru Shakur(/ˈtuːpɑːkʃəˈkʊər/ⓘ; bornLesane Parish Crooks; June 16, 1971 – September 13, 1996), also known by his stage names2PacandMakaveli, was an American rapper and actor. Considered to be one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time,academics regard him as one of the most influential music artists of the 20th century and a prominent political activist forBlack America.In addition to his music career, Shakur also wrote poetry and had numerous starring roles in movies. Shakur is among thebest-selling music artists, having sold more than 75 million records worldwide.His lyrical content has been noted for addressing social injustice, political issues, and the marginalization of otherAfrican-Americans,but he was also synonymous withgangsta rapand violent lyrics. Shakur was born inNew York Cityto parents who were both political activists andBlack Panther Partymembers. Raised by his mother,Afeni Shakur, he relocated toBaltimorein 1984 and to theSan Francisco Bay Areain 1988.\",\n \"Bay Areain 1988. With the release of his debut album2Pacalypse Nowin 1991, he became a central figure inWest Coast hip hopfor hisconscious rapandpolitical raplyrics.Shakur achieved further critical and commercialmulti-platinumsuccess with his follow-up albumsStrictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...(1993) andMe Against the World(1995).HisDiamondcertified albumAll Eyez on Me(1996), the first double-length album in hip-hop history, abandoned his introspective lyrics for volatile gangsta rap.In addition to his music career, Shakur starred roles inJuice(1992),Poetic Justice(1993),Above the Rim(1994),Bullet(1996),Gridlock'd(1997), andGang Related(1997). Shakur's most notable songs include \\\"California Love,\\\" \\\"Changes,\\\" \\\"Dear Mama,\\\" \\\"Hail Mary,\\\" \\\"Keep Ya Head Up,\\\" \\\"Hit 'Em Up,\\\" \\\"Ambitionz az a Ridah,\\\" \\\"All Eyez on Me,\\\" \\\"Ghetto Gospel,\\\" \\\"Do for Love,\\\" \\\"So Many Tears,\\\" \\\"To Live & Die in L.A.,\\\" \\\"How Do U Want It,\\\" \\\"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted,\\\" \\\"Brenda's Got a Baby\\\" and \\\"I Get Around.\\\" Alongside his solo career, Shakur was part of\",\n \"Shakur was part of the groupThug Lifeand collaborated with artists likeSnoop Dogg,Dr. Dre, and theOutlawz. During the later part of his career, Shakur was shot five times in the lobby of a New York recording studio and experienced legal troubles, includingincarceration. He served eight months in prison onsexual abusecharges, but was released pending an appeal of his conviction in 1995.Following his release, he signed toMarion \\\"Suge\\\" Knight's labelDeath Row Recordsand became heavily involved in the growingEast Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalry.On September 7, 1996, Shakur wasshot four timesby an unidentified assailant in adrive-by shootinginLas Vegas; he died six days later. Following his murder, Shakur's friend-turned-rival,the Notorious B.I.G., was at first considered a suspect due to their public feud; he was also murdered inanother drive-by shootingsix months later in March 1997, while visiting Los Angeles.On September 22, 1996, a peace summit was convened atMosque MaryambyLouis Farrakhanin response to\",\n \"response to hisassassination. Shakur's double-length posthumous albumGreatest Hits(1998) is one of his two releases—and one of only nine hip hop albums—to have been certified Diamond in the United States.Five more albums have been released since Shakur's death, including his critically acclaimed posthumous albumThe Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory(1996)under his stage name Makaveli, all of which have been certified multi-platinum in the United States.In 2002, Shakur was inducted into theHip-Hop Hall of Fame.In 2017, he was inducted into theRock and Roll Hall of Famein his first year of eligibility.Rolling Stoneranked Shakur among the100 Greatest Artists of All Time.In 2023, he was awarded a posthumous star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.His influence in music, activism, songwriting, and other areas of culture has been the subject of academic studies. Early life Tupac Amaru Shakur was born on June 16, 1971, inEast Harlem, Manhattan, New York City.While born Lesane Parish Crooks, at age one he was renamed Tupac\",\n \"was renamed Tupac Amaru Shakur.He was named afterTúpac Amaru II, a descendant of the lastIncanruler, who was executed in Peru in 1781 after hisrevoltagainstSpanish rule.Shakur's motherAfeni Shakurexplained, \\\"I wanted him to have the name of revolutionary, indigenous people in the world. I wanted him to know he was part of a world culture and not just from a neighborhood.\\\"Tupac's surname came from Lumumba Shakur, a Sunni Muslim, whom his mother married in November 1968. Their marriage fell apart when it was discovered that Lumumba was not Tupac's biological father. Shakur had an older stepbrother,Mopreme \\\"Komani\\\" Shakur, and a half-sister, Sekyiwa Shakur, two years his junior. Panther heritage Shakur's parents, Afeni Shakur—born Alice Faye Williams in North Carolina—and his biological father, William \\\"Billy\\\" Garland, had been activeBlack Panther Partymembers in New York in the late 1960s and early 1970s.A month before Shakur's birth, his mother was tried in New York City as part of thePanther 21criminal\",\n \"21criminal trial. She was acquitted of over 150 charges. Other family members who were involved in theBlack Panthers'Black Liberation Armywere convicted of serious crimes and imprisoned, including Shakur's stepfather,Mutulu Shakur, who spent four years as one of theFBI's Ten Most Wanted Fugitives. Mutulu Shakur was apprehended in 1986 and subsequently convicted for a 1981robbery of a Brinks armored truck, during which police officers and a guard were killed. Shakur'sgodfather,Elmer \\\"Geronimo\\\" Pratt, a high-ranking Black Panther, was wrongly convicted of murdering a schoolteacher during a 1968 robbery. After he spent 27 years in prison, his conviction was overturned due to the prosecution's having concealed evidence that proved his innocence. Shakur's godmother,Assata Shakur, is a former member of theBlack Liberation Armywho was convicted in 1977 of thefirst-degree murderof aNew Jersey State Trooper. Since 2013, she has been in theFBI Most Wanted Terroristslist after she escapedprisonin 1979. Education In the\",\n \"Education In the 1980s, Shakur's mother found it difficult to find work and struggled with drug addiction.In 1984, his family moved from New York City toBaltimore, Maryland.Beginning in 1984 when Shakur was 13, he lived in thePen Lucyneighborhood with his mother and younger sister at 3955 Greenmount Ave.The home was a two-storyrowhousethat had been subdivided into two separate rental units; the Shakur family lived on the first floor.After his death, the block was renamed Tupac Shakur Way. While living in Baltimore, Shakur attended eighth grade at Roland Park Middle School, then ninth grade atPaul Laurence Dunbar High School.He transferred to theBaltimore School for the Artsin the tenth grade, where he studied acting, poetry,jazz, and ballet.He performed inShakespeare plays—the themes of which he identified in patterns of gang warfare—and as the Mouse King inThe Nutcrackerballet. At the Baltimore School for the Arts, Shakur befriended actressJada Pinkett, who became the subject of some of his poems (\\\"Jada\\\"\",\n \"his poems (\\\"Jada\\\" and \\\"The Tears in Cupid's Eyes\\\").With his friend Dana \\\"Mouse\\\" Smith as abeatbox, he won competitions for the school's best rapper.Known for his humor, he was popular with all crowds of students.He listened to a diverse range of music that includedKate Bush,Culture Club,Sinéad O'Connor, andU2. Upon connecting with the BaltimoreYoung Communist League USA,Shakur dated Mary Baldridge, who was the daughter of the director of the local chapter of theCommunist Party USA. In 1988, Shakur moved toMarin City, California, an impoverished community in the San Francisco Bay Area.In nearbyMill Valley, he attendedTamalpais High School,where he performed in several theater productions.Shakur did not graduate from high school, but later earned hisGED. Music career MC New York Shakur began recording under the stage name MC New York in 1989.That year, he began attending the poetry classes ofLeila Steinberg, and she soon became his manager.Steinberg organized a concert for Shakur and his rap group Strictly\",\n \"rap group Strictly Dope. Steinberg managed to get Shakur signed by Atron Gregory, manager of the rap groupDigital Underground.In 1990, Gregory placed him with the Underground as aroadieandbackup dancer. Digital Underground Shakur debuted under the stage name 2Pac onDigital Underground, under a new record label,Interscope Records, on the group's January 1991 single \\\"Same Song\\\". The song was featured on the soundtrack of the 1991 filmNothing but Trouble, starringDan Aykroyd,John Candy,Chevy Chase, andDemi Moore.The song opened the group's January 1991 EP titledThis Is an EP Release,while Shakur appeared in the music video. At the request of Steinberg, Digital Underground co-founder Jimi \\\"Chopmaster J\\\" Dright worked with Shakur,Ray Luvand Dize, a DJ, on their earliest studio recordings. Dright recalls that Shakur did not work well as part of a group, and added, \\\"this guy was on a mission. From day one. Maybe he knew he wasn't going to be around seven years later.\\\" From 1988 to 1991, Dright and Digital\",\n \"Dright and Digital Underground produced Shakur's earliest work with his crew at the time, Strictly Dope.The recordings were rediscovered in 2000 and released asThe Lost Tapes: Circa 1989.Afeni Shakur sued to stop the sale of the recordings but the suit was settled in June 2001 and rereleased asBeginnings: The Lost Tapes 1988–1991. Shakur's early days withDigital Undergroundmade him acquainted withRandy \\\"Stretch\\\" Walker, who along with his brother, dubbed Majesty, and a friend debuted with an EP as a rap group and production team,Live Squad, inQueens, New York.Stretch was featured on a track of the Digital Underground's 1991 albumSons of the P. Becoming fast friends, Shakur and Stretch recorded and performed together often. 2Pacalypse Now Shakur's debut album,2Pacalypse Now—alluding to the 1979 filmApocalypse Now—arrived in November 1991. Some prominent rappers—likeNas,Eminem,Game, andTalib Kweli—cite it as an inspiration.Aside from \\\"If My Homie Calls\\\", the singles \\\"Trapped\\\" and \\\"Brenda's Got a Baby\\\"\",\n \"Got a Baby\\\" poetically depict individual struggles under socioeconomic disadvantage. U.S. Vice PresidentDan Quaylesaid, \\\"There's no reason for a record like this to be released. It has no place in our society.\\\" Tupac, finding himself misunderstood,explained, in part: I just wanted to rap about things that affected young black males. When I said that, I didn't know that I was gonna tie myself down to just take all the blunts and hits for all the young black males, to be the media's kicking post for young black males. 2Pacalypse Nowwascertified Gold, half a million copies sold. The album addresses urban Black concerns said to remain relevant to the present day. Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... Shakur's second album,Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z..., was released in February 1993.A critical and commercial success, it debuted at No. 24 on the pop albums chart, theBillboard 200.An overall more hardcore album, it emphasizes Tupac's sociopolitical views, and has a metallic production quality. The song \\\"Last Wordz\\\"\",\n \"song \\\"Last Wordz\\\" featuresIce Cube, co-writer ofN.W.A's\\\"Fuck tha Police\\\", who in his own solo albums had newly gone militantlypolitical, andgangsta rapperIce-T, who in June 1992 had sparked controversy with his bandBody Count's track \\\"Cop Killer\\\". In its vinyl release, side A, tracks 1 to 8, is labeled the \\\"Black Side\\\", while side B, tracks 9 to 16, is the \\\"Dark Side\\\".The album carries the single \\\"I Get Around\\\", a party anthem featuring Digital Underground'sShock GandMoney-B, which became Shakur's breakthrough, reaching No. 11 on the pop singles chart, theBillboardHot 100.And it carries the optimistic compassion of another hit, \\\"Keep Ya Head Up\\\", an anthem forwomen's empowerment.The album was certifiedPlatinum, with a million copies sold. As of 2004, among Shakur albums, including posthumous and compilation albums,Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...was 10th in sales at about 1,366,000 copies. Thug Life In late 1993, Shakur formed the groupThug Lifewith Tyrus \\\"Big Syke\\\" Himes, Diron \\\"Macadoshis\\\" Rivers, his\",\n \"Rivers, his stepbrotherMopreme Shakur, and Walter \\\"Rated R\\\" Burns.Usually, Thug Life performed live without Tupac. Thug Life released its only album,Thug Life, Volume I, on October 11, 1994, which is certified Gold. It carries the single \\\"Pour Out a Little Liquor\\\", produced byJohnny \\\"J\\\" Jackson, who would also produce much of Shakur's albumAll Eyez on Me. The track also appears on theAbove the Rimsoundtrack.Due togangsta rapbeing under heavy criticism at the time, the album's original version was scrapped, and the album redone with mostly new tracks. Still, along with Stretch, Tupac would perform the first planned single, \\\"Out on Bail\\\", which was never released, at the1994 Source Awards. The Notorious B.I.G. and Junior M.A.F.I.A. In 1993, while visiting Los Angeles,the Notorious B.I.G.asked a local drug dealer to introduce him to Shakur and they quickly became friends. The pair would socialize when Shakur went to New York or B.I.G. to Los Angeles.During this period, at his own live shows, Shakur would call\",\n \"Shakur would call B.I.G. onto stage to rap with him and Stretch.Together, they recorded the songs \\\"Runnin' from tha Police\\\" and \\\"House of Pain\\\". Reportedly, B.I.G. asked Shakur to manage him, whereupon Shakur advised him thatSean Combswould make him a star.Yet in the meantime, Shakur's lifestyle was comparatively lavish to B.I.G. who had not yet established himself.Shakur welcomed B.I.G. to join his side group Thug Life, but he would instead form his own side group, theJunior M.A.F.I.A., with his Brooklyn friendsLil' CeaseandLil' Kim. Shakur had a falling out with B.I.G. after he was shot at Quad Studios in 1994. Me Against the World Shakur's third album,Me Against the World,was released while he was incarcerated in March 1995.It is now hailed as hismagnum opus, and commonly ranks among the greatest, most influential rap albums.The album debuted at No. 1 on theBillboard200and sold 240,000 copies in its first week, setting a then record for highest first-week sales for a solo male rapper. The lead single,\",\n \"The lead single, \\\"Dear Mama\\\", was released in February 1995 with \\\"Old School\\\" as theB-side.It is the album's most successful single, topping theHot Rap Singleschart, and peaking at No. 9 on theBillboardHot 100.In July, it was certified Platinum.It ranked No. 51 on theyear-end charts. The second single, \\\"So Many Tears\\\", was released in June 1995,reaching No. 6 on the Hot Rap Singles chart and No. 44 on Hot 100.The final single, \\\"Temptations\\\", was released in August 1995.It reached No. 68 on the Hot 100, No. 35 on theHot R&B/Hip-Hop Singles & Tracks, and No. 13 on the Hot Rap Singles.Several celebrities showed their support for Shakur by appearing in the music video for \\\"Temptations\\\". Shakur won best rap album at the1996 Soul Train Music Awards.In 2001, it ranked 4th among his total albums in sales, with about 3 million copies sold in the U.S. All Eyez on Me While Shakur was imprisoned in 1995, his mother was about to lose her house. Shakur had his wife Keisha Morris contactDeath Row RecordsfounderSuge\",\n \"RecordsfounderSuge Knightin Los Angeles.Reportedly, Shakur's mother promptly received $15,000.After an August visit toClinton Correctional Facilityin northern New York state, Knight traveled southward to New York City to attend the2nd Annual Source Awardsceremony. Meanwhile, anEast Coast–West Coast hip hop rivalrywas brewing between Death Row andBad Boy Records.In October 1995, Knight visited Shakur in prison again and posted $1.4 million bond.Shakur returned to Los Angeles and joined Death Row with the appeal of his December 1994 conviction pending. Shakur's fourth album,All Eyez on Me, arrived on February 13, 1996.It was rap's first double album—meeting two of the three albums due in Shakur's contract with Death Row—and bore five singles.The album shows Shakurrapping about the gangsta lifestyle, leaving behind his previous political messages. With standout production, the album has more party tracks and often a triumphant tone.Music journalistKevin Powellnoted that Shakur, once released from prison, became\",\n \"from prison, became more aggressive, and \\\"seemed like a completely transformed person\\\". As Shakur's second album to hit No. 1 on both theTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albumschart and the pop albums chart, theBillboard200,it sold 566,000 copies in its first week and was it wascertified5× Multi-Platinum in April.The singles \\\"How Do U Want It\\\" and \\\"California Love\\\" reached No. 1 on theBillboardHot 100.Death Row released Shakur's diss track \\\"Hit 'Em Up\\\" as the non-album B-side to \\\"How Do U Want It\\\". In this venomous tirade, the proclaimed \\\"Bad Boy killer\\\" threatens violent payback on all things Bad Boy — B.I.G., Sean Combs, Junior M.A.F.I.A., the company — and on any in the East Coast rap scene, like rap duoMobb Deepand rapperChino XL, who allegedly had commented against Shakur about the dispute. All Eyez on Mewon R&B/Soul or Rap Album of the Year at the1997 Soul Train Music Awards.At the1997 American Music Awards, Shakur won Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist.The album was certified 9× Multi-Platinum in June 1998,and 10× in July\",\n \"10× in July 2014. Posthumous albums At the time of his death, a fifth solo album was already finished,The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, under the stage name Makaveli. It had been recorded during the summer of 1996 and released that year.The lyrics were written and recorded in three days, and mixing took another four days. In 2005, MTV.com rankedThe 7 Day Theoryat No. 9 among hip hop's greatest albums ever,and by 2006 a classic album.Its singular poignance, through hurt and rage, contemplation and vendetta, resonate with many fans. According to George \\\"Papa G\\\" Pryce, Death Row Records' then director ofpublic relations, the album was meant to be \\\"underground\\\", and was not intended for release before the artist was murdered.It peaked at No. 1 onBillboard'sTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albumschart and on theBillboard200,with the second-highest debut-week sales total of any album that year.On June 15, 1999, it was certified 4× Multi-Platinum. Later posthumous albums are archival productions, these albums are: Poetry\",\n \"albums are: Poetry collection Before and during his hip-hop career, Shakur wrote dozens of poems.Some of the most notable are \\\"Can U C The Pride in The Panther\\\", \\\"If I fail\\\", \\\"Family Tree\\\", and \\\"The Rose that grew from the concrete\\\". In 1993 Tupac played a character named “Lucky” in the film titledPoetic JusticealongsideJanet Jackson. Poet and activistMaya Angelou, whom worked withMartin Luther King Jr.andMalcolm Xduring the civil rights movement, wrote the poems used in the 1993 film. In April 2022, handwritten poems written by Tupac when he was 11 years old were up for sale for $300,000 USD but only sold for $90,000.The poems were forJamal Josephand three otherBlack Panther Partymembers while they were incarcerated atLeavenworth Prison. Even at his young age, Shakur's writing dealt with themes such as black liberation, mass incarceration, race, and masculinity. The poems feature a self-portrait of Shakur sleeping, pen in hand, dreaming of the Black Panthers being freed from prison, and signed with a heart\",\n \"signed with a heart and the phrase \\\"Tupac Shakur, Future Freedom Fighter\\\". In October, 2023, sexually explicit poems he wrote toJada Pinkett Smithwhile in prison went public in the book \\\"Tupac Shakur: The Authorized Biography.\\\"Pinkett Smith celebrated Shakur's 50th birthday by showing a unreleased poem on Instagram called \\\"Lost Soulz.\\\"According toRolling Stonewriter Andy Green: “He was also a poet and activist who became one of his era’s most revolutionary voices.\\\"Tupac had passion for theater and admiration ofWilliam Shakespeare. Years after Tupac's death,Nassaid \\\"I put Tupac beyond Shakespeare.\\\" Film career Shakur's first film appearance was in the 1991 filmNothing but Trouble, acameoby the Digital Underground. In 1992, he starred inJuice, in which he plays the fictional Roland Bishop, a militant and haunting individual.Rolling Stone'sPeter Traverscalls him \\\"the film's most magnetic figure\\\". In 1993, Shakur starred alongsideJanet JacksoninJohn Singleton's romance film,Poetic Justice.Singleton later fired\",\n \"later fired Shakur from the 1995 filmHigher Learningbecause the studio would not finance the film following his arrest.For the lead role in the eventual 2001 filmBaby Boy, a role played byTyrese Gibson, Singleton originally had Shakur in mind.Ultimately, theset designincludes a Shakur mural in the protagonist's bedroom, and the film's score includes Shakur's song \\\"Hail Mary\\\". DirectorAllen Hugheshad cast Shakur as Sharif in the 1993 filmMenace II Societybut replaced him once Shakur assaulted him on set due to a discrepancy with the script. Nonetheless, in 2013, Hughes appraises that Shakur would have outshone the other actors \\\"because he was bigger than the movie\\\". Shakur played a gangster called Birdie in the 1994 filmAbove the Rim.By some accounts, that character had been modeled after former New York drug dealerJacques \\\"Haitian Jack\\\" Agnant,who managed and promoted rappers.Shakur was introduced to him at a Queens nightclub.Reportedly, B.I.G. advised Shakur to avoid him, but Shakur disregarded the\",\n \"disregarded the warning.Through Haitian Jack, Shakur metJames \\\"Jimmy Henchman\\\" Rosemond, also a drug dealer who doubled as music manager. Soon after Shakur's death, three more films starring him were released,Bullet(1996),Gridlock'd(1997), andGang Related(1997). Posthumous rumored roles andStar Wars It was rumored that Shakur was being considered byGeorge Lucasto portrayJedi MasterMace Winduin theStar Warsprequel films (1999–2005). According to formerDeath Row Recordschief engineer Rick Clifford, George Lucas was eyeing Tupac to star in his return to the \\\"Star Wars\\\" saga. Clifford talked about how excited Tupac was for the role, \\\"'Pac found out that I worked for Brian Austin Green, who was on90210, then he found out I some movies, so we always talked about his film career and stuff. He was telling me that he was supposed to read for George Lucas and them. They wanted him to be a Jedi. I'm serious. Samuel L. got Tupac's part. said , 'Old man, keep your fingers crossed.' He said, 'I've got three movies\",\n \"got three movies coming up. One of them, I've got to read for George Lucas.\\\" The Phantom Menacescript had begun being written in 1996 and the eventual film seeing release in 1999. Lucas had asked Jackson to ask Shakur to audition but due to Shakur's untimely death the role ultimately went toSamuel L. Jackson. The two had worked on the filmJuicetogether. Personal life In his 1995 interview withVibemagazine, Shakur listedJada Pinkett,Jasmine Guy,TreachandMickey Rourkeamong the people who were looking out for him while he was in prison.Shakur also mentioned thatMadonnawas a supportive friend.Madonna later revealed that they had dated in 1994. Shakur became close friends with Jada Pinkett while attending the Baltimore School for the Arts.He helped Pinkett land her first movie role in the filmMenace II Society(1993).In turn, Pinkett secured Shakur a guest starring role on the sitcomA Different Worldin 1993.She appeared in his music videos \\\"Keep Ya Head Up\\\" and \\\"Temptations\\\".She also came up with the concept for\",\n \"the concept for his \\\"California Love\\\" music video and had intended to direct it, but removed herself from the project.In 1995, Pinkett contributed $100,000 towards Shakur's bail as he awaited an appeal on his sexual abuse conviction.Pinkett later revealed that she turned down hismarriage proposalwhile he was incarcerated atRikers Islandin 1995.Speaking about Pinkett, Shakur stated: \\\"Jada is my heart. She will be my friend for my whole life. We'll be old together. Jada can ask me to do anything and she can have it.\\\"Pinkett said Shakur was \\\"one of my best friends. He was like a brother. It was beyond friendship for us. The type of relationship we had, you only get that once in a lifetime\\\". After Shakur was shot in 1994, he recuperated at Jasmine Guy's home.They had met during his guest appearance on the sitcomA Different Worldin 1993.Guy appeared in his music video \\\"Temptations\\\" and later wrote his mother's 2004 biography,Afeni Shakur: Evolution of a Revolutionary. Shakur befriended Treach when they were both\",\n \"when they were both roadies on Public Enemy's tour in 1990.He made a cameo inNaughty by Nature's music video \\\"Uptown Anthem\\\" in 1992.Treach collaborated on Shakur's song \\\"5 Deadly Venomz\\\" and appeared in the music video for Shakur's \\\"Temptations\\\".Treach was also a speaker at a public memorial service for Shakur in 1996. In 1993, during a police raid of Shakur's room at New York City'sParker Meridian Hotel, a videotape was confiscated which showed Shakur having sex with his then-girlfriend Desiree Smith. Officers were attempting to build their case against Shakur for the allegedsodomyof Ayanna Jackson. In 2022, Smith insisted she was neither underage nor intoxicated at the time of their tryst.In 2011, asex tapefeaturing Shakur receivingoral sexfrom a groupie while rapping and dancing along to one of his own unreleased songs, was sold to a private collector. The video, which was filmed in 1993, also features rapperMoney BfromDigital Underground. Shakur and Mickey Rourke formed a bond while filming the\",\n \"while filming the movieBulletin 1994.Rourke recalled that Shakur \\\"was there for me during some very hard times.\\\" Shakur had friendships with other celebrities, includingMike TysonChuck D,Jim Carrey,andAlanis Morissette. In April 1996, Shakur said that he, Morrissette, Snoop Dogg, and Suge Knight were planning to open a restaurant together. On April 29, 1995, Shakur married his girlfriend Keisha Morris, apre-lawstudent.Their marriage was annulled ten months later. In a 1993 interview published inThe Source, Shakur criticized record producerQuincy Jonesfor hisinterracial marriageto actressPeggy Lipton.Their daughterRashida Jonesresponded with an irate open letter.Shakur later apologized to her sisterKidada Jones, whom he began dating in 1996.Shakur and Jones attendedMen's Fashion Weekin Milan and walked the runway together for aVersacefashion show.Jones was at their hotel in Las Vegas when Shakur was shot. Legal issues Sexual assault case, prison sentence, appeal and release In November 1993, Shakur and two\",\n \"Shakur and two other men were charged in New York withsodomizinga woman in Shakur's hotel room. The woman, Ayanna Jackson, alleged that after she performed oral sex on Shakur at the public dance floor of a Manhattan nightclub, she went to his hotel room on a later day, when Shakur, record executiveJacques \\\"Haitian Jack\\\" Agnant, Shakur's road manager Charles Fuller and an unidentified fourth man apprehended and forced her to perform non-consensual oral sex on each of them.Shakur was also charged withillegal possession of a firearmas two guns were found in the hotel room.Interviewed onThe Arsenio Hall Show, Shakur said he was hurt that \\\"a woman would accuse me of taking something from her\\\", as he had been raised in a female household and surrounded by women his whole life. On December 1, 1994, Shakur was acquitted of three counts of sodomy and the associated gun charges, but convicted of two counts of first-degree sexual abuse for \\\"forcibly touching the woman's buttocks\\\" in his hotel room.Jurors have said the\",\n \"have said the lack of evidence stymied a sodomy conviction.Shakur's lawyer characterized the sentence as \\\"out of line\\\" with the groping conviction and the setting of bail at $3 million as \\\"inhumane\\\". Shakur's accuser later filed a civil suit against Shakur seeking $10 million for punitive damages which was subsequentlysettled. After Shakur had been convicted of sexual abuse, Jacques Agnant's case was separated and closed via misdemeanor plea without incarceration.A. J. Benzareported inNew York Daily NewsShakur's new disdain for Agnant who Shakur theorized had set him up with the case.Shakur reportedly believed his accuser was connected to and had sexual relations with Agnant andJames \\\"Henchman\\\" Rosemond, who he considered to be behind the 1994 Quad Studios shooting. Shakur was unable to post the $3 million bond to keep himself free until sentencing so he surrendered himself to authorities at theBellevue Hospital Jail Wardin New York City on December 23, 1994.At the time, he was still recovering from injuries\",\n \"from injuries he received on November 30, when he was shot five times and robbed at Quad Studios.In January 1995, Shakur was moved to the North Infirmary Command (NIC) onRikers Islandinthe Bronx.On February 7, 1995, he was sentenced to 18 months to4+1⁄2years in prison by a judge who decried \\\"an act of brutal violence against a helpless woman\\\". In March 1995, Shakur was transferred toClinton Correctional FacilityinDannemora.While imprisoned, he began reading again, which he had been unable to do as his career progressed due to his marijuana and alcohol habits. Works such asThe Princeby Italian philosopherNiccolò MachiavelliandThe Art of Warby Chinese military strategistSun Tzusparked Shakur's interest inphilosophy,philosophy of warandmilitary strategy.On April 29, 1995, Shakur married his girlfriend Keisha Morris; the marriage was later annulled.While in prison, Shakur exchanged letters with celebrities such asJim CarreyandTony Danzaamong others.He was also visited byAl Sharpton, who helped Shakur get\",\n \"helped Shakur get released fromsolitary confinement. By October 1995, pending judicial appeal, Shakur was incarcerated in New York.On October 12, he bonded out of the maximum securityDannemoraClinton Correctional Facility in the process of appealing his conviction,onceSuge Knight, CEO of Death Row Records, arraigned for posting of his $1.4 million bond. 1993 shooting in Atlanta On October 31, 1993, Shakur was arrested in Atlanta for shooting two off-duty police officers, brothers Mark Whitwell and Scott Whitwell.The Atlanta police claimed the shooting occurred after the brothers were almost struck by a car carrying Shakur while they were crossing the street with their wives.As they argued with the driver, Shakur's car pulled up and he shot the Whitwells in the buttocks and the abdomen.However, there are conflicting accounts that the Whitwells were harassing a black motorist and uttered racial slurs.According to some witnesses, Shakur and his entourage had fired in self-defense as Mark Whitwell shot at them\",\n \"shot at them first. Shakur was charged with two counts of aggravated assault.Mark Whitwell was charged with firing at Shakur's car and later with making false statements to investigators. Scott Whitwell admitted to possessing a gun he had taken from aHenry Countypolice evidence room.Prosecutors ultimately dropped all charges against both parties.Mark Whitwell resigned from the force seven months after the shooting.Both brothers filed civil suits against Shakur; Mark Whitwell's suit was settled out of court, while Scott Whitwell's $2 million lawsuit resulted in a default judgment entered against the rapper's estate in 1998. 1994 Quad Studios shooting On November 30, 1994, while in New York recording verses for a mixtape of Ron G, Shakur was repeatedly distracted by his beeper.Music managerJames \\\"Jimmy Henchman\\\" Rosemond, reportedly offered Shakur $7,000 to stop by Quad Studios, in Times Square, that night to record a verse for his clientLittle Shawn.Shakur was unsure, but agreed to the session as he needed\",\n \"as he needed the cash to offset legal costs. He arrived with Stretch and one or two others. In the lobby, three men robbed and beat him at gunpoint; Shakur resisted and was shot.Shakur speculated that the shooting had been a set-up. Against medical advice, Shakur checked out ofMetropolitan Hospital Centera few hours after surgery and secretly went to the house of the actressJasmine Guyto recuperate.The next day, Shakur arrived at a Manhattan courthouse bandaged in a wheelchair to receive the jury's verdict for his sexual abuse case.Shakur spent the next few weeks being cared for by his mother and a private doctor at Guy's home.TheFruit of Islamand former members of the Black Panther Party stood guard to protect him. Setup accusations involving the Notorious B.I.G. In a 1995 interview withVibe, Shakur accusedSean Combs,Jimmy Henchman,and the Notorious B.I.G, – who were at Quad Studios at the time – among others, of setting up or being privy to the November 1994 robbery and shooting.Vibealerted the names of\",\n \"the names of the accused.The accusations were significant to the East–West Coast rivalry in hip-hop; in 1995, months after the robbery, Combs and B.I.G. released the track \\\"Who Shot Ya?\\\", which Shakur took as a mockery of his shooting and thought they could be responsible, so he released adiss song, \\\"Hit 'Em Up\\\", in which he targeted B.I.G., Combs,their record label,Junior M.A.F.I.A., and at the end of \\\"Hit 'Em Up\\\", he mentions rivalsMobb DeepandChino XL. In March 2008,Chuck Philips, in theLos Angeles Times, reported on the 1994 ambush and shooting.The newspaper later retracted the article since it relied partially on FBI documents later discovered forged, supplied by a man convicted of fraud.In June 2011, convicted murderer Dexter Isaac, incarcerated in Brooklyn, issued a confession that he had been one of the gunmen who had robbed and shot Shakur at Henchman's order.Philips then named Isaac as one of his own, retracted article's unnamed sources. Other criminal or civil cases 1991 Oakland Police Department\",\n \"Police Department lawsuit On October 17, 1991, twoOakland Police Departmentofficers stopped Shakur forjaywalkingat a downtown intersection.According to Shakur, officers Alex Boyovic and Kevin Rogers asked him for his ID and pressed him about his name before choking him, throwing him to the ground and slamming his head on the concrete.Shakur filed a $10 million lawsuit against the officers forpolice brutality.The case wassettledfor about $43,000.It was later revealed that this incident was the onset of Shakur's autoimmune diseasealopecia, which led him to shave his head bald. Misdemeanor assault convictions On April 5, 1993, charged with felonious assault, Shakur allegedly threw a microphone and swung a baseball bat at rapper Chauncey Wynn, of the group M.A.D., at a concert atMichigan State University. Shakur claimed the bat was a part of his show, that he never swung it, and that there was no criminal intent.Nonetheless, on September 14, 1994, Shakur pleaded guilty to amisdemeanorand was sentenced to 30 days\",\n \"to 30 days in jail, twenty of them suspended on condition that he complete 35 hours of community service. Slated to star as Sharif in the 1993Hughes Brothers' filmMenace II Society, Shakur was replaced by actor Vonte Sweet after allegedly assaulting one of the film's directors, Allen Hughes. In early 1994, Shakur served 15 days in jail after being found guilty of the assault.The prosecution's evidence included aYo! MTV Rapsinterview in which Shakur boasted that he had \\\"beat up the director ofMenace II Society\\\". Concealed weapon case In 1994, Shakur was arrested in Los Angeles, when he was stopped by police on suspicion of speeding. Police found a semiautomatic pistol in the car, a felony offense because a prior conviction in 1993 in Los Angeles for carrying a concealed firearm.On April 4, 1996, Shakur was sentenced to 120 days in jail for violating his release terms and failing to appear for a road cleanup job,but was allowed to remain free awaiting appeal. On June 7, his sentence was deferred via appeals\",\n \"via appeals pending in other cases. 1995 wrongful death suit On August 22, 1992, in Marin City, Shakur performed outdoors at a festival. For about an hour after the performance, he signed autographs and posed for photos. A conflict broke out and Shakur allegedly drew a legally carriedColt Mustangbut dropped it on the ground. Shakur claimed that someone with him then picked it up when it accidentally discharged. About 100 yards (90 meters) away in a schoolyard, Qa'id Walker-Teal, a boy aged 6 on his bicycle, was fatally shot in the forehead. Police matched the bullet to a.38-caliberpistol registered to Shakur. His stepbrother Maurice Harding was arrested in suspicion of having fired the gun, but no charges were filed. Lack of witnesses stymied prosecution. In 1995, Qa'id's mother filed awrongful death suitagainst Shakur, which was settled for about $300,000 to $500,000. C. Delores Tucker lawsuit Civil rights activist and fierce rap criticC. Delores Tuckersued Shakur's estate in federal court, claiming that\",\n \"claiming that lyrics in \\\"How Do U Want It\\\" and \\\"Wonda Why They Call U Bitch\\\" inflicted emotional distress, were slanderous, and invaded her privacy.The case was later dismissed. Murder and aftermath On the night of September 7, 1996, Shakur was in Las Vegas, Nevada to attend theBruce Seldon vs. Mike Tysonboxing match with Suge Knight at theMGM Grand. Afterward in the lobby one of Knight's associates spottedOrlando \\\"Baby Lane\\\" Anderson, aSouthside ComptonCrip, and told Shakur he had tried to rob them earlier that year. The hotel'ssurveillancefootage shows the ensuing assault on Anderson. Shakur soon stopped by his hotel room and then headed with Knight to his Death Row nightclub, Club 662, in a blackBMW 750iLsedan, part of a larger convoy. At about 11 p.m. onLas Vegas Boulevard, bicycle-mounted police stopped the car for its loud music and lack of license plates. The plates were found in the trunk, and the car was released without a ticket.At about 11:15 p.m. at a stop light, a white, four-door,\",\n \"a white, four-door, late-modelCadillacsedan pulled up to the passenger side and an occupant rapidly fired into the car. Shakur was struck four times: once in the arm, once in the thigh, and twice in the chestwith one bullet entering his right lung.Shards hit Knight's head. Frank Alexander, Shakur's bodyguard, was not in the car at the time. He would say he had been tasked to drive the car of Shakur's girlfriend,Kidada Jones. Shakur was taken to theUniversity Medical Center of Southern Nevadawhere he was heavily sedated and put on life support.In theintensive-care uniton the afternoon of September 13, 1996, Shakur died frominternal bleeding.He was pronounced dead at 4:03 p.m.The official causes of death arerespiratory failureandcardiopulmonary arrestassociated with multiple gunshot wounds.Shakur's body wascrematedthe next day. Members of theOutlawz, recalling a line in his song \\\"Black Jesus\\\", (although uncertain of the artist's attempt at a literal meaning chose to interpret the request seriously) smoked some\",\n \"smoked some of his body's ashes after mixing them withmarijuana. In 2002, investigative journalistChuck Philips,after a year of work, reported in theLos Angeles Timesthat Anderson, a Southside Compton Crip, having been attacked by Suge and Shakur's entourage at the MGM Hotel after the boxing match, had fired the fatal gunshots, but that Las Vegas police had interviewed him only once, briefly, before his death in an unrelated shooting. Philips's 2002 article also alleges the involvement ofChristopher \\\"Notorious B.I.G.\\\" Wallaceand several within New York City's criminal underworld. Both Anderson and Wallace denied involvement, while Wallace offered a confirmed alibi.Music journalist John Leland, inThe New York Times, called the evidence \\\"inconclusive\\\". In 2011, via theFreedom of Information Act, theFBIreleased documents related to its investigation which described anextortionscheme by theJewish Defense League(classified as \\\"aright wing terroristgroup\\\" by theFBI) that included makingdeath threatsagainst Shakur\",\n \"Shakur and other rappers, but did not indicate a direct connection to his murder. On July 18, 2023, theLas Vegas Police Departmentexecuted asearch warrantin connection with Shakur's murder. On September 29, 2023, theAPreported that Las Vegas police had arrested a suspect,Duane \\\"Keefe D\\\" Davis, in Shakur's murder. Police had two months previously served a search warrant at his wife's home in the Las Vegas suburb of Henderson.Davis pleaded not guilty on November 2, 2023, in Las Vegas. Artistry Musical style Shakur's music and philosophical outlook were deeply influenced by a wide range of American,African American, and global influences, including theBlack Panther Party,black nationalism,egalitarianism, and the concept ofliberty. Moreover, Shakur's artistic sensibilities were enriched by his passion for theater and admiration for the works ofWilliam Shakespeare. Notably, he honed his theatrical skills as a student at theBaltimore School for the Arts, where he delved into the psychological complexities inherent\",\n \"inherent in inter-gang warfare and inter-cultural conflicts, reflecting themes explored in Shakespearean dramas. 2Pacalypse Now(1991), showcased his socially conscious perspective. Through powerful tracks like \\\"Brenda's Got a Baby\\\", \\\"Trapped\\\", and \\\"Part Time Mutha\\\", Shakur addressed social injustice, poverty, and police brutality. In doing so, he contributed to the ongoing success of rap groups such asBoogie Down Productions,Public Enemy,X-Clan, andGrandmaster Flash and the Furious Five, while establishing himself as one of the pioneering socially conscious rappers from the West Coast. Continuing his focus on the social challenges faced by African American people, Shakur's second album featured songs like \\\"The Streetz R Deathrow\\\" and \\\"Last Wordz\\\". Simultaneously, he showcased his compassionate side with the empowering anthem \\\"Keep Ya Head Up\\\", and his legendary intensity with the title track from the albumStrictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z...Additionally, he paid homage to his former groupDigital Undergroundby\",\n \"Undergroundby including them on the playful track \\\"I Get Around\\\". Throughout his career, Shakur's subsequent albums reflected a growing assertiveness in his approach. Shakur's body of work encompassed contrasting themes, includingsocial inequality,injustice, compassion, playfulness, andhope. These elements continued to shape his artistry, exemplified by his explosive 1995 albumMe Against the World.The release ofAll Eyez on Mein 1996 further solidified his reputation, with tracks like \\\"Ambitionz az a Ridah\\\", \\\"I Ain't Mad at Cha\\\", \\\"California Love\\\", \\\"Life Goes On\\\", and \\\"Picture Me Rollin'\\\" being hailed as classics by critics. Shakur describedAll Eyez on Meas a celebration of life, and the album achieved both critical acclaim and commercial success.According toEminem, Tupac is the greatest songwriter of all time.Nassaid in 2002: \\\"I put Tupac beyondShakespeare.\\\" Vocal style Singers can manipulate different parts of their body to create various sounds. For instance, the \\\"head voice\\\" involves singing high-pitched\",\n \"high-pitched tones resonating from the head, while the \\\"chest voice\\\" utilizes the chest area. In the documentary \\\"Tupac Shakur: Thug Angel,\\\"Greg \\\"Shock G\\\" Jacobs, one of Shakur's early producers, discusses how rappers also utilize different bodily areas to project their voices. According to him, \\\"Slick Rick rhymed from the nasal palate, Nas from the back of his throat, and Pac from the pit of his stomach, which is where his power came from.\\\" Shakur's influences stemmed from powerful orators likeMartin Luther King Jr.andMalcolm X. Despite not being physically imposing, Shakur's voice carried immense weight and power, reminiscent of these influential speakers. Shakur was also known for his technique of stacking or layering vocals, adding depth and rawness to his voice. This approach, demonstrated notably on tracks like \\\"Dear Mama\\\" from his 1995 albumMe Against the World, involves overlaying multiple vocal lines to highlight rhythms and emphasize words and phrases. Mastering this technique requires precision to\",\n \"precision to maintain flow and clarity, as heard in the lyrics \\\"and even though I act crazy/I gotta thank the Lord that you made me,\\\" where Shakur's voice transitions from full to husky, underscoring the emotional depth of the lyrics. Despite its difficulty, Shakur's background in jazz, poetry, and theater endowed him with exceptional rhythm control, enabling him to layer vocals seamlessly while preserving cohesion and flow. Legacy and remembrance Shakur is considered one of the greatest and most influential rappers of all time.He was listed as one of the greatest artists of all time byRolling Stone.He is widely credited as an important figure inhip hop culture, and his prominence inpop culturein general has been noted.Dotdash, formerly About.com, while ranking him fifth among the greatest rappers, nonetheless notes, \\\"Tupac Shakur is the most influential hip-hop artist of all time. Even in death, 2Pac remains a transcendental rap figure.\\\"Yet to some, he was a \\\"father figure\\\" who, said rapperYG, \\\"makes you\",\n \"\\\"makes you want to be better—at every level.\\\"In 2023,Billboardranked Tupac at number 4 among the top 50 rappers of all time. AllMusic'sStephen Thomas Erlewinedescribed Shakur as \\\"the unlikely martyr ofgangsta rap\\\", with Shakur paying the ultimate price of a criminal lifestyle. Shakur was described as one of the top two American rappers in the 1990s, along withSnoop Dogg.The online rap magazineAllHipHopheld a 2007 roundtable at which New York rappersCormega, citing tour experience with New York rap duoMobb Deep, commented that B.I.G. ran New York, but Shakur ran America.Shakur emerged as a celebrated artist, earning recognition for his astonishingly prolific output and unwavering commitment to his craft.According toRolling Stonewriter Andy Green: “He was also a poet and activist who became one of his era’s most revolutionary voices.\\\" In 2017, American rapperSnoop Doggcalled Tupac “the greatest rapper of all time” during hisRock & Roll Hall of Fametribute.In 2021,SaweetietoldComplexthat Tupac was “the greatest\",\n \"was “the greatest rapper that ever lived”. According to British writer Rob Marriott, he deemed the act of tying abandanainto rabbit ears as one of the most distinctive and instantly recognizable style choices in the world ofhip-hop. Regarded as asex symbol, his unique style helped shape the fashion landscape of the 1990s and continues to influence artists and fashion enthusiasts to this day. In 2010, writingRolling Stonemagazine's entry on Shakur at No. 86 among the \\\"100 greatest artists\\\", New York rapper50 Centappraised: Every rapper who grew up in the Nineties owes something to Tupac. People either try to emulate him in some way, or they go in a different direction because they didn't like what he did. But whatever you think of him, he definitely developed his own style: He didn't sound like anyone who came before him. According to music journalistChuck Philips, Shakur \\\"had helped elevate rap from a crude street fad to a complex art form, setting the stage for the current global hip-hop phenomenon.\\\"Philips\",\n \"phenomenon.\\\"Philips writes, \\\"The slaying silenced one of modern music's most eloquent voices—a ghetto poet whose tales of urban alienation captivated young people of all races and backgrounds.\\\"Via numerous fans perceiving him, despite his questionable conduct, as amartyr, \\\"the downsizing of martyrdom cheapens its use\\\", academicMichael Eric Dysonconcedes.But Dyson adds, \\\"Some, or even most, of that criticism can be conceded without doing damage to Tupac's martyrdom in the eyes of those disappointed by more traditional martyrs.\\\" In 2014,BETexplained that \\\"his confounding mixture of ladies' man, thug, revolutionary and poet has forever altered our perception of what a rapper should look like, sound like and act like. In50 Cent,Ja Rule,Lil Wayne, newcomers likeFreddie Gibbsand even his friend-turned-rival B.I.G., it's easy to see that Pac is the most copied MC of all time. There are murals bearing his likeness in New York, Brazil, Sierra Leone, Bulgaria and countless other places; he even has statues in Atlanta\",\n \"statues in Atlanta and Germany. Quite simply, no other rapper has captured the world's attention the way Tupac did and still does.\\\"More simply, his writings, published after his death, inspired rapper YG to return to school and get his GED.In 2020, former California Senator and current vice-presidentKamala Harriscalled Shakur the \\\"best rapper alive\\\", which she explained as being because \\\"West Coast girls think 2Pac lives on\\\".According to writerKevin Powell: \\\"He deserves to be put in the same category asBob Dylan,Bob Marley, asJohn Lennon, in terms of his global impact.\\\"Tupac is regarded as one of the most influential artists in music and popular culture in general and an icon of activism. Palestinian rapperTamer Nafar, leader and a founding member ofDAM, became passionate about hip hop by listening to Tupac saying, “The imagery in Shakur’s videos was similar to our reality in Lod.\\\" Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation In 1997, Shakur's mother founded the Shakur Family Foundation. Later renamed the Tupac Amaru\",\n \"the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation, or TASF, it launched with a stated mission to \\\"provide training and support for students who aspire to enhance their creative talents.\\\"The TASF sponsors essay contests, charity events, a performing arts day camp for teenagers, and undergraduate scholarships. In June 2005, the TASF opened theTupac Amaru Shakur Center for the Arts, or TASCA, inStone Mountain, Georgia. It closed in 2015. Academic appraisal In 1997, theUniversity of California, Berkeley, offered a course led by a student titled \\\"History 98: Poetry and History of Tupac Shakur\\\".In April 2003,Harvard Universitycosponsored the symposium \\\"All Eyez on Me: Tupac Shakur and the Search for the Modern Folk Hero\\\".Where Shakur's influence as both an artist and an activist was analyzed.The papers presented cover his ranging influence from entertainment to sociology.Calling him a \\\"Thug Nigga Intellectual\\\", an \\\"organic intellectual\\\",English scholarMark Anthony Nealassessed his death as leaving a \\\"leadership void amongst\",\n \"void amongst hip-hop artists\\\",as this \\\"walking contradiction\\\" helps, Neal explained, \\\"make being an intellectual accessible to ordinary people.\\\" Tracing Shakur'smythicalstatus, Murray Forman discussed him as \\\"O.G.\\\", or \\\"Ostensibly Gone\\\", with fans, using digital mediums, \\\"resurrecting Tupac as an ethereal life force.\\\"Music scholar Emmett Price, calling him a \\\"Black folk hero\\\", traced his persona to Black American folklore'stricksters, which, afterabolition, evolved into the urban \\\"bad-man\\\". Yet in Shakur's \\\"terrible sense of urgency\\\", Price identified instead a quest to \\\"unify mind, body, and spirit.\\\"According to Price, Tupac had surpassed the legacies ofJohn ColtraneandMahalia Jacksonwithin the tradition of black music. In 2012, the NorwegianUniversity of Osloorganized the course: \\\"Tupac, hiphop og kulturhistorie (Tupac, hip hop and cultural history).\\\" As Knut Aukrust, Norwegian professor and academic scholar of cultural studies at the University of Oslo, puts it:\\\"Tupac Amaru Shakur (1971-1996) is one of\",\n \"is one of the most famous and controversial representatives of hip-hop culture. He has become an icon with saint status far beyond his fans. References to him and his message appear all over the world, from Barack Obama's slogan about \\\"changes\\\", to Palestinians and Israelis longing for peace in the Middle East, to the people of Groruddalen who want their experiences to be taken on board serious. The course highlights how a single person can fit into a wider network of cultural models and how a local storytelling tradition has become an international cultural phenomenon.\\\" Jeffrey Ogbonna Green Ogbar, professor of History and Popular Music at theUniversity of Connecticut, described Shakur as \\\"one of the most iconic and influential music artists of the 20th century\\\", and also a \\\"politically conscious activist voice for Black America.\\\" Multimedia releases In 2005, Death Row released on DVD,Tupac: Live at the House of Blues, his final recorded live performance, an event on July 4, 1996. In August 2006,Tupac\",\n \"August 2006,Tupac Shakur Legacy, an \\\"interactive biography\\\" byJamal Joseph, arrived with previously unpublished family photographs, intimate stories, and over 20 detachable copies of his handwritten song lyrics, contracts, scripts, poetry, and other papers. In 2006, the Shakur albumPac's Lifewas released and, like the previous, was among the recording industry's most popular releases.In 2008, his estate made about $15 million. On April 15, 2012, at theCoachella Music Festival, rappers Snoop Dogg andDr. Drejoined a Shakur \\\"hologram\\\" (Although the media referred to the technology as a hologram, technically it was a projection created with theMusion Eyeliner),and, as a partly virtual trio, performed the Shakur songs \\\"Hail Mary\\\" and \\\"2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted\\\".There were talks of a tour,but Dre refused.Meanwhile, theGreatest Hitsalbum, released in 1998, and which in 2000 had left the pop albums chart, theBillboard 200, returned to the chart and reached No. 129, while also other Shakur albums and singles drew\",\n \"and singles drew sales gains. Film and stage The documentary filmTupac: Resurrectionwas released in November 2003. It was nominated forBest Documentaryat the2005 Academy Awards. In 2014, the playHoller If Ya Hear Me, based on Shakur's lyrics, played on Broadway, but, among Broadway's worst-selling musicals in recent years, ran only six weeks.In development since 2013, a Shakur biopic,All Eyez on Me, began filming inAtlantain December 2015.It was released on June 16, 2017, on Shakur's 46th birthday,albeit to generally negative reviews. In August 2019, adocuseriesdirected byAllen Hughes,Outlaw: The Saga of Afeni and Tupac Shakur, was announced. Awards and honors In 2002, Shakur was inducted into the Hip-Hop Hall of Fame. In 2004, Shakur was among the honorees at the firstHip Hop Honors. In 2006, Shakur's close friend and classmate Jada Pinkett Smith donated $1 million to their high school alma mater, the Baltimore School for the Arts, and named the new theater in his honor.In 2021, Pinkett Smith honored\",\n \"Smith honored Shakur's 50th birthday by releasing a never before seen poem she had received from him. In 2009, drawing praise, the Vatican added \\\"Changes\\\", a1998 posthumoustrack, to its online playlist.On June 23, 2010, theLibrary of Congressadded \\\"Dear Mama\\\" to theNational Recording Registry, the third rap song. In 2015, theGrammy Museumopened an exhibition dedicated to Shakur. In his first year of eligibility, Shakur was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 7, 2017. In January 2022, the exhibitionTupac Shakur: Wake Me When I'm Freeopened at The Canvas atL.A. Livein Los Angeles. On May 16, 2023, Oakland City Council voted to name the section of MacArthur Boulevard between Grand Avenue and Van Buren Avenue \\\"Tupac Shakur Way\\\". On June 7, 2023, Shakur received a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.His half-sister, Sekyiwa \\\"Set\\\" Shakur, accepted the award in his honor. Rankings Final resting place in Soweto In 2006, on the 10th anniversary of Tupac Shakur's passing, his ashes were laid to rest\",\n \"were laid to rest inSoweto. Shakur's mother Afeni transported them to the \\\"birthplace of his ancestors\\\" and conducted a memorial service in what's considered as one of the most renownedSouth African townships. Afeni Shakur explained that Soweto had been selected due to its significance as the \\\"birthplace of the South African struggle fordemocracyand againstapartheid.\\\" TheCity of Johannesburg Metropolitan Municipalitydonated a five-acre plot of undeveloped land in theZolaarea of Soweto to build a memorial honoring Shakur. A portion of the land was designated to be transformed into a park for the benefit of local children as well as aimed at promotingenvironmental education, pathways, orphanages, bridges, skateboard ramps and a golf range while plans also included the construction of anamphitheaterand a museum showcasing South African music and arts. The project was funded by Johannesburg city authorities and the Tupac Amaru Shakur Foundation. The memorial was hosted by South African musician and actorZola 7.\",\n \"and actorZola 7. SingerMacy Grayand members of the Outlawz were amongst the attendees who paid their respects. Discography Filmography Portrayals in film Documentaries Shakur's life has been explored in several documentaries, most notably the Academy Award-nominatedTupac: Resurrection(2003). See also References Further reading External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":282,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"What BTS member turned 5 years old the soonest after BoA's first album was released?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Jimin"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BoA#Discography"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ID;_Peace_B"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTS"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimin"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BoA#Discography', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ID;_Peace_B', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTS', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimin']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BoA#Discography","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ID;_Peace_B","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTS","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimin"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BoA#Discography\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ID;_Peace_B\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTS\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimin\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["BoA Kwon Bo-ah(Korean:권보아; born November 5, 1986), known professionally asBoAand often referred to as the \"Queen of K-pop\", is a South Korean singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, and actress. Born and raised inGyeonggi-do, South Korea, BoA was discovered bySM Entertainmenttalent agents when she accompanied her older brother, a music video director, to a talent search in 1998. She was trained for two years and made her debut withID; Peace B(2000). BoA has since released twenty studio albums, including ten in Korean, nine in Japanese, and one in English. On television, she appeared as a judge on the reality competition showK-pop Star(2011–2013), as an actress on the television dramaListen to Love(2016), as a host for thesecond seasonofProduce 101(2017), and as a coach for thethird seasonofThe Voice of Korea(2020). With the release of her debut Japanese studio album,Listen to My Heart(2002), BoA became the first South Korean pop star to break through in Japan following the fall of barriers that had restricted the import and export of entertainment between the countries since the end ofWorld War II. Her Japanese albumsValenti(2003) andBest of Soul(2005) went on to sell over one million copies each according toOricon; the latter of which remained the last album to do so by a non-Japanese artist for 16 years. Herself-titled English album(2009) became the first record by a K-pop artist to appear on theBillboard200, debuting at number 127. BoA has sold over ten million albums throughout her career and is one of only three female artists with six consecutive number-one studio albums on theOricon Albums Chartsince her debut, alongside Japanese singersAyumi HamasakiandHikaru Utada. She is the recipient of numerous awards in South Korea and Japan, including eightMAMA Awards, sixSBS Music Awards, fiveJapan Record Awards, and fiveJapan Gold Disc Awards. In 2013,Mnetincluded her in their Legend 100 Artists list of the most influential artists in South Korea. Life and career 2000–2003: Debut and commercial success in South Korea and Japan Kwon Bo-ah was born on November 5, 1986.At the age of eleven, BoA accompanied her older brother to an SM Entertainment talent search.Though her brother was the one who auditioned as a break-dancer,SMtalent scoutsinstead took notice of BoA and offered her a contract on the same night as the auditions.Her parents initially opposed the notion of BoA leaving school to enter the entertainment business but eventually consented at her older brothers' persuasion.She has said that her early influence as a singer wasSeo Taiji. BoA underwent two years of training (involving vocal, dance, English, and Japanese lessons), and at the age of thirteen she released her debut albumID; Peace Bin South Korea on August 25, 2000.The album was moderately successful; it entered the Top 10 of the South Korean charts and sold around 156,000 units.Meanwhile, her Korean record label, SM Entertainment, made arrangements with Japanese labelAvex Traxto launch her music career in Japan. She was forced to quit school to prepareand in early 2001, BoA released her firstmini-album,Don't Start Now; it sold around 90,000 units. After its release, she took a hiatus from the Korean music industry to focus on the Japanese market at which time she worked to solidify her skills in Japanese. BoA began her Japanese music career singing at the Avex-owned clubVelfarre.Her debut Japanese album,Listen to My Heart, was released on March 13, 2002. The album was a breakthrough in BoA's career, becoming anRIAJ-certified million-seller and debuted atop the Oricon, the first album by a Korean artist to do so.It was promoted with several singles: the Top 20 hit \"ID; Peace B\" (originally from the eponymous album), \"Amazing Kiss\", \"Kimochi wa Tsutawaru\", the Top 5 hit \"Listen to My Heart\", and the Top 10 \"Every Heart: Minna no Kimochi\". After theSeptember 11, 2001 attacks, BoA recorded the charity single \"The Meaning of Peace\" withKumi Kodaas part of Avex'sSong Nationproject to raise funds for charity.From 2001 to 2007, BoA hostedBeat it BoA's World, a radio program on theJapan FM Network. After the release ofListen to My Heart, BoA released her second Korean studio album,No. 1, a month later on April 12, 2002.The album sold around 544,853 units and became the fourth-best-selling record of the year in South Korea.Jumping into the World(a Japanese re-release of the mini-albumDon't Start Now) and the Japanese single \"Don't Start Now\" were released a month later on the same day.At the end of the year, BoA released her second Korean mini-albumMiracle. BoA's second Japanese studio album,Valenti(January 2003), became her best-selling album, with over 1,249,000 copies sold.Three singles preceded its release: \"Valenti\", which peaked at the number-two position on the Oricon chart,\"Kiseki / No.1\" and \"Jewel Song / Beside You: Boku o Yobu Koe\", both which also peaked at the number-three position. In support of the album, BoA launchedBoA 1st Live Tour Valenti, her first Japanese concert tour.Later in the same year, BoA released her third Korean-language studio album,Atlantis Princesson May 30, 2003,and then released a mini-albumShine We Are!on December 4, 2003. The former was the fifth-best-selling South Korean record of the year with around 345,000 units sold; the latter sold around 58,000 units. 2004–2008: New image, foray into China, and creative control Her third Japanese studio album,Love & Honesty(January 2004) was a musical \"change in direction\": it contained a rock-dance song (\"Rock with You\") and \"harder\" R&B.Though the album failed to matchValentiin sales, it topped the Oricon chart for two weeks and became RIAJ-certified triple-platinum.In support of the album, BoA held a tour,Live Concert Tour 2004: Love & Honesty, spanning nine performances and attracted approximately 105,000 attendants.In contrast with1st Live Tour, which \"emphasized exotic Asian design\", theLove & Honestytour had an \"outer-space, sci-fi\" theme; among the props were a three-storey-highspace shipand the robotAsimo. Her firstcompilation album,Best of Soul(February 2005), however, sold over a million copies, making BoA the first non-Japanese Asian singer to have two million-selling albums in Japan.It remained the last album by a foreign artist to have sold over a million copies in Japan for 16 years, untilBTSin 2021. BoA reinvented her image for her fourth and fifth Korean albums,My Name(June 2004) andGirls on Top(June 2005), shedding the \"cute\" and \"youthful\" style that had characterized previous years and adopted a more \"sexy\" and \"sultry\" look.The sales of BoA's Korean albums began to decline:My Namesold 191,000 units and became the eleventh-best-selling South Korean album in 2004whileGirls on Topranked fourteenth in 2005 with 113,000 units sold.In September 2004, BoA instigated controversy in Japan when she donated₩50 million to a memorial project forKorean independenceactivist and nationalistAn Jung-geun. Her fourth Japanese studio album,Outgrow, (February 2006) reached the number-one spot on the Oricon chart for its first week of release, making it her fourth consecutive original Japanese album to do so. With 220,000 copies sold, it became her lowest-selling first-week debut for a studio album at that point.\"Do the Motion\", the first single from the album, reached the top spot, making her the fourth non-Japanese Asian to have a number-one single on the Oricon charts.\"Merry Christmas from BoA\" (2005), the album's last single, was the singer's first digital single. That May, BoA renewed her contract with SM Entertainment until 2012. At the time it was noted that she had a shareholding in the company of 100,000 (Approximately worth $1m USD).She performed \"Everlasting\", the image song for Roman Polanski'sOliver Twist (2005 film).She also voiced Heather the possum in the Korean and Japanese version of the animated filmOver the Hedge.On September 21, 2006, she released her first digital single in Korea, a Korean version of \"Key of Heart\". In support ofOutgrow, BoA launched a specialZepptour, B0A The Live, on September 29, 2006, which lasted until October 29.She staged her first Christmas concert on December 7, 2006. Three singles preceded BoA's fifth Japanese studio album,Made in Twenty(January 2007): the Top 3 \"Nanairo no Ashita (Brand New Beat)/Your Color,\" the Top 10 \"Key of Heart\", and the No. 2 hit \"Winter Love\". The album, which contained R&B and dance songs as well as ballads, debuted at the top of the weekly Oricon charts, making the album her sixth in a row to do so (including one compilation).Having previously compose the song \"No More Make Me Sick\" forMade in Twenty,BoA assumed creative control over her sixth Japanese album,The Face(February 2008).The album debuted at the top of the weekly Oricon charts, making BoA one of only two artists in Japan to have six consecutive studio albums top the Oricon weekly charts (the other isAyumi Hamasaki, who has eight consecutive number-one albums).On June 9, 2008, BoA and nine other artists from around the world recorded an English cover ofWei Wei's \"Dedication of Love\". Produced byRoald Hoffmannand Brian Alan, the single was used to raise funds for victims of theSichuan earthquake.But due to a tight schedule, BoA was pulled back from this project. Korean jewelry brand Ramee also released, \"Ramee by BoA\", a line of jewelry designed by the singer herself. 2008–2012: American expansion and return to Asia On September 2, 2008, it was announced that BoA would make her American debut under a new subsidiary label, SM Entertainment USA.Hoping to become a \"world-renowned entertainer\" in the vein ofJanet Jackson,BoA's debut American single \"Eat You Up\", was produced byThomas Troelsen, and released on October 21, 2008. It charted at No. 9 on theBillboardHot Dance Club Playchart.To promote the single, BoA performed \"Eat You Up\" as well as other songs at YouTube's Tokyo Live concert, and performed in New York City on December 3, 2008, as well as theJingle Ballat theAnaheim Honda Centeron December 6, 2008.The following year, she released \"Eien/Universe/Believe in Love\" and was also featured inRavex's single \"Believe in Love\". BoA'sself-titled English albumwas released in the U.S. on March 17 and featured tracks by producersBloodshy and Avantas well as a duet withSean Garrett.Her second Japanese compilation album,Best & USAwas released on March 18 tying together a compilation of recent hits in Japan with her English-language debut. Though she stated that \"t has always been my dream to debut in America,\" she found English tougher to learn than Japanese and despite living in West Beverly Hills, found it difficult to make friends.BoA later headlined theSan Francisco Pride Festivalon June 28, 2009, alongsideSolange KnowlesandThe Cliks,where she also performed the song \"Energetic\" for the first time in public, in addition to \"Eat You Up\" and \"I Did It for Love\".On August 31, SM USA releasedBoA Deluxe, a repackaged version of her debut English album. The album contained two new tracks and the radio edit version of \"Energetic\". With her U.S. career struggling to gain traction, BoA returned to East Asia to release her seventh Japanese album,Identity(February 2010). Promoted by the singles \"Bump Bump!\" featuringVerbalfromM-Floand \"Mamoritai: White Wishes\" (December 2009), the album only charted at No. 4, selling 37,606 copies in its first week. With little promotion from her label, it ended her run of six consecutive No. 1 albums, suggesting that it would be impossible for her to sustain her career in three territories simultaneously.Her first Korean album in five years,Hurricane Venus,was released on August 5, 2010,and sold 55,776 units making it the 22nd best selling album in South Korea for 2010.She also represented South Korea and performed at the7th Asia Song Festival, organized byKorea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, at theSeoul Olympic Stadium. BoA made her Hollywood movie debut in the dance filmMake Your Move 3D, playing the character Aya oppositeDerek Hough. Although production ended in 2011, the film was released in 2013. The movie received mixed reviews, with Inkoo Kang of theLos Angeles Timespraising the choreography but stating that \"henever actor Derek Hough and BoA stop leaping and twirling, is an underwritten mess.\"To celebrate the 10th anniversary of her Japanese debut, BoA released \"Milestone\", which ranked at No. 4 on the Oricon Weekly Music-DVD charts.She also held her 10th anniversary concert on December 10–11 at Tokyo International Forum. Following the concert, BoA shifted her activities to her native county, joining the judging panel onSBS's audition programK-pop Staras a representative of S.M. Entertainment, alongsideYang Hyun-sukfromYG EntertainmentandPark Jin-youngfromJYP Entertainment. BoA received praise for her ability as a judge with her insightful comments and discerning eyes,and also sang the theme song \"One Dream\".For her seventh Korean album,Only One(July 2012), BoA wrote and composed its title track,while its dance steps choreographed by NappyTabs, who has previously worked with BoA inCobu.Upon its release, \"Only One\" achieved an all-kill on several music charts.She followed this up with the second \"The Shadow\", was released August 18, 2012.Additionally, she recorded the song \"Lookin'\" featuringThe Quiettfor Hyundai's 'Premium Younique Lifestyle' campaign. 2013–2015: Music production, television role, and 15th anniversary BoA launched her first Korean tour withBoA Special Live 2013: Here I Amtour at the Olympic Hall,and released the song \"Disturbance\", which she wrote and composed, to commemorate her first concert tour in South Korea.In September 2013, BoA starred in KBS' two-episode drama specialExpect to DatealongsideChoi DanielandIm Si-wan, her full first role in a drama, following a string of cameo appearances.She received praise for her acting performance.She also participated inInfinity Challenge'sbi-annual song festival and was paired withLeessang'sGil, with the two co-produced the song \"G.A.B\".In March 2014, BoA was appointed as a de facto creative director in S.M. Entertainment, alongside labelmateKangta; she was placed in charge of mental care of artists who debut at a young age. The singles for BoA's eighth Japanese album,Who's Back?(September 2014),were released over a span of four years prior to the album's release:\"Woo Weekend\" and \"I See Me\" in 2010, \"Milestone\" in 2011,Only One\", \"Tail of Hope\" and \"Message / Call My Name\" in 2013,and \"Shout It Out\"and \"Masayume Chasing\" in 2014.To promote the album, she embarked on her BoA Live Tour 2014 Who's Back? tour in September, her first Japanese tour in four years.After the tour concluded, BoA starred in her first Korean film,Big MatchalongsideLee Jung-jaeandShin Ha-kyunthough a Japanese single \"Fly\" was released on December 3, 2014. Her eighth Korean albumKiss My Lips(May 2015)became her first entirely self-written, self-produced album, working alongside American producers The Underdogs and Stereotypes.The single \"Who Are You\" (feat. Gaeko) was released prior to the album's unveiling, along with its accompanying music video, which starred EXO'sSehunas the male lead.The rest of the album was unveiled on May 12 along with an official music video of the eponymous title track.Billboardcalled the singer a promising songwriter despite moments of musical blandness. In July, she performed at the BoA Special Live 2015: Nowness to commemorate her 15th anniversary. The concert took place on August 22 and 23 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in South Korea, making BoA the first female idol to hold a solo concert at the venue.This was followed by BoA Special Live 2015: Nowness in Japan which took place on December 11, 2015, at Tokyo International Forum Hall-A.Her 15th anniversary in Japan the following year was celebrated in a similar fashion,including the release of the song \"Lookbook\", and a 15th anniversary edition of BoA's Japanese Winter hit, \"Meri Kuri\". As part of S.M. Entertainment's special winter project,Winter Garden,BoA released a digital single entitled \"Christmas Paradise\". 2016–present: Musical projects, television production, and acting debut On January 12, 2016, BoA released an English-language single \"Make Me Complete\", which serves as the theme song for the Fuji TV special dramaOoku, starring Sawajiri Erika and Watanabe Mayu.In June, she collaborated with Korean rapperBeenzinoforS.M. Entertainment'sSM Stationproject. The duo released the single \"No Matter What\", which ranked atop five domestic charts.BoA worked with BeatBurger for anotherSM Stationsingle titled \"Music Is Wonderful\", where she participated in the composing and writing of the track.From October to November 2016, BoA starred in JTBC's romance melodramaListen to Love, returning to the small screen after three years. The following year, BoA became one of the producers forMnet'sboy groupsurvival reality show,Produce 101 Season 2, which aired from April 7 to June 16.BoA later released another song forSM Station, \"Spring Rain\", an R&B number produced by Kenzie.In May, BoA embarked on her BoA The live inBillboardLive Tour, held in Tokyo and Osaka.She also released the single \"Camo,\" a dance song with a heavy emphasis on bass and synthesizer sounds, which was a change in sound from her previous materials and produced by The Underdogs.In July, she released the Japanese single \"Right Here, Right Everywhere\" for the soundtrack of dramaYaneura no Koibito.She later starred in the filmAutumn Sonataalongside Lee Hak-joo, playing a terminally ill patient. In 2018, BoA returned to Japan and released her ninth Japanese albumWatashi Konomama de Iinokanaon February 14, 2018, followed by EPUnchainedin March. To accompany the release of the EP, she embarked on the BoA The Live 2018: Unchained Tour from March 15 to April 4. People who attend the concerts received a copy ofUnchained.On January 31, she released \"Nega Dola\", which served as a single for BoA's then-upcoming first extended play.The EP,One Shot, Two Shot, was released on February 20, alongside its titular lead single and the song's music video.The EP peaked at number six at the South Korean Gaon Album Chart and number seven at theBillboardWorld Albums Chart.On October 24, she released her ninth Korean albumWomanalongside a lead single of the same name.The album peaked at number six at the Gaon Album Chart, number eleven at theBillboardWorld Albums Chart. On June 4, 2019, she released the single \"Feedback\", which features rapperNucksal, alongside the song's music video.BoA embarked on her #Mood Tour, which had six dates in Japan and two dates in Seoul, from September to October 2019.On October 23, she released a new Japanese single, \"Wishing Well\", which she earlier debuted on the tour.On December 11, 2019, she released her second extended playStarry Night. In May 2020, BoA was featured as one of the coaches for the third season ofThe Voice of Korea, alongsideDynamic Duo,Sung Si-kyung, andKim Jong-kook.On December 1, 2020, she released her tenth Korean albumBetter.SpoTV News shared BoA to join as a judge for Mnet Dance program \"Street Woman Fighter\". It is a female dance crew competition premiering in August 2021.On November 5, 2021, BoA released the Japanese single, \"My Dear\", to commemorate her 20th anniversary. BoA was revealed as a member of the supergroupGot the Beaton December 27, 2021. The group debuted on January 3, 2022.To celebrate her 20th anniversary, BoA released the Japanese compilation albumThe Greateston May 30, 2022.On November 8, 2022, BoA announced her third EPForgive Mealong with the title track on the same name on November 22, 2022.In 2024, BoA appeared in the dramaMarry My Husband, where she played Oh Yu-ra. Her performance in the drama was met with negative reviews. Image and artistry BoA lists hip hop as her main musical influence, though she also enjoys R&B. Her favorite musicians areWhitney Houston,Michael Jackson,Justin Timberlake, andNe-Yo;as a result, much of BoA's music is eitherdance-popor R&B. Because she also singsballads, she is often compared to Japanese singersNamie AmuroandAyumi Hamasaki. Her debut album,ID; Peace B, containedurban pop, \"slickly produced\" ballads, and \"upbeat dance tunes\". As her career went on, she began experimenting with different styles:Valenticontained mostly ballads;Love and Honestywas an experiment with \"harder\" R&B and rock music. Though her earlier releases were marked by a \"cute\" and \"youthful\" style, BoA began to present a more \"mature\" image starting from the albumMy Name. In aTalk Asiainterview,Anjali Raonoted that some felt thatMy Namemarked the beginning of BoA's decline in popularity and asked if the public would always see the singer as \"Little Baby BoA\"; BoA replied, \"So while I apologize to those people who still want the baby BoA, in fact, what can I do? I just keep growing up! I can't stop that from happening.\" The Facewas influenced byelectropopand included \"happy spring\" songs (\"Sweet Impact\" and \"Bad Drive\"), a guitar-driven \"groovy dance\" song (\"Lose Your Mind\"), and ballads.Because the composition and writing of BoA's songs is handled mostly by her staff, BoA has been criticized as being a \"manufactured pop star\".In response to such criticism, BoA said that \"if one person were to force their own will on something, then things that should have gone right could easily go wrong\" and that she is \"not all that unhappy with the expression that a manufactured star. In a way, that is true. Because SM Entertainment created the environment and all the surrounding conditions, able to be successful in the way now.\"She later assumed creative control withThe Face,whileKiss My Lipsbecame her first entirely self-written, self-produced album. BoA has collaborated with high-profile artists. Among the Japanese artists she has performed with are the hip hop groupM-Flo(for the single \"The Love Bug\"), pop singerKumi Koda, andhouseDJMondo Grosso. She has performed with Western artists: the song \"Flying Without Wings\" from her albumNext Worldwas a collaboration with Irish bandWestlifecovering theoriginal song; theBratzsingle \"Show Me What You Got\" was performed withHowie Dof the American bandBackstreet Boys.She also worked withAkon, singing the song \"Beautiful\", which was featured on the Japanese release of his third album,Freedom.Other artists she has collaborated with areSoul'd Out, Dabo, Verbal (of M-Flo), Rah-D,Seamo,TVXQ, Yutaka Furakawa (of the band Doping Panda), andCrystal Kay(for her single \"After Love: First Boyfriend/Girlfriend\").American rock bandWeezercovered \"Meri Kuri\" on the Japanese version of their albumWeezer. Cultural impact and legacy BoA is regarded as one of South Korea's most influential and prominent singers and is widely referred to as the \"Queen of K-pop\",in recognition of her contributions in spearheading theKorean waveinto Japan.BoA's success in the Japanese market has been deemed a catalyst in the Japanese interest in Korean pop music beginning in the early 2000s, when the two countries began promoting cultural exchanges since the end ofWorld War II.Music critics have recognized BoA for improving \"civil relations between the Korean and Japanese public through her music and appearances in Japanese radio and television\",with Oxford Political Review noting \"BoA's role in strengthening Japan-South Korea ties as a cultural envoy\".In Alisa Freedman'sIntroducing Japanese Pop Culture, BoA was noted for \"herald a new phase of Japanese engagement with Korean singers\", registering \"remarkable success during the first half of the 2000s in Japan\". She highlighted that the timing of her success coincided with several political and cultural developments; these of which include the implementation of Korea's Open-Door Policy, theKorea Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, and the popularity of the drama seriesWinter Sonata. Freedman evaluated BoA's career path and localization strategies in Japan for having set \"the first trend\" of the Korean wave into the country. Voxhailed BoA as \"one of South Korea's best-known exports\" in the years after her debut whileThe Korea Timescalled BoA \"the forerunner of the new generation of idols who popularized K-pop in Japan and elsewhere.\"In 2004, theMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourismhonored BoA with the Asian Cultural Exchange Merit Award for her contributions in raising the status of K-pop throughout Asia.The Diplomatstated that BoA \"paved the way\" for future K-pop artists \"to later captivate Japanese fans despite souring relations between Seoul and Tokyo.\" Music critic Lim Jin-mo wrote that BoA \"opened many doors for pop acts from her country in the second largest music market in the world\", acting \"as a figurehead for breakthroughs in Japan for South Korean acts\" and became \"a pivotal figure in K-pop's history\". Yim Hyun-su fromThe Korea Heraldviewed her for \"forever changing the landscape of South Korea's music industry\".In 2016, she was honored with the Presidential Commendation at theKorean Popular Culture and Arts Awardsfor her contributions to the spread of the Korean wave, and for laying \"the foundation for the revival of K-pop\". With nearly 15 years in the entertainment industry, BoA has little to prove in Korea, where she's widely regarded as a pioneer in K-pop's modern-day international platform. —Billboard(2015) In 2013, 50 music experts, professors and critics organized byMnetnamed BoA one of the 100 most influential artists in South Korean music.\"No. 1\" was ranked number 27 in a 2006Gallup Koreasurvey of 100 all-time favorite Korean songsand was included in Mnet's Legend 100 list of popular Korean songs since the 1960s.In 2021, a panel of 35 music experts organized byMelonandSeoul Shinmunranked \"No. 1\" and \"Atlantis Princess\" number 1 and number 93 in their list of the greatest K-pop songs of all time.Critic Rhian Daly forThe Forty-Fiveranked \"Atlantis Princess\" number 1 in her list of the best K-pop songs of all-time.Rolling Stoneranked \"No. 1\" at number 18 in their list of the greatest songs in the history of K-pop, writing it represents \"her most emblematic crossover hit\". BoA has been cited by many artists in the South Korean music industry as an influence and role model,includingAespa,Girls' Generation'sTaeyeon,Sunny,Tiffany,Hyoyeon,Seohyun,Shinee'sKey,Exo'sSehun,Red Velvet'sIrene,Ailee,Chungha,Yukika Teramoto,Kwon Eun-bi,Baek A-yeon,Mamamoo'sSolar,f(x)'sLuna,Kiss of Life'sNatty,Lovelyz's Kei,andBilllie's Tsuki.Aespa's Giselle said in aRolling Stoneinterview that \"Everyone knows her. She's not just famous — she's a legend\". Other ventures Endorsements Because of her wide appeal, BoA has appeared in advertisements for many brands.Among the brands she has promoted areOlympus,Lotte,Nike,L'Oréal, Japanese cosmetic companyKosé,Skechers,Audio-Technica,GM DaewooandL'Occitane.Several of her songs have been used in affiliation with television shows. \"Every Heart: Minna no Kimochi\" was used as the ending theme for theanimeInuYasha;\"Beside You: Boku o Yobu Koe\" was used as the opening theme for the animeMonkey Typhoon;\"Key of Heart\" was the theme song for the Japanese release ofOver the Hedge;\"Your Color\" was the theme song of the video gameNinety-Nine Nights;\"Mamoritai: White Wishes\" was the theme song of the video gameTales of Graces.\"Tail of Hope\" was used as the theme for the Japanese dramaHakui no Namida,and \"Masayume Chasing\" was used as the 15th opening theme song for the animeFairy Tail. In 2007,Anycall(aSamsungbrand) signed BoA,Xiah(of TVXQ),Tablo(ofEpik High), and jazz pianistJin Boraonto \"Anyband\", a band created specifically to promote Anycall. The band released only one single, \"AnyBand\".In December 2010, she recorded \"I See Me\" for to promote Audio Technica headphones in Japan.The song \"Woo Weekend\" was used to promote Disney on Ice's 25th Anniversary in Japanwhile \"Lookbook\" served as the ending theme for the NTV Kei programTokui to Goto to Uruwashi no Shelley ga Konya Kurabete Mimashita.BoA served as ambassador for Asia Youth Day in 2014.In August 2017, it was announced that BoA was chosen as promotional ambassador for Jeju Biennale, an inaugural international art event on the resort island of Jeju.In Her widespread popularity has also made her a \"cultural ambassador\"; she has represented South Korea in inter-Asian musical events and has appeared in anOxford University Press-published English-language textbook. Discography Korean albums Japanese albums English albums Filmography Film Television series Television shows Concerts and tours Japan tours Asia tours Concert participation Awards and nominations See also Footnotes References External links","ID; Peace B ID; Peace Bis the debut Korean-languagestudio albumby South Korean singerBoA, released on August 25, 2000 bySM Entertainment.It saw moderate levels of success in South Korea upon its release, peaking at number 16 on the Recording Industry Association of Korea's monthly album chart in October 2000.The album sold 156,354 copies in 2000 and was the 59th best-selling album of the year.The album was released on May 29, 2002 in Japan, where it reached number 30 on theOricon Albums Chart. Production and lyrics The song \"Sara\" is about a cat, \"I'm Sorry\" is about the tragedy of loving the lover of her older sister, and \"ID; Peace B\" is about the generation gap due to the use of the internet. Track listing Charts Weekly charts Monthly charts Year-end charts Release history References","BTS BTS(Korean:방탄소년단;RR:Bangtan Sonyeondan;lit.Bulletproof Boy Scouts), also known as theBangtan Boys, is a South Koreanboy bandformed in 2010. The band consists ofJin,Suga,J-Hope,RM,Jimin,V, andJungkook, who co-write or co-produce much of their material. Originally ahip hopgroup, they expanded their musical style to incorporate a wide range of genres, while their lyrics have focused on subjects including mental health, the troubles of school-age youth andcoming of age, loss, the journey towards self-love, individualism, and the consequences of fame and recognition. Their discography and adjacent work has also referenced literature, philosophy and psychology, and includes analternate universestoryline. BTS debuted in 2013 underBig Hit Entertainmentwith the single album2 Cool 4 Skool.BTS released their first Korean and Japanese-language studio albums,Dark & WildandWake Uprespectively, in 2014. The group's second Korean studio album,Wings(2016), was their first to sell one million copies in South Korea. By 2017, BTS had crossed into the global music market and led theKorean Waveinto the United States, becoming the first Korean ensemble to receive aGold certificationfrom theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) for their single \"Mic Drop\", as well as the first act from South Korea to top theBillboard200with their studio albumLove Yourself: Tear(2018). In 2020, BTS became the fastest group sincethe Beatlesto chart four US number-one albums in less than two years, withLove Yourself: Answer(2018) becoming the first Korean album certified Platinum by the RIAA; in the same year, they also became the first all-South Korean act to reach number one on both theBillboardHot 100andBillboardGlobal 200with their Grammy-nominated single \"Dynamite\". Follow-up releases \"Savage Love\", \"Life Goes On\", \"Butter\", and \"Permission to Dance\" made them the fastest act to earn four US number-one singles sinceJustin Timberlakein 2006. As of 2023, BTS is the best-selling musical act in South Korean history according to theCircle Chart, having sold in excess of 40 million albums.Their studio albumMap of the Soul: 7(2020) is thefourth best-selling album of all time in South Korea, as well as the first in the country to surpass both four and five million registered sales. They are the first non-English-speaking and Asian act to sell out concerts atWembley Stadiumand theRose Bowl(Love Yourself World Tour, 2019), and were named theInternational Federation of the Phonographic Industry's (IFPI)Global Recording Artist of the Yearfor both 2020 and 2021. The group'saccoladesinclude multipleAmerican Music Awards,BillboardMusic Awards,Golden Disc Awards, and nominations for fiveGrammy Awards. Outside of music, they have addressed three sessions of theUnited Nations General Assemblyand partnered withUNICEFin 2017 to establish theLove Myselfanti-violence campaign. Featured onTime'sinternational cover as \"Next Generation Leaders\" and dubbed the \"Princes of Pop\", BTS has also appeared onTime'slists of the 25 most influential people on the internet (2017–2019) and the100 most influential people in the world(2019), and in 2018 became the youngest recipients of the South KoreanOrder of Cultural Meritfor their contributions in spreading the Korean culture and language. On June 14, 2022, the group announced a scheduled pause in group activities to enable the members to complete their 18 months ofmandatory South Korean military service, with a reunion planned for 2025.Jin, the eldest member, enlisted on December 13, 2022; the others followed in 2023. Name BTS stands for the Korean phraseBangtan Sonyeondan(Korean:방탄소년단; Hanja:防彈少年團), which translates literally to 'Bulletproof Boy Scouts'. According to memberJ-Hope, the name signifies the group's desire \"to block out stereotypes, criticisms, and expectations that aim on adolescents like bullets\".In Japan, they are known asBōdan Shōnendan(防弾少年団).In July 2017, BTS announced that their name would also stand for \"Beyond the Scene\" as part of their newbrand identity.This extended the meaning of their name to encompass the idea of growth \"from a boy to an adult who opens the doors that are facing forward\". History 2010–2014: Formation and early years BTS was formed in 2010, after Big Hit Entertainment CEOBang Si-hyukwanted to form ahip hop grouparoundRM(Kim Nam-joon), an underground rapper well known on the music scene inSeoul. At the time,physical album saleswere on the decline and digital revenues were not yet high enough to compensate.Seeing a need for diversified income streams, Bang decided to form an idol group instead, because of the potential for live concert performances and passionate support from fans of such groups. Many trainees refused to become part of an idol group, butJ-Hope, RM, andSugaremained.Bang chose to vary from the usual, highly regimented idol groups and create one where the members would be individuals rather than an ensemble and free to express themselves.Auditions were held in 2010 with plans to launch the following year.The band members lived together, practicing up to 15 hours a day, and first performed before a small crowd of industry insiders in 2013. We started to tell the stories that people wanted to hear and were ready to hear, stories that other people could not or would not tell. We said what other people were feeling—like pain, anxieties and worries. That was our goal, to create this empathy that people can relate to. —Suga BTS's representation by Big Hit, rather than one of the three agencies that dominated K-pop at the time, allowed the individual members leeway to express their individuality and have input into the music.On June 12, 2013, BTS released their debutsingle album2 Cool 4 Skool, along with thelead single\"No More Dream\", neither of which sold particularly well at the time.On June 13, 2013, BTS made their stage debut onM Countdownwith the single, \"No More Dream\".Nevertheless, according to Kathy Sprinkel in her book on BTS, that single was \"spotlighting young people's anxiety in the face of lofty parental expectations, sent shock waves through the K-pop ranks. Here was a musical act that wasn't pulling any punches. More specifically, they had a point of view, and they weren't afraid to take on topics that are considered taboo in South Korean society and elsewhere.\"The album reached the top five on South Korea's Gaon Music Chart.In2 Cool 4 Skool, BTS employed an old-school hip-hop sound from the 1990s.The album's release was followed by appearances on Korean music shows, which caught the attention of reviewers and viewers. In September 2013, BTS released the second entry in their \"school trilogy\": theEP,O!RUL8,2?.The album was released alongside the single \"N.O.\"Similarly to2 Cool 4 Skool, the new release had a theme of students feeling under pressure and needing to sacrifice their dreams and aspirations.According to scholar Kyung Hyun Kim, many of BTS's earlier works such as \"N.O.\" and \"No More Dreams\" were \"expressions of rebellion against the establishment that tapped into Korean teenagers' frustrations with the country's educational system\" and, he stated, helped them build a fan base among young people in North America and Europe.That same month, BTS starred in their own variety show,SBS MTV'sRookie King Channel Bangtan, in which members parodied variety shows such asVJ Special ForcesandMasterChef Korea.At the end of the year, BTS was recognized with several New Artist of the Year awards in South Korea. 2014–2017 Skool Luv Affairand first concert tour The last entry in BTS \"school trilogy\", theSkool Luv AffairEP, was released in February 2014.The release topped theGaon Album Chart,and appeared onBillboard'sWorld AlbumsChart for the first time, peaking at number three.The EP was supported by two singles: \"Boy in Luv\" and \"Just One Day\".FollowingSkool Luv Affair's release, BTS played at their first fan meeting inSeoul, selecting the name A.R.M.Y. for the fan club.In July 2014, BTS hosted a concert inWest Hollywood, their first show in the United States,and in August, they appeared atKCONin Los Angeles. In August 2014, BTS released the albumDark & Wild, which reached number two in South Korea.It was supported by two singles: \"Danger\" and \"War of Hormone\".The group embarked on their firstconcert tour,2014 BTS Live Trilogy Episode II: The Red Bullet, which lasted from October to December 2014.The band launched their first Japanese studio album,Wake Up, in December 2014; the release peaked at number three on theOricon Albums Chart.After the album's release, BTS held their1st Japan Tour 2015 Wake Up: Open Your Eyesin February 2015.The Red Bullet Tour that had begun on October 17, 2014, in South Korea was resumed on June 6, 2015, in Malaysia and toured Australia, North America and Latin America before ending in Hong Kong that August. In all, the entire tour attracted 80,000 spectators at 18 cities in 13 countries. Mainstream breakthrough and commercial success BTS experimented with other styles of music besides hip-hop inThe Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1, released in 2015.BTS wanted to express the beauty and anxiousness of youth and settled on the title of \"花樣年華\" (Korean:화양연화;RR:Hwayangyeonhwa), loosely interpreted to define \"youth\" metaphorically as \"the most beautiful moment in life\".The album served as an introduction to their youth trilogy, a triptych of albums dedicated to the struggles of young people.The single \"I Need U\" was a top-five hit in South Korea and garnered the group a win on SBS MTV'sThe Show.The second single \"Dope (Korean:쩔어;RR:Jjeoreo;lit.It's awesome)\" reached number three onBillboard'sWorld Digital Song Saleschart and its music video was viewed over 100 million times on YouTube.The group began the world tour extension of their Red Bullet Tour in June, titled2015 Live Trilogy Episode II: The Red Bullet, visiting cities throughout Asia, Oceania, North America, and Latin America.\"For You\", in Japanese, was released together with Japanese versions of \"War of Hormone\" and \"Let Me Know\" on June 17, 2015, and immediately topped Oricon's daily chart. In November, BTS commenced their third concert tour,2015 BTS LIVE \"The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: On Stage\", beginning with three sold-out shows in Seoul. The tour marked the debut of their fourth EP,The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2, and was later extended to Japan.Thematically, the EP focused more on the serious and speculative aspects of youth, touching on the pursuit of success, loneliness, affection for their origins, and the suffering of the younger generation due to unfavorable conditions in current society.The album topped the weekly Gaon Album andBillboardWorld Albums charts.It also marked their first appearance on theBillboard200chart,making it for one week at number 171,and eight of the tracks appeared onBillboard's World Digital Song Sales chart. Their compilation album and the finale to their \"youth trilogy\",The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Foreverwas released on May 2, 2016. With 300,000 presold copies,it included three new singles: \"Epilogue: Young Forever\", \"Fire\", and \"Save Me\",which debuted in the top three spots on theBillboardWorld Digital Charts.The album topped the Gaon Album Chart in South Korea fortwo consecutive weeksand reached number 107 on theBillboard200.The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Foreverwon Album of the Year at the2016 Melon Music Awards.BTS embarked on their Asia tour extension,2016 BTS LIVE \"The Most Beautiful Moment in Life On Stage: Epilogue\"from May to August 2016. Tickets for the 14 shows in 10 Asian cities sold out, some in as little as five seconds. In September 2016, BTS released their second Japanese studio albumYouth.The album sold 44,547 copies on the first day of its release, and charted 1st in the Oricon Daily Album Chart.The album was eventually certified Gold with sales of roughly over 100,000 in Japan.It was followed one month later in October,by their next studio albumWings,which combined the themes of youth presented in their previous \"youth trilogy\" with temptation and adversity.The album and its tracks, including the single \"Blood Sweat & Tears\" immediately rose to the top on eight music charts, including the Gaon Music Chart, and led theiTunesalbum charts in 23 countries.Wingsopened at number 26 on theBillboard200, with 16,000album-equivalent unitsin the US for the week of its release, the best week ever there for a K-pop album.It became the best-selling album in Gaon Album Chart history. You Never Walk AloneandLove Yourself: Her In February 2017, BTS released the repackaged edition ofWingsentitledYou Never Walk Alone. The 700,000 pre-orders of it (an increase from the 500,000 pre-orders ofWings) helped break the record for most albums sold in a month in South Korea, as it reached 1.49 million copies by the end of its first month.The lead single was \"Spring Day\"and it won Best Song of the Year at the2017 Melon Music Awards.BTS's second world tour,2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings Tour, began in February.On the tour, BTS played arenas in the US, such as New Jersey'sPrudential Centerand California'sHonda Center. Tickets for the North American leg sold out within hours and two shows were added.After completing the North American leg, BTS attended the24thBillboardMusic Awardsin May and wonTop Social Artist,the first K-pop group to win a Billboard award.BTS fans cast over 300million votes for the band and broke a six-year winning streak held byJustin Bieber, a performer with 100millionTwitterfollowers.This caused the international media to focus on the ability of BTS's fandom to propel the group to such a victory. BTS released a remake ofSeo Taiji's \"Come Back Home\" (1995) in July 2017, giving it new lyrics but maintaining the theme of urging societal change.Later that year, BTS embarked on their \"Love Yourself\" album series, with theme of the enlightenment of self-love through the \"起承轉結\" (Korean:기승전결;RR:Giseungjeongyeol) narrative sequence of \"beginning, development, turn, and conclusion.\"BTS released its first part, their fifth EP,Love Yourself: Her, on September 18.RM considered \"DNA\", the lead single from that album,as \"taking BTS to new ground. We tried to apply new grammar and perspectives.\"He said of the album, \"I believe it's going to be the starting point of a second chapter of our career; the beginning of our Chapter Two.\"Sonically, the EP served as \"a dual exploration of the group's electro-pop and hip-hop leanings\". Love Yourself: Herdebuted at number seven on theBillboard200.The album had 1,664,041 sales in May 2017 to lead the Gaon Chart,and was the first in 16 years to exceed 1.2 million copies sold sinceg.o.d's fourth albumChapter 4(2001).\"DNA\" was released simultaneously with the EP, and its music video accumulated 21 million views in its first 24 hours.It became BTS's first entry on theBillboardHot 100, charting at number 85, making them the first K-pop boy band to reach that chart.The single rose to number 67 the following week and became the highest-charting song on the Hot 100 for any K-pop group.A remix of \"Mic Drop\" from the album, featuringDesiigner, was released as a single and peaked at number 28, the first time a K-pop group had cracked the top forty.Both singles attained Gold certification from theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) in early 2018.\"Mic Drop\" achieved Platinum status in the US later that year. In November 2017, BTS became the first K-pop group to perform at theAmerican Music Awards.BTS wonArtist of the Yearat the19th Mnet Asian Music Awardsin December, winning for the second consecutive year.They released \"DNA\" and \"Mic Drop\" together with a new song \"Crystal Snow\" as a single album in Japan on December 6, 2017, though the songs were made digitally available elsewhere.It topped the Oricon Chart for the week of its release. It was the only album by a foreign artist to be certified Double Platinum in Japan in 2017. Later that month, they made their Japanese television prime time music show debut onMusic Station Super Live,and ended the year by performing onDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. In 2017, BTS partnered withUNICEFon the \"Love Myself\" campaign, intended to help end violence, abuse, and bullying, and to promote self-esteem and well-being among young people. Both Big Hit and the group pledged money to promote the campaign, and BTS sold special \"Love Myself\" merchandise and set up dedicated booths at concert venues. The campaign was renewed in 2021, with UNICEF deeming it to have been successful. 2018–2020 Love Yourselfalbum series BTS won major awards at the Golden Disc and Seoul Music Awards in January 2018.In March, the group premiered an eight-episode documentary titledBurn the Stagethat offered a behind-the-scenes look at their 2017 Wings Tour, exclusively onYouTube Premium.Their third Japanese studio album,Face Yourself, was released on April 4, 2018,and quickly reached the top 5 of the U.S. iTunes Albums chart. A nine-minute short film, titledEuphoria: Theme of \"Love Yourself: Wonder\"and featuring the song \"Euphoria\", followed the next day as a prelude to the group's third Korean-language studio album,Love Yourself: Tear.BTS promotedTear's May 18, 2018, release with an appearance at the25thBillboardMusic Awardstwo days later,where they made their initial BBMA performance with their single, \"Fake Love\".The group also won Top Social Artist for a second consecutive time.The album coincided with the \"轉\" or \"turn\" of the series, touching on the tortuous enlightenment of loving without being loved, the pains and sorrows of separation, and providing encouragement to those without dreams. Love Yourself: Teardebuted at number one its first week on theBillboard200, becoming BTS's first number-one album in the US and the first K-pop album to top the US albums chart.It also became BTS's first top-10 release in Britain, reaching number eight on theUK Albums Chart.\"Fake Love\" became BTS's top-10 single on the Hot100, the first time a song sung mostly in a language other than English had debuted in the top 10.BTS released their compilation albumLove Yourself: Answerin August 2018.The album was supported by the single \"Idol\" and its alternative digital release featuringNicki Minaj. Love Yourself: Answersold over 1.9 million copies on the Gaon Album Chart in August2018.The album became BTS's second number-one on theBillboard200 and led to their highest US sales week in the country to that point with 185,000 album equivalent units.In November 2018,Love Yourself: Answerbecame the first Korean language album to be certified Gold by the RIAA.\"Idol\" andLove Yourself: Answerboth received Platinum certifications in the US, with sales of more than 1million. In conjunction withLove Yourself: Answer's release in August2018, BTS commenced their world tour,BTS World Tour: Love Yourself, with two concerts in the Seoul Olympic Stadium, which sold out in a matter of seconds, as did others of the 22 shows in 12 countries.In October, BTS released their collaboration with Steve Aoki \"Waste It on Me\", their first all-English language feature.For the final stop of the North American leg, the group performed at Citi Field in New York City, marking the first time a Korean act performed at a US stadium.According toStubHub, BTS was the second best-selling concert act outside the US, behind onlyEd Sheeran.That October, BTS renewed their contract with Big Hit Entertainment through 2026. In early November 2018, a popular Japanese music show cancelled BTS's performance, citing a T-shirt a member wore the year before, bearing a photograph of amushroom cloudfollowing thebombing of Nagasaki.In the same month, the Jewish human rights organizationSimon Wiesenthal Center(SWC) stated that BTS owed an apology for that shirt, and for clothing and flags with Nazi symbolism.Big Hit Entertainment issued an apology, explaining that the images were not intended to be hurtful to the victims ofNazismor atomic bombings and that the group and management would take steps to prevent future mistakes.They also stated the flags were meant to be a commentary on the Korean school system.The apology was accepted by SWC and the Korean Atomic Bomb Victim Association.John Lie, in his scholarly article on BTS, opined that the Nazi incident showed that the group is not tightly controlled, as are other K-pop ensembles, whose every move seems scripted, and that the members have opinions and are not afraid to express them. At the20th Mnet Asian Music Awards, BTS won Artist of the Year and ranked number eight onBillboard'syear-end Top Artist Chart and were also the number two act of the year in the Duo/Group ranking, only behindImagine Dragons.They were also listed asone of the 50 most influential people by Bloombergfor their \"willingness to address social issues, mental health, and politics, despite being in a genre often painted as bubble gum pop\". Map of the Soul: Persona, stadium world tour andBTS World In February 2019, BTS, for the first time, were presenters atthe Grammy Awards.In April,Timenamed them one of theTime100, the most influential people of 2019.Their EP,Map of the Soul: Persona, was released on April12 with the single \"Boy with Luv\" (Korean:작은 것들을 위한 시;RR:Jageun geotdeureul wihan si), featuring American singerHalsey.The EP's release was followed by a performance onSaturday Night Live, the first K-pop act to appear there.Map of the Soul: Personabecame the first Korean-language album to reach the number one position in both the UK and Australia,and the group's third album to top theBillboard200 in less than a year.Map of the Soul: Personabecame the best-selling album ever in South Korea in terms of physical copies sold, with more than 3.2 million sales in less than a month.\"Boy with Luv\" debuted at number eight on theBillboardHot 100 in April 2019, the highest placement ever for a K-pop song. Following their two wins at the26thBillboardMusic Awardsin May, including forTop Duo/Group,BTS embarked on their world tour stadium extension,Love Yourself: Speak Yourself.Due to the demand, BTS added more shows after tickets for the first dates sold out within two hours.In the lead up to the release of their mobile gameBTS World, in June 2019 BTS released \"Dream Glow\" featuringCharli XCX,\"A Brand New Day\" withZara Larsson,and \"All Night\" withJuice Wrld.The group released the song \"Heartbeat\" with a music video from the game's official soundtrack, titledBTS World: Original Soundtrack.The soundtrack was certified Double Platinum by Gaon.On July 3, 2019, pre-orders for the single\"Lights\"crossed one million copies, marking the first time a foreign artist had accomplished this in Japan sinceCeline Dionin 1995.\"Lights\" debuted at number 81 on theBillboardJapan Hot 100for the chart issue date of July 8, 2019, and reached number one the following week.On August 8, 2019, \"Lights\" receivedMillioncertificationfrom the RIAJ, denoting shipments of one million copies. Love Yourself: HerandLove Yourself: Tearboth crossed 2 million copies in August.All three albums of theLove Yourselfseries have sold more than 2 million copies each in South Korea.Love Yourself: Teargained silver certification by the BPI for sales in the UK, becoming their third album to do so followingLove Yourself: AnswerandMap of the Soul: Persona.For the final stop of their record-breaking Love Yourself: Speak Yourself World Tour, the group played Seoul's Olympic Stadium.BTS was the third top-grossing touring musical act of 2019.That same month, they released a remix version of the song \"Make It Right\" featuringLauv.In November, BTS won three times at the2019 American Music Awards, for Best Tour, Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock, and Favorite Social Artist (the second consecutive year). In December, they attended both the2019 Melon Music Awardsand the2019 Mnet Asian Music Awards. In each case, they became the first group to sweep the four major awards.At the34th Golden Disc Awards, BTS became the first artists in history to win grand prizes in both the physical and digital categories in a single year.Map of the Soul: Personawas named the second best-selling physical album of 2019 in the US byNielsen MusicbehindTaylor Swift'sLoverand was ranked sixth overall on the chart of Top10 Albums (Total Sales) in the US.BTS wrapped 2019 as the fourth-highest-ranked group onBillboard's TopBillboard200 Artists–Duo/Group ranking, behindQueen, Imagine Dragons and the Beatles.Map of the Soul: Personawas named as the third best-selling album of 2019 by theInternational Federation of the Phonographic Industry(IFPI), making BTS the first Korean artist to be listed on the Global Top10 Album Chart in consecutive years.The IFPI named BTS as one of the best-selling artists of 2019 for a second consecutive year, making them the first non-English speaking act to achieve this. Map of the Soul: 7, \"Dynamite\" andBe In January 2020, BTS released \"Black Swan\" along with a choreography art film performed by MN Dance Company of Slovenia as the first single from their albumMap of the Soul: 7.Album distributorDreamusreported that stock pre-orders of the album reached a record-breaking 4.02 million.Later that month, BTS performed at the62nd Annual Grammy Awards, making BTS the first Korean act to perform at the Grammys.Map of the Soul: 7was released on February 21 to favorable reviews.The album was supported by the single \"On\" and an alternative digital release of it featuring Australian singerSia.According toGaon Chart,Map of the Soul: 7sold over 4.1 million copies in nine days after its release, surpassingMap of the Soul: Personato become the best-selling album in South Korean history and the first album to be certified quadruple million.The album debuted atop the USBillboard200, making BTS the fastest group to earn four number one albums sincethe Beatlesin 1966–1968.\"On\" debuted at number four on theBillboardHot 100, giving BTS its first top-five hit, and the most Hot 100 top-10 entries of any Korean act, with three.BTS planned to support theMap of the Soulalbum series with a concert series,Map of the Soul Tour, beginning in April,but this was indefinitely postponed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, BTS became the first K-pop artist to sell more than 20 million albums cumulatively,making them the best-selling artist in South Korean history.That month, amid the pandemic restrictions, BTS held a two-day online streaming concert event titledBang Bang Con, where the group shared footage of past concerts on their YouTube channel.On June 7, BTS headlined YouTube'sDear Class of 2020online graduation event, performing \"Boy with Luv\", \"Spring Day\", and \"Mikrokosmos\".Their commencement speeches highlighted their own graduations and offered \"messages of hope and inspiration for the class of 2020 in both Korean and English\".On June 14, BTS held an online live concert,Bang Bang Con: The Live, as part of the seventh anniversary of their debut.It garnered peak viewership of 756,000live viewers in 107countries and territories, setting the record for the largest audience for a paid virtual concert.On June 19, BTS released the Japanese single, \"Stay Gold\", from their fourth Japanese album,Map of the Soul: 7 – The Journey, which was released worldwide on July 14.It surpassed 564,000copies in its first week, breaking the record for highest first week album sales by male foreign artists in Japan. BTS released their first English-language single, \"Dynamite\", on August 21.\"Dynamite\" debuted at number one on the USBillboardHot 100 chart, earning BTS their first chart topper and making them the first all-South Korean act to earn a number one single in the US.The single also toppedBillboard'snewGlobal 200for the week ending September 24, as well asGlobal Excluding UScharts, becoming the first single to top both simultaneously.\"Dynamite\" peaked at number five on the USMainstream Top 40and on the.Billboard Pop Singleschart, becoming their first Top 10 on each and the former the highest-charting entry by a Korean act.On August 31, BTS made theirMTV Video Music Awards(VMAs) debut with the first live performance of \"Dynamite\"and won four awards: Best Group, Best Choreography, Best Pop Video, and Best K-pop (the last three for their music video for \"On\").On October 14, they performed the single at the 2020BillboardMusic Awards and won the Top Social Artist award for a fourth consecutive year. On October 2, 2020, BTS released a remix ofJawsh 685andJason Derulo's single \"Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)\".It topped the Hot 100.On October 10 and 11, BTS hosted a two-day virtualpay-per-viewconcert at KSPO Dome in Seoul, calledMap of the Soul ON:E, which drew 993,000 viewers from 191 countries and territories.On November 20, BTS released their fifth Korean studio albumBe, led by the single \"Life Goes On\".\"Life Goes On\" debuted at number one on the Hot 100,BTS's third consecutive US number-one single in three months and the first song performed primarily in Korean to top the chart. On November 24, 2020, BTS became the first Korean pop artists recognized bythe Recording Academywhen \"Dynamite\" received a nomination forBest Pop Duo/Group Performanceat the63rd Annual Grammy Awards.The group won the Special International Music Award at the62nd Japan Record Awards.Kim, in his book on the influence of Korean popular culture, suggested that 2020, the worst year in many people's lives, was a noteworthy one for Korean culture, withParasitewinning theAcademy Award for Best Pictureand BTS posting three number-one hits on theBillboardGlobal 200. 2021–present \"Butter\", \"Permission to Dance\" andProof On March 4, 2021, the IFPI named BTS its Global Recording Artist of the Year for 2020, the first Asian and first non-English speaking act to top the ranking.BTS occupied three spots in the Global Album Sales Chart of 2020, withMap of the Soul: 7at number one,Be (Deluxe Edition)at number two, andMap of the Soul: 7–The Journeyat number eight.On the newly launched Global Album All Format Chart,Map of the Soul: 7claimed first place andBe (Deluxe Edition)claimed fourth.On March 14, 2021, BTS performed \"Dynamite\" at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, becoming the first Korean nominee to perform, though they did not win the award.On April 1, BTS released \"Film Out\", the first single from their then-upcoming Japanese compilation album,BTS, the Best.BTS held a two-day online streaming event on their YouTube channel beginning April 17, titledBang Bang Con 21, and aired three of their previous in-person concerts. On May 21, BTS released their second English-language single, \"Butter\".It debuted at number one on the Hot 100—their fourth number one in nine months—making them the quickest act to achieve four chart-toppers sinceJustin Timberlakein 2006, and the fastest group sincethe Jackson 5in 1970.Their next English-language single, \"Permission to Dance\", was released on July 9.It became BTS's eighth number-one on theDigital Songschart, extending their record as the group with the most number-one entries on the ranking.On September24, 2021, the band released the single \"My Universe\" withColdplay.The single debuted at number one on the Hot 100, making it the first collaboration between two groups to debut at number one.The band held an online concert, titledPermission to Dance on Stage, on October 24, 2021, in Seoul.On November 23, \"Butter\" earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the64th Annual Grammy Awards.Between November 27 and December 2, BTS held their first live performances before an in-person audience since before the pandemic. The band playedfour sold-out showsatSoFi Stadiumin Los Angeles as a continuation of their Permission to Dance on Stage concert series. On January 15, 2022, a fictionalwebtoonbased on BTS, titled7Fates: Chakho, was released. The comic surpassed 15million views globally in its first two days of availability and became the highest-viewed title ever launched byWebtoon.The band held three limited-capacity concerts at Seoul Olympic Stadium on March 10, 12 and 13—the largest music gatheringsapproved by the South Korean government since the pandemic restrictions were imposed—with a total audience of 45,000people.On April 3, BTS performed \"Butter\" at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards,though the song did not win the award for which it was nominated.On April 8, the band earned seven nominations at the2022BillboardMusic Awardsand won three, making them the most-nominated and the most-awarded group in the show's history. On June 10, 2022, BTS released their three-CDanthologyalbumProof.On June 14, during their ninth anniversary celebrations, the band announced a temporary suspension of group activities to focus on solo projects and other endeavors.Hybe Corporation, which owns Big Hit,clarified in subsequent statements that BTS was neither disbanding nor going on hiatus, but would be actively furthering their individual careers with the label's full support while still participating in group activities, including the filming ofRun BTS.The incident caused Hybe Corporation's stock to decline rapidly, resulting in a decrease in market value of US$1.7billion.On August 24,Billboardmagazine reported that BTS would be performing inBusanon October 15 in a benefit concert in support of the city's efforts to have aWorld Expositionin 2030, participating under the bannerYet to Come. Military service and contract renewal In spite of the announcement of the October 2022 benefit concert, Hybe Corporation's stock prices dropped to below its originalIPOamid continuing market speculation about the implications of the upcoming mandatorymilitary enlistmentof the band's members.Under South Korean laws, all able-bodied males must complete between 18 and 21 months of military service, usually by age 28.Bloomberg Newsreported the concert as a success but also indicated that there were no further concert dates scheduled. It was estimated that if the band members completed their service, Hybe Corporation would lose nearly US$10 billion over ten years, with the loss to the South Korean economy at nearly US$39 billion. In October 2022, Big Hit confirmed that Jin, the band's oldest member, aged 29, had withdrawn his enlistment deferral request.The other members planned to enlist later, with the group planning to reunite in 2025 following discharge.At the end of October 2022, BTS earned five nominations for the2022 MAMA Awards, with the band members receiving eight further nominations as solo artists.On November 15, BTS earned three nominations at the65th Annual Grammy Awards, including a nomination forBest Music Videofor \"Yet to Come\".\"My Universe\" was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, making BTS the only act to be nominated three years in a row in this category since its introduction in 2011.The band was also nominated forAlbum of the Yearas featured artists on Coldplay'sMusic of the Spheres.Jin enlisted as an active duty soldier on December 13.On February 26, 2023, Big Hit announced that J-Hope had requested cancellation of the postponement of his military service. Following their scheduled separation, the band'sBTS 'Yet to Come' in Busanconcert film was released on February 1, 2023.During a trip to Spain, RM toldEFEthat BTS \"will come together again when we finish our military service, and we will look for new synergies between us to enter a second phase.\"Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk stated on March 15, 2023, that their comeback might not occur in 2025 since it was hard to target a specific date, and that they had not discussed their contract renewal yet.J-Hope enlisted as an active duty soldier on April 18.On May 12, BTS released a soundtrack \"The Planet\" for the South KoreananimatedseriesBastions.To commemorate their tenth anniversary, the group released the song \"Take Two\" on June 9. On September 20, 2023, Hybe confirmed through a press release that BTS would renew their exclusive contracts. The members will sign these agreements sequentially, considering their military service, after a board resolution with Big Hit Music, solidifying their commitment to future projects starting from 2025 onwards. Hybe expressed their anticipation for supporting BTS' group endeavors and pledged unwavering support to enhance their worldwide influence, ensuring the group's continuity even after completing their military service.On September 22, 2023, Suga enlisted as a social worker.RM and V enlisted on December 11, 2023, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on December 12.On June 12, 2024, Jin became the first BTS member to complete his mandatory military service and was officially discharged. Artistry Influences BTS have cited Seo Taiji and Boys,Nas,Eminem,Kanye West,Drake,Post Malone,Charlie Puth, andDangeras musical inspirations.They have also cited Queen as an influence, saying they \"grew up watching videos ofLive Aid\".During their concert at Wembley Stadium in London, Jin paid tribute to Queen by leading the crowd in a version ofFreddie Mercury's \"ay-oh\" chant.\"Hip Hop Phile\" which was released when BTS's hip-hop concept was at its height, pays homage to the artists who influenced them, including the South Korean groupEpik High,Jay-Z,Biggie,CL Smooth, and others. Their 2016 albumWingswas inspired byHermann Hesse'scoming of agenovel,Demian.Their song \"Blood Sweat & Tears\" quotesFriedrich Nietzsche'sThus Spoke Zarathustra, and its music video features visual references toHerbert James Draper'sThe Lament for Icarus,Pieter Bruegel'sLandscape with the Fall of Icarus, and Bruegel'sThe Fall of the Rebel Angels.Among the literary and other sources that have inspired their works are those byHaruki Murakami,Ursula K. Le Guin,Carl Jung,George Orwelland Nietzsche.TheLove Yourselfseries was influenced byErich Fromm'sThe Art of Loving,and their 2018 song \"Magic Shop\" fromLove Yourself: Tearwas inspired byJames R. Doty's memoirInto the Magic Shop. Musical style Since their inception, BTS have emphasized hip hop as their musical base, largely due to the influence of RM and Suga's background as underground rappers;during early visits to the US, the group received mentoring from American rappers.Bang Si-hyukpreviously acknowledged that K-pop as a whole draws fromblack music,and author Crystal S. Anderson stated, \"BTS's rising popularity in the US represents the continuation of the ways that K-pop functions as part of a global R&B tradition.\"T.K. Park and Youngdae Kim ofVulturedeemed the track \"Outro: Her\" fromLove Yourself: Heras the best example of the group's understanding ofold-school hip hop, with raps inspired byChuck DandTupacand jazzy chords from the 1990s to create a classic hip hop sound. The release of \"Blood Sweat & Tears\" in 2016 accelerated BTS's transition from a hip hop to a pop group. Park and Kim noted that the song draws fromdancehall,reggaeton, andmoombahtonbut opts for a \"baroque mysticism\" rather than the \"partylike atmosphere of its influences\".The group also began incorporating traditional Korean elements into their music. For example, their single \"Idol\" (2018) features an adlib fromPansori, a Korean form of operatic storytelling, and vocal imitations of the sounds of Koreanjanggudrums. While BTS maintains roots in hip hop, their sound has diversified. They first experimented withR&B,rockandjazz hip hoponDark & Wildin 2014;EDMin theirThe Most Beautiful Moment in Lifealbum series;moombahton andtropical houseonWingsandYou Never Walk Alone;future bassandLatin popin theirLove Yourselfalbum series;slow-dance ballads,emo rap,Afro pop,funk,trap,pop rock, andhip popin theirMap of the Soulalbum series;anddiscoin their single \"Dynamite\".The band members have explored different genres on solo tracks, such asneo soulon V's \"Stigma\" and flowing R&B on Jimin's \"Lie\". Lyrical themes Since their formation, BTS have believed that telling their own stories is the best way for the younger generation to relate to their music.Writing many of their own lyrics,the group discusses universal life experiences such as sadness and loneliness in their work and turn them into something lighter and more manageable. RM stated that BTS tries to avoid a preaching or reprimanding tone in their songs \"because that's not the way that we want to spread our message ... We're born with different lives, but you cannot choose some things. So we thought that love, the real meaning of it, starts with loving ourselves and accepting some ironies and some destinies that we have from the very start.\"When asked if it is difficult to write about things like mental health, Suga responded, We feel that people who have the platform to talk about those things really should talk more, because they say depression is something where you go to the hospital and you're diagnosed, but you can't really know until the doctor talks to you ... More and more, I think artists or celebrities who have a voice should talk about these problems and bring it up to the surface. Themes explored in BTS's discography range from exploring \"the troubles and anxieties of school-age youth\" to \"themes like love, friendship, loss, death, and more.\"Early BTS songs, such as \"No More Dream\" and \"N.O\" from their school trilogy, were described by Tamar Herman as motivated by personal experiences with South Korea's rigid approach to education and called for change to the educational system and societal expectations.The members' experiences with South Korean youth culture also inspired the songs \"Dope\" and \"Silver Spoon\" (Korean:뱁새;RR:Baepsae) from their youth trilogy. These songs reference generational disparity andmillennialsgiving up romantic relationships, marriage, children, proper employment, homes, and social life in the face of economic difficulties and societal ills while facing condemnation from the media and older generations.The group's label dubbedThe Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever, the conclusion to their youth trilogy, \"a special album that marks the conclusion of the epic journey of the series, containing the last stories told by young people who, despite an uncertain and insecure reality (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 1) continue to surge forward (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 2).\"Wingsfocused on mental health, criticisms of the K-pop \"idol\" scene, and delivering a female empowerment message.TheLove Yourselfseries introduced new themes regarding youth culture in South Korea, including the excitement of love, pain of farewell, and enlightenment of self-love.According to Kathy Sprinkel, BTS's 2020 \"quarantine album\"Be\"chronicles the group's coming to terms with a suddenly new reality and offers support for their listeners going through the same upheaval and uncertainty\". BTS's lyrics have also addressed topics outside youth culture. The song \"Am I Wrong\" fromWingsquestioned societal apathy towards changing the status quo; the lyric \"We're all dogs and pigs / we become dogs because we're angry\" appeared to reference South KoreanMinistry of Educationofficial Na Hyang-wook, who advocated acaste systemfor the country and who reportedly described average people as \"dogs and pigs\". BTS released the song amid the2016 South Korean political scandalthat resulted in the impeachment of presidentPark Geun-hye.RM and Suga's personal struggles with mental health have inspired some of their music.\"Not Today\" from 2017'sYou Never Walk Aloneis ananti-establishmentanthem, urging \"all the underdogs in the world\" to keep fighting,and \"Spring Day\" honored the victims of theSewol Ferry tragedy.Journalist Jeff Benjamin praised BTS inFusefor \"speak honestly about topics they deem important, even in a conservative society\".Former South Korean presidentMoon Jae-insaid: \"Each of the seven members sings in a way that is true to himself and the life he wants to live. Their melody and lyrics transcend regional borders, language, culture, and institutions.\" Impact On April 29, 2019,Timemagazine named BTS one of the100 most influential people of the year, labeling them the \"Princes of Pop\".Billboardexecutive Silvio Pietroluongo compared the group's influence to that of the Beatles.MRC Dataexecutive Helena Kosinski noted that \"although BTS weren't the first to open the doors to K-Pop worldwide, they were the first to become mainstream. They don't just appeal to young people but also to the 50s and 60s age demographic.\"The first non-English speaking artist to make the Global Artist Chart in 2018, BTS was the second best-selling artists worldwide across multiple media platforms, second only to Drake.In 2020, BTS became the first non-western and non-English speaking artist to be named IFPI's Global Recording Artist of the Year.In South Korea, BTS accounted for 41.9 percent of album sales in the first half of 2019, up from their market share of 25.3 percent the previous year. In 2022, Youna Kim described BTS as having spearheaded the Korean Wave, representing the global expansion of Korean culture as effectively as Psy did in the previous decade and with the strength of influence that theAcademy Award-winning South Korean filmParasitehad in 2020.South Korea's central bank, theBank of Korea, found in 2021 that BTS, including a \"ripple effect\" that included increased tourism to South Korea; increased interest in Korean culture, movies, and study of the Korean language; and added approximately US$5billion per year to South Korea's economy, a growth of about 0.5 percent.A 2018 study showed that, on average, 800,000foreigners per year had visited South Korea over the past four years for BTS-related reasons. Writers identified BTS as leaders even among other highly influential K-pop groups such asGirls' Generation,Super Junior,Exo,Twice, andBlackpinkand note that BTS's success shows the importance of a strong, active fan base in the age of social media, where fan campaigning can be as important as musical quality to a song's success.The group has also distinguished themselves at the forefront of the business side of the K-pop industry by pursuing less restrictive contracts with their management company to maximize their artistic originality and creativity.With this newer approach to career management, BTS created closer ties to the South Korean youth and encourage individuality and authenticity among their audience. Diplomacy In his 1990 essaySoft Power, political scientistJoseph Nyedeveloped the concept of a second type of power different from traditional authoritarianism.Nye wrote, \"This second aspect of power – which occurs when one country gets other countries to want what it wants – might be called co-optive orsoft powerin contrast with the hard or command power of ordering others to do what it wants.\"Researchers such as Maud Quessard have applied the concept of soft power to BTS and their influence on entertainment diplomacy and international relations.Youna Kim and Maud Quessard all read the currency of soft power as includingculture, politicalvalues, andforeign policy, which applies to BTS's ability to be co-optive in their approach to spreading their message of harmony, acceptance, and addressing life's setbacks via their broad appeal on the international stage. BTS was invited to address theUnited Nations General Assemblyin New York in September 2018.That same year they performed in Paris before an audience of 400, including President Moon Jae-in and other officials, at the 2018 Korea-France Friendship Concert, a summit celebrating the friendly relations between France and South Korea.That year, BTS became the youngest recipients of theOrder of Cultural Merit. Despite cultural medals traditionally being given to recipients with over 15 years of achievement, Moon recognized the group, five years into their career, for their contributions in spreading Korean culture and language worldwide.In September2019, BTS were mentioned by Moon while announcing strategies for the content industries, for having pioneered innovative business models through direct communication with fans.In 2020, BTS received theJames A. Van Fleet Awardin recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of US-Korea relations, the youngest honorees to receive the award.In July2021, they were appointedSpecial Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Cultureby President Moon. In their role as envoys, they help to \"raise awareness on global agendas, such as sustainable development, to our future generations and to strengthen the nation's diplomatic power across the world\"and appear at international events such as the76th United Nations General Assembly.On May 31, 2022, BTS visited USPresident Joe Bidenat theWhite Houseto discuss the recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination. Fandom According to Kyung Hyun Kim, BTS's rise was facilitated by a great increase in music video programming and consumption on YouTube and the coming of an idol empire, including merchandising of nonmusical products, games, and fantasy fiction, as well as an expansion of online music fandom.The group has a large, highly organized, online community of fans known as ARMY (Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth), which translates the group's lyrics and social media posts into other languages and matches charitable contributions of BTS's members. As of 2020, some 40million ARMY members subscribe to the band's YouTube channel, with more than 30million following the official BTS Twitter andInstagramaccounts.The fan community helps generate BTS's number-one chart rankings via coordinated campaigns on streaming platforms,as well as pushes to feature BTS's music on radio stations and television.Some ARMY members may even surpass the group itself in influence among BTS fans. BTS interacted and engaged with their followers from their earliest days via social media,as well as viaBTS Universe, analternate storylineinvolving the members told through music videos, mobile games, books, short films, and more that gives fans room to theorize.Kim suggested that ARMY are drawn to BTS since the members are seen as underdogs, originating from the Korean countryside and a relatively minor Korean entertainment company, which allows young fans to identify with them.BTS's lyrics speak to social values, and fans respond by trying to improve the world. As a result, the fandom regularly embraces activism on charitable causes and socio-political issues such as refugee crises,racial discrimination,children's rights,climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic.Feedback from ARMY to BTS affects the group's actions and lyrics; BTS has eliminated certain Korean words that sound like American racial slurs from their songs and ended collaboration with a Japanese producer when Korean ARMY members deemed his views extreme. Per South Korean author Jiyoung Lee, the relationship between BTS and ARMY is \"a mutual exchange between artists and their fans\" that is about more than merely \"ensuring the band's primacy\", but also \"extending the band's message of positivity into the world\". Lee opines that BTS and ARMY are \"a symbol of change in zeitgeist, not just of generational change\".The band members themselves agree and have long acknowledged their fans' role in their success.According to Sarah Keith, \"BTS embody a moment of generational transformation. ARMY represents a 'coming of age' for the young, in which cultural production and influence are global and meaningful, and where the youth are politically and socially engaged.\" Other ventures Endorsements BTS partnered withPumabeginning in 2015, initially as Puma Korea's brand ambassadors before expanding to global ambassadors in 2018, and promoting the remix of Puma's \"Turin\" and \"Sportstyle\" line worldwide.In 2019, BTS signed withFilato endorse its sportswear.BTS has also served as global brand ambassadors forLG Electronics'smartphones,andHyundai Motors'2019 flagshipSUVthe \"Palisade\"andhydrogenfuel cell electricSUV, the \"Nexo\".BTS became global ambassadors of the electric street racing seriesFormula Eto promote how electric vehicles can helpcombat climate change.In 2020, BTS partnered withSamsung Electronics,releasing a limited BTS-themed version of theGalaxy S20+andGalaxy Buds+.As the first male pop group ever to collaborate withDior, BTS sported ensembles fromKim Jones' Pre-Fall 2019 collection at their concert atStade de France.The band became global brand ambassadors forLouis Vuittonin April 2021. Philanthropy BTS are known for their philanthropic endeavors. Several members of the band have been inducted into prestigious donation clubs, such as theUNICEFHonors Club and the Green Noble Club, in acknowledgement of the size and frequency of their donations.They have also received awards for their donations, with one member receiving a Patron of the Arts Award for donations to the arts,and BTS as a whole receiving a UNICEF Inspire Award for their Love Myself campaign. They often donate privately, with theirpatronagelater being made public by the organizations they support and the media.The band's efforts have motivated their fans to also engage in various charitable andhumanitarianactivities, and on occasion even match their donations. Accolades BTS have received numerous awards throughout their career. They have consecutively won theBillboard Music Award for Top Social Artistsince 2017; are the only K-pop group to winTop Duo/Group, at the2019 Billboard Music Awards;and are the most-awarded group inBBMA historyas of2022, with 12 wins overall.BTS are also the only K-pop group to winFavorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rockand Favorite Social Artist at theAmerican Music Awards,and became the first Asian act in the show's history to win Artist of the Year in 2021.They are the first Korean pop act to receive aGrammy Awardnomination,and the first Korean artist to be nominated for aBrit Award.With 30 awards overall, including a record four consecutive wins for Artist of the Year (Asia), BTS are the most-awarded foreign artist in the history of theJapan Gold Disc Awards. They have also received a total of 50 trophies at theMAMA Awards. Members Discography Korean-language studio albums Japanese-language studio albums Filmography Films Online shows Bibliography Concert tours Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links","Jimin Park Ji-min(Korean:박지민; born October 13, 1995), knownmononymouslyasJimin, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and dancer. In 2013, he made his debut as a member of the South Koreanboy bandBTS, under the record labelBig Hit Entertainment. Jimin has released three solo tracks under BTS' name—\"Lie\" in 2016, \"Serendipity\" in 2017, and \"Filter\" in 2020—all of which have charted on South Korea'sGaon Digital Chart. He released his first credited solo song, the digital track \"Promise\", which he co-wrote, in 2018 and recorded the duet \"With You\" withHa Sung-woonfor the soundtrack for theTvNdramaOur Bluesin 2022. Jimin released his debut solo album,Facein 2023, which debuted at number one in South Korea and Japan and number two on the USBillboard200, making him the highest-charting Korean solo artist on the latter chart. The album's single \"Like Crazy\" became the first song by a Korean solo artist to debut at number one on the USBillboardHot 100in history. Jimin also became the first Korean solo artist to top theBillboardArtist 100chart. In 2024, he released his second album,Muse, and its lead single \"Who\", which debuted at number one on theBillboardGlobal 200. Early life and education Park Ji-min was born on October 13, 1995, inGeumjeong District,Busan, South Korea.He is of theMilyang Park clan.His immediate family includes his mother, father, and younger brother. When he was a child, he attended Busan's Hodong Elementary School and Yonsan Middle School.In middle school, he attended Just Dance Academy, where he learnedpoppingandlocking.Prior to becoming a trainee, Jimin studiedcontemporary danceat Busan High School of Arts and was a top student in the modern dance department.A teacher suggested that he join an entertainment company, leading him toBig Hit Entertainment. Once he passed the auditions in 2012, he transferred toKorean Arts High School, graduating in 2014. Jimin graduated from Global Cyber University in August 2020 with a major in Broadcasting and Entertainment. He was awarded the President's Award, the school's highest honor.As of 2021, he is enrolled atHanyang Cyber University, pursuing aMaster of Business Administrationin Advertising and Media. Career 2013–present: BTS Jimin was the last Big Hit trainee to be added to the lineup that would eventually becomeBTS. Of the band's seven members, he spent the shortest period of time—six months—as a trainee prior to debuting.On June 13, 2013, he debuted as a vocalist and dancer in BTS with the song \"No More Dream\" from their first single2 Cool 4 Skool.Under the band's name, he released three solo songs: \"Lie\", \"Serendipity\", and \"Filter\". \"Lie\" was released in 2016, as part of the band's second Korean studio album,Wings. It was described as stunning and dramatic, conveying dark undertones and emotions in line with the overall concept of the album.In contrast, \"Serendipity\", from the band'sLove Yourself: Her(2017)extended play(EP), was soft and sensual, expressing the joy, conviction, and curiosity of love.\"Filter\", a track from BTS' 2020 studio albumMap of the Soul: 7, had aLatin popflair, with lyrics reflecting the different sides of Jimin that he shows to the world and those around him.Jimin additionally co-wrote and co-produced another track included on that album, \"Friends\", which was later featured in theMarvel StudiosfilmEternals. \"Serendipity\" and \"Lie\" both surpassed fifty million streams onSpotifyin 2018, followed shortly thereafter by the former's full length version from BTS'Love Yourself: Answer(2018) compilation album, which achieved the milestone in early 2019. Jimin became the first Korean artist to have three solo tracks accumulate over 50 million streams each, surpassingPsy, who previously crossed the 50 million streams mark twice with \"Gangnam Style\" (2012) and \"Gentleman\" (2013).Both songs were also the only solos by a BTS member included in theOfficial Charts Company's (OCC) list of the top 20 most streamed BTS songs in the United Kingdom as of October 2018, ranking at number 17 and 19 respectively.In April 2019, the list was expanded to reflect the top 40, and both tracks were the highest ranked solos included that year, at numbers 18 and 20 respectively. In May 2019, Jimin became the first BTS member to have a solo music video achieve 100 million views onYouTubewhen \"Serendipity\" surpassed the milestone.He remained the only BTS member with multiple solo songs in the January 2020 update of the OCC's top 40 list: \"Lie\" and \"Serendipity\" were the second and third most-streamed solos, at numbers 24 and 29 respectively, with the full-length version of the latter at number 38.The following month, Jimin earned his first entry on theBillboardHot 100with \"Filter\", which debuted at number 87 on the chart,as well his first number one on the World Digital Song Sales chart. The song set the record for the biggest streaming debut among all Korean songs on Spotify, accruing over 2.2 million streams in its first 24 hours of release, and went on to become the fastest Korean solo in the platform's history to surpass 20–60 million streams.It was also the only solo album track by BTS to receive a Song of the Year nomination at theGaon Chart Music Awards.In March 2021, \"Filter\" became the 15th BTS song to spend a full year onBillboard'sWorld Digital Song Saleschart.It was the longest-charting Korean song released in 2020 on the ranking,having spent 80 weeks on the chart as of the issue dated October 9, 2021. Jimin was awarded the fifth-class HwagwanOrder of Cultural Meritin 2018, alongside his bandmates, by thePresident of South Korea,Moon Jae-in, for their contributions to the promotion of Korean culture.Three years later, Moon appointed himSpecial Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture, alongside his bandmates, to help \"lead the global agenda for future generations\" and \"expand South Korea's diplomatic efforts and global standing\" in the international community. 2014–present: Solo work In 2014, Jimin collaborated with bandmateJungkookon a song called \"Christmas Day\", a Korean rendition ofJustin Bieber's \"Mistletoe\"; Jimin wrote the Korean lyrics himself.The two collaborated again in 2017, on a cover ofCharlie Puth's \"We Don't Talk Anymore\" featuringSelena Gomez.Jungkook previously released a solo version of the song in February, and the two prepared the duet as a special gift to the band's fandom, releasing it on June 2, during BTS' fourth anniversary celebrations.Teen Voguewrote that \"adding Jimin's voice to the mix makes the rendition all the more lovely\",while the Canadian outletFlaremagazine stated that \"it honestly might be better than the original\".Elite Dailydescribed the cover as \"nothing short of flawless\". Jimin appeared on several variety shows such asHello Counselor,Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, andGod's Workplacein 2016.He also served as a special MC ondomestic television music programssuch asShow! Music CoreandM Countdown.In December 2016, he participated in a dance duet at theKBS Song FestivalwithTaeminfromShinee. On December 30, 2018, Jimin released \"Promise\", his first credited song as a solo artist, for free on BTS'SoundCloudpage.It earned the biggest 24-hour debut in SoundCloud history with 8.5 million streams, surpassing previous record holderDrake's \"Duppy Freestyle\" which received 4.9 million streams,and would go on to become the most streamed song on the platform by December 2021, with over 300 million streams.Described byBillboardas a \"mellowpop ballad\",the song was composed by Jimin and Big Hit producer Slow Rabbit, who also produced the track,and features lyrics written by Jimin and bandmateRM.Jimin released his second solo song \"Christmas Love\", about his childhood memories of the holidays, on December 24, 2020.In 2022, he contributed the single \"With You\", a duet withHa Sung-woon, to the soundtrack of theTvNdramaOur Blues; the single was released on April 24. In January 2023, Jimin co-wrote and featured on the single \"Vibe\" byTaeyang.His first official solo project since BTS announced an increased focus on individual music endeavors a year prior,the single earned Jimin his debut entry on theBillboardHot 100as a solo artist, at number 76.He was announced as aglobal ambassadorforDiorlater that month,and forTiffany & Co.in March.\"Promise\" and \"Christmas Love\" were made available on streaming platforms worldwide as official singles under Jimin's name on March 6.His debut solo albumFacewas released on March 24.It set several chart and sales records, debuting at number one in South Korea and Japan,and number two in the US, making Jimin the highest-charting Korean solo artist of all time on theBillboard200.The album's two singles, \"Set Me Free Pt. 2\" and \"Like Crazy\", released on March 17 and 24 respectively,both entered the Hot 100: the former debuted at number 30,while the latter debuted at number one, making Jimin the first South Korean solo artist in history to top the chart.The album's release led Jimin to become the first Korean solo artist to reach number one on theBillboardArtist 100.In May, he appeared as a featured artist, alongsideJvkeandMuni Long, on the single \"Angel Pt. 1\" byKodak BlackandNLE Choppa, as part of the soundtrack for the filmFast X.The digital single \"Closer Than This\" was released on December 22, shortly after Jiminenlistedin theSouth Korean Army. Originally recorded during the production ofFace, it is a song dedicated to the BTS fandom in gratitude for their support. Big Hit announced an eight-episode travel reality series,Are You Sure?!, featuring Jimin and Jungkook on July 2, 2024. Available forstreamingexclusively onDisney+, the premiere episode aired August 8, with subsequent episodes following weekly through September 19.The label released Jimin's second solo album,Muse, on July 19, while he was carrying out his mandatory military service. It was supported by the singles \"Smeraldo Garden Marching Band\" and \"Who\".\"Who\" became Jimin's first song to debut atop both ofBillboard'sglobal charts. Artistry Jimin's vocals have been described as delicate and sweet.He is regarded as an exceptional dancer among the members of BTS and in K-pop in general,often praised for his \"smooth and elegant movements\" and charm on stage. In the documentaryBurn the Stagereleased in 2018, Jimin addressed hisperfectionism.In 2023, Jimin stated that as a pop artist, he \"aims to excel at both dancing and singing and perform a diverse range of musical genres and themes\" while \"taking a healthy and sustainable approach to do so\". He has cited singerRainas an inspiration and one of the reasons why he wanted to become a singer and performer. Impact and influence In 2016, Jimin was ranked as the 14th most popular idol in an annual survey conducted byGallup Korea.He subsequently ranked seventh in 2017, and then consecutively ranked first in 2018 and 2019,as the only idol to top the survey for two consecutive years.In 2018, Jimin was the ninth most-tweeted about celebrity and the eighth most-tweeted about musician globally.He was named the 17th best boy band member in history byThe Guardian.From January to May 2018, Jimin won the monthly \"Top K-Pop Artist–Individual\" award forPeeper x Billboard, a collaboration between thePeepersocial media app andBillboardKoreathat collects fan votes for their favorite K-pop artists. The prize was a donation toUNICEFin his name. The Cultural Conservation Society awarded Jimin a plaque of appreciation in 2019, for performingbuchaechum, a traditional Korean fan dance, during the2018 Melon Music Awardsand helping spread the dance outside of Korea.In October 2021, he became the first idol to spend 34 consecutive months atop the brand reputation ranking for individual boy group idolsand the only one to top the overall ranking for three consecutive years. Jimin is often cited as a role model by various idols in theK-popindustry, many of whom try to emulate his style of dance, mannerisms, and stage presence; media outlets have called him the \"Idol of Idols\", \"Idol's Bible\", and \"Rookies' Bible\". Artists who have cited him as an influence include Arthur ofKingdom, Bic ofMCND, Kim Si-hun ofBDC, Woochul ofNewkidd, Hyunjin ofStray Kids, Wooyoung ofAteez, Lim Se-jun ofVicton, Huening Kai and Beomgyu ofTomorrow X Together, and Ni-ki and Jay ofEnhypen.British internet personalityOli Londonunderwent 15 cosmetic surgeries by 2020 to resemble Jimin. Jimin has also been acknowledged beyond theK-popindustry. In 2019, Award-winning director and photographerGus Van Santnamed Jimin as the artist he wished to work with.In 2021, Olympic figure skaterYuzuru Hanyushared being aBTSfan and mentioned Jimin as a source of inspiration for his dance movements on the rink.In 2023,Ryan Goslinggifted Jimin the guitar his character Ken used in the movieBarbie. Gosling gave Jimin the custom guitar as homage for jimin'sPermission to Danceoutfit serving as inspiration for one of the outfits Gosling wore for his role as Ken. Forbes Koreaincluded Jimin on theForbes Korea Power Celebrity 40for 2024, at number seven, making him the highest ranking K-pop soloist and second-highest ranking soloist on the list. Philanthropy Jimin is a supporter of education and the arts. From 2016 to 2018, he covered uniform expenses of students at his alma mater, Busan Hodong Elementary School. After the school's closing was announced, he donated summer and winter middle school uniforms to the final graduates and gifted autographed albums to the entire student body.In early 2019, Jimin donated₩100 million (US$85,810.58) to the Busan Department of Education to help support students from low income families. Of the total,₩30 million (US$25,743.17) went to his alma mater, Busan Arts High School.In July 2020, he donated₩100 million (US$84,726.68) to the Jeonnam Future Education Foundation to fund the creation of a scholarship fund for talented students from South Jeolla Province who were struggling financially. In July 2021, Jimin donated₩100 million (US$87,416.41) toRotary Internationalto help polio patients. As with previous donations, the benefaction was made privately but became public in September, when the Go-seong Rotary Club displayed a banner thanking him for the donation.He was announced as a member of the Green Noble Club, a group of major donors to the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation who have contributed ₩100 million or more, on October 12. In September 2022, Jimin made a donation to the Gangwon Provincial Office of Education.In February 2023, he donated₩100 million (US$87,416.41) through the Korean UNICEF Committee toward emergency relief for children affected by theTurkey–Syria earthquake.In March, he donated₩100 million (US$87,416.41) to the North Chungcheong Provincial Office of Education to fund books and reading education programs for students.In August, Jimin participated in the \"Hometown Love Donation System\", a program allowing non-residents to donate to support welfare in the district of Nam-gu, Busan. He donated the maximum allowed donation amount of₩5 million (US$4,370.82) and proceeded to re-donate his campaign's donor return gifts to people in need in the region.In February 2024, Jimin was inducted in the Nam-gu Hometown Love Donation System Donor Hall of Fame for his contribution to the district welfare programs.In May, he made a donation of₩100 million (US$87,416.41) to the South Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education to create a scholarship for underprivileged students. Personal life Jimin used to live inHannam-dong, Seoul, South Korea, with his bandmates.In 2021, he purchased a property in the area worth₩5.9billion(US$5.16 million). Health In 2017, during BTS'Wings Tour, Jimin was unable to participate in the show inMacaudue to neck and shoulder cramping.The following year, while inLondonfor theLove Yourself World Tour, he withdrew from the band's scheduled performance onThe Graham Norton Showbecause of \"severe muscle pain in his neck and back\", according to a statement released byBig Hit Entertainment. In 2022, Jimin was hospitalized after having abdominal pain and a mild sore throat. He underwentappendicitissurgery on January 31, and received a positiveCOVID-19diagnosis. Military service On November 22, 2023, Big Hit announced throughWeversethat Jimin, along with bandmatesRM,V, andJungkook, had started the enlistment process to carry out hismandatory military service.He enlisted as an active duty soldier on December 12 at the Army 5th Division Recruit Training Center inYeoncheon.He completed his five weeks of basic training in January 2024, placing first as an outstanding trainee and received the Best trainee commendation award from the Division Commander, taking an oath as the representative of all trainees in his unit.He was then appointed to an Artillery Unit in the5th Infantry Division. Discography Studio albums Singles As lead artist As featured artist Other charted songs Other songs Writing credits All song credits are adapted from theKorea Music Copyright Association's database, unless otherwise noted. Filmography Television Music videos Awards and nominations World records Notes References External links"],"string":"[\n \"BoA Kwon Bo-ah(Korean:권보아; born November 5, 1986), known professionally asBoAand often referred to as the \\\"Queen of K-pop\\\", is a South Korean singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, and actress. Born and raised inGyeonggi-do, South Korea, BoA was discovered bySM Entertainmenttalent agents when she accompanied her older brother, a music video director, to a talent search in 1998. She was trained for two years and made her debut withID; Peace B(2000). BoA has since released twenty studio albums, including ten in Korean, nine in Japanese, and one in English. On television, she appeared as a judge on the reality competition showK-pop Star(2011–2013), as an actress on the television dramaListen to Love(2016), as a host for thesecond seasonofProduce 101(2017), and as a coach for thethird seasonofThe Voice of Korea(2020). With the release of her debut Japanese studio album,Listen to My Heart(2002), BoA became the first South Korean pop star to break through in Japan following the fall of barriers that had restricted the import and export of entertainment between the countries since the end ofWorld War II. Her Japanese albumsValenti(2003) andBest of Soul(2005) went on to sell over one million copies each according toOricon; the latter of which remained the last album to do so by a non-Japanese artist for 16 years. Herself-titled English album(2009) became the first record by a K-pop artist to appear on theBillboard200, debuting at number 127. BoA has sold over ten million albums throughout her career and is one of only three female artists with six consecutive number-one studio albums on theOricon Albums Chartsince her debut, alongside Japanese singersAyumi HamasakiandHikaru Utada. She is the recipient of numerous awards in South Korea and Japan, including eightMAMA Awards, sixSBS Music Awards, fiveJapan Record Awards, and fiveJapan Gold Disc Awards. In 2013,Mnetincluded her in their Legend 100 Artists list of the most influential artists in South Korea. Life and career 2000–2003: Debut and commercial success in South Korea and Japan Kwon Bo-ah was born on November 5, 1986.At the age of eleven, BoA accompanied her older brother to an SM Entertainment talent search.Though her brother was the one who auditioned as a break-dancer,SMtalent scoutsinstead took notice of BoA and offered her a contract on the same night as the auditions.Her parents initially opposed the notion of BoA leaving school to enter the entertainment business but eventually consented at her older brothers' persuasion.She has said that her early influence as a singer wasSeo Taiji. BoA underwent two years of training (involving vocal, dance, English, and Japanese lessons), and at the age of thirteen she released her debut albumID; Peace Bin South Korea on August 25, 2000.The album was moderately successful; it entered the Top 10 of the South Korean charts and sold around 156,000 units.Meanwhile, her Korean record label, SM Entertainment, made arrangements with Japanese labelAvex Traxto launch her music career in Japan. She was forced to quit school to prepareand in early 2001, BoA released her firstmini-album,Don't Start Now; it sold around 90,000 units. After its release, she took a hiatus from the Korean music industry to focus on the Japanese market at which time she worked to solidify her skills in Japanese. BoA began her Japanese music career singing at the Avex-owned clubVelfarre.Her debut Japanese album,Listen to My Heart, was released on March 13, 2002. The album was a breakthrough in BoA's career, becoming anRIAJ-certified million-seller and debuted atop the Oricon, the first album by a Korean artist to do so.It was promoted with several singles: the Top 20 hit \\\"ID; Peace B\\\" (originally from the eponymous album), \\\"Amazing Kiss\\\", \\\"Kimochi wa Tsutawaru\\\", the Top 5 hit \\\"Listen to My Heart\\\", and the Top 10 \\\"Every Heart: Minna no Kimochi\\\". After theSeptember 11, 2001 attacks, BoA recorded the charity single \\\"The Meaning of Peace\\\" withKumi Kodaas part of Avex'sSong Nationproject to raise funds for charity.From 2001 to 2007, BoA hostedBeat it BoA's World, a radio program on theJapan FM Network. After the release ofListen to My Heart, BoA released her second Korean studio album,No. 1, a month later on April 12, 2002.The album sold around 544,853 units and became the fourth-best-selling record of the year in South Korea.Jumping into the World(a Japanese re-release of the mini-albumDon't Start Now) and the Japanese single \\\"Don't Start Now\\\" were released a month later on the same day.At the end of the year, BoA released her second Korean mini-albumMiracle. BoA's second Japanese studio album,Valenti(January 2003), became her best-selling album, with over 1,249,000 copies sold.Three singles preceded its release: \\\"Valenti\\\", which peaked at the number-two position on the Oricon chart,\\\"Kiseki / No.1\\\" and \\\"Jewel Song / Beside You: Boku o Yobu Koe\\\", both which also peaked at the number-three position. In support of the album, BoA launchedBoA 1st Live Tour Valenti, her first Japanese concert tour.Later in the same year, BoA released her third Korean-language studio album,Atlantis Princesson May 30, 2003,and then released a mini-albumShine We Are!on December 4, 2003. The former was the fifth-best-selling South Korean record of the year with around 345,000 units sold; the latter sold around 58,000 units. 2004–2008: New image, foray into China, and creative control Her third Japanese studio album,Love & Honesty(January 2004) was a musical \\\"change in direction\\\": it contained a rock-dance song (\\\"Rock with You\\\") and \\\"harder\\\" R&B.Though the album failed to matchValentiin sales, it topped the Oricon chart for two weeks and became RIAJ-certified triple-platinum.In support of the album, BoA held a tour,Live Concert Tour 2004: Love & Honesty, spanning nine performances and attracted approximately 105,000 attendants.In contrast with1st Live Tour, which \\\"emphasized exotic Asian design\\\", theLove & Honestytour had an \\\"outer-space, sci-fi\\\" theme; among the props were a three-storey-highspace shipand the robotAsimo. Her firstcompilation album,Best of Soul(February 2005), however, sold over a million copies, making BoA the first non-Japanese Asian singer to have two million-selling albums in Japan.It remained the last album by a foreign artist to have sold over a million copies in Japan for 16 years, untilBTSin 2021. BoA reinvented her image for her fourth and fifth Korean albums,My Name(June 2004) andGirls on Top(June 2005), shedding the \\\"cute\\\" and \\\"youthful\\\" style that had characterized previous years and adopted a more \\\"sexy\\\" and \\\"sultry\\\" look.The sales of BoA's Korean albums began to decline:My Namesold 191,000 units and became the eleventh-best-selling South Korean album in 2004whileGirls on Topranked fourteenth in 2005 with 113,000 units sold.In September 2004, BoA instigated controversy in Japan when she donated₩50 million to a memorial project forKorean independenceactivist and nationalistAn Jung-geun. Her fourth Japanese studio album,Outgrow, (February 2006) reached the number-one spot on the Oricon chart for its first week of release, making it her fourth consecutive original Japanese album to do so. With 220,000 copies sold, it became her lowest-selling first-week debut for a studio album at that point.\\\"Do the Motion\\\", the first single from the album, reached the top spot, making her the fourth non-Japanese Asian to have a number-one single on the Oricon charts.\\\"Merry Christmas from BoA\\\" (2005), the album's last single, was the singer's first digital single. That May, BoA renewed her contract with SM Entertainment until 2012. At the time it was noted that she had a shareholding in the company of 100,000 (Approximately worth $1m USD).She performed \\\"Everlasting\\\", the image song for Roman Polanski'sOliver Twist (2005 film).She also voiced Heather the possum in the Korean and Japanese version of the animated filmOver the Hedge.On September 21, 2006, she released her first digital single in Korea, a Korean version of \\\"Key of Heart\\\". In support ofOutgrow, BoA launched a specialZepptour, B0A The Live, on September 29, 2006, which lasted until October 29.She staged her first Christmas concert on December 7, 2006. Three singles preceded BoA's fifth Japanese studio album,Made in Twenty(January 2007): the Top 3 \\\"Nanairo no Ashita (Brand New Beat)/Your Color,\\\" the Top 10 \\\"Key of Heart\\\", and the No. 2 hit \\\"Winter Love\\\". The album, which contained R&B and dance songs as well as ballads, debuted at the top of the weekly Oricon charts, making the album her sixth in a row to do so (including one compilation).Having previously compose the song \\\"No More Make Me Sick\\\" forMade in Twenty,BoA assumed creative control over her sixth Japanese album,The Face(February 2008).The album debuted at the top of the weekly Oricon charts, making BoA one of only two artists in Japan to have six consecutive studio albums top the Oricon weekly charts (the other isAyumi Hamasaki, who has eight consecutive number-one albums).On June 9, 2008, BoA and nine other artists from around the world recorded an English cover ofWei Wei's \\\"Dedication of Love\\\". Produced byRoald Hoffmannand Brian Alan, the single was used to raise funds for victims of theSichuan earthquake.But due to a tight schedule, BoA was pulled back from this project. Korean jewelry brand Ramee also released, \\\"Ramee by BoA\\\", a line of jewelry designed by the singer herself. 2008–2012: American expansion and return to Asia On September 2, 2008, it was announced that BoA would make her American debut under a new subsidiary label, SM Entertainment USA.Hoping to become a \\\"world-renowned entertainer\\\" in the vein ofJanet Jackson,BoA's debut American single \\\"Eat You Up\\\", was produced byThomas Troelsen, and released on October 21, 2008. It charted at No. 9 on theBillboardHot Dance Club Playchart.To promote the single, BoA performed \\\"Eat You Up\\\" as well as other songs at YouTube's Tokyo Live concert, and performed in New York City on December 3, 2008, as well as theJingle Ballat theAnaheim Honda Centeron December 6, 2008.The following year, she released \\\"Eien/Universe/Believe in Love\\\" and was also featured inRavex's single \\\"Believe in Love\\\". BoA'sself-titled English albumwas released in the U.S. on March 17 and featured tracks by producersBloodshy and Avantas well as a duet withSean Garrett.Her second Japanese compilation album,Best & USAwas released on March 18 tying together a compilation of recent hits in Japan with her English-language debut. Though she stated that \\\"t has always been my dream to debut in America,\\\" she found English tougher to learn than Japanese and despite living in West Beverly Hills, found it difficult to make friends.BoA later headlined theSan Francisco Pride Festivalon June 28, 2009, alongsideSolange KnowlesandThe Cliks,where she also performed the song \\\"Energetic\\\" for the first time in public, in addition to \\\"Eat You Up\\\" and \\\"I Did It for Love\\\".On August 31, SM USA releasedBoA Deluxe, a repackaged version of her debut English album. The album contained two new tracks and the radio edit version of \\\"Energetic\\\". With her U.S. career struggling to gain traction, BoA returned to East Asia to release her seventh Japanese album,Identity(February 2010). Promoted by the singles \\\"Bump Bump!\\\" featuringVerbalfromM-Floand \\\"Mamoritai: White Wishes\\\" (December 2009), the album only charted at No. 4, selling 37,606 copies in its first week. With little promotion from her label, it ended her run of six consecutive No. 1 albums, suggesting that it would be impossible for her to sustain her career in three territories simultaneously.Her first Korean album in five years,Hurricane Venus,was released on August 5, 2010,and sold 55,776 units making it the 22nd best selling album in South Korea for 2010.She also represented South Korea and performed at the7th Asia Song Festival, organized byKorea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, at theSeoul Olympic Stadium. BoA made her Hollywood movie debut in the dance filmMake Your Move 3D, playing the character Aya oppositeDerek Hough. Although production ended in 2011, the film was released in 2013. The movie received mixed reviews, with Inkoo Kang of theLos Angeles Timespraising the choreography but stating that \\\"henever actor Derek Hough and BoA stop leaping and twirling, is an underwritten mess.\\\"To celebrate the 10th anniversary of her Japanese debut, BoA released \\\"Milestone\\\", which ranked at No. 4 on the Oricon Weekly Music-DVD charts.She also held her 10th anniversary concert on December 10–11 at Tokyo International Forum. Following the concert, BoA shifted her activities to her native county, joining the judging panel onSBS's audition programK-pop Staras a representative of S.M. Entertainment, alongsideYang Hyun-sukfromYG EntertainmentandPark Jin-youngfromJYP Entertainment. BoA received praise for her ability as a judge with her insightful comments and discerning eyes,and also sang the theme song \\\"One Dream\\\".For her seventh Korean album,Only One(July 2012), BoA wrote and composed its title track,while its dance steps choreographed by NappyTabs, who has previously worked with BoA inCobu.Upon its release, \\\"Only One\\\" achieved an all-kill on several music charts.She followed this up with the second \\\"The Shadow\\\", was released August 18, 2012.Additionally, she recorded the song \\\"Lookin'\\\" featuringThe Quiettfor Hyundai's 'Premium Younique Lifestyle' campaign. 2013–2015: Music production, television role, and 15th anniversary BoA launched her first Korean tour withBoA Special Live 2013: Here I Amtour at the Olympic Hall,and released the song \\\"Disturbance\\\", which she wrote and composed, to commemorate her first concert tour in South Korea.In September 2013, BoA starred in KBS' two-episode drama specialExpect to DatealongsideChoi DanielandIm Si-wan, her full first role in a drama, following a string of cameo appearances.She received praise for her acting performance.She also participated inInfinity Challenge'sbi-annual song festival and was paired withLeessang'sGil, with the two co-produced the song \\\"G.A.B\\\".In March 2014, BoA was appointed as a de facto creative director in S.M. Entertainment, alongside labelmateKangta; she was placed in charge of mental care of artists who debut at a young age. The singles for BoA's eighth Japanese album,Who's Back?(September 2014),were released over a span of four years prior to the album's release:\\\"Woo Weekend\\\" and \\\"I See Me\\\" in 2010, \\\"Milestone\\\" in 2011,Only One\\\", \\\"Tail of Hope\\\" and \\\"Message / Call My Name\\\" in 2013,and \\\"Shout It Out\\\"and \\\"Masayume Chasing\\\" in 2014.To promote the album, she embarked on her BoA Live Tour 2014 Who's Back? tour in September, her first Japanese tour in four years.After the tour concluded, BoA starred in her first Korean film,Big MatchalongsideLee Jung-jaeandShin Ha-kyunthough a Japanese single \\\"Fly\\\" was released on December 3, 2014. Her eighth Korean albumKiss My Lips(May 2015)became her first entirely self-written, self-produced album, working alongside American producers The Underdogs and Stereotypes.The single \\\"Who Are You\\\" (feat. Gaeko) was released prior to the album's unveiling, along with its accompanying music video, which starred EXO'sSehunas the male lead.The rest of the album was unveiled on May 12 along with an official music video of the eponymous title track.Billboardcalled the singer a promising songwriter despite moments of musical blandness. In July, she performed at the BoA Special Live 2015: Nowness to commemorate her 15th anniversary. The concert took place on August 22 and 23 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in South Korea, making BoA the first female idol to hold a solo concert at the venue.This was followed by BoA Special Live 2015: Nowness in Japan which took place on December 11, 2015, at Tokyo International Forum Hall-A.Her 15th anniversary in Japan the following year was celebrated in a similar fashion,including the release of the song \\\"Lookbook\\\", and a 15th anniversary edition of BoA's Japanese Winter hit, \\\"Meri Kuri\\\". As part of S.M. Entertainment's special winter project,Winter Garden,BoA released a digital single entitled \\\"Christmas Paradise\\\". 2016–present: Musical projects, television production, and acting debut On January 12, 2016, BoA released an English-language single \\\"Make Me Complete\\\", which serves as the theme song for the Fuji TV special dramaOoku, starring Sawajiri Erika and Watanabe Mayu.In June, she collaborated with Korean rapperBeenzinoforS.M. Entertainment'sSM Stationproject. The duo released the single \\\"No Matter What\\\", which ranked atop five domestic charts.BoA worked with BeatBurger for anotherSM Stationsingle titled \\\"Music Is Wonderful\\\", where she participated in the composing and writing of the track.From October to November 2016, BoA starred in JTBC's romance melodramaListen to Love, returning to the small screen after three years. The following year, BoA became one of the producers forMnet'sboy groupsurvival reality show,Produce 101 Season 2, which aired from April 7 to June 16.BoA later released another song forSM Station, \\\"Spring Rain\\\", an R&B number produced by Kenzie.In May, BoA embarked on her BoA The live inBillboardLive Tour, held in Tokyo and Osaka.She also released the single \\\"Camo,\\\" a dance song with a heavy emphasis on bass and synthesizer sounds, which was a change in sound from her previous materials and produced by The Underdogs.In July, she released the Japanese single \\\"Right Here, Right Everywhere\\\" for the soundtrack of dramaYaneura no Koibito.She later starred in the filmAutumn Sonataalongside Lee Hak-joo, playing a terminally ill patient. In 2018, BoA returned to Japan and released her ninth Japanese albumWatashi Konomama de Iinokanaon February 14, 2018, followed by EPUnchainedin March. To accompany the release of the EP, she embarked on the BoA The Live 2018: Unchained Tour from March 15 to April 4. People who attend the concerts received a copy ofUnchained.On January 31, she released \\\"Nega Dola\\\", which served as a single for BoA's then-upcoming first extended play.The EP,One Shot, Two Shot, was released on February 20, alongside its titular lead single and the song's music video.The EP peaked at number six at the South Korean Gaon Album Chart and number seven at theBillboardWorld Albums Chart.On October 24, she released her ninth Korean albumWomanalongside a lead single of the same name.The album peaked at number six at the Gaon Album Chart, number eleven at theBillboardWorld Albums Chart. On June 4, 2019, she released the single \\\"Feedback\\\", which features rapperNucksal, alongside the song's music video.BoA embarked on her #Mood Tour, which had six dates in Japan and two dates in Seoul, from September to October 2019.On October 23, she released a new Japanese single, \\\"Wishing Well\\\", which she earlier debuted on the tour.On December 11, 2019, she released her second extended playStarry Night. In May 2020, BoA was featured as one of the coaches for the third season ofThe Voice of Korea, alongsideDynamic Duo,Sung Si-kyung, andKim Jong-kook.On December 1, 2020, she released her tenth Korean albumBetter.SpoTV News shared BoA to join as a judge for Mnet Dance program \\\"Street Woman Fighter\\\". It is a female dance crew competition premiering in August 2021.On November 5, 2021, BoA released the Japanese single, \\\"My Dear\\\", to commemorate her 20th anniversary. BoA was revealed as a member of the supergroupGot the Beaton December 27, 2021. The group debuted on January 3, 2022.To celebrate her 20th anniversary, BoA released the Japanese compilation albumThe Greateston May 30, 2022.On November 8, 2022, BoA announced her third EPForgive Mealong with the title track on the same name on November 22, 2022.In 2024, BoA appeared in the dramaMarry My Husband, where she played Oh Yu-ra. Her performance in the drama was met with negative reviews. Image and artistry BoA lists hip hop as her main musical influence, though she also enjoys R&B. Her favorite musicians areWhitney Houston,Michael Jackson,Justin Timberlake, andNe-Yo;as a result, much of BoA's music is eitherdance-popor R&B. Because she also singsballads, she is often compared to Japanese singersNamie AmuroandAyumi Hamasaki. Her debut album,ID; Peace B, containedurban pop, \\\"slickly produced\\\" ballads, and \\\"upbeat dance tunes\\\". As her career went on, she began experimenting with different styles:Valenticontained mostly ballads;Love and Honestywas an experiment with \\\"harder\\\" R&B and rock music. Though her earlier releases were marked by a \\\"cute\\\" and \\\"youthful\\\" style, BoA began to present a more \\\"mature\\\" image starting from the albumMy Name. In aTalk Asiainterview,Anjali Raonoted that some felt thatMy Namemarked the beginning of BoA's decline in popularity and asked if the public would always see the singer as \\\"Little Baby BoA\\\"; BoA replied, \\\"So while I apologize to those people who still want the baby BoA, in fact, what can I do? I just keep growing up! I can't stop that from happening.\\\" The Facewas influenced byelectropopand included \\\"happy spring\\\" songs (\\\"Sweet Impact\\\" and \\\"Bad Drive\\\"), a guitar-driven \\\"groovy dance\\\" song (\\\"Lose Your Mind\\\"), and ballads.Because the composition and writing of BoA's songs is handled mostly by her staff, BoA has been criticized as being a \\\"manufactured pop star\\\".In response to such criticism, BoA said that \\\"if one person were to force their own will on something, then things that should have gone right could easily go wrong\\\" and that she is \\\"not all that unhappy with the expression that a manufactured star. In a way, that is true. Because SM Entertainment created the environment and all the surrounding conditions, able to be successful in the way now.\\\"She later assumed creative control withThe Face,whileKiss My Lipsbecame her first entirely self-written, self-produced album. BoA has collaborated with high-profile artists. Among the Japanese artists she has performed with are the hip hop groupM-Flo(for the single \\\"The Love Bug\\\"), pop singerKumi Koda, andhouseDJMondo Grosso. She has performed with Western artists: the song \\\"Flying Without Wings\\\" from her albumNext Worldwas a collaboration with Irish bandWestlifecovering theoriginal song; theBratzsingle \\\"Show Me What You Got\\\" was performed withHowie Dof the American bandBackstreet Boys.She also worked withAkon, singing the song \\\"Beautiful\\\", which was featured on the Japanese release of his third album,Freedom.Other artists she has collaborated with areSoul'd Out, Dabo, Verbal (of M-Flo), Rah-D,Seamo,TVXQ, Yutaka Furakawa (of the band Doping Panda), andCrystal Kay(for her single \\\"After Love: First Boyfriend/Girlfriend\\\").American rock bandWeezercovered \\\"Meri Kuri\\\" on the Japanese version of their albumWeezer. Cultural impact and legacy BoA is regarded as one of South Korea's most influential and prominent singers and is widely referred to as the \\\"Queen of K-pop\\\",in recognition of her contributions in spearheading theKorean waveinto Japan.BoA's success in the Japanese market has been deemed a catalyst in the Japanese interest in Korean pop music beginning in the early 2000s, when the two countries began promoting cultural exchanges since the end ofWorld War II.Music critics have recognized BoA for improving \\\"civil relations between the Korean and Japanese public through her music and appearances in Japanese radio and television\\\",with Oxford Political Review noting \\\"BoA's role in strengthening Japan-South Korea ties as a cultural envoy\\\".In Alisa Freedman'sIntroducing Japanese Pop Culture, BoA was noted for \\\"herald a new phase of Japanese engagement with Korean singers\\\", registering \\\"remarkable success during the first half of the 2000s in Japan\\\". She highlighted that the timing of her success coincided with several political and cultural developments; these of which include the implementation of Korea's Open-Door Policy, theKorea Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, and the popularity of the drama seriesWinter Sonata. Freedman evaluated BoA's career path and localization strategies in Japan for having set \\\"the first trend\\\" of the Korean wave into the country. Voxhailed BoA as \\\"one of South Korea's best-known exports\\\" in the years after her debut whileThe Korea Timescalled BoA \\\"the forerunner of the new generation of idols who popularized K-pop in Japan and elsewhere.\\\"In 2004, theMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourismhonored BoA with the Asian Cultural Exchange Merit Award for her contributions in raising the status of K-pop throughout Asia.The Diplomatstated that BoA \\\"paved the way\\\" for future K-pop artists \\\"to later captivate Japanese fans despite souring relations between Seoul and Tokyo.\\\" Music critic Lim Jin-mo wrote that BoA \\\"opened many doors for pop acts from her country in the second largest music market in the world\\\", acting \\\"as a figurehead for breakthroughs in Japan for South Korean acts\\\" and became \\\"a pivotal figure in K-pop's history\\\". Yim Hyun-su fromThe Korea Heraldviewed her for \\\"forever changing the landscape of South Korea's music industry\\\".In 2016, she was honored with the Presidential Commendation at theKorean Popular Culture and Arts Awardsfor her contributions to the spread of the Korean wave, and for laying \\\"the foundation for the revival of K-pop\\\". With nearly 15 years in the entertainment industry, BoA has little to prove in Korea, where she's widely regarded as a pioneer in K-pop's modern-day international platform. —Billboard(2015) In 2013, 50 music experts, professors and critics organized byMnetnamed BoA one of the 100 most influential artists in South Korean music.\\\"No. 1\\\" was ranked number 27 in a 2006Gallup Koreasurvey of 100 all-time favorite Korean songsand was included in Mnet's Legend 100 list of popular Korean songs since the 1960s.In 2021, a panel of 35 music experts organized byMelonandSeoul Shinmunranked \\\"No. 1\\\" and \\\"Atlantis Princess\\\" number 1 and number 93 in their list of the greatest K-pop songs of all time.Critic Rhian Daly forThe Forty-Fiveranked \\\"Atlantis Princess\\\" number 1 in her list of the best K-pop songs of all-time.Rolling Stoneranked \\\"No. 1\\\" at number 18 in their list of the greatest songs in the history of K-pop, writing it represents \\\"her most emblematic crossover hit\\\". BoA has been cited by many artists in the South Korean music industry as an influence and role model,includingAespa,Girls' Generation'sTaeyeon,Sunny,Tiffany,Hyoyeon,Seohyun,Shinee'sKey,Exo'sSehun,Red Velvet'sIrene,Ailee,Chungha,Yukika Teramoto,Kwon Eun-bi,Baek A-yeon,Mamamoo'sSolar,f(x)'sLuna,Kiss of Life'sNatty,Lovelyz's Kei,andBilllie's Tsuki.Aespa's Giselle said in aRolling Stoneinterview that \\\"Everyone knows her. She's not just famous — she's a legend\\\". Other ventures Endorsements Because of her wide appeal, BoA has appeared in advertisements for many brands.Among the brands she has promoted areOlympus,Lotte,Nike,L'Oréal, Japanese cosmetic companyKosé,Skechers,Audio-Technica,GM DaewooandL'Occitane.Several of her songs have been used in affiliation with television shows. \\\"Every Heart: Minna no Kimochi\\\" was used as the ending theme for theanimeInuYasha;\\\"Beside You: Boku o Yobu Koe\\\" was used as the opening theme for the animeMonkey Typhoon;\\\"Key of Heart\\\" was the theme song for the Japanese release ofOver the Hedge;\\\"Your Color\\\" was the theme song of the video gameNinety-Nine Nights;\\\"Mamoritai: White Wishes\\\" was the theme song of the video gameTales of Graces.\\\"Tail of Hope\\\" was used as the theme for the Japanese dramaHakui no Namida,and \\\"Masayume Chasing\\\" was used as the 15th opening theme song for the animeFairy Tail. In 2007,Anycall(aSamsungbrand) signed BoA,Xiah(of TVXQ),Tablo(ofEpik High), and jazz pianistJin Boraonto \\\"Anyband\\\", a band created specifically to promote Anycall. The band released only one single, \\\"AnyBand\\\".In December 2010, she recorded \\\"I See Me\\\" for to promote Audio Technica headphones in Japan.The song \\\"Woo Weekend\\\" was used to promote Disney on Ice's 25th Anniversary in Japanwhile \\\"Lookbook\\\" served as the ending theme for the NTV Kei programTokui to Goto to Uruwashi no Shelley ga Konya Kurabete Mimashita.BoA served as ambassador for Asia Youth Day in 2014.In August 2017, it was announced that BoA was chosen as promotional ambassador for Jeju Biennale, an inaugural international art event on the resort island of Jeju.In Her widespread popularity has also made her a \\\"cultural ambassador\\\"; she has represented South Korea in inter-Asian musical events and has appeared in anOxford University Press-published English-language textbook. Discography Korean albums Japanese albums English albums Filmography Film Television series Television shows Concerts and tours Japan tours Asia tours Concert participation Awards and nominations See also Footnotes References External links\",\n \"ID; Peace B ID; Peace Bis the debut Korean-languagestudio albumby South Korean singerBoA, released on August 25, 2000 bySM Entertainment.It saw moderate levels of success in South Korea upon its release, peaking at number 16 on the Recording Industry Association of Korea's monthly album chart in October 2000.The album sold 156,354 copies in 2000 and was the 59th best-selling album of the year.The album was released on May 29, 2002 in Japan, where it reached number 30 on theOricon Albums Chart. Production and lyrics The song \\\"Sara\\\" is about a cat, \\\"I'm Sorry\\\" is about the tragedy of loving the lover of her older sister, and \\\"ID; Peace B\\\" is about the generation gap due to the use of the internet. Track listing Charts Weekly charts Monthly charts Year-end charts Release history References\",\n \"BTS BTS(Korean:방탄소년단;RR:Bangtan Sonyeondan;lit.Bulletproof Boy Scouts), also known as theBangtan Boys, is a South Koreanboy bandformed in 2010. The band consists ofJin,Suga,J-Hope,RM,Jimin,V, andJungkook, who co-write or co-produce much of their material. Originally ahip hopgroup, they expanded their musical style to incorporate a wide range of genres, while their lyrics have focused on subjects including mental health, the troubles of school-age youth andcoming of age, loss, the journey towards self-love, individualism, and the consequences of fame and recognition. Their discography and adjacent work has also referenced literature, philosophy and psychology, and includes analternate universestoryline. BTS debuted in 2013 underBig Hit Entertainmentwith the single album2 Cool 4 Skool.BTS released their first Korean and Japanese-language studio albums,Dark & WildandWake Uprespectively, in 2014. The group's second Korean studio album,Wings(2016), was their first to sell one million copies in South Korea. By 2017, BTS had crossed into the global music market and led theKorean Waveinto the United States, becoming the first Korean ensemble to receive aGold certificationfrom theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) for their single \\\"Mic Drop\\\", as well as the first act from South Korea to top theBillboard200with their studio albumLove Yourself: Tear(2018). In 2020, BTS became the fastest group sincethe Beatlesto chart four US number-one albums in less than two years, withLove Yourself: Answer(2018) becoming the first Korean album certified Platinum by the RIAA; in the same year, they also became the first all-South Korean act to reach number one on both theBillboardHot 100andBillboardGlobal 200with their Grammy-nominated single \\\"Dynamite\\\". Follow-up releases \\\"Savage Love\\\", \\\"Life Goes On\\\", \\\"Butter\\\", and \\\"Permission to Dance\\\" made them the fastest act to earn four US number-one singles sinceJustin Timberlakein 2006. As of 2023, BTS is the best-selling musical act in South Korean history according to theCircle Chart, having sold in excess of 40 million albums.Their studio albumMap of the Soul: 7(2020) is thefourth best-selling album of all time in South Korea, as well as the first in the country to surpass both four and five million registered sales. They are the first non-English-speaking and Asian act to sell out concerts atWembley Stadiumand theRose Bowl(Love Yourself World Tour, 2019), and were named theInternational Federation of the Phonographic Industry's (IFPI)Global Recording Artist of the Yearfor both 2020 and 2021. The group'saccoladesinclude multipleAmerican Music Awards,BillboardMusic Awards,Golden Disc Awards, and nominations for fiveGrammy Awards. Outside of music, they have addressed three sessions of theUnited Nations General Assemblyand partnered withUNICEFin 2017 to establish theLove Myselfanti-violence campaign. Featured onTime'sinternational cover as \\\"Next Generation Leaders\\\" and dubbed the \\\"Princes of Pop\\\", BTS has also appeared onTime'slists of the 25 most influential people on the internet (2017–2019) and the100 most influential people in the world(2019), and in 2018 became the youngest recipients of the South KoreanOrder of Cultural Meritfor their contributions in spreading the Korean culture and language. On June 14, 2022, the group announced a scheduled pause in group activities to enable the members to complete their 18 months ofmandatory South Korean military service, with a reunion planned for 2025.Jin, the eldest member, enlisted on December 13, 2022; the others followed in 2023. Name BTS stands for the Korean phraseBangtan Sonyeondan(Korean:방탄소년단; Hanja:防彈少年團), which translates literally to 'Bulletproof Boy Scouts'. According to memberJ-Hope, the name signifies the group's desire \\\"to block out stereotypes, criticisms, and expectations that aim on adolescents like bullets\\\".In Japan, they are known asBōdan Shōnendan(防弾少年団).In July 2017, BTS announced that their name would also stand for \\\"Beyond the Scene\\\" as part of their newbrand identity.This extended the meaning of their name to encompass the idea of growth \\\"from a boy to an adult who opens the doors that are facing forward\\\". History 2010–2014: Formation and early years BTS was formed in 2010, after Big Hit Entertainment CEOBang Si-hyukwanted to form ahip hop grouparoundRM(Kim Nam-joon), an underground rapper well known on the music scene inSeoul. At the time,physical album saleswere on the decline and digital revenues were not yet high enough to compensate.Seeing a need for diversified income streams, Bang decided to form an idol group instead, because of the potential for live concert performances and passionate support from fans of such groups. Many trainees refused to become part of an idol group, butJ-Hope, RM, andSugaremained.Bang chose to vary from the usual, highly regimented idol groups and create one where the members would be individuals rather than an ensemble and free to express themselves.Auditions were held in 2010 with plans to launch the following year.The band members lived together, practicing up to 15 hours a day, and first performed before a small crowd of industry insiders in 2013. We started to tell the stories that people wanted to hear and were ready to hear, stories that other people could not or would not tell. We said what other people were feeling—like pain, anxieties and worries. That was our goal, to create this empathy that people can relate to. —Suga BTS's representation by Big Hit, rather than one of the three agencies that dominated K-pop at the time, allowed the individual members leeway to express their individuality and have input into the music.On June 12, 2013, BTS released their debutsingle album2 Cool 4 Skool, along with thelead single\\\"No More Dream\\\", neither of which sold particularly well at the time.On June 13, 2013, BTS made their stage debut onM Countdownwith the single, \\\"No More Dream\\\".Nevertheless, according to Kathy Sprinkel in her book on BTS, that single was \\\"spotlighting young people's anxiety in the face of lofty parental expectations, sent shock waves through the K-pop ranks. Here was a musical act that wasn't pulling any punches. More specifically, they had a point of view, and they weren't afraid to take on topics that are considered taboo in South Korean society and elsewhere.\\\"The album reached the top five on South Korea's Gaon Music Chart.In2 Cool 4 Skool, BTS employed an old-school hip-hop sound from the 1990s.The album's release was followed by appearances on Korean music shows, which caught the attention of reviewers and viewers. In September 2013, BTS released the second entry in their \\\"school trilogy\\\": theEP,O!RUL8,2?.The album was released alongside the single \\\"N.O.\\\"Similarly to2 Cool 4 Skool, the new release had a theme of students feeling under pressure and needing to sacrifice their dreams and aspirations.According to scholar Kyung Hyun Kim, many of BTS's earlier works such as \\\"N.O.\\\" and \\\"No More Dreams\\\" were \\\"expressions of rebellion against the establishment that tapped into Korean teenagers' frustrations with the country's educational system\\\" and, he stated, helped them build a fan base among young people in North America and Europe.That same month, BTS starred in their own variety show,SBS MTV'sRookie King Channel Bangtan, in which members parodied variety shows such asVJ Special ForcesandMasterChef Korea.At the end of the year, BTS was recognized with several New Artist of the Year awards in South Korea. 2014–2017 Skool Luv Affairand first concert tour The last entry in BTS \\\"school trilogy\\\", theSkool Luv AffairEP, was released in February 2014.The release topped theGaon Album Chart,and appeared onBillboard'sWorld AlbumsChart for the first time, peaking at number three.The EP was supported by two singles: \\\"Boy in Luv\\\" and \\\"Just One Day\\\".FollowingSkool Luv Affair's release, BTS played at their first fan meeting inSeoul, selecting the name A.R.M.Y. for the fan club.In July 2014, BTS hosted a concert inWest Hollywood, their first show in the United States,and in August, they appeared atKCONin Los Angeles. In August 2014, BTS released the albumDark & Wild, which reached number two in South Korea.It was supported by two singles: \\\"Danger\\\" and \\\"War of Hormone\\\".The group embarked on their firstconcert tour,2014 BTS Live Trilogy Episode II: The Red Bullet, which lasted from October to December 2014.The band launched their first Japanese studio album,Wake Up, in December 2014; the release peaked at number three on theOricon Albums Chart.After the album's release, BTS held their1st Japan Tour 2015 Wake Up: Open Your Eyesin February 2015.The Red Bullet Tour that had begun on October 17, 2014, in South Korea was resumed on June 6, 2015, in Malaysia and toured Australia, North America and Latin America before ending in Hong Kong that August. In all, the entire tour attracted 80,000 spectators at 18 cities in 13 countries. Mainstream breakthrough and commercial success BTS experimented with other styles of music besides hip-hop inThe Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Pt. 1, released in 2015.BTS wanted to express the beauty and anxiousness of youth and settled on the title of \\\"花樣年華\\\" (Korean:화양연화;RR:Hwayangyeonhwa), loosely interpreted to define \\\"youth\\\" metaphorically as \\\"the most beautiful moment in life\\\".The album served as an introduction to their youth trilogy, a triptych of albums dedicated to the struggles of young people.The single \\\"I Need U\\\" was a top-five hit in South Korea and garnered the group a win on SBS MTV'sThe Show.The second single \\\"Dope (Korean:쩔어;RR:Jjeoreo;lit.It's awesome)\\\" reached number three onBillboard'sWorld Digital Song Saleschart and its music video was viewed over 100 million times on YouTube.The group began the world tour extension of their Red Bullet Tour in June, titled2015 Live Trilogy Episode II: The Red Bullet, visiting cities throughout Asia, Oceania, North America, and Latin America.\\\"For You\\\", in Japanese, was released together with Japanese versions of \\\"War of Hormone\\\" and \\\"Let Me Know\\\" on June 17, 2015, and immediately topped Oricon's daily chart. In November, BTS commenced their third concert tour,2015 BTS LIVE \\\"The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: On Stage\\\", beginning with three sold-out shows in Seoul. The tour marked the debut of their fourth EP,The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2, and was later extended to Japan.Thematically, the EP focused more on the serious and speculative aspects of youth, touching on the pursuit of success, loneliness, affection for their origins, and the suffering of the younger generation due to unfavorable conditions in current society.The album topped the weekly Gaon Album andBillboardWorld Albums charts.It also marked their first appearance on theBillboard200chart,making it for one week at number 171,and eight of the tracks appeared onBillboard's World Digital Song Sales chart. Their compilation album and the finale to their \\\"youth trilogy\\\",The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Foreverwas released on May 2, 2016. With 300,000 presold copies,it included three new singles: \\\"Epilogue: Young Forever\\\", \\\"Fire\\\", and \\\"Save Me\\\",which debuted in the top three spots on theBillboardWorld Digital Charts.The album topped the Gaon Album Chart in South Korea fortwo consecutive weeksand reached number 107 on theBillboard200.The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Foreverwon Album of the Year at the2016 Melon Music Awards.BTS embarked on their Asia tour extension,2016 BTS LIVE \\\"The Most Beautiful Moment in Life On Stage: Epilogue\\\"from May to August 2016. Tickets for the 14 shows in 10 Asian cities sold out, some in as little as five seconds. In September 2016, BTS released their second Japanese studio albumYouth.The album sold 44,547 copies on the first day of its release, and charted 1st in the Oricon Daily Album Chart.The album was eventually certified Gold with sales of roughly over 100,000 in Japan.It was followed one month later in October,by their next studio albumWings,which combined the themes of youth presented in their previous \\\"youth trilogy\\\" with temptation and adversity.The album and its tracks, including the single \\\"Blood Sweat & Tears\\\" immediately rose to the top on eight music charts, including the Gaon Music Chart, and led theiTunesalbum charts in 23 countries.Wingsopened at number 26 on theBillboard200, with 16,000album-equivalent unitsin the US for the week of its release, the best week ever there for a K-pop album.It became the best-selling album in Gaon Album Chart history. You Never Walk AloneandLove Yourself: Her In February 2017, BTS released the repackaged edition ofWingsentitledYou Never Walk Alone. The 700,000 pre-orders of it (an increase from the 500,000 pre-orders ofWings) helped break the record for most albums sold in a month in South Korea, as it reached 1.49 million copies by the end of its first month.The lead single was \\\"Spring Day\\\"and it won Best Song of the Year at the2017 Melon Music Awards.BTS's second world tour,2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings Tour, began in February.On the tour, BTS played arenas in the US, such as New Jersey'sPrudential Centerand California'sHonda Center. Tickets for the North American leg sold out within hours and two shows were added.After completing the North American leg, BTS attended the24thBillboardMusic Awardsin May and wonTop Social Artist,the first K-pop group to win a Billboard award.BTS fans cast over 300million votes for the band and broke a six-year winning streak held byJustin Bieber, a performer with 100millionTwitterfollowers.This caused the international media to focus on the ability of BTS's fandom to propel the group to such a victory. BTS released a remake ofSeo Taiji's \\\"Come Back Home\\\" (1995) in July 2017, giving it new lyrics but maintaining the theme of urging societal change.Later that year, BTS embarked on their \\\"Love Yourself\\\" album series, with theme of the enlightenment of self-love through the \\\"起承轉結\\\" (Korean:기승전결;RR:Giseungjeongyeol) narrative sequence of \\\"beginning, development, turn, and conclusion.\\\"BTS released its first part, their fifth EP,Love Yourself: Her, on September 18.RM considered \\\"DNA\\\", the lead single from that album,as \\\"taking BTS to new ground. We tried to apply new grammar and perspectives.\\\"He said of the album, \\\"I believe it's going to be the starting point of a second chapter of our career; the beginning of our Chapter Two.\\\"Sonically, the EP served as \\\"a dual exploration of the group's electro-pop and hip-hop leanings\\\". Love Yourself: Herdebuted at number seven on theBillboard200.The album had 1,664,041 sales in May 2017 to lead the Gaon Chart,and was the first in 16 years to exceed 1.2 million copies sold sinceg.o.d's fourth albumChapter 4(2001).\\\"DNA\\\" was released simultaneously with the EP, and its music video accumulated 21 million views in its first 24 hours.It became BTS's first entry on theBillboardHot 100, charting at number 85, making them the first K-pop boy band to reach that chart.The single rose to number 67 the following week and became the highest-charting song on the Hot 100 for any K-pop group.A remix of \\\"Mic Drop\\\" from the album, featuringDesiigner, was released as a single and peaked at number 28, the first time a K-pop group had cracked the top forty.Both singles attained Gold certification from theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) in early 2018.\\\"Mic Drop\\\" achieved Platinum status in the US later that year. In November 2017, BTS became the first K-pop group to perform at theAmerican Music Awards.BTS wonArtist of the Yearat the19th Mnet Asian Music Awardsin December, winning for the second consecutive year.They released \\\"DNA\\\" and \\\"Mic Drop\\\" together with a new song \\\"Crystal Snow\\\" as a single album in Japan on December 6, 2017, though the songs were made digitally available elsewhere.It topped the Oricon Chart for the week of its release. It was the only album by a foreign artist to be certified Double Platinum in Japan in 2017. Later that month, they made their Japanese television prime time music show debut onMusic Station Super Live,and ended the year by performing onDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. In 2017, BTS partnered withUNICEFon the \\\"Love Myself\\\" campaign, intended to help end violence, abuse, and bullying, and to promote self-esteem and well-being among young people. Both Big Hit and the group pledged money to promote the campaign, and BTS sold special \\\"Love Myself\\\" merchandise and set up dedicated booths at concert venues. The campaign was renewed in 2021, with UNICEF deeming it to have been successful. 2018–2020 Love Yourselfalbum series BTS won major awards at the Golden Disc and Seoul Music Awards in January 2018.In March, the group premiered an eight-episode documentary titledBurn the Stagethat offered a behind-the-scenes look at their 2017 Wings Tour, exclusively onYouTube Premium.Their third Japanese studio album,Face Yourself, was released on April 4, 2018,and quickly reached the top 5 of the U.S. iTunes Albums chart. A nine-minute short film, titledEuphoria: Theme of \\\"Love Yourself: Wonder\\\"and featuring the song \\\"Euphoria\\\", followed the next day as a prelude to the group's third Korean-language studio album,Love Yourself: Tear.BTS promotedTear's May 18, 2018, release with an appearance at the25thBillboardMusic Awardstwo days later,where they made their initial BBMA performance with their single, \\\"Fake Love\\\".The group also won Top Social Artist for a second consecutive time.The album coincided with the \\\"轉\\\" or \\\"turn\\\" of the series, touching on the tortuous enlightenment of loving without being loved, the pains and sorrows of separation, and providing encouragement to those without dreams. Love Yourself: Teardebuted at number one its first week on theBillboard200, becoming BTS's first number-one album in the US and the first K-pop album to top the US albums chart.It also became BTS's first top-10 release in Britain, reaching number eight on theUK Albums Chart.\\\"Fake Love\\\" became BTS's top-10 single on the Hot100, the first time a song sung mostly in a language other than English had debuted in the top 10.BTS released their compilation albumLove Yourself: Answerin August 2018.The album was supported by the single \\\"Idol\\\" and its alternative digital release featuringNicki Minaj. Love Yourself: Answersold over 1.9 million copies on the Gaon Album Chart in August2018.The album became BTS's second number-one on theBillboard200 and led to their highest US sales week in the country to that point with 185,000 album equivalent units.In November 2018,Love Yourself: Answerbecame the first Korean language album to be certified Gold by the RIAA.\\\"Idol\\\" andLove Yourself: Answerboth received Platinum certifications in the US, with sales of more than 1million. In conjunction withLove Yourself: Answer's release in August2018, BTS commenced their world tour,BTS World Tour: Love Yourself, with two concerts in the Seoul Olympic Stadium, which sold out in a matter of seconds, as did others of the 22 shows in 12 countries.In October, BTS released their collaboration with Steve Aoki \\\"Waste It on Me\\\", their first all-English language feature.For the final stop of the North American leg, the group performed at Citi Field in New York City, marking the first time a Korean act performed at a US stadium.According toStubHub, BTS was the second best-selling concert act outside the US, behind onlyEd Sheeran.That October, BTS renewed their contract with Big Hit Entertainment through 2026. In early November 2018, a popular Japanese music show cancelled BTS's performance, citing a T-shirt a member wore the year before, bearing a photograph of amushroom cloudfollowing thebombing of Nagasaki.In the same month, the Jewish human rights organizationSimon Wiesenthal Center(SWC) stated that BTS owed an apology for that shirt, and for clothing and flags with Nazi symbolism.Big Hit Entertainment issued an apology, explaining that the images were not intended to be hurtful to the victims ofNazismor atomic bombings and that the group and management would take steps to prevent future mistakes.They also stated the flags were meant to be a commentary on the Korean school system.The apology was accepted by SWC and the Korean Atomic Bomb Victim Association.John Lie, in his scholarly article on BTS, opined that the Nazi incident showed that the group is not tightly controlled, as are other K-pop ensembles, whose every move seems scripted, and that the members have opinions and are not afraid to express them. At the20th Mnet Asian Music Awards, BTS won Artist of the Year and ranked number eight onBillboard'syear-end Top Artist Chart and were also the number two act of the year in the Duo/Group ranking, only behindImagine Dragons.They were also listed asone of the 50 most influential people by Bloombergfor their \\\"willingness to address social issues, mental health, and politics, despite being in a genre often painted as bubble gum pop\\\". Map of the Soul: Persona, stadium world tour andBTS World In February 2019, BTS, for the first time, were presenters atthe Grammy Awards.In April,Timenamed them one of theTime100, the most influential people of 2019.Their EP,Map of the Soul: Persona, was released on April12 with the single \\\"Boy with Luv\\\" (Korean:작은 것들을 위한 시;RR:Jageun geotdeureul wihan si), featuring American singerHalsey.The EP's release was followed by a performance onSaturday Night Live, the first K-pop act to appear there.Map of the Soul: Personabecame the first Korean-language album to reach the number one position in both the UK and Australia,and the group's third album to top theBillboard200 in less than a year.Map of the Soul: Personabecame the best-selling album ever in South Korea in terms of physical copies sold, with more than 3.2 million sales in less than a month.\\\"Boy with Luv\\\" debuted at number eight on theBillboardHot 100 in April 2019, the highest placement ever for a K-pop song. Following their two wins at the26thBillboardMusic Awardsin May, including forTop Duo/Group,BTS embarked on their world tour stadium extension,Love Yourself: Speak Yourself.Due to the demand, BTS added more shows after tickets for the first dates sold out within two hours.In the lead up to the release of their mobile gameBTS World, in June 2019 BTS released \\\"Dream Glow\\\" featuringCharli XCX,\\\"A Brand New Day\\\" withZara Larsson,and \\\"All Night\\\" withJuice Wrld.The group released the song \\\"Heartbeat\\\" with a music video from the game's official soundtrack, titledBTS World: Original Soundtrack.The soundtrack was certified Double Platinum by Gaon.On July 3, 2019, pre-orders for the single\\\"Lights\\\"crossed one million copies, marking the first time a foreign artist had accomplished this in Japan sinceCeline Dionin 1995.\\\"Lights\\\" debuted at number 81 on theBillboardJapan Hot 100for the chart issue date of July 8, 2019, and reached number one the following week.On August 8, 2019, \\\"Lights\\\" receivedMillioncertificationfrom the RIAJ, denoting shipments of one million copies. Love Yourself: HerandLove Yourself: Tearboth crossed 2 million copies in August.All three albums of theLove Yourselfseries have sold more than 2 million copies each in South Korea.Love Yourself: Teargained silver certification by the BPI for sales in the UK, becoming their third album to do so followingLove Yourself: AnswerandMap of the Soul: Persona.For the final stop of their record-breaking Love Yourself: Speak Yourself World Tour, the group played Seoul's Olympic Stadium.BTS was the third top-grossing touring musical act of 2019.That same month, they released a remix version of the song \\\"Make It Right\\\" featuringLauv.In November, BTS won three times at the2019 American Music Awards, for Best Tour, Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock, and Favorite Social Artist (the second consecutive year). In December, they attended both the2019 Melon Music Awardsand the2019 Mnet Asian Music Awards. In each case, they became the first group to sweep the four major awards.At the34th Golden Disc Awards, BTS became the first artists in history to win grand prizes in both the physical and digital categories in a single year.Map of the Soul: Personawas named the second best-selling physical album of 2019 in the US byNielsen MusicbehindTaylor Swift'sLoverand was ranked sixth overall on the chart of Top10 Albums (Total Sales) in the US.BTS wrapped 2019 as the fourth-highest-ranked group onBillboard's TopBillboard200 Artists–Duo/Group ranking, behindQueen, Imagine Dragons and the Beatles.Map of the Soul: Personawas named as the third best-selling album of 2019 by theInternational Federation of the Phonographic Industry(IFPI), making BTS the first Korean artist to be listed on the Global Top10 Album Chart in consecutive years.The IFPI named BTS as one of the best-selling artists of 2019 for a second consecutive year, making them the first non-English speaking act to achieve this. Map of the Soul: 7, \\\"Dynamite\\\" andBe In January 2020, BTS released \\\"Black Swan\\\" along with a choreography art film performed by MN Dance Company of Slovenia as the first single from their albumMap of the Soul: 7.Album distributorDreamusreported that stock pre-orders of the album reached a record-breaking 4.02 million.Later that month, BTS performed at the62nd Annual Grammy Awards, making BTS the first Korean act to perform at the Grammys.Map of the Soul: 7was released on February 21 to favorable reviews.The album was supported by the single \\\"On\\\" and an alternative digital release of it featuring Australian singerSia.According toGaon Chart,Map of the Soul: 7sold over 4.1 million copies in nine days after its release, surpassingMap of the Soul: Personato become the best-selling album in South Korean history and the first album to be certified quadruple million.The album debuted atop the USBillboard200, making BTS the fastest group to earn four number one albums sincethe Beatlesin 1966–1968.\\\"On\\\" debuted at number four on theBillboardHot 100, giving BTS its first top-five hit, and the most Hot 100 top-10 entries of any Korean act, with three.BTS planned to support theMap of the Soulalbum series with a concert series,Map of the Soul Tour, beginning in April,but this was indefinitely postponed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, BTS became the first K-pop artist to sell more than 20 million albums cumulatively,making them the best-selling artist in South Korean history.That month, amid the pandemic restrictions, BTS held a two-day online streaming concert event titledBang Bang Con, where the group shared footage of past concerts on their YouTube channel.On June 7, BTS headlined YouTube'sDear Class of 2020online graduation event, performing \\\"Boy with Luv\\\", \\\"Spring Day\\\", and \\\"Mikrokosmos\\\".Their commencement speeches highlighted their own graduations and offered \\\"messages of hope and inspiration for the class of 2020 in both Korean and English\\\".On June 14, BTS held an online live concert,Bang Bang Con: The Live, as part of the seventh anniversary of their debut.It garnered peak viewership of 756,000live viewers in 107countries and territories, setting the record for the largest audience for a paid virtual concert.On June 19, BTS released the Japanese single, \\\"Stay Gold\\\", from their fourth Japanese album,Map of the Soul: 7 – The Journey, which was released worldwide on July 14.It surpassed 564,000copies in its first week, breaking the record for highest first week album sales by male foreign artists in Japan. BTS released their first English-language single, \\\"Dynamite\\\", on August 21.\\\"Dynamite\\\" debuted at number one on the USBillboardHot 100 chart, earning BTS their first chart topper and making them the first all-South Korean act to earn a number one single in the US.The single also toppedBillboard'snewGlobal 200for the week ending September 24, as well asGlobal Excluding UScharts, becoming the first single to top both simultaneously.\\\"Dynamite\\\" peaked at number five on the USMainstream Top 40and on the.Billboard Pop Singleschart, becoming their first Top 10 on each and the former the highest-charting entry by a Korean act.On August 31, BTS made theirMTV Video Music Awards(VMAs) debut with the first live performance of \\\"Dynamite\\\"and won four awards: Best Group, Best Choreography, Best Pop Video, and Best K-pop (the last three for their music video for \\\"On\\\").On October 14, they performed the single at the 2020BillboardMusic Awards and won the Top Social Artist award for a fourth consecutive year. On October 2, 2020, BTS released a remix ofJawsh 685andJason Derulo's single \\\"Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)\\\".It topped the Hot 100.On October 10 and 11, BTS hosted a two-day virtualpay-per-viewconcert at KSPO Dome in Seoul, calledMap of the Soul ON:E, which drew 993,000 viewers from 191 countries and territories.On November 20, BTS released their fifth Korean studio albumBe, led by the single \\\"Life Goes On\\\".\\\"Life Goes On\\\" debuted at number one on the Hot 100,BTS's third consecutive US number-one single in three months and the first song performed primarily in Korean to top the chart. On November 24, 2020, BTS became the first Korean pop artists recognized bythe Recording Academywhen \\\"Dynamite\\\" received a nomination forBest Pop Duo/Group Performanceat the63rd Annual Grammy Awards.The group won the Special International Music Award at the62nd Japan Record Awards.Kim, in his book on the influence of Korean popular culture, suggested that 2020, the worst year in many people's lives, was a noteworthy one for Korean culture, withParasitewinning theAcademy Award for Best Pictureand BTS posting three number-one hits on theBillboardGlobal 200. 2021–present \\\"Butter\\\", \\\"Permission to Dance\\\" andProof On March 4, 2021, the IFPI named BTS its Global Recording Artist of the Year for 2020, the first Asian and first non-English speaking act to top the ranking.BTS occupied three spots in the Global Album Sales Chart of 2020, withMap of the Soul: 7at number one,Be (Deluxe Edition)at number two, andMap of the Soul: 7–The Journeyat number eight.On the newly launched Global Album All Format Chart,Map of the Soul: 7claimed first place andBe (Deluxe Edition)claimed fourth.On March 14, 2021, BTS performed \\\"Dynamite\\\" at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, becoming the first Korean nominee to perform, though they did not win the award.On April 1, BTS released \\\"Film Out\\\", the first single from their then-upcoming Japanese compilation album,BTS, the Best.BTS held a two-day online streaming event on their YouTube channel beginning April 17, titledBang Bang Con 21, and aired three of their previous in-person concerts. On May 21, BTS released their second English-language single, \\\"Butter\\\".It debuted at number one on the Hot 100—their fourth number one in nine months—making them the quickest act to achieve four chart-toppers sinceJustin Timberlakein 2006, and the fastest group sincethe Jackson 5in 1970.Their next English-language single, \\\"Permission to Dance\\\", was released on July 9.It became BTS's eighth number-one on theDigital Songschart, extending their record as the group with the most number-one entries on the ranking.On September24, 2021, the band released the single \\\"My Universe\\\" withColdplay.The single debuted at number one on the Hot 100, making it the first collaboration between two groups to debut at number one.The band held an online concert, titledPermission to Dance on Stage, on October 24, 2021, in Seoul.On November 23, \\\"Butter\\\" earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the64th Annual Grammy Awards.Between November 27 and December 2, BTS held their first live performances before an in-person audience since before the pandemic. The band playedfour sold-out showsatSoFi Stadiumin Los Angeles as a continuation of their Permission to Dance on Stage concert series. On January 15, 2022, a fictionalwebtoonbased on BTS, titled7Fates: Chakho, was released. The comic surpassed 15million views globally in its first two days of availability and became the highest-viewed title ever launched byWebtoon.The band held three limited-capacity concerts at Seoul Olympic Stadium on March 10, 12 and 13—the largest music gatheringsapproved by the South Korean government since the pandemic restrictions were imposed—with a total audience of 45,000people.On April 3, BTS performed \\\"Butter\\\" at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards,though the song did not win the award for which it was nominated.On April 8, the band earned seven nominations at the2022BillboardMusic Awardsand won three, making them the most-nominated and the most-awarded group in the show's history. On June 10, 2022, BTS released their three-CDanthologyalbumProof.On June 14, during their ninth anniversary celebrations, the band announced a temporary suspension of group activities to focus on solo projects and other endeavors.Hybe Corporation, which owns Big Hit,clarified in subsequent statements that BTS was neither disbanding nor going on hiatus, but would be actively furthering their individual careers with the label's full support while still participating in group activities, including the filming ofRun BTS.The incident caused Hybe Corporation's stock to decline rapidly, resulting in a decrease in market value of US$1.7billion.On August 24,Billboardmagazine reported that BTS would be performing inBusanon October 15 in a benefit concert in support of the city's efforts to have aWorld Expositionin 2030, participating under the bannerYet to Come. Military service and contract renewal In spite of the announcement of the October 2022 benefit concert, Hybe Corporation's stock prices dropped to below its originalIPOamid continuing market speculation about the implications of the upcoming mandatorymilitary enlistmentof the band's members.Under South Korean laws, all able-bodied males must complete between 18 and 21 months of military service, usually by age 28.Bloomberg Newsreported the concert as a success but also indicated that there were no further concert dates scheduled. It was estimated that if the band members completed their service, Hybe Corporation would lose nearly US$10 billion over ten years, with the loss to the South Korean economy at nearly US$39 billion. In October 2022, Big Hit confirmed that Jin, the band's oldest member, aged 29, had withdrawn his enlistment deferral request.The other members planned to enlist later, with the group planning to reunite in 2025 following discharge.At the end of October 2022, BTS earned five nominations for the2022 MAMA Awards, with the band members receiving eight further nominations as solo artists.On November 15, BTS earned three nominations at the65th Annual Grammy Awards, including a nomination forBest Music Videofor \\\"Yet to Come\\\".\\\"My Universe\\\" was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, making BTS the only act to be nominated three years in a row in this category since its introduction in 2011.The band was also nominated forAlbum of the Yearas featured artists on Coldplay'sMusic of the Spheres.Jin enlisted as an active duty soldier on December 13.On February 26, 2023, Big Hit announced that J-Hope had requested cancellation of the postponement of his military service. Following their scheduled separation, the band'sBTS 'Yet to Come' in Busanconcert film was released on February 1, 2023.During a trip to Spain, RM toldEFEthat BTS \\\"will come together again when we finish our military service, and we will look for new synergies between us to enter a second phase.\\\"Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk stated on March 15, 2023, that their comeback might not occur in 2025 since it was hard to target a specific date, and that they had not discussed their contract renewal yet.J-Hope enlisted as an active duty soldier on April 18.On May 12, BTS released a soundtrack \\\"The Planet\\\" for the South KoreananimatedseriesBastions.To commemorate their tenth anniversary, the group released the song \\\"Take Two\\\" on June 9. On September 20, 2023, Hybe confirmed through a press release that BTS would renew their exclusive contracts. The members will sign these agreements sequentially, considering their military service, after a board resolution with Big Hit Music, solidifying their commitment to future projects starting from 2025 onwards. Hybe expressed their anticipation for supporting BTS' group endeavors and pledged unwavering support to enhance their worldwide influence, ensuring the group's continuity even after completing their military service.On September 22, 2023, Suga enlisted as a social worker.RM and V enlisted on December 11, 2023, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on December 12.On June 12, 2024, Jin became the first BTS member to complete his mandatory military service and was officially discharged. Artistry Influences BTS have cited Seo Taiji and Boys,Nas,Eminem,Kanye West,Drake,Post Malone,Charlie Puth, andDangeras musical inspirations.They have also cited Queen as an influence, saying they \\\"grew up watching videos ofLive Aid\\\".During their concert at Wembley Stadium in London, Jin paid tribute to Queen by leading the crowd in a version ofFreddie Mercury's \\\"ay-oh\\\" chant.\\\"Hip Hop Phile\\\" which was released when BTS's hip-hop concept was at its height, pays homage to the artists who influenced them, including the South Korean groupEpik High,Jay-Z,Biggie,CL Smooth, and others. Their 2016 albumWingswas inspired byHermann Hesse'scoming of agenovel,Demian.Their song \\\"Blood Sweat & Tears\\\" quotesFriedrich Nietzsche'sThus Spoke Zarathustra, and its music video features visual references toHerbert James Draper'sThe Lament for Icarus,Pieter Bruegel'sLandscape with the Fall of Icarus, and Bruegel'sThe Fall of the Rebel Angels.Among the literary and other sources that have inspired their works are those byHaruki Murakami,Ursula K. Le Guin,Carl Jung,George Orwelland Nietzsche.TheLove Yourselfseries was influenced byErich Fromm'sThe Art of Loving,and their 2018 song \\\"Magic Shop\\\" fromLove Yourself: Tearwas inspired byJames R. Doty's memoirInto the Magic Shop. Musical style Since their inception, BTS have emphasized hip hop as their musical base, largely due to the influence of RM and Suga's background as underground rappers;during early visits to the US, the group received mentoring from American rappers.Bang Si-hyukpreviously acknowledged that K-pop as a whole draws fromblack music,and author Crystal S. Anderson stated, \\\"BTS's rising popularity in the US represents the continuation of the ways that K-pop functions as part of a global R&B tradition.\\\"T.K. Park and Youngdae Kim ofVulturedeemed the track \\\"Outro: Her\\\" fromLove Yourself: Heras the best example of the group's understanding ofold-school hip hop, with raps inspired byChuck DandTupacand jazzy chords from the 1990s to create a classic hip hop sound. The release of \\\"Blood Sweat & Tears\\\" in 2016 accelerated BTS's transition from a hip hop to a pop group. Park and Kim noted that the song draws fromdancehall,reggaeton, andmoombahtonbut opts for a \\\"baroque mysticism\\\" rather than the \\\"partylike atmosphere of its influences\\\".The group also began incorporating traditional Korean elements into their music. For example, their single \\\"Idol\\\" (2018) features an adlib fromPansori, a Korean form of operatic storytelling, and vocal imitations of the sounds of Koreanjanggudrums. While BTS maintains roots in hip hop, their sound has diversified. They first experimented withR&B,rockandjazz hip hoponDark & Wildin 2014;EDMin theirThe Most Beautiful Moment in Lifealbum series;moombahton andtropical houseonWingsandYou Never Walk Alone;future bassandLatin popin theirLove Yourselfalbum series;slow-dance ballads,emo rap,Afro pop,funk,trap,pop rock, andhip popin theirMap of the Soulalbum series;anddiscoin their single \\\"Dynamite\\\".The band members have explored different genres on solo tracks, such asneo soulon V's \\\"Stigma\\\" and flowing R&B on Jimin's \\\"Lie\\\". Lyrical themes Since their formation, BTS have believed that telling their own stories is the best way for the younger generation to relate to their music.Writing many of their own lyrics,the group discusses universal life experiences such as sadness and loneliness in their work and turn them into something lighter and more manageable. RM stated that BTS tries to avoid a preaching or reprimanding tone in their songs \\\"because that's not the way that we want to spread our message ... We're born with different lives, but you cannot choose some things. So we thought that love, the real meaning of it, starts with loving ourselves and accepting some ironies and some destinies that we have from the very start.\\\"When asked if it is difficult to write about things like mental health, Suga responded, We feel that people who have the platform to talk about those things really should talk more, because they say depression is something where you go to the hospital and you're diagnosed, but you can't really know until the doctor talks to you ... More and more, I think artists or celebrities who have a voice should talk about these problems and bring it up to the surface. Themes explored in BTS's discography range from exploring \\\"the troubles and anxieties of school-age youth\\\" to \\\"themes like love, friendship, loss, death, and more.\\\"Early BTS songs, such as \\\"No More Dream\\\" and \\\"N.O\\\" from their school trilogy, were described by Tamar Herman as motivated by personal experiences with South Korea's rigid approach to education and called for change to the educational system and societal expectations.The members' experiences with South Korean youth culture also inspired the songs \\\"Dope\\\" and \\\"Silver Spoon\\\" (Korean:뱁새;RR:Baepsae) from their youth trilogy. These songs reference generational disparity andmillennialsgiving up romantic relationships, marriage, children, proper employment, homes, and social life in the face of economic difficulties and societal ills while facing condemnation from the media and older generations.The group's label dubbedThe Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever, the conclusion to their youth trilogy, \\\"a special album that marks the conclusion of the epic journey of the series, containing the last stories told by young people who, despite an uncertain and insecure reality (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 1) continue to surge forward (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 2).\\\"Wingsfocused on mental health, criticisms of the K-pop \\\"idol\\\" scene, and delivering a female empowerment message.TheLove Yourselfseries introduced new themes regarding youth culture in South Korea, including the excitement of love, pain of farewell, and enlightenment of self-love.According to Kathy Sprinkel, BTS's 2020 \\\"quarantine album\\\"Be\\\"chronicles the group's coming to terms with a suddenly new reality and offers support for their listeners going through the same upheaval and uncertainty\\\". BTS's lyrics have also addressed topics outside youth culture. The song \\\"Am I Wrong\\\" fromWingsquestioned societal apathy towards changing the status quo; the lyric \\\"We're all dogs and pigs / we become dogs because we're angry\\\" appeared to reference South KoreanMinistry of Educationofficial Na Hyang-wook, who advocated acaste systemfor the country and who reportedly described average people as \\\"dogs and pigs\\\". BTS released the song amid the2016 South Korean political scandalthat resulted in the impeachment of presidentPark Geun-hye.RM and Suga's personal struggles with mental health have inspired some of their music.\\\"Not Today\\\" from 2017'sYou Never Walk Aloneis ananti-establishmentanthem, urging \\\"all the underdogs in the world\\\" to keep fighting,and \\\"Spring Day\\\" honored the victims of theSewol Ferry tragedy.Journalist Jeff Benjamin praised BTS inFusefor \\\"speak honestly about topics they deem important, even in a conservative society\\\".Former South Korean presidentMoon Jae-insaid: \\\"Each of the seven members sings in a way that is true to himself and the life he wants to live. Their melody and lyrics transcend regional borders, language, culture, and institutions.\\\" Impact On April 29, 2019,Timemagazine named BTS one of the100 most influential people of the year, labeling them the \\\"Princes of Pop\\\".Billboardexecutive Silvio Pietroluongo compared the group's influence to that of the Beatles.MRC Dataexecutive Helena Kosinski noted that \\\"although BTS weren't the first to open the doors to K-Pop worldwide, they were the first to become mainstream. They don't just appeal to young people but also to the 50s and 60s age demographic.\\\"The first non-English speaking artist to make the Global Artist Chart in 2018, BTS was the second best-selling artists worldwide across multiple media platforms, second only to Drake.In 2020, BTS became the first non-western and non-English speaking artist to be named IFPI's Global Recording Artist of the Year.In South Korea, BTS accounted for 41.9 percent of album sales in the first half of 2019, up from their market share of 25.3 percent the previous year. In 2022, Youna Kim described BTS as having spearheaded the Korean Wave, representing the global expansion of Korean culture as effectively as Psy did in the previous decade and with the strength of influence that theAcademy Award-winning South Korean filmParasitehad in 2020.South Korea's central bank, theBank of Korea, found in 2021 that BTS, including a \\\"ripple effect\\\" that included increased tourism to South Korea; increased interest in Korean culture, movies, and study of the Korean language; and added approximately US$5billion per year to South Korea's economy, a growth of about 0.5 percent.A 2018 study showed that, on average, 800,000foreigners per year had visited South Korea over the past four years for BTS-related reasons. Writers identified BTS as leaders even among other highly influential K-pop groups such asGirls' Generation,Super Junior,Exo,Twice, andBlackpinkand note that BTS's success shows the importance of a strong, active fan base in the age of social media, where fan campaigning can be as important as musical quality to a song's success.The group has also distinguished themselves at the forefront of the business side of the K-pop industry by pursuing less restrictive contracts with their management company to maximize their artistic originality and creativity.With this newer approach to career management, BTS created closer ties to the South Korean youth and encourage individuality and authenticity among their audience. Diplomacy In his 1990 essaySoft Power, political scientistJoseph Nyedeveloped the concept of a second type of power different from traditional authoritarianism.Nye wrote, \\\"This second aspect of power – which occurs when one country gets other countries to want what it wants – might be called co-optive orsoft powerin contrast with the hard or command power of ordering others to do what it wants.\\\"Researchers such as Maud Quessard have applied the concept of soft power to BTS and their influence on entertainment diplomacy and international relations.Youna Kim and Maud Quessard all read the currency of soft power as includingculture, politicalvalues, andforeign policy, which applies to BTS's ability to be co-optive in their approach to spreading their message of harmony, acceptance, and addressing life's setbacks via their broad appeal on the international stage. BTS was invited to address theUnited Nations General Assemblyin New York in September 2018.That same year they performed in Paris before an audience of 400, including President Moon Jae-in and other officials, at the 2018 Korea-France Friendship Concert, a summit celebrating the friendly relations between France and South Korea.That year, BTS became the youngest recipients of theOrder of Cultural Merit. Despite cultural medals traditionally being given to recipients with over 15 years of achievement, Moon recognized the group, five years into their career, for their contributions in spreading Korean culture and language worldwide.In September2019, BTS were mentioned by Moon while announcing strategies for the content industries, for having pioneered innovative business models through direct communication with fans.In 2020, BTS received theJames A. Van Fleet Awardin recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of US-Korea relations, the youngest honorees to receive the award.In July2021, they were appointedSpecial Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Cultureby President Moon. In their role as envoys, they help to \\\"raise awareness on global agendas, such as sustainable development, to our future generations and to strengthen the nation's diplomatic power across the world\\\"and appear at international events such as the76th United Nations General Assembly.On May 31, 2022, BTS visited USPresident Joe Bidenat theWhite Houseto discuss the recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination. Fandom According to Kyung Hyun Kim, BTS's rise was facilitated by a great increase in music video programming and consumption on YouTube and the coming of an idol empire, including merchandising of nonmusical products, games, and fantasy fiction, as well as an expansion of online music fandom.The group has a large, highly organized, online community of fans known as ARMY (Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth), which translates the group's lyrics and social media posts into other languages and matches charitable contributions of BTS's members. As of 2020, some 40million ARMY members subscribe to the band's YouTube channel, with more than 30million following the official BTS Twitter andInstagramaccounts.The fan community helps generate BTS's number-one chart rankings via coordinated campaigns on streaming platforms,as well as pushes to feature BTS's music on radio stations and television.Some ARMY members may even surpass the group itself in influence among BTS fans. BTS interacted and engaged with their followers from their earliest days via social media,as well as viaBTS Universe, analternate storylineinvolving the members told through music videos, mobile games, books, short films, and more that gives fans room to theorize.Kim suggested that ARMY are drawn to BTS since the members are seen as underdogs, originating from the Korean countryside and a relatively minor Korean entertainment company, which allows young fans to identify with them.BTS's lyrics speak to social values, and fans respond by trying to improve the world. As a result, the fandom regularly embraces activism on charitable causes and socio-political issues such as refugee crises,racial discrimination,children's rights,climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic.Feedback from ARMY to BTS affects the group's actions and lyrics; BTS has eliminated certain Korean words that sound like American racial slurs from their songs and ended collaboration with a Japanese producer when Korean ARMY members deemed his views extreme. Per South Korean author Jiyoung Lee, the relationship between BTS and ARMY is \\\"a mutual exchange between artists and their fans\\\" that is about more than merely \\\"ensuring the band's primacy\\\", but also \\\"extending the band's message of positivity into the world\\\". Lee opines that BTS and ARMY are \\\"a symbol of change in zeitgeist, not just of generational change\\\".The band members themselves agree and have long acknowledged their fans' role in their success.According to Sarah Keith, \\\"BTS embody a moment of generational transformation. ARMY represents a 'coming of age' for the young, in which cultural production and influence are global and meaningful, and where the youth are politically and socially engaged.\\\" Other ventures Endorsements BTS partnered withPumabeginning in 2015, initially as Puma Korea's brand ambassadors before expanding to global ambassadors in 2018, and promoting the remix of Puma's \\\"Turin\\\" and \\\"Sportstyle\\\" line worldwide.In 2019, BTS signed withFilato endorse its sportswear.BTS has also served as global brand ambassadors forLG Electronics'smartphones,andHyundai Motors'2019 flagshipSUVthe \\\"Palisade\\\"andhydrogenfuel cell electricSUV, the \\\"Nexo\\\".BTS became global ambassadors of the electric street racing seriesFormula Eto promote how electric vehicles can helpcombat climate change.In 2020, BTS partnered withSamsung Electronics,releasing a limited BTS-themed version of theGalaxy S20+andGalaxy Buds+.As the first male pop group ever to collaborate withDior, BTS sported ensembles fromKim Jones' Pre-Fall 2019 collection at their concert atStade de France.The band became global brand ambassadors forLouis Vuittonin April 2021. Philanthropy BTS are known for their philanthropic endeavors. Several members of the band have been inducted into prestigious donation clubs, such as theUNICEFHonors Club and the Green Noble Club, in acknowledgement of the size and frequency of their donations.They have also received awards for their donations, with one member receiving a Patron of the Arts Award for donations to the arts,and BTS as a whole receiving a UNICEF Inspire Award for their Love Myself campaign. They often donate privately, with theirpatronagelater being made public by the organizations they support and the media.The band's efforts have motivated their fans to also engage in various charitable andhumanitarianactivities, and on occasion even match their donations. Accolades BTS have received numerous awards throughout their career. They have consecutively won theBillboard Music Award for Top Social Artistsince 2017; are the only K-pop group to winTop Duo/Group, at the2019 Billboard Music Awards;and are the most-awarded group inBBMA historyas of2022, with 12 wins overall.BTS are also the only K-pop group to winFavorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rockand Favorite Social Artist at theAmerican Music Awards,and became the first Asian act in the show's history to win Artist of the Year in 2021.They are the first Korean pop act to receive aGrammy Awardnomination,and the first Korean artist to be nominated for aBrit Award.With 30 awards overall, including a record four consecutive wins for Artist of the Year (Asia), BTS are the most-awarded foreign artist in the history of theJapan Gold Disc Awards. They have also received a total of 50 trophies at theMAMA Awards. Members Discography Korean-language studio albums Japanese-language studio albums Filmography Films Online shows Bibliography Concert tours Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links\",\n \"Jimin Park Ji-min(Korean:박지민; born October 13, 1995), knownmononymouslyasJimin, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and dancer. In 2013, he made his debut as a member of the South Koreanboy bandBTS, under the record labelBig Hit Entertainment. Jimin has released three solo tracks under BTS' name—\\\"Lie\\\" in 2016, \\\"Serendipity\\\" in 2017, and \\\"Filter\\\" in 2020—all of which have charted on South Korea'sGaon Digital Chart. He released his first credited solo song, the digital track \\\"Promise\\\", which he co-wrote, in 2018 and recorded the duet \\\"With You\\\" withHa Sung-woonfor the soundtrack for theTvNdramaOur Bluesin 2022. Jimin released his debut solo album,Facein 2023, which debuted at number one in South Korea and Japan and number two on the USBillboard200, making him the highest-charting Korean solo artist on the latter chart. The album's single \\\"Like Crazy\\\" became the first song by a Korean solo artist to debut at number one on the USBillboardHot 100in history. Jimin also became the first Korean solo artist to top theBillboardArtist 100chart. In 2024, he released his second album,Muse, and its lead single \\\"Who\\\", which debuted at number one on theBillboardGlobal 200. Early life and education Park Ji-min was born on October 13, 1995, inGeumjeong District,Busan, South Korea.He is of theMilyang Park clan.His immediate family includes his mother, father, and younger brother. When he was a child, he attended Busan's Hodong Elementary School and Yonsan Middle School.In middle school, he attended Just Dance Academy, where he learnedpoppingandlocking.Prior to becoming a trainee, Jimin studiedcontemporary danceat Busan High School of Arts and was a top student in the modern dance department.A teacher suggested that he join an entertainment company, leading him toBig Hit Entertainment. Once he passed the auditions in 2012, he transferred toKorean Arts High School, graduating in 2014. Jimin graduated from Global Cyber University in August 2020 with a major in Broadcasting and Entertainment. He was awarded the President's Award, the school's highest honor.As of 2021, he is enrolled atHanyang Cyber University, pursuing aMaster of Business Administrationin Advertising and Media. Career 2013–present: BTS Jimin was the last Big Hit trainee to be added to the lineup that would eventually becomeBTS. Of the band's seven members, he spent the shortest period of time—six months—as a trainee prior to debuting.On June 13, 2013, he debuted as a vocalist and dancer in BTS with the song \\\"No More Dream\\\" from their first single2 Cool 4 Skool.Under the band's name, he released three solo songs: \\\"Lie\\\", \\\"Serendipity\\\", and \\\"Filter\\\". \\\"Lie\\\" was released in 2016, as part of the band's second Korean studio album,Wings. It was described as stunning and dramatic, conveying dark undertones and emotions in line with the overall concept of the album.In contrast, \\\"Serendipity\\\", from the band'sLove Yourself: Her(2017)extended play(EP), was soft and sensual, expressing the joy, conviction, and curiosity of love.\\\"Filter\\\", a track from BTS' 2020 studio albumMap of the Soul: 7, had aLatin popflair, with lyrics reflecting the different sides of Jimin that he shows to the world and those around him.Jimin additionally co-wrote and co-produced another track included on that album, \\\"Friends\\\", which was later featured in theMarvel StudiosfilmEternals. \\\"Serendipity\\\" and \\\"Lie\\\" both surpassed fifty million streams onSpotifyin 2018, followed shortly thereafter by the former's full length version from BTS'Love Yourself: Answer(2018) compilation album, which achieved the milestone in early 2019. Jimin became the first Korean artist to have three solo tracks accumulate over 50 million streams each, surpassingPsy, who previously crossed the 50 million streams mark twice with \\\"Gangnam Style\\\" (2012) and \\\"Gentleman\\\" (2013).Both songs were also the only solos by a BTS member included in theOfficial Charts Company's (OCC) list of the top 20 most streamed BTS songs in the United Kingdom as of October 2018, ranking at number 17 and 19 respectively.In April 2019, the list was expanded to reflect the top 40, and both tracks were the highest ranked solos included that year, at numbers 18 and 20 respectively. In May 2019, Jimin became the first BTS member to have a solo music video achieve 100 million views onYouTubewhen \\\"Serendipity\\\" surpassed the milestone.He remained the only BTS member with multiple solo songs in the January 2020 update of the OCC's top 40 list: \\\"Lie\\\" and \\\"Serendipity\\\" were the second and third most-streamed solos, at numbers 24 and 29 respectively, with the full-length version of the latter at number 38.The following month, Jimin earned his first entry on theBillboardHot 100with \\\"Filter\\\", which debuted at number 87 on the chart,as well his first number one on the World Digital Song Sales chart. The song set the record for the biggest streaming debut among all Korean songs on Spotify, accruing over 2.2 million streams in its first 24 hours of release, and went on to become the fastest Korean solo in the platform's history to surpass 20–60 million streams.It was also the only solo album track by BTS to receive a Song of the Year nomination at theGaon Chart Music Awards.In March 2021, \\\"Filter\\\" became the 15th BTS song to spend a full year onBillboard'sWorld Digital Song Saleschart.It was the longest-charting Korean song released in 2020 on the ranking,having spent 80 weeks on the chart as of the issue dated October 9, 2021. Jimin was awarded the fifth-class HwagwanOrder of Cultural Meritin 2018, alongside his bandmates, by thePresident of South Korea,Moon Jae-in, for their contributions to the promotion of Korean culture.Three years later, Moon appointed himSpecial Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture, alongside his bandmates, to help \\\"lead the global agenda for future generations\\\" and \\\"expand South Korea's diplomatic efforts and global standing\\\" in the international community. 2014–present: Solo work In 2014, Jimin collaborated with bandmateJungkookon a song called \\\"Christmas Day\\\", a Korean rendition ofJustin Bieber's \\\"Mistletoe\\\"; Jimin wrote the Korean lyrics himself.The two collaborated again in 2017, on a cover ofCharlie Puth's \\\"We Don't Talk Anymore\\\" featuringSelena Gomez.Jungkook previously released a solo version of the song in February, and the two prepared the duet as a special gift to the band's fandom, releasing it on June 2, during BTS' fourth anniversary celebrations.Teen Voguewrote that \\\"adding Jimin's voice to the mix makes the rendition all the more lovely\\\",while the Canadian outletFlaremagazine stated that \\\"it honestly might be better than the original\\\".Elite Dailydescribed the cover as \\\"nothing short of flawless\\\". Jimin appeared on several variety shows such asHello Counselor,Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, andGod's Workplacein 2016.He also served as a special MC ondomestic television music programssuch asShow! Music CoreandM Countdown.In December 2016, he participated in a dance duet at theKBS Song FestivalwithTaeminfromShinee. On December 30, 2018, Jimin released \\\"Promise\\\", his first credited song as a solo artist, for free on BTS'SoundCloudpage.It earned the biggest 24-hour debut in SoundCloud history with 8.5 million streams, surpassing previous record holderDrake's \\\"Duppy Freestyle\\\" which received 4.9 million streams,and would go on to become the most streamed song on the platform by December 2021, with over 300 million streams.Described byBillboardas a \\\"mellowpop ballad\\\",the song was composed by Jimin and Big Hit producer Slow Rabbit, who also produced the track,and features lyrics written by Jimin and bandmateRM.Jimin released his second solo song \\\"Christmas Love\\\", about his childhood memories of the holidays, on December 24, 2020.In 2022, he contributed the single \\\"With You\\\", a duet withHa Sung-woon, to the soundtrack of theTvNdramaOur Blues; the single was released on April 24. In January 2023, Jimin co-wrote and featured on the single \\\"Vibe\\\" byTaeyang.His first official solo project since BTS announced an increased focus on individual music endeavors a year prior,the single earned Jimin his debut entry on theBillboardHot 100as a solo artist, at number 76.He was announced as aglobal ambassadorforDiorlater that month,and forTiffany & Co.in March.\\\"Promise\\\" and \\\"Christmas Love\\\" were made available on streaming platforms worldwide as official singles under Jimin's name on March 6.His debut solo albumFacewas released on March 24.It set several chart and sales records, debuting at number one in South Korea and Japan,and number two in the US, making Jimin the highest-charting Korean solo artist of all time on theBillboard200.The album's two singles, \\\"Set Me Free Pt. 2\\\" and \\\"Like Crazy\\\", released on March 17 and 24 respectively,both entered the Hot 100: the former debuted at number 30,while the latter debuted at number one, making Jimin the first South Korean solo artist in history to top the chart.The album's release led Jimin to become the first Korean solo artist to reach number one on theBillboardArtist 100.In May, he appeared as a featured artist, alongsideJvkeandMuni Long, on the single \\\"Angel Pt. 1\\\" byKodak BlackandNLE Choppa, as part of the soundtrack for the filmFast X.The digital single \\\"Closer Than This\\\" was released on December 22, shortly after Jiminenlistedin theSouth Korean Army. Originally recorded during the production ofFace, it is a song dedicated to the BTS fandom in gratitude for their support. Big Hit announced an eight-episode travel reality series,Are You Sure?!, featuring Jimin and Jungkook on July 2, 2024. Available forstreamingexclusively onDisney+, the premiere episode aired August 8, with subsequent episodes following weekly through September 19.The label released Jimin's second solo album,Muse, on July 19, while he was carrying out his mandatory military service. It was supported by the singles \\\"Smeraldo Garden Marching Band\\\" and \\\"Who\\\".\\\"Who\\\" became Jimin's first song to debut atop both ofBillboard'sglobal charts. Artistry Jimin's vocals have been described as delicate and sweet.He is regarded as an exceptional dancer among the members of BTS and in K-pop in general,often praised for his \\\"smooth and elegant movements\\\" and charm on stage. In the documentaryBurn the Stagereleased in 2018, Jimin addressed hisperfectionism.In 2023, Jimin stated that as a pop artist, he \\\"aims to excel at both dancing and singing and perform a diverse range of musical genres and themes\\\" while \\\"taking a healthy and sustainable approach to do so\\\". He has cited singerRainas an inspiration and one of the reasons why he wanted to become a singer and performer. Impact and influence In 2016, Jimin was ranked as the 14th most popular idol in an annual survey conducted byGallup Korea.He subsequently ranked seventh in 2017, and then consecutively ranked first in 2018 and 2019,as the only idol to top the survey for two consecutive years.In 2018, Jimin was the ninth most-tweeted about celebrity and the eighth most-tweeted about musician globally.He was named the 17th best boy band member in history byThe Guardian.From January to May 2018, Jimin won the monthly \\\"Top K-Pop Artist–Individual\\\" award forPeeper x Billboard, a collaboration between thePeepersocial media app andBillboardKoreathat collects fan votes for their favorite K-pop artists. The prize was a donation toUNICEFin his name. The Cultural Conservation Society awarded Jimin a plaque of appreciation in 2019, for performingbuchaechum, a traditional Korean fan dance, during the2018 Melon Music Awardsand helping spread the dance outside of Korea.In October 2021, he became the first idol to spend 34 consecutive months atop the brand reputation ranking for individual boy group idolsand the only one to top the overall ranking for three consecutive years. Jimin is often cited as a role model by various idols in theK-popindustry, many of whom try to emulate his style of dance, mannerisms, and stage presence; media outlets have called him the \\\"Idol of Idols\\\", \\\"Idol's Bible\\\", and \\\"Rookies' Bible\\\". Artists who have cited him as an influence include Arthur ofKingdom, Bic ofMCND, Kim Si-hun ofBDC, Woochul ofNewkidd, Hyunjin ofStray Kids, Wooyoung ofAteez, Lim Se-jun ofVicton, Huening Kai and Beomgyu ofTomorrow X Together, and Ni-ki and Jay ofEnhypen.British internet personalityOli Londonunderwent 15 cosmetic surgeries by 2020 to resemble Jimin. Jimin has also been acknowledged beyond theK-popindustry. In 2019, Award-winning director and photographerGus Van Santnamed Jimin as the artist he wished to work with.In 2021, Olympic figure skaterYuzuru Hanyushared being aBTSfan and mentioned Jimin as a source of inspiration for his dance movements on the rink.In 2023,Ryan Goslinggifted Jimin the guitar his character Ken used in the movieBarbie. Gosling gave Jimin the custom guitar as homage for jimin'sPermission to Danceoutfit serving as inspiration for one of the outfits Gosling wore for his role as Ken. Forbes Koreaincluded Jimin on theForbes Korea Power Celebrity 40for 2024, at number seven, making him the highest ranking K-pop soloist and second-highest ranking soloist on the list. Philanthropy Jimin is a supporter of education and the arts. From 2016 to 2018, he covered uniform expenses of students at his alma mater, Busan Hodong Elementary School. After the school's closing was announced, he donated summer and winter middle school uniforms to the final graduates and gifted autographed albums to the entire student body.In early 2019, Jimin donated₩100 million (US$85,810.58) to the Busan Department of Education to help support students from low income families. Of the total,₩30 million (US$25,743.17) went to his alma mater, Busan Arts High School.In July 2020, he donated₩100 million (US$84,726.68) to the Jeonnam Future Education Foundation to fund the creation of a scholarship fund for talented students from South Jeolla Province who were struggling financially. In July 2021, Jimin donated₩100 million (US$87,416.41) toRotary Internationalto help polio patients. As with previous donations, the benefaction was made privately but became public in September, when the Go-seong Rotary Club displayed a banner thanking him for the donation.He was announced as a member of the Green Noble Club, a group of major donors to the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation who have contributed ₩100 million or more, on October 12. In September 2022, Jimin made a donation to the Gangwon Provincial Office of Education.In February 2023, he donated₩100 million (US$87,416.41) through the Korean UNICEF Committee toward emergency relief for children affected by theTurkey–Syria earthquake.In March, he donated₩100 million (US$87,416.41) to the North Chungcheong Provincial Office of Education to fund books and reading education programs for students.In August, Jimin participated in the \\\"Hometown Love Donation System\\\", a program allowing non-residents to donate to support welfare in the district of Nam-gu, Busan. He donated the maximum allowed donation amount of₩5 million (US$4,370.82) and proceeded to re-donate his campaign's donor return gifts to people in need in the region.In February 2024, Jimin was inducted in the Nam-gu Hometown Love Donation System Donor Hall of Fame for his contribution to the district welfare programs.In May, he made a donation of₩100 million (US$87,416.41) to the South Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education to create a scholarship for underprivileged students. Personal life Jimin used to live inHannam-dong, Seoul, South Korea, with his bandmates.In 2021, he purchased a property in the area worth₩5.9billion(US$5.16 million). Health In 2017, during BTS'Wings Tour, Jimin was unable to participate in the show inMacaudue to neck and shoulder cramping.The following year, while inLondonfor theLove Yourself World Tour, he withdrew from the band's scheduled performance onThe Graham Norton Showbecause of \\\"severe muscle pain in his neck and back\\\", according to a statement released byBig Hit Entertainment. In 2022, Jimin was hospitalized after having abdominal pain and a mild sore throat. He underwentappendicitissurgery on January 31, and received a positiveCOVID-19diagnosis. Military service On November 22, 2023, Big Hit announced throughWeversethat Jimin, along with bandmatesRM,V, andJungkook, had started the enlistment process to carry out hismandatory military service.He enlisted as an active duty soldier on December 12 at the Army 5th Division Recruit Training Center inYeoncheon.He completed his five weeks of basic training in January 2024, placing first as an outstanding trainee and received the Best trainee commendation award from the Division Commander, taking an oath as the representative of all trainees in his unit.He was then appointed to an Artillery Unit in the5th Infantry Division. Discography Studio albums Singles As lead artist As featured artist Other charted songs Other songs Writing credits All song credits are adapted from theKorea Music Copyright Association's database, unless otherwise noted. Filmography Television Music videos Awards and nominations World records Notes References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["BoA Kwon Bo-ah(Korean:권보아; born November 5, 1986), known professionally asBoAand often referred to as the \"Queen of K-pop\", is a South Korean singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, and actress. Born and raised inGyeonggi-do, South Korea, BoA was discovered bySM Entertainmenttalent agents when she accompanied her older brother, a music video director, to a talent search in 1998. She was trained for two years and made her debut withID; Peace B(2000). BoA has since released twenty studio albums, including ten in Korean, nine in Japanese, and one in English. On television, she appeared as a judge on the reality competition showK-pop Star(2011–2013), as an actress on the television dramaListen to Love(2016), as a host for thesecond seasonofProduce 101(2017), and as a coach for thethird seasonofThe Voice of Korea(2020). With the release of her debut Japanese studio album,Listen to My Heart(2002), BoA became the first South Korean pop star to break through in Japan following the fall of barriers that had restricted","that had restricted the import and export of entertainment between the countries since the end ofWorld War II. Her Japanese albumsValenti(2003) andBest of Soul(2005) went on to sell over one million copies each according toOricon; the latter of which remained the last album to do so by a non-Japanese artist for 16 years. Herself-titled English album(2009) became the first record by a K-pop artist to appear on theBillboard200, debuting at number 127. BoA has sold over ten million albums throughout her career and is one of only three female artists with six consecutive number-one studio albums on theOricon Albums Chartsince her debut, alongside Japanese singersAyumi HamasakiandHikaru Utada. She is the recipient of numerous awards in South Korea and Japan, including eightMAMA Awards, sixSBS Music Awards, fiveJapan Record Awards, and fiveJapan Gold Disc Awards. In 2013,Mnetincluded her in their Legend 100 Artists list of the most influential artists in South Korea. Life and career 2000–2003: Debut and commercial","and commercial success in South Korea and Japan Kwon Bo-ah was born on November 5, 1986.At the age of eleven, BoA accompanied her older brother to an SM Entertainment talent search.Though her brother was the one who auditioned as a break-dancer,SMtalent scoutsinstead took notice of BoA and offered her a contract on the same night as the auditions.Her parents initially opposed the notion of BoA leaving school to enter the entertainment business but eventually consented at her older brothers' persuasion.She has said that her early influence as a singer wasSeo Taiji. BoA underwent two years of training (involving vocal, dance, English, and Japanese lessons), and at the age of thirteen she released her debut albumID; Peace Bin South Korea on August 25, 2000.The album was moderately successful; it entered the Top 10 of the South Korean charts and sold around 156,000 units.Meanwhile, her Korean record label, SM Entertainment, made arrangements with Japanese labelAvex Traxto launch her music career in Japan. She","in Japan. She was forced to quit school to prepareand in early 2001, BoA released her firstmini-album,Don't Start Now; it sold around 90,000 units. After its release, she took a hiatus from the Korean music industry to focus on the Japanese market at which time she worked to solidify her skills in Japanese. BoA began her Japanese music career singing at the Avex-owned clubVelfarre.Her debut Japanese album,Listen to My Heart, was released on March 13, 2002. The album was a breakthrough in BoA's career, becoming anRIAJ-certified million-seller and debuted atop the Oricon, the first album by a Korean artist to do so.It was promoted with several singles: the Top 20 hit \"ID; Peace B\" (originally from the eponymous album), \"Amazing Kiss\", \"Kimochi wa Tsutawaru\", the Top 5 hit \"Listen to My Heart\", and the Top 10 \"Every Heart: Minna no Kimochi\". After theSeptember 11, 2001 attacks, BoA recorded the charity single \"The Meaning of Peace\" withKumi Kodaas part of Avex'sSong Nationproject to raise funds for charity.From","for charity.From 2001 to 2007, BoA hostedBeat it BoA's World, a radio program on theJapan FM Network. After the release ofListen to My Heart, BoA released her second Korean studio album,No. 1, a month later on April 12, 2002.The album sold around 544,853 units and became the fourth-best-selling record of the year in South Korea.Jumping into the World(a Japanese re-release of the mini-albumDon't Start Now) and the Japanese single \"Don't Start Now\" were released a month later on the same day.At the end of the year, BoA released her second Korean mini-albumMiracle. BoA's second Japanese studio album,Valenti(January 2003), became her best-selling album, with over 1,249,000 copies sold.Three singles preceded its release: \"Valenti\", which peaked at the number-two position on the Oricon chart,\"Kiseki / No.1\" and \"Jewel Song / Beside You: Boku o Yobu Koe\", both which also peaked at the number-three position. In support of the album, BoA launchedBoA 1st Live Tour Valenti, her first Japanese concert tour.Later in the","tour.Later in the same year, BoA released her third Korean-language studio album,Atlantis Princesson May 30, 2003,and then released a mini-albumShine We Are!on December 4, 2003. The former was the fifth-best-selling South Korean record of the year with around 345,000 units sold; the latter sold around 58,000 units. 2004–2008: New image, foray into China, and creative control Her third Japanese studio album,Love & Honesty(January 2004) was a musical \"change in direction\": it contained a rock-dance song (\"Rock with You\") and \"harder\" R&B.Though the album failed to matchValentiin sales, it topped the Oricon chart for two weeks and became RIAJ-certified triple-platinum.In support of the album, BoA held a tour,Live Concert Tour 2004: Love & Honesty, spanning nine performances and attracted approximately 105,000 attendants.In contrast with1st Live Tour, which \"emphasized exotic Asian design\", theLove & Honestytour had an \"outer-space, sci-fi\" theme; among the props were a three-storey-highspace shipand the","shipand the robotAsimo. Her firstcompilation album,Best of Soul(February 2005), however, sold over a million copies, making BoA the first non-Japanese Asian singer to have two million-selling albums in Japan.It remained the last album by a foreign artist to have sold over a million copies in Japan for 16 years, untilBTSin 2021. BoA reinvented her image for her fourth and fifth Korean albums,My Name(June 2004) andGirls on Top(June 2005), shedding the \"cute\" and \"youthful\" style that had characterized previous years and adopted a more \"sexy\" and \"sultry\" look.The sales of BoA's Korean albums began to decline:My Namesold 191,000 units and became the eleventh-best-selling South Korean album in 2004whileGirls on Topranked fourteenth in 2005 with 113,000 units sold.In September 2004, BoA instigated controversy in Japan when she donated₩50 million to a memorial project forKorean independenceactivist and nationalistAn Jung-geun. Her fourth Japanese studio album,Outgrow, (February 2006) reached the number-one spot on","number-one spot on the Oricon chart for its first week of release, making it her fourth consecutive original Japanese album to do so. With 220,000 copies sold, it became her lowest-selling first-week debut for a studio album at that point.\"Do the Motion\", the first single from the album, reached the top spot, making her the fourth non-Japanese Asian to have a number-one single on the Oricon charts.\"Merry Christmas from BoA\" (2005), the album's last single, was the singer's first digital single. That May, BoA renewed her contract with SM Entertainment until 2012. At the time it was noted that she had a shareholding in the company of 100,000 (Approximately worth $1m USD).She performed \"Everlasting\", the image song for Roman Polanski'sOliver Twist (2005 film).She also voiced Heather the possum in the Korean and Japanese version of the animated filmOver the Hedge.On September 21, 2006, she released her first digital single in Korea, a Korean version of \"Key of Heart\". In support ofOutgrow, BoA launched a","BoA launched a specialZepptour, B0A The Live, on September 29, 2006, which lasted until October 29.She staged her first Christmas concert on December 7, 2006. Three singles preceded BoA's fifth Japanese studio album,Made in Twenty(January 2007): the Top 3 \"Nanairo no Ashita (Brand New Beat)/Your Color,\" the Top 10 \"Key of Heart\", and the No. 2 hit \"Winter Love\". The album, which contained R&B and dance songs as well as ballads, debuted at the top of the weekly Oricon charts, making the album her sixth in a row to do so (including one compilation).Having previously compose the song \"No More Make Me Sick\" forMade in Twenty,BoA assumed creative control over her sixth Japanese album,The Face(February 2008).The album debuted at the top of the weekly Oricon charts, making BoA one of only two artists in Japan to have six consecutive studio albums top the Oricon weekly charts (the other isAyumi Hamasaki, who has eight consecutive number-one albums).On June 9, 2008, BoA and nine other artists from around the world","around the world recorded an English cover ofWei Wei's \"Dedication of Love\". Produced byRoald Hoffmannand Brian Alan, the single was used to raise funds for victims of theSichuan earthquake.But due to a tight schedule, BoA was pulled back from this project. Korean jewelry brand Ramee also released, \"Ramee by BoA\", a line of jewelry designed by the singer herself. 2008–2012: American expansion and return to Asia On September 2, 2008, it was announced that BoA would make her American debut under a new subsidiary label, SM Entertainment USA.Hoping to become a \"world-renowned entertainer\" in the vein ofJanet Jackson,BoA's debut American single \"Eat You Up\", was produced byThomas Troelsen, and released on October 21, 2008. It charted at No. 9 on theBillboardHot Dance Club Playchart.To promote the single, BoA performed \"Eat You Up\" as well as other songs at YouTube's Tokyo Live concert, and performed in New York City on December 3, 2008, as well as theJingle Ballat theAnaheim Honda Centeron December 6, 2008.The","6, 2008.The following year, she released \"Eien/Universe/Believe in Love\" and was also featured inRavex's single \"Believe in Love\". BoA'sself-titled English albumwas released in the U.S. on March 17 and featured tracks by producersBloodshy and Avantas well as a duet withSean Garrett.Her second Japanese compilation album,Best & USAwas released on March 18 tying together a compilation of recent hits in Japan with her English-language debut. Though she stated that \"t has always been my dream to debut in America,\" she found English tougher to learn than Japanese and despite living in West Beverly Hills, found it difficult to make friends.BoA later headlined theSan Francisco Pride Festivalon June 28, 2009, alongsideSolange KnowlesandThe Cliks,where she also performed the song \"Energetic\" for the first time in public, in addition to \"Eat You Up\" and \"I Did It for Love\".On August 31, SM USA releasedBoA Deluxe, a repackaged version of her debut English album. The album contained two new tracks and the radio edit","and the radio edit version of \"Energetic\". With her U.S. career struggling to gain traction, BoA returned to East Asia to release her seventh Japanese album,Identity(February 2010). Promoted by the singles \"Bump Bump!\" featuringVerbalfromM-Floand \"Mamoritai: White Wishes\" (December 2009), the album only charted at No. 4, selling 37,606 copies in its first week. With little promotion from her label, it ended her run of six consecutive No. 1 albums, suggesting that it would be impossible for her to sustain her career in three territories simultaneously.Her first Korean album in five years,Hurricane Venus,was released on August 5, 2010,and sold 55,776 units making it the 22nd best selling album in South Korea for 2010.She also represented South Korea and performed at the7th Asia Song Festival, organized byKorea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, at theSeoul Olympic Stadium. BoA made her Hollywood movie debut in the dance filmMake Your Move 3D, playing the character Aya oppositeDerek Hough. Although","Hough. Although production ended in 2011, the film was released in 2013. The movie received mixed reviews, with Inkoo Kang of theLos Angeles Timespraising the choreography but stating that \"henever actor Derek Hough and BoA stop leaping and twirling, is an underwritten mess.\"To celebrate the 10th anniversary of her Japanese debut, BoA released \"Milestone\", which ranked at No. 4 on the Oricon Weekly Music-DVD charts.She also held her 10th anniversary concert on December 10–11 at Tokyo International Forum. Following the concert, BoA shifted her activities to her native county, joining the judging panel onSBS's audition programK-pop Staras a representative of S.M. Entertainment, alongsideYang Hyun-sukfromYG EntertainmentandPark Jin-youngfromJYP Entertainment. BoA received praise for her ability as a judge with her insightful comments and discerning eyes,and also sang the theme song \"One Dream\".For her seventh Korean album,Only One(July 2012), BoA wrote and composed its title track,while its dance steps","its dance steps choreographed by NappyTabs, who has previously worked with BoA inCobu.Upon its release, \"Only One\" achieved an all-kill on several music charts.She followed this up with the second \"The Shadow\", was released August 18, 2012.Additionally, she recorded the song \"Lookin'\" featuringThe Quiettfor Hyundai's 'Premium Younique Lifestyle' campaign. 2013–2015: Music production, television role, and 15th anniversary BoA launched her first Korean tour withBoA Special Live 2013: Here I Amtour at the Olympic Hall,and released the song \"Disturbance\", which she wrote and composed, to commemorate her first concert tour in South Korea.In September 2013, BoA starred in KBS' two-episode drama specialExpect to DatealongsideChoi DanielandIm Si-wan, her full first role in a drama, following a string of cameo appearances.She received praise for her acting performance.She also participated inInfinity Challenge'sbi-annual song festival and was paired withLeessang'sGil, with the two co-produced the song \"G.A.B\".In","the song \"G.A.B\".In March 2014, BoA was appointed as a de facto creative director in S.M. Entertainment, alongside labelmateKangta; she was placed in charge of mental care of artists who debut at a young age. The singles for BoA's eighth Japanese album,Who's Back?(September 2014),were released over a span of four years prior to the album's release:\"Woo Weekend\" and \"I See Me\" in 2010, \"Milestone\" in 2011,Only One\", \"Tail of Hope\" and \"Message / Call My Name\" in 2013,and \"Shout It Out\"and \"Masayume Chasing\" in 2014.To promote the album, she embarked on her BoA Live Tour 2014 Who's Back? tour in September, her first Japanese tour in four years.After the tour concluded, BoA starred in her first Korean film,Big MatchalongsideLee Jung-jaeandShin Ha-kyunthough a Japanese single \"Fly\" was released on December 3, 2014. Her eighth Korean albumKiss My Lips(May 2015)became her first entirely self-written, self-produced album, working alongside American producers The Underdogs and Stereotypes.The single \"Who Are You\"","\"Who Are You\" (feat. Gaeko) was released prior to the album's unveiling, along with its accompanying music video, which starred EXO'sSehunas the male lead.The rest of the album was unveiled on May 12 along with an official music video of the eponymous title track.Billboardcalled the singer a promising songwriter despite moments of musical blandness. In July, she performed at the BoA Special Live 2015: Nowness to commemorate her 15th anniversary. The concert took place on August 22 and 23 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in South Korea, making BoA the first female idol to hold a solo concert at the venue.This was followed by BoA Special Live 2015: Nowness in Japan which took place on December 11, 2015, at Tokyo International Forum Hall-A.Her 15th anniversary in Japan the following year was celebrated in a similar fashion,including the release of the song \"Lookbook\", and a 15th anniversary edition of BoA's Japanese Winter hit, \"Meri Kuri\". As part of S.M. Entertainment's special winter","special winter project,Winter Garden,BoA released a digital single entitled \"Christmas Paradise\". 2016–present: Musical projects, television production, and acting debut On January 12, 2016, BoA released an English-language single \"Make Me Complete\", which serves as the theme song for the Fuji TV special dramaOoku, starring Sawajiri Erika and Watanabe Mayu.In June, she collaborated with Korean rapperBeenzinoforS.M. Entertainment'sSM Stationproject. The duo released the single \"No Matter What\", which ranked atop five domestic charts.BoA worked with BeatBurger for anotherSM Stationsingle titled \"Music Is Wonderful\", where she participated in the composing and writing of the track.From October to November 2016, BoA starred in JTBC's romance melodramaListen to Love, returning to the small screen after three years. The following year, BoA became one of the producers forMnet'sboy groupsurvival reality show,Produce 101 Season 2, which aired from April 7 to June 16.BoA later released another song forSM Station,","song forSM Station, \"Spring Rain\", an R&B number produced by Kenzie.In May, BoA embarked on her BoA The live inBillboardLive Tour, held in Tokyo and Osaka.She also released the single \"Camo,\" a dance song with a heavy emphasis on bass and synthesizer sounds, which was a change in sound from her previous materials and produced by The Underdogs.In July, she released the Japanese single \"Right Here, Right Everywhere\" for the soundtrack of dramaYaneura no Koibito.She later starred in the filmAutumn Sonataalongside Lee Hak-joo, playing a terminally ill patient. In 2018, BoA returned to Japan and released her ninth Japanese albumWatashi Konomama de Iinokanaon February 14, 2018, followed by EPUnchainedin March. To accompany the release of the EP, she embarked on the BoA The Live 2018: Unchained Tour from March 15 to April 4. People who attend the concerts received a copy ofUnchained.On January 31, she released \"Nega Dola\", which served as a single for BoA's then-upcoming first extended play.The EP,One Shot, Two","EP,One Shot, Two Shot, was released on February 20, alongside its titular lead single and the song's music video.The EP peaked at number six at the South Korean Gaon Album Chart and number seven at theBillboardWorld Albums Chart.On October 24, she released her ninth Korean albumWomanalongside a lead single of the same name.The album peaked at number six at the Gaon Album Chart, number eleven at theBillboardWorld Albums Chart. On June 4, 2019, she released the single \"Feedback\", which features rapperNucksal, alongside the song's music video.BoA embarked on her #Mood Tour, which had six dates in Japan and two dates in Seoul, from September to October 2019.On October 23, she released a new Japanese single, \"Wishing Well\", which she earlier debuted on the tour.On December 11, 2019, she released her second extended playStarry Night. In May 2020, BoA was featured as one of the coaches for the third season ofThe Voice of Korea, alongsideDynamic Duo,Sung Si-kyung, andKim Jong-kook.On December 1, 2020, she released","2020, she released her tenth Korean albumBetter.SpoTV News shared BoA to join as a judge for Mnet Dance program \"Street Woman Fighter\". It is a female dance crew competition premiering in August 2021.On November 5, 2021, BoA released the Japanese single, \"My Dear\", to commemorate her 20th anniversary. BoA was revealed as a member of the supergroupGot the Beaton December 27, 2021. The group debuted on January 3, 2022.To celebrate her 20th anniversary, BoA released the Japanese compilation albumThe Greateston May 30, 2022.On November 8, 2022, BoA announced her third EPForgive Mealong with the title track on the same name on November 22, 2022.In 2024, BoA appeared in the dramaMarry My Husband, where she played Oh Yu-ra. Her performance in the drama was met with negative reviews. Image and artistry BoA lists hip hop as her main musical influence, though she also enjoys R&B. Her favorite musicians areWhitney Houston,Michael Jackson,Justin Timberlake, andNe-Yo;as a result, much of BoA's music is eitherdance-popor","eitherdance-popor R&B. Because she also singsballads, she is often compared to Japanese singersNamie AmuroandAyumi Hamasaki. Her debut album,ID; Peace B, containedurban pop, \"slickly produced\" ballads, and \"upbeat dance tunes\". As her career went on, she began experimenting with different styles:Valenticontained mostly ballads;Love and Honestywas an experiment with \"harder\" R&B and rock music. Though her earlier releases were marked by a \"cute\" and \"youthful\" style, BoA began to present a more \"mature\" image starting from the albumMy Name. In aTalk Asiainterview,Anjali Raonoted that some felt thatMy Namemarked the beginning of BoA's decline in popularity and asked if the public would always see the singer as \"Little Baby BoA\"; BoA replied, \"So while I apologize to those people who still want the baby BoA, in fact, what can I do? I just keep growing up! I can't stop that from happening.\" The Facewas influenced byelectropopand included \"happy spring\" songs (\"Sweet Impact\" and \"Bad Drive\"), a guitar-driven","a guitar-driven \"groovy dance\" song (\"Lose Your Mind\"), and ballads.Because the composition and writing of BoA's songs is handled mostly by her staff, BoA has been criticized as being a \"manufactured pop star\".In response to such criticism, BoA said that \"if one person were to force their own will on something, then things that should have gone right could easily go wrong\" and that she is \"not all that unhappy with the expression that a manufactured star. In a way, that is true. Because SM Entertainment created the environment and all the surrounding conditions, able to be successful in the way now.\"She later assumed creative control withThe Face,whileKiss My Lipsbecame her first entirely self-written, self-produced album. BoA has collaborated with high-profile artists. Among the Japanese artists she has performed with are the hip hop groupM-Flo(for the single \"The Love Bug\"), pop singerKumi Koda, andhouseDJMondo Grosso. She has performed with Western artists: the song \"Flying Without Wings\" from her","Wings\" from her albumNext Worldwas a collaboration with Irish bandWestlifecovering theoriginal song; theBratzsingle \"Show Me What You Got\" was performed withHowie Dof the American bandBackstreet Boys.She also worked withAkon, singing the song \"Beautiful\", which was featured on the Japanese release of his third album,Freedom.Other artists she has collaborated with areSoul'd Out, Dabo, Verbal (of M-Flo), Rah-D,Seamo,TVXQ, Yutaka Furakawa (of the band Doping Panda), andCrystal Kay(for her single \"After Love: First Boyfriend/Girlfriend\").American rock bandWeezercovered \"Meri Kuri\" on the Japanese version of their albumWeezer. Cultural impact and legacy BoA is regarded as one of South Korea's most influential and prominent singers and is widely referred to as the \"Queen of K-pop\",in recognition of her contributions in spearheading theKorean waveinto Japan.BoA's success in the Japanese market has been deemed a catalyst in the Japanese interest in Korean pop music beginning in the early 2000s, when the two","2000s, when the two countries began promoting cultural exchanges since the end ofWorld War II.Music critics have recognized BoA for improving \"civil relations between the Korean and Japanese public through her music and appearances in Japanese radio and television\",with Oxford Political Review noting \"BoA's role in strengthening Japan-South Korea ties as a cultural envoy\".In Alisa Freedman'sIntroducing Japanese Pop Culture, BoA was noted for \"herald a new phase of Japanese engagement with Korean singers\", registering \"remarkable success during the first half of the 2000s in Japan\". She highlighted that the timing of her success coincided with several political and cultural developments; these of which include the implementation of Korea's Open-Door Policy, theKorea Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, and the popularity of the drama seriesWinter Sonata. Freedman evaluated BoA's career path and localization strategies in Japan for having set \"the first trend\" of the Korean wave into the country. Voxhailed BoA as \"one","BoA as \"one of South Korea's best-known exports\" in the years after her debut whileThe Korea Timescalled BoA \"the forerunner of the new generation of idols who popularized K-pop in Japan and elsewhere.\"In 2004, theMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourismhonored BoA with the Asian Cultural Exchange Merit Award for her contributions in raising the status of K-pop throughout Asia.The Diplomatstated that BoA \"paved the way\" for future K-pop artists \"to later captivate Japanese fans despite souring relations between Seoul and Tokyo.\" Music critic Lim Jin-mo wrote that BoA \"opened many doors for pop acts from her country in the second largest music market in the world\", acting \"as a figurehead for breakthroughs in Japan for South Korean acts\" and became \"a pivotal figure in K-pop's history\". Yim Hyun-su fromThe Korea Heraldviewed her for \"forever changing the landscape of South Korea's music industry\".In 2016, she was honored with the Presidential Commendation at theKorean Popular Culture and Arts Awardsfor her","Arts Awardsfor her contributions to the spread of the Korean wave, and for laying \"the foundation for the revival of K-pop\". With nearly 15 years in the entertainment industry, BoA has little to prove in Korea, where she's widely regarded as a pioneer in K-pop's modern-day international platform. —Billboard(2015) In 2013, 50 music experts, professors and critics organized byMnetnamed BoA one of the 100 most influential artists in South Korean music.\"No. 1\" was ranked number 27 in a 2006Gallup Koreasurvey of 100 all-time favorite Korean songsand was included in Mnet's Legend 100 list of popular Korean songs since the 1960s.In 2021, a panel of 35 music experts organized byMelonandSeoul Shinmunranked \"No. 1\" and \"Atlantis Princess\" number 1 and number 93 in their list of the greatest K-pop songs of all time.Critic Rhian Daly forThe Forty-Fiveranked \"Atlantis Princess\" number 1 in her list of the best K-pop songs of all-time.Rolling Stoneranked \"No. 1\" at number 18 in their list of the greatest songs in the","songs in the history of K-pop, writing it represents \"her most emblematic crossover hit\". BoA has been cited by many artists in the South Korean music industry as an influence and role model,includingAespa,Girls' Generation'sTaeyeon,Sunny,Tiffany,Hyoyeon,Seohyun,Shinee'sKey,Exo'sSehun,Red Velvet'sIrene,Ailee,Chungha,Yukika Teramoto,Kwon Eun-bi,Baek A-yeon,Mamamoo'sSolar,f(x)'sLuna,Kiss of Life'sNatty,Lovelyz's Kei,andBilllie's Tsuki.Aespa's Giselle said in aRolling Stoneinterview that \"Everyone knows her. She's not just famous — she's a legend\". Other ventures Endorsements Because of her wide appeal, BoA has appeared in advertisements for many brands.Among the brands she has promoted areOlympus,Lotte,Nike,L'Oréal, Japanese cosmetic companyKosé,Skechers,Audio-Technica,GM DaewooandL'Occitane.Several of her songs have been used in affiliation with television shows. \"Every Heart: Minna no Kimochi\" was used as the ending theme for theanimeInuYasha;\"Beside You: Boku o Yobu Koe\" was used as the opening theme for","opening theme for the animeMonkey Typhoon;\"Key of Heart\" was the theme song for the Japanese release ofOver the Hedge;\"Your Color\" was the theme song of the video gameNinety-Nine Nights;\"Mamoritai: White Wishes\" was the theme song of the video gameTales of Graces.\"Tail of Hope\" was used as the theme for the Japanese dramaHakui no Namida,and \"Masayume Chasing\" was used as the 15th opening theme song for the animeFairy Tail. In 2007,Anycall(aSamsungbrand) signed BoA,Xiah(of TVXQ),Tablo(ofEpik High), and jazz pianistJin Boraonto \"Anyband\", a band created specifically to promote Anycall. The band released only one single, \"AnyBand\".In December 2010, she recorded \"I See Me\" for to promote Audio Technica headphones in Japan.The song \"Woo Weekend\" was used to promote Disney on Ice's 25th Anniversary in Japanwhile \"Lookbook\" served as the ending theme for the NTV Kei programTokui to Goto to Uruwashi no Shelley ga Konya Kurabete Mimashita.BoA served as ambassador for Asia Youth Day in 2014.In August 2017, it was","August 2017, it was announced that BoA was chosen as promotional ambassador for Jeju Biennale, an inaugural international art event on the resort island of Jeju.In Her widespread popularity has also made her a \"cultural ambassador\"; she has represented South Korea in inter-Asian musical events and has appeared in anOxford University Press-published English-language textbook. Discography Korean albums Japanese albums English albums Filmography Film Television series Television shows Concerts and tours Japan tours Asia tours Concert participation Awards and nominations See also Footnotes References External links","ID; Peace B ID; Peace Bis the debut Korean-languagestudio albumby South Korean singerBoA, released on August 25, 2000 bySM Entertainment.It saw moderate levels of success in South Korea upon its release, peaking at number 16 on the Recording Industry Association of Korea's monthly album chart in October 2000.The album sold 156,354 copies in 2000 and was the 59th best-selling album of the year.The album was released on May 29, 2002 in Japan, where it reached number 30 on theOricon Albums Chart. Production and lyrics The song \"Sara\" is about a cat, \"I'm Sorry\" is about the tragedy of loving the lover of her older sister, and \"ID; Peace B\" is about the generation gap due to the use of the internet. Track listing Charts Weekly charts Monthly charts Year-end charts Release history References","BTS BTS(Korean:방탄소년단;RR:Bangtan Sonyeondan;lit.Bulletproof Boy Scouts), also known as theBangtan Boys, is a South Koreanboy bandformed in 2010. The band consists ofJin,Suga,J-Hope,RM,Jimin,V, andJungkook, who co-write or co-produce much of their material. Originally ahip hopgroup, they expanded their musical style to incorporate a wide range of genres, while their lyrics have focused on subjects including mental health, the troubles of school-age youth andcoming of age, loss, the journey towards self-love, individualism, and the consequences of fame and recognition. Their discography and adjacent work has also referenced literature, philosophy and psychology, and includes analternate universestoryline. BTS debuted in 2013 underBig Hit Entertainmentwith the single album2 Cool 4 Skool.BTS released their first Korean and Japanese-language studio albums,Dark & WildandWake Uprespectively, in 2014. The group's second Korean studio album,Wings(2016), was their first to sell one million copies in South Korea. By","in South Korea. By 2017, BTS had crossed into the global music market and led theKorean Waveinto the United States, becoming the first Korean ensemble to receive aGold certificationfrom theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) for their single \"Mic Drop\", as well as the first act from South Korea to top theBillboard200with their studio albumLove Yourself: Tear(2018). In 2020, BTS became the fastest group sincethe Beatlesto chart four US number-one albums in less than two years, withLove Yourself: Answer(2018) becoming the first Korean album certified Platinum by the RIAA; in the same year, they also became the first all-South Korean act to reach number one on both theBillboardHot 100andBillboardGlobal 200with their Grammy-nominated single \"Dynamite\". Follow-up releases \"Savage Love\", \"Life Goes On\", \"Butter\", and \"Permission to Dance\" made them the fastest act to earn four US number-one singles sinceJustin Timberlakein 2006. As of 2023, BTS is the best-selling musical act in South Korean history","Korean history according to theCircle Chart, having sold in excess of 40 million albums.Their studio albumMap of the Soul: 7(2020) is thefourth best-selling album of all time in South Korea, as well as the first in the country to surpass both four and five million registered sales. They are the first non-English-speaking and Asian act to sell out concerts atWembley Stadiumand theRose Bowl(Love Yourself World Tour, 2019), and were named theInternational Federation of the Phonographic Industry's (IFPI)Global Recording Artist of the Yearfor both 2020 and 2021. The group'saccoladesinclude multipleAmerican Music Awards,BillboardMusic Awards,Golden Disc Awards, and nominations for fiveGrammy Awards. Outside of music, they have addressed three sessions of theUnited Nations General Assemblyand partnered withUNICEFin 2017 to establish theLove Myselfanti-violence campaign. Featured onTime'sinternational cover as \"Next Generation Leaders\" and dubbed the \"Princes of Pop\", BTS has also appeared onTime'slists of the 25","of the 25 most influential people on the internet (2017–2019) and the100 most influential people in the world(2019), and in 2018 became the youngest recipients of the South KoreanOrder of Cultural Meritfor their contributions in spreading the Korean culture and language. On June 14, 2022, the group announced a scheduled pause in group activities to enable the members to complete their 18 months ofmandatory South Korean military service, with a reunion planned for 2025.Jin, the eldest member, enlisted on December 13, 2022; the others followed in 2023. Name BTS stands for the Korean phraseBangtan Sonyeondan(Korean:방탄소년단; Hanja:防彈少年團), which translates literally to 'Bulletproof Boy Scouts'. According to memberJ-Hope, the name signifies the group's desire \"to block out stereotypes, criticisms, and expectations that aim on adolescents like bullets\".In Japan, they are known asBōdan Shōnendan(防弾少年団).In July 2017, BTS announced that their name would also stand for \"Beyond the Scene\" as part of their newbrand","of their newbrand identity.This extended the meaning of their name to encompass the idea of growth \"from a boy to an adult who opens the doors that are facing forward\". History 2010–2014: Formation and early years BTS was formed in 2010, after Big Hit Entertainment CEOBang Si-hyukwanted to form ahip hop grouparoundRM(Kim Nam-joon), an underground rapper well known on the music scene inSeoul. At the time,physical album saleswere on the decline and digital revenues were not yet high enough to compensate.Seeing a need for diversified income streams, Bang decided to form an idol group instead, because of the potential for live concert performances and passionate support from fans of such groups. Many trainees refused to become part of an idol group, butJ-Hope, RM, andSugaremained.Bang chose to vary from the usual, highly regimented idol groups and create one where the members would be individuals rather than an ensemble and free to express themselves.Auditions were held in 2010 with plans to launch the following","the following year.The band members lived together, practicing up to 15 hours a day, and first performed before a small crowd of industry insiders in 2013. We started to tell the stories that people wanted to hear and were ready to hear, stories that other people could not or would not tell. We said what other people were feeling—like pain, anxieties and worries. That was our goal, to create this empathy that people can relate to. —Suga BTS's representation by Big Hit, rather than one of the three agencies that dominated K-pop at the time, allowed the individual members leeway to express their individuality and have input into the music.On June 12, 2013, BTS released their debutsingle album2 Cool 4 Skool, along with thelead single\"No More Dream\", neither of which sold particularly well at the time.On June 13, 2013, BTS made their stage debut onM Countdownwith the single, \"No More Dream\".Nevertheless, according to Kathy Sprinkel in her book on BTS, that single was \"spotlighting young people's anxiety in the","anxiety in the face of lofty parental expectations, sent shock waves through the K-pop ranks. Here was a musical act that wasn't pulling any punches. More specifically, they had a point of view, and they weren't afraid to take on topics that are considered taboo in South Korean society and elsewhere.\"The album reached the top five on South Korea's Gaon Music Chart.In2 Cool 4 Skool, BTS employed an old-school hip-hop sound from the 1990s.The album's release was followed by appearances on Korean music shows, which caught the attention of reviewers and viewers. In September 2013, BTS released the second entry in their \"school trilogy\": theEP,O!RUL8,2?.The album was released alongside the single \"N.O.\"Similarly to2 Cool 4 Skool, the new release had a theme of students feeling under pressure and needing to sacrifice their dreams and aspirations.According to scholar Kyung Hyun Kim, many of BTS's earlier works such as \"N.O.\" and \"No More Dreams\" were \"expressions of rebellion against the establishment that tapped","that tapped into Korean teenagers' frustrations with the country's educational system\" and, he stated, helped them build a fan base among young people in North America and Europe.That same month, BTS starred in their own variety show,SBS MTV'sRookie King Channel Bangtan, in which members parodied variety shows such asVJ Special ForcesandMasterChef Korea.At the end of the year, BTS was recognized with several New Artist of the Year awards in South Korea. 2014–2017 Skool Luv Affairand first concert tour The last entry in BTS \"school trilogy\", theSkool Luv AffairEP, was released in February 2014.The release topped theGaon Album Chart,and appeared onBillboard'sWorld AlbumsChart for the first time, peaking at number three.The EP was supported by two singles: \"Boy in Luv\" and \"Just One Day\".FollowingSkool Luv Affair's release, BTS played at their first fan meeting inSeoul, selecting the name A.R.M.Y. for the fan club.In July 2014, BTS hosted a concert inWest Hollywood, their first show in the United States,and in","States,and in August, they appeared atKCONin Los Angeles. In August 2014, BTS released the albumDark & Wild, which reached number two in South Korea.It was supported by two singles: \"Danger\" and \"War of Hormone\".The group embarked on their firstconcert tour,2014 BTS Live Trilogy Episode II: The Red Bullet, which lasted from October to December 2014.The band launched their first Japanese studio album,Wake Up, in December 2014; the release peaked at number three on theOricon Albums Chart.After the album's release, BTS held their1st Japan Tour 2015 Wake Up: Open Your Eyesin February 2015.The Red Bullet Tour that had begun on October 17, 2014, in South Korea was resumed on June 6, 2015, in Malaysia and toured Australia, North America and Latin America before ending in Hong Kong that August. In all, the entire tour attracted 80,000 spectators at 18 cities in 13 countries. Mainstream breakthrough and commercial success BTS experimented with other styles of music besides hip-hop inThe Most Beautiful Moment in Life,","Moment in Life, Pt. 1, released in 2015.BTS wanted to express the beauty and anxiousness of youth and settled on the title of \"花樣年華\" (Korean:화양연화;RR:Hwayangyeonhwa), loosely interpreted to define \"youth\" metaphorically as \"the most beautiful moment in life\".The album served as an introduction to their youth trilogy, a triptych of albums dedicated to the struggles of young people.The single \"I Need U\" was a top-five hit in South Korea and garnered the group a win on SBS MTV'sThe Show.The second single \"Dope (Korean:쩔어;RR:Jjeoreo;lit.It's awesome)\" reached number three onBillboard'sWorld Digital Song Saleschart and its music video was viewed over 100 million times on YouTube.The group began the world tour extension of their Red Bullet Tour in June, titled2015 Live Trilogy Episode II: The Red Bullet, visiting cities throughout Asia, Oceania, North America, and Latin America.\"For You\", in Japanese, was released together with Japanese versions of \"War of Hormone\" and \"Let Me Know\" on June 17, 2015, and","June 17, 2015, and immediately topped Oricon's daily chart. In November, BTS commenced their third concert tour,2015 BTS LIVE \"The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: On Stage\", beginning with three sold-out shows in Seoul. The tour marked the debut of their fourth EP,The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2, and was later extended to Japan.Thematically, the EP focused more on the serious and speculative aspects of youth, touching on the pursuit of success, loneliness, affection for their origins, and the suffering of the younger generation due to unfavorable conditions in current society.The album topped the weekly Gaon Album andBillboardWorld Albums charts.It also marked their first appearance on theBillboard200chart,making it for one week at number 171,and eight of the tracks appeared onBillboard's World Digital Song Sales chart. Their compilation album and the finale to their \"youth trilogy\",The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Foreverwas released on May 2, 2016. With 300,000 presold copies,it included","copies,it included three new singles: \"Epilogue: Young Forever\", \"Fire\", and \"Save Me\",which debuted in the top three spots on theBillboardWorld Digital Charts.The album topped the Gaon Album Chart in South Korea fortwo consecutive weeksand reached number 107 on theBillboard200.The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Foreverwon Album of the Year at the2016 Melon Music Awards.BTS embarked on their Asia tour extension,2016 BTS LIVE \"The Most Beautiful Moment in Life On Stage: Epilogue\"from May to August 2016. Tickets for the 14 shows in 10 Asian cities sold out, some in as little as five seconds. In September 2016, BTS released their second Japanese studio albumYouth.The album sold 44,547 copies on the first day of its release, and charted 1st in the Oricon Daily Album Chart.The album was eventually certified Gold with sales of roughly over 100,000 in Japan.It was followed one month later in October,by their next studio albumWings,which combined the themes of youth presented in their previous \"youth trilogy\"","\"youth trilogy\" with temptation and adversity.The album and its tracks, including the single \"Blood Sweat & Tears\" immediately rose to the top on eight music charts, including the Gaon Music Chart, and led theiTunesalbum charts in 23 countries.Wingsopened at number 26 on theBillboard200, with 16,000album-equivalent unitsin the US for the week of its release, the best week ever there for a K-pop album.It became the best-selling album in Gaon Album Chart history. You Never Walk AloneandLove Yourself: Her In February 2017, BTS released the repackaged edition ofWingsentitledYou Never Walk Alone. The 700,000 pre-orders of it (an increase from the 500,000 pre-orders ofWings) helped break the record for most albums sold in a month in South Korea, as it reached 1.49 million copies by the end of its first month.The lead single was \"Spring Day\"and it won Best Song of the Year at the2017 Melon Music Awards.BTS's second world tour,2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings Tour, began in February.On the tour, BTS","the tour, BTS played arenas in the US, such as New Jersey'sPrudential Centerand California'sHonda Center. Tickets for the North American leg sold out within hours and two shows were added.After completing the North American leg, BTS attended the24thBillboardMusic Awardsin May and wonTop Social Artist,the first K-pop group to win a Billboard award.BTS fans cast over 300million votes for the band and broke a six-year winning streak held byJustin Bieber, a performer with 100millionTwitterfollowers.This caused the international media to focus on the ability of BTS's fandom to propel the group to such a victory. BTS released a remake ofSeo Taiji's \"Come Back Home\" (1995) in July 2017, giving it new lyrics but maintaining the theme of urging societal change.Later that year, BTS embarked on their \"Love Yourself\" album series, with theme of the enlightenment of self-love through the \"起承轉結\" (Korean:기승전결;RR:Giseungjeongyeol) narrative sequence of \"beginning, development, turn, and conclusion.\"BTS released its first","released its first part, their fifth EP,Love Yourself: Her, on September 18.RM considered \"DNA\", the lead single from that album,as \"taking BTS to new ground. We tried to apply new grammar and perspectives.\"He said of the album, \"I believe it's going to be the starting point of a second chapter of our career; the beginning of our Chapter Two.\"Sonically, the EP served as \"a dual exploration of the group's electro-pop and hip-hop leanings\". Love Yourself: Herdebuted at number seven on theBillboard200.The album had 1,664,041 sales in May 2017 to lead the Gaon Chart,and was the first in 16 years to exceed 1.2 million copies sold sinceg.o.d's fourth albumChapter 4(2001).\"DNA\" was released simultaneously with the EP, and its music video accumulated 21 million views in its first 24 hours.It became BTS's first entry on theBillboardHot 100, charting at number 85, making them the first K-pop boy band to reach that chart.The single rose to number 67 the following week and became the highest-charting song on the Hot 100","song on the Hot 100 for any K-pop group.A remix of \"Mic Drop\" from the album, featuringDesiigner, was released as a single and peaked at number 28, the first time a K-pop group had cracked the top forty.Both singles attained Gold certification from theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) in early 2018.\"Mic Drop\" achieved Platinum status in the US later that year. In November 2017, BTS became the first K-pop group to perform at theAmerican Music Awards.BTS wonArtist of the Yearat the19th Mnet Asian Music Awardsin December, winning for the second consecutive year.They released \"DNA\" and \"Mic Drop\" together with a new song \"Crystal Snow\" as a single album in Japan on December 6, 2017, though the songs were made digitally available elsewhere.It topped the Oricon Chart for the week of its release. It was the only album by a foreign artist to be certified Double Platinum in Japan in 2017. Later that month, they made their Japanese television prime time music show debut onMusic Station Super Live,and","Super Live,and ended the year by performing onDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. In 2017, BTS partnered withUNICEFon the \"Love Myself\" campaign, intended to help end violence, abuse, and bullying, and to promote self-esteem and well-being among young people. Both Big Hit and the group pledged money to promote the campaign, and BTS sold special \"Love Myself\" merchandise and set up dedicated booths at concert venues. The campaign was renewed in 2021, with UNICEF deeming it to have been successful. 2018–2020 Love Yourselfalbum series BTS won major awards at the Golden Disc and Seoul Music Awards in January 2018.In March, the group premiered an eight-episode documentary titledBurn the Stagethat offered a behind-the-scenes look at their 2017 Wings Tour, exclusively onYouTube Premium.Their third Japanese studio album,Face Yourself, was released on April 4, 2018,and quickly reached the top 5 of the U.S. iTunes Albums chart. A nine-minute short film, titledEuphoria: Theme of \"Love Yourself: Wonder\"and featuring","featuring the song \"Euphoria\", followed the next day as a prelude to the group's third Korean-language studio album,Love Yourself: Tear.BTS promotedTear's May 18, 2018, release with an appearance at the25thBillboardMusic Awardstwo days later,where they made their initial BBMA performance with their single, \"Fake Love\".The group also won Top Social Artist for a second consecutive time.The album coincided with the \"轉\" or \"turn\" of the series, touching on the tortuous enlightenment of loving without being loved, the pains and sorrows of separation, and providing encouragement to those without dreams. Love Yourself: Teardebuted at number one its first week on theBillboard200, becoming BTS's first number-one album in the US and the first K-pop album to top the US albums chart.It also became BTS's first top-10 release in Britain, reaching number eight on theUK Albums Chart.\"Fake Love\" became BTS's top-10 single on the Hot100, the first time a song sung mostly in a language other than English had debuted in the top","debuted in the top 10.BTS released their compilation albumLove Yourself: Answerin August 2018.The album was supported by the single \"Idol\" and its alternative digital release featuringNicki Minaj. Love Yourself: Answersold over 1.9 million copies on the Gaon Album Chart in August2018.The album became BTS's second number-one on theBillboard200 and led to their highest US sales week in the country to that point with 185,000 album equivalent units.In November 2018,Love Yourself: Answerbecame the first Korean language album to be certified Gold by the RIAA.\"Idol\" andLove Yourself: Answerboth received Platinum certifications in the US, with sales of more than 1million. In conjunction withLove Yourself: Answer's release in August2018, BTS commenced their world tour,BTS World Tour: Love Yourself, with two concerts in the Seoul Olympic Stadium, which sold out in a matter of seconds, as did others of the 22 shows in 12 countries.In October, BTS released their collaboration with Steve Aoki \"Waste It on Me\", their","It on Me\", their first all-English language feature.For the final stop of the North American leg, the group performed at Citi Field in New York City, marking the first time a Korean act performed at a US stadium.According toStubHub, BTS was the second best-selling concert act outside the US, behind onlyEd Sheeran.That October, BTS renewed their contract with Big Hit Entertainment through 2026. In early November 2018, a popular Japanese music show cancelled BTS's performance, citing a T-shirt a member wore the year before, bearing a photograph of amushroom cloudfollowing thebombing of Nagasaki.In the same month, the Jewish human rights organizationSimon Wiesenthal Center(SWC) stated that BTS owed an apology for that shirt, and for clothing and flags with Nazi symbolism.Big Hit Entertainment issued an apology, explaining that the images were not intended to be hurtful to the victims ofNazismor atomic bombings and that the group and management would take steps to prevent future mistakes.They also stated the","also stated the flags were meant to be a commentary on the Korean school system.The apology was accepted by SWC and the Korean Atomic Bomb Victim Association.John Lie, in his scholarly article on BTS, opined that the Nazi incident showed that the group is not tightly controlled, as are other K-pop ensembles, whose every move seems scripted, and that the members have opinions and are not afraid to express them. At the20th Mnet Asian Music Awards, BTS won Artist of the Year and ranked number eight onBillboard'syear-end Top Artist Chart and were also the number two act of the year in the Duo/Group ranking, only behindImagine Dragons.They were also listed asone of the 50 most influential people by Bloombergfor their \"willingness to address social issues, mental health, and politics, despite being in a genre often painted as bubble gum pop\". Map of the Soul: Persona, stadium world tour andBTS World In February 2019, BTS, for the first time, were presenters atthe Grammy Awards.In April,Timenamed them one of","them one of theTime100, the most influential people of 2019.Their EP,Map of the Soul: Persona, was released on April12 with the single \"Boy with Luv\" (Korean:작은 것들을 위한 시;RR:Jageun geotdeureul wihan si), featuring American singerHalsey.The EP's release was followed by a performance onSaturday Night Live, the first K-pop act to appear there.Map of the Soul: Personabecame the first Korean-language album to reach the number one position in both the UK and Australia,and the group's third album to top theBillboard200 in less than a year.Map of the Soul: Personabecame the best-selling album ever in South Korea in terms of physical copies sold, with more than 3.2 million sales in less than a month.\"Boy with Luv\" debuted at number eight on theBillboardHot 100 in April 2019, the highest placement ever for a K-pop song. Following their two wins at the26thBillboardMusic Awardsin May, including forTop Duo/Group,BTS embarked on their world tour stadium extension,Love Yourself: Speak Yourself.Due to the demand, BTS added","demand, BTS added more shows after tickets for the first dates sold out within two hours.In the lead up to the release of their mobile gameBTS World, in June 2019 BTS released \"Dream Glow\" featuringCharli XCX,\"A Brand New Day\" withZara Larsson,and \"All Night\" withJuice Wrld.The group released the song \"Heartbeat\" with a music video from the game's official soundtrack, titledBTS World: Original Soundtrack.The soundtrack was certified Double Platinum by Gaon.On July 3, 2019, pre-orders for the single\"Lights\"crossed one million copies, marking the first time a foreign artist had accomplished this in Japan sinceCeline Dionin 1995.\"Lights\" debuted at number 81 on theBillboardJapan Hot 100for the chart issue date of July 8, 2019, and reached number one the following week.On August 8, 2019, \"Lights\" receivedMillioncertificationfrom the RIAJ, denoting shipments of one million copies. Love Yourself: HerandLove Yourself: Tearboth crossed 2 million copies in August.All three albums of theLove Yourselfseries have sold","have sold more than 2 million copies each in South Korea.Love Yourself: Teargained silver certification by the BPI for sales in the UK, becoming their third album to do so followingLove Yourself: AnswerandMap of the Soul: Persona.For the final stop of their record-breaking Love Yourself: Speak Yourself World Tour, the group played Seoul's Olympic Stadium.BTS was the third top-grossing touring musical act of 2019.That same month, they released a remix version of the song \"Make It Right\" featuringLauv.In November, BTS won three times at the2019 American Music Awards, for Best Tour, Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock, and Favorite Social Artist (the second consecutive year). In December, they attended both the2019 Melon Music Awardsand the2019 Mnet Asian Music Awards. In each case, they became the first group to sweep the four major awards.At the34th Golden Disc Awards, BTS became the first artists in history to win grand prizes in both the physical and digital categories in a single year.Map of the Soul:","of the Soul: Personawas named the second best-selling physical album of 2019 in the US byNielsen MusicbehindTaylor Swift'sLoverand was ranked sixth overall on the chart of Top10 Albums (Total Sales) in the US.BTS wrapped 2019 as the fourth-highest-ranked group onBillboard's TopBillboard200 Artists–Duo/Group ranking, behindQueen, Imagine Dragons and the Beatles.Map of the Soul: Personawas named as the third best-selling album of 2019 by theInternational Federation of the Phonographic Industry(IFPI), making BTS the first Korean artist to be listed on the Global Top10 Album Chart in consecutive years.The IFPI named BTS as one of the best-selling artists of 2019 for a second consecutive year, making them the first non-English speaking act to achieve this. Map of the Soul: 7, \"Dynamite\" andBe In January 2020, BTS released \"Black Swan\" along with a choreography art film performed by MN Dance Company of Slovenia as the first single from their albumMap of the Soul: 7.Album distributorDreamusreported that stock","that stock pre-orders of the album reached a record-breaking 4.02 million.Later that month, BTS performed at the62nd Annual Grammy Awards, making BTS the first Korean act to perform at the Grammys.Map of the Soul: 7was released on February 21 to favorable reviews.The album was supported by the single \"On\" and an alternative digital release of it featuring Australian singerSia.According toGaon Chart,Map of the Soul: 7sold over 4.1 million copies in nine days after its release, surpassingMap of the Soul: Personato become the best-selling album in South Korean history and the first album to be certified quadruple million.The album debuted atop the USBillboard200, making BTS the fastest group to earn four number one albums sincethe Beatlesin 1966–1968.\"On\" debuted at number four on theBillboardHot 100, giving BTS its first top-five hit, and the most Hot 100 top-10 entries of any Korean act, with three.BTS planned to support theMap of the Soulalbum series with a concert series,Map of the Soul Tour, beginning in","Tour, beginning in April,but this was indefinitely postponed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, BTS became the first K-pop artist to sell more than 20 million albums cumulatively,making them the best-selling artist in South Korean history.That month, amid the pandemic restrictions, BTS held a two-day online streaming concert event titledBang Bang Con, where the group shared footage of past concerts on their YouTube channel.On June 7, BTS headlined YouTube'sDear Class of 2020online graduation event, performing \"Boy with Luv\", \"Spring Day\", and \"Mikrokosmos\".Their commencement speeches highlighted their own graduations and offered \"messages of hope and inspiration for the class of 2020 in both Korean and English\".On June 14, BTS held an online live concert,Bang Bang Con: The Live, as part of the seventh anniversary of their debut.It garnered peak viewership of 756,000live viewers in 107countries and territories, setting the record for the largest audience for a paid virtual concert.On June 19, BTS","June 19, BTS released the Japanese single, \"Stay Gold\", from their fourth Japanese album,Map of the Soul: 7 – The Journey, which was released worldwide on July 14.It surpassed 564,000copies in its first week, breaking the record for highest first week album sales by male foreign artists in Japan. BTS released their first English-language single, \"Dynamite\", on August 21.\"Dynamite\" debuted at number one on the USBillboardHot 100 chart, earning BTS their first chart topper and making them the first all-South Korean act to earn a number one single in the US.The single also toppedBillboard'snewGlobal 200for the week ending September 24, as well asGlobal Excluding UScharts, becoming the first single to top both simultaneously.\"Dynamite\" peaked at number five on the USMainstream Top 40and on the.Billboard Pop Singleschart, becoming their first Top 10 on each and the former the highest-charting entry by a Korean act.On August 31, BTS made theirMTV Video Music Awards(VMAs) debut with the first live performance of","live performance of \"Dynamite\"and won four awards: Best Group, Best Choreography, Best Pop Video, and Best K-pop (the last three for their music video for \"On\").On October 14, they performed the single at the 2020BillboardMusic Awards and won the Top Social Artist award for a fourth consecutive year. On October 2, 2020, BTS released a remix ofJawsh 685andJason Derulo's single \"Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)\".It topped the Hot 100.On October 10 and 11, BTS hosted a two-day virtualpay-per-viewconcert at KSPO Dome in Seoul, calledMap of the Soul ON:E, which drew 993,000 viewers from 191 countries and territories.On November 20, BTS released their fifth Korean studio albumBe, led by the single \"Life Goes On\".\"Life Goes On\" debuted at number one on the Hot 100,BTS's third consecutive US number-one single in three months and the first song performed primarily in Korean to top the chart. On November 24, 2020, BTS became the first Korean pop artists recognized bythe Recording Academywhen \"Dynamite\" received a","received a nomination forBest Pop Duo/Group Performanceat the63rd Annual Grammy Awards.The group won the Special International Music Award at the62nd Japan Record Awards.Kim, in his book on the influence of Korean popular culture, suggested that 2020, the worst year in many people's lives, was a noteworthy one for Korean culture, withParasitewinning theAcademy Award for Best Pictureand BTS posting three number-one hits on theBillboardGlobal 200. 2021–present \"Butter\", \"Permission to Dance\" andProof On March 4, 2021, the IFPI named BTS its Global Recording Artist of the Year for 2020, the first Asian and first non-English speaking act to top the ranking.BTS occupied three spots in the Global Album Sales Chart of 2020, withMap of the Soul: 7at number one,Be (Deluxe Edition)at number two, andMap of the Soul: 7–The Journeyat number eight.On the newly launched Global Album All Format Chart,Map of the Soul: 7claimed first place andBe (Deluxe Edition)claimed fourth.On March 14, 2021, BTS performed \"Dynamite\" at the","\"Dynamite\" at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, becoming the first Korean nominee to perform, though they did not win the award.On April 1, BTS released \"Film Out\", the first single from their then-upcoming Japanese compilation album,BTS, the Best.BTS held a two-day online streaming event on their YouTube channel beginning April 17, titledBang Bang Con 21, and aired three of their previous in-person concerts. On May 21, BTS released their second English-language single, \"Butter\".It debuted at number one on the Hot 100—their fourth number one in nine months—making them the quickest act to achieve four chart-toppers sinceJustin Timberlakein 2006, and the fastest group sincethe Jackson 5in 1970.Their next English-language single, \"Permission to Dance\", was released on July 9.It became BTS's eighth number-one on theDigital Songschart, extending their record as the group with the most number-one entries on the ranking.On September24, 2021, the band released the single \"My Universe\" withColdplay.The single debuted at","single debuted at number one on the Hot 100, making it the first collaboration between two groups to debut at number one.The band held an online concert, titledPermission to Dance on Stage, on October 24, 2021, in Seoul.On November 23, \"Butter\" earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the64th Annual Grammy Awards.Between November 27 and December 2, BTS held their first live performances before an in-person audience since before the pandemic. The band playedfour sold-out showsatSoFi Stadiumin Los Angeles as a continuation of their Permission to Dance on Stage concert series. On January 15, 2022, a fictionalwebtoonbased on BTS, titled7Fates: Chakho, was released. The comic surpassed 15million views globally in its first two days of availability and became the highest-viewed title ever launched byWebtoon.The band held three limited-capacity concerts at Seoul Olympic Stadium on March 10, 12 and 13—the largest music gatheringsapproved by the South Korean government since the pandemic","since the pandemic restrictions were imposed—with a total audience of 45,000people.On April 3, BTS performed \"Butter\" at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards,though the song did not win the award for which it was nominated.On April 8, the band earned seven nominations at the2022BillboardMusic Awardsand won three, making them the most-nominated and the most-awarded group in the show's history. On June 10, 2022, BTS released their three-CDanthologyalbumProof.On June 14, during their ninth anniversary celebrations, the band announced a temporary suspension of group activities to focus on solo projects and other endeavors.Hybe Corporation, which owns Big Hit,clarified in subsequent statements that BTS was neither disbanding nor going on hiatus, but would be actively furthering their individual careers with the label's full support while still participating in group activities, including the filming ofRun BTS.The incident caused Hybe Corporation's stock to decline rapidly, resulting in a decrease in market value of","in market value of US$1.7billion.On August 24,Billboardmagazine reported that BTS would be performing inBusanon October 15 in a benefit concert in support of the city's efforts to have aWorld Expositionin 2030, participating under the bannerYet to Come. Military service and contract renewal In spite of the announcement of the October 2022 benefit concert, Hybe Corporation's stock prices dropped to below its originalIPOamid continuing market speculation about the implications of the upcoming mandatorymilitary enlistmentof the band's members.Under South Korean laws, all able-bodied males must complete between 18 and 21 months of military service, usually by age 28.Bloomberg Newsreported the concert as a success but also indicated that there were no further concert dates scheduled. It was estimated that if the band members completed their service, Hybe Corporation would lose nearly US$10 billion over ten years, with the loss to the South Korean economy at nearly US$39 billion. In October 2022, Big Hit confirmed","Big Hit confirmed that Jin, the band's oldest member, aged 29, had withdrawn his enlistment deferral request.The other members planned to enlist later, with the group planning to reunite in 2025 following discharge.At the end of October 2022, BTS earned five nominations for the2022 MAMA Awards, with the band members receiving eight further nominations as solo artists.On November 15, BTS earned three nominations at the65th Annual Grammy Awards, including a nomination forBest Music Videofor \"Yet to Come\".\"My Universe\" was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, making BTS the only act to be nominated three years in a row in this category since its introduction in 2011.The band was also nominated forAlbum of the Yearas featured artists on Coldplay'sMusic of the Spheres.Jin enlisted as an active duty soldier on December 13.On February 26, 2023, Big Hit announced that J-Hope had requested cancellation of the postponement of his military service. Following their scheduled separation, the band'sBTS 'Yet to","band'sBTS 'Yet to Come' in Busanconcert film was released on February 1, 2023.During a trip to Spain, RM toldEFEthat BTS \"will come together again when we finish our military service, and we will look for new synergies between us to enter a second phase.\"Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk stated on March 15, 2023, that their comeback might not occur in 2025 since it was hard to target a specific date, and that they had not discussed their contract renewal yet.J-Hope enlisted as an active duty soldier on April 18.On May 12, BTS released a soundtrack \"The Planet\" for the South KoreananimatedseriesBastions.To commemorate their tenth anniversary, the group released the song \"Take Two\" on June 9. On September 20, 2023, Hybe confirmed through a press release that BTS would renew their exclusive contracts. The members will sign these agreements sequentially, considering their military service, after a board resolution with Big Hit Music, solidifying their commitment to future projects starting from 2025 onwards. Hybe","2025 onwards. Hybe expressed their anticipation for supporting BTS' group endeavors and pledged unwavering support to enhance their worldwide influence, ensuring the group's continuity even after completing their military service.On September 22, 2023, Suga enlisted as a social worker.RM and V enlisted on December 11, 2023, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on December 12.On June 12, 2024, Jin became the first BTS member to complete his mandatory military service and was officially discharged. Artistry Influences BTS have cited Seo Taiji and Boys,Nas,Eminem,Kanye West,Drake,Post Malone,Charlie Puth, andDangeras musical inspirations.They have also cited Queen as an influence, saying they \"grew up watching videos ofLive Aid\".During their concert at Wembley Stadium in London, Jin paid tribute to Queen by leading the crowd in a version ofFreddie Mercury's \"ay-oh\" chant.\"Hip Hop Phile\" which was released when BTS's hip-hop concept was at its height, pays homage to the artists who influenced them, including the South","including the South Korean groupEpik High,Jay-Z,Biggie,CL Smooth, and others. Their 2016 albumWingswas inspired byHermann Hesse'scoming of agenovel,Demian.Their song \"Blood Sweat & Tears\" quotesFriedrich Nietzsche'sThus Spoke Zarathustra, and its music video features visual references toHerbert James Draper'sThe Lament for Icarus,Pieter Bruegel'sLandscape with the Fall of Icarus, and Bruegel'sThe Fall of the Rebel Angels.Among the literary and other sources that have inspired their works are those byHaruki Murakami,Ursula K. Le Guin,Carl Jung,George Orwelland Nietzsche.TheLove Yourselfseries was influenced byErich Fromm'sThe Art of Loving,and their 2018 song \"Magic Shop\" fromLove Yourself: Tearwas inspired byJames R. Doty's memoirInto the Magic Shop. Musical style Since their inception, BTS have emphasized hip hop as their musical base, largely due to the influence of RM and Suga's background as underground rappers;during early visits to the US, the group received mentoring from American rappers.Bang","rappers.Bang Si-hyukpreviously acknowledged that K-pop as a whole draws fromblack music,and author Crystal S. Anderson stated, \"BTS's rising popularity in the US represents the continuation of the ways that K-pop functions as part of a global R&B tradition.\"T.K. Park and Youngdae Kim ofVulturedeemed the track \"Outro: Her\" fromLove Yourself: Heras the best example of the group's understanding ofold-school hip hop, with raps inspired byChuck DandTupacand jazzy chords from the 1990s to create a classic hip hop sound. The release of \"Blood Sweat & Tears\" in 2016 accelerated BTS's transition from a hip hop to a pop group. Park and Kim noted that the song draws fromdancehall,reggaeton, andmoombahtonbut opts for a \"baroque mysticism\" rather than the \"partylike atmosphere of its influences\".The group also began incorporating traditional Korean elements into their music. For example, their single \"Idol\" (2018) features an adlib fromPansori, a Korean form of operatic storytelling, and vocal imitations of the sounds of","of the sounds of Koreanjanggudrums. While BTS maintains roots in hip hop, their sound has diversified. They first experimented withR&B,rockandjazz hip hoponDark & Wildin 2014;EDMin theirThe Most Beautiful Moment in Lifealbum series;moombahton andtropical houseonWingsandYou Never Walk Alone;future bassandLatin popin theirLove Yourselfalbum series;slow-dance ballads,emo rap,Afro pop,funk,trap,pop rock, andhip popin theirMap of the Soulalbum series;anddiscoin their single \"Dynamite\".The band members have explored different genres on solo tracks, such asneo soulon V's \"Stigma\" and flowing R&B on Jimin's \"Lie\". Lyrical themes Since their formation, BTS have believed that telling their own stories is the best way for the younger generation to relate to their music.Writing many of their own lyrics,the group discusses universal life experiences such as sadness and loneliness in their work and turn them into something lighter and more manageable. RM stated that BTS tries to avoid a preaching or reprimanding tone in","tone in their songs \"because that's not the way that we want to spread our message ... We're born with different lives, but you cannot choose some things. So we thought that love, the real meaning of it, starts with loving ourselves and accepting some ironies and some destinies that we have from the very start.\"When asked if it is difficult to write about things like mental health, Suga responded, We feel that people who have the platform to talk about those things really should talk more, because they say depression is something where you go to the hospital and you're diagnosed, but you can't really know until the doctor talks to you ... More and more, I think artists or celebrities who have a voice should talk about these problems and bring it up to the surface. Themes explored in BTS's discography range from exploring \"the troubles and anxieties of school-age youth\" to \"themes like love, friendship, loss, death, and more.\"Early BTS songs, such as \"No More Dream\" and \"N.O\" from their school trilogy, were","trilogy, were described by Tamar Herman as motivated by personal experiences with South Korea's rigid approach to education and called for change to the educational system and societal expectations.The members' experiences with South Korean youth culture also inspired the songs \"Dope\" and \"Silver Spoon\" (Korean:뱁새;RR:Baepsae) from their youth trilogy. These songs reference generational disparity andmillennialsgiving up romantic relationships, marriage, children, proper employment, homes, and social life in the face of economic difficulties and societal ills while facing condemnation from the media and older generations.The group's label dubbedThe Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever, the conclusion to their youth trilogy, \"a special album that marks the conclusion of the epic journey of the series, containing the last stories told by young people who, despite an uncertain and insecure reality (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 1) continue to surge forward (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt.","Moment in Life Pt. 2).\"Wingsfocused on mental health, criticisms of the K-pop \"idol\" scene, and delivering a female empowerment message.TheLove Yourselfseries introduced new themes regarding youth culture in South Korea, including the excitement of love, pain of farewell, and enlightenment of self-love.According to Kathy Sprinkel, BTS's 2020 \"quarantine album\"Be\"chronicles the group's coming to terms with a suddenly new reality and offers support for their listeners going through the same upheaval and uncertainty\". BTS's lyrics have also addressed topics outside youth culture. The song \"Am I Wrong\" fromWingsquestioned societal apathy towards changing the status quo; the lyric \"We're all dogs and pigs / we become dogs because we're angry\" appeared to reference South KoreanMinistry of Educationofficial Na Hyang-wook, who advocated acaste systemfor the country and who reportedly described average people as \"dogs and pigs\". BTS released the song amid the2016 South Korean political scandalthat resulted in the","resulted in the impeachment of presidentPark Geun-hye.RM and Suga's personal struggles with mental health have inspired some of their music.\"Not Today\" from 2017'sYou Never Walk Aloneis ananti-establishmentanthem, urging \"all the underdogs in the world\" to keep fighting,and \"Spring Day\" honored the victims of theSewol Ferry tragedy.Journalist Jeff Benjamin praised BTS inFusefor \"speak honestly about topics they deem important, even in a conservative society\".Former South Korean presidentMoon Jae-insaid: \"Each of the seven members sings in a way that is true to himself and the life he wants to live. Their melody and lyrics transcend regional borders, language, culture, and institutions.\" Impact On April 29, 2019,Timemagazine named BTS one of the100 most influential people of the year, labeling them the \"Princes of Pop\".Billboardexecutive Silvio Pietroluongo compared the group's influence to that of the Beatles.MRC Dataexecutive Helena Kosinski noted that \"although BTS weren't the first to open the doors to","open the doors to K-Pop worldwide, they were the first to become mainstream. They don't just appeal to young people but also to the 50s and 60s age demographic.\"The first non-English speaking artist to make the Global Artist Chart in 2018, BTS was the second best-selling artists worldwide across multiple media platforms, second only to Drake.In 2020, BTS became the first non-western and non-English speaking artist to be named IFPI's Global Recording Artist of the Year.In South Korea, BTS accounted for 41.9 percent of album sales in the first half of 2019, up from their market share of 25.3 percent the previous year. In 2022, Youna Kim described BTS as having spearheaded the Korean Wave, representing the global expansion of Korean culture as effectively as Psy did in the previous decade and with the strength of influence that theAcademy Award-winning South Korean filmParasitehad in 2020.South Korea's central bank, theBank of Korea, found in 2021 that BTS, including a \"ripple effect\" that included increased","included increased tourism to South Korea; increased interest in Korean culture, movies, and study of the Korean language; and added approximately US$5billion per year to South Korea's economy, a growth of about 0.5 percent.A 2018 study showed that, on average, 800,000foreigners per year had visited South Korea over the past four years for BTS-related reasons. Writers identified BTS as leaders even among other highly influential K-pop groups such asGirls' Generation,Super Junior,Exo,Twice, andBlackpinkand note that BTS's success shows the importance of a strong, active fan base in the age of social media, where fan campaigning can be as important as musical quality to a song's success.The group has also distinguished themselves at the forefront of the business side of the K-pop industry by pursuing less restrictive contracts with their management company to maximize their artistic originality and creativity.With this newer approach to career management, BTS created closer ties to the South Korean youth and","Korean youth and encourage individuality and authenticity among their audience. Diplomacy In his 1990 essaySoft Power, political scientistJoseph Nyedeveloped the concept of a second type of power different from traditional authoritarianism.Nye wrote, \"This second aspect of power – which occurs when one country gets other countries to want what it wants – might be called co-optive orsoft powerin contrast with the hard or command power of ordering others to do what it wants.\"Researchers such as Maud Quessard have applied the concept of soft power to BTS and their influence on entertainment diplomacy and international relations.Youna Kim and Maud Quessard all read the currency of soft power as includingculture, politicalvalues, andforeign policy, which applies to BTS's ability to be co-optive in their approach to spreading their message of harmony, acceptance, and addressing life's setbacks via their broad appeal on the international stage. BTS was invited to address theUnited Nations General Assemblyin New","Assemblyin New York in September 2018.That same year they performed in Paris before an audience of 400, including President Moon Jae-in and other officials, at the 2018 Korea-France Friendship Concert, a summit celebrating the friendly relations between France and South Korea.That year, BTS became the youngest recipients of theOrder of Cultural Merit. Despite cultural medals traditionally being given to recipients with over 15 years of achievement, Moon recognized the group, five years into their career, for their contributions in spreading Korean culture and language worldwide.In September2019, BTS were mentioned by Moon while announcing strategies for the content industries, for having pioneered innovative business models through direct communication with fans.In 2020, BTS received theJames A. Van Fleet Awardin recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of US-Korea relations, the youngest honorees to receive the award.In July2021, they were appointedSpecial Presidential Envoy for","Envoy for Future Generations and Cultureby President Moon. In their role as envoys, they help to \"raise awareness on global agendas, such as sustainable development, to our future generations and to strengthen the nation's diplomatic power across the world\"and appear at international events such as the76th United Nations General Assembly.On May 31, 2022, BTS visited USPresident Joe Bidenat theWhite Houseto discuss the recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination. Fandom According to Kyung Hyun Kim, BTS's rise was facilitated by a great increase in music video programming and consumption on YouTube and the coming of an idol empire, including merchandising of nonmusical products, games, and fantasy fiction, as well as an expansion of online music fandom.The group has a large, highly organized, online community of fans known as ARMY (Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth), which translates the group's lyrics and social media posts into other languages and matches charitable contributions of BTS's","of BTS's members. As of 2020, some 40million ARMY members subscribe to the band's YouTube channel, with more than 30million following the official BTS Twitter andInstagramaccounts.The fan community helps generate BTS's number-one chart rankings via coordinated campaigns on streaming platforms,as well as pushes to feature BTS's music on radio stations and television.Some ARMY members may even surpass the group itself in influence among BTS fans. BTS interacted and engaged with their followers from their earliest days via social media,as well as viaBTS Universe, analternate storylineinvolving the members told through music videos, mobile games, books, short films, and more that gives fans room to theorize.Kim suggested that ARMY are drawn to BTS since the members are seen as underdogs, originating from the Korean countryside and a relatively minor Korean entertainment company, which allows young fans to identify with them.BTS's lyrics speak to social values, and fans respond by trying to improve the world. As","the world. As a result, the fandom regularly embraces activism on charitable causes and socio-political issues such as refugee crises,racial discrimination,children's rights,climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic.Feedback from ARMY to BTS affects the group's actions and lyrics; BTS has eliminated certain Korean words that sound like American racial slurs from their songs and ended collaboration with a Japanese producer when Korean ARMY members deemed his views extreme. Per South Korean author Jiyoung Lee, the relationship between BTS and ARMY is \"a mutual exchange between artists and their fans\" that is about more than merely \"ensuring the band's primacy\", but also \"extending the band's message of positivity into the world\". Lee opines that BTS and ARMY are \"a symbol of change in zeitgeist, not just of generational change\".The band members themselves agree and have long acknowledged their fans' role in their success.According to Sarah Keith, \"BTS embody a moment of generational transformation. ARMY","ARMY represents a 'coming of age' for the young, in which cultural production and influence are global and meaningful, and where the youth are politically and socially engaged.\" Other ventures Endorsements BTS partnered withPumabeginning in 2015, initially as Puma Korea's brand ambassadors before expanding to global ambassadors in 2018, and promoting the remix of Puma's \"Turin\" and \"Sportstyle\" line worldwide.In 2019, BTS signed withFilato endorse its sportswear.BTS has also served as global brand ambassadors forLG Electronics'smartphones,andHyundai Motors'2019 flagshipSUVthe \"Palisade\"andhydrogenfuel cell electricSUV, the \"Nexo\".BTS became global ambassadors of the electric street racing seriesFormula Eto promote how electric vehicles can helpcombat climate change.In 2020, BTS partnered withSamsung Electronics,releasing a limited BTS-themed version of theGalaxy S20+andGalaxy Buds+.As the first male pop group ever to collaborate withDior, BTS sported ensembles fromKim Jones' Pre-Fall 2019 collection at their","collection at their concert atStade de France.The band became global brand ambassadors forLouis Vuittonin April 2021. Philanthropy BTS are known for their philanthropic endeavors. Several members of the band have been inducted into prestigious donation clubs, such as theUNICEFHonors Club and the Green Noble Club, in acknowledgement of the size and frequency of their donations.They have also received awards for their donations, with one member receiving a Patron of the Arts Award for donations to the arts,and BTS as a whole receiving a UNICEF Inspire Award for their Love Myself campaign. They often donate privately, with theirpatronagelater being made public by the organizations they support and the media.The band's efforts have motivated their fans to also engage in various charitable andhumanitarianactivities, and on occasion even match their donations. Accolades BTS have received numerous awards throughout their career. They have consecutively won theBillboard Music Award for Top Social Artistsince 2017;","Artistsince 2017; are the only K-pop group to winTop Duo/Group, at the2019 Billboard Music Awards;and are the most-awarded group inBBMA historyas of2022, with 12 wins overall.BTS are also the only K-pop group to winFavorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rockand Favorite Social Artist at theAmerican Music Awards,and became the first Asian act in the show's history to win Artist of the Year in 2021.They are the first Korean pop act to receive aGrammy Awardnomination,and the first Korean artist to be nominated for aBrit Award.With 30 awards overall, including a record four consecutive wins for Artist of the Year (Asia), BTS are the most-awarded foreign artist in the history of theJapan Gold Disc Awards. They have also received a total of 50 trophies at theMAMA Awards. Members Discography Korean-language studio albums Japanese-language studio albums Filmography Films Online shows Bibliography Concert tours Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links","Jimin Park Ji-min(Korean:박지민; born October 13, 1995), knownmononymouslyasJimin, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and dancer. In 2013, he made his debut as a member of the South Koreanboy bandBTS, under the record labelBig Hit Entertainment. Jimin has released three solo tracks under BTS' name—\"Lie\" in 2016, \"Serendipity\" in 2017, and \"Filter\" in 2020—all of which have charted on South Korea'sGaon Digital Chart. He released his first credited solo song, the digital track \"Promise\", which he co-wrote, in 2018 and recorded the duet \"With You\" withHa Sung-woonfor the soundtrack for theTvNdramaOur Bluesin 2022. Jimin released his debut solo album,Facein 2023, which debuted at number one in South Korea and Japan and number two on the USBillboard200, making him the highest-charting Korean solo artist on the latter chart. The album's single \"Like Crazy\" became the first song by a Korean solo artist to debut at number one on the USBillboardHot 100in history. Jimin also became the first Korean solo artist to top","solo artist to top theBillboardArtist 100chart. In 2024, he released his second album,Muse, and its lead single \"Who\", which debuted at number one on theBillboardGlobal 200. Early life and education Park Ji-min was born on October 13, 1995, inGeumjeong District,Busan, South Korea.He is of theMilyang Park clan.His immediate family includes his mother, father, and younger brother. When he was a child, he attended Busan's Hodong Elementary School and Yonsan Middle School.In middle school, he attended Just Dance Academy, where he learnedpoppingandlocking.Prior to becoming a trainee, Jimin studiedcontemporary danceat Busan High School of Arts and was a top student in the modern dance department.A teacher suggested that he join an entertainment company, leading him toBig Hit Entertainment. Once he passed the auditions in 2012, he transferred toKorean Arts High School, graduating in 2014. Jimin graduated from Global Cyber University in August 2020 with a major in Broadcasting and Entertainment. He was awarded the","He was awarded the President's Award, the school's highest honor.As of 2021, he is enrolled atHanyang Cyber University, pursuing aMaster of Business Administrationin Advertising and Media. Career 2013–present: BTS Jimin was the last Big Hit trainee to be added to the lineup that would eventually becomeBTS. Of the band's seven members, he spent the shortest period of time—six months—as a trainee prior to debuting.On June 13, 2013, he debuted as a vocalist and dancer in BTS with the song \"No More Dream\" from their first single2 Cool 4 Skool.Under the band's name, he released three solo songs: \"Lie\", \"Serendipity\", and \"Filter\". \"Lie\" was released in 2016, as part of the band's second Korean studio album,Wings. It was described as stunning and dramatic, conveying dark undertones and emotions in line with the overall concept of the album.In contrast, \"Serendipity\", from the band'sLove Yourself: Her(2017)extended play(EP), was soft and sensual, expressing the joy, conviction, and curiosity of love.\"Filter\", a","of love.\"Filter\", a track from BTS' 2020 studio albumMap of the Soul: 7, had aLatin popflair, with lyrics reflecting the different sides of Jimin that he shows to the world and those around him.Jimin additionally co-wrote and co-produced another track included on that album, \"Friends\", which was later featured in theMarvel StudiosfilmEternals. \"Serendipity\" and \"Lie\" both surpassed fifty million streams onSpotifyin 2018, followed shortly thereafter by the former's full length version from BTS'Love Yourself: Answer(2018) compilation album, which achieved the milestone in early 2019. Jimin became the first Korean artist to have three solo tracks accumulate over 50 million streams each, surpassingPsy, who previously crossed the 50 million streams mark twice with \"Gangnam Style\" (2012) and \"Gentleman\" (2013).Both songs were also the only solos by a BTS member included in theOfficial Charts Company's (OCC) list of the top 20 most streamed BTS songs in the United Kingdom as of October 2018, ranking at number 17","at number 17 and 19 respectively.In April 2019, the list was expanded to reflect the top 40, and both tracks were the highest ranked solos included that year, at numbers 18 and 20 respectively. In May 2019, Jimin became the first BTS member to have a solo music video achieve 100 million views onYouTubewhen \"Serendipity\" surpassed the milestone.He remained the only BTS member with multiple solo songs in the January 2020 update of the OCC's top 40 list: \"Lie\" and \"Serendipity\" were the second and third most-streamed solos, at numbers 24 and 29 respectively, with the full-length version of the latter at number 38.The following month, Jimin earned his first entry on theBillboardHot 100with \"Filter\", which debuted at number 87 on the chart,as well his first number one on the World Digital Song Sales chart. The song set the record for the biggest streaming debut among all Korean songs on Spotify, accruing over 2.2 million streams in its first 24 hours of release, and went on to become the fastest Korean solo in","Korean solo in the platform's history to surpass 20–60 million streams.It was also the only solo album track by BTS to receive a Song of the Year nomination at theGaon Chart Music Awards.In March 2021, \"Filter\" became the 15th BTS song to spend a full year onBillboard'sWorld Digital Song Saleschart.It was the longest-charting Korean song released in 2020 on the ranking,having spent 80 weeks on the chart as of the issue dated October 9, 2021. Jimin was awarded the fifth-class HwagwanOrder of Cultural Meritin 2018, alongside his bandmates, by thePresident of South Korea,Moon Jae-in, for their contributions to the promotion of Korean culture.Three years later, Moon appointed himSpecial Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture, alongside his bandmates, to help \"lead the global agenda for future generations\" and \"expand South Korea's diplomatic efforts and global standing\" in the international community. 2014–present: Solo work In 2014, Jimin collaborated with bandmateJungkookon a song called","a song called \"Christmas Day\", a Korean rendition ofJustin Bieber's \"Mistletoe\"; Jimin wrote the Korean lyrics himself.The two collaborated again in 2017, on a cover ofCharlie Puth's \"We Don't Talk Anymore\" featuringSelena Gomez.Jungkook previously released a solo version of the song in February, and the two prepared the duet as a special gift to the band's fandom, releasing it on June 2, during BTS' fourth anniversary celebrations.Teen Voguewrote that \"adding Jimin's voice to the mix makes the rendition all the more lovely\",while the Canadian outletFlaremagazine stated that \"it honestly might be better than the original\".Elite Dailydescribed the cover as \"nothing short of flawless\". Jimin appeared on several variety shows such asHello Counselor,Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, andGod's Workplacein 2016.He also served as a special MC ondomestic television music programssuch asShow! Music CoreandM Countdown.In December 2016, he participated in a dance duet at theKBS Song FestivalwithTaeminfromShinee. On","On December 30, 2018, Jimin released \"Promise\", his first credited song as a solo artist, for free on BTS'SoundCloudpage.It earned the biggest 24-hour debut in SoundCloud history with 8.5 million streams, surpassing previous record holderDrake's \"Duppy Freestyle\" which received 4.9 million streams,and would go on to become the most streamed song on the platform by December 2021, with over 300 million streams.Described byBillboardas a \"mellowpop ballad\",the song was composed by Jimin and Big Hit producer Slow Rabbit, who also produced the track,and features lyrics written by Jimin and bandmateRM.Jimin released his second solo song \"Christmas Love\", about his childhood memories of the holidays, on December 24, 2020.In 2022, he contributed the single \"With You\", a duet withHa Sung-woon, to the soundtrack of theTvNdramaOur Blues; the single was released on April 24. In January 2023, Jimin co-wrote and featured on the single \"Vibe\" byTaeyang.His first official solo project since BTS announced an increased focus","an increased focus on individual music endeavors a year prior,the single earned Jimin his debut entry on theBillboardHot 100as a solo artist, at number 76.He was announced as aglobal ambassadorforDiorlater that month,and forTiffany & Co.in March.\"Promise\" and \"Christmas Love\" were made available on streaming platforms worldwide as official singles under Jimin's name on March 6.His debut solo albumFacewas released on March 24.It set several chart and sales records, debuting at number one in South Korea and Japan,and number two in the US, making Jimin the highest-charting Korean solo artist of all time on theBillboard200.The album's two singles, \"Set Me Free Pt. 2\" and \"Like Crazy\", released on March 17 and 24 respectively,both entered the Hot 100: the former debuted at number 30,while the latter debuted at number one, making Jimin the first South Korean solo artist in history to top the chart.The album's release led Jimin to become the first Korean solo artist to reach number one on theBillboardArtist 100.In","100.In May, he appeared as a featured artist, alongsideJvkeandMuni Long, on the single \"Angel Pt. 1\" byKodak BlackandNLE Choppa, as part of the soundtrack for the filmFast X.The digital single \"Closer Than This\" was released on December 22, shortly after Jiminenlistedin theSouth Korean Army. Originally recorded during the production ofFace, it is a song dedicated to the BTS fandom in gratitude for their support. Big Hit announced an eight-episode travel reality series,Are You Sure?!, featuring Jimin and Jungkook on July 2, 2024. Available forstreamingexclusively onDisney+, the premiere episode aired August 8, with subsequent episodes following weekly through September 19.The label released Jimin's second solo album,Muse, on July 19, while he was carrying out his mandatory military service. It was supported by the singles \"Smeraldo Garden Marching Band\" and \"Who\".\"Who\" became Jimin's first song to debut atop both ofBillboard'sglobal charts. Artistry Jimin's vocals have been described as delicate and sweet.He","and sweet.He is regarded as an exceptional dancer among the members of BTS and in K-pop in general,often praised for his \"smooth and elegant movements\" and charm on stage. In the documentaryBurn the Stagereleased in 2018, Jimin addressed hisperfectionism.In 2023, Jimin stated that as a pop artist, he \"aims to excel at both dancing and singing and perform a diverse range of musical genres and themes\" while \"taking a healthy and sustainable approach to do so\". He has cited singerRainas an inspiration and one of the reasons why he wanted to become a singer and performer. Impact and influence In 2016, Jimin was ranked as the 14th most popular idol in an annual survey conducted byGallup Korea.He subsequently ranked seventh in 2017, and then consecutively ranked first in 2018 and 2019,as the only idol to top the survey for two consecutive years.In 2018, Jimin was the ninth most-tweeted about celebrity and the eighth most-tweeted about musician globally.He was named the 17th best boy band member in history byThe","in history byThe Guardian.From January to May 2018, Jimin won the monthly \"Top K-Pop Artist–Individual\" award forPeeper x Billboard, a collaboration between thePeepersocial media app andBillboardKoreathat collects fan votes for their favorite K-pop artists. The prize was a donation toUNICEFin his name. The Cultural Conservation Society awarded Jimin a plaque of appreciation in 2019, for performingbuchaechum, a traditional Korean fan dance, during the2018 Melon Music Awardsand helping spread the dance outside of Korea.In October 2021, he became the first idol to spend 34 consecutive months atop the brand reputation ranking for individual boy group idolsand the only one to top the overall ranking for three consecutive years. Jimin is often cited as a role model by various idols in theK-popindustry, many of whom try to emulate his style of dance, mannerisms, and stage presence; media outlets have called him the \"Idol of Idols\", \"Idol's Bible\", and \"Rookies' Bible\". Artists who have cited him as an influence","him as an influence include Arthur ofKingdom, Bic ofMCND, Kim Si-hun ofBDC, Woochul ofNewkidd, Hyunjin ofStray Kids, Wooyoung ofAteez, Lim Se-jun ofVicton, Huening Kai and Beomgyu ofTomorrow X Together, and Ni-ki and Jay ofEnhypen.British internet personalityOli Londonunderwent 15 cosmetic surgeries by 2020 to resemble Jimin. Jimin has also been acknowledged beyond theK-popindustry. In 2019, Award-winning director and photographerGus Van Santnamed Jimin as the artist he wished to work with.In 2021, Olympic figure skaterYuzuru Hanyushared being aBTSfan and mentioned Jimin as a source of inspiration for his dance movements on the rink.In 2023,Ryan Goslinggifted Jimin the guitar his character Ken used in the movieBarbie. Gosling gave Jimin the custom guitar as homage for jimin'sPermission to Danceoutfit serving as inspiration for one of the outfits Gosling wore for his role as Ken. Forbes Koreaincluded Jimin on theForbes Korea Power Celebrity 40for 2024, at number seven, making him the highest ranking K-pop","ranking K-pop soloist and second-highest ranking soloist on the list. Philanthropy Jimin is a supporter of education and the arts. From 2016 to 2018, he covered uniform expenses of students at his alma mater, Busan Hodong Elementary School. After the school's closing was announced, he donated summer and winter middle school uniforms to the final graduates and gifted autographed albums to the entire student body.In early 2019, Jimin donated₩100 million (US$85,810.58) to the Busan Department of Education to help support students from low income families. Of the total,₩30 million (US$25,743.17) went to his alma mater, Busan Arts High School.In July 2020, he donated₩100 million (US$84,726.68) to the Jeonnam Future Education Foundation to fund the creation of a scholarship fund for talented students from South Jeolla Province who were struggling financially. In July 2021, Jimin donated₩100 million (US$87,416.41) toRotary Internationalto help polio patients. As with previous donations, the benefaction was made","was made privately but became public in September, when the Go-seong Rotary Club displayed a banner thanking him for the donation.He was announced as a member of the Green Noble Club, a group of major donors to the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation who have contributed ₩100 million or more, on October 12. In September 2022, Jimin made a donation to the Gangwon Provincial Office of Education.In February 2023, he donated₩100 million (US$87,416.41) through the Korean UNICEF Committee toward emergency relief for children affected by theTurkey–Syria earthquake.In March, he donated₩100 million (US$87,416.41) to the North Chungcheong Provincial Office of Education to fund books and reading education programs for students.In August, Jimin participated in the \"Hometown Love Donation System\", a program allowing non-residents to donate to support welfare in the district of Nam-gu, Busan. He donated the maximum allowed donation amount of₩5 million (US$4,370.82) and proceeded to re-donate his campaign's donor return","donor return gifts to people in need in the region.In February 2024, Jimin was inducted in the Nam-gu Hometown Love Donation System Donor Hall of Fame for his contribution to the district welfare programs.In May, he made a donation of₩100 million (US$87,416.41) to the South Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education to create a scholarship for underprivileged students. Personal life Jimin used to live inHannam-dong, Seoul, South Korea, with his bandmates.In 2021, he purchased a property in the area worth₩5.9billion(US$5.16 million). Health In 2017, during BTS'Wings Tour, Jimin was unable to participate in the show inMacaudue to neck and shoulder cramping.The following year, while inLondonfor theLove Yourself World Tour, he withdrew from the band's scheduled performance onThe Graham Norton Showbecause of \"severe muscle pain in his neck and back\", according to a statement released byBig Hit Entertainment. In 2022, Jimin was hospitalized after having abdominal pain and a mild sore throat. He","sore throat. He underwentappendicitissurgery on January 31, and received a positiveCOVID-19diagnosis. Military service On November 22, 2023, Big Hit announced throughWeversethat Jimin, along with bandmatesRM,V, andJungkook, had started the enlistment process to carry out hismandatory military service.He enlisted as an active duty soldier on December 12 at the Army 5th Division Recruit Training Center inYeoncheon.He completed his five weeks of basic training in January 2024, placing first as an outstanding trainee and received the Best trainee commendation award from the Division Commander, taking an oath as the representative of all trainees in his unit.He was then appointed to an Artillery Unit in the5th Infantry Division. Discography Studio albums Singles As lead artist As featured artist Other charted songs Other songs Writing credits All song credits are adapted from theKorea Music Copyright Association's database, unless otherwise noted. Filmography Television Music videos Awards and nominations World","nominations World records Notes References External links"],"string":"[\n \"BoA Kwon Bo-ah(Korean:권보아; born November 5, 1986), known professionally asBoAand often referred to as the \\\"Queen of K-pop\\\", is a South Korean singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, and actress. Born and raised inGyeonggi-do, South Korea, BoA was discovered bySM Entertainmenttalent agents when she accompanied her older brother, a music video director, to a talent search in 1998. She was trained for two years and made her debut withID; Peace B(2000). BoA has since released twenty studio albums, including ten in Korean, nine in Japanese, and one in English. On television, she appeared as a judge on the reality competition showK-pop Star(2011–2013), as an actress on the television dramaListen to Love(2016), as a host for thesecond seasonofProduce 101(2017), and as a coach for thethird seasonofThe Voice of Korea(2020). With the release of her debut Japanese studio album,Listen to My Heart(2002), BoA became the first South Korean pop star to break through in Japan following the fall of barriers that had restricted\",\n \"that had restricted the import and export of entertainment between the countries since the end ofWorld War II. Her Japanese albumsValenti(2003) andBest of Soul(2005) went on to sell over one million copies each according toOricon; the latter of which remained the last album to do so by a non-Japanese artist for 16 years. Herself-titled English album(2009) became the first record by a K-pop artist to appear on theBillboard200, debuting at number 127. BoA has sold over ten million albums throughout her career and is one of only three female artists with six consecutive number-one studio albums on theOricon Albums Chartsince her debut, alongside Japanese singersAyumi HamasakiandHikaru Utada. She is the recipient of numerous awards in South Korea and Japan, including eightMAMA Awards, sixSBS Music Awards, fiveJapan Record Awards, and fiveJapan Gold Disc Awards. In 2013,Mnetincluded her in their Legend 100 Artists list of the most influential artists in South Korea. Life and career 2000–2003: Debut and commercial\",\n \"and commercial success in South Korea and Japan Kwon Bo-ah was born on November 5, 1986.At the age of eleven, BoA accompanied her older brother to an SM Entertainment talent search.Though her brother was the one who auditioned as a break-dancer,SMtalent scoutsinstead took notice of BoA and offered her a contract on the same night as the auditions.Her parents initially opposed the notion of BoA leaving school to enter the entertainment business but eventually consented at her older brothers' persuasion.She has said that her early influence as a singer wasSeo Taiji. BoA underwent two years of training (involving vocal, dance, English, and Japanese lessons), and at the age of thirteen she released her debut albumID; Peace Bin South Korea on August 25, 2000.The album was moderately successful; it entered the Top 10 of the South Korean charts and sold around 156,000 units.Meanwhile, her Korean record label, SM Entertainment, made arrangements with Japanese labelAvex Traxto launch her music career in Japan. She\",\n \"in Japan. She was forced to quit school to prepareand in early 2001, BoA released her firstmini-album,Don't Start Now; it sold around 90,000 units. After its release, she took a hiatus from the Korean music industry to focus on the Japanese market at which time she worked to solidify her skills in Japanese. BoA began her Japanese music career singing at the Avex-owned clubVelfarre.Her debut Japanese album,Listen to My Heart, was released on March 13, 2002. The album was a breakthrough in BoA's career, becoming anRIAJ-certified million-seller and debuted atop the Oricon, the first album by a Korean artist to do so.It was promoted with several singles: the Top 20 hit \\\"ID; Peace B\\\" (originally from the eponymous album), \\\"Amazing Kiss\\\", \\\"Kimochi wa Tsutawaru\\\", the Top 5 hit \\\"Listen to My Heart\\\", and the Top 10 \\\"Every Heart: Minna no Kimochi\\\". After theSeptember 11, 2001 attacks, BoA recorded the charity single \\\"The Meaning of Peace\\\" withKumi Kodaas part of Avex'sSong Nationproject to raise funds for charity.From\",\n \"for charity.From 2001 to 2007, BoA hostedBeat it BoA's World, a radio program on theJapan FM Network. After the release ofListen to My Heart, BoA released her second Korean studio album,No. 1, a month later on April 12, 2002.The album sold around 544,853 units and became the fourth-best-selling record of the year in South Korea.Jumping into the World(a Japanese re-release of the mini-albumDon't Start Now) and the Japanese single \\\"Don't Start Now\\\" were released a month later on the same day.At the end of the year, BoA released her second Korean mini-albumMiracle. BoA's second Japanese studio album,Valenti(January 2003), became her best-selling album, with over 1,249,000 copies sold.Three singles preceded its release: \\\"Valenti\\\", which peaked at the number-two position on the Oricon chart,\\\"Kiseki / No.1\\\" and \\\"Jewel Song / Beside You: Boku o Yobu Koe\\\", both which also peaked at the number-three position. In support of the album, BoA launchedBoA 1st Live Tour Valenti, her first Japanese concert tour.Later in the\",\n \"tour.Later in the same year, BoA released her third Korean-language studio album,Atlantis Princesson May 30, 2003,and then released a mini-albumShine We Are!on December 4, 2003. The former was the fifth-best-selling South Korean record of the year with around 345,000 units sold; the latter sold around 58,000 units. 2004–2008: New image, foray into China, and creative control Her third Japanese studio album,Love & Honesty(January 2004) was a musical \\\"change in direction\\\": it contained a rock-dance song (\\\"Rock with You\\\") and \\\"harder\\\" R&B.Though the album failed to matchValentiin sales, it topped the Oricon chart for two weeks and became RIAJ-certified triple-platinum.In support of the album, BoA held a tour,Live Concert Tour 2004: Love & Honesty, spanning nine performances and attracted approximately 105,000 attendants.In contrast with1st Live Tour, which \\\"emphasized exotic Asian design\\\", theLove & Honestytour had an \\\"outer-space, sci-fi\\\" theme; among the props were a three-storey-highspace shipand the\",\n \"shipand the robotAsimo. Her firstcompilation album,Best of Soul(February 2005), however, sold over a million copies, making BoA the first non-Japanese Asian singer to have two million-selling albums in Japan.It remained the last album by a foreign artist to have sold over a million copies in Japan for 16 years, untilBTSin 2021. BoA reinvented her image for her fourth and fifth Korean albums,My Name(June 2004) andGirls on Top(June 2005), shedding the \\\"cute\\\" and \\\"youthful\\\" style that had characterized previous years and adopted a more \\\"sexy\\\" and \\\"sultry\\\" look.The sales of BoA's Korean albums began to decline:My Namesold 191,000 units and became the eleventh-best-selling South Korean album in 2004whileGirls on Topranked fourteenth in 2005 with 113,000 units sold.In September 2004, BoA instigated controversy in Japan when she donated₩50 million to a memorial project forKorean independenceactivist and nationalistAn Jung-geun. Her fourth Japanese studio album,Outgrow, (February 2006) reached the number-one spot on\",\n \"number-one spot on the Oricon chart for its first week of release, making it her fourth consecutive original Japanese album to do so. With 220,000 copies sold, it became her lowest-selling first-week debut for a studio album at that point.\\\"Do the Motion\\\", the first single from the album, reached the top spot, making her the fourth non-Japanese Asian to have a number-one single on the Oricon charts.\\\"Merry Christmas from BoA\\\" (2005), the album's last single, was the singer's first digital single. That May, BoA renewed her contract with SM Entertainment until 2012. At the time it was noted that she had a shareholding in the company of 100,000 (Approximately worth $1m USD).She performed \\\"Everlasting\\\", the image song for Roman Polanski'sOliver Twist (2005 film).She also voiced Heather the possum in the Korean and Japanese version of the animated filmOver the Hedge.On September 21, 2006, she released her first digital single in Korea, a Korean version of \\\"Key of Heart\\\". In support ofOutgrow, BoA launched a\",\n \"BoA launched a specialZepptour, B0A The Live, on September 29, 2006, which lasted until October 29.She staged her first Christmas concert on December 7, 2006. Three singles preceded BoA's fifth Japanese studio album,Made in Twenty(January 2007): the Top 3 \\\"Nanairo no Ashita (Brand New Beat)/Your Color,\\\" the Top 10 \\\"Key of Heart\\\", and the No. 2 hit \\\"Winter Love\\\". The album, which contained R&B and dance songs as well as ballads, debuted at the top of the weekly Oricon charts, making the album her sixth in a row to do so (including one compilation).Having previously compose the song \\\"No More Make Me Sick\\\" forMade in Twenty,BoA assumed creative control over her sixth Japanese album,The Face(February 2008).The album debuted at the top of the weekly Oricon charts, making BoA one of only two artists in Japan to have six consecutive studio albums top the Oricon weekly charts (the other isAyumi Hamasaki, who has eight consecutive number-one albums).On June 9, 2008, BoA and nine other artists from around the world\",\n \"around the world recorded an English cover ofWei Wei's \\\"Dedication of Love\\\". Produced byRoald Hoffmannand Brian Alan, the single was used to raise funds for victims of theSichuan earthquake.But due to a tight schedule, BoA was pulled back from this project. Korean jewelry brand Ramee also released, \\\"Ramee by BoA\\\", a line of jewelry designed by the singer herself. 2008–2012: American expansion and return to Asia On September 2, 2008, it was announced that BoA would make her American debut under a new subsidiary label, SM Entertainment USA.Hoping to become a \\\"world-renowned entertainer\\\" in the vein ofJanet Jackson,BoA's debut American single \\\"Eat You Up\\\", was produced byThomas Troelsen, and released on October 21, 2008. It charted at No. 9 on theBillboardHot Dance Club Playchart.To promote the single, BoA performed \\\"Eat You Up\\\" as well as other songs at YouTube's Tokyo Live concert, and performed in New York City on December 3, 2008, as well as theJingle Ballat theAnaheim Honda Centeron December 6, 2008.The\",\n \"6, 2008.The following year, she released \\\"Eien/Universe/Believe in Love\\\" and was also featured inRavex's single \\\"Believe in Love\\\". BoA'sself-titled English albumwas released in the U.S. on March 17 and featured tracks by producersBloodshy and Avantas well as a duet withSean Garrett.Her second Japanese compilation album,Best & USAwas released on March 18 tying together a compilation of recent hits in Japan with her English-language debut. Though she stated that \\\"t has always been my dream to debut in America,\\\" she found English tougher to learn than Japanese and despite living in West Beverly Hills, found it difficult to make friends.BoA later headlined theSan Francisco Pride Festivalon June 28, 2009, alongsideSolange KnowlesandThe Cliks,where she also performed the song \\\"Energetic\\\" for the first time in public, in addition to \\\"Eat You Up\\\" and \\\"I Did It for Love\\\".On August 31, SM USA releasedBoA Deluxe, a repackaged version of her debut English album. The album contained two new tracks and the radio edit\",\n \"and the radio edit version of \\\"Energetic\\\". With her U.S. career struggling to gain traction, BoA returned to East Asia to release her seventh Japanese album,Identity(February 2010). Promoted by the singles \\\"Bump Bump!\\\" featuringVerbalfromM-Floand \\\"Mamoritai: White Wishes\\\" (December 2009), the album only charted at No. 4, selling 37,606 copies in its first week. With little promotion from her label, it ended her run of six consecutive No. 1 albums, suggesting that it would be impossible for her to sustain her career in three territories simultaneously.Her first Korean album in five years,Hurricane Venus,was released on August 5, 2010,and sold 55,776 units making it the 22nd best selling album in South Korea for 2010.She also represented South Korea and performed at the7th Asia Song Festival, organized byKorea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, at theSeoul Olympic Stadium. BoA made her Hollywood movie debut in the dance filmMake Your Move 3D, playing the character Aya oppositeDerek Hough. Although\",\n \"Hough. Although production ended in 2011, the film was released in 2013. The movie received mixed reviews, with Inkoo Kang of theLos Angeles Timespraising the choreography but stating that \\\"henever actor Derek Hough and BoA stop leaping and twirling, is an underwritten mess.\\\"To celebrate the 10th anniversary of her Japanese debut, BoA released \\\"Milestone\\\", which ranked at No. 4 on the Oricon Weekly Music-DVD charts.She also held her 10th anniversary concert on December 10–11 at Tokyo International Forum. Following the concert, BoA shifted her activities to her native county, joining the judging panel onSBS's audition programK-pop Staras a representative of S.M. Entertainment, alongsideYang Hyun-sukfromYG EntertainmentandPark Jin-youngfromJYP Entertainment. BoA received praise for her ability as a judge with her insightful comments and discerning eyes,and also sang the theme song \\\"One Dream\\\".For her seventh Korean album,Only One(July 2012), BoA wrote and composed its title track,while its dance steps\",\n \"its dance steps choreographed by NappyTabs, who has previously worked with BoA inCobu.Upon its release, \\\"Only One\\\" achieved an all-kill on several music charts.She followed this up with the second \\\"The Shadow\\\", was released August 18, 2012.Additionally, she recorded the song \\\"Lookin'\\\" featuringThe Quiettfor Hyundai's 'Premium Younique Lifestyle' campaign. 2013–2015: Music production, television role, and 15th anniversary BoA launched her first Korean tour withBoA Special Live 2013: Here I Amtour at the Olympic Hall,and released the song \\\"Disturbance\\\", which she wrote and composed, to commemorate her first concert tour in South Korea.In September 2013, BoA starred in KBS' two-episode drama specialExpect to DatealongsideChoi DanielandIm Si-wan, her full first role in a drama, following a string of cameo appearances.She received praise for her acting performance.She also participated inInfinity Challenge'sbi-annual song festival and was paired withLeessang'sGil, with the two co-produced the song \\\"G.A.B\\\".In\",\n \"the song \\\"G.A.B\\\".In March 2014, BoA was appointed as a de facto creative director in S.M. Entertainment, alongside labelmateKangta; she was placed in charge of mental care of artists who debut at a young age. The singles for BoA's eighth Japanese album,Who's Back?(September 2014),were released over a span of four years prior to the album's release:\\\"Woo Weekend\\\" and \\\"I See Me\\\" in 2010, \\\"Milestone\\\" in 2011,Only One\\\", \\\"Tail of Hope\\\" and \\\"Message / Call My Name\\\" in 2013,and \\\"Shout It Out\\\"and \\\"Masayume Chasing\\\" in 2014.To promote the album, she embarked on her BoA Live Tour 2014 Who's Back? tour in September, her first Japanese tour in four years.After the tour concluded, BoA starred in her first Korean film,Big MatchalongsideLee Jung-jaeandShin Ha-kyunthough a Japanese single \\\"Fly\\\" was released on December 3, 2014. Her eighth Korean albumKiss My Lips(May 2015)became her first entirely self-written, self-produced album, working alongside American producers The Underdogs and Stereotypes.The single \\\"Who Are You\\\"\",\n \"\\\"Who Are You\\\" (feat. Gaeko) was released prior to the album's unveiling, along with its accompanying music video, which starred EXO'sSehunas the male lead.The rest of the album was unveiled on May 12 along with an official music video of the eponymous title track.Billboardcalled the singer a promising songwriter despite moments of musical blandness. In July, she performed at the BoA Special Live 2015: Nowness to commemorate her 15th anniversary. The concert took place on August 22 and 23 at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in South Korea, making BoA the first female idol to hold a solo concert at the venue.This was followed by BoA Special Live 2015: Nowness in Japan which took place on December 11, 2015, at Tokyo International Forum Hall-A.Her 15th anniversary in Japan the following year was celebrated in a similar fashion,including the release of the song \\\"Lookbook\\\", and a 15th anniversary edition of BoA's Japanese Winter hit, \\\"Meri Kuri\\\". As part of S.M. Entertainment's special winter\",\n \"special winter project,Winter Garden,BoA released a digital single entitled \\\"Christmas Paradise\\\". 2016–present: Musical projects, television production, and acting debut On January 12, 2016, BoA released an English-language single \\\"Make Me Complete\\\", which serves as the theme song for the Fuji TV special dramaOoku, starring Sawajiri Erika and Watanabe Mayu.In June, she collaborated with Korean rapperBeenzinoforS.M. Entertainment'sSM Stationproject. The duo released the single \\\"No Matter What\\\", which ranked atop five domestic charts.BoA worked with BeatBurger for anotherSM Stationsingle titled \\\"Music Is Wonderful\\\", where she participated in the composing and writing of the track.From October to November 2016, BoA starred in JTBC's romance melodramaListen to Love, returning to the small screen after three years. The following year, BoA became one of the producers forMnet'sboy groupsurvival reality show,Produce 101 Season 2, which aired from April 7 to June 16.BoA later released another song forSM Station,\",\n \"song forSM Station, \\\"Spring Rain\\\", an R&B number produced by Kenzie.In May, BoA embarked on her BoA The live inBillboardLive Tour, held in Tokyo and Osaka.She also released the single \\\"Camo,\\\" a dance song with a heavy emphasis on bass and synthesizer sounds, which was a change in sound from her previous materials and produced by The Underdogs.In July, she released the Japanese single \\\"Right Here, Right Everywhere\\\" for the soundtrack of dramaYaneura no Koibito.She later starred in the filmAutumn Sonataalongside Lee Hak-joo, playing a terminally ill patient. In 2018, BoA returned to Japan and released her ninth Japanese albumWatashi Konomama de Iinokanaon February 14, 2018, followed by EPUnchainedin March. To accompany the release of the EP, she embarked on the BoA The Live 2018: Unchained Tour from March 15 to April 4. People who attend the concerts received a copy ofUnchained.On January 31, she released \\\"Nega Dola\\\", which served as a single for BoA's then-upcoming first extended play.The EP,One Shot, Two\",\n \"EP,One Shot, Two Shot, was released on February 20, alongside its titular lead single and the song's music video.The EP peaked at number six at the South Korean Gaon Album Chart and number seven at theBillboardWorld Albums Chart.On October 24, she released her ninth Korean albumWomanalongside a lead single of the same name.The album peaked at number six at the Gaon Album Chart, number eleven at theBillboardWorld Albums Chart. On June 4, 2019, she released the single \\\"Feedback\\\", which features rapperNucksal, alongside the song's music video.BoA embarked on her #Mood Tour, which had six dates in Japan and two dates in Seoul, from September to October 2019.On October 23, she released a new Japanese single, \\\"Wishing Well\\\", which she earlier debuted on the tour.On December 11, 2019, she released her second extended playStarry Night. In May 2020, BoA was featured as one of the coaches for the third season ofThe Voice of Korea, alongsideDynamic Duo,Sung Si-kyung, andKim Jong-kook.On December 1, 2020, she released\",\n \"2020, she released her tenth Korean albumBetter.SpoTV News shared BoA to join as a judge for Mnet Dance program \\\"Street Woman Fighter\\\". It is a female dance crew competition premiering in August 2021.On November 5, 2021, BoA released the Japanese single, \\\"My Dear\\\", to commemorate her 20th anniversary. BoA was revealed as a member of the supergroupGot the Beaton December 27, 2021. The group debuted on January 3, 2022.To celebrate her 20th anniversary, BoA released the Japanese compilation albumThe Greateston May 30, 2022.On November 8, 2022, BoA announced her third EPForgive Mealong with the title track on the same name on November 22, 2022.In 2024, BoA appeared in the dramaMarry My Husband, where she played Oh Yu-ra. Her performance in the drama was met with negative reviews. Image and artistry BoA lists hip hop as her main musical influence, though she also enjoys R&B. Her favorite musicians areWhitney Houston,Michael Jackson,Justin Timberlake, andNe-Yo;as a result, much of BoA's music is eitherdance-popor\",\n \"eitherdance-popor R&B. Because she also singsballads, she is often compared to Japanese singersNamie AmuroandAyumi Hamasaki. Her debut album,ID; Peace B, containedurban pop, \\\"slickly produced\\\" ballads, and \\\"upbeat dance tunes\\\". As her career went on, she began experimenting with different styles:Valenticontained mostly ballads;Love and Honestywas an experiment with \\\"harder\\\" R&B and rock music. Though her earlier releases were marked by a \\\"cute\\\" and \\\"youthful\\\" style, BoA began to present a more \\\"mature\\\" image starting from the albumMy Name. In aTalk Asiainterview,Anjali Raonoted that some felt thatMy Namemarked the beginning of BoA's decline in popularity and asked if the public would always see the singer as \\\"Little Baby BoA\\\"; BoA replied, \\\"So while I apologize to those people who still want the baby BoA, in fact, what can I do? I just keep growing up! I can't stop that from happening.\\\" The Facewas influenced byelectropopand included \\\"happy spring\\\" songs (\\\"Sweet Impact\\\" and \\\"Bad Drive\\\"), a guitar-driven\",\n \"a guitar-driven \\\"groovy dance\\\" song (\\\"Lose Your Mind\\\"), and ballads.Because the composition and writing of BoA's songs is handled mostly by her staff, BoA has been criticized as being a \\\"manufactured pop star\\\".In response to such criticism, BoA said that \\\"if one person were to force their own will on something, then things that should have gone right could easily go wrong\\\" and that she is \\\"not all that unhappy with the expression that a manufactured star. In a way, that is true. Because SM Entertainment created the environment and all the surrounding conditions, able to be successful in the way now.\\\"She later assumed creative control withThe Face,whileKiss My Lipsbecame her first entirely self-written, self-produced album. BoA has collaborated with high-profile artists. Among the Japanese artists she has performed with are the hip hop groupM-Flo(for the single \\\"The Love Bug\\\"), pop singerKumi Koda, andhouseDJMondo Grosso. She has performed with Western artists: the song \\\"Flying Without Wings\\\" from her\",\n \"Wings\\\" from her albumNext Worldwas a collaboration with Irish bandWestlifecovering theoriginal song; theBratzsingle \\\"Show Me What You Got\\\" was performed withHowie Dof the American bandBackstreet Boys.She also worked withAkon, singing the song \\\"Beautiful\\\", which was featured on the Japanese release of his third album,Freedom.Other artists she has collaborated with areSoul'd Out, Dabo, Verbal (of M-Flo), Rah-D,Seamo,TVXQ, Yutaka Furakawa (of the band Doping Panda), andCrystal Kay(for her single \\\"After Love: First Boyfriend/Girlfriend\\\").American rock bandWeezercovered \\\"Meri Kuri\\\" on the Japanese version of their albumWeezer. Cultural impact and legacy BoA is regarded as one of South Korea's most influential and prominent singers and is widely referred to as the \\\"Queen of K-pop\\\",in recognition of her contributions in spearheading theKorean waveinto Japan.BoA's success in the Japanese market has been deemed a catalyst in the Japanese interest in Korean pop music beginning in the early 2000s, when the two\",\n \"2000s, when the two countries began promoting cultural exchanges since the end ofWorld War II.Music critics have recognized BoA for improving \\\"civil relations between the Korean and Japanese public through her music and appearances in Japanese radio and television\\\",with Oxford Political Review noting \\\"BoA's role in strengthening Japan-South Korea ties as a cultural envoy\\\".In Alisa Freedman'sIntroducing Japanese Pop Culture, BoA was noted for \\\"herald a new phase of Japanese engagement with Korean singers\\\", registering \\\"remarkable success during the first half of the 2000s in Japan\\\". She highlighted that the timing of her success coincided with several political and cultural developments; these of which include the implementation of Korea's Open-Door Policy, theKorea Japan 2002 FIFA World Cup, and the popularity of the drama seriesWinter Sonata. Freedman evaluated BoA's career path and localization strategies in Japan for having set \\\"the first trend\\\" of the Korean wave into the country. Voxhailed BoA as \\\"one\",\n \"BoA as \\\"one of South Korea's best-known exports\\\" in the years after her debut whileThe Korea Timescalled BoA \\\"the forerunner of the new generation of idols who popularized K-pop in Japan and elsewhere.\\\"In 2004, theMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourismhonored BoA with the Asian Cultural Exchange Merit Award for her contributions in raising the status of K-pop throughout Asia.The Diplomatstated that BoA \\\"paved the way\\\" for future K-pop artists \\\"to later captivate Japanese fans despite souring relations between Seoul and Tokyo.\\\" Music critic Lim Jin-mo wrote that BoA \\\"opened many doors for pop acts from her country in the second largest music market in the world\\\", acting \\\"as a figurehead for breakthroughs in Japan for South Korean acts\\\" and became \\\"a pivotal figure in K-pop's history\\\". Yim Hyun-su fromThe Korea Heraldviewed her for \\\"forever changing the landscape of South Korea's music industry\\\".In 2016, she was honored with the Presidential Commendation at theKorean Popular Culture and Arts Awardsfor her\",\n \"Arts Awardsfor her contributions to the spread of the Korean wave, and for laying \\\"the foundation for the revival of K-pop\\\". With nearly 15 years in the entertainment industry, BoA has little to prove in Korea, where she's widely regarded as a pioneer in K-pop's modern-day international platform. —Billboard(2015) In 2013, 50 music experts, professors and critics organized byMnetnamed BoA one of the 100 most influential artists in South Korean music.\\\"No. 1\\\" was ranked number 27 in a 2006Gallup Koreasurvey of 100 all-time favorite Korean songsand was included in Mnet's Legend 100 list of popular Korean songs since the 1960s.In 2021, a panel of 35 music experts organized byMelonandSeoul Shinmunranked \\\"No. 1\\\" and \\\"Atlantis Princess\\\" number 1 and number 93 in their list of the greatest K-pop songs of all time.Critic Rhian Daly forThe Forty-Fiveranked \\\"Atlantis Princess\\\" number 1 in her list of the best K-pop songs of all-time.Rolling Stoneranked \\\"No. 1\\\" at number 18 in their list of the greatest songs in the\",\n \"songs in the history of K-pop, writing it represents \\\"her most emblematic crossover hit\\\". BoA has been cited by many artists in the South Korean music industry as an influence and role model,includingAespa,Girls' Generation'sTaeyeon,Sunny,Tiffany,Hyoyeon,Seohyun,Shinee'sKey,Exo'sSehun,Red Velvet'sIrene,Ailee,Chungha,Yukika Teramoto,Kwon Eun-bi,Baek A-yeon,Mamamoo'sSolar,f(x)'sLuna,Kiss of Life'sNatty,Lovelyz's Kei,andBilllie's Tsuki.Aespa's Giselle said in aRolling Stoneinterview that \\\"Everyone knows her. She's not just famous — she's a legend\\\". Other ventures Endorsements Because of her wide appeal, BoA has appeared in advertisements for many brands.Among the brands she has promoted areOlympus,Lotte,Nike,L'Oréal, Japanese cosmetic companyKosé,Skechers,Audio-Technica,GM DaewooandL'Occitane.Several of her songs have been used in affiliation with television shows. \\\"Every Heart: Minna no Kimochi\\\" was used as the ending theme for theanimeInuYasha;\\\"Beside You: Boku o Yobu Koe\\\" was used as the opening theme for\",\n \"opening theme for the animeMonkey Typhoon;\\\"Key of Heart\\\" was the theme song for the Japanese release ofOver the Hedge;\\\"Your Color\\\" was the theme song of the video gameNinety-Nine Nights;\\\"Mamoritai: White Wishes\\\" was the theme song of the video gameTales of Graces.\\\"Tail of Hope\\\" was used as the theme for the Japanese dramaHakui no Namida,and \\\"Masayume Chasing\\\" was used as the 15th opening theme song for the animeFairy Tail. In 2007,Anycall(aSamsungbrand) signed BoA,Xiah(of TVXQ),Tablo(ofEpik High), and jazz pianistJin Boraonto \\\"Anyband\\\", a band created specifically to promote Anycall. The band released only one single, \\\"AnyBand\\\".In December 2010, she recorded \\\"I See Me\\\" for to promote Audio Technica headphones in Japan.The song \\\"Woo Weekend\\\" was used to promote Disney on Ice's 25th Anniversary in Japanwhile \\\"Lookbook\\\" served as the ending theme for the NTV Kei programTokui to Goto to Uruwashi no Shelley ga Konya Kurabete Mimashita.BoA served as ambassador for Asia Youth Day in 2014.In August 2017, it was\",\n \"August 2017, it was announced that BoA was chosen as promotional ambassador for Jeju Biennale, an inaugural international art event on the resort island of Jeju.In Her widespread popularity has also made her a \\\"cultural ambassador\\\"; she has represented South Korea in inter-Asian musical events and has appeared in anOxford University Press-published English-language textbook. Discography Korean albums Japanese albums English albums Filmography Film Television series Television shows Concerts and tours Japan tours Asia tours Concert participation Awards and nominations See also Footnotes References External links\",\n \"ID; Peace B ID; Peace Bis the debut Korean-languagestudio albumby South Korean singerBoA, released on August 25, 2000 bySM Entertainment.It saw moderate levels of success in South Korea upon its release, peaking at number 16 on the Recording Industry Association of Korea's monthly album chart in October 2000.The album sold 156,354 copies in 2000 and was the 59th best-selling album of the year.The album was released on May 29, 2002 in Japan, where it reached number 30 on theOricon Albums Chart. Production and lyrics The song \\\"Sara\\\" is about a cat, \\\"I'm Sorry\\\" is about the tragedy of loving the lover of her older sister, and \\\"ID; Peace B\\\" is about the generation gap due to the use of the internet. Track listing Charts Weekly charts Monthly charts Year-end charts Release history References\",\n \"BTS BTS(Korean:방탄소년단;RR:Bangtan Sonyeondan;lit.Bulletproof Boy Scouts), also known as theBangtan Boys, is a South Koreanboy bandformed in 2010. The band consists ofJin,Suga,J-Hope,RM,Jimin,V, andJungkook, who co-write or co-produce much of their material. Originally ahip hopgroup, they expanded their musical style to incorporate a wide range of genres, while their lyrics have focused on subjects including mental health, the troubles of school-age youth andcoming of age, loss, the journey towards self-love, individualism, and the consequences of fame and recognition. Their discography and adjacent work has also referenced literature, philosophy and psychology, and includes analternate universestoryline. BTS debuted in 2013 underBig Hit Entertainmentwith the single album2 Cool 4 Skool.BTS released their first Korean and Japanese-language studio albums,Dark & WildandWake Uprespectively, in 2014. The group's second Korean studio album,Wings(2016), was their first to sell one million copies in South Korea. By\",\n \"in South Korea. By 2017, BTS had crossed into the global music market and led theKorean Waveinto the United States, becoming the first Korean ensemble to receive aGold certificationfrom theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) for their single \\\"Mic Drop\\\", as well as the first act from South Korea to top theBillboard200with their studio albumLove Yourself: Tear(2018). In 2020, BTS became the fastest group sincethe Beatlesto chart four US number-one albums in less than two years, withLove Yourself: Answer(2018) becoming the first Korean album certified Platinum by the RIAA; in the same year, they also became the first all-South Korean act to reach number one on both theBillboardHot 100andBillboardGlobal 200with their Grammy-nominated single \\\"Dynamite\\\". Follow-up releases \\\"Savage Love\\\", \\\"Life Goes On\\\", \\\"Butter\\\", and \\\"Permission to Dance\\\" made them the fastest act to earn four US number-one singles sinceJustin Timberlakein 2006. As of 2023, BTS is the best-selling musical act in South Korean history\",\n \"Korean history according to theCircle Chart, having sold in excess of 40 million albums.Their studio albumMap of the Soul: 7(2020) is thefourth best-selling album of all time in South Korea, as well as the first in the country to surpass both four and five million registered sales. They are the first non-English-speaking and Asian act to sell out concerts atWembley Stadiumand theRose Bowl(Love Yourself World Tour, 2019), and were named theInternational Federation of the Phonographic Industry's (IFPI)Global Recording Artist of the Yearfor both 2020 and 2021. The group'saccoladesinclude multipleAmerican Music Awards,BillboardMusic Awards,Golden Disc Awards, and nominations for fiveGrammy Awards. Outside of music, they have addressed three sessions of theUnited Nations General Assemblyand partnered withUNICEFin 2017 to establish theLove Myselfanti-violence campaign. Featured onTime'sinternational cover as \\\"Next Generation Leaders\\\" and dubbed the \\\"Princes of Pop\\\", BTS has also appeared onTime'slists of the 25\",\n \"of the 25 most influential people on the internet (2017–2019) and the100 most influential people in the world(2019), and in 2018 became the youngest recipients of the South KoreanOrder of Cultural Meritfor their contributions in spreading the Korean culture and language. On June 14, 2022, the group announced a scheduled pause in group activities to enable the members to complete their 18 months ofmandatory South Korean military service, with a reunion planned for 2025.Jin, the eldest member, enlisted on December 13, 2022; the others followed in 2023. Name BTS stands for the Korean phraseBangtan Sonyeondan(Korean:방탄소년단; Hanja:防彈少年團), which translates literally to 'Bulletproof Boy Scouts'. According to memberJ-Hope, the name signifies the group's desire \\\"to block out stereotypes, criticisms, and expectations that aim on adolescents like bullets\\\".In Japan, they are known asBōdan Shōnendan(防弾少年団).In July 2017, BTS announced that their name would also stand for \\\"Beyond the Scene\\\" as part of their newbrand\",\n \"of their newbrand identity.This extended the meaning of their name to encompass the idea of growth \\\"from a boy to an adult who opens the doors that are facing forward\\\". History 2010–2014: Formation and early years BTS was formed in 2010, after Big Hit Entertainment CEOBang Si-hyukwanted to form ahip hop grouparoundRM(Kim Nam-joon), an underground rapper well known on the music scene inSeoul. At the time,physical album saleswere on the decline and digital revenues were not yet high enough to compensate.Seeing a need for diversified income streams, Bang decided to form an idol group instead, because of the potential for live concert performances and passionate support from fans of such groups. Many trainees refused to become part of an idol group, butJ-Hope, RM, andSugaremained.Bang chose to vary from the usual, highly regimented idol groups and create one where the members would be individuals rather than an ensemble and free to express themselves.Auditions were held in 2010 with plans to launch the following\",\n \"the following year.The band members lived together, practicing up to 15 hours a day, and first performed before a small crowd of industry insiders in 2013. We started to tell the stories that people wanted to hear and were ready to hear, stories that other people could not or would not tell. We said what other people were feeling—like pain, anxieties and worries. That was our goal, to create this empathy that people can relate to. —Suga BTS's representation by Big Hit, rather than one of the three agencies that dominated K-pop at the time, allowed the individual members leeway to express their individuality and have input into the music.On June 12, 2013, BTS released their debutsingle album2 Cool 4 Skool, along with thelead single\\\"No More Dream\\\", neither of which sold particularly well at the time.On June 13, 2013, BTS made their stage debut onM Countdownwith the single, \\\"No More Dream\\\".Nevertheless, according to Kathy Sprinkel in her book on BTS, that single was \\\"spotlighting young people's anxiety in the\",\n \"anxiety in the face of lofty parental expectations, sent shock waves through the K-pop ranks. Here was a musical act that wasn't pulling any punches. More specifically, they had a point of view, and they weren't afraid to take on topics that are considered taboo in South Korean society and elsewhere.\\\"The album reached the top five on South Korea's Gaon Music Chart.In2 Cool 4 Skool, BTS employed an old-school hip-hop sound from the 1990s.The album's release was followed by appearances on Korean music shows, which caught the attention of reviewers and viewers. In September 2013, BTS released the second entry in their \\\"school trilogy\\\": theEP,O!RUL8,2?.The album was released alongside the single \\\"N.O.\\\"Similarly to2 Cool 4 Skool, the new release had a theme of students feeling under pressure and needing to sacrifice their dreams and aspirations.According to scholar Kyung Hyun Kim, many of BTS's earlier works such as \\\"N.O.\\\" and \\\"No More Dreams\\\" were \\\"expressions of rebellion against the establishment that tapped\",\n \"that tapped into Korean teenagers' frustrations with the country's educational system\\\" and, he stated, helped them build a fan base among young people in North America and Europe.That same month, BTS starred in their own variety show,SBS MTV'sRookie King Channel Bangtan, in which members parodied variety shows such asVJ Special ForcesandMasterChef Korea.At the end of the year, BTS was recognized with several New Artist of the Year awards in South Korea. 2014–2017 Skool Luv Affairand first concert tour The last entry in BTS \\\"school trilogy\\\", theSkool Luv AffairEP, was released in February 2014.The release topped theGaon Album Chart,and appeared onBillboard'sWorld AlbumsChart for the first time, peaking at number three.The EP was supported by two singles: \\\"Boy in Luv\\\" and \\\"Just One Day\\\".FollowingSkool Luv Affair's release, BTS played at their first fan meeting inSeoul, selecting the name A.R.M.Y. for the fan club.In July 2014, BTS hosted a concert inWest Hollywood, their first show in the United States,and in\",\n \"States,and in August, they appeared atKCONin Los Angeles. In August 2014, BTS released the albumDark & Wild, which reached number two in South Korea.It was supported by two singles: \\\"Danger\\\" and \\\"War of Hormone\\\".The group embarked on their firstconcert tour,2014 BTS Live Trilogy Episode II: The Red Bullet, which lasted from October to December 2014.The band launched their first Japanese studio album,Wake Up, in December 2014; the release peaked at number three on theOricon Albums Chart.After the album's release, BTS held their1st Japan Tour 2015 Wake Up: Open Your Eyesin February 2015.The Red Bullet Tour that had begun on October 17, 2014, in South Korea was resumed on June 6, 2015, in Malaysia and toured Australia, North America and Latin America before ending in Hong Kong that August. In all, the entire tour attracted 80,000 spectators at 18 cities in 13 countries. Mainstream breakthrough and commercial success BTS experimented with other styles of music besides hip-hop inThe Most Beautiful Moment in Life,\",\n \"Moment in Life, Pt. 1, released in 2015.BTS wanted to express the beauty and anxiousness of youth and settled on the title of \\\"花樣年華\\\" (Korean:화양연화;RR:Hwayangyeonhwa), loosely interpreted to define \\\"youth\\\" metaphorically as \\\"the most beautiful moment in life\\\".The album served as an introduction to their youth trilogy, a triptych of albums dedicated to the struggles of young people.The single \\\"I Need U\\\" was a top-five hit in South Korea and garnered the group a win on SBS MTV'sThe Show.The second single \\\"Dope (Korean:쩔어;RR:Jjeoreo;lit.It's awesome)\\\" reached number three onBillboard'sWorld Digital Song Saleschart and its music video was viewed over 100 million times on YouTube.The group began the world tour extension of their Red Bullet Tour in June, titled2015 Live Trilogy Episode II: The Red Bullet, visiting cities throughout Asia, Oceania, North America, and Latin America.\\\"For You\\\", in Japanese, was released together with Japanese versions of \\\"War of Hormone\\\" and \\\"Let Me Know\\\" on June 17, 2015, and\",\n \"June 17, 2015, and immediately topped Oricon's daily chart. In November, BTS commenced their third concert tour,2015 BTS LIVE \\\"The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: On Stage\\\", beginning with three sold-out shows in Seoul. The tour marked the debut of their fourth EP,The Most Beautiful Moment in Life, Part 2, and was later extended to Japan.Thematically, the EP focused more on the serious and speculative aspects of youth, touching on the pursuit of success, loneliness, affection for their origins, and the suffering of the younger generation due to unfavorable conditions in current society.The album topped the weekly Gaon Album andBillboardWorld Albums charts.It also marked their first appearance on theBillboard200chart,making it for one week at number 171,and eight of the tracks appeared onBillboard's World Digital Song Sales chart. Their compilation album and the finale to their \\\"youth trilogy\\\",The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Foreverwas released on May 2, 2016. With 300,000 presold copies,it included\",\n \"copies,it included three new singles: \\\"Epilogue: Young Forever\\\", \\\"Fire\\\", and \\\"Save Me\\\",which debuted in the top three spots on theBillboardWorld Digital Charts.The album topped the Gaon Album Chart in South Korea fortwo consecutive weeksand reached number 107 on theBillboard200.The Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Foreverwon Album of the Year at the2016 Melon Music Awards.BTS embarked on their Asia tour extension,2016 BTS LIVE \\\"The Most Beautiful Moment in Life On Stage: Epilogue\\\"from May to August 2016. Tickets for the 14 shows in 10 Asian cities sold out, some in as little as five seconds. In September 2016, BTS released their second Japanese studio albumYouth.The album sold 44,547 copies on the first day of its release, and charted 1st in the Oricon Daily Album Chart.The album was eventually certified Gold with sales of roughly over 100,000 in Japan.It was followed one month later in October,by their next studio albumWings,which combined the themes of youth presented in their previous \\\"youth trilogy\\\"\",\n \"\\\"youth trilogy\\\" with temptation and adversity.The album and its tracks, including the single \\\"Blood Sweat & Tears\\\" immediately rose to the top on eight music charts, including the Gaon Music Chart, and led theiTunesalbum charts in 23 countries.Wingsopened at number 26 on theBillboard200, with 16,000album-equivalent unitsin the US for the week of its release, the best week ever there for a K-pop album.It became the best-selling album in Gaon Album Chart history. You Never Walk AloneandLove Yourself: Her In February 2017, BTS released the repackaged edition ofWingsentitledYou Never Walk Alone. The 700,000 pre-orders of it (an increase from the 500,000 pre-orders ofWings) helped break the record for most albums sold in a month in South Korea, as it reached 1.49 million copies by the end of its first month.The lead single was \\\"Spring Day\\\"and it won Best Song of the Year at the2017 Melon Music Awards.BTS's second world tour,2017 BTS Live Trilogy Episode III: The Wings Tour, began in February.On the tour, BTS\",\n \"the tour, BTS played arenas in the US, such as New Jersey'sPrudential Centerand California'sHonda Center. Tickets for the North American leg sold out within hours and two shows were added.After completing the North American leg, BTS attended the24thBillboardMusic Awardsin May and wonTop Social Artist,the first K-pop group to win a Billboard award.BTS fans cast over 300million votes for the band and broke a six-year winning streak held byJustin Bieber, a performer with 100millionTwitterfollowers.This caused the international media to focus on the ability of BTS's fandom to propel the group to such a victory. BTS released a remake ofSeo Taiji's \\\"Come Back Home\\\" (1995) in July 2017, giving it new lyrics but maintaining the theme of urging societal change.Later that year, BTS embarked on their \\\"Love Yourself\\\" album series, with theme of the enlightenment of self-love through the \\\"起承轉結\\\" (Korean:기승전결;RR:Giseungjeongyeol) narrative sequence of \\\"beginning, development, turn, and conclusion.\\\"BTS released its first\",\n \"released its first part, their fifth EP,Love Yourself: Her, on September 18.RM considered \\\"DNA\\\", the lead single from that album,as \\\"taking BTS to new ground. We tried to apply new grammar and perspectives.\\\"He said of the album, \\\"I believe it's going to be the starting point of a second chapter of our career; the beginning of our Chapter Two.\\\"Sonically, the EP served as \\\"a dual exploration of the group's electro-pop and hip-hop leanings\\\". Love Yourself: Herdebuted at number seven on theBillboard200.The album had 1,664,041 sales in May 2017 to lead the Gaon Chart,and was the first in 16 years to exceed 1.2 million copies sold sinceg.o.d's fourth albumChapter 4(2001).\\\"DNA\\\" was released simultaneously with the EP, and its music video accumulated 21 million views in its first 24 hours.It became BTS's first entry on theBillboardHot 100, charting at number 85, making them the first K-pop boy band to reach that chart.The single rose to number 67 the following week and became the highest-charting song on the Hot 100\",\n \"song on the Hot 100 for any K-pop group.A remix of \\\"Mic Drop\\\" from the album, featuringDesiigner, was released as a single and peaked at number 28, the first time a K-pop group had cracked the top forty.Both singles attained Gold certification from theRecording Industry Association of America(RIAA) in early 2018.\\\"Mic Drop\\\" achieved Platinum status in the US later that year. In November 2017, BTS became the first K-pop group to perform at theAmerican Music Awards.BTS wonArtist of the Yearat the19th Mnet Asian Music Awardsin December, winning for the second consecutive year.They released \\\"DNA\\\" and \\\"Mic Drop\\\" together with a new song \\\"Crystal Snow\\\" as a single album in Japan on December 6, 2017, though the songs were made digitally available elsewhere.It topped the Oricon Chart for the week of its release. It was the only album by a foreign artist to be certified Double Platinum in Japan in 2017. Later that month, they made their Japanese television prime time music show debut onMusic Station Super Live,and\",\n \"Super Live,and ended the year by performing onDick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve. In 2017, BTS partnered withUNICEFon the \\\"Love Myself\\\" campaign, intended to help end violence, abuse, and bullying, and to promote self-esteem and well-being among young people. Both Big Hit and the group pledged money to promote the campaign, and BTS sold special \\\"Love Myself\\\" merchandise and set up dedicated booths at concert venues. The campaign was renewed in 2021, with UNICEF deeming it to have been successful. 2018–2020 Love Yourselfalbum series BTS won major awards at the Golden Disc and Seoul Music Awards in January 2018.In March, the group premiered an eight-episode documentary titledBurn the Stagethat offered a behind-the-scenes look at their 2017 Wings Tour, exclusively onYouTube Premium.Their third Japanese studio album,Face Yourself, was released on April 4, 2018,and quickly reached the top 5 of the U.S. iTunes Albums chart. A nine-minute short film, titledEuphoria: Theme of \\\"Love Yourself: Wonder\\\"and featuring\",\n \"featuring the song \\\"Euphoria\\\", followed the next day as a prelude to the group's third Korean-language studio album,Love Yourself: Tear.BTS promotedTear's May 18, 2018, release with an appearance at the25thBillboardMusic Awardstwo days later,where they made their initial BBMA performance with their single, \\\"Fake Love\\\".The group also won Top Social Artist for a second consecutive time.The album coincided with the \\\"轉\\\" or \\\"turn\\\" of the series, touching on the tortuous enlightenment of loving without being loved, the pains and sorrows of separation, and providing encouragement to those without dreams. Love Yourself: Teardebuted at number one its first week on theBillboard200, becoming BTS's first number-one album in the US and the first K-pop album to top the US albums chart.It also became BTS's first top-10 release in Britain, reaching number eight on theUK Albums Chart.\\\"Fake Love\\\" became BTS's top-10 single on the Hot100, the first time a song sung mostly in a language other than English had debuted in the top\",\n \"debuted in the top 10.BTS released their compilation albumLove Yourself: Answerin August 2018.The album was supported by the single \\\"Idol\\\" and its alternative digital release featuringNicki Minaj. Love Yourself: Answersold over 1.9 million copies on the Gaon Album Chart in August2018.The album became BTS's second number-one on theBillboard200 and led to their highest US sales week in the country to that point with 185,000 album equivalent units.In November 2018,Love Yourself: Answerbecame the first Korean language album to be certified Gold by the RIAA.\\\"Idol\\\" andLove Yourself: Answerboth received Platinum certifications in the US, with sales of more than 1million. In conjunction withLove Yourself: Answer's release in August2018, BTS commenced their world tour,BTS World Tour: Love Yourself, with two concerts in the Seoul Olympic Stadium, which sold out in a matter of seconds, as did others of the 22 shows in 12 countries.In October, BTS released their collaboration with Steve Aoki \\\"Waste It on Me\\\", their\",\n \"It on Me\\\", their first all-English language feature.For the final stop of the North American leg, the group performed at Citi Field in New York City, marking the first time a Korean act performed at a US stadium.According toStubHub, BTS was the second best-selling concert act outside the US, behind onlyEd Sheeran.That October, BTS renewed their contract with Big Hit Entertainment through 2026. In early November 2018, a popular Japanese music show cancelled BTS's performance, citing a T-shirt a member wore the year before, bearing a photograph of amushroom cloudfollowing thebombing of Nagasaki.In the same month, the Jewish human rights organizationSimon Wiesenthal Center(SWC) stated that BTS owed an apology for that shirt, and for clothing and flags with Nazi symbolism.Big Hit Entertainment issued an apology, explaining that the images were not intended to be hurtful to the victims ofNazismor atomic bombings and that the group and management would take steps to prevent future mistakes.They also stated the\",\n \"also stated the flags were meant to be a commentary on the Korean school system.The apology was accepted by SWC and the Korean Atomic Bomb Victim Association.John Lie, in his scholarly article on BTS, opined that the Nazi incident showed that the group is not tightly controlled, as are other K-pop ensembles, whose every move seems scripted, and that the members have opinions and are not afraid to express them. At the20th Mnet Asian Music Awards, BTS won Artist of the Year and ranked number eight onBillboard'syear-end Top Artist Chart and were also the number two act of the year in the Duo/Group ranking, only behindImagine Dragons.They were also listed asone of the 50 most influential people by Bloombergfor their \\\"willingness to address social issues, mental health, and politics, despite being in a genre often painted as bubble gum pop\\\". Map of the Soul: Persona, stadium world tour andBTS World In February 2019, BTS, for the first time, were presenters atthe Grammy Awards.In April,Timenamed them one of\",\n \"them one of theTime100, the most influential people of 2019.Their EP,Map of the Soul: Persona, was released on April12 with the single \\\"Boy with Luv\\\" (Korean:작은 것들을 위한 시;RR:Jageun geotdeureul wihan si), featuring American singerHalsey.The EP's release was followed by a performance onSaturday Night Live, the first K-pop act to appear there.Map of the Soul: Personabecame the first Korean-language album to reach the number one position in both the UK and Australia,and the group's third album to top theBillboard200 in less than a year.Map of the Soul: Personabecame the best-selling album ever in South Korea in terms of physical copies sold, with more than 3.2 million sales in less than a month.\\\"Boy with Luv\\\" debuted at number eight on theBillboardHot 100 in April 2019, the highest placement ever for a K-pop song. Following their two wins at the26thBillboardMusic Awardsin May, including forTop Duo/Group,BTS embarked on their world tour stadium extension,Love Yourself: Speak Yourself.Due to the demand, BTS added\",\n \"demand, BTS added more shows after tickets for the first dates sold out within two hours.In the lead up to the release of their mobile gameBTS World, in June 2019 BTS released \\\"Dream Glow\\\" featuringCharli XCX,\\\"A Brand New Day\\\" withZara Larsson,and \\\"All Night\\\" withJuice Wrld.The group released the song \\\"Heartbeat\\\" with a music video from the game's official soundtrack, titledBTS World: Original Soundtrack.The soundtrack was certified Double Platinum by Gaon.On July 3, 2019, pre-orders for the single\\\"Lights\\\"crossed one million copies, marking the first time a foreign artist had accomplished this in Japan sinceCeline Dionin 1995.\\\"Lights\\\" debuted at number 81 on theBillboardJapan Hot 100for the chart issue date of July 8, 2019, and reached number one the following week.On August 8, 2019, \\\"Lights\\\" receivedMillioncertificationfrom the RIAJ, denoting shipments of one million copies. Love Yourself: HerandLove Yourself: Tearboth crossed 2 million copies in August.All three albums of theLove Yourselfseries have sold\",\n \"have sold more than 2 million copies each in South Korea.Love Yourself: Teargained silver certification by the BPI for sales in the UK, becoming their third album to do so followingLove Yourself: AnswerandMap of the Soul: Persona.For the final stop of their record-breaking Love Yourself: Speak Yourself World Tour, the group played Seoul's Olympic Stadium.BTS was the third top-grossing touring musical act of 2019.That same month, they released a remix version of the song \\\"Make It Right\\\" featuringLauv.In November, BTS won three times at the2019 American Music Awards, for Best Tour, Favorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rock, and Favorite Social Artist (the second consecutive year). In December, they attended both the2019 Melon Music Awardsand the2019 Mnet Asian Music Awards. In each case, they became the first group to sweep the four major awards.At the34th Golden Disc Awards, BTS became the first artists in history to win grand prizes in both the physical and digital categories in a single year.Map of the Soul:\",\n \"of the Soul: Personawas named the second best-selling physical album of 2019 in the US byNielsen MusicbehindTaylor Swift'sLoverand was ranked sixth overall on the chart of Top10 Albums (Total Sales) in the US.BTS wrapped 2019 as the fourth-highest-ranked group onBillboard's TopBillboard200 Artists–Duo/Group ranking, behindQueen, Imagine Dragons and the Beatles.Map of the Soul: Personawas named as the third best-selling album of 2019 by theInternational Federation of the Phonographic Industry(IFPI), making BTS the first Korean artist to be listed on the Global Top10 Album Chart in consecutive years.The IFPI named BTS as one of the best-selling artists of 2019 for a second consecutive year, making them the first non-English speaking act to achieve this. Map of the Soul: 7, \\\"Dynamite\\\" andBe In January 2020, BTS released \\\"Black Swan\\\" along with a choreography art film performed by MN Dance Company of Slovenia as the first single from their albumMap of the Soul: 7.Album distributorDreamusreported that stock\",\n \"that stock pre-orders of the album reached a record-breaking 4.02 million.Later that month, BTS performed at the62nd Annual Grammy Awards, making BTS the first Korean act to perform at the Grammys.Map of the Soul: 7was released on February 21 to favorable reviews.The album was supported by the single \\\"On\\\" and an alternative digital release of it featuring Australian singerSia.According toGaon Chart,Map of the Soul: 7sold over 4.1 million copies in nine days after its release, surpassingMap of the Soul: Personato become the best-selling album in South Korean history and the first album to be certified quadruple million.The album debuted atop the USBillboard200, making BTS the fastest group to earn four number one albums sincethe Beatlesin 1966–1968.\\\"On\\\" debuted at number four on theBillboardHot 100, giving BTS its first top-five hit, and the most Hot 100 top-10 entries of any Korean act, with three.BTS planned to support theMap of the Soulalbum series with a concert series,Map of the Soul Tour, beginning in\",\n \"Tour, beginning in April,but this was indefinitely postponed due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. In April 2020, BTS became the first K-pop artist to sell more than 20 million albums cumulatively,making them the best-selling artist in South Korean history.That month, amid the pandemic restrictions, BTS held a two-day online streaming concert event titledBang Bang Con, where the group shared footage of past concerts on their YouTube channel.On June 7, BTS headlined YouTube'sDear Class of 2020online graduation event, performing \\\"Boy with Luv\\\", \\\"Spring Day\\\", and \\\"Mikrokosmos\\\".Their commencement speeches highlighted their own graduations and offered \\\"messages of hope and inspiration for the class of 2020 in both Korean and English\\\".On June 14, BTS held an online live concert,Bang Bang Con: The Live, as part of the seventh anniversary of their debut.It garnered peak viewership of 756,000live viewers in 107countries and territories, setting the record for the largest audience for a paid virtual concert.On June 19, BTS\",\n \"June 19, BTS released the Japanese single, \\\"Stay Gold\\\", from their fourth Japanese album,Map of the Soul: 7 – The Journey, which was released worldwide on July 14.It surpassed 564,000copies in its first week, breaking the record for highest first week album sales by male foreign artists in Japan. BTS released their first English-language single, \\\"Dynamite\\\", on August 21.\\\"Dynamite\\\" debuted at number one on the USBillboardHot 100 chart, earning BTS their first chart topper and making them the first all-South Korean act to earn a number one single in the US.The single also toppedBillboard'snewGlobal 200for the week ending September 24, as well asGlobal Excluding UScharts, becoming the first single to top both simultaneously.\\\"Dynamite\\\" peaked at number five on the USMainstream Top 40and on the.Billboard Pop Singleschart, becoming their first Top 10 on each and the former the highest-charting entry by a Korean act.On August 31, BTS made theirMTV Video Music Awards(VMAs) debut with the first live performance of\",\n \"live performance of \\\"Dynamite\\\"and won four awards: Best Group, Best Choreography, Best Pop Video, and Best K-pop (the last three for their music video for \\\"On\\\").On October 14, they performed the single at the 2020BillboardMusic Awards and won the Top Social Artist award for a fourth consecutive year. On October 2, 2020, BTS released a remix ofJawsh 685andJason Derulo's single \\\"Savage Love (Laxed – Siren Beat)\\\".It topped the Hot 100.On October 10 and 11, BTS hosted a two-day virtualpay-per-viewconcert at KSPO Dome in Seoul, calledMap of the Soul ON:E, which drew 993,000 viewers from 191 countries and territories.On November 20, BTS released their fifth Korean studio albumBe, led by the single \\\"Life Goes On\\\".\\\"Life Goes On\\\" debuted at number one on the Hot 100,BTS's third consecutive US number-one single in three months and the first song performed primarily in Korean to top the chart. On November 24, 2020, BTS became the first Korean pop artists recognized bythe Recording Academywhen \\\"Dynamite\\\" received a\",\n \"received a nomination forBest Pop Duo/Group Performanceat the63rd Annual Grammy Awards.The group won the Special International Music Award at the62nd Japan Record Awards.Kim, in his book on the influence of Korean popular culture, suggested that 2020, the worst year in many people's lives, was a noteworthy one for Korean culture, withParasitewinning theAcademy Award for Best Pictureand BTS posting three number-one hits on theBillboardGlobal 200. 2021–present \\\"Butter\\\", \\\"Permission to Dance\\\" andProof On March 4, 2021, the IFPI named BTS its Global Recording Artist of the Year for 2020, the first Asian and first non-English speaking act to top the ranking.BTS occupied three spots in the Global Album Sales Chart of 2020, withMap of the Soul: 7at number one,Be (Deluxe Edition)at number two, andMap of the Soul: 7–The Journeyat number eight.On the newly launched Global Album All Format Chart,Map of the Soul: 7claimed first place andBe (Deluxe Edition)claimed fourth.On March 14, 2021, BTS performed \\\"Dynamite\\\" at the\",\n \"\\\"Dynamite\\\" at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards, becoming the first Korean nominee to perform, though they did not win the award.On April 1, BTS released \\\"Film Out\\\", the first single from their then-upcoming Japanese compilation album,BTS, the Best.BTS held a two-day online streaming event on their YouTube channel beginning April 17, titledBang Bang Con 21, and aired three of their previous in-person concerts. On May 21, BTS released their second English-language single, \\\"Butter\\\".It debuted at number one on the Hot 100—their fourth number one in nine months—making them the quickest act to achieve four chart-toppers sinceJustin Timberlakein 2006, and the fastest group sincethe Jackson 5in 1970.Their next English-language single, \\\"Permission to Dance\\\", was released on July 9.It became BTS's eighth number-one on theDigital Songschart, extending their record as the group with the most number-one entries on the ranking.On September24, 2021, the band released the single \\\"My Universe\\\" withColdplay.The single debuted at\",\n \"single debuted at number one on the Hot 100, making it the first collaboration between two groups to debut at number one.The band held an online concert, titledPermission to Dance on Stage, on October 24, 2021, in Seoul.On November 23, \\\"Butter\\\" earned a Grammy nomination for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance at the64th Annual Grammy Awards.Between November 27 and December 2, BTS held their first live performances before an in-person audience since before the pandemic. The band playedfour sold-out showsatSoFi Stadiumin Los Angeles as a continuation of their Permission to Dance on Stage concert series. On January 15, 2022, a fictionalwebtoonbased on BTS, titled7Fates: Chakho, was released. The comic surpassed 15million views globally in its first two days of availability and became the highest-viewed title ever launched byWebtoon.The band held three limited-capacity concerts at Seoul Olympic Stadium on March 10, 12 and 13—the largest music gatheringsapproved by the South Korean government since the pandemic\",\n \"since the pandemic restrictions were imposed—with a total audience of 45,000people.On April 3, BTS performed \\\"Butter\\\" at the 64th Annual Grammy Awards,though the song did not win the award for which it was nominated.On April 8, the band earned seven nominations at the2022BillboardMusic Awardsand won three, making them the most-nominated and the most-awarded group in the show's history. On June 10, 2022, BTS released their three-CDanthologyalbumProof.On June 14, during their ninth anniversary celebrations, the band announced a temporary suspension of group activities to focus on solo projects and other endeavors.Hybe Corporation, which owns Big Hit,clarified in subsequent statements that BTS was neither disbanding nor going on hiatus, but would be actively furthering their individual careers with the label's full support while still participating in group activities, including the filming ofRun BTS.The incident caused Hybe Corporation's stock to decline rapidly, resulting in a decrease in market value of\",\n \"in market value of US$1.7billion.On August 24,Billboardmagazine reported that BTS would be performing inBusanon October 15 in a benefit concert in support of the city's efforts to have aWorld Expositionin 2030, participating under the bannerYet to Come. Military service and contract renewal In spite of the announcement of the October 2022 benefit concert, Hybe Corporation's stock prices dropped to below its originalIPOamid continuing market speculation about the implications of the upcoming mandatorymilitary enlistmentof the band's members.Under South Korean laws, all able-bodied males must complete between 18 and 21 months of military service, usually by age 28.Bloomberg Newsreported the concert as a success but also indicated that there were no further concert dates scheduled. It was estimated that if the band members completed their service, Hybe Corporation would lose nearly US$10 billion over ten years, with the loss to the South Korean economy at nearly US$39 billion. In October 2022, Big Hit confirmed\",\n \"Big Hit confirmed that Jin, the band's oldest member, aged 29, had withdrawn his enlistment deferral request.The other members planned to enlist later, with the group planning to reunite in 2025 following discharge.At the end of October 2022, BTS earned five nominations for the2022 MAMA Awards, with the band members receiving eight further nominations as solo artists.On November 15, BTS earned three nominations at the65th Annual Grammy Awards, including a nomination forBest Music Videofor \\\"Yet to Come\\\".\\\"My Universe\\\" was nominated for Best Pop Duo/Group Performance, making BTS the only act to be nominated three years in a row in this category since its introduction in 2011.The band was also nominated forAlbum of the Yearas featured artists on Coldplay'sMusic of the Spheres.Jin enlisted as an active duty soldier on December 13.On February 26, 2023, Big Hit announced that J-Hope had requested cancellation of the postponement of his military service. Following their scheduled separation, the band'sBTS 'Yet to\",\n \"band'sBTS 'Yet to Come' in Busanconcert film was released on February 1, 2023.During a trip to Spain, RM toldEFEthat BTS \\\"will come together again when we finish our military service, and we will look for new synergies between us to enter a second phase.\\\"Hybe chairman Bang Si-hyuk stated on March 15, 2023, that their comeback might not occur in 2025 since it was hard to target a specific date, and that they had not discussed their contract renewal yet.J-Hope enlisted as an active duty soldier on April 18.On May 12, BTS released a soundtrack \\\"The Planet\\\" for the South KoreananimatedseriesBastions.To commemorate their tenth anniversary, the group released the song \\\"Take Two\\\" on June 9. On September 20, 2023, Hybe confirmed through a press release that BTS would renew their exclusive contracts. The members will sign these agreements sequentially, considering their military service, after a board resolution with Big Hit Music, solidifying their commitment to future projects starting from 2025 onwards. Hybe\",\n \"2025 onwards. Hybe expressed their anticipation for supporting BTS' group endeavors and pledged unwavering support to enhance their worldwide influence, ensuring the group's continuity even after completing their military service.On September 22, 2023, Suga enlisted as a social worker.RM and V enlisted on December 11, 2023, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on December 12.On June 12, 2024, Jin became the first BTS member to complete his mandatory military service and was officially discharged. Artistry Influences BTS have cited Seo Taiji and Boys,Nas,Eminem,Kanye West,Drake,Post Malone,Charlie Puth, andDangeras musical inspirations.They have also cited Queen as an influence, saying they \\\"grew up watching videos ofLive Aid\\\".During their concert at Wembley Stadium in London, Jin paid tribute to Queen by leading the crowd in a version ofFreddie Mercury's \\\"ay-oh\\\" chant.\\\"Hip Hop Phile\\\" which was released when BTS's hip-hop concept was at its height, pays homage to the artists who influenced them, including the South\",\n \"including the South Korean groupEpik High,Jay-Z,Biggie,CL Smooth, and others. Their 2016 albumWingswas inspired byHermann Hesse'scoming of agenovel,Demian.Their song \\\"Blood Sweat & Tears\\\" quotesFriedrich Nietzsche'sThus Spoke Zarathustra, and its music video features visual references toHerbert James Draper'sThe Lament for Icarus,Pieter Bruegel'sLandscape with the Fall of Icarus, and Bruegel'sThe Fall of the Rebel Angels.Among the literary and other sources that have inspired their works are those byHaruki Murakami,Ursula K. Le Guin,Carl Jung,George Orwelland Nietzsche.TheLove Yourselfseries was influenced byErich Fromm'sThe Art of Loving,and their 2018 song \\\"Magic Shop\\\" fromLove Yourself: Tearwas inspired byJames R. Doty's memoirInto the Magic Shop. Musical style Since their inception, BTS have emphasized hip hop as their musical base, largely due to the influence of RM and Suga's background as underground rappers;during early visits to the US, the group received mentoring from American rappers.Bang\",\n \"rappers.Bang Si-hyukpreviously acknowledged that K-pop as a whole draws fromblack music,and author Crystal S. Anderson stated, \\\"BTS's rising popularity in the US represents the continuation of the ways that K-pop functions as part of a global R&B tradition.\\\"T.K. Park and Youngdae Kim ofVulturedeemed the track \\\"Outro: Her\\\" fromLove Yourself: Heras the best example of the group's understanding ofold-school hip hop, with raps inspired byChuck DandTupacand jazzy chords from the 1990s to create a classic hip hop sound. The release of \\\"Blood Sweat & Tears\\\" in 2016 accelerated BTS's transition from a hip hop to a pop group. Park and Kim noted that the song draws fromdancehall,reggaeton, andmoombahtonbut opts for a \\\"baroque mysticism\\\" rather than the \\\"partylike atmosphere of its influences\\\".The group also began incorporating traditional Korean elements into their music. For example, their single \\\"Idol\\\" (2018) features an adlib fromPansori, a Korean form of operatic storytelling, and vocal imitations of the sounds of\",\n \"of the sounds of Koreanjanggudrums. While BTS maintains roots in hip hop, their sound has diversified. They first experimented withR&B,rockandjazz hip hoponDark & Wildin 2014;EDMin theirThe Most Beautiful Moment in Lifealbum series;moombahton andtropical houseonWingsandYou Never Walk Alone;future bassandLatin popin theirLove Yourselfalbum series;slow-dance ballads,emo rap,Afro pop,funk,trap,pop rock, andhip popin theirMap of the Soulalbum series;anddiscoin their single \\\"Dynamite\\\".The band members have explored different genres on solo tracks, such asneo soulon V's \\\"Stigma\\\" and flowing R&B on Jimin's \\\"Lie\\\". Lyrical themes Since their formation, BTS have believed that telling their own stories is the best way for the younger generation to relate to their music.Writing many of their own lyrics,the group discusses universal life experiences such as sadness and loneliness in their work and turn them into something lighter and more manageable. RM stated that BTS tries to avoid a preaching or reprimanding tone in\",\n \"tone in their songs \\\"because that's not the way that we want to spread our message ... We're born with different lives, but you cannot choose some things. So we thought that love, the real meaning of it, starts with loving ourselves and accepting some ironies and some destinies that we have from the very start.\\\"When asked if it is difficult to write about things like mental health, Suga responded, We feel that people who have the platform to talk about those things really should talk more, because they say depression is something where you go to the hospital and you're diagnosed, but you can't really know until the doctor talks to you ... More and more, I think artists or celebrities who have a voice should talk about these problems and bring it up to the surface. Themes explored in BTS's discography range from exploring \\\"the troubles and anxieties of school-age youth\\\" to \\\"themes like love, friendship, loss, death, and more.\\\"Early BTS songs, such as \\\"No More Dream\\\" and \\\"N.O\\\" from their school trilogy, were\",\n \"trilogy, were described by Tamar Herman as motivated by personal experiences with South Korea's rigid approach to education and called for change to the educational system and societal expectations.The members' experiences with South Korean youth culture also inspired the songs \\\"Dope\\\" and \\\"Silver Spoon\\\" (Korean:뱁새;RR:Baepsae) from their youth trilogy. These songs reference generational disparity andmillennialsgiving up romantic relationships, marriage, children, proper employment, homes, and social life in the face of economic difficulties and societal ills while facing condemnation from the media and older generations.The group's label dubbedThe Most Beautiful Moment in Life: Young Forever, the conclusion to their youth trilogy, \\\"a special album that marks the conclusion of the epic journey of the series, containing the last stories told by young people who, despite an uncertain and insecure reality (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt. 1) continue to surge forward (The Most Beautiful Moment in Life Pt.\",\n \"Moment in Life Pt. 2).\\\"Wingsfocused on mental health, criticisms of the K-pop \\\"idol\\\" scene, and delivering a female empowerment message.TheLove Yourselfseries introduced new themes regarding youth culture in South Korea, including the excitement of love, pain of farewell, and enlightenment of self-love.According to Kathy Sprinkel, BTS's 2020 \\\"quarantine album\\\"Be\\\"chronicles the group's coming to terms with a suddenly new reality and offers support for their listeners going through the same upheaval and uncertainty\\\". BTS's lyrics have also addressed topics outside youth culture. The song \\\"Am I Wrong\\\" fromWingsquestioned societal apathy towards changing the status quo; the lyric \\\"We're all dogs and pigs / we become dogs because we're angry\\\" appeared to reference South KoreanMinistry of Educationofficial Na Hyang-wook, who advocated acaste systemfor the country and who reportedly described average people as \\\"dogs and pigs\\\". BTS released the song amid the2016 South Korean political scandalthat resulted in the\",\n \"resulted in the impeachment of presidentPark Geun-hye.RM and Suga's personal struggles with mental health have inspired some of their music.\\\"Not Today\\\" from 2017'sYou Never Walk Aloneis ananti-establishmentanthem, urging \\\"all the underdogs in the world\\\" to keep fighting,and \\\"Spring Day\\\" honored the victims of theSewol Ferry tragedy.Journalist Jeff Benjamin praised BTS inFusefor \\\"speak honestly about topics they deem important, even in a conservative society\\\".Former South Korean presidentMoon Jae-insaid: \\\"Each of the seven members sings in a way that is true to himself and the life he wants to live. Their melody and lyrics transcend regional borders, language, culture, and institutions.\\\" Impact On April 29, 2019,Timemagazine named BTS one of the100 most influential people of the year, labeling them the \\\"Princes of Pop\\\".Billboardexecutive Silvio Pietroluongo compared the group's influence to that of the Beatles.MRC Dataexecutive Helena Kosinski noted that \\\"although BTS weren't the first to open the doors to\",\n \"open the doors to K-Pop worldwide, they were the first to become mainstream. They don't just appeal to young people but also to the 50s and 60s age demographic.\\\"The first non-English speaking artist to make the Global Artist Chart in 2018, BTS was the second best-selling artists worldwide across multiple media platforms, second only to Drake.In 2020, BTS became the first non-western and non-English speaking artist to be named IFPI's Global Recording Artist of the Year.In South Korea, BTS accounted for 41.9 percent of album sales in the first half of 2019, up from their market share of 25.3 percent the previous year. In 2022, Youna Kim described BTS as having spearheaded the Korean Wave, representing the global expansion of Korean culture as effectively as Psy did in the previous decade and with the strength of influence that theAcademy Award-winning South Korean filmParasitehad in 2020.South Korea's central bank, theBank of Korea, found in 2021 that BTS, including a \\\"ripple effect\\\" that included increased\",\n \"included increased tourism to South Korea; increased interest in Korean culture, movies, and study of the Korean language; and added approximately US$5billion per year to South Korea's economy, a growth of about 0.5 percent.A 2018 study showed that, on average, 800,000foreigners per year had visited South Korea over the past four years for BTS-related reasons. Writers identified BTS as leaders even among other highly influential K-pop groups such asGirls' Generation,Super Junior,Exo,Twice, andBlackpinkand note that BTS's success shows the importance of a strong, active fan base in the age of social media, where fan campaigning can be as important as musical quality to a song's success.The group has also distinguished themselves at the forefront of the business side of the K-pop industry by pursuing less restrictive contracts with their management company to maximize their artistic originality and creativity.With this newer approach to career management, BTS created closer ties to the South Korean youth and\",\n \"Korean youth and encourage individuality and authenticity among their audience. Diplomacy In his 1990 essaySoft Power, political scientistJoseph Nyedeveloped the concept of a second type of power different from traditional authoritarianism.Nye wrote, \\\"This second aspect of power – which occurs when one country gets other countries to want what it wants – might be called co-optive orsoft powerin contrast with the hard or command power of ordering others to do what it wants.\\\"Researchers such as Maud Quessard have applied the concept of soft power to BTS and their influence on entertainment diplomacy and international relations.Youna Kim and Maud Quessard all read the currency of soft power as includingculture, politicalvalues, andforeign policy, which applies to BTS's ability to be co-optive in their approach to spreading their message of harmony, acceptance, and addressing life's setbacks via their broad appeal on the international stage. BTS was invited to address theUnited Nations General Assemblyin New\",\n \"Assemblyin New York in September 2018.That same year they performed in Paris before an audience of 400, including President Moon Jae-in and other officials, at the 2018 Korea-France Friendship Concert, a summit celebrating the friendly relations between France and South Korea.That year, BTS became the youngest recipients of theOrder of Cultural Merit. Despite cultural medals traditionally being given to recipients with over 15 years of achievement, Moon recognized the group, five years into their career, for their contributions in spreading Korean culture and language worldwide.In September2019, BTS were mentioned by Moon while announcing strategies for the content industries, for having pioneered innovative business models through direct communication with fans.In 2020, BTS received theJames A. Van Fleet Awardin recognition of their outstanding contributions to the promotion of US-Korea relations, the youngest honorees to receive the award.In July2021, they were appointedSpecial Presidential Envoy for\",\n \"Envoy for Future Generations and Cultureby President Moon. In their role as envoys, they help to \\\"raise awareness on global agendas, such as sustainable development, to our future generations and to strengthen the nation's diplomatic power across the world\\\"and appear at international events such as the76th United Nations General Assembly.On May 31, 2022, BTS visited USPresident Joe Bidenat theWhite Houseto discuss the recent rise in anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination. Fandom According to Kyung Hyun Kim, BTS's rise was facilitated by a great increase in music video programming and consumption on YouTube and the coming of an idol empire, including merchandising of nonmusical products, games, and fantasy fiction, as well as an expansion of online music fandom.The group has a large, highly organized, online community of fans known as ARMY (Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth), which translates the group's lyrics and social media posts into other languages and matches charitable contributions of BTS's\",\n \"of BTS's members. As of 2020, some 40million ARMY members subscribe to the band's YouTube channel, with more than 30million following the official BTS Twitter andInstagramaccounts.The fan community helps generate BTS's number-one chart rankings via coordinated campaigns on streaming platforms,as well as pushes to feature BTS's music on radio stations and television.Some ARMY members may even surpass the group itself in influence among BTS fans. BTS interacted and engaged with their followers from their earliest days via social media,as well as viaBTS Universe, analternate storylineinvolving the members told through music videos, mobile games, books, short films, and more that gives fans room to theorize.Kim suggested that ARMY are drawn to BTS since the members are seen as underdogs, originating from the Korean countryside and a relatively minor Korean entertainment company, which allows young fans to identify with them.BTS's lyrics speak to social values, and fans respond by trying to improve the world. As\",\n \"the world. As a result, the fandom regularly embraces activism on charitable causes and socio-political issues such as refugee crises,racial discrimination,children's rights,climate change, and the COVID-19 pandemic.Feedback from ARMY to BTS affects the group's actions and lyrics; BTS has eliminated certain Korean words that sound like American racial slurs from their songs and ended collaboration with a Japanese producer when Korean ARMY members deemed his views extreme. Per South Korean author Jiyoung Lee, the relationship between BTS and ARMY is \\\"a mutual exchange between artists and their fans\\\" that is about more than merely \\\"ensuring the band's primacy\\\", but also \\\"extending the band's message of positivity into the world\\\". Lee opines that BTS and ARMY are \\\"a symbol of change in zeitgeist, not just of generational change\\\".The band members themselves agree and have long acknowledged their fans' role in their success.According to Sarah Keith, \\\"BTS embody a moment of generational transformation. ARMY\",\n \"ARMY represents a 'coming of age' for the young, in which cultural production and influence are global and meaningful, and where the youth are politically and socially engaged.\\\" Other ventures Endorsements BTS partnered withPumabeginning in 2015, initially as Puma Korea's brand ambassadors before expanding to global ambassadors in 2018, and promoting the remix of Puma's \\\"Turin\\\" and \\\"Sportstyle\\\" line worldwide.In 2019, BTS signed withFilato endorse its sportswear.BTS has also served as global brand ambassadors forLG Electronics'smartphones,andHyundai Motors'2019 flagshipSUVthe \\\"Palisade\\\"andhydrogenfuel cell electricSUV, the \\\"Nexo\\\".BTS became global ambassadors of the electric street racing seriesFormula Eto promote how electric vehicles can helpcombat climate change.In 2020, BTS partnered withSamsung Electronics,releasing a limited BTS-themed version of theGalaxy S20+andGalaxy Buds+.As the first male pop group ever to collaborate withDior, BTS sported ensembles fromKim Jones' Pre-Fall 2019 collection at their\",\n \"collection at their concert atStade de France.The band became global brand ambassadors forLouis Vuittonin April 2021. Philanthropy BTS are known for their philanthropic endeavors. Several members of the band have been inducted into prestigious donation clubs, such as theUNICEFHonors Club and the Green Noble Club, in acknowledgement of the size and frequency of their donations.They have also received awards for their donations, with one member receiving a Patron of the Arts Award for donations to the arts,and BTS as a whole receiving a UNICEF Inspire Award for their Love Myself campaign. They often donate privately, with theirpatronagelater being made public by the organizations they support and the media.The band's efforts have motivated their fans to also engage in various charitable andhumanitarianactivities, and on occasion even match their donations. Accolades BTS have received numerous awards throughout their career. They have consecutively won theBillboard Music Award for Top Social Artistsince 2017;\",\n \"Artistsince 2017; are the only K-pop group to winTop Duo/Group, at the2019 Billboard Music Awards;and are the most-awarded group inBBMA historyas of2022, with 12 wins overall.BTS are also the only K-pop group to winFavorite Duo or Group – Pop/Rockand Favorite Social Artist at theAmerican Music Awards,and became the first Asian act in the show's history to win Artist of the Year in 2021.They are the first Korean pop act to receive aGrammy Awardnomination,and the first Korean artist to be nominated for aBrit Award.With 30 awards overall, including a record four consecutive wins for Artist of the Year (Asia), BTS are the most-awarded foreign artist in the history of theJapan Gold Disc Awards. They have also received a total of 50 trophies at theMAMA Awards. Members Discography Korean-language studio albums Japanese-language studio albums Filmography Films Online shows Bibliography Concert tours Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links\",\n \"Jimin Park Ji-min(Korean:박지민; born October 13, 1995), knownmononymouslyasJimin, is a South Korean singer, songwriter and dancer. In 2013, he made his debut as a member of the South Koreanboy bandBTS, under the record labelBig Hit Entertainment. Jimin has released three solo tracks under BTS' name—\\\"Lie\\\" in 2016, \\\"Serendipity\\\" in 2017, and \\\"Filter\\\" in 2020—all of which have charted on South Korea'sGaon Digital Chart. He released his first credited solo song, the digital track \\\"Promise\\\", which he co-wrote, in 2018 and recorded the duet \\\"With You\\\" withHa Sung-woonfor the soundtrack for theTvNdramaOur Bluesin 2022. Jimin released his debut solo album,Facein 2023, which debuted at number one in South Korea and Japan and number two on the USBillboard200, making him the highest-charting Korean solo artist on the latter chart. The album's single \\\"Like Crazy\\\" became the first song by a Korean solo artist to debut at number one on the USBillboardHot 100in history. Jimin also became the first Korean solo artist to top\",\n \"solo artist to top theBillboardArtist 100chart. In 2024, he released his second album,Muse, and its lead single \\\"Who\\\", which debuted at number one on theBillboardGlobal 200. Early life and education Park Ji-min was born on October 13, 1995, inGeumjeong District,Busan, South Korea.He is of theMilyang Park clan.His immediate family includes his mother, father, and younger brother. When he was a child, he attended Busan's Hodong Elementary School and Yonsan Middle School.In middle school, he attended Just Dance Academy, where he learnedpoppingandlocking.Prior to becoming a trainee, Jimin studiedcontemporary danceat Busan High School of Arts and was a top student in the modern dance department.A teacher suggested that he join an entertainment company, leading him toBig Hit Entertainment. Once he passed the auditions in 2012, he transferred toKorean Arts High School, graduating in 2014. Jimin graduated from Global Cyber University in August 2020 with a major in Broadcasting and Entertainment. He was awarded the\",\n \"He was awarded the President's Award, the school's highest honor.As of 2021, he is enrolled atHanyang Cyber University, pursuing aMaster of Business Administrationin Advertising and Media. Career 2013–present: BTS Jimin was the last Big Hit trainee to be added to the lineup that would eventually becomeBTS. Of the band's seven members, he spent the shortest period of time—six months—as a trainee prior to debuting.On June 13, 2013, he debuted as a vocalist and dancer in BTS with the song \\\"No More Dream\\\" from their first single2 Cool 4 Skool.Under the band's name, he released three solo songs: \\\"Lie\\\", \\\"Serendipity\\\", and \\\"Filter\\\". \\\"Lie\\\" was released in 2016, as part of the band's second Korean studio album,Wings. It was described as stunning and dramatic, conveying dark undertones and emotions in line with the overall concept of the album.In contrast, \\\"Serendipity\\\", from the band'sLove Yourself: Her(2017)extended play(EP), was soft and sensual, expressing the joy, conviction, and curiosity of love.\\\"Filter\\\", a\",\n \"of love.\\\"Filter\\\", a track from BTS' 2020 studio albumMap of the Soul: 7, had aLatin popflair, with lyrics reflecting the different sides of Jimin that he shows to the world and those around him.Jimin additionally co-wrote and co-produced another track included on that album, \\\"Friends\\\", which was later featured in theMarvel StudiosfilmEternals. \\\"Serendipity\\\" and \\\"Lie\\\" both surpassed fifty million streams onSpotifyin 2018, followed shortly thereafter by the former's full length version from BTS'Love Yourself: Answer(2018) compilation album, which achieved the milestone in early 2019. Jimin became the first Korean artist to have three solo tracks accumulate over 50 million streams each, surpassingPsy, who previously crossed the 50 million streams mark twice with \\\"Gangnam Style\\\" (2012) and \\\"Gentleman\\\" (2013).Both songs were also the only solos by a BTS member included in theOfficial Charts Company's (OCC) list of the top 20 most streamed BTS songs in the United Kingdom as of October 2018, ranking at number 17\",\n \"at number 17 and 19 respectively.In April 2019, the list was expanded to reflect the top 40, and both tracks were the highest ranked solos included that year, at numbers 18 and 20 respectively. In May 2019, Jimin became the first BTS member to have a solo music video achieve 100 million views onYouTubewhen \\\"Serendipity\\\" surpassed the milestone.He remained the only BTS member with multiple solo songs in the January 2020 update of the OCC's top 40 list: \\\"Lie\\\" and \\\"Serendipity\\\" were the second and third most-streamed solos, at numbers 24 and 29 respectively, with the full-length version of the latter at number 38.The following month, Jimin earned his first entry on theBillboardHot 100with \\\"Filter\\\", which debuted at number 87 on the chart,as well his first number one on the World Digital Song Sales chart. The song set the record for the biggest streaming debut among all Korean songs on Spotify, accruing over 2.2 million streams in its first 24 hours of release, and went on to become the fastest Korean solo in\",\n \"Korean solo in the platform's history to surpass 20–60 million streams.It was also the only solo album track by BTS to receive a Song of the Year nomination at theGaon Chart Music Awards.In March 2021, \\\"Filter\\\" became the 15th BTS song to spend a full year onBillboard'sWorld Digital Song Saleschart.It was the longest-charting Korean song released in 2020 on the ranking,having spent 80 weeks on the chart as of the issue dated October 9, 2021. Jimin was awarded the fifth-class HwagwanOrder of Cultural Meritin 2018, alongside his bandmates, by thePresident of South Korea,Moon Jae-in, for their contributions to the promotion of Korean culture.Three years later, Moon appointed himSpecial Presidential Envoy for Future Generations and Culture, alongside his bandmates, to help \\\"lead the global agenda for future generations\\\" and \\\"expand South Korea's diplomatic efforts and global standing\\\" in the international community. 2014–present: Solo work In 2014, Jimin collaborated with bandmateJungkookon a song called\",\n \"a song called \\\"Christmas Day\\\", a Korean rendition ofJustin Bieber's \\\"Mistletoe\\\"; Jimin wrote the Korean lyrics himself.The two collaborated again in 2017, on a cover ofCharlie Puth's \\\"We Don't Talk Anymore\\\" featuringSelena Gomez.Jungkook previously released a solo version of the song in February, and the two prepared the duet as a special gift to the band's fandom, releasing it on June 2, during BTS' fourth anniversary celebrations.Teen Voguewrote that \\\"adding Jimin's voice to the mix makes the rendition all the more lovely\\\",while the Canadian outletFlaremagazine stated that \\\"it honestly might be better than the original\\\".Elite Dailydescribed the cover as \\\"nothing short of flawless\\\". Jimin appeared on several variety shows such asHello Counselor,Please Take Care of My Refrigerator, andGod's Workplacein 2016.He also served as a special MC ondomestic television music programssuch asShow! Music CoreandM Countdown.In December 2016, he participated in a dance duet at theKBS Song FestivalwithTaeminfromShinee. On\",\n \"On December 30, 2018, Jimin released \\\"Promise\\\", his first credited song as a solo artist, for free on BTS'SoundCloudpage.It earned the biggest 24-hour debut in SoundCloud history with 8.5 million streams, surpassing previous record holderDrake's \\\"Duppy Freestyle\\\" which received 4.9 million streams,and would go on to become the most streamed song on the platform by December 2021, with over 300 million streams.Described byBillboardas a \\\"mellowpop ballad\\\",the song was composed by Jimin and Big Hit producer Slow Rabbit, who also produced the track,and features lyrics written by Jimin and bandmateRM.Jimin released his second solo song \\\"Christmas Love\\\", about his childhood memories of the holidays, on December 24, 2020.In 2022, he contributed the single \\\"With You\\\", a duet withHa Sung-woon, to the soundtrack of theTvNdramaOur Blues; the single was released on April 24. In January 2023, Jimin co-wrote and featured on the single \\\"Vibe\\\" byTaeyang.His first official solo project since BTS announced an increased focus\",\n \"an increased focus on individual music endeavors a year prior,the single earned Jimin his debut entry on theBillboardHot 100as a solo artist, at number 76.He was announced as aglobal ambassadorforDiorlater that month,and forTiffany & Co.in March.\\\"Promise\\\" and \\\"Christmas Love\\\" were made available on streaming platforms worldwide as official singles under Jimin's name on March 6.His debut solo albumFacewas released on March 24.It set several chart and sales records, debuting at number one in South Korea and Japan,and number two in the US, making Jimin the highest-charting Korean solo artist of all time on theBillboard200.The album's two singles, \\\"Set Me Free Pt. 2\\\" and \\\"Like Crazy\\\", released on March 17 and 24 respectively,both entered the Hot 100: the former debuted at number 30,while the latter debuted at number one, making Jimin the first South Korean solo artist in history to top the chart.The album's release led Jimin to become the first Korean solo artist to reach number one on theBillboardArtist 100.In\",\n \"100.In May, he appeared as a featured artist, alongsideJvkeandMuni Long, on the single \\\"Angel Pt. 1\\\" byKodak BlackandNLE Choppa, as part of the soundtrack for the filmFast X.The digital single \\\"Closer Than This\\\" was released on December 22, shortly after Jiminenlistedin theSouth Korean Army. Originally recorded during the production ofFace, it is a song dedicated to the BTS fandom in gratitude for their support. Big Hit announced an eight-episode travel reality series,Are You Sure?!, featuring Jimin and Jungkook on July 2, 2024. Available forstreamingexclusively onDisney+, the premiere episode aired August 8, with subsequent episodes following weekly through September 19.The label released Jimin's second solo album,Muse, on July 19, while he was carrying out his mandatory military service. It was supported by the singles \\\"Smeraldo Garden Marching Band\\\" and \\\"Who\\\".\\\"Who\\\" became Jimin's first song to debut atop both ofBillboard'sglobal charts. Artistry Jimin's vocals have been described as delicate and sweet.He\",\n \"and sweet.He is regarded as an exceptional dancer among the members of BTS and in K-pop in general,often praised for his \\\"smooth and elegant movements\\\" and charm on stage. In the documentaryBurn the Stagereleased in 2018, Jimin addressed hisperfectionism.In 2023, Jimin stated that as a pop artist, he \\\"aims to excel at both dancing and singing and perform a diverse range of musical genres and themes\\\" while \\\"taking a healthy and sustainable approach to do so\\\". He has cited singerRainas an inspiration and one of the reasons why he wanted to become a singer and performer. Impact and influence In 2016, Jimin was ranked as the 14th most popular idol in an annual survey conducted byGallup Korea.He subsequently ranked seventh in 2017, and then consecutively ranked first in 2018 and 2019,as the only idol to top the survey for two consecutive years.In 2018, Jimin was the ninth most-tweeted about celebrity and the eighth most-tweeted about musician globally.He was named the 17th best boy band member in history byThe\",\n \"in history byThe Guardian.From January to May 2018, Jimin won the monthly \\\"Top K-Pop Artist–Individual\\\" award forPeeper x Billboard, a collaboration between thePeepersocial media app andBillboardKoreathat collects fan votes for their favorite K-pop artists. The prize was a donation toUNICEFin his name. The Cultural Conservation Society awarded Jimin a plaque of appreciation in 2019, for performingbuchaechum, a traditional Korean fan dance, during the2018 Melon Music Awardsand helping spread the dance outside of Korea.In October 2021, he became the first idol to spend 34 consecutive months atop the brand reputation ranking for individual boy group idolsand the only one to top the overall ranking for three consecutive years. Jimin is often cited as a role model by various idols in theK-popindustry, many of whom try to emulate his style of dance, mannerisms, and stage presence; media outlets have called him the \\\"Idol of Idols\\\", \\\"Idol's Bible\\\", and \\\"Rookies' Bible\\\". Artists who have cited him as an influence\",\n \"him as an influence include Arthur ofKingdom, Bic ofMCND, Kim Si-hun ofBDC, Woochul ofNewkidd, Hyunjin ofStray Kids, Wooyoung ofAteez, Lim Se-jun ofVicton, Huening Kai and Beomgyu ofTomorrow X Together, and Ni-ki and Jay ofEnhypen.British internet personalityOli Londonunderwent 15 cosmetic surgeries by 2020 to resemble Jimin. Jimin has also been acknowledged beyond theK-popindustry. In 2019, Award-winning director and photographerGus Van Santnamed Jimin as the artist he wished to work with.In 2021, Olympic figure skaterYuzuru Hanyushared being aBTSfan and mentioned Jimin as a source of inspiration for his dance movements on the rink.In 2023,Ryan Goslinggifted Jimin the guitar his character Ken used in the movieBarbie. Gosling gave Jimin the custom guitar as homage for jimin'sPermission to Danceoutfit serving as inspiration for one of the outfits Gosling wore for his role as Ken. Forbes Koreaincluded Jimin on theForbes Korea Power Celebrity 40for 2024, at number seven, making him the highest ranking K-pop\",\n \"ranking K-pop soloist and second-highest ranking soloist on the list. Philanthropy Jimin is a supporter of education and the arts. From 2016 to 2018, he covered uniform expenses of students at his alma mater, Busan Hodong Elementary School. After the school's closing was announced, he donated summer and winter middle school uniforms to the final graduates and gifted autographed albums to the entire student body.In early 2019, Jimin donated₩100 million (US$85,810.58) to the Busan Department of Education to help support students from low income families. Of the total,₩30 million (US$25,743.17) went to his alma mater, Busan Arts High School.In July 2020, he donated₩100 million (US$84,726.68) to the Jeonnam Future Education Foundation to fund the creation of a scholarship fund for talented students from South Jeolla Province who were struggling financially. In July 2021, Jimin donated₩100 million (US$87,416.41) toRotary Internationalto help polio patients. As with previous donations, the benefaction was made\",\n \"was made privately but became public in September, when the Go-seong Rotary Club displayed a banner thanking him for the donation.He was announced as a member of the Green Noble Club, a group of major donors to the Green Umbrella Children's Foundation who have contributed ₩100 million or more, on October 12. In September 2022, Jimin made a donation to the Gangwon Provincial Office of Education.In February 2023, he donated₩100 million (US$87,416.41) through the Korean UNICEF Committee toward emergency relief for children affected by theTurkey–Syria earthquake.In March, he donated₩100 million (US$87,416.41) to the North Chungcheong Provincial Office of Education to fund books and reading education programs for students.In August, Jimin participated in the \\\"Hometown Love Donation System\\\", a program allowing non-residents to donate to support welfare in the district of Nam-gu, Busan. He donated the maximum allowed donation amount of₩5 million (US$4,370.82) and proceeded to re-donate his campaign's donor return\",\n \"donor return gifts to people in need in the region.In February 2024, Jimin was inducted in the Nam-gu Hometown Love Donation System Donor Hall of Fame for his contribution to the district welfare programs.In May, he made a donation of₩100 million (US$87,416.41) to the South Gyeongsang Provincial Office of Education to create a scholarship for underprivileged students. Personal life Jimin used to live inHannam-dong, Seoul, South Korea, with his bandmates.In 2021, he purchased a property in the area worth₩5.9billion(US$5.16 million). Health In 2017, during BTS'Wings Tour, Jimin was unable to participate in the show inMacaudue to neck and shoulder cramping.The following year, while inLondonfor theLove Yourself World Tour, he withdrew from the band's scheduled performance onThe Graham Norton Showbecause of \\\"severe muscle pain in his neck and back\\\", according to a statement released byBig Hit Entertainment. In 2022, Jimin was hospitalized after having abdominal pain and a mild sore throat. He\",\n \"sore throat. He underwentappendicitissurgery on January 31, and received a positiveCOVID-19diagnosis. Military service On November 22, 2023, Big Hit announced throughWeversethat Jimin, along with bandmatesRM,V, andJungkook, had started the enlistment process to carry out hismandatory military service.He enlisted as an active duty soldier on December 12 at the Army 5th Division Recruit Training Center inYeoncheon.He completed his five weeks of basic training in January 2024, placing first as an outstanding trainee and received the Best trainee commendation award from the Division Commander, taking an oath as the representative of all trainees in his unit.He was then appointed to an Artillery Unit in the5th Infantry Division. Discography Studio albums Singles As lead artist As featured artist Other charted songs Other songs Writing credits All song credits are adapted from theKorea Music Copyright Association's database, unless otherwise noted. Filmography Television Music videos Awards and nominations World\",\n \"nominations World records Notes References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":283,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"What is the difference in mean flow rate (in cubic feet per second) between the River Avon at Great Somerford and its tributary, the River Marden?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"75.5 cubic ft/s"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Avon,_Bristol#Hydrology_and_water_quality"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Marden"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Avon,_Bristol#Hydrology_and_water_quality', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Marden']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Avon,_Bristol#Hydrology_and_water_quality","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Marden"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Avon,_Bristol#Hydrology_and_water_quality\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Marden\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["River Avon, Bristol TheRiver Avon/ˈeɪvən/is a river in the southwest of England. To distinguish it from a number of otherrivers of the same name, it is often called theBristol Avon. The name 'Avon' isloanedfrom an ancestor of theWelshwordafon, meaning 'river'. The Avonrisesjust north of the village ofActon TurvilleinSouth Gloucestershire, before flowing throughWiltshireintoSomerset. In its lower reaches fromBath(where it meets theKennet and Avon Canal) to theSevern EstuaryatAvonmouthnearBristol, the river is navigable and is known as theAvon Navigation. The Avon is the19th longestriver in the United Kingdom, at 83 miles (134 km), although there are just 19 miles (31 km)as the crow fliesbetween the source and its mouth in theSevern Estuary. Thecatchment areais 2,220 square kilometres (860 sq mi). Etymology The name \"Avon\" isloanedfrom theCommon Brittonicabona, \"river\", which survives in theWelshwordafon. \"River Avon\", therefore, literally means \"river river\"; several other English and Scottish rivers share the name.TheCounty of Avonthat existed from 1974 to 1996 was named after the river, and coveredBristol,Bath, and the lower Avon valley. Course The Avonriseson the southern edge of theCotswold hills, atDidmartonin Gloucestershire;at Joyce's Pool a plaque marks the source.It flows south-east into Wiltshire toSherston, where it is joined by the Luckington Brook which drains an area west ofLuckingtonthat includes theBadminton Houseestate. From Sherston the river flows east toMalmesbury, where it is joined by its first major tributary, theTetbury Avon, which rises just east ofTetburyin Gloucestershire.This is known locally as the Ingleburn,which inOld Englishmeans 'English river'. The two rivers flow north and south of a rocky outcrop, almost creating an island for the ancient hilltop town of Malmesbury to sit on. Upstream of this confluence the river is sometimes referred to as the 'River Avon (Sherston branch)' to distinguish it from the Tetbury branch. After the two rivers merge, the Avon turns southeast away from the Cotswolds and then quickly south into the clayDauntsey Vale, where it is joined by theRiver Marden, until it reaches the biggest town so far,Chippenham. The wide vale is now known as the Avon Vale, and the river flows on viaLacocktoMelksham, then turns north-west throughBradford-on-Avon, where the centre of the town grew up around aford, hence the origin of the town's name (\"Broad-Ford\").This was supplemented inNormantimes by theGrade I listedbridge that still stands today; originally apackhorse bridge, it was widened in the 17th century by rebuilding the downstream side. The Avon Valley between Bradford-on-Avon and Bath is an example of a valley where four forms of ground transport are found: road, rail, river, canal. The river passes under theAvoncliffandDundas Aqueductswhich carry theKennet and Avon Canal, and atFreshfordis joined by the SomersetRiver Frome. Avoncliff Aqueduct was built byJohn Rennieand chief engineer John Thomas, between 1797 and 1801. Theaqueductconsists of three arches and is 110 yards (100 m) long with a central elliptical arch of 60 ft (18 m) span with two side arches each semicircular and 34 ft (10 m) across, all with V-jointed arch stones. The spandrel and wing walls are built in alternate courses of ashlar masonry, and rock-faced blocks. The central span sagged soon after it was built and has been repaired many times.The Dundas Aqueduct was built by the same team between 1797 and 1801 and completed in 1805.James McIlquhamwas appointed contractor.The aqueduct is 150 yards (137.2 m) long with three arches built ofBath Stone, withDoricpilasters, and balustrades at each end.The central semicircular arch spans 64 feet (19.5 m); the two oval side arches span 20 feet (6.1 m).It is aGrade I listedstructure,and was the first canal structure to be designated as aScheduled Ancient Monumentin 1951.The stretch of river below and above the aqueduct, where it is joined byMidford Brook, has been used by rowing crews fromMonkton Combe Schoolsince at least the beginning of the 1900s. It then flows pastClaverton Pumping Station, which pumped water from the River Avon byWarleigh Weirinto the canal, using power from the flow of the river. The pumping station is located in a pump house built of Bath Stone, located at river level. Water is diverted from the river by Warleigh Weir, about 200 yd (180 m) upstream. The water flows down aleatto the pumping station, where it powers awater wheel, 24 ft (7.3 m) wide and 17 ft (5.2 m) in diameter, with 48 wooden slats. At full power the wheel uses 2tons(2tonnes) of water per second and rotates five times a minute.The water wheel drives gearing which increases the speed to 16rpm. From here, cranks drive vertical connecting rods which transfer the energy to two 18 ft (5.5 m) longcast ironrocking beams. Each rocking beam in turn drives an 18 in (0.5 m) diameterlift pump, which also take their supply from the mill leat. Each pump stroke raises 50 imperial gallons (230 L; 60 US gal) of water to the canal.In 1981,British Waterwaysinstalled two 75 horsepower (56 kW) electric pumps just upstream from the station. The Avon then flows throughBathford, where it is joined by theBybrook River, andBathamptonwhere it passes under theBathampton Toll Bridge. It is joined by theLam Brookat Lambridge inBathand then passes underClevelandandPulteney Bridgesand over the weir. Cleveland Bridge was built in 1826 byWilliam Hazledine,owner of theCoalbrookdaleIronworks, withHenry Goodridgeas the architect,on the site of aRomanferry crossing. Named after the 3rdDuke of Cleveland, it spans the River Avon atBathwick, and enabled further development ofGeorgianBath to take place on the south side of the river. It was designed by architectHenry Goodridgeto take the traffic of his day, horse-drawn vehicles and pedestrians, and was constructed usingBath Stoneand acast ironarchedspan. Pulteney Bridge was completed in 1773 and is designated byEnglish Heritageas a Grade I listed structure.The bridge was designed byRobert Adam,and is one of only four bridges in the world with shops across the full span on both sides.It is named afterFrances Pulteney, heiress in 1767 of the Bathwick estate across the river from Bath. Floods in 1799 and 1800 wrecked the north side of the bridge, which had been constructed with inadequate support. It was rebuilt byJohn Pinch the Elder, surveyor to the Pulteney estate, in a less ambitious version of Adam's design.Bath and North East Somersetcouncil have discussed plans to ban vehicles from the bridge and turn it into a pedestrianised zone,but it remains open to buses and taxis. Some 700 metres below Pulteney weir, the river is joined by theKennet and Avon Canalwhich connects throughBath Locks. Together with theKennet Navigationwhich joins theRiver Thamesat Reading, this provides a through route for canal boats from Bristol to London. From this point downstream the river is known as the Avon Navigation. Navigation The Avon above Bath remains navigable as far as Bathampton where there is the remains of aflash lock. However, the lock past the weir below Pulteney Bridge was demolished when the weir was reconstructed, so passage between the sections is only possible for dinghies and canoes using the roller slipway on the side of the weir. Beyond its junction with the Kennet and Avon Canal, the Avon flows throughKeynshamtowardsBristol. For much of its course after leaving Wiltshire, it marks the traditional boundary between Somerset and Gloucestershire. For most of this distance the navigation makes use of the natural riverbed, with six locks overcoming a rise of 30 feet (9 m). From Bath toNetham Lockwhere it divides into the New Cut and the Floating Harbour is 12 miles (19 km). The stretch is made navigable by the use of locks and weirs. In the centre of Bath it passes under various bridges including theMidland Bridgewhich was originally built by theMidland RailwayCompany to allow theSomerset and Dorset Joint Railwayaccess to and from itsGreen Park Terminus Station. In November 2011 the navigation between Bath and Bristol was closed because of safety concerns aboutVictoria Bridge.Weston Lockon the outskirts of Bath is in what now forms theNewbridgearea. Weston Cut is a man made channel, opened in 1727, for boats to approach and pass through Weston Lock; the island created between the cut and the river weir became known as Dutch Island after the owner of thebrass millestablished on the riverside in the early 18th century. Kelston Lockand weir have permanent moorings above and below them. The Riverside Inn and Saltford Marina are also close by.Saltford Lockand weir are overlooked by the remains of theKelstonBrass Mill, which was working until 1925. It is a Grade IIlisted building.Alongside the lock is apub, whose garden extends over the lock to the small island between the lock and weir. The lock was opened in 1727 and destroyed in 1738 by rival coal dealers to stop the use of the river for transportation.In its heyday, between 1709 and 1859,Swinefordhad an activebrassand copper industry aroundSwineford Lock, served by the river which also provided water power for the cloth industry,as did theRiver Boyd, a tributary which flows into the Avon nearBitton.Keynsham Lockopened in 1727.Just above the lock are visitor moorings and a pub, on an island between the lock and the weir. The weir side of the island is also the mouth of theRiver Chew.Hanhamis the last tidal lock,after which the river is joined byBrislington Brook. Netham Lockis the point atNethamin Bristol at which boats from the Avon gain access to Bristol'sfloating harbour. Construction started in 1804 to build the tidalNew Cut, where it is joined by theRiver Malago, and divert the Avon along theFeeder Canalto the harbour; a system designed and built byWilliam Jessopand later improved byIsambard Kingdom Brunel.A weir carries the river into the New Cut and boats use the adjacent lock. Access to the harbour is only possible during the day when the lock keeper will open the gates unless the water level in the river between Netham and Hanham is above or below the level of the harbour.Netham Lock and the weir form part of Bristol's flood defence mechanisms. It was announced in December 2008 that they would be upgraded as part of the £11 million City Docks Capital Project. In central Bristol, where the river istidal, it is diverted from its original course into the New Cut, a channel dug between 1804 and 1809 at a cost of £600,000.The original course is held at a constant level by lock gates (designed by Jessop) and is known as thefloating harbour. The harbour is protected by an 1870s replacement for Jessop's locks. This unusual dock has a tentacled plan resulting from its origins as the natural river course of the Avon and itstributaries, theRiver FromeandSiston Brook, and is intimately entwined with Bristol's city centre as few docks are. As a result of this, the floating harbour is one of the more successful pieces of dockland regeneration, with much of the dockside now occupied by residential, office and cultural premises, and the water area heavily used by leisure craft. The harbour gave the port an advantage by enabling shipping to stay afloat rather than grounding when the tide went down. Downstream of central Bristol, the river passes through the deepAvon Gorge, spanned by Brunel'sClifton Suspension Bridge: the river is tidal and is navigable by seagoing vessels at high tide but dries to a steep-sided muddy channel at low tide. It was largely the challenge of navigating this section that sealed the fate of the floating harbour as commercial docks and saw them replaced by docks atAvonmouthwhere the Avon joins theSevern Estuary. Before reaching its mouth, the Avon is joined by theRiver TrymatSea Millswhich was the site ofPortus Abonae, aRomanport. Shortly after, it passes the village ofPillon the south bank where the Pill Hobblers were based in order to tow ships up the river to Bristol and where yachts and other boats still have moorings in Chapel Pill and Crockerne Pill.It then passes under theAvonmouth Bridgewhich carries theM5 motorway. The main span is 538 ft (164 m) long, and the bridge is 4,554 ft (1,388 m) long, with an air draught above mean high water level of 98.4 ft (30 m). The river then serves two major dock areas. TheRoyal Portbury Dockis on the southern side of the mouth of the river. The deepwater dock was constructed between 1972 and 1977, and is now a major port for the import ofmotor vehicles. The Royal Portbury Dock has the largest entrance lock into any UK port, accommodating vessels up to 41 m (135 ft) beam, 290 m (951 ft) length and 14.5 m (48 ft) draft. TheAvonmouth Docksare on the north side of the river and are one of the UK's major ports for chilled foods, especially fruit and vegetables. The first dock at Avonmouth, Avonmouth Old Dock, was opened in 1877 and acquired by Bristol Corporation in 1884. In 1907, a much larger dock, the Royal Edward Dock, was opened. The docks form part of thePort of Bristoland were operated by the Port of Bristol Authority, part ofBristol City Council, until 1991 when the council granted a 150-year lease to the Bristol Port Company. Pilotage is provided by Bristol Pilots LLP who supply authorised pilots for the River Avon and Bristol City docks, as well as the Severn estuary and the Bristol channel; they are based at Avonmouth Docks. Hydrology and water quality At Great Somerford the Avon has a mean flow rate of 3.355 cubic metres per second (118.5 cu ft/s),and a typical river level range between 0.16 metres (6.3 in) and 0.74 metres (2 ft 5 in) with a highest level of 2.43 metres (8 ft 0 in).At Melksham the Avon has a mean flow rate of 6.703 cubic metres per second (236.7 cu ft/s).December 2013 was the highest level recorded at Bradford on Avon when the level reached 3.42 metres (11.2 ft) with a normal range at the monitoring station being 1.01 metres (3 ft 4 in) to 1.40 metres (4 ft 7 in).At Bathford the highest river level was also in December 2013 when it reached 4.41 metres (14.5 ft) while the normal range is 0.75 metres (2 ft 6 in) and 1.60 metres (5 ft 3 in),with a flow rate of 18.274 cubic metres per second (645.3 cu ft/s). In Bath at St James, which is 180 metres (590 ft) upstream of Pultney Weir the mean flow is 20.466 cubic metres per second (722.7 cu ft/s),with a similar flow (20.984 cubic metres per second (741.0 cu ft/s)) downstream of the weir.At the Destructor Bridge in Bath the typical height range is 0.40 metres (1 ft 4 in) to 0.81 metres (2 ft 8 in) with a high of 1.64 metres (5 ft 5 in) also in December 2013. At Saltford the range is 0.46 metres (1 ft 6 in) to 1.41 metres (4 ft 8 in) with a highest recording of 2.31 metres (7 ft 7 in) on 24 December 2013.At Keynsham the typical range is between 0.23 metres (9.1 in) and 2.09 metres (6 ft 10 in). The highest was on 25 December 2013 when it reached 5.36 metres (17.6 ft).At Netham Weir where the new cut carries the flow away from Bristol Harbour the typical range for the depth of the river is 0.15 metres (5.9 in) to 0.84 metres (2 ft 9 in) with the highest ever recorded being 3.22 metres (10.6 ft). For the purpose of water quality monitoring and improvement the river is divided into several catchment management areas; South of Malmesbury, Bristol Avon Rural and Bristol Avon Urban.In the rural area 22 water bodies are classified as good, 46 as moderate and 8 as poor. The main reasons for not achieving good scores are pollution from waste water, agriculture and rural land management.In the urban area one water body is rated good, while 12 are rated moderate and one is poor. The pollution from upstream is added to by the effects of industry, manufacturing and other businesses and is significantly affected by physical modifications to the water course.Within the catchment area there are 137 river water bodies and 6 lakes; of these 22 per cent of rivers are rated as good ecological status, 40 per cent good for chemical status and 31 per cent good for biological status. Conservation areas The river is important for its dragonfly communities, with a strong population ofscarce chaser(found in only six other areas in England),together with a strong population ofwhite-legged damselfly.red-eyed damselflyis also found. The river is also important for aquatic plants, includingLoddon pondweed. TheKellaways – West TythertonSite of Special Scientific Interest, 3 miles (4.8 km) north east ofChippenham, is of geological interest as the river bank exposesCallovianhighly-fossiliferous sandstone which contains well-preservedbivalves,gastropods,brachiopods,belemnitesandammonites.Further downstream atNewton St LoetheNewton St Loe SSSIis anotherGeological Conservation ReviewSSSI. It represents the only remaining known exposure of fossiliferousPleistocenegravels along the River Avon. In conjunction with other sites within the wider area, it has aided the development of a scientific understanding of the history of earlyglaciationwithinSouth West England. The bodies ofmammoths(Mammuthus) and horses (Equus) have been found at the site. TheAvon Gorgehas been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because it supports some rare fauna and flora, including species unique to the gorge. There are a total of 24 rare plant species and two unique trees: theBristolandWilmotts's whitebeams.Other notable plants includeBristol rock-cress,Bristol onion,spiked speedwell,autumn squillandhonewort.Other areas along the river which have this designation includeBickley Wood,Cleeve Wood, Hanhamfor its large population of Bath asparagus (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum).Stidham FarmnearKeynshamcontains at least At least 2 metres (7 ft) ofPleistoceneterrace-gravels, consisting oflimestoneclastsmainly, but also withMillstone Grit,Pennant Sandstone, flint and chert clasts. The site is of considerable importance for studies relating to the possible glaciation of the area, and of the terracestratigraphy, particularly as it is one of only two accessible terrace deposits in this part of the Avon valley.Newton St Loe SSSIis also listed for geological reasons as it represents the only remaining known exposure of fossiliferous Pleistocene gravels along the River Avon. In conjunction with other sites within the wider area, they have aided the development of a scientific understanding of the history of early glaciation withinSouth West England. AtHorseshoe Bend, Shirehamptonthe wooded cliff and a narrowsalt marshare supported by rocks of Devonian ageOld Red SandstoneandCarboniferous Limestone, overlain by withTriassicdolomiticconglomerate. The site's principal interest and the reason for its designation as an SSSI is the presence of a population of thetrue service-tree(Sorbus domestica) growing on the cliffs. This tree is nationally rare in Britain, and this site hosts the largest known population in England. Other notable species ofSorbushere are the whitebeamsSorbus eminensandSorbus anglica, both of which are also nationally rare in Britain. The nationally scarcelarge-leaved lime(Tilia platyphyllos) also occurs, and herbs includefield garlic(Allium oleraceum) andpale St. John's-wort(Hypericum montanum). The saltmarsh vegetation, which lies at the base of the cliff, is predominantly made up ofsea aster(Aster tripolium) andEnglish scurvygrass(Cochlearia anglica). There are however two nationally scarce vascular plant species here as well –slender hare's-ear(Bupleurum tenuissimum) andlong-stalked orache(Atriplex longipes). The tidal reaches of the River Avon provide habitat for waterbirds, with 64 species having been recorded up to 2004,including 21 species ofshorebird,and 13 species ofgull. Authorities A catchment board for the Avon was created by theLand Drainage Act 1930and became the Bristol AvonRiver Boardunder theRiver Boards Act 1948; the board was in turn replaced by the Bristol AvonRiver Authorityunder theWater Resources Act 1963. Twenty-five minor watercourses were added to the Authority's jurisdiction in 1973.Reorganisation in 1974, under theWater Act 1973brought the Avon catchment into a newregional body, the Wessex Water Authority.Privatisationsaw responsibility for the catchment pass to theNational Rivers Authorityon its formation on 1 September 1989. In 1996 the authority became part of theEnvironment Agency. Navigation conservancy in the lower river from Avonmouth to the lock at Hotwells is the responsibility of The Bristol Port Company as both statutory and competent harbour authority.Navigation within Bristol's floating harbour is retained byBristol City Councilas statutory and competent harbour authority. History The distribution of archaeological finds suggests that the western end of the river between Bath and Avonmouth formed a border between theDobunniandDurotrigesduring the lateIron Age, prior to theRoman conquest of Britain. Further east, between Bath and what is now Wiltshire, it may also have formed a border of the territory ruled by theBelgae. After the Roman occupation the river formed a boundary between the lands of theHwicce(which becameMercia) and the kingdom ofWessex. The river Avon had been navigable from Bristol to Bath during the early years of the 13th century but construction of mills on the river forced its closure.Thefloodplainof the Avon, on which the city centre ofBathis built, has an altitude of about 59 ft (18 m) abovesea level.The river, once an unnavigable series ofbraided streamsbroken up byswampsand ponds, has been managed byweirsinto a single channel. Periodic flooding, which shortened the life of many buildings in the lowest part of the city, was normal until major flood control works were completed in the 1970s. The Bristol Avon Navigation, which runs the 15 miles (24 km) from the Kennet and Avon Canal at Hanham Lock to the Bristol Channel at Avonmouth, was constructed between 1724 and 1727,following legislation passed byQueen Anne,by a company of proprietors and the engineerJohn HoreofNewbury. The first cargo of 'Deal boards, Pig-Lead and Meal' arrived in Bath in December 1727.It is now administered by theCanal & River Trust. Throughout Bristol's history theAvon Gorgehas been an important transport route, carrying the River Avon, major roads and two railways. The Bristol Channel has a very high tidal range of 15 metres (49 ft),second only toBay of FundyinEastern Canada;and the gorge is relatively narrow and meandering, making it notoriously difficult to navigate. Several vessels have grounded in the gorge including theSS Demerarasoon after her launch in 1851, the schoonerGipsyin 1878, the steam tugBlack Eaglein 1861 and theLlandaff City. In 1877, Halfpenny Bridge, a pedestrian toll bridge crossing the river fromBath Spa railway stationtoWidcombe, collapsed with the loss of about 10 lives amongst a large crowd going to theBath and West Agricultural show. The Avon has flooded several times in its recorded history. These floods include the one in 1799/1800 damagingPulteney Bridge.Various points along the river including the valley aroundFreshfordare at risk offluvialflooding, as a result of sediment entering the river and narrowing the channel. To help cope with this some areas on the banks of the river are designated as a functional floodplain to cope with increased flow volumes.The potential changes to weather patterns as a result of climate change suggest that further measures are likely to be needed to protect the population from flooding risk.A tidal surge, combined with high water levels from theflooding of the surrounding areacaused flooding in the city of Bristol. Route and points of interest Download coordinates as: See also References External links Media related toRiver Avon, South-West Englandat Wikimedia Commons","River Marden TheRiver Mardenis a smalltributaryof theRiver Avonin England. It flows from the hills surroundingCalneand meets the Avon about a mile upstream ofChippenham. The river has a mean flow of 43 cubic feet per second (1.2 m3/s). Course The Marden rises just north of the valley of Ranscombe Bottom nearCalstone WellingtoninWiltshire.It then flows in a north-west direction through theBlacklandarea, where it forms a small ornamental lake at Blackland House, and on toQuemerford, where it is joined on the right bank by the Rivers Brook. In Calne, the Abberd Brook joins on the right. The river turns in a westerly direction and is joined by the overspill from Bowood Lake, part of theBowood Houseestate, on the left at Studleybrook Farm. The river is then joined by the combined Fisher's and Cowage brooks before turning to the north-west, past the village ofStanley. 1.5 miles (2.4 km) later it joins the Bristol Avon to the north-east ofChippenham. History TheDomesday surveyof England in 1086 records fourwatermillson the Marden at Calne. In the 18th century fourfullingmills are recorded and one of these, Upper Mill, became a paper mill in 1768 and continued in operation until 1860. Hassell's Mill atStudleyremained in operation until 1960. A branch of theWilts & Berks Canal, opened in 1810, paralleled the course of the Marden west of Calne. The canal was closed in 1914 following the collapse into the river of the Stanley aqueduct in 1901. Traces of the canal and its towpath survive. Hydrology TheEnvironment Agencygauging station at Stanley has measured the mean flow of the river as 43 cubic feet per second (1.2 m3/s), with a maximum recorded flow of 1,529 cubic feet per second (43.3 m3/s) on 30 October 2000 and a minimum of 3.9 cubic feet per second (0.11 m3/s) on 21 August 1976. References"],"string":"[\n \"River Avon, Bristol TheRiver Avon/ˈeɪvən/is a river in the southwest of England. To distinguish it from a number of otherrivers of the same name, it is often called theBristol Avon. The name 'Avon' isloanedfrom an ancestor of theWelshwordafon, meaning 'river'. The Avonrisesjust north of the village ofActon TurvilleinSouth Gloucestershire, before flowing throughWiltshireintoSomerset. In its lower reaches fromBath(where it meets theKennet and Avon Canal) to theSevern EstuaryatAvonmouthnearBristol, the river is navigable and is known as theAvon Navigation. The Avon is the19th longestriver in the United Kingdom, at 83 miles (134 km), although there are just 19 miles (31 km)as the crow fliesbetween the source and its mouth in theSevern Estuary. Thecatchment areais 2,220 square kilometres (860 sq mi). Etymology The name \\\"Avon\\\" isloanedfrom theCommon Brittonicabona, \\\"river\\\", which survives in theWelshwordafon. \\\"River Avon\\\", therefore, literally means \\\"river river\\\"; several other English and Scottish rivers share the name.TheCounty of Avonthat existed from 1974 to 1996 was named after the river, and coveredBristol,Bath, and the lower Avon valley. Course The Avonriseson the southern edge of theCotswold hills, atDidmartonin Gloucestershire;at Joyce's Pool a plaque marks the source.It flows south-east into Wiltshire toSherston, where it is joined by the Luckington Brook which drains an area west ofLuckingtonthat includes theBadminton Houseestate. From Sherston the river flows east toMalmesbury, where it is joined by its first major tributary, theTetbury Avon, which rises just east ofTetburyin Gloucestershire.This is known locally as the Ingleburn,which inOld Englishmeans 'English river'. The two rivers flow north and south of a rocky outcrop, almost creating an island for the ancient hilltop town of Malmesbury to sit on. Upstream of this confluence the river is sometimes referred to as the 'River Avon (Sherston branch)' to distinguish it from the Tetbury branch. After the two rivers merge, the Avon turns southeast away from the Cotswolds and then quickly south into the clayDauntsey Vale, where it is joined by theRiver Marden, until it reaches the biggest town so far,Chippenham. The wide vale is now known as the Avon Vale, and the river flows on viaLacocktoMelksham, then turns north-west throughBradford-on-Avon, where the centre of the town grew up around aford, hence the origin of the town's name (\\\"Broad-Ford\\\").This was supplemented inNormantimes by theGrade I listedbridge that still stands today; originally apackhorse bridge, it was widened in the 17th century by rebuilding the downstream side. The Avon Valley between Bradford-on-Avon and Bath is an example of a valley where four forms of ground transport are found: road, rail, river, canal. The river passes under theAvoncliffandDundas Aqueductswhich carry theKennet and Avon Canal, and atFreshfordis joined by the SomersetRiver Frome. Avoncliff Aqueduct was built byJohn Rennieand chief engineer John Thomas, between 1797 and 1801. Theaqueductconsists of three arches and is 110 yards (100 m) long with a central elliptical arch of 60 ft (18 m) span with two side arches each semicircular and 34 ft (10 m) across, all with V-jointed arch stones. The spandrel and wing walls are built in alternate courses of ashlar masonry, and rock-faced blocks. The central span sagged soon after it was built and has been repaired many times.The Dundas Aqueduct was built by the same team between 1797 and 1801 and completed in 1805.James McIlquhamwas appointed contractor.The aqueduct is 150 yards (137.2 m) long with three arches built ofBath Stone, withDoricpilasters, and balustrades at each end.The central semicircular arch spans 64 feet (19.5 m); the two oval side arches span 20 feet (6.1 m).It is aGrade I listedstructure,and was the first canal structure to be designated as aScheduled Ancient Monumentin 1951.The stretch of river below and above the aqueduct, where it is joined byMidford Brook, has been used by rowing crews fromMonkton Combe Schoolsince at least the beginning of the 1900s. It then flows pastClaverton Pumping Station, which pumped water from the River Avon byWarleigh Weirinto the canal, using power from the flow of the river. The pumping station is located in a pump house built of Bath Stone, located at river level. Water is diverted from the river by Warleigh Weir, about 200 yd (180 m) upstream. The water flows down aleatto the pumping station, where it powers awater wheel, 24 ft (7.3 m) wide and 17 ft (5.2 m) in diameter, with 48 wooden slats. At full power the wheel uses 2tons(2tonnes) of water per second and rotates five times a minute.The water wheel drives gearing which increases the speed to 16rpm. From here, cranks drive vertical connecting rods which transfer the energy to two 18 ft (5.5 m) longcast ironrocking beams. Each rocking beam in turn drives an 18 in (0.5 m) diameterlift pump, which also take their supply from the mill leat. Each pump stroke raises 50 imperial gallons (230 L; 60 US gal) of water to the canal.In 1981,British Waterwaysinstalled two 75 horsepower (56 kW) electric pumps just upstream from the station. The Avon then flows throughBathford, where it is joined by theBybrook River, andBathamptonwhere it passes under theBathampton Toll Bridge. It is joined by theLam Brookat Lambridge inBathand then passes underClevelandandPulteney Bridgesand over the weir. Cleveland Bridge was built in 1826 byWilliam Hazledine,owner of theCoalbrookdaleIronworks, withHenry Goodridgeas the architect,on the site of aRomanferry crossing. Named after the 3rdDuke of Cleveland, it spans the River Avon atBathwick, and enabled further development ofGeorgianBath to take place on the south side of the river. It was designed by architectHenry Goodridgeto take the traffic of his day, horse-drawn vehicles and pedestrians, and was constructed usingBath Stoneand acast ironarchedspan. Pulteney Bridge was completed in 1773 and is designated byEnglish Heritageas a Grade I listed structure.The bridge was designed byRobert Adam,and is one of only four bridges in the world with shops across the full span on both sides.It is named afterFrances Pulteney, heiress in 1767 of the Bathwick estate across the river from Bath. Floods in 1799 and 1800 wrecked the north side of the bridge, which had been constructed with inadequate support. It was rebuilt byJohn Pinch the Elder, surveyor to the Pulteney estate, in a less ambitious version of Adam's design.Bath and North East Somersetcouncil have discussed plans to ban vehicles from the bridge and turn it into a pedestrianised zone,but it remains open to buses and taxis. Some 700 metres below Pulteney weir, the river is joined by theKennet and Avon Canalwhich connects throughBath Locks. Together with theKennet Navigationwhich joins theRiver Thamesat Reading, this provides a through route for canal boats from Bristol to London. From this point downstream the river is known as the Avon Navigation. Navigation The Avon above Bath remains navigable as far as Bathampton where there is the remains of aflash lock. However, the lock past the weir below Pulteney Bridge was demolished when the weir was reconstructed, so passage between the sections is only possible for dinghies and canoes using the roller slipway on the side of the weir. Beyond its junction with the Kennet and Avon Canal, the Avon flows throughKeynshamtowardsBristol. For much of its course after leaving Wiltshire, it marks the traditional boundary between Somerset and Gloucestershire. For most of this distance the navigation makes use of the natural riverbed, with six locks overcoming a rise of 30 feet (9 m). From Bath toNetham Lockwhere it divides into the New Cut and the Floating Harbour is 12 miles (19 km). The stretch is made navigable by the use of locks and weirs. In the centre of Bath it passes under various bridges including theMidland Bridgewhich was originally built by theMidland RailwayCompany to allow theSomerset and Dorset Joint Railwayaccess to and from itsGreen Park Terminus Station. In November 2011 the navigation between Bath and Bristol was closed because of safety concerns aboutVictoria Bridge.Weston Lockon the outskirts of Bath is in what now forms theNewbridgearea. Weston Cut is a man made channel, opened in 1727, for boats to approach and pass through Weston Lock; the island created between the cut and the river weir became known as Dutch Island after the owner of thebrass millestablished on the riverside in the early 18th century. Kelston Lockand weir have permanent moorings above and below them. The Riverside Inn and Saltford Marina are also close by.Saltford Lockand weir are overlooked by the remains of theKelstonBrass Mill, which was working until 1925. It is a Grade IIlisted building.Alongside the lock is apub, whose garden extends over the lock to the small island between the lock and weir. The lock was opened in 1727 and destroyed in 1738 by rival coal dealers to stop the use of the river for transportation.In its heyday, between 1709 and 1859,Swinefordhad an activebrassand copper industry aroundSwineford Lock, served by the river which also provided water power for the cloth industry,as did theRiver Boyd, a tributary which flows into the Avon nearBitton.Keynsham Lockopened in 1727.Just above the lock are visitor moorings and a pub, on an island between the lock and the weir. The weir side of the island is also the mouth of theRiver Chew.Hanhamis the last tidal lock,after which the river is joined byBrislington Brook. Netham Lockis the point atNethamin Bristol at which boats from the Avon gain access to Bristol'sfloating harbour. Construction started in 1804 to build the tidalNew Cut, where it is joined by theRiver Malago, and divert the Avon along theFeeder Canalto the harbour; a system designed and built byWilliam Jessopand later improved byIsambard Kingdom Brunel.A weir carries the river into the New Cut and boats use the adjacent lock. Access to the harbour is only possible during the day when the lock keeper will open the gates unless the water level in the river between Netham and Hanham is above or below the level of the harbour.Netham Lock and the weir form part of Bristol's flood defence mechanisms. It was announced in December 2008 that they would be upgraded as part of the £11 million City Docks Capital Project. In central Bristol, where the river istidal, it is diverted from its original course into the New Cut, a channel dug between 1804 and 1809 at a cost of £600,000.The original course is held at a constant level by lock gates (designed by Jessop) and is known as thefloating harbour. The harbour is protected by an 1870s replacement for Jessop's locks. This unusual dock has a tentacled plan resulting from its origins as the natural river course of the Avon and itstributaries, theRiver FromeandSiston Brook, and is intimately entwined with Bristol's city centre as few docks are. As a result of this, the floating harbour is one of the more successful pieces of dockland regeneration, with much of the dockside now occupied by residential, office and cultural premises, and the water area heavily used by leisure craft. The harbour gave the port an advantage by enabling shipping to stay afloat rather than grounding when the tide went down. Downstream of central Bristol, the river passes through the deepAvon Gorge, spanned by Brunel'sClifton Suspension Bridge: the river is tidal and is navigable by seagoing vessels at high tide but dries to a steep-sided muddy channel at low tide. It was largely the challenge of navigating this section that sealed the fate of the floating harbour as commercial docks and saw them replaced by docks atAvonmouthwhere the Avon joins theSevern Estuary. Before reaching its mouth, the Avon is joined by theRiver TrymatSea Millswhich was the site ofPortus Abonae, aRomanport. Shortly after, it passes the village ofPillon the south bank where the Pill Hobblers were based in order to tow ships up the river to Bristol and where yachts and other boats still have moorings in Chapel Pill and Crockerne Pill.It then passes under theAvonmouth Bridgewhich carries theM5 motorway. The main span is 538 ft (164 m) long, and the bridge is 4,554 ft (1,388 m) long, with an air draught above mean high water level of 98.4 ft (30 m). The river then serves two major dock areas. TheRoyal Portbury Dockis on the southern side of the mouth of the river. The deepwater dock was constructed between 1972 and 1977, and is now a major port for the import ofmotor vehicles. The Royal Portbury Dock has the largest entrance lock into any UK port, accommodating vessels up to 41 m (135 ft) beam, 290 m (951 ft) length and 14.5 m (48 ft) draft. TheAvonmouth Docksare on the north side of the river and are one of the UK's major ports for chilled foods, especially fruit and vegetables. The first dock at Avonmouth, Avonmouth Old Dock, was opened in 1877 and acquired by Bristol Corporation in 1884. In 1907, a much larger dock, the Royal Edward Dock, was opened. The docks form part of thePort of Bristoland were operated by the Port of Bristol Authority, part ofBristol City Council, until 1991 when the council granted a 150-year lease to the Bristol Port Company. Pilotage is provided by Bristol Pilots LLP who supply authorised pilots for the River Avon and Bristol City docks, as well as the Severn estuary and the Bristol channel; they are based at Avonmouth Docks. Hydrology and water quality At Great Somerford the Avon has a mean flow rate of 3.355 cubic metres per second (118.5 cu ft/s),and a typical river level range between 0.16 metres (6.3 in) and 0.74 metres (2 ft 5 in) with a highest level of 2.43 metres (8 ft 0 in).At Melksham the Avon has a mean flow rate of 6.703 cubic metres per second (236.7 cu ft/s).December 2013 was the highest level recorded at Bradford on Avon when the level reached 3.42 metres (11.2 ft) with a normal range at the monitoring station being 1.01 metres (3 ft 4 in) to 1.40 metres (4 ft 7 in).At Bathford the highest river level was also in December 2013 when it reached 4.41 metres (14.5 ft) while the normal range is 0.75 metres (2 ft 6 in) and 1.60 metres (5 ft 3 in),with a flow rate of 18.274 cubic metres per second (645.3 cu ft/s). In Bath at St James, which is 180 metres (590 ft) upstream of Pultney Weir the mean flow is 20.466 cubic metres per second (722.7 cu ft/s),with a similar flow (20.984 cubic metres per second (741.0 cu ft/s)) downstream of the weir.At the Destructor Bridge in Bath the typical height range is 0.40 metres (1 ft 4 in) to 0.81 metres (2 ft 8 in) with a high of 1.64 metres (5 ft 5 in) also in December 2013. At Saltford the range is 0.46 metres (1 ft 6 in) to 1.41 metres (4 ft 8 in) with a highest recording of 2.31 metres (7 ft 7 in) on 24 December 2013.At Keynsham the typical range is between 0.23 metres (9.1 in) and 2.09 metres (6 ft 10 in). The highest was on 25 December 2013 when it reached 5.36 metres (17.6 ft).At Netham Weir where the new cut carries the flow away from Bristol Harbour the typical range for the depth of the river is 0.15 metres (5.9 in) to 0.84 metres (2 ft 9 in) with the highest ever recorded being 3.22 metres (10.6 ft). For the purpose of water quality monitoring and improvement the river is divided into several catchment management areas; South of Malmesbury, Bristol Avon Rural and Bristol Avon Urban.In the rural area 22 water bodies are classified as good, 46 as moderate and 8 as poor. The main reasons for not achieving good scores are pollution from waste water, agriculture and rural land management.In the urban area one water body is rated good, while 12 are rated moderate and one is poor. The pollution from upstream is added to by the effects of industry, manufacturing and other businesses and is significantly affected by physical modifications to the water course.Within the catchment area there are 137 river water bodies and 6 lakes; of these 22 per cent of rivers are rated as good ecological status, 40 per cent good for chemical status and 31 per cent good for biological status. Conservation areas The river is important for its dragonfly communities, with a strong population ofscarce chaser(found in only six other areas in England),together with a strong population ofwhite-legged damselfly.red-eyed damselflyis also found. The river is also important for aquatic plants, includingLoddon pondweed. TheKellaways – West TythertonSite of Special Scientific Interest, 3 miles (4.8 km) north east ofChippenham, is of geological interest as the river bank exposesCallovianhighly-fossiliferous sandstone which contains well-preservedbivalves,gastropods,brachiopods,belemnitesandammonites.Further downstream atNewton St LoetheNewton St Loe SSSIis anotherGeological Conservation ReviewSSSI. It represents the only remaining known exposure of fossiliferousPleistocenegravels along the River Avon. In conjunction with other sites within the wider area, it has aided the development of a scientific understanding of the history of earlyglaciationwithinSouth West England. The bodies ofmammoths(Mammuthus) and horses (Equus) have been found at the site. TheAvon Gorgehas been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because it supports some rare fauna and flora, including species unique to the gorge. There are a total of 24 rare plant species and two unique trees: theBristolandWilmotts's whitebeams.Other notable plants includeBristol rock-cress,Bristol onion,spiked speedwell,autumn squillandhonewort.Other areas along the river which have this designation includeBickley Wood,Cleeve Wood, Hanhamfor its large population of Bath asparagus (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum).Stidham FarmnearKeynshamcontains at least At least 2 metres (7 ft) ofPleistoceneterrace-gravels, consisting oflimestoneclastsmainly, but also withMillstone Grit,Pennant Sandstone, flint and chert clasts. The site is of considerable importance for studies relating to the possible glaciation of the area, and of the terracestratigraphy, particularly as it is one of only two accessible terrace deposits in this part of the Avon valley.Newton St Loe SSSIis also listed for geological reasons as it represents the only remaining known exposure of fossiliferous Pleistocene gravels along the River Avon. In conjunction with other sites within the wider area, they have aided the development of a scientific understanding of the history of early glaciation withinSouth West England. AtHorseshoe Bend, Shirehamptonthe wooded cliff and a narrowsalt marshare supported by rocks of Devonian ageOld Red SandstoneandCarboniferous Limestone, overlain by withTriassicdolomiticconglomerate. The site's principal interest and the reason for its designation as an SSSI is the presence of a population of thetrue service-tree(Sorbus domestica) growing on the cliffs. This tree is nationally rare in Britain, and this site hosts the largest known population in England. Other notable species ofSorbushere are the whitebeamsSorbus eminensandSorbus anglica, both of which are also nationally rare in Britain. The nationally scarcelarge-leaved lime(Tilia platyphyllos) also occurs, and herbs includefield garlic(Allium oleraceum) andpale St. John's-wort(Hypericum montanum). The saltmarsh vegetation, which lies at the base of the cliff, is predominantly made up ofsea aster(Aster tripolium) andEnglish scurvygrass(Cochlearia anglica). There are however two nationally scarce vascular plant species here as well –slender hare's-ear(Bupleurum tenuissimum) andlong-stalked orache(Atriplex longipes). The tidal reaches of the River Avon provide habitat for waterbirds, with 64 species having been recorded up to 2004,including 21 species ofshorebird,and 13 species ofgull. Authorities A catchment board for the Avon was created by theLand Drainage Act 1930and became the Bristol AvonRiver Boardunder theRiver Boards Act 1948; the board was in turn replaced by the Bristol AvonRiver Authorityunder theWater Resources Act 1963. Twenty-five minor watercourses were added to the Authority's jurisdiction in 1973.Reorganisation in 1974, under theWater Act 1973brought the Avon catchment into a newregional body, the Wessex Water Authority.Privatisationsaw responsibility for the catchment pass to theNational Rivers Authorityon its formation on 1 September 1989. In 1996 the authority became part of theEnvironment Agency. Navigation conservancy in the lower river from Avonmouth to the lock at Hotwells is the responsibility of The Bristol Port Company as both statutory and competent harbour authority.Navigation within Bristol's floating harbour is retained byBristol City Councilas statutory and competent harbour authority. History The distribution of archaeological finds suggests that the western end of the river between Bath and Avonmouth formed a border between theDobunniandDurotrigesduring the lateIron Age, prior to theRoman conquest of Britain. Further east, between Bath and what is now Wiltshire, it may also have formed a border of the territory ruled by theBelgae. After the Roman occupation the river formed a boundary between the lands of theHwicce(which becameMercia) and the kingdom ofWessex. The river Avon had been navigable from Bristol to Bath during the early years of the 13th century but construction of mills on the river forced its closure.Thefloodplainof the Avon, on which the city centre ofBathis built, has an altitude of about 59 ft (18 m) abovesea level.The river, once an unnavigable series ofbraided streamsbroken up byswampsand ponds, has been managed byweirsinto a single channel. Periodic flooding, which shortened the life of many buildings in the lowest part of the city, was normal until major flood control works were completed in the 1970s. The Bristol Avon Navigation, which runs the 15 miles (24 km) from the Kennet and Avon Canal at Hanham Lock to the Bristol Channel at Avonmouth, was constructed between 1724 and 1727,following legislation passed byQueen Anne,by a company of proprietors and the engineerJohn HoreofNewbury. The first cargo of 'Deal boards, Pig-Lead and Meal' arrived in Bath in December 1727.It is now administered by theCanal & River Trust. Throughout Bristol's history theAvon Gorgehas been an important transport route, carrying the River Avon, major roads and two railways. The Bristol Channel has a very high tidal range of 15 metres (49 ft),second only toBay of FundyinEastern Canada;and the gorge is relatively narrow and meandering, making it notoriously difficult to navigate. Several vessels have grounded in the gorge including theSS Demerarasoon after her launch in 1851, the schoonerGipsyin 1878, the steam tugBlack Eaglein 1861 and theLlandaff City. In 1877, Halfpenny Bridge, a pedestrian toll bridge crossing the river fromBath Spa railway stationtoWidcombe, collapsed with the loss of about 10 lives amongst a large crowd going to theBath and West Agricultural show. The Avon has flooded several times in its recorded history. These floods include the one in 1799/1800 damagingPulteney Bridge.Various points along the river including the valley aroundFreshfordare at risk offluvialflooding, as a result of sediment entering the river and narrowing the channel. To help cope with this some areas on the banks of the river are designated as a functional floodplain to cope with increased flow volumes.The potential changes to weather patterns as a result of climate change suggest that further measures are likely to be needed to protect the population from flooding risk.A tidal surge, combined with high water levels from theflooding of the surrounding areacaused flooding in the city of Bristol. Route and points of interest Download coordinates as: See also References External links Media related toRiver Avon, South-West Englandat Wikimedia Commons\",\n \"River Marden TheRiver Mardenis a smalltributaryof theRiver Avonin England. It flows from the hills surroundingCalneand meets the Avon about a mile upstream ofChippenham. The river has a mean flow of 43 cubic feet per second (1.2 m3/s). Course The Marden rises just north of the valley of Ranscombe Bottom nearCalstone WellingtoninWiltshire.It then flows in a north-west direction through theBlacklandarea, where it forms a small ornamental lake at Blackland House, and on toQuemerford, where it is joined on the right bank by the Rivers Brook. In Calne, the Abberd Brook joins on the right. The river turns in a westerly direction and is joined by the overspill from Bowood Lake, part of theBowood Houseestate, on the left at Studleybrook Farm. The river is then joined by the combined Fisher's and Cowage brooks before turning to the north-west, past the village ofStanley. 1.5 miles (2.4 km) later it joins the Bristol Avon to the north-east ofChippenham. History TheDomesday surveyof England in 1086 records fourwatermillson the Marden at Calne. In the 18th century fourfullingmills are recorded and one of these, Upper Mill, became a paper mill in 1768 and continued in operation until 1860. Hassell's Mill atStudleyremained in operation until 1960. A branch of theWilts & Berks Canal, opened in 1810, paralleled the course of the Marden west of Calne. The canal was closed in 1914 following the collapse into the river of the Stanley aqueduct in 1901. Traces of the canal and its towpath survive. Hydrology TheEnvironment Agencygauging station at Stanley has measured the mean flow of the river as 43 cubic feet per second (1.2 m3/s), with a maximum recorded flow of 1,529 cubic feet per second (43.3 m3/s) on 30 October 2000 and a minimum of 3.9 cubic feet per second (0.11 m3/s) on 21 August 1976. References\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["River Avon, Bristol TheRiver Avon/ˈeɪvən/is a river in the southwest of England. To distinguish it from a number of otherrivers of the same name, it is often called theBristol Avon. The name 'Avon' isloanedfrom an ancestor of theWelshwordafon, meaning 'river'. The Avonrisesjust north of the village ofActon TurvilleinSouth Gloucestershire, before flowing throughWiltshireintoSomerset. In its lower reaches fromBath(where it meets theKennet and Avon Canal) to theSevern EstuaryatAvonmouthnearBristol, the river is navigable and is known as theAvon Navigation. The Avon is the19th longestriver in the United Kingdom, at 83 miles (134 km), although there are just 19 miles (31 km)as the crow fliesbetween the source and its mouth in theSevern Estuary. Thecatchment areais 2,220 square kilometres (860 sq mi). Etymology The name \"Avon\" isloanedfrom theCommon Brittonicabona, \"river\", which survives in theWelshwordafon. \"River Avon\", therefore, literally means \"river river\"; several other English and Scottish rivers share the","rivers share the name.TheCounty of Avonthat existed from 1974 to 1996 was named after the river, and coveredBristol,Bath, and the lower Avon valley. Course The Avonriseson the southern edge of theCotswold hills, atDidmartonin Gloucestershire;at Joyce's Pool a plaque marks the source.It flows south-east into Wiltshire toSherston, where it is joined by the Luckington Brook which drains an area west ofLuckingtonthat includes theBadminton Houseestate. From Sherston the river flows east toMalmesbury, where it is joined by its first major tributary, theTetbury Avon, which rises just east ofTetburyin Gloucestershire.This is known locally as the Ingleburn,which inOld Englishmeans 'English river'. The two rivers flow north and south of a rocky outcrop, almost creating an island for the ancient hilltop town of Malmesbury to sit on. Upstream of this confluence the river is sometimes referred to as the 'River Avon (Sherston branch)' to distinguish it from the Tetbury branch. After the two rivers merge, the Avon turns","the Avon turns southeast away from the Cotswolds and then quickly south into the clayDauntsey Vale, where it is joined by theRiver Marden, until it reaches the biggest town so far,Chippenham. The wide vale is now known as the Avon Vale, and the river flows on viaLacocktoMelksham, then turns north-west throughBradford-on-Avon, where the centre of the town grew up around aford, hence the origin of the town's name (\"Broad-Ford\").This was supplemented inNormantimes by theGrade I listedbridge that still stands today; originally apackhorse bridge, it was widened in the 17th century by rebuilding the downstream side. The Avon Valley between Bradford-on-Avon and Bath is an example of a valley where four forms of ground transport are found: road, rail, river, canal. The river passes under theAvoncliffandDundas Aqueductswhich carry theKennet and Avon Canal, and atFreshfordis joined by the SomersetRiver Frome. Avoncliff Aqueduct was built byJohn Rennieand chief engineer John Thomas, between 1797 and 1801.","1797 and 1801. Theaqueductconsists of three arches and is 110 yards (100 m) long with a central elliptical arch of 60 ft (18 m) span with two side arches each semicircular and 34 ft (10 m) across, all with V-jointed arch stones. The spandrel and wing walls are built in alternate courses of ashlar masonry, and rock-faced blocks. The central span sagged soon after it was built and has been repaired many times.The Dundas Aqueduct was built by the same team between 1797 and 1801 and completed in 1805.James McIlquhamwas appointed contractor.The aqueduct is 150 yards (137.2 m) long with three arches built ofBath Stone, withDoricpilasters, and balustrades at each end.The central semicircular arch spans 64 feet (19.5 m); the two oval side arches span 20 feet (6.1 m).It is aGrade I listedstructure,and was the first canal structure to be designated as aScheduled Ancient Monumentin 1951.The stretch of river below and above the aqueduct, where it is joined byMidford Brook, has been used by rowing crews fromMonkton Combe","fromMonkton Combe Schoolsince at least the beginning of the 1900s. It then flows pastClaverton Pumping Station, which pumped water from the River Avon byWarleigh Weirinto the canal, using power from the flow of the river. The pumping station is located in a pump house built of Bath Stone, located at river level. Water is diverted from the river by Warleigh Weir, about 200 yd (180 m) upstream. The water flows down aleatto the pumping station, where it powers awater wheel, 24 ft (7.3 m) wide and 17 ft (5.2 m) in diameter, with 48 wooden slats. At full power the wheel uses 2tons(2tonnes) of water per second and rotates five times a minute.The water wheel drives gearing which increases the speed to 16rpm. From here, cranks drive vertical connecting rods which transfer the energy to two 18 ft (5.5 m) longcast ironrocking beams. Each rocking beam in turn drives an 18 in (0.5 m) diameterlift pump, which also take their supply from the mill leat. Each pump stroke raises 50 imperial gallons (230 L; 60 US gal) of","L; 60 US gal) of water to the canal.In 1981,British Waterwaysinstalled two 75 horsepower (56 kW) electric pumps just upstream from the station. The Avon then flows throughBathford, where it is joined by theBybrook River, andBathamptonwhere it passes under theBathampton Toll Bridge. It is joined by theLam Brookat Lambridge inBathand then passes underClevelandandPulteney Bridgesand over the weir. Cleveland Bridge was built in 1826 byWilliam Hazledine,owner of theCoalbrookdaleIronworks, withHenry Goodridgeas the architect,on the site of aRomanferry crossing. Named after the 3rdDuke of Cleveland, it spans the River Avon atBathwick, and enabled further development ofGeorgianBath to take place on the south side of the river. It was designed by architectHenry Goodridgeto take the traffic of his day, horse-drawn vehicles and pedestrians, and was constructed usingBath Stoneand acast ironarchedspan. Pulteney Bridge was completed in 1773 and is designated byEnglish Heritageas a Grade I listed structure.The bridge was","bridge was designed byRobert Adam,and is one of only four bridges in the world with shops across the full span on both sides.It is named afterFrances Pulteney, heiress in 1767 of the Bathwick estate across the river from Bath. Floods in 1799 and 1800 wrecked the north side of the bridge, which had been constructed with inadequate support. It was rebuilt byJohn Pinch the Elder, surveyor to the Pulteney estate, in a less ambitious version of Adam's design.Bath and North East Somersetcouncil have discussed plans to ban vehicles from the bridge and turn it into a pedestrianised zone,but it remains open to buses and taxis. Some 700 metres below Pulteney weir, the river is joined by theKennet and Avon Canalwhich connects throughBath Locks. Together with theKennet Navigationwhich joins theRiver Thamesat Reading, this provides a through route for canal boats from Bristol to London. From this point downstream the river is known as the Avon Navigation. Navigation The Avon above Bath remains navigable as far as","navigable as far as Bathampton where there is the remains of aflash lock. However, the lock past the weir below Pulteney Bridge was demolished when the weir was reconstructed, so passage between the sections is only possible for dinghies and canoes using the roller slipway on the side of the weir. Beyond its junction with the Kennet and Avon Canal, the Avon flows throughKeynshamtowardsBristol. For much of its course after leaving Wiltshire, it marks the traditional boundary between Somerset and Gloucestershire. For most of this distance the navigation makes use of the natural riverbed, with six locks overcoming a rise of 30 feet (9 m). From Bath toNetham Lockwhere it divides into the New Cut and the Floating Harbour is 12 miles (19 km). The stretch is made navigable by the use of locks and weirs. In the centre of Bath it passes under various bridges including theMidland Bridgewhich was originally built by theMidland RailwayCompany to allow theSomerset and Dorset Joint Railwayaccess to and from itsGreen Park","from itsGreen Park Terminus Station. In November 2011 the navigation between Bath and Bristol was closed because of safety concerns aboutVictoria Bridge.Weston Lockon the outskirts of Bath is in what now forms theNewbridgearea. Weston Cut is a man made channel, opened in 1727, for boats to approach and pass through Weston Lock; the island created between the cut and the river weir became known as Dutch Island after the owner of thebrass millestablished on the riverside in the early 18th century. Kelston Lockand weir have permanent moorings above and below them. The Riverside Inn and Saltford Marina are also close by.Saltford Lockand weir are overlooked by the remains of theKelstonBrass Mill, which was working until 1925. It is a Grade IIlisted building.Alongside the lock is apub, whose garden extends over the lock to the small island between the lock and weir. The lock was opened in 1727 and destroyed in 1738 by rival coal dealers to stop the use of the river for transportation.In its heyday, between 1709","between 1709 and 1859,Swinefordhad an activebrassand copper industry aroundSwineford Lock, served by the river which also provided water power for the cloth industry,as did theRiver Boyd, a tributary which flows into the Avon nearBitton.Keynsham Lockopened in 1727.Just above the lock are visitor moorings and a pub, on an island between the lock and the weir. The weir side of the island is also the mouth of theRiver Chew.Hanhamis the last tidal lock,after which the river is joined byBrislington Brook. Netham Lockis the point atNethamin Bristol at which boats from the Avon gain access to Bristol'sfloating harbour. Construction started in 1804 to build the tidalNew Cut, where it is joined by theRiver Malago, and divert the Avon along theFeeder Canalto the harbour; a system designed and built byWilliam Jessopand later improved byIsambard Kingdom Brunel.A weir carries the river into the New Cut and boats use the adjacent lock. Access to the harbour is only possible during the day when the lock keeper will open","keeper will open the gates unless the water level in the river between Netham and Hanham is above or below the level of the harbour.Netham Lock and the weir form part of Bristol's flood defence mechanisms. It was announced in December 2008 that they would be upgraded as part of the £11 million City Docks Capital Project. In central Bristol, where the river istidal, it is diverted from its original course into the New Cut, a channel dug between 1804 and 1809 at a cost of £600,000.The original course is held at a constant level by lock gates (designed by Jessop) and is known as thefloating harbour. The harbour is protected by an 1870s replacement for Jessop's locks. This unusual dock has a tentacled plan resulting from its origins as the natural river course of the Avon and itstributaries, theRiver FromeandSiston Brook, and is intimately entwined with Bristol's city centre as few docks are. As a result of this, the floating harbour is one of the more successful pieces of dockland regeneration, with much of the","with much of the dockside now occupied by residential, office and cultural premises, and the water area heavily used by leisure craft. The harbour gave the port an advantage by enabling shipping to stay afloat rather than grounding when the tide went down. Downstream of central Bristol, the river passes through the deepAvon Gorge, spanned by Brunel'sClifton Suspension Bridge: the river is tidal and is navigable by seagoing vessels at high tide but dries to a steep-sided muddy channel at low tide. It was largely the challenge of navigating this section that sealed the fate of the floating harbour as commercial docks and saw them replaced by docks atAvonmouthwhere the Avon joins theSevern Estuary. Before reaching its mouth, the Avon is joined by theRiver TrymatSea Millswhich was the site ofPortus Abonae, aRomanport. Shortly after, it passes the village ofPillon the south bank where the Pill Hobblers were based in order to tow ships up the river to Bristol and where yachts and other boats still have moorings in","have moorings in Chapel Pill and Crockerne Pill.It then passes under theAvonmouth Bridgewhich carries theM5 motorway. The main span is 538 ft (164 m) long, and the bridge is 4,554 ft (1,388 m) long, with an air draught above mean high water level of 98.4 ft (30 m). The river then serves two major dock areas. TheRoyal Portbury Dockis on the southern side of the mouth of the river. The deepwater dock was constructed between 1972 and 1977, and is now a major port for the import ofmotor vehicles. The Royal Portbury Dock has the largest entrance lock into any UK port, accommodating vessels up to 41 m (135 ft) beam, 290 m (951 ft) length and 14.5 m (48 ft) draft. TheAvonmouth Docksare on the north side of the river and are one of the UK's major ports for chilled foods, especially fruit and vegetables. The first dock at Avonmouth, Avonmouth Old Dock, was opened in 1877 and acquired by Bristol Corporation in 1884. In 1907, a much larger dock, the Royal Edward Dock, was opened. The docks form part of thePort of","part of thePort of Bristoland were operated by the Port of Bristol Authority, part ofBristol City Council, until 1991 when the council granted a 150-year lease to the Bristol Port Company. Pilotage is provided by Bristol Pilots LLP who supply authorised pilots for the River Avon and Bristol City docks, as well as the Severn estuary and the Bristol channel; they are based at Avonmouth Docks. Hydrology and water quality At Great Somerford the Avon has a mean flow rate of 3.355 cubic metres per second (118.5 cu ft/s),and a typical river level range between 0.16 metres (6.3 in) and 0.74 metres (2 ft 5 in) with a highest level of 2.43 metres (8 ft 0 in).At Melksham the Avon has a mean flow rate of 6.703 cubic metres per second (236.7 cu ft/s).December 2013 was the highest level recorded at Bradford on Avon when the level reached 3.42 metres (11.2 ft) with a normal range at the monitoring station being 1.01 metres (3 ft 4 in) to 1.40 metres (4 ft 7 in).At Bathford the highest river level was also in December 2013","in December 2013 when it reached 4.41 metres (14.5 ft) while the normal range is 0.75 metres (2 ft 6 in) and 1.60 metres (5 ft 3 in),with a flow rate of 18.274 cubic metres per second (645.3 cu ft/s). In Bath at St James, which is 180 metres (590 ft) upstream of Pultney Weir the mean flow is 20.466 cubic metres per second (722.7 cu ft/s),with a similar flow (20.984 cubic metres per second (741.0 cu ft/s)) downstream of the weir.At the Destructor Bridge in Bath the typical height range is 0.40 metres (1 ft 4 in) to 0.81 metres (2 ft 8 in) with a high of 1.64 metres (5 ft 5 in) also in December 2013. At Saltford the range is 0.46 metres (1 ft 6 in) to 1.41 metres (4 ft 8 in) with a highest recording of 2.31 metres (7 ft 7 in) on 24 December 2013.At Keynsham the typical range is between 0.23 metres (9.1 in) and 2.09 metres (6 ft 10 in). The highest was on 25 December 2013 when it reached 5.36 metres (17.6 ft).At Netham Weir where the new cut carries the flow away from Bristol Harbour the typical range for the","range for the depth of the river is 0.15 metres (5.9 in) to 0.84 metres (2 ft 9 in) with the highest ever recorded being 3.22 metres (10.6 ft). For the purpose of water quality monitoring and improvement the river is divided into several catchment management areas; South of Malmesbury, Bristol Avon Rural and Bristol Avon Urban.In the rural area 22 water bodies are classified as good, 46 as moderate and 8 as poor. The main reasons for not achieving good scores are pollution from waste water, agriculture and rural land management.In the urban area one water body is rated good, while 12 are rated moderate and one is poor. The pollution from upstream is added to by the effects of industry, manufacturing and other businesses and is significantly affected by physical modifications to the water course.Within the catchment area there are 137 river water bodies and 6 lakes; of these 22 per cent of rivers are rated as good ecological status, 40 per cent good for chemical status and 31 per cent good for biological","good for biological status. Conservation areas The river is important for its dragonfly communities, with a strong population ofscarce chaser(found in only six other areas in England),together with a strong population ofwhite-legged damselfly.red-eyed damselflyis also found. The river is also important for aquatic plants, includingLoddon pondweed. TheKellaways – West TythertonSite of Special Scientific Interest, 3 miles (4.8 km) north east ofChippenham, is of geological interest as the river bank exposesCallovianhighly-fossiliferous sandstone which contains well-preservedbivalves,gastropods,brachiopods,belemnitesandammonites.Further downstream atNewton St LoetheNewton St Loe SSSIis anotherGeological Conservation ReviewSSSI. It represents the only remaining known exposure of fossiliferousPleistocenegravels along the River Avon. In conjunction with other sites within the wider area, it has aided the development of a scientific understanding of the history of earlyglaciationwithinSouth West England. The bodies","England. The bodies ofmammoths(Mammuthus) and horses (Equus) have been found at the site. TheAvon Gorgehas been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because it supports some rare fauna and flora, including species unique to the gorge. There are a total of 24 rare plant species and two unique trees: theBristolandWilmotts's whitebeams.Other notable plants includeBristol rock-cress,Bristol onion,spiked speedwell,autumn squillandhonewort.Other areas along the river which have this designation includeBickley Wood,Cleeve Wood, Hanhamfor its large population of Bath asparagus (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum).Stidham FarmnearKeynshamcontains at least At least 2 metres (7 ft) ofPleistoceneterrace-gravels, consisting oflimestoneclastsmainly, but also withMillstone Grit,Pennant Sandstone, flint and chert clasts. The site is of considerable importance for studies relating to the possible glaciation of the area, and of the terracestratigraphy, particularly as it is one of only two accessible terrace deposits in","terrace deposits in this part of the Avon valley.Newton St Loe SSSIis also listed for geological reasons as it represents the only remaining known exposure of fossiliferous Pleistocene gravels along the River Avon. In conjunction with other sites within the wider area, they have aided the development of a scientific understanding of the history of early glaciation withinSouth West England. AtHorseshoe Bend, Shirehamptonthe wooded cliff and a narrowsalt marshare supported by rocks of Devonian ageOld Red SandstoneandCarboniferous Limestone, overlain by withTriassicdolomiticconglomerate. The site's principal interest and the reason for its designation as an SSSI is the presence of a population of thetrue service-tree(Sorbus domestica) growing on the cliffs. This tree is nationally rare in Britain, and this site hosts the largest known population in England. Other notable species ofSorbushere are the whitebeamsSorbus eminensandSorbus anglica, both of which are also nationally rare in Britain. The nationally","The nationally scarcelarge-leaved lime(Tilia platyphyllos) also occurs, and herbs includefield garlic(Allium oleraceum) andpale St. John's-wort(Hypericum montanum). The saltmarsh vegetation, which lies at the base of the cliff, is predominantly made up ofsea aster(Aster tripolium) andEnglish scurvygrass(Cochlearia anglica). There are however two nationally scarce vascular plant species here as well –slender hare's-ear(Bupleurum tenuissimum) andlong-stalked orache(Atriplex longipes). The tidal reaches of the River Avon provide habitat for waterbirds, with 64 species having been recorded up to 2004,including 21 species ofshorebird,and 13 species ofgull. Authorities A catchment board for the Avon was created by theLand Drainage Act 1930and became the Bristol AvonRiver Boardunder theRiver Boards Act 1948; the board was in turn replaced by the Bristol AvonRiver Authorityunder theWater Resources Act 1963. Twenty-five minor watercourses were added to the Authority's jurisdiction in 1973.Reorganisation in 1974,","in 1974, under theWater Act 1973brought the Avon catchment into a newregional body, the Wessex Water Authority.Privatisationsaw responsibility for the catchment pass to theNational Rivers Authorityon its formation on 1 September 1989. In 1996 the authority became part of theEnvironment Agency. Navigation conservancy in the lower river from Avonmouth to the lock at Hotwells is the responsibility of The Bristol Port Company as both statutory and competent harbour authority.Navigation within Bristol's floating harbour is retained byBristol City Councilas statutory and competent harbour authority. History The distribution of archaeological finds suggests that the western end of the river between Bath and Avonmouth formed a border between theDobunniandDurotrigesduring the lateIron Age, prior to theRoman conquest of Britain. Further east, between Bath and what is now Wiltshire, it may also have formed a border of the territory ruled by theBelgae. After the Roman occupation the river formed a boundary between the","between the lands of theHwicce(which becameMercia) and the kingdom ofWessex. The river Avon had been navigable from Bristol to Bath during the early years of the 13th century but construction of mills on the river forced its closure.Thefloodplainof the Avon, on which the city centre ofBathis built, has an altitude of about 59 ft (18 m) abovesea level.The river, once an unnavigable series ofbraided streamsbroken up byswampsand ponds, has been managed byweirsinto a single channel. Periodic flooding, which shortened the life of many buildings in the lowest part of the city, was normal until major flood control works were completed in the 1970s. The Bristol Avon Navigation, which runs the 15 miles (24 km) from the Kennet and Avon Canal at Hanham Lock to the Bristol Channel at Avonmouth, was constructed between 1724 and 1727,following legislation passed byQueen Anne,by a company of proprietors and the engineerJohn HoreofNewbury. The first cargo of 'Deal boards, Pig-Lead and Meal' arrived in Bath in December","in Bath in December 1727.It is now administered by theCanal & River Trust. Throughout Bristol's history theAvon Gorgehas been an important transport route, carrying the River Avon, major roads and two railways. The Bristol Channel has a very high tidal range of 15 metres (49 ft),second only toBay of FundyinEastern Canada;and the gorge is relatively narrow and meandering, making it notoriously difficult to navigate. Several vessels have grounded in the gorge including theSS Demerarasoon after her launch in 1851, the schoonerGipsyin 1878, the steam tugBlack Eaglein 1861 and theLlandaff City. In 1877, Halfpenny Bridge, a pedestrian toll bridge crossing the river fromBath Spa railway stationtoWidcombe, collapsed with the loss of about 10 lives amongst a large crowd going to theBath and West Agricultural show. The Avon has flooded several times in its recorded history. These floods include the one in 1799/1800 damagingPulteney Bridge.Various points along the river including the valley aroundFreshfordare at risk","at risk offluvialflooding, as a result of sediment entering the river and narrowing the channel. To help cope with this some areas on the banks of the river are designated as a functional floodplain to cope with increased flow volumes.The potential changes to weather patterns as a result of climate change suggest that further measures are likely to be needed to protect the population from flooding risk.A tidal surge, combined with high water levels from theflooding of the surrounding areacaused flooding in the city of Bristol. Route and points of interest Download coordinates as: See also References External links Media related toRiver Avon, South-West Englandat Wikimedia Commons","River Marden TheRiver Mardenis a smalltributaryof theRiver Avonin England. It flows from the hills surroundingCalneand meets the Avon about a mile upstream ofChippenham. The river has a mean flow of 43 cubic feet per second (1.2 m3/s). Course The Marden rises just north of the valley of Ranscombe Bottom nearCalstone WellingtoninWiltshire.It then flows in a north-west direction through theBlacklandarea, where it forms a small ornamental lake at Blackland House, and on toQuemerford, where it is joined on the right bank by the Rivers Brook. In Calne, the Abberd Brook joins on the right. The river turns in a westerly direction and is joined by the overspill from Bowood Lake, part of theBowood Houseestate, on the left at Studleybrook Farm. The river is then joined by the combined Fisher's and Cowage brooks before turning to the north-west, past the village ofStanley. 1.5 miles (2.4 km) later it joins the Bristol Avon to the north-east ofChippenham. History TheDomesday surveyof England in 1086 records","in 1086 records fourwatermillson the Marden at Calne. In the 18th century fourfullingmills are recorded and one of these, Upper Mill, became a paper mill in 1768 and continued in operation until 1860. Hassell's Mill atStudleyremained in operation until 1960. A branch of theWilts & Berks Canal, opened in 1810, paralleled the course of the Marden west of Calne. The canal was closed in 1914 following the collapse into the river of the Stanley aqueduct in 1901. Traces of the canal and its towpath survive. Hydrology TheEnvironment Agencygauging station at Stanley has measured the mean flow of the river as 43 cubic feet per second (1.2 m3/s), with a maximum recorded flow of 1,529 cubic feet per second (43.3 m3/s) on 30 October 2000 and a minimum of 3.9 cubic feet per second (0.11 m3/s) on 21 August 1976. References"],"string":"[\n \"River Avon, Bristol TheRiver Avon/ˈeɪvən/is a river in the southwest of England. To distinguish it from a number of otherrivers of the same name, it is often called theBristol Avon. The name 'Avon' isloanedfrom an ancestor of theWelshwordafon, meaning 'river'. The Avonrisesjust north of the village ofActon TurvilleinSouth Gloucestershire, before flowing throughWiltshireintoSomerset. In its lower reaches fromBath(where it meets theKennet and Avon Canal) to theSevern EstuaryatAvonmouthnearBristol, the river is navigable and is known as theAvon Navigation. The Avon is the19th longestriver in the United Kingdom, at 83 miles (134 km), although there are just 19 miles (31 km)as the crow fliesbetween the source and its mouth in theSevern Estuary. Thecatchment areais 2,220 square kilometres (860 sq mi). Etymology The name \\\"Avon\\\" isloanedfrom theCommon Brittonicabona, \\\"river\\\", which survives in theWelshwordafon. \\\"River Avon\\\", therefore, literally means \\\"river river\\\"; several other English and Scottish rivers share the\",\n \"rivers share the name.TheCounty of Avonthat existed from 1974 to 1996 was named after the river, and coveredBristol,Bath, and the lower Avon valley. Course The Avonriseson the southern edge of theCotswold hills, atDidmartonin Gloucestershire;at Joyce's Pool a plaque marks the source.It flows south-east into Wiltshire toSherston, where it is joined by the Luckington Brook which drains an area west ofLuckingtonthat includes theBadminton Houseestate. From Sherston the river flows east toMalmesbury, where it is joined by its first major tributary, theTetbury Avon, which rises just east ofTetburyin Gloucestershire.This is known locally as the Ingleburn,which inOld Englishmeans 'English river'. The two rivers flow north and south of a rocky outcrop, almost creating an island for the ancient hilltop town of Malmesbury to sit on. Upstream of this confluence the river is sometimes referred to as the 'River Avon (Sherston branch)' to distinguish it from the Tetbury branch. After the two rivers merge, the Avon turns\",\n \"the Avon turns southeast away from the Cotswolds and then quickly south into the clayDauntsey Vale, where it is joined by theRiver Marden, until it reaches the biggest town so far,Chippenham. The wide vale is now known as the Avon Vale, and the river flows on viaLacocktoMelksham, then turns north-west throughBradford-on-Avon, where the centre of the town grew up around aford, hence the origin of the town's name (\\\"Broad-Ford\\\").This was supplemented inNormantimes by theGrade I listedbridge that still stands today; originally apackhorse bridge, it was widened in the 17th century by rebuilding the downstream side. The Avon Valley between Bradford-on-Avon and Bath is an example of a valley where four forms of ground transport are found: road, rail, river, canal. The river passes under theAvoncliffandDundas Aqueductswhich carry theKennet and Avon Canal, and atFreshfordis joined by the SomersetRiver Frome. Avoncliff Aqueduct was built byJohn Rennieand chief engineer John Thomas, between 1797 and 1801.\",\n \"1797 and 1801. Theaqueductconsists of three arches and is 110 yards (100 m) long with a central elliptical arch of 60 ft (18 m) span with two side arches each semicircular and 34 ft (10 m) across, all with V-jointed arch stones. The spandrel and wing walls are built in alternate courses of ashlar masonry, and rock-faced blocks. The central span sagged soon after it was built and has been repaired many times.The Dundas Aqueduct was built by the same team between 1797 and 1801 and completed in 1805.James McIlquhamwas appointed contractor.The aqueduct is 150 yards (137.2 m) long with three arches built ofBath Stone, withDoricpilasters, and balustrades at each end.The central semicircular arch spans 64 feet (19.5 m); the two oval side arches span 20 feet (6.1 m).It is aGrade I listedstructure,and was the first canal structure to be designated as aScheduled Ancient Monumentin 1951.The stretch of river below and above the aqueduct, where it is joined byMidford Brook, has been used by rowing crews fromMonkton Combe\",\n \"fromMonkton Combe Schoolsince at least the beginning of the 1900s. It then flows pastClaverton Pumping Station, which pumped water from the River Avon byWarleigh Weirinto the canal, using power from the flow of the river. The pumping station is located in a pump house built of Bath Stone, located at river level. Water is diverted from the river by Warleigh Weir, about 200 yd (180 m) upstream. The water flows down aleatto the pumping station, where it powers awater wheel, 24 ft (7.3 m) wide and 17 ft (5.2 m) in diameter, with 48 wooden slats. At full power the wheel uses 2tons(2tonnes) of water per second and rotates five times a minute.The water wheel drives gearing which increases the speed to 16rpm. From here, cranks drive vertical connecting rods which transfer the energy to two 18 ft (5.5 m) longcast ironrocking beams. Each rocking beam in turn drives an 18 in (0.5 m) diameterlift pump, which also take their supply from the mill leat. Each pump stroke raises 50 imperial gallons (230 L; 60 US gal) of\",\n \"L; 60 US gal) of water to the canal.In 1981,British Waterwaysinstalled two 75 horsepower (56 kW) electric pumps just upstream from the station. The Avon then flows throughBathford, where it is joined by theBybrook River, andBathamptonwhere it passes under theBathampton Toll Bridge. It is joined by theLam Brookat Lambridge inBathand then passes underClevelandandPulteney Bridgesand over the weir. Cleveland Bridge was built in 1826 byWilliam Hazledine,owner of theCoalbrookdaleIronworks, withHenry Goodridgeas the architect,on the site of aRomanferry crossing. Named after the 3rdDuke of Cleveland, it spans the River Avon atBathwick, and enabled further development ofGeorgianBath to take place on the south side of the river. It was designed by architectHenry Goodridgeto take the traffic of his day, horse-drawn vehicles and pedestrians, and was constructed usingBath Stoneand acast ironarchedspan. Pulteney Bridge was completed in 1773 and is designated byEnglish Heritageas a Grade I listed structure.The bridge was\",\n \"bridge was designed byRobert Adam,and is one of only four bridges in the world with shops across the full span on both sides.It is named afterFrances Pulteney, heiress in 1767 of the Bathwick estate across the river from Bath. Floods in 1799 and 1800 wrecked the north side of the bridge, which had been constructed with inadequate support. It was rebuilt byJohn Pinch the Elder, surveyor to the Pulteney estate, in a less ambitious version of Adam's design.Bath and North East Somersetcouncil have discussed plans to ban vehicles from the bridge and turn it into a pedestrianised zone,but it remains open to buses and taxis. Some 700 metres below Pulteney weir, the river is joined by theKennet and Avon Canalwhich connects throughBath Locks. Together with theKennet Navigationwhich joins theRiver Thamesat Reading, this provides a through route for canal boats from Bristol to London. From this point downstream the river is known as the Avon Navigation. Navigation The Avon above Bath remains navigable as far as\",\n \"navigable as far as Bathampton where there is the remains of aflash lock. However, the lock past the weir below Pulteney Bridge was demolished when the weir was reconstructed, so passage between the sections is only possible for dinghies and canoes using the roller slipway on the side of the weir. Beyond its junction with the Kennet and Avon Canal, the Avon flows throughKeynshamtowardsBristol. For much of its course after leaving Wiltshire, it marks the traditional boundary between Somerset and Gloucestershire. For most of this distance the navigation makes use of the natural riverbed, with six locks overcoming a rise of 30 feet (9 m). From Bath toNetham Lockwhere it divides into the New Cut and the Floating Harbour is 12 miles (19 km). The stretch is made navigable by the use of locks and weirs. In the centre of Bath it passes under various bridges including theMidland Bridgewhich was originally built by theMidland RailwayCompany to allow theSomerset and Dorset Joint Railwayaccess to and from itsGreen Park\",\n \"from itsGreen Park Terminus Station. In November 2011 the navigation between Bath and Bristol was closed because of safety concerns aboutVictoria Bridge.Weston Lockon the outskirts of Bath is in what now forms theNewbridgearea. Weston Cut is a man made channel, opened in 1727, for boats to approach and pass through Weston Lock; the island created between the cut and the river weir became known as Dutch Island after the owner of thebrass millestablished on the riverside in the early 18th century. Kelston Lockand weir have permanent moorings above and below them. The Riverside Inn and Saltford Marina are also close by.Saltford Lockand weir are overlooked by the remains of theKelstonBrass Mill, which was working until 1925. It is a Grade IIlisted building.Alongside the lock is apub, whose garden extends over the lock to the small island between the lock and weir. The lock was opened in 1727 and destroyed in 1738 by rival coal dealers to stop the use of the river for transportation.In its heyday, between 1709\",\n \"between 1709 and 1859,Swinefordhad an activebrassand copper industry aroundSwineford Lock, served by the river which also provided water power for the cloth industry,as did theRiver Boyd, a tributary which flows into the Avon nearBitton.Keynsham Lockopened in 1727.Just above the lock are visitor moorings and a pub, on an island between the lock and the weir. The weir side of the island is also the mouth of theRiver Chew.Hanhamis the last tidal lock,after which the river is joined byBrislington Brook. Netham Lockis the point atNethamin Bristol at which boats from the Avon gain access to Bristol'sfloating harbour. Construction started in 1804 to build the tidalNew Cut, where it is joined by theRiver Malago, and divert the Avon along theFeeder Canalto the harbour; a system designed and built byWilliam Jessopand later improved byIsambard Kingdom Brunel.A weir carries the river into the New Cut and boats use the adjacent lock. Access to the harbour is only possible during the day when the lock keeper will open\",\n \"keeper will open the gates unless the water level in the river between Netham and Hanham is above or below the level of the harbour.Netham Lock and the weir form part of Bristol's flood defence mechanisms. It was announced in December 2008 that they would be upgraded as part of the £11 million City Docks Capital Project. In central Bristol, where the river istidal, it is diverted from its original course into the New Cut, a channel dug between 1804 and 1809 at a cost of £600,000.The original course is held at a constant level by lock gates (designed by Jessop) and is known as thefloating harbour. The harbour is protected by an 1870s replacement for Jessop's locks. This unusual dock has a tentacled plan resulting from its origins as the natural river course of the Avon and itstributaries, theRiver FromeandSiston Brook, and is intimately entwined with Bristol's city centre as few docks are. As a result of this, the floating harbour is one of the more successful pieces of dockland regeneration, with much of the\",\n \"with much of the dockside now occupied by residential, office and cultural premises, and the water area heavily used by leisure craft. The harbour gave the port an advantage by enabling shipping to stay afloat rather than grounding when the tide went down. Downstream of central Bristol, the river passes through the deepAvon Gorge, spanned by Brunel'sClifton Suspension Bridge: the river is tidal and is navigable by seagoing vessels at high tide but dries to a steep-sided muddy channel at low tide. It was largely the challenge of navigating this section that sealed the fate of the floating harbour as commercial docks and saw them replaced by docks atAvonmouthwhere the Avon joins theSevern Estuary. Before reaching its mouth, the Avon is joined by theRiver TrymatSea Millswhich was the site ofPortus Abonae, aRomanport. Shortly after, it passes the village ofPillon the south bank where the Pill Hobblers were based in order to tow ships up the river to Bristol and where yachts and other boats still have moorings in\",\n \"have moorings in Chapel Pill and Crockerne Pill.It then passes under theAvonmouth Bridgewhich carries theM5 motorway. The main span is 538 ft (164 m) long, and the bridge is 4,554 ft (1,388 m) long, with an air draught above mean high water level of 98.4 ft (30 m). The river then serves two major dock areas. TheRoyal Portbury Dockis on the southern side of the mouth of the river. The deepwater dock was constructed between 1972 and 1977, and is now a major port for the import ofmotor vehicles. The Royal Portbury Dock has the largest entrance lock into any UK port, accommodating vessels up to 41 m (135 ft) beam, 290 m (951 ft) length and 14.5 m (48 ft) draft. TheAvonmouth Docksare on the north side of the river and are one of the UK's major ports for chilled foods, especially fruit and vegetables. The first dock at Avonmouth, Avonmouth Old Dock, was opened in 1877 and acquired by Bristol Corporation in 1884. In 1907, a much larger dock, the Royal Edward Dock, was opened. The docks form part of thePort of\",\n \"part of thePort of Bristoland were operated by the Port of Bristol Authority, part ofBristol City Council, until 1991 when the council granted a 150-year lease to the Bristol Port Company. Pilotage is provided by Bristol Pilots LLP who supply authorised pilots for the River Avon and Bristol City docks, as well as the Severn estuary and the Bristol channel; they are based at Avonmouth Docks. Hydrology and water quality At Great Somerford the Avon has a mean flow rate of 3.355 cubic metres per second (118.5 cu ft/s),and a typical river level range between 0.16 metres (6.3 in) and 0.74 metres (2 ft 5 in) with a highest level of 2.43 metres (8 ft 0 in).At Melksham the Avon has a mean flow rate of 6.703 cubic metres per second (236.7 cu ft/s).December 2013 was the highest level recorded at Bradford on Avon when the level reached 3.42 metres (11.2 ft) with a normal range at the monitoring station being 1.01 metres (3 ft 4 in) to 1.40 metres (4 ft 7 in).At Bathford the highest river level was also in December 2013\",\n \"in December 2013 when it reached 4.41 metres (14.5 ft) while the normal range is 0.75 metres (2 ft 6 in) and 1.60 metres (5 ft 3 in),with a flow rate of 18.274 cubic metres per second (645.3 cu ft/s). In Bath at St James, which is 180 metres (590 ft) upstream of Pultney Weir the mean flow is 20.466 cubic metres per second (722.7 cu ft/s),with a similar flow (20.984 cubic metres per second (741.0 cu ft/s)) downstream of the weir.At the Destructor Bridge in Bath the typical height range is 0.40 metres (1 ft 4 in) to 0.81 metres (2 ft 8 in) with a high of 1.64 metres (5 ft 5 in) also in December 2013. At Saltford the range is 0.46 metres (1 ft 6 in) to 1.41 metres (4 ft 8 in) with a highest recording of 2.31 metres (7 ft 7 in) on 24 December 2013.At Keynsham the typical range is between 0.23 metres (9.1 in) and 2.09 metres (6 ft 10 in). The highest was on 25 December 2013 when it reached 5.36 metres (17.6 ft).At Netham Weir where the new cut carries the flow away from Bristol Harbour the typical range for the\",\n \"range for the depth of the river is 0.15 metres (5.9 in) to 0.84 metres (2 ft 9 in) with the highest ever recorded being 3.22 metres (10.6 ft). For the purpose of water quality monitoring and improvement the river is divided into several catchment management areas; South of Malmesbury, Bristol Avon Rural and Bristol Avon Urban.In the rural area 22 water bodies are classified as good, 46 as moderate and 8 as poor. The main reasons for not achieving good scores are pollution from waste water, agriculture and rural land management.In the urban area one water body is rated good, while 12 are rated moderate and one is poor. The pollution from upstream is added to by the effects of industry, manufacturing and other businesses and is significantly affected by physical modifications to the water course.Within the catchment area there are 137 river water bodies and 6 lakes; of these 22 per cent of rivers are rated as good ecological status, 40 per cent good for chemical status and 31 per cent good for biological\",\n \"good for biological status. Conservation areas The river is important for its dragonfly communities, with a strong population ofscarce chaser(found in only six other areas in England),together with a strong population ofwhite-legged damselfly.red-eyed damselflyis also found. The river is also important for aquatic plants, includingLoddon pondweed. TheKellaways – West TythertonSite of Special Scientific Interest, 3 miles (4.8 km) north east ofChippenham, is of geological interest as the river bank exposesCallovianhighly-fossiliferous sandstone which contains well-preservedbivalves,gastropods,brachiopods,belemnitesandammonites.Further downstream atNewton St LoetheNewton St Loe SSSIis anotherGeological Conservation ReviewSSSI. It represents the only remaining known exposure of fossiliferousPleistocenegravels along the River Avon. In conjunction with other sites within the wider area, it has aided the development of a scientific understanding of the history of earlyglaciationwithinSouth West England. The bodies\",\n \"England. The bodies ofmammoths(Mammuthus) and horses (Equus) have been found at the site. TheAvon Gorgehas been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest because it supports some rare fauna and flora, including species unique to the gorge. There are a total of 24 rare plant species and two unique trees: theBristolandWilmotts's whitebeams.Other notable plants includeBristol rock-cress,Bristol onion,spiked speedwell,autumn squillandhonewort.Other areas along the river which have this designation includeBickley Wood,Cleeve Wood, Hanhamfor its large population of Bath asparagus (Ornithogalum pyrenaicum).Stidham FarmnearKeynshamcontains at least At least 2 metres (7 ft) ofPleistoceneterrace-gravels, consisting oflimestoneclastsmainly, but also withMillstone Grit,Pennant Sandstone, flint and chert clasts. The site is of considerable importance for studies relating to the possible glaciation of the area, and of the terracestratigraphy, particularly as it is one of only two accessible terrace deposits in\",\n \"terrace deposits in this part of the Avon valley.Newton St Loe SSSIis also listed for geological reasons as it represents the only remaining known exposure of fossiliferous Pleistocene gravels along the River Avon. In conjunction with other sites within the wider area, they have aided the development of a scientific understanding of the history of early glaciation withinSouth West England. AtHorseshoe Bend, Shirehamptonthe wooded cliff and a narrowsalt marshare supported by rocks of Devonian ageOld Red SandstoneandCarboniferous Limestone, overlain by withTriassicdolomiticconglomerate. The site's principal interest and the reason for its designation as an SSSI is the presence of a population of thetrue service-tree(Sorbus domestica) growing on the cliffs. This tree is nationally rare in Britain, and this site hosts the largest known population in England. Other notable species ofSorbushere are the whitebeamsSorbus eminensandSorbus anglica, both of which are also nationally rare in Britain. The nationally\",\n \"The nationally scarcelarge-leaved lime(Tilia platyphyllos) also occurs, and herbs includefield garlic(Allium oleraceum) andpale St. John's-wort(Hypericum montanum). The saltmarsh vegetation, which lies at the base of the cliff, is predominantly made up ofsea aster(Aster tripolium) andEnglish scurvygrass(Cochlearia anglica). There are however two nationally scarce vascular plant species here as well –slender hare's-ear(Bupleurum tenuissimum) andlong-stalked orache(Atriplex longipes). The tidal reaches of the River Avon provide habitat for waterbirds, with 64 species having been recorded up to 2004,including 21 species ofshorebird,and 13 species ofgull. Authorities A catchment board for the Avon was created by theLand Drainage Act 1930and became the Bristol AvonRiver Boardunder theRiver Boards Act 1948; the board was in turn replaced by the Bristol AvonRiver Authorityunder theWater Resources Act 1963. Twenty-five minor watercourses were added to the Authority's jurisdiction in 1973.Reorganisation in 1974,\",\n \"in 1974, under theWater Act 1973brought the Avon catchment into a newregional body, the Wessex Water Authority.Privatisationsaw responsibility for the catchment pass to theNational Rivers Authorityon its formation on 1 September 1989. In 1996 the authority became part of theEnvironment Agency. Navigation conservancy in the lower river from Avonmouth to the lock at Hotwells is the responsibility of The Bristol Port Company as both statutory and competent harbour authority.Navigation within Bristol's floating harbour is retained byBristol City Councilas statutory and competent harbour authority. History The distribution of archaeological finds suggests that the western end of the river between Bath and Avonmouth formed a border between theDobunniandDurotrigesduring the lateIron Age, prior to theRoman conquest of Britain. Further east, between Bath and what is now Wiltshire, it may also have formed a border of the territory ruled by theBelgae. After the Roman occupation the river formed a boundary between the\",\n \"between the lands of theHwicce(which becameMercia) and the kingdom ofWessex. The river Avon had been navigable from Bristol to Bath during the early years of the 13th century but construction of mills on the river forced its closure.Thefloodplainof the Avon, on which the city centre ofBathis built, has an altitude of about 59 ft (18 m) abovesea level.The river, once an unnavigable series ofbraided streamsbroken up byswampsand ponds, has been managed byweirsinto a single channel. Periodic flooding, which shortened the life of many buildings in the lowest part of the city, was normal until major flood control works were completed in the 1970s. The Bristol Avon Navigation, which runs the 15 miles (24 km) from the Kennet and Avon Canal at Hanham Lock to the Bristol Channel at Avonmouth, was constructed between 1724 and 1727,following legislation passed byQueen Anne,by a company of proprietors and the engineerJohn HoreofNewbury. The first cargo of 'Deal boards, Pig-Lead and Meal' arrived in Bath in December\",\n \"in Bath in December 1727.It is now administered by theCanal & River Trust. Throughout Bristol's history theAvon Gorgehas been an important transport route, carrying the River Avon, major roads and two railways. The Bristol Channel has a very high tidal range of 15 metres (49 ft),second only toBay of FundyinEastern Canada;and the gorge is relatively narrow and meandering, making it notoriously difficult to navigate. Several vessels have grounded in the gorge including theSS Demerarasoon after her launch in 1851, the schoonerGipsyin 1878, the steam tugBlack Eaglein 1861 and theLlandaff City. In 1877, Halfpenny Bridge, a pedestrian toll bridge crossing the river fromBath Spa railway stationtoWidcombe, collapsed with the loss of about 10 lives amongst a large crowd going to theBath and West Agricultural show. The Avon has flooded several times in its recorded history. These floods include the one in 1799/1800 damagingPulteney Bridge.Various points along the river including the valley aroundFreshfordare at risk\",\n \"at risk offluvialflooding, as a result of sediment entering the river and narrowing the channel. To help cope with this some areas on the banks of the river are designated as a functional floodplain to cope with increased flow volumes.The potential changes to weather patterns as a result of climate change suggest that further measures are likely to be needed to protect the population from flooding risk.A tidal surge, combined with high water levels from theflooding of the surrounding areacaused flooding in the city of Bristol. Route and points of interest Download coordinates as: See also References External links Media related toRiver Avon, South-West Englandat Wikimedia Commons\",\n \"River Marden TheRiver Mardenis a smalltributaryof theRiver Avonin England. It flows from the hills surroundingCalneand meets the Avon about a mile upstream ofChippenham. The river has a mean flow of 43 cubic feet per second (1.2 m3/s). Course The Marden rises just north of the valley of Ranscombe Bottom nearCalstone WellingtoninWiltshire.It then flows in a north-west direction through theBlacklandarea, where it forms a small ornamental lake at Blackland House, and on toQuemerford, where it is joined on the right bank by the Rivers Brook. In Calne, the Abberd Brook joins on the right. The river turns in a westerly direction and is joined by the overspill from Bowood Lake, part of theBowood Houseestate, on the left at Studleybrook Farm. The river is then joined by the combined Fisher's and Cowage brooks before turning to the north-west, past the village ofStanley. 1.5 miles (2.4 km) later it joins the Bristol Avon to the north-east ofChippenham. History TheDomesday surveyof England in 1086 records\",\n \"in 1086 records fourwatermillson the Marden at Calne. In the 18th century fourfullingmills are recorded and one of these, Upper Mill, became a paper mill in 1768 and continued in operation until 1860. Hassell's Mill atStudleyremained in operation until 1960. A branch of theWilts & Berks Canal, opened in 1810, paralleled the course of the Marden west of Calne. The canal was closed in 1914 following the collapse into the river of the Stanley aqueduct in 1901. Traces of the canal and its towpath survive. Hydrology TheEnvironment Agencygauging station at Stanley has measured the mean flow of the river as 43 cubic feet per second (1.2 m3/s), with a maximum recorded flow of 1,529 cubic feet per second (43.3 m3/s) on 30 October 2000 and a minimum of 3.9 cubic feet per second (0.11 m3/s) on 21 August 1976. References\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":284,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"As noted in the 2020 census, what is the population of the county in which Waterville, Maine, resides?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"123,642"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterville,_Maine"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennebec_County,_Maine"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterville,_Maine', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennebec_County,_Maine']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterville,_Maine","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennebec_County,_Maine"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterville,_Maine\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennebec_County,_Maine\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Waterville, Maine Watervilleis a city inKennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of theKennebec River. A college town, the city is home toColby College, aNESCACcollege, andThomas College. It is also home to the headquarters of HealthReach Community Health Centers. As of the2020 censusthe population was 15,828.Along withAugusta, Waterville is one of the principal cities of theAugusta-Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area. History The area now known as Waterville was once inhabited by theCanibastribe of theAbenakipeople. Called \"Taconnet\" after Chief Taconnet, the main village was located on the east bank of the Kennebec River at its confluence with theSebasticook Riverat what is nowWinslow. Known as \"Ticonic\" byEnglish settlers, it was burned in 1692 duringKing William's War, after which the Canibas tribe abandoned the area.Fort Halifaxwas built by GeneralJohn Winslowin 1754, and the last skirmish with indigenous peoples occurred on May 18, 1757. The township would be organized as Kingfield Plantation, then incorporated asWinslowin 1771. When residents on the west side of the Kennebec found themselves unable to cross the river to attendtown meetings, Waterville was founded from the western parts of Winslow and incorporated on June 23, 1802. In 1824 a bridge was built joining the communities. Early industries includedfishing,lumbering,agricultureandship building, with larger boats launched in spring duringfreshets. By the early 1900s, there were five shipyards in the community. Ticonic Falls blocked navigation farther upriver, so Waterville developed as the terminus for trade and shipping. The Kennebec River and Messalonskee Stream providedwater powerfor mills, including severalsawmills, agristmill, asashandblindfactory, a furniture factory, and a shovel handle factory. There was also a carriage and sleigh factory, boot shop,brickyard, andtannery. On September 27, 1849, theAndroscoggin and Kennebec Railroadopened to Waterville. It would become part of theMaine Central Railroad, which in 1870 establishedlocomotiveand car repair shops in the thrivingmill town. West Waterville (renamedOakland) was set off as a town in 1873. Waterville was incorporated as a city on January 12, 1888. The Ticonic Water Power & Manufacturing Company was formed in 1866 and soon built a dam across the Kennebec. After a change of ownership in 1873, the company began construction on what would become the Lockwood Manufacturing Company, acottontextile plant. A second mill was added, and by 1900 the firm dominated the riverfront and employed 1,300 workers. Lockwood Mills survived until the mid-1950s. The ironWaterville-Winslow Footbridgeopened in 1901, as a means for Waterville residents to commute to Winslow for work in theHollingsworth & Whitney Co.and Wyandotte Worsted Co. mills, but in less than a year was carried away by the highest river level since 1832. Rebuilt in 1903, it would be called the Two Cent Bridge because of itstoll.In 1902, theBeaux-Artsstyle City Hall and Opera House designed by George Gilman Adams was dedicated. In 2002, theC.F. Hathaway Company, one of the last remaining factories in the United States producing high-enddress shirts, was purchased by Warren Buffett'sBerkshire Hathawaycompany and was closed after over 160 years of operation in the city. Waterville also developed as an educational center. In 1813, theMaine Literary and Theological Institutionwas established. It would be renamed Waterville College in 1821, thenColby Collegein 1867.Thomas Collegewas established in 1894. The Latin School was founded in 1820 to prepare students to attend Colby and other colleges, and was subsequently named Waterville Academy, Waterville Classical Institute, and Coburn Classical Institute; the Institute merged with the Oak Grove School inVassalboroin 1970, and remained open until 1989. The first public high school was built in 1877, while the current Waterville Senior High School was built in 1961. Geography Waterville is in northern Kennebec County, in central Maine, at44°33′07″N69°38′45″W / 44.552051°N 69.645839°W /44.552051; -69.645839.Its northern boundary is theSomerset Countyline. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 14.05 square miles (36.39 km2), of which 13.58 square miles (35.17 km2) is land and 0.47 square miles (1.22 km2), or 3.36%, is water.Situated beside theKennebec River, Waterville is drained by the Messalonskee Stream. Waterville is served byInterstate 95,U.S. Route 201, and Maine State Routes137and104. It is bordered byFairfieldon the north in Somerset County,Winslowon the east,Sidneyon the south andOaklandon the west. Climate Thisclimaticregion is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, Waterville has ahumid continental climate, abbreviated \"Dfb\" on climate maps. Waterville Pump Stn, Maine – Period of Record General Climate Summary – Temperature (1958 to 2012) Demographics 2010 census As of thecensusof 2010, there were 15,722 people, 6,370 households, and 3,274 families living in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 1,157.7 inhabitants per square mile (447.0/km2). There were 7,065 housing units at an average density of 520.3 per square mile (200.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.9%White, 1.1%African American, 0.6%Native American, 1.2%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 0.8% fromother races, and 2.4% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 2.4% of the population. There were 6,370 households, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.9% weremarried couplesliving together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.6% were non-families. Of all households 38.9% were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age in the city was 36.8 years. 17.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 18.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female. 2000 census As of thecensusof 2000, there were 15,605 people, 6,218 households, and 3,370 families living in the city. The population density was 1,148.7 inhabitants per square mile (443.5/km2). There were 6,819 housing units at an average density of 501.9 per square mile (193.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.81%White, 0.78%African American, 0.56%Native American, 1.03%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.42% fromother races, and 1.36% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 1.10% of the population. 32% reported French and French Canadian ancestry, 18% English, 11% Irish, and 6% German. There were 6,218households, out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% weremarried couplesliving together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.8% were non-families. Of all households 38.6% were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.84. In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.7% under the age of 18, 18.5% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $26,816, and the median income for a family was $38,052. Males had a median income of $30,086 versus $22,037 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $16,430. 19.2% of the population and 15.1% of families were below the federalpovertylevel. Statewide, 10.9% of the population was below the poverty level.In Kennebec County, 11.1% of the population was below the federal poverty level. Thus, although the county poverty rate was close to the state poverty rate, the poverty rate for Waterville was higher—typical for a regional center whose suburbs had grown in population. Out of the total population, 29.7% of those under the age of 18 and 14.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. Economy and redevelopment Like many other towns in Maine and in the United States, Waterville has seen development in the suburbs and the decline of the downtown area.There have been new businesses and new facilities built byInland Hospitalon Kennedy Memorial Drive.Walmart,Home Depot, and a small strip mall of other stores have been built in the northern part of the city as part of an open-air shopping center. Because of this growth, the existing and now-neighboring Elm Plaza shopping center has recently had its exterior renovated and filled most or all of its previous vacancies. In contrast, the downtown area has had its share of hardships due to chain store growth in the city. Stores that had a long history in the downtown area have closed in recent decades, including Levine's, Butlers, Sterns, Dunhams, Alvina and Delias, and LaVerdieres. The large vacancy in The Concourse shopping center that once housed theAmes,Zayredepartment store, as well asBrooks Pharmacyis struggling to find tenants; as is the now vacant Main Street location of aCVSpharmacy (it moved to a brand new building on Kennedy Memorial Drive).Organizations likeWaterville Main Stcontinue their efforts to revitalize downtown. Colby College has built a new dormitory for students on Main Street, and the boutique Lockwood Hotel opened in August 2022. The Paul J. Schupf Art Center is currently under construction. Developer Paul Boghossian has converted the old Hathaway Mill to retail, office, and residential use.MaineGeneral Health agreed at the end of June 2007 to become the first tenant. Waterville's top employers include MaineGeneral Medical Center, Colby College,HealthReach Community Health Centers, Northern Light Inland Hospital,Hannaford Supermarket,Shaw's Supermarket,Wal-Mart, Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Thomas College, City of Waterville, The Woodlands Residential Care, andCentral Maine Newspapers. Government Local government Waterville has amayorandcouncil-managerform of government, led by a mayor and a seven-member city council. The city council is the governing board, and the city manager is the chief administrative officer of the city, responsible for the management of all city affairs. Waterville adopted acity charterin the 1970s.For some 40 years, the city had a \"strong mayor\" system in which the mayor enjoyed broad executive powers, including the power to veto measures passed by the city council and toline-item vetobudget items passed by the council.In 2005, the charter was substantially revised, changing the city government to a \"weak mayor\"council-manager system.Under the present system, thecity manageris the chief executive.The charter revision was approved by city voters by a 4–1 margin.The city is currently divided into seven geographicwards, each of which elects one member of the Waterville City Council and one member of the Waterville School Board. Since 1970, the following people have served as mayor of Waterville:Richard \"Spike\" Carey(1970–1978), Paul Laverdiere (Republican, 1978–1982); Ann Gilbride Hill (Democrat, 1982–1986); Thomas Nale (1986–1987);Judy C. Kany(Democrat, 1988–1989); David E. Bernier (1990–1993); Thomas J. Brazier (1994–1995); Nelson Megna (1995–1996); Ruth Joseph (Democrat, 1996–1998);Nelson Madore(Democrat, 1999–2004);Paul R. LePage(Republican, 2004–2011); Dana W. Sennett (Democrat, 2011);Karen Heck(independent, 2012–2014); Nicholas Isgro (Republican, 2015–2020); Jay Coelho (2021–present). In 2018, Isgro faced arecall electionafter he made aTwitterpost insulting a gun control activist present during theStoneman Douglas High School shootinginParkland, Florida. The recall effort was backed by former MayorKaren Heck, a Democrat who had previously endorsed Isgro. Isgro later made his Twitter feed private and said that he had deleted the post.During the recall effort, Isgro asserted that outside interests and the City Council were plotting to oust him over disputes over the city budget and taxation.After an acrimonious recall campaign,Waterville voters defeated the recall attempt, with 1,563 \"no\" votes (51%) to 1,472 \"yes\" votes (49%). Political makeup Waterville is considered aDemocraticstronghold inMaine's 1st congressional district.Barack Obamareceived 70% of Waterville's votes in the2008 presidential election. Voter registration Transportation Education Waterville Public Schoolsprovides the city primary and secondary education. It was a part ofKennebec Valley Consolidated Schools(AOS92) from 2009 to 2018. Kennebec Valley Community CollegeinFairfieldis the local publiccommunity college. Colby College and Thomas College are private 4-year colleges located in the city. Colby is the third highest ranked liberal arts college in Maine, according toU.S. News. Media Waterville is home to one daily newspaper, theMorning Sentinel, and a weekly college newspaper,The Colby Echo.The city is also home toFoxaffiliateWPFOandDaystarrebroadcasterWFYW-LP, both serving thePortlandmarket, and to several radio stations, including Colby'sWMHB,countryWEBB, andMPBNon 91.3 FM. The 2001 satirical comedy movieWet Hot American Summeris set in a fictional summer camp near Waterville, with some scenes taking place in the city. The movie was filmed in Pennsylvania,but signs displaying \"Waterville Maine Est. 1802 Pop. 17,173\" and \"Waterville C.B. Radio Supply Inc.\" are shown in these scenes. Gary, a character played byA. D. Miles, asks, \"Hey, guys, how was Waterville?\" after the group returns to camp from the city. Sister cities Sites of interest Notable people See also References External links","Kennebec County, Maine Kennebec Countyis acountylocated in the South-central portion of theU.S. stateofMaine. At the2020 census, the population was 123,642.Itscounty seatisAugusta,thestate capital. The county was established on February 20, 1799, from portions ofCumberlandandLincolnCounties. The name Kennebec comes from theEastern Abenaki/kínipekʷ/, meaning \"large body of still water, large bay.\" Kennebec County comprises theAugusta–Waterville, MEMicropolitan Statistical Area. In 2010, thecenter of populationof Maine was in Kennebec County, in the city of Augusta. Geography According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 951 square miles (2,460 km2), of which 868 square miles (2,250 km2) is land and 84 square miles (220 km2) (8.8%) is water. The county is nearly bisected by theKennebec River, which also forms parts of the county line in the north and south of the county. The county is also dotted by many lakes and ponds, as well as the Kennebec Highlands in the northwest part of the county. Adjacent counties Major highways Demographics 2000 census As of thecensusof 2000, there were 117,114 people, 47,683 households, and 31,327 families living in the county. Thepopulation densitywas 135 people per square mile (52 people/km2). There were 56,364 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.45%White, 0.34%BlackorAfrican American, 0.40%Native American, 0.59%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.18% fromother races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race. 20.6% were ofEnglish, 17.4%French, 13.4%French Canadian, 10.9%United Statesor American and 9.9%Irishancestry. 92.5% spoke onlyEnglishat home, while 5.48% spokeFrench. There were 47,683 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% weremarried couplesliving together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males. The median income for a household in the county was $36,498, and the median income for a family was $43,814. Males had a median income of $32,279 versus $24,032 for females. Theper capita incomefor the county was $18,520. About 8.50% of families and 11.10% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over. 2010 census As of the2010 United States Census, there were 122,151 people, 51,128 households, and 32,368 families living in the county.The population density was 140.8 inhabitants per square mile (54.4/km2). There were 60,972 housing units at an average density of 70.3 units per square mile (27.1 units/km2).The racial makeup of the county was % from other races, and % from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up % of the population.In terms of ancestry, 24.2% wereEnglish, 17.0% wereIrish, 8.3% wereGerman, 7.7% wereFrench Canadian, 5.7% wereAmerican, and 5.4% wereScottish. The median income for a household in the county was $45,973 and the median income for a family was $56,853. Males had a median income of $42,176 versus $32,471 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,656. About 7.8% of families and 12.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over. Micropolitan statistical area TheUnited States Office of Management and Budgethas designated Kennebec County as theAugusta–Waterville, MEMicropolitan Statistical Area(μSA). As of the2010 U.S. Censusthe micropolitan area ranked the most populous in the State of Maine and also the only micropolitan area within the state. The area also ranks14th most populousin the United States with a population of 125,540 as of July 2022. Economy Kennebec County's economy has traditionally been industrial. A large amount of paper and textiles were produced, and mills sprung up along the Kennebec river. The median household income is $36,498. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. Education There are three colleges:Colby CollegeandThomas College(both inWaterville), and theUniversity of Maine at Augusta. There are 19 school districts (however, 4 are consolidated ones). In China Maine, there is no public high school, but a private school (Erskine Academy) exists, and the town pays for students tuition if they choose to attend. Students from Vassalboro can pick from one of four school districts (Cony in Augusta, Erskine, Winslow, or Waterville). However, many towns have local public high schools. K-12 school districts include: Politics Kennebec County has consistently voted for Democrats in recent elections, until2016when it voted for RepublicanDonald Trump, the first time it had voted Republican since1988. While the more rural areas support theRepublican Party, the urban areas are stronglyDemocratic. Kennebec County is the only county in Maine that is split between Maine's two congressional districts. The larger, southern portion of the county is in the1st Congressional District, while the northern, smaller portion is in the2nd Congressional District. Historically, the county was more Democratic-leaning than the rest of the state in presidential elections. The county voted for DemocratFranklin D. Rooseveltin1940even as RepublicanWendell Willkiecarried Maine, and it voted for DemocratJimmy Carterin1976as RepublicanGerald Fordwon the state. In more recent elections, the county voted in-line with the state, voting for the statewide winner in every election from1980to2012. In2016, Kennebec voted for RepublicanDonald Trumpeven as DemocratHillary Clintoncarried Maine.In2020, it was the closest county in the state, with DemocratJoe Bidendefeating Trump by just 181 votes. Voter registration Communities Cities Towns Unorganized territory Census-designated places Other unincorporated villages See also Footnotes Further reading External links 44°25′N69°46′W / 44.41°N 69.77°W /44.41; -69.77"],"string":"[\n \"Waterville, Maine Watervilleis a city inKennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of theKennebec River. A college town, the city is home toColby College, aNESCACcollege, andThomas College. It is also home to the headquarters of HealthReach Community Health Centers. As of the2020 censusthe population was 15,828.Along withAugusta, Waterville is one of the principal cities of theAugusta-Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area. History The area now known as Waterville was once inhabited by theCanibastribe of theAbenakipeople. Called \\\"Taconnet\\\" after Chief Taconnet, the main village was located on the east bank of the Kennebec River at its confluence with theSebasticook Riverat what is nowWinslow. Known as \\\"Ticonic\\\" byEnglish settlers, it was burned in 1692 duringKing William's War, after which the Canibas tribe abandoned the area.Fort Halifaxwas built by GeneralJohn Winslowin 1754, and the last skirmish with indigenous peoples occurred on May 18, 1757. The township would be organized as Kingfield Plantation, then incorporated asWinslowin 1771. When residents on the west side of the Kennebec found themselves unable to cross the river to attendtown meetings, Waterville was founded from the western parts of Winslow and incorporated on June 23, 1802. In 1824 a bridge was built joining the communities. Early industries includedfishing,lumbering,agricultureandship building, with larger boats launched in spring duringfreshets. By the early 1900s, there were five shipyards in the community. Ticonic Falls blocked navigation farther upriver, so Waterville developed as the terminus for trade and shipping. The Kennebec River and Messalonskee Stream providedwater powerfor mills, including severalsawmills, agristmill, asashandblindfactory, a furniture factory, and a shovel handle factory. There was also a carriage and sleigh factory, boot shop,brickyard, andtannery. On September 27, 1849, theAndroscoggin and Kennebec Railroadopened to Waterville. It would become part of theMaine Central Railroad, which in 1870 establishedlocomotiveand car repair shops in the thrivingmill town. West Waterville (renamedOakland) was set off as a town in 1873. Waterville was incorporated as a city on January 12, 1888. The Ticonic Water Power & Manufacturing Company was formed in 1866 and soon built a dam across the Kennebec. After a change of ownership in 1873, the company began construction on what would become the Lockwood Manufacturing Company, acottontextile plant. A second mill was added, and by 1900 the firm dominated the riverfront and employed 1,300 workers. Lockwood Mills survived until the mid-1950s. The ironWaterville-Winslow Footbridgeopened in 1901, as a means for Waterville residents to commute to Winslow for work in theHollingsworth & Whitney Co.and Wyandotte Worsted Co. mills, but in less than a year was carried away by the highest river level since 1832. Rebuilt in 1903, it would be called the Two Cent Bridge because of itstoll.In 1902, theBeaux-Artsstyle City Hall and Opera House designed by George Gilman Adams was dedicated. In 2002, theC.F. Hathaway Company, one of the last remaining factories in the United States producing high-enddress shirts, was purchased by Warren Buffett'sBerkshire Hathawaycompany and was closed after over 160 years of operation in the city. Waterville also developed as an educational center. In 1813, theMaine Literary and Theological Institutionwas established. It would be renamed Waterville College in 1821, thenColby Collegein 1867.Thomas Collegewas established in 1894. The Latin School was founded in 1820 to prepare students to attend Colby and other colleges, and was subsequently named Waterville Academy, Waterville Classical Institute, and Coburn Classical Institute; the Institute merged with the Oak Grove School inVassalboroin 1970, and remained open until 1989. The first public high school was built in 1877, while the current Waterville Senior High School was built in 1961. Geography Waterville is in northern Kennebec County, in central Maine, at44°33′07″N69°38′45″W / 44.552051°N 69.645839°W /44.552051; -69.645839.Its northern boundary is theSomerset Countyline. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 14.05 square miles (36.39 km2), of which 13.58 square miles (35.17 km2) is land and 0.47 square miles (1.22 km2), or 3.36%, is water.Situated beside theKennebec River, Waterville is drained by the Messalonskee Stream. Waterville is served byInterstate 95,U.S. Route 201, and Maine State Routes137and104. It is bordered byFairfieldon the north in Somerset County,Winslowon the east,Sidneyon the south andOaklandon the west. Climate Thisclimaticregion is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, Waterville has ahumid continental climate, abbreviated \\\"Dfb\\\" on climate maps. Waterville Pump Stn, Maine – Period of Record General Climate Summary – Temperature (1958 to 2012) Demographics 2010 census As of thecensusof 2010, there were 15,722 people, 6,370 households, and 3,274 families living in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 1,157.7 inhabitants per square mile (447.0/km2). There were 7,065 housing units at an average density of 520.3 per square mile (200.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.9%White, 1.1%African American, 0.6%Native American, 1.2%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 0.8% fromother races, and 2.4% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 2.4% of the population. There were 6,370 households, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.9% weremarried couplesliving together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.6% were non-families. Of all households 38.9% were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age in the city was 36.8 years. 17.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 18.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female. 2000 census As of thecensusof 2000, there were 15,605 people, 6,218 households, and 3,370 families living in the city. The population density was 1,148.7 inhabitants per square mile (443.5/km2). There were 6,819 housing units at an average density of 501.9 per square mile (193.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.81%White, 0.78%African American, 0.56%Native American, 1.03%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.42% fromother races, and 1.36% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 1.10% of the population. 32% reported French and French Canadian ancestry, 18% English, 11% Irish, and 6% German. There were 6,218households, out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% weremarried couplesliving together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.8% were non-families. Of all households 38.6% were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.84. In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.7% under the age of 18, 18.5% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $26,816, and the median income for a family was $38,052. Males had a median income of $30,086 versus $22,037 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $16,430. 19.2% of the population and 15.1% of families were below the federalpovertylevel. Statewide, 10.9% of the population was below the poverty level.In Kennebec County, 11.1% of the population was below the federal poverty level. Thus, although the county poverty rate was close to the state poverty rate, the poverty rate for Waterville was higher—typical for a regional center whose suburbs had grown in population. Out of the total population, 29.7% of those under the age of 18 and 14.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. Economy and redevelopment Like many other towns in Maine and in the United States, Waterville has seen development in the suburbs and the decline of the downtown area.There have been new businesses and new facilities built byInland Hospitalon Kennedy Memorial Drive.Walmart,Home Depot, and a small strip mall of other stores have been built in the northern part of the city as part of an open-air shopping center. Because of this growth, the existing and now-neighboring Elm Plaza shopping center has recently had its exterior renovated and filled most or all of its previous vacancies. In contrast, the downtown area has had its share of hardships due to chain store growth in the city. Stores that had a long history in the downtown area have closed in recent decades, including Levine's, Butlers, Sterns, Dunhams, Alvina and Delias, and LaVerdieres. The large vacancy in The Concourse shopping center that once housed theAmes,Zayredepartment store, as well asBrooks Pharmacyis struggling to find tenants; as is the now vacant Main Street location of aCVSpharmacy (it moved to a brand new building on Kennedy Memorial Drive).Organizations likeWaterville Main Stcontinue their efforts to revitalize downtown. Colby College has built a new dormitory for students on Main Street, and the boutique Lockwood Hotel opened in August 2022. The Paul J. Schupf Art Center is currently under construction. Developer Paul Boghossian has converted the old Hathaway Mill to retail, office, and residential use.MaineGeneral Health agreed at the end of June 2007 to become the first tenant. Waterville's top employers include MaineGeneral Medical Center, Colby College,HealthReach Community Health Centers, Northern Light Inland Hospital,Hannaford Supermarket,Shaw's Supermarket,Wal-Mart, Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Thomas College, City of Waterville, The Woodlands Residential Care, andCentral Maine Newspapers. Government Local government Waterville has amayorandcouncil-managerform of government, led by a mayor and a seven-member city council. The city council is the governing board, and the city manager is the chief administrative officer of the city, responsible for the management of all city affairs. Waterville adopted acity charterin the 1970s.For some 40 years, the city had a \\\"strong mayor\\\" system in which the mayor enjoyed broad executive powers, including the power to veto measures passed by the city council and toline-item vetobudget items passed by the council.In 2005, the charter was substantially revised, changing the city government to a \\\"weak mayor\\\"council-manager system.Under the present system, thecity manageris the chief executive.The charter revision was approved by city voters by a 4–1 margin.The city is currently divided into seven geographicwards, each of which elects one member of the Waterville City Council and one member of the Waterville School Board. Since 1970, the following people have served as mayor of Waterville:Richard \\\"Spike\\\" Carey(1970–1978), Paul Laverdiere (Republican, 1978–1982); Ann Gilbride Hill (Democrat, 1982–1986); Thomas Nale (1986–1987);Judy C. Kany(Democrat, 1988–1989); David E. Bernier (1990–1993); Thomas J. Brazier (1994–1995); Nelson Megna (1995–1996); Ruth Joseph (Democrat, 1996–1998);Nelson Madore(Democrat, 1999–2004);Paul R. LePage(Republican, 2004–2011); Dana W. Sennett (Democrat, 2011);Karen Heck(independent, 2012–2014); Nicholas Isgro (Republican, 2015–2020); Jay Coelho (2021–present). In 2018, Isgro faced arecall electionafter he made aTwitterpost insulting a gun control activist present during theStoneman Douglas High School shootinginParkland, Florida. The recall effort was backed by former MayorKaren Heck, a Democrat who had previously endorsed Isgro. Isgro later made his Twitter feed private and said that he had deleted the post.During the recall effort, Isgro asserted that outside interests and the City Council were plotting to oust him over disputes over the city budget and taxation.After an acrimonious recall campaign,Waterville voters defeated the recall attempt, with 1,563 \\\"no\\\" votes (51%) to 1,472 \\\"yes\\\" votes (49%). Political makeup Waterville is considered aDemocraticstronghold inMaine's 1st congressional district.Barack Obamareceived 70% of Waterville's votes in the2008 presidential election. Voter registration Transportation Education Waterville Public Schoolsprovides the city primary and secondary education. It was a part ofKennebec Valley Consolidated Schools(AOS92) from 2009 to 2018. Kennebec Valley Community CollegeinFairfieldis the local publiccommunity college. Colby College and Thomas College are private 4-year colleges located in the city. Colby is the third highest ranked liberal arts college in Maine, according toU.S. News. Media Waterville is home to one daily newspaper, theMorning Sentinel, and a weekly college newspaper,The Colby Echo.The city is also home toFoxaffiliateWPFOandDaystarrebroadcasterWFYW-LP, both serving thePortlandmarket, and to several radio stations, including Colby'sWMHB,countryWEBB, andMPBNon 91.3 FM. The 2001 satirical comedy movieWet Hot American Summeris set in a fictional summer camp near Waterville, with some scenes taking place in the city. The movie was filmed in Pennsylvania,but signs displaying \\\"Waterville Maine Est. 1802 Pop. 17,173\\\" and \\\"Waterville C.B. Radio Supply Inc.\\\" are shown in these scenes. Gary, a character played byA. D. Miles, asks, \\\"Hey, guys, how was Waterville?\\\" after the group returns to camp from the city. Sister cities Sites of interest Notable people See also References External links\",\n \"Kennebec County, Maine Kennebec Countyis acountylocated in the South-central portion of theU.S. stateofMaine. At the2020 census, the population was 123,642.Itscounty seatisAugusta,thestate capital. The county was established on February 20, 1799, from portions ofCumberlandandLincolnCounties. The name Kennebec comes from theEastern Abenaki/kínipekʷ/, meaning \\\"large body of still water, large bay.\\\" Kennebec County comprises theAugusta–Waterville, MEMicropolitan Statistical Area. In 2010, thecenter of populationof Maine was in Kennebec County, in the city of Augusta. Geography According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 951 square miles (2,460 km2), of which 868 square miles (2,250 km2) is land and 84 square miles (220 km2) (8.8%) is water. The county is nearly bisected by theKennebec River, which also forms parts of the county line in the north and south of the county. The county is also dotted by many lakes and ponds, as well as the Kennebec Highlands in the northwest part of the county. Adjacent counties Major highways Demographics 2000 census As of thecensusof 2000, there were 117,114 people, 47,683 households, and 31,327 families living in the county. Thepopulation densitywas 135 people per square mile (52 people/km2). There were 56,364 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.45%White, 0.34%BlackorAfrican American, 0.40%Native American, 0.59%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.18% fromother races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race. 20.6% were ofEnglish, 17.4%French, 13.4%French Canadian, 10.9%United Statesor American and 9.9%Irishancestry. 92.5% spoke onlyEnglishat home, while 5.48% spokeFrench. There were 47,683 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% weremarried couplesliving together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males. The median income for a household in the county was $36,498, and the median income for a family was $43,814. Males had a median income of $32,279 versus $24,032 for females. Theper capita incomefor the county was $18,520. About 8.50% of families and 11.10% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over. 2010 census As of the2010 United States Census, there were 122,151 people, 51,128 households, and 32,368 families living in the county.The population density was 140.8 inhabitants per square mile (54.4/km2). There were 60,972 housing units at an average density of 70.3 units per square mile (27.1 units/km2).The racial makeup of the county was % from other races, and % from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up % of the population.In terms of ancestry, 24.2% wereEnglish, 17.0% wereIrish, 8.3% wereGerman, 7.7% wereFrench Canadian, 5.7% wereAmerican, and 5.4% wereScottish. The median income for a household in the county was $45,973 and the median income for a family was $56,853. Males had a median income of $42,176 versus $32,471 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,656. About 7.8% of families and 12.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over. Micropolitan statistical area TheUnited States Office of Management and Budgethas designated Kennebec County as theAugusta–Waterville, MEMicropolitan Statistical Area(μSA). As of the2010 U.S. Censusthe micropolitan area ranked the most populous in the State of Maine and also the only micropolitan area within the state. The area also ranks14th most populousin the United States with a population of 125,540 as of July 2022. Economy Kennebec County's economy has traditionally been industrial. A large amount of paper and textiles were produced, and mills sprung up along the Kennebec river. The median household income is $36,498. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. Education There are three colleges:Colby CollegeandThomas College(both inWaterville), and theUniversity of Maine at Augusta. There are 19 school districts (however, 4 are consolidated ones). In China Maine, there is no public high school, but a private school (Erskine Academy) exists, and the town pays for students tuition if they choose to attend. Students from Vassalboro can pick from one of four school districts (Cony in Augusta, Erskine, Winslow, or Waterville). However, many towns have local public high schools. K-12 school districts include: Politics Kennebec County has consistently voted for Democrats in recent elections, until2016when it voted for RepublicanDonald Trump, the first time it had voted Republican since1988. While the more rural areas support theRepublican Party, the urban areas are stronglyDemocratic. Kennebec County is the only county in Maine that is split between Maine's two congressional districts. The larger, southern portion of the county is in the1st Congressional District, while the northern, smaller portion is in the2nd Congressional District. Historically, the county was more Democratic-leaning than the rest of the state in presidential elections. The county voted for DemocratFranklin D. Rooseveltin1940even as RepublicanWendell Willkiecarried Maine, and it voted for DemocratJimmy Carterin1976as RepublicanGerald Fordwon the state. In more recent elections, the county voted in-line with the state, voting for the statewide winner in every election from1980to2012. In2016, Kennebec voted for RepublicanDonald Trumpeven as DemocratHillary Clintoncarried Maine.In2020, it was the closest county in the state, with DemocratJoe Bidendefeating Trump by just 181 votes. Voter registration Communities Cities Towns Unorganized territory Census-designated places Other unincorporated villages See also Footnotes Further reading External links 44°25′N69°46′W / 44.41°N 69.77°W /44.41; -69.77\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Waterville, Maine Watervilleis a city inKennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of theKennebec River. A college town, the city is home toColby College, aNESCACcollege, andThomas College. It is also home to the headquarters of HealthReach Community Health Centers. As of the2020 censusthe population was 15,828.Along withAugusta, Waterville is one of the principal cities of theAugusta-Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area. History The area now known as Waterville was once inhabited by theCanibastribe of theAbenakipeople. Called \"Taconnet\" after Chief Taconnet, the main village was located on the east bank of the Kennebec River at its confluence with theSebasticook Riverat what is nowWinslow. Known as \"Ticonic\" byEnglish settlers, it was burned in 1692 duringKing William's War, after which the Canibas tribe abandoned the area.Fort Halifaxwas built by GeneralJohn Winslowin 1754, and the last skirmish with indigenous peoples occurred on May 18, 1757. The township would be organized as","be organized as Kingfield Plantation, then incorporated asWinslowin 1771. When residents on the west side of the Kennebec found themselves unable to cross the river to attendtown meetings, Waterville was founded from the western parts of Winslow and incorporated on June 23, 1802. In 1824 a bridge was built joining the communities. Early industries includedfishing,lumbering,agricultureandship building, with larger boats launched in spring duringfreshets. By the early 1900s, there were five shipyards in the community. Ticonic Falls blocked navigation farther upriver, so Waterville developed as the terminus for trade and shipping. The Kennebec River and Messalonskee Stream providedwater powerfor mills, including severalsawmills, agristmill, asashandblindfactory, a furniture factory, and a shovel handle factory. There was also a carriage and sleigh factory, boot shop,brickyard, andtannery. On September 27, 1849, theAndroscoggin and Kennebec Railroadopened to Waterville. It would become part of theMaine Central","of theMaine Central Railroad, which in 1870 establishedlocomotiveand car repair shops in the thrivingmill town. West Waterville (renamedOakland) was set off as a town in 1873. Waterville was incorporated as a city on January 12, 1888. The Ticonic Water Power & Manufacturing Company was formed in 1866 and soon built a dam across the Kennebec. After a change of ownership in 1873, the company began construction on what would become the Lockwood Manufacturing Company, acottontextile plant. A second mill was added, and by 1900 the firm dominated the riverfront and employed 1,300 workers. Lockwood Mills survived until the mid-1950s. The ironWaterville-Winslow Footbridgeopened in 1901, as a means for Waterville residents to commute to Winslow for work in theHollingsworth & Whitney Co.and Wyandotte Worsted Co. mills, but in less than a year was carried away by the highest river level since 1832. Rebuilt in 1903, it would be called the Two Cent Bridge because of itstoll.In 1902, theBeaux-Artsstyle City Hall and Opera","City Hall and Opera House designed by George Gilman Adams was dedicated. In 2002, theC.F. Hathaway Company, one of the last remaining factories in the United States producing high-enddress shirts, was purchased by Warren Buffett'sBerkshire Hathawaycompany and was closed after over 160 years of operation in the city. Waterville also developed as an educational center. In 1813, theMaine Literary and Theological Institutionwas established. It would be renamed Waterville College in 1821, thenColby Collegein 1867.Thomas Collegewas established in 1894. The Latin School was founded in 1820 to prepare students to attend Colby and other colleges, and was subsequently named Waterville Academy, Waterville Classical Institute, and Coburn Classical Institute; the Institute merged with the Oak Grove School inVassalboroin 1970, and remained open until 1989. The first public high school was built in 1877, while the current Waterville Senior High School was built in 1961. Geography Waterville is in northern Kennebec County,","Kennebec County, in central Maine, at44°33′07″N69°38′45″W / 44.552051°N 69.645839°W /44.552051; -69.645839.Its northern boundary is theSomerset Countyline. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 14.05 square miles (36.39 km2), of which 13.58 square miles (35.17 km2) is land and 0.47 square miles (1.22 km2), or 3.36%, is water.Situated beside theKennebec River, Waterville is drained by the Messalonskee Stream. Waterville is served byInterstate 95,U.S. Route 201, and Maine State Routes137and104. It is bordered byFairfieldon the north in Somerset County,Winslowon the east,Sidneyon the south andOaklandon the west. Climate Thisclimaticregion is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, Waterville has ahumid continental climate, abbreviated \"Dfb\" on climate maps. Waterville Pump Stn, Maine – Period of Record General Climate Summary –","Climate Summary – Temperature (1958 to 2012) Demographics 2010 census As of thecensusof 2010, there were 15,722 people, 6,370 households, and 3,274 families living in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 1,157.7 inhabitants per square mile (447.0/km2). There were 7,065 housing units at an average density of 520.3 per square mile (200.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.9%White, 1.1%African American, 0.6%Native American, 1.2%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 0.8% fromother races, and 2.4% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 2.4% of the population. There were 6,370 households, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.9% weremarried couplesliving together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.6% were non-families. Of all households 38.9% were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average","and the average family size was 2.80. The median age in the city was 36.8 years. 17.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 18.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female. 2000 census As of thecensusof 2000, there were 15,605 people, 6,218 households, and 3,370 families living in the city. The population density was 1,148.7 inhabitants per square mile (443.5/km2). There were 6,819 housing units at an average density of 501.9 per square mile (193.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.81%White, 0.78%African American, 0.56%Native American, 1.03%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.42% fromother races, and 1.36% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 1.10% of the population. 32% reported French and French Canadian ancestry, 18% English, 11% Irish, and 6% German. There were 6,218households, out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18","under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% weremarried couplesliving together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.8% were non-families. Of all households 38.6% were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.84. In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.7% under the age of 18, 18.5% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $26,816, and the median income for a family was $38,052. Males had a median income of $30,086 versus $22,037 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $16,430. 19.2% of the population and 15.1% of families were below the federalpovertylevel. Statewide, 10.9% of the population was","the population was below the poverty level.In Kennebec County, 11.1% of the population was below the federal poverty level. Thus, although the county poverty rate was close to the state poverty rate, the poverty rate for Waterville was higher—typical for a regional center whose suburbs had grown in population. Out of the total population, 29.7% of those under the age of 18 and 14.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. Economy and redevelopment Like many other towns in Maine and in the United States, Waterville has seen development in the suburbs and the decline of the downtown area.There have been new businesses and new facilities built byInland Hospitalon Kennedy Memorial Drive.Walmart,Home Depot, and a small strip mall of other stores have been built in the northern part of the city as part of an open-air shopping center. Because of this growth, the existing and now-neighboring Elm Plaza shopping center has recently had its exterior renovated and filled most or all of its previous","all of its previous vacancies. In contrast, the downtown area has had its share of hardships due to chain store growth in the city. Stores that had a long history in the downtown area have closed in recent decades, including Levine's, Butlers, Sterns, Dunhams, Alvina and Delias, and LaVerdieres. The large vacancy in The Concourse shopping center that once housed theAmes,Zayredepartment store, as well asBrooks Pharmacyis struggling to find tenants; as is the now vacant Main Street location of aCVSpharmacy (it moved to a brand new building on Kennedy Memorial Drive).Organizations likeWaterville Main Stcontinue their efforts to revitalize downtown. Colby College has built a new dormitory for students on Main Street, and the boutique Lockwood Hotel opened in August 2022. The Paul J. Schupf Art Center is currently under construction. Developer Paul Boghossian has converted the old Hathaway Mill to retail, office, and residential use.MaineGeneral Health agreed at the end of June 2007 to become the first tenant.","the first tenant. Waterville's top employers include MaineGeneral Medical Center, Colby College,HealthReach Community Health Centers, Northern Light Inland Hospital,Hannaford Supermarket,Shaw's Supermarket,Wal-Mart, Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Thomas College, City of Waterville, The Woodlands Residential Care, andCentral Maine Newspapers. Government Local government Waterville has amayorandcouncil-managerform of government, led by a mayor and a seven-member city council. The city council is the governing board, and the city manager is the chief administrative officer of the city, responsible for the management of all city affairs. Waterville adopted acity charterin the 1970s.For some 40 years, the city had a \"strong mayor\" system in which the mayor enjoyed broad executive powers, including the power to veto measures passed by the city council and toline-item vetobudget items passed by the council.In 2005, the charter was substantially revised, changing the city","changing the city government to a \"weak mayor\"council-manager system.Under the present system, thecity manageris the chief executive.The charter revision was approved by city voters by a 4–1 margin.The city is currently divided into seven geographicwards, each of which elects one member of the Waterville City Council and one member of the Waterville School Board. Since 1970, the following people have served as mayor of Waterville:Richard \"Spike\" Carey(1970–1978), Paul Laverdiere (Republican, 1978–1982); Ann Gilbride Hill (Democrat, 1982–1986); Thomas Nale (1986–1987);Judy C. Kany(Democrat, 1988–1989); David E. Bernier (1990–1993); Thomas J. Brazier (1994–1995); Nelson Megna (1995–1996); Ruth Joseph (Democrat, 1996–1998);Nelson Madore(Democrat, 1999–2004);Paul R. LePage(Republican, 2004–2011); Dana W. Sennett (Democrat, 2011);Karen Heck(independent, 2012–2014); Nicholas Isgro (Republican, 2015–2020); Jay Coelho (2021–present). In 2018, Isgro faced arecall electionafter he made aTwitterpost insulting a gun","insulting a gun control activist present during theStoneman Douglas High School shootinginParkland, Florida. The recall effort was backed by former MayorKaren Heck, a Democrat who had previously endorsed Isgro. Isgro later made his Twitter feed private and said that he had deleted the post.During the recall effort, Isgro asserted that outside interests and the City Council were plotting to oust him over disputes over the city budget and taxation.After an acrimonious recall campaign,Waterville voters defeated the recall attempt, with 1,563 \"no\" votes (51%) to 1,472 \"yes\" votes (49%). Political makeup Waterville is considered aDemocraticstronghold inMaine's 1st congressional district.Barack Obamareceived 70% of Waterville's votes in the2008 presidential election. Voter registration Transportation Education Waterville Public Schoolsprovides the city primary and secondary education. It was a part ofKennebec Valley Consolidated Schools(AOS92) from 2009 to 2018. Kennebec Valley Community CollegeinFairfieldis the","the local publiccommunity college. Colby College and Thomas College are private 4-year colleges located in the city. Colby is the third highest ranked liberal arts college in Maine, according toU.S. News. Media Waterville is home to one daily newspaper, theMorning Sentinel, and a weekly college newspaper,The Colby Echo.The city is also home toFoxaffiliateWPFOandDaystarrebroadcasterWFYW-LP, both serving thePortlandmarket, and to several radio stations, including Colby'sWMHB,countryWEBB, andMPBNon 91.3 FM. The 2001 satirical comedy movieWet Hot American Summeris set in a fictional summer camp near Waterville, with some scenes taking place in the city. The movie was filmed in Pennsylvania,but signs displaying \"Waterville Maine Est. 1802 Pop. 17,173\" and \"Waterville C.B. Radio Supply Inc.\" are shown in these scenes. Gary, a character played byA. D. Miles, asks, \"Hey, guys, how was Waterville?\" after the group returns to camp from the city. Sister cities Sites of interest Notable people See also References","See also References External links","Kennebec County, Maine Kennebec Countyis acountylocated in the South-central portion of theU.S. stateofMaine. At the2020 census, the population was 123,642.Itscounty seatisAugusta,thestate capital. The county was established on February 20, 1799, from portions ofCumberlandandLincolnCounties. The name Kennebec comes from theEastern Abenaki/kínipekʷ/, meaning \"large body of still water, large bay.\" Kennebec County comprises theAugusta–Waterville, MEMicropolitan Statistical Area. In 2010, thecenter of populationof Maine was in Kennebec County, in the city of Augusta. Geography According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 951 square miles (2,460 km2), of which 868 square miles (2,250 km2) is land and 84 square miles (220 km2) (8.8%) is water. The county is nearly bisected by theKennebec River, which also forms parts of the county line in the north and south of the county. The county is also dotted by many lakes and ponds, as well as the Kennebec Highlands in the northwest part of the county.","part of the county. Adjacent counties Major highways Demographics 2000 census As of thecensusof 2000, there were 117,114 people, 47,683 households, and 31,327 families living in the county. Thepopulation densitywas 135 people per square mile (52 people/km2). There were 56,364 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.45%White, 0.34%BlackorAfrican American, 0.40%Native American, 0.59%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.18% fromother races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race. 20.6% were ofEnglish, 17.4%French, 13.4%French Canadian, 10.9%United Statesor American and 9.9%Irishancestry. 92.5% spoke onlyEnglishat home, while 5.48% spokeFrench. There were 47,683 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% weremarried couplesliving together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were","all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males. The median income for a household in the county was $36,498, and the median income for a family was $43,814. Males had a median income of $32,279 versus $24,032 for females. Theper capita incomefor the county was $18,520. About 8.50% of families and 11.10% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over. 2010 census As of the2010 United States Census, there were 122,151 people, 51,128 households, and 32,368 families living in the","living in the county.The population density was 140.8 inhabitants per square mile (54.4/km2). There were 60,972 housing units at an average density of 70.3 units per square mile (27.1 units/km2).The racial makeup of the county was % from other races, and % from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up % of the population.In terms of ancestry, 24.2% wereEnglish, 17.0% wereIrish, 8.3% wereGerman, 7.7% wereFrench Canadian, 5.7% wereAmerican, and 5.4% wereScottish. The median income for a household in the county was $45,973 and the median income for a family was $56,853. Males had a median income of $42,176 versus $32,471 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,656. About 7.8% of families and 12.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over. Micropolitan statistical area TheUnited States Office of Management and Budgethas designated Kennebec County as theAugusta–Waterville, MEMicropolitan Statistical","Statistical Area(μSA). As of the2010 U.S. Censusthe micropolitan area ranked the most populous in the State of Maine and also the only micropolitan area within the state. The area also ranks14th most populousin the United States with a population of 125,540 as of July 2022. Economy Kennebec County's economy has traditionally been industrial. A large amount of paper and textiles were produced, and mills sprung up along the Kennebec river. The median household income is $36,498. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. Education There are three colleges:Colby CollegeandThomas College(both inWaterville), and theUniversity of Maine at Augusta. There are 19 school districts (however, 4 are consolidated ones). In China Maine, there is no public high school, but a private school (Erskine Academy) exists, and the town pays for students tuition if they choose to attend. Students from Vassalboro can pick from one of four school districts (Cony in Augusta, Erskine, Winslow, or Waterville). However, many towns have local public","have local public high schools. K-12 school districts include: Politics Kennebec County has consistently voted for Democrats in recent elections, until2016when it voted for RepublicanDonald Trump, the first time it had voted Republican since1988. While the more rural areas support theRepublican Party, the urban areas are stronglyDemocratic. Kennebec County is the only county in Maine that is split between Maine's two congressional districts. The larger, southern portion of the county is in the1st Congressional District, while the northern, smaller portion is in the2nd Congressional District. Historically, the county was more Democratic-leaning than the rest of the state in presidential elections. The county voted for DemocratFranklin D. Rooseveltin1940even as RepublicanWendell Willkiecarried Maine, and it voted for DemocratJimmy Carterin1976as RepublicanGerald Fordwon the state. In more recent elections, the county voted in-line with the state, voting for the statewide winner in every election","in every election from1980to2012. In2016, Kennebec voted for RepublicanDonald Trumpeven as DemocratHillary Clintoncarried Maine.In2020, it was the closest county in the state, with DemocratJoe Bidendefeating Trump by just 181 votes. Voter registration Communities Cities Towns Unorganized territory Census-designated places Other unincorporated villages See also Footnotes Further reading External links 44°25′N69°46′W / 44.41°N 69.77°W /44.41; -69.77"],"string":"[\n \"Waterville, Maine Watervilleis a city inKennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of theKennebec River. A college town, the city is home toColby College, aNESCACcollege, andThomas College. It is also home to the headquarters of HealthReach Community Health Centers. As of the2020 censusthe population was 15,828.Along withAugusta, Waterville is one of the principal cities of theAugusta-Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area. History The area now known as Waterville was once inhabited by theCanibastribe of theAbenakipeople. Called \\\"Taconnet\\\" after Chief Taconnet, the main village was located on the east bank of the Kennebec River at its confluence with theSebasticook Riverat what is nowWinslow. Known as \\\"Ticonic\\\" byEnglish settlers, it was burned in 1692 duringKing William's War, after which the Canibas tribe abandoned the area.Fort Halifaxwas built by GeneralJohn Winslowin 1754, and the last skirmish with indigenous peoples occurred on May 18, 1757. The township would be organized as\",\n \"be organized as Kingfield Plantation, then incorporated asWinslowin 1771. When residents on the west side of the Kennebec found themselves unable to cross the river to attendtown meetings, Waterville was founded from the western parts of Winslow and incorporated on June 23, 1802. In 1824 a bridge was built joining the communities. Early industries includedfishing,lumbering,agricultureandship building, with larger boats launched in spring duringfreshets. By the early 1900s, there were five shipyards in the community. Ticonic Falls blocked navigation farther upriver, so Waterville developed as the terminus for trade and shipping. The Kennebec River and Messalonskee Stream providedwater powerfor mills, including severalsawmills, agristmill, asashandblindfactory, a furniture factory, and a shovel handle factory. There was also a carriage and sleigh factory, boot shop,brickyard, andtannery. On September 27, 1849, theAndroscoggin and Kennebec Railroadopened to Waterville. It would become part of theMaine Central\",\n \"of theMaine Central Railroad, which in 1870 establishedlocomotiveand car repair shops in the thrivingmill town. West Waterville (renamedOakland) was set off as a town in 1873. Waterville was incorporated as a city on January 12, 1888. The Ticonic Water Power & Manufacturing Company was formed in 1866 and soon built a dam across the Kennebec. After a change of ownership in 1873, the company began construction on what would become the Lockwood Manufacturing Company, acottontextile plant. A second mill was added, and by 1900 the firm dominated the riverfront and employed 1,300 workers. Lockwood Mills survived until the mid-1950s. The ironWaterville-Winslow Footbridgeopened in 1901, as a means for Waterville residents to commute to Winslow for work in theHollingsworth & Whitney Co.and Wyandotte Worsted Co. mills, but in less than a year was carried away by the highest river level since 1832. Rebuilt in 1903, it would be called the Two Cent Bridge because of itstoll.In 1902, theBeaux-Artsstyle City Hall and Opera\",\n \"City Hall and Opera House designed by George Gilman Adams was dedicated. In 2002, theC.F. Hathaway Company, one of the last remaining factories in the United States producing high-enddress shirts, was purchased by Warren Buffett'sBerkshire Hathawaycompany and was closed after over 160 years of operation in the city. Waterville also developed as an educational center. In 1813, theMaine Literary and Theological Institutionwas established. It would be renamed Waterville College in 1821, thenColby Collegein 1867.Thomas Collegewas established in 1894. The Latin School was founded in 1820 to prepare students to attend Colby and other colleges, and was subsequently named Waterville Academy, Waterville Classical Institute, and Coburn Classical Institute; the Institute merged with the Oak Grove School inVassalboroin 1970, and remained open until 1989. The first public high school was built in 1877, while the current Waterville Senior High School was built in 1961. Geography Waterville is in northern Kennebec County,\",\n \"Kennebec County, in central Maine, at44°33′07″N69°38′45″W / 44.552051°N 69.645839°W /44.552051; -69.645839.Its northern boundary is theSomerset Countyline. According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has an area of 14.05 square miles (36.39 km2), of which 13.58 square miles (35.17 km2) is land and 0.47 square miles (1.22 km2), or 3.36%, is water.Situated beside theKennebec River, Waterville is drained by the Messalonskee Stream. Waterville is served byInterstate 95,U.S. Route 201, and Maine State Routes137and104. It is bordered byFairfieldon the north in Somerset County,Winslowon the east,Sidneyon the south andOaklandon the west. Climate Thisclimaticregion is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to theKöppen Climate Classificationsystem, Waterville has ahumid continental climate, abbreviated \\\"Dfb\\\" on climate maps. Waterville Pump Stn, Maine – Period of Record General Climate Summary –\",\n \"Climate Summary – Temperature (1958 to 2012) Demographics 2010 census As of thecensusof 2010, there were 15,722 people, 6,370 households, and 3,274 families living in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 1,157.7 inhabitants per square mile (447.0/km2). There were 7,065 housing units at an average density of 520.3 per square mile (200.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 93.9%White, 1.1%African American, 0.6%Native American, 1.2%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 0.8% fromother races, and 2.4% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 2.4% of the population. There were 6,370 households, of which 24.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.9% weremarried couplesliving together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 48.6% were non-families. Of all households 38.9% were made up of individuals, and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average\",\n \"and the average family size was 2.80. The median age in the city was 36.8 years. 17.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 18.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.7% were from 25 to 44; 24.7% were from 45 to 64; and 16.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.8% male and 53.2% female. 2000 census As of thecensusof 2000, there were 15,605 people, 6,218 households, and 3,370 families living in the city. The population density was 1,148.7 inhabitants per square mile (443.5/km2). There were 6,819 housing units at an average density of 501.9 per square mile (193.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 95.81%White, 0.78%African American, 0.56%Native American, 1.03%Asian, 0.03%Pacific Islander, 0.42% fromother races, and 1.36% from two or more races.HispanicorLatinoof any race were 1.10% of the population. 32% reported French and French Canadian ancestry, 18% English, 11% Irish, and 6% German. There were 6,218households, out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18\",\n \"under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% weremarried couplesliving together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 45.8% were non-families. Of all households 38.6% were made up of individuals, and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.84. In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.7% under the age of 18, 18.5% from 18 to 24, 24.1% from 25 to 44, 19.5% from 45 to 64, and 18.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.7 males. The median income for a household in the city was $26,816, and the median income for a family was $38,052. Males had a median income of $30,086 versus $22,037 for females. Theper capita incomefor the city was $16,430. 19.2% of the population and 15.1% of families were below the federalpovertylevel. Statewide, 10.9% of the population was\",\n \"the population was below the poverty level.In Kennebec County, 11.1% of the population was below the federal poverty level. Thus, although the county poverty rate was close to the state poverty rate, the poverty rate for Waterville was higher—typical for a regional center whose suburbs had grown in population. Out of the total population, 29.7% of those under the age of 18 and 14.7% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line. Economy and redevelopment Like many other towns in Maine and in the United States, Waterville has seen development in the suburbs and the decline of the downtown area.There have been new businesses and new facilities built byInland Hospitalon Kennedy Memorial Drive.Walmart,Home Depot, and a small strip mall of other stores have been built in the northern part of the city as part of an open-air shopping center. Because of this growth, the existing and now-neighboring Elm Plaza shopping center has recently had its exterior renovated and filled most or all of its previous\",\n \"all of its previous vacancies. In contrast, the downtown area has had its share of hardships due to chain store growth in the city. Stores that had a long history in the downtown area have closed in recent decades, including Levine's, Butlers, Sterns, Dunhams, Alvina and Delias, and LaVerdieres. The large vacancy in The Concourse shopping center that once housed theAmes,Zayredepartment store, as well asBrooks Pharmacyis struggling to find tenants; as is the now vacant Main Street location of aCVSpharmacy (it moved to a brand new building on Kennedy Memorial Drive).Organizations likeWaterville Main Stcontinue their efforts to revitalize downtown. Colby College has built a new dormitory for students on Main Street, and the boutique Lockwood Hotel opened in August 2022. The Paul J. Schupf Art Center is currently under construction. Developer Paul Boghossian has converted the old Hathaway Mill to retail, office, and residential use.MaineGeneral Health agreed at the end of June 2007 to become the first tenant.\",\n \"the first tenant. Waterville's top employers include MaineGeneral Medical Center, Colby College,HealthReach Community Health Centers, Northern Light Inland Hospital,Hannaford Supermarket,Shaw's Supermarket,Wal-Mart, Mount St. Joseph Nursing Home, Kennebec Valley Community Action Program, Thomas College, City of Waterville, The Woodlands Residential Care, andCentral Maine Newspapers. Government Local government Waterville has amayorandcouncil-managerform of government, led by a mayor and a seven-member city council. The city council is the governing board, and the city manager is the chief administrative officer of the city, responsible for the management of all city affairs. Waterville adopted acity charterin the 1970s.For some 40 years, the city had a \\\"strong mayor\\\" system in which the mayor enjoyed broad executive powers, including the power to veto measures passed by the city council and toline-item vetobudget items passed by the council.In 2005, the charter was substantially revised, changing the city\",\n \"changing the city government to a \\\"weak mayor\\\"council-manager system.Under the present system, thecity manageris the chief executive.The charter revision was approved by city voters by a 4–1 margin.The city is currently divided into seven geographicwards, each of which elects one member of the Waterville City Council and one member of the Waterville School Board. Since 1970, the following people have served as mayor of Waterville:Richard \\\"Spike\\\" Carey(1970–1978), Paul Laverdiere (Republican, 1978–1982); Ann Gilbride Hill (Democrat, 1982–1986); Thomas Nale (1986–1987);Judy C. Kany(Democrat, 1988–1989); David E. Bernier (1990–1993); Thomas J. Brazier (1994–1995); Nelson Megna (1995–1996); Ruth Joseph (Democrat, 1996–1998);Nelson Madore(Democrat, 1999–2004);Paul R. LePage(Republican, 2004–2011); Dana W. Sennett (Democrat, 2011);Karen Heck(independent, 2012–2014); Nicholas Isgro (Republican, 2015–2020); Jay Coelho (2021–present). In 2018, Isgro faced arecall electionafter he made aTwitterpost insulting a gun\",\n \"insulting a gun control activist present during theStoneman Douglas High School shootinginParkland, Florida. The recall effort was backed by former MayorKaren Heck, a Democrat who had previously endorsed Isgro. Isgro later made his Twitter feed private and said that he had deleted the post.During the recall effort, Isgro asserted that outside interests and the City Council were plotting to oust him over disputes over the city budget and taxation.After an acrimonious recall campaign,Waterville voters defeated the recall attempt, with 1,563 \\\"no\\\" votes (51%) to 1,472 \\\"yes\\\" votes (49%). Political makeup Waterville is considered aDemocraticstronghold inMaine's 1st congressional district.Barack Obamareceived 70% of Waterville's votes in the2008 presidential election. Voter registration Transportation Education Waterville Public Schoolsprovides the city primary and secondary education. It was a part ofKennebec Valley Consolidated Schools(AOS92) from 2009 to 2018. Kennebec Valley Community CollegeinFairfieldis the\",\n \"the local publiccommunity college. Colby College and Thomas College are private 4-year colleges located in the city. Colby is the third highest ranked liberal arts college in Maine, according toU.S. News. Media Waterville is home to one daily newspaper, theMorning Sentinel, and a weekly college newspaper,The Colby Echo.The city is also home toFoxaffiliateWPFOandDaystarrebroadcasterWFYW-LP, both serving thePortlandmarket, and to several radio stations, including Colby'sWMHB,countryWEBB, andMPBNon 91.3 FM. The 2001 satirical comedy movieWet Hot American Summeris set in a fictional summer camp near Waterville, with some scenes taking place in the city. The movie was filmed in Pennsylvania,but signs displaying \\\"Waterville Maine Est. 1802 Pop. 17,173\\\" and \\\"Waterville C.B. Radio Supply Inc.\\\" are shown in these scenes. Gary, a character played byA. D. Miles, asks, \\\"Hey, guys, how was Waterville?\\\" after the group returns to camp from the city. Sister cities Sites of interest Notable people See also References\",\n \"See also References External links\",\n \"Kennebec County, Maine Kennebec Countyis acountylocated in the South-central portion of theU.S. stateofMaine. At the2020 census, the population was 123,642.Itscounty seatisAugusta,thestate capital. The county was established on February 20, 1799, from portions ofCumberlandandLincolnCounties. The name Kennebec comes from theEastern Abenaki/kínipekʷ/, meaning \\\"large body of still water, large bay.\\\" Kennebec County comprises theAugusta–Waterville, MEMicropolitan Statistical Area. In 2010, thecenter of populationof Maine was in Kennebec County, in the city of Augusta. Geography According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 951 square miles (2,460 km2), of which 868 square miles (2,250 km2) is land and 84 square miles (220 km2) (8.8%) is water. The county is nearly bisected by theKennebec River, which also forms parts of the county line in the north and south of the county. The county is also dotted by many lakes and ponds, as well as the Kennebec Highlands in the northwest part of the county.\",\n \"part of the county. Adjacent counties Major highways Demographics 2000 census As of thecensusof 2000, there were 117,114 people, 47,683 households, and 31,327 families living in the county. Thepopulation densitywas 135 people per square mile (52 people/km2). There were 56,364 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.45%White, 0.34%BlackorAfrican American, 0.40%Native American, 0.59%Asian, 0.02%Pacific Islander, 0.18% fromother races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population wereHispanicorLatinoof any race. 20.6% were ofEnglish, 17.4%French, 13.4%French Canadian, 10.9%United Statesor American and 9.9%Irishancestry. 92.5% spoke onlyEnglishat home, while 5.48% spokeFrench. There were 47,683 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% weremarried couplesliving together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were\",\n \"all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89. In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males. The median income for a household in the county was $36,498, and the median income for a family was $43,814. Males had a median income of $32,279 versus $24,032 for females. Theper capita incomefor the county was $18,520. About 8.50% of families and 11.10% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over. 2010 census As of the2010 United States Census, there were 122,151 people, 51,128 households, and 32,368 families living in the\",\n \"living in the county.The population density was 140.8 inhabitants per square mile (54.4/km2). There were 60,972 housing units at an average density of 70.3 units per square mile (27.1 units/km2).The racial makeup of the county was % from other races, and % from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up % of the population.In terms of ancestry, 24.2% wereEnglish, 17.0% wereIrish, 8.3% wereGerman, 7.7% wereFrench Canadian, 5.7% wereAmerican, and 5.4% wereScottish. The median income for a household in the county was $45,973 and the median income for a family was $56,853. Males had a median income of $42,176 versus $32,471 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,656. About 7.8% of families and 12.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over. Micropolitan statistical area TheUnited States Office of Management and Budgethas designated Kennebec County as theAugusta–Waterville, MEMicropolitan Statistical\",\n \"Statistical Area(μSA). As of the2010 U.S. Censusthe micropolitan area ranked the most populous in the State of Maine and also the only micropolitan area within the state. The area also ranks14th most populousin the United States with a population of 125,540 as of July 2022. Economy Kennebec County's economy has traditionally been industrial. A large amount of paper and textiles were produced, and mills sprung up along the Kennebec river. The median household income is $36,498. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. Education There are three colleges:Colby CollegeandThomas College(both inWaterville), and theUniversity of Maine at Augusta. There are 19 school districts (however, 4 are consolidated ones). In China Maine, there is no public high school, but a private school (Erskine Academy) exists, and the town pays for students tuition if they choose to attend. Students from Vassalboro can pick from one of four school districts (Cony in Augusta, Erskine, Winslow, or Waterville). However, many towns have local public\",\n \"have local public high schools. K-12 school districts include: Politics Kennebec County has consistently voted for Democrats in recent elections, until2016when it voted for RepublicanDonald Trump, the first time it had voted Republican since1988. While the more rural areas support theRepublican Party, the urban areas are stronglyDemocratic. Kennebec County is the only county in Maine that is split between Maine's two congressional districts. The larger, southern portion of the county is in the1st Congressional District, while the northern, smaller portion is in the2nd Congressional District. Historically, the county was more Democratic-leaning than the rest of the state in presidential elections. The county voted for DemocratFranklin D. Rooseveltin1940even as RepublicanWendell Willkiecarried Maine, and it voted for DemocratJimmy Carterin1976as RepublicanGerald Fordwon the state. In more recent elections, the county voted in-line with the state, voting for the statewide winner in every election\",\n \"in every election from1980to2012. In2016, Kennebec voted for RepublicanDonald Trumpeven as DemocratHillary Clintoncarried Maine.In2020, it was the closest county in the state, with DemocratJoe Bidendefeating Trump by just 181 votes. Voter registration Communities Cities Towns Unorganized territory Census-designated places Other unincorporated villages See also Footnotes Further reading External links 44°25′N69°46′W / 44.41°N 69.77°W /44.41; -69.77\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":285,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"How many years earlier would Punxsutawney Phil have to be canonically alive to have made a Groundhog Day prediction in the same state as the US capitol?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"87"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punxsutawney_Phil"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punxsutawney_Phil', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punxsutawney_Phil","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punxsutawney_Phil\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney Phil(/ˌpʌŋksəˈtɔːni/) is agroundhogresiding inYoung TownshipnearPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania, United States, who is the central figure in Punxsutawney's annualGroundhog Daycelebration. Folklore On February 2 each year,Punxsutawneyholds a civic festival with music and food. During the ceremony, which begins well before the winter sunrise, Phil emerges from his temporary home on Gobbler's Knob, located in a rural area about 2 miles (3 km) southeast of the town. According to the tradition, if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, he has predicted six more weeks ofwinter-like weather.If Phil does not see his shadow, he has predicted an \"earlyspring.\"Punxsutawney's event is the most famous of many Groundhog Day festivals held in the United States and Canada. The event formally began in 1887, although its roots go back even further. The event is based upon a communal light-heartedsuspension of disbeliefwhich extends to the assertion that the same groundhog has been making predictions since the 19th century. The event is organized by the \"Inner Circle\" – recognizable by theirtop hatsandtuxedos– who ostensibly communicate with Phil to receive his prediction. The vice president of the Inner Circle prepares two scrolls in advance of the actual ceremony, one proclaiming six more weeks of winter and one proclaiming an early spring. At daybreak on February 2, Punxsutawney Phil awakens from his burrow on Gobbler's Knob, is helped to the top of the stump by his handlers, and purportedly explains to the president of the Inner Circle, in a language known as \"Groundhogese\",whether he has seen his shadow. The president of the Inner Circle, the only person able to understand Groundhogese through his possession of an ancientacaciawood cane, then interprets Phil's message, and directs the vice president to read the proper scroll to the crowd gathered on Gobbler's Knob and the masses of \"phaithphil phollowers\" tuned in to live broadcasts around the world. The Inner Circle scripts the Groundhog Day ceremonies in advance, with the Inner Circle deciding beforehand whether Phil will see his shadow.The Stormfax Almanac has made note of the weather conditions on each Groundhog Day since 1999; the almanac has recorded 12 incidents in a 20-year span in which the Inner Circle said the groundhog saw his shadow while the sky was cloudy or there was rain or snow coming down, and in one case said the groundhog did not see his shadow despite sunshine.Outside of Groundhog Day, Phil resides with a mate, Phyllis, at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library in a climate-controlled environment. In March 2024, the Inner Circle announced that Phil had sired two babies, the first time in the history of the event that such a siring had happened; the birth surprised the Inner Circle, which had assumed that groundhogs do not breed in captivity. As a result of the births, the family will move permanently to Gobblers Knob. The Inner Circle disowned the babies from ever inheriting their father's position. Punxsutawney Phil canon The practices and lore of Punxsutawney Phil's predictions are predicated on a light-hearted suspension of disbelief by those involved. According to the lore, there is only one Phil, and all other groundhogs are impostors.It is claimed that this one groundhog has lived to make weather prognostications since 1886, sustained by drinks of \"groundhog punch\" or \"elixir of life\" administered at the annual Groundhog Picnic in the fall.The lifespan of a groundhog in the wild is roughly six years. According to the Groundhog Club, Phil, after the prediction, speaks to the club president in the language of 'Groundhogese', which supposedly only the current president can understand, and then his prediction is translated and revealed to all. The Groundhog Day celebration is rooted inGermanictradition that says that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on February 2, the Christian celebration ofCandlemas, winter and cold weather will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says, spring will come early. In Germany, the tradition evolved into a myth that if the sun came out on Candlemas, ahedgehogwould cast its shadow, predicting snow all the way into May.When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania, they transferred the tradition onto local fauna, replacing hedgehogs with groundhogs. Several other towns in the region holdsimilar Groundhog Day events. Phil first received his name in 1961. The origins of the name are unclear, but speculation suggests that it may have been indirectly named afterPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Reception Prior to 1993, the Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney attracted crowds of approximately 2,000. The popularity of the filmGroundhog Daybrought significantly more attention to the event, with annual crowds rising to 10,000–20,000. A notable exception was 2021, when the event took place without any crowds due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.Since approximately 2018, the event is streamed online each year. Also given the recent increase in crowd sizes, three sitting governors of Pennsylvania have attended the festivities, all since 2000:Ed Rendellin 2003,Tom Corbettin 2012, andJosh Shapiroin 2023 and 2024. Phil was named the \"Official\" State Meteorologist by Governor Shapiro during the 2024 ceremony. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animalsobject to the event, claiming that Phil is put under stress. They suggest replacing Phil with a robotic groundhog. In some cases where Phil's prognostications have been incorrect, organizations have jokingly made legal threats against the groundhog. Such tongue-in-cheek actions have been made by a prosecutor in Ohio,the sheriff's office ofMonroe County, Pennsylvania,and theMerrimack, New HampshirePolice Department. In media and popular culture Past predictions Predictive accuracy The Inner Circle, in keeping with thesuspension of disbelief, claims a 100% accuracy rate, and an approximately 80% accuracy rate in recorded predictions. They claim that whenever the prediction is wrong, the person in charge of translating the message must have made a mistake in their interpretation. Impartial estimates place the groundhog's accuracy between 35% and 41%. See also References Further reading External links 40°55′49″N78°57′28″W / 40.9302°N 78.9578°W /40.9302; -78.9578","United States Capitol TheUnited States Capitol, often called theCapitolor theCapitol Building, is theseatof theUnited States Congress, thelegislative branchof thefederal government. It is located onCapitol Hillat the eastern end of theNational MallinWashington, D.C.Although no longer at the geographic center of thenational capital, the U.S. Capitol forms the origin point for the street-numbering system of the district as well asits four quadrants. Like the principal buildings of theexecutiveandjudicialbranches, the Capitol is built in aneoclassical styleand has a white exterior. Central sections of the present building were completed in 1800. These were partly destroyed in the1814 Burning of Washington, then were fully restored within five years. The building was enlarged in the 1850s by extending the wings for the chambers for thebicamerallegislature, theHouse of Representativesin the south wing and theSenatein the north wing. The massivedomewas completed around 1866 just after theAmerican Civil War. The east front portico was extended in 1958. The building'sVisitors Centerwas opened in the early 21st century. Both its east and west elevations are formally referred to asfronts, although only the east front was intended for the reception of visitors and dignitaries, while the west front is now used for presidential inauguration ceremonies. The building and grounds are overseen by thearchitect of the Capitol, who also oversees the surroundingCapitol Complex. History 18th century Prior to establishing the nation's capital inWashington, D.C., theUnited States Congressand its predecessors met atIndependence HallandCongress HallinPhiladelphia,Federal HallinNew York City, and five additional locations:York, Pennsylvania,Lancaster, Pennsylvania, theMaryland State HouseinAnnapolis, Maryland, andNassau HallinPrinceton, New Jersey, andTrenton, New Jersey.In September 1774, theFirst Continental Congressbrought together delegates from thecoloniesin Philadelphia, followed by theSecond Continental Congress, which met from May 1775 to March 1781. After adopting theArticles of Confederationin York, Pennsylvania, theCongress of the Confederationwas formed and convened in Philadelphia from March 1781 until June 1783, when a mob of angry soldiers converged upon Independence Hall, demanding payment for their service during theAmerican Revolutionary War. Congress requested thatJohn Dickinson, theGovernor of Pennsylvania, call up themilitiato defend Congress from attacks by the protesters. In what became known as thePennsylvania Mutiny of 1783, Dickinson sympathized with the protesters and refused to remove them from Philadelphia. As a result, Congress was forced to flee toPrinceton, New Jersey, on June 21, 1783,and met inAnnapolis, Maryland, andTrenton, New Jersey, before ending up in New York City. The U.S. Congress was established uponratificationof theU.S. Constitutionand formally began on March 4, 1789. New York City remained home to Congress until July 1790,when theResidence Actwas passed to pave the way for a permanent capital. The decision of where to locate the capital was contentious, butAlexander Hamiltonhelped broker a compromise in which the federal government would take on war debt incurred during the American Revolutionary War, in exchange for support fromnorthern statesfor locating the capital along thePotomac River. As part of the legislation, Philadelphia was chosen as a temporary capital for ten years (until December 1800), until the nation's capital in Washington, D.C., would be ready. Pierre L'Enfantwas charged with creatingthe city planfor the new capital city and the major public buildings.The Congress House would be built on Jenkins Hill, now known asCapitol Hill, which L'Enfant described as a \"pedestal awaiting a monument.\"L'Enfant connected Congress House with the President's House viaPennsylvania Avenuewith a width set at 160 feet, identical to the narrowest points of theChamps-Élyséesin Paris. Westwards was a 400-foot-wide (122 m) garden-lined \"grand avenue\" containing a public walk (later known as theNational Mall) that would travel for about 1 mile (1.6 km) along the east–west line. The term \"Capitol\" (from LatinCapitolium) originally denoted theCapitoline Hillin Rome and theTemple of Jupiterthat stood on its summit.The Roman Capitol was sometimes misconceived of as a meeting place for senators, and this led the term to be applied to legislative buildings; the first such building was theWilliamsburg CapitolinVirginia.Thomas Jeffersonhad sat here as a member of theHouse of Burgesses, and it was he who applied the name \"Capitol\" to what on L'Enfant's plan had been called the \"Congress House\".\"Capitol\" has since become a general term for government buildings, especially in the United States. It is often confused with \"capital\"; one, however, denotes a building or complex of buildings, while the other denotes a city. In early 1792, afterPierre L'Enfantwas dismissed from the federal city project, Jefferson proposed a design competition to solicit designs for the Capitol and the \"President's House\", and set a four-month deadline. The prize for the competition was $500 and a lot in the Federal City. At least ten individuals submitted designs for the Capitol; however the drawings were regarded as crude and amateurish, reflecting the level of architectural skill present in the United States at the time. The most promising of the submissions was byStephen Hallet, a trained French architect who was a draftsman to Pierre L'Enfant on the city plan.However, Hallet's designs were overly fancy, with too much French influence, and were deemed too costly.However, the design did incorporate the concept for a \"great circular room and dome\" which had originated with L'Enfant.John Trumbullwas given a tour of \"Jenkins Hill\" by L'Enfant himself and confirmed this in his autobiography years later. On January 31, 1793, a late entry by amateur architectWilliam Thorntonwas submitted, and was met with praise for its \"Grandeur, Simplicity, and Beauty\" by Washington, along with praise from Jefferson. Thornton was inspired by theeast front of the Louvre, as well as theParis Pantheonfor the center portion of the design.Thornton's design was officially approved in a letter dated April 5, 1793, from Washington, and Thornton served as the firstarchitect of the Capitol(and later first superintendent of theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office).In an effort to console Hallet, the commissioners appointed him to review Thornton's plans, develop cost estimates, and serve as superintendent of construction. Hallet proceeded to pick apart and make drastic changes to Thornton's design, which he saw as costly to build and problematic. In July 1793, Jefferson convened a five-member commission, bringing Hallet and Thornton together, along withJames Hoban(winning architect of the \"President's Palace\") to address problems with and revise Thornton's plan. Hallet suggested changes to the floor plan, which could be fitted within the exterior design by Thornton.The revised plan was accepted, except that Secretary Jefferson and President Washington insisted on an openrecessin the center of the East front, which was part of Thornton's original plan. The original design by Thornton was later significantly altered byBenjamin Henry Latrobe, and laterCharles Bulfinch.Thecurrent cast-iron domeand the House's new southern extension andSenatenew northern wing were designed byThomas Ustick WalterandAugust Schoenborn, a German immigrant, in the 1850s,and were completed under the supervision ofEdward Clark. L'Enfant secured the lease ofquarriesatWigginton Islandand alongAquia CreekinVirginiafor use in thefoundationsand outer walls of the Capitol in November 1791.Surveying was under way soon after the Jefferson conference plan for the Capitol was accepted.On September 18, 1793, President Washington, along with eight other Freemasons dressed inmasonicregalia,laid the cornerstone, which was made bysilversmithCaleb Bentley. Construction proceeded with Hallet working under supervision ofJames Hoban, who was also busy working on construction of the \"President's House\" (also later known as the \"Executive Mansion\"). Despite the wishes of Jefferson and the President, Hallet went ahead anyway and modified Thornton's design for the East Front and created a square central court that projected from the center, with flanking wings which would house the legislative bodies. Hallet was dismissed by Secretary Jefferson on November 15, 1794.George Hadfieldwas hired on October 15, 1795, as Superintendent of Construction, but resigned three years later in May 1798, because of his dissatisfaction with Thornton's plan and quality of work done thus far. 19th century The Senate (north) wing was completed in 1800. The Senate and House shared quarters in the north wing until a temporary wooden pavilion was erected on the future site of the House wing which served for a few years for the Representatives to meet in, until theHouse of Representatives(south) wing was finally completed in 1811, with a covered wooden temporary walkway connecting the two wings with the Congressional chambers where the future center section with rotunda and dome would eventually be. However, the House of Representatives moved early into their House wing in 1807. Though the Senate wing building was incomplete, the Capitol held itsfirst sessionof the U.S. Congress with both chambers in session on November 17, 1800. The National Legislature was moved toWashingtonprematurely, at the urging of PresidentJohn Adams, in hopes of securing enoughSouthernvotes in theElectoral Collegeto be re-elected for a second term as president. In March 1803,James MadisonappointedBenjamin Henry Latrobeto the position of \"Surveyor of Public Buildings\", with the principal responsibility of completing construction of the Capitol's south and north wings. Work on the north wing began in November 1806. Although occupied for only six years, it had suffered from falling plaster, rotting floors and a leaking roof. Instead of repairing it, Latrobe demolished, redesigned and rebuilt the interiors within the existing brick and sandstone walls. Notably, Latrobe designed the Supreme Court and Senate chambers. The former was a particular architectural achievement; the size and structure of its vaulted, semi-circular ceiling was then unprecedented in the United States. For several decades, beginning when the federal government moved to Washington in the fall of 1800, the Capitol building was used for Sunday religious services as well as for governmental functions. The first services were conducted in the \"hall\" of the House in the north wing of the building. In 1801 the House moved to temporary quarters in the south wing, called the \"Oven\", which it vacated in 1804, returning to the north wing for three years. Then, from 1807 to 1857, they were held in the then-House Chamber (now calledStatuary Hall). When held in the House chamber, the Speaker's podium was used as the preacher's pulpit. According to theU.S. Library of CongressexhibitReligion and the Founding of the American Republic: It is no exaggeration to say that on Sundays in Washington during the administrations of Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809) and ofJames Madison(1809–1817) the state became the church. Within a year of his inauguration, Jefferson began attending church services in the chamber of the House of Representatives. Madison followed Jefferson's example, although unlike Jefferson, who rode on horseback to church in the Capitol, Madison came in a coach and four. Worship services in the House – a practice that continued until after theCivil War– were acceptable to Jefferson because they were nondiscriminatory and voluntary. Preachers of every Protestant denomination appeared. (Catholic priests began officiating in 1826.) As early as January 1806 a female evangelist,Dorothy Ripley, delivered a camp meeting-style exhortation in the House to Jefferson,Vice PresidentAaron Burr, and a \"crowded audience\". Not long after the completion of both wings, the Capitol waspartially burnedby theBritishon August 24, 1814, during theWar of 1812. After the fires, Latrobe was rehired as Architect of the Capitol to oversee restoration works. George BomfordandJoseph Gardner Swift, both military engineers, were called upon to help rebuild the Capitol. Reconstruction began in 1815 and included redesigned chambers for both Senate and House wings (now sides), which were completed by 1819. During the reconstruction, Congress met in theOld Brick Capitol, a temporary structure financed by local investors. Construction continued through to 1826, with the addition of the center section with front steps and columned portico and an interiorRotundarising above the first low dome of the Capitol. Latrobe is principally connected with the original construction and many innovative interior features; his successor Bulfinch also played a major role, such as design of the first low dome covered in copper. By 1850, it became clear that the Capitol could not accommodate the growing number of legislators arriving from newly admitted states. A new design competition was held, and PresidentMillard Fillmoreappointed Philadelphia architectThomas U. Walterto carry out the expansion. Two new wings were added: a new chamber for the House of Representatives on the south side, and a new chamber for the Senate on the north. When the Capitol was expanded in the 1850s, some of the construction labor was carried out byslaves\"who cut the logs, laid the stones and baked the bricks\".The original plan was to use workers brought in from Europe. However, there was a poor response to recruitment efforts; African Americans, some free and some enslaved, along with Scottish stonemasons, comprised most of the workforce. Capitol dome The 1850 expansion more than doubled the length of the United States Capitol; it dwarfed the original, timber-framed, copper-sheeted, low dome of 1818, designed byCharles Bulfinchwhich was no longer in proportion with the increased size of the building. In 1855, the decision was made to tear it down and replace it with the \"wedding-cake style\" cast-iron dome that stands today. Also designed byThomas U. Walter, the new dome would stand three times the height of the original dome and 100 feet (30 m) in diameter, yet had to be supported on the existing masonry piers. LikeMansart's dome atLes InvalidesinParis(which he had visited in 1838), Walter's dome is double, with a largeoculusin the inner dome, through which is seenThe Apotheosis of Washingtonpainted on a shell suspended from the supporting ribs, which also support the visible exterior structure and thetholosthat supports theStatue of Freedom, a colossal statue that was raised to the top of the dome in 1863. The statue invokes the goddessesMinervaorAthena.Thecast ironfor the dome weighs 8,909,200 pounds (4,041,100 kg).The dome'scast iron framewas supplied and constructed by the iron foundryJanes, Fowler, Kirtland & Co.The thirty-six Corinthian columns that surround the base of the dome were provided by the Baltimore ironworks ofPoole & Hunt. When the Capitol's new dome was finally completed, its massive visual weight, in turn, overpowered the proportions of the columns of the EastPortico, built in 1828. 20th century In 1904, the East Front of the Capitol building was rebuilt, following a design of the architectsCarrère and Hastings, who designed theRussell SenateandCannon Houseoffice buildings earlier that year. In 1958, the next major expansion to the Capitol started, with a 33.5-foot (10.2 m) extension of the East Portico.In 1960, two years into the project, the dome underwent a restoration.A marble duplicate of thesandstoneEast Front was built 33.5 feet (10.2 m) from the old Front. In 1962, a connecting extension repurposed what had been an outside wall as an inside wall. In the process, the original sandstoneCorinthiancolumnswere removed and replaced with marble. It was not until 1984 that landscape designerRussell Pagecreated a suitable setting for them in a large meadow at theU.S. National Arboretumin northeast Washington as theNational Capitol Columns, where they were combined with a reflecting pool into an ensemble that reminds some visitors of the ruins ofPersepolis, inPersia. Besides the columns, two hundred tons of the original stone were removed in several hundred block, which were first stored on site at the Capitol, and then stored in an unused yard at theCapitol Power Plantuntil 1975.The same year, the power plant was renovated and expanded in accordance with legislation passed in 1970, and the stones fell to the Commission on the Extension of the United States Capitol.As this body was long-defunct, responsibility for the material passed to the House and Senate office building commissions.These commissions then arranged for theNational Park Serviceto store the debris at the back of a NPS maintenance yard inRock Creek Park. With the permission of theSpeaker of the House, the United States Capitol Historical Society has periodically mined the blocks for sandstone since 1975. The stone removed is used to make commemorative bookends, which are still sold to support the Capitol Historical Society.By 1982, more than $20,000 (nearly $60,000adjusted) had been raised through such sales.Unpursued uses for the stones proposed by the Capitol Historical Society have included their sale as cornerstones in new housing developments. On December 19, 1960, the Capitol was declared aNational Historic Landmarkby the National Park Service.The building was ranked #6 in a 2007 survey conducted for theAmerican Institute of Architects' \"America's Favorite Architecture\" list. The Capitol draws heavily from other notable buildings, especially churches and landmarks in Europe, including the dome ofSt. Peter's Basilicain theVaticanandSt. Paul's Cathedralin London.On the roofs of the Senate and House Chambers are flagpoles that fly theU.S. flagwhen either is in session. On September 18, 1993, to commemorate the Capitol's bicentennial, the Masonic ritual cornerstone laying with George Washington was reenacted. U.S. SenatorStrom Thurmondwas one of the Freemason politicians who took part in the ceremony. 21st century On June 20, 2000, ground was broken for theCapitol Visitor Center, which opened on December 2, 2008.From 2001 through 2008, the East Front of the Capitol (site of mostpresidential inaugurationsuntilRonald Reaganbegan a new tradition in 1981) was the site of construction for this massive underground complex, designed to facilitate a more orderly entrance for visitors to the Capitol. Prior to the center being built, visitors to the Capitol had to line up in the basement of the Cannon House Office Building or the Russell Senate Office Building. The new underground facility provides a grand entrance hall, a visitors theater, room for exhibits, and dining and restroom facilities, in addition to space for building necessities such as aservice tunnel. A large-scale Capitol dome restoration project, the first extensive such work since 1959–1960, began in 2014, with completion scheduled before the 2017 presidential inauguration.As of 2012, $20 million in work around the skirt of the dome had been completed, but other deterioration, including at least 1,300 cracks in the brittle iron that have led to rusting and seepage inside, needed to be addressed. Before the August 2012 recess, theSenate Appropriations Committeevoted to spend $61 million to repair the exterior of the dome. The House wanted to spend less on government operations,but in late 2013, it was announced that renovations would take place over two years, starting in spring 2014. In 2014, extensive scaffolding was erected, enclosing and obscuring the dome.All exterior scaffolding was removed by mid-September 2016. With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet, a bid tendering process was approved in 2002 for a contract to install the multidirectional radio communication network forWi-Fiand mobile-phone within the Capitol Building and annexes, followed by the new Capitol Visitor Center. The winning bidder was anIsraeli companycalled Foxcom which has since changed its name and been acquired byCorning Incorporated. Interior The Capitol building is marked by its centraldomeabove arotundain the central section of the structure (which also includes the older original smaller center flanked by the two original (designed 1793, occupied 1800) smaller two wings (inner north and inner south) containing the two original smallermeeting chambersfor the Senate and the House of Representatives (between 1800 and late 1850s) and then flanked by two further extended (newer) wings, one also for each chamber of the larger, more populous Congress: the new north wing is the Senate chamber and the new south wing is the House of Representatives chamber. Above these newer chambers are galleries where visitors can watch the Senate and House of Representatives. It is an example ofneoclassical architecture. Tunnels and internalsubwaysconnect the Capitol building with theCongressional office buildingsin theCapitol Complex. All rooms in the Capitol are designated as either S (for Senate) or H (for House), depending on whether they are in the Senate or House wing of the Capitol. Art Since 1856, the Capitol has featured some the most prominentart in the United States, includingItalianandGreek AmericanartistConstantino Brumidi, whosemuralsare located in the hallways of the first floor of the Senate side of the Capitol. The murals, known as theBrumidi Corridors,reflect great moments and people inUnited States history. Among the original works are those depictingBenjamin Franklin,John Fitch,Robert Fulton, and events such as theCession of Louisiana. Also decorating the walls are animals, insects and naturalfloraindigenous to the United States. Brumidi's design left many spaces open so future events in United States history could be added. Among those added are theSpirit of St. Louis, theMoon landing, and theSpace ShuttleChallengercrew. Brumidi also worked within the Rotunda. He paintedThe Apotheosis of Washingtonbeneath the top of the dome, and also theFrieze of American History.The Apotheosis of Washingtonwas completed in 11 months and painted by Brumidi while suspended nearly 180 feet (55 m) in the air. It is said to be the first attempt by the United States to deify afounding father. Washington is depicted surrounded by 13maidensin an inner ring with manyGreekandRoman gods and goddessesbelow him in a second ring. Thefriezeis located around the inside of the base of the dome and is a chronological, pictorial history of the United States from the landing ofChristopher Columbusto theWright Brothers's flight inKitty Hawk,North Carolina. The frieze was started in 1878 and was not completed until 1953. The frieze was therefore painted by four different artists: Brumidi,Filippo Costaggini, Charles Ayer Whipple, andAllyn Cox. The final scenes depicted in the fresco had not yet occurred when Brumidi began hisFrieze of the United States History. Within the Rotunda there are eight large paintings about the development of the United States as a nation. On the east side are four paintings depicting major events in the discovery of America. On the west are four paintings depicting the founding of the United States. The east side paintings includeThe Baptism ofPocahontasbyJohn Gadsby Chapman,The Embarkation of thePilgrimsbyRobert Walter Weir,The Discovery of theMississippibyWilliam Henry Powell, andThe Landing of ColumbusbyJohn Vanderlyn. The paintings on the west side are byJohn Trumbull:Declaration of Independence,Surrender of General Burgoyne,Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, andGeneral George Washington Resigning His Commission. Trumbull was a contemporary of the United States' founding fathers and a participant in theAmerican Revolutionary War; he painted a self-portrait intoSurrender of Lord Cornwallis. First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln, an 1864 painting byFrancis Bicknell Carpenter, hangs over the west staircase in the Senate wing. The Capitol also houses theNational Statuary Hall Collection, comprising two statues donated by each of thefifty statesto honor persons notable in their histories. One of the most notable statues in theNational Statuary Hallis abronze statue of King Kamehamehadonated by the state of Hawaii upon its accession to the union in 1959. The statue's extraordinary weight of 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg) raised concerns that it might come crashing through the floor, so it was moved to Emancipation Hall of the new Capitol Visitor Center. The 100th, and last statue for the collection, that ofPo'payfrom the state ofNew Mexico, was added on September 22, 2005. It was the first statue moved into the Emancipation Hall. Crypt On the ground floor is an area known asthe Crypt. It was intended to be the burial place ofGeorge Washington, with a ringedbalustradeat the center of the Rotunda above looking down to his tomb. However, under the stipulations of his lastwill, Washington was buried atMount Vernon. The Crypt houses exhibits on the history of the Capitol. Acompass starinlaid in the floor marks the point at which Washington, D.C. is divided into its four quadrants and is the basis for howaddresses in Washington, D.C., are designated (NE,NW,SE, orSW). Gutzon Borglum's massiveAbraham Lincoln Bustis housed in the crypt. The sculptor had a fascination with large-scale art and themes of heroic nationalism, and carved the piece from a six-ton block ofmarble. Borglum carved the bust in 1908; it was donated to the Congress byEugene Meyer Jr.and accepted by theJoint Committee on the Librarythe same year. The pedestal was specially designed by the sculptor and installed in 1911. The bust and pedestal were on display in the Rotunda until 1979 when, after a rearrangement of all the sculptures in the Rotunda, they were placed in the Crypt.Borglum was a patriot and believed the \"monuments we have built are not our own\"; he looked to create art that was \"American, drawn from American sources, memorializing American achievement\", according to a 1908 interview article.Borglum's depiction of Lincoln was so accurate thatRobert Todd Lincoln, the president's son, praised the bust as \"the most extraordinarily good portrait of my father I have ever seen\".Supposedly, according to legend, the marble head remains unfinished (missing the left ear) to symbolize Lincoln'sunfinished life. Features A statue ofJohn C. Calhounis located at one end of the room near theOld Supreme Court Chamber. On the right leg of the statue, a mark from a bullet fired during the1998 shooting incidentis clearly visible. The bullet also left a mark on the cape, located on the back right side of the statue. Twelve presidents havelain in statein the Rotunda for public viewing, most recentlyGeorge H. W. Bush. The tomb meant for Washington stored thecatafalquewhich is used to supportcoffinslying in state or honor in the Capitol. The catafalque now on display in the Exhibition Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center was used for President Lincoln. TheHall of Columnsis located on the House side of the Capitol, home to twenty-eight fluted columns and statues from the National Statuary Hall Collection. In the basement of the Capitol building in a utility room are two marble bathtubs, which are all that remain of the once elaborate Senate baths. These baths were aspa-like facility designed for members of Congress and their guests before many buildings in the city had modern plumbing. The facilities included several bathtubs, a barbershop, and amassage parlor. A steep metal staircase, totaling 365 steps, leads from the basement to an outdoor walkway on top of the Capitol's dome.The number of steps represents each day of the year.Also in the basement, the weeklyJummahprayer is held on Fridays by Muslim staffers. Height Contrary to a popular myth,building height lawshave never referred to the height of the Capitol building, which rises to 289 feet (88 m).Indeed, the Capitol is only thefourth-tallest structure in Washington. House Chamber TheHouse of RepresentativesChamber has 448 permanent seats. Unlike senators, representatives do not have assigned seats.The chamber is large enough to accommodate members of all three branches of the federal government and invited guests forjoint sessionsof Congress such as theState of the Unionspeech and other events. The Chamber is adorned withrelief portraitsof famous lawmakers and lawgivers throughout Western and Near Eastern history. TheUnited States national motto\"In God We Trust\" is written over the tribune below the clock and above the United States flag. Of the twenty-three relief portraits, only Moses is sculpted from a full front view and is located across from the dais where the Speaker of the House ceremonially sits. In order, clockwise around the chamber: There is a quote by statesmanDaniel Websteretched in the marble of the chamber, as stated: \"Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also, in our day and generation, may not perform something worthy to be remembered.\" Senate Chamber The currentSenateChamber opened in 1859and is adorned withwhite marble bustsof the formerPresidents of the Senate(Vice Presidents). Old Chambers Statuary Hall The NationalStatuary Hallis a chamber in the United States Capitol devoted to sculptures of prominent Americans. The hall, also known as the Old Hall of the House, is a large, two-story, semicircular room with a second story gallery along the curved perimeter. It is located immediately south of the Rotunda. It was the meeting place of the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 50 years (1807–1857). After a few years of disuse, in 1864, it was repurposed as a statuary hall. Old Senate and Supreme Court Chambers TheOld Senate Chamberis a room in the United States Capitol that was the legislative chamber of the United States Senate from 1810 to 1859, and served as the Supreme Court chamber from 1860 until 1935. This room was originally the lower half of theOld Senate Chamberfrom 1800 to 1806. After division of the chamber in two levels, this room was used from 1806 until 1860 as the Supreme Court Chamber. In 1860, theSupreme Courtbegan using the newly vacated Old Senate Chamber. In 1935, the Supreme Court vacated the Capitol Building and began meeting in the newly constructedUnited States Supreme Court Buildingacross the street. Floor plans Exterior Landscaping TheCapitol Groundscover approximately 274 acres (1.11 km2), with the grounds proper consisting mostly of lawns, walkways, streets, drives, and planting areas. Several monumental sculptures used to be located on the east facade and lawn of the Capitol includingThe RescueandGeorge Washington. The current grounds were designed by noted Americanlandscape architectFrederick Law Olmsted, who planned the expansion and landscaping performed from 1874 to 1892. In 1875, as one of his first recommendations, Olmsted proposed the construction of themarbleterraceson the north, west, and south sides of the building creating an enveloping base. This addressed issues with the placement of the original structure; it had been built too far westwards on the crest of the hill and gave the appearance as if the building might slide into the marshy terrain below. Olmsted also designed the Summerhouse, the open-air brick building that sits just north of the Capitol. Threearchesopen into thehexagonalstructure, which encloses a fountain and twenty-two brick chairs. A fourth wall holds a small window which looks onto an artificialgrotto. Built between 1879 and 1881, the Summerhouse was intended to answer complaints that visitors to the Capitol had no place to sit and no place to obtain water for their horses and themselves. Moderndrinking fountainshave since replaced Olmsted's fountain for the latter purpose. Olmsted intended to build a second, matching Summerhouse on the southern side of the Capitol, but congressional objections led to the project's cancellation. Flag Up to fourU.S. flagscan be seen flying over the Capitol. Two flagpoles are located at the base of the dome on the East and West sides. These flagpoles have flown the flag day and night sinceWorld War I. The other two flagpoles are above the North (Senate) and South (House of Representatives) wings of the building, and fly only when the chamber below is in session. The flag above the House of Representatives is raised and lowered byHouse pages. The flag above the United States Senate is raised and lowered by Senate Doorkeepers. To raise the flag, Doorkeepers access the roof of the Capitol from theSenate Sergeant at Arms's office. Several auxiliary flagpoles, to the west of the dome and not visible from the ground, are used to meet congressional requests for flags flown over the Capitol.Constituentspay for U.S. flags flown over the Capitol to commemorate a variety of events such as the death of aveteranfamily member. Major events The Capitol and the grounds ofCapitol Hillhave played host to major events, includingpresidential inaugurations, which are held every four years. During an inauguration, the front of the Capitol is outfitted with a platform and a grand staircase. Annual events at the Capitol includeIndependence Daycelebrations, and theNational Memorial Day Concert. The general public has paid respect to a number of individualslying in stateat the Capitol, including numerous former presidents, senators, and other officials. Other Americans lying in honor includeOfficersJacob ChestnutandJohn Gibson, the two officers killed in the1998 shooting incident. Chestnut was the first African American ever to lie in honor in the Capitol. The public also paid respect toRosa Parks, an icon of thecivil rights movement, at the Capitol in 2005. She was the first woman and second African American to lie in honor in the Capitol. In February 2018, the evangelical Rev.Billy Grahambecame the fourth private citizen to lie in honor in the Rotunda. On September 24, 2015,Pope Francisgave a joint address to Congress, the first Pope to do so. Security The U.S. Capitol is believed to have been the intended target ofUnited Airlines Flight 93, one of the four planes that were hijacked in theSeptember 11 attacks. The plane crashed nearShanksville, Pennsylvaniaafter passengers tried to regain control of the plane from the hijackers. Since the September 11 attacks, the roads and grounds around the Capitol have undergone dramatic changes. The United States Capitol Police have also installed checkpoints to inspect vehicles at specific locations around Capitol Hill,and have closed a section of one street indefinitely.The level of screening employed varies. On the main east–west thoroughfares ofConstitutionandIndependence Avenues,barricadesare implanted in the roads that can be raised in the event of an emergency. Trucks larger thanpickupsare interdicted by the Capitol Police and are instructed to use other routes. On the checkpoints at the shorter cross streets, the barriers are typically kept in a permanent \"emergency\" position, and only vehicles with special permits are allowed to pass. All Capitol visitors are screened by amagnetometer, and all items that visitors may bring inside the building are screened by anx-ray device. In both chambers, gas masks are located underneath the chairs in each chamber for members to use in case of emergency. Structures ranging from scores ofJersey barriersto hundreds of ornamentalbollardshave been erected to obstruct the path of any vehicles that might stray from the designated roadways. After theJanuary 6 United States Capitol attack, security increased again. Additional security fences were installed around the perimeter, andNational Guardtroops were deployed to bolster security. List of security incidents Capitol Visitor Center The United States Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), located below the East Front of the Capitol and its plaza, between the Capitol building and 1st Street East, opened on December 2, 2008. The CVC provides a single security checkpoint for all visitors, including those with disabilities, and an expansion spacefor the US Congress. The complex contains 580,000 square feet (54,000 m2) of space below ground on three floors,and offers visitors a food court, restrooms, and educational exhibits, including an 11-foot scale model of the Capitol dome.It also featuresskylightsaffording views of the actual dome. Long in the planning stages, construction began in the fall of 2001, following the killing of two Capitol police officers in 1998. The estimated final cost of constructing the CVC was$621 million. Gallery See also Citations References Further reading External links"],"string":"[\n \"Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney Phil(/ˌpʌŋksəˈtɔːni/) is agroundhogresiding inYoung TownshipnearPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania, United States, who is the central figure in Punxsutawney's annualGroundhog Daycelebration. Folklore On February 2 each year,Punxsutawneyholds a civic festival with music and food. During the ceremony, which begins well before the winter sunrise, Phil emerges from his temporary home on Gobbler's Knob, located in a rural area about 2 miles (3 km) southeast of the town. According to the tradition, if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, he has predicted six more weeks ofwinter-like weather.If Phil does not see his shadow, he has predicted an \\\"earlyspring.\\\"Punxsutawney's event is the most famous of many Groundhog Day festivals held in the United States and Canada. The event formally began in 1887, although its roots go back even further. The event is based upon a communal light-heartedsuspension of disbeliefwhich extends to the assertion that the same groundhog has been making predictions since the 19th century. The event is organized by the \\\"Inner Circle\\\" – recognizable by theirtop hatsandtuxedos– who ostensibly communicate with Phil to receive his prediction. The vice president of the Inner Circle prepares two scrolls in advance of the actual ceremony, one proclaiming six more weeks of winter and one proclaiming an early spring. At daybreak on February 2, Punxsutawney Phil awakens from his burrow on Gobbler's Knob, is helped to the top of the stump by his handlers, and purportedly explains to the president of the Inner Circle, in a language known as \\\"Groundhogese\\\",whether he has seen his shadow. The president of the Inner Circle, the only person able to understand Groundhogese through his possession of an ancientacaciawood cane, then interprets Phil's message, and directs the vice president to read the proper scroll to the crowd gathered on Gobbler's Knob and the masses of \\\"phaithphil phollowers\\\" tuned in to live broadcasts around the world. The Inner Circle scripts the Groundhog Day ceremonies in advance, with the Inner Circle deciding beforehand whether Phil will see his shadow.The Stormfax Almanac has made note of the weather conditions on each Groundhog Day since 1999; the almanac has recorded 12 incidents in a 20-year span in which the Inner Circle said the groundhog saw his shadow while the sky was cloudy or there was rain or snow coming down, and in one case said the groundhog did not see his shadow despite sunshine.Outside of Groundhog Day, Phil resides with a mate, Phyllis, at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library in a climate-controlled environment. In March 2024, the Inner Circle announced that Phil had sired two babies, the first time in the history of the event that such a siring had happened; the birth surprised the Inner Circle, which had assumed that groundhogs do not breed in captivity. As a result of the births, the family will move permanently to Gobblers Knob. The Inner Circle disowned the babies from ever inheriting their father's position. Punxsutawney Phil canon The practices and lore of Punxsutawney Phil's predictions are predicated on a light-hearted suspension of disbelief by those involved. According to the lore, there is only one Phil, and all other groundhogs are impostors.It is claimed that this one groundhog has lived to make weather prognostications since 1886, sustained by drinks of \\\"groundhog punch\\\" or \\\"elixir of life\\\" administered at the annual Groundhog Picnic in the fall.The lifespan of a groundhog in the wild is roughly six years. According to the Groundhog Club, Phil, after the prediction, speaks to the club president in the language of 'Groundhogese', which supposedly only the current president can understand, and then his prediction is translated and revealed to all. The Groundhog Day celebration is rooted inGermanictradition that says that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on February 2, the Christian celebration ofCandlemas, winter and cold weather will last another six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says, spring will come early. In Germany, the tradition evolved into a myth that if the sun came out on Candlemas, ahedgehogwould cast its shadow, predicting snow all the way into May.When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania, they transferred the tradition onto local fauna, replacing hedgehogs with groundhogs. Several other towns in the region holdsimilar Groundhog Day events. Phil first received his name in 1961. The origins of the name are unclear, but speculation suggests that it may have been indirectly named afterPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Reception Prior to 1993, the Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney attracted crowds of approximately 2,000. The popularity of the filmGroundhog Daybrought significantly more attention to the event, with annual crowds rising to 10,000–20,000. A notable exception was 2021, when the event took place without any crowds due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.Since approximately 2018, the event is streamed online each year. Also given the recent increase in crowd sizes, three sitting governors of Pennsylvania have attended the festivities, all since 2000:Ed Rendellin 2003,Tom Corbettin 2012, andJosh Shapiroin 2023 and 2024. Phil was named the \\\"Official\\\" State Meteorologist by Governor Shapiro during the 2024 ceremony. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animalsobject to the event, claiming that Phil is put under stress. They suggest replacing Phil with a robotic groundhog. In some cases where Phil's prognostications have been incorrect, organizations have jokingly made legal threats against the groundhog. Such tongue-in-cheek actions have been made by a prosecutor in Ohio,the sheriff's office ofMonroe County, Pennsylvania,and theMerrimack, New HampshirePolice Department. In media and popular culture Past predictions Predictive accuracy The Inner Circle, in keeping with thesuspension of disbelief, claims a 100% accuracy rate, and an approximately 80% accuracy rate in recorded predictions. They claim that whenever the prediction is wrong, the person in charge of translating the message must have made a mistake in their interpretation. Impartial estimates place the groundhog's accuracy between 35% and 41%. See also References Further reading External links 40°55′49″N78°57′28″W / 40.9302°N 78.9578°W /40.9302; -78.9578\",\n \"United States Capitol TheUnited States Capitol, often called theCapitolor theCapitol Building, is theseatof theUnited States Congress, thelegislative branchof thefederal government. It is located onCapitol Hillat the eastern end of theNational MallinWashington, D.C.Although no longer at the geographic center of thenational capital, the U.S. Capitol forms the origin point for the street-numbering system of the district as well asits four quadrants. Like the principal buildings of theexecutiveandjudicialbranches, the Capitol is built in aneoclassical styleand has a white exterior. Central sections of the present building were completed in 1800. These were partly destroyed in the1814 Burning of Washington, then were fully restored within five years. The building was enlarged in the 1850s by extending the wings for the chambers for thebicamerallegislature, theHouse of Representativesin the south wing and theSenatein the north wing. The massivedomewas completed around 1866 just after theAmerican Civil War. The east front portico was extended in 1958. The building'sVisitors Centerwas opened in the early 21st century. Both its east and west elevations are formally referred to asfronts, although only the east front was intended for the reception of visitors and dignitaries, while the west front is now used for presidential inauguration ceremonies. The building and grounds are overseen by thearchitect of the Capitol, who also oversees the surroundingCapitol Complex. History 18th century Prior to establishing the nation's capital inWashington, D.C., theUnited States Congressand its predecessors met atIndependence HallandCongress HallinPhiladelphia,Federal HallinNew York City, and five additional locations:York, Pennsylvania,Lancaster, Pennsylvania, theMaryland State HouseinAnnapolis, Maryland, andNassau HallinPrinceton, New Jersey, andTrenton, New Jersey.In September 1774, theFirst Continental Congressbrought together delegates from thecoloniesin Philadelphia, followed by theSecond Continental Congress, which met from May 1775 to March 1781. After adopting theArticles of Confederationin York, Pennsylvania, theCongress of the Confederationwas formed and convened in Philadelphia from March 1781 until June 1783, when a mob of angry soldiers converged upon Independence Hall, demanding payment for their service during theAmerican Revolutionary War. Congress requested thatJohn Dickinson, theGovernor of Pennsylvania, call up themilitiato defend Congress from attacks by the protesters. In what became known as thePennsylvania Mutiny of 1783, Dickinson sympathized with the protesters and refused to remove them from Philadelphia. As a result, Congress was forced to flee toPrinceton, New Jersey, on June 21, 1783,and met inAnnapolis, Maryland, andTrenton, New Jersey, before ending up in New York City. The U.S. Congress was established uponratificationof theU.S. Constitutionand formally began on March 4, 1789. New York City remained home to Congress until July 1790,when theResidence Actwas passed to pave the way for a permanent capital. The decision of where to locate the capital was contentious, butAlexander Hamiltonhelped broker a compromise in which the federal government would take on war debt incurred during the American Revolutionary War, in exchange for support fromnorthern statesfor locating the capital along thePotomac River. As part of the legislation, Philadelphia was chosen as a temporary capital for ten years (until December 1800), until the nation's capital in Washington, D.C., would be ready. Pierre L'Enfantwas charged with creatingthe city planfor the new capital city and the major public buildings.The Congress House would be built on Jenkins Hill, now known asCapitol Hill, which L'Enfant described as a \\\"pedestal awaiting a monument.\\\"L'Enfant connected Congress House with the President's House viaPennsylvania Avenuewith a width set at 160 feet, identical to the narrowest points of theChamps-Élyséesin Paris. Westwards was a 400-foot-wide (122 m) garden-lined \\\"grand avenue\\\" containing a public walk (later known as theNational Mall) that would travel for about 1 mile (1.6 km) along the east–west line. The term \\\"Capitol\\\" (from LatinCapitolium) originally denoted theCapitoline Hillin Rome and theTemple of Jupiterthat stood on its summit.The Roman Capitol was sometimes misconceived of as a meeting place for senators, and this led the term to be applied to legislative buildings; the first such building was theWilliamsburg CapitolinVirginia.Thomas Jeffersonhad sat here as a member of theHouse of Burgesses, and it was he who applied the name \\\"Capitol\\\" to what on L'Enfant's plan had been called the \\\"Congress House\\\".\\\"Capitol\\\" has since become a general term for government buildings, especially in the United States. It is often confused with \\\"capital\\\"; one, however, denotes a building or complex of buildings, while the other denotes a city. In early 1792, afterPierre L'Enfantwas dismissed from the federal city project, Jefferson proposed a design competition to solicit designs for the Capitol and the \\\"President's House\\\", and set a four-month deadline. The prize for the competition was $500 and a lot in the Federal City. At least ten individuals submitted designs for the Capitol; however the drawings were regarded as crude and amateurish, reflecting the level of architectural skill present in the United States at the time. The most promising of the submissions was byStephen Hallet, a trained French architect who was a draftsman to Pierre L'Enfant on the city plan.However, Hallet's designs were overly fancy, with too much French influence, and were deemed too costly.However, the design did incorporate the concept for a \\\"great circular room and dome\\\" which had originated with L'Enfant.John Trumbullwas given a tour of \\\"Jenkins Hill\\\" by L'Enfant himself and confirmed this in his autobiography years later. On January 31, 1793, a late entry by amateur architectWilliam Thorntonwas submitted, and was met with praise for its \\\"Grandeur, Simplicity, and Beauty\\\" by Washington, along with praise from Jefferson. Thornton was inspired by theeast front of the Louvre, as well as theParis Pantheonfor the center portion of the design.Thornton's design was officially approved in a letter dated April 5, 1793, from Washington, and Thornton served as the firstarchitect of the Capitol(and later first superintendent of theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office).In an effort to console Hallet, the commissioners appointed him to review Thornton's plans, develop cost estimates, and serve as superintendent of construction. Hallet proceeded to pick apart and make drastic changes to Thornton's design, which he saw as costly to build and problematic. In July 1793, Jefferson convened a five-member commission, bringing Hallet and Thornton together, along withJames Hoban(winning architect of the \\\"President's Palace\\\") to address problems with and revise Thornton's plan. Hallet suggested changes to the floor plan, which could be fitted within the exterior design by Thornton.The revised plan was accepted, except that Secretary Jefferson and President Washington insisted on an openrecessin the center of the East front, which was part of Thornton's original plan. The original design by Thornton was later significantly altered byBenjamin Henry Latrobe, and laterCharles Bulfinch.Thecurrent cast-iron domeand the House's new southern extension andSenatenew northern wing were designed byThomas Ustick WalterandAugust Schoenborn, a German immigrant, in the 1850s,and were completed under the supervision ofEdward Clark. L'Enfant secured the lease ofquarriesatWigginton Islandand alongAquia CreekinVirginiafor use in thefoundationsand outer walls of the Capitol in November 1791.Surveying was under way soon after the Jefferson conference plan for the Capitol was accepted.On September 18, 1793, President Washington, along with eight other Freemasons dressed inmasonicregalia,laid the cornerstone, which was made bysilversmithCaleb Bentley. Construction proceeded with Hallet working under supervision ofJames Hoban, who was also busy working on construction of the \\\"President's House\\\" (also later known as the \\\"Executive Mansion\\\"). Despite the wishes of Jefferson and the President, Hallet went ahead anyway and modified Thornton's design for the East Front and created a square central court that projected from the center, with flanking wings which would house the legislative bodies. Hallet was dismissed by Secretary Jefferson on November 15, 1794.George Hadfieldwas hired on October 15, 1795, as Superintendent of Construction, but resigned three years later in May 1798, because of his dissatisfaction with Thornton's plan and quality of work done thus far. 19th century The Senate (north) wing was completed in 1800. The Senate and House shared quarters in the north wing until a temporary wooden pavilion was erected on the future site of the House wing which served for a few years for the Representatives to meet in, until theHouse of Representatives(south) wing was finally completed in 1811, with a covered wooden temporary walkway connecting the two wings with the Congressional chambers where the future center section with rotunda and dome would eventually be. However, the House of Representatives moved early into their House wing in 1807. Though the Senate wing building was incomplete, the Capitol held itsfirst sessionof the U.S. Congress with both chambers in session on November 17, 1800. The National Legislature was moved toWashingtonprematurely, at the urging of PresidentJohn Adams, in hopes of securing enoughSouthernvotes in theElectoral Collegeto be re-elected for a second term as president. In March 1803,James MadisonappointedBenjamin Henry Latrobeto the position of \\\"Surveyor of Public Buildings\\\", with the principal responsibility of completing construction of the Capitol's south and north wings. Work on the north wing began in November 1806. Although occupied for only six years, it had suffered from falling plaster, rotting floors and a leaking roof. Instead of repairing it, Latrobe demolished, redesigned and rebuilt the interiors within the existing brick and sandstone walls. Notably, Latrobe designed the Supreme Court and Senate chambers. The former was a particular architectural achievement; the size and structure of its vaulted, semi-circular ceiling was then unprecedented in the United States. For several decades, beginning when the federal government moved to Washington in the fall of 1800, the Capitol building was used for Sunday religious services as well as for governmental functions. The first services were conducted in the \\\"hall\\\" of the House in the north wing of the building. In 1801 the House moved to temporary quarters in the south wing, called the \\\"Oven\\\", which it vacated in 1804, returning to the north wing for three years. Then, from 1807 to 1857, they were held in the then-House Chamber (now calledStatuary Hall). When held in the House chamber, the Speaker's podium was used as the preacher's pulpit. According to theU.S. Library of CongressexhibitReligion and the Founding of the American Republic: It is no exaggeration to say that on Sundays in Washington during the administrations of Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809) and ofJames Madison(1809–1817) the state became the church. Within a year of his inauguration, Jefferson began attending church services in the chamber of the House of Representatives. Madison followed Jefferson's example, although unlike Jefferson, who rode on horseback to church in the Capitol, Madison came in a coach and four. Worship services in the House – a practice that continued until after theCivil War– were acceptable to Jefferson because they were nondiscriminatory and voluntary. Preachers of every Protestant denomination appeared. (Catholic priests began officiating in 1826.) As early as January 1806 a female evangelist,Dorothy Ripley, delivered a camp meeting-style exhortation in the House to Jefferson,Vice PresidentAaron Burr, and a \\\"crowded audience\\\". Not long after the completion of both wings, the Capitol waspartially burnedby theBritishon August 24, 1814, during theWar of 1812. After the fires, Latrobe was rehired as Architect of the Capitol to oversee restoration works. George BomfordandJoseph Gardner Swift, both military engineers, were called upon to help rebuild the Capitol. Reconstruction began in 1815 and included redesigned chambers for both Senate and House wings (now sides), which were completed by 1819. During the reconstruction, Congress met in theOld Brick Capitol, a temporary structure financed by local investors. Construction continued through to 1826, with the addition of the center section with front steps and columned portico and an interiorRotundarising above the first low dome of the Capitol. Latrobe is principally connected with the original construction and many innovative interior features; his successor Bulfinch also played a major role, such as design of the first low dome covered in copper. By 1850, it became clear that the Capitol could not accommodate the growing number of legislators arriving from newly admitted states. A new design competition was held, and PresidentMillard Fillmoreappointed Philadelphia architectThomas U. Walterto carry out the expansion. Two new wings were added: a new chamber for the House of Representatives on the south side, and a new chamber for the Senate on the north. When the Capitol was expanded in the 1850s, some of the construction labor was carried out byslaves\\\"who cut the logs, laid the stones and baked the bricks\\\".The original plan was to use workers brought in from Europe. However, there was a poor response to recruitment efforts; African Americans, some free and some enslaved, along with Scottish stonemasons, comprised most of the workforce. Capitol dome The 1850 expansion more than doubled the length of the United States Capitol; it dwarfed the original, timber-framed, copper-sheeted, low dome of 1818, designed byCharles Bulfinchwhich was no longer in proportion with the increased size of the building. In 1855, the decision was made to tear it down and replace it with the \\\"wedding-cake style\\\" cast-iron dome that stands today. Also designed byThomas U. Walter, the new dome would stand three times the height of the original dome and 100 feet (30 m) in diameter, yet had to be supported on the existing masonry piers. LikeMansart's dome atLes InvalidesinParis(which he had visited in 1838), Walter's dome is double, with a largeoculusin the inner dome, through which is seenThe Apotheosis of Washingtonpainted on a shell suspended from the supporting ribs, which also support the visible exterior structure and thetholosthat supports theStatue of Freedom, a colossal statue that was raised to the top of the dome in 1863. The statue invokes the goddessesMinervaorAthena.Thecast ironfor the dome weighs 8,909,200 pounds (4,041,100 kg).The dome'scast iron framewas supplied and constructed by the iron foundryJanes, Fowler, Kirtland & Co.The thirty-six Corinthian columns that surround the base of the dome were provided by the Baltimore ironworks ofPoole & Hunt. When the Capitol's new dome was finally completed, its massive visual weight, in turn, overpowered the proportions of the columns of the EastPortico, built in 1828. 20th century In 1904, the East Front of the Capitol building was rebuilt, following a design of the architectsCarrère and Hastings, who designed theRussell SenateandCannon Houseoffice buildings earlier that year. In 1958, the next major expansion to the Capitol started, with a 33.5-foot (10.2 m) extension of the East Portico.In 1960, two years into the project, the dome underwent a restoration.A marble duplicate of thesandstoneEast Front was built 33.5 feet (10.2 m) from the old Front. In 1962, a connecting extension repurposed what had been an outside wall as an inside wall. In the process, the original sandstoneCorinthiancolumnswere removed and replaced with marble. It was not until 1984 that landscape designerRussell Pagecreated a suitable setting for them in a large meadow at theU.S. National Arboretumin northeast Washington as theNational Capitol Columns, where they were combined with a reflecting pool into an ensemble that reminds some visitors of the ruins ofPersepolis, inPersia. Besides the columns, two hundred tons of the original stone were removed in several hundred block, which were first stored on site at the Capitol, and then stored in an unused yard at theCapitol Power Plantuntil 1975.The same year, the power plant was renovated and expanded in accordance with legislation passed in 1970, and the stones fell to the Commission on the Extension of the United States Capitol.As this body was long-defunct, responsibility for the material passed to the House and Senate office building commissions.These commissions then arranged for theNational Park Serviceto store the debris at the back of a NPS maintenance yard inRock Creek Park. With the permission of theSpeaker of the House, the United States Capitol Historical Society has periodically mined the blocks for sandstone since 1975. The stone removed is used to make commemorative bookends, which are still sold to support the Capitol Historical Society.By 1982, more than $20,000 (nearly $60,000adjusted) had been raised through such sales.Unpursued uses for the stones proposed by the Capitol Historical Society have included their sale as cornerstones in new housing developments. On December 19, 1960, the Capitol was declared aNational Historic Landmarkby the National Park Service.The building was ranked #6 in a 2007 survey conducted for theAmerican Institute of Architects' \\\"America's Favorite Architecture\\\" list. The Capitol draws heavily from other notable buildings, especially churches and landmarks in Europe, including the dome ofSt. Peter's Basilicain theVaticanandSt. Paul's Cathedralin London.On the roofs of the Senate and House Chambers are flagpoles that fly theU.S. flagwhen either is in session. On September 18, 1993, to commemorate the Capitol's bicentennial, the Masonic ritual cornerstone laying with George Washington was reenacted. U.S. SenatorStrom Thurmondwas one of the Freemason politicians who took part in the ceremony. 21st century On June 20, 2000, ground was broken for theCapitol Visitor Center, which opened on December 2, 2008.From 2001 through 2008, the East Front of the Capitol (site of mostpresidential inaugurationsuntilRonald Reaganbegan a new tradition in 1981) was the site of construction for this massive underground complex, designed to facilitate a more orderly entrance for visitors to the Capitol. Prior to the center being built, visitors to the Capitol had to line up in the basement of the Cannon House Office Building or the Russell Senate Office Building. The new underground facility provides a grand entrance hall, a visitors theater, room for exhibits, and dining and restroom facilities, in addition to space for building necessities such as aservice tunnel. A large-scale Capitol dome restoration project, the first extensive such work since 1959–1960, began in 2014, with completion scheduled before the 2017 presidential inauguration.As of 2012, $20 million in work around the skirt of the dome had been completed, but other deterioration, including at least 1,300 cracks in the brittle iron that have led to rusting and seepage inside, needed to be addressed. Before the August 2012 recess, theSenate Appropriations Committeevoted to spend $61 million to repair the exterior of the dome. The House wanted to spend less on government operations,but in late 2013, it was announced that renovations would take place over two years, starting in spring 2014. In 2014, extensive scaffolding was erected, enclosing and obscuring the dome.All exterior scaffolding was removed by mid-September 2016. With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet, a bid tendering process was approved in 2002 for a contract to install the multidirectional radio communication network forWi-Fiand mobile-phone within the Capitol Building and annexes, followed by the new Capitol Visitor Center. The winning bidder was anIsraeli companycalled Foxcom which has since changed its name and been acquired byCorning Incorporated. Interior The Capitol building is marked by its centraldomeabove arotundain the central section of the structure (which also includes the older original smaller center flanked by the two original (designed 1793, occupied 1800) smaller two wings (inner north and inner south) containing the two original smallermeeting chambersfor the Senate and the House of Representatives (between 1800 and late 1850s) and then flanked by two further extended (newer) wings, one also for each chamber of the larger, more populous Congress: the new north wing is the Senate chamber and the new south wing is the House of Representatives chamber. Above these newer chambers are galleries where visitors can watch the Senate and House of Representatives. It is an example ofneoclassical architecture. Tunnels and internalsubwaysconnect the Capitol building with theCongressional office buildingsin theCapitol Complex. All rooms in the Capitol are designated as either S (for Senate) or H (for House), depending on whether they are in the Senate or House wing of the Capitol. Art Since 1856, the Capitol has featured some the most prominentart in the United States, includingItalianandGreek AmericanartistConstantino Brumidi, whosemuralsare located in the hallways of the first floor of the Senate side of the Capitol. The murals, known as theBrumidi Corridors,reflect great moments and people inUnited States history. Among the original works are those depictingBenjamin Franklin,John Fitch,Robert Fulton, and events such as theCession of Louisiana. Also decorating the walls are animals, insects and naturalfloraindigenous to the United States. Brumidi's design left many spaces open so future events in United States history could be added. Among those added are theSpirit of St. Louis, theMoon landing, and theSpace ShuttleChallengercrew. Brumidi also worked within the Rotunda. He paintedThe Apotheosis of Washingtonbeneath the top of the dome, and also theFrieze of American History.The Apotheosis of Washingtonwas completed in 11 months and painted by Brumidi while suspended nearly 180 feet (55 m) in the air. It is said to be the first attempt by the United States to deify afounding father. Washington is depicted surrounded by 13maidensin an inner ring with manyGreekandRoman gods and goddessesbelow him in a second ring. Thefriezeis located around the inside of the base of the dome and is a chronological, pictorial history of the United States from the landing ofChristopher Columbusto theWright Brothers's flight inKitty Hawk,North Carolina. The frieze was started in 1878 and was not completed until 1953. The frieze was therefore painted by four different artists: Brumidi,Filippo Costaggini, Charles Ayer Whipple, andAllyn Cox. The final scenes depicted in the fresco had not yet occurred when Brumidi began hisFrieze of the United States History. Within the Rotunda there are eight large paintings about the development of the United States as a nation. On the east side are four paintings depicting major events in the discovery of America. On the west are four paintings depicting the founding of the United States. The east side paintings includeThe Baptism ofPocahontasbyJohn Gadsby Chapman,The Embarkation of thePilgrimsbyRobert Walter Weir,The Discovery of theMississippibyWilliam Henry Powell, andThe Landing of ColumbusbyJohn Vanderlyn. The paintings on the west side are byJohn Trumbull:Declaration of Independence,Surrender of General Burgoyne,Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, andGeneral George Washington Resigning His Commission. Trumbull was a contemporary of the United States' founding fathers and a participant in theAmerican Revolutionary War; he painted a self-portrait intoSurrender of Lord Cornwallis. First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln, an 1864 painting byFrancis Bicknell Carpenter, hangs over the west staircase in the Senate wing. The Capitol also houses theNational Statuary Hall Collection, comprising two statues donated by each of thefifty statesto honor persons notable in their histories. One of the most notable statues in theNational Statuary Hallis abronze statue of King Kamehamehadonated by the state of Hawaii upon its accession to the union in 1959. The statue's extraordinary weight of 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg) raised concerns that it might come crashing through the floor, so it was moved to Emancipation Hall of the new Capitol Visitor Center. The 100th, and last statue for the collection, that ofPo'payfrom the state ofNew Mexico, was added on September 22, 2005. It was the first statue moved into the Emancipation Hall. Crypt On the ground floor is an area known asthe Crypt. It was intended to be the burial place ofGeorge Washington, with a ringedbalustradeat the center of the Rotunda above looking down to his tomb. However, under the stipulations of his lastwill, Washington was buried atMount Vernon. The Crypt houses exhibits on the history of the Capitol. Acompass starinlaid in the floor marks the point at which Washington, D.C. is divided into its four quadrants and is the basis for howaddresses in Washington, D.C., are designated (NE,NW,SE, orSW). Gutzon Borglum's massiveAbraham Lincoln Bustis housed in the crypt. The sculptor had a fascination with large-scale art and themes of heroic nationalism, and carved the piece from a six-ton block ofmarble. Borglum carved the bust in 1908; it was donated to the Congress byEugene Meyer Jr.and accepted by theJoint Committee on the Librarythe same year. The pedestal was specially designed by the sculptor and installed in 1911. The bust and pedestal were on display in the Rotunda until 1979 when, after a rearrangement of all the sculptures in the Rotunda, they were placed in the Crypt.Borglum was a patriot and believed the \\\"monuments we have built are not our own\\\"; he looked to create art that was \\\"American, drawn from American sources, memorializing American achievement\\\", according to a 1908 interview article.Borglum's depiction of Lincoln was so accurate thatRobert Todd Lincoln, the president's son, praised the bust as \\\"the most extraordinarily good portrait of my father I have ever seen\\\".Supposedly, according to legend, the marble head remains unfinished (missing the left ear) to symbolize Lincoln'sunfinished life. Features A statue ofJohn C. Calhounis located at one end of the room near theOld Supreme Court Chamber. On the right leg of the statue, a mark from a bullet fired during the1998 shooting incidentis clearly visible. The bullet also left a mark on the cape, located on the back right side of the statue. Twelve presidents havelain in statein the Rotunda for public viewing, most recentlyGeorge H. W. Bush. The tomb meant for Washington stored thecatafalquewhich is used to supportcoffinslying in state or honor in the Capitol. The catafalque now on display in the Exhibition Hall of the Capitol Visitor Center was used for President Lincoln. TheHall of Columnsis located on the House side of the Capitol, home to twenty-eight fluted columns and statues from the National Statuary Hall Collection. In the basement of the Capitol building in a utility room are two marble bathtubs, which are all that remain of the once elaborate Senate baths. These baths were aspa-like facility designed for members of Congress and their guests before many buildings in the city had modern plumbing. The facilities included several bathtubs, a barbershop, and amassage parlor. A steep metal staircase, totaling 365 steps, leads from the basement to an outdoor walkway on top of the Capitol's dome.The number of steps represents each day of the year.Also in the basement, the weeklyJummahprayer is held on Fridays by Muslim staffers. Height Contrary to a popular myth,building height lawshave never referred to the height of the Capitol building, which rises to 289 feet (88 m).Indeed, the Capitol is only thefourth-tallest structure in Washington. House Chamber TheHouse of RepresentativesChamber has 448 permanent seats. Unlike senators, representatives do not have assigned seats.The chamber is large enough to accommodate members of all three branches of the federal government and invited guests forjoint sessionsof Congress such as theState of the Unionspeech and other events. The Chamber is adorned withrelief portraitsof famous lawmakers and lawgivers throughout Western and Near Eastern history. TheUnited States national motto\\\"In God We Trust\\\" is written over the tribune below the clock and above the United States flag. Of the twenty-three relief portraits, only Moses is sculpted from a full front view and is located across from the dais where the Speaker of the House ceremonially sits. In order, clockwise around the chamber: There is a quote by statesmanDaniel Websteretched in the marble of the chamber, as stated: \\\"Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also, in our day and generation, may not perform something worthy to be remembered.\\\" Senate Chamber The currentSenateChamber opened in 1859and is adorned withwhite marble bustsof the formerPresidents of the Senate(Vice Presidents). Old Chambers Statuary Hall The NationalStatuary Hallis a chamber in the United States Capitol devoted to sculptures of prominent Americans. The hall, also known as the Old Hall of the House, is a large, two-story, semicircular room with a second story gallery along the curved perimeter. It is located immediately south of the Rotunda. It was the meeting place of the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 50 years (1807–1857). After a few years of disuse, in 1864, it was repurposed as a statuary hall. Old Senate and Supreme Court Chambers TheOld Senate Chamberis a room in the United States Capitol that was the legislative chamber of the United States Senate from 1810 to 1859, and served as the Supreme Court chamber from 1860 until 1935. This room was originally the lower half of theOld Senate Chamberfrom 1800 to 1806. After division of the chamber in two levels, this room was used from 1806 until 1860 as the Supreme Court Chamber. In 1860, theSupreme Courtbegan using the newly vacated Old Senate Chamber. In 1935, the Supreme Court vacated the Capitol Building and began meeting in the newly constructedUnited States Supreme Court Buildingacross the street. Floor plans Exterior Landscaping TheCapitol Groundscover approximately 274 acres (1.11 km2), with the grounds proper consisting mostly of lawns, walkways, streets, drives, and planting areas. Several monumental sculptures used to be located on the east facade and lawn of the Capitol includingThe RescueandGeorge Washington. The current grounds were designed by noted Americanlandscape architectFrederick Law Olmsted, who planned the expansion and landscaping performed from 1874 to 1892. In 1875, as one of his first recommendations, Olmsted proposed the construction of themarbleterraceson the north, west, and south sides of the building creating an enveloping base. This addressed issues with the placement of the original structure; it had been built too far westwards on the crest of the hill and gave the appearance as if the building might slide into the marshy terrain below. Olmsted also designed the Summerhouse, the open-air brick building that sits just north of the Capitol. Threearchesopen into thehexagonalstructure, which encloses a fountain and twenty-two brick chairs. A fourth wall holds a small window which looks onto an artificialgrotto. Built between 1879 and 1881, the Summerhouse was intended to answer complaints that visitors to the Capitol had no place to sit and no place to obtain water for their horses and themselves. Moderndrinking fountainshave since replaced Olmsted's fountain for the latter purpose. Olmsted intended to build a second, matching Summerhouse on the southern side of the Capitol, but congressional objections led to the project's cancellation. Flag Up to fourU.S. flagscan be seen flying over the Capitol. Two flagpoles are located at the base of the dome on the East and West sides. These flagpoles have flown the flag day and night sinceWorld War I. The other two flagpoles are above the North (Senate) and South (House of Representatives) wings of the building, and fly only when the chamber below is in session. The flag above the House of Representatives is raised and lowered byHouse pages. The flag above the United States Senate is raised and lowered by Senate Doorkeepers. To raise the flag, Doorkeepers access the roof of the Capitol from theSenate Sergeant at Arms's office. Several auxiliary flagpoles, to the west of the dome and not visible from the ground, are used to meet congressional requests for flags flown over the Capitol.Constituentspay for U.S. flags flown over the Capitol to commemorate a variety of events such as the death of aveteranfamily member. Major events The Capitol and the grounds ofCapitol Hillhave played host to major events, includingpresidential inaugurations, which are held every four years. During an inauguration, the front of the Capitol is outfitted with a platform and a grand staircase. Annual events at the Capitol includeIndependence Daycelebrations, and theNational Memorial Day Concert. The general public has paid respect to a number of individualslying in stateat the Capitol, including numerous former presidents, senators, and other officials. Other Americans lying in honor includeOfficersJacob ChestnutandJohn Gibson, the two officers killed in the1998 shooting incident. Chestnut was the first African American ever to lie in honor in the Capitol. The public also paid respect toRosa Parks, an icon of thecivil rights movement, at the Capitol in 2005. She was the first woman and second African American to lie in honor in the Capitol. In February 2018, the evangelical Rev.Billy Grahambecame the fourth private citizen to lie in honor in the Rotunda. On September 24, 2015,Pope Francisgave a joint address to Congress, the first Pope to do so. Security The U.S. Capitol is believed to have been the intended target ofUnited Airlines Flight 93, one of the four planes that were hijacked in theSeptember 11 attacks. The plane crashed nearShanksville, Pennsylvaniaafter passengers tried to regain control of the plane from the hijackers. Since the September 11 attacks, the roads and grounds around the Capitol have undergone dramatic changes. The United States Capitol Police have also installed checkpoints to inspect vehicles at specific locations around Capitol Hill,and have closed a section of one street indefinitely.The level of screening employed varies. On the main east–west thoroughfares ofConstitutionandIndependence Avenues,barricadesare implanted in the roads that can be raised in the event of an emergency. Trucks larger thanpickupsare interdicted by the Capitol Police and are instructed to use other routes. On the checkpoints at the shorter cross streets, the barriers are typically kept in a permanent \\\"emergency\\\" position, and only vehicles with special permits are allowed to pass. All Capitol visitors are screened by amagnetometer, and all items that visitors may bring inside the building are screened by anx-ray device. In both chambers, gas masks are located underneath the chairs in each chamber for members to use in case of emergency. Structures ranging from scores ofJersey barriersto hundreds of ornamentalbollardshave been erected to obstruct the path of any vehicles that might stray from the designated roadways. After theJanuary 6 United States Capitol attack, security increased again. Additional security fences were installed around the perimeter, andNational Guardtroops were deployed to bolster security. List of security incidents Capitol Visitor Center The United States Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), located below the East Front of the Capitol and its plaza, between the Capitol building and 1st Street East, opened on December 2, 2008. The CVC provides a single security checkpoint for all visitors, including those with disabilities, and an expansion spacefor the US Congress. The complex contains 580,000 square feet (54,000 m2) of space below ground on three floors,and offers visitors a food court, restrooms, and educational exhibits, including an 11-foot scale model of the Capitol dome.It also featuresskylightsaffording views of the actual dome. Long in the planning stages, construction began in the fall of 2001, following the killing of two Capitol police officers in 1998. The estimated final cost of constructing the CVC was$621 million. Gallery See also Citations References Further reading External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney Phil(/ˌpʌŋksəˈtɔːni/) is agroundhogresiding inYoung TownshipnearPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania, United States, who is the central figure in Punxsutawney's annualGroundhog Daycelebration. Folklore On February 2 each year,Punxsutawneyholds a civic festival with music and food. During the ceremony, which begins well before the winter sunrise, Phil emerges from his temporary home on Gobbler's Knob, located in a rural area about 2 miles (3 km) southeast of the town. According to the tradition, if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, he has predicted six more weeks ofwinter-like weather.If Phil does not see his shadow, he has predicted an \"earlyspring.\"Punxsutawney's event is the most famous of many Groundhog Day festivals held in the United States and Canada. The event formally began in 1887, although its roots go back even further. The event is based upon a communal light-heartedsuspension of disbeliefwhich extends to the assertion that the same groundhog has been making","has been making predictions since the 19th century. The event is organized by the \"Inner Circle\" – recognizable by theirtop hatsandtuxedos– who ostensibly communicate with Phil to receive his prediction. The vice president of the Inner Circle prepares two scrolls in advance of the actual ceremony, one proclaiming six more weeks of winter and one proclaiming an early spring. At daybreak on February 2, Punxsutawney Phil awakens from his burrow on Gobbler's Knob, is helped to the top of the stump by his handlers, and purportedly explains to the president of the Inner Circle, in a language known as \"Groundhogese\",whether he has seen his shadow. The president of the Inner Circle, the only person able to understand Groundhogese through his possession of an ancientacaciawood cane, then interprets Phil's message, and directs the vice president to read the proper scroll to the crowd gathered on Gobbler's Knob and the masses of \"phaithphil phollowers\" tuned in to live broadcasts around the world. The Inner Circle","The Inner Circle scripts the Groundhog Day ceremonies in advance, with the Inner Circle deciding beforehand whether Phil will see his shadow.The Stormfax Almanac has made note of the weather conditions on each Groundhog Day since 1999; the almanac has recorded 12 incidents in a 20-year span in which the Inner Circle said the groundhog saw his shadow while the sky was cloudy or there was rain or snow coming down, and in one case said the groundhog did not see his shadow despite sunshine.Outside of Groundhog Day, Phil resides with a mate, Phyllis, at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library in a climate-controlled environment. In March 2024, the Inner Circle announced that Phil had sired two babies, the first time in the history of the event that such a siring had happened; the birth surprised the Inner Circle, which had assumed that groundhogs do not breed in captivity. As a result of the births, the family will move permanently to Gobblers Knob. The Inner Circle disowned the babies from ever inheriting their","inheriting their father's position. Punxsutawney Phil canon The practices and lore of Punxsutawney Phil's predictions are predicated on a light-hearted suspension of disbelief by those involved. According to the lore, there is only one Phil, and all other groundhogs are impostors.It is claimed that this one groundhog has lived to make weather prognostications since 1886, sustained by drinks of \"groundhog punch\" or \"elixir of life\" administered at the annual Groundhog Picnic in the fall.The lifespan of a groundhog in the wild is roughly six years. According to the Groundhog Club, Phil, after the prediction, speaks to the club president in the language of 'Groundhogese', which supposedly only the current president can understand, and then his prediction is translated and revealed to all. The Groundhog Day celebration is rooted inGermanictradition that says that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on February 2, the Christian celebration ofCandlemas, winter and cold weather will last another six weeks. If no","six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says, spring will come early. In Germany, the tradition evolved into a myth that if the sun came out on Candlemas, ahedgehogwould cast its shadow, predicting snow all the way into May.When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania, they transferred the tradition onto local fauna, replacing hedgehogs with groundhogs. Several other towns in the region holdsimilar Groundhog Day events. Phil first received his name in 1961. The origins of the name are unclear, but speculation suggests that it may have been indirectly named afterPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Reception Prior to 1993, the Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney attracted crowds of approximately 2,000. The popularity of the filmGroundhog Daybrought significantly more attention to the event, with annual crowds rising to 10,000–20,000. A notable exception was 2021, when the event took place without any crowds due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.Since approximately 2018, the event is streamed online each year. Also given","year. Also given the recent increase in crowd sizes, three sitting governors of Pennsylvania have attended the festivities, all since 2000:Ed Rendellin 2003,Tom Corbettin 2012, andJosh Shapiroin 2023 and 2024. Phil was named the \"Official\" State Meteorologist by Governor Shapiro during the 2024 ceremony. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animalsobject to the event, claiming that Phil is put under stress. They suggest replacing Phil with a robotic groundhog. In some cases where Phil's prognostications have been incorrect, organizations have jokingly made legal threats against the groundhog. Such tongue-in-cheek actions have been made by a prosecutor in Ohio,the sheriff's office ofMonroe County, Pennsylvania,and theMerrimack, New HampshirePolice Department. In media and popular culture Past predictions Predictive accuracy The Inner Circle, in keeping with thesuspension of disbelief, claims a 100% accuracy rate, and an approximately 80% accuracy rate in recorded predictions. They claim that whenever the","that whenever the prediction is wrong, the person in charge of translating the message must have made a mistake in their interpretation. Impartial estimates place the groundhog's accuracy between 35% and 41%. See also References Further reading External links 40°55′49″N78°57′28″W / 40.9302°N 78.9578°W /40.9302; -78.9578","United States Capitol TheUnited States Capitol, often called theCapitolor theCapitol Building, is theseatof theUnited States Congress, thelegislative branchof thefederal government. It is located onCapitol Hillat the eastern end of theNational MallinWashington, D.C.Although no longer at the geographic center of thenational capital, the U.S. Capitol forms the origin point for the street-numbering system of the district as well asits four quadrants. Like the principal buildings of theexecutiveandjudicialbranches, the Capitol is built in aneoclassical styleand has a white exterior. Central sections of the present building were completed in 1800. These were partly destroyed in the1814 Burning of Washington, then were fully restored within five years. The building was enlarged in the 1850s by extending the wings for the chambers for thebicamerallegislature, theHouse of Representativesin the south wing and theSenatein the north wing. The massivedomewas completed around 1866 just after theAmerican Civil War. The","Civil War. The east front portico was extended in 1958. The building'sVisitors Centerwas opened in the early 21st century. Both its east and west elevations are formally referred to asfronts, although only the east front was intended for the reception of visitors and dignitaries, while the west front is now used for presidential inauguration ceremonies. The building and grounds are overseen by thearchitect of the Capitol, who also oversees the surroundingCapitol Complex. History 18th century Prior to establishing the nation's capital inWashington, D.C., theUnited States Congressand its predecessors met atIndependence HallandCongress HallinPhiladelphia,Federal HallinNew York City, and five additional locations:York, Pennsylvania,Lancaster, Pennsylvania, theMaryland State HouseinAnnapolis, Maryland, andNassau HallinPrinceton, New Jersey, andTrenton, New Jersey.In September 1774, theFirst Continental Congressbrought together delegates from thecoloniesin Philadelphia, followed by theSecond Continental Congress,","Congress, which met from May 1775 to March 1781. After adopting theArticles of Confederationin York, Pennsylvania, theCongress of the Confederationwas formed and convened in Philadelphia from March 1781 until June 1783, when a mob of angry soldiers converged upon Independence Hall, demanding payment for their service during theAmerican Revolutionary War. Congress requested thatJohn Dickinson, theGovernor of Pennsylvania, call up themilitiato defend Congress from attacks by the protesters. In what became known as thePennsylvania Mutiny of 1783, Dickinson sympathized with the protesters and refused to remove them from Philadelphia. As a result, Congress was forced to flee toPrinceton, New Jersey, on June 21, 1783,and met inAnnapolis, Maryland, andTrenton, New Jersey, before ending up in New York City. The U.S. Congress was established uponratificationof theU.S. Constitutionand formally began on March 4, 1789. New York City remained home to Congress until July 1790,when theResidence Actwas passed to pave the","passed to pave the way for a permanent capital. The decision of where to locate the capital was contentious, butAlexander Hamiltonhelped broker a compromise in which the federal government would take on war debt incurred during the American Revolutionary War, in exchange for support fromnorthern statesfor locating the capital along thePotomac River. As part of the legislation, Philadelphia was chosen as a temporary capital for ten years (until December 1800), until the nation's capital in Washington, D.C., would be ready. Pierre L'Enfantwas charged with creatingthe city planfor the new capital city and the major public buildings.The Congress House would be built on Jenkins Hill, now known asCapitol Hill, which L'Enfant described as a \"pedestal awaiting a monument.\"L'Enfant connected Congress House with the President's House viaPennsylvania Avenuewith a width set at 160 feet, identical to the narrowest points of theChamps-Élyséesin Paris. Westwards was a 400-foot-wide (122 m) garden-lined \"grand avenue\"","\"grand avenue\" containing a public walk (later known as theNational Mall) that would travel for about 1 mile (1.6 km) along the east–west line. The term \"Capitol\" (from LatinCapitolium) originally denoted theCapitoline Hillin Rome and theTemple of Jupiterthat stood on its summit.The Roman Capitol was sometimes misconceived of as a meeting place for senators, and this led the term to be applied to legislative buildings; the first such building was theWilliamsburg CapitolinVirginia.Thomas Jeffersonhad sat here as a member of theHouse of Burgesses, and it was he who applied the name \"Capitol\" to what on L'Enfant's plan had been called the \"Congress House\".\"Capitol\" has since become a general term for government buildings, especially in the United States. It is often confused with \"capital\"; one, however, denotes a building or complex of buildings, while the other denotes a city. In early 1792, afterPierre L'Enfantwas dismissed from the federal city project, Jefferson proposed a design competition to solicit","to solicit designs for the Capitol and the \"President's House\", and set a four-month deadline. The prize for the competition was $500 and a lot in the Federal City. At least ten individuals submitted designs for the Capitol; however the drawings were regarded as crude and amateurish, reflecting the level of architectural skill present in the United States at the time. The most promising of the submissions was byStephen Hallet, a trained French architect who was a draftsman to Pierre L'Enfant on the city plan.However, Hallet's designs were overly fancy, with too much French influence, and were deemed too costly.However, the design did incorporate the concept for a \"great circular room and dome\" which had originated with L'Enfant.John Trumbullwas given a tour of \"Jenkins Hill\" by L'Enfant himself and confirmed this in his autobiography years later. On January 31, 1793, a late entry by amateur architectWilliam Thorntonwas submitted, and was met with praise for its \"Grandeur, Simplicity, and Beauty\" by","and Beauty\" by Washington, along with praise from Jefferson. Thornton was inspired by theeast front of the Louvre, as well as theParis Pantheonfor the center portion of the design.Thornton's design was officially approved in a letter dated April 5, 1793, from Washington, and Thornton served as the firstarchitect of the Capitol(and later first superintendent of theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office).In an effort to console Hallet, the commissioners appointed him to review Thornton's plans, develop cost estimates, and serve as superintendent of construction. Hallet proceeded to pick apart and make drastic changes to Thornton's design, which he saw as costly to build and problematic. In July 1793, Jefferson convened a five-member commission, bringing Hallet and Thornton together, along withJames Hoban(winning architect of the \"President's Palace\") to address problems with and revise Thornton's plan. Hallet suggested changes to the floor plan, which could be fitted within the exterior design by Thornton.The","by Thornton.The revised plan was accepted, except that Secretary Jefferson and President Washington insisted on an openrecessin the center of the East front, which was part of Thornton's original plan. The original design by Thornton was later significantly altered byBenjamin Henry Latrobe, and laterCharles Bulfinch.Thecurrent cast-iron domeand the House's new southern extension andSenatenew northern wing were designed byThomas Ustick WalterandAugust Schoenborn, a German immigrant, in the 1850s,and were completed under the supervision ofEdward Clark. L'Enfant secured the lease ofquarriesatWigginton Islandand alongAquia CreekinVirginiafor use in thefoundationsand outer walls of the Capitol in November 1791.Surveying was under way soon after the Jefferson conference plan for the Capitol was accepted.On September 18, 1793, President Washington, along with eight other Freemasons dressed inmasonicregalia,laid the cornerstone, which was made bysilversmithCaleb Bentley. Construction proceeded with Hallet working","with Hallet working under supervision ofJames Hoban, who was also busy working on construction of the \"President's House\" (also later known as the \"Executive Mansion\"). Despite the wishes of Jefferson and the President, Hallet went ahead anyway and modified Thornton's design for the East Front and created a square central court that projected from the center, with flanking wings which would house the legislative bodies. Hallet was dismissed by Secretary Jefferson on November 15, 1794.George Hadfieldwas hired on October 15, 1795, as Superintendent of Construction, but resigned three years later in May 1798, because of his dissatisfaction with Thornton's plan and quality of work done thus far. 19th century The Senate (north) wing was completed in 1800. The Senate and House shared quarters in the north wing until a temporary wooden pavilion was erected on the future site of the House wing which served for a few years for the Representatives to meet in, until theHouse of Representatives(south) wing was finally","wing was finally completed in 1811, with a covered wooden temporary walkway connecting the two wings with the Congressional chambers where the future center section with rotunda and dome would eventually be. However, the House of Representatives moved early into their House wing in 1807. Though the Senate wing building was incomplete, the Capitol held itsfirst sessionof the U.S. Congress with both chambers in session on November 17, 1800. The National Legislature was moved toWashingtonprematurely, at the urging of PresidentJohn Adams, in hopes of securing enoughSouthernvotes in theElectoral Collegeto be re-elected for a second term as president. In March 1803,James MadisonappointedBenjamin Henry Latrobeto the position of \"Surveyor of Public Buildings\", with the principal responsibility of completing construction of the Capitol's south and north wings. Work on the north wing began in November 1806. Although occupied for only six years, it had suffered from falling plaster, rotting floors and a leaking roof.","and a leaking roof. Instead of repairing it, Latrobe demolished, redesigned and rebuilt the interiors within the existing brick and sandstone walls. Notably, Latrobe designed the Supreme Court and Senate chambers. The former was a particular architectural achievement; the size and structure of its vaulted, semi-circular ceiling was then unprecedented in the United States. For several decades, beginning when the federal government moved to Washington in the fall of 1800, the Capitol building was used for Sunday religious services as well as for governmental functions. The first services were conducted in the \"hall\" of the House in the north wing of the building. In 1801 the House moved to temporary quarters in the south wing, called the \"Oven\", which it vacated in 1804, returning to the north wing for three years. Then, from 1807 to 1857, they were held in the then-House Chamber (now calledStatuary Hall). When held in the House chamber, the Speaker's podium was used as the preacher's pulpit. According to","According to theU.S. Library of CongressexhibitReligion and the Founding of the American Republic: It is no exaggeration to say that on Sundays in Washington during the administrations of Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809) and ofJames Madison(1809–1817) the state became the church. Within a year of his inauguration, Jefferson began attending church services in the chamber of the House of Representatives. Madison followed Jefferson's example, although unlike Jefferson, who rode on horseback to church in the Capitol, Madison came in a coach and four. Worship services in the House – a practice that continued until after theCivil War– were acceptable to Jefferson because they were nondiscriminatory and voluntary. Preachers of every Protestant denomination appeared. (Catholic priests began officiating in 1826.) As early as January 1806 a female evangelist,Dorothy Ripley, delivered a camp meeting-style exhortation in the House to Jefferson,Vice PresidentAaron Burr, and a \"crowded audience\". Not long after the completion","the completion of both wings, the Capitol waspartially burnedby theBritishon August 24, 1814, during theWar of 1812. After the fires, Latrobe was rehired as Architect of the Capitol to oversee restoration works. George BomfordandJoseph Gardner Swift, both military engineers, were called upon to help rebuild the Capitol. Reconstruction began in 1815 and included redesigned chambers for both Senate and House wings (now sides), which were completed by 1819. During the reconstruction, Congress met in theOld Brick Capitol, a temporary structure financed by local investors. Construction continued through to 1826, with the addition of the center section with front steps and columned portico and an interiorRotundarising above the first low dome of the Capitol. Latrobe is principally connected with the original construction and many innovative interior features; his successor Bulfinch also played a major role, such as design of the first low dome covered in copper. By 1850, it became clear that the Capitol could not","Capitol could not accommodate the growing number of legislators arriving from newly admitted states. A new design competition was held, and PresidentMillard Fillmoreappointed Philadelphia architectThomas U. Walterto carry out the expansion. Two new wings were added: a new chamber for the House of Representatives on the south side, and a new chamber for the Senate on the north. When the Capitol was expanded in the 1850s, some of the construction labor was carried out byslaves\"who cut the logs, laid the stones and baked the bricks\".The original plan was to use workers brought in from Europe. However, there was a poor response to recruitment efforts; African Americans, some free and some enslaved, along with Scottish stonemasons, comprised most of the workforce. Capitol dome The 1850 expansion more than doubled the length of the United States Capitol; it dwarfed the original, timber-framed, copper-sheeted, low dome of 1818, designed byCharles Bulfinchwhich was no longer in proportion with the increased size of","increased size of the building. In 1855, the decision was made to tear it down and replace it with the \"wedding-cake style\" cast-iron dome that stands today. Also designed byThomas U. Walter, the new dome would stand three times the height of the original dome and 100 feet (30 m) in diameter, yet had to be supported on the existing masonry piers. LikeMansart's dome atLes InvalidesinParis(which he had visited in 1838), Walter's dome is double, with a largeoculusin the inner dome, through which is seenThe Apotheosis of Washingtonpainted on a shell suspended from the supporting ribs, which also support the visible exterior structure and thetholosthat supports theStatue of Freedom, a colossal statue that was raised to the top of the dome in 1863. The statue invokes the goddessesMinervaorAthena.Thecast ironfor the dome weighs 8,909,200 pounds (4,041,100 kg).The dome'scast iron framewas supplied and constructed by the iron foundryJanes, Fowler, Kirtland & Co.The thirty-six Corinthian columns that surround the base","surround the base of the dome were provided by the Baltimore ironworks ofPoole & Hunt. When the Capitol's new dome was finally completed, its massive visual weight, in turn, overpowered the proportions of the columns of the EastPortico, built in 1828. 20th century In 1904, the East Front of the Capitol building was rebuilt, following a design of the architectsCarrère and Hastings, who designed theRussell SenateandCannon Houseoffice buildings earlier that year. In 1958, the next major expansion to the Capitol started, with a 33.5-foot (10.2 m) extension of the East Portico.In 1960, two years into the project, the dome underwent a restoration.A marble duplicate of thesandstoneEast Front was built 33.5 feet (10.2 m) from the old Front. In 1962, a connecting extension repurposed what had been an outside wall as an inside wall. In the process, the original sandstoneCorinthiancolumnswere removed and replaced with marble. It was not until 1984 that landscape designerRussell Pagecreated a suitable setting for them","setting for them in a large meadow at theU.S. National Arboretumin northeast Washington as theNational Capitol Columns, where they were combined with a reflecting pool into an ensemble that reminds some visitors of the ruins ofPersepolis, inPersia. Besides the columns, two hundred tons of the original stone were removed in several hundred block, which were first stored on site at the Capitol, and then stored in an unused yard at theCapitol Power Plantuntil 1975.The same year, the power plant was renovated and expanded in accordance with legislation passed in 1970, and the stones fell to the Commission on the Extension of the United States Capitol.As this body was long-defunct, responsibility for the material passed to the House and Senate office building commissions.These commissions then arranged for theNational Park Serviceto store the debris at the back of a NPS maintenance yard inRock Creek Park. With the permission of theSpeaker of the House, the United States Capitol Historical Society has periodically","has periodically mined the blocks for sandstone since 1975. The stone removed is used to make commemorative bookends, which are still sold to support the Capitol Historical Society.By 1982, more than $20,000 (nearly $60,000adjusted) had been raised through such sales.Unpursued uses for the stones proposed by the Capitol Historical Society have included their sale as cornerstones in new housing developments. On December 19, 1960, the Capitol was declared aNational Historic Landmarkby the National Park Service.The building was ranked #6 in a 2007 survey conducted for theAmerican Institute of Architects' \"America's Favorite Architecture\" list. The Capitol draws heavily from other notable buildings, especially churches and landmarks in Europe, including the dome ofSt. Peter's Basilicain theVaticanandSt. Paul's Cathedralin London.On the roofs of the Senate and House Chambers are flagpoles that fly theU.S. flagwhen either is in session. On September 18, 1993, to commemorate the Capitol's bicentennial, the Masonic","the Masonic ritual cornerstone laying with George Washington was reenacted. U.S. SenatorStrom Thurmondwas one of the Freemason politicians who took part in the ceremony. 21st century On June 20, 2000, ground was broken for theCapitol Visitor Center, which opened on December 2, 2008.From 2001 through 2008, the East Front of the Capitol (site of mostpresidential inaugurationsuntilRonald Reaganbegan a new tradition in 1981) was the site of construction for this massive underground complex, designed to facilitate a more orderly entrance for visitors to the Capitol. Prior to the center being built, visitors to the Capitol had to line up in the basement of the Cannon House Office Building or the Russell Senate Office Building. The new underground facility provides a grand entrance hall, a visitors theater, room for exhibits, and dining and restroom facilities, in addition to space for building necessities such as aservice tunnel. A large-scale Capitol dome restoration project, the first extensive such work since","such work since 1959–1960, began in 2014, with completion scheduled before the 2017 presidential inauguration.As of 2012, $20 million in work around the skirt of the dome had been completed, but other deterioration, including at least 1,300 cracks in the brittle iron that have led to rusting and seepage inside, needed to be addressed. Before the August 2012 recess, theSenate Appropriations Committeevoted to spend $61 million to repair the exterior of the dome. The House wanted to spend less on government operations,but in late 2013, it was announced that renovations would take place over two years, starting in spring 2014. In 2014, extensive scaffolding was erected, enclosing and obscuring the dome.All exterior scaffolding was removed by mid-September 2016. With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet, a bid tendering process was approved in 2002 for a contract to install the multidirectional radio communication network forWi-Fiand mobile-phone within the Capitol Building and annexes, followed","annexes, followed by the new Capitol Visitor Center. The winning bidder was anIsraeli companycalled Foxcom which has since changed its name and been acquired byCorning Incorporated. Interior The Capitol building is marked by its centraldomeabove arotundain the central section of the structure (which also includes the older original smaller center flanked by the two original (designed 1793, occupied 1800) smaller two wings (inner north and inner south) containing the two original smallermeeting chambersfor the Senate and the House of Representatives (between 1800 and late 1850s) and then flanked by two further extended (newer) wings, one also for each chamber of the larger, more populous Congress: the new north wing is the Senate chamber and the new south wing is the House of Representatives chamber. Above these newer chambers are galleries where visitors can watch the Senate and House of Representatives. It is an example ofneoclassical architecture. Tunnels and internalsubwaysconnect the Capitol building","Capitol building with theCongressional office buildingsin theCapitol Complex. All rooms in the Capitol are designated as either S (for Senate) or H (for House), depending on whether they are in the Senate or House wing of the Capitol. Art Since 1856, the Capitol has featured some the most prominentart in the United States, includingItalianandGreek AmericanartistConstantino Brumidi, whosemuralsare located in the hallways of the first floor of the Senate side of the Capitol. The murals, known as theBrumidi Corridors,reflect great moments and people inUnited States history. Among the original works are those depictingBenjamin Franklin,John Fitch,Robert Fulton, and events such as theCession of Louisiana. Also decorating the walls are animals, insects and naturalfloraindigenous to the United States. Brumidi's design left many spaces open so future events in United States history could be added. Among those added are theSpirit of St. Louis, theMoon landing, and theSpace ShuttleChallengercrew. Brumidi also worked","Brumidi also worked within the Rotunda. He paintedThe Apotheosis of Washingtonbeneath the top of the dome, and also theFrieze of American History.The Apotheosis of Washingtonwas completed in 11 months and painted by Brumidi while suspended nearly 180 feet (55 m) in the air. It is said to be the first attempt by the United States to deify afounding father. Washington is depicted surrounded by 13maidensin an inner ring with manyGreekandRoman gods and goddessesbelow him in a second ring. Thefriezeis located around the inside of the base of the dome and is a chronological, pictorial history of the United States from the landing ofChristopher Columbusto theWright Brothers's flight inKitty Hawk,North Carolina. The frieze was started in 1878 and was not completed until 1953. The frieze was therefore painted by four different artists: Brumidi,Filippo Costaggini, Charles Ayer Whipple, andAllyn Cox. The final scenes depicted in the fresco had not yet occurred when Brumidi began hisFrieze of the United States History.","States History. Within the Rotunda there are eight large paintings about the development of the United States as a nation. On the east side are four paintings depicting major events in the discovery of America. On the west are four paintings depicting the founding of the United States. The east side paintings includeThe Baptism ofPocahontasbyJohn Gadsby Chapman,The Embarkation of thePilgrimsbyRobert Walter Weir,The Discovery of theMississippibyWilliam Henry Powell, andThe Landing of ColumbusbyJohn Vanderlyn. The paintings on the west side are byJohn Trumbull:Declaration of Independence,Surrender of General Burgoyne,Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, andGeneral George Washington Resigning His Commission. Trumbull was a contemporary of the United States' founding fathers and a participant in theAmerican Revolutionary War; he painted a self-portrait intoSurrender of Lord Cornwallis. First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln, an 1864 painting byFrancis Bicknell Carpenter, hangs over the west","hangs over the west staircase in the Senate wing. The Capitol also houses theNational Statuary Hall Collection, comprising two statues donated by each of thefifty statesto honor persons notable in their histories. One of the most notable statues in theNational Statuary Hallis abronze statue of King Kamehamehadonated by the state of Hawaii upon its accession to the union in 1959. The statue's extraordinary weight of 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg) raised concerns that it might come crashing through the floor, so it was moved to Emancipation Hall of the new Capitol Visitor Center. The 100th, and last statue for the collection, that ofPo'payfrom the state ofNew Mexico, was added on September 22, 2005. It was the first statue moved into the Emancipation Hall. Crypt On the ground floor is an area known asthe Crypt. It was intended to be the burial place ofGeorge Washington, with a ringedbalustradeat the center of the Rotunda above looking down to his tomb. However, under the stipulations of his lastwill, Washington was","Washington was buried atMount Vernon. The Crypt houses exhibits on the history of the Capitol. Acompass starinlaid in the floor marks the point at which Washington, D.C. is divided into its four quadrants and is the basis for howaddresses in Washington, D.C., are designated (NE,NW,SE, orSW). Gutzon Borglum's massiveAbraham Lincoln Bustis housed in the crypt. The sculptor had a fascination with large-scale art and themes of heroic nationalism, and carved the piece from a six-ton block ofmarble. Borglum carved the bust in 1908; it was donated to the Congress byEugene Meyer Jr.and accepted by theJoint Committee on the Librarythe same year. The pedestal was specially designed by the sculptor and installed in 1911. The bust and pedestal were on display in the Rotunda until 1979 when, after a rearrangement of all the sculptures in the Rotunda, they were placed in the Crypt.Borglum was a patriot and believed the \"monuments we have built are not our own\"; he looked to create art that was \"American, drawn from","drawn from American sources, memorializing American achievement\", according to a 1908 interview article.Borglum's depiction of Lincoln was so accurate thatRobert Todd Lincoln, the president's son, praised the bust as \"the most extraordinarily good portrait of my father I have ever seen\".Supposedly, according to legend, the marble head remains unfinished (missing the left ear) to symbolize Lincoln'sunfinished life. Features A statue ofJohn C. Calhounis located at one end of the room near theOld Supreme Court Chamber. On the right leg of the statue, a mark from a bullet fired during the1998 shooting incidentis clearly visible. The bullet also left a mark on the cape, located on the back right side of the statue. Twelve presidents havelain in statein the Rotunda for public viewing, most recentlyGeorge H. W. Bush. The tomb meant for Washington stored thecatafalquewhich is used to supportcoffinslying in state or honor in the Capitol. The catafalque now on display in the Exhibition Hall of the Capitol Visitor","the Capitol Visitor Center was used for President Lincoln. TheHall of Columnsis located on the House side of the Capitol, home to twenty-eight fluted columns and statues from the National Statuary Hall Collection. In the basement of the Capitol building in a utility room are two marble bathtubs, which are all that remain of the once elaborate Senate baths. These baths were aspa-like facility designed for members of Congress and their guests before many buildings in the city had modern plumbing. The facilities included several bathtubs, a barbershop, and amassage parlor. A steep metal staircase, totaling 365 steps, leads from the basement to an outdoor walkway on top of the Capitol's dome.The number of steps represents each day of the year.Also in the basement, the weeklyJummahprayer is held on Fridays by Muslim staffers. Height Contrary to a popular myth,building height lawshave never referred to the height of the Capitol building, which rises to 289 feet (88 m).Indeed, the Capitol is only thefourth-tallest","thefourth-tallest structure in Washington. House Chamber TheHouse of RepresentativesChamber has 448 permanent seats. Unlike senators, representatives do not have assigned seats.The chamber is large enough to accommodate members of all three branches of the federal government and invited guests forjoint sessionsof Congress such as theState of the Unionspeech and other events. The Chamber is adorned withrelief portraitsof famous lawmakers and lawgivers throughout Western and Near Eastern history. TheUnited States national motto\"In God We Trust\" is written over the tribune below the clock and above the United States flag. Of the twenty-three relief portraits, only Moses is sculpted from a full front view and is located across from the dais where the Speaker of the House ceremonially sits. In order, clockwise around the chamber: There is a quote by statesmanDaniel Websteretched in the marble of the chamber, as stated: \"Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions,","its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also, in our day and generation, may not perform something worthy to be remembered.\" Senate Chamber The currentSenateChamber opened in 1859and is adorned withwhite marble bustsof the formerPresidents of the Senate(Vice Presidents). Old Chambers Statuary Hall The NationalStatuary Hallis a chamber in the United States Capitol devoted to sculptures of prominent Americans. The hall, also known as the Old Hall of the House, is a large, two-story, semicircular room with a second story gallery along the curved perimeter. It is located immediately south of the Rotunda. It was the meeting place of the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 50 years (1807–1857). After a few years of disuse, in 1864, it was repurposed as a statuary hall. Old Senate and Supreme Court Chambers TheOld Senate Chamberis a room in the United States Capitol that was the legislative chamber of the United States Senate from 1810 to 1859, and served as the Supreme Court","the Supreme Court chamber from 1860 until 1935. This room was originally the lower half of theOld Senate Chamberfrom 1800 to 1806. After division of the chamber in two levels, this room was used from 1806 until 1860 as the Supreme Court Chamber. In 1860, theSupreme Courtbegan using the newly vacated Old Senate Chamber. In 1935, the Supreme Court vacated the Capitol Building and began meeting in the newly constructedUnited States Supreme Court Buildingacross the street. Floor plans Exterior Landscaping TheCapitol Groundscover approximately 274 acres (1.11 km2), with the grounds proper consisting mostly of lawns, walkways, streets, drives, and planting areas. Several monumental sculptures used to be located on the east facade and lawn of the Capitol includingThe RescueandGeorge Washington. The current grounds were designed by noted Americanlandscape architectFrederick Law Olmsted, who planned the expansion and landscaping performed from 1874 to 1892. In 1875, as one of his first recommendations, Olmsted","Olmsted proposed the construction of themarbleterraceson the north, west, and south sides of the building creating an enveloping base. This addressed issues with the placement of the original structure; it had been built too far westwards on the crest of the hill and gave the appearance as if the building might slide into the marshy terrain below. Olmsted also designed the Summerhouse, the open-air brick building that sits just north of the Capitol. Threearchesopen into thehexagonalstructure, which encloses a fountain and twenty-two brick chairs. A fourth wall holds a small window which looks onto an artificialgrotto. Built between 1879 and 1881, the Summerhouse was intended to answer complaints that visitors to the Capitol had no place to sit and no place to obtain water for their horses and themselves. Moderndrinking fountainshave since replaced Olmsted's fountain for the latter purpose. Olmsted intended to build a second, matching Summerhouse on the southern side of the Capitol, but congressional","but congressional objections led to the project's cancellation. Flag Up to fourU.S. flagscan be seen flying over the Capitol. Two flagpoles are located at the base of the dome on the East and West sides. These flagpoles have flown the flag day and night sinceWorld War I. The other two flagpoles are above the North (Senate) and South (House of Representatives) wings of the building, and fly only when the chamber below is in session. The flag above the House of Representatives is raised and lowered byHouse pages. The flag above the United States Senate is raised and lowered by Senate Doorkeepers. To raise the flag, Doorkeepers access the roof of the Capitol from theSenate Sergeant at Arms's office. Several auxiliary flagpoles, to the west of the dome and not visible from the ground, are used to meet congressional requests for flags flown over the Capitol.Constituentspay for U.S. flags flown over the Capitol to commemorate a variety of events such as the death of aveteranfamily member. Major events The Capitol","events The Capitol and the grounds ofCapitol Hillhave played host to major events, includingpresidential inaugurations, which are held every four years. During an inauguration, the front of the Capitol is outfitted with a platform and a grand staircase. Annual events at the Capitol includeIndependence Daycelebrations, and theNational Memorial Day Concert. The general public has paid respect to a number of individualslying in stateat the Capitol, including numerous former presidents, senators, and other officials. Other Americans lying in honor includeOfficersJacob ChestnutandJohn Gibson, the two officers killed in the1998 shooting incident. Chestnut was the first African American ever to lie in honor in the Capitol. The public also paid respect toRosa Parks, an icon of thecivil rights movement, at the Capitol in 2005. She was the first woman and second African American to lie in honor in the Capitol. In February 2018, the evangelical Rev.Billy Grahambecame the fourth private citizen to lie in honor in the","lie in honor in the Rotunda. On September 24, 2015,Pope Francisgave a joint address to Congress, the first Pope to do so. Security The U.S. Capitol is believed to have been the intended target ofUnited Airlines Flight 93, one of the four planes that were hijacked in theSeptember 11 attacks. The plane crashed nearShanksville, Pennsylvaniaafter passengers tried to regain control of the plane from the hijackers. Since the September 11 attacks, the roads and grounds around the Capitol have undergone dramatic changes. The United States Capitol Police have also installed checkpoints to inspect vehicles at specific locations around Capitol Hill,and have closed a section of one street indefinitely.The level of screening employed varies. On the main east–west thoroughfares ofConstitutionandIndependence Avenues,barricadesare implanted in the roads that can be raised in the event of an emergency. Trucks larger thanpickupsare interdicted by the Capitol Police and are instructed to use other routes. On the checkpoints at","the checkpoints at the shorter cross streets, the barriers are typically kept in a permanent \"emergency\" position, and only vehicles with special permits are allowed to pass. All Capitol visitors are screened by amagnetometer, and all items that visitors may bring inside the building are screened by anx-ray device. In both chambers, gas masks are located underneath the chairs in each chamber for members to use in case of emergency. Structures ranging from scores ofJersey barriersto hundreds of ornamentalbollardshave been erected to obstruct the path of any vehicles that might stray from the designated roadways. After theJanuary 6 United States Capitol attack, security increased again. Additional security fences were installed around the perimeter, andNational Guardtroops were deployed to bolster security. List of security incidents Capitol Visitor Center The United States Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), located below the East Front of the Capitol and its plaza, between the Capitol building and 1st Street East,","1st Street East, opened on December 2, 2008. The CVC provides a single security checkpoint for all visitors, including those with disabilities, and an expansion spacefor the US Congress. The complex contains 580,000 square feet (54,000 m2) of space below ground on three floors,and offers visitors a food court, restrooms, and educational exhibits, including an 11-foot scale model of the Capitol dome.It also featuresskylightsaffording views of the actual dome. Long in the planning stages, construction began in the fall of 2001, following the killing of two Capitol police officers in 1998. The estimated final cost of constructing the CVC was$621 million. Gallery See also Citations References Further reading External links"],"string":"[\n \"Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney Phil(/ˌpʌŋksəˈtɔːni/) is agroundhogresiding inYoung TownshipnearPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania, United States, who is the central figure in Punxsutawney's annualGroundhog Daycelebration. Folklore On February 2 each year,Punxsutawneyholds a civic festival with music and food. During the ceremony, which begins well before the winter sunrise, Phil emerges from his temporary home on Gobbler's Knob, located in a rural area about 2 miles (3 km) southeast of the town. According to the tradition, if Phil sees his shadow and returns to his hole, he has predicted six more weeks ofwinter-like weather.If Phil does not see his shadow, he has predicted an \\\"earlyspring.\\\"Punxsutawney's event is the most famous of many Groundhog Day festivals held in the United States and Canada. The event formally began in 1887, although its roots go back even further. The event is based upon a communal light-heartedsuspension of disbeliefwhich extends to the assertion that the same groundhog has been making\",\n \"has been making predictions since the 19th century. The event is organized by the \\\"Inner Circle\\\" – recognizable by theirtop hatsandtuxedos– who ostensibly communicate with Phil to receive his prediction. The vice president of the Inner Circle prepares two scrolls in advance of the actual ceremony, one proclaiming six more weeks of winter and one proclaiming an early spring. At daybreak on February 2, Punxsutawney Phil awakens from his burrow on Gobbler's Knob, is helped to the top of the stump by his handlers, and purportedly explains to the president of the Inner Circle, in a language known as \\\"Groundhogese\\\",whether he has seen his shadow. The president of the Inner Circle, the only person able to understand Groundhogese through his possession of an ancientacaciawood cane, then interprets Phil's message, and directs the vice president to read the proper scroll to the crowd gathered on Gobbler's Knob and the masses of \\\"phaithphil phollowers\\\" tuned in to live broadcasts around the world. The Inner Circle\",\n \"The Inner Circle scripts the Groundhog Day ceremonies in advance, with the Inner Circle deciding beforehand whether Phil will see his shadow.The Stormfax Almanac has made note of the weather conditions on each Groundhog Day since 1999; the almanac has recorded 12 incidents in a 20-year span in which the Inner Circle said the groundhog saw his shadow while the sky was cloudy or there was rain or snow coming down, and in one case said the groundhog did not see his shadow despite sunshine.Outside of Groundhog Day, Phil resides with a mate, Phyllis, at the Punxsutawney Memorial Library in a climate-controlled environment. In March 2024, the Inner Circle announced that Phil had sired two babies, the first time in the history of the event that such a siring had happened; the birth surprised the Inner Circle, which had assumed that groundhogs do not breed in captivity. As a result of the births, the family will move permanently to Gobblers Knob. The Inner Circle disowned the babies from ever inheriting their\",\n \"inheriting their father's position. Punxsutawney Phil canon The practices and lore of Punxsutawney Phil's predictions are predicated on a light-hearted suspension of disbelief by those involved. According to the lore, there is only one Phil, and all other groundhogs are impostors.It is claimed that this one groundhog has lived to make weather prognostications since 1886, sustained by drinks of \\\"groundhog punch\\\" or \\\"elixir of life\\\" administered at the annual Groundhog Picnic in the fall.The lifespan of a groundhog in the wild is roughly six years. According to the Groundhog Club, Phil, after the prediction, speaks to the club president in the language of 'Groundhogese', which supposedly only the current president can understand, and then his prediction is translated and revealed to all. The Groundhog Day celebration is rooted inGermanictradition that says that if a hibernating animal casts a shadow on February 2, the Christian celebration ofCandlemas, winter and cold weather will last another six weeks. If no\",\n \"six weeks. If no shadow is seen, legend says, spring will come early. In Germany, the tradition evolved into a myth that if the sun came out on Candlemas, ahedgehogwould cast its shadow, predicting snow all the way into May.When German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania, they transferred the tradition onto local fauna, replacing hedgehogs with groundhogs. Several other towns in the region holdsimilar Groundhog Day events. Phil first received his name in 1961. The origins of the name are unclear, but speculation suggests that it may have been indirectly named afterPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh. Reception Prior to 1993, the Groundhog Day event in Punxsutawney attracted crowds of approximately 2,000. The popularity of the filmGroundhog Daybrought significantly more attention to the event, with annual crowds rising to 10,000–20,000. A notable exception was 2021, when the event took place without any crowds due to theCOVID-19 pandemic.Since approximately 2018, the event is streamed online each year. Also given\",\n \"year. Also given the recent increase in crowd sizes, three sitting governors of Pennsylvania have attended the festivities, all since 2000:Ed Rendellin 2003,Tom Corbettin 2012, andJosh Shapiroin 2023 and 2024. Phil was named the \\\"Official\\\" State Meteorologist by Governor Shapiro during the 2024 ceremony. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animalsobject to the event, claiming that Phil is put under stress. They suggest replacing Phil with a robotic groundhog. In some cases where Phil's prognostications have been incorrect, organizations have jokingly made legal threats against the groundhog. Such tongue-in-cheek actions have been made by a prosecutor in Ohio,the sheriff's office ofMonroe County, Pennsylvania,and theMerrimack, New HampshirePolice Department. In media and popular culture Past predictions Predictive accuracy The Inner Circle, in keeping with thesuspension of disbelief, claims a 100% accuracy rate, and an approximately 80% accuracy rate in recorded predictions. They claim that whenever the\",\n \"that whenever the prediction is wrong, the person in charge of translating the message must have made a mistake in their interpretation. Impartial estimates place the groundhog's accuracy between 35% and 41%. See also References Further reading External links 40°55′49″N78°57′28″W / 40.9302°N 78.9578°W /40.9302; -78.9578\",\n \"United States Capitol TheUnited States Capitol, often called theCapitolor theCapitol Building, is theseatof theUnited States Congress, thelegislative branchof thefederal government. It is located onCapitol Hillat the eastern end of theNational MallinWashington, D.C.Although no longer at the geographic center of thenational capital, the U.S. Capitol forms the origin point for the street-numbering system of the district as well asits four quadrants. Like the principal buildings of theexecutiveandjudicialbranches, the Capitol is built in aneoclassical styleand has a white exterior. Central sections of the present building were completed in 1800. These were partly destroyed in the1814 Burning of Washington, then were fully restored within five years. The building was enlarged in the 1850s by extending the wings for the chambers for thebicamerallegislature, theHouse of Representativesin the south wing and theSenatein the north wing. The massivedomewas completed around 1866 just after theAmerican Civil War. The\",\n \"Civil War. The east front portico was extended in 1958. The building'sVisitors Centerwas opened in the early 21st century. Both its east and west elevations are formally referred to asfronts, although only the east front was intended for the reception of visitors and dignitaries, while the west front is now used for presidential inauguration ceremonies. The building and grounds are overseen by thearchitect of the Capitol, who also oversees the surroundingCapitol Complex. History 18th century Prior to establishing the nation's capital inWashington, D.C., theUnited States Congressand its predecessors met atIndependence HallandCongress HallinPhiladelphia,Federal HallinNew York City, and five additional locations:York, Pennsylvania,Lancaster, Pennsylvania, theMaryland State HouseinAnnapolis, Maryland, andNassau HallinPrinceton, New Jersey, andTrenton, New Jersey.In September 1774, theFirst Continental Congressbrought together delegates from thecoloniesin Philadelphia, followed by theSecond Continental Congress,\",\n \"Congress, which met from May 1775 to March 1781. After adopting theArticles of Confederationin York, Pennsylvania, theCongress of the Confederationwas formed and convened in Philadelphia from March 1781 until June 1783, when a mob of angry soldiers converged upon Independence Hall, demanding payment for their service during theAmerican Revolutionary War. Congress requested thatJohn Dickinson, theGovernor of Pennsylvania, call up themilitiato defend Congress from attacks by the protesters. In what became known as thePennsylvania Mutiny of 1783, Dickinson sympathized with the protesters and refused to remove them from Philadelphia. As a result, Congress was forced to flee toPrinceton, New Jersey, on June 21, 1783,and met inAnnapolis, Maryland, andTrenton, New Jersey, before ending up in New York City. The U.S. Congress was established uponratificationof theU.S. Constitutionand formally began on March 4, 1789. New York City remained home to Congress until July 1790,when theResidence Actwas passed to pave the\",\n \"passed to pave the way for a permanent capital. The decision of where to locate the capital was contentious, butAlexander Hamiltonhelped broker a compromise in which the federal government would take on war debt incurred during the American Revolutionary War, in exchange for support fromnorthern statesfor locating the capital along thePotomac River. As part of the legislation, Philadelphia was chosen as a temporary capital for ten years (until December 1800), until the nation's capital in Washington, D.C., would be ready. Pierre L'Enfantwas charged with creatingthe city planfor the new capital city and the major public buildings.The Congress House would be built on Jenkins Hill, now known asCapitol Hill, which L'Enfant described as a \\\"pedestal awaiting a monument.\\\"L'Enfant connected Congress House with the President's House viaPennsylvania Avenuewith a width set at 160 feet, identical to the narrowest points of theChamps-Élyséesin Paris. Westwards was a 400-foot-wide (122 m) garden-lined \\\"grand avenue\\\"\",\n \"\\\"grand avenue\\\" containing a public walk (later known as theNational Mall) that would travel for about 1 mile (1.6 km) along the east–west line. The term \\\"Capitol\\\" (from LatinCapitolium) originally denoted theCapitoline Hillin Rome and theTemple of Jupiterthat stood on its summit.The Roman Capitol was sometimes misconceived of as a meeting place for senators, and this led the term to be applied to legislative buildings; the first such building was theWilliamsburg CapitolinVirginia.Thomas Jeffersonhad sat here as a member of theHouse of Burgesses, and it was he who applied the name \\\"Capitol\\\" to what on L'Enfant's plan had been called the \\\"Congress House\\\".\\\"Capitol\\\" has since become a general term for government buildings, especially in the United States. It is often confused with \\\"capital\\\"; one, however, denotes a building or complex of buildings, while the other denotes a city. In early 1792, afterPierre L'Enfantwas dismissed from the federal city project, Jefferson proposed a design competition to solicit\",\n \"to solicit designs for the Capitol and the \\\"President's House\\\", and set a four-month deadline. The prize for the competition was $500 and a lot in the Federal City. At least ten individuals submitted designs for the Capitol; however the drawings were regarded as crude and amateurish, reflecting the level of architectural skill present in the United States at the time. The most promising of the submissions was byStephen Hallet, a trained French architect who was a draftsman to Pierre L'Enfant on the city plan.However, Hallet's designs were overly fancy, with too much French influence, and were deemed too costly.However, the design did incorporate the concept for a \\\"great circular room and dome\\\" which had originated with L'Enfant.John Trumbullwas given a tour of \\\"Jenkins Hill\\\" by L'Enfant himself and confirmed this in his autobiography years later. On January 31, 1793, a late entry by amateur architectWilliam Thorntonwas submitted, and was met with praise for its \\\"Grandeur, Simplicity, and Beauty\\\" by\",\n \"and Beauty\\\" by Washington, along with praise from Jefferson. Thornton was inspired by theeast front of the Louvre, as well as theParis Pantheonfor the center portion of the design.Thornton's design was officially approved in a letter dated April 5, 1793, from Washington, and Thornton served as the firstarchitect of the Capitol(and later first superintendent of theU.S. Patent and Trademark Office).In an effort to console Hallet, the commissioners appointed him to review Thornton's plans, develop cost estimates, and serve as superintendent of construction. Hallet proceeded to pick apart and make drastic changes to Thornton's design, which he saw as costly to build and problematic. In July 1793, Jefferson convened a five-member commission, bringing Hallet and Thornton together, along withJames Hoban(winning architect of the \\\"President's Palace\\\") to address problems with and revise Thornton's plan. Hallet suggested changes to the floor plan, which could be fitted within the exterior design by Thornton.The\",\n \"by Thornton.The revised plan was accepted, except that Secretary Jefferson and President Washington insisted on an openrecessin the center of the East front, which was part of Thornton's original plan. The original design by Thornton was later significantly altered byBenjamin Henry Latrobe, and laterCharles Bulfinch.Thecurrent cast-iron domeand the House's new southern extension andSenatenew northern wing were designed byThomas Ustick WalterandAugust Schoenborn, a German immigrant, in the 1850s,and were completed under the supervision ofEdward Clark. L'Enfant secured the lease ofquarriesatWigginton Islandand alongAquia CreekinVirginiafor use in thefoundationsand outer walls of the Capitol in November 1791.Surveying was under way soon after the Jefferson conference plan for the Capitol was accepted.On September 18, 1793, President Washington, along with eight other Freemasons dressed inmasonicregalia,laid the cornerstone, which was made bysilversmithCaleb Bentley. Construction proceeded with Hallet working\",\n \"with Hallet working under supervision ofJames Hoban, who was also busy working on construction of the \\\"President's House\\\" (also later known as the \\\"Executive Mansion\\\"). Despite the wishes of Jefferson and the President, Hallet went ahead anyway and modified Thornton's design for the East Front and created a square central court that projected from the center, with flanking wings which would house the legislative bodies. Hallet was dismissed by Secretary Jefferson on November 15, 1794.George Hadfieldwas hired on October 15, 1795, as Superintendent of Construction, but resigned three years later in May 1798, because of his dissatisfaction with Thornton's plan and quality of work done thus far. 19th century The Senate (north) wing was completed in 1800. The Senate and House shared quarters in the north wing until a temporary wooden pavilion was erected on the future site of the House wing which served for a few years for the Representatives to meet in, until theHouse of Representatives(south) wing was finally\",\n \"wing was finally completed in 1811, with a covered wooden temporary walkway connecting the two wings with the Congressional chambers where the future center section with rotunda and dome would eventually be. However, the House of Representatives moved early into their House wing in 1807. Though the Senate wing building was incomplete, the Capitol held itsfirst sessionof the U.S. Congress with both chambers in session on November 17, 1800. The National Legislature was moved toWashingtonprematurely, at the urging of PresidentJohn Adams, in hopes of securing enoughSouthernvotes in theElectoral Collegeto be re-elected for a second term as president. In March 1803,James MadisonappointedBenjamin Henry Latrobeto the position of \\\"Surveyor of Public Buildings\\\", with the principal responsibility of completing construction of the Capitol's south and north wings. Work on the north wing began in November 1806. Although occupied for only six years, it had suffered from falling plaster, rotting floors and a leaking roof.\",\n \"and a leaking roof. Instead of repairing it, Latrobe demolished, redesigned and rebuilt the interiors within the existing brick and sandstone walls. Notably, Latrobe designed the Supreme Court and Senate chambers. The former was a particular architectural achievement; the size and structure of its vaulted, semi-circular ceiling was then unprecedented in the United States. For several decades, beginning when the federal government moved to Washington in the fall of 1800, the Capitol building was used for Sunday religious services as well as for governmental functions. The first services were conducted in the \\\"hall\\\" of the House in the north wing of the building. In 1801 the House moved to temporary quarters in the south wing, called the \\\"Oven\\\", which it vacated in 1804, returning to the north wing for three years. Then, from 1807 to 1857, they were held in the then-House Chamber (now calledStatuary Hall). When held in the House chamber, the Speaker's podium was used as the preacher's pulpit. According to\",\n \"According to theU.S. Library of CongressexhibitReligion and the Founding of the American Republic: It is no exaggeration to say that on Sundays in Washington during the administrations of Thomas Jefferson (1801–1809) and ofJames Madison(1809–1817) the state became the church. Within a year of his inauguration, Jefferson began attending church services in the chamber of the House of Representatives. Madison followed Jefferson's example, although unlike Jefferson, who rode on horseback to church in the Capitol, Madison came in a coach and four. Worship services in the House – a practice that continued until after theCivil War– were acceptable to Jefferson because they were nondiscriminatory and voluntary. Preachers of every Protestant denomination appeared. (Catholic priests began officiating in 1826.) As early as January 1806 a female evangelist,Dorothy Ripley, delivered a camp meeting-style exhortation in the House to Jefferson,Vice PresidentAaron Burr, and a \\\"crowded audience\\\". Not long after the completion\",\n \"the completion of both wings, the Capitol waspartially burnedby theBritishon August 24, 1814, during theWar of 1812. After the fires, Latrobe was rehired as Architect of the Capitol to oversee restoration works. George BomfordandJoseph Gardner Swift, both military engineers, were called upon to help rebuild the Capitol. Reconstruction began in 1815 and included redesigned chambers for both Senate and House wings (now sides), which were completed by 1819. During the reconstruction, Congress met in theOld Brick Capitol, a temporary structure financed by local investors. Construction continued through to 1826, with the addition of the center section with front steps and columned portico and an interiorRotundarising above the first low dome of the Capitol. Latrobe is principally connected with the original construction and many innovative interior features; his successor Bulfinch also played a major role, such as design of the first low dome covered in copper. By 1850, it became clear that the Capitol could not\",\n \"Capitol could not accommodate the growing number of legislators arriving from newly admitted states. A new design competition was held, and PresidentMillard Fillmoreappointed Philadelphia architectThomas U. Walterto carry out the expansion. Two new wings were added: a new chamber for the House of Representatives on the south side, and a new chamber for the Senate on the north. When the Capitol was expanded in the 1850s, some of the construction labor was carried out byslaves\\\"who cut the logs, laid the stones and baked the bricks\\\".The original plan was to use workers brought in from Europe. However, there was a poor response to recruitment efforts; African Americans, some free and some enslaved, along with Scottish stonemasons, comprised most of the workforce. Capitol dome The 1850 expansion more than doubled the length of the United States Capitol; it dwarfed the original, timber-framed, copper-sheeted, low dome of 1818, designed byCharles Bulfinchwhich was no longer in proportion with the increased size of\",\n \"increased size of the building. In 1855, the decision was made to tear it down and replace it with the \\\"wedding-cake style\\\" cast-iron dome that stands today. Also designed byThomas U. Walter, the new dome would stand three times the height of the original dome and 100 feet (30 m) in diameter, yet had to be supported on the existing masonry piers. LikeMansart's dome atLes InvalidesinParis(which he had visited in 1838), Walter's dome is double, with a largeoculusin the inner dome, through which is seenThe Apotheosis of Washingtonpainted on a shell suspended from the supporting ribs, which also support the visible exterior structure and thetholosthat supports theStatue of Freedom, a colossal statue that was raised to the top of the dome in 1863. The statue invokes the goddessesMinervaorAthena.Thecast ironfor the dome weighs 8,909,200 pounds (4,041,100 kg).The dome'scast iron framewas supplied and constructed by the iron foundryJanes, Fowler, Kirtland & Co.The thirty-six Corinthian columns that surround the base\",\n \"surround the base of the dome were provided by the Baltimore ironworks ofPoole & Hunt. When the Capitol's new dome was finally completed, its massive visual weight, in turn, overpowered the proportions of the columns of the EastPortico, built in 1828. 20th century In 1904, the East Front of the Capitol building was rebuilt, following a design of the architectsCarrère and Hastings, who designed theRussell SenateandCannon Houseoffice buildings earlier that year. In 1958, the next major expansion to the Capitol started, with a 33.5-foot (10.2 m) extension of the East Portico.In 1960, two years into the project, the dome underwent a restoration.A marble duplicate of thesandstoneEast Front was built 33.5 feet (10.2 m) from the old Front. In 1962, a connecting extension repurposed what had been an outside wall as an inside wall. In the process, the original sandstoneCorinthiancolumnswere removed and replaced with marble. It was not until 1984 that landscape designerRussell Pagecreated a suitable setting for them\",\n \"setting for them in a large meadow at theU.S. National Arboretumin northeast Washington as theNational Capitol Columns, where they were combined with a reflecting pool into an ensemble that reminds some visitors of the ruins ofPersepolis, inPersia. Besides the columns, two hundred tons of the original stone were removed in several hundred block, which were first stored on site at the Capitol, and then stored in an unused yard at theCapitol Power Plantuntil 1975.The same year, the power plant was renovated and expanded in accordance with legislation passed in 1970, and the stones fell to the Commission on the Extension of the United States Capitol.As this body was long-defunct, responsibility for the material passed to the House and Senate office building commissions.These commissions then arranged for theNational Park Serviceto store the debris at the back of a NPS maintenance yard inRock Creek Park. With the permission of theSpeaker of the House, the United States Capitol Historical Society has periodically\",\n \"has periodically mined the blocks for sandstone since 1975. The stone removed is used to make commemorative bookends, which are still sold to support the Capitol Historical Society.By 1982, more than $20,000 (nearly $60,000adjusted) had been raised through such sales.Unpursued uses for the stones proposed by the Capitol Historical Society have included their sale as cornerstones in new housing developments. On December 19, 1960, the Capitol was declared aNational Historic Landmarkby the National Park Service.The building was ranked #6 in a 2007 survey conducted for theAmerican Institute of Architects' \\\"America's Favorite Architecture\\\" list. The Capitol draws heavily from other notable buildings, especially churches and landmarks in Europe, including the dome ofSt. Peter's Basilicain theVaticanandSt. Paul's Cathedralin London.On the roofs of the Senate and House Chambers are flagpoles that fly theU.S. flagwhen either is in session. On September 18, 1993, to commemorate the Capitol's bicentennial, the Masonic\",\n \"the Masonic ritual cornerstone laying with George Washington was reenacted. U.S. SenatorStrom Thurmondwas one of the Freemason politicians who took part in the ceremony. 21st century On June 20, 2000, ground was broken for theCapitol Visitor Center, which opened on December 2, 2008.From 2001 through 2008, the East Front of the Capitol (site of mostpresidential inaugurationsuntilRonald Reaganbegan a new tradition in 1981) was the site of construction for this massive underground complex, designed to facilitate a more orderly entrance for visitors to the Capitol. Prior to the center being built, visitors to the Capitol had to line up in the basement of the Cannon House Office Building or the Russell Senate Office Building. The new underground facility provides a grand entrance hall, a visitors theater, room for exhibits, and dining and restroom facilities, in addition to space for building necessities such as aservice tunnel. A large-scale Capitol dome restoration project, the first extensive such work since\",\n \"such work since 1959–1960, began in 2014, with completion scheduled before the 2017 presidential inauguration.As of 2012, $20 million in work around the skirt of the dome had been completed, but other deterioration, including at least 1,300 cracks in the brittle iron that have led to rusting and seepage inside, needed to be addressed. Before the August 2012 recess, theSenate Appropriations Committeevoted to spend $61 million to repair the exterior of the dome. The House wanted to spend less on government operations,but in late 2013, it was announced that renovations would take place over two years, starting in spring 2014. In 2014, extensive scaffolding was erected, enclosing and obscuring the dome.All exterior scaffolding was removed by mid-September 2016. With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet, a bid tendering process was approved in 2002 for a contract to install the multidirectional radio communication network forWi-Fiand mobile-phone within the Capitol Building and annexes, followed\",\n \"annexes, followed by the new Capitol Visitor Center. The winning bidder was anIsraeli companycalled Foxcom which has since changed its name and been acquired byCorning Incorporated. Interior The Capitol building is marked by its centraldomeabove arotundain the central section of the structure (which also includes the older original smaller center flanked by the two original (designed 1793, occupied 1800) smaller two wings (inner north and inner south) containing the two original smallermeeting chambersfor the Senate and the House of Representatives (between 1800 and late 1850s) and then flanked by two further extended (newer) wings, one also for each chamber of the larger, more populous Congress: the new north wing is the Senate chamber and the new south wing is the House of Representatives chamber. Above these newer chambers are galleries where visitors can watch the Senate and House of Representatives. It is an example ofneoclassical architecture. Tunnels and internalsubwaysconnect the Capitol building\",\n \"Capitol building with theCongressional office buildingsin theCapitol Complex. All rooms in the Capitol are designated as either S (for Senate) or H (for House), depending on whether they are in the Senate or House wing of the Capitol. Art Since 1856, the Capitol has featured some the most prominentart in the United States, includingItalianandGreek AmericanartistConstantino Brumidi, whosemuralsare located in the hallways of the first floor of the Senate side of the Capitol. The murals, known as theBrumidi Corridors,reflect great moments and people inUnited States history. Among the original works are those depictingBenjamin Franklin,John Fitch,Robert Fulton, and events such as theCession of Louisiana. Also decorating the walls are animals, insects and naturalfloraindigenous to the United States. Brumidi's design left many spaces open so future events in United States history could be added. Among those added are theSpirit of St. Louis, theMoon landing, and theSpace ShuttleChallengercrew. Brumidi also worked\",\n \"Brumidi also worked within the Rotunda. He paintedThe Apotheosis of Washingtonbeneath the top of the dome, and also theFrieze of American History.The Apotheosis of Washingtonwas completed in 11 months and painted by Brumidi while suspended nearly 180 feet (55 m) in the air. It is said to be the first attempt by the United States to deify afounding father. Washington is depicted surrounded by 13maidensin an inner ring with manyGreekandRoman gods and goddessesbelow him in a second ring. Thefriezeis located around the inside of the base of the dome and is a chronological, pictorial history of the United States from the landing ofChristopher Columbusto theWright Brothers's flight inKitty Hawk,North Carolina. The frieze was started in 1878 and was not completed until 1953. The frieze was therefore painted by four different artists: Brumidi,Filippo Costaggini, Charles Ayer Whipple, andAllyn Cox. The final scenes depicted in the fresco had not yet occurred when Brumidi began hisFrieze of the United States History.\",\n \"States History. Within the Rotunda there are eight large paintings about the development of the United States as a nation. On the east side are four paintings depicting major events in the discovery of America. On the west are four paintings depicting the founding of the United States. The east side paintings includeThe Baptism ofPocahontasbyJohn Gadsby Chapman,The Embarkation of thePilgrimsbyRobert Walter Weir,The Discovery of theMississippibyWilliam Henry Powell, andThe Landing of ColumbusbyJohn Vanderlyn. The paintings on the west side are byJohn Trumbull:Declaration of Independence,Surrender of General Burgoyne,Surrender of Lord Cornwallis, andGeneral George Washington Resigning His Commission. Trumbull was a contemporary of the United States' founding fathers and a participant in theAmerican Revolutionary War; he painted a self-portrait intoSurrender of Lord Cornwallis. First Reading of the Emancipation Proclamation of President Lincoln, an 1864 painting byFrancis Bicknell Carpenter, hangs over the west\",\n \"hangs over the west staircase in the Senate wing. The Capitol also houses theNational Statuary Hall Collection, comprising two statues donated by each of thefifty statesto honor persons notable in their histories. One of the most notable statues in theNational Statuary Hallis abronze statue of King Kamehamehadonated by the state of Hawaii upon its accession to the union in 1959. The statue's extraordinary weight of 15,000 pounds (6,800 kg) raised concerns that it might come crashing through the floor, so it was moved to Emancipation Hall of the new Capitol Visitor Center. The 100th, and last statue for the collection, that ofPo'payfrom the state ofNew Mexico, was added on September 22, 2005. It was the first statue moved into the Emancipation Hall. Crypt On the ground floor is an area known asthe Crypt. It was intended to be the burial place ofGeorge Washington, with a ringedbalustradeat the center of the Rotunda above looking down to his tomb. However, under the stipulations of his lastwill, Washington was\",\n \"Washington was buried atMount Vernon. The Crypt houses exhibits on the history of the Capitol. Acompass starinlaid in the floor marks the point at which Washington, D.C. is divided into its four quadrants and is the basis for howaddresses in Washington, D.C., are designated (NE,NW,SE, orSW). Gutzon Borglum's massiveAbraham Lincoln Bustis housed in the crypt. The sculptor had a fascination with large-scale art and themes of heroic nationalism, and carved the piece from a six-ton block ofmarble. Borglum carved the bust in 1908; it was donated to the Congress byEugene Meyer Jr.and accepted by theJoint Committee on the Librarythe same year. The pedestal was specially designed by the sculptor and installed in 1911. The bust and pedestal were on display in the Rotunda until 1979 when, after a rearrangement of all the sculptures in the Rotunda, they were placed in the Crypt.Borglum was a patriot and believed the \\\"monuments we have built are not our own\\\"; he looked to create art that was \\\"American, drawn from\",\n \"drawn from American sources, memorializing American achievement\\\", according to a 1908 interview article.Borglum's depiction of Lincoln was so accurate thatRobert Todd Lincoln, the president's son, praised the bust as \\\"the most extraordinarily good portrait of my father I have ever seen\\\".Supposedly, according to legend, the marble head remains unfinished (missing the left ear) to symbolize Lincoln'sunfinished life. Features A statue ofJohn C. Calhounis located at one end of the room near theOld Supreme Court Chamber. On the right leg of the statue, a mark from a bullet fired during the1998 shooting incidentis clearly visible. The bullet also left a mark on the cape, located on the back right side of the statue. Twelve presidents havelain in statein the Rotunda for public viewing, most recentlyGeorge H. W. Bush. The tomb meant for Washington stored thecatafalquewhich is used to supportcoffinslying in state or honor in the Capitol. The catafalque now on display in the Exhibition Hall of the Capitol Visitor\",\n \"the Capitol Visitor Center was used for President Lincoln. TheHall of Columnsis located on the House side of the Capitol, home to twenty-eight fluted columns and statues from the National Statuary Hall Collection. In the basement of the Capitol building in a utility room are two marble bathtubs, which are all that remain of the once elaborate Senate baths. These baths were aspa-like facility designed for members of Congress and their guests before many buildings in the city had modern plumbing. The facilities included several bathtubs, a barbershop, and amassage parlor. A steep metal staircase, totaling 365 steps, leads from the basement to an outdoor walkway on top of the Capitol's dome.The number of steps represents each day of the year.Also in the basement, the weeklyJummahprayer is held on Fridays by Muslim staffers. Height Contrary to a popular myth,building height lawshave never referred to the height of the Capitol building, which rises to 289 feet (88 m).Indeed, the Capitol is only thefourth-tallest\",\n \"thefourth-tallest structure in Washington. House Chamber TheHouse of RepresentativesChamber has 448 permanent seats. Unlike senators, representatives do not have assigned seats.The chamber is large enough to accommodate members of all three branches of the federal government and invited guests forjoint sessionsof Congress such as theState of the Unionspeech and other events. The Chamber is adorned withrelief portraitsof famous lawmakers and lawgivers throughout Western and Near Eastern history. TheUnited States national motto\\\"In God We Trust\\\" is written over the tribune below the clock and above the United States flag. Of the twenty-three relief portraits, only Moses is sculpted from a full front view and is located across from the dais where the Speaker of the House ceremonially sits. In order, clockwise around the chamber: There is a quote by statesmanDaniel Websteretched in the marble of the chamber, as stated: \\\"Let us develop the resources of our land, call forth its powers, build up its institutions,\",\n \"its institutions, promote all its great interests, and see whether we also, in our day and generation, may not perform something worthy to be remembered.\\\" Senate Chamber The currentSenateChamber opened in 1859and is adorned withwhite marble bustsof the formerPresidents of the Senate(Vice Presidents). Old Chambers Statuary Hall The NationalStatuary Hallis a chamber in the United States Capitol devoted to sculptures of prominent Americans. The hall, also known as the Old Hall of the House, is a large, two-story, semicircular room with a second story gallery along the curved perimeter. It is located immediately south of the Rotunda. It was the meeting place of the U.S. House of Representatives for nearly 50 years (1807–1857). After a few years of disuse, in 1864, it was repurposed as a statuary hall. Old Senate and Supreme Court Chambers TheOld Senate Chamberis a room in the United States Capitol that was the legislative chamber of the United States Senate from 1810 to 1859, and served as the Supreme Court\",\n \"the Supreme Court chamber from 1860 until 1935. This room was originally the lower half of theOld Senate Chamberfrom 1800 to 1806. After division of the chamber in two levels, this room was used from 1806 until 1860 as the Supreme Court Chamber. In 1860, theSupreme Courtbegan using the newly vacated Old Senate Chamber. In 1935, the Supreme Court vacated the Capitol Building and began meeting in the newly constructedUnited States Supreme Court Buildingacross the street. Floor plans Exterior Landscaping TheCapitol Groundscover approximately 274 acres (1.11 km2), with the grounds proper consisting mostly of lawns, walkways, streets, drives, and planting areas. Several monumental sculptures used to be located on the east facade and lawn of the Capitol includingThe RescueandGeorge Washington. The current grounds were designed by noted Americanlandscape architectFrederick Law Olmsted, who planned the expansion and landscaping performed from 1874 to 1892. In 1875, as one of his first recommendations, Olmsted\",\n \"Olmsted proposed the construction of themarbleterraceson the north, west, and south sides of the building creating an enveloping base. This addressed issues with the placement of the original structure; it had been built too far westwards on the crest of the hill and gave the appearance as if the building might slide into the marshy terrain below. Olmsted also designed the Summerhouse, the open-air brick building that sits just north of the Capitol. Threearchesopen into thehexagonalstructure, which encloses a fountain and twenty-two brick chairs. A fourth wall holds a small window which looks onto an artificialgrotto. Built between 1879 and 1881, the Summerhouse was intended to answer complaints that visitors to the Capitol had no place to sit and no place to obtain water for their horses and themselves. Moderndrinking fountainshave since replaced Olmsted's fountain for the latter purpose. Olmsted intended to build a second, matching Summerhouse on the southern side of the Capitol, but congressional\",\n \"but congressional objections led to the project's cancellation. Flag Up to fourU.S. flagscan be seen flying over the Capitol. Two flagpoles are located at the base of the dome on the East and West sides. These flagpoles have flown the flag day and night sinceWorld War I. The other two flagpoles are above the North (Senate) and South (House of Representatives) wings of the building, and fly only when the chamber below is in session. The flag above the House of Representatives is raised and lowered byHouse pages. The flag above the United States Senate is raised and lowered by Senate Doorkeepers. To raise the flag, Doorkeepers access the roof of the Capitol from theSenate Sergeant at Arms's office. Several auxiliary flagpoles, to the west of the dome and not visible from the ground, are used to meet congressional requests for flags flown over the Capitol.Constituentspay for U.S. flags flown over the Capitol to commemorate a variety of events such as the death of aveteranfamily member. Major events The Capitol\",\n \"events The Capitol and the grounds ofCapitol Hillhave played host to major events, includingpresidential inaugurations, which are held every four years. During an inauguration, the front of the Capitol is outfitted with a platform and a grand staircase. Annual events at the Capitol includeIndependence Daycelebrations, and theNational Memorial Day Concert. The general public has paid respect to a number of individualslying in stateat the Capitol, including numerous former presidents, senators, and other officials. Other Americans lying in honor includeOfficersJacob ChestnutandJohn Gibson, the two officers killed in the1998 shooting incident. Chestnut was the first African American ever to lie in honor in the Capitol. The public also paid respect toRosa Parks, an icon of thecivil rights movement, at the Capitol in 2005. She was the first woman and second African American to lie in honor in the Capitol. In February 2018, the evangelical Rev.Billy Grahambecame the fourth private citizen to lie in honor in the\",\n \"lie in honor in the Rotunda. On September 24, 2015,Pope Francisgave a joint address to Congress, the first Pope to do so. Security The U.S. Capitol is believed to have been the intended target ofUnited Airlines Flight 93, one of the four planes that were hijacked in theSeptember 11 attacks. The plane crashed nearShanksville, Pennsylvaniaafter passengers tried to regain control of the plane from the hijackers. Since the September 11 attacks, the roads and grounds around the Capitol have undergone dramatic changes. The United States Capitol Police have also installed checkpoints to inspect vehicles at specific locations around Capitol Hill,and have closed a section of one street indefinitely.The level of screening employed varies. On the main east–west thoroughfares ofConstitutionandIndependence Avenues,barricadesare implanted in the roads that can be raised in the event of an emergency. Trucks larger thanpickupsare interdicted by the Capitol Police and are instructed to use other routes. On the checkpoints at\",\n \"the checkpoints at the shorter cross streets, the barriers are typically kept in a permanent \\\"emergency\\\" position, and only vehicles with special permits are allowed to pass. All Capitol visitors are screened by amagnetometer, and all items that visitors may bring inside the building are screened by anx-ray device. In both chambers, gas masks are located underneath the chairs in each chamber for members to use in case of emergency. Structures ranging from scores ofJersey barriersto hundreds of ornamentalbollardshave been erected to obstruct the path of any vehicles that might stray from the designated roadways. After theJanuary 6 United States Capitol attack, security increased again. Additional security fences were installed around the perimeter, andNational Guardtroops were deployed to bolster security. List of security incidents Capitol Visitor Center The United States Capitol Visitor Center (CVC), located below the East Front of the Capitol and its plaza, between the Capitol building and 1st Street East,\",\n \"1st Street East, opened on December 2, 2008. The CVC provides a single security checkpoint for all visitors, including those with disabilities, and an expansion spacefor the US Congress. The complex contains 580,000 square feet (54,000 m2) of space below ground on three floors,and offers visitors a food court, restrooms, and educational exhibits, including an 11-foot scale model of the Capitol dome.It also featuresskylightsaffording views of the actual dome. Long in the planning stages, construction began in the fall of 2001, following the killing of two Capitol police officers in 1998. The estimated final cost of constructing the CVC was$621 million. Gallery See also Citations References Further reading External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":286,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Emma Lazarus's most famous poem inspired the founding of an order of nursing nuns. What disease does this order specialize in treating?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Cancer"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Lazarus"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Sisters_of_Hawthorne"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Lazarus', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Sisters_of_Hawthorne']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Lazarus","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Sisters_of_Hawthorne"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Lazarus\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Sisters_of_Hawthorne\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Emma Lazarus Emma Lazarus(July 22, 1849 – November 19, 1887) was an American author of poetry, prose, and translations, as well as an activist for Jewish andGeorgistcauses. She is remembered for writing thesonnet\"The New Colossus\", which was inspired by theStatue of Liberty, in 1883.Its lines appear inscribed on abronzeplaque, installed in 1903,on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.Lazarus was involved in aiding refugees to New York who had fledantisemitic pogroms in eastern Europe, and she saw a way to express her empathy for these refugees in terms of the statue.The last lines of the sonnet were set to music byIrving Berlinas the song \"Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor\" for the 1949 musicalMiss Liberty, which was based on the sculpting of the Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World). The latter part of the sonnet was also set byLee Hoibyin his song \"The Lady of the Harbor\" written in 1985 as part of his song cycle \"Three Women\". Lazarus was also the author ofPoems and Translations(New York, 1867);Admetus, and other Poems(1871);Alide: An Episode of Goethe's Life(Philadelphia, 1874);Poems and Ballads of Heine(New York, 1881);Poems, 2 Vols.;Narrative, Lyric and Dramatic; as well asJewish Poems and Translations. Early years and education Emma Lazarus was born inNew York City, July 22, 1849,into a large Jewish family. She was the fourth of seven children of Moses Lazarus, a wealthy merchantand sugar refiner,and Esther Nathan (of a long-established German-Jewish New York family).One of her great-grandfathers on the Lazarus side was from Germany;the rest of her Lazarus ancestors were originally fromPortugaland they were among theoriginal twenty-three Portuguese Jews who arrived in New Amsterdamafter they fledRecife,Brazilin an attempt to flee from theInquisition.Lazarus's great-great-grandmother on her mother's side,Grace Seixas Nathan(born inStratford, Connecticut, in 1752) was also a poet.Lazarus was related through her mother toBenjamin N. Cardozo,Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Her siblings included sistersJosephine, Sarah, Mary, Agnes and Annie, and a brother, Frank. Privately educated by tutors from an early age, she studied American and British literature as well as several languages, includingGerman,French, andItalian.She was attracted in youth to poetry, writing her first lyrics when she was eleven years old. Career Writer The first stimulus for Lazarus's writing was offered by theAmerican Civil War. A collection of herPoems and Translations, verses written between the ages of fourteen and seventeen, appeared in 1867 (New York), and was commended byWilliam Cullen Bryant.It included translations fromFriedrich Schiller,Heinrich Heine,Alexandre Dumas, andVictor Hugo.Admetus and Other Poemsfollowed in 1871. The title poem was dedicated \"To my friendRalph Waldo Emerson\", whose works and personality were exercising an abiding influence upon the poet's intellectual growth.During the next decade, in which \"Phantasies\" and \"Epochs\" were written, her poems appeared chiefly inLippincott's Monthly MagazineandScribner's Monthly. By this time, Lazarus's work had won recognition abroad. Her first prose production,Alide: An Episode of Goethe's Life, a romance treating of theFriederike Brionincident, was published in 1874 (Philadelphia), and was followed byThe Spagnoletto(1876), a tragedy.Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine(New York, 1881) followed, and was prefixed by a biographical sketch of Heine; Lazarus's renderings of some of Heine's verse are considered among the best in English.In the same year, 1881, she became friends withRose Hawthorne Lathrop.In April 1882, Lazarus published inThe Century Magazinethe article \"Was theEarl of Beaconsfielda Representative Jew?\" Her statement of the reasons for answering this question in the affirmative may be taken to close what may be termed the Hellenic and journeyman period of Lazarus's life, during which her subjects were drawn from classic and romantic sources. Lazarus also wroteThe Crowing of the Red Cock,and the sixteen-part cycle poem \"Epochs\".In addition to writing her own poems, Lazarus edited many adaptations of German poems, notably those ofJohann Wolfgang von Goetheand Heinrich Heine.She also wrote a novel and two plays in five acts,The Spagnoletto, a tragic verse drama aboutthe titular figureandThe Dance to Death, a dramatization of a German short story about the burning of Jews inNordhausenduring theBlack Death.During the time Lazarus became interested in her Jewish roots, she continued her purely literary and critical work in magazines with such articles as \"Tommaso Salvini\", \"Salvini's 'King Lear'\", \"Emerson's Personality\", \"Heine, the Poet\", \"A Day in Surrey with William Morris\", and others. Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,With conquering limbs astride from land to land;Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall standA mighty woman with a torch, whose flameIs the imprisoned lightning, and her nameMother of Exiles. From her beacon-handGlows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes commandThe air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.\"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!\" cries sheWith silent lips. \"Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,I lift my lamp beside the golden door!\" (1883) Lines from her sonnet \"The New Colossus\" appear on a bronze plaque which was placed in the pedestal of theStatue of Libertyin 1903.The sonnet was written in 1883 and donated to an auction, conducted by the \"Art Loan Fund Exhibition in Aid of theBartholdiPedestal Fund for the Statue of Liberty\" in order to raise funds to build the pedestal.Lazarus's close friendRose Hawthorne Lathropwas inspired by \"The New Colossus\" to found theDominican Sisters of Hawthorne. She traveled twice to Europe, first in 1883 and again from 1885 to 1887.On one of those trips,Georgiana Burne-Jones, the wife of thePre-RaphaelitepainterEdward Burne-Jones, introduced her toWilliam Morrisat her home.She also met withHenry James,Robert BrowningandThomas Huxleyduring her European travels.A collection ofPoems in Prose(1887) was her last book. HerComplete Poems with a Memoirappeared in 1888, at Boston. Activism Lazarus was a friend and admirer of the American political economistHenry George. She believed deeply inGeorgisteconomic reforms and became active in the \"single tax\" movement forland value tax. Lazarus published a poem in theNew York Timesnamed after George's book,Progress and Poverty. Lazarus became more interested in her Jewish ancestry as she heard of the Russianpogromsthat followed theassassination of Tsar Alexander IIin 1881. As a result of thisanti-Semiticviolence, and the poor standard of living in Russia in general, thousands of destitute Ashkenazi Jews emigrated from the RussianPale of Settlementto New York. Lazarus began to advocate on behalf of indigent Jewish immigrants. She helped establish theHebrew Technical Institutein New York to providevocational trainingto assist destitute Jewish immigrants to become self-supporting. Lazarus volunteered as well in theHebrew Emigrant Aid Societyemployment bureau, although she eventually criticized its organization.In 1883, she founded the Society for the Improvement and Colonization of East European Jews. The literary fruits of identification with her religion were poems like \"The Crowing of the Red Cock\", \"The Banner of the Jew\", \"The Choice\", \"The New Ezekiel\", \"The Dance to Death\" (a strong, though unequally executed drama), and her last published work (March 1887), \"By the Waters of Babylon: Little Poems in Prose\", which constituted her strongest claim to a foremost rank in American literature. During the same period (1882–87), Lazarus translated the Hebrew poets of medieval Spain with the aid of the German versions of Michael Sachs and Abraham Geiger, and wrote articles, signed and unsigned, upon Jewish subjects for the Jewish press, besides essays on \"Bar Kochba\", \"Henry Wadsworth Longfellow\", \"M. Renan and the Jews\", and others for Jewish literary associations.Several of her translations from medieval Hebrew writers found a place in the ritual of American synagogues.Lazarus's most notable series of articles was that titled \"An Epistle to the Hebrews\" (The American Hebrew, November 10, 1882 – February 24, 1883), in which she discussed the Jewish problems of the day, urged a technical and a Jewish education for Jews, and ranged herself among the advocates of an independent Jewish nationality and of Jewish repatriation in Palestine. The only collection of poems issued during this period wasSongs of a Semite: The Dance to Death and Other Poems(New York, 1882), dedicated to the memory of George Eliot. Death and legacy Lazarus returned to New York City seriously ill after she completed her second trip to Europe, and she died two months later, on November 19, 1887,most likely fromHodgkin's lymphoma. She never married.Lazarus was buried inBeth Olam CemeteryinCypress Hills, Brooklyn.The Poems of Emma Lazarus(2 vols., Boston and New York, 1889) was published after her death, comprising most of her poetic work from previous collections, periodical publications, and some of the literary heritage which her executors deemed appropriate to preserve for posterity.Her papers are kept by the American Jewish Historical Society,Center for Jewish History,and her letters are collected atColumbia University. TheEmma Lazarus Federation of Jewish Women's Clubs, founded in 1951, was named after Lazarus. A stamp featuring the Statue of Liberty and Lazarus's poem \"The New Colossus\" was issued byAntigua and Barbudain 1985.In 1992, she was named as a Women's History Month Honoree by theNational Women's History Project.Lazarus was honored by the Office of theManhattan Borough Presidentin March 2008, and her home on West10th Streetwas included on a map ofWomen's Rights Historic Sites.In 2009, she was inducted into theNational Women's Hall of Fame.TheMuseum of Jewish Heritagefeatured an exhibition about Lazarus in 2012. The Emma Lazarus Art and Music Venue, as well as a park are named in her honor in Carrick, a refugee-friendly neighborhood in the Carrick, a neighborhood on the South Side of the City of Pittsburgh. BiographerEsther Schorpraised Lazarus' lasting contribution: The irony is that the statue goes on speaking, even when the tide turns against immigration — even against immigrants themselves, as they adjust to their American lives. You can't think of the statue without hearing the words Emma Lazarus gave her. Style and themes Lazarus contributed toward shaping the self-image of the United States as well as how the country understands the needs of those who emigrate to the United States. Her themes produced sensitivity and enduring lessons regarding immigrants and their need for dignity.What was needed to make her a poet of the people as well as one of literary merit was a great theme, the establishment of instant communication between some stirring reality and her still hidden and irresolute subjectivity. Such a theme was provided by the immigration of Russian Jews to America, consequent upon the proscriptiveMay Lawsof 1882. She rose to the defense of her ethnic compatriots in powerful articles, as contributions toThe Century(May 1882 and February 1883). Hitherto, her life had held no Jewish inspiration. Though of Sephardic ancestry, and ostensibly Orthodox in belief, her family had till then not participated in the activities of thesynagogueor of the Jewish community. Contact with the unfortunates from Russia led her to study the Torah, the Hebrew language, Judaism, and Jewish history.While her early poetry demonstrated no Jewish themes, herSongs of a Semite(1882) is considered to be the earliest volume of Jewish American poetry. A review ofAlidebyLippincott's Monthly Magazinewas critical of Lazarus's style and elements of technique. Notes References Citations Attribution Bibliography External links","Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne TheDominican Sisters of Hawthorneare aRoman Catholiccongregationofreligious sisters, who are a part of theThird Order of Saint Dominic. The Congregation was founded on December 8, 1900, byRose Hawthorne Lathrop, a daughter of the famednovelistNathaniel Hawthorne. They specialize in caring for those suffering fromterminalcancerand have no financial resources. History Early in life, Rose Hawthorne marriedGeorge Parsons Lathrop, both of whom converted toRoman Catholicismin 1891. Rose had seemingly married well as a young woman, and they moved from her nativeMassachusettstoNew York Cityand then to Connecticut after their marriage. Her husband soon turned out to be unreliable and difficult. Eventually she was driven in 1895 to seek permission from the Church to live apart from him, and this was granted. Finding herself alone and with few financial resources, she began to seek some meaning to her life. She learned of the plight of the poor who were diagnosed with incurable cancer. At the time, this disease was believed by many to be highly contagious, so there was a deep fear of contact with those suffering from this affliction. Lathrop soon found a special vocation to this work. In the fall of 1896, after having taken a three-month nursing course at New York's Cancer Hospital, Lathrop moved into a three-roomcold-water flaton New York City's impoverishedLower East Sideand began to nurse the poor with incurable cancer.In March 1898 Alice Huber, having responded to an article Lathrop had written about her work, joined her in this service. Shortly afterwards Rose's husband George died. As others came to join them, Lathrop was inspired to found a religious congregation. One of her early supporters was Josephine Lazarus, sister of the poetEmma Lazaruswho had been Rose's friend until her death from cancer. A new congregation The community became established as a congregation of Religious Sisters in 1900 and were given the Dominicanhabit.They termed themselves \"the Servants of Relief for Incurable Cancer\", and their purpose was to provide for the well-being of incurably ill and destitute cancer patients. Lathrop was elected as mother superior of the community and became known as Mother Mary Alphonsa. The Sisters took only the most destitute, and provided them with all the care they needed, doing so without any form of compensation. In 1901 she established a nursing home in a smallhamletofWestchester County, some twenty miles north of New York City. Rosary Hill Home, as it was named, was formally opened to both male and female patients on June 5, 1901.Mother Mary Alphonsa lived at Rosary Hill for the rest of her life and rarely left, even declining an invitation fromHarriett Lothropto participate in a centennial celebration for her father at their former homeThe WaysideinConcord, Massachusetts. The Sisters took a strict daily routine under Mother Mary Alphonsa, rising for prayers in the chapel at 4:30 in the morning before breakfast, then care for the sick and perform tasks like milking cows.The area around Rosary Hill later came to be calledHawthorne, New York, in honor of Lathrop's father. The order founded a second home in 1912 at 71 Jackson Street in Manhattan.It was named St. Rose's Free Home for Incurable Cancer. Mother Alphonsa wanted a better environment for her charges than the bleak dirty streets of that part of Manhattan. In 1930 the sisters opened the thirty-five bed skilled nursing facility, Sacred Heart Home in Philadelphia. In 1939 the Dominicans opened Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home in Atlanta, Georgia. In December 1941, the sisters opened Our Lady of Good Counsel Home in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2009, the Sisters turned over operation of the home to the Franciscan Health Community, who continue to provide free care to those in need at end-of-life. Present situation The order continues to refuse any payment from the patients or their families or from government funds from eitherSocial SecurityorMedicare, nor do they accept money from private insurance. By the end of the 20th century, like many other religious communities, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne were greatly reduced in numbers. In Fall 2002, the order closed the Rose Hawthorne Lathrop House inFall River, Massachusetts.St. Rose's Home in Manhattan closed March 31, 2009. As of 2013 the order numbered fifty-three sisters.The Sisters continue to serve at Rosary Hill in New York and at homes inPhiladelphia, andAtlanta. References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Emma Lazarus Emma Lazarus(July 22, 1849 – November 19, 1887) was an American author of poetry, prose, and translations, as well as an activist for Jewish andGeorgistcauses. She is remembered for writing thesonnet\\\"The New Colossus\\\", which was inspired by theStatue of Liberty, in 1883.Its lines appear inscribed on abronzeplaque, installed in 1903,on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.Lazarus was involved in aiding refugees to New York who had fledantisemitic pogroms in eastern Europe, and she saw a way to express her empathy for these refugees in terms of the statue.The last lines of the sonnet were set to music byIrving Berlinas the song \\\"Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor\\\" for the 1949 musicalMiss Liberty, which was based on the sculpting of the Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World). The latter part of the sonnet was also set byLee Hoibyin his song \\\"The Lady of the Harbor\\\" written in 1985 as part of his song cycle \\\"Three Women\\\". Lazarus was also the author ofPoems and Translations(New York, 1867);Admetus, and other Poems(1871);Alide: An Episode of Goethe's Life(Philadelphia, 1874);Poems and Ballads of Heine(New York, 1881);Poems, 2 Vols.;Narrative, Lyric and Dramatic; as well asJewish Poems and Translations. Early years and education Emma Lazarus was born inNew York City, July 22, 1849,into a large Jewish family. She was the fourth of seven children of Moses Lazarus, a wealthy merchantand sugar refiner,and Esther Nathan (of a long-established German-Jewish New York family).One of her great-grandfathers on the Lazarus side was from Germany;the rest of her Lazarus ancestors were originally fromPortugaland they were among theoriginal twenty-three Portuguese Jews who arrived in New Amsterdamafter they fledRecife,Brazilin an attempt to flee from theInquisition.Lazarus's great-great-grandmother on her mother's side,Grace Seixas Nathan(born inStratford, Connecticut, in 1752) was also a poet.Lazarus was related through her mother toBenjamin N. Cardozo,Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States. Her siblings included sistersJosephine, Sarah, Mary, Agnes and Annie, and a brother, Frank. Privately educated by tutors from an early age, she studied American and British literature as well as several languages, includingGerman,French, andItalian.She was attracted in youth to poetry, writing her first lyrics when she was eleven years old. Career Writer The first stimulus for Lazarus's writing was offered by theAmerican Civil War. A collection of herPoems and Translations, verses written between the ages of fourteen and seventeen, appeared in 1867 (New York), and was commended byWilliam Cullen Bryant.It included translations fromFriedrich Schiller,Heinrich Heine,Alexandre Dumas, andVictor Hugo.Admetus and Other Poemsfollowed in 1871. The title poem was dedicated \\\"To my friendRalph Waldo Emerson\\\", whose works and personality were exercising an abiding influence upon the poet's intellectual growth.During the next decade, in which \\\"Phantasies\\\" and \\\"Epochs\\\" were written, her poems appeared chiefly inLippincott's Monthly MagazineandScribner's Monthly. By this time, Lazarus's work had won recognition abroad. Her first prose production,Alide: An Episode of Goethe's Life, a romance treating of theFriederike Brionincident, was published in 1874 (Philadelphia), and was followed byThe Spagnoletto(1876), a tragedy.Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine(New York, 1881) followed, and was prefixed by a biographical sketch of Heine; Lazarus's renderings of some of Heine's verse are considered among the best in English.In the same year, 1881, she became friends withRose Hawthorne Lathrop.In April 1882, Lazarus published inThe Century Magazinethe article \\\"Was theEarl of Beaconsfielda Representative Jew?\\\" Her statement of the reasons for answering this question in the affirmative may be taken to close what may be termed the Hellenic and journeyman period of Lazarus's life, during which her subjects were drawn from classic and romantic sources. Lazarus also wroteThe Crowing of the Red Cock,and the sixteen-part cycle poem \\\"Epochs\\\".In addition to writing her own poems, Lazarus edited many adaptations of German poems, notably those ofJohann Wolfgang von Goetheand Heinrich Heine.She also wrote a novel and two plays in five acts,The Spagnoletto, a tragic verse drama aboutthe titular figureandThe Dance to Death, a dramatization of a German short story about the burning of Jews inNordhausenduring theBlack Death.During the time Lazarus became interested in her Jewish roots, she continued her purely literary and critical work in magazines with such articles as \\\"Tommaso Salvini\\\", \\\"Salvini's 'King Lear'\\\", \\\"Emerson's Personality\\\", \\\"Heine, the Poet\\\", \\\"A Day in Surrey with William Morris\\\", and others. Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,With conquering limbs astride from land to land;Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall standA mighty woman with a torch, whose flameIs the imprisoned lightning, and her nameMother of Exiles. From her beacon-handGlows world-wide welcome; her mild eyes commandThe air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.\\\"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!\\\" cries sheWith silent lips. \\\"Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,I lift my lamp beside the golden door!\\\" (1883) Lines from her sonnet \\\"The New Colossus\\\" appear on a bronze plaque which was placed in the pedestal of theStatue of Libertyin 1903.The sonnet was written in 1883 and donated to an auction, conducted by the \\\"Art Loan Fund Exhibition in Aid of theBartholdiPedestal Fund for the Statue of Liberty\\\" in order to raise funds to build the pedestal.Lazarus's close friendRose Hawthorne Lathropwas inspired by \\\"The New Colossus\\\" to found theDominican Sisters of Hawthorne. She traveled twice to Europe, first in 1883 and again from 1885 to 1887.On one of those trips,Georgiana Burne-Jones, the wife of thePre-RaphaelitepainterEdward Burne-Jones, introduced her toWilliam Morrisat her home.She also met withHenry James,Robert BrowningandThomas Huxleyduring her European travels.A collection ofPoems in Prose(1887) was her last book. HerComplete Poems with a Memoirappeared in 1888, at Boston. Activism Lazarus was a friend and admirer of the American political economistHenry George. She believed deeply inGeorgisteconomic reforms and became active in the \\\"single tax\\\" movement forland value tax. Lazarus published a poem in theNew York Timesnamed after George's book,Progress and Poverty. Lazarus became more interested in her Jewish ancestry as she heard of the Russianpogromsthat followed theassassination of Tsar Alexander IIin 1881. As a result of thisanti-Semiticviolence, and the poor standard of living in Russia in general, thousands of destitute Ashkenazi Jews emigrated from the RussianPale of Settlementto New York. Lazarus began to advocate on behalf of indigent Jewish immigrants. She helped establish theHebrew Technical Institutein New York to providevocational trainingto assist destitute Jewish immigrants to become self-supporting. Lazarus volunteered as well in theHebrew Emigrant Aid Societyemployment bureau, although she eventually criticized its organization.In 1883, she founded the Society for the Improvement and Colonization of East European Jews. The literary fruits of identification with her religion were poems like \\\"The Crowing of the Red Cock\\\", \\\"The Banner of the Jew\\\", \\\"The Choice\\\", \\\"The New Ezekiel\\\", \\\"The Dance to Death\\\" (a strong, though unequally executed drama), and her last published work (March 1887), \\\"By the Waters of Babylon: Little Poems in Prose\\\", which constituted her strongest claim to a foremost rank in American literature. During the same period (1882–87), Lazarus translated the Hebrew poets of medieval Spain with the aid of the German versions of Michael Sachs and Abraham Geiger, and wrote articles, signed and unsigned, upon Jewish subjects for the Jewish press, besides essays on \\\"Bar Kochba\\\", \\\"Henry Wadsworth Longfellow\\\", \\\"M. Renan and the Jews\\\", and others for Jewish literary associations.Several of her translations from medieval Hebrew writers found a place in the ritual of American synagogues.Lazarus's most notable series of articles was that titled \\\"An Epistle to the Hebrews\\\" (The American Hebrew, November 10, 1882 – February 24, 1883), in which she discussed the Jewish problems of the day, urged a technical and a Jewish education for Jews, and ranged herself among the advocates of an independent Jewish nationality and of Jewish repatriation in Palestine. The only collection of poems issued during this period wasSongs of a Semite: The Dance to Death and Other Poems(New York, 1882), dedicated to the memory of George Eliot. Death and legacy Lazarus returned to New York City seriously ill after she completed her second trip to Europe, and she died two months later, on November 19, 1887,most likely fromHodgkin's lymphoma. She never married.Lazarus was buried inBeth Olam CemeteryinCypress Hills, Brooklyn.The Poems of Emma Lazarus(2 vols., Boston and New York, 1889) was published after her death, comprising most of her poetic work from previous collections, periodical publications, and some of the literary heritage which her executors deemed appropriate to preserve for posterity.Her papers are kept by the American Jewish Historical Society,Center for Jewish History,and her letters are collected atColumbia University. TheEmma Lazarus Federation of Jewish Women's Clubs, founded in 1951, was named after Lazarus. A stamp featuring the Statue of Liberty and Lazarus's poem \\\"The New Colossus\\\" was issued byAntigua and Barbudain 1985.In 1992, she was named as a Women's History Month Honoree by theNational Women's History Project.Lazarus was honored by the Office of theManhattan Borough Presidentin March 2008, and her home on West10th Streetwas included on a map ofWomen's Rights Historic Sites.In 2009, she was inducted into theNational Women's Hall of Fame.TheMuseum of Jewish Heritagefeatured an exhibition about Lazarus in 2012. The Emma Lazarus Art and Music Venue, as well as a park are named in her honor in Carrick, a refugee-friendly neighborhood in the Carrick, a neighborhood on the South Side of the City of Pittsburgh. BiographerEsther Schorpraised Lazarus' lasting contribution: The irony is that the statue goes on speaking, even when the tide turns against immigration — even against immigrants themselves, as they adjust to their American lives. You can't think of the statue without hearing the words Emma Lazarus gave her. Style and themes Lazarus contributed toward shaping the self-image of the United States as well as how the country understands the needs of those who emigrate to the United States. Her themes produced sensitivity and enduring lessons regarding immigrants and their need for dignity.What was needed to make her a poet of the people as well as one of literary merit was a great theme, the establishment of instant communication between some stirring reality and her still hidden and irresolute subjectivity. Such a theme was provided by the immigration of Russian Jews to America, consequent upon the proscriptiveMay Lawsof 1882. She rose to the defense of her ethnic compatriots in powerful articles, as contributions toThe Century(May 1882 and February 1883). Hitherto, her life had held no Jewish inspiration. Though of Sephardic ancestry, and ostensibly Orthodox in belief, her family had till then not participated in the activities of thesynagogueor of the Jewish community. Contact with the unfortunates from Russia led her to study the Torah, the Hebrew language, Judaism, and Jewish history.While her early poetry demonstrated no Jewish themes, herSongs of a Semite(1882) is considered to be the earliest volume of Jewish American poetry. A review ofAlidebyLippincott's Monthly Magazinewas critical of Lazarus's style and elements of technique. Notes References Citations Attribution Bibliography External links\",\n \"Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne TheDominican Sisters of Hawthorneare aRoman Catholiccongregationofreligious sisters, who are a part of theThird Order of Saint Dominic. The Congregation was founded on December 8, 1900, byRose Hawthorne Lathrop, a daughter of the famednovelistNathaniel Hawthorne. They specialize in caring for those suffering fromterminalcancerand have no financial resources. History Early in life, Rose Hawthorne marriedGeorge Parsons Lathrop, both of whom converted toRoman Catholicismin 1891. Rose had seemingly married well as a young woman, and they moved from her nativeMassachusettstoNew York Cityand then to Connecticut after their marriage. Her husband soon turned out to be unreliable and difficult. Eventually she was driven in 1895 to seek permission from the Church to live apart from him, and this was granted. Finding herself alone and with few financial resources, she began to seek some meaning to her life. She learned of the plight of the poor who were diagnosed with incurable cancer. At the time, this disease was believed by many to be highly contagious, so there was a deep fear of contact with those suffering from this affliction. Lathrop soon found a special vocation to this work. In the fall of 1896, after having taken a three-month nursing course at New York's Cancer Hospital, Lathrop moved into a three-roomcold-water flaton New York City's impoverishedLower East Sideand began to nurse the poor with incurable cancer.In March 1898 Alice Huber, having responded to an article Lathrop had written about her work, joined her in this service. Shortly afterwards Rose's husband George died. As others came to join them, Lathrop was inspired to found a religious congregation. One of her early supporters was Josephine Lazarus, sister of the poetEmma Lazaruswho had been Rose's friend until her death from cancer. A new congregation The community became established as a congregation of Religious Sisters in 1900 and were given the Dominicanhabit.They termed themselves \\\"the Servants of Relief for Incurable Cancer\\\", and their purpose was to provide for the well-being of incurably ill and destitute cancer patients. Lathrop was elected as mother superior of the community and became known as Mother Mary Alphonsa. The Sisters took only the most destitute, and provided them with all the care they needed, doing so without any form of compensation. In 1901 she established a nursing home in a smallhamletofWestchester County, some twenty miles north of New York City. Rosary Hill Home, as it was named, was formally opened to both male and female patients on June 5, 1901.Mother Mary Alphonsa lived at Rosary Hill for the rest of her life and rarely left, even declining an invitation fromHarriett Lothropto participate in a centennial celebration for her father at their former homeThe WaysideinConcord, Massachusetts. The Sisters took a strict daily routine under Mother Mary Alphonsa, rising for prayers in the chapel at 4:30 in the morning before breakfast, then care for the sick and perform tasks like milking cows.The area around Rosary Hill later came to be calledHawthorne, New York, in honor of Lathrop's father. The order founded a second home in 1912 at 71 Jackson Street in Manhattan.It was named St. Rose's Free Home for Incurable Cancer. Mother Alphonsa wanted a better environment for her charges than the bleak dirty streets of that part of Manhattan. In 1930 the sisters opened the thirty-five bed skilled nursing facility, Sacred Heart Home in Philadelphia. In 1939 the Dominicans opened Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home in Atlanta, Georgia. In December 1941, the sisters opened Our Lady of Good Counsel Home in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2009, the Sisters turned over operation of the home to the Franciscan Health Community, who continue to provide free care to those in need at end-of-life. Present situation The order continues to refuse any payment from the patients or their families or from government funds from eitherSocial SecurityorMedicare, nor do they accept money from private insurance. By the end of the 20th century, like many other religious communities, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne were greatly reduced in numbers. In Fall 2002, the order closed the Rose Hawthorne Lathrop House inFall River, Massachusetts.St. Rose's Home in Manhattan closed March 31, 2009. As of 2013 the order numbered fifty-three sisters.The Sisters continue to serve at Rosary Hill in New York and at homes inPhiladelphia, andAtlanta. References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Emma Lazarus Emma Lazarus(July 22, 1849 – November 19, 1887) was an American author of poetry, prose, and translations, as well as an activist for Jewish andGeorgistcauses. She is remembered for writing thesonnet\"The New Colossus\", which was inspired by theStatue of Liberty, in 1883.Its lines appear inscribed on abronzeplaque, installed in 1903,on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.Lazarus was involved in aiding refugees to New York who had fledantisemitic pogroms in eastern Europe, and she saw a way to express her empathy for these refugees in terms of the statue.The last lines of the sonnet were set to music byIrving Berlinas the song \"Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor\" for the 1949 musicalMiss Liberty, which was based on the sculpting of the Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World). The latter part of the sonnet was also set byLee Hoibyin his song \"The Lady of the Harbor\" written in 1985 as part of his song cycle \"Three Women\". Lazarus was also the author ofPoems and Translations(New York,","York, 1867);Admetus, and other Poems(1871);Alide: An Episode of Goethe's Life(Philadelphia, 1874);Poems and Ballads of Heine(New York, 1881);Poems, 2 Vols.;Narrative, Lyric and Dramatic; as well asJewish Poems and Translations. Early years and education Emma Lazarus was born inNew York City, July 22, 1849,into a large Jewish family. She was the fourth of seven children of Moses Lazarus, a wealthy merchantand sugar refiner,and Esther Nathan (of a long-established German-Jewish New York family).One of her great-grandfathers on the Lazarus side was from Germany;the rest of her Lazarus ancestors were originally fromPortugaland they were among theoriginal twenty-three Portuguese Jews who arrived in New Amsterdamafter they fledRecife,Brazilin an attempt to flee from theInquisition.Lazarus's great-great-grandmother on her mother's side,Grace Seixas Nathan(born inStratford, Connecticut, in 1752) was also a poet.Lazarus was related through her mother toBenjamin N. Cardozo,Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the","Court of the United States. Her siblings included sistersJosephine, Sarah, Mary, Agnes and Annie, and a brother, Frank. Privately educated by tutors from an early age, she studied American and British literature as well as several languages, includingGerman,French, andItalian.She was attracted in youth to poetry, writing her first lyrics when she was eleven years old. Career Writer The first stimulus for Lazarus's writing was offered by theAmerican Civil War. A collection of herPoems and Translations, verses written between the ages of fourteen and seventeen, appeared in 1867 (New York), and was commended byWilliam Cullen Bryant.It included translations fromFriedrich Schiller,Heinrich Heine,Alexandre Dumas, andVictor Hugo.Admetus and Other Poemsfollowed in 1871. The title poem was dedicated \"To my friendRalph Waldo Emerson\", whose works and personality were exercising an abiding influence upon the poet's intellectual growth.During the next decade, in which \"Phantasies\" and \"Epochs\" were written, her poems","written, her poems appeared chiefly inLippincott's Monthly MagazineandScribner's Monthly. By this time, Lazarus's work had won recognition abroad. Her first prose production,Alide: An Episode of Goethe's Life, a romance treating of theFriederike Brionincident, was published in 1874 (Philadelphia), and was followed byThe Spagnoletto(1876), a tragedy.Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine(New York, 1881) followed, and was prefixed by a biographical sketch of Heine; Lazarus's renderings of some of Heine's verse are considered among the best in English.In the same year, 1881, she became friends withRose Hawthorne Lathrop.In April 1882, Lazarus published inThe Century Magazinethe article \"Was theEarl of Beaconsfielda Representative Jew?\" Her statement of the reasons for answering this question in the affirmative may be taken to close what may be termed the Hellenic and journeyman period of Lazarus's life, during which her subjects were drawn from classic and romantic sources. Lazarus also wroteThe Crowing of the Red","Crowing of the Red Cock,and the sixteen-part cycle poem \"Epochs\".In addition to writing her own poems, Lazarus edited many adaptations of German poems, notably those ofJohann Wolfgang von Goetheand Heinrich Heine.She also wrote a novel and two plays in five acts,The Spagnoletto, a tragic verse drama aboutthe titular figureandThe Dance to Death, a dramatization of a German short story about the burning of Jews inNordhausenduring theBlack Death.During the time Lazarus became interested in her Jewish roots, she continued her purely literary and critical work in magazines with such articles as \"Tommaso Salvini\", \"Salvini's 'King Lear'\", \"Emerson's Personality\", \"Heine, the Poet\", \"A Day in Surrey with William Morris\", and others. Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,With conquering limbs astride from land to land;Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall standA mighty woman with a torch, whose flameIs the imprisoned lightning, and her nameMother of Exiles. From her beacon-handGlows world-wide welcome; her","welcome; her mild eyes commandThe air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.\"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!\" cries sheWith silent lips. \"Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,I lift my lamp beside the golden door!\" (1883) Lines from her sonnet \"The New Colossus\" appear on a bronze plaque which was placed in the pedestal of theStatue of Libertyin 1903.The sonnet was written in 1883 and donated to an auction, conducted by the \"Art Loan Fund Exhibition in Aid of theBartholdiPedestal Fund for the Statue of Liberty\" in order to raise funds to build the pedestal.Lazarus's close friendRose Hawthorne Lathropwas inspired by \"The New Colossus\" to found theDominican Sisters of Hawthorne. She traveled twice to Europe, first in 1883 and again from 1885 to 1887.On one of those trips,Georgiana Burne-Jones, the wife of thePre-RaphaelitepainterEdward Burne-Jones, introduced her toWilliam","her toWilliam Morrisat her home.She also met withHenry James,Robert BrowningandThomas Huxleyduring her European travels.A collection ofPoems in Prose(1887) was her last book. HerComplete Poems with a Memoirappeared in 1888, at Boston. Activism Lazarus was a friend and admirer of the American political economistHenry George. She believed deeply inGeorgisteconomic reforms and became active in the \"single tax\" movement forland value tax. Lazarus published a poem in theNew York Timesnamed after George's book,Progress and Poverty. Lazarus became more interested in her Jewish ancestry as she heard of the Russianpogromsthat followed theassassination of Tsar Alexander IIin 1881. As a result of thisanti-Semiticviolence, and the poor standard of living in Russia in general, thousands of destitute Ashkenazi Jews emigrated from the RussianPale of Settlementto New York. Lazarus began to advocate on behalf of indigent Jewish immigrants. She helped establish theHebrew Technical Institutein New York to providevocational","providevocational trainingto assist destitute Jewish immigrants to become self-supporting. Lazarus volunteered as well in theHebrew Emigrant Aid Societyemployment bureau, although she eventually criticized its organization.In 1883, she founded the Society for the Improvement and Colonization of East European Jews. The literary fruits of identification with her religion were poems like \"The Crowing of the Red Cock\", \"The Banner of the Jew\", \"The Choice\", \"The New Ezekiel\", \"The Dance to Death\" (a strong, though unequally executed drama), and her last published work (March 1887), \"By the Waters of Babylon: Little Poems in Prose\", which constituted her strongest claim to a foremost rank in American literature. During the same period (1882–87), Lazarus translated the Hebrew poets of medieval Spain with the aid of the German versions of Michael Sachs and Abraham Geiger, and wrote articles, signed and unsigned, upon Jewish subjects for the Jewish press, besides essays on \"Bar Kochba\", \"Henry Wadsworth Longfellow\",","Longfellow\", \"M. Renan and the Jews\", and others for Jewish literary associations.Several of her translations from medieval Hebrew writers found a place in the ritual of American synagogues.Lazarus's most notable series of articles was that titled \"An Epistle to the Hebrews\" (The American Hebrew, November 10, 1882 – February 24, 1883), in which she discussed the Jewish problems of the day, urged a technical and a Jewish education for Jews, and ranged herself among the advocates of an independent Jewish nationality and of Jewish repatriation in Palestine. The only collection of poems issued during this period wasSongs of a Semite: The Dance to Death and Other Poems(New York, 1882), dedicated to the memory of George Eliot. Death and legacy Lazarus returned to New York City seriously ill after she completed her second trip to Europe, and she died two months later, on November 19, 1887,most likely fromHodgkin's lymphoma. She never married.Lazarus was buried inBeth Olam CemeteryinCypress Hills, Brooklyn.The Poems","Brooklyn.The Poems of Emma Lazarus(2 vols., Boston and New York, 1889) was published after her death, comprising most of her poetic work from previous collections, periodical publications, and some of the literary heritage which her executors deemed appropriate to preserve for posterity.Her papers are kept by the American Jewish Historical Society,Center for Jewish History,and her letters are collected atColumbia University. TheEmma Lazarus Federation of Jewish Women's Clubs, founded in 1951, was named after Lazarus. A stamp featuring the Statue of Liberty and Lazarus's poem \"The New Colossus\" was issued byAntigua and Barbudain 1985.In 1992, she was named as a Women's History Month Honoree by theNational Women's History Project.Lazarus was honored by the Office of theManhattan Borough Presidentin March 2008, and her home on West10th Streetwas included on a map ofWomen's Rights Historic Sites.In 2009, she was inducted into theNational Women's Hall of Fame.TheMuseum of Jewish Heritagefeatured an exhibition","an exhibition about Lazarus in 2012. The Emma Lazarus Art and Music Venue, as well as a park are named in her honor in Carrick, a refugee-friendly neighborhood in the Carrick, a neighborhood on the South Side of the City of Pittsburgh. BiographerEsther Schorpraised Lazarus' lasting contribution: The irony is that the statue goes on speaking, even when the tide turns against immigration — even against immigrants themselves, as they adjust to their American lives. You can't think of the statue without hearing the words Emma Lazarus gave her. Style and themes Lazarus contributed toward shaping the self-image of the United States as well as how the country understands the needs of those who emigrate to the United States. Her themes produced sensitivity and enduring lessons regarding immigrants and their need for dignity.What was needed to make her a poet of the people as well as one of literary merit was a great theme, the establishment of instant communication between some stirring reality and her still hidden","her still hidden and irresolute subjectivity. Such a theme was provided by the immigration of Russian Jews to America, consequent upon the proscriptiveMay Lawsof 1882. She rose to the defense of her ethnic compatriots in powerful articles, as contributions toThe Century(May 1882 and February 1883). Hitherto, her life had held no Jewish inspiration. Though of Sephardic ancestry, and ostensibly Orthodox in belief, her family had till then not participated in the activities of thesynagogueor of the Jewish community. Contact with the unfortunates from Russia led her to study the Torah, the Hebrew language, Judaism, and Jewish history.While her early poetry demonstrated no Jewish themes, herSongs of a Semite(1882) is considered to be the earliest volume of Jewish American poetry. A review ofAlidebyLippincott's Monthly Magazinewas critical of Lazarus's style and elements of technique. Notes References Citations Attribution Bibliography External links","Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne TheDominican Sisters of Hawthorneare aRoman Catholiccongregationofreligious sisters, who are a part of theThird Order of Saint Dominic. The Congregation was founded on December 8, 1900, byRose Hawthorne Lathrop, a daughter of the famednovelistNathaniel Hawthorne. They specialize in caring for those suffering fromterminalcancerand have no financial resources. History Early in life, Rose Hawthorne marriedGeorge Parsons Lathrop, both of whom converted toRoman Catholicismin 1891. Rose had seemingly married well as a young woman, and they moved from her nativeMassachusettstoNew York Cityand then to Connecticut after their marriage. Her husband soon turned out to be unreliable and difficult. Eventually she was driven in 1895 to seek permission from the Church to live apart from him, and this was granted. Finding herself alone and with few financial resources, she began to seek some meaning to her life. She learned of the plight of the poor who were diagnosed with incurable cancer. At","cancer. At the time, this disease was believed by many to be highly contagious, so there was a deep fear of contact with those suffering from this affliction. Lathrop soon found a special vocation to this work. In the fall of 1896, after having taken a three-month nursing course at New York's Cancer Hospital, Lathrop moved into a three-roomcold-water flaton New York City's impoverishedLower East Sideand began to nurse the poor with incurable cancer.In March 1898 Alice Huber, having responded to an article Lathrop had written about her work, joined her in this service. Shortly afterwards Rose's husband George died. As others came to join them, Lathrop was inspired to found a religious congregation. One of her early supporters was Josephine Lazarus, sister of the poetEmma Lazaruswho had been Rose's friend until her death from cancer. A new congregation The community became established as a congregation of Religious Sisters in 1900 and were given the Dominicanhabit.They termed themselves \"the Servants of Relief","Servants of Relief for Incurable Cancer\", and their purpose was to provide for the well-being of incurably ill and destitute cancer patients. Lathrop was elected as mother superior of the community and became known as Mother Mary Alphonsa. The Sisters took only the most destitute, and provided them with all the care they needed, doing so without any form of compensation. In 1901 she established a nursing home in a smallhamletofWestchester County, some twenty miles north of New York City. Rosary Hill Home, as it was named, was formally opened to both male and female patients on June 5, 1901.Mother Mary Alphonsa lived at Rosary Hill for the rest of her life and rarely left, even declining an invitation fromHarriett Lothropto participate in a centennial celebration for her father at their former homeThe WaysideinConcord, Massachusetts. The Sisters took a strict daily routine under Mother Mary Alphonsa, rising for prayers in the chapel at 4:30 in the morning before breakfast, then care for the sick and perform","sick and perform tasks like milking cows.The area around Rosary Hill later came to be calledHawthorne, New York, in honor of Lathrop's father. The order founded a second home in 1912 at 71 Jackson Street in Manhattan.It was named St. Rose's Free Home for Incurable Cancer. Mother Alphonsa wanted a better environment for her charges than the bleak dirty streets of that part of Manhattan. In 1930 the sisters opened the thirty-five bed skilled nursing facility, Sacred Heart Home in Philadelphia. In 1939 the Dominicans opened Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home in Atlanta, Georgia. In December 1941, the sisters opened Our Lady of Good Counsel Home in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2009, the Sisters turned over operation of the home to the Franciscan Health Community, who continue to provide free care to those in need at end-of-life. Present situation The order continues to refuse any payment from the patients or their families or from government funds from eitherSocial SecurityorMedicare, nor do they accept money from","accept money from private insurance. By the end of the 20th century, like many other religious communities, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne were greatly reduced in numbers. In Fall 2002, the order closed the Rose Hawthorne Lathrop House inFall River, Massachusetts.St. Rose's Home in Manhattan closed March 31, 2009. As of 2013 the order numbered fifty-three sisters.The Sisters continue to serve at Rosary Hill in New York and at homes inPhiladelphia, andAtlanta. References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Emma Lazarus Emma Lazarus(July 22, 1849 – November 19, 1887) was an American author of poetry, prose, and translations, as well as an activist for Jewish andGeorgistcauses. She is remembered for writing thesonnet\\\"The New Colossus\\\", which was inspired by theStatue of Liberty, in 1883.Its lines appear inscribed on abronzeplaque, installed in 1903,on the pedestal of the Statue of Liberty.Lazarus was involved in aiding refugees to New York who had fledantisemitic pogroms in eastern Europe, and she saw a way to express her empathy for these refugees in terms of the statue.The last lines of the sonnet were set to music byIrving Berlinas the song \\\"Give Me Your Tired, Your Poor\\\" for the 1949 musicalMiss Liberty, which was based on the sculpting of the Statue of Liberty (Liberty Enlightening the World). The latter part of the sonnet was also set byLee Hoibyin his song \\\"The Lady of the Harbor\\\" written in 1985 as part of his song cycle \\\"Three Women\\\". Lazarus was also the author ofPoems and Translations(New York,\",\n \"York, 1867);Admetus, and other Poems(1871);Alide: An Episode of Goethe's Life(Philadelphia, 1874);Poems and Ballads of Heine(New York, 1881);Poems, 2 Vols.;Narrative, Lyric and Dramatic; as well asJewish Poems and Translations. Early years and education Emma Lazarus was born inNew York City, July 22, 1849,into a large Jewish family. She was the fourth of seven children of Moses Lazarus, a wealthy merchantand sugar refiner,and Esther Nathan (of a long-established German-Jewish New York family).One of her great-grandfathers on the Lazarus side was from Germany;the rest of her Lazarus ancestors were originally fromPortugaland they were among theoriginal twenty-three Portuguese Jews who arrived in New Amsterdamafter they fledRecife,Brazilin an attempt to flee from theInquisition.Lazarus's great-great-grandmother on her mother's side,Grace Seixas Nathan(born inStratford, Connecticut, in 1752) was also a poet.Lazarus was related through her mother toBenjamin N. Cardozo,Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the\",\n \"Court of the United States. Her siblings included sistersJosephine, Sarah, Mary, Agnes and Annie, and a brother, Frank. Privately educated by tutors from an early age, she studied American and British literature as well as several languages, includingGerman,French, andItalian.She was attracted in youth to poetry, writing her first lyrics when she was eleven years old. Career Writer The first stimulus for Lazarus's writing was offered by theAmerican Civil War. A collection of herPoems and Translations, verses written between the ages of fourteen and seventeen, appeared in 1867 (New York), and was commended byWilliam Cullen Bryant.It included translations fromFriedrich Schiller,Heinrich Heine,Alexandre Dumas, andVictor Hugo.Admetus and Other Poemsfollowed in 1871. The title poem was dedicated \\\"To my friendRalph Waldo Emerson\\\", whose works and personality were exercising an abiding influence upon the poet's intellectual growth.During the next decade, in which \\\"Phantasies\\\" and \\\"Epochs\\\" were written, her poems\",\n \"written, her poems appeared chiefly inLippincott's Monthly MagazineandScribner's Monthly. By this time, Lazarus's work had won recognition abroad. Her first prose production,Alide: An Episode of Goethe's Life, a romance treating of theFriederike Brionincident, was published in 1874 (Philadelphia), and was followed byThe Spagnoletto(1876), a tragedy.Poems and Ballads of Heinrich Heine(New York, 1881) followed, and was prefixed by a biographical sketch of Heine; Lazarus's renderings of some of Heine's verse are considered among the best in English.In the same year, 1881, she became friends withRose Hawthorne Lathrop.In April 1882, Lazarus published inThe Century Magazinethe article \\\"Was theEarl of Beaconsfielda Representative Jew?\\\" Her statement of the reasons for answering this question in the affirmative may be taken to close what may be termed the Hellenic and journeyman period of Lazarus's life, during which her subjects were drawn from classic and romantic sources. Lazarus also wroteThe Crowing of the Red\",\n \"Crowing of the Red Cock,and the sixteen-part cycle poem \\\"Epochs\\\".In addition to writing her own poems, Lazarus edited many adaptations of German poems, notably those ofJohann Wolfgang von Goetheand Heinrich Heine.She also wrote a novel and two plays in five acts,The Spagnoletto, a tragic verse drama aboutthe titular figureandThe Dance to Death, a dramatization of a German short story about the burning of Jews inNordhausenduring theBlack Death.During the time Lazarus became interested in her Jewish roots, she continued her purely literary and critical work in magazines with such articles as \\\"Tommaso Salvini\\\", \\\"Salvini's 'King Lear'\\\", \\\"Emerson's Personality\\\", \\\"Heine, the Poet\\\", \\\"A Day in Surrey with William Morris\\\", and others. Not like the brazen giant of Greek fame,With conquering limbs astride from land to land;Here at our sea-washed, sunset gates shall standA mighty woman with a torch, whose flameIs the imprisoned lightning, and her nameMother of Exiles. From her beacon-handGlows world-wide welcome; her\",\n \"welcome; her mild eyes commandThe air-bridged harbor that twin cities frame.\\\"Keep, ancient lands, your storied pomp!\\\" cries sheWith silent lips. \\\"Give me your tired, your poor,Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free,The wretched refuse of your teeming shore.Send these, the homeless, tempest-tost to me,I lift my lamp beside the golden door!\\\" (1883) Lines from her sonnet \\\"The New Colossus\\\" appear on a bronze plaque which was placed in the pedestal of theStatue of Libertyin 1903.The sonnet was written in 1883 and donated to an auction, conducted by the \\\"Art Loan Fund Exhibition in Aid of theBartholdiPedestal Fund for the Statue of Liberty\\\" in order to raise funds to build the pedestal.Lazarus's close friendRose Hawthorne Lathropwas inspired by \\\"The New Colossus\\\" to found theDominican Sisters of Hawthorne. She traveled twice to Europe, first in 1883 and again from 1885 to 1887.On one of those trips,Georgiana Burne-Jones, the wife of thePre-RaphaelitepainterEdward Burne-Jones, introduced her toWilliam\",\n \"her toWilliam Morrisat her home.She also met withHenry James,Robert BrowningandThomas Huxleyduring her European travels.A collection ofPoems in Prose(1887) was her last book. HerComplete Poems with a Memoirappeared in 1888, at Boston. Activism Lazarus was a friend and admirer of the American political economistHenry George. She believed deeply inGeorgisteconomic reforms and became active in the \\\"single tax\\\" movement forland value tax. Lazarus published a poem in theNew York Timesnamed after George's book,Progress and Poverty. Lazarus became more interested in her Jewish ancestry as she heard of the Russianpogromsthat followed theassassination of Tsar Alexander IIin 1881. As a result of thisanti-Semiticviolence, and the poor standard of living in Russia in general, thousands of destitute Ashkenazi Jews emigrated from the RussianPale of Settlementto New York. Lazarus began to advocate on behalf of indigent Jewish immigrants. She helped establish theHebrew Technical Institutein New York to providevocational\",\n \"providevocational trainingto assist destitute Jewish immigrants to become self-supporting. Lazarus volunteered as well in theHebrew Emigrant Aid Societyemployment bureau, although she eventually criticized its organization.In 1883, she founded the Society for the Improvement and Colonization of East European Jews. The literary fruits of identification with her religion were poems like \\\"The Crowing of the Red Cock\\\", \\\"The Banner of the Jew\\\", \\\"The Choice\\\", \\\"The New Ezekiel\\\", \\\"The Dance to Death\\\" (a strong, though unequally executed drama), and her last published work (March 1887), \\\"By the Waters of Babylon: Little Poems in Prose\\\", which constituted her strongest claim to a foremost rank in American literature. During the same period (1882–87), Lazarus translated the Hebrew poets of medieval Spain with the aid of the German versions of Michael Sachs and Abraham Geiger, and wrote articles, signed and unsigned, upon Jewish subjects for the Jewish press, besides essays on \\\"Bar Kochba\\\", \\\"Henry Wadsworth Longfellow\\\",\",\n \"Longfellow\\\", \\\"M. Renan and the Jews\\\", and others for Jewish literary associations.Several of her translations from medieval Hebrew writers found a place in the ritual of American synagogues.Lazarus's most notable series of articles was that titled \\\"An Epistle to the Hebrews\\\" (The American Hebrew, November 10, 1882 – February 24, 1883), in which she discussed the Jewish problems of the day, urged a technical and a Jewish education for Jews, and ranged herself among the advocates of an independent Jewish nationality and of Jewish repatriation in Palestine. The only collection of poems issued during this period wasSongs of a Semite: The Dance to Death and Other Poems(New York, 1882), dedicated to the memory of George Eliot. Death and legacy Lazarus returned to New York City seriously ill after she completed her second trip to Europe, and she died two months later, on November 19, 1887,most likely fromHodgkin's lymphoma. She never married.Lazarus was buried inBeth Olam CemeteryinCypress Hills, Brooklyn.The Poems\",\n \"Brooklyn.The Poems of Emma Lazarus(2 vols., Boston and New York, 1889) was published after her death, comprising most of her poetic work from previous collections, periodical publications, and some of the literary heritage which her executors deemed appropriate to preserve for posterity.Her papers are kept by the American Jewish Historical Society,Center for Jewish History,and her letters are collected atColumbia University. TheEmma Lazarus Federation of Jewish Women's Clubs, founded in 1951, was named after Lazarus. A stamp featuring the Statue of Liberty and Lazarus's poem \\\"The New Colossus\\\" was issued byAntigua and Barbudain 1985.In 1992, she was named as a Women's History Month Honoree by theNational Women's History Project.Lazarus was honored by the Office of theManhattan Borough Presidentin March 2008, and her home on West10th Streetwas included on a map ofWomen's Rights Historic Sites.In 2009, she was inducted into theNational Women's Hall of Fame.TheMuseum of Jewish Heritagefeatured an exhibition\",\n \"an exhibition about Lazarus in 2012. The Emma Lazarus Art and Music Venue, as well as a park are named in her honor in Carrick, a refugee-friendly neighborhood in the Carrick, a neighborhood on the South Side of the City of Pittsburgh. BiographerEsther Schorpraised Lazarus' lasting contribution: The irony is that the statue goes on speaking, even when the tide turns against immigration — even against immigrants themselves, as they adjust to their American lives. You can't think of the statue without hearing the words Emma Lazarus gave her. Style and themes Lazarus contributed toward shaping the self-image of the United States as well as how the country understands the needs of those who emigrate to the United States. Her themes produced sensitivity and enduring lessons regarding immigrants and their need for dignity.What was needed to make her a poet of the people as well as one of literary merit was a great theme, the establishment of instant communication between some stirring reality and her still hidden\",\n \"her still hidden and irresolute subjectivity. Such a theme was provided by the immigration of Russian Jews to America, consequent upon the proscriptiveMay Lawsof 1882. She rose to the defense of her ethnic compatriots in powerful articles, as contributions toThe Century(May 1882 and February 1883). Hitherto, her life had held no Jewish inspiration. Though of Sephardic ancestry, and ostensibly Orthodox in belief, her family had till then not participated in the activities of thesynagogueor of the Jewish community. Contact with the unfortunates from Russia led her to study the Torah, the Hebrew language, Judaism, and Jewish history.While her early poetry demonstrated no Jewish themes, herSongs of a Semite(1882) is considered to be the earliest volume of Jewish American poetry. A review ofAlidebyLippincott's Monthly Magazinewas critical of Lazarus's style and elements of technique. Notes References Citations Attribution Bibliography External links\",\n \"Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne TheDominican Sisters of Hawthorneare aRoman Catholiccongregationofreligious sisters, who are a part of theThird Order of Saint Dominic. The Congregation was founded on December 8, 1900, byRose Hawthorne Lathrop, a daughter of the famednovelistNathaniel Hawthorne. They specialize in caring for those suffering fromterminalcancerand have no financial resources. History Early in life, Rose Hawthorne marriedGeorge Parsons Lathrop, both of whom converted toRoman Catholicismin 1891. Rose had seemingly married well as a young woman, and they moved from her nativeMassachusettstoNew York Cityand then to Connecticut after their marriage. Her husband soon turned out to be unreliable and difficult. Eventually she was driven in 1895 to seek permission from the Church to live apart from him, and this was granted. Finding herself alone and with few financial resources, she began to seek some meaning to her life. She learned of the plight of the poor who were diagnosed with incurable cancer. At\",\n \"cancer. At the time, this disease was believed by many to be highly contagious, so there was a deep fear of contact with those suffering from this affliction. Lathrop soon found a special vocation to this work. In the fall of 1896, after having taken a three-month nursing course at New York's Cancer Hospital, Lathrop moved into a three-roomcold-water flaton New York City's impoverishedLower East Sideand began to nurse the poor with incurable cancer.In March 1898 Alice Huber, having responded to an article Lathrop had written about her work, joined her in this service. Shortly afterwards Rose's husband George died. As others came to join them, Lathrop was inspired to found a religious congregation. One of her early supporters was Josephine Lazarus, sister of the poetEmma Lazaruswho had been Rose's friend until her death from cancer. A new congregation The community became established as a congregation of Religious Sisters in 1900 and were given the Dominicanhabit.They termed themselves \\\"the Servants of Relief\",\n \"Servants of Relief for Incurable Cancer\\\", and their purpose was to provide for the well-being of incurably ill and destitute cancer patients. Lathrop was elected as mother superior of the community and became known as Mother Mary Alphonsa. The Sisters took only the most destitute, and provided them with all the care they needed, doing so without any form of compensation. In 1901 she established a nursing home in a smallhamletofWestchester County, some twenty miles north of New York City. Rosary Hill Home, as it was named, was formally opened to both male and female patients on June 5, 1901.Mother Mary Alphonsa lived at Rosary Hill for the rest of her life and rarely left, even declining an invitation fromHarriett Lothropto participate in a centennial celebration for her father at their former homeThe WaysideinConcord, Massachusetts. The Sisters took a strict daily routine under Mother Mary Alphonsa, rising for prayers in the chapel at 4:30 in the morning before breakfast, then care for the sick and perform\",\n \"sick and perform tasks like milking cows.The area around Rosary Hill later came to be calledHawthorne, New York, in honor of Lathrop's father. The order founded a second home in 1912 at 71 Jackson Street in Manhattan.It was named St. Rose's Free Home for Incurable Cancer. Mother Alphonsa wanted a better environment for her charges than the bleak dirty streets of that part of Manhattan. In 1930 the sisters opened the thirty-five bed skilled nursing facility, Sacred Heart Home in Philadelphia. In 1939 the Dominicans opened Our Lady of Perpetual Help Home in Atlanta, Georgia. In December 1941, the sisters opened Our Lady of Good Counsel Home in St. Paul, Minnesota. In 2009, the Sisters turned over operation of the home to the Franciscan Health Community, who continue to provide free care to those in need at end-of-life. Present situation The order continues to refuse any payment from the patients or their families or from government funds from eitherSocial SecurityorMedicare, nor do they accept money from\",\n \"accept money from private insurance. By the end of the 20th century, like many other religious communities, the Dominican Sisters of Hawthorne were greatly reduced in numbers. In Fall 2002, the order closed the Rose Hawthorne Lathrop House inFall River, Massachusetts.St. Rose's Home in Manhattan closed March 31, 2009. As of 2013 the order numbered fifty-three sisters.The Sisters continue to serve at Rosary Hill in New York and at homes inPhiladelphia, andAtlanta. References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":287,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"If Anastasia Romanov had still been alive when the 90s cartoon movie based on her was released, how old would she be?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Duchess Anastasia Romanov would have been 96 years old."},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchess_Anastasia_Nikolaevna_of_Russia"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasia_(1997_film)"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchess_Anastasia_Nikolaevna_of_Russia', 'https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasia_(1997_film)']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchess_Anastasia_Nikolaevna_of_Russia","https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasia_(1997_film"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchess_Anastasia_Nikolaevna_of_Russia\",\n \"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasia_(1997_film\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia(Russian:Анастасия Николаевна Романова,romanized:Anastasiya Nikolaevna Romanova; 18 June 1901 – 17 July 1918) was the youngest daughter ofTsar Nicholas II, the last sovereign ofImperial Russia, and his wife,Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna. Anastasia was the younger sister of Grand DuchessesOlga,Tatiana, andMaria(commonly known together as theOTMAsisters) and was the elder sister ofAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia. She wasmurdered with her familyby a group ofBolsheviksinYekaterinburgon 17 July 1918. Persistent rumors of her possible escape circulated after her death, fueled by the fact that the location of her burial was unknown during the decades ofcommunistrule. The abandoned mine serving as a mass grave nearYekaterinburgwhich held the acidified remains of the Tsar, his wife, and three of their daughters was revealed in 1991. These remains were put to rest atPeter and Paul Fortressin 1998. The bodies of Alexei and the remaining daughter—either Anastasia or her older sister Maria—were discovered in 2007. Her purported survival has been conclusively disproven. Scientific analysis includingDNA testingconfirmed that the remains are those of theimperial family, showing that Anastasia was killed alongside her family. Several women falsely claimed to have been Anastasia; the best known impostor wasAnna Anderson. Anderson's body was cremated upon her death in 1984; DNA testing in 1994 on pieces of Anderson's tissue and hair showed no relation to the Romanov family. Contents Biography Early years Anastasia was born on 18 June 1901. She was the fourth daughter ofTsar Nicholas IIandTsarina Alexandra. When she was born, her parents and extended family were disappointed that she was a girl. They had hoped for a son who would have becomeheir apparentto the throne. Her father went for a long walk to compose himself before going to visit his wife and their newborn child for the first time.Her paternal auntGrand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russiasaid, \"My God! What a disappointment!... a fourth girl!\"Her first cousin twice removedGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovichwrote, \"Forgive us, Lord, if we all felt disappointment instead of joy. We were so hoping for a boy, and it's a daughter.\"The travel writerBurton Holmeswrote, \"Nicholas would part with half his Empire in exchange for one Imperial boy.\" Anastasia was named for the fourth-century martyrSt. Anastasia.\"Anastasia\" is a Greek name (Αναστασία), meaning \"of the resurrection\", a fact often alluded to later in stories about her rumored survival. Anastasia's title is most precisely translated as \"Grand Princess\". \"Grand Duchess\" became the most widely used translation of the title into English from Russian. The Tsar's children were raised as simply as possible. They slept on hard camp cots without pillows, except when they were ill, took cold baths in the morning, and were expected to tidy their rooms and do needlework to be sold at various charity events when they were not otherwise occupied. Most in the household, including the servants, generally called the Grand Duchess by her first name andpatronym, \"Anastasia Nikolaevna\", and did not use her title or style. She was occasionally called by the French version of her name, \"Anastasie\", or by the Russian nicknames \"Nastasya\", \"Nastya\", \"Nastas\", or \"Nastenka\". Other family nicknames for Anastasia were \"Malenkaya\", meaning \"little (one)\" in Russian,or \"Shvybzik\", meaning \"merry little one\"or \"little mischief\"inGerman. Anastasia and her older sister Maria were known within the family as \"The Little Pair\". The two girls shared a room, often wore variations of the same dress, and spent much of their time together. Their older sisters Olga and Tatiana also shared a room and were known as \"The Big Pair\". The four girls sometimes signed letters using the nicknameOTMA, which derived from the first letters of their first names. DNA testing on the remains of the imperial family proved conclusively in 2009 that Anastasia’s younger brother, Alexei, suffered fromHemophilia B, a rare form of the disease. His mother and one sister, identified alternatively as Maria or Anastasia, were carriers. Symptomatic carriers of the gene, while not hemophiliacs themselves, can have symptoms of hemophilia including a lower than normalblood-clottingfactor that can lead to heavy bleeding.If Anastasia lived to have children of her own, it is genetically probable that they would have been afflicted by the disease. Appearance and personality Anastasia was short and inclined to be chubby, and she had blue eyesand blonde hair.BaronessSophie Buxhoeveden, her mother's lady-in-waiting, reflected that \"her features were regular and finely cut. She had fair hair, fine eyes, with impish laughter in their depths, and dark eyebrows that nearly met.\"Buxhoeveden believed that Anastasia resembled her mother, saying that she \"was more like her mother's than her father's family. She was rather short even at seventeen, and was, then decidedly fat, but it was the fatness of youth. She would have outgrown it, as had her sister Marie.\" Anastasia was a vivacious and energetic child.Margaretta Eagar, a governess to the four grand duchesses, said one person commented that the toddler Anastasia had the greatest personal charm of any child she had ever seen. While often described as gifted and bright, she was never interested in the restrictions of the school room, according to her tutorsPierre GilliardandSydney Gibbes. Gibbes, Gilliard, andladies-in-waitingLili DehnandAnna Vyrubovadescribed Anastasia as lively, mischievous, and a gifted actress. Her sharp, witty remarks sometimes hit sensitive spots.However, she was also very amusing: \"Even as a baby she had entertained grave old men, who were her neighbors at table, with her astonishing remarks.\" Anastasia's daring occasionally exceeded the limits of acceptable behavior. \"She undoubtedly held the record for punishable deeds in her family, for in naughtiness she was a true genius\", saidGleb Botkin, son of the court physicianYevgeny Botkin, who later died with the family at Yekaterinburg.Anastasia sometimes tripped the servants and played pranks on her tutors. As a child, she would climb trees and refuse to come down. Once, during asnowball fightat the family's Polish estate, Anastasia rolled a rock into a snowball and threw it at her older sister Tatiana, knocking her to the ground.A distant cousin,Princess Nina Georgievna, recalled that \"Anastasia was nasty to the point of being evil\", and would cheat, kick and scratch her playmates during games; she was affronted because the younger Nina was taller than she was.She was less concerned about her appearance than her sisters.Hallie Erminie Rives, a best-selling American author and wife of an American diplomat, described how 10-year-old Anastasia ate chocolates without bothering to remove her long, whiteopera glovesat the St. Petersburg opera house. Despite her energy, Anastasia's physical health was sometimes poor. The Grand Duchess suffered from painfulbunions, which affected both of her big toes.Anastasia had a weak muscle in her back and was prescribed twice-weekly massage. She hid under the bed or in a cupboard to put off the massage.Anastasia's older sister, Maria, reportedly hemorrhaged in December 1914 during an operation to remove her tonsils, according to her paternal auntGrand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, who was interviewed later in her life. The doctor performing the operation was so unnerved that he had to be ordered to continue by Maria's mother. Olga Alexandrovna said she believed all four of her nieces bled more than was normal and believed they were carriers of thehemophiliagene, like their mother. Association with Grigori Rasputin Her mother relied on the counsel ofGrigori Rasputin, a Russian peasant and wanderingstaretsor \"holy man,\" and credited his prayers with saving the ailing Tsarevich on numerous occasions. Anastasia and her siblings were taught to view Rasputin as \"Our Friend\" and to share confidences with him. In the autumn of 1907, Anastasia's auntGrand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russiawas escorted to the nursery by the Tsar to meet Rasputin. Anastasia, her sisters and brother Alexei were all wearing their long white nightgowns. \"All the children seemed to like him,\" Olga Alexandrovna recalled. \"They were completely at ease with him.\"Rasputin's friendship with the imperial children was evident in some of the messages he sent to them. In February 1909, Rasputin sent the imperial children a telegram, advising them to \"Love the whole of God's nature, the whole of His creation in particular this earth. The Mother of God was always occupied with flowers and needlework.\" However, one of the girls' governesses,Sofia Ivanovna Tyutcheva, was horrified in 1910 that Rasputin was permitted access to the nursery when the four girls were in their nightgowns and wanted him barred. Nicholas asked Rasputin to avoid going to the nurseries in the future. The children were aware of the tension and feared that their mother would be angered by Tyutcheva's actions. \"I am so afr(aid) that S.I. (governess Sofia Ivanovna Tyutcheva) can speak ... about our friend something bad,\" Anastasia's twelve-year-old sister Tatiana wrote to their mother on 8 March 1910. \"I hope our nurse will be nice to our friend now.\" Tyutcheva was eventually fired. She took her story to other members of the family.While Rasputin's visits to the children were, by all accounts, completely innocent in nature, the family was scandalized. Tyutcheva told Nicholas's sister,Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia, that Rasputin visited the girls, talked with them while they were getting ready for bed, and hugged and patted them. Tyutcheva said the children had been taught not to discuss Rasputin with her and were careful to hide his visits from the nursery staff. Xenia wrote on 15 March 1910, that she could not understand \"...the attitude of Alix and the children to that sinister Grigory (whom they consider to be almost a saint, when in fact he's only akhlyst!)\" In the spring of 1910, Maria Ivanovna Vishnyakova, a royal governess, claimed that Rasputin had raped her. Vishnyakova said the empress refused to believe her account of the assault, and insisted that \"everything Rasputin does is holy.\"Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna was told that Vishnyakova's claim had been immediately investigated, but instead \"they caught the young woman in bed with aCossackof the Imperial Guard.\" Vishnyakova was kept from seeing Rasputin after she made her accusation and was eventually dismissed from her post in 1913. However, rumors persisted and it was later whispered in society that Rasputin had seduced not only the Tsarina but also the four grand duchesses.This was followed by circulation ofpornographic cartoons, which depicted Rasputin having relations with the Empress, her four daughters and Anna Vyrubova.After the scandal, Nicholas ordered Rasputin to leave St. Petersburg for a time, much to Alexandra's displeasure, and Rasputin went on a pilgrimage toPalestine.Despite the rumors, the imperial family's association with Rasputin continued until his murder on 17 December 1916. \"Our Friend is so contented with our girlies, says they have gone through heavy 'courses' for their age and their souls have much developed\", Alexandra wrote to Nicholas on 6 December 1916. In his memoirs, A. A. Mordvinov reported that the four grand duchesses appeared \"cold and visibly terribly upset\" by Rasputin's death, and sat \"huddled up closely together\" on a sofa in one of their bedrooms on the night they received the news. Mordvinov recalled that the young women were in a gloomy mood and seemed to sense the political upheaval that was about to be unleashed.Rasputin was buried with an icon signed on its reverse by Anastasia, her mother and her sisters. She attended his funeral on 21 December 1916, and her family planned to build a church over the site of Rasputin's grave.After they were killed by the Bolsheviks, it was discovered Anastasia and her sisters were all wearing amulets bearing Rasputin's picture and a prayer. Captivity during World War I and Russian Revolution During World War I, Anastasia, along with her sister Maria, visited wounded soldiers at aprivate hospitalin the grounds atTsarskoye Selo. The two teenagers, too young to becomeRed Crossnurses like their mother and elder sisters, played games ofcheckersandbilliardswith the soldiers and tried to lift their spirits. Felix Dassel, who was treated at the hospital and knew Anastasia, recalled that the grand duchess had a \"laugh like a squirrel\", and walked rapidly \"as though shetrippedalong.\" In February 1917, Anastasia and her family were placed underhouse arrestat theAlexander Palacein Tsarskoye Selo during theRussian Revolution. Nicholas II abdicated on 15 March 1917. As theBolsheviksapproached,Alexander Kerenskyof theProvisional Governmenthad them moved toTobolsk,Siberia, where they were housed in theGovernor's Mansion.After the Bolsheviks seized majority control of Russia, Anastasia and her family were moved to theIpatiev House, or House of Special Purpose, atYekaterinburg. The stress and uncertainty of captivity took their toll on Anastasia as well as her family. \"Goodby \", she wrote to a friend in the winter of 1917. \"Don't forget us.\"At Tobolsk, she wrote a melancholy theme for her English tutor, filled with spelling mistakes, about \"Evelyn Hope\", a poem byRobert Browningabout a girl: \"When she died she was only sixteen years old ... Ther(e) was a man who loved her without having seen her but (k)new her very well. And she he(a)rd of him also. He never could tell her that he loved her, and now she was dead. But still he thought that when he and she will live next life whenever it will be that ...\", she wrote. Upon arriving in Yekaterinburg, Pierre Gilliard recalled his last sight of the children: \"The sailor Nagorny, who attended to Alexei Nikolaevitch, passed my window carrying the sick boy in his arms, behind him came the Grand Duchesses loaded with valises and small personal belongings. I tried to get out, but was roughly pushed back into the carriage by the sentry. I came back to the window. Tatiana Nikolayevna came last carrying her little dog and struggling to drag a heavy brown valise. It was raining and I saw her feet sink into the mud at every step. Nagorny tried to come to her assistance; he was roughly pushed back by one of the commisars ...\" Baroness Sophie Buxhoevedentold of her sad last glimpse of Anastasia: \"Once, standing on some steps at the door of a house close by, I saw a hand and a pink-sleeved arm opening the topmost pane. According to the blouse the hand must have belonged either to the Grand Duchess Marie or Anastasia. They could not see me through their windows, and this was to be the last glimpse that I was to have of any of them!\" However, even in the last months of her life, she found ways to enjoy herself. She and other members of the household performed plays for the enjoyment of their parents and others in the spring of 1918. Anastasia's performance made everyone howl with laughter, according to her tutor Sydney Gibbes. On 7 May 1918, in a letter fromTobolskto her sister Maria in Yekaterinburg, Anastasia described a moment of joy despite her sadness and loneliness and worry for the sick Alexei: \"We played on the swing, that was when I roared with laughter, the fall was so wonderful! Indeed! I told the sisters about it so many times yesterday that they got quite fed up, but I could go on telling it masses of times ... What weather we've had! One could simply shout with joy.\" In his memoirs, one of the guards at the Ipatiev House, Alexander Strekotin, remembered Anastasia as \"very friendly and full of fun\", while another guard said Anastasia was \"a very charming devil! She was mischievous and, I think, rarely tired. She was lively, and was fond of performing comic mimes with the dogs, as though they were performing in a circus.\"Yet another of the guards, however, called the youngest grand duchess \"offensive and a terrorist\" and complained that her occasionally provocative comments sometimes caused tension in the ranks.Anastasia and her sisters helped their maid darn stockings and assisted the cook in making bread and other kitchen chores while they were in captivity at the Ipatiev House. In the summer, the privations of the captivity, including their closer confinement at the Ipatiev House negatively affected the family. On 14 July 1918, local priests at Yekaterinburg conducted a private church service for the family. They reported that Anastasia and her family, contrary to custom, fell on their knees during the prayer for the dead, and that the girls had become despondent and hopeless, and no longer sang the replies in the service. Noticing this dramatic change in their demeanor since his last visit, one priest told the other, \"Something has happened to them in there.\"But the next day, on 15 July 1918, Anastasia and her sisters appeared in good spirits as they joked and helped move the beds in their shared bedroom so that cleaning women could clean the floors. They helped the women scrub the floors and whispered to them when the guards were not watching. Anastasia stuck her tongue out atYakov Yurovsky, the head of the detachment, when he momentarily turned his back and left the room. Death After theBolshevik revolutionin October 1917, Russia quickly disintegrated intocivil war. Negotiations for the release of the Romanovs between their Bolshevik (commonly referred to as 'Reds') captors and their extended family, many of whom were prominent members of the royal houses of Europe, stalled.As the Whites (anti-Bolshevik forces, although not necessarily supportive of the Tsar) advanced toward Yekaterinburg, the Reds were in a precarious situation. The Reds knew Yekaterinburg would fall to the better manned and equippedWhite Army. When the Whites reached Yekaterinburg, the imperial family had simply disappeared. The most widely accepted account was that the family had been murdered. This was due to an investigation by White Army investigator Nicholas Sokolov, who came to the conclusion based on items that had belonged to the family being found thrown down a mine shaft atGanina Yama. The \"Yurovsky Note\", an account of the event filed by Yurovsky to his Bolshevik superiors following the killings, was found in 1989 and detailed inEdvard Radzinsky's 1992 book,The Last Tsar. According to the note, on the night of the deaths, the family was awakened and told to dress. They were told they were being moved to a new location to ensure their safety in anticipation of the violence that might ensue when theWhite Armyreached Yekaterinburg. Once dressed, the family and the small circle of servants who had remained with them were herded into a small room in the house's sub-basement and told to wait. Alexandra and Alexei sat in chairs provided by guards at the Empress's request. After several minutes, the guards entered the room, led by Yurovsky, who quickly informed the Tsar and his family that they were to be executed. The Tsar had time to say only \"What?\" and turn to his family before he was killed by several bullets to the chest (not, as is commonly stated, to the head; his skull, recovered in 1991, bears no bullet wounds).The Tsarina and her daughter Olga tried to make the sign of the cross but were killed in the initial volley of bullets fired by the executioners. The rest of the Imperial retinue were shot in short order, with the exception ofAnna Demidova, Alexandra's maid. Demidova survived the initial onslaught but was quickly stabbed to death against the back wall of the basement while trying to defend herself with a small pillow she had carried into the sub-basement that was filled with precious gems and jewels. The \"Yurovsky Note\" further reported that once the thick smoke that had filled the room from so many weapons being fired in such close proximity cleared, it was discovered that the executioners' bullets had ricocheted off the corsets of two or three of the Grand Duchesses. The executioners later came to find out that this was because the family's crown jewels and diamonds had been sewn inside the linings of the corsets to hide them from their captors. The corsets thus served as a form of \"armor\" against the bullets. Anastasia and Maria were said to have crouched up against a wall, covering their heads in terror, until they were shot down by bullets, recalled Yurovsky. However, another guard, Peter Ermakov, told his wife that Anastasia had been finished off with bayonets. As the bodies were carried out, one or more of the girls cried out, and were clubbed on the back of the head, wrote Yurovsky. False reports of survival Anastasia's supposed escape and possible survival was one of the most popular historical mysteries of the 20th century, provoking many books and films. At least ten women claimed to be her, offering varying stories as to how she had survived.Anna Anderson, the best known Anastasiaimpostor, first surfaced publicly between 1920 and 1922. She contended that she had feigned death among the bodies of her family and servants, and was able to make her escape with the help of a compassionate guard who noticed she was still breathing and took sympathy upon her.Her legal battle for recognition from 1938 to 1970 continued a lifelong controversy and was the longest running case ever heard by the German courts, where it was officially filed. The final decision of the court was that Anderson had not provided sufficient proof to claim the identity of the grand duchess. Anderson died in 1984 and her body was cremated. DNA tests were conducted in 1994 on a tissue sample from Anderson located in a hospital and the blood ofPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a great-nephew of Empress Alexandra. According to Dr Gill who conducted the tests, \"If you accept that these samples came from Anna Anderson, then Anna Anderson could not be related to Tsar Nicholas or Tsarina Alexandra.\" Anderson'smitochondrial DNAwas a match with a great-nephew of Franziska Schanzkowska, a missing Polish factory worker.Some supporters of Anderson's claim acknowledged that the DNA tests proving she could not have been the Grand Duchess had \"won the day\". Other lesser known claimants wereNadezhda Ivanovna VasilyevaandEugenia Smith.Two young women claiming to be Anastasia and her sister Maria were taken in by a priest in theUral Mountainsin 1919 where they lived as nuns until their deaths in 1964. They were buried under the names Anastasia and Maria Nikolaevna. Rumors of Anastasia's survival were embellished with various contemporary reports of trains and houses being searched for \"Anastasia Romanov\" by Bolshevik soldiers and secret police.When she was briefly imprisoned atPermin 1918,Princess Helena Petrovna, the wife of Anastasia's distant cousin,Prince John Constantinovich of Russia, reported that a guard brought a girl who called herself Anastasia Romanova to her cell and asked if the girl was the daughter of the Tsar. Helena Petrovna said she did not recognize the girl and the guard took her away.Although other witnesses in Perm later reported that they saw Anastasia, her mother and sisters in Perm after the murders, this story is now widely discredited.Rumors that they were alive were fueled by deliberate misinformation designed to hide the fact that the family was dead. A few days after they had been murdered, the German government sent several telegrams to Russia demanding \"the safety of the princesses of German blood\". Russia had recently signed apeace treatywith the Germans, and did not want to upset them by letting them know the women were dead, so they told them they had been moved to a safer location. In another incident, eight witnesses reported the recapture of a young woman after an apparent escape attempt in September 1918 at a railway station at Siding 37, northwest of Perm. These witnesses were Maxim Grigoyev, Tatiana Sitnikova (and her son Fyodor Sitnikov), Ivan Kuklin and Matrina Kuklina, Vassily Ryabov, Ustinya Varankina, and Dr Pavel Utkin, a physician who treated the girl after the incident.Some of the witnesses identified the girl as Anastasia when they were shown photographs of the grand duchess byWhite RussianArmy investigators. Utkin also told the White Russian Army investigators that the injured girl, whom he treated atChekaheadquarters in Perm, told him, \"I am the daughter of the ruler, Anastasia.\" Utkin obtained a prescription from a pharmacy for a patient named \"N\" at the orders of the secret police. White Army investigators later independently located records for the prescription.During the same time period in mid-1918, there were several reports of young people in Russia passing themselves off as Romanov escapees.Boris Soloviev, the husband of Rasputin's daughterMaria, defrauded prominent Russian families by asking for money for a Romanov impostor to escape to China. Soloviev also found young women willing to masquerade as one of the grand duchesses to assist in deceiving the families he had defrauded. Some biographers' accounts speculated that the opportunity for one or more of the guards to rescue a survivor existed.Yakov Yurovskydemanded that the guards come to his office and turn over items they had stolen following the murder. There was reportedly a span of time when the bodies of the victims were left largely unattended in the truck, in the basement and in the corridor of the house. Some guards who had not participated in the murders and had been sympathetic to the grand duchesses were reportedly left in the basement with the bodies. Romanov graves and DNA proof In 1991, the presumed burial site of the imperial family and their servants was excavated in the woods outsideYekaterinburg. The grave had been found nearly a decade earlier, but was kept hidden by its discoverers from the Communists who were still ruling Russia at the time. The grave only held nine of the expected eleven sets of remains. DNA and skeletal analysis matched these remains to Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarina Alexandra, and three of the four grand duchesses (Olga, Tatiana and presumably Maria). The other remains, with unrelated DNA, correspond to the family's doctor (Yevgeny Botkin), their valet (Alexei Trupp), their cook (Ivan Kharitonov), and Alexandra's maid (Anna Demidova). Forensic expertWilliam R. Maplesfound that the Tsarevitch Alexei and Anastasia's bodies were missing from the family's grave. Russian scientists contested this conclusion, however, claiming it was the body of Maria that was missing. The Russians identified the body as that of Anastasia by using acomputer programto compare photos of the youngest grand duchess with the skulls of the victims from the mass grave. They estimated the height and width of the skulls where pieces of bone were missing. American scientists found this method inexact. American scientists thought the missing body to be Anastasia because none of the female skeletons showed the evidence of immaturity, such as an immature collarbone, undescendedwisdom teeth, or immature vertebrae in the back, that they would have expected to find in a seventeen-year-old. In 1998, when the remains of the imperial family were finally interred, a body measuring approximately 5'7\" was buried under the name of Anastasia. Photographs taken of her standing beside her three sisters up until six months before the murders demonstrate that Anastasia was several inches shorter than all of them. Her mother commented on sixteen-year-old Anastasia's short stature in a 15 December 1917 letter, written seven months before the murders. \"Anastasia, to her despair, is now very fat, as Maria was, round and fat to the waist, with short legs. I do hope she will grow.\"Scientists considered it unlikely that the teenager could have grown so much in the last months of her life. Her actual height was approximately 5'2\". The account of the \"Yurovsky Note\" indicated that two of the bodies were removed from the main grave and cremated at an undisclosed area in order to further disguise the burials of the Tsar and his retinue, if the remains were discovered by the Whites, since the body count would not be correct. Searches of the area in subsequent years failed to turn up a cremation site or the remains of the two missing Romanov children. However, on 23 August 2007, a Russian archaeologist announced the discovery of two burned, partial skeletons at a bonfire site near Yekaterinburg that appeared to match the site described in Yurovsky's memoirs. The archaeologists said the bones were from a boy who was roughly between the ages of twelve and fifteen years at the time of his death and of a young woman who was roughly between the ages of fifteen and nineteen years old.Anastasia was seventeen years and one month old at the time of the assassination, while her sister Maria was nineteen years, one month old and her brother Alexei was two weeks shy of his fourteenth birthday. Anastasia's elder sisters Olga and Tatiana were twenty-two and twenty-one years old respectively at the time of the assassination. Along with the remains of the two bodies, archaeologists found \"shards of a container ofsulfuric acid, nails, metal strips from a wooden box, and bullets of various caliber\". The site was initially found withmetal detectorsand by using metal rods as probes. DNA testing by multiple international laboratories including theArmed Forces DNA Identification LaboratoryandInnsbruck Medical Universityconfirmed that the remains belong to the Tsarevich Alexei and to one of his sisters, proving conclusively that all family members, including Anastasia, died in 1918. The parents and all five children are now accounted for, and each has his or her own unique DNA profile.While the tests have confirmed that all the Romanov bodies have been found, one of the studies was still unsure which body from the two graves was Maria's and which was Anastasia's: a well publicized debate over which daughter, Maria (according to Russian experts) or Anastasia (according to US experts), has been recovered from the second grave cannot be settled based upon the DNA results reported here. In the absence of a DNA reference from each sister, we can only conclusively identify Alexei – the only son of Nicholas and Alexandra. Sainthood In 2000, Anastasia and her family werecanonizedaspassion bearersby theRussian Orthodox Church. The family had previously been canonized in 1981 by theRussian Orthodox Church Abroadasholy martyrs. The bodies of Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarina Alexandra, and three of their daughters were finally interred in the St. Catherine Chapel atSaints Peter and Paul Cathedral, St Petersburgon 17 July 1998, eighty years after they were murdered.As of 2018 the bones of Alexei and Maria (or possibly Anastasia) were still being held by the Orthodox Church. Depictions in art, media, and literature The purported survival of Anastasia has been the subject ofcinema(such as the1997 animated filmand the1956 filmthat inspired it starringIngrid BergmanandYul Brynner),made-for-televisionfilms, and aBroadway musical. The earliest, made in 1928, was calledClothes Make the Woman. The story followed a woman who turns up to play the part of a rescued Anastasia for a Hollywood film, and ends up being recognized by the Russian soldier who originally rescued her from her would-be assassins. Ancestry Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links","Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasia_(1997_film"],"string":"[\n \"Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia(Russian:Анастасия Николаевна Романова,romanized:Anastasiya Nikolaevna Romanova; 18 June 1901 – 17 July 1918) was the youngest daughter ofTsar Nicholas II, the last sovereign ofImperial Russia, and his wife,Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna. Anastasia was the younger sister of Grand DuchessesOlga,Tatiana, andMaria(commonly known together as theOTMAsisters) and was the elder sister ofAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia. She wasmurdered with her familyby a group ofBolsheviksinYekaterinburgon 17 July 1918. Persistent rumors of her possible escape circulated after her death, fueled by the fact that the location of her burial was unknown during the decades ofcommunistrule. The abandoned mine serving as a mass grave nearYekaterinburgwhich held the acidified remains of the Tsar, his wife, and three of their daughters was revealed in 1991. These remains were put to rest atPeter and Paul Fortressin 1998. The bodies of Alexei and the remaining daughter—either Anastasia or her older sister Maria—were discovered in 2007. Her purported survival has been conclusively disproven. Scientific analysis includingDNA testingconfirmed that the remains are those of theimperial family, showing that Anastasia was killed alongside her family. Several women falsely claimed to have been Anastasia; the best known impostor wasAnna Anderson. Anderson's body was cremated upon her death in 1984; DNA testing in 1994 on pieces of Anderson's tissue and hair showed no relation to the Romanov family. Contents Biography Early years Anastasia was born on 18 June 1901. She was the fourth daughter ofTsar Nicholas IIandTsarina Alexandra. When she was born, her parents and extended family were disappointed that she was a girl. They had hoped for a son who would have becomeheir apparentto the throne. Her father went for a long walk to compose himself before going to visit his wife and their newborn child for the first time.Her paternal auntGrand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russiasaid, \\\"My God! What a disappointment!... a fourth girl!\\\"Her first cousin twice removedGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovichwrote, \\\"Forgive us, Lord, if we all felt disappointment instead of joy. We were so hoping for a boy, and it's a daughter.\\\"The travel writerBurton Holmeswrote, \\\"Nicholas would part with half his Empire in exchange for one Imperial boy.\\\" Anastasia was named for the fourth-century martyrSt. Anastasia.\\\"Anastasia\\\" is a Greek name (Αναστασία), meaning \\\"of the resurrection\\\", a fact often alluded to later in stories about her rumored survival. Anastasia's title is most precisely translated as \\\"Grand Princess\\\". \\\"Grand Duchess\\\" became the most widely used translation of the title into English from Russian. The Tsar's children were raised as simply as possible. They slept on hard camp cots without pillows, except when they were ill, took cold baths in the morning, and were expected to tidy their rooms and do needlework to be sold at various charity events when they were not otherwise occupied. Most in the household, including the servants, generally called the Grand Duchess by her first name andpatronym, \\\"Anastasia Nikolaevna\\\", and did not use her title or style. She was occasionally called by the French version of her name, \\\"Anastasie\\\", or by the Russian nicknames \\\"Nastasya\\\", \\\"Nastya\\\", \\\"Nastas\\\", or \\\"Nastenka\\\". Other family nicknames for Anastasia were \\\"Malenkaya\\\", meaning \\\"little (one)\\\" in Russian,or \\\"Shvybzik\\\", meaning \\\"merry little one\\\"or \\\"little mischief\\\"inGerman. Anastasia and her older sister Maria were known within the family as \\\"The Little Pair\\\". The two girls shared a room, often wore variations of the same dress, and spent much of their time together. Their older sisters Olga and Tatiana also shared a room and were known as \\\"The Big Pair\\\". The four girls sometimes signed letters using the nicknameOTMA, which derived from the first letters of their first names. DNA testing on the remains of the imperial family proved conclusively in 2009 that Anastasia’s younger brother, Alexei, suffered fromHemophilia B, a rare form of the disease. His mother and one sister, identified alternatively as Maria or Anastasia, were carriers. Symptomatic carriers of the gene, while not hemophiliacs themselves, can have symptoms of hemophilia including a lower than normalblood-clottingfactor that can lead to heavy bleeding.If Anastasia lived to have children of her own, it is genetically probable that they would have been afflicted by the disease. Appearance and personality Anastasia was short and inclined to be chubby, and she had blue eyesand blonde hair.BaronessSophie Buxhoeveden, her mother's lady-in-waiting, reflected that \\\"her features were regular and finely cut. She had fair hair, fine eyes, with impish laughter in their depths, and dark eyebrows that nearly met.\\\"Buxhoeveden believed that Anastasia resembled her mother, saying that she \\\"was more like her mother's than her father's family. She was rather short even at seventeen, and was, then decidedly fat, but it was the fatness of youth. She would have outgrown it, as had her sister Marie.\\\" Anastasia was a vivacious and energetic child.Margaretta Eagar, a governess to the four grand duchesses, said one person commented that the toddler Anastasia had the greatest personal charm of any child she had ever seen. While often described as gifted and bright, she was never interested in the restrictions of the school room, according to her tutorsPierre GilliardandSydney Gibbes. Gibbes, Gilliard, andladies-in-waitingLili DehnandAnna Vyrubovadescribed Anastasia as lively, mischievous, and a gifted actress. Her sharp, witty remarks sometimes hit sensitive spots.However, she was also very amusing: \\\"Even as a baby she had entertained grave old men, who were her neighbors at table, with her astonishing remarks.\\\" Anastasia's daring occasionally exceeded the limits of acceptable behavior. \\\"She undoubtedly held the record for punishable deeds in her family, for in naughtiness she was a true genius\\\", saidGleb Botkin, son of the court physicianYevgeny Botkin, who later died with the family at Yekaterinburg.Anastasia sometimes tripped the servants and played pranks on her tutors. As a child, she would climb trees and refuse to come down. Once, during asnowball fightat the family's Polish estate, Anastasia rolled a rock into a snowball and threw it at her older sister Tatiana, knocking her to the ground.A distant cousin,Princess Nina Georgievna, recalled that \\\"Anastasia was nasty to the point of being evil\\\", and would cheat, kick and scratch her playmates during games; she was affronted because the younger Nina was taller than she was.She was less concerned about her appearance than her sisters.Hallie Erminie Rives, a best-selling American author and wife of an American diplomat, described how 10-year-old Anastasia ate chocolates without bothering to remove her long, whiteopera glovesat the St. Petersburg opera house. Despite her energy, Anastasia's physical health was sometimes poor. The Grand Duchess suffered from painfulbunions, which affected both of her big toes.Anastasia had a weak muscle in her back and was prescribed twice-weekly massage. She hid under the bed or in a cupboard to put off the massage.Anastasia's older sister, Maria, reportedly hemorrhaged in December 1914 during an operation to remove her tonsils, according to her paternal auntGrand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, who was interviewed later in her life. The doctor performing the operation was so unnerved that he had to be ordered to continue by Maria's mother. Olga Alexandrovna said she believed all four of her nieces bled more than was normal and believed they were carriers of thehemophiliagene, like their mother. Association with Grigori Rasputin Her mother relied on the counsel ofGrigori Rasputin, a Russian peasant and wanderingstaretsor \\\"holy man,\\\" and credited his prayers with saving the ailing Tsarevich on numerous occasions. Anastasia and her siblings were taught to view Rasputin as \\\"Our Friend\\\" and to share confidences with him. In the autumn of 1907, Anastasia's auntGrand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russiawas escorted to the nursery by the Tsar to meet Rasputin. Anastasia, her sisters and brother Alexei were all wearing their long white nightgowns. \\\"All the children seemed to like him,\\\" Olga Alexandrovna recalled. \\\"They were completely at ease with him.\\\"Rasputin's friendship with the imperial children was evident in some of the messages he sent to them. In February 1909, Rasputin sent the imperial children a telegram, advising them to \\\"Love the whole of God's nature, the whole of His creation in particular this earth. The Mother of God was always occupied with flowers and needlework.\\\" However, one of the girls' governesses,Sofia Ivanovna Tyutcheva, was horrified in 1910 that Rasputin was permitted access to the nursery when the four girls were in their nightgowns and wanted him barred. Nicholas asked Rasputin to avoid going to the nurseries in the future. The children were aware of the tension and feared that their mother would be angered by Tyutcheva's actions. \\\"I am so afr(aid) that S.I. (governess Sofia Ivanovna Tyutcheva) can speak ... about our friend something bad,\\\" Anastasia's twelve-year-old sister Tatiana wrote to their mother on 8 March 1910. \\\"I hope our nurse will be nice to our friend now.\\\" Tyutcheva was eventually fired. She took her story to other members of the family.While Rasputin's visits to the children were, by all accounts, completely innocent in nature, the family was scandalized. Tyutcheva told Nicholas's sister,Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia, that Rasputin visited the girls, talked with them while they were getting ready for bed, and hugged and patted them. Tyutcheva said the children had been taught not to discuss Rasputin with her and were careful to hide his visits from the nursery staff. Xenia wrote on 15 March 1910, that she could not understand \\\"...the attitude of Alix and the children to that sinister Grigory (whom they consider to be almost a saint, when in fact he's only akhlyst!)\\\" In the spring of 1910, Maria Ivanovna Vishnyakova, a royal governess, claimed that Rasputin had raped her. Vishnyakova said the empress refused to believe her account of the assault, and insisted that \\\"everything Rasputin does is holy.\\\"Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna was told that Vishnyakova's claim had been immediately investigated, but instead \\\"they caught the young woman in bed with aCossackof the Imperial Guard.\\\" Vishnyakova was kept from seeing Rasputin after she made her accusation and was eventually dismissed from her post in 1913. However, rumors persisted and it was later whispered in society that Rasputin had seduced not only the Tsarina but also the four grand duchesses.This was followed by circulation ofpornographic cartoons, which depicted Rasputin having relations with the Empress, her four daughters and Anna Vyrubova.After the scandal, Nicholas ordered Rasputin to leave St. Petersburg for a time, much to Alexandra's displeasure, and Rasputin went on a pilgrimage toPalestine.Despite the rumors, the imperial family's association with Rasputin continued until his murder on 17 December 1916. \\\"Our Friend is so contented with our girlies, says they have gone through heavy 'courses' for their age and their souls have much developed\\\", Alexandra wrote to Nicholas on 6 December 1916. In his memoirs, A. A. Mordvinov reported that the four grand duchesses appeared \\\"cold and visibly terribly upset\\\" by Rasputin's death, and sat \\\"huddled up closely together\\\" on a sofa in one of their bedrooms on the night they received the news. Mordvinov recalled that the young women were in a gloomy mood and seemed to sense the political upheaval that was about to be unleashed.Rasputin was buried with an icon signed on its reverse by Anastasia, her mother and her sisters. She attended his funeral on 21 December 1916, and her family planned to build a church over the site of Rasputin's grave.After they were killed by the Bolsheviks, it was discovered Anastasia and her sisters were all wearing amulets bearing Rasputin's picture and a prayer. Captivity during World War I and Russian Revolution During World War I, Anastasia, along with her sister Maria, visited wounded soldiers at aprivate hospitalin the grounds atTsarskoye Selo. The two teenagers, too young to becomeRed Crossnurses like their mother and elder sisters, played games ofcheckersandbilliardswith the soldiers and tried to lift their spirits. Felix Dassel, who was treated at the hospital and knew Anastasia, recalled that the grand duchess had a \\\"laugh like a squirrel\\\", and walked rapidly \\\"as though shetrippedalong.\\\" In February 1917, Anastasia and her family were placed underhouse arrestat theAlexander Palacein Tsarskoye Selo during theRussian Revolution. Nicholas II abdicated on 15 March 1917. As theBolsheviksapproached,Alexander Kerenskyof theProvisional Governmenthad them moved toTobolsk,Siberia, where they were housed in theGovernor's Mansion.After the Bolsheviks seized majority control of Russia, Anastasia and her family were moved to theIpatiev House, or House of Special Purpose, atYekaterinburg. The stress and uncertainty of captivity took their toll on Anastasia as well as her family. \\\"Goodby \\\", she wrote to a friend in the winter of 1917. \\\"Don't forget us.\\\"At Tobolsk, she wrote a melancholy theme for her English tutor, filled with spelling mistakes, about \\\"Evelyn Hope\\\", a poem byRobert Browningabout a girl: \\\"When she died she was only sixteen years old ... Ther(e) was a man who loved her without having seen her but (k)new her very well. And she he(a)rd of him also. He never could tell her that he loved her, and now she was dead. But still he thought that when he and she will live next life whenever it will be that ...\\\", she wrote. Upon arriving in Yekaterinburg, Pierre Gilliard recalled his last sight of the children: \\\"The sailor Nagorny, who attended to Alexei Nikolaevitch, passed my window carrying the sick boy in his arms, behind him came the Grand Duchesses loaded with valises and small personal belongings. I tried to get out, but was roughly pushed back into the carriage by the sentry. I came back to the window. Tatiana Nikolayevna came last carrying her little dog and struggling to drag a heavy brown valise. It was raining and I saw her feet sink into the mud at every step. Nagorny tried to come to her assistance; he was roughly pushed back by one of the commisars ...\\\" Baroness Sophie Buxhoevedentold of her sad last glimpse of Anastasia: \\\"Once, standing on some steps at the door of a house close by, I saw a hand and a pink-sleeved arm opening the topmost pane. According to the blouse the hand must have belonged either to the Grand Duchess Marie or Anastasia. They could not see me through their windows, and this was to be the last glimpse that I was to have of any of them!\\\" However, even in the last months of her life, she found ways to enjoy herself. She and other members of the household performed plays for the enjoyment of their parents and others in the spring of 1918. Anastasia's performance made everyone howl with laughter, according to her tutor Sydney Gibbes. On 7 May 1918, in a letter fromTobolskto her sister Maria in Yekaterinburg, Anastasia described a moment of joy despite her sadness and loneliness and worry for the sick Alexei: \\\"We played on the swing, that was when I roared with laughter, the fall was so wonderful! Indeed! I told the sisters about it so many times yesterday that they got quite fed up, but I could go on telling it masses of times ... What weather we've had! One could simply shout with joy.\\\" In his memoirs, one of the guards at the Ipatiev House, Alexander Strekotin, remembered Anastasia as \\\"very friendly and full of fun\\\", while another guard said Anastasia was \\\"a very charming devil! She was mischievous and, I think, rarely tired. She was lively, and was fond of performing comic mimes with the dogs, as though they were performing in a circus.\\\"Yet another of the guards, however, called the youngest grand duchess \\\"offensive and a terrorist\\\" and complained that her occasionally provocative comments sometimes caused tension in the ranks.Anastasia and her sisters helped their maid darn stockings and assisted the cook in making bread and other kitchen chores while they were in captivity at the Ipatiev House. In the summer, the privations of the captivity, including their closer confinement at the Ipatiev House negatively affected the family. On 14 July 1918, local priests at Yekaterinburg conducted a private church service for the family. They reported that Anastasia and her family, contrary to custom, fell on their knees during the prayer for the dead, and that the girls had become despondent and hopeless, and no longer sang the replies in the service. Noticing this dramatic change in their demeanor since his last visit, one priest told the other, \\\"Something has happened to them in there.\\\"But the next day, on 15 July 1918, Anastasia and her sisters appeared in good spirits as they joked and helped move the beds in their shared bedroom so that cleaning women could clean the floors. They helped the women scrub the floors and whispered to them when the guards were not watching. Anastasia stuck her tongue out atYakov Yurovsky, the head of the detachment, when he momentarily turned his back and left the room. Death After theBolshevik revolutionin October 1917, Russia quickly disintegrated intocivil war. Negotiations for the release of the Romanovs between their Bolshevik (commonly referred to as 'Reds') captors and their extended family, many of whom were prominent members of the royal houses of Europe, stalled.As the Whites (anti-Bolshevik forces, although not necessarily supportive of the Tsar) advanced toward Yekaterinburg, the Reds were in a precarious situation. The Reds knew Yekaterinburg would fall to the better manned and equippedWhite Army. When the Whites reached Yekaterinburg, the imperial family had simply disappeared. The most widely accepted account was that the family had been murdered. This was due to an investigation by White Army investigator Nicholas Sokolov, who came to the conclusion based on items that had belonged to the family being found thrown down a mine shaft atGanina Yama. The \\\"Yurovsky Note\\\", an account of the event filed by Yurovsky to his Bolshevik superiors following the killings, was found in 1989 and detailed inEdvard Radzinsky's 1992 book,The Last Tsar. According to the note, on the night of the deaths, the family was awakened and told to dress. They were told they were being moved to a new location to ensure their safety in anticipation of the violence that might ensue when theWhite Armyreached Yekaterinburg. Once dressed, the family and the small circle of servants who had remained with them were herded into a small room in the house's sub-basement and told to wait. Alexandra and Alexei sat in chairs provided by guards at the Empress's request. After several minutes, the guards entered the room, led by Yurovsky, who quickly informed the Tsar and his family that they were to be executed. The Tsar had time to say only \\\"What?\\\" and turn to his family before he was killed by several bullets to the chest (not, as is commonly stated, to the head; his skull, recovered in 1991, bears no bullet wounds).The Tsarina and her daughter Olga tried to make the sign of the cross but were killed in the initial volley of bullets fired by the executioners. The rest of the Imperial retinue were shot in short order, with the exception ofAnna Demidova, Alexandra's maid. Demidova survived the initial onslaught but was quickly stabbed to death against the back wall of the basement while trying to defend herself with a small pillow she had carried into the sub-basement that was filled with precious gems and jewels. The \\\"Yurovsky Note\\\" further reported that once the thick smoke that had filled the room from so many weapons being fired in such close proximity cleared, it was discovered that the executioners' bullets had ricocheted off the corsets of two or three of the Grand Duchesses. The executioners later came to find out that this was because the family's crown jewels and diamonds had been sewn inside the linings of the corsets to hide them from their captors. The corsets thus served as a form of \\\"armor\\\" against the bullets. Anastasia and Maria were said to have crouched up against a wall, covering their heads in terror, until they were shot down by bullets, recalled Yurovsky. However, another guard, Peter Ermakov, told his wife that Anastasia had been finished off with bayonets. As the bodies were carried out, one or more of the girls cried out, and were clubbed on the back of the head, wrote Yurovsky. False reports of survival Anastasia's supposed escape and possible survival was one of the most popular historical mysteries of the 20th century, provoking many books and films. At least ten women claimed to be her, offering varying stories as to how she had survived.Anna Anderson, the best known Anastasiaimpostor, first surfaced publicly between 1920 and 1922. She contended that she had feigned death among the bodies of her family and servants, and was able to make her escape with the help of a compassionate guard who noticed she was still breathing and took sympathy upon her.Her legal battle for recognition from 1938 to 1970 continued a lifelong controversy and was the longest running case ever heard by the German courts, where it was officially filed. The final decision of the court was that Anderson had not provided sufficient proof to claim the identity of the grand duchess. Anderson died in 1984 and her body was cremated. DNA tests were conducted in 1994 on a tissue sample from Anderson located in a hospital and the blood ofPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a great-nephew of Empress Alexandra. According to Dr Gill who conducted the tests, \\\"If you accept that these samples came from Anna Anderson, then Anna Anderson could not be related to Tsar Nicholas or Tsarina Alexandra.\\\" Anderson'smitochondrial DNAwas a match with a great-nephew of Franziska Schanzkowska, a missing Polish factory worker.Some supporters of Anderson's claim acknowledged that the DNA tests proving she could not have been the Grand Duchess had \\\"won the day\\\". Other lesser known claimants wereNadezhda Ivanovna VasilyevaandEugenia Smith.Two young women claiming to be Anastasia and her sister Maria were taken in by a priest in theUral Mountainsin 1919 where they lived as nuns until their deaths in 1964. They were buried under the names Anastasia and Maria Nikolaevna. Rumors of Anastasia's survival were embellished with various contemporary reports of trains and houses being searched for \\\"Anastasia Romanov\\\" by Bolshevik soldiers and secret police.When she was briefly imprisoned atPermin 1918,Princess Helena Petrovna, the wife of Anastasia's distant cousin,Prince John Constantinovich of Russia, reported that a guard brought a girl who called herself Anastasia Romanova to her cell and asked if the girl was the daughter of the Tsar. Helena Petrovna said she did not recognize the girl and the guard took her away.Although other witnesses in Perm later reported that they saw Anastasia, her mother and sisters in Perm after the murders, this story is now widely discredited.Rumors that they were alive were fueled by deliberate misinformation designed to hide the fact that the family was dead. A few days after they had been murdered, the German government sent several telegrams to Russia demanding \\\"the safety of the princesses of German blood\\\". Russia had recently signed apeace treatywith the Germans, and did not want to upset them by letting them know the women were dead, so they told them they had been moved to a safer location. In another incident, eight witnesses reported the recapture of a young woman after an apparent escape attempt in September 1918 at a railway station at Siding 37, northwest of Perm. These witnesses were Maxim Grigoyev, Tatiana Sitnikova (and her son Fyodor Sitnikov), Ivan Kuklin and Matrina Kuklina, Vassily Ryabov, Ustinya Varankina, and Dr Pavel Utkin, a physician who treated the girl after the incident.Some of the witnesses identified the girl as Anastasia when they were shown photographs of the grand duchess byWhite RussianArmy investigators. Utkin also told the White Russian Army investigators that the injured girl, whom he treated atChekaheadquarters in Perm, told him, \\\"I am the daughter of the ruler, Anastasia.\\\" Utkin obtained a prescription from a pharmacy for a patient named \\\"N\\\" at the orders of the secret police. White Army investigators later independently located records for the prescription.During the same time period in mid-1918, there were several reports of young people in Russia passing themselves off as Romanov escapees.Boris Soloviev, the husband of Rasputin's daughterMaria, defrauded prominent Russian families by asking for money for a Romanov impostor to escape to China. Soloviev also found young women willing to masquerade as one of the grand duchesses to assist in deceiving the families he had defrauded. Some biographers' accounts speculated that the opportunity for one or more of the guards to rescue a survivor existed.Yakov Yurovskydemanded that the guards come to his office and turn over items they had stolen following the murder. There was reportedly a span of time when the bodies of the victims were left largely unattended in the truck, in the basement and in the corridor of the house. Some guards who had not participated in the murders and had been sympathetic to the grand duchesses were reportedly left in the basement with the bodies. Romanov graves and DNA proof In 1991, the presumed burial site of the imperial family and their servants was excavated in the woods outsideYekaterinburg. The grave had been found nearly a decade earlier, but was kept hidden by its discoverers from the Communists who were still ruling Russia at the time. The grave only held nine of the expected eleven sets of remains. DNA and skeletal analysis matched these remains to Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarina Alexandra, and three of the four grand duchesses (Olga, Tatiana and presumably Maria). The other remains, with unrelated DNA, correspond to the family's doctor (Yevgeny Botkin), their valet (Alexei Trupp), their cook (Ivan Kharitonov), and Alexandra's maid (Anna Demidova). Forensic expertWilliam R. Maplesfound that the Tsarevitch Alexei and Anastasia's bodies were missing from the family's grave. Russian scientists contested this conclusion, however, claiming it was the body of Maria that was missing. The Russians identified the body as that of Anastasia by using acomputer programto compare photos of the youngest grand duchess with the skulls of the victims from the mass grave. They estimated the height and width of the skulls where pieces of bone were missing. American scientists found this method inexact. American scientists thought the missing body to be Anastasia because none of the female skeletons showed the evidence of immaturity, such as an immature collarbone, undescendedwisdom teeth, or immature vertebrae in the back, that they would have expected to find in a seventeen-year-old. In 1998, when the remains of the imperial family were finally interred, a body measuring approximately 5'7\\\" was buried under the name of Anastasia. Photographs taken of her standing beside her three sisters up until six months before the murders demonstrate that Anastasia was several inches shorter than all of them. Her mother commented on sixteen-year-old Anastasia's short stature in a 15 December 1917 letter, written seven months before the murders. \\\"Anastasia, to her despair, is now very fat, as Maria was, round and fat to the waist, with short legs. I do hope she will grow.\\\"Scientists considered it unlikely that the teenager could have grown so much in the last months of her life. Her actual height was approximately 5'2\\\". The account of the \\\"Yurovsky Note\\\" indicated that two of the bodies were removed from the main grave and cremated at an undisclosed area in order to further disguise the burials of the Tsar and his retinue, if the remains were discovered by the Whites, since the body count would not be correct. Searches of the area in subsequent years failed to turn up a cremation site or the remains of the two missing Romanov children. However, on 23 August 2007, a Russian archaeologist announced the discovery of two burned, partial skeletons at a bonfire site near Yekaterinburg that appeared to match the site described in Yurovsky's memoirs. The archaeologists said the bones were from a boy who was roughly between the ages of twelve and fifteen years at the time of his death and of a young woman who was roughly between the ages of fifteen and nineteen years old.Anastasia was seventeen years and one month old at the time of the assassination, while her sister Maria was nineteen years, one month old and her brother Alexei was two weeks shy of his fourteenth birthday. Anastasia's elder sisters Olga and Tatiana were twenty-two and twenty-one years old respectively at the time of the assassination. Along with the remains of the two bodies, archaeologists found \\\"shards of a container ofsulfuric acid, nails, metal strips from a wooden box, and bullets of various caliber\\\". The site was initially found withmetal detectorsand by using metal rods as probes. DNA testing by multiple international laboratories including theArmed Forces DNA Identification LaboratoryandInnsbruck Medical Universityconfirmed that the remains belong to the Tsarevich Alexei and to one of his sisters, proving conclusively that all family members, including Anastasia, died in 1918. The parents and all five children are now accounted for, and each has his or her own unique DNA profile.While the tests have confirmed that all the Romanov bodies have been found, one of the studies was still unsure which body from the two graves was Maria's and which was Anastasia's: a well publicized debate over which daughter, Maria (according to Russian experts) or Anastasia (according to US experts), has been recovered from the second grave cannot be settled based upon the DNA results reported here. In the absence of a DNA reference from each sister, we can only conclusively identify Alexei – the only son of Nicholas and Alexandra. Sainthood In 2000, Anastasia and her family werecanonizedaspassion bearersby theRussian Orthodox Church. The family had previously been canonized in 1981 by theRussian Orthodox Church Abroadasholy martyrs. The bodies of Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarina Alexandra, and three of their daughters were finally interred in the St. Catherine Chapel atSaints Peter and Paul Cathedral, St Petersburgon 17 July 1998, eighty years after they were murdered.As of 2018 the bones of Alexei and Maria (or possibly Anastasia) were still being held by the Orthodox Church. Depictions in art, media, and literature The purported survival of Anastasia has been the subject ofcinema(such as the1997 animated filmand the1956 filmthat inspired it starringIngrid BergmanandYul Brynner),made-for-televisionfilms, and aBroadway musical. The earliest, made in 1928, was calledClothes Make the Woman. The story followed a woman who turns up to play the part of a rescued Anastasia for a Hollywood film, and ends up being recognized by the Russian soldier who originally rescued her from her would-be assassins. Ancestry Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasia_(1997_film\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia(Russian:Анастасия Николаевна Романова,romanized:Anastasiya Nikolaevna Romanova; 18 June 1901 – 17 July 1918) was the youngest daughter ofTsar Nicholas II, the last sovereign ofImperial Russia, and his wife,Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna. Anastasia was the younger sister of Grand DuchessesOlga,Tatiana, andMaria(commonly known together as theOTMAsisters) and was the elder sister ofAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia. She wasmurdered with her familyby a group ofBolsheviksinYekaterinburgon 17 July 1918. Persistent rumors of her possible escape circulated after her death, fueled by the fact that the location of her burial was unknown during the decades ofcommunistrule. The abandoned mine serving as a mass grave nearYekaterinburgwhich held the acidified remains of the Tsar, his wife, and three of their daughters was revealed in 1991. These remains were put to rest atPeter and Paul Fortressin 1998. The bodies of Alexei and","of Alexei and the remaining daughter—either Anastasia or her older sister Maria—were discovered in 2007. Her purported survival has been conclusively disproven. Scientific analysis includingDNA testingconfirmed that the remains are those of theimperial family, showing that Anastasia was killed alongside her family. Several women falsely claimed to have been Anastasia; the best known impostor wasAnna Anderson. Anderson's body was cremated upon her death in 1984; DNA testing in 1994 on pieces of Anderson's tissue and hair showed no relation to the Romanov family. Contents Biography Early years Anastasia was born on 18 June 1901. She was the fourth daughter ofTsar Nicholas IIandTsarina Alexandra. When she was born, her parents and extended family were disappointed that she was a girl. They had hoped for a son who would have becomeheir apparentto the throne. Her father went for a long walk to compose himself before going to visit his wife and their newborn child for the first time.Her paternal auntGrand Duchess","auntGrand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russiasaid, \"My God! What a disappointment!... a fourth girl!\"Her first cousin twice removedGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovichwrote, \"Forgive us, Lord, if we all felt disappointment instead of joy. We were so hoping for a boy, and it's a daughter.\"The travel writerBurton Holmeswrote, \"Nicholas would part with half his Empire in exchange for one Imperial boy.\" Anastasia was named for the fourth-century martyrSt. Anastasia.\"Anastasia\" is a Greek name (Αναστασία), meaning \"of the resurrection\", a fact often alluded to later in stories about her rumored survival. Anastasia's title is most precisely translated as \"Grand Princess\". \"Grand Duchess\" became the most widely used translation of the title into English from Russian. The Tsar's children were raised as simply as possible. They slept on hard camp cots without pillows, except when they were ill, took cold baths in the morning, and were expected to tidy their rooms and do needlework to be sold at various charity","at various charity events when they were not otherwise occupied. Most in the household, including the servants, generally called the Grand Duchess by her first name andpatronym, \"Anastasia Nikolaevna\", and did not use her title or style. She was occasionally called by the French version of her name, \"Anastasie\", or by the Russian nicknames \"Nastasya\", \"Nastya\", \"Nastas\", or \"Nastenka\". Other family nicknames for Anastasia were \"Malenkaya\", meaning \"little (one)\" in Russian,or \"Shvybzik\", meaning \"merry little one\"or \"little mischief\"inGerman. Anastasia and her older sister Maria were known within the family as \"The Little Pair\". The two girls shared a room, often wore variations of the same dress, and spent much of their time together. Their older sisters Olga and Tatiana also shared a room and were known as \"The Big Pair\". The four girls sometimes signed letters using the nicknameOTMA, which derived from the first letters of their first names. DNA testing on the remains of the imperial family proved","family proved conclusively in 2009 that Anastasia’s younger brother, Alexei, suffered fromHemophilia B, a rare form of the disease. His mother and one sister, identified alternatively as Maria or Anastasia, were carriers. Symptomatic carriers of the gene, while not hemophiliacs themselves, can have symptoms of hemophilia including a lower than normalblood-clottingfactor that can lead to heavy bleeding.If Anastasia lived to have children of her own, it is genetically probable that they would have been afflicted by the disease. Appearance and personality Anastasia was short and inclined to be chubby, and she had blue eyesand blonde hair.BaronessSophie Buxhoeveden, her mother's lady-in-waiting, reflected that \"her features were regular and finely cut. She had fair hair, fine eyes, with impish laughter in their depths, and dark eyebrows that nearly met.\"Buxhoeveden believed that Anastasia resembled her mother, saying that she \"was more like her mother's than her father's family. She was rather short even at","short even at seventeen, and was, then decidedly fat, but it was the fatness of youth. She would have outgrown it, as had her sister Marie.\" Anastasia was a vivacious and energetic child.Margaretta Eagar, a governess to the four grand duchesses, said one person commented that the toddler Anastasia had the greatest personal charm of any child she had ever seen. While often described as gifted and bright, she was never interested in the restrictions of the school room, according to her tutorsPierre GilliardandSydney Gibbes. Gibbes, Gilliard, andladies-in-waitingLili DehnandAnna Vyrubovadescribed Anastasia as lively, mischievous, and a gifted actress. Her sharp, witty remarks sometimes hit sensitive spots.However, she was also very amusing: \"Even as a baby she had entertained grave old men, who were her neighbors at table, with her astonishing remarks.\" Anastasia's daring occasionally exceeded the limits of acceptable behavior. \"She undoubtedly held the record for punishable deeds in her family, for in","her family, for in naughtiness she was a true genius\", saidGleb Botkin, son of the court physicianYevgeny Botkin, who later died with the family at Yekaterinburg.Anastasia sometimes tripped the servants and played pranks on her tutors. As a child, she would climb trees and refuse to come down. Once, during asnowball fightat the family's Polish estate, Anastasia rolled a rock into a snowball and threw it at her older sister Tatiana, knocking her to the ground.A distant cousin,Princess Nina Georgievna, recalled that \"Anastasia was nasty to the point of being evil\", and would cheat, kick and scratch her playmates during games; she was affronted because the younger Nina was taller than she was.She was less concerned about her appearance than her sisters.Hallie Erminie Rives, a best-selling American author and wife of an American diplomat, described how 10-year-old Anastasia ate chocolates without bothering to remove her long, whiteopera glovesat the St. Petersburg opera house. Despite her energy, Anastasia's","energy, Anastasia's physical health was sometimes poor. The Grand Duchess suffered from painfulbunions, which affected both of her big toes.Anastasia had a weak muscle in her back and was prescribed twice-weekly massage. She hid under the bed or in a cupboard to put off the massage.Anastasia's older sister, Maria, reportedly hemorrhaged in December 1914 during an operation to remove her tonsils, according to her paternal auntGrand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, who was interviewed later in her life. The doctor performing the operation was so unnerved that he had to be ordered to continue by Maria's mother. Olga Alexandrovna said she believed all four of her nieces bled more than was normal and believed they were carriers of thehemophiliagene, like their mother. Association with Grigori Rasputin Her mother relied on the counsel ofGrigori Rasputin, a Russian peasant and wanderingstaretsor \"holy man,\" and credited his prayers with saving the ailing Tsarevich on numerous occasions. Anastasia and her","Anastasia and her siblings were taught to view Rasputin as \"Our Friend\" and to share confidences with him. In the autumn of 1907, Anastasia's auntGrand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russiawas escorted to the nursery by the Tsar to meet Rasputin. Anastasia, her sisters and brother Alexei were all wearing their long white nightgowns. \"All the children seemed to like him,\" Olga Alexandrovna recalled. \"They were completely at ease with him.\"Rasputin's friendship with the imperial children was evident in some of the messages he sent to them. In February 1909, Rasputin sent the imperial children a telegram, advising them to \"Love the whole of God's nature, the whole of His creation in particular this earth. The Mother of God was always occupied with flowers and needlework.\" However, one of the girls' governesses,Sofia Ivanovna Tyutcheva, was horrified in 1910 that Rasputin was permitted access to the nursery when the four girls were in their nightgowns and wanted him barred. Nicholas asked Rasputin to avoid going","to avoid going to the nurseries in the future. The children were aware of the tension and feared that their mother would be angered by Tyutcheva's actions. \"I am so afr(aid) that S.I. (governess Sofia Ivanovna Tyutcheva) can speak ... about our friend something bad,\" Anastasia's twelve-year-old sister Tatiana wrote to their mother on 8 March 1910. \"I hope our nurse will be nice to our friend now.\" Tyutcheva was eventually fired. She took her story to other members of the family.While Rasputin's visits to the children were, by all accounts, completely innocent in nature, the family was scandalized. Tyutcheva told Nicholas's sister,Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia, that Rasputin visited the girls, talked with them while they were getting ready for bed, and hugged and patted them. Tyutcheva said the children had been taught not to discuss Rasputin with her and were careful to hide his visits from the nursery staff. Xenia wrote on 15 March 1910, that she could not understand \"...the attitude of Alix","attitude of Alix and the children to that sinister Grigory (whom they consider to be almost a saint, when in fact he's only akhlyst!)\" In the spring of 1910, Maria Ivanovna Vishnyakova, a royal governess, claimed that Rasputin had raped her. Vishnyakova said the empress refused to believe her account of the assault, and insisted that \"everything Rasputin does is holy.\"Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna was told that Vishnyakova's claim had been immediately investigated, but instead \"they caught the young woman in bed with aCossackof the Imperial Guard.\" Vishnyakova was kept from seeing Rasputin after she made her accusation and was eventually dismissed from her post in 1913. However, rumors persisted and it was later whispered in society that Rasputin had seduced not only the Tsarina but also the four grand duchesses.This was followed by circulation ofpornographic cartoons, which depicted Rasputin having relations with the Empress, her four daughters and Anna Vyrubova.After the scandal, Nicholas ordered","Nicholas ordered Rasputin to leave St. Petersburg for a time, much to Alexandra's displeasure, and Rasputin went on a pilgrimage toPalestine.Despite the rumors, the imperial family's association with Rasputin continued until his murder on 17 December 1916. \"Our Friend is so contented with our girlies, says they have gone through heavy 'courses' for their age and their souls have much developed\", Alexandra wrote to Nicholas on 6 December 1916. In his memoirs, A. A. Mordvinov reported that the four grand duchesses appeared \"cold and visibly terribly upset\" by Rasputin's death, and sat \"huddled up closely together\" on a sofa in one of their bedrooms on the night they received the news. Mordvinov recalled that the young women were in a gloomy mood and seemed to sense the political upheaval that was about to be unleashed.Rasputin was buried with an icon signed on its reverse by Anastasia, her mother and her sisters. She attended his funeral on 21 December 1916, and her family planned to build a church over the","a church over the site of Rasputin's grave.After they were killed by the Bolsheviks, it was discovered Anastasia and her sisters were all wearing amulets bearing Rasputin's picture and a prayer. Captivity during World War I and Russian Revolution During World War I, Anastasia, along with her sister Maria, visited wounded soldiers at aprivate hospitalin the grounds atTsarskoye Selo. The two teenagers, too young to becomeRed Crossnurses like their mother and elder sisters, played games ofcheckersandbilliardswith the soldiers and tried to lift their spirits. Felix Dassel, who was treated at the hospital and knew Anastasia, recalled that the grand duchess had a \"laugh like a squirrel\", and walked rapidly \"as though shetrippedalong.\" In February 1917, Anastasia and her family were placed underhouse arrestat theAlexander Palacein Tsarskoye Selo during theRussian Revolution. Nicholas II abdicated on 15 March 1917. As theBolsheviksapproached,Alexander Kerenskyof theProvisional Governmenthad them moved","them moved toTobolsk,Siberia, where they were housed in theGovernor's Mansion.After the Bolsheviks seized majority control of Russia, Anastasia and her family were moved to theIpatiev House, or House of Special Purpose, atYekaterinburg. The stress and uncertainty of captivity took their toll on Anastasia as well as her family. \"Goodby \", she wrote to a friend in the winter of 1917. \"Don't forget us.\"At Tobolsk, she wrote a melancholy theme for her English tutor, filled with spelling mistakes, about \"Evelyn Hope\", a poem byRobert Browningabout a girl: \"When she died she was only sixteen years old ... Ther(e) was a man who loved her without having seen her but (k)new her very well. And she he(a)rd of him also. He never could tell her that he loved her, and now she was dead. But still he thought that when he and she will live next life whenever it will be that ...\", she wrote. Upon arriving in Yekaterinburg, Pierre Gilliard recalled his last sight of the children: \"The sailor Nagorny, who attended to Alexei","attended to Alexei Nikolaevitch, passed my window carrying the sick boy in his arms, behind him came the Grand Duchesses loaded with valises and small personal belongings. I tried to get out, but was roughly pushed back into the carriage by the sentry. I came back to the window. Tatiana Nikolayevna came last carrying her little dog and struggling to drag a heavy brown valise. It was raining and I saw her feet sink into the mud at every step. Nagorny tried to come to her assistance; he was roughly pushed back by one of the commisars ...\" Baroness Sophie Buxhoevedentold of her sad last glimpse of Anastasia: \"Once, standing on some steps at the door of a house close by, I saw a hand and a pink-sleeved arm opening the topmost pane. According to the blouse the hand must have belonged either to the Grand Duchess Marie or Anastasia. They could not see me through their windows, and this was to be the last glimpse that I was to have of any of them!\" However, even in the last months of her life, she found ways to","she found ways to enjoy herself. She and other members of the household performed plays for the enjoyment of their parents and others in the spring of 1918. Anastasia's performance made everyone howl with laughter, according to her tutor Sydney Gibbes. On 7 May 1918, in a letter fromTobolskto her sister Maria in Yekaterinburg, Anastasia described a moment of joy despite her sadness and loneliness and worry for the sick Alexei: \"We played on the swing, that was when I roared with laughter, the fall was so wonderful! Indeed! I told the sisters about it so many times yesterday that they got quite fed up, but I could go on telling it masses of times ... What weather we've had! One could simply shout with joy.\" In his memoirs, one of the guards at the Ipatiev House, Alexander Strekotin, remembered Anastasia as \"very friendly and full of fun\", while another guard said Anastasia was \"a very charming devil! She was mischievous and, I think, rarely tired. She was lively, and was fond of performing comic mimes with","comic mimes with the dogs, as though they were performing in a circus.\"Yet another of the guards, however, called the youngest grand duchess \"offensive and a terrorist\" and complained that her occasionally provocative comments sometimes caused tension in the ranks.Anastasia and her sisters helped their maid darn stockings and assisted the cook in making bread and other kitchen chores while they were in captivity at the Ipatiev House. In the summer, the privations of the captivity, including their closer confinement at the Ipatiev House negatively affected the family. On 14 July 1918, local priests at Yekaterinburg conducted a private church service for the family. They reported that Anastasia and her family, contrary to custom, fell on their knees during the prayer for the dead, and that the girls had become despondent and hopeless, and no longer sang the replies in the service. Noticing this dramatic change in their demeanor since his last visit, one priest told the other, \"Something has happened to them in","happened to them in there.\"But the next day, on 15 July 1918, Anastasia and her sisters appeared in good spirits as they joked and helped move the beds in their shared bedroom so that cleaning women could clean the floors. They helped the women scrub the floors and whispered to them when the guards were not watching. Anastasia stuck her tongue out atYakov Yurovsky, the head of the detachment, when he momentarily turned his back and left the room. Death After theBolshevik revolutionin October 1917, Russia quickly disintegrated intocivil war. Negotiations for the release of the Romanovs between their Bolshevik (commonly referred to as 'Reds') captors and their extended family, many of whom were prominent members of the royal houses of Europe, stalled.As the Whites (anti-Bolshevik forces, although not necessarily supportive of the Tsar) advanced toward Yekaterinburg, the Reds were in a precarious situation. The Reds knew Yekaterinburg would fall to the better manned and equippedWhite Army. When the Whites","When the Whites reached Yekaterinburg, the imperial family had simply disappeared. The most widely accepted account was that the family had been murdered. This was due to an investigation by White Army investigator Nicholas Sokolov, who came to the conclusion based on items that had belonged to the family being found thrown down a mine shaft atGanina Yama. The \"Yurovsky Note\", an account of the event filed by Yurovsky to his Bolshevik superiors following the killings, was found in 1989 and detailed inEdvard Radzinsky's 1992 book,The Last Tsar. According to the note, on the night of the deaths, the family was awakened and told to dress. They were told they were being moved to a new location to ensure their safety in anticipation of the violence that might ensue when theWhite Armyreached Yekaterinburg. Once dressed, the family and the small circle of servants who had remained with them were herded into a small room in the house's sub-basement and told to wait. Alexandra and Alexei sat in chairs provided by","chairs provided by guards at the Empress's request. After several minutes, the guards entered the room, led by Yurovsky, who quickly informed the Tsar and his family that they were to be executed. The Tsar had time to say only \"What?\" and turn to his family before he was killed by several bullets to the chest (not, as is commonly stated, to the head; his skull, recovered in 1991, bears no bullet wounds).The Tsarina and her daughter Olga tried to make the sign of the cross but were killed in the initial volley of bullets fired by the executioners. The rest of the Imperial retinue were shot in short order, with the exception ofAnna Demidova, Alexandra's maid. Demidova survived the initial onslaught but was quickly stabbed to death against the back wall of the basement while trying to defend herself with a small pillow she had carried into the sub-basement that was filled with precious gems and jewels. The \"Yurovsky Note\" further reported that once the thick smoke that had filled the room from so many weapons","so many weapons being fired in such close proximity cleared, it was discovered that the executioners' bullets had ricocheted off the corsets of two or three of the Grand Duchesses. The executioners later came to find out that this was because the family's crown jewels and diamonds had been sewn inside the linings of the corsets to hide them from their captors. The corsets thus served as a form of \"armor\" against the bullets. Anastasia and Maria were said to have crouched up against a wall, covering their heads in terror, until they were shot down by bullets, recalled Yurovsky. However, another guard, Peter Ermakov, told his wife that Anastasia had been finished off with bayonets. As the bodies were carried out, one or more of the girls cried out, and were clubbed on the back of the head, wrote Yurovsky. False reports of survival Anastasia's supposed escape and possible survival was one of the most popular historical mysteries of the 20th century, provoking many books and films. At least ten women claimed to","women claimed to be her, offering varying stories as to how she had survived.Anna Anderson, the best known Anastasiaimpostor, first surfaced publicly between 1920 and 1922. She contended that she had feigned death among the bodies of her family and servants, and was able to make her escape with the help of a compassionate guard who noticed she was still breathing and took sympathy upon her.Her legal battle for recognition from 1938 to 1970 continued a lifelong controversy and was the longest running case ever heard by the German courts, where it was officially filed. The final decision of the court was that Anderson had not provided sufficient proof to claim the identity of the grand duchess. Anderson died in 1984 and her body was cremated. DNA tests were conducted in 1994 on a tissue sample from Anderson located in a hospital and the blood ofPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a great-nephew of Empress Alexandra. According to Dr Gill who conducted the tests, \"If you accept that these samples came from Anna","came from Anna Anderson, then Anna Anderson could not be related to Tsar Nicholas or Tsarina Alexandra.\" Anderson'smitochondrial DNAwas a match with a great-nephew of Franziska Schanzkowska, a missing Polish factory worker.Some supporters of Anderson's claim acknowledged that the DNA tests proving she could not have been the Grand Duchess had \"won the day\". Other lesser known claimants wereNadezhda Ivanovna VasilyevaandEugenia Smith.Two young women claiming to be Anastasia and her sister Maria were taken in by a priest in theUral Mountainsin 1919 where they lived as nuns until their deaths in 1964. They were buried under the names Anastasia and Maria Nikolaevna. Rumors of Anastasia's survival were embellished with various contemporary reports of trains and houses being searched for \"Anastasia Romanov\" by Bolshevik soldiers and secret police.When she was briefly imprisoned atPermin 1918,Princess Helena Petrovna, the wife of Anastasia's distant cousin,Prince John Constantinovich of Russia, reported that a","reported that a guard brought a girl who called herself Anastasia Romanova to her cell and asked if the girl was the daughter of the Tsar. Helena Petrovna said she did not recognize the girl and the guard took her away.Although other witnesses in Perm later reported that they saw Anastasia, her mother and sisters in Perm after the murders, this story is now widely discredited.Rumors that they were alive were fueled by deliberate misinformation designed to hide the fact that the family was dead. A few days after they had been murdered, the German government sent several telegrams to Russia demanding \"the safety of the princesses of German blood\". Russia had recently signed apeace treatywith the Germans, and did not want to upset them by letting them know the women were dead, so they told them they had been moved to a safer location. In another incident, eight witnesses reported the recapture of a young woman after an apparent escape attempt in September 1918 at a railway station at Siding 37, northwest of","37, northwest of Perm. These witnesses were Maxim Grigoyev, Tatiana Sitnikova (and her son Fyodor Sitnikov), Ivan Kuklin and Matrina Kuklina, Vassily Ryabov, Ustinya Varankina, and Dr Pavel Utkin, a physician who treated the girl after the incident.Some of the witnesses identified the girl as Anastasia when they were shown photographs of the grand duchess byWhite RussianArmy investigators. Utkin also told the White Russian Army investigators that the injured girl, whom he treated atChekaheadquarters in Perm, told him, \"I am the daughter of the ruler, Anastasia.\" Utkin obtained a prescription from a pharmacy for a patient named \"N\" at the orders of the secret police. White Army investigators later independently located records for the prescription.During the same time period in mid-1918, there were several reports of young people in Russia passing themselves off as Romanov escapees.Boris Soloviev, the husband of Rasputin's daughterMaria, defrauded prominent Russian families by asking for money for a Romanov","money for a Romanov impostor to escape to China. Soloviev also found young women willing to masquerade as one of the grand duchesses to assist in deceiving the families he had defrauded. Some biographers' accounts speculated that the opportunity for one or more of the guards to rescue a survivor existed.Yakov Yurovskydemanded that the guards come to his office and turn over items they had stolen following the murder. There was reportedly a span of time when the bodies of the victims were left largely unattended in the truck, in the basement and in the corridor of the house. Some guards who had not participated in the murders and had been sympathetic to the grand duchesses were reportedly left in the basement with the bodies. Romanov graves and DNA proof In 1991, the presumed burial site of the imperial family and their servants was excavated in the woods outsideYekaterinburg. The grave had been found nearly a decade earlier, but was kept hidden by its discoverers from the Communists who were still ruling","were still ruling Russia at the time. The grave only held nine of the expected eleven sets of remains. DNA and skeletal analysis matched these remains to Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarina Alexandra, and three of the four grand duchesses (Olga, Tatiana and presumably Maria). The other remains, with unrelated DNA, correspond to the family's doctor (Yevgeny Botkin), their valet (Alexei Trupp), their cook (Ivan Kharitonov), and Alexandra's maid (Anna Demidova). Forensic expertWilliam R. Maplesfound that the Tsarevitch Alexei and Anastasia's bodies were missing from the family's grave. Russian scientists contested this conclusion, however, claiming it was the body of Maria that was missing. The Russians identified the body as that of Anastasia by using acomputer programto compare photos of the youngest grand duchess with the skulls of the victims from the mass grave. They estimated the height and width of the skulls where pieces of bone were missing. American scientists found this method inexact. American scientists","American scientists thought the missing body to be Anastasia because none of the female skeletons showed the evidence of immaturity, such as an immature collarbone, undescendedwisdom teeth, or immature vertebrae in the back, that they would have expected to find in a seventeen-year-old. In 1998, when the remains of the imperial family were finally interred, a body measuring approximately 5'7\" was buried under the name of Anastasia. Photographs taken of her standing beside her three sisters up until six months before the murders demonstrate that Anastasia was several inches shorter than all of them. Her mother commented on sixteen-year-old Anastasia's short stature in a 15 December 1917 letter, written seven months before the murders. \"Anastasia, to her despair, is now very fat, as Maria was, round and fat to the waist, with short legs. I do hope she will grow.\"Scientists considered it unlikely that the teenager could have grown so much in the last months of her life. Her actual height was approximately 5'2\".","approximately 5'2\". The account of the \"Yurovsky Note\" indicated that two of the bodies were removed from the main grave and cremated at an undisclosed area in order to further disguise the burials of the Tsar and his retinue, if the remains were discovered by the Whites, since the body count would not be correct. Searches of the area in subsequent years failed to turn up a cremation site or the remains of the two missing Romanov children. However, on 23 August 2007, a Russian archaeologist announced the discovery of two burned, partial skeletons at a bonfire site near Yekaterinburg that appeared to match the site described in Yurovsky's memoirs. The archaeologists said the bones were from a boy who was roughly between the ages of twelve and fifteen years at the time of his death and of a young woman who was roughly between the ages of fifteen and nineteen years old.Anastasia was seventeen years and one month old at the time of the assassination, while her sister Maria was nineteen years, one month old and","one month old and her brother Alexei was two weeks shy of his fourteenth birthday. Anastasia's elder sisters Olga and Tatiana were twenty-two and twenty-one years old respectively at the time of the assassination. Along with the remains of the two bodies, archaeologists found \"shards of a container ofsulfuric acid, nails, metal strips from a wooden box, and bullets of various caliber\". The site was initially found withmetal detectorsand by using metal rods as probes. DNA testing by multiple international laboratories including theArmed Forces DNA Identification LaboratoryandInnsbruck Medical Universityconfirmed that the remains belong to the Tsarevich Alexei and to one of his sisters, proving conclusively that all family members, including Anastasia, died in 1918. The parents and all five children are now accounted for, and each has his or her own unique DNA profile.While the tests have confirmed that all the Romanov bodies have been found, one of the studies was still unsure which body from the two graves","from the two graves was Maria's and which was Anastasia's: a well publicized debate over which daughter, Maria (according to Russian experts) or Anastasia (according to US experts), has been recovered from the second grave cannot be settled based upon the DNA results reported here. In the absence of a DNA reference from each sister, we can only conclusively identify Alexei – the only son of Nicholas and Alexandra. Sainthood In 2000, Anastasia and her family werecanonizedaspassion bearersby theRussian Orthodox Church. The family had previously been canonized in 1981 by theRussian Orthodox Church Abroadasholy martyrs. The bodies of Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarina Alexandra, and three of their daughters were finally interred in the St. Catherine Chapel atSaints Peter and Paul Cathedral, St Petersburgon 17 July 1998, eighty years after they were murdered.As of 2018 the bones of Alexei and Maria (or possibly Anastasia) were still being held by the Orthodox Church. Depictions in art, media, and literature The purported","The purported survival of Anastasia has been the subject ofcinema(such as the1997 animated filmand the1956 filmthat inspired it starringIngrid BergmanandYul Brynner),made-for-televisionfilms, and aBroadway musical. The earliest, made in 1928, was calledClothes Make the Woman. The story followed a woman who turns up to play the part of a rescued Anastasia for a Hollywood film, and ends up being recognized by the Russian soldier who originally rescued her from her would-be assassins. Ancestry Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links","Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasia_(1997_film"],"string":"[\n \"Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia(Russian:Анастасия Николаевна Романова,romanized:Anastasiya Nikolaevna Romanova; 18 June 1901 – 17 July 1918) was the youngest daughter ofTsar Nicholas II, the last sovereign ofImperial Russia, and his wife,Tsarina Alexandra Feodorovna. Anastasia was the younger sister of Grand DuchessesOlga,Tatiana, andMaria(commonly known together as theOTMAsisters) and was the elder sister ofAlexei Nikolaevich, Tsarevich of Russia. She wasmurdered with her familyby a group ofBolsheviksinYekaterinburgon 17 July 1918. Persistent rumors of her possible escape circulated after her death, fueled by the fact that the location of her burial was unknown during the decades ofcommunistrule. The abandoned mine serving as a mass grave nearYekaterinburgwhich held the acidified remains of the Tsar, his wife, and three of their daughters was revealed in 1991. These remains were put to rest atPeter and Paul Fortressin 1998. The bodies of Alexei and\",\n \"of Alexei and the remaining daughter—either Anastasia or her older sister Maria—were discovered in 2007. Her purported survival has been conclusively disproven. Scientific analysis includingDNA testingconfirmed that the remains are those of theimperial family, showing that Anastasia was killed alongside her family. Several women falsely claimed to have been Anastasia; the best known impostor wasAnna Anderson. Anderson's body was cremated upon her death in 1984; DNA testing in 1994 on pieces of Anderson's tissue and hair showed no relation to the Romanov family. Contents Biography Early years Anastasia was born on 18 June 1901. She was the fourth daughter ofTsar Nicholas IIandTsarina Alexandra. When she was born, her parents and extended family were disappointed that she was a girl. They had hoped for a son who would have becomeheir apparentto the throne. Her father went for a long walk to compose himself before going to visit his wife and their newborn child for the first time.Her paternal auntGrand Duchess\",\n \"auntGrand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russiasaid, \\\"My God! What a disappointment!... a fourth girl!\\\"Her first cousin twice removedGrand Duke Konstantin Konstantinovichwrote, \\\"Forgive us, Lord, if we all felt disappointment instead of joy. We were so hoping for a boy, and it's a daughter.\\\"The travel writerBurton Holmeswrote, \\\"Nicholas would part with half his Empire in exchange for one Imperial boy.\\\" Anastasia was named for the fourth-century martyrSt. Anastasia.\\\"Anastasia\\\" is a Greek name (Αναστασία), meaning \\\"of the resurrection\\\", a fact often alluded to later in stories about her rumored survival. Anastasia's title is most precisely translated as \\\"Grand Princess\\\". \\\"Grand Duchess\\\" became the most widely used translation of the title into English from Russian. The Tsar's children were raised as simply as possible. They slept on hard camp cots without pillows, except when they were ill, took cold baths in the morning, and were expected to tidy their rooms and do needlework to be sold at various charity\",\n \"at various charity events when they were not otherwise occupied. Most in the household, including the servants, generally called the Grand Duchess by her first name andpatronym, \\\"Anastasia Nikolaevna\\\", and did not use her title or style. She was occasionally called by the French version of her name, \\\"Anastasie\\\", or by the Russian nicknames \\\"Nastasya\\\", \\\"Nastya\\\", \\\"Nastas\\\", or \\\"Nastenka\\\". Other family nicknames for Anastasia were \\\"Malenkaya\\\", meaning \\\"little (one)\\\" in Russian,or \\\"Shvybzik\\\", meaning \\\"merry little one\\\"or \\\"little mischief\\\"inGerman. Anastasia and her older sister Maria were known within the family as \\\"The Little Pair\\\". The two girls shared a room, often wore variations of the same dress, and spent much of their time together. Their older sisters Olga and Tatiana also shared a room and were known as \\\"The Big Pair\\\". The four girls sometimes signed letters using the nicknameOTMA, which derived from the first letters of their first names. DNA testing on the remains of the imperial family proved\",\n \"family proved conclusively in 2009 that Anastasia’s younger brother, Alexei, suffered fromHemophilia B, a rare form of the disease. His mother and one sister, identified alternatively as Maria or Anastasia, were carriers. Symptomatic carriers of the gene, while not hemophiliacs themselves, can have symptoms of hemophilia including a lower than normalblood-clottingfactor that can lead to heavy bleeding.If Anastasia lived to have children of her own, it is genetically probable that they would have been afflicted by the disease. Appearance and personality Anastasia was short and inclined to be chubby, and she had blue eyesand blonde hair.BaronessSophie Buxhoeveden, her mother's lady-in-waiting, reflected that \\\"her features were regular and finely cut. She had fair hair, fine eyes, with impish laughter in their depths, and dark eyebrows that nearly met.\\\"Buxhoeveden believed that Anastasia resembled her mother, saying that she \\\"was more like her mother's than her father's family. She was rather short even at\",\n \"short even at seventeen, and was, then decidedly fat, but it was the fatness of youth. She would have outgrown it, as had her sister Marie.\\\" Anastasia was a vivacious and energetic child.Margaretta Eagar, a governess to the four grand duchesses, said one person commented that the toddler Anastasia had the greatest personal charm of any child she had ever seen. While often described as gifted and bright, she was never interested in the restrictions of the school room, according to her tutorsPierre GilliardandSydney Gibbes. Gibbes, Gilliard, andladies-in-waitingLili DehnandAnna Vyrubovadescribed Anastasia as lively, mischievous, and a gifted actress. Her sharp, witty remarks sometimes hit sensitive spots.However, she was also very amusing: \\\"Even as a baby she had entertained grave old men, who were her neighbors at table, with her astonishing remarks.\\\" Anastasia's daring occasionally exceeded the limits of acceptable behavior. \\\"She undoubtedly held the record for punishable deeds in her family, for in\",\n \"her family, for in naughtiness she was a true genius\\\", saidGleb Botkin, son of the court physicianYevgeny Botkin, who later died with the family at Yekaterinburg.Anastasia sometimes tripped the servants and played pranks on her tutors. As a child, she would climb trees and refuse to come down. Once, during asnowball fightat the family's Polish estate, Anastasia rolled a rock into a snowball and threw it at her older sister Tatiana, knocking her to the ground.A distant cousin,Princess Nina Georgievna, recalled that \\\"Anastasia was nasty to the point of being evil\\\", and would cheat, kick and scratch her playmates during games; she was affronted because the younger Nina was taller than she was.She was less concerned about her appearance than her sisters.Hallie Erminie Rives, a best-selling American author and wife of an American diplomat, described how 10-year-old Anastasia ate chocolates without bothering to remove her long, whiteopera glovesat the St. Petersburg opera house. Despite her energy, Anastasia's\",\n \"energy, Anastasia's physical health was sometimes poor. The Grand Duchess suffered from painfulbunions, which affected both of her big toes.Anastasia had a weak muscle in her back and was prescribed twice-weekly massage. She hid under the bed or in a cupboard to put off the massage.Anastasia's older sister, Maria, reportedly hemorrhaged in December 1914 during an operation to remove her tonsils, according to her paternal auntGrand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russia, who was interviewed later in her life. The doctor performing the operation was so unnerved that he had to be ordered to continue by Maria's mother. Olga Alexandrovna said she believed all four of her nieces bled more than was normal and believed they were carriers of thehemophiliagene, like their mother. Association with Grigori Rasputin Her mother relied on the counsel ofGrigori Rasputin, a Russian peasant and wanderingstaretsor \\\"holy man,\\\" and credited his prayers with saving the ailing Tsarevich on numerous occasions. Anastasia and her\",\n \"Anastasia and her siblings were taught to view Rasputin as \\\"Our Friend\\\" and to share confidences with him. In the autumn of 1907, Anastasia's auntGrand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna of Russiawas escorted to the nursery by the Tsar to meet Rasputin. Anastasia, her sisters and brother Alexei were all wearing their long white nightgowns. \\\"All the children seemed to like him,\\\" Olga Alexandrovna recalled. \\\"They were completely at ease with him.\\\"Rasputin's friendship with the imperial children was evident in some of the messages he sent to them. In February 1909, Rasputin sent the imperial children a telegram, advising them to \\\"Love the whole of God's nature, the whole of His creation in particular this earth. The Mother of God was always occupied with flowers and needlework.\\\" However, one of the girls' governesses,Sofia Ivanovna Tyutcheva, was horrified in 1910 that Rasputin was permitted access to the nursery when the four girls were in their nightgowns and wanted him barred. Nicholas asked Rasputin to avoid going\",\n \"to avoid going to the nurseries in the future. The children were aware of the tension and feared that their mother would be angered by Tyutcheva's actions. \\\"I am so afr(aid) that S.I. (governess Sofia Ivanovna Tyutcheva) can speak ... about our friend something bad,\\\" Anastasia's twelve-year-old sister Tatiana wrote to their mother on 8 March 1910. \\\"I hope our nurse will be nice to our friend now.\\\" Tyutcheva was eventually fired. She took her story to other members of the family.While Rasputin's visits to the children were, by all accounts, completely innocent in nature, the family was scandalized. Tyutcheva told Nicholas's sister,Grand Duchess Xenia Alexandrovna of Russia, that Rasputin visited the girls, talked with them while they were getting ready for bed, and hugged and patted them. Tyutcheva said the children had been taught not to discuss Rasputin with her and were careful to hide his visits from the nursery staff. Xenia wrote on 15 March 1910, that she could not understand \\\"...the attitude of Alix\",\n \"attitude of Alix and the children to that sinister Grigory (whom they consider to be almost a saint, when in fact he's only akhlyst!)\\\" In the spring of 1910, Maria Ivanovna Vishnyakova, a royal governess, claimed that Rasputin had raped her. Vishnyakova said the empress refused to believe her account of the assault, and insisted that \\\"everything Rasputin does is holy.\\\"Grand Duchess Olga Alexandrovna was told that Vishnyakova's claim had been immediately investigated, but instead \\\"they caught the young woman in bed with aCossackof the Imperial Guard.\\\" Vishnyakova was kept from seeing Rasputin after she made her accusation and was eventually dismissed from her post in 1913. However, rumors persisted and it was later whispered in society that Rasputin had seduced not only the Tsarina but also the four grand duchesses.This was followed by circulation ofpornographic cartoons, which depicted Rasputin having relations with the Empress, her four daughters and Anna Vyrubova.After the scandal, Nicholas ordered\",\n \"Nicholas ordered Rasputin to leave St. Petersburg for a time, much to Alexandra's displeasure, and Rasputin went on a pilgrimage toPalestine.Despite the rumors, the imperial family's association with Rasputin continued until his murder on 17 December 1916. \\\"Our Friend is so contented with our girlies, says they have gone through heavy 'courses' for their age and their souls have much developed\\\", Alexandra wrote to Nicholas on 6 December 1916. In his memoirs, A. A. Mordvinov reported that the four grand duchesses appeared \\\"cold and visibly terribly upset\\\" by Rasputin's death, and sat \\\"huddled up closely together\\\" on a sofa in one of their bedrooms on the night they received the news. Mordvinov recalled that the young women were in a gloomy mood and seemed to sense the political upheaval that was about to be unleashed.Rasputin was buried with an icon signed on its reverse by Anastasia, her mother and her sisters. She attended his funeral on 21 December 1916, and her family planned to build a church over the\",\n \"a church over the site of Rasputin's grave.After they were killed by the Bolsheviks, it was discovered Anastasia and her sisters were all wearing amulets bearing Rasputin's picture and a prayer. Captivity during World War I and Russian Revolution During World War I, Anastasia, along with her sister Maria, visited wounded soldiers at aprivate hospitalin the grounds atTsarskoye Selo. The two teenagers, too young to becomeRed Crossnurses like their mother and elder sisters, played games ofcheckersandbilliardswith the soldiers and tried to lift their spirits. Felix Dassel, who was treated at the hospital and knew Anastasia, recalled that the grand duchess had a \\\"laugh like a squirrel\\\", and walked rapidly \\\"as though shetrippedalong.\\\" In February 1917, Anastasia and her family were placed underhouse arrestat theAlexander Palacein Tsarskoye Selo during theRussian Revolution. Nicholas II abdicated on 15 March 1917. As theBolsheviksapproached,Alexander Kerenskyof theProvisional Governmenthad them moved\",\n \"them moved toTobolsk,Siberia, where they were housed in theGovernor's Mansion.After the Bolsheviks seized majority control of Russia, Anastasia and her family were moved to theIpatiev House, or House of Special Purpose, atYekaterinburg. The stress and uncertainty of captivity took their toll on Anastasia as well as her family. \\\"Goodby \\\", she wrote to a friend in the winter of 1917. \\\"Don't forget us.\\\"At Tobolsk, she wrote a melancholy theme for her English tutor, filled with spelling mistakes, about \\\"Evelyn Hope\\\", a poem byRobert Browningabout a girl: \\\"When she died she was only sixteen years old ... Ther(e) was a man who loved her without having seen her but (k)new her very well. And she he(a)rd of him also. He never could tell her that he loved her, and now she was dead. But still he thought that when he and she will live next life whenever it will be that ...\\\", she wrote. Upon arriving in Yekaterinburg, Pierre Gilliard recalled his last sight of the children: \\\"The sailor Nagorny, who attended to Alexei\",\n \"attended to Alexei Nikolaevitch, passed my window carrying the sick boy in his arms, behind him came the Grand Duchesses loaded with valises and small personal belongings. I tried to get out, but was roughly pushed back into the carriage by the sentry. I came back to the window. Tatiana Nikolayevna came last carrying her little dog and struggling to drag a heavy brown valise. It was raining and I saw her feet sink into the mud at every step. Nagorny tried to come to her assistance; he was roughly pushed back by one of the commisars ...\\\" Baroness Sophie Buxhoevedentold of her sad last glimpse of Anastasia: \\\"Once, standing on some steps at the door of a house close by, I saw a hand and a pink-sleeved arm opening the topmost pane. According to the blouse the hand must have belonged either to the Grand Duchess Marie or Anastasia. They could not see me through their windows, and this was to be the last glimpse that I was to have of any of them!\\\" However, even in the last months of her life, she found ways to\",\n \"she found ways to enjoy herself. She and other members of the household performed plays for the enjoyment of their parents and others in the spring of 1918. Anastasia's performance made everyone howl with laughter, according to her tutor Sydney Gibbes. On 7 May 1918, in a letter fromTobolskto her sister Maria in Yekaterinburg, Anastasia described a moment of joy despite her sadness and loneliness and worry for the sick Alexei: \\\"We played on the swing, that was when I roared with laughter, the fall was so wonderful! Indeed! I told the sisters about it so many times yesterday that they got quite fed up, but I could go on telling it masses of times ... What weather we've had! One could simply shout with joy.\\\" In his memoirs, one of the guards at the Ipatiev House, Alexander Strekotin, remembered Anastasia as \\\"very friendly and full of fun\\\", while another guard said Anastasia was \\\"a very charming devil! She was mischievous and, I think, rarely tired. She was lively, and was fond of performing comic mimes with\",\n \"comic mimes with the dogs, as though they were performing in a circus.\\\"Yet another of the guards, however, called the youngest grand duchess \\\"offensive and a terrorist\\\" and complained that her occasionally provocative comments sometimes caused tension in the ranks.Anastasia and her sisters helped their maid darn stockings and assisted the cook in making bread and other kitchen chores while they were in captivity at the Ipatiev House. In the summer, the privations of the captivity, including their closer confinement at the Ipatiev House negatively affected the family. On 14 July 1918, local priests at Yekaterinburg conducted a private church service for the family. They reported that Anastasia and her family, contrary to custom, fell on their knees during the prayer for the dead, and that the girls had become despondent and hopeless, and no longer sang the replies in the service. Noticing this dramatic change in their demeanor since his last visit, one priest told the other, \\\"Something has happened to them in\",\n \"happened to them in there.\\\"But the next day, on 15 July 1918, Anastasia and her sisters appeared in good spirits as they joked and helped move the beds in their shared bedroom so that cleaning women could clean the floors. They helped the women scrub the floors and whispered to them when the guards were not watching. Anastasia stuck her tongue out atYakov Yurovsky, the head of the detachment, when he momentarily turned his back and left the room. Death After theBolshevik revolutionin October 1917, Russia quickly disintegrated intocivil war. Negotiations for the release of the Romanovs between their Bolshevik (commonly referred to as 'Reds') captors and their extended family, many of whom were prominent members of the royal houses of Europe, stalled.As the Whites (anti-Bolshevik forces, although not necessarily supportive of the Tsar) advanced toward Yekaterinburg, the Reds were in a precarious situation. The Reds knew Yekaterinburg would fall to the better manned and equippedWhite Army. When the Whites\",\n \"When the Whites reached Yekaterinburg, the imperial family had simply disappeared. The most widely accepted account was that the family had been murdered. This was due to an investigation by White Army investigator Nicholas Sokolov, who came to the conclusion based on items that had belonged to the family being found thrown down a mine shaft atGanina Yama. The \\\"Yurovsky Note\\\", an account of the event filed by Yurovsky to his Bolshevik superiors following the killings, was found in 1989 and detailed inEdvard Radzinsky's 1992 book,The Last Tsar. According to the note, on the night of the deaths, the family was awakened and told to dress. They were told they were being moved to a new location to ensure their safety in anticipation of the violence that might ensue when theWhite Armyreached Yekaterinburg. Once dressed, the family and the small circle of servants who had remained with them were herded into a small room in the house's sub-basement and told to wait. Alexandra and Alexei sat in chairs provided by\",\n \"chairs provided by guards at the Empress's request. After several minutes, the guards entered the room, led by Yurovsky, who quickly informed the Tsar and his family that they were to be executed. The Tsar had time to say only \\\"What?\\\" and turn to his family before he was killed by several bullets to the chest (not, as is commonly stated, to the head; his skull, recovered in 1991, bears no bullet wounds).The Tsarina and her daughter Olga tried to make the sign of the cross but were killed in the initial volley of bullets fired by the executioners. The rest of the Imperial retinue were shot in short order, with the exception ofAnna Demidova, Alexandra's maid. Demidova survived the initial onslaught but was quickly stabbed to death against the back wall of the basement while trying to defend herself with a small pillow she had carried into the sub-basement that was filled with precious gems and jewels. The \\\"Yurovsky Note\\\" further reported that once the thick smoke that had filled the room from so many weapons\",\n \"so many weapons being fired in such close proximity cleared, it was discovered that the executioners' bullets had ricocheted off the corsets of two or three of the Grand Duchesses. The executioners later came to find out that this was because the family's crown jewels and diamonds had been sewn inside the linings of the corsets to hide them from their captors. The corsets thus served as a form of \\\"armor\\\" against the bullets. Anastasia and Maria were said to have crouched up against a wall, covering their heads in terror, until they were shot down by bullets, recalled Yurovsky. However, another guard, Peter Ermakov, told his wife that Anastasia had been finished off with bayonets. As the bodies were carried out, one or more of the girls cried out, and were clubbed on the back of the head, wrote Yurovsky. False reports of survival Anastasia's supposed escape and possible survival was one of the most popular historical mysteries of the 20th century, provoking many books and films. At least ten women claimed to\",\n \"women claimed to be her, offering varying stories as to how she had survived.Anna Anderson, the best known Anastasiaimpostor, first surfaced publicly between 1920 and 1922. She contended that she had feigned death among the bodies of her family and servants, and was able to make her escape with the help of a compassionate guard who noticed she was still breathing and took sympathy upon her.Her legal battle for recognition from 1938 to 1970 continued a lifelong controversy and was the longest running case ever heard by the German courts, where it was officially filed. The final decision of the court was that Anderson had not provided sufficient proof to claim the identity of the grand duchess. Anderson died in 1984 and her body was cremated. DNA tests were conducted in 1994 on a tissue sample from Anderson located in a hospital and the blood ofPrince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, a great-nephew of Empress Alexandra. According to Dr Gill who conducted the tests, \\\"If you accept that these samples came from Anna\",\n \"came from Anna Anderson, then Anna Anderson could not be related to Tsar Nicholas or Tsarina Alexandra.\\\" Anderson'smitochondrial DNAwas a match with a great-nephew of Franziska Schanzkowska, a missing Polish factory worker.Some supporters of Anderson's claim acknowledged that the DNA tests proving she could not have been the Grand Duchess had \\\"won the day\\\". Other lesser known claimants wereNadezhda Ivanovna VasilyevaandEugenia Smith.Two young women claiming to be Anastasia and her sister Maria were taken in by a priest in theUral Mountainsin 1919 where they lived as nuns until their deaths in 1964. They were buried under the names Anastasia and Maria Nikolaevna. Rumors of Anastasia's survival were embellished with various contemporary reports of trains and houses being searched for \\\"Anastasia Romanov\\\" by Bolshevik soldiers and secret police.When she was briefly imprisoned atPermin 1918,Princess Helena Petrovna, the wife of Anastasia's distant cousin,Prince John Constantinovich of Russia, reported that a\",\n \"reported that a guard brought a girl who called herself Anastasia Romanova to her cell and asked if the girl was the daughter of the Tsar. Helena Petrovna said she did not recognize the girl and the guard took her away.Although other witnesses in Perm later reported that they saw Anastasia, her mother and sisters in Perm after the murders, this story is now widely discredited.Rumors that they were alive were fueled by deliberate misinformation designed to hide the fact that the family was dead. A few days after they had been murdered, the German government sent several telegrams to Russia demanding \\\"the safety of the princesses of German blood\\\". Russia had recently signed apeace treatywith the Germans, and did not want to upset them by letting them know the women were dead, so they told them they had been moved to a safer location. In another incident, eight witnesses reported the recapture of a young woman after an apparent escape attempt in September 1918 at a railway station at Siding 37, northwest of\",\n \"37, northwest of Perm. These witnesses were Maxim Grigoyev, Tatiana Sitnikova (and her son Fyodor Sitnikov), Ivan Kuklin and Matrina Kuklina, Vassily Ryabov, Ustinya Varankina, and Dr Pavel Utkin, a physician who treated the girl after the incident.Some of the witnesses identified the girl as Anastasia when they were shown photographs of the grand duchess byWhite RussianArmy investigators. Utkin also told the White Russian Army investigators that the injured girl, whom he treated atChekaheadquarters in Perm, told him, \\\"I am the daughter of the ruler, Anastasia.\\\" Utkin obtained a prescription from a pharmacy for a patient named \\\"N\\\" at the orders of the secret police. White Army investigators later independently located records for the prescription.During the same time period in mid-1918, there were several reports of young people in Russia passing themselves off as Romanov escapees.Boris Soloviev, the husband of Rasputin's daughterMaria, defrauded prominent Russian families by asking for money for a Romanov\",\n \"money for a Romanov impostor to escape to China. Soloviev also found young women willing to masquerade as one of the grand duchesses to assist in deceiving the families he had defrauded. Some biographers' accounts speculated that the opportunity for one or more of the guards to rescue a survivor existed.Yakov Yurovskydemanded that the guards come to his office and turn over items they had stolen following the murder. There was reportedly a span of time when the bodies of the victims were left largely unattended in the truck, in the basement and in the corridor of the house. Some guards who had not participated in the murders and had been sympathetic to the grand duchesses were reportedly left in the basement with the bodies. Romanov graves and DNA proof In 1991, the presumed burial site of the imperial family and their servants was excavated in the woods outsideYekaterinburg. The grave had been found nearly a decade earlier, but was kept hidden by its discoverers from the Communists who were still ruling\",\n \"were still ruling Russia at the time. The grave only held nine of the expected eleven sets of remains. DNA and skeletal analysis matched these remains to Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarina Alexandra, and three of the four grand duchesses (Olga, Tatiana and presumably Maria). The other remains, with unrelated DNA, correspond to the family's doctor (Yevgeny Botkin), their valet (Alexei Trupp), their cook (Ivan Kharitonov), and Alexandra's maid (Anna Demidova). Forensic expertWilliam R. Maplesfound that the Tsarevitch Alexei and Anastasia's bodies were missing from the family's grave. Russian scientists contested this conclusion, however, claiming it was the body of Maria that was missing. The Russians identified the body as that of Anastasia by using acomputer programto compare photos of the youngest grand duchess with the skulls of the victims from the mass grave. They estimated the height and width of the skulls where pieces of bone were missing. American scientists found this method inexact. American scientists\",\n \"American scientists thought the missing body to be Anastasia because none of the female skeletons showed the evidence of immaturity, such as an immature collarbone, undescendedwisdom teeth, or immature vertebrae in the back, that they would have expected to find in a seventeen-year-old. In 1998, when the remains of the imperial family were finally interred, a body measuring approximately 5'7\\\" was buried under the name of Anastasia. Photographs taken of her standing beside her three sisters up until six months before the murders demonstrate that Anastasia was several inches shorter than all of them. Her mother commented on sixteen-year-old Anastasia's short stature in a 15 December 1917 letter, written seven months before the murders. \\\"Anastasia, to her despair, is now very fat, as Maria was, round and fat to the waist, with short legs. I do hope she will grow.\\\"Scientists considered it unlikely that the teenager could have grown so much in the last months of her life. Her actual height was approximately 5'2\\\".\",\n \"approximately 5'2\\\". The account of the \\\"Yurovsky Note\\\" indicated that two of the bodies were removed from the main grave and cremated at an undisclosed area in order to further disguise the burials of the Tsar and his retinue, if the remains were discovered by the Whites, since the body count would not be correct. Searches of the area in subsequent years failed to turn up a cremation site or the remains of the two missing Romanov children. However, on 23 August 2007, a Russian archaeologist announced the discovery of two burned, partial skeletons at a bonfire site near Yekaterinburg that appeared to match the site described in Yurovsky's memoirs. The archaeologists said the bones were from a boy who was roughly between the ages of twelve and fifteen years at the time of his death and of a young woman who was roughly between the ages of fifteen and nineteen years old.Anastasia was seventeen years and one month old at the time of the assassination, while her sister Maria was nineteen years, one month old and\",\n \"one month old and her brother Alexei was two weeks shy of his fourteenth birthday. Anastasia's elder sisters Olga and Tatiana were twenty-two and twenty-one years old respectively at the time of the assassination. Along with the remains of the two bodies, archaeologists found \\\"shards of a container ofsulfuric acid, nails, metal strips from a wooden box, and bullets of various caliber\\\". The site was initially found withmetal detectorsand by using metal rods as probes. DNA testing by multiple international laboratories including theArmed Forces DNA Identification LaboratoryandInnsbruck Medical Universityconfirmed that the remains belong to the Tsarevich Alexei and to one of his sisters, proving conclusively that all family members, including Anastasia, died in 1918. The parents and all five children are now accounted for, and each has his or her own unique DNA profile.While the tests have confirmed that all the Romanov bodies have been found, one of the studies was still unsure which body from the two graves\",\n \"from the two graves was Maria's and which was Anastasia's: a well publicized debate over which daughter, Maria (according to Russian experts) or Anastasia (according to US experts), has been recovered from the second grave cannot be settled based upon the DNA results reported here. In the absence of a DNA reference from each sister, we can only conclusively identify Alexei – the only son of Nicholas and Alexandra. Sainthood In 2000, Anastasia and her family werecanonizedaspassion bearersby theRussian Orthodox Church. The family had previously been canonized in 1981 by theRussian Orthodox Church Abroadasholy martyrs. The bodies of Tsar Nicholas II, Tsarina Alexandra, and three of their daughters were finally interred in the St. Catherine Chapel atSaints Peter and Paul Cathedral, St Petersburgon 17 July 1998, eighty years after they were murdered.As of 2018 the bones of Alexei and Maria (or possibly Anastasia) were still being held by the Orthodox Church. Depictions in art, media, and literature The purported\",\n \"The purported survival of Anastasia has been the subject ofcinema(such as the1997 animated filmand the1956 filmthat inspired it starringIngrid BergmanandYul Brynner),made-for-televisionfilms, and aBroadway musical. The earliest, made in 1928, was calledClothes Make the Woman. The story followed a woman who turns up to play the part of a rescued Anastasia for a Hollywood film, and ends up being recognized by the Russian soldier who originally rescued her from her would-be assassins. Ancestry Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasia_(1997_film\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":288,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"How old were the founders of the firm that designed the Empire State Building when construction on the building began?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Richmond Shreve was 52 years old and William Lamb was 46 years old."},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Building"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shreve,_Lamb_%26_Harmon"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond_Shreve"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Lamb"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Building', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shreve,_Lamb_%26_Harmon', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond_Shreve', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Lamb']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Building","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shreve,_Lamb_%26_Harmon","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond_Shreve","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Lamb"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Building\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shreve,_Lamb_%26_Harmon\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond_Shreve\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Lamb\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Empire State Building TheEmpire State Buildingis a 102-storyArt Decoskyscraper in theMidtown Southneighborhood ofManhattaninNew York City. The building was designed byShreve, Lamb & Harmonand built from 1930 to 1931. Its name is derived from \"Empire State\", thenicknameof the state ofNew York. The building has a roof height of 1,250 feet (380 m) and stands a total of 1,454 feet (443.2 m) tall, including itsantenna. The Empire State Building was the world's tallest building until the first tower of theWorld Trade Centerwastopped out in 1970; following theSeptember 11 attacksin 2001, the Empire State Building was New York City's tallest building until it was surpassed in 2012 byOne World Trade Center. As of 2022, the building is theseventh-tallest building in New York City, theninth-tallest completed skyscraper in the United States, and the54th-tallest in the world. The site of the Empire State Building, on the west side ofFifth Avenuebetween West33rdand34th Streets, was developed in 1893 as theWaldorf–Astoria Hotel. In 1929, Empire State Inc. acquired the site and devised plans for a skyscraper there. The design for the Empire State Building was changed fifteen times until it was ensured to be the world's tallest building. Construction started on March 17, 1930, and the building opened thirteen and a half months afterward on May 1, 1931. Despite favorable publicity related to the building's construction, because of theGreat DepressionandWorld War II, its owners did not make a profit until the early 1950s. The building'sArt Deco architecture, height, andobservation deckshave made it a popular attraction. Around four million tourists from around the world annually visit the building's 86th- and 102nd-floor observatories; an additional indoor observatory on the 80th floor opened in 2019. The Empire State Building is an internationalcultural icon: it has been featured in more than 250 television series and films since the filmKing Kongwas released in 1933. The building's size has been used as a standard of reference to describe the height and length of other structures. A symbol of New York City, the building has been named as one of theSeven Wonders of the Modern Worldby theAmerican Society of Civil Engineers. It was ranked first on theAmerican Institute of Architects' List ofAmerica's Favorite Architecturein 2007. Additionally, the Empire State Building and its ground-floor interior were designated city landmarks by theNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commissionin 1980, and were added to theNational Register of Historic Placesas aNational Historic Landmarkin 1986. Site The Empire State Building is located on the west side ofFifth Avenue, between33rd Streetto the south and34th Streetto the north, in theMidtown Southneighborhood ofManhattaninNew York City.Tenants enter the building through theArt Decolobby located at 350 Fifth Avenue. Visitors to the observatories use an entrance at 20 West 34th Street; prior to August 2018, visitors entered through the Fifth Avenue lobby.Although physically located in South Midtown,a mixed residential and commercial area,the building is so large that it was assigned its ownZIP Code, 10118;as of 2012, it is one of 43 buildings in New York City that have their own ZIP codes. The areas surrounding the Empire State Building are home to other major points of interest, includingMacy'satHerald SquareonSixth Avenueand 34th Street,andKoreatownon 32nd Street betweenMadisonand Sixth avenues.To the east of the Empire State Building isMurray Hill,a neighborhood with a mix of residential, commercial, and entertainment activity.The block directly to the northeast contains theB. Altman and Company Building, which houses theCity University of New York'sGraduate Center.The nearestNew York City Subwaystations are34th Street–Herald Square, one block west, and33rd StreetatPark Avenue, two blocks east; there is also aPATHstation at33rd Street and Sixth Avenue. Architecture The Empire State Building was designed byShreve, Lamb and Harmonin theArt Decostyle.The Empire State Building is 1,250 ft (381 m) tall to its 102nd floor, or1,453 feet8+9⁄16inches (443.092 m) including its 203-foot (61.9 m) pinnacle.It was the first building in the world to be more than 100 stories tall,though only the lowest 86 stories are usable. The first through 85th floors contain 2.158 million square feet (200,500 m2) of commercial and office space, while the 86th floor contains an observatory.The remaining 16 stories are part of the spire, which is capped by an observatory on the 102nd floor; the spire does not contain any intermediate levels and is used mostly for mechanical purposes.Atop the 102nd story is the 203 ft (61.9 m) pinnacle, much of which is covered by broadcast antennas, and surmounted with alightning rod. Form The Empire State Building has a symmetricalmassingbecause of its large lot and relatively short base. Itsarticulationconsists of three horizontal sections—a base, shaft, andcapital—similar to the components of acolumn.The five-story base occupies the entire lot, while the 81-story shaft above it isset backsharply from the base.The setback above the 5th story is 60 feet (18 m) deep on all sides.There are smaller setbacks on the upper stories, allowing sunlight to illuminate the interiors of the top floors while also positioning these floors away from the noisy streets below.The setbacks are located at the 21st, 25th, 30th, 72nd, 81st, and 85th stories.The setbacks correspond to the tops of elevator shafts, allowing interior spaces to be at most 28 feet (8.5 m) deep (see§ Interior). The setbacks were mandated by the1916 Zoning Resolution, which was intended to allow sunlight to reach the streets as well.Normally, a building of the Empire State's dimensions would be permitted to build up to 12 stories on the Fifth Avenue side, and up to 17 stories on the 33rd Street and 34th Street sides, before it would have to utilize setbacks.However, with the largest setback being located above the base, the tower stories could contain a uniform shape.According to architectural writerRobert A. M. Stern, the building's form contrasted with the nearly contemporary, similarly designed500 Fifth Avenueeight blocks north, which had an asymmetrical massing on a smaller lot. Facade The Empire State Building's Art Deco design is typical of pre–World War II architecture in New York City.Thefacadeis clad inIndiana limestonepanels made by the Indiana Limestone Companyand sourced from a quarry in south-central Indiana;the panels give the building its signature blonde color.According to official fact sheets, the facade uses 200,000 cubic feet (5,700 m3) of limestone and granite, ten million bricks, and 730 short tons (650 long tons) of aluminum and stainless steel.The building also contains 6,514 windows.The decorative features on the facade are largely geometric, in contrast with earlier buildings, whose decorations often were intended to represent a specific narrative. The main entrance, composed of three sets of metal doors, is at the center of the facade's Fifth Avenueelevation, flanked by molded piers that are topped with eagles. Above the main entrance is atransom, a triple-height transom window with geometric patterns, and the golden letters \"Empire State\" above the fifth-floor windows.There are two entrances each on 33rd and 34th streets, with modernistic,stainless steelcanopies projecting from the entrances on 33rd and 34th streets there. Above the secondary entrances are triple windows, less elaborate in design than those on Fifth Avenue. The storefronts on the first floor contain aluminum-framed doors and windows within a black granite cladding.The second through fourth stories consist of windows alternating with wide stonepiersand narrower stonemullions. The fifth story contains windows alternating with wide and narrow mullions, and is topped by a horizontal stone sill. The facade of the tower stories is split into several verticalbayson each side, with windows projecting slightly from the limestone cladding. The bays are arranged into sets of one, two, or three windows on each floor.The bays are separated by alternating narrow and wide piers, the inclusion of which may have been influenced by the design of the contemporaryDaily News Building.The windows in each bay are separated by vertical nickel-chrome steelmullionsand connected by horizontal aluminumspandrelsbetween each floor.The windows are placed within stainless-steel frames, which saved money by eliminating the need to apply a stonefinisharound the windows. In addition, the use of aluminum spandrels obviated the need for cross-bonding, which would have been required if stone had been used instead. Lights The building was originally equipped with whitesearchlightsat the top. They were first used in November 1932 when they lit up to signal Roosevelt's victory over Hoover in thepresidential election of that year.These were later swapped for four \"Freedom Lights\" in 1956.In February 1964, flood lights were added on the 72nd floorto illuminate the top of the building at night so that the building could be seen from the World Fair later that year.The lights were shut off from November 1973 to July 1974 because of theenergy crisisat the time.In 1976, the businessmanDouglas Leighsuggested that Wien and Helmsley install 204metal-halide lights, which were four times as bright as the 1,000 incandescent lights they were to replace.New red, white, and blue metal-halide lights were installed in time for the country'sbicentennialthat July.After the bicentennial, Helmsley retained the new lights due to the reduced maintenance cost, about $116 a year. Since October 12, 1977, the spire has been lit in colors chosen to match seasonal events and holidays.Organizations are allowed to make requests through the building's website.The building is also lit in the colors of New York-based sports teams on nights when they host games: for example, orange, blue, and white for theNew York Knicks; red, white, and blue for theNew York Rangers.The spire can also be lit to commemorate events including disasters, anniversaries, or deaths, as well as for celebrations such asPrideandHalloween. In 1998, the building was lit in blue after the death of singerFrank Sinatra, who was nicknamed \"Ol' Blue Eyes\". The structure was lit in red, white, and blue for several months after thecollapse of the World Trade CenteronSeptember 11, 2001.On January 13, 2012, the building was lit in red, orange, and yellow to honor the 60th anniversary of theNBCprogramThe Today Show.After retired basketball playerKobe Bryant'sJanuary 2020 death, the building was lit in purple and gold, signifying the colors of his former team, theLos Angeles Lakers.The evening after iconic actorJames Earl Jonesdied, September 9, 2024, the building was lit up to look like Jones's iconicDarth Vadervillain from “Star Wars.” In addition to lightings, the Empire State Building is able to do immersive visual projections on the building's exterior. It partnered with Netflix in May 2022 to celebrate the return ofStranger Thingsfourth season by projecting the Upside Down onto the Empire State Building. In 2012, the building's four hundredmetal halidelamps and floodlights were replaced with 1,200LEDfixtures, increasing the available colors from nine to over 16 million.The computer-controlled system allows the building to be illuminated in ways that were unable to be done previously with plastic gels.For instance,CNNused the top of the Empire State Building as a scoreboard during the2012 United States presidential election, using red and blue lights to representRepublicanandDemocraticelectoral votes respectively.Also, on November 26, 2012, the building had its first synchronized light show, using music from recording artistAlicia Keys.Artists such as Eminem and OneRepublic have been featured in later shows, including the building's annual Holiday Music-to-Lights Show.The building's owners adhere to strict standards in using the lights; for instance, they do not use the lights to play advertisements. Interior According to official fact sheets, the Empire State Building weighs 365,000 short tons (331,122 t) and has an internal volume of 37 million cubic feet (1,000,000 m3).The interior required 1,172 miles (1,886 km) of elevator cable and 2 million feet (609,600 m) of electrical wires.It has a total floor area of 2,768,591 sq ft (257,211 m2), and each of the floors in the base cover 2 acres (1 ha).This gives the building capacity for 20,000 tenants and 15,000 visitors. Therivetedsteel frame of the building was originally designed to handle all of the building's gravitational stresses andwind loads.The amount of material used in the building's construction resulted in a very stiff structure when compared to otherskyscrapers, with a structural stiffness of 42 pounds per square foot (2.0 kPa) versus theWillis Tower's 33 pounds per square foot (1.6 kPa) and theJohn Hancock Center's 26 pounds per square foot (1.2 kPa).A December 1930 feature inPopular Mechanicsestimated that a building with the Empire State's dimensions would still stand even if hit with an impact of 50 short tons (45 long tons). Utilities are grouped in a central shaft.On the 6th through 86th stories, the central shaft is surrounded by a main corridor on all four sides.Per the final specifications of the building, the corridor is surrounded in turn by office space 28 feet (8.5 m) deep, maximizing office space at a time before air conditioning became commonplace.Each of the floors has 210 structural columns that pass through it, which provide structural stability but limits the amount of open space on these floors.The relative dearth of stone in the Empire State Building allows for more space overall, with a 1:200 stone-to-building ratio compared to a 1:50 ratio in similar buildings. Lobby The original main lobby is accessed from Fifth Avenue, on the building's east side, and is the only place in the building where the design contains narrative motifs.It contains an entrance with one set of double doors between a pair ofrevolving doors. At the top of each doorway is a bronze motif depicting one of three \"crafts or industries\" used in the building's construction—Electricity, Masonry, and Heating.The three-story-high space runs parallel to 33rd and 34th Streets.The lobby contains two tiers of marble: awainscotingof darker marble, topped by lighter marble. There is a pattern of zigzaggingterrazzotiles on the lobby floor, which leads from east to west.To the north and south are storefronts, which are flanked by tubes of dark rounded marble and topped by a vertical band of grooves set into the marble.Until the 1960s, there was aLongchampsrestaurant next to the lobby, with six oval murals designed byWinold Reiss; these murals were placed in storage when the Longchamps closed. The western ends of the north and south walls include escalators to a mezzanine level.At the west end of the lobby, behind the security desk, is an aluminum relief of the skyscraper as it was originally built (without the antenna).The relief, which was intended to provide a welcoming effect,contains an embossed outline of the building, with rays radiating from the spire and the sun behind it.In the background is a state map of New York with the building's location marked by a \"medallion\" in the very southeast portion of the outline. A compass is depicted in the bottom right and a plaque to the building's major developers is on the bottom left.A scale model of the building was also placed south of the security desk. The plaque at the western end of the lobby is on the eastern interior wall of a one-story-tall rectangular-shaped corridor that surrounds the banks of escalators, with a similar design to the lobby.The rectangular-shaped corridor actually consists of two long hallways on the northern and southern sides of the rectangle,as well as a shorter hallway on the eastern side and another long hallway on the western side.At both ends of the northern and southern corridors, there is a bank of four low-rise elevators in between the corridors.The western side of the rectangular elevator-bank corridor extends north to the 34th Street entrance and south to the 33rd Street entrance. It borders three large storefronts and leads to escalators (originally stairs), which go both to the second floor and to the basement. Going from west to east, there are secondary entrances to 34th and 33rd Streets from the northern and southern corridors, respectively.The side entrances from 33rd and 34th Street lead to two-story-high corridors around the elevator core, crossed by stainless steel-and-glass-enclosed bridges at the mezzanine floor. Until the 1960s, anArt Decomural, inspired by both the sky and theMachine Age, was installed in the lobby ceilings.Subsequent damage to these murals, designed by artist Leif Neandross, resulted in reproductions being installed. Renovations to the lobby in 2009, such as replacing the clock over the information desk in the Fifth Avenue lobby with ananemometerand installing two chandeliers intended to be part of the building when it originally opened, revived much of its original grandeur.The north corridor contained eight illuminated panels created in 1963 by Roy Sparkia and Renée Nemorov, in time for the1964 World's Fair, depicting the building as theEighth Wonder of the Worldalongside the traditional seven.The building's owners installed a series of paintings by the New York artistKysa Johnsonin the concourse level. Johnson later filed a federal lawsuit, in January 2014, under theVisual Artists Rights Actalleging the negligent destruction of the paintings and damage to her reputation as an artist.As part of the building's 2010 renovation,Denise Amsescommissioned a work consisting of 15,000 stars and 5,000 circles, superimposed on a 13-by-5-foot (4.0 by 1.5 m)etched-glassinstallation, in the lobby. Elevators The Empire State Building has 73 elevators in all, including service elevators.Its original 64 elevators, built by theOtis Elevator Company,in a central core and are of varying heights, with the longest of these elevators reaching from the lobby to the 80th floor.As originally built, there were four \"express\" elevators that connected the lobby, 80th floor, and several landings in between; the other 60 \"local\" elevators connected the landings with the floors above these intermediate landings.Of the 64 total elevators, 58 were for passenger use (comprising the four express elevators and 54 local elevators), and eight were for freight deliveries.The elevators were designed to move at 1,200 feet per minute (366 m/min). At the time of the skyscraper's construction, their practical speed was limited to 700 feet per minute (213 m/min) per city law, but this limit was removed shortly after the building opened. Additional elevators connect the 80th floor to the six floors above it, as the six extra floors were built after the original 80 stories were approved.The elevators were mechanically operated until 2011, when they were replaced with automatic elevators during the $550 million renovation of the building.An additional elevator connects the 86th and 102nd floor observatories, which allows visitors access the 102nd floor observatory after having their tickets scanned. It also allows employees to access the mechanical floors located between the 87th and 101st floors. Observation decks The 80th, 86th, and 102nd floors contain observatories.The latter two observatories saw a combined average of four million visitors per year in 2010.Since opening, the observatories have been more popular than similar observatories at30 Rockefeller Plaza, the Chrysler Building, the first One World Trade Center, or theWoolworth Building, despite being more expensive.There are variable charges to enter the observatories; one ticket allows visitors to go as high as the 86th floor, and there is an additional charge to visit the 102nd floor. Other ticket options for visitors include scheduled access to view the sunrise from the observatory, a \"premium\" guided tour with VIP access, and the \"AM/PM\" package which allows for two visits in the same day. The 86th floor observatory contains both an enclosed viewing gallery and an open-air outdoor viewing area, allowing for it to remain open 365 days a year regardless of the weather. The 102nd floor observatory is completely enclosed and much smaller in size. The 102nd floor observatory was closed to the public from the late 1990s to 2005 due to limited viewing capacity and long lines.The observation decks were redesigned in mid-1979.The 102nd floor was again redesigned in a project that was completed in 2019, allowing the windows to be extended from floor to ceiling and widening the space in the observatory overall.An observatory on the 80th floor, opened in 2019, includes various exhibits as well as a mural of the skyline drawn by British artistStephen Wiltshire.An interactive multimedia museum, with multiple hands-on exhibitions about the building's history, was added during this project.The design of the 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) Observatory Experience was inspired by the plans and designs of the original Empire State Building. According to a 2010 report byConcierge.com, the five lines to enter the observation decks are \"as legendary as the building itself\". Concierge.com stated that there were five lines: the sidewalk line, the lobby elevator line, the ticket purchase line, the second elevator line, and the line to get off the elevator and onto the observation deck.In 2016, New York City's official tourism website made note of only three lines: the security check line, the ticket purchase line, and the second elevator line.Following renovations completed in 2019, designed to streamline queuing and reduce wait times, guests enter from a single entrance on 34th Street, where they make their way through 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) exhibits on their way up to the observatories. Guests were offered a variety of ticket packages, including a package that enables them to skip the lines throughout the duration of their stay.The Empire State Building garners significant revenue from ticket sales for its observation decks, making more money from ticket sales than it does from renting office space during some years. New York Skyride In early 1994, amotion simulatorattraction was built on the 2nd floor,as a complement to the observation deck.The original cinematic presentation lasted approximately 25 minutes, while the simulation was about eight minutes.The ride had two incarnations. The original version, which ran from 1994 until around 2002, featuredJames Doohan,Star Trek'sScotty, as the airplane's pilot who humorously tried to keep the flight under control during a storm.After the September 11 attacks in 2001, the ride was closed.An updated version debuted in mid-2002, featuring actorKevin Baconas the pilot, with the new flight also going haywire.This new version served a more informative goal, as opposed to the old version's main purpose of entertainment, and contained details about the 9/11 attacks.The simulator received mixed reviews, with assessments of the ride ranging from \"great\" to \"satisfactory\" to \"corny\". Spire Above the 102nd floor The final stage of the building was the installation of a hollow mast, a 158-foot (48 m) steel shaft fitted with elevators and utilities, above the 86th floor.The spire of the Empire State Building was originally intended to serve as a mooring mast for zeppelins and other airships, although the plan was abandoned after high winds made that impossible.At the top would be a conical roof and the 102nd-floor docking station.Inside, the elevators would ascend 167 feet (51 m) from the 86th floor ticket offices to a 33-foot-wide (10 m) 101st-floorwaiting room.From there, stairs would lead to the 102nd floor,where passengers would enter the airships.The airships would have been moored to the spire at the equivalent of the building's 106th floor. As constructed, the mast contains four rectangular tiers topped by a cylindrical shaft with a conical pinnacle.On the 102nd floor (formerly the 101st floor), there is a door with stairs ascending to the 103rd floor (formerly the 102nd).This was built as a disembarkation floor for airships tethered to the building's spire, and has a circular balcony outside.It is now an access point to reach the spire for maintenance. The room now contains electrical equipment, but celebrities and dignitaries may also be given permission to take pictures there.Above the 103rd floor, there is a set of stairs and a ladder to reach the spire for maintenance work.The mast's 480 windows were all replaced in 2015.The mast serves as the base of the building's broadcasting antenna. Inflatable objects have sometimes been mounted to the spire for promotional purposes. For example, aKing Kongballoon was attached to the spire in 1983 to mark the 50th anniversary of the character's introduction,and am inflatable dragon was placed on the spire in 2024 to promote the TV seriesHouse of Dragon. Broadcast stations Broadcasting began at the Empire State Building on December 22, 1931, whenNBCandRCAbegan transmitting experimental television broadcasts from a small antenna erected atop the mast, with two separate transmitters for the visual and audio data. They leased the 85th floor and built a laboratory there.In 1934, RCA was joined byEdwin Howard Armstrongin a cooperative venture to test his FM system from the building's antenna.This setup, which entailed the installation of the world's firstFM transmitter,continued only until October of the next year due to disputes between RCA and Armstrong.Specifically, NBC wanted to install more TV equipment in the room where Armstrong's transmitter was located. After some time, the 85th floor became home to RCA's New York television operations initially as experimental station W2XBS channel 1 then, from 1941, as commercial station WNBT channel 1 (nowWNBCchannel 4). NBC's FM station, W2XDG, began transmitting from the antenna in 1940.NBC retained exclusive use of the top of the building until 1950 when theFederal Communications Commission(FCC) ordered the exclusive deal be terminated. The FCC directive was based on consumer complaints that a common location was necessary for the seven extant New York-area television stations to transmit from so that receiving antennas would not have to be constantly adjusted. Other television broadcasters would later join RCA at the building on the 81st through 83rd floors, often along with sister FM stations.Construction of a dedicated broadcast tower began on July 27, 1950,with TV, and FM, transmissions starting in 1951. The 200-foot (61 m) broadcast tower was completed in 1953.From 1951, six broadcasters agreed to pay a combined $600,000 per year for the use of the antenna.In 1965, a separate set of FM antennae was constructed ringing the 103rd floor observation area to act as a master antenna. The placement of the stations in the Empire State Building became a major issue with the construction of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers in the late 1960s, and early 1970s. The greater height of the Twin Towers would reflect radio waves broadcast from the Empire State Building, eventually resulting in some broadcasters relocating to the newer towers instead of suing the developer, thePort Authority of New York and New Jersey.Even though the nine stations who were broadcasting from the Empire State Building were leasing their broadcast space until 1984, most of these stations moved to the World Trade Center as soon as it was completed in 1971. The broadcasters obtained a court order stipulating that the Port Authority had to build a mast and transmission equipment in theNorth Tower, as well as pay the broadcasters' leases in the Empire State Building until 1984.Only a few broadcasters renewed their leases in the Empire State Building. The September 11 attacks destroyed the World Trade Center and the broadcast centers atop it, leaving most of the city's stations without a transmitter for ten days until theArmstrong TowerinAlpine, New Jersey, was re-activated temporarily.By October 2001, nearly all of the city's commercial broadcast stations (both television and FM radio) were again transmitting from the top of the Empire State Building. In a report thatCongresscommissioned about the transition fromanalog televisiontodigital television, it was stated that the placement of broadcast stations in the Empire State Building was considered \"problematic\" due to interference from nearby buildings. In comparison, the congressional report stated that the former Twin Towers had very few buildings of comparable height nearby thus signals suffered little interference.In 2003, a few FM stations were relocated to the nearbyCondé Nast Buildingto reduce the number of broadcast stations using the Empire State Building.Eleventelevisionstations and twenty-twoFMstations had signed 15-year leases in the building by May 2003. It was expected that a taller broadcast tower inBayonne, New Jersey, orGovernors Island, would be built in the meantime with the Empire State Building being used as a \"backup\" since signal transmissions from the building were generally of poorer quality.Following the construction ofOne World Trade Centerin the late 2000s and early 2010s, some TV stations began moving their transmitting facilities there. As of 2021, the Empire State Building is home to the following stations: History The site was previously owned byJohn Jacob Astorof the prominentAstor family, who had owned the site since the mid-1820s.In 1893, John Jacob Astor Sr.'s grandsonWilliam Waldorf Astoropened the Waldorf Hotel on the site.Four years later, his cousin,John Jacob Astor IV, opened the 16-story Astoria Hotel on an adjacent site.The two portions of theWaldorf–Astoriahotel had 1,300 bedrooms, making it the largest hotel in the world at the time.After the death of its founding proprietor,George Boldt, in early 1918, the hotel lease was purchased byThomas Coleman du Pont.By the 1920s, the old Waldorf–Astoria was becoming dated and the elegant social life of New York had moved much farther north.Additionally, many stores had opened on Fifth Avenue north of 34th Street.The Astor family decided to build areplacement hotelonPark Avenueand sold the hotel to Bethlehem Engineering Corporation in 1928 for $14–16 million.The hotel closed shortly thereafter on May 3, 1929. Planning Early plans Bethlehem Engineering Corporation originally intended to build a 25-story office building on the Waldorf–Astoria site. The company's president, Floyd De L. Brown, paid $100,000 of the $1 milliondown paymentrequired to start construction on the building, with the promise that the difference would be paid later.Brown borrowed $900,000 from a bank butdefaultedon the loan. After Brown was unable to secure additional funding,the land was resold to Empire State Inc., a group of wealthy investors that includedLouis G. Kaufman,Ellis P. Earle,John J. Raskob, Coleman du Pont, andPierre S. du Pont.The name came from thestate nicknamefor New York.Alfred E. Smith, a formerGovernor of New Yorkand U.S. presidential candidate whose1928 campaignhad been managed by Raskob,was appointed head of the company.The group also purchased nearby land so they would have the 2 acres (1 ha) needed for the base, with the combined plot measuring 425 feet (130 m) wide by 200 feet (61 m) long.The Empire State Inc. consortium was announced to the public in August 1929.Concurrently, Smith announced the construction of an 80-story building on the site, to be taller than any other buildings in existence. Empire State Inc. contractedWilliam F. Lamb, of architectural firmShreve, Lamb and Harmon, to create the building design.Lamb produced the initial building design in just two weeks using the firm's earlier designs for theReynolds BuildinginWinston-Salem, North Carolina, as the basis.He had also been inspired byRaymond Hood's design for theDaily News Building, which was being constructed at the same time.Concurrently, Lamb's partnerRichmond Shrevecreated \"bug diagrams\" of the project requirements.The1916 Zoning Actforced Lamb to design a structure that incorporatedsetbacksresulting in the lower floors being larger than the upper floors.Consequently, the building was conceived from the top down,giving it a pencil-like shape.The plans were devised within a budget of $50 million and a stipulation that the building be ready for occupancy within 18 months of the start of construction.Design drawings and construction were concurrent. Steel drawings were completed in mid-January 1930, when foundations were underway. Design changes The original plan of the building was 50 stories,but was later increased to 60 and then 80 stories.Height restrictions were placed on nearby buildingsto ensure that the top fifty floors of the planned 80-story, 1,000-foot-tall (300 m) buildingwould have unobstructed views of the city.The New York Timeslauded the site's proximity tomass transit, with theBrooklyn–Manhattan Transit's34th Streetstation and theHudson and Manhattan Railroad's33rd Streetterminal one block away, as well asPenn Stationtwo blocks away andGrand Central Terminalnine blocks away at its closest. It also praised the 3,000,000 square feet (280,000 m2) of proposed floor space near \"one of the busiest sections in the world\".The Empire State Building was to be a typical office building, but Raskob intended to build it \"better and in a bigger way\", according to architectural writer Donald J. Reynolds. While plans for the Empire State Building were being finalized, an intense competition in New York for the title of \"world's tallest building\" was underway.40 Wall Street(then the Bank of Manhattan Building) and theChrysler Buildingin Manhattan both vied for this distinction and were already under construction when work began on the Empire State Building.The \"Race into the Sky\", as popular media called it at the time, was representative of the country's optimism in the 1920s, fueled by the building boom in major cities.The race was defined by at least five other proposals, although only the Empire State Building would survive theWall Street Crash of 1929.The 40 Wall Street tower was revised, in April 1929, from 840 feet (260 m) to 925 feet (282 m) making it the world's tallest.The Chrysler Building added its 185-foot (56 m) steel tip to its roof in October 1929, thus bringing it to a height of 1,046 feet (319 m) and greatly exceeding the height of 40 Wall Street.The Chrysler Building's developer,Walter Chrysler, realized that his tower's height would exceed the Empire State Building's as well, having instructed his architect,William Van Alen, to change the Chrysler's original roof from a stubbyRomanesquedome to a narrow steel spire.Raskob, wishing to have the Empire State Building be the world's tallest, reviewed the plans and had five floors added as well as a spire; however, the new floors would need to be set back because of projected wind pressure on the extension.On November 18, 1929, Smith acquired a lot at 27–31 West 33rd Street, adding 75 feet (23 m) to the width of the proposed office building's site.Two days later, Smith announced the updated plans for the skyscraper. The plans included an observation deck on the 86th-floor roof at a height of 1,050 feet (320 m), higher than the Chrysler's 71st-floor observation deck. The 1,050-foot Empire State Building would only be 4 feet (1.2 m) taller than the Chrysler Building,and Raskob was afraid that Chrysler might try to \"pull a trick like hiding a rod in the spire and then sticking it up at the last minute.\"The plans were revised one last time in December 1929, to include a 16-story, 200-foot (61 m) metal \"crown\" and an additional 222-foot (68 m) mooring mast intended fordirigibles. The roof height was now 1,250 feet (380 m), making it the tallest building in the world by far, even without the antenna.The addition of the dirigible station meant that another floor, the now-enclosed 86th floor, would have to be built below the crown;however, unlike the Chrysler's spire, the Empire State's mast would serve a practical purpose.A revised plan was announced to the public in late December 1929, just before the start of construction.The final plan was sketched within two hours, the night before the plan was supposed to be presented to the site's owners in January 1930.The New York Timesreported that the spire was facing some \"technical problems\", but they were \"no greater than might be expected under such a novel plan.\"By this time the blueprints for the building had gone through up to fifteen versions before they were approved.Lamb described the other specifications he was given for the final, approved plan: The program was short enough—a fixed budget, no space more than 28 feet from window to corridor, as many stories of such space as possible, an exterior of limestone, and completion date of , 1931, which meant a year and six months from the beginning of sketches. Construction The contractors wereStarrett Brothers and Eken, which were composed ofPaulandWilliam A. StarrettandAndrew J. Eken.The project was financed primarily by Raskob and Pierre du Pont,whileJames Farley's General Builders Supply Corporation supplied the building materials.John W. Bowserwas the construction superintendent of the project,and the structural engineer of the building was Homer G. Balcom.The tight completion schedule necessitated the commencement of construction even though the design had yet to be finalized. Hotel demolition Demolition of the old Waldorf–Astoria began on October 1, 1929.Stripping the building down was an arduous process, as the hotel had been constructed using more rigid material than earlier buildings had been. Furthermore, the old hotel's granite, wood chips, and \"'precious' metals such as lead, brass, and zinc\" were not in high demand, resulting in issues with disposal.Most of the wood was deposited into a woodpile on nearby 30th Street or was burned in a swamp elsewhere. Much of the other materials that made up the old hotel, including the granite and bronze, were dumped into theAtlantic OceannearSandy Hook, New Jersey. By the time the hotel's demolition started, Raskob had secured the required funding for the construction of the building.The plan was to start construction later that year but, on October 24, theNew York Stock Exchangeexperienced the major and suddenWall Street Crash, marking the beginning of the decade-longGreat Depression. Despite the economic downturn, Raskob refused to cancel the project because of the progress that had been made up to that point.Neither Raskob, who had ceasedspeculationin the stock market the previous year, nor Smith, who had no stock investments, suffered financially in the crash.However, most of the investors were affected and as a result, in December 1929, Empire State Inc. obtained a $27.5 million loan fromMetropolitan Life Insurance Companyso construction could begin.The stock market crash resulted in no demand for new office space; Raskob and Smith nonetheless started construction,as canceling the project would have resulted in greater losses for the investors. Steel structure A structural steel contract was awarded on January 12, 1930,with excavation of the site beginning ten days later on January 22,before the old hotel had been completely demolished.Two twelve-hour shifts, consisting of 300 men each, worked continuously to dig the 55-foot (17 m) deep foundation.Small pier holes were sunk into the ground to house the concrete footings that would support the steelwork.Excavation was nearly complete by early March,and construction on the building itself started on March 17,with the builders placing the first steel columns on the completed footings before the rest of the footings had been finished.Around this time, Lamb held a press conference on the building plans. He described the reflective steel panels parallel to the windows, the large-blockIndiana Limestonefacade that was slightly more expensive than smaller bricks, and the building's vertical lines.Four colossal columns, intended for installation in the center of the building site, were delivered; they would support a combined 10,000,000 pounds (4,500,000 kg) when the building was finished. The structural steel was pre-ordered andpre-fabricatedin anticipation of a revision to the city's building code that would have allowed the Empire State Building's structural steel to carry 18,000 pounds per square inch (120,000 kPa), up from 16,000 pounds per square inch (110,000 kPa), thus reducing the amount of steel needed for the building. Although the 18,000-psi regulation had been safely enacted in other cities, MayorJimmy Walkerdid not sign the new codes into law until March 26, 1930, just before construction was due to commence.The first steel framework was installed on April 1, 1930.From there, construction proceeded at a rapid pace; during one stretch of 10 working days, the builders erected fourteen floors.This was made possible through precise coordination of the building's planning, as well as themass productionof common materials such as windows andspandrels.On one occasion, when a supplier could not provide timely delivery of dark Hauteville marble, Starrett switched to using Rose Famosa marble from a German quarry that was purchased specifically to provide the project with sufficient marble. The scale of the project was massive, with trucks carrying \"16,000 partition tiles, 5,000 bags of cement, 450 cubic yards of sand and 300 bags of lime\" arriving at the construction site every day.There were also cafes and concession stands on five of the incomplete floors so workers did not have to descend to the ground level to eat lunch.Temporary water taps were also built so workers did not waste time buying water bottles from the ground level.Additionally, carts running on a small railway system transported materials from the basement storageto elevators that brought the carts to the desired floors where they would then be distributed throughout that level using another set of tracks.The 57,480 short tons (51,320 long tons) of steel ordered for the project was the largest-ever single order of steel at the time, comprising more steel than was ordered for the Chrysler Building and 40 Wall Street combined.According to historianJohn Tauranac, building materials were sourced from numerous, and distant, sources with \"limestone from Indiana, steel girders from Pittsburgh, cement and mortar from upper New York State, marble from Italy, France, and England, wood from northern and Pacific Coast forests, hardware from New England.\"The facade, too, used a variety of material, most prominently Indiana limestone but alsoSwedish black granite,terracotta, andbrick. By June 20, the skyscraper's supportingsteel structurehad risen to the 26th floor, and by July 27, half of the steel structure had been completed.Starrett Bros. and Eken endeavored to build one floor a day in order to speed up construction, achieving a pace of four and a half stories per week;prior to this, the fastest pace of construction for a building of similar height had been three and a half stories per week.While construction progressed, the final designs for the floors were being designed from the ground up (as opposed to the general design, which had been from the roof down). Some of the levels were still undergoing final approval, with several orders placed within an hour of a plan being finalized.On September 10, as steelwork was nearing completion, Smith laid the building'scornerstoneduring a ceremony attended by thousands. The stone contained a box with contemporary artifacts including the previous day'sNew York Times, a U.S. currency set containing all denominations of notes and coins minted in 1930, a history of the site and building, and photographs of the people involved in construction.The steel structure was topped out at 1,048 feet (319 m) on September 19, twelve days ahead of schedule and 23 weeks after the start of construction.Workers raised a flag atop the 86th floor to signify this milestone. Completion and scale Work on the building's interior and crowning mast commenced after the topping out.The mooring mast topped out on November 21, two months after the steelwork had been completed.Meanwhile, work on the walls and interior was progressing at a quick pace, with exterior walls built up to the 75th floor by the time steelwork had been built to the 95th floor.The majority of the facade was already finished by the middle of November.Because of the building's height, it was deemed infeasible to have many elevators or large elevator cabins, so the builders contracted with theOtis Elevator Companyto make 66 cars that could speed at 1,200 feet per minute (366 m/min), which represented the largest-ever elevator order at the time. In addition to the time constraint builders had, there were also space limitations because construction materials had to be delivered quickly, and trucks needed to drop off these materials without congesting traffic. This was solved by creating a temporary driveway for the trucks between 33rd and 34th Streets, and then storing the materials in the building's first floor and basements.Concrete mixers, brick hoppers, and stone hoists inside the building ensured that materials would be able to ascend quickly and without endangering or inconveniencing the public.At one point, over 200 trucks made material deliveries at the building site every day.A series of relay and erectionderricks, placed on platforms erected near the building, lifted the steel from the trucks below and installed the beams at the appropriate locations.The Empire State Building was structurally completed on April 11, 1931, twelve days ahead of schedule and 410 days after construction commenced.Al Smith shot the final rivet, which was made of solid gold. The project involved more than 3,500 workers at its peak,including 3,439 on a single day, August 14, 1930.Many of the workers were Irish and Italian immigrants,with a sizable minority ofMohawkironworkersfrom theKahnawakereserve nearMontreal.According to official accounts, five workers died during the construction,although theNew York Daily Newsgave reports of 14 deathsand a headline in the socialist magazineThe New Massesspread unfounded rumors of up to 42 deaths.The Empire State Building cost $40,948,900 to build (equivalent to $661 million in 2023),including demolition of the Waldorf–Astoria. This was lower than the $60 million budgeted for construction. Lewis Hinecaptured many photographs of the construction, documenting not only the work itself but also providing insight into the daily life of workers in that era.Hine's images were used extensively by the media to publish daily press releases.According to the writerJim Rasenberger, Hine \"climbed out onto the steel with the ironworkers and dangled from a derrick cable hundreds of feet above the city to capture, as no one ever had before (or has since), the dizzy work of building skyscrapers\". In Rasenberger's words, Hine turned what might have been an assignment of \"corporate flak\" into \"exhilarating art\".These images were later organized into their own collection.Onlookers were enraptured by the sheer height at which the steelworkers operated.New Yorkmagazine wrote of the steelworkers: \"Like little spiders they toiled, spinning a fabric of steel against the sky\". Opening and early years The Empire State Building officially opened on May 1, 1931, forty-five days ahead of its projected opening date, and eighteen months from the start of construction.The opening was marked with an event featuring United States PresidentHerbert Hoover, who turned on the building's lights with the ceremonial button push fromWashington, D.C.Over 350 guests attended the opening ceremony, and following luncheon, at the 86th floor includingJimmy Walker, GovernorFranklin D. Roosevelt, andAl Smith.An account from that day stated that the view from the luncheon was obscured by a fog, with other landmarks such as theStatue of Libertybeing \"lost in the mist\" enveloping New York City.The Empire State Building officially opened the next day.Advertisements for the building's observatories were placed in local newspapers, while nearby hotels also capitalized on the events by releasing advertisements that lauded their proximity to the newly opened building. According toThe New York Times, builders and real estate speculators predicted that the 1,250-foot-tall (380 m) Empire State Building would be the world's tallest building \"for many years\", thus ending the great New York City skyscraper rivalry. At the time, most engineers agreed that it would be difficult to build a building taller than 1,200 feet (370 m), even with the hardy Manhattanbedrockas a foundation.Technically, it was believed possible to build a tower of up to 2,000 feet (610 m), but it was deemed uneconomical to do so, especially during the Great Depression.As the tallest building in the world, at that time, and the first one to exceed 100 floors, the Empire State Building became an icon of the city and, ultimately, of the nation. In 1932, the Fifth Avenue Association gave the building its 1931 \"gold medal\" for architectural excellence, signifying that the Empire State had been the best-designed building on Fifth Avenue to open in 1931.A year later, on March 2, 1933, the movieKing Kongwas released. The movie, which depicted a largestop motionape namedKongclimbing the Empire State Building, made the still-new building into a cinematic icon. Tenants and tourism At the beginning of 1931, Fifth Avenue was experiencing high demand for storefront space, with only 12 of 224 stores being unoccupied. The Empire State Building, along with 500 Fifth Avenue and608 Fifth Avenue, were expected to add a combined 11 stores.The office space was less successful, as the Empire State Building's opening had coincided with theGreat Depression in the United States.In the first year, only 23 percent of the available space was rented,as compared to the early 1920s, where the average building would be 52 percent occupied upon opening and 90 percent occupied within five years.The lack of renters led New Yorkers to deride the building as the \"Empty State Building\"or \"Smith's Folly\". The earliest tenants in the Empire State Building were large companies, banks, and garment industries.Jack Brod, one of the building's longest resident tenants,co-established the Empire Diamond Corporation with his father in the building in mid-1931and rented space in the building until he died in 2008.Brod recalled that there were only about 20 tenants at the time of opening, including him,and that Al Smith was the only real tenant in the space above his seventh-floor offices.Generally, during the early 1930s, it was rare for more than a single office space to be rented in the building, despite Smith's and Raskob's aggressive marketing efforts in the newspapers and to anyone they knew.The building's lights were continuously left on, even in the unrented spaces, to give the impression of occupancy. This was exacerbated by competition fromRockefeller Centeras well as from buildings on42nd Street, which, when combined with the Empire State Building, resulted in surplus of office space in a slow market during the 1930s. Aggressive marketing efforts served to reinforce the Empire State Building's status as the world's tallest.The observatory was advertised in local newspapers as well as on railroad tickets.The building became a popular tourist attraction, with one million people each paying one dollar to ride elevators to the observation decks in 1931.In its first year of operation, the observation deck made approximately $2 million in revenue, as much as its owners made in rent that year.By 1936, the observation deck was crowded on a daily basis, with food and drink available for purchase at the top,and by 1944 the building had received its five-millionth visitor.In 1931,NBCtook up tenancy, leasing space on the 85th floor for radio broadcasts.From the outset the building was in debt, losing $1 million per year by 1935. Real estate developerSeymour Durstrecalled that the building was so underused in 1936 that there was no elevator service above the 45th floor, as the building above the 41st floor was empty except for the NBC offices and the Raskob/Du Pont offices on the 81st floor. Other events Per the original plans, the Empire State Building'sspirewas intended to be anairshipdocking station. Raskob and Smith had proposed dirigible ticketing offices and passenger waiting rooms on the 86th floor, while the airships themselves would be tied to the spire at the equivalent of the building's 106th floor.An elevator would ferry passengers from the 86th to the 101st floorafter they had checked in on the 86th floor,after which passengers would have climbed steep ladders to board the airship.The idea, however, was impractical and dangerous due to powerful updrafts caused by the building itself,the wind currents across Manhattan,and the spires of nearby skyscrapers.Furthermore, even if the airship were to successfully navigate all these obstacles, its crew would have to jettison someballastby releasing water onto the streets below in order to maintain stability, and then tie the craft's nose to the spire with no mooring lines securing the tail end of the craft.On September 15, 1931, a small commercialUnited States Navyairship circled 25 times in 45-mile-per-hour (72 km/h) winds.The airship then attempted to dock at the mast, but its ballast spilled and the craft was rocked by unpredictableeddies.The near-disaster scuttled plans to turn the building's spire into an airship terminal, although one blimp did manage to make a single newspaper delivery afterward. On July 28, 1945, aB-25 Mitchellbombercrashedinto the north side of the Empire State Building, between the 79th and 80th floors.One engine completely penetrated the building and landed in a neighboring block, while the other engine and part of the landing gear plummeted down an elevator shaft. Fourteen people were killed in the incident,but the building escaped severe damage and was reopened two days later. Profitability By the 1940s, the Empire State Building was 98 percent occupied.The structurebroke evenfor the first time in the 1950s.At the time, mass transit options in the building's vicinity were limited compared to the present day. Despite this challenge, the Empire State Building began to attract renters due to its reputation.A 222-foot (68 m)radio antennawas erected on top of the towers starting in 1950,allowing the area's television stations to be broadcast from the building. Despite the turnaround in the building's fortunes, Raskob listed it for sale in 1951,with a minimum asking price of $50 million.The property was purchased by business partnersRoger L. Stevens,Henry Crown, Alfred R. Glancy andBen Tobin.The sale was brokered by the Charles F. Noyes Company, a prominent real estate firm in upper Manhattan,for $51 million, the highest price paid for a single structure at the time.By this time, the Empire State had been fully leased for several years with a waiting list of parties looking to lease space in the building, according to theCortland Standard.That same year, six news companies formed a partnership to pay a combined annual fee of $600,000 to use thebuilding's antenna,which was completed in 1953.Crown bought out his partners' ownership stakes in 1954, becoming the sole owner.The following year, theAmerican Society of Civil Engineersnamed the building one of the \"Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders\". In 1961,Lawrence A. Wiensigned a contract to purchase the Empire State Building for $65 million, withHarry B. Helmsleyacting as partners in the building's operating lease.This became the new highest price for a single structure.Over 3,000 people paid $10,000 for one share each in a company called Empire State Building Associates. The company in turnsubleasedthe building to another company headed by Helmsley and Wien, raising $33 million of the funds needed to pay the purchase price.In a separate transaction,the land underneath the building was sold toPrudential Insurancefor $29 million.Helmsley, Wien, and Peter Malkin quickly started a program of minor improvement projects, including the first-ever full-building facade refurbishment and window-washing in 1962,the installation of new flood lights on the 72nd floor in 1964,and replacement of the manually operated elevators with automatic units in 1966.The little-used western end of the second floor was used as a storage space until 1964, at which point it received escalators to the first floor as part of its conversion into a highly sought retail area. Loss of \"tallest building\" title In 1961, the same year that Helmsley, Wien, and Malkin had purchased the Empire State Building, thePort Authority of New York and New Jerseyformally backed plans for a newWorld Trade CenterinLower Manhattan.The plan originally included 66-story twin towers with column-free open spaces. The Empire State's owners and real estate speculators were worried that the twin towers' 7.6 million square feet (710,000 m2) of office space would create a glut of rentable space in Manhattan as well as take away the Empire State Building's profits from lessees.A revision in the World Trade Center's plan brought the twin towers to 1,370 feet (420 m) each or 110 stories, taller than the Empire State.Opponents of the new project included prominent real-estate developerRobert Tishman, as well as Wien's Committee for a Reasonable World Trade Center.In response to Wien's opposition, Port Authority executive directorAustin J. Tobinsaid that Wien was only opposing the project because it would overshadow his Empire State Building as the world's tallest building. The World Trade Center's twin towers startedconstructionin 1966.The following year, theOstankino Towersucceeded the Empire State Building as thetallest freestanding structure in the world.In 1970, the Empire State surrendered its position as the world's tallest building,when the World Trade Center's still-under-construction North Tower surpassed it, on October 19;the North Tower wastopped outon December 23, 1970. In December 1975, the observation deck was opened on the 110th floor of the Twin Towers, significantly higher than the 86th floor observatory on the Empire State Building.The latter was also losing revenue during this period, particularly as a number of broadcast stations had moved to the World Trade Center in 1971; although the Port Authority continued to pay the broadcasting leases for the Empire State until 1984.The Empire State Building was still seen as prestigious, having seen its forty-millionth visitor in March 1971. 1980s and 1990s By 1980, there were nearly two million annual visitors,although a building official had previously estimated between 1.5 million and 1.75 million annual visitors.The building received its own ZIP code in May 1980 in a roll out of 63 new postal codes in Manhattan. At the time, its tenants collectively received 35,000 pieces of mail daily.The Empire State Building celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 1, 1981, with a much-publicized, but poorly received, laser light show,as well as an \"Empire State Building Week\" that ran through to May 8.TheNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commission(LPC) voted to designate the building and its lobby as city landmarks on May 19, 1981, Capital improvements were made to the Empire State Building during the early to mid-1990s at a cost of $55 million.Because all of the building's windows were being replaced at the same time, the LPC mandated a paint-color test for the windows; the test revealed that the Empire State Building's original windows were actually red.The improvements also entailed replacing alarm systems, elevators, windows, and air conditioning; making the observation deck compliant with theAmericans with Disabilities Act of 1990(ADA); and refurbishing the limestone facade.The observation deck renovation was added after disability rights groups and theUnited States Department of Justicefiled a lawsuit against the building in 1992, in what was the first lawsuit filed by an organization under the new law.A settlement was reached in 1994, in which Empire State Building Associates agreed to add ADA-compliant elements, such as new elevators, ramps, and automatic doors, during the renovation. Prudential sold the land under the building in 1991 for $42 million to a buyer representing hotelierHideki Yokoi, who was imprisoned at the time in connection with the deadlyHotel New Japan Fireat theHotel New JapaninTokyo.In 1994,Donald Trumpentered into a joint-venture agreement with Yokoi, with a shared goal of breaking the Empire State Building's lease on the land in an effort to gain total ownership of the building so that, if successful, the two could reap the potential profits of merging the ownership of the building with the land beneath it.Having secured a half-ownership of the land, Trump devised plans to take ownership of the building itself so he could renovate it, even though Helmsley and Malkin had already started their refurbishment project.He sued Empire State Building Associates in February 1995, claiming that the latter had caused the building to become a \"high-rise slum\"and a \"second-rate, rodent-infested\" office tower.Trump had intended to have Empire State Building Associates evicted for violating the terms of their lease,but was denied.This led to Helmsley's companies countersuing Trump in May.This sparked a series of lawsuits and countersuits that lasted several years,partly arising from Trump's desire to obtain the building's master lease by taking it from Empire State Building Associates.Upon Harry Helmsley's death in 1997, the Malkins sued Helmsley's widow,Leona Helmsley, for control of the building. 21st century 2000s Following the destruction of the World Trade Center during theSeptember 11 attacksin 2001, the Empire State Building again became thetallest building in New York City, but was only thesecond-tallest building in the Americasafter theSears (later Willis) Towerin Chicago.As a result of the attacks, transmissions from nearly all of the city's commercial television and FM radio stations were again broadcast from the Empire State Building.The attacks also led to an increase in security due to persistent terror threats against prominent sites in New York City. In 2002, Trump and Yokoi sold their land claim to the Empire State Building Associates, now headed by Malkin, in a $57.5 million sale.This action merged the building's title and lease for the first time in half a century.Despite the lingering threat posed by the 9/11 attacks, the Empire State Building remained popular with 3.5 million visitors to the observatories in 2004, compared to about 2.8 million in 2003. Even though she maintained her ownership stake in the building until the post-consolidation IPO in October 2013,Leona Helmsleyhanded over day-to-day operations of the building in 2006 to Peter Malkin's company.In 2008, the building was temporarily \"stolen\" by theNew York Daily Newsto show how easy it was to transfer the deed on a property, since city clerks were not required to validate the submitted information, as well as to help demonstrate how fraudulent deeds could be used to obtain large mortgages and then have individuals disappear with the money. The paperwork submitted to the city included the names ofFay Wray, the famous star ofKing Kong, andWillie Sutton, a notorious New York bank robber. The newspaper then transferred the deed back over to the legitimate owners, who at that time were Empire State Land Associates. 2010s to present Starting in 2009, the building's public areas received a $550 million renovation, with improvements to the air conditioning and waterproofing, renovations to the observation deck and main lobby,and relocation of the gift shop to the 80th floor.About $120 million was spent on improving theenergy efficiencyof the building, with the goal of reducing energy emissions by 38% within five years.For example, all of the windows were refurbished onsite into film-coated \"superwindows\" which block heat but pass light.Air conditioningoperating costs on hot days were reduced, saving $17 million of the project's capital cost immediately and partially funding some of the other retrofits.The Empire State Building won theLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)Gold for Existing Buildings rating in September 2011, as well as theWorld Federation of Great Towers' Excellence in Environment Award for 2010.For the LEED Gold certification, the building's energy reduction was considered, as was a large purchase ofcarbon offsets. Other factors included low-flow bathroom fixtures, green cleaning supplies, and use of recycled paper products. On April 30, 2012,One World Trade Centertopped out, taking the Empire State Building's record of tallest in the city.By 2014, the building was owned by the Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT), with Anthony Malkin as chairman, CEO, and president.The ESRT was apublic company, having begun trading publicly on the New York Stock Exchange the previous year.In August 2016, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) was issued new fully diluted shares equivalent to 9.9% of the trust; this investment gave them partial ownership of the entirety of the ESRT's portfolio, and as a result, partial ownership of the Empire State Building.The trust's president John Kessler called it an \"endorsement of the company's irreplaceable assets\".The investment has been described by the real-estate magazineThe Real Dealas \"an unusual move for a sovereign wealth fund\", as these funds typically buy direct stakes in buildings rather than real estate companies.Other foreign entities that have a stake in the ESRT include investors from Norway, Japan, and Australia. A renovation of the Empire State Building was commenced in the 2010s to further improve energy efficiency, public areas, and amenities.In August 2018, to improve the flow of visitor traffic, the main visitor's entrance was shifted to 20 West 34th Street as part of a major renovation of the observatory lobby.The new lobby includes several technological features, including large LED panels, digital ticket kiosks in nine languages, and a two-story architectural model of the building surrounded by two metal staircases.The first phase of the renovation, completed in 2019, features an updated exterior lighting system and digital hosts.The new lobby also features free Wi-Fi provided for those waiting.A 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) exhibit with nine galleries opened in July 2019.The 102nd floor observatory, the third phase of the redesign, reopened to the public on October 12, 2019.That portion of the project included outfitting the space with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a brand-new glass elevator.The final portion of the renovations to be completed was a new observatory on the 80th floor, which opened on December 2, 2019.In total, the renovation cost $160 millionor $165 million and took four years to finish. A comprehensive restoration of the building's mooring and antenna masts also began in June 2019. Antennas on the mooring mast were removed or relocated to the upper mast, while the aluminum panels were cleaned and coated with silver paint.To minimize disruption to the observation decks, the restoration work took place at night. The project was completed by late 2020. Height records The longest world record held by the Empire State Building was for the tallest skyscraper (to structural height), which it held for 42 years until it was surpassed by theNorth Towerof the World Trade Center in October 1970.The Empire State Building was also thetallest human-made structurein the world before it was surpassed by theGriffin Television Tower Oklahoma(KWTV Mast) in 1954,and thetallest freestanding structure in the worlduntil the completion of theOstankino Towerin 1967.An early-1970s proposal to dismantle the spire and replace it with an additional 11 floors, which would have brought the building's height to 1,494 feet (455 m) and made it once again the world's tallest at the time, was considered but ultimately rejected. With the destruction of the World Trade Center in theSeptember 11 attacks, the Empire State Building again became thetallest building in New York City, and thesecond-tallest building in the Americas, surpassed only by theWillis Towerin Chicago. The Empire State Building remained the tallest building in New York until the newOne World Trade Centerreached a greater height in April 2012.As of 2022, it is the seventh-tallest building in New York City and thetenth-tallest in the United States.The Empire State Building is the49th-tallest in the worldas of February 2021.It is also theeleventh-tallest freestanding structure in the Americasbehind the tallest U.S. buildings and theCN Tower. Notable tenants As of 2013, the building housed around 1,000 businesses.Current tenants include: Former tenants include: Incidents 1945 plane crash At 9:40 am on July 28, 1945, aB-25 Mitchellbomber, piloted in thick fog by Lieutenant Colonel William Franklin Smith Jr.,crashed into the north side of the Empire State Building between the 79th and 80th floors (then the offices of theNational Catholic Welfare Council).One engine completely penetrated the building, landing on the roof of a nearby building where it started a fire that destroyed a penthouse.The other engine and part of the landing gear plummeted down an elevator shaft, causing a fire that was extinguished in 40 minutes. Fourteen people were killed in the incident.Elevator operator Betty Lou Oliver fell 75 stories and survived, which still holds theGuinness World Recordfor the longest survived elevator fall recorded. Despite the damage and loss of life, many floors were open two days later.The crash helped spur the passage of the long-pendingFederal Tort Claims Actof 1946, as well as the insertion of retroactive provisions into the law, allowing people to sue the government for the incident.Also as a result of the crash, theCivil Aeronautics Administrationenacted strict regulations regarding flying over New York City, setting a minimum flying altitude of 2,500 feet (760 m) above sea level regardless of the weather conditions. A year later, on July 24, 1946, another airplane narrowly missed striking the building. The unidentified twin-engine plane scraped past the observation deck, frightening the tourists there. 2000 elevator plunge On January 24, 2000, an elevator in the building suddenly descended 40 stories after a cable that controlled the cabin's maximum speed was severed.The elevator fell from the 44th floor to the fourth floor, where a narrowed elevator shaft provided a second safety system. Despite the 40-floor fall, both of the passengers in the cabin at the time were only slightly injured. After the fall, building inspectors reviewed all of the building's elevators. Suicide attempts Because of the building's iconic status, it and other Midtown landmarks are common locations forsuicideattempts.More than 30 people haveattempted suicideover the years by jumping from the upper parts of the building, with most attempts being successful. The first suicide from the building occurred on April 7, 1931, before it was even completed, when a carpenter who had been laid-off went to the 58th floor and jumped.The first suicide after the building's opening occurred from the 86th floor observatory in February 1935, when Irma P. Eberhardt fell 1,029 feet (314 m) onto amarquee sign.On December 16, 1943, William Lloyd Rambo jumped to his death from the 86th floor, landing amidst Christmas shoppers on the street below.In the early morning of September 27, 1946,shell-shockedMarine Douglas W. Brashear Jr. jumped from the 76th-floor window of the Grant Advertising Agency; police found his shoes 50 feet (15 m) from his body. On May 1, 1947,Evelyn McHaleleapt to her death from the 86th floor observation deck and landed on alimousineparked at the curb. Photography student Robert Wiles took a photo of McHale's oddly intact corpse a few minutes after her death. The police found a suicide note among possessions that she left on the observation deck: \"He is much better off without me.... I wouldn't make a good wife for anybody\". The photo ran in the May 12, 1947, edition ofLifemagazineand is often referred to as \"The Most Beautiful Suicide\". It was later used by visual artistAndy Warholin one of his prints entitledSuicide (Fallen Body).A 7-foot (2.1 m) mesh fence was put up around the 86th floor terrace in December 1947 after five people tried to jump during a three-week span in October and November of that year.By then, sixteen people had died from suicide jumps. Only one person has jumped from the upper observatory. Frederick Eckert ofAstoriaran past a guard in the enclosed 102nd-floor gallery on November 3, 1932, and jumped a gate leading to an outdoor catwalk intended fordirigiblepassengers. He landed and died on the roof of the 86th floor observation promenade. Two people have survived falls by not falling more than a floor. On December 2, 1979, Elvita Adams jumped from the 86th floor, only to be blown back onto a ledge on the 85th floor by a gust of wind and left with abroken hip.On April 25, 2013, a man fell from the 86th floor observation deck, but he landed alive with minor injuries on an 85th-floor ledge where security guards brought him inside and paramedics transferred him to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Shootings Two fatal shootings have occurred in the direct vicinity of the Empire State Building. Abu Kamal, a 69-year-old Palestinian teacher,shot seven peopleon the 86th floor observation deck during the afternoon of February 23, 1997. He killed one person and wounded six others before committing suicide.Kamal reportedly committed the shooting in response to events happening inPalestineandIsrael. On the morning of August 24, 2012, 58-year-old Jeffrey T. Johnsonshot and killeda former co-worker on the building's Fifth Avenue sidewalk. He had been laid off from his job in 2011. Two police officers confronted the gunman, and he aimed his firearm at them. They responded by firing 16 shots, killing him but also wounding nine bystanders. Most of the injured were hit by bullet fragments, although three took direct hits from bullets. Impact As the tallest building in the world and the first one to exceed 100 floors, the Empire State Building immediately became an icon of the city and of the nation.In 2013,Timemagazine noted that the Empire State Building \"seems to completely embody the city it has become synonymous with\".The historian John Tauranac called it \"'the' twentieth-century New York building\", despite the existence of taller and moremodernistbuildings. TheNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commissionvoted to designate the building and its lobby as city landmarks on May 19, 1981,citing the historic nature of the first and second floors, as well as \"the fixtures and interior components\" of the upper floors.TheNew York City Planning Commissionendorsed the landmark status.The building became a National Historic Landmark in 1986in close alignment with the New York City Landmarks report.The Empire State Building was added to theNational Register of Historic Placesthe following year due to its architectural significance. Contemporary reception Early architectural critics also focused on the Empire State Building's exterior ornamentation.Architectural critic Talbot Hamlin wrote in 1931, \"That it is the world's tallest building is purely incidental.\"George Shepard Chappell, writing inThe New Yorkerunder the pseudonym \"T-Square\", wrote the same year that the Empire State Building had a \"palpably enormous\" appeal to the general public, and that \"its difference and distinction in the extreme sensitiveness of its entire design\".Edmund Wilson ofThe New Republicwrote that the building's neutral color palette made it \"New York's handsomest skyscraper\". Architectural critics also wrote negatively of the mast, especially in light of its failure to become a real air terminal. Chappell called the mast \"a silly gesture\", andLewis Mumfordcalled it \"a public comfort station for migratory birds\".Nevertheless, architecture criticDouglas Haskellsaid the Empire State Building's appeal came from the fact that it was \"caught at the exact moment of transition—caught between metal and stone, between the idea of 'monumental mass' and that of airy volume, between handicraft and machine design, and in the swing from what was essentially handicraft to what will be essentially industrial methods of fabrication.\" As icon Early in the building's history, travel companies such asShort Line Motor Coach ServiceandNew York Central Railroadused the building as an icon to symbolize the city.In a 1932 survey of 50 American architects, fourteen ranked the Empire State Building as the United States' best building; the Empire State Building received more votes than any building except theLincoln Memorial.After the construction of the first World Trade Center, architectPaul Goldbergernoted that the Empire State Building \"is famous for being tall, but it is good enough to be famous for being good.\" As an icon of the United States, it is also very popular among Americans. In a 2007 survey, the American Institute of Architects found that the Empire State Building was \"America's favorite building\".The building was originally a symbol of hope in a country devastated by the Depression, as well as a work of accomplishment by newer immigrants.The writer Benjamin Flowers states that the Empire State was \"a building intended to celebrate a new America, built by men (both clients and construction workers) who were themselves new Americans.\"The architectural criticJonathan Glanceyrefers to the building as an \"icon of American design\".Additionally, in 2007, the Empire State Building was first on the AIA's List ofAmerica's Favorite Architecture. The Empire State Building has been hailed as an example of a \"wonder of the world\" due to the massive effort expended during construction.The Washington Starlisted it as part of one of the \"seven wonders of the modern world\" in 1931, whileHolidaymagazine wrote in 1958 that the Empire State's height would be taller than the combined heights of theEiffel Towerand theGreat Pyramid of Giza.TheAmerican Society of Civil Engineersalso declared the building \"A Modern Civil Engineering Wonder of the United States\" in 1958and one of theSeven Wonders of the Modern Worldin 1994.Ron Miller, in a 2010 book, also described the Empire State Building as one of the \"seven wonders of engineering\".It has often been called theEighth Wonder of the Worldas well, an appellation that it has held since shortly after opening.The panels installed in the lobby in 1963 reflected this, showing the seven original wonders alongside the Empire State Building.The Empire State Building also became the standard of reference to describe the height and length of other structures globally, both natural and human-made. The building has also inspired replicas. TheNew York-New York Hotel and CasinoinParadise, Nevada, contains the \"Empire Tower\",a 47-story replica of the Empire State Building.A portion of the hotel's interior was also designed to resemble the Empire State Building's interior. In media As an icon of New York City, the Empire State Building has been featured in various films, books, TV shows, and video games. According to the building's official website, more than 250 movies contain depictions of the Empire State Building.In his book about the building, John Tauranac writes that its first documented appearance in popular culture wasSwiss Family Manhattan, a 1932 children's story byChristopher Morley.A year later, the filmKing KongdepictedKong, a giantstop motionape that climbs the Empire State Building during the film's climax,bringing the building into the popular imagination.Later movies such asAn Affair to Remember(1957),Sleepless in Seattle(1993), andIndependence Day(1996) also prominently featured the building.The building has also been featured in other works, such as \"Daleks in Manhattan\", a 2007 episode of the TV seriesDoctor Who;andEmpire, an eight-hour black-and-whitesilent filmbyAndy Warhol,which was later added to theLibrary of Congress'sNational Film Registry. Throughout its history, the Empire State Building has welcomed celebrities, royalty, and dignitaries to visit the observation deck. From celebrities likeTaylor SwiftandZendayato royalty such asPrince William, the Empire State Building hosts notable figures every year. Empire State Building Run-Up The Empire State Building Run-Up, a foot race from ground level to the 86th-floor observation deck, has been held annually since 1978.It is organized byNYCRUNS.Its participants are referred to both as runners and as climbers, and are oftentower runningenthusiasts. The race covers a vertical distance of 1,050 ft (320 m) and takes in 1,576 steps. The record time is 9 minutes and 33 seconds, achieved by Australian professional cyclistPaul Crakein 2003, at a climbing rate of 6,593 ft (2,010 m) per hour. See also References Notes Citations Sources Further reading External links","Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon, founded asShreve & Lamb, was anarchitectural firmbest known for designing theEmpire State Building, the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion in 1931. The firm was prominent in the proliferation ofArt Deco architecture in New York City. History The firm was founded in 1920 as Shreve & Lamb, a partnership ofRichmond Harold (\"R.H.\") Shreve, a Canadian fromNova Scotia, andWilliam F. Lamb, fromBrooklyn, New York. Shreve was the administrator, while Lamb was the architect. The two met while working atCarrère & Hastings, and Shreve & Lamb was initially a Carrère & Hastings firm. In 1924 the pair decided to leave Carrère & Hastings and became an autonomous architectural company. In 1929,Arthur Loomis Harmon, fromChicago, Illinois, joined Shreve & Lamb, and the firm became Shreve, Lamb & Harmon.Prior to joining the firm, Harmon's works included battle monuments at Tours, Cantigny and Somme-Py in France, a YMCA inJerusalem, and the Shelton Hotel in New York, U.S. For the construction of the Empire State Building, the firm's most notable work and a symbol of theAmerican expression of the Art Decostyle, Lamb was responsible for the design, while Shreve's planning skills facilitated the completion of the construction in a year. Shreve's planning skills were recognized in New York, and he was involved in projects beyond the firm, such as theSlum ClearanceCommittee of New York. Shreve, Lamb & Harmon's primary focus was commercial office buildings, and their work in this area was described as \"spare and functional\" in 2010 by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. However, the firm completed numerous residential projects, such as No. 130 East 57th Street, and this facet of the company's work was mainly conducted in neo-Tudor, as well as other popular historical styles of the 1920s. Shreve, Lamb and Harmon had also employed the future architect behind the originalWorld Trade Centercomplex,Minoru Yamasaki, after he had completed a masters degree in architecture in 1936. Lasting until 1945, this professional relationship was cut short when Yamasaki took a job atSmith, Hinchman & Grylls. It is not entirely clear when the company went out of business, with 1989 being a likely date. The archivesof Shreve, Lamb & Harmon are kept at theAvery Architectural and Fine Arts LibraryofColumbia University. Notable buildings All buildings are located inNew York Cityunless otherwise indicated: References Notes External links","Richmond Shreve Richmond Harold Shreve(June 25, 1877 – September 11, 1946) was a Canadian-American architect. Biography He was born on June 25, 1877, inCornwallis, Nova Scotia, the son of Richmond Shreve, an Anglican priest, and Mary Catherine Parker Hocken.Shreve attendedCornell University, taught there from 1902 to 1906, and was a member of theSphinx Head Society. He was president of theAmerican Institute of Architectsfrom 1941 through 1943. He died on September 11, 1946, inHastings-on-Hudson, New York. Legacy His companyShreve, Lamb and Harmonled the construction of theEmpire State Buildingas well as severalCornell Universitybuildings.Shreve was also the lead architect for the landmark 1937Williamsburg Houseshousing development in Brooklyn. He was profiled in the bookThe 100 Most Notable Cornellians. Notes External links","William F. Lamb William Frederick LambFAIA(November 21, 1883 – September 8, 1952), was an Americanarchitect, chiefly known as one of the principal designers of theEmpire State Building. Biography Lamb joined the New York architecture firmCarrère & Hastingsin 1911, shortly after returning from Paris, where he earned a diploma at theÉcole des Beaux-Arts. Lamb became a partner in 1920; the firm would be known as Shreve & Lamb from 1924 to 1929 and thereafter asShreve, Lamb and Harmon. Lamb's notable projects include theEmpire State Building, theStandard Oil Building, 521 Fifth Avenue, the Forbes Magazine Building, and the General Motors Building in New York City; the Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Building in Washington, D.C.; and academic buildings for the Connecticut College for Women, Williams College, Cornell University, and Wesleyan University. In addition to his studies at the École des Beaux Arts, Lamb received a bachelor's degree from Williams College in 1904 and did graduate work at the School of Architecture,Columbia University, from 1904 to 1906. Lamb received an honorary doctorate from Williams College in 1932; other honors include two gold medals from the Fifth Avenue Association (1930, 1931), a medal from theArchitectural League of New York(1931), and a medal of honor from the New York Chapter of theAmerican Institute of Architects(1932). He was a member of theAmerican Academy of Arts and Letters, the Art Commission of the City of New York, theBeaux-Arts Institute of Design, and the Architectural League of New York. In the period preceding the 1939 New York World's fair, Lamb served as \"Coordinator of Design\" for the fair's board of planners.Lamb served on theU.S. Commission of Fine Artsfrom 1937 to 1945, including as vice chairman from 1941 to 1945.In 1942 he was elected into theNational Academy of Designas an Associate member and became a full Academician in 1950. The firm also designed 521 Fifth Avenue, the Forbes Magazine Building, theStandard Oil Building, and theBankers Trust Buildingand worked with H. Craig Severance on40 Wall Streetin New York. He also designed theReynolds BuildinginWinston-Salem,North Carolina He died in New York on September 8, 1952. References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Empire State Building TheEmpire State Buildingis a 102-storyArt Decoskyscraper in theMidtown Southneighborhood ofManhattaninNew York City. The building was designed byShreve, Lamb & Harmonand built from 1930 to 1931. Its name is derived from \\\"Empire State\\\", thenicknameof the state ofNew York. The building has a roof height of 1,250 feet (380 m) and stands a total of 1,454 feet (443.2 m) tall, including itsantenna. The Empire State Building was the world's tallest building until the first tower of theWorld Trade Centerwastopped out in 1970; following theSeptember 11 attacksin 2001, the Empire State Building was New York City's tallest building until it was surpassed in 2012 byOne World Trade Center. As of 2022, the building is theseventh-tallest building in New York City, theninth-tallest completed skyscraper in the United States, and the54th-tallest in the world. The site of the Empire State Building, on the west side ofFifth Avenuebetween West33rdand34th Streets, was developed in 1893 as theWaldorf–Astoria Hotel. In 1929, Empire State Inc. acquired the site and devised plans for a skyscraper there. The design for the Empire State Building was changed fifteen times until it was ensured to be the world's tallest building. Construction started on March 17, 1930, and the building opened thirteen and a half months afterward on May 1, 1931. Despite favorable publicity related to the building's construction, because of theGreat DepressionandWorld War II, its owners did not make a profit until the early 1950s. The building'sArt Deco architecture, height, andobservation deckshave made it a popular attraction. Around four million tourists from around the world annually visit the building's 86th- and 102nd-floor observatories; an additional indoor observatory on the 80th floor opened in 2019. The Empire State Building is an internationalcultural icon: it has been featured in more than 250 television series and films since the filmKing Kongwas released in 1933. The building's size has been used as a standard of reference to describe the height and length of other structures. A symbol of New York City, the building has been named as one of theSeven Wonders of the Modern Worldby theAmerican Society of Civil Engineers. It was ranked first on theAmerican Institute of Architects' List ofAmerica's Favorite Architecturein 2007. Additionally, the Empire State Building and its ground-floor interior were designated city landmarks by theNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commissionin 1980, and were added to theNational Register of Historic Placesas aNational Historic Landmarkin 1986. Site The Empire State Building is located on the west side ofFifth Avenue, between33rd Streetto the south and34th Streetto the north, in theMidtown Southneighborhood ofManhattaninNew York City.Tenants enter the building through theArt Decolobby located at 350 Fifth Avenue. Visitors to the observatories use an entrance at 20 West 34th Street; prior to August 2018, visitors entered through the Fifth Avenue lobby.Although physically located in South Midtown,a mixed residential and commercial area,the building is so large that it was assigned its ownZIP Code, 10118;as of 2012, it is one of 43 buildings in New York City that have their own ZIP codes. The areas surrounding the Empire State Building are home to other major points of interest, includingMacy'satHerald SquareonSixth Avenueand 34th Street,andKoreatownon 32nd Street betweenMadisonand Sixth avenues.To the east of the Empire State Building isMurray Hill,a neighborhood with a mix of residential, commercial, and entertainment activity.The block directly to the northeast contains theB. Altman and Company Building, which houses theCity University of New York'sGraduate Center.The nearestNew York City Subwaystations are34th Street–Herald Square, one block west, and33rd StreetatPark Avenue, two blocks east; there is also aPATHstation at33rd Street and Sixth Avenue. Architecture The Empire State Building was designed byShreve, Lamb and Harmonin theArt Decostyle.The Empire State Building is 1,250 ft (381 m) tall to its 102nd floor, or1,453 feet8+9⁄16inches (443.092 m) including its 203-foot (61.9 m) pinnacle.It was the first building in the world to be more than 100 stories tall,though only the lowest 86 stories are usable. The first through 85th floors contain 2.158 million square feet (200,500 m2) of commercial and office space, while the 86th floor contains an observatory.The remaining 16 stories are part of the spire, which is capped by an observatory on the 102nd floor; the spire does not contain any intermediate levels and is used mostly for mechanical purposes.Atop the 102nd story is the 203 ft (61.9 m) pinnacle, much of which is covered by broadcast antennas, and surmounted with alightning rod. Form The Empire State Building has a symmetricalmassingbecause of its large lot and relatively short base. Itsarticulationconsists of three horizontal sections—a base, shaft, andcapital—similar to the components of acolumn.The five-story base occupies the entire lot, while the 81-story shaft above it isset backsharply from the base.The setback above the 5th story is 60 feet (18 m) deep on all sides.There are smaller setbacks on the upper stories, allowing sunlight to illuminate the interiors of the top floors while also positioning these floors away from the noisy streets below.The setbacks are located at the 21st, 25th, 30th, 72nd, 81st, and 85th stories.The setbacks correspond to the tops of elevator shafts, allowing interior spaces to be at most 28 feet (8.5 m) deep (see§ Interior). The setbacks were mandated by the1916 Zoning Resolution, which was intended to allow sunlight to reach the streets as well.Normally, a building of the Empire State's dimensions would be permitted to build up to 12 stories on the Fifth Avenue side, and up to 17 stories on the 33rd Street and 34th Street sides, before it would have to utilize setbacks.However, with the largest setback being located above the base, the tower stories could contain a uniform shape.According to architectural writerRobert A. M. Stern, the building's form contrasted with the nearly contemporary, similarly designed500 Fifth Avenueeight blocks north, which had an asymmetrical massing on a smaller lot. Facade The Empire State Building's Art Deco design is typical of pre–World War II architecture in New York City.Thefacadeis clad inIndiana limestonepanels made by the Indiana Limestone Companyand sourced from a quarry in south-central Indiana;the panels give the building its signature blonde color.According to official fact sheets, the facade uses 200,000 cubic feet (5,700 m3) of limestone and granite, ten million bricks, and 730 short tons (650 long tons) of aluminum and stainless steel.The building also contains 6,514 windows.The decorative features on the facade are largely geometric, in contrast with earlier buildings, whose decorations often were intended to represent a specific narrative. The main entrance, composed of three sets of metal doors, is at the center of the facade's Fifth Avenueelevation, flanked by molded piers that are topped with eagles. Above the main entrance is atransom, a triple-height transom window with geometric patterns, and the golden letters \\\"Empire State\\\" above the fifth-floor windows.There are two entrances each on 33rd and 34th streets, with modernistic,stainless steelcanopies projecting from the entrances on 33rd and 34th streets there. Above the secondary entrances are triple windows, less elaborate in design than those on Fifth Avenue. The storefronts on the first floor contain aluminum-framed doors and windows within a black granite cladding.The second through fourth stories consist of windows alternating with wide stonepiersand narrower stonemullions. The fifth story contains windows alternating with wide and narrow mullions, and is topped by a horizontal stone sill. The facade of the tower stories is split into several verticalbayson each side, with windows projecting slightly from the limestone cladding. The bays are arranged into sets of one, two, or three windows on each floor.The bays are separated by alternating narrow and wide piers, the inclusion of which may have been influenced by the design of the contemporaryDaily News Building.The windows in each bay are separated by vertical nickel-chrome steelmullionsand connected by horizontal aluminumspandrelsbetween each floor.The windows are placed within stainless-steel frames, which saved money by eliminating the need to apply a stonefinisharound the windows. In addition, the use of aluminum spandrels obviated the need for cross-bonding, which would have been required if stone had been used instead. Lights The building was originally equipped with whitesearchlightsat the top. They were first used in November 1932 when they lit up to signal Roosevelt's victory over Hoover in thepresidential election of that year.These were later swapped for four \\\"Freedom Lights\\\" in 1956.In February 1964, flood lights were added on the 72nd floorto illuminate the top of the building at night so that the building could be seen from the World Fair later that year.The lights were shut off from November 1973 to July 1974 because of theenergy crisisat the time.In 1976, the businessmanDouglas Leighsuggested that Wien and Helmsley install 204metal-halide lights, which were four times as bright as the 1,000 incandescent lights they were to replace.New red, white, and blue metal-halide lights were installed in time for the country'sbicentennialthat July.After the bicentennial, Helmsley retained the new lights due to the reduced maintenance cost, about $116 a year. Since October 12, 1977, the spire has been lit in colors chosen to match seasonal events and holidays.Organizations are allowed to make requests through the building's website.The building is also lit in the colors of New York-based sports teams on nights when they host games: for example, orange, blue, and white for theNew York Knicks; red, white, and blue for theNew York Rangers.The spire can also be lit to commemorate events including disasters, anniversaries, or deaths, as well as for celebrations such asPrideandHalloween. In 1998, the building was lit in blue after the death of singerFrank Sinatra, who was nicknamed \\\"Ol' Blue Eyes\\\". The structure was lit in red, white, and blue for several months after thecollapse of the World Trade CenteronSeptember 11, 2001.On January 13, 2012, the building was lit in red, orange, and yellow to honor the 60th anniversary of theNBCprogramThe Today Show.After retired basketball playerKobe Bryant'sJanuary 2020 death, the building was lit in purple and gold, signifying the colors of his former team, theLos Angeles Lakers.The evening after iconic actorJames Earl Jonesdied, September 9, 2024, the building was lit up to look like Jones's iconicDarth Vadervillain from “Star Wars.” In addition to lightings, the Empire State Building is able to do immersive visual projections on the building's exterior. It partnered with Netflix in May 2022 to celebrate the return ofStranger Thingsfourth season by projecting the Upside Down onto the Empire State Building. In 2012, the building's four hundredmetal halidelamps and floodlights were replaced with 1,200LEDfixtures, increasing the available colors from nine to over 16 million.The computer-controlled system allows the building to be illuminated in ways that were unable to be done previously with plastic gels.For instance,CNNused the top of the Empire State Building as a scoreboard during the2012 United States presidential election, using red and blue lights to representRepublicanandDemocraticelectoral votes respectively.Also, on November 26, 2012, the building had its first synchronized light show, using music from recording artistAlicia Keys.Artists such as Eminem and OneRepublic have been featured in later shows, including the building's annual Holiday Music-to-Lights Show.The building's owners adhere to strict standards in using the lights; for instance, they do not use the lights to play advertisements. Interior According to official fact sheets, the Empire State Building weighs 365,000 short tons (331,122 t) and has an internal volume of 37 million cubic feet (1,000,000 m3).The interior required 1,172 miles (1,886 km) of elevator cable and 2 million feet (609,600 m) of electrical wires.It has a total floor area of 2,768,591 sq ft (257,211 m2), and each of the floors in the base cover 2 acres (1 ha).This gives the building capacity for 20,000 tenants and 15,000 visitors. Therivetedsteel frame of the building was originally designed to handle all of the building's gravitational stresses andwind loads.The amount of material used in the building's construction resulted in a very stiff structure when compared to otherskyscrapers, with a structural stiffness of 42 pounds per square foot (2.0 kPa) versus theWillis Tower's 33 pounds per square foot (1.6 kPa) and theJohn Hancock Center's 26 pounds per square foot (1.2 kPa).A December 1930 feature inPopular Mechanicsestimated that a building with the Empire State's dimensions would still stand even if hit with an impact of 50 short tons (45 long tons). Utilities are grouped in a central shaft.On the 6th through 86th stories, the central shaft is surrounded by a main corridor on all four sides.Per the final specifications of the building, the corridor is surrounded in turn by office space 28 feet (8.5 m) deep, maximizing office space at a time before air conditioning became commonplace.Each of the floors has 210 structural columns that pass through it, which provide structural stability but limits the amount of open space on these floors.The relative dearth of stone in the Empire State Building allows for more space overall, with a 1:200 stone-to-building ratio compared to a 1:50 ratio in similar buildings. Lobby The original main lobby is accessed from Fifth Avenue, on the building's east side, and is the only place in the building where the design contains narrative motifs.It contains an entrance with one set of double doors between a pair ofrevolving doors. At the top of each doorway is a bronze motif depicting one of three \\\"crafts or industries\\\" used in the building's construction—Electricity, Masonry, and Heating.The three-story-high space runs parallel to 33rd and 34th Streets.The lobby contains two tiers of marble: awainscotingof darker marble, topped by lighter marble. There is a pattern of zigzaggingterrazzotiles on the lobby floor, which leads from east to west.To the north and south are storefronts, which are flanked by tubes of dark rounded marble and topped by a vertical band of grooves set into the marble.Until the 1960s, there was aLongchampsrestaurant next to the lobby, with six oval murals designed byWinold Reiss; these murals were placed in storage when the Longchamps closed. The western ends of the north and south walls include escalators to a mezzanine level.At the west end of the lobby, behind the security desk, is an aluminum relief of the skyscraper as it was originally built (without the antenna).The relief, which was intended to provide a welcoming effect,contains an embossed outline of the building, with rays radiating from the spire and the sun behind it.In the background is a state map of New York with the building's location marked by a \\\"medallion\\\" in the very southeast portion of the outline. A compass is depicted in the bottom right and a plaque to the building's major developers is on the bottom left.A scale model of the building was also placed south of the security desk. The plaque at the western end of the lobby is on the eastern interior wall of a one-story-tall rectangular-shaped corridor that surrounds the banks of escalators, with a similar design to the lobby.The rectangular-shaped corridor actually consists of two long hallways on the northern and southern sides of the rectangle,as well as a shorter hallway on the eastern side and another long hallway on the western side.At both ends of the northern and southern corridors, there is a bank of four low-rise elevators in between the corridors.The western side of the rectangular elevator-bank corridor extends north to the 34th Street entrance and south to the 33rd Street entrance. It borders three large storefronts and leads to escalators (originally stairs), which go both to the second floor and to the basement. Going from west to east, there are secondary entrances to 34th and 33rd Streets from the northern and southern corridors, respectively.The side entrances from 33rd and 34th Street lead to two-story-high corridors around the elevator core, crossed by stainless steel-and-glass-enclosed bridges at the mezzanine floor. Until the 1960s, anArt Decomural, inspired by both the sky and theMachine Age, was installed in the lobby ceilings.Subsequent damage to these murals, designed by artist Leif Neandross, resulted in reproductions being installed. Renovations to the lobby in 2009, such as replacing the clock over the information desk in the Fifth Avenue lobby with ananemometerand installing two chandeliers intended to be part of the building when it originally opened, revived much of its original grandeur.The north corridor contained eight illuminated panels created in 1963 by Roy Sparkia and Renée Nemorov, in time for the1964 World's Fair, depicting the building as theEighth Wonder of the Worldalongside the traditional seven.The building's owners installed a series of paintings by the New York artistKysa Johnsonin the concourse level. Johnson later filed a federal lawsuit, in January 2014, under theVisual Artists Rights Actalleging the negligent destruction of the paintings and damage to her reputation as an artist.As part of the building's 2010 renovation,Denise Amsescommissioned a work consisting of 15,000 stars and 5,000 circles, superimposed on a 13-by-5-foot (4.0 by 1.5 m)etched-glassinstallation, in the lobby. Elevators The Empire State Building has 73 elevators in all, including service elevators.Its original 64 elevators, built by theOtis Elevator Company,in a central core and are of varying heights, with the longest of these elevators reaching from the lobby to the 80th floor.As originally built, there were four \\\"express\\\" elevators that connected the lobby, 80th floor, and several landings in between; the other 60 \\\"local\\\" elevators connected the landings with the floors above these intermediate landings.Of the 64 total elevators, 58 were for passenger use (comprising the four express elevators and 54 local elevators), and eight were for freight deliveries.The elevators were designed to move at 1,200 feet per minute (366 m/min). At the time of the skyscraper's construction, their practical speed was limited to 700 feet per minute (213 m/min) per city law, but this limit was removed shortly after the building opened. Additional elevators connect the 80th floor to the six floors above it, as the six extra floors were built after the original 80 stories were approved.The elevators were mechanically operated until 2011, when they were replaced with automatic elevators during the $550 million renovation of the building.An additional elevator connects the 86th and 102nd floor observatories, which allows visitors access the 102nd floor observatory after having their tickets scanned. It also allows employees to access the mechanical floors located between the 87th and 101st floors. Observation decks The 80th, 86th, and 102nd floors contain observatories.The latter two observatories saw a combined average of four million visitors per year in 2010.Since opening, the observatories have been more popular than similar observatories at30 Rockefeller Plaza, the Chrysler Building, the first One World Trade Center, or theWoolworth Building, despite being more expensive.There are variable charges to enter the observatories; one ticket allows visitors to go as high as the 86th floor, and there is an additional charge to visit the 102nd floor. Other ticket options for visitors include scheduled access to view the sunrise from the observatory, a \\\"premium\\\" guided tour with VIP access, and the \\\"AM/PM\\\" package which allows for two visits in the same day. The 86th floor observatory contains both an enclosed viewing gallery and an open-air outdoor viewing area, allowing for it to remain open 365 days a year regardless of the weather. The 102nd floor observatory is completely enclosed and much smaller in size. The 102nd floor observatory was closed to the public from the late 1990s to 2005 due to limited viewing capacity and long lines.The observation decks were redesigned in mid-1979.The 102nd floor was again redesigned in a project that was completed in 2019, allowing the windows to be extended from floor to ceiling and widening the space in the observatory overall.An observatory on the 80th floor, opened in 2019, includes various exhibits as well as a mural of the skyline drawn by British artistStephen Wiltshire.An interactive multimedia museum, with multiple hands-on exhibitions about the building's history, was added during this project.The design of the 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) Observatory Experience was inspired by the plans and designs of the original Empire State Building. According to a 2010 report byConcierge.com, the five lines to enter the observation decks are \\\"as legendary as the building itself\\\". Concierge.com stated that there were five lines: the sidewalk line, the lobby elevator line, the ticket purchase line, the second elevator line, and the line to get off the elevator and onto the observation deck.In 2016, New York City's official tourism website made note of only three lines: the security check line, the ticket purchase line, and the second elevator line.Following renovations completed in 2019, designed to streamline queuing and reduce wait times, guests enter from a single entrance on 34th Street, where they make their way through 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) exhibits on their way up to the observatories. Guests were offered a variety of ticket packages, including a package that enables them to skip the lines throughout the duration of their stay.The Empire State Building garners significant revenue from ticket sales for its observation decks, making more money from ticket sales than it does from renting office space during some years. New York Skyride In early 1994, amotion simulatorattraction was built on the 2nd floor,as a complement to the observation deck.The original cinematic presentation lasted approximately 25 minutes, while the simulation was about eight minutes.The ride had two incarnations. The original version, which ran from 1994 until around 2002, featuredJames Doohan,Star Trek'sScotty, as the airplane's pilot who humorously tried to keep the flight under control during a storm.After the September 11 attacks in 2001, the ride was closed.An updated version debuted in mid-2002, featuring actorKevin Baconas the pilot, with the new flight also going haywire.This new version served a more informative goal, as opposed to the old version's main purpose of entertainment, and contained details about the 9/11 attacks.The simulator received mixed reviews, with assessments of the ride ranging from \\\"great\\\" to \\\"satisfactory\\\" to \\\"corny\\\". Spire Above the 102nd floor The final stage of the building was the installation of a hollow mast, a 158-foot (48 m) steel shaft fitted with elevators and utilities, above the 86th floor.The spire of the Empire State Building was originally intended to serve as a mooring mast for zeppelins and other airships, although the plan was abandoned after high winds made that impossible.At the top would be a conical roof and the 102nd-floor docking station.Inside, the elevators would ascend 167 feet (51 m) from the 86th floor ticket offices to a 33-foot-wide (10 m) 101st-floorwaiting room.From there, stairs would lead to the 102nd floor,where passengers would enter the airships.The airships would have been moored to the spire at the equivalent of the building's 106th floor. As constructed, the mast contains four rectangular tiers topped by a cylindrical shaft with a conical pinnacle.On the 102nd floor (formerly the 101st floor), there is a door with stairs ascending to the 103rd floor (formerly the 102nd).This was built as a disembarkation floor for airships tethered to the building's spire, and has a circular balcony outside.It is now an access point to reach the spire for maintenance. The room now contains electrical equipment, but celebrities and dignitaries may also be given permission to take pictures there.Above the 103rd floor, there is a set of stairs and a ladder to reach the spire for maintenance work.The mast's 480 windows were all replaced in 2015.The mast serves as the base of the building's broadcasting antenna. Inflatable objects have sometimes been mounted to the spire for promotional purposes. For example, aKing Kongballoon was attached to the spire in 1983 to mark the 50th anniversary of the character's introduction,and am inflatable dragon was placed on the spire in 2024 to promote the TV seriesHouse of Dragon. Broadcast stations Broadcasting began at the Empire State Building on December 22, 1931, whenNBCandRCAbegan transmitting experimental television broadcasts from a small antenna erected atop the mast, with two separate transmitters for the visual and audio data. They leased the 85th floor and built a laboratory there.In 1934, RCA was joined byEdwin Howard Armstrongin a cooperative venture to test his FM system from the building's antenna.This setup, which entailed the installation of the world's firstFM transmitter,continued only until October of the next year due to disputes between RCA and Armstrong.Specifically, NBC wanted to install more TV equipment in the room where Armstrong's transmitter was located. After some time, the 85th floor became home to RCA's New York television operations initially as experimental station W2XBS channel 1 then, from 1941, as commercial station WNBT channel 1 (nowWNBCchannel 4). NBC's FM station, W2XDG, began transmitting from the antenna in 1940.NBC retained exclusive use of the top of the building until 1950 when theFederal Communications Commission(FCC) ordered the exclusive deal be terminated. The FCC directive was based on consumer complaints that a common location was necessary for the seven extant New York-area television stations to transmit from so that receiving antennas would not have to be constantly adjusted. Other television broadcasters would later join RCA at the building on the 81st through 83rd floors, often along with sister FM stations.Construction of a dedicated broadcast tower began on July 27, 1950,with TV, and FM, transmissions starting in 1951. The 200-foot (61 m) broadcast tower was completed in 1953.From 1951, six broadcasters agreed to pay a combined $600,000 per year for the use of the antenna.In 1965, a separate set of FM antennae was constructed ringing the 103rd floor observation area to act as a master antenna. The placement of the stations in the Empire State Building became a major issue with the construction of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers in the late 1960s, and early 1970s. The greater height of the Twin Towers would reflect radio waves broadcast from the Empire State Building, eventually resulting in some broadcasters relocating to the newer towers instead of suing the developer, thePort Authority of New York and New Jersey.Even though the nine stations who were broadcasting from the Empire State Building were leasing their broadcast space until 1984, most of these stations moved to the World Trade Center as soon as it was completed in 1971. The broadcasters obtained a court order stipulating that the Port Authority had to build a mast and transmission equipment in theNorth Tower, as well as pay the broadcasters' leases in the Empire State Building until 1984.Only a few broadcasters renewed their leases in the Empire State Building. The September 11 attacks destroyed the World Trade Center and the broadcast centers atop it, leaving most of the city's stations without a transmitter for ten days until theArmstrong TowerinAlpine, New Jersey, was re-activated temporarily.By October 2001, nearly all of the city's commercial broadcast stations (both television and FM radio) were again transmitting from the top of the Empire State Building. In a report thatCongresscommissioned about the transition fromanalog televisiontodigital television, it was stated that the placement of broadcast stations in the Empire State Building was considered \\\"problematic\\\" due to interference from nearby buildings. In comparison, the congressional report stated that the former Twin Towers had very few buildings of comparable height nearby thus signals suffered little interference.In 2003, a few FM stations were relocated to the nearbyCondé Nast Buildingto reduce the number of broadcast stations using the Empire State Building.Eleventelevisionstations and twenty-twoFMstations had signed 15-year leases in the building by May 2003. It was expected that a taller broadcast tower inBayonne, New Jersey, orGovernors Island, would be built in the meantime with the Empire State Building being used as a \\\"backup\\\" since signal transmissions from the building were generally of poorer quality.Following the construction ofOne World Trade Centerin the late 2000s and early 2010s, some TV stations began moving their transmitting facilities there. As of 2021, the Empire State Building is home to the following stations: History The site was previously owned byJohn Jacob Astorof the prominentAstor family, who had owned the site since the mid-1820s.In 1893, John Jacob Astor Sr.'s grandsonWilliam Waldorf Astoropened the Waldorf Hotel on the site.Four years later, his cousin,John Jacob Astor IV, opened the 16-story Astoria Hotel on an adjacent site.The two portions of theWaldorf–Astoriahotel had 1,300 bedrooms, making it the largest hotel in the world at the time.After the death of its founding proprietor,George Boldt, in early 1918, the hotel lease was purchased byThomas Coleman du Pont.By the 1920s, the old Waldorf–Astoria was becoming dated and the elegant social life of New York had moved much farther north.Additionally, many stores had opened on Fifth Avenue north of 34th Street.The Astor family decided to build areplacement hotelonPark Avenueand sold the hotel to Bethlehem Engineering Corporation in 1928 for $14–16 million.The hotel closed shortly thereafter on May 3, 1929. Planning Early plans Bethlehem Engineering Corporation originally intended to build a 25-story office building on the Waldorf–Astoria site. The company's president, Floyd De L. Brown, paid $100,000 of the $1 milliondown paymentrequired to start construction on the building, with the promise that the difference would be paid later.Brown borrowed $900,000 from a bank butdefaultedon the loan. After Brown was unable to secure additional funding,the land was resold to Empire State Inc., a group of wealthy investors that includedLouis G. Kaufman,Ellis P. Earle,John J. Raskob, Coleman du Pont, andPierre S. du Pont.The name came from thestate nicknamefor New York.Alfred E. Smith, a formerGovernor of New Yorkand U.S. presidential candidate whose1928 campaignhad been managed by Raskob,was appointed head of the company.The group also purchased nearby land so they would have the 2 acres (1 ha) needed for the base, with the combined plot measuring 425 feet (130 m) wide by 200 feet (61 m) long.The Empire State Inc. consortium was announced to the public in August 1929.Concurrently, Smith announced the construction of an 80-story building on the site, to be taller than any other buildings in existence. Empire State Inc. contractedWilliam F. Lamb, of architectural firmShreve, Lamb and Harmon, to create the building design.Lamb produced the initial building design in just two weeks using the firm's earlier designs for theReynolds BuildinginWinston-Salem, North Carolina, as the basis.He had also been inspired byRaymond Hood's design for theDaily News Building, which was being constructed at the same time.Concurrently, Lamb's partnerRichmond Shrevecreated \\\"bug diagrams\\\" of the project requirements.The1916 Zoning Actforced Lamb to design a structure that incorporatedsetbacksresulting in the lower floors being larger than the upper floors.Consequently, the building was conceived from the top down,giving it a pencil-like shape.The plans were devised within a budget of $50 million and a stipulation that the building be ready for occupancy within 18 months of the start of construction.Design drawings and construction were concurrent. Steel drawings were completed in mid-January 1930, when foundations were underway. Design changes The original plan of the building was 50 stories,but was later increased to 60 and then 80 stories.Height restrictions were placed on nearby buildingsto ensure that the top fifty floors of the planned 80-story, 1,000-foot-tall (300 m) buildingwould have unobstructed views of the city.The New York Timeslauded the site's proximity tomass transit, with theBrooklyn–Manhattan Transit's34th Streetstation and theHudson and Manhattan Railroad's33rd Streetterminal one block away, as well asPenn Stationtwo blocks away andGrand Central Terminalnine blocks away at its closest. It also praised the 3,000,000 square feet (280,000 m2) of proposed floor space near \\\"one of the busiest sections in the world\\\".The Empire State Building was to be a typical office building, but Raskob intended to build it \\\"better and in a bigger way\\\", according to architectural writer Donald J. Reynolds. While plans for the Empire State Building were being finalized, an intense competition in New York for the title of \\\"world's tallest building\\\" was underway.40 Wall Street(then the Bank of Manhattan Building) and theChrysler Buildingin Manhattan both vied for this distinction and were already under construction when work began on the Empire State Building.The \\\"Race into the Sky\\\", as popular media called it at the time, was representative of the country's optimism in the 1920s, fueled by the building boom in major cities.The race was defined by at least five other proposals, although only the Empire State Building would survive theWall Street Crash of 1929.The 40 Wall Street tower was revised, in April 1929, from 840 feet (260 m) to 925 feet (282 m) making it the world's tallest.The Chrysler Building added its 185-foot (56 m) steel tip to its roof in October 1929, thus bringing it to a height of 1,046 feet (319 m) and greatly exceeding the height of 40 Wall Street.The Chrysler Building's developer,Walter Chrysler, realized that his tower's height would exceed the Empire State Building's as well, having instructed his architect,William Van Alen, to change the Chrysler's original roof from a stubbyRomanesquedome to a narrow steel spire.Raskob, wishing to have the Empire State Building be the world's tallest, reviewed the plans and had five floors added as well as a spire; however, the new floors would need to be set back because of projected wind pressure on the extension.On November 18, 1929, Smith acquired a lot at 27–31 West 33rd Street, adding 75 feet (23 m) to the width of the proposed office building's site.Two days later, Smith announced the updated plans for the skyscraper. The plans included an observation deck on the 86th-floor roof at a height of 1,050 feet (320 m), higher than the Chrysler's 71st-floor observation deck. The 1,050-foot Empire State Building would only be 4 feet (1.2 m) taller than the Chrysler Building,and Raskob was afraid that Chrysler might try to \\\"pull a trick like hiding a rod in the spire and then sticking it up at the last minute.\\\"The plans were revised one last time in December 1929, to include a 16-story, 200-foot (61 m) metal \\\"crown\\\" and an additional 222-foot (68 m) mooring mast intended fordirigibles. The roof height was now 1,250 feet (380 m), making it the tallest building in the world by far, even without the antenna.The addition of the dirigible station meant that another floor, the now-enclosed 86th floor, would have to be built below the crown;however, unlike the Chrysler's spire, the Empire State's mast would serve a practical purpose.A revised plan was announced to the public in late December 1929, just before the start of construction.The final plan was sketched within two hours, the night before the plan was supposed to be presented to the site's owners in January 1930.The New York Timesreported that the spire was facing some \\\"technical problems\\\", but they were \\\"no greater than might be expected under such a novel plan.\\\"By this time the blueprints for the building had gone through up to fifteen versions before they were approved.Lamb described the other specifications he was given for the final, approved plan: The program was short enough—a fixed budget, no space more than 28 feet from window to corridor, as many stories of such space as possible, an exterior of limestone, and completion date of , 1931, which meant a year and six months from the beginning of sketches. Construction The contractors wereStarrett Brothers and Eken, which were composed ofPaulandWilliam A. StarrettandAndrew J. Eken.The project was financed primarily by Raskob and Pierre du Pont,whileJames Farley's General Builders Supply Corporation supplied the building materials.John W. Bowserwas the construction superintendent of the project,and the structural engineer of the building was Homer G. Balcom.The tight completion schedule necessitated the commencement of construction even though the design had yet to be finalized. Hotel demolition Demolition of the old Waldorf–Astoria began on October 1, 1929.Stripping the building down was an arduous process, as the hotel had been constructed using more rigid material than earlier buildings had been. Furthermore, the old hotel's granite, wood chips, and \\\"'precious' metals such as lead, brass, and zinc\\\" were not in high demand, resulting in issues with disposal.Most of the wood was deposited into a woodpile on nearby 30th Street or was burned in a swamp elsewhere. Much of the other materials that made up the old hotel, including the granite and bronze, were dumped into theAtlantic OceannearSandy Hook, New Jersey. By the time the hotel's demolition started, Raskob had secured the required funding for the construction of the building.The plan was to start construction later that year but, on October 24, theNew York Stock Exchangeexperienced the major and suddenWall Street Crash, marking the beginning of the decade-longGreat Depression. Despite the economic downturn, Raskob refused to cancel the project because of the progress that had been made up to that point.Neither Raskob, who had ceasedspeculationin the stock market the previous year, nor Smith, who had no stock investments, suffered financially in the crash.However, most of the investors were affected and as a result, in December 1929, Empire State Inc. obtained a $27.5 million loan fromMetropolitan Life Insurance Companyso construction could begin.The stock market crash resulted in no demand for new office space; Raskob and Smith nonetheless started construction,as canceling the project would have resulted in greater losses for the investors. Steel structure A structural steel contract was awarded on January 12, 1930,with excavation of the site beginning ten days later on January 22,before the old hotel had been completely demolished.Two twelve-hour shifts, consisting of 300 men each, worked continuously to dig the 55-foot (17 m) deep foundation.Small pier holes were sunk into the ground to house the concrete footings that would support the steelwork.Excavation was nearly complete by early March,and construction on the building itself started on March 17,with the builders placing the first steel columns on the completed footings before the rest of the footings had been finished.Around this time, Lamb held a press conference on the building plans. He described the reflective steel panels parallel to the windows, the large-blockIndiana Limestonefacade that was slightly more expensive than smaller bricks, and the building's vertical lines.Four colossal columns, intended for installation in the center of the building site, were delivered; they would support a combined 10,000,000 pounds (4,500,000 kg) when the building was finished. The structural steel was pre-ordered andpre-fabricatedin anticipation of a revision to the city's building code that would have allowed the Empire State Building's structural steel to carry 18,000 pounds per square inch (120,000 kPa), up from 16,000 pounds per square inch (110,000 kPa), thus reducing the amount of steel needed for the building. Although the 18,000-psi regulation had been safely enacted in other cities, MayorJimmy Walkerdid not sign the new codes into law until March 26, 1930, just before construction was due to commence.The first steel framework was installed on April 1, 1930.From there, construction proceeded at a rapid pace; during one stretch of 10 working days, the builders erected fourteen floors.This was made possible through precise coordination of the building's planning, as well as themass productionof common materials such as windows andspandrels.On one occasion, when a supplier could not provide timely delivery of dark Hauteville marble, Starrett switched to using Rose Famosa marble from a German quarry that was purchased specifically to provide the project with sufficient marble. The scale of the project was massive, with trucks carrying \\\"16,000 partition tiles, 5,000 bags of cement, 450 cubic yards of sand and 300 bags of lime\\\" arriving at the construction site every day.There were also cafes and concession stands on five of the incomplete floors so workers did not have to descend to the ground level to eat lunch.Temporary water taps were also built so workers did not waste time buying water bottles from the ground level.Additionally, carts running on a small railway system transported materials from the basement storageto elevators that brought the carts to the desired floors where they would then be distributed throughout that level using another set of tracks.The 57,480 short tons (51,320 long tons) of steel ordered for the project was the largest-ever single order of steel at the time, comprising more steel than was ordered for the Chrysler Building and 40 Wall Street combined.According to historianJohn Tauranac, building materials were sourced from numerous, and distant, sources with \\\"limestone from Indiana, steel girders from Pittsburgh, cement and mortar from upper New York State, marble from Italy, France, and England, wood from northern and Pacific Coast forests, hardware from New England.\\\"The facade, too, used a variety of material, most prominently Indiana limestone but alsoSwedish black granite,terracotta, andbrick. By June 20, the skyscraper's supportingsteel structurehad risen to the 26th floor, and by July 27, half of the steel structure had been completed.Starrett Bros. and Eken endeavored to build one floor a day in order to speed up construction, achieving a pace of four and a half stories per week;prior to this, the fastest pace of construction for a building of similar height had been three and a half stories per week.While construction progressed, the final designs for the floors were being designed from the ground up (as opposed to the general design, which had been from the roof down). Some of the levels were still undergoing final approval, with several orders placed within an hour of a plan being finalized.On September 10, as steelwork was nearing completion, Smith laid the building'scornerstoneduring a ceremony attended by thousands. The stone contained a box with contemporary artifacts including the previous day'sNew York Times, a U.S. currency set containing all denominations of notes and coins minted in 1930, a history of the site and building, and photographs of the people involved in construction.The steel structure was topped out at 1,048 feet (319 m) on September 19, twelve days ahead of schedule and 23 weeks after the start of construction.Workers raised a flag atop the 86th floor to signify this milestone. Completion and scale Work on the building's interior and crowning mast commenced after the topping out.The mooring mast topped out on November 21, two months after the steelwork had been completed.Meanwhile, work on the walls and interior was progressing at a quick pace, with exterior walls built up to the 75th floor by the time steelwork had been built to the 95th floor.The majority of the facade was already finished by the middle of November.Because of the building's height, it was deemed infeasible to have many elevators or large elevator cabins, so the builders contracted with theOtis Elevator Companyto make 66 cars that could speed at 1,200 feet per minute (366 m/min), which represented the largest-ever elevator order at the time. In addition to the time constraint builders had, there were also space limitations because construction materials had to be delivered quickly, and trucks needed to drop off these materials without congesting traffic. This was solved by creating a temporary driveway for the trucks between 33rd and 34th Streets, and then storing the materials in the building's first floor and basements.Concrete mixers, brick hoppers, and stone hoists inside the building ensured that materials would be able to ascend quickly and without endangering or inconveniencing the public.At one point, over 200 trucks made material deliveries at the building site every day.A series of relay and erectionderricks, placed on platforms erected near the building, lifted the steel from the trucks below and installed the beams at the appropriate locations.The Empire State Building was structurally completed on April 11, 1931, twelve days ahead of schedule and 410 days after construction commenced.Al Smith shot the final rivet, which was made of solid gold. The project involved more than 3,500 workers at its peak,including 3,439 on a single day, August 14, 1930.Many of the workers were Irish and Italian immigrants,with a sizable minority ofMohawkironworkersfrom theKahnawakereserve nearMontreal.According to official accounts, five workers died during the construction,although theNew York Daily Newsgave reports of 14 deathsand a headline in the socialist magazineThe New Massesspread unfounded rumors of up to 42 deaths.The Empire State Building cost $40,948,900 to build (equivalent to $661 million in 2023),including demolition of the Waldorf–Astoria. This was lower than the $60 million budgeted for construction. Lewis Hinecaptured many photographs of the construction, documenting not only the work itself but also providing insight into the daily life of workers in that era.Hine's images were used extensively by the media to publish daily press releases.According to the writerJim Rasenberger, Hine \\\"climbed out onto the steel with the ironworkers and dangled from a derrick cable hundreds of feet above the city to capture, as no one ever had before (or has since), the dizzy work of building skyscrapers\\\". In Rasenberger's words, Hine turned what might have been an assignment of \\\"corporate flak\\\" into \\\"exhilarating art\\\".These images were later organized into their own collection.Onlookers were enraptured by the sheer height at which the steelworkers operated.New Yorkmagazine wrote of the steelworkers: \\\"Like little spiders they toiled, spinning a fabric of steel against the sky\\\". Opening and early years The Empire State Building officially opened on May 1, 1931, forty-five days ahead of its projected opening date, and eighteen months from the start of construction.The opening was marked with an event featuring United States PresidentHerbert Hoover, who turned on the building's lights with the ceremonial button push fromWashington, D.C.Over 350 guests attended the opening ceremony, and following luncheon, at the 86th floor includingJimmy Walker, GovernorFranklin D. Roosevelt, andAl Smith.An account from that day stated that the view from the luncheon was obscured by a fog, with other landmarks such as theStatue of Libertybeing \\\"lost in the mist\\\" enveloping New York City.The Empire State Building officially opened the next day.Advertisements for the building's observatories were placed in local newspapers, while nearby hotels also capitalized on the events by releasing advertisements that lauded their proximity to the newly opened building. According toThe New York Times, builders and real estate speculators predicted that the 1,250-foot-tall (380 m) Empire State Building would be the world's tallest building \\\"for many years\\\", thus ending the great New York City skyscraper rivalry. At the time, most engineers agreed that it would be difficult to build a building taller than 1,200 feet (370 m), even with the hardy Manhattanbedrockas a foundation.Technically, it was believed possible to build a tower of up to 2,000 feet (610 m), but it was deemed uneconomical to do so, especially during the Great Depression.As the tallest building in the world, at that time, and the first one to exceed 100 floors, the Empire State Building became an icon of the city and, ultimately, of the nation. In 1932, the Fifth Avenue Association gave the building its 1931 \\\"gold medal\\\" for architectural excellence, signifying that the Empire State had been the best-designed building on Fifth Avenue to open in 1931.A year later, on March 2, 1933, the movieKing Kongwas released. The movie, which depicted a largestop motionape namedKongclimbing the Empire State Building, made the still-new building into a cinematic icon. Tenants and tourism At the beginning of 1931, Fifth Avenue was experiencing high demand for storefront space, with only 12 of 224 stores being unoccupied. The Empire State Building, along with 500 Fifth Avenue and608 Fifth Avenue, were expected to add a combined 11 stores.The office space was less successful, as the Empire State Building's opening had coincided with theGreat Depression in the United States.In the first year, only 23 percent of the available space was rented,as compared to the early 1920s, where the average building would be 52 percent occupied upon opening and 90 percent occupied within five years.The lack of renters led New Yorkers to deride the building as the \\\"Empty State Building\\\"or \\\"Smith's Folly\\\". The earliest tenants in the Empire State Building were large companies, banks, and garment industries.Jack Brod, one of the building's longest resident tenants,co-established the Empire Diamond Corporation with his father in the building in mid-1931and rented space in the building until he died in 2008.Brod recalled that there were only about 20 tenants at the time of opening, including him,and that Al Smith was the only real tenant in the space above his seventh-floor offices.Generally, during the early 1930s, it was rare for more than a single office space to be rented in the building, despite Smith's and Raskob's aggressive marketing efforts in the newspapers and to anyone they knew.The building's lights were continuously left on, even in the unrented spaces, to give the impression of occupancy. This was exacerbated by competition fromRockefeller Centeras well as from buildings on42nd Street, which, when combined with the Empire State Building, resulted in surplus of office space in a slow market during the 1930s. Aggressive marketing efforts served to reinforce the Empire State Building's status as the world's tallest.The observatory was advertised in local newspapers as well as on railroad tickets.The building became a popular tourist attraction, with one million people each paying one dollar to ride elevators to the observation decks in 1931.In its first year of operation, the observation deck made approximately $2 million in revenue, as much as its owners made in rent that year.By 1936, the observation deck was crowded on a daily basis, with food and drink available for purchase at the top,and by 1944 the building had received its five-millionth visitor.In 1931,NBCtook up tenancy, leasing space on the 85th floor for radio broadcasts.From the outset the building was in debt, losing $1 million per year by 1935. Real estate developerSeymour Durstrecalled that the building was so underused in 1936 that there was no elevator service above the 45th floor, as the building above the 41st floor was empty except for the NBC offices and the Raskob/Du Pont offices on the 81st floor. Other events Per the original plans, the Empire State Building'sspirewas intended to be anairshipdocking station. Raskob and Smith had proposed dirigible ticketing offices and passenger waiting rooms on the 86th floor, while the airships themselves would be tied to the spire at the equivalent of the building's 106th floor.An elevator would ferry passengers from the 86th to the 101st floorafter they had checked in on the 86th floor,after which passengers would have climbed steep ladders to board the airship.The idea, however, was impractical and dangerous due to powerful updrafts caused by the building itself,the wind currents across Manhattan,and the spires of nearby skyscrapers.Furthermore, even if the airship were to successfully navigate all these obstacles, its crew would have to jettison someballastby releasing water onto the streets below in order to maintain stability, and then tie the craft's nose to the spire with no mooring lines securing the tail end of the craft.On September 15, 1931, a small commercialUnited States Navyairship circled 25 times in 45-mile-per-hour (72 km/h) winds.The airship then attempted to dock at the mast, but its ballast spilled and the craft was rocked by unpredictableeddies.The near-disaster scuttled plans to turn the building's spire into an airship terminal, although one blimp did manage to make a single newspaper delivery afterward. On July 28, 1945, aB-25 Mitchellbombercrashedinto the north side of the Empire State Building, between the 79th and 80th floors.One engine completely penetrated the building and landed in a neighboring block, while the other engine and part of the landing gear plummeted down an elevator shaft. Fourteen people were killed in the incident,but the building escaped severe damage and was reopened two days later. Profitability By the 1940s, the Empire State Building was 98 percent occupied.The structurebroke evenfor the first time in the 1950s.At the time, mass transit options in the building's vicinity were limited compared to the present day. Despite this challenge, the Empire State Building began to attract renters due to its reputation.A 222-foot (68 m)radio antennawas erected on top of the towers starting in 1950,allowing the area's television stations to be broadcast from the building. Despite the turnaround in the building's fortunes, Raskob listed it for sale in 1951,with a minimum asking price of $50 million.The property was purchased by business partnersRoger L. Stevens,Henry Crown, Alfred R. Glancy andBen Tobin.The sale was brokered by the Charles F. Noyes Company, a prominent real estate firm in upper Manhattan,for $51 million, the highest price paid for a single structure at the time.By this time, the Empire State had been fully leased for several years with a waiting list of parties looking to lease space in the building, according to theCortland Standard.That same year, six news companies formed a partnership to pay a combined annual fee of $600,000 to use thebuilding's antenna,which was completed in 1953.Crown bought out his partners' ownership stakes in 1954, becoming the sole owner.The following year, theAmerican Society of Civil Engineersnamed the building one of the \\\"Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders\\\". In 1961,Lawrence A. Wiensigned a contract to purchase the Empire State Building for $65 million, withHarry B. Helmsleyacting as partners in the building's operating lease.This became the new highest price for a single structure.Over 3,000 people paid $10,000 for one share each in a company called Empire State Building Associates. The company in turnsubleasedthe building to another company headed by Helmsley and Wien, raising $33 million of the funds needed to pay the purchase price.In a separate transaction,the land underneath the building was sold toPrudential Insurancefor $29 million.Helmsley, Wien, and Peter Malkin quickly started a program of minor improvement projects, including the first-ever full-building facade refurbishment and window-washing in 1962,the installation of new flood lights on the 72nd floor in 1964,and replacement of the manually operated elevators with automatic units in 1966.The little-used western end of the second floor was used as a storage space until 1964, at which point it received escalators to the first floor as part of its conversion into a highly sought retail area. Loss of \\\"tallest building\\\" title In 1961, the same year that Helmsley, Wien, and Malkin had purchased the Empire State Building, thePort Authority of New York and New Jerseyformally backed plans for a newWorld Trade CenterinLower Manhattan.The plan originally included 66-story twin towers with column-free open spaces. The Empire State's owners and real estate speculators were worried that the twin towers' 7.6 million square feet (710,000 m2) of office space would create a glut of rentable space in Manhattan as well as take away the Empire State Building's profits from lessees.A revision in the World Trade Center's plan brought the twin towers to 1,370 feet (420 m) each or 110 stories, taller than the Empire State.Opponents of the new project included prominent real-estate developerRobert Tishman, as well as Wien's Committee for a Reasonable World Trade Center.In response to Wien's opposition, Port Authority executive directorAustin J. Tobinsaid that Wien was only opposing the project because it would overshadow his Empire State Building as the world's tallest building. The World Trade Center's twin towers startedconstructionin 1966.The following year, theOstankino Towersucceeded the Empire State Building as thetallest freestanding structure in the world.In 1970, the Empire State surrendered its position as the world's tallest building,when the World Trade Center's still-under-construction North Tower surpassed it, on October 19;the North Tower wastopped outon December 23, 1970. In December 1975, the observation deck was opened on the 110th floor of the Twin Towers, significantly higher than the 86th floor observatory on the Empire State Building.The latter was also losing revenue during this period, particularly as a number of broadcast stations had moved to the World Trade Center in 1971; although the Port Authority continued to pay the broadcasting leases for the Empire State until 1984.The Empire State Building was still seen as prestigious, having seen its forty-millionth visitor in March 1971. 1980s and 1990s By 1980, there were nearly two million annual visitors,although a building official had previously estimated between 1.5 million and 1.75 million annual visitors.The building received its own ZIP code in May 1980 in a roll out of 63 new postal codes in Manhattan. At the time, its tenants collectively received 35,000 pieces of mail daily.The Empire State Building celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 1, 1981, with a much-publicized, but poorly received, laser light show,as well as an \\\"Empire State Building Week\\\" that ran through to May 8.TheNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commission(LPC) voted to designate the building and its lobby as city landmarks on May 19, 1981, Capital improvements were made to the Empire State Building during the early to mid-1990s at a cost of $55 million.Because all of the building's windows were being replaced at the same time, the LPC mandated a paint-color test for the windows; the test revealed that the Empire State Building's original windows were actually red.The improvements also entailed replacing alarm systems, elevators, windows, and air conditioning; making the observation deck compliant with theAmericans with Disabilities Act of 1990(ADA); and refurbishing the limestone facade.The observation deck renovation was added after disability rights groups and theUnited States Department of Justicefiled a lawsuit against the building in 1992, in what was the first lawsuit filed by an organization under the new law.A settlement was reached in 1994, in which Empire State Building Associates agreed to add ADA-compliant elements, such as new elevators, ramps, and automatic doors, during the renovation. Prudential sold the land under the building in 1991 for $42 million to a buyer representing hotelierHideki Yokoi, who was imprisoned at the time in connection with the deadlyHotel New Japan Fireat theHotel New JapaninTokyo.In 1994,Donald Trumpentered into a joint-venture agreement with Yokoi, with a shared goal of breaking the Empire State Building's lease on the land in an effort to gain total ownership of the building so that, if successful, the two could reap the potential profits of merging the ownership of the building with the land beneath it.Having secured a half-ownership of the land, Trump devised plans to take ownership of the building itself so he could renovate it, even though Helmsley and Malkin had already started their refurbishment project.He sued Empire State Building Associates in February 1995, claiming that the latter had caused the building to become a \\\"high-rise slum\\\"and a \\\"second-rate, rodent-infested\\\" office tower.Trump had intended to have Empire State Building Associates evicted for violating the terms of their lease,but was denied.This led to Helmsley's companies countersuing Trump in May.This sparked a series of lawsuits and countersuits that lasted several years,partly arising from Trump's desire to obtain the building's master lease by taking it from Empire State Building Associates.Upon Harry Helmsley's death in 1997, the Malkins sued Helmsley's widow,Leona Helmsley, for control of the building. 21st century 2000s Following the destruction of the World Trade Center during theSeptember 11 attacksin 2001, the Empire State Building again became thetallest building in New York City, but was only thesecond-tallest building in the Americasafter theSears (later Willis) Towerin Chicago.As a result of the attacks, transmissions from nearly all of the city's commercial television and FM radio stations were again broadcast from the Empire State Building.The attacks also led to an increase in security due to persistent terror threats against prominent sites in New York City. In 2002, Trump and Yokoi sold their land claim to the Empire State Building Associates, now headed by Malkin, in a $57.5 million sale.This action merged the building's title and lease for the first time in half a century.Despite the lingering threat posed by the 9/11 attacks, the Empire State Building remained popular with 3.5 million visitors to the observatories in 2004, compared to about 2.8 million in 2003. Even though she maintained her ownership stake in the building until the post-consolidation IPO in October 2013,Leona Helmsleyhanded over day-to-day operations of the building in 2006 to Peter Malkin's company.In 2008, the building was temporarily \\\"stolen\\\" by theNew York Daily Newsto show how easy it was to transfer the deed on a property, since city clerks were not required to validate the submitted information, as well as to help demonstrate how fraudulent deeds could be used to obtain large mortgages and then have individuals disappear with the money. The paperwork submitted to the city included the names ofFay Wray, the famous star ofKing Kong, andWillie Sutton, a notorious New York bank robber. The newspaper then transferred the deed back over to the legitimate owners, who at that time were Empire State Land Associates. 2010s to present Starting in 2009, the building's public areas received a $550 million renovation, with improvements to the air conditioning and waterproofing, renovations to the observation deck and main lobby,and relocation of the gift shop to the 80th floor.About $120 million was spent on improving theenergy efficiencyof the building, with the goal of reducing energy emissions by 38% within five years.For example, all of the windows were refurbished onsite into film-coated \\\"superwindows\\\" which block heat but pass light.Air conditioningoperating costs on hot days were reduced, saving $17 million of the project's capital cost immediately and partially funding some of the other retrofits.The Empire State Building won theLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)Gold for Existing Buildings rating in September 2011, as well as theWorld Federation of Great Towers' Excellence in Environment Award for 2010.For the LEED Gold certification, the building's energy reduction was considered, as was a large purchase ofcarbon offsets. Other factors included low-flow bathroom fixtures, green cleaning supplies, and use of recycled paper products. On April 30, 2012,One World Trade Centertopped out, taking the Empire State Building's record of tallest in the city.By 2014, the building was owned by the Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT), with Anthony Malkin as chairman, CEO, and president.The ESRT was apublic company, having begun trading publicly on the New York Stock Exchange the previous year.In August 2016, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) was issued new fully diluted shares equivalent to 9.9% of the trust; this investment gave them partial ownership of the entirety of the ESRT's portfolio, and as a result, partial ownership of the Empire State Building.The trust's president John Kessler called it an \\\"endorsement of the company's irreplaceable assets\\\".The investment has been described by the real-estate magazineThe Real Dealas \\\"an unusual move for a sovereign wealth fund\\\", as these funds typically buy direct stakes in buildings rather than real estate companies.Other foreign entities that have a stake in the ESRT include investors from Norway, Japan, and Australia. A renovation of the Empire State Building was commenced in the 2010s to further improve energy efficiency, public areas, and amenities.In August 2018, to improve the flow of visitor traffic, the main visitor's entrance was shifted to 20 West 34th Street as part of a major renovation of the observatory lobby.The new lobby includes several technological features, including large LED panels, digital ticket kiosks in nine languages, and a two-story architectural model of the building surrounded by two metal staircases.The first phase of the renovation, completed in 2019, features an updated exterior lighting system and digital hosts.The new lobby also features free Wi-Fi provided for those waiting.A 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) exhibit with nine galleries opened in July 2019.The 102nd floor observatory, the third phase of the redesign, reopened to the public on October 12, 2019.That portion of the project included outfitting the space with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a brand-new glass elevator.The final portion of the renovations to be completed was a new observatory on the 80th floor, which opened on December 2, 2019.In total, the renovation cost $160 millionor $165 million and took four years to finish. A comprehensive restoration of the building's mooring and antenna masts also began in June 2019. Antennas on the mooring mast were removed or relocated to the upper mast, while the aluminum panels were cleaned and coated with silver paint.To minimize disruption to the observation decks, the restoration work took place at night. The project was completed by late 2020. Height records The longest world record held by the Empire State Building was for the tallest skyscraper (to structural height), which it held for 42 years until it was surpassed by theNorth Towerof the World Trade Center in October 1970.The Empire State Building was also thetallest human-made structurein the world before it was surpassed by theGriffin Television Tower Oklahoma(KWTV Mast) in 1954,and thetallest freestanding structure in the worlduntil the completion of theOstankino Towerin 1967.An early-1970s proposal to dismantle the spire and replace it with an additional 11 floors, which would have brought the building's height to 1,494 feet (455 m) and made it once again the world's tallest at the time, was considered but ultimately rejected. With the destruction of the World Trade Center in theSeptember 11 attacks, the Empire State Building again became thetallest building in New York City, and thesecond-tallest building in the Americas, surpassed only by theWillis Towerin Chicago. The Empire State Building remained the tallest building in New York until the newOne World Trade Centerreached a greater height in April 2012.As of 2022, it is the seventh-tallest building in New York City and thetenth-tallest in the United States.The Empire State Building is the49th-tallest in the worldas of February 2021.It is also theeleventh-tallest freestanding structure in the Americasbehind the tallest U.S. buildings and theCN Tower. Notable tenants As of 2013, the building housed around 1,000 businesses.Current tenants include: Former tenants include: Incidents 1945 plane crash At 9:40 am on July 28, 1945, aB-25 Mitchellbomber, piloted in thick fog by Lieutenant Colonel William Franklin Smith Jr.,crashed into the north side of the Empire State Building between the 79th and 80th floors (then the offices of theNational Catholic Welfare Council).One engine completely penetrated the building, landing on the roof of a nearby building where it started a fire that destroyed a penthouse.The other engine and part of the landing gear plummeted down an elevator shaft, causing a fire that was extinguished in 40 minutes. Fourteen people were killed in the incident.Elevator operator Betty Lou Oliver fell 75 stories and survived, which still holds theGuinness World Recordfor the longest survived elevator fall recorded. Despite the damage and loss of life, many floors were open two days later.The crash helped spur the passage of the long-pendingFederal Tort Claims Actof 1946, as well as the insertion of retroactive provisions into the law, allowing people to sue the government for the incident.Also as a result of the crash, theCivil Aeronautics Administrationenacted strict regulations regarding flying over New York City, setting a minimum flying altitude of 2,500 feet (760 m) above sea level regardless of the weather conditions. A year later, on July 24, 1946, another airplane narrowly missed striking the building. The unidentified twin-engine plane scraped past the observation deck, frightening the tourists there. 2000 elevator plunge On January 24, 2000, an elevator in the building suddenly descended 40 stories after a cable that controlled the cabin's maximum speed was severed.The elevator fell from the 44th floor to the fourth floor, where a narrowed elevator shaft provided a second safety system. Despite the 40-floor fall, both of the passengers in the cabin at the time were only slightly injured. After the fall, building inspectors reviewed all of the building's elevators. Suicide attempts Because of the building's iconic status, it and other Midtown landmarks are common locations forsuicideattempts.More than 30 people haveattempted suicideover the years by jumping from the upper parts of the building, with most attempts being successful. The first suicide from the building occurred on April 7, 1931, before it was even completed, when a carpenter who had been laid-off went to the 58th floor and jumped.The first suicide after the building's opening occurred from the 86th floor observatory in February 1935, when Irma P. Eberhardt fell 1,029 feet (314 m) onto amarquee sign.On December 16, 1943, William Lloyd Rambo jumped to his death from the 86th floor, landing amidst Christmas shoppers on the street below.In the early morning of September 27, 1946,shell-shockedMarine Douglas W. Brashear Jr. jumped from the 76th-floor window of the Grant Advertising Agency; police found his shoes 50 feet (15 m) from his body. On May 1, 1947,Evelyn McHaleleapt to her death from the 86th floor observation deck and landed on alimousineparked at the curb. Photography student Robert Wiles took a photo of McHale's oddly intact corpse a few minutes after her death. The police found a suicide note among possessions that she left on the observation deck: \\\"He is much better off without me.... I wouldn't make a good wife for anybody\\\". The photo ran in the May 12, 1947, edition ofLifemagazineand is often referred to as \\\"The Most Beautiful Suicide\\\". It was later used by visual artistAndy Warholin one of his prints entitledSuicide (Fallen Body).A 7-foot (2.1 m) mesh fence was put up around the 86th floor terrace in December 1947 after five people tried to jump during a three-week span in October and November of that year.By then, sixteen people had died from suicide jumps. Only one person has jumped from the upper observatory. Frederick Eckert ofAstoriaran past a guard in the enclosed 102nd-floor gallery on November 3, 1932, and jumped a gate leading to an outdoor catwalk intended fordirigiblepassengers. He landed and died on the roof of the 86th floor observation promenade. Two people have survived falls by not falling more than a floor. On December 2, 1979, Elvita Adams jumped from the 86th floor, only to be blown back onto a ledge on the 85th floor by a gust of wind and left with abroken hip.On April 25, 2013, a man fell from the 86th floor observation deck, but he landed alive with minor injuries on an 85th-floor ledge where security guards brought him inside and paramedics transferred him to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Shootings Two fatal shootings have occurred in the direct vicinity of the Empire State Building. Abu Kamal, a 69-year-old Palestinian teacher,shot seven peopleon the 86th floor observation deck during the afternoon of February 23, 1997. He killed one person and wounded six others before committing suicide.Kamal reportedly committed the shooting in response to events happening inPalestineandIsrael. On the morning of August 24, 2012, 58-year-old Jeffrey T. Johnsonshot and killeda former co-worker on the building's Fifth Avenue sidewalk. He had been laid off from his job in 2011. Two police officers confronted the gunman, and he aimed his firearm at them. They responded by firing 16 shots, killing him but also wounding nine bystanders. Most of the injured were hit by bullet fragments, although three took direct hits from bullets. Impact As the tallest building in the world and the first one to exceed 100 floors, the Empire State Building immediately became an icon of the city and of the nation.In 2013,Timemagazine noted that the Empire State Building \\\"seems to completely embody the city it has become synonymous with\\\".The historian John Tauranac called it \\\"'the' twentieth-century New York building\\\", despite the existence of taller and moremodernistbuildings. TheNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commissionvoted to designate the building and its lobby as city landmarks on May 19, 1981,citing the historic nature of the first and second floors, as well as \\\"the fixtures and interior components\\\" of the upper floors.TheNew York City Planning Commissionendorsed the landmark status.The building became a National Historic Landmark in 1986in close alignment with the New York City Landmarks report.The Empire State Building was added to theNational Register of Historic Placesthe following year due to its architectural significance. Contemporary reception Early architectural critics also focused on the Empire State Building's exterior ornamentation.Architectural critic Talbot Hamlin wrote in 1931, \\\"That it is the world's tallest building is purely incidental.\\\"George Shepard Chappell, writing inThe New Yorkerunder the pseudonym \\\"T-Square\\\", wrote the same year that the Empire State Building had a \\\"palpably enormous\\\" appeal to the general public, and that \\\"its difference and distinction in the extreme sensitiveness of its entire design\\\".Edmund Wilson ofThe New Republicwrote that the building's neutral color palette made it \\\"New York's handsomest skyscraper\\\". Architectural critics also wrote negatively of the mast, especially in light of its failure to become a real air terminal. Chappell called the mast \\\"a silly gesture\\\", andLewis Mumfordcalled it \\\"a public comfort station for migratory birds\\\".Nevertheless, architecture criticDouglas Haskellsaid the Empire State Building's appeal came from the fact that it was \\\"caught at the exact moment of transition—caught between metal and stone, between the idea of 'monumental mass' and that of airy volume, between handicraft and machine design, and in the swing from what was essentially handicraft to what will be essentially industrial methods of fabrication.\\\" As icon Early in the building's history, travel companies such asShort Line Motor Coach ServiceandNew York Central Railroadused the building as an icon to symbolize the city.In a 1932 survey of 50 American architects, fourteen ranked the Empire State Building as the United States' best building; the Empire State Building received more votes than any building except theLincoln Memorial.After the construction of the first World Trade Center, architectPaul Goldbergernoted that the Empire State Building \\\"is famous for being tall, but it is good enough to be famous for being good.\\\" As an icon of the United States, it is also very popular among Americans. In a 2007 survey, the American Institute of Architects found that the Empire State Building was \\\"America's favorite building\\\".The building was originally a symbol of hope in a country devastated by the Depression, as well as a work of accomplishment by newer immigrants.The writer Benjamin Flowers states that the Empire State was \\\"a building intended to celebrate a new America, built by men (both clients and construction workers) who were themselves new Americans.\\\"The architectural criticJonathan Glanceyrefers to the building as an \\\"icon of American design\\\".Additionally, in 2007, the Empire State Building was first on the AIA's List ofAmerica's Favorite Architecture. The Empire State Building has been hailed as an example of a \\\"wonder of the world\\\" due to the massive effort expended during construction.The Washington Starlisted it as part of one of the \\\"seven wonders of the modern world\\\" in 1931, whileHolidaymagazine wrote in 1958 that the Empire State's height would be taller than the combined heights of theEiffel Towerand theGreat Pyramid of Giza.TheAmerican Society of Civil Engineersalso declared the building \\\"A Modern Civil Engineering Wonder of the United States\\\" in 1958and one of theSeven Wonders of the Modern Worldin 1994.Ron Miller, in a 2010 book, also described the Empire State Building as one of the \\\"seven wonders of engineering\\\".It has often been called theEighth Wonder of the Worldas well, an appellation that it has held since shortly after opening.The panels installed in the lobby in 1963 reflected this, showing the seven original wonders alongside the Empire State Building.The Empire State Building also became the standard of reference to describe the height and length of other structures globally, both natural and human-made. The building has also inspired replicas. TheNew York-New York Hotel and CasinoinParadise, Nevada, contains the \\\"Empire Tower\\\",a 47-story replica of the Empire State Building.A portion of the hotel's interior was also designed to resemble the Empire State Building's interior. In media As an icon of New York City, the Empire State Building has been featured in various films, books, TV shows, and video games. According to the building's official website, more than 250 movies contain depictions of the Empire State Building.In his book about the building, John Tauranac writes that its first documented appearance in popular culture wasSwiss Family Manhattan, a 1932 children's story byChristopher Morley.A year later, the filmKing KongdepictedKong, a giantstop motionape that climbs the Empire State Building during the film's climax,bringing the building into the popular imagination.Later movies such asAn Affair to Remember(1957),Sleepless in Seattle(1993), andIndependence Day(1996) also prominently featured the building.The building has also been featured in other works, such as \\\"Daleks in Manhattan\\\", a 2007 episode of the TV seriesDoctor Who;andEmpire, an eight-hour black-and-whitesilent filmbyAndy Warhol,which was later added to theLibrary of Congress'sNational Film Registry. Throughout its history, the Empire State Building has welcomed celebrities, royalty, and dignitaries to visit the observation deck. From celebrities likeTaylor SwiftandZendayato royalty such asPrince William, the Empire State Building hosts notable figures every year. Empire State Building Run-Up The Empire State Building Run-Up, a foot race from ground level to the 86th-floor observation deck, has been held annually since 1978.It is organized byNYCRUNS.Its participants are referred to both as runners and as climbers, and are oftentower runningenthusiasts. The race covers a vertical distance of 1,050 ft (320 m) and takes in 1,576 steps. The record time is 9 minutes and 33 seconds, achieved by Australian professional cyclistPaul Crakein 2003, at a climbing rate of 6,593 ft (2,010 m) per hour. See also References Notes Citations Sources Further reading External links\",\n \"Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon, founded asShreve & Lamb, was anarchitectural firmbest known for designing theEmpire State Building, the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion in 1931. The firm was prominent in the proliferation ofArt Deco architecture in New York City. History The firm was founded in 1920 as Shreve & Lamb, a partnership ofRichmond Harold (\\\"R.H.\\\") Shreve, a Canadian fromNova Scotia, andWilliam F. Lamb, fromBrooklyn, New York. Shreve was the administrator, while Lamb was the architect. The two met while working atCarrère & Hastings, and Shreve & Lamb was initially a Carrère & Hastings firm. In 1924 the pair decided to leave Carrère & Hastings and became an autonomous architectural company. In 1929,Arthur Loomis Harmon, fromChicago, Illinois, joined Shreve & Lamb, and the firm became Shreve, Lamb & Harmon.Prior to joining the firm, Harmon's works included battle monuments at Tours, Cantigny and Somme-Py in France, a YMCA inJerusalem, and the Shelton Hotel in New York, U.S. For the construction of the Empire State Building, the firm's most notable work and a symbol of theAmerican expression of the Art Decostyle, Lamb was responsible for the design, while Shreve's planning skills facilitated the completion of the construction in a year. Shreve's planning skills were recognized in New York, and he was involved in projects beyond the firm, such as theSlum ClearanceCommittee of New York. Shreve, Lamb & Harmon's primary focus was commercial office buildings, and their work in this area was described as \\\"spare and functional\\\" in 2010 by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. However, the firm completed numerous residential projects, such as No. 130 East 57th Street, and this facet of the company's work was mainly conducted in neo-Tudor, as well as other popular historical styles of the 1920s. Shreve, Lamb and Harmon had also employed the future architect behind the originalWorld Trade Centercomplex,Minoru Yamasaki, after he had completed a masters degree in architecture in 1936. Lasting until 1945, this professional relationship was cut short when Yamasaki took a job atSmith, Hinchman & Grylls. It is not entirely clear when the company went out of business, with 1989 being a likely date. The archivesof Shreve, Lamb & Harmon are kept at theAvery Architectural and Fine Arts LibraryofColumbia University. Notable buildings All buildings are located inNew York Cityunless otherwise indicated: References Notes External links\",\n \"Richmond Shreve Richmond Harold Shreve(June 25, 1877 – September 11, 1946) was a Canadian-American architect. Biography He was born on June 25, 1877, inCornwallis, Nova Scotia, the son of Richmond Shreve, an Anglican priest, and Mary Catherine Parker Hocken.Shreve attendedCornell University, taught there from 1902 to 1906, and was a member of theSphinx Head Society. He was president of theAmerican Institute of Architectsfrom 1941 through 1943. He died on September 11, 1946, inHastings-on-Hudson, New York. Legacy His companyShreve, Lamb and Harmonled the construction of theEmpire State Buildingas well as severalCornell Universitybuildings.Shreve was also the lead architect for the landmark 1937Williamsburg Houseshousing development in Brooklyn. He was profiled in the bookThe 100 Most Notable Cornellians. Notes External links\",\n \"William F. Lamb William Frederick LambFAIA(November 21, 1883 – September 8, 1952), was an Americanarchitect, chiefly known as one of the principal designers of theEmpire State Building. Biography Lamb joined the New York architecture firmCarrère & Hastingsin 1911, shortly after returning from Paris, where he earned a diploma at theÉcole des Beaux-Arts. Lamb became a partner in 1920; the firm would be known as Shreve & Lamb from 1924 to 1929 and thereafter asShreve, Lamb and Harmon. Lamb's notable projects include theEmpire State Building, theStandard Oil Building, 521 Fifth Avenue, the Forbes Magazine Building, and the General Motors Building in New York City; the Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Building in Washington, D.C.; and academic buildings for the Connecticut College for Women, Williams College, Cornell University, and Wesleyan University. In addition to his studies at the École des Beaux Arts, Lamb received a bachelor's degree from Williams College in 1904 and did graduate work at the School of Architecture,Columbia University, from 1904 to 1906. Lamb received an honorary doctorate from Williams College in 1932; other honors include two gold medals from the Fifth Avenue Association (1930, 1931), a medal from theArchitectural League of New York(1931), and a medal of honor from the New York Chapter of theAmerican Institute of Architects(1932). He was a member of theAmerican Academy of Arts and Letters, the Art Commission of the City of New York, theBeaux-Arts Institute of Design, and the Architectural League of New York. In the period preceding the 1939 New York World's fair, Lamb served as \\\"Coordinator of Design\\\" for the fair's board of planners.Lamb served on theU.S. Commission of Fine Artsfrom 1937 to 1945, including as vice chairman from 1941 to 1945.In 1942 he was elected into theNational Academy of Designas an Associate member and became a full Academician in 1950. The firm also designed 521 Fifth Avenue, the Forbes Magazine Building, theStandard Oil Building, and theBankers Trust Buildingand worked with H. Craig Severance on40 Wall Streetin New York. He also designed theReynolds BuildinginWinston-Salem,North Carolina He died in New York on September 8, 1952. References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Empire State Building TheEmpire State Buildingis a 102-storyArt Decoskyscraper in theMidtown Southneighborhood ofManhattaninNew York City. The building was designed byShreve, Lamb & Harmonand built from 1930 to 1931. Its name is derived from \"Empire State\", thenicknameof the state ofNew York. The building has a roof height of 1,250 feet (380 m) and stands a total of 1,454 feet (443.2 m) tall, including itsantenna. The Empire State Building was the world's tallest building until the first tower of theWorld Trade Centerwastopped out in 1970; following theSeptember 11 attacksin 2001, the Empire State Building was New York City's tallest building until it was surpassed in 2012 byOne World Trade Center. As of 2022, the building is theseventh-tallest building in New York City, theninth-tallest completed skyscraper in the United States, and the54th-tallest in the world. The site of the Empire State Building, on the west side ofFifth Avenuebetween West33rdand34th Streets, was developed in 1893 as theWaldorf–Astoria","theWaldorf–Astoria Hotel. In 1929, Empire State Inc. acquired the site and devised plans for a skyscraper there. The design for the Empire State Building was changed fifteen times until it was ensured to be the world's tallest building. Construction started on March 17, 1930, and the building opened thirteen and a half months afterward on May 1, 1931. Despite favorable publicity related to the building's construction, because of theGreat DepressionandWorld War II, its owners did not make a profit until the early 1950s. The building'sArt Deco architecture, height, andobservation deckshave made it a popular attraction. Around four million tourists from around the world annually visit the building's 86th- and 102nd-floor observatories; an additional indoor observatory on the 80th floor opened in 2019. The Empire State Building is an internationalcultural icon: it has been featured in more than 250 television series and films since the filmKing Kongwas released in 1933. The building's size has been used as a","has been used as a standard of reference to describe the height and length of other structures. A symbol of New York City, the building has been named as one of theSeven Wonders of the Modern Worldby theAmerican Society of Civil Engineers. It was ranked first on theAmerican Institute of Architects' List ofAmerica's Favorite Architecturein 2007. Additionally, the Empire State Building and its ground-floor interior were designated city landmarks by theNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commissionin 1980, and were added to theNational Register of Historic Placesas aNational Historic Landmarkin 1986. Site The Empire State Building is located on the west side ofFifth Avenue, between33rd Streetto the south and34th Streetto the north, in theMidtown Southneighborhood ofManhattaninNew York City.Tenants enter the building through theArt Decolobby located at 350 Fifth Avenue. Visitors to the observatories use an entrance at 20 West 34th Street; prior to August 2018, visitors entered through the Fifth Avenue","the Fifth Avenue lobby.Although physically located in South Midtown,a mixed residential and commercial area,the building is so large that it was assigned its ownZIP Code, 10118;as of 2012, it is one of 43 buildings in New York City that have their own ZIP codes. The areas surrounding the Empire State Building are home to other major points of interest, includingMacy'satHerald SquareonSixth Avenueand 34th Street,andKoreatownon 32nd Street betweenMadisonand Sixth avenues.To the east of the Empire State Building isMurray Hill,a neighborhood with a mix of residential, commercial, and entertainment activity.The block directly to the northeast contains theB. Altman and Company Building, which houses theCity University of New York'sGraduate Center.The nearestNew York City Subwaystations are34th Street–Herald Square, one block west, and33rd StreetatPark Avenue, two blocks east; there is also aPATHstation at33rd Street and Sixth Avenue. Architecture The Empire State Building was designed byShreve, Lamb and Harmonin","Lamb and Harmonin theArt Decostyle.The Empire State Building is 1,250 ft (381 m) tall to its 102nd floor, or1,453 feet8+9⁄16inches (443.092 m) including its 203-foot (61.9 m) pinnacle.It was the first building in the world to be more than 100 stories tall,though only the lowest 86 stories are usable. The first through 85th floors contain 2.158 million square feet (200,500 m2) of commercial and office space, while the 86th floor contains an observatory.The remaining 16 stories are part of the spire, which is capped by an observatory on the 102nd floor; the spire does not contain any intermediate levels and is used mostly for mechanical purposes.Atop the 102nd story is the 203 ft (61.9 m) pinnacle, much of which is covered by broadcast antennas, and surmounted with alightning rod. Form The Empire State Building has a symmetricalmassingbecause of its large lot and relatively short base. Itsarticulationconsists of three horizontal sections—a base, shaft, andcapital—similar to the components of acolumn.The","of acolumn.The five-story base occupies the entire lot, while the 81-story shaft above it isset backsharply from the base.The setback above the 5th story is 60 feet (18 m) deep on all sides.There are smaller setbacks on the upper stories, allowing sunlight to illuminate the interiors of the top floors while also positioning these floors away from the noisy streets below.The setbacks are located at the 21st, 25th, 30th, 72nd, 81st, and 85th stories.The setbacks correspond to the tops of elevator shafts, allowing interior spaces to be at most 28 feet (8.5 m) deep (see§ Interior). The setbacks were mandated by the1916 Zoning Resolution, which was intended to allow sunlight to reach the streets as well.Normally, a building of the Empire State's dimensions would be permitted to build up to 12 stories on the Fifth Avenue side, and up to 17 stories on the 33rd Street and 34th Street sides, before it would have to utilize setbacks.However, with the largest setback being located above the base, the tower stories","the tower stories could contain a uniform shape.According to architectural writerRobert A. M. Stern, the building's form contrasted with the nearly contemporary, similarly designed500 Fifth Avenueeight blocks north, which had an asymmetrical massing on a smaller lot. Facade The Empire State Building's Art Deco design is typical of pre–World War II architecture in New York City.Thefacadeis clad inIndiana limestonepanels made by the Indiana Limestone Companyand sourced from a quarry in south-central Indiana;the panels give the building its signature blonde color.According to official fact sheets, the facade uses 200,000 cubic feet (5,700 m3) of limestone and granite, ten million bricks, and 730 short tons (650 long tons) of aluminum and stainless steel.The building also contains 6,514 windows.The decorative features on the facade are largely geometric, in contrast with earlier buildings, whose decorations often were intended to represent a specific narrative. The main entrance, composed of three sets of metal","three sets of metal doors, is at the center of the facade's Fifth Avenueelevation, flanked by molded piers that are topped with eagles. Above the main entrance is atransom, a triple-height transom window with geometric patterns, and the golden letters \"Empire State\" above the fifth-floor windows.There are two entrances each on 33rd and 34th streets, with modernistic,stainless steelcanopies projecting from the entrances on 33rd and 34th streets there. Above the secondary entrances are triple windows, less elaborate in design than those on Fifth Avenue. The storefronts on the first floor contain aluminum-framed doors and windows within a black granite cladding.The second through fourth stories consist of windows alternating with wide stonepiersand narrower stonemullions. The fifth story contains windows alternating with wide and narrow mullions, and is topped by a horizontal stone sill. The facade of the tower stories is split into several verticalbayson each side, with windows projecting slightly from the","slightly from the limestone cladding. The bays are arranged into sets of one, two, or three windows on each floor.The bays are separated by alternating narrow and wide piers, the inclusion of which may have been influenced by the design of the contemporaryDaily News Building.The windows in each bay are separated by vertical nickel-chrome steelmullionsand connected by horizontal aluminumspandrelsbetween each floor.The windows are placed within stainless-steel frames, which saved money by eliminating the need to apply a stonefinisharound the windows. In addition, the use of aluminum spandrels obviated the need for cross-bonding, which would have been required if stone had been used instead. Lights The building was originally equipped with whitesearchlightsat the top. They were first used in November 1932 when they lit up to signal Roosevelt's victory over Hoover in thepresidential election of that year.These were later swapped for four \"Freedom Lights\" in 1956.In February 1964, flood lights were added on the","were added on the 72nd floorto illuminate the top of the building at night so that the building could be seen from the World Fair later that year.The lights were shut off from November 1973 to July 1974 because of theenergy crisisat the time.In 1976, the businessmanDouglas Leighsuggested that Wien and Helmsley install 204metal-halide lights, which were four times as bright as the 1,000 incandescent lights they were to replace.New red, white, and blue metal-halide lights were installed in time for the country'sbicentennialthat July.After the bicentennial, Helmsley retained the new lights due to the reduced maintenance cost, about $116 a year. Since October 12, 1977, the spire has been lit in colors chosen to match seasonal events and holidays.Organizations are allowed to make requests through the building's website.The building is also lit in the colors of New York-based sports teams on nights when they host games: for example, orange, blue, and white for theNew York Knicks; red, white, and blue for theNew","and blue for theNew York Rangers.The spire can also be lit to commemorate events including disasters, anniversaries, or deaths, as well as for celebrations such asPrideandHalloween. In 1998, the building was lit in blue after the death of singerFrank Sinatra, who was nicknamed \"Ol' Blue Eyes\". The structure was lit in red, white, and blue for several months after thecollapse of the World Trade CenteronSeptember 11, 2001.On January 13, 2012, the building was lit in red, orange, and yellow to honor the 60th anniversary of theNBCprogramThe Today Show.After retired basketball playerKobe Bryant'sJanuary 2020 death, the building was lit in purple and gold, signifying the colors of his former team, theLos Angeles Lakers.The evening after iconic actorJames Earl Jonesdied, September 9, 2024, the building was lit up to look like Jones's iconicDarth Vadervillain from “Star Wars.” In addition to lightings, the Empire State Building is able to do immersive visual projections on the building's exterior. It partnered with","It partnered with Netflix in May 2022 to celebrate the return ofStranger Thingsfourth season by projecting the Upside Down onto the Empire State Building. In 2012, the building's four hundredmetal halidelamps and floodlights were replaced with 1,200LEDfixtures, increasing the available colors from nine to over 16 million.The computer-controlled system allows the building to be illuminated in ways that were unable to be done previously with plastic gels.For instance,CNNused the top of the Empire State Building as a scoreboard during the2012 United States presidential election, using red and blue lights to representRepublicanandDemocraticelectoral votes respectively.Also, on November 26, 2012, the building had its first synchronized light show, using music from recording artistAlicia Keys.Artists such as Eminem and OneRepublic have been featured in later shows, including the building's annual Holiday Music-to-Lights Show.The building's owners adhere to strict standards in using the lights; for instance, they","for instance, they do not use the lights to play advertisements. Interior According to official fact sheets, the Empire State Building weighs 365,000 short tons (331,122 t) and has an internal volume of 37 million cubic feet (1,000,000 m3).The interior required 1,172 miles (1,886 km) of elevator cable and 2 million feet (609,600 m) of electrical wires.It has a total floor area of 2,768,591 sq ft (257,211 m2), and each of the floors in the base cover 2 acres (1 ha).This gives the building capacity for 20,000 tenants and 15,000 visitors. Therivetedsteel frame of the building was originally designed to handle all of the building's gravitational stresses andwind loads.The amount of material used in the building's construction resulted in a very stiff structure when compared to otherskyscrapers, with a structural stiffness of 42 pounds per square foot (2.0 kPa) versus theWillis Tower's 33 pounds per square foot (1.6 kPa) and theJohn Hancock Center's 26 pounds per square foot (1.2 kPa).A December 1930 feature","1930 feature inPopular Mechanicsestimated that a building with the Empire State's dimensions would still stand even if hit with an impact of 50 short tons (45 long tons). Utilities are grouped in a central shaft.On the 6th through 86th stories, the central shaft is surrounded by a main corridor on all four sides.Per the final specifications of the building, the corridor is surrounded in turn by office space 28 feet (8.5 m) deep, maximizing office space at a time before air conditioning became commonplace.Each of the floors has 210 structural columns that pass through it, which provide structural stability but limits the amount of open space on these floors.The relative dearth of stone in the Empire State Building allows for more space overall, with a 1:200 stone-to-building ratio compared to a 1:50 ratio in similar buildings. Lobby The original main lobby is accessed from Fifth Avenue, on the building's east side, and is the only place in the building where the design contains narrative motifs.It contains an","contains an entrance with one set of double doors between a pair ofrevolving doors. At the top of each doorway is a bronze motif depicting one of three \"crafts or industries\" used in the building's construction—Electricity, Masonry, and Heating.The three-story-high space runs parallel to 33rd and 34th Streets.The lobby contains two tiers of marble: awainscotingof darker marble, topped by lighter marble. There is a pattern of zigzaggingterrazzotiles on the lobby floor, which leads from east to west.To the north and south are storefronts, which are flanked by tubes of dark rounded marble and topped by a vertical band of grooves set into the marble.Until the 1960s, there was aLongchampsrestaurant next to the lobby, with six oval murals designed byWinold Reiss; these murals were placed in storage when the Longchamps closed. The western ends of the north and south walls include escalators to a mezzanine level.At the west end of the lobby, behind the security desk, is an aluminum relief of the skyscraper as it was","as it was originally built (without the antenna).The relief, which was intended to provide a welcoming effect,contains an embossed outline of the building, with rays radiating from the spire and the sun behind it.In the background is a state map of New York with the building's location marked by a \"medallion\" in the very southeast portion of the outline. A compass is depicted in the bottom right and a plaque to the building's major developers is on the bottom left.A scale model of the building was also placed south of the security desk. The plaque at the western end of the lobby is on the eastern interior wall of a one-story-tall rectangular-shaped corridor that surrounds the banks of escalators, with a similar design to the lobby.The rectangular-shaped corridor actually consists of two long hallways on the northern and southern sides of the rectangle,as well as a shorter hallway on the eastern side and another long hallway on the western side.At both ends of the northern and southern corridors, there is a","there is a bank of four low-rise elevators in between the corridors.The western side of the rectangular elevator-bank corridor extends north to the 34th Street entrance and south to the 33rd Street entrance. It borders three large storefronts and leads to escalators (originally stairs), which go both to the second floor and to the basement. Going from west to east, there are secondary entrances to 34th and 33rd Streets from the northern and southern corridors, respectively.The side entrances from 33rd and 34th Street lead to two-story-high corridors around the elevator core, crossed by stainless steel-and-glass-enclosed bridges at the mezzanine floor. Until the 1960s, anArt Decomural, inspired by both the sky and theMachine Age, was installed in the lobby ceilings.Subsequent damage to these murals, designed by artist Leif Neandross, resulted in reproductions being installed. Renovations to the lobby in 2009, such as replacing the clock over the information desk in the Fifth Avenue lobby with ananemometerand","ananemometerand installing two chandeliers intended to be part of the building when it originally opened, revived much of its original grandeur.The north corridor contained eight illuminated panels created in 1963 by Roy Sparkia and Renée Nemorov, in time for the1964 World's Fair, depicting the building as theEighth Wonder of the Worldalongside the traditional seven.The building's owners installed a series of paintings by the New York artistKysa Johnsonin the concourse level. Johnson later filed a federal lawsuit, in January 2014, under theVisual Artists Rights Actalleging the negligent destruction of the paintings and damage to her reputation as an artist.As part of the building's 2010 renovation,Denise Amsescommissioned a work consisting of 15,000 stars and 5,000 circles, superimposed on a 13-by-5-foot (4.0 by 1.5 m)etched-glassinstallation, in the lobby. Elevators The Empire State Building has 73 elevators in all, including service elevators.Its original 64 elevators, built by theOtis Elevator Company,in","Elevator Company,in a central core and are of varying heights, with the longest of these elevators reaching from the lobby to the 80th floor.As originally built, there were four \"express\" elevators that connected the lobby, 80th floor, and several landings in between; the other 60 \"local\" elevators connected the landings with the floors above these intermediate landings.Of the 64 total elevators, 58 were for passenger use (comprising the four express elevators and 54 local elevators), and eight were for freight deliveries.The elevators were designed to move at 1,200 feet per minute (366 m/min). At the time of the skyscraper's construction, their practical speed was limited to 700 feet per minute (213 m/min) per city law, but this limit was removed shortly after the building opened. Additional elevators connect the 80th floor to the six floors above it, as the six extra floors were built after the original 80 stories were approved.The elevators were mechanically operated until 2011, when they were replaced","they were replaced with automatic elevators during the $550 million renovation of the building.An additional elevator connects the 86th and 102nd floor observatories, which allows visitors access the 102nd floor observatory after having their tickets scanned. It also allows employees to access the mechanical floors located between the 87th and 101st floors. Observation decks The 80th, 86th, and 102nd floors contain observatories.The latter two observatories saw a combined average of four million visitors per year in 2010.Since opening, the observatories have been more popular than similar observatories at30 Rockefeller Plaza, the Chrysler Building, the first One World Trade Center, or theWoolworth Building, despite being more expensive.There are variable charges to enter the observatories; one ticket allows visitors to go as high as the 86th floor, and there is an additional charge to visit the 102nd floor. Other ticket options for visitors include scheduled access to view the sunrise from the observatory, a","the observatory, a \"premium\" guided tour with VIP access, and the \"AM/PM\" package which allows for two visits in the same day. The 86th floor observatory contains both an enclosed viewing gallery and an open-air outdoor viewing area, allowing for it to remain open 365 days a year regardless of the weather. The 102nd floor observatory is completely enclosed and much smaller in size. The 102nd floor observatory was closed to the public from the late 1990s to 2005 due to limited viewing capacity and long lines.The observation decks were redesigned in mid-1979.The 102nd floor was again redesigned in a project that was completed in 2019, allowing the windows to be extended from floor to ceiling and widening the space in the observatory overall.An observatory on the 80th floor, opened in 2019, includes various exhibits as well as a mural of the skyline drawn by British artistStephen Wiltshire.An interactive multimedia museum, with multiple hands-on exhibitions about the building's history, was added during this","added during this project.The design of the 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) Observatory Experience was inspired by the plans and designs of the original Empire State Building. According to a 2010 report byConcierge.com, the five lines to enter the observation decks are \"as legendary as the building itself\". Concierge.com stated that there were five lines: the sidewalk line, the lobby elevator line, the ticket purchase line, the second elevator line, and the line to get off the elevator and onto the observation deck.In 2016, New York City's official tourism website made note of only three lines: the security check line, the ticket purchase line, and the second elevator line.Following renovations completed in 2019, designed to streamline queuing and reduce wait times, guests enter from a single entrance on 34th Street, where they make their way through 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) exhibits on their way up to the observatories. Guests were offered a variety of ticket packages, including a package that enables them to skip","them to skip the lines throughout the duration of their stay.The Empire State Building garners significant revenue from ticket sales for its observation decks, making more money from ticket sales than it does from renting office space during some years. New York Skyride In early 1994, amotion simulatorattraction was built on the 2nd floor,as a complement to the observation deck.The original cinematic presentation lasted approximately 25 minutes, while the simulation was about eight minutes.The ride had two incarnations. The original version, which ran from 1994 until around 2002, featuredJames Doohan,Star Trek'sScotty, as the airplane's pilot who humorously tried to keep the flight under control during a storm.After the September 11 attacks in 2001, the ride was closed.An updated version debuted in mid-2002, featuring actorKevin Baconas the pilot, with the new flight also going haywire.This new version served a more informative goal, as opposed to the old version's main purpose of entertainment, and","entertainment, and contained details about the 9/11 attacks.The simulator received mixed reviews, with assessments of the ride ranging from \"great\" to \"satisfactory\" to \"corny\". Spire Above the 102nd floor The final stage of the building was the installation of a hollow mast, a 158-foot (48 m) steel shaft fitted with elevators and utilities, above the 86th floor.The spire of the Empire State Building was originally intended to serve as a mooring mast for zeppelins and other airships, although the plan was abandoned after high winds made that impossible.At the top would be a conical roof and the 102nd-floor docking station.Inside, the elevators would ascend 167 feet (51 m) from the 86th floor ticket offices to a 33-foot-wide (10 m) 101st-floorwaiting room.From there, stairs would lead to the 102nd floor,where passengers would enter the airships.The airships would have been moored to the spire at the equivalent of the building's 106th floor. As constructed, the mast contains four rectangular tiers topped by a","tiers topped by a cylindrical shaft with a conical pinnacle.On the 102nd floor (formerly the 101st floor), there is a door with stairs ascending to the 103rd floor (formerly the 102nd).This was built as a disembarkation floor for airships tethered to the building's spire, and has a circular balcony outside.It is now an access point to reach the spire for maintenance. The room now contains electrical equipment, but celebrities and dignitaries may also be given permission to take pictures there.Above the 103rd floor, there is a set of stairs and a ladder to reach the spire for maintenance work.The mast's 480 windows were all replaced in 2015.The mast serves as the base of the building's broadcasting antenna. Inflatable objects have sometimes been mounted to the spire for promotional purposes. For example, aKing Kongballoon was attached to the spire in 1983 to mark the 50th anniversary of the character's introduction,and am inflatable dragon was placed on the spire in 2024 to promote the TV seriesHouse of","TV seriesHouse of Dragon. Broadcast stations Broadcasting began at the Empire State Building on December 22, 1931, whenNBCandRCAbegan transmitting experimental television broadcasts from a small antenna erected atop the mast, with two separate transmitters for the visual and audio data. They leased the 85th floor and built a laboratory there.In 1934, RCA was joined byEdwin Howard Armstrongin a cooperative venture to test his FM system from the building's antenna.This setup, which entailed the installation of the world's firstFM transmitter,continued only until October of the next year due to disputes between RCA and Armstrong.Specifically, NBC wanted to install more TV equipment in the room where Armstrong's transmitter was located. After some time, the 85th floor became home to RCA's New York television operations initially as experimental station W2XBS channel 1 then, from 1941, as commercial station WNBT channel 1 (nowWNBCchannel 4). NBC's FM station, W2XDG, began transmitting from the antenna in 1940.NBC","antenna in 1940.NBC retained exclusive use of the top of the building until 1950 when theFederal Communications Commission(FCC) ordered the exclusive deal be terminated. The FCC directive was based on consumer complaints that a common location was necessary for the seven extant New York-area television stations to transmit from so that receiving antennas would not have to be constantly adjusted. Other television broadcasters would later join RCA at the building on the 81st through 83rd floors, often along with sister FM stations.Construction of a dedicated broadcast tower began on July 27, 1950,with TV, and FM, transmissions starting in 1951. The 200-foot (61 m) broadcast tower was completed in 1953.From 1951, six broadcasters agreed to pay a combined $600,000 per year for the use of the antenna.In 1965, a separate set of FM antennae was constructed ringing the 103rd floor observation area to act as a master antenna. The placement of the stations in the Empire State Building became a major issue with the","issue with the construction of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers in the late 1960s, and early 1970s. The greater height of the Twin Towers would reflect radio waves broadcast from the Empire State Building, eventually resulting in some broadcasters relocating to the newer towers instead of suing the developer, thePort Authority of New York and New Jersey.Even though the nine stations who were broadcasting from the Empire State Building were leasing their broadcast space until 1984, most of these stations moved to the World Trade Center as soon as it was completed in 1971. The broadcasters obtained a court order stipulating that the Port Authority had to build a mast and transmission equipment in theNorth Tower, as well as pay the broadcasters' leases in the Empire State Building until 1984.Only a few broadcasters renewed their leases in the Empire State Building. The September 11 attacks destroyed the World Trade Center and the broadcast centers atop it, leaving most of the city's stations without a","stations without a transmitter for ten days until theArmstrong TowerinAlpine, New Jersey, was re-activated temporarily.By October 2001, nearly all of the city's commercial broadcast stations (both television and FM radio) were again transmitting from the top of the Empire State Building. In a report thatCongresscommissioned about the transition fromanalog televisiontodigital television, it was stated that the placement of broadcast stations in the Empire State Building was considered \"problematic\" due to interference from nearby buildings. In comparison, the congressional report stated that the former Twin Towers had very few buildings of comparable height nearby thus signals suffered little interference.In 2003, a few FM stations were relocated to the nearbyCondé Nast Buildingto reduce the number of broadcast stations using the Empire State Building.Eleventelevisionstations and twenty-twoFMstations had signed 15-year leases in the building by May 2003. It was expected that a taller broadcast tower","broadcast tower inBayonne, New Jersey, orGovernors Island, would be built in the meantime with the Empire State Building being used as a \"backup\" since signal transmissions from the building were generally of poorer quality.Following the construction ofOne World Trade Centerin the late 2000s and early 2010s, some TV stations began moving their transmitting facilities there. As of 2021, the Empire State Building is home to the following stations: History The site was previously owned byJohn Jacob Astorof the prominentAstor family, who had owned the site since the mid-1820s.In 1893, John Jacob Astor Sr.'s grandsonWilliam Waldorf Astoropened the Waldorf Hotel on the site.Four years later, his cousin,John Jacob Astor IV, opened the 16-story Astoria Hotel on an adjacent site.The two portions of theWaldorf–Astoriahotel had 1,300 bedrooms, making it the largest hotel in the world at the time.After the death of its founding proprietor,George Boldt, in early 1918, the hotel lease was purchased byThomas Coleman du","byThomas Coleman du Pont.By the 1920s, the old Waldorf–Astoria was becoming dated and the elegant social life of New York had moved much farther north.Additionally, many stores had opened on Fifth Avenue north of 34th Street.The Astor family decided to build areplacement hotelonPark Avenueand sold the hotel to Bethlehem Engineering Corporation in 1928 for $14–16 million.The hotel closed shortly thereafter on May 3, 1929. Planning Early plans Bethlehem Engineering Corporation originally intended to build a 25-story office building on the Waldorf–Astoria site. The company's president, Floyd De L. Brown, paid $100,000 of the $1 milliondown paymentrequired to start construction on the building, with the promise that the difference would be paid later.Brown borrowed $900,000 from a bank butdefaultedon the loan. After Brown was unable to secure additional funding,the land was resold to Empire State Inc., a group of wealthy investors that includedLouis G. Kaufman,Ellis P. Earle,John J. Raskob, Coleman du Pont,","Coleman du Pont, andPierre S. du Pont.The name came from thestate nicknamefor New York.Alfred E. Smith, a formerGovernor of New Yorkand U.S. presidential candidate whose1928 campaignhad been managed by Raskob,was appointed head of the company.The group also purchased nearby land so they would have the 2 acres (1 ha) needed for the base, with the combined plot measuring 425 feet (130 m) wide by 200 feet (61 m) long.The Empire State Inc. consortium was announced to the public in August 1929.Concurrently, Smith announced the construction of an 80-story building on the site, to be taller than any other buildings in existence. Empire State Inc. contractedWilliam F. Lamb, of architectural firmShreve, Lamb and Harmon, to create the building design.Lamb produced the initial building design in just two weeks using the firm's earlier designs for theReynolds BuildinginWinston-Salem, North Carolina, as the basis.He had also been inspired byRaymond Hood's design for theDaily News Building, which was being constructed at","constructed at the same time.Concurrently, Lamb's partnerRichmond Shrevecreated \"bug diagrams\" of the project requirements.The1916 Zoning Actforced Lamb to design a structure that incorporatedsetbacksresulting in the lower floors being larger than the upper floors.Consequently, the building was conceived from the top down,giving it a pencil-like shape.The plans were devised within a budget of $50 million and a stipulation that the building be ready for occupancy within 18 months of the start of construction.Design drawings and construction were concurrent. Steel drawings were completed in mid-January 1930, when foundations were underway. Design changes The original plan of the building was 50 stories,but was later increased to 60 and then 80 stories.Height restrictions were placed on nearby buildingsto ensure that the top fifty floors of the planned 80-story, 1,000-foot-tall (300 m) buildingwould have unobstructed views of the city.The New York Timeslauded the site's proximity tomass transit, with","transit, with theBrooklyn–Manhattan Transit's34th Streetstation and theHudson and Manhattan Railroad's33rd Streetterminal one block away, as well asPenn Stationtwo blocks away andGrand Central Terminalnine blocks away at its closest. It also praised the 3,000,000 square feet (280,000 m2) of proposed floor space near \"one of the busiest sections in the world\".The Empire State Building was to be a typical office building, but Raskob intended to build it \"better and in a bigger way\", according to architectural writer Donald J. Reynolds. While plans for the Empire State Building were being finalized, an intense competition in New York for the title of \"world's tallest building\" was underway.40 Wall Street(then the Bank of Manhattan Building) and theChrysler Buildingin Manhattan both vied for this distinction and were already under construction when work began on the Empire State Building.The \"Race into the Sky\", as popular media called it at the time, was representative of the country's optimism in the 1920s,","in the 1920s, fueled by the building boom in major cities.The race was defined by at least five other proposals, although only the Empire State Building would survive theWall Street Crash of 1929.The 40 Wall Street tower was revised, in April 1929, from 840 feet (260 m) to 925 feet (282 m) making it the world's tallest.The Chrysler Building added its 185-foot (56 m) steel tip to its roof in October 1929, thus bringing it to a height of 1,046 feet (319 m) and greatly exceeding the height of 40 Wall Street.The Chrysler Building's developer,Walter Chrysler, realized that his tower's height would exceed the Empire State Building's as well, having instructed his architect,William Van Alen, to change the Chrysler's original roof from a stubbyRomanesquedome to a narrow steel spire.Raskob, wishing to have the Empire State Building be the world's tallest, reviewed the plans and had five floors added as well as a spire; however, the new floors would need to be set back because of projected wind pressure on the","pressure on the extension.On November 18, 1929, Smith acquired a lot at 27–31 West 33rd Street, adding 75 feet (23 m) to the width of the proposed office building's site.Two days later, Smith announced the updated plans for the skyscraper. The plans included an observation deck on the 86th-floor roof at a height of 1,050 feet (320 m), higher than the Chrysler's 71st-floor observation deck. The 1,050-foot Empire State Building would only be 4 feet (1.2 m) taller than the Chrysler Building,and Raskob was afraid that Chrysler might try to \"pull a trick like hiding a rod in the spire and then sticking it up at the last minute.\"The plans were revised one last time in December 1929, to include a 16-story, 200-foot (61 m) metal \"crown\" and an additional 222-foot (68 m) mooring mast intended fordirigibles. The roof height was now 1,250 feet (380 m), making it the tallest building in the world by far, even without the antenna.The addition of the dirigible station meant that another floor, the now-enclosed 86th floor,","86th floor, would have to be built below the crown;however, unlike the Chrysler's spire, the Empire State's mast would serve a practical purpose.A revised plan was announced to the public in late December 1929, just before the start of construction.The final plan was sketched within two hours, the night before the plan was supposed to be presented to the site's owners in January 1930.The New York Timesreported that the spire was facing some \"technical problems\", but they were \"no greater than might be expected under such a novel plan.\"By this time the blueprints for the building had gone through up to fifteen versions before they were approved.Lamb described the other specifications he was given for the final, approved plan: The program was short enough—a fixed budget, no space more than 28 feet from window to corridor, as many stories of such space as possible, an exterior of limestone, and completion date of , 1931, which meant a year and six months from the beginning of sketches. Construction The","Construction The contractors wereStarrett Brothers and Eken, which were composed ofPaulandWilliam A. StarrettandAndrew J. Eken.The project was financed primarily by Raskob and Pierre du Pont,whileJames Farley's General Builders Supply Corporation supplied the building materials.John W. Bowserwas the construction superintendent of the project,and the structural engineer of the building was Homer G. Balcom.The tight completion schedule necessitated the commencement of construction even though the design had yet to be finalized. Hotel demolition Demolition of the old Waldorf–Astoria began on October 1, 1929.Stripping the building down was an arduous process, as the hotel had been constructed using more rigid material than earlier buildings had been. Furthermore, the old hotel's granite, wood chips, and \"'precious' metals such as lead, brass, and zinc\" were not in high demand, resulting in issues with disposal.Most of the wood was deposited into a woodpile on nearby 30th Street or was burned in a swamp","burned in a swamp elsewhere. Much of the other materials that made up the old hotel, including the granite and bronze, were dumped into theAtlantic OceannearSandy Hook, New Jersey. By the time the hotel's demolition started, Raskob had secured the required funding for the construction of the building.The plan was to start construction later that year but, on October 24, theNew York Stock Exchangeexperienced the major and suddenWall Street Crash, marking the beginning of the decade-longGreat Depression. Despite the economic downturn, Raskob refused to cancel the project because of the progress that had been made up to that point.Neither Raskob, who had ceasedspeculationin the stock market the previous year, nor Smith, who had no stock investments, suffered financially in the crash.However, most of the investors were affected and as a result, in December 1929, Empire State Inc. obtained a $27.5 million loan fromMetropolitan Life Insurance Companyso construction could begin.The stock market crash resulted in no","resulted in no demand for new office space; Raskob and Smith nonetheless started construction,as canceling the project would have resulted in greater losses for the investors. Steel structure A structural steel contract was awarded on January 12, 1930,with excavation of the site beginning ten days later on January 22,before the old hotel had been completely demolished.Two twelve-hour shifts, consisting of 300 men each, worked continuously to dig the 55-foot (17 m) deep foundation.Small pier holes were sunk into the ground to house the concrete footings that would support the steelwork.Excavation was nearly complete by early March,and construction on the building itself started on March 17,with the builders placing the first steel columns on the completed footings before the rest of the footings had been finished.Around this time, Lamb held a press conference on the building plans. He described the reflective steel panels parallel to the windows, the large-blockIndiana Limestonefacade that was slightly more","was slightly more expensive than smaller bricks, and the building's vertical lines.Four colossal columns, intended for installation in the center of the building site, were delivered; they would support a combined 10,000,000 pounds (4,500,000 kg) when the building was finished. The structural steel was pre-ordered andpre-fabricatedin anticipation of a revision to the city's building code that would have allowed the Empire State Building's structural steel to carry 18,000 pounds per square inch (120,000 kPa), up from 16,000 pounds per square inch (110,000 kPa), thus reducing the amount of steel needed for the building. Although the 18,000-psi regulation had been safely enacted in other cities, MayorJimmy Walkerdid not sign the new codes into law until March 26, 1930, just before construction was due to commence.The first steel framework was installed on April 1, 1930.From there, construction proceeded at a rapid pace; during one stretch of 10 working days, the builders erected fourteen floors.This was made","was made possible through precise coordination of the building's planning, as well as themass productionof common materials such as windows andspandrels.On one occasion, when a supplier could not provide timely delivery of dark Hauteville marble, Starrett switched to using Rose Famosa marble from a German quarry that was purchased specifically to provide the project with sufficient marble. The scale of the project was massive, with trucks carrying \"16,000 partition tiles, 5,000 bags of cement, 450 cubic yards of sand and 300 bags of lime\" arriving at the construction site every day.There were also cafes and concession stands on five of the incomplete floors so workers did not have to descend to the ground level to eat lunch.Temporary water taps were also built so workers did not waste time buying water bottles from the ground level.Additionally, carts running on a small railway system transported materials from the basement storageto elevators that brought the carts to the desired floors where they would","where they would then be distributed throughout that level using another set of tracks.The 57,480 short tons (51,320 long tons) of steel ordered for the project was the largest-ever single order of steel at the time, comprising more steel than was ordered for the Chrysler Building and 40 Wall Street combined.According to historianJohn Tauranac, building materials were sourced from numerous, and distant, sources with \"limestone from Indiana, steel girders from Pittsburgh, cement and mortar from upper New York State, marble from Italy, France, and England, wood from northern and Pacific Coast forests, hardware from New England.\"The facade, too, used a variety of material, most prominently Indiana limestone but alsoSwedish black granite,terracotta, andbrick. By June 20, the skyscraper's supportingsteel structurehad risen to the 26th floor, and by July 27, half of the steel structure had been completed.Starrett Bros. and Eken endeavored to build one floor a day in order to speed up construction, achieving a","achieving a pace of four and a half stories per week;prior to this, the fastest pace of construction for a building of similar height had been three and a half stories per week.While construction progressed, the final designs for the floors were being designed from the ground up (as opposed to the general design, which had been from the roof down). Some of the levels were still undergoing final approval, with several orders placed within an hour of a plan being finalized.On September 10, as steelwork was nearing completion, Smith laid the building'scornerstoneduring a ceremony attended by thousands. The stone contained a box with contemporary artifacts including the previous day'sNew York Times, a U.S. currency set containing all denominations of notes and coins minted in 1930, a history of the site and building, and photographs of the people involved in construction.The steel structure was topped out at 1,048 feet (319 m) on September 19, twelve days ahead of schedule and 23 weeks after the start of","after the start of construction.Workers raised a flag atop the 86th floor to signify this milestone. Completion and scale Work on the building's interior and crowning mast commenced after the topping out.The mooring mast topped out on November 21, two months after the steelwork had been completed.Meanwhile, work on the walls and interior was progressing at a quick pace, with exterior walls built up to the 75th floor by the time steelwork had been built to the 95th floor.The majority of the facade was already finished by the middle of November.Because of the building's height, it was deemed infeasible to have many elevators or large elevator cabins, so the builders contracted with theOtis Elevator Companyto make 66 cars that could speed at 1,200 feet per minute (366 m/min), which represented the largest-ever elevator order at the time. In addition to the time constraint builders had, there were also space limitations because construction materials had to be delivered quickly, and trucks needed to drop off","needed to drop off these materials without congesting traffic. This was solved by creating a temporary driveway for the trucks between 33rd and 34th Streets, and then storing the materials in the building's first floor and basements.Concrete mixers, brick hoppers, and stone hoists inside the building ensured that materials would be able to ascend quickly and without endangering or inconveniencing the public.At one point, over 200 trucks made material deliveries at the building site every day.A series of relay and erectionderricks, placed on platforms erected near the building, lifted the steel from the trucks below and installed the beams at the appropriate locations.The Empire State Building was structurally completed on April 11, 1931, twelve days ahead of schedule and 410 days after construction commenced.Al Smith shot the final rivet, which was made of solid gold. The project involved more than 3,500 workers at its peak,including 3,439 on a single day, August 14, 1930.Many of the workers were Irish and","were Irish and Italian immigrants,with a sizable minority ofMohawkironworkersfrom theKahnawakereserve nearMontreal.According to official accounts, five workers died during the construction,although theNew York Daily Newsgave reports of 14 deathsand a headline in the socialist magazineThe New Massesspread unfounded rumors of up to 42 deaths.The Empire State Building cost $40,948,900 to build (equivalent to $661 million in 2023),including demolition of the Waldorf–Astoria. This was lower than the $60 million budgeted for construction. Lewis Hinecaptured many photographs of the construction, documenting not only the work itself but also providing insight into the daily life of workers in that era.Hine's images were used extensively by the media to publish daily press releases.According to the writerJim Rasenberger, Hine \"climbed out onto the steel with the ironworkers and dangled from a derrick cable hundreds of feet above the city to capture, as no one ever had before (or has since), the dizzy work of building","work of building skyscrapers\". In Rasenberger's words, Hine turned what might have been an assignment of \"corporate flak\" into \"exhilarating art\".These images were later organized into their own collection.Onlookers were enraptured by the sheer height at which the steelworkers operated.New Yorkmagazine wrote of the steelworkers: \"Like little spiders they toiled, spinning a fabric of steel against the sky\". Opening and early years The Empire State Building officially opened on May 1, 1931, forty-five days ahead of its projected opening date, and eighteen months from the start of construction.The opening was marked with an event featuring United States PresidentHerbert Hoover, who turned on the building's lights with the ceremonial button push fromWashington, D.C.Over 350 guests attended the opening ceremony, and following luncheon, at the 86th floor includingJimmy Walker, GovernorFranklin D. Roosevelt, andAl Smith.An account from that day stated that the view from the luncheon was obscured by a fog, with","by a fog, with other landmarks such as theStatue of Libertybeing \"lost in the mist\" enveloping New York City.The Empire State Building officially opened the next day.Advertisements for the building's observatories were placed in local newspapers, while nearby hotels also capitalized on the events by releasing advertisements that lauded their proximity to the newly opened building. According toThe New York Times, builders and real estate speculators predicted that the 1,250-foot-tall (380 m) Empire State Building would be the world's tallest building \"for many years\", thus ending the great New York City skyscraper rivalry. At the time, most engineers agreed that it would be difficult to build a building taller than 1,200 feet (370 m), even with the hardy Manhattanbedrockas a foundation.Technically, it was believed possible to build a tower of up to 2,000 feet (610 m), but it was deemed uneconomical to do so, especially during the Great Depression.As the tallest building in the world, at that time, and the","that time, and the first one to exceed 100 floors, the Empire State Building became an icon of the city and, ultimately, of the nation. In 1932, the Fifth Avenue Association gave the building its 1931 \"gold medal\" for architectural excellence, signifying that the Empire State had been the best-designed building on Fifth Avenue to open in 1931.A year later, on March 2, 1933, the movieKing Kongwas released. The movie, which depicted a largestop motionape namedKongclimbing the Empire State Building, made the still-new building into a cinematic icon. Tenants and tourism At the beginning of 1931, Fifth Avenue was experiencing high demand for storefront space, with only 12 of 224 stores being unoccupied. The Empire State Building, along with 500 Fifth Avenue and608 Fifth Avenue, were expected to add a combined 11 stores.The office space was less successful, as the Empire State Building's opening had coincided with theGreat Depression in the United States.In the first year, only 23 percent of the available space","the available space was rented,as compared to the early 1920s, where the average building would be 52 percent occupied upon opening and 90 percent occupied within five years.The lack of renters led New Yorkers to deride the building as the \"Empty State Building\"or \"Smith's Folly\". The earliest tenants in the Empire State Building were large companies, banks, and garment industries.Jack Brod, one of the building's longest resident tenants,co-established the Empire Diamond Corporation with his father in the building in mid-1931and rented space in the building until he died in 2008.Brod recalled that there were only about 20 tenants at the time of opening, including him,and that Al Smith was the only real tenant in the space above his seventh-floor offices.Generally, during the early 1930s, it was rare for more than a single office space to be rented in the building, despite Smith's and Raskob's aggressive marketing efforts in the newspapers and to anyone they knew.The building's lights were continuously left","continuously left on, even in the unrented spaces, to give the impression of occupancy. This was exacerbated by competition fromRockefeller Centeras well as from buildings on42nd Street, which, when combined with the Empire State Building, resulted in surplus of office space in a slow market during the 1930s. Aggressive marketing efforts served to reinforce the Empire State Building's status as the world's tallest.The observatory was advertised in local newspapers as well as on railroad tickets.The building became a popular tourist attraction, with one million people each paying one dollar to ride elevators to the observation decks in 1931.In its first year of operation, the observation deck made approximately $2 million in revenue, as much as its owners made in rent that year.By 1936, the observation deck was crowded on a daily basis, with food and drink available for purchase at the top,and by 1944 the building had received its five-millionth visitor.In 1931,NBCtook up tenancy, leasing space on the 85th","space on the 85th floor for radio broadcasts.From the outset the building was in debt, losing $1 million per year by 1935. Real estate developerSeymour Durstrecalled that the building was so underused in 1936 that there was no elevator service above the 45th floor, as the building above the 41st floor was empty except for the NBC offices and the Raskob/Du Pont offices on the 81st floor. Other events Per the original plans, the Empire State Building'sspirewas intended to be anairshipdocking station. Raskob and Smith had proposed dirigible ticketing offices and passenger waiting rooms on the 86th floor, while the airships themselves would be tied to the spire at the equivalent of the building's 106th floor.An elevator would ferry passengers from the 86th to the 101st floorafter they had checked in on the 86th floor,after which passengers would have climbed steep ladders to board the airship.The idea, however, was impractical and dangerous due to powerful updrafts caused by the building itself,the wind currents","wind currents across Manhattan,and the spires of nearby skyscrapers.Furthermore, even if the airship were to successfully navigate all these obstacles, its crew would have to jettison someballastby releasing water onto the streets below in order to maintain stability, and then tie the craft's nose to the spire with no mooring lines securing the tail end of the craft.On September 15, 1931, a small commercialUnited States Navyairship circled 25 times in 45-mile-per-hour (72 km/h) winds.The airship then attempted to dock at the mast, but its ballast spilled and the craft was rocked by unpredictableeddies.The near-disaster scuttled plans to turn the building's spire into an airship terminal, although one blimp did manage to make a single newspaper delivery afterward. On July 28, 1945, aB-25 Mitchellbombercrashedinto the north side of the Empire State Building, between the 79th and 80th floors.One engine completely penetrated the building and landed in a neighboring block, while the other engine and part of the","and part of the landing gear plummeted down an elevator shaft. Fourteen people were killed in the incident,but the building escaped severe damage and was reopened two days later. Profitability By the 1940s, the Empire State Building was 98 percent occupied.The structurebroke evenfor the first time in the 1950s.At the time, mass transit options in the building's vicinity were limited compared to the present day. Despite this challenge, the Empire State Building began to attract renters due to its reputation.A 222-foot (68 m)radio antennawas erected on top of the towers starting in 1950,allowing the area's television stations to be broadcast from the building. Despite the turnaround in the building's fortunes, Raskob listed it for sale in 1951,with a minimum asking price of $50 million.The property was purchased by business partnersRoger L. Stevens,Henry Crown, Alfred R. Glancy andBen Tobin.The sale was brokered by the Charles F. Noyes Company, a prominent real estate firm in upper Manhattan,for $51 million,","$51 million, the highest price paid for a single structure at the time.By this time, the Empire State had been fully leased for several years with a waiting list of parties looking to lease space in the building, according to theCortland Standard.That same year, six news companies formed a partnership to pay a combined annual fee of $600,000 to use thebuilding's antenna,which was completed in 1953.Crown bought out his partners' ownership stakes in 1954, becoming the sole owner.The following year, theAmerican Society of Civil Engineersnamed the building one of the \"Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders\". In 1961,Lawrence A. Wiensigned a contract to purchase the Empire State Building for $65 million, withHarry B. Helmsleyacting as partners in the building's operating lease.This became the new highest price for a single structure.Over 3,000 people paid $10,000 for one share each in a company called Empire State Building Associates. The company in turnsubleasedthe building to another company headed by Helmsley","headed by Helmsley and Wien, raising $33 million of the funds needed to pay the purchase price.In a separate transaction,the land underneath the building was sold toPrudential Insurancefor $29 million.Helmsley, Wien, and Peter Malkin quickly started a program of minor improvement projects, including the first-ever full-building facade refurbishment and window-washing in 1962,the installation of new flood lights on the 72nd floor in 1964,and replacement of the manually operated elevators with automatic units in 1966.The little-used western end of the second floor was used as a storage space until 1964, at which point it received escalators to the first floor as part of its conversion into a highly sought retail area. Loss of \"tallest building\" title In 1961, the same year that Helmsley, Wien, and Malkin had purchased the Empire State Building, thePort Authority of New York and New Jerseyformally backed plans for a newWorld Trade CenterinLower Manhattan.The plan originally included 66-story twin towers with","twin towers with column-free open spaces. The Empire State's owners and real estate speculators were worried that the twin towers' 7.6 million square feet (710,000 m2) of office space would create a glut of rentable space in Manhattan as well as take away the Empire State Building's profits from lessees.A revision in the World Trade Center's plan brought the twin towers to 1,370 feet (420 m) each or 110 stories, taller than the Empire State.Opponents of the new project included prominent real-estate developerRobert Tishman, as well as Wien's Committee for a Reasonable World Trade Center.In response to Wien's opposition, Port Authority executive directorAustin J. Tobinsaid that Wien was only opposing the project because it would overshadow his Empire State Building as the world's tallest building. The World Trade Center's twin towers startedconstructionin 1966.The following year, theOstankino Towersucceeded the Empire State Building as thetallest freestanding structure in the world.In 1970, the Empire State","the Empire State surrendered its position as the world's tallest building,when the World Trade Center's still-under-construction North Tower surpassed it, on October 19;the North Tower wastopped outon December 23, 1970. In December 1975, the observation deck was opened on the 110th floor of the Twin Towers, significantly higher than the 86th floor observatory on the Empire State Building.The latter was also losing revenue during this period, particularly as a number of broadcast stations had moved to the World Trade Center in 1971; although the Port Authority continued to pay the broadcasting leases for the Empire State until 1984.The Empire State Building was still seen as prestigious, having seen its forty-millionth visitor in March 1971. 1980s and 1990s By 1980, there were nearly two million annual visitors,although a building official had previously estimated between 1.5 million and 1.75 million annual visitors.The building received its own ZIP code in May 1980 in a roll out of 63 new postal codes in","new postal codes in Manhattan. At the time, its tenants collectively received 35,000 pieces of mail daily.The Empire State Building celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 1, 1981, with a much-publicized, but poorly received, laser light show,as well as an \"Empire State Building Week\" that ran through to May 8.TheNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commission(LPC) voted to designate the building and its lobby as city landmarks on May 19, 1981, Capital improvements were made to the Empire State Building during the early to mid-1990s at a cost of $55 million.Because all of the building's windows were being replaced at the same time, the LPC mandated a paint-color test for the windows; the test revealed that the Empire State Building's original windows were actually red.The improvements also entailed replacing alarm systems, elevators, windows, and air conditioning; making the observation deck compliant with theAmericans with Disabilities Act of 1990(ADA); and refurbishing the limestone facade.The observation","observation deck renovation was added after disability rights groups and theUnited States Department of Justicefiled a lawsuit against the building in 1992, in what was the first lawsuit filed by an organization under the new law.A settlement was reached in 1994, in which Empire State Building Associates agreed to add ADA-compliant elements, such as new elevators, ramps, and automatic doors, during the renovation. Prudential sold the land under the building in 1991 for $42 million to a buyer representing hotelierHideki Yokoi, who was imprisoned at the time in connection with the deadlyHotel New Japan Fireat theHotel New JapaninTokyo.In 1994,Donald Trumpentered into a joint-venture agreement with Yokoi, with a shared goal of breaking the Empire State Building's lease on the land in an effort to gain total ownership of the building so that, if successful, the two could reap the potential profits of merging the ownership of the building with the land beneath it.Having secured a half-ownership of the land, Trump","of the land, Trump devised plans to take ownership of the building itself so he could renovate it, even though Helmsley and Malkin had already started their refurbishment project.He sued Empire State Building Associates in February 1995, claiming that the latter had caused the building to become a \"high-rise slum\"and a \"second-rate, rodent-infested\" office tower.Trump had intended to have Empire State Building Associates evicted for violating the terms of their lease,but was denied.This led to Helmsley's companies countersuing Trump in May.This sparked a series of lawsuits and countersuits that lasted several years,partly arising from Trump's desire to obtain the building's master lease by taking it from Empire State Building Associates.Upon Harry Helmsley's death in 1997, the Malkins sued Helmsley's widow,Leona Helmsley, for control of the building. 21st century 2000s Following the destruction of the World Trade Center during theSeptember 11 attacksin 2001, the Empire State Building again became thetallest","became thetallest building in New York City, but was only thesecond-tallest building in the Americasafter theSears (later Willis) Towerin Chicago.As a result of the attacks, transmissions from nearly all of the city's commercial television and FM radio stations were again broadcast from the Empire State Building.The attacks also led to an increase in security due to persistent terror threats against prominent sites in New York City. In 2002, Trump and Yokoi sold their land claim to the Empire State Building Associates, now headed by Malkin, in a $57.5 million sale.This action merged the building's title and lease for the first time in half a century.Despite the lingering threat posed by the 9/11 attacks, the Empire State Building remained popular with 3.5 million visitors to the observatories in 2004, compared to about 2.8 million in 2003. Even though she maintained her ownership stake in the building until the post-consolidation IPO in October 2013,Leona Helmsleyhanded over day-to-day operations of the","operations of the building in 2006 to Peter Malkin's company.In 2008, the building was temporarily \"stolen\" by theNew York Daily Newsto show how easy it was to transfer the deed on a property, since city clerks were not required to validate the submitted information, as well as to help demonstrate how fraudulent deeds could be used to obtain large mortgages and then have individuals disappear with the money. The paperwork submitted to the city included the names ofFay Wray, the famous star ofKing Kong, andWillie Sutton, a notorious New York bank robber. The newspaper then transferred the deed back over to the legitimate owners, who at that time were Empire State Land Associates. 2010s to present Starting in 2009, the building's public areas received a $550 million renovation, with improvements to the air conditioning and waterproofing, renovations to the observation deck and main lobby,and relocation of the gift shop to the 80th floor.About $120 million was spent on improving theenergy efficiencyof the","efficiencyof the building, with the goal of reducing energy emissions by 38% within five years.For example, all of the windows were refurbished onsite into film-coated \"superwindows\" which block heat but pass light.Air conditioningoperating costs on hot days were reduced, saving $17 million of the project's capital cost immediately and partially funding some of the other retrofits.The Empire State Building won theLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)Gold for Existing Buildings rating in September 2011, as well as theWorld Federation of Great Towers' Excellence in Environment Award for 2010.For the LEED Gold certification, the building's energy reduction was considered, as was a large purchase ofcarbon offsets. Other factors included low-flow bathroom fixtures, green cleaning supplies, and use of recycled paper products. On April 30, 2012,One World Trade Centertopped out, taking the Empire State Building's record of tallest in the city.By 2014, the building was owned by the Empire State Realty","Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT), with Anthony Malkin as chairman, CEO, and president.The ESRT was apublic company, having begun trading publicly on the New York Stock Exchange the previous year.In August 2016, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) was issued new fully diluted shares equivalent to 9.9% of the trust; this investment gave them partial ownership of the entirety of the ESRT's portfolio, and as a result, partial ownership of the Empire State Building.The trust's president John Kessler called it an \"endorsement of the company's irreplaceable assets\".The investment has been described by the real-estate magazineThe Real Dealas \"an unusual move for a sovereign wealth fund\", as these funds typically buy direct stakes in buildings rather than real estate companies.Other foreign entities that have a stake in the ESRT include investors from Norway, Japan, and Australia. A renovation of the Empire State Building was commenced in the 2010s to further improve energy efficiency, public areas, and amenities.In","and amenities.In August 2018, to improve the flow of visitor traffic, the main visitor's entrance was shifted to 20 West 34th Street as part of a major renovation of the observatory lobby.The new lobby includes several technological features, including large LED panels, digital ticket kiosks in nine languages, and a two-story architectural model of the building surrounded by two metal staircases.The first phase of the renovation, completed in 2019, features an updated exterior lighting system and digital hosts.The new lobby also features free Wi-Fi provided for those waiting.A 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) exhibit with nine galleries opened in July 2019.The 102nd floor observatory, the third phase of the redesign, reopened to the public on October 12, 2019.That portion of the project included outfitting the space with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a brand-new glass elevator.The final portion of the renovations to be completed was a new observatory on the 80th floor, which opened on December 2, 2019.In","December 2, 2019.In total, the renovation cost $160 millionor $165 million and took four years to finish. A comprehensive restoration of the building's mooring and antenna masts also began in June 2019. Antennas on the mooring mast were removed or relocated to the upper mast, while the aluminum panels were cleaned and coated with silver paint.To minimize disruption to the observation decks, the restoration work took place at night. The project was completed by late 2020. Height records The longest world record held by the Empire State Building was for the tallest skyscraper (to structural height), which it held for 42 years until it was surpassed by theNorth Towerof the World Trade Center in October 1970.The Empire State Building was also thetallest human-made structurein the world before it was surpassed by theGriffin Television Tower Oklahoma(KWTV Mast) in 1954,and thetallest freestanding structure in the worlduntil the completion of theOstankino Towerin 1967.An early-1970s proposal to dismantle the spire","dismantle the spire and replace it with an additional 11 floors, which would have brought the building's height to 1,494 feet (455 m) and made it once again the world's tallest at the time, was considered but ultimately rejected. With the destruction of the World Trade Center in theSeptember 11 attacks, the Empire State Building again became thetallest building in New York City, and thesecond-tallest building in the Americas, surpassed only by theWillis Towerin Chicago. The Empire State Building remained the tallest building in New York until the newOne World Trade Centerreached a greater height in April 2012.As of 2022, it is the seventh-tallest building in New York City and thetenth-tallest in the United States.The Empire State Building is the49th-tallest in the worldas of February 2021.It is also theeleventh-tallest freestanding structure in the Americasbehind the tallest U.S. buildings and theCN Tower. Notable tenants As of 2013, the building housed around 1,000 businesses.Current tenants include: Former","include: Former tenants include: Incidents 1945 plane crash At 9:40 am on July 28, 1945, aB-25 Mitchellbomber, piloted in thick fog by Lieutenant Colonel William Franklin Smith Jr.,crashed into the north side of the Empire State Building between the 79th and 80th floors (then the offices of theNational Catholic Welfare Council).One engine completely penetrated the building, landing on the roof of a nearby building where it started a fire that destroyed a penthouse.The other engine and part of the landing gear plummeted down an elevator shaft, causing a fire that was extinguished in 40 minutes. Fourteen people were killed in the incident.Elevator operator Betty Lou Oliver fell 75 stories and survived, which still holds theGuinness World Recordfor the longest survived elevator fall recorded. Despite the damage and loss of life, many floors were open two days later.The crash helped spur the passage of the long-pendingFederal Tort Claims Actof 1946, as well as the insertion of retroactive provisions into the","provisions into the law, allowing people to sue the government for the incident.Also as a result of the crash, theCivil Aeronautics Administrationenacted strict regulations regarding flying over New York City, setting a minimum flying altitude of 2,500 feet (760 m) above sea level regardless of the weather conditions. A year later, on July 24, 1946, another airplane narrowly missed striking the building. The unidentified twin-engine plane scraped past the observation deck, frightening the tourists there. 2000 elevator plunge On January 24, 2000, an elevator in the building suddenly descended 40 stories after a cable that controlled the cabin's maximum speed was severed.The elevator fell from the 44th floor to the fourth floor, where a narrowed elevator shaft provided a second safety system. Despite the 40-floor fall, both of the passengers in the cabin at the time were only slightly injured. After the fall, building inspectors reviewed all of the building's elevators. Suicide attempts Because of the","Because of the building's iconic status, it and other Midtown landmarks are common locations forsuicideattempts.More than 30 people haveattempted suicideover the years by jumping from the upper parts of the building, with most attempts being successful. The first suicide from the building occurred on April 7, 1931, before it was even completed, when a carpenter who had been laid-off went to the 58th floor and jumped.The first suicide after the building's opening occurred from the 86th floor observatory in February 1935, when Irma P. Eberhardt fell 1,029 feet (314 m) onto amarquee sign.On December 16, 1943, William Lloyd Rambo jumped to his death from the 86th floor, landing amidst Christmas shoppers on the street below.In the early morning of September 27, 1946,shell-shockedMarine Douglas W. Brashear Jr. jumped from the 76th-floor window of the Grant Advertising Agency; police found his shoes 50 feet (15 m) from his body. On May 1, 1947,Evelyn McHaleleapt to her death from the 86th floor observation deck and","deck and landed on alimousineparked at the curb. Photography student Robert Wiles took a photo of McHale's oddly intact corpse a few minutes after her death. The police found a suicide note among possessions that she left on the observation deck: \"He is much better off without me.... I wouldn't make a good wife for anybody\". The photo ran in the May 12, 1947, edition ofLifemagazineand is often referred to as \"The Most Beautiful Suicide\". It was later used by visual artistAndy Warholin one of his prints entitledSuicide (Fallen Body).A 7-foot (2.1 m) mesh fence was put up around the 86th floor terrace in December 1947 after five people tried to jump during a three-week span in October and November of that year.By then, sixteen people had died from suicide jumps. Only one person has jumped from the upper observatory. Frederick Eckert ofAstoriaran past a guard in the enclosed 102nd-floor gallery on November 3, 1932, and jumped a gate leading to an outdoor catwalk intended fordirigiblepassengers. He landed and","He landed and died on the roof of the 86th floor observation promenade. Two people have survived falls by not falling more than a floor. On December 2, 1979, Elvita Adams jumped from the 86th floor, only to be blown back onto a ledge on the 85th floor by a gust of wind and left with abroken hip.On April 25, 2013, a man fell from the 86th floor observation deck, but he landed alive with minor injuries on an 85th-floor ledge where security guards brought him inside and paramedics transferred him to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Shootings Two fatal shootings have occurred in the direct vicinity of the Empire State Building. Abu Kamal, a 69-year-old Palestinian teacher,shot seven peopleon the 86th floor observation deck during the afternoon of February 23, 1997. He killed one person and wounded six others before committing suicide.Kamal reportedly committed the shooting in response to events happening inPalestineandIsrael. On the morning of August 24, 2012, 58-year-old Jeffrey T. Johnsonshot and","T. Johnsonshot and killeda former co-worker on the building's Fifth Avenue sidewalk. He had been laid off from his job in 2011. Two police officers confronted the gunman, and he aimed his firearm at them. They responded by firing 16 shots, killing him but also wounding nine bystanders. Most of the injured were hit by bullet fragments, although three took direct hits from bullets. Impact As the tallest building in the world and the first one to exceed 100 floors, the Empire State Building immediately became an icon of the city and of the nation.In 2013,Timemagazine noted that the Empire State Building \"seems to completely embody the city it has become synonymous with\".The historian John Tauranac called it \"'the' twentieth-century New York building\", despite the existence of taller and moremodernistbuildings. TheNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commissionvoted to designate the building and its lobby as city landmarks on May 19, 1981,citing the historic nature of the first and second floors, as well as \"the","as well as \"the fixtures and interior components\" of the upper floors.TheNew York City Planning Commissionendorsed the landmark status.The building became a National Historic Landmark in 1986in close alignment with the New York City Landmarks report.The Empire State Building was added to theNational Register of Historic Placesthe following year due to its architectural significance. Contemporary reception Early architectural critics also focused on the Empire State Building's exterior ornamentation.Architectural critic Talbot Hamlin wrote in 1931, \"That it is the world's tallest building is purely incidental.\"George Shepard Chappell, writing inThe New Yorkerunder the pseudonym \"T-Square\", wrote the same year that the Empire State Building had a \"palpably enormous\" appeal to the general public, and that \"its difference and distinction in the extreme sensitiveness of its entire design\".Edmund Wilson ofThe New Republicwrote that the building's neutral color palette made it \"New York's handsomest skyscraper\".","skyscraper\". Architectural critics also wrote negatively of the mast, especially in light of its failure to become a real air terminal. Chappell called the mast \"a silly gesture\", andLewis Mumfordcalled it \"a public comfort station for migratory birds\".Nevertheless, architecture criticDouglas Haskellsaid the Empire State Building's appeal came from the fact that it was \"caught at the exact moment of transition—caught between metal and stone, between the idea of 'monumental mass' and that of airy volume, between handicraft and machine design, and in the swing from what was essentially handicraft to what will be essentially industrial methods of fabrication.\" As icon Early in the building's history, travel companies such asShort Line Motor Coach ServiceandNew York Central Railroadused the building as an icon to symbolize the city.In a 1932 survey of 50 American architects, fourteen ranked the Empire State Building as the United States' best building; the Empire State Building received more votes than any","more votes than any building except theLincoln Memorial.After the construction of the first World Trade Center, architectPaul Goldbergernoted that the Empire State Building \"is famous for being tall, but it is good enough to be famous for being good.\" As an icon of the United States, it is also very popular among Americans. In a 2007 survey, the American Institute of Architects found that the Empire State Building was \"America's favorite building\".The building was originally a symbol of hope in a country devastated by the Depression, as well as a work of accomplishment by newer immigrants.The writer Benjamin Flowers states that the Empire State was \"a building intended to celebrate a new America, built by men (both clients and construction workers) who were themselves new Americans.\"The architectural criticJonathan Glanceyrefers to the building as an \"icon of American design\".Additionally, in 2007, the Empire State Building was first on the AIA's List ofAmerica's Favorite Architecture. The Empire State","The Empire State Building has been hailed as an example of a \"wonder of the world\" due to the massive effort expended during construction.The Washington Starlisted it as part of one of the \"seven wonders of the modern world\" in 1931, whileHolidaymagazine wrote in 1958 that the Empire State's height would be taller than the combined heights of theEiffel Towerand theGreat Pyramid of Giza.TheAmerican Society of Civil Engineersalso declared the building \"A Modern Civil Engineering Wonder of the United States\" in 1958and one of theSeven Wonders of the Modern Worldin 1994.Ron Miller, in a 2010 book, also described the Empire State Building as one of the \"seven wonders of engineering\".It has often been called theEighth Wonder of the Worldas well, an appellation that it has held since shortly after opening.The panels installed in the lobby in 1963 reflected this, showing the seven original wonders alongside the Empire State Building.The Empire State Building also became the standard of reference to describe the","to describe the height and length of other structures globally, both natural and human-made. The building has also inspired replicas. TheNew York-New York Hotel and CasinoinParadise, Nevada, contains the \"Empire Tower\",a 47-story replica of the Empire State Building.A portion of the hotel's interior was also designed to resemble the Empire State Building's interior. In media As an icon of New York City, the Empire State Building has been featured in various films, books, TV shows, and video games. According to the building's official website, more than 250 movies contain depictions of the Empire State Building.In his book about the building, John Tauranac writes that its first documented appearance in popular culture wasSwiss Family Manhattan, a 1932 children's story byChristopher Morley.A year later, the filmKing KongdepictedKong, a giantstop motionape that climbs the Empire State Building during the film's climax,bringing the building into the popular imagination.Later movies such asAn Affair to","such asAn Affair to Remember(1957),Sleepless in Seattle(1993), andIndependence Day(1996) also prominently featured the building.The building has also been featured in other works, such as \"Daleks in Manhattan\", a 2007 episode of the TV seriesDoctor Who;andEmpire, an eight-hour black-and-whitesilent filmbyAndy Warhol,which was later added to theLibrary of Congress'sNational Film Registry. Throughout its history, the Empire State Building has welcomed celebrities, royalty, and dignitaries to visit the observation deck. From celebrities likeTaylor SwiftandZendayato royalty such asPrince William, the Empire State Building hosts notable figures every year. Empire State Building Run-Up The Empire State Building Run-Up, a foot race from ground level to the 86th-floor observation deck, has been held annually since 1978.It is organized byNYCRUNS.Its participants are referred to both as runners and as climbers, and are oftentower runningenthusiasts. The race covers a vertical distance of 1,050 ft (320 m) and takes in","m) and takes in 1,576 steps. The record time is 9 minutes and 33 seconds, achieved by Australian professional cyclistPaul Crakein 2003, at a climbing rate of 6,593 ft (2,010 m) per hour. See also References Notes Citations Sources Further reading External links","Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon, founded asShreve & Lamb, was anarchitectural firmbest known for designing theEmpire State Building, the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion in 1931. The firm was prominent in the proliferation ofArt Deco architecture in New York City. History The firm was founded in 1920 as Shreve & Lamb, a partnership ofRichmond Harold (\"R.H.\") Shreve, a Canadian fromNova Scotia, andWilliam F. Lamb, fromBrooklyn, New York. Shreve was the administrator, while Lamb was the architect. The two met while working atCarrère & Hastings, and Shreve & Lamb was initially a Carrère & Hastings firm. In 1924 the pair decided to leave Carrère & Hastings and became an autonomous architectural company. In 1929,Arthur Loomis Harmon, fromChicago, Illinois, joined Shreve & Lamb, and the firm became Shreve, Lamb & Harmon.Prior to joining the firm, Harmon's works included battle monuments at Tours, Cantigny and Somme-Py in France, a YMCA inJerusalem, and the Shelton Hotel in","Shelton Hotel in New York, U.S. For the construction of the Empire State Building, the firm's most notable work and a symbol of theAmerican expression of the Art Decostyle, Lamb was responsible for the design, while Shreve's planning skills facilitated the completion of the construction in a year. Shreve's planning skills were recognized in New York, and he was involved in projects beyond the firm, such as theSlum ClearanceCommittee of New York. Shreve, Lamb & Harmon's primary focus was commercial office buildings, and their work in this area was described as \"spare and functional\" in 2010 by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. However, the firm completed numerous residential projects, such as No. 130 East 57th Street, and this facet of the company's work was mainly conducted in neo-Tudor, as well as other popular historical styles of the 1920s. Shreve, Lamb and Harmon had also employed the future architect behind the originalWorld Trade Centercomplex,Minoru Yamasaki, after he had completed a masters","completed a masters degree in architecture in 1936. Lasting until 1945, this professional relationship was cut short when Yamasaki took a job atSmith, Hinchman & Grylls. It is not entirely clear when the company went out of business, with 1989 being a likely date. The archivesof Shreve, Lamb & Harmon are kept at theAvery Architectural and Fine Arts LibraryofColumbia University. Notable buildings All buildings are located inNew York Cityunless otherwise indicated: References Notes External links","Richmond Shreve Richmond Harold Shreve(June 25, 1877 – September 11, 1946) was a Canadian-American architect. Biography He was born on June 25, 1877, inCornwallis, Nova Scotia, the son of Richmond Shreve, an Anglican priest, and Mary Catherine Parker Hocken.Shreve attendedCornell University, taught there from 1902 to 1906, and was a member of theSphinx Head Society. He was president of theAmerican Institute of Architectsfrom 1941 through 1943. He died on September 11, 1946, inHastings-on-Hudson, New York. Legacy His companyShreve, Lamb and Harmonled the construction of theEmpire State Buildingas well as severalCornell Universitybuildings.Shreve was also the lead architect for the landmark 1937Williamsburg Houseshousing development in Brooklyn. He was profiled in the bookThe 100 Most Notable Cornellians. Notes External links","William F. Lamb William Frederick LambFAIA(November 21, 1883 – September 8, 1952), was an Americanarchitect, chiefly known as one of the principal designers of theEmpire State Building. Biography Lamb joined the New York architecture firmCarrère & Hastingsin 1911, shortly after returning from Paris, where he earned a diploma at theÉcole des Beaux-Arts. Lamb became a partner in 1920; the firm would be known as Shreve & Lamb from 1924 to 1929 and thereafter asShreve, Lamb and Harmon. Lamb's notable projects include theEmpire State Building, theStandard Oil Building, 521 Fifth Avenue, the Forbes Magazine Building, and the General Motors Building in New York City; the Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Building in Washington, D.C.; and academic buildings for the Connecticut College for Women, Williams College, Cornell University, and Wesleyan University. In addition to his studies at the École des Beaux Arts, Lamb received a bachelor's degree from Williams College in 1904 and did graduate work at the School of","at the School of Architecture,Columbia University, from 1904 to 1906. Lamb received an honorary doctorate from Williams College in 1932; other honors include two gold medals from the Fifth Avenue Association (1930, 1931), a medal from theArchitectural League of New York(1931), and a medal of honor from the New York Chapter of theAmerican Institute of Architects(1932). He was a member of theAmerican Academy of Arts and Letters, the Art Commission of the City of New York, theBeaux-Arts Institute of Design, and the Architectural League of New York. In the period preceding the 1939 New York World's fair, Lamb served as \"Coordinator of Design\" for the fair's board of planners.Lamb served on theU.S. Commission of Fine Artsfrom 1937 to 1945, including as vice chairman from 1941 to 1945.In 1942 he was elected into theNational Academy of Designas an Associate member and became a full Academician in 1950. The firm also designed 521 Fifth Avenue, the Forbes Magazine Building, theStandard Oil Building, and theBankers","and theBankers Trust Buildingand worked with H. Craig Severance on40 Wall Streetin New York. He also designed theReynolds BuildinginWinston-Salem,North Carolina He died in New York on September 8, 1952. References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Empire State Building TheEmpire State Buildingis a 102-storyArt Decoskyscraper in theMidtown Southneighborhood ofManhattaninNew York City. The building was designed byShreve, Lamb & Harmonand built from 1930 to 1931. Its name is derived from \\\"Empire State\\\", thenicknameof the state ofNew York. The building has a roof height of 1,250 feet (380 m) and stands a total of 1,454 feet (443.2 m) tall, including itsantenna. The Empire State Building was the world's tallest building until the first tower of theWorld Trade Centerwastopped out in 1970; following theSeptember 11 attacksin 2001, the Empire State Building was New York City's tallest building until it was surpassed in 2012 byOne World Trade Center. As of 2022, the building is theseventh-tallest building in New York City, theninth-tallest completed skyscraper in the United States, and the54th-tallest in the world. The site of the Empire State Building, on the west side ofFifth Avenuebetween West33rdand34th Streets, was developed in 1893 as theWaldorf–Astoria\",\n \"theWaldorf–Astoria Hotel. In 1929, Empire State Inc. acquired the site and devised plans for a skyscraper there. The design for the Empire State Building was changed fifteen times until it was ensured to be the world's tallest building. Construction started on March 17, 1930, and the building opened thirteen and a half months afterward on May 1, 1931. Despite favorable publicity related to the building's construction, because of theGreat DepressionandWorld War II, its owners did not make a profit until the early 1950s. The building'sArt Deco architecture, height, andobservation deckshave made it a popular attraction. Around four million tourists from around the world annually visit the building's 86th- and 102nd-floor observatories; an additional indoor observatory on the 80th floor opened in 2019. The Empire State Building is an internationalcultural icon: it has been featured in more than 250 television series and films since the filmKing Kongwas released in 1933. The building's size has been used as a\",\n \"has been used as a standard of reference to describe the height and length of other structures. A symbol of New York City, the building has been named as one of theSeven Wonders of the Modern Worldby theAmerican Society of Civil Engineers. It was ranked first on theAmerican Institute of Architects' List ofAmerica's Favorite Architecturein 2007. Additionally, the Empire State Building and its ground-floor interior were designated city landmarks by theNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commissionin 1980, and were added to theNational Register of Historic Placesas aNational Historic Landmarkin 1986. Site The Empire State Building is located on the west side ofFifth Avenue, between33rd Streetto the south and34th Streetto the north, in theMidtown Southneighborhood ofManhattaninNew York City.Tenants enter the building through theArt Decolobby located at 350 Fifth Avenue. Visitors to the observatories use an entrance at 20 West 34th Street; prior to August 2018, visitors entered through the Fifth Avenue\",\n \"the Fifth Avenue lobby.Although physically located in South Midtown,a mixed residential and commercial area,the building is so large that it was assigned its ownZIP Code, 10118;as of 2012, it is one of 43 buildings in New York City that have their own ZIP codes. The areas surrounding the Empire State Building are home to other major points of interest, includingMacy'satHerald SquareonSixth Avenueand 34th Street,andKoreatownon 32nd Street betweenMadisonand Sixth avenues.To the east of the Empire State Building isMurray Hill,a neighborhood with a mix of residential, commercial, and entertainment activity.The block directly to the northeast contains theB. Altman and Company Building, which houses theCity University of New York'sGraduate Center.The nearestNew York City Subwaystations are34th Street–Herald Square, one block west, and33rd StreetatPark Avenue, two blocks east; there is also aPATHstation at33rd Street and Sixth Avenue. Architecture The Empire State Building was designed byShreve, Lamb and Harmonin\",\n \"Lamb and Harmonin theArt Decostyle.The Empire State Building is 1,250 ft (381 m) tall to its 102nd floor, or1,453 feet8+9⁄16inches (443.092 m) including its 203-foot (61.9 m) pinnacle.It was the first building in the world to be more than 100 stories tall,though only the lowest 86 stories are usable. The first through 85th floors contain 2.158 million square feet (200,500 m2) of commercial and office space, while the 86th floor contains an observatory.The remaining 16 stories are part of the spire, which is capped by an observatory on the 102nd floor; the spire does not contain any intermediate levels and is used mostly for mechanical purposes.Atop the 102nd story is the 203 ft (61.9 m) pinnacle, much of which is covered by broadcast antennas, and surmounted with alightning rod. Form The Empire State Building has a symmetricalmassingbecause of its large lot and relatively short base. Itsarticulationconsists of three horizontal sections—a base, shaft, andcapital—similar to the components of acolumn.The\",\n \"of acolumn.The five-story base occupies the entire lot, while the 81-story shaft above it isset backsharply from the base.The setback above the 5th story is 60 feet (18 m) deep on all sides.There are smaller setbacks on the upper stories, allowing sunlight to illuminate the interiors of the top floors while also positioning these floors away from the noisy streets below.The setbacks are located at the 21st, 25th, 30th, 72nd, 81st, and 85th stories.The setbacks correspond to the tops of elevator shafts, allowing interior spaces to be at most 28 feet (8.5 m) deep (see§ Interior). The setbacks were mandated by the1916 Zoning Resolution, which was intended to allow sunlight to reach the streets as well.Normally, a building of the Empire State's dimensions would be permitted to build up to 12 stories on the Fifth Avenue side, and up to 17 stories on the 33rd Street and 34th Street sides, before it would have to utilize setbacks.However, with the largest setback being located above the base, the tower stories\",\n \"the tower stories could contain a uniform shape.According to architectural writerRobert A. M. Stern, the building's form contrasted with the nearly contemporary, similarly designed500 Fifth Avenueeight blocks north, which had an asymmetrical massing on a smaller lot. Facade The Empire State Building's Art Deco design is typical of pre–World War II architecture in New York City.Thefacadeis clad inIndiana limestonepanels made by the Indiana Limestone Companyand sourced from a quarry in south-central Indiana;the panels give the building its signature blonde color.According to official fact sheets, the facade uses 200,000 cubic feet (5,700 m3) of limestone and granite, ten million bricks, and 730 short tons (650 long tons) of aluminum and stainless steel.The building also contains 6,514 windows.The decorative features on the facade are largely geometric, in contrast with earlier buildings, whose decorations often were intended to represent a specific narrative. The main entrance, composed of three sets of metal\",\n \"three sets of metal doors, is at the center of the facade's Fifth Avenueelevation, flanked by molded piers that are topped with eagles. Above the main entrance is atransom, a triple-height transom window with geometric patterns, and the golden letters \\\"Empire State\\\" above the fifth-floor windows.There are two entrances each on 33rd and 34th streets, with modernistic,stainless steelcanopies projecting from the entrances on 33rd and 34th streets there. Above the secondary entrances are triple windows, less elaborate in design than those on Fifth Avenue. The storefronts on the first floor contain aluminum-framed doors and windows within a black granite cladding.The second through fourth stories consist of windows alternating with wide stonepiersand narrower stonemullions. The fifth story contains windows alternating with wide and narrow mullions, and is topped by a horizontal stone sill. The facade of the tower stories is split into several verticalbayson each side, with windows projecting slightly from the\",\n \"slightly from the limestone cladding. The bays are arranged into sets of one, two, or three windows on each floor.The bays are separated by alternating narrow and wide piers, the inclusion of which may have been influenced by the design of the contemporaryDaily News Building.The windows in each bay are separated by vertical nickel-chrome steelmullionsand connected by horizontal aluminumspandrelsbetween each floor.The windows are placed within stainless-steel frames, which saved money by eliminating the need to apply a stonefinisharound the windows. In addition, the use of aluminum spandrels obviated the need for cross-bonding, which would have been required if stone had been used instead. Lights The building was originally equipped with whitesearchlightsat the top. They were first used in November 1932 when they lit up to signal Roosevelt's victory over Hoover in thepresidential election of that year.These were later swapped for four \\\"Freedom Lights\\\" in 1956.In February 1964, flood lights were added on the\",\n \"were added on the 72nd floorto illuminate the top of the building at night so that the building could be seen from the World Fair later that year.The lights were shut off from November 1973 to July 1974 because of theenergy crisisat the time.In 1976, the businessmanDouglas Leighsuggested that Wien and Helmsley install 204metal-halide lights, which were four times as bright as the 1,000 incandescent lights they were to replace.New red, white, and blue metal-halide lights were installed in time for the country'sbicentennialthat July.After the bicentennial, Helmsley retained the new lights due to the reduced maintenance cost, about $116 a year. Since October 12, 1977, the spire has been lit in colors chosen to match seasonal events and holidays.Organizations are allowed to make requests through the building's website.The building is also lit in the colors of New York-based sports teams on nights when they host games: for example, orange, blue, and white for theNew York Knicks; red, white, and blue for theNew\",\n \"and blue for theNew York Rangers.The spire can also be lit to commemorate events including disasters, anniversaries, or deaths, as well as for celebrations such asPrideandHalloween. In 1998, the building was lit in blue after the death of singerFrank Sinatra, who was nicknamed \\\"Ol' Blue Eyes\\\". The structure was lit in red, white, and blue for several months after thecollapse of the World Trade CenteronSeptember 11, 2001.On January 13, 2012, the building was lit in red, orange, and yellow to honor the 60th anniversary of theNBCprogramThe Today Show.After retired basketball playerKobe Bryant'sJanuary 2020 death, the building was lit in purple and gold, signifying the colors of his former team, theLos Angeles Lakers.The evening after iconic actorJames Earl Jonesdied, September 9, 2024, the building was lit up to look like Jones's iconicDarth Vadervillain from “Star Wars.” In addition to lightings, the Empire State Building is able to do immersive visual projections on the building's exterior. It partnered with\",\n \"It partnered with Netflix in May 2022 to celebrate the return ofStranger Thingsfourth season by projecting the Upside Down onto the Empire State Building. In 2012, the building's four hundredmetal halidelamps and floodlights were replaced with 1,200LEDfixtures, increasing the available colors from nine to over 16 million.The computer-controlled system allows the building to be illuminated in ways that were unable to be done previously with plastic gels.For instance,CNNused the top of the Empire State Building as a scoreboard during the2012 United States presidential election, using red and blue lights to representRepublicanandDemocraticelectoral votes respectively.Also, on November 26, 2012, the building had its first synchronized light show, using music from recording artistAlicia Keys.Artists such as Eminem and OneRepublic have been featured in later shows, including the building's annual Holiday Music-to-Lights Show.The building's owners adhere to strict standards in using the lights; for instance, they\",\n \"for instance, they do not use the lights to play advertisements. Interior According to official fact sheets, the Empire State Building weighs 365,000 short tons (331,122 t) and has an internal volume of 37 million cubic feet (1,000,000 m3).The interior required 1,172 miles (1,886 km) of elevator cable and 2 million feet (609,600 m) of electrical wires.It has a total floor area of 2,768,591 sq ft (257,211 m2), and each of the floors in the base cover 2 acres (1 ha).This gives the building capacity for 20,000 tenants and 15,000 visitors. Therivetedsteel frame of the building was originally designed to handle all of the building's gravitational stresses andwind loads.The amount of material used in the building's construction resulted in a very stiff structure when compared to otherskyscrapers, with a structural stiffness of 42 pounds per square foot (2.0 kPa) versus theWillis Tower's 33 pounds per square foot (1.6 kPa) and theJohn Hancock Center's 26 pounds per square foot (1.2 kPa).A December 1930 feature\",\n \"1930 feature inPopular Mechanicsestimated that a building with the Empire State's dimensions would still stand even if hit with an impact of 50 short tons (45 long tons). Utilities are grouped in a central shaft.On the 6th through 86th stories, the central shaft is surrounded by a main corridor on all four sides.Per the final specifications of the building, the corridor is surrounded in turn by office space 28 feet (8.5 m) deep, maximizing office space at a time before air conditioning became commonplace.Each of the floors has 210 structural columns that pass through it, which provide structural stability but limits the amount of open space on these floors.The relative dearth of stone in the Empire State Building allows for more space overall, with a 1:200 stone-to-building ratio compared to a 1:50 ratio in similar buildings. Lobby The original main lobby is accessed from Fifth Avenue, on the building's east side, and is the only place in the building where the design contains narrative motifs.It contains an\",\n \"contains an entrance with one set of double doors between a pair ofrevolving doors. At the top of each doorway is a bronze motif depicting one of three \\\"crafts or industries\\\" used in the building's construction—Electricity, Masonry, and Heating.The three-story-high space runs parallel to 33rd and 34th Streets.The lobby contains two tiers of marble: awainscotingof darker marble, topped by lighter marble. There is a pattern of zigzaggingterrazzotiles on the lobby floor, which leads from east to west.To the north and south are storefronts, which are flanked by tubes of dark rounded marble and topped by a vertical band of grooves set into the marble.Until the 1960s, there was aLongchampsrestaurant next to the lobby, with six oval murals designed byWinold Reiss; these murals were placed in storage when the Longchamps closed. The western ends of the north and south walls include escalators to a mezzanine level.At the west end of the lobby, behind the security desk, is an aluminum relief of the skyscraper as it was\",\n \"as it was originally built (without the antenna).The relief, which was intended to provide a welcoming effect,contains an embossed outline of the building, with rays radiating from the spire and the sun behind it.In the background is a state map of New York with the building's location marked by a \\\"medallion\\\" in the very southeast portion of the outline. A compass is depicted in the bottom right and a plaque to the building's major developers is on the bottom left.A scale model of the building was also placed south of the security desk. The plaque at the western end of the lobby is on the eastern interior wall of a one-story-tall rectangular-shaped corridor that surrounds the banks of escalators, with a similar design to the lobby.The rectangular-shaped corridor actually consists of two long hallways on the northern and southern sides of the rectangle,as well as a shorter hallway on the eastern side and another long hallway on the western side.At both ends of the northern and southern corridors, there is a\",\n \"there is a bank of four low-rise elevators in between the corridors.The western side of the rectangular elevator-bank corridor extends north to the 34th Street entrance and south to the 33rd Street entrance. It borders three large storefronts and leads to escalators (originally stairs), which go both to the second floor and to the basement. Going from west to east, there are secondary entrances to 34th and 33rd Streets from the northern and southern corridors, respectively.The side entrances from 33rd and 34th Street lead to two-story-high corridors around the elevator core, crossed by stainless steel-and-glass-enclosed bridges at the mezzanine floor. Until the 1960s, anArt Decomural, inspired by both the sky and theMachine Age, was installed in the lobby ceilings.Subsequent damage to these murals, designed by artist Leif Neandross, resulted in reproductions being installed. Renovations to the lobby in 2009, such as replacing the clock over the information desk in the Fifth Avenue lobby with ananemometerand\",\n \"ananemometerand installing two chandeliers intended to be part of the building when it originally opened, revived much of its original grandeur.The north corridor contained eight illuminated panels created in 1963 by Roy Sparkia and Renée Nemorov, in time for the1964 World's Fair, depicting the building as theEighth Wonder of the Worldalongside the traditional seven.The building's owners installed a series of paintings by the New York artistKysa Johnsonin the concourse level. Johnson later filed a federal lawsuit, in January 2014, under theVisual Artists Rights Actalleging the negligent destruction of the paintings and damage to her reputation as an artist.As part of the building's 2010 renovation,Denise Amsescommissioned a work consisting of 15,000 stars and 5,000 circles, superimposed on a 13-by-5-foot (4.0 by 1.5 m)etched-glassinstallation, in the lobby. Elevators The Empire State Building has 73 elevators in all, including service elevators.Its original 64 elevators, built by theOtis Elevator Company,in\",\n \"Elevator Company,in a central core and are of varying heights, with the longest of these elevators reaching from the lobby to the 80th floor.As originally built, there were four \\\"express\\\" elevators that connected the lobby, 80th floor, and several landings in between; the other 60 \\\"local\\\" elevators connected the landings with the floors above these intermediate landings.Of the 64 total elevators, 58 were for passenger use (comprising the four express elevators and 54 local elevators), and eight were for freight deliveries.The elevators were designed to move at 1,200 feet per minute (366 m/min). At the time of the skyscraper's construction, their practical speed was limited to 700 feet per minute (213 m/min) per city law, but this limit was removed shortly after the building opened. Additional elevators connect the 80th floor to the six floors above it, as the six extra floors were built after the original 80 stories were approved.The elevators were mechanically operated until 2011, when they were replaced\",\n \"they were replaced with automatic elevators during the $550 million renovation of the building.An additional elevator connects the 86th and 102nd floor observatories, which allows visitors access the 102nd floor observatory after having their tickets scanned. It also allows employees to access the mechanical floors located between the 87th and 101st floors. Observation decks The 80th, 86th, and 102nd floors contain observatories.The latter two observatories saw a combined average of four million visitors per year in 2010.Since opening, the observatories have been more popular than similar observatories at30 Rockefeller Plaza, the Chrysler Building, the first One World Trade Center, or theWoolworth Building, despite being more expensive.There are variable charges to enter the observatories; one ticket allows visitors to go as high as the 86th floor, and there is an additional charge to visit the 102nd floor. Other ticket options for visitors include scheduled access to view the sunrise from the observatory, a\",\n \"the observatory, a \\\"premium\\\" guided tour with VIP access, and the \\\"AM/PM\\\" package which allows for two visits in the same day. The 86th floor observatory contains both an enclosed viewing gallery and an open-air outdoor viewing area, allowing for it to remain open 365 days a year regardless of the weather. The 102nd floor observatory is completely enclosed and much smaller in size. The 102nd floor observatory was closed to the public from the late 1990s to 2005 due to limited viewing capacity and long lines.The observation decks were redesigned in mid-1979.The 102nd floor was again redesigned in a project that was completed in 2019, allowing the windows to be extended from floor to ceiling and widening the space in the observatory overall.An observatory on the 80th floor, opened in 2019, includes various exhibits as well as a mural of the skyline drawn by British artistStephen Wiltshire.An interactive multimedia museum, with multiple hands-on exhibitions about the building's history, was added during this\",\n \"added during this project.The design of the 10,000 sq ft (930 m2) Observatory Experience was inspired by the plans and designs of the original Empire State Building. According to a 2010 report byConcierge.com, the five lines to enter the observation decks are \\\"as legendary as the building itself\\\". Concierge.com stated that there were five lines: the sidewalk line, the lobby elevator line, the ticket purchase line, the second elevator line, and the line to get off the elevator and onto the observation deck.In 2016, New York City's official tourism website made note of only three lines: the security check line, the ticket purchase line, and the second elevator line.Following renovations completed in 2019, designed to streamline queuing and reduce wait times, guests enter from a single entrance on 34th Street, where they make their way through 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) exhibits on their way up to the observatories. Guests were offered a variety of ticket packages, including a package that enables them to skip\",\n \"them to skip the lines throughout the duration of their stay.The Empire State Building garners significant revenue from ticket sales for its observation decks, making more money from ticket sales than it does from renting office space during some years. New York Skyride In early 1994, amotion simulatorattraction was built on the 2nd floor,as a complement to the observation deck.The original cinematic presentation lasted approximately 25 minutes, while the simulation was about eight minutes.The ride had two incarnations. The original version, which ran from 1994 until around 2002, featuredJames Doohan,Star Trek'sScotty, as the airplane's pilot who humorously tried to keep the flight under control during a storm.After the September 11 attacks in 2001, the ride was closed.An updated version debuted in mid-2002, featuring actorKevin Baconas the pilot, with the new flight also going haywire.This new version served a more informative goal, as opposed to the old version's main purpose of entertainment, and\",\n \"entertainment, and contained details about the 9/11 attacks.The simulator received mixed reviews, with assessments of the ride ranging from \\\"great\\\" to \\\"satisfactory\\\" to \\\"corny\\\". Spire Above the 102nd floor The final stage of the building was the installation of a hollow mast, a 158-foot (48 m) steel shaft fitted with elevators and utilities, above the 86th floor.The spire of the Empire State Building was originally intended to serve as a mooring mast for zeppelins and other airships, although the plan was abandoned after high winds made that impossible.At the top would be a conical roof and the 102nd-floor docking station.Inside, the elevators would ascend 167 feet (51 m) from the 86th floor ticket offices to a 33-foot-wide (10 m) 101st-floorwaiting room.From there, stairs would lead to the 102nd floor,where passengers would enter the airships.The airships would have been moored to the spire at the equivalent of the building's 106th floor. As constructed, the mast contains four rectangular tiers topped by a\",\n \"tiers topped by a cylindrical shaft with a conical pinnacle.On the 102nd floor (formerly the 101st floor), there is a door with stairs ascending to the 103rd floor (formerly the 102nd).This was built as a disembarkation floor for airships tethered to the building's spire, and has a circular balcony outside.It is now an access point to reach the spire for maintenance. The room now contains electrical equipment, but celebrities and dignitaries may also be given permission to take pictures there.Above the 103rd floor, there is a set of stairs and a ladder to reach the spire for maintenance work.The mast's 480 windows were all replaced in 2015.The mast serves as the base of the building's broadcasting antenna. Inflatable objects have sometimes been mounted to the spire for promotional purposes. For example, aKing Kongballoon was attached to the spire in 1983 to mark the 50th anniversary of the character's introduction,and am inflatable dragon was placed on the spire in 2024 to promote the TV seriesHouse of\",\n \"TV seriesHouse of Dragon. Broadcast stations Broadcasting began at the Empire State Building on December 22, 1931, whenNBCandRCAbegan transmitting experimental television broadcasts from a small antenna erected atop the mast, with two separate transmitters for the visual and audio data. They leased the 85th floor and built a laboratory there.In 1934, RCA was joined byEdwin Howard Armstrongin a cooperative venture to test his FM system from the building's antenna.This setup, which entailed the installation of the world's firstFM transmitter,continued only until October of the next year due to disputes between RCA and Armstrong.Specifically, NBC wanted to install more TV equipment in the room where Armstrong's transmitter was located. After some time, the 85th floor became home to RCA's New York television operations initially as experimental station W2XBS channel 1 then, from 1941, as commercial station WNBT channel 1 (nowWNBCchannel 4). NBC's FM station, W2XDG, began transmitting from the antenna in 1940.NBC\",\n \"antenna in 1940.NBC retained exclusive use of the top of the building until 1950 when theFederal Communications Commission(FCC) ordered the exclusive deal be terminated. The FCC directive was based on consumer complaints that a common location was necessary for the seven extant New York-area television stations to transmit from so that receiving antennas would not have to be constantly adjusted. Other television broadcasters would later join RCA at the building on the 81st through 83rd floors, often along with sister FM stations.Construction of a dedicated broadcast tower began on July 27, 1950,with TV, and FM, transmissions starting in 1951. The 200-foot (61 m) broadcast tower was completed in 1953.From 1951, six broadcasters agreed to pay a combined $600,000 per year for the use of the antenna.In 1965, a separate set of FM antennae was constructed ringing the 103rd floor observation area to act as a master antenna. The placement of the stations in the Empire State Building became a major issue with the\",\n \"issue with the construction of the World Trade Center's Twin Towers in the late 1960s, and early 1970s. The greater height of the Twin Towers would reflect radio waves broadcast from the Empire State Building, eventually resulting in some broadcasters relocating to the newer towers instead of suing the developer, thePort Authority of New York and New Jersey.Even though the nine stations who were broadcasting from the Empire State Building were leasing their broadcast space until 1984, most of these stations moved to the World Trade Center as soon as it was completed in 1971. The broadcasters obtained a court order stipulating that the Port Authority had to build a mast and transmission equipment in theNorth Tower, as well as pay the broadcasters' leases in the Empire State Building until 1984.Only a few broadcasters renewed their leases in the Empire State Building. The September 11 attacks destroyed the World Trade Center and the broadcast centers atop it, leaving most of the city's stations without a\",\n \"stations without a transmitter for ten days until theArmstrong TowerinAlpine, New Jersey, was re-activated temporarily.By October 2001, nearly all of the city's commercial broadcast stations (both television and FM radio) were again transmitting from the top of the Empire State Building. In a report thatCongresscommissioned about the transition fromanalog televisiontodigital television, it was stated that the placement of broadcast stations in the Empire State Building was considered \\\"problematic\\\" due to interference from nearby buildings. In comparison, the congressional report stated that the former Twin Towers had very few buildings of comparable height nearby thus signals suffered little interference.In 2003, a few FM stations were relocated to the nearbyCondé Nast Buildingto reduce the number of broadcast stations using the Empire State Building.Eleventelevisionstations and twenty-twoFMstations had signed 15-year leases in the building by May 2003. It was expected that a taller broadcast tower\",\n \"broadcast tower inBayonne, New Jersey, orGovernors Island, would be built in the meantime with the Empire State Building being used as a \\\"backup\\\" since signal transmissions from the building were generally of poorer quality.Following the construction ofOne World Trade Centerin the late 2000s and early 2010s, some TV stations began moving their transmitting facilities there. As of 2021, the Empire State Building is home to the following stations: History The site was previously owned byJohn Jacob Astorof the prominentAstor family, who had owned the site since the mid-1820s.In 1893, John Jacob Astor Sr.'s grandsonWilliam Waldorf Astoropened the Waldorf Hotel on the site.Four years later, his cousin,John Jacob Astor IV, opened the 16-story Astoria Hotel on an adjacent site.The two portions of theWaldorf–Astoriahotel had 1,300 bedrooms, making it the largest hotel in the world at the time.After the death of its founding proprietor,George Boldt, in early 1918, the hotel lease was purchased byThomas Coleman du\",\n \"byThomas Coleman du Pont.By the 1920s, the old Waldorf–Astoria was becoming dated and the elegant social life of New York had moved much farther north.Additionally, many stores had opened on Fifth Avenue north of 34th Street.The Astor family decided to build areplacement hotelonPark Avenueand sold the hotel to Bethlehem Engineering Corporation in 1928 for $14–16 million.The hotel closed shortly thereafter on May 3, 1929. Planning Early plans Bethlehem Engineering Corporation originally intended to build a 25-story office building on the Waldorf–Astoria site. The company's president, Floyd De L. Brown, paid $100,000 of the $1 milliondown paymentrequired to start construction on the building, with the promise that the difference would be paid later.Brown borrowed $900,000 from a bank butdefaultedon the loan. After Brown was unable to secure additional funding,the land was resold to Empire State Inc., a group of wealthy investors that includedLouis G. Kaufman,Ellis P. Earle,John J. Raskob, Coleman du Pont,\",\n \"Coleman du Pont, andPierre S. du Pont.The name came from thestate nicknamefor New York.Alfred E. Smith, a formerGovernor of New Yorkand U.S. presidential candidate whose1928 campaignhad been managed by Raskob,was appointed head of the company.The group also purchased nearby land so they would have the 2 acres (1 ha) needed for the base, with the combined plot measuring 425 feet (130 m) wide by 200 feet (61 m) long.The Empire State Inc. consortium was announced to the public in August 1929.Concurrently, Smith announced the construction of an 80-story building on the site, to be taller than any other buildings in existence. Empire State Inc. contractedWilliam F. Lamb, of architectural firmShreve, Lamb and Harmon, to create the building design.Lamb produced the initial building design in just two weeks using the firm's earlier designs for theReynolds BuildinginWinston-Salem, North Carolina, as the basis.He had also been inspired byRaymond Hood's design for theDaily News Building, which was being constructed at\",\n \"constructed at the same time.Concurrently, Lamb's partnerRichmond Shrevecreated \\\"bug diagrams\\\" of the project requirements.The1916 Zoning Actforced Lamb to design a structure that incorporatedsetbacksresulting in the lower floors being larger than the upper floors.Consequently, the building was conceived from the top down,giving it a pencil-like shape.The plans were devised within a budget of $50 million and a stipulation that the building be ready for occupancy within 18 months of the start of construction.Design drawings and construction were concurrent. Steel drawings were completed in mid-January 1930, when foundations were underway. Design changes The original plan of the building was 50 stories,but was later increased to 60 and then 80 stories.Height restrictions were placed on nearby buildingsto ensure that the top fifty floors of the planned 80-story, 1,000-foot-tall (300 m) buildingwould have unobstructed views of the city.The New York Timeslauded the site's proximity tomass transit, with\",\n \"transit, with theBrooklyn–Manhattan Transit's34th Streetstation and theHudson and Manhattan Railroad's33rd Streetterminal one block away, as well asPenn Stationtwo blocks away andGrand Central Terminalnine blocks away at its closest. It also praised the 3,000,000 square feet (280,000 m2) of proposed floor space near \\\"one of the busiest sections in the world\\\".The Empire State Building was to be a typical office building, but Raskob intended to build it \\\"better and in a bigger way\\\", according to architectural writer Donald J. Reynolds. While plans for the Empire State Building were being finalized, an intense competition in New York for the title of \\\"world's tallest building\\\" was underway.40 Wall Street(then the Bank of Manhattan Building) and theChrysler Buildingin Manhattan both vied for this distinction and were already under construction when work began on the Empire State Building.The \\\"Race into the Sky\\\", as popular media called it at the time, was representative of the country's optimism in the 1920s,\",\n \"in the 1920s, fueled by the building boom in major cities.The race was defined by at least five other proposals, although only the Empire State Building would survive theWall Street Crash of 1929.The 40 Wall Street tower was revised, in April 1929, from 840 feet (260 m) to 925 feet (282 m) making it the world's tallest.The Chrysler Building added its 185-foot (56 m) steel tip to its roof in October 1929, thus bringing it to a height of 1,046 feet (319 m) and greatly exceeding the height of 40 Wall Street.The Chrysler Building's developer,Walter Chrysler, realized that his tower's height would exceed the Empire State Building's as well, having instructed his architect,William Van Alen, to change the Chrysler's original roof from a stubbyRomanesquedome to a narrow steel spire.Raskob, wishing to have the Empire State Building be the world's tallest, reviewed the plans and had five floors added as well as a spire; however, the new floors would need to be set back because of projected wind pressure on the\",\n \"pressure on the extension.On November 18, 1929, Smith acquired a lot at 27–31 West 33rd Street, adding 75 feet (23 m) to the width of the proposed office building's site.Two days later, Smith announced the updated plans for the skyscraper. The plans included an observation deck on the 86th-floor roof at a height of 1,050 feet (320 m), higher than the Chrysler's 71st-floor observation deck. The 1,050-foot Empire State Building would only be 4 feet (1.2 m) taller than the Chrysler Building,and Raskob was afraid that Chrysler might try to \\\"pull a trick like hiding a rod in the spire and then sticking it up at the last minute.\\\"The plans were revised one last time in December 1929, to include a 16-story, 200-foot (61 m) metal \\\"crown\\\" and an additional 222-foot (68 m) mooring mast intended fordirigibles. The roof height was now 1,250 feet (380 m), making it the tallest building in the world by far, even without the antenna.The addition of the dirigible station meant that another floor, the now-enclosed 86th floor,\",\n \"86th floor, would have to be built below the crown;however, unlike the Chrysler's spire, the Empire State's mast would serve a practical purpose.A revised plan was announced to the public in late December 1929, just before the start of construction.The final plan was sketched within two hours, the night before the plan was supposed to be presented to the site's owners in January 1930.The New York Timesreported that the spire was facing some \\\"technical problems\\\", but they were \\\"no greater than might be expected under such a novel plan.\\\"By this time the blueprints for the building had gone through up to fifteen versions before they were approved.Lamb described the other specifications he was given for the final, approved plan: The program was short enough—a fixed budget, no space more than 28 feet from window to corridor, as many stories of such space as possible, an exterior of limestone, and completion date of , 1931, which meant a year and six months from the beginning of sketches. Construction The\",\n \"Construction The contractors wereStarrett Brothers and Eken, which were composed ofPaulandWilliam A. StarrettandAndrew J. Eken.The project was financed primarily by Raskob and Pierre du Pont,whileJames Farley's General Builders Supply Corporation supplied the building materials.John W. Bowserwas the construction superintendent of the project,and the structural engineer of the building was Homer G. Balcom.The tight completion schedule necessitated the commencement of construction even though the design had yet to be finalized. Hotel demolition Demolition of the old Waldorf–Astoria began on October 1, 1929.Stripping the building down was an arduous process, as the hotel had been constructed using more rigid material than earlier buildings had been. Furthermore, the old hotel's granite, wood chips, and \\\"'precious' metals such as lead, brass, and zinc\\\" were not in high demand, resulting in issues with disposal.Most of the wood was deposited into a woodpile on nearby 30th Street or was burned in a swamp\",\n \"burned in a swamp elsewhere. Much of the other materials that made up the old hotel, including the granite and bronze, were dumped into theAtlantic OceannearSandy Hook, New Jersey. By the time the hotel's demolition started, Raskob had secured the required funding for the construction of the building.The plan was to start construction later that year but, on October 24, theNew York Stock Exchangeexperienced the major and suddenWall Street Crash, marking the beginning of the decade-longGreat Depression. Despite the economic downturn, Raskob refused to cancel the project because of the progress that had been made up to that point.Neither Raskob, who had ceasedspeculationin the stock market the previous year, nor Smith, who had no stock investments, suffered financially in the crash.However, most of the investors were affected and as a result, in December 1929, Empire State Inc. obtained a $27.5 million loan fromMetropolitan Life Insurance Companyso construction could begin.The stock market crash resulted in no\",\n \"resulted in no demand for new office space; Raskob and Smith nonetheless started construction,as canceling the project would have resulted in greater losses for the investors. Steel structure A structural steel contract was awarded on January 12, 1930,with excavation of the site beginning ten days later on January 22,before the old hotel had been completely demolished.Two twelve-hour shifts, consisting of 300 men each, worked continuously to dig the 55-foot (17 m) deep foundation.Small pier holes were sunk into the ground to house the concrete footings that would support the steelwork.Excavation was nearly complete by early March,and construction on the building itself started on March 17,with the builders placing the first steel columns on the completed footings before the rest of the footings had been finished.Around this time, Lamb held a press conference on the building plans. He described the reflective steel panels parallel to the windows, the large-blockIndiana Limestonefacade that was slightly more\",\n \"was slightly more expensive than smaller bricks, and the building's vertical lines.Four colossal columns, intended for installation in the center of the building site, were delivered; they would support a combined 10,000,000 pounds (4,500,000 kg) when the building was finished. The structural steel was pre-ordered andpre-fabricatedin anticipation of a revision to the city's building code that would have allowed the Empire State Building's structural steel to carry 18,000 pounds per square inch (120,000 kPa), up from 16,000 pounds per square inch (110,000 kPa), thus reducing the amount of steel needed for the building. Although the 18,000-psi regulation had been safely enacted in other cities, MayorJimmy Walkerdid not sign the new codes into law until March 26, 1930, just before construction was due to commence.The first steel framework was installed on April 1, 1930.From there, construction proceeded at a rapid pace; during one stretch of 10 working days, the builders erected fourteen floors.This was made\",\n \"was made possible through precise coordination of the building's planning, as well as themass productionof common materials such as windows andspandrels.On one occasion, when a supplier could not provide timely delivery of dark Hauteville marble, Starrett switched to using Rose Famosa marble from a German quarry that was purchased specifically to provide the project with sufficient marble. The scale of the project was massive, with trucks carrying \\\"16,000 partition tiles, 5,000 bags of cement, 450 cubic yards of sand and 300 bags of lime\\\" arriving at the construction site every day.There were also cafes and concession stands on five of the incomplete floors so workers did not have to descend to the ground level to eat lunch.Temporary water taps were also built so workers did not waste time buying water bottles from the ground level.Additionally, carts running on a small railway system transported materials from the basement storageto elevators that brought the carts to the desired floors where they would\",\n \"where they would then be distributed throughout that level using another set of tracks.The 57,480 short tons (51,320 long tons) of steel ordered for the project was the largest-ever single order of steel at the time, comprising more steel than was ordered for the Chrysler Building and 40 Wall Street combined.According to historianJohn Tauranac, building materials were sourced from numerous, and distant, sources with \\\"limestone from Indiana, steel girders from Pittsburgh, cement and mortar from upper New York State, marble from Italy, France, and England, wood from northern and Pacific Coast forests, hardware from New England.\\\"The facade, too, used a variety of material, most prominently Indiana limestone but alsoSwedish black granite,terracotta, andbrick. By June 20, the skyscraper's supportingsteel structurehad risen to the 26th floor, and by July 27, half of the steel structure had been completed.Starrett Bros. and Eken endeavored to build one floor a day in order to speed up construction, achieving a\",\n \"achieving a pace of four and a half stories per week;prior to this, the fastest pace of construction for a building of similar height had been three and a half stories per week.While construction progressed, the final designs for the floors were being designed from the ground up (as opposed to the general design, which had been from the roof down). Some of the levels were still undergoing final approval, with several orders placed within an hour of a plan being finalized.On September 10, as steelwork was nearing completion, Smith laid the building'scornerstoneduring a ceremony attended by thousands. The stone contained a box with contemporary artifacts including the previous day'sNew York Times, a U.S. currency set containing all denominations of notes and coins minted in 1930, a history of the site and building, and photographs of the people involved in construction.The steel structure was topped out at 1,048 feet (319 m) on September 19, twelve days ahead of schedule and 23 weeks after the start of\",\n \"after the start of construction.Workers raised a flag atop the 86th floor to signify this milestone. Completion and scale Work on the building's interior and crowning mast commenced after the topping out.The mooring mast topped out on November 21, two months after the steelwork had been completed.Meanwhile, work on the walls and interior was progressing at a quick pace, with exterior walls built up to the 75th floor by the time steelwork had been built to the 95th floor.The majority of the facade was already finished by the middle of November.Because of the building's height, it was deemed infeasible to have many elevators or large elevator cabins, so the builders contracted with theOtis Elevator Companyto make 66 cars that could speed at 1,200 feet per minute (366 m/min), which represented the largest-ever elevator order at the time. In addition to the time constraint builders had, there were also space limitations because construction materials had to be delivered quickly, and trucks needed to drop off\",\n \"needed to drop off these materials without congesting traffic. This was solved by creating a temporary driveway for the trucks between 33rd and 34th Streets, and then storing the materials in the building's first floor and basements.Concrete mixers, brick hoppers, and stone hoists inside the building ensured that materials would be able to ascend quickly and without endangering or inconveniencing the public.At one point, over 200 trucks made material deliveries at the building site every day.A series of relay and erectionderricks, placed on platforms erected near the building, lifted the steel from the trucks below and installed the beams at the appropriate locations.The Empire State Building was structurally completed on April 11, 1931, twelve days ahead of schedule and 410 days after construction commenced.Al Smith shot the final rivet, which was made of solid gold. The project involved more than 3,500 workers at its peak,including 3,439 on a single day, August 14, 1930.Many of the workers were Irish and\",\n \"were Irish and Italian immigrants,with a sizable minority ofMohawkironworkersfrom theKahnawakereserve nearMontreal.According to official accounts, five workers died during the construction,although theNew York Daily Newsgave reports of 14 deathsand a headline in the socialist magazineThe New Massesspread unfounded rumors of up to 42 deaths.The Empire State Building cost $40,948,900 to build (equivalent to $661 million in 2023),including demolition of the Waldorf–Astoria. This was lower than the $60 million budgeted for construction. Lewis Hinecaptured many photographs of the construction, documenting not only the work itself but also providing insight into the daily life of workers in that era.Hine's images were used extensively by the media to publish daily press releases.According to the writerJim Rasenberger, Hine \\\"climbed out onto the steel with the ironworkers and dangled from a derrick cable hundreds of feet above the city to capture, as no one ever had before (or has since), the dizzy work of building\",\n \"work of building skyscrapers\\\". In Rasenberger's words, Hine turned what might have been an assignment of \\\"corporate flak\\\" into \\\"exhilarating art\\\".These images were later organized into their own collection.Onlookers were enraptured by the sheer height at which the steelworkers operated.New Yorkmagazine wrote of the steelworkers: \\\"Like little spiders they toiled, spinning a fabric of steel against the sky\\\". Opening and early years The Empire State Building officially opened on May 1, 1931, forty-five days ahead of its projected opening date, and eighteen months from the start of construction.The opening was marked with an event featuring United States PresidentHerbert Hoover, who turned on the building's lights with the ceremonial button push fromWashington, D.C.Over 350 guests attended the opening ceremony, and following luncheon, at the 86th floor includingJimmy Walker, GovernorFranklin D. Roosevelt, andAl Smith.An account from that day stated that the view from the luncheon was obscured by a fog, with\",\n \"by a fog, with other landmarks such as theStatue of Libertybeing \\\"lost in the mist\\\" enveloping New York City.The Empire State Building officially opened the next day.Advertisements for the building's observatories were placed in local newspapers, while nearby hotels also capitalized on the events by releasing advertisements that lauded their proximity to the newly opened building. According toThe New York Times, builders and real estate speculators predicted that the 1,250-foot-tall (380 m) Empire State Building would be the world's tallest building \\\"for many years\\\", thus ending the great New York City skyscraper rivalry. At the time, most engineers agreed that it would be difficult to build a building taller than 1,200 feet (370 m), even with the hardy Manhattanbedrockas a foundation.Technically, it was believed possible to build a tower of up to 2,000 feet (610 m), but it was deemed uneconomical to do so, especially during the Great Depression.As the tallest building in the world, at that time, and the\",\n \"that time, and the first one to exceed 100 floors, the Empire State Building became an icon of the city and, ultimately, of the nation. In 1932, the Fifth Avenue Association gave the building its 1931 \\\"gold medal\\\" for architectural excellence, signifying that the Empire State had been the best-designed building on Fifth Avenue to open in 1931.A year later, on March 2, 1933, the movieKing Kongwas released. The movie, which depicted a largestop motionape namedKongclimbing the Empire State Building, made the still-new building into a cinematic icon. Tenants and tourism At the beginning of 1931, Fifth Avenue was experiencing high demand for storefront space, with only 12 of 224 stores being unoccupied. The Empire State Building, along with 500 Fifth Avenue and608 Fifth Avenue, were expected to add a combined 11 stores.The office space was less successful, as the Empire State Building's opening had coincided with theGreat Depression in the United States.In the first year, only 23 percent of the available space\",\n \"the available space was rented,as compared to the early 1920s, where the average building would be 52 percent occupied upon opening and 90 percent occupied within five years.The lack of renters led New Yorkers to deride the building as the \\\"Empty State Building\\\"or \\\"Smith's Folly\\\". The earliest tenants in the Empire State Building were large companies, banks, and garment industries.Jack Brod, one of the building's longest resident tenants,co-established the Empire Diamond Corporation with his father in the building in mid-1931and rented space in the building until he died in 2008.Brod recalled that there were only about 20 tenants at the time of opening, including him,and that Al Smith was the only real tenant in the space above his seventh-floor offices.Generally, during the early 1930s, it was rare for more than a single office space to be rented in the building, despite Smith's and Raskob's aggressive marketing efforts in the newspapers and to anyone they knew.The building's lights were continuously left\",\n \"continuously left on, even in the unrented spaces, to give the impression of occupancy. This was exacerbated by competition fromRockefeller Centeras well as from buildings on42nd Street, which, when combined with the Empire State Building, resulted in surplus of office space in a slow market during the 1930s. Aggressive marketing efforts served to reinforce the Empire State Building's status as the world's tallest.The observatory was advertised in local newspapers as well as on railroad tickets.The building became a popular tourist attraction, with one million people each paying one dollar to ride elevators to the observation decks in 1931.In its first year of operation, the observation deck made approximately $2 million in revenue, as much as its owners made in rent that year.By 1936, the observation deck was crowded on a daily basis, with food and drink available for purchase at the top,and by 1944 the building had received its five-millionth visitor.In 1931,NBCtook up tenancy, leasing space on the 85th\",\n \"space on the 85th floor for radio broadcasts.From the outset the building was in debt, losing $1 million per year by 1935. Real estate developerSeymour Durstrecalled that the building was so underused in 1936 that there was no elevator service above the 45th floor, as the building above the 41st floor was empty except for the NBC offices and the Raskob/Du Pont offices on the 81st floor. Other events Per the original plans, the Empire State Building'sspirewas intended to be anairshipdocking station. Raskob and Smith had proposed dirigible ticketing offices and passenger waiting rooms on the 86th floor, while the airships themselves would be tied to the spire at the equivalent of the building's 106th floor.An elevator would ferry passengers from the 86th to the 101st floorafter they had checked in on the 86th floor,after which passengers would have climbed steep ladders to board the airship.The idea, however, was impractical and dangerous due to powerful updrafts caused by the building itself,the wind currents\",\n \"wind currents across Manhattan,and the spires of nearby skyscrapers.Furthermore, even if the airship were to successfully navigate all these obstacles, its crew would have to jettison someballastby releasing water onto the streets below in order to maintain stability, and then tie the craft's nose to the spire with no mooring lines securing the tail end of the craft.On September 15, 1931, a small commercialUnited States Navyairship circled 25 times in 45-mile-per-hour (72 km/h) winds.The airship then attempted to dock at the mast, but its ballast spilled and the craft was rocked by unpredictableeddies.The near-disaster scuttled plans to turn the building's spire into an airship terminal, although one blimp did manage to make a single newspaper delivery afterward. On July 28, 1945, aB-25 Mitchellbombercrashedinto the north side of the Empire State Building, between the 79th and 80th floors.One engine completely penetrated the building and landed in a neighboring block, while the other engine and part of the\",\n \"and part of the landing gear plummeted down an elevator shaft. Fourteen people were killed in the incident,but the building escaped severe damage and was reopened two days later. Profitability By the 1940s, the Empire State Building was 98 percent occupied.The structurebroke evenfor the first time in the 1950s.At the time, mass transit options in the building's vicinity were limited compared to the present day. Despite this challenge, the Empire State Building began to attract renters due to its reputation.A 222-foot (68 m)radio antennawas erected on top of the towers starting in 1950,allowing the area's television stations to be broadcast from the building. Despite the turnaround in the building's fortunes, Raskob listed it for sale in 1951,with a minimum asking price of $50 million.The property was purchased by business partnersRoger L. Stevens,Henry Crown, Alfred R. Glancy andBen Tobin.The sale was brokered by the Charles F. Noyes Company, a prominent real estate firm in upper Manhattan,for $51 million,\",\n \"$51 million, the highest price paid for a single structure at the time.By this time, the Empire State had been fully leased for several years with a waiting list of parties looking to lease space in the building, according to theCortland Standard.That same year, six news companies formed a partnership to pay a combined annual fee of $600,000 to use thebuilding's antenna,which was completed in 1953.Crown bought out his partners' ownership stakes in 1954, becoming the sole owner.The following year, theAmerican Society of Civil Engineersnamed the building one of the \\\"Seven Modern Civil Engineering Wonders\\\". In 1961,Lawrence A. Wiensigned a contract to purchase the Empire State Building for $65 million, withHarry B. Helmsleyacting as partners in the building's operating lease.This became the new highest price for a single structure.Over 3,000 people paid $10,000 for one share each in a company called Empire State Building Associates. The company in turnsubleasedthe building to another company headed by Helmsley\",\n \"headed by Helmsley and Wien, raising $33 million of the funds needed to pay the purchase price.In a separate transaction,the land underneath the building was sold toPrudential Insurancefor $29 million.Helmsley, Wien, and Peter Malkin quickly started a program of minor improvement projects, including the first-ever full-building facade refurbishment and window-washing in 1962,the installation of new flood lights on the 72nd floor in 1964,and replacement of the manually operated elevators with automatic units in 1966.The little-used western end of the second floor was used as a storage space until 1964, at which point it received escalators to the first floor as part of its conversion into a highly sought retail area. Loss of \\\"tallest building\\\" title In 1961, the same year that Helmsley, Wien, and Malkin had purchased the Empire State Building, thePort Authority of New York and New Jerseyformally backed plans for a newWorld Trade CenterinLower Manhattan.The plan originally included 66-story twin towers with\",\n \"twin towers with column-free open spaces. The Empire State's owners and real estate speculators were worried that the twin towers' 7.6 million square feet (710,000 m2) of office space would create a glut of rentable space in Manhattan as well as take away the Empire State Building's profits from lessees.A revision in the World Trade Center's plan brought the twin towers to 1,370 feet (420 m) each or 110 stories, taller than the Empire State.Opponents of the new project included prominent real-estate developerRobert Tishman, as well as Wien's Committee for a Reasonable World Trade Center.In response to Wien's opposition, Port Authority executive directorAustin J. Tobinsaid that Wien was only opposing the project because it would overshadow his Empire State Building as the world's tallest building. The World Trade Center's twin towers startedconstructionin 1966.The following year, theOstankino Towersucceeded the Empire State Building as thetallest freestanding structure in the world.In 1970, the Empire State\",\n \"the Empire State surrendered its position as the world's tallest building,when the World Trade Center's still-under-construction North Tower surpassed it, on October 19;the North Tower wastopped outon December 23, 1970. In December 1975, the observation deck was opened on the 110th floor of the Twin Towers, significantly higher than the 86th floor observatory on the Empire State Building.The latter was also losing revenue during this period, particularly as a number of broadcast stations had moved to the World Trade Center in 1971; although the Port Authority continued to pay the broadcasting leases for the Empire State until 1984.The Empire State Building was still seen as prestigious, having seen its forty-millionth visitor in March 1971. 1980s and 1990s By 1980, there were nearly two million annual visitors,although a building official had previously estimated between 1.5 million and 1.75 million annual visitors.The building received its own ZIP code in May 1980 in a roll out of 63 new postal codes in\",\n \"new postal codes in Manhattan. At the time, its tenants collectively received 35,000 pieces of mail daily.The Empire State Building celebrated its 50th anniversary on May 1, 1981, with a much-publicized, but poorly received, laser light show,as well as an \\\"Empire State Building Week\\\" that ran through to May 8.TheNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commission(LPC) voted to designate the building and its lobby as city landmarks on May 19, 1981, Capital improvements were made to the Empire State Building during the early to mid-1990s at a cost of $55 million.Because all of the building's windows were being replaced at the same time, the LPC mandated a paint-color test for the windows; the test revealed that the Empire State Building's original windows were actually red.The improvements also entailed replacing alarm systems, elevators, windows, and air conditioning; making the observation deck compliant with theAmericans with Disabilities Act of 1990(ADA); and refurbishing the limestone facade.The observation\",\n \"observation deck renovation was added after disability rights groups and theUnited States Department of Justicefiled a lawsuit against the building in 1992, in what was the first lawsuit filed by an organization under the new law.A settlement was reached in 1994, in which Empire State Building Associates agreed to add ADA-compliant elements, such as new elevators, ramps, and automatic doors, during the renovation. Prudential sold the land under the building in 1991 for $42 million to a buyer representing hotelierHideki Yokoi, who was imprisoned at the time in connection with the deadlyHotel New Japan Fireat theHotel New JapaninTokyo.In 1994,Donald Trumpentered into a joint-venture agreement with Yokoi, with a shared goal of breaking the Empire State Building's lease on the land in an effort to gain total ownership of the building so that, if successful, the two could reap the potential profits of merging the ownership of the building with the land beneath it.Having secured a half-ownership of the land, Trump\",\n \"of the land, Trump devised plans to take ownership of the building itself so he could renovate it, even though Helmsley and Malkin had already started their refurbishment project.He sued Empire State Building Associates in February 1995, claiming that the latter had caused the building to become a \\\"high-rise slum\\\"and a \\\"second-rate, rodent-infested\\\" office tower.Trump had intended to have Empire State Building Associates evicted for violating the terms of their lease,but was denied.This led to Helmsley's companies countersuing Trump in May.This sparked a series of lawsuits and countersuits that lasted several years,partly arising from Trump's desire to obtain the building's master lease by taking it from Empire State Building Associates.Upon Harry Helmsley's death in 1997, the Malkins sued Helmsley's widow,Leona Helmsley, for control of the building. 21st century 2000s Following the destruction of the World Trade Center during theSeptember 11 attacksin 2001, the Empire State Building again became thetallest\",\n \"became thetallest building in New York City, but was only thesecond-tallest building in the Americasafter theSears (later Willis) Towerin Chicago.As a result of the attacks, transmissions from nearly all of the city's commercial television and FM radio stations were again broadcast from the Empire State Building.The attacks also led to an increase in security due to persistent terror threats against prominent sites in New York City. In 2002, Trump and Yokoi sold their land claim to the Empire State Building Associates, now headed by Malkin, in a $57.5 million sale.This action merged the building's title and lease for the first time in half a century.Despite the lingering threat posed by the 9/11 attacks, the Empire State Building remained popular with 3.5 million visitors to the observatories in 2004, compared to about 2.8 million in 2003. Even though she maintained her ownership stake in the building until the post-consolidation IPO in October 2013,Leona Helmsleyhanded over day-to-day operations of the\",\n \"operations of the building in 2006 to Peter Malkin's company.In 2008, the building was temporarily \\\"stolen\\\" by theNew York Daily Newsto show how easy it was to transfer the deed on a property, since city clerks were not required to validate the submitted information, as well as to help demonstrate how fraudulent deeds could be used to obtain large mortgages and then have individuals disappear with the money. The paperwork submitted to the city included the names ofFay Wray, the famous star ofKing Kong, andWillie Sutton, a notorious New York bank robber. The newspaper then transferred the deed back over to the legitimate owners, who at that time were Empire State Land Associates. 2010s to present Starting in 2009, the building's public areas received a $550 million renovation, with improvements to the air conditioning and waterproofing, renovations to the observation deck and main lobby,and relocation of the gift shop to the 80th floor.About $120 million was spent on improving theenergy efficiencyof the\",\n \"efficiencyof the building, with the goal of reducing energy emissions by 38% within five years.For example, all of the windows were refurbished onsite into film-coated \\\"superwindows\\\" which block heat but pass light.Air conditioningoperating costs on hot days were reduced, saving $17 million of the project's capital cost immediately and partially funding some of the other retrofits.The Empire State Building won theLeadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED)Gold for Existing Buildings rating in September 2011, as well as theWorld Federation of Great Towers' Excellence in Environment Award for 2010.For the LEED Gold certification, the building's energy reduction was considered, as was a large purchase ofcarbon offsets. Other factors included low-flow bathroom fixtures, green cleaning supplies, and use of recycled paper products. On April 30, 2012,One World Trade Centertopped out, taking the Empire State Building's record of tallest in the city.By 2014, the building was owned by the Empire State Realty\",\n \"Empire State Realty Trust (ESRT), with Anthony Malkin as chairman, CEO, and president.The ESRT was apublic company, having begun trading publicly on the New York Stock Exchange the previous year.In August 2016, the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA) was issued new fully diluted shares equivalent to 9.9% of the trust; this investment gave them partial ownership of the entirety of the ESRT's portfolio, and as a result, partial ownership of the Empire State Building.The trust's president John Kessler called it an \\\"endorsement of the company's irreplaceable assets\\\".The investment has been described by the real-estate magazineThe Real Dealas \\\"an unusual move for a sovereign wealth fund\\\", as these funds typically buy direct stakes in buildings rather than real estate companies.Other foreign entities that have a stake in the ESRT include investors from Norway, Japan, and Australia. A renovation of the Empire State Building was commenced in the 2010s to further improve energy efficiency, public areas, and amenities.In\",\n \"and amenities.In August 2018, to improve the flow of visitor traffic, the main visitor's entrance was shifted to 20 West 34th Street as part of a major renovation of the observatory lobby.The new lobby includes several technological features, including large LED panels, digital ticket kiosks in nine languages, and a two-story architectural model of the building surrounded by two metal staircases.The first phase of the renovation, completed in 2019, features an updated exterior lighting system and digital hosts.The new lobby also features free Wi-Fi provided for those waiting.A 10,000-square-foot (930 m2) exhibit with nine galleries opened in July 2019.The 102nd floor observatory, the third phase of the redesign, reopened to the public on October 12, 2019.That portion of the project included outfitting the space with floor-to-ceiling glass windows and a brand-new glass elevator.The final portion of the renovations to be completed was a new observatory on the 80th floor, which opened on December 2, 2019.In\",\n \"December 2, 2019.In total, the renovation cost $160 millionor $165 million and took four years to finish. A comprehensive restoration of the building's mooring and antenna masts also began in June 2019. Antennas on the mooring mast were removed or relocated to the upper mast, while the aluminum panels were cleaned and coated with silver paint.To minimize disruption to the observation decks, the restoration work took place at night. The project was completed by late 2020. Height records The longest world record held by the Empire State Building was for the tallest skyscraper (to structural height), which it held for 42 years until it was surpassed by theNorth Towerof the World Trade Center in October 1970.The Empire State Building was also thetallest human-made structurein the world before it was surpassed by theGriffin Television Tower Oklahoma(KWTV Mast) in 1954,and thetallest freestanding structure in the worlduntil the completion of theOstankino Towerin 1967.An early-1970s proposal to dismantle the spire\",\n \"dismantle the spire and replace it with an additional 11 floors, which would have brought the building's height to 1,494 feet (455 m) and made it once again the world's tallest at the time, was considered but ultimately rejected. With the destruction of the World Trade Center in theSeptember 11 attacks, the Empire State Building again became thetallest building in New York City, and thesecond-tallest building in the Americas, surpassed only by theWillis Towerin Chicago. The Empire State Building remained the tallest building in New York until the newOne World Trade Centerreached a greater height in April 2012.As of 2022, it is the seventh-tallest building in New York City and thetenth-tallest in the United States.The Empire State Building is the49th-tallest in the worldas of February 2021.It is also theeleventh-tallest freestanding structure in the Americasbehind the tallest U.S. buildings and theCN Tower. Notable tenants As of 2013, the building housed around 1,000 businesses.Current tenants include: Former\",\n \"include: Former tenants include: Incidents 1945 plane crash At 9:40 am on July 28, 1945, aB-25 Mitchellbomber, piloted in thick fog by Lieutenant Colonel William Franklin Smith Jr.,crashed into the north side of the Empire State Building between the 79th and 80th floors (then the offices of theNational Catholic Welfare Council).One engine completely penetrated the building, landing on the roof of a nearby building where it started a fire that destroyed a penthouse.The other engine and part of the landing gear plummeted down an elevator shaft, causing a fire that was extinguished in 40 minutes. Fourteen people were killed in the incident.Elevator operator Betty Lou Oliver fell 75 stories and survived, which still holds theGuinness World Recordfor the longest survived elevator fall recorded. Despite the damage and loss of life, many floors were open two days later.The crash helped spur the passage of the long-pendingFederal Tort Claims Actof 1946, as well as the insertion of retroactive provisions into the\",\n \"provisions into the law, allowing people to sue the government for the incident.Also as a result of the crash, theCivil Aeronautics Administrationenacted strict regulations regarding flying over New York City, setting a minimum flying altitude of 2,500 feet (760 m) above sea level regardless of the weather conditions. A year later, on July 24, 1946, another airplane narrowly missed striking the building. The unidentified twin-engine plane scraped past the observation deck, frightening the tourists there. 2000 elevator plunge On January 24, 2000, an elevator in the building suddenly descended 40 stories after a cable that controlled the cabin's maximum speed was severed.The elevator fell from the 44th floor to the fourth floor, where a narrowed elevator shaft provided a second safety system. Despite the 40-floor fall, both of the passengers in the cabin at the time were only slightly injured. After the fall, building inspectors reviewed all of the building's elevators. Suicide attempts Because of the\",\n \"Because of the building's iconic status, it and other Midtown landmarks are common locations forsuicideattempts.More than 30 people haveattempted suicideover the years by jumping from the upper parts of the building, with most attempts being successful. The first suicide from the building occurred on April 7, 1931, before it was even completed, when a carpenter who had been laid-off went to the 58th floor and jumped.The first suicide after the building's opening occurred from the 86th floor observatory in February 1935, when Irma P. Eberhardt fell 1,029 feet (314 m) onto amarquee sign.On December 16, 1943, William Lloyd Rambo jumped to his death from the 86th floor, landing amidst Christmas shoppers on the street below.In the early morning of September 27, 1946,shell-shockedMarine Douglas W. Brashear Jr. jumped from the 76th-floor window of the Grant Advertising Agency; police found his shoes 50 feet (15 m) from his body. On May 1, 1947,Evelyn McHaleleapt to her death from the 86th floor observation deck and\",\n \"deck and landed on alimousineparked at the curb. Photography student Robert Wiles took a photo of McHale's oddly intact corpse a few minutes after her death. The police found a suicide note among possessions that she left on the observation deck: \\\"He is much better off without me.... I wouldn't make a good wife for anybody\\\". The photo ran in the May 12, 1947, edition ofLifemagazineand is often referred to as \\\"The Most Beautiful Suicide\\\". It was later used by visual artistAndy Warholin one of his prints entitledSuicide (Fallen Body).A 7-foot (2.1 m) mesh fence was put up around the 86th floor terrace in December 1947 after five people tried to jump during a three-week span in October and November of that year.By then, sixteen people had died from suicide jumps. Only one person has jumped from the upper observatory. Frederick Eckert ofAstoriaran past a guard in the enclosed 102nd-floor gallery on November 3, 1932, and jumped a gate leading to an outdoor catwalk intended fordirigiblepassengers. He landed and\",\n \"He landed and died on the roof of the 86th floor observation promenade. Two people have survived falls by not falling more than a floor. On December 2, 1979, Elvita Adams jumped from the 86th floor, only to be blown back onto a ledge on the 85th floor by a gust of wind and left with abroken hip.On April 25, 2013, a man fell from the 86th floor observation deck, but he landed alive with minor injuries on an 85th-floor ledge where security guards brought him inside and paramedics transferred him to a hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Shootings Two fatal shootings have occurred in the direct vicinity of the Empire State Building. Abu Kamal, a 69-year-old Palestinian teacher,shot seven peopleon the 86th floor observation deck during the afternoon of February 23, 1997. He killed one person and wounded six others before committing suicide.Kamal reportedly committed the shooting in response to events happening inPalestineandIsrael. On the morning of August 24, 2012, 58-year-old Jeffrey T. Johnsonshot and\",\n \"T. Johnsonshot and killeda former co-worker on the building's Fifth Avenue sidewalk. He had been laid off from his job in 2011. Two police officers confronted the gunman, and he aimed his firearm at them. They responded by firing 16 shots, killing him but also wounding nine bystanders. Most of the injured were hit by bullet fragments, although three took direct hits from bullets. Impact As the tallest building in the world and the first one to exceed 100 floors, the Empire State Building immediately became an icon of the city and of the nation.In 2013,Timemagazine noted that the Empire State Building \\\"seems to completely embody the city it has become synonymous with\\\".The historian John Tauranac called it \\\"'the' twentieth-century New York building\\\", despite the existence of taller and moremodernistbuildings. TheNew York City Landmarks Preservation Commissionvoted to designate the building and its lobby as city landmarks on May 19, 1981,citing the historic nature of the first and second floors, as well as \\\"the\",\n \"as well as \\\"the fixtures and interior components\\\" of the upper floors.TheNew York City Planning Commissionendorsed the landmark status.The building became a National Historic Landmark in 1986in close alignment with the New York City Landmarks report.The Empire State Building was added to theNational Register of Historic Placesthe following year due to its architectural significance. Contemporary reception Early architectural critics also focused on the Empire State Building's exterior ornamentation.Architectural critic Talbot Hamlin wrote in 1931, \\\"That it is the world's tallest building is purely incidental.\\\"George Shepard Chappell, writing inThe New Yorkerunder the pseudonym \\\"T-Square\\\", wrote the same year that the Empire State Building had a \\\"palpably enormous\\\" appeal to the general public, and that \\\"its difference and distinction in the extreme sensitiveness of its entire design\\\".Edmund Wilson ofThe New Republicwrote that the building's neutral color palette made it \\\"New York's handsomest skyscraper\\\".\",\n \"skyscraper\\\". Architectural critics also wrote negatively of the mast, especially in light of its failure to become a real air terminal. Chappell called the mast \\\"a silly gesture\\\", andLewis Mumfordcalled it \\\"a public comfort station for migratory birds\\\".Nevertheless, architecture criticDouglas Haskellsaid the Empire State Building's appeal came from the fact that it was \\\"caught at the exact moment of transition—caught between metal and stone, between the idea of 'monumental mass' and that of airy volume, between handicraft and machine design, and in the swing from what was essentially handicraft to what will be essentially industrial methods of fabrication.\\\" As icon Early in the building's history, travel companies such asShort Line Motor Coach ServiceandNew York Central Railroadused the building as an icon to symbolize the city.In a 1932 survey of 50 American architects, fourteen ranked the Empire State Building as the United States' best building; the Empire State Building received more votes than any\",\n \"more votes than any building except theLincoln Memorial.After the construction of the first World Trade Center, architectPaul Goldbergernoted that the Empire State Building \\\"is famous for being tall, but it is good enough to be famous for being good.\\\" As an icon of the United States, it is also very popular among Americans. In a 2007 survey, the American Institute of Architects found that the Empire State Building was \\\"America's favorite building\\\".The building was originally a symbol of hope in a country devastated by the Depression, as well as a work of accomplishment by newer immigrants.The writer Benjamin Flowers states that the Empire State was \\\"a building intended to celebrate a new America, built by men (both clients and construction workers) who were themselves new Americans.\\\"The architectural criticJonathan Glanceyrefers to the building as an \\\"icon of American design\\\".Additionally, in 2007, the Empire State Building was first on the AIA's List ofAmerica's Favorite Architecture. The Empire State\",\n \"The Empire State Building has been hailed as an example of a \\\"wonder of the world\\\" due to the massive effort expended during construction.The Washington Starlisted it as part of one of the \\\"seven wonders of the modern world\\\" in 1931, whileHolidaymagazine wrote in 1958 that the Empire State's height would be taller than the combined heights of theEiffel Towerand theGreat Pyramid of Giza.TheAmerican Society of Civil Engineersalso declared the building \\\"A Modern Civil Engineering Wonder of the United States\\\" in 1958and one of theSeven Wonders of the Modern Worldin 1994.Ron Miller, in a 2010 book, also described the Empire State Building as one of the \\\"seven wonders of engineering\\\".It has often been called theEighth Wonder of the Worldas well, an appellation that it has held since shortly after opening.The panels installed in the lobby in 1963 reflected this, showing the seven original wonders alongside the Empire State Building.The Empire State Building also became the standard of reference to describe the\",\n \"to describe the height and length of other structures globally, both natural and human-made. The building has also inspired replicas. TheNew York-New York Hotel and CasinoinParadise, Nevada, contains the \\\"Empire Tower\\\",a 47-story replica of the Empire State Building.A portion of the hotel's interior was also designed to resemble the Empire State Building's interior. In media As an icon of New York City, the Empire State Building has been featured in various films, books, TV shows, and video games. According to the building's official website, more than 250 movies contain depictions of the Empire State Building.In his book about the building, John Tauranac writes that its first documented appearance in popular culture wasSwiss Family Manhattan, a 1932 children's story byChristopher Morley.A year later, the filmKing KongdepictedKong, a giantstop motionape that climbs the Empire State Building during the film's climax,bringing the building into the popular imagination.Later movies such asAn Affair to\",\n \"such asAn Affair to Remember(1957),Sleepless in Seattle(1993), andIndependence Day(1996) also prominently featured the building.The building has also been featured in other works, such as \\\"Daleks in Manhattan\\\", a 2007 episode of the TV seriesDoctor Who;andEmpire, an eight-hour black-and-whitesilent filmbyAndy Warhol,which was later added to theLibrary of Congress'sNational Film Registry. Throughout its history, the Empire State Building has welcomed celebrities, royalty, and dignitaries to visit the observation deck. From celebrities likeTaylor SwiftandZendayato royalty such asPrince William, the Empire State Building hosts notable figures every year. Empire State Building Run-Up The Empire State Building Run-Up, a foot race from ground level to the 86th-floor observation deck, has been held annually since 1978.It is organized byNYCRUNS.Its participants are referred to both as runners and as climbers, and are oftentower runningenthusiasts. The race covers a vertical distance of 1,050 ft (320 m) and takes in\",\n \"m) and takes in 1,576 steps. The record time is 9 minutes and 33 seconds, achieved by Australian professional cyclistPaul Crakein 2003, at a climbing rate of 6,593 ft (2,010 m) per hour. See also References Notes Citations Sources Further reading External links\",\n \"Shreve, Lamb & Harmon Shreve, Lamb, and Harmon, founded asShreve & Lamb, was anarchitectural firmbest known for designing theEmpire State Building, the tallest building in the world at the time of its completion in 1931. The firm was prominent in the proliferation ofArt Deco architecture in New York City. History The firm was founded in 1920 as Shreve & Lamb, a partnership ofRichmond Harold (\\\"R.H.\\\") Shreve, a Canadian fromNova Scotia, andWilliam F. Lamb, fromBrooklyn, New York. Shreve was the administrator, while Lamb was the architect. The two met while working atCarrère & Hastings, and Shreve & Lamb was initially a Carrère & Hastings firm. In 1924 the pair decided to leave Carrère & Hastings and became an autonomous architectural company. In 1929,Arthur Loomis Harmon, fromChicago, Illinois, joined Shreve & Lamb, and the firm became Shreve, Lamb & Harmon.Prior to joining the firm, Harmon's works included battle monuments at Tours, Cantigny and Somme-Py in France, a YMCA inJerusalem, and the Shelton Hotel in\",\n \"Shelton Hotel in New York, U.S. For the construction of the Empire State Building, the firm's most notable work and a symbol of theAmerican expression of the Art Decostyle, Lamb was responsible for the design, while Shreve's planning skills facilitated the completion of the construction in a year. Shreve's planning skills were recognized in New York, and he was involved in projects beyond the firm, such as theSlum ClearanceCommittee of New York. Shreve, Lamb & Harmon's primary focus was commercial office buildings, and their work in this area was described as \\\"spare and functional\\\" in 2010 by the Landmarks Preservation Commission. However, the firm completed numerous residential projects, such as No. 130 East 57th Street, and this facet of the company's work was mainly conducted in neo-Tudor, as well as other popular historical styles of the 1920s. Shreve, Lamb and Harmon had also employed the future architect behind the originalWorld Trade Centercomplex,Minoru Yamasaki, after he had completed a masters\",\n \"completed a masters degree in architecture in 1936. Lasting until 1945, this professional relationship was cut short when Yamasaki took a job atSmith, Hinchman & Grylls. It is not entirely clear when the company went out of business, with 1989 being a likely date. The archivesof Shreve, Lamb & Harmon are kept at theAvery Architectural and Fine Arts LibraryofColumbia University. Notable buildings All buildings are located inNew York Cityunless otherwise indicated: References Notes External links\",\n \"Richmond Shreve Richmond Harold Shreve(June 25, 1877 – September 11, 1946) was a Canadian-American architect. Biography He was born on June 25, 1877, inCornwallis, Nova Scotia, the son of Richmond Shreve, an Anglican priest, and Mary Catherine Parker Hocken.Shreve attendedCornell University, taught there from 1902 to 1906, and was a member of theSphinx Head Society. He was president of theAmerican Institute of Architectsfrom 1941 through 1943. He died on September 11, 1946, inHastings-on-Hudson, New York. Legacy His companyShreve, Lamb and Harmonled the construction of theEmpire State Buildingas well as severalCornell Universitybuildings.Shreve was also the lead architect for the landmark 1937Williamsburg Houseshousing development in Brooklyn. He was profiled in the bookThe 100 Most Notable Cornellians. Notes External links\",\n \"William F. Lamb William Frederick LambFAIA(November 21, 1883 – September 8, 1952), was an Americanarchitect, chiefly known as one of the principal designers of theEmpire State Building. Biography Lamb joined the New York architecture firmCarrère & Hastingsin 1911, shortly after returning from Paris, where he earned a diploma at theÉcole des Beaux-Arts. Lamb became a partner in 1920; the firm would be known as Shreve & Lamb from 1924 to 1929 and thereafter asShreve, Lamb and Harmon. Lamb's notable projects include theEmpire State Building, theStandard Oil Building, 521 Fifth Avenue, the Forbes Magazine Building, and the General Motors Building in New York City; the Acacia Mutual Life Insurance Building in Washington, D.C.; and academic buildings for the Connecticut College for Women, Williams College, Cornell University, and Wesleyan University. In addition to his studies at the École des Beaux Arts, Lamb received a bachelor's degree from Williams College in 1904 and did graduate work at the School of\",\n \"at the School of Architecture,Columbia University, from 1904 to 1906. Lamb received an honorary doctorate from Williams College in 1932; other honors include two gold medals from the Fifth Avenue Association (1930, 1931), a medal from theArchitectural League of New York(1931), and a medal of honor from the New York Chapter of theAmerican Institute of Architects(1932). He was a member of theAmerican Academy of Arts and Letters, the Art Commission of the City of New York, theBeaux-Arts Institute of Design, and the Architectural League of New York. In the period preceding the 1939 New York World's fair, Lamb served as \\\"Coordinator of Design\\\" for the fair's board of planners.Lamb served on theU.S. Commission of Fine Artsfrom 1937 to 1945, including as vice chairman from 1941 to 1945.In 1942 he was elected into theNational Academy of Designas an Associate member and became a full Academician in 1950. The firm also designed 521 Fifth Avenue, the Forbes Magazine Building, theStandard Oil Building, and theBankers\",\n \"and theBankers Trust Buildingand worked with H. Craig Severance on40 Wall Streetin New York. He also designed theReynolds BuildinginWinston-Salem,North Carolina He died in New York on September 8, 1952. References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":289,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Out of every team that has won at least one official global Valorant tournament, which team has also won at least one League of Legends World Championship and at least one CS:GO Major Championship as of 2024? 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The series runs multiple events throughout each season, culminating inValorantChampions, the top-level event of the tour. The VCT was announced in 2020, with its inaugural season taking place in 2021. History 2021–2022: Open-qualifiers era In November 2020,Riot Gamesannounced the firstValorantChampions Tour, a tournament series divided into three tiers: Challengers, Masters, and Champions. Challengers would act as the lowest tier, split into seven regions: North America, Brazil, Latin America (Hispanic America), EMEA, Southeast Asia (later included South Asia and Oceania, become to Asia-Pacific), Korea, Japan. Teams that advance past Challengers would move on to Masters, where teams would not be divided by regions anymore, and the top 16 teams from Masters would move on to Champions, the final tournament of VCT.In February 2021, they announced the VCT Game Changers, a supplementary tournament initiative for women and marginalized genders. Riot hired esports infrastructure company Nerd Street Gamers as operators and producers for all North American Challengers and Masters events.They also hired several third-party companies to broadcast their events, such as Liga de Videojuegos Profesional (LVP) for their Spanish-language broadcasts andLetsPlay.Livefor theirOceaniabroadcasts.The2021 Champions tournamenttook place on December 1–12 at theVerti Music Hallin Berlin, Germany, concluding with team Acend defeatingGambit Esportsin the grand finals by a score of 3–2. Over 10,000 teams competed in the VCT in 2021. Outside of Champions, VCT saw its highest viewership at theReykjavíkMasters tournament in May, with a peak viewership of 1,085,850. The Champions grand finals match in December reached a peak viewership of 1,089,068, making it the VCT's highest peak viewership. Riot made several changes to the format of VCT for its second iteration. While the overall structure of Challengers, Masters, and Champions remained unchanged, it reduced the number of stages of Challengers and Masters events from three to two. VCT Challengers began on February 11, 2022.The2022 ChampionsTournament took place from September 1 to 18 in Istanbul, Turkey. 2023–present: Partnerships era Riot Games announced a new format starting in 2023.The season will be split into three international regions –Americas,EMEA, andPacificinstead of the 7 regions format used in previous years. Each international region will have its own International League that replaces the Challengers to become the domestic competitions to qualify for Masters and Champions. On September 21, 2022, Riot Games announced the thirty teams that had been selected as part of their new partnership format. ForChina, Riot Games showed favor towards players here by given Chinese teams a number of direct slots to participate in global tournaments (Masters and Champions) through third parties competitions in Hong Kong server, instead of having to play through Pacific league. In a June 2023 press conference, Riot COO Whalen Rozelle confirmed that Valorant would launch inChinain July under the name 无畏契约 (\"Fearless Contract\"), with hopes to launch a VCT league there in 2024.Shortly after in August, Riot announced an own regional league for China, and raising the number of partnered teams to 40. Leagues and format Franchised leagues International Leagues As of 2023, 30 teams are selected to be partner teams in International Leagues for five years with 10 teams per region. Non-partner teams compete in many sub-regions of Challengers events to qualify for \"Ascension\" events. The Ascension events will have one winner per region, which earns them a two-year promotion into their regions' International League. The promoted teams will have a chance to qualify for the global tournaments (Masters and Champions), as well as get benefits provided to other partnered teams. Each year through the Challengers promotion system, the three International Leagues will expand by one team each, until they reach a cap of 12 teams in each region in 2025 (beforehand this was supposed to be a 14-team cap by 2027). Teams in each International League will play onLANin a centralized local: the Riot Games Arena inLos Angelesfor VCT Americas,Riot Games Arena inBerlinfor VCT EMEA,andSeoulfor VCT Pacific.The Americas and EMEA venues are shared with theLeague of Legendsregional leagues'League Championship Series(LCS) andLeague of Legends EMEA Championship(LEC) respectively. China League Right from global launch, althoughValoranthad not been licensed for release in China, Riot Games showed favor towards Chinese players by allowed Chinese teams to participate in global tournaments (Masters and Champions) through achievements in domestic tournaments organized by third parties, played atHong Kongserver. Since 2024, withValorantlicensed for release servers inmainland, Riot launched the VCT CN specifically for the only country that they considers a pro region on the same level as the three International Leagues for many countries, as well as competition slots for only teams from China at Masters and Champions.They also announced thesecond Mastersevent of the year to take place inShanghaiand released a new Chinese agentIsoalongside previous agentSage. The China League is based at the VCT CN Arena in Shanghai. ValorantMasters TheValorantMasters is an biannualValorantinternational tournament organized by Riot Games in the middle of years since 2021.Similar to theMid-Season InvitationalforLeague of Legends, it is the second most important internationalValoranttournament after Champions.Teams must place near the top of their regional league to qualify for Masters. ValorantChampions TheValorantChampions is the annual professionalValorantworld championship tournament hosted by Riot Games and is the culmination of each VCT season. Teams compete for the world champion title ofValorantesports. Non-franchised leagues Challengers and Ascension Non-partner teams compete in Challengers events of sub-regions in Americas, EMEA and Pacific to qualify for \"Ascension\", the yearly promotion event to the respective International Leagues. Originally, it was announced that teams would have two-year stays in their International League after winning Ascension, with one team promoted every year until 2026, when two teams would be promoted every year until 2028. The leagues would have 14 teams each, totaling to 42 teams across the three leagues. On June 21, 2024, Riot announced changes to the Ascension format from 2025, with teams promoted to the International Leagues for one-year stays instead, after which they would be relegated toChallengersagain if they did not finish in the top 8 in their region's International League; if they qualified forChampionshowever, they get to stay for another year; if they finished between 5th and 8th in the International League, they qualify for that year'sAscensionfor a chance to keep their place in the league. In 2023-24, there are 23 minor regional leagues across the three international territories.From 2025, decreased to 15. ValorantGame Changers ValorantGame Changers is a series of domestic competitions for women and other marginalized genders withinValorantesports.Teams that finish in top places qualify for theValorant Game Changers Championship, the world championship event of Game Changers, and also earn the chance to be promoted to their region's Challengers league. Results International Leagues & China League winners Global tournaments Teams won titles *Team or organization no longer participates inValorantesports. *Team or organization no longer participates in Tier 1Valorantesports. Regions' titles Ascension winners ValorantGame Changers Championship Awards Masters The original masters trophy was unveiled by Riot at a May 2021 media preview event in the build up to Masters Reykjavik. It features a metal bottom and a glass top. The trophy was redesigned in 2023, again by Volpin Props, to be reusable for Masters tournaments in multiple regions.It stands at 18 inches (46 cm) and features a swappable 'Radianite' core. ForMasters Tokyo, it featured duelist Yoru's ultimateOnimask. The body of the trophy is palladium-plated with plastic components. Champions The Valorant Champions trophy was first unveiled ahead of Valorant Champions 2021. Also designed and built by Volpin Props ofAtlanta, Georgia, it stands at 2 feet (61 cm) tall and is partially 3D-printed, with 24 karat gold decoration overlayed. Notes References External links","League of LegendsWorld Championship TheLeague of LegendsWorld Championship(commonly abbreviated asWorlds) is the annual professionalLeague of Legendsworld championship tournament hosted byRiot Gamesand is the culmination of each season. Teams compete for the champion title, the 44-pound (20-kilogram) Summoner's Cup, and a multi-million-dollar championship prize. In 2018, the final was watched by 99.6 million people, breaking2017's final's viewer record.The tournament has been praised for its ceremonial performances,while receiving attention worldwide due to its dramatic and emotional nature. TheLeague of LegendsWorld Championships has gained tremendous success and popularity, making it among the world's most prestigious and watched tournaments, as well as the most watched esports event in the world. The tournament rotates its venues across different major countries and regions each year. South Korea'sT1is the most successful team in the tournament's history, having won four world championships. History Season 1 (2011) The Season 1 Championshipwas held in June 2011 atDreamhack Summer 2011, and featured a US$100,000 tournament prize pool.8 teams from Europe, North America, Southeast Asiaparticipated in the championship.Over 1.6 million viewers watched the streaming broadcast of the event, with a peak of over 210,069 simultaneous viewers in the final.Maciej \"Shushei\" Ratuszniak of the winning teamFnaticwas named themost valuable player(MVP) of the tournament. Season 2 (2012) After Season 1, Riot announced thatUS$5,000,000 would be paid out over Season 2. Of this $5 million, $2 million went to Riot's partners including theIGN Pro Leagueand other majoresportsassociations. Another $2 million went to Riot's Season 2 qualifiers and championship. The final $1 million went to other organizers who applied to Riot to host independentLeague of Legendstournaments. The Season 2 World Championship was held in early October 2012 inLos Angeles, Californiato conclude theUS$5 million season. Twelve qualifying teams from around the world participated in the championship, which boasted the largest prize pool in the history of esports tournaments at the time atUS$2 million, withUS$1 million going to the champions. The group stage, quarterfinal, and semifinal matches took place between 4 and 6 October. The grand final took place a week after, on 13 October in theUniversity of Southern California'sGalen Centerin front of 10,000 fans, and were broadcast in 13 different languages.In the grand final,Taiwan's professional teamTaipei Assassinstriumphed overSouth Korea's Azubu Frost 3 to 1 and claimed theUS$1 million in prize money. Over 8 million viewers tuned in to the Season 2 World Championship broadcast, with a maximum of 1.1 million concurrent viewers during the grand finale, making the Season 2 World Championship the most watched esports event in history at the time. Season 3 (2013) The Season 3 World Championship was held in late 2013 inLos Angeles, California. 14 teams from North America, Korea, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and one of the emergingLeague of Legendsterritories measured up at the World Playoffs after having qualified through their regional competitions.The grand final was held in theStaples Centeron 4 October 2013, where Korean teamSK Telecom T1defeated the Chinese team Royal Club,granting them the title of the Season 3 world champions, the Summoner's Cup and the $1 million prize. The Season 3 World Championship grand final broadcast on 4 October was watched by 32 million people with a peak concurrent viewership of 8.5 million.The numbers once again beat the previous records for esports viewership. 2014 The 2014 World Championship featured 16 teams competing for a $2.13 million prize pool, with 14 teams qualifying from the primaryLeague of Legendsregions (China, Europe, North America, Korea and Taiwan/SEA) and two international wildcard teams. Riot stopped numbering seasons and instead simply used the year for the 2014 and future championships. The group stage began on 18 September inTaipeiand concluded on 28 September inSingaporewith eight teams advancing to the bracket stage.The bracket stage started on 3 October inBusan, South Korea, and concluded on 19 October with the grand final hosted at the 45,000-seatsSeoul World Cup Stadium,where South Korean teamSamsung Galaxy Whitebeat the Chinese team Star Horn Royal Club to become the 2014League of Legendsworld champions.Support player Cho \"Mata\" Se-hyeong was named the tournamentmost valuable player(MVP). American bandImagine Dragonscontributed the theme song \"Warriors\" for the tournament,and performed live on the grand final stage in South Korea.All games were made available for free via live streaming. The 2014 World Championship games were streamed live by 40 broadcast partners and cast in 19 languages. The grand final was watched by 27 million people, with concurrent viewership peaking at over 11 million viewers. 2015 After the 2014 season,Riot Gamesintroduced a number of changes to competitiveLeague of Legends. The number of teams in theLeague Championship Serieswas increased from 8 to 10 in both the North America and Europe regions.A second Riot Games official international tournament was announced, the Mid-Season Invitational, which took place in May 2015, and featured a single team from each major region and one international wildcard.Additionally, starting from 2015, all teams are required to field a head coach in their competitive matches, who will stay on stage and speak with the team via voice-chat in the pick–ban phase of the game. This change makes the head coach an officially recognized member of the team. The 2015 World Championship concluded the 2015 season and was held at several venues across Europe in October 2015. Like the 2014 World Championship, the 2015 World Championship was a multi-city, multi-country event.2015 Worlds was won bySK Telecom T1, their second title, as they won the 2013 Worlds too. SKT top lanerJang \"MaRin\" Gyeong-hwanwas named the tournamentmost valuable player(MVP). The final was watched by 36 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14 million viewers. 2016 The various stages of the 2016 Worlds were held throughout theUnited StatesinChicago,San Francisco,New York City, and the final inLos Angeles. The groups of teams were decided through a live group draw show on 10 September. The games were played on the 6.18 patch of the game with Yorick disabled, and Aurelion Sol disabled for days 1–3. There were 16 teams and 4 groups that consisted of 4 teams. The group stage was Bo1 and the top two teams from each group would advance to the Knockout Stage. The Knockout Stage was Bo5 and the #1 vs #2 teams from each group would face each other in the bracket. The total prize pool was US$5,070,000 and it was spread among the teams. The first place (SK Telecom T1) took $2,028,000, the second team (Samsung Galaxy) took $760,500, and the third and fourth place (ROX Tigers and H2K) took $380,250 divided among the 2 teams. The rest of the prize pool was distributed among the 5th–16th places. SKT won 3–2 versus Samsung Galaxy in the 2016 World Championship final, with Faker winning the MVP award.The final was watched by 43 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14.7 million viewers, breaking 2015's final's viewer records. 2017 The 2017 World Championship series started in September 2017, and concluded in November 2017. It was held in 4 different locations throughout China:Wuhan(play-in and groups),Guangzhou(quarterfinals),Shanghai(semifinals), andBeijing(final).It was played on patch 7.18, with the newest champion Ornn being disabled. Patch 7.18 is slightly older than patches 7.19 and 7.20, which are the new standard for online matches during the September - November period. The most notable difference being the stronger Ardent Censer support meta with patch 7.18. A total of 24 teams participated in the tournament: 3 teams from South Korea, China, North America, Europe and Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau; 1 team from Brazil, Latin America North, Latin America South, Japan, Oceania, Turkey, Southeast Asia and CIS/Russia; and 1 team from the Wildcard region with the highest rank finish at the 2017 Mid-Season Invitational (GPL in Southeast Asia, due to Gigabyte Marines from Vietnam prevailing there, and Vietnam received 1 more slot for VCS's second seed to participate GPL 2017 summer split). Samsung Galaxy reversed the previous year's result and defeated SK Telecom T1 3–0 in the 2017 World Championship final.Park \"Ruler\" Jae-hyuk, the AD carry of Samsung, was named MVP.The final was watched by 60 million people, breaking 2016's final's viewer records. The tournament is widely praised for its high quality of plays and amazing ceremonial performances, while receiving worldwide attention for its dramatic and emotional series. It is currently the most watched tournament inLeague of Legends'history and is lauded as one of the best. 2018 The 2018 World Championship was held from 1 October to 3 November, 2018, in 4 cities acrossSouth Korea:Seoul(play-in),Busan(groups & quarterfinals),Gwangju(semifinals), andIncheon(final).Twenty four teams qualified for the tournament based on their placement in regional circuits such as those in North America, Europe, South Korea, and China, with twelve of those teams having to reach the group stage via a play-in round. The 2018 World Championship was played on Patch 8.19. Notably, champions Aatrox, Alistar and Urgot were extremely prevalent in the tournament, with the three characters being picked or banned in over 90 percent of the 78 games played.The World Championship final was played between Invictus Gaming and Fnatic. Invictus Gaming won 3–0 against Fnatic, granting China and theLPLtheir first World Championship. Gao \"Ning\" Zhenning was named the MVP of the series in their victory.The final was watched by 99.6 million unique viewers, with concurrent viewership reaching a peak of 44 million viewers, breaking 2017's final's viewership record. 2019 The 2019 World Championship was held between 2 October to 10 November 2019, in three countries and cities inEurope:Berlin(play-in & groups),Madrid(quarterfinals and semifinals), andParis(final).Twenty-four teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play. The 2019 World Championship was played on Patch 9.19 from start to finish.The World Championship final was played on 10 November 2019 betweenLPL'sFunPlus PhoenixandLEC'sG2 EsportsatAccorHotels Arenain Paris. FunPlus Phoenix won 3–0 against G2 Esports, granting China and the LPL back-to-back World Championships. Gao \"Tian\" Tianliang was named the MVP of the series in their victory.The final was watched by more than 100 million viewers, peaking at 44 million concurrent views. 2020 The 2020 World Championship was held from 25 September to 31 October 2020 inShanghai, China. 22 teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.As a result of travel restrictions related to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the two teams that qualified from theVietnam Championship Serieswere unable to attend the event. All games leading up to the final were hosted in the Shanghai Media Tech Studio with no fans in attendance. The final was hosted in thePudong Football Stadiumas the building's inaugural event, hosting a limited number of 6,312 fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The final was played on 31 October 2020 betweenSuning, from China'sLeague of Legends Pro League, andDamwon Gaming, fromLeague of Legends Champions Korea, with Damwon Gaming winning the championship 3–1. During the second game, Suning's top laner Chen \"Bin\" Zebin achieved the first \"Pentakill\" in the final of a World Championship.Damwon Gaming's jungler, Kim \"Canyon\" Geon-bu, was named the MVP of the series.Damwon's win ended the LPL's back-to-back streak of world championship victories.The final was watched at its peak by 46.07 million viewers. 2021 The 2021 World Championship was held from 5 October to 6 November 2021 inReykjavík, Iceland. In line with last year's iteration, 22 teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.As a result of travel restrictions related to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the two teams that qualified from theVietnam Championship Serieswere once again unable to attend the event. All games of the tournament were hosted in theLaugardalshöll, with no fans in attendance due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in Iceland. The final was played on 6 November 2021 betweenEdward Gaming, from China'sLeague of Legends Pro League, and defending championsDWG KIA(formerly Damwon Gaming), fromLeague of Legends Champions Korea, with Edward Gaming winning the championship 3–2, ending DWG KIA's chance to win back-to-back world championships.Edward Gaming's mid laner, Lee \"Scout\" Ye-chan, was named the MVP of the series.The final had an average audience of 30.6 million, peaking at 73.86 million concurrent viewers. 2022 The 2022 World Championship was held from 29 September to 5 November, 2022, with the event taking place in 4 cities acrossNorth America:Mexico City(play-in),New York City(groups & quarterfinals),Atlanta(semifinals) andSan Francisco(finals).Twenty-four teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.As a result of theRussian invasion of Ukraine, theLeague of Legends Continental Leaguefrom theCISregion was unable to send a representative to participate in the event. The finals was played at theChase Centeron 5 November 2022 betweenT1andDRX, both from theLeague of Legends Champions Korea(LCK). Riot Games collaborated withLil Nas Xto releaseSTAR WALKIN'for the finals. He appeared at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, and he was broadcast through over 20 music stations live for tens of millions of people.In the final, DRX defeated T1 3–2 in a close series, becoming the first team to win the championship after starting from the play-in stage.DRX's top laner, Hwang \"Kingen\" Seong-hoon, was named the MVP of the series.Their victory was considered aCinderellaandunderdogsuccess story, as they had come from the play-in stage as Korea's fourth seed representative, and had beaten some of the more favored and accomplished teams along the way, including the previous worlds championsEdward Gamingin a 3–2 reverse sweep in the quarterfinals, and defeating theLCK Summer Split championsGen.G3–1 in the semifinals. 2023 The 2023 World Championship was held from 10 October to 19 November 2023, with the event taking place in two cities across South Korea:SeoulandBusan. Twenty-two teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.Albeit, one team qualified for the event through the newly inaugurated Worlds Qualifying Series between the fourth-seeded teams from the LEC and LCS. The format for the event differed to the previous editions, with the introduction of a play-in stage, consisting of eight teams who are split into two double elimination brackets. There, three teams qualified to the second stage of the event where the qualifying teams, along with thirteen other teams, faced off in aswiss-system tournamentto determine the qualifiers to the knockout stage, with the eventual champions being crowned at the conclusion of the single-elimination knockout stage. The finals was played at theGocheok Sky Domeon 19 November 2023 betweenWeibo Gamingfrom theLeague of Legends Pro League(LPL), and previous years' finalistT1from theLeague of Legends Champions Korea(LCK).In the final, T1 defeated Weibo Gaming 3–0, extending their record for the most world championships won by single team with four titles.T1's top laner,Choi \"Zeus\" Woo-je, was named the MVP of the series, while teammateLee \"Faker\" Sang-hyeokbecame the first player to win four World Championships. 2024 The 2024 World Championship will be held from 25 September to 2 November 2024, with the event taking place in three cities across Europe:Berlin,ParisandLondon. Twenty-two teams will qualify to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and results gained inthis years' Mid-Season Invitational(MSI), with the LCK and LPL's 4th seeds in the Swiss stage reallocated to the winner and a team from the best performing region of the event. It was revealed during the finals' broadcast of the 2023 World Championship, that the finals of this years' Worlds is set to take place in London atThe O2 Arenaon 2 November 2024. 2025 Details about the 2025 World Championship's location and dates are yet to be known. However, this edition of the tournament will feature 17 teams in total, with the MSI slots being kept and three teams from each ofLeague's new competitive regions (Americas, EMEA, Korea, China and Asia-Pacific) qualifying on top. One best-of-5 play-in match will be held before the Swiss stage between two teams. Trophy Riot Games, which ownsLeague of Legends, commissioned the winner's trophy as the Summoner's Cup. Riot specified that it should weigh 70 pounds (about 32 kilograms), though the actual weight of the finished cup was reduced so it would not be too heavy to lift in victory. The World Championship Cups for 2012 and for 2014 were created byThomas Lyte. In 2022, Riot Games announced the formation of a multi-year partnership with American jewelry brandTiffany & Co., producing a newly designed Summoner's Cup with a weight of 44 pounds (about 20 kilograms). Results By year By region By team Italicsindicates a team/organization has been disbanded, acquired or no longer participates in the regional league. Notes References","Counter-StrikeMajor Championships Counter-StrikeMajor Championships, commonly known as theMajors, areCounter-Strike(CS)esportstournaments sponsored byValve, the game's developer. The first Valve-recognized Major took place in 2013 inJönköping,Swedenand was hosted byDreamHackwith a total prize pool ofUS$250,000split among 16 teams. This, along with the following 18 Majors, was played inCounter-Strike: Global Offensive. As of the 2023 release ofCounter-Strike 2(CS2),Counter-Strikeesports, including the Majors, are played in CS2. Since then, the Major circuit has expanded significantly, with recent tournaments advertising aUS$2,000,000prize pool and featuring twenty-four teams from around the world. The Majors are considered to be the most important and prestigious tournaments in the Counter-Strike scene. The current champions areNatus Vincere, who won their second Major atPGL Major Copenhagen 2024, the first to be held inCounter-Strike 2.Astralishold the record for the most Major titles with four. History Counter-Strike: Global Offensiveis amultiplayerfirst-person shootervideo game developed byHidden Path EntertainmentandValve. It is the fourth game in theCounter-Strikeseries. The first game in the series,Counter-Strike 1.6, was officially released in 2000 and competitive play began soon after. The first significant international tournament was the 2001Cyberathlete Professional LeagueWinter Championship, considered the first \"Major\".The CPL Summer and Winter Championships, along with theWorld Cyber Games,Electronic Sports World CupandIntel Extreme MastersWorld Championships, were considered Majors by the community, although Valve did not sponsor or give any official designation to the tournaments. Swedish teams, most notablySK Gaming,dominated early Majors but the Polish roster known as the Golden Five were the most successful lineup.Many teams from other parts of the world would win Majors, includingTeam 3Dfrom the United States at CPL Winter 2002and WCG 2004,NoA from Norway at CPL Winter 2004,mibrfrom Brazil at ESWC 2006,andWeMade FOXfrom South Korea at WEM 2010. On September 16, 2013, a year after the release ofGlobal Offensive, Valve announced aUS$250,000community-funded prize pool for the first official CS:GO Major.The money was partially community-funded through the game's Arms Deal update, which allowed players to buyin-game skins.Valve announced the tournament would take place in Sweden and would be hosted byDreamHack.The tournament took place in late November and was won by the Swedish teamFnaticwho upsetNinjas in Pyjamasin the finals.After Dreamhack 2013, Valve announced they would partner with tournament organizers to host three Majors per year. These Majors are the most prestigious events in the competitive CS:GO scene, and the professional players' legacies are often judged by their performances at these tournaments. The early Majors were dominated by Swedish teams, as Fnatic and NiP combined to win the four of the first six Majors. NiP would play in five of the first six grand finals. When Fnatic won Cologne 2015, they became the first team to win back to back Majors, and the first to win a third Major in total.Only the Danish teamAstralishas since matched that total. At the end of 2015, Valve announced thatMLGwould host the first Major in North America.On February 23, 2016, withMLG Columbus 2016coming up, Valve announced a permanent increase in the prize pool fromUS$250,000toUS$1,000,000.However, Valve reduced the number of Majors per year from three to two.Luminosity Gaming, a Brazilian team, won the event to becomes the first non-European team to win a Major.This roster would also go on to win back to back Majors, with their second asSK GamingatESL One Cologne 2016. Gambit Esports, made up primarily of players from Kazakhstan, wonPGL Major Kraków 2017to become the first Asian and CIS team to win a Major. On December 13, 2017, the general manager ofELEAGUE, the hosts of theELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018, announced a revised format designed by Valve and ELEAGUE that would expand the number of teams in the Major from sixteen to twenty-four.This was also the first Major to take place in multiple cities, as the group stages took place inAtlantaat theTurner Studios.Cloud9, an American team, won the event to become the first North American team to win a Major. After Boston 2018, the Danish team Astralis became the top team in CS:GO and one of the best teams inCounter-Strikehistory.With wins atLondon 2018,Katowice 2019, andBerlin 2019, Astralis become the first team to win three Majors in a row and four majors total.After Berlin 2019, Valve and ESL announced the following Major,ESL One Rio 2020, which was to be the first Major to be hosted in South America.Rio 2020, originally scheduled for May, was then postponed to November due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. The November Major was announced with aUS$2,000,000prize pool, combining the amounts that would have been set aside for both Majors.In September 2020, the Rio Major was officially canceled due to COVID-19.In December 2020, Valve moved the 2021 Major from May to October and November, citing concerns over the pandemic.On January 14, 2021, Valve announced that the championship would be held between October 23 and November 7 in Stockholm.Over two years after the last Major,PGL Major Stockholm 2021took place, with favouritesNatus Vinceredominating the tournament and becoming the first team in CS:GO history to win a Major without dropping a single map throughout the tournament. PGL Major Stockholm 2021 surpassed the long-standing Counter-Strike viewership record 4 times; reaching 2.75 million concurrent viewers in the final. FaZe Clanwon thePGL Major Antwerp 2022, defeating Natus Vincere 2-0, and becoming the first international team in CS:GO history to win a Major. The previously cancelledESL One Rio 2020Major was replaced withIEM Rio Major 2022and was held inRio de Janeiro, Brazilon October 31 - November 13, 2022.Outsiders, a neutral name for esports organizationVirtus.produe to ties with the Russian government in light of the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, won the tournament defeatingHeroicin the grand final 2-0. BLAST Paris Major 2023was held inParison May 8 - May 21, 2023 with a prize pool of $1,250,000USD.Shortly after the announcement of Counter-Strike 2, the official CS:GO Twitter account announced that the BLAST Paris Major would be the last CS:GO Major with the next major happening in March 2024 in CS2.Team Vitality, a French organization with native star playerMathieu 'ZywOo' Herbaut, defeateddark horseGamerLegionby 2–0 to clinch the final CS:GO Major title. The firstCounter-Strike 2Major was announced to be thePGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024which was held from March 17–31 in theRoyal Arena.On November 12, 2023,Perfect World, who are responsible for distributingCounter-Strike 2in China, announced the second major following the release ofCounter-Strike 2, taking place inShanghaibetween December 1-15, 2024. Format Qualification Starting after Dreamhack 2013, the top eight teams from each Major (those who made it to the playoff stage) earned automatic berths to the next Major.These teams are called \"Legends\". The other eight teams, called \"Challengers\", were decided by regional qualifiers, mainly from Europe and North America.A small number of teams have been directly invited or earned attendance from a last chance qualifier to fill final open spots when necessary.Beginning with theDreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca 2015qualification cycle, Valve created a single 16-team main qualifier before the Major. The bottom eight teams from the previous Major earn automatic berths to the newly formed Major qualifier, and the regional qualifiers now send teams to the main qualifier, instead of directly to the Major. For MLG Columbus 2016 the regional qualifiers, leading into the Major qualifier, were replaced by \"Minors\".The Columbus Minor system involved four regional qualifiers and two \"last chance\" qualifiers, and results in invites going to one team from the Americas, two Asian teams, oneCISteam, one European team, and three last chance qualifier spots. The system was simplified in the following Major,ESL One Cologne 2016, with the removal of the last chance qualifiers.Four Minors—Asia, CIS, Europe, Americas—were used. Two teams from each qualifier would go to the Major qualifier, joining the bottom eight teams from the previous Major.The top eight teams from the 16-team Major qualifier advance to the Major. At ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018, the Major qualifier was integrated into the full Major as the first of three phases, expanding the number of teams in each Major to 24.The Major qualifier was renamed the \"Challengers Stage\", the former group stage was renamed the \"Legends Stage\", and the playoff stage was named the \"Champions Stage\".This increased the number of teams getting automatic invites to Majors to 16, while retaining the Minor system to fill the remaining eight spots in phase one of the Major. The Legends—still made up of the teams who reach the playoff stage—earn an automatic invitation to the Legends Stage of the following Major, while the teams placing 9-16 earn automatic invitations to the Challengers Stage of the following Major.On August 28, 2018, shortly before the start of theFACEIT Major: London 2018, Valve announced that they were reducing the number of automatic Major invites to fourteen, starting with the London 2018 Major: the two teams that go winless in the first phase must go through the Minors to get back to the next Major. From thePGL Major Stockholm 2021onwards, no automatic berths have been given to any team regardless of their record in the previous Major. Instead, a Regional Major Ranking (RMR) system has been used, which at first was a yearly points circuit where each region would have three qualifying tournaments where teams can receive points towards qualifying for the Major, which included Contenders, Challengers and Legends distinctions (As well as the Legends bye) for the top teams within each region.Despite initially being used for the ESL One Rio Major 2020, the event's cancellation would mean that PGL Major Stockholm 2021 was the first Major that utilized the RMR system.The very next Major,PGL Major Antwerp 2022, would scrap the points circuit in favor of qualifying tournaments that bear the RMR name, initially (and still) 2 for Europe (which included the CIS region), 1 for the Americas and 1 for Asia-Pacific. Teams qualify for their regional RMRs via being the top teams in their region in the Valve rankings (before thePerfect World Shanghai Major 2024, the teams who placed in the Legends Stage of the previous Major would qualify automatically for the RMRs) or via online qualifying made up of Open Qualifiers (if needed) and Closed Qualifiers, where the next-best ranked teams compete for the remaining RMR spots. In addition, regions can gain or lose Challengers and Legends spots in the Major based on the region's results from the previous Major, with 3 Challengers spots reserved for Europe and the Americas and 2 for Asia-Pacific. For example, afterPGL Major Copenhagen 2024, the Americas region would go from 1 Legends spot and 4 Challengers spot, to 7 Challengers spots for Perfect World Shanghai, after 4 teams from the Americas qualified for the Elimination Stage, with none making the Playoff stage. Unlike traditional sports or other esports leagues, Valve considers the players in each team to have the Major spots, rather than the organization itself.For instance, at theELEAGUE Major 2017,Team EnVyUsplaced ninth, meaning it would have an automatic berth at the next Major qualifier. However, before the next Major, three of EnVyUs's players transferred toG2 Esports, meaning Team EnVyUs lost its spot at the Major qualifier. Tournament format Although the playoff stage of the Majors has generally followed a standard 8-team single-elimination format, the group stages have changed multiple times. From 2013 to 2016, Majors used a four group GSL format for the group stage.In each four-team group, the two higher seeds would initially face the two lower seeds. The two winners from the first round of matches would then play to determine which team gets the top seed. The two losers would also play to eliminate one team. After this second round of matches, the remaining two teams play to determine which team takes the final playoff spot.All group stage games at the first Majors were best-of-ones. The last Major of 2015 and both Majors in 2016 featured a best-of-three decider in the final match of each group. The group stage of ESL One Cologne 2015 worked differently. Initially, the first three matches of the group stage started out the same way as the standard GSL format, determining the group winner. However, teams were then reassigned afterwards so that the two losers played from different groups and then the decider match would also be teams from different groups. Beginning in 2017, the group stage has featured aSwiss-system group stage.Before the tournament, teams are divided into four pots, with pot one having the four highest seeds, pot two having the next four highest seeds, and so on. A randomly selected team from pot one would face off against a randomly selected team from pot four. The same process is done with the pots two and three. After the initial seeded match, teams play five rounds against randomly drawn teams with the same record.No two teams play twice unless necessary. If a team wins three matches, then that team moves on to the next stage. If a team loses three matches, that team is eliminated. All games were best-of-one until the London 2018 Major. The Boston 2018 Major featured two Swiss group stages; the stage formerly known as the offline Major qualifier was now called the New Challengers stage and the group stage was now rebranded as the New Legends stage. The London 2018 Major used a slightly different form of the Swiss system, called the Buchholz system, in which matchups were seeded instead of random and the last round featured best-of-three sets.The next Major,Katowice 2019, featured a crowdsourcedElo system, in which participating teams ranked the 15 other teams before the Legends Stage to create a seeding system for each round of the Swiss system.TheCopenhagen 2024 Majorwill have the names of the two Swiss stages changed, with the Challengers Stage becoming the Opening Stage and the Legends Stage becoming the Elimination Stage, while the first round match-up seeding for the Swiss stages will be tweaked. The Playoffs, known as the New Champions stage and Champions stage beforehand, have featured eight teams at all Majors. All matches are best-of-three, single-elimination series. When the GSL format was used for group stages, group winners earned top seeds and group runner-ups earned bottom seeds. Each top seed played a bottom seed in quarterfinals. With current Swiss format seeding, the two teams that finish undefeated in the group stage earn the highest seeds. Two of the three lowest seeds from the group stage (teams that advance with two losses) are randomly selected to play against the high seeds. Two of the three middle seeds (teams that advance with one loss) are randomly selected to play each other, and the remaining two teams face each other to finalize the bracket. Banned players Valve has banned players from attending the Majors for violations of competitive integrity. AValve Anti-Cheat(VAC) ban is the most common way players get banned. VAC is an anti-cheat program designed by Valve to detect cheats running in various games, includingCounter-Strike. If cheats are detected, the account is given a permanent lifetime ban from playing on VAC-secured servers. Other server providers, such asFACEITandESEA, have their own anti-cheat systems and work with Valve to detect new cheats.One of the most high-profile VAC bans was given to Hovik \"KQLY\" Tovmassian. KQLY, along with several other professional players, was banned while playing for France's best team,Titan. Valve has also banned players from Valve-sponsored events formatch fixing. The first Valve ban for match fixing was a response to theiBUYPOWER match fixing scandal, in which esports journalistRichard Lewisrevealed that one of North America's best teams, iBUYPOWER, had thrown a match for high-valueskins.Valve indefinitely banned seven players who were involved in the scandal from attending any Majors. Tyler \"Skadoodle\" Latham was the only iBUYPOWER player not to be banned, as he did not receive any payment after the game.Valve would later make the bans permanent, causing some controversy in the Counter-Strike community.Although tournament organizersESLandDreamHacklifted their own bans on the former iBUYPOWER players in 2017,the Major ban effectively ended the high level careers of two of North America's best in-game leaders (Sam \"DaZeD\" Marine and Joshua \"steel\" Nissan) and Braxton \"swag\" Pierce.Skadoodle would go on to win a Major with Cloud9. Following the iBUYPOWER ban, there have been two other match fixing bans, resulting in nine other players being barred from the Majors. List of Major Championships Titles by organization Titles by players Features Stickers Stickers are virtual items in the game which players can buy or get from sticker capsules. The stickers can then be applied toin-game gun skins. Valve has released a sticker design for each team attending a Major since Katowice 2014,and a sticker for each professional player's signature since Cologne 2015.These two types of stickers come in a variety of styles: paper, glitter, holographic, foil, and gold.With each sticker purchase, half of the proceeds go to the player or team and half go to Valve. These sticker capsules are unique for each tournament and can only be purchased at the time of the tournament. Because of this forced rarity, stickers from early majors tend to become more expensive over time.After initially costing less thanUS$10, a \"Titan\" holographic sticker from Katowice 2014 sold on secondary markets forUS$80,000in 2023,making it the most expensive public sticker trade in the game's history. Souvenir packages Souvenir packages are virtual packages containing a gun skin that are exclusive to CS:GO Majors.These \"souvenir skins\" can rank among the most expensive skins in the game because of their rarity. After Cloud9 became the first ever North American CS:GO Major champion at Boston 2018, a souvenir skin with the signature of the finals MVP, Tyler \"Skadoodle\" Latham, sold forUS$61,000. In-game tributes After certain significant or iconic moments inGlobal OffensiveMajors, Valve has added in-game memorials to the location of the event, usually in the form of graffiti or signs.Thus far, there have been six moments in Majors that have been memorialized by Valve, though one graffiti was removed whenDust IIwas updated. Notes References"],"string":"[\n \"ValorantChampions Tour TheValorantChampions Tour(VCT) is a global competitiveesportstournament series for the video gameValorantorganised byRiot Games, the game's developers. The series runs multiple events throughout each season, culminating inValorantChampions, the top-level event of the tour. The VCT was announced in 2020, with its inaugural season taking place in 2021. History 2021–2022: Open-qualifiers era In November 2020,Riot Gamesannounced the firstValorantChampions Tour, a tournament series divided into three tiers: Challengers, Masters, and Champions. Challengers would act as the lowest tier, split into seven regions: North America, Brazil, Latin America (Hispanic America), EMEA, Southeast Asia (later included South Asia and Oceania, become to Asia-Pacific), Korea, Japan. Teams that advance past Challengers would move on to Masters, where teams would not be divided by regions anymore, and the top 16 teams from Masters would move on to Champions, the final tournament of VCT.In February 2021, they announced the VCT Game Changers, a supplementary tournament initiative for women and marginalized genders. Riot hired esports infrastructure company Nerd Street Gamers as operators and producers for all North American Challengers and Masters events.They also hired several third-party companies to broadcast their events, such as Liga de Videojuegos Profesional (LVP) for their Spanish-language broadcasts andLetsPlay.Livefor theirOceaniabroadcasts.The2021 Champions tournamenttook place on December 1–12 at theVerti Music Hallin Berlin, Germany, concluding with team Acend defeatingGambit Esportsin the grand finals by a score of 3–2. Over 10,000 teams competed in the VCT in 2021. Outside of Champions, VCT saw its highest viewership at theReykjavíkMasters tournament in May, with a peak viewership of 1,085,850. The Champions grand finals match in December reached a peak viewership of 1,089,068, making it the VCT's highest peak viewership. Riot made several changes to the format of VCT for its second iteration. While the overall structure of Challengers, Masters, and Champions remained unchanged, it reduced the number of stages of Challengers and Masters events from three to two. VCT Challengers began on February 11, 2022.The2022 ChampionsTournament took place from September 1 to 18 in Istanbul, Turkey. 2023–present: Partnerships era Riot Games announced a new format starting in 2023.The season will be split into three international regions –Americas,EMEA, andPacificinstead of the 7 regions format used in previous years. Each international region will have its own International League that replaces the Challengers to become the domestic competitions to qualify for Masters and Champions. On September 21, 2022, Riot Games announced the thirty teams that had been selected as part of their new partnership format. ForChina, Riot Games showed favor towards players here by given Chinese teams a number of direct slots to participate in global tournaments (Masters and Champions) through third parties competitions in Hong Kong server, instead of having to play through Pacific league. In a June 2023 press conference, Riot COO Whalen Rozelle confirmed that Valorant would launch inChinain July under the name 无畏契约 (\\\"Fearless Contract\\\"), with hopes to launch a VCT league there in 2024.Shortly after in August, Riot announced an own regional league for China, and raising the number of partnered teams to 40. Leagues and format Franchised leagues International Leagues As of 2023, 30 teams are selected to be partner teams in International Leagues for five years with 10 teams per region. Non-partner teams compete in many sub-regions of Challengers events to qualify for \\\"Ascension\\\" events. The Ascension events will have one winner per region, which earns them a two-year promotion into their regions' International League. The promoted teams will have a chance to qualify for the global tournaments (Masters and Champions), as well as get benefits provided to other partnered teams. Each year through the Challengers promotion system, the three International Leagues will expand by one team each, until they reach a cap of 12 teams in each region in 2025 (beforehand this was supposed to be a 14-team cap by 2027). Teams in each International League will play onLANin a centralized local: the Riot Games Arena inLos Angelesfor VCT Americas,Riot Games Arena inBerlinfor VCT EMEA,andSeoulfor VCT Pacific.The Americas and EMEA venues are shared with theLeague of Legendsregional leagues'League Championship Series(LCS) andLeague of Legends EMEA Championship(LEC) respectively. China League Right from global launch, althoughValoranthad not been licensed for release in China, Riot Games showed favor towards Chinese players by allowed Chinese teams to participate in global tournaments (Masters and Champions) through achievements in domestic tournaments organized by third parties, played atHong Kongserver. Since 2024, withValorantlicensed for release servers inmainland, Riot launched the VCT CN specifically for the only country that they considers a pro region on the same level as the three International Leagues for many countries, as well as competition slots for only teams from China at Masters and Champions.They also announced thesecond Mastersevent of the year to take place inShanghaiand released a new Chinese agentIsoalongside previous agentSage. The China League is based at the VCT CN Arena in Shanghai. ValorantMasters TheValorantMasters is an biannualValorantinternational tournament organized by Riot Games in the middle of years since 2021.Similar to theMid-Season InvitationalforLeague of Legends, it is the second most important internationalValoranttournament after Champions.Teams must place near the top of their regional league to qualify for Masters. ValorantChampions TheValorantChampions is the annual professionalValorantworld championship tournament hosted by Riot Games and is the culmination of each VCT season. Teams compete for the world champion title ofValorantesports. Non-franchised leagues Challengers and Ascension Non-partner teams compete in Challengers events of sub-regions in Americas, EMEA and Pacific to qualify for \\\"Ascension\\\", the yearly promotion event to the respective International Leagues. Originally, it was announced that teams would have two-year stays in their International League after winning Ascension, with one team promoted every year until 2026, when two teams would be promoted every year until 2028. The leagues would have 14 teams each, totaling to 42 teams across the three leagues. On June 21, 2024, Riot announced changes to the Ascension format from 2025, with teams promoted to the International Leagues for one-year stays instead, after which they would be relegated toChallengersagain if they did not finish in the top 8 in their region's International League; if they qualified forChampionshowever, they get to stay for another year; if they finished between 5th and 8th in the International League, they qualify for that year'sAscensionfor a chance to keep their place in the league. In 2023-24, there are 23 minor regional leagues across the three international territories.From 2025, decreased to 15. ValorantGame Changers ValorantGame Changers is a series of domestic competitions for women and other marginalized genders withinValorantesports.Teams that finish in top places qualify for theValorant Game Changers Championship, the world championship event of Game Changers, and also earn the chance to be promoted to their region's Challengers league. Results International Leagues & China League winners Global tournaments Teams won titles *Team or organization no longer participates inValorantesports. *Team or organization no longer participates in Tier 1Valorantesports. Regions' titles Ascension winners ValorantGame Changers Championship Awards Masters The original masters trophy was unveiled by Riot at a May 2021 media preview event in the build up to Masters Reykjavik. It features a metal bottom and a glass top. The trophy was redesigned in 2023, again by Volpin Props, to be reusable for Masters tournaments in multiple regions.It stands at 18 inches (46 cm) and features a swappable 'Radianite' core. ForMasters Tokyo, it featured duelist Yoru's ultimateOnimask. The body of the trophy is palladium-plated with plastic components. Champions The Valorant Champions trophy was first unveiled ahead of Valorant Champions 2021. Also designed and built by Volpin Props ofAtlanta, Georgia, it stands at 2 feet (61 cm) tall and is partially 3D-printed, with 24 karat gold decoration overlayed. Notes References External links\",\n \"League of LegendsWorld Championship TheLeague of LegendsWorld Championship(commonly abbreviated asWorlds) is the annual professionalLeague of Legendsworld championship tournament hosted byRiot Gamesand is the culmination of each season. Teams compete for the champion title, the 44-pound (20-kilogram) Summoner's Cup, and a multi-million-dollar championship prize. In 2018, the final was watched by 99.6 million people, breaking2017's final's viewer record.The tournament has been praised for its ceremonial performances,while receiving attention worldwide due to its dramatic and emotional nature. TheLeague of LegendsWorld Championships has gained tremendous success and popularity, making it among the world's most prestigious and watched tournaments, as well as the most watched esports event in the world. The tournament rotates its venues across different major countries and regions each year. South Korea'sT1is the most successful team in the tournament's history, having won four world championships. History Season 1 (2011) The Season 1 Championshipwas held in June 2011 atDreamhack Summer 2011, and featured a US$100,000 tournament prize pool.8 teams from Europe, North America, Southeast Asiaparticipated in the championship.Over 1.6 million viewers watched the streaming broadcast of the event, with a peak of over 210,069 simultaneous viewers in the final.Maciej \\\"Shushei\\\" Ratuszniak of the winning teamFnaticwas named themost valuable player(MVP) of the tournament. Season 2 (2012) After Season 1, Riot announced thatUS$5,000,000 would be paid out over Season 2. Of this $5 million, $2 million went to Riot's partners including theIGN Pro Leagueand other majoresportsassociations. Another $2 million went to Riot's Season 2 qualifiers and championship. The final $1 million went to other organizers who applied to Riot to host independentLeague of Legendstournaments. The Season 2 World Championship was held in early October 2012 inLos Angeles, Californiato conclude theUS$5 million season. Twelve qualifying teams from around the world participated in the championship, which boasted the largest prize pool in the history of esports tournaments at the time atUS$2 million, withUS$1 million going to the champions. The group stage, quarterfinal, and semifinal matches took place between 4 and 6 October. The grand final took place a week after, on 13 October in theUniversity of Southern California'sGalen Centerin front of 10,000 fans, and were broadcast in 13 different languages.In the grand final,Taiwan's professional teamTaipei Assassinstriumphed overSouth Korea's Azubu Frost 3 to 1 and claimed theUS$1 million in prize money. Over 8 million viewers tuned in to the Season 2 World Championship broadcast, with a maximum of 1.1 million concurrent viewers during the grand finale, making the Season 2 World Championship the most watched esports event in history at the time. Season 3 (2013) The Season 3 World Championship was held in late 2013 inLos Angeles, California. 14 teams from North America, Korea, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and one of the emergingLeague of Legendsterritories measured up at the World Playoffs after having qualified through their regional competitions.The grand final was held in theStaples Centeron 4 October 2013, where Korean teamSK Telecom T1defeated the Chinese team Royal Club,granting them the title of the Season 3 world champions, the Summoner's Cup and the $1 million prize. The Season 3 World Championship grand final broadcast on 4 October was watched by 32 million people with a peak concurrent viewership of 8.5 million.The numbers once again beat the previous records for esports viewership. 2014 The 2014 World Championship featured 16 teams competing for a $2.13 million prize pool, with 14 teams qualifying from the primaryLeague of Legendsregions (China, Europe, North America, Korea and Taiwan/SEA) and two international wildcard teams. Riot stopped numbering seasons and instead simply used the year for the 2014 and future championships. The group stage began on 18 September inTaipeiand concluded on 28 September inSingaporewith eight teams advancing to the bracket stage.The bracket stage started on 3 October inBusan, South Korea, and concluded on 19 October with the grand final hosted at the 45,000-seatsSeoul World Cup Stadium,where South Korean teamSamsung Galaxy Whitebeat the Chinese team Star Horn Royal Club to become the 2014League of Legendsworld champions.Support player Cho \\\"Mata\\\" Se-hyeong was named the tournamentmost valuable player(MVP). American bandImagine Dragonscontributed the theme song \\\"Warriors\\\" for the tournament,and performed live on the grand final stage in South Korea.All games were made available for free via live streaming. The 2014 World Championship games were streamed live by 40 broadcast partners and cast in 19 languages. The grand final was watched by 27 million people, with concurrent viewership peaking at over 11 million viewers. 2015 After the 2014 season,Riot Gamesintroduced a number of changes to competitiveLeague of Legends. The number of teams in theLeague Championship Serieswas increased from 8 to 10 in both the North America and Europe regions.A second Riot Games official international tournament was announced, the Mid-Season Invitational, which took place in May 2015, and featured a single team from each major region and one international wildcard.Additionally, starting from 2015, all teams are required to field a head coach in their competitive matches, who will stay on stage and speak with the team via voice-chat in the pick–ban phase of the game. This change makes the head coach an officially recognized member of the team. The 2015 World Championship concluded the 2015 season and was held at several venues across Europe in October 2015. Like the 2014 World Championship, the 2015 World Championship was a multi-city, multi-country event.2015 Worlds was won bySK Telecom T1, their second title, as they won the 2013 Worlds too. SKT top lanerJang \\\"MaRin\\\" Gyeong-hwanwas named the tournamentmost valuable player(MVP). The final was watched by 36 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14 million viewers. 2016 The various stages of the 2016 Worlds were held throughout theUnited StatesinChicago,San Francisco,New York City, and the final inLos Angeles. The groups of teams were decided through a live group draw show on 10 September. The games were played on the 6.18 patch of the game with Yorick disabled, and Aurelion Sol disabled for days 1–3. There were 16 teams and 4 groups that consisted of 4 teams. The group stage was Bo1 and the top two teams from each group would advance to the Knockout Stage. The Knockout Stage was Bo5 and the #1 vs #2 teams from each group would face each other in the bracket. The total prize pool was US$5,070,000 and it was spread among the teams. The first place (SK Telecom T1) took $2,028,000, the second team (Samsung Galaxy) took $760,500, and the third and fourth place (ROX Tigers and H2K) took $380,250 divided among the 2 teams. The rest of the prize pool was distributed among the 5th–16th places. SKT won 3–2 versus Samsung Galaxy in the 2016 World Championship final, with Faker winning the MVP award.The final was watched by 43 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14.7 million viewers, breaking 2015's final's viewer records. 2017 The 2017 World Championship series started in September 2017, and concluded in November 2017. It was held in 4 different locations throughout China:Wuhan(play-in and groups),Guangzhou(quarterfinals),Shanghai(semifinals), andBeijing(final).It was played on patch 7.18, with the newest champion Ornn being disabled. Patch 7.18 is slightly older than patches 7.19 and 7.20, which are the new standard for online matches during the September - November period. The most notable difference being the stronger Ardent Censer support meta with patch 7.18. A total of 24 teams participated in the tournament: 3 teams from South Korea, China, North America, Europe and Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau; 1 team from Brazil, Latin America North, Latin America South, Japan, Oceania, Turkey, Southeast Asia and CIS/Russia; and 1 team from the Wildcard region with the highest rank finish at the 2017 Mid-Season Invitational (GPL in Southeast Asia, due to Gigabyte Marines from Vietnam prevailing there, and Vietnam received 1 more slot for VCS's second seed to participate GPL 2017 summer split). Samsung Galaxy reversed the previous year's result and defeated SK Telecom T1 3–0 in the 2017 World Championship final.Park \\\"Ruler\\\" Jae-hyuk, the AD carry of Samsung, was named MVP.The final was watched by 60 million people, breaking 2016's final's viewer records. The tournament is widely praised for its high quality of plays and amazing ceremonial performances, while receiving worldwide attention for its dramatic and emotional series. It is currently the most watched tournament inLeague of Legends'history and is lauded as one of the best. 2018 The 2018 World Championship was held from 1 October to 3 November, 2018, in 4 cities acrossSouth Korea:Seoul(play-in),Busan(groups & quarterfinals),Gwangju(semifinals), andIncheon(final).Twenty four teams qualified for the tournament based on their placement in regional circuits such as those in North America, Europe, South Korea, and China, with twelve of those teams having to reach the group stage via a play-in round. The 2018 World Championship was played on Patch 8.19. Notably, champions Aatrox, Alistar and Urgot were extremely prevalent in the tournament, with the three characters being picked or banned in over 90 percent of the 78 games played.The World Championship final was played between Invictus Gaming and Fnatic. Invictus Gaming won 3–0 against Fnatic, granting China and theLPLtheir first World Championship. Gao \\\"Ning\\\" Zhenning was named the MVP of the series in their victory.The final was watched by 99.6 million unique viewers, with concurrent viewership reaching a peak of 44 million viewers, breaking 2017's final's viewership record. 2019 The 2019 World Championship was held between 2 October to 10 November 2019, in three countries and cities inEurope:Berlin(play-in & groups),Madrid(quarterfinals and semifinals), andParis(final).Twenty-four teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play. The 2019 World Championship was played on Patch 9.19 from start to finish.The World Championship final was played on 10 November 2019 betweenLPL'sFunPlus PhoenixandLEC'sG2 EsportsatAccorHotels Arenain Paris. FunPlus Phoenix won 3–0 against G2 Esports, granting China and the LPL back-to-back World Championships. Gao \\\"Tian\\\" Tianliang was named the MVP of the series in their victory.The final was watched by more than 100 million viewers, peaking at 44 million concurrent views. 2020 The 2020 World Championship was held from 25 September to 31 October 2020 inShanghai, China. 22 teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.As a result of travel restrictions related to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the two teams that qualified from theVietnam Championship Serieswere unable to attend the event. All games leading up to the final were hosted in the Shanghai Media Tech Studio with no fans in attendance. The final was hosted in thePudong Football Stadiumas the building's inaugural event, hosting a limited number of 6,312 fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The final was played on 31 October 2020 betweenSuning, from China'sLeague of Legends Pro League, andDamwon Gaming, fromLeague of Legends Champions Korea, with Damwon Gaming winning the championship 3–1. During the second game, Suning's top laner Chen \\\"Bin\\\" Zebin achieved the first \\\"Pentakill\\\" in the final of a World Championship.Damwon Gaming's jungler, Kim \\\"Canyon\\\" Geon-bu, was named the MVP of the series.Damwon's win ended the LPL's back-to-back streak of world championship victories.The final was watched at its peak by 46.07 million viewers. 2021 The 2021 World Championship was held from 5 October to 6 November 2021 inReykjavík, Iceland. In line with last year's iteration, 22 teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.As a result of travel restrictions related to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the two teams that qualified from theVietnam Championship Serieswere once again unable to attend the event. All games of the tournament were hosted in theLaugardalshöll, with no fans in attendance due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in Iceland. The final was played on 6 November 2021 betweenEdward Gaming, from China'sLeague of Legends Pro League, and defending championsDWG KIA(formerly Damwon Gaming), fromLeague of Legends Champions Korea, with Edward Gaming winning the championship 3–2, ending DWG KIA's chance to win back-to-back world championships.Edward Gaming's mid laner, Lee \\\"Scout\\\" Ye-chan, was named the MVP of the series.The final had an average audience of 30.6 million, peaking at 73.86 million concurrent viewers. 2022 The 2022 World Championship was held from 29 September to 5 November, 2022, with the event taking place in 4 cities acrossNorth America:Mexico City(play-in),New York City(groups & quarterfinals),Atlanta(semifinals) andSan Francisco(finals).Twenty-four teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.As a result of theRussian invasion of Ukraine, theLeague of Legends Continental Leaguefrom theCISregion was unable to send a representative to participate in the event. The finals was played at theChase Centeron 5 November 2022 betweenT1andDRX, both from theLeague of Legends Champions Korea(LCK). Riot Games collaborated withLil Nas Xto releaseSTAR WALKIN'for the finals. He appeared at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California, and he was broadcast through over 20 music stations live for tens of millions of people.In the final, DRX defeated T1 3–2 in a close series, becoming the first team to win the championship after starting from the play-in stage.DRX's top laner, Hwang \\\"Kingen\\\" Seong-hoon, was named the MVP of the series.Their victory was considered aCinderellaandunderdogsuccess story, as they had come from the play-in stage as Korea's fourth seed representative, and had beaten some of the more favored and accomplished teams along the way, including the previous worlds championsEdward Gamingin a 3–2 reverse sweep in the quarterfinals, and defeating theLCK Summer Split championsGen.G3–1 in the semifinals. 2023 The 2023 World Championship was held from 10 October to 19 November 2023, with the event taking place in two cities across South Korea:SeoulandBusan. Twenty-two teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.Albeit, one team qualified for the event through the newly inaugurated Worlds Qualifying Series between the fourth-seeded teams from the LEC and LCS. The format for the event differed to the previous editions, with the introduction of a play-in stage, consisting of eight teams who are split into two double elimination brackets. There, three teams qualified to the second stage of the event where the qualifying teams, along with thirteen other teams, faced off in aswiss-system tournamentto determine the qualifiers to the knockout stage, with the eventual champions being crowned at the conclusion of the single-elimination knockout stage. The finals was played at theGocheok Sky Domeon 19 November 2023 betweenWeibo Gamingfrom theLeague of Legends Pro League(LPL), and previous years' finalistT1from theLeague of Legends Champions Korea(LCK).In the final, T1 defeated Weibo Gaming 3–0, extending their record for the most world championships won by single team with four titles.T1's top laner,Choi \\\"Zeus\\\" Woo-je, was named the MVP of the series, while teammateLee \\\"Faker\\\" Sang-hyeokbecame the first player to win four World Championships. 2024 The 2024 World Championship will be held from 25 September to 2 November 2024, with the event taking place in three cities across Europe:Berlin,ParisandLondon. Twenty-two teams will qualify to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and results gained inthis years' Mid-Season Invitational(MSI), with the LCK and LPL's 4th seeds in the Swiss stage reallocated to the winner and a team from the best performing region of the event. It was revealed during the finals' broadcast of the 2023 World Championship, that the finals of this years' Worlds is set to take place in London atThe O2 Arenaon 2 November 2024. 2025 Details about the 2025 World Championship's location and dates are yet to be known. However, this edition of the tournament will feature 17 teams in total, with the MSI slots being kept and three teams from each ofLeague's new competitive regions (Americas, EMEA, Korea, China and Asia-Pacific) qualifying on top. One best-of-5 play-in match will be held before the Swiss stage between two teams. Trophy Riot Games, which ownsLeague of Legends, commissioned the winner's trophy as the Summoner's Cup. Riot specified that it should weigh 70 pounds (about 32 kilograms), though the actual weight of the finished cup was reduced so it would not be too heavy to lift in victory. The World Championship Cups for 2012 and for 2014 were created byThomas Lyte. In 2022, Riot Games announced the formation of a multi-year partnership with American jewelry brandTiffany & Co., producing a newly designed Summoner's Cup with a weight of 44 pounds (about 20 kilograms). Results By year By region By team Italicsindicates a team/organization has been disbanded, acquired or no longer participates in the regional league. Notes References\",\n \"Counter-StrikeMajor Championships Counter-StrikeMajor Championships, commonly known as theMajors, areCounter-Strike(CS)esportstournaments sponsored byValve, the game's developer. The first Valve-recognized Major took place in 2013 inJönköping,Swedenand was hosted byDreamHackwith a total prize pool ofUS$250,000split among 16 teams. This, along with the following 18 Majors, was played inCounter-Strike: Global Offensive. As of the 2023 release ofCounter-Strike 2(CS2),Counter-Strikeesports, including the Majors, are played in CS2. Since then, the Major circuit has expanded significantly, with recent tournaments advertising aUS$2,000,000prize pool and featuring twenty-four teams from around the world. The Majors are considered to be the most important and prestigious tournaments in the Counter-Strike scene. The current champions areNatus Vincere, who won their second Major atPGL Major Copenhagen 2024, the first to be held inCounter-Strike 2.Astralishold the record for the most Major titles with four. History Counter-Strike: Global Offensiveis amultiplayerfirst-person shootervideo game developed byHidden Path EntertainmentandValve. It is the fourth game in theCounter-Strikeseries. The first game in the series,Counter-Strike 1.6, was officially released in 2000 and competitive play began soon after. The first significant international tournament was the 2001Cyberathlete Professional LeagueWinter Championship, considered the first \\\"Major\\\".The CPL Summer and Winter Championships, along with theWorld Cyber Games,Electronic Sports World CupandIntel Extreme MastersWorld Championships, were considered Majors by the community, although Valve did not sponsor or give any official designation to the tournaments. Swedish teams, most notablySK Gaming,dominated early Majors but the Polish roster known as the Golden Five were the most successful lineup.Many teams from other parts of the world would win Majors, includingTeam 3Dfrom the United States at CPL Winter 2002and WCG 2004,NoA from Norway at CPL Winter 2004,mibrfrom Brazil at ESWC 2006,andWeMade FOXfrom South Korea at WEM 2010. On September 16, 2013, a year after the release ofGlobal Offensive, Valve announced aUS$250,000community-funded prize pool for the first official CS:GO Major.The money was partially community-funded through the game's Arms Deal update, which allowed players to buyin-game skins.Valve announced the tournament would take place in Sweden and would be hosted byDreamHack.The tournament took place in late November and was won by the Swedish teamFnaticwho upsetNinjas in Pyjamasin the finals.After Dreamhack 2013, Valve announced they would partner with tournament organizers to host three Majors per year. These Majors are the most prestigious events in the competitive CS:GO scene, and the professional players' legacies are often judged by their performances at these tournaments. The early Majors were dominated by Swedish teams, as Fnatic and NiP combined to win the four of the first six Majors. NiP would play in five of the first six grand finals. When Fnatic won Cologne 2015, they became the first team to win back to back Majors, and the first to win a third Major in total.Only the Danish teamAstralishas since matched that total. At the end of 2015, Valve announced thatMLGwould host the first Major in North America.On February 23, 2016, withMLG Columbus 2016coming up, Valve announced a permanent increase in the prize pool fromUS$250,000toUS$1,000,000.However, Valve reduced the number of Majors per year from three to two.Luminosity Gaming, a Brazilian team, won the event to becomes the first non-European team to win a Major.This roster would also go on to win back to back Majors, with their second asSK GamingatESL One Cologne 2016. Gambit Esports, made up primarily of players from Kazakhstan, wonPGL Major Kraków 2017to become the first Asian and CIS team to win a Major. On December 13, 2017, the general manager ofELEAGUE, the hosts of theELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018, announced a revised format designed by Valve and ELEAGUE that would expand the number of teams in the Major from sixteen to twenty-four.This was also the first Major to take place in multiple cities, as the group stages took place inAtlantaat theTurner Studios.Cloud9, an American team, won the event to become the first North American team to win a Major. After Boston 2018, the Danish team Astralis became the top team in CS:GO and one of the best teams inCounter-Strikehistory.With wins atLondon 2018,Katowice 2019, andBerlin 2019, Astralis become the first team to win three Majors in a row and four majors total.After Berlin 2019, Valve and ESL announced the following Major,ESL One Rio 2020, which was to be the first Major to be hosted in South America.Rio 2020, originally scheduled for May, was then postponed to November due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. The November Major was announced with aUS$2,000,000prize pool, combining the amounts that would have been set aside for both Majors.In September 2020, the Rio Major was officially canceled due to COVID-19.In December 2020, Valve moved the 2021 Major from May to October and November, citing concerns over the pandemic.On January 14, 2021, Valve announced that the championship would be held between October 23 and November 7 in Stockholm.Over two years after the last Major,PGL Major Stockholm 2021took place, with favouritesNatus Vinceredominating the tournament and becoming the first team in CS:GO history to win a Major without dropping a single map throughout the tournament. PGL Major Stockholm 2021 surpassed the long-standing Counter-Strike viewership record 4 times; reaching 2.75 million concurrent viewers in the final. FaZe Clanwon thePGL Major Antwerp 2022, defeating Natus Vincere 2-0, and becoming the first international team in CS:GO history to win a Major. The previously cancelledESL One Rio 2020Major was replaced withIEM Rio Major 2022and was held inRio de Janeiro, Brazilon October 31 - November 13, 2022.Outsiders, a neutral name for esports organizationVirtus.produe to ties with the Russian government in light of the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, won the tournament defeatingHeroicin the grand final 2-0. BLAST Paris Major 2023was held inParison May 8 - May 21, 2023 with a prize pool of $1,250,000USD.Shortly after the announcement of Counter-Strike 2, the official CS:GO Twitter account announced that the BLAST Paris Major would be the last CS:GO Major with the next major happening in March 2024 in CS2.Team Vitality, a French organization with native star playerMathieu 'ZywOo' Herbaut, defeateddark horseGamerLegionby 2–0 to clinch the final CS:GO Major title. The firstCounter-Strike 2Major was announced to be thePGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024which was held from March 17–31 in theRoyal Arena.On November 12, 2023,Perfect World, who are responsible for distributingCounter-Strike 2in China, announced the second major following the release ofCounter-Strike 2, taking place inShanghaibetween December 1-15, 2024. Format Qualification Starting after Dreamhack 2013, the top eight teams from each Major (those who made it to the playoff stage) earned automatic berths to the next Major.These teams are called \\\"Legends\\\". The other eight teams, called \\\"Challengers\\\", were decided by regional qualifiers, mainly from Europe and North America.A small number of teams have been directly invited or earned attendance from a last chance qualifier to fill final open spots when necessary.Beginning with theDreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca 2015qualification cycle, Valve created a single 16-team main qualifier before the Major. The bottom eight teams from the previous Major earn automatic berths to the newly formed Major qualifier, and the regional qualifiers now send teams to the main qualifier, instead of directly to the Major. For MLG Columbus 2016 the regional qualifiers, leading into the Major qualifier, were replaced by \\\"Minors\\\".The Columbus Minor system involved four regional qualifiers and two \\\"last chance\\\" qualifiers, and results in invites going to one team from the Americas, two Asian teams, oneCISteam, one European team, and three last chance qualifier spots. The system was simplified in the following Major,ESL One Cologne 2016, with the removal of the last chance qualifiers.Four Minors—Asia, CIS, Europe, Americas—were used. Two teams from each qualifier would go to the Major qualifier, joining the bottom eight teams from the previous Major.The top eight teams from the 16-team Major qualifier advance to the Major. At ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018, the Major qualifier was integrated into the full Major as the first of three phases, expanding the number of teams in each Major to 24.The Major qualifier was renamed the \\\"Challengers Stage\\\", the former group stage was renamed the \\\"Legends Stage\\\", and the playoff stage was named the \\\"Champions Stage\\\".This increased the number of teams getting automatic invites to Majors to 16, while retaining the Minor system to fill the remaining eight spots in phase one of the Major. The Legends—still made up of the teams who reach the playoff stage—earn an automatic invitation to the Legends Stage of the following Major, while the teams placing 9-16 earn automatic invitations to the Challengers Stage of the following Major.On August 28, 2018, shortly before the start of theFACEIT Major: London 2018, Valve announced that they were reducing the number of automatic Major invites to fourteen, starting with the London 2018 Major: the two teams that go winless in the first phase must go through the Minors to get back to the next Major. From thePGL Major Stockholm 2021onwards, no automatic berths have been given to any team regardless of their record in the previous Major. Instead, a Regional Major Ranking (RMR) system has been used, which at first was a yearly points circuit where each region would have three qualifying tournaments where teams can receive points towards qualifying for the Major, which included Contenders, Challengers and Legends distinctions (As well as the Legends bye) for the top teams within each region.Despite initially being used for the ESL One Rio Major 2020, the event's cancellation would mean that PGL Major Stockholm 2021 was the first Major that utilized the RMR system.The very next Major,PGL Major Antwerp 2022, would scrap the points circuit in favor of qualifying tournaments that bear the RMR name, initially (and still) 2 for Europe (which included the CIS region), 1 for the Americas and 1 for Asia-Pacific. Teams qualify for their regional RMRs via being the top teams in their region in the Valve rankings (before thePerfect World Shanghai Major 2024, the teams who placed in the Legends Stage of the previous Major would qualify automatically for the RMRs) or via online qualifying made up of Open Qualifiers (if needed) and Closed Qualifiers, where the next-best ranked teams compete for the remaining RMR spots. In addition, regions can gain or lose Challengers and Legends spots in the Major based on the region's results from the previous Major, with 3 Challengers spots reserved for Europe and the Americas and 2 for Asia-Pacific. For example, afterPGL Major Copenhagen 2024, the Americas region would go from 1 Legends spot and 4 Challengers spot, to 7 Challengers spots for Perfect World Shanghai, after 4 teams from the Americas qualified for the Elimination Stage, with none making the Playoff stage. Unlike traditional sports or other esports leagues, Valve considers the players in each team to have the Major spots, rather than the organization itself.For instance, at theELEAGUE Major 2017,Team EnVyUsplaced ninth, meaning it would have an automatic berth at the next Major qualifier. However, before the next Major, three of EnVyUs's players transferred toG2 Esports, meaning Team EnVyUs lost its spot at the Major qualifier. Tournament format Although the playoff stage of the Majors has generally followed a standard 8-team single-elimination format, the group stages have changed multiple times. From 2013 to 2016, Majors used a four group GSL format for the group stage.In each four-team group, the two higher seeds would initially face the two lower seeds. The two winners from the first round of matches would then play to determine which team gets the top seed. The two losers would also play to eliminate one team. After this second round of matches, the remaining two teams play to determine which team takes the final playoff spot.All group stage games at the first Majors were best-of-ones. The last Major of 2015 and both Majors in 2016 featured a best-of-three decider in the final match of each group. The group stage of ESL One Cologne 2015 worked differently. Initially, the first three matches of the group stage started out the same way as the standard GSL format, determining the group winner. However, teams were then reassigned afterwards so that the two losers played from different groups and then the decider match would also be teams from different groups. Beginning in 2017, the group stage has featured aSwiss-system group stage.Before the tournament, teams are divided into four pots, with pot one having the four highest seeds, pot two having the next four highest seeds, and so on. A randomly selected team from pot one would face off against a randomly selected team from pot four. The same process is done with the pots two and three. After the initial seeded match, teams play five rounds against randomly drawn teams with the same record.No two teams play twice unless necessary. If a team wins three matches, then that team moves on to the next stage. If a team loses three matches, that team is eliminated. All games were best-of-one until the London 2018 Major. The Boston 2018 Major featured two Swiss group stages; the stage formerly known as the offline Major qualifier was now called the New Challengers stage and the group stage was now rebranded as the New Legends stage. The London 2018 Major used a slightly different form of the Swiss system, called the Buchholz system, in which matchups were seeded instead of random and the last round featured best-of-three sets.The next Major,Katowice 2019, featured a crowdsourcedElo system, in which participating teams ranked the 15 other teams before the Legends Stage to create a seeding system for each round of the Swiss system.TheCopenhagen 2024 Majorwill have the names of the two Swiss stages changed, with the Challengers Stage becoming the Opening Stage and the Legends Stage becoming the Elimination Stage, while the first round match-up seeding for the Swiss stages will be tweaked. The Playoffs, known as the New Champions stage and Champions stage beforehand, have featured eight teams at all Majors. All matches are best-of-three, single-elimination series. When the GSL format was used for group stages, group winners earned top seeds and group runner-ups earned bottom seeds. Each top seed played a bottom seed in quarterfinals. With current Swiss format seeding, the two teams that finish undefeated in the group stage earn the highest seeds. Two of the three lowest seeds from the group stage (teams that advance with two losses) are randomly selected to play against the high seeds. Two of the three middle seeds (teams that advance with one loss) are randomly selected to play each other, and the remaining two teams face each other to finalize the bracket. Banned players Valve has banned players from attending the Majors for violations of competitive integrity. AValve Anti-Cheat(VAC) ban is the most common way players get banned. VAC is an anti-cheat program designed by Valve to detect cheats running in various games, includingCounter-Strike. If cheats are detected, the account is given a permanent lifetime ban from playing on VAC-secured servers. Other server providers, such asFACEITandESEA, have their own anti-cheat systems and work with Valve to detect new cheats.One of the most high-profile VAC bans was given to Hovik \\\"KQLY\\\" Tovmassian. KQLY, along with several other professional players, was banned while playing for France's best team,Titan. Valve has also banned players from Valve-sponsored events formatch fixing. The first Valve ban for match fixing was a response to theiBUYPOWER match fixing scandal, in which esports journalistRichard Lewisrevealed that one of North America's best teams, iBUYPOWER, had thrown a match for high-valueskins.Valve indefinitely banned seven players who were involved in the scandal from attending any Majors. Tyler \\\"Skadoodle\\\" Latham was the only iBUYPOWER player not to be banned, as he did not receive any payment after the game.Valve would later make the bans permanent, causing some controversy in the Counter-Strike community.Although tournament organizersESLandDreamHacklifted their own bans on the former iBUYPOWER players in 2017,the Major ban effectively ended the high level careers of two of North America's best in-game leaders (Sam \\\"DaZeD\\\" Marine and Joshua \\\"steel\\\" Nissan) and Braxton \\\"swag\\\" Pierce.Skadoodle would go on to win a Major with Cloud9. Following the iBUYPOWER ban, there have been two other match fixing bans, resulting in nine other players being barred from the Majors. List of Major Championships Titles by organization Titles by players Features Stickers Stickers are virtual items in the game which players can buy or get from sticker capsules. The stickers can then be applied toin-game gun skins. Valve has released a sticker design for each team attending a Major since Katowice 2014,and a sticker for each professional player's signature since Cologne 2015.These two types of stickers come in a variety of styles: paper, glitter, holographic, foil, and gold.With each sticker purchase, half of the proceeds go to the player or team and half go to Valve. These sticker capsules are unique for each tournament and can only be purchased at the time of the tournament. Because of this forced rarity, stickers from early majors tend to become more expensive over time.After initially costing less thanUS$10, a \\\"Titan\\\" holographic sticker from Katowice 2014 sold on secondary markets forUS$80,000in 2023,making it the most expensive public sticker trade in the game's history. Souvenir packages Souvenir packages are virtual packages containing a gun skin that are exclusive to CS:GO Majors.These \\\"souvenir skins\\\" can rank among the most expensive skins in the game because of their rarity. After Cloud9 became the first ever North American CS:GO Major champion at Boston 2018, a souvenir skin with the signature of the finals MVP, Tyler \\\"Skadoodle\\\" Latham, sold forUS$61,000. In-game tributes After certain significant or iconic moments inGlobal OffensiveMajors, Valve has added in-game memorials to the location of the event, usually in the form of graffiti or signs.Thus far, there have been six moments in Majors that have been memorialized by Valve, though one graffiti was removed whenDust IIwas updated. Notes References\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["ValorantChampions Tour TheValorantChampions Tour(VCT) is a global competitiveesportstournament series for the video gameValorantorganised byRiot Games, the game's developers. The series runs multiple events throughout each season, culminating inValorantChampions, the top-level event of the tour. The VCT was announced in 2020, with its inaugural season taking place in 2021. History 2021–2022: Open-qualifiers era In November 2020,Riot Gamesannounced the firstValorantChampions Tour, a tournament series divided into three tiers: Challengers, Masters, and Champions. Challengers would act as the lowest tier, split into seven regions: North America, Brazil, Latin America (Hispanic America), EMEA, Southeast Asia (later included South Asia and Oceania, become to Asia-Pacific), Korea, Japan. Teams that advance past Challengers would move on to Masters, where teams would not be divided by regions anymore, and the top 16 teams from Masters would move on to Champions, the final tournament of VCT.In February 2021, they","February 2021, they announced the VCT Game Changers, a supplementary tournament initiative for women and marginalized genders. Riot hired esports infrastructure company Nerd Street Gamers as operators and producers for all North American Challengers and Masters events.They also hired several third-party companies to broadcast their events, such as Liga de Videojuegos Profesional (LVP) for their Spanish-language broadcasts andLetsPlay.Livefor theirOceaniabroadcasts.The2021 Champions tournamenttook place on December 1–12 at theVerti Music Hallin Berlin, Germany, concluding with team Acend defeatingGambit Esportsin the grand finals by a score of 3–2. Over 10,000 teams competed in the VCT in 2021. Outside of Champions, VCT saw its highest viewership at theReykjavíkMasters tournament in May, with a peak viewership of 1,085,850. The Champions grand finals match in December reached a peak viewership of 1,089,068, making it the VCT's highest peak viewership. Riot made several changes to the format of VCT for its","of VCT for its second iteration. While the overall structure of Challengers, Masters, and Champions remained unchanged, it reduced the number of stages of Challengers and Masters events from three to two. VCT Challengers began on February 11, 2022.The2022 ChampionsTournament took place from September 1 to 18 in Istanbul, Turkey. 2023–present: Partnerships era Riot Games announced a new format starting in 2023.The season will be split into three international regions –Americas,EMEA, andPacificinstead of the 7 regions format used in previous years. Each international region will have its own International League that replaces the Challengers to become the domestic competitions to qualify for Masters and Champions. On September 21, 2022, Riot Games announced the thirty teams that had been selected as part of their new partnership format. ForChina, Riot Games showed favor towards players here by given Chinese teams a number of direct slots to participate in global tournaments (Masters and Champions) through","Champions) through third parties competitions in Hong Kong server, instead of having to play through Pacific league. In a June 2023 press conference, Riot COO Whalen Rozelle confirmed that Valorant would launch inChinain July under the name 无畏契约 (\"Fearless Contract\"), with hopes to launch a VCT league there in 2024.Shortly after in August, Riot announced an own regional league for China, and raising the number of partnered teams to 40. Leagues and format Franchised leagues International Leagues As of 2023, 30 teams are selected to be partner teams in International Leagues for five years with 10 teams per region. Non-partner teams compete in many sub-regions of Challengers events to qualify for \"Ascension\" events. The Ascension events will have one winner per region, which earns them a two-year promotion into their regions' International League. The promoted teams will have a chance to qualify for the global tournaments (Masters and Champions), as well as get benefits provided to other partnered teams. Each","teams. Each year through the Challengers promotion system, the three International Leagues will expand by one team each, until they reach a cap of 12 teams in each region in 2025 (beforehand this was supposed to be a 14-team cap by 2027). Teams in each International League will play onLANin a centralized local: the Riot Games Arena inLos Angelesfor VCT Americas,Riot Games Arena inBerlinfor VCT EMEA,andSeoulfor VCT Pacific.The Americas and EMEA venues are shared with theLeague of Legendsregional leagues'League Championship Series(LCS) andLeague of Legends EMEA Championship(LEC) respectively. China League Right from global launch, althoughValoranthad not been licensed for release in China, Riot Games showed favor towards Chinese players by allowed Chinese teams to participate in global tournaments (Masters and Champions) through achievements in domestic tournaments organized by third parties, played atHong Kongserver. Since 2024, withValorantlicensed for release servers inmainland, Riot launched the VCT CN","launched the VCT CN specifically for the only country that they considers a pro region on the same level as the three International Leagues for many countries, as well as competition slots for only teams from China at Masters and Champions.They also announced thesecond Mastersevent of the year to take place inShanghaiand released a new Chinese agentIsoalongside previous agentSage. The China League is based at the VCT CN Arena in Shanghai. ValorantMasters TheValorantMasters is an biannualValorantinternational tournament organized by Riot Games in the middle of years since 2021.Similar to theMid-Season InvitationalforLeague of Legends, it is the second most important internationalValoranttournament after Champions.Teams must place near the top of their regional league to qualify for Masters. ValorantChampions TheValorantChampions is the annual professionalValorantworld championship tournament hosted by Riot Games and is the culmination of each VCT season. Teams compete for the world champion title","champion title ofValorantesports. Non-franchised leagues Challengers and Ascension Non-partner teams compete in Challengers events of sub-regions in Americas, EMEA and Pacific to qualify for \"Ascension\", the yearly promotion event to the respective International Leagues. Originally, it was announced that teams would have two-year stays in their International League after winning Ascension, with one team promoted every year until 2026, when two teams would be promoted every year until 2028. The leagues would have 14 teams each, totaling to 42 teams across the three leagues. On June 21, 2024, Riot announced changes to the Ascension format from 2025, with teams promoted to the International Leagues for one-year stays instead, after which they would be relegated toChallengersagain if they did not finish in the top 8 in their region's International League; if they qualified forChampionshowever, they get to stay for another year; if they finished between 5th and 8th in the International League, they qualify for","they qualify for that year'sAscensionfor a chance to keep their place in the league. In 2023-24, there are 23 minor regional leagues across the three international territories.From 2025, decreased to 15. ValorantGame Changers ValorantGame Changers is a series of domestic competitions for women and other marginalized genders withinValorantesports.Teams that finish in top places qualify for theValorant Game Changers Championship, the world championship event of Game Changers, and also earn the chance to be promoted to their region's Challengers league. Results International Leagues & China League winners Global tournaments Teams won titles *Team or organization no longer participates inValorantesports. *Team or organization no longer participates in Tier 1Valorantesports. Regions' titles Ascension winners ValorantGame Changers Championship Awards Masters The original masters trophy was unveiled by Riot at a May 2021 media preview event in the build up to Masters Reykjavik. It features a metal bottom and a","metal bottom and a glass top. The trophy was redesigned in 2023, again by Volpin Props, to be reusable for Masters tournaments in multiple regions.It stands at 18 inches (46 cm) and features a swappable 'Radianite' core. ForMasters Tokyo, it featured duelist Yoru's ultimateOnimask. The body of the trophy is palladium-plated with plastic components. Champions The Valorant Champions trophy was first unveiled ahead of Valorant Champions 2021. Also designed and built by Volpin Props ofAtlanta, Georgia, it stands at 2 feet (61 cm) tall and is partially 3D-printed, with 24 karat gold decoration overlayed. Notes References External links","League of LegendsWorld Championship TheLeague of LegendsWorld Championship(commonly abbreviated asWorlds) is the annual professionalLeague of Legendsworld championship tournament hosted byRiot Gamesand is the culmination of each season. Teams compete for the champion title, the 44-pound (20-kilogram) Summoner's Cup, and a multi-million-dollar championship prize. In 2018, the final was watched by 99.6 million people, breaking2017's final's viewer record.The tournament has been praised for its ceremonial performances,while receiving attention worldwide due to its dramatic and emotional nature. TheLeague of LegendsWorld Championships has gained tremendous success and popularity, making it among the world's most prestigious and watched tournaments, as well as the most watched esports event in the world. The tournament rotates its venues across different major countries and regions each year. South Korea'sT1is the most successful team in the tournament's history, having won four world championships. History Season","History Season 1 (2011) The Season 1 Championshipwas held in June 2011 atDreamhack Summer 2011, and featured a US$100,000 tournament prize pool.8 teams from Europe, North America, Southeast Asiaparticipated in the championship.Over 1.6 million viewers watched the streaming broadcast of the event, with a peak of over 210,069 simultaneous viewers in the final.Maciej \"Shushei\" Ratuszniak of the winning teamFnaticwas named themost valuable player(MVP) of the tournament. Season 2 (2012) After Season 1, Riot announced thatUS$5,000,000 would be paid out over Season 2. Of this $5 million, $2 million went to Riot's partners including theIGN Pro Leagueand other majoresportsassociations. Another $2 million went to Riot's Season 2 qualifiers and championship. The final $1 million went to other organizers who applied to Riot to host independentLeague of Legendstournaments. The Season 2 World Championship was held in early October 2012 inLos Angeles, Californiato conclude theUS$5 million season. Twelve qualifying teams","qualifying teams from around the world participated in the championship, which boasted the largest prize pool in the history of esports tournaments at the time atUS$2 million, withUS$1 million going to the champions. The group stage, quarterfinal, and semifinal matches took place between 4 and 6 October. The grand final took place a week after, on 13 October in theUniversity of Southern California'sGalen Centerin front of 10,000 fans, and were broadcast in 13 different languages.In the grand final,Taiwan's professional teamTaipei Assassinstriumphed overSouth Korea's Azubu Frost 3 to 1 and claimed theUS$1 million in prize money. Over 8 million viewers tuned in to the Season 2 World Championship broadcast, with a maximum of 1.1 million concurrent viewers during the grand finale, making the Season 2 World Championship the most watched esports event in history at the time. Season 3 (2013) The Season 3 World Championship was held in late 2013 inLos Angeles, California. 14 teams from North America, Korea, China,","Korea, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and one of the emergingLeague of Legendsterritories measured up at the World Playoffs after having qualified through their regional competitions.The grand final was held in theStaples Centeron 4 October 2013, where Korean teamSK Telecom T1defeated the Chinese team Royal Club,granting them the title of the Season 3 world champions, the Summoner's Cup and the $1 million prize. The Season 3 World Championship grand final broadcast on 4 October was watched by 32 million people with a peak concurrent viewership of 8.5 million.The numbers once again beat the previous records for esports viewership. 2014 The 2014 World Championship featured 16 teams competing for a $2.13 million prize pool, with 14 teams qualifying from the primaryLeague of Legendsregions (China, Europe, North America, Korea and Taiwan/SEA) and two international wildcard teams. Riot stopped numbering seasons and instead simply used the year for the 2014 and future championships. The group stage began on 18","stage began on 18 September inTaipeiand concluded on 28 September inSingaporewith eight teams advancing to the bracket stage.The bracket stage started on 3 October inBusan, South Korea, and concluded on 19 October with the grand final hosted at the 45,000-seatsSeoul World Cup Stadium,where South Korean teamSamsung Galaxy Whitebeat the Chinese team Star Horn Royal Club to become the 2014League of Legendsworld champions.Support player Cho \"Mata\" Se-hyeong was named the tournamentmost valuable player(MVP). American bandImagine Dragonscontributed the theme song \"Warriors\" for the tournament,and performed live on the grand final stage in South Korea.All games were made available for free via live streaming. The 2014 World Championship games were streamed live by 40 broadcast partners and cast in 19 languages. The grand final was watched by 27 million people, with concurrent viewership peaking at over 11 million viewers. 2015 After the 2014 season,Riot Gamesintroduced a number of changes to competitiveLeague of","of Legends. The number of teams in theLeague Championship Serieswas increased from 8 to 10 in both the North America and Europe regions.A second Riot Games official international tournament was announced, the Mid-Season Invitational, which took place in May 2015, and featured a single team from each major region and one international wildcard.Additionally, starting from 2015, all teams are required to field a head coach in their competitive matches, who will stay on stage and speak with the team via voice-chat in the pick–ban phase of the game. This change makes the head coach an officially recognized member of the team. The 2015 World Championship concluded the 2015 season and was held at several venues across Europe in October 2015. Like the 2014 World Championship, the 2015 World Championship was a multi-city, multi-country event.2015 Worlds was won bySK Telecom T1, their second title, as they won the 2013 Worlds too. SKT top lanerJang \"MaRin\" Gyeong-hwanwas named the tournamentmost valuable player(MVP).","player(MVP). The final was watched by 36 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14 million viewers. 2016 The various stages of the 2016 Worlds were held throughout theUnited StatesinChicago,San Francisco,New York City, and the final inLos Angeles. The groups of teams were decided through a live group draw show on 10 September. The games were played on the 6.18 patch of the game with Yorick disabled, and Aurelion Sol disabled for days 1–3. There were 16 teams and 4 groups that consisted of 4 teams. The group stage was Bo1 and the top two teams from each group would advance to the Knockout Stage. The Knockout Stage was Bo5 and the #1 vs #2 teams from each group would face each other in the bracket. The total prize pool was US$5,070,000 and it was spread among the teams. The first place (SK Telecom T1) took $2,028,000, the second team (Samsung Galaxy) took $760,500, and the third and fourth place (ROX Tigers and H2K) took $380,250 divided among the 2 teams. The rest of the prize pool was","the prize pool was distributed among the 5th–16th places. SKT won 3–2 versus Samsung Galaxy in the 2016 World Championship final, with Faker winning the MVP award.The final was watched by 43 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14.7 million viewers, breaking 2015's final's viewer records. 2017 The 2017 World Championship series started in September 2017, and concluded in November 2017. It was held in 4 different locations throughout China:Wuhan(play-in and groups),Guangzhou(quarterfinals),Shanghai(semifinals), andBeijing(final).It was played on patch 7.18, with the newest champion Ornn being disabled. Patch 7.18 is slightly older than patches 7.19 and 7.20, which are the new standard for online matches during the September - November period. The most notable difference being the stronger Ardent Censer support meta with patch 7.18. A total of 24 teams participated in the tournament: 3 teams from South Korea, China, North America, Europe and Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau; 1 team from Brazil, Latin","from Brazil, Latin America North, Latin America South, Japan, Oceania, Turkey, Southeast Asia and CIS/Russia; and 1 team from the Wildcard region with the highest rank finish at the 2017 Mid-Season Invitational (GPL in Southeast Asia, due to Gigabyte Marines from Vietnam prevailing there, and Vietnam received 1 more slot for VCS's second seed to participate GPL 2017 summer split). Samsung Galaxy reversed the previous year's result and defeated SK Telecom T1 3–0 in the 2017 World Championship final.Park \"Ruler\" Jae-hyuk, the AD carry of Samsung, was named MVP.The final was watched by 60 million people, breaking 2016's final's viewer records. The tournament is widely praised for its high quality of plays and amazing ceremonial performances, while receiving worldwide attention for its dramatic and emotional series. It is currently the most watched tournament inLeague of Legends'history and is lauded as one of the best. 2018 The 2018 World Championship was held from 1 October to 3 November, 2018, in 4 cities","2018, in 4 cities acrossSouth Korea:Seoul(play-in),Busan(groups & quarterfinals),Gwangju(semifinals), andIncheon(final).Twenty four teams qualified for the tournament based on their placement in regional circuits such as those in North America, Europe, South Korea, and China, with twelve of those teams having to reach the group stage via a play-in round. The 2018 World Championship was played on Patch 8.19. Notably, champions Aatrox, Alistar and Urgot were extremely prevalent in the tournament, with the three characters being picked or banned in over 90 percent of the 78 games played.The World Championship final was played between Invictus Gaming and Fnatic. Invictus Gaming won 3–0 against Fnatic, granting China and theLPLtheir first World Championship. Gao \"Ning\" Zhenning was named the MVP of the series in their victory.The final was watched by 99.6 million unique viewers, with concurrent viewership reaching a peak of 44 million viewers, breaking 2017's final's viewership record. 2019 The 2019 World","2019 The 2019 World Championship was held between 2 October to 10 November 2019, in three countries and cities inEurope:Berlin(play-in & groups),Madrid(quarterfinals and semifinals), andParis(final).Twenty-four teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play. The 2019 World Championship was played on Patch 9.19 from start to finish.The World Championship final was played on 10 November 2019 betweenLPL'sFunPlus PhoenixandLEC'sG2 EsportsatAccorHotels Arenain Paris. FunPlus Phoenix won 3–0 against G2 Esports, granting China and the LPL back-to-back World Championships. Gao \"Tian\" Tianliang was named the MVP of the series in their victory.The final was watched by more than 100 million viewers, peaking at 44 million concurrent views. 2020 The 2020 World Championship was held from 25 September to 31 October 2020 inShanghai, China. 22 teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on","based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.As a result of travel restrictions related to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the two teams that qualified from theVietnam Championship Serieswere unable to attend the event. All games leading up to the final were hosted in the Shanghai Media Tech Studio with no fans in attendance. The final was hosted in thePudong Football Stadiumas the building's inaugural event, hosting a limited number of 6,312 fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The final was played on 31 October 2020 betweenSuning, from China'sLeague of Legends Pro League, andDamwon Gaming, fromLeague of Legends Champions Korea, with Damwon Gaming winning the championship 3–1. During the second game, Suning's top laner Chen \"Bin\" Zebin achieved the first \"Pentakill\" in the final of a World Championship.Damwon Gaming's jungler, Kim \"Canyon\" Geon-bu, was named the MVP of the series.Damwon's win ended the LPL's back-to-back streak of world championship","world championship victories.The final was watched at its peak by 46.07 million viewers. 2021 The 2021 World Championship was held from 5 October to 6 November 2021 inReykjavík, Iceland. In line with last year's iteration, 22 teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.As a result of travel restrictions related to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the two teams that qualified from theVietnam Championship Serieswere once again unable to attend the event. All games of the tournament were hosted in theLaugardalshöll, with no fans in attendance due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in Iceland. The final was played on 6 November 2021 betweenEdward Gaming, from China'sLeague of Legends Pro League, and defending championsDWG KIA(formerly Damwon Gaming), fromLeague of Legends Champions Korea, with Edward Gaming winning the championship 3–2, ending DWG KIA's chance to win back-to-back world championships.Edward Gaming's","Gaming's mid laner, Lee \"Scout\" Ye-chan, was named the MVP of the series.The final had an average audience of 30.6 million, peaking at 73.86 million concurrent viewers. 2022 The 2022 World Championship was held from 29 September to 5 November, 2022, with the event taking place in 4 cities acrossNorth America:Mexico City(play-in),New York City(groups & quarterfinals),Atlanta(semifinals) andSan Francisco(finals).Twenty-four teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.As a result of theRussian invasion of Ukraine, theLeague of Legends Continental Leaguefrom theCISregion was unable to send a representative to participate in the event. The finals was played at theChase Centeron 5 November 2022 betweenT1andDRX, both from theLeague of Legends Champions Korea(LCK). Riot Games collaborated withLil Nas Xto releaseSTAR WALKIN'for the finals. He appeared at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California,","California, and he was broadcast through over 20 music stations live for tens of millions of people.In the final, DRX defeated T1 3–2 in a close series, becoming the first team to win the championship after starting from the play-in stage.DRX's top laner, Hwang \"Kingen\" Seong-hoon, was named the MVP of the series.Their victory was considered aCinderellaandunderdogsuccess story, as they had come from the play-in stage as Korea's fourth seed representative, and had beaten some of the more favored and accomplished teams along the way, including the previous worlds championsEdward Gamingin a 3–2 reverse sweep in the quarterfinals, and defeating theLCK Summer Split championsGen.G3–1 in the semifinals. 2023 The 2023 World Championship was held from 10 October to 19 November 2023, with the event taking place in two cities across South Korea:SeoulandBusan. Twenty-two teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in","regional results in international play.Albeit, one team qualified for the event through the newly inaugurated Worlds Qualifying Series between the fourth-seeded teams from the LEC and LCS. The format for the event differed to the previous editions, with the introduction of a play-in stage, consisting of eight teams who are split into two double elimination brackets. There, three teams qualified to the second stage of the event where the qualifying teams, along with thirteen other teams, faced off in aswiss-system tournamentto determine the qualifiers to the knockout stage, with the eventual champions being crowned at the conclusion of the single-elimination knockout stage. The finals was played at theGocheok Sky Domeon 19 November 2023 betweenWeibo Gamingfrom theLeague of Legends Pro League(LPL), and previous years' finalistT1from theLeague of Legends Champions Korea(LCK).In the final, T1 defeated Weibo Gaming 3–0, extending their record for the most world championships won by single team with four","team with four titles.T1's top laner,Choi \"Zeus\" Woo-je, was named the MVP of the series, while teammateLee \"Faker\" Sang-hyeokbecame the first player to win four World Championships. 2024 The 2024 World Championship will be held from 25 September to 2 November 2024, with the event taking place in three cities across Europe:Berlin,ParisandLondon. Twenty-two teams will qualify to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and results gained inthis years' Mid-Season Invitational(MSI), with the LCK and LPL's 4th seeds in the Swiss stage reallocated to the winner and a team from the best performing region of the event. It was revealed during the finals' broadcast of the 2023 World Championship, that the finals of this years' Worlds is set to take place in London atThe O2 Arenaon 2 November 2024. 2025 Details about the 2025 World Championship's location and dates are yet to be known. However, this edition of the tournament will feature 17 teams in total, with the MSI","total, with the MSI slots being kept and three teams from each ofLeague's new competitive regions (Americas, EMEA, Korea, China and Asia-Pacific) qualifying on top. One best-of-5 play-in match will be held before the Swiss stage between two teams. Trophy Riot Games, which ownsLeague of Legends, commissioned the winner's trophy as the Summoner's Cup. Riot specified that it should weigh 70 pounds (about 32 kilograms), though the actual weight of the finished cup was reduced so it would not be too heavy to lift in victory. The World Championship Cups for 2012 and for 2014 were created byThomas Lyte. In 2022, Riot Games announced the formation of a multi-year partnership with American jewelry brandTiffany & Co., producing a newly designed Summoner's Cup with a weight of 44 pounds (about 20 kilograms). Results By year By region By team Italicsindicates a team/organization has been disbanded, acquired or no longer participates in the regional league. Notes References","Counter-StrikeMajor Championships Counter-StrikeMajor Championships, commonly known as theMajors, areCounter-Strike(CS)esportstournaments sponsored byValve, the game's developer. The first Valve-recognized Major took place in 2013 inJönköping,Swedenand was hosted byDreamHackwith a total prize pool ofUS$250,000split among 16 teams. This, along with the following 18 Majors, was played inCounter-Strike: Global Offensive. As of the 2023 release ofCounter-Strike 2(CS2),Counter-Strikeesports, including the Majors, are played in CS2. Since then, the Major circuit has expanded significantly, with recent tournaments advertising aUS$2,000,000prize pool and featuring twenty-four teams from around the world. The Majors are considered to be the most important and prestigious tournaments in the Counter-Strike scene. The current champions areNatus Vincere, who won their second Major atPGL Major Copenhagen 2024, the first to be held inCounter-Strike 2.Astralishold the record for the most Major titles with four. History","with four. History Counter-Strike: Global Offensiveis amultiplayerfirst-person shootervideo game developed byHidden Path EntertainmentandValve. It is the fourth game in theCounter-Strikeseries. The first game in the series,Counter-Strike 1.6, was officially released in 2000 and competitive play began soon after. The first significant international tournament was the 2001Cyberathlete Professional LeagueWinter Championship, considered the first \"Major\".The CPL Summer and Winter Championships, along with theWorld Cyber Games,Electronic Sports World CupandIntel Extreme MastersWorld Championships, were considered Majors by the community, although Valve did not sponsor or give any official designation to the tournaments. Swedish teams, most notablySK Gaming,dominated early Majors but the Polish roster known as the Golden Five were the most successful lineup.Many teams from other parts of the world would win Majors, includingTeam 3Dfrom the United States at CPL Winter 2002and WCG 2004,NoA from Norway at CPL Winter","at CPL Winter 2004,mibrfrom Brazil at ESWC 2006,andWeMade FOXfrom South Korea at WEM 2010. On September 16, 2013, a year after the release ofGlobal Offensive, Valve announced aUS$250,000community-funded prize pool for the first official CS:GO Major.The money was partially community-funded through the game's Arms Deal update, which allowed players to buyin-game skins.Valve announced the tournament would take place in Sweden and would be hosted byDreamHack.The tournament took place in late November and was won by the Swedish teamFnaticwho upsetNinjas in Pyjamasin the finals.After Dreamhack 2013, Valve announced they would partner with tournament organizers to host three Majors per year. These Majors are the most prestigious events in the competitive CS:GO scene, and the professional players' legacies are often judged by their performances at these tournaments. The early Majors were dominated by Swedish teams, as Fnatic and NiP combined to win the four of the first six Majors. NiP would play in five of the","play in five of the first six grand finals. When Fnatic won Cologne 2015, they became the first team to win back to back Majors, and the first to win a third Major in total.Only the Danish teamAstralishas since matched that total. At the end of 2015, Valve announced thatMLGwould host the first Major in North America.On February 23, 2016, withMLG Columbus 2016coming up, Valve announced a permanent increase in the prize pool fromUS$250,000toUS$1,000,000.However, Valve reduced the number of Majors per year from three to two.Luminosity Gaming, a Brazilian team, won the event to becomes the first non-European team to win a Major.This roster would also go on to win back to back Majors, with their second asSK GamingatESL One Cologne 2016. Gambit Esports, made up primarily of players from Kazakhstan, wonPGL Major Kraków 2017to become the first Asian and CIS team to win a Major. On December 13, 2017, the general manager ofELEAGUE, the hosts of theELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018, announced a revised format designed by","format designed by Valve and ELEAGUE that would expand the number of teams in the Major from sixteen to twenty-four.This was also the first Major to take place in multiple cities, as the group stages took place inAtlantaat theTurner Studios.Cloud9, an American team, won the event to become the first North American team to win a Major. After Boston 2018, the Danish team Astralis became the top team in CS:GO and one of the best teams inCounter-Strikehistory.With wins atLondon 2018,Katowice 2019, andBerlin 2019, Astralis become the first team to win three Majors in a row and four majors total.After Berlin 2019, Valve and ESL announced the following Major,ESL One Rio 2020, which was to be the first Major to be hosted in South America.Rio 2020, originally scheduled for May, was then postponed to November due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. The November Major was announced with aUS$2,000,000prize pool, combining the amounts that would have been set aside for both Majors.In September 2020, the Rio Major was officially","was officially canceled due to COVID-19.In December 2020, Valve moved the 2021 Major from May to October and November, citing concerns over the pandemic.On January 14, 2021, Valve announced that the championship would be held between October 23 and November 7 in Stockholm.Over two years after the last Major,PGL Major Stockholm 2021took place, with favouritesNatus Vinceredominating the tournament and becoming the first team in CS:GO history to win a Major without dropping a single map throughout the tournament. PGL Major Stockholm 2021 surpassed the long-standing Counter-Strike viewership record 4 times; reaching 2.75 million concurrent viewers in the final. FaZe Clanwon thePGL Major Antwerp 2022, defeating Natus Vincere 2-0, and becoming the first international team in CS:GO history to win a Major. The previously cancelledESL One Rio 2020Major was replaced withIEM Rio Major 2022and was held inRio de Janeiro, Brazilon October 31 - November 13, 2022.Outsiders, a neutral name for esports","name for esports organizationVirtus.produe to ties with the Russian government in light of the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, won the tournament defeatingHeroicin the grand final 2-0. BLAST Paris Major 2023was held inParison May 8 - May 21, 2023 with a prize pool of $1,250,000USD.Shortly after the announcement of Counter-Strike 2, the official CS:GO Twitter account announced that the BLAST Paris Major would be the last CS:GO Major with the next major happening in March 2024 in CS2.Team Vitality, a French organization with native star playerMathieu 'ZywOo' Herbaut, defeateddark horseGamerLegionby 2–0 to clinch the final CS:GO Major title. The firstCounter-Strike 2Major was announced to be thePGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024which was held from March 17–31 in theRoyal Arena.On November 12, 2023,Perfect World, who are responsible for distributingCounter-Strike 2in China, announced the second major following the release ofCounter-Strike 2, taking place inShanghaibetween December 1-15, 2024. Format Qualification","Qualification Starting after Dreamhack 2013, the top eight teams from each Major (those who made it to the playoff stage) earned automatic berths to the next Major.These teams are called \"Legends\". The other eight teams, called \"Challengers\", were decided by regional qualifiers, mainly from Europe and North America.A small number of teams have been directly invited or earned attendance from a last chance qualifier to fill final open spots when necessary.Beginning with theDreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca 2015qualification cycle, Valve created a single 16-team main qualifier before the Major. The bottom eight teams from the previous Major earn automatic berths to the newly formed Major qualifier, and the regional qualifiers now send teams to the main qualifier, instead of directly to the Major. For MLG Columbus 2016 the regional qualifiers, leading into the Major qualifier, were replaced by \"Minors\".The Columbus Minor system involved four regional qualifiers and two \"last chance\" qualifiers, and results in invites","results in invites going to one team from the Americas, two Asian teams, oneCISteam, one European team, and three last chance qualifier spots. The system was simplified in the following Major,ESL One Cologne 2016, with the removal of the last chance qualifiers.Four Minors—Asia, CIS, Europe, Americas—were used. Two teams from each qualifier would go to the Major qualifier, joining the bottom eight teams from the previous Major.The top eight teams from the 16-team Major qualifier advance to the Major. At ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018, the Major qualifier was integrated into the full Major as the first of three phases, expanding the number of teams in each Major to 24.The Major qualifier was renamed the \"Challengers Stage\", the former group stage was renamed the \"Legends Stage\", and the playoff stage was named the \"Champions Stage\".This increased the number of teams getting automatic invites to Majors to 16, while retaining the Minor system to fill the remaining eight spots in phase one of the Major. The","of the Major. The Legends—still made up of the teams who reach the playoff stage—earn an automatic invitation to the Legends Stage of the following Major, while the teams placing 9-16 earn automatic invitations to the Challengers Stage of the following Major.On August 28, 2018, shortly before the start of theFACEIT Major: London 2018, Valve announced that they were reducing the number of automatic Major invites to fourteen, starting with the London 2018 Major: the two teams that go winless in the first phase must go through the Minors to get back to the next Major. From thePGL Major Stockholm 2021onwards, no automatic berths have been given to any team regardless of their record in the previous Major. Instead, a Regional Major Ranking (RMR) system has been used, which at first was a yearly points circuit where each region would have three qualifying tournaments where teams can receive points towards qualifying for the Major, which included Contenders, Challengers and Legends distinctions (As well as the","(As well as the Legends bye) for the top teams within each region.Despite initially being used for the ESL One Rio Major 2020, the event's cancellation would mean that PGL Major Stockholm 2021 was the first Major that utilized the RMR system.The very next Major,PGL Major Antwerp 2022, would scrap the points circuit in favor of qualifying tournaments that bear the RMR name, initially (and still) 2 for Europe (which included the CIS region), 1 for the Americas and 1 for Asia-Pacific. Teams qualify for their regional RMRs via being the top teams in their region in the Valve rankings (before thePerfect World Shanghai Major 2024, the teams who placed in the Legends Stage of the previous Major would qualify automatically for the RMRs) or via online qualifying made up of Open Qualifiers (if needed) and Closed Qualifiers, where the next-best ranked teams compete for the remaining RMR spots. In addition, regions can gain or lose Challengers and Legends spots in the Major based on the region's results from the","results from the previous Major, with 3 Challengers spots reserved for Europe and the Americas and 2 for Asia-Pacific. For example, afterPGL Major Copenhagen 2024, the Americas region would go from 1 Legends spot and 4 Challengers spot, to 7 Challengers spots for Perfect World Shanghai, after 4 teams from the Americas qualified for the Elimination Stage, with none making the Playoff stage. Unlike traditional sports or other esports leagues, Valve considers the players in each team to have the Major spots, rather than the organization itself.For instance, at theELEAGUE Major 2017,Team EnVyUsplaced ninth, meaning it would have an automatic berth at the next Major qualifier. However, before the next Major, three of EnVyUs's players transferred toG2 Esports, meaning Team EnVyUs lost its spot at the Major qualifier. Tournament format Although the playoff stage of the Majors has generally followed a standard 8-team single-elimination format, the group stages have changed multiple times. From 2013 to 2016, Majors","to 2016, Majors used a four group GSL format for the group stage.In each four-team group, the two higher seeds would initially face the two lower seeds. The two winners from the first round of matches would then play to determine which team gets the top seed. The two losers would also play to eliminate one team. After this second round of matches, the remaining two teams play to determine which team takes the final playoff spot.All group stage games at the first Majors were best-of-ones. The last Major of 2015 and both Majors in 2016 featured a best-of-three decider in the final match of each group. The group stage of ESL One Cologne 2015 worked differently. Initially, the first three matches of the group stage started out the same way as the standard GSL format, determining the group winner. However, teams were then reassigned afterwards so that the two losers played from different groups and then the decider match would also be teams from different groups. Beginning in 2017, the group stage has featured","stage has featured aSwiss-system group stage.Before the tournament, teams are divided into four pots, with pot one having the four highest seeds, pot two having the next four highest seeds, and so on. A randomly selected team from pot one would face off against a randomly selected team from pot four. The same process is done with the pots two and three. After the initial seeded match, teams play five rounds against randomly drawn teams with the same record.No two teams play twice unless necessary. If a team wins three matches, then that team moves on to the next stage. If a team loses three matches, that team is eliminated. All games were best-of-one until the London 2018 Major. The Boston 2018 Major featured two Swiss group stages; the stage formerly known as the offline Major qualifier was now called the New Challengers stage and the group stage was now rebranded as the New Legends stage. The London 2018 Major used a slightly different form of the Swiss system, called the Buchholz system, in which matchups","in which matchups were seeded instead of random and the last round featured best-of-three sets.The next Major,Katowice 2019, featured a crowdsourcedElo system, in which participating teams ranked the 15 other teams before the Legends Stage to create a seeding system for each round of the Swiss system.TheCopenhagen 2024 Majorwill have the names of the two Swiss stages changed, with the Challengers Stage becoming the Opening Stage and the Legends Stage becoming the Elimination Stage, while the first round match-up seeding for the Swiss stages will be tweaked. The Playoffs, known as the New Champions stage and Champions stage beforehand, have featured eight teams at all Majors. All matches are best-of-three, single-elimination series. When the GSL format was used for group stages, group winners earned top seeds and group runner-ups earned bottom seeds. Each top seed played a bottom seed in quarterfinals. With current Swiss format seeding, the two teams that finish undefeated in the group stage earn the highest","earn the highest seeds. Two of the three lowest seeds from the group stage (teams that advance with two losses) are randomly selected to play against the high seeds. Two of the three middle seeds (teams that advance with one loss) are randomly selected to play each other, and the remaining two teams face each other to finalize the bracket. Banned players Valve has banned players from attending the Majors for violations of competitive integrity. AValve Anti-Cheat(VAC) ban is the most common way players get banned. VAC is an anti-cheat program designed by Valve to detect cheats running in various games, includingCounter-Strike. If cheats are detected, the account is given a permanent lifetime ban from playing on VAC-secured servers. Other server providers, such asFACEITandESEA, have their own anti-cheat systems and work with Valve to detect new cheats.One of the most high-profile VAC bans was given to Hovik \"KQLY\" Tovmassian. KQLY, along with several other professional players, was banned while playing for","while playing for France's best team,Titan. Valve has also banned players from Valve-sponsored events formatch fixing. The first Valve ban for match fixing was a response to theiBUYPOWER match fixing scandal, in which esports journalistRichard Lewisrevealed that one of North America's best teams, iBUYPOWER, had thrown a match for high-valueskins.Valve indefinitely banned seven players who were involved in the scandal from attending any Majors. Tyler \"Skadoodle\" Latham was the only iBUYPOWER player not to be banned, as he did not receive any payment after the game.Valve would later make the bans permanent, causing some controversy in the Counter-Strike community.Although tournament organizersESLandDreamHacklifted their own bans on the former iBUYPOWER players in 2017,the Major ban effectively ended the high level careers of two of North America's best in-game leaders (Sam \"DaZeD\" Marine and Joshua \"steel\" Nissan) and Braxton \"swag\" Pierce.Skadoodle would go on to win a Major with Cloud9. Following the","Following the iBUYPOWER ban, there have been two other match fixing bans, resulting in nine other players being barred from the Majors. List of Major Championships Titles by organization Titles by players Features Stickers Stickers are virtual items in the game which players can buy or get from sticker capsules. The stickers can then be applied toin-game gun skins. Valve has released a sticker design for each team attending a Major since Katowice 2014,and a sticker for each professional player's signature since Cologne 2015.These two types of stickers come in a variety of styles: paper, glitter, holographic, foil, and gold.With each sticker purchase, half of the proceeds go to the player or team and half go to Valve. These sticker capsules are unique for each tournament and can only be purchased at the time of the tournament. Because of this forced rarity, stickers from early majors tend to become more expensive over time.After initially costing less thanUS$10, a \"Titan\" holographic sticker from Katowice","from Katowice 2014 sold on secondary markets forUS$80,000in 2023,making it the most expensive public sticker trade in the game's history. Souvenir packages Souvenir packages are virtual packages containing a gun skin that are exclusive to CS:GO Majors.These \"souvenir skins\" can rank among the most expensive skins in the game because of their rarity. After Cloud9 became the first ever North American CS:GO Major champion at Boston 2018, a souvenir skin with the signature of the finals MVP, Tyler \"Skadoodle\" Latham, sold forUS$61,000. In-game tributes After certain significant or iconic moments inGlobal OffensiveMajors, Valve has added in-game memorials to the location of the event, usually in the form of graffiti or signs.Thus far, there have been six moments in Majors that have been memorialized by Valve, though one graffiti was removed whenDust IIwas updated. Notes References"],"string":"[\n \"ValorantChampions Tour TheValorantChampions Tour(VCT) is a global competitiveesportstournament series for the video gameValorantorganised byRiot Games, the game's developers. The series runs multiple events throughout each season, culminating inValorantChampions, the top-level event of the tour. The VCT was announced in 2020, with its inaugural season taking place in 2021. History 2021–2022: Open-qualifiers era In November 2020,Riot Gamesannounced the firstValorantChampions Tour, a tournament series divided into three tiers: Challengers, Masters, and Champions. Challengers would act as the lowest tier, split into seven regions: North America, Brazil, Latin America (Hispanic America), EMEA, Southeast Asia (later included South Asia and Oceania, become to Asia-Pacific), Korea, Japan. Teams that advance past Challengers would move on to Masters, where teams would not be divided by regions anymore, and the top 16 teams from Masters would move on to Champions, the final tournament of VCT.In February 2021, they\",\n \"February 2021, they announced the VCT Game Changers, a supplementary tournament initiative for women and marginalized genders. Riot hired esports infrastructure company Nerd Street Gamers as operators and producers for all North American Challengers and Masters events.They also hired several third-party companies to broadcast their events, such as Liga de Videojuegos Profesional (LVP) for their Spanish-language broadcasts andLetsPlay.Livefor theirOceaniabroadcasts.The2021 Champions tournamenttook place on December 1–12 at theVerti Music Hallin Berlin, Germany, concluding with team Acend defeatingGambit Esportsin the grand finals by a score of 3–2. Over 10,000 teams competed in the VCT in 2021. Outside of Champions, VCT saw its highest viewership at theReykjavíkMasters tournament in May, with a peak viewership of 1,085,850. The Champions grand finals match in December reached a peak viewership of 1,089,068, making it the VCT's highest peak viewership. Riot made several changes to the format of VCT for its\",\n \"of VCT for its second iteration. While the overall structure of Challengers, Masters, and Champions remained unchanged, it reduced the number of stages of Challengers and Masters events from three to two. VCT Challengers began on February 11, 2022.The2022 ChampionsTournament took place from September 1 to 18 in Istanbul, Turkey. 2023–present: Partnerships era Riot Games announced a new format starting in 2023.The season will be split into three international regions –Americas,EMEA, andPacificinstead of the 7 regions format used in previous years. Each international region will have its own International League that replaces the Challengers to become the domestic competitions to qualify for Masters and Champions. On September 21, 2022, Riot Games announced the thirty teams that had been selected as part of their new partnership format. ForChina, Riot Games showed favor towards players here by given Chinese teams a number of direct slots to participate in global tournaments (Masters and Champions) through\",\n \"Champions) through third parties competitions in Hong Kong server, instead of having to play through Pacific league. In a June 2023 press conference, Riot COO Whalen Rozelle confirmed that Valorant would launch inChinain July under the name 无畏契约 (\\\"Fearless Contract\\\"), with hopes to launch a VCT league there in 2024.Shortly after in August, Riot announced an own regional league for China, and raising the number of partnered teams to 40. Leagues and format Franchised leagues International Leagues As of 2023, 30 teams are selected to be partner teams in International Leagues for five years with 10 teams per region. Non-partner teams compete in many sub-regions of Challengers events to qualify for \\\"Ascension\\\" events. The Ascension events will have one winner per region, which earns them a two-year promotion into their regions' International League. The promoted teams will have a chance to qualify for the global tournaments (Masters and Champions), as well as get benefits provided to other partnered teams. Each\",\n \"teams. Each year through the Challengers promotion system, the three International Leagues will expand by one team each, until they reach a cap of 12 teams in each region in 2025 (beforehand this was supposed to be a 14-team cap by 2027). Teams in each International League will play onLANin a centralized local: the Riot Games Arena inLos Angelesfor VCT Americas,Riot Games Arena inBerlinfor VCT EMEA,andSeoulfor VCT Pacific.The Americas and EMEA venues are shared with theLeague of Legendsregional leagues'League Championship Series(LCS) andLeague of Legends EMEA Championship(LEC) respectively. China League Right from global launch, althoughValoranthad not been licensed for release in China, Riot Games showed favor towards Chinese players by allowed Chinese teams to participate in global tournaments (Masters and Champions) through achievements in domestic tournaments organized by third parties, played atHong Kongserver. Since 2024, withValorantlicensed for release servers inmainland, Riot launched the VCT CN\",\n \"launched the VCT CN specifically for the only country that they considers a pro region on the same level as the three International Leagues for many countries, as well as competition slots for only teams from China at Masters and Champions.They also announced thesecond Mastersevent of the year to take place inShanghaiand released a new Chinese agentIsoalongside previous agentSage. The China League is based at the VCT CN Arena in Shanghai. ValorantMasters TheValorantMasters is an biannualValorantinternational tournament organized by Riot Games in the middle of years since 2021.Similar to theMid-Season InvitationalforLeague of Legends, it is the second most important internationalValoranttournament after Champions.Teams must place near the top of their regional league to qualify for Masters. ValorantChampions TheValorantChampions is the annual professionalValorantworld championship tournament hosted by Riot Games and is the culmination of each VCT season. Teams compete for the world champion title\",\n \"champion title ofValorantesports. Non-franchised leagues Challengers and Ascension Non-partner teams compete in Challengers events of sub-regions in Americas, EMEA and Pacific to qualify for \\\"Ascension\\\", the yearly promotion event to the respective International Leagues. Originally, it was announced that teams would have two-year stays in their International League after winning Ascension, with one team promoted every year until 2026, when two teams would be promoted every year until 2028. The leagues would have 14 teams each, totaling to 42 teams across the three leagues. On June 21, 2024, Riot announced changes to the Ascension format from 2025, with teams promoted to the International Leagues for one-year stays instead, after which they would be relegated toChallengersagain if they did not finish in the top 8 in their region's International League; if they qualified forChampionshowever, they get to stay for another year; if they finished between 5th and 8th in the International League, they qualify for\",\n \"they qualify for that year'sAscensionfor a chance to keep their place in the league. In 2023-24, there are 23 minor regional leagues across the three international territories.From 2025, decreased to 15. ValorantGame Changers ValorantGame Changers is a series of domestic competitions for women and other marginalized genders withinValorantesports.Teams that finish in top places qualify for theValorant Game Changers Championship, the world championship event of Game Changers, and also earn the chance to be promoted to their region's Challengers league. Results International Leagues & China League winners Global tournaments Teams won titles *Team or organization no longer participates inValorantesports. *Team or organization no longer participates in Tier 1Valorantesports. Regions' titles Ascension winners ValorantGame Changers Championship Awards Masters The original masters trophy was unveiled by Riot at a May 2021 media preview event in the build up to Masters Reykjavik. It features a metal bottom and a\",\n \"metal bottom and a glass top. The trophy was redesigned in 2023, again by Volpin Props, to be reusable for Masters tournaments in multiple regions.It stands at 18 inches (46 cm) and features a swappable 'Radianite' core. ForMasters Tokyo, it featured duelist Yoru's ultimateOnimask. The body of the trophy is palladium-plated with plastic components. Champions The Valorant Champions trophy was first unveiled ahead of Valorant Champions 2021. Also designed and built by Volpin Props ofAtlanta, Georgia, it stands at 2 feet (61 cm) tall and is partially 3D-printed, with 24 karat gold decoration overlayed. Notes References External links\",\n \"League of LegendsWorld Championship TheLeague of LegendsWorld Championship(commonly abbreviated asWorlds) is the annual professionalLeague of Legendsworld championship tournament hosted byRiot Gamesand is the culmination of each season. Teams compete for the champion title, the 44-pound (20-kilogram) Summoner's Cup, and a multi-million-dollar championship prize. In 2018, the final was watched by 99.6 million people, breaking2017's final's viewer record.The tournament has been praised for its ceremonial performances,while receiving attention worldwide due to its dramatic and emotional nature. TheLeague of LegendsWorld Championships has gained tremendous success and popularity, making it among the world's most prestigious and watched tournaments, as well as the most watched esports event in the world. The tournament rotates its venues across different major countries and regions each year. South Korea'sT1is the most successful team in the tournament's history, having won four world championships. History Season\",\n \"History Season 1 (2011) The Season 1 Championshipwas held in June 2011 atDreamhack Summer 2011, and featured a US$100,000 tournament prize pool.8 teams from Europe, North America, Southeast Asiaparticipated in the championship.Over 1.6 million viewers watched the streaming broadcast of the event, with a peak of over 210,069 simultaneous viewers in the final.Maciej \\\"Shushei\\\" Ratuszniak of the winning teamFnaticwas named themost valuable player(MVP) of the tournament. Season 2 (2012) After Season 1, Riot announced thatUS$5,000,000 would be paid out over Season 2. Of this $5 million, $2 million went to Riot's partners including theIGN Pro Leagueand other majoresportsassociations. Another $2 million went to Riot's Season 2 qualifiers and championship. The final $1 million went to other organizers who applied to Riot to host independentLeague of Legendstournaments. The Season 2 World Championship was held in early October 2012 inLos Angeles, Californiato conclude theUS$5 million season. Twelve qualifying teams\",\n \"qualifying teams from around the world participated in the championship, which boasted the largest prize pool in the history of esports tournaments at the time atUS$2 million, withUS$1 million going to the champions. The group stage, quarterfinal, and semifinal matches took place between 4 and 6 October. The grand final took place a week after, on 13 October in theUniversity of Southern California'sGalen Centerin front of 10,000 fans, and were broadcast in 13 different languages.In the grand final,Taiwan's professional teamTaipei Assassinstriumphed overSouth Korea's Azubu Frost 3 to 1 and claimed theUS$1 million in prize money. Over 8 million viewers tuned in to the Season 2 World Championship broadcast, with a maximum of 1.1 million concurrent viewers during the grand finale, making the Season 2 World Championship the most watched esports event in history at the time. Season 3 (2013) The Season 3 World Championship was held in late 2013 inLos Angeles, California. 14 teams from North America, Korea, China,\",\n \"Korea, China, Southeast Asia, Europe, and one of the emergingLeague of Legendsterritories measured up at the World Playoffs after having qualified through their regional competitions.The grand final was held in theStaples Centeron 4 October 2013, where Korean teamSK Telecom T1defeated the Chinese team Royal Club,granting them the title of the Season 3 world champions, the Summoner's Cup and the $1 million prize. The Season 3 World Championship grand final broadcast on 4 October was watched by 32 million people with a peak concurrent viewership of 8.5 million.The numbers once again beat the previous records for esports viewership. 2014 The 2014 World Championship featured 16 teams competing for a $2.13 million prize pool, with 14 teams qualifying from the primaryLeague of Legendsregions (China, Europe, North America, Korea and Taiwan/SEA) and two international wildcard teams. Riot stopped numbering seasons and instead simply used the year for the 2014 and future championships. The group stage began on 18\",\n \"stage began on 18 September inTaipeiand concluded on 28 September inSingaporewith eight teams advancing to the bracket stage.The bracket stage started on 3 October inBusan, South Korea, and concluded on 19 October with the grand final hosted at the 45,000-seatsSeoul World Cup Stadium,where South Korean teamSamsung Galaxy Whitebeat the Chinese team Star Horn Royal Club to become the 2014League of Legendsworld champions.Support player Cho \\\"Mata\\\" Se-hyeong was named the tournamentmost valuable player(MVP). American bandImagine Dragonscontributed the theme song \\\"Warriors\\\" for the tournament,and performed live on the grand final stage in South Korea.All games were made available for free via live streaming. The 2014 World Championship games were streamed live by 40 broadcast partners and cast in 19 languages. The grand final was watched by 27 million people, with concurrent viewership peaking at over 11 million viewers. 2015 After the 2014 season,Riot Gamesintroduced a number of changes to competitiveLeague of\",\n \"of Legends. The number of teams in theLeague Championship Serieswas increased from 8 to 10 in both the North America and Europe regions.A second Riot Games official international tournament was announced, the Mid-Season Invitational, which took place in May 2015, and featured a single team from each major region and one international wildcard.Additionally, starting from 2015, all teams are required to field a head coach in their competitive matches, who will stay on stage and speak with the team via voice-chat in the pick–ban phase of the game. This change makes the head coach an officially recognized member of the team. The 2015 World Championship concluded the 2015 season and was held at several venues across Europe in October 2015. Like the 2014 World Championship, the 2015 World Championship was a multi-city, multi-country event.2015 Worlds was won bySK Telecom T1, their second title, as they won the 2013 Worlds too. SKT top lanerJang \\\"MaRin\\\" Gyeong-hwanwas named the tournamentmost valuable player(MVP).\",\n \"player(MVP). The final was watched by 36 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14 million viewers. 2016 The various stages of the 2016 Worlds were held throughout theUnited StatesinChicago,San Francisco,New York City, and the final inLos Angeles. The groups of teams were decided through a live group draw show on 10 September. The games were played on the 6.18 patch of the game with Yorick disabled, and Aurelion Sol disabled for days 1–3. There were 16 teams and 4 groups that consisted of 4 teams. The group stage was Bo1 and the top two teams from each group would advance to the Knockout Stage. The Knockout Stage was Bo5 and the #1 vs #2 teams from each group would face each other in the bracket. The total prize pool was US$5,070,000 and it was spread among the teams. The first place (SK Telecom T1) took $2,028,000, the second team (Samsung Galaxy) took $760,500, and the third and fourth place (ROX Tigers and H2K) took $380,250 divided among the 2 teams. The rest of the prize pool was\",\n \"the prize pool was distributed among the 5th–16th places. SKT won 3–2 versus Samsung Galaxy in the 2016 World Championship final, with Faker winning the MVP award.The final was watched by 43 million people, with a peak concurrent viewership of 14.7 million viewers, breaking 2015's final's viewer records. 2017 The 2017 World Championship series started in September 2017, and concluded in November 2017. It was held in 4 different locations throughout China:Wuhan(play-in and groups),Guangzhou(quarterfinals),Shanghai(semifinals), andBeijing(final).It was played on patch 7.18, with the newest champion Ornn being disabled. Patch 7.18 is slightly older than patches 7.19 and 7.20, which are the new standard for online matches during the September - November period. The most notable difference being the stronger Ardent Censer support meta with patch 7.18. A total of 24 teams participated in the tournament: 3 teams from South Korea, China, North America, Europe and Taiwan/Hong Kong/Macau; 1 team from Brazil, Latin\",\n \"from Brazil, Latin America North, Latin America South, Japan, Oceania, Turkey, Southeast Asia and CIS/Russia; and 1 team from the Wildcard region with the highest rank finish at the 2017 Mid-Season Invitational (GPL in Southeast Asia, due to Gigabyte Marines from Vietnam prevailing there, and Vietnam received 1 more slot for VCS's second seed to participate GPL 2017 summer split). Samsung Galaxy reversed the previous year's result and defeated SK Telecom T1 3–0 in the 2017 World Championship final.Park \\\"Ruler\\\" Jae-hyuk, the AD carry of Samsung, was named MVP.The final was watched by 60 million people, breaking 2016's final's viewer records. The tournament is widely praised for its high quality of plays and amazing ceremonial performances, while receiving worldwide attention for its dramatic and emotional series. It is currently the most watched tournament inLeague of Legends'history and is lauded as one of the best. 2018 The 2018 World Championship was held from 1 October to 3 November, 2018, in 4 cities\",\n \"2018, in 4 cities acrossSouth Korea:Seoul(play-in),Busan(groups & quarterfinals),Gwangju(semifinals), andIncheon(final).Twenty four teams qualified for the tournament based on their placement in regional circuits such as those in North America, Europe, South Korea, and China, with twelve of those teams having to reach the group stage via a play-in round. The 2018 World Championship was played on Patch 8.19. Notably, champions Aatrox, Alistar and Urgot were extremely prevalent in the tournament, with the three characters being picked or banned in over 90 percent of the 78 games played.The World Championship final was played between Invictus Gaming and Fnatic. Invictus Gaming won 3–0 against Fnatic, granting China and theLPLtheir first World Championship. Gao \\\"Ning\\\" Zhenning was named the MVP of the series in their victory.The final was watched by 99.6 million unique viewers, with concurrent viewership reaching a peak of 44 million viewers, breaking 2017's final's viewership record. 2019 The 2019 World\",\n \"2019 The 2019 World Championship was held between 2 October to 10 November 2019, in three countries and cities inEurope:Berlin(play-in & groups),Madrid(quarterfinals and semifinals), andParis(final).Twenty-four teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play. The 2019 World Championship was played on Patch 9.19 from start to finish.The World Championship final was played on 10 November 2019 betweenLPL'sFunPlus PhoenixandLEC'sG2 EsportsatAccorHotels Arenain Paris. FunPlus Phoenix won 3–0 against G2 Esports, granting China and the LPL back-to-back World Championships. Gao \\\"Tian\\\" Tianliang was named the MVP of the series in their victory.The final was watched by more than 100 million viewers, peaking at 44 million concurrent views. 2020 The 2020 World Championship was held from 25 September to 31 October 2020 inShanghai, China. 22 teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on\",\n \"based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.As a result of travel restrictions related to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the two teams that qualified from theVietnam Championship Serieswere unable to attend the event. All games leading up to the final were hosted in the Shanghai Media Tech Studio with no fans in attendance. The final was hosted in thePudong Football Stadiumas the building's inaugural event, hosting a limited number of 6,312 fans due to the COVID-19 pandemic.The final was played on 31 October 2020 betweenSuning, from China'sLeague of Legends Pro League, andDamwon Gaming, fromLeague of Legends Champions Korea, with Damwon Gaming winning the championship 3–1. During the second game, Suning's top laner Chen \\\"Bin\\\" Zebin achieved the first \\\"Pentakill\\\" in the final of a World Championship.Damwon Gaming's jungler, Kim \\\"Canyon\\\" Geon-bu, was named the MVP of the series.Damwon's win ended the LPL's back-to-back streak of world championship\",\n \"world championship victories.The final was watched at its peak by 46.07 million viewers. 2021 The 2021 World Championship was held from 5 October to 6 November 2021 inReykjavík, Iceland. In line with last year's iteration, 22 teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.As a result of travel restrictions related to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the two teams that qualified from theVietnam Championship Serieswere once again unable to attend the event. All games of the tournament were hosted in theLaugardalshöll, with no fans in attendance due to theCOVID-19 pandemic in Iceland. The final was played on 6 November 2021 betweenEdward Gaming, from China'sLeague of Legends Pro League, and defending championsDWG KIA(formerly Damwon Gaming), fromLeague of Legends Champions Korea, with Edward Gaming winning the championship 3–2, ending DWG KIA's chance to win back-to-back world championships.Edward Gaming's\",\n \"Gaming's mid laner, Lee \\\"Scout\\\" Ye-chan, was named the MVP of the series.The final had an average audience of 30.6 million, peaking at 73.86 million concurrent viewers. 2022 The 2022 World Championship was held from 29 September to 5 November, 2022, with the event taking place in 4 cities acrossNorth America:Mexico City(play-in),New York City(groups & quarterfinals),Atlanta(semifinals) andSan Francisco(finals).Twenty-four teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in international play.As a result of theRussian invasion of Ukraine, theLeague of Legends Continental Leaguefrom theCISregion was unable to send a representative to participate in the event. The finals was played at theChase Centeron 5 November 2022 betweenT1andDRX, both from theLeague of Legends Champions Korea(LCK). Riot Games collaborated withLil Nas Xto releaseSTAR WALKIN'for the finals. He appeared at the Chase Center in San Francisco, California,\",\n \"California, and he was broadcast through over 20 music stations live for tens of millions of people.In the final, DRX defeated T1 3–2 in a close series, becoming the first team to win the championship after starting from the play-in stage.DRX's top laner, Hwang \\\"Kingen\\\" Seong-hoon, was named the MVP of the series.Their victory was considered aCinderellaandunderdogsuccess story, as they had come from the play-in stage as Korea's fourth seed representative, and had beaten some of the more favored and accomplished teams along the way, including the previous worlds championsEdward Gamingin a 3–2 reverse sweep in the quarterfinals, and defeating theLCK Summer Split championsGen.G3–1 in the semifinals. 2023 The 2023 World Championship was held from 10 October to 19 November 2023, with the event taking place in two cities across South Korea:SeoulandBusan. Twenty-two teams qualified to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and previous regional results in\",\n \"regional results in international play.Albeit, one team qualified for the event through the newly inaugurated Worlds Qualifying Series between the fourth-seeded teams from the LEC and LCS. The format for the event differed to the previous editions, with the introduction of a play-in stage, consisting of eight teams who are split into two double elimination brackets. There, three teams qualified to the second stage of the event where the qualifying teams, along with thirteen other teams, faced off in aswiss-system tournamentto determine the qualifiers to the knockout stage, with the eventual champions being crowned at the conclusion of the single-elimination knockout stage. The finals was played at theGocheok Sky Domeon 19 November 2023 betweenWeibo Gamingfrom theLeague of Legends Pro League(LPL), and previous years' finalistT1from theLeague of Legends Champions Korea(LCK).In the final, T1 defeated Weibo Gaming 3–0, extending their record for the most world championships won by single team with four\",\n \"team with four titles.T1's top laner,Choi \\\"Zeus\\\" Woo-je, was named the MVP of the series, while teammateLee \\\"Faker\\\" Sang-hyeokbecame the first player to win four World Championships. 2024 The 2024 World Championship will be held from 25 September to 2 November 2024, with the event taking place in three cities across Europe:Berlin,ParisandLondon. Twenty-two teams will qualify to participate at the World Championship based on placement within their own regional leagues and results gained inthis years' Mid-Season Invitational(MSI), with the LCK and LPL's 4th seeds in the Swiss stage reallocated to the winner and a team from the best performing region of the event. It was revealed during the finals' broadcast of the 2023 World Championship, that the finals of this years' Worlds is set to take place in London atThe O2 Arenaon 2 November 2024. 2025 Details about the 2025 World Championship's location and dates are yet to be known. However, this edition of the tournament will feature 17 teams in total, with the MSI\",\n \"total, with the MSI slots being kept and three teams from each ofLeague's new competitive regions (Americas, EMEA, Korea, China and Asia-Pacific) qualifying on top. One best-of-5 play-in match will be held before the Swiss stage between two teams. Trophy Riot Games, which ownsLeague of Legends, commissioned the winner's trophy as the Summoner's Cup. Riot specified that it should weigh 70 pounds (about 32 kilograms), though the actual weight of the finished cup was reduced so it would not be too heavy to lift in victory. The World Championship Cups for 2012 and for 2014 were created byThomas Lyte. In 2022, Riot Games announced the formation of a multi-year partnership with American jewelry brandTiffany & Co., producing a newly designed Summoner's Cup with a weight of 44 pounds (about 20 kilograms). Results By year By region By team Italicsindicates a team/organization has been disbanded, acquired or no longer participates in the regional league. Notes References\",\n \"Counter-StrikeMajor Championships Counter-StrikeMajor Championships, commonly known as theMajors, areCounter-Strike(CS)esportstournaments sponsored byValve, the game's developer. The first Valve-recognized Major took place in 2013 inJönköping,Swedenand was hosted byDreamHackwith a total prize pool ofUS$250,000split among 16 teams. This, along with the following 18 Majors, was played inCounter-Strike: Global Offensive. As of the 2023 release ofCounter-Strike 2(CS2),Counter-Strikeesports, including the Majors, are played in CS2. Since then, the Major circuit has expanded significantly, with recent tournaments advertising aUS$2,000,000prize pool and featuring twenty-four teams from around the world. The Majors are considered to be the most important and prestigious tournaments in the Counter-Strike scene. The current champions areNatus Vincere, who won their second Major atPGL Major Copenhagen 2024, the first to be held inCounter-Strike 2.Astralishold the record for the most Major titles with four. History\",\n \"with four. History Counter-Strike: Global Offensiveis amultiplayerfirst-person shootervideo game developed byHidden Path EntertainmentandValve. It is the fourth game in theCounter-Strikeseries. The first game in the series,Counter-Strike 1.6, was officially released in 2000 and competitive play began soon after. The first significant international tournament was the 2001Cyberathlete Professional LeagueWinter Championship, considered the first \\\"Major\\\".The CPL Summer and Winter Championships, along with theWorld Cyber Games,Electronic Sports World CupandIntel Extreme MastersWorld Championships, were considered Majors by the community, although Valve did not sponsor or give any official designation to the tournaments. Swedish teams, most notablySK Gaming,dominated early Majors but the Polish roster known as the Golden Five were the most successful lineup.Many teams from other parts of the world would win Majors, includingTeam 3Dfrom the United States at CPL Winter 2002and WCG 2004,NoA from Norway at CPL Winter\",\n \"at CPL Winter 2004,mibrfrom Brazil at ESWC 2006,andWeMade FOXfrom South Korea at WEM 2010. On September 16, 2013, a year after the release ofGlobal Offensive, Valve announced aUS$250,000community-funded prize pool for the first official CS:GO Major.The money was partially community-funded through the game's Arms Deal update, which allowed players to buyin-game skins.Valve announced the tournament would take place in Sweden and would be hosted byDreamHack.The tournament took place in late November and was won by the Swedish teamFnaticwho upsetNinjas in Pyjamasin the finals.After Dreamhack 2013, Valve announced they would partner with tournament organizers to host three Majors per year. These Majors are the most prestigious events in the competitive CS:GO scene, and the professional players' legacies are often judged by their performances at these tournaments. The early Majors were dominated by Swedish teams, as Fnatic and NiP combined to win the four of the first six Majors. NiP would play in five of the\",\n \"play in five of the first six grand finals. When Fnatic won Cologne 2015, they became the first team to win back to back Majors, and the first to win a third Major in total.Only the Danish teamAstralishas since matched that total. At the end of 2015, Valve announced thatMLGwould host the first Major in North America.On February 23, 2016, withMLG Columbus 2016coming up, Valve announced a permanent increase in the prize pool fromUS$250,000toUS$1,000,000.However, Valve reduced the number of Majors per year from three to two.Luminosity Gaming, a Brazilian team, won the event to becomes the first non-European team to win a Major.This roster would also go on to win back to back Majors, with their second asSK GamingatESL One Cologne 2016. Gambit Esports, made up primarily of players from Kazakhstan, wonPGL Major Kraków 2017to become the first Asian and CIS team to win a Major. On December 13, 2017, the general manager ofELEAGUE, the hosts of theELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018, announced a revised format designed by\",\n \"format designed by Valve and ELEAGUE that would expand the number of teams in the Major from sixteen to twenty-four.This was also the first Major to take place in multiple cities, as the group stages took place inAtlantaat theTurner Studios.Cloud9, an American team, won the event to become the first North American team to win a Major. After Boston 2018, the Danish team Astralis became the top team in CS:GO and one of the best teams inCounter-Strikehistory.With wins atLondon 2018,Katowice 2019, andBerlin 2019, Astralis become the first team to win three Majors in a row and four majors total.After Berlin 2019, Valve and ESL announced the following Major,ESL One Rio 2020, which was to be the first Major to be hosted in South America.Rio 2020, originally scheduled for May, was then postponed to November due to theCOVID-19 pandemic. The November Major was announced with aUS$2,000,000prize pool, combining the amounts that would have been set aside for both Majors.In September 2020, the Rio Major was officially\",\n \"was officially canceled due to COVID-19.In December 2020, Valve moved the 2021 Major from May to October and November, citing concerns over the pandemic.On January 14, 2021, Valve announced that the championship would be held between October 23 and November 7 in Stockholm.Over two years after the last Major,PGL Major Stockholm 2021took place, with favouritesNatus Vinceredominating the tournament and becoming the first team in CS:GO history to win a Major without dropping a single map throughout the tournament. PGL Major Stockholm 2021 surpassed the long-standing Counter-Strike viewership record 4 times; reaching 2.75 million concurrent viewers in the final. FaZe Clanwon thePGL Major Antwerp 2022, defeating Natus Vincere 2-0, and becoming the first international team in CS:GO history to win a Major. The previously cancelledESL One Rio 2020Major was replaced withIEM Rio Major 2022and was held inRio de Janeiro, Brazilon October 31 - November 13, 2022.Outsiders, a neutral name for esports\",\n \"name for esports organizationVirtus.produe to ties with the Russian government in light of the2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, won the tournament defeatingHeroicin the grand final 2-0. BLAST Paris Major 2023was held inParison May 8 - May 21, 2023 with a prize pool of $1,250,000USD.Shortly after the announcement of Counter-Strike 2, the official CS:GO Twitter account announced that the BLAST Paris Major would be the last CS:GO Major with the next major happening in March 2024 in CS2.Team Vitality, a French organization with native star playerMathieu 'ZywOo' Herbaut, defeateddark horseGamerLegionby 2–0 to clinch the final CS:GO Major title. The firstCounter-Strike 2Major was announced to be thePGL CS2 Major Copenhagen 2024which was held from March 17–31 in theRoyal Arena.On November 12, 2023,Perfect World, who are responsible for distributingCounter-Strike 2in China, announced the second major following the release ofCounter-Strike 2, taking place inShanghaibetween December 1-15, 2024. Format Qualification\",\n \"Qualification Starting after Dreamhack 2013, the top eight teams from each Major (those who made it to the playoff stage) earned automatic berths to the next Major.These teams are called \\\"Legends\\\". The other eight teams, called \\\"Challengers\\\", were decided by regional qualifiers, mainly from Europe and North America.A small number of teams have been directly invited or earned attendance from a last chance qualifier to fill final open spots when necessary.Beginning with theDreamHack Open Cluj-Napoca 2015qualification cycle, Valve created a single 16-team main qualifier before the Major. The bottom eight teams from the previous Major earn automatic berths to the newly formed Major qualifier, and the regional qualifiers now send teams to the main qualifier, instead of directly to the Major. For MLG Columbus 2016 the regional qualifiers, leading into the Major qualifier, were replaced by \\\"Minors\\\".The Columbus Minor system involved four regional qualifiers and two \\\"last chance\\\" qualifiers, and results in invites\",\n \"results in invites going to one team from the Americas, two Asian teams, oneCISteam, one European team, and three last chance qualifier spots. The system was simplified in the following Major,ESL One Cologne 2016, with the removal of the last chance qualifiers.Four Minors—Asia, CIS, Europe, Americas—were used. Two teams from each qualifier would go to the Major qualifier, joining the bottom eight teams from the previous Major.The top eight teams from the 16-team Major qualifier advance to the Major. At ELEAGUE Major: Boston 2018, the Major qualifier was integrated into the full Major as the first of three phases, expanding the number of teams in each Major to 24.The Major qualifier was renamed the \\\"Challengers Stage\\\", the former group stage was renamed the \\\"Legends Stage\\\", and the playoff stage was named the \\\"Champions Stage\\\".This increased the number of teams getting automatic invites to Majors to 16, while retaining the Minor system to fill the remaining eight spots in phase one of the Major. The\",\n \"of the Major. The Legends—still made up of the teams who reach the playoff stage—earn an automatic invitation to the Legends Stage of the following Major, while the teams placing 9-16 earn automatic invitations to the Challengers Stage of the following Major.On August 28, 2018, shortly before the start of theFACEIT Major: London 2018, Valve announced that they were reducing the number of automatic Major invites to fourteen, starting with the London 2018 Major: the two teams that go winless in the first phase must go through the Minors to get back to the next Major. From thePGL Major Stockholm 2021onwards, no automatic berths have been given to any team regardless of their record in the previous Major. Instead, a Regional Major Ranking (RMR) system has been used, which at first was a yearly points circuit where each region would have three qualifying tournaments where teams can receive points towards qualifying for the Major, which included Contenders, Challengers and Legends distinctions (As well as the\",\n \"(As well as the Legends bye) for the top teams within each region.Despite initially being used for the ESL One Rio Major 2020, the event's cancellation would mean that PGL Major Stockholm 2021 was the first Major that utilized the RMR system.The very next Major,PGL Major Antwerp 2022, would scrap the points circuit in favor of qualifying tournaments that bear the RMR name, initially (and still) 2 for Europe (which included the CIS region), 1 for the Americas and 1 for Asia-Pacific. Teams qualify for their regional RMRs via being the top teams in their region in the Valve rankings (before thePerfect World Shanghai Major 2024, the teams who placed in the Legends Stage of the previous Major would qualify automatically for the RMRs) or via online qualifying made up of Open Qualifiers (if needed) and Closed Qualifiers, where the next-best ranked teams compete for the remaining RMR spots. In addition, regions can gain or lose Challengers and Legends spots in the Major based on the region's results from the\",\n \"results from the previous Major, with 3 Challengers spots reserved for Europe and the Americas and 2 for Asia-Pacific. For example, afterPGL Major Copenhagen 2024, the Americas region would go from 1 Legends spot and 4 Challengers spot, to 7 Challengers spots for Perfect World Shanghai, after 4 teams from the Americas qualified for the Elimination Stage, with none making the Playoff stage. Unlike traditional sports or other esports leagues, Valve considers the players in each team to have the Major spots, rather than the organization itself.For instance, at theELEAGUE Major 2017,Team EnVyUsplaced ninth, meaning it would have an automatic berth at the next Major qualifier. However, before the next Major, three of EnVyUs's players transferred toG2 Esports, meaning Team EnVyUs lost its spot at the Major qualifier. Tournament format Although the playoff stage of the Majors has generally followed a standard 8-team single-elimination format, the group stages have changed multiple times. From 2013 to 2016, Majors\",\n \"to 2016, Majors used a four group GSL format for the group stage.In each four-team group, the two higher seeds would initially face the two lower seeds. The two winners from the first round of matches would then play to determine which team gets the top seed. The two losers would also play to eliminate one team. After this second round of matches, the remaining two teams play to determine which team takes the final playoff spot.All group stage games at the first Majors were best-of-ones. The last Major of 2015 and both Majors in 2016 featured a best-of-three decider in the final match of each group. The group stage of ESL One Cologne 2015 worked differently. Initially, the first three matches of the group stage started out the same way as the standard GSL format, determining the group winner. However, teams were then reassigned afterwards so that the two losers played from different groups and then the decider match would also be teams from different groups. Beginning in 2017, the group stage has featured\",\n \"stage has featured aSwiss-system group stage.Before the tournament, teams are divided into four pots, with pot one having the four highest seeds, pot two having the next four highest seeds, and so on. A randomly selected team from pot one would face off against a randomly selected team from pot four. The same process is done with the pots two and three. After the initial seeded match, teams play five rounds against randomly drawn teams with the same record.No two teams play twice unless necessary. If a team wins three matches, then that team moves on to the next stage. If a team loses three matches, that team is eliminated. All games were best-of-one until the London 2018 Major. The Boston 2018 Major featured two Swiss group stages; the stage formerly known as the offline Major qualifier was now called the New Challengers stage and the group stage was now rebranded as the New Legends stage. The London 2018 Major used a slightly different form of the Swiss system, called the Buchholz system, in which matchups\",\n \"in which matchups were seeded instead of random and the last round featured best-of-three sets.The next Major,Katowice 2019, featured a crowdsourcedElo system, in which participating teams ranked the 15 other teams before the Legends Stage to create a seeding system for each round of the Swiss system.TheCopenhagen 2024 Majorwill have the names of the two Swiss stages changed, with the Challengers Stage becoming the Opening Stage and the Legends Stage becoming the Elimination Stage, while the first round match-up seeding for the Swiss stages will be tweaked. The Playoffs, known as the New Champions stage and Champions stage beforehand, have featured eight teams at all Majors. All matches are best-of-three, single-elimination series. When the GSL format was used for group stages, group winners earned top seeds and group runner-ups earned bottom seeds. Each top seed played a bottom seed in quarterfinals. With current Swiss format seeding, the two teams that finish undefeated in the group stage earn the highest\",\n \"earn the highest seeds. Two of the three lowest seeds from the group stage (teams that advance with two losses) are randomly selected to play against the high seeds. Two of the three middle seeds (teams that advance with one loss) are randomly selected to play each other, and the remaining two teams face each other to finalize the bracket. Banned players Valve has banned players from attending the Majors for violations of competitive integrity. AValve Anti-Cheat(VAC) ban is the most common way players get banned. VAC is an anti-cheat program designed by Valve to detect cheats running in various games, includingCounter-Strike. If cheats are detected, the account is given a permanent lifetime ban from playing on VAC-secured servers. Other server providers, such asFACEITandESEA, have their own anti-cheat systems and work with Valve to detect new cheats.One of the most high-profile VAC bans was given to Hovik \\\"KQLY\\\" Tovmassian. KQLY, along with several other professional players, was banned while playing for\",\n \"while playing for France's best team,Titan. Valve has also banned players from Valve-sponsored events formatch fixing. The first Valve ban for match fixing was a response to theiBUYPOWER match fixing scandal, in which esports journalistRichard Lewisrevealed that one of North America's best teams, iBUYPOWER, had thrown a match for high-valueskins.Valve indefinitely banned seven players who were involved in the scandal from attending any Majors. Tyler \\\"Skadoodle\\\" Latham was the only iBUYPOWER player not to be banned, as he did not receive any payment after the game.Valve would later make the bans permanent, causing some controversy in the Counter-Strike community.Although tournament organizersESLandDreamHacklifted their own bans on the former iBUYPOWER players in 2017,the Major ban effectively ended the high level careers of two of North America's best in-game leaders (Sam \\\"DaZeD\\\" Marine and Joshua \\\"steel\\\" Nissan) and Braxton \\\"swag\\\" Pierce.Skadoodle would go on to win a Major with Cloud9. Following the\",\n \"Following the iBUYPOWER ban, there have been two other match fixing bans, resulting in nine other players being barred from the Majors. List of Major Championships Titles by organization Titles by players Features Stickers Stickers are virtual items in the game which players can buy or get from sticker capsules. The stickers can then be applied toin-game gun skins. Valve has released a sticker design for each team attending a Major since Katowice 2014,and a sticker for each professional player's signature since Cologne 2015.These two types of stickers come in a variety of styles: paper, glitter, holographic, foil, and gold.With each sticker purchase, half of the proceeds go to the player or team and half go to Valve. These sticker capsules are unique for each tournament and can only be purchased at the time of the tournament. Because of this forced rarity, stickers from early majors tend to become more expensive over time.After initially costing less thanUS$10, a \\\"Titan\\\" holographic sticker from Katowice\",\n \"from Katowice 2014 sold on secondary markets forUS$80,000in 2023,making it the most expensive public sticker trade in the game's history. Souvenir packages Souvenir packages are virtual packages containing a gun skin that are exclusive to CS:GO Majors.These \\\"souvenir skins\\\" can rank among the most expensive skins in the game because of their rarity. After Cloud9 became the first ever North American CS:GO Major champion at Boston 2018, a souvenir skin with the signature of the finals MVP, Tyler \\\"Skadoodle\\\" Latham, sold forUS$61,000. In-game tributes After certain significant or iconic moments inGlobal OffensiveMajors, Valve has added in-game memorials to the location of the event, usually in the form of graffiti or signs.Thus far, there have been six moments in Majors that have been memorialized by Valve, though one graffiti was removed whenDust IIwas updated. Notes References\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":290,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"In what city were the Summer Olympic Games held in the year the RMS _Titanic_ sank?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Stockholm (Sweden)"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1912_Summer_Olympics"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1912_Summer_Olympics']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1912_Summer_Olympics"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1912_Summer_Olympics\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Titanic (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9438c670>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))","Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/1912_Summer_Olympics (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b93a24370>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))"],"string":"[\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Titanic (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9438c670>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\",\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/1912_Summer_Olympics (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b93a24370>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Titanic (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9438c670>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))","Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/1912_Summer_Olympics (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b93a24370>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))"],"string":"[\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Titanic (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9438c670>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\",\n \"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/1912_Summer_Olympics (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b93a24370>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":291,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"How many more points did Michael Jordan average in his sophomore season (regular season) in the NBA than the first black NBA player averaged during his career (regular season)? Show me a math equation to justify your answer."},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"14.3 PPG 22.7 - 8.4 = 14.3"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_NBA"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Lloyd"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | Post processing | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_NBA', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Lloyd']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_NBA","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Lloyd"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_NBA\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Lloyd\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan(born February 17, 1963), also known by his initialsMJ,is an American businessman and former professionalbasketballplayer. He played 15 seasons in theNational Basketball Association(NBA) between 1984 and 2003, winning sixNBA championshipswith theChicago Bulls. He was integral in popularizing basketball and the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s,becoming a globalcultural icon.His profile on the NBA website states, \"By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.\" Jordan playedcollege basketballwith theNorth Carolina Tar Heels. As a freshman, he was a member of the Tar Heels' national championship team in1982.Jordan joined the Bulls in1984as the third overall draft pickand quickly emerged as a league star, entertaining crowds with his prolific scoring while gaining a reputation as one of the best defensive players.His leaping ability, demonstrated by performingslam dunksfrom thefree-throw lineinSlam Dunk Contests, earned him the nicknames \"Air Jordan\" and \"His Airness\".Jordan won his first NBA title with the Bulls in1991and followed that achievement with titles in1992and1993, securing athree-peat. Citing \"physical and mental exhaustion\" from basketball and superstardom, Jordan abruptly retired from basketball before the1993–94 NBA seasonto playMinor League Baseballin theChicago White Soxorganization. He returned to the Bulls in March 1995 and led them to three more championships in1996,1997, and1998, as well as a then-record 72 regular season wins in the1995–96 NBA season.Jordan retired for the second time in January 1999, returning for two more NBA seasons from 2001 to 2003 as a member of theWashington Wizards.He was selected to play for theUnited States national teamduring his college and NBA careers, winning fourgold medals—at the1983 Pan American Games,1984 Summer Olympics,1992 Tournament of the Americasand1992 Summer Olympics—while also being undefeated. Jordan's individual accolades include sixNBA Finals Most Valuable Player(MVP) awards, tenNBA scoring titles(both all-time records), fiveNBA MVPawards, 10All-NBAFirst Team designations, nineAll-DefensiveFirst Team honors, fourteenNBA All-Star Gameselections, threeNBA All-Star Game MVPawards, threeNBA steals titles, and the 1988NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.He holds theNBA recordsfor career regular season scoring average (30.1 points per game) and career playoff scoring average (33.4 points per game).In 1999, Jordan was named the 20th century's greatest North American athlete byESPNand was second toBabe Ruthon theAssociated Press' list of athletes of the century.Jordan was twice inducted into theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, once in 2009 for his individual career,and again in 2010 as part of the1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team(\"The Dream Team\").He became a member of theUnited States Olympic Hall of Famein 2009,a member of theNorth Carolina Sports Hall of Famein 2010,and an individual member of theFIBA Hall of Famein 2015 and a \"Dream Team\" member in 2017.Jordan was named to theNBA 50th Anniversary Teamin 1996 and to theNBA 75th Anniversary Teamin 2021.The trophy for theNBA Most Valuable Player Awardis named in his honor. One of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation, Jordan made many product endorsements.He fueled the success ofNike'sAir Jordansneakers, which were introduced in 1984 and remain popular.Jordan starred as himself in the live-action/animation hybrid filmSpace Jam(1996) and was the central focus of theEmmy-winning documentary seriesThe Last Dance(2020). He became part-owner and head of basketball operations for theCharlotte Hornets(then named the Bobcats) in 2006 and bought a controlling interest in 2010, before selling his majority stake in 2023. Jordan is also a co-owner of23XI Racingin theNASCAR Cup Series. In 2016, he became the first billionaire player in NBA history.That same year, PresidentBarack Obamaawarded Jordan thePresidential Medal of Freedom.As of 2024, his net worth is estimated at $3.2 billion byForbes. Early life Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born atCumberland Hospitalin Brooklyn, New York City, on February 17, 1963,to bank employee Deloris (née Peoples) and equipment supervisorJames R. Jordan Sr.He has two older brothers, James Jr. and basketball playerLarry, as well as an older sister named Deloris and a younger sister named Roslyn.Jordan and his siblings were raised in theMethodistfaith. In 1968, the family moved toWilmington, North Carolina.Jordan attendedEmsley A. Laney High School, where he highlighted his athletic career by playing basketball, baseball, and football. He tried out for the basketballvarsity teamduring his sophomore year, but at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m), he was deemed too short. His taller friendHarvest Leroy Smithwas the only sophomore to make the team.Motivated to prove his worth, Jordan became the star of Laney'sjunior varsity teamand tallied some 40-point games.The following summer, he grew four inches (10 cm) and trained rigorously.Upon earning a spot on the varsity roster, Jordan averaged more than 25points per game(ppg) over his final two seasons of high school play.As a senior, he was selected to play in the1981 McDonald's All-American Gameand scored 30points,after averaging 26.8 ppg,11.6rebounds(rpg), and 10.1assistsper game (apg) for the season. Jordan was recruited by numerous college basketball programs, includingDuke,North Carolina,South Carolina,Syracuse, andVirginia.In 1981, he accepted a basketball scholarship to theUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where Jordan majored incultural geography.He chose this field of study because of its relationship tometeorology, as Jordan was interested in a career as ameteorologist. College career As a freshman in coachDean Smith's team-oriented system, Jordan was namedACCFreshman of the Year after averaging 13.4 ppg on 53.4% shooting (field goal percentage).He made the game-winningjump shotin the1982 NCAA Championship gameagainstGeorgetown, which was led by future NBA rivalPatrick Ewing.Jordan later described this shot as the major turning point in his basketball career.During his three seasons with theTar Heels, Jordan averaged 17.7 ppg on 54.0% shooting and added 5.0 rpg and 1.8 apg. Jordan was selected by consensus to theNCAA All-American First Teamin both his sophomore (1983) and junior (1984) seasons.After winning theNaismithand theWoodenCollege Player of the Year awards in 1984, Jordan left North Carolina a year before his scheduled graduation to enter the1984 NBA draft. Jordan returned to North Carolina to complete his degree in 1986,when he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography.In 2002, Jordan was named to theACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball teamhonoring the 50 greatest players in ACC history. Professional career Chicago Bulls (1984–1993; 1995–1998) Early NBA years (1984–1987) TheChicago Bullsselected Jordan with the third overall pick of the1984 NBA draftafterHakeem Olajuwon(Houston Rockets) andSam Bowie(Portland Trail Blazers). One of the primary reasons why Jordan was not drafted sooner was because the first two teams were in need of acenter.Trail Blazers general managerStu Inmancontended that it was not a matter of drafting a center but more a matter of taking Bowie over Jordan, in part because Portland already hadClyde Drexler, who was a guard with similar skills to Jordan.Citing Bowie's injury-laden college career,ESPNnamed the Blazers' choice of Bowie as the worst draft pick in North American professional sports history. Jordan made his NBA debut atChicago Stadiumon October 26, 1984, and scored 16 points. In 2021, a ticket stub from the game sold at auction for $264,000, setting a record for a collectible ticket stub.During his rookie1984–85 seasonwith the Bulls, Jordan averaged 28.2 ppg on 51.5% shooting,and helped the Bulls improve from 28-54 to 38-44. Jordan quickly became a fan favorite even in opposing arenas.Roy S. Johnson ofThe New York Timesdescribed Jordan as \"the phenomenal rookie of the Bulls\" in November,and he appeared on the cover ofSports Illustratedwith the heading \"A Star Is Born\" in December.The fans voted in Jordan as anAll-Starstarter during his rookie season.Controversy arose before the1985 NBA All-Star Gamewhen word surfaced that several veteran players, led byIsiah Thomas, were upset by the amount of attention Jordan was receiving.This led to a so-called \"freeze-out\" on Jordan, where players refused to pass the ball to him.The controversy left Jordan relatively unaffected when he returned to regular season play, and he would go on to be voted theNBA Rookie of the Year.The Bulls finished the season 38–44,and lost to theMilwaukee Bucksin four games in the first round ofthe playoffs. An often-cited moment was on August 26, 1985,when Jordan shook the arena during a Nike exhibition game inTrieste, Italy, by shattering the glass of the backboard with a dunk.The moment was filmed and is often referred to as an important milestone in Jordan's rise.The shoes Jordan wore during the game were auctioned in August 2020 for $615,000, a record for a pair of sneakers.Jordan's1985–86 seasonwas cut short when he broke his foot in the third game of the year, causing him to miss 64 games.The Bulls madethe playoffsdespite Jordan's injury and a 30–52 record,at the time the fifth-worst record of any team to qualify for the playoffs in NBA history.Jordan recovered in time to participate in the postseason and performed well upon his return. On April 20 at theBoston Garden, in Game 2 of the First Round, a 135–131 double overtime loss to the eventualNBA championBoston Celtics, Jordan scored a playoff career-high 63 points, breakingElgin Baylor'ssingle-game playoff scoring record.The Celtics team, though, swept the series in three games. Jordan completely recovered in time for the1986–87 season,and had one of the most prolific scoring seasons in NBA history; he became the only player other thanWilt Chamberlainto score 3,000 points in a season, averaging a league-high 37.1 ppg on 48.2% shooting.Jordan also demonstrated his defensive prowess, as he became the first player in NBA history to record 200stealsand 100blocked shotsin a season.Despite Jordan's success,Magic Johnsonwon theNBA Most Valuable Player Award.The Bulls reached 40 wins,and advanced tothe playoffsfor the third consecutive year but were again swept by theCeltics. Pistons roadblock (1987–1990) Jordan led the league in scoring during the1987–88 season, averaging 35.0 ppg on 53.5% shooting,and won his first league MVP Award. He was named theNBA Defensive Player of the Yearafter averaging 1.6 blocks per game (bpg), a league-high 3.1 steals per game (spg),and leading the Bulls defense to the fewest points per game allowed in the league.The Bulls finished 50–32,and made it past the first round ofthe playoffsfor the first time in Jordan's career, as they defeated theCleveland Cavaliersin five games.In the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Bulls lost in five games to the more experiencedDetroit Pistons,who were led byIsiah Thomasand a group of physical players known as the \"Bad Boys\". In the1988–89 season, Jordan again led the league in scoring, averaging 32.5 ppg on 53.8% shooting from the field, along with 8.0 rpg and 8.0 apg.During the season,Sam Vincent, Chicago'spoint guard, was having trouble running the offense, and Jordan expressed his frustration with head coachDoug Collins, who then put Jordan at point guard. In his time as a point guard, Jordan had 10triple-doublesin 11 games, with averages of 33.6 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 10.8 apg, 2.9 spg, and 0.8 bpg on 51% shooting. The Bulls finished with a 47–35 record,and advanced to theEastern ConferenceFinals, defeating theCavaliersandNew York Knicksalong the way.The Cavaliers series included a career highlight for Jordan when he hit \"The Shot\" overCraig Ehloat the buzzer in the fifth and final game of the series.In the Eastern Conference Finals, thePistonsagain defeated the Bulls, this time in six games,by utilizing their \"Jordan Rules\" method of guarding Jordan, which consisted of double andtriple teaminghim every time he touched the ball. The Bulls entered the1989–90 seasonas a team on the rise, with their core group of Jordan and young improving players likeScottie PippenandHorace Grant, and under the guidance of new coachPhil Jackson.On March 28, 1990, Jordan scored a career-high 69 points in a 117–113 road win over the Cavaliers.He averaged a league-leading 33.6 ppg on 52.6% shooting, to go with 6.9 rpg and 6.3 apg,in leading the Bulls to a 55–27 record.They again advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after beating theBucksandPhiladelphia 76ers;despite pushing the series to seven games, the Bulls lost to thePistonsfor the third consecutive season. First three-peat (1991–1993) Jackson sought to instill the principles of the triangle offense more deeply within the team, and this required Michael Jordan to change his playing style. As Jackson explained in his bookEleven Rings, \"I was planning to ask Michael... to reduce the number of shots he took so that other members of the team could get more involved.\" Jackson worked with Jordan to ensure he could still pursue scoring titles, but now in a way that better integrated his personal ambitions with the team's success. In the1990–91 season, Jordan won his second MVP award after averaging 31.5 ppg on 53.9% shooting, 6.0 rpg, and 5.5 apg for the regular season.The Bulls finished in first place in their division for the first time in sixteen years and set a franchise record with 61 wins in the regular season.WithScottie Pippendeveloping into an All-Star, the Bulls had elevated their play. The Bulls defeated theNew York Knicksand thePhiladelphia 76ersin the opening two rounds ofthe playoffs. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals where their rival, theDetroit Pistons, awaited them;this time, the Bulls beat the Pistons in a four-game sweep. The Bulls advanced tothe Finalsfor the first time in franchise history to face theLos Angeles Lakers. The Bulls won the series in five games, and compiled a 15–2 playoff record along the way.Perhaps the best-known moment of the series came in Game 2 when, attempting a dunk, Jordan avoided a potentialSam Perkinsblock by switching the ball from his right hand to his left in mid-air to lay the shot into the basket.In his first Finals appearance, Jordan had 31.2 ppg on 56% shooting from the field, 11.4 apg, 6.6 rpg, 2.8 spg, and 1.4 bpg.Jordan won his firstNBA Finals MVPawardand cried while holding the Finals trophy. Jordan and the Bulls continued their dominance in the1991–92 season, establishing a 67–15 record, topping their franchise record from the 1990–91 campaign.Jordan won his second consecutive MVP award with averages of 30.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, and 6.1 apg on 52% shooting.After winning a physical seven-game series over theNew York Knicksin the second round ofthe playoffsand finishing off theCleveland Cavaliersin the Conference Finals in six games, the Bulls metClyde Drexlerand thePortland Trail Blazersinthe Finals. The media, hoping to recreate aMagic–Bird rivalry, highlighted the similarities between \"Air\" Jordan and Clyde \"The Glide\" during the pre-Finals hype. In a Game 1 victory, Jordan scored a Finals-record 35 points in the first half, including a record-setting sixthree-point field goals.After the sixth three-pointer, he jogged down the court shrugging as he looked courtside.Marv Albert, who broadcast the game, later stated that it was as if Jordan was saying: \"I can't believe I'm doing this.\"The Bulls went on to defeat the Blazers in six games. Jordan was named Finals MVP for the second year in a row,and finished the series averaging 35.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and 6.5 apg, while shooting 52.6% from the floor. In the1992–93 season, despite a 32.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, and 5.5 apg campaign, including a second-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting,Jordan's streak of consecutive MVP seasons ended, as he lost the award to his friendCharles Barkley,upsetting him.Jordan and the Bulls met Barkley and hisPhoenix Sunsin the1993 NBA Finals. The Bulls won their third NBA championship on a game-winning shot byJohn Paxsonand a last-second block byHorace Grant, but Jordan was once again Chicago's leader. He averaged a Finals-record 41.0 ppg during the six-game series,and became the first player in NBA history to win three consecutive Finals MVP awards.Jordan scored more than 30 points in every game of the series, including 40 or more points in four consecutive games.With his third Finals triumph, Jordan capped off a seven-year run where he attained seven scoring titles and three championships, but there were signs that Jordan was tiring of his massive celebrity and all of the non-basketball hassles in his life. Gambling During the1993 NBA playoffs, Jordan was seen gambling inAtlantic City, New Jersey, the night before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against theNew York Knicks.The previous year, he admitted that he had to cover $57,000 in gambling losses,and author Richard Esquinas wrote a book in 1993 claiming he had won $1.25 million from Jordan on the golf course.David Stern, thecommissioner of the NBA, denied in 1995 and 2006 that Jordan's 1993 retirement was a secret suspension by the league for gambling,but the rumor spread widely. In 2005, Jordan discussed his gambling withEd Bradleyof60 Minutesand admitted that he made reckless decisions. Jordan stated: Yeah, I've gotten myself into situations where I would not walk away and I've pushed the envelope. Is that compulsive? Yeah, it depends on how you look at it. If you're willing to jeopardize your livelihood and your family, then yeah. When Bradley asked him if his gambling ever got to the level where it jeopardized his livelihood or family, Jordan replied: \"No.\"In 2010,Ron Shelton, director ofJordan Rides the Bus, said that he began working on the documentary believing that the NBA had suspended him, but that research \"convinced was nonsense\". First retirement and stint in Minor League Baseball (1993–1995) On October 6, 1993, Jordan announced his retirement, saying that he lost his desire to play basketball. He later said that the murder of his father three months earlier helped shape his decision.James R. Jordan Sr.was murdered on July 23, 1993, at a highwayrest areainLumberton, North Carolina, by two teenagers, Daniel Green and Larry Martin Demery, who carjacked hisLexus.His body, dumped in a South Carolina swamp, was not discovered until August 3.Green and Demery were sentenced to life imprisonment.However, inThe Last Dance, Jordan stated that he retired due to physical and mental exhaustion from basketball and superstardom, and that he had made up his mind during the Bulls' playoff run and discussed the decision with his father. Jordan was close to his father; as a child, Jordan imitated the way his father stuck out his tongue while absorbed in work. Jordan later adopted it as his own signature, often displaying it as he drove to the basket.In 1996, Jordan founded a Chicago-areaBoys & Girls Cluband dedicated it to his father.In his 1998 autobiographyFor the Love of the Game, Jordan wrote that he was preparing for retirement as early as the summer of 1992.The added exhaustion due to the \"Dream Team\" run in the1992 Summer Olympicssolidified Jordan's feelings about the game and his celebrity status. Jordan's announcement sent shock waves throughout the NBA and appeared on the front pages of newspapers around the world. Jordan further surprised the sports world by signing aMinor League Baseball(MiLB) contract with theChicago White Soxon February 7, 1994.He reported tospring traininginSarasota, Florida, and was assigned to the team's minor league system on March 31.Jordan said that this decision was made to pursue the dream of his late father, who always envisioned his son as aMajor League Baseball(MLB) player.The White Sox were owned by Bulls ownerJerry Reinsdorf, who continued to honor Jordan's basketball contract during the years he played baseball. In 1994, Jordan played for theBirmingham Barons, aDouble-Aminor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox,batting.202 with threehome runs, 51runs batted in, 30stolen bases, 114strikeouts, 51bases on balls, and 11errors.His strikeout total led the team and his games played tied for the team lead. His 30 stolen bases were second on the team only toDoug Brady.Jordan also appeared for theScottsdale Scorpionsin the 1994Arizona Fall League, batting .252 against the top prospects in baseball.On November 1, 1994, hisNo.23 was retired by the Bulls in a ceremony that included the erection of a permanent sculpture known asThe Spiritoutside the newUnited Center. Return to the NBA (1995) The Bulls went 55–27 in1993–94without Jordan in the lineupand lost to theNew York Knicksin the second round ofthe playoffs.In the1994–95 Bulls, Jordan surprised many by returning to the Bulls midway through the season. In March 1995, Jordan decided to quit baseball because he feared he might become areplacement playerduring theMajor League Baseball strike.On March 18, 1995, Jordan announced his return to the NBA in a two-word press release: \"I'm back.\"The next day, Jordan took to the court with the Bulls to face theIndiana PacersinIndianapolis, scoring 19 points.The game had the highestNielsen ratingof any regular season NBA game since 1975.Although he could have worn his original number even though the Bulls retired it, Jordan wore No. 45, his baseball number. Despite his 18-month hiatus from the NBA, Jordan played well, making a game-winning jump shot againstAtlantain his fourth game back. He scored 55 points in his next game, against theNew York KnicksatMadison Square Gardenon March 28, 1995.Boosted by Jordan's comeback, the Bulls went 13–4 to makethe playoffsand advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals against theOrlando Magic.At the end of Game 1, Orlando'sNick Andersonstripped Jordan from behind, leading to the game-winning basket for the Magic; he later commented that Jordan \"didn't look like the old Michael Jordan\",and said, \"No. 45 doesn't explode like No. 23 used to\". Jordan responded by scoring 38 points in the next game, which Chicago won. Before the game, Jordan decided that he would immediately resume wearing his former No. 23. The Bulls were fined $25,000 for failing to report the impromptu number change to the NBA.Jordan was fined an additional $5,000 for opting to wear white sneakers when the rest of the Bulls wore black.He averaged 31 ppg in the playoffs, but Orlando won the series in six games. Second three-peat (1996–1998) Jordan was freshly motivated by the playoff defeat, and he trained aggressively for the1995–96 season.The Bulls were strengthened by the addition of rebound specialistDennis Rodman, and the team dominated the league, starting the season at 41–3.The Bulls finished with the best regular season record in NBA history, 72–10, a mark broken two decades later by the2015–16 Golden State Warriors.Jordan led the league in scoring with 30.4 ppg,and he won the league's regular season and All-Star Game MVP awards. Inthe playoffs, the Bulls lost only three games in four series (Miami Heat3–0,New York Knicks4–1, andOrlando Magic4–0), as they defeated theSeattle SuperSonics4–2 in theNBA Finalsto win their fourth championship.The series was one of the tougher ones for Jordan as he shot 41%, 32%, and 26% from the field in three of the six games.Nevertheless, Jordan was named Finals MVP for a record fourth time;he achieved only the second sweep of the MVP awards in the All-Star Game, regular season, and NBA Finals afterWillis Reedin the1969–70 season.Upon winning the championship, his first since his father's murder, Jordan reacted emotionally, clutching the game ball and crying on the locker room floor. In the1996–97 season, the Bulls stood at a 69–11 record but ended the season by losing their final two games to finish the year 69–13, missing out on a second consecutive 70-win season.The Bulls again advanced tothe Finals, where they faced theUtah Jazz.That team includedKarl Malone, who had beaten Jordan for the NBA MVP award in a tight race (986–957).The series against the Jazz featured two of the more memorable clutch moments of Jordan's career. He won Game 1 for the Bulls with abuzzer-beatingjump shot. In Game 5, with the series tied 2–2, Jordan played despite being feverish and dehydrated from a stomach virus. In what is known as \"The Flu Game\", Jordan scored 38 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with 25 seconds remaining.The Bulls won 90–88 and went on to win the series in six games.For the fifth time in as many Finals appearances, Jordan received the Finals MVP award.During the1997 NBA All-Star Game, he posted the first triple-double in All-Star Game history in a victorious effort, but the MVP award went toGlen Rice. The Bulls compiled a 62–20 record in the1997–98 season.Jordan led the league with 28.7 ppg,securing his fifth regular season MVP award, plus honors for All-NBA First Team, First Defensive Team, and the All-Star Game MVP.The Bulls won the Eastern Conference Championship for a third straight season, including surviving a seven-game series with theIndiana Pacersin the Eastern Conference Finals; it was the first time Jordan had played in a Game 7 since the 1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals with theNew York Knicks.After winning, they moved on for a rematch with theJazzinthe Finals. The Bulls returned to theDelta CenterforGame 6on June 14, 1998, leading the series 3–2. Jordan executed a series of plays, considered to be one of the greatest clutch performances in NBA Finals history.With 41.9 seconds remaining and the Bulls trailing 86–83, Phil Jackson called a timeout. When play resumed, Jordan received the inbound pass, drove to the basket, and sank a shot over several Jazz defenders, cutting Utah's lead to 86–85.The Jazz brought the ball upcourt and passed the ball to Malone, who was set up in thelow postand was being guarded by Rodman. Malone jostled with Rodman and caught the pass, but Jordan cut behind him and stole the ball out of his hands. Jordan then dribbled down the court and paused, eyeing his defender, Jazz guardBryon Russell. With 10 seconds remaining, Jordan started to dribble right, then crossed over to his left, possibly pushing off Russell, although the officials did not call afoul.With 5.2 seconds left, Jordan made the climactic shot of his Bulls career,a top-key jumper over a stumbling Russell to give Chicago an 87–86 lead. Afterwards, the Jazz'John Stocktonnarrowly missed a game-winning three-pointer, and the buzzer sounded as Jordan and the Bulls won their sixth NBA championship,achieving a second three-peat in the decade.Once again, Jordan was voted Finals MVP for a record sixth time,having led all scorers by averaging 33.5 ppg, including 45 in the deciding Game 6.The 1998 Finals holds the highest television rating of any Finals series,and Game 6 holds the highest television rating of any game in NBA history. Second retirement (1999–2001) WithPhil Jackson's contract expiring, the pending departures ofScottie PippenandDennis Rodmanlooming, and being in the latter stages of an owner-inducedlockoutof NBA players, Jordan retired for the second time on January 13, 1999.On January 19, 2000, Jordan returned to the NBA not as a player but as part owner and president of basketball operations for theWashington Wizards.Jordan's responsibilities with the Wizards were comprehensive, as he controlled all aspects of the Wizards' basketball operations, and had the final say in all personnel matters; opinions of Jordan as a basketball executive were mixed.He managed to purge the team of several highly paid, unpopular players (like forwardJuwan Howardand point guardRod Strickland)but used the first pick in the2001 NBA draftto select high school studentKwame Brown, who did not live up to expectations and was traded away after four seasons. Despite his January 1999 claim that he was \"99.9% certain\" he would never play another NBA game,Jordan expressed interest in making another comeback in the summer of 2001, this time with his new team.Inspired by theNHLcomeback of his friendMario Lemieuxthe previous winter,Jordan spent much of the spring and summer of 2001 in training, holding several invitation-only camps for NBA players in Chicago.Jordan hired his old Chicago Bulls head coach,Doug Collins, as Washington's coach for the upcoming season, a decision that many saw as foreshadowing another Jordan return. Washington Wizards (2001–2003) On September 25, 2001, Jordan announced his return to the NBA to play for the Washington Wizards, indicating his intention to donate his salary as a player to a relief effort for the victims of theSeptember 11 attacks.In an injury-plagued2001–02 season, Jordan led the team in scoring (22.9 ppg), assists (5.2 apg), and steals (1.4 spg),and was an MVP candidate, as he led the Wizards to a winning record and playoff contention;Jordan would eventually finish 13th in the MVP ballot.After he suffered torncartilagein his right knee,and subsequent knee soreness,the Wizards missed the playoffs,and Jordan's season ended after only 60 games, the fewest he had played in a regular season since playing 17 games after returning from his first retirement during the1994–95 season.Jordan started 53 of his 60 games for the season, averaging 24.3 ppg, 5.4 apg, and 6.0 rpg, and shooting 41.9% from the field in his 53 starts. His last seven appearances were in a reserve role, in which he averaged just over 20 minutes per game.The Wizards finished the season with a 37–45 record, an 18-game improvement. Playing in his 14th and final NBA All-Star Game in2003, Jordan passedKareem Abdul-Jabbaras the all-time leading scorer in All-Star Game history, a record since broken byKobe BryantandLeBron James.That year, Jordan was the only Washington player to play in all 82 games, starting in 67 of them as he came off the bench in 15. Jordan averaged 20.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 spg per game.He also shot 45% from the field, and 82% from the free-throw line.Although Jordan turned 40 during the season, he scored 20 or more points 42 times, 30 or more points nine times, and 40 or more points three times.On February 21, 2003, Jordan became the first 40-year-old to tally 43 points in an NBA game.During his stint with the Wizards, all of Jordan's home games at theMCI Centerwere sold out and the Wizards were the second most-watched team in the NBA, averaging 20,172 fans a game at home and 19,311 on the road.Jordan's final two seasons did not result in a playoff appearance for the Wizards, and he was often unsatisfied with the play of those around him.At several points, Jordan openly criticized his teammates to the media, citing their lack of focus and intensity, notably that ofKwame Brown, thenumber-one draft pickin the2001 NBA draft. Final retirement (2003) With the recognition that 2002–03 would be Jordan's final season, tributes were paid to him throughout the NBA. In his final game at theUnited Centerin Chicago, which was his old home court, Jordan received a four-minute standing ovation.TheMiami Heatretired the No. 23 jersey on April 11, 2003, even though Jordan never played for the team.At the 2003 All-Star Game, Jordan was offered a starting spot fromTracy McGradyandAllen Iversonbut refused both;he accepted the spot ofVince Carter.Jordan played in his final NBA game on April 16, 2003, inPhiladelphia. After scoring 13 points in the game, Jordan went to the bench with 4 minutes and 13 seconds left in the third quarter and his team trailing thePhiladelphia 76ers75–56. Just after the start of the fourth quarter, theFirst Union Centercrowd began chanting \"We want Mike!\" After much encouragement from coachDoug Collins, Jordan finally rose from the bench and re-entered the game, replacingLarry Hugheswith 2:35 remaining. At 1:45, Jordan was intentionally fouled by the 76ers'Eric Snow, and stepped to the line to make both free throws. After the second foul shot, the 76ers in-bounded the ball to rookieJohn Salmons, who in turn was intentionally fouled byBobby Simmonsone second later, stopping time so that Jordan could return to the bench. He received a three-minute standing ovation from his teammates, his opponents, the officials, and the crowd of 21,257 fans. National team career Jordan made his debut as a college player for theU.S. national basketball teamat the1983 Pan American GamesinCaracas, Venezuela. He led the team in scoring with 17.3 ppg as the U.S., coached byJack Hartman, won thegold medal.The following year, Jordan won another gold medal in the1984 Summer Olympics. The1984 U.S. teamwas coached byBob Knightand featured young players such asPatrick Ewing,Sam Perkins,Chris Mullin,Steve Alford, andWayman Tisdale. Jordan led the team in scoring, averaging 17.1 ppg for the tournament. In 1992, Jordan, now an NBA player, was a member of the star-studded squad that was dubbed the \"Dream Team\", which includedLarry Birdand Magic Johnson. The team won two gold medals: the first in the1992 Tournament of the Americas,and the second in the1992 Summer Olympics. Jordan was the only player to start all eight games in the Olympics. He averaged 14.9 ppg on 45% shooting from the field and 68% from the free-throw line. He was second on the team in scoring.He was undefeated in the four tournaments he played for the United States national team, and Jordan won all 30 games he took part in. Player profile Jordan was ashooting guardwho could also play as asmall forward, the position he would primarily play during his second return to professional basketball with theWashington Wizards.Jordan was known throughout his career as a strongclutchperformer. With the Bulls, he decided 25 games with field goals or free throws in the last 30 seconds, including two NBA Finals games and five other playoff contests.His competitiveness was visible in his prolifictrash talkand well-known work ethic.Jordan often used perceived slights to fuel his performances. SportswriterWright Thompsondescribed him as \"a killer, in the Darwinian sense of the word, immediately sensing and attacking someone's weakest spot\".As the Bulls organization built the franchise around Jordan, management had to trade away players who were not \"tough enough\" to compete with him in practice. To improve his defense, Jordan spent hours studying film of opponents. On offense, he relied more upon instinct and improvization.Jordan's fierce competitiveness greatly impacted his teammates, sometimes motivating them but also leading to tension and alienation. Noted as a durable player, Jordan did not miss four or more games while active for a full season from 1986–87 to 2001–02, when he injured his right knee.Of the 15 seasons Jordan was in the NBA, he played all 82 regular season games nine times.Jordan has frequently citedDavid Thompson,Walter Davis, andJerry Westas influences.Confirmed at the start of his career, and possibly later on, Jordan had a special \"Love of the Game Clause\" written into his contract, which was unusual at the time, and allowed him to play basketball against anyone at any time, anywhere. Jordan had a versatile offensive game and was capable of aggressivelydrivingto the basket as well as drawingfoulsfrom his opponents at a high rate. His 8,772free throwattempts are the 11th-highest total in NBA history.Early in Jordan's career, he weighed in at around 200 pounds (91 kg) and was more athletic in terms of play style.As his career progressed, Jordan also developed the ability topost uphis opponents and score with his trademarkfadeawayjump shot, using his leaping ability to avoid block attempts. According toHubie Brown, this move alone made Jordan nearly unstoppable.Around this time, he bulked up to 215 pounds (98 kg) in order to adapt to the increased physicality of NBA defenses during the 1990s, sacrificing some athleticism for added strength in the post.Despite media criticism by some as a selfish player early in his career, Jordan was willing to defer to this teammates, with a career average of 5.3 apg and a season-high of 8.0 apg.For a guard, Jordan was also a good rebounder, finishing with 6.2 rpg. Defensively, he averaged 2.3 spg and 0.8 bpg. Thethree-point field goalwas not Jordan's strength, especially in his early years. Later on in his career, Jordan improved his three-point shooting, and finished his career with a three-point field goal percentage of 32%.His best years shooting from three occurred in the 1989-90 and 1992-93 seasons, where he shot 37% and 35% from three, respectively (Jordan did shoot higher percentages from 1994-97, but in those years, the three-point line was temporarily moved inwards). Overall, Jordan was a highly efficient scorer. Hiseffective field goal percentagewas 50%, and he had six seasons with at least 50% shooting, five of which consecutively (1988–1992); Jordan also shot 51% and 50% from the field, and 30% and 33% from the three-point range, throughout his first and second retirements, respectively, finishing his Bulls career with 31.5 points per game on 50.5 FG% shooting and his overall career with 49.7 FG% shooting. In 1988, Jordan was honored with theNBA Defensive Player of the Yearand theMost Valuable Playerawards, becoming the first NBA player to win both awards in a career let alone season. He also set both seasonal and career records forblocked shotsby a guard,and combined this with his ball-thieving ability to become a standout defensive player. Despite his defensive prowess, the 1988 season has come under scrutiny due to the large discrepancy between Jordan's steals' numbers at home versus on the road. Such stat inflation was common, and a 2024 study by Tom Haberstroh found that there were games where Jordan was often credited with steals that could not have happened. For example, in one game, he was credited with more steals than the opposing team had live-ball turnovers.Jordan ranks fourth in NBA history in totalstealswith 2,514, trailingJohn Stockton,Jason KiddandChris Paul.Jerry West often stated that he was more impressed with Jordan's defensive contributions than his offensive ones.Doc Riversdeclared Jordan \"the best superstar defender in the history of the game\". Jordan was known to have strong eyesight. BroadcasterAl Michaelssaid that Jordan was able to read baseball box scores on a 27-inch (69 cm) television clearly from about 50 feet (15 m) away.During the2001 NBA Finals,Phil Jacksoncompared Jordan's dominance toShaquille O'Neal, stating: \"Michael would get fouled on every play and still have to play through it and just clear himself for shots instead and would rise to that occasion.\" Legacy Jordan's talent was clear from his first NBA season; by November 1984, he was being compared toJulius Erving.Larry Birdsaid that rookie Jordan was the best player he ever saw, and that Jordan was \"one of a kind\", and comparable toWayne Gretzkyas an athlete.In his first game in Madison Square Garden against theNew York Knicks, Jordan received a near minute-long standing ovation.After Jordan established the single game playoff record of 63 points against theBoston Celticson April 20, 1986, Bird described him as \"God disguised as Michael Jordan\". Jordanled the NBA in scoringin 10 seasons (NBA record) and tiedWilt Chamberlain's record of seven consecutive scoring titles.Jordan was a fixture of theNBA All-Defensive First Team, making the roster nine times (NBA record shared withGary Payton,Kevin Garnett, andKobe Bryant).He also holds the top career regular season and playoff scoring averages of 30.1 and 33.4 ppg, respectively.By 1998, the season of his Finals-winning shot against the Jazz, he was well known throughout the league as a clutch performer. In the regular season, Jordan was the Bulls' primary threat in the final seconds of a close game and in the playoffs; he would always ask for the ball at crunch time.Jordan's total of 5,987 points in the playoffs is the second-highest amongNBA career playoff scoring leaders.He scored 32,292 points in the regular season,placing him fifth on theNBA all-time scoring listbehindLeBron James,Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,Karl Malone, and Bryant. With five regular season MVPs (tied for second place withBill Russell—only Abdul-Jabbar has won more, with six), six Finals MVPs (NBA record), and threeNBA All-Star Game MVPs, Jordan is among the most decorated player in NBA history.He finished among the top three in regular season MVP voting 10 times.Jordan was named one of the50 Greatest Players in NBA Historyin 1996,and selected to theNBA 75th Anniversary Teamin 2021.He is one of only seven players in history to win an NCAA championship, an NBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal (doing so twice with the 1984 and 1992 U.S. men's basketball teams).Since 1976, the year of theABA–NBA merger,Jordan and Pippen are the only two players to win six NBA Finals playing for one team.In theAll-Star Game fan ballot, Jordan received the most votes nine times, more than any other player. \"There's Michael Jordan and then there is the rest of us.\" —Magic Johnson Many of Jordan's contemporaries have said that he is the greatest basketball player of all time.In 1999, anESPNsurvey of journalists, athletes and other sports figures ranked Jordan the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century.Jordan placed second toBabe Ruthin theAssociated Press' December 1999 list of 20th century athletes.The Associated Press also voted Jordan the greatest basketball player of the 20th century.He has also appeared on the front cover ofSports Illustrateda record 50 times.In the September 1996 issue ofSport, which was the publication's 50th-anniversary issue, Jordan was named the greatest athlete of the past 50 years. Jordan's athletic leaping ability, highlighted in his back-to-backSlam Dunk Contestchampionships in 1987 and 1988, is credited by many people with having influenced a generation of young players.Several NBA players, including James andDwyane Wade, have stated that they considered Jordan as their role model while they were growing up.Commentators have also dubbed a number of next-generation players \"the next Michael Jordan\" upon their entry to the NBA, includingPenny Hardaway,Grant Hill,Allen Iverson, Bryant,Vince Carter, James, and Wade.Some analysts, such asThe Ringer's Dan Devine, drew parallels between Jordan's experiment at point guard in the 1988–89 season and the modern NBA; for Devine, it \"inadvertently foreshadowed the modern game's stylistic shift toward monster-usage primary playmakers\", such asRussell Westbrook,James Harden,Luka Dončić, and James.Don Nelsonstated: \"I would've been playing him at point guard the day he showed up as a rookie.\" Although Jordan was a well-rounded player, his \"Air Jordan\" image is also often credited with inadvertently decreasing the jump shooting skills, defense, and fundamentals of young players,a fact Jordan himself has lamented, saying: \"I think it was the exposure of Michael Jordan; the marketing of Michael Jordan. Everything was marketed towards the things that people wanted to see, which was scoring and dunking. That Michael Jordan still played defense and an all-around game, but it was never really publicized.\"During his heyday, Jordan did much to increase the status of the game; television ratings increased only during his time in the league.The popularity of the NBA in the U.S. declined after his last title.As late as 2022,NBA Finals television ratingshad not returned to the level reached during his last championship-winning season. In August 2009, theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of FameinSpringfield, Massachusetts, opened a Michael Jordan exhibit that contained items from his college and NBA careers as well as from the 1992 \"Dream Team\"; the exhibit also has a battingbaseball gloveto signify Jordan's short career in theMinor League Baseball.After Jordan received word of his acceptance into the Hall of Fame, he selected Class of 1996 memberDavid Thompsonto present him.As Jordan would later explain during his induction speech in September 2009, he was not a fan of the Tar Heels when growing up in North Carolina but greatly admired Thompson, who played for the rivalNC State Wolfpack. In September, Jordan was inducted into the Hall with several former Bulls teammates in attendance, includingScottie Pippen,Dennis Rodman,Charles Oakley,Ron Harper,Steve Kerr, andToni Kukoč.Dean SmithandDoug Collins, two of Jordan's former coaches, were also among those present. His emotional reaction during his speech when Jordan began to cry was captured by Associated Press photographerStephan Savoiaand would later go viral on social media as the \"Crying Jordan\" Internet meme.In 2016, PresidentBarack Obamahonored Jordan with thePresidential Medal of Freedom.In October 2021, he was named to theNBA 75th Anniversary Team.In September 2022, Jordan's jersey in which he played the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals was sold for $10.1 million, making it the most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia in history.In December 2022, the NBA unveiled a new MVP trophy, named in Jordan's honor, to be awarded beginning with the2022–23 season, which replaced the original trophy, named in honor of former NBA commissionerMaurice Podoloff. NBA career statistics Regular season Playoffs Awards and honors NBA USA Basketball NCAA High school Halls of Fame Media National State/local Post-retirement After his third retirement, Jordan assumed that he would be able to return to his front office position as Director of Basketball Operations with the Wizards.Jordan's previous tenure had produced mixed results and may have also influenced the trade ofRichard \"Rip\" HamiltonforJerry Stackhouse, although Jordan was not technically Director of Basketball Operations in 2002.On May 7, 2003, Wizards ownerAbe Pollinfired Jordan from the role.Jordan later stated that he felt betrayed, and that if he had known he would be fired upon retiring, he never would have come back to play for the Wizards. Over the next few years, Jordan played golf in celebrity charity tournaments and spent time with his family in Chicago. He also promoted his Jordan Brand clothing line and rode motorcycles.Since 2004, Jordan has owned Michael Jordan Motorsports, a professional closed-course motorcycle road racing team that competed with twoSuzukisin thepremier Superbike championshipsanctioned by theAmerican Motorcyclist Association(AMA) until the end of the 2013 season. Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets On June 15, 2006, Jordan bought a minority stake in theCharlotte Bobcats(known as theHornetssince 2013), becoming the team's second-largest shareholder behind majority ownerRobert L. Johnson. As part of the deal, Jordan took full control over the basketball side of the operation, with the title Managing Member of Basketball Operations.Despite his previous success as an endorser, Jordan made an effort not to be included in Charlotte's marketing campaigns.A decade earlier, he had made a bid to become part-owner of Charlotte's original NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets, but talks collapsed when ownerGeorge Shinnrefused to give Jordan complete control of basketball operations. In February 2010, it was reported that Jordan was seeking majority ownership of the Bobcats.As February wore on, it became apparent that Jordan and formerHouston RocketspresidentGeorge Postoloswere the leading contenders for ownership of the team. On February 27, the Bobcats announced that Johnson had reached an agreement with Jordan and his group, MJ Basketball Holdings, to buy the team from Johnson pending NBA approval.On March 17, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved Jordan's purchase, making him the first former player to become the majority owner of an NBA team,and the league's only African-American majority owner. During the2011 NBA lockout,The New York Timeswrote that Jordan led a group of 10 to 14 hardline owners who wanted to cap the players' share of basketball-related income at 50 percent and as low as 47. Journalists observed that, during thelabor dispute in 1998, Jordan toldWashington Wizardsthen-ownerAbe Pollin: \"If you can't make a profit, you should sell your team.\"Jason WhitlockofFoxSports.comcalled Jordan \"a hypocriteselloutwho can easily betray the very people who made him a billionaire global icon\" for wanting \"current players to pay for his incompetence\".He cited Jordan's executive decisions to draft disappointing playersKwame BrownandAdam Morrison. During the2011–12 NBA seasonthat was shortened to 66 games by the lockout, the Bobcats posted a 7–59 record. The team closed out the season with a 23-game losing streak; their .106 winning percentage was the worst in NBA history.Before the next season, Jordan said: \"I'm not real happy about the record book scenario last year. It's very, very frustrating.\" During the 2019 NBA offseason, Jordan sold a minority piece of the Hornets to Gabe Plotkin and Daniel Sundheim, retaining the majority for himself,as well as the role of chairman.In 2023, Jordan finalized the sale of his majority stake to Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, ending his 13-year tenure as majority owner, although he kept a minority stake.The sale was officially completed in August 2023 for approximately $3 billion, more than 10 times the $275 million Jordan had paid for the team. 23XI Racing On September 21, 2020, Jordan andNASCARdriverDenny Hamlinannounced they would be fielding aNASCAR Cup Seriesteam withBubba Wallacedriving, beginning competition in the2021 season.On October 22, the team's name was confirmed to be23XI Racing(pronounced twenty-three eleven) and the team's entry would bear No. 23.After the team's inaugural season, it added a second car with No. 45, driven byKurt Buschin2022andTyler Reddickin2023.Ty Gibbs,John Hunter Nemechek, andDaniel Hemricalso drove for 23XI as substitute drivers during the 2022 season.The team fielded a third car, No. 67, driven byTravis Pastranain the2023 Daytona 500.23XI Racing has won seven races, two by Wallace, four by Reddick, and one by Busch.Reddick won the2024 NASCAR Cup Seriesregular season championship, the first for the team. Personal life Jordan married Juanita Vanoy atA Little White Wedding ChapelinLas Vegason September 2, 1989.They had three children:Jeffrey,Marcus, and Jasmine.The Jordans filed for divorce on January 4, 2002, citing irreconcilable differences, but reconciled shortly thereafter. They again filed for divorce and were granted a final decree of dissolution of marriage on December 29, 2006, commenting that the decision was made \"mutually and amicably\".It is reported that Juanita received a $168 million settlement (equivalent to $254 million in 2023), making it the largest celebrity divorce settlement on public record at the time. In 1991, Jordan purchased a lot inHighland Park, Illinois, where he planned to build a 56,000-square-foot (5,200 m2) mansion. It was completed in 1995. Jordan listed the mansion for sale in 2012.He also owns homes inNorth CarolinaandJupiter Island, Florida. On July 21, 2006, a judge inCook County, Illinois, determined that Jordan did not owe his alleged former lover Karla Knafel $5 million in a breach of contract claim.Jordan had allegedly paid Knafel $250,000 to keep their relationship a secret.Knafel claimed Jordan promised her $5 million for remaining silent and agreeing not to file apaternity suitafter Knafel learned she was pregnant in 1991; aDNA testshowed that Jordan was not the father of the child. Jordan proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Cuban-American modelYvette Prieto, on Christmas 2011,and they were married on April 27, 2013, atBethesda-by-the-SeaEpiscopal Church.It was announced on November 30, 2013, that the two were expecting their first child together.On February 11, 2014, Prieto gave birth to identical twin daughters named Victoria and Ysabel.In 2019, Jordan became a grandfather when his daughter Jasmine gave birth to a son, whose father is professional basketball playerRakeem Christmas. Media figure and business interests Endorsements Jordan is one of the most marketed sports figures in history. He has been a major spokesman for such brands asNike,Coca-Cola,Chevrolet,Gatorade,McDonald's,Ball Park Franks,Rayovac,Wheaties,Hanes, andMCI.Jordan has had a long relationship with Gatorade, appearing in over 20 commercials for the company since 1991, including the \"Be Like Mike\" commercials in which a song was sung by children wishing to be like Jordan. Nike created a signature shoe for Jordan, called theAir Jordan, in 1984.One of his more popular commercials for the shoe involvedSpike Leeplaying the part ofMars Blackmon. In the commercials, Lee, as Blackmon, attempted to find the source of Jordan's abilities and became convinced that \"it's gotta be the shoes\".The hype and demand for the shoes even brought on a spate of \"shoe-jackings\", in which people were robbed of their sneakers at gunpoint. Subsequently, Nike spun off the Jordan line into its own division named the \"Jordan Brand\". The company features a list of athletes and celebrities as endorsers.The brand has also sponsored college sports programs such as those ofNorth Carolina,UCLA,California,Oklahoma,Florida,Georgetown, andMarquette. Jordan also has been associated with theLooney Tunescartoon characters. A Nike commercial shown during 1992'sSuper Bowl XXVIfeatured Jordan andBugs Bunnyplaying basketball.The Super Bowl commercial inspired the 1996live action/animatedfilmSpace Jam, which starred Jordan and Bugs in a fictional story set during the former's first retirement from basketball.They have subsequently appeared together in several commercials for MCI.Jordan also made an appearance in the music video forMichael Jackson's \"Jam\" (1992). Since 2008, Jordan's yearly income from endorsements is estimated to be over $40 million.In addition, when his power at the ticket gates was at its highest point, the Bulls regularly sold out both their home and road games.Due to this, Jordan set records in player salary by signing annual contracts worth in excess of US$30 million per season.An academic study found that his first NBA comeback resulted in an increase in the market capitalization of his client firms of more than $1 billion. Most of Jordan's endorsement deals, including his first deal with Nike, were engineered by his agent,David Falk.Jordan has described Falk as \"the best at what he does\" and that \"marketing-wise, he's great. He's the one who came up with the concept of 'Air Jordan'.\" Business ventures In June 2010, Jordan was ranked byForbesas the 20th-most-powerful celebrity in the world, with $55 million earned between June 2009 and June 2010. According toForbes, Jordan Brand generates $1 billion in sales for Nike.In June 2014, Jordan was named the first NBA player to become a billionaire, after he increased his stake in the Charlotte Hornets from 80% to 89.5%.On January 20, 2015, Jordan was honored with theCharlotte Business Journal's Business Person of the Year for 2014.In 2017, he became a part owner of theMiami MarlinsofMajor League Baseball. Forbesdesignated Jordan as the athlete with the highest career earnings in 2017.From his Jordan Brand income and endorsements, Jordan's 2015 income was an estimated $110 million, the most of any retired athlete.As of 2024, his net worth is estimated at $3.2 billion byForbes,making him thefifth-richest African-American, behindRobert F. Smith,David Steward,Oprah Winfrey, andRihanna. Jordan co-owns an automotive group which bears his name. The company has aNissandealership inDurham, North Carolina, acquired in 1990,and formerly had aLincoln–Mercurydealership from 1995 until its closure in June 2009.The company also owned a Nissan franchise inGlen Burnie, Maryland.The restaurant industry is another business interest of Jordan's. Restaurants he has owned include asteakhousein New York City'sGrand Central Terminal, among others;that restaurant closed in 2018.Jordan is the majority investor in a golf course, Grove XXIII inHobe Sound, Florida. In September 2020, Jordan became an investor and advisor forDraftKings. Philanthropy From 2001 to 2014, Jordan hosted an annual golf tournament, the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, that raised money for various charities.In 2006, Jordan and his wife Juanita pledged $5 million to Chicago'sHales Franciscan High School.TheJordan Brandhas made donations toHabitat for Humanityand aLouisianabranch of theBoys & Girls Clubs of America. TheMake-A-Wish Foundationnamed Jordan its Chief Wish Ambassador in 2008.In 2013, he granted his 200th wish for the organization.As of 2019, Jordan has raised more than $5 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.In 2023, he donated $10 million to the organization for his 60th birthday. In 2015, Jordan donated a settlement of undisclosed size from a lawsuit against supermarkets that had used his name without permission to 23 different Chicago charities.In 2017, Jordan funded twoNovant HealthMichael Jordan Family Clinics inCharlotte, North Carolina, by giving $7 million, the biggest donation he had made at the time.The following year, afterHurricane Florencedamaged parts of North Carolina, including his former hometown of Wilmington, Jordan donated $2 million to relief efforts.He gave $1 million to aid the Bahamas' recovery followingHurricane Dorianin 2019. On June 5, 2020, in the wake ofthe protestsfollowing themurder of George Floyd, Jordan and his brand announced in a joint statement that they would be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to \"ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education\".In February 2021, Jordan funded two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics inNew Hanover County, North Carolina, by giving $10 million.In 2024, he funded the opening of another Novant Health Clinic, this time in Wilmington. Film and television Jordan played himself in the 1996 comedy filmSpace Jam. The film received mixed reviews,but it was a box office success, making $230 million worldwide, and earned more than $1 billion through merchandise sales. In 2000, Jordan was the subject of anIMAXdocumentary about his career with the Chicago Bulls, especially the1998 NBA playoffs, titledMichael Jordan to the Max.Two decades later, the same period of Jordan's life was covered in much greater and more personal detail by theEmmy Award-winningThe Last Dance, a 10-part TV documentary which debuted onESPNin April and May 2020.The Last Dancerelied heavily on about 500 hours of candid film of Jordan's and his teammates' off-court activities which anNBA Entertainmentcrew had shot over the course of the1997–98 NBA seasonfor use in a documentary. The project was delayed for many years because Jordan had not yet given his permission for the footage to be used.Jordan was interviewed at three homes associated with the production and did not want cameras in his home or on his plane, as according to director Jason Hehir \"there are certain aspects of his life that he wants to keep private\". Jordan granted rapperTravis Scottpermission to film a music video for his single \"Franchise\" at his home inHighland Park, Illinois.Jordan appeared in the 2022 miniseriesThe Captain, which follows the life and career ofDerek Jeter. Books Jordan has authored several books focusing on his life, basketball career, and world view. See also Notes References Sources Further reading External links","Race and ethnicity in the NBA The composition ofraceandethnicityin theNational Basketball Association(NBA) has changed throughout the league's history. The firstnon-whiteplayer to play in the league was anAsian American,Wat Misaka, in 1947.African Americansentered the league beginning in 1950. According toracial equalityactivistRichard Lapchick, the NBA in 2021 was composed of 73.2 percentblackplayers, 16.8 percentwhiteplayers, 3.1 percentLatinoplayers of any race, and 0.4 percentAsianplayers. Additionally, 6.6 percent of the players were classified as either multiracial or \"other\" races.The league has the highest percentage of black players of anymajor professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. History Players The NBA was founded in June 1946, with its first season played in1946–47.Wat Misakadebuted in1947–48as the first non-white player and the firstAsian Americanto play in the league. African Americansfirst appeared in the NBA in 1950.Chuck Cooperwas the first black playerdraftedin the NBA.On April 26, 1950,Harold Huntersigned with theWashington Capitols, becoming the firstAfrican Americanto sign a contract with any NBA team in history.However, Hunter was cut from the team during training camp and did not play professionally.On May 24,Nathaniel \"Sweetwater\" Cliftonwas the second African American player to sign an NBA contract.Earl Lloydwas the first to play in the NBA.Hank DeZoniealso played that year.In 1953,Don Barksdalebecame the first African American to play in anNBA All-Star Game. With the emergence of African American players by the 1960s, the NBA game was stylistically being played faster and above the rim. Many of the league's great players were black. At that time, African Americans believed they were limited by anunofficialleague quota of four black players per team. Puerto RicanButch Leein 1978 was the first Latino in the league.Wang Zhizhibecame the first Chinese player in 2001.In 2010,Jeremy Linbecame the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA. In 2011,Richard LapchickwithThe Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport(TIDES) of theUniversity of Central Floridareported in their annualRacial and Gender Report Cardthat 17 percent of the league's players werewhite, the lowest since the report began in 1990.Hall of Fameplayer andIndiana Pacerspresident of basketball operationsLarry Bird, who is white, stated in 2004 that the league needed more white players since the league's fans are mostly white. \"And if you just had a couple of white guys in there, you might get them a little excited. But it is a black man's game, and it will be forever. I mean, the greatest athletes in the world are African American,\" said Bird.Contrary to Bird's assertion, as of 2017, White Americans, made up only 34% of the NBA's viewership, making it the only major sports league inNorth America, that doesn't have a majority white viewership. At the same time, the black share of viewership stands at 47 percent, while Hispanic (of any race) stood at 11% and Asian viewership stood at 8%. More recently, a number of commentators and fans have remarked on the league's dwindling number ofwhite Americanplayers. While a TIDES study found that the NBA was 18.3 percent white in the 2015–16 season, this number also included non-Americans, most notably Europeans. During the entire 1996–97 season, only three NBA teams did not field an American-born white; on the opening day of the 2016–17 season, eight teams did not have a white American on their roster, and an additional 10 teams had only one. At the latter point in time, fewer than 10 percent of NBA players were American-born whites (43 out of a possible 450). Coaches Bill Russellin 1966 became the first non-white and African Americanhead coachin the NBA.In the late 1980s, teams began hiring black coaches in large numbers.At the start of the2015–16 season, there were seven black head coaches in the league, down 50 percent from three years earlier, and the fewest in 16 years.At the conclusion of the 2016-17 season there were eight African American head coaches. Owners Robert Johnsonof theCharlotte Bobcats(now known as the Charlotte Hornets) was the first black majority team owner in the NBA in 2004–05.He was succeeded as Bobcats owner in 2010–11 by another African American,Michael Jordan.In 2013–14, Jordan andSacramento KingsownerVivek Ranadivé, who is Indian, marked the first time in the history of major pro sports leagues in the U.S. that there were two non-white majority owners in a league.The number of NBA teams with non-white majority owners increased to three in September 2019 with the league approval of Taiwanese Canadian entrepreneurJoseph Tsai's purchase of RussianMikhail Prokhorov's 51 percent share in theBrooklyn Nets. Tsai had previously held a 49 percent interest in the team, having acquired that stake from Prokhorov in 2018, and exercised an option to purchase the remaining interest before its 2021 expiration date. Viewership demographics Among NBA fans during the 2013–14 season, African Americans (844 minutes) andAsian Americans(719) spent the most time watching the league, followed byHispanics(of any race, 390) and Whites (290).Furthermore, according to a Nielsen's survey, the NBA has the highest share ofblackviewers, with 45 percent of its viewers being black and 40 percent of viewers beingwhite, making it the only top North American sport that did not have a white majority audience. During the 2016–17 season, 66 percent of the league's viewers were racial and ethnic minorities. Its audience was 47 percent Blacks, 34 percent Whites, 11 percent Hispanics (of any race), and 8 percent Asians. Timothy J. Piper examines how the NBA uses archival sports video in its advertising to give the impression that racial issues don't exist in the league, despite the fact that they do. The NBA tried to revitalize its brand prior to 2007 as a result of issues like dwindling attendance and broadcast ratings. In particular, it introduced a \"business casual\" attire policy for players in 2005 as part of its effort to distance itself from facets of hip-hop culture. The league's efforts to solve its economic fall were tied to this clothing code, which was intended to redefine player uniforms for NBA commerce, according to then-NBA Commissioner David Stern. This was all in order to enhance the league's image; some players welcomed this idea. The article also notes the NBA's 2007 advertising campaign, \"Where Amazing Happens,\" which featured archival footage and signaled a change in the league's branding approach. The goal of this campaign, which marked a change from prior ones, was to portray the NBA as varied but \"raceless\". See also Notes References Further reading External links","Earl Lloyd Earl Francis Lloyd(April 3, 1928 – February 26, 2015) was an American professionalbasketballplayer and coach. He was the firstAfrican Americanplayer to play a game in theNational Basketball Association(NBA). An All–American player atWest Virginia State University, Lloyd helped lead West Virginia State to an undefeated season in 1948. As a professional, Lloyd helped lead theSyracuse Nationalsto the1955 NBA Championship. Lloyd was inducted into theNaismith Basketball Hall of Famein 2003. Early life Earl Lloyd was born inAlexandria, Virginia, on April 3, 1928, to Theodore Lloyd Sr. and Daisy Lloyd. His father worked in the coal industry and his mother was a stay-at-home mom. Being a high school standout, Lloyd was named to the All-South Atlantic Conference three times and the All-State Virginia Interscholastic Conference twice. Lloyd did attend a segregated school, but gives gratitude to his family and educators for helping him through the tough times and his success after school. Lloyd was a 1946 graduate of Parker–Grey High School, where he played for Coach Louis Randolph Johnson. He received a scholarship to play basketball atWest Virginia State University, home of theYellow Jackets. In school he was nicknamed \"Moon Fixer\" because of his size and was known as a defensive specialist. College career Lloyd led West Virginia State to twoCentral Intercollegiate Athletic Association(CIAA) Conference and Tournament Championships in 1948 and 1949. He was named All–Conference three times (1948–50) and wasAll-Americantwice, as named by thePittsburgh Courier(1949–50). As a senior, he averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds per game, while leading West Virginia State to a second–place finish in the CIAA Conference and Tournament Championship. In 1947–48, West Virginia State was the only undefeated team in the United States, with a 30–0 record.Lloyd graduated from WVSU with his B.S. degree in physical education in 1950. Harlem Globetrotter Prior to being drafted in the ninth round of the 1950 NBA Draft, Lloyd starred in the lineup of the Harlem Globetrotters. Lloyd led the team to two wins over the reigning Minneapolis Lakers; this proved his talents beyond his race. Except for racial segregation, he was one of the finest artists of his time.Lloyd's talents were recognized amongst other black teammates, the two being Chuck Cooper and Nathaniel \"Sweetwater\" Clifton. All three would go on to be drafted by the NBA, Clifton in 1947, Cooper in 1950, and Lloyd in 1950, the 100th overall pick. NBA career Lloyd was drafted in the 9th round with pick #100 by theWashington Capitolsin the1950 NBA draft. Nicknamed \"The Big Cat\", Lloyd was one of three black players to enter the NBA at the same time. It was because of the order in which the team's season openers fell that Lloyd was the first to actually play in a game in the NBA, scoring six points on Halloween night.The date was October 31, 1950, one day ahead ofChuck Cooperof theBoston Celticsand four days beforeNat \"Sweetwater\" Cliftonof theNew York Knicks. Lloyd played in over 560 games in nine seasons. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound forward played in only seven games for the Washington Capitols before the team folded on January 9, 1951. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army atFort Sill,Oklahoma. While fulfilling his military duty, theSyracuse Nationalspicked him up on waivers. Lloyd served time fighting in theKorean Warbefore coming back to basketball in 1952. In the 1953–54 season, Lloyd led the NBA in both personal fouls and disqualifications. In 1954–1955, Lloyd averaged career highs of 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds for Syracuse, which beat theFort Wayne Pistons4 games to 3 to win the1955 NBA Championship. Lloyd andJim Tuckerbecame the first African–Americans to play on an NBA championship team. Lloyd spent six seasons with Syracuse and two with theDetroit Pistonsbefore retiring in 1961. Regarding the racism black players faced in the early years of the NBA, Lloyd recalled being refused service multiple times and an incident where a fan in Indiana spit on him. He even went as far as to detail a time in which he was told to \"go back\" to Africa, and a plethora of times racial slurs were used towards him. However, Lloyd persevered and said that these instances only pushed him and made him play harder.Saying he didn't encounter racial animosity from teammates or opposing players, Lloyd said of fans' antics, “My philosophy was: If they weren’t calling you names, you weren’t doing nothing. If they’re calling you names, you were hurting them.” \"In 1950, basketball was like a babe in the woods; it didn't enjoy the notoriety that baseball enjoyed,\" Lloyd once said. \"I don't think my situation was anything like Jackie Robinson's-a guy who played in a hostile environment, where some of his teammates didn't want him around. In basketball, folks were used to seeing integrated college teams. There was a different mentality.\" “He’s an unsung star. Anybody can score. Lloyd was an excellent defensive player. That was No. 1 on my roster,” said his Syracuse Coach Al Cervi. In his NBA career with theWashington Capitols(1950–1951),Syracuse Nationals(1952–1958) andDetroit Pistons(1958–1960), Earl averaged 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 560 games over nine seasons. Coaching and scouting career According to Detroit News sportswriter Jerry Green, in 1965 Detroit Pistons General Manager Don Wattrick wanted to hire Lloyd as the team's head coach.Dave DeBusscherewas instead named Pistons player–coach. Lloyd was the first African–American assistant coach and was named head coach for the 1971–72 season, making him the third African–American head coach, afterJohn McLendonandBill Russell.A 2–5 start to thefollowing campaignresulted in Lloyd being relieved of his duties and replaced by assistant coachRay Scotton October 28, 1972.He had an overall record of 22–55 with the Pistons. Lloyd worked for the Pistons as a scout for five seasons. Lloyd is credited with helping draftBailey Howelland discoveringWillis Reed,Earl Monroe,Ray ScottandWally Jones. Personal life After his basketball career, Lloyd worked during the 1970s and 1980s as a job placement administrator for the Detroit public school system. During this time, Lloyd also ran programs for underprivileged children teaching job skills. Lloyd served as Community Relations Director for the Bing Group, a Detroit manufacturing company in the 1990s. Approached by a young African–American player who said he was indebted to Lloyd for opening the doors for future generations of black players, Lloyd replied that he owed him absolutely nothing. “You cannot understand what an honor this is,” Lloyd said in 2007 about the court atT. C. Williams High Schoolbeing named in his honor. “There’s no better honor than being validated by people who know you best. I will always, always treasure this.” Lloyd and his wife, Charlita, had three sons and four grandchildren. Lloyd resided inFairfield Glade, Tennessee, just outsideCrossville, Tennessee, until his death on February 26, 2015. Honors NBA career statistics Regular season Playoffs Head coaching record See also References Further reading External links # denotes interim head coach"],"string":"[\n \"Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan(born February 17, 1963), also known by his initialsMJ,is an American businessman and former professionalbasketballplayer. He played 15 seasons in theNational Basketball Association(NBA) between 1984 and 2003, winning sixNBA championshipswith theChicago Bulls. He was integral in popularizing basketball and the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s,becoming a globalcultural icon.His profile on the NBA website states, \\\"By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.\\\" Jordan playedcollege basketballwith theNorth Carolina Tar Heels. As a freshman, he was a member of the Tar Heels' national championship team in1982.Jordan joined the Bulls in1984as the third overall draft pickand quickly emerged as a league star, entertaining crowds with his prolific scoring while gaining a reputation as one of the best defensive players.His leaping ability, demonstrated by performingslam dunksfrom thefree-throw lineinSlam Dunk Contests, earned him the nicknames \\\"Air Jordan\\\" and \\\"His Airness\\\".Jordan won his first NBA title with the Bulls in1991and followed that achievement with titles in1992and1993, securing athree-peat. Citing \\\"physical and mental exhaustion\\\" from basketball and superstardom, Jordan abruptly retired from basketball before the1993–94 NBA seasonto playMinor League Baseballin theChicago White Soxorganization. He returned to the Bulls in March 1995 and led them to three more championships in1996,1997, and1998, as well as a then-record 72 regular season wins in the1995–96 NBA season.Jordan retired for the second time in January 1999, returning for two more NBA seasons from 2001 to 2003 as a member of theWashington Wizards.He was selected to play for theUnited States national teamduring his college and NBA careers, winning fourgold medals—at the1983 Pan American Games,1984 Summer Olympics,1992 Tournament of the Americasand1992 Summer Olympics—while also being undefeated. Jordan's individual accolades include sixNBA Finals Most Valuable Player(MVP) awards, tenNBA scoring titles(both all-time records), fiveNBA MVPawards, 10All-NBAFirst Team designations, nineAll-DefensiveFirst Team honors, fourteenNBA All-Star Gameselections, threeNBA All-Star Game MVPawards, threeNBA steals titles, and the 1988NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.He holds theNBA recordsfor career regular season scoring average (30.1 points per game) and career playoff scoring average (33.4 points per game).In 1999, Jordan was named the 20th century's greatest North American athlete byESPNand was second toBabe Ruthon theAssociated Press' list of athletes of the century.Jordan was twice inducted into theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, once in 2009 for his individual career,and again in 2010 as part of the1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team(\\\"The Dream Team\\\").He became a member of theUnited States Olympic Hall of Famein 2009,a member of theNorth Carolina Sports Hall of Famein 2010,and an individual member of theFIBA Hall of Famein 2015 and a \\\"Dream Team\\\" member in 2017.Jordan was named to theNBA 50th Anniversary Teamin 1996 and to theNBA 75th Anniversary Teamin 2021.The trophy for theNBA Most Valuable Player Awardis named in his honor. One of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation, Jordan made many product endorsements.He fueled the success ofNike'sAir Jordansneakers, which were introduced in 1984 and remain popular.Jordan starred as himself in the live-action/animation hybrid filmSpace Jam(1996) and was the central focus of theEmmy-winning documentary seriesThe Last Dance(2020). He became part-owner and head of basketball operations for theCharlotte Hornets(then named the Bobcats) in 2006 and bought a controlling interest in 2010, before selling his majority stake in 2023. Jordan is also a co-owner of23XI Racingin theNASCAR Cup Series. In 2016, he became the first billionaire player in NBA history.That same year, PresidentBarack Obamaawarded Jordan thePresidential Medal of Freedom.As of 2024, his net worth is estimated at $3.2 billion byForbes. Early life Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born atCumberland Hospitalin Brooklyn, New York City, on February 17, 1963,to bank employee Deloris (née Peoples) and equipment supervisorJames R. Jordan Sr.He has two older brothers, James Jr. and basketball playerLarry, as well as an older sister named Deloris and a younger sister named Roslyn.Jordan and his siblings were raised in theMethodistfaith. In 1968, the family moved toWilmington, North Carolina.Jordan attendedEmsley A. Laney High School, where he highlighted his athletic career by playing basketball, baseball, and football. He tried out for the basketballvarsity teamduring his sophomore year, but at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m), he was deemed too short. His taller friendHarvest Leroy Smithwas the only sophomore to make the team.Motivated to prove his worth, Jordan became the star of Laney'sjunior varsity teamand tallied some 40-point games.The following summer, he grew four inches (10 cm) and trained rigorously.Upon earning a spot on the varsity roster, Jordan averaged more than 25points per game(ppg) over his final two seasons of high school play.As a senior, he was selected to play in the1981 McDonald's All-American Gameand scored 30points,after averaging 26.8 ppg,11.6rebounds(rpg), and 10.1assistsper game (apg) for the season. Jordan was recruited by numerous college basketball programs, includingDuke,North Carolina,South Carolina,Syracuse, andVirginia.In 1981, he accepted a basketball scholarship to theUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where Jordan majored incultural geography.He chose this field of study because of its relationship tometeorology, as Jordan was interested in a career as ameteorologist. College career As a freshman in coachDean Smith's team-oriented system, Jordan was namedACCFreshman of the Year after averaging 13.4 ppg on 53.4% shooting (field goal percentage).He made the game-winningjump shotin the1982 NCAA Championship gameagainstGeorgetown, which was led by future NBA rivalPatrick Ewing.Jordan later described this shot as the major turning point in his basketball career.During his three seasons with theTar Heels, Jordan averaged 17.7 ppg on 54.0% shooting and added 5.0 rpg and 1.8 apg. Jordan was selected by consensus to theNCAA All-American First Teamin both his sophomore (1983) and junior (1984) seasons.After winning theNaismithand theWoodenCollege Player of the Year awards in 1984, Jordan left North Carolina a year before his scheduled graduation to enter the1984 NBA draft. Jordan returned to North Carolina to complete his degree in 1986,when he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography.In 2002, Jordan was named to theACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball teamhonoring the 50 greatest players in ACC history. Professional career Chicago Bulls (1984–1993; 1995–1998) Early NBA years (1984–1987) TheChicago Bullsselected Jordan with the third overall pick of the1984 NBA draftafterHakeem Olajuwon(Houston Rockets) andSam Bowie(Portland Trail Blazers). One of the primary reasons why Jordan was not drafted sooner was because the first two teams were in need of acenter.Trail Blazers general managerStu Inmancontended that it was not a matter of drafting a center but more a matter of taking Bowie over Jordan, in part because Portland already hadClyde Drexler, who was a guard with similar skills to Jordan.Citing Bowie's injury-laden college career,ESPNnamed the Blazers' choice of Bowie as the worst draft pick in North American professional sports history. Jordan made his NBA debut atChicago Stadiumon October 26, 1984, and scored 16 points. In 2021, a ticket stub from the game sold at auction for $264,000, setting a record for a collectible ticket stub.During his rookie1984–85 seasonwith the Bulls, Jordan averaged 28.2 ppg on 51.5% shooting,and helped the Bulls improve from 28-54 to 38-44. Jordan quickly became a fan favorite even in opposing arenas.Roy S. Johnson ofThe New York Timesdescribed Jordan as \\\"the phenomenal rookie of the Bulls\\\" in November,and he appeared on the cover ofSports Illustratedwith the heading \\\"A Star Is Born\\\" in December.The fans voted in Jordan as anAll-Starstarter during his rookie season.Controversy arose before the1985 NBA All-Star Gamewhen word surfaced that several veteran players, led byIsiah Thomas, were upset by the amount of attention Jordan was receiving.This led to a so-called \\\"freeze-out\\\" on Jordan, where players refused to pass the ball to him.The controversy left Jordan relatively unaffected when he returned to regular season play, and he would go on to be voted theNBA Rookie of the Year.The Bulls finished the season 38–44,and lost to theMilwaukee Bucksin four games in the first round ofthe playoffs. An often-cited moment was on August 26, 1985,when Jordan shook the arena during a Nike exhibition game inTrieste, Italy, by shattering the glass of the backboard with a dunk.The moment was filmed and is often referred to as an important milestone in Jordan's rise.The shoes Jordan wore during the game were auctioned in August 2020 for $615,000, a record for a pair of sneakers.Jordan's1985–86 seasonwas cut short when he broke his foot in the third game of the year, causing him to miss 64 games.The Bulls madethe playoffsdespite Jordan's injury and a 30–52 record,at the time the fifth-worst record of any team to qualify for the playoffs in NBA history.Jordan recovered in time to participate in the postseason and performed well upon his return. On April 20 at theBoston Garden, in Game 2 of the First Round, a 135–131 double overtime loss to the eventualNBA championBoston Celtics, Jordan scored a playoff career-high 63 points, breakingElgin Baylor'ssingle-game playoff scoring record.The Celtics team, though, swept the series in three games. Jordan completely recovered in time for the1986–87 season,and had one of the most prolific scoring seasons in NBA history; he became the only player other thanWilt Chamberlainto score 3,000 points in a season, averaging a league-high 37.1 ppg on 48.2% shooting.Jordan also demonstrated his defensive prowess, as he became the first player in NBA history to record 200stealsand 100blocked shotsin a season.Despite Jordan's success,Magic Johnsonwon theNBA Most Valuable Player Award.The Bulls reached 40 wins,and advanced tothe playoffsfor the third consecutive year but were again swept by theCeltics. Pistons roadblock (1987–1990) Jordan led the league in scoring during the1987–88 season, averaging 35.0 ppg on 53.5% shooting,and won his first league MVP Award. He was named theNBA Defensive Player of the Yearafter averaging 1.6 blocks per game (bpg), a league-high 3.1 steals per game (spg),and leading the Bulls defense to the fewest points per game allowed in the league.The Bulls finished 50–32,and made it past the first round ofthe playoffsfor the first time in Jordan's career, as they defeated theCleveland Cavaliersin five games.In the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Bulls lost in five games to the more experiencedDetroit Pistons,who were led byIsiah Thomasand a group of physical players known as the \\\"Bad Boys\\\". In the1988–89 season, Jordan again led the league in scoring, averaging 32.5 ppg on 53.8% shooting from the field, along with 8.0 rpg and 8.0 apg.During the season,Sam Vincent, Chicago'spoint guard, was having trouble running the offense, and Jordan expressed his frustration with head coachDoug Collins, who then put Jordan at point guard. In his time as a point guard, Jordan had 10triple-doublesin 11 games, with averages of 33.6 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 10.8 apg, 2.9 spg, and 0.8 bpg on 51% shooting. The Bulls finished with a 47–35 record,and advanced to theEastern ConferenceFinals, defeating theCavaliersandNew York Knicksalong the way.The Cavaliers series included a career highlight for Jordan when he hit \\\"The Shot\\\" overCraig Ehloat the buzzer in the fifth and final game of the series.In the Eastern Conference Finals, thePistonsagain defeated the Bulls, this time in six games,by utilizing their \\\"Jordan Rules\\\" method of guarding Jordan, which consisted of double andtriple teaminghim every time he touched the ball. The Bulls entered the1989–90 seasonas a team on the rise, with their core group of Jordan and young improving players likeScottie PippenandHorace Grant, and under the guidance of new coachPhil Jackson.On March 28, 1990, Jordan scored a career-high 69 points in a 117–113 road win over the Cavaliers.He averaged a league-leading 33.6 ppg on 52.6% shooting, to go with 6.9 rpg and 6.3 apg,in leading the Bulls to a 55–27 record.They again advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after beating theBucksandPhiladelphia 76ers;despite pushing the series to seven games, the Bulls lost to thePistonsfor the third consecutive season. First three-peat (1991–1993) Jackson sought to instill the principles of the triangle offense more deeply within the team, and this required Michael Jordan to change his playing style. As Jackson explained in his bookEleven Rings, \\\"I was planning to ask Michael... to reduce the number of shots he took so that other members of the team could get more involved.\\\" Jackson worked with Jordan to ensure he could still pursue scoring titles, but now in a way that better integrated his personal ambitions with the team's success. In the1990–91 season, Jordan won his second MVP award after averaging 31.5 ppg on 53.9% shooting, 6.0 rpg, and 5.5 apg for the regular season.The Bulls finished in first place in their division for the first time in sixteen years and set a franchise record with 61 wins in the regular season.WithScottie Pippendeveloping into an All-Star, the Bulls had elevated their play. The Bulls defeated theNew York Knicksand thePhiladelphia 76ersin the opening two rounds ofthe playoffs. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals where their rival, theDetroit Pistons, awaited them;this time, the Bulls beat the Pistons in a four-game sweep. The Bulls advanced tothe Finalsfor the first time in franchise history to face theLos Angeles Lakers. The Bulls won the series in five games, and compiled a 15–2 playoff record along the way.Perhaps the best-known moment of the series came in Game 2 when, attempting a dunk, Jordan avoided a potentialSam Perkinsblock by switching the ball from his right hand to his left in mid-air to lay the shot into the basket.In his first Finals appearance, Jordan had 31.2 ppg on 56% shooting from the field, 11.4 apg, 6.6 rpg, 2.8 spg, and 1.4 bpg.Jordan won his firstNBA Finals MVPawardand cried while holding the Finals trophy. Jordan and the Bulls continued their dominance in the1991–92 season, establishing a 67–15 record, topping their franchise record from the 1990–91 campaign.Jordan won his second consecutive MVP award with averages of 30.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, and 6.1 apg on 52% shooting.After winning a physical seven-game series over theNew York Knicksin the second round ofthe playoffsand finishing off theCleveland Cavaliersin the Conference Finals in six games, the Bulls metClyde Drexlerand thePortland Trail Blazersinthe Finals. The media, hoping to recreate aMagic–Bird rivalry, highlighted the similarities between \\\"Air\\\" Jordan and Clyde \\\"The Glide\\\" during the pre-Finals hype. In a Game 1 victory, Jordan scored a Finals-record 35 points in the first half, including a record-setting sixthree-point field goals.After the sixth three-pointer, he jogged down the court shrugging as he looked courtside.Marv Albert, who broadcast the game, later stated that it was as if Jordan was saying: \\\"I can't believe I'm doing this.\\\"The Bulls went on to defeat the Blazers in six games. Jordan was named Finals MVP for the second year in a row,and finished the series averaging 35.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and 6.5 apg, while shooting 52.6% from the floor. In the1992–93 season, despite a 32.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, and 5.5 apg campaign, including a second-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting,Jordan's streak of consecutive MVP seasons ended, as he lost the award to his friendCharles Barkley,upsetting him.Jordan and the Bulls met Barkley and hisPhoenix Sunsin the1993 NBA Finals. The Bulls won their third NBA championship on a game-winning shot byJohn Paxsonand a last-second block byHorace Grant, but Jordan was once again Chicago's leader. He averaged a Finals-record 41.0 ppg during the six-game series,and became the first player in NBA history to win three consecutive Finals MVP awards.Jordan scored more than 30 points in every game of the series, including 40 or more points in four consecutive games.With his third Finals triumph, Jordan capped off a seven-year run where he attained seven scoring titles and three championships, but there were signs that Jordan was tiring of his massive celebrity and all of the non-basketball hassles in his life. Gambling During the1993 NBA playoffs, Jordan was seen gambling inAtlantic City, New Jersey, the night before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against theNew York Knicks.The previous year, he admitted that he had to cover $57,000 in gambling losses,and author Richard Esquinas wrote a book in 1993 claiming he had won $1.25 million from Jordan on the golf course.David Stern, thecommissioner of the NBA, denied in 1995 and 2006 that Jordan's 1993 retirement was a secret suspension by the league for gambling,but the rumor spread widely. In 2005, Jordan discussed his gambling withEd Bradleyof60 Minutesand admitted that he made reckless decisions. Jordan stated: Yeah, I've gotten myself into situations where I would not walk away and I've pushed the envelope. Is that compulsive? Yeah, it depends on how you look at it. If you're willing to jeopardize your livelihood and your family, then yeah. When Bradley asked him if his gambling ever got to the level where it jeopardized his livelihood or family, Jordan replied: \\\"No.\\\"In 2010,Ron Shelton, director ofJordan Rides the Bus, said that he began working on the documentary believing that the NBA had suspended him, but that research \\\"convinced was nonsense\\\". First retirement and stint in Minor League Baseball (1993–1995) On October 6, 1993, Jordan announced his retirement, saying that he lost his desire to play basketball. He later said that the murder of his father three months earlier helped shape his decision.James R. Jordan Sr.was murdered on July 23, 1993, at a highwayrest areainLumberton, North Carolina, by two teenagers, Daniel Green and Larry Martin Demery, who carjacked hisLexus.His body, dumped in a South Carolina swamp, was not discovered until August 3.Green and Demery were sentenced to life imprisonment.However, inThe Last Dance, Jordan stated that he retired due to physical and mental exhaustion from basketball and superstardom, and that he had made up his mind during the Bulls' playoff run and discussed the decision with his father. Jordan was close to his father; as a child, Jordan imitated the way his father stuck out his tongue while absorbed in work. Jordan later adopted it as his own signature, often displaying it as he drove to the basket.In 1996, Jordan founded a Chicago-areaBoys & Girls Cluband dedicated it to his father.In his 1998 autobiographyFor the Love of the Game, Jordan wrote that he was preparing for retirement as early as the summer of 1992.The added exhaustion due to the \\\"Dream Team\\\" run in the1992 Summer Olympicssolidified Jordan's feelings about the game and his celebrity status. Jordan's announcement sent shock waves throughout the NBA and appeared on the front pages of newspapers around the world. Jordan further surprised the sports world by signing aMinor League Baseball(MiLB) contract with theChicago White Soxon February 7, 1994.He reported tospring traininginSarasota, Florida, and was assigned to the team's minor league system on March 31.Jordan said that this decision was made to pursue the dream of his late father, who always envisioned his son as aMajor League Baseball(MLB) player.The White Sox were owned by Bulls ownerJerry Reinsdorf, who continued to honor Jordan's basketball contract during the years he played baseball. In 1994, Jordan played for theBirmingham Barons, aDouble-Aminor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox,batting.202 with threehome runs, 51runs batted in, 30stolen bases, 114strikeouts, 51bases on balls, and 11errors.His strikeout total led the team and his games played tied for the team lead. His 30 stolen bases were second on the team only toDoug Brady.Jordan also appeared for theScottsdale Scorpionsin the 1994Arizona Fall League, batting .252 against the top prospects in baseball.On November 1, 1994, hisNo.23 was retired by the Bulls in a ceremony that included the erection of a permanent sculpture known asThe Spiritoutside the newUnited Center. Return to the NBA (1995) The Bulls went 55–27 in1993–94without Jordan in the lineupand lost to theNew York Knicksin the second round ofthe playoffs.In the1994–95 Bulls, Jordan surprised many by returning to the Bulls midway through the season. In March 1995, Jordan decided to quit baseball because he feared he might become areplacement playerduring theMajor League Baseball strike.On March 18, 1995, Jordan announced his return to the NBA in a two-word press release: \\\"I'm back.\\\"The next day, Jordan took to the court with the Bulls to face theIndiana PacersinIndianapolis, scoring 19 points.The game had the highestNielsen ratingof any regular season NBA game since 1975.Although he could have worn his original number even though the Bulls retired it, Jordan wore No. 45, his baseball number. Despite his 18-month hiatus from the NBA, Jordan played well, making a game-winning jump shot againstAtlantain his fourth game back. He scored 55 points in his next game, against theNew York KnicksatMadison Square Gardenon March 28, 1995.Boosted by Jordan's comeback, the Bulls went 13–4 to makethe playoffsand advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals against theOrlando Magic.At the end of Game 1, Orlando'sNick Andersonstripped Jordan from behind, leading to the game-winning basket for the Magic; he later commented that Jordan \\\"didn't look like the old Michael Jordan\\\",and said, \\\"No. 45 doesn't explode like No. 23 used to\\\". Jordan responded by scoring 38 points in the next game, which Chicago won. Before the game, Jordan decided that he would immediately resume wearing his former No. 23. The Bulls were fined $25,000 for failing to report the impromptu number change to the NBA.Jordan was fined an additional $5,000 for opting to wear white sneakers when the rest of the Bulls wore black.He averaged 31 ppg in the playoffs, but Orlando won the series in six games. Second three-peat (1996–1998) Jordan was freshly motivated by the playoff defeat, and he trained aggressively for the1995–96 season.The Bulls were strengthened by the addition of rebound specialistDennis Rodman, and the team dominated the league, starting the season at 41–3.The Bulls finished with the best regular season record in NBA history, 72–10, a mark broken two decades later by the2015–16 Golden State Warriors.Jordan led the league in scoring with 30.4 ppg,and he won the league's regular season and All-Star Game MVP awards. Inthe playoffs, the Bulls lost only three games in four series (Miami Heat3–0,New York Knicks4–1, andOrlando Magic4–0), as they defeated theSeattle SuperSonics4–2 in theNBA Finalsto win their fourth championship.The series was one of the tougher ones for Jordan as he shot 41%, 32%, and 26% from the field in three of the six games.Nevertheless, Jordan was named Finals MVP for a record fourth time;he achieved only the second sweep of the MVP awards in the All-Star Game, regular season, and NBA Finals afterWillis Reedin the1969–70 season.Upon winning the championship, his first since his father's murder, Jordan reacted emotionally, clutching the game ball and crying on the locker room floor. In the1996–97 season, the Bulls stood at a 69–11 record but ended the season by losing their final two games to finish the year 69–13, missing out on a second consecutive 70-win season.The Bulls again advanced tothe Finals, where they faced theUtah Jazz.That team includedKarl Malone, who had beaten Jordan for the NBA MVP award in a tight race (986–957).The series against the Jazz featured two of the more memorable clutch moments of Jordan's career. He won Game 1 for the Bulls with abuzzer-beatingjump shot. In Game 5, with the series tied 2–2, Jordan played despite being feverish and dehydrated from a stomach virus. In what is known as \\\"The Flu Game\\\", Jordan scored 38 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with 25 seconds remaining.The Bulls won 90–88 and went on to win the series in six games.For the fifth time in as many Finals appearances, Jordan received the Finals MVP award.During the1997 NBA All-Star Game, he posted the first triple-double in All-Star Game history in a victorious effort, but the MVP award went toGlen Rice. The Bulls compiled a 62–20 record in the1997–98 season.Jordan led the league with 28.7 ppg,securing his fifth regular season MVP award, plus honors for All-NBA First Team, First Defensive Team, and the All-Star Game MVP.The Bulls won the Eastern Conference Championship for a third straight season, including surviving a seven-game series with theIndiana Pacersin the Eastern Conference Finals; it was the first time Jordan had played in a Game 7 since the 1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals with theNew York Knicks.After winning, they moved on for a rematch with theJazzinthe Finals. The Bulls returned to theDelta CenterforGame 6on June 14, 1998, leading the series 3–2. Jordan executed a series of plays, considered to be one of the greatest clutch performances in NBA Finals history.With 41.9 seconds remaining and the Bulls trailing 86–83, Phil Jackson called a timeout. When play resumed, Jordan received the inbound pass, drove to the basket, and sank a shot over several Jazz defenders, cutting Utah's lead to 86–85.The Jazz brought the ball upcourt and passed the ball to Malone, who was set up in thelow postand was being guarded by Rodman. Malone jostled with Rodman and caught the pass, but Jordan cut behind him and stole the ball out of his hands. Jordan then dribbled down the court and paused, eyeing his defender, Jazz guardBryon Russell. With 10 seconds remaining, Jordan started to dribble right, then crossed over to his left, possibly pushing off Russell, although the officials did not call afoul.With 5.2 seconds left, Jordan made the climactic shot of his Bulls career,a top-key jumper over a stumbling Russell to give Chicago an 87–86 lead. Afterwards, the Jazz'John Stocktonnarrowly missed a game-winning three-pointer, and the buzzer sounded as Jordan and the Bulls won their sixth NBA championship,achieving a second three-peat in the decade.Once again, Jordan was voted Finals MVP for a record sixth time,having led all scorers by averaging 33.5 ppg, including 45 in the deciding Game 6.The 1998 Finals holds the highest television rating of any Finals series,and Game 6 holds the highest television rating of any game in NBA history. Second retirement (1999–2001) WithPhil Jackson's contract expiring, the pending departures ofScottie PippenandDennis Rodmanlooming, and being in the latter stages of an owner-inducedlockoutof NBA players, Jordan retired for the second time on January 13, 1999.On January 19, 2000, Jordan returned to the NBA not as a player but as part owner and president of basketball operations for theWashington Wizards.Jordan's responsibilities with the Wizards were comprehensive, as he controlled all aspects of the Wizards' basketball operations, and had the final say in all personnel matters; opinions of Jordan as a basketball executive were mixed.He managed to purge the team of several highly paid, unpopular players (like forwardJuwan Howardand point guardRod Strickland)but used the first pick in the2001 NBA draftto select high school studentKwame Brown, who did not live up to expectations and was traded away after four seasons. Despite his January 1999 claim that he was \\\"99.9% certain\\\" he would never play another NBA game,Jordan expressed interest in making another comeback in the summer of 2001, this time with his new team.Inspired by theNHLcomeback of his friendMario Lemieuxthe previous winter,Jordan spent much of the spring and summer of 2001 in training, holding several invitation-only camps for NBA players in Chicago.Jordan hired his old Chicago Bulls head coach,Doug Collins, as Washington's coach for the upcoming season, a decision that many saw as foreshadowing another Jordan return. Washington Wizards (2001–2003) On September 25, 2001, Jordan announced his return to the NBA to play for the Washington Wizards, indicating his intention to donate his salary as a player to a relief effort for the victims of theSeptember 11 attacks.In an injury-plagued2001–02 season, Jordan led the team in scoring (22.9 ppg), assists (5.2 apg), and steals (1.4 spg),and was an MVP candidate, as he led the Wizards to a winning record and playoff contention;Jordan would eventually finish 13th in the MVP ballot.After he suffered torncartilagein his right knee,and subsequent knee soreness,the Wizards missed the playoffs,and Jordan's season ended after only 60 games, the fewest he had played in a regular season since playing 17 games after returning from his first retirement during the1994–95 season.Jordan started 53 of his 60 games for the season, averaging 24.3 ppg, 5.4 apg, and 6.0 rpg, and shooting 41.9% from the field in his 53 starts. His last seven appearances were in a reserve role, in which he averaged just over 20 minutes per game.The Wizards finished the season with a 37–45 record, an 18-game improvement. Playing in his 14th and final NBA All-Star Game in2003, Jordan passedKareem Abdul-Jabbaras the all-time leading scorer in All-Star Game history, a record since broken byKobe BryantandLeBron James.That year, Jordan was the only Washington player to play in all 82 games, starting in 67 of them as he came off the bench in 15. Jordan averaged 20.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 spg per game.He also shot 45% from the field, and 82% from the free-throw line.Although Jordan turned 40 during the season, he scored 20 or more points 42 times, 30 or more points nine times, and 40 or more points three times.On February 21, 2003, Jordan became the first 40-year-old to tally 43 points in an NBA game.During his stint with the Wizards, all of Jordan's home games at theMCI Centerwere sold out and the Wizards were the second most-watched team in the NBA, averaging 20,172 fans a game at home and 19,311 on the road.Jordan's final two seasons did not result in a playoff appearance for the Wizards, and he was often unsatisfied with the play of those around him.At several points, Jordan openly criticized his teammates to the media, citing their lack of focus and intensity, notably that ofKwame Brown, thenumber-one draft pickin the2001 NBA draft. Final retirement (2003) With the recognition that 2002–03 would be Jordan's final season, tributes were paid to him throughout the NBA. In his final game at theUnited Centerin Chicago, which was his old home court, Jordan received a four-minute standing ovation.TheMiami Heatretired the No. 23 jersey on April 11, 2003, even though Jordan never played for the team.At the 2003 All-Star Game, Jordan was offered a starting spot fromTracy McGradyandAllen Iversonbut refused both;he accepted the spot ofVince Carter.Jordan played in his final NBA game on April 16, 2003, inPhiladelphia. After scoring 13 points in the game, Jordan went to the bench with 4 minutes and 13 seconds left in the third quarter and his team trailing thePhiladelphia 76ers75–56. Just after the start of the fourth quarter, theFirst Union Centercrowd began chanting \\\"We want Mike!\\\" After much encouragement from coachDoug Collins, Jordan finally rose from the bench and re-entered the game, replacingLarry Hugheswith 2:35 remaining. At 1:45, Jordan was intentionally fouled by the 76ers'Eric Snow, and stepped to the line to make both free throws. After the second foul shot, the 76ers in-bounded the ball to rookieJohn Salmons, who in turn was intentionally fouled byBobby Simmonsone second later, stopping time so that Jordan could return to the bench. He received a three-minute standing ovation from his teammates, his opponents, the officials, and the crowd of 21,257 fans. National team career Jordan made his debut as a college player for theU.S. national basketball teamat the1983 Pan American GamesinCaracas, Venezuela. He led the team in scoring with 17.3 ppg as the U.S., coached byJack Hartman, won thegold medal.The following year, Jordan won another gold medal in the1984 Summer Olympics. The1984 U.S. teamwas coached byBob Knightand featured young players such asPatrick Ewing,Sam Perkins,Chris Mullin,Steve Alford, andWayman Tisdale. Jordan led the team in scoring, averaging 17.1 ppg for the tournament. In 1992, Jordan, now an NBA player, was a member of the star-studded squad that was dubbed the \\\"Dream Team\\\", which includedLarry Birdand Magic Johnson. The team won two gold medals: the first in the1992 Tournament of the Americas,and the second in the1992 Summer Olympics. Jordan was the only player to start all eight games in the Olympics. He averaged 14.9 ppg on 45% shooting from the field and 68% from the free-throw line. He was second on the team in scoring.He was undefeated in the four tournaments he played for the United States national team, and Jordan won all 30 games he took part in. Player profile Jordan was ashooting guardwho could also play as asmall forward, the position he would primarily play during his second return to professional basketball with theWashington Wizards.Jordan was known throughout his career as a strongclutchperformer. With the Bulls, he decided 25 games with field goals or free throws in the last 30 seconds, including two NBA Finals games and five other playoff contests.His competitiveness was visible in his prolifictrash talkand well-known work ethic.Jordan often used perceived slights to fuel his performances. SportswriterWright Thompsondescribed him as \\\"a killer, in the Darwinian sense of the word, immediately sensing and attacking someone's weakest spot\\\".As the Bulls organization built the franchise around Jordan, management had to trade away players who were not \\\"tough enough\\\" to compete with him in practice. To improve his defense, Jordan spent hours studying film of opponents. On offense, he relied more upon instinct and improvization.Jordan's fierce competitiveness greatly impacted his teammates, sometimes motivating them but also leading to tension and alienation. Noted as a durable player, Jordan did not miss four or more games while active for a full season from 1986–87 to 2001–02, when he injured his right knee.Of the 15 seasons Jordan was in the NBA, he played all 82 regular season games nine times.Jordan has frequently citedDavid Thompson,Walter Davis, andJerry Westas influences.Confirmed at the start of his career, and possibly later on, Jordan had a special \\\"Love of the Game Clause\\\" written into his contract, which was unusual at the time, and allowed him to play basketball against anyone at any time, anywhere. Jordan had a versatile offensive game and was capable of aggressivelydrivingto the basket as well as drawingfoulsfrom his opponents at a high rate. His 8,772free throwattempts are the 11th-highest total in NBA history.Early in Jordan's career, he weighed in at around 200 pounds (91 kg) and was more athletic in terms of play style.As his career progressed, Jordan also developed the ability topost uphis opponents and score with his trademarkfadeawayjump shot, using his leaping ability to avoid block attempts. According toHubie Brown, this move alone made Jordan nearly unstoppable.Around this time, he bulked up to 215 pounds (98 kg) in order to adapt to the increased physicality of NBA defenses during the 1990s, sacrificing some athleticism for added strength in the post.Despite media criticism by some as a selfish player early in his career, Jordan was willing to defer to this teammates, with a career average of 5.3 apg and a season-high of 8.0 apg.For a guard, Jordan was also a good rebounder, finishing with 6.2 rpg. Defensively, he averaged 2.3 spg and 0.8 bpg. Thethree-point field goalwas not Jordan's strength, especially in his early years. Later on in his career, Jordan improved his three-point shooting, and finished his career with a three-point field goal percentage of 32%.His best years shooting from three occurred in the 1989-90 and 1992-93 seasons, where he shot 37% and 35% from three, respectively (Jordan did shoot higher percentages from 1994-97, but in those years, the three-point line was temporarily moved inwards). Overall, Jordan was a highly efficient scorer. Hiseffective field goal percentagewas 50%, and he had six seasons with at least 50% shooting, five of which consecutively (1988–1992); Jordan also shot 51% and 50% from the field, and 30% and 33% from the three-point range, throughout his first and second retirements, respectively, finishing his Bulls career with 31.5 points per game on 50.5 FG% shooting and his overall career with 49.7 FG% shooting. In 1988, Jordan was honored with theNBA Defensive Player of the Yearand theMost Valuable Playerawards, becoming the first NBA player to win both awards in a career let alone season. He also set both seasonal and career records forblocked shotsby a guard,and combined this with his ball-thieving ability to become a standout defensive player. Despite his defensive prowess, the 1988 season has come under scrutiny due to the large discrepancy between Jordan's steals' numbers at home versus on the road. Such stat inflation was common, and a 2024 study by Tom Haberstroh found that there were games where Jordan was often credited with steals that could not have happened. For example, in one game, he was credited with more steals than the opposing team had live-ball turnovers.Jordan ranks fourth in NBA history in totalstealswith 2,514, trailingJohn Stockton,Jason KiddandChris Paul.Jerry West often stated that he was more impressed with Jordan's defensive contributions than his offensive ones.Doc Riversdeclared Jordan \\\"the best superstar defender in the history of the game\\\". Jordan was known to have strong eyesight. BroadcasterAl Michaelssaid that Jordan was able to read baseball box scores on a 27-inch (69 cm) television clearly from about 50 feet (15 m) away.During the2001 NBA Finals,Phil Jacksoncompared Jordan's dominance toShaquille O'Neal, stating: \\\"Michael would get fouled on every play and still have to play through it and just clear himself for shots instead and would rise to that occasion.\\\" Legacy Jordan's talent was clear from his first NBA season; by November 1984, he was being compared toJulius Erving.Larry Birdsaid that rookie Jordan was the best player he ever saw, and that Jordan was \\\"one of a kind\\\", and comparable toWayne Gretzkyas an athlete.In his first game in Madison Square Garden against theNew York Knicks, Jordan received a near minute-long standing ovation.After Jordan established the single game playoff record of 63 points against theBoston Celticson April 20, 1986, Bird described him as \\\"God disguised as Michael Jordan\\\". Jordanled the NBA in scoringin 10 seasons (NBA record) and tiedWilt Chamberlain's record of seven consecutive scoring titles.Jordan was a fixture of theNBA All-Defensive First Team, making the roster nine times (NBA record shared withGary Payton,Kevin Garnett, andKobe Bryant).He also holds the top career regular season and playoff scoring averages of 30.1 and 33.4 ppg, respectively.By 1998, the season of his Finals-winning shot against the Jazz, he was well known throughout the league as a clutch performer. In the regular season, Jordan was the Bulls' primary threat in the final seconds of a close game and in the playoffs; he would always ask for the ball at crunch time.Jordan's total of 5,987 points in the playoffs is the second-highest amongNBA career playoff scoring leaders.He scored 32,292 points in the regular season,placing him fifth on theNBA all-time scoring listbehindLeBron James,Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,Karl Malone, and Bryant. With five regular season MVPs (tied for second place withBill Russell—only Abdul-Jabbar has won more, with six), six Finals MVPs (NBA record), and threeNBA All-Star Game MVPs, Jordan is among the most decorated player in NBA history.He finished among the top three in regular season MVP voting 10 times.Jordan was named one of the50 Greatest Players in NBA Historyin 1996,and selected to theNBA 75th Anniversary Teamin 2021.He is one of only seven players in history to win an NCAA championship, an NBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal (doing so twice with the 1984 and 1992 U.S. men's basketball teams).Since 1976, the year of theABA–NBA merger,Jordan and Pippen are the only two players to win six NBA Finals playing for one team.In theAll-Star Game fan ballot, Jordan received the most votes nine times, more than any other player. \\\"There's Michael Jordan and then there is the rest of us.\\\" —Magic Johnson Many of Jordan's contemporaries have said that he is the greatest basketball player of all time.In 1999, anESPNsurvey of journalists, athletes and other sports figures ranked Jordan the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century.Jordan placed second toBabe Ruthin theAssociated Press' December 1999 list of 20th century athletes.The Associated Press also voted Jordan the greatest basketball player of the 20th century.He has also appeared on the front cover ofSports Illustrateda record 50 times.In the September 1996 issue ofSport, which was the publication's 50th-anniversary issue, Jordan was named the greatest athlete of the past 50 years. Jordan's athletic leaping ability, highlighted in his back-to-backSlam Dunk Contestchampionships in 1987 and 1988, is credited by many people with having influenced a generation of young players.Several NBA players, including James andDwyane Wade, have stated that they considered Jordan as their role model while they were growing up.Commentators have also dubbed a number of next-generation players \\\"the next Michael Jordan\\\" upon their entry to the NBA, includingPenny Hardaway,Grant Hill,Allen Iverson, Bryant,Vince Carter, James, and Wade.Some analysts, such asThe Ringer's Dan Devine, drew parallels between Jordan's experiment at point guard in the 1988–89 season and the modern NBA; for Devine, it \\\"inadvertently foreshadowed the modern game's stylistic shift toward monster-usage primary playmakers\\\", such asRussell Westbrook,James Harden,Luka Dončić, and James.Don Nelsonstated: \\\"I would've been playing him at point guard the day he showed up as a rookie.\\\" Although Jordan was a well-rounded player, his \\\"Air Jordan\\\" image is also often credited with inadvertently decreasing the jump shooting skills, defense, and fundamentals of young players,a fact Jordan himself has lamented, saying: \\\"I think it was the exposure of Michael Jordan; the marketing of Michael Jordan. Everything was marketed towards the things that people wanted to see, which was scoring and dunking. That Michael Jordan still played defense and an all-around game, but it was never really publicized.\\\"During his heyday, Jordan did much to increase the status of the game; television ratings increased only during his time in the league.The popularity of the NBA in the U.S. declined after his last title.As late as 2022,NBA Finals television ratingshad not returned to the level reached during his last championship-winning season. In August 2009, theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of FameinSpringfield, Massachusetts, opened a Michael Jordan exhibit that contained items from his college and NBA careers as well as from the 1992 \\\"Dream Team\\\"; the exhibit also has a battingbaseball gloveto signify Jordan's short career in theMinor League Baseball.After Jordan received word of his acceptance into the Hall of Fame, he selected Class of 1996 memberDavid Thompsonto present him.As Jordan would later explain during his induction speech in September 2009, he was not a fan of the Tar Heels when growing up in North Carolina but greatly admired Thompson, who played for the rivalNC State Wolfpack. In September, Jordan was inducted into the Hall with several former Bulls teammates in attendance, includingScottie Pippen,Dennis Rodman,Charles Oakley,Ron Harper,Steve Kerr, andToni Kukoč.Dean SmithandDoug Collins, two of Jordan's former coaches, were also among those present. His emotional reaction during his speech when Jordan began to cry was captured by Associated Press photographerStephan Savoiaand would later go viral on social media as the \\\"Crying Jordan\\\" Internet meme.In 2016, PresidentBarack Obamahonored Jordan with thePresidential Medal of Freedom.In October 2021, he was named to theNBA 75th Anniversary Team.In September 2022, Jordan's jersey in which he played the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals was sold for $10.1 million, making it the most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia in history.In December 2022, the NBA unveiled a new MVP trophy, named in Jordan's honor, to be awarded beginning with the2022–23 season, which replaced the original trophy, named in honor of former NBA commissionerMaurice Podoloff. NBA career statistics Regular season Playoffs Awards and honors NBA USA Basketball NCAA High school Halls of Fame Media National State/local Post-retirement After his third retirement, Jordan assumed that he would be able to return to his front office position as Director of Basketball Operations with the Wizards.Jordan's previous tenure had produced mixed results and may have also influenced the trade ofRichard \\\"Rip\\\" HamiltonforJerry Stackhouse, although Jordan was not technically Director of Basketball Operations in 2002.On May 7, 2003, Wizards ownerAbe Pollinfired Jordan from the role.Jordan later stated that he felt betrayed, and that if he had known he would be fired upon retiring, he never would have come back to play for the Wizards. Over the next few years, Jordan played golf in celebrity charity tournaments and spent time with his family in Chicago. He also promoted his Jordan Brand clothing line and rode motorcycles.Since 2004, Jordan has owned Michael Jordan Motorsports, a professional closed-course motorcycle road racing team that competed with twoSuzukisin thepremier Superbike championshipsanctioned by theAmerican Motorcyclist Association(AMA) until the end of the 2013 season. Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets On June 15, 2006, Jordan bought a minority stake in theCharlotte Bobcats(known as theHornetssince 2013), becoming the team's second-largest shareholder behind majority ownerRobert L. Johnson. As part of the deal, Jordan took full control over the basketball side of the operation, with the title Managing Member of Basketball Operations.Despite his previous success as an endorser, Jordan made an effort not to be included in Charlotte's marketing campaigns.A decade earlier, he had made a bid to become part-owner of Charlotte's original NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets, but talks collapsed when ownerGeorge Shinnrefused to give Jordan complete control of basketball operations. In February 2010, it was reported that Jordan was seeking majority ownership of the Bobcats.As February wore on, it became apparent that Jordan and formerHouston RocketspresidentGeorge Postoloswere the leading contenders for ownership of the team. On February 27, the Bobcats announced that Johnson had reached an agreement with Jordan and his group, MJ Basketball Holdings, to buy the team from Johnson pending NBA approval.On March 17, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved Jordan's purchase, making him the first former player to become the majority owner of an NBA team,and the league's only African-American majority owner. During the2011 NBA lockout,The New York Timeswrote that Jordan led a group of 10 to 14 hardline owners who wanted to cap the players' share of basketball-related income at 50 percent and as low as 47. Journalists observed that, during thelabor dispute in 1998, Jordan toldWashington Wizardsthen-ownerAbe Pollin: \\\"If you can't make a profit, you should sell your team.\\\"Jason WhitlockofFoxSports.comcalled Jordan \\\"a hypocriteselloutwho can easily betray the very people who made him a billionaire global icon\\\" for wanting \\\"current players to pay for his incompetence\\\".He cited Jordan's executive decisions to draft disappointing playersKwame BrownandAdam Morrison. During the2011–12 NBA seasonthat was shortened to 66 games by the lockout, the Bobcats posted a 7–59 record. The team closed out the season with a 23-game losing streak; their .106 winning percentage was the worst in NBA history.Before the next season, Jordan said: \\\"I'm not real happy about the record book scenario last year. It's very, very frustrating.\\\" During the 2019 NBA offseason, Jordan sold a minority piece of the Hornets to Gabe Plotkin and Daniel Sundheim, retaining the majority for himself,as well as the role of chairman.In 2023, Jordan finalized the sale of his majority stake to Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, ending his 13-year tenure as majority owner, although he kept a minority stake.The sale was officially completed in August 2023 for approximately $3 billion, more than 10 times the $275 million Jordan had paid for the team. 23XI Racing On September 21, 2020, Jordan andNASCARdriverDenny Hamlinannounced they would be fielding aNASCAR Cup Seriesteam withBubba Wallacedriving, beginning competition in the2021 season.On October 22, the team's name was confirmed to be23XI Racing(pronounced twenty-three eleven) and the team's entry would bear No. 23.After the team's inaugural season, it added a second car with No. 45, driven byKurt Buschin2022andTyler Reddickin2023.Ty Gibbs,John Hunter Nemechek, andDaniel Hemricalso drove for 23XI as substitute drivers during the 2022 season.The team fielded a third car, No. 67, driven byTravis Pastranain the2023 Daytona 500.23XI Racing has won seven races, two by Wallace, four by Reddick, and one by Busch.Reddick won the2024 NASCAR Cup Seriesregular season championship, the first for the team. Personal life Jordan married Juanita Vanoy atA Little White Wedding ChapelinLas Vegason September 2, 1989.They had three children:Jeffrey,Marcus, and Jasmine.The Jordans filed for divorce on January 4, 2002, citing irreconcilable differences, but reconciled shortly thereafter. They again filed for divorce and were granted a final decree of dissolution of marriage on December 29, 2006, commenting that the decision was made \\\"mutually and amicably\\\".It is reported that Juanita received a $168 million settlement (equivalent to $254 million in 2023), making it the largest celebrity divorce settlement on public record at the time. In 1991, Jordan purchased a lot inHighland Park, Illinois, where he planned to build a 56,000-square-foot (5,200 m2) mansion. It was completed in 1995. Jordan listed the mansion for sale in 2012.He also owns homes inNorth CarolinaandJupiter Island, Florida. On July 21, 2006, a judge inCook County, Illinois, determined that Jordan did not owe his alleged former lover Karla Knafel $5 million in a breach of contract claim.Jordan had allegedly paid Knafel $250,000 to keep their relationship a secret.Knafel claimed Jordan promised her $5 million for remaining silent and agreeing not to file apaternity suitafter Knafel learned she was pregnant in 1991; aDNA testshowed that Jordan was not the father of the child. Jordan proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Cuban-American modelYvette Prieto, on Christmas 2011,and they were married on April 27, 2013, atBethesda-by-the-SeaEpiscopal Church.It was announced on November 30, 2013, that the two were expecting their first child together.On February 11, 2014, Prieto gave birth to identical twin daughters named Victoria and Ysabel.In 2019, Jordan became a grandfather when his daughter Jasmine gave birth to a son, whose father is professional basketball playerRakeem Christmas. Media figure and business interests Endorsements Jordan is one of the most marketed sports figures in history. He has been a major spokesman for such brands asNike,Coca-Cola,Chevrolet,Gatorade,McDonald's,Ball Park Franks,Rayovac,Wheaties,Hanes, andMCI.Jordan has had a long relationship with Gatorade, appearing in over 20 commercials for the company since 1991, including the \\\"Be Like Mike\\\" commercials in which a song was sung by children wishing to be like Jordan. Nike created a signature shoe for Jordan, called theAir Jordan, in 1984.One of his more popular commercials for the shoe involvedSpike Leeplaying the part ofMars Blackmon. In the commercials, Lee, as Blackmon, attempted to find the source of Jordan's abilities and became convinced that \\\"it's gotta be the shoes\\\".The hype and demand for the shoes even brought on a spate of \\\"shoe-jackings\\\", in which people were robbed of their sneakers at gunpoint. Subsequently, Nike spun off the Jordan line into its own division named the \\\"Jordan Brand\\\". The company features a list of athletes and celebrities as endorsers.The brand has also sponsored college sports programs such as those ofNorth Carolina,UCLA,California,Oklahoma,Florida,Georgetown, andMarquette. Jordan also has been associated with theLooney Tunescartoon characters. A Nike commercial shown during 1992'sSuper Bowl XXVIfeatured Jordan andBugs Bunnyplaying basketball.The Super Bowl commercial inspired the 1996live action/animatedfilmSpace Jam, which starred Jordan and Bugs in a fictional story set during the former's first retirement from basketball.They have subsequently appeared together in several commercials for MCI.Jordan also made an appearance in the music video forMichael Jackson's \\\"Jam\\\" (1992). Since 2008, Jordan's yearly income from endorsements is estimated to be over $40 million.In addition, when his power at the ticket gates was at its highest point, the Bulls regularly sold out both their home and road games.Due to this, Jordan set records in player salary by signing annual contracts worth in excess of US$30 million per season.An academic study found that his first NBA comeback resulted in an increase in the market capitalization of his client firms of more than $1 billion. Most of Jordan's endorsement deals, including his first deal with Nike, were engineered by his agent,David Falk.Jordan has described Falk as \\\"the best at what he does\\\" and that \\\"marketing-wise, he's great. He's the one who came up with the concept of 'Air Jordan'.\\\" Business ventures In June 2010, Jordan was ranked byForbesas the 20th-most-powerful celebrity in the world, with $55 million earned between June 2009 and June 2010. According toForbes, Jordan Brand generates $1 billion in sales for Nike.In June 2014, Jordan was named the first NBA player to become a billionaire, after he increased his stake in the Charlotte Hornets from 80% to 89.5%.On January 20, 2015, Jordan was honored with theCharlotte Business Journal's Business Person of the Year for 2014.In 2017, he became a part owner of theMiami MarlinsofMajor League Baseball. Forbesdesignated Jordan as the athlete with the highest career earnings in 2017.From his Jordan Brand income and endorsements, Jordan's 2015 income was an estimated $110 million, the most of any retired athlete.As of 2024, his net worth is estimated at $3.2 billion byForbes,making him thefifth-richest African-American, behindRobert F. Smith,David Steward,Oprah Winfrey, andRihanna. Jordan co-owns an automotive group which bears his name. The company has aNissandealership inDurham, North Carolina, acquired in 1990,and formerly had aLincoln–Mercurydealership from 1995 until its closure in June 2009.The company also owned a Nissan franchise inGlen Burnie, Maryland.The restaurant industry is another business interest of Jordan's. Restaurants he has owned include asteakhousein New York City'sGrand Central Terminal, among others;that restaurant closed in 2018.Jordan is the majority investor in a golf course, Grove XXIII inHobe Sound, Florida. In September 2020, Jordan became an investor and advisor forDraftKings. Philanthropy From 2001 to 2014, Jordan hosted an annual golf tournament, the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, that raised money for various charities.In 2006, Jordan and his wife Juanita pledged $5 million to Chicago'sHales Franciscan High School.TheJordan Brandhas made donations toHabitat for Humanityand aLouisianabranch of theBoys & Girls Clubs of America. TheMake-A-Wish Foundationnamed Jordan its Chief Wish Ambassador in 2008.In 2013, he granted his 200th wish for the organization.As of 2019, Jordan has raised more than $5 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.In 2023, he donated $10 million to the organization for his 60th birthday. In 2015, Jordan donated a settlement of undisclosed size from a lawsuit against supermarkets that had used his name without permission to 23 different Chicago charities.In 2017, Jordan funded twoNovant HealthMichael Jordan Family Clinics inCharlotte, North Carolina, by giving $7 million, the biggest donation he had made at the time.The following year, afterHurricane Florencedamaged parts of North Carolina, including his former hometown of Wilmington, Jordan donated $2 million to relief efforts.He gave $1 million to aid the Bahamas' recovery followingHurricane Dorianin 2019. On June 5, 2020, in the wake ofthe protestsfollowing themurder of George Floyd, Jordan and his brand announced in a joint statement that they would be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to \\\"ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education\\\".In February 2021, Jordan funded two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics inNew Hanover County, North Carolina, by giving $10 million.In 2024, he funded the opening of another Novant Health Clinic, this time in Wilmington. Film and television Jordan played himself in the 1996 comedy filmSpace Jam. The film received mixed reviews,but it was a box office success, making $230 million worldwide, and earned more than $1 billion through merchandise sales. In 2000, Jordan was the subject of anIMAXdocumentary about his career with the Chicago Bulls, especially the1998 NBA playoffs, titledMichael Jordan to the Max.Two decades later, the same period of Jordan's life was covered in much greater and more personal detail by theEmmy Award-winningThe Last Dance, a 10-part TV documentary which debuted onESPNin April and May 2020.The Last Dancerelied heavily on about 500 hours of candid film of Jordan's and his teammates' off-court activities which anNBA Entertainmentcrew had shot over the course of the1997–98 NBA seasonfor use in a documentary. The project was delayed for many years because Jordan had not yet given his permission for the footage to be used.Jordan was interviewed at three homes associated with the production and did not want cameras in his home or on his plane, as according to director Jason Hehir \\\"there are certain aspects of his life that he wants to keep private\\\". Jordan granted rapperTravis Scottpermission to film a music video for his single \\\"Franchise\\\" at his home inHighland Park, Illinois.Jordan appeared in the 2022 miniseriesThe Captain, which follows the life and career ofDerek Jeter. Books Jordan has authored several books focusing on his life, basketball career, and world view. See also Notes References Sources Further reading External links\",\n \"Race and ethnicity in the NBA The composition ofraceandethnicityin theNational Basketball Association(NBA) has changed throughout the league's history. The firstnon-whiteplayer to play in the league was anAsian American,Wat Misaka, in 1947.African Americansentered the league beginning in 1950. According toracial equalityactivistRichard Lapchick, the NBA in 2021 was composed of 73.2 percentblackplayers, 16.8 percentwhiteplayers, 3.1 percentLatinoplayers of any race, and 0.4 percentAsianplayers. Additionally, 6.6 percent of the players were classified as either multiracial or \\\"other\\\" races.The league has the highest percentage of black players of anymajor professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. History Players The NBA was founded in June 1946, with its first season played in1946–47.Wat Misakadebuted in1947–48as the first non-white player and the firstAsian Americanto play in the league. African Americansfirst appeared in the NBA in 1950.Chuck Cooperwas the first black playerdraftedin the NBA.On April 26, 1950,Harold Huntersigned with theWashington Capitols, becoming the firstAfrican Americanto sign a contract with any NBA team in history.However, Hunter was cut from the team during training camp and did not play professionally.On May 24,Nathaniel \\\"Sweetwater\\\" Cliftonwas the second African American player to sign an NBA contract.Earl Lloydwas the first to play in the NBA.Hank DeZoniealso played that year.In 1953,Don Barksdalebecame the first African American to play in anNBA All-Star Game. With the emergence of African American players by the 1960s, the NBA game was stylistically being played faster and above the rim. Many of the league's great players were black. At that time, African Americans believed they were limited by anunofficialleague quota of four black players per team. Puerto RicanButch Leein 1978 was the first Latino in the league.Wang Zhizhibecame the first Chinese player in 2001.In 2010,Jeremy Linbecame the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to play in the NBA. In 2011,Richard LapchickwithThe Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport(TIDES) of theUniversity of Central Floridareported in their annualRacial and Gender Report Cardthat 17 percent of the league's players werewhite, the lowest since the report began in 1990.Hall of Fameplayer andIndiana Pacerspresident of basketball operationsLarry Bird, who is white, stated in 2004 that the league needed more white players since the league's fans are mostly white. \\\"And if you just had a couple of white guys in there, you might get them a little excited. But it is a black man's game, and it will be forever. I mean, the greatest athletes in the world are African American,\\\" said Bird.Contrary to Bird's assertion, as of 2017, White Americans, made up only 34% of the NBA's viewership, making it the only major sports league inNorth America, that doesn't have a majority white viewership. At the same time, the black share of viewership stands at 47 percent, while Hispanic (of any race) stood at 11% and Asian viewership stood at 8%. More recently, a number of commentators and fans have remarked on the league's dwindling number ofwhite Americanplayers. While a TIDES study found that the NBA was 18.3 percent white in the 2015–16 season, this number also included non-Americans, most notably Europeans. During the entire 1996–97 season, only three NBA teams did not field an American-born white; on the opening day of the 2016–17 season, eight teams did not have a white American on their roster, and an additional 10 teams had only one. At the latter point in time, fewer than 10 percent of NBA players were American-born whites (43 out of a possible 450). Coaches Bill Russellin 1966 became the first non-white and African Americanhead coachin the NBA.In the late 1980s, teams began hiring black coaches in large numbers.At the start of the2015–16 season, there were seven black head coaches in the league, down 50 percent from three years earlier, and the fewest in 16 years.At the conclusion of the 2016-17 season there were eight African American head coaches. Owners Robert Johnsonof theCharlotte Bobcats(now known as the Charlotte Hornets) was the first black majority team owner in the NBA in 2004–05.He was succeeded as Bobcats owner in 2010–11 by another African American,Michael Jordan.In 2013–14, Jordan andSacramento KingsownerVivek Ranadivé, who is Indian, marked the first time in the history of major pro sports leagues in the U.S. that there were two non-white majority owners in a league.The number of NBA teams with non-white majority owners increased to three in September 2019 with the league approval of Taiwanese Canadian entrepreneurJoseph Tsai's purchase of RussianMikhail Prokhorov's 51 percent share in theBrooklyn Nets. Tsai had previously held a 49 percent interest in the team, having acquired that stake from Prokhorov in 2018, and exercised an option to purchase the remaining interest before its 2021 expiration date. Viewership demographics Among NBA fans during the 2013–14 season, African Americans (844 minutes) andAsian Americans(719) spent the most time watching the league, followed byHispanics(of any race, 390) and Whites (290).Furthermore, according to a Nielsen's survey, the NBA has the highest share ofblackviewers, with 45 percent of its viewers being black and 40 percent of viewers beingwhite, making it the only top North American sport that did not have a white majority audience. During the 2016–17 season, 66 percent of the league's viewers were racial and ethnic minorities. Its audience was 47 percent Blacks, 34 percent Whites, 11 percent Hispanics (of any race), and 8 percent Asians. Timothy J. Piper examines how the NBA uses archival sports video in its advertising to give the impression that racial issues don't exist in the league, despite the fact that they do. The NBA tried to revitalize its brand prior to 2007 as a result of issues like dwindling attendance and broadcast ratings. In particular, it introduced a \\\"business casual\\\" attire policy for players in 2005 as part of its effort to distance itself from facets of hip-hop culture. The league's efforts to solve its economic fall were tied to this clothing code, which was intended to redefine player uniforms for NBA commerce, according to then-NBA Commissioner David Stern. This was all in order to enhance the league's image; some players welcomed this idea. The article also notes the NBA's 2007 advertising campaign, \\\"Where Amazing Happens,\\\" which featured archival footage and signaled a change in the league's branding approach. The goal of this campaign, which marked a change from prior ones, was to portray the NBA as varied but \\\"raceless\\\". See also Notes References Further reading External links\",\n \"Earl Lloyd Earl Francis Lloyd(April 3, 1928 – February 26, 2015) was an American professionalbasketballplayer and coach. He was the firstAfrican Americanplayer to play a game in theNational Basketball Association(NBA). An All–American player atWest Virginia State University, Lloyd helped lead West Virginia State to an undefeated season in 1948. As a professional, Lloyd helped lead theSyracuse Nationalsto the1955 NBA Championship. Lloyd was inducted into theNaismith Basketball Hall of Famein 2003. Early life Earl Lloyd was born inAlexandria, Virginia, on April 3, 1928, to Theodore Lloyd Sr. and Daisy Lloyd. His father worked in the coal industry and his mother was a stay-at-home mom. Being a high school standout, Lloyd was named to the All-South Atlantic Conference three times and the All-State Virginia Interscholastic Conference twice. Lloyd did attend a segregated school, but gives gratitude to his family and educators for helping him through the tough times and his success after school. Lloyd was a 1946 graduate of Parker–Grey High School, where he played for Coach Louis Randolph Johnson. He received a scholarship to play basketball atWest Virginia State University, home of theYellow Jackets. In school he was nicknamed \\\"Moon Fixer\\\" because of his size and was known as a defensive specialist. College career Lloyd led West Virginia State to twoCentral Intercollegiate Athletic Association(CIAA) Conference and Tournament Championships in 1948 and 1949. He was named All–Conference three times (1948–50) and wasAll-Americantwice, as named by thePittsburgh Courier(1949–50). As a senior, he averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds per game, while leading West Virginia State to a second–place finish in the CIAA Conference and Tournament Championship. In 1947–48, West Virginia State was the only undefeated team in the United States, with a 30–0 record.Lloyd graduated from WVSU with his B.S. degree in physical education in 1950. Harlem Globetrotter Prior to being drafted in the ninth round of the 1950 NBA Draft, Lloyd starred in the lineup of the Harlem Globetrotters. Lloyd led the team to two wins over the reigning Minneapolis Lakers; this proved his talents beyond his race. Except for racial segregation, he was one of the finest artists of his time.Lloyd's talents were recognized amongst other black teammates, the two being Chuck Cooper and Nathaniel \\\"Sweetwater\\\" Clifton. All three would go on to be drafted by the NBA, Clifton in 1947, Cooper in 1950, and Lloyd in 1950, the 100th overall pick. NBA career Lloyd was drafted in the 9th round with pick #100 by theWashington Capitolsin the1950 NBA draft. Nicknamed \\\"The Big Cat\\\", Lloyd was one of three black players to enter the NBA at the same time. It was because of the order in which the team's season openers fell that Lloyd was the first to actually play in a game in the NBA, scoring six points on Halloween night.The date was October 31, 1950, one day ahead ofChuck Cooperof theBoston Celticsand four days beforeNat \\\"Sweetwater\\\" Cliftonof theNew York Knicks. Lloyd played in over 560 games in nine seasons. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound forward played in only seven games for the Washington Capitols before the team folded on January 9, 1951. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army atFort Sill,Oklahoma. While fulfilling his military duty, theSyracuse Nationalspicked him up on waivers. Lloyd served time fighting in theKorean Warbefore coming back to basketball in 1952. In the 1953–54 season, Lloyd led the NBA in both personal fouls and disqualifications. In 1954–1955, Lloyd averaged career highs of 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds for Syracuse, which beat theFort Wayne Pistons4 games to 3 to win the1955 NBA Championship. Lloyd andJim Tuckerbecame the first African–Americans to play on an NBA championship team. Lloyd spent six seasons with Syracuse and two with theDetroit Pistonsbefore retiring in 1961. Regarding the racism black players faced in the early years of the NBA, Lloyd recalled being refused service multiple times and an incident where a fan in Indiana spit on him. He even went as far as to detail a time in which he was told to \\\"go back\\\" to Africa, and a plethora of times racial slurs were used towards him. However, Lloyd persevered and said that these instances only pushed him and made him play harder.Saying he didn't encounter racial animosity from teammates or opposing players, Lloyd said of fans' antics, “My philosophy was: If they weren’t calling you names, you weren’t doing nothing. If they’re calling you names, you were hurting them.” \\\"In 1950, basketball was like a babe in the woods; it didn't enjoy the notoriety that baseball enjoyed,\\\" Lloyd once said. \\\"I don't think my situation was anything like Jackie Robinson's-a guy who played in a hostile environment, where some of his teammates didn't want him around. In basketball, folks were used to seeing integrated college teams. There was a different mentality.\\\" “He’s an unsung star. Anybody can score. Lloyd was an excellent defensive player. That was No. 1 on my roster,” said his Syracuse Coach Al Cervi. In his NBA career with theWashington Capitols(1950–1951),Syracuse Nationals(1952–1958) andDetroit Pistons(1958–1960), Earl averaged 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 560 games over nine seasons. Coaching and scouting career According to Detroit News sportswriter Jerry Green, in 1965 Detroit Pistons General Manager Don Wattrick wanted to hire Lloyd as the team's head coach.Dave DeBusscherewas instead named Pistons player–coach. Lloyd was the first African–American assistant coach and was named head coach for the 1971–72 season, making him the third African–American head coach, afterJohn McLendonandBill Russell.A 2–5 start to thefollowing campaignresulted in Lloyd being relieved of his duties and replaced by assistant coachRay Scotton October 28, 1972.He had an overall record of 22–55 with the Pistons. Lloyd worked for the Pistons as a scout for five seasons. Lloyd is credited with helping draftBailey Howelland discoveringWillis Reed,Earl Monroe,Ray ScottandWally Jones. Personal life After his basketball career, Lloyd worked during the 1970s and 1980s as a job placement administrator for the Detroit public school system. During this time, Lloyd also ran programs for underprivileged children teaching job skills. Lloyd served as Community Relations Director for the Bing Group, a Detroit manufacturing company in the 1990s. Approached by a young African–American player who said he was indebted to Lloyd for opening the doors for future generations of black players, Lloyd replied that he owed him absolutely nothing. “You cannot understand what an honor this is,” Lloyd said in 2007 about the court atT. C. Williams High Schoolbeing named in his honor. “There’s no better honor than being validated by people who know you best. I will always, always treasure this.” Lloyd and his wife, Charlita, had three sons and four grandchildren. Lloyd resided inFairfield Glade, Tennessee, just outsideCrossville, Tennessee, until his death on February 26, 2015. Honors NBA career statistics Regular season Playoffs Head coaching record See also References Further reading External links # denotes interim head coach\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan(born February 17, 1963), also known by his initialsMJ,is an American businessman and former professionalbasketballplayer. He played 15 seasons in theNational Basketball Association(NBA) between 1984 and 2003, winning sixNBA championshipswith theChicago Bulls. He was integral in popularizing basketball and the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s,becoming a globalcultural icon.His profile on the NBA website states, \"By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.\" Jordan playedcollege basketballwith theNorth Carolina Tar Heels. As a freshman, he was a member of the Tar Heels' national championship team in1982.Jordan joined the Bulls in1984as the third overall draft pickand quickly emerged as a league star, entertaining crowds with his prolific scoring while gaining a reputation as one of the best defensive players.His leaping ability, demonstrated by performingslam dunksfrom thefree-throw lineinSlam Dunk Contests, earned him the","earned him the nicknames \"Air Jordan\" and \"His Airness\".Jordan won his first NBA title with the Bulls in1991and followed that achievement with titles in1992and1993, securing athree-peat. Citing \"physical and mental exhaustion\" from basketball and superstardom, Jordan abruptly retired from basketball before the1993–94 NBA seasonto playMinor League Baseballin theChicago White Soxorganization. He returned to the Bulls in March 1995 and led them to three more championships in1996,1997, and1998, as well as a then-record 72 regular season wins in the1995–96 NBA season.Jordan retired for the second time in January 1999, returning for two more NBA seasons from 2001 to 2003 as a member of theWashington Wizards.He was selected to play for theUnited States national teamduring his college and NBA careers, winning fourgold medals—at the1983 Pan American Games,1984 Summer Olympics,1992 Tournament of the Americasand1992 Summer Olympics—while also being undefeated. Jordan's individual accolades include sixNBA Finals Most","sixNBA Finals Most Valuable Player(MVP) awards, tenNBA scoring titles(both all-time records), fiveNBA MVPawards, 10All-NBAFirst Team designations, nineAll-DefensiveFirst Team honors, fourteenNBA All-Star Gameselections, threeNBA All-Star Game MVPawards, threeNBA steals titles, and the 1988NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.He holds theNBA recordsfor career regular season scoring average (30.1 points per game) and career playoff scoring average (33.4 points per game).In 1999, Jordan was named the 20th century's greatest North American athlete byESPNand was second toBabe Ruthon theAssociated Press' list of athletes of the century.Jordan was twice inducted into theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, once in 2009 for his individual career,and again in 2010 as part of the1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team(\"The Dream Team\").He became a member of theUnited States Olympic Hall of Famein 2009,a member of theNorth Carolina Sports Hall of Famein 2010,and an individual member of theFIBA Hall of","of theFIBA Hall of Famein 2015 and a \"Dream Team\" member in 2017.Jordan was named to theNBA 50th Anniversary Teamin 1996 and to theNBA 75th Anniversary Teamin 2021.The trophy for theNBA Most Valuable Player Awardis named in his honor. One of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation, Jordan made many product endorsements.He fueled the success ofNike'sAir Jordansneakers, which were introduced in 1984 and remain popular.Jordan starred as himself in the live-action/animation hybrid filmSpace Jam(1996) and was the central focus of theEmmy-winning documentary seriesThe Last Dance(2020). He became part-owner and head of basketball operations for theCharlotte Hornets(then named the Bobcats) in 2006 and bought a controlling interest in 2010, before selling his majority stake in 2023. Jordan is also a co-owner of23XI Racingin theNASCAR Cup Series. In 2016, he became the first billionaire player in NBA history.That same year, PresidentBarack Obamaawarded Jordan thePresidential Medal of Freedom.As of","of Freedom.As of 2024, his net worth is estimated at $3.2 billion byForbes. Early life Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born atCumberland Hospitalin Brooklyn, New York City, on February 17, 1963,to bank employee Deloris (née Peoples) and equipment supervisorJames R. Jordan Sr.He has two older brothers, James Jr. and basketball playerLarry, as well as an older sister named Deloris and a younger sister named Roslyn.Jordan and his siblings were raised in theMethodistfaith. In 1968, the family moved toWilmington, North Carolina.Jordan attendedEmsley A. Laney High School, where he highlighted his athletic career by playing basketball, baseball, and football. He tried out for the basketballvarsity teamduring his sophomore year, but at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m), he was deemed too short. His taller friendHarvest Leroy Smithwas the only sophomore to make the team.Motivated to prove his worth, Jordan became the star of Laney'sjunior varsity teamand tallied some 40-point games.The following summer, he grew four","he grew four inches (10 cm) and trained rigorously.Upon earning a spot on the varsity roster, Jordan averaged more than 25points per game(ppg) over his final two seasons of high school play.As a senior, he was selected to play in the1981 McDonald's All-American Gameand scored 30points,after averaging 26.8 ppg,11.6rebounds(rpg), and 10.1assistsper game (apg) for the season. Jordan was recruited by numerous college basketball programs, includingDuke,North Carolina,South Carolina,Syracuse, andVirginia.In 1981, he accepted a basketball scholarship to theUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where Jordan majored incultural geography.He chose this field of study because of its relationship tometeorology, as Jordan was interested in a career as ameteorologist. College career As a freshman in coachDean Smith's team-oriented system, Jordan was namedACCFreshman of the Year after averaging 13.4 ppg on 53.4% shooting (field goal percentage).He made the game-winningjump shotin the1982 NCAA Championship","NCAA Championship gameagainstGeorgetown, which was led by future NBA rivalPatrick Ewing.Jordan later described this shot as the major turning point in his basketball career.During his three seasons with theTar Heels, Jordan averaged 17.7 ppg on 54.0% shooting and added 5.0 rpg and 1.8 apg. Jordan was selected by consensus to theNCAA All-American First Teamin both his sophomore (1983) and junior (1984) seasons.After winning theNaismithand theWoodenCollege Player of the Year awards in 1984, Jordan left North Carolina a year before his scheduled graduation to enter the1984 NBA draft. Jordan returned to North Carolina to complete his degree in 1986,when he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography.In 2002, Jordan was named to theACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball teamhonoring the 50 greatest players in ACC history. Professional career Chicago Bulls (1984–1993; 1995–1998) Early NBA years (1984–1987) TheChicago Bullsselected Jordan with the third overall pick of the1984 NBA draftafterHakeem","draftafterHakeem Olajuwon(Houston Rockets) andSam Bowie(Portland Trail Blazers). One of the primary reasons why Jordan was not drafted sooner was because the first two teams were in need of acenter.Trail Blazers general managerStu Inmancontended that it was not a matter of drafting a center but more a matter of taking Bowie over Jordan, in part because Portland already hadClyde Drexler, who was a guard with similar skills to Jordan.Citing Bowie's injury-laden college career,ESPNnamed the Blazers' choice of Bowie as the worst draft pick in North American professional sports history. Jordan made his NBA debut atChicago Stadiumon October 26, 1984, and scored 16 points. In 2021, a ticket stub from the game sold at auction for $264,000, setting a record for a collectible ticket stub.During his rookie1984–85 seasonwith the Bulls, Jordan averaged 28.2 ppg on 51.5% shooting,and helped the Bulls improve from 28-54 to 38-44. Jordan quickly became a fan favorite even in opposing arenas.Roy S. Johnson ofThe New York","ofThe New York Timesdescribed Jordan as \"the phenomenal rookie of the Bulls\" in November,and he appeared on the cover ofSports Illustratedwith the heading \"A Star Is Born\" in December.The fans voted in Jordan as anAll-Starstarter during his rookie season.Controversy arose before the1985 NBA All-Star Gamewhen word surfaced that several veteran players, led byIsiah Thomas, were upset by the amount of attention Jordan was receiving.This led to a so-called \"freeze-out\" on Jordan, where players refused to pass the ball to him.The controversy left Jordan relatively unaffected when he returned to regular season play, and he would go on to be voted theNBA Rookie of the Year.The Bulls finished the season 38–44,and lost to theMilwaukee Bucksin four games in the first round ofthe playoffs. An often-cited moment was on August 26, 1985,when Jordan shook the arena during a Nike exhibition game inTrieste, Italy, by shattering the glass of the backboard with a dunk.The moment was filmed and is often referred to as an","referred to as an important milestone in Jordan's rise.The shoes Jordan wore during the game were auctioned in August 2020 for $615,000, a record for a pair of sneakers.Jordan's1985–86 seasonwas cut short when he broke his foot in the third game of the year, causing him to miss 64 games.The Bulls madethe playoffsdespite Jordan's injury and a 30–52 record,at the time the fifth-worst record of any team to qualify for the playoffs in NBA history.Jordan recovered in time to participate in the postseason and performed well upon his return. On April 20 at theBoston Garden, in Game 2 of the First Round, a 135–131 double overtime loss to the eventualNBA championBoston Celtics, Jordan scored a playoff career-high 63 points, breakingElgin Baylor'ssingle-game playoff scoring record.The Celtics team, though, swept the series in three games. Jordan completely recovered in time for the1986–87 season,and had one of the most prolific scoring seasons in NBA history; he became the only player other thanWilt Chamberlainto","Chamberlainto score 3,000 points in a season, averaging a league-high 37.1 ppg on 48.2% shooting.Jordan also demonstrated his defensive prowess, as he became the first player in NBA history to record 200stealsand 100blocked shotsin a season.Despite Jordan's success,Magic Johnsonwon theNBA Most Valuable Player Award.The Bulls reached 40 wins,and advanced tothe playoffsfor the third consecutive year but were again swept by theCeltics. Pistons roadblock (1987–1990) Jordan led the league in scoring during the1987–88 season, averaging 35.0 ppg on 53.5% shooting,and won his first league MVP Award. He was named theNBA Defensive Player of the Yearafter averaging 1.6 blocks per game (bpg), a league-high 3.1 steals per game (spg),and leading the Bulls defense to the fewest points per game allowed in the league.The Bulls finished 50–32,and made it past the first round ofthe playoffsfor the first time in Jordan's career, as they defeated theCleveland Cavaliersin five games.In the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Bulls","the Bulls lost in five games to the more experiencedDetroit Pistons,who were led byIsiah Thomasand a group of physical players known as the \"Bad Boys\". In the1988–89 season, Jordan again led the league in scoring, averaging 32.5 ppg on 53.8% shooting from the field, along with 8.0 rpg and 8.0 apg.During the season,Sam Vincent, Chicago'spoint guard, was having trouble running the offense, and Jordan expressed his frustration with head coachDoug Collins, who then put Jordan at point guard. In his time as a point guard, Jordan had 10triple-doublesin 11 games, with averages of 33.6 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 10.8 apg, 2.9 spg, and 0.8 bpg on 51% shooting. The Bulls finished with a 47–35 record,and advanced to theEastern ConferenceFinals, defeating theCavaliersandNew York Knicksalong the way.The Cavaliers series included a career highlight for Jordan when he hit \"The Shot\" overCraig Ehloat the buzzer in the fifth and final game of the series.In the Eastern Conference Finals, thePistonsagain defeated the Bulls, this time in","Bulls, this time in six games,by utilizing their \"Jordan Rules\" method of guarding Jordan, which consisted of double andtriple teaminghim every time he touched the ball. The Bulls entered the1989–90 seasonas a team on the rise, with their core group of Jordan and young improving players likeScottie PippenandHorace Grant, and under the guidance of new coachPhil Jackson.On March 28, 1990, Jordan scored a career-high 69 points in a 117–113 road win over the Cavaliers.He averaged a league-leading 33.6 ppg on 52.6% shooting, to go with 6.9 rpg and 6.3 apg,in leading the Bulls to a 55–27 record.They again advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after beating theBucksandPhiladelphia 76ers;despite pushing the series to seven games, the Bulls lost to thePistonsfor the third consecutive season. First three-peat (1991–1993) Jackson sought to instill the principles of the triangle offense more deeply within the team, and this required Michael Jordan to change his playing style. As Jackson explained in his bookEleven","in his bookEleven Rings, \"I was planning to ask Michael... to reduce the number of shots he took so that other members of the team could get more involved.\" Jackson worked with Jordan to ensure he could still pursue scoring titles, but now in a way that better integrated his personal ambitions with the team's success. In the1990–91 season, Jordan won his second MVP award after averaging 31.5 ppg on 53.9% shooting, 6.0 rpg, and 5.5 apg for the regular season.The Bulls finished in first place in their division for the first time in sixteen years and set a franchise record with 61 wins in the regular season.WithScottie Pippendeveloping into an All-Star, the Bulls had elevated their play. The Bulls defeated theNew York Knicksand thePhiladelphia 76ersin the opening two rounds ofthe playoffs. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals where their rival, theDetroit Pistons, awaited them;this time, the Bulls beat the Pistons in a four-game sweep. The Bulls advanced tothe Finalsfor the first time in franchise","time in franchise history to face theLos Angeles Lakers. The Bulls won the series in five games, and compiled a 15–2 playoff record along the way.Perhaps the best-known moment of the series came in Game 2 when, attempting a dunk, Jordan avoided a potentialSam Perkinsblock by switching the ball from his right hand to his left in mid-air to lay the shot into the basket.In his first Finals appearance, Jordan had 31.2 ppg on 56% shooting from the field, 11.4 apg, 6.6 rpg, 2.8 spg, and 1.4 bpg.Jordan won his firstNBA Finals MVPawardand cried while holding the Finals trophy. Jordan and the Bulls continued their dominance in the1991–92 season, establishing a 67–15 record, topping their franchise record from the 1990–91 campaign.Jordan won his second consecutive MVP award with averages of 30.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, and 6.1 apg on 52% shooting.After winning a physical seven-game series over theNew York Knicksin the second round ofthe playoffsand finishing off theCleveland Cavaliersin the Conference Finals in six games, the","in six games, the Bulls metClyde Drexlerand thePortland Trail Blazersinthe Finals. The media, hoping to recreate aMagic–Bird rivalry, highlighted the similarities between \"Air\" Jordan and Clyde \"The Glide\" during the pre-Finals hype. In a Game 1 victory, Jordan scored a Finals-record 35 points in the first half, including a record-setting sixthree-point field goals.After the sixth three-pointer, he jogged down the court shrugging as he looked courtside.Marv Albert, who broadcast the game, later stated that it was as if Jordan was saying: \"I can't believe I'm doing this.\"The Bulls went on to defeat the Blazers in six games. Jordan was named Finals MVP for the second year in a row,and finished the series averaging 35.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and 6.5 apg, while shooting 52.6% from the floor. In the1992–93 season, despite a 32.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, and 5.5 apg campaign, including a second-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting,Jordan's streak of consecutive MVP seasons ended, as he lost the award to his","the award to his friendCharles Barkley,upsetting him.Jordan and the Bulls met Barkley and hisPhoenix Sunsin the1993 NBA Finals. The Bulls won their third NBA championship on a game-winning shot byJohn Paxsonand a last-second block byHorace Grant, but Jordan was once again Chicago's leader. He averaged a Finals-record 41.0 ppg during the six-game series,and became the first player in NBA history to win three consecutive Finals MVP awards.Jordan scored more than 30 points in every game of the series, including 40 or more points in four consecutive games.With his third Finals triumph, Jordan capped off a seven-year run where he attained seven scoring titles and three championships, but there were signs that Jordan was tiring of his massive celebrity and all of the non-basketball hassles in his life. Gambling During the1993 NBA playoffs, Jordan was seen gambling inAtlantic City, New Jersey, the night before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against theNew York Knicks.The previous year, he admitted that he","he admitted that he had to cover $57,000 in gambling losses,and author Richard Esquinas wrote a book in 1993 claiming he had won $1.25 million from Jordan on the golf course.David Stern, thecommissioner of the NBA, denied in 1995 and 2006 that Jordan's 1993 retirement was a secret suspension by the league for gambling,but the rumor spread widely. In 2005, Jordan discussed his gambling withEd Bradleyof60 Minutesand admitted that he made reckless decisions. Jordan stated: Yeah, I've gotten myself into situations where I would not walk away and I've pushed the envelope. Is that compulsive? Yeah, it depends on how you look at it. If you're willing to jeopardize your livelihood and your family, then yeah. When Bradley asked him if his gambling ever got to the level where it jeopardized his livelihood or family, Jordan replied: \"No.\"In 2010,Ron Shelton, director ofJordan Rides the Bus, said that he began working on the documentary believing that the NBA had suspended him, but that research \"convinced was","\"convinced was nonsense\". First retirement and stint in Minor League Baseball (1993–1995) On October 6, 1993, Jordan announced his retirement, saying that he lost his desire to play basketball. He later said that the murder of his father three months earlier helped shape his decision.James R. Jordan Sr.was murdered on July 23, 1993, at a highwayrest areainLumberton, North Carolina, by two teenagers, Daniel Green and Larry Martin Demery, who carjacked hisLexus.His body, dumped in a South Carolina swamp, was not discovered until August 3.Green and Demery were sentenced to life imprisonment.However, inThe Last Dance, Jordan stated that he retired due to physical and mental exhaustion from basketball and superstardom, and that he had made up his mind during the Bulls' playoff run and discussed the decision with his father. Jordan was close to his father; as a child, Jordan imitated the way his father stuck out his tongue while absorbed in work. Jordan later adopted it as his own signature, often displaying it","often displaying it as he drove to the basket.In 1996, Jordan founded a Chicago-areaBoys & Girls Cluband dedicated it to his father.In his 1998 autobiographyFor the Love of the Game, Jordan wrote that he was preparing for retirement as early as the summer of 1992.The added exhaustion due to the \"Dream Team\" run in the1992 Summer Olympicssolidified Jordan's feelings about the game and his celebrity status. Jordan's announcement sent shock waves throughout the NBA and appeared on the front pages of newspapers around the world. Jordan further surprised the sports world by signing aMinor League Baseball(MiLB) contract with theChicago White Soxon February 7, 1994.He reported tospring traininginSarasota, Florida, and was assigned to the team's minor league system on March 31.Jordan said that this decision was made to pursue the dream of his late father, who always envisioned his son as aMajor League Baseball(MLB) player.The White Sox were owned by Bulls ownerJerry Reinsdorf, who continued to honor Jordan's","to honor Jordan's basketball contract during the years he played baseball. In 1994, Jordan played for theBirmingham Barons, aDouble-Aminor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox,batting.202 with threehome runs, 51runs batted in, 30stolen bases, 114strikeouts, 51bases on balls, and 11errors.His strikeout total led the team and his games played tied for the team lead. His 30 stolen bases were second on the team only toDoug Brady.Jordan also appeared for theScottsdale Scorpionsin the 1994Arizona Fall League, batting .252 against the top prospects in baseball.On November 1, 1994, hisNo.23 was retired by the Bulls in a ceremony that included the erection of a permanent sculpture known asThe Spiritoutside the newUnited Center. Return to the NBA (1995) The Bulls went 55–27 in1993–94without Jordan in the lineupand lost to theNew York Knicksin the second round ofthe playoffs.In the1994–95 Bulls, Jordan surprised many by returning to the Bulls midway through the season. In March 1995, Jordan decided to quit","decided to quit baseball because he feared he might become areplacement playerduring theMajor League Baseball strike.On March 18, 1995, Jordan announced his return to the NBA in a two-word press release: \"I'm back.\"The next day, Jordan took to the court with the Bulls to face theIndiana PacersinIndianapolis, scoring 19 points.The game had the highestNielsen ratingof any regular season NBA game since 1975.Although he could have worn his original number even though the Bulls retired it, Jordan wore No. 45, his baseball number. Despite his 18-month hiatus from the NBA, Jordan played well, making a game-winning jump shot againstAtlantain his fourth game back. He scored 55 points in his next game, against theNew York KnicksatMadison Square Gardenon March 28, 1995.Boosted by Jordan's comeback, the Bulls went 13–4 to makethe playoffsand advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals against theOrlando Magic.At the end of Game 1, Orlando'sNick Andersonstripped Jordan from behind, leading to the game-winning basket","game-winning basket for the Magic; he later commented that Jordan \"didn't look like the old Michael Jordan\",and said, \"No. 45 doesn't explode like No. 23 used to\". Jordan responded by scoring 38 points in the next game, which Chicago won. Before the game, Jordan decided that he would immediately resume wearing his former No. 23. The Bulls were fined $25,000 for failing to report the impromptu number change to the NBA.Jordan was fined an additional $5,000 for opting to wear white sneakers when the rest of the Bulls wore black.He averaged 31 ppg in the playoffs, but Orlando won the series in six games. Second three-peat (1996–1998) Jordan was freshly motivated by the playoff defeat, and he trained aggressively for the1995–96 season.The Bulls were strengthened by the addition of rebound specialistDennis Rodman, and the team dominated the league, starting the season at 41–3.The Bulls finished with the best regular season record in NBA history, 72–10, a mark broken two decades later by the2015–16 Golden State","Golden State Warriors.Jordan led the league in scoring with 30.4 ppg,and he won the league's regular season and All-Star Game MVP awards. Inthe playoffs, the Bulls lost only three games in four series (Miami Heat3–0,New York Knicks4–1, andOrlando Magic4–0), as they defeated theSeattle SuperSonics4–2 in theNBA Finalsto win their fourth championship.The series was one of the tougher ones for Jordan as he shot 41%, 32%, and 26% from the field in three of the six games.Nevertheless, Jordan was named Finals MVP for a record fourth time;he achieved only the second sweep of the MVP awards in the All-Star Game, regular season, and NBA Finals afterWillis Reedin the1969–70 season.Upon winning the championship, his first since his father's murder, Jordan reacted emotionally, clutching the game ball and crying on the locker room floor. In the1996–97 season, the Bulls stood at a 69–11 record but ended the season by losing their final two games to finish the year 69–13, missing out on a second consecutive 70-win","consecutive 70-win season.The Bulls again advanced tothe Finals, where they faced theUtah Jazz.That team includedKarl Malone, who had beaten Jordan for the NBA MVP award in a tight race (986–957).The series against the Jazz featured two of the more memorable clutch moments of Jordan's career. He won Game 1 for the Bulls with abuzzer-beatingjump shot. In Game 5, with the series tied 2–2, Jordan played despite being feverish and dehydrated from a stomach virus. In what is known as \"The Flu Game\", Jordan scored 38 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with 25 seconds remaining.The Bulls won 90–88 and went on to win the series in six games.For the fifth time in as many Finals appearances, Jordan received the Finals MVP award.During the1997 NBA All-Star Game, he posted the first triple-double in All-Star Game history in a victorious effort, but the MVP award went toGlen Rice. The Bulls compiled a 62–20 record in the1997–98 season.Jordan led the league with 28.7 ppg,securing his fifth regular season MVP","regular season MVP award, plus honors for All-NBA First Team, First Defensive Team, and the All-Star Game MVP.The Bulls won the Eastern Conference Championship for a third straight season, including surviving a seven-game series with theIndiana Pacersin the Eastern Conference Finals; it was the first time Jordan had played in a Game 7 since the 1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals with theNew York Knicks.After winning, they moved on for a rematch with theJazzinthe Finals. The Bulls returned to theDelta CenterforGame 6on June 14, 1998, leading the series 3–2. Jordan executed a series of plays, considered to be one of the greatest clutch performances in NBA Finals history.With 41.9 seconds remaining and the Bulls trailing 86–83, Phil Jackson called a timeout. When play resumed, Jordan received the inbound pass, drove to the basket, and sank a shot over several Jazz defenders, cutting Utah's lead to 86–85.The Jazz brought the ball upcourt and passed the ball to Malone, who was set up in thelow postand was being","postand was being guarded by Rodman. Malone jostled with Rodman and caught the pass, but Jordan cut behind him and stole the ball out of his hands. Jordan then dribbled down the court and paused, eyeing his defender, Jazz guardBryon Russell. With 10 seconds remaining, Jordan started to dribble right, then crossed over to his left, possibly pushing off Russell, although the officials did not call afoul.With 5.2 seconds left, Jordan made the climactic shot of his Bulls career,a top-key jumper over a stumbling Russell to give Chicago an 87–86 lead. Afterwards, the Jazz'John Stocktonnarrowly missed a game-winning three-pointer, and the buzzer sounded as Jordan and the Bulls won their sixth NBA championship,achieving a second three-peat in the decade.Once again, Jordan was voted Finals MVP for a record sixth time,having led all scorers by averaging 33.5 ppg, including 45 in the deciding Game 6.The 1998 Finals holds the highest television rating of any Finals series,and Game 6 holds the highest television rating","television rating of any game in NBA history. Second retirement (1999–2001) WithPhil Jackson's contract expiring, the pending departures ofScottie PippenandDennis Rodmanlooming, and being in the latter stages of an owner-inducedlockoutof NBA players, Jordan retired for the second time on January 13, 1999.On January 19, 2000, Jordan returned to the NBA not as a player but as part owner and president of basketball operations for theWashington Wizards.Jordan's responsibilities with the Wizards were comprehensive, as he controlled all aspects of the Wizards' basketball operations, and had the final say in all personnel matters; opinions of Jordan as a basketball executive were mixed.He managed to purge the team of several highly paid, unpopular players (like forwardJuwan Howardand point guardRod Strickland)but used the first pick in the2001 NBA draftto select high school studentKwame Brown, who did not live up to expectations and was traded away after four seasons. Despite his January 1999 claim that he was","claim that he was \"99.9% certain\" he would never play another NBA game,Jordan expressed interest in making another comeback in the summer of 2001, this time with his new team.Inspired by theNHLcomeback of his friendMario Lemieuxthe previous winter,Jordan spent much of the spring and summer of 2001 in training, holding several invitation-only camps for NBA players in Chicago.Jordan hired his old Chicago Bulls head coach,Doug Collins, as Washington's coach for the upcoming season, a decision that many saw as foreshadowing another Jordan return. Washington Wizards (2001–2003) On September 25, 2001, Jordan announced his return to the NBA to play for the Washington Wizards, indicating his intention to donate his salary as a player to a relief effort for the victims of theSeptember 11 attacks.In an injury-plagued2001–02 season, Jordan led the team in scoring (22.9 ppg), assists (5.2 apg), and steals (1.4 spg),and was an MVP candidate, as he led the Wizards to a winning record and playoff contention;Jordan would","would eventually finish 13th in the MVP ballot.After he suffered torncartilagein his right knee,and subsequent knee soreness,the Wizards missed the playoffs,and Jordan's season ended after only 60 games, the fewest he had played in a regular season since playing 17 games after returning from his first retirement during the1994–95 season.Jordan started 53 of his 60 games for the season, averaging 24.3 ppg, 5.4 apg, and 6.0 rpg, and shooting 41.9% from the field in his 53 starts. His last seven appearances were in a reserve role, in which he averaged just over 20 minutes per game.The Wizards finished the season with a 37–45 record, an 18-game improvement. Playing in his 14th and final NBA All-Star Game in2003, Jordan passedKareem Abdul-Jabbaras the all-time leading scorer in All-Star Game history, a record since broken byKobe BryantandLeBron James.That year, Jordan was the only Washington player to play in all 82 games, starting in 67 of them as he came off the bench in 15. Jordan averaged 20.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg,","20.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 spg per game.He also shot 45% from the field, and 82% from the free-throw line.Although Jordan turned 40 during the season, he scored 20 or more points 42 times, 30 or more points nine times, and 40 or more points three times.On February 21, 2003, Jordan became the first 40-year-old to tally 43 points in an NBA game.During his stint with the Wizards, all of Jordan's home games at theMCI Centerwere sold out and the Wizards were the second most-watched team in the NBA, averaging 20,172 fans a game at home and 19,311 on the road.Jordan's final two seasons did not result in a playoff appearance for the Wizards, and he was often unsatisfied with the play of those around him.At several points, Jordan openly criticized his teammates to the media, citing their lack of focus and intensity, notably that ofKwame Brown, thenumber-one draft pickin the2001 NBA draft. Final retirement (2003) With the recognition that 2002–03 would be Jordan's final season, tributes were paid to him","were paid to him throughout the NBA. In his final game at theUnited Centerin Chicago, which was his old home court, Jordan received a four-minute standing ovation.TheMiami Heatretired the No. 23 jersey on April 11, 2003, even though Jordan never played for the team.At the 2003 All-Star Game, Jordan was offered a starting spot fromTracy McGradyandAllen Iversonbut refused both;he accepted the spot ofVince Carter.Jordan played in his final NBA game on April 16, 2003, inPhiladelphia. After scoring 13 points in the game, Jordan went to the bench with 4 minutes and 13 seconds left in the third quarter and his team trailing thePhiladelphia 76ers75–56. Just after the start of the fourth quarter, theFirst Union Centercrowd began chanting \"We want Mike!\" After much encouragement from coachDoug Collins, Jordan finally rose from the bench and re-entered the game, replacingLarry Hugheswith 2:35 remaining. At 1:45, Jordan was intentionally fouled by the 76ers'Eric Snow, and stepped to the line to make both free throws.","both free throws. After the second foul shot, the 76ers in-bounded the ball to rookieJohn Salmons, who in turn was intentionally fouled byBobby Simmonsone second later, stopping time so that Jordan could return to the bench. He received a three-minute standing ovation from his teammates, his opponents, the officials, and the crowd of 21,257 fans. National team career Jordan made his debut as a college player for theU.S. national basketball teamat the1983 Pan American GamesinCaracas, Venezuela. He led the team in scoring with 17.3 ppg as the U.S., coached byJack Hartman, won thegold medal.The following year, Jordan won another gold medal in the1984 Summer Olympics. The1984 U.S. teamwas coached byBob Knightand featured young players such asPatrick Ewing,Sam Perkins,Chris Mullin,Steve Alford, andWayman Tisdale. Jordan led the team in scoring, averaging 17.1 ppg for the tournament. In 1992, Jordan, now an NBA player, was a member of the star-studded squad that was dubbed the \"Dream Team\", which includedLarry","which includedLarry Birdand Magic Johnson. The team won two gold medals: the first in the1992 Tournament of the Americas,and the second in the1992 Summer Olympics. Jordan was the only player to start all eight games in the Olympics. He averaged 14.9 ppg on 45% shooting from the field and 68% from the free-throw line. He was second on the team in scoring.He was undefeated in the four tournaments he played for the United States national team, and Jordan won all 30 games he took part in. Player profile Jordan was ashooting guardwho could also play as asmall forward, the position he would primarily play during his second return to professional basketball with theWashington Wizards.Jordan was known throughout his career as a strongclutchperformer. With the Bulls, he decided 25 games with field goals or free throws in the last 30 seconds, including two NBA Finals games and five other playoff contests.His competitiveness was visible in his prolifictrash talkand well-known work ethic.Jordan often used perceived","used perceived slights to fuel his performances. SportswriterWright Thompsondescribed him as \"a killer, in the Darwinian sense of the word, immediately sensing and attacking someone's weakest spot\".As the Bulls organization built the franchise around Jordan, management had to trade away players who were not \"tough enough\" to compete with him in practice. To improve his defense, Jordan spent hours studying film of opponents. On offense, he relied more upon instinct and improvization.Jordan's fierce competitiveness greatly impacted his teammates, sometimes motivating them but also leading to tension and alienation. Noted as a durable player, Jordan did not miss four or more games while active for a full season from 1986–87 to 2001–02, when he injured his right knee.Of the 15 seasons Jordan was in the NBA, he played all 82 regular season games nine times.Jordan has frequently citedDavid Thompson,Walter Davis, andJerry Westas influences.Confirmed at the start of his career, and possibly later on, Jordan had a","on, Jordan had a special \"Love of the Game Clause\" written into his contract, which was unusual at the time, and allowed him to play basketball against anyone at any time, anywhere. Jordan had a versatile offensive game and was capable of aggressivelydrivingto the basket as well as drawingfoulsfrom his opponents at a high rate. His 8,772free throwattempts are the 11th-highest total in NBA history.Early in Jordan's career, he weighed in at around 200 pounds (91 kg) and was more athletic in terms of play style.As his career progressed, Jordan also developed the ability topost uphis opponents and score with his trademarkfadeawayjump shot, using his leaping ability to avoid block attempts. According toHubie Brown, this move alone made Jordan nearly unstoppable.Around this time, he bulked up to 215 pounds (98 kg) in order to adapt to the increased physicality of NBA defenses during the 1990s, sacrificing some athleticism for added strength in the post.Despite media criticism by some as a selfish player early in","player early in his career, Jordan was willing to defer to this teammates, with a career average of 5.3 apg and a season-high of 8.0 apg.For a guard, Jordan was also a good rebounder, finishing with 6.2 rpg. Defensively, he averaged 2.3 spg and 0.8 bpg. Thethree-point field goalwas not Jordan's strength, especially in his early years. Later on in his career, Jordan improved his three-point shooting, and finished his career with a three-point field goal percentage of 32%.His best years shooting from three occurred in the 1989-90 and 1992-93 seasons, where he shot 37% and 35% from three, respectively (Jordan did shoot higher percentages from 1994-97, but in those years, the three-point line was temporarily moved inwards). Overall, Jordan was a highly efficient scorer. Hiseffective field goal percentagewas 50%, and he had six seasons with at least 50% shooting, five of which consecutively (1988–1992); Jordan also shot 51% and 50% from the field, and 30% and 33% from the three-point range, throughout his first","his first and second retirements, respectively, finishing his Bulls career with 31.5 points per game on 50.5 FG% shooting and his overall career with 49.7 FG% shooting. In 1988, Jordan was honored with theNBA Defensive Player of the Yearand theMost Valuable Playerawards, becoming the first NBA player to win both awards in a career let alone season. He also set both seasonal and career records forblocked shotsby a guard,and combined this with his ball-thieving ability to become a standout defensive player. Despite his defensive prowess, the 1988 season has come under scrutiny due to the large discrepancy between Jordan's steals' numbers at home versus on the road. Such stat inflation was common, and a 2024 study by Tom Haberstroh found that there were games where Jordan was often credited with steals that could not have happened. For example, in one game, he was credited with more steals than the opposing team had live-ball turnovers.Jordan ranks fourth in NBA history in totalstealswith 2,514, trailingJohn","2,514, trailingJohn Stockton,Jason KiddandChris Paul.Jerry West often stated that he was more impressed with Jordan's defensive contributions than his offensive ones.Doc Riversdeclared Jordan \"the best superstar defender in the history of the game\". Jordan was known to have strong eyesight. BroadcasterAl Michaelssaid that Jordan was able to read baseball box scores on a 27-inch (69 cm) television clearly from about 50 feet (15 m) away.During the2001 NBA Finals,Phil Jacksoncompared Jordan's dominance toShaquille O'Neal, stating: \"Michael would get fouled on every play and still have to play through it and just clear himself for shots instead and would rise to that occasion.\" Legacy Jordan's talent was clear from his first NBA season; by November 1984, he was being compared toJulius Erving.Larry Birdsaid that rookie Jordan was the best player he ever saw, and that Jordan was \"one of a kind\", and comparable toWayne Gretzkyas an athlete.In his first game in Madison Square Garden against theNew York Knicks,","theNew York Knicks, Jordan received a near minute-long standing ovation.After Jordan established the single game playoff record of 63 points against theBoston Celticson April 20, 1986, Bird described him as \"God disguised as Michael Jordan\". Jordanled the NBA in scoringin 10 seasons (NBA record) and tiedWilt Chamberlain's record of seven consecutive scoring titles.Jordan was a fixture of theNBA All-Defensive First Team, making the roster nine times (NBA record shared withGary Payton,Kevin Garnett, andKobe Bryant).He also holds the top career regular season and playoff scoring averages of 30.1 and 33.4 ppg, respectively.By 1998, the season of his Finals-winning shot against the Jazz, he was well known throughout the league as a clutch performer. In the regular season, Jordan was the Bulls' primary threat in the final seconds of a close game and in the playoffs; he would always ask for the ball at crunch time.Jordan's total of 5,987 points in the playoffs is the second-highest amongNBA career playoff scoring","playoff scoring leaders.He scored 32,292 points in the regular season,placing him fifth on theNBA all-time scoring listbehindLeBron James,Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,Karl Malone, and Bryant. With five regular season MVPs (tied for second place withBill Russell—only Abdul-Jabbar has won more, with six), six Finals MVPs (NBA record), and threeNBA All-Star Game MVPs, Jordan is among the most decorated player in NBA history.He finished among the top three in regular season MVP voting 10 times.Jordan was named one of the50 Greatest Players in NBA Historyin 1996,and selected to theNBA 75th Anniversary Teamin 2021.He is one of only seven players in history to win an NCAA championship, an NBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal (doing so twice with the 1984 and 1992 U.S. men's basketball teams).Since 1976, the year of theABA–NBA merger,Jordan and Pippen are the only two players to win six NBA Finals playing for one team.In theAll-Star Game fan ballot, Jordan received the most votes nine times, more than any other","more than any other player. \"There's Michael Jordan and then there is the rest of us.\" —Magic Johnson Many of Jordan's contemporaries have said that he is the greatest basketball player of all time.In 1999, anESPNsurvey of journalists, athletes and other sports figures ranked Jordan the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century.Jordan placed second toBabe Ruthin theAssociated Press' December 1999 list of 20th century athletes.The Associated Press also voted Jordan the greatest basketball player of the 20th century.He has also appeared on the front cover ofSports Illustrateda record 50 times.In the September 1996 issue ofSport, which was the publication's 50th-anniversary issue, Jordan was named the greatest athlete of the past 50 years. Jordan's athletic leaping ability, highlighted in his back-to-backSlam Dunk Contestchampionships in 1987 and 1988, is credited by many people with having influenced a generation of young players.Several NBA players, including James andDwyane Wade, have stated that","have stated that they considered Jordan as their role model while they were growing up.Commentators have also dubbed a number of next-generation players \"the next Michael Jordan\" upon their entry to the NBA, includingPenny Hardaway,Grant Hill,Allen Iverson, Bryant,Vince Carter, James, and Wade.Some analysts, such asThe Ringer's Dan Devine, drew parallels between Jordan's experiment at point guard in the 1988–89 season and the modern NBA; for Devine, it \"inadvertently foreshadowed the modern game's stylistic shift toward monster-usage primary playmakers\", such asRussell Westbrook,James Harden,Luka Dončić, and James.Don Nelsonstated: \"I would've been playing him at point guard the day he showed up as a rookie.\" Although Jordan was a well-rounded player, his \"Air Jordan\" image is also often credited with inadvertently decreasing the jump shooting skills, defense, and fundamentals of young players,a fact Jordan himself has lamented, saying: \"I think it was the exposure of Michael Jordan; the marketing of Michael","of Michael Jordan. Everything was marketed towards the things that people wanted to see, which was scoring and dunking. That Michael Jordan still played defense and an all-around game, but it was never really publicized.\"During his heyday, Jordan did much to increase the status of the game; television ratings increased only during his time in the league.The popularity of the NBA in the U.S. declined after his last title.As late as 2022,NBA Finals television ratingshad not returned to the level reached during his last championship-winning season. In August 2009, theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of FameinSpringfield, Massachusetts, opened a Michael Jordan exhibit that contained items from his college and NBA careers as well as from the 1992 \"Dream Team\"; the exhibit also has a battingbaseball gloveto signify Jordan's short career in theMinor League Baseball.After Jordan received word of his acceptance into the Hall of Fame, he selected Class of 1996 memberDavid Thompsonto present him.As Jordan would later","Jordan would later explain during his induction speech in September 2009, he was not a fan of the Tar Heels when growing up in North Carolina but greatly admired Thompson, who played for the rivalNC State Wolfpack. In September, Jordan was inducted into the Hall with several former Bulls teammates in attendance, includingScottie Pippen,Dennis Rodman,Charles Oakley,Ron Harper,Steve Kerr, andToni Kukoč.Dean SmithandDoug Collins, two of Jordan's former coaches, were also among those present. His emotional reaction during his speech when Jordan began to cry was captured by Associated Press photographerStephan Savoiaand would later go viral on social media as the \"Crying Jordan\" Internet meme.In 2016, PresidentBarack Obamahonored Jordan with thePresidential Medal of Freedom.In October 2021, he was named to theNBA 75th Anniversary Team.In September 2022, Jordan's jersey in which he played the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals was sold for $10.1 million, making it the most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia","sports memorabilia in history.In December 2022, the NBA unveiled a new MVP trophy, named in Jordan's honor, to be awarded beginning with the2022–23 season, which replaced the original trophy, named in honor of former NBA commissionerMaurice Podoloff. NBA career statistics Regular season Playoffs Awards and honors NBA USA Basketball NCAA High school Halls of Fame Media National State/local Post-retirement After his third retirement, Jordan assumed that he would be able to return to his front office position as Director of Basketball Operations with the Wizards.Jordan's previous tenure had produced mixed results and may have also influenced the trade ofRichard \"Rip\" HamiltonforJerry Stackhouse, although Jordan was not technically Director of Basketball Operations in 2002.On May 7, 2003, Wizards ownerAbe Pollinfired Jordan from the role.Jordan later stated that he felt betrayed, and that if he had known he would be fired upon retiring, he never would have come back to play for the Wizards. Over the next few","Over the next few years, Jordan played golf in celebrity charity tournaments and spent time with his family in Chicago. He also promoted his Jordan Brand clothing line and rode motorcycles.Since 2004, Jordan has owned Michael Jordan Motorsports, a professional closed-course motorcycle road racing team that competed with twoSuzukisin thepremier Superbike championshipsanctioned by theAmerican Motorcyclist Association(AMA) until the end of the 2013 season. Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets On June 15, 2006, Jordan bought a minority stake in theCharlotte Bobcats(known as theHornetssince 2013), becoming the team's second-largest shareholder behind majority ownerRobert L. Johnson. As part of the deal, Jordan took full control over the basketball side of the operation, with the title Managing Member of Basketball Operations.Despite his previous success as an endorser, Jordan made an effort not to be included in Charlotte's marketing campaigns.A decade earlier, he had made a bid to become part-owner of Charlotte's original","original NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets, but talks collapsed when ownerGeorge Shinnrefused to give Jordan complete control of basketball operations. In February 2010, it was reported that Jordan was seeking majority ownership of the Bobcats.As February wore on, it became apparent that Jordan and formerHouston RocketspresidentGeorge Postoloswere the leading contenders for ownership of the team. On February 27, the Bobcats announced that Johnson had reached an agreement with Jordan and his group, MJ Basketball Holdings, to buy the team from Johnson pending NBA approval.On March 17, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved Jordan's purchase, making him the first former player to become the majority owner of an NBA team,and the league's only African-American majority owner. During the2011 NBA lockout,The New York Timeswrote that Jordan led a group of 10 to 14 hardline owners who wanted to cap the players' share of basketball-related income at 50 percent and as low as 47. Journalists observed that, during","that, during thelabor dispute in 1998, Jordan toldWashington Wizardsthen-ownerAbe Pollin: \"If you can't make a profit, you should sell your team.\"Jason WhitlockofFoxSports.comcalled Jordan \"a hypocriteselloutwho can easily betray the very people who made him a billionaire global icon\" for wanting \"current players to pay for his incompetence\".He cited Jordan's executive decisions to draft disappointing playersKwame BrownandAdam Morrison. During the2011–12 NBA seasonthat was shortened to 66 games by the lockout, the Bobcats posted a 7–59 record. The team closed out the season with a 23-game losing streak; their .106 winning percentage was the worst in NBA history.Before the next season, Jordan said: \"I'm not real happy about the record book scenario last year. It's very, very frustrating.\" During the 2019 NBA offseason, Jordan sold a minority piece of the Hornets to Gabe Plotkin and Daniel Sundheim, retaining the majority for himself,as well as the role of chairman.In 2023, Jordan finalized the sale of his","the sale of his majority stake to Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, ending his 13-year tenure as majority owner, although he kept a minority stake.The sale was officially completed in August 2023 for approximately $3 billion, more than 10 times the $275 million Jordan had paid for the team. 23XI Racing On September 21, 2020, Jordan andNASCARdriverDenny Hamlinannounced they would be fielding aNASCAR Cup Seriesteam withBubba Wallacedriving, beginning competition in the2021 season.On October 22, the team's name was confirmed to be23XI Racing(pronounced twenty-three eleven) and the team's entry would bear No. 23.After the team's inaugural season, it added a second car with No. 45, driven byKurt Buschin2022andTyler Reddickin2023.Ty Gibbs,John Hunter Nemechek, andDaniel Hemricalso drove for 23XI as substitute drivers during the 2022 season.The team fielded a third car, No. 67, driven byTravis Pastranain the2023 Daytona 500.23XI Racing has won seven races, two by Wallace, four by Reddick, and one by Busch.Reddick won","Busch.Reddick won the2024 NASCAR Cup Seriesregular season championship, the first for the team. Personal life Jordan married Juanita Vanoy atA Little White Wedding ChapelinLas Vegason September 2, 1989.They had three children:Jeffrey,Marcus, and Jasmine.The Jordans filed for divorce on January 4, 2002, citing irreconcilable differences, but reconciled shortly thereafter. They again filed for divorce and were granted a final decree of dissolution of marriage on December 29, 2006, commenting that the decision was made \"mutually and amicably\".It is reported that Juanita received a $168 million settlement (equivalent to $254 million in 2023), making it the largest celebrity divorce settlement on public record at the time. In 1991, Jordan purchased a lot inHighland Park, Illinois, where he planned to build a 56,000-square-foot (5,200 m2) mansion. It was completed in 1995. Jordan listed the mansion for sale in 2012.He also owns homes inNorth CarolinaandJupiter Island, Florida. On July 21, 2006, a judge inCook","a judge inCook County, Illinois, determined that Jordan did not owe his alleged former lover Karla Knafel $5 million in a breach of contract claim.Jordan had allegedly paid Knafel $250,000 to keep their relationship a secret.Knafel claimed Jordan promised her $5 million for remaining silent and agreeing not to file apaternity suitafter Knafel learned she was pregnant in 1991; aDNA testshowed that Jordan was not the father of the child. Jordan proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Cuban-American modelYvette Prieto, on Christmas 2011,and they were married on April 27, 2013, atBethesda-by-the-SeaEpiscopal Church.It was announced on November 30, 2013, that the two were expecting their first child together.On February 11, 2014, Prieto gave birth to identical twin daughters named Victoria and Ysabel.In 2019, Jordan became a grandfather when his daughter Jasmine gave birth to a son, whose father is professional basketball playerRakeem Christmas. Media figure and business interests Endorsements Jordan is one of the","is one of the most marketed sports figures in history. He has been a major spokesman for such brands asNike,Coca-Cola,Chevrolet,Gatorade,McDonald's,Ball Park Franks,Rayovac,Wheaties,Hanes, andMCI.Jordan has had a long relationship with Gatorade, appearing in over 20 commercials for the company since 1991, including the \"Be Like Mike\" commercials in which a song was sung by children wishing to be like Jordan. Nike created a signature shoe for Jordan, called theAir Jordan, in 1984.One of his more popular commercials for the shoe involvedSpike Leeplaying the part ofMars Blackmon. In the commercials, Lee, as Blackmon, attempted to find the source of Jordan's abilities and became convinced that \"it's gotta be the shoes\".The hype and demand for the shoes even brought on a spate of \"shoe-jackings\", in which people were robbed of their sneakers at gunpoint. Subsequently, Nike spun off the Jordan line into its own division named the \"Jordan Brand\". The company features a list of athletes and celebrities as","and celebrities as endorsers.The brand has also sponsored college sports programs such as those ofNorth Carolina,UCLA,California,Oklahoma,Florida,Georgetown, andMarquette. Jordan also has been associated with theLooney Tunescartoon characters. A Nike commercial shown during 1992'sSuper Bowl XXVIfeatured Jordan andBugs Bunnyplaying basketball.The Super Bowl commercial inspired the 1996live action/animatedfilmSpace Jam, which starred Jordan and Bugs in a fictional story set during the former's first retirement from basketball.They have subsequently appeared together in several commercials for MCI.Jordan also made an appearance in the music video forMichael Jackson's \"Jam\" (1992). Since 2008, Jordan's yearly income from endorsements is estimated to be over $40 million.In addition, when his power at the ticket gates was at its highest point, the Bulls regularly sold out both their home and road games.Due to this, Jordan set records in player salary by signing annual contracts worth in excess of US$30 million per","US$30 million per season.An academic study found that his first NBA comeback resulted in an increase in the market capitalization of his client firms of more than $1 billion. Most of Jordan's endorsement deals, including his first deal with Nike, were engineered by his agent,David Falk.Jordan has described Falk as \"the best at what he does\" and that \"marketing-wise, he's great. He's the one who came up with the concept of 'Air Jordan'.\" Business ventures In June 2010, Jordan was ranked byForbesas the 20th-most-powerful celebrity in the world, with $55 million earned between June 2009 and June 2010. According toForbes, Jordan Brand generates $1 billion in sales for Nike.In June 2014, Jordan was named the first NBA player to become a billionaire, after he increased his stake in the Charlotte Hornets from 80% to 89.5%.On January 20, 2015, Jordan was honored with theCharlotte Business Journal's Business Person of the Year for 2014.In 2017, he became a part owner of theMiami MarlinsofMajor League Baseball.","League Baseball. Forbesdesignated Jordan as the athlete with the highest career earnings in 2017.From his Jordan Brand income and endorsements, Jordan's 2015 income was an estimated $110 million, the most of any retired athlete.As of 2024, his net worth is estimated at $3.2 billion byForbes,making him thefifth-richest African-American, behindRobert F. Smith,David Steward,Oprah Winfrey, andRihanna. Jordan co-owns an automotive group which bears his name. The company has aNissandealership inDurham, North Carolina, acquired in 1990,and formerly had aLincoln–Mercurydealership from 1995 until its closure in June 2009.The company also owned a Nissan franchise inGlen Burnie, Maryland.The restaurant industry is another business interest of Jordan's. Restaurants he has owned include asteakhousein New York City'sGrand Central Terminal, among others;that restaurant closed in 2018.Jordan is the majority investor in a golf course, Grove XXIII inHobe Sound, Florida. In September 2020, Jordan became an investor and advisor","and advisor forDraftKings. Philanthropy From 2001 to 2014, Jordan hosted an annual golf tournament, the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, that raised money for various charities.In 2006, Jordan and his wife Juanita pledged $5 million to Chicago'sHales Franciscan High School.TheJordan Brandhas made donations toHabitat for Humanityand aLouisianabranch of theBoys & Girls Clubs of America. TheMake-A-Wish Foundationnamed Jordan its Chief Wish Ambassador in 2008.In 2013, he granted his 200th wish for the organization.As of 2019, Jordan has raised more than $5 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.In 2023, he donated $10 million to the organization for his 60th birthday. In 2015, Jordan donated a settlement of undisclosed size from a lawsuit against supermarkets that had used his name without permission to 23 different Chicago charities.In 2017, Jordan funded twoNovant HealthMichael Jordan Family Clinics inCharlotte, North Carolina, by giving $7 million, the biggest donation he had made at the time.The","at the time.The following year, afterHurricane Florencedamaged parts of North Carolina, including his former hometown of Wilmington, Jordan donated $2 million to relief efforts.He gave $1 million to aid the Bahamas' recovery followingHurricane Dorianin 2019. On June 5, 2020, in the wake ofthe protestsfollowing themurder of George Floyd, Jordan and his brand announced in a joint statement that they would be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to \"ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education\".In February 2021, Jordan funded two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics inNew Hanover County, North Carolina, by giving $10 million.In 2024, he funded the opening of another Novant Health Clinic, this time in Wilmington. Film and television Jordan played himself in the 1996 comedy filmSpace Jam. The film received mixed reviews,but it was a box office success, making $230 million worldwide, and earned more than $1 billion through merchandise sales. In","sales. In 2000, Jordan was the subject of anIMAXdocumentary about his career with the Chicago Bulls, especially the1998 NBA playoffs, titledMichael Jordan to the Max.Two decades later, the same period of Jordan's life was covered in much greater and more personal detail by theEmmy Award-winningThe Last Dance, a 10-part TV documentary which debuted onESPNin April and May 2020.The Last Dancerelied heavily on about 500 hours of candid film of Jordan's and his teammates' off-court activities which anNBA Entertainmentcrew had shot over the course of the1997–98 NBA seasonfor use in a documentary. The project was delayed for many years because Jordan had not yet given his permission for the footage to be used.Jordan was interviewed at three homes associated with the production and did not want cameras in his home or on his plane, as according to director Jason Hehir \"there are certain aspects of his life that he wants to keep private\". Jordan granted rapperTravis Scottpermission to film a music video for his single","for his single \"Franchise\" at his home inHighland Park, Illinois.Jordan appeared in the 2022 miniseriesThe Captain, which follows the life and career ofDerek Jeter. Books Jordan has authored several books focusing on his life, basketball career, and world view. See also Notes References Sources Further reading External links","Race and ethnicity in the NBA The composition ofraceandethnicityin theNational Basketball Association(NBA) has changed throughout the league's history. The firstnon-whiteplayer to play in the league was anAsian American,Wat Misaka, in 1947.African Americansentered the league beginning in 1950. According toracial equalityactivistRichard Lapchick, the NBA in 2021 was composed of 73.2 percentblackplayers, 16.8 percentwhiteplayers, 3.1 percentLatinoplayers of any race, and 0.4 percentAsianplayers. Additionally, 6.6 percent of the players were classified as either multiracial or \"other\" races.The league has the highest percentage of black players of anymajor professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. History Players The NBA was founded in June 1946, with its first season played in1946–47.Wat Misakadebuted in1947–48as the first non-white player and the firstAsian Americanto play in the league. African Americansfirst appeared in the NBA in 1950.Chuck Cooperwas the first black playerdraftedin the","playerdraftedin the NBA.On April 26, 1950,Harold Huntersigned with theWashington Capitols, becoming the firstAfrican Americanto sign a contract with any NBA team in history.However, Hunter was cut from the team during training camp and did not play professionally.On May 24,Nathaniel \"Sweetwater\" Cliftonwas the second African American player to sign an NBA contract.Earl Lloydwas the first to play in the NBA.Hank DeZoniealso played that year.In 1953,Don Barksdalebecame the first African American to play in anNBA All-Star Game. With the emergence of African American players by the 1960s, the NBA game was stylistically being played faster and above the rim. Many of the league's great players were black. At that time, African Americans believed they were limited by anunofficialleague quota of four black players per team. Puerto RicanButch Leein 1978 was the first Latino in the league.Wang Zhizhibecame the first Chinese player in 2001.In 2010,Jeremy Linbecame the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to","descent to play in the NBA. In 2011,Richard LapchickwithThe Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport(TIDES) of theUniversity of Central Floridareported in their annualRacial and Gender Report Cardthat 17 percent of the league's players werewhite, the lowest since the report began in 1990.Hall of Fameplayer andIndiana Pacerspresident of basketball operationsLarry Bird, who is white, stated in 2004 that the league needed more white players since the league's fans are mostly white. \"And if you just had a couple of white guys in there, you might get them a little excited. But it is a black man's game, and it will be forever. I mean, the greatest athletes in the world are African American,\" said Bird.Contrary to Bird's assertion, as of 2017, White Americans, made up only 34% of the NBA's viewership, making it the only major sports league inNorth America, that doesn't have a majority white viewership. At the same time, the black share of viewership stands at 47 percent, while Hispanic (of any race) stood at","any race) stood at 11% and Asian viewership stood at 8%. More recently, a number of commentators and fans have remarked on the league's dwindling number ofwhite Americanplayers. While a TIDES study found that the NBA was 18.3 percent white in the 2015–16 season, this number also included non-Americans, most notably Europeans. During the entire 1996–97 season, only three NBA teams did not field an American-born white; on the opening day of the 2016–17 season, eight teams did not have a white American on their roster, and an additional 10 teams had only one. At the latter point in time, fewer than 10 percent of NBA players were American-born whites (43 out of a possible 450). Coaches Bill Russellin 1966 became the first non-white and African Americanhead coachin the NBA.In the late 1980s, teams began hiring black coaches in large numbers.At the start of the2015–16 season, there were seven black head coaches in the league, down 50 percent from three years earlier, and the fewest in 16 years.At the conclusion of","the conclusion of the 2016-17 season there were eight African American head coaches. Owners Robert Johnsonof theCharlotte Bobcats(now known as the Charlotte Hornets) was the first black majority team owner in the NBA in 2004–05.He was succeeded as Bobcats owner in 2010–11 by another African American,Michael Jordan.In 2013–14, Jordan andSacramento KingsownerVivek Ranadivé, who is Indian, marked the first time in the history of major pro sports leagues in the U.S. that there were two non-white majority owners in a league.The number of NBA teams with non-white majority owners increased to three in September 2019 with the league approval of Taiwanese Canadian entrepreneurJoseph Tsai's purchase of RussianMikhail Prokhorov's 51 percent share in theBrooklyn Nets. Tsai had previously held a 49 percent interest in the team, having acquired that stake from Prokhorov in 2018, and exercised an option to purchase the remaining interest before its 2021 expiration date. Viewership demographics Among NBA fans during the","NBA fans during the 2013–14 season, African Americans (844 minutes) andAsian Americans(719) spent the most time watching the league, followed byHispanics(of any race, 390) and Whites (290).Furthermore, according to a Nielsen's survey, the NBA has the highest share ofblackviewers, with 45 percent of its viewers being black and 40 percent of viewers beingwhite, making it the only top North American sport that did not have a white majority audience. During the 2016–17 season, 66 percent of the league's viewers were racial and ethnic minorities. Its audience was 47 percent Blacks, 34 percent Whites, 11 percent Hispanics (of any race), and 8 percent Asians. Timothy J. Piper examines how the NBA uses archival sports video in its advertising to give the impression that racial issues don't exist in the league, despite the fact that they do. The NBA tried to revitalize its brand prior to 2007 as a result of issues like dwindling attendance and broadcast ratings. In particular, it introduced a \"business casual\" attire","casual\" attire policy for players in 2005 as part of its effort to distance itself from facets of hip-hop culture. The league's efforts to solve its economic fall were tied to this clothing code, which was intended to redefine player uniforms for NBA commerce, according to then-NBA Commissioner David Stern. This was all in order to enhance the league's image; some players welcomed this idea. The article also notes the NBA's 2007 advertising campaign, \"Where Amazing Happens,\" which featured archival footage and signaled a change in the league's branding approach. The goal of this campaign, which marked a change from prior ones, was to portray the NBA as varied but \"raceless\". See also Notes References Further reading External links","Earl Lloyd Earl Francis Lloyd(April 3, 1928 – February 26, 2015) was an American professionalbasketballplayer and coach. He was the firstAfrican Americanplayer to play a game in theNational Basketball Association(NBA). An All–American player atWest Virginia State University, Lloyd helped lead West Virginia State to an undefeated season in 1948. As a professional, Lloyd helped lead theSyracuse Nationalsto the1955 NBA Championship. Lloyd was inducted into theNaismith Basketball Hall of Famein 2003. Early life Earl Lloyd was born inAlexandria, Virginia, on April 3, 1928, to Theodore Lloyd Sr. and Daisy Lloyd. His father worked in the coal industry and his mother was a stay-at-home mom. Being a high school standout, Lloyd was named to the All-South Atlantic Conference three times and the All-State Virginia Interscholastic Conference twice. Lloyd did attend a segregated school, but gives gratitude to his family and educators for helping him through the tough times and his success after school. Lloyd was a 1946","Lloyd was a 1946 graduate of Parker–Grey High School, where he played for Coach Louis Randolph Johnson. He received a scholarship to play basketball atWest Virginia State University, home of theYellow Jackets. In school he was nicknamed \"Moon Fixer\" because of his size and was known as a defensive specialist. College career Lloyd led West Virginia State to twoCentral Intercollegiate Athletic Association(CIAA) Conference and Tournament Championships in 1948 and 1949. He was named All–Conference three times (1948–50) and wasAll-Americantwice, as named by thePittsburgh Courier(1949–50). As a senior, he averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds per game, while leading West Virginia State to a second–place finish in the CIAA Conference and Tournament Championship. In 1947–48, West Virginia State was the only undefeated team in the United States, with a 30–0 record.Lloyd graduated from WVSU with his B.S. degree in physical education in 1950. Harlem Globetrotter Prior to being drafted in the ninth round of the 1950 NBA","of the 1950 NBA Draft, Lloyd starred in the lineup of the Harlem Globetrotters. Lloyd led the team to two wins over the reigning Minneapolis Lakers; this proved his talents beyond his race. Except for racial segregation, he was one of the finest artists of his time.Lloyd's talents were recognized amongst other black teammates, the two being Chuck Cooper and Nathaniel \"Sweetwater\" Clifton. All three would go on to be drafted by the NBA, Clifton in 1947, Cooper in 1950, and Lloyd in 1950, the 100th overall pick. NBA career Lloyd was drafted in the 9th round with pick #100 by theWashington Capitolsin the1950 NBA draft. Nicknamed \"The Big Cat\", Lloyd was one of three black players to enter the NBA at the same time. It was because of the order in which the team's season openers fell that Lloyd was the first to actually play in a game in the NBA, scoring six points on Halloween night.The date was October 31, 1950, one day ahead ofChuck Cooperof theBoston Celticsand four days beforeNat \"Sweetwater\" Cliftonof theNew","Cliftonof theNew York Knicks. Lloyd played in over 560 games in nine seasons. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound forward played in only seven games for the Washington Capitols before the team folded on January 9, 1951. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army atFort Sill,Oklahoma. While fulfilling his military duty, theSyracuse Nationalspicked him up on waivers. Lloyd served time fighting in theKorean Warbefore coming back to basketball in 1952. In the 1953–54 season, Lloyd led the NBA in both personal fouls and disqualifications. In 1954–1955, Lloyd averaged career highs of 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds for Syracuse, which beat theFort Wayne Pistons4 games to 3 to win the1955 NBA Championship. Lloyd andJim Tuckerbecame the first African–Americans to play on an NBA championship team. Lloyd spent six seasons with Syracuse and two with theDetroit Pistonsbefore retiring in 1961. Regarding the racism black players faced in the early years of the NBA, Lloyd recalled being refused service multiple times and an incident where a","an incident where a fan in Indiana spit on him. He even went as far as to detail a time in which he was told to \"go back\" to Africa, and a plethora of times racial slurs were used towards him. However, Lloyd persevered and said that these instances only pushed him and made him play harder.Saying he didn't encounter racial animosity from teammates or opposing players, Lloyd said of fans' antics, “My philosophy was: If they weren’t calling you names, you weren’t doing nothing. If they’re calling you names, you were hurting them.” \"In 1950, basketball was like a babe in the woods; it didn't enjoy the notoriety that baseball enjoyed,\" Lloyd once said. \"I don't think my situation was anything like Jackie Robinson's-a guy who played in a hostile environment, where some of his teammates didn't want him around. In basketball, folks were used to seeing integrated college teams. There was a different mentality.\" “He’s an unsung star. Anybody can score. Lloyd was an excellent defensive player. That was No. 1 on my","was No. 1 on my roster,” said his Syracuse Coach Al Cervi. In his NBA career with theWashington Capitols(1950–1951),Syracuse Nationals(1952–1958) andDetroit Pistons(1958–1960), Earl averaged 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 560 games over nine seasons. Coaching and scouting career According to Detroit News sportswriter Jerry Green, in 1965 Detroit Pistons General Manager Don Wattrick wanted to hire Lloyd as the team's head coach.Dave DeBusscherewas instead named Pistons player–coach. Lloyd was the first African–American assistant coach and was named head coach for the 1971–72 season, making him the third African–American head coach, afterJohn McLendonandBill Russell.A 2–5 start to thefollowing campaignresulted in Lloyd being relieved of his duties and replaced by assistant coachRay Scotton October 28, 1972.He had an overall record of 22–55 with the Pistons. Lloyd worked for the Pistons as a scout for five seasons. Lloyd is credited with helping draftBailey Howelland discoveringWillis Reed,Earl","Reed,Earl Monroe,Ray ScottandWally Jones. Personal life After his basketball career, Lloyd worked during the 1970s and 1980s as a job placement administrator for the Detroit public school system. During this time, Lloyd also ran programs for underprivileged children teaching job skills. Lloyd served as Community Relations Director for the Bing Group, a Detroit manufacturing company in the 1990s. Approached by a young African–American player who said he was indebted to Lloyd for opening the doors for future generations of black players, Lloyd replied that he owed him absolutely nothing. “You cannot understand what an honor this is,” Lloyd said in 2007 about the court atT. C. Williams High Schoolbeing named in his honor. “There’s no better honor than being validated by people who know you best. I will always, always treasure this.” Lloyd and his wife, Charlita, had three sons and four grandchildren. Lloyd resided inFairfield Glade, Tennessee, just outsideCrossville, Tennessee, until his death on February 26,","on February 26, 2015. Honors NBA career statistics Regular season Playoffs Head coaching record See also References Further reading External links # denotes interim head coach"],"string":"[\n \"Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan(born February 17, 1963), also known by his initialsMJ,is an American businessman and former professionalbasketballplayer. He played 15 seasons in theNational Basketball Association(NBA) between 1984 and 2003, winning sixNBA championshipswith theChicago Bulls. He was integral in popularizing basketball and the NBA around the world in the 1980s and 1990s,becoming a globalcultural icon.His profile on the NBA website states, \\\"By acclamation, Michael Jordan is the greatest basketball player of all time.\\\" Jordan playedcollege basketballwith theNorth Carolina Tar Heels. As a freshman, he was a member of the Tar Heels' national championship team in1982.Jordan joined the Bulls in1984as the third overall draft pickand quickly emerged as a league star, entertaining crowds with his prolific scoring while gaining a reputation as one of the best defensive players.His leaping ability, demonstrated by performingslam dunksfrom thefree-throw lineinSlam Dunk Contests, earned him the\",\n \"earned him the nicknames \\\"Air Jordan\\\" and \\\"His Airness\\\".Jordan won his first NBA title with the Bulls in1991and followed that achievement with titles in1992and1993, securing athree-peat. Citing \\\"physical and mental exhaustion\\\" from basketball and superstardom, Jordan abruptly retired from basketball before the1993–94 NBA seasonto playMinor League Baseballin theChicago White Soxorganization. He returned to the Bulls in March 1995 and led them to three more championships in1996,1997, and1998, as well as a then-record 72 regular season wins in the1995–96 NBA season.Jordan retired for the second time in January 1999, returning for two more NBA seasons from 2001 to 2003 as a member of theWashington Wizards.He was selected to play for theUnited States national teamduring his college and NBA careers, winning fourgold medals—at the1983 Pan American Games,1984 Summer Olympics,1992 Tournament of the Americasand1992 Summer Olympics—while also being undefeated. Jordan's individual accolades include sixNBA Finals Most\",\n \"sixNBA Finals Most Valuable Player(MVP) awards, tenNBA scoring titles(both all-time records), fiveNBA MVPawards, 10All-NBAFirst Team designations, nineAll-DefensiveFirst Team honors, fourteenNBA All-Star Gameselections, threeNBA All-Star Game MVPawards, threeNBA steals titles, and the 1988NBA Defensive Player of the Year Award.He holds theNBA recordsfor career regular season scoring average (30.1 points per game) and career playoff scoring average (33.4 points per game).In 1999, Jordan was named the 20th century's greatest North American athlete byESPNand was second toBabe Ruthon theAssociated Press' list of athletes of the century.Jordan was twice inducted into theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, once in 2009 for his individual career,and again in 2010 as part of the1992 United States men's Olympic basketball team(\\\"The Dream Team\\\").He became a member of theUnited States Olympic Hall of Famein 2009,a member of theNorth Carolina Sports Hall of Famein 2010,and an individual member of theFIBA Hall of\",\n \"of theFIBA Hall of Famein 2015 and a \\\"Dream Team\\\" member in 2017.Jordan was named to theNBA 50th Anniversary Teamin 1996 and to theNBA 75th Anniversary Teamin 2021.The trophy for theNBA Most Valuable Player Awardis named in his honor. One of the most effectively marketed athletes of his generation, Jordan made many product endorsements.He fueled the success ofNike'sAir Jordansneakers, which were introduced in 1984 and remain popular.Jordan starred as himself in the live-action/animation hybrid filmSpace Jam(1996) and was the central focus of theEmmy-winning documentary seriesThe Last Dance(2020). He became part-owner and head of basketball operations for theCharlotte Hornets(then named the Bobcats) in 2006 and bought a controlling interest in 2010, before selling his majority stake in 2023. Jordan is also a co-owner of23XI Racingin theNASCAR Cup Series. In 2016, he became the first billionaire player in NBA history.That same year, PresidentBarack Obamaawarded Jordan thePresidential Medal of Freedom.As of\",\n \"of Freedom.As of 2024, his net worth is estimated at $3.2 billion byForbes. Early life Michael Jeffrey Jordan was born atCumberland Hospitalin Brooklyn, New York City, on February 17, 1963,to bank employee Deloris (née Peoples) and equipment supervisorJames R. Jordan Sr.He has two older brothers, James Jr. and basketball playerLarry, as well as an older sister named Deloris and a younger sister named Roslyn.Jordan and his siblings were raised in theMethodistfaith. In 1968, the family moved toWilmington, North Carolina.Jordan attendedEmsley A. Laney High School, where he highlighted his athletic career by playing basketball, baseball, and football. He tried out for the basketballvarsity teamduring his sophomore year, but at a height of 5 feet 11 inches (1.80 m), he was deemed too short. His taller friendHarvest Leroy Smithwas the only sophomore to make the team.Motivated to prove his worth, Jordan became the star of Laney'sjunior varsity teamand tallied some 40-point games.The following summer, he grew four\",\n \"he grew four inches (10 cm) and trained rigorously.Upon earning a spot on the varsity roster, Jordan averaged more than 25points per game(ppg) over his final two seasons of high school play.As a senior, he was selected to play in the1981 McDonald's All-American Gameand scored 30points,after averaging 26.8 ppg,11.6rebounds(rpg), and 10.1assistsper game (apg) for the season. Jordan was recruited by numerous college basketball programs, includingDuke,North Carolina,South Carolina,Syracuse, andVirginia.In 1981, he accepted a basketball scholarship to theUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where Jordan majored incultural geography.He chose this field of study because of its relationship tometeorology, as Jordan was interested in a career as ameteorologist. College career As a freshman in coachDean Smith's team-oriented system, Jordan was namedACCFreshman of the Year after averaging 13.4 ppg on 53.4% shooting (field goal percentage).He made the game-winningjump shotin the1982 NCAA Championship\",\n \"NCAA Championship gameagainstGeorgetown, which was led by future NBA rivalPatrick Ewing.Jordan later described this shot as the major turning point in his basketball career.During his three seasons with theTar Heels, Jordan averaged 17.7 ppg on 54.0% shooting and added 5.0 rpg and 1.8 apg. Jordan was selected by consensus to theNCAA All-American First Teamin both his sophomore (1983) and junior (1984) seasons.After winning theNaismithand theWoodenCollege Player of the Year awards in 1984, Jordan left North Carolina a year before his scheduled graduation to enter the1984 NBA draft. Jordan returned to North Carolina to complete his degree in 1986,when he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in geography.In 2002, Jordan was named to theACC 50th Anniversary men's basketball teamhonoring the 50 greatest players in ACC history. Professional career Chicago Bulls (1984–1993; 1995–1998) Early NBA years (1984–1987) TheChicago Bullsselected Jordan with the third overall pick of the1984 NBA draftafterHakeem\",\n \"draftafterHakeem Olajuwon(Houston Rockets) andSam Bowie(Portland Trail Blazers). One of the primary reasons why Jordan was not drafted sooner was because the first two teams were in need of acenter.Trail Blazers general managerStu Inmancontended that it was not a matter of drafting a center but more a matter of taking Bowie over Jordan, in part because Portland already hadClyde Drexler, who was a guard with similar skills to Jordan.Citing Bowie's injury-laden college career,ESPNnamed the Blazers' choice of Bowie as the worst draft pick in North American professional sports history. Jordan made his NBA debut atChicago Stadiumon October 26, 1984, and scored 16 points. In 2021, a ticket stub from the game sold at auction for $264,000, setting a record for a collectible ticket stub.During his rookie1984–85 seasonwith the Bulls, Jordan averaged 28.2 ppg on 51.5% shooting,and helped the Bulls improve from 28-54 to 38-44. Jordan quickly became a fan favorite even in opposing arenas.Roy S. Johnson ofThe New York\",\n \"ofThe New York Timesdescribed Jordan as \\\"the phenomenal rookie of the Bulls\\\" in November,and he appeared on the cover ofSports Illustratedwith the heading \\\"A Star Is Born\\\" in December.The fans voted in Jordan as anAll-Starstarter during his rookie season.Controversy arose before the1985 NBA All-Star Gamewhen word surfaced that several veteran players, led byIsiah Thomas, were upset by the amount of attention Jordan was receiving.This led to a so-called \\\"freeze-out\\\" on Jordan, where players refused to pass the ball to him.The controversy left Jordan relatively unaffected when he returned to regular season play, and he would go on to be voted theNBA Rookie of the Year.The Bulls finished the season 38–44,and lost to theMilwaukee Bucksin four games in the first round ofthe playoffs. An often-cited moment was on August 26, 1985,when Jordan shook the arena during a Nike exhibition game inTrieste, Italy, by shattering the glass of the backboard with a dunk.The moment was filmed and is often referred to as an\",\n \"referred to as an important milestone in Jordan's rise.The shoes Jordan wore during the game were auctioned in August 2020 for $615,000, a record for a pair of sneakers.Jordan's1985–86 seasonwas cut short when he broke his foot in the third game of the year, causing him to miss 64 games.The Bulls madethe playoffsdespite Jordan's injury and a 30–52 record,at the time the fifth-worst record of any team to qualify for the playoffs in NBA history.Jordan recovered in time to participate in the postseason and performed well upon his return. On April 20 at theBoston Garden, in Game 2 of the First Round, a 135–131 double overtime loss to the eventualNBA championBoston Celtics, Jordan scored a playoff career-high 63 points, breakingElgin Baylor'ssingle-game playoff scoring record.The Celtics team, though, swept the series in three games. Jordan completely recovered in time for the1986–87 season,and had one of the most prolific scoring seasons in NBA history; he became the only player other thanWilt Chamberlainto\",\n \"Chamberlainto score 3,000 points in a season, averaging a league-high 37.1 ppg on 48.2% shooting.Jordan also demonstrated his defensive prowess, as he became the first player in NBA history to record 200stealsand 100blocked shotsin a season.Despite Jordan's success,Magic Johnsonwon theNBA Most Valuable Player Award.The Bulls reached 40 wins,and advanced tothe playoffsfor the third consecutive year but were again swept by theCeltics. Pistons roadblock (1987–1990) Jordan led the league in scoring during the1987–88 season, averaging 35.0 ppg on 53.5% shooting,and won his first league MVP Award. He was named theNBA Defensive Player of the Yearafter averaging 1.6 blocks per game (bpg), a league-high 3.1 steals per game (spg),and leading the Bulls defense to the fewest points per game allowed in the league.The Bulls finished 50–32,and made it past the first round ofthe playoffsfor the first time in Jordan's career, as they defeated theCleveland Cavaliersin five games.In the Eastern Conference Semifinals, the Bulls\",\n \"the Bulls lost in five games to the more experiencedDetroit Pistons,who were led byIsiah Thomasand a group of physical players known as the \\\"Bad Boys\\\". In the1988–89 season, Jordan again led the league in scoring, averaging 32.5 ppg on 53.8% shooting from the field, along with 8.0 rpg and 8.0 apg.During the season,Sam Vincent, Chicago'spoint guard, was having trouble running the offense, and Jordan expressed his frustration with head coachDoug Collins, who then put Jordan at point guard. In his time as a point guard, Jordan had 10triple-doublesin 11 games, with averages of 33.6 ppg, 11.4 rpg, 10.8 apg, 2.9 spg, and 0.8 bpg on 51% shooting. The Bulls finished with a 47–35 record,and advanced to theEastern ConferenceFinals, defeating theCavaliersandNew York Knicksalong the way.The Cavaliers series included a career highlight for Jordan when he hit \\\"The Shot\\\" overCraig Ehloat the buzzer in the fifth and final game of the series.In the Eastern Conference Finals, thePistonsagain defeated the Bulls, this time in\",\n \"Bulls, this time in six games,by utilizing their \\\"Jordan Rules\\\" method of guarding Jordan, which consisted of double andtriple teaminghim every time he touched the ball. The Bulls entered the1989–90 seasonas a team on the rise, with their core group of Jordan and young improving players likeScottie PippenandHorace Grant, and under the guidance of new coachPhil Jackson.On March 28, 1990, Jordan scored a career-high 69 points in a 117–113 road win over the Cavaliers.He averaged a league-leading 33.6 ppg on 52.6% shooting, to go with 6.9 rpg and 6.3 apg,in leading the Bulls to a 55–27 record.They again advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals after beating theBucksandPhiladelphia 76ers;despite pushing the series to seven games, the Bulls lost to thePistonsfor the third consecutive season. First three-peat (1991–1993) Jackson sought to instill the principles of the triangle offense more deeply within the team, and this required Michael Jordan to change his playing style. As Jackson explained in his bookEleven\",\n \"in his bookEleven Rings, \\\"I was planning to ask Michael... to reduce the number of shots he took so that other members of the team could get more involved.\\\" Jackson worked with Jordan to ensure he could still pursue scoring titles, but now in a way that better integrated his personal ambitions with the team's success. In the1990–91 season, Jordan won his second MVP award after averaging 31.5 ppg on 53.9% shooting, 6.0 rpg, and 5.5 apg for the regular season.The Bulls finished in first place in their division for the first time in sixteen years and set a franchise record with 61 wins in the regular season.WithScottie Pippendeveloping into an All-Star, the Bulls had elevated their play. The Bulls defeated theNew York Knicksand thePhiladelphia 76ersin the opening two rounds ofthe playoffs. They advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals where their rival, theDetroit Pistons, awaited them;this time, the Bulls beat the Pistons in a four-game sweep. The Bulls advanced tothe Finalsfor the first time in franchise\",\n \"time in franchise history to face theLos Angeles Lakers. The Bulls won the series in five games, and compiled a 15–2 playoff record along the way.Perhaps the best-known moment of the series came in Game 2 when, attempting a dunk, Jordan avoided a potentialSam Perkinsblock by switching the ball from his right hand to his left in mid-air to lay the shot into the basket.In his first Finals appearance, Jordan had 31.2 ppg on 56% shooting from the field, 11.4 apg, 6.6 rpg, 2.8 spg, and 1.4 bpg.Jordan won his firstNBA Finals MVPawardand cried while holding the Finals trophy. Jordan and the Bulls continued their dominance in the1991–92 season, establishing a 67–15 record, topping their franchise record from the 1990–91 campaign.Jordan won his second consecutive MVP award with averages of 30.1 ppg, 6.4 rpg, and 6.1 apg on 52% shooting.After winning a physical seven-game series over theNew York Knicksin the second round ofthe playoffsand finishing off theCleveland Cavaliersin the Conference Finals in six games, the\",\n \"in six games, the Bulls metClyde Drexlerand thePortland Trail Blazersinthe Finals. The media, hoping to recreate aMagic–Bird rivalry, highlighted the similarities between \\\"Air\\\" Jordan and Clyde \\\"The Glide\\\" during the pre-Finals hype. In a Game 1 victory, Jordan scored a Finals-record 35 points in the first half, including a record-setting sixthree-point field goals.After the sixth three-pointer, he jogged down the court shrugging as he looked courtside.Marv Albert, who broadcast the game, later stated that it was as if Jordan was saying: \\\"I can't believe I'm doing this.\\\"The Bulls went on to defeat the Blazers in six games. Jordan was named Finals MVP for the second year in a row,and finished the series averaging 35.8 ppg, 4.8 rpg, and 6.5 apg, while shooting 52.6% from the floor. In the1992–93 season, despite a 32.6 ppg, 6.7 rpg, and 5.5 apg campaign, including a second-place finish in Defensive Player of the Year voting,Jordan's streak of consecutive MVP seasons ended, as he lost the award to his\",\n \"the award to his friendCharles Barkley,upsetting him.Jordan and the Bulls met Barkley and hisPhoenix Sunsin the1993 NBA Finals. The Bulls won their third NBA championship on a game-winning shot byJohn Paxsonand a last-second block byHorace Grant, but Jordan was once again Chicago's leader. He averaged a Finals-record 41.0 ppg during the six-game series,and became the first player in NBA history to win three consecutive Finals MVP awards.Jordan scored more than 30 points in every game of the series, including 40 or more points in four consecutive games.With his third Finals triumph, Jordan capped off a seven-year run where he attained seven scoring titles and three championships, but there were signs that Jordan was tiring of his massive celebrity and all of the non-basketball hassles in his life. Gambling During the1993 NBA playoffs, Jordan was seen gambling inAtlantic City, New Jersey, the night before Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals against theNew York Knicks.The previous year, he admitted that he\",\n \"he admitted that he had to cover $57,000 in gambling losses,and author Richard Esquinas wrote a book in 1993 claiming he had won $1.25 million from Jordan on the golf course.David Stern, thecommissioner of the NBA, denied in 1995 and 2006 that Jordan's 1993 retirement was a secret suspension by the league for gambling,but the rumor spread widely. In 2005, Jordan discussed his gambling withEd Bradleyof60 Minutesand admitted that he made reckless decisions. Jordan stated: Yeah, I've gotten myself into situations where I would not walk away and I've pushed the envelope. Is that compulsive? Yeah, it depends on how you look at it. If you're willing to jeopardize your livelihood and your family, then yeah. When Bradley asked him if his gambling ever got to the level where it jeopardized his livelihood or family, Jordan replied: \\\"No.\\\"In 2010,Ron Shelton, director ofJordan Rides the Bus, said that he began working on the documentary believing that the NBA had suspended him, but that research \\\"convinced was\",\n \"\\\"convinced was nonsense\\\". First retirement and stint in Minor League Baseball (1993–1995) On October 6, 1993, Jordan announced his retirement, saying that he lost his desire to play basketball. He later said that the murder of his father three months earlier helped shape his decision.James R. Jordan Sr.was murdered on July 23, 1993, at a highwayrest areainLumberton, North Carolina, by two teenagers, Daniel Green and Larry Martin Demery, who carjacked hisLexus.His body, dumped in a South Carolina swamp, was not discovered until August 3.Green and Demery were sentenced to life imprisonment.However, inThe Last Dance, Jordan stated that he retired due to physical and mental exhaustion from basketball and superstardom, and that he had made up his mind during the Bulls' playoff run and discussed the decision with his father. Jordan was close to his father; as a child, Jordan imitated the way his father stuck out his tongue while absorbed in work. Jordan later adopted it as his own signature, often displaying it\",\n \"often displaying it as he drove to the basket.In 1996, Jordan founded a Chicago-areaBoys & Girls Cluband dedicated it to his father.In his 1998 autobiographyFor the Love of the Game, Jordan wrote that he was preparing for retirement as early as the summer of 1992.The added exhaustion due to the \\\"Dream Team\\\" run in the1992 Summer Olympicssolidified Jordan's feelings about the game and his celebrity status. Jordan's announcement sent shock waves throughout the NBA and appeared on the front pages of newspapers around the world. Jordan further surprised the sports world by signing aMinor League Baseball(MiLB) contract with theChicago White Soxon February 7, 1994.He reported tospring traininginSarasota, Florida, and was assigned to the team's minor league system on March 31.Jordan said that this decision was made to pursue the dream of his late father, who always envisioned his son as aMajor League Baseball(MLB) player.The White Sox were owned by Bulls ownerJerry Reinsdorf, who continued to honor Jordan's\",\n \"to honor Jordan's basketball contract during the years he played baseball. In 1994, Jordan played for theBirmingham Barons, aDouble-Aminor league affiliate of the Chicago White Sox,batting.202 with threehome runs, 51runs batted in, 30stolen bases, 114strikeouts, 51bases on balls, and 11errors.His strikeout total led the team and his games played tied for the team lead. His 30 stolen bases were second on the team only toDoug Brady.Jordan also appeared for theScottsdale Scorpionsin the 1994Arizona Fall League, batting .252 against the top prospects in baseball.On November 1, 1994, hisNo.23 was retired by the Bulls in a ceremony that included the erection of a permanent sculpture known asThe Spiritoutside the newUnited Center. Return to the NBA (1995) The Bulls went 55–27 in1993–94without Jordan in the lineupand lost to theNew York Knicksin the second round ofthe playoffs.In the1994–95 Bulls, Jordan surprised many by returning to the Bulls midway through the season. In March 1995, Jordan decided to quit\",\n \"decided to quit baseball because he feared he might become areplacement playerduring theMajor League Baseball strike.On March 18, 1995, Jordan announced his return to the NBA in a two-word press release: \\\"I'm back.\\\"The next day, Jordan took to the court with the Bulls to face theIndiana PacersinIndianapolis, scoring 19 points.The game had the highestNielsen ratingof any regular season NBA game since 1975.Although he could have worn his original number even though the Bulls retired it, Jordan wore No. 45, his baseball number. Despite his 18-month hiatus from the NBA, Jordan played well, making a game-winning jump shot againstAtlantain his fourth game back. He scored 55 points in his next game, against theNew York KnicksatMadison Square Gardenon March 28, 1995.Boosted by Jordan's comeback, the Bulls went 13–4 to makethe playoffsand advanced to the Eastern Conference Semifinals against theOrlando Magic.At the end of Game 1, Orlando'sNick Andersonstripped Jordan from behind, leading to the game-winning basket\",\n \"game-winning basket for the Magic; he later commented that Jordan \\\"didn't look like the old Michael Jordan\\\",and said, \\\"No. 45 doesn't explode like No. 23 used to\\\". Jordan responded by scoring 38 points in the next game, which Chicago won. Before the game, Jordan decided that he would immediately resume wearing his former No. 23. The Bulls were fined $25,000 for failing to report the impromptu number change to the NBA.Jordan was fined an additional $5,000 for opting to wear white sneakers when the rest of the Bulls wore black.He averaged 31 ppg in the playoffs, but Orlando won the series in six games. Second three-peat (1996–1998) Jordan was freshly motivated by the playoff defeat, and he trained aggressively for the1995–96 season.The Bulls were strengthened by the addition of rebound specialistDennis Rodman, and the team dominated the league, starting the season at 41–3.The Bulls finished with the best regular season record in NBA history, 72–10, a mark broken two decades later by the2015–16 Golden State\",\n \"Golden State Warriors.Jordan led the league in scoring with 30.4 ppg,and he won the league's regular season and All-Star Game MVP awards. Inthe playoffs, the Bulls lost only three games in four series (Miami Heat3–0,New York Knicks4–1, andOrlando Magic4–0), as they defeated theSeattle SuperSonics4–2 in theNBA Finalsto win their fourth championship.The series was one of the tougher ones for Jordan as he shot 41%, 32%, and 26% from the field in three of the six games.Nevertheless, Jordan was named Finals MVP for a record fourth time;he achieved only the second sweep of the MVP awards in the All-Star Game, regular season, and NBA Finals afterWillis Reedin the1969–70 season.Upon winning the championship, his first since his father's murder, Jordan reacted emotionally, clutching the game ball and crying on the locker room floor. In the1996–97 season, the Bulls stood at a 69–11 record but ended the season by losing their final two games to finish the year 69–13, missing out on a second consecutive 70-win\",\n \"consecutive 70-win season.The Bulls again advanced tothe Finals, where they faced theUtah Jazz.That team includedKarl Malone, who had beaten Jordan for the NBA MVP award in a tight race (986–957).The series against the Jazz featured two of the more memorable clutch moments of Jordan's career. He won Game 1 for the Bulls with abuzzer-beatingjump shot. In Game 5, with the series tied 2–2, Jordan played despite being feverish and dehydrated from a stomach virus. In what is known as \\\"The Flu Game\\\", Jordan scored 38 points, including the game-winning three-pointer with 25 seconds remaining.The Bulls won 90–88 and went on to win the series in six games.For the fifth time in as many Finals appearances, Jordan received the Finals MVP award.During the1997 NBA All-Star Game, he posted the first triple-double in All-Star Game history in a victorious effort, but the MVP award went toGlen Rice. The Bulls compiled a 62–20 record in the1997–98 season.Jordan led the league with 28.7 ppg,securing his fifth regular season MVP\",\n \"regular season MVP award, plus honors for All-NBA First Team, First Defensive Team, and the All-Star Game MVP.The Bulls won the Eastern Conference Championship for a third straight season, including surviving a seven-game series with theIndiana Pacersin the Eastern Conference Finals; it was the first time Jordan had played in a Game 7 since the 1992 Eastern Conference Semifinals with theNew York Knicks.After winning, they moved on for a rematch with theJazzinthe Finals. The Bulls returned to theDelta CenterforGame 6on June 14, 1998, leading the series 3–2. Jordan executed a series of plays, considered to be one of the greatest clutch performances in NBA Finals history.With 41.9 seconds remaining and the Bulls trailing 86–83, Phil Jackson called a timeout. When play resumed, Jordan received the inbound pass, drove to the basket, and sank a shot over several Jazz defenders, cutting Utah's lead to 86–85.The Jazz brought the ball upcourt and passed the ball to Malone, who was set up in thelow postand was being\",\n \"postand was being guarded by Rodman. Malone jostled with Rodman and caught the pass, but Jordan cut behind him and stole the ball out of his hands. Jordan then dribbled down the court and paused, eyeing his defender, Jazz guardBryon Russell. With 10 seconds remaining, Jordan started to dribble right, then crossed over to his left, possibly pushing off Russell, although the officials did not call afoul.With 5.2 seconds left, Jordan made the climactic shot of his Bulls career,a top-key jumper over a stumbling Russell to give Chicago an 87–86 lead. Afterwards, the Jazz'John Stocktonnarrowly missed a game-winning three-pointer, and the buzzer sounded as Jordan and the Bulls won their sixth NBA championship,achieving a second three-peat in the decade.Once again, Jordan was voted Finals MVP for a record sixth time,having led all scorers by averaging 33.5 ppg, including 45 in the deciding Game 6.The 1998 Finals holds the highest television rating of any Finals series,and Game 6 holds the highest television rating\",\n \"television rating of any game in NBA history. Second retirement (1999–2001) WithPhil Jackson's contract expiring, the pending departures ofScottie PippenandDennis Rodmanlooming, and being in the latter stages of an owner-inducedlockoutof NBA players, Jordan retired for the second time on January 13, 1999.On January 19, 2000, Jordan returned to the NBA not as a player but as part owner and president of basketball operations for theWashington Wizards.Jordan's responsibilities with the Wizards were comprehensive, as he controlled all aspects of the Wizards' basketball operations, and had the final say in all personnel matters; opinions of Jordan as a basketball executive were mixed.He managed to purge the team of several highly paid, unpopular players (like forwardJuwan Howardand point guardRod Strickland)but used the first pick in the2001 NBA draftto select high school studentKwame Brown, who did not live up to expectations and was traded away after four seasons. Despite his January 1999 claim that he was\",\n \"claim that he was \\\"99.9% certain\\\" he would never play another NBA game,Jordan expressed interest in making another comeback in the summer of 2001, this time with his new team.Inspired by theNHLcomeback of his friendMario Lemieuxthe previous winter,Jordan spent much of the spring and summer of 2001 in training, holding several invitation-only camps for NBA players in Chicago.Jordan hired his old Chicago Bulls head coach,Doug Collins, as Washington's coach for the upcoming season, a decision that many saw as foreshadowing another Jordan return. Washington Wizards (2001–2003) On September 25, 2001, Jordan announced his return to the NBA to play for the Washington Wizards, indicating his intention to donate his salary as a player to a relief effort for the victims of theSeptember 11 attacks.In an injury-plagued2001–02 season, Jordan led the team in scoring (22.9 ppg), assists (5.2 apg), and steals (1.4 spg),and was an MVP candidate, as he led the Wizards to a winning record and playoff contention;Jordan would\",\n \"would eventually finish 13th in the MVP ballot.After he suffered torncartilagein his right knee,and subsequent knee soreness,the Wizards missed the playoffs,and Jordan's season ended after only 60 games, the fewest he had played in a regular season since playing 17 games after returning from his first retirement during the1994–95 season.Jordan started 53 of his 60 games for the season, averaging 24.3 ppg, 5.4 apg, and 6.0 rpg, and shooting 41.9% from the field in his 53 starts. His last seven appearances were in a reserve role, in which he averaged just over 20 minutes per game.The Wizards finished the season with a 37–45 record, an 18-game improvement. Playing in his 14th and final NBA All-Star Game in2003, Jordan passedKareem Abdul-Jabbaras the all-time leading scorer in All-Star Game history, a record since broken byKobe BryantandLeBron James.That year, Jordan was the only Washington player to play in all 82 games, starting in 67 of them as he came off the bench in 15. Jordan averaged 20.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg,\",\n \"20.0 ppg, 6.1 rpg, 3.8 assists, and 1.5 spg per game.He also shot 45% from the field, and 82% from the free-throw line.Although Jordan turned 40 during the season, he scored 20 or more points 42 times, 30 or more points nine times, and 40 or more points three times.On February 21, 2003, Jordan became the first 40-year-old to tally 43 points in an NBA game.During his stint with the Wizards, all of Jordan's home games at theMCI Centerwere sold out and the Wizards were the second most-watched team in the NBA, averaging 20,172 fans a game at home and 19,311 on the road.Jordan's final two seasons did not result in a playoff appearance for the Wizards, and he was often unsatisfied with the play of those around him.At several points, Jordan openly criticized his teammates to the media, citing their lack of focus and intensity, notably that ofKwame Brown, thenumber-one draft pickin the2001 NBA draft. Final retirement (2003) With the recognition that 2002–03 would be Jordan's final season, tributes were paid to him\",\n \"were paid to him throughout the NBA. In his final game at theUnited Centerin Chicago, which was his old home court, Jordan received a four-minute standing ovation.TheMiami Heatretired the No. 23 jersey on April 11, 2003, even though Jordan never played for the team.At the 2003 All-Star Game, Jordan was offered a starting spot fromTracy McGradyandAllen Iversonbut refused both;he accepted the spot ofVince Carter.Jordan played in his final NBA game on April 16, 2003, inPhiladelphia. After scoring 13 points in the game, Jordan went to the bench with 4 minutes and 13 seconds left in the third quarter and his team trailing thePhiladelphia 76ers75–56. Just after the start of the fourth quarter, theFirst Union Centercrowd began chanting \\\"We want Mike!\\\" After much encouragement from coachDoug Collins, Jordan finally rose from the bench and re-entered the game, replacingLarry Hugheswith 2:35 remaining. At 1:45, Jordan was intentionally fouled by the 76ers'Eric Snow, and stepped to the line to make both free throws.\",\n \"both free throws. After the second foul shot, the 76ers in-bounded the ball to rookieJohn Salmons, who in turn was intentionally fouled byBobby Simmonsone second later, stopping time so that Jordan could return to the bench. He received a three-minute standing ovation from his teammates, his opponents, the officials, and the crowd of 21,257 fans. National team career Jordan made his debut as a college player for theU.S. national basketball teamat the1983 Pan American GamesinCaracas, Venezuela. He led the team in scoring with 17.3 ppg as the U.S., coached byJack Hartman, won thegold medal.The following year, Jordan won another gold medal in the1984 Summer Olympics. The1984 U.S. teamwas coached byBob Knightand featured young players such asPatrick Ewing,Sam Perkins,Chris Mullin,Steve Alford, andWayman Tisdale. Jordan led the team in scoring, averaging 17.1 ppg for the tournament. In 1992, Jordan, now an NBA player, was a member of the star-studded squad that was dubbed the \\\"Dream Team\\\", which includedLarry\",\n \"which includedLarry Birdand Magic Johnson. The team won two gold medals: the first in the1992 Tournament of the Americas,and the second in the1992 Summer Olympics. Jordan was the only player to start all eight games in the Olympics. He averaged 14.9 ppg on 45% shooting from the field and 68% from the free-throw line. He was second on the team in scoring.He was undefeated in the four tournaments he played for the United States national team, and Jordan won all 30 games he took part in. Player profile Jordan was ashooting guardwho could also play as asmall forward, the position he would primarily play during his second return to professional basketball with theWashington Wizards.Jordan was known throughout his career as a strongclutchperformer. With the Bulls, he decided 25 games with field goals or free throws in the last 30 seconds, including two NBA Finals games and five other playoff contests.His competitiveness was visible in his prolifictrash talkand well-known work ethic.Jordan often used perceived\",\n \"used perceived slights to fuel his performances. SportswriterWright Thompsondescribed him as \\\"a killer, in the Darwinian sense of the word, immediately sensing and attacking someone's weakest spot\\\".As the Bulls organization built the franchise around Jordan, management had to trade away players who were not \\\"tough enough\\\" to compete with him in practice. To improve his defense, Jordan spent hours studying film of opponents. On offense, he relied more upon instinct and improvization.Jordan's fierce competitiveness greatly impacted his teammates, sometimes motivating them but also leading to tension and alienation. Noted as a durable player, Jordan did not miss four or more games while active for a full season from 1986–87 to 2001–02, when he injured his right knee.Of the 15 seasons Jordan was in the NBA, he played all 82 regular season games nine times.Jordan has frequently citedDavid Thompson,Walter Davis, andJerry Westas influences.Confirmed at the start of his career, and possibly later on, Jordan had a\",\n \"on, Jordan had a special \\\"Love of the Game Clause\\\" written into his contract, which was unusual at the time, and allowed him to play basketball against anyone at any time, anywhere. Jordan had a versatile offensive game and was capable of aggressivelydrivingto the basket as well as drawingfoulsfrom his opponents at a high rate. His 8,772free throwattempts are the 11th-highest total in NBA history.Early in Jordan's career, he weighed in at around 200 pounds (91 kg) and was more athletic in terms of play style.As his career progressed, Jordan also developed the ability topost uphis opponents and score with his trademarkfadeawayjump shot, using his leaping ability to avoid block attempts. According toHubie Brown, this move alone made Jordan nearly unstoppable.Around this time, he bulked up to 215 pounds (98 kg) in order to adapt to the increased physicality of NBA defenses during the 1990s, sacrificing some athleticism for added strength in the post.Despite media criticism by some as a selfish player early in\",\n \"player early in his career, Jordan was willing to defer to this teammates, with a career average of 5.3 apg and a season-high of 8.0 apg.For a guard, Jordan was also a good rebounder, finishing with 6.2 rpg. Defensively, he averaged 2.3 spg and 0.8 bpg. Thethree-point field goalwas not Jordan's strength, especially in his early years. Later on in his career, Jordan improved his three-point shooting, and finished his career with a three-point field goal percentage of 32%.His best years shooting from three occurred in the 1989-90 and 1992-93 seasons, where he shot 37% and 35% from three, respectively (Jordan did shoot higher percentages from 1994-97, but in those years, the three-point line was temporarily moved inwards). Overall, Jordan was a highly efficient scorer. Hiseffective field goal percentagewas 50%, and he had six seasons with at least 50% shooting, five of which consecutively (1988–1992); Jordan also shot 51% and 50% from the field, and 30% and 33% from the three-point range, throughout his first\",\n \"his first and second retirements, respectively, finishing his Bulls career with 31.5 points per game on 50.5 FG% shooting and his overall career with 49.7 FG% shooting. In 1988, Jordan was honored with theNBA Defensive Player of the Yearand theMost Valuable Playerawards, becoming the first NBA player to win both awards in a career let alone season. He also set both seasonal and career records forblocked shotsby a guard,and combined this with his ball-thieving ability to become a standout defensive player. Despite his defensive prowess, the 1988 season has come under scrutiny due to the large discrepancy between Jordan's steals' numbers at home versus on the road. Such stat inflation was common, and a 2024 study by Tom Haberstroh found that there were games where Jordan was often credited with steals that could not have happened. For example, in one game, he was credited with more steals than the opposing team had live-ball turnovers.Jordan ranks fourth in NBA history in totalstealswith 2,514, trailingJohn\",\n \"2,514, trailingJohn Stockton,Jason KiddandChris Paul.Jerry West often stated that he was more impressed with Jordan's defensive contributions than his offensive ones.Doc Riversdeclared Jordan \\\"the best superstar defender in the history of the game\\\". Jordan was known to have strong eyesight. BroadcasterAl Michaelssaid that Jordan was able to read baseball box scores on a 27-inch (69 cm) television clearly from about 50 feet (15 m) away.During the2001 NBA Finals,Phil Jacksoncompared Jordan's dominance toShaquille O'Neal, stating: \\\"Michael would get fouled on every play and still have to play through it and just clear himself for shots instead and would rise to that occasion.\\\" Legacy Jordan's talent was clear from his first NBA season; by November 1984, he was being compared toJulius Erving.Larry Birdsaid that rookie Jordan was the best player he ever saw, and that Jordan was \\\"one of a kind\\\", and comparable toWayne Gretzkyas an athlete.In his first game in Madison Square Garden against theNew York Knicks,\",\n \"theNew York Knicks, Jordan received a near minute-long standing ovation.After Jordan established the single game playoff record of 63 points against theBoston Celticson April 20, 1986, Bird described him as \\\"God disguised as Michael Jordan\\\". Jordanled the NBA in scoringin 10 seasons (NBA record) and tiedWilt Chamberlain's record of seven consecutive scoring titles.Jordan was a fixture of theNBA All-Defensive First Team, making the roster nine times (NBA record shared withGary Payton,Kevin Garnett, andKobe Bryant).He also holds the top career regular season and playoff scoring averages of 30.1 and 33.4 ppg, respectively.By 1998, the season of his Finals-winning shot against the Jazz, he was well known throughout the league as a clutch performer. In the regular season, Jordan was the Bulls' primary threat in the final seconds of a close game and in the playoffs; he would always ask for the ball at crunch time.Jordan's total of 5,987 points in the playoffs is the second-highest amongNBA career playoff scoring\",\n \"playoff scoring leaders.He scored 32,292 points in the regular season,placing him fifth on theNBA all-time scoring listbehindLeBron James,Kareem Abdul-Jabbar,Karl Malone, and Bryant. With five regular season MVPs (tied for second place withBill Russell—only Abdul-Jabbar has won more, with six), six Finals MVPs (NBA record), and threeNBA All-Star Game MVPs, Jordan is among the most decorated player in NBA history.He finished among the top three in regular season MVP voting 10 times.Jordan was named one of the50 Greatest Players in NBA Historyin 1996,and selected to theNBA 75th Anniversary Teamin 2021.He is one of only seven players in history to win an NCAA championship, an NBA championship, and an Olympic gold medal (doing so twice with the 1984 and 1992 U.S. men's basketball teams).Since 1976, the year of theABA–NBA merger,Jordan and Pippen are the only two players to win six NBA Finals playing for one team.In theAll-Star Game fan ballot, Jordan received the most votes nine times, more than any other\",\n \"more than any other player. \\\"There's Michael Jordan and then there is the rest of us.\\\" —Magic Johnson Many of Jordan's contemporaries have said that he is the greatest basketball player of all time.In 1999, anESPNsurvey of journalists, athletes and other sports figures ranked Jordan the greatest North American athlete of the 20th century.Jordan placed second toBabe Ruthin theAssociated Press' December 1999 list of 20th century athletes.The Associated Press also voted Jordan the greatest basketball player of the 20th century.He has also appeared on the front cover ofSports Illustrateda record 50 times.In the September 1996 issue ofSport, which was the publication's 50th-anniversary issue, Jordan was named the greatest athlete of the past 50 years. Jordan's athletic leaping ability, highlighted in his back-to-backSlam Dunk Contestchampionships in 1987 and 1988, is credited by many people with having influenced a generation of young players.Several NBA players, including James andDwyane Wade, have stated that\",\n \"have stated that they considered Jordan as their role model while they were growing up.Commentators have also dubbed a number of next-generation players \\\"the next Michael Jordan\\\" upon their entry to the NBA, includingPenny Hardaway,Grant Hill,Allen Iverson, Bryant,Vince Carter, James, and Wade.Some analysts, such asThe Ringer's Dan Devine, drew parallels between Jordan's experiment at point guard in the 1988–89 season and the modern NBA; for Devine, it \\\"inadvertently foreshadowed the modern game's stylistic shift toward monster-usage primary playmakers\\\", such asRussell Westbrook,James Harden,Luka Dončić, and James.Don Nelsonstated: \\\"I would've been playing him at point guard the day he showed up as a rookie.\\\" Although Jordan was a well-rounded player, his \\\"Air Jordan\\\" image is also often credited with inadvertently decreasing the jump shooting skills, defense, and fundamentals of young players,a fact Jordan himself has lamented, saying: \\\"I think it was the exposure of Michael Jordan; the marketing of Michael\",\n \"of Michael Jordan. Everything was marketed towards the things that people wanted to see, which was scoring and dunking. That Michael Jordan still played defense and an all-around game, but it was never really publicized.\\\"During his heyday, Jordan did much to increase the status of the game; television ratings increased only during his time in the league.The popularity of the NBA in the U.S. declined after his last title.As late as 2022,NBA Finals television ratingshad not returned to the level reached during his last championship-winning season. In August 2009, theNaismith Memorial Basketball Hall of FameinSpringfield, Massachusetts, opened a Michael Jordan exhibit that contained items from his college and NBA careers as well as from the 1992 \\\"Dream Team\\\"; the exhibit also has a battingbaseball gloveto signify Jordan's short career in theMinor League Baseball.After Jordan received word of his acceptance into the Hall of Fame, he selected Class of 1996 memberDavid Thompsonto present him.As Jordan would later\",\n \"Jordan would later explain during his induction speech in September 2009, he was not a fan of the Tar Heels when growing up in North Carolina but greatly admired Thompson, who played for the rivalNC State Wolfpack. In September, Jordan was inducted into the Hall with several former Bulls teammates in attendance, includingScottie Pippen,Dennis Rodman,Charles Oakley,Ron Harper,Steve Kerr, andToni Kukoč.Dean SmithandDoug Collins, two of Jordan's former coaches, were also among those present. His emotional reaction during his speech when Jordan began to cry was captured by Associated Press photographerStephan Savoiaand would later go viral on social media as the \\\"Crying Jordan\\\" Internet meme.In 2016, PresidentBarack Obamahonored Jordan with thePresidential Medal of Freedom.In October 2021, he was named to theNBA 75th Anniversary Team.In September 2022, Jordan's jersey in which he played the opening game of the 1998 NBA Finals was sold for $10.1 million, making it the most expensive game-worn sports memorabilia\",\n \"sports memorabilia in history.In December 2022, the NBA unveiled a new MVP trophy, named in Jordan's honor, to be awarded beginning with the2022–23 season, which replaced the original trophy, named in honor of former NBA commissionerMaurice Podoloff. NBA career statistics Regular season Playoffs Awards and honors NBA USA Basketball NCAA High school Halls of Fame Media National State/local Post-retirement After his third retirement, Jordan assumed that he would be able to return to his front office position as Director of Basketball Operations with the Wizards.Jordan's previous tenure had produced mixed results and may have also influenced the trade ofRichard \\\"Rip\\\" HamiltonforJerry Stackhouse, although Jordan was not technically Director of Basketball Operations in 2002.On May 7, 2003, Wizards ownerAbe Pollinfired Jordan from the role.Jordan later stated that he felt betrayed, and that if he had known he would be fired upon retiring, he never would have come back to play for the Wizards. Over the next few\",\n \"Over the next few years, Jordan played golf in celebrity charity tournaments and spent time with his family in Chicago. He also promoted his Jordan Brand clothing line and rode motorcycles.Since 2004, Jordan has owned Michael Jordan Motorsports, a professional closed-course motorcycle road racing team that competed with twoSuzukisin thepremier Superbike championshipsanctioned by theAmerican Motorcyclist Association(AMA) until the end of the 2013 season. Charlotte Bobcats/Hornets On June 15, 2006, Jordan bought a minority stake in theCharlotte Bobcats(known as theHornetssince 2013), becoming the team's second-largest shareholder behind majority ownerRobert L. Johnson. As part of the deal, Jordan took full control over the basketball side of the operation, with the title Managing Member of Basketball Operations.Despite his previous success as an endorser, Jordan made an effort not to be included in Charlotte's marketing campaigns.A decade earlier, he had made a bid to become part-owner of Charlotte's original\",\n \"original NBA team, the Charlotte Hornets, but talks collapsed when ownerGeorge Shinnrefused to give Jordan complete control of basketball operations. In February 2010, it was reported that Jordan was seeking majority ownership of the Bobcats.As February wore on, it became apparent that Jordan and formerHouston RocketspresidentGeorge Postoloswere the leading contenders for ownership of the team. On February 27, the Bobcats announced that Johnson had reached an agreement with Jordan and his group, MJ Basketball Holdings, to buy the team from Johnson pending NBA approval.On March 17, the NBA Board of Governors unanimously approved Jordan's purchase, making him the first former player to become the majority owner of an NBA team,and the league's only African-American majority owner. During the2011 NBA lockout,The New York Timeswrote that Jordan led a group of 10 to 14 hardline owners who wanted to cap the players' share of basketball-related income at 50 percent and as low as 47. Journalists observed that, during\",\n \"that, during thelabor dispute in 1998, Jordan toldWashington Wizardsthen-ownerAbe Pollin: \\\"If you can't make a profit, you should sell your team.\\\"Jason WhitlockofFoxSports.comcalled Jordan \\\"a hypocriteselloutwho can easily betray the very people who made him a billionaire global icon\\\" for wanting \\\"current players to pay for his incompetence\\\".He cited Jordan's executive decisions to draft disappointing playersKwame BrownandAdam Morrison. During the2011–12 NBA seasonthat was shortened to 66 games by the lockout, the Bobcats posted a 7–59 record. The team closed out the season with a 23-game losing streak; their .106 winning percentage was the worst in NBA history.Before the next season, Jordan said: \\\"I'm not real happy about the record book scenario last year. It's very, very frustrating.\\\" During the 2019 NBA offseason, Jordan sold a minority piece of the Hornets to Gabe Plotkin and Daniel Sundheim, retaining the majority for himself,as well as the role of chairman.In 2023, Jordan finalized the sale of his\",\n \"the sale of his majority stake to Gabe Plotkin and Rick Schnall, ending his 13-year tenure as majority owner, although he kept a minority stake.The sale was officially completed in August 2023 for approximately $3 billion, more than 10 times the $275 million Jordan had paid for the team. 23XI Racing On September 21, 2020, Jordan andNASCARdriverDenny Hamlinannounced they would be fielding aNASCAR Cup Seriesteam withBubba Wallacedriving, beginning competition in the2021 season.On October 22, the team's name was confirmed to be23XI Racing(pronounced twenty-three eleven) and the team's entry would bear No. 23.After the team's inaugural season, it added a second car with No. 45, driven byKurt Buschin2022andTyler Reddickin2023.Ty Gibbs,John Hunter Nemechek, andDaniel Hemricalso drove for 23XI as substitute drivers during the 2022 season.The team fielded a third car, No. 67, driven byTravis Pastranain the2023 Daytona 500.23XI Racing has won seven races, two by Wallace, four by Reddick, and one by Busch.Reddick won\",\n \"Busch.Reddick won the2024 NASCAR Cup Seriesregular season championship, the first for the team. Personal life Jordan married Juanita Vanoy atA Little White Wedding ChapelinLas Vegason September 2, 1989.They had three children:Jeffrey,Marcus, and Jasmine.The Jordans filed for divorce on January 4, 2002, citing irreconcilable differences, but reconciled shortly thereafter. They again filed for divorce and were granted a final decree of dissolution of marriage on December 29, 2006, commenting that the decision was made \\\"mutually and amicably\\\".It is reported that Juanita received a $168 million settlement (equivalent to $254 million in 2023), making it the largest celebrity divorce settlement on public record at the time. In 1991, Jordan purchased a lot inHighland Park, Illinois, where he planned to build a 56,000-square-foot (5,200 m2) mansion. It was completed in 1995. Jordan listed the mansion for sale in 2012.He also owns homes inNorth CarolinaandJupiter Island, Florida. On July 21, 2006, a judge inCook\",\n \"a judge inCook County, Illinois, determined that Jordan did not owe his alleged former lover Karla Knafel $5 million in a breach of contract claim.Jordan had allegedly paid Knafel $250,000 to keep their relationship a secret.Knafel claimed Jordan promised her $5 million for remaining silent and agreeing not to file apaternity suitafter Knafel learned she was pregnant in 1991; aDNA testshowed that Jordan was not the father of the child. Jordan proposed to his longtime girlfriend, Cuban-American modelYvette Prieto, on Christmas 2011,and they were married on April 27, 2013, atBethesda-by-the-SeaEpiscopal Church.It was announced on November 30, 2013, that the two were expecting their first child together.On February 11, 2014, Prieto gave birth to identical twin daughters named Victoria and Ysabel.In 2019, Jordan became a grandfather when his daughter Jasmine gave birth to a son, whose father is professional basketball playerRakeem Christmas. Media figure and business interests Endorsements Jordan is one of the\",\n \"is one of the most marketed sports figures in history. He has been a major spokesman for such brands asNike,Coca-Cola,Chevrolet,Gatorade,McDonald's,Ball Park Franks,Rayovac,Wheaties,Hanes, andMCI.Jordan has had a long relationship with Gatorade, appearing in over 20 commercials for the company since 1991, including the \\\"Be Like Mike\\\" commercials in which a song was sung by children wishing to be like Jordan. Nike created a signature shoe for Jordan, called theAir Jordan, in 1984.One of his more popular commercials for the shoe involvedSpike Leeplaying the part ofMars Blackmon. In the commercials, Lee, as Blackmon, attempted to find the source of Jordan's abilities and became convinced that \\\"it's gotta be the shoes\\\".The hype and demand for the shoes even brought on a spate of \\\"shoe-jackings\\\", in which people were robbed of their sneakers at gunpoint. Subsequently, Nike spun off the Jordan line into its own division named the \\\"Jordan Brand\\\". The company features a list of athletes and celebrities as\",\n \"and celebrities as endorsers.The brand has also sponsored college sports programs such as those ofNorth Carolina,UCLA,California,Oklahoma,Florida,Georgetown, andMarquette. Jordan also has been associated with theLooney Tunescartoon characters. A Nike commercial shown during 1992'sSuper Bowl XXVIfeatured Jordan andBugs Bunnyplaying basketball.The Super Bowl commercial inspired the 1996live action/animatedfilmSpace Jam, which starred Jordan and Bugs in a fictional story set during the former's first retirement from basketball.They have subsequently appeared together in several commercials for MCI.Jordan also made an appearance in the music video forMichael Jackson's \\\"Jam\\\" (1992). Since 2008, Jordan's yearly income from endorsements is estimated to be over $40 million.In addition, when his power at the ticket gates was at its highest point, the Bulls regularly sold out both their home and road games.Due to this, Jordan set records in player salary by signing annual contracts worth in excess of US$30 million per\",\n \"US$30 million per season.An academic study found that his first NBA comeback resulted in an increase in the market capitalization of his client firms of more than $1 billion. Most of Jordan's endorsement deals, including his first deal with Nike, were engineered by his agent,David Falk.Jordan has described Falk as \\\"the best at what he does\\\" and that \\\"marketing-wise, he's great. He's the one who came up with the concept of 'Air Jordan'.\\\" Business ventures In June 2010, Jordan was ranked byForbesas the 20th-most-powerful celebrity in the world, with $55 million earned between June 2009 and June 2010. According toForbes, Jordan Brand generates $1 billion in sales for Nike.In June 2014, Jordan was named the first NBA player to become a billionaire, after he increased his stake in the Charlotte Hornets from 80% to 89.5%.On January 20, 2015, Jordan was honored with theCharlotte Business Journal's Business Person of the Year for 2014.In 2017, he became a part owner of theMiami MarlinsofMajor League Baseball.\",\n \"League Baseball. Forbesdesignated Jordan as the athlete with the highest career earnings in 2017.From his Jordan Brand income and endorsements, Jordan's 2015 income was an estimated $110 million, the most of any retired athlete.As of 2024, his net worth is estimated at $3.2 billion byForbes,making him thefifth-richest African-American, behindRobert F. Smith,David Steward,Oprah Winfrey, andRihanna. Jordan co-owns an automotive group which bears his name. The company has aNissandealership inDurham, North Carolina, acquired in 1990,and formerly had aLincoln–Mercurydealership from 1995 until its closure in June 2009.The company also owned a Nissan franchise inGlen Burnie, Maryland.The restaurant industry is another business interest of Jordan's. Restaurants he has owned include asteakhousein New York City'sGrand Central Terminal, among others;that restaurant closed in 2018.Jordan is the majority investor in a golf course, Grove XXIII inHobe Sound, Florida. In September 2020, Jordan became an investor and advisor\",\n \"and advisor forDraftKings. Philanthropy From 2001 to 2014, Jordan hosted an annual golf tournament, the Michael Jordan Celebrity Invitational, that raised money for various charities.In 2006, Jordan and his wife Juanita pledged $5 million to Chicago'sHales Franciscan High School.TheJordan Brandhas made donations toHabitat for Humanityand aLouisianabranch of theBoys & Girls Clubs of America. TheMake-A-Wish Foundationnamed Jordan its Chief Wish Ambassador in 2008.In 2013, he granted his 200th wish for the organization.As of 2019, Jordan has raised more than $5 million for the Make-A-Wish Foundation.In 2023, he donated $10 million to the organization for his 60th birthday. In 2015, Jordan donated a settlement of undisclosed size from a lawsuit against supermarkets that had used his name without permission to 23 different Chicago charities.In 2017, Jordan funded twoNovant HealthMichael Jordan Family Clinics inCharlotte, North Carolina, by giving $7 million, the biggest donation he had made at the time.The\",\n \"at the time.The following year, afterHurricane Florencedamaged parts of North Carolina, including his former hometown of Wilmington, Jordan donated $2 million to relief efforts.He gave $1 million to aid the Bahamas' recovery followingHurricane Dorianin 2019. On June 5, 2020, in the wake ofthe protestsfollowing themurder of George Floyd, Jordan and his brand announced in a joint statement that they would be donating $100 million over the next 10 years to organizations dedicated to \\\"ensuring racial equality, social justice and greater access to education\\\".In February 2021, Jordan funded two Novant Health Michael Jordan Family Clinics inNew Hanover County, North Carolina, by giving $10 million.In 2024, he funded the opening of another Novant Health Clinic, this time in Wilmington. Film and television Jordan played himself in the 1996 comedy filmSpace Jam. The film received mixed reviews,but it was a box office success, making $230 million worldwide, and earned more than $1 billion through merchandise sales. In\",\n \"sales. In 2000, Jordan was the subject of anIMAXdocumentary about his career with the Chicago Bulls, especially the1998 NBA playoffs, titledMichael Jordan to the Max.Two decades later, the same period of Jordan's life was covered in much greater and more personal detail by theEmmy Award-winningThe Last Dance, a 10-part TV documentary which debuted onESPNin April and May 2020.The Last Dancerelied heavily on about 500 hours of candid film of Jordan's and his teammates' off-court activities which anNBA Entertainmentcrew had shot over the course of the1997–98 NBA seasonfor use in a documentary. The project was delayed for many years because Jordan had not yet given his permission for the footage to be used.Jordan was interviewed at three homes associated with the production and did not want cameras in his home or on his plane, as according to director Jason Hehir \\\"there are certain aspects of his life that he wants to keep private\\\". Jordan granted rapperTravis Scottpermission to film a music video for his single\",\n \"for his single \\\"Franchise\\\" at his home inHighland Park, Illinois.Jordan appeared in the 2022 miniseriesThe Captain, which follows the life and career ofDerek Jeter. Books Jordan has authored several books focusing on his life, basketball career, and world view. See also Notes References Sources Further reading External links\",\n \"Race and ethnicity in the NBA The composition ofraceandethnicityin theNational Basketball Association(NBA) has changed throughout the league's history. The firstnon-whiteplayer to play in the league was anAsian American,Wat Misaka, in 1947.African Americansentered the league beginning in 1950. According toracial equalityactivistRichard Lapchick, the NBA in 2021 was composed of 73.2 percentblackplayers, 16.8 percentwhiteplayers, 3.1 percentLatinoplayers of any race, and 0.4 percentAsianplayers. Additionally, 6.6 percent of the players were classified as either multiracial or \\\"other\\\" races.The league has the highest percentage of black players of anymajor professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. History Players The NBA was founded in June 1946, with its first season played in1946–47.Wat Misakadebuted in1947–48as the first non-white player and the firstAsian Americanto play in the league. African Americansfirst appeared in the NBA in 1950.Chuck Cooperwas the first black playerdraftedin the\",\n \"playerdraftedin the NBA.On April 26, 1950,Harold Huntersigned with theWashington Capitols, becoming the firstAfrican Americanto sign a contract with any NBA team in history.However, Hunter was cut from the team during training camp and did not play professionally.On May 24,Nathaniel \\\"Sweetwater\\\" Cliftonwas the second African American player to sign an NBA contract.Earl Lloydwas the first to play in the NBA.Hank DeZoniealso played that year.In 1953,Don Barksdalebecame the first African American to play in anNBA All-Star Game. With the emergence of African American players by the 1960s, the NBA game was stylistically being played faster and above the rim. Many of the league's great players were black. At that time, African Americans believed they were limited by anunofficialleague quota of four black players per team. Puerto RicanButch Leein 1978 was the first Latino in the league.Wang Zhizhibecame the first Chinese player in 2001.In 2010,Jeremy Linbecame the first American of Chinese or Taiwanese descent to\",\n \"descent to play in the NBA. In 2011,Richard LapchickwithThe Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport(TIDES) of theUniversity of Central Floridareported in their annualRacial and Gender Report Cardthat 17 percent of the league's players werewhite, the lowest since the report began in 1990.Hall of Fameplayer andIndiana Pacerspresident of basketball operationsLarry Bird, who is white, stated in 2004 that the league needed more white players since the league's fans are mostly white. \\\"And if you just had a couple of white guys in there, you might get them a little excited. But it is a black man's game, and it will be forever. I mean, the greatest athletes in the world are African American,\\\" said Bird.Contrary to Bird's assertion, as of 2017, White Americans, made up only 34% of the NBA's viewership, making it the only major sports league inNorth America, that doesn't have a majority white viewership. At the same time, the black share of viewership stands at 47 percent, while Hispanic (of any race) stood at\",\n \"any race) stood at 11% and Asian viewership stood at 8%. More recently, a number of commentators and fans have remarked on the league's dwindling number ofwhite Americanplayers. While a TIDES study found that the NBA was 18.3 percent white in the 2015–16 season, this number also included non-Americans, most notably Europeans. During the entire 1996–97 season, only three NBA teams did not field an American-born white; on the opening day of the 2016–17 season, eight teams did not have a white American on their roster, and an additional 10 teams had only one. At the latter point in time, fewer than 10 percent of NBA players were American-born whites (43 out of a possible 450). Coaches Bill Russellin 1966 became the first non-white and African Americanhead coachin the NBA.In the late 1980s, teams began hiring black coaches in large numbers.At the start of the2015–16 season, there were seven black head coaches in the league, down 50 percent from three years earlier, and the fewest in 16 years.At the conclusion of\",\n \"the conclusion of the 2016-17 season there were eight African American head coaches. Owners Robert Johnsonof theCharlotte Bobcats(now known as the Charlotte Hornets) was the first black majority team owner in the NBA in 2004–05.He was succeeded as Bobcats owner in 2010–11 by another African American,Michael Jordan.In 2013–14, Jordan andSacramento KingsownerVivek Ranadivé, who is Indian, marked the first time in the history of major pro sports leagues in the U.S. that there were two non-white majority owners in a league.The number of NBA teams with non-white majority owners increased to three in September 2019 with the league approval of Taiwanese Canadian entrepreneurJoseph Tsai's purchase of RussianMikhail Prokhorov's 51 percent share in theBrooklyn Nets. Tsai had previously held a 49 percent interest in the team, having acquired that stake from Prokhorov in 2018, and exercised an option to purchase the remaining interest before its 2021 expiration date. Viewership demographics Among NBA fans during the\",\n \"NBA fans during the 2013–14 season, African Americans (844 minutes) andAsian Americans(719) spent the most time watching the league, followed byHispanics(of any race, 390) and Whites (290).Furthermore, according to a Nielsen's survey, the NBA has the highest share ofblackviewers, with 45 percent of its viewers being black and 40 percent of viewers beingwhite, making it the only top North American sport that did not have a white majority audience. During the 2016–17 season, 66 percent of the league's viewers were racial and ethnic minorities. Its audience was 47 percent Blacks, 34 percent Whites, 11 percent Hispanics (of any race), and 8 percent Asians. Timothy J. Piper examines how the NBA uses archival sports video in its advertising to give the impression that racial issues don't exist in the league, despite the fact that they do. The NBA tried to revitalize its brand prior to 2007 as a result of issues like dwindling attendance and broadcast ratings. In particular, it introduced a \\\"business casual\\\" attire\",\n \"casual\\\" attire policy for players in 2005 as part of its effort to distance itself from facets of hip-hop culture. The league's efforts to solve its economic fall were tied to this clothing code, which was intended to redefine player uniforms for NBA commerce, according to then-NBA Commissioner David Stern. This was all in order to enhance the league's image; some players welcomed this idea. The article also notes the NBA's 2007 advertising campaign, \\\"Where Amazing Happens,\\\" which featured archival footage and signaled a change in the league's branding approach. The goal of this campaign, which marked a change from prior ones, was to portray the NBA as varied but \\\"raceless\\\". See also Notes References Further reading External links\",\n \"Earl Lloyd Earl Francis Lloyd(April 3, 1928 – February 26, 2015) was an American professionalbasketballplayer and coach. He was the firstAfrican Americanplayer to play a game in theNational Basketball Association(NBA). An All–American player atWest Virginia State University, Lloyd helped lead West Virginia State to an undefeated season in 1948. As a professional, Lloyd helped lead theSyracuse Nationalsto the1955 NBA Championship. Lloyd was inducted into theNaismith Basketball Hall of Famein 2003. Early life Earl Lloyd was born inAlexandria, Virginia, on April 3, 1928, to Theodore Lloyd Sr. and Daisy Lloyd. His father worked in the coal industry and his mother was a stay-at-home mom. Being a high school standout, Lloyd was named to the All-South Atlantic Conference three times and the All-State Virginia Interscholastic Conference twice. Lloyd did attend a segregated school, but gives gratitude to his family and educators for helping him through the tough times and his success after school. Lloyd was a 1946\",\n \"Lloyd was a 1946 graduate of Parker–Grey High School, where he played for Coach Louis Randolph Johnson. He received a scholarship to play basketball atWest Virginia State University, home of theYellow Jackets. In school he was nicknamed \\\"Moon Fixer\\\" because of his size and was known as a defensive specialist. College career Lloyd led West Virginia State to twoCentral Intercollegiate Athletic Association(CIAA) Conference and Tournament Championships in 1948 and 1949. He was named All–Conference three times (1948–50) and wasAll-Americantwice, as named by thePittsburgh Courier(1949–50). As a senior, he averaged 14 points and 8 rebounds per game, while leading West Virginia State to a second–place finish in the CIAA Conference and Tournament Championship. In 1947–48, West Virginia State was the only undefeated team in the United States, with a 30–0 record.Lloyd graduated from WVSU with his B.S. degree in physical education in 1950. Harlem Globetrotter Prior to being drafted in the ninth round of the 1950 NBA\",\n \"of the 1950 NBA Draft, Lloyd starred in the lineup of the Harlem Globetrotters. Lloyd led the team to two wins over the reigning Minneapolis Lakers; this proved his talents beyond his race. Except for racial segregation, he was one of the finest artists of his time.Lloyd's talents were recognized amongst other black teammates, the two being Chuck Cooper and Nathaniel \\\"Sweetwater\\\" Clifton. All three would go on to be drafted by the NBA, Clifton in 1947, Cooper in 1950, and Lloyd in 1950, the 100th overall pick. NBA career Lloyd was drafted in the 9th round with pick #100 by theWashington Capitolsin the1950 NBA draft. Nicknamed \\\"The Big Cat\\\", Lloyd was one of three black players to enter the NBA at the same time. It was because of the order in which the team's season openers fell that Lloyd was the first to actually play in a game in the NBA, scoring six points on Halloween night.The date was October 31, 1950, one day ahead ofChuck Cooperof theBoston Celticsand four days beforeNat \\\"Sweetwater\\\" Cliftonof theNew\",\n \"Cliftonof theNew York Knicks. Lloyd played in over 560 games in nine seasons. The 6-foot-5, 225-pound forward played in only seven games for the Washington Capitols before the team folded on January 9, 1951. He was then drafted into the U.S. Army atFort Sill,Oklahoma. While fulfilling his military duty, theSyracuse Nationalspicked him up on waivers. Lloyd served time fighting in theKorean Warbefore coming back to basketball in 1952. In the 1953–54 season, Lloyd led the NBA in both personal fouls and disqualifications. In 1954–1955, Lloyd averaged career highs of 10.2 points and 7.7 rebounds for Syracuse, which beat theFort Wayne Pistons4 games to 3 to win the1955 NBA Championship. Lloyd andJim Tuckerbecame the first African–Americans to play on an NBA championship team. Lloyd spent six seasons with Syracuse and two with theDetroit Pistonsbefore retiring in 1961. Regarding the racism black players faced in the early years of the NBA, Lloyd recalled being refused service multiple times and an incident where a\",\n \"an incident where a fan in Indiana spit on him. He even went as far as to detail a time in which he was told to \\\"go back\\\" to Africa, and a plethora of times racial slurs were used towards him. However, Lloyd persevered and said that these instances only pushed him and made him play harder.Saying he didn't encounter racial animosity from teammates or opposing players, Lloyd said of fans' antics, “My philosophy was: If they weren’t calling you names, you weren’t doing nothing. If they’re calling you names, you were hurting them.” \\\"In 1950, basketball was like a babe in the woods; it didn't enjoy the notoriety that baseball enjoyed,\\\" Lloyd once said. \\\"I don't think my situation was anything like Jackie Robinson's-a guy who played in a hostile environment, where some of his teammates didn't want him around. In basketball, folks were used to seeing integrated college teams. There was a different mentality.\\\" “He’s an unsung star. Anybody can score. Lloyd was an excellent defensive player. That was No. 1 on my\",\n \"was No. 1 on my roster,” said his Syracuse Coach Al Cervi. In his NBA career with theWashington Capitols(1950–1951),Syracuse Nationals(1952–1958) andDetroit Pistons(1958–1960), Earl averaged 8.4 points, 6.4 rebounds and 1.4 assists in 560 games over nine seasons. Coaching and scouting career According to Detroit News sportswriter Jerry Green, in 1965 Detroit Pistons General Manager Don Wattrick wanted to hire Lloyd as the team's head coach.Dave DeBusscherewas instead named Pistons player–coach. Lloyd was the first African–American assistant coach and was named head coach for the 1971–72 season, making him the third African–American head coach, afterJohn McLendonandBill Russell.A 2–5 start to thefollowing campaignresulted in Lloyd being relieved of his duties and replaced by assistant coachRay Scotton October 28, 1972.He had an overall record of 22–55 with the Pistons. Lloyd worked for the Pistons as a scout for five seasons. Lloyd is credited with helping draftBailey Howelland discoveringWillis Reed,Earl\",\n \"Reed,Earl Monroe,Ray ScottandWally Jones. Personal life After his basketball career, Lloyd worked during the 1970s and 1980s as a job placement administrator for the Detroit public school system. During this time, Lloyd also ran programs for underprivileged children teaching job skills. Lloyd served as Community Relations Director for the Bing Group, a Detroit manufacturing company in the 1990s. Approached by a young African–American player who said he was indebted to Lloyd for opening the doors for future generations of black players, Lloyd replied that he owed him absolutely nothing. “You cannot understand what an honor this is,” Lloyd said in 2007 about the court atT. C. Williams High Schoolbeing named in his honor. “There’s no better honor than being validated by people who know you best. I will always, always treasure this.” Lloyd and his wife, Charlita, had three sons and four grandchildren. Lloyd resided inFairfield Glade, Tennessee, just outsideCrossville, Tennessee, until his death on February 26,\",\n \"on February 26, 2015. Honors NBA career statistics Regular season Playoffs Head coaching record See also References Further reading External links # denotes interim head coach\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":292,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"As of 2024, how many total Academy award nominations has the the man who won the Academy award for best actor one year before 1999 received?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"12"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/70th_Academy_Awards"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Nicholson"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Post processing | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/70th_Academy_Awards', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Nicholson']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/70th_Academy_Awards","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Nicholson"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/70th_Academy_Awards\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Nicholson\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["70th Academy Awards The70th Academy Awardsceremony, organized by theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences(AMPAS), took place on March 23, 1998, at theShrine AuditoriuminLos Angelesbeginning at 6:00 p.m.PST/ 9:00 p.m.EST. During the show, AMPAS presentedAcademy Awards(commonly referred to as Oscars) in 24 categories honoringfilms released in 1997. The ceremony, which was televised in the United States byABC, was produced byGil Catesand directed by Louis J. Horvitz.ActorBilly Crystalhosted the show for the sixth time.He had first hosted the62nd ceremonyheld in 1990, and most recently theprevious year's awards.Nearly a month earlier in an event held at theRegent Beverly Wilshire HotelinBeverly Hills, Californiaon February 28, theAcademy Awards for Technical Achievementwere presented by hostAshley Judd. Titanicwon 11 awards, includingBest Picture, a number that is tied withBen-HurandThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.Other winners includedAs Good as It Gets,Good Will Hunting, andL.A. Confidentialwith two awards, andCharacter,The Full Monty,Geri's Game,The Long Way Home,Men in Black,A Story of Healing, andVisas and Virtuewith one. The telecast garnered more than 57 million viewers in the United States, making it the most-watched Oscars broadcast in history. Winners and nominees The nominees for the 70th Academy Awards were announced on February 10, 1998, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, byRobert Rehme, president of the academy, and actressGeena Davis.Titanicreceived the most nominations with a record-tying fourteen (1950'sAll About Eve, and later 2016'sLa La Land, also achieved this distinction);Good Will HuntingandL.A. Confidentialcame in second with nine apiece. The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on March 23, 1998. With eleven awards,Titanictied withBen-Hurfor the most Academy Awards in Oscar history.It also became the first film to win Best Picture without a screenwriting nomination since 1965'sThe Sound of Music.Jack Nicholsonbecame the fourth performer to win at least three acting Oscars.Both Nicholson andHelen Huntwon for their roles inAs Good as It Gets, making it the seventh film to win both lead acting awards.Nominated for their performances as Rose DeWitt Bukater inTitanic, Best Actress nomineeKate Winsletand Best Supporting Actress nomineeGloria Stuartbecame the first pair of actresses nominated for portraying the same character in the same film.At age 87, Stuart also became the oldest performer nominated for a competitive Oscar. Awards Winners are listed first, highlighted inboldface, and indicated with a double dagger (‡). Academy Honorary Award Films with multiple nominations and awards The following 16 films received multiple nominations: The following four films received multiple awards: Presenters and performers The following individuals presented awards or performed musical numbers. Presenters Performers Ceremony information In December 1997, the academy hired veteran Oscar telecast producerGil Catesto oversee the 1998 ceremony.\"Gil has become the consummate Oscar show producer, consistently garnering top television ratings for the telecast,\" said AMPAS President Robert Rehme in a press release announcing the selection. \"His shows are full of wit, charm and surprise.\"A few days later, actor and comedian Billy Crystal was chosen to emcee the upcoming telecast. Cates explained his reason to bring back the veteran comedian saying, \"Billy's performance last year was spectacular. There is nobody like him.\"In an article published inUSA Todayhe initially requested to Cates and AMPAS five months after theprevious year's ceremonythat he would like to take a break from hosting duties. However, pressure from the academy, Cates, and several friends and family members made him reconsider his decision.His sixth stint would make him second only toBob Hopein number of ceremonies hosted. To commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the Academy Awards, 70 actors who have received both competitive and honorary awards appeared seated onstage together during a segment called Oscar's Family Album.Each former winner was acknowledged by announcerNorman Rosewith the films he or she won for. At the end of the segment newly minted winners Kim Bassinger, Helen Hunt, and Robin Williams joined them. This marked the largest gathering of former winners since the50th ceremonyheld in 1978. Several others participated in the production of the ceremony.Bill Contiserved as musical director for the telecast.DancerDaniel Ezralowchoreographed a dance number showcasing the nominees for Best Original Comedy or Musical Score.Bart the Bearmade a surprise appearance during the presentation of theBest Sound Effects Editingaward withMike Myers. Box office performance of nominees At the time of the nominations announcement on February 10, the combined gross of the five Best Picture nominees was $579 million with an average of $116 million per film.Titanicwas the highest earner among the Best Picture nominees with $338.7 million in domestic box office receipts.The film was followed byAs Good as It Gets($92.6 million),Good Will Hunting($68.9 million),L.A. Confidential($39.7 million), and finallyThe Full Monty($38.7 million). Of the top 50 grossing movies of the year, 40 nominations went to 15 films on the list. OnlyTitanic(1st),As Good as It Gets(16th),Good Will Hunting(20th), andIn & Out(24th) were nominated for directing, acting, screenwriting, or Best Picture.The other top 50 box office hits that earned nominations wereMen in Black(2nd),The Lost World: Jurassic Park(3rd),Air Force One(5th),My Best Friends Wedding(7th),Face/Off(9th),Con Air(12th),Contact(13th),Hercules(14th),The Fifth Element(25th),Anastasia(30th), andStarship Troopers(34th). Critical response The show received a positive reception from most media publications. Television criticHoward Rosenbergof theLos Angeles Timeslauded Crystal's performance writing that he \"would earn top billing as that unusual comedian as artful at doing musical comedy as jokes.\"San Francisco Chroniclecolumnist John Carman raved,\"It was the best Oscar show in two decades.\" He also gave high marks for the host, commenting, \"But last night, Crystal was back in razor form.\"The Seattle Timestelevision editor Kay McFadden praised Crystal commenting that \"he possesses nearly impeccable timing and judgment.\" In addition, she noted that while the ceremony dragged on, \"Last night was one of television's smartest live ceremonies in recent memory.\" Some media outlets were more critical of the show. Ray Richmond ofVarietycomplained that the ceremony proved to be a \"Yawner of an Oscarcast.\" He added that Crystal's \"off-the-cuff one-liners sank faster than the great ship herself.\"Boston Globetelevision critic Matthew Gilbert bemoaned,\"There was hardly a spontaneous moment during last night's Oscarcast.\"Film critic Carrie Rickey fromThe Philadelphia Inquirerlamented that the inevitableTitanicsweep \"sank a telecast loaded with montages of previous years' Oscar highlights.\" Ratings and reception The popularity ofTitanicgreatly increased television ratings for the ceremony.The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 57.25 million people over its length, which was a 29% increase from theprevious year's ceremony.An estimated 87.50 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards.The show also earned higherNielsen ratingscompared to the previous ceremony with 35.32% of households watching over a 55.77 share.In addition, it garnered a higher 18–49 demo rating with a 24.90 rating over a 44.30 share among viewers in that demographic.It overtook the network's own telecast of the1983 Academy Awardsto become, as it remains to date, the highest viewership for both an Academy Award telecast (since figures were compiled beginning with the46th ceremonyin 1974) and any live awards show airing in U.S. television history. In July 1998, the ceremony presentation received eight nominations at the50th Primetime Emmys.Two months later, the ceremony won five of those nominations forOutstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program(Billy Crystal), Outstanding Directing for a Variety or Music Program (Louis J Horvitz), Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Drama Series, Variety Series, Miniseries, or Movie (Bob Barnhart, Robert Dickinson, Matt Ford, Andy O'Reilly), Outstanding Music Direction (Bill Conti), and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special (Patrick Baltzell, Robert Douglass, Edward J. Greene, Tommy Vicari). \"In Memoriam\" The annual \"In Memoriam\" tribute was presented by actressWhoopi Goldberg. The montage featured an excerpt of \"Appassionata\" fromThe Passagecomposed by Michael J. Lewis. See also References Bibliography External links Official websites Analysis Other resources","Jack Nicholson John Joseph Nicholson(born April 22, 1937) is a retired American actor and filmmaker.Nicholson is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century.Throughout his five-decade career he receivednumerous accolades, including threeAcademy Awards, threeBAFTA Film Awards, sixGolden Globe Awards, and aGrammy Award. He also received theAmerican Film Institute's Life Achievement Awardin 1994 and theKennedy Center Honorin 2001. In many of his films, he played rebels against the social structure. Nicholson has won threeAcademy Awards, forBest ActorinOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest(1975) and inAs Good as It Gets(1997), and forBest Supporting ActorinTerms of Endearment(1983). He was Oscar-nominated forEasy Rider(1969),Five Easy Pieces(1970),The Last Detail(1974),Chinatown(1974),Reds(1981),Prizzi's Honor(1986),Ironweed(1987),A Few Good Men(1992) andAbout Schmidt(2002). Nicholson is also known for his notable roles inCarnal Knowledge(1971),The Shining(1980),Heartburn(1986),Broadcast News(1987),Batman(1989),Hoffa(1992),Mars Attacks!(1996),Something's Gotta Give(2003),The Departed(2006) andThe Bucket List(2007). Nicholson has directed three films,Drive, He Said(1971),Goin' South(1978), andThe Two Jakes(1990). He is one of only threemale actors to win three Academy Awardsand one of only two actors to be nominated for an Academy Award for acting in films made in every decade from the 1960s to the 2000s (alongsideMichael Caine). His 12 Academy Award nominations make himthe most nominated male actor in the Academy's history. Early life and education John Joseph Nicholson was born on April 22, 1937, inNeptune City, New Jersey,the son of ashowgirl, June Frances Nicholson (stage name June Nilson; 1918–1963).Nicholson's mother was of Irish, English, German, andWelshdescent. Nicholson has identified as Irish, comparing himself to the playwrightEugene O'Neill, whom he played in the filmReds(1981): \"I'm not saying I'm as dark as he was ... but I am a writer, I am Irish, I have had problems with my family.\"His mother marriedItalian-Americanshowman Donald Furcillo (stage name Donald Rose; 1909–1997) in 1936, before realizing that he was already married.: 8BiographerPatrick McGilliganstated in his bookJack's Lifethat Latvian-born Eddie King (originally Edgar A. Kirschfeld),June's manager, may have been Nicholson's biological father, rather than Furcillo. Other sources suggest June Nicholson was unsure of the father's identity. As June was only 17 and unmarried, her parentsagreed to raise Nicholson as their own child without revealing his true parentage, with June acting as his sister.In 1974,Timemagazine researchers learned, and informed Nicholson, that his \"sister\", June, was actually his mother, and his other \"sister\", Lorraine, was really his aunt.By this time, both his mother and grandmother had died (in 1963 and 1970, respectively). On finding out, Nicholson said it was \"a pretty dramatic event, but it wasn't what I'd call traumatizing ... I was pretty well psychologically formed\". Nicholson grew up inNeptune City, New Jersey.: 7Before starting high school, his family moved to an apartment inSpring Lake, New Jersey.: 16\"Nick\", as he was known to his high school friends, attended nearbyManasquan High School, where he was voted \"Class Clown\" by the Class of 1954. He was in detention every day for a whole school year.A theatre and a drama award at the school are named in his honor. In 2004, Nicholson attended his 50-yearhigh school reunionaccompanied by his aunt Lorraine. Military service In 1957, Nicholson joined theCalifornia Air National Guard,a move he sometimes characterized as an effort to \"dodge the draft\";theKorean Warera'sMilitary Selective Service Actwas still in force, and draftees were required to perform up to two years of active duty. After completing theAir Force'sbasic trainingatLackland Air Force Base,Nicholson performed weekend drills and two-week annual training as a firefighter assigned to the unit based at theVan Nuys Airport.During theBerlin Crisis of 1961, Nicholson was called up for several months of extended active duty,and he was discharged at the end of his enlistment in 1962. Career 1958–1969: Early roles and breakthrough Nicholson first came to California in 1950, when he was 13, to visit his sister. He took a job as an office worker for animation directorsWilliam HannaandJoseph Barberaat theMGM cartoon studio. They offered him an entry-level job as an animator, but he declined, citing his desire to become an actor.While accepting theCecil B. DeMille Awardat the56th Golden Globe Awards, he recalled that his first day as a working actor (onTales of Wells Fargo) was May 5, 1955, which he considered lucky, as 5 was the jersey number of his boyhood idol,Joe DiMaggio.He trained to be an actor with a group called the Players Ring Theater, after which he found small parts performing on the stage and in TV soap operas.He made his film debut in a low-budget teen dramaThe Cry Baby Killer(1958), playing the title role. For the next decade, Nicholson frequently collaborated with the film's producer,Roger Corman. Corman directed Nicholson on several occasions, such as inThe Little Shop of Horrorsas undertaker (andmasochisticdental patient) Wilbur Force; inThe Raven;The Terror, where he plays a French officer seduced by an evil ghost; andThe St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Nicholson frequently worked with directorMonte Hellmanon low-budget westerns; two of them—Ride in the WhirlwindandThe Shooting—initially failed to interest U.S. film distributors but gained cult success on the French art-house circuit and were later sold to television. Nicholson also appeared in two episodes ofThe Andy Griffith Show, and starred as a rebellious dirt-track race driver in the 1960 filmThe Wild Ride. With his acting career foundering, Nicholson seemed resigned to a career behind the camera as a writer/director. His first real taste of writing success was the screenplay for the 1967counterculturefilmThe Trip(directed by Corman), starringPeter FondaandDennis Hopper. After first reading the script, Fonda told Nicholson he was impressed by the writing and felt it could become a great film. But Fonda was disappointed with how the film turned out and blamed the editing for turning it into a \"predictable\" film and said so publicly. \"I was livid\", he recalls.Nicholson also co-wrote, withBob Rafelson, the movieHead, which starredThe Monkees, and arranged the movie's soundtrack. Nicholson's first big acting break came when a role opened up in Fonda and Hopper'sEasy Rider(1969). He played alcoholic lawyer George Hanson, for which he received his first Oscar nomination. The film cost only $400,000 to make, and became a blockbuster, grossing $40 million.BiographerJohn Parkerwrites that Nicholson's interpretation of his role placed him in the company of earlierantiheroactors, such asJames CagneyandHumphrey Bogart, while promoting him into an \"overnight number-one hero of the counter-culture movement\".The part was a lucky break for Nicholson. The role had been written forRip Torn, who withdrew from the project after an argument with Hopper.Nicholson later acknowledged the importance of being cast inEasy Rider: \"All I could see in the early films, beforeEasy Rider, was this desperate young actor trying to vault out of the screen and create a movie career.\"Stanley Kubrick, who was impressed by his performance inEasy Rider, cast Nicholson asNapoleonin a film about his life, and although production on the film commenced,the project fizzled out, partly due to a change in ownership at MGM. 1970–1989: Stardom and acclaim In 1970, Nicholson starred inFive Easy PiecesalongsideKaren Blackin what became his persona-defining role. Nicholson and Black were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances. Nicholson played Bobby Dupea, an oil rig worker, and Black played his waitress girlfriend. Black noted that Nicholson's character in the film was very subdued and very different from Nicholson's real personality. She said that the now-infamous restaurant scene was partly improvised by Nicholson, and was out of character for Bobby, who would not have cared enough to argue with a waitress.\"I think that Jack really has very little in common with Bobby. I think Bobby has given up looking for love. But Jack hasn't, he's very interested in love, in finding out things. Jack is a very curious, alive human being. Always ready for a new idea.\": 37Nicholson himself said as much, telling an interviewer, \"I like listening to everybody. This to me is the elixir of life.\" There isJames Cagney,Spencer Tracy,Humphrey Bogart, andHenry Fonda. After that, who is there but Jack Nicholson? —Mike Nichols, director Black later admitted that she had a crush on Nicholson from the time they met, although they dated only briefly. \"He was very beautiful. He just looked right at you ... I liked him a lot ... He really sort of wanted to date me but I didn't think of him that way because I was going withPeter Kastner... Then I went to doEasy Rider, but didn't see him because we didn't have any scenes together ... At the premiere, I saw him out in the lobby afterward and I started crying ... He didn't understand that, but what it was was that I really loved him a lot, and I didn't know it until I saw him again, because it all welled up.\": 36 Within a month after its release that September,Five Easy Piecesbecame a blockbuster, making Nicholson aleading manand the \"new American anti-hero\", according to McDougal.: 130Critics began speculating as to whether he might become anotherMarlon BrandoorJames Dean. His career and income skyrocketed. He said, \"I have much sought after. Your name becomes a brand image like a product. You become Campbell's soup, with thirty-one different varieties of roles you can play.\": 130He told his new agent, Sandy Bresler, to find him unusual roles so he could stretch his acting skill: \"I like to play people that haven't existed yet, a 'cusp character'\", he said, \"I have that creative yearning. Much in the wayChagallflies figures into the air: once it becomes part of the conventional wisdom, it doesn't seem particularly adventurous or weird or wild.\": 130 Also in 1970, Nicholson appeared in the film adaptation ofOn a Clear Day You Can See Forever, although most of his performance was left on thecutting room floor. His agent turned down a starring role inDeliverancewhen the film's producer and director,John Boorman, refused to pay what Nicholson's agent wanted.: 130In 1971, Nicholson starred inCarnal Knowledge, a comedy-drama directed byMike Nicholsand co-starringArt Garfunkel,Ann-Margret, andCandice Bergen. He was nominated for aGolden Globe Award for Best Actor. Nichols felt few actors could handle the role, saying, \"There is James Cagney, Spencer Tracy, Humphrey Bogart, and Henry Fonda. After that, who is there but Jack Nicholson?\"During the filming, Nicholson struck up what became a lifelong friendship with Garfunkel. When he visited Los Angeles, Garfunkel stayed at Nicholson's home in a room Nicholson jokingly called \"the Arthur Garfunkel Suite\".: 127 Other Nicholson roles includedHal Ashby'sThe Last Detail(1973), withRandy Quaid, for which Nicholson wonBest Actorat theCannes Film Festivaland was nominated for his third Oscar and a Golden Globe. Television journalistDavid Gilmourwrites that one of his favorite Nicholson scenes from all his films was the often censored one in this film, when Nicholson slaps his gun on the bar yelling hewasthe Shore Patrol.CriticRoger Ebertcalled it a very good movie, but credited Nicholson's acting as the main reason: \"He creates a character so complete and so complex that we stop thinking about the movie and just watch to see what he'll do next.\"In 1974, Nicholson starred inRoman Polanski's noir thrillerChinatown, and was again nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Actorfor his role as Jake Gittes, a private detective. The film co-starredFaye DunawayandJohn Huston, and included a cameo role with Polanski. Ebert called Nicholson's portrayal sharp-edged, menacing, and aggressive, a character who knew \"how to go over the top\", as he did inOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. That edge keptChinatownfrom becoming a typical genre crime film.Ebert also notes the importance of the role for Nicholson's career, seeing it as a major transition from the exploitation films of the previous decade. \"As Jake Gittes, he stepped into Bogart's shoes\", says Ebert. \"As a man attractive to audiences because he suggests both comfort and danger ... From Gittes forward, Nicholson created the persona of a man who had seen it all and was still capable of being wickedly amused.\" Nicholson had been friends with Polanski long before themurderof Polanski's wife,Sharon Tate, by theManson Family, and supported him in the days following her death.: 109–110After Tate's death, Nicholson began sleeping with a hammer under his pillowand took breaks from work to attend Manson's trial. In 1977, three years afterChinatown, Polanski was arrested at Nicholson's home for thesexual assaultof 13-year-old Samantha Geimer, who was modeling for Polanski during a magazine photo shoot around the pool. At the time, Nicholson was out of town making a film, but his steady girlfriend, actressAnjelica Huston, had dropped by unannounced to pick up some items. She heard Polanski in the other room say, \"We'll be right out.\"Polanski then came out with Geimer and introduced her to Huston, and they chatted about Nicholson's two large dogs, which were sitting nearby. Huston recalled Geimer was wearing platform heels and appeared quite tall.After a few minutes of talking, Polanski had packed up his camera gear and Huston saw them drive off in his car. Huston told police the next day, after Polanski was arrested, that she \"had witnessed nothing untoward\" and never saw them together in the other room. Geimer learned afterward that Huston herself was not supposed to be at Nicholson's house that day, since they had recently broken up, but stopped over to pick up some belongings. Geimer described Nicholson's house as \"definitely\" a guy's house, with lots of wood and shelves crowded with photos and mementos. One of Nicholson's successes came in 1975, with his role asRandle P. McMurphyinOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The movie was an adaptation ofKen Kesey's novel of thesame name, and was directed byMiloš Formanand co-produced byMichael Douglas. Nicholson plays an anti-authoritarian patient at a mental hospital where he becomes an inspiring leader for the other patients. Playing one of the patients wasDanny DeVitoin an early role. Nicholson learned afterward that DeVito grew up in the same area of New Jersey, and they knew many of the same people.The film received nine nominations at the Academy Awards, and won five, including Nicholson's first forBest Actor.The role seemed perfect for Nicholson, with biographer Ken Burke noting that his \"smartass demeanor balances his genuine concern for the treatment of his fellow patients with his independent spirit too free to exist in a repressive social structure\".Forman allowed Nicholson to improvise throughout the film, including most of the group therapy sequences.: 273ReviewerMarie Brennernotes that his bravura performance \"transcends the screen\" and continually inspires the other actors by lightening their mental illnesses with his comic dialogue. She describes his performance: Nicholson is everywhere; his energy propels the ward of loonies and makes of them an ensemble, a chorus of people caught in a bummer with nowhere else to go, but still fighting for some frail sense of themselves. ... There are scenes inCuckoo's Nestthat are as intimate—and in their language, twice as rough—as the best moments inThe Godfather... far above the general run of Hollywood performances. — Marie Brenner,Texas Monthly Also in 1975, Nicholson starred inMichelangelo Antonioni'sThe Passenger(1975), which co-starredMaria Schneider. Nicholson plays a journalist, David Locke, who during an assignment in North Africa decides to quit journalism and disappear by taking on a new hidden identity. Unfortunately, the dead person whose identity he takes on turns out to have been a weapons smuggler on the run. Antonioni's unusual plot included convincing dialogue and fine acting, states film criticSeymour Chatman.It was shot in Algeria, Spain, Germany, and England. The film received good reviews and revived Antonioni's reputation as a great director.He said he wanted the film to have more of a \"spy feeling be more political\".Nicholson began shooting the film from an unfinished script, notesJudith Crist,yet upon its completion he thought so highly of the film that he bought the world rights and recorded a reminiscence of working with Antonioni. Critic and screenwriterPenelope Gilliattprovides an overview of Nicholson's role, \"The Passengeris an unidealized portrait of a drained man whose one remaining stimulus is to push his luck. Again and again, in the movie, we watch him court danger. It interests him to walk the edge of risk. He does it with passivity as if he were taking part in an expressionless game of double-dare with life. Jack Nicholson's performance is a wonder of insight. How to animate a personality that is barely there.: 443 Nicholson continued to take more unusual roles. He took a small role inThe Last TycoonoppositeRobert De Niro. He took a less sympathetic role inArthur Penn's westernThe Missouri Breaks(1976), specifically to work withMarlon Brando. Nicholson was especially inspired by Brando's acting ability, recalling that in his youth, as an assistant manager at a theater, he watchedOn the Waterfrontabout 40 times. He once stated, \"Marlon Brando influenced me strongly. Today, it's hard for people who weren't there to realize the impact that Brando had on an audience. ... He's always been the patron saint of actors\".\"I'm part of the first generation that idolized Marlon Brando\", he said. Nicholson has observed that while both De Niro and Brando were noted for their skill asmethod actors, he himself has seldom been described as one, a fact he sees as an accomplishment: \"I'm still fooling them\", he toldSean Penn. \"I consider it an accomplishment because there's probably no one who understands Method acting better academically than I do—or actually uses it more in his work. But it's funny, nobody really sees that. It's perception versus reality, I guess.\" His work is always interesting, clearly conceived, and has the X-factor, magic. Jack is particularly suited for roles that require intelligence. He is an intelligent and literate man, and these are almost impossible to act. InThe Shiningyou believe he's a writer, failed or otherwise. —Stanley Kubrick Although he garnered noAcademy AwardforStanley Kubrick's adaptation ofStephen King'sThe Shining(1980), his role in the film as writerJack Torranceremains one of his more significant. He was Kubrick's first choice to play the role, although the book's author, Stephen King, wanted more of an \"everyman\". Kubrick won the argument and called Nicholson's acting \"on a par with the greatest stars of the past, likeSpencer TracyandJimmy Cagney\".In preparation for the role, Nicholson drew upon his own experiences as a writer and slept short hours to help remain in an agitated state during the shoot. His co-starShelley Duvallrecalled that she and Nicholson spent many hours discussing their characters, with Nicholson maintaining that his character be cold to her from the start.On the set, Nicholson always appeared in character and if Kubrick felt confident that Nicholson knew his lines well enough, he encouraged him to improvise beyond the script.: 434For example, Nicholson improvised his now-famous \"Here's Johnny!\" line,: 433along with a scene in which he unleashes his anger on his wife when she interrupts his work.: 445There were also extensive takes of scenes, due to Kubrick's perfectionism. Nicholson shot a scene with the ghostly bartender 36 times.He said, \"Stanley's demanding. He'll do a scene fifty times, and you have to be good to do that.\": 38 In 1982, he starred as an immigration enforcement agent inThe Border, directed byTony Richardson. It co-starredWarren Oates, who played a corrupt border official.Richardson wanted Nicholson to play his role less expressively than he had in his earlier roles. \"Less is more\", he told him, and wanted him to wear reflecting sunglasses to portray what patrolmen wore.: 318Richardson recalled that Nicholson worked hard on the set: He's what the Thirties and Forties stars were like. He can come on the set and deliver, without any fuss, without taking a long time walking around getting into it. \"What do you want? Okay.\" And he just does it straight off. And then if you want him to do it another way on the next take, he can adapt to that too.: 318 Nicholson won his second Oscar, anAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for his role of retired astronaut Garrett Breedlove inTerms of Endearment(1983), directed byJames L. Brooks. It starredShirley MacLaineandDebra Winger. McGilligan claims it was one of Nicholson's most complex and unforgettable characters. He and MacLaine played many of their scenes in different ways, constantly testing and making adjustments. Their scenes together gave the film its \"buoyant edge\", states McGilligan, and describes Nicholson's acting as \"Jack floating like a butterfly\".: 330 Nicholson continued to work prolifically in the 1980s, starring in such films as:The Postman Always Rings Twice(1981);Reds(1981), where Nicholson portrays the writerEugene O'Neillwith a quiet intensity;Prizzi's Honor(1985);Heartburn(1986);The Witches of Eastwick(1987);Broadcast News(1987); andIronweed(1987). Three Oscar nominations also followed (Reds,Prizzi's Honor, andIronweed).John Huston, who directedPrizzi's Honor, said of Nicholson's acting, \"He just illuminates the book. He impressed me in one scene after another; the movie is composed largely of first takes with him.\"In the 1989Batmanmovie, Nicholson played the psychotic villain,the Joker. The film was an international smash hit, and a lucrative deal earned him a percentage of the box office gross estimated at $60 million to $90 million.Nicholson said that he was \"particularly proud\" of his performance as the Joker: \"I considered it a piece ofpop art\", he said. 1990–1999: Established actor For his role as hot-headed Col. Nathan R. Jessup inA Few Good Men(1992), a movie about a murder in aU.S. Marine Corpsunit, Nicholson received yet another Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.One review describes his performance as \"spellbinding\", adding that he portrayed \"the essence of the quintessential military mindset\".Critic David Thomson notes that Nicholson's character \"blazed and roared\".The film's director,Rob Reiner, recalls how Nicholson's level of acting experience affected the other actors during rehearsals: \"I had the luck of having Jack Nicholson there. He knows what he's doing, and he comes to play, every time out, full-out performance! And what it says to a lot of the other actors is, 'Oooooh, I better get on my game here because this guy's coming to play! So I can't hold back; I've got to come up to him.' He sets the tone.\" In 1996, Nicholson collaborated once more withBatmandirectorTim BurtononMars Attacks!, pulling double duty as two contrasting characters, President James Dale andLas Vegasproperty developer Art Land. Not all of Nicholson's performances have been well received. He was nominated forRazzie Awardsas worst actor forMan Trouble(1992) andHoffa(1992). But his performance inHoffaalso earned him aGolden Globenomination.David Thomson states that the film was terribly neglected, since Nicholson portrayed one of his best screen characters, someone who is \"snarly, dumb, smart, noble, rascally—all the parts of 'Jack'\".Roger Ebertalso praised his performance writing, \"Nicholson is an actor who can reflect almost anything in his face. One reason his performance is so good as Hoffa is that he reveals almost nothing.\" Nicholson won his nextAcademy Award for Best Actorin the romantic comedyAs Good as It Gets(1997), his third film directed byJames L. Brooks. He played Melvin Udall, a \"wickedly funny\",mean-spirited novelist withobsessive-compulsive disorder. \"I'm a studioMethod actor\", he said. \"So I was prone to give some kind of clinical presentation of the disorder.\"His Oscar was matched by theAcademy Award for Best ActressforHelen Hunt, who played a Manhattan single mother drawn into a love/hate friendship with Udall, a frequent diner in the restaurant where she works as a waitress. The film was a box-office success, grossing $314 million, making it Nicholson's second-best-grossing film, afterBatman.The win was Nicholson's third Academy Award, tying him with six other actors,Walter Brennan,Ingrid Bergman,Meryl Streep,Daniel Day-Lewis, andFrances McDormandwho all have three acting Oscars. Nicholson admits he initially disliked playing a middle-aged man alongside a much younger Hunt, seeing it as a movie cliché. \"But Helen disarmed that at the first meeting\", he says, \"and I stopped thinking about it.\" They got along well during the filming, with Hunt saying that he \"treated me like a queen\", and they connected immediately: \"It wasn't even what we said\", she said. \"It was just some frequency we both could tune into that was very, very compatible.\"Critic Jack Mathews ofNewsdaysaid Nicholson was \"in rare form\", adding, \"it's one of those performances that make you aware how much fun the actor is having\".Author and screenwriter Andrew Horton describes their on-screen relationship as being like \"fire and ice, oil and water—seemingly complete opposites\". 2000–present: Later roles and retirement In 2001, Nicholson was the first actor to receive theStanislavsky Awardat the23rd Moscow International Film Festivalfor \"conquering the heights of acting and faithfulness\".That same year Nicholson starred inThe Pledge, amysterydrama where he portrays retired police detective Jerry Black, who vows to find a murderer of a young girl. Nicholson was praised for his performance; Bob Graham of theSan Francisco Chroniclecalled it \"deeply felt\" compared to some of Nicholson's other films.Nicholson acted inAlexander Payne's comedy-dramaAbout Schmidt(2002), playing a retiredOmaha,Nebraska,actuarywho questions his own life after his wife dies. His quietly restrained performance earned him nominations for anAcademy Award,BAFTA Award,Golden Globe AwardandScreen Actors Guild Awardfor Best Actor. InAnger Management(2003), he played an aggressive therapist assigned to help an overly pacifist man (Adam Sandler). In 2003, Nicholson also starred in theNancy Meyersdirected romantic comedySomething's Gotta Giveplaying an aging playboy who falls for the mother (Diane Keaton) of his young girlfriend. For his performance he was nominated for theGolden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. In late 2006, Nicholson marked his return to the dark side inMartin Scorsese'sOscar-winning filmThe Departed, a remake ofAndrew Lau'sInfernal Affairs,playingFrank Costello, a nefariousBostonIrish Mobboss based onWhitey Bulger, who was still on the run at the time. The role earned Nicholson worldwide critical praise, along with various awards and nominations, including aGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picturenomination. In 2007, Nicholson co-starred withMorgan FreemaninRob Reiner'sThe Bucket List,in which Nicholson and Freeman portrayed dying men who fulfill their list of goals. In researching the role, Nicholson visited a Los Angeles hospital to see how cancer patients coped with their illnesses. Nicholson is the Hollywood celebrity who is most like a character in some ongoing novel of our times. He is also the most beloved of stars—not even his huge wealth, his reckless aging, and the public disasters of his private life can detract from this ... For he is still a touchstone, someone we value for the way he helps us see ourselves. —David Thomson, a film critic. Nicholson's next film role saw him reunite withJames L. Brooks, director ofTerms of Endearment,Broadcast NewsandAs Good as It Gets, for a supporting role for the 2010 filmHow Do You KnowstarringPaul Rudd,Reese Witherspoon, andOwen Wilson. The film was a financial and critical failure. In a September 2013Vanity Fairarticle, Nicholson said that he did not consider himself retired, but that he was now less driven to \"be out there anymore\".As of 2023,How Do You Knowremains Nicholson's last film role, and brings his filmography to 80 films.In 2013, Nicholson co-presented theAcademy Award for Best Picturewith First LadyMichelle Obama,the eighth time he presented the Academy Award for Best Picture (1972, 1977, 1978, 1990, 1993, 2006, 2007, and 2013). On February 15, 2015, Nicholson made a special appearance as a presenter onSNL 40, the 40th anniversary special ofSaturday Night Live.After the death of boxerMuhammad Alion June 3, 2016, Nicholson appeared onHBO'sThe Fight Game withJim Lampleyfor an exclusive interview about his friendship with Ali.He was reported to be starring in an English-language remake ofToni Erdmannin 2017 oppositeKristen Wiig, his first feature film role sinceHow Do You Know,but the project was later abandoned.In October 2019, with the release ofThe ShiningsequelDoctor Sleep, directorMike Flanaganrevealed he approached Nicholson for acameo appearance, but Nicholson declined with best wishes.Flanagan also disclosed that Nicholson had previously been approached to appear inSteven Spielberg's science-fiction filmReady Player One(2018). During an appearance in the November 2, 2023, episode ofMarc Maron's podcast,WTF with Marc Maron, record producerLou Adler, a longtime friend of Nicholson's, related an anecdote pertaining to the unofficial retirement of the actor, who had not done a film in the 13 years sinceHow Do You Know, saying, \"A friend of mine wanted to put him in a movie. And he had a conversation with him. But Jack says, 'I don't want to do it.' He goes, 'You know what I did today? I sat under a tree and I read a book.' That sounds like Jack.\" Adler stated that Nicholson was \"doing whatever he really wants to do,\" adding, \"He wants to be quiet. He wants to eat what he wants. He wants to live the life he wants.\" Influence Nicholson has describedMarlon Brandoas a major influence on his career. He stated, \"Actors don't normally discuss who the best actor in the world is, because it's obvious—Brando is the best.” He also namedJohn Ford,Akira Kurosawa, andOrson Wellesas his favorite directors. Actors who have cited Nicholson as an influence includeLeonardo DiCaprio,Alden Ehrenreich,andMorgan Freeman. Personal life Relationships and children In his personal life, Nicholson is notorious for his inability to \"settle down\";he has fathered six children by five women but married only once.Nicholson's marriage was toThe Terrorco-starSandra Knightfrom 1962 to 1968, though they separated in 1966.The couple had one daughter, Jennifer (born September 13, 1963). Five Easy Piecesco-starSusan Anspachcontended that her son Caleb (born September 26, 1970), whose legal father wasMark Goddard, was actually Nicholson's biological son.In 1984, Nicholson said he was not convinced of this,but in 1996, Caleb said that Nicholson had recognized him as his son in private.By 1998, Nicholson publicly acknowledged Caleb as his son and said that they got along \"beautifully now.\" In 1971 and 1972, Nicholson was in a relationship with singerMichelle Phillips, the ex-wife of his best friendDennis Hopper, during which time she suffered a miscarriage.Nicholson's longest relationship was 17 years with actressAnjelica Huston, from 1973 until 1990. Their on-again, off-again romance included several periods of overlap with other women, notably former Bond girlJill St. Johnand Danish model Winnie Hollman, with whom Nicholson fathered a daughter, Honey Hollman (born January 26, 1982).Winnie Hollman has claimed that a DNA test during her pregnancy confirmed that Nicholson was the biological father. However, in 2024, it was revealed that Nicholson was not the biological father of Honey,who did a DNA test herself in 1999. Honey said in 2006 that she has a “normal father-daughter relationship” with Nicholson. The relationship with Huston ended amid actress/waitressRebecca Broussard's first pregnancy by Nicholson. He and Broussard had two children,Lorraine(born April 16, 1990) andRaymond(born February 20, 1992).The pair split up in 1994, and that same year, Nicholson supposedly had a daughter, Tessa (born August 15, 1994), with waitress Jeannine Gourin.Nicholson has never publicly acknowledged his paternity. Beginning in the late 1990s, Nicholson was involved with actressLara Flynn Boyle. The two initially broke up in 2000, later reuniting before splitting permanently in 2004, after which Nicholson was linked to English supermodelKate Moss.In 2006, Nicholson dated actressPaz de la Huerta. Nicholson has said that children \"give your life a resonance that it can't have without them ... As a father, I'm there all the time. I give unconditional love\".He has also lamented that he \"didn't see enough of my eldest daughter because I was trying to make a career\". Legal issues In a criminalcomplaintfiled on February 8, 1994, Robert Blank stated that Nicholson, then 56, approached Blank'sMercedes-Benzwhile he was stopped at a red light inNorth Hollywood. After accusing Blank of cutting him off in traffic, Nicholson used a golf club to bash the roof and windshield of Blank's car. A witness confirmed Blank's account of the incident andmisdemeanorcharges of assault and vandalism were filed against Nicholson. Charges were dropped after Nicholson apologized to Blank, and the two reached an undisclosed settlement, which included a reported $500,000 check from Nicholson. In 1996, a lawsuit was brought against him alleging that he promised a woman named Catherine Sheehan $1,000 for sex and then assaulted her when she asked for the money. Sheehan received a settlement of about $40,000, but filed another lawsuit against him, arguing that the settlement was insufficient to cover the injuries inflicted upon her, includingbrain trauma, which she said were \"actually killing her.\"The case was dismissed. Celebrity friendships Nicholson lived next door toMarlon Brandofor a number of years onMulholland DriveinBeverly Hills, California.Warren Beattyalso lived nearby, earning the road the nickname \"Bad Boy Drive\". After Brando's death in 2004, Nicholson purchased his bungalow for $6.1 million, with the purpose of having it demolished. Nicholson said he did so out of respect for Brando's legacy, as it had become too expensive to renovate the \"derelict\" building, which was plagued by mold. Nicholson's friendship with author-journalistHunter S. Thompsonis described in Thompson's autobiographyKingdom of Fear(2003).After Thompson died in 2005, Nicholson and fellow actorsJohnny Depp,John Cusack, andSean Pennattended his private memorial service in Colorado.Nicholson was also a close friend ofRobert Evans, the producer ofChinatown, and after Evans lost Woodland, his home, as the result of a 1980s drug bust, Nicholson and other friends of Evans bought Woodland to give it back to him.Nicholson is also friends with fellow New JerseyansDanny DeVitoandJoe Pesci. Hobbies Nicholson is a fan of theNew York YankeesandLos Angeles Lakers. He became a Lakers season ticket holder in1970, and held courtside seats next to the opponent's benches both atThe ForumandStaples Center. He was described as a \"fixture\" at the games, though his regular attendance had stopped by 2021, as he withdrew from public appearances.Nicholson occasionally argued with game officials and opposing players, and even walked onto the court.He was almost ejected from a Lakers playoff game in May 2003 after yelling at a referee.After the death of former Lakers starKobe Bryantin ahelicopter crashin January 2020, Nicholson gave a rare phone interview to Los Angeles stationKCBS-TVexpressing his grief.He attended a2023 playoff game, which media outlets noted was his first appearance at a Lakers game in nearly two years. Nicholson is a collector of 20th-century and contemporary paintings, including those ofHenri Matisse,Tamara de Lempicka,Andy WarholandJack Vettriano.In 1995, artistEdward Ruschasaid that Nicholson has \"one of the best collections out here\". Political views Nicholson has called himself a \"lifelongIrishDemocrat.”He supportedGeorge McGovernin the 1972 presidential election,Michael Dukakisin 1988,Hillary Clintonin 2008, andBernie Sandersin 2020. Nicholson supportssolar energy,decriminalizing drugs,monopoly laws, and raising teachers' pay.Although personally againstabortion, he ispro-choice. He has said, \"I'm pro-choice but against abortion because I'm an illegitimate child myself, and it would be hypocritical to take any other position. I'd be dead. I wouldn't exist.\" He has also said that he has \"nothing but total admiration, gratitude, and respect for the strength of the women who made the decision they made in my individual case\". Religious beliefs Nicholson was raisedRoman Catholicand has expressed admiration for the religion, calling it \"the only officialdogmatraining I've had. I liked it. It's a smart religion.\"It has been asserted that some of Nicholson's 1970s movie roles were influenced by Catholicism.In a 1992Vanity Fairinterview, Nicholson said, \"I don't believe in God now. I can still work up an envy for someone who has faith. I can see how that could be a deeply soothing experience.\" Acting credits and accolades During his career Nicholson has appeared in 80 films.Among some of Nicholson's films are: With 12Academy Awardnominations (eight for Best Actor and four for Best Supporting Actor), Nicholson is the most nominated male actor in Academy Awards history. Only Nicholson (1960s–2000s),Michael Caine(1960s–2000s),Meryl Streep(1970s–2010s),Paul Newman(1950s–1960s, 1980s–2000s),Katharine Hepburn(1930s–1960s, 1980s),Frances McDormand(1980s–2020s),Denzel Washington(1980s–2020s), andLaurence Olivier(1930s–1970s) have been nominated for an acting (lead or supporting) Academy Award in five different decades. With three Oscar wins, he also ties withWalter Brennan,Daniel Day-Lewis,Ingrid Bergman,Frances McDormandandMeryl Streepfor the second-most Oscar wins in acting categories. OnlyKatharine Hepburn, with four Oscars, won more. Nicholson is an active and voting member of the Academy. In May 2008, then-California GovernorArnold Schwarzeneggerand First LadyMaria Shriverannounced that Nicholson would be inducted into theCalifornia Hall of Fame, located atThe California MuseuminSacramento. The induction ceremony took place on December 15, 2008, where he was inducted alongside 11 other Californians.In 2010, Nicholson was inducted into theNew Jersey Hall of Fame.In 2011, Nicholson received an honoraryDoctor of Fine Artsdegree fromBrown Universityat its 243rd commencement. At the ceremony,Ruth Simmons, Brown University's president, called him \"the most skilled actor of our lifetime\". Explanatory note References General bibliography External links"],"string":"[\n \"70th Academy Awards The70th Academy Awardsceremony, organized by theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences(AMPAS), took place on March 23, 1998, at theShrine AuditoriuminLos Angelesbeginning at 6:00 p.m.PST/ 9:00 p.m.EST. During the show, AMPAS presentedAcademy Awards(commonly referred to as Oscars) in 24 categories honoringfilms released in 1997. The ceremony, which was televised in the United States byABC, was produced byGil Catesand directed by Louis J. Horvitz.ActorBilly Crystalhosted the show for the sixth time.He had first hosted the62nd ceremonyheld in 1990, and most recently theprevious year's awards.Nearly a month earlier in an event held at theRegent Beverly Wilshire HotelinBeverly Hills, Californiaon February 28, theAcademy Awards for Technical Achievementwere presented by hostAshley Judd. Titanicwon 11 awards, includingBest Picture, a number that is tied withBen-HurandThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.Other winners includedAs Good as It Gets,Good Will Hunting, andL.A. Confidentialwith two awards, andCharacter,The Full Monty,Geri's Game,The Long Way Home,Men in Black,A Story of Healing, andVisas and Virtuewith one. The telecast garnered more than 57 million viewers in the United States, making it the most-watched Oscars broadcast in history. Winners and nominees The nominees for the 70th Academy Awards were announced on February 10, 1998, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, byRobert Rehme, president of the academy, and actressGeena Davis.Titanicreceived the most nominations with a record-tying fourteen (1950'sAll About Eve, and later 2016'sLa La Land, also achieved this distinction);Good Will HuntingandL.A. Confidentialcame in second with nine apiece. The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on March 23, 1998. With eleven awards,Titanictied withBen-Hurfor the most Academy Awards in Oscar history.It also became the first film to win Best Picture without a screenwriting nomination since 1965'sThe Sound of Music.Jack Nicholsonbecame the fourth performer to win at least three acting Oscars.Both Nicholson andHelen Huntwon for their roles inAs Good as It Gets, making it the seventh film to win both lead acting awards.Nominated for their performances as Rose DeWitt Bukater inTitanic, Best Actress nomineeKate Winsletand Best Supporting Actress nomineeGloria Stuartbecame the first pair of actresses nominated for portraying the same character in the same film.At age 87, Stuart also became the oldest performer nominated for a competitive Oscar. Awards Winners are listed first, highlighted inboldface, and indicated with a double dagger (‡). Academy Honorary Award Films with multiple nominations and awards The following 16 films received multiple nominations: The following four films received multiple awards: Presenters and performers The following individuals presented awards or performed musical numbers. Presenters Performers Ceremony information In December 1997, the academy hired veteran Oscar telecast producerGil Catesto oversee the 1998 ceremony.\\\"Gil has become the consummate Oscar show producer, consistently garnering top television ratings for the telecast,\\\" said AMPAS President Robert Rehme in a press release announcing the selection. \\\"His shows are full of wit, charm and surprise.\\\"A few days later, actor and comedian Billy Crystal was chosen to emcee the upcoming telecast. Cates explained his reason to bring back the veteran comedian saying, \\\"Billy's performance last year was spectacular. There is nobody like him.\\\"In an article published inUSA Todayhe initially requested to Cates and AMPAS five months after theprevious year's ceremonythat he would like to take a break from hosting duties. However, pressure from the academy, Cates, and several friends and family members made him reconsider his decision.His sixth stint would make him second only toBob Hopein number of ceremonies hosted. To commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the Academy Awards, 70 actors who have received both competitive and honorary awards appeared seated onstage together during a segment called Oscar's Family Album.Each former winner was acknowledged by announcerNorman Rosewith the films he or she won for. At the end of the segment newly minted winners Kim Bassinger, Helen Hunt, and Robin Williams joined them. This marked the largest gathering of former winners since the50th ceremonyheld in 1978. Several others participated in the production of the ceremony.Bill Contiserved as musical director for the telecast.DancerDaniel Ezralowchoreographed a dance number showcasing the nominees for Best Original Comedy or Musical Score.Bart the Bearmade a surprise appearance during the presentation of theBest Sound Effects Editingaward withMike Myers. Box office performance of nominees At the time of the nominations announcement on February 10, the combined gross of the five Best Picture nominees was $579 million with an average of $116 million per film.Titanicwas the highest earner among the Best Picture nominees with $338.7 million in domestic box office receipts.The film was followed byAs Good as It Gets($92.6 million),Good Will Hunting($68.9 million),L.A. Confidential($39.7 million), and finallyThe Full Monty($38.7 million). Of the top 50 grossing movies of the year, 40 nominations went to 15 films on the list. OnlyTitanic(1st),As Good as It Gets(16th),Good Will Hunting(20th), andIn & Out(24th) were nominated for directing, acting, screenwriting, or Best Picture.The other top 50 box office hits that earned nominations wereMen in Black(2nd),The Lost World: Jurassic Park(3rd),Air Force One(5th),My Best Friends Wedding(7th),Face/Off(9th),Con Air(12th),Contact(13th),Hercules(14th),The Fifth Element(25th),Anastasia(30th), andStarship Troopers(34th). Critical response The show received a positive reception from most media publications. Television criticHoward Rosenbergof theLos Angeles Timeslauded Crystal's performance writing that he \\\"would earn top billing as that unusual comedian as artful at doing musical comedy as jokes.\\\"San Francisco Chroniclecolumnist John Carman raved,\\\"It was the best Oscar show in two decades.\\\" He also gave high marks for the host, commenting, \\\"But last night, Crystal was back in razor form.\\\"The Seattle Timestelevision editor Kay McFadden praised Crystal commenting that \\\"he possesses nearly impeccable timing and judgment.\\\" In addition, she noted that while the ceremony dragged on, \\\"Last night was one of television's smartest live ceremonies in recent memory.\\\" Some media outlets were more critical of the show. Ray Richmond ofVarietycomplained that the ceremony proved to be a \\\"Yawner of an Oscarcast.\\\" He added that Crystal's \\\"off-the-cuff one-liners sank faster than the great ship herself.\\\"Boston Globetelevision critic Matthew Gilbert bemoaned,\\\"There was hardly a spontaneous moment during last night's Oscarcast.\\\"Film critic Carrie Rickey fromThe Philadelphia Inquirerlamented that the inevitableTitanicsweep \\\"sank a telecast loaded with montages of previous years' Oscar highlights.\\\" Ratings and reception The popularity ofTitanicgreatly increased television ratings for the ceremony.The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 57.25 million people over its length, which was a 29% increase from theprevious year's ceremony.An estimated 87.50 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards.The show also earned higherNielsen ratingscompared to the previous ceremony with 35.32% of households watching over a 55.77 share.In addition, it garnered a higher 18–49 demo rating with a 24.90 rating over a 44.30 share among viewers in that demographic.It overtook the network's own telecast of the1983 Academy Awardsto become, as it remains to date, the highest viewership for both an Academy Award telecast (since figures were compiled beginning with the46th ceremonyin 1974) and any live awards show airing in U.S. television history. In July 1998, the ceremony presentation received eight nominations at the50th Primetime Emmys.Two months later, the ceremony won five of those nominations forOutstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program(Billy Crystal), Outstanding Directing for a Variety or Music Program (Louis J Horvitz), Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Drama Series, Variety Series, Miniseries, or Movie (Bob Barnhart, Robert Dickinson, Matt Ford, Andy O'Reilly), Outstanding Music Direction (Bill Conti), and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special (Patrick Baltzell, Robert Douglass, Edward J. Greene, Tommy Vicari). \\\"In Memoriam\\\" The annual \\\"In Memoriam\\\" tribute was presented by actressWhoopi Goldberg. The montage featured an excerpt of \\\"Appassionata\\\" fromThe Passagecomposed by Michael J. Lewis. See also References Bibliography External links Official websites Analysis Other resources\",\n \"Jack Nicholson John Joseph Nicholson(born April 22, 1937) is a retired American actor and filmmaker.Nicholson is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century.Throughout his five-decade career he receivednumerous accolades, including threeAcademy Awards, threeBAFTA Film Awards, sixGolden Globe Awards, and aGrammy Award. He also received theAmerican Film Institute's Life Achievement Awardin 1994 and theKennedy Center Honorin 2001. In many of his films, he played rebels against the social structure. Nicholson has won threeAcademy Awards, forBest ActorinOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest(1975) and inAs Good as It Gets(1997), and forBest Supporting ActorinTerms of Endearment(1983). He was Oscar-nominated forEasy Rider(1969),Five Easy Pieces(1970),The Last Detail(1974),Chinatown(1974),Reds(1981),Prizzi's Honor(1986),Ironweed(1987),A Few Good Men(1992) andAbout Schmidt(2002). Nicholson is also known for his notable roles inCarnal Knowledge(1971),The Shining(1980),Heartburn(1986),Broadcast News(1987),Batman(1989),Hoffa(1992),Mars Attacks!(1996),Something's Gotta Give(2003),The Departed(2006) andThe Bucket List(2007). Nicholson has directed three films,Drive, He Said(1971),Goin' South(1978), andThe Two Jakes(1990). He is one of only threemale actors to win three Academy Awardsand one of only two actors to be nominated for an Academy Award for acting in films made in every decade from the 1960s to the 2000s (alongsideMichael Caine). His 12 Academy Award nominations make himthe most nominated male actor in the Academy's history. Early life and education John Joseph Nicholson was born on April 22, 1937, inNeptune City, New Jersey,the son of ashowgirl, June Frances Nicholson (stage name June Nilson; 1918–1963).Nicholson's mother was of Irish, English, German, andWelshdescent. Nicholson has identified as Irish, comparing himself to the playwrightEugene O'Neill, whom he played in the filmReds(1981): \\\"I'm not saying I'm as dark as he was ... but I am a writer, I am Irish, I have had problems with my family.\\\"His mother marriedItalian-Americanshowman Donald Furcillo (stage name Donald Rose; 1909–1997) in 1936, before realizing that he was already married.: 8BiographerPatrick McGilliganstated in his bookJack's Lifethat Latvian-born Eddie King (originally Edgar A. Kirschfeld),June's manager, may have been Nicholson's biological father, rather than Furcillo. Other sources suggest June Nicholson was unsure of the father's identity. As June was only 17 and unmarried, her parentsagreed to raise Nicholson as their own child without revealing his true parentage, with June acting as his sister.In 1974,Timemagazine researchers learned, and informed Nicholson, that his \\\"sister\\\", June, was actually his mother, and his other \\\"sister\\\", Lorraine, was really his aunt.By this time, both his mother and grandmother had died (in 1963 and 1970, respectively). On finding out, Nicholson said it was \\\"a pretty dramatic event, but it wasn't what I'd call traumatizing ... I was pretty well psychologically formed\\\". Nicholson grew up inNeptune City, New Jersey.: 7Before starting high school, his family moved to an apartment inSpring Lake, New Jersey.: 16\\\"Nick\\\", as he was known to his high school friends, attended nearbyManasquan High School, where he was voted \\\"Class Clown\\\" by the Class of 1954. He was in detention every day for a whole school year.A theatre and a drama award at the school are named in his honor. In 2004, Nicholson attended his 50-yearhigh school reunionaccompanied by his aunt Lorraine. Military service In 1957, Nicholson joined theCalifornia Air National Guard,a move he sometimes characterized as an effort to \\\"dodge the draft\\\";theKorean Warera'sMilitary Selective Service Actwas still in force, and draftees were required to perform up to two years of active duty. After completing theAir Force'sbasic trainingatLackland Air Force Base,Nicholson performed weekend drills and two-week annual training as a firefighter assigned to the unit based at theVan Nuys Airport.During theBerlin Crisis of 1961, Nicholson was called up for several months of extended active duty,and he was discharged at the end of his enlistment in 1962. Career 1958–1969: Early roles and breakthrough Nicholson first came to California in 1950, when he was 13, to visit his sister. He took a job as an office worker for animation directorsWilliam HannaandJoseph Barberaat theMGM cartoon studio. They offered him an entry-level job as an animator, but he declined, citing his desire to become an actor.While accepting theCecil B. DeMille Awardat the56th Golden Globe Awards, he recalled that his first day as a working actor (onTales of Wells Fargo) was May 5, 1955, which he considered lucky, as 5 was the jersey number of his boyhood idol,Joe DiMaggio.He trained to be an actor with a group called the Players Ring Theater, after which he found small parts performing on the stage and in TV soap operas.He made his film debut in a low-budget teen dramaThe Cry Baby Killer(1958), playing the title role. For the next decade, Nicholson frequently collaborated with the film's producer,Roger Corman. Corman directed Nicholson on several occasions, such as inThe Little Shop of Horrorsas undertaker (andmasochisticdental patient) Wilbur Force; inThe Raven;The Terror, where he plays a French officer seduced by an evil ghost; andThe St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Nicholson frequently worked with directorMonte Hellmanon low-budget westerns; two of them—Ride in the WhirlwindandThe Shooting—initially failed to interest U.S. film distributors but gained cult success on the French art-house circuit and were later sold to television. Nicholson also appeared in two episodes ofThe Andy Griffith Show, and starred as a rebellious dirt-track race driver in the 1960 filmThe Wild Ride. With his acting career foundering, Nicholson seemed resigned to a career behind the camera as a writer/director. His first real taste of writing success was the screenplay for the 1967counterculturefilmThe Trip(directed by Corman), starringPeter FondaandDennis Hopper. After first reading the script, Fonda told Nicholson he was impressed by the writing and felt it could become a great film. But Fonda was disappointed with how the film turned out and blamed the editing for turning it into a \\\"predictable\\\" film and said so publicly. \\\"I was livid\\\", he recalls.Nicholson also co-wrote, withBob Rafelson, the movieHead, which starredThe Monkees, and arranged the movie's soundtrack. Nicholson's first big acting break came when a role opened up in Fonda and Hopper'sEasy Rider(1969). He played alcoholic lawyer George Hanson, for which he received his first Oscar nomination. The film cost only $400,000 to make, and became a blockbuster, grossing $40 million.BiographerJohn Parkerwrites that Nicholson's interpretation of his role placed him in the company of earlierantiheroactors, such asJames CagneyandHumphrey Bogart, while promoting him into an \\\"overnight number-one hero of the counter-culture movement\\\".The part was a lucky break for Nicholson. The role had been written forRip Torn, who withdrew from the project after an argument with Hopper.Nicholson later acknowledged the importance of being cast inEasy Rider: \\\"All I could see in the early films, beforeEasy Rider, was this desperate young actor trying to vault out of the screen and create a movie career.\\\"Stanley Kubrick, who was impressed by his performance inEasy Rider, cast Nicholson asNapoleonin a film about his life, and although production on the film commenced,the project fizzled out, partly due to a change in ownership at MGM. 1970–1989: Stardom and acclaim In 1970, Nicholson starred inFive Easy PiecesalongsideKaren Blackin what became his persona-defining role. Nicholson and Black were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances. Nicholson played Bobby Dupea, an oil rig worker, and Black played his waitress girlfriend. Black noted that Nicholson's character in the film was very subdued and very different from Nicholson's real personality. She said that the now-infamous restaurant scene was partly improvised by Nicholson, and was out of character for Bobby, who would not have cared enough to argue with a waitress.\\\"I think that Jack really has very little in common with Bobby. I think Bobby has given up looking for love. But Jack hasn't, he's very interested in love, in finding out things. Jack is a very curious, alive human being. Always ready for a new idea.\\\": 37Nicholson himself said as much, telling an interviewer, \\\"I like listening to everybody. This to me is the elixir of life.\\\" There isJames Cagney,Spencer Tracy,Humphrey Bogart, andHenry Fonda. After that, who is there but Jack Nicholson? —Mike Nichols, director Black later admitted that she had a crush on Nicholson from the time they met, although they dated only briefly. \\\"He was very beautiful. He just looked right at you ... I liked him a lot ... He really sort of wanted to date me but I didn't think of him that way because I was going withPeter Kastner... Then I went to doEasy Rider, but didn't see him because we didn't have any scenes together ... At the premiere, I saw him out in the lobby afterward and I started crying ... He didn't understand that, but what it was was that I really loved him a lot, and I didn't know it until I saw him again, because it all welled up.\\\": 36 Within a month after its release that September,Five Easy Piecesbecame a blockbuster, making Nicholson aleading manand the \\\"new American anti-hero\\\", according to McDougal.: 130Critics began speculating as to whether he might become anotherMarlon BrandoorJames Dean. His career and income skyrocketed. He said, \\\"I have much sought after. Your name becomes a brand image like a product. You become Campbell's soup, with thirty-one different varieties of roles you can play.\\\": 130He told his new agent, Sandy Bresler, to find him unusual roles so he could stretch his acting skill: \\\"I like to play people that haven't existed yet, a 'cusp character'\\\", he said, \\\"I have that creative yearning. Much in the wayChagallflies figures into the air: once it becomes part of the conventional wisdom, it doesn't seem particularly adventurous or weird or wild.\\\": 130 Also in 1970, Nicholson appeared in the film adaptation ofOn a Clear Day You Can See Forever, although most of his performance was left on thecutting room floor. His agent turned down a starring role inDeliverancewhen the film's producer and director,John Boorman, refused to pay what Nicholson's agent wanted.: 130In 1971, Nicholson starred inCarnal Knowledge, a comedy-drama directed byMike Nicholsand co-starringArt Garfunkel,Ann-Margret, andCandice Bergen. He was nominated for aGolden Globe Award for Best Actor. Nichols felt few actors could handle the role, saying, \\\"There is James Cagney, Spencer Tracy, Humphrey Bogart, and Henry Fonda. After that, who is there but Jack Nicholson?\\\"During the filming, Nicholson struck up what became a lifelong friendship with Garfunkel. When he visited Los Angeles, Garfunkel stayed at Nicholson's home in a room Nicholson jokingly called \\\"the Arthur Garfunkel Suite\\\".: 127 Other Nicholson roles includedHal Ashby'sThe Last Detail(1973), withRandy Quaid, for which Nicholson wonBest Actorat theCannes Film Festivaland was nominated for his third Oscar and a Golden Globe. Television journalistDavid Gilmourwrites that one of his favorite Nicholson scenes from all his films was the often censored one in this film, when Nicholson slaps his gun on the bar yelling hewasthe Shore Patrol.CriticRoger Ebertcalled it a very good movie, but credited Nicholson's acting as the main reason: \\\"He creates a character so complete and so complex that we stop thinking about the movie and just watch to see what he'll do next.\\\"In 1974, Nicholson starred inRoman Polanski's noir thrillerChinatown, and was again nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Actorfor his role as Jake Gittes, a private detective. The film co-starredFaye DunawayandJohn Huston, and included a cameo role with Polanski. Ebert called Nicholson's portrayal sharp-edged, menacing, and aggressive, a character who knew \\\"how to go over the top\\\", as he did inOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. That edge keptChinatownfrom becoming a typical genre crime film.Ebert also notes the importance of the role for Nicholson's career, seeing it as a major transition from the exploitation films of the previous decade. \\\"As Jake Gittes, he stepped into Bogart's shoes\\\", says Ebert. \\\"As a man attractive to audiences because he suggests both comfort and danger ... From Gittes forward, Nicholson created the persona of a man who had seen it all and was still capable of being wickedly amused.\\\" Nicholson had been friends with Polanski long before themurderof Polanski's wife,Sharon Tate, by theManson Family, and supported him in the days following her death.: 109–110After Tate's death, Nicholson began sleeping with a hammer under his pillowand took breaks from work to attend Manson's trial. In 1977, three years afterChinatown, Polanski was arrested at Nicholson's home for thesexual assaultof 13-year-old Samantha Geimer, who was modeling for Polanski during a magazine photo shoot around the pool. At the time, Nicholson was out of town making a film, but his steady girlfriend, actressAnjelica Huston, had dropped by unannounced to pick up some items. She heard Polanski in the other room say, \\\"We'll be right out.\\\"Polanski then came out with Geimer and introduced her to Huston, and they chatted about Nicholson's two large dogs, which were sitting nearby. Huston recalled Geimer was wearing platform heels and appeared quite tall.After a few minutes of talking, Polanski had packed up his camera gear and Huston saw them drive off in his car. Huston told police the next day, after Polanski was arrested, that she \\\"had witnessed nothing untoward\\\" and never saw them together in the other room. Geimer learned afterward that Huston herself was not supposed to be at Nicholson's house that day, since they had recently broken up, but stopped over to pick up some belongings. Geimer described Nicholson's house as \\\"definitely\\\" a guy's house, with lots of wood and shelves crowded with photos and mementos. One of Nicholson's successes came in 1975, with his role asRandle P. McMurphyinOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The movie was an adaptation ofKen Kesey's novel of thesame name, and was directed byMiloš Formanand co-produced byMichael Douglas. Nicholson plays an anti-authoritarian patient at a mental hospital where he becomes an inspiring leader for the other patients. Playing one of the patients wasDanny DeVitoin an early role. Nicholson learned afterward that DeVito grew up in the same area of New Jersey, and they knew many of the same people.The film received nine nominations at the Academy Awards, and won five, including Nicholson's first forBest Actor.The role seemed perfect for Nicholson, with biographer Ken Burke noting that his \\\"smartass demeanor balances his genuine concern for the treatment of his fellow patients with his independent spirit too free to exist in a repressive social structure\\\".Forman allowed Nicholson to improvise throughout the film, including most of the group therapy sequences.: 273ReviewerMarie Brennernotes that his bravura performance \\\"transcends the screen\\\" and continually inspires the other actors by lightening their mental illnesses with his comic dialogue. She describes his performance: Nicholson is everywhere; his energy propels the ward of loonies and makes of them an ensemble, a chorus of people caught in a bummer with nowhere else to go, but still fighting for some frail sense of themselves. ... There are scenes inCuckoo's Nestthat are as intimate—and in their language, twice as rough—as the best moments inThe Godfather... far above the general run of Hollywood performances. — Marie Brenner,Texas Monthly Also in 1975, Nicholson starred inMichelangelo Antonioni'sThe Passenger(1975), which co-starredMaria Schneider. Nicholson plays a journalist, David Locke, who during an assignment in North Africa decides to quit journalism and disappear by taking on a new hidden identity. Unfortunately, the dead person whose identity he takes on turns out to have been a weapons smuggler on the run. Antonioni's unusual plot included convincing dialogue and fine acting, states film criticSeymour Chatman.It was shot in Algeria, Spain, Germany, and England. The film received good reviews and revived Antonioni's reputation as a great director.He said he wanted the film to have more of a \\\"spy feeling be more political\\\".Nicholson began shooting the film from an unfinished script, notesJudith Crist,yet upon its completion he thought so highly of the film that he bought the world rights and recorded a reminiscence of working with Antonioni. Critic and screenwriterPenelope Gilliattprovides an overview of Nicholson's role, \\\"The Passengeris an unidealized portrait of a drained man whose one remaining stimulus is to push his luck. Again and again, in the movie, we watch him court danger. It interests him to walk the edge of risk. He does it with passivity as if he were taking part in an expressionless game of double-dare with life. Jack Nicholson's performance is a wonder of insight. How to animate a personality that is barely there.: 443 Nicholson continued to take more unusual roles. He took a small role inThe Last TycoonoppositeRobert De Niro. He took a less sympathetic role inArthur Penn's westernThe Missouri Breaks(1976), specifically to work withMarlon Brando. Nicholson was especially inspired by Brando's acting ability, recalling that in his youth, as an assistant manager at a theater, he watchedOn the Waterfrontabout 40 times. He once stated, \\\"Marlon Brando influenced me strongly. Today, it's hard for people who weren't there to realize the impact that Brando had on an audience. ... He's always been the patron saint of actors\\\".\\\"I'm part of the first generation that idolized Marlon Brando\\\", he said. Nicholson has observed that while both De Niro and Brando were noted for their skill asmethod actors, he himself has seldom been described as one, a fact he sees as an accomplishment: \\\"I'm still fooling them\\\", he toldSean Penn. \\\"I consider it an accomplishment because there's probably no one who understands Method acting better academically than I do—or actually uses it more in his work. But it's funny, nobody really sees that. It's perception versus reality, I guess.\\\" His work is always interesting, clearly conceived, and has the X-factor, magic. Jack is particularly suited for roles that require intelligence. He is an intelligent and literate man, and these are almost impossible to act. InThe Shiningyou believe he's a writer, failed or otherwise. —Stanley Kubrick Although he garnered noAcademy AwardforStanley Kubrick's adaptation ofStephen King'sThe Shining(1980), his role in the film as writerJack Torranceremains one of his more significant. He was Kubrick's first choice to play the role, although the book's author, Stephen King, wanted more of an \\\"everyman\\\". Kubrick won the argument and called Nicholson's acting \\\"on a par with the greatest stars of the past, likeSpencer TracyandJimmy Cagney\\\".In preparation for the role, Nicholson drew upon his own experiences as a writer and slept short hours to help remain in an agitated state during the shoot. His co-starShelley Duvallrecalled that she and Nicholson spent many hours discussing their characters, with Nicholson maintaining that his character be cold to her from the start.On the set, Nicholson always appeared in character and if Kubrick felt confident that Nicholson knew his lines well enough, he encouraged him to improvise beyond the script.: 434For example, Nicholson improvised his now-famous \\\"Here's Johnny!\\\" line,: 433along with a scene in which he unleashes his anger on his wife when she interrupts his work.: 445There were also extensive takes of scenes, due to Kubrick's perfectionism. Nicholson shot a scene with the ghostly bartender 36 times.He said, \\\"Stanley's demanding. He'll do a scene fifty times, and you have to be good to do that.\\\": 38 In 1982, he starred as an immigration enforcement agent inThe Border, directed byTony Richardson. It co-starredWarren Oates, who played a corrupt border official.Richardson wanted Nicholson to play his role less expressively than he had in his earlier roles. \\\"Less is more\\\", he told him, and wanted him to wear reflecting sunglasses to portray what patrolmen wore.: 318Richardson recalled that Nicholson worked hard on the set: He's what the Thirties and Forties stars were like. He can come on the set and deliver, without any fuss, without taking a long time walking around getting into it. \\\"What do you want? Okay.\\\" And he just does it straight off. And then if you want him to do it another way on the next take, he can adapt to that too.: 318 Nicholson won his second Oscar, anAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for his role of retired astronaut Garrett Breedlove inTerms of Endearment(1983), directed byJames L. Brooks. It starredShirley MacLaineandDebra Winger. McGilligan claims it was one of Nicholson's most complex and unforgettable characters. He and MacLaine played many of their scenes in different ways, constantly testing and making adjustments. Their scenes together gave the film its \\\"buoyant edge\\\", states McGilligan, and describes Nicholson's acting as \\\"Jack floating like a butterfly\\\".: 330 Nicholson continued to work prolifically in the 1980s, starring in such films as:The Postman Always Rings Twice(1981);Reds(1981), where Nicholson portrays the writerEugene O'Neillwith a quiet intensity;Prizzi's Honor(1985);Heartburn(1986);The Witches of Eastwick(1987);Broadcast News(1987); andIronweed(1987). Three Oscar nominations also followed (Reds,Prizzi's Honor, andIronweed).John Huston, who directedPrizzi's Honor, said of Nicholson's acting, \\\"He just illuminates the book. He impressed me in one scene after another; the movie is composed largely of first takes with him.\\\"In the 1989Batmanmovie, Nicholson played the psychotic villain,the Joker. The film was an international smash hit, and a lucrative deal earned him a percentage of the box office gross estimated at $60 million to $90 million.Nicholson said that he was \\\"particularly proud\\\" of his performance as the Joker: \\\"I considered it a piece ofpop art\\\", he said. 1990–1999: Established actor For his role as hot-headed Col. Nathan R. Jessup inA Few Good Men(1992), a movie about a murder in aU.S. Marine Corpsunit, Nicholson received yet another Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.One review describes his performance as \\\"spellbinding\\\", adding that he portrayed \\\"the essence of the quintessential military mindset\\\".Critic David Thomson notes that Nicholson's character \\\"blazed and roared\\\".The film's director,Rob Reiner, recalls how Nicholson's level of acting experience affected the other actors during rehearsals: \\\"I had the luck of having Jack Nicholson there. He knows what he's doing, and he comes to play, every time out, full-out performance! And what it says to a lot of the other actors is, 'Oooooh, I better get on my game here because this guy's coming to play! So I can't hold back; I've got to come up to him.' He sets the tone.\\\" In 1996, Nicholson collaborated once more withBatmandirectorTim BurtononMars Attacks!, pulling double duty as two contrasting characters, President James Dale andLas Vegasproperty developer Art Land. Not all of Nicholson's performances have been well received. He was nominated forRazzie Awardsas worst actor forMan Trouble(1992) andHoffa(1992). But his performance inHoffaalso earned him aGolden Globenomination.David Thomson states that the film was terribly neglected, since Nicholson portrayed one of his best screen characters, someone who is \\\"snarly, dumb, smart, noble, rascally—all the parts of 'Jack'\\\".Roger Ebertalso praised his performance writing, \\\"Nicholson is an actor who can reflect almost anything in his face. One reason his performance is so good as Hoffa is that he reveals almost nothing.\\\" Nicholson won his nextAcademy Award for Best Actorin the romantic comedyAs Good as It Gets(1997), his third film directed byJames L. Brooks. He played Melvin Udall, a \\\"wickedly funny\\\",mean-spirited novelist withobsessive-compulsive disorder. \\\"I'm a studioMethod actor\\\", he said. \\\"So I was prone to give some kind of clinical presentation of the disorder.\\\"His Oscar was matched by theAcademy Award for Best ActressforHelen Hunt, who played a Manhattan single mother drawn into a love/hate friendship with Udall, a frequent diner in the restaurant where she works as a waitress. The film was a box-office success, grossing $314 million, making it Nicholson's second-best-grossing film, afterBatman.The win was Nicholson's third Academy Award, tying him with six other actors,Walter Brennan,Ingrid Bergman,Meryl Streep,Daniel Day-Lewis, andFrances McDormandwho all have three acting Oscars. Nicholson admits he initially disliked playing a middle-aged man alongside a much younger Hunt, seeing it as a movie cliché. \\\"But Helen disarmed that at the first meeting\\\", he says, \\\"and I stopped thinking about it.\\\" They got along well during the filming, with Hunt saying that he \\\"treated me like a queen\\\", and they connected immediately: \\\"It wasn't even what we said\\\", she said. \\\"It was just some frequency we both could tune into that was very, very compatible.\\\"Critic Jack Mathews ofNewsdaysaid Nicholson was \\\"in rare form\\\", adding, \\\"it's one of those performances that make you aware how much fun the actor is having\\\".Author and screenwriter Andrew Horton describes their on-screen relationship as being like \\\"fire and ice, oil and water—seemingly complete opposites\\\". 2000–present: Later roles and retirement In 2001, Nicholson was the first actor to receive theStanislavsky Awardat the23rd Moscow International Film Festivalfor \\\"conquering the heights of acting and faithfulness\\\".That same year Nicholson starred inThe Pledge, amysterydrama where he portrays retired police detective Jerry Black, who vows to find a murderer of a young girl. Nicholson was praised for his performance; Bob Graham of theSan Francisco Chroniclecalled it \\\"deeply felt\\\" compared to some of Nicholson's other films.Nicholson acted inAlexander Payne's comedy-dramaAbout Schmidt(2002), playing a retiredOmaha,Nebraska,actuarywho questions his own life after his wife dies. His quietly restrained performance earned him nominations for anAcademy Award,BAFTA Award,Golden Globe AwardandScreen Actors Guild Awardfor Best Actor. InAnger Management(2003), he played an aggressive therapist assigned to help an overly pacifist man (Adam Sandler). In 2003, Nicholson also starred in theNancy Meyersdirected romantic comedySomething's Gotta Giveplaying an aging playboy who falls for the mother (Diane Keaton) of his young girlfriend. For his performance he was nominated for theGolden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. In late 2006, Nicholson marked his return to the dark side inMartin Scorsese'sOscar-winning filmThe Departed, a remake ofAndrew Lau'sInfernal Affairs,playingFrank Costello, a nefariousBostonIrish Mobboss based onWhitey Bulger, who was still on the run at the time. The role earned Nicholson worldwide critical praise, along with various awards and nominations, including aGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picturenomination. In 2007, Nicholson co-starred withMorgan FreemaninRob Reiner'sThe Bucket List,in which Nicholson and Freeman portrayed dying men who fulfill their list of goals. In researching the role, Nicholson visited a Los Angeles hospital to see how cancer patients coped with their illnesses. Nicholson is the Hollywood celebrity who is most like a character in some ongoing novel of our times. He is also the most beloved of stars—not even his huge wealth, his reckless aging, and the public disasters of his private life can detract from this ... For he is still a touchstone, someone we value for the way he helps us see ourselves. —David Thomson, a film critic. Nicholson's next film role saw him reunite withJames L. Brooks, director ofTerms of Endearment,Broadcast NewsandAs Good as It Gets, for a supporting role for the 2010 filmHow Do You KnowstarringPaul Rudd,Reese Witherspoon, andOwen Wilson. The film was a financial and critical failure. In a September 2013Vanity Fairarticle, Nicholson said that he did not consider himself retired, but that he was now less driven to \\\"be out there anymore\\\".As of 2023,How Do You Knowremains Nicholson's last film role, and brings his filmography to 80 films.In 2013, Nicholson co-presented theAcademy Award for Best Picturewith First LadyMichelle Obama,the eighth time he presented the Academy Award for Best Picture (1972, 1977, 1978, 1990, 1993, 2006, 2007, and 2013). On February 15, 2015, Nicholson made a special appearance as a presenter onSNL 40, the 40th anniversary special ofSaturday Night Live.After the death of boxerMuhammad Alion June 3, 2016, Nicholson appeared onHBO'sThe Fight Game withJim Lampleyfor an exclusive interview about his friendship with Ali.He was reported to be starring in an English-language remake ofToni Erdmannin 2017 oppositeKristen Wiig, his first feature film role sinceHow Do You Know,but the project was later abandoned.In October 2019, with the release ofThe ShiningsequelDoctor Sleep, directorMike Flanaganrevealed he approached Nicholson for acameo appearance, but Nicholson declined with best wishes.Flanagan also disclosed that Nicholson had previously been approached to appear inSteven Spielberg's science-fiction filmReady Player One(2018). During an appearance in the November 2, 2023, episode ofMarc Maron's podcast,WTF with Marc Maron, record producerLou Adler, a longtime friend of Nicholson's, related an anecdote pertaining to the unofficial retirement of the actor, who had not done a film in the 13 years sinceHow Do You Know, saying, \\\"A friend of mine wanted to put him in a movie. And he had a conversation with him. But Jack says, 'I don't want to do it.' He goes, 'You know what I did today? I sat under a tree and I read a book.' That sounds like Jack.\\\" Adler stated that Nicholson was \\\"doing whatever he really wants to do,\\\" adding, \\\"He wants to be quiet. He wants to eat what he wants. He wants to live the life he wants.\\\" Influence Nicholson has describedMarlon Brandoas a major influence on his career. He stated, \\\"Actors don't normally discuss who the best actor in the world is, because it's obvious—Brando is the best.” He also namedJohn Ford,Akira Kurosawa, andOrson Wellesas his favorite directors. Actors who have cited Nicholson as an influence includeLeonardo DiCaprio,Alden Ehrenreich,andMorgan Freeman. Personal life Relationships and children In his personal life, Nicholson is notorious for his inability to \\\"settle down\\\";he has fathered six children by five women but married only once.Nicholson's marriage was toThe Terrorco-starSandra Knightfrom 1962 to 1968, though they separated in 1966.The couple had one daughter, Jennifer (born September 13, 1963). Five Easy Piecesco-starSusan Anspachcontended that her son Caleb (born September 26, 1970), whose legal father wasMark Goddard, was actually Nicholson's biological son.In 1984, Nicholson said he was not convinced of this,but in 1996, Caleb said that Nicholson had recognized him as his son in private.By 1998, Nicholson publicly acknowledged Caleb as his son and said that they got along \\\"beautifully now.\\\" In 1971 and 1972, Nicholson was in a relationship with singerMichelle Phillips, the ex-wife of his best friendDennis Hopper, during which time she suffered a miscarriage.Nicholson's longest relationship was 17 years with actressAnjelica Huston, from 1973 until 1990. Their on-again, off-again romance included several periods of overlap with other women, notably former Bond girlJill St. Johnand Danish model Winnie Hollman, with whom Nicholson fathered a daughter, Honey Hollman (born January 26, 1982).Winnie Hollman has claimed that a DNA test during her pregnancy confirmed that Nicholson was the biological father. However, in 2024, it was revealed that Nicholson was not the biological father of Honey,who did a DNA test herself in 1999. Honey said in 2006 that she has a “normal father-daughter relationship” with Nicholson. The relationship with Huston ended amid actress/waitressRebecca Broussard's first pregnancy by Nicholson. He and Broussard had two children,Lorraine(born April 16, 1990) andRaymond(born February 20, 1992).The pair split up in 1994, and that same year, Nicholson supposedly had a daughter, Tessa (born August 15, 1994), with waitress Jeannine Gourin.Nicholson has never publicly acknowledged his paternity. Beginning in the late 1990s, Nicholson was involved with actressLara Flynn Boyle. The two initially broke up in 2000, later reuniting before splitting permanently in 2004, after which Nicholson was linked to English supermodelKate Moss.In 2006, Nicholson dated actressPaz de la Huerta. Nicholson has said that children \\\"give your life a resonance that it can't have without them ... As a father, I'm there all the time. I give unconditional love\\\".He has also lamented that he \\\"didn't see enough of my eldest daughter because I was trying to make a career\\\". Legal issues In a criminalcomplaintfiled on February 8, 1994, Robert Blank stated that Nicholson, then 56, approached Blank'sMercedes-Benzwhile he was stopped at a red light inNorth Hollywood. After accusing Blank of cutting him off in traffic, Nicholson used a golf club to bash the roof and windshield of Blank's car. A witness confirmed Blank's account of the incident andmisdemeanorcharges of assault and vandalism were filed against Nicholson. Charges were dropped after Nicholson apologized to Blank, and the two reached an undisclosed settlement, which included a reported $500,000 check from Nicholson. In 1996, a lawsuit was brought against him alleging that he promised a woman named Catherine Sheehan $1,000 for sex and then assaulted her when she asked for the money. Sheehan received a settlement of about $40,000, but filed another lawsuit against him, arguing that the settlement was insufficient to cover the injuries inflicted upon her, includingbrain trauma, which she said were \\\"actually killing her.\\\"The case was dismissed. Celebrity friendships Nicholson lived next door toMarlon Brandofor a number of years onMulholland DriveinBeverly Hills, California.Warren Beattyalso lived nearby, earning the road the nickname \\\"Bad Boy Drive\\\". After Brando's death in 2004, Nicholson purchased his bungalow for $6.1 million, with the purpose of having it demolished. Nicholson said he did so out of respect for Brando's legacy, as it had become too expensive to renovate the \\\"derelict\\\" building, which was plagued by mold. Nicholson's friendship with author-journalistHunter S. Thompsonis described in Thompson's autobiographyKingdom of Fear(2003).After Thompson died in 2005, Nicholson and fellow actorsJohnny Depp,John Cusack, andSean Pennattended his private memorial service in Colorado.Nicholson was also a close friend ofRobert Evans, the producer ofChinatown, and after Evans lost Woodland, his home, as the result of a 1980s drug bust, Nicholson and other friends of Evans bought Woodland to give it back to him.Nicholson is also friends with fellow New JerseyansDanny DeVitoandJoe Pesci. Hobbies Nicholson is a fan of theNew York YankeesandLos Angeles Lakers. He became a Lakers season ticket holder in1970, and held courtside seats next to the opponent's benches both atThe ForumandStaples Center. He was described as a \\\"fixture\\\" at the games, though his regular attendance had stopped by 2021, as he withdrew from public appearances.Nicholson occasionally argued with game officials and opposing players, and even walked onto the court.He was almost ejected from a Lakers playoff game in May 2003 after yelling at a referee.After the death of former Lakers starKobe Bryantin ahelicopter crashin January 2020, Nicholson gave a rare phone interview to Los Angeles stationKCBS-TVexpressing his grief.He attended a2023 playoff game, which media outlets noted was his first appearance at a Lakers game in nearly two years. Nicholson is a collector of 20th-century and contemporary paintings, including those ofHenri Matisse,Tamara de Lempicka,Andy WarholandJack Vettriano.In 1995, artistEdward Ruschasaid that Nicholson has \\\"one of the best collections out here\\\". Political views Nicholson has called himself a \\\"lifelongIrishDemocrat.”He supportedGeorge McGovernin the 1972 presidential election,Michael Dukakisin 1988,Hillary Clintonin 2008, andBernie Sandersin 2020. Nicholson supportssolar energy,decriminalizing drugs,monopoly laws, and raising teachers' pay.Although personally againstabortion, he ispro-choice. He has said, \\\"I'm pro-choice but against abortion because I'm an illegitimate child myself, and it would be hypocritical to take any other position. I'd be dead. I wouldn't exist.\\\" He has also said that he has \\\"nothing but total admiration, gratitude, and respect for the strength of the women who made the decision they made in my individual case\\\". Religious beliefs Nicholson was raisedRoman Catholicand has expressed admiration for the religion, calling it \\\"the only officialdogmatraining I've had. I liked it. It's a smart religion.\\\"It has been asserted that some of Nicholson's 1970s movie roles were influenced by Catholicism.In a 1992Vanity Fairinterview, Nicholson said, \\\"I don't believe in God now. I can still work up an envy for someone who has faith. I can see how that could be a deeply soothing experience.\\\" Acting credits and accolades During his career Nicholson has appeared in 80 films.Among some of Nicholson's films are: With 12Academy Awardnominations (eight for Best Actor and four for Best Supporting Actor), Nicholson is the most nominated male actor in Academy Awards history. Only Nicholson (1960s–2000s),Michael Caine(1960s–2000s),Meryl Streep(1970s–2010s),Paul Newman(1950s–1960s, 1980s–2000s),Katharine Hepburn(1930s–1960s, 1980s),Frances McDormand(1980s–2020s),Denzel Washington(1980s–2020s), andLaurence Olivier(1930s–1970s) have been nominated for an acting (lead or supporting) Academy Award in five different decades. With three Oscar wins, he also ties withWalter Brennan,Daniel Day-Lewis,Ingrid Bergman,Frances McDormandandMeryl Streepfor the second-most Oscar wins in acting categories. OnlyKatharine Hepburn, with four Oscars, won more. Nicholson is an active and voting member of the Academy. In May 2008, then-California GovernorArnold Schwarzeneggerand First LadyMaria Shriverannounced that Nicholson would be inducted into theCalifornia Hall of Fame, located atThe California MuseuminSacramento. The induction ceremony took place on December 15, 2008, where he was inducted alongside 11 other Californians.In 2010, Nicholson was inducted into theNew Jersey Hall of Fame.In 2011, Nicholson received an honoraryDoctor of Fine Artsdegree fromBrown Universityat its 243rd commencement. At the ceremony,Ruth Simmons, Brown University's president, called him \\\"the most skilled actor of our lifetime\\\". Explanatory note References General bibliography External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["70th Academy Awards The70th Academy Awardsceremony, organized by theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences(AMPAS), took place on March 23, 1998, at theShrine AuditoriuminLos Angelesbeginning at 6:00 p.m.PST/ 9:00 p.m.EST. During the show, AMPAS presentedAcademy Awards(commonly referred to as Oscars) in 24 categories honoringfilms released in 1997. The ceremony, which was televised in the United States byABC, was produced byGil Catesand directed by Louis J. Horvitz.ActorBilly Crystalhosted the show for the sixth time.He had first hosted the62nd ceremonyheld in 1990, and most recently theprevious year's awards.Nearly a month earlier in an event held at theRegent Beverly Wilshire HotelinBeverly Hills, Californiaon February 28, theAcademy Awards for Technical Achievementwere presented by hostAshley Judd. Titanicwon 11 awards, includingBest Picture, a number that is tied withBen-HurandThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.Other winners includedAs Good as It Gets,Good Will Hunting, andL.A.","Hunting, andL.A. Confidentialwith two awards, andCharacter,The Full Monty,Geri's Game,The Long Way Home,Men in Black,A Story of Healing, andVisas and Virtuewith one. The telecast garnered more than 57 million viewers in the United States, making it the most-watched Oscars broadcast in history. Winners and nominees The nominees for the 70th Academy Awards were announced on February 10, 1998, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, byRobert Rehme, president of the academy, and actressGeena Davis.Titanicreceived the most nominations with a record-tying fourteen (1950'sAll About Eve, and later 2016'sLa La Land, also achieved this distinction);Good Will HuntingandL.A. Confidentialcame in second with nine apiece. The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on March 23, 1998. With eleven awards,Titanictied withBen-Hurfor the most Academy Awards in Oscar history.It also became the first film to win Best Picture without a screenwriting nomination since 1965'sThe Sound of Music.Jack","Sound of Music.Jack Nicholsonbecame the fourth performer to win at least three acting Oscars.Both Nicholson andHelen Huntwon for their roles inAs Good as It Gets, making it the seventh film to win both lead acting awards.Nominated for their performances as Rose DeWitt Bukater inTitanic, Best Actress nomineeKate Winsletand Best Supporting Actress nomineeGloria Stuartbecame the first pair of actresses nominated for portraying the same character in the same film.At age 87, Stuart also became the oldest performer nominated for a competitive Oscar. Awards Winners are listed first, highlighted inboldface, and indicated with a double dagger (‡). Academy Honorary Award Films with multiple nominations and awards The following 16 films received multiple nominations: The following four films received multiple awards: Presenters and performers The following individuals presented awards or performed musical numbers. Presenters Performers Ceremony information In December 1997, the academy hired veteran Oscar telecast","Oscar telecast producerGil Catesto oversee the 1998 ceremony.\"Gil has become the consummate Oscar show producer, consistently garnering top television ratings for the telecast,\" said AMPAS President Robert Rehme in a press release announcing the selection. \"His shows are full of wit, charm and surprise.\"A few days later, actor and comedian Billy Crystal was chosen to emcee the upcoming telecast. Cates explained his reason to bring back the veteran comedian saying, \"Billy's performance last year was spectacular. There is nobody like him.\"In an article published inUSA Todayhe initially requested to Cates and AMPAS five months after theprevious year's ceremonythat he would like to take a break from hosting duties. However, pressure from the academy, Cates, and several friends and family members made him reconsider his decision.His sixth stint would make him second only toBob Hopein number of ceremonies hosted. To commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the Academy Awards, 70 actors who have received both","have received both competitive and honorary awards appeared seated onstage together during a segment called Oscar's Family Album.Each former winner was acknowledged by announcerNorman Rosewith the films he or she won for. At the end of the segment newly minted winners Kim Bassinger, Helen Hunt, and Robin Williams joined them. This marked the largest gathering of former winners since the50th ceremonyheld in 1978. Several others participated in the production of the ceremony.Bill Contiserved as musical director for the telecast.DancerDaniel Ezralowchoreographed a dance number showcasing the nominees for Best Original Comedy or Musical Score.Bart the Bearmade a surprise appearance during the presentation of theBest Sound Effects Editingaward withMike Myers. Box office performance of nominees At the time of the nominations announcement on February 10, the combined gross of the five Best Picture nominees was $579 million with an average of $116 million per film.Titanicwas the highest earner among the Best Picture","the Best Picture nominees with $338.7 million in domestic box office receipts.The film was followed byAs Good as It Gets($92.6 million),Good Will Hunting($68.9 million),L.A. Confidential($39.7 million), and finallyThe Full Monty($38.7 million). Of the top 50 grossing movies of the year, 40 nominations went to 15 films on the list. OnlyTitanic(1st),As Good as It Gets(16th),Good Will Hunting(20th), andIn & Out(24th) were nominated for directing, acting, screenwriting, or Best Picture.The other top 50 box office hits that earned nominations wereMen in Black(2nd),The Lost World: Jurassic Park(3rd),Air Force One(5th),My Best Friends Wedding(7th),Face/Off(9th),Con Air(12th),Contact(13th),Hercules(14th),The Fifth Element(25th),Anastasia(30th), andStarship Troopers(34th). Critical response The show received a positive reception from most media publications. Television criticHoward Rosenbergof theLos Angeles Timeslauded Crystal's performance writing that he \"would earn top billing as that unusual comedian as artful","comedian as artful at doing musical comedy as jokes.\"San Francisco Chroniclecolumnist John Carman raved,\"It was the best Oscar show in two decades.\" He also gave high marks for the host, commenting, \"But last night, Crystal was back in razor form.\"The Seattle Timestelevision editor Kay McFadden praised Crystal commenting that \"he possesses nearly impeccable timing and judgment.\" In addition, she noted that while the ceremony dragged on, \"Last night was one of television's smartest live ceremonies in recent memory.\" Some media outlets were more critical of the show. Ray Richmond ofVarietycomplained that the ceremony proved to be a \"Yawner of an Oscarcast.\" He added that Crystal's \"off-the-cuff one-liners sank faster than the great ship herself.\"Boston Globetelevision critic Matthew Gilbert bemoaned,\"There was hardly a spontaneous moment during last night's Oscarcast.\"Film critic Carrie Rickey fromThe Philadelphia Inquirerlamented that the inevitableTitanicsweep \"sank a telecast loaded with montages of","with montages of previous years' Oscar highlights.\" Ratings and reception The popularity ofTitanicgreatly increased television ratings for the ceremony.The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 57.25 million people over its length, which was a 29% increase from theprevious year's ceremony.An estimated 87.50 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards.The show also earned higherNielsen ratingscompared to the previous ceremony with 35.32% of households watching over a 55.77 share.In addition, it garnered a higher 18–49 demo rating with a 24.90 rating over a 44.30 share among viewers in that demographic.It overtook the network's own telecast of the1983 Academy Awardsto become, as it remains to date, the highest viewership for both an Academy Award telecast (since figures were compiled beginning with the46th ceremonyin 1974) and any live awards show airing in U.S. television history. In July 1998, the ceremony presentation received eight nominations at the50th Primetime Emmys.Two months","Emmys.Two months later, the ceremony won five of those nominations forOutstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program(Billy Crystal), Outstanding Directing for a Variety or Music Program (Louis J Horvitz), Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Drama Series, Variety Series, Miniseries, or Movie (Bob Barnhart, Robert Dickinson, Matt Ford, Andy O'Reilly), Outstanding Music Direction (Bill Conti), and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special (Patrick Baltzell, Robert Douglass, Edward J. Greene, Tommy Vicari). \"In Memoriam\" The annual \"In Memoriam\" tribute was presented by actressWhoopi Goldberg. The montage featured an excerpt of \"Appassionata\" fromThe Passagecomposed by Michael J. Lewis. See also References Bibliography External links Official websites Analysis Other resources","Jack Nicholson John Joseph Nicholson(born April 22, 1937) is a retired American actor and filmmaker.Nicholson is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century.Throughout his five-decade career he receivednumerous accolades, including threeAcademy Awards, threeBAFTA Film Awards, sixGolden Globe Awards, and aGrammy Award. He also received theAmerican Film Institute's Life Achievement Awardin 1994 and theKennedy Center Honorin 2001. In many of his films, he played rebels against the social structure. Nicholson has won threeAcademy Awards, forBest ActorinOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest(1975) and inAs Good as It Gets(1997), and forBest Supporting ActorinTerms of Endearment(1983). He was Oscar-nominated forEasy Rider(1969),Five Easy Pieces(1970),The Last Detail(1974),Chinatown(1974),Reds(1981),Prizzi's Honor(1986),Ironweed(1987),A Few Good Men(1992) andAbout Schmidt(2002). Nicholson is also known for his notable roles inCarnal Knowledge(1971),The Shining(1980),Heartburn(1986),Broadcast","News(1987),Batman(1989),Hoffa(1992),Mars Attacks!(1996),Something's Gotta Give(2003),The Departed(2006) andThe Bucket List(2007). Nicholson has directed three films,Drive, He Said(1971),Goin' South(1978), andThe Two Jakes(1990). He is one of only threemale actors to win three Academy Awardsand one of only two actors to be nominated for an Academy Award for acting in films made in every decade from the 1960s to the 2000s (alongsideMichael Caine). His 12 Academy Award nominations make himthe most nominated male actor in the Academy's history. Early life and education John Joseph Nicholson was born on April 22, 1937, inNeptune City, New Jersey,the son of ashowgirl, June Frances Nicholson (stage name June Nilson; 1918–1963).Nicholson's mother was of Irish, English, German, andWelshdescent. Nicholson has identified as Irish, comparing himself to the playwrightEugene O'Neill, whom he played in the filmReds(1981): \"I'm not saying I'm as dark as he was ... but I am a writer, I am Irish, I have had problems with my","problems with my family.\"His mother marriedItalian-Americanshowman Donald Furcillo (stage name Donald Rose; 1909–1997) in 1936, before realizing that he was already married.: 8BiographerPatrick McGilliganstated in his bookJack's Lifethat Latvian-born Eddie King (originally Edgar A. Kirschfeld),June's manager, may have been Nicholson's biological father, rather than Furcillo. Other sources suggest June Nicholson was unsure of the father's identity. As June was only 17 and unmarried, her parentsagreed to raise Nicholson as their own child without revealing his true parentage, with June acting as his sister.In 1974,Timemagazine researchers learned, and informed Nicholson, that his \"sister\", June, was actually his mother, and his other \"sister\", Lorraine, was really his aunt.By this time, both his mother and grandmother had died (in 1963 and 1970, respectively). On finding out, Nicholson said it was \"a pretty dramatic event, but it wasn't what I'd call traumatizing ... I was pretty well psychologically formed\".","formed\". Nicholson grew up inNeptune City, New Jersey.: 7Before starting high school, his family moved to an apartment inSpring Lake, New Jersey.: 16\"Nick\", as he was known to his high school friends, attended nearbyManasquan High School, where he was voted \"Class Clown\" by the Class of 1954. He was in detention every day for a whole school year.A theatre and a drama award at the school are named in his honor. In 2004, Nicholson attended his 50-yearhigh school reunionaccompanied by his aunt Lorraine. Military service In 1957, Nicholson joined theCalifornia Air National Guard,a move he sometimes characterized as an effort to \"dodge the draft\";theKorean Warera'sMilitary Selective Service Actwas still in force, and draftees were required to perform up to two years of active duty. After completing theAir Force'sbasic trainingatLackland Air Force Base,Nicholson performed weekend drills and two-week annual training as a firefighter assigned to the unit based at theVan Nuys Airport.During theBerlin Crisis of 1961,","Crisis of 1961, Nicholson was called up for several months of extended active duty,and he was discharged at the end of his enlistment in 1962. Career 1958–1969: Early roles and breakthrough Nicholson first came to California in 1950, when he was 13, to visit his sister. He took a job as an office worker for animation directorsWilliam HannaandJoseph Barberaat theMGM cartoon studio. They offered him an entry-level job as an animator, but he declined, citing his desire to become an actor.While accepting theCecil B. DeMille Awardat the56th Golden Globe Awards, he recalled that his first day as a working actor (onTales of Wells Fargo) was May 5, 1955, which he considered lucky, as 5 was the jersey number of his boyhood idol,Joe DiMaggio.He trained to be an actor with a group called the Players Ring Theater, after which he found small parts performing on the stage and in TV soap operas.He made his film debut in a low-budget teen dramaThe Cry Baby Killer(1958), playing the title role. For the next decade, Nicholson","decade, Nicholson frequently collaborated with the film's producer,Roger Corman. Corman directed Nicholson on several occasions, such as inThe Little Shop of Horrorsas undertaker (andmasochisticdental patient) Wilbur Force; inThe Raven;The Terror, where he plays a French officer seduced by an evil ghost; andThe St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Nicholson frequently worked with directorMonte Hellmanon low-budget westerns; two of them—Ride in the WhirlwindandThe Shooting—initially failed to interest U.S. film distributors but gained cult success on the French art-house circuit and were later sold to television. Nicholson also appeared in two episodes ofThe Andy Griffith Show, and starred as a rebellious dirt-track race driver in the 1960 filmThe Wild Ride. With his acting career foundering, Nicholson seemed resigned to a career behind the camera as a writer/director. His first real taste of writing success was the screenplay for the 1967counterculturefilmThe Trip(directed by Corman), starringPeter FondaandDennis","FondaandDennis Hopper. After first reading the script, Fonda told Nicholson he was impressed by the writing and felt it could become a great film. But Fonda was disappointed with how the film turned out and blamed the editing for turning it into a \"predictable\" film and said so publicly. \"I was livid\", he recalls.Nicholson also co-wrote, withBob Rafelson, the movieHead, which starredThe Monkees, and arranged the movie's soundtrack. Nicholson's first big acting break came when a role opened up in Fonda and Hopper'sEasy Rider(1969). He played alcoholic lawyer George Hanson, for which he received his first Oscar nomination. The film cost only $400,000 to make, and became a blockbuster, grossing $40 million.BiographerJohn Parkerwrites that Nicholson's interpretation of his role placed him in the company of earlierantiheroactors, such asJames CagneyandHumphrey Bogart, while promoting him into an \"overnight number-one hero of the counter-culture movement\".The part was a lucky break for Nicholson. The role had been","The role had been written forRip Torn, who withdrew from the project after an argument with Hopper.Nicholson later acknowledged the importance of being cast inEasy Rider: \"All I could see in the early films, beforeEasy Rider, was this desperate young actor trying to vault out of the screen and create a movie career.\"Stanley Kubrick, who was impressed by his performance inEasy Rider, cast Nicholson asNapoleonin a film about his life, and although production on the film commenced,the project fizzled out, partly due to a change in ownership at MGM. 1970–1989: Stardom and acclaim In 1970, Nicholson starred inFive Easy PiecesalongsideKaren Blackin what became his persona-defining role. Nicholson and Black were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances. Nicholson played Bobby Dupea, an oil rig worker, and Black played his waitress girlfriend. Black noted that Nicholson's character in the film was very subdued and very different from Nicholson's real personality. She said that the now-infamous restaurant","restaurant scene was partly improvised by Nicholson, and was out of character for Bobby, who would not have cared enough to argue with a waitress.\"I think that Jack really has very little in common with Bobby. I think Bobby has given up looking for love. But Jack hasn't, he's very interested in love, in finding out things. Jack is a very curious, alive human being. Always ready for a new idea.\": 37Nicholson himself said as much, telling an interviewer, \"I like listening to everybody. This to me is the elixir of life.\" There isJames Cagney,Spencer Tracy,Humphrey Bogart, andHenry Fonda. After that, who is there but Jack Nicholson? —Mike Nichols, director Black later admitted that she had a crush on Nicholson from the time they met, although they dated only briefly. \"He was very beautiful. He just looked right at you ... I liked him a lot ... He really sort of wanted to date me but I didn't think of him that way because I was going withPeter Kastner... Then I went to doEasy Rider, but didn't see him because we","see him because we didn't have any scenes together ... At the premiere, I saw him out in the lobby afterward and I started crying ... He didn't understand that, but what it was was that I really loved him a lot, and I didn't know it until I saw him again, because it all welled up.\": 36 Within a month after its release that September,Five Easy Piecesbecame a blockbuster, making Nicholson aleading manand the \"new American anti-hero\", according to McDougal.: 130Critics began speculating as to whether he might become anotherMarlon BrandoorJames Dean. His career and income skyrocketed. He said, \"I have much sought after. Your name becomes a brand image like a product. You become Campbell's soup, with thirty-one different varieties of roles you can play.\": 130He told his new agent, Sandy Bresler, to find him unusual roles so he could stretch his acting skill: \"I like to play people that haven't existed yet, a 'cusp character'\", he said, \"I have that creative yearning. Much in the wayChagallflies figures into the","figures into the air: once it becomes part of the conventional wisdom, it doesn't seem particularly adventurous or weird or wild.\": 130 Also in 1970, Nicholson appeared in the film adaptation ofOn a Clear Day You Can See Forever, although most of his performance was left on thecutting room floor. His agent turned down a starring role inDeliverancewhen the film's producer and director,John Boorman, refused to pay what Nicholson's agent wanted.: 130In 1971, Nicholson starred inCarnal Knowledge, a comedy-drama directed byMike Nicholsand co-starringArt Garfunkel,Ann-Margret, andCandice Bergen. He was nominated for aGolden Globe Award for Best Actor. Nichols felt few actors could handle the role, saying, \"There is James Cagney, Spencer Tracy, Humphrey Bogart, and Henry Fonda. After that, who is there but Jack Nicholson?\"During the filming, Nicholson struck up what became a lifelong friendship with Garfunkel. When he visited Los Angeles, Garfunkel stayed at Nicholson's home in a room Nicholson jokingly called \"the","called \"the Arthur Garfunkel Suite\".: 127 Other Nicholson roles includedHal Ashby'sThe Last Detail(1973), withRandy Quaid, for which Nicholson wonBest Actorat theCannes Film Festivaland was nominated for his third Oscar and a Golden Globe. Television journalistDavid Gilmourwrites that one of his favorite Nicholson scenes from all his films was the often censored one in this film, when Nicholson slaps his gun on the bar yelling hewasthe Shore Patrol.CriticRoger Ebertcalled it a very good movie, but credited Nicholson's acting as the main reason: \"He creates a character so complete and so complex that we stop thinking about the movie and just watch to see what he'll do next.\"In 1974, Nicholson starred inRoman Polanski's noir thrillerChinatown, and was again nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Actorfor his role as Jake Gittes, a private detective. The film co-starredFaye DunawayandJohn Huston, and included a cameo role with Polanski. Ebert called Nicholson's portrayal sharp-edged, menacing, and aggressive,","and aggressive, a character who knew \"how to go over the top\", as he did inOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. That edge keptChinatownfrom becoming a typical genre crime film.Ebert also notes the importance of the role for Nicholson's career, seeing it as a major transition from the exploitation films of the previous decade. \"As Jake Gittes, he stepped into Bogart's shoes\", says Ebert. \"As a man attractive to audiences because he suggests both comfort and danger ... From Gittes forward, Nicholson created the persona of a man who had seen it all and was still capable of being wickedly amused.\" Nicholson had been friends with Polanski long before themurderof Polanski's wife,Sharon Tate, by theManson Family, and supported him in the days following her death.: 109–110After Tate's death, Nicholson began sleeping with a hammer under his pillowand took breaks from work to attend Manson's trial. In 1977, three years afterChinatown, Polanski was arrested at Nicholson's home for thesexual assaultof 13-year-old Samantha","Samantha Geimer, who was modeling for Polanski during a magazine photo shoot around the pool. At the time, Nicholson was out of town making a film, but his steady girlfriend, actressAnjelica Huston, had dropped by unannounced to pick up some items. She heard Polanski in the other room say, \"We'll be right out.\"Polanski then came out with Geimer and introduced her to Huston, and they chatted about Nicholson's two large dogs, which were sitting nearby. Huston recalled Geimer was wearing platform heels and appeared quite tall.After a few minutes of talking, Polanski had packed up his camera gear and Huston saw them drive off in his car. Huston told police the next day, after Polanski was arrested, that she \"had witnessed nothing untoward\" and never saw them together in the other room. Geimer learned afterward that Huston herself was not supposed to be at Nicholson's house that day, since they had recently broken up, but stopped over to pick up some belongings. Geimer described Nicholson's house as \"definitely\"","as \"definitely\" a guy's house, with lots of wood and shelves crowded with photos and mementos. One of Nicholson's successes came in 1975, with his role asRandle P. McMurphyinOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The movie was an adaptation ofKen Kesey's novel of thesame name, and was directed byMiloš Formanand co-produced byMichael Douglas. Nicholson plays an anti-authoritarian patient at a mental hospital where he becomes an inspiring leader for the other patients. Playing one of the patients wasDanny DeVitoin an early role. Nicholson learned afterward that DeVito grew up in the same area of New Jersey, and they knew many of the same people.The film received nine nominations at the Academy Awards, and won five, including Nicholson's first forBest Actor.The role seemed perfect for Nicholson, with biographer Ken Burke noting that his \"smartass demeanor balances his genuine concern for the treatment of his fellow patients with his independent spirit too free to exist in a repressive social structure\".Forman allowed","allowed Nicholson to improvise throughout the film, including most of the group therapy sequences.: 273ReviewerMarie Brennernotes that his bravura performance \"transcends the screen\" and continually inspires the other actors by lightening their mental illnesses with his comic dialogue. She describes his performance: Nicholson is everywhere; his energy propels the ward of loonies and makes of them an ensemble, a chorus of people caught in a bummer with nowhere else to go, but still fighting for some frail sense of themselves. ... There are scenes inCuckoo's Nestthat are as intimate—and in their language, twice as rough—as the best moments inThe Godfather... far above the general run of Hollywood performances. — Marie Brenner,Texas Monthly Also in 1975, Nicholson starred inMichelangelo Antonioni'sThe Passenger(1975), which co-starredMaria Schneider. Nicholson plays a journalist, David Locke, who during an assignment in North Africa decides to quit journalism and disappear by taking on a new hidden identity.","hidden identity. Unfortunately, the dead person whose identity he takes on turns out to have been a weapons smuggler on the run. Antonioni's unusual plot included convincing dialogue and fine acting, states film criticSeymour Chatman.It was shot in Algeria, Spain, Germany, and England. The film received good reviews and revived Antonioni's reputation as a great director.He said he wanted the film to have more of a \"spy feeling be more political\".Nicholson began shooting the film from an unfinished script, notesJudith Crist,yet upon its completion he thought so highly of the film that he bought the world rights and recorded a reminiscence of working with Antonioni. Critic and screenwriterPenelope Gilliattprovides an overview of Nicholson's role, \"The Passengeris an unidealized portrait of a drained man whose one remaining stimulus is to push his luck. Again and again, in the movie, we watch him court danger. It interests him to walk the edge of risk. He does it with passivity as if he were taking part in an","taking part in an expressionless game of double-dare with life. Jack Nicholson's performance is a wonder of insight. How to animate a personality that is barely there.: 443 Nicholson continued to take more unusual roles. He took a small role inThe Last TycoonoppositeRobert De Niro. He took a less sympathetic role inArthur Penn's westernThe Missouri Breaks(1976), specifically to work withMarlon Brando. Nicholson was especially inspired by Brando's acting ability, recalling that in his youth, as an assistant manager at a theater, he watchedOn the Waterfrontabout 40 times. He once stated, \"Marlon Brando influenced me strongly. Today, it's hard for people who weren't there to realize the impact that Brando had on an audience. ... He's always been the patron saint of actors\".\"I'm part of the first generation that idolized Marlon Brando\", he said. Nicholson has observed that while both De Niro and Brando were noted for their skill asmethod actors, he himself has seldom been described as one, a fact he sees as an","fact he sees as an accomplishment: \"I'm still fooling them\", he toldSean Penn. \"I consider it an accomplishment because there's probably no one who understands Method acting better academically than I do—or actually uses it more in his work. But it's funny, nobody really sees that. It's perception versus reality, I guess.\" His work is always interesting, clearly conceived, and has the X-factor, magic. Jack is particularly suited for roles that require intelligence. He is an intelligent and literate man, and these are almost impossible to act. InThe Shiningyou believe he's a writer, failed or otherwise. —Stanley Kubrick Although he garnered noAcademy AwardforStanley Kubrick's adaptation ofStephen King'sThe Shining(1980), his role in the film as writerJack Torranceremains one of his more significant. He was Kubrick's first choice to play the role, although the book's author, Stephen King, wanted more of an \"everyman\". Kubrick won the argument and called Nicholson's acting \"on a par with the greatest stars of","greatest stars of the past, likeSpencer TracyandJimmy Cagney\".In preparation for the role, Nicholson drew upon his own experiences as a writer and slept short hours to help remain in an agitated state during the shoot. His co-starShelley Duvallrecalled that she and Nicholson spent many hours discussing their characters, with Nicholson maintaining that his character be cold to her from the start.On the set, Nicholson always appeared in character and if Kubrick felt confident that Nicholson knew his lines well enough, he encouraged him to improvise beyond the script.: 434For example, Nicholson improvised his now-famous \"Here's Johnny!\" line,: 433along with a scene in which he unleashes his anger on his wife when she interrupts his work.: 445There were also extensive takes of scenes, due to Kubrick's perfectionism. Nicholson shot a scene with the ghostly bartender 36 times.He said, \"Stanley's demanding. He'll do a scene fifty times, and you have to be good to do that.\": 38 In 1982, he starred as an immigration","as an immigration enforcement agent inThe Border, directed byTony Richardson. It co-starredWarren Oates, who played a corrupt border official.Richardson wanted Nicholson to play his role less expressively than he had in his earlier roles. \"Less is more\", he told him, and wanted him to wear reflecting sunglasses to portray what patrolmen wore.: 318Richardson recalled that Nicholson worked hard on the set: He's what the Thirties and Forties stars were like. He can come on the set and deliver, without any fuss, without taking a long time walking around getting into it. \"What do you want? Okay.\" And he just does it straight off. And then if you want him to do it another way on the next take, he can adapt to that too.: 318 Nicholson won his second Oscar, anAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for his role of retired astronaut Garrett Breedlove inTerms of Endearment(1983), directed byJames L. Brooks. It starredShirley MacLaineandDebra Winger. McGilligan claims it was one of Nicholson's most complex and","most complex and unforgettable characters. He and MacLaine played many of their scenes in different ways, constantly testing and making adjustments. Their scenes together gave the film its \"buoyant edge\", states McGilligan, and describes Nicholson's acting as \"Jack floating like a butterfly\".: 330 Nicholson continued to work prolifically in the 1980s, starring in such films as:The Postman Always Rings Twice(1981);Reds(1981), where Nicholson portrays the writerEugene O'Neillwith a quiet intensity;Prizzi's Honor(1985);Heartburn(1986);The Witches of Eastwick(1987);Broadcast News(1987); andIronweed(1987). Three Oscar nominations also followed (Reds,Prizzi's Honor, andIronweed).John Huston, who directedPrizzi's Honor, said of Nicholson's acting, \"He just illuminates the book. He impressed me in one scene after another; the movie is composed largely of first takes with him.\"In the 1989Batmanmovie, Nicholson played the psychotic villain,the Joker. The film was an international smash hit, and a lucrative deal earned","deal earned him a percentage of the box office gross estimated at $60 million to $90 million.Nicholson said that he was \"particularly proud\" of his performance as the Joker: \"I considered it a piece ofpop art\", he said. 1990–1999: Established actor For his role as hot-headed Col. Nathan R. Jessup inA Few Good Men(1992), a movie about a murder in aU.S. Marine Corpsunit, Nicholson received yet another Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.One review describes his performance as \"spellbinding\", adding that he portrayed \"the essence of the quintessential military mindset\".Critic David Thomson notes that Nicholson's character \"blazed and roared\".The film's director,Rob Reiner, recalls how Nicholson's level of acting experience affected the other actors during rehearsals: \"I had the luck of having Jack Nicholson there. He knows what he's doing, and he comes to play, every time out, full-out performance! And what it says to a lot of the other actors is, 'Oooooh, I better get on my game here because","game here because this guy's coming to play! So I can't hold back; I've got to come up to him.' He sets the tone.\" In 1996, Nicholson collaborated once more withBatmandirectorTim BurtononMars Attacks!, pulling double duty as two contrasting characters, President James Dale andLas Vegasproperty developer Art Land. Not all of Nicholson's performances have been well received. He was nominated forRazzie Awardsas worst actor forMan Trouble(1992) andHoffa(1992). But his performance inHoffaalso earned him aGolden Globenomination.David Thomson states that the film was terribly neglected, since Nicholson portrayed one of his best screen characters, someone who is \"snarly, dumb, smart, noble, rascally—all the parts of 'Jack'\".Roger Ebertalso praised his performance writing, \"Nicholson is an actor who can reflect almost anything in his face. One reason his performance is so good as Hoffa is that he reveals almost nothing.\" Nicholson won his nextAcademy Award for Best Actorin the romantic comedyAs Good as It Gets(1997),","as It Gets(1997), his third film directed byJames L. Brooks. He played Melvin Udall, a \"wickedly funny\",mean-spirited novelist withobsessive-compulsive disorder. \"I'm a studioMethod actor\", he said. \"So I was prone to give some kind of clinical presentation of the disorder.\"His Oscar was matched by theAcademy Award for Best ActressforHelen Hunt, who played a Manhattan single mother drawn into a love/hate friendship with Udall, a frequent diner in the restaurant where she works as a waitress. The film was a box-office success, grossing $314 million, making it Nicholson's second-best-grossing film, afterBatman.The win was Nicholson's third Academy Award, tying him with six other actors,Walter Brennan,Ingrid Bergman,Meryl Streep,Daniel Day-Lewis, andFrances McDormandwho all have three acting Oscars. Nicholson admits he initially disliked playing a middle-aged man alongside a much younger Hunt, seeing it as a movie cliché. \"But Helen disarmed that at the first meeting\", he says, \"and I stopped thinking about","thinking about it.\" They got along well during the filming, with Hunt saying that he \"treated me like a queen\", and they connected immediately: \"It wasn't even what we said\", she said. \"It was just some frequency we both could tune into that was very, very compatible.\"Critic Jack Mathews ofNewsdaysaid Nicholson was \"in rare form\", adding, \"it's one of those performances that make you aware how much fun the actor is having\".Author and screenwriter Andrew Horton describes their on-screen relationship as being like \"fire and ice, oil and water—seemingly complete opposites\". 2000–present: Later roles and retirement In 2001, Nicholson was the first actor to receive theStanislavsky Awardat the23rd Moscow International Film Festivalfor \"conquering the heights of acting and faithfulness\".That same year Nicholson starred inThe Pledge, amysterydrama where he portrays retired police detective Jerry Black, who vows to find a murderer of a young girl. Nicholson was praised for his performance; Bob Graham of theSan","Graham of theSan Francisco Chroniclecalled it \"deeply felt\" compared to some of Nicholson's other films.Nicholson acted inAlexander Payne's comedy-dramaAbout Schmidt(2002), playing a retiredOmaha,Nebraska,actuarywho questions his own life after his wife dies. His quietly restrained performance earned him nominations for anAcademy Award,BAFTA Award,Golden Globe AwardandScreen Actors Guild Awardfor Best Actor. InAnger Management(2003), he played an aggressive therapist assigned to help an overly pacifist man (Adam Sandler). In 2003, Nicholson also starred in theNancy Meyersdirected romantic comedySomething's Gotta Giveplaying an aging playboy who falls for the mother (Diane Keaton) of his young girlfriend. For his performance he was nominated for theGolden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. In late 2006, Nicholson marked his return to the dark side inMartin Scorsese'sOscar-winning filmThe Departed, a remake ofAndrew Lau'sInfernal Affairs,playingFrank Costello, a nefariousBostonIrish","Mobboss based onWhitey Bulger, who was still on the run at the time. The role earned Nicholson worldwide critical praise, along with various awards and nominations, including aGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picturenomination. In 2007, Nicholson co-starred withMorgan FreemaninRob Reiner'sThe Bucket List,in which Nicholson and Freeman portrayed dying men who fulfill their list of goals. In researching the role, Nicholson visited a Los Angeles hospital to see how cancer patients coped with their illnesses. Nicholson is the Hollywood celebrity who is most like a character in some ongoing novel of our times. He is also the most beloved of stars—not even his huge wealth, his reckless aging, and the public disasters of his private life can detract from this ... For he is still a touchstone, someone we value for the way he helps us see ourselves. —David Thomson, a film critic. Nicholson's next film role saw him reunite withJames L. Brooks, director ofTerms of Endearment,Broadcast NewsandAs","NewsandAs Good as It Gets, for a supporting role for the 2010 filmHow Do You KnowstarringPaul Rudd,Reese Witherspoon, andOwen Wilson. The film was a financial and critical failure. In a September 2013Vanity Fairarticle, Nicholson said that he did not consider himself retired, but that he was now less driven to \"be out there anymore\".As of 2023,How Do You Knowremains Nicholson's last film role, and brings his filmography to 80 films.In 2013, Nicholson co-presented theAcademy Award for Best Picturewith First LadyMichelle Obama,the eighth time he presented the Academy Award for Best Picture (1972, 1977, 1978, 1990, 1993, 2006, 2007, and 2013). On February 15, 2015, Nicholson made a special appearance as a presenter onSNL 40, the 40th anniversary special ofSaturday Night Live.After the death of boxerMuhammad Alion June 3, 2016, Nicholson appeared onHBO'sThe Fight Game withJim Lampleyfor an exclusive interview about his friendship with Ali.He was reported to be starring in an English-language remake ofToni","remake ofToni Erdmannin 2017 oppositeKristen Wiig, his first feature film role sinceHow Do You Know,but the project was later abandoned.In October 2019, with the release ofThe ShiningsequelDoctor Sleep, directorMike Flanaganrevealed he approached Nicholson for acameo appearance, but Nicholson declined with best wishes.Flanagan also disclosed that Nicholson had previously been approached to appear inSteven Spielberg's science-fiction filmReady Player One(2018). During an appearance in the November 2, 2023, episode ofMarc Maron's podcast,WTF with Marc Maron, record producerLou Adler, a longtime friend of Nicholson's, related an anecdote pertaining to the unofficial retirement of the actor, who had not done a film in the 13 years sinceHow Do You Know, saying, \"A friend of mine wanted to put him in a movie. And he had a conversation with him. But Jack says, 'I don't want to do it.' He goes, 'You know what I did today? I sat under a tree and I read a book.' That sounds like Jack.\" Adler stated that Nicholson was","that Nicholson was \"doing whatever he really wants to do,\" adding, \"He wants to be quiet. He wants to eat what he wants. He wants to live the life he wants.\" Influence Nicholson has describedMarlon Brandoas a major influence on his career. He stated, \"Actors don't normally discuss who the best actor in the world is, because it's obvious—Brando is the best.” He also namedJohn Ford,Akira Kurosawa, andOrson Wellesas his favorite directors. Actors who have cited Nicholson as an influence includeLeonardo DiCaprio,Alden Ehrenreich,andMorgan Freeman. Personal life Relationships and children In his personal life, Nicholson is notorious for his inability to \"settle down\";he has fathered six children by five women but married only once.Nicholson's marriage was toThe Terrorco-starSandra Knightfrom 1962 to 1968, though they separated in 1966.The couple had one daughter, Jennifer (born September 13, 1963). Five Easy Piecesco-starSusan Anspachcontended that her son Caleb (born September 26, 1970), whose legal father","whose legal father wasMark Goddard, was actually Nicholson's biological son.In 1984, Nicholson said he was not convinced of this,but in 1996, Caleb said that Nicholson had recognized him as his son in private.By 1998, Nicholson publicly acknowledged Caleb as his son and said that they got along \"beautifully now.\" In 1971 and 1972, Nicholson was in a relationship with singerMichelle Phillips, the ex-wife of his best friendDennis Hopper, during which time she suffered a miscarriage.Nicholson's longest relationship was 17 years with actressAnjelica Huston, from 1973 until 1990. Their on-again, off-again romance included several periods of overlap with other women, notably former Bond girlJill St. Johnand Danish model Winnie Hollman, with whom Nicholson fathered a daughter, Honey Hollman (born January 26, 1982).Winnie Hollman has claimed that a DNA test during her pregnancy confirmed that Nicholson was the biological father. However, in 2024, it was revealed that Nicholson was not the biological father of","father of Honey,who did a DNA test herself in 1999. Honey said in 2006 that she has a “normal father-daughter relationship” with Nicholson. The relationship with Huston ended amid actress/waitressRebecca Broussard's first pregnancy by Nicholson. He and Broussard had two children,Lorraine(born April 16, 1990) andRaymond(born February 20, 1992).The pair split up in 1994, and that same year, Nicholson supposedly had a daughter, Tessa (born August 15, 1994), with waitress Jeannine Gourin.Nicholson has never publicly acknowledged his paternity. Beginning in the late 1990s, Nicholson was involved with actressLara Flynn Boyle. The two initially broke up in 2000, later reuniting before splitting permanently in 2004, after which Nicholson was linked to English supermodelKate Moss.In 2006, Nicholson dated actressPaz de la Huerta. Nicholson has said that children \"give your life a resonance that it can't have without them ... As a father, I'm there all the time. I give unconditional love\".He has also lamented that he","lamented that he \"didn't see enough of my eldest daughter because I was trying to make a career\". Legal issues In a criminalcomplaintfiled on February 8, 1994, Robert Blank stated that Nicholson, then 56, approached Blank'sMercedes-Benzwhile he was stopped at a red light inNorth Hollywood. After accusing Blank of cutting him off in traffic, Nicholson used a golf club to bash the roof and windshield of Blank's car. A witness confirmed Blank's account of the incident andmisdemeanorcharges of assault and vandalism were filed against Nicholson. Charges were dropped after Nicholson apologized to Blank, and the two reached an undisclosed settlement, which included a reported $500,000 check from Nicholson. In 1996, a lawsuit was brought against him alleging that he promised a woman named Catherine Sheehan $1,000 for sex and then assaulted her when she asked for the money. Sheehan received a settlement of about $40,000, but filed another lawsuit against him, arguing that the settlement was insufficient to cover the","to cover the injuries inflicted upon her, includingbrain trauma, which she said were \"actually killing her.\"The case was dismissed. Celebrity friendships Nicholson lived next door toMarlon Brandofor a number of years onMulholland DriveinBeverly Hills, California.Warren Beattyalso lived nearby, earning the road the nickname \"Bad Boy Drive\". After Brando's death in 2004, Nicholson purchased his bungalow for $6.1 million, with the purpose of having it demolished. Nicholson said he did so out of respect for Brando's legacy, as it had become too expensive to renovate the \"derelict\" building, which was plagued by mold. Nicholson's friendship with author-journalistHunter S. Thompsonis described in Thompson's autobiographyKingdom of Fear(2003).After Thompson died in 2005, Nicholson and fellow actorsJohnny Depp,John Cusack, andSean Pennattended his private memorial service in Colorado.Nicholson was also a close friend ofRobert Evans, the producer ofChinatown, and after Evans lost Woodland, his home, as the result of","as the result of a 1980s drug bust, Nicholson and other friends of Evans bought Woodland to give it back to him.Nicholson is also friends with fellow New JerseyansDanny DeVitoandJoe Pesci. Hobbies Nicholson is a fan of theNew York YankeesandLos Angeles Lakers. He became a Lakers season ticket holder in1970, and held courtside seats next to the opponent's benches both atThe ForumandStaples Center. He was described as a \"fixture\" at the games, though his regular attendance had stopped by 2021, as he withdrew from public appearances.Nicholson occasionally argued with game officials and opposing players, and even walked onto the court.He was almost ejected from a Lakers playoff game in May 2003 after yelling at a referee.After the death of former Lakers starKobe Bryantin ahelicopter crashin January 2020, Nicholson gave a rare phone interview to Los Angeles stationKCBS-TVexpressing his grief.He attended a2023 playoff game, which media outlets noted was his first appearance at a Lakers game in nearly two years.","nearly two years. Nicholson is a collector of 20th-century and contemporary paintings, including those ofHenri Matisse,Tamara de Lempicka,Andy WarholandJack Vettriano.In 1995, artistEdward Ruschasaid that Nicholson has \"one of the best collections out here\". Political views Nicholson has called himself a \"lifelongIrishDemocrat.”He supportedGeorge McGovernin the 1972 presidential election,Michael Dukakisin 1988,Hillary Clintonin 2008, andBernie Sandersin 2020. Nicholson supportssolar energy,decriminalizing drugs,monopoly laws, and raising teachers' pay.Although personally againstabortion, he ispro-choice. He has said, \"I'm pro-choice but against abortion because I'm an illegitimate child myself, and it would be hypocritical to take any other position. I'd be dead. I wouldn't exist.\" He has also said that he has \"nothing but total admiration, gratitude, and respect for the strength of the women who made the decision they made in my individual case\". Religious beliefs Nicholson was raisedRoman Catholicand has","Catholicand has expressed admiration for the religion, calling it \"the only officialdogmatraining I've had. I liked it. It's a smart religion.\"It has been asserted that some of Nicholson's 1970s movie roles were influenced by Catholicism.In a 1992Vanity Fairinterview, Nicholson said, \"I don't believe in God now. I can still work up an envy for someone who has faith. I can see how that could be a deeply soothing experience.\" Acting credits and accolades During his career Nicholson has appeared in 80 films.Among some of Nicholson's films are: With 12Academy Awardnominations (eight for Best Actor and four for Best Supporting Actor), Nicholson is the most nominated male actor in Academy Awards history. Only Nicholson (1960s–2000s),Michael Caine(1960s–2000s),Meryl Streep(1970s–2010s),Paul Newman(1950s–1960s, 1980s–2000s),Katharine Hepburn(1930s–1960s, 1980s),Frances McDormand(1980s–2020s),Denzel Washington(1980s–2020s), andLaurence Olivier(1930s–1970s) have been nominated for an acting (lead or supporting)","or supporting) Academy Award in five different decades. With three Oscar wins, he also ties withWalter Brennan,Daniel Day-Lewis,Ingrid Bergman,Frances McDormandandMeryl Streepfor the second-most Oscar wins in acting categories. OnlyKatharine Hepburn, with four Oscars, won more. Nicholson is an active and voting member of the Academy. In May 2008, then-California GovernorArnold Schwarzeneggerand First LadyMaria Shriverannounced that Nicholson would be inducted into theCalifornia Hall of Fame, located atThe California MuseuminSacramento. The induction ceremony took place on December 15, 2008, where he was inducted alongside 11 other Californians.In 2010, Nicholson was inducted into theNew Jersey Hall of Fame.In 2011, Nicholson received an honoraryDoctor of Fine Artsdegree fromBrown Universityat its 243rd commencement. At the ceremony,Ruth Simmons, Brown University's president, called him \"the most skilled actor of our lifetime\". Explanatory note References General bibliography External links"],"string":"[\n \"70th Academy Awards The70th Academy Awardsceremony, organized by theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences(AMPAS), took place on March 23, 1998, at theShrine AuditoriuminLos Angelesbeginning at 6:00 p.m.PST/ 9:00 p.m.EST. During the show, AMPAS presentedAcademy Awards(commonly referred to as Oscars) in 24 categories honoringfilms released in 1997. The ceremony, which was televised in the United States byABC, was produced byGil Catesand directed by Louis J. Horvitz.ActorBilly Crystalhosted the show for the sixth time.He had first hosted the62nd ceremonyheld in 1990, and most recently theprevious year's awards.Nearly a month earlier in an event held at theRegent Beverly Wilshire HotelinBeverly Hills, Californiaon February 28, theAcademy Awards for Technical Achievementwere presented by hostAshley Judd. Titanicwon 11 awards, includingBest Picture, a number that is tied withBen-HurandThe Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.Other winners includedAs Good as It Gets,Good Will Hunting, andL.A.\",\n \"Hunting, andL.A. Confidentialwith two awards, andCharacter,The Full Monty,Geri's Game,The Long Way Home,Men in Black,A Story of Healing, andVisas and Virtuewith one. The telecast garnered more than 57 million viewers in the United States, making it the most-watched Oscars broadcast in history. Winners and nominees The nominees for the 70th Academy Awards were announced on February 10, 1998, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, byRobert Rehme, president of the academy, and actressGeena Davis.Titanicreceived the most nominations with a record-tying fourteen (1950'sAll About Eve, and later 2016'sLa La Land, also achieved this distinction);Good Will HuntingandL.A. Confidentialcame in second with nine apiece. The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on March 23, 1998. With eleven awards,Titanictied withBen-Hurfor the most Academy Awards in Oscar history.It also became the first film to win Best Picture without a screenwriting nomination since 1965'sThe Sound of Music.Jack\",\n \"Sound of Music.Jack Nicholsonbecame the fourth performer to win at least three acting Oscars.Both Nicholson andHelen Huntwon for their roles inAs Good as It Gets, making it the seventh film to win both lead acting awards.Nominated for their performances as Rose DeWitt Bukater inTitanic, Best Actress nomineeKate Winsletand Best Supporting Actress nomineeGloria Stuartbecame the first pair of actresses nominated for portraying the same character in the same film.At age 87, Stuart also became the oldest performer nominated for a competitive Oscar. Awards Winners are listed first, highlighted inboldface, and indicated with a double dagger (‡). Academy Honorary Award Films with multiple nominations and awards The following 16 films received multiple nominations: The following four films received multiple awards: Presenters and performers The following individuals presented awards or performed musical numbers. Presenters Performers Ceremony information In December 1997, the academy hired veteran Oscar telecast\",\n \"Oscar telecast producerGil Catesto oversee the 1998 ceremony.\\\"Gil has become the consummate Oscar show producer, consistently garnering top television ratings for the telecast,\\\" said AMPAS President Robert Rehme in a press release announcing the selection. \\\"His shows are full of wit, charm and surprise.\\\"A few days later, actor and comedian Billy Crystal was chosen to emcee the upcoming telecast. Cates explained his reason to bring back the veteran comedian saying, \\\"Billy's performance last year was spectacular. There is nobody like him.\\\"In an article published inUSA Todayhe initially requested to Cates and AMPAS five months after theprevious year's ceremonythat he would like to take a break from hosting duties. However, pressure from the academy, Cates, and several friends and family members made him reconsider his decision.His sixth stint would make him second only toBob Hopein number of ceremonies hosted. To commemorate the seventieth anniversary of the Academy Awards, 70 actors who have received both\",\n \"have received both competitive and honorary awards appeared seated onstage together during a segment called Oscar's Family Album.Each former winner was acknowledged by announcerNorman Rosewith the films he or she won for. At the end of the segment newly minted winners Kim Bassinger, Helen Hunt, and Robin Williams joined them. This marked the largest gathering of former winners since the50th ceremonyheld in 1978. Several others participated in the production of the ceremony.Bill Contiserved as musical director for the telecast.DancerDaniel Ezralowchoreographed a dance number showcasing the nominees for Best Original Comedy or Musical Score.Bart the Bearmade a surprise appearance during the presentation of theBest Sound Effects Editingaward withMike Myers. Box office performance of nominees At the time of the nominations announcement on February 10, the combined gross of the five Best Picture nominees was $579 million with an average of $116 million per film.Titanicwas the highest earner among the Best Picture\",\n \"the Best Picture nominees with $338.7 million in domestic box office receipts.The film was followed byAs Good as It Gets($92.6 million),Good Will Hunting($68.9 million),L.A. Confidential($39.7 million), and finallyThe Full Monty($38.7 million). Of the top 50 grossing movies of the year, 40 nominations went to 15 films on the list. OnlyTitanic(1st),As Good as It Gets(16th),Good Will Hunting(20th), andIn & Out(24th) were nominated for directing, acting, screenwriting, or Best Picture.The other top 50 box office hits that earned nominations wereMen in Black(2nd),The Lost World: Jurassic Park(3rd),Air Force One(5th),My Best Friends Wedding(7th),Face/Off(9th),Con Air(12th),Contact(13th),Hercules(14th),The Fifth Element(25th),Anastasia(30th), andStarship Troopers(34th). Critical response The show received a positive reception from most media publications. Television criticHoward Rosenbergof theLos Angeles Timeslauded Crystal's performance writing that he \\\"would earn top billing as that unusual comedian as artful\",\n \"comedian as artful at doing musical comedy as jokes.\\\"San Francisco Chroniclecolumnist John Carman raved,\\\"It was the best Oscar show in two decades.\\\" He also gave high marks for the host, commenting, \\\"But last night, Crystal was back in razor form.\\\"The Seattle Timestelevision editor Kay McFadden praised Crystal commenting that \\\"he possesses nearly impeccable timing and judgment.\\\" In addition, she noted that while the ceremony dragged on, \\\"Last night was one of television's smartest live ceremonies in recent memory.\\\" Some media outlets were more critical of the show. Ray Richmond ofVarietycomplained that the ceremony proved to be a \\\"Yawner of an Oscarcast.\\\" He added that Crystal's \\\"off-the-cuff one-liners sank faster than the great ship herself.\\\"Boston Globetelevision critic Matthew Gilbert bemoaned,\\\"There was hardly a spontaneous moment during last night's Oscarcast.\\\"Film critic Carrie Rickey fromThe Philadelphia Inquirerlamented that the inevitableTitanicsweep \\\"sank a telecast loaded with montages of\",\n \"with montages of previous years' Oscar highlights.\\\" Ratings and reception The popularity ofTitanicgreatly increased television ratings for the ceremony.The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 57.25 million people over its length, which was a 29% increase from theprevious year's ceremony.An estimated 87.50 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards.The show also earned higherNielsen ratingscompared to the previous ceremony with 35.32% of households watching over a 55.77 share.In addition, it garnered a higher 18–49 demo rating with a 24.90 rating over a 44.30 share among viewers in that demographic.It overtook the network's own telecast of the1983 Academy Awardsto become, as it remains to date, the highest viewership for both an Academy Award telecast (since figures were compiled beginning with the46th ceremonyin 1974) and any live awards show airing in U.S. television history. In July 1998, the ceremony presentation received eight nominations at the50th Primetime Emmys.Two months\",\n \"Emmys.Two months later, the ceremony won five of those nominations forOutstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program(Billy Crystal), Outstanding Directing for a Variety or Music Program (Louis J Horvitz), Outstanding Lighting Direction (Electronic) for a Drama Series, Variety Series, Miniseries, or Movie (Bob Barnhart, Robert Dickinson, Matt Ford, Andy O'Reilly), Outstanding Music Direction (Bill Conti), and Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special (Patrick Baltzell, Robert Douglass, Edward J. Greene, Tommy Vicari). \\\"In Memoriam\\\" The annual \\\"In Memoriam\\\" tribute was presented by actressWhoopi Goldberg. The montage featured an excerpt of \\\"Appassionata\\\" fromThe Passagecomposed by Michael J. Lewis. See also References Bibliography External links Official websites Analysis Other resources\",\n \"Jack Nicholson John Joseph Nicholson(born April 22, 1937) is a retired American actor and filmmaker.Nicholson is widely regarded as one of the greatest actors of the 20th century.Throughout his five-decade career he receivednumerous accolades, including threeAcademy Awards, threeBAFTA Film Awards, sixGolden Globe Awards, and aGrammy Award. He also received theAmerican Film Institute's Life Achievement Awardin 1994 and theKennedy Center Honorin 2001. In many of his films, he played rebels against the social structure. Nicholson has won threeAcademy Awards, forBest ActorinOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest(1975) and inAs Good as It Gets(1997), and forBest Supporting ActorinTerms of Endearment(1983). He was Oscar-nominated forEasy Rider(1969),Five Easy Pieces(1970),The Last Detail(1974),Chinatown(1974),Reds(1981),Prizzi's Honor(1986),Ironweed(1987),A Few Good Men(1992) andAbout Schmidt(2002). Nicholson is also known for his notable roles inCarnal Knowledge(1971),The Shining(1980),Heartburn(1986),Broadcast\",\n \"News(1987),Batman(1989),Hoffa(1992),Mars Attacks!(1996),Something's Gotta Give(2003),The Departed(2006) andThe Bucket List(2007). Nicholson has directed three films,Drive, He Said(1971),Goin' South(1978), andThe Two Jakes(1990). He is one of only threemale actors to win three Academy Awardsand one of only two actors to be nominated for an Academy Award for acting in films made in every decade from the 1960s to the 2000s (alongsideMichael Caine). His 12 Academy Award nominations make himthe most nominated male actor in the Academy's history. Early life and education John Joseph Nicholson was born on April 22, 1937, inNeptune City, New Jersey,the son of ashowgirl, June Frances Nicholson (stage name June Nilson; 1918–1963).Nicholson's mother was of Irish, English, German, andWelshdescent. Nicholson has identified as Irish, comparing himself to the playwrightEugene O'Neill, whom he played in the filmReds(1981): \\\"I'm not saying I'm as dark as he was ... but I am a writer, I am Irish, I have had problems with my\",\n \"problems with my family.\\\"His mother marriedItalian-Americanshowman Donald Furcillo (stage name Donald Rose; 1909–1997) in 1936, before realizing that he was already married.: 8BiographerPatrick McGilliganstated in his bookJack's Lifethat Latvian-born Eddie King (originally Edgar A. Kirschfeld),June's manager, may have been Nicholson's biological father, rather than Furcillo. Other sources suggest June Nicholson was unsure of the father's identity. As June was only 17 and unmarried, her parentsagreed to raise Nicholson as their own child without revealing his true parentage, with June acting as his sister.In 1974,Timemagazine researchers learned, and informed Nicholson, that his \\\"sister\\\", June, was actually his mother, and his other \\\"sister\\\", Lorraine, was really his aunt.By this time, both his mother and grandmother had died (in 1963 and 1970, respectively). On finding out, Nicholson said it was \\\"a pretty dramatic event, but it wasn't what I'd call traumatizing ... I was pretty well psychologically formed\\\".\",\n \"formed\\\". Nicholson grew up inNeptune City, New Jersey.: 7Before starting high school, his family moved to an apartment inSpring Lake, New Jersey.: 16\\\"Nick\\\", as he was known to his high school friends, attended nearbyManasquan High School, where he was voted \\\"Class Clown\\\" by the Class of 1954. He was in detention every day for a whole school year.A theatre and a drama award at the school are named in his honor. In 2004, Nicholson attended his 50-yearhigh school reunionaccompanied by his aunt Lorraine. Military service In 1957, Nicholson joined theCalifornia Air National Guard,a move he sometimes characterized as an effort to \\\"dodge the draft\\\";theKorean Warera'sMilitary Selective Service Actwas still in force, and draftees were required to perform up to two years of active duty. After completing theAir Force'sbasic trainingatLackland Air Force Base,Nicholson performed weekend drills and two-week annual training as a firefighter assigned to the unit based at theVan Nuys Airport.During theBerlin Crisis of 1961,\",\n \"Crisis of 1961, Nicholson was called up for several months of extended active duty,and he was discharged at the end of his enlistment in 1962. Career 1958–1969: Early roles and breakthrough Nicholson first came to California in 1950, when he was 13, to visit his sister. He took a job as an office worker for animation directorsWilliam HannaandJoseph Barberaat theMGM cartoon studio. They offered him an entry-level job as an animator, but he declined, citing his desire to become an actor.While accepting theCecil B. DeMille Awardat the56th Golden Globe Awards, he recalled that his first day as a working actor (onTales of Wells Fargo) was May 5, 1955, which he considered lucky, as 5 was the jersey number of his boyhood idol,Joe DiMaggio.He trained to be an actor with a group called the Players Ring Theater, after which he found small parts performing on the stage and in TV soap operas.He made his film debut in a low-budget teen dramaThe Cry Baby Killer(1958), playing the title role. For the next decade, Nicholson\",\n \"decade, Nicholson frequently collaborated with the film's producer,Roger Corman. Corman directed Nicholson on several occasions, such as inThe Little Shop of Horrorsas undertaker (andmasochisticdental patient) Wilbur Force; inThe Raven;The Terror, where he plays a French officer seduced by an evil ghost; andThe St. Valentine's Day Massacre. Nicholson frequently worked with directorMonte Hellmanon low-budget westerns; two of them—Ride in the WhirlwindandThe Shooting—initially failed to interest U.S. film distributors but gained cult success on the French art-house circuit and were later sold to television. Nicholson also appeared in two episodes ofThe Andy Griffith Show, and starred as a rebellious dirt-track race driver in the 1960 filmThe Wild Ride. With his acting career foundering, Nicholson seemed resigned to a career behind the camera as a writer/director. His first real taste of writing success was the screenplay for the 1967counterculturefilmThe Trip(directed by Corman), starringPeter FondaandDennis\",\n \"FondaandDennis Hopper. After first reading the script, Fonda told Nicholson he was impressed by the writing and felt it could become a great film. But Fonda was disappointed with how the film turned out and blamed the editing for turning it into a \\\"predictable\\\" film and said so publicly. \\\"I was livid\\\", he recalls.Nicholson also co-wrote, withBob Rafelson, the movieHead, which starredThe Monkees, and arranged the movie's soundtrack. Nicholson's first big acting break came when a role opened up in Fonda and Hopper'sEasy Rider(1969). He played alcoholic lawyer George Hanson, for which he received his first Oscar nomination. The film cost only $400,000 to make, and became a blockbuster, grossing $40 million.BiographerJohn Parkerwrites that Nicholson's interpretation of his role placed him in the company of earlierantiheroactors, such asJames CagneyandHumphrey Bogart, while promoting him into an \\\"overnight number-one hero of the counter-culture movement\\\".The part was a lucky break for Nicholson. The role had been\",\n \"The role had been written forRip Torn, who withdrew from the project after an argument with Hopper.Nicholson later acknowledged the importance of being cast inEasy Rider: \\\"All I could see in the early films, beforeEasy Rider, was this desperate young actor trying to vault out of the screen and create a movie career.\\\"Stanley Kubrick, who was impressed by his performance inEasy Rider, cast Nicholson asNapoleonin a film about his life, and although production on the film commenced,the project fizzled out, partly due to a change in ownership at MGM. 1970–1989: Stardom and acclaim In 1970, Nicholson starred inFive Easy PiecesalongsideKaren Blackin what became his persona-defining role. Nicholson and Black were nominated for Academy Awards for their performances. Nicholson played Bobby Dupea, an oil rig worker, and Black played his waitress girlfriend. Black noted that Nicholson's character in the film was very subdued and very different from Nicholson's real personality. She said that the now-infamous restaurant\",\n \"restaurant scene was partly improvised by Nicholson, and was out of character for Bobby, who would not have cared enough to argue with a waitress.\\\"I think that Jack really has very little in common with Bobby. I think Bobby has given up looking for love. But Jack hasn't, he's very interested in love, in finding out things. Jack is a very curious, alive human being. Always ready for a new idea.\\\": 37Nicholson himself said as much, telling an interviewer, \\\"I like listening to everybody. This to me is the elixir of life.\\\" There isJames Cagney,Spencer Tracy,Humphrey Bogart, andHenry Fonda. After that, who is there but Jack Nicholson? —Mike Nichols, director Black later admitted that she had a crush on Nicholson from the time they met, although they dated only briefly. \\\"He was very beautiful. He just looked right at you ... I liked him a lot ... He really sort of wanted to date me but I didn't think of him that way because I was going withPeter Kastner... Then I went to doEasy Rider, but didn't see him because we\",\n \"see him because we didn't have any scenes together ... At the premiere, I saw him out in the lobby afterward and I started crying ... He didn't understand that, but what it was was that I really loved him a lot, and I didn't know it until I saw him again, because it all welled up.\\\": 36 Within a month after its release that September,Five Easy Piecesbecame a blockbuster, making Nicholson aleading manand the \\\"new American anti-hero\\\", according to McDougal.: 130Critics began speculating as to whether he might become anotherMarlon BrandoorJames Dean. His career and income skyrocketed. He said, \\\"I have much sought after. Your name becomes a brand image like a product. You become Campbell's soup, with thirty-one different varieties of roles you can play.\\\": 130He told his new agent, Sandy Bresler, to find him unusual roles so he could stretch his acting skill: \\\"I like to play people that haven't existed yet, a 'cusp character'\\\", he said, \\\"I have that creative yearning. Much in the wayChagallflies figures into the\",\n \"figures into the air: once it becomes part of the conventional wisdom, it doesn't seem particularly adventurous or weird or wild.\\\": 130 Also in 1970, Nicholson appeared in the film adaptation ofOn a Clear Day You Can See Forever, although most of his performance was left on thecutting room floor. His agent turned down a starring role inDeliverancewhen the film's producer and director,John Boorman, refused to pay what Nicholson's agent wanted.: 130In 1971, Nicholson starred inCarnal Knowledge, a comedy-drama directed byMike Nicholsand co-starringArt Garfunkel,Ann-Margret, andCandice Bergen. He was nominated for aGolden Globe Award for Best Actor. Nichols felt few actors could handle the role, saying, \\\"There is James Cagney, Spencer Tracy, Humphrey Bogart, and Henry Fonda. After that, who is there but Jack Nicholson?\\\"During the filming, Nicholson struck up what became a lifelong friendship with Garfunkel. When he visited Los Angeles, Garfunkel stayed at Nicholson's home in a room Nicholson jokingly called \\\"the\",\n \"called \\\"the Arthur Garfunkel Suite\\\".: 127 Other Nicholson roles includedHal Ashby'sThe Last Detail(1973), withRandy Quaid, for which Nicholson wonBest Actorat theCannes Film Festivaland was nominated for his third Oscar and a Golden Globe. Television journalistDavid Gilmourwrites that one of his favorite Nicholson scenes from all his films was the often censored one in this film, when Nicholson slaps his gun on the bar yelling hewasthe Shore Patrol.CriticRoger Ebertcalled it a very good movie, but credited Nicholson's acting as the main reason: \\\"He creates a character so complete and so complex that we stop thinking about the movie and just watch to see what he'll do next.\\\"In 1974, Nicholson starred inRoman Polanski's noir thrillerChinatown, and was again nominated for theAcademy Award for Best Actorfor his role as Jake Gittes, a private detective. The film co-starredFaye DunawayandJohn Huston, and included a cameo role with Polanski. Ebert called Nicholson's portrayal sharp-edged, menacing, and aggressive,\",\n \"and aggressive, a character who knew \\\"how to go over the top\\\", as he did inOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. That edge keptChinatownfrom becoming a typical genre crime film.Ebert also notes the importance of the role for Nicholson's career, seeing it as a major transition from the exploitation films of the previous decade. \\\"As Jake Gittes, he stepped into Bogart's shoes\\\", says Ebert. \\\"As a man attractive to audiences because he suggests both comfort and danger ... From Gittes forward, Nicholson created the persona of a man who had seen it all and was still capable of being wickedly amused.\\\" Nicholson had been friends with Polanski long before themurderof Polanski's wife,Sharon Tate, by theManson Family, and supported him in the days following her death.: 109–110After Tate's death, Nicholson began sleeping with a hammer under his pillowand took breaks from work to attend Manson's trial. In 1977, three years afterChinatown, Polanski was arrested at Nicholson's home for thesexual assaultof 13-year-old Samantha\",\n \"Samantha Geimer, who was modeling for Polanski during a magazine photo shoot around the pool. At the time, Nicholson was out of town making a film, but his steady girlfriend, actressAnjelica Huston, had dropped by unannounced to pick up some items. She heard Polanski in the other room say, \\\"We'll be right out.\\\"Polanski then came out with Geimer and introduced her to Huston, and they chatted about Nicholson's two large dogs, which were sitting nearby. Huston recalled Geimer was wearing platform heels and appeared quite tall.After a few minutes of talking, Polanski had packed up his camera gear and Huston saw them drive off in his car. Huston told police the next day, after Polanski was arrested, that she \\\"had witnessed nothing untoward\\\" and never saw them together in the other room. Geimer learned afterward that Huston herself was not supposed to be at Nicholson's house that day, since they had recently broken up, but stopped over to pick up some belongings. Geimer described Nicholson's house as \\\"definitely\\\"\",\n \"as \\\"definitely\\\" a guy's house, with lots of wood and shelves crowded with photos and mementos. One of Nicholson's successes came in 1975, with his role asRandle P. McMurphyinOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. The movie was an adaptation ofKen Kesey's novel of thesame name, and was directed byMiloš Formanand co-produced byMichael Douglas. Nicholson plays an anti-authoritarian patient at a mental hospital where he becomes an inspiring leader for the other patients. Playing one of the patients wasDanny DeVitoin an early role. Nicholson learned afterward that DeVito grew up in the same area of New Jersey, and they knew many of the same people.The film received nine nominations at the Academy Awards, and won five, including Nicholson's first forBest Actor.The role seemed perfect for Nicholson, with biographer Ken Burke noting that his \\\"smartass demeanor balances his genuine concern for the treatment of his fellow patients with his independent spirit too free to exist in a repressive social structure\\\".Forman allowed\",\n \"allowed Nicholson to improvise throughout the film, including most of the group therapy sequences.: 273ReviewerMarie Brennernotes that his bravura performance \\\"transcends the screen\\\" and continually inspires the other actors by lightening their mental illnesses with his comic dialogue. She describes his performance: Nicholson is everywhere; his energy propels the ward of loonies and makes of them an ensemble, a chorus of people caught in a bummer with nowhere else to go, but still fighting for some frail sense of themselves. ... There are scenes inCuckoo's Nestthat are as intimate—and in their language, twice as rough—as the best moments inThe Godfather... far above the general run of Hollywood performances. — Marie Brenner,Texas Monthly Also in 1975, Nicholson starred inMichelangelo Antonioni'sThe Passenger(1975), which co-starredMaria Schneider. Nicholson plays a journalist, David Locke, who during an assignment in North Africa decides to quit journalism and disappear by taking on a new hidden identity.\",\n \"hidden identity. Unfortunately, the dead person whose identity he takes on turns out to have been a weapons smuggler on the run. Antonioni's unusual plot included convincing dialogue and fine acting, states film criticSeymour Chatman.It was shot in Algeria, Spain, Germany, and England. The film received good reviews and revived Antonioni's reputation as a great director.He said he wanted the film to have more of a \\\"spy feeling be more political\\\".Nicholson began shooting the film from an unfinished script, notesJudith Crist,yet upon its completion he thought so highly of the film that he bought the world rights and recorded a reminiscence of working with Antonioni. Critic and screenwriterPenelope Gilliattprovides an overview of Nicholson's role, \\\"The Passengeris an unidealized portrait of a drained man whose one remaining stimulus is to push his luck. Again and again, in the movie, we watch him court danger. It interests him to walk the edge of risk. He does it with passivity as if he were taking part in an\",\n \"taking part in an expressionless game of double-dare with life. Jack Nicholson's performance is a wonder of insight. How to animate a personality that is barely there.: 443 Nicholson continued to take more unusual roles. He took a small role inThe Last TycoonoppositeRobert De Niro. He took a less sympathetic role inArthur Penn's westernThe Missouri Breaks(1976), specifically to work withMarlon Brando. Nicholson was especially inspired by Brando's acting ability, recalling that in his youth, as an assistant manager at a theater, he watchedOn the Waterfrontabout 40 times. He once stated, \\\"Marlon Brando influenced me strongly. Today, it's hard for people who weren't there to realize the impact that Brando had on an audience. ... He's always been the patron saint of actors\\\".\\\"I'm part of the first generation that idolized Marlon Brando\\\", he said. Nicholson has observed that while both De Niro and Brando were noted for their skill asmethod actors, he himself has seldom been described as one, a fact he sees as an\",\n \"fact he sees as an accomplishment: \\\"I'm still fooling them\\\", he toldSean Penn. \\\"I consider it an accomplishment because there's probably no one who understands Method acting better academically than I do—or actually uses it more in his work. But it's funny, nobody really sees that. It's perception versus reality, I guess.\\\" His work is always interesting, clearly conceived, and has the X-factor, magic. Jack is particularly suited for roles that require intelligence. He is an intelligent and literate man, and these are almost impossible to act. InThe Shiningyou believe he's a writer, failed or otherwise. —Stanley Kubrick Although he garnered noAcademy AwardforStanley Kubrick's adaptation ofStephen King'sThe Shining(1980), his role in the film as writerJack Torranceremains one of his more significant. He was Kubrick's first choice to play the role, although the book's author, Stephen King, wanted more of an \\\"everyman\\\". Kubrick won the argument and called Nicholson's acting \\\"on a par with the greatest stars of\",\n \"greatest stars of the past, likeSpencer TracyandJimmy Cagney\\\".In preparation for the role, Nicholson drew upon his own experiences as a writer and slept short hours to help remain in an agitated state during the shoot. His co-starShelley Duvallrecalled that she and Nicholson spent many hours discussing their characters, with Nicholson maintaining that his character be cold to her from the start.On the set, Nicholson always appeared in character and if Kubrick felt confident that Nicholson knew his lines well enough, he encouraged him to improvise beyond the script.: 434For example, Nicholson improvised his now-famous \\\"Here's Johnny!\\\" line,: 433along with a scene in which he unleashes his anger on his wife when she interrupts his work.: 445There were also extensive takes of scenes, due to Kubrick's perfectionism. Nicholson shot a scene with the ghostly bartender 36 times.He said, \\\"Stanley's demanding. He'll do a scene fifty times, and you have to be good to do that.\\\": 38 In 1982, he starred as an immigration\",\n \"as an immigration enforcement agent inThe Border, directed byTony Richardson. It co-starredWarren Oates, who played a corrupt border official.Richardson wanted Nicholson to play his role less expressively than he had in his earlier roles. \\\"Less is more\\\", he told him, and wanted him to wear reflecting sunglasses to portray what patrolmen wore.: 318Richardson recalled that Nicholson worked hard on the set: He's what the Thirties and Forties stars were like. He can come on the set and deliver, without any fuss, without taking a long time walking around getting into it. \\\"What do you want? Okay.\\\" And he just does it straight off. And then if you want him to do it another way on the next take, he can adapt to that too.: 318 Nicholson won his second Oscar, anAcademy Award for Best Supporting Actor, for his role of retired astronaut Garrett Breedlove inTerms of Endearment(1983), directed byJames L. Brooks. It starredShirley MacLaineandDebra Winger. McGilligan claims it was one of Nicholson's most complex and\",\n \"most complex and unforgettable characters. He and MacLaine played many of their scenes in different ways, constantly testing and making adjustments. Their scenes together gave the film its \\\"buoyant edge\\\", states McGilligan, and describes Nicholson's acting as \\\"Jack floating like a butterfly\\\".: 330 Nicholson continued to work prolifically in the 1980s, starring in such films as:The Postman Always Rings Twice(1981);Reds(1981), where Nicholson portrays the writerEugene O'Neillwith a quiet intensity;Prizzi's Honor(1985);Heartburn(1986);The Witches of Eastwick(1987);Broadcast News(1987); andIronweed(1987). Three Oscar nominations also followed (Reds,Prizzi's Honor, andIronweed).John Huston, who directedPrizzi's Honor, said of Nicholson's acting, \\\"He just illuminates the book. He impressed me in one scene after another; the movie is composed largely of first takes with him.\\\"In the 1989Batmanmovie, Nicholson played the psychotic villain,the Joker. The film was an international smash hit, and a lucrative deal earned\",\n \"deal earned him a percentage of the box office gross estimated at $60 million to $90 million.Nicholson said that he was \\\"particularly proud\\\" of his performance as the Joker: \\\"I considered it a piece ofpop art\\\", he said. 1990–1999: Established actor For his role as hot-headed Col. Nathan R. Jessup inA Few Good Men(1992), a movie about a murder in aU.S. Marine Corpsunit, Nicholson received yet another Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.One review describes his performance as \\\"spellbinding\\\", adding that he portrayed \\\"the essence of the quintessential military mindset\\\".Critic David Thomson notes that Nicholson's character \\\"blazed and roared\\\".The film's director,Rob Reiner, recalls how Nicholson's level of acting experience affected the other actors during rehearsals: \\\"I had the luck of having Jack Nicholson there. He knows what he's doing, and he comes to play, every time out, full-out performance! And what it says to a lot of the other actors is, 'Oooooh, I better get on my game here because\",\n \"game here because this guy's coming to play! So I can't hold back; I've got to come up to him.' He sets the tone.\\\" In 1996, Nicholson collaborated once more withBatmandirectorTim BurtononMars Attacks!, pulling double duty as two contrasting characters, President James Dale andLas Vegasproperty developer Art Land. Not all of Nicholson's performances have been well received. He was nominated forRazzie Awardsas worst actor forMan Trouble(1992) andHoffa(1992). But his performance inHoffaalso earned him aGolden Globenomination.David Thomson states that the film was terribly neglected, since Nicholson portrayed one of his best screen characters, someone who is \\\"snarly, dumb, smart, noble, rascally—all the parts of 'Jack'\\\".Roger Ebertalso praised his performance writing, \\\"Nicholson is an actor who can reflect almost anything in his face. One reason his performance is so good as Hoffa is that he reveals almost nothing.\\\" Nicholson won his nextAcademy Award for Best Actorin the romantic comedyAs Good as It Gets(1997),\",\n \"as It Gets(1997), his third film directed byJames L. Brooks. He played Melvin Udall, a \\\"wickedly funny\\\",mean-spirited novelist withobsessive-compulsive disorder. \\\"I'm a studioMethod actor\\\", he said. \\\"So I was prone to give some kind of clinical presentation of the disorder.\\\"His Oscar was matched by theAcademy Award for Best ActressforHelen Hunt, who played a Manhattan single mother drawn into a love/hate friendship with Udall, a frequent diner in the restaurant where she works as a waitress. The film was a box-office success, grossing $314 million, making it Nicholson's second-best-grossing film, afterBatman.The win was Nicholson's third Academy Award, tying him with six other actors,Walter Brennan,Ingrid Bergman,Meryl Streep,Daniel Day-Lewis, andFrances McDormandwho all have three acting Oscars. Nicholson admits he initially disliked playing a middle-aged man alongside a much younger Hunt, seeing it as a movie cliché. \\\"But Helen disarmed that at the first meeting\\\", he says, \\\"and I stopped thinking about\",\n \"thinking about it.\\\" They got along well during the filming, with Hunt saying that he \\\"treated me like a queen\\\", and they connected immediately: \\\"It wasn't even what we said\\\", she said. \\\"It was just some frequency we both could tune into that was very, very compatible.\\\"Critic Jack Mathews ofNewsdaysaid Nicholson was \\\"in rare form\\\", adding, \\\"it's one of those performances that make you aware how much fun the actor is having\\\".Author and screenwriter Andrew Horton describes their on-screen relationship as being like \\\"fire and ice, oil and water—seemingly complete opposites\\\". 2000–present: Later roles and retirement In 2001, Nicholson was the first actor to receive theStanislavsky Awardat the23rd Moscow International Film Festivalfor \\\"conquering the heights of acting and faithfulness\\\".That same year Nicholson starred inThe Pledge, amysterydrama where he portrays retired police detective Jerry Black, who vows to find a murderer of a young girl. Nicholson was praised for his performance; Bob Graham of theSan\",\n \"Graham of theSan Francisco Chroniclecalled it \\\"deeply felt\\\" compared to some of Nicholson's other films.Nicholson acted inAlexander Payne's comedy-dramaAbout Schmidt(2002), playing a retiredOmaha,Nebraska,actuarywho questions his own life after his wife dies. His quietly restrained performance earned him nominations for anAcademy Award,BAFTA Award,Golden Globe AwardandScreen Actors Guild Awardfor Best Actor. InAnger Management(2003), he played an aggressive therapist assigned to help an overly pacifist man (Adam Sandler). In 2003, Nicholson also starred in theNancy Meyersdirected romantic comedySomething's Gotta Giveplaying an aging playboy who falls for the mother (Diane Keaton) of his young girlfriend. For his performance he was nominated for theGolden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy. In late 2006, Nicholson marked his return to the dark side inMartin Scorsese'sOscar-winning filmThe Departed, a remake ofAndrew Lau'sInfernal Affairs,playingFrank Costello, a nefariousBostonIrish\",\n \"Mobboss based onWhitey Bulger, who was still on the run at the time. The role earned Nicholson worldwide critical praise, along with various awards and nominations, including aGolden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor - Motion Picturenomination. In 2007, Nicholson co-starred withMorgan FreemaninRob Reiner'sThe Bucket List,in which Nicholson and Freeman portrayed dying men who fulfill their list of goals. In researching the role, Nicholson visited a Los Angeles hospital to see how cancer patients coped with their illnesses. Nicholson is the Hollywood celebrity who is most like a character in some ongoing novel of our times. He is also the most beloved of stars—not even his huge wealth, his reckless aging, and the public disasters of his private life can detract from this ... For he is still a touchstone, someone we value for the way he helps us see ourselves. —David Thomson, a film critic. Nicholson's next film role saw him reunite withJames L. Brooks, director ofTerms of Endearment,Broadcast NewsandAs\",\n \"NewsandAs Good as It Gets, for a supporting role for the 2010 filmHow Do You KnowstarringPaul Rudd,Reese Witherspoon, andOwen Wilson. The film was a financial and critical failure. In a September 2013Vanity Fairarticle, Nicholson said that he did not consider himself retired, but that he was now less driven to \\\"be out there anymore\\\".As of 2023,How Do You Knowremains Nicholson's last film role, and brings his filmography to 80 films.In 2013, Nicholson co-presented theAcademy Award for Best Picturewith First LadyMichelle Obama,the eighth time he presented the Academy Award for Best Picture (1972, 1977, 1978, 1990, 1993, 2006, 2007, and 2013). On February 15, 2015, Nicholson made a special appearance as a presenter onSNL 40, the 40th anniversary special ofSaturday Night Live.After the death of boxerMuhammad Alion June 3, 2016, Nicholson appeared onHBO'sThe Fight Game withJim Lampleyfor an exclusive interview about his friendship with Ali.He was reported to be starring in an English-language remake ofToni\",\n \"remake ofToni Erdmannin 2017 oppositeKristen Wiig, his first feature film role sinceHow Do You Know,but the project was later abandoned.In October 2019, with the release ofThe ShiningsequelDoctor Sleep, directorMike Flanaganrevealed he approached Nicholson for acameo appearance, but Nicholson declined with best wishes.Flanagan also disclosed that Nicholson had previously been approached to appear inSteven Spielberg's science-fiction filmReady Player One(2018). During an appearance in the November 2, 2023, episode ofMarc Maron's podcast,WTF with Marc Maron, record producerLou Adler, a longtime friend of Nicholson's, related an anecdote pertaining to the unofficial retirement of the actor, who had not done a film in the 13 years sinceHow Do You Know, saying, \\\"A friend of mine wanted to put him in a movie. And he had a conversation with him. But Jack says, 'I don't want to do it.' He goes, 'You know what I did today? I sat under a tree and I read a book.' That sounds like Jack.\\\" Adler stated that Nicholson was\",\n \"that Nicholson was \\\"doing whatever he really wants to do,\\\" adding, \\\"He wants to be quiet. He wants to eat what he wants. He wants to live the life he wants.\\\" Influence Nicholson has describedMarlon Brandoas a major influence on his career. He stated, \\\"Actors don't normally discuss who the best actor in the world is, because it's obvious—Brando is the best.” He also namedJohn Ford,Akira Kurosawa, andOrson Wellesas his favorite directors. Actors who have cited Nicholson as an influence includeLeonardo DiCaprio,Alden Ehrenreich,andMorgan Freeman. Personal life Relationships and children In his personal life, Nicholson is notorious for his inability to \\\"settle down\\\";he has fathered six children by five women but married only once.Nicholson's marriage was toThe Terrorco-starSandra Knightfrom 1962 to 1968, though they separated in 1966.The couple had one daughter, Jennifer (born September 13, 1963). Five Easy Piecesco-starSusan Anspachcontended that her son Caleb (born September 26, 1970), whose legal father\",\n \"whose legal father wasMark Goddard, was actually Nicholson's biological son.In 1984, Nicholson said he was not convinced of this,but in 1996, Caleb said that Nicholson had recognized him as his son in private.By 1998, Nicholson publicly acknowledged Caleb as his son and said that they got along \\\"beautifully now.\\\" In 1971 and 1972, Nicholson was in a relationship with singerMichelle Phillips, the ex-wife of his best friendDennis Hopper, during which time she suffered a miscarriage.Nicholson's longest relationship was 17 years with actressAnjelica Huston, from 1973 until 1990. Their on-again, off-again romance included several periods of overlap with other women, notably former Bond girlJill St. Johnand Danish model Winnie Hollman, with whom Nicholson fathered a daughter, Honey Hollman (born January 26, 1982).Winnie Hollman has claimed that a DNA test during her pregnancy confirmed that Nicholson was the biological father. However, in 2024, it was revealed that Nicholson was not the biological father of\",\n \"father of Honey,who did a DNA test herself in 1999. Honey said in 2006 that she has a “normal father-daughter relationship” with Nicholson. The relationship with Huston ended amid actress/waitressRebecca Broussard's first pregnancy by Nicholson. He and Broussard had two children,Lorraine(born April 16, 1990) andRaymond(born February 20, 1992).The pair split up in 1994, and that same year, Nicholson supposedly had a daughter, Tessa (born August 15, 1994), with waitress Jeannine Gourin.Nicholson has never publicly acknowledged his paternity. Beginning in the late 1990s, Nicholson was involved with actressLara Flynn Boyle. The two initially broke up in 2000, later reuniting before splitting permanently in 2004, after which Nicholson was linked to English supermodelKate Moss.In 2006, Nicholson dated actressPaz de la Huerta. Nicholson has said that children \\\"give your life a resonance that it can't have without them ... As a father, I'm there all the time. I give unconditional love\\\".He has also lamented that he\",\n \"lamented that he \\\"didn't see enough of my eldest daughter because I was trying to make a career\\\". Legal issues In a criminalcomplaintfiled on February 8, 1994, Robert Blank stated that Nicholson, then 56, approached Blank'sMercedes-Benzwhile he was stopped at a red light inNorth Hollywood. After accusing Blank of cutting him off in traffic, Nicholson used a golf club to bash the roof and windshield of Blank's car. A witness confirmed Blank's account of the incident andmisdemeanorcharges of assault and vandalism were filed against Nicholson. Charges were dropped after Nicholson apologized to Blank, and the two reached an undisclosed settlement, which included a reported $500,000 check from Nicholson. In 1996, a lawsuit was brought against him alleging that he promised a woman named Catherine Sheehan $1,000 for sex and then assaulted her when she asked for the money. Sheehan received a settlement of about $40,000, but filed another lawsuit against him, arguing that the settlement was insufficient to cover the\",\n \"to cover the injuries inflicted upon her, includingbrain trauma, which she said were \\\"actually killing her.\\\"The case was dismissed. Celebrity friendships Nicholson lived next door toMarlon Brandofor a number of years onMulholland DriveinBeverly Hills, California.Warren Beattyalso lived nearby, earning the road the nickname \\\"Bad Boy Drive\\\". After Brando's death in 2004, Nicholson purchased his bungalow for $6.1 million, with the purpose of having it demolished. Nicholson said he did so out of respect for Brando's legacy, as it had become too expensive to renovate the \\\"derelict\\\" building, which was plagued by mold. Nicholson's friendship with author-journalistHunter S. Thompsonis described in Thompson's autobiographyKingdom of Fear(2003).After Thompson died in 2005, Nicholson and fellow actorsJohnny Depp,John Cusack, andSean Pennattended his private memorial service in Colorado.Nicholson was also a close friend ofRobert Evans, the producer ofChinatown, and after Evans lost Woodland, his home, as the result of\",\n \"as the result of a 1980s drug bust, Nicholson and other friends of Evans bought Woodland to give it back to him.Nicholson is also friends with fellow New JerseyansDanny DeVitoandJoe Pesci. Hobbies Nicholson is a fan of theNew York YankeesandLos Angeles Lakers. He became a Lakers season ticket holder in1970, and held courtside seats next to the opponent's benches both atThe ForumandStaples Center. He was described as a \\\"fixture\\\" at the games, though his regular attendance had stopped by 2021, as he withdrew from public appearances.Nicholson occasionally argued with game officials and opposing players, and even walked onto the court.He was almost ejected from a Lakers playoff game in May 2003 after yelling at a referee.After the death of former Lakers starKobe Bryantin ahelicopter crashin January 2020, Nicholson gave a rare phone interview to Los Angeles stationKCBS-TVexpressing his grief.He attended a2023 playoff game, which media outlets noted was his first appearance at a Lakers game in nearly two years.\",\n \"nearly two years. Nicholson is a collector of 20th-century and contemporary paintings, including those ofHenri Matisse,Tamara de Lempicka,Andy WarholandJack Vettriano.In 1995, artistEdward Ruschasaid that Nicholson has \\\"one of the best collections out here\\\". Political views Nicholson has called himself a \\\"lifelongIrishDemocrat.”He supportedGeorge McGovernin the 1972 presidential election,Michael Dukakisin 1988,Hillary Clintonin 2008, andBernie Sandersin 2020. Nicholson supportssolar energy,decriminalizing drugs,monopoly laws, and raising teachers' pay.Although personally againstabortion, he ispro-choice. He has said, \\\"I'm pro-choice but against abortion because I'm an illegitimate child myself, and it would be hypocritical to take any other position. I'd be dead. I wouldn't exist.\\\" He has also said that he has \\\"nothing but total admiration, gratitude, and respect for the strength of the women who made the decision they made in my individual case\\\". Religious beliefs Nicholson was raisedRoman Catholicand has\",\n \"Catholicand has expressed admiration for the religion, calling it \\\"the only officialdogmatraining I've had. I liked it. It's a smart religion.\\\"It has been asserted that some of Nicholson's 1970s movie roles were influenced by Catholicism.In a 1992Vanity Fairinterview, Nicholson said, \\\"I don't believe in God now. I can still work up an envy for someone who has faith. I can see how that could be a deeply soothing experience.\\\" Acting credits and accolades During his career Nicholson has appeared in 80 films.Among some of Nicholson's films are: With 12Academy Awardnominations (eight for Best Actor and four for Best Supporting Actor), Nicholson is the most nominated male actor in Academy Awards history. Only Nicholson (1960s–2000s),Michael Caine(1960s–2000s),Meryl Streep(1970s–2010s),Paul Newman(1950s–1960s, 1980s–2000s),Katharine Hepburn(1930s–1960s, 1980s),Frances McDormand(1980s–2020s),Denzel Washington(1980s–2020s), andLaurence Olivier(1930s–1970s) have been nominated for an acting (lead or supporting)\",\n \"or supporting) Academy Award in five different decades. With three Oscar wins, he also ties withWalter Brennan,Daniel Day-Lewis,Ingrid Bergman,Frances McDormandandMeryl Streepfor the second-most Oscar wins in acting categories. OnlyKatharine Hepburn, with four Oscars, won more. Nicholson is an active and voting member of the Academy. In May 2008, then-California GovernorArnold Schwarzeneggerand First LadyMaria Shriverannounced that Nicholson would be inducted into theCalifornia Hall of Fame, located atThe California MuseuminSacramento. The induction ceremony took place on December 15, 2008, where he was inducted alongside 11 other Californians.In 2010, Nicholson was inducted into theNew Jersey Hall of Fame.In 2011, Nicholson received an honoraryDoctor of Fine Artsdegree fromBrown Universityat its 243rd commencement. At the ceremony,Ruth Simmons, Brown University's president, called him \\\"the most skilled actor of our lifetime\\\". Explanatory note References General bibliography External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":293,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"In 1994, Linus Roache starred in Priest. Who composed the music on his next film?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Edward Shearmur"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(1994_film)"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Roache"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wings_of_the_Dove_(1997_film)"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Tabular reasoning | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(1994_film)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Roache', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wings_of_the_Dove_(1997_film)']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(1994_film","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Roache","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wings_of_the_Dove_(1997_film"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(1994_film\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Roache\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wings_of_the_Dove_(1997_film\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(1994_film","Linus Roache Linus William Roache(born 1 February 1964) is a British actor. He played Executive ADAMichael Cutterin theNBCdramasLaw & Order(2008–2010) andLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit(2011–2012), and also playedEcbert, King of WessexinVikingsfrom 2014 to 2017. He was nominated for aGolden Globe Awardfor playingRobert F. KennedyinRFK(2002) and won aSatellite Award for Best Supporting Actor (TV)for his role asRalph WigraminThe Gathering Storm(2002). His film appearances includePriest(1994),The Wings of the Dove(1997),Pandaemonium(2000),The Chronicles of Riddick(2004),Batman Begins(2005),Non-Stop(2014) andMandy(2018). In 2018 and 2020, he had a recurring role in the final two seasons ofHomeland. In 2023, he played the role of Senator Wesley Smith in Showtime'sFellow Travelers. Early life Roache was born inManchester, England, the son ofCoronation StreetactorWilliam Roacheand actressAnna Cropper.Roache was educated atBishop Luffa SchoolinChichester, West Sussex,and atRydal SchoolinColwyn Bayinnorth Wales.He studied acting at theCentral School of Speech and Drama.He married actressRosalind BennettinMalvern Hills,Worcestershire, in 2002. Career In 1975 Roache appeared inCoronation StreetplayingPeter Barlow, the son of his father's character Ken Barlow.Roache is also a past member of theRoyal Shakespeare Company. In the 1990s, Roache began a career in films while remaining active in television and on stage. In 1994 he took a leading role inAntonia Bird'sPriest. In 1997, he starred oppositeHelena Bonham Carterin the filmThe Wings of the Dove.In 2001, he won theEvening Standard British Film Award for Best Actor, for his performance asSamuel Taylor Coleridgein theJulien Templedirected filmPandaemoniumalongsideSamantha Morton. In 2005, he playedThomas Wayne, father ofBatman, inBatman Begins.On television he playedExecutive Assistant District AttorneyMichael Cutterin two American series,Law & Order(2008–2010) andLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit(2011–2012). In June 2010, it was announced that he would return to play Laurence Cunningham alongside his father William Roache inCoronation Street. The following month, he was cast in theHBOpilotThe Miraculous Year. In April 2011, Roache was cast as the lead in theITVminiseriesTitanic, airing in March and April 2012 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the sinking ofthe ship. In February 2014, Roache debuted in season two of the TV seriesVikingsasEcbert, King of Wessex. He starred in seasons seven and eight of the TV seriesHomelandas David Wellington in 2017–2019. Filmography Film Television Selected theatre Awards and nominations References External links","Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wings_of_the_Dove_(1997_film"],"string":"[\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(1994_film\",\n \"Linus Roache Linus William Roache(born 1 February 1964) is a British actor. He played Executive ADAMichael Cutterin theNBCdramasLaw & Order(2008–2010) andLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit(2011–2012), and also playedEcbert, King of WessexinVikingsfrom 2014 to 2017. He was nominated for aGolden Globe Awardfor playingRobert F. KennedyinRFK(2002) and won aSatellite Award for Best Supporting Actor (TV)for his role asRalph WigraminThe Gathering Storm(2002). His film appearances includePriest(1994),The Wings of the Dove(1997),Pandaemonium(2000),The Chronicles of Riddick(2004),Batman Begins(2005),Non-Stop(2014) andMandy(2018). In 2018 and 2020, he had a recurring role in the final two seasons ofHomeland. In 2023, he played the role of Senator Wesley Smith in Showtime'sFellow Travelers. Early life Roache was born inManchester, England, the son ofCoronation StreetactorWilliam Roacheand actressAnna Cropper.Roache was educated atBishop Luffa SchoolinChichester, West Sussex,and atRydal SchoolinColwyn Bayinnorth Wales.He studied acting at theCentral School of Speech and Drama.He married actressRosalind BennettinMalvern Hills,Worcestershire, in 2002. Career In 1975 Roache appeared inCoronation StreetplayingPeter Barlow, the son of his father's character Ken Barlow.Roache is also a past member of theRoyal Shakespeare Company. In the 1990s, Roache began a career in films while remaining active in television and on stage. In 1994 he took a leading role inAntonia Bird'sPriest. In 1997, he starred oppositeHelena Bonham Carterin the filmThe Wings of the Dove.In 2001, he won theEvening Standard British Film Award for Best Actor, for his performance asSamuel Taylor Coleridgein theJulien Templedirected filmPandaemoniumalongsideSamantha Morton. In 2005, he playedThomas Wayne, father ofBatman, inBatman Begins.On television he playedExecutive Assistant District AttorneyMichael Cutterin two American series,Law & Order(2008–2010) andLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit(2011–2012). In June 2010, it was announced that he would return to play Laurence Cunningham alongside his father William Roache inCoronation Street. The following month, he was cast in theHBOpilotThe Miraculous Year. In April 2011, Roache was cast as the lead in theITVminiseriesTitanic, airing in March and April 2012 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the sinking ofthe ship. In February 2014, Roache debuted in season two of the TV seriesVikingsasEcbert, King of Wessex. He starred in seasons seven and eight of the TV seriesHomelandas David Wellington in 2017–2019. Filmography Film Television Selected theatre Awards and nominations References External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wings_of_the_Dove_(1997_film\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(1994_film","Linus Roache Linus William Roache(born 1 February 1964) is a British actor. He played Executive ADAMichael Cutterin theNBCdramasLaw & Order(2008–2010) andLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit(2011–2012), and also playedEcbert, King of WessexinVikingsfrom 2014 to 2017. He was nominated for aGolden Globe Awardfor playingRobert F. KennedyinRFK(2002) and won aSatellite Award for Best Supporting Actor (TV)for his role asRalph WigraminThe Gathering Storm(2002). His film appearances includePriest(1994),The Wings of the Dove(1997),Pandaemonium(2000),The Chronicles of Riddick(2004),Batman Begins(2005),Non-Stop(2014) andMandy(2018). In 2018 and 2020, he had a recurring role in the final two seasons ofHomeland. In 2023, he played the role of Senator Wesley Smith in Showtime'sFellow Travelers. Early life Roache was born inManchester, England, the son ofCoronation StreetactorWilliam Roacheand actressAnna Cropper.Roache was educated atBishop Luffa SchoolinChichester, West Sussex,and atRydal SchoolinColwyn Bayinnorth Wales.He","Bayinnorth Wales.He studied acting at theCentral School of Speech and Drama.He married actressRosalind BennettinMalvern Hills,Worcestershire, in 2002. Career In 1975 Roache appeared inCoronation StreetplayingPeter Barlow, the son of his father's character Ken Barlow.Roache is also a past member of theRoyal Shakespeare Company. In the 1990s, Roache began a career in films while remaining active in television and on stage. In 1994 he took a leading role inAntonia Bird'sPriest. In 1997, he starred oppositeHelena Bonham Carterin the filmThe Wings of the Dove.In 2001, he won theEvening Standard British Film Award for Best Actor, for his performance asSamuel Taylor Coleridgein theJulien Templedirected filmPandaemoniumalongsideSamantha Morton. In 2005, he playedThomas Wayne, father ofBatman, inBatman Begins.On television he playedExecutive Assistant District AttorneyMichael Cutterin two American series,Law & Order(2008–2010) andLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit(2011–2012). In June 2010, it was announced that he","announced that he would return to play Laurence Cunningham alongside his father William Roache inCoronation Street. The following month, he was cast in theHBOpilotThe Miraculous Year. In April 2011, Roache was cast as the lead in theITVminiseriesTitanic, airing in March and April 2012 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the sinking ofthe ship. In February 2014, Roache debuted in season two of the TV seriesVikingsasEcbert, King of Wessex. He starred in seasons seven and eight of the TV seriesHomelandas David Wellington in 2017–2019. Filmography Film Television Selected theatre Awards and nominations References External links","Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wings_of_the_Dove_(1997_film"],"string":"[\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(1994_film\",\n \"Linus Roache Linus William Roache(born 1 February 1964) is a British actor. He played Executive ADAMichael Cutterin theNBCdramasLaw & Order(2008–2010) andLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit(2011–2012), and also playedEcbert, King of WessexinVikingsfrom 2014 to 2017. He was nominated for aGolden Globe Awardfor playingRobert F. KennedyinRFK(2002) and won aSatellite Award for Best Supporting Actor (TV)for his role asRalph WigraminThe Gathering Storm(2002). His film appearances includePriest(1994),The Wings of the Dove(1997),Pandaemonium(2000),The Chronicles of Riddick(2004),Batman Begins(2005),Non-Stop(2014) andMandy(2018). In 2018 and 2020, he had a recurring role in the final two seasons ofHomeland. In 2023, he played the role of Senator Wesley Smith in Showtime'sFellow Travelers. Early life Roache was born inManchester, England, the son ofCoronation StreetactorWilliam Roacheand actressAnna Cropper.Roache was educated atBishop Luffa SchoolinChichester, West Sussex,and atRydal SchoolinColwyn Bayinnorth Wales.He\",\n \"Bayinnorth Wales.He studied acting at theCentral School of Speech and Drama.He married actressRosalind BennettinMalvern Hills,Worcestershire, in 2002. Career In 1975 Roache appeared inCoronation StreetplayingPeter Barlow, the son of his father's character Ken Barlow.Roache is also a past member of theRoyal Shakespeare Company. In the 1990s, Roache began a career in films while remaining active in television and on stage. In 1994 he took a leading role inAntonia Bird'sPriest. In 1997, he starred oppositeHelena Bonham Carterin the filmThe Wings of the Dove.In 2001, he won theEvening Standard British Film Award for Best Actor, for his performance asSamuel Taylor Coleridgein theJulien Templedirected filmPandaemoniumalongsideSamantha Morton. In 2005, he playedThomas Wayne, father ofBatman, inBatman Begins.On television he playedExecutive Assistant District AttorneyMichael Cutterin two American series,Law & Order(2008–2010) andLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit(2011–2012). In June 2010, it was announced that he\",\n \"announced that he would return to play Laurence Cunningham alongside his father William Roache inCoronation Street. The following month, he was cast in theHBOpilotThe Miraculous Year. In April 2011, Roache was cast as the lead in theITVminiseriesTitanic, airing in March and April 2012 to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the sinking ofthe ship. In February 2014, Roache debuted in season two of the TV seriesVikingsasEcbert, King of Wessex. He starred in seasons seven and eight of the TV seriesHomelandas David Wellington in 2017–2019. Filmography Film Television Selected theatre Awards and nominations References External links\",\n \"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wings_of_the_Dove_(1997_film\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":294,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"How many more full seasons already existed of the longest running cartoon television series ever in the United States of all time than seasons of \"X-Men: The Animated Series\" when Barack Obama was elected president of the United States. Show me your reasoning using a mathematical equation. Write out your answer in words, but give me the mathematical equation in numerical form. "},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Fourteen 19 - 5 = 14"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Men:_The_Animated_Series"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animated_television_series_by_episode_count"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | Post processing | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Men:_The_Animated_Series', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animated_television_series_by_episode_count']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Men:_The_Animated_Series","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animated_television_series_by_episode_count"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Men:_The_Animated_Series\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animated_television_series_by_episode_count\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II(born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44thpresident of the United Statesfrom 2009 to 2017. As a member of theDemocratic Party, he was the firstAfrican-Americanpresident in U.S. history. Obama previously served as aU.S. senatorrepresentingIllinoisfrom 2005 to 2008 and as anIllinois state senatorfrom 1997 to 2004. Obama was born inHonolulu,Hawaii. He graduated fromColumbia Universityin 1983 with aBachelor of Artsdegree in political science and later worked as acommunity organizerinChicago. In 1988, Obama enrolled inHarvard Law School, where he was the first black president of theHarvard Law Review. He became a civil rights attorney and an academic, teachingconstitutional lawat theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolfrom 1992 to 2004. He also went into elective politics; Obamarepresented the 13th district in the Illinois Senatefrom 1997 until 2004, when hesuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate. In the2008 presidential election, aftera close primary campaignagainstHillary Clinton, he was nominated by the Democratic Party for president. Obama selectedJoe Bidenas his running mate and defeatedRepublicannomineeJohn McCain. Obama was named the2009 Nobel Peace Prizelaureate, a decision that drew a mixture of criticism and praise. His first-term actions addressed theglobal financial crisisand includeda major stimulus packageto guide the economy in recovering from theGreat Recession, a partial extension ofGeorge W. Bush'stax cuts,legislation to reform health care,a major financial regulation reform bill, and the end of a major U.S.military presence in Iraq. Obama also appointedSupreme CourtjusticesSonia SotomayorandElena Kagan, the former being the firstHispanic Americanon the Supreme Court. He orderedOperation Neptune Spear, the raid that killedOsama bin Laden, who was responsible for theSeptember 11 attacks. Obama downplayed Bush'scounterinsurgency model, expandingair strikesand making extensive use of special forces, while encouraging greater reliance on host-government militaries. He also orderedmilitary involvement in Libyain order to implementUN Security Council Resolution 1973, contributing to the overthrow ofMuammar Gaddafi. Obama defeated Republican opponentMitt Romneyin the2012 presidential election. In his second term, Obama took steps tocombat climate change, signinga major international climate agreementand anexecutive orderto limitcarbon emissions. Obama also presided over the implementation of theAffordable Care Actand other legislation passed in his first term. He negotiateda nuclear agreement with Iranandnormalized relations with Cuba. The number ofAmerican soldiers in Afghanistandecreased during Obama's second term, though U.S. soldiers remained in the country throughout Obama's presidency. Obama promoted inclusion forLGBT Americans, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to publicly supportsame-sex marriage. Obama left office on January 20, 2017, and continues to reside in Washington, D.C. Historians and political scientists rank him among the upper tier inhistorical rankings of American presidents.His presidential libraryin theSouth Side of Chicagobegan construction in 2021. Since leaving office, Obama has remained politically active, campaigning for candidates in various American elections, including Biden'ssuccessful presidential bidin2020. Outside of politics,Obama has published three books:Dreams from My Father(1995),The Audacity of Hope(2006), andA Promised Land(2020). Early life and career Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961,atKapiolani Medical Center for Women and ChildreninHonolulu, Hawaii.He is the only president born outside thecontiguous 48 states.He was born to an 18-year-old American mother and a 27-year-old Kenyan father. His mother,Ann Dunham(1942–1995), was born inWichita, Kansas, and was of English, Welsh, German, Swiss, and Irish descent. In 2007 it was discovered her great-great-grandfather Falmouth Kearney emigrated from the village ofMoneygall, Irelandto the U.S. in 1850.In July 2012,Ancestry.comfound a strong likelihood that Dunham was descended fromJohn Punch, an enslaved African man who lived in theColony of Virginiaduring the seventeenth century.Obama's father,Barack Obama Sr.(1934–1982),was a marriedLuo KenyanfromNyang'oma Kogelo.His last name, Obama, was derived from his Luo descent.Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian language class at theUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where his father was a foreign student on a scholarship.The couple married inWailuku, Hawaii, on February 2, 1961, six months before Obama was born. In late August 1961, a few weeks after he was born, Barack and his mother moved to theUniversity of WashingtoninSeattle, where they lived for a year. During that time, Barack's father completed his undergraduate degree in economics in Hawaii, graduating in June 1962. He left to attend graduate school on a scholarship atHarvard University, where he earned anM.A.in economics. Obama's parents divorced in March 1964.Obama Sr. returned toKenyain 1964, where he married for a third time and worked for the Kenyan government as the Senior Economic Analyst in the Ministry of Finance.He visited his son in Hawaii only once, at Christmas 1971,before he was killed in an automobile accident in 1982, when Obama was 21 years old.Recalling his early childhood, Obama said: \"That my father looked nothing like the people around me—that he was black as pitch, my mother white as milk—barely registered in my mind.\"He described his struggles as a young adult to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage. In 1963, Dunham metLolo Soetoroat theUniversity of Hawaii; he was anIndonesianEast–West Centergraduate studentingeography. The couple married onMolokaion March 15, 1965.After two one-year extensions of hisJ-1 visa, Lolo returned toIndonesiain 1966. His wife and stepson followed sixteen months later in 1967. The family initially lived in the Menteng Dalam neighborhood in theTebetdistrict ofSouth Jakarta. From 1970, they lived in a wealthier neighborhood in theMentengdistrict ofCentral Jakarta. Education At the age of six, Obama and his mother had moved to Indonesia to join his stepfather. From age six to ten, he was registered in school as \"Barry\"and attended localIndonesian-languageschools:Sekolah Dasar Katolik Santo Fransiskus Asisi(St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School) for two years andSekolah Dasar Negeri Menteng 01(State Elementary School Menteng 01) for one and a half years, supplemented by English-languageCalvert Schoolhomeschooling by his mother.As a result of his four years inJakarta, he was able to speakIndonesianfluently as a child.During his time in Indonesia, Obama's stepfather taught him to be resilient and gave him \"a pretty hardheaded assessment of how the world works\". In 1971, Obama returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents,MadelynandStanley Dunham. He attendedPunahou School—a privatecollege preparatory school—with the aid of a scholarship from fifth grade until he graduated from high school in 1979.In high school, Obama continued to use the nickname \"Barry\" which he kept until making a visit to Kenya in 1980.Obama lived with his mother and half-sister,Maya Soetoro, in Hawaii for three years from 1972 to 1975 while his mother was a graduate student inanthropologyat the University of Hawaii.Obama chose to stay in Hawaii when his mother and half-sister returned to Indonesia in 1975, so his mother could begin anthropology field work.His mother spent most of the next two decades in Indonesia, divorcing Lolo Soetoro in 1980 and earning a PhD degree in 1992, before dying in 1995 in Hawaii following unsuccessful treatment forovariananduterine cancer. Of his years in Honolulu, Obama wrote: \"The opportunity that Hawaii offered — to experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respect — became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the values that I hold most dear.\"Obama has also written and talked about usingalcohol,marijuana, andcocaineduring his teenage years to \"push questions of who I was out of my mind\".Obama was also a member of the \"Choom Gang\" (the slang term for smoking marijuana), a self-named group of friends who spent time together and smoked marijuana. College and research jobs After graduating from high school in 1979, Obama moved to Los Angeles to attendOccidental Collegeon a full scholarship. In February 1981, Obama made his first public speech, calling for Occidental to participate in thedisinvestment from South Africain response to that nation's policy ofapartheid.In mid-1981, Obama traveled to Indonesia to visit his mother and half-sister Maya and visited the families of college friends inPakistanfor three weeks.Later in 1981, hetransferredtoColumbia Universityin New York City as ajunior, where he majored inpolitical sciencewith a specialty ininternational relationsand inEnglish literatureand lived off-campus on West 109th Street.He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 and a 3.7GPA. After graduating, Obama worked for about a year at theBusiness International Corporation, where he was a financial researcher and writer,then as a project coordinator for theNew York Public Interest Research Groupon theCity College of New Yorkcampus for three months in 1985. Community organizer and Harvard Law School Two years after graduating from Columbia, Obama moved from New York to Chicago when he was hired as director of theDeveloping Communities Project, a faith-based community organization originally comprising eight Catholic parishes inRoseland,West Pullman, andRiverdaleon Chicago'sSouth Side. He worked there as a community organizer from June 1985 to May 1988.He helped set up a job training program, a college preparatory tutoring program, and a tenants' rights organization inAltgeld Gardens.Obama also worked as a consultant and instructor for theGamaliel Foundation, a community organizing institute.In mid-1988, he traveled for the first time inEuropefor three weeks and then for five weeks in Kenya, where he met many of hispaternal relativesfor the first time. Despite being offered a full scholarship toNorthwestern University School of Law, Obama enrolled atHarvard Law Schoolin the fall of 1988, living in nearbySomerville, Massachusetts.He was selected as an editor of theHarvard Law Reviewat the end of his first year,president of the journal in his second year,and research assistant to the constitutional scholarLaurence Tribewhile at Harvard.During his summers, he returned to Chicago, where he worked as asummer associateat the law firms ofSidley Austinin 1989 andHopkins & Sutterin 1990.Obama's election as thefirst black president of theHarvard Law Reviewgained national media attentionand led to a publishing contract and advance for a book about race relations,which evolved into a personal memoir. The manuscript was published in mid-1995 asDreams from My Father.Obama graduated from Harvard Law in 1991 with aJuris Doctormagna cum laude. University of Chicago Law School In 1991, Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolto work on his first book.He then taughtconstitutional lawat the University of Chicago Law School for twelve years, first as a lecturer from 1992 to 1996, and then as a senior lecturer from 1996 to 2004. From April to October 1992, Obama directed Illinois'sProject Vote, avoter registration campaignwith ten staffers and seven hundred volunteer registrars; it achieved its goal of registering 150,000 of 400,000 unregistered African Americans in the state, leadingCrain's Chicago Businessto name Obama to its 1993 list of \"40 under Forty\" powers to be. Family and personal life In a 2006 interview, Obama highlighted the diversity ofhis extended family: \"It's like a little mini-United Nations,\" he said. \"I've got relatives who look likeBernie Mac, and I've got relatives who look likeMargaret Thatcher.\"Obama has a half-sister with whom he was raised (Maya Soetoro-Ng) and seven other half-siblings from his Kenyan father's family, six of them living.Obama's mother was survived by her Kansas-born mother, Madelyn Dunham,until her death on November 2, 2008,two days before his election to the presidency. Obama also has roots in Ireland; he met with his Irish cousins inMoneygallin May 2011.InDreams from My Father, Obama ties his mother's family history to possible Native American ancestors and distant relatives ofJefferson Davis,President of the Confederate States of Americaduring theAmerican Civil War. He also shares distant ancestors in common withGeorge W. BushandDick Cheney, among others. Obama lived with anthropologistSheila Miyoshi Jagerwhile he was a community organizer in Chicago in the 1980s.He proposed to her twice, but both Jager and her parents turned him down.The relationship was not made public until May 2017, several months after his presidency had ended. In June 1989, Obama metMichelle Robinsonwhen he was employed atSidley Austin.Robinson was assigned for three months as Obama's adviser at the firm, and she joined him at several group social functions but declined his initial requests to date.They began dating later that summer, became engaged in 1991, and were married on October 3, 1992.After suffering a miscarriage, Michelle underwentin vitro fertilizationto conceive their children.The couple's first daughter, Malia Ann, was born in 1998,followed by a second daughter, Natasha (\"Sasha\"), in 2001.The Obama daughters attended theUniversity of Chicago Laboratory Schools. When they moved to Washington, D.C., in January 2009, the girls started at theSidwell Friends School.The Obamas had twoPortuguese Water Dogs; the first, a male namedBo, was a gift from SenatorTed Kennedy.In 2013, Bo was joined bySunny, a female.Bo died of cancer on May 8, 2021. Obama is a supporter of theChicago White Sox, and he threw out the first pitch at the2005 ALCSwhen he was still a senator.In 2009, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at theAll-Star Gamewhile wearing a White Sox jacket.He is also primarily aChicago Bearsfootball fan in theNFL, but in his childhood and adolescence was afan of the Pittsburgh Steelersand rooted for them ahead of their victory inSuper Bowl XLIII12 days after he took office as president.In 2011, Obama invited the1985 Chicago Bearsto the White House; the team had not visited the White House after theirSuper Bowl winin 1986 due to theSpace Shuttle Challenger disaster.He playsbasketball, a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team,and he is left-handed. In 2005, the Obama family applied the proceeds of a book deal and moved from aHyde Park, Chicagocondominium to a $1.6million house (equivalent to $2.5million in 2023) in neighboringKenwood, Chicago.The purchase of an adjacent lot—and sale of part of it to Obama by the wife of developer, campaign donor and friendTony Rezko—attracted media attention because of Rezko's subsequent indictment and conviction on political corruption charges that were unrelated to Obama. In December 2007,Money Magazineestimated Obama's net worth at $1.3million (equivalent to $1.9million in 2023).Their 2009 tax return showed a household income of $5.5million—up from about $4.2million in 2007 and $1.6million in 2005—mostly from sales of his books.On his 2010 income of $1.7million, he gave 14 percent to non-profit organizations, including $131,000 toFisher House Foundation, a charity assisting wounded veterans' families, allowing them to reside near where the veteran is receiving medical treatments.Per his 2012 financial disclosure, Obama may be worth as much as $10million. Religious views Obama is aProtestantChristian whose religious views developed in his adult life.He wrote inThe Audacity of Hopethat he \"was not raised in a religious household.\" He described his mother, raised by non-religious parents, as being detached from religion, yet \"in many ways the most spiritually awakened person... I have ever known\", and \"a lonely witness forsecular humanism.\" He described his father as a \"confirmedatheist\" by the time his parents met, and his stepfather as \"a man who saw religion as not particularly useful.\" Obama explained how, through working withblack churchesas acommunity organizerwhile in his twenties, he came to understand \"the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change.\" In January 2008, Obama toldChristianity Today: \"I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in theredemptive deathandresurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life.\"On September 27, 2010, Obama released a statement commenting on his religious views, saying: I'm a Christian by choice. My family didn't—frankly, they weren't folks who went to church every week. And my mother was one of the most spiritual people I knew, but she didn't raise me in the church. So I came to my Christian faith later in life, and it was because the precepts ofJesus Christspoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead—being my brothers' and sisters' keeper,treating others as they would treat me. Obama metTrinity United Church of ChristpastorJeremiah Wrightin October 1987 and became a member of Trinity in 1992.During Obama's first presidential campaign in May 2008, he resigned from Trinity aftersome of Wright's statements were criticized.Since moving to Washington, D.C., in 2009, the Obama family has attended several Protestant churches, includingShiloh Baptist ChurchandSt. John's Episcopal Church, as well as Evergreen Chapel atCamp David, but the members of the family do not attend church on a regular basis. In 2016, he said that he gets inspiration from a few items that remind him \"of all the different people I've met along the way\", adding: \"I carry these around all the time. I'm not that superstitious, so it's not like I think I necessarily have to have them on me at all times.\" The items, \"a whole bowl full\", include rosary beads given to him byPope Francis, a figurine of the Hindu deityHanuman, aCoptic crossfrom Ethiopia, a smallBuddha statuegiven by a monk, and a metal poker chip that used to be the lucky charm of a motorcyclist in Iowa. Legal career Civil rights attorney He joined Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, a 13-attorney law firm specializing in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development, where he was anassociatefor three years from 1993 to 1996, thenof counselfrom 1996 to 2004. In 1994, he was listed as one of the lawyers inBuycks-Roberson v. Citibank Fed. Sav. Bank, 94 C 4094 (N.D. Ill.). Thisclass action lawsuitwas filed in 1994 with Selma Buycks-Roberson as lead plaintiff and alleged that Citibank Federal Savings Bank had engaged in practices forbidden under theEqual Credit Opportunity Actand theFair Housing Act. The case was settled out of court. From 1994 to 2002, Obama served on the boards of directors of theWoods Fund of Chicago—which in 1985 had been the first foundation to fund the Developing Communities Project—and of theJoyce Foundation.He served on the board of directors of theChicago Annenberg Challengefrom 1995 to 2002, as founding president and chairman of the board of directors from 1995 to 1999.Obama's law license became inactive in 2007. Legislative career Illinois Senate (1997–2004) Obama was elected to theIllinois Senatein 1996, succeeding Democratic State SenatorAlice PalmerfromIllinois's 13th District, which, at that time, spanned Chicago South Side neighborhoods from Hyde Park–Kenwood south toSouth Shoreand west toChicago Lawn.Once elected, Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation that reformed ethics and health care laws.He sponsored a law that increasedtax creditsfor low-income workers, negotiatedwelfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported Republican GovernorGeorge Ryan'spayday loanregulations andpredatory mortgage lendingregulations aimed at averting homeforeclosures. He was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998, defeating Republican Yesse Yehudah in the general election, and was re-elected again in 2002.In 2000, he lost aDemocratic primary raceforIllinois's 1st congressional districtin theUnited States House of Representativesto four-term incumbentBobby Rushby a margin of two to one. In January 2003, Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee when Democrats, after a decade in the minority, regained a majority.He sponsored and led unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitorracial profilingby requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained, and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.During his 2004 general election campaign for the U.S. Senate, police representatives credited Obama for his active engagement with police organizations in enactingdeath penaltyreforms.Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his election to the U.S. Senate. 2004 U.S. Senate campaign in Illinois In May 2002, Obama commissioned a poll to assess his prospects in a 2004 U.S. Senate race. He created a campaign committee, began raising funds, and lined up political media consultantDavid Axelrodby August 2002. Obama formally announced his candidacy in January 2003. Obama was an early opponent of the George W. Bush administration's2003 invasion of Iraq.On October 2, 2002, the day President Bush and Congress agreed on thejoint resolutionauthorizing theIraq War,Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicagoanti-Iraq War rally,and spoke out against the war.He addressed another anti-war rally in March 2003 and told the crowd \"it's not too late\" to stop the war. Decisions by Republican incumbentPeter Fitzgeraldand his Democratic predecessorCarol Moseley Braunnot to participate in the election resulted in wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving 15 candidates.In the March 2004 primary election, Obama won in an unexpected landslide—which overnight made him a rising star within thenational Democratic Party, started speculation about a presidential future, and led to the reissue of his memoir,Dreams from My Father.In July 2004, Obama deliveredthe keynote addressat the2004 Democratic National Convention,seen by nine million viewers. His speech was well received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party. Obama's expected opponent in the general election, Republican primary winnerJack Ryan, withdrew from the race in June 2004.Six weeks later,Alan Keyesaccepted the Republican nomination to replace Ryan.In theNovember 2004 general election, Obama won with 70 percent of the vote, the largest margin of victory for a Senate candidate in Illinois history.He took 92 of the state's 102 counties, including several where Democrats traditionally do not do well. U.S. Senate (2005–2008) Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 3, 2005,becoming the only Senate member of theCongressional Black Caucus.He introduced two initiatives that bore his name: Lugar–Obama, which expanded theNunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reductionconcept to conventional weapons;and theFederal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, which authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov, a web search engine on federal spending.On June 3, 2008, Senator Obama—along with SenatorsTom Carper,Tom Coburn, andJohn McCain—introduced follow-up legislation: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008.He alsocosponsoredtheSecure America and Orderly Immigration Act. In December 2006, President Bush signed into law theDemocratic Republic of the CongoRelief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.In January 2007, Obama and Senator Feingold introduced a corporate jet provision to theHonest Leadership and Open Government Act, which was signed into law in September 2007. Later in 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to add safeguards for personality-disorder military discharges.This amendment passed the full Senate in the spring of 2008.He sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, which was never enacted but later incorporated in theComprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010;and co-sponsored legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to theState Children's Health Insurance Program, providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries. Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees forForeign Relations,Environment and Public Works, andVeterans' Affairsthrough December 2006.In January 2007, he left the Environment and Public Works committee and took additional assignments withHealth, Education, Labor and PensionsandHomeland Security and Governmental Affairs.He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee onEuropean Affairs.As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. He met withMahmoud Abbasbefore Abbas becamePresident of the Palestinian National Authorityand gave a speech at theUniversity of Nairobiin which he condemned corruption within the Kenyan government. Obamaresigned his Senate seaton November 16, 2008, to focus on his transition period for the presidency. Presidential campaigns 2008 On February 10, 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of theOld State Capitolbuilding inSpringfield, Illinois.The choice of the announcement site was viewed as symbolic, as it was also whereAbraham Lincolndelivered his\"House Divided\"speech in 1858.Obama emphasized issues of rapidly ending the Iraq War, increasingenergy independence, andreforming the health care system. Numerous candidates entered theDemocratic Party presidential primaries. The field narrowed to Obama and SenatorHillary Clintonafter early contests, with the race remaining close throughout the primary process, but Obama gained a steady lead in pledgeddelegatesdue to better long-range planning, superior fundraising, dominant organizing incaucusstates, and better exploitation of delegate allocation rules.On June 2, 2008, Obama had received enough votes to clinch his nomination. After an initial hesitation to concede, on June 7, Clinton ended her campaign and endorsed Obama.On August 23, 2008, Obama announced hisselectionofDelawareSenatorJoe Bidenas his vice presidential running mate.Obama selected Biden from a field speculated to include former Indiana Governor and SenatorEvan Bayhand Virginia GovernorTim Kaine.At theDemocratic National ConventioninDenver, Colorado, Hillary Clinton called for her supporters to endorse Obama, and she andBill Clintongave convention speeches in his support.Obama delivered his acceptance speech atInvesco Field at Mile Highstadium to a crowd of about eighty-four thousand; the speech was viewed by over three million people worldwide.During both the primary process and the general election, Obama's campaign set numerous fundraising records, particularly in the quantity of small donations.On June 19, 2008, Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn downpublic financingin the general election since the system was created in 1976. John McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate, and he selectedSarah Palinas his running mate. Obama and McCain engaged in threepresidential debatesin September and October 2008.On November 4, Obama won the presidency with 365electoral votesto 173 received by McCain.Obama won 52.9 percent of thepopular voteto McCain's 45.7 percent.He became the first African-American to be elected president.Obama deliveredhis victory speechbefore hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago'sGrant Park.He is one of the three United States senators moved directly from the U.S. Senate to the White House, the others beingWarren G. HardingandJohn F. Kennedy. 2012 On April 4, 2011, Obama filed election papers with theFederal Election Commissionand then announced his reelection campaign for 2012 in a video titled \"It Begins with Us\" that he posted on his website.As the incumbent president, he ran virtually unopposed in theDemocratic Party presidential primaries,and on April 3, 2012, Obama secured the 2778conventiondelegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.At theDemocratic National ConventioninCharlotte, North Carolina, Obama and Joe Biden were formally nominated by former President Bill Clinton as the Democratic Party candidates for president and vice president in the general election. Their main opponents were RepublicansMitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and RepresentativePaul Ryanof Wisconsin. On November 6, 2012, Obama won 332 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 required for him to be reelected as president.With 51.1 percent of the popular vote,Obama became the first Democratic president sinceFranklin D. Rooseveltto win themajority of the popular votetwice.Obama addressed supporters and volunteers at Chicago'sMcCormick Placeafter his reelection and said: \"Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties.\" Presidency (2009–2017) First 100 days Theinauguration of Barack Obamaas the 44th president took place on January 20, 2009. In his first few days in office, Obama issuedexecutive ordersandpresidential memorandadirecting the U.S. military to develop plans to withdraw troops from Iraq.He ordered the closing of theGuantanamo Bay detention camp,but Congress prevented the closure by refusing to appropriate the required fundsand preventing moving any Guantanamo detainee.Obama reduced the secrecy given to presidential records.He also revoked President George W. Bush's restoration of PresidentRonald Reagan'sMexico City policywhich prohibited federal aid to internationalfamily planningorganizations that perform or provide counseling about abortion. Domestic policy The first bill signed into law by Obama was theLilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, relaxing thestatute of limitationsfor equal-pay lawsuits.Five days later, he signed the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program to cover an additional four million uninsured children.In March 2009, Obama reversed a Bush-era policy that had limited funding ofembryonic stem cellresearch and pledged to develop \"strict guidelines\" on the research. Obama appointed two women to serve on the Supreme Court in the first two years of his presidency. He nominatedSonia Sotomayoron May 26, 2009, to replace retiringAssociate JusticeDavid Souter. She was confirmed on August 6, 2009,becoming the first Supreme Court Justice ofHispanicdescent.Obama nominatedElena Kaganon May 10, 2010, to replace retiring Associate JusticeJohn Paul Stevens. She was confirmed on August 5, 2010, bringing the number of women sitting simultaneously on the Court to three for the first time in American history. On March 11, 2009, Obama created theWhite House Council on Women and Girls, which formed part of theOffice of Intergovernmental Affairs, having been established byExecutive Order13506with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to the welfare of American women and girls. The council was chaired bySenior Advisor to the PresidentValerie Jarrett. Obama also established theWhite House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assaultthrough a government memorandum on January 22, 2014, with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to sexual assault on college and university campuses throughout the United States. The co-chairs of the Task Force were Vice President Joe Biden and Jarrett. The Task Force was a development out of the White House Council on Women and Girls andOffice of the Vice President of the United States, and prior to that the 1994Violence Against Women Actfirst drafted by Biden. In July 2009, Obama launched thePriority Enforcement Program, an immigration enforcement program that had been pioneered by George W. Bush, and theSecure Communitiesfingerprinting and immigration status data-sharing program. In amajor space policy speechin April 2010, Obama announced a planned change in direction atNASA, the U.S. space agency. He ended plans for a return ofhuman spaceflightto the moon and development of theAres Irocket,Ares Vrocket andConstellation program, in favor of fundingearth scienceprojects, a new rocket type, research and development for an eventual crewed mission to Mars, and ongoing missions to theInternational Space Station. On January 16, 2013, one month after theSandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Obama signed 23 executive orders and outlined a series of sweeping proposals regardinggun control.He urged Congress to reintroduce anexpired banon military-styleassault weapons, such as those used in several recent mass shootings, impose limits on ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, introduce background checks on all gun sales, pass a ban on possession and sale of armor-piercing bullets, introduce harsher penalties for gun-traffickers, especially unlicensed dealers who buy arms for criminals and approving the appointment of the head of the federalBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosivesfor the first time since 2006.On January 5, 2016, Obama announced new executive actions extending background check requirements to more gun sellers.In a 2016 editorial inThe New York Times, Obama compared the struggle for what he termed \"common-sense gun reform\" towomen's suffrageand othercivil rights movementsin American history. In 2011, Obama signed a four-year renewal of the Patriot Act.Following the2013 global surveillance disclosuresbywhistleblowerEdward Snowden, Obama condemned the leak as unpatriotic,but called for increased restrictions on theNational Security Agency(NSA) to address violations of privacy.Obama continued and expanded surveillance programs set up by George W. Bush, while implementing some reforms.He supported legislation that would have limited the NSA's ability to collect phone records in bulk under a single program and supported bringing more transparency to theForeign Intelligence Surveillance Court(FISC). Racial issues In his speeches as president, Obama did not make more overt references to race relations than his predecessors,but according to one study, he implemented stronger policy action on behalf of African-Americans than any president since the Nixon era. Following Obama's election, many pondered the existence of a \"postracial America\".However, lingering racial tensions quickly became apparent,and many African-Americans expressed outrage over what they saw as an intense racial animosity directed at Obama.TheacquittalofGeorge Zimmermanfollowing thekilling of Trayvon Martinsparked national outrage, leading to Obama giving a speech in which he noted that \"Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago.\"The shooting ofMichael BrowninFerguson, Missourisparked a wave of protests.These and other events led to the birth of theBlack Lives Mattermovement, which campaigns against violence andsystemic racismtowardblack people.Though Obama entered office reluctant to talk about race, by 2014 he began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups. Several incidents during Obama's presidency generated disapproval from the African-American community and with law enforcement, and Obama sought to build trust between law enforcement officials and civil rights activists, with mixed results. Some in law enforcement criticized Obama's condemnation of racial bias after incidents in which police action led to the death of African-American men, while some racial justice activists criticized Obama's expressions of empathy for the police.In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried \"a great deal\" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001. LGBT rights On October 8, 2009, Obama signed theMatthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a measure that expanded the1969 United States federal hate-crime lawto include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.On October 30, 2009, Obama lifted the ban on travel to the United States by those infected with HIV. The lifting of the ban was celebrated byImmigration Equality.On December 22, 2010, Obama signed theDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which fulfilled a promise made in the 2008 presidential campaignto end thedon't ask, don't tellpolicy of 1993 that had prevented gay and lesbian people from serving openly in theUnited States Armed Forces. In 2016, the Pentagon ended the policy that barredtransgender people from serving openly in the military. Same-sex marriage As a candidate for the Illinois state senate in 1996, Obama stated he favored legalizingsame-sex marriage.During his Senate run in 2004, he said he supported civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex partners but opposed same-sex marriages.In 2008, he reaffirmed this position by stating \"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage.\"On May 9, 2012, shortly after the official launch of his campaign for re-election as president, Obama said his views had evolved, and he publicly affirmed his personal support for the legalization of same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so.During his secondinaugural addresson January 21, 2013,Obama became the first U.S. president in office to call for full equality for gay Americans, and the first to mentiongay rightsor the word \"gay\" in an inaugural address.In 2013, the Obama administration filed briefs that urged theSupreme Courtto rule in favor of same-sex couples in the cases ofHollingsworth v. Perry(regarding same-sex marriage)andUnited States v. Windsor(regarding theDefense of Marriage Act). Economic policy On February 17, 2009, Obama signed theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $787billion (equivalent to $1118 billion in 2023)economic stimuluspackage aimed at helping the economy recover from thedeepening worldwide recession.The act includes increased federal spending for health care, infrastructure, education, various tax breaks andincentives, and direct assistance to individuals.In March 2009, Obama's Treasury Secretary,Timothy Geithner, took further steps to manage thefinancial crisis, including introducing thePublic–Private Investment Program for Legacy Assets, which contains provisions for buying up to $2trillion in depreciated real estate assets. Obama intervened in thetroubled automotive industryin March 2009, renewing loans forGeneral Motors(GM) andChryslerto continue operations while reorganizing. Over the following months the White House set terms for both firms' bankruptcies, including thesale of Chryslerto Italian automakerFiatand areorganization of GMgiving the U.S. government a temporary 60 percent equity stake in the company.In June 2009, dissatisfied with the pace of economic stimulus, Obama called on his cabinet to accelerate the investment.He signed into law theCar Allowance Rebate System, known colloquially as \"Cash for Clunkers\", which temporarily boosted the economy. The Bush and Obama administrations authorized spending and loan guarantees from theFederal Reserveand theDepartment of the Treasury. These guarantees totaled about $11.5trillion, but only $3trillion had been spent by the end of November 2009.On August 2, 2011, after a lengthy congressional debate over whether to raise the nation's debt limit, Obama signed the bipartisanBudget Control Act of 2011. The legislation enforced limits on discretionary spending until 2021, established a procedure to increase the debt limit, created a Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to propose further deficit reduction with a stated goal of achieving at least $1.5trillion in budgetary savings over 10 years, and established automatic procedures for reducing spending by as much as $1.2trillion if legislation originating with the new joint select committee did not achieve such savings.By passing the legislation, Congress was able to prevent aU.S. governmentdefaulton its obligations. The unemployment rate rose in 2009, reaching a peak in October at 10.0 percent and averaging 10.0 percent in the fourth quarter. Following a decrease to 9.7 percent in the first quarter of 2010, the unemployment rate fell to 9.6 percent in the second quarter, where it remained for the rest of the year.Between February and December 2010, employment rose by 0.8 percent, which was less than the average of 1.9 percent experienced during comparable periods in the past four employment recoveries.By November 2012, the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent,decreasing to 6.7 percent in the last month of 2013.During 2014, the unemployment rate continued to decline, falling to 6.3 percent in the first quarter.GDP growth returned in the third quarter of 2009, expanding at a rate of 1.6 percent, followed by a 5.0 percent increase in the fourth quarter.Growth continued in 2010, posting an increase of 3.7 percent in the first quarter, with lesser gains throughout the rest of the year.In July 2010, the Federal Reserve noted that economic activity continued to increase, but its pace had slowed, and chairmanBen Bernankesaid the economic outlook was \"unusually uncertain\".Overall, the economy expanded at a rate of 2.9 percent in 2010. TheCongressional Budget Office(CBO) and a broad range of economists credit Obama's stimulus plan for economic growth.The CBO released a report stating that the stimulus bill increased employment by 1–2.1million,while conceding that \"it is impossible to determine how many of the reported jobs would have existed in the absence of the stimulus package.\"Although an April 2010, survey of members of theNational Association for Business Economicsshowed an increase in job creation (over a similar January survey) for the first time in two years, 73 percent of 68 respondents believed the stimulus bill has had no impact on employment.The economy of the United States has grown faster than the other originalNATOmembers by a wider margin under President Obama than it has anytime since the end ofWorld War II.TheOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Developmentcredits the much faster growth in the United States to the stimulus plan of the U.S. and the austerity measures in the European Union. Within a month of the2010 midterm elections, Obama announced a compromise deal with the Congressional Republican leadership that included a temporary, two-year extension of the2001 and 2003 income tax rates, a one-yearpayroll taxreduction, continuation of unemployment benefits, and a new rate and exemption amount forestate taxes.The compromise overcame opposition from some in both parties, and the resulting $858billion (equivalent to $1.2 trillion in 2023)Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010passed with bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress before Obama signed it on December 17, 2010. In December 2013, Obama declared that growingincome inequalityis a \"defining challenge of our time\" and called on Congress to bolster the safety net and raise wages. This came on the heels of thenationwide strikes of fast-food workersand Pope Francis' criticism of inequality andtrickle-down economics.Obama urged Congress to ratify a 12-nation free trade pact called theTrans-Pacific Partnership. Environmental policy On April 20, 2010, an explosion destroyed an offshoredrilling rigat theMacondo Prospectin theGulf of Mexico, causing amajor sustained oil leak. Obama visited the Gulf, announced a federal investigation, and formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards, after a review bySecretary of the InteriorKen Salazarand concurrent Congressional hearings. He then announced a six-month moratorium on newdeepwater drillingpermits and leases, pending regulatory review.As multiple efforts by BP failed, some in the media and public expressed confusion and criticism over various aspects of the incident, and stated a desire for more involvement by Obama and the federal government.Prior to the oil spill, on March 31, 2010, Obama ended a ban on oil and gas drilling along the majority of theEast Coast of the United Statesand along the coast ofnorthern Alaskain an effort to win support for an energy and climate bill and to reduce foreign imports of oil and gas. In July 2013, Obama expressed reservations and said he \"would reject theKeystone XL pipelineif it increased carbon pollution greenhouse emissions.\"On February 24, 2015, Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the pipeline.It was the third veto of Obama's presidency and his first major veto. In December 2016, Obama permanently banned new offshore oil and gas drilling in most United States-owned waters in theAtlanticand Arctic Oceans using the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Act. Obama emphasized theconservationoffederal landsduring his term in office. He used his power under theAntiquities Actto create 25 newnational monumentsduring his presidency and expand four others, protecting a total of 553,000,000 acres (224,000,000 ha) of federal lands and waters, more than any other U.S. president. Health care reform Obama called forCongressto pass legislation reforminghealth care in the United States, a key campaign promise and a top legislative goal.He proposed an expansion of health insurance coverage to cover the uninsured, cap premium increases, and allow people to retain their coverage when they leave or change jobs. His proposal was to spend $900billion over ten years and include a government insurance plan, also known as thepublic option, to compete with the corporate insurance sector as a main component to lowering costs and improving quality of health care. It would also make it illegal for insurers to drop sick people or deny them coverage forpre-existing conditions, and require every American to carry health coverage. The plan also includes medical spending cuts and taxes on insurance companies that offer expensive plans. On July 14, 2009, House Democratic leaders introduced a 1,017-page plan for overhauling the U.S. health care system, which Obama wanted Congress to approve by the end of 2009.After public debate during the Congressional summer recess of 2009, Obama delivereda speech to a joint session of Congresson September 9 where he addressed concerns over the proposals.In March 2009, Obama lifted a ban on using federal funds for stem cell research. On November 7, 2009, a health care bill featuring the public option was passed in the House.On December 24, 2009, the Senate passed its own bill—without a public option—on a party-line vote of 60–39.On March 21, 2010, thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act(ACA, colloquially \"Obamacare\") passed by the Senate in December was passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212. Obama signed the bill into law on March 23, 2010. The ACA includeshealth-related provisions, most of which took effect in 2014, including expandingMedicaideligibility for people making up to 133 percentof thefederal poverty level(FPL) starting in 2014,subsidizing insurance premiums for people making up to 400 percentof the FPL ($88,000 for family of four in 2010) so their maximum \"out-of-pocket\" payment for annual premiums will be from 2 percent to 9.5 percent of income,providing incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits, prohibiting denial of coverage and denial of claims based on pre-existing conditions, establishinghealth insurance exchanges, prohibiting annual coverage caps, and support for medical research. According to White House and CBO figures, the maximum share of income that enrollees would have to pay would vary depending on their income relative to the federal poverty level. The costs of these provisions are offset by taxes, fees, and cost-saving measures, such as new Medicare taxes for those in high-incomebrackets, taxes onindoor tanning, cuts to theMedicare Advantageprogram in favor of traditional Medicare, and fees on medical devices and pharmaceutical companies;there is also a tax penalty for those who do not obtain health insurance, unless they are exempt due to low income or other reasons.In March 2010, the CBO estimated that the net effect of both laws will be a reduction in the federal deficit by $143billion over the first decade. The law faced several legal challenges, primarily based on the argument that an individual mandate requiring Americans to buy health insurance was unconstitutional. On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5–4 vote inNational Federation of Independent Business v. Sebeliusthat the mandate was constitutional under the U.S. Congress's taxing authority.InBurwell v. Hobby Lobbythe Court ruled that \"closely-held\" for-profit corporations could be exempt on religious grounds under theReligious Freedom Restoration Actfrom regulations adopted under the ACA that would have required them to pay for insurance that covered certain contraceptives. In June 2015, the Court ruled 6–3 inKing v. Burwellthat subsidies to help individuals and families purchase health insurance were authorized for those doing so on both the federal exchange and state exchanges, not only those purchasing plans \"established by the State\", as the statute reads. Foreign policy In February and March 2009, Vice President Joe Biden andSecretary of StateHillary Clinton made separate overseas trips to announce a \"new era\" in U.S. foreign relations with Russia and Europe, using the terms \"break\" and \"reset\" to signal major changes from the policies of the preceding administration.Obama attempted to reach out to Arab leaders by granting his first interview to an Arab satellite TV network,Al Arabiya.On March 19, Obama continued his outreach to the Muslim world, releasing a New Year's video message to the people and government of Iran.On June 4, 2009, Obama delivered a speech atCairo Universityin Egypt calling for \"A New Beginning\" in relations between the Islamic world and the United States and promoting Middle East peace.On June 26, 2009, Obama condemned the Iranian government's actions towards protesters followingIran's 2009 presidential election. In 2011, Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen which targeted and killedAnwar al-Awlaki, an American imam suspected of being a leadingAl-Qaedaorganizer. al-Awlaki became the firstU.S. citizento be targeted and killed by aU.S. drone strike. The Department of Justice released a memo justifying al-Awlaki's death as a lawful act of war,while civil liberties advocates described it as a violation of al-Awlaki's constitutional right todue process. The killing led to significant controversy.Histeenage sonandyoung daughter, also Americans, were later killed in separateUS military actions, although they were not targeted specifically. In March 2015, Obama declared that he had authorized U.S. forces to provide logistical and intelligence support to the Saudis in theirmilitary intervention in Yemen, establishing a \"Joint Planning Cell\" with Saudi Arabia.In 2016, the Obama administration proposed a series ofarms deals with Saudi Arabiaworth $115billion.Obama halted the sale of guided munition technology toSaudi Arabiaafter Saudi warplanestargeted a funeralin Yemen's capital Sanaa, killing more than 140 people. In September 2016 Obama was snubbed byXi Jinpingand theChinese Communist Partyas he descended fromAir Force Oneto the tarmac ofHangzhou International Airportfor the2016 G20 Hangzhou summitwithout the usual red carpet welcome. War in Iraq On February 27, 2009, Obama announced that combat operations in Iraq would end within 18 months.The Obama administration scheduled the withdrawal of combat troops to be completed by August 2010, decreasing troop's levels from 142,000 while leaving a transitional force of about 50,000 in Iraq until the end of 2011. On August 19, 2010, the last U.S. combat brigade exited Iraq. Remaining troops transitioned from combat operations tocounter-terrorismand the training, equipping, and advising of Iraqi security forces.On August 31, 2010, Obama announced that the United States combat mission in Iraq was over.On October 21, 2011, President Obama announced that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq in time to be \"home for the holidays.\" In June 2014, following thecapture of MosulbyISIL, Obama sent 275 troops to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. ISIS continued to gain ground and to commitwidespread massacres and ethnic cleansing.In August 2014, during theSinjar massacre, Obama ordered acampaign of U.S. airstrikes against ISIL.By the end of 2014, 3,100 American ground troops were committed to the conflictand 16,000 sorties were flown over the battlefield, primarily by U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots.In early 2015, with the addition of the \"Panther Brigade\" of the82nd Airborne Divisionthe number of U.S. ground troops in Iraq increased to 4,400,and by July American-led coalition air forces counted 44,000 sorties over the battlefield. Afghanistan and Pakistan In his election campaign, Obama called the war in Iraq a \"dangerous distraction\" and that emphasis should instead be put on the war in Afghanistan,the region he cites as being most likely where an attack against the United States could be launched again.Early in his presidency, Obama moved to bolster U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan. He announced an increase in U.S. troop levels to 17,000 military personnel in February 2009 to \"stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan\", an area he said had not received the \"strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires.\"He replaced the military commander in Afghanistan, GeneralDavid D. McKiernan, with formerSpecial Forcescommander Lt. Gen.Stanley A. McChrystalin May 2009, indicating that McChrystal's Special Forces experience would facilitate the use of counterinsurgency tactics in the war.On December 1, 2009, Obama announced the deployment of an additional 30,000 military personnel to Afghanistan and proposed to begin troop withdrawals 18 months from that date;this took place in July 2011.David Petraeusreplaced McChrystal in June 2010, after McChrystal's staff criticized White House personnel in a magazine article.In February 2013, Obama said the U.S. military would reduce the troop level in Afghanistan from 68,000 to 34,000 U.S. troops by February 2014.In October 2015, the White House announced a plan to keep U.S. Forces in Afghanistan indefinitely in light of the deteriorating security situation. Regarding neighboring Pakistan, Obama called its tribal border region the \"greatest threat\" to the security of Afghanistan and Americans, saying that he \"cannot tolerate a terrorist sanctuary.\" In the same speech, Obama claimed that the U.S. \"cannot succeed in Afghanistan or secure our homeland unless we change our Pakistan policy.\" Death of Osama bin Laden Starting with information received from Central Intelligence Agency operatives in July 2010, the CIA developed intelligence over the next several months that determined what they believed to be the hideout ofOsama bin Laden. He was living in seclusion ina large compoundinAbbottabad, Pakistan, a suburban area 35 miles (56 km) fromIslamabad.CIA headLeon Panettareported this intelligence to President Obama in March 2011.Meeting with his national security advisers over the course of the next six weeks, Obama rejected a plan to bomb the compound, and authorized a \"surgical raid\" to be conducted byUnited States Navy SEALs.The operation took place on May 1, 2011, and resulted in the shooting death of bin Laden and the seizure of papers, computer drives and disks from the compound.DNA testing was one of five methods used to positively identify bin Laden's corpse,which was buried at sea several hours later.Within minutes of the President's announcement from Washington, DC, late in the evening on May 1, there were spontaneous celebrations around the country as crowds gathered outside the White House, and at New York City'sGround ZeroandTimes Square.Reaction to the announcementwas positive across party lines, including from former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Relations with Cuba Since the spring of 2013, secret meetings were conducted between the United States and Cuba in the neutral locations of Canada andVatican City.The Vatican first became involved in 2013 when Pope Francis advised the U.S. and Cuba toexchange prisonersas a gesture of goodwill.On December 10, 2013, Cuban PresidentRaúl Castro, in a significant public moment, greeted and shook hands with Obama at theNelson Mandela memorial serviceinJohannesburg. In December 2014, after the secret meetings, it was announced that Obama, with Pope Francis as an intermediary, had negotiated a restoration of relations with Cuba, after nearly sixty years of détente.Popularly dubbed theCuban Thaw,The New Republicdeemed the Cuban Thaw to be \"Obama's finest foreign policy achievement.\"On July 1, 2015, President Obama announced that formal diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States would resume, and embassies would be opened in Washington andHavana.The countries' respective \"interests sections\" in one another's capitals were upgraded to embassies on July 20 and August 13, 2015, respectively.Obama visited Havana, Cuba for two days in March 2016, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to arrive sinceCalvin Coolidgein 1928. Israel During the initial years of the Obama administration, the U.S. increased military cooperation with Israel, including increased military aid, re-establishment of theU.S.-Israeli Joint Political Military Groupand the Defense Policy Advisory Group, and an increase in visits among high-level military officials of both countries.The Obama administration asked Congress to allocate money toward funding theIron Domeprogram in response to the waves ofPalestinian rocket attacks on Israel.In March 2010, Obama took a public stance against plans by the government of Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuto continue building Jewish housing projects in predominantly Arab neighborhoods ofEast Jerusalem.In 2011, the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution condemningIsraeli settlements, with the United States being the only nation to do so.Obama supports thetwo-state solutionto theArab–Israeli conflictbased on the 1967 borders with land swaps. In 2013,Jeffrey Goldbergreported that, in Obama's view, \"with each new settlement announcement, Netanyahu is moving his country down a path toward near-total isolation.\"In 2014, Obama likened theZionist movementto thecivil rights movementin the United States. He said both movements seek to bring justice and equal rights to historically persecuted peoples, explaining: \"To me, being pro-Israel and pro-Jewish is part and parcel with the values that I've been fighting for since I was politically conscious and started getting involved in politics.\"Obama expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself during the2014 Israel–Gaza conflict.In 2015, Obama was harshly criticized by Israel for advocating and signing theIran Nuclear Deal; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had advocated the U.S. congress to oppose it, said the deal was \"dangerous\" and \"bad.\" On December 23, 2016, under the Obama Administration, the United States abstained fromUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building in the occupiedPalestinian territoriesas a violation of international law, effectively allowing it to pass.Netanyahu strongly criticized the Obama administration's actions,and the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the organization, which totaled $6million, on January 6, 2017.On January 5, 2017, the United States House of Representatives voted 342–80 to condemn the UN Resolution. Libya In February 2011, protests in Libya began against long-time dictatorMuammar Gaddafias part of theArab Spring. They soon turned violent. In March, as forces loyal to Gaddafi advanced on rebels across Libya, calls for a no-fly zone came from around the world, including Europe, theArab League, and a resolutionpassed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.In response to the passage ofUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1973on March 17, the Foreign Minister of Libya Moussa Koussa announced a ceasefire. However Gaddafi's forces continued to attack the rebels. On March 19 a multinational coalition lead by France and the United Kingdom with Italian and U.S. support, approved by Obama, took part in air strikes to destroy the Libyan government's air defense capabilities to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly-zone,including the use ofTomahawk missiles,B-2 Spirits, and fighter jets.Six days later, on March 25, by unanimous vote of all its 28 members, NATO took over leadership of the effort, dubbedOperation Unified Protector.Some members of Congressquestioned whether Obama had the constitutional authority to order military action in addition to questioning its cost, structure and aftermath.In 2016 Obama said \"Our coalition could have and should have done more to fill a vacuum left behind\" and that it was \"a mess\".He has stated that the lack of preparation surrounding the days following the government's overthrow was the \"worst mistake\" of his presidency. Syrian civil war On August 18, 2011, several months after the start of theSyrian civil war, Obama issued a written statement that said: \"The time has come forPresident Assadto step aside.\"This stance was reaffirmed in November 2015.In 2012, Obama authorized multipleprograms run by the CIAand the Pentagon to train anti-Assad rebels.The Pentagon-run program was later found to have failed and was formally abandoned in October 2015. In the wake of achemical weapons attackin Syria,formally blamedby the Obama administration on the Assad government, Obama chose not to enforce the \"red line\" he had pledgedand, rather than authorize the promised military action against Assad, went along with the Russia-brokered deal that led to Assadgiving up chemical weapons; however attacks withchlorine gascontinued.In 2014, Obama authorized anair campaign aimed primarily at ISIL. Iran nuclear talks On October 1, 2009, the Obama administration went ahead with a Bush administration program, increasing nuclear weapons production. The \"Complex Modernization\" initiative expanded two existing nuclear sites to produce new bomb parts. In November 2013, the Obama administration openednegotiationswith Iran to prevent it from acquiringnuclear weapons, which included aninterim agreement. Negotiations took two years with numerous delays, with a deal being announced on July 14, 2015. The deal titled the \"Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action\" saw sanctions removed in exchange for measures that would prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. While Obama hailed the agreement as being a step towards a more hopeful world, the deal drew strong criticism from Republican and conservative quarters, and from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.In addition, the transfer of $1.7billion in cash to Iran shortly after the deal was announced was criticized by the Republican party. The Obama administration said that the payment in cash was because of the \"effectiveness of U.S. and international sanctions.\"In order to advance the deal, the Obama administration shieldedHezbollahfrom theDrug Enforcement Administration'sProject Cassandrainvestigation regarding drug smuggling and from theCentral Intelligence Agency.On a side note, the very same year, in December 2015, Obama started a $348billion worth program to back the biggest U.S. buildup of nuclear arms since Ronald Reagan left the White House. Russia In March 2010, an agreement was reached with the administration of Russian PresidentDmitry Medvedevto replace the1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treatywith a new pact reducing the number of long-range nuclear weapons in the arsenals of both countries by about a third.Obama and Medvedev signed theNew STARTtreaty in April 2010, and theU.S. Senateratified it in December 2010.In December 2011, Obama instructed agencies to considerLGBT rightswhen issuing financial aid to foreign countries.In August 2013, he criticized Russia's law that discriminates against gays,but he stopped short of advocating a boycott of the upcoming2014 Winter OlympicsinSochi, Russia. AfterRussia's invasion of Crimeain 2014,military intervention in Syriain 2015, andthe interferencein the2016 U.S. presidential election,George Robertson, a former UK defense secretary and NATO secretary-general, said Obama had \"allowed Putin to jump back on the world stage and test the resolve of the West\", adding that the legacy of this disaster would last. Cultural and political image Obama's family history, upbringing, andIvy Leagueeducation differ markedly from those of African-American politicians who launched their careers in the 1960s through participation in the civil rights movement.Expressing puzzlement over questions about whether he is \"black enough\", Obama told an August 2007 meeting of theNational Association of Black Journaliststhat \"we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong.\"Obama acknowledged his youthful image in an October 2007 campaign speech, saying: \"I wouldn't be here if, time and again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation.\"Additionally, Obama has frequently been referred to as an exceptional orator.During his pre-inauguration transition period and continuing into his presidency, Obama delivered a series of weekly Internet video addresses. Job approval According to theGallup Organization, Obama began his presidency with a 68 percentapproval rating,the fifth highest for a president following their swearing in.His ratings remained above the majority level until November 2009and by August 2010 his approval was in the low 40s,a trend similar to Ronald Reagan's and Bill Clinton's first years in office.Following thedeath of Osama bin Ladenon May 2, 2011, Obama experienced a small poll bounce and steadily maintained 50–53 percent approval for about a month, until his approval numbers dropped back to the low 40s. His approval rating fell to 38 percent on several occasions in late 2011before recovering in mid-2012 with polls showing an average approval of 50 percent.After his second inauguration in 2013, Obama's approval ratings remained stable around 52 percentbefore declining for the rest of the year and eventually bottoming out at 39 percent in December.In polling conducted before the2014 midterm elections, Obama's approval ratings were at their lowestwith his disapproval rating reaching a high of 57 percent.His approval rating continued to lag throughout most of 2015 but began to reach the high 40s by the end of the year.According to Gallup, Obama's approval rating reached 50 percent in March 2016, a level unseen since May 2013.In polling conducted January 16–19, 2017, Obama's final approval rating was 59 percent, which placed him on par withGeorge H. W. BushandDwight D. Eisenhower, whose final Gallup ratings also measured in the high 50s. Obama has maintained relatively positive public perceptions after his presidency.In Gallup's retrospective approval polls of former presidents, Obama garnered a 63 percent approval rating in 2018 and again in 2023, ranking him the fourth most popular president since World War II. Foreign perceptions Polls showed strong support for Obama in other countries both before and during his presidency.In a February 2009 poll conducted in Western Europe and the U.S. byHarris InteractiveforFrance 24and theInternational Herald Tribune, Obama was rated as the most respected world leader, as well as the most powerful.In a similar poll conducted by Harris in May 2009, Obama was rated as the most popular world leader, as well as the one figure most people would pin their hopes on for pulling the world out of the economic downturn. On October 9, 2009—only nine months into his first term—theNorwegian Nobel Committeeannounced that Obama had won the2009 Nobel Peace Prize\"for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples\",which drew a mixture of praise and criticism from world leaders and media figures.He became the fourth U.S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and the third to become a Nobel laureate while in office.He himself called it a \"call to action\" and remarked: \"I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments but rather an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations\". Thanks, Obama In 2009 the saying \"thanks, Obama\" first appeared in aTwitter hashtag\"#thanks Obama\" and was later used in a demotivational poster. It was later adopted satirically to blame Obama for any socio-economic ills. Obama himself used the phrase in video in 2015 and 2016. In 2017 the phrase was used byStephen Colbertto express gratitude to Obama on his last day in office. In 2022, President Joe Biden's Twitter account posted the phrase. Post-presidency (2017–present) Obama's presidency ended on January 20, 2017, upon theinaugurationof his successor,Donald Trump.The family moved to a house they rented inKalorama, Washington, D.C.On March 2, theJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museumawarded theProfile in Courage Awardto Obama \"for his enduring commitment to democratic ideals and elevating the standard of political courage.\"His first public appearance since leaving the office was a seminar at theUniversity of Chicagoon April 24, where he appealed for a new generation to participate in politics.On September 7, Obama partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush to work withOne America Appealto help the victims ofHurricane HarveyandHurricane Irmain theGulf CoastandTexascommunities.From October 31 to November 1, Obama hosted the inaugural summit of theObama Foundation,which he intended to be the central focus of his post-presidency and part of his ambitions for his subsequent activities following his presidency to be more consequential than his time in office. Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal on May 22, 2018, to produce docu-series, documentaries and features forNetflixunder the Obamas' newly formed production company,Higher Ground Productions.Higher Ground's first film,American Factory, won theAcademy Award for Best Documentary Featurein 2020.On October 24, a pipe bomb addressed to Obama was intercepted by the Secret Service. It was one of several pipe-bombs that had beenmailed out to Democratic lawmakers and officials.In 2019, Barack and Michelle Obama bought a home onMartha's VineyardfromWyc Grousbeck.On October 29, Obama criticized \"wokeness\" andcall-out cultureat the Obama Foundation's annual summit. Obama was reluctant to make an endorsement in the2020 Democratic presidential primariesbecause he wanted to position himself to unify the party, regardless of the nominee.On April 14, 2020, Obama endorsed Biden, the presumptive nominee, for president inthe presidential election, stating that he has \"all the qualities we need in a president right now.\"In May, Obama criticized President Trump forhis handlingof theCOVID-19 pandemic, calling his response to the crisis \"an absolute chaotic disaster\", and stating that the consequences of theTrump presidencyhave been \"our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.\"On November 17, Obama's presidential memoir,A Promised Land, was released. In February 2021, Obama and musicianBruce Springsteenstarted a podcast calledRenegades: Born in the USAwhere the two talk about \"their backgrounds, music and their 'enduring love of America.'\"Later that year, Regina Hicks had signed a deal withNetflix, in a venture with his and Michelle's Higher Ground to develop comedy projects. On March 4, 2022, Obama won an Audio Publishers Association (APA) Award in the best narration by the author category for the narration of his memoirA Promised Land.On April 5, Obama visited the White House for the first time since leaving office, in an event celebrating the 12th annual anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act.In June, it was announced that the Obamas and their podcast production company, Higher Ground, signed a multi-year deal withAudible.In September, Obama visited the White House to unveil his and Michelle's official White House portraits.Around the same time, he won aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narratorfor his narration in the Netflix documentary seriesOur Great National Parks. In 2022, Obama opposed expanding the Supreme Court beyond the present nine Justices. In March 2023, Obama traveled to Australia as a part of his speaking tour of the country. During the trip, Obama met with Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albaneseand visitedMelbournefor the first time.Obama was reportedly paid more than $1 million for two speeches. In October 2023, during the Israel–Hamas war, Obama declared thatIsraelmust dismantleHamasin the wake of the2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.Weeks later, Obama warnedIsraelthat its actions could \"harden Palestinian attitudes for generations\" and weaken international support for Israel; any military strategy that ignored the war's human costs \"could ultimately backfire.\" In July 2024, Obama expressed concerns about Biden's campaign viability. Legacy and recognition He has been described as one of the most effective campaigners in American history (his 2008 campaign being particularly highlighted) as well as one of the most talented political orators of the 21st century.HistorianJulian Zelizercredits Obama with \"a keen sense of how the institutions of government work and the ways that his team could design policy proposals.\" Zeitzer notes Obama's policy successes included the economic stimulus package which ended theGreat Recessionand theDodd-Frankfinancial and consumer protection reforms, as well as theAffordable Care Act. Zeitzer also notes the Democratic Party lost power and numbers of elected officials during Obama's term, saying that the consensus among historians is that Obama \"turned out to be a very effective policymaker but not a tremendously successful party builder.\" Zeitzer calls this the \"defining paradox of Obama's presidency\". TheBrookings Institutionnoted that Obama passed \"only one major legislative achievement (Obamacare)—and a fragile one at that—the legacy of Obama's presidency mainly rests on its tremendous symbolic importance and the fate of a patchwork of executive actions.\"David W. Wise noted that Obama fell short \"in areas many Progressives hold dear\", including the continuation of drone strikes, not going after big banks during the Great Recession, and failing to strengthen his coalition before pushing for Obamacare. Wise called Obama's legacy that of \"a disappointingly conventional president\". Obama's most significant accomplishment is generally considered to be the Affordable Care Act (ACA), provisions of which went into effect from 2010 to 2020. Many attempts by Senate Republicans to repeal the ACA, including a \"skinny repeal\", have thus far failed.However, in 2017, the penalty for violating the individual mandate was repealed effective 2019.Together with theHealth Care and Education Reconciliation Actamendment, it represents the U.S. healthcare system's most significant regulatory overhaul and expansion of coverage since the passage ofMedicareand Medicaid in 1965. Many commentators credit Obama with averting a threateneddepressionand pulling the economy back from the Great Recession.According to theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, theObama administrationcreated 11.3 million jobs from the month after his first inauguration to the end of his second term.In 2010, Obama signed into effect the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Passed as a response to thefinancial crisis of 2007–2008, it brought the most significant changes tofinancial regulationin the United States since the regulatory reform that followed theGreat Depressionunder Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 2009, Obama signed into law theNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which contained in it the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the first addition to existing federal hate crime law in the United States since Democratic President Bill Clinton signed into law the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996. The act expandedexisting federal hate crime laws in the United States, and made it a federal crime to assault people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. As president, Obama advanced LGBT rights.In 2010, he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, which brought an end to \"don't ask, don't tell\" policy in the U.S. armed forces that banned open service fromLGBTpeople; the law went into effect the following year.In 2016, his administration brought an end to the ban ontransgenderpeople serving openly in the U.S. armed forces.AGallup poll, taken in the final days of Obama's term, showed that 68 percent of Americans believed the U.S. had made progress on LGBT rights during Obama's eight years in office. Obama substantially escalated the use ofdrone strikesagainst suspected militants and terrorists associated with al-Qaeda and theTaliban.In 2016, the last year of his presidency, the U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries.Obama left about 8,400 U.S. troops inAfghanistan, 5,262 in Iraq, 503 in Syria, 133 in Pakistan, 106 in Somalia, seven in Yemen, and two in Libya at the end of his presidency. According toPew Research CenterandUnited States Bureau of Justice Statistics, from December 31, 2009, to December 31, 2015, inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody declined by five percent. This is the largest decline in sentenced inmates in U.S. federal custody since Democratic PresidentJimmy Carter. By contrast, the federal prison population increased significantly under presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Human Rights Watch(HRW) called Obama's human rights record \"mixed\", adding that \"he has often treated human rights as a secondary interest—nice to support when the cost was not too high, but nothing like a top priority he championed.\" Obama left office in January 2017 with a 60 percent approval rating.He gained 10 spots from the same survey in 2015 from the Brookings Institution that ranked him the 18th-greatest American president.In Gallup's 2018 job approval poll for the past 10 U.S. presidents, he received a 63 percent approval rating. Presidential library The Barack Obama Presidential Center is Obama's plannedpresidential library. It will be hosted by the University of Chicago and located inJackson Parkon the South Side of Chicago. Awards and honors Obama received theNorwegian Nobel Committee'sNobel Peace Prizein 2009,The Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education's Ambassador of Humanity Awardin 2014, theJohn F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Awardin 2017, and theRobert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awardin 2018. He was namedTIMEMagazine'sTimePerson of the Yearin 2008 and 2012. He also received twoGrammy Awards for Best Spoken Word AlbumforDreams from My Father(2006), andThe Audacity of Hope(2008) as well as twoPrimetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding NarratorforOur Great National Parks(2022), andWorking: What We Do All Day(2023). He also won twoChildren's and Family Emmy Awards. Eponymy Bibliography Books Audiobooks Articles See also Politics Other Lists Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links Official Other","X-Men: The Animated Series X-Men: The Animated Series, also known asX-Men, is ananimatedsuperherotelevision series aired in the United States for five seasons from October 31, 1992, to September 20, 1997, onFox'sFox Kidsprogramming block.It wasMarvel Comics' second attempt at an animatedX-Mentelevision series after the pilotX-Men: Pryde of the X-Menwas not picked up.Set in the samefictional universeasSpider-Man(1994–1998), Earth-92131,it was followed by arevival,X-Men '97, which began airing on March 20, 2024, onDisney+to critical acclaim. Production In March 1990,Margaret Loesch(who had previously worked as president and chief executive officer atMarvel Productions) became head ofFox Children's Network.Having championed thePryde of the X-Menpilotin 1989, she ordered 13 episodes ofX-Men.Saban Entertainmentwas contracted to produce the show and hired a small studio,Graz Entertainment, to produce episodes because, at the time, they lacked sufficient staff to handle in-house production. Mark Edward Edens and Eric Lewald were to write the show, with the two dividing the job between Edens as head writer and Lewald as story editor.The voice work was done throughCanadianstudios, andSouth KoreanstudioAKOMwas hired to animate episodes.X-Menwas initially set to premiere overLabor Dayweekend in September; however, due to production delays, it was delayed to the end of October. When AKOM turned in the first episode, it contained several animation errors, which they refused to fix. Because of time constraints, the episode was aired unfinished;when Fox re-aired the pilot in early 1993, the errors were corrected.The second episode was submitted just before the deadline, with 50 scenes missing and a single day reserved for editing.The two-part episode \"Night of the Sentinels\" originally aired as a \"sneak preview\" on October 31. Because of the production delays and animation errors, Fox threatened to sever AKOM's contracts.The series earned top ratings throughout its first season,and was renewed for a second season of 13 episodes. Throughout its run, producers had to deal with quality control issues, including attempts to cut costs and requests to change the tone of the series to more child-friendly and integrated toys. The show was originally planned to run for 65 episodes, but as a result of its success, Saban funded eleven more episodes, albeit with a reduced budget due to Marvel's bankruptcy. The series is currently owned and distributed byThe Walt Disney Company(Marvel's parent company), which acquired all Fox Kids-related properties fromNews CorporationandSaban Internationalin 2001. The series was added to streaming serviceDisney+following its launch on November 12, 2019, with a revival,X-Men '97, subsequently announced to be in development.The series premiered on March 20, 2024. Episodes Synopsis The show features a team similar to that of the early 1990sX-Mencomics byJim Lee, specifically the Blue Team established early on inX-Men (vol. 2). It consists ofCyclops,Wolverine,Rogue,Storm,Beast,Gambit,Jubilee,Jean Grey, andProfessor X, as well as original characterMorph, who is based onChangeling. All 76 episodes were directed by Larry Houston. The series deals with social issues, including divorce (\"Proteus\"), religion (\"Nightcrawler\" and \"Bloodlines\"),the Holocaust(\"Enter Magneto\", \"Deadly Reunions\", \"Days of Future Past\" and \"The Phalanx Covenant\"),AIDShysteria (\"Time Fugitives\"), and loneliness (\"No Mutant Is an Island\"). It satirizes television in the episodes \"Mojovision\" and \"Longshot\". It crossed over withSpider-Manwhen Spider-Man seeks the X-Men's help to stop his progressing mutation. In theabbreviated formof the Secret Wars storyline, theBeyonderandMadame Webselect Spider-Man to lead a team of heroes against a group of villains. An earlier draft of \"Secret Wars\" involved all the X-Men, but transporting the voice cast from Canada to Los Angeles, where production for theSpider-Mananimated series was based, had been too costly in previous crossovers, so the episode was rewritten to feature only Storm, whose actress, Iona Morris, lived in Los Angeles. In the first season, the X-Men come into conflict with human conspirators buildingSentinelrobots to kill mutants, Magneto's plan to instigate a human-mutant war, and the powerful mutantApocalypse's plan to eradicate the weak. Other storylines include X-Men member Morph's death at the hands of the Sentinels, Beast's incarceration, and Apocalypse's minions attempting to assassinate U.S. Senator Kelly to turn humans against mutants. In the second season, Cyclops and Jean are married and targeted byMister Sinister, who seeks to use the genetically perfect combination of their DNA to create an army of obedient mutants. Morph returns, having been rescued by Sinister and brainwashed into forcing the X-Men apart. Over time, a rift grows between humans and mutants, with the Friends of Humanity, an anti-mutant group, leading their persecution. Apocalypse returns, developing a deadly plague that he plans to blame on mutants to fuel hatred against them. It features a parallel narrative of Professor X and Magneto being lost in the Savage Land. The third season involves thePhoenix, a cosmic force that merges with Jean Grey and turns her into the Dark Phoenix. It introduces theShi'ar Empire, which includes Lilandra and Gladiator, and seeks to stop the Dark Phoenix. Other storylines include the introduction of Wolverine's former lover turned mercenary, Lady Deathstrike, former X-Men memberIceman, and the villainousShadow King. Volume 5 of theOfficial Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z Hardcoverslists the cartoon as part of the Marvel multiverse, inhabiting Earth-92131. As well, the plague-infested future thatBishoptries to prevent in Season 2 is listed as Earth-13393, whileCable's release of the cure is listed as Earth-121893. Voice cast The series' voice acting was recorded in Toronto studios, with Dan Hennessey serving as voice director. Toronto voice actors had also been used in the 1960s Marvel Comics cartoons.Catherine Disherhad originally auditioned for the part ofStormbefore she was cast asJean Grey.Chris Potterwas cast in the role ofGambitduring filming forKung Fu: The Legend Continues(1993-1997) which was helpful since his co-starDavid Carradine, a big fan of the comics, helped as he was unfamiliar.Alyson CourtandCal Doddwere neighbors when Court was a child and Dodd was a well-known actor in Canada long before voicing bothJubileeandWolverinerespectively, attributing their characters' chemistry to being previously acquainted with one another. Another voice actor originally had been cast as Jubilee, but Court was cast when the original voice was deemed too sweet and innocent for the role. Principal cast Additional cast Other versions The original opening sequence, used throughout the first four seasons, features the X-Men demonstrating their mutant abilities to an instrumental theme written byRon Wassermanand composed byHaim SabanandShuki Levy. A modified version is introduced in season five, episode one (\"Phalanx Covenant, Part One\"), which slightly changes the beginning of the theme. WhenUPNbegan airing reruns on Sunday mornings, an alternate credits sequence was used: a high-quality Japanese-animated version of the original opening. This modified version occasionally appears in the digital streaming release of the show, which was used for re-runs on Toon Disney. In Italy, where the series began airing in 1994 onCanale 5, the intro and outro sequences were replaced by a new sequence and theme song: \"Insuperabili X-Men\", sung by Marco Destro and Pietro Ubaldi. X-Menoriginally aired onTV Tokyofrom 1994 to 1995. For the TV Tokyo dub of the series, the intro was replaced with a new, Japanese-animated sequence and a new theme: \"Rising\" by Ambience. Starting with episode 42, a second intro was used, featuring the song \"Dakishimetai Dare Yori Mo\"(抱きしめたい誰よりも, \"I want to embrace you more than anyone else\"). The end credits sequence was also changed: it featured shots of AmericanX-Mencomic books set to the song \"Back to You\", also by Ambience. The TV Tokyo dub was directed by Yoshikazu Iwanami and featured scripts rewritten to include a more humorous, self-satirical tone with an emphasis on comical adlibbing, a hallmark of his dubbing style. Episodes were edited for time so that new segments could be added to the end to promoteX-Men: Children of the Atom, which featured the dub actors pretending to play the game as their characters. A second dub was made in the early 2000s for broadcast onToon Disney (Japan)that is more faithful to the original English scripts and does not cut episodes for time. This version used the original American intro and end credits rather than the unique ones created for the TV Tokyo version. Two versions of the episode \"No Mutant is an Island\" exist, each with a different animation. The first version was aired for Toon Disney reruns, can be seen on digital streaming services such as Amazon Video, aired on Fox Kids in the United States, and uses the remixed intro theme from Season 5. The second version is available on Region 1 DVD, aired on Fox Kids overseas, and uses the default intro theme from Seasons 1–4. Viewership In its prime,X-Mengarnered very highratingsfor a Saturday morning cartoon and received praise for adapting many different storylines from the comics. Haim Saban credits the success of the series in assisting him to sell his next project to Fox:Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. X-Menreached a viewership of over23 millionhouseholds. Legacy X-Men '97 By 2019, there were ongoing talks withDisney+to revive the series.In November 2021, it was revealed that a revival titledX-Men '97was in development which will continue the plot of the series.X-Men '97eventually premiered on March 20, 2024. Beau DeMayo served ashead writerfor the first two seasons, with most of the surviving cast members of the original series reprising their roles, including Dodd, Zann, Buza, Disher, Potter, Sealy-Smith, Hough, and Britton. They were joined byJennifer Hale, Anniwaa Buachie,Ray Chase, Matthew Waterson,JP Karliak, Holly Chou,Jeff Bennett, andA.J. LoCascio. Alyson Court did not reprise her role as Jubilee, requesting that Jubilee be voiced by an Asian actress. She instead returned to voice an alternate version of the character.The series is produced byMarvel Studios Animation, but does not take place within theMarvel Cinematic Universe. Comics X-Men Adventures X-Men Adventureswas acomic bookspin-offof the animated series. Beginning in November 1992, it adapted the first three seasons of the show; in April 1996, it becameAdventures of the X-Men, which contained original stories set within the same continuity.The comic book lasted until March 1997, shortly after the show's cancellation by theFox Network. Bibliography Additionally, stories featuring the same characters were printed through the 19 issues ofSpider-Man Magazine, published between March 1994 and March 1997, alongside stories inspired by the animated seriesSpider-Man. X-Men '92 The comic book seriesX-Men '92was first released as one of the many tie-in titles for Marvel's 2015Secret Warsevent, and continued in its second volume as a regular series in early 2016, starring characters of the TV show's reality. In January 2022 Marvel announced a new series inspired by the cartoon,X-Men '92: House of XCII. Scheduled for publication in April of that same year, the series will explore an alternate universe where the events ofJonathan Hickman'sHouse of X and Powers of Xhappened decades earlier, in the '90s of the original show. Manga Books Previously on X-Men In 2017, series developer and showrunner Eric Lewald released the bookPreviously on X-Men: The Making of an Animated Series, which features his interviews with 36 of the staff and voice cast behind the TV series, as well as Lewald's personal experiences on the series' development and production. X-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series In 2020, Eric Lewald and Julia Lewald released the bookX-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series, which features previously unseen concept art, storyboards, character models, background layouts, animation cels, and other production/promotional materials, along with new interviews with the series principal artists and production staff. Video games In film The series was credited for being responsible for the beginning development of the 2000X-Menfilm. Fox Kids owner20th Century Foxwas impressed by the success of the TV show, and producerLauren Shuler Donnerpurchased the film rights for them in 1994.The film's success led to afilm franchise, which includes a series of sequels, prequels, and spin-offs, for two decades up to 2020, when the series came to an end due toDisney'sacquisition of Fox, with the character rights reverting to Marvel Studios. Potter revealed that he once auditioned for the role of Cyclops in the 2000 film before losing it toJames Marsden, while Buza would appear in the film proper as a truck driver. In the 2022Marvel Cinematic UniversefilmDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, produced by Marvel Studios, the theme song from the TV series (orchestrated byDanny Elfmanand credited asX-Men '97 Theme) is played whenCharles Xavier(portrayed byPatrick Stewart) first appears; in the film, unlike his previous performances as the character in Fox'sX-Menfranchise, Stewart's Xavier is visually redesigned to match his animated counterpart, complete with his iconic green suit, blue and black tie, and yellow hoverchair. In television In theMs. Marvelepisode \"No Normal\", set in the MCU, the theme song from theX-Menanimated series is played whenKamala Khandiscovers that she is a \"mutant\". Lawsuit On October 9, 2019, Hungarian immigrant Zoltán Krisko, manager of the estate ofGyörgy Vukán, filed a lawsuit againstMarvel Entertainment Group,Warner Chappell Music,Haim Saban,Shuki Levy,Ron Wasserman,UMG Recordings, the current distributor of Disney Music Group, andFox Corporation. He claims the theme music was plagiarized from the theme song to the 1984–1991 Hungarian action-adventure television seriesLinda, which was composed by Vukán. Notes References Sources External links","The Simpsons The Simpsonsis an Americananimated sitcomcreated byMatt Groeningfor theFox Broadcasting Company.Developed by Groening,James L. Brooks, andSam Simon, the series is asatiricaldepiction of American life, epitomized by theSimpson family, which consists ofHomer,Marge,Bart,Lisa, andMaggie. Set in the fictional town ofSpringfield, it caricatures society, Western culture, television, and thehuman condition. The family was conceived by Groening shortly before a solicitation for a series ofanimated shortswith producer Brooks. He created adysfunctional familyand named the characters after his own family members, substituting Bart for his own name; he thought Simpson was a funny name in that it sounded similar to \"simpleton\".The shorts became a part ofThe Tracey Ullman Showon April 19, 1987. After three seasons, the sketch was developed into a half-hour prime time show and became Fox's first series to land in the Top 30 ratings in a season (1989–1990). Since its debut on December 17, 1989,771 episodesof the show have been broadcast. It is thelongest-running American animated series,longest-running American sitcom, and thelongest-running American scripted primetime television series, both in seasons and individual episodes. A feature-length film,The Simpsons Movie, was released in theaters worldwide on July 27, 2007, to critical and commercial success, with a sequel in development as of 2018. The series has also spawned numerouscomic book series,video games,books, and other related media, as well as a billion-dollarmerchandising industry.The Simpsonsis produced byGracie Filmswith20th Televisiondistributing the series.It has been distributed under the20th Television Animationlabel since 2021, although the animation studio has produced animation for the series since season 28. On January 26, 2023, the series was renewed for its 35th and 36th seasons, taking the show through the 2024–25 television season.Both seasons contain a combined total of 51 episodes. Seven of these episodes are season 34 holdovers, while the other 44 will be produced in the production cycle of the upcoming seasons, bringing the show's overall episode total up to 801.Season 35 premiered on October 1, 2023.Season 36 premiered on September 29, 2024. The Simpsonsreceived widespread acclaim throughout its early seasons in the 1990s, which are generally considered its \"golden age\". Since then, it has been criticized for aperceived decline in quality.Timenamed it the 20th century's best television series,and Erik Adams ofThe A.V. Clubnamed it \"television's crowning achievement regardless of format\".On January 14, 2000, the Simpson family was awarded a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame. It has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 37Primetime Emmy Awards, 34Annie Awards, and 2Peabody Awards. Homer's exclamatory catchphrase of \"D'oh!\" has been adopted into the English language, whileThe Simpsonshas influenced many other later adult-oriented animated sitcom television series. Premise Characters The main characters are theSimpson family, who live in the fictional \"Middle America\" town of Springfield.Homer, the father, works as a safety inspector at theSpringfield Nuclear Power Plant, a position at odds with his careless, buffoonish personality. He is married toMarge(néeBouvier), a stereotypical American housewife and mother. They have three children:Bart, a ten-year-old troublemaker and prankster;Lisa, a precocious eight-year-old activist; andMaggie, the baby of the family who rarely speaks, but communicates by sucking on a pacifier. Although the family is dysfunctional, many episodes examine their relationships and bonds with each other and they are often shown to care about one another. The family also owns agreyhound,Santa's Little Helper, (who first appeared in the episode \"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire\") and a cat,Snowball II, who is replaced by a cat also called Snowball II in the fifteenth-season episode \"I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot\".Extended members of the Simpson and Bouvier family in the main cast include Homer's fatherAbeand Marge's sistersPatty and Selma. Marge's motherJacquelineand Homer's motherMonaappear less frequently. The show includes a vast array of quirky supporting characters, which include Homer's friendsBarney Gumble,Lenny LeonardandCarl Carlson; the school principalSeymour Skinnerand staff members such asEdna KrabappelandGroundskeeper Willie; students such asMilhouse Van Houten,Nelson MuntzandRalph Wiggum; shopkeepers such asApu Nahasapeemapetilon,Comic Book GuyandMoe Szyslak; government figuresMayor \"Diamond\" Joe QuimbyandClancy Wiggum; next-door neighborNed Flanders; local celebrities such asKrusty the Clownand news reporterKent Brockman; nuclear tycoonMontgomery Burnsand his devoted assistantWaylon Smithers; anddozens more. The creators originally intended many of these characters as one-time jokes or for fulfilling needed functions in the town. A number of them have gained expanded roles and subsequently starred in their own episodes. According to Matt Groening, the show adopted the concept of a large supporting cast from the comedy showSCTV. Continuity and the floating timeline Despite the depiction of yearly milestones such as holidays or birthdays passing, the characters never age. The series uses afloating timelinein which episodes generally take place in the year the episode is produced. Flashbacks and flashforwards do occasionally depict the characters at other points in their lives, with the timeline of these depictions also generally floating relative to the year the episode is produced. For example, the 1991 episodes \"The Way We Was\" and \"I Married Marge\" depict Homer and Marge as high schoolers in the 1970s who had Bart (who is always 10 years old) in the early '80s, while the 2008 episode \"That '90s Show\" depicts Homer and Marge as a childless couple in the '90s, and the 2021 episode \"Do Pizza Bots Dream of Electric Guitars\" portrays Homer as an adolescent in the same period. The 1995 episode \"Lisa's Wedding\" takes place during Lisa's college years in the then-future year of 2010, the same year the show began airing its22nd season, in which Lisa was still 8. Regarding the contradictory flashbacks, Selman stated that \"they all kind of happened in their imaginary world.\" The show follows a loose and inconsistent continuity. For example,Krusty the Clownmay be able to read in one episode, but not inanother. However, it is consistently portrayed that he isJewish, that his father was arabbi, and that his career began in the 1960s. The latter point introduces another snag in the floating timeline: historical periods that are a core part of a character's backstory remain so even when their age makes it unlikely or impossible, such asGrampa SimpsonandPrincipal Skinner's respective service inWorld War IIandVietnam. The only episodes not part of the series' main canon are theTreehouse of Horrorepisodes, which often feature the deaths of main characters. Characters who die in \"regular\" episodes, such asMaude Flanders,Mona SimpsonandEdna Krabappel, however, stay dead. Most episodes end with thestatus quobeing restored, though occasionally major changes will stick, such as Lisa's conversions tovegetarianismandBuddhism, the divorce ofMilhouse van Houten's parents, and the marriage and subsequent parenthood ofApuandManjula. Setting The Simpsonstakes place in a fictional American town calledSpringfield. Although there are many real settlements in America named Springfield,the town the show is set in is fictional. The state it is in is not established. In fact, the show is intentionally evasive with regard to Springfield's location.Springfield's geography and that of its surroundings is inconsistent: from one episode to another, it may have coastlines, deserts, vast farmland, mountains, or whatever the story or joke requires.Groening has said that Springfield has much in common withPortland, Oregon, the city where he grew up.Groening has said that he named it afterSpringfield, Oregon, and the fictitious Springfield which was the setting of the seriesFather Knows Best. He \"figured out that Springfield was one of the most common names for a city in the U.S. In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought, 'This will be cool; everyone will think it's their Springfield.' And they do.\"Many landmarks, including street names, have connections to Portland. Production Development When producerJames L. Brookswas working on the television variety showThe Tracey Ullman Show, he decided to include small animated sketches before and after the commercial breaks. Having seen one of cartoonistMatt Groening'sLife in Hellcomic strips, Brooks asked Groening to pitch an idea for a series of animated shorts. Groening initially intended to present an animated version of hisLife in Hellseries.However, Groening later realized that animatingLife in Hellwould require the rescinding ofpublication rightsfor his life's work. He therefore chose another approach while waiting in the lobby of Brooks's office for the pitch meeting, hurriedly formulating his version of a dysfunctional family that became the Simpsons.He named the characters after his own family members, substituting \"Bart\" for his own name, adopting ananagramof the wordbrat. The Simpson family first appeared asshortsinThe Tracey Ullman Showon April 19, 1987.Groening submitted only basic sketches to the animators and assumed that the figures would be cleaned up in production. However, the animators merely re-traced his drawings, which led to the crude appearance of the characters in the initial shorts.The animation was produced domestically atKlasky Csupo,withWes Archer,David Silverman, andBill Koppbeing animators for the first season.The colorist, \"Georgie\" Gyorgyi Kovacs Peluce (Kovács Györgyike)made the characters yellow; as Bart, Lisa and Maggie have no hairlines, she felt they would look strange if they were flesh-colored. Groening supported the decision, saying: \"Marge is yellow with blue hair? That's hilarious — let's do it!\" In 1989, a team of production companies adaptedThe Simpsonsinto a half-hour series for theFox Broadcasting Company. The team included the Klasky Csupo animation house. Brooks negotiated a provision in the contract with the Fox network that prevented Fox from interfering with the show's content.Groening said his goal in creating the show was to offer the audience an alternative to what he called \"the mainstream trash\" that they were watching.The half-hour series premiered on December 17, 1989, with \"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire\".\"Some Enchanted Evening\" was the first full-length episode produced, but it did not broadcast until May 1990, as the last episode of the first season, because of animation problems.In 1992,Tracey Ullmanfiled a lawsuit against Fox, claiming that her show was the source of the series' success. The suit said she should receive a share of the profits ofThe Simpsons—a claim rejected by the courts. Executive producers and showrunners List of showrunners throughout the series' run: Matt Groening and James L. Brooks have served as executive producers during the show's entire history, and also function as creative consultants.Sam Simon, described by formerSimpsonsdirectorBrad Birdas \"the unsung hero\" of the show,served as creative supervisor for the first four seasons. He was constantly at odds with Groening, Brooks and the show's production companyGracie Filmsand left in 1993.Before leaving, he negotiated a deal that sees him receive a share of the profits every year, and an executive producer credit despite not having worked on the show since 1993,at least until his passing in 2015.A more involved position on the show is theshowrunner, who acts as head writer and manages the show's production for an entire season. Writing The first team of writers, assembled by Sam Simon, consisted ofJohn Swartzwelder,Jon Vitti,George Meyer,Jeff Martin,Al Jean,Mike Reiss,Jay KogenandWallace Wolodarsky.NewerSimpsons'writing teams typically consist of sixteen writers who propose episode ideas at the beginning of each December.The main writer of each episode writes the first draft. Group rewriting sessions develop final scripts by adding or removing jokes, inserting scenes, and calling for re-readings of lines by the show's vocal performers.Until 2004,George Meyer, who had developed the show since the first season, was active in these sessions. According to long-time writer Jon Vitti, Meyer usually invented the best lines in a given episode, even though other writers may receive script credits.Each episode takes six months to produce so the show rarely comments on current events. Credited with sixty episodes,John Swartzwelderis the most prolific writer onThe Simpsons.One of the best-known former writers isConan O'Brien, who contributed to several episodes in the early 1990s before replacingDavid Lettermanas host of the talk showLate Night.English comedianRicky Gervaiswrote the episode \"Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife\", becoming the first celebrity both to write and guest star in the same episode.Seth RogenandEvan Goldberg, writers of the filmSuperbad, wrote the episode \"Homer the Whopper\", with Rogen voicing a character in it. At the end of 2007, the writers ofThe Simpsonswent on striketogether with the other members of theWriters Guild of America, East. The show's writers had joined the guild in 1998. In May 2023, the writers ofThe Simpsonswent on striketogether with the other members of theWriters Guild of America, East. Voice actors The Simpsonshas six main cast members:Dan Castellaneta,Julie Kavner,Nancy Cartwright,Yeardley Smith,Hank Azaria, andHarry Shearer. Castellaneta voicesHomer Simpson,Grampa Simpson,Krusty the Clown,Groundskeeper Willie,Mayor Quimby,Barney Gumble, and other adult male characters.Julie KavnervoicesMarge SimpsonandPatty and Selma, as well as several minor characters.Castellaneta and Kavner had been a part ofThe Tracey Ullman Showcast and were given the parts so that new actors would not be needed.Cartwright voicesBart Simpson,Nelson Muntz,Ralph Wiggumand other children.Smith, the voice ofLisa Simpson, is the only cast member who regularly voices only one character, although she occasionally plays other episodic characters.The producers decided to hold casting for the roles of Bart and Lisa. Smith had initially been asked to audition for the role of Bart, but casting directorBonita Pietilabelieved her voice was too high,so she was given the role of Lisa instead.Cartwright was originally brought in to voice Lisa, but upon arriving at the audition, she found that Lisa was simply described as the \"middle child\" and at the time did not have much personality. Cartwright became more interested in the role of Bart, who was described as \"devious, underachieving, school-hating, irreverent, clever\".Groening let her try out for the part instead, and upon hearing her read, gave her the job on the spot.Cartwright is the only one of the six mainSimpsonscast members who had been professionally trained in voice acting prior to working on the show.Azaria and Shearer do not voice members of the title family, but play a majority of the male townspeople. Azaria, who has been a part of the main voice cast since the second season in one episode \"Old Money\" and then perpetually part of the regular main voice cast since the third season, voices recurring characters such asMoe Szyslak,Chief Wiggum,Apu NahasapeemapetilonandProfessor Frink. Shearer provides voices forMr. Burns,Mr. Smithers,Principal Skinner,Ned Flanders,Reverend Lovejoyand formerlyDr. Hibbert.Every main cast member has won aPrimetime Emmy AwardforOutstanding Voice-Over Performance. With one exception, episode credits list only the voice actors, and not the characters they voice. Both Fox and the production crew wanted to keep their identities secret during the early seasons and, therefore, closed most of the recording sessions while refusing to publish photos of the recording artists.However, the network eventually revealed which roles each actor performed in the episode \"Old Money\", because the producers said the voice actors should receive credit for their work.In 2003, the cast appeared in an episode ofInside the Actors Studio, doing live performances of their characters' voices. The six main actors were paid $30,000 per episode, until 1998, when they were involved in a pay dispute with Fox. The company threatened to replace them with new actors, even going as far as preparing for casting of new voices, but series creator Groening supported the actors in their action.The issue was soon resolved and, from 1998 to 2004, they were paid $125,000 per episode. The show's revenue continued to rise through syndication and DVD sales, and in April 2004 the main cast stopped appearing for script readings, demanding they be paid $360,000 per episode.The strike was resolved a month laterand their salaries were increased to something between $250,000and $360,000 per episode.In 2008, production for thetwentieth seasonwas put on hold due to new contract negotiations with the voice actors, who wanted a \"healthy bump\" in salary to an amount close to $500,000 per episode.The negotiations were soon completed, and the actors' salary was raised to $400,000 per episode.Three years later, with Fox threatening to cancel the series unless production costs were cut, the cast members accepted a 30 percent pay cut, down to just over $300,000 per episode. In addition to the main cast,Pamela Hayden,Tress MacNeille,Marcia Wallace,Maggie Roswell, andRussi Taylorvoice supporting characters.From 1999 to 2002, Roswell's characters were voiced byMarcia Mitzman Gaven.Karl Wiedergotthas also appeared in minor roles, but does not voice any recurring characters.Wiedergott left the show in 2010, and since thenChris Edgerlyhas appeared regularly to voice minor characters. Repeat \"special guest\" cast members includeAlbert Brooks,Phil Hartman,Jon Lovitz,Joe Mantegna,Maurice LaMarche, andKelsey Grammer.Following Hartman's death in 1998, the characters he voiced (Troy McClureandLionel Hutz) were retired;Wallace's character ofEdna Krabappelwas retired as well after her death in 2013. Following Taylor's death in 2019, her characters (includingSherri, Terri, andMartin Prince) are now voiced byGrey Griffin. Episodes will quite often feature guest voices from a wide range of professions, including actors, athletes, authors, bands, musicians and scientists. In the earlier seasons, most of the guest stars voiced characters, but eventually more started appearing as themselves.Tony Bennettwas the first guest star to appear as himself, appearing briefly in the season two episode \"Dancin' Homer\".The Simpsonsholds theworld recordfor \"Most Guest Stars Featured in a Television Series\". The Simpsonshas been dubbed intoseveral other languages, including Japanese, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. It is also one of the few programs dubbed in bothstandard FrenchandQuebec French.The show has been broadcast in Arabic, but due toIslamiccustoms, numerous aspects of the show have been changed. For example, Homer drinkssodainstead of beer and eats Egyptian beef sausages instead of hot dogs. Because of such changes, the Arabized version of the series met with a negative reaction from the lifelongSimpsonsfans in the area. Animation Several different U.S. and international studios animateThe Simpsons. Throughout the run of the animated shorts onThe Tracey Ullman Show, the animation was produced domestically atKlasky Csupo.With the debut of the series, because of an increased workload, Fox subcontracted production to several local and foreign studios.These areAKOM,Anivision,Rough Draft Studios,USAnimation,and Toonzone Entertainment. For the first three seasons, Klasky Csupo animatedThe Simpsonsin the United States. In 1992, the show's production company, Gracie Films, switched domestic production toFilm Roman,who continued to animate the show until 2016 when they were replaced byFox Television Animation, which allowed the show to be made more in-house. InSeason 14, production switched from traditionalcel animationtodigital ink and paint.The first episode to experiment with digital coloring was \"Radioactive Man\" in 1995. Animators used digital ink and paint during production of theseason 12episode \"Tennis the Menace\", but Gracie Films delayed the regular use of digital ink and paint until two seasons later. The already completed \"Tennis the Menace\" was broadcast as made. The production staff at the U.S. animation studio, Film Roman, drawsstoryboards, designs new characters, backgrounds, props and draws character and background layouts, which in turn becomeanimaticsto be screened for the writers at Gracie Films for any changes to be made before the work is shipped overseas. The overseas studios then draw theinbetweens, ink and paint, and render the animation to tape before it is shipped back to the United States to be delivered to Fox three to four months later. The series beganhigh-definitionproduction in Season 20; the first episode, \"Take My Life, Please\", aired February 15, 2009. The move to HDTV included a new opening sequence.Matt Groening called it a complicated change because it affected the timing and composition of animation. Themes The Simpsonsuses the standard setup of a situational comedy, or sitcom, as its premise. The series centers on a family and their life in a typical American town,serving as asatiricalparody of amiddle classAmerican lifestyle.However, because of its animated nature,The Simpsons'scope is larger than that of a regular sitcom. The town of Springfield acts as a complete universe in which characters can explore the issues faced by modern society. By having Homer work in anuclear power plant, the show can comment on the state of the environment.Through Bart and Lisa's days atSpringfield Elementary School, the show's writers illustrate pressing or controversial issues in the field of education. The town features a vast array of television channels, which enables the producers to make jokes about the entertainment industry and the press. Some commentators say the show is political in nature and susceptible to a left-wing bias.Al Jeanacknowledged in an interview that \"We are ofliberalbent.\"The writers often evince an appreciation forprogressive leanings, but the show makes jokes across the political spectrum.The show portrays government and large corporations as evil entities that take advantage of the common worker.Thus, the writers often portray authority figures in an unflattering or negative light. InThe Simpsons, politicians are corrupt, ministers such asReverend Lovejoyare dismissive to churchgoers, and the local police force is incompetent.Religion also figures as a recurring theme.In times of crisis, the family often turns to God, and the show has dealt with most of the major religions. Sexualityis often a source of jokes in the series or serves as the theme of certain episodes. Even though homosexuals are sometimes sources of gags, the series often comments on how American society treats them, with \"Homer's Phobia\" devoting an entire episode to the family making a gay friend and Homer's initial hostility to him. In 1990,The Simpsonsbecame the first animated early evening show to depict a kiss between two men in \"Simpson and Delilah\". Hallmarks Opening sequence The Simpsons'opening sequenceis one of the show's most memorable hallmarks. The standard opening has gone through three iterations (a replacement of some shots at the start of the second season, and a brand new sequence when the show switched to high-definition in 2009). Each has the same basic sequence of events: the camera zooms throughcumulus clouds, through the show's title towards the town ofSpringfield. The camera then follows the members of the family on their way home. Upon entering their house, the Simpsons settle down on their couch to watch television. The original opening was created byDavid Silverman, and was the first task he did when production began on the show.The series' distinctivetheme songwascomposedby musicianDanny Elfmanin 1989, after Groening approached him requesting a retro-style piece. This piece has been noted by Elfman as the most popular of his career. One of the most distinctive aspects of the opening is that three of its elements change from episode to episode: Bart writes different things on the school chalkboard,Lisa plays different solos on her saxophone (or occasionally a different instrument), and different gags accompany the family as they enter their living room to sit on the couch. Halloween episodes The specialHalloweenepisode has become an annual tradition. \"Treehouse of Horror\" first broadcast in 1990 as part ofseason twoand established the pattern of three separate, self-contained stories in each Halloween episode.These pieces usually involve the family in some horror, science fiction, or supernatural setting and often parody or pay homage to a famous piece of work in those genres.They always take place outside the normal continuity of the show. Although theTreehouseseries is meant to be seen on Halloween, this changed by the 2000s (and again in 2020), when new installments have premiered after Halloween due toFox's currentcontractwithMajor League Baseball'sWorld Series.Prior to 2020 (between 2011 and 2019), everyTreehouse of Horrorepisode had aired in October. Humor The show's humor turns on cultural references that cover a wide spectrum of society so that viewers from all generations can enjoy the show. Such references, for example, come from movies, television, music, literature, science, and history.The animators also regularly add jokes or sight gags into the show's background via humorous or incongruous bits of text in signs, newspapers,billboards, and elsewhere. The audience may often not notice the visual jokes in a single viewing. Some are so fleeting that they become apparent only by pausing a video recording of the show or viewing it in slow motion.Kristin Thompson argues thatThe Simpsonsuses a \"flurry of cultural references, intentionally inconsistent characterization, and considerable self-reflexivity about television conventions and the status of the programme as a television show.\" One of Bart's earlyhallmarkswas his prank calls toMoe's TavernownerMoe Szyslakwhere he asks for agag name. Moe tries to find that person in the bar, but soon realizes it is a prank call and angrily threatens Bart. These calls were apparently based on a series of prank calls known as theTube Bar recordings, though Groening has denied any causal connection.Moe was based partly on Tube Bar ownerLouis \"Red\" Deutsch, whose often profane responses inspired Moe's violent side.As the series progressed, it became more difficult for the writers to come up with a fake name and to write Moe's angry response, and the pranks were dropped as a regular joke during the fourth season.The Simpsonsalso often includesself-referential humor.The most common form is jokes about Fox Broadcasting.For example, the episode \"She Used to Be My Girl\" included a scene in which aFox News Channelvan drove down the street while displaying a large \"Bush Cheney 2004\" banner and playingQueen's \"We Are the Champions\", in reference to the2004 U.S. presidential electionand claims ofconservative bias in Fox News. The show usescatchphrases, and most of the primary and secondary characters have at least one each.Notable expressions include Homer's annoyed grunt \"D'oh!\", Mr. Burns' \"Excellent\" andNelson Muntz's \"Ha-ha!\" Some of Bart's catchphrases, such as \"¡Ay, caramba!\", \"Don't have a cow, man!\" and \"Eat my shorts!\" appeared on T-shirts in the show's early days.However, Bart rarely used the latter two phrases until after they became popular through themerchandising. The use of many of these catchphrases has declined in recent seasons. The episode \"Bart Gets Famous\" mocks catchphrase-based humor, as Bart achieves fame on theKrusty the Clown Showsolely for saying \"I didn't do it.\" Purported foreshadowing of actual events The Simpsonshas gained notoriety for jokes that appeared to become reality. Perhaps the most famous example comes from the episode \"Bart to the Future\", which mentions billionaireDonald Trumphaving been president of the United States at one time and leaving the nation broke.The episode first aired in 2000, sixteen years before Trump (who at the time wasexploring a presidential run) was elected.Another episode, \"When You Dish Upon a Star\", lampooned20th Century Foxas a division ofThe Walt Disney Company. Nineteen years later,Disney purchased Fox.Other examples purported asThe Simpsonspredicting the future include the introduction of thesmartwatch,video chatservices,Richard Branson's spaceflightandLady Gaga's acrobatic performance at theSuper Bowl LI halftime show. Al Jeanhas commented on the show's purported ability to predict the future, explaining that they are really just \"educated guesses\" and stating that \"if you throw enough darts, you're going to get some bullseyes.\"ProducerBill Oakleystated, \"There are very few cases whereThe Simpsonspredicted something. It's mainly just coincidence because the episodes are so old that history repeats itself.\"Fact-checkingsources such asSnopeshave debunked many of the claimed prophecies, explaining that the show's extensive run means \"a lot of jokes, and a lot of opportunities for coincidences to appear\" and \"most of these 'predictions' have rather simple and mundane explanations\".For example, the device shown onThe Simpsonswith autocorrection is anApple Newton, a real 1993 device notorious for its poorhandwriting recognition.Technologically advanced watches have appeared in numerous works of fiction, decades beforeThe Simpsons. Influence and legacy Idioms A number ofneologismsthat originated onThe Simpsonshave entered popular vernacular.Mark Liberman, director of theLinguistic Data Consortium, remarked, \"The Simpsonshas apparently taken over from Shakespeare and the Bible as our culture's greatest source of idioms, catchphrases and sundry other textual allusions.\"The most famous catchphrase is Homer's annoyed grunt: \"D'oh!\" So ubiquitous is the expression that it is now listed in theOxford English Dictionary, but without the apostrophe.Dan Castellaneta says he borrowed the phrase fromJames Finlayson, an actor in manyLaurel and Hardycomedies, who pronounced it in a more elongated and whining tone. The staff ofThe Simpsonstold Castellaneta to shorten the noise, and it went on to become the well-known exclamation in the television series. Groundskeeper Willie's description of the French as \"cheese-eating surrender monkeys\" was used byNational ReviewcolumnistJonah Goldbergin 2003, after France's opposition to the proposedinvasion of Iraq. The phrase quickly spread to other journalists.\"Cromulent\" and \"embiggen\", words used in \"Lisa the Iconoclast\", have since appeared in theDictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon,and scientific journals respectively.\"Kwyjibo\", a fakeScrabbleword invented by Bart in \"Bart the Genius\", was used as one of the aliases of the creator of theMelissa worm.\"I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords\", was used byKent Brockmanin \"Deep Space Homer\" and has become asnowclone,with variants of the utterance used to express obsequious submission. It has been used in media, such asNew Scientistmagazine.The dismissive term \"Meh\", believed to have been popularized by the show,entered theCollins English Dictionaryin 2008.Other words credited as stemming from the show include \"yoink\" and \"craptacular\". The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotationsincludes several quotations from the show. As well as \"cheese-eating surrender monkeys\", Homer's lines, \"Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never try\", from \"Burns' Heir\" (season five, 1994) as well as \"Kids are the best, Apu. You can teach them to hate the things you hate. And they practically raise themselves, what with the Internet and all\", from \"Eight Misbehavin'\"(season 11, 1999), entered the dictionary in August 2007. Many quotes/scenes have become popularInternet memes, including Jasper Beardley's quote \"That's a paddlin'\" from \"The PTA Disbands\" (season 6, 1995) and \"Steamed Hams\" from \"22 Short Films About Springfield\" (season 7, 1996). Television The Simpsonswas the first successful animated program in American prime time sinceWait Till Your Father Gets Homein the 1970s.During most of the 1980s, US pundits considered animated shows as appropriate only for children, and animating a show was too expensive to achieve a quality suitable for prime-time television.The Simpsonschanged this perception,initially leading to a short period where networks attempted to recreate prime-time cartoon success with shows likeCapitol Critters,Fish Police, andFamily Dog, which were expensive and unsuccessful.The Simpsons'use of Korean animation studios fortweening, coloring, and filming made the episodes cheaper. The success ofThe Simpsonsand the lower production cost prompted US television networks to take chances on other adult animated series.This development led US producers to a 1990s boom in new, animated prime-time shows for adults, such asBeavis and Butt-Head,South Park,Family Guy,King of the Hill,Futurama(which was created by Matt Groening), andThe Critic(which was also produced by Gracie Films).ForFamily GuycreatorSeth MacFarlane, \"The Simpsonscreated an audience for prime-time animation that had not been there for many, many years ... As far as I'm concerned, they basically re-invented the wheel. They created what is in many ways—you could classify it as—a wholly new medium.\" The Simpsonshas had crossovers with four other shows. In the episode \"A Star Is Burns\", Marge invites Jay Sherman, the main character ofThe Critic, to be a judge for a film festival in Springfield. Matt Groening had his name removed from the episode since he had no involvement withThe Critic.South Parklater paid homage toThe Simpsonswith the episode \"Simpsons Already Did It\".In \"Simpsorama\", the Planet Express crew fromFuturamacome to Springfield in the present to prevent the Simpsons from destroying the future.In theFamily Guyepisode \"The Simpsons Guy\", the Griffins visit Springfield and meet the Simpsons. The Simpsonshas also influenced live-action shows likeMalcolm in the Middle, which featured the use ofsight gagsand did not use alaugh trackunlike most sitcoms.Malcolm in the Middledebuted January 9, 2000, in the time slot afterThe Simpsons.Ricky GervaiscalledThe Simpsonsan influence onThe Office,and fellow British sitcomSpacedwas, according to its directorEdgar Wright, \"an attempt to do a live-actionThe Simpsons\".InGeorgia, the animated television sitcomThe Samsonadzes, launched in November 2009, has been noted for its very strong resemblance withThe Simpsons, which its creator Shalva Ramishvili has acknowledged. LGBT representation The Simpsonshas historically been open to portrayals ofLGBTcharacters and settings, and it has routinely challengedheteronormativity.It was one of several animated television shows in the United States that began introducing characters that were LGBT, both openly and implied, in the 1990s.While early episodes involving LGBT characters primarily included them through the use of stereotypes,The Simpsonsdeveloped several prominent LGBT characters over its run.Producers of the show, such asMatt GroeningandAl Jean, have expressed their opinion that LGBT representation in media is important, and that they seek to actively include it.Some characters, such as Julio, were created with their sexual orientation in mind, with it being central to their character.The show expanded its roster of openly LGBT characters through episodes in which prominent charactersPatty BouvierandWaylon Smitherscame out in seasons16and27, respectively. Release Broadcast Syndication The cable television networkFXX, a sibling of 20th Television and formerly the Fox network, hasexclusive cable and digital syndicationrights forThe Simpsons.Original contracts had previously stated that syndication rights forThe Simpsonswould not be sold to cable until the series conclusion, at a time when cable syndication deals were highly rare. The series has been syndicated to local broadcast stations in nearly all markets throughout the United States since September 1994. FXX premieredThe Simpsonson their network on August 21, 2014, by starting a twelve-daymarathonwhich featured the first 552 episodes (every single episode that had already been released at the time) aired chronologically, includingThe Simpsons Movie, which FX Networks had already owned the rights to air. It was the longest continuous marathon in the history of television (untilVH1 Classicaired a 433-hour, nineteen-day, marathon ofSaturday Night Livein 2015; celebrating that program's 40th anniversary).The first day of the marathon was the highest rated broadcast day in the history of the network so far, the ratings more than tripled those of regular prime time programming for FXX.Ratings during the first six nights of the marathon grew night after night, with the network ranking within the top 5 networks in basic cable each night.In Australia, a marathon of every episode of the show (at the time) aired from December 16, 2019, to January 5, 2020, onFox8(a cable network operated on pay TV providerFoxteland a corporate sibling to the American Fox network). After Disneyacquiredboth 20th Television and FX Networks, it was announced thatThe Simpsonswould air on the company'sFreeformchannel starting October 2, 2019. Streaming and digital sell-through On October 21, 2014, a digital service courtesy of theFXNOWapp, calledSimpsons World, launched with every episode of the series accessible to authenticated FX subscribers, and is available on game consoles such asXbox One, streaming devices such asRokuandApple TV, and online via web browser.There was early criticism of both wrong aspect ratios for earlier episodes and the length of commercial breaks on the streaming service, but that problem was soon amended with fewer commercial breaks during individual episodes.Later it was announced thatSimpsons Worldwould now let users watch all of the SD episodes in their original format.Simpsons Worldwas discontinued after the launch ofDisney+on November 12, 2019, where the series streams exclusively.Initially, the series was only available cropped to16:9without the option to view the original4:3versions, reigniting criticisms of cropping old episodes.In response, Disney announced that \"in early 2020, Disney+ will make the first 19 seasons (and some episodes from season 20) ofThe Simpsonsavailable in their original 4:3 aspect ratio, giving subscribers a choice of how they prefer to view the popular series.\"On May 28, 2020, Disney+ made the first 19 seasons, along with some episodes from season 20, ofThe Simpsonsavailable in both 16:9 and the original 4:3 aspect ratio.Season 31 came to Disney+ on October 2, 2020, withHulustreaming the latest episodes of season 32 the next day. Season 32 came to Disney+ on September 29, 2021. The season 3 premiere \"Stark Raving Dad\", which featuresMichael Jacksonas the voice of Leon Kompowsky, was pulled out of rotation in 2019 by Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Al Jean afterHBOaired the documentaryLeaving Neverland, in which two men share details into how Jackson allegedly abused them as children.It is therefore unavailable on Disney+. However, the episode is still available onThe Complete Third SeasonDVD box set released on August 26, 2003. In July 2017, all episodes from seasons 4 to 19 were made available for purchase on theiTunes Storein Canada. On August 10, 2024, it was announced that four episodes of season 36 would air exclusively on Disney+. Reception and achievements Early success The Simpsonswas the Fox network's first television series to rank among a season's top 30 highest-rated shows.In 1990, Bart quickly became one of the most popular characters on television in what was termed \"Bartmania\".He became the most prevalentSimpsonscharacter on memorabilia, such asT-shirts. In the early 1990s, millions of T-shirts featuring Bart were sold;as many as one million were sold on some days.Believing Bart to be a bad role model, several American public schools banned T-shirts featuring Bart next to captions such as \"I'm Bart Simpson. Who the hell are you?\" and \"Underachiever ('And proud of it, man!')\".The Simpsonsmerchandise sold well and generated $2 billion in revenue during the first 14 months of sales.Because of his popularity, Bart was often the most promoted member of the Simpson family in advertisements for the show, even for episodes in which he was not involved in the main plot. Due to the show's success, over the summer of 1990 theFox Networkdecided to switchThe Simpsons'time slot from 8:00 p.m.ETon Sunday night to the same time on Thursday, where it competed withThe Cosby ShowonNBC, thenumber one showat the time.Through the summer, several news outlets published stories about the supposed \"Bill vs. Bart\" rivalry.\"Bart Gets an 'F'\"(season two, 1990) was the first episode to air againstThe Cosby Show, and it received a lowerNielsen rating, tying for eighth behindThe Cosby Show, which had an 18.5 rating. The rating is based on the number of household televisions that were tuned into the show, butNielsen Media Researchestimated that 33.6 million viewers watched the episode, making it the number one show in terms of actual viewers that week. At the time, it was the most watched episode in the history of the Fox Network,and it is still the highest rated episode in the history ofThe Simpsons.The show moved back to its Sunday slot in 1994 and has remained there ever since. The Simpsonshas received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, and it has been noted for being described as \"the most irreverent and unapologetic show on the air.\"In a 1990 review of the show, Ken Tucker ofEntertainment Weeklydescribed it as \"the American family at its most complicated, drawn as simple cartoons. It's this neat paradox that makes millions of people turn away from the three big networks on Sunday nights to concentrate on The Simpsons.\"Tucker also described the show as a \"pop-cultural phenomenon, a prime-time cartoon show that appeals to the entire family.\" Run length achievements On February 9, 1997,The SimpsonssurpassedThe Flintstoneswith the episode \"The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show\" as the longest-running prime-time animated series in the United States.In 2004,The SimpsonsreplacedThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet(1952 to 1966) as the longest-running sitcom (animated or live action) in the United States in terms of the number of years airing.In 2009,The SimpsonssurpassedThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet's record of 435 episodes and is now recognized byGuinness World Recordsas the world's longest running sitcom (in terms of episode count).In October 2004,Scooby-Doobriefly overtookThe Simpsonsas the American animated show with the highest number of episodes (albeit under several different iterations).However, network executives in April 2005 again canceledScooby-Doo, which finished with 371 episodes, andThe Simpsonsreclaimed the title with 378 episodes at the end of their seventeenth season.In May 2007,The Simpsonsreached their 400th episode at the end of the eighteenth season. WhileThe Simpsonshas the record for the number of episodes by an American animated show, other animated series have surpassedThe Simpsons.For example, the JapaneseanimeseriesSazae-sanhas over 2,000 episodes (7,000+ segments) to its credit. In 2009, Fox began a year-long celebration of the show titled \"Best. 20 Years. Ever.\" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the premiere ofThe Simpsons. One of the first parts of the celebration is the \"Unleash Your Yellow\" contest in which entrants must design a poster for the show.The celebration ended on January 10, 2010 (almost 20 years after \"Bart the Genius\" aired on January 14, 1990), withThe Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special – In 3-D! On Ice!, a documentary special by documentary filmmakerMorgan Spurlockthat examines the \"cultural phenomenon ofThe Simpsons\". As of the twenty-first season (2009–2010),The Simpsonsbecame the longest-running American scripted primetime television series, having surpassed the 1955–1975 run ofGunsmoke. On April 29, 2018,The Simpsonsalso surpassedGunsmoke's 635-episode count with the episode \"Forgive and Regret\". The Simpsonsis both the longest-running and the highest ranking animated series to feature onTV Time's top 50 most followed TV shows ever. On February 6, 2019, it was announced thatThe Simpsonshas been renewed for seasons 31 and 32. On March 3, 2021, it was announced thatThe Simpsonswas renewed for seasons 33 and 34. Awards and honors The Simpsonshas won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 34Primetime Emmy Awards,34Annie Awardsand aPeabody Award.In a 1999 issue celebrating the 20th century's greatest achievements in arts and entertainment,TimenamedThe Simpsonsthe century's best television series, writing: \"Dazzlingly intelligent and unapologetically vulgar, the Simpsons have surpassed the humor, topicality and, yes, humanity of past TV greats.\"In that same issue,Timeincluded Bart Simpson in theTime 100, the publication's list of the century's 100 most influential people.Bart was the only fictional character on the list. On January 14, 2000, the Simpsons were awarded a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.Also in 2000,Entertainment Weeklymagazine TV critic Ken Tucker namedThe Simpsonsthe greatest television show of the1990s. Furthermore, viewers of the UK television channelChannel 4have votedThe Simpsonsat the top of two polls: 2001's 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows (despite the show not being aimed at children),and 2005's The 100 Greatest Cartoons,with Homer Simpson voted into first place in 2001's 100 Greatest TV Characters.Homer also placed ninth onEntertainment Weekly'slist of the \"50 Greatest TV icons\".In 2002,The Simpsonsranked No. 8 onTV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time,and was ranked the No. 6 cult show in 2004.In 2007, it moved to No. 8 on TV Guide's cult shows listand was included inTime'slist of the \"100 Best TV Shows of All Time\".In 2008 the show was placed in first onEntertainment Weekly's\"Top 100 Shows of the Past 25 Years\".Empirenamed it the greatest TV show of all time.In 2010,Entertainment Weeklynamed Homer \"the greatest character of the last 20 years\",while in 2013 theWriters Guild of AmericalistedThe Simpsonsas the 11th \"best written\" series in television history.In 2013,TV GuiderankedThe Simpsonsas the greatest TV cartoon of all timeand the tenth greatest show of all time.A 2015The Hollywood Reportersurvey of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry people named it as their No. 10 favorite show.In 2015, British newspaperThe TelegraphnamedThe Simpsonsas one of the 10 best TV sitcoms of all time.Television criticsAlan SepinwallandMatt Zoller SeitzrankedThe Simpsonsas the greatest American TV series of all time in their 2016 bookTV (The Book).In 2022,Rolling StonerankedThe Simpsonsas the second-greatest TV show of all time.In 2023,VarietyrankedThe Simpsonsas the fourth-greatest TV show of all time. Criticism Controversy Bart's rebellious, bad boy nature, which underlies his misbehavior and rarely leads to any punishment, led some people to characterize him as a poorrole modelfor children.In schools, educators claimed that Bart was a \"threat to learning\" because of his \"underachiever and proud of it\" attitude and negative attitude regarding his education.Others described him as \"egotistical, aggressive and mean-spirited\".In a 1991 interview,Bill Cosbydescribed Bart as a bad role model for children, calling him \"angry, confused, frustrated\". In response, Matt Groening said, \"That sums up Bart, all right. Most people are in a struggle to be normal he thinks normal is very boring, and does things that others just wished they dare do.\"On January 27, 1992, then-PresidentGeorge H. W. Bushsaid, \"We are going to keep on trying to strengthen the American family, to make American families a lot more likethe Waltonsand a lot less like the Simpsons.\"The writers rushed out a tongue-in-cheek reply in the form of a short segment that aired three days later before a rerun of \"Stark Raving Dad\" in which Bart replied, \"Hey, we're just like the Waltons. We're praying for an end tothe Depression, too.\" The show also received criticism from the nuclear power industry in its early years, with its portrayal of the evil boss Mr. Burns and \"bungling idiot\" employees (including Homer Simpson himself) with their lack of safety and security.In a letter to the nuclear power-backedU.S. Council for Energy Awareness, producer Sam Simon apologized, stating, \"I apologize that the Simpsons have offended a lot of people in the energy industry. I agree with you that in real life, Homer Simpson would not be employed at a nuclear power plant. On the other hand, he probably wouldn't be employed anywhere.\" Various episodes of the show have generated controversy. The Simpsons visit Australia in \"Bart vs. Australia\" (season six, 1995) and Brazil in \"Blame It on Lisa\" (season 13, 2002) and both episodes generated controversy and negative reaction in the visited countries.In the latter case, Rio de Janeiro's tourist board—which claimed that the city was portrayed as having rampant street crime, kidnappings, slums, and monkey and rat infestations—went so far as to threaten Fox with legal action.Groening was a fierce and vocal critic of the episode \"A Star Is Burns\" (season six, 1995), which featured acrossoverwithThe Critic. He felt that it was just an advertisement forThe Critic, and that people would incorrectly associate the show with him. When he was unsuccessful in getting the episode pulled, he had his name removed from the credits and went public with his concerns, openly criticizing James L. Brooks and saying the episode \"violates the Simpsons' universe.\" In response, Brooks said, \"I am furious with Matt, ... he's allowed his opinion, but airing this publicly in the press is going too far. ... his behavior right now is rotten.\" \"The Principal and the Pauper\" (season nine, 1997) is one of the most controversial episodes ofThe Simpsons. Many fans and critics reacted negatively to the revelation thatSeymour Skinner, a recurring character since the first season, was an impostor. The episode has been criticized by Groening and byHarry Shearer, who provides the voice of Skinner. In a 2001 interview, Shearer recalled that after reading the script, he told the writers, \"That'ssowrong. You're taking something that an audience has built eight years or nine years of investment in and just tossed it in the trash can for no good reason, for a story we've done before with other characters. It's so arbitrary and gratuitous, and it's disrespectful to the audience.\" Bans The show has reportedly been taken off the air in several countries. China banned it from prime-time television in August 2006, \"in an effort to protect China's struggling animation studios.\"In 2008,Venezuelabarred the show from airing on morning television as it was deemed \"unsuitable for children\".The same year, several RussianPentecostalchurches demanded thatThe Simpsons,South Parkand some other Western cartoons be removed from broadcast schedules \"for propaganda of various vices\" and the broadcaster's license to be revoked. However, a court decision later dismissed this request. Perceived decline in quality Critics' reviews of earlySimpsonsepisodes praised the show for its sassy humor, wit, realism, and intelligence.However, in the late 1990s, around the airing ofseason 9, the tone and emphasis of the show began to change. Some critics started calling the show \"tired\".By 2000, some long-term fans had become disillusioned with the show, and pointed to its shift from character-driven plots to what they perceived as an overemphasis on zany antics.Jim Schembri ofThe Sydney Morning Heraldattributed the decline in quality to an abandonment of character-driven storylines in favor of celebritycameo appearancesand references to popular culture. Schembri wrote in 2011: \"The central tragedy ofThe Simpsonsis that it has gone from commanding attention to merely being attention-seeking. It began by proving that cartoon characters don't have to be caricatures; they can be invested with real emotions. Now the show has in essence fermented into a limp parody of itself. Memorable story arcs have been sacrificed for the sake of celebrity walk-ons and punchline-hungry dialogue.\" In 2010, the BBC noted \"the common consensus is thatThe Simpsons'golden era ended afterseason nine\",and Todd Leopold of CNN, in an article looking at its perceived decline, stated \"for many fans ... the glory days are long past.\"Similarly, Tyler Wilson ofCoeur d'Alene Presshas referred to seasons one to nine as the show's \"golden age\",and Ian Nathan ofEmpiredescribed the show's classic era as being \"say, the first ten seasons\".Jon HeacockofLucidWorksstated that \"for the first ten years , the show was consistently at the top of its game\", with \"so many moments, quotations, and references – both epic and obscure – that helped turn the Simpson family into the cultural icons that they remain to this day\". Mike Scully, who was showrunner during seasons nine throughtwelve, has been the subject of criticism.Chris Suellentrop ofSlatewrote that \"under Scully's tenure,The Simpsonsbecame, well, a cartoon ... Episodes that once would have ended withHomer and Marge bicycling into the sunsetnow end withHomer blowing a tranquilizer dart into Marge's neck. The show's still funny, but it hasn't been touching in years.\"When asked in 2007 how the series' longevity is sustained, Scully joked: \"Lower your quality standards. Once you've done that you can go on forever.\" Al Jean, who was showrunner during seasonsthirteenthroughthirty-three,has also been the subject of criticism, with some arguing that the show has continued to decline in quality under his tenure. Former writers have complained that under Jean, the show is \"on auto-pilot\", \"too sentimental\", and the episodes are \"just being cranked out\". Some critics believe that the show has \"entered a steady decline under Jean and is no longer really funny\".John Ortved, author ofThe Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History, characterized the Jean era as \"toothless\",and criticized what he perceived as the show's increase in social and political commentary.Jean responded: \"Well, it's possible that we've declined. But honestly, I've been here the whole time and I do remember in season two people saying, 'It's gone downhill.' If we'd listened to that then we would have stopped after episode 13. I'm glad we didn't.\" In 2004, cast memberHarry Shearercriticized what he perceived as the show's declining quality: \"I rate the last three seasons as among the worst, soseason fourlooks very good to me now.\"Cast memberDan Castellanetaresponded: \"I don't agree, ... I think Harry's issue is that the show isn't as grounded as it was in the first three or four seasons, that it's gotten crazy or a little more madcap. I think it organically changes to stay fresh.\"Also in 2004 authorDouglas Couplanddescribed claims of declining quality in the series as \"hogwash\", saying \"The Simpsonshasn't fumbled the ball in fourteen years, it's hardly likely to fumble it now.\"In an April 2006 interview, Groening said: \"I honestly don't see any end in sight. I think it's possible that the show will get too financially cumbersome ... but right now, the show is creatively, I think, as good or better than it's ever been. The animation is incredibly detailed and imaginative, the stories do things that we haven't done before, so creatively there's no reason to quit.\" In 2016, popular culture writer Anna Leszkiewicz suggested that even thoughThe Simpsonsstill holds cultural relevance, \"contemporary appeal\" is only for the \"first ten or so seasons\", with recent episodes only garnering mainstream attention when a favorite character from the golden era is killed off, or when new information and shock twists are given for old characters.The series' ratings have also declined; while thefirst seasonenjoyed an average of 13.4 million viewing households per episode in the U.S.,thetwenty-first seasonhad an average of 7.2 million viewers. Alan SepinwallandMatt Zoller Seitzargued in their 2016 book titledTV (The Book)that the peak ofThe Simpsonsare \"roughlyseasons 3–12\", and that despite the decline, episodes from the later seasons such as \"Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind\" and \"Holidays of Future Passed\" could be considered on par with the earlier classic episodes, further stating that \"even if you want to call the show today a thin shadow of its former self, think about how mind-boggingly great its former self had to be for so-diminished a version to be watchable at all.\" In 2020,Uproxxwriter Josh Kurp stated that while he agrees with the sentiment thatThe Simpsonsis not as good as it used to be, it is because \"it was working at a level of comedy and characterization that no show ever has.\" He felt there were still many reasons to watch the series, as it was \"still capable of quality television, and even the occasional new classic\" and the fact that the show was willing to experiment, giving examples such as bringing on guest animators likeDon HertzfeldtandSylvain Chometto produce couch gags, and guest writers likeSeth RogenandEvan Goldberg,Pete HolmesandMegan Amramto write episodes.In theseason 32episode \"I, Carumbus\", the show itself makes a nod to these concerns in its credits gag where the godJupiternotes that \"It definitely feels like they're wrapping it up ... any day now.\" In a 2021 interview withNME, Jean was quoted as saying, \"To people who sayThe Simpsonsisn't as good as it used to be, I would say I think the world isn't as good as it used to be. But we're declining at a slower rate.\" Race controversy The stereotypical nature of the characterApu Nahasapeemapetilonhas been the subject of controversy. Indian-American comedianHari Kondabolustated in his 2017 documentaryThe Problem with Aputhat as a child he was a fan ofThe Simpsonsand liked Apu, but he now finds the character's stereotypical nature troublesome. Defenders of the character responded that the show is built on comical stereotypes, with creator Matt Groening saying, \"that's the nature of cartooning.\"He added that he was \"proud of what we do on the show\", and \"it's a time in our culture where people love to pretend they're offended\".In response to the controversy, Apu's voice actor,Hank Azaria, said he was willing to step aside from his role as Apu: \"The most important thing is to listen to South Asian people, Indian people in this country when they talk about what they feel and how they think about this character.\"In February 2020, he confirmed that he would no longer voice Apu. Groening stated at the same time that the character would remain in the show. The criticisms were referenced in the season 29 episode \"No Good Read Goes Unpunished\", when Lisa breaks thefourth walland addresses the audience by saying, \"Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?\" to which Marge replies, \"Some things will be addressed at a later date.\" Lisa adds, \"If at all.\" This reference was clarified by the fact that there was a framed photo of Apu with the caption on the photo saying \"Don't have a cow, Apu\", a play on Bart's catchphrase \"Don't have a cow, man,\" as well as the fact that manyHindusdo not eat cows as they are considered sacred. In October 2018, it was reported that Apu would be written out of the show,which Groening denied. On June 26, 2020, in light of the variousBlack Lives Matterprotests, Fox announced that recurring characters of color (Carl CarlsonandDr. Hibbert, among others) would no longer be voiced by white actors.Beginning withseason 32, Carl, a black character originally voiced by Azaria, is now voiced by black actorAlex Désert.In addition,Bumblebee Man, a Spanish-speaking Latino character also originally voiced by Azaria, is now voiced by Mexican-American actorEric Lopez,and Dr. Hibbert, a black character originally voiced byHarry Shearer, is now voiced by black actorKevin Michael Richardson. Other media Comic books Numerous Simpson-related comic books have been released over the years. The firstcomic stripsbased onThe Simpsonsappeared in 1991 in the magazineSimpsons Illustrated, which was a companion magazine to the show.The comic strips were popular and a one-shot comic book titledSimpsons Comics and Stories, containing four different stories, was released in 1993 for the fans.The book was a success and due to this, Groening and his companionsBill Morrison, Mike Rote, and Steve and Cindy Vance created the publishing companyBongo Comics.A total of nine comic book series were published by Bongo Comics between 1993 and the company's dissolution in 2018.Issues ofSimpsons Comics,Bart Simpson's Treehouse of HorrorandBart Simpsonhave been collected and reprinted intrade paperbacksin the United States byHarperCollins. Film 20th Century FoxandGracie FilmsproducedThe Simpsons Movie, an animated film that was released on July 27, 2007.The film was directed by long-timeSimpsonsproducerDavid Silvermanand written by a team ofSimpsonswriters comprising Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Al Jean, George Meyer,Mike Reiss,John Swartzwelder,Jon Vitti,David Mirkin,Mike Scully,Matt Selman, andIan Maxtone-Graham.Production of the film occurred alongside continued writing of the series despite long-time claims by those involved in the show that a film would enter production only after the series had concluded.There had been talk of a possible feature-lengthSimpsonsfilm ever since the early seasons of the series. James L. Brooks originally thought that the story of the episode \"Kamp Krusty\" was suitable for a film, but he encountered difficulties in trying to expand the script to feature-length.For a long time, difficulties such as lack of a suitable story and an already fully engaged crew of writers delayed the project. On August 10, 2018, 20th Century Fox announced that a sequel is in development. Music Collections of original music featured in the series have been released on the albumsSongs in the Key of Springfield,Go Simpsonic with The SimpsonsandThe Simpsons: Testify.Several songs have been recorded with the purpose of a single or album release and have not been featured on the show. The albumThe Simpsons Sing the Blueswas released in September 1990 and was a success, peaking at No. 3 on theBillboard200and becoming certified 2× platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America.The first single from the album was thepop rapsong \"Do the Bartman\", performed by Nancy Cartwright and released on November 20, 1990. The song was written byMichael Jackson, although he did not receive any credit.The Yellow Albumwas released in 1998, but received poor reception and did not chart in any country. The SimpsonsRide In 2007, it was officially announced thatThe SimpsonsRide, asimulator ride, would be implemented into theUniversal Studios OrlandoandUniversal Studios Hollywood.It officially opened May 15, 2008, in Floridaand May 19, 2008, in Hollywood.In the ride, patrons are introduced to a cartoon theme park called Krustyland built byKrusty the Clown. However,Sideshow Bobis loose from prison to get revenge on Krusty and theSimpson family.It features more than 24 regular characters fromThe Simpsonsand features the voices of the regular cast members, as well asPamela Hayden,Russi TaylorandKelsey Grammer.Harry Shearerdid not participate in the ride, so none of his characters have vocal parts.The ride also features clips from the show in the waiting line. Video games Numerous video games based on the show have been produced. Some of the early games includeKonami'sarcade gameThe Simpsons(1991) andAcclaim Entertainment'sThe Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants(1991).More modern games includeThe Simpsons: Road Rage(2001),The Simpsons: Hit & Run(2003) andThe Simpsons Game(2007).Electronic Arts, which producedThe Simpsons Game, has owned the exclusive rights to create video games based on the show since 2005.In 2010, they released a game calledThe Simpsons ArcadeforiOS.Another EA-produced mobile game,Tapped Out, was released in 2012 for iOS users, then in 2013 forAndroidandKindleusers.TwoSimpsonspinballmachines have been produced: one that was available briefly after the first season, and another in 2007, both out of production. Merchandise The popularity ofThe Simpsonshas made it a billion-dollar merchandising industry.The title family and supporting characters appear on everything from T-shirts to posters.The Simpsonshas been used as a theme for special editions of well-known board games, includingClue,Scrabble,Monopoly,Operation, andThe Game of Life, as well as thetriviagames What Would Homer Do? and SimpsonsJeopardy!. Several card games such astrump cardsand The Simpsons Trading Card Game have also been released. Many official or unofficialSimpsonsbooks such as episode guides have been published. Many episodes of the show have been released on DVD and VHS over the years. When the first season DVD was released in 2001, it quickly became the best-selling television DVD in history, although it was later overtaken by the first season ofChappelle's Show.In particular, seasons one through seventeen were released on DVD for 13 years between September 2001 to December 2014 in the U.S./Canada (Region 1), Europe (Region 2), and Australia/New Zealand/Latin America (Region 4). However, on April 8, 2015, Al Jean announced that the Season 17 DVD would be the last one ever produced, leaving the collection from Seasons 1 to 17, Season 20 (released out of order in 2010), with Seasons 18, 19, and 21 onwards unreleased.Jean also stated that the deleted scenes and commentaries would try to be released to the Simpsons World app, and that they were pushing for Simpsons World to be expanded outside of the U.S.Two years later, however, on July 22, 2017, it was announced that Season 18 would be released on December 5, 2017, on DVD.Another two years later, on July 20, 2019, it was announced that Season 19 would be released on December 3, 2019, on DVD. In 2003, about 500 companies around the world were licensed to useSimpsonscharacters in their advertising.As a promotion forThe Simpsons Movie, twelve7-Elevenstores were transformed intoKwik-E-Martsand soldThe Simpsonsrelated products. These included \"Buzz Cola\", \"Krusty-O\" cereal, pink doughnuts with sprinkles, and \"Squishees\". In 2008, consumers around the world spent $750 million on merchandise related toThe Simpsons, with half of the amount originating from the United States. By 2009, 20th Century Fox had greatly increased merchandising efforts.On April 9, 2009, theUnited States Postal Serviceunveiled a series of five 44-cent stamps featuring Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, to commemorate the show's twentieth anniversary.The Simpsonsis the first television series still in production to receive this recognition.The stamps, designed by Matt Groening, were made available for purchase on May 7, 2009.Approximately one billion were printed, but only 318 million were sold, costing the Postal Service $1.2 million. References Bibliography Further reading External links","List of animated television series by episode count This is a list ofanimated television seriesby episode count. This article does not includeanimeseries which originate fromJapan(for this see thelist of anime series by episode count). Single series with at least 100 episodes and television franchises with at least 40 episodes are listed. Single series Longest-running animated television franchises See also References"],"string":"[\n \"Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II(born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44thpresident of the United Statesfrom 2009 to 2017. As a member of theDemocratic Party, he was the firstAfrican-Americanpresident in U.S. history. Obama previously served as aU.S. senatorrepresentingIllinoisfrom 2005 to 2008 and as anIllinois state senatorfrom 1997 to 2004. Obama was born inHonolulu,Hawaii. He graduated fromColumbia Universityin 1983 with aBachelor of Artsdegree in political science and later worked as acommunity organizerinChicago. In 1988, Obama enrolled inHarvard Law School, where he was the first black president of theHarvard Law Review. He became a civil rights attorney and an academic, teachingconstitutional lawat theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolfrom 1992 to 2004. He also went into elective politics; Obamarepresented the 13th district in the Illinois Senatefrom 1997 until 2004, when hesuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate. In the2008 presidential election, aftera close primary campaignagainstHillary Clinton, he was nominated by the Democratic Party for president. Obama selectedJoe Bidenas his running mate and defeatedRepublicannomineeJohn McCain. Obama was named the2009 Nobel Peace Prizelaureate, a decision that drew a mixture of criticism and praise. His first-term actions addressed theglobal financial crisisand includeda major stimulus packageto guide the economy in recovering from theGreat Recession, a partial extension ofGeorge W. Bush'stax cuts,legislation to reform health care,a major financial regulation reform bill, and the end of a major U.S.military presence in Iraq. Obama also appointedSupreme CourtjusticesSonia SotomayorandElena Kagan, the former being the firstHispanic Americanon the Supreme Court. He orderedOperation Neptune Spear, the raid that killedOsama bin Laden, who was responsible for theSeptember 11 attacks. Obama downplayed Bush'scounterinsurgency model, expandingair strikesand making extensive use of special forces, while encouraging greater reliance on host-government militaries. He also orderedmilitary involvement in Libyain order to implementUN Security Council Resolution 1973, contributing to the overthrow ofMuammar Gaddafi. Obama defeated Republican opponentMitt Romneyin the2012 presidential election. In his second term, Obama took steps tocombat climate change, signinga major international climate agreementand anexecutive orderto limitcarbon emissions. Obama also presided over the implementation of theAffordable Care Actand other legislation passed in his first term. He negotiateda nuclear agreement with Iranandnormalized relations with Cuba. The number ofAmerican soldiers in Afghanistandecreased during Obama's second term, though U.S. soldiers remained in the country throughout Obama's presidency. Obama promoted inclusion forLGBT Americans, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to publicly supportsame-sex marriage. Obama left office on January 20, 2017, and continues to reside in Washington, D.C. Historians and political scientists rank him among the upper tier inhistorical rankings of American presidents.His presidential libraryin theSouth Side of Chicagobegan construction in 2021. Since leaving office, Obama has remained politically active, campaigning for candidates in various American elections, including Biden'ssuccessful presidential bidin2020. Outside of politics,Obama has published three books:Dreams from My Father(1995),The Audacity of Hope(2006), andA Promised Land(2020). Early life and career Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961,atKapiolani Medical Center for Women and ChildreninHonolulu, Hawaii.He is the only president born outside thecontiguous 48 states.He was born to an 18-year-old American mother and a 27-year-old Kenyan father. His mother,Ann Dunham(1942–1995), was born inWichita, Kansas, and was of English, Welsh, German, Swiss, and Irish descent. In 2007 it was discovered her great-great-grandfather Falmouth Kearney emigrated from the village ofMoneygall, Irelandto the U.S. in 1850.In July 2012,Ancestry.comfound a strong likelihood that Dunham was descended fromJohn Punch, an enslaved African man who lived in theColony of Virginiaduring the seventeenth century.Obama's father,Barack Obama Sr.(1934–1982),was a marriedLuo KenyanfromNyang'oma Kogelo.His last name, Obama, was derived from his Luo descent.Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian language class at theUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where his father was a foreign student on a scholarship.The couple married inWailuku, Hawaii, on February 2, 1961, six months before Obama was born. In late August 1961, a few weeks after he was born, Barack and his mother moved to theUniversity of WashingtoninSeattle, where they lived for a year. During that time, Barack's father completed his undergraduate degree in economics in Hawaii, graduating in June 1962. He left to attend graduate school on a scholarship atHarvard University, where he earned anM.A.in economics. Obama's parents divorced in March 1964.Obama Sr. returned toKenyain 1964, where he married for a third time and worked for the Kenyan government as the Senior Economic Analyst in the Ministry of Finance.He visited his son in Hawaii only once, at Christmas 1971,before he was killed in an automobile accident in 1982, when Obama was 21 years old.Recalling his early childhood, Obama said: \\\"That my father looked nothing like the people around me—that he was black as pitch, my mother white as milk—barely registered in my mind.\\\"He described his struggles as a young adult to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage. In 1963, Dunham metLolo Soetoroat theUniversity of Hawaii; he was anIndonesianEast–West Centergraduate studentingeography. The couple married onMolokaion March 15, 1965.After two one-year extensions of hisJ-1 visa, Lolo returned toIndonesiain 1966. His wife and stepson followed sixteen months later in 1967. The family initially lived in the Menteng Dalam neighborhood in theTebetdistrict ofSouth Jakarta. From 1970, they lived in a wealthier neighborhood in theMentengdistrict ofCentral Jakarta. Education At the age of six, Obama and his mother had moved to Indonesia to join his stepfather. From age six to ten, he was registered in school as \\\"Barry\\\"and attended localIndonesian-languageschools:Sekolah Dasar Katolik Santo Fransiskus Asisi(St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School) for two years andSekolah Dasar Negeri Menteng 01(State Elementary School Menteng 01) for one and a half years, supplemented by English-languageCalvert Schoolhomeschooling by his mother.As a result of his four years inJakarta, he was able to speakIndonesianfluently as a child.During his time in Indonesia, Obama's stepfather taught him to be resilient and gave him \\\"a pretty hardheaded assessment of how the world works\\\". In 1971, Obama returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents,MadelynandStanley Dunham. He attendedPunahou School—a privatecollege preparatory school—with the aid of a scholarship from fifth grade until he graduated from high school in 1979.In high school, Obama continued to use the nickname \\\"Barry\\\" which he kept until making a visit to Kenya in 1980.Obama lived with his mother and half-sister,Maya Soetoro, in Hawaii for three years from 1972 to 1975 while his mother was a graduate student inanthropologyat the University of Hawaii.Obama chose to stay in Hawaii when his mother and half-sister returned to Indonesia in 1975, so his mother could begin anthropology field work.His mother spent most of the next two decades in Indonesia, divorcing Lolo Soetoro in 1980 and earning a PhD degree in 1992, before dying in 1995 in Hawaii following unsuccessful treatment forovariananduterine cancer. Of his years in Honolulu, Obama wrote: \\\"The opportunity that Hawaii offered — to experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respect — became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the values that I hold most dear.\\\"Obama has also written and talked about usingalcohol,marijuana, andcocaineduring his teenage years to \\\"push questions of who I was out of my mind\\\".Obama was also a member of the \\\"Choom Gang\\\" (the slang term for smoking marijuana), a self-named group of friends who spent time together and smoked marijuana. College and research jobs After graduating from high school in 1979, Obama moved to Los Angeles to attendOccidental Collegeon a full scholarship. In February 1981, Obama made his first public speech, calling for Occidental to participate in thedisinvestment from South Africain response to that nation's policy ofapartheid.In mid-1981, Obama traveled to Indonesia to visit his mother and half-sister Maya and visited the families of college friends inPakistanfor three weeks.Later in 1981, hetransferredtoColumbia Universityin New York City as ajunior, where he majored inpolitical sciencewith a specialty ininternational relationsand inEnglish literatureand lived off-campus on West 109th Street.He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 and a 3.7GPA. After graduating, Obama worked for about a year at theBusiness International Corporation, where he was a financial researcher and writer,then as a project coordinator for theNew York Public Interest Research Groupon theCity College of New Yorkcampus for three months in 1985. Community organizer and Harvard Law School Two years after graduating from Columbia, Obama moved from New York to Chicago when he was hired as director of theDeveloping Communities Project, a faith-based community organization originally comprising eight Catholic parishes inRoseland,West Pullman, andRiverdaleon Chicago'sSouth Side. He worked there as a community organizer from June 1985 to May 1988.He helped set up a job training program, a college preparatory tutoring program, and a tenants' rights organization inAltgeld Gardens.Obama also worked as a consultant and instructor for theGamaliel Foundation, a community organizing institute.In mid-1988, he traveled for the first time inEuropefor three weeks and then for five weeks in Kenya, where he met many of hispaternal relativesfor the first time. Despite being offered a full scholarship toNorthwestern University School of Law, Obama enrolled atHarvard Law Schoolin the fall of 1988, living in nearbySomerville, Massachusetts.He was selected as an editor of theHarvard Law Reviewat the end of his first year,president of the journal in his second year,and research assistant to the constitutional scholarLaurence Tribewhile at Harvard.During his summers, he returned to Chicago, where he worked as asummer associateat the law firms ofSidley Austinin 1989 andHopkins & Sutterin 1990.Obama's election as thefirst black president of theHarvard Law Reviewgained national media attentionand led to a publishing contract and advance for a book about race relations,which evolved into a personal memoir. The manuscript was published in mid-1995 asDreams from My Father.Obama graduated from Harvard Law in 1991 with aJuris Doctormagna cum laude. University of Chicago Law School In 1991, Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolto work on his first book.He then taughtconstitutional lawat the University of Chicago Law School for twelve years, first as a lecturer from 1992 to 1996, and then as a senior lecturer from 1996 to 2004. From April to October 1992, Obama directed Illinois'sProject Vote, avoter registration campaignwith ten staffers and seven hundred volunteer registrars; it achieved its goal of registering 150,000 of 400,000 unregistered African Americans in the state, leadingCrain's Chicago Businessto name Obama to its 1993 list of \\\"40 under Forty\\\" powers to be. Family and personal life In a 2006 interview, Obama highlighted the diversity ofhis extended family: \\\"It's like a little mini-United Nations,\\\" he said. \\\"I've got relatives who look likeBernie Mac, and I've got relatives who look likeMargaret Thatcher.\\\"Obama has a half-sister with whom he was raised (Maya Soetoro-Ng) and seven other half-siblings from his Kenyan father's family, six of them living.Obama's mother was survived by her Kansas-born mother, Madelyn Dunham,until her death on November 2, 2008,two days before his election to the presidency. Obama also has roots in Ireland; he met with his Irish cousins inMoneygallin May 2011.InDreams from My Father, Obama ties his mother's family history to possible Native American ancestors and distant relatives ofJefferson Davis,President of the Confederate States of Americaduring theAmerican Civil War. He also shares distant ancestors in common withGeorge W. BushandDick Cheney, among others. Obama lived with anthropologistSheila Miyoshi Jagerwhile he was a community organizer in Chicago in the 1980s.He proposed to her twice, but both Jager and her parents turned him down.The relationship was not made public until May 2017, several months after his presidency had ended. In June 1989, Obama metMichelle Robinsonwhen he was employed atSidley Austin.Robinson was assigned for three months as Obama's adviser at the firm, and she joined him at several group social functions but declined his initial requests to date.They began dating later that summer, became engaged in 1991, and were married on October 3, 1992.After suffering a miscarriage, Michelle underwentin vitro fertilizationto conceive their children.The couple's first daughter, Malia Ann, was born in 1998,followed by a second daughter, Natasha (\\\"Sasha\\\"), in 2001.The Obama daughters attended theUniversity of Chicago Laboratory Schools. When they moved to Washington, D.C., in January 2009, the girls started at theSidwell Friends School.The Obamas had twoPortuguese Water Dogs; the first, a male namedBo, was a gift from SenatorTed Kennedy.In 2013, Bo was joined bySunny, a female.Bo died of cancer on May 8, 2021. Obama is a supporter of theChicago White Sox, and he threw out the first pitch at the2005 ALCSwhen he was still a senator.In 2009, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at theAll-Star Gamewhile wearing a White Sox jacket.He is also primarily aChicago Bearsfootball fan in theNFL, but in his childhood and adolescence was afan of the Pittsburgh Steelersand rooted for them ahead of their victory inSuper Bowl XLIII12 days after he took office as president.In 2011, Obama invited the1985 Chicago Bearsto the White House; the team had not visited the White House after theirSuper Bowl winin 1986 due to theSpace Shuttle Challenger disaster.He playsbasketball, a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team,and he is left-handed. In 2005, the Obama family applied the proceeds of a book deal and moved from aHyde Park, Chicagocondominium to a $1.6million house (equivalent to $2.5million in 2023) in neighboringKenwood, Chicago.The purchase of an adjacent lot—and sale of part of it to Obama by the wife of developer, campaign donor and friendTony Rezko—attracted media attention because of Rezko's subsequent indictment and conviction on political corruption charges that were unrelated to Obama. In December 2007,Money Magazineestimated Obama's net worth at $1.3million (equivalent to $1.9million in 2023).Their 2009 tax return showed a household income of $5.5million—up from about $4.2million in 2007 and $1.6million in 2005—mostly from sales of his books.On his 2010 income of $1.7million, he gave 14 percent to non-profit organizations, including $131,000 toFisher House Foundation, a charity assisting wounded veterans' families, allowing them to reside near where the veteran is receiving medical treatments.Per his 2012 financial disclosure, Obama may be worth as much as $10million. Religious views Obama is aProtestantChristian whose religious views developed in his adult life.He wrote inThe Audacity of Hopethat he \\\"was not raised in a religious household.\\\" He described his mother, raised by non-religious parents, as being detached from religion, yet \\\"in many ways the most spiritually awakened person... I have ever known\\\", and \\\"a lonely witness forsecular humanism.\\\" He described his father as a \\\"confirmedatheist\\\" by the time his parents met, and his stepfather as \\\"a man who saw religion as not particularly useful.\\\" Obama explained how, through working withblack churchesas acommunity organizerwhile in his twenties, he came to understand \\\"the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change.\\\" In January 2008, Obama toldChristianity Today: \\\"I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in theredemptive deathandresurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life.\\\"On September 27, 2010, Obama released a statement commenting on his religious views, saying: I'm a Christian by choice. My family didn't—frankly, they weren't folks who went to church every week. And my mother was one of the most spiritual people I knew, but she didn't raise me in the church. So I came to my Christian faith later in life, and it was because the precepts ofJesus Christspoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead—being my brothers' and sisters' keeper,treating others as they would treat me. Obama metTrinity United Church of ChristpastorJeremiah Wrightin October 1987 and became a member of Trinity in 1992.During Obama's first presidential campaign in May 2008, he resigned from Trinity aftersome of Wright's statements were criticized.Since moving to Washington, D.C., in 2009, the Obama family has attended several Protestant churches, includingShiloh Baptist ChurchandSt. John's Episcopal Church, as well as Evergreen Chapel atCamp David, but the members of the family do not attend church on a regular basis. In 2016, he said that he gets inspiration from a few items that remind him \\\"of all the different people I've met along the way\\\", adding: \\\"I carry these around all the time. I'm not that superstitious, so it's not like I think I necessarily have to have them on me at all times.\\\" The items, \\\"a whole bowl full\\\", include rosary beads given to him byPope Francis, a figurine of the Hindu deityHanuman, aCoptic crossfrom Ethiopia, a smallBuddha statuegiven by a monk, and a metal poker chip that used to be the lucky charm of a motorcyclist in Iowa. Legal career Civil rights attorney He joined Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, a 13-attorney law firm specializing in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development, where he was anassociatefor three years from 1993 to 1996, thenof counselfrom 1996 to 2004. In 1994, he was listed as one of the lawyers inBuycks-Roberson v. Citibank Fed. Sav. Bank, 94 C 4094 (N.D. Ill.). Thisclass action lawsuitwas filed in 1994 with Selma Buycks-Roberson as lead plaintiff and alleged that Citibank Federal Savings Bank had engaged in practices forbidden under theEqual Credit Opportunity Actand theFair Housing Act. The case was settled out of court. From 1994 to 2002, Obama served on the boards of directors of theWoods Fund of Chicago—which in 1985 had been the first foundation to fund the Developing Communities Project—and of theJoyce Foundation.He served on the board of directors of theChicago Annenberg Challengefrom 1995 to 2002, as founding president and chairman of the board of directors from 1995 to 1999.Obama's law license became inactive in 2007. Legislative career Illinois Senate (1997–2004) Obama was elected to theIllinois Senatein 1996, succeeding Democratic State SenatorAlice PalmerfromIllinois's 13th District, which, at that time, spanned Chicago South Side neighborhoods from Hyde Park–Kenwood south toSouth Shoreand west toChicago Lawn.Once elected, Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation that reformed ethics and health care laws.He sponsored a law that increasedtax creditsfor low-income workers, negotiatedwelfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported Republican GovernorGeorge Ryan'spayday loanregulations andpredatory mortgage lendingregulations aimed at averting homeforeclosures. He was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998, defeating Republican Yesse Yehudah in the general election, and was re-elected again in 2002.In 2000, he lost aDemocratic primary raceforIllinois's 1st congressional districtin theUnited States House of Representativesto four-term incumbentBobby Rushby a margin of two to one. In January 2003, Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee when Democrats, after a decade in the minority, regained a majority.He sponsored and led unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitorracial profilingby requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained, and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.During his 2004 general election campaign for the U.S. Senate, police representatives credited Obama for his active engagement with police organizations in enactingdeath penaltyreforms.Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his election to the U.S. Senate. 2004 U.S. Senate campaign in Illinois In May 2002, Obama commissioned a poll to assess his prospects in a 2004 U.S. Senate race. He created a campaign committee, began raising funds, and lined up political media consultantDavid Axelrodby August 2002. Obama formally announced his candidacy in January 2003. Obama was an early opponent of the George W. Bush administration's2003 invasion of Iraq.On October 2, 2002, the day President Bush and Congress agreed on thejoint resolutionauthorizing theIraq War,Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicagoanti-Iraq War rally,and spoke out against the war.He addressed another anti-war rally in March 2003 and told the crowd \\\"it's not too late\\\" to stop the war. Decisions by Republican incumbentPeter Fitzgeraldand his Democratic predecessorCarol Moseley Braunnot to participate in the election resulted in wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving 15 candidates.In the March 2004 primary election, Obama won in an unexpected landslide—which overnight made him a rising star within thenational Democratic Party, started speculation about a presidential future, and led to the reissue of his memoir,Dreams from My Father.In July 2004, Obama deliveredthe keynote addressat the2004 Democratic National Convention,seen by nine million viewers. His speech was well received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party. Obama's expected opponent in the general election, Republican primary winnerJack Ryan, withdrew from the race in June 2004.Six weeks later,Alan Keyesaccepted the Republican nomination to replace Ryan.In theNovember 2004 general election, Obama won with 70 percent of the vote, the largest margin of victory for a Senate candidate in Illinois history.He took 92 of the state's 102 counties, including several where Democrats traditionally do not do well. U.S. Senate (2005–2008) Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 3, 2005,becoming the only Senate member of theCongressional Black Caucus.He introduced two initiatives that bore his name: Lugar–Obama, which expanded theNunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reductionconcept to conventional weapons;and theFederal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, which authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov, a web search engine on federal spending.On June 3, 2008, Senator Obama—along with SenatorsTom Carper,Tom Coburn, andJohn McCain—introduced follow-up legislation: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008.He alsocosponsoredtheSecure America and Orderly Immigration Act. In December 2006, President Bush signed into law theDemocratic Republic of the CongoRelief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.In January 2007, Obama and Senator Feingold introduced a corporate jet provision to theHonest Leadership and Open Government Act, which was signed into law in September 2007. Later in 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to add safeguards for personality-disorder military discharges.This amendment passed the full Senate in the spring of 2008.He sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, which was never enacted but later incorporated in theComprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010;and co-sponsored legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to theState Children's Health Insurance Program, providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries. Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees forForeign Relations,Environment and Public Works, andVeterans' Affairsthrough December 2006.In January 2007, he left the Environment and Public Works committee and took additional assignments withHealth, Education, Labor and PensionsandHomeland Security and Governmental Affairs.He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee onEuropean Affairs.As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. He met withMahmoud Abbasbefore Abbas becamePresident of the Palestinian National Authorityand gave a speech at theUniversity of Nairobiin which he condemned corruption within the Kenyan government. Obamaresigned his Senate seaton November 16, 2008, to focus on his transition period for the presidency. Presidential campaigns 2008 On February 10, 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of theOld State Capitolbuilding inSpringfield, Illinois.The choice of the announcement site was viewed as symbolic, as it was also whereAbraham Lincolndelivered his\\\"House Divided\\\"speech in 1858.Obama emphasized issues of rapidly ending the Iraq War, increasingenergy independence, andreforming the health care system. Numerous candidates entered theDemocratic Party presidential primaries. The field narrowed to Obama and SenatorHillary Clintonafter early contests, with the race remaining close throughout the primary process, but Obama gained a steady lead in pledgeddelegatesdue to better long-range planning, superior fundraising, dominant organizing incaucusstates, and better exploitation of delegate allocation rules.On June 2, 2008, Obama had received enough votes to clinch his nomination. After an initial hesitation to concede, on June 7, Clinton ended her campaign and endorsed Obama.On August 23, 2008, Obama announced hisselectionofDelawareSenatorJoe Bidenas his vice presidential running mate.Obama selected Biden from a field speculated to include former Indiana Governor and SenatorEvan Bayhand Virginia GovernorTim Kaine.At theDemocratic National ConventioninDenver, Colorado, Hillary Clinton called for her supporters to endorse Obama, and she andBill Clintongave convention speeches in his support.Obama delivered his acceptance speech atInvesco Field at Mile Highstadium to a crowd of about eighty-four thousand; the speech was viewed by over three million people worldwide.During both the primary process and the general election, Obama's campaign set numerous fundraising records, particularly in the quantity of small donations.On June 19, 2008, Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn downpublic financingin the general election since the system was created in 1976. John McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate, and he selectedSarah Palinas his running mate. Obama and McCain engaged in threepresidential debatesin September and October 2008.On November 4, Obama won the presidency with 365electoral votesto 173 received by McCain.Obama won 52.9 percent of thepopular voteto McCain's 45.7 percent.He became the first African-American to be elected president.Obama deliveredhis victory speechbefore hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago'sGrant Park.He is one of the three United States senators moved directly from the U.S. Senate to the White House, the others beingWarren G. HardingandJohn F. Kennedy. 2012 On April 4, 2011, Obama filed election papers with theFederal Election Commissionand then announced his reelection campaign for 2012 in a video titled \\\"It Begins with Us\\\" that he posted on his website.As the incumbent president, he ran virtually unopposed in theDemocratic Party presidential primaries,and on April 3, 2012, Obama secured the 2778conventiondelegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.At theDemocratic National ConventioninCharlotte, North Carolina, Obama and Joe Biden were formally nominated by former President Bill Clinton as the Democratic Party candidates for president and vice president in the general election. Their main opponents were RepublicansMitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and RepresentativePaul Ryanof Wisconsin. On November 6, 2012, Obama won 332 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 required for him to be reelected as president.With 51.1 percent of the popular vote,Obama became the first Democratic president sinceFranklin D. Rooseveltto win themajority of the popular votetwice.Obama addressed supporters and volunteers at Chicago'sMcCormick Placeafter his reelection and said: \\\"Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties.\\\" Presidency (2009–2017) First 100 days Theinauguration of Barack Obamaas the 44th president took place on January 20, 2009. In his first few days in office, Obama issuedexecutive ordersandpresidential memorandadirecting the U.S. military to develop plans to withdraw troops from Iraq.He ordered the closing of theGuantanamo Bay detention camp,but Congress prevented the closure by refusing to appropriate the required fundsand preventing moving any Guantanamo detainee.Obama reduced the secrecy given to presidential records.He also revoked President George W. Bush's restoration of PresidentRonald Reagan'sMexico City policywhich prohibited federal aid to internationalfamily planningorganizations that perform or provide counseling about abortion. Domestic policy The first bill signed into law by Obama was theLilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, relaxing thestatute of limitationsfor equal-pay lawsuits.Five days later, he signed the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program to cover an additional four million uninsured children.In March 2009, Obama reversed a Bush-era policy that had limited funding ofembryonic stem cellresearch and pledged to develop \\\"strict guidelines\\\" on the research. Obama appointed two women to serve on the Supreme Court in the first two years of his presidency. He nominatedSonia Sotomayoron May 26, 2009, to replace retiringAssociate JusticeDavid Souter. She was confirmed on August 6, 2009,becoming the first Supreme Court Justice ofHispanicdescent.Obama nominatedElena Kaganon May 10, 2010, to replace retiring Associate JusticeJohn Paul Stevens. She was confirmed on August 5, 2010, bringing the number of women sitting simultaneously on the Court to three for the first time in American history. On March 11, 2009, Obama created theWhite House Council on Women and Girls, which formed part of theOffice of Intergovernmental Affairs, having been established byExecutive Order13506with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to the welfare of American women and girls. The council was chaired bySenior Advisor to the PresidentValerie Jarrett. Obama also established theWhite House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assaultthrough a government memorandum on January 22, 2014, with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to sexual assault on college and university campuses throughout the United States. The co-chairs of the Task Force were Vice President Joe Biden and Jarrett. The Task Force was a development out of the White House Council on Women and Girls andOffice of the Vice President of the United States, and prior to that the 1994Violence Against Women Actfirst drafted by Biden. In July 2009, Obama launched thePriority Enforcement Program, an immigration enforcement program that had been pioneered by George W. Bush, and theSecure Communitiesfingerprinting and immigration status data-sharing program. In amajor space policy speechin April 2010, Obama announced a planned change in direction atNASA, the U.S. space agency. He ended plans for a return ofhuman spaceflightto the moon and development of theAres Irocket,Ares Vrocket andConstellation program, in favor of fundingearth scienceprojects, a new rocket type, research and development for an eventual crewed mission to Mars, and ongoing missions to theInternational Space Station. On January 16, 2013, one month after theSandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Obama signed 23 executive orders and outlined a series of sweeping proposals regardinggun control.He urged Congress to reintroduce anexpired banon military-styleassault weapons, such as those used in several recent mass shootings, impose limits on ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, introduce background checks on all gun sales, pass a ban on possession and sale of armor-piercing bullets, introduce harsher penalties for gun-traffickers, especially unlicensed dealers who buy arms for criminals and approving the appointment of the head of the federalBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosivesfor the first time since 2006.On January 5, 2016, Obama announced new executive actions extending background check requirements to more gun sellers.In a 2016 editorial inThe New York Times, Obama compared the struggle for what he termed \\\"common-sense gun reform\\\" towomen's suffrageand othercivil rights movementsin American history. In 2011, Obama signed a four-year renewal of the Patriot Act.Following the2013 global surveillance disclosuresbywhistleblowerEdward Snowden, Obama condemned the leak as unpatriotic,but called for increased restrictions on theNational Security Agency(NSA) to address violations of privacy.Obama continued and expanded surveillance programs set up by George W. Bush, while implementing some reforms.He supported legislation that would have limited the NSA's ability to collect phone records in bulk under a single program and supported bringing more transparency to theForeign Intelligence Surveillance Court(FISC). Racial issues In his speeches as president, Obama did not make more overt references to race relations than his predecessors,but according to one study, he implemented stronger policy action on behalf of African-Americans than any president since the Nixon era. Following Obama's election, many pondered the existence of a \\\"postracial America\\\".However, lingering racial tensions quickly became apparent,and many African-Americans expressed outrage over what they saw as an intense racial animosity directed at Obama.TheacquittalofGeorge Zimmermanfollowing thekilling of Trayvon Martinsparked national outrage, leading to Obama giving a speech in which he noted that \\\"Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago.\\\"The shooting ofMichael BrowninFerguson, Missourisparked a wave of protests.These and other events led to the birth of theBlack Lives Mattermovement, which campaigns against violence andsystemic racismtowardblack people.Though Obama entered office reluctant to talk about race, by 2014 he began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups. Several incidents during Obama's presidency generated disapproval from the African-American community and with law enforcement, and Obama sought to build trust between law enforcement officials and civil rights activists, with mixed results. Some in law enforcement criticized Obama's condemnation of racial bias after incidents in which police action led to the death of African-American men, while some racial justice activists criticized Obama's expressions of empathy for the police.In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried \\\"a great deal\\\" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001. LGBT rights On October 8, 2009, Obama signed theMatthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a measure that expanded the1969 United States federal hate-crime lawto include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.On October 30, 2009, Obama lifted the ban on travel to the United States by those infected with HIV. The lifting of the ban was celebrated byImmigration Equality.On December 22, 2010, Obama signed theDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which fulfilled a promise made in the 2008 presidential campaignto end thedon't ask, don't tellpolicy of 1993 that had prevented gay and lesbian people from serving openly in theUnited States Armed Forces. In 2016, the Pentagon ended the policy that barredtransgender people from serving openly in the military. Same-sex marriage As a candidate for the Illinois state senate in 1996, Obama stated he favored legalizingsame-sex marriage.During his Senate run in 2004, he said he supported civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex partners but opposed same-sex marriages.In 2008, he reaffirmed this position by stating \\\"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage.\\\"On May 9, 2012, shortly after the official launch of his campaign for re-election as president, Obama said his views had evolved, and he publicly affirmed his personal support for the legalization of same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so.During his secondinaugural addresson January 21, 2013,Obama became the first U.S. president in office to call for full equality for gay Americans, and the first to mentiongay rightsor the word \\\"gay\\\" in an inaugural address.In 2013, the Obama administration filed briefs that urged theSupreme Courtto rule in favor of same-sex couples in the cases ofHollingsworth v. Perry(regarding same-sex marriage)andUnited States v. Windsor(regarding theDefense of Marriage Act). Economic policy On February 17, 2009, Obama signed theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $787billion (equivalent to $1118 billion in 2023)economic stimuluspackage aimed at helping the economy recover from thedeepening worldwide recession.The act includes increased federal spending for health care, infrastructure, education, various tax breaks andincentives, and direct assistance to individuals.In March 2009, Obama's Treasury Secretary,Timothy Geithner, took further steps to manage thefinancial crisis, including introducing thePublic–Private Investment Program for Legacy Assets, which contains provisions for buying up to $2trillion in depreciated real estate assets. Obama intervened in thetroubled automotive industryin March 2009, renewing loans forGeneral Motors(GM) andChryslerto continue operations while reorganizing. Over the following months the White House set terms for both firms' bankruptcies, including thesale of Chryslerto Italian automakerFiatand areorganization of GMgiving the U.S. government a temporary 60 percent equity stake in the company.In June 2009, dissatisfied with the pace of economic stimulus, Obama called on his cabinet to accelerate the investment.He signed into law theCar Allowance Rebate System, known colloquially as \\\"Cash for Clunkers\\\", which temporarily boosted the economy. The Bush and Obama administrations authorized spending and loan guarantees from theFederal Reserveand theDepartment of the Treasury. These guarantees totaled about $11.5trillion, but only $3trillion had been spent by the end of November 2009.On August 2, 2011, after a lengthy congressional debate over whether to raise the nation's debt limit, Obama signed the bipartisanBudget Control Act of 2011. The legislation enforced limits on discretionary spending until 2021, established a procedure to increase the debt limit, created a Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to propose further deficit reduction with a stated goal of achieving at least $1.5trillion in budgetary savings over 10 years, and established automatic procedures for reducing spending by as much as $1.2trillion if legislation originating with the new joint select committee did not achieve such savings.By passing the legislation, Congress was able to prevent aU.S. governmentdefaulton its obligations. The unemployment rate rose in 2009, reaching a peak in October at 10.0 percent and averaging 10.0 percent in the fourth quarter. Following a decrease to 9.7 percent in the first quarter of 2010, the unemployment rate fell to 9.6 percent in the second quarter, where it remained for the rest of the year.Between February and December 2010, employment rose by 0.8 percent, which was less than the average of 1.9 percent experienced during comparable periods in the past four employment recoveries.By November 2012, the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent,decreasing to 6.7 percent in the last month of 2013.During 2014, the unemployment rate continued to decline, falling to 6.3 percent in the first quarter.GDP growth returned in the third quarter of 2009, expanding at a rate of 1.6 percent, followed by a 5.0 percent increase in the fourth quarter.Growth continued in 2010, posting an increase of 3.7 percent in the first quarter, with lesser gains throughout the rest of the year.In July 2010, the Federal Reserve noted that economic activity continued to increase, but its pace had slowed, and chairmanBen Bernankesaid the economic outlook was \\\"unusually uncertain\\\".Overall, the economy expanded at a rate of 2.9 percent in 2010. TheCongressional Budget Office(CBO) and a broad range of economists credit Obama's stimulus plan for economic growth.The CBO released a report stating that the stimulus bill increased employment by 1–2.1million,while conceding that \\\"it is impossible to determine how many of the reported jobs would have existed in the absence of the stimulus package.\\\"Although an April 2010, survey of members of theNational Association for Business Economicsshowed an increase in job creation (over a similar January survey) for the first time in two years, 73 percent of 68 respondents believed the stimulus bill has had no impact on employment.The economy of the United States has grown faster than the other originalNATOmembers by a wider margin under President Obama than it has anytime since the end ofWorld War II.TheOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Developmentcredits the much faster growth in the United States to the stimulus plan of the U.S. and the austerity measures in the European Union. Within a month of the2010 midterm elections, Obama announced a compromise deal with the Congressional Republican leadership that included a temporary, two-year extension of the2001 and 2003 income tax rates, a one-yearpayroll taxreduction, continuation of unemployment benefits, and a new rate and exemption amount forestate taxes.The compromise overcame opposition from some in both parties, and the resulting $858billion (equivalent to $1.2 trillion in 2023)Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010passed with bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress before Obama signed it on December 17, 2010. In December 2013, Obama declared that growingincome inequalityis a \\\"defining challenge of our time\\\" and called on Congress to bolster the safety net and raise wages. This came on the heels of thenationwide strikes of fast-food workersand Pope Francis' criticism of inequality andtrickle-down economics.Obama urged Congress to ratify a 12-nation free trade pact called theTrans-Pacific Partnership. Environmental policy On April 20, 2010, an explosion destroyed an offshoredrilling rigat theMacondo Prospectin theGulf of Mexico, causing amajor sustained oil leak. Obama visited the Gulf, announced a federal investigation, and formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards, after a review bySecretary of the InteriorKen Salazarand concurrent Congressional hearings. He then announced a six-month moratorium on newdeepwater drillingpermits and leases, pending regulatory review.As multiple efforts by BP failed, some in the media and public expressed confusion and criticism over various aspects of the incident, and stated a desire for more involvement by Obama and the federal government.Prior to the oil spill, on March 31, 2010, Obama ended a ban on oil and gas drilling along the majority of theEast Coast of the United Statesand along the coast ofnorthern Alaskain an effort to win support for an energy and climate bill and to reduce foreign imports of oil and gas. In July 2013, Obama expressed reservations and said he \\\"would reject theKeystone XL pipelineif it increased carbon pollution greenhouse emissions.\\\"On February 24, 2015, Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the pipeline.It was the third veto of Obama's presidency and his first major veto. In December 2016, Obama permanently banned new offshore oil and gas drilling in most United States-owned waters in theAtlanticand Arctic Oceans using the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Act. Obama emphasized theconservationoffederal landsduring his term in office. He used his power under theAntiquities Actto create 25 newnational monumentsduring his presidency and expand four others, protecting a total of 553,000,000 acres (224,000,000 ha) of federal lands and waters, more than any other U.S. president. Health care reform Obama called forCongressto pass legislation reforminghealth care in the United States, a key campaign promise and a top legislative goal.He proposed an expansion of health insurance coverage to cover the uninsured, cap premium increases, and allow people to retain their coverage when they leave or change jobs. His proposal was to spend $900billion over ten years and include a government insurance plan, also known as thepublic option, to compete with the corporate insurance sector as a main component to lowering costs and improving quality of health care. It would also make it illegal for insurers to drop sick people or deny them coverage forpre-existing conditions, and require every American to carry health coverage. The plan also includes medical spending cuts and taxes on insurance companies that offer expensive plans. On July 14, 2009, House Democratic leaders introduced a 1,017-page plan for overhauling the U.S. health care system, which Obama wanted Congress to approve by the end of 2009.After public debate during the Congressional summer recess of 2009, Obama delivereda speech to a joint session of Congresson September 9 where he addressed concerns over the proposals.In March 2009, Obama lifted a ban on using federal funds for stem cell research. On November 7, 2009, a health care bill featuring the public option was passed in the House.On December 24, 2009, the Senate passed its own bill—without a public option—on a party-line vote of 60–39.On March 21, 2010, thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act(ACA, colloquially \\\"Obamacare\\\") passed by the Senate in December was passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212. Obama signed the bill into law on March 23, 2010. The ACA includeshealth-related provisions, most of which took effect in 2014, including expandingMedicaideligibility for people making up to 133 percentof thefederal poverty level(FPL) starting in 2014,subsidizing insurance premiums for people making up to 400 percentof the FPL ($88,000 for family of four in 2010) so their maximum \\\"out-of-pocket\\\" payment for annual premiums will be from 2 percent to 9.5 percent of income,providing incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits, prohibiting denial of coverage and denial of claims based on pre-existing conditions, establishinghealth insurance exchanges, prohibiting annual coverage caps, and support for medical research. According to White House and CBO figures, the maximum share of income that enrollees would have to pay would vary depending on their income relative to the federal poverty level. The costs of these provisions are offset by taxes, fees, and cost-saving measures, such as new Medicare taxes for those in high-incomebrackets, taxes onindoor tanning, cuts to theMedicare Advantageprogram in favor of traditional Medicare, and fees on medical devices and pharmaceutical companies;there is also a tax penalty for those who do not obtain health insurance, unless they are exempt due to low income or other reasons.In March 2010, the CBO estimated that the net effect of both laws will be a reduction in the federal deficit by $143billion over the first decade. The law faced several legal challenges, primarily based on the argument that an individual mandate requiring Americans to buy health insurance was unconstitutional. On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5–4 vote inNational Federation of Independent Business v. Sebeliusthat the mandate was constitutional under the U.S. Congress's taxing authority.InBurwell v. Hobby Lobbythe Court ruled that \\\"closely-held\\\" for-profit corporations could be exempt on religious grounds under theReligious Freedom Restoration Actfrom regulations adopted under the ACA that would have required them to pay for insurance that covered certain contraceptives. In June 2015, the Court ruled 6–3 inKing v. Burwellthat subsidies to help individuals and families purchase health insurance were authorized for those doing so on both the federal exchange and state exchanges, not only those purchasing plans \\\"established by the State\\\", as the statute reads. Foreign policy In February and March 2009, Vice President Joe Biden andSecretary of StateHillary Clinton made separate overseas trips to announce a \\\"new era\\\" in U.S. foreign relations with Russia and Europe, using the terms \\\"break\\\" and \\\"reset\\\" to signal major changes from the policies of the preceding administration.Obama attempted to reach out to Arab leaders by granting his first interview to an Arab satellite TV network,Al Arabiya.On March 19, Obama continued his outreach to the Muslim world, releasing a New Year's video message to the people and government of Iran.On June 4, 2009, Obama delivered a speech atCairo Universityin Egypt calling for \\\"A New Beginning\\\" in relations between the Islamic world and the United States and promoting Middle East peace.On June 26, 2009, Obama condemned the Iranian government's actions towards protesters followingIran's 2009 presidential election. In 2011, Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen which targeted and killedAnwar al-Awlaki, an American imam suspected of being a leadingAl-Qaedaorganizer. al-Awlaki became the firstU.S. citizento be targeted and killed by aU.S. drone strike. The Department of Justice released a memo justifying al-Awlaki's death as a lawful act of war,while civil liberties advocates described it as a violation of al-Awlaki's constitutional right todue process. The killing led to significant controversy.Histeenage sonandyoung daughter, also Americans, were later killed in separateUS military actions, although they were not targeted specifically. In March 2015, Obama declared that he had authorized U.S. forces to provide logistical and intelligence support to the Saudis in theirmilitary intervention in Yemen, establishing a \\\"Joint Planning Cell\\\" with Saudi Arabia.In 2016, the Obama administration proposed a series ofarms deals with Saudi Arabiaworth $115billion.Obama halted the sale of guided munition technology toSaudi Arabiaafter Saudi warplanestargeted a funeralin Yemen's capital Sanaa, killing more than 140 people. In September 2016 Obama was snubbed byXi Jinpingand theChinese Communist Partyas he descended fromAir Force Oneto the tarmac ofHangzhou International Airportfor the2016 G20 Hangzhou summitwithout the usual red carpet welcome. War in Iraq On February 27, 2009, Obama announced that combat operations in Iraq would end within 18 months.The Obama administration scheduled the withdrawal of combat troops to be completed by August 2010, decreasing troop's levels from 142,000 while leaving a transitional force of about 50,000 in Iraq until the end of 2011. On August 19, 2010, the last U.S. combat brigade exited Iraq. Remaining troops transitioned from combat operations tocounter-terrorismand the training, equipping, and advising of Iraqi security forces.On August 31, 2010, Obama announced that the United States combat mission in Iraq was over.On October 21, 2011, President Obama announced that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq in time to be \\\"home for the holidays.\\\" In June 2014, following thecapture of MosulbyISIL, Obama sent 275 troops to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. ISIS continued to gain ground and to commitwidespread massacres and ethnic cleansing.In August 2014, during theSinjar massacre, Obama ordered acampaign of U.S. airstrikes against ISIL.By the end of 2014, 3,100 American ground troops were committed to the conflictand 16,000 sorties were flown over the battlefield, primarily by U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots.In early 2015, with the addition of the \\\"Panther Brigade\\\" of the82nd Airborne Divisionthe number of U.S. ground troops in Iraq increased to 4,400,and by July American-led coalition air forces counted 44,000 sorties over the battlefield. Afghanistan and Pakistan In his election campaign, Obama called the war in Iraq a \\\"dangerous distraction\\\" and that emphasis should instead be put on the war in Afghanistan,the region he cites as being most likely where an attack against the United States could be launched again.Early in his presidency, Obama moved to bolster U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan. He announced an increase in U.S. troop levels to 17,000 military personnel in February 2009 to \\\"stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan\\\", an area he said had not received the \\\"strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires.\\\"He replaced the military commander in Afghanistan, GeneralDavid D. McKiernan, with formerSpecial Forcescommander Lt. Gen.Stanley A. McChrystalin May 2009, indicating that McChrystal's Special Forces experience would facilitate the use of counterinsurgency tactics in the war.On December 1, 2009, Obama announced the deployment of an additional 30,000 military personnel to Afghanistan and proposed to begin troop withdrawals 18 months from that date;this took place in July 2011.David Petraeusreplaced McChrystal in June 2010, after McChrystal's staff criticized White House personnel in a magazine article.In February 2013, Obama said the U.S. military would reduce the troop level in Afghanistan from 68,000 to 34,000 U.S. troops by February 2014.In October 2015, the White House announced a plan to keep U.S. Forces in Afghanistan indefinitely in light of the deteriorating security situation. Regarding neighboring Pakistan, Obama called its tribal border region the \\\"greatest threat\\\" to the security of Afghanistan and Americans, saying that he \\\"cannot tolerate a terrorist sanctuary.\\\" In the same speech, Obama claimed that the U.S. \\\"cannot succeed in Afghanistan or secure our homeland unless we change our Pakistan policy.\\\" Death of Osama bin Laden Starting with information received from Central Intelligence Agency operatives in July 2010, the CIA developed intelligence over the next several months that determined what they believed to be the hideout ofOsama bin Laden. He was living in seclusion ina large compoundinAbbottabad, Pakistan, a suburban area 35 miles (56 km) fromIslamabad.CIA headLeon Panettareported this intelligence to President Obama in March 2011.Meeting with his national security advisers over the course of the next six weeks, Obama rejected a plan to bomb the compound, and authorized a \\\"surgical raid\\\" to be conducted byUnited States Navy SEALs.The operation took place on May 1, 2011, and resulted in the shooting death of bin Laden and the seizure of papers, computer drives and disks from the compound.DNA testing was one of five methods used to positively identify bin Laden's corpse,which was buried at sea several hours later.Within minutes of the President's announcement from Washington, DC, late in the evening on May 1, there were spontaneous celebrations around the country as crowds gathered outside the White House, and at New York City'sGround ZeroandTimes Square.Reaction to the announcementwas positive across party lines, including from former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Relations with Cuba Since the spring of 2013, secret meetings were conducted between the United States and Cuba in the neutral locations of Canada andVatican City.The Vatican first became involved in 2013 when Pope Francis advised the U.S. and Cuba toexchange prisonersas a gesture of goodwill.On December 10, 2013, Cuban PresidentRaúl Castro, in a significant public moment, greeted and shook hands with Obama at theNelson Mandela memorial serviceinJohannesburg. In December 2014, after the secret meetings, it was announced that Obama, with Pope Francis as an intermediary, had negotiated a restoration of relations with Cuba, after nearly sixty years of détente.Popularly dubbed theCuban Thaw,The New Republicdeemed the Cuban Thaw to be \\\"Obama's finest foreign policy achievement.\\\"On July 1, 2015, President Obama announced that formal diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States would resume, and embassies would be opened in Washington andHavana.The countries' respective \\\"interests sections\\\" in one another's capitals were upgraded to embassies on July 20 and August 13, 2015, respectively.Obama visited Havana, Cuba for two days in March 2016, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to arrive sinceCalvin Coolidgein 1928. Israel During the initial years of the Obama administration, the U.S. increased military cooperation with Israel, including increased military aid, re-establishment of theU.S.-Israeli Joint Political Military Groupand the Defense Policy Advisory Group, and an increase in visits among high-level military officials of both countries.The Obama administration asked Congress to allocate money toward funding theIron Domeprogram in response to the waves ofPalestinian rocket attacks on Israel.In March 2010, Obama took a public stance against plans by the government of Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuto continue building Jewish housing projects in predominantly Arab neighborhoods ofEast Jerusalem.In 2011, the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution condemningIsraeli settlements, with the United States being the only nation to do so.Obama supports thetwo-state solutionto theArab–Israeli conflictbased on the 1967 borders with land swaps. In 2013,Jeffrey Goldbergreported that, in Obama's view, \\\"with each new settlement announcement, Netanyahu is moving his country down a path toward near-total isolation.\\\"In 2014, Obama likened theZionist movementto thecivil rights movementin the United States. He said both movements seek to bring justice and equal rights to historically persecuted peoples, explaining: \\\"To me, being pro-Israel and pro-Jewish is part and parcel with the values that I've been fighting for since I was politically conscious and started getting involved in politics.\\\"Obama expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself during the2014 Israel–Gaza conflict.In 2015, Obama was harshly criticized by Israel for advocating and signing theIran Nuclear Deal; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had advocated the U.S. congress to oppose it, said the deal was \\\"dangerous\\\" and \\\"bad.\\\" On December 23, 2016, under the Obama Administration, the United States abstained fromUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building in the occupiedPalestinian territoriesas a violation of international law, effectively allowing it to pass.Netanyahu strongly criticized the Obama administration's actions,and the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the organization, which totaled $6million, on January 6, 2017.On January 5, 2017, the United States House of Representatives voted 342–80 to condemn the UN Resolution. Libya In February 2011, protests in Libya began against long-time dictatorMuammar Gaddafias part of theArab Spring. They soon turned violent. In March, as forces loyal to Gaddafi advanced on rebels across Libya, calls for a no-fly zone came from around the world, including Europe, theArab League, and a resolutionpassed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.In response to the passage ofUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1973on March 17, the Foreign Minister of Libya Moussa Koussa announced a ceasefire. However Gaddafi's forces continued to attack the rebels. On March 19 a multinational coalition lead by France and the United Kingdom with Italian and U.S. support, approved by Obama, took part in air strikes to destroy the Libyan government's air defense capabilities to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly-zone,including the use ofTomahawk missiles,B-2 Spirits, and fighter jets.Six days later, on March 25, by unanimous vote of all its 28 members, NATO took over leadership of the effort, dubbedOperation Unified Protector.Some members of Congressquestioned whether Obama had the constitutional authority to order military action in addition to questioning its cost, structure and aftermath.In 2016 Obama said \\\"Our coalition could have and should have done more to fill a vacuum left behind\\\" and that it was \\\"a mess\\\".He has stated that the lack of preparation surrounding the days following the government's overthrow was the \\\"worst mistake\\\" of his presidency. Syrian civil war On August 18, 2011, several months after the start of theSyrian civil war, Obama issued a written statement that said: \\\"The time has come forPresident Assadto step aside.\\\"This stance was reaffirmed in November 2015.In 2012, Obama authorized multipleprograms run by the CIAand the Pentagon to train anti-Assad rebels.The Pentagon-run program was later found to have failed and was formally abandoned in October 2015. In the wake of achemical weapons attackin Syria,formally blamedby the Obama administration on the Assad government, Obama chose not to enforce the \\\"red line\\\" he had pledgedand, rather than authorize the promised military action against Assad, went along with the Russia-brokered deal that led to Assadgiving up chemical weapons; however attacks withchlorine gascontinued.In 2014, Obama authorized anair campaign aimed primarily at ISIL. Iran nuclear talks On October 1, 2009, the Obama administration went ahead with a Bush administration program, increasing nuclear weapons production. The \\\"Complex Modernization\\\" initiative expanded two existing nuclear sites to produce new bomb parts. In November 2013, the Obama administration openednegotiationswith Iran to prevent it from acquiringnuclear weapons, which included aninterim agreement. Negotiations took two years with numerous delays, with a deal being announced on July 14, 2015. The deal titled the \\\"Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action\\\" saw sanctions removed in exchange for measures that would prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. While Obama hailed the agreement as being a step towards a more hopeful world, the deal drew strong criticism from Republican and conservative quarters, and from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.In addition, the transfer of $1.7billion in cash to Iran shortly after the deal was announced was criticized by the Republican party. The Obama administration said that the payment in cash was because of the \\\"effectiveness of U.S. and international sanctions.\\\"In order to advance the deal, the Obama administration shieldedHezbollahfrom theDrug Enforcement Administration'sProject Cassandrainvestigation regarding drug smuggling and from theCentral Intelligence Agency.On a side note, the very same year, in December 2015, Obama started a $348billion worth program to back the biggest U.S. buildup of nuclear arms since Ronald Reagan left the White House. Russia In March 2010, an agreement was reached with the administration of Russian PresidentDmitry Medvedevto replace the1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treatywith a new pact reducing the number of long-range nuclear weapons in the arsenals of both countries by about a third.Obama and Medvedev signed theNew STARTtreaty in April 2010, and theU.S. Senateratified it in December 2010.In December 2011, Obama instructed agencies to considerLGBT rightswhen issuing financial aid to foreign countries.In August 2013, he criticized Russia's law that discriminates against gays,but he stopped short of advocating a boycott of the upcoming2014 Winter OlympicsinSochi, Russia. AfterRussia's invasion of Crimeain 2014,military intervention in Syriain 2015, andthe interferencein the2016 U.S. presidential election,George Robertson, a former UK defense secretary and NATO secretary-general, said Obama had \\\"allowed Putin to jump back on the world stage and test the resolve of the West\\\", adding that the legacy of this disaster would last. Cultural and political image Obama's family history, upbringing, andIvy Leagueeducation differ markedly from those of African-American politicians who launched their careers in the 1960s through participation in the civil rights movement.Expressing puzzlement over questions about whether he is \\\"black enough\\\", Obama told an August 2007 meeting of theNational Association of Black Journaliststhat \\\"we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong.\\\"Obama acknowledged his youthful image in an October 2007 campaign speech, saying: \\\"I wouldn't be here if, time and again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation.\\\"Additionally, Obama has frequently been referred to as an exceptional orator.During his pre-inauguration transition period and continuing into his presidency, Obama delivered a series of weekly Internet video addresses. Job approval According to theGallup Organization, Obama began his presidency with a 68 percentapproval rating,the fifth highest for a president following their swearing in.His ratings remained above the majority level until November 2009and by August 2010 his approval was in the low 40s,a trend similar to Ronald Reagan's and Bill Clinton's first years in office.Following thedeath of Osama bin Ladenon May 2, 2011, Obama experienced a small poll bounce and steadily maintained 50–53 percent approval for about a month, until his approval numbers dropped back to the low 40s. His approval rating fell to 38 percent on several occasions in late 2011before recovering in mid-2012 with polls showing an average approval of 50 percent.After his second inauguration in 2013, Obama's approval ratings remained stable around 52 percentbefore declining for the rest of the year and eventually bottoming out at 39 percent in December.In polling conducted before the2014 midterm elections, Obama's approval ratings were at their lowestwith his disapproval rating reaching a high of 57 percent.His approval rating continued to lag throughout most of 2015 but began to reach the high 40s by the end of the year.According to Gallup, Obama's approval rating reached 50 percent in March 2016, a level unseen since May 2013.In polling conducted January 16–19, 2017, Obama's final approval rating was 59 percent, which placed him on par withGeorge H. W. BushandDwight D. Eisenhower, whose final Gallup ratings also measured in the high 50s. Obama has maintained relatively positive public perceptions after his presidency.In Gallup's retrospective approval polls of former presidents, Obama garnered a 63 percent approval rating in 2018 and again in 2023, ranking him the fourth most popular president since World War II. Foreign perceptions Polls showed strong support for Obama in other countries both before and during his presidency.In a February 2009 poll conducted in Western Europe and the U.S. byHarris InteractiveforFrance 24and theInternational Herald Tribune, Obama was rated as the most respected world leader, as well as the most powerful.In a similar poll conducted by Harris in May 2009, Obama was rated as the most popular world leader, as well as the one figure most people would pin their hopes on for pulling the world out of the economic downturn. On October 9, 2009—only nine months into his first term—theNorwegian Nobel Committeeannounced that Obama had won the2009 Nobel Peace Prize\\\"for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples\\\",which drew a mixture of praise and criticism from world leaders and media figures.He became the fourth U.S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and the third to become a Nobel laureate while in office.He himself called it a \\\"call to action\\\" and remarked: \\\"I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments but rather an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations\\\". Thanks, Obama In 2009 the saying \\\"thanks, Obama\\\" first appeared in aTwitter hashtag\\\"#thanks Obama\\\" and was later used in a demotivational poster. It was later adopted satirically to blame Obama for any socio-economic ills. Obama himself used the phrase in video in 2015 and 2016. In 2017 the phrase was used byStephen Colbertto express gratitude to Obama on his last day in office. In 2022, President Joe Biden's Twitter account posted the phrase. Post-presidency (2017–present) Obama's presidency ended on January 20, 2017, upon theinaugurationof his successor,Donald Trump.The family moved to a house they rented inKalorama, Washington, D.C.On March 2, theJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museumawarded theProfile in Courage Awardto Obama \\\"for his enduring commitment to democratic ideals and elevating the standard of political courage.\\\"His first public appearance since leaving the office was a seminar at theUniversity of Chicagoon April 24, where he appealed for a new generation to participate in politics.On September 7, Obama partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush to work withOne America Appealto help the victims ofHurricane HarveyandHurricane Irmain theGulf CoastandTexascommunities.From October 31 to November 1, Obama hosted the inaugural summit of theObama Foundation,which he intended to be the central focus of his post-presidency and part of his ambitions for his subsequent activities following his presidency to be more consequential than his time in office. Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal on May 22, 2018, to produce docu-series, documentaries and features forNetflixunder the Obamas' newly formed production company,Higher Ground Productions.Higher Ground's first film,American Factory, won theAcademy Award for Best Documentary Featurein 2020.On October 24, a pipe bomb addressed to Obama was intercepted by the Secret Service. It was one of several pipe-bombs that had beenmailed out to Democratic lawmakers and officials.In 2019, Barack and Michelle Obama bought a home onMartha's VineyardfromWyc Grousbeck.On October 29, Obama criticized \\\"wokeness\\\" andcall-out cultureat the Obama Foundation's annual summit. Obama was reluctant to make an endorsement in the2020 Democratic presidential primariesbecause he wanted to position himself to unify the party, regardless of the nominee.On April 14, 2020, Obama endorsed Biden, the presumptive nominee, for president inthe presidential election, stating that he has \\\"all the qualities we need in a president right now.\\\"In May, Obama criticized President Trump forhis handlingof theCOVID-19 pandemic, calling his response to the crisis \\\"an absolute chaotic disaster\\\", and stating that the consequences of theTrump presidencyhave been \\\"our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.\\\"On November 17, Obama's presidential memoir,A Promised Land, was released. In February 2021, Obama and musicianBruce Springsteenstarted a podcast calledRenegades: Born in the USAwhere the two talk about \\\"their backgrounds, music and their 'enduring love of America.'\\\"Later that year, Regina Hicks had signed a deal withNetflix, in a venture with his and Michelle's Higher Ground to develop comedy projects. On March 4, 2022, Obama won an Audio Publishers Association (APA) Award in the best narration by the author category for the narration of his memoirA Promised Land.On April 5, Obama visited the White House for the first time since leaving office, in an event celebrating the 12th annual anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act.In June, it was announced that the Obamas and their podcast production company, Higher Ground, signed a multi-year deal withAudible.In September, Obama visited the White House to unveil his and Michelle's official White House portraits.Around the same time, he won aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narratorfor his narration in the Netflix documentary seriesOur Great National Parks. In 2022, Obama opposed expanding the Supreme Court beyond the present nine Justices. In March 2023, Obama traveled to Australia as a part of his speaking tour of the country. During the trip, Obama met with Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albaneseand visitedMelbournefor the first time.Obama was reportedly paid more than $1 million for two speeches. In October 2023, during the Israel–Hamas war, Obama declared thatIsraelmust dismantleHamasin the wake of the2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.Weeks later, Obama warnedIsraelthat its actions could \\\"harden Palestinian attitudes for generations\\\" and weaken international support for Israel; any military strategy that ignored the war's human costs \\\"could ultimately backfire.\\\" In July 2024, Obama expressed concerns about Biden's campaign viability. Legacy and recognition He has been described as one of the most effective campaigners in American history (his 2008 campaign being particularly highlighted) as well as one of the most talented political orators of the 21st century.HistorianJulian Zelizercredits Obama with \\\"a keen sense of how the institutions of government work and the ways that his team could design policy proposals.\\\" Zeitzer notes Obama's policy successes included the economic stimulus package which ended theGreat Recessionand theDodd-Frankfinancial and consumer protection reforms, as well as theAffordable Care Act. Zeitzer also notes the Democratic Party lost power and numbers of elected officials during Obama's term, saying that the consensus among historians is that Obama \\\"turned out to be a very effective policymaker but not a tremendously successful party builder.\\\" Zeitzer calls this the \\\"defining paradox of Obama's presidency\\\". TheBrookings Institutionnoted that Obama passed \\\"only one major legislative achievement (Obamacare)—and a fragile one at that—the legacy of Obama's presidency mainly rests on its tremendous symbolic importance and the fate of a patchwork of executive actions.\\\"David W. Wise noted that Obama fell short \\\"in areas many Progressives hold dear\\\", including the continuation of drone strikes, not going after big banks during the Great Recession, and failing to strengthen his coalition before pushing for Obamacare. Wise called Obama's legacy that of \\\"a disappointingly conventional president\\\". Obama's most significant accomplishment is generally considered to be the Affordable Care Act (ACA), provisions of which went into effect from 2010 to 2020. Many attempts by Senate Republicans to repeal the ACA, including a \\\"skinny repeal\\\", have thus far failed.However, in 2017, the penalty for violating the individual mandate was repealed effective 2019.Together with theHealth Care and Education Reconciliation Actamendment, it represents the U.S. healthcare system's most significant regulatory overhaul and expansion of coverage since the passage ofMedicareand Medicaid in 1965. Many commentators credit Obama with averting a threateneddepressionand pulling the economy back from the Great Recession.According to theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, theObama administrationcreated 11.3 million jobs from the month after his first inauguration to the end of his second term.In 2010, Obama signed into effect the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Passed as a response to thefinancial crisis of 2007–2008, it brought the most significant changes tofinancial regulationin the United States since the regulatory reform that followed theGreat Depressionunder Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 2009, Obama signed into law theNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which contained in it the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the first addition to existing federal hate crime law in the United States since Democratic President Bill Clinton signed into law the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996. The act expandedexisting federal hate crime laws in the United States, and made it a federal crime to assault people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. As president, Obama advanced LGBT rights.In 2010, he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, which brought an end to \\\"don't ask, don't tell\\\" policy in the U.S. armed forces that banned open service fromLGBTpeople; the law went into effect the following year.In 2016, his administration brought an end to the ban ontransgenderpeople serving openly in the U.S. armed forces.AGallup poll, taken in the final days of Obama's term, showed that 68 percent of Americans believed the U.S. had made progress on LGBT rights during Obama's eight years in office. Obama substantially escalated the use ofdrone strikesagainst suspected militants and terrorists associated with al-Qaeda and theTaliban.In 2016, the last year of his presidency, the U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries.Obama left about 8,400 U.S. troops inAfghanistan, 5,262 in Iraq, 503 in Syria, 133 in Pakistan, 106 in Somalia, seven in Yemen, and two in Libya at the end of his presidency. According toPew Research CenterandUnited States Bureau of Justice Statistics, from December 31, 2009, to December 31, 2015, inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody declined by five percent. This is the largest decline in sentenced inmates in U.S. federal custody since Democratic PresidentJimmy Carter. By contrast, the federal prison population increased significantly under presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Human Rights Watch(HRW) called Obama's human rights record \\\"mixed\\\", adding that \\\"he has often treated human rights as a secondary interest—nice to support when the cost was not too high, but nothing like a top priority he championed.\\\" Obama left office in January 2017 with a 60 percent approval rating.He gained 10 spots from the same survey in 2015 from the Brookings Institution that ranked him the 18th-greatest American president.In Gallup's 2018 job approval poll for the past 10 U.S. presidents, he received a 63 percent approval rating. Presidential library The Barack Obama Presidential Center is Obama's plannedpresidential library. It will be hosted by the University of Chicago and located inJackson Parkon the South Side of Chicago. Awards and honors Obama received theNorwegian Nobel Committee'sNobel Peace Prizein 2009,The Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education's Ambassador of Humanity Awardin 2014, theJohn F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Awardin 2017, and theRobert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awardin 2018. He was namedTIMEMagazine'sTimePerson of the Yearin 2008 and 2012. He also received twoGrammy Awards for Best Spoken Word AlbumforDreams from My Father(2006), andThe Audacity of Hope(2008) as well as twoPrimetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding NarratorforOur Great National Parks(2022), andWorking: What We Do All Day(2023). He also won twoChildren's and Family Emmy Awards. Eponymy Bibliography Books Audiobooks Articles See also Politics Other Lists Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links Official Other\",\n \"X-Men: The Animated Series X-Men: The Animated Series, also known asX-Men, is ananimatedsuperherotelevision series aired in the United States for five seasons from October 31, 1992, to September 20, 1997, onFox'sFox Kidsprogramming block.It wasMarvel Comics' second attempt at an animatedX-Mentelevision series after the pilotX-Men: Pryde of the X-Menwas not picked up.Set in the samefictional universeasSpider-Man(1994–1998), Earth-92131,it was followed by arevival,X-Men '97, which began airing on March 20, 2024, onDisney+to critical acclaim. Production In March 1990,Margaret Loesch(who had previously worked as president and chief executive officer atMarvel Productions) became head ofFox Children's Network.Having championed thePryde of the X-Menpilotin 1989, she ordered 13 episodes ofX-Men.Saban Entertainmentwas contracted to produce the show and hired a small studio,Graz Entertainment, to produce episodes because, at the time, they lacked sufficient staff to handle in-house production. Mark Edward Edens and Eric Lewald were to write the show, with the two dividing the job between Edens as head writer and Lewald as story editor.The voice work was done throughCanadianstudios, andSouth KoreanstudioAKOMwas hired to animate episodes.X-Menwas initially set to premiere overLabor Dayweekend in September; however, due to production delays, it was delayed to the end of October. When AKOM turned in the first episode, it contained several animation errors, which they refused to fix. Because of time constraints, the episode was aired unfinished;when Fox re-aired the pilot in early 1993, the errors were corrected.The second episode was submitted just before the deadline, with 50 scenes missing and a single day reserved for editing.The two-part episode \\\"Night of the Sentinels\\\" originally aired as a \\\"sneak preview\\\" on October 31. Because of the production delays and animation errors, Fox threatened to sever AKOM's contracts.The series earned top ratings throughout its first season,and was renewed for a second season of 13 episodes. Throughout its run, producers had to deal with quality control issues, including attempts to cut costs and requests to change the tone of the series to more child-friendly and integrated toys. The show was originally planned to run for 65 episodes, but as a result of its success, Saban funded eleven more episodes, albeit with a reduced budget due to Marvel's bankruptcy. The series is currently owned and distributed byThe Walt Disney Company(Marvel's parent company), which acquired all Fox Kids-related properties fromNews CorporationandSaban Internationalin 2001. The series was added to streaming serviceDisney+following its launch on November 12, 2019, with a revival,X-Men '97, subsequently announced to be in development.The series premiered on March 20, 2024. Episodes Synopsis The show features a team similar to that of the early 1990sX-Mencomics byJim Lee, specifically the Blue Team established early on inX-Men (vol. 2). It consists ofCyclops,Wolverine,Rogue,Storm,Beast,Gambit,Jubilee,Jean Grey, andProfessor X, as well as original characterMorph, who is based onChangeling. All 76 episodes were directed by Larry Houston. The series deals with social issues, including divorce (\\\"Proteus\\\"), religion (\\\"Nightcrawler\\\" and \\\"Bloodlines\\\"),the Holocaust(\\\"Enter Magneto\\\", \\\"Deadly Reunions\\\", \\\"Days of Future Past\\\" and \\\"The Phalanx Covenant\\\"),AIDShysteria (\\\"Time Fugitives\\\"), and loneliness (\\\"No Mutant Is an Island\\\"). It satirizes television in the episodes \\\"Mojovision\\\" and \\\"Longshot\\\". It crossed over withSpider-Manwhen Spider-Man seeks the X-Men's help to stop his progressing mutation. In theabbreviated formof the Secret Wars storyline, theBeyonderandMadame Webselect Spider-Man to lead a team of heroes against a group of villains. An earlier draft of \\\"Secret Wars\\\" involved all the X-Men, but transporting the voice cast from Canada to Los Angeles, where production for theSpider-Mananimated series was based, had been too costly in previous crossovers, so the episode was rewritten to feature only Storm, whose actress, Iona Morris, lived in Los Angeles. In the first season, the X-Men come into conflict with human conspirators buildingSentinelrobots to kill mutants, Magneto's plan to instigate a human-mutant war, and the powerful mutantApocalypse's plan to eradicate the weak. Other storylines include X-Men member Morph's death at the hands of the Sentinels, Beast's incarceration, and Apocalypse's minions attempting to assassinate U.S. Senator Kelly to turn humans against mutants. In the second season, Cyclops and Jean are married and targeted byMister Sinister, who seeks to use the genetically perfect combination of their DNA to create an army of obedient mutants. Morph returns, having been rescued by Sinister and brainwashed into forcing the X-Men apart. Over time, a rift grows between humans and mutants, with the Friends of Humanity, an anti-mutant group, leading their persecution. Apocalypse returns, developing a deadly plague that he plans to blame on mutants to fuel hatred against them. It features a parallel narrative of Professor X and Magneto being lost in the Savage Land. The third season involves thePhoenix, a cosmic force that merges with Jean Grey and turns her into the Dark Phoenix. It introduces theShi'ar Empire, which includes Lilandra and Gladiator, and seeks to stop the Dark Phoenix. Other storylines include the introduction of Wolverine's former lover turned mercenary, Lady Deathstrike, former X-Men memberIceman, and the villainousShadow King. Volume 5 of theOfficial Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z Hardcoverslists the cartoon as part of the Marvel multiverse, inhabiting Earth-92131. As well, the plague-infested future thatBishoptries to prevent in Season 2 is listed as Earth-13393, whileCable's release of the cure is listed as Earth-121893. Voice cast The series' voice acting was recorded in Toronto studios, with Dan Hennessey serving as voice director. Toronto voice actors had also been used in the 1960s Marvel Comics cartoons.Catherine Disherhad originally auditioned for the part ofStormbefore she was cast asJean Grey.Chris Potterwas cast in the role ofGambitduring filming forKung Fu: The Legend Continues(1993-1997) which was helpful since his co-starDavid Carradine, a big fan of the comics, helped as he was unfamiliar.Alyson CourtandCal Doddwere neighbors when Court was a child and Dodd was a well-known actor in Canada long before voicing bothJubileeandWolverinerespectively, attributing their characters' chemistry to being previously acquainted with one another. Another voice actor originally had been cast as Jubilee, but Court was cast when the original voice was deemed too sweet and innocent for the role. Principal cast Additional cast Other versions The original opening sequence, used throughout the first four seasons, features the X-Men demonstrating their mutant abilities to an instrumental theme written byRon Wassermanand composed byHaim SabanandShuki Levy. A modified version is introduced in season five, episode one (\\\"Phalanx Covenant, Part One\\\"), which slightly changes the beginning of the theme. WhenUPNbegan airing reruns on Sunday mornings, an alternate credits sequence was used: a high-quality Japanese-animated version of the original opening. This modified version occasionally appears in the digital streaming release of the show, which was used for re-runs on Toon Disney. In Italy, where the series began airing in 1994 onCanale 5, the intro and outro sequences were replaced by a new sequence and theme song: \\\"Insuperabili X-Men\\\", sung by Marco Destro and Pietro Ubaldi. X-Menoriginally aired onTV Tokyofrom 1994 to 1995. For the TV Tokyo dub of the series, the intro was replaced with a new, Japanese-animated sequence and a new theme: \\\"Rising\\\" by Ambience. Starting with episode 42, a second intro was used, featuring the song \\\"Dakishimetai Dare Yori Mo\\\"(抱きしめたい誰よりも, \\\"I want to embrace you more than anyone else\\\"). The end credits sequence was also changed: it featured shots of AmericanX-Mencomic books set to the song \\\"Back to You\\\", also by Ambience. The TV Tokyo dub was directed by Yoshikazu Iwanami and featured scripts rewritten to include a more humorous, self-satirical tone with an emphasis on comical adlibbing, a hallmark of his dubbing style. Episodes were edited for time so that new segments could be added to the end to promoteX-Men: Children of the Atom, which featured the dub actors pretending to play the game as their characters. A second dub was made in the early 2000s for broadcast onToon Disney (Japan)that is more faithful to the original English scripts and does not cut episodes for time. This version used the original American intro and end credits rather than the unique ones created for the TV Tokyo version. Two versions of the episode \\\"No Mutant is an Island\\\" exist, each with a different animation. The first version was aired for Toon Disney reruns, can be seen on digital streaming services such as Amazon Video, aired on Fox Kids in the United States, and uses the remixed intro theme from Season 5. The second version is available on Region 1 DVD, aired on Fox Kids overseas, and uses the default intro theme from Seasons 1–4. Viewership In its prime,X-Mengarnered very highratingsfor a Saturday morning cartoon and received praise for adapting many different storylines from the comics. Haim Saban credits the success of the series in assisting him to sell his next project to Fox:Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. X-Menreached a viewership of over23 millionhouseholds. Legacy X-Men '97 By 2019, there were ongoing talks withDisney+to revive the series.In November 2021, it was revealed that a revival titledX-Men '97was in development which will continue the plot of the series.X-Men '97eventually premiered on March 20, 2024. Beau DeMayo served ashead writerfor the first two seasons, with most of the surviving cast members of the original series reprising their roles, including Dodd, Zann, Buza, Disher, Potter, Sealy-Smith, Hough, and Britton. They were joined byJennifer Hale, Anniwaa Buachie,Ray Chase, Matthew Waterson,JP Karliak, Holly Chou,Jeff Bennett, andA.J. LoCascio. Alyson Court did not reprise her role as Jubilee, requesting that Jubilee be voiced by an Asian actress. She instead returned to voice an alternate version of the character.The series is produced byMarvel Studios Animation, but does not take place within theMarvel Cinematic Universe. Comics X-Men Adventures X-Men Adventureswas acomic bookspin-offof the animated series. Beginning in November 1992, it adapted the first three seasons of the show; in April 1996, it becameAdventures of the X-Men, which contained original stories set within the same continuity.The comic book lasted until March 1997, shortly after the show's cancellation by theFox Network. Bibliography Additionally, stories featuring the same characters were printed through the 19 issues ofSpider-Man Magazine, published between March 1994 and March 1997, alongside stories inspired by the animated seriesSpider-Man. X-Men '92 The comic book seriesX-Men '92was first released as one of the many tie-in titles for Marvel's 2015Secret Warsevent, and continued in its second volume as a regular series in early 2016, starring characters of the TV show's reality. In January 2022 Marvel announced a new series inspired by the cartoon,X-Men '92: House of XCII. Scheduled for publication in April of that same year, the series will explore an alternate universe where the events ofJonathan Hickman'sHouse of X and Powers of Xhappened decades earlier, in the '90s of the original show. Manga Books Previously on X-Men In 2017, series developer and showrunner Eric Lewald released the bookPreviously on X-Men: The Making of an Animated Series, which features his interviews with 36 of the staff and voice cast behind the TV series, as well as Lewald's personal experiences on the series' development and production. X-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series In 2020, Eric Lewald and Julia Lewald released the bookX-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series, which features previously unseen concept art, storyboards, character models, background layouts, animation cels, and other production/promotional materials, along with new interviews with the series principal artists and production staff. Video games In film The series was credited for being responsible for the beginning development of the 2000X-Menfilm. Fox Kids owner20th Century Foxwas impressed by the success of the TV show, and producerLauren Shuler Donnerpurchased the film rights for them in 1994.The film's success led to afilm franchise, which includes a series of sequels, prequels, and spin-offs, for two decades up to 2020, when the series came to an end due toDisney'sacquisition of Fox, with the character rights reverting to Marvel Studios. Potter revealed that he once auditioned for the role of Cyclops in the 2000 film before losing it toJames Marsden, while Buza would appear in the film proper as a truck driver. In the 2022Marvel Cinematic UniversefilmDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, produced by Marvel Studios, the theme song from the TV series (orchestrated byDanny Elfmanand credited asX-Men '97 Theme) is played whenCharles Xavier(portrayed byPatrick Stewart) first appears; in the film, unlike his previous performances as the character in Fox'sX-Menfranchise, Stewart's Xavier is visually redesigned to match his animated counterpart, complete with his iconic green suit, blue and black tie, and yellow hoverchair. In television In theMs. Marvelepisode \\\"No Normal\\\", set in the MCU, the theme song from theX-Menanimated series is played whenKamala Khandiscovers that she is a \\\"mutant\\\". Lawsuit On October 9, 2019, Hungarian immigrant Zoltán Krisko, manager of the estate ofGyörgy Vukán, filed a lawsuit againstMarvel Entertainment Group,Warner Chappell Music,Haim Saban,Shuki Levy,Ron Wasserman,UMG Recordings, the current distributor of Disney Music Group, andFox Corporation. He claims the theme music was plagiarized from the theme song to the 1984–1991 Hungarian action-adventure television seriesLinda, which was composed by Vukán. Notes References Sources External links\",\n \"The Simpsons The Simpsonsis an Americananimated sitcomcreated byMatt Groeningfor theFox Broadcasting Company.Developed by Groening,James L. Brooks, andSam Simon, the series is asatiricaldepiction of American life, epitomized by theSimpson family, which consists ofHomer,Marge,Bart,Lisa, andMaggie. Set in the fictional town ofSpringfield, it caricatures society, Western culture, television, and thehuman condition. The family was conceived by Groening shortly before a solicitation for a series ofanimated shortswith producer Brooks. He created adysfunctional familyand named the characters after his own family members, substituting Bart for his own name; he thought Simpson was a funny name in that it sounded similar to \\\"simpleton\\\".The shorts became a part ofThe Tracey Ullman Showon April 19, 1987. After three seasons, the sketch was developed into a half-hour prime time show and became Fox's first series to land in the Top 30 ratings in a season (1989–1990). Since its debut on December 17, 1989,771 episodesof the show have been broadcast. It is thelongest-running American animated series,longest-running American sitcom, and thelongest-running American scripted primetime television series, both in seasons and individual episodes. A feature-length film,The Simpsons Movie, was released in theaters worldwide on July 27, 2007, to critical and commercial success, with a sequel in development as of 2018. The series has also spawned numerouscomic book series,video games,books, and other related media, as well as a billion-dollarmerchandising industry.The Simpsonsis produced byGracie Filmswith20th Televisiondistributing the series.It has been distributed under the20th Television Animationlabel since 2021, although the animation studio has produced animation for the series since season 28. On January 26, 2023, the series was renewed for its 35th and 36th seasons, taking the show through the 2024–25 television season.Both seasons contain a combined total of 51 episodes. Seven of these episodes are season 34 holdovers, while the other 44 will be produced in the production cycle of the upcoming seasons, bringing the show's overall episode total up to 801.Season 35 premiered on October 1, 2023.Season 36 premiered on September 29, 2024. The Simpsonsreceived widespread acclaim throughout its early seasons in the 1990s, which are generally considered its \\\"golden age\\\". Since then, it has been criticized for aperceived decline in quality.Timenamed it the 20th century's best television series,and Erik Adams ofThe A.V. Clubnamed it \\\"television's crowning achievement regardless of format\\\".On January 14, 2000, the Simpson family was awarded a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame. It has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 37Primetime Emmy Awards, 34Annie Awards, and 2Peabody Awards. Homer's exclamatory catchphrase of \\\"D'oh!\\\" has been adopted into the English language, whileThe Simpsonshas influenced many other later adult-oriented animated sitcom television series. Premise Characters The main characters are theSimpson family, who live in the fictional \\\"Middle America\\\" town of Springfield.Homer, the father, works as a safety inspector at theSpringfield Nuclear Power Plant, a position at odds with his careless, buffoonish personality. He is married toMarge(néeBouvier), a stereotypical American housewife and mother. They have three children:Bart, a ten-year-old troublemaker and prankster;Lisa, a precocious eight-year-old activist; andMaggie, the baby of the family who rarely speaks, but communicates by sucking on a pacifier. Although the family is dysfunctional, many episodes examine their relationships and bonds with each other and they are often shown to care about one another. The family also owns agreyhound,Santa's Little Helper, (who first appeared in the episode \\\"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire\\\") and a cat,Snowball II, who is replaced by a cat also called Snowball II in the fifteenth-season episode \\\"I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot\\\".Extended members of the Simpson and Bouvier family in the main cast include Homer's fatherAbeand Marge's sistersPatty and Selma. Marge's motherJacquelineand Homer's motherMonaappear less frequently. The show includes a vast array of quirky supporting characters, which include Homer's friendsBarney Gumble,Lenny LeonardandCarl Carlson; the school principalSeymour Skinnerand staff members such asEdna KrabappelandGroundskeeper Willie; students such asMilhouse Van Houten,Nelson MuntzandRalph Wiggum; shopkeepers such asApu Nahasapeemapetilon,Comic Book GuyandMoe Szyslak; government figuresMayor \\\"Diamond\\\" Joe QuimbyandClancy Wiggum; next-door neighborNed Flanders; local celebrities such asKrusty the Clownand news reporterKent Brockman; nuclear tycoonMontgomery Burnsand his devoted assistantWaylon Smithers; anddozens more. The creators originally intended many of these characters as one-time jokes or for fulfilling needed functions in the town. A number of them have gained expanded roles and subsequently starred in their own episodes. According to Matt Groening, the show adopted the concept of a large supporting cast from the comedy showSCTV. Continuity and the floating timeline Despite the depiction of yearly milestones such as holidays or birthdays passing, the characters never age. The series uses afloating timelinein which episodes generally take place in the year the episode is produced. Flashbacks and flashforwards do occasionally depict the characters at other points in their lives, with the timeline of these depictions also generally floating relative to the year the episode is produced. For example, the 1991 episodes \\\"The Way We Was\\\" and \\\"I Married Marge\\\" depict Homer and Marge as high schoolers in the 1970s who had Bart (who is always 10 years old) in the early '80s, while the 2008 episode \\\"That '90s Show\\\" depicts Homer and Marge as a childless couple in the '90s, and the 2021 episode \\\"Do Pizza Bots Dream of Electric Guitars\\\" portrays Homer as an adolescent in the same period. The 1995 episode \\\"Lisa's Wedding\\\" takes place during Lisa's college years in the then-future year of 2010, the same year the show began airing its22nd season, in which Lisa was still 8. Regarding the contradictory flashbacks, Selman stated that \\\"they all kind of happened in their imaginary world.\\\" The show follows a loose and inconsistent continuity. For example,Krusty the Clownmay be able to read in one episode, but not inanother. However, it is consistently portrayed that he isJewish, that his father was arabbi, and that his career began in the 1960s. The latter point introduces another snag in the floating timeline: historical periods that are a core part of a character's backstory remain so even when their age makes it unlikely or impossible, such asGrampa SimpsonandPrincipal Skinner's respective service inWorld War IIandVietnam. The only episodes not part of the series' main canon are theTreehouse of Horrorepisodes, which often feature the deaths of main characters. Characters who die in \\\"regular\\\" episodes, such asMaude Flanders,Mona SimpsonandEdna Krabappel, however, stay dead. Most episodes end with thestatus quobeing restored, though occasionally major changes will stick, such as Lisa's conversions tovegetarianismandBuddhism, the divorce ofMilhouse van Houten's parents, and the marriage and subsequent parenthood ofApuandManjula. Setting The Simpsonstakes place in a fictional American town calledSpringfield. Although there are many real settlements in America named Springfield,the town the show is set in is fictional. The state it is in is not established. In fact, the show is intentionally evasive with regard to Springfield's location.Springfield's geography and that of its surroundings is inconsistent: from one episode to another, it may have coastlines, deserts, vast farmland, mountains, or whatever the story or joke requires.Groening has said that Springfield has much in common withPortland, Oregon, the city where he grew up.Groening has said that he named it afterSpringfield, Oregon, and the fictitious Springfield which was the setting of the seriesFather Knows Best. He \\\"figured out that Springfield was one of the most common names for a city in the U.S. In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought, 'This will be cool; everyone will think it's their Springfield.' And they do.\\\"Many landmarks, including street names, have connections to Portland. Production Development When producerJames L. Brookswas working on the television variety showThe Tracey Ullman Show, he decided to include small animated sketches before and after the commercial breaks. Having seen one of cartoonistMatt Groening'sLife in Hellcomic strips, Brooks asked Groening to pitch an idea for a series of animated shorts. Groening initially intended to present an animated version of hisLife in Hellseries.However, Groening later realized that animatingLife in Hellwould require the rescinding ofpublication rightsfor his life's work. He therefore chose another approach while waiting in the lobby of Brooks's office for the pitch meeting, hurriedly formulating his version of a dysfunctional family that became the Simpsons.He named the characters after his own family members, substituting \\\"Bart\\\" for his own name, adopting ananagramof the wordbrat. The Simpson family first appeared asshortsinThe Tracey Ullman Showon April 19, 1987.Groening submitted only basic sketches to the animators and assumed that the figures would be cleaned up in production. However, the animators merely re-traced his drawings, which led to the crude appearance of the characters in the initial shorts.The animation was produced domestically atKlasky Csupo,withWes Archer,David Silverman, andBill Koppbeing animators for the first season.The colorist, \\\"Georgie\\\" Gyorgyi Kovacs Peluce (Kovács Györgyike)made the characters yellow; as Bart, Lisa and Maggie have no hairlines, she felt they would look strange if they were flesh-colored. Groening supported the decision, saying: \\\"Marge is yellow with blue hair? That's hilarious — let's do it!\\\" In 1989, a team of production companies adaptedThe Simpsonsinto a half-hour series for theFox Broadcasting Company. The team included the Klasky Csupo animation house. Brooks negotiated a provision in the contract with the Fox network that prevented Fox from interfering with the show's content.Groening said his goal in creating the show was to offer the audience an alternative to what he called \\\"the mainstream trash\\\" that they were watching.The half-hour series premiered on December 17, 1989, with \\\"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire\\\".\\\"Some Enchanted Evening\\\" was the first full-length episode produced, but it did not broadcast until May 1990, as the last episode of the first season, because of animation problems.In 1992,Tracey Ullmanfiled a lawsuit against Fox, claiming that her show was the source of the series' success. The suit said she should receive a share of the profits ofThe Simpsons—a claim rejected by the courts. Executive producers and showrunners List of showrunners throughout the series' run: Matt Groening and James L. Brooks have served as executive producers during the show's entire history, and also function as creative consultants.Sam Simon, described by formerSimpsonsdirectorBrad Birdas \\\"the unsung hero\\\" of the show,served as creative supervisor for the first four seasons. He was constantly at odds with Groening, Brooks and the show's production companyGracie Filmsand left in 1993.Before leaving, he negotiated a deal that sees him receive a share of the profits every year, and an executive producer credit despite not having worked on the show since 1993,at least until his passing in 2015.A more involved position on the show is theshowrunner, who acts as head writer and manages the show's production for an entire season. Writing The first team of writers, assembled by Sam Simon, consisted ofJohn Swartzwelder,Jon Vitti,George Meyer,Jeff Martin,Al Jean,Mike Reiss,Jay KogenandWallace Wolodarsky.NewerSimpsons'writing teams typically consist of sixteen writers who propose episode ideas at the beginning of each December.The main writer of each episode writes the first draft. Group rewriting sessions develop final scripts by adding or removing jokes, inserting scenes, and calling for re-readings of lines by the show's vocal performers.Until 2004,George Meyer, who had developed the show since the first season, was active in these sessions. According to long-time writer Jon Vitti, Meyer usually invented the best lines in a given episode, even though other writers may receive script credits.Each episode takes six months to produce so the show rarely comments on current events. Credited with sixty episodes,John Swartzwelderis the most prolific writer onThe Simpsons.One of the best-known former writers isConan O'Brien, who contributed to several episodes in the early 1990s before replacingDavid Lettermanas host of the talk showLate Night.English comedianRicky Gervaiswrote the episode \\\"Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife\\\", becoming the first celebrity both to write and guest star in the same episode.Seth RogenandEvan Goldberg, writers of the filmSuperbad, wrote the episode \\\"Homer the Whopper\\\", with Rogen voicing a character in it. At the end of 2007, the writers ofThe Simpsonswent on striketogether with the other members of theWriters Guild of America, East. The show's writers had joined the guild in 1998. In May 2023, the writers ofThe Simpsonswent on striketogether with the other members of theWriters Guild of America, East. Voice actors The Simpsonshas six main cast members:Dan Castellaneta,Julie Kavner,Nancy Cartwright,Yeardley Smith,Hank Azaria, andHarry Shearer. Castellaneta voicesHomer Simpson,Grampa Simpson,Krusty the Clown,Groundskeeper Willie,Mayor Quimby,Barney Gumble, and other adult male characters.Julie KavnervoicesMarge SimpsonandPatty and Selma, as well as several minor characters.Castellaneta and Kavner had been a part ofThe Tracey Ullman Showcast and were given the parts so that new actors would not be needed.Cartwright voicesBart Simpson,Nelson Muntz,Ralph Wiggumand other children.Smith, the voice ofLisa Simpson, is the only cast member who regularly voices only one character, although she occasionally plays other episodic characters.The producers decided to hold casting for the roles of Bart and Lisa. Smith had initially been asked to audition for the role of Bart, but casting directorBonita Pietilabelieved her voice was too high,so she was given the role of Lisa instead.Cartwright was originally brought in to voice Lisa, but upon arriving at the audition, she found that Lisa was simply described as the \\\"middle child\\\" and at the time did not have much personality. Cartwright became more interested in the role of Bart, who was described as \\\"devious, underachieving, school-hating, irreverent, clever\\\".Groening let her try out for the part instead, and upon hearing her read, gave her the job on the spot.Cartwright is the only one of the six mainSimpsonscast members who had been professionally trained in voice acting prior to working on the show.Azaria and Shearer do not voice members of the title family, but play a majority of the male townspeople. Azaria, who has been a part of the main voice cast since the second season in one episode \\\"Old Money\\\" and then perpetually part of the regular main voice cast since the third season, voices recurring characters such asMoe Szyslak,Chief Wiggum,Apu NahasapeemapetilonandProfessor Frink. Shearer provides voices forMr. Burns,Mr. Smithers,Principal Skinner,Ned Flanders,Reverend Lovejoyand formerlyDr. Hibbert.Every main cast member has won aPrimetime Emmy AwardforOutstanding Voice-Over Performance. With one exception, episode credits list only the voice actors, and not the characters they voice. Both Fox and the production crew wanted to keep their identities secret during the early seasons and, therefore, closed most of the recording sessions while refusing to publish photos of the recording artists.However, the network eventually revealed which roles each actor performed in the episode \\\"Old Money\\\", because the producers said the voice actors should receive credit for their work.In 2003, the cast appeared in an episode ofInside the Actors Studio, doing live performances of their characters' voices. The six main actors were paid $30,000 per episode, until 1998, when they were involved in a pay dispute with Fox. The company threatened to replace them with new actors, even going as far as preparing for casting of new voices, but series creator Groening supported the actors in their action.The issue was soon resolved and, from 1998 to 2004, they were paid $125,000 per episode. The show's revenue continued to rise through syndication and DVD sales, and in April 2004 the main cast stopped appearing for script readings, demanding they be paid $360,000 per episode.The strike was resolved a month laterand their salaries were increased to something between $250,000and $360,000 per episode.In 2008, production for thetwentieth seasonwas put on hold due to new contract negotiations with the voice actors, who wanted a \\\"healthy bump\\\" in salary to an amount close to $500,000 per episode.The negotiations were soon completed, and the actors' salary was raised to $400,000 per episode.Three years later, with Fox threatening to cancel the series unless production costs were cut, the cast members accepted a 30 percent pay cut, down to just over $300,000 per episode. In addition to the main cast,Pamela Hayden,Tress MacNeille,Marcia Wallace,Maggie Roswell, andRussi Taylorvoice supporting characters.From 1999 to 2002, Roswell's characters were voiced byMarcia Mitzman Gaven.Karl Wiedergotthas also appeared in minor roles, but does not voice any recurring characters.Wiedergott left the show in 2010, and since thenChris Edgerlyhas appeared regularly to voice minor characters. Repeat \\\"special guest\\\" cast members includeAlbert Brooks,Phil Hartman,Jon Lovitz,Joe Mantegna,Maurice LaMarche, andKelsey Grammer.Following Hartman's death in 1998, the characters he voiced (Troy McClureandLionel Hutz) were retired;Wallace's character ofEdna Krabappelwas retired as well after her death in 2013. Following Taylor's death in 2019, her characters (includingSherri, Terri, andMartin Prince) are now voiced byGrey Griffin. Episodes will quite often feature guest voices from a wide range of professions, including actors, athletes, authors, bands, musicians and scientists. In the earlier seasons, most of the guest stars voiced characters, but eventually more started appearing as themselves.Tony Bennettwas the first guest star to appear as himself, appearing briefly in the season two episode \\\"Dancin' Homer\\\".The Simpsonsholds theworld recordfor \\\"Most Guest Stars Featured in a Television Series\\\". The Simpsonshas been dubbed intoseveral other languages, including Japanese, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. It is also one of the few programs dubbed in bothstandard FrenchandQuebec French.The show has been broadcast in Arabic, but due toIslamiccustoms, numerous aspects of the show have been changed. For example, Homer drinkssodainstead of beer and eats Egyptian beef sausages instead of hot dogs. Because of such changes, the Arabized version of the series met with a negative reaction from the lifelongSimpsonsfans in the area. Animation Several different U.S. and international studios animateThe Simpsons. Throughout the run of the animated shorts onThe Tracey Ullman Show, the animation was produced domestically atKlasky Csupo.With the debut of the series, because of an increased workload, Fox subcontracted production to several local and foreign studios.These areAKOM,Anivision,Rough Draft Studios,USAnimation,and Toonzone Entertainment. For the first three seasons, Klasky Csupo animatedThe Simpsonsin the United States. In 1992, the show's production company, Gracie Films, switched domestic production toFilm Roman,who continued to animate the show until 2016 when they were replaced byFox Television Animation, which allowed the show to be made more in-house. InSeason 14, production switched from traditionalcel animationtodigital ink and paint.The first episode to experiment with digital coloring was \\\"Radioactive Man\\\" in 1995. Animators used digital ink and paint during production of theseason 12episode \\\"Tennis the Menace\\\", but Gracie Films delayed the regular use of digital ink and paint until two seasons later. The already completed \\\"Tennis the Menace\\\" was broadcast as made. The production staff at the U.S. animation studio, Film Roman, drawsstoryboards, designs new characters, backgrounds, props and draws character and background layouts, which in turn becomeanimaticsto be screened for the writers at Gracie Films for any changes to be made before the work is shipped overseas. The overseas studios then draw theinbetweens, ink and paint, and render the animation to tape before it is shipped back to the United States to be delivered to Fox three to four months later. The series beganhigh-definitionproduction in Season 20; the first episode, \\\"Take My Life, Please\\\", aired February 15, 2009. The move to HDTV included a new opening sequence.Matt Groening called it a complicated change because it affected the timing and composition of animation. Themes The Simpsonsuses the standard setup of a situational comedy, or sitcom, as its premise. The series centers on a family and their life in a typical American town,serving as asatiricalparody of amiddle classAmerican lifestyle.However, because of its animated nature,The Simpsons'scope is larger than that of a regular sitcom. The town of Springfield acts as a complete universe in which characters can explore the issues faced by modern society. By having Homer work in anuclear power plant, the show can comment on the state of the environment.Through Bart and Lisa's days atSpringfield Elementary School, the show's writers illustrate pressing or controversial issues in the field of education. The town features a vast array of television channels, which enables the producers to make jokes about the entertainment industry and the press. Some commentators say the show is political in nature and susceptible to a left-wing bias.Al Jeanacknowledged in an interview that \\\"We are ofliberalbent.\\\"The writers often evince an appreciation forprogressive leanings, but the show makes jokes across the political spectrum.The show portrays government and large corporations as evil entities that take advantage of the common worker.Thus, the writers often portray authority figures in an unflattering or negative light. InThe Simpsons, politicians are corrupt, ministers such asReverend Lovejoyare dismissive to churchgoers, and the local police force is incompetent.Religion also figures as a recurring theme.In times of crisis, the family often turns to God, and the show has dealt with most of the major religions. Sexualityis often a source of jokes in the series or serves as the theme of certain episodes. Even though homosexuals are sometimes sources of gags, the series often comments on how American society treats them, with \\\"Homer's Phobia\\\" devoting an entire episode to the family making a gay friend and Homer's initial hostility to him. In 1990,The Simpsonsbecame the first animated early evening show to depict a kiss between two men in \\\"Simpson and Delilah\\\". Hallmarks Opening sequence The Simpsons'opening sequenceis one of the show's most memorable hallmarks. The standard opening has gone through three iterations (a replacement of some shots at the start of the second season, and a brand new sequence when the show switched to high-definition in 2009). Each has the same basic sequence of events: the camera zooms throughcumulus clouds, through the show's title towards the town ofSpringfield. The camera then follows the members of the family on their way home. Upon entering their house, the Simpsons settle down on their couch to watch television. The original opening was created byDavid Silverman, and was the first task he did when production began on the show.The series' distinctivetheme songwascomposedby musicianDanny Elfmanin 1989, after Groening approached him requesting a retro-style piece. This piece has been noted by Elfman as the most popular of his career. One of the most distinctive aspects of the opening is that three of its elements change from episode to episode: Bart writes different things on the school chalkboard,Lisa plays different solos on her saxophone (or occasionally a different instrument), and different gags accompany the family as they enter their living room to sit on the couch. Halloween episodes The specialHalloweenepisode has become an annual tradition. \\\"Treehouse of Horror\\\" first broadcast in 1990 as part ofseason twoand established the pattern of three separate, self-contained stories in each Halloween episode.These pieces usually involve the family in some horror, science fiction, or supernatural setting and often parody or pay homage to a famous piece of work in those genres.They always take place outside the normal continuity of the show. Although theTreehouseseries is meant to be seen on Halloween, this changed by the 2000s (and again in 2020), when new installments have premiered after Halloween due toFox's currentcontractwithMajor League Baseball'sWorld Series.Prior to 2020 (between 2011 and 2019), everyTreehouse of Horrorepisode had aired in October. Humor The show's humor turns on cultural references that cover a wide spectrum of society so that viewers from all generations can enjoy the show. Such references, for example, come from movies, television, music, literature, science, and history.The animators also regularly add jokes or sight gags into the show's background via humorous or incongruous bits of text in signs, newspapers,billboards, and elsewhere. The audience may often not notice the visual jokes in a single viewing. Some are so fleeting that they become apparent only by pausing a video recording of the show or viewing it in slow motion.Kristin Thompson argues thatThe Simpsonsuses a \\\"flurry of cultural references, intentionally inconsistent characterization, and considerable self-reflexivity about television conventions and the status of the programme as a television show.\\\" One of Bart's earlyhallmarkswas his prank calls toMoe's TavernownerMoe Szyslakwhere he asks for agag name. Moe tries to find that person in the bar, but soon realizes it is a prank call and angrily threatens Bart. These calls were apparently based on a series of prank calls known as theTube Bar recordings, though Groening has denied any causal connection.Moe was based partly on Tube Bar ownerLouis \\\"Red\\\" Deutsch, whose often profane responses inspired Moe's violent side.As the series progressed, it became more difficult for the writers to come up with a fake name and to write Moe's angry response, and the pranks were dropped as a regular joke during the fourth season.The Simpsonsalso often includesself-referential humor.The most common form is jokes about Fox Broadcasting.For example, the episode \\\"She Used to Be My Girl\\\" included a scene in which aFox News Channelvan drove down the street while displaying a large \\\"Bush Cheney 2004\\\" banner and playingQueen's \\\"We Are the Champions\\\", in reference to the2004 U.S. presidential electionand claims ofconservative bias in Fox News. The show usescatchphrases, and most of the primary and secondary characters have at least one each.Notable expressions include Homer's annoyed grunt \\\"D'oh!\\\", Mr. Burns' \\\"Excellent\\\" andNelson Muntz's \\\"Ha-ha!\\\" Some of Bart's catchphrases, such as \\\"¡Ay, caramba!\\\", \\\"Don't have a cow, man!\\\" and \\\"Eat my shorts!\\\" appeared on T-shirts in the show's early days.However, Bart rarely used the latter two phrases until after they became popular through themerchandising. The use of many of these catchphrases has declined in recent seasons. The episode \\\"Bart Gets Famous\\\" mocks catchphrase-based humor, as Bart achieves fame on theKrusty the Clown Showsolely for saying \\\"I didn't do it.\\\" Purported foreshadowing of actual events The Simpsonshas gained notoriety for jokes that appeared to become reality. Perhaps the most famous example comes from the episode \\\"Bart to the Future\\\", which mentions billionaireDonald Trumphaving been president of the United States at one time and leaving the nation broke.The episode first aired in 2000, sixteen years before Trump (who at the time wasexploring a presidential run) was elected.Another episode, \\\"When You Dish Upon a Star\\\", lampooned20th Century Foxas a division ofThe Walt Disney Company. Nineteen years later,Disney purchased Fox.Other examples purported asThe Simpsonspredicting the future include the introduction of thesmartwatch,video chatservices,Richard Branson's spaceflightandLady Gaga's acrobatic performance at theSuper Bowl LI halftime show. Al Jeanhas commented on the show's purported ability to predict the future, explaining that they are really just \\\"educated guesses\\\" and stating that \\\"if you throw enough darts, you're going to get some bullseyes.\\\"ProducerBill Oakleystated, \\\"There are very few cases whereThe Simpsonspredicted something. It's mainly just coincidence because the episodes are so old that history repeats itself.\\\"Fact-checkingsources such asSnopeshave debunked many of the claimed prophecies, explaining that the show's extensive run means \\\"a lot of jokes, and a lot of opportunities for coincidences to appear\\\" and \\\"most of these 'predictions' have rather simple and mundane explanations\\\".For example, the device shown onThe Simpsonswith autocorrection is anApple Newton, a real 1993 device notorious for its poorhandwriting recognition.Technologically advanced watches have appeared in numerous works of fiction, decades beforeThe Simpsons. Influence and legacy Idioms A number ofneologismsthat originated onThe Simpsonshave entered popular vernacular.Mark Liberman, director of theLinguistic Data Consortium, remarked, \\\"The Simpsonshas apparently taken over from Shakespeare and the Bible as our culture's greatest source of idioms, catchphrases and sundry other textual allusions.\\\"The most famous catchphrase is Homer's annoyed grunt: \\\"D'oh!\\\" So ubiquitous is the expression that it is now listed in theOxford English Dictionary, but without the apostrophe.Dan Castellaneta says he borrowed the phrase fromJames Finlayson, an actor in manyLaurel and Hardycomedies, who pronounced it in a more elongated and whining tone. The staff ofThe Simpsonstold Castellaneta to shorten the noise, and it went on to become the well-known exclamation in the television series. Groundskeeper Willie's description of the French as \\\"cheese-eating surrender monkeys\\\" was used byNational ReviewcolumnistJonah Goldbergin 2003, after France's opposition to the proposedinvasion of Iraq. The phrase quickly spread to other journalists.\\\"Cromulent\\\" and \\\"embiggen\\\", words used in \\\"Lisa the Iconoclast\\\", have since appeared in theDictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon,and scientific journals respectively.\\\"Kwyjibo\\\", a fakeScrabbleword invented by Bart in \\\"Bart the Genius\\\", was used as one of the aliases of the creator of theMelissa worm.\\\"I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords\\\", was used byKent Brockmanin \\\"Deep Space Homer\\\" and has become asnowclone,with variants of the utterance used to express obsequious submission. It has been used in media, such asNew Scientistmagazine.The dismissive term \\\"Meh\\\", believed to have been popularized by the show,entered theCollins English Dictionaryin 2008.Other words credited as stemming from the show include \\\"yoink\\\" and \\\"craptacular\\\". The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotationsincludes several quotations from the show. As well as \\\"cheese-eating surrender monkeys\\\", Homer's lines, \\\"Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never try\\\", from \\\"Burns' Heir\\\" (season five, 1994) as well as \\\"Kids are the best, Apu. You can teach them to hate the things you hate. And they practically raise themselves, what with the Internet and all\\\", from \\\"Eight Misbehavin'\\\"(season 11, 1999), entered the dictionary in August 2007. Many quotes/scenes have become popularInternet memes, including Jasper Beardley's quote \\\"That's a paddlin'\\\" from \\\"The PTA Disbands\\\" (season 6, 1995) and \\\"Steamed Hams\\\" from \\\"22 Short Films About Springfield\\\" (season 7, 1996). Television The Simpsonswas the first successful animated program in American prime time sinceWait Till Your Father Gets Homein the 1970s.During most of the 1980s, US pundits considered animated shows as appropriate only for children, and animating a show was too expensive to achieve a quality suitable for prime-time television.The Simpsonschanged this perception,initially leading to a short period where networks attempted to recreate prime-time cartoon success with shows likeCapitol Critters,Fish Police, andFamily Dog, which were expensive and unsuccessful.The Simpsons'use of Korean animation studios fortweening, coloring, and filming made the episodes cheaper. The success ofThe Simpsonsand the lower production cost prompted US television networks to take chances on other adult animated series.This development led US producers to a 1990s boom in new, animated prime-time shows for adults, such asBeavis and Butt-Head,South Park,Family Guy,King of the Hill,Futurama(which was created by Matt Groening), andThe Critic(which was also produced by Gracie Films).ForFamily GuycreatorSeth MacFarlane, \\\"The Simpsonscreated an audience for prime-time animation that had not been there for many, many years ... As far as I'm concerned, they basically re-invented the wheel. They created what is in many ways—you could classify it as—a wholly new medium.\\\" The Simpsonshas had crossovers with four other shows. In the episode \\\"A Star Is Burns\\\", Marge invites Jay Sherman, the main character ofThe Critic, to be a judge for a film festival in Springfield. Matt Groening had his name removed from the episode since he had no involvement withThe Critic.South Parklater paid homage toThe Simpsonswith the episode \\\"Simpsons Already Did It\\\".In \\\"Simpsorama\\\", the Planet Express crew fromFuturamacome to Springfield in the present to prevent the Simpsons from destroying the future.In theFamily Guyepisode \\\"The Simpsons Guy\\\", the Griffins visit Springfield and meet the Simpsons. The Simpsonshas also influenced live-action shows likeMalcolm in the Middle, which featured the use ofsight gagsand did not use alaugh trackunlike most sitcoms.Malcolm in the Middledebuted January 9, 2000, in the time slot afterThe Simpsons.Ricky GervaiscalledThe Simpsonsan influence onThe Office,and fellow British sitcomSpacedwas, according to its directorEdgar Wright, \\\"an attempt to do a live-actionThe Simpsons\\\".InGeorgia, the animated television sitcomThe Samsonadzes, launched in November 2009, has been noted for its very strong resemblance withThe Simpsons, which its creator Shalva Ramishvili has acknowledged. LGBT representation The Simpsonshas historically been open to portrayals ofLGBTcharacters and settings, and it has routinely challengedheteronormativity.It was one of several animated television shows in the United States that began introducing characters that were LGBT, both openly and implied, in the 1990s.While early episodes involving LGBT characters primarily included them through the use of stereotypes,The Simpsonsdeveloped several prominent LGBT characters over its run.Producers of the show, such asMatt GroeningandAl Jean, have expressed their opinion that LGBT representation in media is important, and that they seek to actively include it.Some characters, such as Julio, were created with their sexual orientation in mind, with it being central to their character.The show expanded its roster of openly LGBT characters through episodes in which prominent charactersPatty BouvierandWaylon Smitherscame out in seasons16and27, respectively. Release Broadcast Syndication The cable television networkFXX, a sibling of 20th Television and formerly the Fox network, hasexclusive cable and digital syndicationrights forThe Simpsons.Original contracts had previously stated that syndication rights forThe Simpsonswould not be sold to cable until the series conclusion, at a time when cable syndication deals were highly rare. The series has been syndicated to local broadcast stations in nearly all markets throughout the United States since September 1994. FXX premieredThe Simpsonson their network on August 21, 2014, by starting a twelve-daymarathonwhich featured the first 552 episodes (every single episode that had already been released at the time) aired chronologically, includingThe Simpsons Movie, which FX Networks had already owned the rights to air. It was the longest continuous marathon in the history of television (untilVH1 Classicaired a 433-hour, nineteen-day, marathon ofSaturday Night Livein 2015; celebrating that program's 40th anniversary).The first day of the marathon was the highest rated broadcast day in the history of the network so far, the ratings more than tripled those of regular prime time programming for FXX.Ratings during the first six nights of the marathon grew night after night, with the network ranking within the top 5 networks in basic cable each night.In Australia, a marathon of every episode of the show (at the time) aired from December 16, 2019, to January 5, 2020, onFox8(a cable network operated on pay TV providerFoxteland a corporate sibling to the American Fox network). After Disneyacquiredboth 20th Television and FX Networks, it was announced thatThe Simpsonswould air on the company'sFreeformchannel starting October 2, 2019. Streaming and digital sell-through On October 21, 2014, a digital service courtesy of theFXNOWapp, calledSimpsons World, launched with every episode of the series accessible to authenticated FX subscribers, and is available on game consoles such asXbox One, streaming devices such asRokuandApple TV, and online via web browser.There was early criticism of both wrong aspect ratios for earlier episodes and the length of commercial breaks on the streaming service, but that problem was soon amended with fewer commercial breaks during individual episodes.Later it was announced thatSimpsons Worldwould now let users watch all of the SD episodes in their original format.Simpsons Worldwas discontinued after the launch ofDisney+on November 12, 2019, where the series streams exclusively.Initially, the series was only available cropped to16:9without the option to view the original4:3versions, reigniting criticisms of cropping old episodes.In response, Disney announced that \\\"in early 2020, Disney+ will make the first 19 seasons (and some episodes from season 20) ofThe Simpsonsavailable in their original 4:3 aspect ratio, giving subscribers a choice of how they prefer to view the popular series.\\\"On May 28, 2020, Disney+ made the first 19 seasons, along with some episodes from season 20, ofThe Simpsonsavailable in both 16:9 and the original 4:3 aspect ratio.Season 31 came to Disney+ on October 2, 2020, withHulustreaming the latest episodes of season 32 the next day. Season 32 came to Disney+ on September 29, 2021. The season 3 premiere \\\"Stark Raving Dad\\\", which featuresMichael Jacksonas the voice of Leon Kompowsky, was pulled out of rotation in 2019 by Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Al Jean afterHBOaired the documentaryLeaving Neverland, in which two men share details into how Jackson allegedly abused them as children.It is therefore unavailable on Disney+. However, the episode is still available onThe Complete Third SeasonDVD box set released on August 26, 2003. In July 2017, all episodes from seasons 4 to 19 were made available for purchase on theiTunes Storein Canada. On August 10, 2024, it was announced that four episodes of season 36 would air exclusively on Disney+. Reception and achievements Early success The Simpsonswas the Fox network's first television series to rank among a season's top 30 highest-rated shows.In 1990, Bart quickly became one of the most popular characters on television in what was termed \\\"Bartmania\\\".He became the most prevalentSimpsonscharacter on memorabilia, such asT-shirts. In the early 1990s, millions of T-shirts featuring Bart were sold;as many as one million were sold on some days.Believing Bart to be a bad role model, several American public schools banned T-shirts featuring Bart next to captions such as \\\"I'm Bart Simpson. Who the hell are you?\\\" and \\\"Underachiever ('And proud of it, man!')\\\".The Simpsonsmerchandise sold well and generated $2 billion in revenue during the first 14 months of sales.Because of his popularity, Bart was often the most promoted member of the Simpson family in advertisements for the show, even for episodes in which he was not involved in the main plot. Due to the show's success, over the summer of 1990 theFox Networkdecided to switchThe Simpsons'time slot from 8:00 p.m.ETon Sunday night to the same time on Thursday, where it competed withThe Cosby ShowonNBC, thenumber one showat the time.Through the summer, several news outlets published stories about the supposed \\\"Bill vs. Bart\\\" rivalry.\\\"Bart Gets an 'F'\\\"(season two, 1990) was the first episode to air againstThe Cosby Show, and it received a lowerNielsen rating, tying for eighth behindThe Cosby Show, which had an 18.5 rating. The rating is based on the number of household televisions that were tuned into the show, butNielsen Media Researchestimated that 33.6 million viewers watched the episode, making it the number one show in terms of actual viewers that week. At the time, it was the most watched episode in the history of the Fox Network,and it is still the highest rated episode in the history ofThe Simpsons.The show moved back to its Sunday slot in 1994 and has remained there ever since. The Simpsonshas received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, and it has been noted for being described as \\\"the most irreverent and unapologetic show on the air.\\\"In a 1990 review of the show, Ken Tucker ofEntertainment Weeklydescribed it as \\\"the American family at its most complicated, drawn as simple cartoons. It's this neat paradox that makes millions of people turn away from the three big networks on Sunday nights to concentrate on The Simpsons.\\\"Tucker also described the show as a \\\"pop-cultural phenomenon, a prime-time cartoon show that appeals to the entire family.\\\" Run length achievements On February 9, 1997,The SimpsonssurpassedThe Flintstoneswith the episode \\\"The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show\\\" as the longest-running prime-time animated series in the United States.In 2004,The SimpsonsreplacedThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet(1952 to 1966) as the longest-running sitcom (animated or live action) in the United States in terms of the number of years airing.In 2009,The SimpsonssurpassedThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet's record of 435 episodes and is now recognized byGuinness World Recordsas the world's longest running sitcom (in terms of episode count).In October 2004,Scooby-Doobriefly overtookThe Simpsonsas the American animated show with the highest number of episodes (albeit under several different iterations).However, network executives in April 2005 again canceledScooby-Doo, which finished with 371 episodes, andThe Simpsonsreclaimed the title with 378 episodes at the end of their seventeenth season.In May 2007,The Simpsonsreached their 400th episode at the end of the eighteenth season. WhileThe Simpsonshas the record for the number of episodes by an American animated show, other animated series have surpassedThe Simpsons.For example, the JapaneseanimeseriesSazae-sanhas over 2,000 episodes (7,000+ segments) to its credit. In 2009, Fox began a year-long celebration of the show titled \\\"Best. 20 Years. Ever.\\\" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the premiere ofThe Simpsons. One of the first parts of the celebration is the \\\"Unleash Your Yellow\\\" contest in which entrants must design a poster for the show.The celebration ended on January 10, 2010 (almost 20 years after \\\"Bart the Genius\\\" aired on January 14, 1990), withThe Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special – In 3-D! On Ice!, a documentary special by documentary filmmakerMorgan Spurlockthat examines the \\\"cultural phenomenon ofThe Simpsons\\\". As of the twenty-first season (2009–2010),The Simpsonsbecame the longest-running American scripted primetime television series, having surpassed the 1955–1975 run ofGunsmoke. On April 29, 2018,The Simpsonsalso surpassedGunsmoke's 635-episode count with the episode \\\"Forgive and Regret\\\". The Simpsonsis both the longest-running and the highest ranking animated series to feature onTV Time's top 50 most followed TV shows ever. On February 6, 2019, it was announced thatThe Simpsonshas been renewed for seasons 31 and 32. On March 3, 2021, it was announced thatThe Simpsonswas renewed for seasons 33 and 34. Awards and honors The Simpsonshas won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 34Primetime Emmy Awards,34Annie Awardsand aPeabody Award.In a 1999 issue celebrating the 20th century's greatest achievements in arts and entertainment,TimenamedThe Simpsonsthe century's best television series, writing: \\\"Dazzlingly intelligent and unapologetically vulgar, the Simpsons have surpassed the humor, topicality and, yes, humanity of past TV greats.\\\"In that same issue,Timeincluded Bart Simpson in theTime 100, the publication's list of the century's 100 most influential people.Bart was the only fictional character on the list. On January 14, 2000, the Simpsons were awarded a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.Also in 2000,Entertainment Weeklymagazine TV critic Ken Tucker namedThe Simpsonsthe greatest television show of the1990s. Furthermore, viewers of the UK television channelChannel 4have votedThe Simpsonsat the top of two polls: 2001's 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows (despite the show not being aimed at children),and 2005's The 100 Greatest Cartoons,with Homer Simpson voted into first place in 2001's 100 Greatest TV Characters.Homer also placed ninth onEntertainment Weekly'slist of the \\\"50 Greatest TV icons\\\".In 2002,The Simpsonsranked No. 8 onTV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time,and was ranked the No. 6 cult show in 2004.In 2007, it moved to No. 8 on TV Guide's cult shows listand was included inTime'slist of the \\\"100 Best TV Shows of All Time\\\".In 2008 the show was placed in first onEntertainment Weekly's\\\"Top 100 Shows of the Past 25 Years\\\".Empirenamed it the greatest TV show of all time.In 2010,Entertainment Weeklynamed Homer \\\"the greatest character of the last 20 years\\\",while in 2013 theWriters Guild of AmericalistedThe Simpsonsas the 11th \\\"best written\\\" series in television history.In 2013,TV GuiderankedThe Simpsonsas the greatest TV cartoon of all timeand the tenth greatest show of all time.A 2015The Hollywood Reportersurvey of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry people named it as their No. 10 favorite show.In 2015, British newspaperThe TelegraphnamedThe Simpsonsas one of the 10 best TV sitcoms of all time.Television criticsAlan SepinwallandMatt Zoller SeitzrankedThe Simpsonsas the greatest American TV series of all time in their 2016 bookTV (The Book).In 2022,Rolling StonerankedThe Simpsonsas the second-greatest TV show of all time.In 2023,VarietyrankedThe Simpsonsas the fourth-greatest TV show of all time. Criticism Controversy Bart's rebellious, bad boy nature, which underlies his misbehavior and rarely leads to any punishment, led some people to characterize him as a poorrole modelfor children.In schools, educators claimed that Bart was a \\\"threat to learning\\\" because of his \\\"underachiever and proud of it\\\" attitude and negative attitude regarding his education.Others described him as \\\"egotistical, aggressive and mean-spirited\\\".In a 1991 interview,Bill Cosbydescribed Bart as a bad role model for children, calling him \\\"angry, confused, frustrated\\\". In response, Matt Groening said, \\\"That sums up Bart, all right. Most people are in a struggle to be normal he thinks normal is very boring, and does things that others just wished they dare do.\\\"On January 27, 1992, then-PresidentGeorge H. W. Bushsaid, \\\"We are going to keep on trying to strengthen the American family, to make American families a lot more likethe Waltonsand a lot less like the Simpsons.\\\"The writers rushed out a tongue-in-cheek reply in the form of a short segment that aired three days later before a rerun of \\\"Stark Raving Dad\\\" in which Bart replied, \\\"Hey, we're just like the Waltons. We're praying for an end tothe Depression, too.\\\" The show also received criticism from the nuclear power industry in its early years, with its portrayal of the evil boss Mr. Burns and \\\"bungling idiot\\\" employees (including Homer Simpson himself) with their lack of safety and security.In a letter to the nuclear power-backedU.S. Council for Energy Awareness, producer Sam Simon apologized, stating, \\\"I apologize that the Simpsons have offended a lot of people in the energy industry. I agree with you that in real life, Homer Simpson would not be employed at a nuclear power plant. On the other hand, he probably wouldn't be employed anywhere.\\\" Various episodes of the show have generated controversy. The Simpsons visit Australia in \\\"Bart vs. Australia\\\" (season six, 1995) and Brazil in \\\"Blame It on Lisa\\\" (season 13, 2002) and both episodes generated controversy and negative reaction in the visited countries.In the latter case, Rio de Janeiro's tourist board—which claimed that the city was portrayed as having rampant street crime, kidnappings, slums, and monkey and rat infestations—went so far as to threaten Fox with legal action.Groening was a fierce and vocal critic of the episode \\\"A Star Is Burns\\\" (season six, 1995), which featured acrossoverwithThe Critic. He felt that it was just an advertisement forThe Critic, and that people would incorrectly associate the show with him. When he was unsuccessful in getting the episode pulled, he had his name removed from the credits and went public with his concerns, openly criticizing James L. Brooks and saying the episode \\\"violates the Simpsons' universe.\\\" In response, Brooks said, \\\"I am furious with Matt, ... he's allowed his opinion, but airing this publicly in the press is going too far. ... his behavior right now is rotten.\\\" \\\"The Principal and the Pauper\\\" (season nine, 1997) is one of the most controversial episodes ofThe Simpsons. Many fans and critics reacted negatively to the revelation thatSeymour Skinner, a recurring character since the first season, was an impostor. The episode has been criticized by Groening and byHarry Shearer, who provides the voice of Skinner. In a 2001 interview, Shearer recalled that after reading the script, he told the writers, \\\"That'ssowrong. You're taking something that an audience has built eight years or nine years of investment in and just tossed it in the trash can for no good reason, for a story we've done before with other characters. It's so arbitrary and gratuitous, and it's disrespectful to the audience.\\\" Bans The show has reportedly been taken off the air in several countries. China banned it from prime-time television in August 2006, \\\"in an effort to protect China's struggling animation studios.\\\"In 2008,Venezuelabarred the show from airing on morning television as it was deemed \\\"unsuitable for children\\\".The same year, several RussianPentecostalchurches demanded thatThe Simpsons,South Parkand some other Western cartoons be removed from broadcast schedules \\\"for propaganda of various vices\\\" and the broadcaster's license to be revoked. However, a court decision later dismissed this request. Perceived decline in quality Critics' reviews of earlySimpsonsepisodes praised the show for its sassy humor, wit, realism, and intelligence.However, in the late 1990s, around the airing ofseason 9, the tone and emphasis of the show began to change. Some critics started calling the show \\\"tired\\\".By 2000, some long-term fans had become disillusioned with the show, and pointed to its shift from character-driven plots to what they perceived as an overemphasis on zany antics.Jim Schembri ofThe Sydney Morning Heraldattributed the decline in quality to an abandonment of character-driven storylines in favor of celebritycameo appearancesand references to popular culture. Schembri wrote in 2011: \\\"The central tragedy ofThe Simpsonsis that it has gone from commanding attention to merely being attention-seeking. It began by proving that cartoon characters don't have to be caricatures; they can be invested with real emotions. Now the show has in essence fermented into a limp parody of itself. Memorable story arcs have been sacrificed for the sake of celebrity walk-ons and punchline-hungry dialogue.\\\" In 2010, the BBC noted \\\"the common consensus is thatThe Simpsons'golden era ended afterseason nine\\\",and Todd Leopold of CNN, in an article looking at its perceived decline, stated \\\"for many fans ... the glory days are long past.\\\"Similarly, Tyler Wilson ofCoeur d'Alene Presshas referred to seasons one to nine as the show's \\\"golden age\\\",and Ian Nathan ofEmpiredescribed the show's classic era as being \\\"say, the first ten seasons\\\".Jon HeacockofLucidWorksstated that \\\"for the first ten years , the show was consistently at the top of its game\\\", with \\\"so many moments, quotations, and references – both epic and obscure – that helped turn the Simpson family into the cultural icons that they remain to this day\\\". Mike Scully, who was showrunner during seasons nine throughtwelve, has been the subject of criticism.Chris Suellentrop ofSlatewrote that \\\"under Scully's tenure,The Simpsonsbecame, well, a cartoon ... Episodes that once would have ended withHomer and Marge bicycling into the sunsetnow end withHomer blowing a tranquilizer dart into Marge's neck. The show's still funny, but it hasn't been touching in years.\\\"When asked in 2007 how the series' longevity is sustained, Scully joked: \\\"Lower your quality standards. Once you've done that you can go on forever.\\\" Al Jean, who was showrunner during seasonsthirteenthroughthirty-three,has also been the subject of criticism, with some arguing that the show has continued to decline in quality under his tenure. Former writers have complained that under Jean, the show is \\\"on auto-pilot\\\", \\\"too sentimental\\\", and the episodes are \\\"just being cranked out\\\". Some critics believe that the show has \\\"entered a steady decline under Jean and is no longer really funny\\\".John Ortved, author ofThe Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History, characterized the Jean era as \\\"toothless\\\",and criticized what he perceived as the show's increase in social and political commentary.Jean responded: \\\"Well, it's possible that we've declined. But honestly, I've been here the whole time and I do remember in season two people saying, 'It's gone downhill.' If we'd listened to that then we would have stopped after episode 13. I'm glad we didn't.\\\" In 2004, cast memberHarry Shearercriticized what he perceived as the show's declining quality: \\\"I rate the last three seasons as among the worst, soseason fourlooks very good to me now.\\\"Cast memberDan Castellanetaresponded: \\\"I don't agree, ... I think Harry's issue is that the show isn't as grounded as it was in the first three or four seasons, that it's gotten crazy or a little more madcap. I think it organically changes to stay fresh.\\\"Also in 2004 authorDouglas Couplanddescribed claims of declining quality in the series as \\\"hogwash\\\", saying \\\"The Simpsonshasn't fumbled the ball in fourteen years, it's hardly likely to fumble it now.\\\"In an April 2006 interview, Groening said: \\\"I honestly don't see any end in sight. I think it's possible that the show will get too financially cumbersome ... but right now, the show is creatively, I think, as good or better than it's ever been. The animation is incredibly detailed and imaginative, the stories do things that we haven't done before, so creatively there's no reason to quit.\\\" In 2016, popular culture writer Anna Leszkiewicz suggested that even thoughThe Simpsonsstill holds cultural relevance, \\\"contemporary appeal\\\" is only for the \\\"first ten or so seasons\\\", with recent episodes only garnering mainstream attention when a favorite character from the golden era is killed off, or when new information and shock twists are given for old characters.The series' ratings have also declined; while thefirst seasonenjoyed an average of 13.4 million viewing households per episode in the U.S.,thetwenty-first seasonhad an average of 7.2 million viewers. Alan SepinwallandMatt Zoller Seitzargued in their 2016 book titledTV (The Book)that the peak ofThe Simpsonsare \\\"roughlyseasons 3–12\\\", and that despite the decline, episodes from the later seasons such as \\\"Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind\\\" and \\\"Holidays of Future Passed\\\" could be considered on par with the earlier classic episodes, further stating that \\\"even if you want to call the show today a thin shadow of its former self, think about how mind-boggingly great its former self had to be for so-diminished a version to be watchable at all.\\\" In 2020,Uproxxwriter Josh Kurp stated that while he agrees with the sentiment thatThe Simpsonsis not as good as it used to be, it is because \\\"it was working at a level of comedy and characterization that no show ever has.\\\" He felt there were still many reasons to watch the series, as it was \\\"still capable of quality television, and even the occasional new classic\\\" and the fact that the show was willing to experiment, giving examples such as bringing on guest animators likeDon HertzfeldtandSylvain Chometto produce couch gags, and guest writers likeSeth RogenandEvan Goldberg,Pete HolmesandMegan Amramto write episodes.In theseason 32episode \\\"I, Carumbus\\\", the show itself makes a nod to these concerns in its credits gag where the godJupiternotes that \\\"It definitely feels like they're wrapping it up ... any day now.\\\" In a 2021 interview withNME, Jean was quoted as saying, \\\"To people who sayThe Simpsonsisn't as good as it used to be, I would say I think the world isn't as good as it used to be. But we're declining at a slower rate.\\\" Race controversy The stereotypical nature of the characterApu Nahasapeemapetilonhas been the subject of controversy. Indian-American comedianHari Kondabolustated in his 2017 documentaryThe Problem with Aputhat as a child he was a fan ofThe Simpsonsand liked Apu, but he now finds the character's stereotypical nature troublesome. Defenders of the character responded that the show is built on comical stereotypes, with creator Matt Groening saying, \\\"that's the nature of cartooning.\\\"He added that he was \\\"proud of what we do on the show\\\", and \\\"it's a time in our culture where people love to pretend they're offended\\\".In response to the controversy, Apu's voice actor,Hank Azaria, said he was willing to step aside from his role as Apu: \\\"The most important thing is to listen to South Asian people, Indian people in this country when they talk about what they feel and how they think about this character.\\\"In February 2020, he confirmed that he would no longer voice Apu. Groening stated at the same time that the character would remain in the show. The criticisms were referenced in the season 29 episode \\\"No Good Read Goes Unpunished\\\", when Lisa breaks thefourth walland addresses the audience by saying, \\\"Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?\\\" to which Marge replies, \\\"Some things will be addressed at a later date.\\\" Lisa adds, \\\"If at all.\\\" This reference was clarified by the fact that there was a framed photo of Apu with the caption on the photo saying \\\"Don't have a cow, Apu\\\", a play on Bart's catchphrase \\\"Don't have a cow, man,\\\" as well as the fact that manyHindusdo not eat cows as they are considered sacred. In October 2018, it was reported that Apu would be written out of the show,which Groening denied. On June 26, 2020, in light of the variousBlack Lives Matterprotests, Fox announced that recurring characters of color (Carl CarlsonandDr. Hibbert, among others) would no longer be voiced by white actors.Beginning withseason 32, Carl, a black character originally voiced by Azaria, is now voiced by black actorAlex Désert.In addition,Bumblebee Man, a Spanish-speaking Latino character also originally voiced by Azaria, is now voiced by Mexican-American actorEric Lopez,and Dr. Hibbert, a black character originally voiced byHarry Shearer, is now voiced by black actorKevin Michael Richardson. Other media Comic books Numerous Simpson-related comic books have been released over the years. The firstcomic stripsbased onThe Simpsonsappeared in 1991 in the magazineSimpsons Illustrated, which was a companion magazine to the show.The comic strips were popular and a one-shot comic book titledSimpsons Comics and Stories, containing four different stories, was released in 1993 for the fans.The book was a success and due to this, Groening and his companionsBill Morrison, Mike Rote, and Steve and Cindy Vance created the publishing companyBongo Comics.A total of nine comic book series were published by Bongo Comics between 1993 and the company's dissolution in 2018.Issues ofSimpsons Comics,Bart Simpson's Treehouse of HorrorandBart Simpsonhave been collected and reprinted intrade paperbacksin the United States byHarperCollins. Film 20th Century FoxandGracie FilmsproducedThe Simpsons Movie, an animated film that was released on July 27, 2007.The film was directed by long-timeSimpsonsproducerDavid Silvermanand written by a team ofSimpsonswriters comprising Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Al Jean, George Meyer,Mike Reiss,John Swartzwelder,Jon Vitti,David Mirkin,Mike Scully,Matt Selman, andIan Maxtone-Graham.Production of the film occurred alongside continued writing of the series despite long-time claims by those involved in the show that a film would enter production only after the series had concluded.There had been talk of a possible feature-lengthSimpsonsfilm ever since the early seasons of the series. James L. Brooks originally thought that the story of the episode \\\"Kamp Krusty\\\" was suitable for a film, but he encountered difficulties in trying to expand the script to feature-length.For a long time, difficulties such as lack of a suitable story and an already fully engaged crew of writers delayed the project. On August 10, 2018, 20th Century Fox announced that a sequel is in development. Music Collections of original music featured in the series have been released on the albumsSongs in the Key of Springfield,Go Simpsonic with The SimpsonsandThe Simpsons: Testify.Several songs have been recorded with the purpose of a single or album release and have not been featured on the show. The albumThe Simpsons Sing the Blueswas released in September 1990 and was a success, peaking at No. 3 on theBillboard200and becoming certified 2× platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America.The first single from the album was thepop rapsong \\\"Do the Bartman\\\", performed by Nancy Cartwright and released on November 20, 1990. The song was written byMichael Jackson, although he did not receive any credit.The Yellow Albumwas released in 1998, but received poor reception and did not chart in any country. The SimpsonsRide In 2007, it was officially announced thatThe SimpsonsRide, asimulator ride, would be implemented into theUniversal Studios OrlandoandUniversal Studios Hollywood.It officially opened May 15, 2008, in Floridaand May 19, 2008, in Hollywood.In the ride, patrons are introduced to a cartoon theme park called Krustyland built byKrusty the Clown. However,Sideshow Bobis loose from prison to get revenge on Krusty and theSimpson family.It features more than 24 regular characters fromThe Simpsonsand features the voices of the regular cast members, as well asPamela Hayden,Russi TaylorandKelsey Grammer.Harry Shearerdid not participate in the ride, so none of his characters have vocal parts.The ride also features clips from the show in the waiting line. Video games Numerous video games based on the show have been produced. Some of the early games includeKonami'sarcade gameThe Simpsons(1991) andAcclaim Entertainment'sThe Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants(1991).More modern games includeThe Simpsons: Road Rage(2001),The Simpsons: Hit & Run(2003) andThe Simpsons Game(2007).Electronic Arts, which producedThe Simpsons Game, has owned the exclusive rights to create video games based on the show since 2005.In 2010, they released a game calledThe Simpsons ArcadeforiOS.Another EA-produced mobile game,Tapped Out, was released in 2012 for iOS users, then in 2013 forAndroidandKindleusers.TwoSimpsonspinballmachines have been produced: one that was available briefly after the first season, and another in 2007, both out of production. Merchandise The popularity ofThe Simpsonshas made it a billion-dollar merchandising industry.The title family and supporting characters appear on everything from T-shirts to posters.The Simpsonshas been used as a theme for special editions of well-known board games, includingClue,Scrabble,Monopoly,Operation, andThe Game of Life, as well as thetriviagames What Would Homer Do? and SimpsonsJeopardy!. Several card games such astrump cardsand The Simpsons Trading Card Game have also been released. Many official or unofficialSimpsonsbooks such as episode guides have been published. Many episodes of the show have been released on DVD and VHS over the years. When the first season DVD was released in 2001, it quickly became the best-selling television DVD in history, although it was later overtaken by the first season ofChappelle's Show.In particular, seasons one through seventeen were released on DVD for 13 years between September 2001 to December 2014 in the U.S./Canada (Region 1), Europe (Region 2), and Australia/New Zealand/Latin America (Region 4). However, on April 8, 2015, Al Jean announced that the Season 17 DVD would be the last one ever produced, leaving the collection from Seasons 1 to 17, Season 20 (released out of order in 2010), with Seasons 18, 19, and 21 onwards unreleased.Jean also stated that the deleted scenes and commentaries would try to be released to the Simpsons World app, and that they were pushing for Simpsons World to be expanded outside of the U.S.Two years later, however, on July 22, 2017, it was announced that Season 18 would be released on December 5, 2017, on DVD.Another two years later, on July 20, 2019, it was announced that Season 19 would be released on December 3, 2019, on DVD. In 2003, about 500 companies around the world were licensed to useSimpsonscharacters in their advertising.As a promotion forThe Simpsons Movie, twelve7-Elevenstores were transformed intoKwik-E-Martsand soldThe Simpsonsrelated products. These included \\\"Buzz Cola\\\", \\\"Krusty-O\\\" cereal, pink doughnuts with sprinkles, and \\\"Squishees\\\". In 2008, consumers around the world spent $750 million on merchandise related toThe Simpsons, with half of the amount originating from the United States. By 2009, 20th Century Fox had greatly increased merchandising efforts.On April 9, 2009, theUnited States Postal Serviceunveiled a series of five 44-cent stamps featuring Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, to commemorate the show's twentieth anniversary.The Simpsonsis the first television series still in production to receive this recognition.The stamps, designed by Matt Groening, were made available for purchase on May 7, 2009.Approximately one billion were printed, but only 318 million were sold, costing the Postal Service $1.2 million. References Bibliography Further reading External links\",\n \"List of animated television series by episode count This is a list ofanimated television seriesby episode count. This article does not includeanimeseries which originate fromJapan(for this see thelist of anime series by episode count). Single series with at least 100 episodes and television franchises with at least 40 episodes are listed. Single series Longest-running animated television franchises See also References\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II(born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44thpresident of the United Statesfrom 2009 to 2017. As a member of theDemocratic Party, he was the firstAfrican-Americanpresident in U.S. history. Obama previously served as aU.S. senatorrepresentingIllinoisfrom 2005 to 2008 and as anIllinois state senatorfrom 1997 to 2004. Obama was born inHonolulu,Hawaii. He graduated fromColumbia Universityin 1983 with aBachelor of Artsdegree in political science and later worked as acommunity organizerinChicago. In 1988, Obama enrolled inHarvard Law School, where he was the first black president of theHarvard Law Review. He became a civil rights attorney and an academic, teachingconstitutional lawat theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolfrom 1992 to 2004. He also went into elective politics; Obamarepresented the 13th district in the Illinois Senatefrom 1997 until 2004, when hesuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate. In the2008 presidential election, aftera close primary","close primary campaignagainstHillary Clinton, he was nominated by the Democratic Party for president. Obama selectedJoe Bidenas his running mate and defeatedRepublicannomineeJohn McCain. Obama was named the2009 Nobel Peace Prizelaureate, a decision that drew a mixture of criticism and praise. His first-term actions addressed theglobal financial crisisand includeda major stimulus packageto guide the economy in recovering from theGreat Recession, a partial extension ofGeorge W. Bush'stax cuts,legislation to reform health care,a major financial regulation reform bill, and the end of a major U.S.military presence in Iraq. Obama also appointedSupreme CourtjusticesSonia SotomayorandElena Kagan, the former being the firstHispanic Americanon the Supreme Court. He orderedOperation Neptune Spear, the raid that killedOsama bin Laden, who was responsible for theSeptember 11 attacks. Obama downplayed Bush'scounterinsurgency model, expandingair strikesand making extensive use of special forces, while encouraging greater","encouraging greater reliance on host-government militaries. He also orderedmilitary involvement in Libyain order to implementUN Security Council Resolution 1973, contributing to the overthrow ofMuammar Gaddafi. Obama defeated Republican opponentMitt Romneyin the2012 presidential election. In his second term, Obama took steps tocombat climate change, signinga major international climate agreementand anexecutive orderto limitcarbon emissions. Obama also presided over the implementation of theAffordable Care Actand other legislation passed in his first term. He negotiateda nuclear agreement with Iranandnormalized relations with Cuba. The number ofAmerican soldiers in Afghanistandecreased during Obama's second term, though U.S. soldiers remained in the country throughout Obama's presidency. Obama promoted inclusion forLGBT Americans, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to publicly supportsame-sex marriage. Obama left office on January 20, 2017, and continues to reside in Washington, D.C. Historians and","D.C. Historians and political scientists rank him among the upper tier inhistorical rankings of American presidents.His presidential libraryin theSouth Side of Chicagobegan construction in 2021. Since leaving office, Obama has remained politically active, campaigning for candidates in various American elections, including Biden'ssuccessful presidential bidin2020. Outside of politics,Obama has published three books:Dreams from My Father(1995),The Audacity of Hope(2006), andA Promised Land(2020). Early life and career Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961,atKapiolani Medical Center for Women and ChildreninHonolulu, Hawaii.He is the only president born outside thecontiguous 48 states.He was born to an 18-year-old American mother and a 27-year-old Kenyan father. His mother,Ann Dunham(1942–1995), was born inWichita, Kansas, and was of English, Welsh, German, Swiss, and Irish descent. In 2007 it was discovered her great-great-grandfather Falmouth Kearney emigrated from the village ofMoneygall, Irelandto the U.S.","Irelandto the U.S. in 1850.In July 2012,Ancestry.comfound a strong likelihood that Dunham was descended fromJohn Punch, an enslaved African man who lived in theColony of Virginiaduring the seventeenth century.Obama's father,Barack Obama Sr.(1934–1982),was a marriedLuo KenyanfromNyang'oma Kogelo.His last name, Obama, was derived from his Luo descent.Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian language class at theUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where his father was a foreign student on a scholarship.The couple married inWailuku, Hawaii, on February 2, 1961, six months before Obama was born. In late August 1961, a few weeks after he was born, Barack and his mother moved to theUniversity of WashingtoninSeattle, where they lived for a year. During that time, Barack's father completed his undergraduate degree in economics in Hawaii, graduating in June 1962. He left to attend graduate school on a scholarship atHarvard University, where he earned anM.A.in economics. Obama's parents divorced in March 1964.Obama Sr.","1964.Obama Sr. returned toKenyain 1964, where he married for a third time and worked for the Kenyan government as the Senior Economic Analyst in the Ministry of Finance.He visited his son in Hawaii only once, at Christmas 1971,before he was killed in an automobile accident in 1982, when Obama was 21 years old.Recalling his early childhood, Obama said: \"That my father looked nothing like the people around me—that he was black as pitch, my mother white as milk—barely registered in my mind.\"He described his struggles as a young adult to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage. In 1963, Dunham metLolo Soetoroat theUniversity of Hawaii; he was anIndonesianEast–West Centergraduate studentingeography. The couple married onMolokaion March 15, 1965.After two one-year extensions of hisJ-1 visa, Lolo returned toIndonesiain 1966. His wife and stepson followed sixteen months later in 1967. The family initially lived in the Menteng Dalam neighborhood in theTebetdistrict ofSouth Jakarta. From 1970, they","From 1970, they lived in a wealthier neighborhood in theMentengdistrict ofCentral Jakarta. Education At the age of six, Obama and his mother had moved to Indonesia to join his stepfather. From age six to ten, he was registered in school as \"Barry\"and attended localIndonesian-languageschools:Sekolah Dasar Katolik Santo Fransiskus Asisi(St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School) for two years andSekolah Dasar Negeri Menteng 01(State Elementary School Menteng 01) for one and a half years, supplemented by English-languageCalvert Schoolhomeschooling by his mother.As a result of his four years inJakarta, he was able to speakIndonesianfluently as a child.During his time in Indonesia, Obama's stepfather taught him to be resilient and gave him \"a pretty hardheaded assessment of how the world works\". In 1971, Obama returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents,MadelynandStanley Dunham. He attendedPunahou School—a privatecollege preparatory school—with the aid of a scholarship from fifth grade","from fifth grade until he graduated from high school in 1979.In high school, Obama continued to use the nickname \"Barry\" which he kept until making a visit to Kenya in 1980.Obama lived with his mother and half-sister,Maya Soetoro, in Hawaii for three years from 1972 to 1975 while his mother was a graduate student inanthropologyat the University of Hawaii.Obama chose to stay in Hawaii when his mother and half-sister returned to Indonesia in 1975, so his mother could begin anthropology field work.His mother spent most of the next two decades in Indonesia, divorcing Lolo Soetoro in 1980 and earning a PhD degree in 1992, before dying in 1995 in Hawaii following unsuccessful treatment forovariananduterine cancer. Of his years in Honolulu, Obama wrote: \"The opportunity that Hawaii offered — to experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respect — became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the values that I hold most dear.\"Obama has also written and talked about usingalcohol,marijuana,","andcocaineduring his teenage years to \"push questions of who I was out of my mind\".Obama was also a member of the \"Choom Gang\" (the slang term for smoking marijuana), a self-named group of friends who spent time together and smoked marijuana. College and research jobs After graduating from high school in 1979, Obama moved to Los Angeles to attendOccidental Collegeon a full scholarship. In February 1981, Obama made his first public speech, calling for Occidental to participate in thedisinvestment from South Africain response to that nation's policy ofapartheid.In mid-1981, Obama traveled to Indonesia to visit his mother and half-sister Maya and visited the families of college friends inPakistanfor three weeks.Later in 1981, hetransferredtoColumbia Universityin New York City as ajunior, where he majored inpolitical sciencewith a specialty ininternational relationsand inEnglish literatureand lived off-campus on West 109th Street.He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 and a 3.7GPA. After graduating,","After graduating, Obama worked for about a year at theBusiness International Corporation, where he was a financial researcher and writer,then as a project coordinator for theNew York Public Interest Research Groupon theCity College of New Yorkcampus for three months in 1985. Community organizer and Harvard Law School Two years after graduating from Columbia, Obama moved from New York to Chicago when he was hired as director of theDeveloping Communities Project, a faith-based community organization originally comprising eight Catholic parishes inRoseland,West Pullman, andRiverdaleon Chicago'sSouth Side. He worked there as a community organizer from June 1985 to May 1988.He helped set up a job training program, a college preparatory tutoring program, and a tenants' rights organization inAltgeld Gardens.Obama also worked as a consultant and instructor for theGamaliel Foundation, a community organizing institute.In mid-1988, he traveled for the first time inEuropefor three weeks and then for five weeks in Kenya,","weeks in Kenya, where he met many of hispaternal relativesfor the first time. Despite being offered a full scholarship toNorthwestern University School of Law, Obama enrolled atHarvard Law Schoolin the fall of 1988, living in nearbySomerville, Massachusetts.He was selected as an editor of theHarvard Law Reviewat the end of his first year,president of the journal in his second year,and research assistant to the constitutional scholarLaurence Tribewhile at Harvard.During his summers, he returned to Chicago, where he worked as asummer associateat the law firms ofSidley Austinin 1989 andHopkins & Sutterin 1990.Obama's election as thefirst black president of theHarvard Law Reviewgained national media attentionand led to a publishing contract and advance for a book about race relations,which evolved into a personal memoir. The manuscript was published in mid-1995 asDreams from My Father.Obama graduated from Harvard Law in 1991 with aJuris Doctormagna cum laude. University of Chicago Law School In 1991, Obama","In 1991, Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolto work on his first book.He then taughtconstitutional lawat the University of Chicago Law School for twelve years, first as a lecturer from 1992 to 1996, and then as a senior lecturer from 1996 to 2004. From April to October 1992, Obama directed Illinois'sProject Vote, avoter registration campaignwith ten staffers and seven hundred volunteer registrars; it achieved its goal of registering 150,000 of 400,000 unregistered African Americans in the state, leadingCrain's Chicago Businessto name Obama to its 1993 list of \"40 under Forty\" powers to be. Family and personal life In a 2006 interview, Obama highlighted the diversity ofhis extended family: \"It's like a little mini-United Nations,\" he said. \"I've got relatives who look likeBernie Mac, and I've got relatives who look likeMargaret Thatcher.\"Obama has a half-sister with whom he was raised (Maya Soetoro-Ng) and seven other half-siblings","other half-siblings from his Kenyan father's family, six of them living.Obama's mother was survived by her Kansas-born mother, Madelyn Dunham,until her death on November 2, 2008,two days before his election to the presidency. Obama also has roots in Ireland; he met with his Irish cousins inMoneygallin May 2011.InDreams from My Father, Obama ties his mother's family history to possible Native American ancestors and distant relatives ofJefferson Davis,President of the Confederate States of Americaduring theAmerican Civil War. He also shares distant ancestors in common withGeorge W. BushandDick Cheney, among others. Obama lived with anthropologistSheila Miyoshi Jagerwhile he was a community organizer in Chicago in the 1980s.He proposed to her twice, but both Jager and her parents turned him down.The relationship was not made public until May 2017, several months after his presidency had ended. In June 1989, Obama metMichelle Robinsonwhen he was employed atSidley Austin.Robinson was assigned for three months as","for three months as Obama's adviser at the firm, and she joined him at several group social functions but declined his initial requests to date.They began dating later that summer, became engaged in 1991, and were married on October 3, 1992.After suffering a miscarriage, Michelle underwentin vitro fertilizationto conceive their children.The couple's first daughter, Malia Ann, was born in 1998,followed by a second daughter, Natasha (\"Sasha\"), in 2001.The Obama daughters attended theUniversity of Chicago Laboratory Schools. When they moved to Washington, D.C., in January 2009, the girls started at theSidwell Friends School.The Obamas had twoPortuguese Water Dogs; the first, a male namedBo, was a gift from SenatorTed Kennedy.In 2013, Bo was joined bySunny, a female.Bo died of cancer on May 8, 2021. Obama is a supporter of theChicago White Sox, and he threw out the first pitch at the2005 ALCSwhen he was still a senator.In 2009, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at theAll-Star Gamewhile wearing a White Sox","wearing a White Sox jacket.He is also primarily aChicago Bearsfootball fan in theNFL, but in his childhood and adolescence was afan of the Pittsburgh Steelersand rooted for them ahead of their victory inSuper Bowl XLIII12 days after he took office as president.In 2011, Obama invited the1985 Chicago Bearsto the White House; the team had not visited the White House after theirSuper Bowl winin 1986 due to theSpace Shuttle Challenger disaster.He playsbasketball, a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team,and he is left-handed. In 2005, the Obama family applied the proceeds of a book deal and moved from aHyde Park, Chicagocondominium to a $1.6million house (equivalent to $2.5million in 2023) in neighboringKenwood, Chicago.The purchase of an adjacent lot—and sale of part of it to Obama by the wife of developer, campaign donor and friendTony Rezko—attracted media attention because of Rezko's subsequent indictment and conviction on political corruption charges that were unrelated to","were unrelated to Obama. In December 2007,Money Magazineestimated Obama's net worth at $1.3million (equivalent to $1.9million in 2023).Their 2009 tax return showed a household income of $5.5million—up from about $4.2million in 2007 and $1.6million in 2005—mostly from sales of his books.On his 2010 income of $1.7million, he gave 14 percent to non-profit organizations, including $131,000 toFisher House Foundation, a charity assisting wounded veterans' families, allowing them to reside near where the veteran is receiving medical treatments.Per his 2012 financial disclosure, Obama may be worth as much as $10million. Religious views Obama is aProtestantChristian whose religious views developed in his adult life.He wrote inThe Audacity of Hopethat he \"was not raised in a religious household.\" He described his mother, raised by non-religious parents, as being detached from religion, yet \"in many ways the most spiritually awakened person... I have ever known\", and \"a lonely witness forsecular humanism.\" He described","He described his father as a \"confirmedatheist\" by the time his parents met, and his stepfather as \"a man who saw religion as not particularly useful.\" Obama explained how, through working withblack churchesas acommunity organizerwhile in his twenties, he came to understand \"the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change.\" In January 2008, Obama toldChristianity Today: \"I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in theredemptive deathandresurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life.\"On September 27, 2010, Obama released a statement commenting on his religious views, saying: I'm a Christian by choice. My family didn't—frankly, they weren't folks who went to church every week. And my mother was one of the most spiritual people I knew, but she didn't raise me in the church. So I came to my Christian faith later in life, and it was because the precepts ofJesus Christspoke to me in terms of the kind of life","of the kind of life that I would want to lead—being my brothers' and sisters' keeper,treating others as they would treat me. Obama metTrinity United Church of ChristpastorJeremiah Wrightin October 1987 and became a member of Trinity in 1992.During Obama's first presidential campaign in May 2008, he resigned from Trinity aftersome of Wright's statements were criticized.Since moving to Washington, D.C., in 2009, the Obama family has attended several Protestant churches, includingShiloh Baptist ChurchandSt. John's Episcopal Church, as well as Evergreen Chapel atCamp David, but the members of the family do not attend church on a regular basis. In 2016, he said that he gets inspiration from a few items that remind him \"of all the different people I've met along the way\", adding: \"I carry these around all the time. I'm not that superstitious, so it's not like I think I necessarily have to have them on me at all times.\" The items, \"a whole bowl full\", include rosary beads given to him byPope Francis, a figurine of","a figurine of the Hindu deityHanuman, aCoptic crossfrom Ethiopia, a smallBuddha statuegiven by a monk, and a metal poker chip that used to be the lucky charm of a motorcyclist in Iowa. Legal career Civil rights attorney He joined Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, a 13-attorney law firm specializing in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development, where he was anassociatefor three years from 1993 to 1996, thenof counselfrom 1996 to 2004. In 1994, he was listed as one of the lawyers inBuycks-Roberson v. Citibank Fed. Sav. Bank, 94 C 4094 (N.D. Ill.). Thisclass action lawsuitwas filed in 1994 with Selma Buycks-Roberson as lead plaintiff and alleged that Citibank Federal Savings Bank had engaged in practices forbidden under theEqual Credit Opportunity Actand theFair Housing Act. The case was settled out of court. From 1994 to 2002, Obama served on the boards of directors of theWoods Fund of Chicago—which in 1985 had been the first foundation to fund the Developing Communities Project—and of","Project—and of theJoyce Foundation.He served on the board of directors of theChicago Annenberg Challengefrom 1995 to 2002, as founding president and chairman of the board of directors from 1995 to 1999.Obama's law license became inactive in 2007. Legislative career Illinois Senate (1997–2004) Obama was elected to theIllinois Senatein 1996, succeeding Democratic State SenatorAlice PalmerfromIllinois's 13th District, which, at that time, spanned Chicago South Side neighborhoods from Hyde Park–Kenwood south toSouth Shoreand west toChicago Lawn.Once elected, Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation that reformed ethics and health care laws.He sponsored a law that increasedtax creditsfor low-income workers, negotiatedwelfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported Republican GovernorGeorge Ryan'spayday loanregulations andpredatory mortgage lendingregulations aimed at averting homeforeclosures.","homeforeclosures. He was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998, defeating Republican Yesse Yehudah in the general election, and was re-elected again in 2002.In 2000, he lost aDemocratic primary raceforIllinois's 1st congressional districtin theUnited States House of Representativesto four-term incumbentBobby Rushby a margin of two to one. In January 2003, Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee when Democrats, after a decade in the minority, regained a majority.He sponsored and led unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitorracial profilingby requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained, and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.During his 2004 general election campaign for the U.S. Senate, police representatives credited Obama for his active engagement with police organizations in enactingdeath penaltyreforms.Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his","2004 following his election to the U.S. Senate. 2004 U.S. Senate campaign in Illinois In May 2002, Obama commissioned a poll to assess his prospects in a 2004 U.S. Senate race. He created a campaign committee, began raising funds, and lined up political media consultantDavid Axelrodby August 2002. Obama formally announced his candidacy in January 2003. Obama was an early opponent of the George W. Bush administration's2003 invasion of Iraq.On October 2, 2002, the day President Bush and Congress agreed on thejoint resolutionauthorizing theIraq War,Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicagoanti-Iraq War rally,and spoke out against the war.He addressed another anti-war rally in March 2003 and told the crowd \"it's not too late\" to stop the war. Decisions by Republican incumbentPeter Fitzgeraldand his Democratic predecessorCarol Moseley Braunnot to participate in the election resulted in wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving 15 candidates.In the March 2004 primary election, Obama won","election, Obama won in an unexpected landslide—which overnight made him a rising star within thenational Democratic Party, started speculation about a presidential future, and led to the reissue of his memoir,Dreams from My Father.In July 2004, Obama deliveredthe keynote addressat the2004 Democratic National Convention,seen by nine million viewers. His speech was well received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party. Obama's expected opponent in the general election, Republican primary winnerJack Ryan, withdrew from the race in June 2004.Six weeks later,Alan Keyesaccepted the Republican nomination to replace Ryan.In theNovember 2004 general election, Obama won with 70 percent of the vote, the largest margin of victory for a Senate candidate in Illinois history.He took 92 of the state's 102 counties, including several where Democrats traditionally do not do well. U.S. Senate (2005–2008) Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 3, 2005,becoming the only Senate member of theCongressional Black","Black Caucus.He introduced two initiatives that bore his name: Lugar–Obama, which expanded theNunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reductionconcept to conventional weapons;and theFederal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, which authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov, a web search engine on federal spending.On June 3, 2008, Senator Obama—along with SenatorsTom Carper,Tom Coburn, andJohn McCain—introduced follow-up legislation: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008.He alsocosponsoredtheSecure America and Orderly Immigration Act. In December 2006, President Bush signed into law theDemocratic Republic of the CongoRelief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.In January 2007, Obama and Senator Feingold introduced a corporate jet provision to theHonest Leadership and Open Government Act, which was signed into law in September 2007. Later in 2007, Obama sponsored an","Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to add safeguards for personality-disorder military discharges.This amendment passed the full Senate in the spring of 2008.He sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, which was never enacted but later incorporated in theComprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010;and co-sponsored legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to theState Children's Health Insurance Program, providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries. Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees forForeign Relations,Environment and Public Works, andVeterans' Affairsthrough December 2006.In January 2007, he left the Environment and Public Works committee and took additional assignments withHealth, Education, Labor and PensionsandHomeland Security and Governmental","and Governmental Affairs.He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee onEuropean Affairs.As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. He met withMahmoud Abbasbefore Abbas becamePresident of the Palestinian National Authorityand gave a speech at theUniversity of Nairobiin which he condemned corruption within the Kenyan government. Obamaresigned his Senate seaton November 16, 2008, to focus on his transition period for the presidency. Presidential campaigns 2008 On February 10, 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of theOld State Capitolbuilding inSpringfield, Illinois.The choice of the announcement site was viewed as symbolic, as it was also whereAbraham Lincolndelivered his\"House Divided\"speech in 1858.Obama emphasized issues of rapidly ending the Iraq War, increasingenergy independence, andreforming the health care system. Numerous candidates entered","candidates entered theDemocratic Party presidential primaries. The field narrowed to Obama and SenatorHillary Clintonafter early contests, with the race remaining close throughout the primary process, but Obama gained a steady lead in pledgeddelegatesdue to better long-range planning, superior fundraising, dominant organizing incaucusstates, and better exploitation of delegate allocation rules.On June 2, 2008, Obama had received enough votes to clinch his nomination. After an initial hesitation to concede, on June 7, Clinton ended her campaign and endorsed Obama.On August 23, 2008, Obama announced hisselectionofDelawareSenatorJoe Bidenas his vice presidential running mate.Obama selected Biden from a field speculated to include former Indiana Governor and SenatorEvan Bayhand Virginia GovernorTim Kaine.At theDemocratic National ConventioninDenver, Colorado, Hillary Clinton called for her supporters to endorse Obama, and she andBill Clintongave convention speeches in his support.Obama delivered his acceptance","his acceptance speech atInvesco Field at Mile Highstadium to a crowd of about eighty-four thousand; the speech was viewed by over three million people worldwide.During both the primary process and the general election, Obama's campaign set numerous fundraising records, particularly in the quantity of small donations.On June 19, 2008, Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn downpublic financingin the general election since the system was created in 1976. John McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate, and he selectedSarah Palinas his running mate. Obama and McCain engaged in threepresidential debatesin September and October 2008.On November 4, Obama won the presidency with 365electoral votesto 173 received by McCain.Obama won 52.9 percent of thepopular voteto McCain's 45.7 percent.He became the first African-American to be elected president.Obama deliveredhis victory speechbefore hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago'sGrant Park.He is one of the three United States","three United States senators moved directly from the U.S. Senate to the White House, the others beingWarren G. HardingandJohn F. Kennedy. 2012 On April 4, 2011, Obama filed election papers with theFederal Election Commissionand then announced his reelection campaign for 2012 in a video titled \"It Begins with Us\" that he posted on his website.As the incumbent president, he ran virtually unopposed in theDemocratic Party presidential primaries,and on April 3, 2012, Obama secured the 2778conventiondelegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.At theDemocratic National ConventioninCharlotte, North Carolina, Obama and Joe Biden were formally nominated by former President Bill Clinton as the Democratic Party candidates for president and vice president in the general election. Their main opponents were RepublicansMitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and RepresentativePaul Ryanof Wisconsin. On November 6, 2012, Obama won 332 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 required for him to be reelected as","to be reelected as president.With 51.1 percent of the popular vote,Obama became the first Democratic president sinceFranklin D. Rooseveltto win themajority of the popular votetwice.Obama addressed supporters and volunteers at Chicago'sMcCormick Placeafter his reelection and said: \"Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties.\" Presidency (2009–2017) First 100 days Theinauguration of Barack Obamaas the 44th president took place on January 20, 2009. In his first few days in office, Obama issuedexecutive ordersandpresidential memorandadirecting the U.S. military to develop plans to withdraw troops from Iraq.He ordered the closing of theGuantanamo Bay detention camp,but Congress prevented the closure by refusing to appropriate the required fundsand preventing moving any Guantanamo detainee.Obama reduced the secrecy given to presidential","to presidential records.He also revoked President George W. Bush's restoration of PresidentRonald Reagan'sMexico City policywhich prohibited federal aid to internationalfamily planningorganizations that perform or provide counseling about abortion. Domestic policy The first bill signed into law by Obama was theLilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, relaxing thestatute of limitationsfor equal-pay lawsuits.Five days later, he signed the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program to cover an additional four million uninsured children.In March 2009, Obama reversed a Bush-era policy that had limited funding ofembryonic stem cellresearch and pledged to develop \"strict guidelines\" on the research. Obama appointed two women to serve on the Supreme Court in the first two years of his presidency. He nominatedSonia Sotomayoron May 26, 2009, to replace retiringAssociate JusticeDavid Souter. She was confirmed on August 6, 2009,becoming the first Supreme Court Justice ofHispanicdescent.Obama","nominatedElena Kaganon May 10, 2010, to replace retiring Associate JusticeJohn Paul Stevens. She was confirmed on August 5, 2010, bringing the number of women sitting simultaneously on the Court to three for the first time in American history. On March 11, 2009, Obama created theWhite House Council on Women and Girls, which formed part of theOffice of Intergovernmental Affairs, having been established byExecutive Order13506with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to the welfare of American women and girls. The council was chaired bySenior Advisor to the PresidentValerie Jarrett. Obama also established theWhite House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assaultthrough a government memorandum on January 22, 2014, with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to sexual assault on college and university campuses throughout the United States. The co-chairs of the Task Force were Vice President Joe Biden and Jarrett. The Task Force was a development out of the White House Council on","House Council on Women and Girls andOffice of the Vice President of the United States, and prior to that the 1994Violence Against Women Actfirst drafted by Biden. In July 2009, Obama launched thePriority Enforcement Program, an immigration enforcement program that had been pioneered by George W. Bush, and theSecure Communitiesfingerprinting and immigration status data-sharing program. In amajor space policy speechin April 2010, Obama announced a planned change in direction atNASA, the U.S. space agency. He ended plans for a return ofhuman spaceflightto the moon and development of theAres Irocket,Ares Vrocket andConstellation program, in favor of fundingearth scienceprojects, a new rocket type, research and development for an eventual crewed mission to Mars, and ongoing missions to theInternational Space Station. On January 16, 2013, one month after theSandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Obama signed 23 executive orders and outlined a series of sweeping proposals regardinggun control.He urged Congress to","urged Congress to reintroduce anexpired banon military-styleassault weapons, such as those used in several recent mass shootings, impose limits on ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, introduce background checks on all gun sales, pass a ban on possession and sale of armor-piercing bullets, introduce harsher penalties for gun-traffickers, especially unlicensed dealers who buy arms for criminals and approving the appointment of the head of the federalBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosivesfor the first time since 2006.On January 5, 2016, Obama announced new executive actions extending background check requirements to more gun sellers.In a 2016 editorial inThe New York Times, Obama compared the struggle for what he termed \"common-sense gun reform\" towomen's suffrageand othercivil rights movementsin American history. In 2011, Obama signed a four-year renewal of the Patriot Act.Following the2013 global surveillance disclosuresbywhistleblowerEdward Snowden, Obama condemned the leak as unpatriotic,but","as unpatriotic,but called for increased restrictions on theNational Security Agency(NSA) to address violations of privacy.Obama continued and expanded surveillance programs set up by George W. Bush, while implementing some reforms.He supported legislation that would have limited the NSA's ability to collect phone records in bulk under a single program and supported bringing more transparency to theForeign Intelligence Surveillance Court(FISC). Racial issues In his speeches as president, Obama did not make more overt references to race relations than his predecessors,but according to one study, he implemented stronger policy action on behalf of African-Americans than any president since the Nixon era. Following Obama's election, many pondered the existence of a \"postracial America\".However, lingering racial tensions quickly became apparent,and many African-Americans expressed outrage over what they saw as an intense racial animosity directed at Obama.TheacquittalofGeorge Zimmermanfollowing thekilling of","thekilling of Trayvon Martinsparked national outrage, leading to Obama giving a speech in which he noted that \"Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago.\"The shooting ofMichael BrowninFerguson, Missourisparked a wave of protests.These and other events led to the birth of theBlack Lives Mattermovement, which campaigns against violence andsystemic racismtowardblack people.Though Obama entered office reluctant to talk about race, by 2014 he began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups. Several incidents during Obama's presidency generated disapproval from the African-American community and with law enforcement, and Obama sought to build trust between law enforcement officials and civil rights activists, with mixed results. Some in law enforcement criticized Obama's condemnation of racial bias after incidents in which police action led to the death of African-American men, while some racial justice activists criticized Obama's expressions of empathy for the police.In a","for the police.In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried \"a great deal\" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001. LGBT rights On October 8, 2009, Obama signed theMatthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a measure that expanded the1969 United States federal hate-crime lawto include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.On October 30, 2009, Obama lifted the ban on travel to the United States by those infected with HIV. The lifting of the ban was celebrated byImmigration Equality.On December 22, 2010, Obama signed theDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which fulfilled a promise made in the 2008 presidential campaignto end thedon't ask, don't tellpolicy of 1993 that had prevented gay and lesbian people from serving openly in theUnited States Armed Forces. In 2016, the Pentagon ended the policy that barredtransgender people from serving","people from serving openly in the military. Same-sex marriage As a candidate for the Illinois state senate in 1996, Obama stated he favored legalizingsame-sex marriage.During his Senate run in 2004, he said he supported civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex partners but opposed same-sex marriages.In 2008, he reaffirmed this position by stating \"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage.\"On May 9, 2012, shortly after the official launch of his campaign for re-election as president, Obama said his views had evolved, and he publicly affirmed his personal support for the legalization of same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so.During his secondinaugural addresson January 21, 2013,Obama became the first U.S. president in office to call for full equality for gay Americans, and the first to mentiongay rightsor the word \"gay\" in an inaugural address.In 2013, the Obama administration filed briefs that urged theSupreme Courtto rule in","Courtto rule in favor of same-sex couples in the cases ofHollingsworth v. Perry(regarding same-sex marriage)andUnited States v. Windsor(regarding theDefense of Marriage Act). Economic policy On February 17, 2009, Obama signed theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $787billion (equivalent to $1118 billion in 2023)economic stimuluspackage aimed at helping the economy recover from thedeepening worldwide recession.The act includes increased federal spending for health care, infrastructure, education, various tax breaks andincentives, and direct assistance to individuals.In March 2009, Obama's Treasury Secretary,Timothy Geithner, took further steps to manage thefinancial crisis, including introducing thePublic–Private Investment Program for Legacy Assets, which contains provisions for buying up to $2trillion in depreciated real estate assets. Obama intervened in thetroubled automotive industryin March 2009, renewing loans forGeneral Motors(GM) andChryslerto continue operations while reorganizing.","while reorganizing. Over the following months the White House set terms for both firms' bankruptcies, including thesale of Chryslerto Italian automakerFiatand areorganization of GMgiving the U.S. government a temporary 60 percent equity stake in the company.In June 2009, dissatisfied with the pace of economic stimulus, Obama called on his cabinet to accelerate the investment.He signed into law theCar Allowance Rebate System, known colloquially as \"Cash for Clunkers\", which temporarily boosted the economy. The Bush and Obama administrations authorized spending and loan guarantees from theFederal Reserveand theDepartment of the Treasury. These guarantees totaled about $11.5trillion, but only $3trillion had been spent by the end of November 2009.On August 2, 2011, after a lengthy congressional debate over whether to raise the nation's debt limit, Obama signed the bipartisanBudget Control Act of 2011. The legislation enforced limits on discretionary spending until 2021, established a procedure to increase the","to increase the debt limit, created a Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to propose further deficit reduction with a stated goal of achieving at least $1.5trillion in budgetary savings over 10 years, and established automatic procedures for reducing spending by as much as $1.2trillion if legislation originating with the new joint select committee did not achieve such savings.By passing the legislation, Congress was able to prevent aU.S. governmentdefaulton its obligations. The unemployment rate rose in 2009, reaching a peak in October at 10.0 percent and averaging 10.0 percent in the fourth quarter. Following a decrease to 9.7 percent in the first quarter of 2010, the unemployment rate fell to 9.6 percent in the second quarter, where it remained for the rest of the year.Between February and December 2010, employment rose by 0.8 percent, which was less than the average of 1.9 percent experienced during comparable periods in the past four employment recoveries.By November 2012, the","November 2012, the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent,decreasing to 6.7 percent in the last month of 2013.During 2014, the unemployment rate continued to decline, falling to 6.3 percent in the first quarter.GDP growth returned in the third quarter of 2009, expanding at a rate of 1.6 percent, followed by a 5.0 percent increase in the fourth quarter.Growth continued in 2010, posting an increase of 3.7 percent in the first quarter, with lesser gains throughout the rest of the year.In July 2010, the Federal Reserve noted that economic activity continued to increase, but its pace had slowed, and chairmanBen Bernankesaid the economic outlook was \"unusually uncertain\".Overall, the economy expanded at a rate of 2.9 percent in 2010. TheCongressional Budget Office(CBO) and a broad range of economists credit Obama's stimulus plan for economic growth.The CBO released a report stating that the stimulus bill increased employment by 1–2.1million,while conceding that \"it is impossible to determine how many of the","how many of the reported jobs would have existed in the absence of the stimulus package.\"Although an April 2010, survey of members of theNational Association for Business Economicsshowed an increase in job creation (over a similar January survey) for the first time in two years, 73 percent of 68 respondents believed the stimulus bill has had no impact on employment.The economy of the United States has grown faster than the other originalNATOmembers by a wider margin under President Obama than it has anytime since the end ofWorld War II.TheOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Developmentcredits the much faster growth in the United States to the stimulus plan of the U.S. and the austerity measures in the European Union. Within a month of the2010 midterm elections, Obama announced a compromise deal with the Congressional Republican leadership that included a temporary, two-year extension of the2001 and 2003 income tax rates, a one-yearpayroll taxreduction, continuation of unemployment benefits, and a new","benefits, and a new rate and exemption amount forestate taxes.The compromise overcame opposition from some in both parties, and the resulting $858billion (equivalent to $1.2 trillion in 2023)Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010passed with bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress before Obama signed it on December 17, 2010. In December 2013, Obama declared that growingincome inequalityis a \"defining challenge of our time\" and called on Congress to bolster the safety net and raise wages. This came on the heels of thenationwide strikes of fast-food workersand Pope Francis' criticism of inequality andtrickle-down economics.Obama urged Congress to ratify a 12-nation free trade pact called theTrans-Pacific Partnership. Environmental policy On April 20, 2010, an explosion destroyed an offshoredrilling rigat theMacondo Prospectin theGulf of Mexico, causing amajor sustained oil leak. Obama visited the Gulf, announced a federal investigation, and formed a bipartisan","formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards, after a review bySecretary of the InteriorKen Salazarand concurrent Congressional hearings. He then announced a six-month moratorium on newdeepwater drillingpermits and leases, pending regulatory review.As multiple efforts by BP failed, some in the media and public expressed confusion and criticism over various aspects of the incident, and stated a desire for more involvement by Obama and the federal government.Prior to the oil spill, on March 31, 2010, Obama ended a ban on oil and gas drilling along the majority of theEast Coast of the United Statesand along the coast ofnorthern Alaskain an effort to win support for an energy and climate bill and to reduce foreign imports of oil and gas. In July 2013, Obama expressed reservations and said he \"would reject theKeystone XL pipelineif it increased carbon pollution greenhouse emissions.\"On February 24, 2015, Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the pipeline.It was the third veto of","the third veto of Obama's presidency and his first major veto. In December 2016, Obama permanently banned new offshore oil and gas drilling in most United States-owned waters in theAtlanticand Arctic Oceans using the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Act. Obama emphasized theconservationoffederal landsduring his term in office. He used his power under theAntiquities Actto create 25 newnational monumentsduring his presidency and expand four others, protecting a total of 553,000,000 acres (224,000,000 ha) of federal lands and waters, more than any other U.S. president. Health care reform Obama called forCongressto pass legislation reforminghealth care in the United States, a key campaign promise and a top legislative goal.He proposed an expansion of health insurance coverage to cover the uninsured, cap premium increases, and allow people to retain their coverage when they leave or change jobs. His proposal was to spend $900billion over ten years and include a government insurance plan, also known as thepublic","known as thepublic option, to compete with the corporate insurance sector as a main component to lowering costs and improving quality of health care. It would also make it illegal for insurers to drop sick people or deny them coverage forpre-existing conditions, and require every American to carry health coverage. The plan also includes medical spending cuts and taxes on insurance companies that offer expensive plans. On July 14, 2009, House Democratic leaders introduced a 1,017-page plan for overhauling the U.S. health care system, which Obama wanted Congress to approve by the end of 2009.After public debate during the Congressional summer recess of 2009, Obama delivereda speech to a joint session of Congresson September 9 where he addressed concerns over the proposals.In March 2009, Obama lifted a ban on using federal funds for stem cell research. On November 7, 2009, a health care bill featuring the public option was passed in the House.On December 24, 2009, the Senate passed its own bill—without a public","a public option—on a party-line vote of 60–39.On March 21, 2010, thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act(ACA, colloquially \"Obamacare\") passed by the Senate in December was passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212. Obama signed the bill into law on March 23, 2010. The ACA includeshealth-related provisions, most of which took effect in 2014, including expandingMedicaideligibility for people making up to 133 percentof thefederal poverty level(FPL) starting in 2014,subsidizing insurance premiums for people making up to 400 percentof the FPL ($88,000 for family of four in 2010) so their maximum \"out-of-pocket\" payment for annual premiums will be from 2 percent to 9.5 percent of income,providing incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits, prohibiting denial of coverage and denial of claims based on pre-existing conditions, establishinghealth insurance exchanges, prohibiting annual coverage caps, and support for medical research. According to White House and CBO figures, the maximum share","the maximum share of income that enrollees would have to pay would vary depending on their income relative to the federal poverty level. The costs of these provisions are offset by taxes, fees, and cost-saving measures, such as new Medicare taxes for those in high-incomebrackets, taxes onindoor tanning, cuts to theMedicare Advantageprogram in favor of traditional Medicare, and fees on medical devices and pharmaceutical companies;there is also a tax penalty for those who do not obtain health insurance, unless they are exempt due to low income or other reasons.In March 2010, the CBO estimated that the net effect of both laws will be a reduction in the federal deficit by $143billion over the first decade. The law faced several legal challenges, primarily based on the argument that an individual mandate requiring Americans to buy health insurance was unconstitutional. On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5–4 vote inNational Federation of Independent Business v. Sebeliusthat the mandate was","the mandate was constitutional under the U.S. Congress's taxing authority.InBurwell v. Hobby Lobbythe Court ruled that \"closely-held\" for-profit corporations could be exempt on religious grounds under theReligious Freedom Restoration Actfrom regulations adopted under the ACA that would have required them to pay for insurance that covered certain contraceptives. In June 2015, the Court ruled 6–3 inKing v. Burwellthat subsidies to help individuals and families purchase health insurance were authorized for those doing so on both the federal exchange and state exchanges, not only those purchasing plans \"established by the State\", as the statute reads. Foreign policy In February and March 2009, Vice President Joe Biden andSecretary of StateHillary Clinton made separate overseas trips to announce a \"new era\" in U.S. foreign relations with Russia and Europe, using the terms \"break\" and \"reset\" to signal major changes from the policies of the preceding administration.Obama attempted to reach out to Arab leaders by","to Arab leaders by granting his first interview to an Arab satellite TV network,Al Arabiya.On March 19, Obama continued his outreach to the Muslim world, releasing a New Year's video message to the people and government of Iran.On June 4, 2009, Obama delivered a speech atCairo Universityin Egypt calling for \"A New Beginning\" in relations between the Islamic world and the United States and promoting Middle East peace.On June 26, 2009, Obama condemned the Iranian government's actions towards protesters followingIran's 2009 presidential election. In 2011, Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen which targeted and killedAnwar al-Awlaki, an American imam suspected of being a leadingAl-Qaedaorganizer. al-Awlaki became the firstU.S. citizento be targeted and killed by aU.S. drone strike. The Department of Justice released a memo justifying al-Awlaki's death as a lawful act of war,while civil liberties advocates described it as a violation of al-Awlaki's constitutional right todue process. The killing led to","The killing led to significant controversy.Histeenage sonandyoung daughter, also Americans, were later killed in separateUS military actions, although they were not targeted specifically. In March 2015, Obama declared that he had authorized U.S. forces to provide logistical and intelligence support to the Saudis in theirmilitary intervention in Yemen, establishing a \"Joint Planning Cell\" with Saudi Arabia.In 2016, the Obama administration proposed a series ofarms deals with Saudi Arabiaworth $115billion.Obama halted the sale of guided munition technology toSaudi Arabiaafter Saudi warplanestargeted a funeralin Yemen's capital Sanaa, killing more than 140 people. In September 2016 Obama was snubbed byXi Jinpingand theChinese Communist Partyas he descended fromAir Force Oneto the tarmac ofHangzhou International Airportfor the2016 G20 Hangzhou summitwithout the usual red carpet welcome. War in Iraq On February 27, 2009, Obama announced that combat operations in Iraq would end within 18 months.The Obama","18 months.The Obama administration scheduled the withdrawal of combat troops to be completed by August 2010, decreasing troop's levels from 142,000 while leaving a transitional force of about 50,000 in Iraq until the end of 2011. On August 19, 2010, the last U.S. combat brigade exited Iraq. Remaining troops transitioned from combat operations tocounter-terrorismand the training, equipping, and advising of Iraqi security forces.On August 31, 2010, Obama announced that the United States combat mission in Iraq was over.On October 21, 2011, President Obama announced that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq in time to be \"home for the holidays.\" In June 2014, following thecapture of MosulbyISIL, Obama sent 275 troops to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. ISIS continued to gain ground and to commitwidespread massacres and ethnic cleansing.In August 2014, during theSinjar massacre, Obama ordered acampaign of U.S. airstrikes against ISIL.By the end of 2014, 3,100 American","3,100 American ground troops were committed to the conflictand 16,000 sorties were flown over the battlefield, primarily by U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots.In early 2015, with the addition of the \"Panther Brigade\" of the82nd Airborne Divisionthe number of U.S. ground troops in Iraq increased to 4,400,and by July American-led coalition air forces counted 44,000 sorties over the battlefield. Afghanistan and Pakistan In his election campaign, Obama called the war in Iraq a \"dangerous distraction\" and that emphasis should instead be put on the war in Afghanistan,the region he cites as being most likely where an attack against the United States could be launched again.Early in his presidency, Obama moved to bolster U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan. He announced an increase in U.S. troop levels to 17,000 military personnel in February 2009 to \"stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan\", an area he said had not received the \"strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires.\"He replaced","replaced the military commander in Afghanistan, GeneralDavid D. McKiernan, with formerSpecial Forcescommander Lt. Gen.Stanley A. McChrystalin May 2009, indicating that McChrystal's Special Forces experience would facilitate the use of counterinsurgency tactics in the war.On December 1, 2009, Obama announced the deployment of an additional 30,000 military personnel to Afghanistan and proposed to begin troop withdrawals 18 months from that date;this took place in July 2011.David Petraeusreplaced McChrystal in June 2010, after McChrystal's staff criticized White House personnel in a magazine article.In February 2013, Obama said the U.S. military would reduce the troop level in Afghanistan from 68,000 to 34,000 U.S. troops by February 2014.In October 2015, the White House announced a plan to keep U.S. Forces in Afghanistan indefinitely in light of the deteriorating security situation. Regarding neighboring Pakistan, Obama called its tribal border region the \"greatest threat\" to the security of Afghanistan and","of Afghanistan and Americans, saying that he \"cannot tolerate a terrorist sanctuary.\" In the same speech, Obama claimed that the U.S. \"cannot succeed in Afghanistan or secure our homeland unless we change our Pakistan policy.\" Death of Osama bin Laden Starting with information received from Central Intelligence Agency operatives in July 2010, the CIA developed intelligence over the next several months that determined what they believed to be the hideout ofOsama bin Laden. He was living in seclusion ina large compoundinAbbottabad, Pakistan, a suburban area 35 miles (56 km) fromIslamabad.CIA headLeon Panettareported this intelligence to President Obama in March 2011.Meeting with his national security advisers over the course of the next six weeks, Obama rejected a plan to bomb the compound, and authorized a \"surgical raid\" to be conducted byUnited States Navy SEALs.The operation took place on May 1, 2011, and resulted in the shooting death of bin Laden and the seizure of papers, computer drives and disks from","and disks from the compound.DNA testing was one of five methods used to positively identify bin Laden's corpse,which was buried at sea several hours later.Within minutes of the President's announcement from Washington, DC, late in the evening on May 1, there were spontaneous celebrations around the country as crowds gathered outside the White House, and at New York City'sGround ZeroandTimes Square.Reaction to the announcementwas positive across party lines, including from former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Relations with Cuba Since the spring of 2013, secret meetings were conducted between the United States and Cuba in the neutral locations of Canada andVatican City.The Vatican first became involved in 2013 when Pope Francis advised the U.S. and Cuba toexchange prisonersas a gesture of goodwill.On December 10, 2013, Cuban PresidentRaúl Castro, in a significant public moment, greeted and shook hands with Obama at theNelson Mandela memorial serviceinJohannesburg. In December 2014, after the","2014, after the secret meetings, it was announced that Obama, with Pope Francis as an intermediary, had negotiated a restoration of relations with Cuba, after nearly sixty years of détente.Popularly dubbed theCuban Thaw,The New Republicdeemed the Cuban Thaw to be \"Obama's finest foreign policy achievement.\"On July 1, 2015, President Obama announced that formal diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States would resume, and embassies would be opened in Washington andHavana.The countries' respective \"interests sections\" in one another's capitals were upgraded to embassies on July 20 and August 13, 2015, respectively.Obama visited Havana, Cuba for two days in March 2016, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to arrive sinceCalvin Coolidgein 1928. Israel During the initial years of the Obama administration, the U.S. increased military cooperation with Israel, including increased military aid, re-establishment of theU.S.-Israeli Joint Political Military Groupand the Defense Policy Advisory Group,","Advisory Group, and an increase in visits among high-level military officials of both countries.The Obama administration asked Congress to allocate money toward funding theIron Domeprogram in response to the waves ofPalestinian rocket attacks on Israel.In March 2010, Obama took a public stance against plans by the government of Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuto continue building Jewish housing projects in predominantly Arab neighborhoods ofEast Jerusalem.In 2011, the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution condemningIsraeli settlements, with the United States being the only nation to do so.Obama supports thetwo-state solutionto theArab–Israeli conflictbased on the 1967 borders with land swaps. In 2013,Jeffrey Goldbergreported that, in Obama's view, \"with each new settlement announcement, Netanyahu is moving his country down a path toward near-total isolation.\"In 2014, Obama likened theZionist movementto thecivil rights movementin the United States. He said both movements seek to bring","seek to bring justice and equal rights to historically persecuted peoples, explaining: \"To me, being pro-Israel and pro-Jewish is part and parcel with the values that I've been fighting for since I was politically conscious and started getting involved in politics.\"Obama expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself during the2014 Israel–Gaza conflict.In 2015, Obama was harshly criticized by Israel for advocating and signing theIran Nuclear Deal; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had advocated the U.S. congress to oppose it, said the deal was \"dangerous\" and \"bad.\" On December 23, 2016, under the Obama Administration, the United States abstained fromUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building in the occupiedPalestinian territoriesas a violation of international law, effectively allowing it to pass.Netanyahu strongly criticized the Obama administration's actions,and the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the organization,","the organization, which totaled $6million, on January 6, 2017.On January 5, 2017, the United States House of Representatives voted 342–80 to condemn the UN Resolution. Libya In February 2011, protests in Libya began against long-time dictatorMuammar Gaddafias part of theArab Spring. They soon turned violent. In March, as forces loyal to Gaddafi advanced on rebels across Libya, calls for a no-fly zone came from around the world, including Europe, theArab League, and a resolutionpassed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.In response to the passage ofUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1973on March 17, the Foreign Minister of Libya Moussa Koussa announced a ceasefire. However Gaddafi's forces continued to attack the rebels. On March 19 a multinational coalition lead by France and the United Kingdom with Italian and U.S. support, approved by Obama, took part in air strikes to destroy the Libyan government's air defense capabilities to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly-zone,including the use ofTomahawk","the use ofTomahawk missiles,B-2 Spirits, and fighter jets.Six days later, on March 25, by unanimous vote of all its 28 members, NATO took over leadership of the effort, dubbedOperation Unified Protector.Some members of Congressquestioned whether Obama had the constitutional authority to order military action in addition to questioning its cost, structure and aftermath.In 2016 Obama said \"Our coalition could have and should have done more to fill a vacuum left behind\" and that it was \"a mess\".He has stated that the lack of preparation surrounding the days following the government's overthrow was the \"worst mistake\" of his presidency. Syrian civil war On August 18, 2011, several months after the start of theSyrian civil war, Obama issued a written statement that said: \"The time has come forPresident Assadto step aside.\"This stance was reaffirmed in November 2015.In 2012, Obama authorized multipleprograms run by the CIAand the Pentagon to train anti-Assad rebels.The Pentagon-run program was later found to have","later found to have failed and was formally abandoned in October 2015. In the wake of achemical weapons attackin Syria,formally blamedby the Obama administration on the Assad government, Obama chose not to enforce the \"red line\" he had pledgedand, rather than authorize the promised military action against Assad, went along with the Russia-brokered deal that led to Assadgiving up chemical weapons; however attacks withchlorine gascontinued.In 2014, Obama authorized anair campaign aimed primarily at ISIL. Iran nuclear talks On October 1, 2009, the Obama administration went ahead with a Bush administration program, increasing nuclear weapons production. The \"Complex Modernization\" initiative expanded two existing nuclear sites to produce new bomb parts. In November 2013, the Obama administration openednegotiationswith Iran to prevent it from acquiringnuclear weapons, which included aninterim agreement. Negotiations took two years with numerous delays, with a deal being announced on July 14, 2015. The deal titled","The deal titled the \"Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action\" saw sanctions removed in exchange for measures that would prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. While Obama hailed the agreement as being a step towards a more hopeful world, the deal drew strong criticism from Republican and conservative quarters, and from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.In addition, the transfer of $1.7billion in cash to Iran shortly after the deal was announced was criticized by the Republican party. The Obama administration said that the payment in cash was because of the \"effectiveness of U.S. and international sanctions.\"In order to advance the deal, the Obama administration shieldedHezbollahfrom theDrug Enforcement Administration'sProject Cassandrainvestigation regarding drug smuggling and from theCentral Intelligence Agency.On a side note, the very same year, in December 2015, Obama started a $348billion worth program to back the biggest U.S. buildup of nuclear arms since Ronald Reagan left the White House.","the White House. Russia In March 2010, an agreement was reached with the administration of Russian PresidentDmitry Medvedevto replace the1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treatywith a new pact reducing the number of long-range nuclear weapons in the arsenals of both countries by about a third.Obama and Medvedev signed theNew STARTtreaty in April 2010, and theU.S. Senateratified it in December 2010.In December 2011, Obama instructed agencies to considerLGBT rightswhen issuing financial aid to foreign countries.In August 2013, he criticized Russia's law that discriminates against gays,but he stopped short of advocating a boycott of the upcoming2014 Winter OlympicsinSochi, Russia. AfterRussia's invasion of Crimeain 2014,military intervention in Syriain 2015, andthe interferencein the2016 U.S. presidential election,George Robertson, a former UK defense secretary and NATO secretary-general, said Obama had \"allowed Putin to jump back on the world stage and test the resolve of the West\", adding that the legacy of this","the legacy of this disaster would last. Cultural and political image Obama's family history, upbringing, andIvy Leagueeducation differ markedly from those of African-American politicians who launched their careers in the 1960s through participation in the civil rights movement.Expressing puzzlement over questions about whether he is \"black enough\", Obama told an August 2007 meeting of theNational Association of Black Journaliststhat \"we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong.\"Obama acknowledged his youthful image in an October 2007 campaign speech, saying: \"I wouldn't be here if, time and again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation.\"Additionally, Obama has frequently been referred to as an exceptional orator.During his pre-inauguration transition period and continuing into his presidency, Obama delivered a series of weekly Internet video addresses. Job approval According to theGallup Organization, Obama began his presidency with a 68","with a 68 percentapproval rating,the fifth highest for a president following their swearing in.His ratings remained above the majority level until November 2009and by August 2010 his approval was in the low 40s,a trend similar to Ronald Reagan's and Bill Clinton's first years in office.Following thedeath of Osama bin Ladenon May 2, 2011, Obama experienced a small poll bounce and steadily maintained 50–53 percent approval for about a month, until his approval numbers dropped back to the low 40s. His approval rating fell to 38 percent on several occasions in late 2011before recovering in mid-2012 with polls showing an average approval of 50 percent.After his second inauguration in 2013, Obama's approval ratings remained stable around 52 percentbefore declining for the rest of the year and eventually bottoming out at 39 percent in December.In polling conducted before the2014 midterm elections, Obama's approval ratings were at their lowestwith his disapproval rating reaching a high of 57 percent.His approval","approval rating continued to lag throughout most of 2015 but began to reach the high 40s by the end of the year.According to Gallup, Obama's approval rating reached 50 percent in March 2016, a level unseen since May 2013.In polling conducted January 16–19, 2017, Obama's final approval rating was 59 percent, which placed him on par withGeorge H. W. BushandDwight D. Eisenhower, whose final Gallup ratings also measured in the high 50s. Obama has maintained relatively positive public perceptions after his presidency.In Gallup's retrospective approval polls of former presidents, Obama garnered a 63 percent approval rating in 2018 and again in 2023, ranking him the fourth most popular president since World War II. Foreign perceptions Polls showed strong support for Obama in other countries both before and during his presidency.In a February 2009 poll conducted in Western Europe and the U.S. byHarris InteractiveforFrance 24and theInternational Herald Tribune, Obama was rated as the most respected world leader, as","world leader, as well as the most powerful.In a similar poll conducted by Harris in May 2009, Obama was rated as the most popular world leader, as well as the one figure most people would pin their hopes on for pulling the world out of the economic downturn. On October 9, 2009—only nine months into his first term—theNorwegian Nobel Committeeannounced that Obama had won the2009 Nobel Peace Prize\"for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples\",which drew a mixture of praise and criticism from world leaders and media figures.He became the fourth U.S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and the third to become a Nobel laureate while in office.He himself called it a \"call to action\" and remarked: \"I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments but rather an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations\". Thanks, Obama In 2009 the saying \"thanks, Obama\" first appeared in aTwitter hashtag\"#thanks","hashtag\"#thanks Obama\" and was later used in a demotivational poster. It was later adopted satirically to blame Obama for any socio-economic ills. Obama himself used the phrase in video in 2015 and 2016. In 2017 the phrase was used byStephen Colbertto express gratitude to Obama on his last day in office. In 2022, President Joe Biden's Twitter account posted the phrase. Post-presidency (2017–present) Obama's presidency ended on January 20, 2017, upon theinaugurationof his successor,Donald Trump.The family moved to a house they rented inKalorama, Washington, D.C.On March 2, theJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museumawarded theProfile in Courage Awardto Obama \"for his enduring commitment to democratic ideals and elevating the standard of political courage.\"His first public appearance since leaving the office was a seminar at theUniversity of Chicagoon April 24, where he appealed for a new generation to participate in politics.On September 7, Obama partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.","Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush to work withOne America Appealto help the victims ofHurricane HarveyandHurricane Irmain theGulf CoastandTexascommunities.From October 31 to November 1, Obama hosted the inaugural summit of theObama Foundation,which he intended to be the central focus of his post-presidency and part of his ambitions for his subsequent activities following his presidency to be more consequential than his time in office. Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal on May 22, 2018, to produce docu-series, documentaries and features forNetflixunder the Obamas' newly formed production company,Higher Ground Productions.Higher Ground's first film,American Factory, won theAcademy Award for Best Documentary Featurein 2020.On October 24, a pipe bomb addressed to Obama was intercepted by the Secret Service. It was one of several pipe-bombs that had beenmailed out to Democratic lawmakers and officials.In 2019, Barack and Michelle Obama bought a home onMartha's VineyardfromWyc","VineyardfromWyc Grousbeck.On October 29, Obama criticized \"wokeness\" andcall-out cultureat the Obama Foundation's annual summit. Obama was reluctant to make an endorsement in the2020 Democratic presidential primariesbecause he wanted to position himself to unify the party, regardless of the nominee.On April 14, 2020, Obama endorsed Biden, the presumptive nominee, for president inthe presidential election, stating that he has \"all the qualities we need in a president right now.\"In May, Obama criticized President Trump forhis handlingof theCOVID-19 pandemic, calling his response to the crisis \"an absolute chaotic disaster\", and stating that the consequences of theTrump presidencyhave been \"our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.\"On November 17, Obama's presidential memoir,A Promised Land, was released. In February 2021, Obama and musicianBruce Springsteenstarted a podcast calledRenegades: Born in the","Born in the USAwhere the two talk about \"their backgrounds, music and their 'enduring love of America.'\"Later that year, Regina Hicks had signed a deal withNetflix, in a venture with his and Michelle's Higher Ground to develop comedy projects. On March 4, 2022, Obama won an Audio Publishers Association (APA) Award in the best narration by the author category for the narration of his memoirA Promised Land.On April 5, Obama visited the White House for the first time since leaving office, in an event celebrating the 12th annual anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act.In June, it was announced that the Obamas and their podcast production company, Higher Ground, signed a multi-year deal withAudible.In September, Obama visited the White House to unveil his and Michelle's official White House portraits.Around the same time, he won aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narratorfor his narration in the Netflix documentary seriesOur Great National Parks. In 2022, Obama opposed expanding the Supreme Court","the Supreme Court beyond the present nine Justices. In March 2023, Obama traveled to Australia as a part of his speaking tour of the country. During the trip, Obama met with Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albaneseand visitedMelbournefor the first time.Obama was reportedly paid more than $1 million for two speeches. In October 2023, during the Israel–Hamas war, Obama declared thatIsraelmust dismantleHamasin the wake of the2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.Weeks later, Obama warnedIsraelthat its actions could \"harden Palestinian attitudes for generations\" and weaken international support for Israel; any military strategy that ignored the war's human costs \"could ultimately backfire.\" In July 2024, Obama expressed concerns about Biden's campaign viability. Legacy and recognition He has been described as one of the most effective campaigners in American history (his 2008 campaign being particularly highlighted) as well as one of the most talented political orators of the 21st century.HistorianJulian","Zelizercredits Obama with \"a keen sense of how the institutions of government work and the ways that his team could design policy proposals.\" Zeitzer notes Obama's policy successes included the economic stimulus package which ended theGreat Recessionand theDodd-Frankfinancial and consumer protection reforms, as well as theAffordable Care Act. Zeitzer also notes the Democratic Party lost power and numbers of elected officials during Obama's term, saying that the consensus among historians is that Obama \"turned out to be a very effective policymaker but not a tremendously successful party builder.\" Zeitzer calls this the \"defining paradox of Obama's presidency\". TheBrookings Institutionnoted that Obama passed \"only one major legislative achievement (Obamacare)—and a fragile one at that—the legacy of Obama's presidency mainly rests on its tremendous symbolic importance and the fate of a patchwork of executive actions.\"David W. Wise noted that Obama fell short \"in areas many Progressives hold dear\", including","dear\", including the continuation of drone strikes, not going after big banks during the Great Recession, and failing to strengthen his coalition before pushing for Obamacare. Wise called Obama's legacy that of \"a disappointingly conventional president\". Obama's most significant accomplishment is generally considered to be the Affordable Care Act (ACA), provisions of which went into effect from 2010 to 2020. Many attempts by Senate Republicans to repeal the ACA, including a \"skinny repeal\", have thus far failed.However, in 2017, the penalty for violating the individual mandate was repealed effective 2019.Together with theHealth Care and Education Reconciliation Actamendment, it represents the U.S. healthcare system's most significant regulatory overhaul and expansion of coverage since the passage ofMedicareand Medicaid in 1965. Many commentators credit Obama with averting a threateneddepressionand pulling the economy back from the Great Recession.According to theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, theObama","theObama administrationcreated 11.3 million jobs from the month after his first inauguration to the end of his second term.In 2010, Obama signed into effect the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Passed as a response to thefinancial crisis of 2007–2008, it brought the most significant changes tofinancial regulationin the United States since the regulatory reform that followed theGreat Depressionunder Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 2009, Obama signed into law theNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which contained in it the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the first addition to existing federal hate crime law in the United States since Democratic President Bill Clinton signed into law the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996. The act expandedexisting federal hate crime laws in the United States, and made it a federal crime to assault people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. As president, Obama","As president, Obama advanced LGBT rights.In 2010, he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, which brought an end to \"don't ask, don't tell\" policy in the U.S. armed forces that banned open service fromLGBTpeople; the law went into effect the following year.In 2016, his administration brought an end to the ban ontransgenderpeople serving openly in the U.S. armed forces.AGallup poll, taken in the final days of Obama's term, showed that 68 percent of Americans believed the U.S. had made progress on LGBT rights during Obama's eight years in office. Obama substantially escalated the use ofdrone strikesagainst suspected militants and terrorists associated with al-Qaeda and theTaliban.In 2016, the last year of his presidency, the U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries.Obama left about 8,400 U.S. troops inAfghanistan, 5,262 in Iraq, 503 in Syria, 133 in Pakistan, 106 in Somalia, seven in Yemen, and two in Libya at the end of his presidency. According toPew Research CenterandUnited States Bureau","States Bureau of Justice Statistics, from December 31, 2009, to December 31, 2015, inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody declined by five percent. This is the largest decline in sentenced inmates in U.S. federal custody since Democratic PresidentJimmy Carter. By contrast, the federal prison population increased significantly under presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Human Rights Watch(HRW) called Obama's human rights record \"mixed\", adding that \"he has often treated human rights as a secondary interest—nice to support when the cost was not too high, but nothing like a top priority he championed.\" Obama left office in January 2017 with a 60 percent approval rating.He gained 10 spots from the same survey in 2015 from the Brookings Institution that ranked him the 18th-greatest American president.In Gallup's 2018 job approval poll for the past 10 U.S. presidents, he received a 63 percent approval rating. Presidential library The Barack Obama Presidential Center is","Center is Obama's plannedpresidential library. It will be hosted by the University of Chicago and located inJackson Parkon the South Side of Chicago. Awards and honors Obama received theNorwegian Nobel Committee'sNobel Peace Prizein 2009,The Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education's Ambassador of Humanity Awardin 2014, theJohn F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Awardin 2017, and theRobert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awardin 2018. He was namedTIMEMagazine'sTimePerson of the Yearin 2008 and 2012. He also received twoGrammy Awards for Best Spoken Word AlbumforDreams from My Father(2006), andThe Audacity of Hope(2008) as well as twoPrimetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding NarratorforOur Great National Parks(2022), andWorking: What We Do All Day(2023). He also won twoChildren's and Family Emmy Awards. Eponymy Bibliography Books Audiobooks Articles See also Politics Other Lists Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links Official Other","X-Men: The Animated Series X-Men: The Animated Series, also known asX-Men, is ananimatedsuperherotelevision series aired in the United States for five seasons from October 31, 1992, to September 20, 1997, onFox'sFox Kidsprogramming block.It wasMarvel Comics' second attempt at an animatedX-Mentelevision series after the pilotX-Men: Pryde of the X-Menwas not picked up.Set in the samefictional universeasSpider-Man(1994–1998), Earth-92131,it was followed by arevival,X-Men '97, which began airing on March 20, 2024, onDisney+to critical acclaim. Production In March 1990,Margaret Loesch(who had previously worked as president and chief executive officer atMarvel Productions) became head ofFox Children's Network.Having championed thePryde of the X-Menpilotin 1989, she ordered 13 episodes ofX-Men.Saban Entertainmentwas contracted to produce the show and hired a small studio,Graz Entertainment, to produce episodes because, at the time, they lacked sufficient staff to handle in-house production. Mark Edward Edens and","Edward Edens and Eric Lewald were to write the show, with the two dividing the job between Edens as head writer and Lewald as story editor.The voice work was done throughCanadianstudios, andSouth KoreanstudioAKOMwas hired to animate episodes.X-Menwas initially set to premiere overLabor Dayweekend in September; however, due to production delays, it was delayed to the end of October. When AKOM turned in the first episode, it contained several animation errors, which they refused to fix. Because of time constraints, the episode was aired unfinished;when Fox re-aired the pilot in early 1993, the errors were corrected.The second episode was submitted just before the deadline, with 50 scenes missing and a single day reserved for editing.The two-part episode \"Night of the Sentinels\" originally aired as a \"sneak preview\" on October 31. Because of the production delays and animation errors, Fox threatened to sever AKOM's contracts.The series earned top ratings throughout its first season,and was renewed for a second","for a second season of 13 episodes. Throughout its run, producers had to deal with quality control issues, including attempts to cut costs and requests to change the tone of the series to more child-friendly and integrated toys. The show was originally planned to run for 65 episodes, but as a result of its success, Saban funded eleven more episodes, albeit with a reduced budget due to Marvel's bankruptcy. The series is currently owned and distributed byThe Walt Disney Company(Marvel's parent company), which acquired all Fox Kids-related properties fromNews CorporationandSaban Internationalin 2001. The series was added to streaming serviceDisney+following its launch on November 12, 2019, with a revival,X-Men '97, subsequently announced to be in development.The series premiered on March 20, 2024. Episodes Synopsis The show features a team similar to that of the early 1990sX-Mencomics byJim Lee, specifically the Blue Team established early on inX-Men (vol. 2). It consists","2). It consists ofCyclops,Wolverine,Rogue,Storm,Beast,Gambit,Jubilee,Jean Grey, andProfessor X, as well as original characterMorph, who is based onChangeling. All 76 episodes were directed by Larry Houston. The series deals with social issues, including divorce (\"Proteus\"), religion (\"Nightcrawler\" and \"Bloodlines\"),the Holocaust(\"Enter Magneto\", \"Deadly Reunions\", \"Days of Future Past\" and \"The Phalanx Covenant\"),AIDShysteria (\"Time Fugitives\"), and loneliness (\"No Mutant Is an Island\"). It satirizes television in the episodes \"Mojovision\" and \"Longshot\". It crossed over withSpider-Manwhen Spider-Man seeks the X-Men's help to stop his progressing mutation. In theabbreviated formof the Secret Wars storyline, theBeyonderandMadame Webselect Spider-Man to lead a team of heroes against a group of villains. An earlier draft of \"Secret Wars\" involved all the X-Men, but transporting the voice cast from Canada to Los Angeles, where production for theSpider-Mananimated series was based, had been too costly in","been too costly in previous crossovers, so the episode was rewritten to feature only Storm, whose actress, Iona Morris, lived in Los Angeles. In the first season, the X-Men come into conflict with human conspirators buildingSentinelrobots to kill mutants, Magneto's plan to instigate a human-mutant war, and the powerful mutantApocalypse's plan to eradicate the weak. Other storylines include X-Men member Morph's death at the hands of the Sentinels, Beast's incarceration, and Apocalypse's minions attempting to assassinate U.S. Senator Kelly to turn humans against mutants. In the second season, Cyclops and Jean are married and targeted byMister Sinister, who seeks to use the genetically perfect combination of their DNA to create an army of obedient mutants. Morph returns, having been rescued by Sinister and brainwashed into forcing the X-Men apart. Over time, a rift grows between humans and mutants, with the Friends of Humanity, an anti-mutant group, leading their persecution. Apocalypse returns, developing a","developing a deadly plague that he plans to blame on mutants to fuel hatred against them. It features a parallel narrative of Professor X and Magneto being lost in the Savage Land. The third season involves thePhoenix, a cosmic force that merges with Jean Grey and turns her into the Dark Phoenix. It introduces theShi'ar Empire, which includes Lilandra and Gladiator, and seeks to stop the Dark Phoenix. Other storylines include the introduction of Wolverine's former lover turned mercenary, Lady Deathstrike, former X-Men memberIceman, and the villainousShadow King. Volume 5 of theOfficial Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z Hardcoverslists the cartoon as part of the Marvel multiverse, inhabiting Earth-92131. As well, the plague-infested future thatBishoptries to prevent in Season 2 is listed as Earth-13393, whileCable's release of the cure is listed as Earth-121893. Voice cast The series' voice acting was recorded in Toronto studios, with Dan Hennessey serving as voice director. Toronto voice actors had also","actors had also been used in the 1960s Marvel Comics cartoons.Catherine Disherhad originally auditioned for the part ofStormbefore she was cast asJean Grey.Chris Potterwas cast in the role ofGambitduring filming forKung Fu: The Legend Continues(1993-1997) which was helpful since his co-starDavid Carradine, a big fan of the comics, helped as he was unfamiliar.Alyson CourtandCal Doddwere neighbors when Court was a child and Dodd was a well-known actor in Canada long before voicing bothJubileeandWolverinerespectively, attributing their characters' chemistry to being previously acquainted with one another. Another voice actor originally had been cast as Jubilee, but Court was cast when the original voice was deemed too sweet and innocent for the role. Principal cast Additional cast Other versions The original opening sequence, used throughout the first four seasons, features the X-Men demonstrating their mutant abilities to an instrumental theme written byRon Wassermanand composed byHaim SabanandShuki Levy. A","Levy. A modified version is introduced in season five, episode one (\"Phalanx Covenant, Part One\"), which slightly changes the beginning of the theme. WhenUPNbegan airing reruns on Sunday mornings, an alternate credits sequence was used: a high-quality Japanese-animated version of the original opening. This modified version occasionally appears in the digital streaming release of the show, which was used for re-runs on Toon Disney. In Italy, where the series began airing in 1994 onCanale 5, the intro and outro sequences were replaced by a new sequence and theme song: \"Insuperabili X-Men\", sung by Marco Destro and Pietro Ubaldi. X-Menoriginally aired onTV Tokyofrom 1994 to 1995. For the TV Tokyo dub of the series, the intro was replaced with a new, Japanese-animated sequence and a new theme: \"Rising\" by Ambience. Starting with episode 42, a second intro was used, featuring the song \"Dakishimetai Dare Yori Mo\"(抱きしめたい誰よりも, \"I want to embrace you more than anyone else\"). The end credits sequence was also changed:","was also changed: it featured shots of AmericanX-Mencomic books set to the song \"Back to You\", also by Ambience. The TV Tokyo dub was directed by Yoshikazu Iwanami and featured scripts rewritten to include a more humorous, self-satirical tone with an emphasis on comical adlibbing, a hallmark of his dubbing style. Episodes were edited for time so that new segments could be added to the end to promoteX-Men: Children of the Atom, which featured the dub actors pretending to play the game as their characters. A second dub was made in the early 2000s for broadcast onToon Disney (Japan)that is more faithful to the original English scripts and does not cut episodes for time. This version used the original American intro and end credits rather than the unique ones created for the TV Tokyo version. Two versions of the episode \"No Mutant is an Island\" exist, each with a different animation. The first version was aired for Toon Disney reruns, can be seen on digital streaming services such as Amazon Video, aired on Fox","Video, aired on Fox Kids in the United States, and uses the remixed intro theme from Season 5. The second version is available on Region 1 DVD, aired on Fox Kids overseas, and uses the default intro theme from Seasons 1–4. Viewership In its prime,X-Mengarnered very highratingsfor a Saturday morning cartoon and received praise for adapting many different storylines from the comics. Haim Saban credits the success of the series in assisting him to sell his next project to Fox:Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. X-Menreached a viewership of over23 millionhouseholds. Legacy X-Men '97 By 2019, there were ongoing talks withDisney+to revive the series.In November 2021, it was revealed that a revival titledX-Men '97was in development which will continue the plot of the series.X-Men '97eventually premiered on March 20, 2024. Beau DeMayo served ashead writerfor the first two seasons, with most of the surviving cast members of the original series reprising their roles, including Dodd, Zann, Buza, Disher, Potter, Sealy-Smith,","Sealy-Smith, Hough, and Britton. They were joined byJennifer Hale, Anniwaa Buachie,Ray Chase, Matthew Waterson,JP Karliak, Holly Chou,Jeff Bennett, andA.J. LoCascio. Alyson Court did not reprise her role as Jubilee, requesting that Jubilee be voiced by an Asian actress. She instead returned to voice an alternate version of the character.The series is produced byMarvel Studios Animation, but does not take place within theMarvel Cinematic Universe. Comics X-Men Adventures X-Men Adventureswas acomic bookspin-offof the animated series. Beginning in November 1992, it adapted the first three seasons of the show; in April 1996, it becameAdventures of the X-Men, which contained original stories set within the same continuity.The comic book lasted until March 1997, shortly after the show's cancellation by theFox Network. Bibliography Additionally, stories featuring the same characters were printed through the 19 issues ofSpider-Man Magazine, published between March 1994 and March 1997, alongside stories inspired by","stories inspired by the animated seriesSpider-Man. X-Men '92 The comic book seriesX-Men '92was first released as one of the many tie-in titles for Marvel's 2015Secret Warsevent, and continued in its second volume as a regular series in early 2016, starring characters of the TV show's reality. In January 2022 Marvel announced a new series inspired by the cartoon,X-Men '92: House of XCII. Scheduled for publication in April of that same year, the series will explore an alternate universe where the events ofJonathan Hickman'sHouse of X and Powers of Xhappened decades earlier, in the '90s of the original show. Manga Books Previously on X-Men In 2017, series developer and showrunner Eric Lewald released the bookPreviously on X-Men: The Making of an Animated Series, which features his interviews with 36 of the staff and voice cast behind the TV series, as well as Lewald's personal experiences on the series' development and production. X-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series In 2020, Eric Lewald and Julia","Lewald and Julia Lewald released the bookX-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series, which features previously unseen concept art, storyboards, character models, background layouts, animation cels, and other production/promotional materials, along with new interviews with the series principal artists and production staff. Video games In film The series was credited for being responsible for the beginning development of the 2000X-Menfilm. Fox Kids owner20th Century Foxwas impressed by the success of the TV show, and producerLauren Shuler Donnerpurchased the film rights for them in 1994.The film's success led to afilm franchise, which includes a series of sequels, prequels, and spin-offs, for two decades up to 2020, when the series came to an end due toDisney'sacquisition of Fox, with the character rights reverting to Marvel Studios. Potter revealed that he once auditioned for the role of Cyclops in the 2000 film before losing it toJames Marsden, while Buza would appear in the film proper as a truck","proper as a truck driver. In the 2022Marvel Cinematic UniversefilmDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, produced by Marvel Studios, the theme song from the TV series (orchestrated byDanny Elfmanand credited asX-Men '97 Theme) is played whenCharles Xavier(portrayed byPatrick Stewart) first appears; in the film, unlike his previous performances as the character in Fox'sX-Menfranchise, Stewart's Xavier is visually redesigned to match his animated counterpart, complete with his iconic green suit, blue and black tie, and yellow hoverchair. In television In theMs. Marvelepisode \"No Normal\", set in the MCU, the theme song from theX-Menanimated series is played whenKamala Khandiscovers that she is a \"mutant\". Lawsuit On October 9, 2019, Hungarian immigrant Zoltán Krisko, manager of the estate ofGyörgy Vukán, filed a lawsuit againstMarvel Entertainment Group,Warner Chappell Music,Haim Saban,Shuki Levy,Ron Wasserman,UMG Recordings, the current distributor of Disney Music Group, andFox Corporation. He claims the","He claims the theme music was plagiarized from the theme song to the 1984–1991 Hungarian action-adventure television seriesLinda, which was composed by Vukán. Notes References Sources External links","The Simpsons The Simpsonsis an Americananimated sitcomcreated byMatt Groeningfor theFox Broadcasting Company.Developed by Groening,James L. Brooks, andSam Simon, the series is asatiricaldepiction of American life, epitomized by theSimpson family, which consists ofHomer,Marge,Bart,Lisa, andMaggie. Set in the fictional town ofSpringfield, it caricatures society, Western culture, television, and thehuman condition. The family was conceived by Groening shortly before a solicitation for a series ofanimated shortswith producer Brooks. He created adysfunctional familyand named the characters after his own family members, substituting Bart for his own name; he thought Simpson was a funny name in that it sounded similar to \"simpleton\".The shorts became a part ofThe Tracey Ullman Showon April 19, 1987. After three seasons, the sketch was developed into a half-hour prime time show and became Fox's first series to land in the Top 30 ratings in a season (1989–1990). Since its debut on December 17, 1989,771 episodesof the","episodesof the show have been broadcast. It is thelongest-running American animated series,longest-running American sitcom, and thelongest-running American scripted primetime television series, both in seasons and individual episodes. A feature-length film,The Simpsons Movie, was released in theaters worldwide on July 27, 2007, to critical and commercial success, with a sequel in development as of 2018. The series has also spawned numerouscomic book series,video games,books, and other related media, as well as a billion-dollarmerchandising industry.The Simpsonsis produced byGracie Filmswith20th Televisiondistributing the series.It has been distributed under the20th Television Animationlabel since 2021, although the animation studio has produced animation for the series since season 28. On January 26, 2023, the series was renewed for its 35th and 36th seasons, taking the show through the 2024–25 television season.Both seasons contain a combined total of 51 episodes. Seven of these episodes are season 34","are season 34 holdovers, while the other 44 will be produced in the production cycle of the upcoming seasons, bringing the show's overall episode total up to 801.Season 35 premiered on October 1, 2023.Season 36 premiered on September 29, 2024. The Simpsonsreceived widespread acclaim throughout its early seasons in the 1990s, which are generally considered its \"golden age\". Since then, it has been criticized for aperceived decline in quality.Timenamed it the 20th century's best television series,and Erik Adams ofThe A.V. Clubnamed it \"television's crowning achievement regardless of format\".On January 14, 2000, the Simpson family was awarded a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame. It has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 37Primetime Emmy Awards, 34Annie Awards, and 2Peabody Awards. Homer's exclamatory catchphrase of \"D'oh!\" has been adopted into the English language, whileThe Simpsonshas influenced many other later adult-oriented animated sitcom television series. Premise Characters The","Characters The main characters are theSimpson family, who live in the fictional \"Middle America\" town of Springfield.Homer, the father, works as a safety inspector at theSpringfield Nuclear Power Plant, a position at odds with his careless, buffoonish personality. He is married toMarge(néeBouvier), a stereotypical American housewife and mother. They have three children:Bart, a ten-year-old troublemaker and prankster;Lisa, a precocious eight-year-old activist; andMaggie, the baby of the family who rarely speaks, but communicates by sucking on a pacifier. Although the family is dysfunctional, many episodes examine their relationships and bonds with each other and they are often shown to care about one another. The family also owns agreyhound,Santa's Little Helper, (who first appeared in the episode \"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire\") and a cat,Snowball II, who is replaced by a cat also called Snowball II in the fifteenth-season episode \"I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot\".Extended members of the Simpson and Bouvier","Simpson and Bouvier family in the main cast include Homer's fatherAbeand Marge's sistersPatty and Selma. Marge's motherJacquelineand Homer's motherMonaappear less frequently. The show includes a vast array of quirky supporting characters, which include Homer's friendsBarney Gumble,Lenny LeonardandCarl Carlson; the school principalSeymour Skinnerand staff members such asEdna KrabappelandGroundskeeper Willie; students such asMilhouse Van Houten,Nelson MuntzandRalph Wiggum; shopkeepers such asApu Nahasapeemapetilon,Comic Book GuyandMoe Szyslak; government figuresMayor \"Diamond\" Joe QuimbyandClancy Wiggum; next-door neighborNed Flanders; local celebrities such asKrusty the Clownand news reporterKent Brockman; nuclear tycoonMontgomery Burnsand his devoted assistantWaylon Smithers; anddozens more. The creators originally intended many of these characters as one-time jokes or for fulfilling needed functions in the town. A number of them have gained expanded roles and subsequently starred in their own episodes.","their own episodes. According to Matt Groening, the show adopted the concept of a large supporting cast from the comedy showSCTV. Continuity and the floating timeline Despite the depiction of yearly milestones such as holidays or birthdays passing, the characters never age. The series uses afloating timelinein which episodes generally take place in the year the episode is produced. Flashbacks and flashforwards do occasionally depict the characters at other points in their lives, with the timeline of these depictions also generally floating relative to the year the episode is produced. For example, the 1991 episodes \"The Way We Was\" and \"I Married Marge\" depict Homer and Marge as high schoolers in the 1970s who had Bart (who is always 10 years old) in the early '80s, while the 2008 episode \"That '90s Show\" depicts Homer and Marge as a childless couple in the '90s, and the 2021 episode \"Do Pizza Bots Dream of Electric Guitars\" portrays Homer as an adolescent in the same period. The 1995 episode \"Lisa's","episode \"Lisa's Wedding\" takes place during Lisa's college years in the then-future year of 2010, the same year the show began airing its22nd season, in which Lisa was still 8. Regarding the contradictory flashbacks, Selman stated that \"they all kind of happened in their imaginary world.\" The show follows a loose and inconsistent continuity. For example,Krusty the Clownmay be able to read in one episode, but not inanother. However, it is consistently portrayed that he isJewish, that his father was arabbi, and that his career began in the 1960s. The latter point introduces another snag in the floating timeline: historical periods that are a core part of a character's backstory remain so even when their age makes it unlikely or impossible, such asGrampa SimpsonandPrincipal Skinner's respective service inWorld War IIandVietnam. The only episodes not part of the series' main canon are theTreehouse of Horrorepisodes, which often feature the deaths of main characters. Characters who die in \"regular\" episodes, such","episodes, such asMaude Flanders,Mona SimpsonandEdna Krabappel, however, stay dead. Most episodes end with thestatus quobeing restored, though occasionally major changes will stick, such as Lisa's conversions tovegetarianismandBuddhism, the divorce ofMilhouse van Houten's parents, and the marriage and subsequent parenthood ofApuandManjula. Setting The Simpsonstakes place in a fictional American town calledSpringfield. Although there are many real settlements in America named Springfield,the town the show is set in is fictional. The state it is in is not established. In fact, the show is intentionally evasive with regard to Springfield's location.Springfield's geography and that of its surroundings is inconsistent: from one episode to another, it may have coastlines, deserts, vast farmland, mountains, or whatever the story or joke requires.Groening has said that Springfield has much in common withPortland, Oregon, the city where he grew up.Groening has said that he named it afterSpringfield, Oregon, and the","Oregon, and the fictitious Springfield which was the setting of the seriesFather Knows Best. He \"figured out that Springfield was one of the most common names for a city in the U.S. In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought, 'This will be cool; everyone will think it's their Springfield.' And they do.\"Many landmarks, including street names, have connections to Portland. Production Development When producerJames L. Brookswas working on the television variety showThe Tracey Ullman Show, he decided to include small animated sketches before and after the commercial breaks. Having seen one of cartoonistMatt Groening'sLife in Hellcomic strips, Brooks asked Groening to pitch an idea for a series of animated shorts. Groening initially intended to present an animated version of hisLife in Hellseries.However, Groening later realized that animatingLife in Hellwould require the rescinding ofpublication rightsfor his life's work. He therefore chose another approach while waiting in the lobby of Brooks's","lobby of Brooks's office for the pitch meeting, hurriedly formulating his version of a dysfunctional family that became the Simpsons.He named the characters after his own family members, substituting \"Bart\" for his own name, adopting ananagramof the wordbrat. The Simpson family first appeared asshortsinThe Tracey Ullman Showon April 19, 1987.Groening submitted only basic sketches to the animators and assumed that the figures would be cleaned up in production. However, the animators merely re-traced his drawings, which led to the crude appearance of the characters in the initial shorts.The animation was produced domestically atKlasky Csupo,withWes Archer,David Silverman, andBill Koppbeing animators for the first season.The colorist, \"Georgie\" Gyorgyi Kovacs Peluce (Kovács Györgyike)made the characters yellow; as Bart, Lisa and Maggie have no hairlines, she felt they would look strange if they were flesh-colored. Groening supported the decision, saying: \"Marge is yellow with blue hair? That's hilarious — let's","hilarious — let's do it!\" In 1989, a team of production companies adaptedThe Simpsonsinto a half-hour series for theFox Broadcasting Company. The team included the Klasky Csupo animation house. Brooks negotiated a provision in the contract with the Fox network that prevented Fox from interfering with the show's content.Groening said his goal in creating the show was to offer the audience an alternative to what he called \"the mainstream trash\" that they were watching.The half-hour series premiered on December 17, 1989, with \"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire\".\"Some Enchanted Evening\" was the first full-length episode produced, but it did not broadcast until May 1990, as the last episode of the first season, because of animation problems.In 1992,Tracey Ullmanfiled a lawsuit against Fox, claiming that her show was the source of the series' success. The suit said she should receive a share of the profits ofThe Simpsons—a claim rejected by the courts. Executive producers and showrunners List of showrunners","List of showrunners throughout the series' run: Matt Groening and James L. Brooks have served as executive producers during the show's entire history, and also function as creative consultants.Sam Simon, described by formerSimpsonsdirectorBrad Birdas \"the unsung hero\" of the show,served as creative supervisor for the first four seasons. He was constantly at odds with Groening, Brooks and the show's production companyGracie Filmsand left in 1993.Before leaving, he negotiated a deal that sees him receive a share of the profits every year, and an executive producer credit despite not having worked on the show since 1993,at least until his passing in 2015.A more involved position on the show is theshowrunner, who acts as head writer and manages the show's production for an entire season. Writing The first team of writers, assembled by Sam Simon, consisted ofJohn Swartzwelder,Jon Vitti,George Meyer,Jeff Martin,Al Jean,Mike Reiss,Jay KogenandWallace Wolodarsky.NewerSimpsons'writing teams typically consist of","consist of sixteen writers who propose episode ideas at the beginning of each December.The main writer of each episode writes the first draft. Group rewriting sessions develop final scripts by adding or removing jokes, inserting scenes, and calling for re-readings of lines by the show's vocal performers.Until 2004,George Meyer, who had developed the show since the first season, was active in these sessions. According to long-time writer Jon Vitti, Meyer usually invented the best lines in a given episode, even though other writers may receive script credits.Each episode takes six months to produce so the show rarely comments on current events. Credited with sixty episodes,John Swartzwelderis the most prolific writer onThe Simpsons.One of the best-known former writers isConan O'Brien, who contributed to several episodes in the early 1990s before replacingDavid Lettermanas host of the talk showLate Night.English comedianRicky Gervaiswrote the episode \"Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife\", becoming the first","becoming the first celebrity both to write and guest star in the same episode.Seth RogenandEvan Goldberg, writers of the filmSuperbad, wrote the episode \"Homer the Whopper\", with Rogen voicing a character in it. At the end of 2007, the writers ofThe Simpsonswent on striketogether with the other members of theWriters Guild of America, East. The show's writers had joined the guild in 1998. In May 2023, the writers ofThe Simpsonswent on striketogether with the other members of theWriters Guild of America, East. Voice actors The Simpsonshas six main cast members:Dan Castellaneta,Julie Kavner,Nancy Cartwright,Yeardley Smith,Hank Azaria, andHarry Shearer. Castellaneta voicesHomer Simpson,Grampa Simpson,Krusty the Clown,Groundskeeper Willie,Mayor Quimby,Barney Gumble, and other adult male characters.Julie KavnervoicesMarge SimpsonandPatty and Selma, as well as several minor characters.Castellaneta and Kavner had been a part ofThe Tracey Ullman Showcast and were given the parts so that new actors would not be","actors would not be needed.Cartwright voicesBart Simpson,Nelson Muntz,Ralph Wiggumand other children.Smith, the voice ofLisa Simpson, is the only cast member who regularly voices only one character, although she occasionally plays other episodic characters.The producers decided to hold casting for the roles of Bart and Lisa. Smith had initially been asked to audition for the role of Bart, but casting directorBonita Pietilabelieved her voice was too high,so she was given the role of Lisa instead.Cartwright was originally brought in to voice Lisa, but upon arriving at the audition, she found that Lisa was simply described as the \"middle child\" and at the time did not have much personality. Cartwright became more interested in the role of Bart, who was described as \"devious, underachieving, school-hating, irreverent, clever\".Groening let her try out for the part instead, and upon hearing her read, gave her the job on the spot.Cartwright is the only one of the six mainSimpsonscast members who had been","who had been professionally trained in voice acting prior to working on the show.Azaria and Shearer do not voice members of the title family, but play a majority of the male townspeople. Azaria, who has been a part of the main voice cast since the second season in one episode \"Old Money\" and then perpetually part of the regular main voice cast since the third season, voices recurring characters such asMoe Szyslak,Chief Wiggum,Apu NahasapeemapetilonandProfessor Frink. Shearer provides voices forMr. Burns,Mr. Smithers,Principal Skinner,Ned Flanders,Reverend Lovejoyand formerlyDr. Hibbert.Every main cast member has won aPrimetime Emmy AwardforOutstanding Voice-Over Performance. With one exception, episode credits list only the voice actors, and not the characters they voice. Both Fox and the production crew wanted to keep their identities secret during the early seasons and, therefore, closed most of the recording sessions while refusing to publish photos of the recording artists.However, the network eventually","network eventually revealed which roles each actor performed in the episode \"Old Money\", because the producers said the voice actors should receive credit for their work.In 2003, the cast appeared in an episode ofInside the Actors Studio, doing live performances of their characters' voices. The six main actors were paid $30,000 per episode, until 1998, when they were involved in a pay dispute with Fox. The company threatened to replace them with new actors, even going as far as preparing for casting of new voices, but series creator Groening supported the actors in their action.The issue was soon resolved and, from 1998 to 2004, they were paid $125,000 per episode. The show's revenue continued to rise through syndication and DVD sales, and in April 2004 the main cast stopped appearing for script readings, demanding they be paid $360,000 per episode.The strike was resolved a month laterand their salaries were increased to something between $250,000and $360,000 per episode.In 2008, production for thetwentieth","for thetwentieth seasonwas put on hold due to new contract negotiations with the voice actors, who wanted a \"healthy bump\" in salary to an amount close to $500,000 per episode.The negotiations were soon completed, and the actors' salary was raised to $400,000 per episode.Three years later, with Fox threatening to cancel the series unless production costs were cut, the cast members accepted a 30 percent pay cut, down to just over $300,000 per episode. In addition to the main cast,Pamela Hayden,Tress MacNeille,Marcia Wallace,Maggie Roswell, andRussi Taylorvoice supporting characters.From 1999 to 2002, Roswell's characters were voiced byMarcia Mitzman Gaven.Karl Wiedergotthas also appeared in minor roles, but does not voice any recurring characters.Wiedergott left the show in 2010, and since thenChris Edgerlyhas appeared regularly to voice minor characters. Repeat \"special guest\" cast members includeAlbert Brooks,Phil Hartman,Jon Lovitz,Joe Mantegna,Maurice LaMarche, andKelsey Grammer.Following Hartman's death","Hartman's death in 1998, the characters he voiced (Troy McClureandLionel Hutz) were retired;Wallace's character ofEdna Krabappelwas retired as well after her death in 2013. Following Taylor's death in 2019, her characters (includingSherri, Terri, andMartin Prince) are now voiced byGrey Griffin. Episodes will quite often feature guest voices from a wide range of professions, including actors, athletes, authors, bands, musicians and scientists. In the earlier seasons, most of the guest stars voiced characters, but eventually more started appearing as themselves.Tony Bennettwas the first guest star to appear as himself, appearing briefly in the season two episode \"Dancin' Homer\".The Simpsonsholds theworld recordfor \"Most Guest Stars Featured in a Television Series\". The Simpsonshas been dubbed intoseveral other languages, including Japanese, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. It is also one of the few programs dubbed in bothstandard FrenchandQuebec French.The show has been broadcast in Arabic, but due","in Arabic, but due toIslamiccustoms, numerous aspects of the show have been changed. For example, Homer drinkssodainstead of beer and eats Egyptian beef sausages instead of hot dogs. Because of such changes, the Arabized version of the series met with a negative reaction from the lifelongSimpsonsfans in the area. Animation Several different U.S. and international studios animateThe Simpsons. Throughout the run of the animated shorts onThe Tracey Ullman Show, the animation was produced domestically atKlasky Csupo.With the debut of the series, because of an increased workload, Fox subcontracted production to several local and foreign studios.These areAKOM,Anivision,Rough Draft Studios,USAnimation,and Toonzone Entertainment. For the first three seasons, Klasky Csupo animatedThe Simpsonsin the United States. In 1992, the show's production company, Gracie Films, switched domestic production toFilm Roman,who continued to animate the show until 2016 when they were replaced byFox Television Animation, which allowed","which allowed the show to be made more in-house. InSeason 14, production switched from traditionalcel animationtodigital ink and paint.The first episode to experiment with digital coloring was \"Radioactive Man\" in 1995. Animators used digital ink and paint during production of theseason 12episode \"Tennis the Menace\", but Gracie Films delayed the regular use of digital ink and paint until two seasons later. The already completed \"Tennis the Menace\" was broadcast as made. The production staff at the U.S. animation studio, Film Roman, drawsstoryboards, designs new characters, backgrounds, props and draws character and background layouts, which in turn becomeanimaticsto be screened for the writers at Gracie Films for any changes to be made before the work is shipped overseas. The overseas studios then draw theinbetweens, ink and paint, and render the animation to tape before it is shipped back to the United States to be delivered to Fox three to four months later. The series beganhigh-definitionproduction in","in Season 20; the first episode, \"Take My Life, Please\", aired February 15, 2009. The move to HDTV included a new opening sequence.Matt Groening called it a complicated change because it affected the timing and composition of animation. Themes The Simpsonsuses the standard setup of a situational comedy, or sitcom, as its premise. The series centers on a family and their life in a typical American town,serving as asatiricalparody of amiddle classAmerican lifestyle.However, because of its animated nature,The Simpsons'scope is larger than that of a regular sitcom. The town of Springfield acts as a complete universe in which characters can explore the issues faced by modern society. By having Homer work in anuclear power plant, the show can comment on the state of the environment.Through Bart and Lisa's days atSpringfield Elementary School, the show's writers illustrate pressing or controversial issues in the field of education. The town features a vast array of television channels, which enables the producers","the producers to make jokes about the entertainment industry and the press. Some commentators say the show is political in nature and susceptible to a left-wing bias.Al Jeanacknowledged in an interview that \"We are ofliberalbent.\"The writers often evince an appreciation forprogressive leanings, but the show makes jokes across the political spectrum.The show portrays government and large corporations as evil entities that take advantage of the common worker.Thus, the writers often portray authority figures in an unflattering or negative light. InThe Simpsons, politicians are corrupt, ministers such asReverend Lovejoyare dismissive to churchgoers, and the local police force is incompetent.Religion also figures as a recurring theme.In times of crisis, the family often turns to God, and the show has dealt with most of the major religions. Sexualityis often a source of jokes in the series or serves as the theme of certain episodes. Even though homosexuals are sometimes sources of gags, the series often comments","often comments on how American society treats them, with \"Homer's Phobia\" devoting an entire episode to the family making a gay friend and Homer's initial hostility to him. In 1990,The Simpsonsbecame the first animated early evening show to depict a kiss between two men in \"Simpson and Delilah\". Hallmarks Opening sequence The Simpsons'opening sequenceis one of the show's most memorable hallmarks. The standard opening has gone through three iterations (a replacement of some shots at the start of the second season, and a brand new sequence when the show switched to high-definition in 2009). Each has the same basic sequence of events: the camera zooms throughcumulus clouds, through the show's title towards the town ofSpringfield. The camera then follows the members of the family on their way home. Upon entering their house, the Simpsons settle down on their couch to watch television. The original opening was created byDavid Silverman, and was the first task he did when production began on the show.The series'","show.The series' distinctivetheme songwascomposedby musicianDanny Elfmanin 1989, after Groening approached him requesting a retro-style piece. This piece has been noted by Elfman as the most popular of his career. One of the most distinctive aspects of the opening is that three of its elements change from episode to episode: Bart writes different things on the school chalkboard,Lisa plays different solos on her saxophone (or occasionally a different instrument), and different gags accompany the family as they enter their living room to sit on the couch. Halloween episodes The specialHalloweenepisode has become an annual tradition. \"Treehouse of Horror\" first broadcast in 1990 as part ofseason twoand established the pattern of three separate, self-contained stories in each Halloween episode.These pieces usually involve the family in some horror, science fiction, or supernatural setting and often parody or pay homage to a famous piece of work in those genres.They always take place outside the normal continuity","normal continuity of the show. Although theTreehouseseries is meant to be seen on Halloween, this changed by the 2000s (and again in 2020), when new installments have premiered after Halloween due toFox's currentcontractwithMajor League Baseball'sWorld Series.Prior to 2020 (between 2011 and 2019), everyTreehouse of Horrorepisode had aired in October. Humor The show's humor turns on cultural references that cover a wide spectrum of society so that viewers from all generations can enjoy the show. Such references, for example, come from movies, television, music, literature, science, and history.The animators also regularly add jokes or sight gags into the show's background via humorous or incongruous bits of text in signs, newspapers,billboards, and elsewhere. The audience may often not notice the visual jokes in a single viewing. Some are so fleeting that they become apparent only by pausing a video recording of the show or viewing it in slow motion.Kristin Thompson argues thatThe Simpsonsuses a \"flurry of","a \"flurry of cultural references, intentionally inconsistent characterization, and considerable self-reflexivity about television conventions and the status of the programme as a television show.\" One of Bart's earlyhallmarkswas his prank calls toMoe's TavernownerMoe Szyslakwhere he asks for agag name. Moe tries to find that person in the bar, but soon realizes it is a prank call and angrily threatens Bart. These calls were apparently based on a series of prank calls known as theTube Bar recordings, though Groening has denied any causal connection.Moe was based partly on Tube Bar ownerLouis \"Red\" Deutsch, whose often profane responses inspired Moe's violent side.As the series progressed, it became more difficult for the writers to come up with a fake name and to write Moe's angry response, and the pranks were dropped as a regular joke during the fourth season.The Simpsonsalso often includesself-referential humor.The most common form is jokes about Fox Broadcasting.For example, the episode \"She Used to Be My","\"She Used to Be My Girl\" included a scene in which aFox News Channelvan drove down the street while displaying a large \"Bush Cheney 2004\" banner and playingQueen's \"We Are the Champions\", in reference to the2004 U.S. presidential electionand claims ofconservative bias in Fox News. The show usescatchphrases, and most of the primary and secondary characters have at least one each.Notable expressions include Homer's annoyed grunt \"D'oh!\", Mr. Burns' \"Excellent\" andNelson Muntz's \"Ha-ha!\" Some of Bart's catchphrases, such as \"¡Ay, caramba!\", \"Don't have a cow, man!\" and \"Eat my shorts!\" appeared on T-shirts in the show's early days.However, Bart rarely used the latter two phrases until after they became popular through themerchandising. The use of many of these catchphrases has declined in recent seasons. The episode \"Bart Gets Famous\" mocks catchphrase-based humor, as Bart achieves fame on theKrusty the Clown Showsolely for saying \"I didn't do it.\" Purported foreshadowing of actual events The Simpsonshas gained","Simpsonshas gained notoriety for jokes that appeared to become reality. Perhaps the most famous example comes from the episode \"Bart to the Future\", which mentions billionaireDonald Trumphaving been president of the United States at one time and leaving the nation broke.The episode first aired in 2000, sixteen years before Trump (who at the time wasexploring a presidential run) was elected.Another episode, \"When You Dish Upon a Star\", lampooned20th Century Foxas a division ofThe Walt Disney Company. Nineteen years later,Disney purchased Fox.Other examples purported asThe Simpsonspredicting the future include the introduction of thesmartwatch,video chatservices,Richard Branson's spaceflightandLady Gaga's acrobatic performance at theSuper Bowl LI halftime show. Al Jeanhas commented on the show's purported ability to predict the future, explaining that they are really just \"educated guesses\" and stating that \"if you throw enough darts, you're going to get some bullseyes.\"ProducerBill Oakleystated, \"There are","\"There are very few cases whereThe Simpsonspredicted something. It's mainly just coincidence because the episodes are so old that history repeats itself.\"Fact-checkingsources such asSnopeshave debunked many of the claimed prophecies, explaining that the show's extensive run means \"a lot of jokes, and a lot of opportunities for coincidences to appear\" and \"most of these 'predictions' have rather simple and mundane explanations\".For example, the device shown onThe Simpsonswith autocorrection is anApple Newton, a real 1993 device notorious for its poorhandwriting recognition.Technologically advanced watches have appeared in numerous works of fiction, decades beforeThe Simpsons. Influence and legacy Idioms A number ofneologismsthat originated onThe Simpsonshave entered popular vernacular.Mark Liberman, director of theLinguistic Data Consortium, remarked, \"The Simpsonshas apparently taken over from Shakespeare and the Bible as our culture's greatest source of idioms, catchphrases and sundry other textual","other textual allusions.\"The most famous catchphrase is Homer's annoyed grunt: \"D'oh!\" So ubiquitous is the expression that it is now listed in theOxford English Dictionary, but without the apostrophe.Dan Castellaneta says he borrowed the phrase fromJames Finlayson, an actor in manyLaurel and Hardycomedies, who pronounced it in a more elongated and whining tone. The staff ofThe Simpsonstold Castellaneta to shorten the noise, and it went on to become the well-known exclamation in the television series. Groundskeeper Willie's description of the French as \"cheese-eating surrender monkeys\" was used byNational ReviewcolumnistJonah Goldbergin 2003, after France's opposition to the proposedinvasion of Iraq. The phrase quickly spread to other journalists.\"Cromulent\" and \"embiggen\", words used in \"Lisa the Iconoclast\", have since appeared in theDictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon,and scientific journals respectively.\"Kwyjibo\", a fakeScrabbleword invented by Bart in \"Bart the Genius\", was used as one of the aliases","one of the aliases of the creator of theMelissa worm.\"I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords\", was used byKent Brockmanin \"Deep Space Homer\" and has become asnowclone,with variants of the utterance used to express obsequious submission. It has been used in media, such asNew Scientistmagazine.The dismissive term \"Meh\", believed to have been popularized by the show,entered theCollins English Dictionaryin 2008.Other words credited as stemming from the show include \"yoink\" and \"craptacular\". The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotationsincludes several quotations from the show. As well as \"cheese-eating surrender monkeys\", Homer's lines, \"Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never try\", from \"Burns' Heir\" (season five, 1994) as well as \"Kids are the best, Apu. You can teach them to hate the things you hate. And they practically raise themselves, what with the Internet and all\", from \"Eight Misbehavin'\"(season 11, 1999), entered the dictionary in August 2007. Many quotes/scenes","Many quotes/scenes have become popularInternet memes, including Jasper Beardley's quote \"That's a paddlin'\" from \"The PTA Disbands\" (season 6, 1995) and \"Steamed Hams\" from \"22 Short Films About Springfield\" (season 7, 1996). Television The Simpsonswas the first successful animated program in American prime time sinceWait Till Your Father Gets Homein the 1970s.During most of the 1980s, US pundits considered animated shows as appropriate only for children, and animating a show was too expensive to achieve a quality suitable for prime-time television.The Simpsonschanged this perception,initially leading to a short period where networks attempted to recreate prime-time cartoon success with shows likeCapitol Critters,Fish Police, andFamily Dog, which were expensive and unsuccessful.The Simpsons'use of Korean animation studios fortweening, coloring, and filming made the episodes cheaper. The success ofThe Simpsonsand the lower production cost prompted US television networks to take chances on other adult animated","adult animated series.This development led US producers to a 1990s boom in new, animated prime-time shows for adults, such asBeavis and Butt-Head,South Park,Family Guy,King of the Hill,Futurama(which was created by Matt Groening), andThe Critic(which was also produced by Gracie Films).ForFamily GuycreatorSeth MacFarlane, \"The Simpsonscreated an audience for prime-time animation that had not been there for many, many years ... As far as I'm concerned, they basically re-invented the wheel. They created what is in many ways—you could classify it as—a wholly new medium.\" The Simpsonshas had crossovers with four other shows. In the episode \"A Star Is Burns\", Marge invites Jay Sherman, the main character ofThe Critic, to be a judge for a film festival in Springfield. Matt Groening had his name removed from the episode since he had no involvement withThe Critic.South Parklater paid homage toThe Simpsonswith the episode \"Simpsons Already Did It\".In \"Simpsorama\", the Planet Express crew fromFuturamacome to","fromFuturamacome to Springfield in the present to prevent the Simpsons from destroying the future.In theFamily Guyepisode \"The Simpsons Guy\", the Griffins visit Springfield and meet the Simpsons. The Simpsonshas also influenced live-action shows likeMalcolm in the Middle, which featured the use ofsight gagsand did not use alaugh trackunlike most sitcoms.Malcolm in the Middledebuted January 9, 2000, in the time slot afterThe Simpsons.Ricky GervaiscalledThe Simpsonsan influence onThe Office,and fellow British sitcomSpacedwas, according to its directorEdgar Wright, \"an attempt to do a live-actionThe Simpsons\".InGeorgia, the animated television sitcomThe Samsonadzes, launched in November 2009, has been noted for its very strong resemblance withThe Simpsons, which its creator Shalva Ramishvili has acknowledged. LGBT representation The Simpsonshas historically been open to portrayals ofLGBTcharacters and settings, and it has routinely challengedheteronormativity.It was one of several animated television shows in","television shows in the United States that began introducing characters that were LGBT, both openly and implied, in the 1990s.While early episodes involving LGBT characters primarily included them through the use of stereotypes,The Simpsonsdeveloped several prominent LGBT characters over its run.Producers of the show, such asMatt GroeningandAl Jean, have expressed their opinion that LGBT representation in media is important, and that they seek to actively include it.Some characters, such as Julio, were created with their sexual orientation in mind, with it being central to their character.The show expanded its roster of openly LGBT characters through episodes in which prominent charactersPatty BouvierandWaylon Smitherscame out in seasons16and27, respectively. Release Broadcast Syndication The cable television networkFXX, a sibling of 20th Television and formerly the Fox network, hasexclusive cable and digital syndicationrights forThe Simpsons.Original contracts had previously stated that syndication rights","syndication rights forThe Simpsonswould not be sold to cable until the series conclusion, at a time when cable syndication deals were highly rare. The series has been syndicated to local broadcast stations in nearly all markets throughout the United States since September 1994. FXX premieredThe Simpsonson their network on August 21, 2014, by starting a twelve-daymarathonwhich featured the first 552 episodes (every single episode that had already been released at the time) aired chronologically, includingThe Simpsons Movie, which FX Networks had already owned the rights to air. It was the longest continuous marathon in the history of television (untilVH1 Classicaired a 433-hour, nineteen-day, marathon ofSaturday Night Livein 2015; celebrating that program's 40th anniversary).The first day of the marathon was the highest rated broadcast day in the history of the network so far, the ratings more than tripled those of regular prime time programming for FXX.Ratings during the first six nights of the marathon grew","the marathon grew night after night, with the network ranking within the top 5 networks in basic cable each night.In Australia, a marathon of every episode of the show (at the time) aired from December 16, 2019, to January 5, 2020, onFox8(a cable network operated on pay TV providerFoxteland a corporate sibling to the American Fox network). After Disneyacquiredboth 20th Television and FX Networks, it was announced thatThe Simpsonswould air on the company'sFreeformchannel starting October 2, 2019. Streaming and digital sell-through On October 21, 2014, a digital service courtesy of theFXNOWapp, calledSimpsons World, launched with every episode of the series accessible to authenticated FX subscribers, and is available on game consoles such asXbox One, streaming devices such asRokuandApple TV, and online via web browser.There was early criticism of both wrong aspect ratios for earlier episodes and the length of commercial breaks on the streaming service, but that problem was soon amended with fewer commercial","fewer commercial breaks during individual episodes.Later it was announced thatSimpsons Worldwould now let users watch all of the SD episodes in their original format.Simpsons Worldwas discontinued after the launch ofDisney+on November 12, 2019, where the series streams exclusively.Initially, the series was only available cropped to16:9without the option to view the original4:3versions, reigniting criticisms of cropping old episodes.In response, Disney announced that \"in early 2020, Disney+ will make the first 19 seasons (and some episodes from season 20) ofThe Simpsonsavailable in their original 4:3 aspect ratio, giving subscribers a choice of how they prefer to view the popular series.\"On May 28, 2020, Disney+ made the first 19 seasons, along with some episodes from season 20, ofThe Simpsonsavailable in both 16:9 and the original 4:3 aspect ratio.Season 31 came to Disney+ on October 2, 2020, withHulustreaming the latest episodes of season 32 the next day. Season 32 came to Disney+ on September 29, 2021. The","29, 2021. The season 3 premiere \"Stark Raving Dad\", which featuresMichael Jacksonas the voice of Leon Kompowsky, was pulled out of rotation in 2019 by Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Al Jean afterHBOaired the documentaryLeaving Neverland, in which two men share details into how Jackson allegedly abused them as children.It is therefore unavailable on Disney+. However, the episode is still available onThe Complete Third SeasonDVD box set released on August 26, 2003. In July 2017, all episodes from seasons 4 to 19 were made available for purchase on theiTunes Storein Canada. On August 10, 2024, it was announced that four episodes of season 36 would air exclusively on Disney+. Reception and achievements Early success The Simpsonswas the Fox network's first television series to rank among a season's top 30 highest-rated shows.In 1990, Bart quickly became one of the most popular characters on television in what was termed \"Bartmania\".He became the most prevalentSimpsonscharacter on memorabilia, such asT-shirts.","such asT-shirts. In the early 1990s, millions of T-shirts featuring Bart were sold;as many as one million were sold on some days.Believing Bart to be a bad role model, several American public schools banned T-shirts featuring Bart next to captions such as \"I'm Bart Simpson. Who the hell are you?\" and \"Underachiever ('And proud of it, man!')\".The Simpsonsmerchandise sold well and generated $2 billion in revenue during the first 14 months of sales.Because of his popularity, Bart was often the most promoted member of the Simpson family in advertisements for the show, even for episodes in which he was not involved in the main plot. Due to the show's success, over the summer of 1990 theFox Networkdecided to switchThe Simpsons'time slot from 8:00 p.m.ETon Sunday night to the same time on Thursday, where it competed withThe Cosby ShowonNBC, thenumber one showat the time.Through the summer, several news outlets published stories about the supposed \"Bill vs. Bart\" rivalry.\"Bart Gets an 'F'\"(season two, 1990) was the","two, 1990) was the first episode to air againstThe Cosby Show, and it received a lowerNielsen rating, tying for eighth behindThe Cosby Show, which had an 18.5 rating. The rating is based on the number of household televisions that were tuned into the show, butNielsen Media Researchestimated that 33.6 million viewers watched the episode, making it the number one show in terms of actual viewers that week. At the time, it was the most watched episode in the history of the Fox Network,and it is still the highest rated episode in the history ofThe Simpsons.The show moved back to its Sunday slot in 1994 and has remained there ever since. The Simpsonshas received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, and it has been noted for being described as \"the most irreverent and unapologetic show on the air.\"In a 1990 review of the show, Ken Tucker ofEntertainment Weeklydescribed it as \"the American family at its most complicated, drawn as simple cartoons. It's this neat paradox that makes millions of people turn","of people turn away from the three big networks on Sunday nights to concentrate on The Simpsons.\"Tucker also described the show as a \"pop-cultural phenomenon, a prime-time cartoon show that appeals to the entire family.\" Run length achievements On February 9, 1997,The SimpsonssurpassedThe Flintstoneswith the episode \"The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show\" as the longest-running prime-time animated series in the United States.In 2004,The SimpsonsreplacedThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet(1952 to 1966) as the longest-running sitcom (animated or live action) in the United States in terms of the number of years airing.In 2009,The SimpsonssurpassedThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet's record of 435 episodes and is now recognized byGuinness World Recordsas the world's longest running sitcom (in terms of episode count).In October 2004,Scooby-Doobriefly overtookThe Simpsonsas the American animated show with the highest number of episodes (albeit under several different iterations).However, network executives in April","executives in April 2005 again canceledScooby-Doo, which finished with 371 episodes, andThe Simpsonsreclaimed the title with 378 episodes at the end of their seventeenth season.In May 2007,The Simpsonsreached their 400th episode at the end of the eighteenth season. WhileThe Simpsonshas the record for the number of episodes by an American animated show, other animated series have surpassedThe Simpsons.For example, the JapaneseanimeseriesSazae-sanhas over 2,000 episodes (7,000+ segments) to its credit. In 2009, Fox began a year-long celebration of the show titled \"Best. 20 Years. Ever.\" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the premiere ofThe Simpsons. One of the first parts of the celebration is the \"Unleash Your Yellow\" contest in which entrants must design a poster for the show.The celebration ended on January 10, 2010 (almost 20 years after \"Bart the Genius\" aired on January 14, 1990), withThe Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special – In 3-D! On Ice!, a documentary special by documentary filmmakerMorgan","filmmakerMorgan Spurlockthat examines the \"cultural phenomenon ofThe Simpsons\". As of the twenty-first season (2009–2010),The Simpsonsbecame the longest-running American scripted primetime television series, having surpassed the 1955–1975 run ofGunsmoke. On April 29, 2018,The Simpsonsalso surpassedGunsmoke's 635-episode count with the episode \"Forgive and Regret\". The Simpsonsis both the longest-running and the highest ranking animated series to feature onTV Time's top 50 most followed TV shows ever. On February 6, 2019, it was announced thatThe Simpsonshas been renewed for seasons 31 and 32. On March 3, 2021, it was announced thatThe Simpsonswas renewed for seasons 33 and 34. Awards and honors The Simpsonshas won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 34Primetime Emmy Awards,34Annie Awardsand aPeabody Award.In a 1999 issue celebrating the 20th century's greatest achievements in arts and entertainment,TimenamedThe Simpsonsthe century's best television series, writing: \"Dazzlingly","\"Dazzlingly intelligent and unapologetically vulgar, the Simpsons have surpassed the humor, topicality and, yes, humanity of past TV greats.\"In that same issue,Timeincluded Bart Simpson in theTime 100, the publication's list of the century's 100 most influential people.Bart was the only fictional character on the list. On January 14, 2000, the Simpsons were awarded a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.Also in 2000,Entertainment Weeklymagazine TV critic Ken Tucker namedThe Simpsonsthe greatest television show of the1990s. Furthermore, viewers of the UK television channelChannel 4have votedThe Simpsonsat the top of two polls: 2001's 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows (despite the show not being aimed at children),and 2005's The 100 Greatest Cartoons,with Homer Simpson voted into first place in 2001's 100 Greatest TV Characters.Homer also placed ninth onEntertainment Weekly'slist of the \"50 Greatest TV icons\".In 2002,The Simpsonsranked No. 8 onTV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time,and was ranked the No. 6 cult","the No. 6 cult show in 2004.In 2007, it moved to No. 8 on TV Guide's cult shows listand was included inTime'slist of the \"100 Best TV Shows of All Time\".In 2008 the show was placed in first onEntertainment Weekly's\"Top 100 Shows of the Past 25 Years\".Empirenamed it the greatest TV show of all time.In 2010,Entertainment Weeklynamed Homer \"the greatest character of the last 20 years\",while in 2013 theWriters Guild of AmericalistedThe Simpsonsas the 11th \"best written\" series in television history.In 2013,TV GuiderankedThe Simpsonsas the greatest TV cartoon of all timeand the tenth greatest show of all time.A 2015The Hollywood Reportersurvey of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry people named it as their No. 10 favorite show.In 2015, British newspaperThe TelegraphnamedThe Simpsonsas one of the 10 best TV sitcoms of all time.Television criticsAlan SepinwallandMatt Zoller SeitzrankedThe Simpsonsas the greatest American TV series of all time in their 2016 bookTV (The Book).In 2022,Rolling","2022,Rolling StonerankedThe Simpsonsas the second-greatest TV show of all time.In 2023,VarietyrankedThe Simpsonsas the fourth-greatest TV show of all time. Criticism Controversy Bart's rebellious, bad boy nature, which underlies his misbehavior and rarely leads to any punishment, led some people to characterize him as a poorrole modelfor children.In schools, educators claimed that Bart was a \"threat to learning\" because of his \"underachiever and proud of it\" attitude and negative attitude regarding his education.Others described him as \"egotistical, aggressive and mean-spirited\".In a 1991 interview,Bill Cosbydescribed Bart as a bad role model for children, calling him \"angry, confused, frustrated\". In response, Matt Groening said, \"That sums up Bart, all right. Most people are in a struggle to be normal he thinks normal is very boring, and does things that others just wished they dare do.\"On January 27, 1992, then-PresidentGeorge H. W. Bushsaid, \"We are going to keep on trying to strengthen the American","the American family, to make American families a lot more likethe Waltonsand a lot less like the Simpsons.\"The writers rushed out a tongue-in-cheek reply in the form of a short segment that aired three days later before a rerun of \"Stark Raving Dad\" in which Bart replied, \"Hey, we're just like the Waltons. We're praying for an end tothe Depression, too.\" The show also received criticism from the nuclear power industry in its early years, with its portrayal of the evil boss Mr. Burns and \"bungling idiot\" employees (including Homer Simpson himself) with their lack of safety and security.In a letter to the nuclear power-backedU.S. Council for Energy Awareness, producer Sam Simon apologized, stating, \"I apologize that the Simpsons have offended a lot of people in the energy industry. I agree with you that in real life, Homer Simpson would not be employed at a nuclear power plant. On the other hand, he probably wouldn't be employed anywhere.\" Various episodes of the show have generated controversy. The Simpsons","The Simpsons visit Australia in \"Bart vs. Australia\" (season six, 1995) and Brazil in \"Blame It on Lisa\" (season 13, 2002) and both episodes generated controversy and negative reaction in the visited countries.In the latter case, Rio de Janeiro's tourist board—which claimed that the city was portrayed as having rampant street crime, kidnappings, slums, and monkey and rat infestations—went so far as to threaten Fox with legal action.Groening was a fierce and vocal critic of the episode \"A Star Is Burns\" (season six, 1995), which featured acrossoverwithThe Critic. He felt that it was just an advertisement forThe Critic, and that people would incorrectly associate the show with him. When he was unsuccessful in getting the episode pulled, he had his name removed from the credits and went public with his concerns, openly criticizing James L. Brooks and saying the episode \"violates the Simpsons' universe.\" In response, Brooks said, \"I am furious with Matt, ... he's allowed his opinion, but airing this publicly in","this publicly in the press is going too far. ... his behavior right now is rotten.\" \"The Principal and the Pauper\" (season nine, 1997) is one of the most controversial episodes ofThe Simpsons. Many fans and critics reacted negatively to the revelation thatSeymour Skinner, a recurring character since the first season, was an impostor. The episode has been criticized by Groening and byHarry Shearer, who provides the voice of Skinner. In a 2001 interview, Shearer recalled that after reading the script, he told the writers, \"That'ssowrong. You're taking something that an audience has built eight years or nine years of investment in and just tossed it in the trash can for no good reason, for a story we've done before with other characters. It's so arbitrary and gratuitous, and it's disrespectful to the audience.\" Bans The show has reportedly been taken off the air in several countries. China banned it from prime-time television in August 2006, \"in an effort to protect China's struggling animation studios.\"In","studios.\"In 2008,Venezuelabarred the show from airing on morning television as it was deemed \"unsuitable for children\".The same year, several RussianPentecostalchurches demanded thatThe Simpsons,South Parkand some other Western cartoons be removed from broadcast schedules \"for propaganda of various vices\" and the broadcaster's license to be revoked. However, a court decision later dismissed this request. Perceived decline in quality Critics' reviews of earlySimpsonsepisodes praised the show for its sassy humor, wit, realism, and intelligence.However, in the late 1990s, around the airing ofseason 9, the tone and emphasis of the show began to change. Some critics started calling the show \"tired\".By 2000, some long-term fans had become disillusioned with the show, and pointed to its shift from character-driven plots to what they perceived as an overemphasis on zany antics.Jim Schembri ofThe Sydney Morning Heraldattributed the decline in quality to an abandonment of character-driven storylines in favor of","in favor of celebritycameo appearancesand references to popular culture. Schembri wrote in 2011: \"The central tragedy ofThe Simpsonsis that it has gone from commanding attention to merely being attention-seeking. It began by proving that cartoon characters don't have to be caricatures; they can be invested with real emotions. Now the show has in essence fermented into a limp parody of itself. Memorable story arcs have been sacrificed for the sake of celebrity walk-ons and punchline-hungry dialogue.\" In 2010, the BBC noted \"the common consensus is thatThe Simpsons'golden era ended afterseason nine\",and Todd Leopold of CNN, in an article looking at its perceived decline, stated \"for many fans ... the glory days are long past.\"Similarly, Tyler Wilson ofCoeur d'Alene Presshas referred to seasons one to nine as the show's \"golden age\",and Ian Nathan ofEmpiredescribed the show's classic era as being \"say, the first ten seasons\".Jon HeacockofLucidWorksstated that \"for the first ten years , the show was consistently","was consistently at the top of its game\", with \"so many moments, quotations, and references – both epic and obscure – that helped turn the Simpson family into the cultural icons that they remain to this day\". Mike Scully, who was showrunner during seasons nine throughtwelve, has been the subject of criticism.Chris Suellentrop ofSlatewrote that \"under Scully's tenure,The Simpsonsbecame, well, a cartoon ... Episodes that once would have ended withHomer and Marge bicycling into the sunsetnow end withHomer blowing a tranquilizer dart into Marge's neck. The show's still funny, but it hasn't been touching in years.\"When asked in 2007 how the series' longevity is sustained, Scully joked: \"Lower your quality standards. Once you've done that you can go on forever.\" Al Jean, who was showrunner during seasonsthirteenthroughthirty-three,has also been the subject of criticism, with some arguing that the show has continued to decline in quality under his tenure. Former writers have complained that under Jean, the show is","Jean, the show is \"on auto-pilot\", \"too sentimental\", and the episodes are \"just being cranked out\". Some critics believe that the show has \"entered a steady decline under Jean and is no longer really funny\".John Ortved, author ofThe Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History, characterized the Jean era as \"toothless\",and criticized what he perceived as the show's increase in social and political commentary.Jean responded: \"Well, it's possible that we've declined. But honestly, I've been here the whole time and I do remember in season two people saying, 'It's gone downhill.' If we'd listened to that then we would have stopped after episode 13. I'm glad we didn't.\" In 2004, cast memberHarry Shearercriticized what he perceived as the show's declining quality: \"I rate the last three seasons as among the worst, soseason fourlooks very good to me now.\"Cast memberDan Castellanetaresponded: \"I don't agree, ... I think Harry's issue is that the show isn't as grounded as it was in the first three or four seasons,","or four seasons, that it's gotten crazy or a little more madcap. I think it organically changes to stay fresh.\"Also in 2004 authorDouglas Couplanddescribed claims of declining quality in the series as \"hogwash\", saying \"The Simpsonshasn't fumbled the ball in fourteen years, it's hardly likely to fumble it now.\"In an April 2006 interview, Groening said: \"I honestly don't see any end in sight. I think it's possible that the show will get too financially cumbersome ... but right now, the show is creatively, I think, as good or better than it's ever been. The animation is incredibly detailed and imaginative, the stories do things that we haven't done before, so creatively there's no reason to quit.\" In 2016, popular culture writer Anna Leszkiewicz suggested that even thoughThe Simpsonsstill holds cultural relevance, \"contemporary appeal\" is only for the \"first ten or so seasons\", with recent episodes only garnering mainstream attention when a favorite character from the golden era is killed off, or when new","off, or when new information and shock twists are given for old characters.The series' ratings have also declined; while thefirst seasonenjoyed an average of 13.4 million viewing households per episode in the U.S.,thetwenty-first seasonhad an average of 7.2 million viewers. Alan SepinwallandMatt Zoller Seitzargued in their 2016 book titledTV (The Book)that the peak ofThe Simpsonsare \"roughlyseasons 3–12\", and that despite the decline, episodes from the later seasons such as \"Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind\" and \"Holidays of Future Passed\" could be considered on par with the earlier classic episodes, further stating that \"even if you want to call the show today a thin shadow of its former self, think about how mind-boggingly great its former self had to be for so-diminished a version to be watchable at all.\" In 2020,Uproxxwriter Josh Kurp stated that while he agrees with the sentiment thatThe Simpsonsis not as good as it used to be, it is because \"it was working at a level of comedy and characterization","characterization that no show ever has.\" He felt there were still many reasons to watch the series, as it was \"still capable of quality television, and even the occasional new classic\" and the fact that the show was willing to experiment, giving examples such as bringing on guest animators likeDon HertzfeldtandSylvain Chometto produce couch gags, and guest writers likeSeth RogenandEvan Goldberg,Pete HolmesandMegan Amramto write episodes.In theseason 32episode \"I, Carumbus\", the show itself makes a nod to these concerns in its credits gag where the godJupiternotes that \"It definitely feels like they're wrapping it up ... any day now.\" In a 2021 interview withNME, Jean was quoted as saying, \"To people who sayThe Simpsonsisn't as good as it used to be, I would say I think the world isn't as good as it used to be. But we're declining at a slower rate.\" Race controversy The stereotypical nature of the characterApu Nahasapeemapetilonhas been the subject of controversy. Indian-American comedianHari Kondabolustated","Kondabolustated in his 2017 documentaryThe Problem with Aputhat as a child he was a fan ofThe Simpsonsand liked Apu, but he now finds the character's stereotypical nature troublesome. Defenders of the character responded that the show is built on comical stereotypes, with creator Matt Groening saying, \"that's the nature of cartooning.\"He added that he was \"proud of what we do on the show\", and \"it's a time in our culture where people love to pretend they're offended\".In response to the controversy, Apu's voice actor,Hank Azaria, said he was willing to step aside from his role as Apu: \"The most important thing is to listen to South Asian people, Indian people in this country when they talk about what they feel and how they think about this character.\"In February 2020, he confirmed that he would no longer voice Apu. Groening stated at the same time that the character would remain in the show. The criticisms were referenced in the season 29 episode \"No Good Read Goes Unpunished\", when Lisa breaks thefourth","breaks thefourth walland addresses the audience by saying, \"Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?\" to which Marge replies, \"Some things will be addressed at a later date.\" Lisa adds, \"If at all.\" This reference was clarified by the fact that there was a framed photo of Apu with the caption on the photo saying \"Don't have a cow, Apu\", a play on Bart's catchphrase \"Don't have a cow, man,\" as well as the fact that manyHindusdo not eat cows as they are considered sacred. In October 2018, it was reported that Apu would be written out of the show,which Groening denied. On June 26, 2020, in light of the variousBlack Lives Matterprotests, Fox announced that recurring characters of color (Carl CarlsonandDr. Hibbert, among others) would no longer be voiced by white actors.Beginning withseason 32, Carl, a black character originally voiced by Azaria, is now voiced by black actorAlex Désert.In addition,Bumblebee Man, a Spanish-speaking Latino","Latino character also originally voiced by Azaria, is now voiced by Mexican-American actorEric Lopez,and Dr. Hibbert, a black character originally voiced byHarry Shearer, is now voiced by black actorKevin Michael Richardson. Other media Comic books Numerous Simpson-related comic books have been released over the years. The firstcomic stripsbased onThe Simpsonsappeared in 1991 in the magazineSimpsons Illustrated, which was a companion magazine to the show.The comic strips were popular and a one-shot comic book titledSimpsons Comics and Stories, containing four different stories, was released in 1993 for the fans.The book was a success and due to this, Groening and his companionsBill Morrison, Mike Rote, and Steve and Cindy Vance created the publishing companyBongo Comics.A total of nine comic book series were published by Bongo Comics between 1993 and the company's dissolution in 2018.Issues ofSimpsons Comics,Bart Simpson's Treehouse of HorrorandBart Simpsonhave been collected and reprinted intrade","reprinted intrade paperbacksin the United States byHarperCollins. Film 20th Century FoxandGracie FilmsproducedThe Simpsons Movie, an animated film that was released on July 27, 2007.The film was directed by long-timeSimpsonsproducerDavid Silvermanand written by a team ofSimpsonswriters comprising Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Al Jean, George Meyer,Mike Reiss,John Swartzwelder,Jon Vitti,David Mirkin,Mike Scully,Matt Selman, andIan Maxtone-Graham.Production of the film occurred alongside continued writing of the series despite long-time claims by those involved in the show that a film would enter production only after the series had concluded.There had been talk of a possible feature-lengthSimpsonsfilm ever since the early seasons of the series. James L. Brooks originally thought that the story of the episode \"Kamp Krusty\" was suitable for a film, but he encountered difficulties in trying to expand the script to feature-length.For a long time, difficulties such as lack of a suitable story and an already","and an already fully engaged crew of writers delayed the project. On August 10, 2018, 20th Century Fox announced that a sequel is in development. Music Collections of original music featured in the series have been released on the albumsSongs in the Key of Springfield,Go Simpsonic with The SimpsonsandThe Simpsons: Testify.Several songs have been recorded with the purpose of a single or album release and have not been featured on the show. The albumThe Simpsons Sing the Blueswas released in September 1990 and was a success, peaking at No. 3 on theBillboard200and becoming certified 2× platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America.The first single from the album was thepop rapsong \"Do the Bartman\", performed by Nancy Cartwright and released on November 20, 1990. The song was written byMichael Jackson, although he did not receive any credit.The Yellow Albumwas released in 1998, but received poor reception and did not chart in any country. The SimpsonsRide In 2007, it was officially announced thatThe","announced thatThe SimpsonsRide, asimulator ride, would be implemented into theUniversal Studios OrlandoandUniversal Studios Hollywood.It officially opened May 15, 2008, in Floridaand May 19, 2008, in Hollywood.In the ride, patrons are introduced to a cartoon theme park called Krustyland built byKrusty the Clown. However,Sideshow Bobis loose from prison to get revenge on Krusty and theSimpson family.It features more than 24 regular characters fromThe Simpsonsand features the voices of the regular cast members, as well asPamela Hayden,Russi TaylorandKelsey Grammer.Harry Shearerdid not participate in the ride, so none of his characters have vocal parts.The ride also features clips from the show in the waiting line. Video games Numerous video games based on the show have been produced. Some of the early games includeKonami'sarcade gameThe Simpsons(1991) andAcclaim Entertainment'sThe Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants(1991).More modern games includeThe Simpsons: Road Rage(2001),The Simpsons: Hit & Run(2003)","Hit & Run(2003) andThe Simpsons Game(2007).Electronic Arts, which producedThe Simpsons Game, has owned the exclusive rights to create video games based on the show since 2005.In 2010, they released a game calledThe Simpsons ArcadeforiOS.Another EA-produced mobile game,Tapped Out, was released in 2012 for iOS users, then in 2013 forAndroidandKindleusers.TwoSimpsonspinballmachines have been produced: one that was available briefly after the first season, and another in 2007, both out of production. Merchandise The popularity ofThe Simpsonshas made it a billion-dollar merchandising industry.The title family and supporting characters appear on everything from T-shirts to posters.The Simpsonshas been used as a theme for special editions of well-known board games, includingClue,Scrabble,Monopoly,Operation, andThe Game of Life, as well as thetriviagames What Would Homer Do? and SimpsonsJeopardy!. Several card games such astrump cardsand The Simpsons Trading Card Game have also been released. Many official or","Many official or unofficialSimpsonsbooks such as episode guides have been published. Many episodes of the show have been released on DVD and VHS over the years. When the first season DVD was released in 2001, it quickly became the best-selling television DVD in history, although it was later overtaken by the first season ofChappelle's Show.In particular, seasons one through seventeen were released on DVD for 13 years between September 2001 to December 2014 in the U.S./Canada (Region 1), Europe (Region 2), and Australia/New Zealand/Latin America (Region 4). However, on April 8, 2015, Al Jean announced that the Season 17 DVD would be the last one ever produced, leaving the collection from Seasons 1 to 17, Season 20 (released out of order in 2010), with Seasons 18, 19, and 21 onwards unreleased.Jean also stated that the deleted scenes and commentaries would try to be released to the Simpsons World app, and that they were pushing for Simpsons World to be expanded outside of the U.S.Two years later, however, on","later, however, on July 22, 2017, it was announced that Season 18 would be released on December 5, 2017, on DVD.Another two years later, on July 20, 2019, it was announced that Season 19 would be released on December 3, 2019, on DVD. In 2003, about 500 companies around the world were licensed to useSimpsonscharacters in their advertising.As a promotion forThe Simpsons Movie, twelve7-Elevenstores were transformed intoKwik-E-Martsand soldThe Simpsonsrelated products. These included \"Buzz Cola\", \"Krusty-O\" cereal, pink doughnuts with sprinkles, and \"Squishees\". In 2008, consumers around the world spent $750 million on merchandise related toThe Simpsons, with half of the amount originating from the United States. By 2009, 20th Century Fox had greatly increased merchandising efforts.On April 9, 2009, theUnited States Postal Serviceunveiled a series of five 44-cent stamps featuring Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, to commemorate the show's twentieth anniversary.The Simpsonsis the first television series still","series still in production to receive this recognition.The stamps, designed by Matt Groening, were made available for purchase on May 7, 2009.Approximately one billion were printed, but only 318 million were sold, costing the Postal Service $1.2 million. References Bibliography Further reading External links","List of animated television series by episode count This is a list ofanimated television seriesby episode count. This article does not includeanimeseries which originate fromJapan(for this see thelist of anime series by episode count). Single series with at least 100 episodes and television franchises with at least 40 episodes are listed. Single series Longest-running animated television franchises See also References"],"string":"[\n \"Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II(born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44thpresident of the United Statesfrom 2009 to 2017. As a member of theDemocratic Party, he was the firstAfrican-Americanpresident in U.S. history. Obama previously served as aU.S. senatorrepresentingIllinoisfrom 2005 to 2008 and as anIllinois state senatorfrom 1997 to 2004. Obama was born inHonolulu,Hawaii. He graduated fromColumbia Universityin 1983 with aBachelor of Artsdegree in political science and later worked as acommunity organizerinChicago. In 1988, Obama enrolled inHarvard Law School, where he was the first black president of theHarvard Law Review. He became a civil rights attorney and an academic, teachingconstitutional lawat theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolfrom 1992 to 2004. He also went into elective politics; Obamarepresented the 13th district in the Illinois Senatefrom 1997 until 2004, when hesuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate. In the2008 presidential election, aftera close primary\",\n \"close primary campaignagainstHillary Clinton, he was nominated by the Democratic Party for president. Obama selectedJoe Bidenas his running mate and defeatedRepublicannomineeJohn McCain. Obama was named the2009 Nobel Peace Prizelaureate, a decision that drew a mixture of criticism and praise. His first-term actions addressed theglobal financial crisisand includeda major stimulus packageto guide the economy in recovering from theGreat Recession, a partial extension ofGeorge W. Bush'stax cuts,legislation to reform health care,a major financial regulation reform bill, and the end of a major U.S.military presence in Iraq. Obama also appointedSupreme CourtjusticesSonia SotomayorandElena Kagan, the former being the firstHispanic Americanon the Supreme Court. He orderedOperation Neptune Spear, the raid that killedOsama bin Laden, who was responsible for theSeptember 11 attacks. Obama downplayed Bush'scounterinsurgency model, expandingair strikesand making extensive use of special forces, while encouraging greater\",\n \"encouraging greater reliance on host-government militaries. He also orderedmilitary involvement in Libyain order to implementUN Security Council Resolution 1973, contributing to the overthrow ofMuammar Gaddafi. Obama defeated Republican opponentMitt Romneyin the2012 presidential election. In his second term, Obama took steps tocombat climate change, signinga major international climate agreementand anexecutive orderto limitcarbon emissions. Obama also presided over the implementation of theAffordable Care Actand other legislation passed in his first term. He negotiateda nuclear agreement with Iranandnormalized relations with Cuba. The number ofAmerican soldiers in Afghanistandecreased during Obama's second term, though U.S. soldiers remained in the country throughout Obama's presidency. Obama promoted inclusion forLGBT Americans, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to publicly supportsame-sex marriage. Obama left office on January 20, 2017, and continues to reside in Washington, D.C. Historians and\",\n \"D.C. Historians and political scientists rank him among the upper tier inhistorical rankings of American presidents.His presidential libraryin theSouth Side of Chicagobegan construction in 2021. Since leaving office, Obama has remained politically active, campaigning for candidates in various American elections, including Biden'ssuccessful presidential bidin2020. Outside of politics,Obama has published three books:Dreams from My Father(1995),The Audacity of Hope(2006), andA Promised Land(2020). Early life and career Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961,atKapiolani Medical Center for Women and ChildreninHonolulu, Hawaii.He is the only president born outside thecontiguous 48 states.He was born to an 18-year-old American mother and a 27-year-old Kenyan father. His mother,Ann Dunham(1942–1995), was born inWichita, Kansas, and was of English, Welsh, German, Swiss, and Irish descent. In 2007 it was discovered her great-great-grandfather Falmouth Kearney emigrated from the village ofMoneygall, Irelandto the U.S.\",\n \"Irelandto the U.S. in 1850.In July 2012,Ancestry.comfound a strong likelihood that Dunham was descended fromJohn Punch, an enslaved African man who lived in theColony of Virginiaduring the seventeenth century.Obama's father,Barack Obama Sr.(1934–1982),was a marriedLuo KenyanfromNyang'oma Kogelo.His last name, Obama, was derived from his Luo descent.Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian language class at theUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where his father was a foreign student on a scholarship.The couple married inWailuku, Hawaii, on February 2, 1961, six months before Obama was born. In late August 1961, a few weeks after he was born, Barack and his mother moved to theUniversity of WashingtoninSeattle, where they lived for a year. During that time, Barack's father completed his undergraduate degree in economics in Hawaii, graduating in June 1962. He left to attend graduate school on a scholarship atHarvard University, where he earned anM.A.in economics. Obama's parents divorced in March 1964.Obama Sr.\",\n \"1964.Obama Sr. returned toKenyain 1964, where he married for a third time and worked for the Kenyan government as the Senior Economic Analyst in the Ministry of Finance.He visited his son in Hawaii only once, at Christmas 1971,before he was killed in an automobile accident in 1982, when Obama was 21 years old.Recalling his early childhood, Obama said: \\\"That my father looked nothing like the people around me—that he was black as pitch, my mother white as milk—barely registered in my mind.\\\"He described his struggles as a young adult to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage. In 1963, Dunham metLolo Soetoroat theUniversity of Hawaii; he was anIndonesianEast–West Centergraduate studentingeography. The couple married onMolokaion March 15, 1965.After two one-year extensions of hisJ-1 visa, Lolo returned toIndonesiain 1966. His wife and stepson followed sixteen months later in 1967. The family initially lived in the Menteng Dalam neighborhood in theTebetdistrict ofSouth Jakarta. From 1970, they\",\n \"From 1970, they lived in a wealthier neighborhood in theMentengdistrict ofCentral Jakarta. Education At the age of six, Obama and his mother had moved to Indonesia to join his stepfather. From age six to ten, he was registered in school as \\\"Barry\\\"and attended localIndonesian-languageschools:Sekolah Dasar Katolik Santo Fransiskus Asisi(St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School) for two years andSekolah Dasar Negeri Menteng 01(State Elementary School Menteng 01) for one and a half years, supplemented by English-languageCalvert Schoolhomeschooling by his mother.As a result of his four years inJakarta, he was able to speakIndonesianfluently as a child.During his time in Indonesia, Obama's stepfather taught him to be resilient and gave him \\\"a pretty hardheaded assessment of how the world works\\\". In 1971, Obama returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents,MadelynandStanley Dunham. He attendedPunahou School—a privatecollege preparatory school—with the aid of a scholarship from fifth grade\",\n \"from fifth grade until he graduated from high school in 1979.In high school, Obama continued to use the nickname \\\"Barry\\\" which he kept until making a visit to Kenya in 1980.Obama lived with his mother and half-sister,Maya Soetoro, in Hawaii for three years from 1972 to 1975 while his mother was a graduate student inanthropologyat the University of Hawaii.Obama chose to stay in Hawaii when his mother and half-sister returned to Indonesia in 1975, so his mother could begin anthropology field work.His mother spent most of the next two decades in Indonesia, divorcing Lolo Soetoro in 1980 and earning a PhD degree in 1992, before dying in 1995 in Hawaii following unsuccessful treatment forovariananduterine cancer. Of his years in Honolulu, Obama wrote: \\\"The opportunity that Hawaii offered — to experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respect — became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the values that I hold most dear.\\\"Obama has also written and talked about usingalcohol,marijuana,\",\n \"andcocaineduring his teenage years to \\\"push questions of who I was out of my mind\\\".Obama was also a member of the \\\"Choom Gang\\\" (the slang term for smoking marijuana), a self-named group of friends who spent time together and smoked marijuana. College and research jobs After graduating from high school in 1979, Obama moved to Los Angeles to attendOccidental Collegeon a full scholarship. In February 1981, Obama made his first public speech, calling for Occidental to participate in thedisinvestment from South Africain response to that nation's policy ofapartheid.In mid-1981, Obama traveled to Indonesia to visit his mother and half-sister Maya and visited the families of college friends inPakistanfor three weeks.Later in 1981, hetransferredtoColumbia Universityin New York City as ajunior, where he majored inpolitical sciencewith a specialty ininternational relationsand inEnglish literatureand lived off-campus on West 109th Street.He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 and a 3.7GPA. After graduating,\",\n \"After graduating, Obama worked for about a year at theBusiness International Corporation, where he was a financial researcher and writer,then as a project coordinator for theNew York Public Interest Research Groupon theCity College of New Yorkcampus for three months in 1985. Community organizer and Harvard Law School Two years after graduating from Columbia, Obama moved from New York to Chicago when he was hired as director of theDeveloping Communities Project, a faith-based community organization originally comprising eight Catholic parishes inRoseland,West Pullman, andRiverdaleon Chicago'sSouth Side. He worked there as a community organizer from June 1985 to May 1988.He helped set up a job training program, a college preparatory tutoring program, and a tenants' rights organization inAltgeld Gardens.Obama also worked as a consultant and instructor for theGamaliel Foundation, a community organizing institute.In mid-1988, he traveled for the first time inEuropefor three weeks and then for five weeks in Kenya,\",\n \"weeks in Kenya, where he met many of hispaternal relativesfor the first time. Despite being offered a full scholarship toNorthwestern University School of Law, Obama enrolled atHarvard Law Schoolin the fall of 1988, living in nearbySomerville, Massachusetts.He was selected as an editor of theHarvard Law Reviewat the end of his first year,president of the journal in his second year,and research assistant to the constitutional scholarLaurence Tribewhile at Harvard.During his summers, he returned to Chicago, where he worked as asummer associateat the law firms ofSidley Austinin 1989 andHopkins & Sutterin 1990.Obama's election as thefirst black president of theHarvard Law Reviewgained national media attentionand led to a publishing contract and advance for a book about race relations,which evolved into a personal memoir. The manuscript was published in mid-1995 asDreams from My Father.Obama graduated from Harvard Law in 1991 with aJuris Doctormagna cum laude. University of Chicago Law School In 1991, Obama\",\n \"In 1991, Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolto work on his first book.He then taughtconstitutional lawat the University of Chicago Law School for twelve years, first as a lecturer from 1992 to 1996, and then as a senior lecturer from 1996 to 2004. From April to October 1992, Obama directed Illinois'sProject Vote, avoter registration campaignwith ten staffers and seven hundred volunteer registrars; it achieved its goal of registering 150,000 of 400,000 unregistered African Americans in the state, leadingCrain's Chicago Businessto name Obama to its 1993 list of \\\"40 under Forty\\\" powers to be. Family and personal life In a 2006 interview, Obama highlighted the diversity ofhis extended family: \\\"It's like a little mini-United Nations,\\\" he said. \\\"I've got relatives who look likeBernie Mac, and I've got relatives who look likeMargaret Thatcher.\\\"Obama has a half-sister with whom he was raised (Maya Soetoro-Ng) and seven other half-siblings\",\n \"other half-siblings from his Kenyan father's family, six of them living.Obama's mother was survived by her Kansas-born mother, Madelyn Dunham,until her death on November 2, 2008,two days before his election to the presidency. Obama also has roots in Ireland; he met with his Irish cousins inMoneygallin May 2011.InDreams from My Father, Obama ties his mother's family history to possible Native American ancestors and distant relatives ofJefferson Davis,President of the Confederate States of Americaduring theAmerican Civil War. He also shares distant ancestors in common withGeorge W. BushandDick Cheney, among others. Obama lived with anthropologistSheila Miyoshi Jagerwhile he was a community organizer in Chicago in the 1980s.He proposed to her twice, but both Jager and her parents turned him down.The relationship was not made public until May 2017, several months after his presidency had ended. In June 1989, Obama metMichelle Robinsonwhen he was employed atSidley Austin.Robinson was assigned for three months as\",\n \"for three months as Obama's adviser at the firm, and she joined him at several group social functions but declined his initial requests to date.They began dating later that summer, became engaged in 1991, and were married on October 3, 1992.After suffering a miscarriage, Michelle underwentin vitro fertilizationto conceive their children.The couple's first daughter, Malia Ann, was born in 1998,followed by a second daughter, Natasha (\\\"Sasha\\\"), in 2001.The Obama daughters attended theUniversity of Chicago Laboratory Schools. When they moved to Washington, D.C., in January 2009, the girls started at theSidwell Friends School.The Obamas had twoPortuguese Water Dogs; the first, a male namedBo, was a gift from SenatorTed Kennedy.In 2013, Bo was joined bySunny, a female.Bo died of cancer on May 8, 2021. Obama is a supporter of theChicago White Sox, and he threw out the first pitch at the2005 ALCSwhen he was still a senator.In 2009, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at theAll-Star Gamewhile wearing a White Sox\",\n \"wearing a White Sox jacket.He is also primarily aChicago Bearsfootball fan in theNFL, but in his childhood and adolescence was afan of the Pittsburgh Steelersand rooted for them ahead of their victory inSuper Bowl XLIII12 days after he took office as president.In 2011, Obama invited the1985 Chicago Bearsto the White House; the team had not visited the White House after theirSuper Bowl winin 1986 due to theSpace Shuttle Challenger disaster.He playsbasketball, a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team,and he is left-handed. In 2005, the Obama family applied the proceeds of a book deal and moved from aHyde Park, Chicagocondominium to a $1.6million house (equivalent to $2.5million in 2023) in neighboringKenwood, Chicago.The purchase of an adjacent lot—and sale of part of it to Obama by the wife of developer, campaign donor and friendTony Rezko—attracted media attention because of Rezko's subsequent indictment and conviction on political corruption charges that were unrelated to\",\n \"were unrelated to Obama. In December 2007,Money Magazineestimated Obama's net worth at $1.3million (equivalent to $1.9million in 2023).Their 2009 tax return showed a household income of $5.5million—up from about $4.2million in 2007 and $1.6million in 2005—mostly from sales of his books.On his 2010 income of $1.7million, he gave 14 percent to non-profit organizations, including $131,000 toFisher House Foundation, a charity assisting wounded veterans' families, allowing them to reside near where the veteran is receiving medical treatments.Per his 2012 financial disclosure, Obama may be worth as much as $10million. Religious views Obama is aProtestantChristian whose religious views developed in his adult life.He wrote inThe Audacity of Hopethat he \\\"was not raised in a religious household.\\\" He described his mother, raised by non-religious parents, as being detached from religion, yet \\\"in many ways the most spiritually awakened person... I have ever known\\\", and \\\"a lonely witness forsecular humanism.\\\" He described\",\n \"He described his father as a \\\"confirmedatheist\\\" by the time his parents met, and his stepfather as \\\"a man who saw religion as not particularly useful.\\\" Obama explained how, through working withblack churchesas acommunity organizerwhile in his twenties, he came to understand \\\"the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change.\\\" In January 2008, Obama toldChristianity Today: \\\"I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in theredemptive deathandresurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life.\\\"On September 27, 2010, Obama released a statement commenting on his religious views, saying: I'm a Christian by choice. My family didn't—frankly, they weren't folks who went to church every week. And my mother was one of the most spiritual people I knew, but she didn't raise me in the church. So I came to my Christian faith later in life, and it was because the precepts ofJesus Christspoke to me in terms of the kind of life\",\n \"of the kind of life that I would want to lead—being my brothers' and sisters' keeper,treating others as they would treat me. Obama metTrinity United Church of ChristpastorJeremiah Wrightin October 1987 and became a member of Trinity in 1992.During Obama's first presidential campaign in May 2008, he resigned from Trinity aftersome of Wright's statements were criticized.Since moving to Washington, D.C., in 2009, the Obama family has attended several Protestant churches, includingShiloh Baptist ChurchandSt. John's Episcopal Church, as well as Evergreen Chapel atCamp David, but the members of the family do not attend church on a regular basis. In 2016, he said that he gets inspiration from a few items that remind him \\\"of all the different people I've met along the way\\\", adding: \\\"I carry these around all the time. I'm not that superstitious, so it's not like I think I necessarily have to have them on me at all times.\\\" The items, \\\"a whole bowl full\\\", include rosary beads given to him byPope Francis, a figurine of\",\n \"a figurine of the Hindu deityHanuman, aCoptic crossfrom Ethiopia, a smallBuddha statuegiven by a monk, and a metal poker chip that used to be the lucky charm of a motorcyclist in Iowa. Legal career Civil rights attorney He joined Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, a 13-attorney law firm specializing in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development, where he was anassociatefor three years from 1993 to 1996, thenof counselfrom 1996 to 2004. In 1994, he was listed as one of the lawyers inBuycks-Roberson v. Citibank Fed. Sav. Bank, 94 C 4094 (N.D. Ill.). Thisclass action lawsuitwas filed in 1994 with Selma Buycks-Roberson as lead plaintiff and alleged that Citibank Federal Savings Bank had engaged in practices forbidden under theEqual Credit Opportunity Actand theFair Housing Act. The case was settled out of court. From 1994 to 2002, Obama served on the boards of directors of theWoods Fund of Chicago—which in 1985 had been the first foundation to fund the Developing Communities Project—and of\",\n \"Project—and of theJoyce Foundation.He served on the board of directors of theChicago Annenberg Challengefrom 1995 to 2002, as founding president and chairman of the board of directors from 1995 to 1999.Obama's law license became inactive in 2007. Legislative career Illinois Senate (1997–2004) Obama was elected to theIllinois Senatein 1996, succeeding Democratic State SenatorAlice PalmerfromIllinois's 13th District, which, at that time, spanned Chicago South Side neighborhoods from Hyde Park–Kenwood south toSouth Shoreand west toChicago Lawn.Once elected, Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation that reformed ethics and health care laws.He sponsored a law that increasedtax creditsfor low-income workers, negotiatedwelfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported Republican GovernorGeorge Ryan'spayday loanregulations andpredatory mortgage lendingregulations aimed at averting homeforeclosures.\",\n \"homeforeclosures. He was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998, defeating Republican Yesse Yehudah in the general election, and was re-elected again in 2002.In 2000, he lost aDemocratic primary raceforIllinois's 1st congressional districtin theUnited States House of Representativesto four-term incumbentBobby Rushby a margin of two to one. In January 2003, Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee when Democrats, after a decade in the minority, regained a majority.He sponsored and led unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitorracial profilingby requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained, and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.During his 2004 general election campaign for the U.S. Senate, police representatives credited Obama for his active engagement with police organizations in enactingdeath penaltyreforms.Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his\",\n \"2004 following his election to the U.S. Senate. 2004 U.S. Senate campaign in Illinois In May 2002, Obama commissioned a poll to assess his prospects in a 2004 U.S. Senate race. He created a campaign committee, began raising funds, and lined up political media consultantDavid Axelrodby August 2002. Obama formally announced his candidacy in January 2003. Obama was an early opponent of the George W. Bush administration's2003 invasion of Iraq.On October 2, 2002, the day President Bush and Congress agreed on thejoint resolutionauthorizing theIraq War,Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicagoanti-Iraq War rally,and spoke out against the war.He addressed another anti-war rally in March 2003 and told the crowd \\\"it's not too late\\\" to stop the war. Decisions by Republican incumbentPeter Fitzgeraldand his Democratic predecessorCarol Moseley Braunnot to participate in the election resulted in wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving 15 candidates.In the March 2004 primary election, Obama won\",\n \"election, Obama won in an unexpected landslide—which overnight made him a rising star within thenational Democratic Party, started speculation about a presidential future, and led to the reissue of his memoir,Dreams from My Father.In July 2004, Obama deliveredthe keynote addressat the2004 Democratic National Convention,seen by nine million viewers. His speech was well received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party. Obama's expected opponent in the general election, Republican primary winnerJack Ryan, withdrew from the race in June 2004.Six weeks later,Alan Keyesaccepted the Republican nomination to replace Ryan.In theNovember 2004 general election, Obama won with 70 percent of the vote, the largest margin of victory for a Senate candidate in Illinois history.He took 92 of the state's 102 counties, including several where Democrats traditionally do not do well. U.S. Senate (2005–2008) Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 3, 2005,becoming the only Senate member of theCongressional Black\",\n \"Black Caucus.He introduced two initiatives that bore his name: Lugar–Obama, which expanded theNunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reductionconcept to conventional weapons;and theFederal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, which authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov, a web search engine on federal spending.On June 3, 2008, Senator Obama—along with SenatorsTom Carper,Tom Coburn, andJohn McCain—introduced follow-up legislation: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008.He alsocosponsoredtheSecure America and Orderly Immigration Act. In December 2006, President Bush signed into law theDemocratic Republic of the CongoRelief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.In January 2007, Obama and Senator Feingold introduced a corporate jet provision to theHonest Leadership and Open Government Act, which was signed into law in September 2007. Later in 2007, Obama sponsored an\",\n \"Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to add safeguards for personality-disorder military discharges.This amendment passed the full Senate in the spring of 2008.He sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, which was never enacted but later incorporated in theComprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010;and co-sponsored legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to theState Children's Health Insurance Program, providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries. Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees forForeign Relations,Environment and Public Works, andVeterans' Affairsthrough December 2006.In January 2007, he left the Environment and Public Works committee and took additional assignments withHealth, Education, Labor and PensionsandHomeland Security and Governmental\",\n \"and Governmental Affairs.He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee onEuropean Affairs.As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. He met withMahmoud Abbasbefore Abbas becamePresident of the Palestinian National Authorityand gave a speech at theUniversity of Nairobiin which he condemned corruption within the Kenyan government. Obamaresigned his Senate seaton November 16, 2008, to focus on his transition period for the presidency. Presidential campaigns 2008 On February 10, 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of theOld State Capitolbuilding inSpringfield, Illinois.The choice of the announcement site was viewed as symbolic, as it was also whereAbraham Lincolndelivered his\\\"House Divided\\\"speech in 1858.Obama emphasized issues of rapidly ending the Iraq War, increasingenergy independence, andreforming the health care system. Numerous candidates entered\",\n \"candidates entered theDemocratic Party presidential primaries. The field narrowed to Obama and SenatorHillary Clintonafter early contests, with the race remaining close throughout the primary process, but Obama gained a steady lead in pledgeddelegatesdue to better long-range planning, superior fundraising, dominant organizing incaucusstates, and better exploitation of delegate allocation rules.On June 2, 2008, Obama had received enough votes to clinch his nomination. After an initial hesitation to concede, on June 7, Clinton ended her campaign and endorsed Obama.On August 23, 2008, Obama announced hisselectionofDelawareSenatorJoe Bidenas his vice presidential running mate.Obama selected Biden from a field speculated to include former Indiana Governor and SenatorEvan Bayhand Virginia GovernorTim Kaine.At theDemocratic National ConventioninDenver, Colorado, Hillary Clinton called for her supporters to endorse Obama, and she andBill Clintongave convention speeches in his support.Obama delivered his acceptance\",\n \"his acceptance speech atInvesco Field at Mile Highstadium to a crowd of about eighty-four thousand; the speech was viewed by over three million people worldwide.During both the primary process and the general election, Obama's campaign set numerous fundraising records, particularly in the quantity of small donations.On June 19, 2008, Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn downpublic financingin the general election since the system was created in 1976. John McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate, and he selectedSarah Palinas his running mate. Obama and McCain engaged in threepresidential debatesin September and October 2008.On November 4, Obama won the presidency with 365electoral votesto 173 received by McCain.Obama won 52.9 percent of thepopular voteto McCain's 45.7 percent.He became the first African-American to be elected president.Obama deliveredhis victory speechbefore hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago'sGrant Park.He is one of the three United States\",\n \"three United States senators moved directly from the U.S. Senate to the White House, the others beingWarren G. HardingandJohn F. Kennedy. 2012 On April 4, 2011, Obama filed election papers with theFederal Election Commissionand then announced his reelection campaign for 2012 in a video titled \\\"It Begins with Us\\\" that he posted on his website.As the incumbent president, he ran virtually unopposed in theDemocratic Party presidential primaries,and on April 3, 2012, Obama secured the 2778conventiondelegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.At theDemocratic National ConventioninCharlotte, North Carolina, Obama and Joe Biden were formally nominated by former President Bill Clinton as the Democratic Party candidates for president and vice president in the general election. Their main opponents were RepublicansMitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and RepresentativePaul Ryanof Wisconsin. On November 6, 2012, Obama won 332 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 required for him to be reelected as\",\n \"to be reelected as president.With 51.1 percent of the popular vote,Obama became the first Democratic president sinceFranklin D. Rooseveltto win themajority of the popular votetwice.Obama addressed supporters and volunteers at Chicago'sMcCormick Placeafter his reelection and said: \\\"Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties.\\\" Presidency (2009–2017) First 100 days Theinauguration of Barack Obamaas the 44th president took place on January 20, 2009. In his first few days in office, Obama issuedexecutive ordersandpresidential memorandadirecting the U.S. military to develop plans to withdraw troops from Iraq.He ordered the closing of theGuantanamo Bay detention camp,but Congress prevented the closure by refusing to appropriate the required fundsand preventing moving any Guantanamo detainee.Obama reduced the secrecy given to presidential\",\n \"to presidential records.He also revoked President George W. Bush's restoration of PresidentRonald Reagan'sMexico City policywhich prohibited federal aid to internationalfamily planningorganizations that perform or provide counseling about abortion. Domestic policy The first bill signed into law by Obama was theLilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, relaxing thestatute of limitationsfor equal-pay lawsuits.Five days later, he signed the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program to cover an additional four million uninsured children.In March 2009, Obama reversed a Bush-era policy that had limited funding ofembryonic stem cellresearch and pledged to develop \\\"strict guidelines\\\" on the research. Obama appointed two women to serve on the Supreme Court in the first two years of his presidency. He nominatedSonia Sotomayoron May 26, 2009, to replace retiringAssociate JusticeDavid Souter. She was confirmed on August 6, 2009,becoming the first Supreme Court Justice ofHispanicdescent.Obama\",\n \"nominatedElena Kaganon May 10, 2010, to replace retiring Associate JusticeJohn Paul Stevens. She was confirmed on August 5, 2010, bringing the number of women sitting simultaneously on the Court to three for the first time in American history. On March 11, 2009, Obama created theWhite House Council on Women and Girls, which formed part of theOffice of Intergovernmental Affairs, having been established byExecutive Order13506with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to the welfare of American women and girls. The council was chaired bySenior Advisor to the PresidentValerie Jarrett. Obama also established theWhite House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assaultthrough a government memorandum on January 22, 2014, with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to sexual assault on college and university campuses throughout the United States. The co-chairs of the Task Force were Vice President Joe Biden and Jarrett. The Task Force was a development out of the White House Council on\",\n \"House Council on Women and Girls andOffice of the Vice President of the United States, and prior to that the 1994Violence Against Women Actfirst drafted by Biden. In July 2009, Obama launched thePriority Enforcement Program, an immigration enforcement program that had been pioneered by George W. Bush, and theSecure Communitiesfingerprinting and immigration status data-sharing program. In amajor space policy speechin April 2010, Obama announced a planned change in direction atNASA, the U.S. space agency. He ended plans for a return ofhuman spaceflightto the moon and development of theAres Irocket,Ares Vrocket andConstellation program, in favor of fundingearth scienceprojects, a new rocket type, research and development for an eventual crewed mission to Mars, and ongoing missions to theInternational Space Station. On January 16, 2013, one month after theSandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Obama signed 23 executive orders and outlined a series of sweeping proposals regardinggun control.He urged Congress to\",\n \"urged Congress to reintroduce anexpired banon military-styleassault weapons, such as those used in several recent mass shootings, impose limits on ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, introduce background checks on all gun sales, pass a ban on possession and sale of armor-piercing bullets, introduce harsher penalties for gun-traffickers, especially unlicensed dealers who buy arms for criminals and approving the appointment of the head of the federalBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosivesfor the first time since 2006.On January 5, 2016, Obama announced new executive actions extending background check requirements to more gun sellers.In a 2016 editorial inThe New York Times, Obama compared the struggle for what he termed \\\"common-sense gun reform\\\" towomen's suffrageand othercivil rights movementsin American history. In 2011, Obama signed a four-year renewal of the Patriot Act.Following the2013 global surveillance disclosuresbywhistleblowerEdward Snowden, Obama condemned the leak as unpatriotic,but\",\n \"as unpatriotic,but called for increased restrictions on theNational Security Agency(NSA) to address violations of privacy.Obama continued and expanded surveillance programs set up by George W. Bush, while implementing some reforms.He supported legislation that would have limited the NSA's ability to collect phone records in bulk under a single program and supported bringing more transparency to theForeign Intelligence Surveillance Court(FISC). Racial issues In his speeches as president, Obama did not make more overt references to race relations than his predecessors,but according to one study, he implemented stronger policy action on behalf of African-Americans than any president since the Nixon era. Following Obama's election, many pondered the existence of a \\\"postracial America\\\".However, lingering racial tensions quickly became apparent,and many African-Americans expressed outrage over what they saw as an intense racial animosity directed at Obama.TheacquittalofGeorge Zimmermanfollowing thekilling of\",\n \"thekilling of Trayvon Martinsparked national outrage, leading to Obama giving a speech in which he noted that \\\"Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago.\\\"The shooting ofMichael BrowninFerguson, Missourisparked a wave of protests.These and other events led to the birth of theBlack Lives Mattermovement, which campaigns against violence andsystemic racismtowardblack people.Though Obama entered office reluctant to talk about race, by 2014 he began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups. Several incidents during Obama's presidency generated disapproval from the African-American community and with law enforcement, and Obama sought to build trust between law enforcement officials and civil rights activists, with mixed results. Some in law enforcement criticized Obama's condemnation of racial bias after incidents in which police action led to the death of African-American men, while some racial justice activists criticized Obama's expressions of empathy for the police.In a\",\n \"for the police.In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried \\\"a great deal\\\" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001. LGBT rights On October 8, 2009, Obama signed theMatthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a measure that expanded the1969 United States federal hate-crime lawto include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.On October 30, 2009, Obama lifted the ban on travel to the United States by those infected with HIV. The lifting of the ban was celebrated byImmigration Equality.On December 22, 2010, Obama signed theDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which fulfilled a promise made in the 2008 presidential campaignto end thedon't ask, don't tellpolicy of 1993 that had prevented gay and lesbian people from serving openly in theUnited States Armed Forces. In 2016, the Pentagon ended the policy that barredtransgender people from serving\",\n \"people from serving openly in the military. Same-sex marriage As a candidate for the Illinois state senate in 1996, Obama stated he favored legalizingsame-sex marriage.During his Senate run in 2004, he said he supported civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex partners but opposed same-sex marriages.In 2008, he reaffirmed this position by stating \\\"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage.\\\"On May 9, 2012, shortly after the official launch of his campaign for re-election as president, Obama said his views had evolved, and he publicly affirmed his personal support for the legalization of same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so.During his secondinaugural addresson January 21, 2013,Obama became the first U.S. president in office to call for full equality for gay Americans, and the first to mentiongay rightsor the word \\\"gay\\\" in an inaugural address.In 2013, the Obama administration filed briefs that urged theSupreme Courtto rule in\",\n \"Courtto rule in favor of same-sex couples in the cases ofHollingsworth v. Perry(regarding same-sex marriage)andUnited States v. Windsor(regarding theDefense of Marriage Act). Economic policy On February 17, 2009, Obama signed theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $787billion (equivalent to $1118 billion in 2023)economic stimuluspackage aimed at helping the economy recover from thedeepening worldwide recession.The act includes increased federal spending for health care, infrastructure, education, various tax breaks andincentives, and direct assistance to individuals.In March 2009, Obama's Treasury Secretary,Timothy Geithner, took further steps to manage thefinancial crisis, including introducing thePublic–Private Investment Program for Legacy Assets, which contains provisions for buying up to $2trillion in depreciated real estate assets. Obama intervened in thetroubled automotive industryin March 2009, renewing loans forGeneral Motors(GM) andChryslerto continue operations while reorganizing.\",\n \"while reorganizing. Over the following months the White House set terms for both firms' bankruptcies, including thesale of Chryslerto Italian automakerFiatand areorganization of GMgiving the U.S. government a temporary 60 percent equity stake in the company.In June 2009, dissatisfied with the pace of economic stimulus, Obama called on his cabinet to accelerate the investment.He signed into law theCar Allowance Rebate System, known colloquially as \\\"Cash for Clunkers\\\", which temporarily boosted the economy. The Bush and Obama administrations authorized spending and loan guarantees from theFederal Reserveand theDepartment of the Treasury. These guarantees totaled about $11.5trillion, but only $3trillion had been spent by the end of November 2009.On August 2, 2011, after a lengthy congressional debate over whether to raise the nation's debt limit, Obama signed the bipartisanBudget Control Act of 2011. The legislation enforced limits on discretionary spending until 2021, established a procedure to increase the\",\n \"to increase the debt limit, created a Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to propose further deficit reduction with a stated goal of achieving at least $1.5trillion in budgetary savings over 10 years, and established automatic procedures for reducing spending by as much as $1.2trillion if legislation originating with the new joint select committee did not achieve such savings.By passing the legislation, Congress was able to prevent aU.S. governmentdefaulton its obligations. The unemployment rate rose in 2009, reaching a peak in October at 10.0 percent and averaging 10.0 percent in the fourth quarter. Following a decrease to 9.7 percent in the first quarter of 2010, the unemployment rate fell to 9.6 percent in the second quarter, where it remained for the rest of the year.Between February and December 2010, employment rose by 0.8 percent, which was less than the average of 1.9 percent experienced during comparable periods in the past four employment recoveries.By November 2012, the\",\n \"November 2012, the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent,decreasing to 6.7 percent in the last month of 2013.During 2014, the unemployment rate continued to decline, falling to 6.3 percent in the first quarter.GDP growth returned in the third quarter of 2009, expanding at a rate of 1.6 percent, followed by a 5.0 percent increase in the fourth quarter.Growth continued in 2010, posting an increase of 3.7 percent in the first quarter, with lesser gains throughout the rest of the year.In July 2010, the Federal Reserve noted that economic activity continued to increase, but its pace had slowed, and chairmanBen Bernankesaid the economic outlook was \\\"unusually uncertain\\\".Overall, the economy expanded at a rate of 2.9 percent in 2010. TheCongressional Budget Office(CBO) and a broad range of economists credit Obama's stimulus plan for economic growth.The CBO released a report stating that the stimulus bill increased employment by 1–2.1million,while conceding that \\\"it is impossible to determine how many of the\",\n \"how many of the reported jobs would have existed in the absence of the stimulus package.\\\"Although an April 2010, survey of members of theNational Association for Business Economicsshowed an increase in job creation (over a similar January survey) for the first time in two years, 73 percent of 68 respondents believed the stimulus bill has had no impact on employment.The economy of the United States has grown faster than the other originalNATOmembers by a wider margin under President Obama than it has anytime since the end ofWorld War II.TheOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Developmentcredits the much faster growth in the United States to the stimulus plan of the U.S. and the austerity measures in the European Union. Within a month of the2010 midterm elections, Obama announced a compromise deal with the Congressional Republican leadership that included a temporary, two-year extension of the2001 and 2003 income tax rates, a one-yearpayroll taxreduction, continuation of unemployment benefits, and a new\",\n \"benefits, and a new rate and exemption amount forestate taxes.The compromise overcame opposition from some in both parties, and the resulting $858billion (equivalent to $1.2 trillion in 2023)Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010passed with bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress before Obama signed it on December 17, 2010. In December 2013, Obama declared that growingincome inequalityis a \\\"defining challenge of our time\\\" and called on Congress to bolster the safety net and raise wages. This came on the heels of thenationwide strikes of fast-food workersand Pope Francis' criticism of inequality andtrickle-down economics.Obama urged Congress to ratify a 12-nation free trade pact called theTrans-Pacific Partnership. Environmental policy On April 20, 2010, an explosion destroyed an offshoredrilling rigat theMacondo Prospectin theGulf of Mexico, causing amajor sustained oil leak. Obama visited the Gulf, announced a federal investigation, and formed a bipartisan\",\n \"formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards, after a review bySecretary of the InteriorKen Salazarand concurrent Congressional hearings. He then announced a six-month moratorium on newdeepwater drillingpermits and leases, pending regulatory review.As multiple efforts by BP failed, some in the media and public expressed confusion and criticism over various aspects of the incident, and stated a desire for more involvement by Obama and the federal government.Prior to the oil spill, on March 31, 2010, Obama ended a ban on oil and gas drilling along the majority of theEast Coast of the United Statesand along the coast ofnorthern Alaskain an effort to win support for an energy and climate bill and to reduce foreign imports of oil and gas. In July 2013, Obama expressed reservations and said he \\\"would reject theKeystone XL pipelineif it increased carbon pollution greenhouse emissions.\\\"On February 24, 2015, Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the pipeline.It was the third veto of\",\n \"the third veto of Obama's presidency and his first major veto. In December 2016, Obama permanently banned new offshore oil and gas drilling in most United States-owned waters in theAtlanticand Arctic Oceans using the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Act. Obama emphasized theconservationoffederal landsduring his term in office. He used his power under theAntiquities Actto create 25 newnational monumentsduring his presidency and expand four others, protecting a total of 553,000,000 acres (224,000,000 ha) of federal lands and waters, more than any other U.S. president. Health care reform Obama called forCongressto pass legislation reforminghealth care in the United States, a key campaign promise and a top legislative goal.He proposed an expansion of health insurance coverage to cover the uninsured, cap premium increases, and allow people to retain their coverage when they leave or change jobs. His proposal was to spend $900billion over ten years and include a government insurance plan, also known as thepublic\",\n \"known as thepublic option, to compete with the corporate insurance sector as a main component to lowering costs and improving quality of health care. It would also make it illegal for insurers to drop sick people or deny them coverage forpre-existing conditions, and require every American to carry health coverage. The plan also includes medical spending cuts and taxes on insurance companies that offer expensive plans. On July 14, 2009, House Democratic leaders introduced a 1,017-page plan for overhauling the U.S. health care system, which Obama wanted Congress to approve by the end of 2009.After public debate during the Congressional summer recess of 2009, Obama delivereda speech to a joint session of Congresson September 9 where he addressed concerns over the proposals.In March 2009, Obama lifted a ban on using federal funds for stem cell research. On November 7, 2009, a health care bill featuring the public option was passed in the House.On December 24, 2009, the Senate passed its own bill—without a public\",\n \"a public option—on a party-line vote of 60–39.On March 21, 2010, thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act(ACA, colloquially \\\"Obamacare\\\") passed by the Senate in December was passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212. Obama signed the bill into law on March 23, 2010. The ACA includeshealth-related provisions, most of which took effect in 2014, including expandingMedicaideligibility for people making up to 133 percentof thefederal poverty level(FPL) starting in 2014,subsidizing insurance premiums for people making up to 400 percentof the FPL ($88,000 for family of four in 2010) so their maximum \\\"out-of-pocket\\\" payment for annual premiums will be from 2 percent to 9.5 percent of income,providing incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits, prohibiting denial of coverage and denial of claims based on pre-existing conditions, establishinghealth insurance exchanges, prohibiting annual coverage caps, and support for medical research. According to White House and CBO figures, the maximum share\",\n \"the maximum share of income that enrollees would have to pay would vary depending on their income relative to the federal poverty level. The costs of these provisions are offset by taxes, fees, and cost-saving measures, such as new Medicare taxes for those in high-incomebrackets, taxes onindoor tanning, cuts to theMedicare Advantageprogram in favor of traditional Medicare, and fees on medical devices and pharmaceutical companies;there is also a tax penalty for those who do not obtain health insurance, unless they are exempt due to low income or other reasons.In March 2010, the CBO estimated that the net effect of both laws will be a reduction in the federal deficit by $143billion over the first decade. The law faced several legal challenges, primarily based on the argument that an individual mandate requiring Americans to buy health insurance was unconstitutional. On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5–4 vote inNational Federation of Independent Business v. Sebeliusthat the mandate was\",\n \"the mandate was constitutional under the U.S. Congress's taxing authority.InBurwell v. Hobby Lobbythe Court ruled that \\\"closely-held\\\" for-profit corporations could be exempt on religious grounds under theReligious Freedom Restoration Actfrom regulations adopted under the ACA that would have required them to pay for insurance that covered certain contraceptives. In June 2015, the Court ruled 6–3 inKing v. Burwellthat subsidies to help individuals and families purchase health insurance were authorized for those doing so on both the federal exchange and state exchanges, not only those purchasing plans \\\"established by the State\\\", as the statute reads. Foreign policy In February and March 2009, Vice President Joe Biden andSecretary of StateHillary Clinton made separate overseas trips to announce a \\\"new era\\\" in U.S. foreign relations with Russia and Europe, using the terms \\\"break\\\" and \\\"reset\\\" to signal major changes from the policies of the preceding administration.Obama attempted to reach out to Arab leaders by\",\n \"to Arab leaders by granting his first interview to an Arab satellite TV network,Al Arabiya.On March 19, Obama continued his outreach to the Muslim world, releasing a New Year's video message to the people and government of Iran.On June 4, 2009, Obama delivered a speech atCairo Universityin Egypt calling for \\\"A New Beginning\\\" in relations between the Islamic world and the United States and promoting Middle East peace.On June 26, 2009, Obama condemned the Iranian government's actions towards protesters followingIran's 2009 presidential election. In 2011, Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen which targeted and killedAnwar al-Awlaki, an American imam suspected of being a leadingAl-Qaedaorganizer. al-Awlaki became the firstU.S. citizento be targeted and killed by aU.S. drone strike. The Department of Justice released a memo justifying al-Awlaki's death as a lawful act of war,while civil liberties advocates described it as a violation of al-Awlaki's constitutional right todue process. The killing led to\",\n \"The killing led to significant controversy.Histeenage sonandyoung daughter, also Americans, were later killed in separateUS military actions, although they were not targeted specifically. In March 2015, Obama declared that he had authorized U.S. forces to provide logistical and intelligence support to the Saudis in theirmilitary intervention in Yemen, establishing a \\\"Joint Planning Cell\\\" with Saudi Arabia.In 2016, the Obama administration proposed a series ofarms deals with Saudi Arabiaworth $115billion.Obama halted the sale of guided munition technology toSaudi Arabiaafter Saudi warplanestargeted a funeralin Yemen's capital Sanaa, killing more than 140 people. In September 2016 Obama was snubbed byXi Jinpingand theChinese Communist Partyas he descended fromAir Force Oneto the tarmac ofHangzhou International Airportfor the2016 G20 Hangzhou summitwithout the usual red carpet welcome. War in Iraq On February 27, 2009, Obama announced that combat operations in Iraq would end within 18 months.The Obama\",\n \"18 months.The Obama administration scheduled the withdrawal of combat troops to be completed by August 2010, decreasing troop's levels from 142,000 while leaving a transitional force of about 50,000 in Iraq until the end of 2011. On August 19, 2010, the last U.S. combat brigade exited Iraq. Remaining troops transitioned from combat operations tocounter-terrorismand the training, equipping, and advising of Iraqi security forces.On August 31, 2010, Obama announced that the United States combat mission in Iraq was over.On October 21, 2011, President Obama announced that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq in time to be \\\"home for the holidays.\\\" In June 2014, following thecapture of MosulbyISIL, Obama sent 275 troops to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. ISIS continued to gain ground and to commitwidespread massacres and ethnic cleansing.In August 2014, during theSinjar massacre, Obama ordered acampaign of U.S. airstrikes against ISIL.By the end of 2014, 3,100 American\",\n \"3,100 American ground troops were committed to the conflictand 16,000 sorties were flown over the battlefield, primarily by U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots.In early 2015, with the addition of the \\\"Panther Brigade\\\" of the82nd Airborne Divisionthe number of U.S. ground troops in Iraq increased to 4,400,and by July American-led coalition air forces counted 44,000 sorties over the battlefield. Afghanistan and Pakistan In his election campaign, Obama called the war in Iraq a \\\"dangerous distraction\\\" and that emphasis should instead be put on the war in Afghanistan,the region he cites as being most likely where an attack against the United States could be launched again.Early in his presidency, Obama moved to bolster U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan. He announced an increase in U.S. troop levels to 17,000 military personnel in February 2009 to \\\"stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan\\\", an area he said had not received the \\\"strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires.\\\"He replaced\",\n \"replaced the military commander in Afghanistan, GeneralDavid D. McKiernan, with formerSpecial Forcescommander Lt. Gen.Stanley A. McChrystalin May 2009, indicating that McChrystal's Special Forces experience would facilitate the use of counterinsurgency tactics in the war.On December 1, 2009, Obama announced the deployment of an additional 30,000 military personnel to Afghanistan and proposed to begin troop withdrawals 18 months from that date;this took place in July 2011.David Petraeusreplaced McChrystal in June 2010, after McChrystal's staff criticized White House personnel in a magazine article.In February 2013, Obama said the U.S. military would reduce the troop level in Afghanistan from 68,000 to 34,000 U.S. troops by February 2014.In October 2015, the White House announced a plan to keep U.S. Forces in Afghanistan indefinitely in light of the deteriorating security situation. Regarding neighboring Pakistan, Obama called its tribal border region the \\\"greatest threat\\\" to the security of Afghanistan and\",\n \"of Afghanistan and Americans, saying that he \\\"cannot tolerate a terrorist sanctuary.\\\" In the same speech, Obama claimed that the U.S. \\\"cannot succeed in Afghanistan or secure our homeland unless we change our Pakistan policy.\\\" Death of Osama bin Laden Starting with information received from Central Intelligence Agency operatives in July 2010, the CIA developed intelligence over the next several months that determined what they believed to be the hideout ofOsama bin Laden. He was living in seclusion ina large compoundinAbbottabad, Pakistan, a suburban area 35 miles (56 km) fromIslamabad.CIA headLeon Panettareported this intelligence to President Obama in March 2011.Meeting with his national security advisers over the course of the next six weeks, Obama rejected a plan to bomb the compound, and authorized a \\\"surgical raid\\\" to be conducted byUnited States Navy SEALs.The operation took place on May 1, 2011, and resulted in the shooting death of bin Laden and the seizure of papers, computer drives and disks from\",\n \"and disks from the compound.DNA testing was one of five methods used to positively identify bin Laden's corpse,which was buried at sea several hours later.Within minutes of the President's announcement from Washington, DC, late in the evening on May 1, there were spontaneous celebrations around the country as crowds gathered outside the White House, and at New York City'sGround ZeroandTimes Square.Reaction to the announcementwas positive across party lines, including from former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Relations with Cuba Since the spring of 2013, secret meetings were conducted between the United States and Cuba in the neutral locations of Canada andVatican City.The Vatican first became involved in 2013 when Pope Francis advised the U.S. and Cuba toexchange prisonersas a gesture of goodwill.On December 10, 2013, Cuban PresidentRaúl Castro, in a significant public moment, greeted and shook hands with Obama at theNelson Mandela memorial serviceinJohannesburg. In December 2014, after the\",\n \"2014, after the secret meetings, it was announced that Obama, with Pope Francis as an intermediary, had negotiated a restoration of relations with Cuba, after nearly sixty years of détente.Popularly dubbed theCuban Thaw,The New Republicdeemed the Cuban Thaw to be \\\"Obama's finest foreign policy achievement.\\\"On July 1, 2015, President Obama announced that formal diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States would resume, and embassies would be opened in Washington andHavana.The countries' respective \\\"interests sections\\\" in one another's capitals were upgraded to embassies on July 20 and August 13, 2015, respectively.Obama visited Havana, Cuba for two days in March 2016, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to arrive sinceCalvin Coolidgein 1928. Israel During the initial years of the Obama administration, the U.S. increased military cooperation with Israel, including increased military aid, re-establishment of theU.S.-Israeli Joint Political Military Groupand the Defense Policy Advisory Group,\",\n \"Advisory Group, and an increase in visits among high-level military officials of both countries.The Obama administration asked Congress to allocate money toward funding theIron Domeprogram in response to the waves ofPalestinian rocket attacks on Israel.In March 2010, Obama took a public stance against plans by the government of Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuto continue building Jewish housing projects in predominantly Arab neighborhoods ofEast Jerusalem.In 2011, the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution condemningIsraeli settlements, with the United States being the only nation to do so.Obama supports thetwo-state solutionto theArab–Israeli conflictbased on the 1967 borders with land swaps. In 2013,Jeffrey Goldbergreported that, in Obama's view, \\\"with each new settlement announcement, Netanyahu is moving his country down a path toward near-total isolation.\\\"In 2014, Obama likened theZionist movementto thecivil rights movementin the United States. He said both movements seek to bring\",\n \"seek to bring justice and equal rights to historically persecuted peoples, explaining: \\\"To me, being pro-Israel and pro-Jewish is part and parcel with the values that I've been fighting for since I was politically conscious and started getting involved in politics.\\\"Obama expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself during the2014 Israel–Gaza conflict.In 2015, Obama was harshly criticized by Israel for advocating and signing theIran Nuclear Deal; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had advocated the U.S. congress to oppose it, said the deal was \\\"dangerous\\\" and \\\"bad.\\\" On December 23, 2016, under the Obama Administration, the United States abstained fromUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building in the occupiedPalestinian territoriesas a violation of international law, effectively allowing it to pass.Netanyahu strongly criticized the Obama administration's actions,and the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the organization,\",\n \"the organization, which totaled $6million, on January 6, 2017.On January 5, 2017, the United States House of Representatives voted 342–80 to condemn the UN Resolution. Libya In February 2011, protests in Libya began against long-time dictatorMuammar Gaddafias part of theArab Spring. They soon turned violent. In March, as forces loyal to Gaddafi advanced on rebels across Libya, calls for a no-fly zone came from around the world, including Europe, theArab League, and a resolutionpassed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.In response to the passage ofUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1973on March 17, the Foreign Minister of Libya Moussa Koussa announced a ceasefire. However Gaddafi's forces continued to attack the rebels. On March 19 a multinational coalition lead by France and the United Kingdom with Italian and U.S. support, approved by Obama, took part in air strikes to destroy the Libyan government's air defense capabilities to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly-zone,including the use ofTomahawk\",\n \"the use ofTomahawk missiles,B-2 Spirits, and fighter jets.Six days later, on March 25, by unanimous vote of all its 28 members, NATO took over leadership of the effort, dubbedOperation Unified Protector.Some members of Congressquestioned whether Obama had the constitutional authority to order military action in addition to questioning its cost, structure and aftermath.In 2016 Obama said \\\"Our coalition could have and should have done more to fill a vacuum left behind\\\" and that it was \\\"a mess\\\".He has stated that the lack of preparation surrounding the days following the government's overthrow was the \\\"worst mistake\\\" of his presidency. Syrian civil war On August 18, 2011, several months after the start of theSyrian civil war, Obama issued a written statement that said: \\\"The time has come forPresident Assadto step aside.\\\"This stance was reaffirmed in November 2015.In 2012, Obama authorized multipleprograms run by the CIAand the Pentagon to train anti-Assad rebels.The Pentagon-run program was later found to have\",\n \"later found to have failed and was formally abandoned in October 2015. In the wake of achemical weapons attackin Syria,formally blamedby the Obama administration on the Assad government, Obama chose not to enforce the \\\"red line\\\" he had pledgedand, rather than authorize the promised military action against Assad, went along with the Russia-brokered deal that led to Assadgiving up chemical weapons; however attacks withchlorine gascontinued.In 2014, Obama authorized anair campaign aimed primarily at ISIL. Iran nuclear talks On October 1, 2009, the Obama administration went ahead with a Bush administration program, increasing nuclear weapons production. The \\\"Complex Modernization\\\" initiative expanded two existing nuclear sites to produce new bomb parts. In November 2013, the Obama administration openednegotiationswith Iran to prevent it from acquiringnuclear weapons, which included aninterim agreement. Negotiations took two years with numerous delays, with a deal being announced on July 14, 2015. The deal titled\",\n \"The deal titled the \\\"Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action\\\" saw sanctions removed in exchange for measures that would prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. While Obama hailed the agreement as being a step towards a more hopeful world, the deal drew strong criticism from Republican and conservative quarters, and from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.In addition, the transfer of $1.7billion in cash to Iran shortly after the deal was announced was criticized by the Republican party. The Obama administration said that the payment in cash was because of the \\\"effectiveness of U.S. and international sanctions.\\\"In order to advance the deal, the Obama administration shieldedHezbollahfrom theDrug Enforcement Administration'sProject Cassandrainvestigation regarding drug smuggling and from theCentral Intelligence Agency.On a side note, the very same year, in December 2015, Obama started a $348billion worth program to back the biggest U.S. buildup of nuclear arms since Ronald Reagan left the White House.\",\n \"the White House. Russia In March 2010, an agreement was reached with the administration of Russian PresidentDmitry Medvedevto replace the1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treatywith a new pact reducing the number of long-range nuclear weapons in the arsenals of both countries by about a third.Obama and Medvedev signed theNew STARTtreaty in April 2010, and theU.S. Senateratified it in December 2010.In December 2011, Obama instructed agencies to considerLGBT rightswhen issuing financial aid to foreign countries.In August 2013, he criticized Russia's law that discriminates against gays,but he stopped short of advocating a boycott of the upcoming2014 Winter OlympicsinSochi, Russia. AfterRussia's invasion of Crimeain 2014,military intervention in Syriain 2015, andthe interferencein the2016 U.S. presidential election,George Robertson, a former UK defense secretary and NATO secretary-general, said Obama had \\\"allowed Putin to jump back on the world stage and test the resolve of the West\\\", adding that the legacy of this\",\n \"the legacy of this disaster would last. Cultural and political image Obama's family history, upbringing, andIvy Leagueeducation differ markedly from those of African-American politicians who launched their careers in the 1960s through participation in the civil rights movement.Expressing puzzlement over questions about whether he is \\\"black enough\\\", Obama told an August 2007 meeting of theNational Association of Black Journaliststhat \\\"we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong.\\\"Obama acknowledged his youthful image in an October 2007 campaign speech, saying: \\\"I wouldn't be here if, time and again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation.\\\"Additionally, Obama has frequently been referred to as an exceptional orator.During his pre-inauguration transition period and continuing into his presidency, Obama delivered a series of weekly Internet video addresses. Job approval According to theGallup Organization, Obama began his presidency with a 68\",\n \"with a 68 percentapproval rating,the fifth highest for a president following their swearing in.His ratings remained above the majority level until November 2009and by August 2010 his approval was in the low 40s,a trend similar to Ronald Reagan's and Bill Clinton's first years in office.Following thedeath of Osama bin Ladenon May 2, 2011, Obama experienced a small poll bounce and steadily maintained 50–53 percent approval for about a month, until his approval numbers dropped back to the low 40s. His approval rating fell to 38 percent on several occasions in late 2011before recovering in mid-2012 with polls showing an average approval of 50 percent.After his second inauguration in 2013, Obama's approval ratings remained stable around 52 percentbefore declining for the rest of the year and eventually bottoming out at 39 percent in December.In polling conducted before the2014 midterm elections, Obama's approval ratings were at their lowestwith his disapproval rating reaching a high of 57 percent.His approval\",\n \"approval rating continued to lag throughout most of 2015 but began to reach the high 40s by the end of the year.According to Gallup, Obama's approval rating reached 50 percent in March 2016, a level unseen since May 2013.In polling conducted January 16–19, 2017, Obama's final approval rating was 59 percent, which placed him on par withGeorge H. W. BushandDwight D. Eisenhower, whose final Gallup ratings also measured in the high 50s. Obama has maintained relatively positive public perceptions after his presidency.In Gallup's retrospective approval polls of former presidents, Obama garnered a 63 percent approval rating in 2018 and again in 2023, ranking him the fourth most popular president since World War II. Foreign perceptions Polls showed strong support for Obama in other countries both before and during his presidency.In a February 2009 poll conducted in Western Europe and the U.S. byHarris InteractiveforFrance 24and theInternational Herald Tribune, Obama was rated as the most respected world leader, as\",\n \"world leader, as well as the most powerful.In a similar poll conducted by Harris in May 2009, Obama was rated as the most popular world leader, as well as the one figure most people would pin their hopes on for pulling the world out of the economic downturn. On October 9, 2009—only nine months into his first term—theNorwegian Nobel Committeeannounced that Obama had won the2009 Nobel Peace Prize\\\"for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples\\\",which drew a mixture of praise and criticism from world leaders and media figures.He became the fourth U.S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and the third to become a Nobel laureate while in office.He himself called it a \\\"call to action\\\" and remarked: \\\"I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments but rather an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations\\\". Thanks, Obama In 2009 the saying \\\"thanks, Obama\\\" first appeared in aTwitter hashtag\\\"#thanks\",\n \"hashtag\\\"#thanks Obama\\\" and was later used in a demotivational poster. It was later adopted satirically to blame Obama for any socio-economic ills. Obama himself used the phrase in video in 2015 and 2016. In 2017 the phrase was used byStephen Colbertto express gratitude to Obama on his last day in office. In 2022, President Joe Biden's Twitter account posted the phrase. Post-presidency (2017–present) Obama's presidency ended on January 20, 2017, upon theinaugurationof his successor,Donald Trump.The family moved to a house they rented inKalorama, Washington, D.C.On March 2, theJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museumawarded theProfile in Courage Awardto Obama \\\"for his enduring commitment to democratic ideals and elevating the standard of political courage.\\\"His first public appearance since leaving the office was a seminar at theUniversity of Chicagoon April 24, where he appealed for a new generation to participate in politics.On September 7, Obama partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.\",\n \"Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush to work withOne America Appealto help the victims ofHurricane HarveyandHurricane Irmain theGulf CoastandTexascommunities.From October 31 to November 1, Obama hosted the inaugural summit of theObama Foundation,which he intended to be the central focus of his post-presidency and part of his ambitions for his subsequent activities following his presidency to be more consequential than his time in office. Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal on May 22, 2018, to produce docu-series, documentaries and features forNetflixunder the Obamas' newly formed production company,Higher Ground Productions.Higher Ground's first film,American Factory, won theAcademy Award for Best Documentary Featurein 2020.On October 24, a pipe bomb addressed to Obama was intercepted by the Secret Service. It was one of several pipe-bombs that had beenmailed out to Democratic lawmakers and officials.In 2019, Barack and Michelle Obama bought a home onMartha's VineyardfromWyc\",\n \"VineyardfromWyc Grousbeck.On October 29, Obama criticized \\\"wokeness\\\" andcall-out cultureat the Obama Foundation's annual summit. Obama was reluctant to make an endorsement in the2020 Democratic presidential primariesbecause he wanted to position himself to unify the party, regardless of the nominee.On April 14, 2020, Obama endorsed Biden, the presumptive nominee, for president inthe presidential election, stating that he has \\\"all the qualities we need in a president right now.\\\"In May, Obama criticized President Trump forhis handlingof theCOVID-19 pandemic, calling his response to the crisis \\\"an absolute chaotic disaster\\\", and stating that the consequences of theTrump presidencyhave been \\\"our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.\\\"On November 17, Obama's presidential memoir,A Promised Land, was released. In February 2021, Obama and musicianBruce Springsteenstarted a podcast calledRenegades: Born in the\",\n \"Born in the USAwhere the two talk about \\\"their backgrounds, music and their 'enduring love of America.'\\\"Later that year, Regina Hicks had signed a deal withNetflix, in a venture with his and Michelle's Higher Ground to develop comedy projects. On March 4, 2022, Obama won an Audio Publishers Association (APA) Award in the best narration by the author category for the narration of his memoirA Promised Land.On April 5, Obama visited the White House for the first time since leaving office, in an event celebrating the 12th annual anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act.In June, it was announced that the Obamas and their podcast production company, Higher Ground, signed a multi-year deal withAudible.In September, Obama visited the White House to unveil his and Michelle's official White House portraits.Around the same time, he won aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narratorfor his narration in the Netflix documentary seriesOur Great National Parks. In 2022, Obama opposed expanding the Supreme Court\",\n \"the Supreme Court beyond the present nine Justices. In March 2023, Obama traveled to Australia as a part of his speaking tour of the country. During the trip, Obama met with Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albaneseand visitedMelbournefor the first time.Obama was reportedly paid more than $1 million for two speeches. In October 2023, during the Israel–Hamas war, Obama declared thatIsraelmust dismantleHamasin the wake of the2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.Weeks later, Obama warnedIsraelthat its actions could \\\"harden Palestinian attitudes for generations\\\" and weaken international support for Israel; any military strategy that ignored the war's human costs \\\"could ultimately backfire.\\\" In July 2024, Obama expressed concerns about Biden's campaign viability. Legacy and recognition He has been described as one of the most effective campaigners in American history (his 2008 campaign being particularly highlighted) as well as one of the most talented political orators of the 21st century.HistorianJulian\",\n \"Zelizercredits Obama with \\\"a keen sense of how the institutions of government work and the ways that his team could design policy proposals.\\\" Zeitzer notes Obama's policy successes included the economic stimulus package which ended theGreat Recessionand theDodd-Frankfinancial and consumer protection reforms, as well as theAffordable Care Act. Zeitzer also notes the Democratic Party lost power and numbers of elected officials during Obama's term, saying that the consensus among historians is that Obama \\\"turned out to be a very effective policymaker but not a tremendously successful party builder.\\\" Zeitzer calls this the \\\"defining paradox of Obama's presidency\\\". TheBrookings Institutionnoted that Obama passed \\\"only one major legislative achievement (Obamacare)—and a fragile one at that—the legacy of Obama's presidency mainly rests on its tremendous symbolic importance and the fate of a patchwork of executive actions.\\\"David W. Wise noted that Obama fell short \\\"in areas many Progressives hold dear\\\", including\",\n \"dear\\\", including the continuation of drone strikes, not going after big banks during the Great Recession, and failing to strengthen his coalition before pushing for Obamacare. Wise called Obama's legacy that of \\\"a disappointingly conventional president\\\". Obama's most significant accomplishment is generally considered to be the Affordable Care Act (ACA), provisions of which went into effect from 2010 to 2020. Many attempts by Senate Republicans to repeal the ACA, including a \\\"skinny repeal\\\", have thus far failed.However, in 2017, the penalty for violating the individual mandate was repealed effective 2019.Together with theHealth Care and Education Reconciliation Actamendment, it represents the U.S. healthcare system's most significant regulatory overhaul and expansion of coverage since the passage ofMedicareand Medicaid in 1965. Many commentators credit Obama with averting a threateneddepressionand pulling the economy back from the Great Recession.According to theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, theObama\",\n \"theObama administrationcreated 11.3 million jobs from the month after his first inauguration to the end of his second term.In 2010, Obama signed into effect the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Passed as a response to thefinancial crisis of 2007–2008, it brought the most significant changes tofinancial regulationin the United States since the regulatory reform that followed theGreat Depressionunder Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 2009, Obama signed into law theNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which contained in it the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the first addition to existing federal hate crime law in the United States since Democratic President Bill Clinton signed into law the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996. The act expandedexisting federal hate crime laws in the United States, and made it a federal crime to assault people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. As president, Obama\",\n \"As president, Obama advanced LGBT rights.In 2010, he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, which brought an end to \\\"don't ask, don't tell\\\" policy in the U.S. armed forces that banned open service fromLGBTpeople; the law went into effect the following year.In 2016, his administration brought an end to the ban ontransgenderpeople serving openly in the U.S. armed forces.AGallup poll, taken in the final days of Obama's term, showed that 68 percent of Americans believed the U.S. had made progress on LGBT rights during Obama's eight years in office. Obama substantially escalated the use ofdrone strikesagainst suspected militants and terrorists associated with al-Qaeda and theTaliban.In 2016, the last year of his presidency, the U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries.Obama left about 8,400 U.S. troops inAfghanistan, 5,262 in Iraq, 503 in Syria, 133 in Pakistan, 106 in Somalia, seven in Yemen, and two in Libya at the end of his presidency. According toPew Research CenterandUnited States Bureau\",\n \"States Bureau of Justice Statistics, from December 31, 2009, to December 31, 2015, inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody declined by five percent. This is the largest decline in sentenced inmates in U.S. federal custody since Democratic PresidentJimmy Carter. By contrast, the federal prison population increased significantly under presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Human Rights Watch(HRW) called Obama's human rights record \\\"mixed\\\", adding that \\\"he has often treated human rights as a secondary interest—nice to support when the cost was not too high, but nothing like a top priority he championed.\\\" Obama left office in January 2017 with a 60 percent approval rating.He gained 10 spots from the same survey in 2015 from the Brookings Institution that ranked him the 18th-greatest American president.In Gallup's 2018 job approval poll for the past 10 U.S. presidents, he received a 63 percent approval rating. Presidential library The Barack Obama Presidential Center is\",\n \"Center is Obama's plannedpresidential library. It will be hosted by the University of Chicago and located inJackson Parkon the South Side of Chicago. Awards and honors Obama received theNorwegian Nobel Committee'sNobel Peace Prizein 2009,The Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education's Ambassador of Humanity Awardin 2014, theJohn F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Awardin 2017, and theRobert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awardin 2018. He was namedTIMEMagazine'sTimePerson of the Yearin 2008 and 2012. He also received twoGrammy Awards for Best Spoken Word AlbumforDreams from My Father(2006), andThe Audacity of Hope(2008) as well as twoPrimetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding NarratorforOur Great National Parks(2022), andWorking: What We Do All Day(2023). He also won twoChildren's and Family Emmy Awards. Eponymy Bibliography Books Audiobooks Articles See also Politics Other Lists Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links Official Other\",\n \"X-Men: The Animated Series X-Men: The Animated Series, also known asX-Men, is ananimatedsuperherotelevision series aired in the United States for five seasons from October 31, 1992, to September 20, 1997, onFox'sFox Kidsprogramming block.It wasMarvel Comics' second attempt at an animatedX-Mentelevision series after the pilotX-Men: Pryde of the X-Menwas not picked up.Set in the samefictional universeasSpider-Man(1994–1998), Earth-92131,it was followed by arevival,X-Men '97, which began airing on March 20, 2024, onDisney+to critical acclaim. Production In March 1990,Margaret Loesch(who had previously worked as president and chief executive officer atMarvel Productions) became head ofFox Children's Network.Having championed thePryde of the X-Menpilotin 1989, she ordered 13 episodes ofX-Men.Saban Entertainmentwas contracted to produce the show and hired a small studio,Graz Entertainment, to produce episodes because, at the time, they lacked sufficient staff to handle in-house production. Mark Edward Edens and\",\n \"Edward Edens and Eric Lewald were to write the show, with the two dividing the job between Edens as head writer and Lewald as story editor.The voice work was done throughCanadianstudios, andSouth KoreanstudioAKOMwas hired to animate episodes.X-Menwas initially set to premiere overLabor Dayweekend in September; however, due to production delays, it was delayed to the end of October. When AKOM turned in the first episode, it contained several animation errors, which they refused to fix. Because of time constraints, the episode was aired unfinished;when Fox re-aired the pilot in early 1993, the errors were corrected.The second episode was submitted just before the deadline, with 50 scenes missing and a single day reserved for editing.The two-part episode \\\"Night of the Sentinels\\\" originally aired as a \\\"sneak preview\\\" on October 31. Because of the production delays and animation errors, Fox threatened to sever AKOM's contracts.The series earned top ratings throughout its first season,and was renewed for a second\",\n \"for a second season of 13 episodes. Throughout its run, producers had to deal with quality control issues, including attempts to cut costs and requests to change the tone of the series to more child-friendly and integrated toys. The show was originally planned to run for 65 episodes, but as a result of its success, Saban funded eleven more episodes, albeit with a reduced budget due to Marvel's bankruptcy. The series is currently owned and distributed byThe Walt Disney Company(Marvel's parent company), which acquired all Fox Kids-related properties fromNews CorporationandSaban Internationalin 2001. The series was added to streaming serviceDisney+following its launch on November 12, 2019, with a revival,X-Men '97, subsequently announced to be in development.The series premiered on March 20, 2024. Episodes Synopsis The show features a team similar to that of the early 1990sX-Mencomics byJim Lee, specifically the Blue Team established early on inX-Men (vol. 2). It consists\",\n \"2). It consists ofCyclops,Wolverine,Rogue,Storm,Beast,Gambit,Jubilee,Jean Grey, andProfessor X, as well as original characterMorph, who is based onChangeling. All 76 episodes were directed by Larry Houston. The series deals with social issues, including divorce (\\\"Proteus\\\"), religion (\\\"Nightcrawler\\\" and \\\"Bloodlines\\\"),the Holocaust(\\\"Enter Magneto\\\", \\\"Deadly Reunions\\\", \\\"Days of Future Past\\\" and \\\"The Phalanx Covenant\\\"),AIDShysteria (\\\"Time Fugitives\\\"), and loneliness (\\\"No Mutant Is an Island\\\"). It satirizes television in the episodes \\\"Mojovision\\\" and \\\"Longshot\\\". It crossed over withSpider-Manwhen Spider-Man seeks the X-Men's help to stop his progressing mutation. In theabbreviated formof the Secret Wars storyline, theBeyonderandMadame Webselect Spider-Man to lead a team of heroes against a group of villains. An earlier draft of \\\"Secret Wars\\\" involved all the X-Men, but transporting the voice cast from Canada to Los Angeles, where production for theSpider-Mananimated series was based, had been too costly in\",\n \"been too costly in previous crossovers, so the episode was rewritten to feature only Storm, whose actress, Iona Morris, lived in Los Angeles. In the first season, the X-Men come into conflict with human conspirators buildingSentinelrobots to kill mutants, Magneto's plan to instigate a human-mutant war, and the powerful mutantApocalypse's plan to eradicate the weak. Other storylines include X-Men member Morph's death at the hands of the Sentinels, Beast's incarceration, and Apocalypse's minions attempting to assassinate U.S. Senator Kelly to turn humans against mutants. In the second season, Cyclops and Jean are married and targeted byMister Sinister, who seeks to use the genetically perfect combination of their DNA to create an army of obedient mutants. Morph returns, having been rescued by Sinister and brainwashed into forcing the X-Men apart. Over time, a rift grows between humans and mutants, with the Friends of Humanity, an anti-mutant group, leading their persecution. Apocalypse returns, developing a\",\n \"developing a deadly plague that he plans to blame on mutants to fuel hatred against them. It features a parallel narrative of Professor X and Magneto being lost in the Savage Land. The third season involves thePhoenix, a cosmic force that merges with Jean Grey and turns her into the Dark Phoenix. It introduces theShi'ar Empire, which includes Lilandra and Gladiator, and seeks to stop the Dark Phoenix. Other storylines include the introduction of Wolverine's former lover turned mercenary, Lady Deathstrike, former X-Men memberIceman, and the villainousShadow King. Volume 5 of theOfficial Handbook of the Marvel Universe A-Z Hardcoverslists the cartoon as part of the Marvel multiverse, inhabiting Earth-92131. As well, the plague-infested future thatBishoptries to prevent in Season 2 is listed as Earth-13393, whileCable's release of the cure is listed as Earth-121893. Voice cast The series' voice acting was recorded in Toronto studios, with Dan Hennessey serving as voice director. Toronto voice actors had also\",\n \"actors had also been used in the 1960s Marvel Comics cartoons.Catherine Disherhad originally auditioned for the part ofStormbefore she was cast asJean Grey.Chris Potterwas cast in the role ofGambitduring filming forKung Fu: The Legend Continues(1993-1997) which was helpful since his co-starDavid Carradine, a big fan of the comics, helped as he was unfamiliar.Alyson CourtandCal Doddwere neighbors when Court was a child and Dodd was a well-known actor in Canada long before voicing bothJubileeandWolverinerespectively, attributing their characters' chemistry to being previously acquainted with one another. Another voice actor originally had been cast as Jubilee, but Court was cast when the original voice was deemed too sweet and innocent for the role. Principal cast Additional cast Other versions The original opening sequence, used throughout the first four seasons, features the X-Men demonstrating their mutant abilities to an instrumental theme written byRon Wassermanand composed byHaim SabanandShuki Levy. A\",\n \"Levy. A modified version is introduced in season five, episode one (\\\"Phalanx Covenant, Part One\\\"), which slightly changes the beginning of the theme. WhenUPNbegan airing reruns on Sunday mornings, an alternate credits sequence was used: a high-quality Japanese-animated version of the original opening. This modified version occasionally appears in the digital streaming release of the show, which was used for re-runs on Toon Disney. In Italy, where the series began airing in 1994 onCanale 5, the intro and outro sequences were replaced by a new sequence and theme song: \\\"Insuperabili X-Men\\\", sung by Marco Destro and Pietro Ubaldi. X-Menoriginally aired onTV Tokyofrom 1994 to 1995. For the TV Tokyo dub of the series, the intro was replaced with a new, Japanese-animated sequence and a new theme: \\\"Rising\\\" by Ambience. Starting with episode 42, a second intro was used, featuring the song \\\"Dakishimetai Dare Yori Mo\\\"(抱きしめたい誰よりも, \\\"I want to embrace you more than anyone else\\\"). The end credits sequence was also changed:\",\n \"was also changed: it featured shots of AmericanX-Mencomic books set to the song \\\"Back to You\\\", also by Ambience. The TV Tokyo dub was directed by Yoshikazu Iwanami and featured scripts rewritten to include a more humorous, self-satirical tone with an emphasis on comical adlibbing, a hallmark of his dubbing style. Episodes were edited for time so that new segments could be added to the end to promoteX-Men: Children of the Atom, which featured the dub actors pretending to play the game as their characters. A second dub was made in the early 2000s for broadcast onToon Disney (Japan)that is more faithful to the original English scripts and does not cut episodes for time. This version used the original American intro and end credits rather than the unique ones created for the TV Tokyo version. Two versions of the episode \\\"No Mutant is an Island\\\" exist, each with a different animation. The first version was aired for Toon Disney reruns, can be seen on digital streaming services such as Amazon Video, aired on Fox\",\n \"Video, aired on Fox Kids in the United States, and uses the remixed intro theme from Season 5. The second version is available on Region 1 DVD, aired on Fox Kids overseas, and uses the default intro theme from Seasons 1–4. Viewership In its prime,X-Mengarnered very highratingsfor a Saturday morning cartoon and received praise for adapting many different storylines from the comics. Haim Saban credits the success of the series in assisting him to sell his next project to Fox:Mighty Morphin Power Rangers. X-Menreached a viewership of over23 millionhouseholds. Legacy X-Men '97 By 2019, there were ongoing talks withDisney+to revive the series.In November 2021, it was revealed that a revival titledX-Men '97was in development which will continue the plot of the series.X-Men '97eventually premiered on March 20, 2024. Beau DeMayo served ashead writerfor the first two seasons, with most of the surviving cast members of the original series reprising their roles, including Dodd, Zann, Buza, Disher, Potter, Sealy-Smith,\",\n \"Sealy-Smith, Hough, and Britton. They were joined byJennifer Hale, Anniwaa Buachie,Ray Chase, Matthew Waterson,JP Karliak, Holly Chou,Jeff Bennett, andA.J. LoCascio. Alyson Court did not reprise her role as Jubilee, requesting that Jubilee be voiced by an Asian actress. She instead returned to voice an alternate version of the character.The series is produced byMarvel Studios Animation, but does not take place within theMarvel Cinematic Universe. Comics X-Men Adventures X-Men Adventureswas acomic bookspin-offof the animated series. Beginning in November 1992, it adapted the first three seasons of the show; in April 1996, it becameAdventures of the X-Men, which contained original stories set within the same continuity.The comic book lasted until March 1997, shortly after the show's cancellation by theFox Network. Bibliography Additionally, stories featuring the same characters were printed through the 19 issues ofSpider-Man Magazine, published between March 1994 and March 1997, alongside stories inspired by\",\n \"stories inspired by the animated seriesSpider-Man. X-Men '92 The comic book seriesX-Men '92was first released as one of the many tie-in titles for Marvel's 2015Secret Warsevent, and continued in its second volume as a regular series in early 2016, starring characters of the TV show's reality. In January 2022 Marvel announced a new series inspired by the cartoon,X-Men '92: House of XCII. Scheduled for publication in April of that same year, the series will explore an alternate universe where the events ofJonathan Hickman'sHouse of X and Powers of Xhappened decades earlier, in the '90s of the original show. Manga Books Previously on X-Men In 2017, series developer and showrunner Eric Lewald released the bookPreviously on X-Men: The Making of an Animated Series, which features his interviews with 36 of the staff and voice cast behind the TV series, as well as Lewald's personal experiences on the series' development and production. X-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series In 2020, Eric Lewald and Julia\",\n \"Lewald and Julia Lewald released the bookX-Men: The Art and Making of The Animated Series, which features previously unseen concept art, storyboards, character models, background layouts, animation cels, and other production/promotional materials, along with new interviews with the series principal artists and production staff. Video games In film The series was credited for being responsible for the beginning development of the 2000X-Menfilm. Fox Kids owner20th Century Foxwas impressed by the success of the TV show, and producerLauren Shuler Donnerpurchased the film rights for them in 1994.The film's success led to afilm franchise, which includes a series of sequels, prequels, and spin-offs, for two decades up to 2020, when the series came to an end due toDisney'sacquisition of Fox, with the character rights reverting to Marvel Studios. Potter revealed that he once auditioned for the role of Cyclops in the 2000 film before losing it toJames Marsden, while Buza would appear in the film proper as a truck\",\n \"proper as a truck driver. In the 2022Marvel Cinematic UniversefilmDoctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, produced by Marvel Studios, the theme song from the TV series (orchestrated byDanny Elfmanand credited asX-Men '97 Theme) is played whenCharles Xavier(portrayed byPatrick Stewart) first appears; in the film, unlike his previous performances as the character in Fox'sX-Menfranchise, Stewart's Xavier is visually redesigned to match his animated counterpart, complete with his iconic green suit, blue and black tie, and yellow hoverchair. In television In theMs. Marvelepisode \\\"No Normal\\\", set in the MCU, the theme song from theX-Menanimated series is played whenKamala Khandiscovers that she is a \\\"mutant\\\". Lawsuit On October 9, 2019, Hungarian immigrant Zoltán Krisko, manager of the estate ofGyörgy Vukán, filed a lawsuit againstMarvel Entertainment Group,Warner Chappell Music,Haim Saban,Shuki Levy,Ron Wasserman,UMG Recordings, the current distributor of Disney Music Group, andFox Corporation. He claims the\",\n \"He claims the theme music was plagiarized from the theme song to the 1984–1991 Hungarian action-adventure television seriesLinda, which was composed by Vukán. Notes References Sources External links\",\n \"The Simpsons The Simpsonsis an Americananimated sitcomcreated byMatt Groeningfor theFox Broadcasting Company.Developed by Groening,James L. Brooks, andSam Simon, the series is asatiricaldepiction of American life, epitomized by theSimpson family, which consists ofHomer,Marge,Bart,Lisa, andMaggie. Set in the fictional town ofSpringfield, it caricatures society, Western culture, television, and thehuman condition. The family was conceived by Groening shortly before a solicitation for a series ofanimated shortswith producer Brooks. He created adysfunctional familyand named the characters after his own family members, substituting Bart for his own name; he thought Simpson was a funny name in that it sounded similar to \\\"simpleton\\\".The shorts became a part ofThe Tracey Ullman Showon April 19, 1987. After three seasons, the sketch was developed into a half-hour prime time show and became Fox's first series to land in the Top 30 ratings in a season (1989–1990). Since its debut on December 17, 1989,771 episodesof the\",\n \"episodesof the show have been broadcast. It is thelongest-running American animated series,longest-running American sitcom, and thelongest-running American scripted primetime television series, both in seasons and individual episodes. A feature-length film,The Simpsons Movie, was released in theaters worldwide on July 27, 2007, to critical and commercial success, with a sequel in development as of 2018. The series has also spawned numerouscomic book series,video games,books, and other related media, as well as a billion-dollarmerchandising industry.The Simpsonsis produced byGracie Filmswith20th Televisiondistributing the series.It has been distributed under the20th Television Animationlabel since 2021, although the animation studio has produced animation for the series since season 28. On January 26, 2023, the series was renewed for its 35th and 36th seasons, taking the show through the 2024–25 television season.Both seasons contain a combined total of 51 episodes. Seven of these episodes are season 34\",\n \"are season 34 holdovers, while the other 44 will be produced in the production cycle of the upcoming seasons, bringing the show's overall episode total up to 801.Season 35 premiered on October 1, 2023.Season 36 premiered on September 29, 2024. The Simpsonsreceived widespread acclaim throughout its early seasons in the 1990s, which are generally considered its \\\"golden age\\\". Since then, it has been criticized for aperceived decline in quality.Timenamed it the 20th century's best television series,and Erik Adams ofThe A.V. Clubnamed it \\\"television's crowning achievement regardless of format\\\".On January 14, 2000, the Simpson family was awarded a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame. It has won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 37Primetime Emmy Awards, 34Annie Awards, and 2Peabody Awards. Homer's exclamatory catchphrase of \\\"D'oh!\\\" has been adopted into the English language, whileThe Simpsonshas influenced many other later adult-oriented animated sitcom television series. Premise Characters The\",\n \"Characters The main characters are theSimpson family, who live in the fictional \\\"Middle America\\\" town of Springfield.Homer, the father, works as a safety inspector at theSpringfield Nuclear Power Plant, a position at odds with his careless, buffoonish personality. He is married toMarge(néeBouvier), a stereotypical American housewife and mother. They have three children:Bart, a ten-year-old troublemaker and prankster;Lisa, a precocious eight-year-old activist; andMaggie, the baby of the family who rarely speaks, but communicates by sucking on a pacifier. Although the family is dysfunctional, many episodes examine their relationships and bonds with each other and they are often shown to care about one another. The family also owns agreyhound,Santa's Little Helper, (who first appeared in the episode \\\"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire\\\") and a cat,Snowball II, who is replaced by a cat also called Snowball II in the fifteenth-season episode \\\"I, (Annoyed Grunt)-Bot\\\".Extended members of the Simpson and Bouvier\",\n \"Simpson and Bouvier family in the main cast include Homer's fatherAbeand Marge's sistersPatty and Selma. Marge's motherJacquelineand Homer's motherMonaappear less frequently. The show includes a vast array of quirky supporting characters, which include Homer's friendsBarney Gumble,Lenny LeonardandCarl Carlson; the school principalSeymour Skinnerand staff members such asEdna KrabappelandGroundskeeper Willie; students such asMilhouse Van Houten,Nelson MuntzandRalph Wiggum; shopkeepers such asApu Nahasapeemapetilon,Comic Book GuyandMoe Szyslak; government figuresMayor \\\"Diamond\\\" Joe QuimbyandClancy Wiggum; next-door neighborNed Flanders; local celebrities such asKrusty the Clownand news reporterKent Brockman; nuclear tycoonMontgomery Burnsand his devoted assistantWaylon Smithers; anddozens more. The creators originally intended many of these characters as one-time jokes or for fulfilling needed functions in the town. A number of them have gained expanded roles and subsequently starred in their own episodes.\",\n \"their own episodes. According to Matt Groening, the show adopted the concept of a large supporting cast from the comedy showSCTV. Continuity and the floating timeline Despite the depiction of yearly milestones such as holidays or birthdays passing, the characters never age. The series uses afloating timelinein which episodes generally take place in the year the episode is produced. Flashbacks and flashforwards do occasionally depict the characters at other points in their lives, with the timeline of these depictions also generally floating relative to the year the episode is produced. For example, the 1991 episodes \\\"The Way We Was\\\" and \\\"I Married Marge\\\" depict Homer and Marge as high schoolers in the 1970s who had Bart (who is always 10 years old) in the early '80s, while the 2008 episode \\\"That '90s Show\\\" depicts Homer and Marge as a childless couple in the '90s, and the 2021 episode \\\"Do Pizza Bots Dream of Electric Guitars\\\" portrays Homer as an adolescent in the same period. The 1995 episode \\\"Lisa's\",\n \"episode \\\"Lisa's Wedding\\\" takes place during Lisa's college years in the then-future year of 2010, the same year the show began airing its22nd season, in which Lisa was still 8. Regarding the contradictory flashbacks, Selman stated that \\\"they all kind of happened in their imaginary world.\\\" The show follows a loose and inconsistent continuity. For example,Krusty the Clownmay be able to read in one episode, but not inanother. However, it is consistently portrayed that he isJewish, that his father was arabbi, and that his career began in the 1960s. The latter point introduces another snag in the floating timeline: historical periods that are a core part of a character's backstory remain so even when their age makes it unlikely or impossible, such asGrampa SimpsonandPrincipal Skinner's respective service inWorld War IIandVietnam. The only episodes not part of the series' main canon are theTreehouse of Horrorepisodes, which often feature the deaths of main characters. Characters who die in \\\"regular\\\" episodes, such\",\n \"episodes, such asMaude Flanders,Mona SimpsonandEdna Krabappel, however, stay dead. Most episodes end with thestatus quobeing restored, though occasionally major changes will stick, such as Lisa's conversions tovegetarianismandBuddhism, the divorce ofMilhouse van Houten's parents, and the marriage and subsequent parenthood ofApuandManjula. Setting The Simpsonstakes place in a fictional American town calledSpringfield. Although there are many real settlements in America named Springfield,the town the show is set in is fictional. The state it is in is not established. In fact, the show is intentionally evasive with regard to Springfield's location.Springfield's geography and that of its surroundings is inconsistent: from one episode to another, it may have coastlines, deserts, vast farmland, mountains, or whatever the story or joke requires.Groening has said that Springfield has much in common withPortland, Oregon, the city where he grew up.Groening has said that he named it afterSpringfield, Oregon, and the\",\n \"Oregon, and the fictitious Springfield which was the setting of the seriesFather Knows Best. He \\\"figured out that Springfield was one of the most common names for a city in the U.S. In anticipation of the success of the show, I thought, 'This will be cool; everyone will think it's their Springfield.' And they do.\\\"Many landmarks, including street names, have connections to Portland. Production Development When producerJames L. Brookswas working on the television variety showThe Tracey Ullman Show, he decided to include small animated sketches before and after the commercial breaks. Having seen one of cartoonistMatt Groening'sLife in Hellcomic strips, Brooks asked Groening to pitch an idea for a series of animated shorts. Groening initially intended to present an animated version of hisLife in Hellseries.However, Groening later realized that animatingLife in Hellwould require the rescinding ofpublication rightsfor his life's work. He therefore chose another approach while waiting in the lobby of Brooks's\",\n \"lobby of Brooks's office for the pitch meeting, hurriedly formulating his version of a dysfunctional family that became the Simpsons.He named the characters after his own family members, substituting \\\"Bart\\\" for his own name, adopting ananagramof the wordbrat. The Simpson family first appeared asshortsinThe Tracey Ullman Showon April 19, 1987.Groening submitted only basic sketches to the animators and assumed that the figures would be cleaned up in production. However, the animators merely re-traced his drawings, which led to the crude appearance of the characters in the initial shorts.The animation was produced domestically atKlasky Csupo,withWes Archer,David Silverman, andBill Koppbeing animators for the first season.The colorist, \\\"Georgie\\\" Gyorgyi Kovacs Peluce (Kovács Györgyike)made the characters yellow; as Bart, Lisa and Maggie have no hairlines, she felt they would look strange if they were flesh-colored. Groening supported the decision, saying: \\\"Marge is yellow with blue hair? That's hilarious — let's\",\n \"hilarious — let's do it!\\\" In 1989, a team of production companies adaptedThe Simpsonsinto a half-hour series for theFox Broadcasting Company. The team included the Klasky Csupo animation house. Brooks negotiated a provision in the contract with the Fox network that prevented Fox from interfering with the show's content.Groening said his goal in creating the show was to offer the audience an alternative to what he called \\\"the mainstream trash\\\" that they were watching.The half-hour series premiered on December 17, 1989, with \\\"Simpsons Roasting on an Open Fire\\\".\\\"Some Enchanted Evening\\\" was the first full-length episode produced, but it did not broadcast until May 1990, as the last episode of the first season, because of animation problems.In 1992,Tracey Ullmanfiled a lawsuit against Fox, claiming that her show was the source of the series' success. The suit said she should receive a share of the profits ofThe Simpsons—a claim rejected by the courts. Executive producers and showrunners List of showrunners\",\n \"List of showrunners throughout the series' run: Matt Groening and James L. Brooks have served as executive producers during the show's entire history, and also function as creative consultants.Sam Simon, described by formerSimpsonsdirectorBrad Birdas \\\"the unsung hero\\\" of the show,served as creative supervisor for the first four seasons. He was constantly at odds with Groening, Brooks and the show's production companyGracie Filmsand left in 1993.Before leaving, he negotiated a deal that sees him receive a share of the profits every year, and an executive producer credit despite not having worked on the show since 1993,at least until his passing in 2015.A more involved position on the show is theshowrunner, who acts as head writer and manages the show's production for an entire season. Writing The first team of writers, assembled by Sam Simon, consisted ofJohn Swartzwelder,Jon Vitti,George Meyer,Jeff Martin,Al Jean,Mike Reiss,Jay KogenandWallace Wolodarsky.NewerSimpsons'writing teams typically consist of\",\n \"consist of sixteen writers who propose episode ideas at the beginning of each December.The main writer of each episode writes the first draft. Group rewriting sessions develop final scripts by adding or removing jokes, inserting scenes, and calling for re-readings of lines by the show's vocal performers.Until 2004,George Meyer, who had developed the show since the first season, was active in these sessions. According to long-time writer Jon Vitti, Meyer usually invented the best lines in a given episode, even though other writers may receive script credits.Each episode takes six months to produce so the show rarely comments on current events. Credited with sixty episodes,John Swartzwelderis the most prolific writer onThe Simpsons.One of the best-known former writers isConan O'Brien, who contributed to several episodes in the early 1990s before replacingDavid Lettermanas host of the talk showLate Night.English comedianRicky Gervaiswrote the episode \\\"Homer Simpson, This Is Your Wife\\\", becoming the first\",\n \"becoming the first celebrity both to write and guest star in the same episode.Seth RogenandEvan Goldberg, writers of the filmSuperbad, wrote the episode \\\"Homer the Whopper\\\", with Rogen voicing a character in it. At the end of 2007, the writers ofThe Simpsonswent on striketogether with the other members of theWriters Guild of America, East. The show's writers had joined the guild in 1998. In May 2023, the writers ofThe Simpsonswent on striketogether with the other members of theWriters Guild of America, East. Voice actors The Simpsonshas six main cast members:Dan Castellaneta,Julie Kavner,Nancy Cartwright,Yeardley Smith,Hank Azaria, andHarry Shearer. Castellaneta voicesHomer Simpson,Grampa Simpson,Krusty the Clown,Groundskeeper Willie,Mayor Quimby,Barney Gumble, and other adult male characters.Julie KavnervoicesMarge SimpsonandPatty and Selma, as well as several minor characters.Castellaneta and Kavner had been a part ofThe Tracey Ullman Showcast and were given the parts so that new actors would not be\",\n \"actors would not be needed.Cartwright voicesBart Simpson,Nelson Muntz,Ralph Wiggumand other children.Smith, the voice ofLisa Simpson, is the only cast member who regularly voices only one character, although she occasionally plays other episodic characters.The producers decided to hold casting for the roles of Bart and Lisa. Smith had initially been asked to audition for the role of Bart, but casting directorBonita Pietilabelieved her voice was too high,so she was given the role of Lisa instead.Cartwright was originally brought in to voice Lisa, but upon arriving at the audition, she found that Lisa was simply described as the \\\"middle child\\\" and at the time did not have much personality. Cartwright became more interested in the role of Bart, who was described as \\\"devious, underachieving, school-hating, irreverent, clever\\\".Groening let her try out for the part instead, and upon hearing her read, gave her the job on the spot.Cartwright is the only one of the six mainSimpsonscast members who had been\",\n \"who had been professionally trained in voice acting prior to working on the show.Azaria and Shearer do not voice members of the title family, but play a majority of the male townspeople. Azaria, who has been a part of the main voice cast since the second season in one episode \\\"Old Money\\\" and then perpetually part of the regular main voice cast since the third season, voices recurring characters such asMoe Szyslak,Chief Wiggum,Apu NahasapeemapetilonandProfessor Frink. Shearer provides voices forMr. Burns,Mr. Smithers,Principal Skinner,Ned Flanders,Reverend Lovejoyand formerlyDr. Hibbert.Every main cast member has won aPrimetime Emmy AwardforOutstanding Voice-Over Performance. With one exception, episode credits list only the voice actors, and not the characters they voice. Both Fox and the production crew wanted to keep their identities secret during the early seasons and, therefore, closed most of the recording sessions while refusing to publish photos of the recording artists.However, the network eventually\",\n \"network eventually revealed which roles each actor performed in the episode \\\"Old Money\\\", because the producers said the voice actors should receive credit for their work.In 2003, the cast appeared in an episode ofInside the Actors Studio, doing live performances of their characters' voices. The six main actors were paid $30,000 per episode, until 1998, when they were involved in a pay dispute with Fox. The company threatened to replace them with new actors, even going as far as preparing for casting of new voices, but series creator Groening supported the actors in their action.The issue was soon resolved and, from 1998 to 2004, they were paid $125,000 per episode. The show's revenue continued to rise through syndication and DVD sales, and in April 2004 the main cast stopped appearing for script readings, demanding they be paid $360,000 per episode.The strike was resolved a month laterand their salaries were increased to something between $250,000and $360,000 per episode.In 2008, production for thetwentieth\",\n \"for thetwentieth seasonwas put on hold due to new contract negotiations with the voice actors, who wanted a \\\"healthy bump\\\" in salary to an amount close to $500,000 per episode.The negotiations were soon completed, and the actors' salary was raised to $400,000 per episode.Three years later, with Fox threatening to cancel the series unless production costs were cut, the cast members accepted a 30 percent pay cut, down to just over $300,000 per episode. In addition to the main cast,Pamela Hayden,Tress MacNeille,Marcia Wallace,Maggie Roswell, andRussi Taylorvoice supporting characters.From 1999 to 2002, Roswell's characters were voiced byMarcia Mitzman Gaven.Karl Wiedergotthas also appeared in minor roles, but does not voice any recurring characters.Wiedergott left the show in 2010, and since thenChris Edgerlyhas appeared regularly to voice minor characters. Repeat \\\"special guest\\\" cast members includeAlbert Brooks,Phil Hartman,Jon Lovitz,Joe Mantegna,Maurice LaMarche, andKelsey Grammer.Following Hartman's death\",\n \"Hartman's death in 1998, the characters he voiced (Troy McClureandLionel Hutz) were retired;Wallace's character ofEdna Krabappelwas retired as well after her death in 2013. Following Taylor's death in 2019, her characters (includingSherri, Terri, andMartin Prince) are now voiced byGrey Griffin. Episodes will quite often feature guest voices from a wide range of professions, including actors, athletes, authors, bands, musicians and scientists. In the earlier seasons, most of the guest stars voiced characters, but eventually more started appearing as themselves.Tony Bennettwas the first guest star to appear as himself, appearing briefly in the season two episode \\\"Dancin' Homer\\\".The Simpsonsholds theworld recordfor \\\"Most Guest Stars Featured in a Television Series\\\". The Simpsonshas been dubbed intoseveral other languages, including Japanese, German, Spanish, and Portuguese. It is also one of the few programs dubbed in bothstandard FrenchandQuebec French.The show has been broadcast in Arabic, but due\",\n \"in Arabic, but due toIslamiccustoms, numerous aspects of the show have been changed. For example, Homer drinkssodainstead of beer and eats Egyptian beef sausages instead of hot dogs. Because of such changes, the Arabized version of the series met with a negative reaction from the lifelongSimpsonsfans in the area. Animation Several different U.S. and international studios animateThe Simpsons. Throughout the run of the animated shorts onThe Tracey Ullman Show, the animation was produced domestically atKlasky Csupo.With the debut of the series, because of an increased workload, Fox subcontracted production to several local and foreign studios.These areAKOM,Anivision,Rough Draft Studios,USAnimation,and Toonzone Entertainment. For the first three seasons, Klasky Csupo animatedThe Simpsonsin the United States. In 1992, the show's production company, Gracie Films, switched domestic production toFilm Roman,who continued to animate the show until 2016 when they were replaced byFox Television Animation, which allowed\",\n \"which allowed the show to be made more in-house. InSeason 14, production switched from traditionalcel animationtodigital ink and paint.The first episode to experiment with digital coloring was \\\"Radioactive Man\\\" in 1995. Animators used digital ink and paint during production of theseason 12episode \\\"Tennis the Menace\\\", but Gracie Films delayed the regular use of digital ink and paint until two seasons later. The already completed \\\"Tennis the Menace\\\" was broadcast as made. The production staff at the U.S. animation studio, Film Roman, drawsstoryboards, designs new characters, backgrounds, props and draws character and background layouts, which in turn becomeanimaticsto be screened for the writers at Gracie Films for any changes to be made before the work is shipped overseas. The overseas studios then draw theinbetweens, ink and paint, and render the animation to tape before it is shipped back to the United States to be delivered to Fox three to four months later. The series beganhigh-definitionproduction in\",\n \"in Season 20; the first episode, \\\"Take My Life, Please\\\", aired February 15, 2009. The move to HDTV included a new opening sequence.Matt Groening called it a complicated change because it affected the timing and composition of animation. Themes The Simpsonsuses the standard setup of a situational comedy, or sitcom, as its premise. The series centers on a family and their life in a typical American town,serving as asatiricalparody of amiddle classAmerican lifestyle.However, because of its animated nature,The Simpsons'scope is larger than that of a regular sitcom. The town of Springfield acts as a complete universe in which characters can explore the issues faced by modern society. By having Homer work in anuclear power plant, the show can comment on the state of the environment.Through Bart and Lisa's days atSpringfield Elementary School, the show's writers illustrate pressing or controversial issues in the field of education. The town features a vast array of television channels, which enables the producers\",\n \"the producers to make jokes about the entertainment industry and the press. Some commentators say the show is political in nature and susceptible to a left-wing bias.Al Jeanacknowledged in an interview that \\\"We are ofliberalbent.\\\"The writers often evince an appreciation forprogressive leanings, but the show makes jokes across the political spectrum.The show portrays government and large corporations as evil entities that take advantage of the common worker.Thus, the writers often portray authority figures in an unflattering or negative light. InThe Simpsons, politicians are corrupt, ministers such asReverend Lovejoyare dismissive to churchgoers, and the local police force is incompetent.Religion also figures as a recurring theme.In times of crisis, the family often turns to God, and the show has dealt with most of the major religions. Sexualityis often a source of jokes in the series or serves as the theme of certain episodes. Even though homosexuals are sometimes sources of gags, the series often comments\",\n \"often comments on how American society treats them, with \\\"Homer's Phobia\\\" devoting an entire episode to the family making a gay friend and Homer's initial hostility to him. In 1990,The Simpsonsbecame the first animated early evening show to depict a kiss between two men in \\\"Simpson and Delilah\\\". Hallmarks Opening sequence The Simpsons'opening sequenceis one of the show's most memorable hallmarks. The standard opening has gone through three iterations (a replacement of some shots at the start of the second season, and a brand new sequence when the show switched to high-definition in 2009). Each has the same basic sequence of events: the camera zooms throughcumulus clouds, through the show's title towards the town ofSpringfield. The camera then follows the members of the family on their way home. Upon entering their house, the Simpsons settle down on their couch to watch television. The original opening was created byDavid Silverman, and was the first task he did when production began on the show.The series'\",\n \"show.The series' distinctivetheme songwascomposedby musicianDanny Elfmanin 1989, after Groening approached him requesting a retro-style piece. This piece has been noted by Elfman as the most popular of his career. One of the most distinctive aspects of the opening is that three of its elements change from episode to episode: Bart writes different things on the school chalkboard,Lisa plays different solos on her saxophone (or occasionally a different instrument), and different gags accompany the family as they enter their living room to sit on the couch. Halloween episodes The specialHalloweenepisode has become an annual tradition. \\\"Treehouse of Horror\\\" first broadcast in 1990 as part ofseason twoand established the pattern of three separate, self-contained stories in each Halloween episode.These pieces usually involve the family in some horror, science fiction, or supernatural setting and often parody or pay homage to a famous piece of work in those genres.They always take place outside the normal continuity\",\n \"normal continuity of the show. Although theTreehouseseries is meant to be seen on Halloween, this changed by the 2000s (and again in 2020), when new installments have premiered after Halloween due toFox's currentcontractwithMajor League Baseball'sWorld Series.Prior to 2020 (between 2011 and 2019), everyTreehouse of Horrorepisode had aired in October. Humor The show's humor turns on cultural references that cover a wide spectrum of society so that viewers from all generations can enjoy the show. Such references, for example, come from movies, television, music, literature, science, and history.The animators also regularly add jokes or sight gags into the show's background via humorous or incongruous bits of text in signs, newspapers,billboards, and elsewhere. The audience may often not notice the visual jokes in a single viewing. Some are so fleeting that they become apparent only by pausing a video recording of the show or viewing it in slow motion.Kristin Thompson argues thatThe Simpsonsuses a \\\"flurry of\",\n \"a \\\"flurry of cultural references, intentionally inconsistent characterization, and considerable self-reflexivity about television conventions and the status of the programme as a television show.\\\" One of Bart's earlyhallmarkswas his prank calls toMoe's TavernownerMoe Szyslakwhere he asks for agag name. Moe tries to find that person in the bar, but soon realizes it is a prank call and angrily threatens Bart. These calls were apparently based on a series of prank calls known as theTube Bar recordings, though Groening has denied any causal connection.Moe was based partly on Tube Bar ownerLouis \\\"Red\\\" Deutsch, whose often profane responses inspired Moe's violent side.As the series progressed, it became more difficult for the writers to come up with a fake name and to write Moe's angry response, and the pranks were dropped as a regular joke during the fourth season.The Simpsonsalso often includesself-referential humor.The most common form is jokes about Fox Broadcasting.For example, the episode \\\"She Used to Be My\",\n \"\\\"She Used to Be My Girl\\\" included a scene in which aFox News Channelvan drove down the street while displaying a large \\\"Bush Cheney 2004\\\" banner and playingQueen's \\\"We Are the Champions\\\", in reference to the2004 U.S. presidential electionand claims ofconservative bias in Fox News. The show usescatchphrases, and most of the primary and secondary characters have at least one each.Notable expressions include Homer's annoyed grunt \\\"D'oh!\\\", Mr. Burns' \\\"Excellent\\\" andNelson Muntz's \\\"Ha-ha!\\\" Some of Bart's catchphrases, such as \\\"¡Ay, caramba!\\\", \\\"Don't have a cow, man!\\\" and \\\"Eat my shorts!\\\" appeared on T-shirts in the show's early days.However, Bart rarely used the latter two phrases until after they became popular through themerchandising. The use of many of these catchphrases has declined in recent seasons. The episode \\\"Bart Gets Famous\\\" mocks catchphrase-based humor, as Bart achieves fame on theKrusty the Clown Showsolely for saying \\\"I didn't do it.\\\" Purported foreshadowing of actual events The Simpsonshas gained\",\n \"Simpsonshas gained notoriety for jokes that appeared to become reality. Perhaps the most famous example comes from the episode \\\"Bart to the Future\\\", which mentions billionaireDonald Trumphaving been president of the United States at one time and leaving the nation broke.The episode first aired in 2000, sixteen years before Trump (who at the time wasexploring a presidential run) was elected.Another episode, \\\"When You Dish Upon a Star\\\", lampooned20th Century Foxas a division ofThe Walt Disney Company. Nineteen years later,Disney purchased Fox.Other examples purported asThe Simpsonspredicting the future include the introduction of thesmartwatch,video chatservices,Richard Branson's spaceflightandLady Gaga's acrobatic performance at theSuper Bowl LI halftime show. Al Jeanhas commented on the show's purported ability to predict the future, explaining that they are really just \\\"educated guesses\\\" and stating that \\\"if you throw enough darts, you're going to get some bullseyes.\\\"ProducerBill Oakleystated, \\\"There are\",\n \"\\\"There are very few cases whereThe Simpsonspredicted something. It's mainly just coincidence because the episodes are so old that history repeats itself.\\\"Fact-checkingsources such asSnopeshave debunked many of the claimed prophecies, explaining that the show's extensive run means \\\"a lot of jokes, and a lot of opportunities for coincidences to appear\\\" and \\\"most of these 'predictions' have rather simple and mundane explanations\\\".For example, the device shown onThe Simpsonswith autocorrection is anApple Newton, a real 1993 device notorious for its poorhandwriting recognition.Technologically advanced watches have appeared in numerous works of fiction, decades beforeThe Simpsons. Influence and legacy Idioms A number ofneologismsthat originated onThe Simpsonshave entered popular vernacular.Mark Liberman, director of theLinguistic Data Consortium, remarked, \\\"The Simpsonshas apparently taken over from Shakespeare and the Bible as our culture's greatest source of idioms, catchphrases and sundry other textual\",\n \"other textual allusions.\\\"The most famous catchphrase is Homer's annoyed grunt: \\\"D'oh!\\\" So ubiquitous is the expression that it is now listed in theOxford English Dictionary, but without the apostrophe.Dan Castellaneta says he borrowed the phrase fromJames Finlayson, an actor in manyLaurel and Hardycomedies, who pronounced it in a more elongated and whining tone. The staff ofThe Simpsonstold Castellaneta to shorten the noise, and it went on to become the well-known exclamation in the television series. Groundskeeper Willie's description of the French as \\\"cheese-eating surrender monkeys\\\" was used byNational ReviewcolumnistJonah Goldbergin 2003, after France's opposition to the proposedinvasion of Iraq. The phrase quickly spread to other journalists.\\\"Cromulent\\\" and \\\"embiggen\\\", words used in \\\"Lisa the Iconoclast\\\", have since appeared in theDictionary.com's 21st Century Lexicon,and scientific journals respectively.\\\"Kwyjibo\\\", a fakeScrabbleword invented by Bart in \\\"Bart the Genius\\\", was used as one of the aliases\",\n \"one of the aliases of the creator of theMelissa worm.\\\"I, for one, welcome our new insect overlords\\\", was used byKent Brockmanin \\\"Deep Space Homer\\\" and has become asnowclone,with variants of the utterance used to express obsequious submission. It has been used in media, such asNew Scientistmagazine.The dismissive term \\\"Meh\\\", believed to have been popularized by the show,entered theCollins English Dictionaryin 2008.Other words credited as stemming from the show include \\\"yoink\\\" and \\\"craptacular\\\". The Oxford Dictionary of Modern Quotationsincludes several quotations from the show. As well as \\\"cheese-eating surrender monkeys\\\", Homer's lines, \\\"Kids, you tried your best and you failed miserably. The lesson is never try\\\", from \\\"Burns' Heir\\\" (season five, 1994) as well as \\\"Kids are the best, Apu. You can teach them to hate the things you hate. And they practically raise themselves, what with the Internet and all\\\", from \\\"Eight Misbehavin'\\\"(season 11, 1999), entered the dictionary in August 2007. Many quotes/scenes\",\n \"Many quotes/scenes have become popularInternet memes, including Jasper Beardley's quote \\\"That's a paddlin'\\\" from \\\"The PTA Disbands\\\" (season 6, 1995) and \\\"Steamed Hams\\\" from \\\"22 Short Films About Springfield\\\" (season 7, 1996). Television The Simpsonswas the first successful animated program in American prime time sinceWait Till Your Father Gets Homein the 1970s.During most of the 1980s, US pundits considered animated shows as appropriate only for children, and animating a show was too expensive to achieve a quality suitable for prime-time television.The Simpsonschanged this perception,initially leading to a short period where networks attempted to recreate prime-time cartoon success with shows likeCapitol Critters,Fish Police, andFamily Dog, which were expensive and unsuccessful.The Simpsons'use of Korean animation studios fortweening, coloring, and filming made the episodes cheaper. The success ofThe Simpsonsand the lower production cost prompted US television networks to take chances on other adult animated\",\n \"adult animated series.This development led US producers to a 1990s boom in new, animated prime-time shows for adults, such asBeavis and Butt-Head,South Park,Family Guy,King of the Hill,Futurama(which was created by Matt Groening), andThe Critic(which was also produced by Gracie Films).ForFamily GuycreatorSeth MacFarlane, \\\"The Simpsonscreated an audience for prime-time animation that had not been there for many, many years ... As far as I'm concerned, they basically re-invented the wheel. They created what is in many ways—you could classify it as—a wholly new medium.\\\" The Simpsonshas had crossovers with four other shows. In the episode \\\"A Star Is Burns\\\", Marge invites Jay Sherman, the main character ofThe Critic, to be a judge for a film festival in Springfield. Matt Groening had his name removed from the episode since he had no involvement withThe Critic.South Parklater paid homage toThe Simpsonswith the episode \\\"Simpsons Already Did It\\\".In \\\"Simpsorama\\\", the Planet Express crew fromFuturamacome to\",\n \"fromFuturamacome to Springfield in the present to prevent the Simpsons from destroying the future.In theFamily Guyepisode \\\"The Simpsons Guy\\\", the Griffins visit Springfield and meet the Simpsons. The Simpsonshas also influenced live-action shows likeMalcolm in the Middle, which featured the use ofsight gagsand did not use alaugh trackunlike most sitcoms.Malcolm in the Middledebuted January 9, 2000, in the time slot afterThe Simpsons.Ricky GervaiscalledThe Simpsonsan influence onThe Office,and fellow British sitcomSpacedwas, according to its directorEdgar Wright, \\\"an attempt to do a live-actionThe Simpsons\\\".InGeorgia, the animated television sitcomThe Samsonadzes, launched in November 2009, has been noted for its very strong resemblance withThe Simpsons, which its creator Shalva Ramishvili has acknowledged. LGBT representation The Simpsonshas historically been open to portrayals ofLGBTcharacters and settings, and it has routinely challengedheteronormativity.It was one of several animated television shows in\",\n \"television shows in the United States that began introducing characters that were LGBT, both openly and implied, in the 1990s.While early episodes involving LGBT characters primarily included them through the use of stereotypes,The Simpsonsdeveloped several prominent LGBT characters over its run.Producers of the show, such asMatt GroeningandAl Jean, have expressed their opinion that LGBT representation in media is important, and that they seek to actively include it.Some characters, such as Julio, were created with their sexual orientation in mind, with it being central to their character.The show expanded its roster of openly LGBT characters through episodes in which prominent charactersPatty BouvierandWaylon Smitherscame out in seasons16and27, respectively. Release Broadcast Syndication The cable television networkFXX, a sibling of 20th Television and formerly the Fox network, hasexclusive cable and digital syndicationrights forThe Simpsons.Original contracts had previously stated that syndication rights\",\n \"syndication rights forThe Simpsonswould not be sold to cable until the series conclusion, at a time when cable syndication deals were highly rare. The series has been syndicated to local broadcast stations in nearly all markets throughout the United States since September 1994. FXX premieredThe Simpsonson their network on August 21, 2014, by starting a twelve-daymarathonwhich featured the first 552 episodes (every single episode that had already been released at the time) aired chronologically, includingThe Simpsons Movie, which FX Networks had already owned the rights to air. It was the longest continuous marathon in the history of television (untilVH1 Classicaired a 433-hour, nineteen-day, marathon ofSaturday Night Livein 2015; celebrating that program's 40th anniversary).The first day of the marathon was the highest rated broadcast day in the history of the network so far, the ratings more than tripled those of regular prime time programming for FXX.Ratings during the first six nights of the marathon grew\",\n \"the marathon grew night after night, with the network ranking within the top 5 networks in basic cable each night.In Australia, a marathon of every episode of the show (at the time) aired from December 16, 2019, to January 5, 2020, onFox8(a cable network operated on pay TV providerFoxteland a corporate sibling to the American Fox network). After Disneyacquiredboth 20th Television and FX Networks, it was announced thatThe Simpsonswould air on the company'sFreeformchannel starting October 2, 2019. Streaming and digital sell-through On October 21, 2014, a digital service courtesy of theFXNOWapp, calledSimpsons World, launched with every episode of the series accessible to authenticated FX subscribers, and is available on game consoles such asXbox One, streaming devices such asRokuandApple TV, and online via web browser.There was early criticism of both wrong aspect ratios for earlier episodes and the length of commercial breaks on the streaming service, but that problem was soon amended with fewer commercial\",\n \"fewer commercial breaks during individual episodes.Later it was announced thatSimpsons Worldwould now let users watch all of the SD episodes in their original format.Simpsons Worldwas discontinued after the launch ofDisney+on November 12, 2019, where the series streams exclusively.Initially, the series was only available cropped to16:9without the option to view the original4:3versions, reigniting criticisms of cropping old episodes.In response, Disney announced that \\\"in early 2020, Disney+ will make the first 19 seasons (and some episodes from season 20) ofThe Simpsonsavailable in their original 4:3 aspect ratio, giving subscribers a choice of how they prefer to view the popular series.\\\"On May 28, 2020, Disney+ made the first 19 seasons, along with some episodes from season 20, ofThe Simpsonsavailable in both 16:9 and the original 4:3 aspect ratio.Season 31 came to Disney+ on October 2, 2020, withHulustreaming the latest episodes of season 32 the next day. Season 32 came to Disney+ on September 29, 2021. The\",\n \"29, 2021. The season 3 premiere \\\"Stark Raving Dad\\\", which featuresMichael Jacksonas the voice of Leon Kompowsky, was pulled out of rotation in 2019 by Matt Groening, James L. Brooks and Al Jean afterHBOaired the documentaryLeaving Neverland, in which two men share details into how Jackson allegedly abused them as children.It is therefore unavailable on Disney+. However, the episode is still available onThe Complete Third SeasonDVD box set released on August 26, 2003. In July 2017, all episodes from seasons 4 to 19 were made available for purchase on theiTunes Storein Canada. On August 10, 2024, it was announced that four episodes of season 36 would air exclusively on Disney+. Reception and achievements Early success The Simpsonswas the Fox network's first television series to rank among a season's top 30 highest-rated shows.In 1990, Bart quickly became one of the most popular characters on television in what was termed \\\"Bartmania\\\".He became the most prevalentSimpsonscharacter on memorabilia, such asT-shirts.\",\n \"such asT-shirts. In the early 1990s, millions of T-shirts featuring Bart were sold;as many as one million were sold on some days.Believing Bart to be a bad role model, several American public schools banned T-shirts featuring Bart next to captions such as \\\"I'm Bart Simpson. Who the hell are you?\\\" and \\\"Underachiever ('And proud of it, man!')\\\".The Simpsonsmerchandise sold well and generated $2 billion in revenue during the first 14 months of sales.Because of his popularity, Bart was often the most promoted member of the Simpson family in advertisements for the show, even for episodes in which he was not involved in the main plot. Due to the show's success, over the summer of 1990 theFox Networkdecided to switchThe Simpsons'time slot from 8:00 p.m.ETon Sunday night to the same time on Thursday, where it competed withThe Cosby ShowonNBC, thenumber one showat the time.Through the summer, several news outlets published stories about the supposed \\\"Bill vs. Bart\\\" rivalry.\\\"Bart Gets an 'F'\\\"(season two, 1990) was the\",\n \"two, 1990) was the first episode to air againstThe Cosby Show, and it received a lowerNielsen rating, tying for eighth behindThe Cosby Show, which had an 18.5 rating. The rating is based on the number of household televisions that were tuned into the show, butNielsen Media Researchestimated that 33.6 million viewers watched the episode, making it the number one show in terms of actual viewers that week. At the time, it was the most watched episode in the history of the Fox Network,and it is still the highest rated episode in the history ofThe Simpsons.The show moved back to its Sunday slot in 1994 and has remained there ever since. The Simpsonshas received overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics, and it has been noted for being described as \\\"the most irreverent and unapologetic show on the air.\\\"In a 1990 review of the show, Ken Tucker ofEntertainment Weeklydescribed it as \\\"the American family at its most complicated, drawn as simple cartoons. It's this neat paradox that makes millions of people turn\",\n \"of people turn away from the three big networks on Sunday nights to concentrate on The Simpsons.\\\"Tucker also described the show as a \\\"pop-cultural phenomenon, a prime-time cartoon show that appeals to the entire family.\\\" Run length achievements On February 9, 1997,The SimpsonssurpassedThe Flintstoneswith the episode \\\"The Itchy & Scratchy & Poochie Show\\\" as the longest-running prime-time animated series in the United States.In 2004,The SimpsonsreplacedThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet(1952 to 1966) as the longest-running sitcom (animated or live action) in the United States in terms of the number of years airing.In 2009,The SimpsonssurpassedThe Adventures of Ozzie and Harriet's record of 435 episodes and is now recognized byGuinness World Recordsas the world's longest running sitcom (in terms of episode count).In October 2004,Scooby-Doobriefly overtookThe Simpsonsas the American animated show with the highest number of episodes (albeit under several different iterations).However, network executives in April\",\n \"executives in April 2005 again canceledScooby-Doo, which finished with 371 episodes, andThe Simpsonsreclaimed the title with 378 episodes at the end of their seventeenth season.In May 2007,The Simpsonsreached their 400th episode at the end of the eighteenth season. WhileThe Simpsonshas the record for the number of episodes by an American animated show, other animated series have surpassedThe Simpsons.For example, the JapaneseanimeseriesSazae-sanhas over 2,000 episodes (7,000+ segments) to its credit. In 2009, Fox began a year-long celebration of the show titled \\\"Best. 20 Years. Ever.\\\" to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the premiere ofThe Simpsons. One of the first parts of the celebration is the \\\"Unleash Your Yellow\\\" contest in which entrants must design a poster for the show.The celebration ended on January 10, 2010 (almost 20 years after \\\"Bart the Genius\\\" aired on January 14, 1990), withThe Simpsons 20th Anniversary Special – In 3-D! On Ice!, a documentary special by documentary filmmakerMorgan\",\n \"filmmakerMorgan Spurlockthat examines the \\\"cultural phenomenon ofThe Simpsons\\\". As of the twenty-first season (2009–2010),The Simpsonsbecame the longest-running American scripted primetime television series, having surpassed the 1955–1975 run ofGunsmoke. On April 29, 2018,The Simpsonsalso surpassedGunsmoke's 635-episode count with the episode \\\"Forgive and Regret\\\". The Simpsonsis both the longest-running and the highest ranking animated series to feature onTV Time's top 50 most followed TV shows ever. On February 6, 2019, it was announced thatThe Simpsonshas been renewed for seasons 31 and 32. On March 3, 2021, it was announced thatThe Simpsonswas renewed for seasons 33 and 34. Awards and honors The Simpsonshas won dozens of awards since it debuted as a series, including 34Primetime Emmy Awards,34Annie Awardsand aPeabody Award.In a 1999 issue celebrating the 20th century's greatest achievements in arts and entertainment,TimenamedThe Simpsonsthe century's best television series, writing: \\\"Dazzlingly\",\n \"\\\"Dazzlingly intelligent and unapologetically vulgar, the Simpsons have surpassed the humor, topicality and, yes, humanity of past TV greats.\\\"In that same issue,Timeincluded Bart Simpson in theTime 100, the publication's list of the century's 100 most influential people.Bart was the only fictional character on the list. On January 14, 2000, the Simpsons were awarded a star on theHollywood Walk of Fame.Also in 2000,Entertainment Weeklymagazine TV critic Ken Tucker namedThe Simpsonsthe greatest television show of the1990s. Furthermore, viewers of the UK television channelChannel 4have votedThe Simpsonsat the top of two polls: 2001's 100 Greatest Kids' TV shows (despite the show not being aimed at children),and 2005's The 100 Greatest Cartoons,with Homer Simpson voted into first place in 2001's 100 Greatest TV Characters.Homer also placed ninth onEntertainment Weekly'slist of the \\\"50 Greatest TV icons\\\".In 2002,The Simpsonsranked No. 8 onTV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time,and was ranked the No. 6 cult\",\n \"the No. 6 cult show in 2004.In 2007, it moved to No. 8 on TV Guide's cult shows listand was included inTime'slist of the \\\"100 Best TV Shows of All Time\\\".In 2008 the show was placed in first onEntertainment Weekly's\\\"Top 100 Shows of the Past 25 Years\\\".Empirenamed it the greatest TV show of all time.In 2010,Entertainment Weeklynamed Homer \\\"the greatest character of the last 20 years\\\",while in 2013 theWriters Guild of AmericalistedThe Simpsonsas the 11th \\\"best written\\\" series in television history.In 2013,TV GuiderankedThe Simpsonsas the greatest TV cartoon of all timeand the tenth greatest show of all time.A 2015The Hollywood Reportersurvey of 2,800 actors, producers, directors, and other industry people named it as their No. 10 favorite show.In 2015, British newspaperThe TelegraphnamedThe Simpsonsas one of the 10 best TV sitcoms of all time.Television criticsAlan SepinwallandMatt Zoller SeitzrankedThe Simpsonsas the greatest American TV series of all time in their 2016 bookTV (The Book).In 2022,Rolling\",\n \"2022,Rolling StonerankedThe Simpsonsas the second-greatest TV show of all time.In 2023,VarietyrankedThe Simpsonsas the fourth-greatest TV show of all time. Criticism Controversy Bart's rebellious, bad boy nature, which underlies his misbehavior and rarely leads to any punishment, led some people to characterize him as a poorrole modelfor children.In schools, educators claimed that Bart was a \\\"threat to learning\\\" because of his \\\"underachiever and proud of it\\\" attitude and negative attitude regarding his education.Others described him as \\\"egotistical, aggressive and mean-spirited\\\".In a 1991 interview,Bill Cosbydescribed Bart as a bad role model for children, calling him \\\"angry, confused, frustrated\\\". In response, Matt Groening said, \\\"That sums up Bart, all right. Most people are in a struggle to be normal he thinks normal is very boring, and does things that others just wished they dare do.\\\"On January 27, 1992, then-PresidentGeorge H. W. Bushsaid, \\\"We are going to keep on trying to strengthen the American\",\n \"the American family, to make American families a lot more likethe Waltonsand a lot less like the Simpsons.\\\"The writers rushed out a tongue-in-cheek reply in the form of a short segment that aired three days later before a rerun of \\\"Stark Raving Dad\\\" in which Bart replied, \\\"Hey, we're just like the Waltons. We're praying for an end tothe Depression, too.\\\" The show also received criticism from the nuclear power industry in its early years, with its portrayal of the evil boss Mr. Burns and \\\"bungling idiot\\\" employees (including Homer Simpson himself) with their lack of safety and security.In a letter to the nuclear power-backedU.S. Council for Energy Awareness, producer Sam Simon apologized, stating, \\\"I apologize that the Simpsons have offended a lot of people in the energy industry. I agree with you that in real life, Homer Simpson would not be employed at a nuclear power plant. On the other hand, he probably wouldn't be employed anywhere.\\\" Various episodes of the show have generated controversy. The Simpsons\",\n \"The Simpsons visit Australia in \\\"Bart vs. Australia\\\" (season six, 1995) and Brazil in \\\"Blame It on Lisa\\\" (season 13, 2002) and both episodes generated controversy and negative reaction in the visited countries.In the latter case, Rio de Janeiro's tourist board—which claimed that the city was portrayed as having rampant street crime, kidnappings, slums, and monkey and rat infestations—went so far as to threaten Fox with legal action.Groening was a fierce and vocal critic of the episode \\\"A Star Is Burns\\\" (season six, 1995), which featured acrossoverwithThe Critic. He felt that it was just an advertisement forThe Critic, and that people would incorrectly associate the show with him. When he was unsuccessful in getting the episode pulled, he had his name removed from the credits and went public with his concerns, openly criticizing James L. Brooks and saying the episode \\\"violates the Simpsons' universe.\\\" In response, Brooks said, \\\"I am furious with Matt, ... he's allowed his opinion, but airing this publicly in\",\n \"this publicly in the press is going too far. ... his behavior right now is rotten.\\\" \\\"The Principal and the Pauper\\\" (season nine, 1997) is one of the most controversial episodes ofThe Simpsons. Many fans and critics reacted negatively to the revelation thatSeymour Skinner, a recurring character since the first season, was an impostor. The episode has been criticized by Groening and byHarry Shearer, who provides the voice of Skinner. In a 2001 interview, Shearer recalled that after reading the script, he told the writers, \\\"That'ssowrong. You're taking something that an audience has built eight years or nine years of investment in and just tossed it in the trash can for no good reason, for a story we've done before with other characters. It's so arbitrary and gratuitous, and it's disrespectful to the audience.\\\" Bans The show has reportedly been taken off the air in several countries. China banned it from prime-time television in August 2006, \\\"in an effort to protect China's struggling animation studios.\\\"In\",\n \"studios.\\\"In 2008,Venezuelabarred the show from airing on morning television as it was deemed \\\"unsuitable for children\\\".The same year, several RussianPentecostalchurches demanded thatThe Simpsons,South Parkand some other Western cartoons be removed from broadcast schedules \\\"for propaganda of various vices\\\" and the broadcaster's license to be revoked. However, a court decision later dismissed this request. Perceived decline in quality Critics' reviews of earlySimpsonsepisodes praised the show for its sassy humor, wit, realism, and intelligence.However, in the late 1990s, around the airing ofseason 9, the tone and emphasis of the show began to change. Some critics started calling the show \\\"tired\\\".By 2000, some long-term fans had become disillusioned with the show, and pointed to its shift from character-driven plots to what they perceived as an overemphasis on zany antics.Jim Schembri ofThe Sydney Morning Heraldattributed the decline in quality to an abandonment of character-driven storylines in favor of\",\n \"in favor of celebritycameo appearancesand references to popular culture. Schembri wrote in 2011: \\\"The central tragedy ofThe Simpsonsis that it has gone from commanding attention to merely being attention-seeking. It began by proving that cartoon characters don't have to be caricatures; they can be invested with real emotions. Now the show has in essence fermented into a limp parody of itself. Memorable story arcs have been sacrificed for the sake of celebrity walk-ons and punchline-hungry dialogue.\\\" In 2010, the BBC noted \\\"the common consensus is thatThe Simpsons'golden era ended afterseason nine\\\",and Todd Leopold of CNN, in an article looking at its perceived decline, stated \\\"for many fans ... the glory days are long past.\\\"Similarly, Tyler Wilson ofCoeur d'Alene Presshas referred to seasons one to nine as the show's \\\"golden age\\\",and Ian Nathan ofEmpiredescribed the show's classic era as being \\\"say, the first ten seasons\\\".Jon HeacockofLucidWorksstated that \\\"for the first ten years , the show was consistently\",\n \"was consistently at the top of its game\\\", with \\\"so many moments, quotations, and references – both epic and obscure – that helped turn the Simpson family into the cultural icons that they remain to this day\\\". Mike Scully, who was showrunner during seasons nine throughtwelve, has been the subject of criticism.Chris Suellentrop ofSlatewrote that \\\"under Scully's tenure,The Simpsonsbecame, well, a cartoon ... Episodes that once would have ended withHomer and Marge bicycling into the sunsetnow end withHomer blowing a tranquilizer dart into Marge's neck. The show's still funny, but it hasn't been touching in years.\\\"When asked in 2007 how the series' longevity is sustained, Scully joked: \\\"Lower your quality standards. Once you've done that you can go on forever.\\\" Al Jean, who was showrunner during seasonsthirteenthroughthirty-three,has also been the subject of criticism, with some arguing that the show has continued to decline in quality under his tenure. Former writers have complained that under Jean, the show is\",\n \"Jean, the show is \\\"on auto-pilot\\\", \\\"too sentimental\\\", and the episodes are \\\"just being cranked out\\\". Some critics believe that the show has \\\"entered a steady decline under Jean and is no longer really funny\\\".John Ortved, author ofThe Simpsons: An Uncensored, Unauthorized History, characterized the Jean era as \\\"toothless\\\",and criticized what he perceived as the show's increase in social and political commentary.Jean responded: \\\"Well, it's possible that we've declined. But honestly, I've been here the whole time and I do remember in season two people saying, 'It's gone downhill.' If we'd listened to that then we would have stopped after episode 13. I'm glad we didn't.\\\" In 2004, cast memberHarry Shearercriticized what he perceived as the show's declining quality: \\\"I rate the last three seasons as among the worst, soseason fourlooks very good to me now.\\\"Cast memberDan Castellanetaresponded: \\\"I don't agree, ... I think Harry's issue is that the show isn't as grounded as it was in the first three or four seasons,\",\n \"or four seasons, that it's gotten crazy or a little more madcap. I think it organically changes to stay fresh.\\\"Also in 2004 authorDouglas Couplanddescribed claims of declining quality in the series as \\\"hogwash\\\", saying \\\"The Simpsonshasn't fumbled the ball in fourteen years, it's hardly likely to fumble it now.\\\"In an April 2006 interview, Groening said: \\\"I honestly don't see any end in sight. I think it's possible that the show will get too financially cumbersome ... but right now, the show is creatively, I think, as good or better than it's ever been. The animation is incredibly detailed and imaginative, the stories do things that we haven't done before, so creatively there's no reason to quit.\\\" In 2016, popular culture writer Anna Leszkiewicz suggested that even thoughThe Simpsonsstill holds cultural relevance, \\\"contemporary appeal\\\" is only for the \\\"first ten or so seasons\\\", with recent episodes only garnering mainstream attention when a favorite character from the golden era is killed off, or when new\",\n \"off, or when new information and shock twists are given for old characters.The series' ratings have also declined; while thefirst seasonenjoyed an average of 13.4 million viewing households per episode in the U.S.,thetwenty-first seasonhad an average of 7.2 million viewers. Alan SepinwallandMatt Zoller Seitzargued in their 2016 book titledTV (The Book)that the peak ofThe Simpsonsare \\\"roughlyseasons 3–12\\\", and that despite the decline, episodes from the later seasons such as \\\"Eternal Moonshine of the Simpson Mind\\\" and \\\"Holidays of Future Passed\\\" could be considered on par with the earlier classic episodes, further stating that \\\"even if you want to call the show today a thin shadow of its former self, think about how mind-boggingly great its former self had to be for so-diminished a version to be watchable at all.\\\" In 2020,Uproxxwriter Josh Kurp stated that while he agrees with the sentiment thatThe Simpsonsis not as good as it used to be, it is because \\\"it was working at a level of comedy and characterization\",\n \"characterization that no show ever has.\\\" He felt there were still many reasons to watch the series, as it was \\\"still capable of quality television, and even the occasional new classic\\\" and the fact that the show was willing to experiment, giving examples such as bringing on guest animators likeDon HertzfeldtandSylvain Chometto produce couch gags, and guest writers likeSeth RogenandEvan Goldberg,Pete HolmesandMegan Amramto write episodes.In theseason 32episode \\\"I, Carumbus\\\", the show itself makes a nod to these concerns in its credits gag where the godJupiternotes that \\\"It definitely feels like they're wrapping it up ... any day now.\\\" In a 2021 interview withNME, Jean was quoted as saying, \\\"To people who sayThe Simpsonsisn't as good as it used to be, I would say I think the world isn't as good as it used to be. But we're declining at a slower rate.\\\" Race controversy The stereotypical nature of the characterApu Nahasapeemapetilonhas been the subject of controversy. Indian-American comedianHari Kondabolustated\",\n \"Kondabolustated in his 2017 documentaryThe Problem with Aputhat as a child he was a fan ofThe Simpsonsand liked Apu, but he now finds the character's stereotypical nature troublesome. Defenders of the character responded that the show is built on comical stereotypes, with creator Matt Groening saying, \\\"that's the nature of cartooning.\\\"He added that he was \\\"proud of what we do on the show\\\", and \\\"it's a time in our culture where people love to pretend they're offended\\\".In response to the controversy, Apu's voice actor,Hank Azaria, said he was willing to step aside from his role as Apu: \\\"The most important thing is to listen to South Asian people, Indian people in this country when they talk about what they feel and how they think about this character.\\\"In February 2020, he confirmed that he would no longer voice Apu. Groening stated at the same time that the character would remain in the show. The criticisms were referenced in the season 29 episode \\\"No Good Read Goes Unpunished\\\", when Lisa breaks thefourth\",\n \"breaks thefourth walland addresses the audience by saying, \\\"Something that started decades ago and was applauded and inoffensive is now politically incorrect. What can you do?\\\" to which Marge replies, \\\"Some things will be addressed at a later date.\\\" Lisa adds, \\\"If at all.\\\" This reference was clarified by the fact that there was a framed photo of Apu with the caption on the photo saying \\\"Don't have a cow, Apu\\\", a play on Bart's catchphrase \\\"Don't have a cow, man,\\\" as well as the fact that manyHindusdo not eat cows as they are considered sacred. In October 2018, it was reported that Apu would be written out of the show,which Groening denied. On June 26, 2020, in light of the variousBlack Lives Matterprotests, Fox announced that recurring characters of color (Carl CarlsonandDr. Hibbert, among others) would no longer be voiced by white actors.Beginning withseason 32, Carl, a black character originally voiced by Azaria, is now voiced by black actorAlex Désert.In addition,Bumblebee Man, a Spanish-speaking Latino\",\n \"Latino character also originally voiced by Azaria, is now voiced by Mexican-American actorEric Lopez,and Dr. Hibbert, a black character originally voiced byHarry Shearer, is now voiced by black actorKevin Michael Richardson. Other media Comic books Numerous Simpson-related comic books have been released over the years. The firstcomic stripsbased onThe Simpsonsappeared in 1991 in the magazineSimpsons Illustrated, which was a companion magazine to the show.The comic strips were popular and a one-shot comic book titledSimpsons Comics and Stories, containing four different stories, was released in 1993 for the fans.The book was a success and due to this, Groening and his companionsBill Morrison, Mike Rote, and Steve and Cindy Vance created the publishing companyBongo Comics.A total of nine comic book series were published by Bongo Comics between 1993 and the company's dissolution in 2018.Issues ofSimpsons Comics,Bart Simpson's Treehouse of HorrorandBart Simpsonhave been collected and reprinted intrade\",\n \"reprinted intrade paperbacksin the United States byHarperCollins. Film 20th Century FoxandGracie FilmsproducedThe Simpsons Movie, an animated film that was released on July 27, 2007.The film was directed by long-timeSimpsonsproducerDavid Silvermanand written by a team ofSimpsonswriters comprising Matt Groening, James L. Brooks, Al Jean, George Meyer,Mike Reiss,John Swartzwelder,Jon Vitti,David Mirkin,Mike Scully,Matt Selman, andIan Maxtone-Graham.Production of the film occurred alongside continued writing of the series despite long-time claims by those involved in the show that a film would enter production only after the series had concluded.There had been talk of a possible feature-lengthSimpsonsfilm ever since the early seasons of the series. James L. Brooks originally thought that the story of the episode \\\"Kamp Krusty\\\" was suitable for a film, but he encountered difficulties in trying to expand the script to feature-length.For a long time, difficulties such as lack of a suitable story and an already\",\n \"and an already fully engaged crew of writers delayed the project. On August 10, 2018, 20th Century Fox announced that a sequel is in development. Music Collections of original music featured in the series have been released on the albumsSongs in the Key of Springfield,Go Simpsonic with The SimpsonsandThe Simpsons: Testify.Several songs have been recorded with the purpose of a single or album release and have not been featured on the show. The albumThe Simpsons Sing the Blueswas released in September 1990 and was a success, peaking at No. 3 on theBillboard200and becoming certified 2× platinum by theRecording Industry Association of America.The first single from the album was thepop rapsong \\\"Do the Bartman\\\", performed by Nancy Cartwright and released on November 20, 1990. The song was written byMichael Jackson, although he did not receive any credit.The Yellow Albumwas released in 1998, but received poor reception and did not chart in any country. The SimpsonsRide In 2007, it was officially announced thatThe\",\n \"announced thatThe SimpsonsRide, asimulator ride, would be implemented into theUniversal Studios OrlandoandUniversal Studios Hollywood.It officially opened May 15, 2008, in Floridaand May 19, 2008, in Hollywood.In the ride, patrons are introduced to a cartoon theme park called Krustyland built byKrusty the Clown. However,Sideshow Bobis loose from prison to get revenge on Krusty and theSimpson family.It features more than 24 regular characters fromThe Simpsonsand features the voices of the regular cast members, as well asPamela Hayden,Russi TaylorandKelsey Grammer.Harry Shearerdid not participate in the ride, so none of his characters have vocal parts.The ride also features clips from the show in the waiting line. Video games Numerous video games based on the show have been produced. Some of the early games includeKonami'sarcade gameThe Simpsons(1991) andAcclaim Entertainment'sThe Simpsons: Bart vs. the Space Mutants(1991).More modern games includeThe Simpsons: Road Rage(2001),The Simpsons: Hit & Run(2003)\",\n \"Hit & Run(2003) andThe Simpsons Game(2007).Electronic Arts, which producedThe Simpsons Game, has owned the exclusive rights to create video games based on the show since 2005.In 2010, they released a game calledThe Simpsons ArcadeforiOS.Another EA-produced mobile game,Tapped Out, was released in 2012 for iOS users, then in 2013 forAndroidandKindleusers.TwoSimpsonspinballmachines have been produced: one that was available briefly after the first season, and another in 2007, both out of production. Merchandise The popularity ofThe Simpsonshas made it a billion-dollar merchandising industry.The title family and supporting characters appear on everything from T-shirts to posters.The Simpsonshas been used as a theme for special editions of well-known board games, includingClue,Scrabble,Monopoly,Operation, andThe Game of Life, as well as thetriviagames What Would Homer Do? and SimpsonsJeopardy!. Several card games such astrump cardsand The Simpsons Trading Card Game have also been released. Many official or\",\n \"Many official or unofficialSimpsonsbooks such as episode guides have been published. Many episodes of the show have been released on DVD and VHS over the years. When the first season DVD was released in 2001, it quickly became the best-selling television DVD in history, although it was later overtaken by the first season ofChappelle's Show.In particular, seasons one through seventeen were released on DVD for 13 years between September 2001 to December 2014 in the U.S./Canada (Region 1), Europe (Region 2), and Australia/New Zealand/Latin America (Region 4). However, on April 8, 2015, Al Jean announced that the Season 17 DVD would be the last one ever produced, leaving the collection from Seasons 1 to 17, Season 20 (released out of order in 2010), with Seasons 18, 19, and 21 onwards unreleased.Jean also stated that the deleted scenes and commentaries would try to be released to the Simpsons World app, and that they were pushing for Simpsons World to be expanded outside of the U.S.Two years later, however, on\",\n \"later, however, on July 22, 2017, it was announced that Season 18 would be released on December 5, 2017, on DVD.Another two years later, on July 20, 2019, it was announced that Season 19 would be released on December 3, 2019, on DVD. In 2003, about 500 companies around the world were licensed to useSimpsonscharacters in their advertising.As a promotion forThe Simpsons Movie, twelve7-Elevenstores were transformed intoKwik-E-Martsand soldThe Simpsonsrelated products. These included \\\"Buzz Cola\\\", \\\"Krusty-O\\\" cereal, pink doughnuts with sprinkles, and \\\"Squishees\\\". In 2008, consumers around the world spent $750 million on merchandise related toThe Simpsons, with half of the amount originating from the United States. By 2009, 20th Century Fox had greatly increased merchandising efforts.On April 9, 2009, theUnited States Postal Serviceunveiled a series of five 44-cent stamps featuring Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, to commemorate the show's twentieth anniversary.The Simpsonsis the first television series still\",\n \"series still in production to receive this recognition.The stamps, designed by Matt Groening, were made available for purchase on May 7, 2009.Approximately one billion were printed, but only 318 million were sold, costing the Postal Service $1.2 million. References Bibliography Further reading External links\",\n \"List of animated television series by episode count This is a list ofanimated television seriesby episode count. This article does not includeanimeseries which originate fromJapan(for this see thelist of anime series by episode count). Single series with at least 100 episodes and television franchises with at least 40 episodes are listed. Single series Longest-running animated television franchises See also References\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":295,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"What was the 2021 population of the birthplace of the leader of the party that won the 1869 Newfoundland general election?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"9,162 was the population of Shaftesbury (the birthplace of Charles Fox Bennett) in the 2021 census."},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1869_Newfoundland_general_election"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fox_Bennett"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaftesbury"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1869_Newfoundland_general_election', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fox_Bennett', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaftesbury']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1869_Newfoundland_general_election","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fox_Bennett","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaftesbury"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1869_Newfoundland_general_election\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fox_Bennett\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaftesbury\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["1869 Newfoundland general election The1869 Newfoundland general electionwas held in 1869 to elect members of the10th General Assembly of Newfoundlandin theNewfoundland Colony. 21 Anti-Confederates (A-C) were elected against 9 Confederates (Con), ending for a moment the debate over joining the Dominion ofCanada. Results by party Elected members References","Charles Fox Bennett Charles James Fox Bennett(11 June 1793 inShaftesbury,England– 5 December 1883) was a merchant and politician who successfully fought attempts to takeNewfoundlandintoCanadian confederation. Bennett was a successful businessman and one of the colony's richest residents with interests in the fisheries, distillery and brewery industry and shipbuilding. His brotherThomas Bennett, a magistrate and member of Newfoundland's first House of Assembly, was a partner in the business. Bennett became involved in politics in the 1840s as a leader of the colony'sAnglicancommunity and an opponent ofresponsible government, an argument he lost when an alliance ofCatholicsand non-Anglican Protestants persuaded theColonial Officeto grant Newfoundland self-government. In the 1860s, he led theAnti-Confederation Partyopposing the proposals by SirFrederick Carterto join Canada. Bennett's party defeated Carter's Conservatives on the Confederation issue in the 1869 elections, allowing Bennett to form a government in 1870. However, asPremierhe was unable to keep his party united, and in 1874 resigned, allowing Carter to return to power. The issue of Confederation had become a moot point and would not be seriously raised again until theGreat Depression. Bennet also commissioned extensive mineral surveys along the coasts, and in the 1860s developed the prosperous copper mine at Tilt Cove (Notre Dame Bay). Bennett's anti-Confederates reformed themselves into the colony's Conservative Party. References External links","Shaftesbury Shaftesbury(/ˈʃɑːftsbəri,ˈʃæfts-/) is a town andcivil parishinDorset, England. It is on theA30 road, 20 miles (32 kilometres) west ofSalisburyand 23 miles (37 kilometres) north-northeast ofDorchester, near the border withWiltshire. It is the only significant hilltop settlement in Dorset, being built about 215 metres (705 feet)above sea levelon agreensandhill on the edge ofCranborne Chase. The town looks over theBlackmore Vale, part of theRiver Stourbasin. Shaftesbury is the site of the formerShaftesbury Abbey, which was founded in 888 byKing Alfredand became one of the richest religious establishments in the country, before being destroyed in thedissolutionin 1539. Adjacent to the abbey site isGold Hill, a steepcobbledstreet used in the 1970s as the setting forRidley Scott's television advertisement forHovisbread. In the2021 censusthe town's civil parish had a population of 9,162. Toponymy Shaftesbury has acquired a number of names throughout its history. Writing in 1906,Sir Frederick Trevesreferred to four of these names from Celtic, Latin and English traditions in his bookHighways & Byways in Dorset: The city has had many names. It was, in the beginning, Caer Palladour. By the time of the Domesday Book it was Sceptesberie. It then, with all the affectation of a lady in an eighteenth-century lyric, called itself Sophonia. Lastly it became Shaston, and so the people call it to this day, while all the milestones around concern themselves only with recording the distances to \"Shaston\". The originalCelticname is first recorded inMedieval Welsh literatureasCaer Vynnydd y Paladr(The Mountain Fort/City of the Spears)andThomas Galerecords the name asCaer Palladourin his work of 1709.Though \"Palladour\" was described by one 19th-century directory as \"mere invention\", it has continued to be used as a poetic and alternative name for the town. The English name was recorded in theDomesday Bookof 1086 as Sceptesberie,and the use of \"Shaston\" (/ˈʃæstən/) was recorded in 1831 in Samuel Lewis'sA Topographical Dictionary of Englandand in 1840 inThe parliamentary gazetteer of England and Wales. Thomas Hardyused both \"Shaston\" and \"Palladour\" to refer to the town in the fictionalWessexof his novels such asJude the Obscure. History There is no substantive evidence that Shaftesbury was the \"Caer Palladur\" (or \"Caer Palladwr\") of Celtic and Roman times, and instead the town's recorded history dates fromAnglo-Saxon times.By the early eighth century there was an important minster church here,and in 880Alfred the Greatfounded aburgh(fortified settlement) here as a defence in the struggle with theDanishinvaders.The burgh is recorded in the early-10th-centuryBurghal Hidageas one of only three that existed in the county (the others being atWarehamand 'Bredy' – which is probablyBridport). In 888 Alfred foundedShaftesbury Abbey, aBenedictinenunneryby the town's east gate, and appointed his daughter Ethelgifu as the firstabbess.Æthelstanfounded two royal mints,which struck pennies bearing the town's name, and the abbey became the wealthiest Benedictine nunnery in England. On 20 February 981 the relics of StEdward the Martyr, the teenage King of England, were transferred from Wareham and received at the abbey with great ceremony, thereafter turning Shaftesbury into a major site of pilgrimage for miracles of healing. King Canutedied here in 1035, though he was buried atWinchester.Edward the Confessorlicensed a third mint for the town.By the time of theNorman conquestin 1066 Shaftesbury had 257 houses, though many were destroyed in the ensuing years of conflict, and by the time theDomesday Bookwas compiled twenty years later, there were only 177 houses remaining, though this still meant that Shaftesbury was the largest town in Dorset at that time.In thefirst English civil war(1135–1154) betweenEmpress MatildaandKing Stephen, anadulterine castleor fortified house was built on a smallpromontoryat the western edge of the hill on which the old town was built. The site on Castle Hill, also known locally as Boltbury, is now under grass and is ascheduled monument. In 1240 CardinalOtto of Tonengo, legate to theApostolic SeeofPope Gregory IXvisited the abbey and confirmed a charter of 1191, the first entered in the Glastonbury chartulary. During theMiddle Agesthe abbey was the central focus of the town; the abbey's great wealth was acknowledged in a popular saying at the time, which stated that \"If the abbot of Glastonbury could marry the abbess of Shaftesbury their heir would hold more land than the king of England\".In 1260 a charter to hold a market was granted. By 1340 the mayor had become a recognised figure, sworn in by the steward of the abbess. In 1392Richard IIconfirmed a grant of two markets on different days. Edwardstowe, Shaftesbury's oldest surviving building, was built on Bimport at some time between 1400 and 1539. Also in this period a medieval farm owned by the Abbess of Shaftesbury was established, on a site now occupied by the Tesco supermarket car park. In 1539, the last Abbess of Shaftesbury, Elizabeth Zouche, signed a deed of surrender, the (by then extremely wealthy) abbey was demolished, and its lands sold, leading to a temporary decline in the town.Sir Thomas Arundellpurchased the abbey and much of the town in 1540, but when he was later exiled for treason his lands were forfeit, and the lands passed to Pembroke thenAnthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, and finally to the Grosvenors. Shaftesbury was a parliamentary constituency returning two members from 1296 to theReform Act of 1832, when it was reduced to one, and in 1884 the separate constituency was abolished. InSurvey of Dorsetshire, written in about 1630 by Thomas Gerard of the Dorset village ofTrent, Shaftesbury is described as a \"faire Thorough Faire, much frequented by Travellers to and from London\". The town was broadly Parliamentarian in theCivil War, but was in Royalist hands.Wardour Castlefell to Parliamentary forces in 1643; Parliamentary forces surrounded the town in August 1645, when it was a centre of localclubmenactivity. The clubmen were arrested and sent to trial inSherborne. Shaftesbury took no part in theMonmouth Rebellionof 1685. In the 17th century the cloth industry formed part of Shaftesbury's economy, though much of the actual production took place as acottage industryin the surrounding area. In the 18th century the town produced a coarse white woollen cloth called 'swanskin', that was used by fishermen ofNewfoundlandand for uniforms.Buttonmakingalso became important around this time, though with the later advent ofindustrialisationthis subsequently declined, resulting in unemployment, starvation and emigration, with 350 families leaving for Canada.Maltingandbrewingwere also significant in the 17th and 18th centuries, and like other Dorset towns such asDorchesterandBlandford Forum, Shaftesbury became known for its beer. The railways however bypassed the town, which had consequences for Shaftesbury's economy; during the 19th century the town's brewing industry was reduced to serving only local markets, as towns elsewhere in the country could transport their produce more cheaply.During the 19th century the population of the town grew little. The town hall was built in 1837 byEarl Grosvenorafter the guildhall was pulled down to widen High Street. It has been designated byEnglish Heritageas a Grade II listed building.Shaftesbury Town Hallis next to the 15th-century St Peter's Church which is Grade II* listed.TheWestminster Memorial Hospitalwas constructed on Bimport in the mid-19th century with a legacy from the wife of theDuke of Westminster. In 1918 Lord Stalbridge, 2nd Baron Stalbridge, Hugh Grosvenor, sold a large portion of the town, which was purchased by a syndicate and auctioned piece by piece over three days.The entire Stalbridge Estate of some 13,500 acres was sold and the title became extinct with the death of Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Baron Stalbridge in 1949. His only son and heir had been killed in a flying accident in 1930. Most of Shaftesbury's buildings date from no earlier than the 18th century, as theSaxonand most of the medieval buildings have not survived. Governance In theUnited Kingdom national parliament, Shaftesbury is in theNorth Dorset parliamentary constituency, represented since 2015 bySimon Hoareof theConservative Party.In local government, Shaftesbury is administered byDorset Council(aunitary authority) and Shaftesbury Town Council,which has responsibilities that include open spaces and recreational facilities, allotments, litter, street markets, public conveniences, grants to voluntary organisations, cemetery provision, bus shelters, crime prevention initiatives, civic events and the town hall, planning (as a consultee) and the war memorial. Shaftesbury is covered by an electoral ward called Shaftesbury Town, which elects two members to Dorset Council.Prior tochanges in 2019, the town elected one member ofDorset County Counciland four members ofNorth Dorset District Council. Geography The old centre of Shaftesbury is sited on a westward-pointingpromontoryof high ground in northeast Dorset, on thescarp edgeof a range of hills that extend south and east intoCranborne Chaseand neighbouringWiltshire.The town's built-up area extends down the promontory slopes to lower ground at St James, Alcester and Enmore Green, and eastwards across thewatershedtowards the hill's dip slope.Shaftesbury's altitude is between about 165 metres (541 feet) at the lowest streets below the promontory, to about 235 m (771 ft) at Wincombe Business Park on the hilltop in the north, with the promontory and town centre being at about 215 m (705 ft).Below the town to the west is theBlackmore Vale, which undulates between about 60 and 110 m (200 and 360 ft).About 2 mi (3 km) west of the town and within the Blackmore Vale is the conical mound ofDuncliffe Hill, visible for miles and home to Duncliffe Wood and a nature reserve. The countryside east of the town is part of theCranborne Chase and West Wiltshire DownsArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Geologically, Shaftesbury's hill mostly comprisesUpper Greensand, which is overlain by LowerChalkin the east. These date from theCretaceous, with the greensand having been formed in theAlbianand earlyCenomanian, and the chalk also in the Cenomanian. The greensand is composed of threebeds: the oldest and lowest is a layer of Cann Sand, which is found in the lower parts of the town, such as St James and Alcester, that are below the promontory; above this is a layer of Shaftesbury Sandstone, which generally forms the steepest slopes around the promontory, and on top of this is a layer of Boyne Hollow Chert, which is found on top of the hill and on which most of the town is built. Below the Cann Sand, on the lower slopes of the hill to the north, west and south of the town, are extensive landslip deposits. Economy In 2012 there were 3,400 people employed in Shaftesbury, 65% of whom were working full-time and 35% part-time.Excluding agriculture, the most important employment sectors were public administration, education and health (31% of non-agricultural employment), production and construction (29%), and distribution, accommodation and food (26%).Significant employers includeDorset County Council,Pork Farms,Guys Marsh Prison,Royal Mail,Tesco,Port Regis School, Wessex Electricals, Stalbridge Linen Services, Blackmore Press and Dorset Chilled Foods.There are two industrial estates in the town: Longmead Industrial Estate, covering 7.7 hectares (19 acres), and Wincombe Business Park, covering 6.5 hectares (16 acres). In 2005 there were 75 shops in the town, with a total floorspace of 7,200 square metres (78,000 sq ft). The retail catchment area for major food shopping extends about4+1⁄2mi (7 km) in all directions. Nationalretail chainswith a presence in the town includethe Body Shop,Boots, Somerfield,Superdrug, Tesco andWHSmith. A site has been identified for a projected parkway station on theWest of Englandmain railway line. It would be situated to the north of the town, beneath the A350 road, and a bus service would connect it with the town.Currently the nearest railway station is located in neighbouringGillingham. Demography In the2011 censusShaftesbury's civil parish had 3,493 dwellings,3,235 households and a population of 7,314.The average age of inhabitants was 43, compared to 39.3 for England as a whole. 22.1% of inhabitants were age 65 or older, compared to 16.4% for England as a whole.92% of Shaftesbury's residents were born in the United Kingdom, compared to 86.2% for England as a whole.Previous census figures for the total population of the civil parish are shown in the table below: Culture, art and media Shaftesbury Arts Centre was established in 1957 and stages a variety of exhibitions, performances, workshops and training courses. It is based in the old covered market in the town centre and is a charitable company that is run wholly by its volunteer members. Shaftesbury has two museums: Gold Hill Museum at the top of Gold Hill, and Shaftesbury Abbey Museum in the abbey grounds.Gold Hill Museum was founded in 1946 and displays many artefacts that relate to the history of Shaftesbury and the surrounding area, including Dorset's oldest fire engine, dating from 1744.Shaftesbury Abbey Museum tells the story of the abbey and also has a herb garden and medieval orchard. Shaftesbury Snowdrops is a Diamond Jubilee Community Legacy with the aim of creating a series of free and accessiblesnowdropwalks by planting snowdrops within the publicly open spaces and along the pathways throughout the town. The project was started in the winter of 2012 with the planting of 60,000 bulbs.Since 2013 there has been an annual Snowdrop Festival to encourage tourists to see the snowdrops in flower.Highlights of the festival include the Snowdrop Art Exhibitionand the Snowdrop Lantern Parade.In 2014 Shaftesbury Snowdrops started a heritage collection of rare and unusual snowdrops.These are held in trust for the people of Shaftesbury and displayed in Shaftesbury Abbey during the annual Snowdrop Festival. The collection is being built through sponsorship and donations. Gold Hill Fair usually occurs in the first weekend of July and has food stalls, arts stalls and local music that can be found in the abbey ruins. In 2016, Shaftesbury's first open arts fringe festival was organised and has since grown to become one of the key fringe festivals in the country. The fringe is always held on the first weekend in July and attracts an eccentric mix of performers from local singers to celebrity comics heading for Edinburgh. Local news and television programmes are provided byBBC WestandITV West Country. Television signals are received from theMendipTV transmitter. Shaftesbury's local radio stations areBBC Radio Solent,Vale FM, andHeart West Country. The town is home to a volunteer-runcommunity radiostation, Alfred, broadcasting local news, speech programming and music on 107.3 FM and online.It was awarded anOfcomlicence in 2020, having grown from a weekly podcast which went daily during theCOVID-19 pandemic.The podcast won the gold award in the community radio awards in 2021. Representations Thomas Hardyused the namesShastonorPalladourto describe Shaftesbury in the fictionalWessexof his novels. InJude the Obscurehe described the loss of the town's former architectural glories, principally the abbey: \"Vague imaginings of its castle, its three mints, its magnificent apsidal abbey, the chief glory of south Wessex, its twelve churches, its shrines, chantries, hospitals, its gabled freestone mansions—all now ruthlessly swept away—throw the visitor, even against his will, into a pensive melancholy, which the stimulating atmosphere and limitless landscape around him can scarcely dispel.\" In the 1970sRidley ScottusedGold Hill, a steep cobbled street in the town, as the setting for a television advertisement forHovisbread, in which a bread delivery boy is seen pushing his bicycle up the street before freewheeling back down. The advertisement made the street nationally famous. Transport Shaftesbury is served by theA30, betweenSalisburyandYeovil, and theA350, which connectsPooleandChippenham. The town is 7 miles (11 km) south of the mainA303trunk road betweenLondonandSouth West England. Shaftesbury has never had a direct railway connection. The challenging topography likely played a significant role in this,as constructing a railway up the steep slopes would have been difficult and costly. In 1859, theSalisbury and Yeovil Railwayestablished a station atSemley,2+1⁄2miles (4.0 km) north of Shaftesbury. This station allowed residents and visitors to access the broader railway network. Semley station closed in theBeeching cutsof 1966. The closest railway station to Shaftesbury is nowGillingham railway station (Dorset), 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of the town, on theWest of England linefromLondon Waterlooto Exeter. Local bus services connect the town to surrounding villages and towns. Amenities Shaftesbury has anon-League footballclub,Shaftesbury F.C., who play at Cockrams.The Shaftesbury Lido, an open air swimming pool at Barton Hill, is open during the summer months. Shaftesbury has a community hospital, opened in 1874 and named Westminster Memorial Hospital in memory of theMarquis of Westminster, whose widow donated the site.The town has a public library operated by Dorset Council. Notable people Cnut the Great, King of England, Denmark, and Norway, died in Shaftesbury on 12 November 1035; he was buried inWinchester. PoetWilliam Chamberlaynelived there his whole life, from 1619 to 1689. PhilosopherAnthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury(1671–1713), an influential thinker on modern aesthetics. ActorRobert Newton, best known for his portrayals ofLong John SilverandBill Sikesin the 1948David LeanfilmOliver Twist, was born there. ArchitectRichard Upjohn, famous for his Gothic Revival churches in the United States, includingTrinity Churchin New York, was also born in Shaftesbury. Electronic music producerSeamus Malliagh, known professionally asIglooghost, grew up in Shaftesbury. Electronic music producer and artist Kai Whiston grew up in Shaftesbury. Lavinia Young(1911–1986 ), born in Bimport, was elected Mayor of Shaftesbury (1970) and wasMatronofWestminster Hospital, London from 1951 to 1966. See also References Notes General references External links"],"string":"[\n \"1869 Newfoundland general election The1869 Newfoundland general electionwas held in 1869 to elect members of the10th General Assembly of Newfoundlandin theNewfoundland Colony. 21 Anti-Confederates (A-C) were elected against 9 Confederates (Con), ending for a moment the debate over joining the Dominion ofCanada. Results by party Elected members References\",\n \"Charles Fox Bennett Charles James Fox Bennett(11 June 1793 inShaftesbury,England– 5 December 1883) was a merchant and politician who successfully fought attempts to takeNewfoundlandintoCanadian confederation. Bennett was a successful businessman and one of the colony's richest residents with interests in the fisheries, distillery and brewery industry and shipbuilding. His brotherThomas Bennett, a magistrate and member of Newfoundland's first House of Assembly, was a partner in the business. Bennett became involved in politics in the 1840s as a leader of the colony'sAnglicancommunity and an opponent ofresponsible government, an argument he lost when an alliance ofCatholicsand non-Anglican Protestants persuaded theColonial Officeto grant Newfoundland self-government. In the 1860s, he led theAnti-Confederation Partyopposing the proposals by SirFrederick Carterto join Canada. Bennett's party defeated Carter's Conservatives on the Confederation issue in the 1869 elections, allowing Bennett to form a government in 1870. However, asPremierhe was unable to keep his party united, and in 1874 resigned, allowing Carter to return to power. The issue of Confederation had become a moot point and would not be seriously raised again until theGreat Depression. Bennet also commissioned extensive mineral surveys along the coasts, and in the 1860s developed the prosperous copper mine at Tilt Cove (Notre Dame Bay). Bennett's anti-Confederates reformed themselves into the colony's Conservative Party. References External links\",\n \"Shaftesbury Shaftesbury(/ˈʃɑːftsbəri,ˈʃæfts-/) is a town andcivil parishinDorset, England. It is on theA30 road, 20 miles (32 kilometres) west ofSalisburyand 23 miles (37 kilometres) north-northeast ofDorchester, near the border withWiltshire. It is the only significant hilltop settlement in Dorset, being built about 215 metres (705 feet)above sea levelon agreensandhill on the edge ofCranborne Chase. The town looks over theBlackmore Vale, part of theRiver Stourbasin. Shaftesbury is the site of the formerShaftesbury Abbey, which was founded in 888 byKing Alfredand became one of the richest religious establishments in the country, before being destroyed in thedissolutionin 1539. Adjacent to the abbey site isGold Hill, a steepcobbledstreet used in the 1970s as the setting forRidley Scott's television advertisement forHovisbread. In the2021 censusthe town's civil parish had a population of 9,162. Toponymy Shaftesbury has acquired a number of names throughout its history. Writing in 1906,Sir Frederick Trevesreferred to four of these names from Celtic, Latin and English traditions in his bookHighways & Byways in Dorset: The city has had many names. It was, in the beginning, Caer Palladour. By the time of the Domesday Book it was Sceptesberie. It then, with all the affectation of a lady in an eighteenth-century lyric, called itself Sophonia. Lastly it became Shaston, and so the people call it to this day, while all the milestones around concern themselves only with recording the distances to \\\"Shaston\\\". The originalCelticname is first recorded inMedieval Welsh literatureasCaer Vynnydd y Paladr(The Mountain Fort/City of the Spears)andThomas Galerecords the name asCaer Palladourin his work of 1709.Though \\\"Palladour\\\" was described by one 19th-century directory as \\\"mere invention\\\", it has continued to be used as a poetic and alternative name for the town. The English name was recorded in theDomesday Bookof 1086 as Sceptesberie,and the use of \\\"Shaston\\\" (/ˈʃæstən/) was recorded in 1831 in Samuel Lewis'sA Topographical Dictionary of Englandand in 1840 inThe parliamentary gazetteer of England and Wales. Thomas Hardyused both \\\"Shaston\\\" and \\\"Palladour\\\" to refer to the town in the fictionalWessexof his novels such asJude the Obscure. History There is no substantive evidence that Shaftesbury was the \\\"Caer Palladur\\\" (or \\\"Caer Palladwr\\\") of Celtic and Roman times, and instead the town's recorded history dates fromAnglo-Saxon times.By the early eighth century there was an important minster church here,and in 880Alfred the Greatfounded aburgh(fortified settlement) here as a defence in the struggle with theDanishinvaders.The burgh is recorded in the early-10th-centuryBurghal Hidageas one of only three that existed in the county (the others being atWarehamand 'Bredy' – which is probablyBridport). In 888 Alfred foundedShaftesbury Abbey, aBenedictinenunneryby the town's east gate, and appointed his daughter Ethelgifu as the firstabbess.Æthelstanfounded two royal mints,which struck pennies bearing the town's name, and the abbey became the wealthiest Benedictine nunnery in England. On 20 February 981 the relics of StEdward the Martyr, the teenage King of England, were transferred from Wareham and received at the abbey with great ceremony, thereafter turning Shaftesbury into a major site of pilgrimage for miracles of healing. King Canutedied here in 1035, though he was buried atWinchester.Edward the Confessorlicensed a third mint for the town.By the time of theNorman conquestin 1066 Shaftesbury had 257 houses, though many were destroyed in the ensuing years of conflict, and by the time theDomesday Bookwas compiled twenty years later, there were only 177 houses remaining, though this still meant that Shaftesbury was the largest town in Dorset at that time.In thefirst English civil war(1135–1154) betweenEmpress MatildaandKing Stephen, anadulterine castleor fortified house was built on a smallpromontoryat the western edge of the hill on which the old town was built. The site on Castle Hill, also known locally as Boltbury, is now under grass and is ascheduled monument. In 1240 CardinalOtto of Tonengo, legate to theApostolic SeeofPope Gregory IXvisited the abbey and confirmed a charter of 1191, the first entered in the Glastonbury chartulary. During theMiddle Agesthe abbey was the central focus of the town; the abbey's great wealth was acknowledged in a popular saying at the time, which stated that \\\"If the abbot of Glastonbury could marry the abbess of Shaftesbury their heir would hold more land than the king of England\\\".In 1260 a charter to hold a market was granted. By 1340 the mayor had become a recognised figure, sworn in by the steward of the abbess. In 1392Richard IIconfirmed a grant of two markets on different days. Edwardstowe, Shaftesbury's oldest surviving building, was built on Bimport at some time between 1400 and 1539. Also in this period a medieval farm owned by the Abbess of Shaftesbury was established, on a site now occupied by the Tesco supermarket car park. In 1539, the last Abbess of Shaftesbury, Elizabeth Zouche, signed a deed of surrender, the (by then extremely wealthy) abbey was demolished, and its lands sold, leading to a temporary decline in the town.Sir Thomas Arundellpurchased the abbey and much of the town in 1540, but when he was later exiled for treason his lands were forfeit, and the lands passed to Pembroke thenAnthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, and finally to the Grosvenors. Shaftesbury was a parliamentary constituency returning two members from 1296 to theReform Act of 1832, when it was reduced to one, and in 1884 the separate constituency was abolished. InSurvey of Dorsetshire, written in about 1630 by Thomas Gerard of the Dorset village ofTrent, Shaftesbury is described as a \\\"faire Thorough Faire, much frequented by Travellers to and from London\\\". The town was broadly Parliamentarian in theCivil War, but was in Royalist hands.Wardour Castlefell to Parliamentary forces in 1643; Parliamentary forces surrounded the town in August 1645, when it was a centre of localclubmenactivity. The clubmen were arrested and sent to trial inSherborne. Shaftesbury took no part in theMonmouth Rebellionof 1685. In the 17th century the cloth industry formed part of Shaftesbury's economy, though much of the actual production took place as acottage industryin the surrounding area. In the 18th century the town produced a coarse white woollen cloth called 'swanskin', that was used by fishermen ofNewfoundlandand for uniforms.Buttonmakingalso became important around this time, though with the later advent ofindustrialisationthis subsequently declined, resulting in unemployment, starvation and emigration, with 350 families leaving for Canada.Maltingandbrewingwere also significant in the 17th and 18th centuries, and like other Dorset towns such asDorchesterandBlandford Forum, Shaftesbury became known for its beer. The railways however bypassed the town, which had consequences for Shaftesbury's economy; during the 19th century the town's brewing industry was reduced to serving only local markets, as towns elsewhere in the country could transport their produce more cheaply.During the 19th century the population of the town grew little. The town hall was built in 1837 byEarl Grosvenorafter the guildhall was pulled down to widen High Street. It has been designated byEnglish Heritageas a Grade II listed building.Shaftesbury Town Hallis next to the 15th-century St Peter's Church which is Grade II* listed.TheWestminster Memorial Hospitalwas constructed on Bimport in the mid-19th century with a legacy from the wife of theDuke of Westminster. In 1918 Lord Stalbridge, 2nd Baron Stalbridge, Hugh Grosvenor, sold a large portion of the town, which was purchased by a syndicate and auctioned piece by piece over three days.The entire Stalbridge Estate of some 13,500 acres was sold and the title became extinct with the death of Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Baron Stalbridge in 1949. His only son and heir had been killed in a flying accident in 1930. Most of Shaftesbury's buildings date from no earlier than the 18th century, as theSaxonand most of the medieval buildings have not survived. Governance In theUnited Kingdom national parliament, Shaftesbury is in theNorth Dorset parliamentary constituency, represented since 2015 bySimon Hoareof theConservative Party.In local government, Shaftesbury is administered byDorset Council(aunitary authority) and Shaftesbury Town Council,which has responsibilities that include open spaces and recreational facilities, allotments, litter, street markets, public conveniences, grants to voluntary organisations, cemetery provision, bus shelters, crime prevention initiatives, civic events and the town hall, planning (as a consultee) and the war memorial. Shaftesbury is covered by an electoral ward called Shaftesbury Town, which elects two members to Dorset Council.Prior tochanges in 2019, the town elected one member ofDorset County Counciland four members ofNorth Dorset District Council. Geography The old centre of Shaftesbury is sited on a westward-pointingpromontoryof high ground in northeast Dorset, on thescarp edgeof a range of hills that extend south and east intoCranborne Chaseand neighbouringWiltshire.The town's built-up area extends down the promontory slopes to lower ground at St James, Alcester and Enmore Green, and eastwards across thewatershedtowards the hill's dip slope.Shaftesbury's altitude is between about 165 metres (541 feet) at the lowest streets below the promontory, to about 235 m (771 ft) at Wincombe Business Park on the hilltop in the north, with the promontory and town centre being at about 215 m (705 ft).Below the town to the west is theBlackmore Vale, which undulates between about 60 and 110 m (200 and 360 ft).About 2 mi (3 km) west of the town and within the Blackmore Vale is the conical mound ofDuncliffe Hill, visible for miles and home to Duncliffe Wood and a nature reserve. The countryside east of the town is part of theCranborne Chase and West Wiltshire DownsArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Geologically, Shaftesbury's hill mostly comprisesUpper Greensand, which is overlain by LowerChalkin the east. These date from theCretaceous, with the greensand having been formed in theAlbianand earlyCenomanian, and the chalk also in the Cenomanian. The greensand is composed of threebeds: the oldest and lowest is a layer of Cann Sand, which is found in the lower parts of the town, such as St James and Alcester, that are below the promontory; above this is a layer of Shaftesbury Sandstone, which generally forms the steepest slopes around the promontory, and on top of this is a layer of Boyne Hollow Chert, which is found on top of the hill and on which most of the town is built. Below the Cann Sand, on the lower slopes of the hill to the north, west and south of the town, are extensive landslip deposits. Economy In 2012 there were 3,400 people employed in Shaftesbury, 65% of whom were working full-time and 35% part-time.Excluding agriculture, the most important employment sectors were public administration, education and health (31% of non-agricultural employment), production and construction (29%), and distribution, accommodation and food (26%).Significant employers includeDorset County Council,Pork Farms,Guys Marsh Prison,Royal Mail,Tesco,Port Regis School, Wessex Electricals, Stalbridge Linen Services, Blackmore Press and Dorset Chilled Foods.There are two industrial estates in the town: Longmead Industrial Estate, covering 7.7 hectares (19 acres), and Wincombe Business Park, covering 6.5 hectares (16 acres). In 2005 there were 75 shops in the town, with a total floorspace of 7,200 square metres (78,000 sq ft). The retail catchment area for major food shopping extends about4+1⁄2mi (7 km) in all directions. Nationalretail chainswith a presence in the town includethe Body Shop,Boots, Somerfield,Superdrug, Tesco andWHSmith. A site has been identified for a projected parkway station on theWest of Englandmain railway line. It would be situated to the north of the town, beneath the A350 road, and a bus service would connect it with the town.Currently the nearest railway station is located in neighbouringGillingham. Demography In the2011 censusShaftesbury's civil parish had 3,493 dwellings,3,235 households and a population of 7,314.The average age of inhabitants was 43, compared to 39.3 for England as a whole. 22.1% of inhabitants were age 65 or older, compared to 16.4% for England as a whole.92% of Shaftesbury's residents were born in the United Kingdom, compared to 86.2% for England as a whole.Previous census figures for the total population of the civil parish are shown in the table below: Culture, art and media Shaftesbury Arts Centre was established in 1957 and stages a variety of exhibitions, performances, workshops and training courses. It is based in the old covered market in the town centre and is a charitable company that is run wholly by its volunteer members. Shaftesbury has two museums: Gold Hill Museum at the top of Gold Hill, and Shaftesbury Abbey Museum in the abbey grounds.Gold Hill Museum was founded in 1946 and displays many artefacts that relate to the history of Shaftesbury and the surrounding area, including Dorset's oldest fire engine, dating from 1744.Shaftesbury Abbey Museum tells the story of the abbey and also has a herb garden and medieval orchard. Shaftesbury Snowdrops is a Diamond Jubilee Community Legacy with the aim of creating a series of free and accessiblesnowdropwalks by planting snowdrops within the publicly open spaces and along the pathways throughout the town. The project was started in the winter of 2012 with the planting of 60,000 bulbs.Since 2013 there has been an annual Snowdrop Festival to encourage tourists to see the snowdrops in flower.Highlights of the festival include the Snowdrop Art Exhibitionand the Snowdrop Lantern Parade.In 2014 Shaftesbury Snowdrops started a heritage collection of rare and unusual snowdrops.These are held in trust for the people of Shaftesbury and displayed in Shaftesbury Abbey during the annual Snowdrop Festival. The collection is being built through sponsorship and donations. Gold Hill Fair usually occurs in the first weekend of July and has food stalls, arts stalls and local music that can be found in the abbey ruins. In 2016, Shaftesbury's first open arts fringe festival was organised and has since grown to become one of the key fringe festivals in the country. The fringe is always held on the first weekend in July and attracts an eccentric mix of performers from local singers to celebrity comics heading for Edinburgh. Local news and television programmes are provided byBBC WestandITV West Country. Television signals are received from theMendipTV transmitter. Shaftesbury's local radio stations areBBC Radio Solent,Vale FM, andHeart West Country. The town is home to a volunteer-runcommunity radiostation, Alfred, broadcasting local news, speech programming and music on 107.3 FM and online.It was awarded anOfcomlicence in 2020, having grown from a weekly podcast which went daily during theCOVID-19 pandemic.The podcast won the gold award in the community radio awards in 2021. Representations Thomas Hardyused the namesShastonorPalladourto describe Shaftesbury in the fictionalWessexof his novels. InJude the Obscurehe described the loss of the town's former architectural glories, principally the abbey: \\\"Vague imaginings of its castle, its three mints, its magnificent apsidal abbey, the chief glory of south Wessex, its twelve churches, its shrines, chantries, hospitals, its gabled freestone mansions—all now ruthlessly swept away—throw the visitor, even against his will, into a pensive melancholy, which the stimulating atmosphere and limitless landscape around him can scarcely dispel.\\\" In the 1970sRidley ScottusedGold Hill, a steep cobbled street in the town, as the setting for a television advertisement forHovisbread, in which a bread delivery boy is seen pushing his bicycle up the street before freewheeling back down. The advertisement made the street nationally famous. Transport Shaftesbury is served by theA30, betweenSalisburyandYeovil, and theA350, which connectsPooleandChippenham. The town is 7 miles (11 km) south of the mainA303trunk road betweenLondonandSouth West England. Shaftesbury has never had a direct railway connection. The challenging topography likely played a significant role in this,as constructing a railway up the steep slopes would have been difficult and costly. In 1859, theSalisbury and Yeovil Railwayestablished a station atSemley,2+1⁄2miles (4.0 km) north of Shaftesbury. This station allowed residents and visitors to access the broader railway network. Semley station closed in theBeeching cutsof 1966. The closest railway station to Shaftesbury is nowGillingham railway station (Dorset), 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of the town, on theWest of England linefromLondon Waterlooto Exeter. Local bus services connect the town to surrounding villages and towns. Amenities Shaftesbury has anon-League footballclub,Shaftesbury F.C., who play at Cockrams.The Shaftesbury Lido, an open air swimming pool at Barton Hill, is open during the summer months. Shaftesbury has a community hospital, opened in 1874 and named Westminster Memorial Hospital in memory of theMarquis of Westminster, whose widow donated the site.The town has a public library operated by Dorset Council. Notable people Cnut the Great, King of England, Denmark, and Norway, died in Shaftesbury on 12 November 1035; he was buried inWinchester. PoetWilliam Chamberlaynelived there his whole life, from 1619 to 1689. PhilosopherAnthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury(1671–1713), an influential thinker on modern aesthetics. ActorRobert Newton, best known for his portrayals ofLong John SilverandBill Sikesin the 1948David LeanfilmOliver Twist, was born there. ArchitectRichard Upjohn, famous for his Gothic Revival churches in the United States, includingTrinity Churchin New York, was also born in Shaftesbury. Electronic music producerSeamus Malliagh, known professionally asIglooghost, grew up in Shaftesbury. Electronic music producer and artist Kai Whiston grew up in Shaftesbury. Lavinia Young(1911–1986 ), born in Bimport, was elected Mayor of Shaftesbury (1970) and wasMatronofWestminster Hospital, London from 1951 to 1966. See also References Notes General references External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["1869 Newfoundland general election The1869 Newfoundland general electionwas held in 1869 to elect members of the10th General Assembly of Newfoundlandin theNewfoundland Colony. 21 Anti-Confederates (A-C) were elected against 9 Confederates (Con), ending for a moment the debate over joining the Dominion ofCanada. Results by party Elected members References","Charles Fox Bennett Charles James Fox Bennett(11 June 1793 inShaftesbury,England– 5 December 1883) was a merchant and politician who successfully fought attempts to takeNewfoundlandintoCanadian confederation. Bennett was a successful businessman and one of the colony's richest residents with interests in the fisheries, distillery and brewery industry and shipbuilding. His brotherThomas Bennett, a magistrate and member of Newfoundland's first House of Assembly, was a partner in the business. Bennett became involved in politics in the 1840s as a leader of the colony'sAnglicancommunity and an opponent ofresponsible government, an argument he lost when an alliance ofCatholicsand non-Anglican Protestants persuaded theColonial Officeto grant Newfoundland self-government. In the 1860s, he led theAnti-Confederation Partyopposing the proposals by SirFrederick Carterto join Canada. Bennett's party defeated Carter's Conservatives on the Confederation issue in the 1869 elections, allowing Bennett to form a government in","a government in 1870. However, asPremierhe was unable to keep his party united, and in 1874 resigned, allowing Carter to return to power. The issue of Confederation had become a moot point and would not be seriously raised again until theGreat Depression. Bennet also commissioned extensive mineral surveys along the coasts, and in the 1860s developed the prosperous copper mine at Tilt Cove (Notre Dame Bay). Bennett's anti-Confederates reformed themselves into the colony's Conservative Party. References External links","Shaftesbury Shaftesbury(/ˈʃɑːftsbəri,ˈʃæfts-/) is a town andcivil parishinDorset, England. It is on theA30 road, 20 miles (32 kilometres) west ofSalisburyand 23 miles (37 kilometres) north-northeast ofDorchester, near the border withWiltshire. It is the only significant hilltop settlement in Dorset, being built about 215 metres (705 feet)above sea levelon agreensandhill on the edge ofCranborne Chase. The town looks over theBlackmore Vale, part of theRiver Stourbasin. Shaftesbury is the site of the formerShaftesbury Abbey, which was founded in 888 byKing Alfredand became one of the richest religious establishments in the country, before being destroyed in thedissolutionin 1539. Adjacent to the abbey site isGold Hill, a steepcobbledstreet used in the 1970s as the setting forRidley Scott's television advertisement forHovisbread. In the2021 censusthe town's civil parish had a population of 9,162. Toponymy Shaftesbury has acquired a number of names throughout its history. Writing in 1906,Sir Frederick","1906,Sir Frederick Trevesreferred to four of these names from Celtic, Latin and English traditions in his bookHighways & Byways in Dorset: The city has had many names. It was, in the beginning, Caer Palladour. By the time of the Domesday Book it was Sceptesberie. It then, with all the affectation of a lady in an eighteenth-century lyric, called itself Sophonia. Lastly it became Shaston, and so the people call it to this day, while all the milestones around concern themselves only with recording the distances to \"Shaston\". The originalCelticname is first recorded inMedieval Welsh literatureasCaer Vynnydd y Paladr(The Mountain Fort/City of the Spears)andThomas Galerecords the name asCaer Palladourin his work of 1709.Though \"Palladour\" was described by one 19th-century directory as \"mere invention\", it has continued to be used as a poetic and alternative name for the town. The English name was recorded in theDomesday Bookof 1086 as Sceptesberie,and the use of \"Shaston\" (/ˈʃæstən/) was recorded in 1831 in Samuel","in 1831 in Samuel Lewis'sA Topographical Dictionary of Englandand in 1840 inThe parliamentary gazetteer of England and Wales. Thomas Hardyused both \"Shaston\" and \"Palladour\" to refer to the town in the fictionalWessexof his novels such asJude the Obscure. History There is no substantive evidence that Shaftesbury was the \"Caer Palladur\" (or \"Caer Palladwr\") of Celtic and Roman times, and instead the town's recorded history dates fromAnglo-Saxon times.By the early eighth century there was an important minster church here,and in 880Alfred the Greatfounded aburgh(fortified settlement) here as a defence in the struggle with theDanishinvaders.The burgh is recorded in the early-10th-centuryBurghal Hidageas one of only three that existed in the county (the others being atWarehamand 'Bredy' – which is probablyBridport). In 888 Alfred foundedShaftesbury Abbey, aBenedictinenunneryby the town's east gate, and appointed his daughter Ethelgifu as the firstabbess.Æthelstanfounded two royal mints,which struck pennies","struck pennies bearing the town's name, and the abbey became the wealthiest Benedictine nunnery in England. On 20 February 981 the relics of StEdward the Martyr, the teenage King of England, were transferred from Wareham and received at the abbey with great ceremony, thereafter turning Shaftesbury into a major site of pilgrimage for miracles of healing. King Canutedied here in 1035, though he was buried atWinchester.Edward the Confessorlicensed a third mint for the town.By the time of theNorman conquestin 1066 Shaftesbury had 257 houses, though many were destroyed in the ensuing years of conflict, and by the time theDomesday Bookwas compiled twenty years later, there were only 177 houses remaining, though this still meant that Shaftesbury was the largest town in Dorset at that time.In thefirst English civil war(1135–1154) betweenEmpress MatildaandKing Stephen, anadulterine castleor fortified house was built on a smallpromontoryat the western edge of the hill on which the old town was built. The site on","built. The site on Castle Hill, also known locally as Boltbury, is now under grass and is ascheduled monument. In 1240 CardinalOtto of Tonengo, legate to theApostolic SeeofPope Gregory IXvisited the abbey and confirmed a charter of 1191, the first entered in the Glastonbury chartulary. During theMiddle Agesthe abbey was the central focus of the town; the abbey's great wealth was acknowledged in a popular saying at the time, which stated that \"If the abbot of Glastonbury could marry the abbess of Shaftesbury their heir would hold more land than the king of England\".In 1260 a charter to hold a market was granted. By 1340 the mayor had become a recognised figure, sworn in by the steward of the abbess. In 1392Richard IIconfirmed a grant of two markets on different days. Edwardstowe, Shaftesbury's oldest surviving building, was built on Bimport at some time between 1400 and 1539. Also in this period a medieval farm owned by the Abbess of Shaftesbury was established, on a site now occupied by the Tesco supermarket","Tesco supermarket car park. In 1539, the last Abbess of Shaftesbury, Elizabeth Zouche, signed a deed of surrender, the (by then extremely wealthy) abbey was demolished, and its lands sold, leading to a temporary decline in the town.Sir Thomas Arundellpurchased the abbey and much of the town in 1540, but when he was later exiled for treason his lands were forfeit, and the lands passed to Pembroke thenAnthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, and finally to the Grosvenors. Shaftesbury was a parliamentary constituency returning two members from 1296 to theReform Act of 1832, when it was reduced to one, and in 1884 the separate constituency was abolished. InSurvey of Dorsetshire, written in about 1630 by Thomas Gerard of the Dorset village ofTrent, Shaftesbury is described as a \"faire Thorough Faire, much frequented by Travellers to and from London\". The town was broadly Parliamentarian in theCivil War, but was in Royalist hands.Wardour Castlefell to Parliamentary forces in 1643; Parliamentary forces","forces surrounded the town in August 1645, when it was a centre of localclubmenactivity. The clubmen were arrested and sent to trial inSherborne. Shaftesbury took no part in theMonmouth Rebellionof 1685. In the 17th century the cloth industry formed part of Shaftesbury's economy, though much of the actual production took place as acottage industryin the surrounding area. In the 18th century the town produced a coarse white woollen cloth called 'swanskin', that was used by fishermen ofNewfoundlandand for uniforms.Buttonmakingalso became important around this time, though with the later advent ofindustrialisationthis subsequently declined, resulting in unemployment, starvation and emigration, with 350 families leaving for Canada.Maltingandbrewingwere also significant in the 17th and 18th centuries, and like other Dorset towns such asDorchesterandBlandford Forum, Shaftesbury became known for its beer. The railways however bypassed the town, which had consequences for Shaftesbury's economy; during the 19th","during the 19th century the town's brewing industry was reduced to serving only local markets, as towns elsewhere in the country could transport their produce more cheaply.During the 19th century the population of the town grew little. The town hall was built in 1837 byEarl Grosvenorafter the guildhall was pulled down to widen High Street. It has been designated byEnglish Heritageas a Grade II listed building.Shaftesbury Town Hallis next to the 15th-century St Peter's Church which is Grade II* listed.TheWestminster Memorial Hospitalwas constructed on Bimport in the mid-19th century with a legacy from the wife of theDuke of Westminster. In 1918 Lord Stalbridge, 2nd Baron Stalbridge, Hugh Grosvenor, sold a large portion of the town, which was purchased by a syndicate and auctioned piece by piece over three days.The entire Stalbridge Estate of some 13,500 acres was sold and the title became extinct with the death of Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Baron Stalbridge in 1949. His only son and heir had been killed in a flying","killed in a flying accident in 1930. Most of Shaftesbury's buildings date from no earlier than the 18th century, as theSaxonand most of the medieval buildings have not survived. Governance In theUnited Kingdom national parliament, Shaftesbury is in theNorth Dorset parliamentary constituency, represented since 2015 bySimon Hoareof theConservative Party.In local government, Shaftesbury is administered byDorset Council(aunitary authority) and Shaftesbury Town Council,which has responsibilities that include open spaces and recreational facilities, allotments, litter, street markets, public conveniences, grants to voluntary organisations, cemetery provision, bus shelters, crime prevention initiatives, civic events and the town hall, planning (as a consultee) and the war memorial. Shaftesbury is covered by an electoral ward called Shaftesbury Town, which elects two members to Dorset Council.Prior tochanges in 2019, the town elected one member ofDorset County Counciland four members ofNorth Dorset District Council.","District Council. Geography The old centre of Shaftesbury is sited on a westward-pointingpromontoryof high ground in northeast Dorset, on thescarp edgeof a range of hills that extend south and east intoCranborne Chaseand neighbouringWiltshire.The town's built-up area extends down the promontory slopes to lower ground at St James, Alcester and Enmore Green, and eastwards across thewatershedtowards the hill's dip slope.Shaftesbury's altitude is between about 165 metres (541 feet) at the lowest streets below the promontory, to about 235 m (771 ft) at Wincombe Business Park on the hilltop in the north, with the promontory and town centre being at about 215 m (705 ft).Below the town to the west is theBlackmore Vale, which undulates between about 60 and 110 m (200 and 360 ft).About 2 mi (3 km) west of the town and within the Blackmore Vale is the conical mound ofDuncliffe Hill, visible for miles and home to Duncliffe Wood and a nature reserve. The countryside east of the town is part of theCranborne Chase and West","Chase and West Wiltshire DownsArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Geologically, Shaftesbury's hill mostly comprisesUpper Greensand, which is overlain by LowerChalkin the east. These date from theCretaceous, with the greensand having been formed in theAlbianand earlyCenomanian, and the chalk also in the Cenomanian. The greensand is composed of threebeds: the oldest and lowest is a layer of Cann Sand, which is found in the lower parts of the town, such as St James and Alcester, that are below the promontory; above this is a layer of Shaftesbury Sandstone, which generally forms the steepest slopes around the promontory, and on top of this is a layer of Boyne Hollow Chert, which is found on top of the hill and on which most of the town is built. Below the Cann Sand, on the lower slopes of the hill to the north, west and south of the town, are extensive landslip deposits. Economy In 2012 there were 3,400 people employed in Shaftesbury, 65% of whom were working full-time and 35% part-time.Excluding agriculture,","agriculture, the most important employment sectors were public administration, education and health (31% of non-agricultural employment), production and construction (29%), and distribution, accommodation and food (26%).Significant employers includeDorset County Council,Pork Farms,Guys Marsh Prison,Royal Mail,Tesco,Port Regis School, Wessex Electricals, Stalbridge Linen Services, Blackmore Press and Dorset Chilled Foods.There are two industrial estates in the town: Longmead Industrial Estate, covering 7.7 hectares (19 acres), and Wincombe Business Park, covering 6.5 hectares (16 acres). In 2005 there were 75 shops in the town, with a total floorspace of 7,200 square metres (78,000 sq ft). The retail catchment area for major food shopping extends about4+1⁄2mi (7 km) in all directions. Nationalretail chainswith a presence in the town includethe Body Shop,Boots, Somerfield,Superdrug, Tesco andWHSmith. A site has been identified for a projected parkway station on theWest of Englandmain railway line. It would be","line. It would be situated to the north of the town, beneath the A350 road, and a bus service would connect it with the town.Currently the nearest railway station is located in neighbouringGillingham. Demography In the2011 censusShaftesbury's civil parish had 3,493 dwellings,3,235 households and a population of 7,314.The average age of inhabitants was 43, compared to 39.3 for England as a whole. 22.1% of inhabitants were age 65 or older, compared to 16.4% for England as a whole.92% of Shaftesbury's residents were born in the United Kingdom, compared to 86.2% for England as a whole.Previous census figures for the total population of the civil parish are shown in the table below: Culture, art and media Shaftesbury Arts Centre was established in 1957 and stages a variety of exhibitions, performances, workshops and training courses. It is based in the old covered market in the town centre and is a charitable company that is run wholly by its volunteer members. Shaftesbury has two museums: Gold Hill Museum at the","Hill Museum at the top of Gold Hill, and Shaftesbury Abbey Museum in the abbey grounds.Gold Hill Museum was founded in 1946 and displays many artefacts that relate to the history of Shaftesbury and the surrounding area, including Dorset's oldest fire engine, dating from 1744.Shaftesbury Abbey Museum tells the story of the abbey and also has a herb garden and medieval orchard. Shaftesbury Snowdrops is a Diamond Jubilee Community Legacy with the aim of creating a series of free and accessiblesnowdropwalks by planting snowdrops within the publicly open spaces and along the pathways throughout the town. The project was started in the winter of 2012 with the planting of 60,000 bulbs.Since 2013 there has been an annual Snowdrop Festival to encourage tourists to see the snowdrops in flower.Highlights of the festival include the Snowdrop Art Exhibitionand the Snowdrop Lantern Parade.In 2014 Shaftesbury Snowdrops started a heritage collection of rare and unusual snowdrops.These are held in trust for the people of","for the people of Shaftesbury and displayed in Shaftesbury Abbey during the annual Snowdrop Festival. The collection is being built through sponsorship and donations. Gold Hill Fair usually occurs in the first weekend of July and has food stalls, arts stalls and local music that can be found in the abbey ruins. In 2016, Shaftesbury's first open arts fringe festival was organised and has since grown to become one of the key fringe festivals in the country. The fringe is always held on the first weekend in July and attracts an eccentric mix of performers from local singers to celebrity comics heading for Edinburgh. Local news and television programmes are provided byBBC WestandITV West Country. Television signals are received from theMendipTV transmitter. Shaftesbury's local radio stations areBBC Radio Solent,Vale FM, andHeart West Country. The town is home to a volunteer-runcommunity radiostation, Alfred, broadcasting local news, speech programming and music on 107.3 FM and online.It was awarded","was awarded anOfcomlicence in 2020, having grown from a weekly podcast which went daily during theCOVID-19 pandemic.The podcast won the gold award in the community radio awards in 2021. Representations Thomas Hardyused the namesShastonorPalladourto describe Shaftesbury in the fictionalWessexof his novels. InJude the Obscurehe described the loss of the town's former architectural glories, principally the abbey: \"Vague imaginings of its castle, its three mints, its magnificent apsidal abbey, the chief glory of south Wessex, its twelve churches, its shrines, chantries, hospitals, its gabled freestone mansions—all now ruthlessly swept away—throw the visitor, even against his will, into a pensive melancholy, which the stimulating atmosphere and limitless landscape around him can scarcely dispel.\" In the 1970sRidley ScottusedGold Hill, a steep cobbled street in the town, as the setting for a television advertisement forHovisbread, in which a bread delivery boy is seen pushing his bicycle up the street before","the street before freewheeling back down. The advertisement made the street nationally famous. Transport Shaftesbury is served by theA30, betweenSalisburyandYeovil, and theA350, which connectsPooleandChippenham. The town is 7 miles (11 km) south of the mainA303trunk road betweenLondonandSouth West England. Shaftesbury has never had a direct railway connection. The challenging topography likely played a significant role in this,as constructing a railway up the steep slopes would have been difficult and costly. In 1859, theSalisbury and Yeovil Railwayestablished a station atSemley,2+1⁄2miles (4.0 km) north of Shaftesbury. This station allowed residents and visitors to access the broader railway network. Semley station closed in theBeeching cutsof 1966. The closest railway station to Shaftesbury is nowGillingham railway station (Dorset), 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of the town, on theWest of England linefromLondon Waterlooto Exeter. Local bus services connect the town to surrounding villages and towns. Amenities","towns. Amenities Shaftesbury has anon-League footballclub,Shaftesbury F.C., who play at Cockrams.The Shaftesbury Lido, an open air swimming pool at Barton Hill, is open during the summer months. Shaftesbury has a community hospital, opened in 1874 and named Westminster Memorial Hospital in memory of theMarquis of Westminster, whose widow donated the site.The town has a public library operated by Dorset Council. Notable people Cnut the Great, King of England, Denmark, and Norway, died in Shaftesbury on 12 November 1035; he was buried inWinchester. PoetWilliam Chamberlaynelived there his whole life, from 1619 to 1689. PhilosopherAnthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury(1671–1713), an influential thinker on modern aesthetics. ActorRobert Newton, best known for his portrayals ofLong John SilverandBill Sikesin the 1948David LeanfilmOliver Twist, was born there. ArchitectRichard Upjohn, famous for his Gothic Revival churches in the United States, includingTrinity Churchin New York, was also born in","was also born in Shaftesbury. Electronic music producerSeamus Malliagh, known professionally asIglooghost, grew up in Shaftesbury. Electronic music producer and artist Kai Whiston grew up in Shaftesbury. Lavinia Young(1911–1986 ), born in Bimport, was elected Mayor of Shaftesbury (1970) and wasMatronofWestminster Hospital, London from 1951 to 1966. See also References Notes General references External links"],"string":"[\n \"1869 Newfoundland general election The1869 Newfoundland general electionwas held in 1869 to elect members of the10th General Assembly of Newfoundlandin theNewfoundland Colony. 21 Anti-Confederates (A-C) were elected against 9 Confederates (Con), ending for a moment the debate over joining the Dominion ofCanada. Results by party Elected members References\",\n \"Charles Fox Bennett Charles James Fox Bennett(11 June 1793 inShaftesbury,England– 5 December 1883) was a merchant and politician who successfully fought attempts to takeNewfoundlandintoCanadian confederation. Bennett was a successful businessman and one of the colony's richest residents with interests in the fisheries, distillery and brewery industry and shipbuilding. His brotherThomas Bennett, a magistrate and member of Newfoundland's first House of Assembly, was a partner in the business. Bennett became involved in politics in the 1840s as a leader of the colony'sAnglicancommunity and an opponent ofresponsible government, an argument he lost when an alliance ofCatholicsand non-Anglican Protestants persuaded theColonial Officeto grant Newfoundland self-government. In the 1860s, he led theAnti-Confederation Partyopposing the proposals by SirFrederick Carterto join Canada. Bennett's party defeated Carter's Conservatives on the Confederation issue in the 1869 elections, allowing Bennett to form a government in\",\n \"a government in 1870. However, asPremierhe was unable to keep his party united, and in 1874 resigned, allowing Carter to return to power. The issue of Confederation had become a moot point and would not be seriously raised again until theGreat Depression. Bennet also commissioned extensive mineral surveys along the coasts, and in the 1860s developed the prosperous copper mine at Tilt Cove (Notre Dame Bay). Bennett's anti-Confederates reformed themselves into the colony's Conservative Party. References External links\",\n \"Shaftesbury Shaftesbury(/ˈʃɑːftsbəri,ˈʃæfts-/) is a town andcivil parishinDorset, England. It is on theA30 road, 20 miles (32 kilometres) west ofSalisburyand 23 miles (37 kilometres) north-northeast ofDorchester, near the border withWiltshire. It is the only significant hilltop settlement in Dorset, being built about 215 metres (705 feet)above sea levelon agreensandhill on the edge ofCranborne Chase. The town looks over theBlackmore Vale, part of theRiver Stourbasin. Shaftesbury is the site of the formerShaftesbury Abbey, which was founded in 888 byKing Alfredand became one of the richest religious establishments in the country, before being destroyed in thedissolutionin 1539. Adjacent to the abbey site isGold Hill, a steepcobbledstreet used in the 1970s as the setting forRidley Scott's television advertisement forHovisbread. In the2021 censusthe town's civil parish had a population of 9,162. Toponymy Shaftesbury has acquired a number of names throughout its history. Writing in 1906,Sir Frederick\",\n \"1906,Sir Frederick Trevesreferred to four of these names from Celtic, Latin and English traditions in his bookHighways & Byways in Dorset: The city has had many names. It was, in the beginning, Caer Palladour. By the time of the Domesday Book it was Sceptesberie. It then, with all the affectation of a lady in an eighteenth-century lyric, called itself Sophonia. Lastly it became Shaston, and so the people call it to this day, while all the milestones around concern themselves only with recording the distances to \\\"Shaston\\\". The originalCelticname is first recorded inMedieval Welsh literatureasCaer Vynnydd y Paladr(The Mountain Fort/City of the Spears)andThomas Galerecords the name asCaer Palladourin his work of 1709.Though \\\"Palladour\\\" was described by one 19th-century directory as \\\"mere invention\\\", it has continued to be used as a poetic and alternative name for the town. The English name was recorded in theDomesday Bookof 1086 as Sceptesberie,and the use of \\\"Shaston\\\" (/ˈʃæstən/) was recorded in 1831 in Samuel\",\n \"in 1831 in Samuel Lewis'sA Topographical Dictionary of Englandand in 1840 inThe parliamentary gazetteer of England and Wales. Thomas Hardyused both \\\"Shaston\\\" and \\\"Palladour\\\" to refer to the town in the fictionalWessexof his novels such asJude the Obscure. History There is no substantive evidence that Shaftesbury was the \\\"Caer Palladur\\\" (or \\\"Caer Palladwr\\\") of Celtic and Roman times, and instead the town's recorded history dates fromAnglo-Saxon times.By the early eighth century there was an important minster church here,and in 880Alfred the Greatfounded aburgh(fortified settlement) here as a defence in the struggle with theDanishinvaders.The burgh is recorded in the early-10th-centuryBurghal Hidageas one of only three that existed in the county (the others being atWarehamand 'Bredy' – which is probablyBridport). In 888 Alfred foundedShaftesbury Abbey, aBenedictinenunneryby the town's east gate, and appointed his daughter Ethelgifu as the firstabbess.Æthelstanfounded two royal mints,which struck pennies\",\n \"struck pennies bearing the town's name, and the abbey became the wealthiest Benedictine nunnery in England. On 20 February 981 the relics of StEdward the Martyr, the teenage King of England, were transferred from Wareham and received at the abbey with great ceremony, thereafter turning Shaftesbury into a major site of pilgrimage for miracles of healing. King Canutedied here in 1035, though he was buried atWinchester.Edward the Confessorlicensed a third mint for the town.By the time of theNorman conquestin 1066 Shaftesbury had 257 houses, though many were destroyed in the ensuing years of conflict, and by the time theDomesday Bookwas compiled twenty years later, there were only 177 houses remaining, though this still meant that Shaftesbury was the largest town in Dorset at that time.In thefirst English civil war(1135–1154) betweenEmpress MatildaandKing Stephen, anadulterine castleor fortified house was built on a smallpromontoryat the western edge of the hill on which the old town was built. The site on\",\n \"built. The site on Castle Hill, also known locally as Boltbury, is now under grass and is ascheduled monument. In 1240 CardinalOtto of Tonengo, legate to theApostolic SeeofPope Gregory IXvisited the abbey and confirmed a charter of 1191, the first entered in the Glastonbury chartulary. During theMiddle Agesthe abbey was the central focus of the town; the abbey's great wealth was acknowledged in a popular saying at the time, which stated that \\\"If the abbot of Glastonbury could marry the abbess of Shaftesbury their heir would hold more land than the king of England\\\".In 1260 a charter to hold a market was granted. By 1340 the mayor had become a recognised figure, sworn in by the steward of the abbess. In 1392Richard IIconfirmed a grant of two markets on different days. Edwardstowe, Shaftesbury's oldest surviving building, was built on Bimport at some time between 1400 and 1539. Also in this period a medieval farm owned by the Abbess of Shaftesbury was established, on a site now occupied by the Tesco supermarket\",\n \"Tesco supermarket car park. In 1539, the last Abbess of Shaftesbury, Elizabeth Zouche, signed a deed of surrender, the (by then extremely wealthy) abbey was demolished, and its lands sold, leading to a temporary decline in the town.Sir Thomas Arundellpurchased the abbey and much of the town in 1540, but when he was later exiled for treason his lands were forfeit, and the lands passed to Pembroke thenAnthony Ashley-Cooper, 7th Earl of Shaftesbury, and finally to the Grosvenors. Shaftesbury was a parliamentary constituency returning two members from 1296 to theReform Act of 1832, when it was reduced to one, and in 1884 the separate constituency was abolished. InSurvey of Dorsetshire, written in about 1630 by Thomas Gerard of the Dorset village ofTrent, Shaftesbury is described as a \\\"faire Thorough Faire, much frequented by Travellers to and from London\\\". The town was broadly Parliamentarian in theCivil War, but was in Royalist hands.Wardour Castlefell to Parliamentary forces in 1643; Parliamentary forces\",\n \"forces surrounded the town in August 1645, when it was a centre of localclubmenactivity. The clubmen were arrested and sent to trial inSherborne. Shaftesbury took no part in theMonmouth Rebellionof 1685. In the 17th century the cloth industry formed part of Shaftesbury's economy, though much of the actual production took place as acottage industryin the surrounding area. In the 18th century the town produced a coarse white woollen cloth called 'swanskin', that was used by fishermen ofNewfoundlandand for uniforms.Buttonmakingalso became important around this time, though with the later advent ofindustrialisationthis subsequently declined, resulting in unemployment, starvation and emigration, with 350 families leaving for Canada.Maltingandbrewingwere also significant in the 17th and 18th centuries, and like other Dorset towns such asDorchesterandBlandford Forum, Shaftesbury became known for its beer. The railways however bypassed the town, which had consequences for Shaftesbury's economy; during the 19th\",\n \"during the 19th century the town's brewing industry was reduced to serving only local markets, as towns elsewhere in the country could transport their produce more cheaply.During the 19th century the population of the town grew little. The town hall was built in 1837 byEarl Grosvenorafter the guildhall was pulled down to widen High Street. It has been designated byEnglish Heritageas a Grade II listed building.Shaftesbury Town Hallis next to the 15th-century St Peter's Church which is Grade II* listed.TheWestminster Memorial Hospitalwas constructed on Bimport in the mid-19th century with a legacy from the wife of theDuke of Westminster. In 1918 Lord Stalbridge, 2nd Baron Stalbridge, Hugh Grosvenor, sold a large portion of the town, which was purchased by a syndicate and auctioned piece by piece over three days.The entire Stalbridge Estate of some 13,500 acres was sold and the title became extinct with the death of Hugh Grosvenor, 2nd Baron Stalbridge in 1949. His only son and heir had been killed in a flying\",\n \"killed in a flying accident in 1930. Most of Shaftesbury's buildings date from no earlier than the 18th century, as theSaxonand most of the medieval buildings have not survived. Governance In theUnited Kingdom national parliament, Shaftesbury is in theNorth Dorset parliamentary constituency, represented since 2015 bySimon Hoareof theConservative Party.In local government, Shaftesbury is administered byDorset Council(aunitary authority) and Shaftesbury Town Council,which has responsibilities that include open spaces and recreational facilities, allotments, litter, street markets, public conveniences, grants to voluntary organisations, cemetery provision, bus shelters, crime prevention initiatives, civic events and the town hall, planning (as a consultee) and the war memorial. Shaftesbury is covered by an electoral ward called Shaftesbury Town, which elects two members to Dorset Council.Prior tochanges in 2019, the town elected one member ofDorset County Counciland four members ofNorth Dorset District Council.\",\n \"District Council. Geography The old centre of Shaftesbury is sited on a westward-pointingpromontoryof high ground in northeast Dorset, on thescarp edgeof a range of hills that extend south and east intoCranborne Chaseand neighbouringWiltshire.The town's built-up area extends down the promontory slopes to lower ground at St James, Alcester and Enmore Green, and eastwards across thewatershedtowards the hill's dip slope.Shaftesbury's altitude is between about 165 metres (541 feet) at the lowest streets below the promontory, to about 235 m (771 ft) at Wincombe Business Park on the hilltop in the north, with the promontory and town centre being at about 215 m (705 ft).Below the town to the west is theBlackmore Vale, which undulates between about 60 and 110 m (200 and 360 ft).About 2 mi (3 km) west of the town and within the Blackmore Vale is the conical mound ofDuncliffe Hill, visible for miles and home to Duncliffe Wood and a nature reserve. The countryside east of the town is part of theCranborne Chase and West\",\n \"Chase and West Wiltshire DownsArea of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Geologically, Shaftesbury's hill mostly comprisesUpper Greensand, which is overlain by LowerChalkin the east. These date from theCretaceous, with the greensand having been formed in theAlbianand earlyCenomanian, and the chalk also in the Cenomanian. The greensand is composed of threebeds: the oldest and lowest is a layer of Cann Sand, which is found in the lower parts of the town, such as St James and Alcester, that are below the promontory; above this is a layer of Shaftesbury Sandstone, which generally forms the steepest slopes around the promontory, and on top of this is a layer of Boyne Hollow Chert, which is found on top of the hill and on which most of the town is built. Below the Cann Sand, on the lower slopes of the hill to the north, west and south of the town, are extensive landslip deposits. Economy In 2012 there were 3,400 people employed in Shaftesbury, 65% of whom were working full-time and 35% part-time.Excluding agriculture,\",\n \"agriculture, the most important employment sectors were public administration, education and health (31% of non-agricultural employment), production and construction (29%), and distribution, accommodation and food (26%).Significant employers includeDorset County Council,Pork Farms,Guys Marsh Prison,Royal Mail,Tesco,Port Regis School, Wessex Electricals, Stalbridge Linen Services, Blackmore Press and Dorset Chilled Foods.There are two industrial estates in the town: Longmead Industrial Estate, covering 7.7 hectares (19 acres), and Wincombe Business Park, covering 6.5 hectares (16 acres). In 2005 there were 75 shops in the town, with a total floorspace of 7,200 square metres (78,000 sq ft). The retail catchment area for major food shopping extends about4+1⁄2mi (7 km) in all directions. Nationalretail chainswith a presence in the town includethe Body Shop,Boots, Somerfield,Superdrug, Tesco andWHSmith. A site has been identified for a projected parkway station on theWest of Englandmain railway line. It would be\",\n \"line. It would be situated to the north of the town, beneath the A350 road, and a bus service would connect it with the town.Currently the nearest railway station is located in neighbouringGillingham. Demography In the2011 censusShaftesbury's civil parish had 3,493 dwellings,3,235 households and a population of 7,314.The average age of inhabitants was 43, compared to 39.3 for England as a whole. 22.1% of inhabitants were age 65 or older, compared to 16.4% for England as a whole.92% of Shaftesbury's residents were born in the United Kingdom, compared to 86.2% for England as a whole.Previous census figures for the total population of the civil parish are shown in the table below: Culture, art and media Shaftesbury Arts Centre was established in 1957 and stages a variety of exhibitions, performances, workshops and training courses. It is based in the old covered market in the town centre and is a charitable company that is run wholly by its volunteer members. Shaftesbury has two museums: Gold Hill Museum at the\",\n \"Hill Museum at the top of Gold Hill, and Shaftesbury Abbey Museum in the abbey grounds.Gold Hill Museum was founded in 1946 and displays many artefacts that relate to the history of Shaftesbury and the surrounding area, including Dorset's oldest fire engine, dating from 1744.Shaftesbury Abbey Museum tells the story of the abbey and also has a herb garden and medieval orchard. Shaftesbury Snowdrops is a Diamond Jubilee Community Legacy with the aim of creating a series of free and accessiblesnowdropwalks by planting snowdrops within the publicly open spaces and along the pathways throughout the town. The project was started in the winter of 2012 with the planting of 60,000 bulbs.Since 2013 there has been an annual Snowdrop Festival to encourage tourists to see the snowdrops in flower.Highlights of the festival include the Snowdrop Art Exhibitionand the Snowdrop Lantern Parade.In 2014 Shaftesbury Snowdrops started a heritage collection of rare and unusual snowdrops.These are held in trust for the people of\",\n \"for the people of Shaftesbury and displayed in Shaftesbury Abbey during the annual Snowdrop Festival. The collection is being built through sponsorship and donations. Gold Hill Fair usually occurs in the first weekend of July and has food stalls, arts stalls and local music that can be found in the abbey ruins. In 2016, Shaftesbury's first open arts fringe festival was organised and has since grown to become one of the key fringe festivals in the country. The fringe is always held on the first weekend in July and attracts an eccentric mix of performers from local singers to celebrity comics heading for Edinburgh. Local news and television programmes are provided byBBC WestandITV West Country. Television signals are received from theMendipTV transmitter. Shaftesbury's local radio stations areBBC Radio Solent,Vale FM, andHeart West Country. The town is home to a volunteer-runcommunity radiostation, Alfred, broadcasting local news, speech programming and music on 107.3 FM and online.It was awarded\",\n \"was awarded anOfcomlicence in 2020, having grown from a weekly podcast which went daily during theCOVID-19 pandemic.The podcast won the gold award in the community radio awards in 2021. Representations Thomas Hardyused the namesShastonorPalladourto describe Shaftesbury in the fictionalWessexof his novels. InJude the Obscurehe described the loss of the town's former architectural glories, principally the abbey: \\\"Vague imaginings of its castle, its three mints, its magnificent apsidal abbey, the chief glory of south Wessex, its twelve churches, its shrines, chantries, hospitals, its gabled freestone mansions—all now ruthlessly swept away—throw the visitor, even against his will, into a pensive melancholy, which the stimulating atmosphere and limitless landscape around him can scarcely dispel.\\\" In the 1970sRidley ScottusedGold Hill, a steep cobbled street in the town, as the setting for a television advertisement forHovisbread, in which a bread delivery boy is seen pushing his bicycle up the street before\",\n \"the street before freewheeling back down. The advertisement made the street nationally famous. Transport Shaftesbury is served by theA30, betweenSalisburyandYeovil, and theA350, which connectsPooleandChippenham. The town is 7 miles (11 km) south of the mainA303trunk road betweenLondonandSouth West England. Shaftesbury has never had a direct railway connection. The challenging topography likely played a significant role in this,as constructing a railway up the steep slopes would have been difficult and costly. In 1859, theSalisbury and Yeovil Railwayestablished a station atSemley,2+1⁄2miles (4.0 km) north of Shaftesbury. This station allowed residents and visitors to access the broader railway network. Semley station closed in theBeeching cutsof 1966. The closest railway station to Shaftesbury is nowGillingham railway station (Dorset), 4 miles (6.4 km) northwest of the town, on theWest of England linefromLondon Waterlooto Exeter. Local bus services connect the town to surrounding villages and towns. Amenities\",\n \"towns. Amenities Shaftesbury has anon-League footballclub,Shaftesbury F.C., who play at Cockrams.The Shaftesbury Lido, an open air swimming pool at Barton Hill, is open during the summer months. Shaftesbury has a community hospital, opened in 1874 and named Westminster Memorial Hospital in memory of theMarquis of Westminster, whose widow donated the site.The town has a public library operated by Dorset Council. Notable people Cnut the Great, King of England, Denmark, and Norway, died in Shaftesbury on 12 November 1035; he was buried inWinchester. PoetWilliam Chamberlaynelived there his whole life, from 1619 to 1689. PhilosopherAnthony Ashley-Cooper, 3rd Earl of Shaftesbury(1671–1713), an influential thinker on modern aesthetics. ActorRobert Newton, best known for his portrayals ofLong John SilverandBill Sikesin the 1948David LeanfilmOliver Twist, was born there. ArchitectRichard Upjohn, famous for his Gothic Revival churches in the United States, includingTrinity Churchin New York, was also born in\",\n \"was also born in Shaftesbury. Electronic music producerSeamus Malliagh, known professionally asIglooghost, grew up in Shaftesbury. Electronic music producer and artist Kai Whiston grew up in Shaftesbury. Lavinia Young(1911–1986 ), born in Bimport, was elected Mayor of Shaftesbury (1970) and wasMatronofWestminster Hospital, London from 1951 to 1966. See also References Notes General references External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":296,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"There's a famous children's book about a King Elephant. At what age did the French author die?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"37 years old."},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babar_the_Elephant"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_Brunhoff"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babar_the_Elephant', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_Brunhoff']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babar_the_Elephant","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_Brunhoff"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babar_the_Elephant\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_Brunhoff\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Babar the Elephant Babar the Elephant(UK:/ˈbæbɑːr/,US:/bəˈbɑːr/;French pronunciation:) is an elephant character who first appeared in 1931 in the Frenchchildren's bookHistoire de BabarbyJean de Brunhoff. The book is based on a tale that Brunhoff's wife,Cécile, had invented for their children.It tells of a youngAfrican elephant, named Babar, whose mother is killed by abig game hunter. Babar escapes, and in the process leaves thejungleinexile, visitsParis, and returns to bring the benefits ofcivilizationto his fellow elephants. Just as he returns to his community of elephants, their king tragically dies from eating apoisonous mushroom. Because of his travels and civilization, Babar is chosen king of theelephant kingdom. Hemarries his cousin, Celeste (French:Céleste), and they subsequently have children and teach them valuable lessons. Story synopsis After Babar's mother is shot and killed by a hunter, he flees the jungle and finds his way to an unspecified big city with no particular characteristics.He is befriended by the Old Lady, who buys him clothes and hires him a tutor. Babar's cousins Celeste and Arthur find him in the big city and help him return to theElephant realm. Following the death of the King of the Elephants, who had eaten a poisonous mushroom (the illustrations indicate that it is afly agaric), a council of old elephants approach Babar, saying that as he has \"lived among men and learnt much\", he would be suitable to become the new King. Babar iscrownedKing of the Elephants and marries his cousin, Celeste. In Jean de Brunhoff's second Babar book,The Travels of Babar, when the married couple leave by balloon on their honeymoon: ... stormy winds down the balloon on an island, and yet again will the royal couple escape by whale, be marooned on an even smaller island and be rescued by a passing ocean liner only to be turned over to an animal trainer and put to work in a circus. And when they escape and return home, what awaits them but war with therhinoceroses. It was sparked when Arthur tied a firecracker to the tail ofLord Rataxes. Babar wins the war by having the elephants paint monster faces on their backsides, which cause the frightened rhinoceroses to run away. After the victory celebrations, the book ends with Babar, Celeste and the Old Lady sitting together and discussing how Babar can rule wisely and make all the elephants happy. In the third book,Babar the King, Babar founds the city of Celesteville. After manydromedariesare found, they help with building the city. Each elephant citizen is given a job to do. Once the city is built, everyone celebrates. However, problems arise; the Old Lady is bitten by a snake, and Cornelius' home catches fire. Babar has a dream where he is visited by Misfortune and other demons which are chased away by elephant angels representing Courage, Hope, and other virtues. The morning after the hopeful dream, the Old Lady and Cornelius make full recoveries. Among Babar's other associates in the various incarnations of the series are themonkeyZephir, the old elephantcounsellorCornelius (also later Pompadour who was created for theBabartelevision series), Babar's cousin Arthur, and Babar's children, Pom, Flora, and Alexander. A younger daughter, Isabelle, is later introduced. The Old Lady comes to live in the Kingdom as an honored guest. Despite the presence of these counsellors, Babar's rule seems to be totally independent of any elected body, and completelyautocratic. However, his leadership style seems to strive for the overall benefit of his elephant subjects—a form ofbenevolent dictatorship. Besides hisWesternizingpolicies, Babar engages in battle with the warlike rhinoceroses of a hostile bordering nation, led by Lord Rataxes. Much later, inBabar and the Adventures of Badou, Pom grows to become the father of Prince Babar II (known as Badou). History In 1931,Jean de Brunhoffintroduced Babar inHistoire de Babar, and Babar enjoyed immediate success.In 1933,A.A. Milneintroduced an English-language version,The Story of Babar, in Britain and the United States. Before his death in 1937, Jean de Brunhoff published six more stories. His sonLaurent de Brunhoff, also a writer and illustrator, carried on the series from 1946, beginning withBabar et Le Coquin d'Arthur. Ananimated television series,Babarwas produced in Canada byNelvanaLimited and the Clifford Ross Company, running from 3 January 1989 to 5 June 1991, with 65 episodes. An additional 13 episodes aired in 2000. The character has also appeared in a number of films. The first two of Jean de Brunhoff's Babar books have inspired two major concert works:L'Histoire de Babar, le petit éléphant(The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant) byFrancis Poulencin 1940; andThe Travels of Babar (Le Voyage de Babar)by Raphael Mostel in 1994.In 2010, a sequel and spin-off,Babar and the Adventures of Badou, was released, introducing new characters, including Badou, Babar's grandson and Pom's son. It takes place several years after the original series. Influence and legacy Babar, who likes to wear a bright greensuit, introduces a veryFrench formofWestern civilizationto the elephants, and they soon dress inWesternattire. The attention to stylish clothing perhaps reflects the fact that the original publisher of the books wasEditions du Jardin des Modes, owned byCondé-Nast. The Babar books were the first Condé-Nast publications not specifically about fashion. AuthorMaurice Sendakdescribed the innovations of Jean de Brunhoff: Like an extravagant piece of poetry, the interplay between few words and many pictures, commonly called the picture book, is a difficult, exquisite, and most easily collapsible form that few have mastered....Jean de Brunhoff was a master of this form. Between 1931 and 1937 he completed a body of work that forever changed the face of the illustrated book. The series has over 100 licensees worldwide, and the \"Babar\" brand has a multi-generational following. There are 12 Babar stores in Japan. A global cultural phenomenon, whose fans span generations, Babar stands along with Disney'sMickey Mouseas one of the most recognized children's characters in the world. There are now over 30,000 Babar publications in over 17 languages, and over 8 million books have been sold. Laurent de Brunhoff'sBabar's Yoga for Elephantsis a top seller in the U.S. with over 100,000 copies sold to date. The Babar series of books are recommended reading on former First LadyLaura Bush's national reading initiative list. All 78 episodes of theTV seriesare broadcast in 30 languages in over 150 countries, making Babar one of the largest distributed animation shows in history. Babar has been a perennial favourite for years at theWhite House Easter Egg Roll. Since 2001, the Babar franchise has been owned byCorus Entertainment'sNelvanain conjunction with the artist,Clifford Ross. Babar made a nameless appearance inThe New Traveller's Almanac(part ofThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemenseries). Babar and his elephants escortMina MurrayandAllan Quatermainthrough the African jungle. Mina considers them \"civilized and gentle\", but Allan denies that their leader is really wearing a crown. In the 1988 comedy filmComing to America, the Joffer royal family have a pet elephant named \"Babar\". In 1993,de Brunhoff's elephant inspired theBaBar experiment, an international hadron physics collaboration based in theSLAC National Accelerator LaboratoryatStanford University. Criticism Herbert R. KohlandVivian Paley,have argued that, although superficially delightful, the stories can be seen as a justification forcolonialism. Others argue that the French civilization described in the early books had already been destroyed byWorld War Iand the books were an exercise innostalgiafor pre-1914 France.Ariel Dorfman'sThe Empire's Old Clothesis another critical view, in which he concludes: \"In imagining the independence of the land of the elephants, Jean de Brunhoff anticipates, more than a decade before history forced Europe to put it into practice, the theory ofneocolonialism\". In April 2012,Babar's Travelswasremoved from the shelvesbylibrarystaff inEast Sussexin response to parental complaints for what was perceived as stereotypes of Africans.Jean de Brunhoff's son Laurent de Brunhoff was embarrassed by stereotypical Africans andNative AmericansinBabar's Picnicand asked the publisher to withdraw it. A more sympathetic view is expressed in the 2008New Yorkerarticle \"Freeing the Elephants\", in whichAdam Gopnikargues it \"is not an unconscious expression of the French colonial imagination; it is a self-conscious comedy about the French colonial imagination and its close relation to the French domestic imagination. The gist ... is explicit and intelligent: the lure of the city, of civilization, of style and order and bourgeois living is real, for elephants as for humans\".He concludes that the satisfaction derived fromBabaris based on the knowledge that \"while it is a very good thing to be an elephant, still, the life of an elephant is dangerous, wild, and painful. It is therefore a safer thing to be an elephant in a house near a park\". Books Jean de Brunhoff wrote and illustrated sevenBabarbooks; the series was continued by his son,Laurent de Brunhoff. Jean de Brunhoff's Babar books (1931–1941), and the titles of the English translations, were: Laurent de Brunhoff's books (1948–2017) (selected list): English translations of the original Babar books are routinely republished in the UK and in the US, individually and in collections. Other English-language titles about Babar include the following: Films and television Bill Melendez Productions: Atkinson Film-Arts: Nelvana Productions: Video games MindscapereleasedBabar and the Royal Coin Caperfor the PC in 2005, Both Babar and Cornelius are voiced by Daniel Davies and Dave Pender. The Danish game companyThe Game FactorypublishedBabar to the Rescuefor the Game Boy Advance in 2006. References External links","Jean de Brunhoff Jean de Brunhoff(French pronunciation:; 9 December 1899 – 16 October 1937) was a French writer andillustratorremembered best for creating theBabarseries of children's books concerning a fictional elephant, the first of which was published in 1931. Early life De Brunhoff was the fourth and youngest child of Maurice de Brunhoff, a publisher, and his wife Marguerite. He attendedProtestantschools, including the prestigiousÉcole Alsacienne.Brunhoff joined the army and was sent to the front whenWorld War Iwas almost over. Afterward, he decided to be a professional artist and studied painting at theAcadémie de la Grande Chaumièrein Paris. In 1924, he marriedCécile Sabouraud, a talented pianist, and they had two sons,Laurentand Mathieu, born in 1925 and 1926; a third son,Thierry, was born nine years later. Babar The Babar books began as abedtime storythat Cécile de Brunhoff invented for their children, Mathieu and Laurent, when they were four and five years old, respectively. She was allegedly trying to comfort Mathieu, who was sick. The boys liked the story of the little elephant who left the jungle for a city resembling Paris so much that they asked their father, a painter, to illustrate it.He made it into a picture book, with text, which was published by a family-owned publishing house,Le Jardin des Modes.Originally, it was planned that the book's title page would describe the story astold by Jean and Cécile de Brunhoff. However, she had her name omitted.Due to the role she played in the genesis of the Babar story, some sources refer to her as the creator of the Babar story. After the first bookHistoire de Babar(The Story of Babar), five more titles followed before Jean de Brunhoff died oftuberculosisat the age of 37.He is buried inPère Lachaise Cemeteryin Paris. After Jean's death, his brother Michel de Brunhoff, who was the editor of the magazineVogue Paris, oversaw the publication in book form of Jean's two last books,Babar and His ChildrenandBabar and Father Christmas, both of which had been drawn inblack and whitefor a British newspaper,The Daily Sketch. Michel de Brunhoff arranged for the black and white drawings to be painted in color, with the then-thirteen-year-old Laurent helping with the work.The French publishing houseHachettelater bought the rights to the Babar series.The first six Babar books were reprinted with millions of copies sold around the world. Babar's revival Soon after the end ofWorld War II, Laurent, who had become an artistic painter like his father and had also studied at theAcadémie de la Grande Chaumière, began work on a Babar book of his own. Although his style of painting was different from his father's and he emphasized picture more than text in the creation of his books,he trained himself to draw elephants in strict accord with the style of his father. Consequently, many people did not notice any difference in authorship and assumed the six-year gap in the series was because of the war.Laurent has always been careful to emphasize that Babar was his father's creation (and to some extent his mother's) and that he continued the series largely as a way of keeping the memory of his father and his own childhood alive. Death Jean de Brunhoff died fromtuberculosison 16 October 1937, aged 37. Bibliography Further reading References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Babar the Elephant Babar the Elephant(UK:/ˈbæbɑːr/,US:/bəˈbɑːr/;French pronunciation:) is an elephant character who first appeared in 1931 in the Frenchchildren's bookHistoire de BabarbyJean de Brunhoff. The book is based on a tale that Brunhoff's wife,Cécile, had invented for their children.It tells of a youngAfrican elephant, named Babar, whose mother is killed by abig game hunter. Babar escapes, and in the process leaves thejungleinexile, visitsParis, and returns to bring the benefits ofcivilizationto his fellow elephants. Just as he returns to his community of elephants, their king tragically dies from eating apoisonous mushroom. Because of his travels and civilization, Babar is chosen king of theelephant kingdom. Hemarries his cousin, Celeste (French:Céleste), and they subsequently have children and teach them valuable lessons. Story synopsis After Babar's mother is shot and killed by a hunter, he flees the jungle and finds his way to an unspecified big city with no particular characteristics.He is befriended by the Old Lady, who buys him clothes and hires him a tutor. Babar's cousins Celeste and Arthur find him in the big city and help him return to theElephant realm. Following the death of the King of the Elephants, who had eaten a poisonous mushroom (the illustrations indicate that it is afly agaric), a council of old elephants approach Babar, saying that as he has \\\"lived among men and learnt much\\\", he would be suitable to become the new King. Babar iscrownedKing of the Elephants and marries his cousin, Celeste. In Jean de Brunhoff's second Babar book,The Travels of Babar, when the married couple leave by balloon on their honeymoon: ... stormy winds down the balloon on an island, and yet again will the royal couple escape by whale, be marooned on an even smaller island and be rescued by a passing ocean liner only to be turned over to an animal trainer and put to work in a circus. And when they escape and return home, what awaits them but war with therhinoceroses. It was sparked when Arthur tied a firecracker to the tail ofLord Rataxes. Babar wins the war by having the elephants paint monster faces on their backsides, which cause the frightened rhinoceroses to run away. After the victory celebrations, the book ends with Babar, Celeste and the Old Lady sitting together and discussing how Babar can rule wisely and make all the elephants happy. In the third book,Babar the King, Babar founds the city of Celesteville. After manydromedariesare found, they help with building the city. Each elephant citizen is given a job to do. Once the city is built, everyone celebrates. However, problems arise; the Old Lady is bitten by a snake, and Cornelius' home catches fire. Babar has a dream where he is visited by Misfortune and other demons which are chased away by elephant angels representing Courage, Hope, and other virtues. The morning after the hopeful dream, the Old Lady and Cornelius make full recoveries. Among Babar's other associates in the various incarnations of the series are themonkeyZephir, the old elephantcounsellorCornelius (also later Pompadour who was created for theBabartelevision series), Babar's cousin Arthur, and Babar's children, Pom, Flora, and Alexander. A younger daughter, Isabelle, is later introduced. The Old Lady comes to live in the Kingdom as an honored guest. Despite the presence of these counsellors, Babar's rule seems to be totally independent of any elected body, and completelyautocratic. However, his leadership style seems to strive for the overall benefit of his elephant subjects—a form ofbenevolent dictatorship. Besides hisWesternizingpolicies, Babar engages in battle with the warlike rhinoceroses of a hostile bordering nation, led by Lord Rataxes. Much later, inBabar and the Adventures of Badou, Pom grows to become the father of Prince Babar II (known as Badou). History In 1931,Jean de Brunhoffintroduced Babar inHistoire de Babar, and Babar enjoyed immediate success.In 1933,A.A. Milneintroduced an English-language version,The Story of Babar, in Britain and the United States. Before his death in 1937, Jean de Brunhoff published six more stories. His sonLaurent de Brunhoff, also a writer and illustrator, carried on the series from 1946, beginning withBabar et Le Coquin d'Arthur. Ananimated television series,Babarwas produced in Canada byNelvanaLimited and the Clifford Ross Company, running from 3 January 1989 to 5 June 1991, with 65 episodes. An additional 13 episodes aired in 2000. The character has also appeared in a number of films. The first two of Jean de Brunhoff's Babar books have inspired two major concert works:L'Histoire de Babar, le petit éléphant(The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant) byFrancis Poulencin 1940; andThe Travels of Babar (Le Voyage de Babar)by Raphael Mostel in 1994.In 2010, a sequel and spin-off,Babar and the Adventures of Badou, was released, introducing new characters, including Badou, Babar's grandson and Pom's son. It takes place several years after the original series. Influence and legacy Babar, who likes to wear a bright greensuit, introduces a veryFrench formofWestern civilizationto the elephants, and they soon dress inWesternattire. The attention to stylish clothing perhaps reflects the fact that the original publisher of the books wasEditions du Jardin des Modes, owned byCondé-Nast. The Babar books were the first Condé-Nast publications not specifically about fashion. AuthorMaurice Sendakdescribed the innovations of Jean de Brunhoff: Like an extravagant piece of poetry, the interplay between few words and many pictures, commonly called the picture book, is a difficult, exquisite, and most easily collapsible form that few have mastered....Jean de Brunhoff was a master of this form. Between 1931 and 1937 he completed a body of work that forever changed the face of the illustrated book. The series has over 100 licensees worldwide, and the \\\"Babar\\\" brand has a multi-generational following. There are 12 Babar stores in Japan. A global cultural phenomenon, whose fans span generations, Babar stands along with Disney'sMickey Mouseas one of the most recognized children's characters in the world. There are now over 30,000 Babar publications in over 17 languages, and over 8 million books have been sold. Laurent de Brunhoff'sBabar's Yoga for Elephantsis a top seller in the U.S. with over 100,000 copies sold to date. The Babar series of books are recommended reading on former First LadyLaura Bush's national reading initiative list. All 78 episodes of theTV seriesare broadcast in 30 languages in over 150 countries, making Babar one of the largest distributed animation shows in history. Babar has been a perennial favourite for years at theWhite House Easter Egg Roll. Since 2001, the Babar franchise has been owned byCorus Entertainment'sNelvanain conjunction with the artist,Clifford Ross. Babar made a nameless appearance inThe New Traveller's Almanac(part ofThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemenseries). Babar and his elephants escortMina MurrayandAllan Quatermainthrough the African jungle. Mina considers them \\\"civilized and gentle\\\", but Allan denies that their leader is really wearing a crown. In the 1988 comedy filmComing to America, the Joffer royal family have a pet elephant named \\\"Babar\\\". In 1993,de Brunhoff's elephant inspired theBaBar experiment, an international hadron physics collaboration based in theSLAC National Accelerator LaboratoryatStanford University. Criticism Herbert R. KohlandVivian Paley,have argued that, although superficially delightful, the stories can be seen as a justification forcolonialism. Others argue that the French civilization described in the early books had already been destroyed byWorld War Iand the books were an exercise innostalgiafor pre-1914 France.Ariel Dorfman'sThe Empire's Old Clothesis another critical view, in which he concludes: \\\"In imagining the independence of the land of the elephants, Jean de Brunhoff anticipates, more than a decade before history forced Europe to put it into practice, the theory ofneocolonialism\\\". In April 2012,Babar's Travelswasremoved from the shelvesbylibrarystaff inEast Sussexin response to parental complaints for what was perceived as stereotypes of Africans.Jean de Brunhoff's son Laurent de Brunhoff was embarrassed by stereotypical Africans andNative AmericansinBabar's Picnicand asked the publisher to withdraw it. A more sympathetic view is expressed in the 2008New Yorkerarticle \\\"Freeing the Elephants\\\", in whichAdam Gopnikargues it \\\"is not an unconscious expression of the French colonial imagination; it is a self-conscious comedy about the French colonial imagination and its close relation to the French domestic imagination. The gist ... is explicit and intelligent: the lure of the city, of civilization, of style and order and bourgeois living is real, for elephants as for humans\\\".He concludes that the satisfaction derived fromBabaris based on the knowledge that \\\"while it is a very good thing to be an elephant, still, the life of an elephant is dangerous, wild, and painful. It is therefore a safer thing to be an elephant in a house near a park\\\". Books Jean de Brunhoff wrote and illustrated sevenBabarbooks; the series was continued by his son,Laurent de Brunhoff. Jean de Brunhoff's Babar books (1931–1941), and the titles of the English translations, were: Laurent de Brunhoff's books (1948–2017) (selected list): English translations of the original Babar books are routinely republished in the UK and in the US, individually and in collections. Other English-language titles about Babar include the following: Films and television Bill Melendez Productions: Atkinson Film-Arts: Nelvana Productions: Video games MindscapereleasedBabar and the Royal Coin Caperfor the PC in 2005, Both Babar and Cornelius are voiced by Daniel Davies and Dave Pender. The Danish game companyThe Game FactorypublishedBabar to the Rescuefor the Game Boy Advance in 2006. References External links\",\n \"Jean de Brunhoff Jean de Brunhoff(French pronunciation:; 9 December 1899 – 16 October 1937) was a French writer andillustratorremembered best for creating theBabarseries of children's books concerning a fictional elephant, the first of which was published in 1931. Early life De Brunhoff was the fourth and youngest child of Maurice de Brunhoff, a publisher, and his wife Marguerite. He attendedProtestantschools, including the prestigiousÉcole Alsacienne.Brunhoff joined the army and was sent to the front whenWorld War Iwas almost over. Afterward, he decided to be a professional artist and studied painting at theAcadémie de la Grande Chaumièrein Paris. In 1924, he marriedCécile Sabouraud, a talented pianist, and they had two sons,Laurentand Mathieu, born in 1925 and 1926; a third son,Thierry, was born nine years later. Babar The Babar books began as abedtime storythat Cécile de Brunhoff invented for their children, Mathieu and Laurent, when they were four and five years old, respectively. She was allegedly trying to comfort Mathieu, who was sick. The boys liked the story of the little elephant who left the jungle for a city resembling Paris so much that they asked their father, a painter, to illustrate it.He made it into a picture book, with text, which was published by a family-owned publishing house,Le Jardin des Modes.Originally, it was planned that the book's title page would describe the story astold by Jean and Cécile de Brunhoff. However, she had her name omitted.Due to the role she played in the genesis of the Babar story, some sources refer to her as the creator of the Babar story. After the first bookHistoire de Babar(The Story of Babar), five more titles followed before Jean de Brunhoff died oftuberculosisat the age of 37.He is buried inPère Lachaise Cemeteryin Paris. After Jean's death, his brother Michel de Brunhoff, who was the editor of the magazineVogue Paris, oversaw the publication in book form of Jean's two last books,Babar and His ChildrenandBabar and Father Christmas, both of which had been drawn inblack and whitefor a British newspaper,The Daily Sketch. Michel de Brunhoff arranged for the black and white drawings to be painted in color, with the then-thirteen-year-old Laurent helping with the work.The French publishing houseHachettelater bought the rights to the Babar series.The first six Babar books were reprinted with millions of copies sold around the world. Babar's revival Soon after the end ofWorld War II, Laurent, who had become an artistic painter like his father and had also studied at theAcadémie de la Grande Chaumière, began work on a Babar book of his own. Although his style of painting was different from his father's and he emphasized picture more than text in the creation of his books,he trained himself to draw elephants in strict accord with the style of his father. Consequently, many people did not notice any difference in authorship and assumed the six-year gap in the series was because of the war.Laurent has always been careful to emphasize that Babar was his father's creation (and to some extent his mother's) and that he continued the series largely as a way of keeping the memory of his father and his own childhood alive. Death Jean de Brunhoff died fromtuberculosison 16 October 1937, aged 37. Bibliography Further reading References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Babar the Elephant Babar the Elephant(UK:/ˈbæbɑːr/,US:/bəˈbɑːr/;French pronunciation:) is an elephant character who first appeared in 1931 in the Frenchchildren's bookHistoire de BabarbyJean de Brunhoff. The book is based on a tale that Brunhoff's wife,Cécile, had invented for their children.It tells of a youngAfrican elephant, named Babar, whose mother is killed by abig game hunter. Babar escapes, and in the process leaves thejungleinexile, visitsParis, and returns to bring the benefits ofcivilizationto his fellow elephants. Just as he returns to his community of elephants, their king tragically dies from eating apoisonous mushroom. Because of his travels and civilization, Babar is chosen king of theelephant kingdom. Hemarries his cousin, Celeste (French:Céleste), and they subsequently have children and teach them valuable lessons. Story synopsis After Babar's mother is shot and killed by a hunter, he flees the jungle and finds his way to an unspecified big city with no particular characteristics.He is","is befriended by the Old Lady, who buys him clothes and hires him a tutor. Babar's cousins Celeste and Arthur find him in the big city and help him return to theElephant realm. Following the death of the King of the Elephants, who had eaten a poisonous mushroom (the illustrations indicate that it is afly agaric), a council of old elephants approach Babar, saying that as he has \"lived among men and learnt much\", he would be suitable to become the new King. Babar iscrownedKing of the Elephants and marries his cousin, Celeste. In Jean de Brunhoff's second Babar book,The Travels of Babar, when the married couple leave by balloon on their honeymoon: ... stormy winds down the balloon on an island, and yet again will the royal couple escape by whale, be marooned on an even smaller island and be rescued by a passing ocean liner only to be turned over to an animal trainer and put to work in a circus. And when they escape and return home, what awaits them but war with therhinoceroses. It was sparked when Arthur tied a","when Arthur tied a firecracker to the tail ofLord Rataxes. Babar wins the war by having the elephants paint monster faces on their backsides, which cause the frightened rhinoceroses to run away. After the victory celebrations, the book ends with Babar, Celeste and the Old Lady sitting together and discussing how Babar can rule wisely and make all the elephants happy. In the third book,Babar the King, Babar founds the city of Celesteville. After manydromedariesare found, they help with building the city. Each elephant citizen is given a job to do. Once the city is built, everyone celebrates. However, problems arise; the Old Lady is bitten by a snake, and Cornelius' home catches fire. Babar has a dream where he is visited by Misfortune and other demons which are chased away by elephant angels representing Courage, Hope, and other virtues. The morning after the hopeful dream, the Old Lady and Cornelius make full recoveries. Among Babar's other associates in the various incarnations of the series are","of the series are themonkeyZephir, the old elephantcounsellorCornelius (also later Pompadour who was created for theBabartelevision series), Babar's cousin Arthur, and Babar's children, Pom, Flora, and Alexander. A younger daughter, Isabelle, is later introduced. The Old Lady comes to live in the Kingdom as an honored guest. Despite the presence of these counsellors, Babar's rule seems to be totally independent of any elected body, and completelyautocratic. However, his leadership style seems to strive for the overall benefit of his elephant subjects—a form ofbenevolent dictatorship. Besides hisWesternizingpolicies, Babar engages in battle with the warlike rhinoceroses of a hostile bordering nation, led by Lord Rataxes. Much later, inBabar and the Adventures of Badou, Pom grows to become the father of Prince Babar II (known as Badou). History In 1931,Jean de Brunhoffintroduced Babar inHistoire de Babar, and Babar enjoyed immediate success.In 1933,A.A. Milneintroduced an English-language version,The Story of","Story of Babar, in Britain and the United States. Before his death in 1937, Jean de Brunhoff published six more stories. His sonLaurent de Brunhoff, also a writer and illustrator, carried on the series from 1946, beginning withBabar et Le Coquin d'Arthur. Ananimated television series,Babarwas produced in Canada byNelvanaLimited and the Clifford Ross Company, running from 3 January 1989 to 5 June 1991, with 65 episodes. An additional 13 episodes aired in 2000. The character has also appeared in a number of films. The first two of Jean de Brunhoff's Babar books have inspired two major concert works:L'Histoire de Babar, le petit éléphant(The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant) byFrancis Poulencin 1940; andThe Travels of Babar (Le Voyage de Babar)by Raphael Mostel in 1994.In 2010, a sequel and spin-off,Babar and the Adventures of Badou, was released, introducing new characters, including Badou, Babar's grandson and Pom's son. It takes place several years after the original series. Influence and legacy Babar,","and legacy Babar, who likes to wear a bright greensuit, introduces a veryFrench formofWestern civilizationto the elephants, and they soon dress inWesternattire. The attention to stylish clothing perhaps reflects the fact that the original publisher of the books wasEditions du Jardin des Modes, owned byCondé-Nast. The Babar books were the first Condé-Nast publications not specifically about fashion. AuthorMaurice Sendakdescribed the innovations of Jean de Brunhoff: Like an extravagant piece of poetry, the interplay between few words and many pictures, commonly called the picture book, is a difficult, exquisite, and most easily collapsible form that few have mastered....Jean de Brunhoff was a master of this form. Between 1931 and 1937 he completed a body of work that forever changed the face of the illustrated book. The series has over 100 licensees worldwide, and the \"Babar\" brand has a multi-generational following. There are 12 Babar stores in Japan. A global cultural phenomenon, whose fans span generations,","span generations, Babar stands along with Disney'sMickey Mouseas one of the most recognized children's characters in the world. There are now over 30,000 Babar publications in over 17 languages, and over 8 million books have been sold. Laurent de Brunhoff'sBabar's Yoga for Elephantsis a top seller in the U.S. with over 100,000 copies sold to date. The Babar series of books are recommended reading on former First LadyLaura Bush's national reading initiative list. All 78 episodes of theTV seriesare broadcast in 30 languages in over 150 countries, making Babar one of the largest distributed animation shows in history. Babar has been a perennial favourite for years at theWhite House Easter Egg Roll. Since 2001, the Babar franchise has been owned byCorus Entertainment'sNelvanain conjunction with the artist,Clifford Ross. Babar made a nameless appearance inThe New Traveller's Almanac(part ofThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemenseries). Babar and his elephants escortMina MurrayandAllan Quatermainthrough the African","the African jungle. Mina considers them \"civilized and gentle\", but Allan denies that their leader is really wearing a crown. In the 1988 comedy filmComing to America, the Joffer royal family have a pet elephant named \"Babar\". In 1993,de Brunhoff's elephant inspired theBaBar experiment, an international hadron physics collaboration based in theSLAC National Accelerator LaboratoryatStanford University. Criticism Herbert R. KohlandVivian Paley,have argued that, although superficially delightful, the stories can be seen as a justification forcolonialism. Others argue that the French civilization described in the early books had already been destroyed byWorld War Iand the books were an exercise innostalgiafor pre-1914 France.Ariel Dorfman'sThe Empire's Old Clothesis another critical view, in which he concludes: \"In imagining the independence of the land of the elephants, Jean de Brunhoff anticipates, more than a decade before history forced Europe to put it into practice, the theory ofneocolonialism\". In April","In April 2012,Babar's Travelswasremoved from the shelvesbylibrarystaff inEast Sussexin response to parental complaints for what was perceived as stereotypes of Africans.Jean de Brunhoff's son Laurent de Brunhoff was embarrassed by stereotypical Africans andNative AmericansinBabar's Picnicand asked the publisher to withdraw it. A more sympathetic view is expressed in the 2008New Yorkerarticle \"Freeing the Elephants\", in whichAdam Gopnikargues it \"is not an unconscious expression of the French colonial imagination; it is a self-conscious comedy about the French colonial imagination and its close relation to the French domestic imagination. The gist ... is explicit and intelligent: the lure of the city, of civilization, of style and order and bourgeois living is real, for elephants as for humans\".He concludes that the satisfaction derived fromBabaris based on the knowledge that \"while it is a very good thing to be an elephant, still, the life of an elephant is dangerous, wild, and painful. It is therefore a","It is therefore a safer thing to be an elephant in a house near a park\". Books Jean de Brunhoff wrote and illustrated sevenBabarbooks; the series was continued by his son,Laurent de Brunhoff. Jean de Brunhoff's Babar books (1931–1941), and the titles of the English translations, were: Laurent de Brunhoff's books (1948–2017) (selected list): English translations of the original Babar books are routinely republished in the UK and in the US, individually and in collections. Other English-language titles about Babar include the following: Films and television Bill Melendez Productions: Atkinson Film-Arts: Nelvana Productions: Video games MindscapereleasedBabar and the Royal Coin Caperfor the PC in 2005, Both Babar and Cornelius are voiced by Daniel Davies and Dave Pender. The Danish game companyThe Game FactorypublishedBabar to the Rescuefor the Game Boy Advance in 2006. References External links","Jean de Brunhoff Jean de Brunhoff(French pronunciation:; 9 December 1899 – 16 October 1937) was a French writer andillustratorremembered best for creating theBabarseries of children's books concerning a fictional elephant, the first of which was published in 1931. Early life De Brunhoff was the fourth and youngest child of Maurice de Brunhoff, a publisher, and his wife Marguerite. He attendedProtestantschools, including the prestigiousÉcole Alsacienne.Brunhoff joined the army and was sent to the front whenWorld War Iwas almost over. Afterward, he decided to be a professional artist and studied painting at theAcadémie de la Grande Chaumièrein Paris. In 1924, he marriedCécile Sabouraud, a talented pianist, and they had two sons,Laurentand Mathieu, born in 1925 and 1926; a third son,Thierry, was born nine years later. Babar The Babar books began as abedtime storythat Cécile de Brunhoff invented for their children, Mathieu and Laurent, when they were four and five years old, respectively. She was allegedly trying","allegedly trying to comfort Mathieu, who was sick. The boys liked the story of the little elephant who left the jungle for a city resembling Paris so much that they asked their father, a painter, to illustrate it.He made it into a picture book, with text, which was published by a family-owned publishing house,Le Jardin des Modes.Originally, it was planned that the book's title page would describe the story astold by Jean and Cécile de Brunhoff. However, she had her name omitted.Due to the role she played in the genesis of the Babar story, some sources refer to her as the creator of the Babar story. After the first bookHistoire de Babar(The Story of Babar), five more titles followed before Jean de Brunhoff died oftuberculosisat the age of 37.He is buried inPère Lachaise Cemeteryin Paris. After Jean's death, his brother Michel de Brunhoff, who was the editor of the magazineVogue Paris, oversaw the publication in book form of Jean's two last books,Babar and His ChildrenandBabar and Father Christmas, both of","Christmas, both of which had been drawn inblack and whitefor a British newspaper,The Daily Sketch. Michel de Brunhoff arranged for the black and white drawings to be painted in color, with the then-thirteen-year-old Laurent helping with the work.The French publishing houseHachettelater bought the rights to the Babar series.The first six Babar books were reprinted with millions of copies sold around the world. Babar's revival Soon after the end ofWorld War II, Laurent, who had become an artistic painter like his father and had also studied at theAcadémie de la Grande Chaumière, began work on a Babar book of his own. Although his style of painting was different from his father's and he emphasized picture more than text in the creation of his books,he trained himself to draw elephants in strict accord with the style of his father. Consequently, many people did not notice any difference in authorship and assumed the six-year gap in the series was because of the war.Laurent has always been careful to emphasize","to emphasize that Babar was his father's creation (and to some extent his mother's) and that he continued the series largely as a way of keeping the memory of his father and his own childhood alive. Death Jean de Brunhoff died fromtuberculosison 16 October 1937, aged 37. Bibliography Further reading References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Babar the Elephant Babar the Elephant(UK:/ˈbæbɑːr/,US:/bəˈbɑːr/;French pronunciation:) is an elephant character who first appeared in 1931 in the Frenchchildren's bookHistoire de BabarbyJean de Brunhoff. The book is based on a tale that Brunhoff's wife,Cécile, had invented for their children.It tells of a youngAfrican elephant, named Babar, whose mother is killed by abig game hunter. Babar escapes, and in the process leaves thejungleinexile, visitsParis, and returns to bring the benefits ofcivilizationto his fellow elephants. Just as he returns to his community of elephants, their king tragically dies from eating apoisonous mushroom. Because of his travels and civilization, Babar is chosen king of theelephant kingdom. Hemarries his cousin, Celeste (French:Céleste), and they subsequently have children and teach them valuable lessons. Story synopsis After Babar's mother is shot and killed by a hunter, he flees the jungle and finds his way to an unspecified big city with no particular characteristics.He is\",\n \"is befriended by the Old Lady, who buys him clothes and hires him a tutor. Babar's cousins Celeste and Arthur find him in the big city and help him return to theElephant realm. Following the death of the King of the Elephants, who had eaten a poisonous mushroom (the illustrations indicate that it is afly agaric), a council of old elephants approach Babar, saying that as he has \\\"lived among men and learnt much\\\", he would be suitable to become the new King. Babar iscrownedKing of the Elephants and marries his cousin, Celeste. In Jean de Brunhoff's second Babar book,The Travels of Babar, when the married couple leave by balloon on their honeymoon: ... stormy winds down the balloon on an island, and yet again will the royal couple escape by whale, be marooned on an even smaller island and be rescued by a passing ocean liner only to be turned over to an animal trainer and put to work in a circus. And when they escape and return home, what awaits them but war with therhinoceroses. It was sparked when Arthur tied a\",\n \"when Arthur tied a firecracker to the tail ofLord Rataxes. Babar wins the war by having the elephants paint monster faces on their backsides, which cause the frightened rhinoceroses to run away. After the victory celebrations, the book ends with Babar, Celeste and the Old Lady sitting together and discussing how Babar can rule wisely and make all the elephants happy. In the third book,Babar the King, Babar founds the city of Celesteville. After manydromedariesare found, they help with building the city. Each elephant citizen is given a job to do. Once the city is built, everyone celebrates. However, problems arise; the Old Lady is bitten by a snake, and Cornelius' home catches fire. Babar has a dream where he is visited by Misfortune and other demons which are chased away by elephant angels representing Courage, Hope, and other virtues. The morning after the hopeful dream, the Old Lady and Cornelius make full recoveries. Among Babar's other associates in the various incarnations of the series are\",\n \"of the series are themonkeyZephir, the old elephantcounsellorCornelius (also later Pompadour who was created for theBabartelevision series), Babar's cousin Arthur, and Babar's children, Pom, Flora, and Alexander. A younger daughter, Isabelle, is later introduced. The Old Lady comes to live in the Kingdom as an honored guest. Despite the presence of these counsellors, Babar's rule seems to be totally independent of any elected body, and completelyautocratic. However, his leadership style seems to strive for the overall benefit of his elephant subjects—a form ofbenevolent dictatorship. Besides hisWesternizingpolicies, Babar engages in battle with the warlike rhinoceroses of a hostile bordering nation, led by Lord Rataxes. Much later, inBabar and the Adventures of Badou, Pom grows to become the father of Prince Babar II (known as Badou). History In 1931,Jean de Brunhoffintroduced Babar inHistoire de Babar, and Babar enjoyed immediate success.In 1933,A.A. Milneintroduced an English-language version,The Story of\",\n \"Story of Babar, in Britain and the United States. Before his death in 1937, Jean de Brunhoff published six more stories. His sonLaurent de Brunhoff, also a writer and illustrator, carried on the series from 1946, beginning withBabar et Le Coquin d'Arthur. Ananimated television series,Babarwas produced in Canada byNelvanaLimited and the Clifford Ross Company, running from 3 January 1989 to 5 June 1991, with 65 episodes. An additional 13 episodes aired in 2000. The character has also appeared in a number of films. The first two of Jean de Brunhoff's Babar books have inspired two major concert works:L'Histoire de Babar, le petit éléphant(The Story of Babar, the Little Elephant) byFrancis Poulencin 1940; andThe Travels of Babar (Le Voyage de Babar)by Raphael Mostel in 1994.In 2010, a sequel and spin-off,Babar and the Adventures of Badou, was released, introducing new characters, including Badou, Babar's grandson and Pom's son. It takes place several years after the original series. Influence and legacy Babar,\",\n \"and legacy Babar, who likes to wear a bright greensuit, introduces a veryFrench formofWestern civilizationto the elephants, and they soon dress inWesternattire. The attention to stylish clothing perhaps reflects the fact that the original publisher of the books wasEditions du Jardin des Modes, owned byCondé-Nast. The Babar books were the first Condé-Nast publications not specifically about fashion. AuthorMaurice Sendakdescribed the innovations of Jean de Brunhoff: Like an extravagant piece of poetry, the interplay between few words and many pictures, commonly called the picture book, is a difficult, exquisite, and most easily collapsible form that few have mastered....Jean de Brunhoff was a master of this form. Between 1931 and 1937 he completed a body of work that forever changed the face of the illustrated book. The series has over 100 licensees worldwide, and the \\\"Babar\\\" brand has a multi-generational following. There are 12 Babar stores in Japan. A global cultural phenomenon, whose fans span generations,\",\n \"span generations, Babar stands along with Disney'sMickey Mouseas one of the most recognized children's characters in the world. There are now over 30,000 Babar publications in over 17 languages, and over 8 million books have been sold. Laurent de Brunhoff'sBabar's Yoga for Elephantsis a top seller in the U.S. with over 100,000 copies sold to date. The Babar series of books are recommended reading on former First LadyLaura Bush's national reading initiative list. All 78 episodes of theTV seriesare broadcast in 30 languages in over 150 countries, making Babar one of the largest distributed animation shows in history. Babar has been a perennial favourite for years at theWhite House Easter Egg Roll. Since 2001, the Babar franchise has been owned byCorus Entertainment'sNelvanain conjunction with the artist,Clifford Ross. Babar made a nameless appearance inThe New Traveller's Almanac(part ofThe League of Extraordinary Gentlemenseries). Babar and his elephants escortMina MurrayandAllan Quatermainthrough the African\",\n \"the African jungle. Mina considers them \\\"civilized and gentle\\\", but Allan denies that their leader is really wearing a crown. In the 1988 comedy filmComing to America, the Joffer royal family have a pet elephant named \\\"Babar\\\". In 1993,de Brunhoff's elephant inspired theBaBar experiment, an international hadron physics collaboration based in theSLAC National Accelerator LaboratoryatStanford University. Criticism Herbert R. KohlandVivian Paley,have argued that, although superficially delightful, the stories can be seen as a justification forcolonialism. Others argue that the French civilization described in the early books had already been destroyed byWorld War Iand the books were an exercise innostalgiafor pre-1914 France.Ariel Dorfman'sThe Empire's Old Clothesis another critical view, in which he concludes: \\\"In imagining the independence of the land of the elephants, Jean de Brunhoff anticipates, more than a decade before history forced Europe to put it into practice, the theory ofneocolonialism\\\". In April\",\n \"In April 2012,Babar's Travelswasremoved from the shelvesbylibrarystaff inEast Sussexin response to parental complaints for what was perceived as stereotypes of Africans.Jean de Brunhoff's son Laurent de Brunhoff was embarrassed by stereotypical Africans andNative AmericansinBabar's Picnicand asked the publisher to withdraw it. A more sympathetic view is expressed in the 2008New Yorkerarticle \\\"Freeing the Elephants\\\", in whichAdam Gopnikargues it \\\"is not an unconscious expression of the French colonial imagination; it is a self-conscious comedy about the French colonial imagination and its close relation to the French domestic imagination. The gist ... is explicit and intelligent: the lure of the city, of civilization, of style and order and bourgeois living is real, for elephants as for humans\\\".He concludes that the satisfaction derived fromBabaris based on the knowledge that \\\"while it is a very good thing to be an elephant, still, the life of an elephant is dangerous, wild, and painful. It is therefore a\",\n \"It is therefore a safer thing to be an elephant in a house near a park\\\". Books Jean de Brunhoff wrote and illustrated sevenBabarbooks; the series was continued by his son,Laurent de Brunhoff. Jean de Brunhoff's Babar books (1931–1941), and the titles of the English translations, were: Laurent de Brunhoff's books (1948–2017) (selected list): English translations of the original Babar books are routinely republished in the UK and in the US, individually and in collections. Other English-language titles about Babar include the following: Films and television Bill Melendez Productions: Atkinson Film-Arts: Nelvana Productions: Video games MindscapereleasedBabar and the Royal Coin Caperfor the PC in 2005, Both Babar and Cornelius are voiced by Daniel Davies and Dave Pender. The Danish game companyThe Game FactorypublishedBabar to the Rescuefor the Game Boy Advance in 2006. References External links\",\n \"Jean de Brunhoff Jean de Brunhoff(French pronunciation:; 9 December 1899 – 16 October 1937) was a French writer andillustratorremembered best for creating theBabarseries of children's books concerning a fictional elephant, the first of which was published in 1931. Early life De Brunhoff was the fourth and youngest child of Maurice de Brunhoff, a publisher, and his wife Marguerite. He attendedProtestantschools, including the prestigiousÉcole Alsacienne.Brunhoff joined the army and was sent to the front whenWorld War Iwas almost over. Afterward, he decided to be a professional artist and studied painting at theAcadémie de la Grande Chaumièrein Paris. In 1924, he marriedCécile Sabouraud, a talented pianist, and they had two sons,Laurentand Mathieu, born in 1925 and 1926; a third son,Thierry, was born nine years later. Babar The Babar books began as abedtime storythat Cécile de Brunhoff invented for their children, Mathieu and Laurent, when they were four and five years old, respectively. She was allegedly trying\",\n \"allegedly trying to comfort Mathieu, who was sick. The boys liked the story of the little elephant who left the jungle for a city resembling Paris so much that they asked their father, a painter, to illustrate it.He made it into a picture book, with text, which was published by a family-owned publishing house,Le Jardin des Modes.Originally, it was planned that the book's title page would describe the story astold by Jean and Cécile de Brunhoff. However, she had her name omitted.Due to the role she played in the genesis of the Babar story, some sources refer to her as the creator of the Babar story. After the first bookHistoire de Babar(The Story of Babar), five more titles followed before Jean de Brunhoff died oftuberculosisat the age of 37.He is buried inPère Lachaise Cemeteryin Paris. After Jean's death, his brother Michel de Brunhoff, who was the editor of the magazineVogue Paris, oversaw the publication in book form of Jean's two last books,Babar and His ChildrenandBabar and Father Christmas, both of\",\n \"Christmas, both of which had been drawn inblack and whitefor a British newspaper,The Daily Sketch. Michel de Brunhoff arranged for the black and white drawings to be painted in color, with the then-thirteen-year-old Laurent helping with the work.The French publishing houseHachettelater bought the rights to the Babar series.The first six Babar books were reprinted with millions of copies sold around the world. Babar's revival Soon after the end ofWorld War II, Laurent, who had become an artistic painter like his father and had also studied at theAcadémie de la Grande Chaumière, began work on a Babar book of his own. Although his style of painting was different from his father's and he emphasized picture more than text in the creation of his books,he trained himself to draw elephants in strict accord with the style of his father. Consequently, many people did not notice any difference in authorship and assumed the six-year gap in the series was because of the war.Laurent has always been careful to emphasize\",\n \"to emphasize that Babar was his father's creation (and to some extent his mother's) and that he continued the series largely as a way of keeping the memory of his father and his own childhood alive. Death Jean de Brunhoff died fromtuberculosison 16 October 1937, aged 37. Bibliography Further reading References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":297,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Who was the MVP in the season that Cam Plante played in the National Hockey League?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"Wayne Gretzky"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cam_Plante"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984%E2%80%9385_NHL_season"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cam_Plante', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984%E2%80%9385_NHL_season']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cam_Plante","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984%E2%80%9385_NHL_season"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cam_Plante\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984%E2%80%9385_NHL_season\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Cam Plante Cam Plante(born March 12, 1964) is a Canadian former professionalice hockeydefenceman. He was drafted in the seventh round, 128th overall, by theToronto Maple Leafsin the1983 NHL Entry Draft. He played two games in theNational Hockey Leaguewith the Maple Leafs in the1984–85 season. Plante holds theWestern Hockey Leaguerecord for points in a season by a defenceman. He scored 140 points as a member of theBrandon Wheat Kingsin the1983–84 WHL season. During 72 games that season he scored 22 goals and had 118 assists. He finished his playing career with theWichita Thunderof the CHL, having returned to North America following four seasons on the United Kingdom. Most of that time was spent with thePeterborough Pirates, but also encompassed short spells with theChelmsford ChieftainsandHumberside Hawks. He is the father of formerFlorida PanthersprospectTyler Planteand formerEdmonton OilersprospectAlex Plante. Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Awards References External links This biographical article relating to a Canadian ice hockey defenceman born in the 1960s is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.","1984–85 NHL season The1984–85 NHL seasonwas the68th seasonof theNational Hockey League. TheEdmonton Oilerswon their second straightStanley Cupby beating thePhiladelphia Flyersfour games to one in the final series. League business Entry draft The1984 NHL Entry Draftwas held on June 9, at theMontreal ForuminMontreal,Quebec.Mario Lemieuxwas selected first overall by thePittsburgh Penguins. Ice officials begin wearing helmets RefereeAndy Van Hellemondbecomes the first on ice official in league history to wear a helmet. Soon, several officials would follow his lead and wear helmets before it became mandatory for all officials for the2006–07 season. Teams Regular season The Philadelphia Flyers had the best record in the NHL, four points ahead of second place Edmonton Oilers. Flyers goaltenderPelle Lindberghwent on to become the first European to win theVezina Trophy. Oilers' starWayne Gretzkyonce again won theArt Ross Trophyby reaching the 200 plateau for the third time in four years. He also set a new record for assists in a season with 135 and won his sixth straightHart Memorial Trophy.Mario Lemieuxmade his NHL debut by scoring 100 points and winning theCalder Trophyfor rookie of the year. On October 26, 1984,Paul Coffeyof the Edmonton Oilers would be the last defenceman in the 20th century to score four goals in one game. It occurred in a game versus the Detroit Red Wings. The last two players active in the 1960s,Butch GoringandBrad Park, retired after the playoffs. Goring was the last active, playing his last playoff game three days after Park's last game. Final standings Note:W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes. Teams qualifying for the playoffs shown in bold. Prince of Wales Conference Clarence Campbell Conference Playoffs Bracket The top four teams in each division qualified for the playoffs. In the division semifinals, the fourthseededteam in each division played against the division winner from their division. The other series matched the second and third place teams from the divisions. The two winning teams from each division's semifinals then met in the division finals. The two division winners of each conference then played in the conference finals. The two conference winners then advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals. In the division semifinals, teams competed in abest-of-fiveseries. In the other three rounds, teams competed in abest-of-sevenseries (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each series). Awards Hart Memorial Trophy voting James Norris Memorial Trophy voting Jack Adams Award voting Vezina Trophy voting All-Star teams Player statistics Scoring leaders Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points Source:NHL. Leading goaltenders Note: GP = Games played; W = Won; L = Lost; T = Tied; GA = Goals allowed;GAA= Goals against average; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage Coaches Patrick Division Adams Division Norris Division Smythe Division Milestones Debuts The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1984–85 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs): Last games The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1984–85 (listed with their last team): Note: Goring and Park were the last two players to have played in the NHL in the 1960s. Broadcasting This was the first season in more than a decade thatCBCwas not the lone Canadian national broadcaster. WhileMolsoncontinued to presentHockey Night in Canadaon Saturday nights, rival breweryCarling O'Keefebegan airing Friday night games onCTV. The two networks also split the playoffs and finals.CTV had previously airedHNIC-produced telecasts in the 1960s. This was the third and final season of the league's U.S. national broadcast rights deal withUSA, covering a slate of regular season games and selected playoff games.ESPNthen signed a three-year agreement with the league after bidding about twice as much as USA had been paying.USA would not televise the NHL again until after the network was acquired byNBCUniversalin the early 2000s, airing selected playoff games as part ofNBC Sports' overall NHL coverage between 2015 and 2021. See also References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Cam Plante Cam Plante(born March 12, 1964) is a Canadian former professionalice hockeydefenceman. He was drafted in the seventh round, 128th overall, by theToronto Maple Leafsin the1983 NHL Entry Draft. He played two games in theNational Hockey Leaguewith the Maple Leafs in the1984–85 season. Plante holds theWestern Hockey Leaguerecord for points in a season by a defenceman. He scored 140 points as a member of theBrandon Wheat Kingsin the1983–84 WHL season. During 72 games that season he scored 22 goals and had 118 assists. He finished his playing career with theWichita Thunderof the CHL, having returned to North America following four seasons on the United Kingdom. Most of that time was spent with thePeterborough Pirates, but also encompassed short spells with theChelmsford ChieftainsandHumberside Hawks. He is the father of formerFlorida PanthersprospectTyler Planteand formerEdmonton OilersprospectAlex Plante. Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Awards References External links This biographical article relating to a Canadian ice hockey defenceman born in the 1960s is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.\",\n \"1984–85 NHL season The1984–85 NHL seasonwas the68th seasonof theNational Hockey League. TheEdmonton Oilerswon their second straightStanley Cupby beating thePhiladelphia Flyersfour games to one in the final series. League business Entry draft The1984 NHL Entry Draftwas held on June 9, at theMontreal ForuminMontreal,Quebec.Mario Lemieuxwas selected first overall by thePittsburgh Penguins. Ice officials begin wearing helmets RefereeAndy Van Hellemondbecomes the first on ice official in league history to wear a helmet. Soon, several officials would follow his lead and wear helmets before it became mandatory for all officials for the2006–07 season. Teams Regular season The Philadelphia Flyers had the best record in the NHL, four points ahead of second place Edmonton Oilers. Flyers goaltenderPelle Lindberghwent on to become the first European to win theVezina Trophy. Oilers' starWayne Gretzkyonce again won theArt Ross Trophyby reaching the 200 plateau for the third time in four years. He also set a new record for assists in a season with 135 and won his sixth straightHart Memorial Trophy.Mario Lemieuxmade his NHL debut by scoring 100 points and winning theCalder Trophyfor rookie of the year. On October 26, 1984,Paul Coffeyof the Edmonton Oilers would be the last defenceman in the 20th century to score four goals in one game. It occurred in a game versus the Detroit Red Wings. The last two players active in the 1960s,Butch GoringandBrad Park, retired after the playoffs. Goring was the last active, playing his last playoff game three days after Park's last game. Final standings Note:W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes. Teams qualifying for the playoffs shown in bold. Prince of Wales Conference Clarence Campbell Conference Playoffs Bracket The top four teams in each division qualified for the playoffs. In the division semifinals, the fourthseededteam in each division played against the division winner from their division. The other series matched the second and third place teams from the divisions. The two winning teams from each division's semifinals then met in the division finals. The two division winners of each conference then played in the conference finals. The two conference winners then advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals. In the division semifinals, teams competed in abest-of-fiveseries. In the other three rounds, teams competed in abest-of-sevenseries (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each series). Awards Hart Memorial Trophy voting James Norris Memorial Trophy voting Jack Adams Award voting Vezina Trophy voting All-Star teams Player statistics Scoring leaders Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points Source:NHL. Leading goaltenders Note: GP = Games played; W = Won; L = Lost; T = Tied; GA = Goals allowed;GAA= Goals against average; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage Coaches Patrick Division Adams Division Norris Division Smythe Division Milestones Debuts The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1984–85 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs): Last games The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1984–85 (listed with their last team): Note: Goring and Park were the last two players to have played in the NHL in the 1960s. Broadcasting This was the first season in more than a decade thatCBCwas not the lone Canadian national broadcaster. WhileMolsoncontinued to presentHockey Night in Canadaon Saturday nights, rival breweryCarling O'Keefebegan airing Friday night games onCTV. The two networks also split the playoffs and finals.CTV had previously airedHNIC-produced telecasts in the 1960s. This was the third and final season of the league's U.S. national broadcast rights deal withUSA, covering a slate of regular season games and selected playoff games.ESPNthen signed a three-year agreement with the league after bidding about twice as much as USA had been paying.USA would not televise the NHL again until after the network was acquired byNBCUniversalin the early 2000s, airing selected playoff games as part ofNBC Sports' overall NHL coverage between 2015 and 2021. See also References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Cam Plante Cam Plante(born March 12, 1964) is a Canadian former professionalice hockeydefenceman. He was drafted in the seventh round, 128th overall, by theToronto Maple Leafsin the1983 NHL Entry Draft. He played two games in theNational Hockey Leaguewith the Maple Leafs in the1984–85 season. Plante holds theWestern Hockey Leaguerecord for points in a season by a defenceman. He scored 140 points as a member of theBrandon Wheat Kingsin the1983–84 WHL season. During 72 games that season he scored 22 goals and had 118 assists. He finished his playing career with theWichita Thunderof the CHL, having returned to North America following four seasons on the United Kingdom. Most of that time was spent with thePeterborough Pirates, but also encompassed short spells with theChelmsford ChieftainsandHumberside Hawks. He is the father of formerFlorida PanthersprospectTyler Planteand formerEdmonton OilersprospectAlex Plante. Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Awards References External links This biographical","This biographical article relating to a Canadian ice hockey defenceman born in the 1960s is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.","1984–85 NHL season The1984–85 NHL seasonwas the68th seasonof theNational Hockey League. TheEdmonton Oilerswon their second straightStanley Cupby beating thePhiladelphia Flyersfour games to one in the final series. League business Entry draft The1984 NHL Entry Draftwas held on June 9, at theMontreal ForuminMontreal,Quebec.Mario Lemieuxwas selected first overall by thePittsburgh Penguins. Ice officials begin wearing helmets RefereeAndy Van Hellemondbecomes the first on ice official in league history to wear a helmet. Soon, several officials would follow his lead and wear helmets before it became mandatory for all officials for the2006–07 season. Teams Regular season The Philadelphia Flyers had the best record in the NHL, four points ahead of second place Edmonton Oilers. Flyers goaltenderPelle Lindberghwent on to become the first European to win theVezina Trophy. Oilers' starWayne Gretzkyonce again won theArt Ross Trophyby reaching the 200 plateau for the third time in four years. He also set a new record for","a new record for assists in a season with 135 and won his sixth straightHart Memorial Trophy.Mario Lemieuxmade his NHL debut by scoring 100 points and winning theCalder Trophyfor rookie of the year. On October 26, 1984,Paul Coffeyof the Edmonton Oilers would be the last defenceman in the 20th century to score four goals in one game. It occurred in a game versus the Detroit Red Wings. The last two players active in the 1960s,Butch GoringandBrad Park, retired after the playoffs. Goring was the last active, playing his last playoff game three days after Park's last game. Final standings Note:W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes. Teams qualifying for the playoffs shown in bold. Prince of Wales Conference Clarence Campbell Conference Playoffs Bracket The top four teams in each division qualified for the playoffs. In the division semifinals, the fourthseededteam in each division played against the division winner from their division. The","their division. The other series matched the second and third place teams from the divisions. The two winning teams from each division's semifinals then met in the division finals. The two division winners of each conference then played in the conference finals. The two conference winners then advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals. In the division semifinals, teams competed in abest-of-fiveseries. In the other three rounds, teams competed in abest-of-sevenseries (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each series). Awards Hart Memorial Trophy voting James Norris Memorial Trophy voting Jack Adams Award voting Vezina Trophy voting All-Star teams Player statistics Scoring leaders Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points Source:NHL. Leading goaltenders Note: GP = Games played; W = Won; L = Lost; T = Tied; GA = Goals allowed;GAA= Goals against average; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage Coaches Patrick Division Adams Division Norris Division Smythe Division Milestones","Division Milestones Debuts The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1984–85 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs): Last games The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1984–85 (listed with their last team): Note: Goring and Park were the last two players to have played in the NHL in the 1960s. Broadcasting This was the first season in more than a decade thatCBCwas not the lone Canadian national broadcaster. WhileMolsoncontinued to presentHockey Night in Canadaon Saturday nights, rival breweryCarling O'Keefebegan airing Friday night games onCTV. The two networks also split the playoffs and finals.CTV had previously airedHNIC-produced telecasts in the 1960s. This was the third and final season of the league's U.S. national broadcast rights deal withUSA, covering a slate of regular season games and selected playoff games.ESPNthen signed a three-year agreement with the league after bidding about twice as","about twice as much as USA had been paying.USA would not televise the NHL again until after the network was acquired byNBCUniversalin the early 2000s, airing selected playoff games as part ofNBC Sports' overall NHL coverage between 2015 and 2021. See also References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Cam Plante Cam Plante(born March 12, 1964) is a Canadian former professionalice hockeydefenceman. He was drafted in the seventh round, 128th overall, by theToronto Maple Leafsin the1983 NHL Entry Draft. He played two games in theNational Hockey Leaguewith the Maple Leafs in the1984–85 season. Plante holds theWestern Hockey Leaguerecord for points in a season by a defenceman. He scored 140 points as a member of theBrandon Wheat Kingsin the1983–84 WHL season. During 72 games that season he scored 22 goals and had 118 assists. He finished his playing career with theWichita Thunderof the CHL, having returned to North America following four seasons on the United Kingdom. Most of that time was spent with thePeterborough Pirates, but also encompassed short spells with theChelmsford ChieftainsandHumberside Hawks. He is the father of formerFlorida PanthersprospectTyler Planteand formerEdmonton OilersprospectAlex Plante. Career statistics Regular season and playoffs Awards References External links This biographical\",\n \"This biographical article relating to a Canadian ice hockey defenceman born in the 1960s is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.\",\n \"1984–85 NHL season The1984–85 NHL seasonwas the68th seasonof theNational Hockey League. TheEdmonton Oilerswon their second straightStanley Cupby beating thePhiladelphia Flyersfour games to one in the final series. League business Entry draft The1984 NHL Entry Draftwas held on June 9, at theMontreal ForuminMontreal,Quebec.Mario Lemieuxwas selected first overall by thePittsburgh Penguins. Ice officials begin wearing helmets RefereeAndy Van Hellemondbecomes the first on ice official in league history to wear a helmet. Soon, several officials would follow his lead and wear helmets before it became mandatory for all officials for the2006–07 season. Teams Regular season The Philadelphia Flyers had the best record in the NHL, four points ahead of second place Edmonton Oilers. Flyers goaltenderPelle Lindberghwent on to become the first European to win theVezina Trophy. Oilers' starWayne Gretzkyonce again won theArt Ross Trophyby reaching the 200 plateau for the third time in four years. He also set a new record for\",\n \"a new record for assists in a season with 135 and won his sixth straightHart Memorial Trophy.Mario Lemieuxmade his NHL debut by scoring 100 points and winning theCalder Trophyfor rookie of the year. On October 26, 1984,Paul Coffeyof the Edmonton Oilers would be the last defenceman in the 20th century to score four goals in one game. It occurred in a game versus the Detroit Red Wings. The last two players active in the 1960s,Butch GoringandBrad Park, retired after the playoffs. Goring was the last active, playing his last playoff game three days after Park's last game. Final standings Note:W = Wins, L = Losses, T = Ties, GF= Goals For, GA = Goals Against, Pts = Points, PIM = Penalties in minutes. Teams qualifying for the playoffs shown in bold. Prince of Wales Conference Clarence Campbell Conference Playoffs Bracket The top four teams in each division qualified for the playoffs. In the division semifinals, the fourthseededteam in each division played against the division winner from their division. The\",\n \"their division. The other series matched the second and third place teams from the divisions. The two winning teams from each division's semifinals then met in the division finals. The two division winners of each conference then played in the conference finals. The two conference winners then advanced to the Stanley Cup Finals. In the division semifinals, teams competed in abest-of-fiveseries. In the other three rounds, teams competed in abest-of-sevenseries (scores in the bracket indicate the number of games won in each series). Awards Hart Memorial Trophy voting James Norris Memorial Trophy voting Jack Adams Award voting Vezina Trophy voting All-Star teams Player statistics Scoring leaders Note: GP = Games played; G = Goals; A = Assists; Pts = Points Source:NHL. Leading goaltenders Note: GP = Games played; W = Won; L = Lost; T = Tied; GA = Goals allowed;GAA= Goals against average; SO = Shutouts; SV% = Save percentage Coaches Patrick Division Adams Division Norris Division Smythe Division Milestones\",\n \"Division Milestones Debuts The following is a list of players of note who played their first NHL game in 1984–85 (listed with their first team, asterisk(*) marks debut in playoffs): Last games The following is a list of players of note that played their last game in the NHL in 1984–85 (listed with their last team): Note: Goring and Park were the last two players to have played in the NHL in the 1960s. Broadcasting This was the first season in more than a decade thatCBCwas not the lone Canadian national broadcaster. WhileMolsoncontinued to presentHockey Night in Canadaon Saturday nights, rival breweryCarling O'Keefebegan airing Friday night games onCTV. The two networks also split the playoffs and finals.CTV had previously airedHNIC-produced telecasts in the 1960s. This was the third and final season of the league's U.S. national broadcast rights deal withUSA, covering a slate of regular season games and selected playoff games.ESPNthen signed a three-year agreement with the league after bidding about twice as\",\n \"about twice as much as USA had been paying.USA would not televise the NHL again until after the network was acquired byNBCUniversalin the early 2000s, airing selected playoff games as part ofNBC Sports' overall NHL coverage between 2015 and 2021. See also References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":298,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"Emory Kristof, the photographer who helped find the Titanic's wreckage, shares an alma mater with a co-creator of Seinfeld. How many years separate their births?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"5 years"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emory_Kristof"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Maryland,_College_Park#Notable_alumni"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_David"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Post processing | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emory_Kristof', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Maryland,_College_Park#Notable_alumni', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_David']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emory_Kristof","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Maryland,_College_Park#Notable_alumni","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_David"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emory_Kristof\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Maryland,_College_Park#Notable_alumni\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_David\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Emory Kristof Emory Kristof(November 19, 1942 – February 6, 2023) was an American photographer. He was on the expedition that discovered theTitanic.His work has been published inNational Geographic Magazineand elsewhere. Life and career Kristof was born inLaurel, Maryland, on November 19, 1942. Kristof participated in multiple undersea expeditions with Canadian explorersJoseph MacInnisandPhil Nuytten, including the exploration of theBreadalbane, the world's northernmost known shipwreck, and the 1995 expedition to recover the bell from the wreck of theSSEdmund Fitzgerald.Kristof also accompanied MacInnis and Russian explorerAnatoly Sagalevichon a descent 16,400 feet intoKings Troughin the eastern North Atlantic aboard the submersibleMir 1, and on the expedition which made theIMAXfilmTitanica. Kristof served as Supervising Producer of 2003IMAXdocumentary,Volcanoes of the Deep Sea, about the ecosystems surroundinghydrothermal vents. Kristof diedNorthfield, Massachusetts, on February 6, 2023, at the age of 80. Awards References External links This article about an American photographer is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.","University of Maryland, College Park TheUniversity of Maryland, College Park(University of Maryland,UMD, or simplyMaryland) is apublicland-grantresearch universityinCollege Park, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1856, UMD is theflagship institutionof theUniversity System of Maryland. UMD is the largest university in both the state and theWashington metropolitan area. Its 12 schools and colleges offer over 200 degree-granting programs, including 113 undergraduate majors, 107master'sprograms, and 83doctoral programs. UMD is a member of theAssociation of American Universitiesand competes in intercollegiate athletics as a member of theBig Ten Conference. The University of Maryland's proximity to Washington, D.C. has resulted in many research partnerships with thefederal government;faculty receive research funding and institutional support from many agencies, such as theNational Institutes of Health,NASA, theNational Institute of Standards and Technology, theFood and Drug Administration, theNational Security Agency, and theDepartment of Homeland Security.It isclassifiedamong \"R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity\"and has been labeled a \"Public Ivy\".According to theNational Science Foundation, the university spent a combined $1.14 billion on research and development in 2021, ranking it 17th among American universities. History Early history On March 6, 1856, the forerunner of today's University of Maryland was chartered as theMaryland Agricultural College.Two years later,Charles Benedict Calvert(1808–1864), a futureU.S. Representative(Congressman) and descendant of the firstLord Baltimore, purchased 420 acres (1.7 km2) of theRiversdale Mansionestate nearby today'sCollege Park, Maryland.Later that year, Calvert founded the school and was the acting president from 1859 to 1860.On October 5, 1859, the first 34 students entered the Maryland Agricultural College.The school became aland grant collegein February 1864. Civil War During theCivil War,Confederatesoldiers under Brigadier GeneralBradley Tyler Johnsonmoved past the college on July 12, 1864, as part of Jubal Early's raid onWashington, D.C.By the end of the war, financial problems forced the administrators to sell off 200 acres (81 ha) of land, and the continuing decline in enrollment sent the Maryland Agricultural College into bankruptcy. The campus was used as a boys' preparatory school for the next two years. The Maryland legislature assumed half ownership of the school in 1866. The college thus became, in part, a state institution. By October 1867, the school reopened with 11 students. In 1868, the former Confederate admiralFranklin Buchananwas appointed president of the school. Enrollment grew to 80 at the time of his resignation, and the school soon paid off its debt. In 1873,Samuel Jones, a former Confederate Major General, became president of the college. Twenty years later, the federally-funded Agricultural Experiment Station was established there. During this same period, state laws granted the college regulatory powers in several areas—including controlling farm disease, inspecting feed, establishing a state weather bureau and geological survey, and housing the forestry board.Morrill Hall(the oldest instructional building still in use on campus) was built the following year. Great Fire of 1912 On November 29, 1912, a fire destroyed student housing, school records, and most of the academic buildings, leaving onlyMorrill Halluntouched. There were no injuries or fatalities, and all but two students returned to the university and insisted on classes continuing.A new administration building was not built until the 1940s. 20th century The state took control of the school in 1916 and renamed itMaryland State College. That year, the first female students enrolled at the school. On April 9, 1920, the college became part of the existingUniversity of Maryland, replacingSt. John's College, Annapolisas the university's undergraduate campus.In the same year, the graduate school on the College Park campus awarded its first Ph.D. degrees and the university's enrollment reached 500 students. In 1925 the university was accredited by theAssociation of American Universities. By the time the first black students enrolled at the university in 1951, enrollment had grown to nearly 10,000 students—4,000 of whom were women. Before 1951, many black students in Maryland were enrolled at theUniversity of Maryland, Eastern Shore. In 1957, PresidentWilson H. Elkinspushed to increase the university's academic standards. His efforts resulted in creating one of the first Academic Probation Plans. The first year the plan went into effect, 1,550 students (18% of the total student body) faced expulsion. On October 19, 1957,Queen Elizabeth IIof the United Kingdom attended her first and only college football game at the University of Maryland after expressing interest in seeing a typically American sport during her first tour of the United States. TheMaryland Terrapinsbeat theNorth Carolina Tar Heels21 to 7 in the historical game now referred to as \"The Queen's Game\". Phi Beta Kappaestablished a chapter at The University of Maryland in 1964. In 1969, the university was elected to theAssociation of American Universities. The school continued to grow, and by the fall of 1985 reached an enrollment of 38,679.Like many colleges during theVietnam War, the university was the site of student protests and had curfews enforced by theNational Guard. In a massive restructuring of the state's higher education system in 1988, the school was designated as the flagship campus of the newly formedUniversity of Maryland System(later changed to the University System of Maryland in 1997). It was formally named the University of Maryland, College Park. All five campuses in the former network were designated distinct campuses in the new system. However, in 1997 theMaryland General Assemblypassed legislation allowing the University of Maryland, College Park, to be known simply as the University of Maryland, recognizing the campus' role as the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland. In 1994, theNational Archives at College Parkcompleted construction and opened on a parcel of land adjoining the campus donated by the University of Maryland, after lobbying by PresidentWilliam Kirwanand congressional leaders to foster academic collaboration between the institutions. 21st century In 2004, the university began constructing the 150-acre (61 ha) \"M Square Research Park\", which includes facilities affiliated with theU.S. Department of Defense,Food and Drug Administration, and the new National Center for Weather and Climate Prediction, affiliated with TheNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA).In May 2010, ground was broken on a new Physical Science Complex, including an advanced quantum science laboratory. The university suffered multipledata breachesin 2014. The first resulted in the compromise of over 300,000 student and faculty records.A second data breach occurred several months later.The second breach was investigated by the FBI and Secret Service and found to be done by David Helkowski.Despite the attribution, no charges were filed. As a result of the data breaches, the university offered free credit protection for five years to the students and faculty affected. In 2017, the university received a record-breaking donation of $219.5 million from theA. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, ranking among the country's largest philanthropic gifts to a public university.Darryll J. Pinesbecame the 34th president of the university in 2020. Pines was a professor of Aerospace Engineering at the university before becoming president. In 2021, the university announced it had raised $1.5 billion in donations since 2018. In April of 2024, UMD students joined othercampuses across the United States in protestsagainst theIsrael–Hamas war. Students called attention to thegenocide in Palestineand for the university todivest from companiesthat support the Hamas-Israel war.Activism continued in next academic year with the placement of small flags in the lawn on McKeldin Mall, representing the more than 150,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza. Campus The center of the university's 1,250 acres (5.1 km2) is McKeldin Mall, which is the largest academic mall in the United States.The Mall is bordered on the east and west byMcKeldin Libraryand the Thomas V. Miller, Jr. Administration Building, respectively. Academic buildings surround McKeldin Mall on the north and south ends. They are the homes to many departments in theCollege of Behavioral and Social Sciences, College of Arts and Humanities, and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. West of McKeldin Mall is the North Hill Community, and south of McKeldin Mall liesMorrill Halland the Morrill Quad, which was the original center of campus. South of the Morrill Quad are the South Hill and South Campus Commons Communities, and the Southwest Mall and theRobert H. Smith School of Businessto the southwest. Running parallel to McKeldin Mall to the north is Campus Drive, the main thoroughfare through campus. Another thoroughfare, Regents Drive, runs perpendicular to the Mall and is home to theMemorial Chapeland the Campus Farms. Regents Drive crosses Campus Drive at the campus hallmark,\"M\" Circle, which is a traffic circle with a large \"M\" formed by flowers in its center.The northeast quadrant of campus, formed by Campus and Regent Drives, is home to many ofnatural sciencesandapplied sciencesdepartments.The Rossborough Inn, which, was built during the years 1798 to 1812, is the oldest building on campus (and is older than the university itself).There are five regularly used entrances to campus; the main entrance, off of Baltimore Avenue and onto Campus Drive, is referred to as North Gate and features the Gatehouse, an ornate gateway honoring the university's founders.The 140-acre (57 ha), 18-holeUniversity of Maryland Golf Coursesits at the northern edge of campus, as doesthe Observatory. The campus contains 7,500 documented trees and garden plantings, leading theAmerican Public Gardens Associationto designate the campus theUniversity of Maryland Arboretum & Botanical Gardenin 2008.There are also nearly 400 acres (1.6 km2) ofurban foreston campusand theArbor Day Foundationhas named the university to its 'Tree Campus USA' list.The recreational Paint Branch Trail, part of theAnacostia Tributary Trailssystem, cuts through campus, as does thePaint Branchstream, a tributary of theNortheast Branch Anacostia River.The university's firstLeed Goldbuilding, Knight Hall, opened in April 2010 as the new home for thePhilip Merrill College of Journalism.In 2021, President Pines pledged that the University of Maryland would achievecarbon neutralitybyEarth Day2025. Academics As of 2023, The University of Maryland ranked #46 in National Universities and #19 in Top Public Schools in the United States.The University of Maryland offers 127 undergraduate degrees and 112 graduate degrees in thirteen colleges and schools: Undergraduate admissions Admission to Maryland is rated \"most selective\" byU.S. News & World Report.For the Class of 2026 (enrolled fall 2022), Maryland received 56,766 applications and accepted 19,451 (34.3%). Of those accepted, 4,742 enrolled, ayield rate(the percentage of accepted students who choose to attend the university) of 24.4%.Maryland's freshmanretention rateis 95.5%, with 88.3% going on to graduate within six years. Of the 34% of the incoming freshman class who submittedSATscores; the middle 50 percent Composite scores were 1340–1490.Of the 9% of enrolled freshmen in 2021 who submittedACTscores; the middle 50 percent Composite score was between 30 and 34. The University of Maryland, College Park is a college sponsor of the National Merit Scholarship Program and sponsored 58 Merit Scholarship awards in 2020. In the 2020–2021 academic year, 69 freshman students wereNational Merit Scholars. In 2020, the university announced it was joining theCommon App. Beginning with the 2017-18 admissions cycle, the University of Maryland uses the application provided by The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success. Rankings The university is tied for 46th in the 2024U.S. News & World Reportrankings of \"National Universities\" across the United States, and it is ranked tied for 19th nationally among public universities.TheAcademic Ranking of World Universitiesranked Maryland as 43rd in the world in 2015. The 2017–2018Times Higher Education World University Rankingsplaced Maryland 69th worldwide. The 2016/17QS World University Rankingsranked Maryland 131st worldwide. The university was ranked amongPeace Corps' 25 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges for the tenth consecutive year in 2020.The University of Maryland is ranked amongTeach for America's Top 20 Colleges and Universities, contributing the greatest number of graduating seniors to its 2017 teaching corps. For the fourth consecutive year in 2015, the university was ranked 1st in the U.S. for the number ofBoren Scholarshiprecipients – with nine students receiving awards for intensive international language study.The university is ranked as a Top Producing Institution ofFulbrightU.S. Students and Scholars for the 2017–2018 academic year by theUnited States Department of State'sBureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In 2017, the University of Maryland was ranked among the top 50 universities in the 2018Best Global Universities RankingsbyU.S. News & World Reportbased on its high academic research performance and global reputation. In 2021, the university was ranked among the top 10 universities inThe Princeton Review's annual survey of the Top Schools for Innovation & Entrepreneurship; this was the sixth consecutive such ranking. Faculty The university's faculty has included fourNobel Prizelaureates. The earliest recipient (1956), wasJuan Ramón Jiménez, a Spanish language and literature professor. Four decades later, physics professorWilliam Daniel Phillipswon a prize in physics for his contributions tolaser cooling. In 2005,Thomas Schellingwas awarded the prize in economics for his contributions togame theory. In 2006,John C. Matherwas awarded the prize in physics alongsideGeorge Smootfor their work in the discovery of blackbody form andanisotropyof thecosmic microwave background radiation. In addition, two University of Maryland alumni are Nobel Prize laureates;Herbert Hauptmanwon the 1985 prize in chemistry, andRaymond Davis Jr.won the 2002 prize in physics. The university has many notable academics. Professor of mathematics,Sergei Novikovwon theFields Medalin 1970, followed by alumnusCharles Feffermanin 1978. AlumnusGeorge Dantzigwon the 1975National Medal of Sciencefor his work in the field of linear programming. Professor of physicsMichael Fisherwon theWolf Prizein 1980 (together withKenneth G. WilsonandLeo Kadanoff) and theIUPAPBoltzmann Medalin 1983.James A. Yorke, a distinguished university professor of mathematics and physics and chair of the mathematics department, won the 2003Japan Prizefor his work inchaotic systems. In 2013, professor of physicsSylvester James Gateswas awarded theNational Medal of Science. Research UMD isclassifiedamong \"R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity\".In FY 2020, the university spent about 1.103 billion dollars in total R&D expenditures, ranking it 16th in the nation. On October 14, 2004, the university added 150 acres (61 ha) in an attempt to create the largest research park inside the Washington, D.C.Capital Beltway, formerly known as \"M Square\" and now known as the \"Discovery District.\" Many of the faculty members have funding from federal agencies such as theNational Science Foundation, theNational Institutes of Health,NASA,theDepartment of Homeland Security,theNational Institute of Standards and Technology, and theNational Security Agency. TheSpace Systems Laboratoryresearches human-robotic interaction forastronauticsapplications and includes the onlyneutral buoyancyfacility at a university. TheJoint Global Change Research Institutewas formed in 2001 by the University of Maryland and thePacific Northwest National Laboratory. The institute focuses on multidisciplinary approaches to climate change research. TheNational Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism(START) launched in 2005 as one of theCenters of Excellencesupported by theDepartment of Homeland Securityin the United States. START is focused on the scientific study of the causes and consequences of terrorism in the United States and worldwide. Living-learning programs The university hosts \"living-learning\" programs (LLPs) that allow students with similar academic interests to live in the same residential community take specialized courses and perform research in those areas of expertise. These include CIVICUS, focused on politics and community service;HinmanCEOs, an entrepreneurship program;and the Language House, where students learning a shared target language live together.Several LLPs exist under the university's Honors College, with focuses in topics including cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and life sciences.College Park Scholars is another LLP umbrella that includes programs in the arts, public health, and legal thought, among other things. Student life Residential life There are two main residential areas on campus, North Campus and South Campus, further divided into seven residential communities. North Campus is made up of Cambridge Community (which consists of five residence halls and houses the College Park Scholars program), Denton Community (which consists of four halls), and Ellicott Community (consisting of three halls). The Heritage community, completed in 2022, features two residence halls and a dining hall. South Campus includes the North Hill Community, made up of nineGeorgian-stylehalls and Prince Frederick Hall (which opened in 2014) immediately west ofMcKeldin Mall; South Hill Community, made up of fourteen small residence halls for upper-level students; Leonardtown Community, which offers apartment-style housing; the South Campus Commons Community, which consists of seven apartment-style buildings (the seventh and most recent building being opened in January 2010); and the Courtyards, a garden-style apartment community in north campus consisting of seven buildings. Dining There are three dining halls on campus. In addition,a food court in the Stamp Student Unionprovides manyfast fooddining options for the university community.The dining hall 251 lies in the Denton Community on the northern part of campus.The second northern dining hall, the university's newest dining facility, Yahentamitsi Dining Hall, is the first building on campus named in honor of Indigenous people. The word “Yahentamitsi” means A Place to Go to Eat in the native Algonquian language.The third and final dining hall, South Campus Dining Hall, can be found just south of Mckeldin Library.https://dining.umd.edu/hours-locations/dining-halls Transportation The university is accessible throughthe three airportsin the greaterWashington metropolitan area:Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport,Washington Dulles International Airport, andBaltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.A small public airport in College Park,College Park Airport, lies nearly adjacent to campus, but operations are limited. This airport is the world's oldest continually operating airportand the site of many significant aviation firsts. A free shuttle service, known asShuttle–UM, is available for UMD students, faculty, staff, and some residents of College Park and Greenbelt.The university is served by an off-campus stop on theWashington Metro'sGreenLinecalledCollege Park – University of Maryland. Other trains and busses stop there. In 2011, the university signed on to the state'sPurple Lineprogram.The Purple Line route will have five stops on and around the university's campus: M Square, the College Park Metro station, the main entrance to the campus on Route 1, near Stamp Student Union on Campus Drive, and on the other edge of campus on Adelphi Road, along with a parallel running bike path. The Diamondback The Diamondbackis an independentstudent newspaper. It was founded in 1910 asThe Triangleand renamed in 1921 in honor of a local reptile, theDiamondback terrapin, which became the school mascot in 1933. The newspaper is published daily during the spring and fall semesters, with a print circulation of 17,000 and annual advertising revenues of over $1 million.Notable journalists who have been with the paper includeDavid SimonofHBO'sThe WireandNBC'sHomicide: Life on the Street, and cartoonistsJeff Kinney, who created theDiary of a Wimpy Kidfiction series and whoseIgdoofstrip appeared inThe Diamondback;Aaron McGruder, who first published his cartoonThe BoondocksinThe Diamondback; andFrank Cho, who began his career with the popularUniversity SquaredforThe Diamondback. Other student activities WMUC-FM(90.5 FM) is the university's non-commercial radio station, staffed by UMD students and volunteers. WMUC is afreeformandsports broadcastingstation broadcast at 10 watts. Its broadcasts can be heard throughout theWashington metropolitan area. Notable WMUC alumni includeConnie Chung,Bonnie Bernstein,Peter Rosenbergand Aaron McGruder. Approximately 16% of men and women in Maryland's undergraduate student body were involved infraternities and sororitiesin 2017. Athletics The university sponsors varsity athletic teams in 20 men's and women's sports. The teams, named the \"Terrapins\", represent Maryland inNational Collegiate Athletic AssociationDivision Icompetition. Maryland became a founding member of theAtlantic Coast Conferencein 1952 but left to join theBig Ten Conferenceon July 1, 2014. As of 2017, Maryland's athletic teams have been awarded 44 national championships by the NCAA,USILA,AIAW, andNCA.In 2008 and 2010,The Princeton Reviewnamed the University of Maryland's athletic facilities the best in the nation.The Terrapins nickname (often shortened to \"Terps\") was coined by former university president, football coach, and athletic directorH. C. \"Curly\" Byrdin 1932.The mascot is adiamondback terrapinnamedTestudo, which isLatinfor \"tortoise\".Since the early 20th century, the school athletic colors have been some combination of those on theMaryland state flag: red, white, black, and gold.Maryland is the only NCAA Division I school to have four official school colors. Basketball and football Men's basketballis the most popular sport at the university.Long-time head coachLefty Driesellbegan the now nationwide tradition of \"Midnight Madness\" in 1971.Beginning in 1989, alumnusGary Williamsrevived the program, which was struggling in the wake ofLen Bias's death and NCAA rules infractions. Williams led Maryland basketball to national prominence with twoFinal Fourappearances, and in 2002, anational championship. On February 7, 2006, Williams won his 349th game to surpass Driesell and became Maryland's all-time leader among basketball coaches.Mark Turgeonbecame head coach in 2011. Maryland footballis also popular at the university. Lacrosse Maryland men's lacrosseremains one of the sport's top programs since its beginnings as a squad in 1865.The team most recently won the national championship in2022, completing an undefeated season, the first since Virginia in 2006, and the first to go undefeated across 18 games. The team has won tenUSILAand NCAA national championships since its promotion to varsity status in 1924 and is a regular fixture in theNCAA tournament.TheMaryland women's lacrosseteam has won 15 national championships, the most of any program in the nation.The team has produced the National Player of the Year/Tewaaraton Awardwinner eight times, more than any other collegiate program.The Terrapins have also made the most NCAA tournament appearances, won the most tournament games, and made the most NCAA championship game appearances of any program.They most recently won the NCAA championship in 2019. Soccer Themen's soccer teamhas won fourNCAA Division I College Cupnational championships, most recently in 2018.Under the guidance of head coachSasho Cirovski, the soccer team has reached nine Final Fours and won three College Cups since 1997. The soccer team has developed a large, devoted fan base among students and the local community. The attendance record at Ludwig Field was set in 2015 when 8,449 fans saw Maryland win over top-ranked UCLA in extra time.The annual total attendance increased dramatically from 12,710 in 1995 to 35,631 in 2008. Field hockey TheMaryland field hockeyteam has won a total of eightNCAA national championshipsand 13 conference championships (10 in the ACC and 5 in the Big Ten). Marching band TheMighty Sound of Marylandmarching band attends all home football games and provides pre-game performances.During basketball season, the marching band provides music in the stands. Notable alumni Notable alumni includeHouse Democratic WhipSteny Hoyer;Googleco-founderSergey Brin;The MuppetscreatorJim Henson;The WirecreatorDavid Simon;former NFL QuarterbackNorman \"Boomer\" Esiason;CBShostGayle King; journalistConnie Chung; andSeinfeldco-creator andCurb Your EnthusiasmcreatorLarry David.Prominent alumni in business includeEd Snider, former chairman ofComcast Spectacorand former owner of thePhiladelphia Flyers; journalistJim Walton, former president and CEO ofCNN;Kevin Plank, founder and executive chairman of the athletic apparel companyUnder Armour;Chris Kubasik, former president ofLockheed Martin; andCarly Fiorina, former CEO ofHewlett-Packard. JournalistCarl Bernstein, who won thePulitzer Prize for Public Servicefor his coverage of theWatergate scandal, attended the university but did not graduate. Attendees within the fields of science and mathematics are Nobel laureatesRaymond Davis Jr., 2002 winner in Physics;Herbert Hauptman, 1985 winner in Chemistry, andFields MedalwinnerCharles Fefferman. Other alumni includeGeorge Dantzig, considered the father of linear programming; lateNASAastronautJudith Resnik, who died in the destruction of theSpace Shuttle Challengerduring the launch of missionSTS-51-L; andNASAAdministratorMichael D. Griffin. Several donors have distinguished themselves for their sizable gifts to the university. BusinessmanRobert H. Smith, who graduated from the university in 1950 with a degree in accounting, gave over $45 million to the business school that now bears his name and to the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, which bears his wife's name.Construction entrepreneurA. James Clark, who graduated with an engineering degree in 1950, donated over $45 million to the college of engineering, which also bears his name.Another engineering donor,Jeong H. Kim, earned his Ph.D. from the university in 1991 and gave $5 million for the construction of a state-of-the-art engineering building.Philip Merrill, a media figure, donated $10 million to the College of Journalism.Robert E. Fischell, physicist, inventor, and holder of more than 200 U.S. and foreign medical patentsdonated $30 million to theA. James Clark School of Engineering,establishing the Fischell Department of Bioengineering.Brendan Iribe, a co-founder ofOculus VR, donated $31 million to the university in 2014 towardsa new computer science buildingand scholarships. See also Explanatory notes References External links","Larry David Lawrence Gene David(born July 2, 1947) is an American comedian, writer, actor, and television producer.He andJerry Seinfeldcreated theNBCtelevisionsitcomSeinfeld, of which David was head writer and executive producer for the first seven seasons. He gained further recognition for creating and writing theHBOseriesCurb Your Enthusiasm,in which he also stars as a fictionalized version of himself.David's work onSeinfeldwon him twoPrimetime Emmy Awardsin 1993, forOutstanding Comedy SeriesandOutstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Comedy Series;he was nominated 17 other times. Formerly a stand-up comedian, David went intotelevision comedy, writing and starring inABC'sFridays, and writing briefly forSaturday Night Live. He has been nominated for 27Primetime Emmy Awardsand threeGolden Globe Awards. Fellow comedians and comedy insiders voted him the 23rd-greatest comedy star ever in a 2004 British poll to select \"The Comedian's Comedian\",and he received theWriters Guild of America's Laurel Awardin 2010.He made hisBroadwaydebut writing and starring in the comedic playFish in the Dark(2015). Since 2015 he has made recurring guest appearances onSaturday Night Live, where he impersonates 2016 and 2020U.S. presidential candidateBernie Sanders, who is his sixth cousin once removed. Early life and education David was born on July 2, 1947, in theSheepshead Bayneighborhood ofBrooklyn,New York City. His parents are Rose (née Regina Brandes) and Mortimer Julius \"Morty\" David, a men's clothing manufacturer, and he has an older brother, Ken.David's family isJewish. HisAmerican Jewishfather's familymoved from Germanyto the U.S. during the 19th century, while David's mother was born into aPolish-Jewishfamily inTernopil, now inUkraine, and her mother's family name was Superfein. David graduated fromSheepshead Bay High School, now defunct and operating as Frank J. Macchiarola Educational Complex, in 1965. A sign with his photo is displayed in one of the complex's hallways. He then attended theUniversity of Maryland, College Park, where he was a brother inTau Epsilon Phi.He graduated in 1970 with aBachelor of Artsinhistory.At college, he discovered that he could make people laugh simply by being himself.After college, Davidenlistedin theUnited States Army Reserveand received training as a petroleum storage specialist.To avoid the final year of his six-year enlistment, he paid a psychiatrist to write a letter declaring him unfit for duty. Career 1980–1987: Stand-up andSNL While a stand-up comedian, David also worked as a store clerk, limousine driver, and historian. He lived inManhattan Plaza, a federally subsidized housing complex inManhattan'sHell's Kitchenneighborhood, across the hall fromKenny Kramer, the inspiration for theCosmo Kramercharacter inSeinfeld.From 1980 to 1982, David became a writer and cast member forABC'sFridays, where he worked withMichael Richards, who later played Kramer onSeinfeld. From 1984 to 1985, David was a writer forNBC'sSaturday Night Live(SNL) and metJulia Louis-Dreyfus, who also worked on the show in this period.During his time atSNL, he was able to get only one sketch on the air, which aired at 12:50 am, the show's last time slot.David quit his job atSNLin the first season, only to show up to work two days later acting as though nothing had happened. That event inspired the second-seasonSeinfeldepisode \"The Revenge\".He can be heard hecklingMichael McKeanwhen McKean hostedSNLin 1984, and can be seen in the sketch \"The Run, Throw, and Catch Like a Girl Olympics\" whenHoward Cosellhosted the season finale in 1985.In 1987, David was a writer and performer forWay Off Broadway, a variety talk show onLifetimehosted byJoy Behar. 1989–1998: Breakthrough withSeinfeld In 1989, David teamed up with comedianJerry Seinfeldto create a pilot for NBC calledThe Seinfeld Chronicles, which became the basis forSeinfeld, one of the most successful shows in history,reaching the top ofTV Guide'slist of the 50 greatest TV shows of all time.Entertainment Weeklyranked it the third-best TV show of all time. David made occasional uncredited appearances on the show, playing such roles as Frank Costanza's cape-wearing lawyer and the voice ofGeorge Steinbrenner. He was also the primary inspiration for the show's characterGeorge Costanza.David leftSeinfeldon friendly terms after the show's seventh season and returned two years later to write the series finale in 1998.He also continued to voice Steinbrenner. David wrote 62Seinfeldepisodes, including 1992's \"The Contest\", for which he won aPrimetime Emmy Awardand whichTV Guideranked as episodeNo.1 on its list of \"TV'sTop 100 Episodes of All Time\".He has also been involved in other films and television series. David wrote and directed the 1998 filmSour Grapes, about two cousins who feud over acasinojackpot. It was neither a commercial nor a critical success.He has also appeared in bit roles inWoody Allen'sRadio Days(1987) andNew York Stories(1989). 1999–2024:Curb Your Enthusiasmand acclaim TheHBOcable television channel aired David's one-hour special,Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm, on October 17, 1999.This was followed byCurb Your Enthusiasm, an HBO television series whose first episode aired on October 15, 2000.The show revisits many of the themes ofSeinfeldand is improvised from a story outline only several pages long written by David (and, from the fifth season onward, additional writers). The actors improvise their dialogue based on the outline, direction, and their creativity. David has said that his character in the show, a fictionalized version of himself, is what he would be like in real life if he lacked social awareness and sensitivity.The character's numerous and frequent social faux pas, misunderstandings, and ironic coincidences are the basis of much of the show's comedy and have led to the entry into the American pop culture lexicon of the expression \"Larry David moment\", meaning an inadvertently created socially awkward situation.Curb Your Enthusiasmhas been described as depicting \"the things nobody wants to say, but wish they could\". The show is based on David's life following the fortune he earned fromSeinfeld; semi-retired, he strives to live a fulfilled life.Alongside David is his wife Cheryl (Cheryl Hines), his manager and best friend Jeff (Jeff Garlin), and Jeff's wife Susie (Susie Essman). Celebrities, including comediansRichard Lewis,Wanda Sykes, andBob Einstein, appeared on the show regularly. ActorsTed DansonandMary Steenburgenhave had recurring roles as themselves. The show is critically acclaimed and has been nominated for 30 Primetime Emmy Awards, with one win, as well as a Golden Globe win. In the first six seasons,Julia Louis-DreyfusandJason Alexanderappear in several episodes, andJerry Seinfeldhas a cameo. In season 7, the cast ofSeinfeld, includingMichael Richards, return in a story arc involving David's attempt to organize aSeinfeldreunion special. On June 2, 2010, the series premiered on theTV Guide Network, its network television debut.TV Guide Networkalso produced a series of related discussions with high-profile guest stars, media pundits, and prominent social figures called \"Curb: The Discussion\" debating the moral implications of each episode. David is quoted as saying \"Finally, thanks to the TV Guide Network, I'll get a chance to watch actual, intelligent people discuss and debate the issues addressed on 'Curb'. Now if only someone could tell me where this alleged 'Network' is, I might even watch it.\"The show's 12th and final season premiered in January 2024. David played the leading role inWoody Allen's 2009 comedy filmWhatever WorksalongsideEvan Rachel Wood.He had a cameo appearance on theHBOseriesEntourageas a client ofAri Gold, and because his daughters wereHannah Montanafans, David and his daughters guest-starred as themselves in the episode \"My Best Friend's Boyfriend\", in which they wait for a table at a fancy restaurant.David appeared as a panelist on theNBCseriesThe Marriage Refand also played Sister Mary-Mengele in the 2012 reboot ofThe Three Stooges.He co-wrote and starred in the 2013HBOtelevision filmClear History. David wrote and starred in the Broadway playFish in the Dark. Also appearing wereRita Wilson,Jayne Houdyshell, andRosie Perez. The play centers on the death of a family patriarch. It opened on March 5, 2015.Jason Alexandertook over David's role in July. The play closed in August.As of February 1, 2015, its advance sale of $13.5 million had broken records for a Broadway show. Bernie Sanders Since 2015, David has made multiple guest appearances portraying 2016 and 2020 United States presidential election candidateBernie SandersonSaturday Night Live; he also hosted the show on February 6, 2016, with musical guestThe 1975and a cameo by Sanders himself, and on November 4, 2017, with musical guestMiley Cyrus. In 2017,PBS'sFinding Your Rootsdiscovered through genealogical research that David and Sanders are distantly related. Sanders told David the news. \"I was very happy about that,\" David said, according toVariety. \"I thought there must have been some connection.\" The comedian explained that Sanders is \"a third cousin or something.\"He is in fact David's sixth cousin once removed. On January 8, 2020, David joked onThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, \"I would say, I would beg him to drop out so I don't have to keep flying in from Los Angeles to doSNL. I thought when he had the heart attack that would be it, I wouldn't have to fly in from Los Angeles. But, you know, he's indestructible. Nothing stops this man!\" He later added, \"If he wins, do you know what that's going to do to my life? Do you have any idea? I mean, it will be great for the country—great for the country, terrible for me.\" Influences David has namedWoody Allen,Mel Brooks,Phil Silvers,Abbott and Costello,Jackie Mason,Alan King,Don Rickles, andMadmagazine as influences. Personal life David lives in thePacific Palisadesneighborhood ofLos Angeles, California. He was married toLaurie Lennardfrom 1993 to 2007.They have two daughters,Cazzie Davidand Romy David.Larry and Laurie became contributing bloggers atThe Huffington Postin 2005.In 2017, David was introduced to producer Ashley Underwood at a birthday party forSacha Baron Cohen. They married in 2020.David's niece is actressJulie Claire, who appears inSeinfeldandCurb Your Enthusiasm. David is an atheistand an avid sports fan. A native New Yorker, he supports theNew York Jets,Yankees,KnicksandRangers.David is also a supporter of theDemocratic Party.In 2010, he wrote an article forThe New York Timescriticizing the extension of theBush tax cutsfor the wealthy. He ended the article with a sarcastic thank-you to then-PresidentBarack Obamafor approving the extension. Wealth In 2013,Charlie Roseestimated David'snet worthat around $500 million.Two years later, two other estimates put the number between $400 millionand $900 million.In 2020,National Reviewoffered an estimate of about $400 million. Most of David's wealth originates fromsyndication dealsofSeinfeldandCurb Your Enthusiasm, the former having netted $3.1 billion in rerun fees as of 2013.The syndication ofSeinfeldearned David an estimated $250 million in 1998 alone.In 2008, David was reported to have grossed $55 million, mostly fromSeinfeldsyndication and work onCurb Your Enthusiasm. David's net worth was parodied in a 2001 episode ofCurb Your Enthusiasm, \"The Shrimp Incident\", in whichHBOexecutive Allan Wasserman yells at David: \"If you want shrimp, take your $475 million, go buy a shrimp boat.\" In a 2015 interview withCBS, David confirmed that half of his wealth was eroded by his 2007 divorce in thecommunity property stateof California.\"I have a lot of money\", he said, adding that the \"figures out there are crazy\". Legal issue David was among several celebrities who appeared in a commercial for cryptocurrency exchangeFTXthat aired duringSuper Bowl LVI.In November 2022,FTX filed for bankruptcy, and David, alongside other spokespeople, was sued in aclass-action lawsuit.In February 2022, theU.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appealsruled in a lawsuit againstBitconnectthat theSecurities Act of 1933extends totargeted solicitationusingsocial media. Filmography Film Television Theater Written works Awards and nominations David has received numerous awards, including twoEmmy Awards, threeProducers Guild of America Awards, and threeWriters Guild of America Awards. He has been nominated for threeGolden Globe Awardsand sixScreen Actors Guild Awards. Fellow comedians and comedy insiders voted David the 23rd-greatest comedy star ever in a poll to selectThe Comedian's Comedian. Notes References Further reading External links"],"string":"[\n \"Emory Kristof Emory Kristof(November 19, 1942 – February 6, 2023) was an American photographer. He was on the expedition that discovered theTitanic.His work has been published inNational Geographic Magazineand elsewhere. Life and career Kristof was born inLaurel, Maryland, on November 19, 1942. Kristof participated in multiple undersea expeditions with Canadian explorersJoseph MacInnisandPhil Nuytten, including the exploration of theBreadalbane, the world's northernmost known shipwreck, and the 1995 expedition to recover the bell from the wreck of theSSEdmund Fitzgerald.Kristof also accompanied MacInnis and Russian explorerAnatoly Sagalevichon a descent 16,400 feet intoKings Troughin the eastern North Atlantic aboard the submersibleMir 1, and on the expedition which made theIMAXfilmTitanica. Kristof served as Supervising Producer of 2003IMAXdocumentary,Volcanoes of the Deep Sea, about the ecosystems surroundinghydrothermal vents. Kristof diedNorthfield, Massachusetts, on February 6, 2023, at the age of 80. Awards References External links This article about an American photographer is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.\",\n \"University of Maryland, College Park TheUniversity of Maryland, College Park(University of Maryland,UMD, or simplyMaryland) is apublicland-grantresearch universityinCollege Park, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1856, UMD is theflagship institutionof theUniversity System of Maryland. UMD is the largest university in both the state and theWashington metropolitan area. Its 12 schools and colleges offer over 200 degree-granting programs, including 113 undergraduate majors, 107master'sprograms, and 83doctoral programs. UMD is a member of theAssociation of American Universitiesand competes in intercollegiate athletics as a member of theBig Ten Conference. The University of Maryland's proximity to Washington, D.C. has resulted in many research partnerships with thefederal government;faculty receive research funding and institutional support from many agencies, such as theNational Institutes of Health,NASA, theNational Institute of Standards and Technology, theFood and Drug Administration, theNational Security Agency, and theDepartment of Homeland Security.It isclassifiedamong \\\"R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity\\\"and has been labeled a \\\"Public Ivy\\\".According to theNational Science Foundation, the university spent a combined $1.14 billion on research and development in 2021, ranking it 17th among American universities. History Early history On March 6, 1856, the forerunner of today's University of Maryland was chartered as theMaryland Agricultural College.Two years later,Charles Benedict Calvert(1808–1864), a futureU.S. Representative(Congressman) and descendant of the firstLord Baltimore, purchased 420 acres (1.7 km2) of theRiversdale Mansionestate nearby today'sCollege Park, Maryland.Later that year, Calvert founded the school and was the acting president from 1859 to 1860.On October 5, 1859, the first 34 students entered the Maryland Agricultural College.The school became aland grant collegein February 1864. Civil War During theCivil War,Confederatesoldiers under Brigadier GeneralBradley Tyler Johnsonmoved past the college on July 12, 1864, as part of Jubal Early's raid onWashington, D.C.By the end of the war, financial problems forced the administrators to sell off 200 acres (81 ha) of land, and the continuing decline in enrollment sent the Maryland Agricultural College into bankruptcy. The campus was used as a boys' preparatory school for the next two years. The Maryland legislature assumed half ownership of the school in 1866. The college thus became, in part, a state institution. By October 1867, the school reopened with 11 students. In 1868, the former Confederate admiralFranklin Buchananwas appointed president of the school. Enrollment grew to 80 at the time of his resignation, and the school soon paid off its debt. In 1873,Samuel Jones, a former Confederate Major General, became president of the college. Twenty years later, the federally-funded Agricultural Experiment Station was established there. During this same period, state laws granted the college regulatory powers in several areas—including controlling farm disease, inspecting feed, establishing a state weather bureau and geological survey, and housing the forestry board.Morrill Hall(the oldest instructional building still in use on campus) was built the following year. Great Fire of 1912 On November 29, 1912, a fire destroyed student housing, school records, and most of the academic buildings, leaving onlyMorrill Halluntouched. There were no injuries or fatalities, and all but two students returned to the university and insisted on classes continuing.A new administration building was not built until the 1940s. 20th century The state took control of the school in 1916 and renamed itMaryland State College. That year, the first female students enrolled at the school. On April 9, 1920, the college became part of the existingUniversity of Maryland, replacingSt. John's College, Annapolisas the university's undergraduate campus.In the same year, the graduate school on the College Park campus awarded its first Ph.D. degrees and the university's enrollment reached 500 students. In 1925 the university was accredited by theAssociation of American Universities. By the time the first black students enrolled at the university in 1951, enrollment had grown to nearly 10,000 students—4,000 of whom were women. Before 1951, many black students in Maryland were enrolled at theUniversity of Maryland, Eastern Shore. In 1957, PresidentWilson H. Elkinspushed to increase the university's academic standards. His efforts resulted in creating one of the first Academic Probation Plans. The first year the plan went into effect, 1,550 students (18% of the total student body) faced expulsion. On October 19, 1957,Queen Elizabeth IIof the United Kingdom attended her first and only college football game at the University of Maryland after expressing interest in seeing a typically American sport during her first tour of the United States. TheMaryland Terrapinsbeat theNorth Carolina Tar Heels21 to 7 in the historical game now referred to as \\\"The Queen's Game\\\". Phi Beta Kappaestablished a chapter at The University of Maryland in 1964. In 1969, the university was elected to theAssociation of American Universities. The school continued to grow, and by the fall of 1985 reached an enrollment of 38,679.Like many colleges during theVietnam War, the university was the site of student protests and had curfews enforced by theNational Guard. In a massive restructuring of the state's higher education system in 1988, the school was designated as the flagship campus of the newly formedUniversity of Maryland System(later changed to the University System of Maryland in 1997). It was formally named the University of Maryland, College Park. All five campuses in the former network were designated distinct campuses in the new system. However, in 1997 theMaryland General Assemblypassed legislation allowing the University of Maryland, College Park, to be known simply as the University of Maryland, recognizing the campus' role as the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland. In 1994, theNational Archives at College Parkcompleted construction and opened on a parcel of land adjoining the campus donated by the University of Maryland, after lobbying by PresidentWilliam Kirwanand congressional leaders to foster academic collaboration between the institutions. 21st century In 2004, the university began constructing the 150-acre (61 ha) \\\"M Square Research Park\\\", which includes facilities affiliated with theU.S. Department of Defense,Food and Drug Administration, and the new National Center for Weather and Climate Prediction, affiliated with TheNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA).In May 2010, ground was broken on a new Physical Science Complex, including an advanced quantum science laboratory. The university suffered multipledata breachesin 2014. The first resulted in the compromise of over 300,000 student and faculty records.A second data breach occurred several months later.The second breach was investigated by the FBI and Secret Service and found to be done by David Helkowski.Despite the attribution, no charges were filed. As a result of the data breaches, the university offered free credit protection for five years to the students and faculty affected. In 2017, the university received a record-breaking donation of $219.5 million from theA. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, ranking among the country's largest philanthropic gifts to a public university.Darryll J. Pinesbecame the 34th president of the university in 2020. Pines was a professor of Aerospace Engineering at the university before becoming president. In 2021, the university announced it had raised $1.5 billion in donations since 2018. In April of 2024, UMD students joined othercampuses across the United States in protestsagainst theIsrael–Hamas war. Students called attention to thegenocide in Palestineand for the university todivest from companiesthat support the Hamas-Israel war.Activism continued in next academic year with the placement of small flags in the lawn on McKeldin Mall, representing the more than 150,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza. Campus The center of the university's 1,250 acres (5.1 km2) is McKeldin Mall, which is the largest academic mall in the United States.The Mall is bordered on the east and west byMcKeldin Libraryand the Thomas V. Miller, Jr. Administration Building, respectively. Academic buildings surround McKeldin Mall on the north and south ends. They are the homes to many departments in theCollege of Behavioral and Social Sciences, College of Arts and Humanities, and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. West of McKeldin Mall is the North Hill Community, and south of McKeldin Mall liesMorrill Halland the Morrill Quad, which was the original center of campus. South of the Morrill Quad are the South Hill and South Campus Commons Communities, and the Southwest Mall and theRobert H. Smith School of Businessto the southwest. Running parallel to McKeldin Mall to the north is Campus Drive, the main thoroughfare through campus. Another thoroughfare, Regents Drive, runs perpendicular to the Mall and is home to theMemorial Chapeland the Campus Farms. Regents Drive crosses Campus Drive at the campus hallmark,\\\"M\\\" Circle, which is a traffic circle with a large \\\"M\\\" formed by flowers in its center.The northeast quadrant of campus, formed by Campus and Regent Drives, is home to many ofnatural sciencesandapplied sciencesdepartments.The Rossborough Inn, which, was built during the years 1798 to 1812, is the oldest building on campus (and is older than the university itself).There are five regularly used entrances to campus; the main entrance, off of Baltimore Avenue and onto Campus Drive, is referred to as North Gate and features the Gatehouse, an ornate gateway honoring the university's founders.The 140-acre (57 ha), 18-holeUniversity of Maryland Golf Coursesits at the northern edge of campus, as doesthe Observatory. The campus contains 7,500 documented trees and garden plantings, leading theAmerican Public Gardens Associationto designate the campus theUniversity of Maryland Arboretum & Botanical Gardenin 2008.There are also nearly 400 acres (1.6 km2) ofurban foreston campusand theArbor Day Foundationhas named the university to its 'Tree Campus USA' list.The recreational Paint Branch Trail, part of theAnacostia Tributary Trailssystem, cuts through campus, as does thePaint Branchstream, a tributary of theNortheast Branch Anacostia River.The university's firstLeed Goldbuilding, Knight Hall, opened in April 2010 as the new home for thePhilip Merrill College of Journalism.In 2021, President Pines pledged that the University of Maryland would achievecarbon neutralitybyEarth Day2025. Academics As of 2023, The University of Maryland ranked #46 in National Universities and #19 in Top Public Schools in the United States.The University of Maryland offers 127 undergraduate degrees and 112 graduate degrees in thirteen colleges and schools: Undergraduate admissions Admission to Maryland is rated \\\"most selective\\\" byU.S. News & World Report.For the Class of 2026 (enrolled fall 2022), Maryland received 56,766 applications and accepted 19,451 (34.3%). Of those accepted, 4,742 enrolled, ayield rate(the percentage of accepted students who choose to attend the university) of 24.4%.Maryland's freshmanretention rateis 95.5%, with 88.3% going on to graduate within six years. Of the 34% of the incoming freshman class who submittedSATscores; the middle 50 percent Composite scores were 1340–1490.Of the 9% of enrolled freshmen in 2021 who submittedACTscores; the middle 50 percent Composite score was between 30 and 34. The University of Maryland, College Park is a college sponsor of the National Merit Scholarship Program and sponsored 58 Merit Scholarship awards in 2020. In the 2020–2021 academic year, 69 freshman students wereNational Merit Scholars. In 2020, the university announced it was joining theCommon App. Beginning with the 2017-18 admissions cycle, the University of Maryland uses the application provided by The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success. Rankings The university is tied for 46th in the 2024U.S. News & World Reportrankings of \\\"National Universities\\\" across the United States, and it is ranked tied for 19th nationally among public universities.TheAcademic Ranking of World Universitiesranked Maryland as 43rd in the world in 2015. The 2017–2018Times Higher Education World University Rankingsplaced Maryland 69th worldwide. The 2016/17QS World University Rankingsranked Maryland 131st worldwide. The university was ranked amongPeace Corps' 25 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges for the tenth consecutive year in 2020.The University of Maryland is ranked amongTeach for America's Top 20 Colleges and Universities, contributing the greatest number of graduating seniors to its 2017 teaching corps. For the fourth consecutive year in 2015, the university was ranked 1st in the U.S. for the number ofBoren Scholarshiprecipients – with nine students receiving awards for intensive international language study.The university is ranked as a Top Producing Institution ofFulbrightU.S. Students and Scholars for the 2017–2018 academic year by theUnited States Department of State'sBureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In 2017, the University of Maryland was ranked among the top 50 universities in the 2018Best Global Universities RankingsbyU.S. News & World Reportbased on its high academic research performance and global reputation. In 2021, the university was ranked among the top 10 universities inThe Princeton Review's annual survey of the Top Schools for Innovation & Entrepreneurship; this was the sixth consecutive such ranking. Faculty The university's faculty has included fourNobel Prizelaureates. The earliest recipient (1956), wasJuan Ramón Jiménez, a Spanish language and literature professor. Four decades later, physics professorWilliam Daniel Phillipswon a prize in physics for his contributions tolaser cooling. In 2005,Thomas Schellingwas awarded the prize in economics for his contributions togame theory. In 2006,John C. Matherwas awarded the prize in physics alongsideGeorge Smootfor their work in the discovery of blackbody form andanisotropyof thecosmic microwave background radiation. In addition, two University of Maryland alumni are Nobel Prize laureates;Herbert Hauptmanwon the 1985 prize in chemistry, andRaymond Davis Jr.won the 2002 prize in physics. The university has many notable academics. Professor of mathematics,Sergei Novikovwon theFields Medalin 1970, followed by alumnusCharles Feffermanin 1978. AlumnusGeorge Dantzigwon the 1975National Medal of Sciencefor his work in the field of linear programming. Professor of physicsMichael Fisherwon theWolf Prizein 1980 (together withKenneth G. WilsonandLeo Kadanoff) and theIUPAPBoltzmann Medalin 1983.James A. Yorke, a distinguished university professor of mathematics and physics and chair of the mathematics department, won the 2003Japan Prizefor his work inchaotic systems. In 2013, professor of physicsSylvester James Gateswas awarded theNational Medal of Science. Research UMD isclassifiedamong \\\"R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity\\\".In FY 2020, the university spent about 1.103 billion dollars in total R&D expenditures, ranking it 16th in the nation. On October 14, 2004, the university added 150 acres (61 ha) in an attempt to create the largest research park inside the Washington, D.C.Capital Beltway, formerly known as \\\"M Square\\\" and now known as the \\\"Discovery District.\\\" Many of the faculty members have funding from federal agencies such as theNational Science Foundation, theNational Institutes of Health,NASA,theDepartment of Homeland Security,theNational Institute of Standards and Technology, and theNational Security Agency. TheSpace Systems Laboratoryresearches human-robotic interaction forastronauticsapplications and includes the onlyneutral buoyancyfacility at a university. TheJoint Global Change Research Institutewas formed in 2001 by the University of Maryland and thePacific Northwest National Laboratory. The institute focuses on multidisciplinary approaches to climate change research. TheNational Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism(START) launched in 2005 as one of theCenters of Excellencesupported by theDepartment of Homeland Securityin the United States. START is focused on the scientific study of the causes and consequences of terrorism in the United States and worldwide. Living-learning programs The university hosts \\\"living-learning\\\" programs (LLPs) that allow students with similar academic interests to live in the same residential community take specialized courses and perform research in those areas of expertise. These include CIVICUS, focused on politics and community service;HinmanCEOs, an entrepreneurship program;and the Language House, where students learning a shared target language live together.Several LLPs exist under the university's Honors College, with focuses in topics including cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and life sciences.College Park Scholars is another LLP umbrella that includes programs in the arts, public health, and legal thought, among other things. Student life Residential life There are two main residential areas on campus, North Campus and South Campus, further divided into seven residential communities. North Campus is made up of Cambridge Community (which consists of five residence halls and houses the College Park Scholars program), Denton Community (which consists of four halls), and Ellicott Community (consisting of three halls). The Heritage community, completed in 2022, features two residence halls and a dining hall. South Campus includes the North Hill Community, made up of nineGeorgian-stylehalls and Prince Frederick Hall (which opened in 2014) immediately west ofMcKeldin Mall; South Hill Community, made up of fourteen small residence halls for upper-level students; Leonardtown Community, which offers apartment-style housing; the South Campus Commons Community, which consists of seven apartment-style buildings (the seventh and most recent building being opened in January 2010); and the Courtyards, a garden-style apartment community in north campus consisting of seven buildings. Dining There are three dining halls on campus. In addition,a food court in the Stamp Student Unionprovides manyfast fooddining options for the university community.The dining hall 251 lies in the Denton Community on the northern part of campus.The second northern dining hall, the university's newest dining facility, Yahentamitsi Dining Hall, is the first building on campus named in honor of Indigenous people. The word “Yahentamitsi” means A Place to Go to Eat in the native Algonquian language.The third and final dining hall, South Campus Dining Hall, can be found just south of Mckeldin Library.https://dining.umd.edu/hours-locations/dining-halls Transportation The university is accessible throughthe three airportsin the greaterWashington metropolitan area:Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport,Washington Dulles International Airport, andBaltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.A small public airport in College Park,College Park Airport, lies nearly adjacent to campus, but operations are limited. This airport is the world's oldest continually operating airportand the site of many significant aviation firsts. A free shuttle service, known asShuttle–UM, is available for UMD students, faculty, staff, and some residents of College Park and Greenbelt.The university is served by an off-campus stop on theWashington Metro'sGreenLinecalledCollege Park – University of Maryland. Other trains and busses stop there. In 2011, the university signed on to the state'sPurple Lineprogram.The Purple Line route will have five stops on and around the university's campus: M Square, the College Park Metro station, the main entrance to the campus on Route 1, near Stamp Student Union on Campus Drive, and on the other edge of campus on Adelphi Road, along with a parallel running bike path. The Diamondback The Diamondbackis an independentstudent newspaper. It was founded in 1910 asThe Triangleand renamed in 1921 in honor of a local reptile, theDiamondback terrapin, which became the school mascot in 1933. The newspaper is published daily during the spring and fall semesters, with a print circulation of 17,000 and annual advertising revenues of over $1 million.Notable journalists who have been with the paper includeDavid SimonofHBO'sThe WireandNBC'sHomicide: Life on the Street, and cartoonistsJeff Kinney, who created theDiary of a Wimpy Kidfiction series and whoseIgdoofstrip appeared inThe Diamondback;Aaron McGruder, who first published his cartoonThe BoondocksinThe Diamondback; andFrank Cho, who began his career with the popularUniversity SquaredforThe Diamondback. Other student activities WMUC-FM(90.5 FM) is the university's non-commercial radio station, staffed by UMD students and volunteers. WMUC is afreeformandsports broadcastingstation broadcast at 10 watts. Its broadcasts can be heard throughout theWashington metropolitan area. Notable WMUC alumni includeConnie Chung,Bonnie Bernstein,Peter Rosenbergand Aaron McGruder. Approximately 16% of men and women in Maryland's undergraduate student body were involved infraternities and sororitiesin 2017. Athletics The university sponsors varsity athletic teams in 20 men's and women's sports. The teams, named the \\\"Terrapins\\\", represent Maryland inNational Collegiate Athletic AssociationDivision Icompetition. Maryland became a founding member of theAtlantic Coast Conferencein 1952 but left to join theBig Ten Conferenceon July 1, 2014. As of 2017, Maryland's athletic teams have been awarded 44 national championships by the NCAA,USILA,AIAW, andNCA.In 2008 and 2010,The Princeton Reviewnamed the University of Maryland's athletic facilities the best in the nation.The Terrapins nickname (often shortened to \\\"Terps\\\") was coined by former university president, football coach, and athletic directorH. C. \\\"Curly\\\" Byrdin 1932.The mascot is adiamondback terrapinnamedTestudo, which isLatinfor \\\"tortoise\\\".Since the early 20th century, the school athletic colors have been some combination of those on theMaryland state flag: red, white, black, and gold.Maryland is the only NCAA Division I school to have four official school colors. Basketball and football Men's basketballis the most popular sport at the university.Long-time head coachLefty Driesellbegan the now nationwide tradition of \\\"Midnight Madness\\\" in 1971.Beginning in 1989, alumnusGary Williamsrevived the program, which was struggling in the wake ofLen Bias's death and NCAA rules infractions. Williams led Maryland basketball to national prominence with twoFinal Fourappearances, and in 2002, anational championship. On February 7, 2006, Williams won his 349th game to surpass Driesell and became Maryland's all-time leader among basketball coaches.Mark Turgeonbecame head coach in 2011. Maryland footballis also popular at the university. Lacrosse Maryland men's lacrosseremains one of the sport's top programs since its beginnings as a squad in 1865.The team most recently won the national championship in2022, completing an undefeated season, the first since Virginia in 2006, and the first to go undefeated across 18 games. The team has won tenUSILAand NCAA national championships since its promotion to varsity status in 1924 and is a regular fixture in theNCAA tournament.TheMaryland women's lacrosseteam has won 15 national championships, the most of any program in the nation.The team has produced the National Player of the Year/Tewaaraton Awardwinner eight times, more than any other collegiate program.The Terrapins have also made the most NCAA tournament appearances, won the most tournament games, and made the most NCAA championship game appearances of any program.They most recently won the NCAA championship in 2019. Soccer Themen's soccer teamhas won fourNCAA Division I College Cupnational championships, most recently in 2018.Under the guidance of head coachSasho Cirovski, the soccer team has reached nine Final Fours and won three College Cups since 1997. The soccer team has developed a large, devoted fan base among students and the local community. The attendance record at Ludwig Field was set in 2015 when 8,449 fans saw Maryland win over top-ranked UCLA in extra time.The annual total attendance increased dramatically from 12,710 in 1995 to 35,631 in 2008. Field hockey TheMaryland field hockeyteam has won a total of eightNCAA national championshipsand 13 conference championships (10 in the ACC and 5 in the Big Ten). Marching band TheMighty Sound of Marylandmarching band attends all home football games and provides pre-game performances.During basketball season, the marching band provides music in the stands. Notable alumni Notable alumni includeHouse Democratic WhipSteny Hoyer;Googleco-founderSergey Brin;The MuppetscreatorJim Henson;The WirecreatorDavid Simon;former NFL QuarterbackNorman \\\"Boomer\\\" Esiason;CBShostGayle King; journalistConnie Chung; andSeinfeldco-creator andCurb Your EnthusiasmcreatorLarry David.Prominent alumni in business includeEd Snider, former chairman ofComcast Spectacorand former owner of thePhiladelphia Flyers; journalistJim Walton, former president and CEO ofCNN;Kevin Plank, founder and executive chairman of the athletic apparel companyUnder Armour;Chris Kubasik, former president ofLockheed Martin; andCarly Fiorina, former CEO ofHewlett-Packard. JournalistCarl Bernstein, who won thePulitzer Prize for Public Servicefor his coverage of theWatergate scandal, attended the university but did not graduate. Attendees within the fields of science and mathematics are Nobel laureatesRaymond Davis Jr., 2002 winner in Physics;Herbert Hauptman, 1985 winner in Chemistry, andFields MedalwinnerCharles Fefferman. Other alumni includeGeorge Dantzig, considered the father of linear programming; lateNASAastronautJudith Resnik, who died in the destruction of theSpace Shuttle Challengerduring the launch of missionSTS-51-L; andNASAAdministratorMichael D. Griffin. Several donors have distinguished themselves for their sizable gifts to the university. BusinessmanRobert H. Smith, who graduated from the university in 1950 with a degree in accounting, gave over $45 million to the business school that now bears his name and to the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, which bears his wife's name.Construction entrepreneurA. James Clark, who graduated with an engineering degree in 1950, donated over $45 million to the college of engineering, which also bears his name.Another engineering donor,Jeong H. Kim, earned his Ph.D. from the university in 1991 and gave $5 million for the construction of a state-of-the-art engineering building.Philip Merrill, a media figure, donated $10 million to the College of Journalism.Robert E. Fischell, physicist, inventor, and holder of more than 200 U.S. and foreign medical patentsdonated $30 million to theA. James Clark School of Engineering,establishing the Fischell Department of Bioengineering.Brendan Iribe, a co-founder ofOculus VR, donated $31 million to the university in 2014 towardsa new computer science buildingand scholarships. See also Explanatory notes References External links\",\n \"Larry David Lawrence Gene David(born July 2, 1947) is an American comedian, writer, actor, and television producer.He andJerry Seinfeldcreated theNBCtelevisionsitcomSeinfeld, of which David was head writer and executive producer for the first seven seasons. He gained further recognition for creating and writing theHBOseriesCurb Your Enthusiasm,in which he also stars as a fictionalized version of himself.David's work onSeinfeldwon him twoPrimetime Emmy Awardsin 1993, forOutstanding Comedy SeriesandOutstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Comedy Series;he was nominated 17 other times. Formerly a stand-up comedian, David went intotelevision comedy, writing and starring inABC'sFridays, and writing briefly forSaturday Night Live. He has been nominated for 27Primetime Emmy Awardsand threeGolden Globe Awards. Fellow comedians and comedy insiders voted him the 23rd-greatest comedy star ever in a 2004 British poll to select \\\"The Comedian's Comedian\\\",and he received theWriters Guild of America's Laurel Awardin 2010.He made hisBroadwaydebut writing and starring in the comedic playFish in the Dark(2015). Since 2015 he has made recurring guest appearances onSaturday Night Live, where he impersonates 2016 and 2020U.S. presidential candidateBernie Sanders, who is his sixth cousin once removed. Early life and education David was born on July 2, 1947, in theSheepshead Bayneighborhood ofBrooklyn,New York City. His parents are Rose (née Regina Brandes) and Mortimer Julius \\\"Morty\\\" David, a men's clothing manufacturer, and he has an older brother, Ken.David's family isJewish. HisAmerican Jewishfather's familymoved from Germanyto the U.S. during the 19th century, while David's mother was born into aPolish-Jewishfamily inTernopil, now inUkraine, and her mother's family name was Superfein. David graduated fromSheepshead Bay High School, now defunct and operating as Frank J. Macchiarola Educational Complex, in 1965. A sign with his photo is displayed in one of the complex's hallways. He then attended theUniversity of Maryland, College Park, where he was a brother inTau Epsilon Phi.He graduated in 1970 with aBachelor of Artsinhistory.At college, he discovered that he could make people laugh simply by being himself.After college, Davidenlistedin theUnited States Army Reserveand received training as a petroleum storage specialist.To avoid the final year of his six-year enlistment, he paid a psychiatrist to write a letter declaring him unfit for duty. Career 1980–1987: Stand-up andSNL While a stand-up comedian, David also worked as a store clerk, limousine driver, and historian. He lived inManhattan Plaza, a federally subsidized housing complex inManhattan'sHell's Kitchenneighborhood, across the hall fromKenny Kramer, the inspiration for theCosmo Kramercharacter inSeinfeld.From 1980 to 1982, David became a writer and cast member forABC'sFridays, where he worked withMichael Richards, who later played Kramer onSeinfeld. From 1984 to 1985, David was a writer forNBC'sSaturday Night Live(SNL) and metJulia Louis-Dreyfus, who also worked on the show in this period.During his time atSNL, he was able to get only one sketch on the air, which aired at 12:50 am, the show's last time slot.David quit his job atSNLin the first season, only to show up to work two days later acting as though nothing had happened. That event inspired the second-seasonSeinfeldepisode \\\"The Revenge\\\".He can be heard hecklingMichael McKeanwhen McKean hostedSNLin 1984, and can be seen in the sketch \\\"The Run, Throw, and Catch Like a Girl Olympics\\\" whenHoward Cosellhosted the season finale in 1985.In 1987, David was a writer and performer forWay Off Broadway, a variety talk show onLifetimehosted byJoy Behar. 1989–1998: Breakthrough withSeinfeld In 1989, David teamed up with comedianJerry Seinfeldto create a pilot for NBC calledThe Seinfeld Chronicles, which became the basis forSeinfeld, one of the most successful shows in history,reaching the top ofTV Guide'slist of the 50 greatest TV shows of all time.Entertainment Weeklyranked it the third-best TV show of all time. David made occasional uncredited appearances on the show, playing such roles as Frank Costanza's cape-wearing lawyer and the voice ofGeorge Steinbrenner. He was also the primary inspiration for the show's characterGeorge Costanza.David leftSeinfeldon friendly terms after the show's seventh season and returned two years later to write the series finale in 1998.He also continued to voice Steinbrenner. David wrote 62Seinfeldepisodes, including 1992's \\\"The Contest\\\", for which he won aPrimetime Emmy Awardand whichTV Guideranked as episodeNo.1 on its list of \\\"TV'sTop 100 Episodes of All Time\\\".He has also been involved in other films and television series. David wrote and directed the 1998 filmSour Grapes, about two cousins who feud over acasinojackpot. It was neither a commercial nor a critical success.He has also appeared in bit roles inWoody Allen'sRadio Days(1987) andNew York Stories(1989). 1999–2024:Curb Your Enthusiasmand acclaim TheHBOcable television channel aired David's one-hour special,Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm, on October 17, 1999.This was followed byCurb Your Enthusiasm, an HBO television series whose first episode aired on October 15, 2000.The show revisits many of the themes ofSeinfeldand is improvised from a story outline only several pages long written by David (and, from the fifth season onward, additional writers). The actors improvise their dialogue based on the outline, direction, and their creativity. David has said that his character in the show, a fictionalized version of himself, is what he would be like in real life if he lacked social awareness and sensitivity.The character's numerous and frequent social faux pas, misunderstandings, and ironic coincidences are the basis of much of the show's comedy and have led to the entry into the American pop culture lexicon of the expression \\\"Larry David moment\\\", meaning an inadvertently created socially awkward situation.Curb Your Enthusiasmhas been described as depicting \\\"the things nobody wants to say, but wish they could\\\". The show is based on David's life following the fortune he earned fromSeinfeld; semi-retired, he strives to live a fulfilled life.Alongside David is his wife Cheryl (Cheryl Hines), his manager and best friend Jeff (Jeff Garlin), and Jeff's wife Susie (Susie Essman). Celebrities, including comediansRichard Lewis,Wanda Sykes, andBob Einstein, appeared on the show regularly. ActorsTed DansonandMary Steenburgenhave had recurring roles as themselves. The show is critically acclaimed and has been nominated for 30 Primetime Emmy Awards, with one win, as well as a Golden Globe win. In the first six seasons,Julia Louis-DreyfusandJason Alexanderappear in several episodes, andJerry Seinfeldhas a cameo. In season 7, the cast ofSeinfeld, includingMichael Richards, return in a story arc involving David's attempt to organize aSeinfeldreunion special. On June 2, 2010, the series premiered on theTV Guide Network, its network television debut.TV Guide Networkalso produced a series of related discussions with high-profile guest stars, media pundits, and prominent social figures called \\\"Curb: The Discussion\\\" debating the moral implications of each episode. David is quoted as saying \\\"Finally, thanks to the TV Guide Network, I'll get a chance to watch actual, intelligent people discuss and debate the issues addressed on 'Curb'. Now if only someone could tell me where this alleged 'Network' is, I might even watch it.\\\"The show's 12th and final season premiered in January 2024. David played the leading role inWoody Allen's 2009 comedy filmWhatever WorksalongsideEvan Rachel Wood.He had a cameo appearance on theHBOseriesEntourageas a client ofAri Gold, and because his daughters wereHannah Montanafans, David and his daughters guest-starred as themselves in the episode \\\"My Best Friend's Boyfriend\\\", in which they wait for a table at a fancy restaurant.David appeared as a panelist on theNBCseriesThe Marriage Refand also played Sister Mary-Mengele in the 2012 reboot ofThe Three Stooges.He co-wrote and starred in the 2013HBOtelevision filmClear History. David wrote and starred in the Broadway playFish in the Dark. Also appearing wereRita Wilson,Jayne Houdyshell, andRosie Perez. The play centers on the death of a family patriarch. It opened on March 5, 2015.Jason Alexandertook over David's role in July. The play closed in August.As of February 1, 2015, its advance sale of $13.5 million had broken records for a Broadway show. Bernie Sanders Since 2015, David has made multiple guest appearances portraying 2016 and 2020 United States presidential election candidateBernie SandersonSaturday Night Live; he also hosted the show on February 6, 2016, with musical guestThe 1975and a cameo by Sanders himself, and on November 4, 2017, with musical guestMiley Cyrus. In 2017,PBS'sFinding Your Rootsdiscovered through genealogical research that David and Sanders are distantly related. Sanders told David the news. \\\"I was very happy about that,\\\" David said, according toVariety. \\\"I thought there must have been some connection.\\\" The comedian explained that Sanders is \\\"a third cousin or something.\\\"He is in fact David's sixth cousin once removed. On January 8, 2020, David joked onThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, \\\"I would say, I would beg him to drop out so I don't have to keep flying in from Los Angeles to doSNL. I thought when he had the heart attack that would be it, I wouldn't have to fly in from Los Angeles. But, you know, he's indestructible. Nothing stops this man!\\\" He later added, \\\"If he wins, do you know what that's going to do to my life? Do you have any idea? I mean, it will be great for the country—great for the country, terrible for me.\\\" Influences David has namedWoody Allen,Mel Brooks,Phil Silvers,Abbott and Costello,Jackie Mason,Alan King,Don Rickles, andMadmagazine as influences. Personal life David lives in thePacific Palisadesneighborhood ofLos Angeles, California. He was married toLaurie Lennardfrom 1993 to 2007.They have two daughters,Cazzie Davidand Romy David.Larry and Laurie became contributing bloggers atThe Huffington Postin 2005.In 2017, David was introduced to producer Ashley Underwood at a birthday party forSacha Baron Cohen. They married in 2020.David's niece is actressJulie Claire, who appears inSeinfeldandCurb Your Enthusiasm. David is an atheistand an avid sports fan. A native New Yorker, he supports theNew York Jets,Yankees,KnicksandRangers.David is also a supporter of theDemocratic Party.In 2010, he wrote an article forThe New York Timescriticizing the extension of theBush tax cutsfor the wealthy. He ended the article with a sarcastic thank-you to then-PresidentBarack Obamafor approving the extension. Wealth In 2013,Charlie Roseestimated David'snet worthat around $500 million.Two years later, two other estimates put the number between $400 millionand $900 million.In 2020,National Reviewoffered an estimate of about $400 million. Most of David's wealth originates fromsyndication dealsofSeinfeldandCurb Your Enthusiasm, the former having netted $3.1 billion in rerun fees as of 2013.The syndication ofSeinfeldearned David an estimated $250 million in 1998 alone.In 2008, David was reported to have grossed $55 million, mostly fromSeinfeldsyndication and work onCurb Your Enthusiasm. David's net worth was parodied in a 2001 episode ofCurb Your Enthusiasm, \\\"The Shrimp Incident\\\", in whichHBOexecutive Allan Wasserman yells at David: \\\"If you want shrimp, take your $475 million, go buy a shrimp boat.\\\" In a 2015 interview withCBS, David confirmed that half of his wealth was eroded by his 2007 divorce in thecommunity property stateof California.\\\"I have a lot of money\\\", he said, adding that the \\\"figures out there are crazy\\\". Legal issue David was among several celebrities who appeared in a commercial for cryptocurrency exchangeFTXthat aired duringSuper Bowl LVI.In November 2022,FTX filed for bankruptcy, and David, alongside other spokespeople, was sued in aclass-action lawsuit.In February 2022, theU.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appealsruled in a lawsuit againstBitconnectthat theSecurities Act of 1933extends totargeted solicitationusingsocial media. Filmography Film Television Theater Written works Awards and nominations David has received numerous awards, including twoEmmy Awards, threeProducers Guild of America Awards, and threeWriters Guild of America Awards. He has been nominated for threeGolden Globe Awardsand sixScreen Actors Guild Awards. Fellow comedians and comedy insiders voted David the 23rd-greatest comedy star ever in a poll to selectThe Comedian's Comedian. Notes References Further reading External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Emory Kristof Emory Kristof(November 19, 1942 – February 6, 2023) was an American photographer. He was on the expedition that discovered theTitanic.His work has been published inNational Geographic Magazineand elsewhere. Life and career Kristof was born inLaurel, Maryland, on November 19, 1942. Kristof participated in multiple undersea expeditions with Canadian explorersJoseph MacInnisandPhil Nuytten, including the exploration of theBreadalbane, the world's northernmost known shipwreck, and the 1995 expedition to recover the bell from the wreck of theSSEdmund Fitzgerald.Kristof also accompanied MacInnis and Russian explorerAnatoly Sagalevichon a descent 16,400 feet intoKings Troughin the eastern North Atlantic aboard the submersibleMir 1, and on the expedition which made theIMAXfilmTitanica. Kristof served as Supervising Producer of 2003IMAXdocumentary,Volcanoes of the Deep Sea, about the ecosystems surroundinghydrothermal vents. Kristof diedNorthfield, Massachusetts, on February 6, 2023, at the age of 80.","at the age of 80. Awards References External links This article about an American photographer is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.","University of Maryland, College Park TheUniversity of Maryland, College Park(University of Maryland,UMD, or simplyMaryland) is apublicland-grantresearch universityinCollege Park, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1856, UMD is theflagship institutionof theUniversity System of Maryland. UMD is the largest university in both the state and theWashington metropolitan area. Its 12 schools and colleges offer over 200 degree-granting programs, including 113 undergraduate majors, 107master'sprograms, and 83doctoral programs. UMD is a member of theAssociation of American Universitiesand competes in intercollegiate athletics as a member of theBig Ten Conference. The University of Maryland's proximity to Washington, D.C. has resulted in many research partnerships with thefederal government;faculty receive research funding and institutional support from many agencies, such as theNational Institutes of Health,NASA, theNational Institute of Standards and Technology, theFood and Drug Administration, theNational Security","Security Agency, and theDepartment of Homeland Security.It isclassifiedamong \"R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity\"and has been labeled a \"Public Ivy\".According to theNational Science Foundation, the university spent a combined $1.14 billion on research and development in 2021, ranking it 17th among American universities. History Early history On March 6, 1856, the forerunner of today's University of Maryland was chartered as theMaryland Agricultural College.Two years later,Charles Benedict Calvert(1808–1864), a futureU.S. Representative(Congressman) and descendant of the firstLord Baltimore, purchased 420 acres (1.7 km2) of theRiversdale Mansionestate nearby today'sCollege Park, Maryland.Later that year, Calvert founded the school and was the acting president from 1859 to 1860.On October 5, 1859, the first 34 students entered the Maryland Agricultural College.The school became aland grant collegein February 1864. Civil War During theCivil War,Confederatesoldiers under Brigadier","under Brigadier GeneralBradley Tyler Johnsonmoved past the college on July 12, 1864, as part of Jubal Early's raid onWashington, D.C.By the end of the war, financial problems forced the administrators to sell off 200 acres (81 ha) of land, and the continuing decline in enrollment sent the Maryland Agricultural College into bankruptcy. The campus was used as a boys' preparatory school for the next two years. The Maryland legislature assumed half ownership of the school in 1866. The college thus became, in part, a state institution. By October 1867, the school reopened with 11 students. In 1868, the former Confederate admiralFranklin Buchananwas appointed president of the school. Enrollment grew to 80 at the time of his resignation, and the school soon paid off its debt. In 1873,Samuel Jones, a former Confederate Major General, became president of the college. Twenty years later, the federally-funded Agricultural Experiment Station was established there. During this same period, state laws granted the college","granted the college regulatory powers in several areas—including controlling farm disease, inspecting feed, establishing a state weather bureau and geological survey, and housing the forestry board.Morrill Hall(the oldest instructional building still in use on campus) was built the following year. Great Fire of 1912 On November 29, 1912, a fire destroyed student housing, school records, and most of the academic buildings, leaving onlyMorrill Halluntouched. There were no injuries or fatalities, and all but two students returned to the university and insisted on classes continuing.A new administration building was not built until the 1940s. 20th century The state took control of the school in 1916 and renamed itMaryland State College. That year, the first female students enrolled at the school. On April 9, 1920, the college became part of the existingUniversity of Maryland, replacingSt. John's College, Annapolisas the university's undergraduate campus.In the same year, the graduate school on the College Park","on the College Park campus awarded its first Ph.D. degrees and the university's enrollment reached 500 students. In 1925 the university was accredited by theAssociation of American Universities. By the time the first black students enrolled at the university in 1951, enrollment had grown to nearly 10,000 students—4,000 of whom were women. Before 1951, many black students in Maryland were enrolled at theUniversity of Maryland, Eastern Shore. In 1957, PresidentWilson H. Elkinspushed to increase the university's academic standards. His efforts resulted in creating one of the first Academic Probation Plans. The first year the plan went into effect, 1,550 students (18% of the total student body) faced expulsion. On October 19, 1957,Queen Elizabeth IIof the United Kingdom attended her first and only college football game at the University of Maryland after expressing interest in seeing a typically American sport during her first tour of the United States. TheMaryland Terrapinsbeat theNorth Carolina Tar Heels21 to","Tar Heels21 to 7 in the historical game now referred to as \"The Queen's Game\". Phi Beta Kappaestablished a chapter at The University of Maryland in 1964. In 1969, the university was elected to theAssociation of American Universities. The school continued to grow, and by the fall of 1985 reached an enrollment of 38,679.Like many colleges during theVietnam War, the university was the site of student protests and had curfews enforced by theNational Guard. In a massive restructuring of the state's higher education system in 1988, the school was designated as the flagship campus of the newly formedUniversity of Maryland System(later changed to the University System of Maryland in 1997). It was formally named the University of Maryland, College Park. All five campuses in the former network were designated distinct campuses in the new system. However, in 1997 theMaryland General Assemblypassed legislation allowing the University of Maryland, College Park, to be known simply as the University of Maryland,","of Maryland, recognizing the campus' role as the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland. In 1994, theNational Archives at College Parkcompleted construction and opened on a parcel of land adjoining the campus donated by the University of Maryland, after lobbying by PresidentWilliam Kirwanand congressional leaders to foster academic collaboration between the institutions. 21st century In 2004, the university began constructing the 150-acre (61 ha) \"M Square Research Park\", which includes facilities affiliated with theU.S. Department of Defense,Food and Drug Administration, and the new National Center for Weather and Climate Prediction, affiliated with TheNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA).In May 2010, ground was broken on a new Physical Science Complex, including an advanced quantum science laboratory. The university suffered multipledata breachesin 2014. The first resulted in the compromise of over 300,000 student and faculty records.A second data breach occurred several","occurred several months later.The second breach was investigated by the FBI and Secret Service and found to be done by David Helkowski.Despite the attribution, no charges were filed. As a result of the data breaches, the university offered free credit protection for five years to the students and faculty affected. In 2017, the university received a record-breaking donation of $219.5 million from theA. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, ranking among the country's largest philanthropic gifts to a public university.Darryll J. Pinesbecame the 34th president of the university in 2020. Pines was a professor of Aerospace Engineering at the university before becoming president. In 2021, the university announced it had raised $1.5 billion in donations since 2018. In April of 2024, UMD students joined othercampuses across the United States in protestsagainst theIsrael–Hamas war. Students called attention to thegenocide in Palestineand for the university todivest from companiesthat support the Hamas-Israel","the Hamas-Israel war.Activism continued in next academic year with the placement of small flags in the lawn on McKeldin Mall, representing the more than 150,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza. Campus The center of the university's 1,250 acres (5.1 km2) is McKeldin Mall, which is the largest academic mall in the United States.The Mall is bordered on the east and west byMcKeldin Libraryand the Thomas V. Miller, Jr. Administration Building, respectively. Academic buildings surround McKeldin Mall on the north and south ends. They are the homes to many departments in theCollege of Behavioral and Social Sciences, College of Arts and Humanities, and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. West of McKeldin Mall is the North Hill Community, and south of McKeldin Mall liesMorrill Halland the Morrill Quad, which was the original center of campus. South of the Morrill Quad are the South Hill and South Campus Commons Communities, and the Southwest Mall and theRobert H. Smith School of Businessto the southwest.","the southwest. Running parallel to McKeldin Mall to the north is Campus Drive, the main thoroughfare through campus. Another thoroughfare, Regents Drive, runs perpendicular to the Mall and is home to theMemorial Chapeland the Campus Farms. Regents Drive crosses Campus Drive at the campus hallmark,\"M\" Circle, which is a traffic circle with a large \"M\" formed by flowers in its center.The northeast quadrant of campus, formed by Campus and Regent Drives, is home to many ofnatural sciencesandapplied sciencesdepartments.The Rossborough Inn, which, was built during the years 1798 to 1812, is the oldest building on campus (and is older than the university itself).There are five regularly used entrances to campus; the main entrance, off of Baltimore Avenue and onto Campus Drive, is referred to as North Gate and features the Gatehouse, an ornate gateway honoring the university's founders.The 140-acre (57 ha), 18-holeUniversity of Maryland Golf Coursesits at the northern edge of campus, as doesthe Observatory. The","Observatory. The campus contains 7,500 documented trees and garden plantings, leading theAmerican Public Gardens Associationto designate the campus theUniversity of Maryland Arboretum & Botanical Gardenin 2008.There are also nearly 400 acres (1.6 km2) ofurban foreston campusand theArbor Day Foundationhas named the university to its 'Tree Campus USA' list.The recreational Paint Branch Trail, part of theAnacostia Tributary Trailssystem, cuts through campus, as does thePaint Branchstream, a tributary of theNortheast Branch Anacostia River.The university's firstLeed Goldbuilding, Knight Hall, opened in April 2010 as the new home for thePhilip Merrill College of Journalism.In 2021, President Pines pledged that the University of Maryland would achievecarbon neutralitybyEarth Day2025. Academics As of 2023, The University of Maryland ranked #46 in National Universities and #19 in Top Public Schools in the United States.The University of Maryland offers 127 undergraduate degrees and 112 graduate degrees in thirteen","degrees in thirteen colleges and schools: Undergraduate admissions Admission to Maryland is rated \"most selective\" byU.S. News & World Report.For the Class of 2026 (enrolled fall 2022), Maryland received 56,766 applications and accepted 19,451 (34.3%). Of those accepted, 4,742 enrolled, ayield rate(the percentage of accepted students who choose to attend the university) of 24.4%.Maryland's freshmanretention rateis 95.5%, with 88.3% going on to graduate within six years. Of the 34% of the incoming freshman class who submittedSATscores; the middle 50 percent Composite scores were 1340–1490.Of the 9% of enrolled freshmen in 2021 who submittedACTscores; the middle 50 percent Composite score was between 30 and 34. The University of Maryland, College Park is a college sponsor of the National Merit Scholarship Program and sponsored 58 Merit Scholarship awards in 2020. In the 2020–2021 academic year, 69 freshman students wereNational Merit Scholars. In 2020, the university announced it was joining theCommon App.","theCommon App. Beginning with the 2017-18 admissions cycle, the University of Maryland uses the application provided by The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success. Rankings The university is tied for 46th in the 2024U.S. News & World Reportrankings of \"National Universities\" across the United States, and it is ranked tied for 19th nationally among public universities.TheAcademic Ranking of World Universitiesranked Maryland as 43rd in the world in 2015. The 2017–2018Times Higher Education World University Rankingsplaced Maryland 69th worldwide. The 2016/17QS World University Rankingsranked Maryland 131st worldwide. The university was ranked amongPeace Corps' 25 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges for the tenth consecutive year in 2020.The University of Maryland is ranked amongTeach for America's Top 20 Colleges and Universities, contributing the greatest number of graduating seniors to its 2017 teaching corps. For the fourth consecutive year in 2015, the university was ranked 1st in the U.S. for the","in the U.S. for the number ofBoren Scholarshiprecipients – with nine students receiving awards for intensive international language study.The university is ranked as a Top Producing Institution ofFulbrightU.S. Students and Scholars for the 2017–2018 academic year by theUnited States Department of State'sBureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In 2017, the University of Maryland was ranked among the top 50 universities in the 2018Best Global Universities RankingsbyU.S. News & World Reportbased on its high academic research performance and global reputation. In 2021, the university was ranked among the top 10 universities inThe Princeton Review's annual survey of the Top Schools for Innovation & Entrepreneurship; this was the sixth consecutive such ranking. Faculty The university's faculty has included fourNobel Prizelaureates. The earliest recipient (1956), wasJuan Ramón Jiménez, a Spanish language and literature professor. Four decades later, physics professorWilliam Daniel Phillipswon a prize in physics","a prize in physics for his contributions tolaser cooling. In 2005,Thomas Schellingwas awarded the prize in economics for his contributions togame theory. In 2006,John C. Matherwas awarded the prize in physics alongsideGeorge Smootfor their work in the discovery of blackbody form andanisotropyof thecosmic microwave background radiation. In addition, two University of Maryland alumni are Nobel Prize laureates;Herbert Hauptmanwon the 1985 prize in chemistry, andRaymond Davis Jr.won the 2002 prize in physics. The university has many notable academics. Professor of mathematics,Sergei Novikovwon theFields Medalin 1970, followed by alumnusCharles Feffermanin 1978. AlumnusGeorge Dantzigwon the 1975National Medal of Sciencefor his work in the field of linear programming. Professor of physicsMichael Fisherwon theWolf Prizein 1980 (together withKenneth G. WilsonandLeo Kadanoff) and theIUPAPBoltzmann Medalin 1983.James A. Yorke, a distinguished university professor of mathematics and physics and chair of the mathematics","of the mathematics department, won the 2003Japan Prizefor his work inchaotic systems. In 2013, professor of physicsSylvester James Gateswas awarded theNational Medal of Science. Research UMD isclassifiedamong \"R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity\".In FY 2020, the university spent about 1.103 billion dollars in total R&D expenditures, ranking it 16th in the nation. On October 14, 2004, the university added 150 acres (61 ha) in an attempt to create the largest research park inside the Washington, D.C.Capital Beltway, formerly known as \"M Square\" and now known as the \"Discovery District.\" Many of the faculty members have funding from federal agencies such as theNational Science Foundation, theNational Institutes of Health,NASA,theDepartment of Homeland Security,theNational Institute of Standards and Technology, and theNational Security Agency. TheSpace Systems Laboratoryresearches human-robotic interaction forastronauticsapplications and includes the onlyneutral buoyancyfacility at a","at a university. TheJoint Global Change Research Institutewas formed in 2001 by the University of Maryland and thePacific Northwest National Laboratory. The institute focuses on multidisciplinary approaches to climate change research. TheNational Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism(START) launched in 2005 as one of theCenters of Excellencesupported by theDepartment of Homeland Securityin the United States. START is focused on the scientific study of the causes and consequences of terrorism in the United States and worldwide. Living-learning programs The university hosts \"living-learning\" programs (LLPs) that allow students with similar academic interests to live in the same residential community take specialized courses and perform research in those areas of expertise. These include CIVICUS, focused on politics and community service;HinmanCEOs, an entrepreneurship program;and the Language House, where students learning a shared target language live together.Several LLPs exist","LLPs exist under the university's Honors College, with focuses in topics including cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and life sciences.College Park Scholars is another LLP umbrella that includes programs in the arts, public health, and legal thought, among other things. Student life Residential life There are two main residential areas on campus, North Campus and South Campus, further divided into seven residential communities. North Campus is made up of Cambridge Community (which consists of five residence halls and houses the College Park Scholars program), Denton Community (which consists of four halls), and Ellicott Community (consisting of three halls). The Heritage community, completed in 2022, features two residence halls and a dining hall. South Campus includes the North Hill Community, made up of nineGeorgian-stylehalls and Prince Frederick Hall (which opened in 2014) immediately west ofMcKeldin Mall; South Hill Community, made up of fourteen small residence halls for upper-level students;","students; Leonardtown Community, which offers apartment-style housing; the South Campus Commons Community, which consists of seven apartment-style buildings (the seventh and most recent building being opened in January 2010); and the Courtyards, a garden-style apartment community in north campus consisting of seven buildings. Dining There are three dining halls on campus. In addition,a food court in the Stamp Student Unionprovides manyfast fooddining options for the university community.The dining hall 251 lies in the Denton Community on the northern part of campus.The second northern dining hall, the university's newest dining facility, Yahentamitsi Dining Hall, is the first building on campus named in honor of Indigenous people. The word “Yahentamitsi” means A Place to Go to Eat in the native Algonquian language.The third and final dining hall, South Campus Dining Hall, can be found just south of Mckeldin Library.https://dining.umd.edu/hours-locations/dining-halls Transportation The university is","The university is accessible throughthe three airportsin the greaterWashington metropolitan area:Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport,Washington Dulles International Airport, andBaltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.A small public airport in College Park,College Park Airport, lies nearly adjacent to campus, but operations are limited. This airport is the world's oldest continually operating airportand the site of many significant aviation firsts. A free shuttle service, known asShuttle–UM, is available for UMD students, faculty, staff, and some residents of College Park and Greenbelt.The university is served by an off-campus stop on theWashington Metro'sGreenLinecalledCollege Park – University of Maryland. Other trains and busses stop there. In 2011, the university signed on to the state'sPurple Lineprogram.The Purple Line route will have five stops on and around the university's campus: M Square, the College Park Metro station, the main entrance to the campus on Route 1, near","on Route 1, near Stamp Student Union on Campus Drive, and on the other edge of campus on Adelphi Road, along with a parallel running bike path. The Diamondback The Diamondbackis an independentstudent newspaper. It was founded in 1910 asThe Triangleand renamed in 1921 in honor of a local reptile, theDiamondback terrapin, which became the school mascot in 1933. The newspaper is published daily during the spring and fall semesters, with a print circulation of 17,000 and annual advertising revenues of over $1 million.Notable journalists who have been with the paper includeDavid SimonofHBO'sThe WireandNBC'sHomicide: Life on the Street, and cartoonistsJeff Kinney, who created theDiary of a Wimpy Kidfiction series and whoseIgdoofstrip appeared inThe Diamondback;Aaron McGruder, who first published his cartoonThe BoondocksinThe Diamondback; andFrank Cho, who began his career with the popularUniversity SquaredforThe Diamondback. Other student activities WMUC-FM(90.5 FM) is the university's non-commercial radio","radio station, staffed by UMD students and volunteers. WMUC is afreeformandsports broadcastingstation broadcast at 10 watts. Its broadcasts can be heard throughout theWashington metropolitan area. Notable WMUC alumni includeConnie Chung,Bonnie Bernstein,Peter Rosenbergand Aaron McGruder. Approximately 16% of men and women in Maryland's undergraduate student body were involved infraternities and sororitiesin 2017. Athletics The university sponsors varsity athletic teams in 20 men's and women's sports. The teams, named the \"Terrapins\", represent Maryland inNational Collegiate Athletic AssociationDivision Icompetition. Maryland became a founding member of theAtlantic Coast Conferencein 1952 but left to join theBig Ten Conferenceon July 1, 2014. As of 2017, Maryland's athletic teams have been awarded 44 national championships by the NCAA,USILA,AIAW, andNCA.In 2008 and 2010,The Princeton Reviewnamed the University of Maryland's athletic facilities the best in the nation.The Terrapins nickname (often shortened to","(often shortened to \"Terps\") was coined by former university president, football coach, and athletic directorH. C. \"Curly\" Byrdin 1932.The mascot is adiamondback terrapinnamedTestudo, which isLatinfor \"tortoise\".Since the early 20th century, the school athletic colors have been some combination of those on theMaryland state flag: red, white, black, and gold.Maryland is the only NCAA Division I school to have four official school colors. Basketball and football Men's basketballis the most popular sport at the university.Long-time head coachLefty Driesellbegan the now nationwide tradition of \"Midnight Madness\" in 1971.Beginning in 1989, alumnusGary Williamsrevived the program, which was struggling in the wake ofLen Bias's death and NCAA rules infractions. Williams led Maryland basketball to national prominence with twoFinal Fourappearances, and in 2002, anational championship. On February 7, 2006, Williams won his 349th game to surpass Driesell and became Maryland's all-time leader among basketball","among basketball coaches.Mark Turgeonbecame head coach in 2011. Maryland footballis also popular at the university. Lacrosse Maryland men's lacrosseremains one of the sport's top programs since its beginnings as a squad in 1865.The team most recently won the national championship in2022, completing an undefeated season, the first since Virginia in 2006, and the first to go undefeated across 18 games. The team has won tenUSILAand NCAA national championships since its promotion to varsity status in 1924 and is a regular fixture in theNCAA tournament.TheMaryland women's lacrosseteam has won 15 national championships, the most of any program in the nation.The team has produced the National Player of the Year/Tewaaraton Awardwinner eight times, more than any other collegiate program.The Terrapins have also made the most NCAA tournament appearances, won the most tournament games, and made the most NCAA championship game appearances of any program.They most recently won the NCAA championship in 2019. Soccer","in 2019. Soccer Themen's soccer teamhas won fourNCAA Division I College Cupnational championships, most recently in 2018.Under the guidance of head coachSasho Cirovski, the soccer team has reached nine Final Fours and won three College Cups since 1997. The soccer team has developed a large, devoted fan base among students and the local community. The attendance record at Ludwig Field was set in 2015 when 8,449 fans saw Maryland win over top-ranked UCLA in extra time.The annual total attendance increased dramatically from 12,710 in 1995 to 35,631 in 2008. Field hockey TheMaryland field hockeyteam has won a total of eightNCAA national championshipsand 13 conference championships (10 in the ACC and 5 in the Big Ten). Marching band TheMighty Sound of Marylandmarching band attends all home football games and provides pre-game performances.During basketball season, the marching band provides music in the stands. Notable alumni Notable alumni includeHouse Democratic WhipSteny Hoyer;Googleco-founderSergey Brin;The","Brin;The MuppetscreatorJim Henson;The WirecreatorDavid Simon;former NFL QuarterbackNorman \"Boomer\" Esiason;CBShostGayle King; journalistConnie Chung; andSeinfeldco-creator andCurb Your EnthusiasmcreatorLarry David.Prominent alumni in business includeEd Snider, former chairman ofComcast Spectacorand former owner of thePhiladelphia Flyers; journalistJim Walton, former president and CEO ofCNN;Kevin Plank, founder and executive chairman of the athletic apparel companyUnder Armour;Chris Kubasik, former president ofLockheed Martin; andCarly Fiorina, former CEO ofHewlett-Packard. JournalistCarl Bernstein, who won thePulitzer Prize for Public Servicefor his coverage of theWatergate scandal, attended the university but did not graduate. Attendees within the fields of science and mathematics are Nobel laureatesRaymond Davis Jr., 2002 winner in Physics;Herbert Hauptman, 1985 winner in Chemistry, andFields MedalwinnerCharles Fefferman. Other alumni includeGeorge Dantzig, considered the father of linear programming;","linear programming; lateNASAastronautJudith Resnik, who died in the destruction of theSpace Shuttle Challengerduring the launch of missionSTS-51-L; andNASAAdministratorMichael D. Griffin. Several donors have distinguished themselves for their sizable gifts to the university. BusinessmanRobert H. Smith, who graduated from the university in 1950 with a degree in accounting, gave over $45 million to the business school that now bears his name and to the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, which bears his wife's name.Construction entrepreneurA. James Clark, who graduated with an engineering degree in 1950, donated over $45 million to the college of engineering, which also bears his name.Another engineering donor,Jeong H. Kim, earned his Ph.D. from the university in 1991 and gave $5 million for the construction of a state-of-the-art engineering building.Philip Merrill, a media figure, donated $10 million to the College of Journalism.Robert E. Fischell, physicist, inventor, and holder of more than 200 U.S. and","than 200 U.S. and foreign medical patentsdonated $30 million to theA. James Clark School of Engineering,establishing the Fischell Department of Bioengineering.Brendan Iribe, a co-founder ofOculus VR, donated $31 million to the university in 2014 towardsa new computer science buildingand scholarships. See also Explanatory notes References External links","Larry David Lawrence Gene David(born July 2, 1947) is an American comedian, writer, actor, and television producer.He andJerry Seinfeldcreated theNBCtelevisionsitcomSeinfeld, of which David was head writer and executive producer for the first seven seasons. He gained further recognition for creating and writing theHBOseriesCurb Your Enthusiasm,in which he also stars as a fictionalized version of himself.David's work onSeinfeldwon him twoPrimetime Emmy Awardsin 1993, forOutstanding Comedy SeriesandOutstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Comedy Series;he was nominated 17 other times. Formerly a stand-up comedian, David went intotelevision comedy, writing and starring inABC'sFridays, and writing briefly forSaturday Night Live. He has been nominated for 27Primetime Emmy Awardsand threeGolden Globe Awards. Fellow comedians and comedy insiders voted him the 23rd-greatest comedy star ever in a 2004 British poll to select \"The Comedian's Comedian\",and he received theWriters Guild of America's Laurel","of America's Laurel Awardin 2010.He made hisBroadwaydebut writing and starring in the comedic playFish in the Dark(2015). Since 2015 he has made recurring guest appearances onSaturday Night Live, where he impersonates 2016 and 2020U.S. presidential candidateBernie Sanders, who is his sixth cousin once removed. Early life and education David was born on July 2, 1947, in theSheepshead Bayneighborhood ofBrooklyn,New York City. His parents are Rose (née Regina Brandes) and Mortimer Julius \"Morty\" David, a men's clothing manufacturer, and he has an older brother, Ken.David's family isJewish. HisAmerican Jewishfather's familymoved from Germanyto the U.S. during the 19th century, while David's mother was born into aPolish-Jewishfamily inTernopil, now inUkraine, and her mother's family name was Superfein. David graduated fromSheepshead Bay High School, now defunct and operating as Frank J. Macchiarola Educational Complex, in 1965. A sign with his photo is displayed in one of the complex's hallways. He then attended","He then attended theUniversity of Maryland, College Park, where he was a brother inTau Epsilon Phi.He graduated in 1970 with aBachelor of Artsinhistory.At college, he discovered that he could make people laugh simply by being himself.After college, Davidenlistedin theUnited States Army Reserveand received training as a petroleum storage specialist.To avoid the final year of his six-year enlistment, he paid a psychiatrist to write a letter declaring him unfit for duty. Career 1980–1987: Stand-up andSNL While a stand-up comedian, David also worked as a store clerk, limousine driver, and historian. He lived inManhattan Plaza, a federally subsidized housing complex inManhattan'sHell's Kitchenneighborhood, across the hall fromKenny Kramer, the inspiration for theCosmo Kramercharacter inSeinfeld.From 1980 to 1982, David became a writer and cast member forABC'sFridays, where he worked withMichael Richards, who later played Kramer onSeinfeld. From 1984 to 1985, David was a writer forNBC'sSaturday Night Live(SNL) and","Night Live(SNL) and metJulia Louis-Dreyfus, who also worked on the show in this period.During his time atSNL, he was able to get only one sketch on the air, which aired at 12:50 am, the show's last time slot.David quit his job atSNLin the first season, only to show up to work two days later acting as though nothing had happened. That event inspired the second-seasonSeinfeldepisode \"The Revenge\".He can be heard hecklingMichael McKeanwhen McKean hostedSNLin 1984, and can be seen in the sketch \"The Run, Throw, and Catch Like a Girl Olympics\" whenHoward Cosellhosted the season finale in 1985.In 1987, David was a writer and performer forWay Off Broadway, a variety talk show onLifetimehosted byJoy Behar. 1989–1998: Breakthrough withSeinfeld In 1989, David teamed up with comedianJerry Seinfeldto create a pilot for NBC calledThe Seinfeld Chronicles, which became the basis forSeinfeld, one of the most successful shows in history,reaching the top ofTV Guide'slist of the 50 greatest TV shows of all time.Entertainment","time.Entertainment Weeklyranked it the third-best TV show of all time. David made occasional uncredited appearances on the show, playing such roles as Frank Costanza's cape-wearing lawyer and the voice ofGeorge Steinbrenner. He was also the primary inspiration for the show's characterGeorge Costanza.David leftSeinfeldon friendly terms after the show's seventh season and returned two years later to write the series finale in 1998.He also continued to voice Steinbrenner. David wrote 62Seinfeldepisodes, including 1992's \"The Contest\", for which he won aPrimetime Emmy Awardand whichTV Guideranked as episodeNo.1 on its list of \"TV'sTop 100 Episodes of All Time\".He has also been involved in other films and television series. David wrote and directed the 1998 filmSour Grapes, about two cousins who feud over acasinojackpot. It was neither a commercial nor a critical success.He has also appeared in bit roles inWoody Allen'sRadio Days(1987) andNew York Stories(1989). 1999–2024:Curb Your Enthusiasmand acclaim","acclaim TheHBOcable television channel aired David's one-hour special,Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm, on October 17, 1999.This was followed byCurb Your Enthusiasm, an HBO television series whose first episode aired on October 15, 2000.The show revisits many of the themes ofSeinfeldand is improvised from a story outline only several pages long written by David (and, from the fifth season onward, additional writers). The actors improvise their dialogue based on the outline, direction, and their creativity. David has said that his character in the show, a fictionalized version of himself, is what he would be like in real life if he lacked social awareness and sensitivity.The character's numerous and frequent social faux pas, misunderstandings, and ironic coincidences are the basis of much of the show's comedy and have led to the entry into the American pop culture lexicon of the expression \"Larry David moment\", meaning an inadvertently created socially awkward situation.Curb Your Enthusiasmhas been described","been described as depicting \"the things nobody wants to say, but wish they could\". The show is based on David's life following the fortune he earned fromSeinfeld; semi-retired, he strives to live a fulfilled life.Alongside David is his wife Cheryl (Cheryl Hines), his manager and best friend Jeff (Jeff Garlin), and Jeff's wife Susie (Susie Essman). Celebrities, including comediansRichard Lewis,Wanda Sykes, andBob Einstein, appeared on the show regularly. ActorsTed DansonandMary Steenburgenhave had recurring roles as themselves. The show is critically acclaimed and has been nominated for 30 Primetime Emmy Awards, with one win, as well as a Golden Globe win. In the first six seasons,Julia Louis-DreyfusandJason Alexanderappear in several episodes, andJerry Seinfeldhas a cameo. In season 7, the cast ofSeinfeld, includingMichael Richards, return in a story arc involving David's attempt to organize aSeinfeldreunion special. On June 2, 2010, the series premiered on theTV Guide Network, its network television","network television debut.TV Guide Networkalso produced a series of related discussions with high-profile guest stars, media pundits, and prominent social figures called \"Curb: The Discussion\" debating the moral implications of each episode. David is quoted as saying \"Finally, thanks to the TV Guide Network, I'll get a chance to watch actual, intelligent people discuss and debate the issues addressed on 'Curb'. Now if only someone could tell me where this alleged 'Network' is, I might even watch it.\"The show's 12th and final season premiered in January 2024. David played the leading role inWoody Allen's 2009 comedy filmWhatever WorksalongsideEvan Rachel Wood.He had a cameo appearance on theHBOseriesEntourageas a client ofAri Gold, and because his daughters wereHannah Montanafans, David and his daughters guest-starred as themselves in the episode \"My Best Friend's Boyfriend\", in which they wait for a table at a fancy restaurant.David appeared as a panelist on theNBCseriesThe Marriage Refand also played Sister","also played Sister Mary-Mengele in the 2012 reboot ofThe Three Stooges.He co-wrote and starred in the 2013HBOtelevision filmClear History. David wrote and starred in the Broadway playFish in the Dark. Also appearing wereRita Wilson,Jayne Houdyshell, andRosie Perez. The play centers on the death of a family patriarch. It opened on March 5, 2015.Jason Alexandertook over David's role in July. The play closed in August.As of February 1, 2015, its advance sale of $13.5 million had broken records for a Broadway show. Bernie Sanders Since 2015, David has made multiple guest appearances portraying 2016 and 2020 United States presidential election candidateBernie SandersonSaturday Night Live; he also hosted the show on February 6, 2016, with musical guestThe 1975and a cameo by Sanders himself, and on November 4, 2017, with musical guestMiley Cyrus. In 2017,PBS'sFinding Your Rootsdiscovered through genealogical research that David and Sanders are distantly related. Sanders told David the news. \"I was very happy about","very happy about that,\" David said, according toVariety. \"I thought there must have been some connection.\" The comedian explained that Sanders is \"a third cousin or something.\"He is in fact David's sixth cousin once removed. On January 8, 2020, David joked onThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, \"I would say, I would beg him to drop out so I don't have to keep flying in from Los Angeles to doSNL. I thought when he had the heart attack that would be it, I wouldn't have to fly in from Los Angeles. But, you know, he's indestructible. Nothing stops this man!\" He later added, \"If he wins, do you know what that's going to do to my life? Do you have any idea? I mean, it will be great for the country—great for the country, terrible for me.\" Influences David has namedWoody Allen,Mel Brooks,Phil Silvers,Abbott and Costello,Jackie Mason,Alan King,Don Rickles, andMadmagazine as influences. Personal life David lives in thePacific Palisadesneighborhood ofLos Angeles, California. He was married toLaurie Lennardfrom 1993 to","Lennardfrom 1993 to 2007.They have two daughters,Cazzie Davidand Romy David.Larry and Laurie became contributing bloggers atThe Huffington Postin 2005.In 2017, David was introduced to producer Ashley Underwood at a birthday party forSacha Baron Cohen. They married in 2020.David's niece is actressJulie Claire, who appears inSeinfeldandCurb Your Enthusiasm. David is an atheistand an avid sports fan. A native New Yorker, he supports theNew York Jets,Yankees,KnicksandRangers.David is also a supporter of theDemocratic Party.In 2010, he wrote an article forThe New York Timescriticizing the extension of theBush tax cutsfor the wealthy. He ended the article with a sarcastic thank-you to then-PresidentBarack Obamafor approving the extension. Wealth In 2013,Charlie Roseestimated David'snet worthat around $500 million.Two years later, two other estimates put the number between $400 millionand $900 million.In 2020,National Reviewoffered an estimate of about $400 million. Most of David's wealth originates fromsyndication","fromsyndication dealsofSeinfeldandCurb Your Enthusiasm, the former having netted $3.1 billion in rerun fees as of 2013.The syndication ofSeinfeldearned David an estimated $250 million in 1998 alone.In 2008, David was reported to have grossed $55 million, mostly fromSeinfeldsyndication and work onCurb Your Enthusiasm. David's net worth was parodied in a 2001 episode ofCurb Your Enthusiasm, \"The Shrimp Incident\", in whichHBOexecutive Allan Wasserman yells at David: \"If you want shrimp, take your $475 million, go buy a shrimp boat.\" In a 2015 interview withCBS, David confirmed that half of his wealth was eroded by his 2007 divorce in thecommunity property stateof California.\"I have a lot of money\", he said, adding that the \"figures out there are crazy\". Legal issue David was among several celebrities who appeared in a commercial for cryptocurrency exchangeFTXthat aired duringSuper Bowl LVI.In November 2022,FTX filed for bankruptcy, and David, alongside other spokespeople, was sued in aclass-action lawsuit.In","lawsuit.In February 2022, theU.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appealsruled in a lawsuit againstBitconnectthat theSecurities Act of 1933extends totargeted solicitationusingsocial media. Filmography Film Television Theater Written works Awards and nominations David has received numerous awards, including twoEmmy Awards, threeProducers Guild of America Awards, and threeWriters Guild of America Awards. He has been nominated for threeGolden Globe Awardsand sixScreen Actors Guild Awards. Fellow comedians and comedy insiders voted David the 23rd-greatest comedy star ever in a poll to selectThe Comedian's Comedian. Notes References Further reading External links"],"string":"[\n \"Emory Kristof Emory Kristof(November 19, 1942 – February 6, 2023) was an American photographer. He was on the expedition that discovered theTitanic.His work has been published inNational Geographic Magazineand elsewhere. Life and career Kristof was born inLaurel, Maryland, on November 19, 1942. Kristof participated in multiple undersea expeditions with Canadian explorersJoseph MacInnisandPhil Nuytten, including the exploration of theBreadalbane, the world's northernmost known shipwreck, and the 1995 expedition to recover the bell from the wreck of theSSEdmund Fitzgerald.Kristof also accompanied MacInnis and Russian explorerAnatoly Sagalevichon a descent 16,400 feet intoKings Troughin the eastern North Atlantic aboard the submersibleMir 1, and on the expedition which made theIMAXfilmTitanica. Kristof served as Supervising Producer of 2003IMAXdocumentary,Volcanoes of the Deep Sea, about the ecosystems surroundinghydrothermal vents. Kristof diedNorthfield, Massachusetts, on February 6, 2023, at the age of 80.\",\n \"at the age of 80. Awards References External links This article about an American photographer is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.\",\n \"University of Maryland, College Park TheUniversity of Maryland, College Park(University of Maryland,UMD, or simplyMaryland) is apublicland-grantresearch universityinCollege Park, Maryland, United States. Founded in 1856, UMD is theflagship institutionof theUniversity System of Maryland. UMD is the largest university in both the state and theWashington metropolitan area. Its 12 schools and colleges offer over 200 degree-granting programs, including 113 undergraduate majors, 107master'sprograms, and 83doctoral programs. UMD is a member of theAssociation of American Universitiesand competes in intercollegiate athletics as a member of theBig Ten Conference. The University of Maryland's proximity to Washington, D.C. has resulted in many research partnerships with thefederal government;faculty receive research funding and institutional support from many agencies, such as theNational Institutes of Health,NASA, theNational Institute of Standards and Technology, theFood and Drug Administration, theNational Security\",\n \"Security Agency, and theDepartment of Homeland Security.It isclassifiedamong \\\"R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity\\\"and has been labeled a \\\"Public Ivy\\\".According to theNational Science Foundation, the university spent a combined $1.14 billion on research and development in 2021, ranking it 17th among American universities. History Early history On March 6, 1856, the forerunner of today's University of Maryland was chartered as theMaryland Agricultural College.Two years later,Charles Benedict Calvert(1808–1864), a futureU.S. Representative(Congressman) and descendant of the firstLord Baltimore, purchased 420 acres (1.7 km2) of theRiversdale Mansionestate nearby today'sCollege Park, Maryland.Later that year, Calvert founded the school and was the acting president from 1859 to 1860.On October 5, 1859, the first 34 students entered the Maryland Agricultural College.The school became aland grant collegein February 1864. Civil War During theCivil War,Confederatesoldiers under Brigadier\",\n \"under Brigadier GeneralBradley Tyler Johnsonmoved past the college on July 12, 1864, as part of Jubal Early's raid onWashington, D.C.By the end of the war, financial problems forced the administrators to sell off 200 acres (81 ha) of land, and the continuing decline in enrollment sent the Maryland Agricultural College into bankruptcy. The campus was used as a boys' preparatory school for the next two years. The Maryland legislature assumed half ownership of the school in 1866. The college thus became, in part, a state institution. By October 1867, the school reopened with 11 students. In 1868, the former Confederate admiralFranklin Buchananwas appointed president of the school. Enrollment grew to 80 at the time of his resignation, and the school soon paid off its debt. In 1873,Samuel Jones, a former Confederate Major General, became president of the college. Twenty years later, the federally-funded Agricultural Experiment Station was established there. During this same period, state laws granted the college\",\n \"granted the college regulatory powers in several areas—including controlling farm disease, inspecting feed, establishing a state weather bureau and geological survey, and housing the forestry board.Morrill Hall(the oldest instructional building still in use on campus) was built the following year. Great Fire of 1912 On November 29, 1912, a fire destroyed student housing, school records, and most of the academic buildings, leaving onlyMorrill Halluntouched. There were no injuries or fatalities, and all but two students returned to the university and insisted on classes continuing.A new administration building was not built until the 1940s. 20th century The state took control of the school in 1916 and renamed itMaryland State College. That year, the first female students enrolled at the school. On April 9, 1920, the college became part of the existingUniversity of Maryland, replacingSt. John's College, Annapolisas the university's undergraduate campus.In the same year, the graduate school on the College Park\",\n \"on the College Park campus awarded its first Ph.D. degrees and the university's enrollment reached 500 students. In 1925 the university was accredited by theAssociation of American Universities. By the time the first black students enrolled at the university in 1951, enrollment had grown to nearly 10,000 students—4,000 of whom were women. Before 1951, many black students in Maryland were enrolled at theUniversity of Maryland, Eastern Shore. In 1957, PresidentWilson H. Elkinspushed to increase the university's academic standards. His efforts resulted in creating one of the first Academic Probation Plans. The first year the plan went into effect, 1,550 students (18% of the total student body) faced expulsion. On October 19, 1957,Queen Elizabeth IIof the United Kingdom attended her first and only college football game at the University of Maryland after expressing interest in seeing a typically American sport during her first tour of the United States. TheMaryland Terrapinsbeat theNorth Carolina Tar Heels21 to\",\n \"Tar Heels21 to 7 in the historical game now referred to as \\\"The Queen's Game\\\". Phi Beta Kappaestablished a chapter at The University of Maryland in 1964. In 1969, the university was elected to theAssociation of American Universities. The school continued to grow, and by the fall of 1985 reached an enrollment of 38,679.Like many colleges during theVietnam War, the university was the site of student protests and had curfews enforced by theNational Guard. In a massive restructuring of the state's higher education system in 1988, the school was designated as the flagship campus of the newly formedUniversity of Maryland System(later changed to the University System of Maryland in 1997). It was formally named the University of Maryland, College Park. All five campuses in the former network were designated distinct campuses in the new system. However, in 1997 theMaryland General Assemblypassed legislation allowing the University of Maryland, College Park, to be known simply as the University of Maryland,\",\n \"of Maryland, recognizing the campus' role as the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland. In 1994, theNational Archives at College Parkcompleted construction and opened on a parcel of land adjoining the campus donated by the University of Maryland, after lobbying by PresidentWilliam Kirwanand congressional leaders to foster academic collaboration between the institutions. 21st century In 2004, the university began constructing the 150-acre (61 ha) \\\"M Square Research Park\\\", which includes facilities affiliated with theU.S. Department of Defense,Food and Drug Administration, and the new National Center for Weather and Climate Prediction, affiliated with TheNational Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration(NOAA).In May 2010, ground was broken on a new Physical Science Complex, including an advanced quantum science laboratory. The university suffered multipledata breachesin 2014. The first resulted in the compromise of over 300,000 student and faculty records.A second data breach occurred several\",\n \"occurred several months later.The second breach was investigated by the FBI and Secret Service and found to be done by David Helkowski.Despite the attribution, no charges were filed. As a result of the data breaches, the university offered free credit protection for five years to the students and faculty affected. In 2017, the university received a record-breaking donation of $219.5 million from theA. James & Alice B. Clark Foundation, ranking among the country's largest philanthropic gifts to a public university.Darryll J. Pinesbecame the 34th president of the university in 2020. Pines was a professor of Aerospace Engineering at the university before becoming president. In 2021, the university announced it had raised $1.5 billion in donations since 2018. In April of 2024, UMD students joined othercampuses across the United States in protestsagainst theIsrael–Hamas war. Students called attention to thegenocide in Palestineand for the university todivest from companiesthat support the Hamas-Israel\",\n \"the Hamas-Israel war.Activism continued in next academic year with the placement of small flags in the lawn on McKeldin Mall, representing the more than 150,000 Palestinians killed in Gaza. Campus The center of the university's 1,250 acres (5.1 km2) is McKeldin Mall, which is the largest academic mall in the United States.The Mall is bordered on the east and west byMcKeldin Libraryand the Thomas V. Miller, Jr. Administration Building, respectively. Academic buildings surround McKeldin Mall on the north and south ends. They are the homes to many departments in theCollege of Behavioral and Social Sciences, College of Arts and Humanities, and the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources. West of McKeldin Mall is the North Hill Community, and south of McKeldin Mall liesMorrill Halland the Morrill Quad, which was the original center of campus. South of the Morrill Quad are the South Hill and South Campus Commons Communities, and the Southwest Mall and theRobert H. Smith School of Businessto the southwest.\",\n \"the southwest. Running parallel to McKeldin Mall to the north is Campus Drive, the main thoroughfare through campus. Another thoroughfare, Regents Drive, runs perpendicular to the Mall and is home to theMemorial Chapeland the Campus Farms. Regents Drive crosses Campus Drive at the campus hallmark,\\\"M\\\" Circle, which is a traffic circle with a large \\\"M\\\" formed by flowers in its center.The northeast quadrant of campus, formed by Campus and Regent Drives, is home to many ofnatural sciencesandapplied sciencesdepartments.The Rossborough Inn, which, was built during the years 1798 to 1812, is the oldest building on campus (and is older than the university itself).There are five regularly used entrances to campus; the main entrance, off of Baltimore Avenue and onto Campus Drive, is referred to as North Gate and features the Gatehouse, an ornate gateway honoring the university's founders.The 140-acre (57 ha), 18-holeUniversity of Maryland Golf Coursesits at the northern edge of campus, as doesthe Observatory. The\",\n \"Observatory. The campus contains 7,500 documented trees and garden plantings, leading theAmerican Public Gardens Associationto designate the campus theUniversity of Maryland Arboretum & Botanical Gardenin 2008.There are also nearly 400 acres (1.6 km2) ofurban foreston campusand theArbor Day Foundationhas named the university to its 'Tree Campus USA' list.The recreational Paint Branch Trail, part of theAnacostia Tributary Trailssystem, cuts through campus, as does thePaint Branchstream, a tributary of theNortheast Branch Anacostia River.The university's firstLeed Goldbuilding, Knight Hall, opened in April 2010 as the new home for thePhilip Merrill College of Journalism.In 2021, President Pines pledged that the University of Maryland would achievecarbon neutralitybyEarth Day2025. Academics As of 2023, The University of Maryland ranked #46 in National Universities and #19 in Top Public Schools in the United States.The University of Maryland offers 127 undergraduate degrees and 112 graduate degrees in thirteen\",\n \"degrees in thirteen colleges and schools: Undergraduate admissions Admission to Maryland is rated \\\"most selective\\\" byU.S. News & World Report.For the Class of 2026 (enrolled fall 2022), Maryland received 56,766 applications and accepted 19,451 (34.3%). Of those accepted, 4,742 enrolled, ayield rate(the percentage of accepted students who choose to attend the university) of 24.4%.Maryland's freshmanretention rateis 95.5%, with 88.3% going on to graduate within six years. Of the 34% of the incoming freshman class who submittedSATscores; the middle 50 percent Composite scores were 1340–1490.Of the 9% of enrolled freshmen in 2021 who submittedACTscores; the middle 50 percent Composite score was between 30 and 34. The University of Maryland, College Park is a college sponsor of the National Merit Scholarship Program and sponsored 58 Merit Scholarship awards in 2020. In the 2020–2021 academic year, 69 freshman students wereNational Merit Scholars. In 2020, the university announced it was joining theCommon App.\",\n \"theCommon App. Beginning with the 2017-18 admissions cycle, the University of Maryland uses the application provided by The Coalition for Access, Affordability, and Success. Rankings The university is tied for 46th in the 2024U.S. News & World Reportrankings of \\\"National Universities\\\" across the United States, and it is ranked tied for 19th nationally among public universities.TheAcademic Ranking of World Universitiesranked Maryland as 43rd in the world in 2015. The 2017–2018Times Higher Education World University Rankingsplaced Maryland 69th worldwide. The 2016/17QS World University Rankingsranked Maryland 131st worldwide. The university was ranked amongPeace Corps' 25 Top Volunteer-Producing Colleges for the tenth consecutive year in 2020.The University of Maryland is ranked amongTeach for America's Top 20 Colleges and Universities, contributing the greatest number of graduating seniors to its 2017 teaching corps. For the fourth consecutive year in 2015, the university was ranked 1st in the U.S. for the\",\n \"in the U.S. for the number ofBoren Scholarshiprecipients – with nine students receiving awards for intensive international language study.The university is ranked as a Top Producing Institution ofFulbrightU.S. Students and Scholars for the 2017–2018 academic year by theUnited States Department of State'sBureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. In 2017, the University of Maryland was ranked among the top 50 universities in the 2018Best Global Universities RankingsbyU.S. News & World Reportbased on its high academic research performance and global reputation. In 2021, the university was ranked among the top 10 universities inThe Princeton Review's annual survey of the Top Schools for Innovation & Entrepreneurship; this was the sixth consecutive such ranking. Faculty The university's faculty has included fourNobel Prizelaureates. The earliest recipient (1956), wasJuan Ramón Jiménez, a Spanish language and literature professor. Four decades later, physics professorWilliam Daniel Phillipswon a prize in physics\",\n \"a prize in physics for his contributions tolaser cooling. In 2005,Thomas Schellingwas awarded the prize in economics for his contributions togame theory. In 2006,John C. Matherwas awarded the prize in physics alongsideGeorge Smootfor their work in the discovery of blackbody form andanisotropyof thecosmic microwave background radiation. In addition, two University of Maryland alumni are Nobel Prize laureates;Herbert Hauptmanwon the 1985 prize in chemistry, andRaymond Davis Jr.won the 2002 prize in physics. The university has many notable academics. Professor of mathematics,Sergei Novikovwon theFields Medalin 1970, followed by alumnusCharles Feffermanin 1978. AlumnusGeorge Dantzigwon the 1975National Medal of Sciencefor his work in the field of linear programming. Professor of physicsMichael Fisherwon theWolf Prizein 1980 (together withKenneth G. WilsonandLeo Kadanoff) and theIUPAPBoltzmann Medalin 1983.James A. Yorke, a distinguished university professor of mathematics and physics and chair of the mathematics\",\n \"of the mathematics department, won the 2003Japan Prizefor his work inchaotic systems. In 2013, professor of physicsSylvester James Gateswas awarded theNational Medal of Science. Research UMD isclassifiedamong \\\"R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity\\\".In FY 2020, the university spent about 1.103 billion dollars in total R&D expenditures, ranking it 16th in the nation. On October 14, 2004, the university added 150 acres (61 ha) in an attempt to create the largest research park inside the Washington, D.C.Capital Beltway, formerly known as \\\"M Square\\\" and now known as the \\\"Discovery District.\\\" Many of the faculty members have funding from federal agencies such as theNational Science Foundation, theNational Institutes of Health,NASA,theDepartment of Homeland Security,theNational Institute of Standards and Technology, and theNational Security Agency. TheSpace Systems Laboratoryresearches human-robotic interaction forastronauticsapplications and includes the onlyneutral buoyancyfacility at a\",\n \"at a university. TheJoint Global Change Research Institutewas formed in 2001 by the University of Maryland and thePacific Northwest National Laboratory. The institute focuses on multidisciplinary approaches to climate change research. TheNational Consortium for the Study of Terrorism and Responses to Terrorism(START) launched in 2005 as one of theCenters of Excellencesupported by theDepartment of Homeland Securityin the United States. START is focused on the scientific study of the causes and consequences of terrorism in the United States and worldwide. Living-learning programs The university hosts \\\"living-learning\\\" programs (LLPs) that allow students with similar academic interests to live in the same residential community take specialized courses and perform research in those areas of expertise. These include CIVICUS, focused on politics and community service;HinmanCEOs, an entrepreneurship program;and the Language House, where students learning a shared target language live together.Several LLPs exist\",\n \"LLPs exist under the university's Honors College, with focuses in topics including cybersecurity, entrepreneurship, and life sciences.College Park Scholars is another LLP umbrella that includes programs in the arts, public health, and legal thought, among other things. Student life Residential life There are two main residential areas on campus, North Campus and South Campus, further divided into seven residential communities. North Campus is made up of Cambridge Community (which consists of five residence halls and houses the College Park Scholars program), Denton Community (which consists of four halls), and Ellicott Community (consisting of three halls). The Heritage community, completed in 2022, features two residence halls and a dining hall. South Campus includes the North Hill Community, made up of nineGeorgian-stylehalls and Prince Frederick Hall (which opened in 2014) immediately west ofMcKeldin Mall; South Hill Community, made up of fourteen small residence halls for upper-level students;\",\n \"students; Leonardtown Community, which offers apartment-style housing; the South Campus Commons Community, which consists of seven apartment-style buildings (the seventh and most recent building being opened in January 2010); and the Courtyards, a garden-style apartment community in north campus consisting of seven buildings. Dining There are three dining halls on campus. In addition,a food court in the Stamp Student Unionprovides manyfast fooddining options for the university community.The dining hall 251 lies in the Denton Community on the northern part of campus.The second northern dining hall, the university's newest dining facility, Yahentamitsi Dining Hall, is the first building on campus named in honor of Indigenous people. The word “Yahentamitsi” means A Place to Go to Eat in the native Algonquian language.The third and final dining hall, South Campus Dining Hall, can be found just south of Mckeldin Library.https://dining.umd.edu/hours-locations/dining-halls Transportation The university is\",\n \"The university is accessible throughthe three airportsin the greaterWashington metropolitan area:Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport,Washington Dulles International Airport, andBaltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport.A small public airport in College Park,College Park Airport, lies nearly adjacent to campus, but operations are limited. This airport is the world's oldest continually operating airportand the site of many significant aviation firsts. A free shuttle service, known asShuttle–UM, is available for UMD students, faculty, staff, and some residents of College Park and Greenbelt.The university is served by an off-campus stop on theWashington Metro'sGreenLinecalledCollege Park – University of Maryland. Other trains and busses stop there. In 2011, the university signed on to the state'sPurple Lineprogram.The Purple Line route will have five stops on and around the university's campus: M Square, the College Park Metro station, the main entrance to the campus on Route 1, near\",\n \"on Route 1, near Stamp Student Union on Campus Drive, and on the other edge of campus on Adelphi Road, along with a parallel running bike path. The Diamondback The Diamondbackis an independentstudent newspaper. It was founded in 1910 asThe Triangleand renamed in 1921 in honor of a local reptile, theDiamondback terrapin, which became the school mascot in 1933. The newspaper is published daily during the spring and fall semesters, with a print circulation of 17,000 and annual advertising revenues of over $1 million.Notable journalists who have been with the paper includeDavid SimonofHBO'sThe WireandNBC'sHomicide: Life on the Street, and cartoonistsJeff Kinney, who created theDiary of a Wimpy Kidfiction series and whoseIgdoofstrip appeared inThe Diamondback;Aaron McGruder, who first published his cartoonThe BoondocksinThe Diamondback; andFrank Cho, who began his career with the popularUniversity SquaredforThe Diamondback. Other student activities WMUC-FM(90.5 FM) is the university's non-commercial radio\",\n \"radio station, staffed by UMD students and volunteers. WMUC is afreeformandsports broadcastingstation broadcast at 10 watts. Its broadcasts can be heard throughout theWashington metropolitan area. Notable WMUC alumni includeConnie Chung,Bonnie Bernstein,Peter Rosenbergand Aaron McGruder. Approximately 16% of men and women in Maryland's undergraduate student body were involved infraternities and sororitiesin 2017. Athletics The university sponsors varsity athletic teams in 20 men's and women's sports. The teams, named the \\\"Terrapins\\\", represent Maryland inNational Collegiate Athletic AssociationDivision Icompetition. Maryland became a founding member of theAtlantic Coast Conferencein 1952 but left to join theBig Ten Conferenceon July 1, 2014. As of 2017, Maryland's athletic teams have been awarded 44 national championships by the NCAA,USILA,AIAW, andNCA.In 2008 and 2010,The Princeton Reviewnamed the University of Maryland's athletic facilities the best in the nation.The Terrapins nickname (often shortened to\",\n \"(often shortened to \\\"Terps\\\") was coined by former university president, football coach, and athletic directorH. C. \\\"Curly\\\" Byrdin 1932.The mascot is adiamondback terrapinnamedTestudo, which isLatinfor \\\"tortoise\\\".Since the early 20th century, the school athletic colors have been some combination of those on theMaryland state flag: red, white, black, and gold.Maryland is the only NCAA Division I school to have four official school colors. Basketball and football Men's basketballis the most popular sport at the university.Long-time head coachLefty Driesellbegan the now nationwide tradition of \\\"Midnight Madness\\\" in 1971.Beginning in 1989, alumnusGary Williamsrevived the program, which was struggling in the wake ofLen Bias's death and NCAA rules infractions. Williams led Maryland basketball to national prominence with twoFinal Fourappearances, and in 2002, anational championship. On February 7, 2006, Williams won his 349th game to surpass Driesell and became Maryland's all-time leader among basketball\",\n \"among basketball coaches.Mark Turgeonbecame head coach in 2011. Maryland footballis also popular at the university. Lacrosse Maryland men's lacrosseremains one of the sport's top programs since its beginnings as a squad in 1865.The team most recently won the national championship in2022, completing an undefeated season, the first since Virginia in 2006, and the first to go undefeated across 18 games. The team has won tenUSILAand NCAA national championships since its promotion to varsity status in 1924 and is a regular fixture in theNCAA tournament.TheMaryland women's lacrosseteam has won 15 national championships, the most of any program in the nation.The team has produced the National Player of the Year/Tewaaraton Awardwinner eight times, more than any other collegiate program.The Terrapins have also made the most NCAA tournament appearances, won the most tournament games, and made the most NCAA championship game appearances of any program.They most recently won the NCAA championship in 2019. Soccer\",\n \"in 2019. Soccer Themen's soccer teamhas won fourNCAA Division I College Cupnational championships, most recently in 2018.Under the guidance of head coachSasho Cirovski, the soccer team has reached nine Final Fours and won three College Cups since 1997. The soccer team has developed a large, devoted fan base among students and the local community. The attendance record at Ludwig Field was set in 2015 when 8,449 fans saw Maryland win over top-ranked UCLA in extra time.The annual total attendance increased dramatically from 12,710 in 1995 to 35,631 in 2008. Field hockey TheMaryland field hockeyteam has won a total of eightNCAA national championshipsand 13 conference championships (10 in the ACC and 5 in the Big Ten). Marching band TheMighty Sound of Marylandmarching band attends all home football games and provides pre-game performances.During basketball season, the marching band provides music in the stands. Notable alumni Notable alumni includeHouse Democratic WhipSteny Hoyer;Googleco-founderSergey Brin;The\",\n \"Brin;The MuppetscreatorJim Henson;The WirecreatorDavid Simon;former NFL QuarterbackNorman \\\"Boomer\\\" Esiason;CBShostGayle King; journalistConnie Chung; andSeinfeldco-creator andCurb Your EnthusiasmcreatorLarry David.Prominent alumni in business includeEd Snider, former chairman ofComcast Spectacorand former owner of thePhiladelphia Flyers; journalistJim Walton, former president and CEO ofCNN;Kevin Plank, founder and executive chairman of the athletic apparel companyUnder Armour;Chris Kubasik, former president ofLockheed Martin; andCarly Fiorina, former CEO ofHewlett-Packard. JournalistCarl Bernstein, who won thePulitzer Prize for Public Servicefor his coverage of theWatergate scandal, attended the university but did not graduate. Attendees within the fields of science and mathematics are Nobel laureatesRaymond Davis Jr., 2002 winner in Physics;Herbert Hauptman, 1985 winner in Chemistry, andFields MedalwinnerCharles Fefferman. Other alumni includeGeorge Dantzig, considered the father of linear programming;\",\n \"linear programming; lateNASAastronautJudith Resnik, who died in the destruction of theSpace Shuttle Challengerduring the launch of missionSTS-51-L; andNASAAdministratorMichael D. Griffin. Several donors have distinguished themselves for their sizable gifts to the university. BusinessmanRobert H. Smith, who graduated from the university in 1950 with a degree in accounting, gave over $45 million to the business school that now bears his name and to the Clarice Smith Performing Arts Center, which bears his wife's name.Construction entrepreneurA. James Clark, who graduated with an engineering degree in 1950, donated over $45 million to the college of engineering, which also bears his name.Another engineering donor,Jeong H. Kim, earned his Ph.D. from the university in 1991 and gave $5 million for the construction of a state-of-the-art engineering building.Philip Merrill, a media figure, donated $10 million to the College of Journalism.Robert E. Fischell, physicist, inventor, and holder of more than 200 U.S. and\",\n \"than 200 U.S. and foreign medical patentsdonated $30 million to theA. James Clark School of Engineering,establishing the Fischell Department of Bioengineering.Brendan Iribe, a co-founder ofOculus VR, donated $31 million to the university in 2014 towardsa new computer science buildingand scholarships. See also Explanatory notes References External links\",\n \"Larry David Lawrence Gene David(born July 2, 1947) is an American comedian, writer, actor, and television producer.He andJerry Seinfeldcreated theNBCtelevisionsitcomSeinfeld, of which David was head writer and executive producer for the first seven seasons. He gained further recognition for creating and writing theHBOseriesCurb Your Enthusiasm,in which he also stars as a fictionalized version of himself.David's work onSeinfeldwon him twoPrimetime Emmy Awardsin 1993, forOutstanding Comedy SeriesandOutstanding Individual Achievement in Writing in a Comedy Series;he was nominated 17 other times. Formerly a stand-up comedian, David went intotelevision comedy, writing and starring inABC'sFridays, and writing briefly forSaturday Night Live. He has been nominated for 27Primetime Emmy Awardsand threeGolden Globe Awards. Fellow comedians and comedy insiders voted him the 23rd-greatest comedy star ever in a 2004 British poll to select \\\"The Comedian's Comedian\\\",and he received theWriters Guild of America's Laurel\",\n \"of America's Laurel Awardin 2010.He made hisBroadwaydebut writing and starring in the comedic playFish in the Dark(2015). Since 2015 he has made recurring guest appearances onSaturday Night Live, where he impersonates 2016 and 2020U.S. presidential candidateBernie Sanders, who is his sixth cousin once removed. Early life and education David was born on July 2, 1947, in theSheepshead Bayneighborhood ofBrooklyn,New York City. His parents are Rose (née Regina Brandes) and Mortimer Julius \\\"Morty\\\" David, a men's clothing manufacturer, and he has an older brother, Ken.David's family isJewish. HisAmerican Jewishfather's familymoved from Germanyto the U.S. during the 19th century, while David's mother was born into aPolish-Jewishfamily inTernopil, now inUkraine, and her mother's family name was Superfein. David graduated fromSheepshead Bay High School, now defunct and operating as Frank J. Macchiarola Educational Complex, in 1965. A sign with his photo is displayed in one of the complex's hallways. He then attended\",\n \"He then attended theUniversity of Maryland, College Park, where he was a brother inTau Epsilon Phi.He graduated in 1970 with aBachelor of Artsinhistory.At college, he discovered that he could make people laugh simply by being himself.After college, Davidenlistedin theUnited States Army Reserveand received training as a petroleum storage specialist.To avoid the final year of his six-year enlistment, he paid a psychiatrist to write a letter declaring him unfit for duty. Career 1980–1987: Stand-up andSNL While a stand-up comedian, David also worked as a store clerk, limousine driver, and historian. He lived inManhattan Plaza, a federally subsidized housing complex inManhattan'sHell's Kitchenneighborhood, across the hall fromKenny Kramer, the inspiration for theCosmo Kramercharacter inSeinfeld.From 1980 to 1982, David became a writer and cast member forABC'sFridays, where he worked withMichael Richards, who later played Kramer onSeinfeld. From 1984 to 1985, David was a writer forNBC'sSaturday Night Live(SNL) and\",\n \"Night Live(SNL) and metJulia Louis-Dreyfus, who also worked on the show in this period.During his time atSNL, he was able to get only one sketch on the air, which aired at 12:50 am, the show's last time slot.David quit his job atSNLin the first season, only to show up to work two days later acting as though nothing had happened. That event inspired the second-seasonSeinfeldepisode \\\"The Revenge\\\".He can be heard hecklingMichael McKeanwhen McKean hostedSNLin 1984, and can be seen in the sketch \\\"The Run, Throw, and Catch Like a Girl Olympics\\\" whenHoward Cosellhosted the season finale in 1985.In 1987, David was a writer and performer forWay Off Broadway, a variety talk show onLifetimehosted byJoy Behar. 1989–1998: Breakthrough withSeinfeld In 1989, David teamed up with comedianJerry Seinfeldto create a pilot for NBC calledThe Seinfeld Chronicles, which became the basis forSeinfeld, one of the most successful shows in history,reaching the top ofTV Guide'slist of the 50 greatest TV shows of all time.Entertainment\",\n \"time.Entertainment Weeklyranked it the third-best TV show of all time. David made occasional uncredited appearances on the show, playing such roles as Frank Costanza's cape-wearing lawyer and the voice ofGeorge Steinbrenner. He was also the primary inspiration for the show's characterGeorge Costanza.David leftSeinfeldon friendly terms after the show's seventh season and returned two years later to write the series finale in 1998.He also continued to voice Steinbrenner. David wrote 62Seinfeldepisodes, including 1992's \\\"The Contest\\\", for which he won aPrimetime Emmy Awardand whichTV Guideranked as episodeNo.1 on its list of \\\"TV'sTop 100 Episodes of All Time\\\".He has also been involved in other films and television series. David wrote and directed the 1998 filmSour Grapes, about two cousins who feud over acasinojackpot. It was neither a commercial nor a critical success.He has also appeared in bit roles inWoody Allen'sRadio Days(1987) andNew York Stories(1989). 1999–2024:Curb Your Enthusiasmand acclaim\",\n \"acclaim TheHBOcable television channel aired David's one-hour special,Larry David: Curb Your Enthusiasm, on October 17, 1999.This was followed byCurb Your Enthusiasm, an HBO television series whose first episode aired on October 15, 2000.The show revisits many of the themes ofSeinfeldand is improvised from a story outline only several pages long written by David (and, from the fifth season onward, additional writers). The actors improvise their dialogue based on the outline, direction, and their creativity. David has said that his character in the show, a fictionalized version of himself, is what he would be like in real life if he lacked social awareness and sensitivity.The character's numerous and frequent social faux pas, misunderstandings, and ironic coincidences are the basis of much of the show's comedy and have led to the entry into the American pop culture lexicon of the expression \\\"Larry David moment\\\", meaning an inadvertently created socially awkward situation.Curb Your Enthusiasmhas been described\",\n \"been described as depicting \\\"the things nobody wants to say, but wish they could\\\". The show is based on David's life following the fortune he earned fromSeinfeld; semi-retired, he strives to live a fulfilled life.Alongside David is his wife Cheryl (Cheryl Hines), his manager and best friend Jeff (Jeff Garlin), and Jeff's wife Susie (Susie Essman). Celebrities, including comediansRichard Lewis,Wanda Sykes, andBob Einstein, appeared on the show regularly. ActorsTed DansonandMary Steenburgenhave had recurring roles as themselves. The show is critically acclaimed and has been nominated for 30 Primetime Emmy Awards, with one win, as well as a Golden Globe win. In the first six seasons,Julia Louis-DreyfusandJason Alexanderappear in several episodes, andJerry Seinfeldhas a cameo. In season 7, the cast ofSeinfeld, includingMichael Richards, return in a story arc involving David's attempt to organize aSeinfeldreunion special. On June 2, 2010, the series premiered on theTV Guide Network, its network television\",\n \"network television debut.TV Guide Networkalso produced a series of related discussions with high-profile guest stars, media pundits, and prominent social figures called \\\"Curb: The Discussion\\\" debating the moral implications of each episode. David is quoted as saying \\\"Finally, thanks to the TV Guide Network, I'll get a chance to watch actual, intelligent people discuss and debate the issues addressed on 'Curb'. Now if only someone could tell me where this alleged 'Network' is, I might even watch it.\\\"The show's 12th and final season premiered in January 2024. David played the leading role inWoody Allen's 2009 comedy filmWhatever WorksalongsideEvan Rachel Wood.He had a cameo appearance on theHBOseriesEntourageas a client ofAri Gold, and because his daughters wereHannah Montanafans, David and his daughters guest-starred as themselves in the episode \\\"My Best Friend's Boyfriend\\\", in which they wait for a table at a fancy restaurant.David appeared as a panelist on theNBCseriesThe Marriage Refand also played Sister\",\n \"also played Sister Mary-Mengele in the 2012 reboot ofThe Three Stooges.He co-wrote and starred in the 2013HBOtelevision filmClear History. David wrote and starred in the Broadway playFish in the Dark. Also appearing wereRita Wilson,Jayne Houdyshell, andRosie Perez. The play centers on the death of a family patriarch. It opened on March 5, 2015.Jason Alexandertook over David's role in July. The play closed in August.As of February 1, 2015, its advance sale of $13.5 million had broken records for a Broadway show. Bernie Sanders Since 2015, David has made multiple guest appearances portraying 2016 and 2020 United States presidential election candidateBernie SandersonSaturday Night Live; he also hosted the show on February 6, 2016, with musical guestThe 1975and a cameo by Sanders himself, and on November 4, 2017, with musical guestMiley Cyrus. In 2017,PBS'sFinding Your Rootsdiscovered through genealogical research that David and Sanders are distantly related. Sanders told David the news. \\\"I was very happy about\",\n \"very happy about that,\\\" David said, according toVariety. \\\"I thought there must have been some connection.\\\" The comedian explained that Sanders is \\\"a third cousin or something.\\\"He is in fact David's sixth cousin once removed. On January 8, 2020, David joked onThe Late Show with Stephen Colbert, \\\"I would say, I would beg him to drop out so I don't have to keep flying in from Los Angeles to doSNL. I thought when he had the heart attack that would be it, I wouldn't have to fly in from Los Angeles. But, you know, he's indestructible. Nothing stops this man!\\\" He later added, \\\"If he wins, do you know what that's going to do to my life? Do you have any idea? I mean, it will be great for the country—great for the country, terrible for me.\\\" Influences David has namedWoody Allen,Mel Brooks,Phil Silvers,Abbott and Costello,Jackie Mason,Alan King,Don Rickles, andMadmagazine as influences. Personal life David lives in thePacific Palisadesneighborhood ofLos Angeles, California. He was married toLaurie Lennardfrom 1993 to\",\n \"Lennardfrom 1993 to 2007.They have two daughters,Cazzie Davidand Romy David.Larry and Laurie became contributing bloggers atThe Huffington Postin 2005.In 2017, David was introduced to producer Ashley Underwood at a birthday party forSacha Baron Cohen. They married in 2020.David's niece is actressJulie Claire, who appears inSeinfeldandCurb Your Enthusiasm. David is an atheistand an avid sports fan. A native New Yorker, he supports theNew York Jets,Yankees,KnicksandRangers.David is also a supporter of theDemocratic Party.In 2010, he wrote an article forThe New York Timescriticizing the extension of theBush tax cutsfor the wealthy. He ended the article with a sarcastic thank-you to then-PresidentBarack Obamafor approving the extension. Wealth In 2013,Charlie Roseestimated David'snet worthat around $500 million.Two years later, two other estimates put the number between $400 millionand $900 million.In 2020,National Reviewoffered an estimate of about $400 million. Most of David's wealth originates fromsyndication\",\n \"fromsyndication dealsofSeinfeldandCurb Your Enthusiasm, the former having netted $3.1 billion in rerun fees as of 2013.The syndication ofSeinfeldearned David an estimated $250 million in 1998 alone.In 2008, David was reported to have grossed $55 million, mostly fromSeinfeldsyndication and work onCurb Your Enthusiasm. David's net worth was parodied in a 2001 episode ofCurb Your Enthusiasm, \\\"The Shrimp Incident\\\", in whichHBOexecutive Allan Wasserman yells at David: \\\"If you want shrimp, take your $475 million, go buy a shrimp boat.\\\" In a 2015 interview withCBS, David confirmed that half of his wealth was eroded by his 2007 divorce in thecommunity property stateof California.\\\"I have a lot of money\\\", he said, adding that the \\\"figures out there are crazy\\\". Legal issue David was among several celebrities who appeared in a commercial for cryptocurrency exchangeFTXthat aired duringSuper Bowl LVI.In November 2022,FTX filed for bankruptcy, and David, alongside other spokespeople, was sued in aclass-action lawsuit.In\",\n \"lawsuit.In February 2022, theU.S. 11th Circuit Court of Appealsruled in a lawsuit againstBitconnectthat theSecurities Act of 1933extends totargeted solicitationusingsocial media. Filmography Film Television Theater Written works Awards and nominations David has received numerous awards, including twoEmmy Awards, threeProducers Guild of America Awards, and threeWriters Guild of America Awards. He has been nominated for threeGolden Globe Awardsand sixScreen Actors Guild Awards. Fellow comedians and comedy insiders voted David the 23rd-greatest comedy star ever in a poll to selectThe Comedian's Comedian. Notes References Further reading External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}},{"rowIdx":299,"cells":{"question":{"kind":"string","value":"How many Pokemon World Championships occurred in the contiguous United States during the presidency of Barack Obama?"},"answers":{"kind":"string","value":"- Five Pokemon World Championships took place in the contiguous United States during Barack Obama's presidency - The championships tournaments were 2009 (San Diego, California), 2011 (San Diego, California), 2014 (Washington, D.C.), 2015 (Boston, Massachusetts) and 2016 (San Francisco, California)"},"wikipedia_link_1":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_World_Championships"},"wikipedia_link_2":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama"},"wikipedia_link_3":{"kind":"string","value":"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contiguous_United_States"},"wikipedia_link_4":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_5":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_6":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_7":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_8":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_9":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_10":{"kind":"null"},"wikipedia_link_11+":{"kind":"null"},"reasoning_types":{"kind":"string","value":"Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning"},"wiki_links":{"kind":"string","value":"['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_World_Championships', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contiguous_United_States']"},"urls":{"kind":"list like","value":["https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_World_Championships","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama","https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contiguous_United_States"],"string":"[\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_World_Championships\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama\",\n \"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contiguous_United_States\"\n]","isConversational":false},"content":{"kind":"list like","value":["Pokémon World Championships ThePokémon World Championshipsis an invite-onlyesportsevent organized byPlay! Pokémon. It is held annually in August and features games from thePokémonseries such as thePokémonvideo games,Pokémon Trading Card Game,Pokémon Go,Pokémon UniteandPokkén Tournament(until its 2022 edition). Players earn invitations to the World Championships based on their performance in qualifiers and other tournaments held throughout the season and compete for scholarship money, prizes and the title of World Champion. With the exception ofAsia, invitations to the World Championships are administered by thePlay! Pokémonprogram. History The Pokémon World Championships first began with thePokémon Trading Card Game(TCG) in 2004, which was around the time that the franchise was regaining its popularity.In 2009, Play! Pokémon began to organize competitive tournaments for thePokémonvideo game series alongside the TCG, which is collectively known as the Video Game Championships (VGC). Like the TCG Championships, players compete with other players in their own age divisions (i.e. Junior, Senior and Masters) in different Premier Tournaments, and the season culminates with the best players earning an invitation to play the Pokémon World Championships in August. The tournaments in VGC are played with a different game each year, mainly, the latestPokémongame from its main series. In 2016, Play! Pokémon announced thatPokkén Tournamentwould have its own championship series and would be played at the Pokémon World Championships.From 2018 onward,Pokkén Tournament DXwas used to support its qualifiers and competitions. In 2019, it was announced that the 2020 Pokémon World Championships would take place inLondon, United Kingdom,the first time in which the World Championships would be held in a location outside ofNorth America. This is likely due to the setting ofPokémon Sword and Shield, which takes place in a region inspired by the United Kingdom known as Galar, and it is the set of games that would be played by the video game division of the World Championships. On March 31, 2020,Play! Pokémoncancelled the 2020 Pokémon World Championships and suspended its 2020 season due to health concerns over theCOVID-19 pandemic.This came after earlier announcements in March which saw the cancellation of the 2020 European International Championshipsand part of its season between March and June 2020.On February 9, 2021, it was announced that the 2021 Pokémon World Championships would postponed till 2022 for the same reasons. In early January 2022, it was confirmed thatPokémon Unitewould be played at the World Championships, making it the newestMOBAgame to have an official esports tournament, afterLeague of Legends. In May 2022, after six seasons, Play! Pokémon announced the end of thePokkén TournamentChampionship Series after the 2022 season. At the 2022 edition of the event, it was announced that the 2023 World Championships will take place inYokohama, Japan (the basis of Vermilion City in the Kanto region). When the 2023 event took place, it was the first time that the World Championships visited the franchise's country of origin, as well as the first World Championships to take place in Asia. At the end of the 2023 event, The Pokémon Company announced that the Pokémon World Championships will return toHawaiifor the first time since the previous World Championships in the state was held back in 2012. World Championship locations Despite Pokémon being a Japanese product, only one World Championship (2023) was held in Japan. Almost all of the remaining events were held in the United States. Qualification The qualifying process for the Pokémon World Championships varies each year and is dependent on a player's age division and the country in which they are located in. Players may also qualify to play on different days of the World Championships based on their performance in their respective qualifying programs; the best performing players will immediately advance to the second day of the World Championships playoffs (i.e. \"Day 2\") instead of playing through the first day (i.e. \"Day 1\"). Play! Pokémon program Players located in a country with aPlay! Pokémonprogram (i.e. inNorth America,Europe,Latin AmericaandOceania) compete in a regular schedule of tournaments for Championship Points and receive invitations when they meet a predetermined threshold of points at the end of the season. In 2015, the Play! Pokémon program expanded to include countries from the continents ofLatin AmericaandAsia(except Japan and South Korea). However, on June 10, 2020, it was announced thatAsiawould no longer be part of the Play! Pokémon program and will have its own qualifying system towards the Pokémon World Championships. Pokémon GO Championship Series Pokémon announced in October 2021 thatPokémon GOwould be added during the 2022 World Championships,along with it a qualification system through the Pokémon GO Championship Series, where the top two head to the World Championships.Any trainer who reached Legend rank during Season 9 of thePokémon GO Battle Leaguewould qualify for the GO Championship Series. Pokémon Unite Championship Series In January 2022,Pokémon Uniteproducer Masaaki Hoshino confirmed that the game would be part of the roster of games to be played at the World Championships in London.For the first season of the Pokémon Unite Championship Series, there will be eleven supported Regional Zones: North America, Central America, South America-East, South America-West, Europe, Oceania, Japan, South Korea, India, and the Asia-Pacific region. These events will only be open to players aged 16 or 18, depending on the region or country they are from. In each month, a series of tournaments in each Regional Zone will be held. Like other games in the World Championships, players will earn Championship Points based on their finishing position in that month's tournament. The CP can be retained by players to allow for team changes as the season carries on. The team with the most points qualifies for the Regional Championships, and the top teams from the Regional Championships qualify for a chance to compete at the Pokémon World Championships. In January 2023, there were changes to the competitive structure and Regional Zones. Pokémon World Championships nearly doubled available spots from 16, to 31 teams. Regional Zones controlled by TPCi were also changed, with Central America, South America-East and South America West being changed to LATAM North, LATAM South, and Brazil. TPC had also taken control of the India and Asia-Pacific Regional Zones, and split Asia-Pacific into 2 regions; Asia-Pacific East and Asia-Pacific West. For TPCi controlled regions, the previous month's top 4 did not auto qualify for the next month's tournament finals. Additionally, an extra monthly tournament was added, the April Cup. Championship Points were also changed to include top CP earners an invite to Pokémon World Championships, ranging from top 1 to 3 in top CP earners depending on how many invites were given for a region. For TPC controlled regions, their tournament circuit began in April, with 3 monthly qualifiers. The winners of these qualifiers then participated in Regionals to earn a spot for Pokémon World Championships. Among those changes, both North America and Europe were also given their first regional LAN event. Europe had a LAN event for their Aeos Cup series at European International Championships. North America were given a regional LAN event at the North America International Championships. In 2023, competing countries were divided into eight groups of four teams (groups A to H). Teams in each group play each another in a best-of-three seriesround-robin, with the top team advancing to the Top 8 knockout stage. The final draw took place virtually on thePokémon UniteYouTubechannel on July 28, 2023. The prize pool is $500,000 in USD will be distributed among the Top 16 finishers in the championship. Japan & South Korea Tournaments inJapanandSouth Koreaare organised independently from Play! Pokémon, and as such, players from these countries have a different system of qualification. In Japan, players compete for an invite to theJapan National Championshipsby playing in major qualifier or online tournaments held throughout the season.The best performing players of theJapan National Championshipswill then be selected to represent Japan in the Pokémon World Championships. In South Korea, the style of qualification for the World Championships changes frequently. For example, in 2015, players would compete in theKorean National Championshipsand earn a World Championships invitation based on their standing in the tournament. However, in 2019, players would compete in tournaments organized by theKorean Leagueand earn an invite based on the number of points they had accumulated by the end of the season. Other There are other less common methods of qualifying for the World Championships which include finishing at least top 4 or better in the prior year's World Championships or by participating in asingle-elimination tournamentknown as the Last Chance Qualifierat the location of the World Championships itself. List of World Champions Trading Card Game (TCG) Video Game Championships (VGC) Pokémon Go The under-17 age division was discontinued after the 2022 season. All participants of any age now compete in the same tournament. All tournament battles use the Great League battle format (all Pokémon must be below 1,500 Combat Power.) Pokémon Unite Retired games Pokkén Tournament & Pokkén Tournament DX 2014 World Championships The2014 Pokémon World Championshipswas the sixth annual edition of the championships. The event took place in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center onWashington, D.C., alongside the 2014Pokémon Trading Card GameWorld Championship who were in their eleventh edition. The tournament was streamed viaTwitchfor the first time in the tournament history and reached a viewership of more than 800,000. The defending Video Game champions wereArash OmmatifromItaly(Masters Division), Hayden McTavish from theUnited States(Senior Division), and Brendan Zheng from theUnited States(Junior Division). The opening ceremony of the event was attended byJunichi Masuda, the video game designer for thePokémonfranchise and a member of the board of directors ofGame Freak. The finals match of the Masters division is best known and remembered within the Pokémon community forSe Jun Park's victory with the inclusion and use of aPachirisuon his team. 2014 qualification The qualification process for the 2014 Pokémon World Championships was primarily based on Championship Points accumulated by players from official Play! Pokémon tournaments such as Premier Challenges, Regional Championships and National Championships. In addition, the top 4 players of the 2013 Pokémon World Championships in each division, and the top 4 players of a tournament known as the 'Last Chance Qualifier' will also receive an invitation to play in the World Championships. The invitations for the Masters Division of the tournament were distributed in the following manner: Most of the invitations did not include a fully paid trip to the tournament, and as a result several players could not attend the tournament. 2014 tournament structure Players per country Results Six rounds of Swiss was played by 60 players in the tournament, and each round was played with a set of best-of-three matches. The top 8 players after the Swiss rounds advances to the best-of-three Single Elimination matches. The defending World Champion Arash Ommati and former three-time World ChampionRay Rizzodid not advance to the single elimination rounds. Final standings 2015 World Championships The2015 Pokémon World Championshipswas the seventh annual edition of the championships. The event was held alongside thePokémon Trading Card GameWorld Championships at theHynes Convention CenterinBoston, Massachusetts. The tournament was transmitted with live streaming from the official PokémonTwitchchannel. The defending Video Game champions for the year wereSe Jun ParkfromSouth Korea(Masters Division), Nikolai Zielinsky from theUnited States(Senior Division) and Kota Yamamoto fromJapan(Junior Division). 2015 qualification Players could only gain an invitation to play in the Video Game World Championships by either being the2014 Pokémon World Champions, or by obtaining enough Championship Points in their respective geographic zone designated byPlay! Pokémon. However, the only exception to this rule are for players from Japan and South Korea, as their tournaments are not overseen by Play! Pokémon and their invites are governed through a different system of qualification. Since 2014, players were able to earn Championship Points from various tournaments within their geographical region. The tournaments vary in scale, ranging from local Premier Challenges to state-level Regional Championships and finally the large-scale National Championships. The number of points awarded varies with scale, and players who earn these points are ranked and divided into zones such as North America, Europe and South Africa. This year, two new zones (Latin America and Asia-Pacific) were introduced. The 2015 Pokémon Video Game World Championship was intended to be played under two Swiss tournaments and one single-elimination tournament which would then determine the 2015 World Champions. As such, there are two types of invites: As an example, the invitations for the Masters Division were distributed as follows: 2015 tournament structure TheVideo GameChampionships consisted of twoSwiss tournamentsand one single elimination tournament played across three days. On Friday (Day 1), all players who earned an invitation without a Day 1 bye were entered into a Swiss tournament, where players with two or fewer losses would advance onto the next round. The second Swiss tournament was then played on Saturday (Day 2), where players who advanced from Day 1 were joined by players who received an invitation with a Day 1 bye. At the end of the Day 2 Swiss tournament, the top eight players played in single elimination rounds until the last two remain. The finals took place on Sunday (Day 3). Final standings (Video Game Championships) Weapons controversy During the 2015 World Championships, two Trading Card Game competitors fromIowa(Kevin Norton, 18, and James Stumbo, 27) brought weapons in their vehicle, which were recovered by the police. The two posted status updates and images of their weaponry on social media, which were noticed by variousPokémonfans who treated them as supposed threats against the tournament. The updates were reported to theBoston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC), who promptly seized their automobile and then stopped them at the door and barred them from entering the Hynes Convention Center on Thursday evening. Police executed a search warrant on Friday and Norton and Stumbo were arrested at their Red Roof Inn room in Saugus just after midnight on Saturday, August 22, 2015.The two were arrested on charges of unlicensed possession of firearms and ammunition, and were initially held without bail.The weapons recovered were a recently purchasedRemingtonshotgun, anAR-15, a hunting knife and several hundred rounds of ammunition.They pleaded not guilty at their arraignment on November 10, 2015, and their bail was set at $150,000.On December 2, 2015, their trial was set for May 9, 2016, however, in early April 2016, their trial was postponed to November 2016.Following the release ofPokémon Goin July 2016, Stumbo's attorney indicated that the case would be resolved soon.Norton and Stumbo were later sentenced to two years in prison with an additional two years probation once their prison term ends. 2016 World Championships The2016 Pokémon World Championshipswas the eighth annual edition of the championships. The event was held at theSan Francisco Marriott MarquisinSan Francisco, California, from August 19 to August 21.For the first time in the tournament history, thePokkén Tournamentinvitational was featured alongside the Video Game Championships (VGC) and Trading Card Game (TCG) tournaments. Side events and an official store with event merchandise occurred alongside the event. The defending Video Game champions were Shoma Honami fromJapan(Masters Division), Mark McQuillan from theUnited Kingdom(Senior Division) and Kotone Yasue from Japan (Junior Division).The defending Trading Card Game champions were Jacob Van Wagner from theUnited States(Masters Division), Patrick Martinez from the United States (Senior Division), and Rowan Stavenow fromCanada. Age divisions and qualifications Both the Pokémon VGC and TCG were divided into three age divisions: theJunior Division(born 2005 or later), theSenior Division(born between 2001 and 2004), and theMasters Division(born 2000 or earlier). For thePokkén Tournamentinvitational, players were grouped into either theSenior Division(born 2001 or later) orMasters Division(born 2000 or earlier). The process of obtaining an invitation is primarily based on Championship Points.Players could earn Championship Points by performing in select online and live tournaments held throughout the 2016 season (between September 2015 and July 2016). Players from Japan andSouth Koreawere excluded from this rule as these countries had their own method of qualification not based on Championship Points. Play! Pokémondivided players into five different rating zones: US andCanada,Europe,Latin America,Asia-PacificandSouth Africa. Different zones had different Championship Points requirements due to the distribution of events around the world. There are two possible invitations players could obtain: 'Day Two' invites were usually accompanied by travel awards and stipends paid by Play! Pokémon. Trading Card Game Championship qualifications The following table shows the Championship Pointsrequirement for an invitation to the 2016 World Championships: Players in Japan and South Korea were awarded invitations based on each country's organized play system. Video Game Championship qualifications For the Masters Division, the following table lists the Championship Points requirement for an invitation to the 2016 World Championships: 2016 tournament structure The Video Game Championships consisted of two Swiss tournaments and one single elimination tournament played across three days. On Friday (Day 1), all players who earned an invitation without a Day 1 bye were entered into a Swiss tournament, where players with two or fewer losses would advance onto the next round. The second Swiss tournament was then played on Saturday (Day 2), where players who advanced from Day 1 were joined by players who received an invitation with a Day 1 bye. At the end of the Day 2 Swiss tournament, players with two or fewer losses advanced to play in single elimination rounds until the last two remain. The finals took place on Sunday (Day 3). Final standings (Video Game Championships) Final standings (Trading Card Game) References","Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II(born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44thpresident of the United Statesfrom 2009 to 2017. As a member of theDemocratic Party, he was the firstAfrican-Americanpresident in U.S. history. Obama previously served as aU.S. senatorrepresentingIllinoisfrom 2005 to 2008 and as anIllinois state senatorfrom 1997 to 2004. Obama was born inHonolulu,Hawaii. He graduated fromColumbia Universityin 1983 with aBachelor of Artsdegree in political science and later worked as acommunity organizerinChicago. In 1988, Obama enrolled inHarvard Law School, where he was the first black president of theHarvard Law Review. He became a civil rights attorney and an academic, teachingconstitutional lawat theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolfrom 1992 to 2004. He also went into elective politics; Obamarepresented the 13th district in the Illinois Senatefrom 1997 until 2004, when hesuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate. In the2008 presidential election, aftera close primary campaignagainstHillary Clinton, he was nominated by the Democratic Party for president. Obama selectedJoe Bidenas his running mate and defeatedRepublicannomineeJohn McCain. Obama was named the2009 Nobel Peace Prizelaureate, a decision that drew a mixture of criticism and praise. His first-term actions addressed theglobal financial crisisand includeda major stimulus packageto guide the economy in recovering from theGreat Recession, a partial extension ofGeorge W. Bush'stax cuts,legislation to reform health care,a major financial regulation reform bill, and the end of a major U.S.military presence in Iraq. Obama also appointedSupreme CourtjusticesSonia SotomayorandElena Kagan, the former being the firstHispanic Americanon the Supreme Court. He orderedOperation Neptune Spear, the raid that killedOsama bin Laden, who was responsible for theSeptember 11 attacks. Obama downplayed Bush'scounterinsurgency model, expandingair strikesand making extensive use of special forces, while encouraging greater reliance on host-government militaries. He also orderedmilitary involvement in Libyain order to implementUN Security Council Resolution 1973, contributing to the overthrow ofMuammar Gaddafi. Obama defeated Republican opponentMitt Romneyin the2012 presidential election. In his second term, Obama took steps tocombat climate change, signinga major international climate agreementand anexecutive orderto limitcarbon emissions. Obama also presided over the implementation of theAffordable Care Actand other legislation passed in his first term. He negotiateda nuclear agreement with Iranandnormalized relations with Cuba. The number ofAmerican soldiers in Afghanistandecreased during Obama's second term, though U.S. soldiers remained in the country throughout Obama's presidency. Obama promoted inclusion forLGBT Americans, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to publicly supportsame-sex marriage. Obama left office on January 20, 2017, and continues to reside in Washington, D.C. Historians and political scientists rank him among the upper tier inhistorical rankings of American presidents.His presidential libraryin theSouth Side of Chicagobegan construction in 2021. Since leaving office, Obama has remained politically active, campaigning for candidates in various American elections, including Biden'ssuccessful presidential bidin2020. Outside of politics,Obama has published three books:Dreams from My Father(1995),The Audacity of Hope(2006), andA Promised Land(2020). Early life and career Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961,atKapiolani Medical Center for Women and ChildreninHonolulu, Hawaii.He is the only president born outside thecontiguous 48 states.He was born to an 18-year-old American mother and a 27-year-old Kenyan father. His mother,Ann Dunham(1942–1995), was born inWichita, Kansas, and was of English, Welsh, German, Swiss, and Irish descent. In 2007 it was discovered her great-great-grandfather Falmouth Kearney emigrated from the village ofMoneygall, Irelandto the U.S. in 1850.In July 2012,Ancestry.comfound a strong likelihood that Dunham was descended fromJohn Punch, an enslaved African man who lived in theColony of Virginiaduring the seventeenth century.Obama's father,Barack Obama Sr.(1934–1982),was a marriedLuo KenyanfromNyang'oma Kogelo.His last name, Obama, was derived from his Luo descent.Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian language class at theUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where his father was a foreign student on a scholarship.The couple married inWailuku, Hawaii, on February 2, 1961, six months before Obama was born. In late August 1961, a few weeks after he was born, Barack and his mother moved to theUniversity of WashingtoninSeattle, where they lived for a year. During that time, Barack's father completed his undergraduate degree in economics in Hawaii, graduating in June 1962. He left to attend graduate school on a scholarship atHarvard University, where he earned anM.A.in economics. Obama's parents divorced in March 1964.Obama Sr. returned toKenyain 1964, where he married for a third time and worked for the Kenyan government as the Senior Economic Analyst in the Ministry of Finance.He visited his son in Hawaii only once, at Christmas 1971,before he was killed in an automobile accident in 1982, when Obama was 21 years old.Recalling his early childhood, Obama said: \"That my father looked nothing like the people around me—that he was black as pitch, my mother white as milk—barely registered in my mind.\"He described his struggles as a young adult to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage. In 1963, Dunham metLolo Soetoroat theUniversity of Hawaii; he was anIndonesianEast–West Centergraduate studentingeography. The couple married onMolokaion March 15, 1965.After two one-year extensions of hisJ-1 visa, Lolo returned toIndonesiain 1966. His wife and stepson followed sixteen months later in 1967. The family initially lived in the Menteng Dalam neighborhood in theTebetdistrict ofSouth Jakarta. From 1970, they lived in a wealthier neighborhood in theMentengdistrict ofCentral Jakarta. Education At the age of six, Obama and his mother had moved to Indonesia to join his stepfather. From age six to ten, he was registered in school as \"Barry\"and attended localIndonesian-languageschools:Sekolah Dasar Katolik Santo Fransiskus Asisi(St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School) for two years andSekolah Dasar Negeri Menteng 01(State Elementary School Menteng 01) for one and a half years, supplemented by English-languageCalvert Schoolhomeschooling by his mother.As a result of his four years inJakarta, he was able to speakIndonesianfluently as a child.During his time in Indonesia, Obama's stepfather taught him to be resilient and gave him \"a pretty hardheaded assessment of how the world works\". In 1971, Obama returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents,MadelynandStanley Dunham. He attendedPunahou School—a privatecollege preparatory school—with the aid of a scholarship from fifth grade until he graduated from high school in 1979.In high school, Obama continued to use the nickname \"Barry\" which he kept until making a visit to Kenya in 1980.Obama lived with his mother and half-sister,Maya Soetoro, in Hawaii for three years from 1972 to 1975 while his mother was a graduate student inanthropologyat the University of Hawaii.Obama chose to stay in Hawaii when his mother and half-sister returned to Indonesia in 1975, so his mother could begin anthropology field work.His mother spent most of the next two decades in Indonesia, divorcing Lolo Soetoro in 1980 and earning a PhD degree in 1992, before dying in 1995 in Hawaii following unsuccessful treatment forovariananduterine cancer. Of his years in Honolulu, Obama wrote: \"The opportunity that Hawaii offered — to experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respect — became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the values that I hold most dear.\"Obama has also written and talked about usingalcohol,marijuana, andcocaineduring his teenage years to \"push questions of who I was out of my mind\".Obama was also a member of the \"Choom Gang\" (the slang term for smoking marijuana), a self-named group of friends who spent time together and smoked marijuana. College and research jobs After graduating from high school in 1979, Obama moved to Los Angeles to attendOccidental Collegeon a full scholarship. In February 1981, Obama made his first public speech, calling for Occidental to participate in thedisinvestment from South Africain response to that nation's policy ofapartheid.In mid-1981, Obama traveled to Indonesia to visit his mother and half-sister Maya and visited the families of college friends inPakistanfor three weeks.Later in 1981, hetransferredtoColumbia Universityin New York City as ajunior, where he majored inpolitical sciencewith a specialty ininternational relationsand inEnglish literatureand lived off-campus on West 109th Street.He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 and a 3.7GPA. After graduating, Obama worked for about a year at theBusiness International Corporation, where he was a financial researcher and writer,then as a project coordinator for theNew York Public Interest Research Groupon theCity College of New Yorkcampus for three months in 1985. Community organizer and Harvard Law School Two years after graduating from Columbia, Obama moved from New York to Chicago when he was hired as director of theDeveloping Communities Project, a faith-based community organization originally comprising eight Catholic parishes inRoseland,West Pullman, andRiverdaleon Chicago'sSouth Side. He worked there as a community organizer from June 1985 to May 1988.He helped set up a job training program, a college preparatory tutoring program, and a tenants' rights organization inAltgeld Gardens.Obama also worked as a consultant and instructor for theGamaliel Foundation, a community organizing institute.In mid-1988, he traveled for the first time inEuropefor three weeks and then for five weeks in Kenya, where he met many of hispaternal relativesfor the first time. Despite being offered a full scholarship toNorthwestern University School of Law, Obama enrolled atHarvard Law Schoolin the fall of 1988, living in nearbySomerville, Massachusetts.He was selected as an editor of theHarvard Law Reviewat the end of his first year,president of the journal in his second year,and research assistant to the constitutional scholarLaurence Tribewhile at Harvard.During his summers, he returned to Chicago, where he worked as asummer associateat the law firms ofSidley Austinin 1989 andHopkins & Sutterin 1990.Obama's election as thefirst black president of theHarvard Law Reviewgained national media attentionand led to a publishing contract and advance for a book about race relations,which evolved into a personal memoir. The manuscript was published in mid-1995 asDreams from My Father.Obama graduated from Harvard Law in 1991 with aJuris Doctormagna cum laude. University of Chicago Law School In 1991, Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolto work on his first book.He then taughtconstitutional lawat the University of Chicago Law School for twelve years, first as a lecturer from 1992 to 1996, and then as a senior lecturer from 1996 to 2004. From April to October 1992, Obama directed Illinois'sProject Vote, avoter registration campaignwith ten staffers and seven hundred volunteer registrars; it achieved its goal of registering 150,000 of 400,000 unregistered African Americans in the state, leadingCrain's Chicago Businessto name Obama to its 1993 list of \"40 under Forty\" powers to be. Family and personal life In a 2006 interview, Obama highlighted the diversity ofhis extended family: \"It's like a little mini-United Nations,\" he said. \"I've got relatives who look likeBernie Mac, and I've got relatives who look likeMargaret Thatcher.\"Obama has a half-sister with whom he was raised (Maya Soetoro-Ng) and seven other half-siblings from his Kenyan father's family, six of them living.Obama's mother was survived by her Kansas-born mother, Madelyn Dunham,until her death on November 2, 2008,two days before his election to the presidency. Obama also has roots in Ireland; he met with his Irish cousins inMoneygallin May 2011.InDreams from My Father, Obama ties his mother's family history to possible Native American ancestors and distant relatives ofJefferson Davis,President of the Confederate States of Americaduring theAmerican Civil War. He also shares distant ancestors in common withGeorge W. BushandDick Cheney, among others. Obama lived with anthropologistSheila Miyoshi Jagerwhile he was a community organizer in Chicago in the 1980s.He proposed to her twice, but both Jager and her parents turned him down.The relationship was not made public until May 2017, several months after his presidency had ended. In June 1989, Obama metMichelle Robinsonwhen he was employed atSidley Austin.Robinson was assigned for three months as Obama's adviser at the firm, and she joined him at several group social functions but declined his initial requests to date.They began dating later that summer, became engaged in 1991, and were married on October 3, 1992.After suffering a miscarriage, Michelle underwentin vitro fertilizationto conceive their children.The couple's first daughter, Malia Ann, was born in 1998,followed by a second daughter, Natasha (\"Sasha\"), in 2001.The Obama daughters attended theUniversity of Chicago Laboratory Schools. When they moved to Washington, D.C., in January 2009, the girls started at theSidwell Friends School.The Obamas had twoPortuguese Water Dogs; the first, a male namedBo, was a gift from SenatorTed Kennedy.In 2013, Bo was joined bySunny, a female.Bo died of cancer on May 8, 2021. Obama is a supporter of theChicago White Sox, and he threw out the first pitch at the2005 ALCSwhen he was still a senator.In 2009, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at theAll-Star Gamewhile wearing a White Sox jacket.He is also primarily aChicago Bearsfootball fan in theNFL, but in his childhood and adolescence was afan of the Pittsburgh Steelersand rooted for them ahead of their victory inSuper Bowl XLIII12 days after he took office as president.In 2011, Obama invited the1985 Chicago Bearsto the White House; the team had not visited the White House after theirSuper Bowl winin 1986 due to theSpace Shuttle Challenger disaster.He playsbasketball, a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team,and he is left-handed. In 2005, the Obama family applied the proceeds of a book deal and moved from aHyde Park, Chicagocondominium to a $1.6million house (equivalent to $2.5million in 2023) in neighboringKenwood, Chicago.The purchase of an adjacent lot—and sale of part of it to Obama by the wife of developer, campaign donor and friendTony Rezko—attracted media attention because of Rezko's subsequent indictment and conviction on political corruption charges that were unrelated to Obama. In December 2007,Money Magazineestimated Obama's net worth at $1.3million (equivalent to $1.9million in 2023).Their 2009 tax return showed a household income of $5.5million—up from about $4.2million in 2007 and $1.6million in 2005—mostly from sales of his books.On his 2010 income of $1.7million, he gave 14 percent to non-profit organizations, including $131,000 toFisher House Foundation, a charity assisting wounded veterans' families, allowing them to reside near where the veteran is receiving medical treatments.Per his 2012 financial disclosure, Obama may be worth as much as $10million. Religious views Obama is aProtestantChristian whose religious views developed in his adult life.He wrote inThe Audacity of Hopethat he \"was not raised in a religious household.\" He described his mother, raised by non-religious parents, as being detached from religion, yet \"in many ways the most spiritually awakened person... I have ever known\", and \"a lonely witness forsecular humanism.\" He described his father as a \"confirmedatheist\" by the time his parents met, and his stepfather as \"a man who saw religion as not particularly useful.\" Obama explained how, through working withblack churchesas acommunity organizerwhile in his twenties, he came to understand \"the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change.\" In January 2008, Obama toldChristianity Today: \"I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in theredemptive deathandresurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life.\"On September 27, 2010, Obama released a statement commenting on his religious views, saying: I'm a Christian by choice. My family didn't—frankly, they weren't folks who went to church every week. And my mother was one of the most spiritual people I knew, but she didn't raise me in the church. So I came to my Christian faith later in life, and it was because the precepts ofJesus Christspoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead—being my brothers' and sisters' keeper,treating others as they would treat me. Obama metTrinity United Church of ChristpastorJeremiah Wrightin October 1987 and became a member of Trinity in 1992.During Obama's first presidential campaign in May 2008, he resigned from Trinity aftersome of Wright's statements were criticized.Since moving to Washington, D.C., in 2009, the Obama family has attended several Protestant churches, includingShiloh Baptist ChurchandSt. John's Episcopal Church, as well as Evergreen Chapel atCamp David, but the members of the family do not attend church on a regular basis. In 2016, he said that he gets inspiration from a few items that remind him \"of all the different people I've met along the way\", adding: \"I carry these around all the time. I'm not that superstitious, so it's not like I think I necessarily have to have them on me at all times.\" The items, \"a whole bowl full\", include rosary beads given to him byPope Francis, a figurine of the Hindu deityHanuman, aCoptic crossfrom Ethiopia, a smallBuddha statuegiven by a monk, and a metal poker chip that used to be the lucky charm of a motorcyclist in Iowa. Legal career Civil rights attorney He joined Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, a 13-attorney law firm specializing in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development, where he was anassociatefor three years from 1993 to 1996, thenof counselfrom 1996 to 2004. In 1994, he was listed as one of the lawyers inBuycks-Roberson v. Citibank Fed. Sav. Bank, 94 C 4094 (N.D. Ill.). Thisclass action lawsuitwas filed in 1994 with Selma Buycks-Roberson as lead plaintiff and alleged that Citibank Federal Savings Bank had engaged in practices forbidden under theEqual Credit Opportunity Actand theFair Housing Act. The case was settled out of court. From 1994 to 2002, Obama served on the boards of directors of theWoods Fund of Chicago—which in 1985 had been the first foundation to fund the Developing Communities Project—and of theJoyce Foundation.He served on the board of directors of theChicago Annenberg Challengefrom 1995 to 2002, as founding president and chairman of the board of directors from 1995 to 1999.Obama's law license became inactive in 2007. Legislative career Illinois Senate (1997–2004) Obama was elected to theIllinois Senatein 1996, succeeding Democratic State SenatorAlice PalmerfromIllinois's 13th District, which, at that time, spanned Chicago South Side neighborhoods from Hyde Park–Kenwood south toSouth Shoreand west toChicago Lawn.Once elected, Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation that reformed ethics and health care laws.He sponsored a law that increasedtax creditsfor low-income workers, negotiatedwelfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported Republican GovernorGeorge Ryan'spayday loanregulations andpredatory mortgage lendingregulations aimed at averting homeforeclosures. He was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998, defeating Republican Yesse Yehudah in the general election, and was re-elected again in 2002.In 2000, he lost aDemocratic primary raceforIllinois's 1st congressional districtin theUnited States House of Representativesto four-term incumbentBobby Rushby a margin of two to one. In January 2003, Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee when Democrats, after a decade in the minority, regained a majority.He sponsored and led unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitorracial profilingby requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained, and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.During his 2004 general election campaign for the U.S. Senate, police representatives credited Obama for his active engagement with police organizations in enactingdeath penaltyreforms.Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his election to the U.S. Senate. 2004 U.S. Senate campaign in Illinois In May 2002, Obama commissioned a poll to assess his prospects in a 2004 U.S. Senate race. He created a campaign committee, began raising funds, and lined up political media consultantDavid Axelrodby August 2002. Obama formally announced his candidacy in January 2003. Obama was an early opponent of the George W. Bush administration's2003 invasion of Iraq.On October 2, 2002, the day President Bush and Congress agreed on thejoint resolutionauthorizing theIraq War,Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicagoanti-Iraq War rally,and spoke out against the war.He addressed another anti-war rally in March 2003 and told the crowd \"it's not too late\" to stop the war. Decisions by Republican incumbentPeter Fitzgeraldand his Democratic predecessorCarol Moseley Braunnot to participate in the election resulted in wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving 15 candidates.In the March 2004 primary election, Obama won in an unexpected landslide—which overnight made him a rising star within thenational Democratic Party, started speculation about a presidential future, and led to the reissue of his memoir,Dreams from My Father.In July 2004, Obama deliveredthe keynote addressat the2004 Democratic National Convention,seen by nine million viewers. His speech was well received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party. Obama's expected opponent in the general election, Republican primary winnerJack Ryan, withdrew from the race in June 2004.Six weeks later,Alan Keyesaccepted the Republican nomination to replace Ryan.In theNovember 2004 general election, Obama won with 70 percent of the vote, the largest margin of victory for a Senate candidate in Illinois history.He took 92 of the state's 102 counties, including several where Democrats traditionally do not do well. U.S. Senate (2005–2008) Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 3, 2005,becoming the only Senate member of theCongressional Black Caucus.He introduced two initiatives that bore his name: Lugar–Obama, which expanded theNunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reductionconcept to conventional weapons;and theFederal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, which authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov, a web search engine on federal spending.On June 3, 2008, Senator Obama—along with SenatorsTom Carper,Tom Coburn, andJohn McCain—introduced follow-up legislation: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008.He alsocosponsoredtheSecure America and Orderly Immigration Act. In December 2006, President Bush signed into law theDemocratic Republic of the CongoRelief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.In January 2007, Obama and Senator Feingold introduced a corporate jet provision to theHonest Leadership and Open Government Act, which was signed into law in September 2007. Later in 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to add safeguards for personality-disorder military discharges.This amendment passed the full Senate in the spring of 2008.He sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, which was never enacted but later incorporated in theComprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010;and co-sponsored legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to theState Children's Health Insurance Program, providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries. Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees forForeign Relations,Environment and Public Works, andVeterans' Affairsthrough December 2006.In January 2007, he left the Environment and Public Works committee and took additional assignments withHealth, Education, Labor and PensionsandHomeland Security and Governmental Affairs.He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee onEuropean Affairs.As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. He met withMahmoud Abbasbefore Abbas becamePresident of the Palestinian National Authorityand gave a speech at theUniversity of Nairobiin which he condemned corruption within the Kenyan government. Obamaresigned his Senate seaton November 16, 2008, to focus on his transition period for the presidency. Presidential campaigns 2008 On February 10, 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of theOld State Capitolbuilding inSpringfield, Illinois.The choice of the announcement site was viewed as symbolic, as it was also whereAbraham Lincolndelivered his\"House Divided\"speech in 1858.Obama emphasized issues of rapidly ending the Iraq War, increasingenergy independence, andreforming the health care system. Numerous candidates entered theDemocratic Party presidential primaries. The field narrowed to Obama and SenatorHillary Clintonafter early contests, with the race remaining close throughout the primary process, but Obama gained a steady lead in pledgeddelegatesdue to better long-range planning, superior fundraising, dominant organizing incaucusstates, and better exploitation of delegate allocation rules.On June 2, 2008, Obama had received enough votes to clinch his nomination. After an initial hesitation to concede, on June 7, Clinton ended her campaign and endorsed Obama.On August 23, 2008, Obama announced hisselectionofDelawareSenatorJoe Bidenas his vice presidential running mate.Obama selected Biden from a field speculated to include former Indiana Governor and SenatorEvan Bayhand Virginia GovernorTim Kaine.At theDemocratic National ConventioninDenver, Colorado, Hillary Clinton called for her supporters to endorse Obama, and she andBill Clintongave convention speeches in his support.Obama delivered his acceptance speech atInvesco Field at Mile Highstadium to a crowd of about eighty-four thousand; the speech was viewed by over three million people worldwide.During both the primary process and the general election, Obama's campaign set numerous fundraising records, particularly in the quantity of small donations.On June 19, 2008, Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn downpublic financingin the general election since the system was created in 1976. John McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate, and he selectedSarah Palinas his running mate. Obama and McCain engaged in threepresidential debatesin September and October 2008.On November 4, Obama won the presidency with 365electoral votesto 173 received by McCain.Obama won 52.9 percent of thepopular voteto McCain's 45.7 percent.He became the first African-American to be elected president.Obama deliveredhis victory speechbefore hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago'sGrant Park.He is one of the three United States senators moved directly from the U.S. Senate to the White House, the others beingWarren G. HardingandJohn F. Kennedy. 2012 On April 4, 2011, Obama filed election papers with theFederal Election Commissionand then announced his reelection campaign for 2012 in a video titled \"It Begins with Us\" that he posted on his website.As the incumbent president, he ran virtually unopposed in theDemocratic Party presidential primaries,and on April 3, 2012, Obama secured the 2778conventiondelegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.At theDemocratic National ConventioninCharlotte, North Carolina, Obama and Joe Biden were formally nominated by former President Bill Clinton as the Democratic Party candidates for president and vice president in the general election. Their main opponents were RepublicansMitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and RepresentativePaul Ryanof Wisconsin. On November 6, 2012, Obama won 332 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 required for him to be reelected as president.With 51.1 percent of the popular vote,Obama became the first Democratic president sinceFranklin D. Rooseveltto win themajority of the popular votetwice.Obama addressed supporters and volunteers at Chicago'sMcCormick Placeafter his reelection and said: \"Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties.\" Presidency (2009–2017) First 100 days Theinauguration of Barack Obamaas the 44th president took place on January 20, 2009. In his first few days in office, Obama issuedexecutive ordersandpresidential memorandadirecting the U.S. military to develop plans to withdraw troops from Iraq.He ordered the closing of theGuantanamo Bay detention camp,but Congress prevented the closure by refusing to appropriate the required fundsand preventing moving any Guantanamo detainee.Obama reduced the secrecy given to presidential records.He also revoked President George W. Bush's restoration of PresidentRonald Reagan'sMexico City policywhich prohibited federal aid to internationalfamily planningorganizations that perform or provide counseling about abortion. Domestic policy The first bill signed into law by Obama was theLilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, relaxing thestatute of limitationsfor equal-pay lawsuits.Five days later, he signed the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program to cover an additional four million uninsured children.In March 2009, Obama reversed a Bush-era policy that had limited funding ofembryonic stem cellresearch and pledged to develop \"strict guidelines\" on the research. Obama appointed two women to serve on the Supreme Court in the first two years of his presidency. He nominatedSonia Sotomayoron May 26, 2009, to replace retiringAssociate JusticeDavid Souter. She was confirmed on August 6, 2009,becoming the first Supreme Court Justice ofHispanicdescent.Obama nominatedElena Kaganon May 10, 2010, to replace retiring Associate JusticeJohn Paul Stevens. She was confirmed on August 5, 2010, bringing the number of women sitting simultaneously on the Court to three for the first time in American history. On March 11, 2009, Obama created theWhite House Council on Women and Girls, which formed part of theOffice of Intergovernmental Affairs, having been established byExecutive Order13506with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to the welfare of American women and girls. The council was chaired bySenior Advisor to the PresidentValerie Jarrett. Obama also established theWhite House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assaultthrough a government memorandum on January 22, 2014, with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to sexual assault on college and university campuses throughout the United States. The co-chairs of the Task Force were Vice President Joe Biden and Jarrett. The Task Force was a development out of the White House Council on Women and Girls andOffice of the Vice President of the United States, and prior to that the 1994Violence Against Women Actfirst drafted by Biden. In July 2009, Obama launched thePriority Enforcement Program, an immigration enforcement program that had been pioneered by George W. Bush, and theSecure Communitiesfingerprinting and immigration status data-sharing program. In amajor space policy speechin April 2010, Obama announced a planned change in direction atNASA, the U.S. space agency. He ended plans for a return ofhuman spaceflightto the moon and development of theAres Irocket,Ares Vrocket andConstellation program, in favor of fundingearth scienceprojects, a new rocket type, research and development for an eventual crewed mission to Mars, and ongoing missions to theInternational Space Station. On January 16, 2013, one month after theSandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Obama signed 23 executive orders and outlined a series of sweeping proposals regardinggun control.He urged Congress to reintroduce anexpired banon military-styleassault weapons, such as those used in several recent mass shootings, impose limits on ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, introduce background checks on all gun sales, pass a ban on possession and sale of armor-piercing bullets, introduce harsher penalties for gun-traffickers, especially unlicensed dealers who buy arms for criminals and approving the appointment of the head of the federalBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosivesfor the first time since 2006.On January 5, 2016, Obama announced new executive actions extending background check requirements to more gun sellers.In a 2016 editorial inThe New York Times, Obama compared the struggle for what he termed \"common-sense gun reform\" towomen's suffrageand othercivil rights movementsin American history. In 2011, Obama signed a four-year renewal of the Patriot Act.Following the2013 global surveillance disclosuresbywhistleblowerEdward Snowden, Obama condemned the leak as unpatriotic,but called for increased restrictions on theNational Security Agency(NSA) to address violations of privacy.Obama continued and expanded surveillance programs set up by George W. Bush, while implementing some reforms.He supported legislation that would have limited the NSA's ability to collect phone records in bulk under a single program and supported bringing more transparency to theForeign Intelligence Surveillance Court(FISC). Racial issues In his speeches as president, Obama did not make more overt references to race relations than his predecessors,but according to one study, he implemented stronger policy action on behalf of African-Americans than any president since the Nixon era. Following Obama's election, many pondered the existence of a \"postracial America\".However, lingering racial tensions quickly became apparent,and many African-Americans expressed outrage over what they saw as an intense racial animosity directed at Obama.TheacquittalofGeorge Zimmermanfollowing thekilling of Trayvon Martinsparked national outrage, leading to Obama giving a speech in which he noted that \"Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago.\"The shooting ofMichael BrowninFerguson, Missourisparked a wave of protests.These and other events led to the birth of theBlack Lives Mattermovement, which campaigns against violence andsystemic racismtowardblack people.Though Obama entered office reluctant to talk about race, by 2014 he began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups. Several incidents during Obama's presidency generated disapproval from the African-American community and with law enforcement, and Obama sought to build trust between law enforcement officials and civil rights activists, with mixed results. Some in law enforcement criticized Obama's condemnation of racial bias after incidents in which police action led to the death of African-American men, while some racial justice activists criticized Obama's expressions of empathy for the police.In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried \"a great deal\" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001. LGBT rights On October 8, 2009, Obama signed theMatthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a measure that expanded the1969 United States federal hate-crime lawto include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.On October 30, 2009, Obama lifted the ban on travel to the United States by those infected with HIV. The lifting of the ban was celebrated byImmigration Equality.On December 22, 2010, Obama signed theDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which fulfilled a promise made in the 2008 presidential campaignto end thedon't ask, don't tellpolicy of 1993 that had prevented gay and lesbian people from serving openly in theUnited States Armed Forces. In 2016, the Pentagon ended the policy that barredtransgender people from serving openly in the military. Same-sex marriage As a candidate for the Illinois state senate in 1996, Obama stated he favored legalizingsame-sex marriage.During his Senate run in 2004, he said he supported civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex partners but opposed same-sex marriages.In 2008, he reaffirmed this position by stating \"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage.\"On May 9, 2012, shortly after the official launch of his campaign for re-election as president, Obama said his views had evolved, and he publicly affirmed his personal support for the legalization of same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so.During his secondinaugural addresson January 21, 2013,Obama became the first U.S. president in office to call for full equality for gay Americans, and the first to mentiongay rightsor the word \"gay\" in an inaugural address.In 2013, the Obama administration filed briefs that urged theSupreme Courtto rule in favor of same-sex couples in the cases ofHollingsworth v. Perry(regarding same-sex marriage)andUnited States v. Windsor(regarding theDefense of Marriage Act). Economic policy On February 17, 2009, Obama signed theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $787billion (equivalent to $1118 billion in 2023)economic stimuluspackage aimed at helping the economy recover from thedeepening worldwide recession.The act includes increased federal spending for health care, infrastructure, education, various tax breaks andincentives, and direct assistance to individuals.In March 2009, Obama's Treasury Secretary,Timothy Geithner, took further steps to manage thefinancial crisis, including introducing thePublic–Private Investment Program for Legacy Assets, which contains provisions for buying up to $2trillion in depreciated real estate assets. Obama intervened in thetroubled automotive industryin March 2009, renewing loans forGeneral Motors(GM) andChryslerto continue operations while reorganizing. Over the following months the White House set terms for both firms' bankruptcies, including thesale of Chryslerto Italian automakerFiatand areorganization of GMgiving the U.S. government a temporary 60 percent equity stake in the company.In June 2009, dissatisfied with the pace of economic stimulus, Obama called on his cabinet to accelerate the investment.He signed into law theCar Allowance Rebate System, known colloquially as \"Cash for Clunkers\", which temporarily boosted the economy. The Bush and Obama administrations authorized spending and loan guarantees from theFederal Reserveand theDepartment of the Treasury. These guarantees totaled about $11.5trillion, but only $3trillion had been spent by the end of November 2009.On August 2, 2011, after a lengthy congressional debate over whether to raise the nation's debt limit, Obama signed the bipartisanBudget Control Act of 2011. The legislation enforced limits on discretionary spending until 2021, established a procedure to increase the debt limit, created a Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to propose further deficit reduction with a stated goal of achieving at least $1.5trillion in budgetary savings over 10 years, and established automatic procedures for reducing spending by as much as $1.2trillion if legislation originating with the new joint select committee did not achieve such savings.By passing the legislation, Congress was able to prevent aU.S. governmentdefaulton its obligations. The unemployment rate rose in 2009, reaching a peak in October at 10.0 percent and averaging 10.0 percent in the fourth quarter. Following a decrease to 9.7 percent in the first quarter of 2010, the unemployment rate fell to 9.6 percent in the second quarter, where it remained for the rest of the year.Between February and December 2010, employment rose by 0.8 percent, which was less than the average of 1.9 percent experienced during comparable periods in the past four employment recoveries.By November 2012, the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent,decreasing to 6.7 percent in the last month of 2013.During 2014, the unemployment rate continued to decline, falling to 6.3 percent in the first quarter.GDP growth returned in the third quarter of 2009, expanding at a rate of 1.6 percent, followed by a 5.0 percent increase in the fourth quarter.Growth continued in 2010, posting an increase of 3.7 percent in the first quarter, with lesser gains throughout the rest of the year.In July 2010, the Federal Reserve noted that economic activity continued to increase, but its pace had slowed, and chairmanBen Bernankesaid the economic outlook was \"unusually uncertain\".Overall, the economy expanded at a rate of 2.9 percent in 2010. TheCongressional Budget Office(CBO) and a broad range of economists credit Obama's stimulus plan for economic growth.The CBO released a report stating that the stimulus bill increased employment by 1–2.1million,while conceding that \"it is impossible to determine how many of the reported jobs would have existed in the absence of the stimulus package.\"Although an April 2010, survey of members of theNational Association for Business Economicsshowed an increase in job creation (over a similar January survey) for the first time in two years, 73 percent of 68 respondents believed the stimulus bill has had no impact on employment.The economy of the United States has grown faster than the other originalNATOmembers by a wider margin under President Obama than it has anytime since the end ofWorld War II.TheOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Developmentcredits the much faster growth in the United States to the stimulus plan of the U.S. and the austerity measures in the European Union. Within a month of the2010 midterm elections, Obama announced a compromise deal with the Congressional Republican leadership that included a temporary, two-year extension of the2001 and 2003 income tax rates, a one-yearpayroll taxreduction, continuation of unemployment benefits, and a new rate and exemption amount forestate taxes.The compromise overcame opposition from some in both parties, and the resulting $858billion (equivalent to $1.2 trillion in 2023)Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010passed with bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress before Obama signed it on December 17, 2010. In December 2013, Obama declared that growingincome inequalityis a \"defining challenge of our time\" and called on Congress to bolster the safety net and raise wages. This came on the heels of thenationwide strikes of fast-food workersand Pope Francis' criticism of inequality andtrickle-down economics.Obama urged Congress to ratify a 12-nation free trade pact called theTrans-Pacific Partnership. Environmental policy On April 20, 2010, an explosion destroyed an offshoredrilling rigat theMacondo Prospectin theGulf of Mexico, causing amajor sustained oil leak. Obama visited the Gulf, announced a federal investigation, and formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards, after a review bySecretary of the InteriorKen Salazarand concurrent Congressional hearings. He then announced a six-month moratorium on newdeepwater drillingpermits and leases, pending regulatory review.As multiple efforts by BP failed, some in the media and public expressed confusion and criticism over various aspects of the incident, and stated a desire for more involvement by Obama and the federal government.Prior to the oil spill, on March 31, 2010, Obama ended a ban on oil and gas drilling along the majority of theEast Coast of the United Statesand along the coast ofnorthern Alaskain an effort to win support for an energy and climate bill and to reduce foreign imports of oil and gas. In July 2013, Obama expressed reservations and said he \"would reject theKeystone XL pipelineif it increased carbon pollution greenhouse emissions.\"On February 24, 2015, Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the pipeline.It was the third veto of Obama's presidency and his first major veto. In December 2016, Obama permanently banned new offshore oil and gas drilling in most United States-owned waters in theAtlanticand Arctic Oceans using the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Act. Obama emphasized theconservationoffederal landsduring his term in office. He used his power under theAntiquities Actto create 25 newnational monumentsduring his presidency and expand four others, protecting a total of 553,000,000 acres (224,000,000 ha) of federal lands and waters, more than any other U.S. president. Health care reform Obama called forCongressto pass legislation reforminghealth care in the United States, a key campaign promise and a top legislative goal.He proposed an expansion of health insurance coverage to cover the uninsured, cap premium increases, and allow people to retain their coverage when they leave or change jobs. His proposal was to spend $900billion over ten years and include a government insurance plan, also known as thepublic option, to compete with the corporate insurance sector as a main component to lowering costs and improving quality of health care. It would also make it illegal for insurers to drop sick people or deny them coverage forpre-existing conditions, and require every American to carry health coverage. The plan also includes medical spending cuts and taxes on insurance companies that offer expensive plans. On July 14, 2009, House Democratic leaders introduced a 1,017-page plan for overhauling the U.S. health care system, which Obama wanted Congress to approve by the end of 2009.After public debate during the Congressional summer recess of 2009, Obama delivereda speech to a joint session of Congresson September 9 where he addressed concerns over the proposals.In March 2009, Obama lifted a ban on using federal funds for stem cell research. On November 7, 2009, a health care bill featuring the public option was passed in the House.On December 24, 2009, the Senate passed its own bill—without a public option—on a party-line vote of 60–39.On March 21, 2010, thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act(ACA, colloquially \"Obamacare\") passed by the Senate in December was passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212. Obama signed the bill into law on March 23, 2010. The ACA includeshealth-related provisions, most of which took effect in 2014, including expandingMedicaideligibility for people making up to 133 percentof thefederal poverty level(FPL) starting in 2014,subsidizing insurance premiums for people making up to 400 percentof the FPL ($88,000 for family of four in 2010) so their maximum \"out-of-pocket\" payment for annual premiums will be from 2 percent to 9.5 percent of income,providing incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits, prohibiting denial of coverage and denial of claims based on pre-existing conditions, establishinghealth insurance exchanges, prohibiting annual coverage caps, and support for medical research. According to White House and CBO figures, the maximum share of income that enrollees would have to pay would vary depending on their income relative to the federal poverty level. The costs of these provisions are offset by taxes, fees, and cost-saving measures, such as new Medicare taxes for those in high-incomebrackets, taxes onindoor tanning, cuts to theMedicare Advantageprogram in favor of traditional Medicare, and fees on medical devices and pharmaceutical companies;there is also a tax penalty for those who do not obtain health insurance, unless they are exempt due to low income or other reasons.In March 2010, the CBO estimated that the net effect of both laws will be a reduction in the federal deficit by $143billion over the first decade. The law faced several legal challenges, primarily based on the argument that an individual mandate requiring Americans to buy health insurance was unconstitutional. On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5–4 vote inNational Federation of Independent Business v. Sebeliusthat the mandate was constitutional under the U.S. Congress's taxing authority.InBurwell v. Hobby Lobbythe Court ruled that \"closely-held\" for-profit corporations could be exempt on religious grounds under theReligious Freedom Restoration Actfrom regulations adopted under the ACA that would have required them to pay for insurance that covered certain contraceptives. In June 2015, the Court ruled 6–3 inKing v. Burwellthat subsidies to help individuals and families purchase health insurance were authorized for those doing so on both the federal exchange and state exchanges, not only those purchasing plans \"established by the State\", as the statute reads. Foreign policy In February and March 2009, Vice President Joe Biden andSecretary of StateHillary Clinton made separate overseas trips to announce a \"new era\" in U.S. foreign relations with Russia and Europe, using the terms \"break\" and \"reset\" to signal major changes from the policies of the preceding administration.Obama attempted to reach out to Arab leaders by granting his first interview to an Arab satellite TV network,Al Arabiya.On March 19, Obama continued his outreach to the Muslim world, releasing a New Year's video message to the people and government of Iran.On June 4, 2009, Obama delivered a speech atCairo Universityin Egypt calling for \"A New Beginning\" in relations between the Islamic world and the United States and promoting Middle East peace.On June 26, 2009, Obama condemned the Iranian government's actions towards protesters followingIran's 2009 presidential election. In 2011, Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen which targeted and killedAnwar al-Awlaki, an American imam suspected of being a leadingAl-Qaedaorganizer. al-Awlaki became the firstU.S. citizento be targeted and killed by aU.S. drone strike. The Department of Justice released a memo justifying al-Awlaki's death as a lawful act of war,while civil liberties advocates described it as a violation of al-Awlaki's constitutional right todue process. The killing led to significant controversy.Histeenage sonandyoung daughter, also Americans, were later killed in separateUS military actions, although they were not targeted specifically. In March 2015, Obama declared that he had authorized U.S. forces to provide logistical and intelligence support to the Saudis in theirmilitary intervention in Yemen, establishing a \"Joint Planning Cell\" with Saudi Arabia.In 2016, the Obama administration proposed a series ofarms deals with Saudi Arabiaworth $115billion.Obama halted the sale of guided munition technology toSaudi Arabiaafter Saudi warplanestargeted a funeralin Yemen's capital Sanaa, killing more than 140 people. In September 2016 Obama was snubbed byXi Jinpingand theChinese Communist Partyas he descended fromAir Force Oneto the tarmac ofHangzhou International Airportfor the2016 G20 Hangzhou summitwithout the usual red carpet welcome. War in Iraq On February 27, 2009, Obama announced that combat operations in Iraq would end within 18 months.The Obama administration scheduled the withdrawal of combat troops to be completed by August 2010, decreasing troop's levels from 142,000 while leaving a transitional force of about 50,000 in Iraq until the end of 2011. On August 19, 2010, the last U.S. combat brigade exited Iraq. Remaining troops transitioned from combat operations tocounter-terrorismand the training, equipping, and advising of Iraqi security forces.On August 31, 2010, Obama announced that the United States combat mission in Iraq was over.On October 21, 2011, President Obama announced that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq in time to be \"home for the holidays.\" In June 2014, following thecapture of MosulbyISIL, Obama sent 275 troops to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. ISIS continued to gain ground and to commitwidespread massacres and ethnic cleansing.In August 2014, during theSinjar massacre, Obama ordered acampaign of U.S. airstrikes against ISIL.By the end of 2014, 3,100 American ground troops were committed to the conflictand 16,000 sorties were flown over the battlefield, primarily by U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots.In early 2015, with the addition of the \"Panther Brigade\" of the82nd Airborne Divisionthe number of U.S. ground troops in Iraq increased to 4,400,and by July American-led coalition air forces counted 44,000 sorties over the battlefield. Afghanistan and Pakistan In his election campaign, Obama called the war in Iraq a \"dangerous distraction\" and that emphasis should instead be put on the war in Afghanistan,the region he cites as being most likely where an attack against the United States could be launched again.Early in his presidency, Obama moved to bolster U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan. He announced an increase in U.S. troop levels to 17,000 military personnel in February 2009 to \"stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan\", an area he said had not received the \"strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires.\"He replaced the military commander in Afghanistan, GeneralDavid D. McKiernan, with formerSpecial Forcescommander Lt. Gen.Stanley A. McChrystalin May 2009, indicating that McChrystal's Special Forces experience would facilitate the use of counterinsurgency tactics in the war.On December 1, 2009, Obama announced the deployment of an additional 30,000 military personnel to Afghanistan and proposed to begin troop withdrawals 18 months from that date;this took place in July 2011.David Petraeusreplaced McChrystal in June 2010, after McChrystal's staff criticized White House personnel in a magazine article.In February 2013, Obama said the U.S. military would reduce the troop level in Afghanistan from 68,000 to 34,000 U.S. troops by February 2014.In October 2015, the White House announced a plan to keep U.S. Forces in Afghanistan indefinitely in light of the deteriorating security situation. Regarding neighboring Pakistan, Obama called its tribal border region the \"greatest threat\" to the security of Afghanistan and Americans, saying that he \"cannot tolerate a terrorist sanctuary.\" In the same speech, Obama claimed that the U.S. \"cannot succeed in Afghanistan or secure our homeland unless we change our Pakistan policy.\" Death of Osama bin Laden Starting with information received from Central Intelligence Agency operatives in July 2010, the CIA developed intelligence over the next several months that determined what they believed to be the hideout ofOsama bin Laden. He was living in seclusion ina large compoundinAbbottabad, Pakistan, a suburban area 35 miles (56 km) fromIslamabad.CIA headLeon Panettareported this intelligence to President Obama in March 2011.Meeting with his national security advisers over the course of the next six weeks, Obama rejected a plan to bomb the compound, and authorized a \"surgical raid\" to be conducted byUnited States Navy SEALs.The operation took place on May 1, 2011, and resulted in the shooting death of bin Laden and the seizure of papers, computer drives and disks from the compound.DNA testing was one of five methods used to positively identify bin Laden's corpse,which was buried at sea several hours later.Within minutes of the President's announcement from Washington, DC, late in the evening on May 1, there were spontaneous celebrations around the country as crowds gathered outside the White House, and at New York City'sGround ZeroandTimes Square.Reaction to the announcementwas positive across party lines, including from former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Relations with Cuba Since the spring of 2013, secret meetings were conducted between the United States and Cuba in the neutral locations of Canada andVatican City.The Vatican first became involved in 2013 when Pope Francis advised the U.S. and Cuba toexchange prisonersas a gesture of goodwill.On December 10, 2013, Cuban PresidentRaúl Castro, in a significant public moment, greeted and shook hands with Obama at theNelson Mandela memorial serviceinJohannesburg. In December 2014, after the secret meetings, it was announced that Obama, with Pope Francis as an intermediary, had negotiated a restoration of relations with Cuba, after nearly sixty years of détente.Popularly dubbed theCuban Thaw,The New Republicdeemed the Cuban Thaw to be \"Obama's finest foreign policy achievement.\"On July 1, 2015, President Obama announced that formal diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States would resume, and embassies would be opened in Washington andHavana.The countries' respective \"interests sections\" in one another's capitals were upgraded to embassies on July 20 and August 13, 2015, respectively.Obama visited Havana, Cuba for two days in March 2016, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to arrive sinceCalvin Coolidgein 1928. Israel During the initial years of the Obama administration, the U.S. increased military cooperation with Israel, including increased military aid, re-establishment of theU.S.-Israeli Joint Political Military Groupand the Defense Policy Advisory Group, and an increase in visits among high-level military officials of both countries.The Obama administration asked Congress to allocate money toward funding theIron Domeprogram in response to the waves ofPalestinian rocket attacks on Israel.In March 2010, Obama took a public stance against plans by the government of Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuto continue building Jewish housing projects in predominantly Arab neighborhoods ofEast Jerusalem.In 2011, the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution condemningIsraeli settlements, with the United States being the only nation to do so.Obama supports thetwo-state solutionto theArab–Israeli conflictbased on the 1967 borders with land swaps. In 2013,Jeffrey Goldbergreported that, in Obama's view, \"with each new settlement announcement, Netanyahu is moving his country down a path toward near-total isolation.\"In 2014, Obama likened theZionist movementto thecivil rights movementin the United States. He said both movements seek to bring justice and equal rights to historically persecuted peoples, explaining: \"To me, being pro-Israel and pro-Jewish is part and parcel with the values that I've been fighting for since I was politically conscious and started getting involved in politics.\"Obama expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself during the2014 Israel–Gaza conflict.In 2015, Obama was harshly criticized by Israel for advocating and signing theIran Nuclear Deal; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had advocated the U.S. congress to oppose it, said the deal was \"dangerous\" and \"bad.\" On December 23, 2016, under the Obama Administration, the United States abstained fromUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building in the occupiedPalestinian territoriesas a violation of international law, effectively allowing it to pass.Netanyahu strongly criticized the Obama administration's actions,and the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the organization, which totaled $6million, on January 6, 2017.On January 5, 2017, the United States House of Representatives voted 342–80 to condemn the UN Resolution. Libya In February 2011, protests in Libya began against long-time dictatorMuammar Gaddafias part of theArab Spring. They soon turned violent. In March, as forces loyal to Gaddafi advanced on rebels across Libya, calls for a no-fly zone came from around the world, including Europe, theArab League, and a resolutionpassed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.In response to the passage ofUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1973on March 17, the Foreign Minister of Libya Moussa Koussa announced a ceasefire. However Gaddafi's forces continued to attack the rebels. On March 19 a multinational coalition lead by France and the United Kingdom with Italian and U.S. support, approved by Obama, took part in air strikes to destroy the Libyan government's air defense capabilities to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly-zone,including the use ofTomahawk missiles,B-2 Spirits, and fighter jets.Six days later, on March 25, by unanimous vote of all its 28 members, NATO took over leadership of the effort, dubbedOperation Unified Protector.Some members of Congressquestioned whether Obama had the constitutional authority to order military action in addition to questioning its cost, structure and aftermath.In 2016 Obama said \"Our coalition could have and should have done more to fill a vacuum left behind\" and that it was \"a mess\".He has stated that the lack of preparation surrounding the days following the government's overthrow was the \"worst mistake\" of his presidency. Syrian civil war On August 18, 2011, several months after the start of theSyrian civil war, Obama issued a written statement that said: \"The time has come forPresident Assadto step aside.\"This stance was reaffirmed in November 2015.In 2012, Obama authorized multipleprograms run by the CIAand the Pentagon to train anti-Assad rebels.The Pentagon-run program was later found to have failed and was formally abandoned in October 2015. In the wake of achemical weapons attackin Syria,formally blamedby the Obama administration on the Assad government, Obama chose not to enforce the \"red line\" he had pledgedand, rather than authorize the promised military action against Assad, went along with the Russia-brokered deal that led to Assadgiving up chemical weapons; however attacks withchlorine gascontinued.In 2014, Obama authorized anair campaign aimed primarily at ISIL. Iran nuclear talks On October 1, 2009, the Obama administration went ahead with a Bush administration program, increasing nuclear weapons production. The \"Complex Modernization\" initiative expanded two existing nuclear sites to produce new bomb parts. In November 2013, the Obama administration openednegotiationswith Iran to prevent it from acquiringnuclear weapons, which included aninterim agreement. Negotiations took two years with numerous delays, with a deal being announced on July 14, 2015. The deal titled the \"Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action\" saw sanctions removed in exchange for measures that would prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. While Obama hailed the agreement as being a step towards a more hopeful world, the deal drew strong criticism from Republican and conservative quarters, and from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.In addition, the transfer of $1.7billion in cash to Iran shortly after the deal was announced was criticized by the Republican party. The Obama administration said that the payment in cash was because of the \"effectiveness of U.S. and international sanctions.\"In order to advance the deal, the Obama administration shieldedHezbollahfrom theDrug Enforcement Administration'sProject Cassandrainvestigation regarding drug smuggling and from theCentral Intelligence Agency.On a side note, the very same year, in December 2015, Obama started a $348billion worth program to back the biggest U.S. buildup of nuclear arms since Ronald Reagan left the White House. Russia In March 2010, an agreement was reached with the administration of Russian PresidentDmitry Medvedevto replace the1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treatywith a new pact reducing the number of long-range nuclear weapons in the arsenals of both countries by about a third.Obama and Medvedev signed theNew STARTtreaty in April 2010, and theU.S. Senateratified it in December 2010.In December 2011, Obama instructed agencies to considerLGBT rightswhen issuing financial aid to foreign countries.In August 2013, he criticized Russia's law that discriminates against gays,but he stopped short of advocating a boycott of the upcoming2014 Winter OlympicsinSochi, Russia. AfterRussia's invasion of Crimeain 2014,military intervention in Syriain 2015, andthe interferencein the2016 U.S. presidential election,George Robertson, a former UK defense secretary and NATO secretary-general, said Obama had \"allowed Putin to jump back on the world stage and test the resolve of the West\", adding that the legacy of this disaster would last. Cultural and political image Obama's family history, upbringing, andIvy Leagueeducation differ markedly from those of African-American politicians who launched their careers in the 1960s through participation in the civil rights movement.Expressing puzzlement over questions about whether he is \"black enough\", Obama told an August 2007 meeting of theNational Association of Black Journaliststhat \"we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong.\"Obama acknowledged his youthful image in an October 2007 campaign speech, saying: \"I wouldn't be here if, time and again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation.\"Additionally, Obama has frequently been referred to as an exceptional orator.During his pre-inauguration transition period and continuing into his presidency, Obama delivered a series of weekly Internet video addresses. Job approval According to theGallup Organization, Obama began his presidency with a 68 percentapproval rating,the fifth highest for a president following their swearing in.His ratings remained above the majority level until November 2009and by August 2010 his approval was in the low 40s,a trend similar to Ronald Reagan's and Bill Clinton's first years in office.Following thedeath of Osama bin Ladenon May 2, 2011, Obama experienced a small poll bounce and steadily maintained 50–53 percent approval for about a month, until his approval numbers dropped back to the low 40s. His approval rating fell to 38 percent on several occasions in late 2011before recovering in mid-2012 with polls showing an average approval of 50 percent.After his second inauguration in 2013, Obama's approval ratings remained stable around 52 percentbefore declining for the rest of the year and eventually bottoming out at 39 percent in December.In polling conducted before the2014 midterm elections, Obama's approval ratings were at their lowestwith his disapproval rating reaching a high of 57 percent.His approval rating continued to lag throughout most of 2015 but began to reach the high 40s by the end of the year.According to Gallup, Obama's approval rating reached 50 percent in March 2016, a level unseen since May 2013.In polling conducted January 16–19, 2017, Obama's final approval rating was 59 percent, which placed him on par withGeorge H. W. BushandDwight D. Eisenhower, whose final Gallup ratings also measured in the high 50s. Obama has maintained relatively positive public perceptions after his presidency.In Gallup's retrospective approval polls of former presidents, Obama garnered a 63 percent approval rating in 2018 and again in 2023, ranking him the fourth most popular president since World War II. Foreign perceptions Polls showed strong support for Obama in other countries both before and during his presidency.In a February 2009 poll conducted in Western Europe and the U.S. byHarris InteractiveforFrance 24and theInternational Herald Tribune, Obama was rated as the most respected world leader, as well as the most powerful.In a similar poll conducted by Harris in May 2009, Obama was rated as the most popular world leader, as well as the one figure most people would pin their hopes on for pulling the world out of the economic downturn. On October 9, 2009—only nine months into his first term—theNorwegian Nobel Committeeannounced that Obama had won the2009 Nobel Peace Prize\"for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples\",which drew a mixture of praise and criticism from world leaders and media figures.He became the fourth U.S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and the third to become a Nobel laureate while in office.He himself called it a \"call to action\" and remarked: \"I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments but rather an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations\". Thanks, Obama In 2009 the saying \"thanks, Obama\" first appeared in aTwitter hashtag\"#thanks Obama\" and was later used in a demotivational poster. It was later adopted satirically to blame Obama for any socio-economic ills. Obama himself used the phrase in video in 2015 and 2016. In 2017 the phrase was used byStephen Colbertto express gratitude to Obama on his last day in office. In 2022, President Joe Biden's Twitter account posted the phrase. Post-presidency (2017–present) Obama's presidency ended on January 20, 2017, upon theinaugurationof his successor,Donald Trump.The family moved to a house they rented inKalorama, Washington, D.C.On March 2, theJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museumawarded theProfile in Courage Awardto Obama \"for his enduring commitment to democratic ideals and elevating the standard of political courage.\"His first public appearance since leaving the office was a seminar at theUniversity of Chicagoon April 24, where he appealed for a new generation to participate in politics.On September 7, Obama partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush to work withOne America Appealto help the victims ofHurricane HarveyandHurricane Irmain theGulf CoastandTexascommunities.From October 31 to November 1, Obama hosted the inaugural summit of theObama Foundation,which he intended to be the central focus of his post-presidency and part of his ambitions for his subsequent activities following his presidency to be more consequential than his time in office. Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal on May 22, 2018, to produce docu-series, documentaries and features forNetflixunder the Obamas' newly formed production company,Higher Ground Productions.Higher Ground's first film,American Factory, won theAcademy Award for Best Documentary Featurein 2020.On October 24, a pipe bomb addressed to Obama was intercepted by the Secret Service. It was one of several pipe-bombs that had beenmailed out to Democratic lawmakers and officials.In 2019, Barack and Michelle Obama bought a home onMartha's VineyardfromWyc Grousbeck.On October 29, Obama criticized \"wokeness\" andcall-out cultureat the Obama Foundation's annual summit. Obama was reluctant to make an endorsement in the2020 Democratic presidential primariesbecause he wanted to position himself to unify the party, regardless of the nominee.On April 14, 2020, Obama endorsed Biden, the presumptive nominee, for president inthe presidential election, stating that he has \"all the qualities we need in a president right now.\"In May, Obama criticized President Trump forhis handlingof theCOVID-19 pandemic, calling his response to the crisis \"an absolute chaotic disaster\", and stating that the consequences of theTrump presidencyhave been \"our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.\"On November 17, Obama's presidential memoir,A Promised Land, was released. In February 2021, Obama and musicianBruce Springsteenstarted a podcast calledRenegades: Born in the USAwhere the two talk about \"their backgrounds, music and their 'enduring love of America.'\"Later that year, Regina Hicks had signed a deal withNetflix, in a venture with his and Michelle's Higher Ground to develop comedy projects. On March 4, 2022, Obama won an Audio Publishers Association (APA) Award in the best narration by the author category for the narration of his memoirA Promised Land.On April 5, Obama visited the White House for the first time since leaving office, in an event celebrating the 12th annual anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act.In June, it was announced that the Obamas and their podcast production company, Higher Ground, signed a multi-year deal withAudible.In September, Obama visited the White House to unveil his and Michelle's official White House portraits.Around the same time, he won aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narratorfor his narration in the Netflix documentary seriesOur Great National Parks. In 2022, Obama opposed expanding the Supreme Court beyond the present nine Justices. In March 2023, Obama traveled to Australia as a part of his speaking tour of the country. During the trip, Obama met with Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albaneseand visitedMelbournefor the first time.Obama was reportedly paid more than $1 million for two speeches. In October 2023, during the Israel–Hamas war, Obama declared thatIsraelmust dismantleHamasin the wake of the2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.Weeks later, Obama warnedIsraelthat its actions could \"harden Palestinian attitudes for generations\" and weaken international support for Israel; any military strategy that ignored the war's human costs \"could ultimately backfire.\" In July 2024, Obama expressed concerns about Biden's campaign viability. Legacy and recognition He has been described as one of the most effective campaigners in American history (his 2008 campaign being particularly highlighted) as well as one of the most talented political orators of the 21st century.HistorianJulian Zelizercredits Obama with \"a keen sense of how the institutions of government work and the ways that his team could design policy proposals.\" Zeitzer notes Obama's policy successes included the economic stimulus package which ended theGreat Recessionand theDodd-Frankfinancial and consumer protection reforms, as well as theAffordable Care Act. Zeitzer also notes the Democratic Party lost power and numbers of elected officials during Obama's term, saying that the consensus among historians is that Obama \"turned out to be a very effective policymaker but not a tremendously successful party builder.\" Zeitzer calls this the \"defining paradox of Obama's presidency\". TheBrookings Institutionnoted that Obama passed \"only one major legislative achievement (Obamacare)—and a fragile one at that—the legacy of Obama's presidency mainly rests on its tremendous symbolic importance and the fate of a patchwork of executive actions.\"David W. Wise noted that Obama fell short \"in areas many Progressives hold dear\", including the continuation of drone strikes, not going after big banks during the Great Recession, and failing to strengthen his coalition before pushing for Obamacare. Wise called Obama's legacy that of \"a disappointingly conventional president\". Obama's most significant accomplishment is generally considered to be the Affordable Care Act (ACA), provisions of which went into effect from 2010 to 2020. Many attempts by Senate Republicans to repeal the ACA, including a \"skinny repeal\", have thus far failed.However, in 2017, the penalty for violating the individual mandate was repealed effective 2019.Together with theHealth Care and Education Reconciliation Actamendment, it represents the U.S. healthcare system's most significant regulatory overhaul and expansion of coverage since the passage ofMedicareand Medicaid in 1965. Many commentators credit Obama with averting a threateneddepressionand pulling the economy back from the Great Recession.According to theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, theObama administrationcreated 11.3 million jobs from the month after his first inauguration to the end of his second term.In 2010, Obama signed into effect the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Passed as a response to thefinancial crisis of 2007–2008, it brought the most significant changes tofinancial regulationin the United States since the regulatory reform that followed theGreat Depressionunder Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 2009, Obama signed into law theNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which contained in it the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the first addition to existing federal hate crime law in the United States since Democratic President Bill Clinton signed into law the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996. The act expandedexisting federal hate crime laws in the United States, and made it a federal crime to assault people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. As president, Obama advanced LGBT rights.In 2010, he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, which brought an end to \"don't ask, don't tell\" policy in the U.S. armed forces that banned open service fromLGBTpeople; the law went into effect the following year.In 2016, his administration brought an end to the ban ontransgenderpeople serving openly in the U.S. armed forces.AGallup poll, taken in the final days of Obama's term, showed that 68 percent of Americans believed the U.S. had made progress on LGBT rights during Obama's eight years in office. Obama substantially escalated the use ofdrone strikesagainst suspected militants and terrorists associated with al-Qaeda and theTaliban.In 2016, the last year of his presidency, the U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries.Obama left about 8,400 U.S. troops inAfghanistan, 5,262 in Iraq, 503 in Syria, 133 in Pakistan, 106 in Somalia, seven in Yemen, and two in Libya at the end of his presidency. According toPew Research CenterandUnited States Bureau of Justice Statistics, from December 31, 2009, to December 31, 2015, inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody declined by five percent. This is the largest decline in sentenced inmates in U.S. federal custody since Democratic PresidentJimmy Carter. By contrast, the federal prison population increased significantly under presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Human Rights Watch(HRW) called Obama's human rights record \"mixed\", adding that \"he has often treated human rights as a secondary interest—nice to support when the cost was not too high, but nothing like a top priority he championed.\" Obama left office in January 2017 with a 60 percent approval rating.He gained 10 spots from the same survey in 2015 from the Brookings Institution that ranked him the 18th-greatest American president.In Gallup's 2018 job approval poll for the past 10 U.S. presidents, he received a 63 percent approval rating. Presidential library The Barack Obama Presidential Center is Obama's plannedpresidential library. It will be hosted by the University of Chicago and located inJackson Parkon the South Side of Chicago. Awards and honors Obama received theNorwegian Nobel Committee'sNobel Peace Prizein 2009,The Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education's Ambassador of Humanity Awardin 2014, theJohn F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Awardin 2017, and theRobert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awardin 2018. He was namedTIMEMagazine'sTimePerson of the Yearin 2008 and 2012. He also received twoGrammy Awards for Best Spoken Word AlbumforDreams from My Father(2006), andThe Audacity of Hope(2008) as well as twoPrimetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding NarratorforOur Great National Parks(2022), andWorking: What We Do All Day(2023). He also won twoChildren's and Family Emmy Awards. Eponymy Bibliography Books Audiobooks Articles See also Politics Other Lists Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links Official Other","Contiguous United States Thecontiguous United States(officially theconterminous United States) consists of the 48 adjoiningU.S. statesand theDistrict of Columbiaof theUnited States of Americain centralNorth America.The term excludes the only two non-contiguousstates, which areAlaskaandHawaii(they are also the last two states to beadmitted to the Union), and all other offshoreinsular areas, such as theU.S. territoriesofAmerican Samoa,Guam, theNorthern Mariana Islands,Puerto Rico, and theU.S. Virgin Islands.The colloquial term \"Lower48\"is also used, especially in relation to Alaska. The related but distinct termcontinental United Statesincludes Alaska, which is also on North America, but separated from the 48 states byBritish Columbiain Canada, but excludes Hawaii and all the insular areas in theCaribbeanand thePacific. The greatest distance (on agreat-circleroute) entirely within the contiguous U.S. is 2,802 miles (4,509 km), coast-to-coast betweenFloridaand theState of Washington;the greatest north–south line is 1,650 miles (2,660 km).The contiguous United States occupies an area of 3,119,884.69 square miles (8,080,464.3 km2). Of this area, 2,959,064.44 square miles (7,663,941.7 km2) is actual land, composing 83.65 percent of the country's total land area, and is comparable in size to the area of Australia.Officially, 160,820.25 square miles (416,522.5 km2) of the contiguous United States is water area, composing 62.66 percent of the nation's total water area. The contiguous United States, if it were a country, would be fifth on thelist of countries and dependencies by area, behindRussia,Canada,China, andBrazil. However, the total area of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, ranks third or fourth. Brazil is 431,000 square kilometers (166,000 sq mi) larger than the contiguous United States, but smaller than the entire United States including Alaska, Hawaii and overseas territories. The2020 U.S. censuspopulation of the area was 328,571,074, comprising 99.13 percent of the nation's total population, and a density of 111.04 inhabitants/sq mi (42.872/km2), compared to 93.844/sq mi (36.233/km2) for the nation as a whole. Other terms Whileconterminous U.S.has the precise meaning ofcontiguous U.S.(both adjectives meaning \"sharing a common boundary\"), other terms commonly used to describe the 48 contiguous states have a greater degree of ambiguity. Continental and mainland United States BecauseAlaskais also a part ofNorth America, the termcontinental United Statesalso includes that state, so the term is qualified with the explicit inclusion of Alaska to resolve any ambiguity.On May 14, 1959, theUnited States Board on Geographic Namesissued the following definitions based partially on the reference in the Alaska Omnibus Bill, which defined the continental United States as \"the 49 States on the North American Continent and the District of Columbia...\" The Board reaffirmed these definitions on May 13, 1999.However, even before Alaska became a state, it was properly included within the continental U.S. due to being anincorporated territory. The termmainland United Statesis sometimes used synonymously withcontinental United States, but technically refers only to those parts of states connected to the landmass of North America, thereby excluding not onlyHawaiiand overseasinsular areas, but also islands which are part of continental states but separated from the mainland, such as theAleutian Islands(Alaska),San Juan Islands(Washington), theChannel Islands(California),the Keys(Florida), thebarrier islands(GulfandEast Coaststates), andLong Island(New York). CONUS and OCONUS CONUS, a technical term used by theU.S. Department of Defense,General Services Administration,NOAA/National Weather Service, and others, has been defined both as the continental United States, and as the 48 contiguous states.The District of Columbia is not always specifically mentioned as being part ofCONUS. OCONUSis derived from CONUS withOfor outside added, thus referring to Outside of Continental United States. The lower 48 The termlower 48is also used to refer to the conterminous United States. TheNational Geographicstyle guide recommends the use ofcontiguousorconterminous United Statesinstead oflower 48when the 48 states are meant, unless used in the context of Alaska.Almost all of Hawaii is south of the southernmost point of the conterminous United States in Florida. Zone of the Interior DuringWorld War II, the first fournumbered Air Forcesof theUnited States Army Air Forces(USAAF) were said to be assigned to theZone of the Interiorby the American military organizations of the time—the future states ofAlaskaandHawaii, then each onlyorganized incorporated territoriesof the Union, were respectively covered by theEleventh Air ForceandSeventh Air Forceduring the war. Terms used in the non-contiguous U.S. jurisdictions Residents of Alaska, Hawaii and off-shoreU.S. territorieshave unique labels for the contiguous United States because of their own locations relative to them. Alaska The vast territory ofAlaskabecame the 49th state of the United States on January 3, 1959. Alaska is the northwest extremity of the North American continent, separated from theU.S. West Coastby theCanadian provinceofBritish Columbia. The termLower 48has, for many years, been a common Alaskan equivalent for \"contiguous United States\";today, many Alaskans use the term\"Outside\"for those states, though some may use \"Outside\" to refer toanylocation not within Alaska. Hawaii The territory ofHawaii, consisting of the entireHawaiian Islandsarchipelago except forMidway Atoll,became the 50th state of the United States on August 21, 1959. It is the southernmost U.S. state, and the latest one to join the Union. Not part of any continent, Hawaii is located in thePacific Ocean, about 2,200 miles (3,541 km) from North America and almost halfway between North America andAsia. In Hawaii andoverseas American territories, for instance, the termsthe MainlandorU.S. Mainlandare often used to refer to the 49 states in North America. Puerto Rico Puerto Rico is anunincorporated territoryof the United States located in the northeastCaribbean Sea, approximately 1,000 miles (1,609 km) southeast ofMiami,Florida. Puerto Ricans born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens and are free to move to the mainland United States. The termStateside Puerto Ricanrefers to residents of any U.S. state or the District of Columbia who were born in, or can trace their family ancestry to, Puerto Rico. U.S. Virgin Islands TheU.S. Virgin Islandsis aU.S. territorylocated directly to the east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea.The term \"stateside\" is used to refer to the mainland, in relation to the U.S. Virgin Islands(seeStateside Virgin Islands Americans). American Samoa American Samoais aU.S. territorylocated in theSouth Pacific OceaninPolynesia, south of the equator — it is 2,200 miles (3,500 km) southwest ofHawaii.In American Samoa, the contiguous United States is called the \"mainland United States\" or \"the states\"; those not from American Samoa are calledpalagi(outsiders). Non-contiguous areas within the contiguous United States Apart from off-shoreU.S. islands, a few continental portions of the contiguous United States are accessible by road only by traveling through Canada.Point Roberts, Washington;Elm Point, Minnesota; and theNorthwest AngleinMinnesotaare three such places.Alburgh, Vermont, is not directly connected by land, but is accessible by road via bridges from within Vermont and from New York.By contrast,Hyder, Alaska, is physically part of contiguous Alaska and its easternmost town, but the only practical access is by road through Canada or by seaplane. List of contiguous U.S. states The 48 contiguous states are: In addition, theDistrict of Columbiais within the contiguous United States. See also Notes References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Pokémon World Championships ThePokémon World Championshipsis an invite-onlyesportsevent organized byPlay! Pokémon. It is held annually in August and features games from thePokémonseries such as thePokémonvideo games,Pokémon Trading Card Game,Pokémon Go,Pokémon UniteandPokkén Tournament(until its 2022 edition). Players earn invitations to the World Championships based on their performance in qualifiers and other tournaments held throughout the season and compete for scholarship money, prizes and the title of World Champion. With the exception ofAsia, invitations to the World Championships are administered by thePlay! Pokémonprogram. History The Pokémon World Championships first began with thePokémon Trading Card Game(TCG) in 2004, which was around the time that the franchise was regaining its popularity.In 2009, Play! Pokémon began to organize competitive tournaments for thePokémonvideo game series alongside the TCG, which is collectively known as the Video Game Championships (VGC). Like the TCG Championships, players compete with other players in their own age divisions (i.e. Junior, Senior and Masters) in different Premier Tournaments, and the season culminates with the best players earning an invitation to play the Pokémon World Championships in August. The tournaments in VGC are played with a different game each year, mainly, the latestPokémongame from its main series. In 2016, Play! Pokémon announced thatPokkén Tournamentwould have its own championship series and would be played at the Pokémon World Championships.From 2018 onward,Pokkén Tournament DXwas used to support its qualifiers and competitions. In 2019, it was announced that the 2020 Pokémon World Championships would take place inLondon, United Kingdom,the first time in which the World Championships would be held in a location outside ofNorth America. This is likely due to the setting ofPokémon Sword and Shield, which takes place in a region inspired by the United Kingdom known as Galar, and it is the set of games that would be played by the video game division of the World Championships. On March 31, 2020,Play! Pokémoncancelled the 2020 Pokémon World Championships and suspended its 2020 season due to health concerns over theCOVID-19 pandemic.This came after earlier announcements in March which saw the cancellation of the 2020 European International Championshipsand part of its season between March and June 2020.On February 9, 2021, it was announced that the 2021 Pokémon World Championships would postponed till 2022 for the same reasons. In early January 2022, it was confirmed thatPokémon Unitewould be played at the World Championships, making it the newestMOBAgame to have an official esports tournament, afterLeague of Legends. In May 2022, after six seasons, Play! Pokémon announced the end of thePokkén TournamentChampionship Series after the 2022 season. At the 2022 edition of the event, it was announced that the 2023 World Championships will take place inYokohama, Japan (the basis of Vermilion City in the Kanto region). When the 2023 event took place, it was the first time that the World Championships visited the franchise's country of origin, as well as the first World Championships to take place in Asia. At the end of the 2023 event, The Pokémon Company announced that the Pokémon World Championships will return toHawaiifor the first time since the previous World Championships in the state was held back in 2012. World Championship locations Despite Pokémon being a Japanese product, only one World Championship (2023) was held in Japan. Almost all of the remaining events were held in the United States. Qualification The qualifying process for the Pokémon World Championships varies each year and is dependent on a player's age division and the country in which they are located in. Players may also qualify to play on different days of the World Championships based on their performance in their respective qualifying programs; the best performing players will immediately advance to the second day of the World Championships playoffs (i.e. \\\"Day 2\\\") instead of playing through the first day (i.e. \\\"Day 1\\\"). Play! Pokémon program Players located in a country with aPlay! Pokémonprogram (i.e. inNorth America,Europe,Latin AmericaandOceania) compete in a regular schedule of tournaments for Championship Points and receive invitations when they meet a predetermined threshold of points at the end of the season. In 2015, the Play! Pokémon program expanded to include countries from the continents ofLatin AmericaandAsia(except Japan and South Korea). However, on June 10, 2020, it was announced thatAsiawould no longer be part of the Play! Pokémon program and will have its own qualifying system towards the Pokémon World Championships. Pokémon GO Championship Series Pokémon announced in October 2021 thatPokémon GOwould be added during the 2022 World Championships,along with it a qualification system through the Pokémon GO Championship Series, where the top two head to the World Championships.Any trainer who reached Legend rank during Season 9 of thePokémon GO Battle Leaguewould qualify for the GO Championship Series. Pokémon Unite Championship Series In January 2022,Pokémon Uniteproducer Masaaki Hoshino confirmed that the game would be part of the roster of games to be played at the World Championships in London.For the first season of the Pokémon Unite Championship Series, there will be eleven supported Regional Zones: North America, Central America, South America-East, South America-West, Europe, Oceania, Japan, South Korea, India, and the Asia-Pacific region. These events will only be open to players aged 16 or 18, depending on the region or country they are from. In each month, a series of tournaments in each Regional Zone will be held. Like other games in the World Championships, players will earn Championship Points based on their finishing position in that month's tournament. The CP can be retained by players to allow for team changes as the season carries on. The team with the most points qualifies for the Regional Championships, and the top teams from the Regional Championships qualify for a chance to compete at the Pokémon World Championships. In January 2023, there were changes to the competitive structure and Regional Zones. Pokémon World Championships nearly doubled available spots from 16, to 31 teams. Regional Zones controlled by TPCi were also changed, with Central America, South America-East and South America West being changed to LATAM North, LATAM South, and Brazil. TPC had also taken control of the India and Asia-Pacific Regional Zones, and split Asia-Pacific into 2 regions; Asia-Pacific East and Asia-Pacific West. For TPCi controlled regions, the previous month's top 4 did not auto qualify for the next month's tournament finals. Additionally, an extra monthly tournament was added, the April Cup. Championship Points were also changed to include top CP earners an invite to Pokémon World Championships, ranging from top 1 to 3 in top CP earners depending on how many invites were given for a region. For TPC controlled regions, their tournament circuit began in April, with 3 monthly qualifiers. The winners of these qualifiers then participated in Regionals to earn a spot for Pokémon World Championships. Among those changes, both North America and Europe were also given their first regional LAN event. Europe had a LAN event for their Aeos Cup series at European International Championships. North America were given a regional LAN event at the North America International Championships. In 2023, competing countries were divided into eight groups of four teams (groups A to H). Teams in each group play each another in a best-of-three seriesround-robin, with the top team advancing to the Top 8 knockout stage. The final draw took place virtually on thePokémon UniteYouTubechannel on July 28, 2023. The prize pool is $500,000 in USD will be distributed among the Top 16 finishers in the championship. Japan & South Korea Tournaments inJapanandSouth Koreaare organised independently from Play! Pokémon, and as such, players from these countries have a different system of qualification. In Japan, players compete for an invite to theJapan National Championshipsby playing in major qualifier or online tournaments held throughout the season.The best performing players of theJapan National Championshipswill then be selected to represent Japan in the Pokémon World Championships. In South Korea, the style of qualification for the World Championships changes frequently. For example, in 2015, players would compete in theKorean National Championshipsand earn a World Championships invitation based on their standing in the tournament. However, in 2019, players would compete in tournaments organized by theKorean Leagueand earn an invite based on the number of points they had accumulated by the end of the season. Other There are other less common methods of qualifying for the World Championships which include finishing at least top 4 or better in the prior year's World Championships or by participating in asingle-elimination tournamentknown as the Last Chance Qualifierat the location of the World Championships itself. List of World Champions Trading Card Game (TCG) Video Game Championships (VGC) Pokémon Go The under-17 age division was discontinued after the 2022 season. All participants of any age now compete in the same tournament. All tournament battles use the Great League battle format (all Pokémon must be below 1,500 Combat Power.) Pokémon Unite Retired games Pokkén Tournament & Pokkén Tournament DX 2014 World Championships The2014 Pokémon World Championshipswas the sixth annual edition of the championships. The event took place in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center onWashington, D.C., alongside the 2014Pokémon Trading Card GameWorld Championship who were in their eleventh edition. The tournament was streamed viaTwitchfor the first time in the tournament history and reached a viewership of more than 800,000. The defending Video Game champions wereArash OmmatifromItaly(Masters Division), Hayden McTavish from theUnited States(Senior Division), and Brendan Zheng from theUnited States(Junior Division). The opening ceremony of the event was attended byJunichi Masuda, the video game designer for thePokémonfranchise and a member of the board of directors ofGame Freak. The finals match of the Masters division is best known and remembered within the Pokémon community forSe Jun Park's victory with the inclusion and use of aPachirisuon his team. 2014 qualification The qualification process for the 2014 Pokémon World Championships was primarily based on Championship Points accumulated by players from official Play! Pokémon tournaments such as Premier Challenges, Regional Championships and National Championships. In addition, the top 4 players of the 2013 Pokémon World Championships in each division, and the top 4 players of a tournament known as the 'Last Chance Qualifier' will also receive an invitation to play in the World Championships. The invitations for the Masters Division of the tournament were distributed in the following manner: Most of the invitations did not include a fully paid trip to the tournament, and as a result several players could not attend the tournament. 2014 tournament structure Players per country Results Six rounds of Swiss was played by 60 players in the tournament, and each round was played with a set of best-of-three matches. The top 8 players after the Swiss rounds advances to the best-of-three Single Elimination matches. The defending World Champion Arash Ommati and former three-time World ChampionRay Rizzodid not advance to the single elimination rounds. Final standings 2015 World Championships The2015 Pokémon World Championshipswas the seventh annual edition of the championships. The event was held alongside thePokémon Trading Card GameWorld Championships at theHynes Convention CenterinBoston, Massachusetts. The tournament was transmitted with live streaming from the official PokémonTwitchchannel. The defending Video Game champions for the year wereSe Jun ParkfromSouth Korea(Masters Division), Nikolai Zielinsky from theUnited States(Senior Division) and Kota Yamamoto fromJapan(Junior Division). 2015 qualification Players could only gain an invitation to play in the Video Game World Championships by either being the2014 Pokémon World Champions, or by obtaining enough Championship Points in their respective geographic zone designated byPlay! Pokémon. However, the only exception to this rule are for players from Japan and South Korea, as their tournaments are not overseen by Play! Pokémon and their invites are governed through a different system of qualification. Since 2014, players were able to earn Championship Points from various tournaments within their geographical region. The tournaments vary in scale, ranging from local Premier Challenges to state-level Regional Championships and finally the large-scale National Championships. The number of points awarded varies with scale, and players who earn these points are ranked and divided into zones such as North America, Europe and South Africa. This year, two new zones (Latin America and Asia-Pacific) were introduced. The 2015 Pokémon Video Game World Championship was intended to be played under two Swiss tournaments and one single-elimination tournament which would then determine the 2015 World Champions. As such, there are two types of invites: As an example, the invitations for the Masters Division were distributed as follows: 2015 tournament structure TheVideo GameChampionships consisted of twoSwiss tournamentsand one single elimination tournament played across three days. On Friday (Day 1), all players who earned an invitation without a Day 1 bye were entered into a Swiss tournament, where players with two or fewer losses would advance onto the next round. The second Swiss tournament was then played on Saturday (Day 2), where players who advanced from Day 1 were joined by players who received an invitation with a Day 1 bye. At the end of the Day 2 Swiss tournament, the top eight players played in single elimination rounds until the last two remain. The finals took place on Sunday (Day 3). Final standings (Video Game Championships) Weapons controversy During the 2015 World Championships, two Trading Card Game competitors fromIowa(Kevin Norton, 18, and James Stumbo, 27) brought weapons in their vehicle, which were recovered by the police. The two posted status updates and images of their weaponry on social media, which were noticed by variousPokémonfans who treated them as supposed threats against the tournament. The updates were reported to theBoston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC), who promptly seized their automobile and then stopped them at the door and barred them from entering the Hynes Convention Center on Thursday evening. Police executed a search warrant on Friday and Norton and Stumbo were arrested at their Red Roof Inn room in Saugus just after midnight on Saturday, August 22, 2015.The two were arrested on charges of unlicensed possession of firearms and ammunition, and were initially held without bail.The weapons recovered were a recently purchasedRemingtonshotgun, anAR-15, a hunting knife and several hundred rounds of ammunition.They pleaded not guilty at their arraignment on November 10, 2015, and their bail was set at $150,000.On December 2, 2015, their trial was set for May 9, 2016, however, in early April 2016, their trial was postponed to November 2016.Following the release ofPokémon Goin July 2016, Stumbo's attorney indicated that the case would be resolved soon.Norton and Stumbo were later sentenced to two years in prison with an additional two years probation once their prison term ends. 2016 World Championships The2016 Pokémon World Championshipswas the eighth annual edition of the championships. The event was held at theSan Francisco Marriott MarquisinSan Francisco, California, from August 19 to August 21.For the first time in the tournament history, thePokkén Tournamentinvitational was featured alongside the Video Game Championships (VGC) and Trading Card Game (TCG) tournaments. Side events and an official store with event merchandise occurred alongside the event. The defending Video Game champions were Shoma Honami fromJapan(Masters Division), Mark McQuillan from theUnited Kingdom(Senior Division) and Kotone Yasue from Japan (Junior Division).The defending Trading Card Game champions were Jacob Van Wagner from theUnited States(Masters Division), Patrick Martinez from the United States (Senior Division), and Rowan Stavenow fromCanada. Age divisions and qualifications Both the Pokémon VGC and TCG were divided into three age divisions: theJunior Division(born 2005 or later), theSenior Division(born between 2001 and 2004), and theMasters Division(born 2000 or earlier). For thePokkén Tournamentinvitational, players were grouped into either theSenior Division(born 2001 or later) orMasters Division(born 2000 or earlier). The process of obtaining an invitation is primarily based on Championship Points.Players could earn Championship Points by performing in select online and live tournaments held throughout the 2016 season (between September 2015 and July 2016). Players from Japan andSouth Koreawere excluded from this rule as these countries had their own method of qualification not based on Championship Points. Play! Pokémondivided players into five different rating zones: US andCanada,Europe,Latin America,Asia-PacificandSouth Africa. Different zones had different Championship Points requirements due to the distribution of events around the world. There are two possible invitations players could obtain: 'Day Two' invites were usually accompanied by travel awards and stipends paid by Play! Pokémon. Trading Card Game Championship qualifications The following table shows the Championship Pointsrequirement for an invitation to the 2016 World Championships: Players in Japan and South Korea were awarded invitations based on each country's organized play system. Video Game Championship qualifications For the Masters Division, the following table lists the Championship Points requirement for an invitation to the 2016 World Championships: 2016 tournament structure The Video Game Championships consisted of two Swiss tournaments and one single elimination tournament played across three days. On Friday (Day 1), all players who earned an invitation without a Day 1 bye were entered into a Swiss tournament, where players with two or fewer losses would advance onto the next round. The second Swiss tournament was then played on Saturday (Day 2), where players who advanced from Day 1 were joined by players who received an invitation with a Day 1 bye. At the end of the Day 2 Swiss tournament, players with two or fewer losses advanced to play in single elimination rounds until the last two remain. The finals took place on Sunday (Day 3). Final standings (Video Game Championships) Final standings (Trading Card Game) References\",\n \"Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II(born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44thpresident of the United Statesfrom 2009 to 2017. As a member of theDemocratic Party, he was the firstAfrican-Americanpresident in U.S. history. Obama previously served as aU.S. senatorrepresentingIllinoisfrom 2005 to 2008 and as anIllinois state senatorfrom 1997 to 2004. Obama was born inHonolulu,Hawaii. He graduated fromColumbia Universityin 1983 with aBachelor of Artsdegree in political science and later worked as acommunity organizerinChicago. In 1988, Obama enrolled inHarvard Law School, where he was the first black president of theHarvard Law Review. He became a civil rights attorney and an academic, teachingconstitutional lawat theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolfrom 1992 to 2004. He also went into elective politics; Obamarepresented the 13th district in the Illinois Senatefrom 1997 until 2004, when hesuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate. In the2008 presidential election, aftera close primary campaignagainstHillary Clinton, he was nominated by the Democratic Party for president. Obama selectedJoe Bidenas his running mate and defeatedRepublicannomineeJohn McCain. Obama was named the2009 Nobel Peace Prizelaureate, a decision that drew a mixture of criticism and praise. His first-term actions addressed theglobal financial crisisand includeda major stimulus packageto guide the economy in recovering from theGreat Recession, a partial extension ofGeorge W. Bush'stax cuts,legislation to reform health care,a major financial regulation reform bill, and the end of a major U.S.military presence in Iraq. Obama also appointedSupreme CourtjusticesSonia SotomayorandElena Kagan, the former being the firstHispanic Americanon the Supreme Court. He orderedOperation Neptune Spear, the raid that killedOsama bin Laden, who was responsible for theSeptember 11 attacks. Obama downplayed Bush'scounterinsurgency model, expandingair strikesand making extensive use of special forces, while encouraging greater reliance on host-government militaries. He also orderedmilitary involvement in Libyain order to implementUN Security Council Resolution 1973, contributing to the overthrow ofMuammar Gaddafi. Obama defeated Republican opponentMitt Romneyin the2012 presidential election. In his second term, Obama took steps tocombat climate change, signinga major international climate agreementand anexecutive orderto limitcarbon emissions. Obama also presided over the implementation of theAffordable Care Actand other legislation passed in his first term. He negotiateda nuclear agreement with Iranandnormalized relations with Cuba. The number ofAmerican soldiers in Afghanistandecreased during Obama's second term, though U.S. soldiers remained in the country throughout Obama's presidency. Obama promoted inclusion forLGBT Americans, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to publicly supportsame-sex marriage. Obama left office on January 20, 2017, and continues to reside in Washington, D.C. Historians and political scientists rank him among the upper tier inhistorical rankings of American presidents.His presidential libraryin theSouth Side of Chicagobegan construction in 2021. Since leaving office, Obama has remained politically active, campaigning for candidates in various American elections, including Biden'ssuccessful presidential bidin2020. Outside of politics,Obama has published three books:Dreams from My Father(1995),The Audacity of Hope(2006), andA Promised Land(2020). Early life and career Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961,atKapiolani Medical Center for Women and ChildreninHonolulu, Hawaii.He is the only president born outside thecontiguous 48 states.He was born to an 18-year-old American mother and a 27-year-old Kenyan father. His mother,Ann Dunham(1942–1995), was born inWichita, Kansas, and was of English, Welsh, German, Swiss, and Irish descent. In 2007 it was discovered her great-great-grandfather Falmouth Kearney emigrated from the village ofMoneygall, Irelandto the U.S. in 1850.In July 2012,Ancestry.comfound a strong likelihood that Dunham was descended fromJohn Punch, an enslaved African man who lived in theColony of Virginiaduring the seventeenth century.Obama's father,Barack Obama Sr.(1934–1982),was a marriedLuo KenyanfromNyang'oma Kogelo.His last name, Obama, was derived from his Luo descent.Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian language class at theUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where his father was a foreign student on a scholarship.The couple married inWailuku, Hawaii, on February 2, 1961, six months before Obama was born. In late August 1961, a few weeks after he was born, Barack and his mother moved to theUniversity of WashingtoninSeattle, where they lived for a year. During that time, Barack's father completed his undergraduate degree in economics in Hawaii, graduating in June 1962. He left to attend graduate school on a scholarship atHarvard University, where he earned anM.A.in economics. Obama's parents divorced in March 1964.Obama Sr. returned toKenyain 1964, where he married for a third time and worked for the Kenyan government as the Senior Economic Analyst in the Ministry of Finance.He visited his son in Hawaii only once, at Christmas 1971,before he was killed in an automobile accident in 1982, when Obama was 21 years old.Recalling his early childhood, Obama said: \\\"That my father looked nothing like the people around me—that he was black as pitch, my mother white as milk—barely registered in my mind.\\\"He described his struggles as a young adult to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage. In 1963, Dunham metLolo Soetoroat theUniversity of Hawaii; he was anIndonesianEast–West Centergraduate studentingeography. The couple married onMolokaion March 15, 1965.After two one-year extensions of hisJ-1 visa, Lolo returned toIndonesiain 1966. His wife and stepson followed sixteen months later in 1967. The family initially lived in the Menteng Dalam neighborhood in theTebetdistrict ofSouth Jakarta. From 1970, they lived in a wealthier neighborhood in theMentengdistrict ofCentral Jakarta. Education At the age of six, Obama and his mother had moved to Indonesia to join his stepfather. From age six to ten, he was registered in school as \\\"Barry\\\"and attended localIndonesian-languageschools:Sekolah Dasar Katolik Santo Fransiskus Asisi(St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School) for two years andSekolah Dasar Negeri Menteng 01(State Elementary School Menteng 01) for one and a half years, supplemented by English-languageCalvert Schoolhomeschooling by his mother.As a result of his four years inJakarta, he was able to speakIndonesianfluently as a child.During his time in Indonesia, Obama's stepfather taught him to be resilient and gave him \\\"a pretty hardheaded assessment of how the world works\\\". In 1971, Obama returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents,MadelynandStanley Dunham. He attendedPunahou School—a privatecollege preparatory school—with the aid of a scholarship from fifth grade until he graduated from high school in 1979.In high school, Obama continued to use the nickname \\\"Barry\\\" which he kept until making a visit to Kenya in 1980.Obama lived with his mother and half-sister,Maya Soetoro, in Hawaii for three years from 1972 to 1975 while his mother was a graduate student inanthropologyat the University of Hawaii.Obama chose to stay in Hawaii when his mother and half-sister returned to Indonesia in 1975, so his mother could begin anthropology field work.His mother spent most of the next two decades in Indonesia, divorcing Lolo Soetoro in 1980 and earning a PhD degree in 1992, before dying in 1995 in Hawaii following unsuccessful treatment forovariananduterine cancer. Of his years in Honolulu, Obama wrote: \\\"The opportunity that Hawaii offered — to experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respect — became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the values that I hold most dear.\\\"Obama has also written and talked about usingalcohol,marijuana, andcocaineduring his teenage years to \\\"push questions of who I was out of my mind\\\".Obama was also a member of the \\\"Choom Gang\\\" (the slang term for smoking marijuana), a self-named group of friends who spent time together and smoked marijuana. College and research jobs After graduating from high school in 1979, Obama moved to Los Angeles to attendOccidental Collegeon a full scholarship. In February 1981, Obama made his first public speech, calling for Occidental to participate in thedisinvestment from South Africain response to that nation's policy ofapartheid.In mid-1981, Obama traveled to Indonesia to visit his mother and half-sister Maya and visited the families of college friends inPakistanfor three weeks.Later in 1981, hetransferredtoColumbia Universityin New York City as ajunior, where he majored inpolitical sciencewith a specialty ininternational relationsand inEnglish literatureand lived off-campus on West 109th Street.He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 and a 3.7GPA. After graduating, Obama worked for about a year at theBusiness International Corporation, where he was a financial researcher and writer,then as a project coordinator for theNew York Public Interest Research Groupon theCity College of New Yorkcampus for three months in 1985. Community organizer and Harvard Law School Two years after graduating from Columbia, Obama moved from New York to Chicago when he was hired as director of theDeveloping Communities Project, a faith-based community organization originally comprising eight Catholic parishes inRoseland,West Pullman, andRiverdaleon Chicago'sSouth Side. He worked there as a community organizer from June 1985 to May 1988.He helped set up a job training program, a college preparatory tutoring program, and a tenants' rights organization inAltgeld Gardens.Obama also worked as a consultant and instructor for theGamaliel Foundation, a community organizing institute.In mid-1988, he traveled for the first time inEuropefor three weeks and then for five weeks in Kenya, where he met many of hispaternal relativesfor the first time. Despite being offered a full scholarship toNorthwestern University School of Law, Obama enrolled atHarvard Law Schoolin the fall of 1988, living in nearbySomerville, Massachusetts.He was selected as an editor of theHarvard Law Reviewat the end of his first year,president of the journal in his second year,and research assistant to the constitutional scholarLaurence Tribewhile at Harvard.During his summers, he returned to Chicago, where he worked as asummer associateat the law firms ofSidley Austinin 1989 andHopkins & Sutterin 1990.Obama's election as thefirst black president of theHarvard Law Reviewgained national media attentionand led to a publishing contract and advance for a book about race relations,which evolved into a personal memoir. The manuscript was published in mid-1995 asDreams from My Father.Obama graduated from Harvard Law in 1991 with aJuris Doctormagna cum laude. University of Chicago Law School In 1991, Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolto work on his first book.He then taughtconstitutional lawat the University of Chicago Law School for twelve years, first as a lecturer from 1992 to 1996, and then as a senior lecturer from 1996 to 2004. From April to October 1992, Obama directed Illinois'sProject Vote, avoter registration campaignwith ten staffers and seven hundred volunteer registrars; it achieved its goal of registering 150,000 of 400,000 unregistered African Americans in the state, leadingCrain's Chicago Businessto name Obama to its 1993 list of \\\"40 under Forty\\\" powers to be. Family and personal life In a 2006 interview, Obama highlighted the diversity ofhis extended family: \\\"It's like a little mini-United Nations,\\\" he said. \\\"I've got relatives who look likeBernie Mac, and I've got relatives who look likeMargaret Thatcher.\\\"Obama has a half-sister with whom he was raised (Maya Soetoro-Ng) and seven other half-siblings from his Kenyan father's family, six of them living.Obama's mother was survived by her Kansas-born mother, Madelyn Dunham,until her death on November 2, 2008,two days before his election to the presidency. Obama also has roots in Ireland; he met with his Irish cousins inMoneygallin May 2011.InDreams from My Father, Obama ties his mother's family history to possible Native American ancestors and distant relatives ofJefferson Davis,President of the Confederate States of Americaduring theAmerican Civil War. He also shares distant ancestors in common withGeorge W. BushandDick Cheney, among others. Obama lived with anthropologistSheila Miyoshi Jagerwhile he was a community organizer in Chicago in the 1980s.He proposed to her twice, but both Jager and her parents turned him down.The relationship was not made public until May 2017, several months after his presidency had ended. In June 1989, Obama metMichelle Robinsonwhen he was employed atSidley Austin.Robinson was assigned for three months as Obama's adviser at the firm, and she joined him at several group social functions but declined his initial requests to date.They began dating later that summer, became engaged in 1991, and were married on October 3, 1992.After suffering a miscarriage, Michelle underwentin vitro fertilizationto conceive their children.The couple's first daughter, Malia Ann, was born in 1998,followed by a second daughter, Natasha (\\\"Sasha\\\"), in 2001.The Obama daughters attended theUniversity of Chicago Laboratory Schools. When they moved to Washington, D.C., in January 2009, the girls started at theSidwell Friends School.The Obamas had twoPortuguese Water Dogs; the first, a male namedBo, was a gift from SenatorTed Kennedy.In 2013, Bo was joined bySunny, a female.Bo died of cancer on May 8, 2021. Obama is a supporter of theChicago White Sox, and he threw out the first pitch at the2005 ALCSwhen he was still a senator.In 2009, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at theAll-Star Gamewhile wearing a White Sox jacket.He is also primarily aChicago Bearsfootball fan in theNFL, but in his childhood and adolescence was afan of the Pittsburgh Steelersand rooted for them ahead of their victory inSuper Bowl XLIII12 days after he took office as president.In 2011, Obama invited the1985 Chicago Bearsto the White House; the team had not visited the White House after theirSuper Bowl winin 1986 due to theSpace Shuttle Challenger disaster.He playsbasketball, a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team,and he is left-handed. In 2005, the Obama family applied the proceeds of a book deal and moved from aHyde Park, Chicagocondominium to a $1.6million house (equivalent to $2.5million in 2023) in neighboringKenwood, Chicago.The purchase of an adjacent lot—and sale of part of it to Obama by the wife of developer, campaign donor and friendTony Rezko—attracted media attention because of Rezko's subsequent indictment and conviction on political corruption charges that were unrelated to Obama. In December 2007,Money Magazineestimated Obama's net worth at $1.3million (equivalent to $1.9million in 2023).Their 2009 tax return showed a household income of $5.5million—up from about $4.2million in 2007 and $1.6million in 2005—mostly from sales of his books.On his 2010 income of $1.7million, he gave 14 percent to non-profit organizations, including $131,000 toFisher House Foundation, a charity assisting wounded veterans' families, allowing them to reside near where the veteran is receiving medical treatments.Per his 2012 financial disclosure, Obama may be worth as much as $10million. Religious views Obama is aProtestantChristian whose religious views developed in his adult life.He wrote inThe Audacity of Hopethat he \\\"was not raised in a religious household.\\\" He described his mother, raised by non-religious parents, as being detached from religion, yet \\\"in many ways the most spiritually awakened person... I have ever known\\\", and \\\"a lonely witness forsecular humanism.\\\" He described his father as a \\\"confirmedatheist\\\" by the time his parents met, and his stepfather as \\\"a man who saw religion as not particularly useful.\\\" Obama explained how, through working withblack churchesas acommunity organizerwhile in his twenties, he came to understand \\\"the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change.\\\" In January 2008, Obama toldChristianity Today: \\\"I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in theredemptive deathandresurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life.\\\"On September 27, 2010, Obama released a statement commenting on his religious views, saying: I'm a Christian by choice. My family didn't—frankly, they weren't folks who went to church every week. And my mother was one of the most spiritual people I knew, but she didn't raise me in the church. So I came to my Christian faith later in life, and it was because the precepts ofJesus Christspoke to me in terms of the kind of life that I would want to lead—being my brothers' and sisters' keeper,treating others as they would treat me. Obama metTrinity United Church of ChristpastorJeremiah Wrightin October 1987 and became a member of Trinity in 1992.During Obama's first presidential campaign in May 2008, he resigned from Trinity aftersome of Wright's statements were criticized.Since moving to Washington, D.C., in 2009, the Obama family has attended several Protestant churches, includingShiloh Baptist ChurchandSt. John's Episcopal Church, as well as Evergreen Chapel atCamp David, but the members of the family do not attend church on a regular basis. In 2016, he said that he gets inspiration from a few items that remind him \\\"of all the different people I've met along the way\\\", adding: \\\"I carry these around all the time. I'm not that superstitious, so it's not like I think I necessarily have to have them on me at all times.\\\" The items, \\\"a whole bowl full\\\", include rosary beads given to him byPope Francis, a figurine of the Hindu deityHanuman, aCoptic crossfrom Ethiopia, a smallBuddha statuegiven by a monk, and a metal poker chip that used to be the lucky charm of a motorcyclist in Iowa. Legal career Civil rights attorney He joined Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, a 13-attorney law firm specializing in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development, where he was anassociatefor three years from 1993 to 1996, thenof counselfrom 1996 to 2004. In 1994, he was listed as one of the lawyers inBuycks-Roberson v. Citibank Fed. Sav. Bank, 94 C 4094 (N.D. Ill.). Thisclass action lawsuitwas filed in 1994 with Selma Buycks-Roberson as lead plaintiff and alleged that Citibank Federal Savings Bank had engaged in practices forbidden under theEqual Credit Opportunity Actand theFair Housing Act. The case was settled out of court. From 1994 to 2002, Obama served on the boards of directors of theWoods Fund of Chicago—which in 1985 had been the first foundation to fund the Developing Communities Project—and of theJoyce Foundation.He served on the board of directors of theChicago Annenberg Challengefrom 1995 to 2002, as founding president and chairman of the board of directors from 1995 to 1999.Obama's law license became inactive in 2007. Legislative career Illinois Senate (1997–2004) Obama was elected to theIllinois Senatein 1996, succeeding Democratic State SenatorAlice PalmerfromIllinois's 13th District, which, at that time, spanned Chicago South Side neighborhoods from Hyde Park–Kenwood south toSouth Shoreand west toChicago Lawn.Once elected, Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation that reformed ethics and health care laws.He sponsored a law that increasedtax creditsfor low-income workers, negotiatedwelfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported Republican GovernorGeorge Ryan'spayday loanregulations andpredatory mortgage lendingregulations aimed at averting homeforeclosures. He was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998, defeating Republican Yesse Yehudah in the general election, and was re-elected again in 2002.In 2000, he lost aDemocratic primary raceforIllinois's 1st congressional districtin theUnited States House of Representativesto four-term incumbentBobby Rushby a margin of two to one. In January 2003, Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee when Democrats, after a decade in the minority, regained a majority.He sponsored and led unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitorracial profilingby requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained, and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.During his 2004 general election campaign for the U.S. Senate, police representatives credited Obama for his active engagement with police organizations in enactingdeath penaltyreforms.Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his election to the U.S. Senate. 2004 U.S. Senate campaign in Illinois In May 2002, Obama commissioned a poll to assess his prospects in a 2004 U.S. Senate race. He created a campaign committee, began raising funds, and lined up political media consultantDavid Axelrodby August 2002. Obama formally announced his candidacy in January 2003. Obama was an early opponent of the George W. Bush administration's2003 invasion of Iraq.On October 2, 2002, the day President Bush and Congress agreed on thejoint resolutionauthorizing theIraq War,Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicagoanti-Iraq War rally,and spoke out against the war.He addressed another anti-war rally in March 2003 and told the crowd \\\"it's not too late\\\" to stop the war. Decisions by Republican incumbentPeter Fitzgeraldand his Democratic predecessorCarol Moseley Braunnot to participate in the election resulted in wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving 15 candidates.In the March 2004 primary election, Obama won in an unexpected landslide—which overnight made him a rising star within thenational Democratic Party, started speculation about a presidential future, and led to the reissue of his memoir,Dreams from My Father.In July 2004, Obama deliveredthe keynote addressat the2004 Democratic National Convention,seen by nine million viewers. His speech was well received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party. Obama's expected opponent in the general election, Republican primary winnerJack Ryan, withdrew from the race in June 2004.Six weeks later,Alan Keyesaccepted the Republican nomination to replace Ryan.In theNovember 2004 general election, Obama won with 70 percent of the vote, the largest margin of victory for a Senate candidate in Illinois history.He took 92 of the state's 102 counties, including several where Democrats traditionally do not do well. U.S. Senate (2005–2008) Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 3, 2005,becoming the only Senate member of theCongressional Black Caucus.He introduced two initiatives that bore his name: Lugar–Obama, which expanded theNunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reductionconcept to conventional weapons;and theFederal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, which authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov, a web search engine on federal spending.On June 3, 2008, Senator Obama—along with SenatorsTom Carper,Tom Coburn, andJohn McCain—introduced follow-up legislation: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008.He alsocosponsoredtheSecure America and Orderly Immigration Act. In December 2006, President Bush signed into law theDemocratic Republic of the CongoRelief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.In January 2007, Obama and Senator Feingold introduced a corporate jet provision to theHonest Leadership and Open Government Act, which was signed into law in September 2007. Later in 2007, Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to add safeguards for personality-disorder military discharges.This amendment passed the full Senate in the spring of 2008.He sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, which was never enacted but later incorporated in theComprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010;and co-sponsored legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to theState Children's Health Insurance Program, providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries. Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees forForeign Relations,Environment and Public Works, andVeterans' Affairsthrough December 2006.In January 2007, he left the Environment and Public Works committee and took additional assignments withHealth, Education, Labor and PensionsandHomeland Security and Governmental Affairs.He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee onEuropean Affairs.As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. He met withMahmoud Abbasbefore Abbas becamePresident of the Palestinian National Authorityand gave a speech at theUniversity of Nairobiin which he condemned corruption within the Kenyan government. Obamaresigned his Senate seaton November 16, 2008, to focus on his transition period for the presidency. Presidential campaigns 2008 On February 10, 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of theOld State Capitolbuilding inSpringfield, Illinois.The choice of the announcement site was viewed as symbolic, as it was also whereAbraham Lincolndelivered his\\\"House Divided\\\"speech in 1858.Obama emphasized issues of rapidly ending the Iraq War, increasingenergy independence, andreforming the health care system. Numerous candidates entered theDemocratic Party presidential primaries. The field narrowed to Obama and SenatorHillary Clintonafter early contests, with the race remaining close throughout the primary process, but Obama gained a steady lead in pledgeddelegatesdue to better long-range planning, superior fundraising, dominant organizing incaucusstates, and better exploitation of delegate allocation rules.On June 2, 2008, Obama had received enough votes to clinch his nomination. After an initial hesitation to concede, on June 7, Clinton ended her campaign and endorsed Obama.On August 23, 2008, Obama announced hisselectionofDelawareSenatorJoe Bidenas his vice presidential running mate.Obama selected Biden from a field speculated to include former Indiana Governor and SenatorEvan Bayhand Virginia GovernorTim Kaine.At theDemocratic National ConventioninDenver, Colorado, Hillary Clinton called for her supporters to endorse Obama, and she andBill Clintongave convention speeches in his support.Obama delivered his acceptance speech atInvesco Field at Mile Highstadium to a crowd of about eighty-four thousand; the speech was viewed by over three million people worldwide.During both the primary process and the general election, Obama's campaign set numerous fundraising records, particularly in the quantity of small donations.On June 19, 2008, Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn downpublic financingin the general election since the system was created in 1976. John McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate, and he selectedSarah Palinas his running mate. Obama and McCain engaged in threepresidential debatesin September and October 2008.On November 4, Obama won the presidency with 365electoral votesto 173 received by McCain.Obama won 52.9 percent of thepopular voteto McCain's 45.7 percent.He became the first African-American to be elected president.Obama deliveredhis victory speechbefore hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago'sGrant Park.He is one of the three United States senators moved directly from the U.S. Senate to the White House, the others beingWarren G. HardingandJohn F. Kennedy. 2012 On April 4, 2011, Obama filed election papers with theFederal Election Commissionand then announced his reelection campaign for 2012 in a video titled \\\"It Begins with Us\\\" that he posted on his website.As the incumbent president, he ran virtually unopposed in theDemocratic Party presidential primaries,and on April 3, 2012, Obama secured the 2778conventiondelegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.At theDemocratic National ConventioninCharlotte, North Carolina, Obama and Joe Biden were formally nominated by former President Bill Clinton as the Democratic Party candidates for president and vice president in the general election. Their main opponents were RepublicansMitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and RepresentativePaul Ryanof Wisconsin. On November 6, 2012, Obama won 332 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 required for him to be reelected as president.With 51.1 percent of the popular vote,Obama became the first Democratic president sinceFranklin D. Rooseveltto win themajority of the popular votetwice.Obama addressed supporters and volunteers at Chicago'sMcCormick Placeafter his reelection and said: \\\"Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties.\\\" Presidency (2009–2017) First 100 days Theinauguration of Barack Obamaas the 44th president took place on January 20, 2009. In his first few days in office, Obama issuedexecutive ordersandpresidential memorandadirecting the U.S. military to develop plans to withdraw troops from Iraq.He ordered the closing of theGuantanamo Bay detention camp,but Congress prevented the closure by refusing to appropriate the required fundsand preventing moving any Guantanamo detainee.Obama reduced the secrecy given to presidential records.He also revoked President George W. Bush's restoration of PresidentRonald Reagan'sMexico City policywhich prohibited federal aid to internationalfamily planningorganizations that perform or provide counseling about abortion. Domestic policy The first bill signed into law by Obama was theLilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, relaxing thestatute of limitationsfor equal-pay lawsuits.Five days later, he signed the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program to cover an additional four million uninsured children.In March 2009, Obama reversed a Bush-era policy that had limited funding ofembryonic stem cellresearch and pledged to develop \\\"strict guidelines\\\" on the research. Obama appointed two women to serve on the Supreme Court in the first two years of his presidency. He nominatedSonia Sotomayoron May 26, 2009, to replace retiringAssociate JusticeDavid Souter. She was confirmed on August 6, 2009,becoming the first Supreme Court Justice ofHispanicdescent.Obama nominatedElena Kaganon May 10, 2010, to replace retiring Associate JusticeJohn Paul Stevens. She was confirmed on August 5, 2010, bringing the number of women sitting simultaneously on the Court to three for the first time in American history. On March 11, 2009, Obama created theWhite House Council on Women and Girls, which formed part of theOffice of Intergovernmental Affairs, having been established byExecutive Order13506with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to the welfare of American women and girls. The council was chaired bySenior Advisor to the PresidentValerie Jarrett. Obama also established theWhite House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assaultthrough a government memorandum on January 22, 2014, with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to sexual assault on college and university campuses throughout the United States. The co-chairs of the Task Force were Vice President Joe Biden and Jarrett. The Task Force was a development out of the White House Council on Women and Girls andOffice of the Vice President of the United States, and prior to that the 1994Violence Against Women Actfirst drafted by Biden. In July 2009, Obama launched thePriority Enforcement Program, an immigration enforcement program that had been pioneered by George W. Bush, and theSecure Communitiesfingerprinting and immigration status data-sharing program. In amajor space policy speechin April 2010, Obama announced a planned change in direction atNASA, the U.S. space agency. He ended plans for a return ofhuman spaceflightto the moon and development of theAres Irocket,Ares Vrocket andConstellation program, in favor of fundingearth scienceprojects, a new rocket type, research and development for an eventual crewed mission to Mars, and ongoing missions to theInternational Space Station. On January 16, 2013, one month after theSandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Obama signed 23 executive orders and outlined a series of sweeping proposals regardinggun control.He urged Congress to reintroduce anexpired banon military-styleassault weapons, such as those used in several recent mass shootings, impose limits on ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, introduce background checks on all gun sales, pass a ban on possession and sale of armor-piercing bullets, introduce harsher penalties for gun-traffickers, especially unlicensed dealers who buy arms for criminals and approving the appointment of the head of the federalBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosivesfor the first time since 2006.On January 5, 2016, Obama announced new executive actions extending background check requirements to more gun sellers.In a 2016 editorial inThe New York Times, Obama compared the struggle for what he termed \\\"common-sense gun reform\\\" towomen's suffrageand othercivil rights movementsin American history. In 2011, Obama signed a four-year renewal of the Patriot Act.Following the2013 global surveillance disclosuresbywhistleblowerEdward Snowden, Obama condemned the leak as unpatriotic,but called for increased restrictions on theNational Security Agency(NSA) to address violations of privacy.Obama continued and expanded surveillance programs set up by George W. Bush, while implementing some reforms.He supported legislation that would have limited the NSA's ability to collect phone records in bulk under a single program and supported bringing more transparency to theForeign Intelligence Surveillance Court(FISC). Racial issues In his speeches as president, Obama did not make more overt references to race relations than his predecessors,but according to one study, he implemented stronger policy action on behalf of African-Americans than any president since the Nixon era. Following Obama's election, many pondered the existence of a \\\"postracial America\\\".However, lingering racial tensions quickly became apparent,and many African-Americans expressed outrage over what they saw as an intense racial animosity directed at Obama.TheacquittalofGeorge Zimmermanfollowing thekilling of Trayvon Martinsparked national outrage, leading to Obama giving a speech in which he noted that \\\"Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago.\\\"The shooting ofMichael BrowninFerguson, Missourisparked a wave of protests.These and other events led to the birth of theBlack Lives Mattermovement, which campaigns against violence andsystemic racismtowardblack people.Though Obama entered office reluctant to talk about race, by 2014 he began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups. Several incidents during Obama's presidency generated disapproval from the African-American community and with law enforcement, and Obama sought to build trust between law enforcement officials and civil rights activists, with mixed results. Some in law enforcement criticized Obama's condemnation of racial bias after incidents in which police action led to the death of African-American men, while some racial justice activists criticized Obama's expressions of empathy for the police.In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried \\\"a great deal\\\" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001. LGBT rights On October 8, 2009, Obama signed theMatthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a measure that expanded the1969 United States federal hate-crime lawto include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.On October 30, 2009, Obama lifted the ban on travel to the United States by those infected with HIV. The lifting of the ban was celebrated byImmigration Equality.On December 22, 2010, Obama signed theDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which fulfilled a promise made in the 2008 presidential campaignto end thedon't ask, don't tellpolicy of 1993 that had prevented gay and lesbian people from serving openly in theUnited States Armed Forces. In 2016, the Pentagon ended the policy that barredtransgender people from serving openly in the military. Same-sex marriage As a candidate for the Illinois state senate in 1996, Obama stated he favored legalizingsame-sex marriage.During his Senate run in 2004, he said he supported civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex partners but opposed same-sex marriages.In 2008, he reaffirmed this position by stating \\\"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage.\\\"On May 9, 2012, shortly after the official launch of his campaign for re-election as president, Obama said his views had evolved, and he publicly affirmed his personal support for the legalization of same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so.During his secondinaugural addresson January 21, 2013,Obama became the first U.S. president in office to call for full equality for gay Americans, and the first to mentiongay rightsor the word \\\"gay\\\" in an inaugural address.In 2013, the Obama administration filed briefs that urged theSupreme Courtto rule in favor of same-sex couples in the cases ofHollingsworth v. Perry(regarding same-sex marriage)andUnited States v. Windsor(regarding theDefense of Marriage Act). Economic policy On February 17, 2009, Obama signed theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $787billion (equivalent to $1118 billion in 2023)economic stimuluspackage aimed at helping the economy recover from thedeepening worldwide recession.The act includes increased federal spending for health care, infrastructure, education, various tax breaks andincentives, and direct assistance to individuals.In March 2009, Obama's Treasury Secretary,Timothy Geithner, took further steps to manage thefinancial crisis, including introducing thePublic–Private Investment Program for Legacy Assets, which contains provisions for buying up to $2trillion in depreciated real estate assets. Obama intervened in thetroubled automotive industryin March 2009, renewing loans forGeneral Motors(GM) andChryslerto continue operations while reorganizing. Over the following months the White House set terms for both firms' bankruptcies, including thesale of Chryslerto Italian automakerFiatand areorganization of GMgiving the U.S. government a temporary 60 percent equity stake in the company.In June 2009, dissatisfied with the pace of economic stimulus, Obama called on his cabinet to accelerate the investment.He signed into law theCar Allowance Rebate System, known colloquially as \\\"Cash for Clunkers\\\", which temporarily boosted the economy. The Bush and Obama administrations authorized spending and loan guarantees from theFederal Reserveand theDepartment of the Treasury. These guarantees totaled about $11.5trillion, but only $3trillion had been spent by the end of November 2009.On August 2, 2011, after a lengthy congressional debate over whether to raise the nation's debt limit, Obama signed the bipartisanBudget Control Act of 2011. The legislation enforced limits on discretionary spending until 2021, established a procedure to increase the debt limit, created a Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to propose further deficit reduction with a stated goal of achieving at least $1.5trillion in budgetary savings over 10 years, and established automatic procedures for reducing spending by as much as $1.2trillion if legislation originating with the new joint select committee did not achieve such savings.By passing the legislation, Congress was able to prevent aU.S. governmentdefaulton its obligations. The unemployment rate rose in 2009, reaching a peak in October at 10.0 percent and averaging 10.0 percent in the fourth quarter. Following a decrease to 9.7 percent in the first quarter of 2010, the unemployment rate fell to 9.6 percent in the second quarter, where it remained for the rest of the year.Between February and December 2010, employment rose by 0.8 percent, which was less than the average of 1.9 percent experienced during comparable periods in the past four employment recoveries.By November 2012, the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent,decreasing to 6.7 percent in the last month of 2013.During 2014, the unemployment rate continued to decline, falling to 6.3 percent in the first quarter.GDP growth returned in the third quarter of 2009, expanding at a rate of 1.6 percent, followed by a 5.0 percent increase in the fourth quarter.Growth continued in 2010, posting an increase of 3.7 percent in the first quarter, with lesser gains throughout the rest of the year.In July 2010, the Federal Reserve noted that economic activity continued to increase, but its pace had slowed, and chairmanBen Bernankesaid the economic outlook was \\\"unusually uncertain\\\".Overall, the economy expanded at a rate of 2.9 percent in 2010. TheCongressional Budget Office(CBO) and a broad range of economists credit Obama's stimulus plan for economic growth.The CBO released a report stating that the stimulus bill increased employment by 1–2.1million,while conceding that \\\"it is impossible to determine how many of the reported jobs would have existed in the absence of the stimulus package.\\\"Although an April 2010, survey of members of theNational Association for Business Economicsshowed an increase in job creation (over a similar January survey) for the first time in two years, 73 percent of 68 respondents believed the stimulus bill has had no impact on employment.The economy of the United States has grown faster than the other originalNATOmembers by a wider margin under President Obama than it has anytime since the end ofWorld War II.TheOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Developmentcredits the much faster growth in the United States to the stimulus plan of the U.S. and the austerity measures in the European Union. Within a month of the2010 midterm elections, Obama announced a compromise deal with the Congressional Republican leadership that included a temporary, two-year extension of the2001 and 2003 income tax rates, a one-yearpayroll taxreduction, continuation of unemployment benefits, and a new rate and exemption amount forestate taxes.The compromise overcame opposition from some in both parties, and the resulting $858billion (equivalent to $1.2 trillion in 2023)Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010passed with bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress before Obama signed it on December 17, 2010. In December 2013, Obama declared that growingincome inequalityis a \\\"defining challenge of our time\\\" and called on Congress to bolster the safety net and raise wages. This came on the heels of thenationwide strikes of fast-food workersand Pope Francis' criticism of inequality andtrickle-down economics.Obama urged Congress to ratify a 12-nation free trade pact called theTrans-Pacific Partnership. Environmental policy On April 20, 2010, an explosion destroyed an offshoredrilling rigat theMacondo Prospectin theGulf of Mexico, causing amajor sustained oil leak. Obama visited the Gulf, announced a federal investigation, and formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards, after a review bySecretary of the InteriorKen Salazarand concurrent Congressional hearings. He then announced a six-month moratorium on newdeepwater drillingpermits and leases, pending regulatory review.As multiple efforts by BP failed, some in the media and public expressed confusion and criticism over various aspects of the incident, and stated a desire for more involvement by Obama and the federal government.Prior to the oil spill, on March 31, 2010, Obama ended a ban on oil and gas drilling along the majority of theEast Coast of the United Statesand along the coast ofnorthern Alaskain an effort to win support for an energy and climate bill and to reduce foreign imports of oil and gas. In July 2013, Obama expressed reservations and said he \\\"would reject theKeystone XL pipelineif it increased carbon pollution greenhouse emissions.\\\"On February 24, 2015, Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the pipeline.It was the third veto of Obama's presidency and his first major veto. In December 2016, Obama permanently banned new offshore oil and gas drilling in most United States-owned waters in theAtlanticand Arctic Oceans using the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Act. Obama emphasized theconservationoffederal landsduring his term in office. He used his power under theAntiquities Actto create 25 newnational monumentsduring his presidency and expand four others, protecting a total of 553,000,000 acres (224,000,000 ha) of federal lands and waters, more than any other U.S. president. Health care reform Obama called forCongressto pass legislation reforminghealth care in the United States, a key campaign promise and a top legislative goal.He proposed an expansion of health insurance coverage to cover the uninsured, cap premium increases, and allow people to retain their coverage when they leave or change jobs. His proposal was to spend $900billion over ten years and include a government insurance plan, also known as thepublic option, to compete with the corporate insurance sector as a main component to lowering costs and improving quality of health care. It would also make it illegal for insurers to drop sick people or deny them coverage forpre-existing conditions, and require every American to carry health coverage. The plan also includes medical spending cuts and taxes on insurance companies that offer expensive plans. On July 14, 2009, House Democratic leaders introduced a 1,017-page plan for overhauling the U.S. health care system, which Obama wanted Congress to approve by the end of 2009.After public debate during the Congressional summer recess of 2009, Obama delivereda speech to a joint session of Congresson September 9 where he addressed concerns over the proposals.In March 2009, Obama lifted a ban on using federal funds for stem cell research. On November 7, 2009, a health care bill featuring the public option was passed in the House.On December 24, 2009, the Senate passed its own bill—without a public option—on a party-line vote of 60–39.On March 21, 2010, thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act(ACA, colloquially \\\"Obamacare\\\") passed by the Senate in December was passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212. Obama signed the bill into law on March 23, 2010. The ACA includeshealth-related provisions, most of which took effect in 2014, including expandingMedicaideligibility for people making up to 133 percentof thefederal poverty level(FPL) starting in 2014,subsidizing insurance premiums for people making up to 400 percentof the FPL ($88,000 for family of four in 2010) so their maximum \\\"out-of-pocket\\\" payment for annual premiums will be from 2 percent to 9.5 percent of income,providing incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits, prohibiting denial of coverage and denial of claims based on pre-existing conditions, establishinghealth insurance exchanges, prohibiting annual coverage caps, and support for medical research. According to White House and CBO figures, the maximum share of income that enrollees would have to pay would vary depending on their income relative to the federal poverty level. The costs of these provisions are offset by taxes, fees, and cost-saving measures, such as new Medicare taxes for those in high-incomebrackets, taxes onindoor tanning, cuts to theMedicare Advantageprogram in favor of traditional Medicare, and fees on medical devices and pharmaceutical companies;there is also a tax penalty for those who do not obtain health insurance, unless they are exempt due to low income or other reasons.In March 2010, the CBO estimated that the net effect of both laws will be a reduction in the federal deficit by $143billion over the first decade. The law faced several legal challenges, primarily based on the argument that an individual mandate requiring Americans to buy health insurance was unconstitutional. On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5–4 vote inNational Federation of Independent Business v. Sebeliusthat the mandate was constitutional under the U.S. Congress's taxing authority.InBurwell v. Hobby Lobbythe Court ruled that \\\"closely-held\\\" for-profit corporations could be exempt on religious grounds under theReligious Freedom Restoration Actfrom regulations adopted under the ACA that would have required them to pay for insurance that covered certain contraceptives. In June 2015, the Court ruled 6–3 inKing v. Burwellthat subsidies to help individuals and families purchase health insurance were authorized for those doing so on both the federal exchange and state exchanges, not only those purchasing plans \\\"established by the State\\\", as the statute reads. Foreign policy In February and March 2009, Vice President Joe Biden andSecretary of StateHillary Clinton made separate overseas trips to announce a \\\"new era\\\" in U.S. foreign relations with Russia and Europe, using the terms \\\"break\\\" and \\\"reset\\\" to signal major changes from the policies of the preceding administration.Obama attempted to reach out to Arab leaders by granting his first interview to an Arab satellite TV network,Al Arabiya.On March 19, Obama continued his outreach to the Muslim world, releasing a New Year's video message to the people and government of Iran.On June 4, 2009, Obama delivered a speech atCairo Universityin Egypt calling for \\\"A New Beginning\\\" in relations between the Islamic world and the United States and promoting Middle East peace.On June 26, 2009, Obama condemned the Iranian government's actions towards protesters followingIran's 2009 presidential election. In 2011, Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen which targeted and killedAnwar al-Awlaki, an American imam suspected of being a leadingAl-Qaedaorganizer. al-Awlaki became the firstU.S. citizento be targeted and killed by aU.S. drone strike. The Department of Justice released a memo justifying al-Awlaki's death as a lawful act of war,while civil liberties advocates described it as a violation of al-Awlaki's constitutional right todue process. The killing led to significant controversy.Histeenage sonandyoung daughter, also Americans, were later killed in separateUS military actions, although they were not targeted specifically. In March 2015, Obama declared that he had authorized U.S. forces to provide logistical and intelligence support to the Saudis in theirmilitary intervention in Yemen, establishing a \\\"Joint Planning Cell\\\" with Saudi Arabia.In 2016, the Obama administration proposed a series ofarms deals with Saudi Arabiaworth $115billion.Obama halted the sale of guided munition technology toSaudi Arabiaafter Saudi warplanestargeted a funeralin Yemen's capital Sanaa, killing more than 140 people. In September 2016 Obama was snubbed byXi Jinpingand theChinese Communist Partyas he descended fromAir Force Oneto the tarmac ofHangzhou International Airportfor the2016 G20 Hangzhou summitwithout the usual red carpet welcome. War in Iraq On February 27, 2009, Obama announced that combat operations in Iraq would end within 18 months.The Obama administration scheduled the withdrawal of combat troops to be completed by August 2010, decreasing troop's levels from 142,000 while leaving a transitional force of about 50,000 in Iraq until the end of 2011. On August 19, 2010, the last U.S. combat brigade exited Iraq. Remaining troops transitioned from combat operations tocounter-terrorismand the training, equipping, and advising of Iraqi security forces.On August 31, 2010, Obama announced that the United States combat mission in Iraq was over.On October 21, 2011, President Obama announced that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq in time to be \\\"home for the holidays.\\\" In June 2014, following thecapture of MosulbyISIL, Obama sent 275 troops to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. ISIS continued to gain ground and to commitwidespread massacres and ethnic cleansing.In August 2014, during theSinjar massacre, Obama ordered acampaign of U.S. airstrikes against ISIL.By the end of 2014, 3,100 American ground troops were committed to the conflictand 16,000 sorties were flown over the battlefield, primarily by U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots.In early 2015, with the addition of the \\\"Panther Brigade\\\" of the82nd Airborne Divisionthe number of U.S. ground troops in Iraq increased to 4,400,and by July American-led coalition air forces counted 44,000 sorties over the battlefield. Afghanistan and Pakistan In his election campaign, Obama called the war in Iraq a \\\"dangerous distraction\\\" and that emphasis should instead be put on the war in Afghanistan,the region he cites as being most likely where an attack against the United States could be launched again.Early in his presidency, Obama moved to bolster U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan. He announced an increase in U.S. troop levels to 17,000 military personnel in February 2009 to \\\"stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan\\\", an area he said had not received the \\\"strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires.\\\"He replaced the military commander in Afghanistan, GeneralDavid D. McKiernan, with formerSpecial Forcescommander Lt. Gen.Stanley A. McChrystalin May 2009, indicating that McChrystal's Special Forces experience would facilitate the use of counterinsurgency tactics in the war.On December 1, 2009, Obama announced the deployment of an additional 30,000 military personnel to Afghanistan and proposed to begin troop withdrawals 18 months from that date;this took place in July 2011.David Petraeusreplaced McChrystal in June 2010, after McChrystal's staff criticized White House personnel in a magazine article.In February 2013, Obama said the U.S. military would reduce the troop level in Afghanistan from 68,000 to 34,000 U.S. troops by February 2014.In October 2015, the White House announced a plan to keep U.S. Forces in Afghanistan indefinitely in light of the deteriorating security situation. Regarding neighboring Pakistan, Obama called its tribal border region the \\\"greatest threat\\\" to the security of Afghanistan and Americans, saying that he \\\"cannot tolerate a terrorist sanctuary.\\\" In the same speech, Obama claimed that the U.S. \\\"cannot succeed in Afghanistan or secure our homeland unless we change our Pakistan policy.\\\" Death of Osama bin Laden Starting with information received from Central Intelligence Agency operatives in July 2010, the CIA developed intelligence over the next several months that determined what they believed to be the hideout ofOsama bin Laden. He was living in seclusion ina large compoundinAbbottabad, Pakistan, a suburban area 35 miles (56 km) fromIslamabad.CIA headLeon Panettareported this intelligence to President Obama in March 2011.Meeting with his national security advisers over the course of the next six weeks, Obama rejected a plan to bomb the compound, and authorized a \\\"surgical raid\\\" to be conducted byUnited States Navy SEALs.The operation took place on May 1, 2011, and resulted in the shooting death of bin Laden and the seizure of papers, computer drives and disks from the compound.DNA testing was one of five methods used to positively identify bin Laden's corpse,which was buried at sea several hours later.Within minutes of the President's announcement from Washington, DC, late in the evening on May 1, there were spontaneous celebrations around the country as crowds gathered outside the White House, and at New York City'sGround ZeroandTimes Square.Reaction to the announcementwas positive across party lines, including from former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Relations with Cuba Since the spring of 2013, secret meetings were conducted between the United States and Cuba in the neutral locations of Canada andVatican City.The Vatican first became involved in 2013 when Pope Francis advised the U.S. and Cuba toexchange prisonersas a gesture of goodwill.On December 10, 2013, Cuban PresidentRaúl Castro, in a significant public moment, greeted and shook hands with Obama at theNelson Mandela memorial serviceinJohannesburg. In December 2014, after the secret meetings, it was announced that Obama, with Pope Francis as an intermediary, had negotiated a restoration of relations with Cuba, after nearly sixty years of détente.Popularly dubbed theCuban Thaw,The New Republicdeemed the Cuban Thaw to be \\\"Obama's finest foreign policy achievement.\\\"On July 1, 2015, President Obama announced that formal diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States would resume, and embassies would be opened in Washington andHavana.The countries' respective \\\"interests sections\\\" in one another's capitals were upgraded to embassies on July 20 and August 13, 2015, respectively.Obama visited Havana, Cuba for two days in March 2016, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to arrive sinceCalvin Coolidgein 1928. Israel During the initial years of the Obama administration, the U.S. increased military cooperation with Israel, including increased military aid, re-establishment of theU.S.-Israeli Joint Political Military Groupand the Defense Policy Advisory Group, and an increase in visits among high-level military officials of both countries.The Obama administration asked Congress to allocate money toward funding theIron Domeprogram in response to the waves ofPalestinian rocket attacks on Israel.In March 2010, Obama took a public stance against plans by the government of Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuto continue building Jewish housing projects in predominantly Arab neighborhoods ofEast Jerusalem.In 2011, the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution condemningIsraeli settlements, with the United States being the only nation to do so.Obama supports thetwo-state solutionto theArab–Israeli conflictbased on the 1967 borders with land swaps. In 2013,Jeffrey Goldbergreported that, in Obama's view, \\\"with each new settlement announcement, Netanyahu is moving his country down a path toward near-total isolation.\\\"In 2014, Obama likened theZionist movementto thecivil rights movementin the United States. He said both movements seek to bring justice and equal rights to historically persecuted peoples, explaining: \\\"To me, being pro-Israel and pro-Jewish is part and parcel with the values that I've been fighting for since I was politically conscious and started getting involved in politics.\\\"Obama expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself during the2014 Israel–Gaza conflict.In 2015, Obama was harshly criticized by Israel for advocating and signing theIran Nuclear Deal; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had advocated the U.S. congress to oppose it, said the deal was \\\"dangerous\\\" and \\\"bad.\\\" On December 23, 2016, under the Obama Administration, the United States abstained fromUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building in the occupiedPalestinian territoriesas a violation of international law, effectively allowing it to pass.Netanyahu strongly criticized the Obama administration's actions,and the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the organization, which totaled $6million, on January 6, 2017.On January 5, 2017, the United States House of Representatives voted 342–80 to condemn the UN Resolution. Libya In February 2011, protests in Libya began against long-time dictatorMuammar Gaddafias part of theArab Spring. They soon turned violent. In March, as forces loyal to Gaddafi advanced on rebels across Libya, calls for a no-fly zone came from around the world, including Europe, theArab League, and a resolutionpassed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.In response to the passage ofUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1973on March 17, the Foreign Minister of Libya Moussa Koussa announced a ceasefire. However Gaddafi's forces continued to attack the rebels. On March 19 a multinational coalition lead by France and the United Kingdom with Italian and U.S. support, approved by Obama, took part in air strikes to destroy the Libyan government's air defense capabilities to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly-zone,including the use ofTomahawk missiles,B-2 Spirits, and fighter jets.Six days later, on March 25, by unanimous vote of all its 28 members, NATO took over leadership of the effort, dubbedOperation Unified Protector.Some members of Congressquestioned whether Obama had the constitutional authority to order military action in addition to questioning its cost, structure and aftermath.In 2016 Obama said \\\"Our coalition could have and should have done more to fill a vacuum left behind\\\" and that it was \\\"a mess\\\".He has stated that the lack of preparation surrounding the days following the government's overthrow was the \\\"worst mistake\\\" of his presidency. Syrian civil war On August 18, 2011, several months after the start of theSyrian civil war, Obama issued a written statement that said: \\\"The time has come forPresident Assadto step aside.\\\"This stance was reaffirmed in November 2015.In 2012, Obama authorized multipleprograms run by the CIAand the Pentagon to train anti-Assad rebels.The Pentagon-run program was later found to have failed and was formally abandoned in October 2015. In the wake of achemical weapons attackin Syria,formally blamedby the Obama administration on the Assad government, Obama chose not to enforce the \\\"red line\\\" he had pledgedand, rather than authorize the promised military action against Assad, went along with the Russia-brokered deal that led to Assadgiving up chemical weapons; however attacks withchlorine gascontinued.In 2014, Obama authorized anair campaign aimed primarily at ISIL. Iran nuclear talks On October 1, 2009, the Obama administration went ahead with a Bush administration program, increasing nuclear weapons production. The \\\"Complex Modernization\\\" initiative expanded two existing nuclear sites to produce new bomb parts. In November 2013, the Obama administration openednegotiationswith Iran to prevent it from acquiringnuclear weapons, which included aninterim agreement. Negotiations took two years with numerous delays, with a deal being announced on July 14, 2015. The deal titled the \\\"Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action\\\" saw sanctions removed in exchange for measures that would prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. While Obama hailed the agreement as being a step towards a more hopeful world, the deal drew strong criticism from Republican and conservative quarters, and from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.In addition, the transfer of $1.7billion in cash to Iran shortly after the deal was announced was criticized by the Republican party. The Obama administration said that the payment in cash was because of the \\\"effectiveness of U.S. and international sanctions.\\\"In order to advance the deal, the Obama administration shieldedHezbollahfrom theDrug Enforcement Administration'sProject Cassandrainvestigation regarding drug smuggling and from theCentral Intelligence Agency.On a side note, the very same year, in December 2015, Obama started a $348billion worth program to back the biggest U.S. buildup of nuclear arms since Ronald Reagan left the White House. Russia In March 2010, an agreement was reached with the administration of Russian PresidentDmitry Medvedevto replace the1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treatywith a new pact reducing the number of long-range nuclear weapons in the arsenals of both countries by about a third.Obama and Medvedev signed theNew STARTtreaty in April 2010, and theU.S. Senateratified it in December 2010.In December 2011, Obama instructed agencies to considerLGBT rightswhen issuing financial aid to foreign countries.In August 2013, he criticized Russia's law that discriminates against gays,but he stopped short of advocating a boycott of the upcoming2014 Winter OlympicsinSochi, Russia. AfterRussia's invasion of Crimeain 2014,military intervention in Syriain 2015, andthe interferencein the2016 U.S. presidential election,George Robertson, a former UK defense secretary and NATO secretary-general, said Obama had \\\"allowed Putin to jump back on the world stage and test the resolve of the West\\\", adding that the legacy of this disaster would last. Cultural and political image Obama's family history, upbringing, andIvy Leagueeducation differ markedly from those of African-American politicians who launched their careers in the 1960s through participation in the civil rights movement.Expressing puzzlement over questions about whether he is \\\"black enough\\\", Obama told an August 2007 meeting of theNational Association of Black Journaliststhat \\\"we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong.\\\"Obama acknowledged his youthful image in an October 2007 campaign speech, saying: \\\"I wouldn't be here if, time and again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation.\\\"Additionally, Obama has frequently been referred to as an exceptional orator.During his pre-inauguration transition period and continuing into his presidency, Obama delivered a series of weekly Internet video addresses. Job approval According to theGallup Organization, Obama began his presidency with a 68 percentapproval rating,the fifth highest for a president following their swearing in.His ratings remained above the majority level until November 2009and by August 2010 his approval was in the low 40s,a trend similar to Ronald Reagan's and Bill Clinton's first years in office.Following thedeath of Osama bin Ladenon May 2, 2011, Obama experienced a small poll bounce and steadily maintained 50–53 percent approval for about a month, until his approval numbers dropped back to the low 40s. His approval rating fell to 38 percent on several occasions in late 2011before recovering in mid-2012 with polls showing an average approval of 50 percent.After his second inauguration in 2013, Obama's approval ratings remained stable around 52 percentbefore declining for the rest of the year and eventually bottoming out at 39 percent in December.In polling conducted before the2014 midterm elections, Obama's approval ratings were at their lowestwith his disapproval rating reaching a high of 57 percent.His approval rating continued to lag throughout most of 2015 but began to reach the high 40s by the end of the year.According to Gallup, Obama's approval rating reached 50 percent in March 2016, a level unseen since May 2013.In polling conducted January 16–19, 2017, Obama's final approval rating was 59 percent, which placed him on par withGeorge H. W. BushandDwight D. Eisenhower, whose final Gallup ratings also measured in the high 50s. Obama has maintained relatively positive public perceptions after his presidency.In Gallup's retrospective approval polls of former presidents, Obama garnered a 63 percent approval rating in 2018 and again in 2023, ranking him the fourth most popular president since World War II. Foreign perceptions Polls showed strong support for Obama in other countries both before and during his presidency.In a February 2009 poll conducted in Western Europe and the U.S. byHarris InteractiveforFrance 24and theInternational Herald Tribune, Obama was rated as the most respected world leader, as well as the most powerful.In a similar poll conducted by Harris in May 2009, Obama was rated as the most popular world leader, as well as the one figure most people would pin their hopes on for pulling the world out of the economic downturn. On October 9, 2009—only nine months into his first term—theNorwegian Nobel Committeeannounced that Obama had won the2009 Nobel Peace Prize\\\"for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples\\\",which drew a mixture of praise and criticism from world leaders and media figures.He became the fourth U.S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and the third to become a Nobel laureate while in office.He himself called it a \\\"call to action\\\" and remarked: \\\"I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments but rather an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations\\\". Thanks, Obama In 2009 the saying \\\"thanks, Obama\\\" first appeared in aTwitter hashtag\\\"#thanks Obama\\\" and was later used in a demotivational poster. It was later adopted satirically to blame Obama for any socio-economic ills. Obama himself used the phrase in video in 2015 and 2016. In 2017 the phrase was used byStephen Colbertto express gratitude to Obama on his last day in office. In 2022, President Joe Biden's Twitter account posted the phrase. Post-presidency (2017–present) Obama's presidency ended on January 20, 2017, upon theinaugurationof his successor,Donald Trump.The family moved to a house they rented inKalorama, Washington, D.C.On March 2, theJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museumawarded theProfile in Courage Awardto Obama \\\"for his enduring commitment to democratic ideals and elevating the standard of political courage.\\\"His first public appearance since leaving the office was a seminar at theUniversity of Chicagoon April 24, where he appealed for a new generation to participate in politics.On September 7, Obama partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush to work withOne America Appealto help the victims ofHurricane HarveyandHurricane Irmain theGulf CoastandTexascommunities.From October 31 to November 1, Obama hosted the inaugural summit of theObama Foundation,which he intended to be the central focus of his post-presidency and part of his ambitions for his subsequent activities following his presidency to be more consequential than his time in office. Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal on May 22, 2018, to produce docu-series, documentaries and features forNetflixunder the Obamas' newly formed production company,Higher Ground Productions.Higher Ground's first film,American Factory, won theAcademy Award for Best Documentary Featurein 2020.On October 24, a pipe bomb addressed to Obama was intercepted by the Secret Service. It was one of several pipe-bombs that had beenmailed out to Democratic lawmakers and officials.In 2019, Barack and Michelle Obama bought a home onMartha's VineyardfromWyc Grousbeck.On October 29, Obama criticized \\\"wokeness\\\" andcall-out cultureat the Obama Foundation's annual summit. Obama was reluctant to make an endorsement in the2020 Democratic presidential primariesbecause he wanted to position himself to unify the party, regardless of the nominee.On April 14, 2020, Obama endorsed Biden, the presumptive nominee, for president inthe presidential election, stating that he has \\\"all the qualities we need in a president right now.\\\"In May, Obama criticized President Trump forhis handlingof theCOVID-19 pandemic, calling his response to the crisis \\\"an absolute chaotic disaster\\\", and stating that the consequences of theTrump presidencyhave been \\\"our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.\\\"On November 17, Obama's presidential memoir,A Promised Land, was released. In February 2021, Obama and musicianBruce Springsteenstarted a podcast calledRenegades: Born in the USAwhere the two talk about \\\"their backgrounds, music and their 'enduring love of America.'\\\"Later that year, Regina Hicks had signed a deal withNetflix, in a venture with his and Michelle's Higher Ground to develop comedy projects. On March 4, 2022, Obama won an Audio Publishers Association (APA) Award in the best narration by the author category for the narration of his memoirA Promised Land.On April 5, Obama visited the White House for the first time since leaving office, in an event celebrating the 12th annual anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act.In June, it was announced that the Obamas and their podcast production company, Higher Ground, signed a multi-year deal withAudible.In September, Obama visited the White House to unveil his and Michelle's official White House portraits.Around the same time, he won aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narratorfor his narration in the Netflix documentary seriesOur Great National Parks. In 2022, Obama opposed expanding the Supreme Court beyond the present nine Justices. In March 2023, Obama traveled to Australia as a part of his speaking tour of the country. During the trip, Obama met with Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albaneseand visitedMelbournefor the first time.Obama was reportedly paid more than $1 million for two speeches. In October 2023, during the Israel–Hamas war, Obama declared thatIsraelmust dismantleHamasin the wake of the2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.Weeks later, Obama warnedIsraelthat its actions could \\\"harden Palestinian attitudes for generations\\\" and weaken international support for Israel; any military strategy that ignored the war's human costs \\\"could ultimately backfire.\\\" In July 2024, Obama expressed concerns about Biden's campaign viability. Legacy and recognition He has been described as one of the most effective campaigners in American history (his 2008 campaign being particularly highlighted) as well as one of the most talented political orators of the 21st century.HistorianJulian Zelizercredits Obama with \\\"a keen sense of how the institutions of government work and the ways that his team could design policy proposals.\\\" Zeitzer notes Obama's policy successes included the economic stimulus package which ended theGreat Recessionand theDodd-Frankfinancial and consumer protection reforms, as well as theAffordable Care Act. Zeitzer also notes the Democratic Party lost power and numbers of elected officials during Obama's term, saying that the consensus among historians is that Obama \\\"turned out to be a very effective policymaker but not a tremendously successful party builder.\\\" Zeitzer calls this the \\\"defining paradox of Obama's presidency\\\". TheBrookings Institutionnoted that Obama passed \\\"only one major legislative achievement (Obamacare)—and a fragile one at that—the legacy of Obama's presidency mainly rests on its tremendous symbolic importance and the fate of a patchwork of executive actions.\\\"David W. Wise noted that Obama fell short \\\"in areas many Progressives hold dear\\\", including the continuation of drone strikes, not going after big banks during the Great Recession, and failing to strengthen his coalition before pushing for Obamacare. Wise called Obama's legacy that of \\\"a disappointingly conventional president\\\". Obama's most significant accomplishment is generally considered to be the Affordable Care Act (ACA), provisions of which went into effect from 2010 to 2020. Many attempts by Senate Republicans to repeal the ACA, including a \\\"skinny repeal\\\", have thus far failed.However, in 2017, the penalty for violating the individual mandate was repealed effective 2019.Together with theHealth Care and Education Reconciliation Actamendment, it represents the U.S. healthcare system's most significant regulatory overhaul and expansion of coverage since the passage ofMedicareand Medicaid in 1965. Many commentators credit Obama with averting a threateneddepressionand pulling the economy back from the Great Recession.According to theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, theObama administrationcreated 11.3 million jobs from the month after his first inauguration to the end of his second term.In 2010, Obama signed into effect the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Passed as a response to thefinancial crisis of 2007–2008, it brought the most significant changes tofinancial regulationin the United States since the regulatory reform that followed theGreat Depressionunder Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 2009, Obama signed into law theNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which contained in it the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the first addition to existing federal hate crime law in the United States since Democratic President Bill Clinton signed into law the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996. The act expandedexisting federal hate crime laws in the United States, and made it a federal crime to assault people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. As president, Obama advanced LGBT rights.In 2010, he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, which brought an end to \\\"don't ask, don't tell\\\" policy in the U.S. armed forces that banned open service fromLGBTpeople; the law went into effect the following year.In 2016, his administration brought an end to the ban ontransgenderpeople serving openly in the U.S. armed forces.AGallup poll, taken in the final days of Obama's term, showed that 68 percent of Americans believed the U.S. had made progress on LGBT rights during Obama's eight years in office. Obama substantially escalated the use ofdrone strikesagainst suspected militants and terrorists associated with al-Qaeda and theTaliban.In 2016, the last year of his presidency, the U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries.Obama left about 8,400 U.S. troops inAfghanistan, 5,262 in Iraq, 503 in Syria, 133 in Pakistan, 106 in Somalia, seven in Yemen, and two in Libya at the end of his presidency. According toPew Research CenterandUnited States Bureau of Justice Statistics, from December 31, 2009, to December 31, 2015, inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody declined by five percent. This is the largest decline in sentenced inmates in U.S. federal custody since Democratic PresidentJimmy Carter. By contrast, the federal prison population increased significantly under presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Human Rights Watch(HRW) called Obama's human rights record \\\"mixed\\\", adding that \\\"he has often treated human rights as a secondary interest—nice to support when the cost was not too high, but nothing like a top priority he championed.\\\" Obama left office in January 2017 with a 60 percent approval rating.He gained 10 spots from the same survey in 2015 from the Brookings Institution that ranked him the 18th-greatest American president.In Gallup's 2018 job approval poll for the past 10 U.S. presidents, he received a 63 percent approval rating. Presidential library The Barack Obama Presidential Center is Obama's plannedpresidential library. It will be hosted by the University of Chicago and located inJackson Parkon the South Side of Chicago. Awards and honors Obama received theNorwegian Nobel Committee'sNobel Peace Prizein 2009,The Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education's Ambassador of Humanity Awardin 2014, theJohn F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Awardin 2017, and theRobert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awardin 2018. He was namedTIMEMagazine'sTimePerson of the Yearin 2008 and 2012. He also received twoGrammy Awards for Best Spoken Word AlbumforDreams from My Father(2006), andThe Audacity of Hope(2008) as well as twoPrimetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding NarratorforOur Great National Parks(2022), andWorking: What We Do All Day(2023). He also won twoChildren's and Family Emmy Awards. Eponymy Bibliography Books Audiobooks Articles See also Politics Other Lists Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links Official Other\",\n \"Contiguous United States Thecontiguous United States(officially theconterminous United States) consists of the 48 adjoiningU.S. statesand theDistrict of Columbiaof theUnited States of Americain centralNorth America.The term excludes the only two non-contiguousstates, which areAlaskaandHawaii(they are also the last two states to beadmitted to the Union), and all other offshoreinsular areas, such as theU.S. territoriesofAmerican Samoa,Guam, theNorthern Mariana Islands,Puerto Rico, and theU.S. Virgin Islands.The colloquial term \\\"Lower48\\\"is also used, especially in relation to Alaska. The related but distinct termcontinental United Statesincludes Alaska, which is also on North America, but separated from the 48 states byBritish Columbiain Canada, but excludes Hawaii and all the insular areas in theCaribbeanand thePacific. The greatest distance (on agreat-circleroute) entirely within the contiguous U.S. is 2,802 miles (4,509 km), coast-to-coast betweenFloridaand theState of Washington;the greatest north–south line is 1,650 miles (2,660 km).The contiguous United States occupies an area of 3,119,884.69 square miles (8,080,464.3 km2). Of this area, 2,959,064.44 square miles (7,663,941.7 km2) is actual land, composing 83.65 percent of the country's total land area, and is comparable in size to the area of Australia.Officially, 160,820.25 square miles (416,522.5 km2) of the contiguous United States is water area, composing 62.66 percent of the nation's total water area. The contiguous United States, if it were a country, would be fifth on thelist of countries and dependencies by area, behindRussia,Canada,China, andBrazil. However, the total area of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, ranks third or fourth. Brazil is 431,000 square kilometers (166,000 sq mi) larger than the contiguous United States, but smaller than the entire United States including Alaska, Hawaii and overseas territories. The2020 U.S. censuspopulation of the area was 328,571,074, comprising 99.13 percent of the nation's total population, and a density of 111.04 inhabitants/sq mi (42.872/km2), compared to 93.844/sq mi (36.233/km2) for the nation as a whole. Other terms Whileconterminous U.S.has the precise meaning ofcontiguous U.S.(both adjectives meaning \\\"sharing a common boundary\\\"), other terms commonly used to describe the 48 contiguous states have a greater degree of ambiguity. Continental and mainland United States BecauseAlaskais also a part ofNorth America, the termcontinental United Statesalso includes that state, so the term is qualified with the explicit inclusion of Alaska to resolve any ambiguity.On May 14, 1959, theUnited States Board on Geographic Namesissued the following definitions based partially on the reference in the Alaska Omnibus Bill, which defined the continental United States as \\\"the 49 States on the North American Continent and the District of Columbia...\\\" The Board reaffirmed these definitions on May 13, 1999.However, even before Alaska became a state, it was properly included within the continental U.S. due to being anincorporated territory. The termmainland United Statesis sometimes used synonymously withcontinental United States, but technically refers only to those parts of states connected to the landmass of North America, thereby excluding not onlyHawaiiand overseasinsular areas, but also islands which are part of continental states but separated from the mainland, such as theAleutian Islands(Alaska),San Juan Islands(Washington), theChannel Islands(California),the Keys(Florida), thebarrier islands(GulfandEast Coaststates), andLong Island(New York). CONUS and OCONUS CONUS, a technical term used by theU.S. Department of Defense,General Services Administration,NOAA/National Weather Service, and others, has been defined both as the continental United States, and as the 48 contiguous states.The District of Columbia is not always specifically mentioned as being part ofCONUS. OCONUSis derived from CONUS withOfor outside added, thus referring to Outside of Continental United States. The lower 48 The termlower 48is also used to refer to the conterminous United States. TheNational Geographicstyle guide recommends the use ofcontiguousorconterminous United Statesinstead oflower 48when the 48 states are meant, unless used in the context of Alaska.Almost all of Hawaii is south of the southernmost point of the conterminous United States in Florida. Zone of the Interior DuringWorld War II, the first fournumbered Air Forcesof theUnited States Army Air Forces(USAAF) were said to be assigned to theZone of the Interiorby the American military organizations of the time—the future states ofAlaskaandHawaii, then each onlyorganized incorporated territoriesof the Union, were respectively covered by theEleventh Air ForceandSeventh Air Forceduring the war. Terms used in the non-contiguous U.S. jurisdictions Residents of Alaska, Hawaii and off-shoreU.S. territorieshave unique labels for the contiguous United States because of their own locations relative to them. Alaska The vast territory ofAlaskabecame the 49th state of the United States on January 3, 1959. Alaska is the northwest extremity of the North American continent, separated from theU.S. West Coastby theCanadian provinceofBritish Columbia. The termLower 48has, for many years, been a common Alaskan equivalent for \\\"contiguous United States\\\";today, many Alaskans use the term\\\"Outside\\\"for those states, though some may use \\\"Outside\\\" to refer toanylocation not within Alaska. Hawaii The territory ofHawaii, consisting of the entireHawaiian Islandsarchipelago except forMidway Atoll,became the 50th state of the United States on August 21, 1959. It is the southernmost U.S. state, and the latest one to join the Union. Not part of any continent, Hawaii is located in thePacific Ocean, about 2,200 miles (3,541 km) from North America and almost halfway between North America andAsia. In Hawaii andoverseas American territories, for instance, the termsthe MainlandorU.S. Mainlandare often used to refer to the 49 states in North America. Puerto Rico Puerto Rico is anunincorporated territoryof the United States located in the northeastCaribbean Sea, approximately 1,000 miles (1,609 km) southeast ofMiami,Florida. Puerto Ricans born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens and are free to move to the mainland United States. The termStateside Puerto Ricanrefers to residents of any U.S. state or the District of Columbia who were born in, or can trace their family ancestry to, Puerto Rico. U.S. Virgin Islands TheU.S. Virgin Islandsis aU.S. territorylocated directly to the east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea.The term \\\"stateside\\\" is used to refer to the mainland, in relation to the U.S. Virgin Islands(seeStateside Virgin Islands Americans). American Samoa American Samoais aU.S. territorylocated in theSouth Pacific OceaninPolynesia, south of the equator — it is 2,200 miles (3,500 km) southwest ofHawaii.In American Samoa, the contiguous United States is called the \\\"mainland United States\\\" or \\\"the states\\\"; those not from American Samoa are calledpalagi(outsiders). Non-contiguous areas within the contiguous United States Apart from off-shoreU.S. islands, a few continental portions of the contiguous United States are accessible by road only by traveling through Canada.Point Roberts, Washington;Elm Point, Minnesota; and theNorthwest AngleinMinnesotaare three such places.Alburgh, Vermont, is not directly connected by land, but is accessible by road via bridges from within Vermont and from New York.By contrast,Hyder, Alaska, is physically part of contiguous Alaska and its easternmost town, but the only practical access is by road through Canada or by seaplane. List of contiguous U.S. states The 48 contiguous states are: In addition, theDistrict of Columbiais within the contiguous United States. See also Notes References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false},"chunks_1024_20":{"kind":"list like","value":["Pokémon World Championships ThePokémon World Championshipsis an invite-onlyesportsevent organized byPlay! Pokémon. It is held annually in August and features games from thePokémonseries such as thePokémonvideo games,Pokémon Trading Card Game,Pokémon Go,Pokémon UniteandPokkén Tournament(until its 2022 edition). Players earn invitations to the World Championships based on their performance in qualifiers and other tournaments held throughout the season and compete for scholarship money, prizes and the title of World Champion. With the exception ofAsia, invitations to the World Championships are administered by thePlay! Pokémonprogram. History The Pokémon World Championships first began with thePokémon Trading Card Game(TCG) in 2004, which was around the time that the franchise was regaining its popularity.In 2009, Play! Pokémon began to organize competitive tournaments for thePokémonvideo game series alongside the TCG, which is collectively known as the Video Game Championships (VGC). Like the TCG Championships,","TCG Championships, players compete with other players in their own age divisions (i.e. Junior, Senior and Masters) in different Premier Tournaments, and the season culminates with the best players earning an invitation to play the Pokémon World Championships in August. The tournaments in VGC are played with a different game each year, mainly, the latestPokémongame from its main series. In 2016, Play! Pokémon announced thatPokkén Tournamentwould have its own championship series and would be played at the Pokémon World Championships.From 2018 onward,Pokkén Tournament DXwas used to support its qualifiers and competitions. In 2019, it was announced that the 2020 Pokémon World Championships would take place inLondon, United Kingdom,the first time in which the World Championships would be held in a location outside ofNorth America. This is likely due to the setting ofPokémon Sword and Shield, which takes place in a region inspired by the United Kingdom known as Galar, and it is the set of games that would be","games that would be played by the video game division of the World Championships. On March 31, 2020,Play! Pokémoncancelled the 2020 Pokémon World Championships and suspended its 2020 season due to health concerns over theCOVID-19 pandemic.This came after earlier announcements in March which saw the cancellation of the 2020 European International Championshipsand part of its season between March and June 2020.On February 9, 2021, it was announced that the 2021 Pokémon World Championships would postponed till 2022 for the same reasons. In early January 2022, it was confirmed thatPokémon Unitewould be played at the World Championships, making it the newestMOBAgame to have an official esports tournament, afterLeague of Legends. In May 2022, after six seasons, Play! Pokémon announced the end of thePokkén TournamentChampionship Series after the 2022 season. At the 2022 edition of the event, it was announced that the 2023 World Championships will take place inYokohama, Japan (the basis of Vermilion City in the","City in the Kanto region). When the 2023 event took place, it was the first time that the World Championships visited the franchise's country of origin, as well as the first World Championships to take place in Asia. At the end of the 2023 event, The Pokémon Company announced that the Pokémon World Championships will return toHawaiifor the first time since the previous World Championships in the state was held back in 2012. World Championship locations Despite Pokémon being a Japanese product, only one World Championship (2023) was held in Japan. Almost all of the remaining events were held in the United States. Qualification The qualifying process for the Pokémon World Championships varies each year and is dependent on a player's age division and the country in which they are located in. Players may also qualify to play on different days of the World Championships based on their performance in their respective qualifying programs; the best performing players will immediately advance to the second day of the","second day of the World Championships playoffs (i.e. \"Day 2\") instead of playing through the first day (i.e. \"Day 1\"). Play! Pokémon program Players located in a country with aPlay! Pokémonprogram (i.e. inNorth America,Europe,Latin AmericaandOceania) compete in a regular schedule of tournaments for Championship Points and receive invitations when they meet a predetermined threshold of points at the end of the season. In 2015, the Play! Pokémon program expanded to include countries from the continents ofLatin AmericaandAsia(except Japan and South Korea). However, on June 10, 2020, it was announced thatAsiawould no longer be part of the Play! Pokémon program and will have its own qualifying system towards the Pokémon World Championships. Pokémon GO Championship Series Pokémon announced in October 2021 thatPokémon GOwould be added during the 2022 World Championships,along with it a qualification system through the Pokémon GO Championship Series, where the top two head to the World Championships.Any trainer who","trainer who reached Legend rank during Season 9 of thePokémon GO Battle Leaguewould qualify for the GO Championship Series. Pokémon Unite Championship Series In January 2022,Pokémon Uniteproducer Masaaki Hoshino confirmed that the game would be part of the roster of games to be played at the World Championships in London.For the first season of the Pokémon Unite Championship Series, there will be eleven supported Regional Zones: North America, Central America, South America-East, South America-West, Europe, Oceania, Japan, South Korea, India, and the Asia-Pacific region. These events will only be open to players aged 16 or 18, depending on the region or country they are from. In each month, a series of tournaments in each Regional Zone will be held. Like other games in the World Championships, players will earn Championship Points based on their finishing position in that month's tournament. The CP can be retained by players to allow for team changes as the season carries on. The team with the most points","the most points qualifies for the Regional Championships, and the top teams from the Regional Championships qualify for a chance to compete at the Pokémon World Championships. In January 2023, there were changes to the competitive structure and Regional Zones. Pokémon World Championships nearly doubled available spots from 16, to 31 teams. Regional Zones controlled by TPCi were also changed, with Central America, South America-East and South America West being changed to LATAM North, LATAM South, and Brazil. TPC had also taken control of the India and Asia-Pacific Regional Zones, and split Asia-Pacific into 2 regions; Asia-Pacific East and Asia-Pacific West. For TPCi controlled regions, the previous month's top 4 did not auto qualify for the next month's tournament finals. Additionally, an extra monthly tournament was added, the April Cup. Championship Points were also changed to include top CP earners an invite to Pokémon World Championships, ranging from top 1 to 3 in top CP earners depending on how many","on how many invites were given for a region. For TPC controlled regions, their tournament circuit began in April, with 3 monthly qualifiers. The winners of these qualifiers then participated in Regionals to earn a spot for Pokémon World Championships. Among those changes, both North America and Europe were also given their first regional LAN event. Europe had a LAN event for their Aeos Cup series at European International Championships. North America were given a regional LAN event at the North America International Championships. In 2023, competing countries were divided into eight groups of four teams (groups A to H). Teams in each group play each another in a best-of-three seriesround-robin, with the top team advancing to the Top 8 knockout stage. The final draw took place virtually on thePokémon UniteYouTubechannel on July 28, 2023. The prize pool is $500,000 in USD will be distributed among the Top 16 finishers in the championship. Japan & South Korea Tournaments inJapanandSouth Koreaare organised","Koreaare organised independently from Play! Pokémon, and as such, players from these countries have a different system of qualification. In Japan, players compete for an invite to theJapan National Championshipsby playing in major qualifier or online tournaments held throughout the season.The best performing players of theJapan National Championshipswill then be selected to represent Japan in the Pokémon World Championships. In South Korea, the style of qualification for the World Championships changes frequently. For example, in 2015, players would compete in theKorean National Championshipsand earn a World Championships invitation based on their standing in the tournament. However, in 2019, players would compete in tournaments organized by theKorean Leagueand earn an invite based on the number of points they had accumulated by the end of the season. Other There are other less common methods of qualifying for the World Championships which include finishing at least top 4 or better in the prior year's World","prior year's World Championships or by participating in asingle-elimination tournamentknown as the Last Chance Qualifierat the location of the World Championships itself. List of World Champions Trading Card Game (TCG) Video Game Championships (VGC) Pokémon Go The under-17 age division was discontinued after the 2022 season. All participants of any age now compete in the same tournament. All tournament battles use the Great League battle format (all Pokémon must be below 1,500 Combat Power.) Pokémon Unite Retired games Pokkén Tournament & Pokkén Tournament DX 2014 World Championships The2014 Pokémon World Championshipswas the sixth annual edition of the championships. The event took place in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center onWashington, D.C., alongside the 2014Pokémon Trading Card GameWorld Championship who were in their eleventh edition. The tournament was streamed viaTwitchfor the first time in the tournament history and reached a viewership of more than 800,000. The defending Video Game","Video Game champions wereArash OmmatifromItaly(Masters Division), Hayden McTavish from theUnited States(Senior Division), and Brendan Zheng from theUnited States(Junior Division). The opening ceremony of the event was attended byJunichi Masuda, the video game designer for thePokémonfranchise and a member of the board of directors ofGame Freak. The finals match of the Masters division is best known and remembered within the Pokémon community forSe Jun Park's victory with the inclusion and use of aPachirisuon his team. 2014 qualification The qualification process for the 2014 Pokémon World Championships was primarily based on Championship Points accumulated by players from official Play! Pokémon tournaments such as Premier Challenges, Regional Championships and National Championships. In addition, the top 4 players of the 2013 Pokémon World Championships in each division, and the top 4 players of a tournament known as the 'Last Chance Qualifier' will also receive an invitation to play in the World","play in the World Championships. The invitations for the Masters Division of the tournament were distributed in the following manner: Most of the invitations did not include a fully paid trip to the tournament, and as a result several players could not attend the tournament. 2014 tournament structure Players per country Results Six rounds of Swiss was played by 60 players in the tournament, and each round was played with a set of best-of-three matches. The top 8 players after the Swiss rounds advances to the best-of-three Single Elimination matches. The defending World Champion Arash Ommati and former three-time World ChampionRay Rizzodid not advance to the single elimination rounds. Final standings 2015 World Championships The2015 Pokémon World Championshipswas the seventh annual edition of the championships. The event was held alongside thePokémon Trading Card GameWorld Championships at theHynes Convention CenterinBoston, Massachusetts. The tournament was transmitted with live streaming from the official","from the official PokémonTwitchchannel. The defending Video Game champions for the year wereSe Jun ParkfromSouth Korea(Masters Division), Nikolai Zielinsky from theUnited States(Senior Division) and Kota Yamamoto fromJapan(Junior Division). 2015 qualification Players could only gain an invitation to play in the Video Game World Championships by either being the2014 Pokémon World Champions, or by obtaining enough Championship Points in their respective geographic zone designated byPlay! Pokémon. However, the only exception to this rule are for players from Japan and South Korea, as their tournaments are not overseen by Play! Pokémon and their invites are governed through a different system of qualification. Since 2014, players were able to earn Championship Points from various tournaments within their geographical region. The tournaments vary in scale, ranging from local Premier Challenges to state-level Regional Championships and finally the large-scale National Championships. The number of points awarded","of points awarded varies with scale, and players who earn these points are ranked and divided into zones such as North America, Europe and South Africa. This year, two new zones (Latin America and Asia-Pacific) were introduced. The 2015 Pokémon Video Game World Championship was intended to be played under two Swiss tournaments and one single-elimination tournament which would then determine the 2015 World Champions. As such, there are two types of invites: As an example, the invitations for the Masters Division were distributed as follows: 2015 tournament structure TheVideo GameChampionships consisted of twoSwiss tournamentsand one single elimination tournament played across three days. On Friday (Day 1), all players who earned an invitation without a Day 1 bye were entered into a Swiss tournament, where players with two or fewer losses would advance onto the next round. The second Swiss tournament was then played on Saturday (Day 2), where players who advanced from Day 1 were joined by players who received","who received an invitation with a Day 1 bye. At the end of the Day 2 Swiss tournament, the top eight players played in single elimination rounds until the last two remain. The finals took place on Sunday (Day 3). Final standings (Video Game Championships) Weapons controversy During the 2015 World Championships, two Trading Card Game competitors fromIowa(Kevin Norton, 18, and James Stumbo, 27) brought weapons in their vehicle, which were recovered by the police. The two posted status updates and images of their weaponry on social media, which were noticed by variousPokémonfans who treated them as supposed threats against the tournament. The updates were reported to theBoston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC), who promptly seized their automobile and then stopped them at the door and barred them from entering the Hynes Convention Center on Thursday evening. Police executed a search warrant on Friday and Norton and Stumbo were arrested at their Red Roof Inn room in Saugus just after midnight on Saturday,","on Saturday, August 22, 2015.The two were arrested on charges of unlicensed possession of firearms and ammunition, and were initially held without bail.The weapons recovered were a recently purchasedRemingtonshotgun, anAR-15, a hunting knife and several hundred rounds of ammunition.They pleaded not guilty at their arraignment on November 10, 2015, and their bail was set at $150,000.On December 2, 2015, their trial was set for May 9, 2016, however, in early April 2016, their trial was postponed to November 2016.Following the release ofPokémon Goin July 2016, Stumbo's attorney indicated that the case would be resolved soon.Norton and Stumbo were later sentenced to two years in prison with an additional two years probation once their prison term ends. 2016 World Championships The2016 Pokémon World Championshipswas the eighth annual edition of the championships. The event was held at theSan Francisco Marriott MarquisinSan Francisco, California, from August 19 to August 21.For the first time in the tournament","in the tournament history, thePokkén Tournamentinvitational was featured alongside the Video Game Championships (VGC) and Trading Card Game (TCG) tournaments. Side events and an official store with event merchandise occurred alongside the event. The defending Video Game champions were Shoma Honami fromJapan(Masters Division), Mark McQuillan from theUnited Kingdom(Senior Division) and Kotone Yasue from Japan (Junior Division).The defending Trading Card Game champions were Jacob Van Wagner from theUnited States(Masters Division), Patrick Martinez from the United States (Senior Division), and Rowan Stavenow fromCanada. Age divisions and qualifications Both the Pokémon VGC and TCG were divided into three age divisions: theJunior Division(born 2005 or later), theSenior Division(born between 2001 and 2004), and theMasters Division(born 2000 or earlier). For thePokkén Tournamentinvitational, players were grouped into either theSenior Division(born 2001 or later) orMasters Division(born 2000 or earlier). The process","The process of obtaining an invitation is primarily based on Championship Points.Players could earn Championship Points by performing in select online and live tournaments held throughout the 2016 season (between September 2015 and July 2016). Players from Japan andSouth Koreawere excluded from this rule as these countries had their own method of qualification not based on Championship Points. Play! Pokémondivided players into five different rating zones: US andCanada,Europe,Latin America,Asia-PacificandSouth Africa. Different zones had different Championship Points requirements due to the distribution of events around the world. There are two possible invitations players could obtain: 'Day Two' invites were usually accompanied by travel awards and stipends paid by Play! Pokémon. Trading Card Game Championship qualifications The following table shows the Championship Pointsrequirement for an invitation to the 2016 World Championships: Players in Japan and South Korea were awarded invitations based on each","based on each country's organized play system. Video Game Championship qualifications For the Masters Division, the following table lists the Championship Points requirement for an invitation to the 2016 World Championships: 2016 tournament structure The Video Game Championships consisted of two Swiss tournaments and one single elimination tournament played across three days. On Friday (Day 1), all players who earned an invitation without a Day 1 bye were entered into a Swiss tournament, where players with two or fewer losses would advance onto the next round. The second Swiss tournament was then played on Saturday (Day 2), where players who advanced from Day 1 were joined by players who received an invitation with a Day 1 bye. At the end of the Day 2 Swiss tournament, players with two or fewer losses advanced to play in single elimination rounds until the last two remain. The finals took place on Sunday (Day 3). Final standings (Video Game Championships) Final standings (Trading Card Game) References","Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II(born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44thpresident of the United Statesfrom 2009 to 2017. As a member of theDemocratic Party, he was the firstAfrican-Americanpresident in U.S. history. Obama previously served as aU.S. senatorrepresentingIllinoisfrom 2005 to 2008 and as anIllinois state senatorfrom 1997 to 2004. Obama was born inHonolulu,Hawaii. He graduated fromColumbia Universityin 1983 with aBachelor of Artsdegree in political science and later worked as acommunity organizerinChicago. In 1988, Obama enrolled inHarvard Law School, where he was the first black president of theHarvard Law Review. He became a civil rights attorney and an academic, teachingconstitutional lawat theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolfrom 1992 to 2004. He also went into elective politics; Obamarepresented the 13th district in the Illinois Senatefrom 1997 until 2004, when hesuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate. In the2008 presidential election, aftera close primary","close primary campaignagainstHillary Clinton, he was nominated by the Democratic Party for president. Obama selectedJoe Bidenas his running mate and defeatedRepublicannomineeJohn McCain. Obama was named the2009 Nobel Peace Prizelaureate, a decision that drew a mixture of criticism and praise. His first-term actions addressed theglobal financial crisisand includeda major stimulus packageto guide the economy in recovering from theGreat Recession, a partial extension ofGeorge W. Bush'stax cuts,legislation to reform health care,a major financial regulation reform bill, and the end of a major U.S.military presence in Iraq. Obama also appointedSupreme CourtjusticesSonia SotomayorandElena Kagan, the former being the firstHispanic Americanon the Supreme Court. He orderedOperation Neptune Spear, the raid that killedOsama bin Laden, who was responsible for theSeptember 11 attacks. Obama downplayed Bush'scounterinsurgency model, expandingair strikesand making extensive use of special forces, while encouraging greater","encouraging greater reliance on host-government militaries. He also orderedmilitary involvement in Libyain order to implementUN Security Council Resolution 1973, contributing to the overthrow ofMuammar Gaddafi. Obama defeated Republican opponentMitt Romneyin the2012 presidential election. In his second term, Obama took steps tocombat climate change, signinga major international climate agreementand anexecutive orderto limitcarbon emissions. Obama also presided over the implementation of theAffordable Care Actand other legislation passed in his first term. He negotiateda nuclear agreement with Iranandnormalized relations with Cuba. The number ofAmerican soldiers in Afghanistandecreased during Obama's second term, though U.S. soldiers remained in the country throughout Obama's presidency. Obama promoted inclusion forLGBT Americans, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to publicly supportsame-sex marriage. Obama left office on January 20, 2017, and continues to reside in Washington, D.C. Historians and","D.C. Historians and political scientists rank him among the upper tier inhistorical rankings of American presidents.His presidential libraryin theSouth Side of Chicagobegan construction in 2021. Since leaving office, Obama has remained politically active, campaigning for candidates in various American elections, including Biden'ssuccessful presidential bidin2020. Outside of politics,Obama has published three books:Dreams from My Father(1995),The Audacity of Hope(2006), andA Promised Land(2020). Early life and career Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961,atKapiolani Medical Center for Women and ChildreninHonolulu, Hawaii.He is the only president born outside thecontiguous 48 states.He was born to an 18-year-old American mother and a 27-year-old Kenyan father. His mother,Ann Dunham(1942–1995), was born inWichita, Kansas, and was of English, Welsh, German, Swiss, and Irish descent. In 2007 it was discovered her great-great-grandfather Falmouth Kearney emigrated from the village ofMoneygall, Irelandto the U.S.","Irelandto the U.S. in 1850.In July 2012,Ancestry.comfound a strong likelihood that Dunham was descended fromJohn Punch, an enslaved African man who lived in theColony of Virginiaduring the seventeenth century.Obama's father,Barack Obama Sr.(1934–1982),was a marriedLuo KenyanfromNyang'oma Kogelo.His last name, Obama, was derived from his Luo descent.Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian language class at theUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where his father was a foreign student on a scholarship.The couple married inWailuku, Hawaii, on February 2, 1961, six months before Obama was born. In late August 1961, a few weeks after he was born, Barack and his mother moved to theUniversity of WashingtoninSeattle, where they lived for a year. During that time, Barack's father completed his undergraduate degree in economics in Hawaii, graduating in June 1962. He left to attend graduate school on a scholarship atHarvard University, where he earned anM.A.in economics. Obama's parents divorced in March 1964.Obama Sr.","1964.Obama Sr. returned toKenyain 1964, where he married for a third time and worked for the Kenyan government as the Senior Economic Analyst in the Ministry of Finance.He visited his son in Hawaii only once, at Christmas 1971,before he was killed in an automobile accident in 1982, when Obama was 21 years old.Recalling his early childhood, Obama said: \"That my father looked nothing like the people around me—that he was black as pitch, my mother white as milk—barely registered in my mind.\"He described his struggles as a young adult to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage. In 1963, Dunham metLolo Soetoroat theUniversity of Hawaii; he was anIndonesianEast–West Centergraduate studentingeography. The couple married onMolokaion March 15, 1965.After two one-year extensions of hisJ-1 visa, Lolo returned toIndonesiain 1966. His wife and stepson followed sixteen months later in 1967. The family initially lived in the Menteng Dalam neighborhood in theTebetdistrict ofSouth Jakarta. From 1970, they","From 1970, they lived in a wealthier neighborhood in theMentengdistrict ofCentral Jakarta. Education At the age of six, Obama and his mother had moved to Indonesia to join his stepfather. From age six to ten, he was registered in school as \"Barry\"and attended localIndonesian-languageschools:Sekolah Dasar Katolik Santo Fransiskus Asisi(St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School) for two years andSekolah Dasar Negeri Menteng 01(State Elementary School Menteng 01) for one and a half years, supplemented by English-languageCalvert Schoolhomeschooling by his mother.As a result of his four years inJakarta, he was able to speakIndonesianfluently as a child.During his time in Indonesia, Obama's stepfather taught him to be resilient and gave him \"a pretty hardheaded assessment of how the world works\". In 1971, Obama returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents,MadelynandStanley Dunham. He attendedPunahou School—a privatecollege preparatory school—with the aid of a scholarship from fifth grade","from fifth grade until he graduated from high school in 1979.In high school, Obama continued to use the nickname \"Barry\" which he kept until making a visit to Kenya in 1980.Obama lived with his mother and half-sister,Maya Soetoro, in Hawaii for three years from 1972 to 1975 while his mother was a graduate student inanthropologyat the University of Hawaii.Obama chose to stay in Hawaii when his mother and half-sister returned to Indonesia in 1975, so his mother could begin anthropology field work.His mother spent most of the next two decades in Indonesia, divorcing Lolo Soetoro in 1980 and earning a PhD degree in 1992, before dying in 1995 in Hawaii following unsuccessful treatment forovariananduterine cancer. Of his years in Honolulu, Obama wrote: \"The opportunity that Hawaii offered — to experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respect — became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the values that I hold most dear.\"Obama has also written and talked about usingalcohol,marijuana,","andcocaineduring his teenage years to \"push questions of who I was out of my mind\".Obama was also a member of the \"Choom Gang\" (the slang term for smoking marijuana), a self-named group of friends who spent time together and smoked marijuana. College and research jobs After graduating from high school in 1979, Obama moved to Los Angeles to attendOccidental Collegeon a full scholarship. In February 1981, Obama made his first public speech, calling for Occidental to participate in thedisinvestment from South Africain response to that nation's policy ofapartheid.In mid-1981, Obama traveled to Indonesia to visit his mother and half-sister Maya and visited the families of college friends inPakistanfor three weeks.Later in 1981, hetransferredtoColumbia Universityin New York City as ajunior, where he majored inpolitical sciencewith a specialty ininternational relationsand inEnglish literatureand lived off-campus on West 109th Street.He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 and a 3.7GPA. After graduating,","After graduating, Obama worked for about a year at theBusiness International Corporation, where he was a financial researcher and writer,then as a project coordinator for theNew York Public Interest Research Groupon theCity College of New Yorkcampus for three months in 1985. Community organizer and Harvard Law School Two years after graduating from Columbia, Obama moved from New York to Chicago when he was hired as director of theDeveloping Communities Project, a faith-based community organization originally comprising eight Catholic parishes inRoseland,West Pullman, andRiverdaleon Chicago'sSouth Side. He worked there as a community organizer from June 1985 to May 1988.He helped set up a job training program, a college preparatory tutoring program, and a tenants' rights organization inAltgeld Gardens.Obama also worked as a consultant and instructor for theGamaliel Foundation, a community organizing institute.In mid-1988, he traveled for the first time inEuropefor three weeks and then for five weeks in Kenya,","weeks in Kenya, where he met many of hispaternal relativesfor the first time. Despite being offered a full scholarship toNorthwestern University School of Law, Obama enrolled atHarvard Law Schoolin the fall of 1988, living in nearbySomerville, Massachusetts.He was selected as an editor of theHarvard Law Reviewat the end of his first year,president of the journal in his second year,and research assistant to the constitutional scholarLaurence Tribewhile at Harvard.During his summers, he returned to Chicago, where he worked as asummer associateat the law firms ofSidley Austinin 1989 andHopkins & Sutterin 1990.Obama's election as thefirst black president of theHarvard Law Reviewgained national media attentionand led to a publishing contract and advance for a book about race relations,which evolved into a personal memoir. The manuscript was published in mid-1995 asDreams from My Father.Obama graduated from Harvard Law in 1991 with aJuris Doctormagna cum laude. University of Chicago Law School In 1991, Obama","In 1991, Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolto work on his first book.He then taughtconstitutional lawat the University of Chicago Law School for twelve years, first as a lecturer from 1992 to 1996, and then as a senior lecturer from 1996 to 2004. From April to October 1992, Obama directed Illinois'sProject Vote, avoter registration campaignwith ten staffers and seven hundred volunteer registrars; it achieved its goal of registering 150,000 of 400,000 unregistered African Americans in the state, leadingCrain's Chicago Businessto name Obama to its 1993 list of \"40 under Forty\" powers to be. Family and personal life In a 2006 interview, Obama highlighted the diversity ofhis extended family: \"It's like a little mini-United Nations,\" he said. \"I've got relatives who look likeBernie Mac, and I've got relatives who look likeMargaret Thatcher.\"Obama has a half-sister with whom he was raised (Maya Soetoro-Ng) and seven other half-siblings","other half-siblings from his Kenyan father's family, six of them living.Obama's mother was survived by her Kansas-born mother, Madelyn Dunham,until her death on November 2, 2008,two days before his election to the presidency. Obama also has roots in Ireland; he met with his Irish cousins inMoneygallin May 2011.InDreams from My Father, Obama ties his mother's family history to possible Native American ancestors and distant relatives ofJefferson Davis,President of the Confederate States of Americaduring theAmerican Civil War. He also shares distant ancestors in common withGeorge W. BushandDick Cheney, among others. Obama lived with anthropologistSheila Miyoshi Jagerwhile he was a community organizer in Chicago in the 1980s.He proposed to her twice, but both Jager and her parents turned him down.The relationship was not made public until May 2017, several months after his presidency had ended. In June 1989, Obama metMichelle Robinsonwhen he was employed atSidley Austin.Robinson was assigned for three months as","for three months as Obama's adviser at the firm, and she joined him at several group social functions but declined his initial requests to date.They began dating later that summer, became engaged in 1991, and were married on October 3, 1992.After suffering a miscarriage, Michelle underwentin vitro fertilizationto conceive their children.The couple's first daughter, Malia Ann, was born in 1998,followed by a second daughter, Natasha (\"Sasha\"), in 2001.The Obama daughters attended theUniversity of Chicago Laboratory Schools. When they moved to Washington, D.C., in January 2009, the girls started at theSidwell Friends School.The Obamas had twoPortuguese Water Dogs; the first, a male namedBo, was a gift from SenatorTed Kennedy.In 2013, Bo was joined bySunny, a female.Bo died of cancer on May 8, 2021. Obama is a supporter of theChicago White Sox, and he threw out the first pitch at the2005 ALCSwhen he was still a senator.In 2009, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at theAll-Star Gamewhile wearing a White Sox","wearing a White Sox jacket.He is also primarily aChicago Bearsfootball fan in theNFL, but in his childhood and adolescence was afan of the Pittsburgh Steelersand rooted for them ahead of their victory inSuper Bowl XLIII12 days after he took office as president.In 2011, Obama invited the1985 Chicago Bearsto the White House; the team had not visited the White House after theirSuper Bowl winin 1986 due to theSpace Shuttle Challenger disaster.He playsbasketball, a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team,and he is left-handed. In 2005, the Obama family applied the proceeds of a book deal and moved from aHyde Park, Chicagocondominium to a $1.6million house (equivalent to $2.5million in 2023) in neighboringKenwood, Chicago.The purchase of an adjacent lot—and sale of part of it to Obama by the wife of developer, campaign donor and friendTony Rezko—attracted media attention because of Rezko's subsequent indictment and conviction on political corruption charges that were unrelated to","were unrelated to Obama. In December 2007,Money Magazineestimated Obama's net worth at $1.3million (equivalent to $1.9million in 2023).Their 2009 tax return showed a household income of $5.5million—up from about $4.2million in 2007 and $1.6million in 2005—mostly from sales of his books.On his 2010 income of $1.7million, he gave 14 percent to non-profit organizations, including $131,000 toFisher House Foundation, a charity assisting wounded veterans' families, allowing them to reside near where the veteran is receiving medical treatments.Per his 2012 financial disclosure, Obama may be worth as much as $10million. Religious views Obama is aProtestantChristian whose religious views developed in his adult life.He wrote inThe Audacity of Hopethat he \"was not raised in a religious household.\" He described his mother, raised by non-religious parents, as being detached from religion, yet \"in many ways the most spiritually awakened person... I have ever known\", and \"a lonely witness forsecular humanism.\" He described","He described his father as a \"confirmedatheist\" by the time his parents met, and his stepfather as \"a man who saw religion as not particularly useful.\" Obama explained how, through working withblack churchesas acommunity organizerwhile in his twenties, he came to understand \"the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change.\" In January 2008, Obama toldChristianity Today: \"I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in theredemptive deathandresurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life.\"On September 27, 2010, Obama released a statement commenting on his religious views, saying: I'm a Christian by choice. My family didn't—frankly, they weren't folks who went to church every week. And my mother was one of the most spiritual people I knew, but she didn't raise me in the church. So I came to my Christian faith later in life, and it was because the precepts ofJesus Christspoke to me in terms of the kind of life","of the kind of life that I would want to lead—being my brothers' and sisters' keeper,treating others as they would treat me. Obama metTrinity United Church of ChristpastorJeremiah Wrightin October 1987 and became a member of Trinity in 1992.During Obama's first presidential campaign in May 2008, he resigned from Trinity aftersome of Wright's statements were criticized.Since moving to Washington, D.C., in 2009, the Obama family has attended several Protestant churches, includingShiloh Baptist ChurchandSt. John's Episcopal Church, as well as Evergreen Chapel atCamp David, but the members of the family do not attend church on a regular basis. In 2016, he said that he gets inspiration from a few items that remind him \"of all the different people I've met along the way\", adding: \"I carry these around all the time. I'm not that superstitious, so it's not like I think I necessarily have to have them on me at all times.\" The items, \"a whole bowl full\", include rosary beads given to him byPope Francis, a figurine of","a figurine of the Hindu deityHanuman, aCoptic crossfrom Ethiopia, a smallBuddha statuegiven by a monk, and a metal poker chip that used to be the lucky charm of a motorcyclist in Iowa. Legal career Civil rights attorney He joined Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, a 13-attorney law firm specializing in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development, where he was anassociatefor three years from 1993 to 1996, thenof counselfrom 1996 to 2004. In 1994, he was listed as one of the lawyers inBuycks-Roberson v. Citibank Fed. Sav. Bank, 94 C 4094 (N.D. Ill.). Thisclass action lawsuitwas filed in 1994 with Selma Buycks-Roberson as lead plaintiff and alleged that Citibank Federal Savings Bank had engaged in practices forbidden under theEqual Credit Opportunity Actand theFair Housing Act. The case was settled out of court. From 1994 to 2002, Obama served on the boards of directors of theWoods Fund of Chicago—which in 1985 had been the first foundation to fund the Developing Communities Project—and of","Project—and of theJoyce Foundation.He served on the board of directors of theChicago Annenberg Challengefrom 1995 to 2002, as founding president and chairman of the board of directors from 1995 to 1999.Obama's law license became inactive in 2007. Legislative career Illinois Senate (1997–2004) Obama was elected to theIllinois Senatein 1996, succeeding Democratic State SenatorAlice PalmerfromIllinois's 13th District, which, at that time, spanned Chicago South Side neighborhoods from Hyde Park–Kenwood south toSouth Shoreand west toChicago Lawn.Once elected, Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation that reformed ethics and health care laws.He sponsored a law that increasedtax creditsfor low-income workers, negotiatedwelfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported Republican GovernorGeorge Ryan'spayday loanregulations andpredatory mortgage lendingregulations aimed at averting homeforeclosures.","homeforeclosures. He was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998, defeating Republican Yesse Yehudah in the general election, and was re-elected again in 2002.In 2000, he lost aDemocratic primary raceforIllinois's 1st congressional districtin theUnited States House of Representativesto four-term incumbentBobby Rushby a margin of two to one. In January 2003, Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee when Democrats, after a decade in the minority, regained a majority.He sponsored and led unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitorracial profilingby requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained, and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.During his 2004 general election campaign for the U.S. Senate, police representatives credited Obama for his active engagement with police organizations in enactingdeath penaltyreforms.Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his","2004 following his election to the U.S. Senate. 2004 U.S. Senate campaign in Illinois In May 2002, Obama commissioned a poll to assess his prospects in a 2004 U.S. Senate race. He created a campaign committee, began raising funds, and lined up political media consultantDavid Axelrodby August 2002. Obama formally announced his candidacy in January 2003. Obama was an early opponent of the George W. Bush administration's2003 invasion of Iraq.On October 2, 2002, the day President Bush and Congress agreed on thejoint resolutionauthorizing theIraq War,Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicagoanti-Iraq War rally,and spoke out against the war.He addressed another anti-war rally in March 2003 and told the crowd \"it's not too late\" to stop the war. Decisions by Republican incumbentPeter Fitzgeraldand his Democratic predecessorCarol Moseley Braunnot to participate in the election resulted in wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving 15 candidates.In the March 2004 primary election, Obama won","election, Obama won in an unexpected landslide—which overnight made him a rising star within thenational Democratic Party, started speculation about a presidential future, and led to the reissue of his memoir,Dreams from My Father.In July 2004, Obama deliveredthe keynote addressat the2004 Democratic National Convention,seen by nine million viewers. His speech was well received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party. Obama's expected opponent in the general election, Republican primary winnerJack Ryan, withdrew from the race in June 2004.Six weeks later,Alan Keyesaccepted the Republican nomination to replace Ryan.In theNovember 2004 general election, Obama won with 70 percent of the vote, the largest margin of victory for a Senate candidate in Illinois history.He took 92 of the state's 102 counties, including several where Democrats traditionally do not do well. U.S. Senate (2005–2008) Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 3, 2005,becoming the only Senate member of theCongressional Black","Black Caucus.He introduced two initiatives that bore his name: Lugar–Obama, which expanded theNunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reductionconcept to conventional weapons;and theFederal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, which authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov, a web search engine on federal spending.On June 3, 2008, Senator Obama—along with SenatorsTom Carper,Tom Coburn, andJohn McCain—introduced follow-up legislation: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008.He alsocosponsoredtheSecure America and Orderly Immigration Act. In December 2006, President Bush signed into law theDemocratic Republic of the CongoRelief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.In January 2007, Obama and Senator Feingold introduced a corporate jet provision to theHonest Leadership and Open Government Act, which was signed into law in September 2007. Later in 2007, Obama sponsored an","Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to add safeguards for personality-disorder military discharges.This amendment passed the full Senate in the spring of 2008.He sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, which was never enacted but later incorporated in theComprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010;and co-sponsored legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to theState Children's Health Insurance Program, providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries. Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees forForeign Relations,Environment and Public Works, andVeterans' Affairsthrough December 2006.In January 2007, he left the Environment and Public Works committee and took additional assignments withHealth, Education, Labor and PensionsandHomeland Security and Governmental","and Governmental Affairs.He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee onEuropean Affairs.As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. He met withMahmoud Abbasbefore Abbas becamePresident of the Palestinian National Authorityand gave a speech at theUniversity of Nairobiin which he condemned corruption within the Kenyan government. Obamaresigned his Senate seaton November 16, 2008, to focus on his transition period for the presidency. Presidential campaigns 2008 On February 10, 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of theOld State Capitolbuilding inSpringfield, Illinois.The choice of the announcement site was viewed as symbolic, as it was also whereAbraham Lincolndelivered his\"House Divided\"speech in 1858.Obama emphasized issues of rapidly ending the Iraq War, increasingenergy independence, andreforming the health care system. Numerous candidates entered","candidates entered theDemocratic Party presidential primaries. The field narrowed to Obama and SenatorHillary Clintonafter early contests, with the race remaining close throughout the primary process, but Obama gained a steady lead in pledgeddelegatesdue to better long-range planning, superior fundraising, dominant organizing incaucusstates, and better exploitation of delegate allocation rules.On June 2, 2008, Obama had received enough votes to clinch his nomination. After an initial hesitation to concede, on June 7, Clinton ended her campaign and endorsed Obama.On August 23, 2008, Obama announced hisselectionofDelawareSenatorJoe Bidenas his vice presidential running mate.Obama selected Biden from a field speculated to include former Indiana Governor and SenatorEvan Bayhand Virginia GovernorTim Kaine.At theDemocratic National ConventioninDenver, Colorado, Hillary Clinton called for her supporters to endorse Obama, and she andBill Clintongave convention speeches in his support.Obama delivered his acceptance","his acceptance speech atInvesco Field at Mile Highstadium to a crowd of about eighty-four thousand; the speech was viewed by over three million people worldwide.During both the primary process and the general election, Obama's campaign set numerous fundraising records, particularly in the quantity of small donations.On June 19, 2008, Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn downpublic financingin the general election since the system was created in 1976. John McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate, and he selectedSarah Palinas his running mate. Obama and McCain engaged in threepresidential debatesin September and October 2008.On November 4, Obama won the presidency with 365electoral votesto 173 received by McCain.Obama won 52.9 percent of thepopular voteto McCain's 45.7 percent.He became the first African-American to be elected president.Obama deliveredhis victory speechbefore hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago'sGrant Park.He is one of the three United States","three United States senators moved directly from the U.S. Senate to the White House, the others beingWarren G. HardingandJohn F. Kennedy. 2012 On April 4, 2011, Obama filed election papers with theFederal Election Commissionand then announced his reelection campaign for 2012 in a video titled \"It Begins with Us\" that he posted on his website.As the incumbent president, he ran virtually unopposed in theDemocratic Party presidential primaries,and on April 3, 2012, Obama secured the 2778conventiondelegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.At theDemocratic National ConventioninCharlotte, North Carolina, Obama and Joe Biden were formally nominated by former President Bill Clinton as the Democratic Party candidates for president and vice president in the general election. Their main opponents were RepublicansMitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and RepresentativePaul Ryanof Wisconsin. On November 6, 2012, Obama won 332 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 required for him to be reelected as","to be reelected as president.With 51.1 percent of the popular vote,Obama became the first Democratic president sinceFranklin D. Rooseveltto win themajority of the popular votetwice.Obama addressed supporters and volunteers at Chicago'sMcCormick Placeafter his reelection and said: \"Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties.\" Presidency (2009–2017) First 100 days Theinauguration of Barack Obamaas the 44th president took place on January 20, 2009. In his first few days in office, Obama issuedexecutive ordersandpresidential memorandadirecting the U.S. military to develop plans to withdraw troops from Iraq.He ordered the closing of theGuantanamo Bay detention camp,but Congress prevented the closure by refusing to appropriate the required fundsand preventing moving any Guantanamo detainee.Obama reduced the secrecy given to presidential","to presidential records.He also revoked President George W. Bush's restoration of PresidentRonald Reagan'sMexico City policywhich prohibited federal aid to internationalfamily planningorganizations that perform or provide counseling about abortion. Domestic policy The first bill signed into law by Obama was theLilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, relaxing thestatute of limitationsfor equal-pay lawsuits.Five days later, he signed the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program to cover an additional four million uninsured children.In March 2009, Obama reversed a Bush-era policy that had limited funding ofembryonic stem cellresearch and pledged to develop \"strict guidelines\" on the research. Obama appointed two women to serve on the Supreme Court in the first two years of his presidency. He nominatedSonia Sotomayoron May 26, 2009, to replace retiringAssociate JusticeDavid Souter. She was confirmed on August 6, 2009,becoming the first Supreme Court Justice ofHispanicdescent.Obama","nominatedElena Kaganon May 10, 2010, to replace retiring Associate JusticeJohn Paul Stevens. She was confirmed on August 5, 2010, bringing the number of women sitting simultaneously on the Court to three for the first time in American history. On March 11, 2009, Obama created theWhite House Council on Women and Girls, which formed part of theOffice of Intergovernmental Affairs, having been established byExecutive Order13506with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to the welfare of American women and girls. The council was chaired bySenior Advisor to the PresidentValerie Jarrett. Obama also established theWhite House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assaultthrough a government memorandum on January 22, 2014, with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to sexual assault on college and university campuses throughout the United States. The co-chairs of the Task Force were Vice President Joe Biden and Jarrett. The Task Force was a development out of the White House Council on","House Council on Women and Girls andOffice of the Vice President of the United States, and prior to that the 1994Violence Against Women Actfirst drafted by Biden. In July 2009, Obama launched thePriority Enforcement Program, an immigration enforcement program that had been pioneered by George W. Bush, and theSecure Communitiesfingerprinting and immigration status data-sharing program. In amajor space policy speechin April 2010, Obama announced a planned change in direction atNASA, the U.S. space agency. He ended plans for a return ofhuman spaceflightto the moon and development of theAres Irocket,Ares Vrocket andConstellation program, in favor of fundingearth scienceprojects, a new rocket type, research and development for an eventual crewed mission to Mars, and ongoing missions to theInternational Space Station. On January 16, 2013, one month after theSandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Obama signed 23 executive orders and outlined a series of sweeping proposals regardinggun control.He urged Congress to","urged Congress to reintroduce anexpired banon military-styleassault weapons, such as those used in several recent mass shootings, impose limits on ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, introduce background checks on all gun sales, pass a ban on possession and sale of armor-piercing bullets, introduce harsher penalties for gun-traffickers, especially unlicensed dealers who buy arms for criminals and approving the appointment of the head of the federalBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosivesfor the first time since 2006.On January 5, 2016, Obama announced new executive actions extending background check requirements to more gun sellers.In a 2016 editorial inThe New York Times, Obama compared the struggle for what he termed \"common-sense gun reform\" towomen's suffrageand othercivil rights movementsin American history. In 2011, Obama signed a four-year renewal of the Patriot Act.Following the2013 global surveillance disclosuresbywhistleblowerEdward Snowden, Obama condemned the leak as unpatriotic,but","as unpatriotic,but called for increased restrictions on theNational Security Agency(NSA) to address violations of privacy.Obama continued and expanded surveillance programs set up by George W. Bush, while implementing some reforms.He supported legislation that would have limited the NSA's ability to collect phone records in bulk under a single program and supported bringing more transparency to theForeign Intelligence Surveillance Court(FISC). Racial issues In his speeches as president, Obama did not make more overt references to race relations than his predecessors,but according to one study, he implemented stronger policy action on behalf of African-Americans than any president since the Nixon era. Following Obama's election, many pondered the existence of a \"postracial America\".However, lingering racial tensions quickly became apparent,and many African-Americans expressed outrage over what they saw as an intense racial animosity directed at Obama.TheacquittalofGeorge Zimmermanfollowing thekilling of","thekilling of Trayvon Martinsparked national outrage, leading to Obama giving a speech in which he noted that \"Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago.\"The shooting ofMichael BrowninFerguson, Missourisparked a wave of protests.These and other events led to the birth of theBlack Lives Mattermovement, which campaigns against violence andsystemic racismtowardblack people.Though Obama entered office reluctant to talk about race, by 2014 he began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups. Several incidents during Obama's presidency generated disapproval from the African-American community and with law enforcement, and Obama sought to build trust between law enforcement officials and civil rights activists, with mixed results. Some in law enforcement criticized Obama's condemnation of racial bias after incidents in which police action led to the death of African-American men, while some racial justice activists criticized Obama's expressions of empathy for the police.In a","for the police.In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried \"a great deal\" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001. LGBT rights On October 8, 2009, Obama signed theMatthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a measure that expanded the1969 United States federal hate-crime lawto include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.On October 30, 2009, Obama lifted the ban on travel to the United States by those infected with HIV. The lifting of the ban was celebrated byImmigration Equality.On December 22, 2010, Obama signed theDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which fulfilled a promise made in the 2008 presidential campaignto end thedon't ask, don't tellpolicy of 1993 that had prevented gay and lesbian people from serving openly in theUnited States Armed Forces. In 2016, the Pentagon ended the policy that barredtransgender people from serving","people from serving openly in the military. Same-sex marriage As a candidate for the Illinois state senate in 1996, Obama stated he favored legalizingsame-sex marriage.During his Senate run in 2004, he said he supported civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex partners but opposed same-sex marriages.In 2008, he reaffirmed this position by stating \"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage.\"On May 9, 2012, shortly after the official launch of his campaign for re-election as president, Obama said his views had evolved, and he publicly affirmed his personal support for the legalization of same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so.During his secondinaugural addresson January 21, 2013,Obama became the first U.S. president in office to call for full equality for gay Americans, and the first to mentiongay rightsor the word \"gay\" in an inaugural address.In 2013, the Obama administration filed briefs that urged theSupreme Courtto rule in","Courtto rule in favor of same-sex couples in the cases ofHollingsworth v. Perry(regarding same-sex marriage)andUnited States v. Windsor(regarding theDefense of Marriage Act). Economic policy On February 17, 2009, Obama signed theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $787billion (equivalent to $1118 billion in 2023)economic stimuluspackage aimed at helping the economy recover from thedeepening worldwide recession.The act includes increased federal spending for health care, infrastructure, education, various tax breaks andincentives, and direct assistance to individuals.In March 2009, Obama's Treasury Secretary,Timothy Geithner, took further steps to manage thefinancial crisis, including introducing thePublic–Private Investment Program for Legacy Assets, which contains provisions for buying up to $2trillion in depreciated real estate assets. Obama intervened in thetroubled automotive industryin March 2009, renewing loans forGeneral Motors(GM) andChryslerto continue operations while reorganizing.","while reorganizing. Over the following months the White House set terms for both firms' bankruptcies, including thesale of Chryslerto Italian automakerFiatand areorganization of GMgiving the U.S. government a temporary 60 percent equity stake in the company.In June 2009, dissatisfied with the pace of economic stimulus, Obama called on his cabinet to accelerate the investment.He signed into law theCar Allowance Rebate System, known colloquially as \"Cash for Clunkers\", which temporarily boosted the economy. The Bush and Obama administrations authorized spending and loan guarantees from theFederal Reserveand theDepartment of the Treasury. These guarantees totaled about $11.5trillion, but only $3trillion had been spent by the end of November 2009.On August 2, 2011, after a lengthy congressional debate over whether to raise the nation's debt limit, Obama signed the bipartisanBudget Control Act of 2011. The legislation enforced limits on discretionary spending until 2021, established a procedure to increase the","to increase the debt limit, created a Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to propose further deficit reduction with a stated goal of achieving at least $1.5trillion in budgetary savings over 10 years, and established automatic procedures for reducing spending by as much as $1.2trillion if legislation originating with the new joint select committee did not achieve such savings.By passing the legislation, Congress was able to prevent aU.S. governmentdefaulton its obligations. The unemployment rate rose in 2009, reaching a peak in October at 10.0 percent and averaging 10.0 percent in the fourth quarter. Following a decrease to 9.7 percent in the first quarter of 2010, the unemployment rate fell to 9.6 percent in the second quarter, where it remained for the rest of the year.Between February and December 2010, employment rose by 0.8 percent, which was less than the average of 1.9 percent experienced during comparable periods in the past four employment recoveries.By November 2012, the","November 2012, the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent,decreasing to 6.7 percent in the last month of 2013.During 2014, the unemployment rate continued to decline, falling to 6.3 percent in the first quarter.GDP growth returned in the third quarter of 2009, expanding at a rate of 1.6 percent, followed by a 5.0 percent increase in the fourth quarter.Growth continued in 2010, posting an increase of 3.7 percent in the first quarter, with lesser gains throughout the rest of the year.In July 2010, the Federal Reserve noted that economic activity continued to increase, but its pace had slowed, and chairmanBen Bernankesaid the economic outlook was \"unusually uncertain\".Overall, the economy expanded at a rate of 2.9 percent in 2010. TheCongressional Budget Office(CBO) and a broad range of economists credit Obama's stimulus plan for economic growth.The CBO released a report stating that the stimulus bill increased employment by 1–2.1million,while conceding that \"it is impossible to determine how many of the","how many of the reported jobs would have existed in the absence of the stimulus package.\"Although an April 2010, survey of members of theNational Association for Business Economicsshowed an increase in job creation (over a similar January survey) for the first time in two years, 73 percent of 68 respondents believed the stimulus bill has had no impact on employment.The economy of the United States has grown faster than the other originalNATOmembers by a wider margin under President Obama than it has anytime since the end ofWorld War II.TheOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Developmentcredits the much faster growth in the United States to the stimulus plan of the U.S. and the austerity measures in the European Union. Within a month of the2010 midterm elections, Obama announced a compromise deal with the Congressional Republican leadership that included a temporary, two-year extension of the2001 and 2003 income tax rates, a one-yearpayroll taxreduction, continuation of unemployment benefits, and a new","benefits, and a new rate and exemption amount forestate taxes.The compromise overcame opposition from some in both parties, and the resulting $858billion (equivalent to $1.2 trillion in 2023)Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010passed with bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress before Obama signed it on December 17, 2010. In December 2013, Obama declared that growingincome inequalityis a \"defining challenge of our time\" and called on Congress to bolster the safety net and raise wages. This came on the heels of thenationwide strikes of fast-food workersand Pope Francis' criticism of inequality andtrickle-down economics.Obama urged Congress to ratify a 12-nation free trade pact called theTrans-Pacific Partnership. Environmental policy On April 20, 2010, an explosion destroyed an offshoredrilling rigat theMacondo Prospectin theGulf of Mexico, causing amajor sustained oil leak. Obama visited the Gulf, announced a federal investigation, and formed a bipartisan","formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards, after a review bySecretary of the InteriorKen Salazarand concurrent Congressional hearings. He then announced a six-month moratorium on newdeepwater drillingpermits and leases, pending regulatory review.As multiple efforts by BP failed, some in the media and public expressed confusion and criticism over various aspects of the incident, and stated a desire for more involvement by Obama and the federal government.Prior to the oil spill, on March 31, 2010, Obama ended a ban on oil and gas drilling along the majority of theEast Coast of the United Statesand along the coast ofnorthern Alaskain an effort to win support for an energy and climate bill and to reduce foreign imports of oil and gas. In July 2013, Obama expressed reservations and said he \"would reject theKeystone XL pipelineif it increased carbon pollution greenhouse emissions.\"On February 24, 2015, Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the pipeline.It was the third veto of","the third veto of Obama's presidency and his first major veto. In December 2016, Obama permanently banned new offshore oil and gas drilling in most United States-owned waters in theAtlanticand Arctic Oceans using the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Act. Obama emphasized theconservationoffederal landsduring his term in office. He used his power under theAntiquities Actto create 25 newnational monumentsduring his presidency and expand four others, protecting a total of 553,000,000 acres (224,000,000 ha) of federal lands and waters, more than any other U.S. president. Health care reform Obama called forCongressto pass legislation reforminghealth care in the United States, a key campaign promise and a top legislative goal.He proposed an expansion of health insurance coverage to cover the uninsured, cap premium increases, and allow people to retain their coverage when they leave or change jobs. His proposal was to spend $900billion over ten years and include a government insurance plan, also known as thepublic","known as thepublic option, to compete with the corporate insurance sector as a main component to lowering costs and improving quality of health care. It would also make it illegal for insurers to drop sick people or deny them coverage forpre-existing conditions, and require every American to carry health coverage. The plan also includes medical spending cuts and taxes on insurance companies that offer expensive plans. On July 14, 2009, House Democratic leaders introduced a 1,017-page plan for overhauling the U.S. health care system, which Obama wanted Congress to approve by the end of 2009.After public debate during the Congressional summer recess of 2009, Obama delivereda speech to a joint session of Congresson September 9 where he addressed concerns over the proposals.In March 2009, Obama lifted a ban on using federal funds for stem cell research. On November 7, 2009, a health care bill featuring the public option was passed in the House.On December 24, 2009, the Senate passed its own bill—without a public","a public option—on a party-line vote of 60–39.On March 21, 2010, thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act(ACA, colloquially \"Obamacare\") passed by the Senate in December was passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212. Obama signed the bill into law on March 23, 2010. The ACA includeshealth-related provisions, most of which took effect in 2014, including expandingMedicaideligibility for people making up to 133 percentof thefederal poverty level(FPL) starting in 2014,subsidizing insurance premiums for people making up to 400 percentof the FPL ($88,000 for family of four in 2010) so their maximum \"out-of-pocket\" payment for annual premiums will be from 2 percent to 9.5 percent of income,providing incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits, prohibiting denial of coverage and denial of claims based on pre-existing conditions, establishinghealth insurance exchanges, prohibiting annual coverage caps, and support for medical research. According to White House and CBO figures, the maximum share","the maximum share of income that enrollees would have to pay would vary depending on their income relative to the federal poverty level. The costs of these provisions are offset by taxes, fees, and cost-saving measures, such as new Medicare taxes for those in high-incomebrackets, taxes onindoor tanning, cuts to theMedicare Advantageprogram in favor of traditional Medicare, and fees on medical devices and pharmaceutical companies;there is also a tax penalty for those who do not obtain health insurance, unless they are exempt due to low income or other reasons.In March 2010, the CBO estimated that the net effect of both laws will be a reduction in the federal deficit by $143billion over the first decade. The law faced several legal challenges, primarily based on the argument that an individual mandate requiring Americans to buy health insurance was unconstitutional. On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5–4 vote inNational Federation of Independent Business v. Sebeliusthat the mandate was","the mandate was constitutional under the U.S. Congress's taxing authority.InBurwell v. Hobby Lobbythe Court ruled that \"closely-held\" for-profit corporations could be exempt on religious grounds under theReligious Freedom Restoration Actfrom regulations adopted under the ACA that would have required them to pay for insurance that covered certain contraceptives. In June 2015, the Court ruled 6–3 inKing v. Burwellthat subsidies to help individuals and families purchase health insurance were authorized for those doing so on both the federal exchange and state exchanges, not only those purchasing plans \"established by the State\", as the statute reads. Foreign policy In February and March 2009, Vice President Joe Biden andSecretary of StateHillary Clinton made separate overseas trips to announce a \"new era\" in U.S. foreign relations with Russia and Europe, using the terms \"break\" and \"reset\" to signal major changes from the policies of the preceding administration.Obama attempted to reach out to Arab leaders by","to Arab leaders by granting his first interview to an Arab satellite TV network,Al Arabiya.On March 19, Obama continued his outreach to the Muslim world, releasing a New Year's video message to the people and government of Iran.On June 4, 2009, Obama delivered a speech atCairo Universityin Egypt calling for \"A New Beginning\" in relations between the Islamic world and the United States and promoting Middle East peace.On June 26, 2009, Obama condemned the Iranian government's actions towards protesters followingIran's 2009 presidential election. In 2011, Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen which targeted and killedAnwar al-Awlaki, an American imam suspected of being a leadingAl-Qaedaorganizer. al-Awlaki became the firstU.S. citizento be targeted and killed by aU.S. drone strike. The Department of Justice released a memo justifying al-Awlaki's death as a lawful act of war,while civil liberties advocates described it as a violation of al-Awlaki's constitutional right todue process. The killing led to","The killing led to significant controversy.Histeenage sonandyoung daughter, also Americans, were later killed in separateUS military actions, although they were not targeted specifically. In March 2015, Obama declared that he had authorized U.S. forces to provide logistical and intelligence support to the Saudis in theirmilitary intervention in Yemen, establishing a \"Joint Planning Cell\" with Saudi Arabia.In 2016, the Obama administration proposed a series ofarms deals with Saudi Arabiaworth $115billion.Obama halted the sale of guided munition technology toSaudi Arabiaafter Saudi warplanestargeted a funeralin Yemen's capital Sanaa, killing more than 140 people. In September 2016 Obama was snubbed byXi Jinpingand theChinese Communist Partyas he descended fromAir Force Oneto the tarmac ofHangzhou International Airportfor the2016 G20 Hangzhou summitwithout the usual red carpet welcome. War in Iraq On February 27, 2009, Obama announced that combat operations in Iraq would end within 18 months.The Obama","18 months.The Obama administration scheduled the withdrawal of combat troops to be completed by August 2010, decreasing troop's levels from 142,000 while leaving a transitional force of about 50,000 in Iraq until the end of 2011. On August 19, 2010, the last U.S. combat brigade exited Iraq. Remaining troops transitioned from combat operations tocounter-terrorismand the training, equipping, and advising of Iraqi security forces.On August 31, 2010, Obama announced that the United States combat mission in Iraq was over.On October 21, 2011, President Obama announced that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq in time to be \"home for the holidays.\" In June 2014, following thecapture of MosulbyISIL, Obama sent 275 troops to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. ISIS continued to gain ground and to commitwidespread massacres and ethnic cleansing.In August 2014, during theSinjar massacre, Obama ordered acampaign of U.S. airstrikes against ISIL.By the end of 2014, 3,100 American","3,100 American ground troops were committed to the conflictand 16,000 sorties were flown over the battlefield, primarily by U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots.In early 2015, with the addition of the \"Panther Brigade\" of the82nd Airborne Divisionthe number of U.S. ground troops in Iraq increased to 4,400,and by July American-led coalition air forces counted 44,000 sorties over the battlefield. Afghanistan and Pakistan In his election campaign, Obama called the war in Iraq a \"dangerous distraction\" and that emphasis should instead be put on the war in Afghanistan,the region he cites as being most likely where an attack against the United States could be launched again.Early in his presidency, Obama moved to bolster U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan. He announced an increase in U.S. troop levels to 17,000 military personnel in February 2009 to \"stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan\", an area he said had not received the \"strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires.\"He replaced","replaced the military commander in Afghanistan, GeneralDavid D. McKiernan, with formerSpecial Forcescommander Lt. Gen.Stanley A. McChrystalin May 2009, indicating that McChrystal's Special Forces experience would facilitate the use of counterinsurgency tactics in the war.On December 1, 2009, Obama announced the deployment of an additional 30,000 military personnel to Afghanistan and proposed to begin troop withdrawals 18 months from that date;this took place in July 2011.David Petraeusreplaced McChrystal in June 2010, after McChrystal's staff criticized White House personnel in a magazine article.In February 2013, Obama said the U.S. military would reduce the troop level in Afghanistan from 68,000 to 34,000 U.S. troops by February 2014.In October 2015, the White House announced a plan to keep U.S. Forces in Afghanistan indefinitely in light of the deteriorating security situation. Regarding neighboring Pakistan, Obama called its tribal border region the \"greatest threat\" to the security of Afghanistan and","of Afghanistan and Americans, saying that he \"cannot tolerate a terrorist sanctuary.\" In the same speech, Obama claimed that the U.S. \"cannot succeed in Afghanistan or secure our homeland unless we change our Pakistan policy.\" Death of Osama bin Laden Starting with information received from Central Intelligence Agency operatives in July 2010, the CIA developed intelligence over the next several months that determined what they believed to be the hideout ofOsama bin Laden. He was living in seclusion ina large compoundinAbbottabad, Pakistan, a suburban area 35 miles (56 km) fromIslamabad.CIA headLeon Panettareported this intelligence to President Obama in March 2011.Meeting with his national security advisers over the course of the next six weeks, Obama rejected a plan to bomb the compound, and authorized a \"surgical raid\" to be conducted byUnited States Navy SEALs.The operation took place on May 1, 2011, and resulted in the shooting death of bin Laden and the seizure of papers, computer drives and disks from","and disks from the compound.DNA testing was one of five methods used to positively identify bin Laden's corpse,which was buried at sea several hours later.Within minutes of the President's announcement from Washington, DC, late in the evening on May 1, there were spontaneous celebrations around the country as crowds gathered outside the White House, and at New York City'sGround ZeroandTimes Square.Reaction to the announcementwas positive across party lines, including from former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Relations with Cuba Since the spring of 2013, secret meetings were conducted between the United States and Cuba in the neutral locations of Canada andVatican City.The Vatican first became involved in 2013 when Pope Francis advised the U.S. and Cuba toexchange prisonersas a gesture of goodwill.On December 10, 2013, Cuban PresidentRaúl Castro, in a significant public moment, greeted and shook hands with Obama at theNelson Mandela memorial serviceinJohannesburg. In December 2014, after the","2014, after the secret meetings, it was announced that Obama, with Pope Francis as an intermediary, had negotiated a restoration of relations with Cuba, after nearly sixty years of détente.Popularly dubbed theCuban Thaw,The New Republicdeemed the Cuban Thaw to be \"Obama's finest foreign policy achievement.\"On July 1, 2015, President Obama announced that formal diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States would resume, and embassies would be opened in Washington andHavana.The countries' respective \"interests sections\" in one another's capitals were upgraded to embassies on July 20 and August 13, 2015, respectively.Obama visited Havana, Cuba for two days in March 2016, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to arrive sinceCalvin Coolidgein 1928. Israel During the initial years of the Obama administration, the U.S. increased military cooperation with Israel, including increased military aid, re-establishment of theU.S.-Israeli Joint Political Military Groupand the Defense Policy Advisory Group,","Advisory Group, and an increase in visits among high-level military officials of both countries.The Obama administration asked Congress to allocate money toward funding theIron Domeprogram in response to the waves ofPalestinian rocket attacks on Israel.In March 2010, Obama took a public stance against plans by the government of Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuto continue building Jewish housing projects in predominantly Arab neighborhoods ofEast Jerusalem.In 2011, the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution condemningIsraeli settlements, with the United States being the only nation to do so.Obama supports thetwo-state solutionto theArab–Israeli conflictbased on the 1967 borders with land swaps. In 2013,Jeffrey Goldbergreported that, in Obama's view, \"with each new settlement announcement, Netanyahu is moving his country down a path toward near-total isolation.\"In 2014, Obama likened theZionist movementto thecivil rights movementin the United States. He said both movements seek to bring","seek to bring justice and equal rights to historically persecuted peoples, explaining: \"To me, being pro-Israel and pro-Jewish is part and parcel with the values that I've been fighting for since I was politically conscious and started getting involved in politics.\"Obama expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself during the2014 Israel–Gaza conflict.In 2015, Obama was harshly criticized by Israel for advocating and signing theIran Nuclear Deal; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had advocated the U.S. congress to oppose it, said the deal was \"dangerous\" and \"bad.\" On December 23, 2016, under the Obama Administration, the United States abstained fromUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building in the occupiedPalestinian territoriesas a violation of international law, effectively allowing it to pass.Netanyahu strongly criticized the Obama administration's actions,and the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the organization,","the organization, which totaled $6million, on January 6, 2017.On January 5, 2017, the United States House of Representatives voted 342–80 to condemn the UN Resolution. Libya In February 2011, protests in Libya began against long-time dictatorMuammar Gaddafias part of theArab Spring. They soon turned violent. In March, as forces loyal to Gaddafi advanced on rebels across Libya, calls for a no-fly zone came from around the world, including Europe, theArab League, and a resolutionpassed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.In response to the passage ofUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1973on March 17, the Foreign Minister of Libya Moussa Koussa announced a ceasefire. However Gaddafi's forces continued to attack the rebels. On March 19 a multinational coalition lead by France and the United Kingdom with Italian and U.S. support, approved by Obama, took part in air strikes to destroy the Libyan government's air defense capabilities to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly-zone,including the use ofTomahawk","the use ofTomahawk missiles,B-2 Spirits, and fighter jets.Six days later, on March 25, by unanimous vote of all its 28 members, NATO took over leadership of the effort, dubbedOperation Unified Protector.Some members of Congressquestioned whether Obama had the constitutional authority to order military action in addition to questioning its cost, structure and aftermath.In 2016 Obama said \"Our coalition could have and should have done more to fill a vacuum left behind\" and that it was \"a mess\".He has stated that the lack of preparation surrounding the days following the government's overthrow was the \"worst mistake\" of his presidency. Syrian civil war On August 18, 2011, several months after the start of theSyrian civil war, Obama issued a written statement that said: \"The time has come forPresident Assadto step aside.\"This stance was reaffirmed in November 2015.In 2012, Obama authorized multipleprograms run by the CIAand the Pentagon to train anti-Assad rebels.The Pentagon-run program was later found to have","later found to have failed and was formally abandoned in October 2015. In the wake of achemical weapons attackin Syria,formally blamedby the Obama administration on the Assad government, Obama chose not to enforce the \"red line\" he had pledgedand, rather than authorize the promised military action against Assad, went along with the Russia-brokered deal that led to Assadgiving up chemical weapons; however attacks withchlorine gascontinued.In 2014, Obama authorized anair campaign aimed primarily at ISIL. Iran nuclear talks On October 1, 2009, the Obama administration went ahead with a Bush administration program, increasing nuclear weapons production. The \"Complex Modernization\" initiative expanded two existing nuclear sites to produce new bomb parts. In November 2013, the Obama administration openednegotiationswith Iran to prevent it from acquiringnuclear weapons, which included aninterim agreement. Negotiations took two years with numerous delays, with a deal being announced on July 14, 2015. The deal titled","The deal titled the \"Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action\" saw sanctions removed in exchange for measures that would prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. While Obama hailed the agreement as being a step towards a more hopeful world, the deal drew strong criticism from Republican and conservative quarters, and from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.In addition, the transfer of $1.7billion in cash to Iran shortly after the deal was announced was criticized by the Republican party. The Obama administration said that the payment in cash was because of the \"effectiveness of U.S. and international sanctions.\"In order to advance the deal, the Obama administration shieldedHezbollahfrom theDrug Enforcement Administration'sProject Cassandrainvestigation regarding drug smuggling and from theCentral Intelligence Agency.On a side note, the very same year, in December 2015, Obama started a $348billion worth program to back the biggest U.S. buildup of nuclear arms since Ronald Reagan left the White House.","the White House. Russia In March 2010, an agreement was reached with the administration of Russian PresidentDmitry Medvedevto replace the1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treatywith a new pact reducing the number of long-range nuclear weapons in the arsenals of both countries by about a third.Obama and Medvedev signed theNew STARTtreaty in April 2010, and theU.S. Senateratified it in December 2010.In December 2011, Obama instructed agencies to considerLGBT rightswhen issuing financial aid to foreign countries.In August 2013, he criticized Russia's law that discriminates against gays,but he stopped short of advocating a boycott of the upcoming2014 Winter OlympicsinSochi, Russia. AfterRussia's invasion of Crimeain 2014,military intervention in Syriain 2015, andthe interferencein the2016 U.S. presidential election,George Robertson, a former UK defense secretary and NATO secretary-general, said Obama had \"allowed Putin to jump back on the world stage and test the resolve of the West\", adding that the legacy of this","the legacy of this disaster would last. Cultural and political image Obama's family history, upbringing, andIvy Leagueeducation differ markedly from those of African-American politicians who launched their careers in the 1960s through participation in the civil rights movement.Expressing puzzlement over questions about whether he is \"black enough\", Obama told an August 2007 meeting of theNational Association of Black Journaliststhat \"we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong.\"Obama acknowledged his youthful image in an October 2007 campaign speech, saying: \"I wouldn't be here if, time and again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation.\"Additionally, Obama has frequently been referred to as an exceptional orator.During his pre-inauguration transition period and continuing into his presidency, Obama delivered a series of weekly Internet video addresses. Job approval According to theGallup Organization, Obama began his presidency with a 68","with a 68 percentapproval rating,the fifth highest for a president following their swearing in.His ratings remained above the majority level until November 2009and by August 2010 his approval was in the low 40s,a trend similar to Ronald Reagan's and Bill Clinton's first years in office.Following thedeath of Osama bin Ladenon May 2, 2011, Obama experienced a small poll bounce and steadily maintained 50–53 percent approval for about a month, until his approval numbers dropped back to the low 40s. His approval rating fell to 38 percent on several occasions in late 2011before recovering in mid-2012 with polls showing an average approval of 50 percent.After his second inauguration in 2013, Obama's approval ratings remained stable around 52 percentbefore declining for the rest of the year and eventually bottoming out at 39 percent in December.In polling conducted before the2014 midterm elections, Obama's approval ratings were at their lowestwith his disapproval rating reaching a high of 57 percent.His approval","approval rating continued to lag throughout most of 2015 but began to reach the high 40s by the end of the year.According to Gallup, Obama's approval rating reached 50 percent in March 2016, a level unseen since May 2013.In polling conducted January 16–19, 2017, Obama's final approval rating was 59 percent, which placed him on par withGeorge H. W. BushandDwight D. Eisenhower, whose final Gallup ratings also measured in the high 50s. Obama has maintained relatively positive public perceptions after his presidency.In Gallup's retrospective approval polls of former presidents, Obama garnered a 63 percent approval rating in 2018 and again in 2023, ranking him the fourth most popular president since World War II. Foreign perceptions Polls showed strong support for Obama in other countries both before and during his presidency.In a February 2009 poll conducted in Western Europe and the U.S. byHarris InteractiveforFrance 24and theInternational Herald Tribune, Obama was rated as the most respected world leader, as","world leader, as well as the most powerful.In a similar poll conducted by Harris in May 2009, Obama was rated as the most popular world leader, as well as the one figure most people would pin their hopes on for pulling the world out of the economic downturn. On October 9, 2009—only nine months into his first term—theNorwegian Nobel Committeeannounced that Obama had won the2009 Nobel Peace Prize\"for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples\",which drew a mixture of praise and criticism from world leaders and media figures.He became the fourth U.S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and the third to become a Nobel laureate while in office.He himself called it a \"call to action\" and remarked: \"I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments but rather an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations\". Thanks, Obama In 2009 the saying \"thanks, Obama\" first appeared in aTwitter hashtag\"#thanks","hashtag\"#thanks Obama\" and was later used in a demotivational poster. It was later adopted satirically to blame Obama for any socio-economic ills. Obama himself used the phrase in video in 2015 and 2016. In 2017 the phrase was used byStephen Colbertto express gratitude to Obama on his last day in office. In 2022, President Joe Biden's Twitter account posted the phrase. Post-presidency (2017–present) Obama's presidency ended on January 20, 2017, upon theinaugurationof his successor,Donald Trump.The family moved to a house they rented inKalorama, Washington, D.C.On March 2, theJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museumawarded theProfile in Courage Awardto Obama \"for his enduring commitment to democratic ideals and elevating the standard of political courage.\"His first public appearance since leaving the office was a seminar at theUniversity of Chicagoon April 24, where he appealed for a new generation to participate in politics.On September 7, Obama partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.","Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush to work withOne America Appealto help the victims ofHurricane HarveyandHurricane Irmain theGulf CoastandTexascommunities.From October 31 to November 1, Obama hosted the inaugural summit of theObama Foundation,which he intended to be the central focus of his post-presidency and part of his ambitions for his subsequent activities following his presidency to be more consequential than his time in office. Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal on May 22, 2018, to produce docu-series, documentaries and features forNetflixunder the Obamas' newly formed production company,Higher Ground Productions.Higher Ground's first film,American Factory, won theAcademy Award for Best Documentary Featurein 2020.On October 24, a pipe bomb addressed to Obama was intercepted by the Secret Service. It was one of several pipe-bombs that had beenmailed out to Democratic lawmakers and officials.In 2019, Barack and Michelle Obama bought a home onMartha's VineyardfromWyc","VineyardfromWyc Grousbeck.On October 29, Obama criticized \"wokeness\" andcall-out cultureat the Obama Foundation's annual summit. Obama was reluctant to make an endorsement in the2020 Democratic presidential primariesbecause he wanted to position himself to unify the party, regardless of the nominee.On April 14, 2020, Obama endorsed Biden, the presumptive nominee, for president inthe presidential election, stating that he has \"all the qualities we need in a president right now.\"In May, Obama criticized President Trump forhis handlingof theCOVID-19 pandemic, calling his response to the crisis \"an absolute chaotic disaster\", and stating that the consequences of theTrump presidencyhave been \"our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.\"On November 17, Obama's presidential memoir,A Promised Land, was released. In February 2021, Obama and musicianBruce Springsteenstarted a podcast calledRenegades: Born in the","Born in the USAwhere the two talk about \"their backgrounds, music and their 'enduring love of America.'\"Later that year, Regina Hicks had signed a deal withNetflix, in a venture with his and Michelle's Higher Ground to develop comedy projects. On March 4, 2022, Obama won an Audio Publishers Association (APA) Award in the best narration by the author category for the narration of his memoirA Promised Land.On April 5, Obama visited the White House for the first time since leaving office, in an event celebrating the 12th annual anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act.In June, it was announced that the Obamas and their podcast production company, Higher Ground, signed a multi-year deal withAudible.In September, Obama visited the White House to unveil his and Michelle's official White House portraits.Around the same time, he won aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narratorfor his narration in the Netflix documentary seriesOur Great National Parks. In 2022, Obama opposed expanding the Supreme Court","the Supreme Court beyond the present nine Justices. In March 2023, Obama traveled to Australia as a part of his speaking tour of the country. During the trip, Obama met with Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albaneseand visitedMelbournefor the first time.Obama was reportedly paid more than $1 million for two speeches. In October 2023, during the Israel–Hamas war, Obama declared thatIsraelmust dismantleHamasin the wake of the2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.Weeks later, Obama warnedIsraelthat its actions could \"harden Palestinian attitudes for generations\" and weaken international support for Israel; any military strategy that ignored the war's human costs \"could ultimately backfire.\" In July 2024, Obama expressed concerns about Biden's campaign viability. Legacy and recognition He has been described as one of the most effective campaigners in American history (his 2008 campaign being particularly highlighted) as well as one of the most talented political orators of the 21st century.HistorianJulian","Zelizercredits Obama with \"a keen sense of how the institutions of government work and the ways that his team could design policy proposals.\" Zeitzer notes Obama's policy successes included the economic stimulus package which ended theGreat Recessionand theDodd-Frankfinancial and consumer protection reforms, as well as theAffordable Care Act. Zeitzer also notes the Democratic Party lost power and numbers of elected officials during Obama's term, saying that the consensus among historians is that Obama \"turned out to be a very effective policymaker but not a tremendously successful party builder.\" Zeitzer calls this the \"defining paradox of Obama's presidency\". TheBrookings Institutionnoted that Obama passed \"only one major legislative achievement (Obamacare)—and a fragile one at that—the legacy of Obama's presidency mainly rests on its tremendous symbolic importance and the fate of a patchwork of executive actions.\"David W. Wise noted that Obama fell short \"in areas many Progressives hold dear\", including","dear\", including the continuation of drone strikes, not going after big banks during the Great Recession, and failing to strengthen his coalition before pushing for Obamacare. Wise called Obama's legacy that of \"a disappointingly conventional president\". Obama's most significant accomplishment is generally considered to be the Affordable Care Act (ACA), provisions of which went into effect from 2010 to 2020. Many attempts by Senate Republicans to repeal the ACA, including a \"skinny repeal\", have thus far failed.However, in 2017, the penalty for violating the individual mandate was repealed effective 2019.Together with theHealth Care and Education Reconciliation Actamendment, it represents the U.S. healthcare system's most significant regulatory overhaul and expansion of coverage since the passage ofMedicareand Medicaid in 1965. Many commentators credit Obama with averting a threateneddepressionand pulling the economy back from the Great Recession.According to theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, theObama","theObama administrationcreated 11.3 million jobs from the month after his first inauguration to the end of his second term.In 2010, Obama signed into effect the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Passed as a response to thefinancial crisis of 2007–2008, it brought the most significant changes tofinancial regulationin the United States since the regulatory reform that followed theGreat Depressionunder Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 2009, Obama signed into law theNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which contained in it the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the first addition to existing federal hate crime law in the United States since Democratic President Bill Clinton signed into law the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996. The act expandedexisting federal hate crime laws in the United States, and made it a federal crime to assault people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. As president, Obama","As president, Obama advanced LGBT rights.In 2010, he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, which brought an end to \"don't ask, don't tell\" policy in the U.S. armed forces that banned open service fromLGBTpeople; the law went into effect the following year.In 2016, his administration brought an end to the ban ontransgenderpeople serving openly in the U.S. armed forces.AGallup poll, taken in the final days of Obama's term, showed that 68 percent of Americans believed the U.S. had made progress on LGBT rights during Obama's eight years in office. Obama substantially escalated the use ofdrone strikesagainst suspected militants and terrorists associated with al-Qaeda and theTaliban.In 2016, the last year of his presidency, the U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries.Obama left about 8,400 U.S. troops inAfghanistan, 5,262 in Iraq, 503 in Syria, 133 in Pakistan, 106 in Somalia, seven in Yemen, and two in Libya at the end of his presidency. According toPew Research CenterandUnited States Bureau","States Bureau of Justice Statistics, from December 31, 2009, to December 31, 2015, inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody declined by five percent. This is the largest decline in sentenced inmates in U.S. federal custody since Democratic PresidentJimmy Carter. By contrast, the federal prison population increased significantly under presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Human Rights Watch(HRW) called Obama's human rights record \"mixed\", adding that \"he has often treated human rights as a secondary interest—nice to support when the cost was not too high, but nothing like a top priority he championed.\" Obama left office in January 2017 with a 60 percent approval rating.He gained 10 spots from the same survey in 2015 from the Brookings Institution that ranked him the 18th-greatest American president.In Gallup's 2018 job approval poll for the past 10 U.S. presidents, he received a 63 percent approval rating. Presidential library The Barack Obama Presidential Center is","Center is Obama's plannedpresidential library. It will be hosted by the University of Chicago and located inJackson Parkon the South Side of Chicago. Awards and honors Obama received theNorwegian Nobel Committee'sNobel Peace Prizein 2009,The Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education's Ambassador of Humanity Awardin 2014, theJohn F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Awardin 2017, and theRobert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awardin 2018. He was namedTIMEMagazine'sTimePerson of the Yearin 2008 and 2012. He also received twoGrammy Awards for Best Spoken Word AlbumforDreams from My Father(2006), andThe Audacity of Hope(2008) as well as twoPrimetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding NarratorforOur Great National Parks(2022), andWorking: What We Do All Day(2023). He also won twoChildren's and Family Emmy Awards. Eponymy Bibliography Books Audiobooks Articles See also Politics Other Lists Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links Official Other","Contiguous United States Thecontiguous United States(officially theconterminous United States) consists of the 48 adjoiningU.S. statesand theDistrict of Columbiaof theUnited States of Americain centralNorth America.The term excludes the only two non-contiguousstates, which areAlaskaandHawaii(they are also the last two states to beadmitted to the Union), and all other offshoreinsular areas, such as theU.S. territoriesofAmerican Samoa,Guam, theNorthern Mariana Islands,Puerto Rico, and theU.S. Virgin Islands.The colloquial term \"Lower48\"is also used, especially in relation to Alaska. The related but distinct termcontinental United Statesincludes Alaska, which is also on North America, but separated from the 48 states byBritish Columbiain Canada, but excludes Hawaii and all the insular areas in theCaribbeanand thePacific. The greatest distance (on agreat-circleroute) entirely within the contiguous U.S. is 2,802 miles (4,509 km), coast-to-coast betweenFloridaand theState of Washington;the greatest north–south line","north–south line is 1,650 miles (2,660 km).The contiguous United States occupies an area of 3,119,884.69 square miles (8,080,464.3 km2). Of this area, 2,959,064.44 square miles (7,663,941.7 km2) is actual land, composing 83.65 percent of the country's total land area, and is comparable in size to the area of Australia.Officially, 160,820.25 square miles (416,522.5 km2) of the contiguous United States is water area, composing 62.66 percent of the nation's total water area. The contiguous United States, if it were a country, would be fifth on thelist of countries and dependencies by area, behindRussia,Canada,China, andBrazil. However, the total area of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, ranks third or fourth. Brazil is 431,000 square kilometers (166,000 sq mi) larger than the contiguous United States, but smaller than the entire United States including Alaska, Hawaii and overseas territories. The2020 U.S. censuspopulation of the area was 328,571,074, comprising 99.13 percent of the nation's total","the nation's total population, and a density of 111.04 inhabitants/sq mi (42.872/km2), compared to 93.844/sq mi (36.233/km2) for the nation as a whole. Other terms Whileconterminous U.S.has the precise meaning ofcontiguous U.S.(both adjectives meaning \"sharing a common boundary\"), other terms commonly used to describe the 48 contiguous states have a greater degree of ambiguity. Continental and mainland United States BecauseAlaskais also a part ofNorth America, the termcontinental United Statesalso includes that state, so the term is qualified with the explicit inclusion of Alaska to resolve any ambiguity.On May 14, 1959, theUnited States Board on Geographic Namesissued the following definitions based partially on the reference in the Alaska Omnibus Bill, which defined the continental United States as \"the 49 States on the North American Continent and the District of Columbia...\" The Board reaffirmed these definitions on May 13, 1999.However, even before Alaska became a state, it was properly included within","included within the continental U.S. due to being anincorporated territory. The termmainland United Statesis sometimes used synonymously withcontinental United States, but technically refers only to those parts of states connected to the landmass of North America, thereby excluding not onlyHawaiiand overseasinsular areas, but also islands which are part of continental states but separated from the mainland, such as theAleutian Islands(Alaska),San Juan Islands(Washington), theChannel Islands(California),the Keys(Florida), thebarrier islands(GulfandEast Coaststates), andLong Island(New York). CONUS and OCONUS CONUS, a technical term used by theU.S. Department of Defense,General Services Administration,NOAA/National Weather Service, and others, has been defined both as the continental United States, and as the 48 contiguous states.The District of Columbia is not always specifically mentioned as being part ofCONUS. OCONUSis derived from CONUS withOfor outside added, thus referring to Outside of Continental","of Continental United States. The lower 48 The termlower 48is also used to refer to the conterminous United States. TheNational Geographicstyle guide recommends the use ofcontiguousorconterminous United Statesinstead oflower 48when the 48 states are meant, unless used in the context of Alaska.Almost all of Hawaii is south of the southernmost point of the conterminous United States in Florida. Zone of the Interior DuringWorld War II, the first fournumbered Air Forcesof theUnited States Army Air Forces(USAAF) were said to be assigned to theZone of the Interiorby the American military organizations of the time—the future states ofAlaskaandHawaii, then each onlyorganized incorporated territoriesof the Union, were respectively covered by theEleventh Air ForceandSeventh Air Forceduring the war. Terms used in the non-contiguous U.S. jurisdictions Residents of Alaska, Hawaii and off-shoreU.S. territorieshave unique labels for the contiguous United States because of their own locations relative to them. Alaska The","to them. Alaska The vast territory ofAlaskabecame the 49th state of the United States on January 3, 1959. Alaska is the northwest extremity of the North American continent, separated from theU.S. West Coastby theCanadian provinceofBritish Columbia. The termLower 48has, for many years, been a common Alaskan equivalent for \"contiguous United States\";today, many Alaskans use the term\"Outside\"for those states, though some may use \"Outside\" to refer toanylocation not within Alaska. Hawaii The territory ofHawaii, consisting of the entireHawaiian Islandsarchipelago except forMidway Atoll,became the 50th state of the United States on August 21, 1959. It is the southernmost U.S. state, and the latest one to join the Union. Not part of any continent, Hawaii is located in thePacific Ocean, about 2,200 miles (3,541 km) from North America and almost halfway between North America andAsia. In Hawaii andoverseas American territories, for instance, the termsthe MainlandorU.S. Mainlandare often used to refer to the 49 states","to the 49 states in North America. Puerto Rico Puerto Rico is anunincorporated territoryof the United States located in the northeastCaribbean Sea, approximately 1,000 miles (1,609 km) southeast ofMiami,Florida. Puerto Ricans born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens and are free to move to the mainland United States. The termStateside Puerto Ricanrefers to residents of any U.S. state or the District of Columbia who were born in, or can trace their family ancestry to, Puerto Rico. U.S. Virgin Islands TheU.S. Virgin Islandsis aU.S. territorylocated directly to the east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea.The term \"stateside\" is used to refer to the mainland, in relation to the U.S. Virgin Islands(seeStateside Virgin Islands Americans). American Samoa American Samoais aU.S. territorylocated in theSouth Pacific OceaninPolynesia, south of the equator — it is 2,200 miles (3,500 km) southwest ofHawaii.In American Samoa, the contiguous United States is called the \"mainland United States\" or \"the states\"; those not from","those not from American Samoa are calledpalagi(outsiders). Non-contiguous areas within the contiguous United States Apart from off-shoreU.S. islands, a few continental portions of the contiguous United States are accessible by road only by traveling through Canada.Point Roberts, Washington;Elm Point, Minnesota; and theNorthwest AngleinMinnesotaare three such places.Alburgh, Vermont, is not directly connected by land, but is accessible by road via bridges from within Vermont and from New York.By contrast,Hyder, Alaska, is physically part of contiguous Alaska and its easternmost town, but the only practical access is by road through Canada or by seaplane. List of contiguous U.S. states The 48 contiguous states are: In addition, theDistrict of Columbiais within the contiguous United States. See also Notes References External links"],"string":"[\n \"Pokémon World Championships ThePokémon World Championshipsis an invite-onlyesportsevent organized byPlay! Pokémon. It is held annually in August and features games from thePokémonseries such as thePokémonvideo games,Pokémon Trading Card Game,Pokémon Go,Pokémon UniteandPokkén Tournament(until its 2022 edition). Players earn invitations to the World Championships based on their performance in qualifiers and other tournaments held throughout the season and compete for scholarship money, prizes and the title of World Champion. With the exception ofAsia, invitations to the World Championships are administered by thePlay! Pokémonprogram. History The Pokémon World Championships first began with thePokémon Trading Card Game(TCG) in 2004, which was around the time that the franchise was regaining its popularity.In 2009, Play! Pokémon began to organize competitive tournaments for thePokémonvideo game series alongside the TCG, which is collectively known as the Video Game Championships (VGC). Like the TCG Championships,\",\n \"TCG Championships, players compete with other players in their own age divisions (i.e. Junior, Senior and Masters) in different Premier Tournaments, and the season culminates with the best players earning an invitation to play the Pokémon World Championships in August. The tournaments in VGC are played with a different game each year, mainly, the latestPokémongame from its main series. In 2016, Play! Pokémon announced thatPokkén Tournamentwould have its own championship series and would be played at the Pokémon World Championships.From 2018 onward,Pokkén Tournament DXwas used to support its qualifiers and competitions. In 2019, it was announced that the 2020 Pokémon World Championships would take place inLondon, United Kingdom,the first time in which the World Championships would be held in a location outside ofNorth America. This is likely due to the setting ofPokémon Sword and Shield, which takes place in a region inspired by the United Kingdom known as Galar, and it is the set of games that would be\",\n \"games that would be played by the video game division of the World Championships. On March 31, 2020,Play! Pokémoncancelled the 2020 Pokémon World Championships and suspended its 2020 season due to health concerns over theCOVID-19 pandemic.This came after earlier announcements in March which saw the cancellation of the 2020 European International Championshipsand part of its season between March and June 2020.On February 9, 2021, it was announced that the 2021 Pokémon World Championships would postponed till 2022 for the same reasons. In early January 2022, it was confirmed thatPokémon Unitewould be played at the World Championships, making it the newestMOBAgame to have an official esports tournament, afterLeague of Legends. In May 2022, after six seasons, Play! Pokémon announced the end of thePokkén TournamentChampionship Series after the 2022 season. At the 2022 edition of the event, it was announced that the 2023 World Championships will take place inYokohama, Japan (the basis of Vermilion City in the\",\n \"City in the Kanto region). When the 2023 event took place, it was the first time that the World Championships visited the franchise's country of origin, as well as the first World Championships to take place in Asia. At the end of the 2023 event, The Pokémon Company announced that the Pokémon World Championships will return toHawaiifor the first time since the previous World Championships in the state was held back in 2012. World Championship locations Despite Pokémon being a Japanese product, only one World Championship (2023) was held in Japan. Almost all of the remaining events were held in the United States. Qualification The qualifying process for the Pokémon World Championships varies each year and is dependent on a player's age division and the country in which they are located in. Players may also qualify to play on different days of the World Championships based on their performance in their respective qualifying programs; the best performing players will immediately advance to the second day of the\",\n \"second day of the World Championships playoffs (i.e. \\\"Day 2\\\") instead of playing through the first day (i.e. \\\"Day 1\\\"). Play! Pokémon program Players located in a country with aPlay! Pokémonprogram (i.e. inNorth America,Europe,Latin AmericaandOceania) compete in a regular schedule of tournaments for Championship Points and receive invitations when they meet a predetermined threshold of points at the end of the season. In 2015, the Play! Pokémon program expanded to include countries from the continents ofLatin AmericaandAsia(except Japan and South Korea). However, on June 10, 2020, it was announced thatAsiawould no longer be part of the Play! Pokémon program and will have its own qualifying system towards the Pokémon World Championships. Pokémon GO Championship Series Pokémon announced in October 2021 thatPokémon GOwould be added during the 2022 World Championships,along with it a qualification system through the Pokémon GO Championship Series, where the top two head to the World Championships.Any trainer who\",\n \"trainer who reached Legend rank during Season 9 of thePokémon GO Battle Leaguewould qualify for the GO Championship Series. Pokémon Unite Championship Series In January 2022,Pokémon Uniteproducer Masaaki Hoshino confirmed that the game would be part of the roster of games to be played at the World Championships in London.For the first season of the Pokémon Unite Championship Series, there will be eleven supported Regional Zones: North America, Central America, South America-East, South America-West, Europe, Oceania, Japan, South Korea, India, and the Asia-Pacific region. These events will only be open to players aged 16 or 18, depending on the region or country they are from. In each month, a series of tournaments in each Regional Zone will be held. Like other games in the World Championships, players will earn Championship Points based on their finishing position in that month's tournament. The CP can be retained by players to allow for team changes as the season carries on. The team with the most points\",\n \"the most points qualifies for the Regional Championships, and the top teams from the Regional Championships qualify for a chance to compete at the Pokémon World Championships. In January 2023, there were changes to the competitive structure and Regional Zones. Pokémon World Championships nearly doubled available spots from 16, to 31 teams. Regional Zones controlled by TPCi were also changed, with Central America, South America-East and South America West being changed to LATAM North, LATAM South, and Brazil. TPC had also taken control of the India and Asia-Pacific Regional Zones, and split Asia-Pacific into 2 regions; Asia-Pacific East and Asia-Pacific West. For TPCi controlled regions, the previous month's top 4 did not auto qualify for the next month's tournament finals. Additionally, an extra monthly tournament was added, the April Cup. Championship Points were also changed to include top CP earners an invite to Pokémon World Championships, ranging from top 1 to 3 in top CP earners depending on how many\",\n \"on how many invites were given for a region. For TPC controlled regions, their tournament circuit began in April, with 3 monthly qualifiers. The winners of these qualifiers then participated in Regionals to earn a spot for Pokémon World Championships. Among those changes, both North America and Europe were also given their first regional LAN event. Europe had a LAN event for their Aeos Cup series at European International Championships. North America were given a regional LAN event at the North America International Championships. In 2023, competing countries were divided into eight groups of four teams (groups A to H). Teams in each group play each another in a best-of-three seriesround-robin, with the top team advancing to the Top 8 knockout stage. The final draw took place virtually on thePokémon UniteYouTubechannel on July 28, 2023. The prize pool is $500,000 in USD will be distributed among the Top 16 finishers in the championship. Japan & South Korea Tournaments inJapanandSouth Koreaare organised\",\n \"Koreaare organised independently from Play! Pokémon, and as such, players from these countries have a different system of qualification. In Japan, players compete for an invite to theJapan National Championshipsby playing in major qualifier or online tournaments held throughout the season.The best performing players of theJapan National Championshipswill then be selected to represent Japan in the Pokémon World Championships. In South Korea, the style of qualification for the World Championships changes frequently. For example, in 2015, players would compete in theKorean National Championshipsand earn a World Championships invitation based on their standing in the tournament. However, in 2019, players would compete in tournaments organized by theKorean Leagueand earn an invite based on the number of points they had accumulated by the end of the season. Other There are other less common methods of qualifying for the World Championships which include finishing at least top 4 or better in the prior year's World\",\n \"prior year's World Championships or by participating in asingle-elimination tournamentknown as the Last Chance Qualifierat the location of the World Championships itself. List of World Champions Trading Card Game (TCG) Video Game Championships (VGC) Pokémon Go The under-17 age division was discontinued after the 2022 season. All participants of any age now compete in the same tournament. All tournament battles use the Great League battle format (all Pokémon must be below 1,500 Combat Power.) Pokémon Unite Retired games Pokkén Tournament & Pokkén Tournament DX 2014 World Championships The2014 Pokémon World Championshipswas the sixth annual edition of the championships. The event took place in the Walter E. Washington Convention Center onWashington, D.C., alongside the 2014Pokémon Trading Card GameWorld Championship who were in their eleventh edition. The tournament was streamed viaTwitchfor the first time in the tournament history and reached a viewership of more than 800,000. The defending Video Game\",\n \"Video Game champions wereArash OmmatifromItaly(Masters Division), Hayden McTavish from theUnited States(Senior Division), and Brendan Zheng from theUnited States(Junior Division). The opening ceremony of the event was attended byJunichi Masuda, the video game designer for thePokémonfranchise and a member of the board of directors ofGame Freak. The finals match of the Masters division is best known and remembered within the Pokémon community forSe Jun Park's victory with the inclusion and use of aPachirisuon his team. 2014 qualification The qualification process for the 2014 Pokémon World Championships was primarily based on Championship Points accumulated by players from official Play! Pokémon tournaments such as Premier Challenges, Regional Championships and National Championships. In addition, the top 4 players of the 2013 Pokémon World Championships in each division, and the top 4 players of a tournament known as the 'Last Chance Qualifier' will also receive an invitation to play in the World\",\n \"play in the World Championships. The invitations for the Masters Division of the tournament were distributed in the following manner: Most of the invitations did not include a fully paid trip to the tournament, and as a result several players could not attend the tournament. 2014 tournament structure Players per country Results Six rounds of Swiss was played by 60 players in the tournament, and each round was played with a set of best-of-three matches. The top 8 players after the Swiss rounds advances to the best-of-three Single Elimination matches. The defending World Champion Arash Ommati and former three-time World ChampionRay Rizzodid not advance to the single elimination rounds. Final standings 2015 World Championships The2015 Pokémon World Championshipswas the seventh annual edition of the championships. The event was held alongside thePokémon Trading Card GameWorld Championships at theHynes Convention CenterinBoston, Massachusetts. The tournament was transmitted with live streaming from the official\",\n \"from the official PokémonTwitchchannel. The defending Video Game champions for the year wereSe Jun ParkfromSouth Korea(Masters Division), Nikolai Zielinsky from theUnited States(Senior Division) and Kota Yamamoto fromJapan(Junior Division). 2015 qualification Players could only gain an invitation to play in the Video Game World Championships by either being the2014 Pokémon World Champions, or by obtaining enough Championship Points in their respective geographic zone designated byPlay! Pokémon. However, the only exception to this rule are for players from Japan and South Korea, as their tournaments are not overseen by Play! Pokémon and their invites are governed through a different system of qualification. Since 2014, players were able to earn Championship Points from various tournaments within their geographical region. The tournaments vary in scale, ranging from local Premier Challenges to state-level Regional Championships and finally the large-scale National Championships. The number of points awarded\",\n \"of points awarded varies with scale, and players who earn these points are ranked and divided into zones such as North America, Europe and South Africa. This year, two new zones (Latin America and Asia-Pacific) were introduced. The 2015 Pokémon Video Game World Championship was intended to be played under two Swiss tournaments and one single-elimination tournament which would then determine the 2015 World Champions. As such, there are two types of invites: As an example, the invitations for the Masters Division were distributed as follows: 2015 tournament structure TheVideo GameChampionships consisted of twoSwiss tournamentsand one single elimination tournament played across three days. On Friday (Day 1), all players who earned an invitation without a Day 1 bye were entered into a Swiss tournament, where players with two or fewer losses would advance onto the next round. The second Swiss tournament was then played on Saturday (Day 2), where players who advanced from Day 1 were joined by players who received\",\n \"who received an invitation with a Day 1 bye. At the end of the Day 2 Swiss tournament, the top eight players played in single elimination rounds until the last two remain. The finals took place on Sunday (Day 3). Final standings (Video Game Championships) Weapons controversy During the 2015 World Championships, two Trading Card Game competitors fromIowa(Kevin Norton, 18, and James Stumbo, 27) brought weapons in their vehicle, which were recovered by the police. The two posted status updates and images of their weaponry on social media, which were noticed by variousPokémonfans who treated them as supposed threats against the tournament. The updates were reported to theBoston Regional Intelligence Center (BRIC), who promptly seized their automobile and then stopped them at the door and barred them from entering the Hynes Convention Center on Thursday evening. Police executed a search warrant on Friday and Norton and Stumbo were arrested at their Red Roof Inn room in Saugus just after midnight on Saturday,\",\n \"on Saturday, August 22, 2015.The two were arrested on charges of unlicensed possession of firearms and ammunition, and were initially held without bail.The weapons recovered were a recently purchasedRemingtonshotgun, anAR-15, a hunting knife and several hundred rounds of ammunition.They pleaded not guilty at their arraignment on November 10, 2015, and their bail was set at $150,000.On December 2, 2015, their trial was set for May 9, 2016, however, in early April 2016, their trial was postponed to November 2016.Following the release ofPokémon Goin July 2016, Stumbo's attorney indicated that the case would be resolved soon.Norton and Stumbo were later sentenced to two years in prison with an additional two years probation once their prison term ends. 2016 World Championships The2016 Pokémon World Championshipswas the eighth annual edition of the championships. The event was held at theSan Francisco Marriott MarquisinSan Francisco, California, from August 19 to August 21.For the first time in the tournament\",\n \"in the tournament history, thePokkén Tournamentinvitational was featured alongside the Video Game Championships (VGC) and Trading Card Game (TCG) tournaments. Side events and an official store with event merchandise occurred alongside the event. The defending Video Game champions were Shoma Honami fromJapan(Masters Division), Mark McQuillan from theUnited Kingdom(Senior Division) and Kotone Yasue from Japan (Junior Division).The defending Trading Card Game champions were Jacob Van Wagner from theUnited States(Masters Division), Patrick Martinez from the United States (Senior Division), and Rowan Stavenow fromCanada. Age divisions and qualifications Both the Pokémon VGC and TCG were divided into three age divisions: theJunior Division(born 2005 or later), theSenior Division(born between 2001 and 2004), and theMasters Division(born 2000 or earlier). For thePokkén Tournamentinvitational, players were grouped into either theSenior Division(born 2001 or later) orMasters Division(born 2000 or earlier). The process\",\n \"The process of obtaining an invitation is primarily based on Championship Points.Players could earn Championship Points by performing in select online and live tournaments held throughout the 2016 season (between September 2015 and July 2016). Players from Japan andSouth Koreawere excluded from this rule as these countries had their own method of qualification not based on Championship Points. Play! Pokémondivided players into five different rating zones: US andCanada,Europe,Latin America,Asia-PacificandSouth Africa. Different zones had different Championship Points requirements due to the distribution of events around the world. There are two possible invitations players could obtain: 'Day Two' invites were usually accompanied by travel awards and stipends paid by Play! Pokémon. Trading Card Game Championship qualifications The following table shows the Championship Pointsrequirement for an invitation to the 2016 World Championships: Players in Japan and South Korea were awarded invitations based on each\",\n \"based on each country's organized play system. Video Game Championship qualifications For the Masters Division, the following table lists the Championship Points requirement for an invitation to the 2016 World Championships: 2016 tournament structure The Video Game Championships consisted of two Swiss tournaments and one single elimination tournament played across three days. On Friday (Day 1), all players who earned an invitation without a Day 1 bye were entered into a Swiss tournament, where players with two or fewer losses would advance onto the next round. The second Swiss tournament was then played on Saturday (Day 2), where players who advanced from Day 1 were joined by players who received an invitation with a Day 1 bye. At the end of the Day 2 Swiss tournament, players with two or fewer losses advanced to play in single elimination rounds until the last two remain. The finals took place on Sunday (Day 3). Final standings (Video Game Championships) Final standings (Trading Card Game) References\",\n \"Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II(born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44thpresident of the United Statesfrom 2009 to 2017. As a member of theDemocratic Party, he was the firstAfrican-Americanpresident in U.S. history. Obama previously served as aU.S. senatorrepresentingIllinoisfrom 2005 to 2008 and as anIllinois state senatorfrom 1997 to 2004. Obama was born inHonolulu,Hawaii. He graduated fromColumbia Universityin 1983 with aBachelor of Artsdegree in political science and later worked as acommunity organizerinChicago. In 1988, Obama enrolled inHarvard Law School, where he was the first black president of theHarvard Law Review. He became a civil rights attorney and an academic, teachingconstitutional lawat theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolfrom 1992 to 2004. He also went into elective politics; Obamarepresented the 13th district in the Illinois Senatefrom 1997 until 2004, when hesuccessfully ran for the U.S. Senate. In the2008 presidential election, aftera close primary\",\n \"close primary campaignagainstHillary Clinton, he was nominated by the Democratic Party for president. Obama selectedJoe Bidenas his running mate and defeatedRepublicannomineeJohn McCain. Obama was named the2009 Nobel Peace Prizelaureate, a decision that drew a mixture of criticism and praise. His first-term actions addressed theglobal financial crisisand includeda major stimulus packageto guide the economy in recovering from theGreat Recession, a partial extension ofGeorge W. Bush'stax cuts,legislation to reform health care,a major financial regulation reform bill, and the end of a major U.S.military presence in Iraq. Obama also appointedSupreme CourtjusticesSonia SotomayorandElena Kagan, the former being the firstHispanic Americanon the Supreme Court. He orderedOperation Neptune Spear, the raid that killedOsama bin Laden, who was responsible for theSeptember 11 attacks. Obama downplayed Bush'scounterinsurgency model, expandingair strikesand making extensive use of special forces, while encouraging greater\",\n \"encouraging greater reliance on host-government militaries. He also orderedmilitary involvement in Libyain order to implementUN Security Council Resolution 1973, contributing to the overthrow ofMuammar Gaddafi. Obama defeated Republican opponentMitt Romneyin the2012 presidential election. In his second term, Obama took steps tocombat climate change, signinga major international climate agreementand anexecutive orderto limitcarbon emissions. Obama also presided over the implementation of theAffordable Care Actand other legislation passed in his first term. He negotiateda nuclear agreement with Iranandnormalized relations with Cuba. The number ofAmerican soldiers in Afghanistandecreased during Obama's second term, though U.S. soldiers remained in the country throughout Obama's presidency. Obama promoted inclusion forLGBT Americans, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to publicly supportsame-sex marriage. Obama left office on January 20, 2017, and continues to reside in Washington, D.C. Historians and\",\n \"D.C. Historians and political scientists rank him among the upper tier inhistorical rankings of American presidents.His presidential libraryin theSouth Side of Chicagobegan construction in 2021. Since leaving office, Obama has remained politically active, campaigning for candidates in various American elections, including Biden'ssuccessful presidential bidin2020. Outside of politics,Obama has published three books:Dreams from My Father(1995),The Audacity of Hope(2006), andA Promised Land(2020). Early life and career Barack Obama was born on August 4, 1961,atKapiolani Medical Center for Women and ChildreninHonolulu, Hawaii.He is the only president born outside thecontiguous 48 states.He was born to an 18-year-old American mother and a 27-year-old Kenyan father. His mother,Ann Dunham(1942–1995), was born inWichita, Kansas, and was of English, Welsh, German, Swiss, and Irish descent. In 2007 it was discovered her great-great-grandfather Falmouth Kearney emigrated from the village ofMoneygall, Irelandto the U.S.\",\n \"Irelandto the U.S. in 1850.In July 2012,Ancestry.comfound a strong likelihood that Dunham was descended fromJohn Punch, an enslaved African man who lived in theColony of Virginiaduring the seventeenth century.Obama's father,Barack Obama Sr.(1934–1982),was a marriedLuo KenyanfromNyang'oma Kogelo.His last name, Obama, was derived from his Luo descent.Obama's parents met in 1960 in a Russian language class at theUniversity of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, where his father was a foreign student on a scholarship.The couple married inWailuku, Hawaii, on February 2, 1961, six months before Obama was born. In late August 1961, a few weeks after he was born, Barack and his mother moved to theUniversity of WashingtoninSeattle, where they lived for a year. During that time, Barack's father completed his undergraduate degree in economics in Hawaii, graduating in June 1962. He left to attend graduate school on a scholarship atHarvard University, where he earned anM.A.in economics. Obama's parents divorced in March 1964.Obama Sr.\",\n \"1964.Obama Sr. returned toKenyain 1964, where he married for a third time and worked for the Kenyan government as the Senior Economic Analyst in the Ministry of Finance.He visited his son in Hawaii only once, at Christmas 1971,before he was killed in an automobile accident in 1982, when Obama was 21 years old.Recalling his early childhood, Obama said: \\\"That my father looked nothing like the people around me—that he was black as pitch, my mother white as milk—barely registered in my mind.\\\"He described his struggles as a young adult to reconcile social perceptions of his multiracial heritage. In 1963, Dunham metLolo Soetoroat theUniversity of Hawaii; he was anIndonesianEast–West Centergraduate studentingeography. The couple married onMolokaion March 15, 1965.After two one-year extensions of hisJ-1 visa, Lolo returned toIndonesiain 1966. His wife and stepson followed sixteen months later in 1967. The family initially lived in the Menteng Dalam neighborhood in theTebetdistrict ofSouth Jakarta. From 1970, they\",\n \"From 1970, they lived in a wealthier neighborhood in theMentengdistrict ofCentral Jakarta. Education At the age of six, Obama and his mother had moved to Indonesia to join his stepfather. From age six to ten, he was registered in school as \\\"Barry\\\"and attended localIndonesian-languageschools:Sekolah Dasar Katolik Santo Fransiskus Asisi(St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Elementary School) for two years andSekolah Dasar Negeri Menteng 01(State Elementary School Menteng 01) for one and a half years, supplemented by English-languageCalvert Schoolhomeschooling by his mother.As a result of his four years inJakarta, he was able to speakIndonesianfluently as a child.During his time in Indonesia, Obama's stepfather taught him to be resilient and gave him \\\"a pretty hardheaded assessment of how the world works\\\". In 1971, Obama returned to Honolulu to live with his maternal grandparents,MadelynandStanley Dunham. He attendedPunahou School—a privatecollege preparatory school—with the aid of a scholarship from fifth grade\",\n \"from fifth grade until he graduated from high school in 1979.In high school, Obama continued to use the nickname \\\"Barry\\\" which he kept until making a visit to Kenya in 1980.Obama lived with his mother and half-sister,Maya Soetoro, in Hawaii for three years from 1972 to 1975 while his mother was a graduate student inanthropologyat the University of Hawaii.Obama chose to stay in Hawaii when his mother and half-sister returned to Indonesia in 1975, so his mother could begin anthropology field work.His mother spent most of the next two decades in Indonesia, divorcing Lolo Soetoro in 1980 and earning a PhD degree in 1992, before dying in 1995 in Hawaii following unsuccessful treatment forovariananduterine cancer. Of his years in Honolulu, Obama wrote: \\\"The opportunity that Hawaii offered — to experience a variety of cultures in a climate of mutual respect — became an integral part of my world view, and a basis for the values that I hold most dear.\\\"Obama has also written and talked about usingalcohol,marijuana,\",\n \"andcocaineduring his teenage years to \\\"push questions of who I was out of my mind\\\".Obama was also a member of the \\\"Choom Gang\\\" (the slang term for smoking marijuana), a self-named group of friends who spent time together and smoked marijuana. College and research jobs After graduating from high school in 1979, Obama moved to Los Angeles to attendOccidental Collegeon a full scholarship. In February 1981, Obama made his first public speech, calling for Occidental to participate in thedisinvestment from South Africain response to that nation's policy ofapartheid.In mid-1981, Obama traveled to Indonesia to visit his mother and half-sister Maya and visited the families of college friends inPakistanfor three weeks.Later in 1981, hetransferredtoColumbia Universityin New York City as ajunior, where he majored inpolitical sciencewith a specialty ininternational relationsand inEnglish literatureand lived off-campus on West 109th Street.He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 1983 and a 3.7GPA. After graduating,\",\n \"After graduating, Obama worked for about a year at theBusiness International Corporation, where he was a financial researcher and writer,then as a project coordinator for theNew York Public Interest Research Groupon theCity College of New Yorkcampus for three months in 1985. Community organizer and Harvard Law School Two years after graduating from Columbia, Obama moved from New York to Chicago when he was hired as director of theDeveloping Communities Project, a faith-based community organization originally comprising eight Catholic parishes inRoseland,West Pullman, andRiverdaleon Chicago'sSouth Side. He worked there as a community organizer from June 1985 to May 1988.He helped set up a job training program, a college preparatory tutoring program, and a tenants' rights organization inAltgeld Gardens.Obama also worked as a consultant and instructor for theGamaliel Foundation, a community organizing institute.In mid-1988, he traveled for the first time inEuropefor three weeks and then for five weeks in Kenya,\",\n \"weeks in Kenya, where he met many of hispaternal relativesfor the first time. Despite being offered a full scholarship toNorthwestern University School of Law, Obama enrolled atHarvard Law Schoolin the fall of 1988, living in nearbySomerville, Massachusetts.He was selected as an editor of theHarvard Law Reviewat the end of his first year,president of the journal in his second year,and research assistant to the constitutional scholarLaurence Tribewhile at Harvard.During his summers, he returned to Chicago, where he worked as asummer associateat the law firms ofSidley Austinin 1989 andHopkins & Sutterin 1990.Obama's election as thefirst black president of theHarvard Law Reviewgained national media attentionand led to a publishing contract and advance for a book about race relations,which evolved into a personal memoir. The manuscript was published in mid-1995 asDreams from My Father.Obama graduated from Harvard Law in 1991 with aJuris Doctormagna cum laude. University of Chicago Law School In 1991, Obama\",\n \"In 1991, Obama accepted a two-year position as Visiting Law and Government Fellow at theUniversity of Chicago Law Schoolto work on his first book.He then taughtconstitutional lawat the University of Chicago Law School for twelve years, first as a lecturer from 1992 to 1996, and then as a senior lecturer from 1996 to 2004. From April to October 1992, Obama directed Illinois'sProject Vote, avoter registration campaignwith ten staffers and seven hundred volunteer registrars; it achieved its goal of registering 150,000 of 400,000 unregistered African Americans in the state, leadingCrain's Chicago Businessto name Obama to its 1993 list of \\\"40 under Forty\\\" powers to be. Family and personal life In a 2006 interview, Obama highlighted the diversity ofhis extended family: \\\"It's like a little mini-United Nations,\\\" he said. \\\"I've got relatives who look likeBernie Mac, and I've got relatives who look likeMargaret Thatcher.\\\"Obama has a half-sister with whom he was raised (Maya Soetoro-Ng) and seven other half-siblings\",\n \"other half-siblings from his Kenyan father's family, six of them living.Obama's mother was survived by her Kansas-born mother, Madelyn Dunham,until her death on November 2, 2008,two days before his election to the presidency. Obama also has roots in Ireland; he met with his Irish cousins inMoneygallin May 2011.InDreams from My Father, Obama ties his mother's family history to possible Native American ancestors and distant relatives ofJefferson Davis,President of the Confederate States of Americaduring theAmerican Civil War. He also shares distant ancestors in common withGeorge W. BushandDick Cheney, among others. Obama lived with anthropologistSheila Miyoshi Jagerwhile he was a community organizer in Chicago in the 1980s.He proposed to her twice, but both Jager and her parents turned him down.The relationship was not made public until May 2017, several months after his presidency had ended. In June 1989, Obama metMichelle Robinsonwhen he was employed atSidley Austin.Robinson was assigned for three months as\",\n \"for three months as Obama's adviser at the firm, and she joined him at several group social functions but declined his initial requests to date.They began dating later that summer, became engaged in 1991, and were married on October 3, 1992.After suffering a miscarriage, Michelle underwentin vitro fertilizationto conceive their children.The couple's first daughter, Malia Ann, was born in 1998,followed by a second daughter, Natasha (\\\"Sasha\\\"), in 2001.The Obama daughters attended theUniversity of Chicago Laboratory Schools. When they moved to Washington, D.C., in January 2009, the girls started at theSidwell Friends School.The Obamas had twoPortuguese Water Dogs; the first, a male namedBo, was a gift from SenatorTed Kennedy.In 2013, Bo was joined bySunny, a female.Bo died of cancer on May 8, 2021. Obama is a supporter of theChicago White Sox, and he threw out the first pitch at the2005 ALCSwhen he was still a senator.In 2009, he threw out the ceremonial first pitch at theAll-Star Gamewhile wearing a White Sox\",\n \"wearing a White Sox jacket.He is also primarily aChicago Bearsfootball fan in theNFL, but in his childhood and adolescence was afan of the Pittsburgh Steelersand rooted for them ahead of their victory inSuper Bowl XLIII12 days after he took office as president.In 2011, Obama invited the1985 Chicago Bearsto the White House; the team had not visited the White House after theirSuper Bowl winin 1986 due to theSpace Shuttle Challenger disaster.He playsbasketball, a sport he participated in as a member of his high school's varsity team,and he is left-handed. In 2005, the Obama family applied the proceeds of a book deal and moved from aHyde Park, Chicagocondominium to a $1.6million house (equivalent to $2.5million in 2023) in neighboringKenwood, Chicago.The purchase of an adjacent lot—and sale of part of it to Obama by the wife of developer, campaign donor and friendTony Rezko—attracted media attention because of Rezko's subsequent indictment and conviction on political corruption charges that were unrelated to\",\n \"were unrelated to Obama. In December 2007,Money Magazineestimated Obama's net worth at $1.3million (equivalent to $1.9million in 2023).Their 2009 tax return showed a household income of $5.5million—up from about $4.2million in 2007 and $1.6million in 2005—mostly from sales of his books.On his 2010 income of $1.7million, he gave 14 percent to non-profit organizations, including $131,000 toFisher House Foundation, a charity assisting wounded veterans' families, allowing them to reside near where the veteran is receiving medical treatments.Per his 2012 financial disclosure, Obama may be worth as much as $10million. Religious views Obama is aProtestantChristian whose religious views developed in his adult life.He wrote inThe Audacity of Hopethat he \\\"was not raised in a religious household.\\\" He described his mother, raised by non-religious parents, as being detached from religion, yet \\\"in many ways the most spiritually awakened person... I have ever known\\\", and \\\"a lonely witness forsecular humanism.\\\" He described\",\n \"He described his father as a \\\"confirmedatheist\\\" by the time his parents met, and his stepfather as \\\"a man who saw religion as not particularly useful.\\\" Obama explained how, through working withblack churchesas acommunity organizerwhile in his twenties, he came to understand \\\"the power of the African-American religious tradition to spur social change.\\\" In January 2008, Obama toldChristianity Today: \\\"I am a Christian, and I am a devout Christian. I believe in theredemptive deathandresurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that faith gives me a path to be cleansed of sin and have eternal life.\\\"On September 27, 2010, Obama released a statement commenting on his religious views, saying: I'm a Christian by choice. My family didn't—frankly, they weren't folks who went to church every week. And my mother was one of the most spiritual people I knew, but she didn't raise me in the church. So I came to my Christian faith later in life, and it was because the precepts ofJesus Christspoke to me in terms of the kind of life\",\n \"of the kind of life that I would want to lead—being my brothers' and sisters' keeper,treating others as they would treat me. Obama metTrinity United Church of ChristpastorJeremiah Wrightin October 1987 and became a member of Trinity in 1992.During Obama's first presidential campaign in May 2008, he resigned from Trinity aftersome of Wright's statements were criticized.Since moving to Washington, D.C., in 2009, the Obama family has attended several Protestant churches, includingShiloh Baptist ChurchandSt. John's Episcopal Church, as well as Evergreen Chapel atCamp David, but the members of the family do not attend church on a regular basis. In 2016, he said that he gets inspiration from a few items that remind him \\\"of all the different people I've met along the way\\\", adding: \\\"I carry these around all the time. I'm not that superstitious, so it's not like I think I necessarily have to have them on me at all times.\\\" The items, \\\"a whole bowl full\\\", include rosary beads given to him byPope Francis, a figurine of\",\n \"a figurine of the Hindu deityHanuman, aCoptic crossfrom Ethiopia, a smallBuddha statuegiven by a monk, and a metal poker chip that used to be the lucky charm of a motorcyclist in Iowa. Legal career Civil rights attorney He joined Davis, Miner, Barnhill & Galland, a 13-attorney law firm specializing in civil rights litigation and neighborhood economic development, where he was anassociatefor three years from 1993 to 1996, thenof counselfrom 1996 to 2004. In 1994, he was listed as one of the lawyers inBuycks-Roberson v. Citibank Fed. Sav. Bank, 94 C 4094 (N.D. Ill.). Thisclass action lawsuitwas filed in 1994 with Selma Buycks-Roberson as lead plaintiff and alleged that Citibank Federal Savings Bank had engaged in practices forbidden under theEqual Credit Opportunity Actand theFair Housing Act. The case was settled out of court. From 1994 to 2002, Obama served on the boards of directors of theWoods Fund of Chicago—which in 1985 had been the first foundation to fund the Developing Communities Project—and of\",\n \"Project—and of theJoyce Foundation.He served on the board of directors of theChicago Annenberg Challengefrom 1995 to 2002, as founding president and chairman of the board of directors from 1995 to 1999.Obama's law license became inactive in 2007. Legislative career Illinois Senate (1997–2004) Obama was elected to theIllinois Senatein 1996, succeeding Democratic State SenatorAlice PalmerfromIllinois's 13th District, which, at that time, spanned Chicago South Side neighborhoods from Hyde Park–Kenwood south toSouth Shoreand west toChicago Lawn.Once elected, Obama gained bipartisan support for legislation that reformed ethics and health care laws.He sponsored a law that increasedtax creditsfor low-income workers, negotiatedwelfare reform, and promoted increased subsidies for childcare.In 2001, as co-chairman of the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, Obama supported Republican GovernorGeorge Ryan'spayday loanregulations andpredatory mortgage lendingregulations aimed at averting homeforeclosures.\",\n \"homeforeclosures. He was reelected to the Illinois Senate in 1998, defeating Republican Yesse Yehudah in the general election, and was re-elected again in 2002.In 2000, he lost aDemocratic primary raceforIllinois's 1st congressional districtin theUnited States House of Representativesto four-term incumbentBobby Rushby a margin of two to one. In January 2003, Obama became chairman of the Illinois Senate's Health and Human Services Committee when Democrats, after a decade in the minority, regained a majority.He sponsored and led unanimous, bipartisan passage of legislation to monitorracial profilingby requiring police to record the race of drivers they detained, and legislation making Illinois the first state to mandate videotaping of homicide interrogations.During his 2004 general election campaign for the U.S. Senate, police representatives credited Obama for his active engagement with police organizations in enactingdeath penaltyreforms.Obama resigned from the Illinois Senate in November 2004 following his\",\n \"2004 following his election to the U.S. Senate. 2004 U.S. Senate campaign in Illinois In May 2002, Obama commissioned a poll to assess his prospects in a 2004 U.S. Senate race. He created a campaign committee, began raising funds, and lined up political media consultantDavid Axelrodby August 2002. Obama formally announced his candidacy in January 2003. Obama was an early opponent of the George W. Bush administration's2003 invasion of Iraq.On October 2, 2002, the day President Bush and Congress agreed on thejoint resolutionauthorizing theIraq War,Obama addressed the first high-profile Chicagoanti-Iraq War rally,and spoke out against the war.He addressed another anti-war rally in March 2003 and told the crowd \\\"it's not too late\\\" to stop the war. Decisions by Republican incumbentPeter Fitzgeraldand his Democratic predecessorCarol Moseley Braunnot to participate in the election resulted in wide-open Democratic and Republican primary contests involving 15 candidates.In the March 2004 primary election, Obama won\",\n \"election, Obama won in an unexpected landslide—which overnight made him a rising star within thenational Democratic Party, started speculation about a presidential future, and led to the reissue of his memoir,Dreams from My Father.In July 2004, Obama deliveredthe keynote addressat the2004 Democratic National Convention,seen by nine million viewers. His speech was well received and elevated his status within the Democratic Party. Obama's expected opponent in the general election, Republican primary winnerJack Ryan, withdrew from the race in June 2004.Six weeks later,Alan Keyesaccepted the Republican nomination to replace Ryan.In theNovember 2004 general election, Obama won with 70 percent of the vote, the largest margin of victory for a Senate candidate in Illinois history.He took 92 of the state's 102 counties, including several where Democrats traditionally do not do well. U.S. Senate (2005–2008) Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 3, 2005,becoming the only Senate member of theCongressional Black\",\n \"Black Caucus.He introduced two initiatives that bore his name: Lugar–Obama, which expanded theNunn–Lugar Cooperative Threat Reductionconcept to conventional weapons;and theFederal Funding Accountability and Transparency Act of 2006, which authorized the establishment of USAspending.gov, a web search engine on federal spending.On June 3, 2008, Senator Obama—along with SenatorsTom Carper,Tom Coburn, andJohn McCain—introduced follow-up legislation: Strengthening Transparency and Accountability in Federal Spending Act of 2008.He alsocosponsoredtheSecure America and Orderly Immigration Act. In December 2006, President Bush signed into law theDemocratic Republic of the CongoRelief, Security, and Democracy Promotion Act, marking the first federal legislation to be enacted with Obama as its primary sponsor.In January 2007, Obama and Senator Feingold introduced a corporate jet provision to theHonest Leadership and Open Government Act, which was signed into law in September 2007. Later in 2007, Obama sponsored an\",\n \"Obama sponsored an amendment to the Defense Authorization Act to add safeguards for personality-disorder military discharges.This amendment passed the full Senate in the spring of 2008.He sponsored the Iran Sanctions Enabling Act supporting divestment of state pension funds from Iran's oil and gas industry, which was never enacted but later incorporated in theComprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability, and Divestment Act of 2010;and co-sponsored legislation to reduce risks of nuclear terrorism.Obama also sponsored a Senate amendment to theState Children's Health Insurance Program, providing one year of job protection for family members caring for soldiers with combat-related injuries. Obama held assignments on the Senate Committees forForeign Relations,Environment and Public Works, andVeterans' Affairsthrough December 2006.In January 2007, he left the Environment and Public Works committee and took additional assignments withHealth, Education, Labor and PensionsandHomeland Security and Governmental\",\n \"and Governmental Affairs.He also became Chairman of the Senate's subcommittee onEuropean Affairs.As a member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Obama made official trips to Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Central Asia, and Africa. He met withMahmoud Abbasbefore Abbas becamePresident of the Palestinian National Authorityand gave a speech at theUniversity of Nairobiin which he condemned corruption within the Kenyan government. Obamaresigned his Senate seaton November 16, 2008, to focus on his transition period for the presidency. Presidential campaigns 2008 On February 10, 2007, Obama announced his candidacy for President of the United States in front of theOld State Capitolbuilding inSpringfield, Illinois.The choice of the announcement site was viewed as symbolic, as it was also whereAbraham Lincolndelivered his\\\"House Divided\\\"speech in 1858.Obama emphasized issues of rapidly ending the Iraq War, increasingenergy independence, andreforming the health care system. Numerous candidates entered\",\n \"candidates entered theDemocratic Party presidential primaries. The field narrowed to Obama and SenatorHillary Clintonafter early contests, with the race remaining close throughout the primary process, but Obama gained a steady lead in pledgeddelegatesdue to better long-range planning, superior fundraising, dominant organizing incaucusstates, and better exploitation of delegate allocation rules.On June 2, 2008, Obama had received enough votes to clinch his nomination. After an initial hesitation to concede, on June 7, Clinton ended her campaign and endorsed Obama.On August 23, 2008, Obama announced hisselectionofDelawareSenatorJoe Bidenas his vice presidential running mate.Obama selected Biden from a field speculated to include former Indiana Governor and SenatorEvan Bayhand Virginia GovernorTim Kaine.At theDemocratic National ConventioninDenver, Colorado, Hillary Clinton called for her supporters to endorse Obama, and she andBill Clintongave convention speeches in his support.Obama delivered his acceptance\",\n \"his acceptance speech atInvesco Field at Mile Highstadium to a crowd of about eighty-four thousand; the speech was viewed by over three million people worldwide.During both the primary process and the general election, Obama's campaign set numerous fundraising records, particularly in the quantity of small donations.On June 19, 2008, Obama became the first major-party presidential candidate to turn downpublic financingin the general election since the system was created in 1976. John McCain was nominated as the Republican candidate, and he selectedSarah Palinas his running mate. Obama and McCain engaged in threepresidential debatesin September and October 2008.On November 4, Obama won the presidency with 365electoral votesto 173 received by McCain.Obama won 52.9 percent of thepopular voteto McCain's 45.7 percent.He became the first African-American to be elected president.Obama deliveredhis victory speechbefore hundreds of thousands of supporters in Chicago'sGrant Park.He is one of the three United States\",\n \"three United States senators moved directly from the U.S. Senate to the White House, the others beingWarren G. HardingandJohn F. Kennedy. 2012 On April 4, 2011, Obama filed election papers with theFederal Election Commissionand then announced his reelection campaign for 2012 in a video titled \\\"It Begins with Us\\\" that he posted on his website.As the incumbent president, he ran virtually unopposed in theDemocratic Party presidential primaries,and on April 3, 2012, Obama secured the 2778conventiondelegates needed to win the Democratic nomination.At theDemocratic National ConventioninCharlotte, North Carolina, Obama and Joe Biden were formally nominated by former President Bill Clinton as the Democratic Party candidates for president and vice president in the general election. Their main opponents were RepublicansMitt Romney, the former governor of Massachusetts, and RepresentativePaul Ryanof Wisconsin. On November 6, 2012, Obama won 332 electoral votes, exceeding the 270 required for him to be reelected as\",\n \"to be reelected as president.With 51.1 percent of the popular vote,Obama became the first Democratic president sinceFranklin D. Rooseveltto win themajority of the popular votetwice.Obama addressed supporters and volunteers at Chicago'sMcCormick Placeafter his reelection and said: \\\"Tonight you voted for action, not politics as usual. You elected us to focus on your jobs, not ours. And in the coming weeks and months, I am looking forward to reaching out and working with leaders of both parties.\\\" Presidency (2009–2017) First 100 days Theinauguration of Barack Obamaas the 44th president took place on January 20, 2009. In his first few days in office, Obama issuedexecutive ordersandpresidential memorandadirecting the U.S. military to develop plans to withdraw troops from Iraq.He ordered the closing of theGuantanamo Bay detention camp,but Congress prevented the closure by refusing to appropriate the required fundsand preventing moving any Guantanamo detainee.Obama reduced the secrecy given to presidential\",\n \"to presidential records.He also revoked President George W. Bush's restoration of PresidentRonald Reagan'sMexico City policywhich prohibited federal aid to internationalfamily planningorganizations that perform or provide counseling about abortion. Domestic policy The first bill signed into law by Obama was theLilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act of 2009, relaxing thestatute of limitationsfor equal-pay lawsuits.Five days later, he signed the reauthorization of the State Children's Health Insurance Program to cover an additional four million uninsured children.In March 2009, Obama reversed a Bush-era policy that had limited funding ofembryonic stem cellresearch and pledged to develop \\\"strict guidelines\\\" on the research. Obama appointed two women to serve on the Supreme Court in the first two years of his presidency. He nominatedSonia Sotomayoron May 26, 2009, to replace retiringAssociate JusticeDavid Souter. She was confirmed on August 6, 2009,becoming the first Supreme Court Justice ofHispanicdescent.Obama\",\n \"nominatedElena Kaganon May 10, 2010, to replace retiring Associate JusticeJohn Paul Stevens. She was confirmed on August 5, 2010, bringing the number of women sitting simultaneously on the Court to three for the first time in American history. On March 11, 2009, Obama created theWhite House Council on Women and Girls, which formed part of theOffice of Intergovernmental Affairs, having been established byExecutive Order13506with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to the welfare of American women and girls. The council was chaired bySenior Advisor to the PresidentValerie Jarrett. Obama also established theWhite House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assaultthrough a government memorandum on January 22, 2014, with a broad mandate to advise him on issues relating to sexual assault on college and university campuses throughout the United States. The co-chairs of the Task Force were Vice President Joe Biden and Jarrett. The Task Force was a development out of the White House Council on\",\n \"House Council on Women and Girls andOffice of the Vice President of the United States, and prior to that the 1994Violence Against Women Actfirst drafted by Biden. In July 2009, Obama launched thePriority Enforcement Program, an immigration enforcement program that had been pioneered by George W. Bush, and theSecure Communitiesfingerprinting and immigration status data-sharing program. In amajor space policy speechin April 2010, Obama announced a planned change in direction atNASA, the U.S. space agency. He ended plans for a return ofhuman spaceflightto the moon and development of theAres Irocket,Ares Vrocket andConstellation program, in favor of fundingearth scienceprojects, a new rocket type, research and development for an eventual crewed mission to Mars, and ongoing missions to theInternational Space Station. On January 16, 2013, one month after theSandy Hook Elementary School shooting, Obama signed 23 executive orders and outlined a series of sweeping proposals regardinggun control.He urged Congress to\",\n \"urged Congress to reintroduce anexpired banon military-styleassault weapons, such as those used in several recent mass shootings, impose limits on ammunition magazines to 10 rounds, introduce background checks on all gun sales, pass a ban on possession and sale of armor-piercing bullets, introduce harsher penalties for gun-traffickers, especially unlicensed dealers who buy arms for criminals and approving the appointment of the head of the federalBureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosivesfor the first time since 2006.On January 5, 2016, Obama announced new executive actions extending background check requirements to more gun sellers.In a 2016 editorial inThe New York Times, Obama compared the struggle for what he termed \\\"common-sense gun reform\\\" towomen's suffrageand othercivil rights movementsin American history. In 2011, Obama signed a four-year renewal of the Patriot Act.Following the2013 global surveillance disclosuresbywhistleblowerEdward Snowden, Obama condemned the leak as unpatriotic,but\",\n \"as unpatriotic,but called for increased restrictions on theNational Security Agency(NSA) to address violations of privacy.Obama continued and expanded surveillance programs set up by George W. Bush, while implementing some reforms.He supported legislation that would have limited the NSA's ability to collect phone records in bulk under a single program and supported bringing more transparency to theForeign Intelligence Surveillance Court(FISC). Racial issues In his speeches as president, Obama did not make more overt references to race relations than his predecessors,but according to one study, he implemented stronger policy action on behalf of African-Americans than any president since the Nixon era. Following Obama's election, many pondered the existence of a \\\"postracial America\\\".However, lingering racial tensions quickly became apparent,and many African-Americans expressed outrage over what they saw as an intense racial animosity directed at Obama.TheacquittalofGeorge Zimmermanfollowing thekilling of\",\n \"thekilling of Trayvon Martinsparked national outrage, leading to Obama giving a speech in which he noted that \\\"Trayvon Martin could have been me 35 years ago.\\\"The shooting ofMichael BrowninFerguson, Missourisparked a wave of protests.These and other events led to the birth of theBlack Lives Mattermovement, which campaigns against violence andsystemic racismtowardblack people.Though Obama entered office reluctant to talk about race, by 2014 he began openly discussing the disadvantages faced by many members of minority groups. Several incidents during Obama's presidency generated disapproval from the African-American community and with law enforcement, and Obama sought to build trust between law enforcement officials and civil rights activists, with mixed results. Some in law enforcement criticized Obama's condemnation of racial bias after incidents in which police action led to the death of African-American men, while some racial justice activists criticized Obama's expressions of empathy for the police.In a\",\n \"for the police.In a March 2016 Gallup poll, nearly one third of Americans said they worried \\\"a great deal\\\" about race relations, a higher figure than in any previous Gallup poll since 2001. LGBT rights On October 8, 2009, Obama signed theMatthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, a measure that expanded the1969 United States federal hate-crime lawto include crimes motivated by a victim's actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability.On October 30, 2009, Obama lifted the ban on travel to the United States by those infected with HIV. The lifting of the ban was celebrated byImmigration Equality.On December 22, 2010, Obama signed theDon't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act of 2010, which fulfilled a promise made in the 2008 presidential campaignto end thedon't ask, don't tellpolicy of 1993 that had prevented gay and lesbian people from serving openly in theUnited States Armed Forces. In 2016, the Pentagon ended the policy that barredtransgender people from serving\",\n \"people from serving openly in the military. Same-sex marriage As a candidate for the Illinois state senate in 1996, Obama stated he favored legalizingsame-sex marriage.During his Senate run in 2004, he said he supported civil unions and domestic partnerships for same-sex partners but opposed same-sex marriages.In 2008, he reaffirmed this position by stating \\\"I believe marriage is between a man and a woman. I am not in favor of gay marriage.\\\"On May 9, 2012, shortly after the official launch of his campaign for re-election as president, Obama said his views had evolved, and he publicly affirmed his personal support for the legalization of same-sex marriage, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to do so.During his secondinaugural addresson January 21, 2013,Obama became the first U.S. president in office to call for full equality for gay Americans, and the first to mentiongay rightsor the word \\\"gay\\\" in an inaugural address.In 2013, the Obama administration filed briefs that urged theSupreme Courtto rule in\",\n \"Courtto rule in favor of same-sex couples in the cases ofHollingsworth v. Perry(regarding same-sex marriage)andUnited States v. Windsor(regarding theDefense of Marriage Act). Economic policy On February 17, 2009, Obama signed theAmerican Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, a $787billion (equivalent to $1118 billion in 2023)economic stimuluspackage aimed at helping the economy recover from thedeepening worldwide recession.The act includes increased federal spending for health care, infrastructure, education, various tax breaks andincentives, and direct assistance to individuals.In March 2009, Obama's Treasury Secretary,Timothy Geithner, took further steps to manage thefinancial crisis, including introducing thePublic–Private Investment Program for Legacy Assets, which contains provisions for buying up to $2trillion in depreciated real estate assets. Obama intervened in thetroubled automotive industryin March 2009, renewing loans forGeneral Motors(GM) andChryslerto continue operations while reorganizing.\",\n \"while reorganizing. Over the following months the White House set terms for both firms' bankruptcies, including thesale of Chryslerto Italian automakerFiatand areorganization of GMgiving the U.S. government a temporary 60 percent equity stake in the company.In June 2009, dissatisfied with the pace of economic stimulus, Obama called on his cabinet to accelerate the investment.He signed into law theCar Allowance Rebate System, known colloquially as \\\"Cash for Clunkers\\\", which temporarily boosted the economy. The Bush and Obama administrations authorized spending and loan guarantees from theFederal Reserveand theDepartment of the Treasury. These guarantees totaled about $11.5trillion, but only $3trillion had been spent by the end of November 2009.On August 2, 2011, after a lengthy congressional debate over whether to raise the nation's debt limit, Obama signed the bipartisanBudget Control Act of 2011. The legislation enforced limits on discretionary spending until 2021, established a procedure to increase the\",\n \"to increase the debt limit, created a Congressional Joint Select Committee on Deficit Reduction to propose further deficit reduction with a stated goal of achieving at least $1.5trillion in budgetary savings over 10 years, and established automatic procedures for reducing spending by as much as $1.2trillion if legislation originating with the new joint select committee did not achieve such savings.By passing the legislation, Congress was able to prevent aU.S. governmentdefaulton its obligations. The unemployment rate rose in 2009, reaching a peak in October at 10.0 percent and averaging 10.0 percent in the fourth quarter. Following a decrease to 9.7 percent in the first quarter of 2010, the unemployment rate fell to 9.6 percent in the second quarter, where it remained for the rest of the year.Between February and December 2010, employment rose by 0.8 percent, which was less than the average of 1.9 percent experienced during comparable periods in the past four employment recoveries.By November 2012, the\",\n \"November 2012, the unemployment rate fell to 7.7 percent,decreasing to 6.7 percent in the last month of 2013.During 2014, the unemployment rate continued to decline, falling to 6.3 percent in the first quarter.GDP growth returned in the third quarter of 2009, expanding at a rate of 1.6 percent, followed by a 5.0 percent increase in the fourth quarter.Growth continued in 2010, posting an increase of 3.7 percent in the first quarter, with lesser gains throughout the rest of the year.In July 2010, the Federal Reserve noted that economic activity continued to increase, but its pace had slowed, and chairmanBen Bernankesaid the economic outlook was \\\"unusually uncertain\\\".Overall, the economy expanded at a rate of 2.9 percent in 2010. TheCongressional Budget Office(CBO) and a broad range of economists credit Obama's stimulus plan for economic growth.The CBO released a report stating that the stimulus bill increased employment by 1–2.1million,while conceding that \\\"it is impossible to determine how many of the\",\n \"how many of the reported jobs would have existed in the absence of the stimulus package.\\\"Although an April 2010, survey of members of theNational Association for Business Economicsshowed an increase in job creation (over a similar January survey) for the first time in two years, 73 percent of 68 respondents believed the stimulus bill has had no impact on employment.The economy of the United States has grown faster than the other originalNATOmembers by a wider margin under President Obama than it has anytime since the end ofWorld War II.TheOrganisation for Economic Co-operation and Developmentcredits the much faster growth in the United States to the stimulus plan of the U.S. and the austerity measures in the European Union. Within a month of the2010 midterm elections, Obama announced a compromise deal with the Congressional Republican leadership that included a temporary, two-year extension of the2001 and 2003 income tax rates, a one-yearpayroll taxreduction, continuation of unemployment benefits, and a new\",\n \"benefits, and a new rate and exemption amount forestate taxes.The compromise overcame opposition from some in both parties, and the resulting $858billion (equivalent to $1.2 trillion in 2023)Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010passed with bipartisan majorities in both houses of Congress before Obama signed it on December 17, 2010. In December 2013, Obama declared that growingincome inequalityis a \\\"defining challenge of our time\\\" and called on Congress to bolster the safety net and raise wages. This came on the heels of thenationwide strikes of fast-food workersand Pope Francis' criticism of inequality andtrickle-down economics.Obama urged Congress to ratify a 12-nation free trade pact called theTrans-Pacific Partnership. Environmental policy On April 20, 2010, an explosion destroyed an offshoredrilling rigat theMacondo Prospectin theGulf of Mexico, causing amajor sustained oil leak. Obama visited the Gulf, announced a federal investigation, and formed a bipartisan\",\n \"formed a bipartisan commission to recommend new safety standards, after a review bySecretary of the InteriorKen Salazarand concurrent Congressional hearings. He then announced a six-month moratorium on newdeepwater drillingpermits and leases, pending regulatory review.As multiple efforts by BP failed, some in the media and public expressed confusion and criticism over various aspects of the incident, and stated a desire for more involvement by Obama and the federal government.Prior to the oil spill, on March 31, 2010, Obama ended a ban on oil and gas drilling along the majority of theEast Coast of the United Statesand along the coast ofnorthern Alaskain an effort to win support for an energy and climate bill and to reduce foreign imports of oil and gas. In July 2013, Obama expressed reservations and said he \\\"would reject theKeystone XL pipelineif it increased carbon pollution greenhouse emissions.\\\"On February 24, 2015, Obama vetoed a bill that would have authorized the pipeline.It was the third veto of\",\n \"the third veto of Obama's presidency and his first major veto. In December 2016, Obama permanently banned new offshore oil and gas drilling in most United States-owned waters in theAtlanticand Arctic Oceans using the 1953 Outer Continental Shelf Act. Obama emphasized theconservationoffederal landsduring his term in office. He used his power under theAntiquities Actto create 25 newnational monumentsduring his presidency and expand four others, protecting a total of 553,000,000 acres (224,000,000 ha) of federal lands and waters, more than any other U.S. president. Health care reform Obama called forCongressto pass legislation reforminghealth care in the United States, a key campaign promise and a top legislative goal.He proposed an expansion of health insurance coverage to cover the uninsured, cap premium increases, and allow people to retain their coverage when they leave or change jobs. His proposal was to spend $900billion over ten years and include a government insurance plan, also known as thepublic\",\n \"known as thepublic option, to compete with the corporate insurance sector as a main component to lowering costs and improving quality of health care. It would also make it illegal for insurers to drop sick people or deny them coverage forpre-existing conditions, and require every American to carry health coverage. The plan also includes medical spending cuts and taxes on insurance companies that offer expensive plans. On July 14, 2009, House Democratic leaders introduced a 1,017-page plan for overhauling the U.S. health care system, which Obama wanted Congress to approve by the end of 2009.After public debate during the Congressional summer recess of 2009, Obama delivereda speech to a joint session of Congresson September 9 where he addressed concerns over the proposals.In March 2009, Obama lifted a ban on using federal funds for stem cell research. On November 7, 2009, a health care bill featuring the public option was passed in the House.On December 24, 2009, the Senate passed its own bill—without a public\",\n \"a public option—on a party-line vote of 60–39.On March 21, 2010, thePatient Protection and Affordable Care Act(ACA, colloquially \\\"Obamacare\\\") passed by the Senate in December was passed in the House by a vote of 219 to 212. Obama signed the bill into law on March 23, 2010. The ACA includeshealth-related provisions, most of which took effect in 2014, including expandingMedicaideligibility for people making up to 133 percentof thefederal poverty level(FPL) starting in 2014,subsidizing insurance premiums for people making up to 400 percentof the FPL ($88,000 for family of four in 2010) so their maximum \\\"out-of-pocket\\\" payment for annual premiums will be from 2 percent to 9.5 percent of income,providing incentives for businesses to provide health care benefits, prohibiting denial of coverage and denial of claims based on pre-existing conditions, establishinghealth insurance exchanges, prohibiting annual coverage caps, and support for medical research. According to White House and CBO figures, the maximum share\",\n \"the maximum share of income that enrollees would have to pay would vary depending on their income relative to the federal poverty level. The costs of these provisions are offset by taxes, fees, and cost-saving measures, such as new Medicare taxes for those in high-incomebrackets, taxes onindoor tanning, cuts to theMedicare Advantageprogram in favor of traditional Medicare, and fees on medical devices and pharmaceutical companies;there is also a tax penalty for those who do not obtain health insurance, unless they are exempt due to low income or other reasons.In March 2010, the CBO estimated that the net effect of both laws will be a reduction in the federal deficit by $143billion over the first decade. The law faced several legal challenges, primarily based on the argument that an individual mandate requiring Americans to buy health insurance was unconstitutional. On June 28, 2012, the Supreme Court ruled by a 5–4 vote inNational Federation of Independent Business v. Sebeliusthat the mandate was\",\n \"the mandate was constitutional under the U.S. Congress's taxing authority.InBurwell v. Hobby Lobbythe Court ruled that \\\"closely-held\\\" for-profit corporations could be exempt on religious grounds under theReligious Freedom Restoration Actfrom regulations adopted under the ACA that would have required them to pay for insurance that covered certain contraceptives. In June 2015, the Court ruled 6–3 inKing v. Burwellthat subsidies to help individuals and families purchase health insurance were authorized for those doing so on both the federal exchange and state exchanges, not only those purchasing plans \\\"established by the State\\\", as the statute reads. Foreign policy In February and March 2009, Vice President Joe Biden andSecretary of StateHillary Clinton made separate overseas trips to announce a \\\"new era\\\" in U.S. foreign relations with Russia and Europe, using the terms \\\"break\\\" and \\\"reset\\\" to signal major changes from the policies of the preceding administration.Obama attempted to reach out to Arab leaders by\",\n \"to Arab leaders by granting his first interview to an Arab satellite TV network,Al Arabiya.On March 19, Obama continued his outreach to the Muslim world, releasing a New Year's video message to the people and government of Iran.On June 4, 2009, Obama delivered a speech atCairo Universityin Egypt calling for \\\"A New Beginning\\\" in relations between the Islamic world and the United States and promoting Middle East peace.On June 26, 2009, Obama condemned the Iranian government's actions towards protesters followingIran's 2009 presidential election. In 2011, Obama ordered a drone strike in Yemen which targeted and killedAnwar al-Awlaki, an American imam suspected of being a leadingAl-Qaedaorganizer. al-Awlaki became the firstU.S. citizento be targeted and killed by aU.S. drone strike. The Department of Justice released a memo justifying al-Awlaki's death as a lawful act of war,while civil liberties advocates described it as a violation of al-Awlaki's constitutional right todue process. The killing led to\",\n \"The killing led to significant controversy.Histeenage sonandyoung daughter, also Americans, were later killed in separateUS military actions, although they were not targeted specifically. In March 2015, Obama declared that he had authorized U.S. forces to provide logistical and intelligence support to the Saudis in theirmilitary intervention in Yemen, establishing a \\\"Joint Planning Cell\\\" with Saudi Arabia.In 2016, the Obama administration proposed a series ofarms deals with Saudi Arabiaworth $115billion.Obama halted the sale of guided munition technology toSaudi Arabiaafter Saudi warplanestargeted a funeralin Yemen's capital Sanaa, killing more than 140 people. In September 2016 Obama was snubbed byXi Jinpingand theChinese Communist Partyas he descended fromAir Force Oneto the tarmac ofHangzhou International Airportfor the2016 G20 Hangzhou summitwithout the usual red carpet welcome. War in Iraq On February 27, 2009, Obama announced that combat operations in Iraq would end within 18 months.The Obama\",\n \"18 months.The Obama administration scheduled the withdrawal of combat troops to be completed by August 2010, decreasing troop's levels from 142,000 while leaving a transitional force of about 50,000 in Iraq until the end of 2011. On August 19, 2010, the last U.S. combat brigade exited Iraq. Remaining troops transitioned from combat operations tocounter-terrorismand the training, equipping, and advising of Iraqi security forces.On August 31, 2010, Obama announced that the United States combat mission in Iraq was over.On October 21, 2011, President Obama announced that all U.S. troops would leave Iraq in time to be \\\"home for the holidays.\\\" In June 2014, following thecapture of MosulbyISIL, Obama sent 275 troops to provide support and security for U.S. personnel and the U.S. Embassy in Baghdad. ISIS continued to gain ground and to commitwidespread massacres and ethnic cleansing.In August 2014, during theSinjar massacre, Obama ordered acampaign of U.S. airstrikes against ISIL.By the end of 2014, 3,100 American\",\n \"3,100 American ground troops were committed to the conflictand 16,000 sorties were flown over the battlefield, primarily by U.S. Air Force and Navy pilots.In early 2015, with the addition of the \\\"Panther Brigade\\\" of the82nd Airborne Divisionthe number of U.S. ground troops in Iraq increased to 4,400,and by July American-led coalition air forces counted 44,000 sorties over the battlefield. Afghanistan and Pakistan In his election campaign, Obama called the war in Iraq a \\\"dangerous distraction\\\" and that emphasis should instead be put on the war in Afghanistan,the region he cites as being most likely where an attack against the United States could be launched again.Early in his presidency, Obama moved to bolster U.S. troop strength in Afghanistan. He announced an increase in U.S. troop levels to 17,000 military personnel in February 2009 to \\\"stabilize a deteriorating situation in Afghanistan\\\", an area he said had not received the \\\"strategic attention, direction and resources it urgently requires.\\\"He replaced\",\n \"replaced the military commander in Afghanistan, GeneralDavid D. McKiernan, with formerSpecial Forcescommander Lt. Gen.Stanley A. McChrystalin May 2009, indicating that McChrystal's Special Forces experience would facilitate the use of counterinsurgency tactics in the war.On December 1, 2009, Obama announced the deployment of an additional 30,000 military personnel to Afghanistan and proposed to begin troop withdrawals 18 months from that date;this took place in July 2011.David Petraeusreplaced McChrystal in June 2010, after McChrystal's staff criticized White House personnel in a magazine article.In February 2013, Obama said the U.S. military would reduce the troop level in Afghanistan from 68,000 to 34,000 U.S. troops by February 2014.In October 2015, the White House announced a plan to keep U.S. Forces in Afghanistan indefinitely in light of the deteriorating security situation. Regarding neighboring Pakistan, Obama called its tribal border region the \\\"greatest threat\\\" to the security of Afghanistan and\",\n \"of Afghanistan and Americans, saying that he \\\"cannot tolerate a terrorist sanctuary.\\\" In the same speech, Obama claimed that the U.S. \\\"cannot succeed in Afghanistan or secure our homeland unless we change our Pakistan policy.\\\" Death of Osama bin Laden Starting with information received from Central Intelligence Agency operatives in July 2010, the CIA developed intelligence over the next several months that determined what they believed to be the hideout ofOsama bin Laden. He was living in seclusion ina large compoundinAbbottabad, Pakistan, a suburban area 35 miles (56 km) fromIslamabad.CIA headLeon Panettareported this intelligence to President Obama in March 2011.Meeting with his national security advisers over the course of the next six weeks, Obama rejected a plan to bomb the compound, and authorized a \\\"surgical raid\\\" to be conducted byUnited States Navy SEALs.The operation took place on May 1, 2011, and resulted in the shooting death of bin Laden and the seizure of papers, computer drives and disks from\",\n \"and disks from the compound.DNA testing was one of five methods used to positively identify bin Laden's corpse,which was buried at sea several hours later.Within minutes of the President's announcement from Washington, DC, late in the evening on May 1, there were spontaneous celebrations around the country as crowds gathered outside the White House, and at New York City'sGround ZeroandTimes Square.Reaction to the announcementwas positive across party lines, including from former presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. Relations with Cuba Since the spring of 2013, secret meetings were conducted between the United States and Cuba in the neutral locations of Canada andVatican City.The Vatican first became involved in 2013 when Pope Francis advised the U.S. and Cuba toexchange prisonersas a gesture of goodwill.On December 10, 2013, Cuban PresidentRaúl Castro, in a significant public moment, greeted and shook hands with Obama at theNelson Mandela memorial serviceinJohannesburg. In December 2014, after the\",\n \"2014, after the secret meetings, it was announced that Obama, with Pope Francis as an intermediary, had negotiated a restoration of relations with Cuba, after nearly sixty years of détente.Popularly dubbed theCuban Thaw,The New Republicdeemed the Cuban Thaw to be \\\"Obama's finest foreign policy achievement.\\\"On July 1, 2015, President Obama announced that formal diplomatic relations between Cuba and the United States would resume, and embassies would be opened in Washington andHavana.The countries' respective \\\"interests sections\\\" in one another's capitals were upgraded to embassies on July 20 and August 13, 2015, respectively.Obama visited Havana, Cuba for two days in March 2016, becoming the first sitting U.S. president to arrive sinceCalvin Coolidgein 1928. Israel During the initial years of the Obama administration, the U.S. increased military cooperation with Israel, including increased military aid, re-establishment of theU.S.-Israeli Joint Political Military Groupand the Defense Policy Advisory Group,\",\n \"Advisory Group, and an increase in visits among high-level military officials of both countries.The Obama administration asked Congress to allocate money toward funding theIron Domeprogram in response to the waves ofPalestinian rocket attacks on Israel.In March 2010, Obama took a public stance against plans by the government of Israeli Prime MinisterBenjamin Netanyahuto continue building Jewish housing projects in predominantly Arab neighborhoods ofEast Jerusalem.In 2011, the United States vetoed a Security Council resolution condemningIsraeli settlements, with the United States being the only nation to do so.Obama supports thetwo-state solutionto theArab–Israeli conflictbased on the 1967 borders with land swaps. In 2013,Jeffrey Goldbergreported that, in Obama's view, \\\"with each new settlement announcement, Netanyahu is moving his country down a path toward near-total isolation.\\\"In 2014, Obama likened theZionist movementto thecivil rights movementin the United States. He said both movements seek to bring\",\n \"seek to bring justice and equal rights to historically persecuted peoples, explaining: \\\"To me, being pro-Israel and pro-Jewish is part and parcel with the values that I've been fighting for since I was politically conscious and started getting involved in politics.\\\"Obama expressed support for Israel's right to defend itself during the2014 Israel–Gaza conflict.In 2015, Obama was harshly criticized by Israel for advocating and signing theIran Nuclear Deal; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who had advocated the U.S. congress to oppose it, said the deal was \\\"dangerous\\\" and \\\"bad.\\\" On December 23, 2016, under the Obama Administration, the United States abstained fromUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 2334, which condemned Israeli settlement building in the occupiedPalestinian territoriesas a violation of international law, effectively allowing it to pass.Netanyahu strongly criticized the Obama administration's actions,and the Israeli government withdrew its annual dues from the organization,\",\n \"the organization, which totaled $6million, on January 6, 2017.On January 5, 2017, the United States House of Representatives voted 342–80 to condemn the UN Resolution. Libya In February 2011, protests in Libya began against long-time dictatorMuammar Gaddafias part of theArab Spring. They soon turned violent. In March, as forces loyal to Gaddafi advanced on rebels across Libya, calls for a no-fly zone came from around the world, including Europe, theArab League, and a resolutionpassed unanimously by the U.S. Senate.In response to the passage ofUnited Nations Security Council Resolution 1973on March 17, the Foreign Minister of Libya Moussa Koussa announced a ceasefire. However Gaddafi's forces continued to attack the rebels. On March 19 a multinational coalition lead by France and the United Kingdom with Italian and U.S. support, approved by Obama, took part in air strikes to destroy the Libyan government's air defense capabilities to protect civilians and enforce a no-fly-zone,including the use ofTomahawk\",\n \"the use ofTomahawk missiles,B-2 Spirits, and fighter jets.Six days later, on March 25, by unanimous vote of all its 28 members, NATO took over leadership of the effort, dubbedOperation Unified Protector.Some members of Congressquestioned whether Obama had the constitutional authority to order military action in addition to questioning its cost, structure and aftermath.In 2016 Obama said \\\"Our coalition could have and should have done more to fill a vacuum left behind\\\" and that it was \\\"a mess\\\".He has stated that the lack of preparation surrounding the days following the government's overthrow was the \\\"worst mistake\\\" of his presidency. Syrian civil war On August 18, 2011, several months after the start of theSyrian civil war, Obama issued a written statement that said: \\\"The time has come forPresident Assadto step aside.\\\"This stance was reaffirmed in November 2015.In 2012, Obama authorized multipleprograms run by the CIAand the Pentagon to train anti-Assad rebels.The Pentagon-run program was later found to have\",\n \"later found to have failed and was formally abandoned in October 2015. In the wake of achemical weapons attackin Syria,formally blamedby the Obama administration on the Assad government, Obama chose not to enforce the \\\"red line\\\" he had pledgedand, rather than authorize the promised military action against Assad, went along with the Russia-brokered deal that led to Assadgiving up chemical weapons; however attacks withchlorine gascontinued.In 2014, Obama authorized anair campaign aimed primarily at ISIL. Iran nuclear talks On October 1, 2009, the Obama administration went ahead with a Bush administration program, increasing nuclear weapons production. The \\\"Complex Modernization\\\" initiative expanded two existing nuclear sites to produce new bomb parts. In November 2013, the Obama administration openednegotiationswith Iran to prevent it from acquiringnuclear weapons, which included aninterim agreement. Negotiations took two years with numerous delays, with a deal being announced on July 14, 2015. The deal titled\",\n \"The deal titled the \\\"Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action\\\" saw sanctions removed in exchange for measures that would prevent Iran from producing nuclear weapons. While Obama hailed the agreement as being a step towards a more hopeful world, the deal drew strong criticism from Republican and conservative quarters, and from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.In addition, the transfer of $1.7billion in cash to Iran shortly after the deal was announced was criticized by the Republican party. The Obama administration said that the payment in cash was because of the \\\"effectiveness of U.S. and international sanctions.\\\"In order to advance the deal, the Obama administration shieldedHezbollahfrom theDrug Enforcement Administration'sProject Cassandrainvestigation regarding drug smuggling and from theCentral Intelligence Agency.On a side note, the very same year, in December 2015, Obama started a $348billion worth program to back the biggest U.S. buildup of nuclear arms since Ronald Reagan left the White House.\",\n \"the White House. Russia In March 2010, an agreement was reached with the administration of Russian PresidentDmitry Medvedevto replace the1991 Strategic Arms Reduction Treatywith a new pact reducing the number of long-range nuclear weapons in the arsenals of both countries by about a third.Obama and Medvedev signed theNew STARTtreaty in April 2010, and theU.S. Senateratified it in December 2010.In December 2011, Obama instructed agencies to considerLGBT rightswhen issuing financial aid to foreign countries.In August 2013, he criticized Russia's law that discriminates against gays,but he stopped short of advocating a boycott of the upcoming2014 Winter OlympicsinSochi, Russia. AfterRussia's invasion of Crimeain 2014,military intervention in Syriain 2015, andthe interferencein the2016 U.S. presidential election,George Robertson, a former UK defense secretary and NATO secretary-general, said Obama had \\\"allowed Putin to jump back on the world stage and test the resolve of the West\\\", adding that the legacy of this\",\n \"the legacy of this disaster would last. Cultural and political image Obama's family history, upbringing, andIvy Leagueeducation differ markedly from those of African-American politicians who launched their careers in the 1960s through participation in the civil rights movement.Expressing puzzlement over questions about whether he is \\\"black enough\\\", Obama told an August 2007 meeting of theNational Association of Black Journaliststhat \\\"we're still locked in this notion that if you appeal to white folks then there must be something wrong.\\\"Obama acknowledged his youthful image in an October 2007 campaign speech, saying: \\\"I wouldn't be here if, time and again, the torch had not been passed to a new generation.\\\"Additionally, Obama has frequently been referred to as an exceptional orator.During his pre-inauguration transition period and continuing into his presidency, Obama delivered a series of weekly Internet video addresses. Job approval According to theGallup Organization, Obama began his presidency with a 68\",\n \"with a 68 percentapproval rating,the fifth highest for a president following their swearing in.His ratings remained above the majority level until November 2009and by August 2010 his approval was in the low 40s,a trend similar to Ronald Reagan's and Bill Clinton's first years in office.Following thedeath of Osama bin Ladenon May 2, 2011, Obama experienced a small poll bounce and steadily maintained 50–53 percent approval for about a month, until his approval numbers dropped back to the low 40s. His approval rating fell to 38 percent on several occasions in late 2011before recovering in mid-2012 with polls showing an average approval of 50 percent.After his second inauguration in 2013, Obama's approval ratings remained stable around 52 percentbefore declining for the rest of the year and eventually bottoming out at 39 percent in December.In polling conducted before the2014 midterm elections, Obama's approval ratings were at their lowestwith his disapproval rating reaching a high of 57 percent.His approval\",\n \"approval rating continued to lag throughout most of 2015 but began to reach the high 40s by the end of the year.According to Gallup, Obama's approval rating reached 50 percent in March 2016, a level unseen since May 2013.In polling conducted January 16–19, 2017, Obama's final approval rating was 59 percent, which placed him on par withGeorge H. W. BushandDwight D. Eisenhower, whose final Gallup ratings also measured in the high 50s. Obama has maintained relatively positive public perceptions after his presidency.In Gallup's retrospective approval polls of former presidents, Obama garnered a 63 percent approval rating in 2018 and again in 2023, ranking him the fourth most popular president since World War II. Foreign perceptions Polls showed strong support for Obama in other countries both before and during his presidency.In a February 2009 poll conducted in Western Europe and the U.S. byHarris InteractiveforFrance 24and theInternational Herald Tribune, Obama was rated as the most respected world leader, as\",\n \"world leader, as well as the most powerful.In a similar poll conducted by Harris in May 2009, Obama was rated as the most popular world leader, as well as the one figure most people would pin their hopes on for pulling the world out of the economic downturn. On October 9, 2009—only nine months into his first term—theNorwegian Nobel Committeeannounced that Obama had won the2009 Nobel Peace Prize\\\"for his extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples\\\",which drew a mixture of praise and criticism from world leaders and media figures.He became the fourth U.S. president to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, and the third to become a Nobel laureate while in office.He himself called it a \\\"call to action\\\" and remarked: \\\"I do not view it as a recognition of my own accomplishments but rather an affirmation of American leadership on behalf of aspirations held by people in all nations\\\". Thanks, Obama In 2009 the saying \\\"thanks, Obama\\\" first appeared in aTwitter hashtag\\\"#thanks\",\n \"hashtag\\\"#thanks Obama\\\" and was later used in a demotivational poster. It was later adopted satirically to blame Obama for any socio-economic ills. Obama himself used the phrase in video in 2015 and 2016. In 2017 the phrase was used byStephen Colbertto express gratitude to Obama on his last day in office. In 2022, President Joe Biden's Twitter account posted the phrase. Post-presidency (2017–present) Obama's presidency ended on January 20, 2017, upon theinaugurationof his successor,Donald Trump.The family moved to a house they rented inKalorama, Washington, D.C.On March 2, theJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museumawarded theProfile in Courage Awardto Obama \\\"for his enduring commitment to democratic ideals and elevating the standard of political courage.\\\"His first public appearance since leaving the office was a seminar at theUniversity of Chicagoon April 24, where he appealed for a new generation to participate in politics.On September 7, Obama partnered with former presidents Jimmy Carter, George H.\",\n \"Carter, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush to work withOne America Appealto help the victims ofHurricane HarveyandHurricane Irmain theGulf CoastandTexascommunities.From October 31 to November 1, Obama hosted the inaugural summit of theObama Foundation,which he intended to be the central focus of his post-presidency and part of his ambitions for his subsequent activities following his presidency to be more consequential than his time in office. Barack and Michelle Obama signed a deal on May 22, 2018, to produce docu-series, documentaries and features forNetflixunder the Obamas' newly formed production company,Higher Ground Productions.Higher Ground's first film,American Factory, won theAcademy Award for Best Documentary Featurein 2020.On October 24, a pipe bomb addressed to Obama was intercepted by the Secret Service. It was one of several pipe-bombs that had beenmailed out to Democratic lawmakers and officials.In 2019, Barack and Michelle Obama bought a home onMartha's VineyardfromWyc\",\n \"VineyardfromWyc Grousbeck.On October 29, Obama criticized \\\"wokeness\\\" andcall-out cultureat the Obama Foundation's annual summit. Obama was reluctant to make an endorsement in the2020 Democratic presidential primariesbecause he wanted to position himself to unify the party, regardless of the nominee.On April 14, 2020, Obama endorsed Biden, the presumptive nominee, for president inthe presidential election, stating that he has \\\"all the qualities we need in a president right now.\\\"In May, Obama criticized President Trump forhis handlingof theCOVID-19 pandemic, calling his response to the crisis \\\"an absolute chaotic disaster\\\", and stating that the consequences of theTrump presidencyhave been \\\"our worst impulses unleashed, our proud reputation around the world badly diminished, and our democratic institutions threatened like never before.\\\"On November 17, Obama's presidential memoir,A Promised Land, was released. In February 2021, Obama and musicianBruce Springsteenstarted a podcast calledRenegades: Born in the\",\n \"Born in the USAwhere the two talk about \\\"their backgrounds, music and their 'enduring love of America.'\\\"Later that year, Regina Hicks had signed a deal withNetflix, in a venture with his and Michelle's Higher Ground to develop comedy projects. On March 4, 2022, Obama won an Audio Publishers Association (APA) Award in the best narration by the author category for the narration of his memoirA Promised Land.On April 5, Obama visited the White House for the first time since leaving office, in an event celebrating the 12th annual anniversary of the signing of the Affordable Care Act.In June, it was announced that the Obamas and their podcast production company, Higher Ground, signed a multi-year deal withAudible.In September, Obama visited the White House to unveil his and Michelle's official White House portraits.Around the same time, he won aPrimetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Narratorfor his narration in the Netflix documentary seriesOur Great National Parks. In 2022, Obama opposed expanding the Supreme Court\",\n \"the Supreme Court beyond the present nine Justices. In March 2023, Obama traveled to Australia as a part of his speaking tour of the country. During the trip, Obama met with Australian Prime MinisterAnthony Albaneseand visitedMelbournefor the first time.Obama was reportedly paid more than $1 million for two speeches. In October 2023, during the Israel–Hamas war, Obama declared thatIsraelmust dismantleHamasin the wake of the2023 Hamas-led attack on Israel.Weeks later, Obama warnedIsraelthat its actions could \\\"harden Palestinian attitudes for generations\\\" and weaken international support for Israel; any military strategy that ignored the war's human costs \\\"could ultimately backfire.\\\" In July 2024, Obama expressed concerns about Biden's campaign viability. Legacy and recognition He has been described as one of the most effective campaigners in American history (his 2008 campaign being particularly highlighted) as well as one of the most talented political orators of the 21st century.HistorianJulian\",\n \"Zelizercredits Obama with \\\"a keen sense of how the institutions of government work and the ways that his team could design policy proposals.\\\" Zeitzer notes Obama's policy successes included the economic stimulus package which ended theGreat Recessionand theDodd-Frankfinancial and consumer protection reforms, as well as theAffordable Care Act. Zeitzer also notes the Democratic Party lost power and numbers of elected officials during Obama's term, saying that the consensus among historians is that Obama \\\"turned out to be a very effective policymaker but not a tremendously successful party builder.\\\" Zeitzer calls this the \\\"defining paradox of Obama's presidency\\\". TheBrookings Institutionnoted that Obama passed \\\"only one major legislative achievement (Obamacare)—and a fragile one at that—the legacy of Obama's presidency mainly rests on its tremendous symbolic importance and the fate of a patchwork of executive actions.\\\"David W. Wise noted that Obama fell short \\\"in areas many Progressives hold dear\\\", including\",\n \"dear\\\", including the continuation of drone strikes, not going after big banks during the Great Recession, and failing to strengthen his coalition before pushing for Obamacare. Wise called Obama's legacy that of \\\"a disappointingly conventional president\\\". Obama's most significant accomplishment is generally considered to be the Affordable Care Act (ACA), provisions of which went into effect from 2010 to 2020. Many attempts by Senate Republicans to repeal the ACA, including a \\\"skinny repeal\\\", have thus far failed.However, in 2017, the penalty for violating the individual mandate was repealed effective 2019.Together with theHealth Care and Education Reconciliation Actamendment, it represents the U.S. healthcare system's most significant regulatory overhaul and expansion of coverage since the passage ofMedicareand Medicaid in 1965. Many commentators credit Obama with averting a threateneddepressionand pulling the economy back from the Great Recession.According to theU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, theObama\",\n \"theObama administrationcreated 11.3 million jobs from the month after his first inauguration to the end of his second term.In 2010, Obama signed into effect the Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. Passed as a response to thefinancial crisis of 2007–2008, it brought the most significant changes tofinancial regulationin the United States since the regulatory reform that followed theGreat Depressionunder Democratic President Franklin D. Roosevelt. In 2009, Obama signed into law theNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2010, which contained in it the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, the first addition to existing federal hate crime law in the United States since Democratic President Bill Clinton signed into law the Church Arson Prevention Act of 1996. The act expandedexisting federal hate crime laws in the United States, and made it a federal crime to assault people based on sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. As president, Obama\",\n \"As president, Obama advanced LGBT rights.In 2010, he signed the Don't Ask, Don't Tell Repeal Act, which brought an end to \\\"don't ask, don't tell\\\" policy in the U.S. armed forces that banned open service fromLGBTpeople; the law went into effect the following year.In 2016, his administration brought an end to the ban ontransgenderpeople serving openly in the U.S. armed forces.AGallup poll, taken in the final days of Obama's term, showed that 68 percent of Americans believed the U.S. had made progress on LGBT rights during Obama's eight years in office. Obama substantially escalated the use ofdrone strikesagainst suspected militants and terrorists associated with al-Qaeda and theTaliban.In 2016, the last year of his presidency, the U.S. dropped 26,171 bombs on seven different countries.Obama left about 8,400 U.S. troops inAfghanistan, 5,262 in Iraq, 503 in Syria, 133 in Pakistan, 106 in Somalia, seven in Yemen, and two in Libya at the end of his presidency. According toPew Research CenterandUnited States Bureau\",\n \"States Bureau of Justice Statistics, from December 31, 2009, to December 31, 2015, inmates sentenced in U.S. federal custody declined by five percent. This is the largest decline in sentenced inmates in U.S. federal custody since Democratic PresidentJimmy Carter. By contrast, the federal prison population increased significantly under presidents Ronald Reagan, George H. W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and George W. Bush. Human Rights Watch(HRW) called Obama's human rights record \\\"mixed\\\", adding that \\\"he has often treated human rights as a secondary interest—nice to support when the cost was not too high, but nothing like a top priority he championed.\\\" Obama left office in January 2017 with a 60 percent approval rating.He gained 10 spots from the same survey in 2015 from the Brookings Institution that ranked him the 18th-greatest American president.In Gallup's 2018 job approval poll for the past 10 U.S. presidents, he received a 63 percent approval rating. Presidential library The Barack Obama Presidential Center is\",\n \"Center is Obama's plannedpresidential library. It will be hosted by the University of Chicago and located inJackson Parkon the South Side of Chicago. Awards and honors Obama received theNorwegian Nobel Committee'sNobel Peace Prizein 2009,The Shoah Foundation Institute for Visual History and Education's Ambassador of Humanity Awardin 2014, theJohn F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Awardin 2017, and theRobert F. Kennedy Center for Justice and Human Rights Ripple of Hope Awardin 2018. He was namedTIMEMagazine'sTimePerson of the Yearin 2008 and 2012. He also received twoGrammy Awards for Best Spoken Word AlbumforDreams from My Father(2006), andThe Audacity of Hope(2008) as well as twoPrimetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding NarratorforOur Great National Parks(2022), andWorking: What We Do All Day(2023). He also won twoChildren's and Family Emmy Awards. Eponymy Bibliography Books Audiobooks Articles See also Politics Other Lists Notes References Bibliography Further reading External links Official Other\",\n \"Contiguous United States Thecontiguous United States(officially theconterminous United States) consists of the 48 adjoiningU.S. statesand theDistrict of Columbiaof theUnited States of Americain centralNorth America.The term excludes the only two non-contiguousstates, which areAlaskaandHawaii(they are also the last two states to beadmitted to the Union), and all other offshoreinsular areas, such as theU.S. territoriesofAmerican Samoa,Guam, theNorthern Mariana Islands,Puerto Rico, and theU.S. Virgin Islands.The colloquial term \\\"Lower48\\\"is also used, especially in relation to Alaska. The related but distinct termcontinental United Statesincludes Alaska, which is also on North America, but separated from the 48 states byBritish Columbiain Canada, but excludes Hawaii and all the insular areas in theCaribbeanand thePacific. The greatest distance (on agreat-circleroute) entirely within the contiguous U.S. is 2,802 miles (4,509 km), coast-to-coast betweenFloridaand theState of Washington;the greatest north–south line\",\n \"north–south line is 1,650 miles (2,660 km).The contiguous United States occupies an area of 3,119,884.69 square miles (8,080,464.3 km2). Of this area, 2,959,064.44 square miles (7,663,941.7 km2) is actual land, composing 83.65 percent of the country's total land area, and is comparable in size to the area of Australia.Officially, 160,820.25 square miles (416,522.5 km2) of the contiguous United States is water area, composing 62.66 percent of the nation's total water area. The contiguous United States, if it were a country, would be fifth on thelist of countries and dependencies by area, behindRussia,Canada,China, andBrazil. However, the total area of the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii, ranks third or fourth. Brazil is 431,000 square kilometers (166,000 sq mi) larger than the contiguous United States, but smaller than the entire United States including Alaska, Hawaii and overseas territories. The2020 U.S. censuspopulation of the area was 328,571,074, comprising 99.13 percent of the nation's total\",\n \"the nation's total population, and a density of 111.04 inhabitants/sq mi (42.872/km2), compared to 93.844/sq mi (36.233/km2) for the nation as a whole. Other terms Whileconterminous U.S.has the precise meaning ofcontiguous U.S.(both adjectives meaning \\\"sharing a common boundary\\\"), other terms commonly used to describe the 48 contiguous states have a greater degree of ambiguity. Continental and mainland United States BecauseAlaskais also a part ofNorth America, the termcontinental United Statesalso includes that state, so the term is qualified with the explicit inclusion of Alaska to resolve any ambiguity.On May 14, 1959, theUnited States Board on Geographic Namesissued the following definitions based partially on the reference in the Alaska Omnibus Bill, which defined the continental United States as \\\"the 49 States on the North American Continent and the District of Columbia...\\\" The Board reaffirmed these definitions on May 13, 1999.However, even before Alaska became a state, it was properly included within\",\n \"included within the continental U.S. due to being anincorporated territory. The termmainland United Statesis sometimes used synonymously withcontinental United States, but technically refers only to those parts of states connected to the landmass of North America, thereby excluding not onlyHawaiiand overseasinsular areas, but also islands which are part of continental states but separated from the mainland, such as theAleutian Islands(Alaska),San Juan Islands(Washington), theChannel Islands(California),the Keys(Florida), thebarrier islands(GulfandEast Coaststates), andLong Island(New York). CONUS and OCONUS CONUS, a technical term used by theU.S. Department of Defense,General Services Administration,NOAA/National Weather Service, and others, has been defined both as the continental United States, and as the 48 contiguous states.The District of Columbia is not always specifically mentioned as being part ofCONUS. OCONUSis derived from CONUS withOfor outside added, thus referring to Outside of Continental\",\n \"of Continental United States. The lower 48 The termlower 48is also used to refer to the conterminous United States. TheNational Geographicstyle guide recommends the use ofcontiguousorconterminous United Statesinstead oflower 48when the 48 states are meant, unless used in the context of Alaska.Almost all of Hawaii is south of the southernmost point of the conterminous United States in Florida. Zone of the Interior DuringWorld War II, the first fournumbered Air Forcesof theUnited States Army Air Forces(USAAF) were said to be assigned to theZone of the Interiorby the American military organizations of the time—the future states ofAlaskaandHawaii, then each onlyorganized incorporated territoriesof the Union, were respectively covered by theEleventh Air ForceandSeventh Air Forceduring the war. Terms used in the non-contiguous U.S. jurisdictions Residents of Alaska, Hawaii and off-shoreU.S. territorieshave unique labels for the contiguous United States because of their own locations relative to them. Alaska The\",\n \"to them. Alaska The vast territory ofAlaskabecame the 49th state of the United States on January 3, 1959. Alaska is the northwest extremity of the North American continent, separated from theU.S. West Coastby theCanadian provinceofBritish Columbia. The termLower 48has, for many years, been a common Alaskan equivalent for \\\"contiguous United States\\\";today, many Alaskans use the term\\\"Outside\\\"for those states, though some may use \\\"Outside\\\" to refer toanylocation not within Alaska. Hawaii The territory ofHawaii, consisting of the entireHawaiian Islandsarchipelago except forMidway Atoll,became the 50th state of the United States on August 21, 1959. It is the southernmost U.S. state, and the latest one to join the Union. Not part of any continent, Hawaii is located in thePacific Ocean, about 2,200 miles (3,541 km) from North America and almost halfway between North America andAsia. In Hawaii andoverseas American territories, for instance, the termsthe MainlandorU.S. Mainlandare often used to refer to the 49 states\",\n \"to the 49 states in North America. Puerto Rico Puerto Rico is anunincorporated territoryof the United States located in the northeastCaribbean Sea, approximately 1,000 miles (1,609 km) southeast ofMiami,Florida. Puerto Ricans born in Puerto Rico are U.S. citizens and are free to move to the mainland United States. The termStateside Puerto Ricanrefers to residents of any U.S. state or the District of Columbia who were born in, or can trace their family ancestry to, Puerto Rico. U.S. Virgin Islands TheU.S. Virgin Islandsis aU.S. territorylocated directly to the east of Puerto Rico in the Caribbean Sea.The term \\\"stateside\\\" is used to refer to the mainland, in relation to the U.S. Virgin Islands(seeStateside Virgin Islands Americans). American Samoa American Samoais aU.S. territorylocated in theSouth Pacific OceaninPolynesia, south of the equator — it is 2,200 miles (3,500 km) southwest ofHawaii.In American Samoa, the contiguous United States is called the \\\"mainland United States\\\" or \\\"the states\\\"; those not from\",\n \"those not from American Samoa are calledpalagi(outsiders). Non-contiguous areas within the contiguous United States Apart from off-shoreU.S. islands, a few continental portions of the contiguous United States are accessible by road only by traveling through Canada.Point Roberts, Washington;Elm Point, Minnesota; and theNorthwest AngleinMinnesotaare three such places.Alburgh, Vermont, is not directly connected by land, but is accessible by road via bridges from within Vermont and from New York.By contrast,Hyder, Alaska, is physically part of contiguous Alaska and its easternmost town, but the only practical access is by road through Canada or by seaplane. List of contiguous U.S. states The 48 contiguous states are: In addition, theDistrict of Columbiais within the contiguous United States. See also Notes References External links\"\n]","isConversational":false}}}],"truncated":false,"partial":false},"paginationData":{"pageIndex":2,"numItemsPerPage":100,"numTotalItems":400,"offset":200,"length":100}},"jwt":"eyJhbGciOiJFZERTQSJ9.eyJyZWFkIjp0cnVlLCJwZXJtaXNzaW9ucyI6eyJyZXBvLmNvbnRlbnQucmVhZCI6dHJ1ZX0sImlhdCI6MTc3MzMzODcyMywic3ViIjoiL2RhdGFzZXRzL1NlbGYtR1JJVC9mcmFtZXNfcmFuZG9tX3N1YnNhbXBsZV9ldmFsIiwiZXhwIjoxNzczMzQyMzIzLCJpc3MiOiJodHRwczovL2h1Z2dpbmdmYWNlLmNvIn0.6hYj8KGYuFYpMAScf4Mwf5wa7IJbeUscCG0PTpf4Aw5c5g7Uzlhuhs6AYqPlWV1yU9X0EaChDayzAEn-mhZGDw","displayUrls":true,"splitSizeSummaries":[{"config":"default","split":"valid","numRows":400,"numBytesParquet":28831239}]},"discussionsStats":{"closed":0,"open":2,"total":2},"fullWidth":true,"hasGatedAccess":true,"hasFullAccess":true,"isEmbedded":false,"savedQueries":{"community":[],"user":[]}}">
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Give me the difference in time, measured in hours not days, between the first solo woman to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail and the fastest recorded solo woman to walk the Appalachian Trail before 2012. | 2128 hours | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Trail | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandma_Gatewood | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Pharr_Davis | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | Post processing | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Appalachian_Trail', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grandma_Gatewood', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jennifer_Pharr_Davis'] | [
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"Appalachian Trail TheAppalachian Trail, also called theA.T., is ahiking trailin theEastern United States, extending almost 2,200 miles (3,540 km) betweenSpringer Mountainin Georgia andMount Katahdinin Maine, and passing through 14 states.TheAppalachian Trail Conservancyclaims the Appalachian Trail to be the world'... | [
"Appalachian Trail TheAppalachian Trail, also called theA.T., is ahiking trailin theEastern United States, extending almost 2,200 miles (3,540 km) betweenSpringer Mountainin Georgia andMount Katahdinin Maine, and passing through 14 states.TheAppalachian Trail Conservancyclaims the Appalachian Trail to be the world'... |
A unified team competed in the 1992 Summer Olympic games. How many years old was the first leader of the largest member nation of that team at the time of the game? | 61 years old. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Team_at_the_Olympics | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_presidents_of_Russia | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Unified_Team_at_the_Olympics', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Soviet_Union', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_presidents_of_Russia'] | [
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"Unified Team at the Olympics TheUnified Team(Russian:Объединённая команда) was the name used for thesports teamof the formerSoviet Union(except theBaltic states) at the1992 Winter OlympicsinAlbertvilleand the1992 Summer OlympicsinBarcelona.TheIOC country codewasEUN, after the French name,Équipe unifiée. The Unifie... | [
"Unified Team at the Olympics TheUnified Team(Russian:Объединённая команда) was the name used for thesports teamof the formerSoviet Union(except theBaltic states) at the1992 Winter OlympicsinAlbertvilleand the1992 Summer OlympicsinBarcelona.TheIOC country codewasEUN, after the French name,Équipe unifiée. The Unifie... |
I am thinking of a country. A former member of Swedish Parliament during 2002 – 2006 was born there. English is the official language but many other languages are spoken there. The Trans–West African Coastal Highway passes through this country. In June 2020, Democratic Party leaders in the United States caused controversy by wearing stoles made of cloth from this country. | Ghana | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Frans_(politician) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Ghana | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans%E2%80%93West_African_Coastal_Highway | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kente_cloth#cite_note-CNN-2020-06-08-18 | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Frans_(politician)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Ghana', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans%E2%80%93West_African_Coastal_Highway', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kente_cloth#cite_note-CNN-2020-06-08-18'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Frans_(politician",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Languages_of_Ghana",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trans%E2%80%93West_African_Coastal_Highway",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kente_cloth#cite_note-CNN-2020-06-08-18"
] | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Frans_(politician",
"Languages of Ghana Ghanais amultilingualcountry in which about eighty languages are spoken.Of these, English, which was inherited from the colonial era, is theofficial languageandlingua franca.Of t... | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Frans_(politician",
"Languages of Ghana Ghanais amultilingualcountry in which about eighty languages are spoken.Of these, English, which was inherited from the colonial era, is theofficial languageandlingua franca.Of t... |
How many more wins did the team with the number one seed from the NBA Western Conference in the 2020-2021 season have than the team with the fifth seed from the NBA Western Conference in the 2019-2020 season? | 8 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%9321_NBA_season | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_NBA_season | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%9321_NBA_season', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_NBA_season'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2020%E2%80%9321_NBA_season",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019%E2%80%9320_NBA_season"
] | [
"2020–21 NBA season The2020–21 NBA seasonwas the 75th season of theNational Basketball Association(NBA), though the 75th anniversary was not celebrated until the following season. Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the regular season was reduced to 72 games for each team, and began on December 22, 2020.The season started... | [
"2020–21 NBA season The2020–21 NBA seasonwas the 75th season of theNational Basketball Association(NBA), though the 75th anniversary was not celebrated until the following season. Due to theCOVID-19 pandemic, the regular season was reduced to 72 games for each team, and began on December 22, 2020.The season started... |
Of the participants in the first round of the 2024 Yucatán Open (Doubles), which Mexican player had received two wild cards during their career prior to August 4, 2024? | Alan Fernando Rubio Fierros | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Yucat%C3%A1n_Open_%E2%80%93_Doubles | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Goldhoff | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Trotter_(tennis) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Fernando_Rubio_Fierros | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodrigo_Pacheco_M%C3%A9ndez | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Cid_Subervi | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Hardt | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Pablo_Paz_(tennis) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Vance_(tennis) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_Kozlov | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murkel_Dellien, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facundo_Mena, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Wessels, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabi_Adrian_Boitan, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trey_Hilderbrand, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Crawford_(tennis), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristan_Boyer, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Fancutt, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_Reese, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Hern%C3%A1ndez_(tennis), | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Yucat%C3%A1n_Open_%E2%80%93_Doubles', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Goldhoff', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Trotter_(tennis)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Fernando_Rubio_Fierros', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodrigo_Pacheco_M%C3%A9ndez', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roberto_Cid_Subervi', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nick_Hardt', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juan_Pablo_Paz_(tennis)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Vance_(tennis)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stefan_Kozlov', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Murkel_Dellien, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Facundo_Mena, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Louis_Wessels, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gabi_Adrian_Boitan, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trey_Hilderbrand, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oliver_Crawford_(tennis), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tristan_Boyer, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Fancutt, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hunter_Reese, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alex_Hern%C3%A1ndez_(tennis), '] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2024_Yucat%C3%A1n_Open_%E2%80%93_Doubles",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Goldhoff",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Trotter_(tennis",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Fernando_Rubio_Fierros",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rodrigo_Pacheco_M%C3%A9ndez",
"https... | [
"2024 Yucatán Open – Doubles This was the first edition of the tournament. Thomas FancuttandHunter Reesewon the title after defeating Boris andStefan Kozlov7–5, 6–3 in the final. Seeds Draw Key Draw References External links Thistennis-related competition article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.",
... | [
"2024 Yucatán Open – Doubles This was the first edition of the tournament. Thomas FancuttandHunter Reesewon the title after defeating Boris andStefan Kozlov7–5, 6–3 in the final. Seeds Draw Key Draw References External links Thistennis-related competition article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.",
... |
Who was Prime Minister in Australia at the same time that Norman Gunston released "Salute to ABBA"? | Malcolm Fraser | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Gunston | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_prime_ministers_of_Australia# | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Gunston', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_prime_ministers_of_Australia#'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Norman_Gunston",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_prime_ministers_of_Australia#"
] | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Norman_Gunston (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9384f0a0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Error fe... | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Norman_Gunston (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9384f0a0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Error fe... |
What drug did the male founder of the company that first cloned a U.S. endangered species help study with the International Foundation for Advanced Study? | LSD | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Ann | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revive_%26_Restore | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Brand | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Ann', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revive_%26_Restore', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Brand'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elizabeth_Ann",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Revive_%26_Restore",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stewart_Brand"
] | [
"Elizabeth Ann Elizabeth Ann(born December 10, 2020) is ablack-footed ferret, the first U.S. endangered species to becloned. The animal was cloned using the frozen cells from Willa, a black-footed female ferret who died in the 1980sand had no living descendants. Black-footed ferrets are the only ferret species nati... | [
"Elizabeth Ann Elizabeth Ann(born December 10, 2020) is ablack-footed ferret, the first U.S. endangered species to becloned. The animal was cloned using the frozen cells from Willa, a black-footed female ferret who died in the 1980sand had no living descendants. Black-footed ferrets are the only ferret species nati... |
The incorporation of this company happened in the same year titled on Taylor Swift 5th studio album. It was incorporated by a man born in Setagaya, Tokyo, Japan that worked with the illustrator who largely designed the original 151 Pokémon. What is “this company”? | Game Freak | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_(album) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satoshi_Tajiri | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon (NOT REQUIRED, BUT HELPFUL) | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_(album)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satoshi_Tajiri', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon (NOT REQUIRED, BUT HELPFUL) '] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_(album",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Satoshi_Tajiri",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon (NOT REQUIRED, BUT HELPFUL) "
] | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_(album",
"Satoshi Tajiri Satoshi Tajiri(Japanese:田尻 智,Hepburn:Tajiri Satoshi, born August 28, 1965)is a Japanese videogame designeranddirectorwho is the creator of thePokémonfranchise and the co-founder and president ... | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_(album",
"Satoshi Tajiri Satoshi Tajiri(Japanese:田尻 智,Hepburn:Tajiri Satoshi, born August 28, 1965)is a Japanese videogame designeranddirectorwho is the creator of thePokémonfranchise and the co-founder and president ... |
If we added the sum of all ages as of 2010 (assuming they were still alive) of the inventors of the cotton gin, vacuum pump, and commercial toilet paper (ignoring the month) and then subtracted the ages of the inventors of the safety pin and the sewing machine what number would we have? | 622 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_gin#:~:text=A%20cotton%20gin%E2%80%94meaning%20%22cotton,productivity%20than%20manual%20cotton%20separation. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatics | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Gayetty | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Hunt_(inventor) | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_gin#:~:text=A%20cotton%20gin%E2%80%94meaning%20%22cotton,productivity%20than%20manual%20cotton%20separation.', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatics', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Gayetty', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Hunt_(inventor)'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cotton_gin#:~:text=A%20cotton%20gin%E2%80%94meaning%20%22cotton,productivity%20than%20manual%20cotton%20separation.",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pneumatics",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joseph_Gayetty",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Hunt_(inventor"
] | [
"Cotton gin Acotton gin—meaning \"cottonengine\"—is a machine that quickly and easily separatescottonfibers from their seeds, enabling much greater productivity than manual cotton separation.The separated seeds may be used to grow more cotton or to producecottonseed oil. Handheld roller gins had been used in theInd... | [
"Cotton gin Acotton gin—meaning \"cottonengine\"—is a machine that quickly and easily separatescottonfibers from their seeds, enabling much greater productivity than manual cotton separation.The separated seeds may be used to grow more cotton or to producecottonseed oil. Handheld roller gins had been used in theInd... |
The founder of the new religious movement Thelema once attempted to summit the third highest mountain in the world, but failed. How many years did it take before this feat was successfully accomplished? | 50 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelema | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest_mountains_on_Earth | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1905_Kanchenjunga_expedition | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | Post processing | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelema', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest_mountains_on_Earth', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1905_Kanchenjunga_expedition'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thelema",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleister_Crowley",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_highest_mountains_on_Earth",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1905_Kanchenjunga_expedition"
] | [
"Thelema Thelema(/θəˈliːmə/) is aWestern esotericand occult social or spiritual philosophyand anew religious movementfounded in the early 1900s byAleister Crowley(1875–1947), an English writer, mystic, occultist, and ceremonial magician.Central to Thelema is the concept of discovering and following one'sTrue Will, ... | [
"Thelema Thelema(/θəˈliːmə/) is aWestern esotericand occult social or spiritual philosophyand anew religious movementfounded in the early 1900s byAleister Crowley(1875–1947), an English writer, mystic, occultist, and ceremonial magician.Central to Thelema is the concept of discovering and following one'sTrue Will, ... |
This blood pressure drug commonly used to treat gestational hypertension was patented the same year the first black student at the University of Mississippi was shot. | Labetalol | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Mississippi | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Meredith | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestational_hypertension | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labetalol | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Mississippi', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Meredith', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestational_hypertension', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labetalol'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Mississippi",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Meredith",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gestational_hypertension",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Labetalol"
] | [
"University of Mississippi TheUniversity of Mississippi(bynameOle Miss) is apublicresearch universityinOxford, Mississippi, United States, with amedical centerinJackson. It is Mississippi's oldest public university and is the state's largest by enrollment. TheMississippi Legislaturechartered the university on Febru... | [
"University of Mississippi TheUniversity of Mississippi(bynameOle Miss) is apublicresearch universityinOxford, Mississippi, United States, with amedical centerinJackson. It is Mississippi's oldest public university and is the state's largest by enrollment. TheMississippi Legislaturechartered the university on Febru... |
How much money would be left of Elon Musk's net worth in January of 2021, if you subtracted the 2022 average yearly gross salary of 10,000 people, working in the Philippines, written in words? | one hundred eighty-four billion nine hundred fifty-nine million four hundred forty thousand. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_of_Elon_Musk | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_Philippines | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Post processing | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_of_Elon_Musk', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_Philippines'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wealth_of_Elon_Musk",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Economy_of_the_Philippines"
] | [
"Wealth of Elon Musk Elon Muskmade $175.8 million when PayPal was sold to eBay in October 2002.He was first listed on theForbes Billionaires Listin 2012, with a net worth of $2 billion.He is the chairman, CEO, and CTO ofSpaceX; angel investor, CEO, product architect, and former chairman ofTesla, Inc.; owner, execut... | [
"Wealth of Elon Musk Elon Muskmade $175.8 million when PayPal was sold to eBay in October 2002.He was first listed on theForbes Billionaires Listin 2012, with a net worth of $2 billion.He is the chairman, CEO, and CTO ofSpaceX; angel investor, CEO, product architect, and former chairman ofTesla, Inc.; owner, execut... |
When Taylor Swift first released her studio album "1989," how many studio albums had Katy Perry already released? | 4 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Swift_albums_discography | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katy_Perry_discography | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Swift_albums_discography', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katy_Perry_discography'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Taylor_Swift_albums_discography",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Katy_Perry_discography"
] | [
"Taylor Swift albums discography The American singer-songwriterTaylor Swifthas released 11 originalstudio albums, 4re-recorded albums, 5extended plays (EPs), and 4live albums. She has sold 114 millionalbum-equivalent unitsworldwide,51 million of which arecertifiedin the United States.In terms of pure sales, she has... | [
"Taylor Swift albums discography The American singer-songwriterTaylor Swifthas released 11 originalstudio albums, 4re-recorded albums, 5extended plays (EPs), and 4live albums. She has sold 114 millionalbum-equivalent unitsworldwide,51 million of which arecertifiedin the United States.In terms of pure sales, she has... |
How old would Olivia Newton-John have been at the release of Grease 2 in the United States? | 33 years old. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivia_Newton-John | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_2 | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivia_Newton-John', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_2'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Olivia_Newton-John",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grease_2"
] | [
"Olivia Newton-John Dame Olivia Newton-JohnACDBE(26 September 1948 – 8 August 2022) was a British and Australian singer and actress.She was a four-timeGrammy Awardwinner whose music career included fifteen top-ten singles, including five number-one singles on theBillboardHot 100and two number-one albums on theBillb... | [
"Olivia Newton-John Dame Olivia Newton-JohnACDBE(26 September 1948 – 8 August 2022) was a British and Australian singer and actress.She was a four-timeGrammy Awardwinner whose music career included fifteen top-ten singles, including five number-one singles on theBillboardHot 100and two number-one albums on theBillb... |
Since the turn of the 21st century, there has only been one year in which the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction has not been awarded. Among the finalists that year, one novel was published posthumously. The author of this posthumous publication is best known for a different novel published 15 years prior. The opening lines of this book later inspired a song by a band. The name of this band can be determined with the following calculation: find the age of the author on January 1 of the year the latter book was published, add four, and subtract the sum from the year this author was a Pulitzer Prize finalist. The name of this band was inspired by yet another book. What is the name of this book and its author? | On the Road by Jack Kerouac | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulitzer_Prize_for_Fiction | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Foster_Wallace | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Jest#Adaptations | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_1975 | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulitzer_Prize_for_Fiction', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Foster_Wallace', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Jest#Adaptations', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_1975'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pulitzer_Prize_for_Fiction",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Foster_Wallace",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Infinite_Jest#Adaptations",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_1975"
] | [
"Pulitzer Prize for Fiction ThePulitzer Prize for Fictionis one of the seven AmericanPulitzer Prizesthat are annually awarded for Letters, Drama, and Music. It recognizes distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life, published during the preceding calendar year. As thePulitzer ... | [
"Pulitzer Prize for Fiction ThePulitzer Prize for Fictionis one of the seven AmericanPulitzer Prizesthat are annually awarded for Letters, Drama, and Music. It recognizes distinguished fiction by an American author, preferably dealing with American life, published during the preceding calendar year. As thePulitzer ... |
What is the birthplace and hometown of the winning goal scorer of the 2010 Vancouver Olympics, Men's Ice Hockey event? | Halifax | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey_at_the_2010_Winter_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_tournament | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Crosby | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey_at_the_2010_Winter_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_tournament', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Crosby'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ice_hockey_at_the_2010_Winter_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_tournament",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidney_Crosby"
] | [
"Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament Themen's tournament inice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympicswas held inVancouver,British Columbia, Canada, from February 16 to February 28, 2010. Games were hosted at two venues –Canada Hockey Place(renamed from \"General Motors Place\" for the Olympics bec... | [
"Ice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympics – Men's tournament Themen's tournament inice hockey at the 2010 Winter Olympicswas held inVancouver,British Columbia, Canada, from February 16 to February 28, 2010. Games were hosted at two venues –Canada Hockey Place(renamed from \"General Motors Place\" for the Olympics bec... |
Which fast food chain did the sponsor of the Women's 2018 Volleyball Thailand League acquire rights to in 1987? | Kentucky Fried Chicken | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018%E2%80%9319_Women%27s_Volleyball_Thailand_League | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charoen_Pokphand | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018%E2%80%9319_Women%27s_Volleyball_Thailand_League', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charoen_Pokphand'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2018%E2%80%9319_Women%27s_Volleyball_Thailand_League",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charoen_Pokphand"
] | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/2018%E2%80%9319_Women%27s_Volleyball_Thailand_League (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b932dc1c0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] N... | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/2018%E2%80%9319_Women%27s_Volleyball_Thailand_League (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b932dc1c0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] N... |
Who had the best career batting average out of every player to hit a home run in the 2002 World Series matchup between the Anaheim Angeles and San Francisco Giants? | Barry Bonds with a .298 lifetime batting average. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_World_Series#Composite_box | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Bonds | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darin_Erstad | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bell_(baseball) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Kent | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._T._Snow | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Sanders | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Aurilia | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Spiezio | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawon_Dunston | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Salmon, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_Glaus | Tabular reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_World_Series#Composite_box', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Bonds', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darin_Erstad', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bell_(baseball)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Kent', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._T._Snow', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Reggie_Sanders', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rich_Aurilia', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Spiezio', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shawon_Dunston', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tim_Salmon, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Troy_Glaus'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002_World_Series#Composite_box",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barry_Bonds",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darin_Erstad",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bell_(baseball",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Kent",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/J._T._Snow",
"https:... | [
"2002 World Series The2002 World Serieswas thechampionship seriesofMajor League Baseball(MLB)'s2002 season. The 98th edition of the World Series,it was abest-of-seven playoffbetween theAmerican League(AL) championAnaheim Angelsand theNational League(NL) championSan Francisco Giants; the Angels defeated the Giants, ... | [
"2002 World Series The2002 World Serieswas thechampionship seriesofMajor League Baseball(MLB)'s2002 season. The 98th edition of the World Series,it was abest-of-seven playoffbetween theAmerican League(AL) championAnaheim Angelsand theNational League(NL) championSan Francisco Giants; the Angels defeated the Giants, ... |
How long after the incorporation of Ottawa was the designer of Ottawa's Justice Building born? | 10 years. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_Building | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_W._Fuller | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_Building', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_W._Fuller'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ottawa",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Justice_Building",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_W._Fuller"
] | [
"Ottawa Ottawa(/ˈɒtəwə/ⓘ,/ˈɒtəwɑː/;Canadian French:) is the capital city ofCanada. It is located in thesouthernportion of the province ofOntario, at theconfluenceof theOttawa Riverand theRideau River. Ottawa bordersGatineau, Quebec, and forms the core of the Ottawa–Gatineaucensus metropolitan area(CMA) and theNatio... | [
"Ottawa Ottawa(/ˈɒtəwə/ⓘ,/ˈɒtəwɑː/;Canadian French:) is the capital city ofCanada. It is located in thesouthernportion of the province ofOntario, at theconfluenceof theOttawa Riverand theRideau River. Ottawa bordersGatineau, Quebec, and forms the core of the Ottawa–Gatineaucensus metropolitan area(CMA) and theNatio... |
What sea borders the Irish County where the author of the short story Foster was born? | The Irish Sea | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_(short_story) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claire_Keegan | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Wicklow | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_(short_story)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claire_Keegan', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Wicklow'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foster_(short_story",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Claire_Keegan",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Wicklow"
] | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Foster_(short_story (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b93932bf0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Cla... | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Foster_(short_story (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b93932bf0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Cla... |
Małgorzata Rożniecka is a model who won the title of Miss International. What is the difference in title years from when she won and the pageant winner who was murdered by her stalker? | 10 years | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%C5%82gorzata_Ro%C5%BCniecka | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_International | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnieszka_Kotlarska | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%C5%82gorzata_Ro%C5%BCniecka', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_International', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnieszka_Kotlarska'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ma%C5%82gorzata_Ro%C5%BCniecka",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miss_International",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Agnieszka_Kotlarska"
] | [
"Małgorzata Rożniecka Małgorzata Rożniecka(born 1978, inSzczecin) is a Polish model and beauty queen who wonMiss International 2001. Her 2001 victory broke the four-year monopoly ofLatin Americancountries of the crown. She is 1.78 m tall. References External links Miss WorldAgbani Darego Miss UniverseDenise Quiñone... | [
"Małgorzata Rożniecka Małgorzata Rożniecka(born 1978, inSzczecin) is a Polish model and beauty queen who wonMiss International 2001. Her 2001 victory broke the four-year monopoly ofLatin Americancountries of the crown. She is 1.78 m tall. References External links Miss WorldAgbani Darego Miss UniverseDenise Quiñone... |
What famous playable video game character is killed in their story for the purpose of creating a huge feeling of emptiness? To give a little help, this character also helps her family out by selling flowers she has grown, she knows and has traveled with a known eco-terrorist leader and also a owner of a bar in the slums. | Aerith Gainsborough. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerith_Gainsborough | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_VII | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barret_Wallace | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tifa_Lockhart | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerith_Gainsborough', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_VII', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barret_Wallace', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tifa_Lockhart'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aerith_Gainsborough",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Final_Fantasy_VII",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barret_Wallace",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tifa_Lockhart"
] | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Aerith_Gainsborough (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9369ab90>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Err... | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Aerith_Gainsborough (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9369ab90>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Err... |
What language is the main character's name in in the Disney film that came out in 1994? | Swahili | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Walt_Disney_Animation_Studios_films#ep29 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion_King | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simba | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Walt_Disney_Animation_Studios_films#ep29', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion_King', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simba'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Walt_Disney_Animation_Studios_films#ep29",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lion_King",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simba"
] | [
"List of Walt Disney Animation Studios films Walt Disney Animation Studiosis an Americananimation studioheadquartered inBurbank, California,the original feature film division ofThe Walt Disney Company. The studio's films are also often called \"Disney Classics\" (or \"Classic Animated Features\" in the case of the ... | [
"List of Walt Disney Animation Studios films Walt Disney Animation Studiosis an Americananimation studioheadquartered inBurbank, California,the original feature film division ofThe Walt Disney Company. The studio's films are also often called \"Disney Classics\" (or \"Classic Animated Features\" in the case of the ... |
What is the birthday of the man who produced the pop song named after one of the largest bird in the Procellariiformes species, off the 2024 album The Tortured Poets Department? | Aaron Dessner was born April 23, 1976. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procellariiformes | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Dessner | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tortured_Poets_Department | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | Post processing | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procellariiformes', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Dessner', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tortured_Poets_Department'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Procellariiformes",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Dessner",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Tortured_Poets_Department"
] | [
"Procellariiformes †DiomedeoididaeProcellariidaeDiomedeidaeHydrobatidaeOceanitidae Procellariiformes/prɒsɛˈlɛəri.ɪfɔːrmiːz/is anorderofseabirdsthat comprises fourfamilies: thealbatrosses, thepetrels and shearwaters, and two families ofstorm petrels. Formerly calledTubinaresand still calledtubenosesin English, proce... | [
"Procellariiformes †DiomedeoididaeProcellariidaeDiomedeidaeHydrobatidaeOceanitidae Procellariiformes/prɒsɛˈlɛəri.ɪfɔːrmiːz/is anorderofseabirdsthat comprises fourfamilies: thealbatrosses, thepetrels and shearwaters, and two families ofstorm petrels. Formerly calledTubinaresand still calledtubenosesin English, proce... |
As of 1st August 2024 Queens of the Stone Age, Them Crooked Vultures, Screaming Trees and Kyuss have one band member in common. What does his last name mean in English? | Man | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queens_of_the_Stone_Age | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Them_Crooked_Vultures | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyuss | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homme | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screaming_Trees | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | Post processing | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queens_of_the_Stone_Age', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Them_Crooked_Vultures', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyuss', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homme', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screaming_Trees'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queens_of_the_Stone_Age",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Them_Crooked_Vultures",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kyuss",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homme",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Screaming_Trees"
] | [
"Queens of the Stone Age Queens of the Stone Age(commonly abbreviated asQOTSAorQotSA) is an Americanrockband formed in 1996 inSeattle,Washington.The band was founded by vocalist and guitaristJosh Homme, who has been the only constant member throughout multiple lineup changes. Since 2013, the lineup has consisted of... | [
"Queens of the Stone Age Queens of the Stone Age(commonly abbreviated asQOTSAorQotSA) is an Americanrockband formed in 1996 inSeattle,Washington.The band was founded by vocalist and guitaristJosh Homme, who has been the only constant member throughout multiple lineup changes. Since 2013, the lineup has consisted of... |
As of Aug 3, 2024, the artist who released the album "Father of Asahd" went to the same high school as an Olympic diver. How many Olympic teams did this diver participate on? | 2 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_of_Asahd | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_Khaled | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Phillips_High_School | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Ruiz | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_of_Asahd', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_Khaled', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Phillips_High_School', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Ruiz'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Father_of_Asahd",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DJ_Khaled",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dr._Phillips_High_School",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Ruiz"
] | [
"Father of Asahd Father of Asahdis the eleventh studio album by American disc jockey and record producerDJ Khaled. It was released on May 17, 2019, byWe the Best Music GroupandEpic Records.It features the singles \"Top Off\" and \"No Brainer\" along with collaborations withCardi B,21 SavageandMeek Mill.On May 16, D... | [
"Father of Asahd Father of Asahdis the eleventh studio album by American disc jockey and record producerDJ Khaled. It was released on May 17, 2019, byWe the Best Music GroupandEpic Records.It features the singles \"Top Off\" and \"No Brainer\" along with collaborations withCardi B,21 SavageandMeek Mill.On May 16, D... |
Which MP standing as the leader of a major party in the 2019 United Kingdom General Election was also an MP for Henley? | Boris Johnson was leader of the Conservative Party and a former MP for Henley. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_United_Kingdom_general_election | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Johnson | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Corbyn | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicola_Sturgeon | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo_Swinson | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_United_Kingdom_general_election', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Johnson', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Corbyn', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicola_Sturgeon', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo_Swinson'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2019_United_Kingdom_general_election",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boris_Johnson",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeremy_Corbyn",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicola_Sturgeon",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jo_Swinson"
] | [
"2019 United Kingdom general election Boris JohnsonConservative Boris JohnsonConservative The2019 United Kingdom general electionwas held on Thursday 12 December 2019, with 47,567,752 registered votersentitled to vote to elect 650Members of Parliament(MPs) to theHouse of Commons. The governingConservative Party, le... | [
"2019 United Kingdom general election Boris JohnsonConservative Boris JohnsonConservative The2019 United Kingdom general electionwas held on Thursday 12 December 2019, with 47,567,752 registered votersentitled to vote to elect 650Members of Parliament(MPs) to theHouse of Commons. The governingConservative Party, le... |
This individual won a Best Director Award at the 33rd Japan Academy Prize ceremony and is known for having directed a film that briefly surpassed the Godfather as the highest-grossing film in Japan for a short time. Which film was longer - The Godfather or his film - and by how many minutes? | The Godfather (1972) was longer than Submersion in Japan (1973) by 32 minutes. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Academy_Film_Prize | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisaku_Kimura | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submersion_of_Japan | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Godfather | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Academy_Film_Prize', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisaku_Kimura', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submersion_of_Japan', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Godfather'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japan_Academy_Film_Prize",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daisaku_Kimura",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Submersion_of_Japan",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Godfather"
] | [
"Japan Academy Film Prize TheJapan Academy Film Prize(日本アカデミー賞,Nippon Akademii-shou), often called theJapan Academy Prize, theJapan Academy Awards, and theJapanese Academy Awards, is a series of awards given annually since 1978 by the Japan Academy Film Prize Association (日本アカデミー賞協会,Nippon Akademii-shou Kyoukai) fo... | [
"Japan Academy Film Prize TheJapan Academy Film Prize(日本アカデミー賞,Nippon Akademii-shou), often called theJapan Academy Prize, theJapan Academy Awards, and theJapanese Academy Awards, is a series of awards given annually since 1978 by the Japan Academy Film Prize Association (日本アカデミー賞協会,Nippon Akademii-shou Kyoukai) fo... |
What were the last names of the players selected for the Pro Bowl from the NFL team that was featured in the movie "Ace Ventura: Pet Detective"? Base the answer on the following specifications: -- These players were on the team while Wayne Huizenga was the owner -- The team that these players were on achieved a 10-6 regular season record while still making the playoffs during their Pro Bowl season | Bowens, Thomas, & Madison | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_Ventura:_Pet_Detective | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Dolphins | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_Miami_Dolphins_season | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_Miami_Dolphins_season | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_Miami_Dolphins_season | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Miami_Dolphins_season | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_Miami_Dolphins_season | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Miami_Dolphins_season | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Miami_Dolphins_season | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_Ventura:_Pet_Detective', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Dolphins', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_Miami_Dolphins_season', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_Miami_Dolphins_season', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_Miami_Dolphins_season', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1999_Miami_Dolphins_season', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2000_Miami_Dolphins_season', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2001_Miami_Dolphins_season', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008_Miami_Dolphins_season'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ace_Ventura:_Pet_Detective",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Miami_Dolphins",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1995_Miami_Dolphins_season",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1997_Miami_Dolphins_season",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1998_Miami_Dolphins_season",
"https://en.wikipe... | [
"Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Ace Ventura: Pet Detectiveis a 1994 Americancomedy filmstarringJim CarreyasAce Ventura, an animal detective who is tasked with finding the abducted dolphin mascot of theMiami Dolphinsfootballteam. The film was directed byTom Shadyac, who wrote the screenplay with Jack Bernstein and Carre... | [
"Ace Ventura: Pet Detective Ace Ventura: Pet Detectiveis a 1994 Americancomedy filmstarringJim CarreyasAce Ventura, an animal detective who is tasked with finding the abducted dolphin mascot of theMiami Dolphinsfootballteam. The film was directed byTom Shadyac, who wrote the screenplay with Jack Bernstein and Carre... |
By how many years does the inception of the party to which former Finnish MP Lea Rakel Hiltunen last belonged predate the foundation of the Parliament of Finland itself? | 7 years. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakel_Hiltunen | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Finland | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Democratic_Party_of_Finland | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakel_Hiltunen', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Finland', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Democratic_Party_of_Finland'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rakel_Hiltunen",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliament_of_Finland",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Social_Democratic_Party_of_Finland"
] | [
"Rakel Hiltunen Lea Rakel Hiltunen(néeLyytikäinen; born 2 July 1940 inKeitele) is aFinnishsocial worker and politician. She was a member of theParliament of Finlandfrom 1999 to 2015, representing theSocial Democratic Party of Finland(SDP). References This article about aSocial Democratic Party of Finlandpolitician ... | [
"Rakel Hiltunen Lea Rakel Hiltunen(néeLyytikäinen; born 2 July 1940 inKeitele) is aFinnishsocial worker and politician. She was a member of theParliament of Finlandfrom 1999 to 2015, representing theSocial Democratic Party of Finland(SDP). References This article about aSocial Democratic Party of Finlandpolitician ... |
What year did the author of "The Conquest for Bread" write about "Mutual Aid"? Who was the author? | Peter Kropotkin wrote the series of essays "Mutual Aid" in 1902. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conquest_of_Bread | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Kropotkin | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_Aid:_A_Factor_of_Evolution | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conquest_of_Bread', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Kropotkin', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_Aid:_A_Factor_of_Evolution'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Conquest_of_Bread",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Kropotkin",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mutual_Aid:_A_Factor_of_Evolution"
] | [
"The Conquest of Bread The Conquest of Bread(French:La Conquête du Pain; Russian:Хлѣбъ и воля,romanized:Khleb i volja, 'Bread and Freedom';Хлеб и воляin contemporary spelling) is an 1892 book by the Russiananarchist communistPeter Kropotkin. Originally written in French, it first appeared as a series of articles in... | [
"The Conquest of Bread The Conquest of Bread(French:La Conquête du Pain; Russian:Хлѣбъ и воля,romanized:Khleb i volja, 'Bread and Freedom';Хлеб и воляin contemporary spelling) is an 1892 book by the Russiananarchist communistPeter Kropotkin. Originally written in French, it first appeared as a series of articles in... |
What is population in 1968 of the city that hosted the olympic games in which Lucy Steele competed? | 15,739 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Steele | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Winter_Olympics | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albertville | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Steele', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Winter_Olympics', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albertville'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lucy_Steele",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Winter_Olympics",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Albertville"
] | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Lucy_Steele (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b931cdf00>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"1992 Winter... | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Lucy_Steele (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b931cdf00>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"1992 Winter... |
What happened at the Dyatlov Pass Incident and how did it inspire the plot of 2013 horror film Devil Pass? | The Dyatlov Pass Incident was an event in 1959 where nine Soviet Hiker's died in the Northern Ural Mountains after cutting open their tents and running into the snow for a reason without explanation. Devil Pass is a found footage film that takes place in the decades following the Dyatlov Pass Incident about a group of American students who travel to Russia to investigate the event. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyatlov_Pass_incident | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Pass | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyatlov_Pass_incident', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Pass'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dyatlov_Pass_incident",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil%27s_Pass"
] | [
"Dyatlov Pass incident TheDyatlov Pass incident(Russian:Гибель тургруппы Дятлова,romanized:Gibel turgruppy Dyatlova,lit.'Death of the Dyatlov Hiking Group') is an event in which nineSoviethikers died in the northernUral Mountainsbetween February 1 and 2, 1959, under uncertain circumstances. The experienced trekking... | [
"Dyatlov Pass incident TheDyatlov Pass incident(Russian:Гибель тургруппы Дятлова,romanized:Gibel turgruppy Dyatlova,lit.'Death of the Dyatlov Hiking Group') is an event in which nineSoviethikers died in the northernUral Mountainsbetween February 1 and 2, 1959, under uncertain circumstances. The experienced trekking... |
If the author of the philosophical magnum opus Being and Time were to adopt the last name of the winner of the Nobel Prize for literature in 1964 and the middle name of the person to first break the 4-minute mile as the middle name, what would the full name be? | Martin Gilbert Sartre | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Being_and_Time | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Nobel_Prize_in_Literature | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-minute_mile | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Bannister | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Being_and_Time', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Nobel_Prize_in_Literature', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-minute_mile', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Bannister'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Being_and_Time",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1964_Nobel_Prize_in_Literature",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four-minute_mile",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_Bannister"
] | [
"Being and Time Being and Time(German:Sein und Zeit) is the 1927magnum opusof German philosopherMartin Heideggerand a key document ofexistentialism.Being and Timeis among the most influential texts of 20th century philosophy. It had a notable impact on subsequent philosophy,literary theoryand many other fields. Tho... | [
"Being and Time Being and Time(German:Sein und Zeit) is the 1927magnum opusof German philosopherMartin Heideggerand a key document ofexistentialism.Being and Timeis among the most influential texts of 20th century philosophy. It had a notable impact on subsequent philosophy,literary theoryand many other fields. Tho... |
A United States women's national soccer team player scored her first career international goal during the semi-final match of the 2015 FIFA Women's World Cup. This same player scored her second goal the next year. Tell me the difference in attendance between these two games. | 43,518 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_FIFA_Women%27s_World_Cup_knockout_stage | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelley_O%27Hara | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carli_Lloyd | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_CONCACAF_Women%27s_Olympic_Qualifying_Championship#Group_A | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | Post processing | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_FIFA_Women%27s_World_Cup_knockout_stage', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelley_O%27Hara', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carli_Lloyd', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_CONCACAF_Women%27s_Olympic_Qualifying_Championship#Group_A'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2015_FIFA_Women%27s_World_Cup_knockout_stage",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kelley_O%27Hara",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carli_Lloyd",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_CONCACAF_Women%27s_Olympic_Qualifying_Championship#Group_A"
] | [
"2015 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage Theknockout stageof the2015 FIFA Women's World Cupbegan on 20 June and ended with thefinal matchon 5 July 2015. A total of 16 teams competed in this knockout stage. Format Theknockout stagecomprises the 16 teams that advanced from the group stage of the tournament. There ... | [
"2015 FIFA Women's World Cup knockout stage Theknockout stageof the2015 FIFA Women's World Cupbegan on 20 June and ended with thefinal matchon 5 July 2015. A total of 16 teams competed in this knockout stage. Format Theknockout stagecomprises the 16 teams that advanced from the group stage of the tournament. There ... |
This deceased American singer and songwriter who's song about censorship was nominated for a Grammy Award (for Best Hard Rock Performance) in the same year that was designated as International Space Year by the United Nations. How many letters are in his name? | 11 (Layne Staley) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Layne_Staley | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_in_the_Box | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Hard_Rock_Performance | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Layne_Staley', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_in_the_Box', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Hard_Rock_Performance'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Layne_Staley",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_in_the_Box",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grammy_Award_for_Best_Hard_Rock_Performance"
] | [
"Layne Staley Layne Thomas Staley(bornLayne Rutherford Staley; August 22, 1967 – April 5, 2002)was an American singer and songwriter who was the original lead vocalist ofAlice in Chains, which rose to international fame in the early 1990s as part ofSeattle'sgrungemovement. He was known for his distinctive vocal sty... | [
"Layne Staley Layne Thomas Staley(bornLayne Rutherford Staley; August 22, 1967 – April 5, 2002)was an American singer and songwriter who was the original lead vocalist ofAlice in Chains, which rose to international fame in the early 1990s as part ofSeattle'sgrungemovement. He was known for his distinctive vocal sty... |
Which Naruto characters from before the TV series "Boruto: Naruto the next generation", can perfectly use the Rasengan technique? | Naruto Uzumaki, Minato Namikaze and Jiraiya. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruto_Shippuden_the_Movie:_The_Lost_Tower | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruto_Uzumaki | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiraiya_(Naruto) | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruto_Shippuden_the_Movie:_The_Lost_Tower', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruto_Uzumaki', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiraiya_(Naruto)'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruto_Shippuden_the_Movie:_The_Lost_Tower",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naruto_Uzumaki",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jiraiya_(Naruto"
] | [
"Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower(Japanese:劇場版NARUTO疾風伝 ザ・ロストタワー,Hepburn:Gekijōban Naruto Shippūden: Za Rosuto Tawā)is a 2010 Japaneseanimatedaction-adventurefantasy filmbased onMasashi Kishimoto'smangaandanimeseries. It was released on July 31, 2010.Along with t... | [
"Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower Naruto Shippuden the Movie: The Lost Tower(Japanese:劇場版NARUTO疾風伝 ザ・ロストタワー,Hepburn:Gekijōban Naruto Shippūden: Za Rosuto Tawā)is a 2010 Japaneseanimatedaction-adventurefantasy filmbased onMasashi Kishimoto'smangaandanimeseries. It was released on July 31, 2010.Along with t... |
Ysaires Restituyo was a volleyball player known for playing in the NORCECA Beach Volleyball Circuit. How much older was her partner in 2007 than her partner in 2009? | 2 years | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ysaires_Restituyo | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinthia_Pi%C3%B1eiro# | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ana_Ligia_Fabian | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ysaires_Restituyo', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinthia_Pi%C3%B1eiro#', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ana_Ligia_Fabian'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ysaires_Restituyo",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cinthia_Pi%C3%B1eiro#",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ana_Ligia_Fabian"
] | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Ysaires_Restituyo (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b93ca6080>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Error... | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Ysaires_Restituyo (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b93ca6080>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Error... |
Which actor in the movie Nadja has a Golden Palm Star on the Walk of Stars in Palm Springs, California? | Peter Fonda | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadja_(film) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs_Walk_of_Stars | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Fonda | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadja_(film)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs_Walk_of_Stars', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Fonda'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadja_(film",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Palm_Springs_Walk_of_Stars",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peter_Fonda"
] | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadja_(film",
"Palm Springs Walk of Stars ThePalm Springs Walk of Starsis awalk of famein downtownPalm Springs, California, where \"Golden Palm Stars\", honoring various people who have lived in the greater Palm Springs ar... | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadja_(film",
"Palm Springs Walk of Stars ThePalm Springs Walk of Starsis awalk of famein downtownPalm Springs, California, where \"Golden Palm Stars\", honoring various people who have lived in the greater Palm Springs ar... |
What is the Chinese name for the bodhisattva that the Sensoji temple is dedicated to? | Guanyin | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sens%C5%8D-ji | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokite%C5%9Bvara | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sens%C5%8D-ji', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokite%C5%9Bvara'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sens%C5%8D-ji",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Avalokite%C5%9Bvara"
] | [
"Sensō-ji Sensō-ji(ⓘ,浅草寺, officiallyKinryū-zan Sensō-ji(金龍山浅草寺), also known asAsakusa Kannon(浅草観音)), is an ancientBuddhist templeinAsakusa, Tokyo, Japan. It is Tokyo's oldest-established temple, and one of its most significant. It is dedicated toKannon, thebodhisattvaof compassion. Structures in the temple complex ... | [
"Sensō-ji Sensō-ji(ⓘ,浅草寺, officiallyKinryū-zan Sensō-ji(金龍山浅草寺), also known asAsakusa Kannon(浅草観音)), is an ancientBuddhist templeinAsakusa, Tokyo, Japan. It is Tokyo's oldest-established temple, and one of its most significant. It is dedicated toKannon, thebodhisattvaof compassion. Structures in the temple complex ... |
Shakshouka and menemen are considered similar dishes. What two main ingredients do they have in common? | Egg and tomato. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menemen_(food) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakshouka | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menemen_(food)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakshouka'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menemen_(food",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakshouka"
] | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menemen_(food",
"Shakshouka Shakshouka(Arabic:شكشوكة: šakšūkah, also spelledshakshukaorchakchouka) is aMaghrebidish of eggspoachedin a sauce of tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onion, and garlic, commonly spiced withcumin,pap... | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Menemen_(food",
"Shakshouka Shakshouka(Arabic:شكشوكة: šakšūkah, also spelledshakshukaorchakchouka) is aMaghrebidish of eggspoachedin a sauce of tomatoes, olive oil, peppers, onion, and garlic, commonly spiced withcumin,pap... |
Which is bigger based on their maximum average lengths multiplied by their number of legs: an elephant beetle, a brown rhinoceros beetle, or a bee hummingbird? | Elephant beetle | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_beetle | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylotrupes_gideon | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_hummingbird | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird#Anatomy_and_physiology | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_beetle', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylotrupes_gideon', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_hummingbird', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird#Anatomy_and_physiology', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elephant_beetle",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Xylotrupes_gideon",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bee_hummingbird",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bird#Anatomy_and_physiology",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insect"
] | [
"Elephant beetle M. e. elephasM. e. iijimai Theelephant beetle(Megasoma elephas) is a member of the familyScarabaeidaeand the subfamilyDynastinae. Elephant beetles are Neotropicalrhinoceros beetles. Appearance Elephant beetles are black in color and covered with a coat of fine microscopic hairs. The hairs grow part... | [
"Elephant beetle M. e. elephasM. e. iijimai Theelephant beetle(Megasoma elephas) is a member of the familyScarabaeidaeand the subfamilyDynastinae. Elephant beetles are Neotropicalrhinoceros beetles. Appearance Elephant beetles are black in color and covered with a coat of fine microscopic hairs. The hairs grow part... |
Who was the Prime Minister of Canada the first time that The Toronto Maple Leafs won The Stanley Cup? | R. B. Bennett | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Stanley_Cup_champions | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_prime_ministers_of_Canada | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Stanley_Cup_champions', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_prime_ministers_of_Canada'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Stanley_Cup_champions",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_prime_ministers_of_Canada"
] | [
"List of Stanley Cup champions TheStanley Cupis atrophyawarded annually to theplayoffchampion club of theNational Hockey League(NHL)ice hockeyleague. It was donated by theGovernor General of CanadaLord Stanley of Prestonin 1892, and is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America.Inscribed theDominion Hoc... | [
"List of Stanley Cup champions TheStanley Cupis atrophyawarded annually to theplayoffchampion club of theNational Hockey League(NHL)ice hockeyleague. It was donated by theGovernor General of CanadaLord Stanley of Prestonin 1892, and is the oldest professional sports trophy in North America.Inscribed theDominion Hoc... |
As of July 2024, which protagonist of a 'shonen jump' series shares a name with a station on a West Japan Railway Company regional line? | Light Yagami | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Japan_Railway_Company | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geibi_Line | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weekly_Sh%C5%8Dnen_Jump | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Note | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Japan_Railway_Company', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geibi_Line', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weekly_Sh%C5%8Dnen_Jump', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Note'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Japan_Railway_Company",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geibi_Line",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Weekly_Sh%C5%8Dnen_Jump",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Death_Note"
] | [
"West Japan Railway Company TheWest Japan Railway Company, also referred to asJR West(JR西日本,Jeiāru Nishi-Nihon), is one of theJapan Railways Group(JR Group) companies and operates in westernHonshu. It has its headquarters inKita-ku, Osaka.It is listed in theTokyo Stock Exchange, is a constituent of theTOPIXLarge70 ... | [
"West Japan Railway Company TheWest Japan Railway Company, also referred to asJR West(JR西日本,Jeiāru Nishi-Nihon), is one of theJapan Railways Group(JR Group) companies and operates in westernHonshu. It has its headquarters inKita-ku, Osaka.It is listed in theTokyo Stock Exchange, is a constituent of theTOPIXLarge70 ... |
As of August 3, 2024, what is the capital of the 7th largest country in Asia? | The capital of the 7th largest country in Asia is Ulaanbaatar | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Asian_countries_by_area | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Asian_countries_by_area', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Asian_countries_by_area",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mongolia"
] | [
"List of Asian countries by area Below is alist of countries inAsiaby area.Russiais the largest country in Asia and the world, even after excluding its European portion. TheMaldivesis the smallest country in Asia. See also Notes References",
"Mongolia Mongoliais alandlocked countryinEast Asia, bordered byRussiato... | [
"List of Asian countries by area Below is alist of countries inAsiaby area.Russiais the largest country in Asia and the world, even after excluding its European portion. TheMaldivesis the smallest country in Asia. See also Notes References",
"Mongolia Mongoliais alandlocked countryinEast Asia, bordered byRussiato... |
In which of the three Intertidal zones would you most likely find the Septifer bilocularis? | Low Intertidal Zone | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septifer_bilocularis | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mytilidae | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intertidal_zone | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septifer_bilocularis', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mytilidae', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intertidal_zone'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Septifer_bilocularis",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mytilidae",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intertidal_zone"
] | [
"Septifer bilocularis Septifer bilocularisis amarinebivalvespecies in thefamilyMytilidae, the mussels. Right and left valve of the same specimen: Distribution Tropical Indo-Pacific.;also inAustralia. References External links Thisbivalve-related article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.",
"Mytilida... | [
"Septifer bilocularis Septifer bilocularisis amarinebivalvespecies in thefamilyMytilidae, the mussels. Right and left valve of the same specimen: Distribution Tropical Indo-Pacific.;also inAustralia. References External links Thisbivalve-related article is astub. You can help Wikipedia byexpanding it.",
"Mytilida... |
How old was the Commander-in-Chief of India from 1865-1870 when he died? How old was his wife when she died? Average these two numbers, rounding up to the nearest whole integer if necessary. | William Mansfield, 1st Baron Sandhurst was 57 at the time of his death. His wife, Margaret Mansfield, Baroness Sandhurst was aged 64 at the time of her death. Their average lifespan was 61 years old. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Mansfield,_1st_Baron_Sandhurst | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Mansfield,_Baroness_Sandhurst | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Mansfield,_1st_Baron_Sandhurst', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Mansfield,_Baroness_Sandhurst'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Mansfield,_1st_Baron_Sandhurst",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Mansfield,_Baroness_Sandhurst"
] | [
"William Mansfield, 1st Baron Sandhurst GeneralWilliam Rose Mansfield, 1st Baron SandhurstGCBGCSIPC (Ire)(21 June 1819 – 23 June 1876) was a British military commander who served asCommander-in-ChiefofIndiafrom 1865 to 1870. In Bombay now Mumbai, there is local train station named after Baron Sandhurst. Sanhurst Ro... | [
"William Mansfield, 1st Baron Sandhurst GeneralWilliam Rose Mansfield, 1st Baron SandhurstGCBGCSIPC (Ire)(21 June 1819 – 23 June 1876) was a British military commander who served asCommander-in-ChiefofIndiafrom 1865 to 1870. In Bombay now Mumbai, there is local train station named after Baron Sandhurst. Sanhurst Ro... |
Who was the successor of the Egyptian Pharaoh that was in power when the Treasury of Atreus was completed? | Merneptah | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasury_of_Atreus | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodization_of_ancient_Egypt | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteenth_Dynasty_of_Egypt#Pharaohs_of_the_19th_Dynasty | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramesses_II | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merneptah | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasury_of_Atreus', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodization_of_ancient_Egypt', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteenth_Dynasty_of_Egypt#Pharaohs_of_the_19th_Dynasty', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramesses_II', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merneptah'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Treasury_of_Atreus",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Periodization_of_ancient_Egypt",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nineteenth_Dynasty_of_Egypt#Pharaohs_of_the_19th_Dynasty",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramesses_II",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Merneptah"
] | [
"Treasury of Atreus TheTreasury of AtreusorTomb of Agamemnonis a largetholosorbeehive tombconstructed between 1300 and 1250 BCE inMycenae,Greece. It is the largest and most elaboratetholostomb known to have been constructed in theAegean Bronze Age, and one of the last to have been built in theArgolid. The main tomb... | [
"Treasury of Atreus TheTreasury of AtreusorTomb of Agamemnonis a largetholosorbeehive tombconstructed between 1300 and 1250 BCE inMycenae,Greece. It is the largest and most elaboratetholostomb known to have been constructed in theAegean Bronze Age, and one of the last to have been built in theArgolid. The main tomb... |
What NBA team was founded three years before the Apollo 11 crew landed on the moon? | The Chicago Bulls | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moon_landing",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Basketball_Association"
] | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Moon_landing (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b95391060>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Error fetc... | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Moon_landing (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b95391060>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Error fetc... |
What's the name of Goku's iconic transformation and what episode number does it first appear in the anime? | Goku becomes a Super Saiyan in episode 95 of Dragon Ball Z. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goku | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Ball_Z | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Dragon_Ball_Z_episodes | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Ball_Z_season_3 | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goku', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Ball_Z', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Dragon_Ball_Z_episodes', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Ball_Z_season_3'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Goku",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Ball_Z",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Dragon_Ball_Z_episodes",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dragon_Ball_Z_season_3"
] | [
"Goku Son Gokuis a fictional character and the mainprotagonistof theDragon Ballmangaseries created byAkira Toriyama. He is based on Sun Wukong (known as Son Goku in Japan andMonkey Kingin the West), a main character of the classic 16th-century Chinese novelJourney to the West, combined with influences from theHong ... | [
"Goku Son Gokuis a fictional character and the mainprotagonistof theDragon Ballmangaseries created byAkira Toriyama. He is based on Sun Wukong (known as Son Goku in Japan andMonkey Kingin the West), a main character of the classic 16th-century Chinese novelJourney to the West, combined with influences from theHong ... |
What is the birth year of the American President who once pet the cat who was buried at the Hagia Sofia in 2020? | 1961 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gli | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gli', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gli",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama"
] | [
"Hagia Sophia Hagia Sophia(Turkish:Ayasofya;Ancient Greek:Ἁγία Σοφία,romanized:Hagía Sophía;Latin:Sancta Sapientia;lit.'Holy Wisdom'), officially theHagia Sophia Grand Mosque(Turkish:Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi;Greek:Μεγάλο Τζαμί της Αγίας Σοφίας),is amosqueand formerchurchserving as a major cultural and histori... | [
"Hagia Sophia Hagia Sophia(Turkish:Ayasofya;Ancient Greek:Ἁγία Σοφία,romanized:Hagía Sophía;Latin:Sancta Sapientia;lit.'Holy Wisdom'), officially theHagia Sophia Grand Mosque(Turkish:Ayasofya-i Kebir Cami-i Şerifi;Greek:Μεγάλο Τζαμί της Αγίας Σοφίας),is amosqueand formerchurchserving as a major cultural and histori... |
How many years were there between Heath Ledger's birth and the first successful use of a special human extraction technology that appeared in a Batman movie that Ledger starred in? | 21 years. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_surface-to-air_recovery_system | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heath_Ledger | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_surface-to-air_recovery_system', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heath_Ledger'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fulton_surface-to-air_recovery_system",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dark_Knight",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heath_Ledger"
] | [
"Fulton surface-to-air recovery system TheFulton surface-to-air recovery system(STARS), also known asSkyhook, is a system used by theCentral Intelligence Agency(CIA),United States Air Force, andUnited States Navyfor retrieving individuals on the ground using aircraft such as theMC-130E Combat Talon IandB-17 Flying ... | [
"Fulton surface-to-air recovery system TheFulton surface-to-air recovery system(STARS), also known asSkyhook, is a system used by theCentral Intelligence Agency(CIA),United States Air Force, andUnited States Navyfor retrieving individuals on the ground using aircraft such as theMC-130E Combat Talon IandB-17 Flying ... |
The author of the book "A Good Woman"'s author was married to a man in 2008, who resigned from the board of HP due to the actions taken by the board's chair. What types of cancer did the chair survive? | Breast and skin | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Good_Woman_(novel) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danielle_Steel | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Perkins_(businessman) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_C._Dunn | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Good_Woman_(novel)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danielle_Steel', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Perkins_(businessman)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_C._Dunn'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Good_Woman_(novel",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danielle_Steel",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Perkins_(businessman",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Patricia_C._Dunn"
] | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Good_Woman_(novel",
"Danielle Steel Danielle Fernandes Dominique Schuelein-Steel(born August 14, 1947) is an American writer, best known for her romance novels. She is the bestselling living author and one of thebest-sel... | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Good_Woman_(novel",
"Danielle Steel Danielle Fernandes Dominique Schuelein-Steel(born August 14, 1947) is an American writer, best known for her romance novels. She is the bestselling living author and one of thebest-sel... |
Who was older, the guitar player for the Dugites from 1982-1983 or the lead singer of The Sports? | Andrew Pendlebury | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dugites | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Pendlebury | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Cummings | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dugites', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Pendlebury', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Cummings'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dugites",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Pendlebury",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Cummings"
] | [
"The Dugites The Dugiteswere an Australian rock band who formed in the late 1970s and went on to record three albums in the early 1980s. The Dugites combined elements of power pop, new wave and electronic, producing songs with strong melodies, hooks and a smattering of politics. With hit singles \"In Your Car\", \"... | [
"The Dugites The Dugiteswere an Australian rock band who formed in the late 1970s and went on to record three albums in the early 1980s. The Dugites combined elements of power pop, new wave and electronic, producing songs with strong melodies, hooks and a smattering of politics. With hit singles \"In Your Car\", \"... |
Where did the daughter of the winner of the first US presidential election to occur after the official end of WWII attend university? | George Washington University | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S._Truman | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Truman | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S._Truman', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Truman'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_War_II",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_presidential_election",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harry_S._Truman",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Margaret_Truman"
] | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/World_War_II (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b943b87c0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Error fetc... | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/World_War_II (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b943b87c0>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Error fetc... |
What is the name of the 2nd track on the album by Corinne Bailey Rae that came out 10 years before her album The Heart Speaks in Whispers? | Enchantment | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_discography | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_(album) | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_discography', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_(album)'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_discography",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corinne_Bailey_Rae_(album"
] | [
"Corinne Bailey Rae discography English singer and songwriterCorinne Bailey Raehas released fourstudio albums, onelive album, fourextended plays, 13singles(including five as a featured artist), onepromotional singleand 13music videos. Rae released hereponymous debut albumin February 2006. It debuted atop theUK Albu... | [
"Corinne Bailey Rae discography English singer and songwriterCorinne Bailey Raehas released fourstudio albums, onelive album, fourextended plays, 13singles(including five as a featured artist), onepromotional singleand 13music videos. Rae released hereponymous debut albumin February 2006. It debuted atop theUK Albu... |
How many times in total did the Argentina women's field hockey team and the Uruguay women's field hockey team enter the Pan American Games and the Olympic Games from 2000 to 2020? | 15 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Pan_American_Games | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Summer_Olympics | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Pan_American_Games', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Summer_Olympics'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Pan_American_Games",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Field_hockey_at_the_Summer_Olympics"
] | [
"Field hockey at the Pan American Games The winner of the field hockey event of thePan American Gamesqualifies for theSummer Olympicsin the following year. Women's field hockey was introduced at the1987 edition, and has served as the Olympics qualifying event since 1999. Men's tournament Results Summary Team appear... | [
"Field hockey at the Pan American Games The winner of the field hockey event of thePan American Gamesqualifies for theSummer Olympicsin the following year. Women's field hockey was introduced at the1987 edition, and has served as the Olympics qualifying event since 1999. Men's tournament Results Summary Team appear... |
How many years was the first vessel Stephen Etnier commanded constructed after the novel that first inspired him to pursue painting was published? | 7 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Etnier | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_and_Sixpence | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Mizpah | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Etnier', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_and_Sixpence', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Mizpah'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stephen_Etnier",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Moon_and_Sixpence",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Mizpah"
] | [
"Stephen Etnier Stephen Morgan Etnier(September 11, 1903 – November 7, 1984) was an Americanrealistpainter, painting for six decades. His work is distinguished by a mixture of realism andluminism, favoring industrial and working scenes, but always imbued with atmospheric light. Geographically, his career spanned th... | [
"Stephen Etnier Stephen Morgan Etnier(September 11, 1903 – November 7, 1984) was an Americanrealistpainter, painting for six decades. His work is distinguished by a mixture of realism andluminism, favoring industrial and working scenes, but always imbued with atmospheric light. Geographically, his career spanned th... |
How many calories are in 7 oz. of the fruit given as a present in the musical that won Best Revival of a Musical at the 52nd Annual Tony Awards? | 100 calories | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Tony_Awards | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapple | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Tony_Awards', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapple'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/52nd_Tony_Awards",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabaret_(musical",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pineapple"
] | [
"52nd Tony Awards The52nd Annual Tony Awardsceremony was held on June 7, 1998, atRadio City Music Halland was broadcast byCBStelevision. A documentaries segment was telecast onPBStelevision. The ceremony was hosted byRosie O'Donnell, who hosted a total of three times (1997, 1998, and 2000). This ceremony is notable... | [
"52nd Tony Awards The52nd Annual Tony Awardsceremony was held on June 7, 1998, atRadio City Music Halland was broadcast byCBStelevision. A documentaries segment was telecast onPBStelevision. The ceremony was hosted byRosie O'Donnell, who hosted a total of three times (1997, 1998, and 2000). This ceremony is notable... |
What was the population of the province which the town Robat-e Morad is located, in 2016? | 1,429,475 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robat-e_Morad | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markazi_province | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robat-e_Morad', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markazi_province'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robat-e_Morad",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Markazi_province"
] | [
"Robat-e Morad Robat-e Morad(Persian:رباطمراد)is a village in, and the capital of,Galehzan Rural Districtof theCentral DistrictofKhomeyn County,Markaziprovince,Iran. Demographics Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, the village's population was 1,738 in 555 households.The following census in 2011 cou... | [
"Robat-e Morad Robat-e Morad(Persian:رباطمراد)is a village in, and the capital of,Galehzan Rural Districtof theCentral DistrictofKhomeyn County,Markaziprovince,Iran. Demographics Population At the time of the 2006 National Census, the village's population was 1,738 in 555 households.The following census in 2011 cou... |
Which of these statements is true as of August 3rd, 2024? a) 221 Eos is roughly double the diameter of 1844 Susilva. b) 1844 Susilva is roughly double the diameter of 221 Eos. c) 221 Eos's diameter is roughly 150% of the diameter of 1844 Susilva. d) 1844 Susilva's diameter is roughly 20% the diameter of 221 Eos. | d) 1844 Susilva's diameter is roughly 20% the diameter of 221 Eos. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1844_Susilva | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/221_Eos | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1844_Susilva', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/221_Eos'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1844_Susilva",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/221_Eos"
] | [
"1844 Susilva 1844 Susilva, provisional designation1972 UB, is a stony Eoanasteroidfrom the outer region of theasteroid belt, approximately 22 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 30 October 1972, by Swiss astronomerPaul WildatZimmerwald Observatorynear Bern, Switzerland, and later named after a schoolfrien... | [
"1844 Susilva 1844 Susilva, provisional designation1972 UB, is a stony Eoanasteroidfrom the outer region of theasteroid belt, approximately 22 kilometers in diameter. It was discovered on 30 October 1972, by Swiss astronomerPaul WildatZimmerwald Observatorynear Bern, Switzerland, and later named after a schoolfrien... |
In 1966, the Lower Klamath National Wildlife Refuge became part of the U.S. National Register of Historic Places (NRHP). What is another natural site with water added during that year, also located in California? | Lake Merritt | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Mission_Dam | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecos_National_Historical_Park | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden_Pond | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_Island_Historic_District | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Bishop%27s_House | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Burbank_Home_and_Gardens | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Mission_Dam', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecos_National_Historical_Park', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden_Pond', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_Island_Historic_District', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Bishop%27s_House', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Burbank_Home_and_Gardens'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Mission_Dam",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pecos_National_Historical_Park",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walden_Pond",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Seal_Island_Historic_District",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russian_Bishop%27s_House",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/w... | [
"Old Mission Dam Old Mission Damis a historic water impoundment structure inMission Trails Regional ParkinSan Diego, California. It was built in 1803 to impound theSan Diego Riverto provide water forirrigationof the fields associated withMission San Diego de Alcalá, the first Spanish mission in what is now the US s... | [
"Old Mission Dam Old Mission Damis a historic water impoundment structure inMission Trails Regional ParkinSan Diego, California. It was built in 1803 to impound theSan Diego Riverto provide water forirrigationof the fields associated withMission San Diego de Alcalá, the first Spanish mission in what is now the US s... |
I lost a final against Greg Rusedski on grass, who won his 4th career singles title on grass against a player that once defeated me in the opening round of the US Open. I achieved my highest ranking in singles on what date? | 10 July 2000 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Rusedski | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karol_Kučera | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_US_Open_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_singles | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Popp | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Rusedski', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karol_Kučera', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_US_Open_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_singles', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Popp'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greg_Rusedski",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Karol_Kučera",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2003_US_Open_%E2%80%93_Men%27s_singles",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Popp"
] | [
"Greg Rusedski Gregory Rusedski(born 6 September 1973) is a British former professionaltennisplayer. He was the British No. 1 in 1997, 1999 and 2006, and reached theATPranking of world No. 4 for periods from 6 October 1997 to 12 October 1997 and from 25 May 1998 to 21 June 1998. In 1997, he was theUS Openfinalist, ... | [
"Greg Rusedski Gregory Rusedski(born 6 September 1973) is a British former professionaltennisplayer. He was the British No. 1 in 1997, 1999 and 2006, and reached theATPranking of world No. 4 for periods from 6 October 1997 to 12 October 1997 and from 25 May 1998 to 21 June 1998. In 1997, he was theUS Openfinalist, ... |
How many more votes did the Conservatives receive in the Highlands and Islands region in the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary Elections than in 2016? | 16,086 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Scottish_Parliament_election | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Scottish_Parliament_election | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Scottish_Parliament_election', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Scottish_Parliament_election'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2021_Scottish_Parliament_election",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2016_Scottish_Parliament_election"
] | [
"2021 Scottish Parliament election Nicola SturgeonSNP Nicola SturgeonSNP The2021 Scottish Parliament electiontook place on 11 May 2021,under the provisions of theScotland Act 1998. All 129Members of the Scottish Parliamentwere elected in the sixthelectionsince the parliament was re-established in 1999. The election... | [
"2021 Scottish Parliament election Nicola SturgeonSNP Nicola SturgeonSNP The2021 Scottish Parliament electiontook place on 11 May 2021,under the provisions of theScotland Act 1998. All 129Members of the Scottish Parliamentwere elected in the sixthelectionsince the parliament was re-established in 1999. The election... |
What is the other name, beginning and ending with the letter "d", for the substance, often deployed by means of artillery shells, which was also instrumental in developing a treatment for a condition that dogs of the same breed as Mayor Max II are unusually prone to? | Distilled mustard | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor_Max_II | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever#Health | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemangiosarcoma#Treatments | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemotherapy#History | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_gas | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor_Max_II', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever#Health', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemangiosarcoma#Treatments', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemotherapy#History', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_gas'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mayor_Max_II",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Golden_Retriever#Health",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemangiosarcoma#Treatments",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chemotherapy#History",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mustard_gas"
] | [
"Mayor Max II Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II(May 6, 2013 – July 30, 2022) was agolden retrieverdog who served as the second unofficial mayor of Idyllwild, part of thecensus-designated placeofIdyllwild–Pine Cove, California. His deputy mayors, Mitzi and Mikey, were his cousins.After his death Mayor Max II was succeed... | [
"Mayor Max II Maximus Mighty-Dog Mueller II(May 6, 2013 – July 30, 2022) was agolden retrieverdog who served as the second unofficial mayor of Idyllwild, part of thecensus-designated placeofIdyllwild–Pine Cove, California. His deputy mayors, Mitzi and Mikey, were his cousins.After his death Mayor Max II was succeed... |
What member of the 1992 Unified Olympic women's gymnastics team scored a 9.975 in the qualifier for floor and competed under three different flags in her Olympic career? | Svetlana Boginskaya | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svetlana_Boginskaya | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnastics_at_the_1992_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Women%27s_artistic_team_all-around | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svetlana_Boginskaya', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnastics_at_the_1992_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Women%27s_artistic_team_all-around'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Svetlana_Boginskaya",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gymnastics_at_the_1992_Summer_Olympics_%E2%80%93_Women%27s_artistic_team_all-around"
] | [
"Svetlana Boginskaya Svetlana Leonidovna Boginskaya(born February 9, 1973) is a formerartistic gymnastfor theSoviet UnionandBelarusof Belarusian origin. She is a three-time Olympic champion, with an individual gold medal onvaultfrom the1988 Summer Olympicsand team gold medals from the 1988 and1992 Summer Olympics. ... | [
"Svetlana Boginskaya Svetlana Leonidovna Boginskaya(born February 9, 1973) is a formerartistic gymnastfor theSoviet UnionandBelarusof Belarusian origin. She is a three-time Olympic champion, with an individual gold medal onvaultfrom the1988 Summer Olympicsand team gold medals from the 1988 and1992 Summer Olympics. ... |
What is the nickname for the city where Mette Solli was born? Give the answer in Norwegian. | Rosenes by | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mette_Solli | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molde | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Post processing | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mette_Solli', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molde'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mette_Solli",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molde"
] | [
"Mette Solli Mette Solli(born 14 September 1974) is a Norwegiankickboxer. Biography Solli was born inMoldeon 17 September 1974. Her achievements include gold medal in light-contact at theW.A.K.O. World Championships 2001 (Maribor), a gold medal in full-contact at theW.A.K.O. European Championships 2004 (Budva), and... | [
"Mette Solli Mette Solli(born 14 September 1974) is a Norwegiankickboxer. Biography Solli was born inMoldeon 17 September 1974. Her achievements include gold medal in light-contact at theW.A.K.O. World Championships 2001 (Maribor), a gold medal in full-contact at theW.A.K.O. European Championships 2004 (Budva), and... |
How many years apart were the Canadian Museum of History and the National Gallery of Canada established? | 24 years | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Museum_of_History | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery_of_Canada | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Museum_of_History', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery_of_Canada'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Museum_of_History",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Gallery_of_Canada"
] | [
"Canadian Museum of History TheCanadian Museum of History(French:Musée canadien de l’histoire) is anational museumonanthropology,Canadian history,cultural studies, andethnologyinGatineau,Quebec, Canada. The purpose of the museum is to promote the heritage of Canada, as well as support related research. The museum i... | [
"Canadian Museum of History TheCanadian Museum of History(French:Musée canadien de l’histoire) is anational museumonanthropology,Canadian history,cultural studies, andethnologyinGatineau,Quebec, Canada. The purpose of the museum is to promote the heritage of Canada, as well as support related research. The museum i... |
In the second album of a synthpop-rock band from the county seat city of Utah County, which song has a length of under 3 minutes, not counting any bonus tracks? | Everybody Talks | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_County,_Utah | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provo,_Utah | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Provo,_Utah | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Trees | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Show_(album) | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_County,_Utah', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provo,_Utah', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Provo,_Utah', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Trees', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Show_(album)'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Utah_County,_Utah",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Provo,_Utah",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_people_from_Provo,_Utah",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neon_Trees",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Picture_Show_(album"
] | [
"Utah County, Utah Utah Countyis the second-most populouscountyin theU.S. stateofUtah. Thecounty seatand largest city isProvo,which is the state's fourth-largest city, and the largest outside ofSalt Lake County. As of the2020 United States Census, the population was 665,665. Utah County is one oftwocounties forming... | [
"Utah County, Utah Utah Countyis the second-most populouscountyin theU.S. stateofUtah. Thecounty seatand largest city isProvo,which is the state's fourth-largest city, and the largest outside ofSalt Lake County. As of the2020 United States Census, the population was 665,665. Utah County is one oftwocounties forming... |
According to the 2011 census, what is total population of the cities of the birthplaces of author Clive Barker, Prince William, and Sir Malcolm Stanley Bradbury? Round to the nearest 100,000. | 11,300,000 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Barker | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William,_Prince_of_Wales | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Bradbury | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England#Geography | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Post processing | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Barker', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William,_Prince_of_Wales', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Bradbury', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England#Geography'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Barker",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William,_Prince_of_Wales",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malcolm_Bradbury",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/England#Geography"
] | [
"Clive Barker Clive Barker(born 5 October 1952) is an English writer, filmmaker and visual artist. He came to prominence in the mid-1980s with a series of short stories, theBooks of Blood, which established him as a leadinghorrorwriter. He has since written many novels and other works. His fiction has been adapted ... | [
"Clive Barker Clive Barker(born 5 October 1952) is an English writer, filmmaker and visual artist. He came to prominence in the mid-1980s with a series of short stories, theBooks of Blood, which established him as a leadinghorrorwriter. He has since written many novels and other works. His fiction has been adapted ... |
What is the English meaning of the name of the smaller of the two constellations which resides in the middle of the Summer Triangle? | Arrow. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Triangle | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagitta | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulpecula | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Triangle', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagitta', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulpecula'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Triangle",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sagitta",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vulpecula"
] | [
"Summer Triangle TheSummer Triangleis an astronomicalasterismin thenorthern celestial hemisphere. The definingverticesof this imaginarytriangleare atAltair,Deneb, andVega, each of which is thebrightest starof itsconstellation(Aquila,Cygnus, andLyra, respectively). The greatest declination is +45° and lowest is +9° ... | [
"Summer Triangle TheSummer Triangleis an astronomicalasterismin thenorthern celestial hemisphere. The definingverticesof this imaginarytriangleare atAltair,Deneb, andVega, each of which is thebrightest starof itsconstellation(Aquila,Cygnus, andLyra, respectively). The greatest declination is +45° and lowest is +9° ... |
Who was the president of the USA when the wife of the former HEB Grocery Company CEO Howard Edward Butt Sr. died? | Bill Clinton was president beginning in 1993, the same year that Mary Elizabeth Butt passed away. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Elizabeth_Butt | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Elizabeth_Butt', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Elizabeth_Butt",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bill_Clinton"
] | [
"Mary Elizabeth Butt Mary Elizabeth Butt(néeHoldsworth; 1903–1993) was a prominentTexasphilanthropist and wife of formerHEB Grocery CompanyCEOHoward Edward Butt Sr., son of HEB founder, Florence Butt. Her philanthropic efforts were particularly focused on the care of emotionally disturbed children and the developme... | [
"Mary Elizabeth Butt Mary Elizabeth Butt(néeHoldsworth; 1903–1993) was a prominentTexasphilanthropist and wife of formerHEB Grocery CompanyCEOHoward Edward Butt Sr., son of HEB founder, Florence Butt. Her philanthropic efforts were particularly focused on the care of emotionally disturbed children and the developme... |
What state is the home of the losing team of the World Series three years before "Old Shufflefoot" managed his team to victory? | Illinois | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Boudreau | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Series_champions | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Boudreau', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Series_champions', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Boudreau",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_World_Series_champions",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago"
] | [
"Lou Boudreau As manager Louis Boudreau(July 17, 1917 – August 10, 2001), nicknamed \"Old Shufflefoot\", \"Handsome Lou\", and \"the Good Kid\", was an Americanprofessional baseballplayer and manager.He played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for 15 seasons, primarily as ashortstopon theCleveland Indians, and managed f... | [
"Lou Boudreau As manager Louis Boudreau(July 17, 1917 – August 10, 2001), nicknamed \"Old Shufflefoot\", \"Handsome Lou\", and \"the Good Kid\", was an Americanprofessional baseballplayer and manager.He played inMajor League Baseball(MLB) for 15 seasons, primarily as ashortstopon theCleveland Indians, and managed f... |
In Slovakia there is a well known Film Festival called the Bratistlava International Film Festival. What city/ town was the film editor for the Grand Prix winner of 2003 born in? | Roudnice nad Labem | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bratislava_International_Film_Festival | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boredom_in_Brno | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ji%C5%99%C3%AD_Bro%C5%BEek | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roudnice_nad_Labem | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bratislava_International_Film_Festival', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boredom_in_Brno', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ji%C5%99%C3%AD_Bro%C5%BEek', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roudnice_nad_Labem'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bratislava_International_Film_Festival",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boredom_in_Brno",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ji%C5%99%C3%AD_Bro%C5%BEek",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roudnice_nad_Labem"
] | [
"Bratislava International Film Festival TheBratislava International Film Festival(also known asBratislava IFF) is an internationalfilm festivalestablished in 1999 and held annually inBratislava,Slovakia. Apart from the international competition programme, it also regularly features renowned authors' film retrospect... | [
"Bratislava International Film Festival TheBratislava International Film Festival(also known asBratislava IFF) is an internationalfilm festivalestablished in 1999 and held annually inBratislava,Slovakia. Apart from the international competition programme, it also regularly features renowned authors' film retrospect... |
Who won the season of the dance show that Tate McRae placed third in back in 2016? | Leon "Kida" Burns | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_McRae | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_You_Think_You_Can_Dance:_The_Next_Generation_(American_TV_series) | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_McRae', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_You_Think_You_Can_Dance:_The_Next_Generation_(American_TV_series)'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tate_McRae",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/So_You_Think_You_Can_Dance:_The_Next_Generation_(American_TV_series"
] | [
"Tate McRae Tate Rosner McRae(born July 1, 2003) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and dancer. At the age of 13, she gained prominence as the first Canadian finalist on the American reality television seriesSo You Think You Can Dance. McRae was signed byRCA Recordsin 2019 after her songs had gained traction online—... | [
"Tate McRae Tate Rosner McRae(born July 1, 2003) is a Canadian singer, songwriter, and dancer. At the age of 13, she gained prominence as the first Canadian finalist on the American reality television seriesSo You Think You Can Dance. McRae was signed byRCA Recordsin 2019 after her songs had gained traction online—... |
NASA launched an Apollo mission a year after the Stonewall Riots. How many collective children did the astronauts onboard that mission have? | 8 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Apollo_missions | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lovell | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Swigert | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Haise | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | Post processing | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Apollo_missions', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lovell', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Swigert', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Haise'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stonewall_riots",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Apollo_missions",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jim_Lovell",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Swigert",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fred_Haise"
] | [
"Stonewall riots TheStonewall riots, also known as theStonewall uprising,Stonewall rebellion,Stonewall revolution,or simplyStonewall, were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against apolice raidthat took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at theStonewall Inn, in theGreenwich Villageneig... | [
"Stonewall riots TheStonewall riots, also known as theStonewall uprising,Stonewall rebellion,Stonewall revolution,or simplyStonewall, were a series of spontaneous, violent demonstrations against apolice raidthat took place in the early morning hours of June 28, 1969, at theStonewall Inn, in theGreenwich Villageneig... |
Which film, based loosely on the story of Frederick 'Fritz' Niland, won the Golden Globe for best drama at the 56th Golden Globes in 1999? | Saving Private Ryan was loosely based on the story of Frederick 'Fritz' Niland, and won the Golden Globe for best drama at the 56th Golden Globes in 1999. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niland_brothers | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saving_Private_Ryan#Reception | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niland_brothers', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saving_Private_Ryan#Reception'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Niland_brothers",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saving_Private_Ryan#Reception"
] | [
"Niland brothers TheNiland brotherswere four American brothers fromTonawanda, New York, who served in the military duringWorld War II. They were sons of Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Niland.Two survived the war but, for a time, only one, Frederick \"Fritz\" Niland, was believed to have survived. After the reported deaths... | [
"Niland brothers TheNiland brotherswere four American brothers fromTonawanda, New York, who served in the military duringWorld War II. They were sons of Mr. and Mrs. Michael C. Niland.Two survived the war but, for a time, only one, Frederick \"Fritz\" Niland, was believed to have survived. After the reported deaths... |
Who was the Argentinian president who resigned from the position the same year the José Martín Olaeta Stadium was inaugurated? | Pedro Ramírez | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Jos%C3%A9_Mart%C3%ADn_Olaeta | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1944_in_Argentina | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Jos%C3%A9_Mart%C3%ADn_Olaeta', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1944_in_Argentina'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Estadio_Jos%C3%A9_Mart%C3%ADn_Olaeta",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1944_in_Argentina"
] | [
"Estadio José Martín Olaeta Estadio José Martín Olaetais afootballstadiumlocated in the city ofRosarioofSanta Fe Province,Argentina. The stadium is owned and operated byC.A. Argentino. It has a capacity of 8,500 spectators and was inaugurated in 1944. The stadium was named after José Martín Olaeta, president of the... | [
"Estadio José Martín Olaeta Estadio José Martín Olaetais afootballstadiumlocated in the city ofRosarioofSanta Fe Province,Argentina. The stadium is owned and operated byC.A. Argentino. It has a capacity of 8,500 spectators and was inaugurated in 1944. The stadium was named after José Martín Olaeta, president of the... |
Who was the manager of the team that won the first Football League after the death of Queen Victoria? | Tom Watson was the manager of Liverpool F.C. in 1901. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900%E2%80%9301_Football_League#Final_league_tables | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Liverpool_F.C._managers#Managers | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900%E2%80%9301_Football_League#Final_league_tables', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Liverpool_F.C._managers#Managers'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Queen_Victoria",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1900%E2%80%9301_Football_League#Final_league_tables",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Liverpool_F.C._managers#Managers"
] | [
"Queen Victoria Victoria(Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) wasQueen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Irelandfrom 20 June 1837 untilher deathin 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days—which waslonger than those of any of her predecessors—constituted theVictorian era. It was a period of ... | [
"Queen Victoria Victoria(Alexandrina Victoria; 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901) wasQueen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Irelandfrom 20 June 1837 untilher deathin 1901. Her reign of 63 years and 216 days—which waslonger than those of any of her predecessors—constituted theVictorian era. It was a period of ... |
What is the name of the rock climber/businessman who co-founded the environmental group that the co-founder of Netflix joined? | Yvon Chouinard | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Randolph | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Percent_for_the_Planet | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvon_Chouinard | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Randolph', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Percent_for_the_Planet', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvon_Chouinard'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marc_Randolph",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/One_Percent_for_the_Planet",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yvon_Chouinard"
] | [
"Netflix Netflixis an Americansubscription video on-demandover-the-topstreamingservice. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple languages. Launched in 2007, nearly a decade afterNetflix, Inc.began its pio... | [
"Netflix Netflixis an Americansubscription video on-demandover-the-topstreamingservice. The service primarily distributes original and acquired films and television shows from various genres, and it is available internationally in multiple languages. Launched in 2007, nearly a decade afterNetflix, Inc.began its pio... |
Is the time between Oasis's first album and 2024 shorter or longer than between Oasis's first album and The Beatles' last album? | Longer. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Beatles"
] | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band",
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/The_Beatles (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0... | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oasis_(band",
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/The_Beatles (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0... |
How many years did Cardi B's rap career overlap with Tupac's rap career? | Zero | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardi_B | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardi_B', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cardi_B",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupac_Shakur"
] | [
"Cardi B Belcalis Marlenis Cephus(néeAlmánzar;born October 11, 1992), known professionally asCardi B, is an American rapper and songwriter. Distinguished for her aggressiveflowand outspoken clever lyrics, Cardi B has established herself as one of the most successful female artists in contemporary music. From 2015 t... | [
"Cardi B Belcalis Marlenis Cephus(néeAlmánzar;born October 11, 1992), known professionally asCardi B, is an American rapper and songwriter. Distinguished for her aggressiveflowand outspoken clever lyrics, Cardi B has established herself as one of the most successful female artists in contemporary music. From 2015 t... |
What BTS member turned 5 years old the soonest after BoA's first album was released? | Jimin | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BoA#Discography | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ID;_Peace_B | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTS | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimin | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BoA#Discography', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ID;_Peace_B', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTS', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimin'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BoA#Discography",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ID;_Peace_B",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BTS",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jimin"
] | [
"BoA Kwon Bo-ah(Korean:권보아; born November 5, 1986), known professionally asBoAand often referred to as the \"Queen of K-pop\", is a South Korean singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, and actress. Born and raised inGyeonggi-do, South Korea, BoA was discovered bySM Entertainmenttalent agents when she accompanied her ... | [
"BoA Kwon Bo-ah(Korean:권보아; born November 5, 1986), known professionally asBoAand often referred to as the \"Queen of K-pop\", is a South Korean singer, songwriter, dancer, producer, and actress. Born and raised inGyeonggi-do, South Korea, BoA was discovered bySM Entertainmenttalent agents when she accompanied her ... |
What is the difference in mean flow rate (in cubic feet per second) between the River Avon at Great Somerford and its tributary, the River Marden? | 75.5 cubic ft/s | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Avon,_Bristol#Hydrology_and_water_quality | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Marden | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Avon,_Bristol#Hydrology_and_water_quality', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Marden'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Avon,_Bristol#Hydrology_and_water_quality",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Marden"
] | [
"River Avon, Bristol TheRiver Avon/ˈeɪvən/is a river in the southwest of England. To distinguish it from a number of otherrivers of the same name, it is often called theBristol Avon. The name 'Avon' isloanedfrom an ancestor of theWelshwordafon, meaning 'river'. The Avonrisesjust north of the village ofActon Turvill... | [
"River Avon, Bristol TheRiver Avon/ˈeɪvən/is a river in the southwest of England. To distinguish it from a number of otherrivers of the same name, it is often called theBristol Avon. The name 'Avon' isloanedfrom an ancestor of theWelshwordafon, meaning 'river'. The Avonrisesjust north of the village ofActon Turvill... |
As noted in the 2020 census, what is the population of the county in which Waterville, Maine, resides? | 123,642 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterville,_Maine | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennebec_County,_Maine | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterville,_Maine', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennebec_County,_Maine'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waterville,_Maine",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kennebec_County,_Maine"
] | [
"Waterville, Maine Watervilleis a city inKennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of theKennebec River. A college town, the city is home toColby College, aNESCACcollege, andThomas College. It is also home to the headquarters of HealthReach Community Health Centers. As of the2020 censusthe population ... | [
"Waterville, Maine Watervilleis a city inKennebec County, Maine, United States, on the west bank of theKennebec River. A college town, the city is home toColby College, aNESCACcollege, andThomas College. It is also home to the headquarters of HealthReach Community Health Centers. As of the2020 censusthe population ... |
How many years earlier would Punxsutawney Phil have to be canonically alive to have made a Groundhog Day prediction in the same state as the US capitol? | 87 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punxsutawney_Phil | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punxsutawney_Phil', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Punxsutawney_Phil",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Capitol"
] | [
"Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney Phil(/ˌpʌŋksəˈtɔːni/) is agroundhogresiding inYoung TownshipnearPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania, United States, who is the central figure in Punxsutawney's annualGroundhog Daycelebration. Folklore On February 2 each year,Punxsutawneyholds a civic festival with music and food. During the c... | [
"Punxsutawney Phil Punxsutawney Phil(/ˌpʌŋksəˈtɔːni/) is agroundhogresiding inYoung TownshipnearPunxsutawney, Pennsylvania, United States, who is the central figure in Punxsutawney's annualGroundhog Daycelebration. Folklore On February 2 each year,Punxsutawneyholds a civic festival with music and food. During the c... |
Emma Lazarus's most famous poem inspired the founding of an order of nursing nuns. What disease does this order specialize in treating? | Cancer | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Lazarus | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Sisters_of_Hawthorne | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Lazarus', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Sisters_of_Hawthorne'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emma_Lazarus",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominican_Sisters_of_Hawthorne"
] | [
"Emma Lazarus Emma Lazarus(July 22, 1849 – November 19, 1887) was an American author of poetry, prose, and translations, as well as an activist for Jewish andGeorgistcauses. She is remembered for writing thesonnet\"The New Colossus\", which was inspired by theStatue of Liberty, in 1883.Its lines appear inscribed on... | [
"Emma Lazarus Emma Lazarus(July 22, 1849 – November 19, 1887) was an American author of poetry, prose, and translations, as well as an activist for Jewish andGeorgistcauses. She is remembered for writing thesonnet\"The New Colossus\", which was inspired by theStatue of Liberty, in 1883.Its lines appear inscribed on... |
If Anastasia Romanov had still been alive when the 90s cartoon movie based on her was released, how old would she be? | Duchess Anastasia Romanov would have been 96 years old. | https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchess_Anastasia_Nikolaevna_of_Russia | https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasia_(1997_film) | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | ['https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchess_Anastasia_Nikolaevna_of_Russia', 'https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasia_(1997_film)'] | [
"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Duchess_Anastasia_Nikolaevna_of_Russia",
"https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anastasia_(1997_film"
] | [
"Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia(Russian:Анастасия Николаевна Романова,romanized:Anastasiya Nikolaevna Romanova; 18 June 1901 – 17 July 1918) was the youngest daughter ofTsar Nicholas II, the last sovereign ofImperial Russia, and his wife,Tsarina Alexandra ... | [
"Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia Grand Duchess Anastasia Nikolaevna of Russia(Russian:Анастасия Николаевна Романова,romanized:Anastasiya Nikolaevna Romanova; 18 June 1901 – 17 July 1918) was the youngest daughter ofTsar Nicholas II, the last sovereign ofImperial Russia, and his wife,Tsarina Alexandra ... |
How old were the founders of the firm that designed the Empire State Building when construction on the building began? | Richmond Shreve was 52 years old and William Lamb was 46 years old. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Building | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shreve,_Lamb_%26_Harmon | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond_Shreve | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Lamb | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Building', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shreve,_Lamb_%26_Harmon', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond_Shreve', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Lamb'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Empire_State_Building",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shreve,_Lamb_%26_Harmon",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richmond_Shreve",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_F._Lamb"
] | [
"Empire State Building TheEmpire State Buildingis a 102-storyArt Decoskyscraper in theMidtown Southneighborhood ofManhattaninNew York City. The building was designed byShreve, Lamb & Harmonand built from 1930 to 1931. Its name is derived from \"Empire State\", thenicknameof the state ofNew York. The building has a ... | [
"Empire State Building TheEmpire State Buildingis a 102-storyArt Decoskyscraper in theMidtown Southneighborhood ofManhattaninNew York City. The building was designed byShreve, Lamb & Harmonand built from 1930 to 1931. Its name is derived from \"Empire State\", thenicknameof the state ofNew York. The building has a ... |
Out of every team that has won at least one official global Valorant tournament, which team has also won at least one League of Legends World Championship and at least one CS:GO Major Championship as of 2024? | Fnatic | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valorant_Champions_Tour | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends_World_Championship | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike_Major_Championships | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valorant_Champions_Tour', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends_World_Championship', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike_Major_Championships'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Valorant_Champions_Tour",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/League_of_Legends_World_Championship",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Counter-Strike_Major_Championships"
] | [
"ValorantChampions Tour TheValorantChampions Tour(VCT) is a global competitiveesportstournament series for the video gameValorantorganised byRiot Games, the game's developers. The series runs multiple events throughout each season, culminating inValorantChampions, the top-level event of the tour. The VCT was announ... | [
"ValorantChampions Tour TheValorantChampions Tour(VCT) is a global competitiveesportstournament series for the video gameValorantorganised byRiot Games, the game's developers. The series runs multiple events throughout each season, culminating inValorantChampions, the top-level event of the tour. The VCT was announ... |
In what city were the Summer Olympic Games held in the year the RMS _Titanic_ sank? | Stockholm (Sweden) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1912_Summer_Olympics | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1912_Summer_Olympics'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Titanic",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1912_Summer_Olympics"
] | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Titanic (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9438c670>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Error fetching ... | [
"Error fetching content: HTTPSConnectionPool(host='en.wikipedia.org', port=443): Max retries exceeded with url: /wiki/Titanic (Caused by NewConnectionError('<urllib3.connection.HTTPSConnection object at 0x7f4b9438c670>: Failed to establish a new connection: [Errno 101] Network is unreachable'))",
"Error fetching ... |
How many more points did Michael Jordan average in his sophomore season (regular season) in the NBA than the first black NBA player averaged during his career (regular season)? Show me a math equation to justify your answer. | 14.3 PPG 22.7 - 8.4 = 14.3 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_NBA | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Lloyd | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | Post processing | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_NBA', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Lloyd'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Jordan",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Race_and_ethnicity_in_the_NBA",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Earl_Lloyd"
] | [
"Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan(born February 17, 1963), also known by his initialsMJ,is an American businessman and former professionalbasketballplayer. He played 15 seasons in theNational Basketball Association(NBA) between 1984 and 2003, winning sixNBA championshipswith theChicago Bulls. He was integral i... | [
"Michael Jordan Michael Jeffrey Jordan(born February 17, 1963), also known by his initialsMJ,is an American businessman and former professionalbasketballplayer. He played 15 seasons in theNational Basketball Association(NBA) between 1984 and 2003, winning sixNBA championshipswith theChicago Bulls. He was integral i... |
As of 2024, how many total Academy award nominations has the the man who won the Academy award for best actor one year before 1999 received? | 12 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/70th_Academy_Awards | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Nicholson | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Post processing | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/70th_Academy_Awards', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Nicholson'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/70th_Academy_Awards",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Nicholson"
] | [
"70th Academy Awards The70th Academy Awardsceremony, organized by theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences(AMPAS), took place on March 23, 1998, at theShrine AuditoriuminLos Angelesbeginning at 6:00 p.m.PST/ 9:00 p.m.EST. During the show, AMPAS presentedAcademy Awards(commonly referred to as Oscars) in 24 cat... | [
"70th Academy Awards The70th Academy Awardsceremony, organized by theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences(AMPAS), took place on March 23, 1998, at theShrine AuditoriuminLos Angelesbeginning at 6:00 p.m.PST/ 9:00 p.m.EST. During the show, AMPAS presentedAcademy Awards(commonly referred to as Oscars) in 24 cat... |
In 1994, Linus Roache starred in Priest. Who composed the music on his next film? | Edward Shearmur | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(1994_film) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Roache | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wings_of_the_Dove_(1997_film) | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(1994_film)', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Roache', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wings_of_the_Dove_(1997_film)'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(1994_film",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Roache",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Wings_of_the_Dove_(1997_film"
] | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(1994_film",
"Linus Roache Linus William Roache(born 1 February 1964) is a British actor. He played Executive ADAMichael Cutterin theNBCdramasLaw & Order(2008–2010) andLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit(2011–2012), a... | [
"Error fetching content: 404 Client Error: Not Found for url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Priest_(1994_film",
"Linus Roache Linus William Roache(born 1 February 1964) is a British actor. He played Executive ADAMichael Cutterin theNBCdramasLaw & Order(2008–2010) andLaw & Order: Special Victims Unit(2011–2012), a... |
How many more full seasons already existed of the longest running cartoon television series ever in the United States of all time than seasons of "X-Men: The Animated Series" when Barack Obama was elected president of the United States. Show me your reasoning using a mathematical equation. Write out your answer in words, but give me the mathematical equation in numerical form. | Fourteen 19 - 5 = 14 | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Men:_The_Animated_Series | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animated_television_series_by_episode_count | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Multiple constraints | Post processing | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Men:_The_Animated_Series', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animated_television_series_by_episode_count'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/X-Men:_The_Animated_Series",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Simpsons",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_animated_television_series_by_episode_count"
] | [
"Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II(born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44thpresident of the United Statesfrom 2009 to 2017. As a member of theDemocratic Party, he was the firstAfrican-Americanpresident in U.S. history. Obama previously served as aU.S. senatorrepresentingIllinoisfrom ... | [
"Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II(born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44thpresident of the United Statesfrom 2009 to 2017. As a member of theDemocratic Party, he was the firstAfrican-Americanpresident in U.S. history. Obama previously served as aU.S. senatorrepresentingIllinoisfrom ... |
What was the 2021 population of the birthplace of the leader of the party that won the 1869 Newfoundland general election? | 9,162 was the population of Shaftesbury (the birthplace of Charles Fox Bennett) in the 2021 census. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1869_Newfoundland_general_election | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fox_Bennett | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaftesbury | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1869_Newfoundland_general_election', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fox_Bennett', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaftesbury'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1869_Newfoundland_general_election",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Fox_Bennett",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shaftesbury"
] | [
"1869 Newfoundland general election The1869 Newfoundland general electionwas held in 1869 to elect members of the10th General Assembly of Newfoundlandin theNewfoundland Colony. 21 Anti-Confederates (A-C) were elected against 9 Confederates (Con), ending for a moment the debate over joining the Dominion ofCanada. Re... | [
"1869 Newfoundland general election The1869 Newfoundland general electionwas held in 1869 to elect members of the10th General Assembly of Newfoundlandin theNewfoundland Colony. 21 Anti-Confederates (A-C) were elected against 9 Confederates (Con), ending for a moment the debate over joining the Dominion ofCanada. Re... |
There's a famous children's book about a King Elephant. At what age did the French author die? | 37 years old. | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babar_the_Elephant | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_Brunhoff | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babar_the_Elephant', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_Brunhoff'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Babar_the_Elephant",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_de_Brunhoff"
] | [
"Babar the Elephant Babar the Elephant(UK:/ˈbæbɑːr/,US:/bəˈbɑːr/;French pronunciation:) is an elephant character who first appeared in 1931 in the Frenchchildren's bookHistoire de BabarbyJean de Brunhoff. The book is based on a tale that Brunhoff's wife,Cécile, had invented for their children.It tells of a youngAfr... | [
"Babar the Elephant Babar the Elephant(UK:/ˈbæbɑːr/,US:/bəˈbɑːr/;French pronunciation:) is an elephant character who first appeared in 1931 in the Frenchchildren's bookHistoire de BabarbyJean de Brunhoff. The book is based on a tale that Brunhoff's wife,Cécile, had invented for their children.It tells of a youngAfr... |
Who was the MVP in the season that Cam Plante played in the National Hockey League? | Wayne Gretzky | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cam_Plante | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984%E2%80%9385_NHL_season | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Tabular reasoning | Multiple constraints | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cam_Plante', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984%E2%80%9385_NHL_season'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cam_Plante",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1984%E2%80%9385_NHL_season"
] | [
"Cam Plante Cam Plante(born March 12, 1964) is a Canadian former professionalice hockeydefenceman. He was drafted in the seventh round, 128th overall, by theToronto Maple Leafsin the1983 NHL Entry Draft. He played two games in theNational Hockey Leaguewith the Maple Leafs in the1984–85 season. Plante holds theWeste... | [
"Cam Plante Cam Plante(born March 12, 1964) is a Canadian former professionalice hockeydefenceman. He was drafted in the seventh round, 128th overall, by theToronto Maple Leafsin the1983 NHL Entry Draft. He played two games in theNational Hockey Leaguewith the Maple Leafs in the1984–85 season. Plante holds theWeste... |
Emory Kristof, the photographer who helped find the Titanic's wreckage, shares an alma mater with a co-creator of Seinfeld. How many years separate their births? | 5 years | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emory_Kristof | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Maryland,_College_Park#Notable_alumni | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_David | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Numerical reasoning | Tabular reasoning | Post processing | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emory_Kristof', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Maryland,_College_Park#Notable_alumni', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_David'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emory_Kristof",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Maryland,_College_Park#Notable_alumni",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_David"
] | [
"Emory Kristof Emory Kristof(November 19, 1942 – February 6, 2023) was an American photographer. He was on the expedition that discovered theTitanic.His work has been published inNational Geographic Magazineand elsewhere. Life and career Kristof was born inLaurel, Maryland, on November 19, 1942. Kristof participate... | [
"Emory Kristof Emory Kristof(November 19, 1942 – February 6, 2023) was an American photographer. He was on the expedition that discovered theTitanic.His work has been published inNational Geographic Magazineand elsewhere. Life and career Kristof was born inLaurel, Maryland, on November 19, 1942. Kristof participate... |
How many Pokemon World Championships occurred in the contiguous United States during the presidency of Barack Obama? | - Five Pokemon World Championships took place in the contiguous United States during Barack Obama's presidency - The championships tournaments were 2009 (San Diego, California), 2011 (San Diego, California), 2014 (Washington, D.C.), 2015 (Boston, Massachusetts) and 2016 (San Francisco, California) | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_World_Championships | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama | https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contiguous_United_States | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | null | Multiple constraints | Temporal reasoning | ['https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_World_Championships', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama', 'https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contiguous_United_States'] | [
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pok%C3%A9mon_World_Championships",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barack_Obama",
"https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Contiguous_United_States"
] | [
"Pokémon World Championships ThePokémon World Championshipsis an invite-onlyesportsevent organized byPlay! Pokémon. It is held annually in August and features games from thePokémonseries such as thePokémonvideo games,Pokémon Trading Card Game,Pokémon Go,Pokémon UniteandPokkén Tournament(until its 2022 edition). Pla... | [
"Pokémon World Championships ThePokémon World Championshipsis an invite-onlyesportsevent organized byPlay! Pokémon. It is held annually in August and features games from thePokémonseries such as thePokémonvideo games,Pokémon Trading Card Game,Pokémon Go,Pokémon UniteandPokkén Tournament(until its 2022 edition). Pla... |
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